Ganiel's Tower was invisible from the outside of the forest. The big, green trees were just as tall, some taller, than the metal tower. Once someone got into the forest, they had to be close to the tower to see it through all the trees. The outside was metal slabs strewed together with shoddy patchwork. It was lopsided and the middle was the thickest point, but it stayed together. While the inside was all silver and gray, the outside had a few rusty, brown slabs. The top didn't look like a weapon, it just came to a thin point and the tower ended. The magical jeep stopped a few hundred feet short of the tower, making the mages walk on foot. Despite Lamia Scale saying they didn't face any traps, Reyes and Glail kept their eyes peeled, and walked cautiously. Freya walked in front of the group, just a step ahead of Reyes. There didn't look to be any traps around, but there were little cameras hanging out on some branches. Glail and Reyes were always the ones to spot these cameras, sending a stream of flames or a little, white key to strike and destroy the cameras. Once they got fifty feet from the tower, the branches cleared up and the got a good look at the entrance. There was a darker, steel door which was on hinges. It fit perfectly into the tower, but it was a rough, square shape. Reyes snapped her hand forward to snag Freya by the shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. Freya didn't fight it, she just stood still and waited for Reyes's order.
"I don't trust this no traps deal. At least not after they were attacked once," explained Reyes in a serious tone. The group listened intently, all coming to a stop. "Let's charge in without touching the ground. Danna, copy Glail's magic and launch me on the roof. I'll go in from the top. Then you guys launch Freya and Taft through the door, then follow in yourself. Freya and Glail get to the basement and get the hostages out. Make sure the path is clear. Taft and Danna, you shimmy your way up to meet me. Got it?"
"But that tower is so tall," whined Danna, throwing her head back. Her words just got a sharp glare from Reyes. "Copy Binds," sighed Danna. Her hand stretched over in front of her, wrapping around Glail's thick wrist. White bands, containing magical symbols appeared on both hers and Glail's skin on their wrists.
"Let's put our hands under her feet and launch her that way, up and over. Remember white flames won't hurt someone you view as an ally. So you don't have to hold back," instructed Glail. Danna nodded as she strutted forward to line up behind Reyes. Freya slide to her side to get clear of this launching party, while staring at the tower, her eyes lost in thought. Taft was staring at the tower, excitement shining over his eyes and his body bouncing around energetically.
Over in the tower, four of the members were looking at a screen shooting up from a lacrima sitting on the metal table on the second floor. Victoria was crawling towards the stairway slowly, her eyes were still locked on the video. The video showed a static video feed of the back of the Fairy Tail rescue team. They all saw Reyes being lifted above Glail and Danna's shoulders, with white flames shooting out both of their elbows.
"We should go out there, ambush them, strike them before they threaten the tower!" argued Victoria, loudly, in a whiny voice. Marin shot an angry glare over at Vicky while Baron and Ganiel just studied the screen.
"No need. Marin has a protective barrier around the tower. The weapon will be ready shortly. The barrier will give us enough time. It is time for us to put the finishing touches on our plan. Victoria get going to see if the Doc needs any help with his end. Marin, let's go up to the canon. And Baron, you just, stay here. If we get any guests, greet them," instructed Ganiel. Stress or worry didn't seep into his voice, only confidence echoed out. He bounced with long strides towards the stairwell opposite of Vicky. Marin was right behind him, so close her nose was almost in his hair. Vicki didn't move, just stood there with a hesitant mug on her face.
"Go!" roared Baron. The big man kept his eyes on the blurry screen while shifting his body over so he stood directly in front of the door, which stayed in tact. Victoria listened to the words of Baron, regrettably shuffling down the stairs while letting out a long, loud sigh. Everyone could hear it but no way paid no mind, Ganiel was already trotting up the stairs.
