"You guys went all out there."
"Sure did! Man, I feel good!" Natsu grinned as he and Happy went through the forest, having just finished training with Gajeel. It ended sooner than both expected on account of their hunger.
"So, what..." Happy stopped as a strange sound reached his ears and saw what looked like a crystal floating above them with a bullet lodged in the center. "Was that just..."
"Yeah, it's probably one of them." Natsu returned and with that the two went to the area the crystal circulated and as expected, found Hope there talking to Bisca.
A number of targets lay around the trees, most of them had bullets in the center. Hope fired one at the target on his far right and watched it hit dead on.
"Nice!"
He blinked and turned, finally noticing Natsu and Happy. "Oh, hey guys. What're you doing here?"
"Bisca, you're training too?" Natsu cocked his head.
"I thought I'd see if Hope was keeping up with our lessons. Turns out I had nothing to worry about to I thought, why not?" She said with a shrug.
"We saw the crystals. Nice shot," Happy praised the two.
"Thanks..." Both returned before Hope went on. "...it seemed like a good time to practice." Hope smiled, putting his weapons away. "So, how'd the spar with Gajeel go?"
"Ah, not bad." Natsu answered, leaning back on a tree. "The guy's still annoying but we can get along well enough, I guess..."
"Whoa, hold on!" Happy cut in, confused. "So Hope brought up the training idea? How come?"
"It's something I heard from Igneel," Hope admitted, surprising them. "He said he had a friend who he was close to but they never got along till they proved their strength to each other in battle. When I asked him why, he said some people can be like that and sometimes differences can't be sorted out through words alone and well...actions can be more powerful than words sometimes, right?"
"Guess so...wonder who that friend is..." Happy looked up at the sky.
"Yeah, maybe I could've asked him where Igneel was now..." Natsu frowned, thinking that if the friend was another dragon, he could definitely be alive and would likely know something.
"No luck on that front, huh?" Bisca inquired.
Happy suddenly remembered something "Oh, Bisca, we saw Alzack on the way. He said he had a job ready and he wants you to come along."
"Yeah? I'll get ready then. Thanks, Happy," She left, bidding them farewell.
"Hey, guys...you want to see something I've been working on?" Hope smiled at the curious looks his question elicited.
Natsu and Happy watched the display light up brightly in wonder before fading away. The first picked up the ring with a red gemstone. "So now you know how to store magic in items like other templars do?"
"Yup, I've been trying it out and it's looking good so far. The part I've got right isn't for battle but I figure it might be good for Fantasia." Hope answered as they made their way to the guild.
"Yeah, that could totally work! You should show it to Gramps."
"Come to think of it, the parade's falling on the same day as..." Happy mumbled thoughtfully.
Natsu heard him "Same day as what?"
"You forgot?"
Hope wasn't sure what Happy was talking about either since he wasn't fully concentrating on the conversation. But he did have an idea on why Natsu was so distracted. "You're still worried, huh?"
Natsu blinked "Tch...that obvious?"
"Pretty much." Hope and Happy exchanged a look, knowing what that meant.
His latest search for Igneel had failed again and they still weren't close to picking up any clues on the dragon's whereabouts. It was easy to see that it was frustrating the dragon slayer to no end.
"It's just frustrating, you know?" Natsu said. This wasn't the first time they walked about his failed search, since they tried before. Hope had been nothing but supportive of his attempts to find Igneel even when a number of his guild mates have been less than helpful, which is something Natsu was eternally grateful for.
Happy had been initially surprised to find Natsu so willing to talk about his feelings here but he supposed having someone understanding and someone who knew you so well would help there. Hope was always there for them, and he listened and understood, which was another reason he found the boy to be reliable.
"Well, I think it's actually good that you're keeping up looking like this, and actually impressive. Gajeel said he stopped and I'm not even sure what she thinks..." Hope trailed off.
"She? You mean that girl you told us about?" Natsu clarified.
Hope nodded, thinking back to the young dragon slayer he had met a while back while doing a job for the council. It just so happened that their jobs were in the same area and he ended up helping her. They'd ran into each other a couple of more times, and got along pretty well. "She just said she was wondering what happened to her dragon but she didn't know how to even start looking..."
"I can get that." Natsu groaned a little. "It's just so confusing! And really annoying that they'd disappear on us like that, you know? Families don't do that..."
"Maa, I'm sure they have their reasons. I've been around the two of you long enough to know Igneel makes a good dad, so the first thing you should do when we find him is ask why."
