Chapter 21: Strike Back
Hours, upon hours now they were certain they had been walking. Natsu had managed to catch a scent of fresh air and what he said smelled like paper to which they had asked what his meaning of that was – but failed to get a response as he began trying to locate the area where the fresh air was and where the scent of paper was. Finally being able to rely on his senses was a godsend to him and the other two Dragon Slayers who could pinpoint things easier – however, at this point they weren't going to be simply relying on a sense of smell to get them anywhere. Natsu was positive that if they did that then it would be something they repeated continuously as they searched for the location that had given them a bit of hope.
While using their sense of hearing which Saya had stated was above the normal for even animals most of the time as they listened, watched and followed the scent of the parchment and old leather bindings before catching the glimmer of a candle. Seeing the small flame Natsu followed its scent and they rounded a corner and ended up at a heavy wooden door with thick black iron bindings on it. Gajeel looked at the door and grinned.
"I was getting hungry," he said as they looked at the iron lock on the door.
"Well get to chewing! We need to get in there!" he looked to Saya who was watching him.
"Yea, yea…keep your clothes on Clicker," he stated. Saya fumed.
"I AM NOT GRAY YOU BAKA METAL HEAD!"
Natsu sighed as Gajeel went to work on the iron lock and with a few grinding crunches the lock was gone and the door swung open. The strong smell of ink, parchment, old leather, candle wax and dust went by them as a faint breeze went through the small hallway. The group looked at the entry way and slowly entered in caution while searching for what they hoped could lead to an exit. They rounded a corner and entered a large room full from the ceiling to the floor in shelves stacked with small containers, books, wooden trunks and objects from another era.
They stared at the portraits that were present – some baring guilds from the past and others of notable historical figures. As they searched the area for any identifications of where they were. The group split up and looked through the shelves, searching for anything on not only their location but also on anything about the Eclipse Portal. Their eyes traced the areas and hoped that something came up. As they walked Mirajane stumbled upon a plate on a bookshelf – almost as an identification marker with a Guild symbol on it.
The mark was a Dragon curled around a Cross holding a sword in its right claw. It was old, ancient by what she could tell. Mira rose an eyebrow and slowly looked at the items upon the shelf. There were a few books, files, a small container, and what looked to be a dagger with the Guild's mark branded into the metal. In curiosity she reached up and grabbed the item nearest to her which happened to be a small leather book with metal clasping it shut. She flipped it open and began to read wondering if perhaps this guild had a connection to the Eclipse Portal.
"Do you really think we'll find anything?" asked Wendy.
"I don't know, but if we can get a better idea of what they have planned then we'll be able to prepare for a counter attack if needs be." The Sky Dragon Slayer looked down.
"Do we have to fight them?" she questioned. Natsu looked at the little girl and smiled.
"Well…if we do then we have nothing to worry about – we're FairyTail and we're known for overcoming the odds." Wendy looked at him as he scanned the shelves.
"I wonder…what do think this place is? Their Archives?" Saya glanced to Lucy.
"Most likely…but I doubt they'd put anything in here on the Eclipse Project when it's pretty obvious that it's being kept silent from everyone else," she stated.
"Oh…"
As they continued searching – Mirajane found herself entrapped by the documents she was reading. It was centered around a guild that had been part of the Dragon Civil War. There were five members listed as a unity guild under Fiore – they were born in the outer country and trained in three forms of magic that allowed them to become remarkable fighters in battles. Each one was personally first of all – a Dragon Slayer, secondly they were gifted with Tome-Gate Magic. She read through the history, the details of what they did – that they were used against Dragons and monsters. However, something was wrong because these five members names weren't mentioned until finally the end when the ink changed from black to red.
Her eyes scanned the information, and then there was an image of the Guild's crest prior to vanishing during an attack on the village that five of them had grown up in. After this they disappeared, but since then for those who somehow had lived four hundred and seven years ago and were still alive had stated that they'd witnessed the group of five members across the world, but most importantly – in Fiore. Mirajane flipped to the list of them and paused. Her eyes trailing the red markers on two of them that declared them missing, and their locations unknown and then her eyes landed on two of the names.
