S.R: Well… Here it is. What are you doing still reading this. Just get on with it already!


"Gramps, I know you don't want to leave this to us, but someone has to tell the council about what's happening."

Erza, Mira, Cana, and Lucy all looked towards Natsu in confusion after he spoke. Makarov closed his eyes as he thought about it.

"Fairy Tail is usually at the top of the council's shit list, so if we don't do something to placate them at least somewhat, They will use this to screw us over. As the guild master and a Wizard Saint you have the most sway with them."

Because he had a point, Makarov sighed as he nodded, reluctantly agreeing with Natsu. Though he did turn to Erza and Cana as he stood up.

"Do not, I repeat, do not, push yourselves. Natsu is the only one allowed to clash with Jose should he appear."

He glared at Erza as he spoke. While he didn't doubt any of the mages in his guild, Makarov knew Natsu was the only person present that could fight with Jose that wouldn't get killed in the end. Not because Natsu would win, but because he was the only one that had the endurance needed to survive an all out fight against one of the Wizard Saints.

When the red head nodded he turned to Natsu. Neither one of them said anything, as they silently communicated through their eyes. Minutes passed as the silence caused the others to shift in their seats uncomfortably. Satisfied that they both understood what was going to happen, Makarov sighed once again.

With that he left the room. Closing her eyes in thought Erza stood up and started pacing as she tried to come up with a decent battle plan. Cana and Mira both moved towards Lucy who was still crying and blaming herself for what was happening.

"Lucy listen to me. It isn't your fault."

Mira tried to say. But her words had no effect. Cana however didn't bother trying to say anything just yet. Instead she pulled the blond into a strong hug. She let Lucy bawl her eyes out for a few minutes, knowing it would help her calm down enough to pay attention and listen.

"I can't convince you not to feel guilty. I can't convince you that you shouldn't worry. Not until we've gotten through all of this safely. So instead I'll say this. No matter what you are part of Fairy Tail. Let's get through this fight with Phantom Lord, then if you still feel bad about it, I'll go with you to confront your old man. Until then however I ask that you trust us and have faith in our bonds."

Her eyes were still glistening slightly as she looked at the brunette's face, but Lucy slowly nodded. Turning towards Mira, Cana motioned for her to take over now. Since Lucy was their target, Mira lead the blonde out of the room, escorting her to a safe house where they could hide until Phantom Lord had been dealt with.

As they left Natsu and Cana shared a look as Erza slammed a gauntlet clad fist down on the table that they'd been sitting around.

"We don't know what all they have up their sleeves, so there isn't really much to do in preparations."

She growled out angrily. Natsu just rolled his eyes.

"Calm down. We have a few tricks up our sleeves too."

Erza narrowed her eyes at him, slightly confused but mostly angry about how nonchalant Natsu was being. Luckily Cana knew what her boyfriend was talking about.

"First things first, set up an overlook spot where Warren can hang out. As a Telepathic magic user he needs to be able to see everything so he can relay info."

A Short While Later

Erza, Cana, and Natsu stood in front of the guild hall announcing the plans to the rest of the guild. Warren was tasked with keeping an eye on what was going to be refereed to as the battlegrounds. Bisca and Alzack were told to act as his support, since they were the best snipers in the guild. Laki was in charge of creating barriers to prevent the town from getting dragged into the fight, with her Wood Make magic. Though in order to give them the space needed to fight Erza did send someone to the mayor's office to explain things and have them start a 'Gildart's Shift'.

Erza was busy giving an empowering speech after giving the basic outlines of their plans to the guild when they felt the ground rumbling beneath them. Just on the edge of his vision heading towards the town from the not too far off coastline, Natsu noticed a large figure moving towards them.

"Shit…. ERZA GET OVER HERE!"

Noticing the tone, the red headed knight sped towards her fellow S-class members of Fairy Tail.

"I don't think they're going to play by the rules we thought they were."

