I don't own any of the Fairy Tail characters. They belong to Hiro Mashima. WARNING: There are spoilers.
Chapter 12: Deliora and Galuna Island part 2
-First Person POV-
"This is a demon your teacher sealed away?" Natsu asks. "Yes, without a doubt." Gray responds. "Are you saying that it was brought here from the Northern Continent?" Happy asks. "The island's curse is probably due to this demon's influence, right?" Lucy says. "That is certainly possible." Gray says. "This demon is still alive, after all." "All right, then! If that's the case, let's crush this demon!" Natsu says. "Is force the only solution you can come up with?" Lucy asks. "It'll be fine. Just watch me!" He tells Lucy.
Gray suddenly punches Natsu. "Gray punched him!" Happy exclaims. "That might be what he always does, but…" Lucy says. "What the heck was that for?" Natsu asks angrily. But Natsu gasps when he looks at Gray. "Stay away from the ice, you fire mage!" Gray growls. "If that ice melts and Deliora escapes, nobody will be able to stop it!" "What? Would that ice even melt so easily?!" Natsu asks. Gray gasps and then quietly answers, "No…" "Are you alright?" Lucy asks Gray. "Hey, I'm the one who got punched! Such a violent guy!" Natsu exclaims. "Natsu, hush!" I scold. "Haven't you noticed how Gray is feeling?" Natsu quiets down.
"My master, Ul, cast the Ice Shell spell on this demon." Gray says. "That's ice which is impossible to melt. No matter what kind of magic is used, that ice will never melt. If they knew it couldn't be melted, why did they bring it here?" "They probably didn't know or maybe they're trying to melt it somehow." Lucy says. "For what bloody reason?!" Gray snaps. "Gray, calm down." I say. "This is unsettling." He mutters. "Who brought Deliora here and for what reason?" "Well, that's easy to find out. We should just go after those guys from before." Natsu says. "That's right." Lucy says. "No." Gray says. "We shall wait here." "For what?" Mika asks. "We'll wait until the moon rises." He responds. "The moon? But it's only noon!" Natsu exclaims. "No way, that's impossible! I'd be bored to death!" I smack Natsu.
"Gray, what do you mean by that?" Lucy asks. "I believe that the island's curse and Deliora are both somehow related to the moon." Gray replies. "I agree. The chief asked us to destroy the moon. And those other people talked about how they've almost collected enough moonlight." I say. "I see." Lucy says. "What's going on here is really intriguing, and I do wonder what they're trying to do." "I can't do that!" Natsu complains. "I'm going after them!" But then he abruptly falls sleep. "That was fast." Lucy says. "Aye!" Happy says. "This guy truly lives his life according to his instincts, huh?" Lucy says. "Yep, that's Natsu for you. He's been like that for as long as I've known him." I tell Lucy. "I'm envious in a way…" She says. I look over at Gray. He sits near Deliora and appears to be thinking about something.
-Gray's POV-
Ul…
-Flashback-
I stand in the snow, panting. "Gray, can you keep up?" Ul asks. "My training is harsh." "Yeah! I'll do anything!" I respond.
-End Flashback-
-First Person POV-
"Just waiting around is boring after all." Lucy says. "Aye." Happy adds. "That's right!" Lucy exclaims, suddenly getting an idea. "Open up, Gate of the Harp! Lyra!" A woman with wings and a large harp on her back appears. "Hey! It's been a while, Lucy!" Lyra squeals. "Hi, Lyra!" Lucy says cheerfully. "Geez, you never summon me!" Lyra complains. "I want to contribute more of my services to you. Lucy, you are such a meanie!" "A meanie?" Lucy says. "But I can only summon you three days a month!" "What? Is that so?" Lyra asks. "Another weirdo showed up." Happy mutters beside me. I get up and join Gray. I place a hand on Gray's knee. He looks at me and I give him a sympathetic smile. Gray returns to staring at the ground. "Well? What song would you like me to sing today?" Lyra asks Lucy. "Anything's fine. I'll leave it to you." Lucy replies. "I want a song about fish!" Happy says. "So I'll just sing something suitable, alright?" Lyra says. "Lyra sings very well." Lucy says. "Mira's good too. And she sings me songs about fish." Happy tells Lucy, pouting a little bit.
Lyra sits down on a rock and begins strumming her harp. She plays a very soothing melody, almost like a lullaby. "Words that are born… Words that disappear… And the words that live on in you… They will change into courage when time feels frozen. Now, start walking on… You'll become stronger than you were before." Gray trembles slightly as we listen to Lyra's song. "Hesitate no more. Believe in those words from that time…" A single tear slips down Gray's cheek. He makes a small noise as he tries to hold back more. "H-Hey… Gray?" Lucy calls. "Huh? What is it?" He asks. "He cried." Happy states. "Lyra does specialize in singing songs that reflect what's in people's hearts, but…" Lucy says. "Gray was crying." Happy says. "No, I wasn't." He snaps. I squeeze Gray's knee gently. "It's okay." I whisper. "Sing a happier song, Lyra!" Lucy tells the Celestial Spirit. "Oh! You should have told me in advance." Lyra tells Lucy. "Now that I think about it, what if someone comes along? Just be quiet." Gray says. After a while, Lucy, Mika, and Happy go to sleep. I explore the cave to keep myself awake. After fully exploring the cave, I sit and place Mika in my lap without disturbing her.
