Chapter 25: Forgive Me
Author's Note: Dialogue in the italic font in this chapter represent the conversation starting before the flashback begins. This message is to avoid any possible confusion.
"Master Victor!" the injured phoenix mages were shocked their guild master had stepped foot onto the battlefield.
"Natsu. Drop. Her. Now!" The master of Phoenix Wing talked sternly. The corrupted fire mage growled and released his grip on Erza.
The scarlet-haired mage fell to the floor and coughed violently while trying to rise from the ground. Both Mira and Gray quickly limped over towards their fellow fairy mage.
"We got you, Erza," Gray assured the swordswoman. Both mages carried her away from the conflict.
Victor slowly raised his arms then began to perform lightning fast hand signs before bringing his forefingers and middle fingers together. "Huáng Dàxiān de Zhùfú!" A green sphere filled the arena. The mages were coated by the green light. Within seconds, the injuries closed and healed. Internal wounds were also healed.
"Everyone! Get out of here now! I have to fix this problem myself." The old man ordered.
"Master, we can't leave you to fight this monster alone!" Mizuki countered.
"You are wrong, Mizuki." Victor turned to his mage. "This is not a monster in front of you. What this is...is the state of a man who's lost his way." The mages stared in confusion at the guild master. Victor walked forward, stopping ten feet away from the dragon-like mage. "Was this supposed to happen, Natsu? You made an oath to protect those who cannot protect themselves. To prevent what happened to Shigure and Kagero happen to others. Do you think this is what Shigure wanted?!"
Natsu growled as if he was in pain before letting out an ear-piercing roar. He slowly fell to his knees. He began violently bashing his head against the ground. Tiny drops of blood stained the floor while the force of Natsu's head bashing destroyed the ground.
"Master! What are you doing?!" Conner questioned. "Don't bring remind him of her!"
"Silence, Conner! I know what I am doing." the master of Phoenix Wing ordered. Conner's team was unsure of Master Victor's actions. They simply looked on in worry.
Flashback - One day ago. The night of the 100 monster incident
"Tell me, Conner. You felt something wrong during Natsu's fight with the monster army, didn't you?"
The mages of Phoenix Wing were currently asleep in their rooms; with the only exception of Natsu. The guild ace was currently walking around the city. Master Victor took the opportunity to talk to Conner about the nasty situation with the resurrected monsters.
"W-what?! Master you…"
The old man chuckled. "I'm old, Conner. Not blind. Though I guess does equate to sight in some way."
"...Yes, I did, Master."
Victor sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "So...the Flames of Darkness has risen again. Natsu is in more trouble than before. Now with Fairy Tail back in the picture, if we're not careful, the same thing that happened to Shigure…will happen again."
"Shigure…Kagero…" Conner looked towards the ground in pain and clenched his fist "Damn it! If only those bastards didn't attack them that night, Shigure would have still been…"
"What happened to Shigure was a tragedy, but while we all feel the pain of her death, imagine how Natsu felt. The bond between them was unbreakable."
Conner placed his forehead into his hand. "Everything is so messed up right now."
Master Victor sighed while keeping his eyes glued to the ground. "Listen to me, Conner. What I am about to tell you is very important…"
Flashback End
The mages stared intently at the master of Phoenix Wing. Conner, who knew more about what Victor was planning to do, was full of concern and grief.
"What are you all waiting for?! An invitation?! Get out of here now!" Victor ordered once again.
Mira protested. "Master Victor, even if we're not associated with your guild, we can't leave you to fight him alone!"
"Natsu is my mage; my responsibility." Master Victor corrected. "Listen well, my mages. Whatever happens, do not interfere. I will try to bring Natsu back to the real world."
Natsu paced from side to side, standing hunched over like a wild animal. His eyes following his guild master as if he were prey.
"Now then…" Master Victor threw his jacket off and tossed it aside, revealing his muscular build. "Its time for these old bones to get a workout." He slapped his hands together and a large burst of energy exploded and covered his body in a sky blue aura.
(BGM: Resident Evil 5 - Sad, but True (Jill's Theme))
Master Victor performed various arms motions before taking a particular stance. The blue aura left blue streaks of light in his wake as he moved around.
"What is that?" Gray was confused.
