Chapter 9

This time Strife had the worst dream he had in a long while, once again it was that spider armed cloaked wraith or whatever it was, Strife decided to call them wraiths from now on.

Only this time Strife was actually there outside the house, the wraith stopped playing it's song with its spider like strings but it was still there, how? Must have been in the way of a dream, it towered over him and examined him almost curiously.

"Who are you and don't give me bullshit" Strife ordered the wraith, the voice made a rasping breathing noise, and pointed to the house with one spidery arm, "what's inside there?" Strife asked, then he heard something up above.

He looked up and there was a series of spider webs on the ceiling. It was absolutely huge. You couldn't even see the light or the forest leaves and on each series of webs was a wraith plucking their strings forming a song that was very enchanting.

Strife could feel himself becoming woozy, no he was a horseman he would push through it, he then saw skulls on the ground most likely of people who had died here, died of song? That was honestly a new way to die.

Strife then heard a neighing from someone, a familiar neighing of a horse, "wait that- that sounds like" he said before he felt a sharp pain in his chest, the wraith had stabbed him with one of its sharp spider legs.

"Return" it whispered cold and raised in his ear.

Lower caverns of Galuna island

"Christ!" Strife cursed as he woke up with a sharp jolt, he felt his chest no wound in it, "damn insects" Strife muttered, "uh Is it night yet" Natsu mumbled apparently he too was awake and Gray and Lucy were coming around.

And right on que a purple magic circle appeared on the roof, right over Deloria "the hell?" Strife questioned, and a purple light bathed the frozen demon, "anyone want to go out on a limb and say something?" Strife asked.

"It looks like cursed moonlight" Lucy said, "it can't be a coincidence" Natsu added, "it rarely is" the Watcher said, "Come on," Gray beckoned, as he waved them towards the exit, "We need to find out who's doing this!".

Galuna Island Forbidden Temple Roof

The team had headed up a flight of stairs, which exited on top of the temple, where they found a mysterious circle of people. They were clad in robes and masks, which obscured their features. The only thing they could not decipher is what they were doing and why they were doing it. And there were Wraiths behind the people in the robes with their spider arms extended to either side like they were linking arms.

"What's the deal with the chanting freaks?" Natsu whispered, as he and the others hid behind some rocks. "No idea but the spider legged assholes I know have been seeing them in my dreams" Strife said, "but with the chanting of the freaks….I don't know".

"I do, It's an ancient spell used to collect Moon Drip," an unfamiliar feminine voice from behind them said. Natsu freaked out as he turned to see a young girl with orange hair, a blue dress, pink bonnet, and a harp at her side. This was Lyre, one of Lucy's Celestial Spirits.

"Uh and you are?" Strife asked, "that's Lyra," the Watcher explained, "she's one of my Celestial Spirits; I summoned her while we were asleep, and she played her music, which should make people feel peaceful." Lucy angrily whispered on the last part. While Lyre was one of her good Celestial Spirits, she was angry with her for not being able to help Strife or Gray.

"She tried using her magic on you but you drew your gun three times in the night" the Watcher said to the horseman, "at least that explains why my dreams were so good" Natsu said helpfully.

"But what isn't explained," Lucy half-whispered, "Is how you're still here, Lyre! I thought that you went back to the Celestial Spirit World! Also, why couldn't your music help Kurt!?"

"I see," Lyre said, ignoring both of Lucy's inquiries, "so that's what they're going to do."

"And that would be…?" Natsu gestured for the spirit to continue.

"They're using the Moon Drip to melt the ice around the demon below us. With the ice gone, it will be resurrected." Lyre explained.

"That's impossible!" Gray yelled, almost blowing their cover, "The ice in an Iced Shell can't be melted!"

"Actually, that's not necessarily true," Lyre said," While the Iced Shell is strong, it can be melted by the Moon Drip; focused moon energy can break any spell."

"Those morons!" Gray yelled, "They've never witnessed Deliora's power before; they have no idea what they're doing!"

"It's possible that what happened to the natives is actually just a byproduct of this spell," Lyre continued, "They might not have been targeted intentionally."

"Accident or not, people died because of this spell; let's make them pay!" Natsu declared, starting to rise.

"Wait," Lucy whispered, dragging Natsu back down, "Someone's coming!"

Another man soon joined the circle of chanters. His features and age lay behind the demonic-looking helmet he wore. He had a blue outfit with a white cloak over it and armored leggings. This was the Cold Emperor. Behind him were his minions, Yuka, Toby, and Sherry, though they kept a healthy distance away.

Sherry had dried tears around her eyes no doubt at the thought of her dear dead rat, and Toby was casting sympathetic glances at her.

"What a waste," Yuka said, "I lost so much sleep, and all for naught. We searched all day for the intruders, but the only thing we found was a huge puddle of urine." Lucy noticeably blushed when he said that.

Strife gave her a raised eyebrow look and then shook his head and continued listening, "Yeah. Only a human could have made that much piss. It stunk up the whole tunnel." Toby said, unaware that Lucy had steam coming from her ears.

"Geez if that was my sister they were insulting they'd be heartless before they hit the ground literally" Strife thought as he noticed the steam, "cough cough calm down" the Watcher said to the blonde as some of the steam went into his face.

"I have bad news, Cold Emperor," Sherry said," We had intruders earlier today, but didn't find them." "Intruders, you say?" the Cold Emperor said in a flat voice.

