Heyya Guys, sorry for the delay, I know its been a while, and I'm sorry, but this chapter was something I have been working on and off on. Im working in private much more frequently now, so updates will be slower. I'm sorry, but until I can overcome my issues as a writer, its just not something I can pump out. I despise it when my writing isnt up to par, I loathe it. I want to write the best I can, and presenting anything less is just horrid. Im working on a new style, and it will take time.
Thanks for listening, Please Enjoy the Next Chapter! Number 27, Hatred.
XXX
Natsu was actually kinda happy.
Jose himself was coming to party.
He could feel it, sense it, the type of power only a Saint can radiate. He was sitting at the water's edge, off putting so much heat that the coastal water steamed, and the rest of his Guild had to remain several meters away. Parts of his cloak and hair would ignite and sputter out, smoke trail out from his nose and the inside of his clothing. Clouds seemed to gather above him as his updraft threatened a storm, promising a chaotic time to come.
His eye was glowing a very energetic red, ready to combust any second.
And then the enemy broke through the layer of fog, created by Natsu's intense heat.
The alarm bells rang as Fairy Tail all got suited up and in position.
Natsu just grinned, smoke practically erupting from him as he stood up, and set his hands ablaze. A powerful updraft wiped out the rest of the fog in an instant, and laughed, swiping his hands forward with small waves of fire as he stretched.
"Fairy Tail! Surrender to us, and your annihilation will be postponed!" Jose's voice boomed from the massive golem. Members of Phantom Lord appearing all over its body, primed for the attack.
Natso just laughed even harder.
"HOW ABOUT NO!" he roared, the pavement glowing under his feet as it started to melt. He clenched his fists as the fire surrounded them spun about like a savage hurricane, shaking them with energy.
"Lucy Heartfilia! You have one chance to surrender yourself…before things get messy. Come forward quietly-"
"DON'T IGNORE ME!" Natsu roared, fire suddenly blasting into the sky, clearing, and then creating clouds.
"Oh, does the Little Lizard have something to say?"
The Fairy Tail guild twitched.
'Provoking an S Class murderer? Way to go'
Natsu glared, before grinning. He stomped his foot, and a wave of fire pushed out to his sides, it erupted upwards, creating a 3 foot tall wall of fire for several hundred feet down the coastal line.
"I DARE YOU, CROSS IT!" Natsu bellowed gleefully, already aware that Jose was priming a large scale assault, he was that kind of prick.
"How cute, drawing lines in the sand like a child...as if it could stop me."
The Golem's chest unfolded, and a large barrel peeked out from its chest plate.
"FIRE THE JUPITER CANNON!"
Magic flashed and whirled around the barrel as the stored power was transferred, and glowed dangerously.
Natsu was grinning like an idiot, before a shadow ran in front of him, skidding to a stop as loose dirst and debris was flew about from the sudden need for traction. A flash of scarlet whipped about in the updraft, and danced in tandem with his adrenaline pumped heart.
Erza ranin front, and switched to a large armor with a massive shield.
"Behind me!" she called for him, before smashing her shields together, and a large circle appeared in front.
Natsu appeared behind her, and put two hands on her shoulders.
"Why just block it?"
She looked at him like he was crazy, and her belief almost solidified itself as his grin seemed to grow even larger.
"Let's show them! CMON!"
Erza looked forward, and felt his magic course through her, her shield glowing red hot as his fire magic licked its edges. She understood, and determination that earned her the title Titania shown in her eyes. Natsu combusted himself, and set himself in a brace stance.
"IM ALL FIRED UP!"
"FIRE!"
The Jupiter Cannon let out a massive bang, and the white magic shot like a slow laser at them, deleting everything in its path. Erza let out a battle cry as she held firm, and Natsu was laughing like a maniac, his fire magic doing whatever the hell it wanted.
"Fire Dragon! Volcanic Dance!"
New fire burst to life around his joints, and a tail appeared from his spine.
"Stage Two!"
There was a small explosion, and Erza had to fight the urge to not look back as Natsu's strength seemed to double, and then she saw it wrapping around her.
Wings.
