I apologize for the delay in publishing this chapter. I was busy with my other fic, "Mercurius" which was why this happened. I will update "Mercurius" too this week.
Thanks again for the faves and follows. Hope you will find this chapter interesting.
The team Fairy Tail stood united before the mighty Oracion Seis without batting an eye. All of them were excited for the fight as they did not have a good one for a long time. Most of the opponents of the Sabertooth other than Future Rogue were inferior to them and they would rarely get such a chance to let loose and fight. The battle-lust that had been asleep long back in them had risen and was ready to come out with an explosion.
Same was true with OS too except the fact that they used to have frequent spars with Grimoire Heart or Tartaros which usually went either way.
"Is it gonna be one-on-one or tag battle?" Macbeth asked.
"What would you all like?" Jellal asked his team-mates.
"I'd prefer one-on-one if you all have the 'real' toughness in you. If not, I'd prefer to battle all the six at the same time." Laxus smirked.
"Pretty arrogant, aren't you? Under-estimating us? You are gonna pay for it, macho-boy." Cobra curled his lips in sneer with a downward thumbs-up.
"No, he is not, Eric. He has the fire-power in him to quickly disperse each of you in succession as his aim is to measure up to someone who is far beyond your level." Jellal said with a smile. "Anyway, what are we waiting for? Let's start."
"One more contestant has to arrive, sweet-heart. After that, we will start. That one is also part of you and it is your selfish desire that is keeping that one away from mainstream battles." Ultear said seductively playing with her phone.
"Woman, don't tell me that you have involved Erza in this."Jellal clenched his fist with rage.
"What is wrong in it, honey? Both of you are one heart and two souls, aren't you? I have actually done a favor for you by allowing her to share your pain or meet you when you are in the death's door." She came forward and stood before Gray. "Oh! My….. You are also there in this, Gray? How I had wished deep inside my heart to see you biting the dust. Guess that today is going to be that day."
Gray was burning with fury. "Ultear, what are you doing here? Aren't you ashamed to wear skimpy clothing and show off your assets to strangers? Mom will be heart-broken to see you in this pathetic stage."
"Never utter that word, Gray." Her demeanor changed and it was evident that she had snapped. "You have no right to call her that. She is my mother and not yours. I will prove that today by annihilating you. Get ready, Gray. I shall be your opponent." She narrowed her eyes and gazed at him coldly.
Meanwhile, Macbeth's phone started ringing. He took it and spoke for a while.
"It seems that we have one more guest of honor for the day. The goddess of war is awaiting her entry to the field." He smirked.
Jellal really got irritated at Ultear. He always wanted Erza to stay clear from danger zone and that raven woman had made it totally impossible. He knew that Ultear was always jealous of Erza though he didn't exactly know why.
"Why did you have to drag her into this ordeal? It is a deal between us. " He burst out with rage.
"Relax, Sieg. She did it so that both of you love-birds can follow each other even in death, ain't it, Ultear?" Zero mocked.
"Oh! Really? I never thought that you had the power of foresight to decide the outcome of a death-match before it kicked off. You are terribly underestimating me if that is the case." Jellal scorned.
At that moment, Erza came in and saw both the groups readying their fighting stances. She looked questioningly at Jellal. But the latter's focused eyes helped her understand the situation a bit.
"Come on guys, I cannot wait to duke it out. Who is gonna face me?" It was Natsu who could not hold his excitement longer. "May be I'll choose that scar-eyes over there. He looks cool and seems like the strongest to me."
"Eh….if he is the strongest, then I'm gonna face him and not you." Gajeel stopped him on his tracks.
"Watch it iron-head. I will kick your ass first and then kick that one's." Natsu screamed. Gajeel was also too stubborn to yield. Everyone in the OS bar Cobra whom they referred to as scar-eyes watched their banter with great interest. But Cobra became irritated and punched both of them straight on their faces.
Since the punch was unexpected, both of them fell down; but got back up immediately and wiped their mouths. They screamed, "You are in the way" and attacked Cobra from both the directions. But their attack never landed as someone had stopped them in their tracks mid-way. It was none other than Zero, the Boss of OS. He caught both of their fists effortlessly and said. "It is a one-on-one fight. Have the manners to follow your own rules for the challenge."
