Chapter 25 - Of Love and War

So following on from last week, Link now has the Master sword and had been reunited with Fi, Erza and the rest of Fairy Tail. So whats next for our noble adventurer, welcome to the insurrection arc. I hope you enjoy it. :P

"That's quite the adventure Link." Lucy said as Link finished telling the tale of the recent weeks to his team, leaving out a few 'minor' details.

"I really liked the part with the fish people!" Happy said excitedly.

"Who knew there was a whole civilisation under the lake?" Wendy pondered.

"As exciting as that is Zeref is an imminent threat and it is up to us to deal with it." Erza stated.

"But Erza we don't even know where to begin, no one has been able to track him down since Tenrou Island." Carla replied.

Link and Natsu were both rather silent as the rest of the team discussed the new information, the weight of fate heavy on their shoulders. As the arguing climaxed they decided to step in. Both of them at the same time stood up bashed their hands of the table and yelled "Would you guys quit it!" Everyone fell silent. Natsu allowed Link to step forward.

"Carla is right, we have no lead on the location of Zeref but whatever he is planning... it can't be good. Zeref has however left many evil artefacts around Fiore. From what I've heard the books of Zeref contain incredible dark magic. If someone were to get their hands on one them it could be a disaster. I think until we get a lead on Zeref we should focus on retrieving these artefacts and stopping anything bad happening."

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Link on this." Markarov interrupted as he leapt up onto the table. "We will make this the current top priority for the S-Class mages in Fairy Tail. You should also know that Gildarts has actually been investigating these books for some time now. If you want any leads then he's the one you need to talk too. He told me he'd be in town in a week so maybe wait until then hmm."

"That sounds good master." Erza stated.

"Yeh, Cheers gramps." Natsu shouted as Markarov abandoned the team for the bar.

"Right so for now we can relax?" Gray asked.

"Yes I think so. Erza I need to talk to you outside for a minute." Link said, Lucy and Happy giggled whilst looking at them suspiciously. Erza simply ignored them saying "Right."

(…)

Link and Erza sat on a bench out the back of the guild facing the lake. "What's going on Link?" Erza asked.

"Erza how exactly does your requipping work?" Erza looked puzzled but answered the question.

"I keep most of my armour and weapons in a pocket dimension and am able to summon them when I need them."

"Right how do you get them to the pocket dimension?"

"There is a special ritual that I perfected for use with both armours and weapons why are you asking?"

Link brought out a small bag from his pouch and opened it to let Erza look inside. Inside the bag was a black crystal that seemed to ooze darkness.

"Link what is that?" Erza asked frowning.

"It is a crystal produced by the demon I fought, it turns anyone who touches it into a beast. For most people there is no counter curse but I have the Master sword that will heal me if I touch it. So I was thinking if I place it and the Master sword in a pocket dimension I can switch between forms at will."

Erza frowned. "Link I really don't think you should be dabbling in this dark magic." Link looked at her pleadingly. Erza sighed. "In theory it could work, as a human you could requip the stone and transform into a wolf then as a wolf you could requip the master sword and transform back. But there are issues: you can't speak as a wolf so you will not be able to use incantations which would make it harder also the Master sword may not be able to be transferred into a pocket dimension especially since there is a spirit living in it. The other issue is I don't believe you are quite ready to learn requipping magic just yet your magical level is far to undisciplined."

"But it's worth a shot right? I mean being able to transform into a wolf must have it's perks."

"I guess but there are far better ways of doing it, although this works in theory we have no idea what the repercussions and consequences there could be."

Fi flew out the sword. "Master, I can confirm that there is an 88% probability this will end badly, one previous wielder of the Master sword had a similar ability to you and could transform into a wolf in the presence of dark magic as a defence mechanism, the process was a product of the piece of the triforce he wielded, but the hero overused this ability and it had many negative repercussions, I have in fact collected data on all kinds of magic in this world and within the guild. I can conclude that there is a person in the guild who will easily be able to teach you a safer way to transform into a wolf, and with your magical capabilities I calculate there is a 70% chance you are compatible with this kind of magic."

"Fi makes a good point I'm sure the Strauss siblings will help you." Erza suggested.

"I never thought of that," Link said, "I never really thought I could learn a new kind of magic so easily."

"We never said it would be easy just safer." Erza said, Link nodded.

"I guess I should destroy this." Link said holding up the stone.