"We? You mean you're still..."
"Didn't we have this conversation already? Of course I'm helping you look." Hope cut him off.
"Me too!" Happy landed on Hope's head and Natsu gave them a grateful look. "One of us better be there though because if Natsu snaps and Igneel has the same temper than it'll be a disaster..."
"Oi, I won't do that!"
"I wonder..." Happy trailed off as Natsu gave him a peeved look.
"Okay that's enough, you two." Hope said, continuing the walk. "And for the record, Happy, Igneel wasn't exactly patient but Natsu's definitely a lot more temperamental."
"Well, that figures. Natsu has to do things in extremes anyway..." Happy replied. "...What're you going to do about the ring?"
"Well..." Hope trailed off, studying the item.
Natsu blinked "Oh yeah, what were you talking about Happy?"
The cat groaned "You really don't get it? Hope's the one who made sure we remembered yours!"
"Why don't you just tell me?"
"Being subtle doesn't work here. You should know that by now." Gray said, walking over to the group of three.
"You know what he's talking about?" Natsu asked.
"Sure do but you're not getting it out of me." Gray looked at Hope, who was staring at his ring with a contemplative look. "Before I forget again, Hope, we need to talk." The boy tilted his head in silent question. "Exactly what happened after you and the big guy fused. How come you're supposedly dead?"
It took Hope a moment to remember what Lucy told him about Roy and he answered. "...Because we wanted it that way. We didn't know someone made up a story like that though. Some people-a mercenary group- were sent to either capture or get rid of me. Considering how this wasn't the first time people tried that, Endymion thought faking my death would be the best way to put an end to it so that's what we did. It...didn't go too well but at least it payed off later." He rubbed a hand over his arm unconscious. 'It didn't go well' was putting it nicely but they didnt need to know that.
Endymion lowered his head, wishing there had been another way. Needless to say, it wasn't an event either of them liked to think about. He hated having to subject Hope to that situation. The boy had never complained but that day had truly been terrible.
Happy ad Gray knew that their friends had been partners for years now. To think they had to go through something like that just because of some people's selfish desires angered them. Granted, Endymion was the only good thing that came out of all this but everything that lead to it was horrible. Hope had tried to downplay it but they were even hunted to the extent that forced him and Endymion into such a corner...
"That...actually explains a few things about you..." Gray said awkwardly. "Sorry man, no wonder you avoid talking your past."
Hope shook his head "I figured that was coming at some point.'
"So...how about getting back to Fantasia?" Happy's attempt to change the subject was crystal clear but they gladly went along with it. "You should show Master the ring!"
Just like they expected, Makarov was thrilled to see the ring. He studied the item closely as he, Hope and Gray sat near the bar. Aside from being supportve of many of his children's endeavors, he could see the effort Hope put into this and was genuinely pleased. "Very nice! And this is just a work in progress?"
"Yup, I was just trying something out. I think I might have worked out a way to make the spell stronger but I need to get more Argonium for that." Argonium was a common ore especially for templars as it conducted their power really well. Luckily, there was some right in a small cavern north of Magnolia.
"All right, you do that," Makarov said. "If this works out then we'll definitely use it in Fantasia."
"See, what'd we tell you?" Gray grinned. "This is actually pretty useful. Can't wait to see what you come up with later."
"I'll be sure to show you." Hope said.
"Oh come on! I can totally pull through!"
"Meh, I don't see it..."
Lucy and Happy walked near the three, the first holding up a poster with a contemplative frown on her face. Makarov blinked, realizing what it was. "Lucy, you're entering the Miss Fairy tail contest?"
"Hm? Yeah, probably...I'd just like it if Happy can stop putting people for once! He said I don't have a chance of winning." The blonde glared at Happy then.
"Mah, no need to be so harsh. There's a fair chance for everyone. I mean sure, we've got favorites and all but that still doesn't take the chance." The guild master shrugged.
"Thank you. See, Happy, if you won't be supportive at least be impartial!"
"Hey, I was just trying to put you down with kindness but if you don't like it..."
"Telling me my chances are less than zero the moment I saw the poster isn't putting me down with kindness." Lucy cut him off.
Gray looked at the cat "You actually said that?"
"Eh, I don't remember my exact words..."
'Well, if you're going to try anyway than you might as well ignore him and put your head in this.' Endymion piped up.
"Oh, I will. I'm in it to win!"
"Hold on...just take it easy."