Natsu commented pointing to the distance. At that point he could see it clearly with his sharp eyes, and it was finally close enough for the others to be able to see it as well.

"Is that-"

"Yeah it's Phantom Lord. Their actual headquarters to be precise."

Erza and Cana both closed their eyes and sighed heavily at that.

"They really aren't going to play by the rules are they?"

The brunette asked despite already knowing the answer.

"Considering they've got a massive, f-off canon pointing right at us? No."

Erza's head snapped towards the pink haired man at that. Her voice was low and worried as she spoke.

"Canon? Oh no… Don't tell me Phantom Lord has a Jupiter Canon."

Instead of verbally replying Natsu just nodded his head. So Erza sighed heavily again. A moment later she activated her magic and summoned forth her Re-equip: Adamantine Armor.

"It'll probably take me out of the fight, but I can block it."

Stepping forward to find the best spot to defend the town from Phantom Lord's trump card, she was surprised when Natsu's hand pushed her back.

"Erza, I'd be too drained to take Jose on if you get taken out of the fight. Cana has to stay here to manage the others, and Gray won't be enough back up in there. I need you to stay in the fight as long as possible."

"We don't have another choice!"

But by the time Natsu had finished speaking Cana had figured out what Natsu was planning. Dragging the red headed woman back towards the guild hall she smiled.

"It'll be fine Erza. Natsu can actually cut loose for once. We just have to get Macao ready to give Natsu a top up."

Since Cana was smiling Erza relented. While it was true everyone in the guild knew Natsu was powerful, Cana was the expert on her boyfriends strength. If she said Natsu could do it, then he could, and Erza wasn't going to argue.

"Change in plans guys. Natsu's gonna get first crack at them, but once's he's done he'll need a refill Macao."

The brunette called to the assembled guild members as they returned to the remains of the ruined guild hall. Gray just groaned, a little frustrated that Natsu was taking the lead. Some of the other members tried to argue against the idea, as by that point Phantom Lord's guild hall had gotten close enough that they could see the canon that was being pointed at them.

Standing a few feet away from the cliff-side looking out to sea Natsu was ready for it, ignoring the calls from his fellow guild members as Phantom Lord's guild hall stopped moving.

"MAGES OF FAIRY TAIL. HAND OVER LUCY HEARFILLIA, AND YOU'RE DEATHS WILL BE SWIFT. SURRENDER AND YOU WILL HAVE PAINLESS DEATHS."

The booming voice of Jose Porla echoed out from Phantom Lord's guild. Despite the fact that they were able to see that Jose was pointing a freaking Jupiter Canon at them, most of Fairy Tail chose to flip Jose the bird as their response, though they knew he couldn't see it.

"Piss off asshole!"

Natsu responded angrily, knowing that Jose was saying give up and die or fight and be tortured, neither of which made him feel anything but hatred towards the man.

"YOUR FATES ARE SEALED THEN. FIRE THE JUPITER CANON!"

Massive amounts of magic began to be drawn through the air towards the end of the canon that was pointed towards them. A few people began to panic, worried about what to do. But Cana just smiled, causing most of the guild to look at her as if she'd grown another head.

After a few moments the burst of magical energy was launched towards them. But an ungodly wave of heat washed over them, causing most of the guild to look towards Natsu. Cana was the only one not confused to see the red flames he was creating, as only a small handful of people knew that his orange fire was not his real magic.

"Fire Dragon King's Secret Art: Wrathful Monarch's Roar."

With that cry, a plume of flames burst forth from Natsu. It met the magical shot from the Jupiter Canon, and a second later began to rip through it, growing larger and larger as it continued on towards Phantom Lords headquarters.

The heat alone caused the canon to melt, and when it impacted with the building itself, everyone watching could see the tremor. The few Phantom Lord mages that had been brought by their guild master for this fight panicked as the building started to fall apart. Jose had to grab the wall to support himself as his guild was attacked. Though another reason was the unholy anger he was feeling at being denied what he wanted. His eyes narrowed into slits as he stared towards the pink haired man that dared to disobey him. 'The walls were made of densely packed magical stones, stones that could absorb the magic from a Jupiter canon and become even harder. Yet he can still destroy them… I. Will. Kill. Him!'