"Chakra Manifest," Conner answered. Its an extremely rare type of martial arts based magic that helps draw out magical energy and turn them into physical attacks. Its one of the hardest forms of magic due to the fact it requires you to focus on transmitting your magical energy throughout your limbs in quick moments.
Natsu stared at the old man for a single moment before growling and dashing towards him.
Master Victor made a light dash forward but stopped after moving at least a foot forward. His calculated halt positioned him right in front of Natsu, who's speed closed the gap between them in an instant. Victor pointed two fingers towards the dragon mage's chest before closing his hand into a fist and shoving it deep into Natsu's stomach.
The feral man gagged in pain and let out a stressed moan.
"Chá Kèlā Làng Yǒng Quán!" As the Phoenix Wing master launched Natsu across the floor, a streak of blue light trailed along the fire mage's body from Victor's fist.
Friction caused Natsu to come to a halt. Smoke emitted from the area that was punched. An expression of pain was shown on his face.
"What your surroundings…" Master Victor said directly in front of the fire mage. He was crouched forward with both his index and middle fingers and thumbs touching and repeatedly struck Natsu all over his body. Victor suddenly stopped his rapid movement attacks before turning his back towards Natsu and taking a pose. In a single second, hundreds of invisible blows hit his body, his entire being thrashed and knocked around by the attacks. The final attack launching him across the floor.
"Phoenix Wing! I will not tell you again! Leave now! Master Makarov, get your guild to safety at once!" Out of nowhere, Natsu rammed into Master Victor. The old man was knocked to the floor with Natsu on top. He cocked his fist back and threw a punch down at the martial artist. "Everyone! Run!"
"Guys! We're out of here! Fairy Tail! Gather your mages and leave the arena floor." Conner instructed.
Victor quickly parried the punch and used his legs to lift Natsu up he somersaulted on his hand and slammed him to the ground. The old martial artist made a lighting fast pivot on his heel and threw a fist into his mage's chest. The force caused a small crater to form underneath the man. In quick succession, Victor's fist changed from the tip of his fingers to the knuckles of the second fold of his fingers, then to a gentle fist. "Fèng Shén Shārén Bà!" The crater underneath Natsu expanded. The force of the attack caused blood to fly out of the dragon mage's mouth.
"What are you planning to do, Master?" Conner questioned.
Flashback - continued
"If push comes to shove, I will confront Natsu myself." Master Victor declared. His answer caused Conner the jump from his spot on the wall he was leaning on.
"Master, are you crazy?!" The blood mage raised his voice. "Its suicide to fight Natsu under the influence of the flames of darkness! Your magic is nowhere near as strong as his. You have no chance against him. If Icis nor I can even lift a candle to him, then-"
"It's not about overpowering him, Conner. It's about setting things right." Victor corrected his mage. "I know none of you are willing to fight Natsu. Even you do decide to do it, the fear of killing him will arise in your thoughts. You all will hold back. You, I may not have to worry about. After all, you were the one who saw the aftermath of that unfortunate day, but how the others will react to the situation is unknown. Natsu must be brought back to the real world; no matter the cost."
"Master…"
Victor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "That man does not deserve to suffer any longer. He's done too much good in this world to go through the hell he's experiencing. "As the master of Phoenix Wing, and a practitioner of the Ancient Forbidden seal arts, I have to be the one to do it."
"Master, please. You're not being reasonable. At the very least, allow one of us to learn the spell so-"
"This isn't something that can be learned overnight, Conner." Master Victor said. "This has to be done."
Flashback - End
The old man backflipped away from Natsu. The fire mage slowly rose from the ground in pain. He stumbled to regain his footing. His draconian eyes met Victor's. His face wrinkled as he glared at the guild master.
Salamander made a sprint for Victor. In a cool and collective manner, he took another stance with his hand in a defensive position. As the humanoid dragon quickly closed in on his prey, Victor's arms began to light up with a blue aura. The moment Natsu's attack made contact…
BAM
With lightning speed, Victor appeared behind his guild mage in a lunging stance with his fist held firmly forward.
Natsu fell to his knees, leaving him vulnerable.
