Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto or Fairy Tail
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By Any Means
Chapter 7 - Old Friends, Old Enemies
Opening - V.I.P. by SID
0o0o0 Magnolia - Next Day 0o0o0
Naruto stared in muted disbelief at the sight before him. Where the Fairy Tail guild hall was supposed to be was a teetering wreck held up by giant steel poles impaling it from all directions.
"...Well fuck me sideways, they actually did it," he muttered. "Let's see who made it through."
The blond walked down the streets, the air filled with an almost palpable tension. The residents of Magnolia were mostly sticking to their homes, the few residents brave enough to go about their business casting fearful glances toward the ruined guild.
Upon reaching the destroyed guild hall, Naruto was able to tell the full scale of damage. "This Gajeel guy sure can lift." Naruto eyed the gigantic iron poles sticking out in various places.
"Tell me! Are you the one who did this to our guild!?"
"Huh?" Naruto turned his head left to look at the person accusing him in time to see a fiery fist grab his upper jacket and pushed him against the ruined door to the guild.
"I asked if you're the one who did this to our guild!" Naruto looked into the enraged eyes of Natsu Dragneel.
"Natsu!" the cry of a young woman caught both mages' attention, causing both men to look upon the shaken form of Lucy.
"Natsu that's enough! I know you're upset but you can't accuse someone just because he was standing near the guild!" The stern voice of Erza Scarlet lessoned Natsu's grip on Naruto's jacket.
"But we don't know if he is the one who-" Natsu was cut off as Naruto grabbed Natsu's arm and flipped him over onto his back and pinned the dragon-slayer in a painful arm-lock.
"You're friend is right you know. You really shouldn't go accusing people like that." Naruto tightened the arm-lock, earning him a cry of pain. "Especially since I only got into town 30 minutes ago. Now since I'm sure you don't want me to break your arm, you're going to apologize for messing up my jacket and I'll let you go. Sound good?"
Natsu nodded his head slowly, still unsure how he wound up on the ground with his arm being twisted upward painfully. "I-I'm sorry for messing up your jacket!" Natsu said it rather quickly hoping the stranger would accept it and let him go.
"Well… not as apologetic as I wanted it, but it'll do." Naruto let go of Natsu's arm and even helped the dragon-slayer up. Remembering the others Naruto turned his attention back to Lucy, Erza, Gray, and the strange talking cat he remembered from the Lullaby incident. "Ah! Sorry about hurting your friend. I guess I got a little carried away," Naruto said, lightly scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
The other four mages still unsure of what just happened, stared for a moment trying to make sure what they had witnessed wasn't a dream. It wasn't until Erza finally managed to compose herself that the sense of disbelief disappeared. "N-no. It was our misunderstanding."
"Don't worry about it." Naruto smiled back at her.
"Eh? Eh?!" Lucy was pointing at Naruto. "N-N-Naruto!"
"Naruto?" Erza, Natsu, Happy, and Gray parroted.
"Oh! Lucy how's it going?" Naruto nonchalantly asked.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"This ain't right, man! I won't be satisfied until we go and crush these guys!" Natsu shouted, slamming his fist through a wooden crate in response to Makarov brushing off his concerns.
The Master sat calmly, drinking from a mug. "This discussion is over. Until the upstairs is repaired-"
"What the hell happened here?!" a female voice shouted from outside, before several sets of footsteps could be heard rushing down the stairs. Sakura and Tenten came barreling around the corner, Sakura barking out, "Any injuries?" while scanning the the crowd of mages.
"No, no injuries," Mira responded to the pinkette.
"That's a relief. Do we know who did this?" Tenten asked.
"It was those Phantom bastards," Natsu ground out, gritting his teeth.
"What!? I know we've never see eye to eye but this is going to far. Just wait until I get my hands on those cowards." Sakura began to crack her knuckles.
"I've already put this situation to rest. Forget about Phantom. We need to focus on getting the guild repaired and taking jobs right now," Makarov said, slightly annoyed at having to repeat himself again.
"But Master!" Sakura tried to argue.
"I've had just about enough of this!" Makarov cried out, using his Titan Magic to elongate his arm, reaching around to spank Mirajane's behind. He quickly recoiled when a sword flew through the air, embedding itself in the ground right where his hand would've been. Looking up, he spotted the Uchiha on the stairway, one hand extended from throwing his weapon. A quick staredown ensued, one that Makarov lost.
"Hmph, fine then."
"Hnn."
The til now forgotten blond spun around at that familiar grunt, eyes wide in surprise. "By the Sage, I thought sensei was here. It isn't him, thankfully...but he does look similar. Maybe a relative?"
