S.R: Okay, so I want to respond to a review before I get into the chapter..
Review:
This story is amazing! One thing I am worried about is that you are giving Fairy Tail too much power. Even without Natsu and Cana they are over powered. Maybe take Mira out of commission for good? I don't have many ideas, but fix the power balance.
-ParentFunction
Response:
Yes and no on giving Fairy Tail too much power. Yes because Natsu and Cana are stronger and Laxus will be sticking around (no Battle of Fairy Tail arc after dealing with Jellal). But the answer could also be no. Fairy Tail has the power anyway, I mean just look at Gildarts. It's why just like canon I don't have him hanging around. Gildarts would make pretty much everything seem like child's play. Another reason to say no is because the baddies (from this point on) are getting buffed... Well Phantom Lord won't, but that's more because I love the idea of them getting absolutely crushed in this fight. Plus, when we get to it and we get to see some of the other guilds they'll be buffed a bit as well.
As for taking Mira out of commission, I will but not entirely. She still has to get around the mental block she has preventing her from using Take Over. But even when that happens she won't instantly be back at full strength. I like to think she'd stick around as the guild's bar maid even after getting back to full strength because it's something she's grown to enjoy doing, and because it's become an ingrained habit. But that doesn't mean she won't step up and fight if she has to.
S.R: Anyway, before I get into the story I just want to say if "( )" means that it's being spoken in the dragon tongue. Mostly because I want to use another language but I haven't decided and it makes it easier for me to find when I come back to add it in later.
Last Time
"Gramps, mom said not to use Fairy Law against Phantom Lord."
"I did some digging of my own, Jose is the grandson of Geoffrey Porla the founder of Phantom Lord and previously the guild leader of the dark guild Blue Skull. Does that have anything to do with why she says not to use Fairy Law?"
Natsu nodded before explaining.
"Yeah. Geoffrey was there when she cast Law to save your dad's life. Apparently Fairy Law is just an adapted version. She says he probably came up with a counter to it."
Erza wasn't sure what to make of the news, while Cana and Makarov both frowned at the idea.
"Did she suggest anything else instead?"
With a sigh Natsu told them of his entire talk with his mother and her ideas. Makarov knew of her reputation as the 'Fairy Tactician' and felt that the advice was sound. He also had a feeling he knew exactly what she was talking about when she mentioned 'pretending to spring Phantom Lords trap'.
A small grin came to his face as an idea hit him.
"Natsu my boy, what would you say to leading the charge?"
This Time
"This is going to be tricky..."
Natsu muttered as he focused his magic. After Makarov had explained his plan, Natsu felt it was their best bet to catch Phantom Lord off guard. They knew this was a trap. Jose and his guild had purposefully provoked this attack, which meant they were confident that they could handle it. Or that it was a distraction while Phantom messed with their real target.
Just in case Phantom had intended to trap them here, Makarov didn't send everyone to attack. Some of the less combat oriented members of the guild stayed behind, but so did Erza. Since the situation screamed that it was a trap, Natsu argued that they should keep an S-class in reserve just in case things didn't go according to plan. Unable to discount the fact that their plan might not work because they had no clue what Jose's plan was Makarov agreed. The guild master also stayed behind, but that was because it was the only way they'd get out of Phantom Lords trap.
Cana and several of the guilds A Class mages watched with wide eyes as the golden glow that was Natsu's Illusion magic condensed in on itself becoming a bright white as it molded it's shape into that of their guild master. The fact that Natsu had made an illusionary clone of their guild master wasn't why they were watching on with wide eyes. No, it was the fact that he had imparted just enough of his magic into the illusion for it to have a magical presence that was extremely similar to the guild masters. Enough so that only those who had spent enough time around Makarov would know that it was a fake.
"What the hell flame-brain?!"
Gray cried out unable to figure out what was going on anymore.
"Phantom Lord provoked us on purpose. This is a trap, and I'm going to spring it. But that means we need this illusion to be as real as possible."
Even though she was there when the guild master suggested it, Cana was still concerned about how their plan could work.
"Natsu are you sure you can handle it? I mean you've got to clash with Gajeel 'Blacksteel' Redfox, and maintain that illusion long enough to find out what Jose's plans are."
"I'll be fine. Blacksteel will know somethings off since he's got the same heightened senses I do, but he won't be able to do anything about it after I call him out. Besides, there's more to this illusion than meats the eye."
