Adventreader221: You look like yo died of suffocation, you ok?
Phoenixlord42: Uzumaki-khan *falls down and the soul starts to leave his body*
Adventreader221: Shit *Grabs souls and shoves it back in the body* LIVE MOTHER FUCKER *Looks to audience* Please enjoy while I try and save this guy
Upon reaching the island after tracking their magic signature the Fairy Tail Wizards had to hide due to the amount of guards posted around. However this was easily fixed when Naruto traped them under the ground up to their necks in mud. Once the last person had been beaten and knocked out of sight, the Fairy Mages regrouped. Natsu cracked his knuckles "These guys suck big time. They definitely need to get better guys to guard this place. It was wide open." he said.
Lucy sent Virgo back to the Celestial World and walked up to her friends, still wet from entering through the water and dressed in the bikini she was wearing underneath her clothes. She wrung out her hair "Well, to be fair, I doubt they were thinking that anybody's be stupid enough to swim a dozen meters under solid rock and pop up in the water." she said to the pinkette.
"They underestimated Juvia's ability to adapt in the ocean." Juvia said calmly before sneering in Lucy's direction, "Yes, she was extremely valuable in the effort to get here, unlike some people." Juvia said looking at the blond.
Lucy deadpanned, "Yes. You were a big help. Now wipe the grin off your face." she yelled at the water mage. Naruto stepped forward on the platform and looked around at their surroundings.
He silently stared at the intricate platforms and water basins beneath them as Gray asked behind him "What's up Naruto? Did you notice something?" he asked him.
They could see the anger building in the blond's blue eyes, not even bothering to ask when they could see how angry he was coming here. This whole place might just be one big trigger for him. Lucy hesitated, "Naruto? We...we should keep going." she said nervously. Naruto spared her a look before staring back at the lower level.
He finally nodded before stepping away from the edge "Yeah, good idea." he said.
She nodded and started leading them towards the wall to exit while Natsu psyched himself up "Stupid jerks! Why the hell would they take Happy in the first place?" Natsu whined.
Kurama answered, "That was probably the cat looking girl you told me about. You might be hard-pressed trying to take him back from her." he told the pink haired dragon slayer.
"And she's pretty quick too." Naruto noted, getting a grumble of agreement from Lucy and Juvia. They knew full well how much of a pain in the ass that cat tube thing she used could be, "If she pulls out a tube and throws it at you, get out of the way. You do not wanna get caught in that thing." he stated.
"No worries. I'm way better at avoiding that crap than you guys." Natsu said. Juvia hung her head in shame and Lucy aimed a small glare at him while Gray struggled not to punch him in the face "I just got to get a good hit and-" Natsu, Gray and Naruto froze in place as the air that smelled of salt water and moldy rocks suddenly became drenched in something else. It reeked of it.
Blood... Lucy looked back, "Nat-" she started to say before all three men yelled out to the others "GET DOWN!" as Natsu dashed forward and tackled Lucy to the floor as several projectiles went over their heads faster than they could see. They all suddenly got into a defensive stance as projectiles started getting hurled around their heads at blinding speeds. Natsu kept Lucy's head down as she screamed, "Ah! What's going on?" she asked fearful.
Juvia's body continually changed from physical to liquid as the projectiles flew through her body. She looked around desperately "Juvia cannot tell where they are attacking from!" she said.
"Shit!" Gray created a shield of ice to block the attacks from every point of vision above them "We gotta do something or else we'll be turned into kebabs." the Ice Wizard yelled.
Naruto stood clad in his iron skin taking the full power of the attacks that went for his head and body while trying to figure out the point of origin for the attacks. His eyes darted back and forth, trying to find the enemy that was striking from the shadows before landing in a crouch. *Clack*Clack*Clack* the blades sounded as they clashed with the iron skin. The blond parried and knocked each strike out of the air as the projectiles flew in every direction with simple waves of his hands. Most of them fell over the side but one sharp kunai fell by his foot.
He slipped his shoe underneath it before kicking it up and grabbing it out of the air. He examined it closely and narrowed his eyes "A ninja." he said with a raised eyebrow.
Suddenly a feminine voice spoke, "Sorry bout that, but i didn't want to try and hurt you guys." before a woman walked out of the hall. The woman wears a white sleeveless, high-collared qipao dress with red trimmings and a pink flame pattern on the left, tied with a maroon obi. Underneath, she has fishnet leg stockings and black high-heeled boots. She no longer wears her gloves and forehead protector, but wears a pair of black scrolls around her wrists like bangles, and has two scrolls in the colour of green and light grey strapped on her lower back while sporting red dangling tassel-like earrings.
Naruto steps forward and blocks his companions from her line of sight, "Who are you?" he questions.
The woman smiles brightly when she lays her eyes on him, "HEY!" she says excitedly, "Do you know how long I have been searching this place for you, I mean you up and left us for no reason before we find out you supposedly died on us Naruto." she said to him.
Naruto however ignores her as his power rises causing some rocks to begin floating in the air, "I won't ask this again, who are you?" he questions her once more.
The woman pauses and looks at him and says, "You don't remember me… do you?" she asked him quietly.
Naruto eased his power down seeing she wasn't trying to fight him and shook his head, "No, and why should I. I got rid of all my memories when I found Fairy Tail nearly ten years ago." he told her.
The woman steps forward as she looks him in the eyes, "It's me Naruto, Tenten. We've known each other since we lived in the orphanage together before I was adopted." she told him.
Naruto suddenly grabs his head as visions pass through his skull. He saw himself in a small village, a young girl with buns laughing as she caught a ball he threw at her. Shaking his head he looks to her seriously, "Just because I can recall we grew up together as children, doesn't mean we're friends." he told Tenten.
Tenten frowns at this and starts to think 'Ok yeah he had his memory wiped or something. Damn those fuckers for what they did.' she thinks to herself.
Naruto reaches behind him to grab his bisento to fight only to frown. That's right, he used it to get a wish granted and no longer had a weapon to fight with. He sighs in annoyance. Of all the times to forget to buy a weapon to fight with. Looking to the woman, "Look, miss Tenten was it, we don't want any trouble so if you could just us by-we would be grateful. We're trying to save somebody really important to us." he told her.
Tenten shook her head, "While I can allow them to pass, I'm afraid I have to take you with me." she told him.
Naruto was now thoroughly confused, "Eh, what the hell does that mean?" he asked her.
Tenten walks forward a couple steps, "Naruto, you need to come home. The Elemental Nations need you, they need their saviour now more then ever." she told him softly.
"Saviour, since when is he a saviour?" Gray asked her.
Tenten looked to him with a scowl, "Since he single-handedly defeated Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Otsutsuki with the help of his comrade Sasuke Uchiha and ended the Infinite Tsukuyomi. He has worked hard for everything he has, and I'll be damned if I can't return the favor." she said angrily.
Naruto looked at his comrades, "You guys go on ahead, I'll hold her off." he told them. Deciding to listen to him they all run by the two. Cracking his neck Naruto gets into a stance, "Now, before shit gets out of hand, how about you tell me why you need me?" he asked her.
Tenten stands pretty calmly, but one could easily tell she wa ready to fight if she needed to. She sighs before shaking her head, "I'm sorry, but that is for Level 8 Clearance Holders. Only three people in our village hold that level of authority. The Hokage, Sasuke Uchiha, and you. I am not authorized to say what you want as I simply don't know what Lady Tsunade wants to speak with you about." she told him.
Naruto shrugged his shoulders, "Well she send a letter or something?" he asked, "I mean I don't remember her or anyone if the memories i can hold onto are true, but still she has to have sent a letter or something." he said.
Tenten shook her head, "While Lady Tsunade didn't there are some of your old…" she tried to choose her words correctly for this one. And how would she be able to tell him this when she didn't even think it would happen. Well she could seeing as his master was Jiraiya-sama who was a self proclaimed Super-Pervert and Kakashi was just like him in some aspects. She cleared her throat when the word came to mind, "Acquaintances, have sent something that is meant for your eyes only." she told him, "I have it here with me if you want it." she told him.