By the time Natsu's attack ended, and the cloud of dust kicked up by it's impact on the building faded, everyone could see straight through it. The pink haired Dragon Slayer had blasted a hole straight through Phantom Lord's headquarters.

Without waiting to see what was going to happen next Natsu walked back to the guild smirking heavily as he moved.

"What the fuck!?"

"How the hell are you that strong?"

"Why haven't you used those red flames before?!"

Random Fairy Tail members shouted out as he rejoined them. Natsu however just walked right up to Macao.

"I need at least a little bit of a top up in order to get over there."

His voice drew the older fire mage out of the stupor he'd gone into upon seeing Natsu's massively powerful attack.

"Oh, uh right. Purple Flare!"

Macao responded as he pointed a finger towards the pink haired man. A stream of purple fire poured towards him as he opened his mouth and devoured it. He didn't let Macao lend him too much, since they still needed to be able to fight, so after a minute or so he signaled for the other Fairy Tail mage to help.

"Gray, Erza let's get over there while Phantom Lord is still recovering. End this before they get to make a move."

Before they could get too far however Jose's voice was heard again.

"I WAS FEELING MERCIFUL, BUT NOW I WILL UTTERLY DESTROY YOU FAIRY SCUM! GO FORTH MY ARMY OF SHADES!"

With that shout, a massive surge of magic was felt. Before anyone could blink, magical apparitions taking the shape of weird demon like beings began to swarm towards them. Instincts screaming at him, Natsu called out of the others.

"Don't let those things touch you. I've got a bad feeling about them!"

Cana and a couple others just nodded at him. Gray groaned and Erza shook her head to refocus herself.

"Natsu! Gray! let's move!"

With that, the three of them dashed off towards the cliff side. Natsu's counter attack had caused enough damage to create a fair bit of debris that was still falling as Phantom Lord's building shifted in place as the remains changed from the shape of a building into a humanoid one.

Knowing it was another thing they were going to have to deal with the three of them ignored it, even when an absolutely massive magic circle formed in the air behind it. Instead they used the falling debris to cross over to the building.

"Alright, because he was protecting Lucy from being kidnapped, Gramps took out Sol, one of the Elemental Four. I'm not sure who the other one was. But that means we have Totomaru of the Fire, Juvia of the Water, and Aria of the Wind to deal with. Plus Gajeel and Jose."

Erza explained, as she was the one that knew the most about the other guilds. Gray nodded his head and Natsu just snorted.

"Totomaru is mine, as I'll use him to fully top myself back up before finding Jose."

"I'll deal with the Water chick."

Gray offered. He wasn't sure how strong they were so he didn't try to say he'd take a second person on.

"Erza, speed blitz Aria if you can, and save as much of your strength and magic as you can for Gajeel. He knows not to come after me cause I won't be holding back this time, so he'll be gunning for you instead."

The pink haired man offered his friend with a nod before heading off in the direction he felt a rather familiar magical pressure from. Of course the reason it was so familiar is it somewhat matched his own, as it clearly belonged to a Fire elemental magic user.

Though Gray and Erza both wanted to know why Gajeel wouldn't seek out Natsu to get revenge for their last fight, they shook their heads, knowing they probably wouldn't get an actual answer.

"Well then… I'm going this way, so you can try that way Gray."

Erza said as she pointed in one direction with a glare. Despite the fact he knew she was just making a suggestion, everything about her said that it was an order. So with a sigh the Ice Make mage nodded before jogging down the hall way.

"Man this place is empty."

He muttered to himself, rather surprised by the lack of people. Of course he didn't know that after the stinging failure of their trap in Oak Town Jose went on a small rampage that left only his S-class able to join him in moving towards Magnolia to confront Fairy Tail.