Natsu had large wings of fire bursting from its back, flapping behind her, its wing tips kissing the edges of her shield as the stretched, before returning.
Impact.
The cannon slammed into her shield with enough force to almost dislocate her arms.
But not with Natsu behind her.
They lost ground at the start, skidding back maybe a meter of three, before their heels dug in, and their battle cry renewed. The fire around Erza's shield grew more intense, and she felt revitalized, as if she had never spent any energy to begin with. Her heels found traction, and with that, they marched.
They pushed forward.
Natsu and Erza, taking the Jupiter Cannon head on, were pushing it back. The first step was hard, the second step was harder, but roots began to sprout, solidifying the torn up earth, and providing foot holds. Erza spared a quick look down, and couldn't believe her eyes.
They were blooming a beautiful crimson, their petals glowing in response to the Dragon Slayers magic pressure. Their roots bracing them, holding their ground.
They kept marched.
They climbed back to where they started, and kept going. The beam significantly weakened as time passed, and soon after dissipated with a flash, Erza collapsing with effort as the beam vanished.
Erza's shield had dented slightly, but no cracks had formed, its edges still glowing with molten magic.
"Impressive, to push back the Jupiter Cannon…perhaps you are not as insignificant as previously believed."
Erza wanted to taunt him, but she suddenly felt very weak, the power given was taken back, and she nearly crumpled to a face plant. Her shield suddenly was filled with the sound of cracking, and it burst apart into several glowing red molten pieces.
"But it appears that was all you had."
Natsu caught Erza as she tried stand, nearly face planting in the shrapnel of her own shield, and held her tenderly, but firmly.
"You know, that was the first time someone could withstand my boost…that was fun huh?" Natsu said with a grin, and Erza just let out a breath.
"I barely didn't, not even my shield could."
"Well, yeah…sorry…buy you a new one?"
Her eyes sparkled suddenly, "Really?!"
Natsu just laughed, "Yeah Yeah" he said, before looking around. The area was covered in smolders, his wings causing a bit of collateral….but since it was kinda already wrecked, he could pin in on someone else. Phantom lord had to have at least One fire mage right?"
Natsu gathered her up, before leaping backwards, his wings boosting his flight slightly, before landing at the front of the guild, passing her over, keeping his wings behind him so they didn't burn his allies.
"She needs a bit of rest. Mira, got a spare cot?"
"Only you two would do something like that" she said with a smile, before carrying Erza princess style into the back.
Natsu turned to the rest of them. "Second wave is sure to come, Ready for the fight of your life?"
They all nodded, and Natsu couldn't help but grin, 'I quite like this family'. He turned on his heel, and jumped back to the front, landing at the end of the trench the Jupiter Cannon created.
"HEY JOSE!"
"Yes?" he answered condescendingly, as if talking to a small child wanting a balloon.
"THANKS FOR THAT!"
"Don't worry, it will happen to the rest of your guild in a moment."
"NOT WHAT I MEANT SHIT-STAIN!"
He could feel Jose's glower from across the bay, and he just grinned wider.
"NOW I CAN ATTACK WITHOUT HOLDING BACK, SELF DEFENSE AND ALL THAT STUFF!"
Natsu reared his arm back like chucking a baseball, holding nothing but air.
"CHEERS GHOST-PRICK!"
He lobbed it, and the guild just stared at him speechless. What is he doing? Is he an idiot?
It looked very unimpressive.
They watched, and as time passed, the general consensus was not withstanding. It was completely embarrassing.
"…I'm shaking with fear."
Natsu just grinned, "AWE C'MON JOSE! YOU THINK THAT LITTLE OF ME?"
"Yes."
…that's kinda rude you know…but he would have the last laugh.
Natsu was still grinning, turning slightly devious as metal on the golem's left leg started to suddenly blacken and crack. Several alarms were going off, and Natsu just grinned.
"Fun fact about flames." Natsu muttered evilly. "The flame is actually the Oxygen, and whatever's in it, burning. So, what do you think happens when no flame is visible?"
