Author's Note: Here's the next chapter, guys. Sorry for the minor delay in updating this story. As you probably noticed, I started my Wendy side story. So be looking out for updates. They won't be as frequent as this story, but I promise it's worth the read.
A lot of you sent some…strongly worded messages about the bonus chapter. I want you guys to know that the bonus chapters are stand-alone content, meaning they have very little to do with the plot of this story. I wrote them for the people that asked me for a lemon, so I would appreciate it if you guys toned it down on the hate mail. I wrote a warning at the top of each chapter explaining how it may be unsuitable for certain audiences. If you were offended by it, I apologize. However, I won't change how I wrote the chapter, I won't stop writing Lemons because a few people found it to be too much, and I won't accept any more rude messages. You chose to read it and be offended, that is not my fault.
To remedy this problem, I will be deleting the two bonus chapters from 'The Essence of Time' after I upload this chapter. If you still want to read them, I re-uploaded them as a separate story with a very clear warning as to what it entails in both the title and the description.
Sorry to rant to you guys, most of you totally loved the bonus content. I had to address that issue in public where I knew people would read it.
Enjoy the chapter, I'm really excited for you guys to read this one!
Chapter 9: The Bonds we Share and The Risks we Take
Erin screamed in agony as his illusionary form separated from Natsu's body. The white room shattered as the magical power the illusion mage possessed drained from his body. Erin's real body slammed hard against the solid stone wall of the building. He exhaled sharply as blood shot from his throat.
Natsu stood in the middle of the room, hunched over, still clutching at his now burning core.
"Impossible! No one has ever broken out of the Chamber!" Erin choked out, attempting to stand, wiping at his bloody lips.
"You seem to forget who you're dealing with…" Natsu breathed out, his voice edgy and menacing. He turned to face Erin, and as he did so, the illusion mage gasped.
"What on Earthland are you?!" Erin screamed, shocked as he stared at the unscathed mage in front of him, pressing his steamy hand against his burning chest.
"I'm a fire dragon stuck in a human form." He exhaled as smoke billowed from his nose. He cracked his neck and his fists, walking slowly towards the cowering man. "I can burn through anything, smash through anything, and fight against everything." His flaming eyes met with the shocked expression of his foe. "And right now, I'm itching to turn your punk ass into ashes!" He shouted, running towards Erin at full speed.
Natsu's P.O.V.
"Brace yourself, asshole!" the fire dragon roared, his whole body coursing with immense magical power. He was coming at the dark wizard with everything he had. In an instant, he could have easily vaporized the pathetic excuse for a man.
However, Natsu's magic power instantly drained and the flames and lightning that surrounded him dissipated into nothing but wisps and static electricity.
"What the—" Natsu landed on his left foot, astonished. He stared down at his hands in shock, unable to harness any power.
Erin curled into a pitiful ball of terror, unable to look at the fire dragon.
"What did you do to me, you prick?!" Natsu shouted.
"I didn't do anything!" Erin shrieked.
"Don't you lie to me, dammit! I want answers and I want them no—" Natsu choked on his last word as a long, sharp needle pierced his shoulder all the way through, the sheer force of the object knocking him across the room. "URGH!" Natsu slammed into the far wall with a hard thud, blood exiting his wound and pouring down his arm. He cried out in agony, hanging from the thick stone wall, his feet a meter or so from the floor.
"Well, well…You've caught something, haven't you, Nullpudding-chan?"
"Aye. It seems I've caught me a Salamander, Ivan-san."
"Cheehehe, you nail'd him, Puddin'"
"Now, now, Obra-san. I told you I don't enjoy nicknames…"
Three dark figures entered the long, dimly lit hall, walking side by side and chatting nonchalantly about the horrific scene they caused. Ivan, the guild master of Raven Tail, followed by Nullpudding, a Needle magic user, and Obra, a shapeshifting monster who could control a rather large and shady looking puppet entered the fray as if nothing was going on. Ivan stopped abruptly, causing the other two to stop as well.
"Oh?" Ivan eyed the crumpled up mage on the floor who was coughing and wiping blood from his lips. "It seems that our dear friend," he raised his hand at lighting speed and shot out a flurry of shikigami (paper dolls) at Erin. "Or shall I say 'enemy'," Erin screamed in pain as the dolls surrounded him, slamming against him from multiple angles and binding him into a cocoon. "Has finally decided to show his face." Ivan smirked and clenched fist, raising it even higher. The dolls tightened and moved with their master's command, suspending the imprisoned dark mage in the air.
Erin writhed in pain as beads of sweat dripped from his contorted face.
Ivan laughed slightly, eyeing his partners. "Obra-chan, shall we ask the man what exactly his plan was when he oh so stupidly," he slammed his fist down sharply, slamming Erin into the ground at an alarming speed. The sounds of bones cracking and terrifying screams resounded through the hall. Natsu stared in pure horror at the dark mages.
