A/N: Sup guys, wiErD here and I've got another chapter for you all.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except for my plots. Everything else is owned by Hiro Mashima. Support the official release.
- Forgotten Ties –
Located in the city of Era lies the newly reformed Magic Council as the once destroyed building at the top of the mountain was finally restored within a year. Due to the events regarding of Tartaros deliberate attack on the Council, all present members were killed along with some ex-members to get a hold of Face. Thanks to Fairy Tail's efforts alongside with the brief help of the dragons, they managed to avert disaster.
However, the Council itself is not completely functional as a whole within Ishgar as the remaining higher ups were uncertain for any replacements to fill in the position of each seat to govern the whole continent.
Despite all of that, they were able to manage a small group to fill in those seats in order to restore order temporarily. These past few months have been quite dangerous due to the rise of the dark guilds after hearing the news of the Council's destruction a year back.
And not to mention, the growing threat of the western continent that poses a huge discussion among the lesser council officials, questioning the Council's protection towards Ishgar.
Warrod stood silently from his miniature garden with a hand sprinkler on his hand. His face full of hope and cheerfulness as he waters his plant from time to time.
He was one of the people called out to reform the Council back on its feet and is now a member of the organization. It was a good privilege that the rest of the surviving council members managed to convince him to take on the position even if it's just temporary.
Plus, he also had a good reason for taking up the offer.
Most likely to Mest's request to reform the Council while also thinking up a plan to dig in information about Makarov's whereabouts inside Alvarez.
"It has been a year since then. The hearts of your precious children will soon rebuild their lost home, Mavis." His muttered as he looked at the window beside him and saw the bright sun rising from the distance, signifying the start of the day.
"You've been pretty carefree yourself, Warrod." A familiar voice resounded from the door as Warrod showcases his unfunny sense of humor as he looked over to a small old man appearing from the entrance.
His eyes immediately recognized the person as one of the Wizard Saints that holds the position of the third seat, while also upholding the title as the Four Heavenly Gods of Ishgar.
"Ohhhh, what brings you here, little wolfie! I see time has not changed your lack of patience." Warrod joked but Wolfheim simply ignored the remark about him and walked silently across his room with a deep thought.
"Don't get so much carefree on your own time, Warrod. Things are changing. This time, we're bound to be the ones who will uphold the responsibility of looking after the people." He warned, specifically mentioning one topic that they're currently discussing.
"Alvarez Empire… Are they now making a move?" Warrod asked. His previous expression instantly turned into seriousness.
"Not what the reports say, no. In fact, we still have our own set of problems inside the country as of now."
"Oh, do you mean that Avatar business thing? I thought Erza Scarlet was overseeing the whole operation on dismantling it from the inside. How long has it been since I last met her on the meeting." Warrod once again went back to his goofy attitude.
"The situation has gone worse. They uncovered a ritual that would cause a lot of deaths to lure out Zeref within our borders." Wolfheim revealed.
"…" Warrod didn't reply in return but he continued to listen.
"This is one situation that we cannot overlook. We need to deal with this situation before we could even advance through our discussion regarding on the western continent."
"Hmm, I see… Does Hyberion have any say towards this predicament?" He asked.
"He's too much focused on the reformation of the Council but I've no doubt he would not let this pass either."
As the two conversed, a knock on the door was heard from behind as Jura slowly appeared with a few papers in hand, seemingly to report of today's operation regarding of Avatar's investigation.
"Excuses, Master Warrod and Master Wolfheim. I came here from the reports from Levy Mcgarden about the events about Behemoth's movements." Jura reported in.
"What do they find?" Wolfheim looked at the rock mage in anticipation. Jura nodded as he began to explain the situation.
"Behemoth has been destroyed… Rather, it was razed down like all the other dark guilds that we've come to investigate, relating to Avatar. They managed to find their guild master but he was critically injured so Gajeel and Levy brought him into the nearest town before any questions could be answered. A few survivors were captured and interrogated as well but they all said the same thing." Jura finished.
