Looking at this new guy, I noted how clean and kempt he was. Not a single scratch on him, so did that mean he was either yet to battle one of us or was he just untouchable because of his strength? I wonder if this guy has already had a go at beating one of my friends up. Possibly Elfman and Evergreen, as the big guy hadn't been able to say much before he passed out. I hated to admit it, but the person with the most power left was actually myself in this situation, and that put me at an all-time low. There was no way I could defeat that guy!
Without warning a sudden gravitational shift rippled through the forest like a rushing tsunami, overpowering my sense of fear for a brief moment as it hit me and scrambled my senses before it brought them rushing back, deeper and fiercer than before. "What is that?! It's incredible magic power!"
"Why is it all the bad guys always have the crazy out of this world strength and weird magic that no one has ever come across before?!" I wailed loudly in complaint, lifting my head as Juvia's rain washed over me. "Why can't they just be normal crooks for once!?" The silver haired dude, Rusty Rose, just looked at me, arching an eyebrow from behind his glasses as if I had interrupted his poetic reverie. "Aw crap, I think I just made him mad."
"Zera, look out!" Levy yelled as she and Lisanna dove out of the way, Lily clutched in her arms as a giant black snaking arm suddenly struck the ground near to us and I shrieked, inelegantly throwing myself to the side in order to avoid it. The hell is that thing?! No fair! Still, if he's going to play dirty and attack the wounded, then there's no way I'm going to hold back!
"Requip!" Taking off at a run, I immediately held out one hand and curled two fingers around the bow which appeared into my hands, feeling the warmth of the bow as it crackled with fire. "Blazing Embers – Fire Arrows!" Drawing back the string with a swift hand I released a string of arrows which burst into flame and went shooting towards the enemy, however the guy merely declared that a golden shield would appear in his left hand, and it did. It deflected my arrows effortlessly, meaning that they fell pitifully to the ground. "What?! No way." A little pissed I made another attack, this time sending a huge explosion his way however he dodged it by flying up into the air with wings on his shoes, almost dancing around me as I fired arrow after arrow, attempting to pin him down and exchanging my bows twice more until my magic power suddenly plummeted and I was all out.
The bow fizzled out of existence and I fell to my knees, gasping for breath as Levy and Lisanna called out my name with worry. "So you are Zera Scarlet, the sister of the mighty knight, Erza. Quite a disappointing display, I expected the sister of one of such renowned reputation to have a little more…oomph." My magic power might be out, but that doesn't mean I can't still punch the bastard. I summoned up all the last reserves of energy I had to spring forwards, balling a fist to punch Rusty Rose in the throat but it was useless. Of course it was, I shouldn't have even bothered. The huge black, metallic like arm came back and punched me right in the gut, causing me to lose my breath and even spit up a little blood as I then went flying backwards, set to hit a tree.
"Zera!" Lily's deep voice vaguely caught my attention in my stupefied haze, huge furry arms catching me before I could be dealt more damage by hitting solid objects. "It was a valiant attempt, I commend your bravery." Brave? I'm not brave, just desperate and stupid enough to attack some guy who was very clearly far stronger than I was. Oh well, at least if I point him out to Erza and tell her he beat me up, she'll go absolutely nuts and pound his ass. Without warning, however, another attack came out of nowhere, hitting the glasses guy in the side and knocked him off his feet, face overcome with shock as he righted himself after sliding across the ground.
"Who the hell are you?!"
"Freed…Bickslow!" I lifted my head weakly as Lily continued to hold me, ready to carry me out of danger but I guess there's no need to be worried anymore. Now this is when the real show starts! "Ha! You're in trouble now mister, I was just the warm up, now these guys are going to really kick your ass." I crowed, tilting my body to indicate that I wanted to stand upright so Pantherlily carefully put me down on my feet, keeping one paw against my side so that I could lean against him for support.
"What are you doing here?"
"We saw the signal flare while we were headed home with Gildarts, you know?" Bickslow explained, giving a broad grin and sticking out his tongue towards us as Lisanna brightened.
"Gildarts came back too?" Oh thank god for that, now at least we stand a fighting chance.
"Hmph! A couple of small fries are nothing compared to my Arc of Incarnation." Arc of what now? Now that just sounds unnecessarily complicated and seriously overpowered.
"We never came here expecting to give this thing everything we got. We just paid back a debt we owed!" Bickslow yelled back at the stranger, whose bionic arm was already beginning to form. On another note, what was Bickslow talking about? From what he said, it sounded like he and Freed came here intending to lose the trials, but whatever for? Maybe they still felt guilty about the whole Battle of Fairy Tail and Thunder Palace thing.