Naruto shook his head, "If I don't remember them then it is for the best." he told her, "However you are in the way between me and the man I must stop before he hurts someone that is precious to me. So either get out of my way, or try and stop me." he told her.
Tenten sighed, "I'm sorry Naruto, but my order's were to return you to the Leaf either in a body cast or as you are. If it has come to this, then I apologize." she said, "It is my mission to not stop until I get you." she told him with a tear rolling down her cheek as she thrust her arms out where a couple of weapons seemingly popped out of thin air in small clouds of smoke.
So, she could use Requip like Erza can, that was great. However he was prepared. Naruto grew serious, "Then so be it." he said before he begun to make hand-signs with his hand before he clapped them together, "Earth Dragons: Gigant Gauntlet" he called out as Tenten squealed as she found herself being lifted into the air on what appeared on two large hands made of earth.
Tenten was wide eyed, "Since when did he know Earth Style Techniques of this caliber?" she asks in shock.
Naruto didn't answer her as he finished his move, "Now I summon Earth Dragons Gigant Embrace" he called out as he swirled his arms and clapped them together causing Tenten to gasp as she was thrown into the air and caught in the hands.
Naruto walked up to the trapped woman and was about to speak when he saw her smirk, "Don't let your guard down." she told him causing his eyes to widen as he stomped on the ground and rose himself up just as the woman's body glowed and explodes violently. A suicide technique, was she crazy or something?
"What the fuck, did she just commit suicide?" Naruto asked himself, only to hear a giggle from behind where upon turning he saw Tenten alive and well.
"Wow I am surprised you didn't detect my Shadow Clone, I mean it's your signature technique so I figured you saw it from a mile away." she said as she put a hand on her hip.
Naruto quirked a brow, "Signature Technique? I don't have a signature technique unless I tilt a area of land or something." he told her which confused her.
Naruto suddenly felt himself trip and fall where upon looking up he saw the Tenten he was speaking to vanish, "That's two strikes for me Naruto, your senses have dulled or something." she told him, "As a ninja we strike from the shadows and leave no trace of ourselves behind." she said before she vanished into thin air. The woman's voice called out to him from practically as she spoke to him, "Listen Naruto, everything makes a sound but there is only one objective and that is the mission." she told him.
"Listen for the enemy for they can be anywhere." she told him, "Smell their sweat from staying still under the sun." she practically whispered in his ear as he stood up to look around, this bitch-was she lecturing him or something? "Don't let your guard down or the enemy can take you from behind." she said from behind him causing him to whirl around, only to find himself tripping and being slugged across the face, "I could have killed you three times now. Either shape up and fight like the most powerful Shinobi in the world or die a coward. The enemy doesn't just lay down and die, they fight until their last breath." she told him before she suddenly vanished once again.
Another thing, whoever made up that 'Hits like a girl' comment officially did not meet this woman, she had a mean right hook.
"We are masters of the shadow's so always remain hidden until the opportune time to strike presents itself. That is the way of the Shinobi." she said as Naruto got up once again but focused his sensitive hearing on her voice. Was it him, or was he starting to actually hear her better than before? Naruto felt his eyes widen and reached out with his hand to block her fist which held a dagger in it, "Good." she told him before they traded several blows that were nonlethal, "Don't let the enemy touch you, anything is a weapon in our line of work. From the smallest splinter to the hardest diamond." she said before she pushed him into a wall.
Naruto chuckled when he looked at their position which was rather provocative, "Don't try to enjoy this too much." he said with a grin.
Tenten blushed a bit before controlling herself, "I'm trying to help you remember the old you. The one who could end a fight in a mere moment by just appearing at any battlefield. These two worlds are different by vast majorities. The time-frame here moves infinitely faster. A single century here is merely a year or even two years back home. We've done the analysis work extensively." she told him, "Either you are far older than any natural born human, or something happened to make you end up here in this era." she spoke honestly before she ran off, but this time he followed her, "Don't get spotted by a enemy or it is game over." she spoke as he got in front of her and blocked a punch before he grabbed her wrist and spun her around in his arms, "Don't get to overconfident, or bad things can happen." she told him before she suddenly turned into a log surprising him and he felt a dagger at his neck.
Turning around he saw Tenten breathing hard, "I cannot do anymore then I have, I must return home but never forget we will be there for you. They may have betrayed the trust you had for them, but the rest of us sure haven't." she told him before she vanished by throwing down a smoke pellet and leaving the letter in his pocket. Coughing harshly he swiped his hand through the air and looked around for the mysterious woman from his past and seen she was truly gone. However when he turned back around he saw a spear leaned up against a wall. Walking up to it he saw a small letter tied to it.
Gently plucking it off he read it, 'Hey Naruto, this is something I picked up when I heard your name being spoken here. I had heard you used a polearm to fight with since you no longer used the old stuff as a gift. Take care, with much appreciation for everything-Tenten'
Smiling he grasped the weapon in his hands and found it was extremely light, much lighter then his old Bisento was. The length of the spear was around eight feet in length where the head of the spear was greatly curved to form a half circle while it was pointed. It was golden in color with the tip of the spear having a few spots of green mixed in with it. Spinning it around in his hands he tossed it up before catching it. Heh, maybe he wouldn't have to use this to save Erza since he didn't know how well he could use-SHIT, Erza-he had to save Erza. FOCUS YA DUMB BLONDE!
Running up the stairs he began the long climb.
At the Magic Council
"What you are suggesting, Siegrain, is in direct violation of each and every code the Magic Council has established since its creation." Org told the blue haired wizard.
The young Council member furrowed his gaze and spoke with a firm edge "If that was true, then you would have decommissioned the entire thing years ago. But you kept it around. Because you knew, in desperate times, we might need to use it again." he replied to Org.
"That may be, but keeping it functional and actually using it are two very different things." Org retorted before continuing. "For one, the destruction and fallout of using it would be on a catastrophic level. We would be receiving flak from the press, population, and anyone that could see it coming. Plus, the king and his advisors would need to be forewarned any time we believe it is necessary to use the weapon." he told him.
Ultear shook her head at the mans antics "Getting the information to the king and then waiting for their permission would take too long. We would be sitting here waiting for a yes while we would be letting Jellal succeed in finishing the damned R-System." She vigorously looked at the other members. "And sitting by and letting it happen would be a grievous mistake on our part! We have to act now!" she told the others.
"We aren't just going to decide to use it because you're yelling louder, child!" Michello yelled back with a grouchy tone as he tapped his cane loudly against the marble floor. "The ramifications of using that weapon won't just be limited to this country! Alvarez has been keeping a watchful eye on us ever since their invasion attempt two years ago! If they see us use a weapon like that so close to the coast-" he started to yell before Ultear interrupted him.
"And yet Alvarez is nowhere near where the tower was spotted!" Ultear argued. "It's off the south coast! It's closer to Caelum! Nowhere near Alakitasia! Alvarez will have no jurisdiction or knowledge about how we use it!" she said.
"When a neutral country like ours uses a weapon as powerful as Etherion, everyone will get their hands on that knowledge! We cannot be so hasty to resort to it like this!" Org said.
Siegrain stood out of his seat and everyone turned their attention in him. The blue-haired man looked between them all with a reserved stare. His voice came out quietly "I know how dangerous it is to use something like Etherion. By its nature it is not a device that should be used at the whim of man. Some of us even scrutinize our predecessors for creating something that destroys everything in its path. But the fact is that it was created so that in the face of an unprecedented danger we could stop it, and we have kept it working up until now for that same reason." he said softly
The young Wizard Saint looked down at the table "We have heard about the atrocities Zeref created during his reign. The horrors he brought to the world centuries ago carved deep scars into our history like no other. The monstrosities he called demons whose effects and damages can still be seen even to this day. But these are mere legends. Stories passed down from generations because they wished to warn us of the horrors a man like Zeref can cause to this world." he said to them.
