CHAPTER 25: WATER AND ICE
In the safe house across town Lucy is waking up.
"Ryuu, Lucy is waking up!" said Reedus while getting in Lucy's face in which Ryuu looked over.
"If Iwere you I would be backing away from her." warned Ryuu.
"How come?" asked Reedus.
"G-Get out." Muttered Lucy. Lucy woke up and noticed the Reedus' face was close to hers.
"Are you okay, Lucy?" asked Reedus making Lucy freak out.
"W-What do you think you're doing?!" yelled Lucy kicking Reedus unconscious while Ryuu sweat dropped.
"And that itself is the reason you should never do that." Commented Ryuu.
"G-Grandfather Ryuu." Said Lucy. Lucy looked around and noticed she was in a warehouse. "Where are we?"
"Well where do I start?" wondered Ryuu.
"I-It can't be… This is…" said Sol staring up at Elfman in shock.
"A Full Body Take Over… Beast Soul!" said Mira as Elfman roared.
"Non, non, non! With non of three, you misunderstood me! I, Monsieur, gave you such a harsh trial for you to finally overcome your difficult past, bonsoir! You are indeed a Man among men, Elfman! I, Monsieur, believed you could overcome it! Right?" said Sol panicking. Elfman just stared at him as Sol continued to sweat. "Well then, if you'll be excusing me…" Sol tried to leave but Elfman hits him knocking him back. "How dare you! Platre… Sonate! Non, non, non… Don't let your guard down now." Sol then heard a loud tremor and looked up to see Elfman standing over him ready to punch him. "Non! Non! Non!" as Elfman continued to punch Sol.
"Elfman…" said Mira looking up with worriedness.
"Ooh… Oui… Je t'aime…" said Sol laying defeated. He soul started to escape his body but Elfman grabbed it and put it back into Sol. Elfman grabbed him and brought him up to his face. "No-n, at least let me fall unconscious!" Mira stared up at Elfman.
"Elfman!" yelled Mira. Elfman looked back at Mira as Sol soul started to leave him.
"Au revoir…" said Sol as Elfman started to control himself. Elfman comes out of the building and approaches Mira making her nervous.
"So… Can you… hear my voice?" asked Mira nervous. Elfman stood in front of Mira as she looked up at him. "Could you have lost your reason again? Elfman!" Elfman gets Mira out of the giant's clutches shocking Mira.
"I'm sorry, Nee-chan… You must have never wanted to see me like this again. Because I wasn't able to control it, Lisanna…" said Elfman.
"You still have your reason!" said Mira.
"But I didn't know what else to do. I had to get stronger to protect you and Fairy Tail!" said Elfman making Mira smile.
"Lisanna's death wasn't your fault. You were trying your best to protect us both back then." Said Mira as Elfman removed the take over.
"But I failed. Lisanna died." Said Elfman looking down.
"I'm still here." Said Mira putting her head on Elfman's chest.
"Nee-chan…" said Elfman.
"We both decided together, remember? To live on in her stead. To work as hard as we could…" said Mira.
"Nee-chan! I'm so glad you're all right!" said Elfman crying.
"And how is crying going to help anything?" asked Mira.
"But!" exclaimed Elfman as he continued to cry.
"Thank you, Elfman…" said Mira smiling. Mira looked back and noticed something.
"What is it, Nee-chan?" asked Elfman.
"The giant isn't writing as quickly…" said Mira. Elfman stared up at the giant in shock. "The forbidden magic of the four elements… Abyss Break… The four elements. Fire, water, wind, and earth…" Mira then realized something containing the element 4. "Elfman, how many of the Element 4 are left?"
"Hmm, um… That would probably be two, I think." Said Elfman sweat dropping.
"Just as I thought! Each time we take one of them down, the giant's movements slow down!" said Mira.
"Why is that?" asked Elfman.
"In other words, this giant is powered by the four elements. If we can defeat the remaining two members of Element 4, we can stop the magic!" said Mira.