Mira's eyes grew wide as she read them, and reread them before clutching the small book to her. She knew something about this was going to change things, and considered keeping the information to herself – however, she felt it needed to be known. Therefore she walked towards Gray and Gajeel who were looking at the shelves behind her and held the book out. She watched with a quivering heart before feeling her breath catch as the two stared at the information and then looked towards two certain people in their group.
Gray walked over to the others and allowed Gajeel and Mira to stand not far from him both watching to see what he'll do. The group looked at him in questioning before he held up the book that its cover was only marred with the Guild mark before looking at them. His eyes trained on one person.
"Why does this have your name in it…Natsu?" the boy paused as he watched him.
"What are you talking about?" Gray narrowed his eyes.
"This book that Mira found has your name in it! Clear as day – why?" he asked.
"Gray, I have no idea what you're talking about! I don't know the first thing about that book!" the Ice Make Wizard looked at the boy.
"Natsu…what are you hiding? Saya is in here too so what are you not telling us?" Gray questioned him and Natsu looked down.
"What guild is it from anyways?" Mira stepped forward.
"Drake Crux – a guild that was active as participating warriors in the Dragon Civil War. There were five members and then they vanished during an attack by Dragons on their village." Natsu eyed her.
"Wait…what does that have to do with the fact that our names are supposedly in that book?" Mira narrowed her eyes.
"Because…the guild was around during the Dragon Civil War – four hundred and seven years ago Natsu! So what are you hiding?"
"Nothing! I don't get what any of you are talking about!" Gray flipped the book open and held up the page that showed the page they mentioned.
"Here look – list of members missing from the Drake Crux Guild – there are three of them and then at the list's top separated by one person…is Natsu Dragneel and Saya Dragnoir," stated Gray.
"I don't know why that's in there! I have nothing to do with that guild!" Gajeel narrowed his eyes.
"Salamander….you better answer our questions now…."
Natsu stared at them in questioning – what had they found? He'd heard of the Drake Crux Guild many years ago and had nearly forgotten about it. But seeing his name on the list of missing members made his head throb in pain at a memory. How foolish could he be? Why was he keeping secrets? Why were they hiding things from those who were family, Nakama, their most trusted people? Natsu sighed and shook his head before looking at the confused people around him and Saya.
"I don't think you're prepared to hear that answer." Gray frowned as Gajeel narrowed his eyes.
"You keep steering us away from these answers…why?" he asked.
"Because I….I'm not sure you'll want the answers I'll give you." Natsu looked down as they watched him and Saya went back to searching.
"Listen…whatever it is we're not going to turn against you or Saya – the two of you are our friends, family and we would never turn our backs on you," Gray stated.
"I agree with Snow Flake here – Salamander I don't know what you think you have to keep from us but we're in this together." Natsu looked down as Lucy grabbed his hand.
"Say…on premise that I had something to do with that guild…that I had some connection to them…what would you say?" Gray glanced at the others as Natsu waited on the answer.
"That we'd like to hear the story behind it when we get the chance," said Mira.
"But what if when you hear it you knew something that might hurt you?" Lucy smiled as she looked to him.
"I'm not sure what you think would be so bad…I mean you can tell us anything you want and we'll listen," she stated.
"Lucy…you have no idea do you? None of you get how dangerous telling someone about this is…permitting you to be dragged into something like this is really not safe…" Gajeel huffed.
"Salamander, since when has anything we've been dragged into been safe?" he asked. Natsu laughed half-heartedly.
"I guess you have a point…ne Saya?" he called for her and she came from behind a shelf and up to him.
"Hai?" he cast a glance in their direction.
"Wareware wa karera ni nanika o tsutaeru koto wa dekimasu ka?" Saya's eyes grew wide.
"Natsu! Kore wa hontōni kikendesu!" she stated.
"Watashi wa shitte iruga, karera wa shōko o motte iru…" Natsu looked down and she sighed.
"Karera wa fushizen'na notatakai no man'naka ni narudarou," she spoke to him while the others listened.
"Kore wa, karera ga tsuneni sono yōna nanika no man'naka ni sa rete iru Fearī Teiru." Saya shook her head and took a deep breath.