"Stance of the Dragon!" Victor held his arms while in a stance before lunging forward towards his opponent at an extremely fast speed. As his fist made contact with Natsu's face, he began darting in all directions, attacking all his vitals. It was as if time itself had stopped; as it could not keep up with his speed. Victor let out a battle cry and he landed a final strike to Natsu's chest. The force of the attack sent the dragon mage hurling into a wall. "Natsu, wake up! This is not who you are!" The phoenix master yelled out.
Natsu groaned.
"I know you can hear me, Natsu. Answer me!" Victor shouted. The only response the man received was a growl. "Is this what you've wanted? Is this what Shigure wanted?!"
Natsu's eyes widened. He yelled in pain and gripped his head. "RAHHH!" He let out a loud roar.
"You think she would want to see you like this? Something that was bent on destroying the very world she loved?"
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Natsu's roar grew louder. Suddenly, blood trailed from his eyes and down his cheek.
"You're still in there, son. I know it," Victor said.
"Shi..gu…re…" Natsu muttered as if he had never spoken English before.
"If not for her, then imagine what Kagero would think if she saw you like this."
"GAHHH!" the volume of Natsu's voice escalated as the metal pain worsened.
"What is he doing?" Icis looked down at her master.
"He's trying to reach out to him. Attempting to remind him of who he is and who were Important to him." Conner explained. "He's weakening the hold the flames have over him by trying to help Natsu regain his conscious."
"But…who's Kagero?" Hunter questioned.
"I…I don't know…" Conner held a neutral face, but unknown to the rest, his heart shattered and his fist clenched at the mere mention of those names being called.
The dragon mage struggled to his feet. His animal-like glare glued to the small old man.
"It's not just them, look around you!" Victor gestured. "Phoenix Wing! Fairy Tail! People who have looked at you as a friend, as family! They've cared for you for the longest time. Now they fear you like Crimson Claw once did! They don't deserve this Natsu, and neither do you! Break free from the chains that bind you! Conquer the Flames of Darkness!"
"GAAAAH!" Natsu screamed at the top of his lungs. As he wobbled around yelling in pain, his eyes met with Lisanna's. Through his wild animal nature, he could see the pain and sadness in her eyes. The fire mage stretched an arm out. "Lis…an…na…"
"Natsu…" the white-haired woman muttered his name.
"GRRR…GAHHH!" The dragon mage's screams only seemed to grow louder. He fell to his knees. Leaving him open, Master Victor moved in and performed an intricate arm movement before throwing out both fists while leaning forward. He raised one arm over his head and lowered the other. He then slowly moved them closer until his hands were placed firm together. "The Power of Chi!" Victor's aura took the form of the Ying and Yang symbol. It shined brightly and quickly trapped Natsu with bright bindings made out of magic. He placed his fist gently in Natsu's stomach as he took a stance. A violent wind current blew about from the sheer power of the attack. "RAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The old man poured more magic energy into his fists; and with a final thrust, he unleashed a devastating attack that shot Natsu violently across the room.
The corrupted dragon mage screamed in agony as he flew into battered walls and debris.
"Master, I beg you. Please don't do this…" Conner pleaded.
Flashback - Continued
"It is my job, Conner. Not only as the master of Phoenix Wing but also as the one who did nothing to stop the inevitable." Victor answered.
"What do you mean?"
Master Victor closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "The day I met Natsu washed up by the pier, I couldn't sense his magical energy, but what I did feel...was darkness…" Deep in thought, the image of a demonic creature made entirely of a black aura and blood red eyes appeared. The sadistic laugh and wide smile with fangs was something to fear. "I didn't know what had happened on Tenrou Island with Acnologia, but I do know whatever happened, awakened something inside of him that was meant to stay dormant his whole life." The man opened his eyes. "Yet…as cautious as I was, I did nothing. Instead of training Natsu to control his emotions and energy, I did nothing. I thought about using a spell that completely prevents a person from using magic altogether, but because I didn't know what to expect from him, I left the matter alone. In combination with his memory loss, him not knowing he could use magic made the problem less worrisome."
"None of that matters now, Master," Conner spoke. "Since you didn't know what we were messing with, it's even more of a reason you shouldn't beat yourself over it. Plus it's not like you were expecting those bastards to attack them that night."