"Really?" questioned Elfman.
"Hurry! The remaining two should be somewhere inside the giant!" said Mira.
"R-Right!" said Elfman as he and Mira went back inside the giant.
"Thank goodness… It looks like Mira's safe." Said Cana collapsing.
"Cana!" exclaimed Macao.
"I'm fine. Focus on the enemy in front of you and protect Fairy Tail!" said Cana in which Macao smiled.
"You don't know when to quit…" said Macao. He dodges a shade that almost touches and attacks it with purple fire. Cana attacks shades with her cards as well.
"Everyone, don't clump together! Spread out and fight!" ordered Cana.
"Right!" yelled the Fairy Tail mages. Macao looked at Cana in awe.
'It's the women in our guild who are the strong ones…'
"By the way, where did Loke go?" asked Laki.
"He said something worried him, so he headed to that place." Said Alzack.
"Say what? He skipped out?" questioned Wakaba.
"If Abyss Break is cast, then that place wouldn't be safe either." Said Alzack.
"I see…" said Laki.
"He has a good intuition." Said Alzack.
"I just thought of something good, Happy!" said Natsu running down a hallway.
"What?" asked Happy.
"If we beat up Jose, then that would end the fight, right?" questioned Natsu making Happy sweat drop.
"What are you saying? Jose's just as powerful as our own master! Someone like you would never stand a chance against him, Natsu!" scolded Happy.
"But Gramps isn't here, so who else would be able to defeat him?" asked Natsu sulking shocking Happy.
"Natsu, you idiot! I was trying not to think about it, but you made me remember!" yelled Happy.
"What?" asked Natsu shocked.
"That's right… Master's gone… Erza's gone… Perhaps maybe Ryuu can defeat him but he's busy protecting Lucy. No matter what happens in this war, in the end Jose will…" said Happy depressed. Natsu petted Happy on the head.
"I'm here, aren't I? Right?" asked Natsu.
"Aye!" exclaimed Happy. Then then took off down the hall. 'Why is it, I wonder? The master and Erza have more magic power, but there's something about Natsu that gives everyone hope!' They make their way through the main hall when they are attacked by a blast of air.
"The sorrow!" said Aria. Natsu gets up after landing on his head. "The wings of flame, clipped… Falling to the ground… Ah, and all that is left is the corpse of a dragon!"
"Huh?" questioned Natsu angered by his words.
"Natsu, he's one of the Element 4!" exclaimed Happy.
"My name is Aria! I am at the top of the Element 4! And I have come to hunt me a dragon!" said Aria preparing for battle.
"A wind wizard? I'm already used to you guys." Said Natsu brushing off Aria.
"Natsu! Erigor was nothing compared to him!" exclaimed Happy.
Gray climbs out of a broken window when he notices that its raining.
"Was it raining before?" wondered Gray looking up at the sky.
"Drip, drip, drop…" said Juvia appearing behind Gray. Gray turned around and noticed her. "Yes… Juvia is the rain woman, one of the Element 4. Drip, drip, drop…"
"You're one of the Element 4?" questioned Gray.
"I never would have thought that two of the elements would have been defeated. But do not underestimate Juvia and Aria." Said Juvia.
"Sorry to break it to you, but I don't go easy on people who hurt my friends especially someone I love. It doesn't matter if they are a woman or a child…" said Gray. Gray and Juvia stared at each other in which Juvia started blushing.
"R-Really?" questioned Juvia. She turns away and starts walking away. "Juvia gives up then! Goodbye!"
"Whoa there! What the heck?" questioned a shocked Gray.
"What is wrong with Juvia? Why is my heart beating like this?" wondered Juvia.
"Wait, you! Stop the giant!" demanded Gray as he chased Juvia.