Back outside, Reyes was on all fours, staying put near the top of the tower. She was on a slant but her strong body kept her in place. Taft was already in place, having his feet on his ally's hands. His fingers were wrapped around a shoulder of Glail and Danna while his body was leaned far forward, with a devilish smirk on his face.
"Get ready," whispered Glail as white flames leaked out of his elbow. Danna followed suit a second later, keeping her eyes on all of Glail's actions to imitate him.
"Wait!" shouted Reyes formidably. Instantly everyone halted, the flames flickered out of Glail's elbow before dying out. Taft's excitement faded into a frown. "There is a barrier on this tower, let me disarm it."
"Fine," groaned Taft, trying to pump himself up again. The other just waited patiently, Freya started humming a tune to herself.
Back in the tower, their video feed had no sound nor did the video stretch up to the tower. This feed came from the only camera left, Reyes destroyed the one that looked at the tower. Baron knew Reyes was up there but he couldn't see what she was doing.
Reyes simply had her palms extended on the metal, with a bright, white key of energy stuck into her right hand, turning itself from side to side like it was trying to find the grooves of a lock. It only took Reyes three seconds of shuffling the key around before the key shattered into dust and fluttered away.
"It is good, go!" Reyes declared. She didn't even bother looking down at her comrades, her attention stayed at the tip of the tower as she jammed keys into it.
"Dust Devil's!" shouted Taft as he flew through the air, a few feet above the grass. White fire trailed weakly off his shoes, but nothing was burnt. Despite their not being any dust around, dust spun around both of his fists which were cocked back by his shoulders. His solid head came just an inch of the metal door, but his dust covered fists slammed into the door fist. His momentum and punching power snapped the door right off the hinges, and Taft followed the door in. "Flashy Entrance!" The dust he had built up was exhaled out, creating two streams of dust that propelled the door forward. Once Taft got inside his heels slipped down on the ground and began to put brakes on his momentum. The door flew at high speeds but it didn't go far before being flung ninety degrees to the right with a fist sized dent in it. The jagged door just hit the wall, creating a banging sound that echoed around. The wall was not dented nor did the tower even shake a bit. About twenty feet in, standing tall, with his brows bent in frustration, was Baron. Now that he was actually angry, these brats were getting in the way of Baron getting a sweet paycheck, Baron's naturally angry looking face was even scarier. He was still wearing bright blue pajamas, but that didn't stop Taft from being intimidated. Taft didn't even see the clothes, all he saw was the devilish glare of Baron. He fought through this fear, dust spinning around his feet as he continued to skid towards Baron. In Baron's right hand, the hand that didn't punch the door, was a magical, shining chain. This hand was swung, crossing over Baron's body. sending the silver chain flicking towards Taft. At the end of the chain was a giant sphere, that looked like magical energy and steel all at once. The chain was the perfect length to smack into Taft's side with this four foot wide ball. Despite the size it flew quickly, and Baron showed no strain wielding it.
"Side Swipe!" proudly barked Baron as the flail was a few inches away from Taft. Even though Taft was still sliding forward the mace was on track to smack him. His eyes showed fear as did his open mouth, but his hand stayed steady as it reached for the ball with dust leaking from his fingers.
"Dust Devil's Jet Boost!" Dust sprayed frantically off Taft's hand in attempt to push him back. His body did soar off to the left but he could not outspeed the flying flail. He was clipped at the side, which curved around the flail, keeping Taft pressed to the ball as he was carried with it to the next wall. Baron snapped back his wrist, pulling the flail back like a dog on a leash, keeping it from slamming into the wall. Taft's momentum continued, he was pried off the ball. It was the solid wall that stopped Taft's momentum, his right shoulder slamming first. Taft was just a few feet behind one of the stairwells. He cringed massively, biting his lip and causing it to bleed in the process. First his left side hurt from the flail, now his right side stung from the wall. The pain continued to rage through his body as he slid the two feet down to the ground, but Taft stayed on his feet. Baron had switched targets, flicking his flail back in front of the door to slam into the oncoming Freya who was flying with white fire trailing from her. Freya gritted her teeth as she saw this happening but there was nothing she could do. Her arms tucked into her body and her muscles tensed to brace for the blow. The giant ball changed course, flying right in front of Freya's, scrapping her nose. Tan dust streamed against the ball to Freya's right, where Taft was. The brunette mage puffed frustratedly, with his eyebrows narrowed and his shoulders dipping low after every breath. "Get going Freya. I'll keep this guy occupied. My name is Taft. And I'm your opponent!"
