Hi everyone! I am finally back and with the newest chapter! I'd really like to thank everyone for their patience, I know it's been almost two months since I last updated. The death was unexpected and I had no idea how it would affect me. But I'm back and I'm doing okay!
So without further ado, enjoy chapter nine!
Two days later
Sabertooth
"Sabertooth has already chosen who will be going to investigate. Master Sting, Rogue Cheney, Yukino Aguria, Minerva Orland, Orga Nanagear and Dobengal have all volunteered." Makarov started as Fairy Tail had a meeting in the Sabertooth library. "We should only send out five as they will send out six."
"I want in on some of this action!" Natsu exclaimed as he slammed his hands on the table while standing up. "Everyone else has been getting in on the action and I haven't even fought them yet!"
"Natsu, this is a serious matter we are discussing here." Makarov reminded the Fire Dragon Slayer.
"And we're not going to fight, we're just going to investigate where Levy, Jet and Droy were bitten. We still don't know where Viper Bite's guild is yet." Erza reminded him.
"Well it couldn't be far from where they were bitten then." Gray added as Lucy gave a nod.
"Gray's right."
"Anything is possible with that guild." Gajeel replied as he pushed himself off the wall. "They could have teleported from somewhere, hell they could be in the mountains for all we know."
"Gajeel is correct. They could be anywhere, but that is why we are going to go investigate where the attack was. We might find a clue on the whereabouts of their guild." The guildmaster answered.
"Well still! I want to go in case we run into them! Freed brought this on himself to go against his own guild!"
"JIEMMA IS CONTROLING HIM AGAINST HIS WILL! HE CAN'T HELP IT!" Makarov snapped.
"Well if Natsu is going, then I'm not letting him have all the fun." Gray added as Makarov glared over to the ice mage.
"Natsu! Gray! This is a serious matter, take it seriously!" Lucy hissed at the two mages who seemed clueless about the matter. Well, mainly Natsu.
"So far Natsu, Gray and Lucy have volunteered to go investigate." Makarov commented.
"EH? I DIDN'T VOLUNTEER!"
"Come on, Lu! You can't miss out on this!"
"Aye!" Happy agreed as Lucy pouted.
"How did I get myself into this mess?" The blond asked herself.
"Master, I will go as well." Erza offered as Makarov gave a nod.
"I was hoping you would go, Erza. That makes me feel better that you'll keep everyone on top of their game."
"Oi, I'll go too. I lead everyone to the spot where I found them." Gajeel offered as Makarov gave a nod.
"Hopefully there will be some clue we can find. I am growing eager by the day and worry about them. I don't want to think what that demon does to them." The guildmaster sighed as he closed his eyes. Hoping that both Freed and Rufus were alright and that they hadn't been harmed.
In the Sabertooth Infirmary
"We hope you three are feeling strong enough to answer some questions." Minerva stated as her and Rogue entered the infirmary. Levy, the only one awake at the moment, gave a nod to the two Sabertooth mages.
"If at anytime you don't have the strength to answer, please let us know and we'll stop." Rogue answered as the young bluenette again gave a nod.
"I will." She replied, her voice hoarse from the illness.
"Do you remember anything particular that had happened?" The Shadow Dragon Slayer questioned as the scrip mage closed her eyes for just a few moments before reopening them.
"I remember we ended up in the woods because of a fox. It ran out of someone's home with a blanket in its mouth, so we went to go stop it. We saw Freed and Rufus come up after we got the blanket back, at first it was only their eyes but we knew it was them." Levy answered as the two mages gave a nod.
"Do you think it happened at random or was it planned?" Minerva asked with curiosity.
"To be honest I'm sure it happened at random. Why would they use a fox?"
"Then again, I'm sure a snake would have given them away." Rogue commented as Minerva gave a nod.
"Anything else that you remember Levy? Or is important that might help us?" The space mage asked.
"Did they use any new spells?" The dragon slayer asked as the sick mage shook her head.
"No. Though it was only Rufus who used a spell and that was a gravity spell. Showering Ancient Wisdom."
"Thank you, we'll keep that in mind." Minerva thanked as she stood up. "You get some rest. You'll need it." With a nod, Levy closed her eyes as Rogue and Minerva left the infirmary, both giving a sigh.
"This is going to be difficult." The space mage commented.
