Search and Destroy
The town was called Lavender. It was a central hub for the train networks and roadways in the area so as a result it was a bustling hub of commerce despite is small size. James had jumped off the train about a mile from destination and was taking the road in. James frowned and came to a stop about a hundred meters from the edge of town. Three men were standing on the edge of the road; all wore fur trimmed pants and jackets, two were bald while the third had slicked back yellow hair. Each of them carried a different firearm.
You don't look suspicious at all James thought. They make it too easy. The road was lined by thick trees that blocked the late morning sun and provided a large amount of shadows. James slammed his fists together in front of his stomach. "Mech Magic form Schnitter." One of his lesser used armors, Schnitter was pure black armor. His helmet gave him the appearance of a masked hooded figure, the faceplate a completely smooth opaque surface that absorbed all light. A small cloak hung on his left hip and thicker armor plating covered his forearms.
Moving in complete silence, James slipped into the shadows under the trees, his armor's ability allowing him to move through them and turn invisible. Moving like a shade, James approached the three strangers and listened in on their conversation.
"Damn, this is so boring. Nobody's come around today," Blondie whined. He bounced his shotgun on his shoulder lightly. "Why'd the boss give us this boring job? I'd rather be at the station. Always people coming through there."
"It's cause Ricky here screwed up the protection collection last week," Bald One snipped at Bald Two. One had a very large pistol; Two had a long rifle.
Definitely members of Wolf's Fang James thought. Between the hardware, clothes, and the guild mark, there's little doubt. On the back of the jackets James could make out a profile depiction of a wolf's head with accentuated canines. Definitely the guild he was after. Now I just need to distract them.
Looking around James found a few acorns lying on the ground. Picking a handful up he picked a spot on the other side of the road. Holding an acorn between his fingers, James whipped it through the air like a bullet. The acorn slammed into a tree with a resounding swack. Immediately the three Wolf's Fang members snapped their heads towards the sound.
"What was that?" Blondie growled.
"I don't know," Ricky muttered.
"You two go check it out," Bald ordered. The other two grumbled but shuffled over there. They slowly walked into the woods looking around for the source of the noise. James whipped another acorn deeper into the woods with deadly accuracy. The two jumped and then headed deeper with their firearms drawn.
"You guys see anything?" Bald called out.
"Not yet!"
Bald grumbled and started to join them. James emerged from the shadows of the trees and grabbed the Wold's Fang member. James wrapped his arm around the guy so he couldn't struggle and clapped his hand over the man's nose and mouth. Doing his best to struggle, Bald tried to warn his comrades. James held him tight and soon Bald was unconscious. Hiding the body, James slid back into the shadows. The other two came back and were shocked to not find their friend waiting for them.
"Jake?" Ricky called.
"Where the hell did that idiot go?" Blondie growled. James smirked as he moved through the shadows before dropping from the dark underside of the tree directly on top of the other two. They cried out in shock as a heavy metal man knocked them to the ground but they shut up real quick when James placed blades from the thickened armor of his forearms at their throats.
"You boys are members of Wolf's Fang correct?" James asked calmly.
"What of it," Ricky growled.
"Because you have made some people very angry. I'm here to teach you a lesson," James whispered in deadly calm. He held the blades a little closer. "Tell me where your friends are."
"Go to hell!" Ricky snapped. James held the blade a little tighter and drew a trickle of blood.
"Shut up you fool!" Blondie panicked. "North! Our guild hall is north of town!"
"Thank you for your cooperation." James sheathed his blades back into his armored forearms with the barest sshk and then slammed his fists into the Wolf's Fang members knocking them out. Standing upright, James disengaged his Schnitter armor. He dragged the unconscious bodies off the road and then tied them up for local authorities to collect later.
James adjusted his travel bag and headed into town unopposed.
The town had a slightly subdued feeling to it. An open market was the first thing James came upon where people were doing their business, selling, buying, and trading wares. A tall train station could be seen in the background and large warehouses lined the horizon next to it. The town hall and mayor's office where just west of the train station. That was where the job request had originated from and where James was headed.