The cave starts trembling, stirring me from an unplanned nap. "What's that noise?" Lucy asks sleepily. "Night already!" Natsu exclaims. Gray also wakes up. A magic circle appears at the top of the cave, right over Deliora. "A light's shining down from the ceiling!" I say. "Violet light! It's moonlight!" Gray adds. "What is this?" Mika exclaims. "What the heck is going on?" Happy shouts. The violet moonlight pours over the ice encasing Deliora. "It's shining on Deliora." Gray says worriedly. "This can't be a coincidence." Natsu says. "Let's go! We'll search for the source of the light!" Gray says. I lead the others to a staircase I had found earlier. Luckily, it leads into the temple. Another magic circle hovers in the center of the room. "A magic circle spreading over the center of the ruins?" Gray says. "It's further up!" Natsu tells us.
We continue heading up until we arrive at the top of the temple. There we find a group of robed people chanting. We hide behind a crumbled wall. "What's that?" Natsu asks. There are several magic circles in a column. "The moon!" Gray gasps. Then I notice that the moon is not violet. "Are they really collecting the light from the moon?" Natsu asks. "What are they trying to achieve by shining it on Deliora?" Lucy asks. "That's a chant in Belianese… Moon Drip!" A female voice states. We turn and find Lyra. "You're still here?" Lucy asks. "I see. That's what this is about." Lyra says. "What? What is it?" Lucy asks. "They are trying to resurrect that demon below using Moon Drip!" Lyra tells us. "What? That's ridiculous!" Gray exclaims. "Ice Shell is ice that can't be melted!" "Moon Drip is the magic that can melt it." Lyra says confidently. "The collective magic of the moon has the power to dispel any magic." "No way!" Happy gasps. "Those guys don't realize the horror of Deliora!" Gray says. "I think the phenomenon that the islanders believe to be a curse is a side-effect of the Moon Drip." Lyra tells us. "The collective magic of the moon is contaminating their bodies. That's how powerful this magic is."
"Damn them." Natsu growls, preparing to pounce. I grab and pull him back down. "Someone's coming!" I warn. The three from earlier walk behind a man wearing a helmet and long white cape. He wears a blue tunic and black pants tucked into greaves. "Shoot, I still feel sleepy because I got up at noon." Yuka complains. Toby makes a noise of agreement. "And in the end, we never found the intruders." Yuka continues. "Did they even exist?!" Toby asks, shouting. "This is saddening, Reitei-sama." Sherry says. The man in the helmet turns to Sherry. "There seemed to be intruders around noon, but they slipped away." She tells the man. "I can't express my love like this." "Intruders…" Reitei says.
Gray seems to recognize Reitei's voice. "So that's Reitei." Natsu mutters. "What an arrogant-looking guy. He's even wearing a strange mask." Lucy says. "Really? I think it's cool, though." Happy says. "Hasn't Deliora been revived yet?" Reitei asks. "At this rate, either today or tomorrow…" Sherry answers. "Which one is it?!" Toby yells. "Finally…" Reitei says. "As for the intruders, I do not want interference in our progress." "Yes. There shouldn't have been people besides the villagers on the far side of the island." Sherry says. "Go and destroy the village!" Reitei orders. The three affirm their understanding.
"What?" Natsu gasps. "But the villagers have nothing to do with this!" Lucy exclaims quietly. "I don't think that matters to them." I growl. "I don't want any bloodshed, though…" Reitei says. "That voice… This can't be true…" Gray mumbles. "Gray, are you alright?" I ask. "Enough sneaking around for me!" Natsu exclaims as he jumps on the wall. He throws a Roar of the Fire Dragon into the air and shouts, "We're the ones who came to interfere!" Idiot! All eyes turn to us. "Geez, we have no choice but to do this now, don't we?" Lucy says. "Yep." I respond as I hop out from behind our hiding place.
"How can I help? Should I sing?" Lyra asks. "You, go back." Lucy replies. "Aw, you're so boring." Lyra says and then she disappears. "That mark… They're from Fairy Tail." Sherry tells the others from her group. "I see. So, the villagers sought help from a guild." Yuka says. "What are you doing? Go eliminate the village now." Reitei says. "Why?" I exclaim. "Those who interfere or plot against me are my enemies." Reitei says. "Why?!" Natsu shouts as he charges at Reitei.