"Unfortunately. Jiemma did make everything difficult, so finding their guild will be a challenge." Rogue replied as the two walked back toward the lobby.
"I already told you I'm coming along!" A voice shouted from the lobby. Stopping, the two mages blinked as they heard what sounded like an argument.
"Laxus! I already told you that you aren't coming!" Sounded like Laxus and Makarov were fighting. Shaking their heads, the two mages walked into the lobby and indeed, Laxus and Makrov were fighting.
"Watch me! Freed's out there and I'm going to bring him home!"
"You idiot! We're going to investigate not fight!"
"What's going on? Why are they fighting?" Rogue asked as him and Minerva walked over to where Sting and the others sat.
"Laxus-san isn't happy that Master Makarov didn't include him in the investigation team." Sting explained.
"Is no one going to stop them?" Minerva asked as the others shook their heads.
"It's best we don't." Yukino said as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Well what if we run into him again! I might be able to break the spell!" Laxus shouted back. Sighing, Makarov face palmed.
"Laxus, for the hundredth time, you are not going. Five is enough, plus the six mages from Sabertooth. That is plenty." The guildmaster calmly stated. "You need to stay back and help Bickslow and Evergreen find spells that could help us break the mind controlling spell Jiemma has them under. I would like to remind you that you have a fever. If they saw that you had a fever, they could use that to their advantage. That's why you are staying back. You need to rest."
"There ain't no way in hell am I-"
"Laxus!" A voice called out. Turning around, the dragon slayer looked at the remaining two members. Books piled around them as they searched for spells.
"That's enough. Master's right you need to rest. We're just as worried as you are about Freed." Evergreen spoke as Bickslow nodded behind her.
"They're right. You aren't in fighting conditions and we need all the help we can get to find a spell that'll break Jiemma's spell. Just let them go and come help us." Bickslow agreed.
"Come help us! Come help us! Come help us!" The Babies repeated as Laxus looked away from them to Makarov. Finally, the blond sighed.
"Fine…I'll stay back." Laxus answered as Makarov gave a nod and walked over to his Grandson. Placing a hand on the slayer's shoulder as he sat down, Makarov patted Laxus' shoulder.
"I know you're worried about him. And I know you want to find him, but you being sick will just hold us back instead of helping us forward. We'll do everything we can to find as many clues as we possibly can, my boy." Makarov assured him. Then again, he had no idea how many clues they would actually find. He hoped enough that they would find the guild's location. Laxus sighed again and looked up, this time looking straight at Orga.
"Oi, Orga. You going?" Orga gave a nod.
"Yeah. Why?"
"You listen here, if they come out, you better tell me how Freed is after the battle. Understood?" Orga chuckled and folded his arms.
"Yeah sure."
"I mean it, Nanagear."
"Crystal clear, Dreyar." Orga answered.
"Well are we ready to go?" Sting asked as he stood up. "I mean, if there are anymore words that are needed to be said, please by all means, say them. But if not, then we need to leave."
"Nah I think we're good!" Natsu answered with a smirk as he smashed both of his fists together. "I'm ready for a good fight!"
"WE AREN'T FIGHTING!"
Viper Bite
In a recent mission, Viper Bite had successfully retrieve new snakes for Dr. Gail to research and a new dark spell set. Jiemma, pleased that everything is growing and growing. Viper Bite wasn't going to fall. The Master would make sure of that! He called for Freed and Rufus, handing them the dark spell set. Telling them he wanted them to study theses books, new strong, dark and forbidden spells that'll only make them stronger.
So in the library, Rufus and Freed were busy studying the new books. Although they had studied the whole library when they first arrived, they had been informed that the books had a different language. Because of that, it was taking them longer than usual. Their master didn't give them a deadline of when they had to be all read so the two were taking their time on studying.
The sound of pages turning filled the silent room as the two mages studied, but that was cut off when they both snapped their heads up. Eyes narrowed, they sensed something.
"Do you sense that?" Rufus asked as Freed gave a nod. The two mages stood up.
"Fairy Tail is near."
"So is Sabertooth."
"We must inform the master." Freed suggested as the blond gave a nod. The two rushed out of the library and into the hallway.
"Where are you two off to?" A voice came behind the two dark mages. Turning around, Nightshade stood behind them.
"Fairy Tail and Sabertooth have entered the town! We must inform Master Jiemma!" The greenette informed the general.