He frowned as he saw two members of Wolf's Fang harassing local shopkeepers and customers. Not one to tolerate bullies after his rough childhood, James came up right behind the thugs and got uncomfortably close.
"There are problem here?" James asked quietly. The Wolf's Fang members jumped but couldn't move because James had them pinned against the open-air shop's table.
"Back off buddy," one of the guys growled. Ignoring him, James glanced at the young brunette that ran the shop. "They bothering you?"
"A little," she muttered. James nodded in understanding.
"You boys really should find better things to do with your time than harassing lovely ladies who clearly want nothing to do with you," James stated shoving his hands in his pockets.
"I said back off!" The first guy shoved at James. James snapped right back and headbutted the guy breaking his nose.
"Bastard!" The second guy went to swing at James but missed as the Fairy Tail wizard jumped back. The first guy was pinching his nose desperately trying to stop the blood.
"I suggest you two get before I actually feel the need to fight," James stated in a bored tone.
"Cocky little bastard!" Bloody snarled. He pulled out a pistol and aimed it at James. Moving faster than the Wolf's Fang thug could follow, James came in low. He grabbed the thug's wrist, twisting it. The thug cried out and dropped the pistol. James caught it and slammed the barrel of the gun under the thug's chin.
"Come on man, we were just kidding around," the coward whimpered.
"Go tell your master that Maschine Price has come for him." James stepped back and handed the Wolf's Fang member his gun, butt first. He hesitantly took and then the two fled.
"Thank you," the brunette muttered, her face red.
"They won't bother you again," James stated as he watched them flee. "I'll make sure of it."
The girl was a little taken back by that and could only watch as James headed into town. He found the mayor's office easy enough. The mayor himself was a nervous little round man with a thick bristly mustache.
"I want these scum out of my city! My people have grown tired off them and they are ruining business," the mayor grumbled. "If you are as good as rumors say…"
"It will be done," James said. "You should be made aware of three men who I apprehended on my way into town. I left them tied up on the east road into town."
"I'll send some officers to collect them. Thank you."
James nodded and headed towards Wolf's Fang's hangout. It was a large warehouse that had been taken over and made to look like a cave. A wolf's head viewed from front on was painted on the door. Five men were standing at the door all armed with firearms; all large barrel shotguns.
Guess the master isn't messing around James thought. This will be interesting. James rolled his shoulders and walked right up to the Wolf's Fang members.
"Halt! Turn around and leave right now!" the middle guy barked.
"Sorry. I have business with your master," James stated.
"No you don't, Maschine Price," the same man snapped.
James smirked and clenched his right fist. "Right Arm of Jaeger." A blue magic circle appeared at James' shoulder and slowly moved down his arm encasing it in his signature blue armor. Advancing rapidly, James jumped into the air just as the Wolf's Fang members opened fire.
"Fist of the War Monger!" James punched the ground in front of the thugs, the detonation launching them back. "Mech Magic Form Panzer!" A green magic circle appeared above James as he pulled his right fist back by his ear and extended his left. His heavy green armor encased him. Slamming his bracers into the ground, James lowered his body slightly and leaned forward. Magic circles appeared in front of the barrels of his large caliber shoulder-mounted cannons and rifles as the hatches on his missile boxes popped open. A series of targeting reticles appeared on his orange HUD visor.
"Primzahl," James stated as his reticles turned green. "Bechuss!" An ungodly roar bellowed form his multiple armaments. They blasted the five members back and ripped the door off of its hinges throwing it into the dark guild's hall. Straightening up and disengaging his armor, James calmly walked into the hall.
"Who dares to defile the Wolf's Den?" James glanced up to see an older man wearing all white standing on the second floor balcony. He had slicked back white hair and was blind in his left eye, a jagged scar running across his face. The man snarled when he saw James. "You're an arrogant little snot to think you can take on a whole Dark Guild by yourself."
"Not arrogant, confident," James stated calmly. He leaned back at the hip and slid his thumbs into his pockets. "You must be Shiroi Kiba, the leader of the group. You guys really play up the whole wolf thing."