"What the—" Natsu whispered.
"—DEFIED MY ORDERS AND BETRAYED OUR GUILD?!" Ivan's voice boomed throughout the hall as he continued to drive the petrified Erin into the ground. The paper dolls changed to a deep shade of red. Erin was bleeding all over his body, and the dolls seemed to be absorbing his blood as it seeped out of him.
"Master, I…I didn't mean to—" Erin pleaded.
"ENOUGH!" Ivan's fist unclenched, releasing the crippled mage. Erin slumped to the ground in pure agony, writhing in pain as he bled all over, weeping. "I've had just about enough of your excuses."
"You didn't let him speak, Master." Obra chirped, snickering as he perched himself on the shoulder of his puppet.
"There's nothing he could say that could change my decision." Ivan declared, stepping forward.
Erin stared up at Raven's Master in horror. His hands shook as he tried to raise them above his face.
"No…Please, hear me o-out!" Erin whimpered. Ivan stopped just a few steps from the man and stared down at him menacingly.
"What you have done, Erin-chan," Ivan's jaw locked. He gritted his teeth. "Is unforgivable."
"Please, listen…I was d-doing it for the good of the g-guild…" Erin pleaded. He continued to shake as the monster of a man towered over him.
"Your death shall be slow and incredibly painful," Ivan sneered, raising his foot above the dark mage's head. "Just like your calculated betrayal to our cause."
"P-PLEASE…DON'T!"
"SILENCE!" Ivan shouted, bringing his foot down. "Your reign of heresy ends now!"
Ivan's foot stopped inches from Erin's face, slamming into an impenetrable wall of solid ice. The guild master whipped his head angrily in the direction of the ice magic.
"You know," Gray started, cracking his neck as he walked through the dim room towards Raven Tail. "There's an unspoken rule between all the guilds of Fiore."
Ivan's teeth gritted as he stared in raw anger.
"No matter what the cause," Erza came out from behind him, requipping a longsword and swishing her hair behind her shoulder. "A fellow ally is innocent until proven guilty."
"And even if that ally pleads guilty," Wendy came out and stood on the other side of Gray, walking in line with the other two. "They have the right as a human being to be treated fairly among their peers."
"Fairy Tail…" Ivan's foot slipped from the ice as he shifted his weight to both of his feet, leering at the approaching wizards. "You've come at last…"
"Ivan Dreyar," Erza called out, swishing her sword out in front of her, stopping just a few feet in front of Gray. "You're responsible for calling the hit on Master Makarov," she glared at the dark mage. "Your own father."
"It'll be a cold day in Hell when I'm required to answer to you brats." Ivan growled, scowling at the fairies. "Obra-chan, Nullpudding-chan."
The two goons tensed and stepped towards their master, eyeing their adversaries with the intent to kill.
Natsu, who had passed out from extreme blood loss, was hanging from the wall, the needle still piercing his shoulder. He hung in silence in a dark corner of the room, out of sight from his comrades.
"You intend to take us on, fairies?" Nullpudding chuckled, waddling over to his master, needles slowly growing from his scalp and shoulders.
"We intend to reclaim what is ours." Wendy spoke confidently, tense next to Gray.
"We have reason to suspect that you," Erza pointed to Ivan. "Ivan Dreyar, master of the former dark guild Raven Tail," Her hand that was pointing at the man soon grasped at a second requipped sword. "Planned an assassination attempt on your father, our guild master, Makarov, and kidnapped our comrade, Natsu Dragneel, for unknown reasons."
"Such daring accusations from an adorable little girl," Ivan licked his lips. "Care to say that to my face, Erza-cha—"
Erza had already cleared the distance between them and was holding two sharp blades to the throat of the dark wizard. "We didn't come here for formal negotiations."
Gray had rushed Nullpudding in the same instant and held an icy dagger to the needle user's neck. "You started this little scuffle, and we intend to end it." He added dryly, tugging at the grunting mage in front of him.
Wendy had already pinned the small demonic creature with her foot, pressing hard against it. Obra found itself squished into the floor, shaking his hands that controlled the puppet standing idle, but it was no use. She was holding a shimmering blade in her outstretched hand, pointing it at the tall, lifeless puppet. "Once you mess with Fairy Tail's Strongest…"
Laxus finally exited the shadows as sparks skipped around the room, lighting up the hall. Magic was coursing through his massive body, causing him to breathe heavily. His booming steps cracked the ground under him as he powered up continuously.
"You're all but begging us to go to war." The thunder dragon muttered, eyeing his father with hellish intent.
Laxus's P.O.V.