"The both of them? Well I'm sorry to inform you both but Master Jiemma is not here at this moment. He left this morning to recruit new members for the guild." Nightshade informed them.
"I will locate Thorn and we will deal with them." The mages gave a nod and went their separate ways. Nightshade going to find the second general and the other two go prepare for this fight. They weren't going to allow their guilds to find Viper Bite's location and were certainly going destroy them this time.
Outside the woods
"Alright, this is where they appeared." Gajeel explained as they reached the spot where Shadow Gear appeared. The eleven mages looked around.
"And is this the house where the fox came out of?" Yukino asked, pointing to a house. Gajeel looked and gave a nod.
"Yeah, that's what she told me."
"Then the fox must have gone that way." Rogue pointed to the entrance of the forest. 'That must be where Team Shadow Gear was attacked.'
"So should we look here or should we look-"
"OI! I smell Freed!" Natsu cut Lucy off when he caught the scent of the runes mage. The group looked over to the Fire Dragon Slayer as he said that. Sting and Rogue also caught a familiar scent.
"Hey, speaking of that, I think I smell Rufus." Sting pointed out as him and Rogue sniffed their noses.
"I believe that is Rufus's scent."
"Oi we should think of a plan before- NATSU!" Gray started but saw Natsu already running toward the forest.
"I KNEW COMING WAS A GOOD IDEA! I'M GONNA GET IN ON SOME OF THE ACTION!" Natsu shouted as Fairy Tail groaned.
"NATSU GET BACK HERE!" Lucy shouted.
"We better go after him." Erza started as the group nodded.
"If the Salamander is right, then Rufus should be with him." Minerva agreed as the group rushed to catch up with Natsu.
"OI! NATSU! SLOW DOWN!" Gray shouted out but he was ignored as the group came to an open field. Natsu stopped and Lucy ran into him.
"Natsu! Why'd you suddenly stop?" The blond asked. He didn't answer her for what seemed like forever, but finally he answered it.
"They're here." Natsu replied. Blinking, the celestial mage looked passed the mage and saw four mages waiting for them. Two being Freed and Rufus and two unknown. But Orga knew one of them and he narrowed his eyes. He wasn't ecstatic to see Thorn again.
"Well you two were right. They came right to us." Thorn chuckled.
"Amazing what a dragon slayer's nose can do." Rufus smirked at the group who glared at them.
"Well it's a good thing you thought that." Sting smirked and then pointed to the group of dark mages. "Because it's time we bring you two back to your rightful homes!"
"Oh don't make us laugh." Freed chuckled. "Viper Bite is where we belong to."
"As Master Jiemma says, strength is all you need. Only the strongest will survive and the weak will fall. It's a pity you don't see that Sting. You welcomed in some many…weak mages. No wonder Sabertooth is falling in the ranks." Rufus added as he narrowed his eyes to his former guild. Sabertooth also narrowed their eyes at them.
'Rufus would never say something about our guild like that.' Sting through. 'He welcomes every new member like any other person in the guild.'
"ENOUGH RUFUS!" Orga screamed which brought Sting out of his thoughts.
"Oh don't get me started on my former guild." Freed commented with a smirk. Natsu made a fist when Freed made that comment.
"And you better not, Freed. Fairy Tail is your home!" Natsu exclaimed. The rune mage looked over to the fire mage and only smirked.
"Oh really now? Well let me ask you this…why am I not there now? Hmm? Why have you not defeated Master Jiemma yet? Last time I checked, I still bear the Viper Bite symbol," Freed started as he held his left hand up. Showing off his black Viper Bite mark instead of his green Fairy Tail mark. "And not the symbol of Fairy Tail."
"That's because we've been searching!" Gray shouted. "We've been looking for you both since day one! These things take time!"
"And we would be dead if Master Jiemma decided we were too weak for his guild." Rufus smirked as he crossed his arms.
"You're starting to piss me off!" Natsu growled.
"Then I say enough with the chit-chatting!" Thorn exclaimed as he made a fist.
"For once I'll agree with ya but only this once." Orga answered as he cracked his knuckles.
"Oh? You want to fight? Can you fight this time, Orga?" Thorn smirked. His comment made the Lighting God Slayer start to emit lighting off him.
"I see that Fairy Tail is missing their Lighting Dragon Slayer. Did you leave him behind in the train cart to let him suffer?" Nightshade asked in a calm matter.