Shiroi Kiba growled. "Men kill the interloper! Show him why we rule this town!" Dozens of mages descended upon James. He scowled slightly before reengaging his Panzer Armor. A volley of various magic attacks impacted his armor but when the smoke cleared, James was standing there without a scratch, magic circles primed around the barrels of his cannons.
"You have one chance to surrender. I hope you'll come quietly. I do so abhor violence," James sighed.
"Surrender? Never!" Shiroi Kiba snapped. James sighed before pulling the trigger on his weapons.
"Bechuss!" The magic missiles and bullets found their marks and took down the three dozen men and women of Wolf's Fang. A few were tougher than their comrades and managed to get back up before James hit them with another volley. James leaned back and twirled his rifles before sending them back to his Requip space. His shoulder cannons tilted upward, smoke snaking upward from the ends.
"Surrender before I am forced to take drastic measures," James stated.
"Kill the interloper! Show him why the Wolf's Fang rules this town!" Shiroi Kiba snarled. A few of his men managed to get up and attack James again. The majority lacked the magical power and physical endurance to withstand James' initial volleys. James sighed at their futility before calmly walking forward, his Panzer armor collapsing in on itself, his flesh returning to normal.
The first Wolf Fang member came at James wielding a long curved sword. White lightning crackled along its length as the dark wizard swung the sword. James ducked down, the sword sweeping over his head by the smallest margin. James slammed his fist into the swordsman's gut winding him. The swordsman doubled over and tried to swing at James again. James grabbed his wrist and twisted it forcing the man to drop his weapon. James spun the poor man around, his arm now pinned behind his back before James firmly planted his foot on the Wolf Fang's backside and kicked him into his comrades.
"Please stay down," James asked almost with a pleading tone. "I really do hate fighting."
Two men snarled and charged at James; both wielded fire magic of some kind. James again ducked under their attacks but they managed to dodge his return strike. James backflipped away as they both unleashed a large fireball towards him. In midair James shifted his forearms to his Jaeger armor. Slamming his fists together, twisted, pulled them apart, and then slammed them back together. Magic energy pulsated around James' fists.
"Jaeger Bomb!" James slammed his right fist into the ground as he landed and sent a shockwave at the two fire wizards. They dove to the side, only for one of them to get blasted by James' second attack. The last one snarled before having his teeth shoved down his throat by James' gauntleted fist. The man staggered back before collapsing to the ground.
"If you want something done right, you got to do it yourself," Shiroi Kiba grumbled before jumping down. He snapped his fingers and five wolves made of blue flames burst into life. "Get him boys!" The wolves howled before they lunged and dragged a slightly shocked James to the ground. He struggled for a moment before the wolves detonated, engulfing him in flames.
"Serves you right, yah cocky little snot," Shiroi Kiba spat. He turned and got to yelling and kicking his subordinates.
"Please, Natsu's flames are hotter than this."
Shiroi Kiba spun around to see James emerge from the flames in his full Jaeger armor.
"As a member of a legal guild and under the power given to me by the Magic Council, I hereby place you, Shiroi Kiba, and the members of the Wolf's Fang guild under arrest for destruction of private property, assault, extortion, bribery, and racketeering," James stated as he walked forward.
"You just don't know when to quit," Shiroi Kiba snarled. He summoned more of his fire wolves. They snarled and charged at James. Quickly breaking into a run, James jumped over the wolves, unleashing a blast of magic that detonated the wolves, before landing in front of Shiroi Kiba.
"Surrender. I won't ask again," James stated, charged fist directly under Shiroi Kiba's chin. The dark guild leader snarled in defiance. James sighed before cocking back his fist. "Fist of the War Monger!" He slammed his fist into Shiroi Kiba's jaw in a perfect uppercut, the concussive force of the magically enhanced strike launching the guild master high into the air before he crashed back into cold unforgiving ground. James stood over Shiroi Kiba fist cocked, ready for the old man to fight back.
Kiba snarled and snapped his fingers. James was suddenly surrounded by dozens of flaming wolves. He sighed and jumped high in the air as the wolves leapt at him. He backflipped away and landed ten feet from Kiba and his wolves. The wolves circled up around Kiba, snarling and biting at the air, waiting for the command to attack.