"I see… I guess, there's still no lead regarding the mysterious vigilantes that have been helping to dismantle the arising dark guilds." Wolfheim sighed, tired of hearing the same reports all over again as he began to turn around and talk to Warrod once again until-
"Wait a moment, Master Wolfheim. The Detention Enforcement Unit also managed to get an information from Behemoth's guildmaster before he passed out!" He paused as Wolfheim turned back on the rock mage once more in curiosity.
"What did he say?" Wolfheim waited in anticipation alongside with Warrod who stopped watering his plants for a moment to listen to the report.
Jura looked further to the writings until his eyes widened in disbelief after reading the final message from the report. His hands shook in shock and his expression turned into fear as Wolfheim and Warrod suddenly narrowed their eyes, noticing his sudden change of expression.
"I-Impossible… Are they sure about this?!" Jura couldn't believe the reports, briefly forgetting that he was reporting the situation in front of the two Gods of Ishgar.
"What is then? Spit it out!" Wolfheim was running out of patience. Jura swallowed for a moment before finally revealing the report.
"Tartaros has resurfaced."
It didn't take long as their eyes also fell into shock after hearing the news. The once silent atmosphere was immediately filled with dread and fear as Wolfheim regained his composure and simply went on his way out of the room.
"I'll have to inform Hyberion about this!" With a swift move, he vanished from the hall in just a few seconds, leaving only Warrod and Jura inside the room.
Moments later, the tree mage recomposed himself before looking back at Jura with a deep thought.
"Is it true?"
"I don't get much of the clear details but they heard the guild master said something about the Demons from the Book of Zeref," Jura explained.
"I see. I guess the situation has gone worse than we thought it would be. Thank you for your help. Send me word for Erza Scarlet. I'll have to inform her of the situation." Warrod ordered, causing the rock mage to nod in response before making his way out of the room with haste to fulfill his duty.
Warrod looked once again to the outside world in worry.
'Tartaros… Just what are you up to this time?'
Magarett Town…
The town has been filled with lots of people as the day progresses on towards the cold noon. Residents and traders flocked the streets, turning the whole town into a bustling place. Kids ran around merrily in circles playing with each other which adds the liveliness of the people as a whole.
And not only that, there's also a reason why people come together to celebrate with each other.
That is because of Lamia Scale's Thanksgiving Day.
People gathered over to the said guild as they watched different shows of the members celebrate their day along with the town as their source of pride and glory. Different performances were demonstrated at the entrance as people enjoyed every spectacle in it.
"Do you think Wendy is participating in this event?" A blue cat spoke beside a blonde-haired girl as they make their appearance into town.
"I think so. Plus, I think it might be interesting to see what kind of performance she's doing with Chelia right now." The woman spoke with a smile as she made their way towards the busy streets of Magarett.
A few minutes of wading through the thick crowd they managed to reach the guild with anticipation as they saw a multitude of people gathering around the stage to watch the most awaited performance ever.
"It seems like their performance is next, Lucy!" The blue flying cat exclaimed.
"Yeah." Lucy nodded.
The two looked over to the announcer as they recognize him to be Yuka Suzuki as he holds on the mic to announce the last performers of today's celebration.
"And now, the one you've all been waiting for… Our guild's very own angel, the Sky Sisters! Wendy and Chelia!"
As soon as Yuka shouts, the two mentioned performers rushed from the large curtains behind the stage with their angelic outfits and mics as they waved the roaring crowd cheering for them.
A loud noise filled the atmosphere around them as the two began to sing a song dedicated to their annual Thanksgiving Day.
Music filled the ears of the audience as Wendy and Chelia danced happily on stage, giving them an amazing and pleasing entertainment to everyone, including the two. People rhymed with every strong lyric the two were singing as the dance went on for a few more minutes to have fun alongside with everyone.
The smiles and happy faces on each of everyone filled the air with a successful upbringing in this year's Thanksgiving Day for the people of Magarett.
"They surely know how to make everyone happy, right Happy?" Lucy looked back at the blue Exceed with a smile.