The blond's sudden movement caused everyone to truly take notice of the extra blond accompanying the "strongest" team.
"That reminds me, Lucy you still haven't introduced us to your long lost brother! Nyohoho!" Makarov chuckled at the blush adorning Lucy's face.
"He isn't my brother!" Lucy muttered. "Right! Everyone this is my friend Naruto! I met him just before I joined the guild. " Lucy introduced her fellow blond, who blinked at all the attention.
"Um… hi." Naruto waved at all the staring eyes.
"What are you doing here? Not that I mind or anything," Lucy inquired.
"Just passing through and I remembered that you said you wanted to join Fairy Tail." Naruto shrugged. "Figured I'd check and see if you made it."
Lucy blushed at his concern for her.
Sakura stared at the blond. There was an eerie familiarity about the blond man standing before her. She just couldn't place where she'd seen him. Maybe on one of her missions? She shook her head. She'd worry about it later. "Nice to meet you. I'm Sakura Haruno."
Head cocked and eyes squinted, Tenten stared at the blond. "Hmm, if I wasn't taken…" She walked up and clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I'm Tenten Higarashi. Welcome."
As the brunette stepped back, Naruto caught the gaze of the dark haired man who had thrown his weapon earlier. The two stared at each other, ignoring all the other sounds of the guild. Flat black versus shining blue.
"..."
"..."
"...hnn."
"Aha! I win!"
"Idiot."
"Bastard!"
The two were now butting heads, electricity shooting between their eyes. Master Makarov began to cry. "Oh God, there's another Gray and Natsu!" he thought as the blond was swarmed by the rest of the guild.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"Things have really gotten complicated, haven't they?" Lucy pondered aloud as she walked home with Plue, the summoned spirit she bought in Hargeon at a bargain.
"Hey Missy! Don't blame me if you fall in!" a passing boater called out.
"Phantom is famous for not getting along with Fairy Tail," she continued, ignoring the passerby. "I actually fretted trying to decide which one I wanted to join. After all, their reputation is nearly as nuts as Fairy Tail's! But I think I made the right decision joining here."
"Oh Lucy-chan, are you alright? I heard something terrible happened over at the guildhall," an old one-eyed man called out from the fishing shack in front of her apartment.
"Oh, Mr. Shimura! I'm fine, no one was injured. How's the catch today?" Lucy responded.
"That's good then," Danzo Shimura sighed in relief. "As for my catch, well… the fish seem to be hiding today. The vibrations from the destruction must've scared them."
Lucy nodded in faux understanding. "I see. Well, better luck tomorrow!"
"Stay safe now, Ojou-chan."
"Ah, I can't wait to get in the bath," Lucy contemplated as she walked up to her door. "it's been a long day after all." Unlocking the door, she stepped into her room, only to freeze at the sight of her fellow guildmates, Gray, Natsu,Happy, and Erza.
"Yo," Gray waved.
"What the hell are you doing in my house!"
0o0o0 Fairy Tail Guildhall Basement - Midnight 0o0o0
"So…" Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "What did you guys want to talk about?" the blond said as he turned to face Sakura, Sasuke, and Tenten.
"Hn."
"I think what Mr. Broody here is trying to say, is why do you look so familiar? Do we know you from somewhere?" Sakura asked.
"Well, actually what Mr. Duck-Ass here actually said was, and I quote, 'Explain yourself dobe,'" the blond corrected.
"..."
"..."
"...Hey! Asshole, who are you calling a dobe?!"
"Idiot. Answer the damn question," Sasuke ground out, already annoyed at the blond.
"Wait wait wait. I don't get it. What do you mean, 'explain yourself?'" Tenten cut in. "Do you know each other?"
"Wish I didn't," Naruto muttered under his breath, earning himself a glare from Sasuke and two deadpan stares. "Yeah, I know him. After all our moms were only best friends."
"Your mom was best friends with Sasuke's mom?" Sakura asked, "That means…!"
"I don't get it. What does that mean?" Tenten tilted her head in confusion. Sakura could only facepalm.
"Ten sometimes I wonder why we hang out with you."
"Because I'm cute? And I'd stab you if you left me out again?"
"Sounds like a good reason to me," Naruto said, suddenly wary of the bun-haired girl.
"I still don't get it though."
"Hn. Think. Blond hair, blue eyes, friend/comrade to the Uchiha."
"Still don't get it."
"And I thought I was dense." Naruto muttered loudly.