"Yet even though I did not know what would I be tampering with, I didn't search for any other solutions…and in the end, Shigure and Kagero…paid for my ignorance." A single tear slid down the senior's cheek. "Natsu is a good man that doesn't deserve the fate that was written for him." He then looked up towards his guild mage. "Besides, it's better to waste the one thing that could work on such bright youth than on a wrinkly old man."
"W-what…?"
Flashback - End
"Get up Natsu! Is this all my ace mage can muster?" Victor taunted. The fire mage groaned then let out a loud roar. He slowly freed himself from the wall and made a quick dash for the old man.
"Grandpa Victor!" Akiza cried out.
"What is he trying to do?!" Icis panicked. "Master needs to stop antagonizing him. He's only going to get himself killed!"
"We need to help him!" Mizuki tried to rise to her feet but was too physically weak to move.
"No one's going everywhere!" Conner barked. "This is the master's choice. We have to respect it!"
"Why are you being such a hard ass, Conner?!" Hunter cursed. "What? Did he tell you to keep us back?"
Conner said nothing. All he did was clench his teeth. He looked away from his teammates and never looked back.
Seeing the frustrated look on his face, Icis turned pale. "No…" She quickly turned her attention towards the fight. "No no no no no no no! Master!"
Victor was currently dodging Natsu's wild claw swipes. His right arm lit up in his magic aura. He took a stance and raised the lit up arm in front. As Natsu's attack connected with Victor's arm, the force of the blow and the spell's properties caused his hand to bounce off, leaving him staggered for a single moment; a moment Victor took advantage of. His other hand lit up in his blue aura and punched Natsu's stomach. A bright particle shower of blue lights scattered around. Natsu gagged and fell to his knees. Victor's entire body lit up and performed a series of arm movements before taking a crouching stance. "This is it!" He threw out a series of body blows that juggled Natsu in the air. He began spinning and dancing around Natsu's being, landing punches throughout the man's body. He dashed towards the front delivered a flurry of fists. His arms blurred as he picked up speed. "Láng Zhuǎzi èmó Guìzishǒu!" The martial artist's aura morphed into the appearance of a wolf. A howl erupted throughout the air as Victor brought his hands together in a tiger fist form. His hands struck Natsu in the chest. A chime filled the air and the attack caused a shock wave that shook the area. The dragon mage threw up blood as he was sent flying away into the wall.
(BGM: Sad, but True (Jill's Theme) - End)
Victor turned his eyes towards the floor where Natsu's blood laid. He looked towards the sky and took a deep breath before bringing himself back to the situation.
Natsu freed himself from the wall and was ready to attack again, but suddenly, the pain in his head returned. He screamed loudly and his body twitched in agony. "Shi…gure…Shi…gure…" He punched the ground. "I…I…will..not…lose…to…you…" For the first time since going feral, Natsu finally spoke a full sentence.
The martial artist noticed it and narrowed his eyes. 'He's vulnerable. Now's the time...'
(BGM: blacksheep806 - Time to Let Go)
The old man performed a series of rapid hand signs, ending with his index and middle fingers pointed forward on his right hand and his index and pinky fingers extended on his left hand while cocked back. A giant ritual circle appeared and a pentagram laid in the middle. Natsu's blood floated and slowly made its way towards the center of the pentagram and disappear into it. Suddenly a beautiful angel rose from the circle. Her blond hair blew in the wind. Her pure white wings spread with a gorgeous flap.
Conner was filled with dread as he stared at the master of Phoenix Wing with disbelief. "Conner, you have been as much of a son to me as Natsu has. The same goes for everyone in the guild. The five of you mean more to me than my own life."
Natsu stared at the man while still suffering from the internal battle in his head. The pain made the corrupted mage growl and glared at the old man who returned it with one of his own as he held the ritual circle up.
"You are to promise me to never allow your emotions to stop you from doing what's right. Always strive to become the best you can be."
Natsu let up an ear-piercing roar. His draconian eyes burned with rage.
"Come on, Natsu! Let us end this battle and put an end to this bloodshed!" Victor declared. His opponent made a sprint forward.
The mages of Phoenix Wing shouted in fear of the inevitable. Conner pulled Akiza close to him, Shielding her from what was about to happen. He too closed his eyes, not wanting to see the result.