Laxus came forward and slapped both of them. "Insulting Fairy Tail by ganging up on one? How cowardly could you ever be?"
Meanwhile, though Erza also was getting irritated at Natsu and Gajeel, she didn't say a thing which was totally out of character for her. The main reason for her behavior was that she was worried more about Jellal and measly trifles did not even catch her attention. Macbeth came and stood before her.
"Your Scarlet is a piece of art, Sieg. Wanna trade her for your life?" He smirked.
Jellal was beaming up with rage. "Vermins like you won't be able to scratch her as long as I'm alive. Also, she will be able to hold herself against you until I'm done with your Boss. Moreover, I do have a score to settle with you for Mom's sake and I think you are aware of it."
"Weren't you the one who told that you care nothing about 'measly' things like revenge? How many Dads do you have or did your Mom secretly pro-created you from someone else?" Macbeth rubbed his chin and mocked.
Jellal got irritated to the point that he madly dashed to land a hit on Macbeth; but Erza stood before him and said. "Jellal, take care of the boss. I will deal with this one and will show him, his true state of origin for mocking you. At least you owe me that for concealing your past from me. "She had tears in her eyes.
Jellal was still hesitant. Laxus came and patted his shoulder. "Leave the task to the 'mighty Titania'. Don't you know what her wrath is like? Moreover, that one is too measly for someone as skilled you. Face the Boss and show me your 'so called true strength' so that I can have a good fight with you thus crumbling your arrogance of being the 'strongest'."
Jellal turned back and looked at him. "Oh, yeah? Bring it on, macho-man. I will prove that your muscles are no match to my skills."
Laxus smiled and said. "Agreed. But who is gonna finish the Boss? You or I? I think it is your job since he destroyed your family. You can at least do that for the sake of your parents."
"Trying to sound cool and steal the spotlight? I will teach you who the boss is, Laxus after this fight. Just wait for me until then." Jellal readied his fighting stance.
Soon, the fighting started. Cobra faced Natsu and Racer faced Gajeel. Macbeth faced Erza and 'Hot Eye' Richard faced Laxus. Angel was the only one left and she stood before Gray. But Gray wanted to fight with Ultear.
"You can dispose her quickly and face me, my handsome bro." Ultear said while playing with her strands. She took her mobile from her chest and then texted.
Boss, the fight is about to start. You can see it live, once you switch on your TV. We can see how far your foster-son has progressed. I promise you that I will get rid of that Scarlet from his life by any means. Only then, we'll see him in his true potential."
She pressed the send button. Then she took out a small pistol from the draw and aimed it at one of their chest, waiting to pull the trigger at the right moment.
Meanwhile, Cobra proved to be a bit stronger than Natsu. Their fighting style was almost the same - brash and rough. The power behind their fists and kicks were almost even, but Cobra had superior reflexes and speed though Natsu had greater endurance and durability. But due to Cobra's superior reflexes, Natsu was unable to land a hit on him whereas the latter due to his superior speed was able to successively land blows on Natsu. Natsu understood that in a normal fight, it was very difficult for him to win against Cobra. So he decided to change his tactics.
"I thought you were much stronger than this. It is pathetic to see a gangster being of the level of a college student." Natsu was baiting him.
But Cobra understood pretty well the meaning behind his words.
"Trying to bait me, eh? You are a year or two late for it. I haven't even finished warming up. Once I get into my right mood, you will be eating the mud."
"Oh! Yeah? Try it then, spiky head. " Natsu kicked him on his face and Cobra was forced to move back. Natsu was able to land the hit due to Cobra's momentary distraction while he was talking.
"Don't be cocky for just landing a hit." He punched on Natsu's guts hard. Natsu spat blood, but remained more focused and thought that he will now fight in an unconventional way.
