Chapter 50
Fire Fight
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback
Location / Date / Time Skip
Caprico jumped down and stood back up. "Only a fool would do battle with me." The goat said.
"A goat?" Lucy asked.
"Somethings weird about this guy..." Gray mumbled. "I just can't figure it out."
"You mean it's not just that he said a goat?" Cana asked.
"Just stay behind me, Lucy. I've got this." The Lion spirit said.
"My name is Caprico, one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory." The dark wizard introduced himself.
"The Seven what of who?" Lucy asked.
"Grimoire Heart has more wizards like him?" Cana asked, readying her cards.
With Natsu
Natsu roared before charging his blonde friend and the two began their 'fight'. It was more like a training session to them, until Natsu ate a fist on purpose. "Shouldn't leave yourself open like that." The pinkette landed and stood back up. "Is this how strong Dragon Slayers really are?"
"I'm just getting started." Natsu replied. "Now who are and what are you doing here?"
"Names Zancrow." The blonde replied, shocking Carla, Wendy and Happy. In their heads they summoned a picture of Edolas Zancrow and stuck it next to him. They all agreed that they couldn't be more different. "I'm part of the Seven Kin of Purgatory, and the God Slayer."
"Well, I'm part of Fairy Tail. The name is Natsu." The pinkette replied, 'introducing' themselves.
"No, I know all about you." Zancrow said. "You're famous in our little circle for all the destruction you've caused. You smashed up Lullaby, the R-System, and Nirvana. You beat up both Jellal and Master Zero. But those guys don't hold a candle to me."
"I'll take you down, just like them." Natsu replied.
"You're nothing but a Dragon Slayer. You can't defeat a God Slayer like me." Zancrow chuckled back.
"God Slayer my ass!" Natsu said, cracking his knuckles before swinging his leg. "You say that a god taught that to you!?"
Zancrow did the same and the two were pushed back from each other. "Since Master Hades could possibly be called a god, then I indeed learn this Lost Magic from a God!"
"So you just learned it from human?" Natsu asked, doing his best to mock his friend. "I learned my magic from an actual dragon." He lit his body on fire before the flames traveled to his hands. "Some flames on my right, some flames on my left. Together they make..."
"Please, I can top that." The blonde chuckled as he held his hands on top of each other. "When you burn down the east and you burn down the west..."
Wendy grabbed the cats and began running away as the two finished their spells. "Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!/ Flame God Kagutsuchi!" Both unleashed a massive fire ball that tore up the ground in between them.
"The power of God and dragons are clashing." Wendy said as the cats floated her above the fire.
Natsu looked up before turning to Zancrow. The two share a subtle nod and Zancrow increased his flames while Natsu did the opposite. Zancrows fire punched through and forced Natsu back. "He pushed Natsu back?!" Happy asked in shock.
"You're really starting to piss me off!" Zancrow said. "Flame God Damnation Wave!" He waved his arm and black flames blasted the four wizards and sent them to the ground.
"You jerk!" Natsu shouted before pulling his head back. "Fire Dragon Roar!" Flames shot out of his mouth and the blonde smirked.
"You really just screwed up, pinky." Zancrow said. "Did you know that it was god who gave humans the knowledge of fire. It was neither a human or dragon who created it, it was god!" The fire hit him and exploded before he began to eat it. "Those were some tasty flames. They wild ones that will never die out. But even though you may have the strength to kill a dragon, you can't kill a god.
"Let me show you Grimoire Hearts Magic!" He pulled his head back his mouth inflated. "Flame God Bellow!" He opened his mouth and flames shout out of it before it hit Natsu, creating an explosion that knocked everyone off the cliff. Zancrow looked down as he stood alone on the cliff. "Hope Natsu doesn't hold this against me..." He mumbled.
With Lucy and Co
Lucy gripped her fist shut as she looked up at the goat man. "I don't know what's going on..."
"Why can't we hit him?" Cana asked.
"Loke!" Gray shouted before he and his partner raced forward to attack, only to get knocked back. "Who is he, and how can he hold off all four of us?.
"I've had it with this guy!" Cana shouted. "I'm not letting this guy waste anymore of our time!" She threw some cards at him before feeling his glare and the cards missed their target. "How'd I miss him again?"
"It's like he's using magic to make us miss, but that's impossible..." Lucy mumbled.
"Anyone else getting this feeling that none of our attacks are gonna hit?" Gray asked. "I can't figure it out, it's like I know we're screwed."