Natsu and Lucy noticed that Gray had stiffened when he heard the voice.

"Has Deliora awakened?" The Cold Emperor asked.

"It should be either tonight or tomorrow," Sherry replied. In a seemingly eternal moment, the Cold Emperor was silent.

"Then the time has almost come," he finally said," If you see the intruders, kill them; I don't want anyone ruining my plans for Deliora."

"It must've been the villagers," Sherry said, "They're the only other beings on this island.", "Then destroy the village, and everyone in it!" the Cold Emperor demanded. "Yes, sir!" all three said as one, bowing before their master.

"B-but…" Lucy whispered softly, portraying all of their feelings at this moment, "but the villagers have nothing to do with this!" Natsu was just about to intervene, but Strife dashed over first drawing mercy and redemption and pointing it at the ice emperor.

"Hey asshole I got a bullet to give your skull" Strife boldly shouted, they all turned to Strife, "and who are you?" The cold emperor said, "your intruder who also happens to be the guy you really don't want to piss off" Strife quipped.

The rest of Fairy Tail showed themselves including the Watcher, "ooh now this will be fun" the Watcher said, the villains trembled in slight fear at the sight of the watcher. his mouth less face, his six eyes, his skeleton-like body structure, even the white and gold colour made him seem intimidating.

But then Sherry spotted the Fairy tail symbol on Strife's chest, "I know that symbol," she said to her friends, "they're from Fairy Tail!", "I'm just an extra," the Watcher said, not sounding any less intimidating than he looks.

"What the hell are you?" Toby demanded in fear, "just the one who's going to make you scream" The Watcher told the dog man in hopes of scaring him.

It worked as Toby was thoroughly spooked, "nice one" Strife said, "thanks" the Watcher replied by outstretching it's hand and teleported a cloaked member to who knows where, everyone took a moment to absorb this as more members began to be teleported by falling down portals, pretty soon it was now only Fairy tail, the cold emperor and the cold emperors cronies "how did you-?" Strife asked.

"What did you really think I didn't have any kind of magic of my own in case the council ever sent you a lot after me?, they are just inside the temple, though a bit of privacy would be good" the Watcher said, "also that's my limit" he added in a whisper.

"It would appear that the village found a guild that was brave enough, or stupid enough, to help," Yuka commented, "though I can't believe they'd be so pathetic as to enlist a native for assistance."

"I am not a demon you wretch one more word and I cut your tongue out personally" the Watcher threatened, "oh that will definitely scare him" Strife said sarcastically.

"It doesn't matter who they sent you filth, "the Cold Emperor said, more composed by The Watchers appearance, "Your orders are still to destroy the village.", "What?! But why?!" Lucy asked incredulously.

"Anyone who stands in my way, either deliberately or by accident is my enemy," the Cold Emperor said stoically. "In that case, I hope you have life insurance." Strife said as he began to charge up a power shot, "ooh you're in trouble now" the Watcher laughed.

Natsu charged at the cold emperor and Gray jumped into the air, "Stop this right now!" Gray cried; as he landed, he slammed his hands into the ground and created a huge wave of ice that forced the Cold Emperor's minions to jump out of the way.

The Cold Emperor himself however, slammed a single palm against the ground, creating an identical wave of ice, just as powerful as Gray's was, canceling both waves instantly upon contact. Gray merely stepped back and stared at his opponent in utter hatred.

"Stop it, Lyon!" Gray shouted. In that very moment, Strife pulled the triggers on a low level power shot and the shot hit the cold emperor's head and the impact made him stagger and destroyed his helmet and knocked whatever remained off his head.

The Cold Emperor now sported spiky white hair and a very noticeable bruise on his left cheek. This was actually Lyon, Gray's fellow student of Ur. "Want to introduce us or should I make him blurt it out with torture?" Strife asked Gray.

"He was Gray's fellow student at Ur, but I didn't know that the Cold Emperor was Lyon!" Lucy yelled to him.

"You'll pay for damaging me" Lyon yelled at Strife, "well you're in better shape then that rat I killed earlier today" Strife accidentally pointing out in a joking manner. Sherry froze as she tried to absorb this while the monologuing continued.

"Lyon," Gray said, his voice hoarse with rage and frustration, "Do you have anything you're doing!?"

"Hello, Gray," Lyon said, "It's been a while. I can almost not believe you would ally yourself with a demon. Almost."

"You're on a very thin line, Your highness" the Watcher warned, "Why would you want to bring back Deliora!?" Gray demanded, ignoring Lyon's accusation.

"To think that you were one of the wizards that had been sent to help this island," Lyon said, ignoring Gray's question, "Did you come knowing you would find me, or is this a mere coincidence? Not that it makes any difference to me."

"Is this a friend of yours, Lyon?" Yuka asked.

"Do as you were ordered, "Lyon said, ignoring that question as well, "I'll handle the intruders on my own, especially the filthy demon.", "does that mean me?" The Watcher asked, offended.

"Yes, sir!" all three shouted in unison, before running off in different directions. "Hey, come back here!" Natsu yelled, running around Lyon.

"No! Natsu, don't get near him!" Gray shouted in concern. Lyon did not even look at Natsu; he merely held out his hand, and a sphere of ice enveloped Natsu's torso, upper arms, and thighs.

"Happy, get Lucy out of here!" Gray yelled.

"Aye!" Happy sprouted his wings and grabbed Lucy by the back of her shirt into the air, despite her protests as she desperately closed her skirt, not wanting to reveal her earlier accident to anyone.