"Aye!" Happy returned with the same expression as the performances ended with confetti and cheers from the audience as the two waved their thanks to them and went back stage to finally finish their show.
"Come on, let's say hi to them! It's been a month since we last visited them so there's a chance that they might know his whereabouts." Lucy suggested as the Exceed agreed happily and simply walked through the side to greet their former guildmates.
..
..
A couple of minutes passed and the performance was finally finishing its last announcements and thanksgivings towards the people of Magarett. Wendy and Chelia rested along with the other performers of the show inside the guild as they changed back to their normal clothes.
After a two-day long rehearsal with their guild master who always spins them if they hit a mistake was actually tiring though they don't seem to be bothered at all. It's just that it's all vexing because of the constant repetition of practices they've done yesterday.
"Good job out there, Wendy." Chelia complimented as she hands out a water bottle to help the bluenette.
"T-Thank you. Though I'm still pretty embarrassed by it. I mean, it's my first time doing things like these." She admitted.
"You'll get used to it," Chelia reassured.
"LOVE! LOVE! SKY SISTERS!" Toby shouted from the background.
"Don't get angry all of a sudden," Yuka added along the comedic exchange. Their teases, however, only made the sky dragonslayer to feel more embarrassed as ever as her face went up beet red which only made her fellow Sky Sister to smile along with the others.
"But I kinda loved it. I wish we could do better." Wendy admitted.
"Well, there's always next year." Chelia cheered.
"Oh please, stop expecting too early. You've just finished your performance and now you're thinking about plans for the next one." Another voice cut in their conversation as a humanoid feline figure made her appearance towards them.
"Carla!" Wendy exclaimed.
The white feminine Exceed sighed at the group as she silently made her way towards her dragonslayer to speak.
"We have visitors." She pointed over to the entrance as Lucy and Happy appeared from the guild doors with smiling faces as they saw the sky dragonslayer from one of the tables with Chelia.
"Hello, Wendy!" Lucy waved.
"Hiya! Wendy!" Happy called out.
"Happy! Lucy-san!" Wendy exclaimed in surprise but not long before she stood up from her seat and approached her two friends in happiness.
"How are you, Wendy? Your performance was great by the way. You look so beautiful although you're still young." Lucy complimented.
"T-Thank you, Lucy-san!" Wendy shook her head in embarrassment as Happy joined in the conversation.
"Yeah, after a few months, you might even surpass Lucy in no time." And of course, Happy expected a smack on the back of his head as Lucy turned her attention towards him in annoyance.
"What's that supposed to mean, stupid cat?!"
Wendy smiled along with the unforgettable banter between her and Happy as she soon remembered something to ask for their visiting here.
"What brings you here, Lucy-san?" At that moment, Lucy and Happy broke away from their argument and went towards the topic that they wanted to ask.
"Oh, we were just asking if you gain anything about Natsu. Do you guys have any leads?"
As soon as they asked that, Wendy and Carla only answered with blank air as their expressions immediately turned somber at the mention of a certain person that disappeared over a year ago. The atmosphere around the guild also fell silent as several of the guildmembers of Lamia Scale recognize the person who they thought to be missing as well.
Lucy and Happy also dropped their hope as they realized that they also happen to know nothing about his whereabouts.
It's already been a year since he disappeared from the guild.
Happy was the first one to know his sudden disappearance after the events regarding the aftermath of their battle against Tartaros. He never noticed him leaving or disappearing from the battle either.
Something must've gone wrong with him and eventually Lucy came around to help with the search in order to find him. She made several contacts like Wendy to search any clues leading to the pinkette. Erza and Gray were nowhere to be found despite her desperate search for their locations so she relied on easy approaches in order to begin their search.
She might even think that Erza and Gray haven't known about the pinkette's disappearance at all so it is quite worrisome. Not to mention, Happy's devastation after his dragonslayer's disappearance.
He did not smile the same as before. Although he could still feel happy usually in front of his friends, Happy felt empty whenever he found himself thinking about the pinkette and it hurts just to see him like, especially Carla.
For months, they tried to search alongside with the sky dragonslayer along with her Exceed whenever they had the time to go along with them but they haven't got any single clue of where he's been.