A groan sounded at this "That's all I can do at this point..." Natsu mumbled as Hope helped him walk. He had been on his way to the cave when he and Lucy found Natsu slumped out the guild in clear exhaustion. The three were near the blonde's apartment now but Natsu seemed like he couldn't even stay up at this point.
'Exactly what happened?' Endymion wondered.
"Well, this is thanks to eating Etherion. It doesn't help that he had to get into that big fight at the guild efore." Lucy offered. "As usual, he got carried away."
"Ugh, you guys mind taking this conversation later?! I can't take this anymore..." Natsu moaned.
"Right, sorry..." Lucy responded quickly. "...Ah, tell you what, Hope. Just bring him up to my place. His is way too far now anyway."
"Got it." After taking the key from her, Hope and Natsu left.
The boy came down minutes later "He's out cold. You must have had some mess with the tower..."
"You don't know the half of it..." Lucy saw a figure rushing by. "...Hey, was that..."
"I think...Juvia-san?" Hope questioned.
The figure stopped, revealing itself to be the water mage "Oh hi there, sorry Juvia can't talk now. Juvia needs to find another store..."
"Well, there's a bunch here..." Lucy pointed to the street behind her. "...What're you exactly looking for?"
"A swimsuit."
"Oh, then you might want to try the one right at the end. They had some pretty cute ones the other day."
"Juvia will do that." Juvia thanked her then. "But don't think this means anything, I won't lose to you!"
Hope blinked, confused before looking between the girls "Lose in what? You mean Miss Fairy tail?"
"Well, that too but it's actually..." Juvia stopped when she noticed Gray coming out of the street, holding a purple bag. "Gray-sama!"
"Hm? Oh, it's you guys." He walked over.
"What were you doing there?" Lucy asked.
"Mira asked me to pick something up for her but it turned out they needed more time so second time's the charm, I guess." Gray answered with a shrug.
Juvia smiled "Oh, Gray-sama, you're so kind!"
He gave her a look "Nothin' so special." Pointedly ignoring her exclamation of 'And so modest too!' he spoke "So you're going to get the material now, Hope? Not interested in the contest?"
"Not really..."
"Oh, I know! No one in particular you got an eye on? From what I hear, voting can affect our chances later on..." Gray trailed off.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything but I know where I need to go to get the best ore so I might make it in time." Hope answered.
'That's not exactly what he means, Hope.' Endymion informed.
The boy seemed confused and Gray chuckled "Never mind, on the off chance that you make it, who would you vote for?"
"I haven't really thought about it...maybe Lucy?"
"You mean that? Thanks, Hope!" The blonde gave him a quick hug, glad that she was the first one he'd think of. "So nice to have someone supportive..."
"You're still mad at Happy?"
"Yeah, but I'll prove my point soon. I'm all set now. So who'll you vote for, Gray?"
Gray stiffened, noting Juvia's hopeful stare and Lucy's sly smile "Well, I'm a little lost there so I...figure I'll just see the acts..."
"Then Juvia will make sure to be the best!" The water mage said, her eyes a lit with determination.
Lucy snickered and whispered to Hope "For reasons that are totally beyond me, Juvia seems to believe that I'm her love rival for Gray's heart."
"Oh, that's what it was about..." He glanced at the bluenette. "...Well, in case we don't make it good luck to the both of you."
"Thanks." The girls responded, watching him leave.
"He sure picked some timing to leave." Gray remarked.
Lucy tilted her head a bit "Well, he probably didn't have any choice. A lot of people go to that spot so he's afraid he'll miss out."
"Oh." He nodded in understanding.
"You're horrible, messing around with him like that." Lucy punched on the arm playfully.
"That was way too good of a shot to pass up." Gray shrugged. It was only because thought better than to go further wth that with Endymion keeping an eye on things. He still thought the phoenix could be overprotective but then again, they had Loke to thank for his increased caution in such matters.
"Hope-san's smart but he's really not good with romance, is he?" An amused Juvia asked.
"No kidding..."
Gray blinked "Oh yeah! You girls heard about the Fantasia parade, right?"
"Sure."
"Well, it just so happens..."
Hope managed to fly over half the distance with no trouble before he reached the part of the forest that was particularly filled with tall trees that blocked his view so he had to land and walk from there to the cave.
"You're trying to analyze the pendant, Endymion?"
'Try being the keyword here.' The phoenix responded. His friend had the item for years and it wasn't the first time he did this. His earlier attempts failed but what happened in Forza worried him. 'I'm starting to think it's some sort of old artifact. You still don't remember who gave it to you?'