"Anata no migi... Anata wa karera ga kore o shitte oku hitsuyō ga aru koto o sei nodesu ka? Ima no subete no kai?" Saya questioned him on this and Natsu nodded.
"Karera wa kenri o motte iru, karera wa Nakama," he said. The others raised their eyebrows at the statement and smiled.
"You said that word again…what does it mean." Natsu looked at them.
"It means…comrade, friend…family."
"What do you want to tell us?" Natsu glanced to the side.
"We have a deal to make…when we're out of this mess…I promise that I'll tell you what you want to know about that book. Take it with you so we can explain this properly," he said.
"Promise?" the rose haired Dragon Slayer nodded.
"I promise."
"Then we'll keep going – did anyone find an exit?" asked Mira.
"I did."
Saya led them to another heavy wooden door and just as they went to open it – the door swung by itself and standing there amidst the archway of it was a person wearing a black and white cloak. Natsu stared at the person taking only a second to recognize the scent as one person he would never mistake for another. He stepped forward and instantly the figure shivered, tears poured down their face and the others gaped as he looked at them for a moment as they eyed the others and then their eyes fell back to him and shakily reached out. A hand brushed his cheek, cupping it and staring at him.
"Natsu…your still here…" he watched them back.
Above them Erza shot an attack at Kagura and without second thoughts as Laxus tackled Jura. Juvia had just walked away from Lyon and Chelia who both were left defeated by the water wizard as the others took out any remaining weaker ones and Erza shot back a hit to Kagura. The fights above boomed and shattered the ground and buildings while the crowds watched safely from the stadium, most of FairyTail cheering for their remaining members while watching Laxus as he was knocked over, and mere seconds later the Lightning Dragon Slayer shot up and knocked Jura backwards with a shock forceful enough to send the Wizard Saint back into the ground. In that moment Lamia Scale lost their running in the Games as Yajima screamed.
"FAIRYTAIL'S LAXUS DREYER JUST DEFEATED JURA! ONE OF THE TEN WIZARD SAINTS! IS THERE NO STOPPING THEM?!"
Laxus grinned as he pumped his fist into the air declaring victory for FairyTail proudly. He knew below, though he couldn't see them that the others were okay. However, his mind was on the final fight between Erza and whoever was apparently tearing up the town. The four other FairyTail wizards walked away to wait for Erza and as they did Juvia, Freed, Elfman, and Laxus heard a scream that stopped their hearts – because it was Erza who did it. She screamed and yelled at someone before more explosions ensued.
All eyes turned to the Lacrima screen and questioned what was happening when they heard a rush of noise and separated in time to dodge a shadow attack coming from one Rouge Cheney of Sabertooth. The crowds cheered and the four wizards faced down the Dragon Slayer who in their opinion didn't look quite right.
"This is going to be one hell of a fight."
Standing at a door Natsu watched the person – they, no she had spoken to him and was currently cupping his face as tears ran down her face. He knew the scent, it was unmistakable as he looked at the person with wide eyes knowing that it made absolutely no sense for the person to be where she was. Dark jade looked as warm, tearful chocolate brown looked back at him as she continued to cry and the others stared unsure of what was going on. And they Natsu took in a deep breath.
"Lucy?" he asked the person this and she reached her hand away to toss back her hood which displayed a version of Lucy who seemed older, her eyes were exhausted and she was crying while staring at them all in such joy that it shocked them. Her hair was longer, she was still definitely Lucy though. Natsu couldn't mistake her scent of magnolias and honey anywhere. But he questioned why this Lucy was standing here now.
"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" she cried again and Lucy stared at the older version of herself before looking at her.
"What's happening? Why are we…?" Natsu looked at them as the future Lucy smiled.
"It's so nice…to see all of you….I never thought I'd see you again," she said.
"What are you talking about?" Lucy looked at herself and the older version wiped her eyes as she looked at everyone passed Natsu and herself.
"I came to get you out of here because it's not safe. Please understand – they opened the portal and I came through it a few days ago so I could find all of you….we need to hurry!" she pleaded.
"What's going on…?" Natsu looked her over.