There was a moment of silence between them until Lucy realized it and decided to call off the depressing atmosphere around them.
"Sorry for asking I didn't mean to bring it up on purpose. I just thought you guys might have a lead." Lucy apologized.
"I-It's not your fault, Lucy-san. I, too have been thinking a lot of why he'd disappeared just like that." Wendy replied with reassurance.
"Yeah, that confused me too. I know what happened to your dragons but it doesn't make sense for him to disappear from the face of the earth, especially if it's him we're talking about here." Carla joined in.
"Salamander is still missing, huh?" Lyon asked.
"Yeah. We've been posting some posters on some towns to spread our search but no one seemed to have seen him in these last couple of months." Lucy reasoned.
"There must be some kind of reason in his disappearance. Plus, he's bad at hiding." Carla added.
"Well things aside, we know that it isn't our business, to begin with, but we'd also like to help out in any way we can to find him, isn't that okay with you two?" Lyon proposed as he looked at Lucy and Happy with confirmation.
"That would be great! We've been running short of people at the moment since we only traveled on least parts of the country for just a year." Lucy smiled.
"Then that's settled. After we're done finishing our loose ends of the event, we'll send out some members on every town to ask for any information regarding on him." Lyon spoke.
"Sorry for the bother, Lyon-san!" Wendy bowed but the ice-mage user only smiled in response.
"It's natural for one guild to help another, you know. No need to apologize me for something like that." He reassured before looking back to the two visitors.
"There's a spare room inside our guild. Feel free to settle in as long as you want. I think both of you and Wendy here have something more to discuss." He glanced away and heads out from the guild, leaving the others to continue their previous ventures once again.
A few hours passed and the rest of the celebration finally ended as the day turned towards the afternoon as the sun moves in further to the west. People still wandered through the streets and continued their lives as usual even after the end of the Thanksgiving Day.
Lucy and Happy settled themselves on one open room as it consisted of two beds placed across from each other with two nightstands beside it. A small table and a chair are also seen in the middle of it, accompanied by a small lacrima light located on the ceiling.
"Haaaa~ Hot baths are sooooo nice." Lucy hummed in thought as she changed into her new clothes after taking a short bath to refresh herself from today's work.
"Really? Their fish is good too." Happy rummaged through the plate of fish presented to him as a gift for visiting their parade.
"How long has it been since we last rested in a place like this?" Lucy threw herself on the bed, facing the ceiling while Happy continued chewing on his fish.
"Dunno… I lost count but it's not that bad, I think." Happy replied.
"So much has happened, huh. I mean, over the past few months, we've been searching for him while the others moved on."
"It's not like they know about what happened. It's better for us to not tell them yet if we don't want them to worry." Happy reasoned.
"You're right. They don't need to know about this. But we cannot simply hide this forever to them, Happy. Sooner or later, they will know that he disappeared without them knowing over the past year."
"Then all the more reason we should go and try harder, right?" At first, Lucy was surprised at his reply which only then, made her smile a bit and felt better.
"Yeah…"
A faint knock resounded from their door as they watched it open and revealed Wendy who still in her usual clothes since after the performance. She carried Carla in her arms who is now on her cat-like form which sends a relief to the blue Exceed after seeing her.
"Sorry to bother you, Lucy-san. May I come in?"
"O-Oh, sure." Lucy nodded as the sky dragonslayer went inside and sat on the other side of the bed across Lucy and Happy.
An awkward silence fills the air around them until Lucy tried to speak.
"S-So, what brings you here, Wendy? I thought you were in the same room as Chelia."
"Chelia had some things to take care of so I was left alone in the room with Carla."
"I see…" Another wave of silence filled the air as the two fell silent with each other along with the Exceeds who seemed to notice the awkward silence between each other.
"U-Umm, L-Lucy-san?" This time, Wendy began their conversation.
"Yeah?"
"Lyon said something about having a discussion between me and you… Could it be he wants me to come with you and find him?" She assumed but Lucy felt silent as her gaze looked down on her feet before speaking.