Hope shook his head and Endymion continued. 'There's quite the magic power assembled in those shards...making for some sort of protection. That second shard enhanced your magic power, didn't it?'
"Yeah, it feels that way..." Hope trailed off, looking at the item once more. "Maybe..."
"There you are!" A loud voice boomed.
A bewildered Hope stopped walking in time to see a Vulcan land from the small hill to his far right. The place was nearly covered by the plant life and Hope was concentrated on the discussion so he never noticed the creature.
"About time one of you came by here!" The Vulcan continued. "What, kid, so scared you can't speak?"
Hope was more confused than anything "...Wait, it couldn't be..."
'Couldn't be what?'
"You're that same Vulcan from the mountain, aren't you?" Hope asked.
"You bet I am! I'm not letting you humans get away with humiliating me like that!"
Endymion then realized Hope meant the creature who had caused all that trouble back with Team Natsu's first mission. '...Unbelievable...'
The Vulcan glared down at Hope "I remember you too, kid! Time for some payback!"
Endymion rolled his eyes, just when you think those creatures couldn't get dumber...
"You'd be better off leaving."
"What?! You think you can beat me on your own? Don't make me laugh."
Hope just sighed, watching the charging creature "I'd rather avoid this sort of battle but all right, I warned you."
In a flash, he managed to dodge the Vulcan's punch, having used his magic to greatly enhance his speed. Unfazed, the monster tried again only to freeze in surprise when its fist was caught by a hand made of light magic. Hope snapped his fingers and the hand grew large enough to hold the Vulcan down.
'At this point, you should just make sure he never does this again. Maybe make sure he backs off for good?'
"Well..." Hope fired a bullet which he used to blast a tree just beside the Vulcan, who paled when he saw that the bullet knocked it down. If he could do that to the tree without breaking a sweat...
Hope was indifferent to the monster's fear as he said "I don't think you want to be there when I hit my mark next time. Do you?"
A quick shake of the head was all he got since the hand was still clamped over the Vulcan's mouth.
"Now let's get something straight here, I can make sure you stay right in that spot for as long as I want but let's not go there. Do you want that?"
A shake of the head.
"Then you'll stop terrorizing others and causing trouble?"
An even quicker nod.
"You might not be lucky to avoid trouble next time. I'm going to let you go now so do us all a favor and leave."
The Vulcan nodded again. Hope canceled his spell, watching the monster all but flee.
'Or you could do that.' Endymion said. Reinforcement of consequences was effective after all, the phoenix supposed. Watching his host tell the monster off like a naughty kid was funny and he had to work to keep the amusement out of his voice.
Not that Hope missed it "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
'Who, me?'
Meanwhile, back at Fairy Tail...
"So everyone's getting ready for the Harvest festival..." Erza mused from her seat near the bar.
"Yeah, I'm guessing you're done?" Mira asked with a smile.
"Naturally, I'm ready for Miss Fairy tail as well."
"That's just like you, ready for anything."
The redhead smiled a bit "So what about you?"
"Oh, I'm done too!" She beamed. "I've got a little surprise set for Miss Fairy tail by the way, look forward to it."
Nab, who saw Levy enter from called out "Oi, Levy! Laxus is really in town? I heard Jet grumbling something about that..."
She nodded, frowning a little "It looked like he just got back."
Erza frowned at her tone, something was clearly off. "Did something happen?"
"N-no! It's nothing..."
"He's back, huh? Why do I get the feeling that something's to go really wrong?" Macao wondered.
Lucy looked at Natsu, who was still out like a light "He's really worn out, huh?"
"Yeah," Happy, who was sitting on one of the couch's arms answered. "I think he's getting better though. He did sleep for 3 days...what?" He added at Lucy's peeved look.
"I know that." She responded. "You guys just crashed on my bed again, remember?"
She thanked whatever lucky stars she was born under when she asked Hope for help. Once again proving to be a great problem solver, the boy used his light magic to take Natsu home, making sure not to wake the dragon slayer once. The two ended up taking turns to check over their teammate afterwards, finding that he really had slept for 3 days straight. His recent sick bout was likely a side effect made worse by his insistence on fighting at the guild when he wasn't fully recovered.
"Oh we did?" Happy said while scratching the wall with his claws. "It slipped my mind..."
He yelped when Lucy kicked him "Stop that! Don't be such a cat here!"