"Damn you!" Gray yells as he charges as well, quickly passing Natsu. "I'll put an end to this worthless ritual of yours!" Gray pounds the ground and makes spikes of ice that charge at the enemies. Reitei jumps and then pounds the ground, making ice spikes as well. Reitei's spikes collide with Gray's. Their ice shatters. "He's an Ice Mage too?!" Happy exclaims.
"Lyon…" Gray growls at Reitei. "Lyon?" Lucy asks. "You… Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Gray asks. "Humph! How long has it been, Gray?" Reitei, no, Lyon asks. Lucy and Happy make surprised noises. "What's the meaning of this?" Gray asks. "I never thought you'd be the mage that the villagers called here." Lyon says. "Did you come knowingly? Or is it merely a coincidence? Well, it doesn't matter anyway." "Reitei Lyon, you know him?" Yuka asks. "Go now. I can handle this on my own." Lyon tells Yuka, Toby, and Sherry. The three disappear.
"You think that we'll let you go so easily?!" Natsu exclaims as he runs towards Lyon. "No, Natsu! Don't move!" Gray shouts. Lyon lifts his hand and a blizzard surrounds Natsu. Ice encases him. "Natsu!" I yell. "Happy! Mika! Take care of Lucy and (name)!" Gray shouts. Mika grabs me as I run towards Natsu. "Damn it, I can't move!" Natsu shouts. "Mika! I have to help Natsu!" I scream. Mika just keeps ascending into the night sky. "Happy, are you abandoning Natsu?" Lucy asks harshly. "He's enveloped by magic that freezes space!" Mika says. "If we had stayed there, we've have been turned into ice next!" Happy adds. "But at this rate, Natsu will be…" Lucy starts. Happy blinks back tears. "If we're all done in, who'll protect the village?!" Happy and Mika exclaim. "…You're right. I'm sorry…" I say quietly. "I'm sorry too." Lucy says. "You must be suffering by not helping Natsu, aren't you?" "Aye…" Happy says sadly. "I'm sure Natsu will be fine! You think ice would work against the Salamander?" Lucy says. "Aye!" Happy responds.
-Gray's POV-
"So you created a diversion for the women and cats to escape?" Lyon says. "Well whatever… The four of them can't possibly stop Sherry and the rest." "Don't underestimate Fairy Tail mages!" Natsu shouts. I kick Natsu towards the edge and he starts falling. "What did you do that for?!" Natsu's fading voice asks. I turn back to Lyon. "You're still as reckless as ever." Lyon says. "Wasn't he your ally?" "You could magically explode that ice if you felt like it, right?" I ask. "So you sent him out of my magical power's range? Not bad, indeed." Lyon says. "Stop putting on the seniority act already, Lyon." I tell him. "You're no longer Ul's pupil!" "Neither are you, Gray." Lyon states. He removes his helmet. "Because Ul's no longer in this world." "She gave her life to seal away Deliora!" I shout. "You'll destroy Ul's legacy!" "Don't amend your memories. You were the one who killed Ul!" Lyon says. How can he say that?! "How dare you live on so brazenly… Gray."
-Narrator's POV-
A solitary pirate ship sails towards Galuna Island. Its crew lies knocked out on the deck. Only its captain and one other person are conscious. "What do you plan to do on that island…" The captain asks. "If I may ask?" He hastily adds. "Mind your business and handle the helm." A woman says. The crew begins to stir. "Give us a break…" The captain says. "Please?" He adds. "Galuna Island is cursed! Rumor has it that people are being turned into demons." "That doesn't interest me." The woman says. "Oh, is that so?" The captain says. "I am going to punish some law breakers. That is all." The woman says. The crew gushes phrases of admiration. "Hurry on!" The woman orders. "Aye, sir!" The crew says. "Oh! Me, too. Count me in too, Onee-sama!" The captain says.
"I'll say it again. You were the one who killed Ul." Lyon says. "How dare you even speak her name!" He hits Gray with an ice mace, pushing Gray into a wall. "L-Lyon…" Gray groans. "What's the matter? Is your guilty conscience holding you back?" Lyon asks. "Then don't get in my way. Let me revive Deliora." "I won't let you!" Gray shouts. Lyon tosses down his helmet. "So be it." He says. "Let's fight it out, like old times. Ice Make Eagle!" "Ice Make Shield!" The ice eagles fly over the shield and attack Gray from behind. "You specialize in creating inanimate objects. Static Ice Make. My creations are living things. Motion Ice Make." Lyon says. "Did you forget about ice that can move?" Gray jumps out from behind his shield. "Ice Make Hammer!" "Ice Make Ape!" Lyon's ape protects him from Gray's hammer and shatters it.