Lyon then did the same thing to Strife and Gray that he did to Natsu "Don't bother struggling" Lyon said, "nothing can break free from my ice.", "oh really let's take that theory" Strife said as he dashed out of the ice with little effort and created a shadow clone In his place.

The clone drew its guns and pointed them at a Stunned Lyon, "oh look he's stoned" Strife quipped as he shot the ice around Natsu and freed him before the clone changed the direction it was pointing its guns and did the same with Gray.

The entire display had Gray smugly grinning. "Happy!" Strife cried up, "Take Lucy and warn the village! Natsu, Gray, and I will try to stop them, but you should be ready with a back-up plan if anything happens!"

"Aye!" Happy shouted, and then flew off. "Be careful!" Lucy yelled, before they vanished in the horizon.

Lyon laughed smugly, "As if those two could stop my minions.", "yeah well minions tend to be useless" Strife said, then he noticed Sherry still standing there with a hate infused glare at Strife, "uh why is she looking at me like that?" Strife asked.

Lyon turned to Sherry, "what are you still doing here?!" Lyon demanded, "I gave you an order?!" He then noticed the tears in her eyes and the glare she was aiming at Strife, "y-y-you killed her" Sherry began to Strife, "you killed Angelica! Butcher her!" Strife nodded to say 'yup, yup, okay' "considering what you are about to do causing you a bit of pain is worth it" Strife told her.

"Okay Strife you made your point" The Watcher said, "I'm going to end you for killing her, she was my favourite pit! She was love" she used the word 'love' a lot but Lyon was surprisingly unnerved that She didn't use the same energy she normally did when she said the word.

"Ride forth mighty steeds and end them!" She shouted, a purple flame appeared around Fairy tail circling them three times, "mighty steed?" Strife questioned with a sudden bad feeling as the purple flames diverted course and a horse, covered head to toe in Armor with purple detailing, a black main and tail and purple flames trailing off it, appeared and Reared up.

It was Mayhem, Strife recognised him immediately and all his witty remarks and sarcasm deserted him as great anger filled him, one he had not felt in such a long time and another feeling he hadn't felt in an even longer time appeared, the urge to kill everything in sight.

"Mayhem!" Strife said barely able to form words in his anger and Hatred, "you have Mayhem!", "we found him when we found them" Lyon said gesturing to the wraiths still in their positions even though the spell had stopped "when we brought Deloria here to be freed" Lyon said, "after all an emperor needs a steed to right on" he tried to get close to Mayhem in order to hop on, but Mayhem round on the emperor and reared nearly kicking Lyon with his front hooves.

"It still resists Sherry's magic" Lyon said, "be lucky he is, because i'd butcher you if you had" Strife said with no amusement or light heartedness, "uh you think you can take me" Lyon scoffed, "don't underestimate the power of Fairy tail!" Natsu shouted, "let's get him guys!", "not us Natsu, just me and Strife" Gray said, "you go help Lucy and Happy".

"What?, but why?" Natsu demanded, "because this.is.personal!, don't argue just go" Strife ordered, the tone he used seemed even scarier than any the two had heard Strife used before, his hands were shaking in rage, Mayhem seemed almost as restless, it breathed heavily and stamped it's hooves.

Natsu didn't argue, besides he had a fear of the Watcher after it's display with Gray, "to bad their ain't any popcorn about" the Watcher said as it sat down on a rock a good distance away, Natsu then ran off without another word, eager to deal with Lyons followers. Lyon chuckled humorously, "you actually think you stand a chance against us" Lyon asked, "that's not only arrogant but also Reckless".

"Oh bla bla bla i'm superior to you bla bla bla" the Watcher mocked taking up the temporary role as team comic relief as Strife was too busy shaking in anger holding himself incheck so he didn't kill Lyon….yet. "We aren't Ur's students anymore so Back off!" Gray said back, "I'm aware that we're not Ur's students anymore" Lyon said, "after all, our beloved teacher is no longer among the living, thanks to you".

Strife faltered a moment and forgot his anger at those words as he looked to Gray, both he and the Watcher looked into Gray's eye's, then they connected the dots, "oh hahahahahaHAHAHAHAHA oh that's rich" the Watcher laughed cruelly, "you'd make a good demon" it said to Lyon, this threw Lyon off so much that he diverted all his attention to the Watcher, he had not been expecting a laugh.

"The ice shell is UR?" the Watcher asked in fits of crackling, "Gray's the one who killed Ur" Lyon snapped as if trying to prove himself innocent in court, "it matter not who killed her" the Watcher cackled louder and louder as he continued, Sherry was getting more and more concerned and Strife's anger had almost completely gone as his curiosity for what the Watcher was saying over rode the kill instinct.

"Oh you're tarnishing her legacy, degracing it all in the cause to free one demon?" the Watcher then Laughed in an evil fashion, "oh maybe you even falling into the demons hands" Lyon was getting more and more thrown, this Thing? Was playing on his emotions when he thought they would not be a problem.

Doubt began to set in as to if what he was doing was exactly what deloria wanted, he looked down in fearful contemplation, "what's wrong Lyon, lost? How rude, you still have guests to attend to" the Watcher reminds him mockingly.

Open Waters 9:10 PM

Off the shores of Galuna Island, another danger was steadily approaching. A massive ship, bearing a pirate flag, was closing in fast. However, the pirates were unconscious, severely injured by the real danger, the person who hijacked their ship.