"Devour him," Shiroi snarled as he staggered to his feet. "Burn his bones to ash!" He snapped his fingers again and more wolves appeared before three dozen wolves descended on James in a feeding frenzy.
"Fist of the War Monger!" James smashed the ground in front of him blasting rock and tile into the air. Dropping into a boxing stance, James unleashed a rapid series of jabs and punches into the debris field. The pieces were turned into impromptu projectiles that slammed into the fiery wolves detonating them.
But there were more wolves than debris James could fire. They rapidly descended upon him, their sharp fangs latching into his armor and pulling him down. James snarled and struggled under them as their combined heat started to make him sweat and his armor to glow from the intense heat. The wolves started to glow and get larger before the ones directly on top of James detonated in a large explosion.
More than a dozen wolves survived the explosion and withdrew to stand near their master. Shiroi Kiba sneered as he watched James' figure burn inside the pyre. James could be seen struggling in the flames trying to escape.
"Serves you right, yah little brat," Kiba spat. His eyes went wide however when the flames were blasted apart by a wave of dark energy.
"I applaud you for catching me by surprise," James stated as he emerged from the smoke. He was singed in a few places and soot marred his clothes and face. "I was certain I wouldn't have to use his power but I guess I was a little arrogant."
"Why you little-!" Shiroi snarled. He set his wolves upon James again. Frowning, James moved like lightning. He shifted into his Kleine Jaeger armor before jumping into the air and slammed his fists together. He twisted them before pulling them apart, energy crackling between his opposite facing fists, before slamming them back together. This time James focused the energy all in one fist though.
"Jaeger Bomb!"
The tightly focused blast of magical energy impacted against the wolves and Shiroi Kiba. A massive fireball resulted from the impact and Kiba was sent flying backwards. James landed in a crouch, falling down to one knee and bracing himself with a hand. He walked over to Kiba's smoking form and cocked back a fist in case the man still had some fight in him.
It was for naught. Shiroi Kiba groaned in pain but he wasn't getting back up. James straightened and collapsed his armor. He turned and left, drawing a flare gun as he exited the guild hall. Firing it, James signaled the Rune Knights who were on standby to come and apprehend the criminals. A dozen or so of them arrived and started rounding up the members of Wolf's Fang.
As for James, he returned to Lavender's town hall. A very grateful mayor thanked him and gave him a very lucrative sum of money. James thanked him and returned home. He took the train all the way back to Magnolia, enjoying the ride and even catching some sleep.
You're getting stronger.
James started awake in his train car alone.
Before you could barely hold your form. Now you can switch between your armors with ease Darax whispered in James' ear.
"I could do that before," James growled. "I didn't make S-Class for nothing."
You lost so much of your power when I took over last.
You mean when you destroyed Viola," James snarled.
Semantics. Anyways, our little trip to Edolas has strengthen our relationship. As your power grows so does mine. One day we will be strong enough to destroy anyone who dares to oppose us. Someday you will be able to harness my full power. My true power.
James frowned as the air shimmered before him and then his silver-haired head-mate consolidated into existence. He was wearing black armor similar to the Götterdämmerung, but it looked more organic and had a high collar to protect the neck. He was perfectly defined, no blurry edges like before. He stared at James with those eerie red eyes.
When will you come to terms with what we have done? With me? Darax's lips didn't move when he spoke.
"I already have. What we did in the past in nothing we can change. The lives lost because of my weakness, my inability to fully control your power, my power, is something that will haunt me forever. But I won't let it control me. Gramps taught that to me and Gale beat it into me. It is what drives me now. I will continue to grow stronger to protect those who turn to me for protection.
"As for you, well, your shadow has been hanging over me for fifteen years now. If I can keep you in check, all the better. I will control your power and use it for good," James stated. "You call yourself Darax of the Twilight. Twilight is a balance between the light and the dark, just at the tipping point. Even if you are a being of darkness, I can still use your power to fight for the light."
How sage-like Darax taunted. I am called Darax of the Twilight because the light always falls to the dark. Eventually, the light always falls to the dark and fades away; it doesn't matter how long or how valiantly you fight it, the dark will be your destiny.