"How pathetic. You still use both hands to create magic?" Lyon says. "That's what Ul taught us, right? A magical creation made with one hand is incomplete and off-balance!" Gray says. "I'm special. I have long since surpassed Ul's ability." Lyon tells Gray. "Don't get so bloody arrogant!" He growls. "Same goes for you." Lyon says. "I doubt you'll even land a single hit on me." Gray starts preparing a spell. "Don't assume I'm the same as before!" He tells Lyon. "Ice Geyser!" Ice bursts from the ground around Lyon, sending shards of ice through the air. However, Lyon is fine. "You are still the same." Lyon says. "I am your senior. And I'm stronger than you. I could create magic with one hand and you couldn't."
"Nothing has changed." Lyon says. "We may have traveled on different paths, but both of us have been frozen in time since then." Lyon lifts his hand to the sky and then an ice dragon bursts out underneath Gray, tossing him into the air. "That's why I'll melt the ice! To walk the path that was concealed!" Lyon says. "Ul was my goal. Surpassing Ul was my dream. But you stole that dream from me. And I thought I would never have the chance to surpass Ul again. However, there is one way. If I could do what Ul couldn't, defeat Deliora… Then I can surpass Ul… I will see the continuation of my dreams again." "You can't be serious!" Gray exclaims.
"Is that really your motive? You should know the horror of Deliora!" Lyon flinches slightly. "Don't do it! It's impossible!" Gray tells Lyon, his whole body trembling. Lyon attacks Gray with several small ice dragons. "'Don't do it, it's impossible', you say?" Lyon growls. He launches ice eagles which batter Gray. "That's exactly what we said to you back then…" The elder mage says. "You couldn't have forgotten that. It's because you provoked Deliora… that Ul is dead!" Lyon attacks Gray again. "You have no right to speak Ul's name!" He shouts. "Begone!" Lyon sends a huge ice dragon at Gray. "Vanish!"
-Gray's POV-
I lie bruised and battered on the ground. My mind drifts to memories of the past as a single snowflake falls to the ground next to me. A young me lies in the snow, tiny flakes drifting down around my body. "What's the matter? Is that all you've got?" Ul asks me. "Wake up, Gray! Wake up, Gray…" Ul's voice morphs into Natsu's for some reason. "Wake up, Gray!" Natsu calls. "How lame! You sure got beaten to a pulp." "Natsu… Why are you here?" I ask, my voice straining. "I couldn't find my way to the village, so I returned to high ground." Natsu replies.
"Over there." Natsu says. "Come on, let's go." He picks me up. "Wait! I can walk…" I protest. "Where's Lyon?" I slowly get to my feet. "I don't know. There's no one else here." Natsu responds. "And the ceremony has ended." I gasp a little as my legs start to give out. Natsu grabs my shirt and prevents me from collapsing. Natsu lays me across the ice encasing most of his body. "Damn! If (name) and Lucy get bullied, it'll be our fault!" Natsu says.
More memories surface as Natsu walks, carrying me. "Stop that! You'll never defeat something like Deliora. It's impossible for you, Gray!" Ul exclaimed. I look at Natsu. "I'm going on an S-class quest!" Natsu shouted at me. "It's impossible with your skills!" I told him. I grow angry and disappointed with myself. "Natsu…" I say. "Yeah?" Natsu responds. "I have no right to reprimand you." I tell him. "No right at all!" Tears of shame and frustration slip unbidden from my eyes. Natsu stops and is silent for a moment. "Don't start grumbling just because you lost, Gray!" Natsu shouts. "We are Fairy Tail! The guild that doesn't know the meaning of the word 'stop'! We can't live if we don't keep running forward!" With that, he starts running. "Damn! Running like this is such a pain!" Natsu complains.
-First Person POV-
"So that's how it is." Lucy tells the villagers. We have just finished giving a report of the day's events to the villagers. "The guys who are coming to attack you are the culprits behind your current appearances." Lucy says. "They're coming here?" A villager asks. "Yes." I reply. A murmur of worry ripples through the crowd. "However, this is also your chance to capture them and find out how to return to your old selves." Lucy tells the villagers. The villagers converse with each other, their tones worried and doubtful. "Can we really do it?" "Will that work?" "Seriously?"
"Even if you say that, those three are probably mages. They won't be captured so easily." Happy tells Lucy and me. "That's true. We have more people, but only a single mage." Lucy says. "Don't you mean two?" I ask. "Or does that mean you never planned on fighting?" Lucy ignores me but then seems to have an idea. She squeaks happily and claps her hands together once. "I just thought of the perfect plan!" She says. "I have a bad feeling about this." Mika and I mutter. Happy nods in agreement. "What's with all the ruckus?" Chief Moka asks as he walks through the crowd to the four of us.
"Please hear me out!" Lucy tells the chief. "Enemies will be attacking this place soon." "Enemies?" The chief asks. "They've been staying at the ruins in the forest." I tell him. "And they're the ones who made your bodies like this!" Lucy adds. "I've never heard of such a thing!" Chief Moka exclaims. "Haven't you destroyed the moon yet?!" "W-Well, there is no need to destroy the moon anymore…" Lucy tells the chief. "If we just catch the culprits…" "The moon! Destroy the moon!" The chief shouts. A couple of the villagers restraint the raving chief. "Chief, please calm down!" One says. "Come, this way." The other says. The two slowly drag the still-raging chief out of the plaza.