"However, you wounded Ever and our other guild mates. Against you, we observe no rules!" Freed always sounds so cool and dignified, I liked how badass he was yet he always remained so aloof and gentleman like. You know, the 'always allow a lady through a door first' kind of old school gentleman type.
"Baryon Formation!"
"Dark Ercriture – Pain!" I am so glad these two are on our side again. Their rally against the enemy was impressive, something I vowed never to forget in a hurry, but our victory was short lived. It seems that the Arc of Incarnation was limited only by the enemy's imagination, and since there could be no limit to the imagination, the only thing that restricted Rusty Rose was experience. When he finally seemed to feel real fear, he was able to manipulate that into an attack and sent a swarm of darkness and light straight at Freed and Bickslow, completely surrounding them.
"Be careful!" We all called out with our support, concerned for their safety. I was just about ready to jump in and just tackle the guy to see if it would help any, but before I could even take one step a tremor rippled through the ground and sent vibrations up my feet. Initially I did not notice it, however when the sensation intensified to the extent that we were all sent sprawling on the ground, the sound of cracking wood and rumbling movement sounded all around us. Immediately I felt a drain on my body, weakening me to a point I had never felt before so that it became almost impossible to even move a single finger for a few moments until I had adjusted to it. Everyone, all of our power, it was gone!
Fighting with everything I had, I turned my head in the general direction where I could sense Erza, probably still desperately fighting with everything she had. "Erza…stay strong." Meanwhile, Rusty Rose was laughing obnoxiously, towering above us all as we lay on our bellies like grovelling dogs, too weak to move.
"Too bad you all couldn't do anything to stop us. Fairy Tail really is a guild full of trash. You deserve to be annihilated, pitiful little fairies. Guess I'll start with you two since you gave me the most trouble." My eyes suddenly widened and a pure, unbending rage filled my entire body as Rusty Rose turned on Bickslow and Freed. Before I knew it I had punched a fist into the ground, sucking in deep breaths as the rain continued to descend upon us. At least it washed away all my sweat, because this effort was more exertion than I had ever experienced before. "Hm? Interesting…" Somehow I had managed to rise to my feet, the sensation of weakness completely overcome by my anger at Rusty Rose's words.
"Trash? You called my friends trash?" Carefully shifting my feet, I moved inch by inch to stand in front of Freed and Bickslow, dragging air into my lungs before I forced my back to straighten and I flung out my arms, not caring how difficult it felt just to remain upright with the weight of weakness crippling my legs. "How dare you call them trash? And how dare you strike someone when they're already down…I won't let you hurt them!"
"How are you able to stand? Since Azuma destroyed the Sirius Tree, all who bear the Fairy Tail mark should have lost all strength and power." Rusty Rose said to me, rubbing his chin curiously. What? The Sirius Tree had been cut down? Impossible! Although, there was that guy who fought Mirajane earlier, who could control tree roots and the like, was that Azuma? Never mind that now, I've got bigger problems. Giving a rather gleeful smirk, I maintained my stoic demeanour even if it was all a sham.
"You can't get much weaker if you're already weak to begin with. This is nothing, I've felt worse when I've caught a cold, so do what you like. I may be the weakest wizard in the guild…but that doesn't mean I won't stand against you if you threaten my friends. You will never defeat Fairy Tail!" Behind me I heard Freed and Bickslow say my name, ordering me to get out of the way and not to be foolish, but I refused. I relaxed a little and looked over my shoulder, looking at them both softly. "Don't worry. You guys have always protected me because I'm the worst wizard in Fairy Tail, but now it's time for me to be your shields. Rest for now, I've got this."
"Ha! You? I have already defeated you and it took less than a minute, and it only took so long because I was toying with you. What could you possibly do now that I cannot overcome with my imagination?" Rusty Rose challenged me so I gripped a fist, taking deep breaths. I really did have no magic left, and I could barely stand as it was. All I could do was stand and hope beyond hope that I could just hold on until something changed. This can't be the end for Fairy Tail, I just can't let that happen. "Very well, then I shall start with you!" Alarmed, I watched as the black arm from before came shooting towards me, ready to strike me down a final time.
"ZERA!" All of my friends cried out with terror in their voices but I continued to stand with my arms raised, the rain hammering down from the cloudy heavens as Freed and Bickslow stared at my back where the large Fairy Tail insignia blazed a bright red. Without even meaning to, my own voice cried out of its own accord.