"No one should ever suffer for something they have no control over. The world can be a terrible place, but as long as you stand together, nothing is impossible."
As Natsu closed in on his prey, tears fell from the eyes of the phoenix mages. Conner held everyone back, not wanting them to get caught in the crossfire.
"Promise me, Conner. Promise me you'll continue to live your lives the way it was intended to. To enjoy the feeling of freedom and happiness. Promise me, Conner."
Conner bit his lip in defeat. He lowered his head in frustration. Knowing there was no way for the martial artist to change his mind. "Yes….Master Victor…"
Natsu closed in and lunged for Master Victor. His claws reaching for the old man.
"MASTER VICTOR!" The phoenix mages cried out in terror.
.
.
.
.
STAB
Conner flinched at the sound of flesh being pierced. Mizuki sank to her knees. Hunter was frozen with disbelief. Icis screamed her lungs out with tears flowing down.
The chest of Master Victor was ripped through by the hand of Natsu Dragneel. The old man stood in a pool of his own blood. The hole in his chest and mouth dripped of the thick red substance.
Natsu's glared at the defeated prey. Even in a mindless feral state, an animal can tell the differences in facial expressions. He was not greeted with a face of anger and hatred, but with a soft, genuine smile from Master Victor. No anger; no regret; no hate. All the animal-like mage could see was compassion and content. Natsu's scrunched up face of rage quicken soften as he wore a human face of surprise and disbelief.
At that moment, an image of a woman with long silky black hair appeared in her mind. The woman appeared in the same spot as Victor. His arm through her chest, but looked at him with an angelic and sincere smile. The man's draconian eyes shook with emotion.
The senior martial artist raised his hand and cupped the man's cheek. "This wasn't your fault, Natsu. Do not feel guilty. I was prepared to sacrifice my life for the last bit of family I had left." Victor used his blood to draw the same ritual circle in the middle of the man's chest. He recited a verse:
"O' Angel of Life
Hear my plead
Allow me the right
To offer my life for thee
A heart devoured by darkness
To be saved by light
May evil be cleansed
With your divine might"
The ritual circle began to light up. Victor pulled Natsu in for one final embrace. "Live on, Natsu Dragneel. I will always be proud of you. Make sure you raise Akiza good you hear?" He then turned to the crying phoenix mages and widened his bloody smile. "Take care, children! Make me proud, you hear me, you bastards!" He shouted with happiness.
"Master Victor don't leave us!" Hunter cried out in pain.
Victor placed hands together. "Forbidden Seal of the Damned!" The circle began to spin rapidly. The angel materialized a giant gold chain. Each end had a sharp dagger on them. The Angel pointed forward and each end of the chains stabbed the men in the heart. Natsu growled in confusion, while Victor simply closed his eyes and smiled peacefully as he raised his head up high.
A violent wind current blew about. The angel spread her limbs and wings as she began chanting a verse.
Slowly Natsu's began to change. His horns and tail shrunk and disappeared into his skull. His claws retracted and resembled human nails once more. The black scales all over his body disappeared. His black and red eyes reverted to their original onyx hue.
A pillar of white light shot into the sky. The people throughout the city were startled by the eruption. Then the light got brighter to the point where shielding their eyes wasn't enough to keep the brightness out.
With a mini-explosion like burst, the light died down and the ritual circle disappeared. The angel brought her hands together and prayed before fading out of existence.
Both Natsu and Master Victor laid on the floor next to each other. After a moment of nothing, the dragon mage's finger twitched. He opened his eyes and awoke. The man was no longer under the control of the Flames of Darkness. He surveyed the area and his eyes stretched with horror. The death and decay that laid before him. The smell of rotting blood and organs penetrated his nose. Pools of blood leaked and spread like a disease.
His eyes traveled towards his arms. His blood soaked hands shook with realization. His face went pale and his hands trembled. "No….no..please no…" the man muttered. He looked around frantically at the destruction before him. He noticed the seal on his chest. Knowing only one person specializing in seal and rituals, he looked around and turned his eyes towards his guild master's body. "No…NO! Master Victor!" The man slid across the ground, not caring about his footing as he reached the deceased man. The cold, lifeless body of the martial artist only assured the fire mage of his actions. The hole in his chest made Natsu gasp. "No…Master Victor…" He grieved in a very low voice. Cradling the body of his former guild master, Natsu rocked back and forth. "What have I done…"
The mages of Fairy Tail and Natsu's team arrived at the arena floor. The events of Natsu's killing spree kept them from a distance. Not wanting to go near the man even after his return from the darkness.