The captain of the ship was the only one conscious because he had to steer the vessel. He glanced at the hijacker out of the corner of his uninjured eye.

"So, why do you want to go to Galuna Island? Do you have a death wish?" he asked nervously. "Just stop pissing your pants and steer," the hijacker said in a commanding voice, as several of the pirates began to wake up.

"If you drop us off somewhere, you can have the boat," the captain pleaded, "Please, I'm begging you! Galuna Island is cursed, and anyone who sets foot on the island will be turned into a demon!"

"I will take that chance," the hijacker said. "B-but why do you have to go there?" the captain asked fearfully.

The hijacker stepped out of the shadows, revealing Erza scarlet on her way to retrieve Lucy, Gray, Natsu and Strife."When rules are broken, the guilty must be punished. That's all I can tell you." Erza said.

Despite them suffering a humiliating defeat at her hands, the pirates were actually warming up to her; it didn't hurt that she was beautiful and they, having gone months without even seeing a woman, saw that as a bonus.

"We'll help you catch those guys," declared one pirate, oblivious to who they were chasing. Erza inspired the captain with her courage.

"All right, you scallywags," he shouted, "get your anchors out of your pants and raise all sails; we're heading straight for Galuna Island!"

As the pirates got to work, they were unaware of Erza uncomfortably shifting her legs together and clutching her crotch in desperation.

"Of all the ships I had to hijack from Hargeon, why did it have to be the only one without a working toilet!?" Erza thought to herself desperately. She really needed to get to that island!

Galuna island forbidden temple roof

"Well are you going to say something?" the Watcher snapped angrily at Lyon who seemed to be lost in thought, it was rather worrying, "your right i do" Lyon then said collecting himself, "Sherry get that useless nage to deal with them" he ordered, it was the wrong thing to say, Strife anger immediately, "Useless Nage?! That does it, you're going to see Ur in hell" Strife fumed, raising backup Mercy and Redemption, "Ur's name should not be spoken by the likes of you or your demon!"

The watcher this time Chuckled at the mix up and didn't bother to correct him, "it was fun mocking you" it said with a mocking bow as a parting shot and disappeared as he knew what was coming next.

Lyon held out his hand, and a spiked ice mace slammed into the duo, sending them flying.

Gray and Nightcrawler struggled to their feet, but Gray was able to say, "Lyon…"

"What's wrong?" Lyon asked tauntingly, "The guilt finally getting to you, Gray? Whether you or your demon friend likes it or not, I am resurrecting Deliora."

"We won't let you!" Gray declared; Lyon only smirked.

"It's just like old times," he said, as ice gathered around his hand, "except that I'm much stronger now." An icy-blue magic circle appeared in front of his hand. "Ice Make-," and that was all he was able to get out when…

BANG*

Lyon yelped and clutched the stump of where his left hand had been, he took a moment to look at it in absolute shock then screamed in agony and fell to his knees withering in pain.

Gray looked to Strife who held Mercy with its barrel still smoking, "your dead" Strife said sinisterly, he cocked his weapon again, Gray was as shocked as Lyon and Sherry, he knew Strife was brutal but that was too far. "Deal with him" Sherry said to Mayhem as she helped Lyon, Mayhem had been throwing a fit, possibly trying to resist Sherry's doll magic, but now he set his sights on the two and charged.

Gray was about to bowl Strife out for what he did but then Mayhem charged, Gray and Strife rolled out of the path of the masked horse, "Mayhem it's me your rider" Strife said trying to reason with Mayhem, Strife seemed to be Mayhems main target because he charged at Strife three more times one trying to stomp on Strife, Strife was rolling out of the way.

"Ice make hand" Lyon said as he formed a new hand out of ice, it moved and shifted as nimble as his old hand, Strife was going to pay for that, but his vendetta was with Gray at the moment, "i got Mayhem you deal with Lyon, he's your brother" Strife told Gray, "what?!" Gray demanded, "Mayhem is Strife's steed; he must conquer this challenge on his own," the Watcher said as he appeared.

"The demons right," said Lyon, recovering, the Watcher growling in irritation, "how the hell do you have your hand back?" The Watcher exclaimed, "While Gray's specialty is making inanimate objects, Static Ice Make Magic," Lyon said, brushing off his shock with ease, "mine is making living creatures, Active Ice Make Magic. Which is far superior."

Instead of dignifying Lyon with a response, Gray activated his magic once again. "Ice Make, Hammer!"

A giant ice sledgehammer flew down at Lyon, who merely pointed up with two fingers. "Ice Make, Ape!"

A large ice gorilla appeared and blocked the hammer, mere inches from Lyon's head. In a brief struggle, both ice structures had shattered into nothing; Lyon was only smirking, "You still use two hands to activate your magic? How pathetic." he smugly said. "At least he still has two hands" the Watcher shot back, Lyon lost all his smuggless.

"Using two hands is what Ur taught us," Gray said, "Using only one hand to activate your magic makes it incomplete and unbalanced!"

"Well, I'm the exception to the rule, "Lyon bragged, "I surpassed that lying bitch's magic years ago!"

That really got under their skin, but Gray was clearly more pissed off that Lyon would call a woman by that slur. "Shut up!" Gray yelled in anger. "Regardless," Lyon said, "ever since Gray and I were children, he's never been able to land a single hit on me."

