Hey all! This is my first ever Fairy Tail story. Introducing... a tough, confident version of Lucy Heartfilia! Or to put it in simpler terms, it's Lucy Heartfilia with the attitude her canon Edolas counterpart had. And the outfit too, for that matter.
Credit for story image goes to pl. fairytail. wikia. com and to whoever posted it there.
NOTE: Canon Lucy used writing as a means of relieving stress. In my story, Lucy will cook and bake to calm herself down. She picked it up from pre-timid Mira and Lisanna, if you want a good reason as to why.
I checked and it really should have been 'Lyon', not 'Leon'. Still, it doesn't matter anymore. Once he shows up again, he'll remain as Leon. Everyone knows who he is anyway.
The Galuna Island Arc was split into three parts. I'm certain of it. The Phantom Lord Arc will likely be two parts.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the characters!
The party of six made its way cheerfully down a street. Lucy and Erza were holding hands contently. Angel was smirking. Gray was shocked. Happy kept flying up to random people and saying 'they llllike each other'. Natsu was confused. Nothing new there. Most things confuse him.
"What's with all the whispers?" Angel asked curiously as they headed towards Fairy Tail.
"Dunno." Lucy looked around suspiciously. "Something must have happened."
Erza gasped as the guild hall came into view. "What the... what happened to the guild?"
Natsu and Gray froze. "This is..."
The large building was in ruins. Several large metal rods were protruding from the walls in different directions, and pieces of rubble and debris were scattered all around the building.
Natsu grit his teeth. "Who did this?"
"Hey, Master!" Lucy called once they entered the basement. "We're back!"
Every eye turned to them and focused on Lucy and Erza's intertwined hands.
"I so called it!" Mira crowed. "Pay up, suckers!"
Wails and moans split the air.
"What happened to the guild?" Erza repeated the question.
"It's terrible." Mira sobered up, having pocketed her winnings. "But we were attacked."
Lucy held out her hands and Caelum's swords materialized in them ."Who was it and when do we kill them?"
"Welcome back, you guys." Makarov greeted them happily, before turning stern. "How dare you take an S-class mission without permission, Natsu?"
"Eh?"
"Actually, I took the mission and let him and Gray tag along." Lucy explained. "I just forgot to sign off that I took it."
Makarov nodded. "Oh, that's all right then. And don't worry about the guild, there's no need to make a fuss."
Erza scowled. "What?
"Phantom Lord won't go any further than that." Makarov took a sip of ale. "They only trashed an empty guild building, after all. It was in the middle of the night and no one got hurt."
"There's no reason to get mad about meaningless surprise attacks." Makarov grinned. "Just leave them be."
"I cannot accept that!" Natsu roared, slamming his hands on the table. "I won't rest easy until I smash them!"
"This discussion is over! We'll take on jobs form here until the first floor is repaired." Makarov told him with finality. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to take a leak."
Natsu stared after the departing man. "How can you be so calm, Gramps?"
"I'm sure the master feels the same way we do." Mira sighed. "But war between guilds is forbidden by the magic council."
Erza grit her teeth. "If that's how the master feels about it, then we have to accept it."
"What a mess." Lucy grumbled, heading to her apartment. "To think Phantom would be stupid enough to risk starting a guild war. It disgusts me to think I once thought about joining that band of rejects. Fairy Tail is..."
She opened the door and sighed, slamming Natsu in the head with her backpack containing 'The 100th Seal of Amaterasu and You'.
"... much better." She finished. "Natsu, Gray, and Happy, leave. I know why you're here, but only Erza can stay."
"Oh?" Gray smirked. "Want some quality time alone together, huh?"
"Get out."
"Seeing as Phantom Lord found its way here, they might know our individual addresses." Erza told Lucy as soon as the boys left. "I don't think anything will happen, but they could attack us when we're alone. That's why Mira suggested staying in groups for a while. Incidentally, she'll be rooming with us too."
"Good." Lucy smiled. "It's been ages since I could really talk to her."
"You are of marriageable age." Mira observed, standing in the doorway. "I decided to make sure you two don't rush into anything."
Lucy crossed her arms. "Just what are you insinuating, Mirajane Strauss?"
"Oh, nothing." Mira teased. "Imouto-chan."
Erza raised an eyebrow. "Imouto-chan?"
"Lucy is an honorary Strauss sibling." Mira smiled. "We met on the road and traveled together for a while. We also joined Fairy Tail together. Since she's younger than me and Elfman, she's 'imouto-chan'.
She used to be a 'nee-chan' too, but..."
"I see." Erza sighed, requipping to a nightgown. "Anyway, I'm confused by Phantom's actions. They never acted directly against us like this before."
"Dear Mavis, it stinks in here!" Mira exclaimed, hurriedly opening a window in the kitchen. "What do you do with your oven, hide rat corpses in it?"
"I forgot to clean it out after the last batch of cake." Lucy told Mira apologetically.
Erza perked up. "Cake?"
"It's all gone already."
"Dammit."
"Going back to Phantom, Master doesn't want to act because he's smart." Mira explained. "Both he and Phantom's master are Wizard Saints, and our member strength is roughly equal. They also have the Element Four, the equivalent of our S-Class mages. And even more formidable than that is their resident Iron Dragon Slayer, Gajeel Redfox."
"I heard you attacked Fairy Tail, Gajeel." A random man crowed, walking up to the eating man. "Well done! Their spirit must be crushed by now!"
An iron club smashed into his face, sending him flying.
"How many times have I told people about not bothering me when I'm eating?" Gajeel snarled, spitting out a screw. "Who cares about those damn fairies, anyway. We're the stronger guild."
"Excellent work, Gajeel." A shadowy figure chuckled. "Well done indeed."
"You're too lenient, Master." Gajeel grinned. "But those bastards won't be lured into action that easily, so I left them another gift."
"Heh." The veiled figure chuckled. " However... you mustn't kill that person, no matter what."
"Coming through!" Erza announced, pushing through the crowd with Lucy, Natsu, Gray, and Mira accompanying her. "We're from the guild!"
Natsu grit his teeth with fury at the sight before him. Team Shadow Gear, Levy, Jet, and Droy, were hanging from the large tree by iron shackles and Levy also had the Phantom Lord guild mark sketched on her bare stomach.
Makarov walked up to the scene and gave a heavy sigh. "Wrecking our bar I could deal with, but no parent can remain silent after seeing the blood and tears of his children." He clenched his fist, breaking the staff he was holding. "This means war!"
"How cowardly!" Lucy spat, sitting guard over the recovering team. "To think Phantom would stoop so low..."
"Master asked me to sit this one out." Lucy muttered. "Honestly, I don't mind. I may seem bloodthirsty, but I hate fighting."
She looked out the window. "I just hope everyone will be all right."
