Chapter 11: Glutton
Erza dodged a downward swing from Yowazu's axe by jumping aside. She requipped to her Flame Empress Armor and slashed at the bull man's left arm.
Yowazu grabbed the hilt of her sword with lightning fast reflexes and tossed Erza into a tree. Not missing a beat, he swung the axe again and missed Erza's neck by inches as she ducked, cutting through the tree with one go. Erza lunged at him and stabbed forward, requipping to her Sea Empress Armor. Yowazu blocked her easily with the flat of his axe.
He smirked, "Is that all, Titania? I'm getting bored, here."
"Silence!" Erza shouted. She requipped to her Heaven's Wheel Armor and summoned several blades, which rotated around her. "Circle Sword!" she cried. The rotating swords encircled Yowazu and closed in.
The bull man laughed and leaped upwards, "Are you just playing around? Get serious!"
"I am serious, you fool. Pay attention."
Yowazu's eyes widened as Erza appeared behind him in her Black Wing Armor, sword at the ready. She lunged forward and slashed in a cross formation with a yell, "Moon Flash!"
Yowazu howled in pain as the attack found it's mark, but it angered him more than anything. He swung the axe at her again, and Erza barely had time to cross her swords to block. The force of the slash made her skid backwards, but it gave her time to requip back into her Heaven's Wheel Armor and summon more blades.
Time to finish it. He's injured and letting his anger get the better of him. I'll hit him with one more heavy attack.
Erza, satisfied with her plan, cried out, "Dance, my blades! Blumenblatt!" A rain of swords flew towards Yowazu, who began slashing madly to deflect them.
He roared at her, "You think this is enough to defeat me?!"
Erza requipped to her Purgatory Armor, eyes dark as she glared at him, "I don't. But I know this'll be enough. Prepare yourself!" She rushed him as he deflected the last of the Blumenblatt and left himself open.
Yowazu swung down with his axe out of anger and desperation, screaming at her, "Do not underestimate the Seven Kin, Titania!"
Erza slashed and cut the head of the axe from it's handle, sending it spinning into the air.
Yowazu's eyes widened in shock as she continued and delivered a devastating cut onto his body. He fell to the ground with a wild cry, releasing the handle of his axe. Erza requipped back to her normal armor. Yowazu writhed in pain on the ground, spitting in fury. Having been defeated, his body went back from a bull to a goat.
He crawled on his belly towards Erza with fury in his eyes, "It's not over…I cannot lose..!"
Erza eyed him distastefully, "It is over. I will not cut an enemy who cannot fight back. And watch where you're crawling."
Yowazu frowned, "Where I'm- GAAHH!"
He screeched as the spinning axe head crashed into him and embedded itself in his back. Yowazu lost consciousness several moments later.
Erza stared at him for a moment, then started back to the camp. Gajeel won't be happy with me for beating this guy, but he can try and argue at his own risk. I'm not in the mood for complaints.
/
Natsu called out to Wendy as he and Mira charged Blunote, "Wendy! Support!"
Wendy nodded, "I know!" She held her arms out in front of her at her attacking companions and chanted quietly, "O' strength of arms to cleave the heavens…O' swift winds that run through the heavens…Arms and Vernier!"
Natsu and Mira were surrounded in a magic aura as they closed in on Bluenote.
Mira activated her Satan Soul and vanished completely for a moment, before reappearing above and behind the dark mage. Bluenote whipped around in surprise, but Natsu got him from the front.
The Salamander dropped to the ground and spun, kicking out Bluenote's legs from underneath him as he skidded past. Mira punched the dark mage in the chest and into the ground as Natsu jumped up and took a deep breath.
He shouted, "Fire Dragon's Roar!" A torrent of flame raced towards Bluenote and barreled him further into the earth. Natsu kept blasting him for a few moments, but then the flames were blown away by an overwhelming force. The Salamander was sent higher into the air by the shockwave.
"Hey there, Fairy!"
Natsu looked over his shoulder to see Kawazu right behind him, about to slash with his claws, but then an iron rod caught the bird man in the gut and smashed him into a tree.
Gajeel shouted at him, "Focus on your own fight! I can handle the chicken!"
Natsu turned back around, and met Bluenote face to face in midair. He crossed his arms over his chest as the dark mage punched at him and landed the blow. The pressure was incredible.
Damn! This guy's no joke! Natsu thought as Bluenote sent him flying towards the ground. Mira caught the Salamander at the last second and put him safely on the ground.
He let out a long breath, "Thanks for that."