"I know you had a lot of things and connections with Lamia Scale. It's been a year since Fairy Tail disbanded and I know we all feel the same of what happened that day. I understand if you don't want to come because I know how much they've provided you over the past year. I mean, you're already best friends with Chelia. I can't easily break that bond between you two." Lucy smiled but Wendy felt that she wanted to say something.
"No, that's not what I-" She paused on her statement as she looked at the blonde mage with worry. It's not that she don't want to help her. She still had something to do to repay back Lamia Scale for all the things they've done to her.
She also understands that Master had a good reason for disbanding Fairy Tail like that. But a sense of guilt always fills her heart whenever she thinks about quitting her current guild to follow her friends in search for their missing guild mate.
And not only that, the memories she had with the people who have taken her in despite being alone after Fairy Tail's disbandment. She wanted to repay them all. She wanted to at least give them a sort of gratitude for looking out for her and Carla in this past whole year.
But with things right now, she had to make a choice for herself.
"Wendy?" Carla looked worriedly as the sky dragonslayer shook her head and felt her body slightly shake in uncertainty.
It didn't take long until she steeled herself and regained her determination to speak once more.
"Even though we may be in different guilds, we're still Fairy Tail mages. If my heart wants to find Natsu-san then I will do the best I can to help you and take him back with us." With her final resolution, she faced the two with determination as Happy and Carla smiled at her answer.
"Wendy…" Lucy trailed off in her words as she looked at the determined mage right in front of her and could only smile in return.
Outside the room, Chelia simply leaned against the wall. A smile is plastered on her face, feeling relieved after hearing her best friend's answer.
"So you're finally coming with us?" Happy asked.
"Yes but I'll have to say a few words with the others before leaving. I might feel bad for not saying anything for them after all this time." Wendy reminded.
"Of course, take your time. I think it's best for you to talk them about it."
"Good grief. And here I thought I have to give you a piece of encouragement to make you choose but I guess that's not needed now." Carla sighed.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Wendy looked displeasingly at her Exceed from her teases as the four began to enjoy their time together until-
BOOOOOOOM*
A large explosion erupted within the guild as the sound boomed across the town, sending all the nearby people in panic as they saw several large animals rampaging throughout the streets and blindly attacking people in the process.
"What is happening?!" Lucy asked in disbelief as the two girls scrambled on their feet towards the door.
"What's that noise?" Happy felt startled at the sudden explosion.
Soon afterward, the door opened as Chelia met up with the two with a serious expression.
"It's them!"
"Who's them?" Lucy asked.
"Orochi… Their guild and ours have been long rivals since all the way back." Chelia explained.
"Rivals?!" Lucy and Happy stuttered in shock.
"They must've seen it as an opportunity now that Jura-san is part of the Council." Wendy assumed.
"Not only that, we've let our guard down because of the Thanksgiving Day," Carla added as they all went downstairs to see several monsters rampaging inside the guild while the other members tried to put them down.
"Let's go! We should help them!" Lucy shouted as the two sky magic-users nodded in response before jumping down to bring down the beasts.
"First Sky Arrow!"
"Second Sky Arrow!"
Both two cloaked their feet in the air as their kicked the monsters down on the ground, knocking unconscious before facing off against the other monsters inside the guild.
"Let's go, Happy!"
"Aye!"
Carrying the blonde behind her back, Lucy began to call out one from her keys before chanting her spell.
"Gate of the Lion Key, I open thee: Loke!" As soon as she shouted her chant, Loke appeared in his usual formal suit with fancy glasses and greeted his caster with elegance.
"You called me, Hime."
"You know what to do, Loke! Please help the others!"
The celestial spirit didn't waste any time as he jumped towards the ground and proceeded to attack the monsters to protect the others.
"Here I go!"
"Leo Form!" With the increase of her magical power over the last few months, she can now utilize the powers of her celestial spirits to use it as her own. Her clothes changed that of an elegant frilled, black ball gown that is slitting up on her leg and tied with a gold sash that sits on her hips. A black, frilled choker sits around her neck, and a ribbon with the mark of the zodiac is seen upon it. She also sported black heels and her hair is now tied up in a quaint bun that is decorated with a black flower.