Natsu jabbed a finger forward, a mad smirk on his face despite the vein popping out on his forehead with rage, "The flame has different colors for temperature…sure, magic is different, but it's the same principle the hotter it gets.
Natsu extended his hand, and five small candle-like flames appeared on his fingers and thumb, each different from the others.
The one on his pinky was his normal orange fire, next was a vibrant orange yellow, then a blue center appeared within the orange shell of the third, the fourth was almost completely purple-blue, and the last one, and it was so small it was almost invisible. A small, ghostly blue flame was on the tip of his thumb, and he just grinned.
Yet the heat was palpable, the air above it rippled and tore about like the sea at war. Natsu clapped his hands together, and a pulse of hot wind ruffled the surrounding area.
"WHATCHA THINK GHOST-PRICK!"
"Attack!"
Natsu watched as thousands of shades suddenly launched from the base, and his grin dropped.
Only rage was there now.
He didn't look back, "Fairy Tail." He said evenly, feeling them all tense up.
"Don't pass this line…You don't want to."
Natsu suddenly exploded in flames, before it faded. All around him, the air was distorting like water, and the heat he was kicking off was creating its own curtains of air.
Natsu jumped up, before golden fire exploded outwards like a human grenade, and he propelled himself right through the Guild's gut.
"Think he'll be alright?" Lucy asked Gray, who looked at her begrudgingly. "He's strong…he'll be fine. EVERYONE! THERE HERE! FOR FAIRYTAIL!" he roared, and the rest of the guild chorused with him, their magic flaring in defiance as the shades descended.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
People were dying.
Natsu knew that.
But he wasn't stopping.
He was just that pissed.
So they wanted to test him did they? Poke the dragon? This is what an ANGRY one looks like!
His footsteps sank into the floor, his sandals all but charcoal long ago. This flame, one of his hottest, burned through everything. Only his cloak and pants could withstand it for more than a twenty minutes. He was only walking through the halls, but that was enough. The air was too hot for people to breathe, and they were falling over and passing out like flies. Their lungs burned, and they fell into critical condition before he even passed them.
A few of the stronger ones managed to sling an attack or two.
But they were stopped with a ghostly flare, and a hard impact. The oxygen just wasn't there anymore, sucked away and consumed by the invisible flames. They passed out after their skin started to melt, and some died if they were exposed for too long.
"JOSE!" Natsu roared, before inhaling deeply, and screaming. A golden beam of rage shot through the floor straight down, blasting into the sea. It churned violently, and the boiling steam rose up, through the hole, and started to flood the interior. He watched as members fled from the burning air, and he just growled, disappearing into the fog.
"Want to play hide and seek? Fine…let's see how long your members can entertain me."
Dull thuds, loud bangs, screams, Jose sat at the top, his hand on his chin as he grinned at the closing in rumbles. He was moving forward quickly…he would arrive at his match soon.
Natsu was getting angrier by the minute. Jose wasn't coming forward, he knew he was here, but he wasn't coming! Why! Does he really think that he is that powerful!
He was seething, before a cold laugh made him look over. Natsu turned, and saw a fully coated metal man walk towards him.
"Some heat Salamander…too bad I can take it." He said, flexing as he grinned at him.
Natsu just stared at him…bored. "Where is Jose? I don't like to waste my time on small fry."
The man glared, "Listen up little Fairy, You ain't making it past me, so hush up and step up, my fists are aching for your face."
Natsu blinked, before he actually smiling slightly, "So, Your Gajeel huh? The Iron Dragon Slayer."
"Got it in one." Gajeel said with a menacing grin, glad to be recognized.
"Booring. Move" Natsu said, waving his hand to the side dismissively.
Gajeel's eyes bulged, before he launched forward, fist high. "DON'T MOCK ME!" he roared, and Natsu dodged, watching the strike sail over, and took a moment to notice the wall of wind behind it.
'Hits hard…it might actually make it through my barrier.'
Gajeel leaned back, and crouched down. "Iron Dragon! Roar!"
A whirlwind of iron sand struck Natsu's barrier, sparking as it turned a molten red, before it actually pushed through, and pushed him back.