"No, he didn't come because he's back helping with other important things. Such as searching for a cure for the dark spell that has been placed on our comrades." Erza replied as she pointed her sword at him.
"Oh don't remind me of the train." Natsu commented as he covered his mouth.
"Okay enough talking or are we gonna-" Thorn was cut off as Natsu charged toward him. His fist engulfed in his flames as he threw a punch. But he was kicked to the side by Freed.
"I hate to break it to you Natsu, but you will be my opponent!" Freed informed him. Natsu snapped his head over and snickered.
"I'm glad to hear that because I'm getting all fired up!" Natsu exclaimed.
"Oi then I'll also be your opponent!" Gajeel's voice came from behind. Freed looked over his shoulder and saw the Iron Dragon Slayer. Smirking, Freed gave a nod.
"Two dragon slayers huh? Well I accept that challenge." The rune mage answered.
"Oi are we just going to sit here with our legs crossed or are we-"
"LIGHTING GOD'S CHARGED PARTICLE CANON!" Thorn was cut off by Orga firing his lighting at him.
"Memory Make! Wall of Darkness!" Rufus called out as the wall appeared just in time before Orga's lighting could hit Thorn. "You will be my opponent, Orga."
"Fine by me!" Orga agreed. "I'm bring you home this time. Back to Sabertooth."
"I'd like to see you try that." Rufus smirked as Orga charged toward Rufus.
"Minerva, with me! We'll take on General Nightshade!" Erza commanded as the space mage agreed, the two females running toward the general that watched Freed fight the two dragon slayers.
"Oi we'll help Natsu-san and Gajeel-san! You guys go help Orga or take on Thorn!" Sting exclaimed as the others gave a nod.
"Lucy-san, we'll fight Thorn." Yukino said to the blond who gave a nod.
"Right!" She agreed as the two celestial mages rushed up. Gray looked over to Dobengal who looked back at him.
"Well looks like Orga is gonna need some help." Gray commented as the ninja nodded.
"Yes. As much as Orga wants to bring Rufus home, he will go easy on him." Dobengal explained as the ice mage nodded and the two rushed to help the Lighting God Slayer.
"So I have the honor of fighting not one, not two but four dragon slayers?" Freed chuckled as the four stood in front of him, the four slayers were ready to attack the rune mage. "I also happen to notice that the Sabertooth mages are missing their cat partners. I wonder why."
"Though you might be under the control of our former master, you will pay for hurting our exceeds." Rogue answered as Freed smirked.
"Even if it was your former guild member, I will take his place for this battle." Freed responded as he drew his sword and pointed it at the four dragon slayers. "Let us begin our fight, gentlemen."
As Freed said that, both Sting and Rogue were the first to make the move. The Twin Dragons both punched Freed in the jaw, sending him back. But the runes mage caught himself before he could hit the ground and dashed toward the Sabertooth members.
"WHITE DRAGON'S ROAR!" Sting called out as he fired his laser at Freed who smirked.
"Protection! Dark shield!" Freed called out as a shield appeared and blocked Sting's laser. The guild master growled as the shield vanished but watched closer as he saw Rogue's shadow come up from behind.
"SHADOW DRAGON'S SLASH!" Rogue called out as the greenette glared behind him.
SLASH
"ROGUE!" Sting screamed as he watched Freed slash Rogue in the chest. The Shadow Dragon Slayer stumbled forward but stood up. He took his hand off his torso and saw there was ancient text on his chest.
"What the-?"
"OI! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!" Sting screamed as Freed chuckled.
"Those letters will become your reality...will become your ever sensation...Dark Écriture: Suffering." The mage explained as a sudden wave of pain rushed all over Rogue's body. Causing him to scream as every part of his body was flooded with pain. His bones, the blood rushing through his body, the clothing on his body, even the light breeze of the wind caused…hellish pain that has been flicked onto him.
"ROGUE!" Sting shrieked again, running toward the other. But he slammed right into a wall. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HIM?!"
"First off, I am keeping you out of the way as I deal with the Shadow Dragon Slayer, the weaker one of the Twin Dragons." Freed explained as he looked over to the White Dragon Slayer who wanted to murder the runes mage right then and there.