Fairy Tail was on the offensive, each member pinning one of the three members of Raven Tail. Laxus stood by, crossing his arms and watching from afar, scanning the room. It took every inch of will power the dragon slayer had not to jump in on the fight, but he knew not to interfere with those three.
"Erza…" He murmured. The scarlet-haired girl was clashing with Ivan, his father.
"Yield, you bastard!" Erza shouted, swiping her sword at the guild master. "This fight is useless. You cannot defeat me!"
Ivan dodged and sent a fist flying at Erza, who evaded quickly. She jumped back, blowing hair from her face. "Too slow," she boasted, charging once again. "Kyaa!" she swung once more, grazing the mage's arm.
"You bitch," Ivan spat, scowling at the warrior. "I underestimated you, Erza-chan." He chuckled.
"You'll soon learn to never underestimate Fairy Tail," she pressed, charging again, requipping as she did so.
Ivan took the split-second chance and shot his paper dolls, encasing the warrior just as she was about to requip. Erza cried out in confusion, struggling in the bindings of the tough paper.
"What is this magic?!" Erza shouted, yanking away from the paper only to be bound once more.
"Consider this fight over, Titania-chan." Ivan raised his fist high above his head and slung it down. "Prepare to be obliterated!"
"Urgh!" Erza slammed into the ground hard, the paper releasing her for just a moment when she hit the floor. "Adamantine Armor!"
The shock from the slam was absorbed mostly by her quick magic, though Laxus could tell that she suffered a major blow. Erza split the paper dolls into shreds by breaking her massive shield into two pieces. She rose to her feet, requipping into her Robe of Yuen as she did so.
"You think a simple outfit change will have any effect on my minions?!" He cackled devilishly. "You must be less of a threat than I originally thought." He scoffed. "Go now, my minions. Show her the power of Raven Tail, an anti-Fairy Tail guild!" the paper dolls swarmed around Ivan as his arms raised high above his head. "Dark Flurry!" all at once, the blood-thirsty swarm surrounded Erza. The scarlet-haired women closed her eyes and held her staff out in front of her, waiting patiently.
"Disappear!" Ivan shouted. The swarm fell on Erza, the full effect colliding with the mage.
"Erza…" Laxus tensed. He clenched his fists, releasing sparks in his wake. "Are you…"
Slash.
Slash.
Two cuts appeared in the walls of the paper bindings, magical light leaking out from the hole they created. Erza, standing in the fray, untouched by the dark magic, stepped out from the abyss, her pointed staff sheathed on her back. The paper dolls dissipated around her as she walked towards Ivan, her eyes set on the bewildered man.
"What?" Ivan gasped. His hand began to shake as Titania approached.
"Disgusting," Erza stated plainly. "Your magic lacks confidence."
She rushed the man as the last paper dolls disappeared behind her, requipping into her Heaven's Wheel armor. She shouted in determination as she swung her sword with all her might at Ivan.
Ivan took the blow, his jaw dropping and his eyes wide in fear. He flew across the room, skidding on the floor and rolling into a pitiful heap just before a tall pillar.
"Your form is flawed, just like your plan to take us down." She continued, walking towards him as she lectured. "Fairy Tail takes pride in the resolve we use to find our strength."
Gray was still clashing with Nullpudding to her right, jumping and shooting ice from his hands at the dodging needle mage. Wendy had her hands full with the puppeteer, but was fighting valiantly. Laxus, in awe, was still standing idle.
"You…you bitch-chan…" Ivan coughed. Erza stopped just before the kneeling guild master.
"But what is most disgusting of all…" Erza raised her longsword above her head, ready to swing. "Is that you couldn't even face us with your true forms…"
Gray and Wendy caught the last part of Erza's scolding. They glanced at the warrior as she swung down on the 'defeated' guild master. They both gasped when they saw the man's face.
He was smirking.
As the blade connected with the neck of Ivan, his body dissipated into thin air. Gray and Wendy turned in time to see that their foes had indeed done the same thing.
"You mean…" Gray breathed.
"This was an illusion…?" Wendy asked timidly.
"Our enemies are even more cowardly than we thought." Erza requipped into her usual armor, sheathing her sword as it disappeared into magical particles. "However,"
Thud.
Low grunts resounded in a dark corner of the room, interrupting Erza.
Gray tensed and placed his fist in his palm, while Wendy took in a huge gulp of air.
"There's still one more of 'em…" Gray grunted.
"Erza, do you see anything?" Wendy whispered.
Laxus had finally joined the group and was standing next to Erza, his arms crossed. He took in a slight breath and nodded.
"It's him." He muttered.
Erza was staring, dumbfounded, into the corner of the hall at a nearly dead fire dragon slayer.
Wendy sniffed the air. "No way…"
"I'm lost, who is it, guys?" Gray spoke, still fairly tense.