She jumped down from the stairs as well alongside with the others to defeat the remaining monsters inside.
It didn't take them a few minutes as they proceeded outside and saw Lyon and the others also fighting some monsters trying to get into the town. Others led the people to evacuate the town in order to prevent them from getting involved in the fight.
"Damn, to think that they would attack us at this moment. Just how lowly they have become." Lyon muttered in anger as he easily encased another monster in ice with just a swipe of his hand.
"Everyone!" Wendy and the others called out as they approached the others to find more about the situation.
"Wendy, Chelia, and Lucy too! I'm glad you're here. Orochi had just started their attack on us."
"We know… And it seems like they picked this opportunity since we're completely had our guards down." Yuka added.
On the other hand, Toby looked far away into the distance as his eyes widened in shock in disbelief after seeing more of the monster coming at their way.
"There's more coming! We've got a large group of monsters coming from the west side! About a hundred thousand!" He shouted, catching everyone in shock and disbelief at such a number of monsters sent in their way.
A-A hundred thousand?!" Lucy and Happy gaped in shock.
"The city won't be able to stand against an attack like that." Lyon gritted his teeth in frustration as he prepares to summon his spells against the incoming advance.
"Only a monster tamer can handle such a trick like this. Orochi must've gotten themselves one among their ranks." Yuka presumed.
"So if we take him out-"
"We can stop the monster's advance!" Lucy finished.
"But how are we suppose to get around that horde?!" Toby asked in an angry tone.
"We could use the sky." Lucy pointed her hand above.
"Yes!" Wendy nodded in response.
"Will you lend us a hand?" Lyon asked Lucy and Happy.
"Of course, we just can't let them have their way with our friends. Lamia Scale is Fairy Tail's ally and we will join in the fight!" Lucy declared.
"Well in that case, can you help me for a bit, Happy?" It was then Chelia turned to speak as she looked at the blue Exceed with determination.
"Eh?"
"Carla and Wendy will attack from the skies. I can't leave her out alone there so I need to lend your powers, Happy." Chelia pleaded which made the blue Exceed think for a moment before grabbing her back and flew high in the air alongside with the two.
"Aye, sir!"
"Let's keep going, Happy!"
"We'll save Lamia Scale!" And in just like that, the two girls alongside with the Exceeds flew through the sky to defeat the monster tamer. The others below simply moved up on their preparations to defend the city as the horde of monsters continued their advance towards them.
Meanwhile, at the far west of the city itself lies the whole guild members of Orochi as they stood together from atop of a cliff, watching as the monsters advance towards the city with only several mages trying to slow the horde from getting inside.
The futile attempts simply made them laugh at their rival guild, seeing their helplessness over the distance.
"What a magnificent view!"
"Perfect time to wipe it off from the face of the earth!"
"As expected, Lamia Scale is nothing without their ace. They're going to be killed in time!"
Murmurs and mumbles went over to the group as they watched the scene from afar and could only revel in the monsters' destructive rampage through the land. They all smirked in victory as they watched Lamia Scale being attacked without given them as much time to prepare themselves as such as fight they cannot even win.
Amongst the guild was the monster-tamer who only looked in awe at his power before speaking alongside with his comrades.
"We'll let them use as much magic as they want to hold out and then, we'll bleed them dry once they are all unable to fight." He smirked evilly as he laughed mockingly towards the city in assurance.
However, their celebration was momentarily interrupted as one of the members saw two cloaked figures standing from the distance away from the horde and to them.
"Look!"
"Who's that?!"
"Lamia Scale?"
"Don't be ridiculous! They don't have any chance of reaching through here since the monsters will be destroying their city if they attacked right now." A couple of murmurs went over to the group as they looked suspiciously towards the duo.
On the other hand, Natsu simply glanced back to Sayla with anticipation before speaking.
"Can you take care of the horde?" He asked.