Sakura grabbed the other girl by the shoulders and shook her. "Ten you idiot! His mother was a shinobi!"
Sasuke facepalmed mentally, fed up with all the stupidity.
"He. Is. The. Son. Of. The. Yondaime. Hokage," he growled out, pleased at the dawning comprehension crossing the others' faces. "Hn."
"'Idiots,' he says," Naruto supplied.
Sasuke whipped his glare toward the blond.
"And how do you keep knowing what I'm saying?" he demanded.
"Lucky guess?" Naruto chuckled weakly, glancing away from the suddenly pushy Uchiha.
"...Hn." Sasuke relented.
"Ohmygodohmygodohmygod!" Tenten was practically squealing. "The Yondaime Hokage was so cool! What was it like being his son?"
"Er, I'm not entirely sure how to answer that." The blond's fist clenched out of sight. "Let's just say it was a normal family and leave it at that."
As Tenten deflated Sakura spoke up. "Oh, that explains why you look familiar to me then. I must have seen you on one of my visits to Shadow Heart with Tsunade-shishou before, well…"
The four fell silent, each reminiscing about the fall of their original home.
Sasuke was the first to break the silence. "Dobe, why are you here?"
"Eh, didn't I say it earlier? I just wanted to check up on Lucy and-"
"Bullshit."
"Eh?"
"Bull. Shit."
"What, I can't be concerned about a friend, asshole?"
"...Hn."
"I do too have friends! I bet I have more than you!" Naruto rebutted.
Sasuke tilted his head slightly, a flat look on his face. Naruto froze in disbelief before slumping to the ground, a rain cloud over him and drawing circles on the floor with his finger.
"Stupid Uchiha magnetism…"
Sakura leaned over to Tenten who was watching the exchange confused. "Aren't you feeling a bit left out Ten?"
"...Yeah. I am." A kunai appeared in her hand. "I don't like being left out. Oh boys~," the brunette sang out, weapon glinting ominously.
Sasuke turned and paled at the psychotic smile Tenten was projecting. It was the same as the one from her. He shivered, before glancing at the oblivious blond. Feeling a small foreign sensation, Sasuke gave in when the kunai flashed again.
"Run, dobe."
"Huh?" the blond glanced up to see a bun haired demon descending upon them. "Oh sweet Sage, what is that?" he cried out as he joined Sasuke in fleeing.
"Come back~ I just want to play with you~"
Sakura facepalmed.
0o0o0 The Next Morning 0o0o0
"Where is everyone?" Naruto asked as he walked into the empty basement of the Fairy Tail guild hall.
Seeing as he was alone, he mosied on over to the bar and began pilfering various alcoholic beverages, stashing them discreetly in storage seals. "Can never have too much emergency alcohol," the blond thought, humming to himself.
"Naruto?"
"..." Naruto froze mid rummaging. "This isn't what it looks like."
"Okay…" Lucy said slowly. "What are you doing down here?"
"I was wondering where everyone was and then I got thirsty," he replied, quickly hiding the bottle in his hand behind back. "Figured I'd get my own."
"O-oh. Then I guess you haven't heard." Lucy said sounding defeated.
"Heard what?"
"Earlier Levy and the rest of team Shadow Gear were found in South Gate park pinned to a tree. They were beaten and hung up like… like-!"
The Celestial Spirit mage couldn't finish, eyes tearing up once again.
Naruto was at a loss as how to comfort her. He didn't have a lot of experience with crying women that weren't trying to kill him at some point. Tentatively he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "There, there," he murmured, mind racing through various ideas. "They were brought back to the infirmary, right?" he guessed, relieved when she nodded. "Maybe you should go and watch over them, make sure they're comfortable."
Sniffling, she wiped her eyes. "W-what about you?"
"I've got something to take care of real quick."
0o0o0 2 Hours Later- Outside of Oak Town 0o0o0
"Of course," Naruto muttered as he stepped out of the forest to see Oak Town before him.
After leaving Lucy to watch over the fallen Fairies he'd gone to South Gate park to track down the rest of Fairy Tail. Once there he'd found Makarov's staff shattered before the tree where Team Shadow Gear had been pinned. From there he'd been able to pick up Makarov's magical signature and followed it.
"Should've known the old geezer wouldn't take it lying down. 'Bout time too." Naruto pulled out his communication lacrima and was surprised when Shikamaru's voice came screaming out at him.
"NARUTO PICK UP ALREADY!"
"...I'm guessing Fairy Tail is already attacking Phantom?"
"WHY THE FUCK DID YOU NOT WARN ME!?"
"Well… I… kinda just found out myself."
