"Take care of Gray, okay?" Lucy entrusted the ice mage to a villager, who swung the unconscious man over his shoulder with ease. "Leave him to us. Okay, let's go!"
The villagers turned to leave, but were stopped in their tracks by Sherry's voice, "We won't let you escape. Reitei-sama has ordered us to wipe you all out. Angelica!"
The giant rat let out a squeak at her master's command, leaping into the air, her tail spinning in circles to act as a propeller as she dived, dangerously close, over the top of Natsu, Na Na and Lucy. Na Na laughed, tilting her head slightly to avoid being hit by the rat, and Natsu successfully avoided the rat as well, but the same couldn't be said for a certain Celestial wizard.
"I'm a member of Fairy Tail too!" Lucy started off determined, but her declaration ended off with a scream as she was carried off into the air by Angelica. "AH! I GOT TOO GUNG-HO AND GRABBED ON!"
The blonde was now clinging onto the rat's claw, as the rat soared over the destroyed village. "Yup, she's an idiot!" Happy confirmed. "She's nuts!" Natsu groaned.
"Stop this instant! Don't lay a claw on the villagers!" Lucy cried, trying to punch the rat's claw. It had no effect whatsoever, for the rat was twenty times the size of Lucy herself, and barely felt an itch. "Who does she think she is?" Sherry scoffed from Angelica's back. But the blonde, unwilling to give up, reached up towards the rat's paw.
A devious smirk spread across her lips as she started to tickle it, "How about this?" Sherry smirked, "That's not going to work, you know."
But just as Sherry uttered those words, the blue rat let out a loud squeak, stiffening. "A-Angelica?!" The tail stopped spinning abruptly, as the rat started to squeak in laughter, clutching at its sides and kicking its claws back and forth in the air. "W-What are you doing?! If you stop your tail…"
And as if on cue, the rat plummeted to the ground, travelling at a dangerously fast speed towards the ground. Screams sounded through the air as Na Na began to laugh lightly at them. They landed with a loud thud in the middle of the forest, sending mini earthquakes through the ground. "Ne, ne…Is Lucy dead?"
Na Na giggled at her own question. "Someone's gonna be ticked…" Yuka commented nonchalantly.
"I'm not ticked!" Toby barked.
"Not you, idiot."
"She okay, you think?" Natsu questioned, "Hope she's not crushed." Happy sighed, "She'd be dead if she was crushed. I'll go take a look." Wings appeared at Happy's back as he took off into the air. "Right. Countin' on ya."
"Is she crushed? Ne, ne…If she was crushed she would look real funny, won't she? With her skull squashed like an orange and her brains spilling out. Hehe!" Na Na giggled, clutching her stomach as she keeled over in laughter, "Ne, ne…Happy, I want to see! Bring me!"
"Na Na, how about your toys?" Natsu raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yea! I still have my toys…Ne, ne, Happy…Can you take a picture for me if Lucy's crushed? I reaaaallllyyyy want to see!"
"A-Aye!" the Exceed saluted, flying off towards the forest. "We'd clean things up here," Natsu turned his gaze to Toby and Yuka. Without any warning, he leapt off his feet, aiming straight for Toby. He head-butted the dog-man, sending him flying with a whine. Inhaling deeply, he turned, his gaze locked on Yuka as he blew a fireball at him.
"Those are some ferocious flames you have there," Yuka chuckled, as the fire blew out to reveal him, completely unscathed, with a blue barrier surrounding him, "Could you be Fairy Tail's Salamander that I've heard rumors about?"
Natsu didn't reply, his eyes darting to Toby as he sprung from the ground unharmed. "We were once wizards from a well-known guild. You won't beat us so easily. If I mention the wizard's guild Lamia Scale, does that ring a bell? Exactly, that's were 'Hard Iron' Jera was-"
Before he could continue, Yuka stiffened. Something was behind him, something bad. "Peekaboo," a voice giggled in his ear. What was that voice? So undeniably terrifying, so undeniably murderous. That single whisper had him shivering, and whatever this thing was, he didn't want to face it.
He didn't have a choice, though. He would never be defeated by anyone. So he grit his teeth, turning to face Na Na, an attack ready in his hands. But that was when he felt something on his hand. Pain? Yes, definitely pain. It came from his index finger of his right hand, a horrible burning pain that spread to his palm and up his arm, before fanning out to his chest. He didn't dare to look down at his hand.
Because he already knew what she had done.
Na Na giggled, holding his fingernail between her thumb and index finger. Blood dripped from it, a small piece of flesh dangling from the nail. "Ne, ne…Your nails are really pretty! I'm going to add them to my collection!"
Natsu grimaced at the sight, before smirking. He spread his arms out on either side of him, two geysers of fire shooting out of his palm, one aiming for Yuka and the other for Toby. Both put up their defenses, while Na Na stood directly in the path of the fire, sticking her leg out so it could get scorched.