"We have never personally seen what happened 400 years ago to make him so feared and yet his presence is still powerful enough to influence people to this day to continue his evil." He then looked up from the table and stared directly at everyone around him. "Would you be willing to let a man like Zeref be revived to the land of the living because we couldn't come to a decision? Will our negligence be the thing that condemns millions of people to Hell?" he asked them.
"It's not just about the after-effects of the weapon, Siegrain-kun." Yajima stated, his usual soft-spoken tone abandoned for a much firmer one. "Etherion erases everything. Matter. Magic. Everything. It will literally wipe its target from existence like they were never there to begin with. There will be nothing left when the light clears." The old man said as he looked the younger boy in the eyes. "There are people on that island. People that would cause harm to others if they could but people nonetheless. If we use Etherion while they're still there then they will just cease to exist. There wouldn't even be anything left of their souls when it was done. You won't be killing them Siegrain. You would be condemning them to oblivion for all eternity. Can we make that choice so easily?" he asked him.
Siegrain shook his head and looked at the older man with a solemn face "It seems like a simple answer to me, Yajima-San. I am willing to live with the sin of sacrificing the lives of those people if it assures salvation for the rest of the world. The question is if the rest of you are willing to shoulder that sin as well." he replied.
Gray, Lucy, and Juvia took a moment to catch their bearings and reconvene in an empty hallway of the tower's interior. The Maker Mage looked around cautiously for any more tough enemies or cult members that may try to attack them while they rested. He couldn't spot any more approaching enemies or anyone else in the hallway. He nodded "I think we're clear. We can take a second before we need to keep moving." he told them.
"There's so many of them! A-and it's like they just keep making more guys to attack us with!" Lucy was panting lightly and looked back from where they had just run from in a panic. She gave a small huff and pushed off her knees, "And what the heck was with that chick?" She shivered and held her arms tightly, "I felt cold just looking at her." she said with a shiver.
"Naruto said she was a ninja." Gray noted as he remembered the precision the assassin showed trying to take them out. The Maker Mage looked back at them.
"She definitely did not look the part." he said.
Juvia looked back at the shirtless Fairy Mage and asked, "Are you sure Naruto-sama will be able to handle that man by himself? She seemed extremely powerful. Maybe we should go back and-" Juvia started to say but Gray shook his head no.
"He can handle himself." Gray interrupted the Water Mage before she could voice her worry. "Naruto's more than enough to take on a killer like that. But he trusted us to make sure we find Erza and take her back from this place. So that's what we're gonna do." he told her.
"Princess." Virgo suddenly appeared behind Lucy from the Celestial World, carrying a beautiful outfit over her arms. She bowed her head respectfully to her key carrier. "Here are the garments that I promised you. They should be sufficient in covering you for the rest of this journey while also protecting you from physical danger as well." Virgo said to Lucy.
"Thanks Virgo!" Lucy cheered as she took the clothes from her maiden spirit and nodded thankfully. "Tonight looks like it's gonna be a tough one. Go tell the others that I might be calling on them soon." she told the spirit.
"Of course Princess." The pink-haired spirit gracefully nodded her head before her body glowed brightly and disappeared back through her gate.
Lucy looked over the clothes she had received and ducked into a corner out of the way of the rest of the hall. She peeked out, "Gray, I need to change. Don't you dare look this way." She saw Gray turn around and give a lazy wave over his shoulder as Juvia scowled at the blonde. Lucy started changing. "Don't you look either Natsu. I'll be angry if you do." She received no answer in return and stopped removing her swimsuit to peek around the corner, "Natsu?" she asked.
They all looked around and spotted no sign of the pink-haired Dragon Slayer anywhere. Gray felt his scorn rise and yelled. "God dammit! That idiot is gonna get us all killed!" Gray yelled.
Juvia raised a eyebrow "Where could Natsu-san have run off to?" she asked.
Gray ran his hand over his face and moaned "He went to look for Happy. If that dumbass had just waited a moment so we could plan something to make sure we wouldn't be running in blind!" he moaned out.
"Should we follow after him?" Lucy asked the Ice Wizard.
Gray took in a sharp breath before shaking his head, "No, let's leave him. He's an idiot but he won't get himself hurt too bad. If anything all the crap he'll be doing will probably draw their attention off us. Let Natsu focus on getting Happy and we'll take Erza back." he told her.
"Over here! I heard something!" a voice said.
Gray and Juvia looked over and saw a large group of new cult members coming from the corner with spears in hand. The one leading the charge pointed his weapon towards the Fairy Mages, "There's the intruders! Get them!" he ordered.
"You spoke too soon." Lucy said as Gray prepared to attack and Juvia stepped up beside him "Get ready!" he told them.
Lucy yelled from her changing spot, "W-wait! I'm not done yet!" the celestial wizard said to him. The cult members were approaching them faster and faster ready to fight. But a shadow quickly dropped down behind them and the new cult members looked back in surprise.
*Schwip*
The sound of a blade slicing through metal and air resonated through the hallway before the cult guards were all swatted away. The Fairies watched in stunned silence as the defeated guards crashed into the floor while a familiar redhead had her sword outstretched and kneeling on the ground. The others stared at her in shock as Gray spoke up, "Erza?" they exclaimed. The woman with brown eyes heard the familiar voices and looked up in shock to see her friends in front of her. A sense of relief filled her chest that they were alive before immediately being replaced with dread that they were here. She stood up and looked between them, "Gray. Lucy..." she said looking at them.
Juvia stepped forward and gave a small bow to the warrior they came to assist. She humbly spoke up, "H-hello, Erza-San. We haven't been introduced-" Juvia began before Erza interrupted her.
"Leave." the redhead told them.
"H-huh?" Juvia said.
"Leave. All of you." Erza waved them off, walking past them without meeting their eyes as she pointed her sword down the hall "Get out together, get back on whatever you took to get here, and go back to the coast. I'll meet up with you there." she told them.
Lucy finished dressing up in her long celestial gown and tried to persuade her friend, "Erza, we came to help." she told the redhead.
"I know you did. But I won't need help here." Erza stopped before turning back at the blonde and asking with absolute seriousness, "Was anyone hurt in the hotel after they took me?" Erza asked.
"Huh? Um, Natsu got a little roughed up but he's fine. And Naruto was okay too." Gray said.
"I see. That's good." Erza muttered to herself with a relieved sigh before she realized that if they had come here, Naruto probably had as well. The thought caused a cold pit to fill in her stomach before asking, "Where are they right now?" it was Gray who answered her.
"Natsu ran off to look for Happy and Cyclone followed after to help him out." Gray's eyes drifted off to the way they had just came from. "Naruto's fighting someone back there. Some kinda killer hired to protect this place." he said as she looked back at him in confusion and he shook his head "He can handle it. He said we needed to focus on getting you back. And that's what we're here to do." Gray told her.
"No. You just need to get Happy and leave as fast as possible." Erza responded. "I have business here that I can't leave unfinished." she told them.
"You mean your family, right?" Lucy asked her. Erza stood in place silently as Lucy's question hung in the air. The long silence was enough of an answer for all of them to know Lucy was right. The redhead stayed silent before Lucy stepped towards her friend, "Naruto...he explained to us what this place is. What it means to you. What happened here." she said.
Erza didn't show any outward reaction to what Lucy admitted as Gray spoke up too. He assured his old friend, "If they're your old family then we'll understand if you want to help them. Or stop them. Whatever you want to do, just tell us." Gray proudly knocked his fist against the Fairy emblem on his chest and spoke with a solid tone. "As long as we have this mark, we're you're family too. And that means we're ready to stand by you no matter what. You don't even need to ask." he told her.
Erza looked back at her team, a sad look in her eyes and a weak smile. Gray gave a confident smirk and nodded as Lucy asked "Erza, what are they trying to do with this Tower? Is it really what Naruto said it was?" she asked the redhead.