"Those fairies got their asses kicked good!" A Phantom Lord mage cheered.
"That's not all." Another man grinned. "I heard Gajeel put three of their mages in the hospital.!"
"Sweet!"
"Hey, what about that person we heard about?" Another man asked.
"No idea." A black-haired teenager shrugged. "He just told us to stay away from her."
"Whatever. Here's to those pathetic fairies!" The first man toasted.
"I bet they're trembling with their tails between their legs now!"
"Oh, damn." The first man stood up. "I lost track of time."
"What, meeting a girl?"
"Yeah, my client." He laughed. "When I threatened her, she doubled my reward."
"I bet I could have tripled it."
"Yeah, whatever." He laughed, heading towards the exit. "See ya losers later."
The door exploded in his face, sending him flying across the entire room and attracting everyone's attention.
"We are Fairy Tail!" Makarov shouted, standing in front of a large group of Fairy Tail members. Natsu roared at the Phantom Lord crowd and spat out fire, knocking a group of them down.
"You bastards!" Someone yelled.
"Anyone will do!" Natsu roared. "Bring it on!"
"Don't get carried away!" A tough-looking mage shouted. "Take them down!"
"Is that all?" Gray sneered as he, Elfman, Cana, and the others surged into the mob.
"That's Makarov!" Someone shouted. "Get him!"
The old man screamed in fury and grew to an unimaginable size, smashing a hand the size of a car down on them.
"M-monster!" One of the knocked-down men gasped.
"You bastards dared hurt the children of that monster." Makarov thundered. "Don't think for a second that human laws will protect you!"
"Such strength!" One of the spectators exclaimed. "This is insane!"
"Jose!" Makarov howled. "Show yourself!"
"Where are the members of the Element Four?" Erza demanded, swinging her sword wildly amidst the crowd.
"That's Titania Erza." Gajeel mused, observing the fighting from a support beam. "Gildarts, Laxus, Mystogan, and the Starry Sky aren't here... we're being underestimated. However, I didn't expect Master Jose's plan to work so well. Go ahead and tire yourselves out, scum!"
"I know I don't like fighting, but I wish they didn't leave me behind." Lucy grumbled, frowning when it began to rain. "Oh great, as if it wasn't bad enough already."
"Drip, drip, drop." A fur-clad woman chanted, approaching Lucy slowly. "The rain goes wherever Juvia is... drip, drip, drop."
"Huh?"
"And what of you?" Juvia asked, opening an umbrella over herself.
"I repeat, huh?"
"I enjoyed myself. Farewell." Juvia intoned, passing by the blond girl.
"Non, non, non." A sinister voice chuckled, causing Juvia to stop. "Non, non, non. Non, non, non, non, non, non, non."
"Bonjour!" A green-haired man with a monocle burst out of the ground. "And a non in a three-three-seven pattern!"
Lucy sighed. "Another weirdo... wait. Water and ground... are you from the Element Four?"
"Mademoiselle over there is our precious target." The man observed, causing Juvia to turn to her.
"So she's the one." Juvia muttered, frowning. "Thank you, Monsieur Sol."
"Indeed, I am Monsieur Sol of the Element Four." The man bowed, twisting out of the pavement. "Juvia is also of the Element Four, the Rain Woman."
"Were you the ones who attacked Levy?" Lucy demanded, reaching for her keys.
"Non, non, non." Sol smoothed his mustache. "The wrecked guild and the attack were perpetrated by Gajeel-sama."
Lucy gasped as she was engulfed in an orb of water.
"Although, it was done with our guild's approval." Sol finished.
"What is this?" Lucy thrashed, trying to breathe.
"Juvia's Water Lock cannot be broken." The blue-haired girl smiled.
"Water?" Lucy frowned. "Open, Gate of the... Water..." She trailed off, passing out from lack of oxygen.
"Tres Bien!" Sol exclaimed. "We have captured her!"
"Do not worry." Juvia told the still form. "Juvia will not kill you. For it is Juvia's duty to bring you back... Lucy Heartfilia-sama."
"Being a man is what a man is all about!" Elfman roared, knocking a few men flying.
"What's that about?"
"It's Take-Over magic!"
"That guy has a monster Take-Over in his arm!"
"There's really magic like that?"
"I know him!" Someone exclaimed. "The powers of monsters he's defeated are absorbed into his arm... that's Beast Arm Elfman!"
"Erza!" Makarov commanded. "You're in charge! Jose is probably on the top floor. I'm going up there to deal with him!"
Erza nodded at his departing form. "Good luck."
"Heh." Gajeel smirked. "Now that the pain in the ass is gone, I don't have to hold back!" He leapt down, smashing an iron club into friend and foe alike.
"Come on then, scum! I am Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer, at your service!"
"A man is still a man, even if he's scum!" Elfman yelled, smashing his scaly arm into Gajeel's club.
"Not bad." Gajeel smirked, as he kicked out and Elfman caught it with his other arm. "But how about this?"
Elfman took a hasty jump back when iron rods shot out of the metal leg, taking down many people around them.
"Pay attention!" Gajeel told the distracted man, smashing his iron arm into him. Elfman groaned and flew back, only for Natsu to use him as a springboard and launch himself at Gajeel, slamming a flaming hand into his face.
"Gajeel got pummeled!" Someone shouted in shock.
"First time I've ever seen that!"
"I'm the Dragon Slayer from Fairy Tail!" Natsu announced, catching the iron club aimed at his stomach. "For your guild, for Levy and the others..." He spun, sending Gajeel flying into a support beam. "I'll send you to hell!"
"Tch." Gajeel grunted, righting himself in mid-air and landing on the wooden beam. "That punk..." His eyes shot wide in surprise when Natsu was suddenly right in his face, snarling.
"Nice one, Natsu." Erza smiled when another flaming punch sent the Iron Dragon Slayer hurtling back.
"Is that all you've got, Salamander?" Gajeel taunted, landing on a beam further away.
"Don't worry, that was just a greeting." Natsu scowled, igniting his fists. "From one dragon to another."
Everyone stopped fighting when the building began to shake.
"An earthquake?"
"What's going on?"
"That is Master Makarov's 'Fury'." Erza smirked. "The fury of a giant... no one can stop it."
"Master Makarov is a man!" Elfman grinned. "As long as he's with us, we can't lose!"
"Jose!" Makarov boomed, crushing all obstacles in his path as he strode towards the shadowy man. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing, huh?"
"Why hello there, Makarov." Jose grinned, leaning on his throne. "Long time no see. It must have been since the meeting six years ago... I clearly overdid it with the sake back then."
"I'm not here to talk about the past!" Makarov shouted, smashing a giant fist into him.
"Oh my..." The man sighed, flickering.