When the fire cleared, she let out a squeal of delight. "Ne, ne, Natsu! Look, my leg's on fire! Doesn't it smell nice?" No, it didn't. The odor of burning flesh hit Natsu's nostrils, a smell that he had gotten used to, but still hadn't come to like. "Na Na, put it out before you kill yourself."
He turned back to face the enemy, Yuka having put up the same blue shield he had earlier on. "Never heard of them," Natsu scoffed, "It doesn't matter what guild you're from or who you know. You are getting in the way of me completing this job."
His pupils shrunk, his eyes widening in rage, "In other words, you're the enemy of Fairy Tail. That's all the reason I need to fight."
"Toby, back off. I can handle this guy by myself," Yuka mocked, "You take the girl." Truth to be said, it wasn't just because he was irritated by Natsu's words that he wanted to fight the Dragon Slayer. His instincts told him that he wouldn't be able to handle the girl, and that aura radiating from her… No, he would rather not deal with her.
"Na Na, you handle the dog guy. I'm fightin' this dude here," Natsu nudged her on the shoulder. But the girl remained frozen, as if rooted to the spot. "N-Na Na?" She didn't respond, as she crouched down on the floor, hiding her face from view. This is the same as earlier…in the cave.
"Na Na?" he repeated. When there was still no response, he looked up, trying to see if either Toby or Yuka were responsible for the change. When he found nothing but amused stares from them, he looked back down at the girl. "Looks like she's chickening out," Yuka mocked.
But just as the words escaped his mouth, the girl's head shot up. "Na Na?"
"Natsu?" she slurred. Golden eyes stared back at him in confusion. "S-Setsu?"
"Yeah," she frowned, her head pounding slightly, "Not Na Na."
She had awoken in a familiar dark room, with nothing but a small screen in it. The screen showed what she could see, but somehow, the things that she did, and the things that she said, she was unable to control.
It was just like an RPG game, seeing everything from Na Na's point of view, the only difference being her disability to control what she did.
Just like usual.
She could hear Na Na's thoughts. It sounded in her brain as if they were her own. That made her understand the psychotic girl's decisions and her ways, though she had been shocked at the girl's masochistic and sadistic ways at the start.
That was how she always understood them, just as they understood her.
No, no. Focus. This isn't the right time.
Her eyes locked onto Yuka and Toby, who were observing her with keen interest.
He body ached all over, the burn from Natsu's flames on her leg, the arm which's flesh had been burnt off from the acid, the other arm which had been mutilated and stitched up messily as decoration, all those injuries combined together made the girl keel over, ready to vomit her guts out.
But she swallowed it down, for she had more important things to deal with now. Setsu? Are you a Setsu? The voice rang in her head, startling her slightly. It was a childish voice, one that sounded like her own, but at the same time not quite her own.
Na Na?
Hehe! Yeah!
But no, that wasn't possible...The others couldn't speak in her mind like this...
"Enough nonsense," Yuka's voice snapped her out of her slight trance, "Wave!" He thrust his palm outwards towards Natsu. A blue sphere erupted from it, expanding towards the Dragon Slayer, "Setsu, take the dog guy! I'll blow this away!"
Setsu jumped out of the way of Yuka's attack, heading straight for Toby. "Hell Gates: Lucifer," she chanted emotionlessly, the magic circle forming around one palm she had stretched behind her, as she clenched her other fist, somersaulting in the air to add more speed to her attack, and punched Toby straight in the face.
The dog man let out a cry, stumbling back and falling onto the ground yet again. At the same time, a silver haired man appeared out of the magic circle. His eyes narrowed when he saw her, "Setsu Tartar-"
"Now's not the time, Lucifer. Time for battle."
The man turned to face Toby, raising an eyebrow at him. "I see. Very well, M'lady," he hissed, his fangs elongating as he crouched, his stance resembling that of a predatory animal hunting its prey. Toby, completely recovered from Setsu's punch, growled back.
"Don't underestimate me, yo! I'm stronger than Yuka, see! Paralyze Claw: Mega-Jellyfish!" Toby crossed his arms over his chest, his nails turning green and elongating until they were three inches long, "These claws have got a secret hidden within them!"
"Lucifer, careful with those nails. They'll paralyze you."
"Yes, M'lady."
Toby's jaw dropped, his eyes bugging out of their sockets, "How did you know?!" Setsu didn't respond, "Let's go, Lucifer."
With that, they disappeared from view. Toby's eyes darted around, trying to locate the two. "Over here," a whisper sounded in his ear. He spun around, his claw reaching to attack her, but it only met thin air.
"Idiot," Setsu mocked from behind him. This time, she let him spin around, his teeth sharpening in irritation, "Don't call me an idiot!" He swiped his claws at her, and she simply tilted to the side, dodging him with ease.
"One touch from these claws and it's all over!" Another miss.
"You'll be shaking like a leaf waiting only for death!" Another miss.
"You really are an idiot," Setsu sighed, as Lucifer raised an eyebrow behind him, chopping him at the back of his neck nonchalantly. Toby fell to the ground, unconscious. "Good work, Lucifer. I thought that he'd be stronger, I wouldn't have called you out if I knew he was such an idiot."