"Master, my data shows that destroying it with the Master sword will lead to total annihilation with no residue of dark magic."

"Right, okay then." Link said placing the crystal on the floor. Quickly he drew the Master sword and Fi flew into it. He raised the sword and pointed down towards the ground, for a moment he hesitated looking at stone with a slight sense of longing.

"Link," Erza said bringing to warrior back to his senses. Link nodded and with a swift motion the stone was destroyed, exploding into a black cloud of dust that quickly destabilised and disappeared. Link felt a small pressure leaving his shoulders.

"Good, now go and see if you can learn transformation magic." Erza suggested, Link nodded smiling and ran off to find Mirajane.

(One week later)

Link left the guild early that evening, there was no particular reason, maybe he just wanted some fresh air. He closed the doors behind him sealing in the rabble of brawling mages. With a sigh Link looked up to the night sky, compared to the rowdy guild this was so peaceful. Link had always been on the more introverted side of the scale and preferred to be in less crowded places but in Fairy Tail he had truly come to appreciate life and how fun it could be. A voice came from the side.

"Evening kid." Link looked round to face a tall middle aged man sporting red hair and an unkempt stubble.

"Gildarts." Link greeted. They had met briefly at Yuletide but had never spoken at length.

"We should talk, follow me." Link nodded and followed the crash mage as he walked down the main street towards the cathedral. As they reached the front of the cathedral Gildarts jumped, clearing the roof easily, leaving a crater in the earth below. Link wasn't especially surprised at his power, this was Fairy Tails top mage. Link brought out his clawshot and ascended the building.

When he reached the top he saw Gildarts sitting in the arcade looking up at the sky. Link could tell he did this often due to the cool-box, mat and other bits of furniture strewn around the place it was like a little home.

"If your really looking for a retreat from the rest of them this is the best place. Welcome Link to the best view in Fiore." Gildarts announced chuckling as he passed Link a beer. Link couldn't disagree the sight from up here was truly stunning from the glistening city to the vast forest and the colossal mountains beyond. Link sighed sat down next to the mage.

"Are you living here?" Link asked.

"Call it a temporary getaway you can see my real house from here but it doesn't hold a candle to this place. This place holds a lot of memories for me. Oh, great tip girls will not be able to resist you if you bring them up here." Link looked shocked as Gildarts laughed. "Why I even lost my vir…"

"Woah too much information." Link interrupted as he spat out his beer and Gildarts roared with laughter.

"So… I've heard from the guild your pretty strong. Going toe to toe with Erza and coming out alive is no mean feat." Gildarts complimented.

Link relaxed and looked up. "That maybe true but I'm still no where near strong enough to fight Zeref."

"Ah but you didn't have that fancy sword last time did you."

"It's not the sword that wins the fight it's the man behind it."

"Heh, you've spoken like a true swordsman." The air fell silent as Gildarts bathed in the starlight.

"Is there a reason you wanted me up here or was it just to show me the view?" Link asked.

"Why can't it just be for the view? Listen Link, yes people like us have to fight but that means the times of peace become all the more important you've got to take time and enjoy the world you protect or you'll become bitter and hateful towards it."

Link took time to contemplate his words.

"Although, Markarov has informed me of your little encounter with Zeref, nicely avoided by the way, but there are a few things that Markarov told me that worries me."

Link nodded in agreement.

"First is that he seems to believe Natsu may be the only one who can beat him he said something similar on Tenrou island. I'm not particularly worried about that though. Natsu's a strong kid, when it really matters I have no doubt he will pull through. What really worries me is what Zeref is planning. Listen Link, me and a few of the other S-Class mages from numerous guilds have been working on the removal of Zeref's artefacts for a while. Of course after Mystogan left I'm the only one in Fairy Tail who is still on the case. I am going to continue the search for Zeref on my own, so I would rather you stayed out of the way and save me worrying about you however you will be the first one to hear if I find anything."

"You sure there's nothing I can do to help you right now?"

"Hmm your eager, in fairness Markarov did want me to pass this on to you. My sources say that in the northern province lies a weapon created using the Books of Zeref known as the Staff of Insurrection. I don't know a great deal about it but it is on the other side of the Giant's Pass. I don't know what you will go up against or how you will find the staff but I have heard that Abbadon the guild master of the guild Insignia is after it, make sure it does not fall into enemy hands, Abaddon's or anybody else who could be after it. Once you've retrieved it contact me and we'll organise a place to meet up and destroy it. I recommend you take the whole Team Natsu with you, you may need the extra hands."