"You smell like the same Lucy except your also smell like smoke and blood," he stated.
"I can't fool your sense of smell no matter what huh? I….when I came here I came from…a less than good future….it's so bleak…" Natsu watched the girl – no this was Lucy's older self – clearly in her early twenties, making her a full grown woman. She was still beautiful, but her eyes were what made his chest ache – they were miserable looking.
"Bleak…what do you mean?" asked Saya.
"We…I'll explain when we get further away from here – if I don't the guards will still find everyone."
Without much of a choice the group followed the older version of Lucy up stairs and around corners while searching for a safe place to figure out a plan to get out of the palace. The woman led them away from the archives where Mira had taken the book with the information in it that Natsu had promised to tell them. She knew that they were far from being out of the woods and had decided that for now she would listen to what was being said and decide from there. After running up flights of stairs and around corners they finally made it to somewhere that the other Lucy managed to get them into so they could make a plan and rest for the time being.
As soon as everyone sat down in the dimly lit room – only being kept lit by a few candles Natsu was able to find – they collapsed exhaustedly to the floor on the sofa in the room. It seemed to be a sitting room of sorts but they couldn't be for sure. Lucy settled next to the window near her future self and Natsu soon joined them with the candle in front of them to allow some light. She glanced at him as he leaned back against the wall and slightly dozed showing her how wearied he was. She smiled and soon felt him lean against her shoulder before sighing and moving him to let him rest his head in her lap. She felt her smile return and brushed her fingers through his unkempt rosy hair. The other version of herself laughed slightly and she looked at her.
"I almost forget how he can be," she said. Lucy felt her chest tighten.
"Are you saying that…" she shook her head.
"No, he won't go anywhere – neither will Saya….I just miss the moments like these when we were quiet and he was asleep…watching him and playing with his hair while he was in my arms. I wish it was still like that….it's different in the time I come from," she said.
"How so?" the older blonde looked at her younger self.
"It's a much harsher world…there are so many more dangers – there are still moments like this but their much more rare and it seems they never last long enough. I can't remember the last time I was actually peaceful without an ounce of worry," the woman stated.
"What happened?" her eyes looked to Mira.
"I almost forgot how beautiful you are Mira….you see my future…the world I come from….the Council is gone, Croucus is gone, there is so much that's no longer there. We lost so much after the Games because of the events that took place…." She looked down.
"What event?" asked Gray.
"An army…" Gajeel sighed.
"Quit beating around the freaking bush! I think we deserve a damn answer! You acted like Salamander freaking was dead when you saw him! You're acting like all of us are…" Gajeel froze when the girl looked down.
"Because…you are….gone….Natsu isn't….Saya isn't but the rest of you we lost…I get to see Saya from time to time and Natsu is constantly with me but he…changed some….became a lot harsher….I guess it makes sense that his instincts would constantly be present…we're both always unsure of what to do…"
Everyone went silent. Did she say that they'd all….died? She looked at them with such longing, as if she hadn't seen them for quite a few years. She looked at her past self and Natsu who was currently sleeping for a bit feeling the drain of the constant fighting and she smiled softly seeming to wish for times like this to return. Her eyes casted another look at them and at the three exceeds. Her eyes landed on Happy and they welled up with tears the blue exceed pinned his ears back and came over to her before putting his paws on her legs.
"Lucy…don't cry….please…" she wiped her eyes and picked him up before hugging him tightly.
"I miss you too Happy…" Lucy looked at herself and the blue cat.
"Do you mean he…" she nodded and petted the cat before looking back at Natsu.
"It affected him badly…both of us really…Natsu was the one who lost so much when that happened. All of them died, the two of us were the only ones who seemed to survive besides Saya who blocked the area around us with a time shield. We tried to get to the others but it was too late….it wasn't strong enough to save anyone but us….I'm so sorry…." Mira looked at her.
"How did we die?" she asked.
"An army of….ten thousand Dragons came from nowhere and attacked the city – we fought, some of the Dragon Slayers defeated Dragons but they kept coming…Sting and Rouge…they went down so fast after they kept fighting, they couldn't do it anymore. Gajeel too…and Wendy…I don't even know what happened I found her and Carla…Lilly too…Happy…he died in mine and Natsu's arms…Gray didn't make it much longer than the others, Juvia died too…everyone…Laxus, the Thunder Legion…everyone at the guild…" Gray stared.