"FIRST OFF, I WILL FUCKING TELL YOU THAT ROGUE IS NOT THE WEAKER OF THE TWO OF US! WE ARE BOTH FUCKING EQUAL! SECOND OFF, I WILL FUCKING MURDER YOU IF YOU DON'T FUCKING STOP THIS NOW!" Saying Sting was angry was an understatement. He was enraged! Seeing Rogue on the ground screaming in agonizing pain killed him.
"NATSU-SAN! GAJEEL-" Sting shouted but saw that the two of them were also in one of Freed's runes and looked to be busy trying to get out. This made Sting's anger grow and grow by the minute.
"Now where was I before I was rudely interrupted?" Freed asked before he smirked and looked over to Sting. "Ah yes, I remember now."
"Don't you fucking dare lay another letter on him or God help me!"
"Dark Écriture: Fear! LET YOUR FEARS FLOOD YOUR MIND DRAGON SLAYER!" The fears that Rogue pushed to the back of his mind suddenly overwhelmed his mind. Flashes of all his nightmares played in his mind.
After Jiemma "killed" Lector, he had nightmares of Jiemma killing Frosch and also just losing Frosch in general during a fight. If that happens, then Future Rogue will happen and he would make sure that Rogue would never become that man ever.
But speaking of Sting, losing him was a nightmare. Because of Frosch's death, Rogue went crazy and killed Sting. Rogue killed…Sting. Sting, who has been his partner since they first met, the one who has been by his side when Rogue had needed him, the one who keeps him out of his shadow, the one he loves. Dead on the ground, in a pool of blood and lifeless. Rogue had taken lives before while under Jiemma's control, but Sting dying because of him? No, it couldn't happen. It just couldn't.
His other fears also flashed behind him. The shadow that took over him taking over him again, that couldn't happen. Pure darkness with not a single spot of light anywhere was a terrifying thought. He would fall into his own darkness, as his shadow would "eat" him whole. A paralyzing flash of Jiemma standing in front of him with even more power, enough to defeat any that stood before the demon.
As Rogue screamed, tears fell from his face. 'Please…please stop this. I can't handle this! I don't know how much more longer I can hold on.'
"And to finish you off, Shadow Dragon Slayer." Freed informed him as the mage raised his sword. Sting's eyes widen as the magic around him started to rise.
"ROGUE! HANG IN THERE!" Sting begged
BOOM
"Huh?" Natsu and Gajeel looked up and saw Sting in Dragon Force. Freed turned around and saw Sting with a murderous look in his eyes. Smirking, Freed snapped his fingers and the wall that separated the two now vanished.
"Well someone is eager to play now hm? Very well then." Freed chuckled. He kicked Rogue out of the way. Wrong move. Sting dashed toward Freed in a blink of an eye and threw a punch at him. The punch sent him flying and it was so powerful, the runes mage couldn't even catch himself. A fist held in the air, Sting narrowed his eyes to Freed.
"I swear you'll pay for hurting him. No one hurts my shadow and gets away with it." Sting calmly expressed as Freed narrowed his eyes at the blond, but smirked.
"Oh?" Freed stood up and cracked his neck. "Watch me get away with it! Don't forget about that shield I used earlier." He snickered.
"Huh? And what would that be? It's just a shield." Sting said as Freed smirked and held both his hands out.
"Absorbed Power Release!" Sting's eyes widen. "WHITE DRAGON'S ROAR!" The laser shot out and headed straight for Sting. The guild master moved out of the way and charged toward the rune mage. Light appeared around Sting's foot as he sent kick at Freed's head. The kick was blocked when the greenette caught his foot and threw him against a tree. Sting caught himself on the tree and growled at Freed.
"I might not know you Freed, but I know that this isn't you." Sting commented as he landed on the ground.
"Well you are correct. You don't know me." The mage snickered as Sting smirked and put his hands together before he opened them. The runes mage narrowed his eyes as Sting started to cast his next spell.
"WE'RE GOING TO BRING YOU BACK TO YOUR GUILD! HOLY RAY!" Light rays shout out from Sting's fingers.
"Dark Écriture: Wings!" Freed managed to fly out of the way from the light rays but barley. He still managed to get hit, but only by his feet. Hissing, glared at Sting before flying towards Sting.
"Dark Écriture: Pain!" Freed went to slash Sting, but the slayer moved out of the way and punched Freed in his side. He barley managed to stop himself, but he managed to stop before he hit the wall that surrounded Natsu and Gajeel.