"An image?" Makarov grunted. "You aren't here anymore, are you?"
"A battle among two Wizard Saints would cause a lot of collateral damage." Jose chuckled. "I prefer a more civilized confrontation."
"Where are you?" Makarov demanded. "Come out and fight me fair and square!"
Jose grinned and a second form blurred into existence at his feet.
"Lucy?" Makarov gasped. "What did you do, Jose?"
Jose's smile widened as he produced a dagger. Makarov charged forward in fear, too distracted to notice the huge form suddenly standing behind him until the man sobbed.
"Shit, I didn't even notice him!" Makarov exclaimed, unable to do anything as yellow light engulfed him.
Jose let the dagger drop next to Lucy's body. "There's no reason for me to kill her. Not yet, at least."
What is this? Makarov struggled to breathe. I can't use my magic!
"Surely you know who Lucy Heartfilia is. After six years, how could you not?" Jose sighed theatrically. "Well, I guess it won't be your concern anymore."
"How sorrowful!" The giant man wailed as Makarov's form fell. "Where does this sadness come from? Is this the sorrow of the world losing a powerful mage?"
Erza gasped when Makarov crashed into the ground next to her. "M-master?"
"Gah!" Makarov gasped. "My... magic power... it's all gone..."
"Aria's magic consists of taking away the opponent's magic power." Jose explained, lifting up Lucy's body. "Or in other words, making it 'void'. This is our victory."
"Tch!" Erza scoffed. "Now our strength and morale is falling." She looked around the suddenly eager Phantom Lord mages. "Retreat! Everyone back to the guild! We can't defeat Jose without Master! We're retreating and that's final!"
"My, going home already?" Gajeel chuckled, watching the ensuing panic.
"How sorrowful..." Aria mumbled, standing next to him.
"You're as creepy as always, Aria." Gajeel sighed. "I'm surprised you managed to defeat that old geezer."
"All part of Master Jose's plan." Aria burst into tears. "It's wonderful!"
"Don't cry over everything." Gajeel groaned, exasperated. "So, did we capture that Lucy girl?"
"She's confined at our headquarters." Aria told him, calming down.
"I guess we've won then." Gajeel smirked, watching the oblivious Fairy Tail members flee with their master. "And they don't even know it yet."
"What..." Lucy groaned as she lifted herself up slowly. "I wonder where I am." She looked around, then noticed she was tied up. "I guess I'd better free myself first."
A few moments later, she heard footsteps approaching. "Are you awake? Lucy Heartfilia-sama?"
"Jose Porla, Phantom's Lord's guild master." Lucy identified the man as he walked in. "What do you want with me?"
Jose's gaze landed on the discarded ropes. "How did you free yourself?" He shrugged. "Not that it matters. Right now you are a captive of mine, but if you behave yourself, that can be easily remedied."
"I see." Lucy muttered, gazing at a nearby worm passively.
"See? You don't want to stay here." Jose chuckled. "If you behave, we'll move you to a proper room."
"I just have a few questions before that." Lucy glared at him. "Why did you attack Fairy Tail? And why were you after me?"
"Fairy Tail was just an extra." Jose laughed. "Our real goal was to capture you, but we wanted to teach Fairy Tail a lesson at the same time. And I had you captured because you're the heiress of the Heartfilia family."
"I'm guessing my father put you up to this." Lucy scowled. "He probably offered a ridiculous amount of money for my capture and return."
"Indeed he did." Jose smirked. "Is that all you wanted to know?"
"Yes." Lucy smiled. "And now I'll answer your question." Her body glowed as she changed into two small blue creatures. "It's easy to escape binds if you can change shape." Gemi told him.
"Goodbye." Mini added as they vanished in a yellow glow.
No one was there to hear Jose scream in rage at getting tricked.
"Listen closely, Gemini." Lucy told the twin spirits. "I am going to send you out to wander the city. If Phantom Lord is going around taking out individual members and small groups of us, an S-Class mage walking alone will be very appealing to them. You will likely be captured. If possible, find out why they're attacking us and what their objective is. When you do, return to the Spirit Realm. Later today, I'm going to assume you're done and summon you again to tell me what you found out. Do you understand?"
Gemini nodded. "Of course." They chanted.
The gathered members started in surprise when Gemini suddenly materialized in front of Lucy.
"I was going to summon you later." The girl frowned. "Are you done already? What did you find out?"
"Fairy Tail was not their true objective." Gemi cut straight to the point. "Their true goal is capturing you, Lucy."
Mira gasped. "Why?"
"It's about you being the Heartfilia heiress." Mini added. "Your father has hired Phantom Lord to capture you and return you to him."
"Bullshit!" Gray shouted. "Like hell we're going to let him!"
Lucy's gaze darkened. "I will murder that man myself." She spat. "He is no relation to me."
"Did Lucy just disown her father?" Happy asked Erza.
"More like she declared all ties to the family cut off." Erza corrected the cat. "But Gray's right. It doesn't matter what your name is, as stupid as it might be. You're one of us and always will be a Fairy Tail member!"
Lucy looked around as the guild members cheered in agreement and smiled. "What happened during the attack?" She asked Mira, changing the subject. "Is everyone all right?"
"Master got attacked by Aria of the Element Four." Mira told her sadly. "He lost all his magic power and recovery will take a long time, so we left him at Porlyusica's."
"Phantom's headquarters is here." A group of mages was gathered around a map. "If we attack them with long-range magic from this direction..."
"We're bringing as many bomb lacryma as we can!" Wakaba ordered. "Bring some powerful magic sheets from the storage area for the Holder magic users."
"It sucks that I've caused so much trouble for everyone." Lucy grumbled. "Maybe if I went back, killed him, and took over as the new boss of the railways..."
"Nonsense!" Natsu exclaimed. "You're Lucy of Fairy Tail! You belong here, drinking beers with Mira and Cana, scaring Happy senseless, and dragging Erza on dates! This right here is your home!"
"He's right." Gray added. "No one here wants to see you go."
Cana frowned, flipping another card. "Dammit! I can't figure out where Mystogan is!"
"That's too bad." Mira sighed. "If their target is Lucy, they're bound to attack us again."
"And with so many of us injured, we'd be in a tight spot." Cana added.
"Master is seriously wounded, and we cannot find Mystogan. You're our only hope... Laxus." Mira told the face in the communication lacryma.
"Huh?"
"Please come back!" Mira begged. "It's an emergency!"
"Serves that old codger right!" Laxus laughed. "It's no concern of mine. Go ahead and take care of this mess yourselves!"
"You bastard!" Cana yelled at him.
"Isn't that the truth? That geezer started this mess, so why do we have to clean up after him?" Laxus observed.
"Lucy is being targeted!" Mira protested. "You know, your sparring partner?"