At that point Natsu's illusionary Makarov spoke up.
"Alright then, enough talking. We're all ready. Natsu my boy, if you will?"
The group had to contain their surprise at the fact that it even had Makarov's voice. Though it made sense, as they were trying to sell the illusion as the real thing. It's also why it talked as if it was real. Just in case Jose had some kind of surveillance system in place. What they didn't know was that Igneel was hiding inside of Natsu's body, nor that he could transfer his conscious into nearby objects. Such as the lacrima that Natsu had secretly placed in his illusions pocket while everyone was distracted by it's speech.
Grinning widely as he moved Natsu reared back as he sucked in air. Because their Dragon Slayer had dared to enter his home and destroy it, he was going to do the same. Not holding back in the slightest he unleashed his attack.
"Fire Dragon's Explosive Roar!"
A wicked grin was on his face as he watched his fire completely demolish the doors to Phantom Lords guild hall before rushing into the building and causing structural damage. ' I'm not being vindictive and enjoying this. No not at all' he sarcastically commented in the back of his mind.
"What the fuck was that?"
"Shit, we're under attack!"
Fairy Tail heard from inside the building. Because he opened the way Natsu just gestured for them to have at it before rushing into the building. His fake Makarov right on his heels. As the only other S-class present Cana just shouted "Charge!" before following her boyfriend into the Phantom Lord guild hall.
Natsu's fake Makarov kicked a few Phantom Lord nobodies around for a couple minutes, before acting on their plan.
"Natsu, Cana, you're in charge down here. I'm going to find Jose!"
Hiding his face from sight Natsu smiled as he noticed the glint in some of the stronger members of Phantom Lords eyes. 'I knew it. They've got something planned.'
Roundhouse kicking the small fry in front of him Natsu looked straight up at the ceiling.
"Oh? Is Blacksteel such a chicken shit that he has to hide from me on the ceiling? Are you that scared of me?"
"Ha, you ain't worth my time Salamander!"
A wide grin formed on Natsu's face at those words.
"Oh really?"
Suddenly letting go of the tight hold he had on his magic Natsu let the pressure force the nearby Phantom Lord goons into the ground.
"(Sounds to me like you need a reminder of who your betters are. Insulting my power is the last thing you should be doing, Wingless one.)"
Natsu purposefully taunted in the dragon Language. Cana and Gajeel were the only people that didn't flinch at the sound. Cana because Natsu had been teaching her, because she asked, and Gajeel because he was raised speaking it. Which was why he launched himself at Natsu with a snarl.
In dragon culture, calling someone 'wingless one' meant you were saying they had no right to claim to be dragon-kind. It was the highest form of insult in other words.
"I'll fucking kill you for that one Salamander!"
Gajeel roared as his arm became a solid metal log that he swung intending to cave Natsu's head in. But the pink haired man caught it with one hand. Flames danced to life around his free arm as he tugged Gajeel towards him and smashed his fist into the other Dragon Slayers chest.
Meanwhile
"Jose!"
The illusionary clone of Makarov roared out as it entered the masters office of Phantom Lords guild hall. Watching it all through the lacrima that Natsu had put in the illusion's pocket Igneel snorted when he saw the man that was Phantom Lords guild master. Jose Porla was rather gaunt looking. 'Asshole thinks so highly of himself he'd dress like royalty despite looking like he's almost a corpse.' He thought to himself after hearing Jose's grandiose speech about how he was finally going to swat the 'pesky fairies' out of the sky and teach them who truly matters.
"Do you really thing the Magic Council will let you get away with this?"
"The magic council can't do shit to me you senile old fool! Phantom Lord is just acting on the request of a client after all."
Though he was curious about what their job could entail he knew, that the fool was too power drunk to realize just how screwed he was. Even if it were true that their attack on Fairy Tail was because of a job request, the Magic Council would likely disband Phantom Lord since conflict between guilds is illegal. Granted the dragon only knew that because he'd been paying attention every time Natsu had met with the council. They were rather vain and even if they openly agreed with Jose about Fairy Tail needing to be dealt with, they'd still turn on him for going against their rules.
"Jose you are the only fool here. The Magic Council wouldn't idly sit by and ignore this just because of a job. Conflict between guilds is illegal no matter the reason after all."