"That is correct. None of you can stand against me in battle." Caprico replied. "Just give up and beg for your lives."
With Natsu
"Damn, Zancrow really needs to work on holding back." The pinkette mumbled as he walked forward. "Still, it was a good show and now I can get back to-" He stopped walking when he came across Makarov in a crater. "Master!" He shouted in fake concern. "You've got to be kidding me... you alright?"
"Natsu..." Makarov groaned out.
"Are you okay!? Damn it, Wendy! Of all the times for us to get separated." Natsu mumbled.
"Natsu... listen carefully..." The old man spoke up. "We have... no hope of winning this..."
"I know that, but what are we supposed to do?" Natsu asked.
"Those wounds..." Makarov mumbled, looking at the Dragon Slayer.
"Don't worry about me." The pinkette replied.
"Natsu, take everyone and run." The master groaned out.
"Don't say that!" Natsu shouted back.
"There are times... when one must step down..." Makarov replied.
A ball of black fire crashed to the ground and Zancrow stood back up. "You got whipped by Master Hades, didn't you? Didncha, Makarov?"
"Master Hades?" Natsu asked, standing up.
"Stop, Natsu... you're no match for him..." Makarov spoke up. He looked over at the pinkette and found him shaking. 'Natsu of all people is shaking in fear?'
"What's wrong, Dragon Slayer? There's sweat rolling down your whole body." Zancrow said.
Natsu looked at his hands and found them shaking. "This is fear?" He asked himself.
"That's right! That's fear!" Zancrow shouted back. "When faced with an absolute being right before their very eyes, people can only shudder in fear and freeze in place!"
"No... this is different from what Gildarts was talking about." Natsu mumbled. "These shakes are co,not from the fear that someone else will find the guy who did this before me! I'll find Master Hades myself, and then I'll beat him and anyone else who gets in my way."
"Defeat Master Hades?" Zancrow asked before copying Natsu and slammin his head against the pinkettes. "I'm gonna make it so you can't even joke about that." Natsu pulled his fist back and slammed it into Zancrows head before punching him back. "Those kinda flames don't even hurt!" The blonde chuckled as he slid back.
Natsu jumped off a series of trees before delivering a kick that Zancrow blocked with his own flames. "Black flames..." Makarov mumbled as he watched the fight. "So he also uses flame magic..."
"God flames are on a completely different level than dragon flames!" Zancrow teased before punching Natsu back. He then swung his arms in a circle as flames trailed off them. "God flames don't just burn. They're fiery halberds that destroy everything!" He clasped his hands together and created his flame scythe.
He swung the blade and 'missed' his friend, slicing through the trees around him. Natsu jumped off the trunks and punched one down, only for Zancrow to fly through it. He punched Natsu in the gut before they both landed on the ground. "And god flames just love eating fire mages."
The flames on his hands traveled to his hands and became two halves of a demonic mouth. "Flame God Supper!" He slammed them around Natsu and the flames started burning him. "Youll spend your last moments consumed in flames ever trapped, until you burn into ash! And don't even try eating them, because you can't."
A grip started crushing his ribs and he looked to see a massive hand holding him. "Let's see you hurt that kid anymore before his parents eyes!" Makarov shouted. "I'll grind you until absolutely nothing remains!"
"You have this much power left?" Zancrow asked as Makarov groaned before the blonde lit himself on fire. "Look, if you don't let go soon then absolutely nothing will remain of your arm!"
Makarov groaned as the burns started appearing on his arms. "Don't underestimate the power of family!" He shouted as he sent more power to his arm.
"The Dragon Slayer, Makarov or little old me, I wonder who's gonna kid the bucket first?!" Zancrow psychotically asked. A puff of flames appeared around Natsu before he started screaming in pain. Zancrow increased his fire power before Natsu vanished from the dome, leaving only his scarf behind to float to the forest floor.
Makarov stared in shock as Zancrow laughed at the disappearing Dragon Slayer. "And as for you!" He turned around and threw a fireball at the master, making him lose his grip. "You're lucky I don't finish you off right now. Here, take this as a reminder if your failure!" He kicked the tainted scarf on to Makarov before walking away, leaving the shell shocked master alone.
'This... this will not stand!' Makarov screamed in his head as he crawled over to the scarf.
Fairy Tail Base Camp
"Seems I've been handed the short end of the stick when dealing with opponents." Azuma complained.
"Was that some kind of insult?" Lisanna asked.
"No disrespect intended, but after that fight with the cats and child I was hoping to find a more serious opponent then a pair of young ladies." He explained.