Erza wiped the tear forming in her left eye and nodded, "Yes. That's right. Jellal... h-he's trying to resurrect Zeref." the redhead revealed to the group of mages who now had shocked expressions written on their faces.
Natsu raised his nose and took a deep whiff of every room he passed by in the tower hallway. He stopped in front of a door and sniffed, "No." Kurama himself stopped in front of another door and sniffed, "No." he told Natsu as they moved on. He stopped in front of another door and sniffed, "No." Natsu and Kurama repeated this process over and over while climbing each level of the tower to find their lost friend. After searching for a few minutes and getting a deep whiff of every room, Natsu finally stopped in front of one in particular. It smelled like fur... and Happy.
Natsu didn't waste a moment as he kicked the door down and barged in. "Happy!" He said as he looked around, startled by the sheer amount of cat paraphernalia in the room but still focused on the cat he needed to retrieve. He called out again, "Happy! C'mon Buddy! I'm here to take you back!" he said as Kurama came in behind him. Happy's scent was somewhere lingering in this room. He was here, or at least he was here recently. He yelled again "Happy! Happy! Hap-" he started to yell before-
*Bang*
Natsu and Kurama quickly ducked down quickly and jumped back to the other side of the room as the pinkette looked up at the man that tried to shoot him from behind. Emerging from behind the entrance was the block-faced gunner that had attacked him earlier. The well-dressed man groaned and lowered his revolver, "I'm impressed. Not only did you survive but you came all the way here to get in the way again. Not very dandy, man." the man said.
Natsu lifted himself back to his feet and glared his attacker down with contempt. He growled through his teeth "Shoot me once, piss me off. Shoot me twice, and I'm gonna send you flying you bastard." to the block lik man.
"Mmm." Wally hummed uninteresting at Natsu's threat as he flipped his gun open to dislodge the used bullet casings. He thought he would be able to end it quickly with a shot to the back of the head, but it looked like this was going to take a little more time. He pulled out six bullets and started sorting them into the weapon before speaking once more "Well I hope you realize, that the moment you stepped into this tower, you sealed your-" he started to say before-
"WRAH!" Natsu yelled as he attacked Wally. Wally dematerialized and turned himself into cubes and dodged the flaming fist that threatened to cave in his face. Natsu yelled when his punch missed as the gunman appeared behind him again and aimed his gun at the mop of pink hair "Fate." he finished before shooting some more.
*Bang*Bang*Bang* the gun went again and again.
Natsu flipped and dodged across the room as Wally's bullets followed after him and destroyed their surroundings. The bullets pierced the cat toys and pillows that littered the room as the Fairy Mage jumped through the floating cotton and debris. Wally's rapid fire stopped for a moment as he needed to reload his shots. Natsu took this chance to dash at his enemy and try to finish him off in one shot. But the moment before he impacted the man's chest, the square-shaped man spread apart into cubes and let the Dragon Slayer pass through him. Wally sweat a little in worry "That was close." he commented.
Natsu yelled angrily "God dammit! Stop dodging me you freak!" he yelled at him.
"You're one to talk, pyro." Wally said as he reloaded and aimed his revolver again, locking Natsu's head down his sights and ready to end this fight. He prepared to pull the trigger "If you'd just stay in place I can promise a quicker end than-" he began before he was interrupted.
"WALLY!" a enraged feminine voice yelled out. The usually composed gunner flinched when the female voice pierced the heavy fighting atmosphere. Another door on the other side of the room swung open at the cat-themed girl was looking around at the remains of her room in tearful despair. She looked at her friend and cried a little "What did I tell you about firing your gun off in here! I knew this would happen!" she said exasperated. Kurama himself began to sweat as he realized this girl was just plain crazy. Well actually he couldn't blame her, if someone came to his room and shot things to hell he'd be upset too.
"Millianna!" Wally grumbled and kept his eyes on his opponent while trying to calm down his companion. "This guy is a serious threat! He has to be dealt with right now." he told the now introduced Millianna.
"Not in my room!" she retorted.
Natsu pointed at the new girl, "Hey you! Where did you take Happy?" he demanded as Kurama smacked his forehead.
Millianna looked over at the Dragon Slayer and leveled an annoyed glare at him for helping destroy her room. She stuck her tongue out at him indignantly, "No way! The kitty is mine now and I'm not giving him to you no matter what!" she told him.
"Sorry kid." Wally noted with a chuckle, "Once she's got her hands on a cat she won't let it go. If it makes you feel any better we'll take real good care of him." he told Natsu.
Natsu glared at the two angrily and enveloped his fists in flames, "Like I'm taking your word after you kidnapped Erza and brought her back here." he yelled.
Wally's eyes narrowed behind his shades and he grumbled, "What's are you talking about?" he asked the fire user.
"What the hell do you think I'm talking about?! You attack us! You try to kill Naruto! Then you bring Erza back to this shithole!" Natsu just shook his head with disdain. "Some friends you guys are." he grumbled to himself.
Millianna and Wally both glared at the Fairy Mage intently as the gunner coldly asked "What is that supposed to mean exactly, kid?" he asked the fire user.
"You know exactly what it means." Natsu retorted, "Naruto told me all about what you guys are trying to do. That you guys would stick around here at all is nuts. But now you bring Erza into it so she can suffer all over again is just sick." he yelled at them.
Milliana's eyes turned cold as she glared Natsu down, "You don't know what you're talking about." she growled at Natsu. Kurama decided it was best if he stayed hidden, but he started to sweat when he felt the tension rise so he snuck out and continued the search for his fellow feline.
"And you guys are just trying to convince yourself you're not hurting her! Coming back to this place is hell! And you're a part of it!" Natsu yelled back at them. "No friends wouldn't do something like that to someone they cherish like you say you do! And if this place is as bad as I heard then you guys are just torturing yourselves by staying here! If you guys wanna suffer then that's on you but I ain't gonna let you bring Erza back into this!" he yelled at them.
"Shut up!" Millianna yelled as she jumped up and went in for a dive kick that Natsu sidestepped at the last moment. The cat girl landed on her feet and she followed up with a flurry of kicks and swipes at the Dragon Slayer's head. The pink-haired man dodged the brown-haired girl's attack as she desperately continued with a furious look in her eyes, "Don't act like you know the real Er-chan! Like you know the real us! You jerks just pretend to understand but you'll never know who we really are! What we've been through!" she yelled at the dragon slayer in anger.
"And I don't care!" Natsu grabbed her wrist and held her back as he showed his teeth, "I don't care what you went through because she's my friend! What I care about is that you're bringing her back into something that scares and terrifies her so much! And if you try-" he began to say before Wally reappeared beside them and pointed his gun at Natsu's temple and pulled the trigger.
*Bang*
Natsu released his grip on Milliana's hand and flipped back to avoid the shots that followed him. Wally fired shot after shot to force Natsu to evade before Millianna collected herself and fired a Nekōsoku Tube in his direction, "Take this!" the cat lover yelled at him. Natsu landed on his feet and watched as the rubber tube came his way and he could make no effort to dodge while landing. He prepared to propel himself with fire before a voice called out to him-
"NATSU!" Happy said as he and Kurama came flying in. Happy came flying in from another part of the room and dove into the cat-girl's attack, binding himself in the magic rope and deactivating his wings. He fell roughly on his face, "OOF!" he grunted as Kurama smacked his forehead again.
"Happy!" Natsu said in relief.
"More like dummy if you ask me." Kurama said.
"Two cute and cuddly Kitties!" Millianna gasped as she saw the two cats.
Wally clicked his teeth. "Now we got-" he began before the girl stopped him.
"No!" Millianna pushed her friend's gun away and pleaded desperately "Don't shoot the kitty cats!" to Wally.
"I wasn't gonna shoot the cats! How bad do you think my aim is?" he asked her.
"You shot the rest of my room!" she said with a blank face.