"Let's see you say that to the Heartfilia family then! Jude Heartfilia has handsomely paid Phantom Lord to retrieve his daughter and bring her home in time for the arranged marriage he has set up. Even the council wouldn't go against one of the richest men in Fiore!"
Phantom Lord's guild master argued before laughing maniacally. 'It's a shame Natsu predicted your trap. Let's see how you feel after seeing your plans fall apart.'Igneel thought to himself as he noticed the rapidly approaching presence.
"Metsu"
A voice spoke as the magical energy that Natsu's fake Makarov had was disrupted. Before anything else could happen however, the illusionary Makarov began to crumble and fall apart.
Back On the Ground Floor.
Sensing that his illusion had been canceled Natsu had a vicious grin on his face. There were a few bruises covering his arms and he had a chipped tooth, but other than that he was still good, unlike his opponent.
Gajeel was panting heavily and his clothes were burned and singed, as were sections of his hair. Even though Natsu was holding back as they fought, it wasn't even a contest since he was kicking Gajeel around like a ball.
"You're done."
He told the Iron dragon slayer before smashing his fist into the mans face. Gajeel was sent reeling by the punch before collapsing onto his back out cold. As the Iron Dragon Slayer feel a shout of anger and disbelief was heard from above them.
"Fairy Tail, our work is done here. Pull back!"
Natsu called out, before flaring his magic.
"Fire Dragon's Searing Wall!"
He called out as his magic created a massive barrier of flames to protect them as they retreated from Phantom Lords guild hall. Returning to the road Natsu and Cana lead everyone back towards Magnolia. Yet before five minutes passed Gray angrily shouted at him.
"What the hell flame brain! We aren't done getting payback for the shit they've pulled!"
Cana rolled her eyes and Natsu suppressed a groan as he turned to face the Ice Make mage. While walking backwards he raised his voice so everyone that had joined in the fight could here him and know what was going on.
"Gray, didn't you pay any attention to what we said before going in there? Phantom Lord wanted that fight, they provoked us into attacking them. They had a plan in place. Notice what isn't with us right now? My Illusion of gramps. You want to know what would have happened had he been with us? He would have confronted Jose, just to find out it was a trap and Aria, the Wind mage of their Elemental Four would have used a spell called Metsu on him. Metsu drains a target of all of their magic, meaning the more magic they have the more damage it inflicts. Considering his age, having all of his magic drained that way would take gramps out. I mean there's even a small chance it would have killed him."
Everyone went wide eyed at that. But because he knew what Gray would say in response Natsu continued on with his explanation.
"Since his plan failed Jose is pissed. That was a scream of absolute rage we heard before I pulled us out of there. As a Wizard Saint, that bastard is pretty damn strong. While I still have a few tricks up my sleeves to deal with him in a one on one, I can't do that and keep you guys alive, because let's face it. He'd bee actively trying to kill us all… Besides this fight ain't done yet. Phantom Lord didn't get what they wanted, so they'll be back."
Hours Later
Natsu and Cana immediately went to Makarov when they got back to the guild. All S-class present were pulled into a meeting about how to handle what was to come. Even Lucy was pulled into the meeting.
"It isn't your fault Lucy. Phantom Lords been wanting this for a while, so the job was just an excuse for them. Not that it would actually fly in front of the Magic Council."
Makarov told her with a comforting smile on his face. After Natsu mentioned that Jose had told his illusion that Phantom Lord was hired to 'retrieve' Jude Heartfilia's daughter he knew the blonde girl would blame herself. Especially now that they knew why she had been targeted, as shortly after team Shadow Gear was taken to the hospital he had noticed a few odd characters tailing the blonde and dealt with them. Upon finding out they were part of Phantom Lord, he made sure to use a lacrima to record a message for Jose.
"You may have had one success at attacking my children, but not this time."
He spoke, before showing the lacrima a scene of the two members of Phantom Lord laying on the ground defeated. That lacrima was the one Natsu had slipped into his illusion's pocket. It was also what caused Jose to scream in anger.
"So how are we going to handle this gramps? Phantom Lord won't take this laying down."
Natsu commented, drawing Makarov back from his thoughts.
"No, no they won't. Jose will be out for blood this time."
S.R: Yeah this is one of the shorter chapters for this story. Originally this chapter was going to be much longer, but I'm still not completely happy with the rest. So I decided to cut it here and workshop the rest for the next chapter. Mostly because it's been a while since the last update and I wanted to do something so as to prove that I'm not dead yet.