"OI! FREED! LET US OUT!" Natsu raged as Freed brushed his bangs out of the way. Looking over to Sting, Freed narrowed his eyes.
"Well, seeing that I'm growing tired of you and that fighting you, just you, instead of the Twin Dragons isn't as much fun as I thought, I will finish you off."
"OH YEAH? I'LL FINISH YOU FIRST!" Sting hissed as he charged toward the runes mage who also charged toward him. Sting raised his fist but the air was knocked out when he felt Freed's fist hit his stomach. The dark mage then grabbed Sting by his face and threw him over to where Rogue laid.
"S-Sting." Rogue managed to get out as Sting tried to get up, but the punch to his stomach held him back which he found strange. How could something like this hold him back while he was in Dragon Force. The Twin Dragons watched as the mage came up to them and held his hand out to them.
"Since it is known that you two are…together, why don't the two of you sleep together while we destroy the rest of your guild and Fairy Tail." Before either one could make a move, both their eyelids grew heavy.
"D-Damn…it." Sting cussed as Freed chuckled and turned around as his Dragon Force wore off.
"A…sleep…" Rogue couldn't even finish his sentence when sleep took over both of them.
"Now that they're out of the way." The runes mage looked over to the two inside the box. "Now it's time to deal with the two fairies." Snapping his fingers, without hesitation, Natsu and Gajeel charged toward Freed. Fire in both of their eyes.
"ICE MAKE! LANCE!" Jumping out of the way, Rufus dodged Gray's incoming attack. "Stand still damn it!"
"Why should I? If I don't then I'll be hit." Rufus chuckled. Watching from the hidden leafs of the trees, Dobengal observed everyone's movements, but focused on Rufus'. The Sabertooth ninja watched as the Memory Mage attack Orga and Gray. Narrowing his eyes, the mage mentally prepared himself to attack the blond from behind.
"Oi, we're getting our asses kicked and that one guy isn't here!" Gray complained as he noticed Dobengal wasn't around.
"He's around here somewhere. He's got a plan I know it." Orga replied as he formed a ball of lighting in his hands. "He's just waiting for the perfect time to act."
"Oh? He's waiting for the perfect moment to attack? Well then, I hope the times it perfectly." Rufus chuckled as both the Sabertooth members narrowed their eyes.
"Oi! What the hell is that suppose to mean, Rufus!" The Lighting God Slayer hissed as the blond chuckled.
"Oh nothing." Rufus replied. 'I can sense him in the trees. He's waiting to make a move on me that'll catch him off guard. I know how you are, Dobengal.'
'Just a little longer.' Dobengal thought as Gray and Orga attacked at the same time. Moving Rufus in front of the trees where Dobengal hide. 'Perfect!'
'And here he comes.' "Memory Make! Blade of Flashing Lighting!" Both Orga and Gray stopped and jumped back as the giant attacked them. This was Dobengal's chance. The ninja jumped up from the trees, kunais ready to fire. Sensing Dobengal had finally moved, Rufus smirked and spun around, eyes locked on Dobengal.
"There you are! Memory Make!" Rufus called out. "Shrine of Turbulent Fang!" Dobengal's eyes widen. He was too slow. Just as he was about to throw the daggers, he was caught in the tornados.
"DOBENGAL!"
"And you're suppose to be one of Sabertooth's strongest members. What a pity." Rufus smirked as he moved away from Orga and Gray to where Dobengal barley managed to catch himself. "Well I believe this would be the perfect time to try a new spell that Master Jiemma had given me."
'He's making them study spells?' Gray thought as he watched the blond put his hands in front of him and took a deep breath, slowly letting it out.
"Oh große Schlange, dessen Zeichen ich trage, leih mir deine Kraft und beseitige jene," Rufus chanted as his eyes began to glow a purple. As they did, a clear smoke started to appear around Dobengal. "Die es wagen deinen Willen zu verleugnen! Dein Gift soll ihre Seelen reinigen!"
Rufus closed one of his hands and suddenly Dobengal's eyes widen. His throat felt like it had suddenly closed completely, cutting off his airway. The ninja threw his hands to his throat as he struggled for air.
"DOBENGAL!" The two mages screamed. Orga snarled over to Rufus, seeing him deep in concentration on the spell. He hated to do this, but he had to.