Laxus grinned. Excellent. Prove to me that you have what it takes to join my Fairy Tail, Heartfilia. "Tell her I'll reconsider if she agrees to be my woman." He grinned. "Oops, I guess that means you're screwed, what with her being a lesbian and all. Oh, and tell the old geezer to croak already so I can take over as Master." He laughed.
Mira scowled and shattered the lacryma, cutting the communication off.
"I can't believe it..." She wiped her tears away angrily. "Such a person is in Fairy Tail... I wish I could fight as well."
"You were once an S-Class mage." Cana sighed. "But you can't help the way you are now."
Master's gone... so are Laxus and Mystogan. And we have so many injured. Erza gazed sadly at the shower head. It's impossible for us to keep fighting...
She leaned against the wall heavily. If only I had gone with Master... this is my fault!
Her eyes widened when the entire building shook.
"It's coming from outside!" Alzack shouted for the entire guild to hear. A mad scramble ensued as everyone ran outside the building to face the unknown threat.
"What the..." Someone stared up at the walking castle. "What is that?"
Wakaba's jaw dropped. "The guild is walking..."
"Phantom?" Macao gasped. "They came here?"
"I never imagined this." Erza trembled, standing in front of the crowd covered by only a towel. "They'd go this far to attack us?"
Jose glared down at them coldly. "Prepare the magical weapon 'Jupiter'." He ordered. A wall of the castle lowered itself and a long barrel slowly slid out, pointing at the crowd of Fairy Tail. Energy began to gather at the tip.
"Obliterate!" Jose commanded.
"This is bad!" Erza yelled to the assembled mages. "Everybody, get down!"
She quickly darted forward, shedding her towel and requipping into really bulky armor. "I won't let you destroy our guild!" She screamed.
"Herculean Armor?" Max exclaimed. "Don't tell me she's planning to stop the attack?"
"Even with the armor's defensive power..." Nab trailed off.
"Erza!" Natsu struggled against Gray.
"Quiet down, moron." Gray ordered. "Erza knows what she's doing."
"I seriously doubt that." Lucy scowled, stepping in front of Erza and pointing her left sword at the oncoming blast. "All those armors you have and I'm still better prepared to deal with this."
"Of course!" Cana exclaimed. "The redirection magic!"
Lucy grunted as the attack slammed into the sword's magic circle and began being absorbed.
"It's working!" Wakaba yelled. "It's actually working!"
Lucy's eyes widened when Caelum began beeping shrilly halfway through the displacing process. "What? Wait, you can't-"
Then the sword exploded and Jupiter washed over her.
"No!" Jose howled. "That stupid girl! How do I get my hands on the money now?"
He cursed, hoping that his ticket to fortune had somehow survived.
Erza's eyes widened in horror, but she stood firm as the attack hit her armor. The last of the shot was enough to break through her defenses and send her crashing into the Fairy Tail building.
"Lucy!" Natsu screamed, running over to the still blond.
"She's still breathing." Gray observed, checking her over. "But how... the blast hit her dead on!"
Lucy coughed. "Not... exactly..." She rasped weakly, thinking back.
Lucy's eyes widened when Caelum began beeping shrilly halfway through the displacing process. "What? Wait, you can't-"
I took in about half of the attack. Caelum claims it can't contain anymore and it will be destroyed in a few seconds. If I point the second sword at the blast and release the energy, it will explode right in front of me. The force will severely injure me and knock me down, but I'll land flat on the ground and the rest of Jupiter's attack will fly over me at Erza, who's prepared for it.
The entire thought process took barely a second. Then the left sword simply dissolved in her hand and she released the contained energy at the blast, creating a giant explosion that engulfed her and shattered her other sword.
"And that's... what happened." Lucy grunted weakly, sitting up. "I'm... all right. Someone... check on Erza..."
"Natsu's already on it." Gray told her as the Dragon Slayer supported Erza and came over to them. "See, she's kinda banged up but fine."
"This is bad." Cana observed.
"First it was Makarov, and now Titania and the Starry Sky are also unable to fight... you don't stand a chance." Jose announced. "Hand over Lucy Heartfilia right now!"
"You're out of your mind!" Alzack yelled back.
"No guild in the world would agree to hand a friend over to the enemy!" Bisca added.
"Lucy is our friend!" Macao shouted.
Erza glanced at Lucy, who had fainted.
"That's right!" Wakaba shouted. "We won't hand her over, so you can just go back!"
"Give her to me." Jose said again. "I won't ask a third time."
"Here's my answer!" Angel, sporting a brand new white Fairy Tail mark over her left breast, stepped forward and lifted up two keys. "Open, Gate of the Sea Myth, Gate of the Dragon: Hydra, Draco!"
A huge dark-green monster with scales and several heads materialized next to her, followed by a golden dragon of similar size. Natsu was ecstatic.
"We'd rather die than give up on our comrade!" Erza screamed, standing in front of Lucy's unconscious form.
"Yeah!" The guild members chorused.
"Our answer won't change no matter what!" Natsu roared. "We'll take you down!"
"So be it!" Jose screamed, his face purple with rage. "We will fire an even bigger and more destructive Jupiter blast! Tremble in fear for the next 15 minutes as you helplessly await your doom!"
"Shit!" Gray exclaimed, kneeling over Erza, who passed out. "Stopping one shot took out two of our strongest wizards! How can we stop another one?"
The guild members gaped as dozens of identical figures streamed out of the Phantom Lord building.
"Feel the pain, Fairy Tail." Jose boomed. "You have two choices. Get killed by my soldiers, or die by Jupiter."
"He's bluffing!" Max exclaimed. "He would kill his own men if he fired it. There's no way he'll do it!"
"Yes, he will." Cana corrected him. "That's Jose's Shade Magic. Those are ghost soldiers that he created. The real problem here is that cannon."
Natsu slammed a fist into his palm. "I'll deal with that thing!" He announced, already being flown towards it by Happy. "15 minutes is more than enough!"
"We're going too, Elfman!" Gray commanded.
"Right!"
"Angel and I will strengthen our defenses here!" Cana told the remaining members.
Loki watched as Mira picked Lucy up and put her on a Reedus-drawn carriage. "She's no help to us in this state, and she needs to recover. Take her to the safe-house, Reedus."
"Oui!"
Mira watched him drive away, before sighing and transforming into Lucy. "I might not have any power to fight, but I can still protect my friends. No matter what it takes!" She told herself.
"It won't budge!" Natsu groaned, repeatedly stomping on the cannon.
"Maybe we have to break it from the inside." Happy suggested.
"It's worth a try." Natsu consented, already making his way through the barrel. "Let's go!"
A minute later, he was on the other end. "Hey, Happy! What is that?"
"It looks like a lacryma that gathers magic power." Happy told him. "Although, this is my first time seeing one that big."