Eventually he could tell that he was getting close to a source of water, as he could feel the moisture in the air. Opening the door in front of him he was slightly blinded by light. As his eyes adjusted he noticed a few things. Number one, was that he was now outside. Number two, was that Phantom Lord's guild hall was very interesting to navigate since he was now standing on it's left shoulder in the humanoid shape it had taken, despite the fact that he had entered around the location where it's knee was.

The last thing he noticed was the blue haired woman with her back to the door. She was containing her magic, yet he knew it was Juvia, just by the fact it was raining in a ten foot radius around her.

'Of course, Juvia of the Water, would have water based magic. But even if she's trying to hide it, the rain is a dead give away.'

He thought to himself as he walked closer. Somehow he just knew that a surprise attack wouldn't work. So instead he waited until she finally turned to face him.

"Drip, drip, drop. Juvia is surprised that Fairy Tail had someone capable of countering a Jupiter Canon… But Juvia can tell, you were not the one to do that, so you are no threat."

Even though her words aggravated him, Gray could tell something wasn't right. So instead of lashing out like he wanted to, he just shifted his body into a more defensive stance. The moment he did so, the magic circle in the air shimmered, as the clock hands that it projected slowed down.

"Even without Sol present we are still capable of using the building itself to cast Abyss Break. But for each of us Elemental Four that are defeated it slows down. Phantom Lord has severely underestimated Fairy Tail."

Snorting at that Gray finally spoke to his opponent.

"You should have expected at least this much."

"Maybe so, but Juvia can tell that Phantom Lord will still win."

With Erza

Agreeing with Natsu's desire for her to speed blitz Aria, the first thing Erza did after they separated was use her Re-equip magic to change into her Flight Armor, planning to use the speed boost it provided to end the fight before Aria could react.

As she traveled down the hallway she'd taken, there were spots where she could peak outside and see the massive magic circle. 'That was quick Natsu.' She thought to herself upon noticing that it had slowed down. Of course Erza knew what the spell was, and given her knowledge of the spell itself she had a feeling she could explain how the massive version was working.

Normally one mage, who could use each of the four basic elements could cast Abyss Break, so long as they were powerful enough to do so. But given the fact Phantom Lord's guild hall had shifted to take a humanoid appearance, and the fact she could feel magic all around her despite the lack of people nearby she knew the building itself was casting it. But it was linked to the Elemental four, who were lending their expertise to decrease the amount of time it would take to cast the spell.

Shaking her head, the S-class wizard continued to search for her target. Dealing with Aria was now a top priority. Though she could only hope she found Aria before Gajeel found her.

With Natsu

"Are you really going to try again?"

Natsu questioned without looking over his shoulder as he dropped the now unconscious Totomaru. Truthfully he already knew the real reason Gajeel had come to find him, but he couldn't resist teasing his fellow Dragon Slayer.

"Hell no. I just wanted to ask you one thing."

the voice of Gajeel the Iron Dragon Slayer responded from the shadows behind him.

"Win or lose, get away from here after you fight Erza. It'll be hard to answer your questions if your in jail."

Natsu commented in his usual confident tone. Since he said questions, Gajeel knew that the pink haired man had more insight than he would have guessed, and so he nodded, personally agreeing that the time wasn't the greatest for the discussion they were likely going to have.

Even though the Fire Dragon Slayer wasn't looking, Gajeel knew that Natsu would know that he agreed to talk later and walked off.

"whew… Between you and Macao I'm almost back to full. The question is should I top up with my lacrima, or wait and see if I need it when Jose and I get going."

Natsu muttered to himself as he looked down at Phantom Lord's most prolific Fire magic user.


S.R: Yeah, I know this isn't the most exciting update. Honestly considering how they played out, I decided to drop the two fights I had written, and shift the last three fights of this arc to the next chapter. So the next chapter we'll have Gray vs. Juvia, Erza vs. Gajeel, and Natsu vs. Jose. Anyway I'll see you all next time!