"Cats and children?" Mirajane mumbled.
"He must mean Wendy and Happy." Lisanna figured out.
"How does that matter to you?" The dark wizard asked. "All you need to know is that I'm fighting you right now." He held out his and and the two girls jumped back to avoid an explosion.
"Such powerful magic." Lisanna mumbled.
"You're not hurt?" Her sister asked.
"I'm fine." She replied. "He might be strong, but we can beat him. Take-Over Animal Soul!" She grew wings and talons before she dive bombed Azuma. He merely held out his hand and captured the talon.
"Take-Over?" He asked surprised. "This is a surprise."
"And now, Penguin!" She shouted before transforming into a giant flightless bird that slammed Azuma back.
'She changed to a new Take-Over instantly.' Mirajane thought as she watched. 'That's an advanced technique.'
Lisanna glowed before her body turned into her bunny body. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean I'm not as tough as everyone else." She said.
"Levi!" Azuma chanted. A blast enveloped Lisanna before she rose out of the smoke in her bird form. A glow later and she charged Azuma in her tigress form, swing her claws. After dodging her claws, he blasted her with an explosion that launched her back.
"No!" Mirajane shouted concerned as her sister landed on all fours.
"Don't worry I've got him." The animal lover replied.
"I'll admit, you're a better fighter than I thought." Azuma confessed. "However, you still won't defeat me. And here's why." He held out his hand and another explosion blasted the sisters back. "Battles aren't won with spirit and hope. They're won by skill, and mine simply surpasses your own. Is your life going to be thrown away to prove your strength?"
Lisanna returned to her normal form as she stood up. "This isn't about strength. This is about protecting our camp so our friends can find us later."
"I couldn't care less for your reasoning." He confessed. "I was sent to do battle and that is what I will do." His eyes snapped open before he blocked an attack from Mirajane.
"You okay?" The youngest Strauss asked.
"I want you to go find the others at once." She told her sister. "I'll keep this guy busy while you do."
"I'm not going to do that." Lisanna replied.
'How did she do that?' Azuma asked himself. 'She had no magic one second and the next she has an overwhelming amount.'
"I'll help you beat this guy." Lisanna said. "There's a better chance we can beat him that way."
"Just as stubborn as before, aren't you?" Mirajane chuckled out as magic started flowing off her body. "You just messed with the wrong guild and the wrong family."
"Two against one, that means I don't have to hold back." Azuma said, holding up his hand and blasting them with another explosion. "If children and woman are all I'm going to face, then it looks like I won't be able to use my full power at all."
"Sis! Use Satan Soul!" Lisanna shouted at Mirajane.
"That isn't a spell I can use over and over again." The eldest Strauss replied.
"Sister... Don't tell me you're the She-Devil Mirajane?!" Azuma asked before shifting his gaze to the other girl. 'Then that would make her Lisanna.'
"That's an old name." Mirajane confessed.
"When Mirajane gets serious, she's still crazy strong!" Lisanna shouted.
Azuma cracked his knuckles in excitement. "I see... then I would like to request a match against the demon." Mirajane just stared at him, unsure of what to do. "What's wrong? You can't get serious against me?"
"My magic is still enough to take care of someone like you." Lisanna stood up.
"No, Lisanna you should run from here!" Her sister told her. "This man is extremely strong."
The wind started picking up, blowing dust past the sisters. "I would rather not do this, but-" Azuma said, holding his hand up. Vines shot up and wrapped around Lisanna before a seal with a number popped on it.
"Lisanna!" Mirajane shouted as the number counted down.
"It will detonate in three minutes." Azuma delcared as she started to pull on the plants. "I wouldn't give it any outside pressure if I were you. If you want to remove it, then defeat me."
"You coward!" Mirajane shouted.
"I will do anything to fight the demon." He replied.
Mirajane glared at him before she triggered her transformation. 'It doesn't look like my magic power will support this for long but I have no choice!' She launched forward and delivered a devastating kick to his gut.
"This is it! This is the best feeling!" Azuma said excited. He held out his hand and created another explosion.
Mirajane flew back and glanced at the timer. "Don't worry about me, concentrate!" Lisanna shouted.
Azuma summoned five vines that grabbed her limbs and her new tail. "Chain Burst." He snapped his fingers and the plants exploded. She flipped into the air and with her wings, flew through the smoke to punch him. He blocked it along with any of her other attacks. 'Natsu was right! She is strong!' He thought in sick joy. 'Its been a long time since I felt such exaltation!'