"Easy. But you better finish up here quick. It's a city we're close by." She reminded.
"I know but don't also get caught, alright?" He returned the favor.
"Sure thing. Let's finish this and be on our way."
Natsu only answered with a slight nod as he tugged his cloak to hide his face even further and proceeded towards the cliff to confront the other guild members. Sayla, on the other hand, vanished from her position and used her speed to reach the town to stop the advance.
The members looked at the approaching figure with hostility as they all readied their weapons against him.
"I don't know who you are but I won't let you disrupt our plans in destroying that wretched city!" The monster tamer shouted in defiance as a couple of men tried to cut the dragonslayer down with their weapons at hand.
Natsu merely sighed before releasing a final mumble underneath his breath.
"Good grief. Although I vowed not to take on any guild aside from the dark ones, I never thought of taking down one."
Before they could all even connect their weapons against him, the whole field was simply engulfed into a massive hellfire that soon shot out throughout the sky, making it visible even to the people in the city far away.
Orochi members could only widen their eyes in disbelief as they were engulfed in a fiery dome of fire, rendering them unable to fight as the cliff itself was simply destroyed in an instant.
Everyone took notice of the fire being shot out of the sky as Wendy and Chelia looked over to the distance, approaching the Orochi headquarters with the help of the Exceeds.
"What was that?" Chelia asked.
"I don't know but we're about to find out." Wendy narrowed her eyes in seriousness as they flew towards it to investigate.
Meanwhile, others back at the town also took notice of the huge dome of fire near the mountains. Their attention all fell into that one burst of fire in the horizon as they could feel the shockwave coming through here like a volcanic eruption.
"What the hell was that?" Lucy muttered as she looked disbelievingly at the sight before her.
"I hope those four will be alright," Yuka spoke.
"There's no time to worry. We should focus on driving these monsters out from the city until Wendy and Chelia could defeat their monster tamer!" Lyon shot another ice spell on the beast and looked at the distance as more monsters advance through the gates in amazing speeds.
At this rate, the city will be overrun.
..
..
"Everyone, stay back!" A feminine voice resounded from above as a cloaked figure descended in front of them and faced the horde in the process.
"Who are you?" Lyon asked after seeing the figure's style of clothing. Anyone would be suspicious if they saw a person wearing a cloak to hide their faces from the eyes of others. Lucy also stood in surprise at the figure in front of her.
She doesn't sound like Meredy or anyone from Crime Sorciere since she could only assume the figure to be part of Jellal's Independent guild.
On the other hand, the figure simply glanced her head sideways as if she would want to speak.
"If you want to protect your city from those monsters, I suggest you all step back." She answered without changing the tone of her voice as the others did what she ordered them to do and finally turns back to the approaching horde.
Slowly waving her arms in a circular fashion, the figure stretched her arms forward before she began to chant her spell.
The words she chanted were in a different language but everyone could feel the ominous meaning behind those words as the figure finally finishes her chant and shouted her final word.
"Mortem!"
As soon as she said that, an invisible wave blasted towards the horde as the monsters immediately fell down on their knees and stumbled forward as if they instantly felt limp, seeing all of them fall down to the ground one by one.
Lucy and the others could only stutter in shock after witnessing such power. They couldn't comprehend it by simple words as the monsters all fell down even at the ones at the far distance stopped advancing. Instead, the whole field was filled with dead monsters as nothing can be seen moving it.
The presence of death was somehow oddly similar to what she witnessed a year back. But it's too early to be assuming just yet, she doesn't even know the person in front of her.
After a few seconds of staring in shock, Lyon immediately regained his composure and eventually lowered his guard towards the cloaked figure.
"I don't know who you are or what you want but I thank you for saving the town."
"…" The figure never turned her head back towards them and simply walked away towards the entrance but not long before she left a reply to him.
"This is nothing compared to what I've done in the past. It is not enough."
And with that, her figure disappeared from sight, leaving the others confused yet safe and sound from the onslaught of the monsters.
..
..
..