"HOW THE HELL DID YOU JUST FIND OUT!?"
"Well… lets just say I was picking up supplies."
"..." Naruto could picture Shikamaru pinching the bridge of his nose. "Troublesome. Orders, O Great Leader?"
"Yeah. Get out of there."
"Whatever would I do without your brilliant plans?"
"Probably die. Remember your last brilliant plan?"
Shikamaru's end fell silent and Naruto took off into the town.
Naruto took up position atop a building close to Phantom Lord's guild and waited patiently for Shikamaru. 5 minutes passed and every now and then an explosion would occur within the guild.
"They sure are destructive, aren't they?" Naruto asked aloud.
"They're a little overkill if anything," Shikamaru replied, stepping out from the blond's shadow. "So what now?"
"Did you know there were other survivors?"
"Logically, I assumed there were others, and you mentioned several in your earlier history lesson, but if you meant did I know of any personally? No."
Naruto grunted a laugh. "Always the thinker, Shika. There are at least 3 survivors in Fairy Tail, all around our age. Two civilian born kunoichi, one of which was apprenticed to Tsunade, and an Uchiha."
"An Uchiha? Before your "history lesson" I thought they were all killed. Now there's a second one that made it out alive." Shikamaru paused for a moment, mind racing down several trains of thought, before posing a question to Naruto. "How many of us made it out?"
Naruto's feral grin sent a shiver down Shikamaru's spine.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"That can't be good." Shikamaru looked at the blond questioningly.
"What can't be good?"
"I can't sense Makarov anymore."
"What do you mean you can't sense him anymore?"
"His magical presence. Normally he's like a god damn beacon of magic. Now it's like he's just… gone. Either his magic is being suppressed or he got teleported elsewhere." Naruto frowned at that thought. "This isn't good. I'm not sure Fairy Tail is strong enough without the old man."
"Should we step in?"
"No. Not yet."
"Looks like they're retreating," Shikamaru noted as the Fairy Tail mages began to rush out of Phantom's guild.
Naruto stilled his body, entering the meditative state needed for Sage Mode. As the the tribal markings faintly appeared on his face he spoke. "I can just barely sense the old man. I don't what happened in there, but he has almost no magic left in his body."
The blond frowned as he detected a familiar signature heading away from the group. Extending his senses, he tried to find out what had drawn the attention of Fairy Tail's Dragon Slayer. "Hmm, it seems like there's a Phantom Lord base out there. Now why would he…?"
"Goddammit, what the hell is Lucy doing there?!"
Naruto's shout caused Shikamaru's head to snap around.
"Who?"
"She's a Fairy Tail mage. And last I checked she was in Magnolia."
"And her being here is a surprise because… why?"
"She stayed behind to take care of some injured Fairy Tail members, and as far as I can tell, she doesn't have combat oriented magic."
Shikamaru cocked his head. "Kidnapping then."
"And another guild member is headed over to her right now." Naruto straightened up, the signs of Sage Mode disappearing. "Shika…"
The shadow user sighed. "Troublesome."
"Thanks. He's got pink hair and acts like he has a constant sugar high."
"So you with pink hair?"
"Shut up."
0o0o0 Magnolia - Fairy Tail 0o0o0
"You careless idiots! Dodge next time!" Sakura yelled pulling tight on the bandaging she applied to Macao.
"Ow! Don't pull so tight!" Macao whined.
Sakura shot him a look that instantly shut him up. "Come again?"
"Nothing, nothing."
"That's what I thought." Sakura shoved him out of the way, calling out. "Next!"
"Hn. We shouldn't have ran," Sasuke grumbled, leaning against the bar.
"That's enough, Hatake. You know why we had to retreat," Gray cut in.
"...I don't have to like it though."
Tears fell down Lucy's face as she listened to the chaos. "I'm sorry," she whispered into the air.
"Yo, don't worry about it! The important thing is that you're back with us." Natsu pushed off the wall next to Lucy and turned to face her. "Drinking beer in the guild hall, making a ruckus while adventuring, that's the Lucy we know, and are proud to have with us."
"Although it was a surprise to hear about your family." Elfman replied loudly.
"It certainly caught me off guard to hear that you were the only heir of the Heartfilia family," Happy chipped in.
"Damn it Ten, stop distracting me when I'm divining!" Cana yelled at Tenten who was hovering over her shoulder. Apologising, Tenten backed up, only for Cana to throw her hands up seconds later. "Ugh! It's no use, I can't find Mystogan."
"I see. What a shame." Mira looked over at her with worry, a lit communication lacrima in the background.