"Don't mention it. Just pay better attention to this guy. He's the real deal; I can see how he could have defeated Sting." Mira answered.
Natsu eyed Bluenote carefully and frowned, "Oi, Mira. This guy…Do you get the impression that he's holding back?"
Mira nodded, "Yeah. He wants information, so it would be bad for him if he killed us. But that's to our advantage if he can't go all out. We have to beat him while he's taking it easy."
"Got it." Natsu said.
/
Rogue glared at Kain.
The big man attempted to hide himself behind a tree, stuttering, "W-w-what's that l-look for?! I-I-I'm strong y-you k-k-know!"
The Shadow Dragon snorted. He's surprisingly timid for such a powerful mage. But I will not hold back. Rogue called out to Kain, "If you don't move out from behind the tree, I will remove it."
Kain stammered nervously, "H-h-how?!"
Rogue lunged forward in the blink of an eye and cut the tree down with Steel Shadow. He was in Kain's face before the big man had a chance to react, murmuring softly, "Like this."
The Shadow Dragon stabbed at Kain's eye, but froze in surprise when he heard a metallic sound upon impact. The dark mage's body was suddenly comprised entirely of metal.
Kain laughed, "This is my power! To change the properties of my body with a curse spell in order to increase my own strength!"
He struck out, but Rogue leaped aside and took a deep breath, "Shadow Dragon's Roar!"
Kain blocked the breath attack with his bare hands and blew it away.
The Shadow Dragon tch'd and enveloped Tetsuei in darkness before slashing at his enemy, "Black Sword Art: Shadow Dragon Fang!"
Kain blocked the attack with his arm, but Rogue noted the fact that this time he took damage. Cutting attacks work better, then. Alright, I'll try this again.
He stabbed at Kain with the shadowy blade. This time, the big man knew better and jumped aside. The sword on it's own was no threat to him, but when it was encased in Dragon Slayer Magic, it was a different story.
Rogue twisted and turned the stab into a horizontal slash, "Shadow Dragon's Tail Slice!"
Kain bellowed in retaliation, "Mist Doll!" His body suddenly dissipated into fog and was totally unharmed by the Shadow Dragon's attack. He materialized behind Rogue and tried to hit him with a palm thrust, but the Dragon Slayer flipped forward and dodged.
This guy…
Kain held his hand out in a defensive posture, "You are quite fast. Impressive."
Rogue turned and face him again. What a troublesome magic.
/
Gajeel swung his fist at Kawazu again, but the bird man dodged him effortlessly, taunting him as he went, "What's wrong, Black Steel?! Can't you hit me?!"
Gajeel snarled, "Shaddup! You're pissing me off!" He took a deep breath and bellowed, "Iron Dragon's Roar!" Kawazu again dodged him, but Gajeel's attack destroyed the ground around him and made the bird man's footing go off for a few moments.
When Kawazu tripped, Black Steel seized his chance and flew at him with a roar, "Iron Dragon's Hard Fist!" He caught Kawazu in the beak with his attack and smashed him through a tree.
Kawazu staggered to his feet and cackled, "That really hurt. Even I won't be able to take to many more attacks like that."
"Damn right, you feathered bastard." Gajeel growled.
The dark mage eyed something behind Black Steel and smirked, "Why don't we make this game more interesting?"
The Dragon Slayer did not like the sound of that. He bared his fangs, "Enlighten me."
Kawazu tipped his head at the area behind Gajeel, "Let's take that brat that got away earlier and see how long she lasts as a human shield."
The bird man raced past him and Gajeel spun around, eyes widening as he saw Kawazu reach out to grab the back of Levy's neck. He roared, "SHRIMP, LOOK OUT!"
Levy turned and saw the dark mage coming at her, but she couldn't move fast enough to avoid him.
Gajeel flew towards them. Shit! I won't make it!
"Regulus Impact!"
A glowing lion's head smashed into Kawazu and sent him sprawling on the ground.
Not missing a beat, Black Steel unleashed a breath attack in Kawazu's face as he attempted to get up. The bird man crashed into a nearby boulder and promptly fell unconscious.
Gajeel then leaped back to where Leo was standing in front of Levy. He turned to the Lion Spirit, "Thanks for the assist, playboy."
"No problem. These guys are trouble." Leo answered.
Gajeel glanced around and saw Lucy and Virgo half-carrying Sting into camp.
Levy ran over to them, "Are you guys okay?"
Lucy nodded, "We're fine, but what about the others?"