"Juvia wants to make him hers! Juvia can no longer hold back! Water Lock!" said Juvia. Gray was trapped in dome of water in which he wounds started to reopen. "Oh, no! He's injured! Whatever shall I do? I must release him quick, or…" Gray froze the dome of water in which it shattered escaping. "He escaped from Juvia's water lock using his own power? 'This is the power of an ice wizard… Exquisite! Water and ice… It's like we're bound by fate! I've finally found you, Juvia's Prince!'
"Trying for a surprise attack, you bastard!" said Gray. He held his side in pain. "Ouch!" Gray was removing his shirt.
"Why is he stripping? I-I-I think we should take things more slowly… "said Juvia panicking.
"I don't want to frighten a woman, but you'd better surrender immediately. Otherwise you're gonna get hurt! Ice Make Lance!" said Gray but the lances go right through Juvia's body shocking Gray.
"Juvia's body is made of water. Yes… Drip, drip, drop… That's right… He's an enemy. Torn apart by strife, that is their tearful fate! But Juvia will not lose heart! Farewell, my small blossom of love! Water Slicer!" said Juvia as scythe-like blade of water aimed for Gray but he dodged it. The attack breaks one of the Giant's ornaments shocking Gray. "High powered water jets can even cut through steel. Underestimate water, and you will regret it."
"Ice Make Battle Axe!" casted Gray but the attack goes right through Juvia.
"Try again and again, but nothing will change. Against Juvia, physical attacks are ineffective. Yes… Drip, drip, drop…" said Juvia as Gray glared at her.
"She's a tough one…" said Gray.
"You cannot defeat Juvia. You still have a chance to save yourself. Bring me Lucy Heartfilia, please. If you do, I will ask my master to withdraw." Said Juvia.
"Hey, don't give me that crap. We're both already way past the point of retreating. And besides Lucy is my girlfriend. If you think I would ever hand over the woman I love, then you're stupid! I would gladly give up my life before handing her over to you!" said Gray shocking Juvia dropping her umbrella.
'Girlfriend? Woman he loves? Give up his life? A love rival!' Juvia screams in pain shocking Gray. "What pain! What harsh fate! My heart… My heart feels like it's going to rend asunder! It hurts!"
"What's the matter? Are you ill?" questioned Gray. Juvia looked up and had a dark look.
"Juvia will not forgive. Lucy shall not be forgiven!" yelled Juvia confusing Gray while attacking him with boiling water.
"Ouch! Boiling water? And also why are you mad at Luce?" questioned Gray in which Juvia attacked him in rage.
"Ice Make…" said Gray but he was cut off by the water aiming at him fast in which he dodged it. "It's fast! My creation magic can't keep up!" He slips on a puddle of water in which he almost falls off the giant but regains his balance. "That was close…"
"Ever since Juvia was born, she has lived within the rain. In the rain, there is no one who can defeat Juvia! Be boiled inside Juvia's jealously!" said Juvia assaulting Gray with a wave of boiling water.
"What?" said Gray. He jumped out of the way of the attacks. "Ice Make Shield!" Gray defends himself but the heat from the water starts melting the ice. "What incredible heart! I can't stand it!"
"I told you already! Inside the rain is Juvia's world! No one can defeat Juvia!" said Juvia in which she melted the ice creating steam. When the steam vanished Gray is no one to be seen. Juvia notices the crack in the window. "He used the steam as a smoke screen? He's not just a pretty face, he's smart, too. So amazing…"
"I don't have a time to take a break! I've got to stop that magic quick!" said Gray running down a hall but was stopped by a strong current of water bursting through from above which engulfs him. "That's hot! My skin is burning!" He is brought back up to the rooftop.
"This is the end for you!" said Juvia shooting the boiling water at Gray.
"Why, you…" said Gray jumping straight into the boiling water attempting to freeze it shocking Juvia.
"He flew straight into the boiling water!" said Juvia.
"Freeze!" said Gray in which he froze the water in which Juvia was also froze.
"B-But… Juvia's boiling water was frozen? And…" said Juvia in which Gray's hand landed on Juvia's breast making Juvia and Gray both blush.
"That's not…. It's not… Lucy is so gonna kill me!" said Gray embarrassed.