"Release Lisanna!" Mirajane shouted before glancing over to the timer.
Azuma smirked before sending five vines into her gut, launching her into the air. "What are you looking away from for!?" He shouted insulted. "Burst Claw!" A disk flew forward and exploded once they touched her.
She fell a bit before flipping in the air and summoning a giant ball of dark magic. "Evil Explosion!" She shouted before throwing the orb. The blast knocked trees out of the ground as she landed. Panting, she went wide eyed as the smoke cleared showing Azuma protected by trunks and branches.
Azuma licked his lips in twisted pleasure as the vines crumbled to the ground. "I expected on less... let's enjoy this a bit more, Mirajane." He said.
'It's no good, he's too strong!' She thought in a panic. 'I figured if I at least used all my power...' She glanced one final time at the counter before taking off towards her sister.
"What are you doing!?" Azuma asked as Mirajane hugged Lisanna. "It's futile! It won't unlock until you defeat me! Now you haven't much time! Show me how serious you can get!"
"Sorry..." The eldest sister said as her magic ran out and she returned to normal. "It's tough to accept, but I don't have enough power left to defeat him. It's impossible for me right now. But I believe that there is someone in the guild who can."
"What are you talking about?" Lisanna asked, tears starting to form.
"So, your sisters going to forfeit here but you don't need to worry." She said, hugging her sister tighter. "You're the one person I won't let die again." The timer reached zero and the vines started glowing as another seal appeared under them.
*BOOM!*
The massive blast destroyed the entire camp, leaving only broken supplies. Mirajane rolled onto her side, a smile on her face. "Mira!" Lisanna shouted in Azuma's grasp. "Let me go!"
"I have my orders." He simple stared as he walked away carrying her.
With Ultear
Ultear walked forward, a small blush still on her face. "The path to Zeref was too far for me." She mumbled. "But today my dream will finally come true. Once I have my hands on lord Zeref, Natsu and I will be saved." Footsteps caught her attention and she turned around. "Who's there!?"
"Looking for me?" Zeref asked as he walked forward. Ultear went wide eyed as her goal stood in front of her. "I see, so you're the people who took Natsu in, gave him that illusion on his arm..." Her smile shifted when she say his eyes were solid red. "And are the apple of discord here. How you've managed to anger me..."
With Wendy
Wendy held her hands over the master, trying to heal him. "How's it going, Wendy?" Pantherlily asked.
"I'm doing the best I can." She replied. "But I don't know if my magic can heal theses wounds."
"Just do what you can Wendy." Carla told her before glancing over at Happy. The blue cat was currently wrapped up in Natsu's scarf, crying as much as he could.
Makarov groaned as he opened his eyes. "Wendy..." He mumbled out. "Save your strength... you'll need it to fight."
"Master?" Wendy asked.
"They... will pay for this." He groaned out. "Natsu won't have died in vain." Wendy nodded and return to heal him when Makarov raised his hand as best he could. "Natsu's scarf... purify it."
"R-right." She nodded before turning and activating her magic on the cloth.
"So how did it turn black in the first place?" Pantherlily asked.
"S-some crying guy..." Happy let out through her tears.
"Do you think this man is Zeref?" The black cat asked.
With Ultear
Ultear was shaking in euphoria as she stared at her goal. 'Zeref...' She thought in joy. 'After searching for so long... Zeref is finally right before my eyes.'
"What you want is my power?" He asked.
Ultear quickly dropped others knees and prostrated before Zeref. "Your entire existence, my lord." She said.
"I have no intention of doing anything in this period, let alone for you people." Zeref told her. "I don't want to see wars or people dying. Stop attacking this island and leave at once."
Ultear went wide eyed at the request. 'Impossible... war and death do not please him? He's conscious, but is he just unaware? Is this is resting state?'
"I'm very angry." He told her before unleashing a massive wave of magic power, almost choking her by its sheer presence.
With Elfman and Evergreen
The partners jumped out of the way as a massive beast delivered a punch meant for them. "What is this monster?" Elfman aske.
"You're one to talk!" Evergreen shouted back.
"My Guardian Saint Beast, Belcusas the Thunderclap will crush you." Rustyrose declared before the monster tried to crush them again.
"He has two separate names?" Elfman asked as they jumped back from the fist. Rusty went on another tangent that was in poetry. "Talk normal why don't ya and get down here!" The dark wizard chuckled as he sent his monster after them.
"Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!" Evergreen shouted before activating her spell. The blasts hit the monster but nothing happened. "It didn't work?"
The monster roared as it raised its fist and tried to crush Evergreen. "Take Over Beast Soul!" Elfman shouted as he turned into the Beast and blocked the punch. "What are you doing? Just petrify it!" He shouted st Evergreen.
"I can't on things that aren't human!" She replied.
"You idiot! Petrify the controller, that guy!" He pointed out.
"He has glasses on! I can't!" She added.
"You're useless!" Elfman shouted.
"You wanna get petrified first!?" She threatened.
"When those who are in love disagree..." Rusty mumbled.
"We are not in love!" Both shouted.
Belcusas threw another punch and Elfman blocked it. "Stop that thing!" Evergreen shouted as she raced forward. 'I know what his magic really is. It's summoning magic, just like Lucy's. The weakness of those who use that magic is obvious: they're bodies are weak.'
Dust exploded and blocked Rustyroses sight as Evergreen jumped up behind him. "You're mine." She smirked, her bomb spell ready to activate.
"I am the king of the underworld, this arm cuts through everything with a deep black blade." Rusty chanted as he turned around. "Disappear to the edge of darkness." He swung his arm, now a five clawed monstrosity and knocked her back.
"Evergreen!" Elfman shouted before Belcusas kicked him to the side, his body returning to normal. "Wha... what kind of magic is this?"
"Teaching such things to trash would only cause confusion." Rustyrose said.
"What'd you say?" Elfman asked.
"Magic that has gotten too near the abyss of ancient magic. Therefore, this magic has powerful side effects. What a catastrophic destiny." The dark wizard waxed on, making Elfman look at him in confusion. A projection of Zeref appeared next to Rustyrose as he spoke again. "But when we acquire Zeref, this tragedy will end and a new age of magic will come."
'That's the guy...' Elfman mumbled to himself.
'Zeref?!' Evergreen asked herself. 'That legendary black wizard, that man!? No, Zeref is on this island right now!?'
"The Grand Magic World, the one true world of magic where chaos and darkness rule." Rustyrose explained. "Those who do not possess magic cannot survive. Even if they did, they would only be in hell." Both fairies looked up at him in a mix of shock and horror. "Doesn't it sound wonderful!? A world just for us! Trash who can't use magic cannot exist!
"When Zeref becomes king of the this world, the grand magic world will be complete. Those without magic will be annihilated! It will be a paradise only for wizards! I've been waiting for this time to come forever!"
"Impossibe..." Elfman mumbled.
"There's no way... something like that would exist..." Evergreen mumbled.
With Ultear
Ultear looked up at Zeref as he summoned a black ball of magic and threw it at her. She jumped out of the way and the orb went clean through the rock behind her. 'If that touched me...' She thought in a panic as Zeref summoned another one and did the same. 'Lord Zeref is in front of me. It's worth the risk.'
She waved her arms and her eyes shifted. "Arc of Time - Forward!" The rock broke apart and flew forward to intercept the orb. Magic shot out of it and the black sparks hit her, making her cry in pain. She fell to her knees and looked up to see a third orb in his hand. Ultear held out her hand and a tree rose out of the ground, trapping him within it.
The black wizard gasped as he grabbed his head in pain. "The predatory death..." He mumbled before the black wave shot out and killed everything it touched. Thinking fast, Ultear held out her orb and used it to absorb the wave. The ball turned black before it crumbled in her grasp.
Panting, Ultear looked up to Zeref on his knees. "Arc of Time!" She chanted before the orb repaired itself. With a roar she threw it with all her strength. "Luminous Minutes!" The orb glowed and multiplied before it peppered Zeref, rendering him to the ground. "You may be the legendary black wizard but in your sleeping state, you're nothing. Don't underestimate the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory!"
Zeref tried to stand up, but his body was too weakened. "It's fine, lord Zeref. Thanks to Natsu, we have all the keys that will wake you up." At the mention of the pinkette, Zeref looked up but fell unconscious after that. "I got him..." She smirked before delivering a cheerful laugh. "I got Zeref!"
Mirajane is probably one of the best siblings in all of anime. Seriously, I grew up four brothers and I don't know if any of them would do that for me. Yep, this is how I'm handling Natsu in this arch. And for any who think Makarov is acting out of character, he declared war when Shadowgear was INJURED. What did you think he would do when he saw one of his children die? Also, Azuma kidnapped Lisanna so no one accidentally kills her. See you next chapter.