"Happy!" Natsu quickly picked up his feline friend as he struggled with the constricting rope around him. He gripped a part of rope and pulled it tight until it ripped apart. He held his best friend carefully, "Happy! You okay buddy?" he said in relief.
"Not the first word that comes to my mind." Kurama grumbled.
"Shut up Kurama!" Happy yelled before he looked at his friend. "Y-yeah." Happy shook his head to focus again and looked up at his best friend. Little tears formed in the sides of his eyes and he hugged the Dragon Slayer's torso, "Natsu! I didn't think I'd see you again!" he cried.
'Seriously?" Kurama said but they ignored him.
"Pfft." Natsu patted the cat's head. "C'mon man. Like I would actually leave you behind." he told the blue cat.
Happy looked up at his friend sadly "Natsu, that girl told me about this place. It's...it's really bad." he said.
"I know man. Naruto told us too." he told Happy.
Happy teared up a little, "They said Erza went crazy or something. They... they really, really want to help bring Zeref back." the cat cried.
Natsu looked down at the cat before taking a look towards the two opponents that were talking between each other. Natsu thought for a moment before smiling and patting Happy's head "Erza's always been crazy. No worries Happy, we're here to help Erza instead." He reached over and grabbed the remains of the magic tube Happy was caught in, made sure it didn't distrust his magic anymore now that it was broken, and wrapped it around his fist "And if that means we gotta knock these guys down for a bit and tumble this tower, we'll just do what Fairy Tail does best." he said.
Happy looked up at his friend with relief at his optimism in this bad situation. His eyes started to water and his nose started running, "Natsu." he said as Kurama placed a hand on his shoulder. Natsu gave a confident smile to his friend's before standing up and meeting the glares of the girl and the blocky man as they probably caught the end of his reassuring statement to the cat.
Natsu smirked and held his hands up like he was issuing a challenge "You guys wanna come at me again and see if you can do a little better now?" he told them in a serious voice.
Wally and Milliana's faces were twisted with anger and annoyance at the man in front of them. The gunman cocked the hammer back on his revolver and sternly warned the rose-haired man, "Don't get cocky kid. You haven't been able to stop us yet." he told Natsu.
"I was more worried about my friend before. But now I'm focused all on you." Natsu replied to the gunner mage.
"WRRAAAHHHH!" Millianna charged forward in fury and threw her hand out, releasing several more tubes that stretched out to entangle the Fairy Mage. Natsu dashed forward, weaving around the magic tubes that promised to restrict and trap him if they connected. But Natsu dashed past them with renewed vigor and appeared directly in front of the cat girl. Millianna shot up with a star "Wha-" she gasped in shock.
Natsu grabbed her wrist "Got you!" He stepped back and swung her off her feet, causing the younger teen to shriek in shock as he spun her around. His back started catching fire and while Millianna was in line he created an explosive wave of flames that caught her, "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack" Natsu called out.
"AHHH!" Millianna yelped as she was knocked back by the explosive fire and crashed into the wall across the room.
"Millianna!" Wally yelled back to his friend as she moaned in pain before falling to the ground unconscious. He pointed his barrel at Natsu and started firing "Bastard! I'll kill you for that!" Natsu engulfed one arm in blistering fire and created a massive wave between him and the gunner. The bullets were engulfed in the fire and it created a screen that blocked Wally's vision of his opponent. He panicked, opened up the revolver and tried to change the ammo as quickly as possible, "Shit!" he cursed.
As the flames started to dissipate, a familiar orange tube spiked through the remaining orange glow and struck Wally between the eyes. His shades broke in half and he stumbled back, "What the-" he began to say before Natsu dashed through the fire and landed his palm against the block-like man's chest. Wally was so shocked he couldn't break apart in time and Natsu's voice pierced him, "Sorry man..." Natsu said. "Fire Dragon's Grip Strike" he called out before-
*Boom*
Natsu's hand burst in a fiery explosion that covered Wally instantly and sent him through the wall and into the hallway. Natsu looked out at the unconscious man before sparing a look to the resting girl on the other side of his room. His eyes softened with empathy but his voice kept its stern edge. "But Erza is my friends too." he said. He then looked at the two cat's and motioned for them to book it and they all left.
"And I attacked him in retaliation. And then we just started fighting like we were possessed. We'd trade blows and despite our injuries we persisted forward to beat the other one." Erza continued retelling the last dark memories of their past and time in this place to her companions, "But Jellal's new powers were just so much stronger than anything I could do. Before I could do anything he blew up the remnants of the tower and separated us from one another. I fell into the ocean and drifted in the sea for an entire day before washing up on the beach. And Jellal..." Erza growled.
Her blue and brown eyes closed as she clenched her fists tightly with regret and anger. She looked back up at her friends with determination burning in her eyes, "This tower being rebuilt. My friends having to spend all these years building here again. Everything Jellal does today is because I couldn't stop him eight years ago. I need to stop Jellal and destroy this tower once and for all. To put an end to this madness." she told them.
Gray looked at the redhead in silence as Juvia seemed saddened by her tale and Lucy wiped a tear from her eyes. Hearing the hardships Erza and her friends had gone through really put weight into how much meeting them again after all this time meant for her. And how devastating it must feel to see them being warped and manipulated by their oldest friend. Gray grit his teeth and sharply inhaled to try and calm himself down. He looked around at the Tower's hallway and elegant interior and could feel the inside of his stomach start crawling as the stories she told them started becoming images in his eyes. He balled his fist tightly "No wonder you hate the idea of coming back here. And were even more serious about not wanting us here either." he said.
"Being back here, even after all this time, still feels like too much." Erza's eyes shifted downward in shame "I can't imagine what it must have been like to stay here and rebuild it after it had fallen." The redhead's look shifted to a sad but relieved smile aimed towards her friends "But it makes being here easier knowing that you came to help me." she told them with a smile.
Lucy rubbed her eyes and nodded her head, ignoring the redness around her eyes as she prepared to do whatever it took to help her friend. She pumped her arms "What do we need to do?" Lucy asked her.
Juvia gave a small bow "Whatever you may need, Juvia will provide assistance however she can." she told Erza.
Erza looked between her team "What we need to focus on is stopping Jellal and his plans for the Tower of Heaven. If I can meet with him face-to-face then I can try to convince him. If that doesn't work then I'll be prepared to take him down myself if I have to." she said with conviction.
Gray pointed out "What about your friends? They'll still be on his side if we can't get them to join us." he pointed out.
A conflicted gleam filled Erza's eyes before they closed "They've been here following his command for many years now. It might take time we don't have to try and make them understand that we're trying to help. If that's the case then it would be better to focus on stopping Jellal now and trying to convince them afterwards."
"It might not be as hard as you think." a voice said gaining their attention. Erza jerked up and turned around to see a large figure step out from the shadows. Simon, in all his statuesque glory, walked up to the Fairies unbidden before stopping just a foot away from them.
Lucy panicked "Ah! That's one of guys that attacked earlier!" she exclaimed pointing to him.
Gray realized Erza couldn't fight her friend this quickly and slammed his fist down on his palm in preparation for battle, "Erza, get back!" he told her as he readied himself for a fight.
"Wait." Erza said stopping him from acting. Erza just raised her hand and motioned for her comrades to stop before they could react in any way. Erza stepped forward and craned her neck back to look up at her old friend. The only visible part of his face beneath the metal jaw and cloth was one of his eyes. But unlike earlier when it was cold and stern, his eye seemed much softer and familiar with her. Her shoulders eased and she felt a warmth fill her chest, "Simon..." she whispered.
"I'm sorry you had to come back here Erza. I'm sorry we had to bring you here. And attack your friends." Simon's voice was filled with remorse as he lowered his head, "But what's about to happen here is too much for me to handle by myself. And I believe if anyone is strong enough to to stop Jellal, it might be you." he told her with a sincere voice.