"Right," Link answered. Again they fell silent for a while.

"So you reached second base with Erza yet." Gildarts teased, again Link spat out his beer shocked at the change in atmosphere. "Hey watch it that beer is good stuff. Seriously though everyone in the guild has placed bets on how long it will take for you to actually hook up."

"Ah I see so your allotted time is coming up is it." Link glared at him.

"That's not important, fact is ever since you arrived I've never seen her frown. She's really into you Link."

Link looked away guiltily.

"I see, there's another girl isn't there." Gildarts stated knowingly. Link looked surprised but surrendered to the older man.

"Yeh, but I haven't seen her in months and we didn't leave each other on the best of terms."

"Sounds brutal."

"I guess it was, it was partially my fault I guess, I just found I wasn't suited to a life in one place. I remember sitting on a sofa with her sleeping on my lap, she looked so peaceful and beautiful I was the luckiest man alive but my feet were itching, in fact my whole body was itching. I simply couldn't sit still I had to get up. Subconsciously I wanted to see the world, to solve the great mysteries of the earth, to travel to the great sea and beyond. When I heard the goddesses call I followed it up immediately not even thinking of what and who I would leave behind. That caused us to have the biggest fight of our lives so big in fact I simply left I jumped right through the one way portal and arrived here. The second I came out the other side I regretted it but by then it was too late. It's unlikely I will ever see her again."

Gildarts sighed. "You and me are more similar than I imagined, we both can't sit still. Even though we have a place to call home, we end up spending more time away from it than in it. I've been through exactly the same thing. My feet dragged me away from her and I never saw her again. Matters of the heart are always the toughest to overcome but you should know that if you truly love someone and they truly love you then it will all work out in the end after all it did for me."

Link stayed silent pondering the information.

"Hey, Link this is the necklace I proposed with," he brought out of his coat a simple leather cord dangling from it was a silver ring with a ruby inset in it. "I don't need this anymore so I want you to have it, when you find the girl of your dreams give it to her and do not make the same mistake I did because giving it to her means staying by her side for the rest of your life no matter what." Gildarts placed the necklace in Link's hand looking into his eyes with a serious look on his face.

"Gildarts, I cant accept this, it's the last memory of your wife."

"No, it's not the last thing." He said looking back towards the heavens. "She left me one final gift. A gift I never deserved." Link decided not to press anymore information out of him. He looked at the ring and sighed before placing it in his pouch.

"Thank you." Link quietly said.

"Ah, don't mention it, just do me a favour and hook up before the grand magic games kay." The pair chuckled and fell silent as they watched the stars shine down on the earth below.

Side chapter - Transformation

so this is a new thing i'm working on, short mini chapters to try and introduce more members of the guild to the story, some will be reasonably important some won't but they are mainly just little head-canons i came up with for my story. I may not do these every week as exams are approaching but i will try my best. The first one takes place during the above chapter and you can probably guess what it's about from the title. Hope you enjoy it.

Link walked into the guild, it seemed a lot emptier than normal but Link realised a lot of people had left on jobs recently including almost all of team Natsu, team Shadow Gear, the ever elusive Thunder Legion and most others. Fortunately for him Mira was still at the bar as usual washing a few mugs.

"Mira," Link called as he waved and walked over to the white haired mage.

"Link, looks like your feeling a lot better than yesterday," Mira said happily.

"Yeh, I still haven't totally recovered but hey."

"That's good to hear. Can I get you anything to drink?" Mira smiled sweetly.

"Urm, I'm fine thank you, but I do need your help with something if you don't mind."

"Oh?"

"If you have time would you mind teaching me transformation magic."

"I guess I could but my last attempt at teaching people transformation magic went badly, then again Natsu was involved so I guess it was inevitable." Link looked at her with pleading eyes, she sighed. "Alright, I'll try to teach you, help me finish up and we'll head over to the park so we have some room."

Link cheered inside. "Thanks Mira!" He said grinning.

(…)

Link sat cross-legged in front of Mira in the centre of the park, hovering behind her in the air were many complex diagrams which Link assumed was the theory behind transformation magic. Link had spent half an hour listing to Mira's lecture but if he was honest he couldn't understand anything. It didn't help that certain distractions got in the way of his education mainly Mira's considerable assets. Link had heard that Mira was a part time model, and a popular one at that, and right now he could see why. Link knew Elfman would kill him if he knew he was checking Mira out but he doubted any man could resist.