'Juvia is so embarrassed! Like this, forever, inside your ice…'
"Sorry!" said Gray backing away in which he removed the ice from that incased Juvia shocking her as she fell to te ground.
'He released me from ice? Why? He's too kind! If only that blonde hair wizard wasn't in the picture!'
"Let's start over again!" suggested Gray.
"No, I can't. Juvia cannot bring herself to harm you…" said Juvia standing up confusing Gray.
"Huh? So you're admitting you can't win against me?" questioned Gray.
"Juvia is stronger than Lucy. Juvia will be able to protect you." Said Juvia.
"Stronger than Luce? You wish, I suggest you fight Lucy when the seal on her magic is gone. But if you're talking about mentally then she is one of the strongest people I know of with what she went through." Said Gray shocking Juvia.
"Still…" said Juvia.
"But what did you mean about protecting me?" questioned Gray.
"B-Because…I-I…l-lo…" said Juvia. The rain starts pouring down even harder cutting Juvia off.
"Sheesh, now the rain has gotten even stronger than before." Said Gray.
"Juvia is frustrated!" said Juvia freaking out.
"Man, this rain is so gloomy…" said Gray shocking Juvia.
"Gloomy…Gloomy…Gloomy…
"What's the matter?" asked Gray when Juvia collapses to the ground.
'He's no different from all the others!' "You're all the same!" yelled Juvia with steam coming out from her.
"What?" questioned Gray shocked.
'Juvia has no need for love anymore!' Juvia attacks Gray with boiling water.
'I'll freeze it again! It won't freeze? Is it even hotter than before?'
"Love… Who needs love?!" yelled Juvia attacking Gray.
Flashback
"I wish Juvia would take a long vacation…"
"When she's around it's always raining and gloomy."
Juvia was hiding behind a door listening to classmates.
"Yes. Juvia is a rain woman."
"Man, how gloomy!"
"What's this?"
Juvia started crying as a kid stepped on her Teru Teru Bozu doll. In the end she started to make an excessive amount of them.
"Why is it always raining? I can't go fishing or camping with you around." Complained Bora.
"I'm sorry. But Juvia doesn't know what else to do…" said Juvia crying.
"I can't stand this gloom anymore. Let's break up, okay?" said Bora walking away.
"This rain is really gloomy."
"The longer it rains, the gloomier it gets!"
"Man, this is gloomy"
"Rain sucks. It's so gloomy.
Flashback Ends
"Juvia is nothing but a gloomy rain woman! And yet Phantom Lord accepted Juvia for who she is! Juvia is one of the Element 4! A Phantom Wizard!" declared Juvia. She transforms herself into boing water and swoops in for another attack.
"I'm not gonna lose! Not to Phantom!" yelled Gray as he shielded himself. He the punched the water freezing it as well as the rain itself. Juvia jumped out of the rain right before being frozen by Gray.
"He even froze the rain? What incredible magical power!" said Juvia.
"Ice Geyser!" casted Gray incasing Juvia in a tower of spikes. The impact from ice caused her to fall off the rooftop.
'I've lost… It's all over now… Everything… Juvia like a raindrop, will fall to the ground, and scatter into tiny fragments… A fitting end to an unwanted rain woman… Farewell, my gloomy self…" A hand grabs her hand, she looks up surprised to see Gray.
"Don't let go of my hand! I'm not letting you fall!" said Gray as he pulled Juvia up.
"Why did you save Juvia?" asked Juvia laying down.
"Beats me. Anyway, get some sleep." Said Gray.
"Why did he…'
"So did you finally cool down?" asked Gray as she started to cry. The sun appears above them shocking Juvia.
"Huh? The rain has stopped…" said Juvia.
"Oh, it's finally clearing up." Said Gray smiling.
"These are… clear skies… I've never seen them before…" said Juvia amazed by the sky.
"Really?" asked Gray in which he laughed in response. "Nice, huh? Clear skies are great."