"Please do not mind him. He must still be concerned over his son, Bobo, after all." A villager tells us. "Yeah." We say. "Anyway, we're capturing the enemy." Lucy says. "But how?" A villager asks. "Yes, I would like to hear your plan." I say, crossing my arms. Lucy giggles. "Leave everything to Fairy Tail's number one Celestial Spirit Mage, the Great Lucy!" The blonde wizard says. I notice Lucy conveniently left out the fact that she is Fairy Tail's only Celestial Spirit Mage. "This will definitely work out." Lucy assures us. "Seems like she's really getting carried away." Happy says quietly.
"Open up! Gate of the Maiden! Virgo!" "Did you call for me, Princess?" Virgo says as she bows to Lucy. The villagers gaze with awe at the fuchsia-haired maid-like Celestial Spirit. "Cute!" "So this is what they call a maid?" "I can't get enough of it!" "What's with their reaction?" Lucy asks rhetorically. After getting over the villagers' reaction, Lucy quietly gives Virgo a plan. After a little while, we join Virgo by the gates. "Princess, the preparations are complete." Virgo reports. "Thanks, Virgo. You're as fast as I had expected." Lucy tells the Celestial Spirit. "Are you punishing me?" She asks. "I was praising you!" Lucy exclaims. Is just me or does Virgo seem to like the idea of punishment?
"Um, Lucy?" "What is it, Happy?" "I seriously think that you might actually be an idiot, Lucy." Happy tells the blonde. "You actually said that so indifferently…" Lucy says, slightly impressed. "I just can't imagine them falling for such child's play." The blue cat continues. "What are you talking about? It's a perfect pitfall." Lucy says, grinning at her supposedly ingenious plan. Lucy had Virgo dig a deep hole in front of the village gate and then the hole was covered. "Yeah… It's thoughts like these that make you an idiot." Happy states. "There's only one entrance to this village, right? Which mean that the enemy will surely come from there." Lucy explains. "I don't think that there's anybody who would fall for that." Mika says. The villagers voice their agreement with Mika's statement. "Princess, I agree as well." Virgo says. "Even you?! Well, just watch, all of you!" Lucy says angrily.
"Lucy-san, something is coming this way!" The lookout calls down. "It's them. Open the gate!" Lucy calls back. The gate rumbles open. "Now, come on." Lucy says. "Hey guys! You're safe?!" Someone shouts. Oh, no! It's Natsu! Lucy shrieks in panic. "Stop! Don't come any closer!" Lucy and I yell. Natsu keeps on running. "I said stop!" Lucy shouts, her voice high-pitched and squeaky. "Stop!" Natsu stops just before the pit and Lucy breathes a sigh of relief. "What's this?" Natsu asks, staring at the straw piled over the pitfall. Lucy squeaks in panic. Natsu then steps forward and falls into the pitfall. The others around me, including Happy, stare dumbfounded at the exposed hole. "Someone actually fell for it." A villager says. "I didn't think that would be possible." Another adds. "Natsu is probably one of the few people in the world that would fall for the pitfall trap." I say. "Failed." Lucy mumbles.
I walk over to the pitfall and look down. Natsu is on top of Gray. "Hey! Who the heck is playing pranks at a time like this?" Natsu asks. "Lucy, of course." Happy answers, peering into the hole with me. "I knew it!" Natsu growls. "You've got it wrong!" Lucy exclaims with dismay. "It was supposed to be a trap for the enemy." Mika says. "Anyway, how are you and Gray?" I call down. "I'm all right, but Gray's down!" Natsu responds. "Did he get beaten up by that masked guy?" Lucy asks. Natsu doesn't respond. "The ice broke!" He gasps. "Huh? Even though fire didn't work?" "J-Just as I planned!" Lucy says, though her nervous tone betrays her. "The effect of the magic most likely weakened when distanced from the mage." Virgo says.
"Anyway, Happy, Mika, if you would?" I say. The two little cats nod and fly into the pit. Happy brings up Natsu and then he and Mika bring up Gray. A couple villagers take the Ice-Make Mage from the cats and then lay him carefully on the ground. "Gray…" Lucy murmurs. Bruises cover most of Gray's pale skin. I kneel next to my unconscious guild mate and softly hum, hoping to ease some of his pain. "That's great…" Natsu says. "But haven't they gotten here yet?" "Now that you mention it, they're taking really long." Lucy says. "They should have been heading here before you. And yet you got here first, Natsu." "Yeah. And it took me a while, too." Natsu states. "I would expect that, considering you were mostly encased in ice and carrying Gray, who was dead weight." I say. Could they be planning something? "This is our chance! Quickly, cover up the hole!" Lucy says. "You're still betting on the pitfall?" Natsu asks.