"Link are you listening to me." Mira said with an angry scowl on her face.

"Wait what?" Link asked coming out of his daze.

"None of this is sinking in is it." Mira stated, Link chuckled embarrassedly blushing.

"Sorry Mira it's not you but I don't know any magical theory so none of this makes sense, I never think about that side of magic I just kinda do it."

Mira sighed, "Your like a lot of people then, right in that case get up." Link stood up facing Mira. "Right lets start again, transformation magic allows your to alter your form into something else, I can perform demon take overs. The best way to do this is to channel your innermost dark desires, anger, pride, gluttony, lust." Mira said closing her eyes, Link flinched hearing her voice it immediately sounded darker and more evil. Link closed his eyes and tried to copy her. "When you concentrate on these desires magical energy will be produced, you must channel this energy all the way around your body and when you hit the peak of your magical energy you perform the incantation." Mira took a long breath before shouting. "Demon takeover: satan's soul." Link gasped as light took over Mira's body wings sprouted out of her back and her normal long red dress changed into that of a skin tight bodysuit. When the light subsided Link recoiled in fear, her face had changed completely, becoming harsh and angular her eyes firm and unremitting. A scar ran down from her left eye giving her a terribly menacing appearance.

"Your turn," she grinned evilly. Link was totally put off by the intense personality change.

"R…right." Link nodded.

He tried to channel his dark emotions and slowly he began to feel a small amount of magical energy being produced it was menial but it was a start, slowly he spread it thinly around his body concentrating with all his might until. "Demon takeover: satan's soul!" Link yelled and light surrounded him causing even Mira to shield herself. "Ha, he's actually managing it, not bad for a whelp… Wait what?" The light dissipated and Link was left exactly as he was except for one tiny detail. Mira burst out laughing cruelly pointing at the young swordsman. Link looked down his body to find no change until he turned around. "Oh, this is too good," Mira yelled "I cant believe it, they're so damn cute you little devil!" Demon Mira laughed. Link looked behind him and saw two tiny black bat wings on his back. Link looked at them in shock before moving them to their full wing span which barely reached his arms, he could also feel tiny black horns sprouting out of his head. Eventually Mirajane turned back to her normal self wiping her eyes in laughter,

"It's a good try for a first attempt but truth is I think a demon takeover is impossible for you, you don't have a bad bone in your body. Still the wings suit you."

Link sighed embarrassed as he looked at his puny wings flapping them slightly. Mira continued her unrelenting laughing fit, somehow turning into a demon had given her a total personality change.

In an instant the woman stood back up smiled brightly and back in her ususal voice said, "Well I ought to get back to the guild, I'll see you later Link."

"Wait, Mira how do I get these off!" Link called out to her. Mira just laughed and waved as she walked away. "Geez, Mira really changes after a demon transformation." Link said scratching his head.

"Oy, brother, I heard you were back in town!" A booming voice called. Link looked over to the other side of the park to see Elfman standing there at the top of a flight of stairs with his arms folded across his chest. "A real man wouldn't wear such unmanly wings let me show you a manly takeover!" Elfman yelled. "Beast soul!" He roared and quickly turned into an enormous red beast with golden horns. With a bellow he jumped clearing the stairs and landing close to Link leving large cracks in the earth below him. "You want to transform, you gotta channel your inner manliness then let it all out. However I find channeling my beast soul easiest when I'm in a tough situation. Think fast!" Elfman brought a fist down on Link who panicked and quickly dodged and began to run around the park away from the beast.

"Elfman, is this really necessary?" He called as the beast chased him leaving behind a trail of destruction.

"Real men don't back down." Elfman roared charging at Link. Link looked in panic at the oncoming monster. Just as he got close Links instincts automatically kicked in without his control. As a fist descended on him link caught it with both hands and with bestial strength threw beast Elfman right over his shoulder forcing him into the ground behind him with a terrible crash. Without any real control Link jumped up and finished the beast with a swift punch to the face. Landing on two feet behind the colossal beast, only then did Link realise. "Oh crap I went too far, Elfman are you okay."