"Terra Mitescere!" Earth Soften. It was a very minor enchantment, and as my hands glowed a pale blue colour I watched as the earth around Rusty Rose's feet turned to mud and he slipped, giving a yell as he fell flat on his face and his extendable arm went completely off target. The use of my magic brought me down to one knee, grunting as I gripped at my pounding heart. Well, at least I got to see him get a mouthful of mud. Now that was entertaining.
"Damn you!" Scrambling to get back on his feet, he slipped on the mud once more and fell on his back, making all of us blink.
"You're kidding me, you beat him with just a little mud?" Bickslow was on the brink of laughter as I lowered myself down to sit on the ground, groaning as I then allowed myself to fall on my back.
"I wouldn't say he was beat, but at least it's stalled him for a minute or so." Smile fading, I tilted my head back as far as I could so that I was looking upside down at Freed and Bickslow apologetically. "I'm sorry I can't protect you guys like you always do for me. I'm just…I'm not strong enough."
"You are not weak, Zera. Quite the opposite." Freed said to me, stretching out his hand over the rain sodden earth, reaching for my hand so I pushed my arm a little higher until I was able to grip hold of his fingers then did the same for Bickslow. "Your strengths merely lie elsewhere, and there is none who is more willing to give all for the sake of others as you are." It was kind of Freed to say such things, and I felt better for holding his and Bickslow's hand, for I knew the moment Rusty Rose was back on his feet, I was a goner.
"You!" Speak of the devil. He flung his arms against his jacket to try and dislodge the excess mud which marred his previously spotless attire, growling dangerously as he stormed forwards. "You will pay for that humiliation, I will destroy you!" Just as Rusty Rose lifted his hand, however, I felt a rush of energy suddenly swamp my body like a flood, the mark on my back growing hot as I felt my strength returning.
"Yes! I'm back baby!" Bickslow crowed as we all felt the same effects. Both the guys let go of my hand to fly forwards and punch Rusty Rose in the face as I sat bolt upright, cheering for them eagerly. Alright! Now we're back in business, maybe we can teach this guy exactly what it means to mess with us fairies.
"Come forth!" Damn it, what now asshole? "Tower of Dingir!" Suddenly I felt the ground disappear from beneath me, my body slamming against a rounded wall as a colossal tower sprung up from the ground and began to carry me higher and higher into the skies. "Foolish Fairies! You will now see all possible sorrows and be returned to dust!" What the heck is this thing? I can't even move!
"I guess I don't have a choice, Figure Eyes!" Bickslow pulled off his face helm in order to look downwards, to the ground where Rusty Rose was standing.
"They don't work on guys wearing glasses, right?"
"That ain't what I'm going for!" Bickslow yelled back, suddenly ginning. "There's this guy with his eyes wide open who'll be useful. So I'm gonna make him a puppet!" Huh? Down below, I saw Elfman getting up from his bed and stagger towards Rusty Rose as Bickslow latched onto his soul, taking possession of him so that all of his injuries and weakness became inconsequential, allowing him to race directly at the guy's unprotected back. "Do it!" Oh hell yeah! Elfman delivered a powerful kick to Rusty's face, knocking him flying and breaking his concentration so that the tower disappeared.
"Freed!" Already having exchanged her arms for wings, Lisanna lifted her feet and settled them against Freed's, pushing downwards with all her strength in order to send him flying towards the ground, one hand ready to draw his sword. Yeah! Now we're talking! Wait, I don't have wings. Looking left and right repeatedly, I squeaked as I realised that I was the only one without a means to fly in the air. Lisanna had her animal wings, Levy had Lily and Bickslow was standing on top of his little wooden head things. Aw nuts, this really wasn't my day.
As Freed sliced through Rusty Rose with a final destruction spell of his Dark Erciture, I went tumbling down to the ground as gravity finally caught up with me. "Guys! Little help here?!" Wailing loudly I flailed my arms, trying to flap them as if that would help me at all. Thankfully before I could hit the ground, Freed had turned on his heel and flew towards me, forming wings on his back with his rune magic and he was able to catch me. I grunted when I hit his arms, legs kicking upwards a little before I settled. "Thanks Freed, I owe you one."
"I think it is I who owes you, Zera. After all, you were the one to hinder that miserable wretch from harming myself or Bickslow." I blushed slightly and laughed, a little awkward and bashful about Freed's thanks as he brought us both safely to the ground then settled me on my feet.
"Oh it was nothing really, I was just being impulsive ad didn't even think anything through." I waved it off before then flinching, hand jumping to my side where my ribs ached. Guess I had taken a few hard hits, I didn't feel all that good.