"W-What's that?" A villager exclaims, pointing to the sky. I look to the night sky and see a giant pale green rat moving steadily across the sky. "A flying rat!" Someone shouts. "What's that bucket?" Another asks. "From the sky? My pitfall's useless then!" Lucy shouts. A small drop of green liquid slops out of the bucket. It slowly falls towards us. "Jelly?" Lucy says as the drop comes closer. Dread blankets me. I glance at Natsu, though he's already dashing towards Lucy. "Lucy!" Natsu shouts. He gets her out of the way in time and the drop of jelly burns a small plant, leaving a tiny smoking crater. Lucy looks at the smoking crater and the blood drains from her face. "What's with that dangerous smell?" Natsu mutters, also looking at the small crater. Panic spreads through the crowd gathered at the gate. "Is the whole bucket really filled with that?" "Don't tell me they're planning to drop it on us?"
Then I hear Yuka's voice. "How hideous!" He says. "The moon drip's effects have turned these humans into such hideous forms." "They're almost like Deliora's demon-spawn… How unpleasant." Sherry adds. Toby howls his agreement. "Angelica, if you'll do the honor." Sherry says. The giant pale green rat tosses the content of the bucket over the village. "How are we supposed to defend against this?!" Lucy exclaims. "Everyone, gather into the village center!" Natsu and I shout. "Natsu! _!" Lucy gasps. "Lucy, make sure everyone gets there!" I tell her. "U-Understood!"
"Happy, Mika, let's fly!" Natsu calls. "Aye, sir!" Happy shouts. Mika and Happy speed towards us. Natsu and I jump into the air and our cat friends grab us. "_!" Natsu shouts. "Right!" I call back. Natsu prepares his Dazzling Blaze of the Fire Dragon. I prepare my Water Dragon's Lotus. Together we launch the spells at the center. Our magic spreads the goop outwards, creating a hole. "They blasted it outwards!" Yuka gasps. "The boy's a fire wizard and that girl's a water wizard!" Sherry exclaims. Large globs of the disintegrating goop rain upon the ground. One strikes Bobo's grave, where the chief still is. "Chief!" Someone shouts. But then the steam clears, revealing that Virgo has rescued the chief. "The village chief is presented for punishment." Virgo says. "Virgo!" Lucy cheers.
Only a small portion of the village remains, but all the villagers are safe. "The village is totally dissolved." A villager states dejectedly. "How awful…" Another says. "Is anyone hurt?" Someone calls out. The rest of the steam begins to dissipate. "Bobo's grave…" Chief Moka stutters. Bobo's grave is still intact. But then Yuka kicks it over. "We must eliminate all of Reitei-sama's enemies." Sherry says as the three come closer. "Even after we tried to mercifully give them an instant death. It seems a lot of blood must be spilled." "Fifty people in the village, three wizards. That should take about twenty minutes." Yuka says. "Let's go!" Natsu says. Lucy and I agree. "We're going too! Five wizards!" Happy and Mika say. "How dare they… How dare they destroy Bobo's grave!" The chief growls. "Unforgivable!" Thankfully, several of the villagers hold back the chief. Another works on getting the villagers safely evacuated.
Gray stands up. "I can fight too." He says. "Gray, you regained consciousness?" Lucy gasps. "Get outta here. You'll be in my way." Natsu coolly tells Gray. "Natsu, don't underestimate me!" Gray responds, though he is panting heavily. "The injured should sleep it off." Natsu says as he gently punches Gray in the stomach. "You…" Gray growls weakly as he grabs Natsu's scarf. "One day I'll…" Natsu catches Gray. "…kill…" "Why'd he do that?" Lucy asks. "That's just Natsu's compassion." Happy answers. "Gray's not in any shape to fight right now." I add as I take the unconscious Ice-Make wizard from Natsu. "So this is the bond between Fairy Tail wizards…" Lucy murmurs. "I'll take Gray to a safe place. I'm counting on you guys!" I say, hefting Gray onto my back. "Take care of Gray." Lucy says. "Of course." I respond as Mika and I head off with the villagers.
-Lucy's POV-
"We won't let you escape." Sherry says. "Reitei-sama has ordered us to wipe you all out. Angelica!" The giant pale green rat grabs Sherry and they begin chasing the villagers. "I'm a member of Fairy Tail too…" I mutter. I gasp when I realize I'm on the rat. "I got all gung-ho and grabbed on!" I scold myself. "Yep, she's an idiot!" Happy shouts. "She's nuts!" Natsu exclaims. I punch the claw I'm holding onto. "Stop this instant! Don't lay a claw on the villagers!" I yell. "Who does she think she is?" Sherry says. I decide to switch tactics. "How about this?" I say. I start tickling the rat's foot. "That's not going to work, you know." Sherry tells me. The rat starts laughing. "Angelica?" She exclaims. "What are you doing? If you stop your tail…" Angelica begins to plummet. "It worked!" I shout with joy. But then I start screaming, realizing I'm going down with the rat. "I'm falling too!"