"See for yourself, Gray. I'm sure you're just dying to talk to him." Laxus scoffed.
Natsu's P.O.V.
"…bleeding out pretty bad….fix him, Wendy?"
Natsu faded in and out of consciousness. The blood loss was too great and he could feel himself slowly starting to slip away.
That damn needle user had punctured a major artery without Natsu even noticing. The more he struggled with the needle before he pulled it out, the more blood poured out.
Wendy…
"Gu…." He moaned.
"…trying to say something…"
"…tsu? Natsu…speak to me!"
I know that voice…
"Gra…Gray…" Natsu coughed out, his eyes lided shut.
This must be another one of Raven's tricks. He was so sick and tired of being fooled by that prick Erin, and he vowed to kill him once he managed to break out of this illusion and patch himself up.
"I can fix him…transfusion…" he heard Wendy's innocent voice. The confidence that was stitched into it reminded him of himself.
"What's his blood type?"
Erza.
Amazing…Erin's illusions are getting more accurate. That chump wasn't half bad.
"It doesn't matter…I will…type O…"
Gray again.
It seems like they are trying to help me. That's odd…they've never done that in the past.
Natsu felt a cut burn against his wrist and a tube being shoved into it. He groaned at the displeasure and tried to shake it off, but he was too weak to even move.
Guys…if you're real…
Help me…
Gray's P.O.V.
"Hurry up! We don't have much time left!" Gray protested, laying down next to Natsu's pale body. The fire dragon was out cold in a pool of his own blood, and was in dire need of a blood transfusion. Thankfully, Gray had Type O blood.
Universal Donor…Gray smirked. He looked over at Natsu as Wendy struggled to insert the needle into Gray's wrist.
Natsu…hang in there, man…
We're finally here for you…
"Alright, it's all set!" Wendy stated. Gray lifted his head up and nodded at the sky dragon.
"Do whatever you can to heal him while I give him my blood."
"Right!" Wendy was already tending to the massive wound on his shoulder.
Gray turned his head towards Natsu again, eyeing him confidently.
"I know you're in there…" Gray whispered. A tear collected in his left eye and streamed down his cheek. "Natsu…"
Gray's blood traveled through the tube and into the collection pool connected to the other tube that was inside of Natsu. The blood slowly traveled down his end, entering his body at a snail's pace.
Everyone sat silently, watching as Wendy did her best to heal the boy. Erza sat next to Gray, her hands in her lap and her head bowed, probably praying over his safety. Laxus leaned against a pillar, occasionally looking towards the group with hopeful eyes, only to be discouraged by silence.
Gray never took his eyes off of Natsu. He studied his complexion in curiosity. Though battered and bruised, Natsu looked as strong as ever, laying there in a pool of his own blood. Though Wendy was working tediously next to him, he looked confident, laying still with a gentle smile across his lips.
He can't move…but maybe he can still sense us here with him…
Gray reached out slowly, being careful not to loosen the needle in his arm. He grabbed Natsu's hand and squeezed it gently.
"It's okay…" tears collected in Gray's eyes. "Everything's gonna be alright."
Natsu's hand twitched in Gray's hand before he squeezed back weakly.
The ice mage's eyes widened as he looked back up at Natsu's face in awe.
The smile on Natsu's face had widened. His left eye had opened a bit. The fire dragon stared at Gray through the tears that were clumping in his eyes.
"You're….back," Natsu grunted out. He grinned at Gray as the ice mage began to cry.
Erza gasped and looked up quickly, recognizing the raspy voice almost instantly. Wendy smiled as tears streamed down her face and continued to heal him as best as he could.
Gray was at a loss for words. He simply tightened his grip on Natsu's hand and sat in silence, eyeing his brother with pride and joy.
"We're gonna get you fixed up, Natsu. Just sit tight, okay?" Wendy spoke softly, sweating from the amount of magic she'd lost.
"Thank you…" He spoke through a grin gently. He looked up at the ceiling and shut his eyes, completely out of energy.
"I never thought I'd see you guys again…" tears streamed from his half shut eyes as he laid there.
Silence engulfed the reunited friends, all beyond the words to express their gratitude for one another.
It's getting harder and harder for me to write this without just staring at the screen for hours. This story is amazing. You guys who take the time to read it are even more amazing. Fairy Tail itself is the most amazing out of all of us. I really can't thank you guys enough, for those that have stuck around even after the whole bonus chapter debacle. It means a lot to me that you still read this and you still think it's a decent story.
There are a few more major events that are supposed to happen in this. However, I want to hear from you guys. What do we want to see in this story? What can make it better? How can I as the writer make this a more interesting and enjoyable experience for you guys.
Let me know in the Reviews, okay?
We'll chat later, guys and gals. For now, I say goodbye.
I'll see you all soon.
-Memphis