Natsu gently set Victor on the ground. He took both his hands and placed them over his chest. "Forgive me, Master Victor. Forgive me…" He whispered.
(BGM: Time to Let it Go - End)
Conner slowly approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. The dragon mage saw the face of the fairy mages. Fear, confusion, and caution were visible on their faces. Natsu rose from to his feet and tried to approach his former guild. "Guys…please let me expl-" Fairy Tail stepped back as he reached his hand for them. Seeing this cause Natsu to end his advancement." Levy…its me. Please understand I-" The solid script mage hugged herself as she stepped away. Both Jet and Droy stepped in front of her, protecting her from the fire mage. Their scared expressions made his heart hurt. The dragon made turned to his team. "Icis. Hunter. Mizuki, listen that wasn't me. I-" Mizuki drew her sword with lighting fast speed and pointed towards her team leader.
"Don't come near us, you monster…" The swordswoman said in a voice filled with anger and fear.
"Mizuki!" Conner called out his girlfriend's words.
Natsu froze in place. Everyone was fearful of him. The power he tried so hard to keep under control had resurfaced and showed a side of the man he never wanted anyone to see. His gripped his head in frustration. "No….I didn't mean it…I didn't mean it…" From behind Hunter, Akiza was hiding from her father. Deep down Natsu hoped at least his child would listen. "Akiza. Sweetheart, it's me."
He was wrong. Very wrong.
"NO! Stay away from me!" The child screamed as she hid behind Hunter once more.
"Baby, it's me. It's Daddy. I won't-"
"You're not my Daddy! You're just like those monsters that ate my real Mommy and Daddy! Stay away from me!"
The girl's words pierced Natsu's heart like a knife. His eyes widened with dread when he saw the claw marks in the girl's arm. "Oh god…" Natsu backed up with disbelief. He growled and turned fast on his heel and ran away from the group of mages before jumping and flying away like a torpedo.
"Natsu, wait!" Conner called out.
Due to his sudden take off, he lost air momentum and crashed into the audience chairs where Lisanna and the Ravenswoods were residing. He tried to take off again but was stopped when he felt something tug on his arm.
"Natsu…" the white-haired woman said softly. "Please…don't leave. I want to help you…" she held his arm in a firm grip. "I don't fear you..but please listen to me…" tears flowed down her cheeks.
"Lisanna..."Salamander was taken back. Lisanna wasn't scared of him…yet that didn't feel right to him. He stared at her like a frightened animal.
"Don't walk away please…" Lisanna pleaded.
"Get away from her!" Mira shouted in anger and changed into her Satan soul and flew quickly to protect her baby sister.
Not wanting to hurt anyone else, Natsu freed himself from Lisanna's grip and flew off again. The youngest Strauss sibling simply stared in sadness as her love interest flew off into the distance.
"Lisanna!" Mira landed next to her sister. "Are you alright?!" the satan soul user asked in a panicking tone.
"Y-yes. I'm fine, Mira-nee…" Lisanna said.
The oldest Strauss sibling pulled the woman in for a hug. "Thank Mavis, that beast didn't hurt you."
Mira's words make Lisanna's blood run cold. The shocked expression on her face looked as if she had seen something out of a nightmare and left her speechless.
"Come on. Let's get you down from here." She threw Lisanna's arm over her shoulder. She turned her attention to the Ravenswoods. "You two need help?"
"Please take my husband. He can't make it down by himself." Azura said. " I'll find my way down."
"Can you carry two people?" Dante asked.
"Its no problem. Come on." She carried Dante in the same fashion as Lisanna and flew down to the arena floor.
As they reached the arena floor, the fairy mages crowded the woman. "Lisanna, are you alright?" Gray asked.
"Y-yes…"
"Wendy, can you heal him? He's in very bad shape right now." Mira placed the shadow mage gently on the ground.
"Bring him here." Wendy began healing the man but found it difficult to properly close the wounds. "Why is this so hard?"