"Woah woah, wait a minute. Just hold on." Gray sputtered before pointing at the big man in shock, "You aren't brainwashed or loopy or whatever? You know what's going on?" he asked him with a raised eyebrow. Erza looked up at him, "How long have you known?" she asked Simon.
"Since the very beginning." Simon answered. "Since the moment Jellal returned from the remains of the Tower I've known something was wrong. The Jellal I knew would have stopped at nothing to bring you back even if it killed him. And he never would have returned to that place even if you forced him. But the way he spoke and carried himself changed." he told her.
"He started speaking to the people and trying to convince them that rebuilding the Tower of Heaven could actually fix everything bad that had ever happened to them. He lied to Shō and the others, saying you killed Old man Rob. And that we needed the Tower to help you bring him back. To make everything right. The way he talked and manipulated the others with his words was just...unnatural." Simon said with a shiver.
"But you stayed." Erza said.
Simon nodded, "I stayed because I needed to watch over the others. Make sure they didn't get hurt. Or killed. I wanted to try and figure out a way to stop Jellal myself so I learned how to use magic like the others. I thought I was becoming strong enough but the rate and way Jellal grew was unbelievable. In just a few short years he had become stronger than any monster and there was nothing I could do. It seemed like he was unstoppable. But Jellal showed us what had become of you. What you were doing. He was weaving more lies and convincing the others to follow him to bring you back but I saw you... growing so strong...strong enough that you might be able to stop this." he said to her with a hopeful smile on his face.
Erza's eyes softened, "Simon." she said with quietly.
"So when the day came that the Tower was near completion and you were close enough to retrieve, I realized this might be the only chance we had to finally put an end to all this. I followed the others to retrieve you and bring you back here because if you, the person they've been reaching for all this time spoke to them, maybe you could convince them that this was wrong. But Jellal was keeping an eye on us even when we were on the coast so I couldn't say anything." he said. "So I attacked your friends. Not to kill but to delay and show we were still alive and where we were going. I organized each of others to attack your friends with the least likelihood that it would kill them, long enough to deceive Jellal and for them to escape and help. I know how much being here hurts you but you are our last hope. I'm sorry but you are the only one strong enough to stop Jellal and the Tower." Simon's head lowered even more, "You're the only one that can make them see the light." he said in a whisper.
Erza stepped forward enough for Simon to open his eye and see the smile on her face. A small tear filled her left eye and her voice trembled with hope, "I'm sorry that I left you to handle the mess, old friend. It must have been so hard to bear this on your back." she said crying.
Simon blinked in surprise before a tear welled up in his eye too and the corners of his smile showed over his metal jaw, "I'm just glad to see you again." he said to the redhead.
Simon bent down and the two old friends embraced in a hug. The cold and piercing anxiety that had filled them just a moment earlier melted away as the two companions finally spoke again after so many years. "W-what are you talking about?" a voice asked nervously. Everyone looked back and saw Shō with bags under his eyes and a bruised nose standing behind them.
The cards in his hands he was about to use to attack slowly slipped from his grip as his eyes trembled rapidly. His mouth opened and closed over and over as he stuttered "S-Simon, what are you talking about? What did Big Sis mean about all of that? What did you mean about Jellal lying?" he asked nervously.
Simon separated from his hug with Erza and the redhead looked up at him with worry. He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave a reassuring nod before stepping forward, "Shō..." The younger blond hinged on his word as the scarred man answered "It's true. Everything I've said to Erza. Everything she said to her friends. It's all true." he told him with a unreadable expression.
A look of complete devastation crossed the dark-skinned teen's face as Simon's words sunk in. His shoulders slumped disparity, "W...what?" he asked.
"It's true Shō." Erza affirmed as she stepped forward and nodded to the younger man. "Jellal has been deceiving you all this time. Yes Rob died, but I never tried and brought him back. I escaped. And he's been keeping you all around this entire time to help him recreate the Tower." She looked at the anguish in his eyes and felt her stomach turn at the confusion he must have been feeling, "Jellal has been lying to you all." she said to him.
Shō legs nearly gave out from shock before he steadied himself and looked down at the ground in horror. His thoughts were going rampant and his heart was beating so loudly that he could feel it through his ears. He couldn't make sense of it. Jellal told them what had happened. What they needed to do. They could use this place to fix everything! They could finally put all their suffering to good use by fixing this world! He looked up desperately at the one person that had been by his side through these past few years and pleaded "S-Simon, you have to be joking! Please-please tell me what's going on! I-if this was real then you could have told me! I would have understood-" Shō stated before- "No you wouldn't Shō." Simon interrupted with a shake of his head as his eye softened with pity for the crushing reality he was presenting to his friend.
"You love Erza too much. You would have done anything to protect her again like she protected you. But Jellal twisted that love and affection and turned it into an obsession he could control. And the goal of helping Erza slowly changed from a purpose to an excuse." Simon shook his head sadly, "We aren't helping like this. We're hurting her by doing this." he said to the other man.
Shō trembled some more and grit his teeth until they almost cracked. He lowered his head and screamed, "Why?! What was this for?! What was he trying to accomplish?! What's this all been for?" he yelled angrily.
"I told you Shō...I'm doing this to change the world." Jellal's words spoke through the walls. Everyone flinched and looked around for the disembodied voice that echoed through the walls around them.
Lucy shivered and looked around in a panic "W-where is that voice coming from?" she asked scared.
Erza then stepped forward "Jellal. Where are you?" she demanded enraged.
"Everywhere Erza. I'm in every inch. Every tile. Every grain of this Tower. My eyes are everywhere. And I see all of you. I see how lovely you've become over the years. And I see how strong you are now after all this time too, Naruto. Don't look so surprised. I've been keeping a watchful eye on all of you since the moment you entered through the waterways. The perilous fight happening in the basement. This little heart-to-heart in the hallways. I'm even watching you, Salamander, running back through the halls trying to find me. Don't waste your breath screaming, I'm not anywhere near you. All of you Fairies are so interesting to watch." Jellal said.
Gray yelled out, "What do you want you freak?! I hope you didn't call out to us just to show how creepy you are!" he said to the man.
"Oh, that's right. There's some business we have to address. Now there are a lot of you running around and some of you are scheming to stop me. And I have prepared for this outcome by acquiring the help of some gifted individuals in the art of riding annoyances like you lot from the system" Jellal said to them.
"However, just a moment ago I received a very interesting piece of information from an informant of mine. The Magic Council has been notified of our existence and plans. And to make sure that our plans can not follow through and that no one could ever use its remains for their original purpose ever again, they've prepared to fire the Etherion cannon directly at us." Jellal said to them.
Several of the Fairy Mage's eyes widened in horror as Juvia covered her mouth, "E-Etherion." she said.
"To the ones who are blissfully unaware, Etherion is the most powerful magical weapon capable of destroying nations that the Magic Council keeps lying around for the most dire situations. Apparently they deemed the Tower of Heaven as one of those terrible circumstances and plan to erase us from existence. But I happen to know that this magical weapon needs some time to gather a suitable amount of magic to fire. And I suppose it would reach its peak and fire within the hour. So here's how this may play out..." Jellal told them.
"There is a group here that has reclaimed their prize and may choose to run. My hired help is prepared to scour every level of this structure in an effort to pick you off and retrieve the prize once more, the integral sacrifice for Zeref's revival. However with a ticking clock now in play, we are at the endgame of this little match. Will the Fairies try to stop me before I can activate the Tower or run away to save their skins? Will I be able to activate it before anyone takes my head and revive the Black Mage once and for all? Or will the Magic Council prove victorious and wipe us from the map? I'm very excited to see who comes out on top in this little game of ours..." Jellal said with a laugh in his voice.
Gray furrowed his eyes, "This guy is a lunatic." he said.
Lucy looked around worryingly before settling to face Erza for guidance, "What should we do Erza?" she asked.