Natsu looked surprised at the small damage to his chest…and then grinned.
"Maybe your good enough for a warm up?"
Gajeel launched himself again, and Natsu just smirked, rearing his fist back and slammed it headlong into the oncoming attack.
"BRING IT ON!"
They clashed, Sparks flying as Gajeel's fists glowed from contact. The battle was a frenzy of thrown air, booms and cracks were heard as their environment couldn't take the punishment. It escalated again, before Gajeel suddenly screamed, and ran back, clawing at his own skin.
"Mmmm, I figured. You're a little stupid aren't you?"
Natsu just dissipated his flames, keeping his clothing intact as it was close to its limits. "Heat spreads, did you think your armor was an exception? It's because its magically imbued with Iron Dragon magic that you even lasted this long. But like everything, it can only absorb so much heat.
Gajeel was steaming, his armor looking practically mushy as it cooked him alive. Natsu knelt down, Gajeel's open mouth mutely screaming, as he was inspected.
"Well, when it cools, I'm sure you'll heal. We Dragon Slayers aren't that fragile." I said with a shrug, walking away.
"Good luck Slayer."
Natsu was met with no interference on the rest of the way, his bare foot falls a striking contrast to the pained screams and whimpers behind him.
They should bail soon; the main flames should be spreading form the leg onto the main body in a few moments,
Natsu reached the main door, and kicked it open. It swung wide with a loud bang as it collided and sank into the walls behind them, and Natsu growled bestially, his eyes flaring with power as he beheld the smirking form of Jose, laxly sitting on a purple throne.
"So, you made it."
Natsu just flexed his fingers, staring at the man with unconcealed anger. "Your arrogance and vanity is sickening."
Jose laughed, his eyes just glowing with insane light, "My Element Four dispatched themselves to your base, want to see how it's doing?"
Natsu blitzed to the nearest wall, and his glowing arm punctured right through it, slicing open a window like it was made of syrup. Natsu's eyes darted to the base, and felt his heart sink as Fairy Tail looked to be…beaten.
All that was left of their guildhall had fallen to the ground, rubble. Members were strewn about the devastation, only a few remaining as the Element Four closed ranks. It looked like it was just Gray, Cana, Elfman, and Erza, who was still obviously weakened.
The rest were just left to lie in the rubble…like corpses.
Natsu's eyes darkened, and they seemed to disappear beneath the shadows of his bangs, the hot air around him disappearing, and Jose shivered.
It was cold…really cold.
Natsu turned slowly, almost robotically, and the sun seemed to disappear as the clouds rumbled. The heat from his magic had stimulated the clouds of rain, and the sky darkened as, now that the heat was gone, all that evaporated moisture from the sea was coming back down.
Rain started to fall, and Natsu was silent.
"Face it Salamander, they aren't worthy of your power, they can't contain you. Makarov is weak, and so is the rest of their pathetic guild. Join us! Be a part of the Strongest Guild in Fior-Ughk!"
From Natsu's shadow, a massive humanoid form appeared, grasping Jose's entire body, only his head remaining visible. He was lifted from his feet, and pressure started to impart itself on him. He gritted his teeth as he summoned his phantoms for aid, but the creature mutated, and thousands of spikes erupted from its body, dispelling all that came close.
"You know something…" Natsu muttered, Jose gasping slightly as the air became harder to breath.
"I really…really…hate."
Jose shivered, the grip almost meaningless as fear started to grow inside of him. Darkness appeared to caress the young mages feet, his shadow blackening like the void, and the last of the sunlight disappeared.
It was incredibly dark in here without the lights, power outage.
"Hatred is something I try to avoid…it always…does something to me." Natsu whispered, before his fists clenched so tight they paled, and black wires started to form from them, twirling in the air like in a wind.
"But right now…"
Natsu disappeared, and the whole room when pitch black. Jose's eyes widening in shock as his eyes failed him.
"I don't care in the least."
XXX
Alright, that's it for now. Sorry for the cliff hanger, but its where I felt like stopping. Rage at me all you want, it might motivate me.
Thanks again, and I'll see you all again.
Peace!
