Chapter XXV: Assistance

Summary: Third chapter of my mini-arc. We continue to see Zane's feeling towards Shuya and his sister develop further.

Atticus was ecstatic. After a few weeks without knowing anything he was back to Zane's embrace. His friend was alive and that was all that mattered.

"When did you guys arrived?" Zane asked them.

"Last night. We spent the whole morning trying to find this place," Gray replied.

"How did you know where to find this place?"

"Well, that would be my doing," Shuya said. "I heard you mumbling as you slept, you kept saying 'Fairy Tail. Fairy Tail' I thought you were a member so I sent them a letter."

"Thanks, Shuya. I am in you debt, again," Zane gave him a grateful smile.

"Nonsense, man. I am glad I did it, more so now that two friends are reunited," Shuya said.

"Atticus, I am sorry for sending you away."

"I am glad you are alive and well, Zane-kun," Atticus sniffed, "but I am angry that you risked your life like that. Really angry."

"I know you are, Atticus. I can't blame you for feeling like that," Zane petted his Exceed's head, "but we are back together again. I promise you it will stay like that from now on."

Atticus hugged Zane's face as he cried, "I'll hold you to that."

"You are one lucky SOB, you know that?" Gray said. "You fought Acnologia and you are still alive. And in one piece."

"I wouldn't say that," Zane was wearing a long robe, he opened it to show them the absence of his left arm, "I came back but without a piece."

Both Gray and Atticus gasped, "Zane-kun, what happened?!"

"This is the price for using a forbidden spell," the slayer replied.

"Can you grow it back like last time?" Gray asked.

"This cannot be reversed. Once an offering is made to the flames of Amaterasu it is permanent," he said. "And even if it were possible, I used all of the Dragon Slaying magic I took from your guild. I can't heal myself anymore."

"Hmm, that is some rough stuff. But I'm sure that won't stop you. You are the kind of guy that would stand up and shrug it off."

"Uh, thanks," Zane was amazed by Gray's words of encouragement. He always felt Gray hated him the most. Maybe that wasn't the case?

"I know you came from a far place, Mr. Fullbuster, why don't spend the night here?" Shuya asked.

Gray replied, "Are you sure? I wouldn't like to impose."

"No problem. There's enough space for all of us. Besides," Shuya moved in closer, just a few inches away from Gray's ear, "my sister has always admired you. Think you can give her an autograph? She's had kind of a crush on you since the Grand Magic Games."

"I heard that!" Rei shouted from the other room.

The room exploded with laughter.

"Damn it. Why can't I do it?" Zane had a strained look. He was grinding his teeth, like he was doing something physically difficult. "Damn it."

"I've been looking for you… What are you doing?" Gray asked him. He looked at Zane's left arm, everything down of his elbow was gone. Gray had received many grave injuries from his many battles but nothing like that. "Are you okay?"

Zane tried to hide what he was doing, but it was already too late. "I'm failing, that's what I'm doing. I am trying to create an artificial arm, sort of."

"Sort of? How exactly are you going to make something like that?" Gray looked at him, he looked around, trying to find something, "I don't see any tools or parts or anything to make a prosthetic arm.

"I can use my Dragon Slaying Magic to make flaming whips, I figured I could maybe mold my fire into an arm," the moment those words left his mouth he realized it was a rather stupid idea. "I can't seem to get the hang of it." He fired black flames from the tip of his elbow, it was the exact length of the half of the arm he lost. But it was nothing more than a shapeless stream of fire.

"Stop it, you're just wasting magic," Gray said, sounding irritated. "Your problem is that you are forcing it. You can't force it. You need to work with it. Think of what you want to create. Make it the only image in your head. Imagine it until it is so clear you can reach your arm and touch it," his entire magic relied on using his imagination to mold ice into a myriad of things. If anyone could help the Dragon Slayer it would be Fairy Tail's Ice Make wizard. "Let your imagination guide your magic."

Zane did as he was told. He took short, soft breaths. He closed his eyes and thought. He thought long and hard. Until he could see it, a clear, almost real image of the limb he had to sacrifice. It was a new feeling for him. His magic was unique, it was a battle of wills. Zane had to have a strong will in order to control his magic. But this time he was working with it, as equals.

Gray smiled, almost looking proud, "Open your eyes."

Zane opened them and to his amazement there it was, a new arm! One made of pitch black fire. He moved it and twisted it like it was made of flesh and bones. Though the hand had a new design, it looked more like a dragon's claw, with the tip of the fingers pointy. "Thank you, Gray. Thank you so much. I don't know how I can repay you this."

"Think none of it," Gray said. "Honestly, I couldn't go back to Magnolia knowing you were molding your magic through force. Ur would scold me."

Zane made a fist with his new hand and used it to punch the tree. It made a loud bump sound. Perfect, it had some solid properties. He presented his fist to Gray and he fist pumped it. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it, Zane."

Zane stayed silent for a moment. He was trying to muster the courage to ask Gray an important question, "Hey, um, could you lend me your help? It's important."

Gray raised an eyebrow, "Sure, but what's it all about?"

"Shuya got himself in something dangerous. He's putting his life and that of his sister in jeopardy," Zane said.

"What kind of danger?" the Fairy Tail wizard asked.

"The type that will get them both killed," the slayer replied. "Deals with really dangerous people."

"Where do I fit it?"

Zane explained to Gray what had happened the previous day. The trio that came trying to coerce Shuya into giving his crops to save his sister. How he fought them and scared them away. "I have no doubt they'll return. And with greater numbers."