"We can't let Jellal use this Tower. If we run then he'll escape and just try to recreate this place again wherever he can." Erza looked up sternly at the walls and ceiling knowing her friend was watching them. "We need to stop him here and now. Once we do then we can leave this place and let Etherion take care of it." The redhead faced down the hallway and narrowed her eyes...
"This all ends tonight." she said getting nods from all of them. "Let's end this nightmare before it ever begins." she yelled out. This caused them to yell out in agreement before they charged down the hallways ready to face anything that was thrown their way.
Location: Magic Council-Era
Siegrain, Ultear, Org, and Yajima stood beside each other on the edge of a balcony as they overlooked the process of activation. Dozens of talented and gifted Mages gathered together and started chanting incantations to stockpile magic power. There were more chants and elements being thrown around at once than any of them had seen before. All in preparation for one thing... the Etherion cannon. The ultimate weapon that could destroy anything it touched. Org looked over the side to see the magical circles stacked over each other from the bottom of the room to the very top. He never believed in his time as a figure in the Magical Council that he would be forced to use such a weapon.
It had gone many years without being used... dormant... untouched. But what mattered right now was they were using it here. To save the world. Hopefully the future generations will remember their reason for doing it and not just that they resorted to the final measure. "It's actually quite beautiful to look at, don't you think?" They looked at Ultear as the gorgeous woman silently stared up at the aura of magics dancing around in front of them. Her eyes were solely focused on the lights in front of her as she noted "You'd never believe something so beautiful could cause such a utterly devastating catastrophe in the wrong hands." she said.
"Yes. And we're being forced to use it." The old wizard gave his grievance on the matter as he rubbed his forehead. "I'd never thought I'd see it being prepared in my life. And yet now we are left with no choice." Org said reluctantly.
"But you have made the right choice Org." Siegrain attempted to alleviate some of the doubt in the older Councilman's mind. "It is for the good of the people and even though we might destroy the lives of the innocent many more shall be spared." he said.
"Yes, well, we'll see what the people have to say after tonight. We may have just put our careers to the gallows by doing this." The elderly man moaned before sighing and stepping away from the railing. "We need to make a statement for the public in case they start asking any questions. And we'll need to prepare an explanation for the king as to why we didn't report this to him before we decided." he told the younger man.
"That's sounds wonderful." Ultear stopped watching the weapon being prepared and stepped away from the railing. "I suppose I'll come help you with that. We have some time before the weapon discharges so we might as well use it productively." she told Org with a smile. The raven-haired beauty stepped up to Org before they both looked back to see Siegrain and Yajima still staring at the Etherion process. She asked coyly "Siegrain-sama, do you wish to help us with the paperwork? I doubt it will be as mesmerizing as watching Etherion charging up but it is work that needs to be done." she said.
The young Wizard Saint didn't look away from the majesty in front of him "I'll be with you all in a moment. I wish to watch this a little bit longer." he said quietly.
"Very well." Org's eyes then shifted to the short man beside the blue-haired youngster and they appeared to softened with some shame. He and Ultear begun to walk away "I'll leave you both here then." he said quietly and left.
The young and old Council members stood beside each other in silence while elements flickered in front of them at rapid speeds. Siegrain settled back in his posture and crossed his arms "I understand your hesitation with following through with this action, Yajima-San. But you have to remember it is for the greater good. No matter what happens-" he started to say but the older wizard interrupted him.
"Your brother." Yajima interrupted and Siegrain looked down at the wizened old man who gripped his hands behind his back so tight his knuckles showed white "You once spoke to us about how tragic it was to lose your brother and be separated from him. Now you find him again and you still resort to the idea of using this weapon against him. Why, Siegrain-kun? At least tell me why you are willing to sacrifice your brother to do this?" he asked the younger man.
The blue-haired man looked away from the old man and up at the ceiling again as Etherions magic process continued to work away in front of him. He blinked a few times before answering in a flat voice "I realized long ago that the man I once called my brother is no longer the same man I once knew. The person I once saw brimming with hope and strength has now been twisted with pain and suffering. And I know that despite any effort I could try to make, he has been so twisted that he could never turn away from it. He is willing to let the world suffer because that's just what he has come to accept. And it hurts me to see that." he answered.
"A sacrifice is needed to save this world. And I'm willing to make that sacrifice even if that means I must say goodbye to my brother." the blue haired Wizard Saint admitted.
Yajima lowered his head sadly before turning around and walking away "I hope your conscience will be strong enough to bear this weight. Lord knows most men couldn't." the old man said quietly.
Siegrain watched the old Mage leave before turning back to watch as the magic gathering process initiated. It was so powerful... so overwhelming... such staggering magic. A devious smile started to creep over his face before he quickly slapped his hand over it. No. Not yet. It had been so long he couldn't risk it this close a little bit more... And it will be perfect.
Erza stood in the hallway in silence as Jellal's ominous announcement hung in the air. There was a moment of complete silence between all of them as they awaited a follow up that would indicate that Jellal was still addressing them. But it never came as apparently the moment he began this little Paradise Match of his, he stopped interfering. Lucy paled a little at the dark tone the voice used and gulped loudly "P-Paradise Match, huh? What are the chances that's not as bad as he makes it sound?" she asked.
"Pretty low I'm guessing'." Gray said as he looked around at the walls surrounding them, angry that they were being watched at this very moment. His face twisted in disgust "This guy just keeps getting creepier and creepier." he said to nobody in particular. Simon had begun to expect that Jellal was keeping an eye on them even when they were in the Tower. But if that was true then Jellal had suspected him and knew about his disloyalty from God knows when but he didn't do anything. Does that mean he didn't see him as a threat?
Did the idea of Erza and Naruto being here and capable of fighting him not scare him in the least? The former Phantom Mage looked over to the Ice-Make Mage and asked curiously "The gifted individuals he mentioned a moment ago. Is there a chance they are associates of the man Naruto-sama saved us from earlier?" to Gray.
Gray's eyes closed in apprehension as he shook his head "A unknown ninja that somehow knows Naruto is probably chasing us with a ticking clock and certain death overhead? This day just gets better and better." he groaned
"You said Naruto was holding off an assassin of some sort in the basement." Erza looked back at Gray and asked him with a serious tone in her voice "Do you think Naruto can take care of that person himself?" she asked.
Gray didn't hesitate at all before nodding, "Absolutely. He said he had it. So that means he has it." he said.
The redhead let out a relieved sigh before nodding "Good." she said.
She looked between all of her friends "We need to regroup with our comrades and prepare to evacuate before Etherion hits. Where's Natsu?" she asked.
Gray shrugged his shoulder uncertainty, "Don't know. Kurama and that moron ran off before we knew it. They're off somewhere looking for Happy." he replied.
Simon added "Which means that he's looking for Milliana." quietly.
Erza thought for a moment before pointing at Gray, "Gray, you need to go look for Natsu. Calm him down and tell him what we are planning to do. Knowing him he's probably thinking about breaking this whole place down after he finds Happy." Gray nodded and the redhead turned to Simon, "Can I get you to convince Millianna and Wally to leave this place?" she asked.
The tall man nodded "It shouldn't be that difficult to convince them now that Jellal made that announcement." he answered.
"Juvia and I can help you." Lucy offered.
Simon gave a positive him before looking to Gray "I can show you around. Follow me." he told the demon slayer. The group of four started jogging down the hallway as they followed the scarred Darkness user. Erza knew what her mission was.
Face Jellal. Whatever happened after that was something she needed to prepare for. "Nee-San." a voice called out to her. Erza looked back at Shō as the blond had a very vacant and lifeless look in his eyes. Having everything he's known for nearly a decade turn out to be fake would brutally shock just about anyone. The dark-skinned blond seemed to struggle with composing himself before he looked up at her, "I know a way to sneak into the room Jellal is watching from. A way to sneak up on him. You'd have a better chance facing him if he wasn't in complete control of the situation."
Erza thought for a moment before asking critically "Does Jellal know you found a passage into his chamber room?" while Shō was silent before shaking his head in defeat. "I don't know. I'm not sure about anything anymore." he said honestly.