"Not anytime soon."
"So how did things go?" Master Makarov asked as James walked up to the bar. James motioned to Mira and she quickly brought over a pint of beer. James took a good long draft before responding to Master's questions.
"Fine."
"The client was very happy with the results. He wants to employ us again in the future," Master continued.
"That's good." James took another pull of his beer.
"Something bothering you boy?" Master asked concern coloring his voice.
"No. I'm just tired." James ran his fingers through his hair. Really his thoughts were on Darax and the thinly veiled threats of James' future. "Erza didn't let me get much sleep last night and the mission kept me moving a lot." Master chuckled. "Wait till you get to my age."
"How is Erza?" James asked.
"Fine. Far as I know, she's been sprucing up that little cottage of yours," Master stated. James nodded and polished off his drink.
"Whelp, guess I'll be off. There's a bed calling my name," James stated getting up.
"Oh, James, will you be participating in this year's S-Class Trials?" Master called over his shoulder to James. James paused. The last few years James had kept out of the trials because he didn't trust himself to keep from killing his guildmates. He didn't trust his Magic.
"Yeah. Yeah, I think I will. This year should be fun."
"Good to hear it."
James waved over his shoulder as he left Fairy Tail. He made the long journey back to his new cabin. A light drizzle had begun as he left the guild hall and soon the weather had taken a turn for the cold. He was happy to see smoke curling from the chimney.
Upon entering the cabin, James found Erza in the kitchen cooking a late dinner.
"Oh, you're home," Erza smiled. James smirked as he saw she was adding some final touches to a strawberry shortcake. The girl sure did love her shortcake. He came up behind her and saw the pot of noodles boiling on the stove.
"You make any for me?" James whispered in Erza's ear.
"Maybe," she teased. She took some of the extra whip cream and dabbed it on James' nose. He fake-frowned before Erza playfully licked it off. "Go sit down in front of the fire. You're freezing. I'll bring you some food."
James nodded and shed his wet dress shirt and grey undershirt. He draped them over a chair to dry before reclining in front of the crackling fire. Erza soon came over with two plates of spiraled egg noodles covered in alfredo sauce and two smaller plates of her shortcake. She set them down before reclining next to James, her legs tucked under her.
"How was your mission?" Erza asked after a few mouthfuls of the pasta.
"Rather uneventful. I found the dark guild and put an end to them rather quickly," James explained. "They really couldn't put up much of a fight."
"That's good," Erza muttered.
"So what you do while I was gone?"
"Just some grocery shopping and enlisted some help from the others in moving our stuff. There are still a few boxes to unpack but everything is here."
James nodded. He glanced around a noticed the more womanly touches that he had missed before. An actual tablecloth on the kitchen table, the latest issues of his magazines in a basket next to the coffee table, some flowers by the window, crimson curtains covered the windows. Erza had done a marvelous job of making the place more livable.
They finished dinner in silence before James did the dishes and Erza made some hot chocolate. They sipped their cups quietly, just nestled together watching the fire, simply enjoying each other's presence. The fire started to get low so James tossed another log on.
"I'll be right back," Erza whispered behind him as he teased some more heat out of the fire. James merely nodded before lying down on the couch, his large six-foot plus frame hanging over the edges of the couch. Erza returned wearing lavender pajamas with the Heart Kreuz symbol printed all over. She lied down on top of James, her head resting on his left shoulder making sure not to stress his arm though. Her scarlet hair fell like a blanket over her and James.
Producing a little black box similar to the one James presented her yesterday, Erza placed it on the center of James' chest. He glanced down at it before opening it with one hand. Nestled in the black velvet lining was a signet ring with a beautifully cut ruby. The ruby caught the light from the fire and made it look like the ruby itself had a fire trapped inside.
"It's lovely," James whispered as he ran his finger along the edge of the cool silver ring. Erza wiggled it out of the box and James let her slip it onto his right index finger. James held out his hand and let his two rings caught the light from the fire. "Thank you."
"It only seemed appropriate after the necklace you gave me," Erza replied. James leaned down and gave her a long soft kiss.
"I love you Erza."
"And I love you."