Gray brought his hands together again, "I'm a lot stronger now than I used to be!" He slammed his hands against the ground again. "Ice Make, Geyser!", A spike column of ice erupted from the ground, which engulfed an indifferent Lyon. At first, Gray and Nightcrawler thought they had won, but then the ice cracked and shattered, which revealed an uninjured Lyon.

Nothing has changed," Lyon, boasted, "I was always Ur's strongest student, and I'm still your superior, Gray. I was able to master single-handed Ice Make Magic, while you still cling to Ur's flawed method. It is just like the old days, Gray; we might have chosen different paths, but we're frozen in time. Our wizard ranking never changed.".

"If you were so superior, why did you lose a hand?" The Watcher asked. Lyon mercilessly raised his hand. "Ice Make, Ice Dragon!"

A giant ice dragon emerged from the spell, which sent Gray flying in the air, and then slamming him on the ground as he slipped into unconsciousness, leaving only The Watcher to watch. Watchers were only supposed to watch and only get involved on orders of its superior or if someone stepped out of line.

But he could wake him up, "wake up you idiot" it said as it waved its hand and used its dark magic to wake up the ice mage. "Ow" Gray said, "just get back in the fight" the Watcher said not waiting for Gray to recover properly.

"That's why I'm reviving Deliora; to prove that I am more than Ur's strongest pupil." Lyon did not even look at Gray's fallen body, "Even in my youth, I only had one dream; to surpass Ur's abilities as a wizard. However, you ruined it for me Gray; after she died, I thought my lifelong fantasy of surpassing her ended. Then, I came to a very fascinating realization; if I could defeat Deliora, a creature so strong that not even Ur could conquer, then I would have exceeded her power. My dream will finally become a reality and neither you nor your demon friend stop me!"

"Oh you're such a blind fucked up fool aren't you" the Watcher laughed finding something funny to mock Lyon, "Ur loved you!? You of all things!?" It came out as a question, "you think you can surpass her by conquering something she already did?, you think you will be superior? You will never be superior to anyone as you are?You are being played for a fool that you are, you are nothing in the grand scheme of things, nothing but a pawn!".

Finally, Lyon's composure snapped, and he sent dozens of smaller Ice Dragons from all angles at the Watcher. Pain must have meant a different thing to the Watcher as he was laughing the whole time he allowed them to hit him.

A seemingly endless barrage of Ice Dragons ravaged The Watchers body, With one final Ice Dragon, Lyon sent the bloodied body of Nightcrawler flying over the edge of the temple, his blood dripping along the way and his mouth less face Laughing as he went.

Gray looked in absolute shock as the Watcher descended, he turned angrily to Lyon only to see his face, the words the Watcher had spoken had gotten to Lyon badly, the Watcher had known what nerves to pluck, Lyon looked like an utter wreck now, but to his credit he kept it together well to just very shaky and heavy breathing. As he collected himself he faced Gray once again and both got ready to fight.

Gulana island forbidden temple ground floor

Strife and Mayhems battle had been taken to the forest below, and Strife wasn't doing very well in reasoning with Mayhem, "come on Mayhem, it's me!" Strife cried out desperately as he dove out of the way of a sidekick from Mayhem, "don't you remember, use as a dynamic duo?" Strife rolled out of the way of a charging Mayhem who destroyed three tree's as he charged, "the masked rider and his masked horse?, don't you at least remember Ruin? Despair?, Rampage?". It seemed that Mayhem was too far gone in his own wilderness.

"You can't reason with it," Sherry said mockingly, "I can direct him anywhere I want and you're going to pay for Killing Angelica and hurting Lyon", "direct him? So you aint controlling him? Ha of course you can't" Strife said, "true but it's not like you can control him either" Sherry pointed out, "oh that's where you wrong because i'm the one-" Strife began but then he got swatted by Mayhem and Strife was knocked into a tree and landed Balls first on a branch.

"Looks like i'm doing this like i did the first time" Strife said, wishing he didn't have to go through the pain of trying to Tame Mayhem a second time, he leapt off the branch and landed on Mayhems back, Sherry lost all control of Mayhem as he galloped off widely bucking as he tried to throw Strife off. "Uh guess I don't have as much control as I thought" Sherry admitted.

Galuna island forbidden temple ground floor

The Watcher was lying on a rock, in a position that would have implied that his back was snapped and we was dead, that was if he was human, but the Watcher just opened his eyes and sat up cracking his back as he got up, "damn i need to watch my tongue more" he said to himself, "hey Watcher" came a call, it was Natsu coming back against orders, "the hell are you doing here" the Watcher asked trying to get up and only managed to fall on his face, "grrr curse that mage".

"Looks like you beat me to the punch flame-brain" came another Voice, it was Gray he must have ditched the fight, "shouldn't you be kicking Lyon's ass about now?" the Watcher asked but he didn't get an answer as Natsu suddenly punched Gray in the nose, "what the hell's your problem?" Gray and Watcher said at the same time, "I should be asking you the questions, Strife's disappeared, Lyons still causing trouble, Watchers hurt and Lucy and Happy are waiting for us at the village '' Natsu blurted out.

"I'm sorry" Gray said, "i should have done more something, but i got riled up at Lyon's word's, Strife action made me uneasy, i should have done more but-" tears fell down Gray's face, "if anyones at fault here it's Lyon" the Watcher said gesturing to Natsu to help him up which he did, "listen Lyon's rattled, we have the advantage, he'll start to get sloppy, as for Strife he can handle himself and we can go to the village i'm sure Lucy can last long enough for us to arrive".