On the other hand, Natsu stood among the burnt bodies of Orochi's guild members as the field around them was completely engulfed in fire, leaving only a few smokes and embers lying around his surroundings as he walked over to the monster tamer with questions.
Lifting his head up, Natsu turned in to ask him.
"Where's you guild master?"
"A-As if I'd tell you, bastard! Y-You're not worthy of challenging him alone! No-rather, it's a deathwish for you to challenge him alone!" He boasted despite his injuries.
"Is that so?" He slams his head back down to the ground to knock him out cold as he looked over to the left and saw a man approaching the scene.
Natsu didn't even have to identify the man as he noticed his face after remembering a certain memory a couple of years back in Tenrou Island.
"Bluenote Stinger…" Natsu uttered the true identity of the man as Bluenote raised an eyebrow towards him in curiosity for realizing his name.
"Hmmm?" With a strong gaze, Bluenote immediately raised his right fist and used his magic to flung the pinkette onto a nearby boulder than soon created a huge cloud of debris as the force of his gravity magic was strong enough to blow him away in just a second.
"How did you know my name?!" He asked in a very angered manner as he looked at the dust in front of him.
"Attacking your opponent without exchanging some words is so much like you, Bluenote," Natsu spoke darkly as he emerged from the smoke completely unscathed although his clothes were dirtied a bit and his cloak completely unveiled, showing his somewhat overgrown pink hair and also the face that the gravity mage immediately recognized.
"You…"
"You are that small fry…" For some reason, Bluenote felt a surge of hatred towards him after realizing the kid from eight years ago.
Without waiting enough time on him, Bluenote rushed in from above and used his magic to crush the pinkette down to the ground as he increased his power to empower his gravity around him.
'You're that fucking brat!'
However, his eyes went in full surprise as Natsu was able to withstand all of his gravity magic pressed on him, seeing that he didn't move an inch or even had his head lowered down despite the weight pushed down on him.
"DIE!" With a final push of his power, the ground shook in its power as it crushed down further below but Natsu still remained unfazed throughout his gravity.
"Why?! Why are you not bending your head?!" Bluenote shouted as he desperately tries to crush the pinkette with all his power but he stood there like it was nothing.
"I remember that time when you tried to crush me back then. I guess, this time, I'll crush you instead."
With enmity in his voice, Natsu lifted his hand above towards him before releasing his spell.
"Fly away…"
"Fire Dragon King's Hell Blaze!"
In an instant, Bluenote was simply engulfed in the large stream of flames that shot out once again throughout the sky, blowing past the clouds from the sky before resulting a nuclear-sized explosion from the heavens that shocked the surviving members around him after witnessing such power.
They all sweated in fear as they looked at the pinkette with their trembling bodies. Such power is not normal for anyone to wield it. Rather, they could see a different depiction of the person in front of them and only one thing defined him as a whole.
That guy is a monster.
As soon as Bluenote's body crashes down to the ground, the other Orochi members ran away from the pinkette in fear as they saw his overwhelming power over their master.
The others who were scorched from his attack simply cowered in fear in his presence, hoping that they won't get blasted away as well. A spell like that could potentially kill anyone who is not durable enough to withstand it.
Natsu sighed at the destruction around him and despite all of it, he managed to knock them out instead of killing them since they're not part of the dark guild.
He was about to leave until a voice called him back and widened his eyes in surprise as Wendy and Chelia descended from the sky and recognized him immediately after seeing his hair.
"N-N-Natsu-san?" Wendy quivered in her voice as tears have started to form around her eyes after seeing him alive and well.
Not only that, the Exceed carrying the godslayer also couldn't hold back his own tears after seeing his foster parent once again.
"N-Natsu?"
"Happy… Wendy…"
A/N: And here's the next chapter for you guys. I wanted to flesh out this new arc just to give the readers a better view of the twist I made on the arc itself. I was about to post this the other day but I feel like I needed to post it right away just so I can start off with the next one.
Here's a gift for you guys and I hope you enjoy it.
As usual, leave a comment and tell me what you think so far. I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you guys on the next chapter.
- wiErD SpeCtrumz blacking out… … …