"You need to rest. Come, we shall extend the shelter so that we can all take cover from this rain." Freed looked at me then, seemingly only just noticing that I was wearing very little clothing, meaning that my legs, torso and pretty much everything else was on show. My bikini was hanging on by only one thread and as I took in a deep breath, the string finally snapped and almost fell off me, but I screeched and quickly hugged my chest to keep the flimsy material close to me. "Forgive me, but do you not have any other clothing which you could cover yourself with?"
"You think I would if I could?!" I complained, feeling all the more miserable for having ruined my clothes to the point that they were falling off me. Even the skirt had fallen apart, meaning that I only had my bikini bottoms. "But I'm still too low on magic to change my clothes with my Spatial Magic, and I don't have anything else with me! This totally sucks!" Having pressed my eyes shut, I heard a soft rustle before then something was placed over my shoulders, making me start and look to find Freed had taken off his jacket and given it to me.
"Please wear this until more suitable clothing can be found for you. It is improper for a young lady to walk around so…underdressed." To my surprise, Freed actually blushed a little, his cheeks going bright pink so as I quickly slipped my arms through his sleeves and did up the buttons of his coat, I then poked the blushing cheeks.
"Are you shy around naked women, Freed? Ah, you're so cute!" Squealing I tackled Freed with a hug, thanking him profusely for the jacket before then letting him go quickly, wailing in pain for my overexerted wounds. He seemed more at ease now that I was properly covered, instantly offering me his arm in order to help me walk back safely to the others. I teased him a little for being so proper as we made our way forwards, pulling at the single braid at the back of my head to free it from the collar then let it hang down my back. We quickly fixed up the camp so that we had more room for our injured comrades, keeping them dry from the rain until Natsu, Lucy, Wendy and Cana finally found us. "Cana!" Gasping I quickly leaped up from where I had been sitting and raced over to them.
"Zera, why are you wearing Freed's jacket?" Lucy asked me as she helped Cana to walk, an arm slung over her shoulders. She didn't look too bad, merely drained and a little beat up, but her eyes had this glazed look as if she wasn't entirely aware of all that was going on.
"Oh, my clothes fell apart during the fighting. But never mind that, all of you had better get over here. Things aren't exactly looking good." I gestured over to where our wounded lay and Natsu immediately took off, only just thinking to hand Makarov over to me. I cradled the Master in my arms, gently holding him as not to aggravate his grievous injuries, carrying him with the utmost care and caution.
"Even Mira and Gajeel…" Lucy murmured sadly as she, Wendy and Gajeel all stood before the wounded.
"I'll start treating everybody right away!" Wendy declared sweetly, however both Carla and Happy told her that she was better off resting because she had used a great deal of her own magic today. Our situation didn't look all that much improved, but at least there were more of us now and I felt better for having my friends closer, though I wouldn't feel completely settled until Erza came back. Laying Makarov down to rest I then went to Cana, reaching out to gently touch her shoulder where she was hugging herself in isolation.
At first she pulled away but I persisted, not leaving her alone until she at least looked at me. "Cana?" Finally she opened up a little and I looked into her saddened, miserable orbs and all at once I forgot about our petty argument and flung my arms around her. "It's okay now Cana, we're all going to be just fine." Sniffing softly I felt Cana slowly wind her arms around me to hug me back, allowing me to smile in relief. I guess we're going to be fine. Our friendship is made of stern stuff, so a stupid little disagreement wasn't going to get in our way.
"Grimoire Heart's ship is in a bay to the east of us. Since we have to think about protecting the wounded, I suggest we split into two teams. One team for attack, and the other for defence." Pantherlily advised us all maturely. It was quick enough who would go and who would stay, and I was one of those who would remain to ensure the continued defence of the camp whilst Team Natsu with the addition of Pantherlily went to find the ship where the Grimoire Heart's master no doubt lay. I hope they find Erza on the way there, she'd be able to help them out a lot.
"Is there anything we can do Levy?" Lisanna asked as she and Freed started on the wards around the camp.
"Not for the moment, just keep an eye out for us until these are done." Levy smiled, cast a worried glance towards Gajeel then continued her work. I had laid down to take a nap, resting a while after such an eventful day which was yet to be over. Soon enough thunder began to rumble and lightning flashed overhead, but I paid no attention to it for the most part until it began to dawn on me that there was something familiar about that lightning. Or at least, just a sense that I knew it. "Hm? Something wrong Zera?" Levy asked, noticing how I had moved quickly to sit upright.
"This lightning…it couldn't be." Laxus? I dared not say it out loud in case I was wrong, but I could almost swear that this lightning had a particular sense which made my neck tingle. No, I must be imagining it. Yet still…what I wouldn't give to have Laxus here with us.