Gray looked up, Natsu's anger had dissipated a long time ago, "we are fairy tail are we not, we don't get pushed around without pushing back, so let's push back hard" Gray gave the Watcher a reassured smile, "for someone with such a mean streak you sure do know how to get a team moving" Gray commenced as he helped Natsu haul the Watcher, "a few hundred years of practice and you'll be as good as me" the Watcher jokes.

It was then that Gray realized that he had broken one of Fairy Tail's cardinal rules; he'd been caught up in the past, instead of heading towards the future. Even as he and Natsu ran across the jungle to get Nightcrawler to safety, Gray swore never to break that rule again.

Otherside of the island

Strife had been jostled and bucked around on the back of Mayhem for a while now and that long while had brought them a very far away across the island, "come on Mayhem work with me" Strife said having very bad memories of doing this the first time, at least he hadn't fallen off yet unlike last time where he had been bucked off repeatedly.

"Look come on please your my-" Strife began but then Mayhem pulled a sharp turn and a buck which should not have been possible for any other horse, Strife was thrown onto Mayhems neck, it was not comfortable ad Strife tried desperately to hold on, but Mayhem swng he's neck and Strife lost his grip and was thrown through 2 tree's before becoming imbedded into the third.

"Urgh" Strife groaned as his vision blurred and he saw Mayhem canter up turn and gave a kick with his hind legs, the force knocked Strife through 8 more trees in a row before hitting the back of his head against a rock face. The force knocked Strife into unconsciousness, it took alot to knock out a horseman and it seemed that it was up for Strife at the moment, satisfied and hearing an unheard call from Sherry it changed its directive and galloped tenfold towards the village disappearing as he went.

Strife laid there for a long long time, a very long time and we shall have to leave him there for now and return to the village of the cursed villagers.

Galuna island village

Natsu and Gray had carried the invalid Watcher to the village, Huninn and Muninn cawed from overhead, the Watcher listened to them, "wiat sto-" he began but that was when the trio fell down a large hole at the gate of the village. "Aarrghh" they groaned, "hey guys!" came a call from Lucy from above, next to her was Virgo and Happy, "you couldn't have warned us sooner?" the Watcher cursed, "sorry" Lucy said, "i was talking to the pigeons!" the Watcher shouted up, Huninn and Muninn cawed indignity and flew off "ow…why the hell is there a hole here?" Natsu asked as he climbed out carrying the Watcher over his shoulder then passing it to Gray.

"The trap actually worked" remarked a villager who was standing nearby with the rest of them, "oh no i didn't think Watcher would get that hurt?!" Lucy panicked upon seeing the Watcher, "and where's Strife?" Happy asked, "Strife went after a horse called Mayhem" Gray said, " and don't worry it wasn't your fault, let's just say me and Lyon had a talk" the Watcher added then clutched his side.

"So why is there a hole here in the first place?" Natsu asked, "it's a trap" Virgo said, "for Lyon's friends" Happy added, "that's dumb" Natsu, Gray and the Watcher said as Gray handed the Watcher over to a villager to be healed, "i'll recover quick" the Watcher reassured.

"Hey" one of the villagers called pointing a little bit down the road, "look over there", the group looked, it was Lyons cronies, Sherry, Toby and Tuka, "oh it's you" Natsu said as he Lucy, Happy and Gray got into a fighting position, "you sure that nag will be able to destroy this village?" Yuka asked Sherry, "my magic will point the thing in the right direction in order to do so" Sherry said with confidence, "face it you're just getting Sloppy with Doll Magic '' Yuka said, Sherry glared at the wizard.

Then there was a neighbor behind them, both them and team Natsu looked to see Mayhem rearing up with the moon behind him, he charged towards their direction, "How do we stop THAT!?" Lucy screamed in fear as the armored horse looked absolutely unstoppable, "wait if Strifes is not here then something bad must have happened to him" Gray said.

The Watcher forced itself to float in line, "how do you even control that thing?!" he yelled at Lyons group, "my magic is doll magic allows me to control any spirit or animal i want" Sherry said, "so the celestial mage is useless" Lucy fumed, "excuse me what!?" Lucy yelled outraged.

"Oh well, I struck a nerve did i?" Sherry said, and then she was knocked into the air by Mayhem, she screamed as she came down and onto Mayhem's back, Toby and Yuka were too stunned to react, the horse then charged, "damn watch out" the Watcher said, using his magic to launch everyone into the air.

Lucy sailed through the air and landed on Mayhems back with Sherry both Ladies took a moment to realize this and when they did, both hugged each other screaming as Mayhem lived up to his name and smashed through the walls of the village, "oh damn we got to stop" Natsu said after he landed on his feet with Gray, "aye" Happy agreed, "screw that, just evacuate the village" the Watcher said in uttar panic, "no way we can take that thing" Gray said.

"Then you don't know Strife or Mayhem, if he can't tame it then everyones dead, destroyed village or not" the Watcher said, "he's right look at that thing" Happy said pointing at Mayhem, many of the houses were on fire, and the villagers were definitely in danger of getting in the way of Mayhem, "alright fine we'll do as you say" Gray said.

"Listen up everyone get out of the village" Natsu yelled using Happy to fly, "aye and head to the hills" Happy said, villagers poured out of the village quickly and soon everyone was good and out of the way of Mayhems rampage, the only one left was the chief who was standing in front of a gravestone….With Mayhem charging right towards him.