"If they're targeting Lucy, they're likely to attack again. Many of us are injured too. Things don't look too good," Cana said, shaking her head and taking a swig out of her hip flask.
"Master is gravely wounded, and we don't know where Mystogan is. You're one of the few that can help us… Laxus." Mira turned back to the communication lacrima. "Please come back. Fairy Tail's in a pinch!"
"Huh? Serves that damned old man right. Hahahaha. This has nothing to do with me. Deal with it yourselves." Laxus smirked. "Why should I get involved in a war that geezer started?"
"Laxus, you-!"
"Hn, what a joke. Scared, mister S-rank?"
"Huh, what's that, a little puppy who ran away with his tail between his legs? Don't speak up while the adults are talking, Hatake." Sasuke bridled at that, but managed to keep his cool.
"Please, Laxus! Phantom is targeting one of our own - Lucy," Mirajane pleaded with the lightning mage.
"Huh? Lucy? ...Oh, the newbie?" Laxus sneered. "Tell her I'll save her if she becomes my woman. Hahahaha!"
"You ass, why can't - !" Cana cut in, only for Laxus to speak right over her.
"Hey now, is that anyway to speak to someone you're asking help from?" Cana rocked back, lips pressed into a thin line, frustrated.
"And tell the old man to hurry up and retire, so I can take over as master, hahahaha!"
The communication lacrima shattered as Mira overloaded it with magic.
"I can't believe it," she mumbled out, tears appearing her eyes. "How can someone like that be a part of Fairy Tail?"
"Mira," Cana murmured, laying a hand on the other girl's shoulder in support.
Wiping her eyes, Mira nodded to herself. "I'll fight too."
Sasuke stepped up, his stoic features hiding the concern that nonetheless bled into his voice. "Are you sure? We worked on it, that's true, but you're still not where you used to be."
The silver haired girl nodded. "Lucy was captured even though I was here. I'll fight to protect Fairy Tail."
0o0o0 Fairy Tail - Women's Showers 0o0o0
Erza felt the steaming water begin to wash the grime and dirt from her tired body. It had been a long day since Levy and the rest of the team Shadow Gear had been found. Their righteous vengeance against Phantom was going flawlessly until the Master had crashed back down to them from atop Phantom's guild.
A flash of Makarov's pale green skin made her shudder in revulsion, goose bumps forming on her bare skin.
"The Master is gone; Laxus and Mystogan as well… many are injured too. Is it even possible to continue this war?" Flashes of her comrades getting hurt back at phantom popped within her mind's eye as she began to feel guilt for not staying by Makarov's side. She punched the shower wall in frustration. "If only I had gone with him… How pathetic… It's my fault!" She clenched her teeth in anger.
BOOM!
0o0o0o0o0o0
BOOM!
The walls of the basement shook, dust raining down on the Fairy Tail mages.
"What was that?" Gray asked as all the guild members all looked around warily.
Alzack ran down the steps, panting, and yelled to catch everyone's attention.
"OUTSIDE!"
The Fairy Tail members all rushed out at that, only to behold the sight of a giant building walking on six mechanical legs slowly closing on them from the lake behind their guild hall.
"W-what the hell is that?" Natsu spluttered out, wide eyed.
"Phantom?" Loke questioned, even as the others members came to the same horrified conclusion.
"I-I don't have a big enough knife for that guys." Tenten said, eyes wide and jaw on the floor like everyone else.
"I didn't predict this. To think this is how they would attack us…" Erza stood in shock, holding the towel she had wrapped around herself on her run out tightly.
"The Magic Compacto Cannon, Jupiter… Ready…" The entire guild heard Jose's voice as the middle wall of the Guild slid down and a gigantic cannon extended out of it. A giant sphere of magical energy began to gather at the end of the barrel.
Erza charged forward without a second thought, her towel flying off in the process.
"Erza!" Mira screamed as she watched her friend rush forward to her seeming demise.
"What are you planning to do?" Macao asked.
Erza's body glowed as she Requipped into her Adamantine Armor.
"She can't be planning to take it head on!" Sakura exclaimed.
"Even with its high defensive capability she may not survive," Sasuke explained.
"Stop it Erza, you'll die!" Mira cried out.
Erza slammed the two shields on either of her arms together as the cannon began to fire. "Take cover!"
The magic energy gathering in the Jupiter Cannon finally reached critical mass and compacted, before launching as a pure beam of magical energy toward the Fairy Tail mages.
"ERZA!"
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Ending - In My World - Rookiez Is Punk'd
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See you guys in the next one!