-Natsu's POV-
The giant rat crashes in the distance. "Someone's gonna be ticked…" Yuka mutters. "I'm not ticked!" Toby shouts. "Not you, idiot." Yuka says. "She okay, you think?" I ask Happy. "Hoped she's not crushed." "She'd be dead if she was crushed." Happy says. "I'll go take a look." "Right. Countin' on ya." I tell my little buddy. Happy takes to the sky. "I'll clean things up here." I charge on the dog-man and head-butt him. Then I tuck and burn the blue-haired guy with a Roar of the Fire Dragon. I skid on the ground. "Those are some ferocious flames you have there." Yuka says as my flames roll away from a shield. "Could you be Fairy Tail's Salamander that I've heard rumors about?"
Toby the dog-guy get up from the ground. I'm in between the two. "We were once wizards from a well-known guild. You won't beat us so easily." Yuka tells me. "If I mention the wizard's guild Lamia Scale, does that ring a bell? Exactly, that's where 'Rock-Iron' Jura was-" I blast flames from my hands at both of them. "Hey, jerk! Listen to people while they're talking!" Yuka exclaims. "Never heard of 'em." I say. "It don't matter what guild you're from or who you know. You're gettin' in the way of me completing this job. In other words, you're the enemy of Fairy Tail. That's all the reason I need to fight."
"Tch. Toby, hold off. I can handle this guy myself." Yuka says. He points his hand at me and shouts, "Wave!" I light my fist. "I'll blow that away!" I shout. But I get a gut feeling and dodge. The wave passes me and breaks some rock. "Ah, so you've noticed what it was." Yuka says. I blast a Roar at him but he deflects it with his magic. "The vibrations I create can neutralize any type of magic!" Yuka says. "In other words… Magic that is impenetrable by magic." "So that's why my instincts said that I couldn't block that attack with fire." I mutter.
"While I was in Lamia Scale, I specialized in facing off against other wizards." Yuka tells me. "I think you can see why." He prepares another attack, his magic bathing him with blue light. "It's because all wizards are powerless before me!" Yuka launches two orbs at me. I jump into the air and the orbs hit the ground. "We'll see about that!" I shout as I dive through the dust cloud. I go to punch Yuka but my hand hits a blue shield and my flames disappear. "I thought I told you that my wave will erase all magic before it." Yuka says. "Then I just need to do it without magic!" I respond as I pull back my other fist. "That ain't nothing hard!" I punch through the shield, surprising Yuka. "See? Right on through." I say.
But then pain flows through my arm. "It's reckless of you to stick your bare arm into the vortex of magical power." Yuka tells me. "It'll get blown away." The pain makes me angry. I growl at Yuka as I stick my head through the shield. A scared expression sits on Yuka's face. "He's gonna put his whole body in?!" Toby exclaims. "This wall might not let magic in, but bare hands are no problem!" I say. "This guy's nuts!" Toby shouts. "And what will you do now, Salamander?" Yuka asks. "You can't use magic inside the wave…" "So I can use it outside, right?" I say. "Thanks for the advice! Elbow of…" Flames burst from my elbow. "You're using a magic booster to accelerate your bare hands?!" Yuka exclaims, panicking. "…the Fire Dragon!" I punch Yuka right in the face and he goes flying backwards. "That's one down." I say.
I turn to Toby. He makes an impressed howl. "You're awesome." He tells me. "You're about to get some awesome all to yourself." I respond. "Yeah, right! I'm stronger than Yuka, see!" Toby says. "Paralyze-Claw: Mega-Jellyfish!" Toby's nails glow and extend. "These claws have got a secret hidden within them!" "Like, they'll paralyze you?" I say. Toby shouts in shock. "How did he know?" He asks himself. "You're one amazing wizard!" Toby tells me. "What am I gonna do? He's a complete idiot." I mutter. "Don't call me an idiot!" Toby shouts as he slashes at me. I narrowly dodge his claws. "Whoa there!" I exclaim.
"One touch from these claws and it's all over! You'll be shaking like a leaf waiting only for death!" Toby says as he barrages me with attacks. "Wait a moment!" I say. Toby stops. "You got something stuck on you up here." I tell him, patting my head. Toby lifts his hand to his head and pokes himself with his claws. Toby's body vibrates as a shock runs through him. "Ooh, that felt kind of good…" Toby mutters as he collapses to the ground. "Yep, definitely an idiot." I say. I walk over to Bobo's headstone. "Those guys really did some pretty terrible stuff." I pick up the headstone and set it back in place. "But I'm gonna make sure the village and everyone goes back to the way they were. Bet on it! I'm gonna get you justice." I pledge to Bobo.