"All we have to do is break that thing, huh?" Natsu grinned. "Sounds easy."
"I can't let you do that." A shadowy figure remarked.
"Who cares?" Natsu shot towards it with a flaming hand. "I don't have time for you! Out of my way!"
The figure grinned when Natsu's fist suddenly swerved and punched the boy in the face.
"What the hell? Natsu exclaimed, igniting his hand again and checking if it worked. "What was that?"
"You're the one in our way." The man sneered.
Max scowled and shot some sand at the Shades, only for it to pass straight through. The creatures jumped at him, but Cana threw some cards that embedded themselves in the creatures and absorbed their magic power, dissolving them.
"The guild has to be protected!" Cana told him. "Those things are puppets that don't feel sadness for losing comrades or fear of having their guild destroyed. We cannot lose to scum like that!"
"Well spoken!" Angel added. "If they're shadows, let's give them light! Draco, now!"
The dragon grunted and engulfed the Shades in flames, destroying them in the light and heat of the fire. Jose merely grinned and sent out a new wave.
From the guild window, Mira-Lucy frowned. Nine minutes before Jupiter fires... hurry, Natsu!
"Move it!" Natsu yelled at the man in his way. "I'm going to destroy that thing!"
"I said I won't let you." The man repeated calmly. "Didn't I?"
"Don't waste my time!" Natsu shouted, charging forward with a flame punch. Happy sighed when the fist connected with Natsu's cheek again.
"You don't have time for him, Natsu!" The cat yelled. "You have to destroy Jupiter as fast as possible!"
Natsu roared and spat out fire at the man, which changed direction in mid-air and began to swirl around him instead. He grunted when the enemy ran forward and kneed him in the stomach.
"I am Totomaru of the Flame, a master of the fire element." The man introduced himself. "All flames are controlled by me."
"What?"
"Whether it belongs to an enemy or to nature, all flame is mine!"Totomaru announced, launching himself forward.
"My flame is my own!" Natsu protested.
Totomaru smirked. "This may turn out bad for you, Mr. Fire Mage."
Happy started panicking when magical energy began swirling in the lacryma. "Five minutes left, Natsu!"
"Blue Fire!" Totomaru shouted, engulfing Natsu in azure flames.
"So cold!" Natsu shivered, eating them. "I've never eaten fire this cold before."
"I see." Totomaru mused. "You're Fairy Tail's Dragon Slayer. This may prove problematic for both of us."
"If that won't reach you, then how about this?" Natsu grinned. "Fire Dragon's..."
Totomaru sighed and prepared himself.
"Spit!" Natsu laughed, spitting straight into Totomaru's eye.
"You bastard!" The Phantom mage roared. "Eat this! Orange Fire!"
"What the hell?" Natsu moaned as the fire surrounded him. "Oh man, this stinks! I think my nose is burning!"
"That's the smelly flame!" Totomaru chortled. "Like it?"
"I've had it with you!" Natsu screamed, lighting up his fist yet again. "Here!"
Totomaru grinned. "You never learn, do you?" He asked, redirecting the punch at Natsu's face again. The boy smirked and fire shot out of his elbow, surrounding Totomaru.
Totomaru grit his teeth. He made the flame big enough to reach me! "I won't fall for that again!" He exclaimed, leaping away from Natsu, who was preparing another huge attack.
"What the..." He muttered, shaking his hand to no avail. "It won't move... did he somehow block my magic during our fight?"
"This is my flame!" Natsu shrieked. "You won't move it without my permission!"
"Hah, you missed!" Totomaru cackled as the huge flame sped past him.
"Whoever said I was aiming for you?" Natsu grinned as the fire shattered the lacryma. "Now that that's dealt with, all that's left is dealing with you. It's our turn to crush you, Phantom!"
"Excellent job, Natsu." Cana smirked, watching as the cannon collapsed into the water.
"All that's left are Shades!" Angel yelled at the other members. "Everyone who can still fight, get to work!"
"Right!" The rejuvenated mages cheered.
"Master Jose." A messenger bowed fearfully. "Jupiter has been disabled."
"Those brats..." Jose grit his teeth. "No matter. Plan B."
"I understand your magic now." Natsu told Totomaru.
The man looked up as the room shook. "He's seriously resorting to that?" He yelled, panicked. "This room doesn't have any means of staying horizontal!"
"Horizontal?" Natsu frowned, before his cheeks swelled up.
"What the hell are they planning?" Wakaba yelled as the building stood up on six legs. Arms shot out from the sides and a helmeted head popped up from the roof, transforming the building into a robot.
"It's finished..." Totomaru chuckled. "The most powerful weapon our guild possesses... the Super Mage Giant Phantom Mk. II!"
"You've got to be kidding me..." Cana whispered, her cards falling from her limp hand. "What the hell?"
Around her, mages were milling around in a panic, too scared to act.
"It's headed this way!" Someone yelled. "It's going to trample the guild!"
"Stop yelling!" Cana ordered. "Concentrate on the Shades! Leave that thing to Natsu!"
"But Natsu's in there..." Max observed ."And that's a vehicle."
"Oh." Cana froze. "We're doomed."
"You gotta be kidding!" Totomaru burst into laughter. "He can't handle vehicles? Finally, a chance to turn the tide of battle!" He lifted his hands, forming a multicolored flame. "My ultimate magic... Rainbow Fire!"
He sweatdropped when his arm suddenly froze, then his jaw dropped as the ice spread and froze his entire body. "What is this?"
A huge arm lifted the ice block and hurled it through a hole into the sky. "AAAAAAAAH!"
"You're pathetic, you know that, Natsu?" Gray sighed.
"A man should make vehicles sick, not the other way around!" Elfman added.
Natsu shot up when the shaking ceased. "It stopped!"
"I'll check what's going on!" Happy shouted, flying out.
The gathered mages watched as the building raised a hand and began drawing a magical seal.
"No way?" Cana gasped. "That thing is a mage too?"
Inside the guild hall, Mira-Lucy shivered. "That's Abyss Break... a forbidden spell!"
Loke grit his teeth. "With a seal this size... everything all the way to the cathedral will be destroyed!"
"The building has transformed and is casting a spell to destroy most of the town!" Happy yelled, flying back inside.
The three boys exchanged a look, then sped off in different directions.
"Let's stop it!"
"We'll split up and find this guild's power source!"
"It's just one crazy thing after another!"
"Mira." Cana leaned by the window. "How long until that spell activates?"
Mira-Lucy frowned. "I'd say about ten minutes. I wonder if there's a way to destroy its power source."
"The guys on the inside are probably wondering the same thing."
Mira frowned. "Natsu's not the only one in there?"
"No." Cana told her. "Gray and Elfman went in to back him up."