"Is that where I fit in? To help you protect them?"

"Yeah. I wouldn't be asking you this if it weren't for my condition. So little of my magic has returned; just fighting those three guys proved to me I was not ready."

"I see…" Gray thought about it for a moment. He really didn't come for a fight. Especially against a large group of people.

"Think of it as a request to your guild. Yeah, that's it!" Zane said. "Gray Fullbuster of Fairy Tail, I, Zane Darkfang, want to hire you for a job. To help me protect the people that are taking care of me."

Gray was surprised by that, "Wow...hey, wait a minute—"

"I know that Fairy Tail would never turned down a request. Especially one that involves helping people."

Gray hit Zane on his head, "Exactly idiot! You don't have to hire me. I was going to do it anyways. You really think I would go back to Fairy Tail knowing I left two people to their deaths? Like hell."

Now Zane felt like a huge idiot, "Oh… My bad. Still, I am serious. I want to hire you. It's on me."

"Are you sure?" Gray asked.

"Definitely. The Starwings helped me. Took care of me. And helped me recover. I want to pay them back any way I can," Zane said.

Gray stared at Zane, as if he was trying to look into his very soul,"Tell me, where was this Zane back in Andwerb? You selfishly let the town be destroyed by that snake witch, and then you burned it to the ground," Gray said, the anger was clear as water. "If people don't help you you don't help them back?"

"No. That town was doomed from the beginning," Zane replied. "I cannot help those that cannot—will not help themselves. I am just one person. Shuya is going through dangerous lengths to help his sister. Even if it means putting his life at risk. I will not turn a blind eye to that. I can't. He's a good person. He deserves better."

Gray shrugged, "Alright. I will help. I am not the kind of monster that will ignore something like that. So, what are going to do?"

"There, that's their place," Zaid pointed out. He and Gray hid, the darkness of the night becoming their ally.

"Uh, you know I can't see during the night, right?" Gray said.

"Right. Um, well, we are around twenty meters from their base's wall. Looks heavily guarded. But it seems most of them are mercs."

"That supposed to make me feel better?" Gray asked. "Do you have a plan?"

"Aside from charging in from the front? Nope," the slayer replied.

Gray sighed. "You are just like that idiot flame-brain. Do all Dragon Slayer like to charge first and ask questions later?"

"I don't hear you saying anything, Mr. Ideas"

"You are better suited to fight during the night than I am. Go around and attack their rear. I'll distract them by placing ice cannons all around their front, left and right side," the wizard explained. "I'll fire them one by one. Make them think they are getting from all sides by an entire group."

"Oh, I see, good idea. Glad I hired you, Fullbuster," Zane stood up and ran to the back of the base, "I'll wait for the signal to attack."

"Yeah, you do that," Gray said. "He sounds a bit too excited. Oh well, better get ready." Black marks began to cover Gray's shirtless body. Using his Devil Slaying magic to strengthen his Ice Make magic Gray created a dozen large ice cannons.

"Ice Make: Devil's Cannon Barrage!"

All dozen cannons opened fired, sending heavy ice shells high above the sky. Once the shells reached their highest point they fell down at an incredible speed. Each shell that struck the floor created a large icy explosion. It caught many of the mercs inside off guard. Some were thrown away by the shockwave created from the explosion. Some were frozen on the spot. Others were hit by the hard pieces of ice that flew all over the place. In short, it was chaos.

Gray used his magic to instantly reload the cannons. Once ready he fired another salvo.

Hiding under the cover of darkness, the Dragon Slayer sat, watching as the chaos ensued. He was amazed by the chaos caused by the single Ice Make wizard. Most of the people inside the base seemed to be simple soldiers of fortune. Not wizards. Still, with the little magic he had, he would prefer not to fight a bunch of guys armed to the teeth with all kinds of melee weapons. But he had to. For Shuya and his family.

Not hesitating any longer Zane sprung into action. Using his flaming fist he created an entrance from the wooden walls. Once inside the slayer attacked anyone caught by his sharp eyes. He had the element of surprise. "Dark Flame Dragon's Crimson Lotus Rain!"

At least half a dozen mercs were hit by Zane's barrage of fire balls. Those that were not unconscious opted to run away.

He moved onto the next targets. Running deeper into the base. He punched one merc with his Meteor Fist. Then he knocked out two more with his Piercing Claw. The last foe had been tougher. A wizard. He managed to overcome him, however. The wizard realized he was off guard, and realized he wasn't getting paid enough for this. He ran as fast as he could.

The Dragon Slayer, on the other hand, looked exhausted. It was not his magic that was the problem. It was his body. It was not ready to handle his powerful Dark Flame Dragon Slaying magic.

He breathed heavily. "Damn it. Not here. I cannot lose it right here." He was starting to see blurry. He shrugged it off. No matter what failure was not an option. Shuya's life, of his sister's, was in his hands. He couldn't fail them. He couldn't let them die. He couldn't…lose another family.

"You brat! You'll pay for this!" A tall merc lifted his mighty greatsword. He then plunged it straight at the slayer, ready to slash him open.

Zane had been caught off guard. There was no time to dodge.

I think 2 or 3 more chapter before I finish this mini arc and move onto something bigger for Zane. I'm just waiting for the manga to be over so that Mashina can stop catching me off guard. It's getting harder and harder to change my fan-fiction to adopt to what he is doing.

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