"If that is the best you have, then you are bound to be disappointed, dude." He moved in a zig-zag manner around Cobra maintaining the distance. Cobra was confused as he did not know from which direction, Natsu planned to kick/punch him. So, he too went round and round which was what exactly what Natsu wanted. The moment Cobra was distracted again, he punched him on the left side of his eye with all his strength.
Cobra did not see that coming and was knocked out instantly. But he stood up though he was not as energetic as before. Natsu continued the same tactics and repeatedly punched and kicked him until he fell down.
"I was stronger than you. But still, how did you manage to win?" He asked in a feeble voice.
"I knew your left-eye was artificial when you took my bait and came close to me. The next thing that I had to do was to destroy the contact between both of your eyes which I did by going around you in circles. Since you were blind, you couldn't see me coming from the other side as you had lost contact with your sight side. But you were a very good opponent. I only won because of my endurance. Actually, you beat the hell out of me. I don't mind having a spar with you every now and then. Quit from your gang and join us; I promise that your life will be more interesting." Natsu fell flat on the floor and was rendered out of commission.
Gajeel's main problem was Racer's speed. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't land a blow on the latter. So like Natsu, Gajeel decided to change his tactics.
"Pretty coward, ain't you? If you run away each time I come close to you, how can we have a good fight?"
Racer did not reply. He maintained his distance and went on attacking Gajeel with the thorny chain and ball weapon that he had. Blood was oozing out from Gajeel's body wherever the thorny ball made contact with it.
Once he was sure that he was about to reach his limit, Gajeel quickly glanced to the place where Cobra fought with Natsu and saw that it was over.
"Salamander overtook me and finished the fight first? How much of a disgrace that is?" He gathered all his energy and straight away focused on the thorny ball and grabbed it like a lunatic and pulled it closer with all his might. Blood started oozing from his hands uncontrollably; but he pulled it with all his will power. Racer was not that strong physically. So, he couldn't leave the chain and hence came closer to Gajeel when he pulled it. As soon as the proximity increased, Gajeel punched him on his nose and Racer being the glass cannon that he was, was rendered out of commission.
"Why are you so strong?" He asked before falling down.
"Strong?" Gajeel lit the weed before sitting down. "I have to beat the living shit of that fellow over there. If he wins and I lose to someone who is supposedly weaker, then my credibility as his rival will be long gone which I won't allow no matter what happens." He fell unconscious on to the ground due to the excess blood loss.
Gray never wanted to fight with his opponent in the first place. He longed to fight Ultear and make her come to her senses. As her half-brother, it was his duty to do that. But she like a chameleon that she was slipped from his grip and made him land in a weird situation. He never wished to fight ladies as he was very chivalrous and always thought about protecting them rather than punching them on their assets. He politely asked Angel to retreat which she did not pay attention to. Instead of attacking her, he only tried to defend himself from her kicks. She got furious.
"Gray Fullbuster, are you making fun of women? Why don't you fight back?"
"I don't want to. I hate kicking or punching their beautiful bodies. They are created by God as beautiful creatures. Why should I make them ugly? If there was a reason for the fight, then I'd agree that I would fight. But I don't see why I should fight against you as there is no bad blood between us."
"What if, I kill your mother?" Angel spat with contempt.
"You will never dare do it." Gray's entire demeanor changed all of a sudden.
"Come on pretty-boy, you are looking hot in that pose. Now rather than fighting with you, I feel like sleeping with you, handsome." Angel licked her lips seductively.
"How dare you think of sleeping with my precious Gray-sama? Juvia will never allow that." Juvia came out of nowhere and kicked Angel straight on her face. Angel was caught off-guard and the power behind the kick was also good; so she was wounded.
"Juvia, why are you here?" Gray asked out of concern.
"Juvia had been stalking Erza-san ever since Gray-sama went missing. Juvia was sure that Gray-sama had went with Jellal-san as all of your gang was missing and he will surely contact Erza-san."
"So you followed Erza and came to this dangerous place? Why Juvia, why? You could have been killed." Gray shook her violently.
Juvia smiled. "Gray-sama is in danger and Juvia not coming to help? Not going to happen. Juvia will protect Gray-sama even at the cost of her life."