"LIGHTING GOD'S CHARGED PARTICLE CANNON!" He screamed at the top of his lungs. Rufus snapped his head and didn't have time to move when he was hit. Cutting the spell off and opening Dobengal's airway. Gray rushed over to the fallen ninja to check on him as Orga faced Rufus.
"Dobengal, are you alright?" Gray asked as he pulled the ninja's mask off. The ninja coughed a few times before he looked up to Gray, giving a nod.
"I-I…cough…think so. Cough…let me catch-catch my breath." Dobengal answered as he looked over to see Orga and Rufus face each other. But something caught the attention of both Dobengal and Orga. Just beneath Rufus's black and purple mask was what looked to be a bruise and maybe even a few scratches.
"Oi Rufus, explain that bruise I see under your mask." Orga demanded. The blond didn't answer but he smirked.
"I'm shocked you can see what is left of my…special training that Master Jiemma put myself and Freed through." The Memory Mage explained as Orga's eyes widen. Jiemma caused that bruise, oh how he wanted to murder that bastard right now for putting Rufus through hell.
"I think I rather not know what kind of special training Jiemma had them go through." Dobengal commented as Gray gave a nod.
"Yeah. Who knows what kind of-"
"Gate of the fish, I open thee! Pisces!" Yukino shouted as she summoned her spirits.
"WHAT THE HELL!" Gray shouted.
"Well Yukino just summoned her spirit." Dobengal calmly stated.
"FISH!"
"Oi, Happy. This isn't the time for a snack." Panther Lily stated. "We're in the middle of a battle!"
"Oh right." Happy apologized with a sad expression.
"Holy hell that is one huge ass fish!" Thorn's eyes widen.
"It's two fishes you idiot." Nightshade pointed out as he blocked from both Erza's and Minerva's attacks.
"Even with the two of us, we can't hit him!" Minerva growled as Nightshade chuckled and looked over to the two mages before pushing them back.
"Of course not. I'm one of Viper Bite's General."
"We've fought many before and they all were defeated. You will be no different!" Erza exclaimed as Nightshade chuckled and held his sword out.
"And I will be the first to change that." He replied as the two mages growled.
"We'll see about that!" Minerva growled as her and Erza charged toward Nightshade. Standing his ground, the general waited until the two of them were close enough and swung his sword at them. But Minerva saw it coming and teleported her and Erza out of the way, Nightshade ended up behind them. They both made a sharp corner and both jumped up, kicking him. The general sent flying, but he summoned another sword and stuck the swords into ground, stopping him from hitting a tree.
"Impressive. I'll give you both that."
"DID YOU REALLY JUST SUMMON A COW?"
"MOOO! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S A COW!"
"THORN!" Nightshade screamed over to the other general who was in awe over the sight of Lucy summoning Taurus. "WE HAVE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO OTHER THAN LOOK AT A OVERGROWN SMELLY ANIMAL!"
"BUT LOOK AT HOW BIG HE IS, NIGHTSHADE! HE'S HUGE!"
"I DON'T CARE!"
"WHO YOU CALLIN' A SMOOOOELLY ANIMAL?!"
"I JUST FUCKING CALLED YOU! THORN, FOCUS ON THIS-" Nightshade was cut off when he was kicked in the jaw followed by a sudden force hitting him, sending him flying into a tree.
"NIGHTSHADE!" Thorn shouted as he glared at Lucy and Yukino who both were ready to fight him. "I'll show you what happens when you aggravate the Carpet Viper!"
"I'LL PROTECT YOU MISS. LUCY!" Taurus exclaimed as Libra stepped forward.
"You will not harm our Masters."
"WHOA! HOTTIE ALERT!" Thorn exclaimed as he saw Libra step forward.
"Yukino, if I may, please destroy him?"
"Yes please, Libra." Yukino answered as the spirit changed the gravity around Thorn, making him crash to the ground. Growling he looked up but smirked.
"Whoa I've got a good view from down-"
"THAT'S MY WOMEN!" Taurus exclaimed as he swung his axe toward Thorn. But the spirit's axe froze midair, glowing a light blue. "HUH?!"
"Yeah hey um can you move out of the way you overgrown cow? You're in the wave of the-AH!" Thorn started but screamed when he was hit in the back.
"Loke!" Lucy exclaimed in surprise to see Loke who had passed through his own gate and punched Thorn in the back.
"Now that's no way to talk to three lovely ladies, now is it?" The spirit asked as Thorn looked up and smirked.
"Oh really?"