"Elfman's in there?" Mira gasped. "He can't fight! You should know that too, Cana! It's fine if it's soldiers like those Shades, but if he goes up against the leaders..."
"I know you and Elfman were both seriously hurt, but Elfman is trying really hard to move past it." Cana explained.
Mira-Lucy clenched her fist and swung the door open, striding out of the guild, much to everyone's chagrin.
"I'm the one you're after, right?" She shouted at the robot. "Stop attacking the guild right now!"
"Do you honestly think I'd fall for the same trick twice?" Jose scowled. "You're not even that damnable spirit Gemini! Disappear, you impostor!"
Mira gasped. "He knew..."
"I was already aware Lucy Heartfilia wasn't there." Jose continued. "With her injuries, there was no way she'd return to the front lines so quickly.
Tears appeared in Mira's eyes. "Dammit..."
"Don't worry." Cana reassured her. "Elfman can fight."
"I will protect Fairy Tail, even if it costs me my life!" Elfman boomed, sprinting down a long hall. "But seriously, what's with this place?"
"Salut!" Sol grinned, twisting out of the floor. "Monsieur Elfman."
Elfman scowled at the new threat.
"Elfman..." Mira bowed her head, shedding her disguise. "You're in no condition to fight right now..."
A large shadow loomed over her. She didn't even manage to react before the building's arm grabbed her and held her up.
"Mira!"
"Hmmm." Jose frowned. "Attempting to deceive us. I don't think I like you, girl." The fingers tightened, beginning to crush her. "I'll just smash you to pieces."
Jaws dropped as a new figure approached the fighters. "You are..." Cana frowned. "No... the injuries are missing. Who are you?"
"Relax." The figure giggled. "She's fine. She's awake, and I shall help out as long as she remains so. She sent me, after all. What's the situation here?"
Cana sighed. "We're in a stalemate with the Shades. Mira's captured and slowly being crushed to death, and Natsu, Gray, and Elfman went inside. Mira's worried about Elfman, so go back him up."
"Understood." Gemini-Lucy grinned. "Leave it to me."
"I am Sol of the Earth." The man bowed elegantly. "You may call me Monsieur Sol."
"Great timing." Elfman grunted. "You can tell me how to stop this thing. Beast Arm: Black Bull!" His arm shimmered before turning black and much thicker with muscle."
"Oh?" Sol smirked. "Only your right arm can transform? It seems that what I've heard was accurate... although, my head does contain detail regarding every mage of Fairy Tail and their history."
"Don't you ever shut up?" Elfman shouted, narrowly missing the man with a punch.
"I do believe you had a younger sister, yes?" Sol spun, breaking chunks off of the floor. "Rock Concert!"
The debris smashed into Elfman, who threw his arms up hurriedly to shield himself.
"A while back, you underwent a full Take-Over, but it went wrong and you lost control." Sol grinned. "Your precious little sister gave her life to stop your rampage, isn't that right?"
Elfman glared at him.
"And the trauma you've acquired from that incident has prevented you from being able to perform a full Take-Over ever since." Sol finished, chuckling.
"Beast Arm: Iron Bull!" Elfman roared, changing his limb into a metallic one. Sol grinned, avoiding his punch and twisting around the arm instead.
"Salut." He commented, his contorted face disturbingly close to Elfman's.
"Ugh, what a disgusting guy." Elfman grumbled, pulling at the rubbery body. "Why don't you get off me, you freak?"
Sol twisted away and kicked Elfman in the face, sending him sprawling. "Have we reached the finale already?"
This guys is a lot stronger than he looks. Well then... He growled. I have no choice but to do it!
Magic power began to swirl around him as his entire body began to change. Sol grinned when an image of Lisanna entered Elfman's mind and the magic power dissipated, letting him drop to his knees.
"You shouldn't attempt what you cannot achieve!" Sol advised him ."It seems you wasted a lot of magic power in that attempt! Voila!" He landed a two-footed kick in Elfman's stomach.
"It's only natural that I, as a gentleman, end this with my most powerful spell. Platre Sonata!"
The huge fist made of plaster smashed into Elfman, knocking him into the wall and breaking it. Upside-down, his eyes widened as he noticed Mira struggling to escape her confines.
"Nee-chan!" He shot up.
"Oh?" Sol smirked, adjusting his monocle. "Your older sister... are you telling me that the woman out there is the famous Mirajane, once feared as 'Demon Mirajane'? It would seem that her magical power has diminished... what a shame."
"She is currently undergoing punishment for trying to deceive us." He told the horrified boy. "She should be smashed to pieces at any moment now."
"Run..." Mira begged, wincing in pain.
"Nee-chan!" Elfman shouted. "Let her go right now!"
"Stop it!" Mira wailed as Sol smashed Elfman's head into the ground. "I don't care what happens to me, but leave Elfman alone!"
"Will you have to suffer through that again, I wonder." Sol mused. "Such a pity... first you lost your younger sister, and now your older sister will perish in front of your eyes..."
"Elfman!" Mira sobbed. "Run! Please!"
"I... I swore never to see your tears again, Nee-chan." Elfman growled. "So why are you crying?" He shot up, knocking Sol off. "Who was it that made you cry?"
Sol watched in fear as magic power swirled around Elfman's body.
"You can't!" Mira shouted. "You can still use only a single arm!"
Sol grinned. "She's right, you know."
"Lisanna died... because I was too weak." Elfman grunted. "I don't want to feel that way ever again! I want to become a strong man, one who can protect you, Nee-chan!" His skin began to change. "Let Nee-chan go!"
Sol adjusted his monocle in shock as Elfman grew bigger. "This... this is... the full Take-Over: Beast Soul?"
Mira watched in shock as Elfman transformed into a huge beast.
"Non, non, non, non, non, non, non!" Sol wailed. He gave one last weak 'non' when Elfman sent him flying. The large beast roared as it continued to force Sol deeper into the floor with each strike.
"Elfman?" Mira asked softly as he left the still body of Sol behind and ran over to her. "Can you hear me? You didn't lose all reason again, did you?"
She closed her eyes in fear as he reached for her, only to open them again when she felt herself get pulled out. "I'm sorry, Nee-chan..."
Her eyes widened.
"You probably never want to see this face again." Elfman sighed. "It was because I couldn't control this form that Lisanna..."
Mira gaped at him in wonder. "You're in control..."
"There was nothing else I could do." Elfman muttered. "I had to become stronger, or I couldn't protect Fairy Tail or you..."
"It was never your fault that Lisanna died." Mira gave him a sad smile. "Back then, you were also desperate to protect us..."
"I couldn't do it." Elfman whispered as his transformation faded. "And she... Lisanna died..."
"But I'm still alive." Mira hugged him. "We made a decision, didn't we? To live the way she would have wanted us to..."