Meanwhile, none of them had seen that Angel had pulled a knife from her garment. She hurled it directly at Juvia. Gray was too late to prevent it and so it hit her right thigh as Gray had pulled her at the last fraction of a second. Blood oozed down profusely and Gray started panicking. He stood up and looked at Angel with fury.
"You are so cowardly that I don't even feel like hitting back you. Get lost from my sight, soon. Else I will obliterate you."He thundered. Then he kissed Juvia on her lips and lifted her after tying up his shirt above the wound and proceeded to give first-aid to her.
Laxus looked at Hot-eye with interest.
"Come on buddy. Offer me whatever you have got. "He stood in a badass fighting position.
Hot-eye was sweating. He knew that it was not smart to fight against this macho as his power seemed to come closer to his Boss.
"I will fight for you, if you give me money." Hot-eye said quickly.
"What?" Laxus had never expected such a reaction. "Are you telling me that you will betray your boss if I give you money?" He spat on the floor.
"Yes, I'm on this only for the sake of my brother. My brother is under their custody and I have to pay a huge ransom to them to free him. Since I'm poor, I did not have money and hence they told me either to work for them life-long or raise the money to save him." Tears dripped from Hot-eye's eyes.
"But why would they kidnap your brother?" Laxus became really curious.
"He fell prey to the drug racket. He wanted drugs so badly that he tried to steal it from their allies' hide-out and got caught in the process. They tied him up and was about to kill him when someone informed me and I reached there running. I pleaded them for mercy. Someone in their camp knew that I was previously a marksman in Circus and whispered it in Macbeth's ears. Then Macbeth wagered my talent with my younger brother's life and asked me to serve him." His throat cracked.
"Be a man and try to find and save your brother first. I will help you with that." Laxus said calmly.
Hot-eye's joy knew no bounds. "He is in their core. Lots are there to guard him. I will lead you there and thank you very much for your help."
"So chances are there for me to get a good fight. Don't get me wrong. I'm not helping you because I have awakened my humanistic side. I am helping you just because I will get a good fight."
But still, Hot-eye was more than grateful to him for at least offering to help as no one had been so kind to him before.
Erza's and Macbeth's fight was one-sided in the beginning. He dominated her in almost all aspects. Leg-strikes, elbow-strikes, knee-strikes, hook, cross etc happened frequently. He was more acrobatic than her which proved much to her disadvantage. But she was someone not ever to be under-estimated. She matched him soon in almost everything. He found unable to strike her which was the same with her. After the initial warm-up, both of them went toe-to-toe against each other.
But Macbeth who was nicknamed Midnight wanted to win the fight at any cost. So, the next time he made the acrobatic leap, he took out a syringe from his pocket and removed the cap. Then he waited for the right opportunity and aimed to strike it on her neck. But Erza's sharp eyes had seen it and she dodged only for the syringe to fall down and break.
"Fell for my trick, babe?" Midnight smirked and blew the powder in his other hand straight into her eyes. She could not see anything and her eyes were paining really hard. But she tried to focus on the sound and tried to attack him.
He slipped and kicked her straight on her face. The previous equality in the match was now tipped and now the odds were in his favor. He thrashed her thoroughly. But still, she stood up out of her tremendous will power and love for Jellal as she knew that once Midnight is free he will sneak upon Jellal and turn the match in Zero's favor.
The thought of that scenario made her concentrate even better and this time she was able to block his strike and counter it with her own. Midnight was taken aback. What sort of woman is she? He thought deep inside. Nothing surprising as Sieg's choice was always the best.
Now, she found the fighting a bit easier and parried and countered well enough. Midnight moved to a corner and was thinking what to do next. She did not have such luxury to spare. She roughly judged his position concentrating on his breathe, quickly made acrobatic leaps and sprung upon him thus grappling him and rendering him unable to move.
At that moment, something hit right on her chest and she fell backwards making the color of her hair and body one and the same.
Who is Ultear's boss? Gildarts? Zeref? Hades or someone else? Will Jellal save Erza on time or will she die? Wait and watch in the coming chapters. I promise to deliver my best.