"Now that that's done and over with, Setsu Tartaros, you still have to explain yourself to me! Wha-"
"Sorry, Lucifer. I'm having a headache now, we'll talk later," Setsu sighed, raising her palm again. He sighed, "Yes, my lady." With that, he was sent back to Hell.
Setsu walked slowly towards the unconscious Toby. She gently lifted his wrist, careful not to touch his claws, and poked him with his own claw. Hopefully, that would keep him unconscious for a while longer.
Whoa! Ne, ne…Can I play with Lucifer too? Oh, I want to play with the dog boy too!
Of course, Na Na. But I'd have to ask Lucifer first, alright? We can get as many toys as you want soon.
Na Na's laugh and squeal of joy resounded in her head, and Setsu felt a warm smile creeping up her face. With a huff, she turned to look at Natsu, who just finished his match with Yuka.
"Those guys really did some pretty terrible stuff," Natsu heaved the tombstone of Bobo's grave up, setting in back in place, "But I'm gonna make sure the village and everyone goes back to the way they were. Bet on it!"
Setsu's gaze softened as she walked forward, placing a gentle hand on Natsu's shoulder.
"I'm gonna get you justice."
"So, what was that about?" Natsu asked out of the blue, as Setsu struggled to treat the wounds Na Na had inflicted on herself. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, what was that about? You know, Na Na and all that purple eye stuff?"
Setsu let out a sigh, turning her head slightly. She knew they were going to ask, of course they would. She had just gone and shown them another personality, one with a different alias, one that was completely different from her normal self.
She hadn't wanted to tell them. She knew she had to, but she couldn't. It was a disorder, something that people had mocked her about, had bullied her about. She had thought that it was over, that it wouldn't bother her anymore. But it just didn't go away. A new personality, again.
"…Ne, Natsu. Do you know what D.I.D is?"
"D.I.D?"
"Dissociative Identity Disorder. Otherwise known as Multiple Personality Disorder."
"Multiple personality? So you mean that you have different personalities?"
"…Yeah, I mean exactly that. It's like being many different people all at once, I guess. Just like how Na Na seemed like a complete different person."
Natsu shot up, his eyes sparkling, "So…SO COOL!"
Setsu smiled sadly, "Just what I'd expect from you."
"Wait, you said many different people…you mean you have others? Like, other than Na Na?"
"I was hoping you wouldn't catch on to that," Setsu sighed, running her hand through her hair, and wincing when one of the stitches on her forearm got caught in her unruly hair, "Yeah…There's…two others."
Silence lapped over the two. Natsu waited patiently. He never was someone who had much patience, but he could tell that it was hard for her to tell him. He could see the amount of effort it took, and her constant glances of doubt and fear she shot at him told him that it wasn't an easy feat.
"I don't care, you know."
"What?" Setsu's head shot up in shock.
"I don't care if you have different personalities. I don't care if you have a third eye, a pair of horns, webbed feet or the ugliest face in history. You're my friend, and I'm just going to accept whatever comes with you."
Setsu bit her quivering lip. I'm not worth it, she wanted to say, I'm not worth being your friend. You deserve better than me. But she couldn't get those words out. How could she, when he was saying the words she had always dreamed of hearing, the words that she had been dying to hear?
But what are you going to give him back in return? Suffering? The voice sounded harshly at the back of her head, causing her to flinch. Not just from the intensity of the words, but because of how true she knew the words to be. Her powers were negative; they only served to bring suffering.
Being their friend would cause them to suffer. But no matter how she knew it was the right thing to push them away, she simply couldn't bring herself to. Finally, she had found people she could trust. Finally, she wouldn't have to lurk in the darkness, having no one to talk to, no one to confide in.
Her disorder had been her weakness, her Achilles Heel. Her parents had been utterly disgusted when they found out. A baby with scary powers, and now this? The other children had out-casted her, the people in the village had judged her.
And here there was someone, someone who was willing to accept her despite her powers and differences. How could she push him away?
The tears streamed down her cheeks, her body wrecking from the onslaught of tears. "H-Hey, don't cry! What're you crying about?!"
Setsu flung herself onto Natsu, her arms wrapping around his neck as she sobbed, her face buried in his shoulder. She didn't respond, her tears streaming endlessly down her face as she sniffed. She didn't know what she would do if he had judged her, out-casted her. Because she was different.
One would think that she would hate her disorder because of the way it led to people's harsh treatments towards her, but Setsu couldn't bring herself to hate it.
Because those personalities were the reason she held on.
Those personalities had been created on her fear, on her loneliness. They were the ones who protected her, who took the burden when she couldn't. A certain memory had been locked away in her brain, one her other personalities knew about, but she didn't. Whatever that memory was, it had been horrifying, Setsu had no doubt.
It was that memory that created them, after all.
But why would a new personality come out now? Setsu had no idea, but she didn't want to know why either.
Because whatever the reason was, it wasn't anything good.