"But it's what I am...It's cruel to not let be myself."
Her brow twitched "Don't...push it." Happy's eyes widened. Her own were dangerously narrowed, her mouth set in a near-snarl and nostrils flared, with the aura she was emanating now Happy knew he just stirred a dragon's nest. "Scary!"
He was surprised when the expression vanished only to be replaced a grin. "What the heck was that?!"
"By your face, I'm guessing it was effective." Lucy said. "Loke told me something the other day about how Aquarius could scare people off with a glare, even some of her enemies. I've seen it enough times to remember so I thought why not?"
"Don't do that again! It was really, really scary..." Happy trailed off.
The blonde just laughed "It was so worth it! Too bad Natsu's out, I would have liked to see his reaction."
"Lucy, you're mean!"
'Hope.'
The boy blinked, stopping near the entrance. Something about the way the phoenix held himself in their shared mind space tipped him off that something was wrong.
Looking around the cave, he suddenly had a guess what.
'...How many?'
'Plenty. Be careful.'
'Always.' Hope quickly fired a shining arrow that let out a flash at the ground. Some cries sounded at this and a group of men in dark clothes came out of hiding, holding their heads as the flash blinded. They were soon followed by more.
"Tch, guess you saw through that, brat." One of them ground out. "Doesn't matter, we can't let you leave this place in one piece."
Hope's eyes narrowed in response and he prepared himself for the upcoming battle.
The Miss Fairy tail pageant had began a while later, with plenty gathered around to see the contestants...
"The battle of beauty between our female fairies. The Miss Fairy tail contest will now get under way! I am Max Alors, the sand wizard, and I will be your host!"
Max's grin widened at the crowd's cheering. Everyone had their eyes on the stage...well, almost, Natsu and Happy were stuffing their faces with food they grabbed on the way.
"Entry number one is the exotic beauty with a bottomless pit for a stomach, Cana Alberona!"
The dark haired girl walked to the stage with a smirk, using her cards which began surrounding her. She surprised everyone by changing into a swimsuit.
"I'll take that beer money." She added at the rising cheers.
"Well, that's just typical." Gray muttered.
"I'll say." Happy added, glancing at the stage. "Hey, Natsu! That's my fish!"
Warren laughed as the two started arguing over the food "Somethings never change..."
Gray snorted "Tell me about it."
Max went on announcing "Entry number two, Newcomer she maybe, but her abilities are S-class without a doubt! Rain or shine, this woman will steal your heart! Juvia Locsker!"
And that marked the water mage's entrance on the stage. Max then commented how her performance complemented her swimsuit as she chose to turn her body into water and then reappear, having changed into a swimsuit.
"Gray-sama, did you see? This performance is dedicated for your eyes!" Juvia declared.
"Well at least we know whose heart is going to be stolen." Jet smirked.
"Very funny." Gray glared at him.
"And we all know entry number three! Fairy tail's poster girl whose beauty is renowned throughout the land! Mirajane!" Max declared, making room for the white haired beauty.
Mirajane beamed at the crowd "My specialty is transformation magic so that's what I'll be using! Head-only Happy!" And in a flash, her head matched that of the blue cat and a number of the audience choked in shock. It wasn't clear if she noticed or not as she proceeded to let out an "Aye!" then.
It only got 'better'. "Head-only Gajeel!" This made the iron dragon slayer spit out what he was drinking and the rest turn away or sigh. Unbeknownst to most, this was payback for when he tied Mira up backstage.
Natsu blinked at the scene "Hey, how come you didn't tell me they get to play jokes on us?"
"Because they don't." Happy said.
Warren nodded "You know Mira just likes to think outside the box."
"That might be putting it nicely..." Wakaba muttered.
Max moved things along "Entry number five is none other than our very own Titania! Erza Scarlet!"
The redhead walked confidently on the stage "I'll show you all something special." This was followed by what they knew to be the light of a requip. For a moment people presumed her to mean some armor...
That thought was crushed a moment later when the light vanished, revealing the S-class mage dressed in a black and white Gothic lolita costume, making many jaws drops before cheers arose once more. Erza smirked and walked off stage. "Victory is mine."
"Entry number six, the little fairy with cutes and intelligence, Levy McGarden!"
Levy entered the scene with a smile among the cheers, "Solid Script!" Big, colorful words appeared before her.
Next came Bisca, introduced as the 'Sexy Sniper' by Max. The woman smiled, flicked her hat "Re-equip!" She threw four coins and shot them down with the rifle she summoned, getting an elated response from the crowd. "The Gunner!"