"And what about Erza? What about Gramps? Gildarts?" he asked.
"Gramps was crushed – there was nothing to be done…Saya tried….Gildarts I think survived the first wave but the second one was what caught him. And Erza…whatever it was completely gutted her…a Dragon….there was no blood in her at all…Meldy….Ultear, Jellal…most of Lamia Scales competitors, almost everyone I don't even know who's alive anymore to be honest…" she shook her head.
"Are you saying that just the three of you lived? How?!" snapped Gajeel.
"I saw the book you have Mirajane…please understand the reasons Natsu and Saya have are…completely understandable…they're trying to protect all of you – one of the reasons we lose so many people is that all of you lost your trust in them at the moment they told you the truth….there will come a time soon that you'll all see what's happened and I hope you understand. Listen…there are reasons that we have to trust them." They stared at her.
"Why? If it's that horrible then why not learn about it now?" asked Wendy.
"Because if you do everyone is going to die! Please, just let it be for now! You'll all see it soon enough so please!" the future Lucy cried and Lucy felt her fingers tighten slightly in Natsu's hair before she loosened her grip and looked at Saya as she stepped forward.
"You know now don't you?" she asked.
"I do…" Saya looked down.
"Tell us…what happens to FairyTail in your future…" the future Lucy looked down and her bangs covered her eyes.
"There….is no such thing….as FairyTail anymore…"
"What are you talking about? There has to be! What you're suggesting is…" Lucy felt tears run down her cheeks.
"FairyTail…is destroyed….by Acnologia…when the Dragon's raid Magnolia under its direction…"
Wendy felt her legs go out from under her and they watched as the future Lucy wiped her eyes despite the constant crying that seemed unable to stop. Gray and the others were feeling the same – if they hadn't been so determined to not collapse they would have been in the same position as Wendy as Carla pinned her ears back like Lily. The others seemed concerned and they understood why naturally – hearing that their home, their family and friends were just gone seemed so improvable, so completely insane that it almost seemed made up. Gray felt the words slip unbidden from him.
"No way….FairyTail is….gone…."
{Chapter 21: Strike Back – END}
Authors Note: Things are going in the direction they are destined to – I am NOT going to let this story have a sad ending for those who may wish to stop reading here in fear that it will be one of those stories. The next chapter will have some lighter moments in it while the gang inside the Palace is resting up and we'll be catching some glimpses of the other fights – we know how it'll go and I will not forget Arcadios I just plan to have him come up differently and slightly comically.
Some things will stay true to canon. Some will not.
Thanks to my readers! You guys are awesome!
NEXT TIME…
{A glimmer of hope, a moment of peace, the glimpses of a future full of uncertainty and fear and a chance of something rather fascinating – a moment to realize the chance to change and the question of if the war can be won.
"I used to think that things were simple too…I learned really fast that even devils can hide in human flesh…"}
Chapter 22: The Dragon King Acnologia
Arigatou Nakamas!
P.S: Natsu and Saya's conversation:
Wareware wa karera ni nanika o tsutaeru koto wa dekimasu ka? – Can we tell them anything? (Natsu)
Kore wa hontōni kikendesu – this is really dangerous (Saya)
Watashi wa shitte iruga, karera wa shōko o motte iru – I know, but they have proof (Natsu)
Karera wa fushizen'na notatakai no man'naka ni narudarou – They'll be in middle of a battle of the unnatural (Saya)
Kore wa, karera ga tsuneni sono yōna nanika no man'naka ni sa rete iru fearīteirudesu. - This is Fairy Tail they always have been in the middle of something like that. (Natsu)
Anata no migi... Anata wa karera ga kore o shitte oku hitsuyō ga aru koto o sei nodesu ka? Ima no subete no kai? - Your right...are you positive that they need to know this? Now of all times? (Saya)
Karera wa kenri o motte iru, karera wa nakamada – they have a right, their our comrades (Natsu)