"Yes… They are beautiful, truly…" said Juvia.
"So are you up for round two?" asked Gray with the sun shining behind him. She faints in response confusing Gray. "Hey! What's the matter? Hang in there! Hey! Hey!"
"A lot of time has passed, but the magic hasn't activated yet!" said Wakaba.
"This is bad for my heart. How long until it's over?" wondered Macao.
"Hey isn't that giant moving turtleish?" asked Laki.
"Huh? Turtl-what?" asked a confused Wakaba.
"She means it's moving more slowly, I think. Try speaking in a way that we can understand you!" said Macao angering Laki.
"I like talking this way!" said Laki as Cana walked towards them.
"Natsu and the others inside are doing their best to hold it back, I bet. All we can do is… hold these guys back so they don't get in the way of Natsu and the others!" said Cana.
"I guess we should clean them up, then. Let's go!" said Macao.
"Yeah!" said Fairy Tail Wizards as the charged towards the shades.
"Gray!" yelled Mira and Elfman.
"Elfman! And Mira too?" said Gray as he noticed Mira and Elfman running up to him.
"So this is the third Element 4? But why does she look so happy?" questioned Elfman.
"Beats me. Maybe she's having a nice dream." Said Gray.
"Only one left! If we can defeat one more, we can stop Abyss Break." Said Mira confusing Gray.
"The Magic Giant moves using the power of the Element 4." Explained Elfman.
"We cans still make it! We can do it!" said Mira in which Gray and Elfman both nodded. Mira looked at Gray in concern.
"What's wrong Mira?" asked Gray.
"Gray they know that Lucy was sent to the safe house." Said Mira shocking Gray.
"B-But that means…" exclaimed Gray.
"Yes they are most likely after her right now." Said Mira.
"But…" said Gray worrying.
"Gray, the old dude Ryuu was sent with him. Hopefully she's fine and besides this is Lucy we're talking about." Said Elfman.
"Lucy… Ryuu please protect her!'
"I see… So you used your eyes of hypnotism on me…" said Lucy sitting on a box.
"Sorry my dear but I had no choice." Apologized Ryuu.
"This is our emergency hide-out. You've never seen it before, right?" said Reedus.
"Yeah but I lost my keys… and even then I can't use my other magic. I guess right now I would be in everyone's way. No choice, then?" said Lucy depressed as Reedus painted her.
"That's not it." Said Reedus as Ryuu smiled when Lucy looked up.
"We just wanted to protect our friend. Getting in the way doesn't have anything to do with it." Said Reedus.
"Besides you wouldn't be getting in the way, do I have to remind you of you're monstrous strength that both you and Ciana got from your mother." Said Ryuu.
"Reedus… Grandfather Ryuu… But still I just can't sit here! I've got to go back!" said Lucy getting up.
"Lucy, you can't! Think of what Mirajane…" said Reedus.
"Besides even if you tried to get out of here, try and remember that Ketsu is after you and I don't exactly have to remind you what he would do to get his hands on Layla's power." Said Ryuu.
"But…" said Lucy. They hear pounding on the entrance to the safe house. They look over at it and see dents in it.
"Oh no! What the…" said Lucy.
"Lucy, stand back!" said Reedus as Ryuu glared at the entrance.
"You do well to remain standing. Impressive." Said Aria as Natsu was breathing heavy.
"Damn you…" said Natsu as he dashes towards Aria with a fist of flames. Happy stared at Natsu worried.
'What's with this guy? I've never seen Natsu in such a one-sided fight!'
"But in the face of my "Airspace" magic, you are powerless!" said Aria using his magic.
"What the hell is Airspace magic?" asked Natsu as he ran into an invisible wall.
"Invisible magic! What should we do?" asked Happy as Natsu got back up on his feet.
"You can still stand, Salamander?" questioned Aria.
"I can't be defeated here. Because I'm a Fairy Tail wizard! Now I'm fired up, you bastard!" exclaimed Natsu.