Yukino walked up to them, "Grimoire Heart came out of nowhere, but we're doing okay. Natsu, Rogue, and Mira are dealing with the others right now."
WHAM!
The group jumped as Natsu smashed into the ground near them, Mira following a second later.
The Salamander groaned as he tried to get up and failed. Mira's Satan Soul dissipated and she slumped down, breathing heavily.
Lisanna ran over to them, "Natsu, Mira! Are you okay?!"
Natsu nodded and opened his mouth to say something, then winced and closed it again.
Sting hissed at Bluenote, "You again, huh?"
"Well, well, if it ain't the White Dragon. I'm amazed you're still alive. I seriously meant to kill you back then. What a stubborn roach." Bluenote muttered as he walked towards them.
Gajeel and Leo got into fighting stances. Black Steel growled over his shoulder, "Get them away from here. We can't go all out against him and cover you at the same time."
Sting shook his head, "Not an option. This guy'll kill you without a second thought, he's too powerful for you to take down."
"Well, you got a better idea?! Huh?!" Gajeel snarled.
Bluenote kept approaching them, causing the group to tense. Natsu sat up on his elbows and let loose a low growl from his throat.
No one could see or hear Rogue and Kain anymore-they seemed to had taken their fight outside of the camp.
Bluenote was within ten meters of them when they heard a shout, "I found you!"
Everyone turned and caught sight of Cana running towards them.
Lucy cried out, "Cana, you're okay!"
"I'm more than okay. Is this guy an enemy?" she asked.
Gajeel whipped his head over and growled, "He is, but he's way out of our league! Beat it, go find that super strong icy wench and bring her back here!"
Cana shook her head, "No need, I can't lose with this!" She brought her right arm up and began charging magic power in it.
The hairs on Sting's neck bristled from the force of the magic Cana was creating, "What the hell's she doing? It almost feels like Fairy Law…"
Bluenote's eyes widened, "That magic you have…!"
Cana brought her arm down with a shout, "Fairy-"
"Fall!" Bluenote roared and Cana crashed into the ground from his Gravity Magic.
Lucy shrieked, "Cana!" Gajeel and Leo rushed forward, but the dark mage thrust his hand at them.
The whole group was smashed into the ground. Natsu gasped from the force. I can't even move! Just how much was this bastard holding back when he fought us?!
Bluenote changed direction and started walking towards Cana. He eyed her cautiously, "That magic you have…could it be Fairy Glitter? The one from the grave?"
Sting frowned, "Grave?…Oh wait, you didn't-the test-"
"Forget it, it's not important right now! Just distract this guy while I charge my magic power!" Cana yelled.
Sting tch'd and struggled to stand, but Bluenote forced him down again with a shout, "Do not interfere!"
The White Dragon went down on his hands and knees and hissed in frustration, but then he smirked, "This is fine. I can still hit you like this! White Dragon's Roar!" He fired the laser from his mouth, which moved fast enough to keep from being forced into the ground. The breath attack struck Bluenote in the back of the head.
He turned and gave Sting a murderous look, but the distraction released Cana. Her arm went up and started charging magic power again with a shout, "Thanks Sting!"
"Hurry and get him!" Sting screeched.
The magic power in Cana's arm began to glow and turned into bright light. She started to chant, "Gather! O' river of light that guides the fairies! Shine! To destroy the fangs of evil!" Cana brought her arm down and created a ring of light that entrapped Bluenote, "Fairy Glitter!"
Bluenote roared as the magic closed in, but then he thrust his hands hand on either side, "FALL!"
The ring of light was completely destroyed. Cana collapsed from shock. That's impossible…!
Bluenote glared at her, "So, even a super magic is useless in the hands of an incompetent wielder. Too bad for you. I'll kill you quickly, and then tear Fairy Glitter from your corpse."
Cana could only watch as he came closer to her.
Lucy screamed, "Cana!"
"Move…Dammit, move!" Sting hissed.
Bluenote reached towards Cana's throat. The girl closed her eyes and surrendered to her fate.
Someone else stopped her fate in it's tracks.
Another hand shot forward and placed itself a few inches from Bluenote's, then a massive force sent the dark mage flying.
Cana's eyes flew open in shock as her savior came between her and the dark mage.
Bluenote skidded to a stop and glared at the newcomer.
Sting's breath caught in his throat, "Th-that's…"
Cana stared at the man before her. Tears formed in her eyes as she realized who it was. Fa..ther…
Gildarts had a look of thunder on his face.
"Gildarts!" Mira shouted.