"Chief run" a villager yelled in desperation, "no!" the old man shouted, "I won't abandon Bobo's grave!"All the villagers assumed the worst when Mayhem charged up to the Mayhem, but then there was a blur, the chief was gone and Mayhem jumped harmlessly over the gravestone. Then a figure stood up to them holding the chief, it was Virgo, she turned to Lucy who was still screaming on top of her lungs.

"Do you wish to punish me princess for not listening to you princess?" Virgo asked emotionlessly, "NOT THE TIME!" Lucy yelled, "HELP ME YOU IDIOTS!" Sherry yelled at Toby and Yuka as Mayhem galloped past them and off into the distance.

As Natsu and Happy landed, villagers who wanted to express their gratitude for saving their lives crowded them, even if most of the village was destroyed. Virgo was also thanked for saving their leader's life until she disappeared back into the spirit world. The only one who did not speak to them was Moka, who merely stared at where he had been a few minutes before.

"Bobo's grave is still standing," he softly whispered, relieved that his son's resting place was undamaged.

Suddenly, Yuka kicked the headstone over as he and the rest of Lyon's minions entered into view. This caused the wizards to glare at the bushy-browed man.

"The Cold Emperor commanded us to destroy the village and its people," Yuka said coldly, "We were going to show mercy by making your deaths painless, but when you killed Sherry's rat we are going to have to make it painful and since the horse failed and we'll have to this the hard way. And I like the hard way."

"You call that failed?!" Toby exclaimed looking at the complete devastation at the hands of the masked horse, Yuka had to admit that Mayhem had done his job well, "well okay but that was Sherry's line for if they survived the jelly but since she's not here…well you get the idea" Yuka retorted.

"Uh your make up your own line Bushy-brows" Natsu shouted and charged at Yuka, "guess that leaves the lap dog for us" Gray said to Watcher, "i'll send Muninn and Huninn to see if Lyons girlfriend and Lucy are okay" the Watcher replied snapping to the two birds. "Bushy- brow?" Yuka repeated his hand going to his brow in time for, "fire dragon iron fist" Natsu to hit him clear in the face, "i am not a dog!?" Toby said, his claws extended but then he felt a cracking pain in every one of his bones.

"I usually preserve this to keep team members in line and don't fight in combat but i will make this one exception" the Watcher said using his black magic to make the pain even worse, "get the villagers out of here!" he ordered Gray who didn't argue, the Watcher seemed to know what it was doing, "don't hurt him to bad" Gray said, "no promises" the Watcher chuckled, watchers were cruel by nature even the nice ones, "but i just really want to hear him scream".

Toby shivered visible and started to sweat at the words of the Watcher.

Meanwhile along the cliff edge

Mayhem galloped at rapid speed, he was getting really annoyed at the two little princess's on his back screaming their heads off, one tried to control him and now look at her, time to ditch them, Mayhem increased his speed, "can't you do something!" Lucy called hanging on for dear life, "i can't control him with my magic even if i could use it!" Sherry yelled back, "cliff!" Lucy shouted as Mayhem charged faster towards the cliff.

"IS HE INSANE" both girls screamed at the top of her voice, at the last second Mayhem skidded to a halt and used the moment to Buck in the air and both Ladies were sent flying over the cliff edge, Mayhem gave a triumphant rear and then turned and Galloped away with literal free reign.

Back at the village

Natsu jumped over Yuka's head and shot fire at him but Yuka effortlessly blocked it with a blue barrier, ""Fire from your mouth?" Yuka asked, "Don't tell me that you're the Salamander of Fairy Tail?"

Natsu did not answer, but did caste a glance at the Watcher who was having fun lifting Toby over his head telekinetically then slamming him down on the ground, it looked painful, he then pulled Toby right up close and stared into his face "come on what do you have" the Watcher dared staring into Toby's eyes and boring into his very soul, Toby was rabidly peeing his pants at this point, and the smell didn't go unnoticed, "yuck i thought you were house trained" the Watcher said in disgust.

"I'm not a dog!" Toby yelled in anger, only to continue peeing his pants even more rapidly than before, until his entire jeans were drenched in urine.

"You know," Yuka said, drawing a smirking Natsu's attention back to him, "we used to be in a famous guild ourselves, so neither of you should blow us off. In fact, the famous Iron Rock Jura is from the same guild; surely, you've heard of Lamia Scale?", "Lamina scale?!" the Watcher gasped in fake realization, "never heard of it", this caused Yuka's jaw to drop, "By the way, I think your pet needs some new pants."

"I'm not a pet!" Toby yelled, Natsu did not even dignify that with a response and instead, he blew another fire blast at Yuka's face, only to have it blocked by another barrier.

"Hey, cut it out!" Yuka yelled, "Listen when someone's talking you idiot!"

"Why?" Natsu asked, "You honestly think I care what guild you're from, or who the other members are? We came here to help these people and you are the ones who put them in danger in the first place! That makes you Fairy Tail's enemy, and that gives me more than enough reason to fight you."

"You should be lucky to be fighting Natsu, your master stole The horseman's horse as a sin among others that Strife will not let go easily" the Watcher said. "Forget about Lyon however much he has brainwashed you facing Strife is never worth anything".

"What sins? Lyon never brainwashed us, and everything we have done was in his name. None of us fears death, as long as Lyon is the one who kills Deliora. All of us are beyond saving." Yuka said, "it's not Death you should fear" the Watcher said ominously.