"Ardious's Angelic Eraser," Dante answered. "It basically prevents healing from spells and magical abilities for a limited time. The only reason I'm not dead is due to the god slayer magic inside me. This effect wears off after a while since you made some progress on it."
Conner looked at the group of fairy mages that were tending to the two the fought before the whole fiasco began, while his team was struck with utter silence. No one said a thing to each other. While they weren't his main issue, it was Fairy Tail that bothered him. "I never understand why Natsu chose not to go back after his memories returned. Now I see why."
"What?" Laxus heard Conner speak.
"That's it then?" the blood mage continued. "You're just going to degrade Natsu to another enemy. A criminal that needs to be put down?"
"Did you not see what he did? The massacre he took pleasure in." Erza interjected.
"The massacre of what? Those criminals? Those horrible people that were about to harm ALL OF YOU? I'm usually the one to say everyone has the right to a fair trial, but those people were irredeemable. They were a part of a guild that was headed by a death-worshipping, sadistic, and psychotic lunatic that kidnapped this man's wife and used Natsu's own child to achieve his goal." The man pointed to Dante. "He even went so far as to kill his own mages, just to get Natsu. You really think people like that deserve a fair death?"
"You right that those people were bastards, but how they were executed was inhumane. Even for them." Gray countered. "So in your eyes, they deserve what we got?"
"Yes," Conner said bluntly which threw everyone off guard. "I'm sorry if I'm too honest, but that's what happens when you come from a world where neither the guilty or the innocent get a second chance to live. Where children had to literally take a life just for a slice of bread," he said with anger in his voice. "But let's be that guy and answer your question with another question. Do you believe, Natsu would've done what he did, had he been in control?"
"You heard what Dante said! The Flames of Darkness brings out the wielder's true emotions!" Hunter finally spoke out. "Natsu was hell-bent on destroying humanity! You would really expect us to just roll over and dismissed that?!"
"If he did, he would've killed us all those years ago when that power reawakened!" Conner argued back. "Natsu saved us from what we were about to become. "A gang leader that harassed, threatened and killed the rich." He eyed Hunter. "A wanted sword wielder guilty of countless crimes, including assassination." He then faced Mizuki. "And then us. Starving, and beaten siblings that took their anger out on the world and its people because of how our parents abandoned us and were on the brink of becoming serial killers." the blood mage finally faced his sister. "He took the time out of his life to help us, solely because he saw we were in need of guidance to the right path; regardless of him barely knowing who he himself was!" Conner clenched his fist. "He took in a lone child after having her parents killed by wild animals. He even shared his blood with her out of his own free will. All four of us are no strangers to killing and taking lives, but unlike Natsu, it was our choice the take those lives. What makes this time any different?"
"You seem like a hypocrite defending Natsu killing when you yourself did the same thing." Mira blurted out.
"And I could say the same thing about you, Mirajane."
"Are trying to pick a fight, phoenix mage?" Laxus clenched his teeth with electricity surging throughout his body.
"I suggest you stay on your leash, dog. I can easily finish the job Natsu's started, the only difference is...it won't be an accident…" The venom in Conner's voice made everyone, including his own team, turn pale. "Before I was rudely interrupted, and unless my memory serves me correctly, wasn't there a time where you all thought this woman's brother killed their youngest sibling?" Fairy Tail was taken with shock.
"H-how did you know that?" Mira felt uncomfortable.
"When Natsu got a portion of his memories back, he would often go through the history of his time with your guild. Everything he knew and experienced. That event where Elfman lost control of his Beast soul and seemingly killed Lisanna came up." Mira was staring at Conner with a hurt face. "I thought that maybe, he would've hated Elfman for what happened…yet he never did…nor did he blame your brother. He didn't hold a grudge against you, the oldest of the siblings who should've been the one to save both your younger family members. In fact, I held you in high regard and respect for not blaming Elfman and casting him aside, but yet…you throw Natsu to the wolves." All Mira could do was look towards the ground. She had nothing to respond with, mostly because she didn't know how to respond. "Erza, he saved you from Jellal trying to sacrifice you at the rebuilt Tower of Heaven. Gray. He stopped you from using Iced Shell against Lyon. He's helped all of you in some way because he cared for you and this is what he gets?!"