"Nee-chan!" Elfman wailed. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
Mira sighed. "Honestly, why are you crying?" She shook her head. "Thank you... Elfman."
"Non, non, non!" Sol chuckled, lifting himself up. "I'm not beaten yet!"
"Dammit!" Elfman cursed. "I have no strength left to fight him!"
Mira and Elfman's eyes widened when Sol was engulfed in violet light. When it faded, not a trace of him was left.
"Pathetic. Despicable." The newcomer spat, walking over to them.
"You killed him." Mira whispered in shock.
"I am a Spirit, not bound by the laws of humans." Gemini scowled. "Furthermore, he was not my contractor, but my enemy, so there will be no repercussions from the Spirit King either. And really, he dared mock you about the death of Lisa-chan. There can be no forgiveness or redemption for one like him."
"I see." Elfman muttered thoughtfully. "That name, Lisa-chan... as Gemini, you remember and feel the same things the person you mimic does, don't you? Only Lucy had Lisanna's permission to call her Lisa-chan."
Mira looked up and frowned. "Hey, you two. The speed at which that thing is drawing that seal has slowed down... I wonder why that is?"
"The forbidden spell Abyss Break... four elements: fire, water, earth, and wind." Mira gasped. "Elfman, how many of the Element Four are left?"
"Two, I think." Elfman scratched his chin. "We took out this guy and the fire guy."
"The speed of the drawing slowed down because of that." Gemini observed. "The giant's power source must be the Element Four. If we defeat all of them, we'll stop the spell."
Mira glanced at Gemini warily. "But no more killing, ok?"
Gemini-Lucy inclined her head towards Mira. "As you wish."
Elfman frowned. "Actually, with me, Natsu, and Gray here, we can probably handle the remaining two. Why don't you go back and guard Lucy? It's possible she might be targeted again."
Gemini nodded. "Very well."
"Whew." Cana sighed in relief. "Looks like Mira's all right." She dropped to one knee, clutching her head in exhaustion. Next to her, Angel was panting and struggling to stand as she was forced to send Draco back.
"Let's see if those things can melt!" She yelled. "Hydra, Acid Bomb!"
The spirit complied and spat corrosive acid at the Shades. The ones hit fell to the ground, the acid eating away at them.
They're pushing themselves way too hard. Even that newcomer... Macao grinned. But honestly, I wonder what it is that makes Fairy Tail's women so strong...
"Hey, Happy, I've got an idea!" Natsu exclaimed as he sprinted down a long hallway. "If we beat up Jose, this whole battle with be over, right?"
Happy sighed. "Jose's magic is a powerful as Master Makarov's!" He protested. "There's no way you can beat him, Natsu!"
"But Gramps isn't around." Natsu reminded him. "So if not me, then who's going to do it?"
"That's right..." Happy sounded morose. "Master, Erza and Lucy aren't around, in the end someone will have to do it."
"I'm here, aren't I?" Natsu grinned, patting Happy. "Right?"
"Aye!" Happy exclaimed. I wonder... even though Master, Erza, and Lucy have more powerful magic... something about Natsu just gives people hope...
Natsu frowned when they ran into a wide room and a whirlwind appeared in front of them.
"How sad..." A voice intoned, as a large man materialized in the vortex. "When the wings of flame rot and fall away... all that remains is a dragon's corpse."
"This guys is one of the Element Four!" Happy warned Natsu.
"I am Aria of the Heavens." The man announced. "I have come to slay the Dragon."
Gray frowned and looked up at the sky. "Rain... the skies were clear a minute ago. What is this?"
"Drip, drip, drop." A woman chanted, approaching hm slowly. "Yes... Juvia is of the Element Four, Juvia of the Rain. Drip, drip, drop."
"Element Four..." Gray muttered.
"To think your guild could defeat two of the Element Four..." Juvia mused. "But Aria and Juvia are not to be underestimated."
"Sorry, but it doesn't matter if you're a woman or even a child." Gray told her. "I don't go easy on anyone who hurts my comrades."
Juvia stared at him for a moment, a blush slowly forming on her cheeks. "Y-yes. Juvia has lost this battle." She began walking away. "Farewell."
Gray's jaw dropped. "What the hell?"
Juvia frowned in confusion. Is Juvia... somehow afflicted by this man? This feeling in Juvia's chest...
"Wait up!" Gray called after her. "Tell me how to stop this thing!"
I must make him mine! Juvia turned back towards Gray resolutely. There is no turning back for Juvia!
"Water Lock!" She shouted, trapping Gray in a sphere of water.
She gasped when Gray started struggling for breath. "W-what do I do now? He is in pain... I must release him!"
Gray froze the water and shattered it, injuring himself in the process.
He froze and shattered it... Juvia observed in shock. Juvia was certain her Water Lock couldn't be broken... is this fate?
"You sure got me with that one." Gray observed, ripping his shirt and tying some of it over the wound as a makeshift bandage, tossing the rest away. "Ugh..."
Why is he removing his clothes?" Juvia panicked. My heart... my heart is not ready for this!
"Ice Make: Lance!" Gray shouted, piercing her body with several spears. His eyes widened when her form turned to water and reformed after the attack.
"Juvia's body is made of the rain itself..." Juvia sighed. "Drip, drip, drop." Just now, he attacked me... that's right, he is an enemy! Juvia must be strong... this is war.
"Farewell, sweet flower of love!" Juvia shouted. "Water Slicer!"
"The hell is she talking about?" Gray wondered, blocking the attack ."Ice Make: Battle Axe!" He swung, cutting her body in half only for it to reform again. "Tch."
"It is impossible for you to defeat Juvia." She informed him. "There is still a chance for you to retreat and remain safe."
"I request that you bring Lucy to me." She said. "If you do so, I shall speak with our master and convince him to withdraw."
"Quit messing around." Gray scowled. "Both sides have done too much fighting to stop now." He glared at her. "Besides, Lucy is our comrade. Even if it means my death, I won't hand her over!"
Juvia's umbrella fell to the ground. Even if it means his death... his death... his death... love... a rival in love!
Gray's eyes widened when Juvia began to steam. "Juvia cannot allow this!" The girl roared. "Juvia shall never forgive Lucy!"
"Boiling water?" Gray frowned when the rain turned scalding hot. "And why is she mad at Lucy? Does she have a death wish?"
"Ice Ma-" He got cut off when a tendril of hot water smashed into him. "Dammit!" He cursed when another one barely missed him. "It's so fast! I can't even keep up!"
He ducked under a large wave. "If I don't buy myself some time... Ice Make: Shield!"
He watched in shock as the next attack melted the shield in seconds. "No way..."
"My jealousy is boiling!" Juvia shouted.