-Narrator's POV-
Lyon stands in front of Deliora. A short man wearing a mask and eight of the chanters come in the cave that houses the ice-encased demon. "Reitei-sama, why didn't you finish off that troublemaker named Gray?" The masked man asks. "It doesn't matter." Lyon responds. "You know I have no taste for bloodshed." "You say that despite ordering the village completely wiped out." The masked man says. "But it seems to me you had sympathy for your fellow pupil." Lyon is silent for a moment. "He won't stand against me after being defeated so easily." Lyon says. "And if he does get in my way, then I'll allow no quarter." The masked man grins and asks, "Really?"
Lucy wakes up after crashing into the ground with Angelica and Sherry. Lucy looks around. "Oh, it's her…" She mumbles. Sherry stands on a cliff, tears pouring down her cheeks. "How dare you, young lady?! Now Reitei-sama's trust in me will have fallen like a rock! He'll never love me!" "Love?" Lucy repeats quizzically under her breath. "And you even did this to Angelica..." Sherry cries, rubbing her eyes. "I'll get you for this!" "Fine by me! Bring it on!" Lucy responds. Sherry whips her hand outwards, a magic circle appearing around her hand. A shadow covers Lucy. "Wood Doll!" Sherry shouts. "The tree is moving!" Lucy exclaims. The now-animated tree punches at Lucy. She narrowly escapes being flattened. "Gate of the Golden Bull, I open thee! Taurus!" "I'm not a perv! Just true to my desires!" Taurus says as he appears. Taurus rushes at the tree and chops it with his double-sided axe. "A Celestial Wizard! And one of the Zodiac gates, too!" Sherry exclaims.
"Nice, Taurus!" Lucy praises. "Lucy-san, your body's the best!" Taurus shouts. "Forcing your spirits to say things like that for your pleasure?" Sherry says. "How uncouth." "I'm not forcing him and I'm not pleased by it!" Lucy responds defensively. "However, Celestial Wizards are at such a disadvantage against me." Sherry says. "Taurus, do it!" Lucy shouts. Taurus charges at the Cliffside where Sherry stands. But he stops mid-charge and turns around. Sherry giggles. Taurus instead attacks Lucy. Lucy dodges, but Taurus cuts the back of her shirt.
"Hey, Taurus! What's the matter?!" Lucy asks. Taurus attack again and Lucy dodges again. But Taurus pins Lucy on the ground with his hands. "Lucy-san, I can't control my body!" Taurus tells his contractor. "My magic, Doll Attack, allows me to control anything other than humans." Sherry says. "That goes for Celestial spirits too, since they are not human." "Oh, no!" Lucy gasps. "I'm udderly ashamed, Lucy-san!" Taurus says. "No matter how much I will it, my body won't…" "Gate of the Golden Bull, I command thee to close!" Lucy yells. But nothing happens.
"Doesn't the spirit and the wizard have to open and close the gate together?" Sherry asks. "Close the gate, Taurus!" Lucy shouts. "You can't close it unilaterally." Sherry says. "Taurus!" Lucy screams. "Let's play Russian Roulette Punch, shall we?" Sherry says maliciously. "Close your eyes and punch!" Against his will, Taurus complies. Lucy manages to move out of the way. "I wonder how long you'll be able to dodge?" Sherry asks. Taurus punches again and Lucy narrowly avoids it. "Taurus, stop it!" Lucy screams. "I want to stop, but…" Taurus says before lifting his hands together and smashing them down. "So this is a Fairy Tail wizard? Nothing of substance." Sherry says. "Please! Remember your contract with me, Taurus!" Lucy pleads. The day he made his contract with Lucy flashes into his mind.
-Flashback-
"So you're called Lucy, huh?" Taurus says. "But man, what a body you've got! I can't get enough!" "I can't believe the Spirit of the Gate of the Golden Bull is such a perv." Lucy grumbles and sighs. "What should I do about the contract?" "There's no reason to hesitate!" Taurus says, surprising Lucy. "If you contract with me, I'll make sure to protect you and that nice body of yours!" "You promise?" Lucy asks. "I promise!" Taurus replies.
-end-
Taurus starts to regain his control. "You told me that'd you'd always protect me, remember?" Lucy shouts. Taurus grabs his head. "Hey, what're you hesitating for? Do what I say and get her!" Sherry yells. He pulls back for another punch. "Celestial Gates should be opened and closed by mutual agreement!" Lucy exclaims. "Come to your senses, Taurus!" Taurus's fist comes down but stops just before hitting Lucy's face. He fades away in a golden light, smiling at Lucy. Sherry gasps in anger. Lucy breathes heavily. She lifts her hands to the sky. "I did it…" Lucy whispers. "I can't believe there was a Celestial Wizard who could do that. I miscalculated." Sherry stutters. Lucy sits up. "I've reached a new level!" Lucy says to herself. The Celestial mage gets up. "That's right! Because I'm a member of Fairy Tail, got it?"