"WE'LL SHOW YOU HOW TO PROPERLY TREAT A LADY!" Taurus shouted.
"I think you mean Loke show how to treat a lady. You could learn a thing or two, Taurus." Lucy pointed out as she crossed her arms.
"Lucy-san, your spirits are…interesting." Yukino commented as Libra gave a nod.
"Why do you get the normal spirits?" Lucy questioned
"CRIMSON LOTUS! FIRE DRAGON'S FIST!" Natsu shouted as he threw multiple punches at Freed, sending him back flying and hitting a tree. Groaning, the runes mage felt a burning on his side. Sensing he is injured, Rufus blocked Orga's incoming attack and kicked the mage in the jaw.
"We will settle this match another day, Orga." Rufus informed him as the Lighting God Slayer growled as he rubbed his jaw.
"WE WILL SETTLE THIS TODAY AND I WILL BRING YOU BACK TO- ARG!" Rufus changed Orga's gravity, forcing the mage to the ground.
"Hmm I don't think so." The blond replied as he rushed and kicked both Natsu and Gajeel out of the way as the two dragon slayers rushed over to Freed's side.
"OI!"
"THAT'S OUR GUILDMATE!" Natsu shouted as Rufus ignored him and checked on the injury. The mage saw that Natsu had burnt Freed's left abdomen side and by the looks of it, the wound needed treatment as soon as possible.
"GENERALS!" Rufus called out as the two looked from what they were doing; Nightshade blocking and Thorn arguing with Lucy's two spirits. "WE HAVE A SERIOUS INJURY! WE NEED TO RETREAT NOW!"
"What?!" Pushing Minerva and Erza back, Nightshade rushed over.
"What? Freed's injured?" Erza asked as the general looked at the wound before agreeing with Rufus. Standing up, Nightshade snapped his fingers and everyone was frozen in place. Struggling to move while Nightshade set Thorn free of his gravity trap.
"Thanks Night! That was starting to hurt my back."
"I wonder why. We need to return to Viper Bite and have Dr. Gail treat Freed's wound now." Nightshade informed him as Thorn sighed.
"And I was having fun. Oh well, if we must." Thorn shrugged. Rufus looked dead in Orga's eyes just as they were about to teleport back to Viper Bite.
"We will meet again in a week, Sabertooth. Fairy Tail. We will fight again." Rufus said as Orga growled, but all he could do was watch as they vanished back to Viper Bite. The mages watched as the four mages vanished, returning to Viper Bite.
Sabertooth
The team returned back to the Sabertooth guild by nightfall. None had spoken a word as the group entered the guild. Master Makarov and the members looked up and saw the two groups enter, but right away, Makarov knew something had happened.
"What happened? Did you find any clues?" Makarov asked as the groups.
"None, but we ran into them." Gray answered as everyone's eyes widen. Laxus turned to Orga who was just leaning against the wall.
"Oi!" Laxus started.
"Yeah Freed was there. Natsu burnt the living hell out of your boyfriend. They had to retreat because of that." Orga replied as Laxus's eyes widen and he snapped his head toward Natsu.
"NATSU!"
"WHAT?!"
"YOU SERVERLY BURNED FREED?!" Laxus screamed but soon realized what Orga said. "O-Oi! Freed isn't-"
"There's no need to hide Laxus. We've all known this whole time about the two of you." Makarov commented as he patted his grandson's back. Turning around, Laxus opened his mouth but shit it. "It was obvious."
"I'm…not even going to ask how."
"Well we didn't gather any clues, all we did was fight them." Sting groaned as he sat down.
"And we were out for most of the fight. Freed put us under a sleeping spell." Rogue added as Frosch and Lector came over to their partners, Frosch snuggling into the raven's arms.
"Not the kind of fight I was expecting." Dobengal admitted as he rubbed his throat, still feeling the after affects of Rufus's spell. As everyone talked, Orga stayed silent the whole time. Thinking. Thinking about the bruises, the scratches, the spells, everything Rufus did earlier.
'We will meet again in a week, Sabertooth. Fairy Tail. We will fight again.'
'We'll meet again in a week huh?'
The spell Rufus chanted is German for:
"Oh, great snake, whose mark I bear, lend me your power and get rid of those, who are disowning your will! Your poison shall cleanse their souls!"
Again, I thank everyone for the patients and hope you enjoyed this chapter!