Erza saw the pure devastation across the younger man's face and felt a pain in her heart. She reached up to gently grab his shoulder and reassured him, "Thank you Shō." she told the man. He only gave a small nod before he started leading them in a different direction to sneak into Jellal's chamber.
Natsu, Kurama, and Happy were making their way through the hallway down from Milliana's room. After that weird announcement that sounded like it was coming straight out of the walls, the pink-haired man started searching around to find the man that so smugly talked down to all of them. The Dragon Slayer kept punching down the walls and doors of each room he passed after leaving the cat-girl's turf once he saved Happy.
The flying cat's watched skeptically before cutting into his destructive path "Natsu, I really don't think that guy is actually watching us in the walls. Punching the doors and wrecking the hallway isn't gonna stop him." Happy said.
"Yeah this is a waste of time and energy. We should find the others." Kurama agreed.
"It might slow him down." Natsu proudly exclaimed "If his eyes are the walls then if we take them out, he probably won't know we're coming."
Happy shook his head, "I really don't think it's as easy as you think." The blue cat then seemed very distressed as he remembered what the announcement said near the end.
"Plus there's that Etherion thing he said the Council was gonna fire at us! And what about Erza?" Kurama said.
"Didn't you hear what that Jellal guy said?" Natsu said rhetorically before he cracked his knuckles.
"He was talking to Ezra and the others that whole time. They freed her already so she's okay. And that jerk is holding a game with all of us in it and he won't let us leave until one side is down for the count anyways." The Fairy Mage smirked again before his knuckles released a quick burst of flame, "Which means if I take out the top asshole then no one can get in our way anymore and we can leave. Plus after what he planned to do to Erza and trying to hurt us, I really wanna kick his ass." he said heatedly for what he heard.
Happy floated there for a moment before seeming hesitant with the idea "B-But Natsu, isn't that Jellal guy super strong?" he asked his friend.
"Doesn't matter." Natsu said as he gave a big, confident smile to encourage his best friend. "He messed with us, which means he needs to get his ass whooped by us. So I'm voting for myself to deliver a Fairy Tail Ass Kicking to teach that prick a lesson. And that's a promise." he said.
The two cat's waited for a moment before a smile came over his and Kurama's face, "You sure?" Happy asked.
"Totally! I got this buddy! Now let's go kick his ass!" Natsu said eagerly.
"Aye sir!" Happy said while Kurama once again brandished his knife, "I guess I can use a little workout." the red-orange cat admitted.
"Sweet!" Natsu turned on his feet and threw his fist up.
"Then let's head straight to the top and..." The pink-haired brawler stopped when he finally noticed the two figures standing far enough away down the hallway that he couldn't discern who they were.
But the tense atmosphere and the cold intent being aimed toward him meant it wasn't anyone he knew. He furrowed his eyes and looked at them "Who are you guys?" he asked them.
"Jet Ho Ho Hoo!" one said to him. He immediately got an answer as the larger figure let an immense pair of explosions blow out behind him before he launched himself forward at staggering speeds.
Natsu didn't get a chance to react before the figure barreled into his stomach and carried him down the hallway until everything around him was a blur, "Natsu!" Happy exclaimed.
Natsu gasped in pain as the massive, muscular man knocked the air out of his lungs as they sped down the hallway like a rocket. The Dragon Slayer looked at the huge jetpack that was propelling them forward and the Fairy Mage started slamming his fist down on the man's shoulder in an attempt to separate from him. But as they rocketed down the hall Natsu looked back just in time to see the wall they were approaching, "OH SHI-" Natsu began to yell but then-
*BAM*
They broke through the rock wall and flew outside before the Fairy Mage and his attacker finally separated. Natsu groaned in discomfort before looking up at the rocket-propelled man that flew out over the ocean before turning back to him, giving Natsu a clear view of him in the moonlight. His attacker had massive muscles and wore no shirt, appearing like a bodybuilder that never skipped a day to exercise with a massive jetpack secured behind him. But the most striking feature was the fact that he had an owl's head that stared at him with piercing black eyes. He proclaimed while speeding toward Natsu, "Hoo hoo! The Hero of Justice, Fukuro of Trinity Raven, has come to slay the allies of evil!"
Natsu blanked, "An owl!" he said in a deadpan voice.
"Natsu!" Happy said. The Dragon Slayer looked up to see his feline companion flying out of the hole they just made with his friend and making their way to help him. He reached up, "Happy-" he started to say, but was interrupted by the owl-man.
"Hoo hoo-no you don't! Jet Ho Ho Hoo!" the man called out once again. The owl-man came flying down and slammed into Natsu's chest again, flying directly into the Tower again and breaking through the wall. Natsu was carried through another hallway at blistering speeds as he tried to escape the incredible lock the owl had him in.
Lucy cupped her hands over her mouth, "Natsu!"Lucy called out.
Juvia joined in, "Natsu-San!" the water mage cried out.
Gray yelled, "Hey, Hothead! We need to get going and we can't waste time looking for you so you better come out and-" he yelled, but the sound of a familiar voice yelling caught his attention.
"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" A pink and beige blur passed by them before continuing down the hallway with a trail of smoke directly behind them.
The group of Mages violently coughed in the smoke cloud before Lucy asked with teary eyes, "W-was that-" she started to ask before another blur passed.
"NATSU!" A blue blur followed a moment later as he screamed, chasing his friend and the attacker that was grappling him.
Kurama flew up to them slowly and sighed "Is this what a third wheel feels like... man I need better friends..." the cat said with a sigh.
"Happy?!" Lucy cried out.
"Oh fuck." Gray cursed before he started sprinting down the hallway to help his friends, "Natsu! Happy!" he called out to the two of them.
Simon followed after, "Wait! You can't fight him!" he tried to tell them.
Kurama noticed they ignored him and sighed once more "They didn't even notice me... I hate this so much." Kurama sighed. Lucy and Juvia tried to run after them before they heard a deafening rip of an electric guitar. The two girls shook from the horrific cacophony that assaulted their ears as they turned around to see a thin, sickly pale man stroll forward with a wide gait as his hands shredded down a guitar.
Once he stood in sight they finally noticed that his skin wasn't pale, but his whole body was covered in white body paint. He had paint on his face and silky, long black hair that he whirled around like a vortex behind him before he ripped one last cord and let his long tongue fall out of his mouth, "YOOOOOOO! HOW'S IT GOIN' YOU SEXY LADIES! YOUR GOD, TRINITY RAVEN'S VIDALDUS TAKA, HAS DESCENDED TO RIP SOME ROCK'N' NOTES AND MOISTEN THE FINGERHUTS! LINE UP IN ORDER AND WE CAN GET STARTED!" the man yelled. Juvia furrowed her eyes at the strange, offensive stranger that stood in front of them as Lucy was disgusted by his attitude.
"Well he certainly is unique..." Kurama muttered before he decided to leave and find his friend. Yep, just another day for Kurama the Exceed.
Adventreader221: IT'S ALIVE AHAHAHAHAHA IT'S ALIVE
Phoenixlord42: I was never dead to begin with idiot!
Adventreader221: Well sorry, at least I don't lay down and die like you did at the start of the chapter. *Crossed arms with a huff*
Phoenixlord42*Phoenixlord42 then grabs Adventreader221's throat and start choking him and trying to kill him like Frankenstein's monster did* Say that again bitch.
Adventreader221: *Croaks* At-least-I-don't-lay-down-and-die-like-you-did-at-the-start-of-the-chapter.
Phoenixlord42:THAT'S IT YOU ARE SO FUCKING DEAD *Pulls out thousands of deadly weapons while still choking Adventreader221*
Adventreader221: *Eyes sparkle in wonder* Ooh-pretty.
*Explosions start going off and kill Adventreader221*
Phoenixlord42: Well LATER EVERYONE! NOW TO WATCH MORE UZUMAKI-KHAN MUAHAHAHAHAHA