The S-Class mage glanced at them for a moment, then back at Bluenote. "Let's take this elsewhere." he grunted.
Bluenote's eyes narrowed, "You think you can fly in my gravity? You-!"
Gildarts ran forward and grabbed him by the throat, before using his magic power to jump impossibly high.
Gajeel's eyes almost popped out of his head, "Are you serious?!"
Natsu was bristling, "I've never seen him that mad before. Sca-ry."
"Yeah, but it's probably best if we don't get involved in that mess. Those two are way out of our league." Lisanna said.
Sting sprawled on his back out on the ground with a heavy sigh, "Damn, that was way, way too close. Almost getting killed twice by the same guy in one day…I feel pathetic."
"Well, you are! What a disgrace!" Gajeel sniggered.
Sting sat up abruptly and snarled at him, "What'd you say?!"
The two Dragon Slayers started wrestling on the ground in a fistfight.
"Honestly…"
The others turned and saw Freed and Bixlow come over.
Leo grinned, "So, you guys came back with Gildarts, huh?"
Bixlow nodded, but Freed sighed in exasperation at the fighting Dragon Slayers, "Come now, they're half-dead and they still have the energy to bicker like dogs over a bone."
Lucy laughed, "They're Dragon Slayers, after all!"
Yukino looked around worriedly, "Has anyone seen where Rogue went off to?"
"Seems like he and that big guy are duking it out somewhere in the forest." Natsu said.
Freed raised an eyebrow, "We should probably go help him. Where- ugh!"
He suddenly collapsed to one knee, and the rest of the group followed quickly.
Leo vanished in a burst of light and Mira gasped, "Wh-what is this?!"
Lucy was shaking, "I can't…my magic power's leaving me…!"
"What the…the Tenrou Tree!" Sting muttered.
They realized the huge tree was toppling over, crashing into the sea.
"What the hell…is going on?!" Natsu hissed weakly as he fell unconscious beside Lisanna.
The group was out cold in seconds.
/
Rogue dropped to one knee, gasping in shock as his magic power abandoned him.
?! What just happened?! I can't summon any power!
Kain walked closer to him. The big man had taken one hell of a beating, and he wanted to return the favor. He smirked, "Azuma's done it. It's all over for you now."
Rogue growled in defiance. Damn…This is bad…!
/
Gildarts struggled to remain standing as he glared at Bluenote. The dark mage glanced at the falling tree and tch'd, "Damn you old man, giving Azuma such weird orders. And right when I'd found someone who can fly, too…"
/
Gray had found Ultear a few minutes before the tree went down, but he stuck to spying until the magic power left him. He tried not to cry out as he felt his strength drain from his body, but he was worried Ultear might have heard him…
/
Ur and the exceed crash landed, but kept the weakened Master safe from harm. She stood up, defying the drain on her body when she felt the presence from earlier.
! She's close! I..I have to find her!
She was reluctant to leave the unconscious Master and exceed, but she decided they would be safely hidden where they were, so she moved deeper into the forest, following the sense that had bothered her since Grimoire Heart's initial attack.
Ultear…Is it really you?
/
Meredy and Juvia collapsed side by side, battered and breathing heavily from the fight.
The young dark mage muttered to the Rain Woman, "You're strong…But it looks like Azuma's plan was completed. It's all over for Fairy Tail…"
Juvia was gasping for air, but her voice was strong, "We won't give in…Even if our power is gone…you can't destroy us..completely…"
She fell unconscious and Meredy watched her for a moment before looking up at the sky since she couldn't do anything else.
/
Azuma watched the Tenrou Tree fall solemnly. He was sad at the waste of such powerful, wonderful mages, but Hades' orders were absolute. He murmured quietly, "Forgive me, Natsu Dragneel. This is a dishonorable thing to do to such an amazing opponent."
"So, they brought him back, after all, eh?"
Azuma whipped around at the voice, eyes widening in surprise when he caught sight of someone standing a few meters behind him on the trunk of the fallen tree. The dark mage whispered, "You are…!"
The newcomer stepped forward, shaking their head, "Sorry, I can't allow you to defile this place. It's sacred ground for a reason."
Azuma considered his words for a moment, then smiled, chuckling to himself, "It seems I may enjoy one last bout after all. Very well, defeat me and I shall revert the island to the way it was before. Come at me,"
Lightning flashed overhead in the stormy clouds above, revealing the details of the stranger's face. Spiky blonde hair, and a bolt shaped scar over his right eye…
"Lightning Dragon Slayer Laxus Dreyar."