From up on the top floor Reyes was standing next to cylinder cannon barrel, that stretched all the way to the roof from the floor. Directly next to the canon, carving into the canon slightly, was a glass looking orb that was as big as a person. In the middle of the orb was much smaller orb, the size of an apple, that was full of orange energy. This orange energy was slowly leaking out of the small orb, and sloshing around the bigger orb, which had much lighter gravity. Reyes stood a few feet back from this weapon, standing completely straight up with one hand plopped to her side and the other hand held up in front of her chest. A few inches in front of her body, in random patterns, glowing white keys, an inch long each, were appearing. As soon as they materialized they were shot straight forward. Some stabbed into the canon while some stabbed into the big orb. They made contact and then dissolved away into dust. None of the keys were cracking, denting or doing any damage like they were supposed to. Reyes bit on her bottom lip while she kept this assault up, ideas swirling through her mind.
"It won't work," laughed Ganiel, his head appearing up from the stairwell. The canon was in the center of the room, taking up most of the room. Ganiel peaked up from the right side and Marin was right behind him. "It is made up of a metal with an extreme magic resistance. Even someone of your power won't be able to damage it, not before it launches at least. Killing millions. Ah, sweet, beautiful death." A legitimate, relaxed smile grew on Ganiel's lips as a vision of the aftermath filled into his head. He was standing on the metal floor now, receiving a violent glare from Reyes. Marin just finished climbing up and grew a smile that matched Ganiel's. "Marin my dear. Please entertain our guest so I can put the final touches on our baby."
"With pleasure dear," happily replied Marin, with her smile turning devilish. A yellow-green, similar to her hair, aura spread over her clinched fists and continued to cover her entire body. The aura moved where she moved, just like a second skin. Ganiel took long, bouncy strides to the side, going around Reyes to get to the orb. Marin cut in diagonally, on a path to smash Reyes, her right fist was cocked back behind her shoulder. Marin kept her devilish smile, showing her front teeth, including sharp canines. Her magical aura stayed put after it covered her entire body. It didn't change her speed or anything about her that Reyes could tell. Reyes stayed put, her body still facing the canon but her neck was strung over to look at Marin. Anger and frustration rolled in Reyes eyes. It was a scary look that sank into Marin's sole, but she kept her charge. Reyes's right hand was hanging out below her waste now, her fingers wiggling and a white ball swishing around in her hands. "Armored Girl Rocket!" Marin leapt the last few feet and exploded her fist forward with good speed to slam into Reyes's face. Reyes didn't look the least bit worried, keeping her glare up and stepping back to easily avoid the punch that didn't even scrap her nose. Marin's momentum carried forward and Reyes's stuck her palm with the white energy right into Marin's side. While Marin was still in front of Reyes, the white ball that was spinning manifested into three keys that were in a circular pattern, their tips sticking outward. These keys were two feet long, and they were in a spiral shape all across. Marin was caught up in the spinning, her body rotated around with the keys and because she was in the air she couldn't touch the ground to stop her spinning.