Steam rose from the beasts body as it shrunk back down to Elfman's normal size he was beat up and could only just speak. "You are a bigger man than me Link," he gasped before collapsing. Link scratched the back of his head, he had no idea how he was going to get the enormous man back to the guild hall.

"Elfman!" Link heard a young girl call. "Link is he okay?" Link watched as a small girl with short white hair ran up to her brother. "Jeez, Link you really cant hold back, your worse than Erza." Lisanna said looking at him.

Link bowed his head and took his cap off. "I'm so sorry will he be alright."

"Oh don't be sorry silly, he brought this upon himself attacking you like that. Besides he's been through worse than this he will be fine soon. What were you doing anyway, and whats with the cute wings?" Link flushed in embarrassment and Lisanna giggled sweetly.

"Well Mira and Elfman were trying to teach me takeover magic as it turns out I'm not particularly good at it."

"Well you must have some talent for it, not many people can produce wings like that at all, and for you to perform a demon takeover seems a bit strange so you've done well, especially in one afternoon."

"Thanks I guess." Link grinned.

"The trouble is you have chosen the two worst teachers in the guild let me teach you okay?"

"Alright I should give it another shot," Link said.

"Right, first things first. What made you want to take up transformation magic."

"Well, for a while I was in Edolas." Lisanna flinched causing link to stop.

"Sorry, urm please continue."

"However while I was there I was trapped in the form of a wolf and actually it was really useful so I wondered if I could learn transformation magic to allow me to become a wolf at will."

"I see, well that certainly is possible, you should have come to me first, animal takeovers are my specialty." Lisanna said proudly. "What you need to understand is that takeover magic is different for everyone which means it requires a different trigger for each person, for Mira it's dark emotions, for Elfman it's manliness and for me it is my personality that allows me to transform into animals. You need to remember what being a wolf felt like and awaken those memories, hopefully that will be the trigger for the transformation, do you get it?"

"I think so, let me try this then." Link said closing his eyes in concentration.

He thought back to how his body felt, how he ran, how he fought, how he felt when hunting with the other wolves, his relationship with Erza knightwalker. Suddenly he felt an intense influx of magic power, he had found his entry point, letting the memories and emotions wash over his body he began to build up large amounts of magic power, like Mira had taught him he spread the magic around his body letting it take hold of every fibre of his being and like Elfman had taught him he prepared himself for a desperate situation hoping it would improve the takeover. When the magic reached it's peak he opened his feral eyes and called out. "Beast Soul: Spirit Wolf. Link's body was surrounded by light attracting the eyes of any passersby. Slowly he felt his body mould, it wasn't a sickly feeling like the demons magic it felt good, it felt strong. The light subsided and Lisanna jumped into the air in delight.

"You did it Link, a full body takeover in one day!" She yelled in delight before running up to pat the large wolf that Link had become. Link welcomed her embrace, slowly tensing every muscle in his body to check it had worked. When he was satisfied he grinned inside and began to lick lisanna's face. "Hey, Link that's disgusting." she yelled. Link then pulled out of her embrace and began running around the park. Testing out his new body, looking over himself he looked exactly the same as he had in Edolas which he was glad about, although the process had taken quite a bit of magical energy from him. Suddenly his vigilant eyes caught something in Lisanna's hand. Link's heart started racing and he instinctively fell onto his front legs panting. Lisanna raised a stick into the air and threw it as far as she could. Only on instinct Link ran to chase after the stick leaping into the air to catch it. After landing he immediately dropped it in disgust, dammit I'm not a dog I'm a wolf I shouldn't fall for her tricks. Link told himself before glaring at Lisanna.

"Changing back is exactly the same process, focus on your human body and how it feels then transform, all this gets easier the more you do it, Me, Mira and Elfman hardly have to think before performing a take over now." Link nodded before closing his eyes again. Moments later Link stood in exactly the same position now in human form.

"You did it Link well done!"

"Thank you so much Lisanna I couldn't have done it without your help, I'm going to show Erza thank you!" Link said as he ran up some stairs to find the guildhall.

Before lisanna could mention it Link, his new wolf ears and his long bushy tail positioned neatly on his lower back were no where to be seen.

"Well, I guess he needs a bit more practice." Lisanna sighed before turning to face the park. Her mouth fell wide open at the sheer damage Elfman and Link had dealt on the park, but she soon fell into a laugh thinking about how Markarov would react.

"C'mon Elfman let's go home." She said picking up the hulking man with relative ease.