"What does that even mean?" Gray asked, as another attack engulfed him. "It's so hot... my skin is burning!"
A geyser erupted from underneath him and shot him high into the air. "Dammit!" He swore. "If I could just fight back..." He pushed his hands into the water. "Freeze!"
Juvia watched in shock as the geyser slowly froze "Impossible... Juvia's boiling water is freezing? And not only that..."
Gray's jaw dropped when he noticed his hand was resting on Juvia's frozen chest. "No! I..."
"I'm so embarrassed." Juvia muttered. "To be taken advantage of in this state..."
"Sorry!" Gray exclaimed hurriedly as the ice receded.
He released me from the ice? Juvia was confused. He's so kind... but why?
"Do-over!" Gray shouted, taking a few steps back.
"No..." Juvia told him. "Juvia cannot hurt you..."
"You can't hurt me?" Gray frowned. "You mean you know you won't win?"
"I'm stronger than Lucy." Juvia protested. "I can protect you..."
"Protect me?" Gray was confused. "Why would you..."
"I..." Juvia choked. "I lo..."
"Man, did this rain just intensify?" Gray looked up. "This thing is so depressing..."
Juvia's eyes went wide. He's just like the others...
Gray took a hasty step back when Juvia began to steam again. "What the..."
"You're just like them!" She screamed, blasting Gray with another jet of water and trapping him inside it.
"I'll just freeze it again." Gray thrust his hand forward to no avail. "It's even hotter than before?"
"I don't need love!" Juvia exclaimed. "I don't need it!"
"I hope Juvia-chan doesn't go on the field trip with us." A small kid laughed.
"Yeah." His friend nodded. "It always rains when she's around."
Juvia sighed, sewing a smile on a plain white doll. "Juvia is... a rain woman?"'
"Why is it always raining?" Bora of Prominence complained loudly. "I can't go fishing or camping with you! Please, just... break up with me."
I'm one of the Element Four! Juvia grit her teeth. A proud mage of Phantom Lord!
"I won't lose!" Gray shouted furiously, freezing the water again. "Not to someone like Phantom!"
Juvia gasped as the rain turned into snow and hail. "S-such magical power... he even froze the rain..."
"Ice Geyser!" A spiky block of ice shot out of the ground, freezing Juvia before shattering and letting her defeated form fall to the ground.
Juvia blinked, staring up at the sky. "I... lost?"
Gray grinned. "How are you feeling?" He asked her. "Cooled off yet?"
Juvia's eyes widened when the clouds cleared and the sun appeared. "The rain... has stopped?"
"It finally cleared up!" Gray exclaimed happily.
This is... the clear sky? Juvia stared. How beautiful..
"So..." Gray turned to her, grinning. "You up for another round?"
Hearts appeared in Juvia's eyes before she slumped to the ground in a faint.
"It's been over ten minutes and that thing hasn't activated yet!" Nab exclaimed. "This is driving me crazy! Isn't it ever going to end?"
Laki frowned. "I think the giant's movements have slowed down." She observed.
"Natsu and the others must be doing all they can to stop that thing from the inside." Cana muttered, trying to wake up Angel, who collapsed from using up too much magic power. "We can only hope they succeed..."
"Gray!" Elfman bellowed, rushing up to the ice mage.
"Elfman?" Gray glanced from him to his sister. "And Mira? What are you doing here?"
"Is this the third Element Four member?" Elfman asked, staring at Juvia's body. What's with the weird happy expression on her face?
"There's only one of them left." Mira told the two boys. "If we defeat the last one, we'll stop the giant. We can do this!"
Natsu panted, glaring at Aria angrily.
"I'm impressed." Aria told him. "You're still able to stand. You are quite something."
"Dammit!" Natsu roared, charging forward with another punch.
What's with this guy? Happy trembled in fear behind a column. I've never seen Natsu losing so badly in a fight!
"There is nothing you can do to counter my Airspace Magic." Aria announced, as Natsu slammed into an invisible wall and crashed back.
His magic is invisible! Happy wailed internally. What can we do?
"You're still standing, Salamander." Aria observed. "Astounding."
"Well, I can't just let you beat me..." Natsu growled. "I'm a mage of Fairy Tail... and you're pissing me off, you bastard!"
"Airspace: Zetsu." Aria intoned, sending Natsu flying with several translucent blows.
He's too strong. Tears appeared in Happy's eyes. "This guy is the strongest of the Element Four..."
"There is always someone stronger, young dragon." Aria informed Natsu, vanishing before the boy's fiery breath could reach him.
"It's over, Salamander." He sighed, appearing behind the boy. "Now you shall share Makarov's fate. Airspace: Metsu!"
Natsu's eyes widened as light surrounded him. "Oh, crap!"
"Your magic shall be reduced to nothing!" Aria exclaimed.
An armored fist suddenly slammed into his face, knocking him backwards and breaking the spell on Natsu.
"Erza!" Happy cheered.
"Oh?" Aria adjusted his hat. "A newcomer?"
Natsu frowned. "Are you sure you should be moving with those wounds?"
"This guy did that to Master..." Erza growled.
"How very sad." Aria remarked. "For Salamander and Titania to both perish before me..."
"The one who dared attack the old man..." Erza glared at him. "That was you, correct?"
Aria chuckled. "If I'm going to fight against the mighty Erza, even I will have to take this seriously." He reached up and pulled the bandages around his eyes off. "Come at me, Titania."
"His eyes?" Gray frowned.
Mira nodded."Yes. Aria of the Heavens always keeps his eyes covered. Apparently keeping them shielded is the only way he can control his vast power."
Elfman was shocked."What the hell?"
"At any rate, if we run into Aria, we have to defeat him before he uncovers them!" Mira instructed the boys. "If he does that, we may lose all hope of winning!"
"The magic array is shining!" Someone exclaimed.
"Has it been completed?"
"This is bad!"
Cana grit her teeth. "After all this... is this the end?"
Aria grinned as his eyes began to glow. "I have activated the airspace of death, 'Zero'." He told Erza. "This airspace consumes all life. Nothing within can survive."
"Magic that consumes life?" Erza sneered. "Why do you bastards find it so easy to steal lives?"
"Let's have some fun, Titania." Aria goaded her. "I wonder... can you survive this airspace?"
Erza scowled and swung her sword at the airspace.
"What the..." Aria's eyes widened as she hacked away repeatedly. "She's slicing up the airspace?"
He flinched when Erza appeared in front of him with a murderous glare.
"Heaven's Wheel Armor!" She yelled, requipping in a split second and sending him flying. "Circle Sword!"
Aria yelled in pain as he collapsed on the ground.
"Master could never be defeated by someone like you." Erza announced. "Your tale ends here."
Next time: iron versus fire. That might take me a little while to put up, so please remain patient.
Thanks for reading!