"I've had enough of your lies, demon!" Yuka shouted, "Toby, take out the demon; Salamander is mine.", "how the hell am I supposed to take him out" Toby exclaimed his arms pinned to his sides, "just watch and enjoy the show" the Watcher told him "By the way, I'm NOT a demon.".

The Dragon Slayer kept shooting fire blast after fire blast, to no avail. Each one was blocked by one of Yuka's barriers.

"It's useless, Salamander," Yuka commented, and then pointed two of his fingers like a gun, "Wave!" A blue energy blast shot forth, narrowly missing Natsu, who only shot out more fire, which easily stopped in its tracks.

"The magic I use disrupts all types of magic," Yuka said smugly, "Which means that none of your attacks will work on me!"

"So that's why my fire could not break down his barrier, "Natsu said, understanding.

"I specialize in anti-wizard magic," Yuka said smugly, "something that I was known quite well for in Lamia Scale. For you see, all wizards are helpless before me; even you!" he held out his hand again, "Wave!"

Natsu barely dodged another blast, and then charged forward, his fist engulfed in fire, but his punch was stopped again by Yuka's barrier, his flames instantly snuffed. "Enough of this idiocy Natsu think for a moment, his barrier is a bubble, if you can't break it with magic then how can you pop it?" the Watcher said indignantly, Natsu caught on. He expelled his flames through his elbows to give him an extra boost as he charged, and with a dual punch he penetrated the barrier where his fists had impacted much to Yuka's surprise.

Unfortunately, this was a bad idea as it turned out, as Natsu began to scream in pain when his hands entered the barrier,

"You put your bare arm inside of a vortex of magic energy," Yuka said, regaining his composure, "not smart.", Instead of answering, Natsu continued to force his body to go further into the barrier, much to Yuka's obvious worry. "Your magic can never beat my brute strength!" Natsu yelled in pain.

"It doesn't matter," Yuka said, though he was breaking into an obvious sweat, "Your flames are useless inside the vortex!", "I can still use them outside!" Natsu said as a jet of fire shot out of his elbow, acting as a booster to force his fist towards Yuka's face. "Fire Dragon Flame Elbow!"

The force was enough to send Yuka flying with an obvious wet stain on his pants. When he hit the ground, he slipped into unconsciousness. Natsu wiped his hand. "H-he beat Yuka" Toby stuttered, "yes he did" the Watcher chuckled as he lifted up a stone and hit Toby with a single blow to the head knocking him clear out, "oh man why couldn't i do that?" Natsu shouted at the Watcher.

"Pfft you did fine" the Watcher scoffed, "now i have a plan to deal with Deloria" Natsu then said, "don't tell me, punch it until it dies" the Watcher deadpanned, "no an actually plan this time" Natsu said, "fine i'll trust you" the Watcher said, then turned to the skies to see Huninn cawing at him, "the girls are alive and with a new ally it seems" the Watcher chuckled, then Muninn cawed, "what?!" the Watcher exclaimed, "Natsu your going to have to go on your own i got business elsewhere".

Natsu's jaw dropped, "what but why-" he began but the Watcher had already disappeared, Natsu sighed, "well i don't have any other plan" Natsu said as he ran towards the temple.

Unknown location

Strife woke up sore, he felt himself plenty of things that were cracked and would kill a human, without a healing stone he would not be able to move, damn he wished he had some, even a healing spell from this world would be appreciated, he could hear Mayhems neighing somewhere close by, "Mayhem i'm sorry i couldn't help you" Strife whispered as even he knew he would not be able to move in his state.

"No" Strife thought, "i will not let this happen, I'm a horseman who needs his horse" Strife with immense effort pushed himself to his feet, and staggered, he had to lean on trees a lot as he walked, "uh damn" Strife cursed gritting his teeth as he limped through the forest, he wasn't as tough as Death was, Death once got impaled by War and walked it off in a second, Strife was not as tough as that but Mayhem sure as hell messed him up.

He limped into a clearing in the forest and there grazing in the field was Mayhem, he seemed peaceful but Strife wasn't deceived, Mayhem spotted him and immediately became hostile rearing up a little, "i'm not here to fight, i know you may think i abandoned you but i-i didn't" Strife said, "i lost my powers, i'm all messed up because of my stubbornness and anger, and my friends need me" Mayhem stopped rearing and began to listen, "you an i we've been through alot together, i never had a friend like you in my life, please Mayhem come back and help me".

The two stood their for a long time, looking at each other, Mayhem started walking and then trotting and then cantering and then galloping towards Strife, Strife waited for the inevitable, he closed his eyes and waited as Mayhem charged, but Strife never felt any pain, Mayhem passed right through Strife harmlessly.

Mayhem slowed to a stop and turn to Strife, Strife turned as well, they looked at each other with a renewed Trust, "knew you wouldn't abandon me that easy" Strife said as he removed the Masks horse, underneath Mayhems true color showed, pale white fur with purple patterns, the white masked horse of the masked rider.

"Mayhem" Strife repeated as he allowed the white horse to nuzzle him, "Horseman!" came a voice, it was the Watcher, "what happened?" he asked looking at the white horse, "i think i got Mayhems trust back" Strife groaned as he felt his injuries acting up, "well you can't fight in you condition" said a voice behind Strife.

All three looked to see an all to familiar figure standing over them, "Samiel" Strife breathed his hands going to his pistols.