"Friends don't harm each other. What Natsu has become is a bloodthirsty machine of death and destruction. Fairy Tail doesn't associate itself with beings of that nature. Just like every other villain we've stopped, we'll put that beast out of its misery." Gray spat. Even his fellow mages were caught off guard with his words. "Get that crap out of my face. Then again I guess murderers need to stay together, don't they."
"Gray...all you please stop..." Makarov, who was silent the whole time spoke low. This change in his mages and the whole event was too much for him to handle
Conner light chuckled before bursting into laughter. "You must be under some spell if you think ANY of you can beat Natsu. I've seen first hand the heights of his power. It's unlike anything we've seen before. If he had the chance and the conscious, the entire planet would be a fiery wasteland and flames and ash. If you can't even stack up to any of us, then your hopes of besting Natsu is nothing but mere fantasy. Whatever you saw while he was with you…was only a fraction of his true power." Conner kept his glare on Gray. "I once had the utmost respect for you, Fairy Tail, but as of now…its about as dead as your family, Fullbuster."
The god slayer's comment sent Gray into a spiraling rage. "Don't you EVER say that again, you bastard!"
"Then if you can't take what you dish out, then don't say anything at all." Conner walked over to Akiza and picked her up. "I'm not telling you to excuse the murders that went on today, I'm telling you to think about the man's struggle against a force that only he understands. Think of how much of own happiness he's given up for others. I see you three back at the lodge." The goth said with bitterness in his voice when he looked at his team. "Heed this now, Fairy Tail. Should Natsu return…and you choose to hurt him again, you all will answer to me." Conner slowly turned his head and his lone eye glowed and his teeth clenched. His expression made everyone shudder and step back.
The blood mage walked away from the group the mages in silence. No one said a word as they stare at the man moving further and further away.
"Uncle Conner?" Akiza looked up at the man after keeping her face buried in his chest.
"Hush, sweetie. We're going home. You're safe now." Conner spoke softly to the child.
"Is…is the monster gone?"
Conner's heart sank. The question from the child made him feel empty. A man's own child was fearful of him. He held the child close. The feeling of guilt washed over him for what he said to assure the child. "Yes, honey. The monster is gone…"
Somewhere down below, Gajeel had finally freed himself from the mineral cart he was thrown in. He walked throughout a tunnel, leaning on the walls, still suffering from nausea. "Damn…Lisanna please be alright." He said to himself as he looked for a way out. Suddenly he saw an entrance, and a dim light reminiscent of a small fire shined through. Gajeel made his way towards the entrance. As he got close, his nose twitched. "This smell…this acrid smell…" the faintest smell of decay filled the air. The light shined brighter as he walked through. He eyes took a minute to adjust to the light from being in the dark tunnels for too long. Once he collected himself, he eyes widened. Full skeletons. Bodies of decomposed flesh. Skulls detached from bodies. Laid before the dragon slayer was a ridden cesspool of carcasses of familiar, yet mythical creatures.
"A graveyard…of dragons?!"
(To Be Continued…)
AAAYYYYY! Hello everyone, Angel here! I hate to parrot myself but thank you so much for putting up with my very long periods of silence. I honestly hate not posting a chapter as fast as I can but life somehow like to mess things up. Putting that aside, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Things are really getting deep and dark; aren't they? I was originally going to post two chapters as the original draft for this chapter was really short, but I decided to add some extra stuff to extend it so the wait didn't feel like it was for nothing. Plus my time and schedule were preventing me from completing two chapters. Tell me what you guys think about the current situation? Who's in the wrong?
That's all for now, however, as always guys, remember to read and review. Also please feel free to message me via PM. I love getting questions from you. Also the BGM I used for Victor's death is from a YouTube composer called blacksheep806. Please go check out his channel as his music is wonderful and this piece also helped me write the scenario out. See you all next chapter.
-HeartlessAngel96
Spell Translations:
Chá kèlā làng yǒng quán - Chakra Surge Fist
Fèng shén shārén bà - Phoenix God Slaying Strike
Láng Zhuǎzi èmó Guìzishǒu - Wolf Claw Demon Executioner
Huáng Dàxiān de Zhùfú - Blessing of Wong Tai Sin
YouTube channel: watch?v=r0YXt2nVMw4