"If I can't use magic, I'll find other means to break these canons!" shouted Reyes. Her hand trembled, veins were popping as she jammed her hand forward and up, moving Marin with her keys. Ganiel's face grew blank as he realized what was happening. He wanted to get angry but he didn't have time to as Marin as sent flying up at the canon's barrel. "Propeller Keys!" Marin was sent spinning forward like a frisbee, slamming her aura covered body into the canon. The force wasn't enough to destroy the barrel, especially with Marin's small weight, but there was a good sized dent left in the middle of the tall canon. Marin stayed in the dent, clinging onto the crater she formed so she didn't fall. Her mood already turned from cocky to sourly pissed off. Reyes turned more towards Ganiel but kept her eyes on Marin with the same white energy swirling in her right hand. "You'll be the cause of your baby's destruction."
"Wild Swipe!" exclaimed Baron. He was standing the center of the room, flailing his arm all around his body like it was elastic. This caused his flail to swing all around as well. His speed was impressive, making his arm and the flail a blur. Despite the wild pattern of the swing his flail never touched the walls, floor or roof. Baron's targets were Glail and Danna who were gliding into the doorway with white flames spitting from their feet and hands. Taft was still in the room, being sent again the right wall by a mighty flail swing. He wanted to try to get to Baron to hit him to halt the attack but he couldn't get more than a few feet forward before being hit by the giant flail. A frustrated grimace was plastered on Taft's face. Sweat already sprinkled across his body, pasting his bangs to his head. Freya was nowhere to be seen, having scaled down the stairs already. Glail was in front of Danna, just a few feet from gliding into the tower. He could see parts of the blurry flail but he couldn't cast enough spell because he had to fly first. A grimace covered his face as his body tightened, preparing for an impact.
"How many times do I have to say it!" screamed Taft angrily, taking a fierce stomp forward. "I'm your opponent!" Baron had no words, his determined eyes were locked on Glail who slipped right into the tower. Glail slid down to his feet and his momentum slipped him forward. His hands were tense and his eyes were flipping around the room to look for an oncoming attack. But nothing came. Surprise lit up Baron and Glail's eyes as their attention was drawn to where Taft was standing. The giant flail ball was taller than Taft was and Taft wasn't built that muscular. But the flail was stuck, with Taft's arms, flexing as much as they could, dug into the sides of the ball, with the front jammed into Taft's stomach and face. Where his hands were, there were little craters where the flail was starting to turn to dust, which created handles to held Taft grip. This wasn't a painless move, he had to take the ball head on, bruising was already forming in black on his arms. But Taft held his ground. Glail didn't hesistate, he took the opening and darted towards the left downstairs.
"Thanks," muttered Glail. His words were heard, pushing a proud smile up on Taft's face. Danna was gliding in and Baron put his other hand on the chain before ripping his weapon back, out of Taft's hands.
"Don't hesitate, climb the stairs, I got this," ordered Taft firmly as Danna slipped into the tower. Baron stayed silent as he swung both his hands over his hand, bringing the flail forward, aimed perfectly at where Danna was moving. "God, damnit," huffed Taft. Danna followed the orders and took large strides to the right, though she wasn't as fast as Glail. Baron's giant flail spiraled but headed straight in front of Danna, just to the side of Taft.
"Exact Swipe!"
"I said, I'm your opponent," muttered Taft frustratedly. "Dust Devil's Crumble!" Taft slammed his two fists together in front of his chest which rumbled the dust that had indented Baron's flail. Instantly the flail crumbled into brown dust that just fell on the floor and dispersed around the room. Danna sighed relief as she just ran across the sand and the weapon's chain didn't even reach her. She started to ascend the spiraling stairs. Danna was still in Baron's sight, she had the hundred foot climb, but Baron shifted his angry eyes to Taft, who was standing tall and proud. Looking Taft right in the eyes, Baron dropped his magical chain, which hit the ground and shattered into nothing. Still looking Taft dead in the eyes, Baron clapped, and another magical chain, with a six foot ball attached at the end, appeared in his hands, with the ball on the ground. This weapon was in perfect shape, no dust dents on the flail. Taft grinned eagerly as he rubbed his hands together. "Finally you're going to fight me."