Max cleared his throat. "Entry number seven, our guild's super rookie. The new star sparkling with the guidance of the celestial spirits. Lucy!" He stopped there since the girl had asked him earlier to leave her family name out.
Lucy walked out, dressed in a blue cheerleader outfit with her keys on a belt and her whip on the other side of the belt. "I'm going to do a cheer routine with my spirits..."
Unfortunately, she didn't get very far because a voice cut in "Entry number eight!"
"What?"
A woman in a green dress with matching shoes with light brown hair landed on the stage from the rail above it. "Yes, if you need beauty, I'm what you want. The winner is me, Evergreen! Hai, the idiotic contest is now over."
Lucy wouldn't take that lying down though "Hey, don't get in my way! I didn't even start!"
"Lucy, don't look into her eyes!" Gray warned.
But it was too late, as the frowning Evergreen proceeded to turn Lucy into a stone statue with a glance.
"What do you think you're doing, Evergreen?" Makarov walked to the stage. "Do you plan on ruining the festival?"
"Hardly, don't you need entertainment for that?" The woman snapped her fingers and the curtains rose, revealing that the rest of the girls had been turned to stone too.
Makarov's demand to return them to normal was ignored before lightning crashed onto the stage, soon revealing Laxus.
"Yo, Fairy fails! This is where the festival begins!"
"Laxus..."
"Freed?" Natsu said, noticing a green haired mage in a red outfit on the second floor.
"And Bickslow..." Gray continued, his eyes traveling to the mage dressed like a knight beside him, a number of little puppets was floating behind him.
"Let's play, Jiji." said Laxus. "Wonder how many will be left for Fantasia? These women are my hostages. Break the rules, I break them, one by one."
"This isn't funny, Laxus!" His grandfather snapped.
"Did it sound like I was trying to be funny?"
Freed and Bickslow joined the group "It's time to find out who the strongest in Fairy tail is."
"Time for fun!" The latter stated, the dolls soon repeated the word.
Laxus smirked "The rules are simple! The last one standing is the winner! Battle of Fairy Tail!"
"I like it! I'm getting fired up!" Natsu exclaimed.
The S-class mage was less than thrilled at the response. "I hate that eager spirit of yours." He proceeded to blast the charging fire mage with lightning and knock him out.
"You idiot!" Makarov grumbled.
"Meh, he needed to cool down anyway." Laxus shrugged. "More importantly, if you want these girls to return to normal, you have to take us all down."
"Four of us, and around 100 or so, huh?" said Bickslow.
"Anyway, you all have three hours. That's how long the spell stays before the turn to dust." Evergreen informed.
"Magnolia's the battlefield. You find us and we fight." Laxus said curtly.
"Laxus!" A fed up Makarov snarled before going to Titan mode "Stop this foolishness!"
"Oi, oi, it's entertainment for the festival, Jiji. Looks like Natsu's not the only one who needs to cool down." Laxus replied. "Time to have fun! Let the Battle of Fairy tail begin!"
The group of four vanished with a flash. The fairy tail mages wasted no time in going after them. Makarov soon made to follow "I'll stop you!"
But then he slammed into something at the entrance.
Gray turned "Gramps?!"
"An invisible wall?"
Raising an eye, the ice mage tried to get him through but something stopped him. "What the heck..." He let out at the sight of the purple flying letters that appeared then.
"Freed's runes..." Makarov realized than they were set up as it stated than those older than 80 or stone statues can not pass. He inwardly growled, Freed's magic might not be suited for direct battle but it was brilliant for something like this. Worse thing is, there was nothing he could do.
"Guess that means we'll have to handle it." Gray said. "Come on, Natsu!"
"Yeah!" They were all stunned when the dragon slayer slammed into the same wall.
"Hey, what gives?!"
Hope conjured up a shield to block one of his attackers bombs before dodging a slash from another one's sword. He proceeded to fire a Maelstrom that took a number of them out but found more waiting.
Just what was going on here? He couldn't see this being some coincidence, it was too well planned out. He had spotted one of their traps near the gate and it was clearly meant to trap him here. It didn't look like they had been here for that long either.
'...Someone wants to keep you out of the town.' Endymion said, eyes narrowing at the thought.
'Did something happen?' Hope found himself wondering then. 'Please let everyone be okay...'
I think I'll leave it at this point. It seems to be the best choice. Next chapter should be up soon!
I'm out!