Chapter 3: Welcome to Fairy Tail
(On a small wooden boat in the middle of sea, Mason's POV)
"Ughhh…." My head felt like it was splitting in half, it was incredibly painful but that meant one thing. "I'm alive… Where am I? I remember being pulled into the lacrima then it's just blank." I tried sitting up, when the ground beneath me began to wobble and shake and I immediately grew sick. "Nooo….." I groaned sickly. "I'm on a boat…."
"Ugh!" I struggled to sit up in the rocking dingy, the total lack of magic energy and rough waters did little to help my situation. "I need to get back to Era…. I'm sure my team assumes the worst at this point, so the sooner I get back the better." My eyes narrowed as I was able to focus better. "There's some stuff I need to take care of too…. I think i'm gonna be sick!" My face went green before I passed out once more….
There was nothing but blackness, then I heard a strange voice in my ear. "Who is he?"
"I don't know child, but we must be careful I can sense he's a wizard of sorts" An older man's voice replied.
That's enough, I need to know what's going on. I slowly opened my tired eyes to find a sight I was not quite expecting. "What the hell!" It turned out that my boat had washed up on the shores of a strange Island and in front of me an entire village of multicolored demons and at the head of them a certain older looking purple demon with massive sideburns that hang down almost touching the floor. "Where the hell am I!"
"Welcome to Galuna Island!" The towns people all greeted me with a friendly shout.
"Oh, that makes sense. I've read about this place in one of the Fairy Tail files." Now armed with more information, I was able to calm down and think more clearly, but there was another problem.
GRUMMBBBLLE! A loud growl rang from my stomach. "I hate to ask, but do you guys have anything to eat?" I asked, before all the towns people went pale.
(days later, on the road to Era)
Mason found himself alone walking the dirt road that would return him home. While he was excited to be reunited with his friends once more, he found that his mind was preoccupied by other thoughts.
'Jellal… I gave that fight everything I had in me but I didn't stand a chance, he was just toying with me. He was more powerful than I ever thought possible, Jose was a wizard saint as well but there powers were nowhere near the same level. But somehow Natsu Dragneel from Fairy Tail managed to beat him. Natsu's no slouch by any means, but regardless he's only a guild wizard. I'm a soldier, an elite at that. I've been fighting powerful evil mages almost all my life, I train nearly everyday but somehow Natsu managed to achieve a level of magic power I've never seen before. It's crazy, maybe there's more to guild life than I thought.' Mason thought to himself as he walked the lonely road.
"HELP!" A voice that sounded as if it belonged to an older man called out through the trees.
"What the!?" Mason quickly snapped out of his head. "Sounds like trouble, looks like I'm back on the clock already. Of course this world couldn't just let a dead man rest for at least a week." With that the snowy haired wizard flipped his ever dark hood on over his face and continued forward.
"AAHH! Please, just leave me alone!" An older gentlemen pleaded as he backed up into his stagecoach, he shook as he moved. "I'm no wizard, but this wagon holds everything I own. I just want to move to the capital and try to expand my business. If you take it, my livelihood will be completely destroyed."
"Well that sounds like your problem, doesn't it grandpa." One of the thugs, a muscular man with tanned skin and a bald head mocked the old merchant.
"Now hand over your wagon before things get messy." Another bandit withs slicked back black hair and a long cylindrical body.
"No please…" The old man whimpered.
"Hey!" Mason called out, his face still covered by his hood as he slowly approached the confrontation. "Walk away guys, this doesn't need to get messy. Could you really sleep at night knowing you intentionally ruined some old man's life?"
"Like a baby." The bigger brute mocked. "And it's not like he'd be the first old man anyway."
"Ever since the attack on the magic council, this road has been easy pickings for wizards of are calibur." The smaller one who appeared to be more intelligent of the two continued. "I suggest you mind your own business before things get ugly for you."
'The council was attacked?' Mason thought to himself, as he just stood there motionless.
"Not gonna walk away, huh?" The slim bandit reeled back before leaping forward. "It's your funeral! SNAKE MAGIC! TOXIC FANG!" The bandit opened his crooked jaw and four long fangs extended in his mouth.
"Huh?" Mason wasn't paying attention as his attacker flew through the air at him. Mason stood pat and the snakelike mage prepared to bite down on the dragon slayer, but his fangs and then his entire body just passed right through Mason unable to touch or grab onto him anywhere.
"What the?!" The attacking mage stuttered in confusion.
Mason turned around slightly and pointed his hand towards the bandit. "PHANTOM DRAGON SHOT!" The wizard fired a volleyball sized energy ball at the man that exploded rendering him unconscious.
Mason then turned to the muscular bandit, getting him to sweat. But he stood his ground regardless. "Grrrr…. STONE MAKE CAGE!" A cage made out of solid rock surrounded the hooded mage, seemingly capturing him. "HA! Gotcha, now to make my getaway!" But with a single step, Mason's body passed through the cage like it wasn't even their. "C'mon!"
"PHANTOM DRAGON!" Mason chanted before disappearing into midair. The muscular bandit scanned back and forth across the wooded area but couldn't see a thing, until. "VANISHING FIST!" Mason appeared directly in front of the man and pluged his glowing purple fist deep into his abdomen, knocking him down for the count.
With the two men now unconscious Mason pulled of his black hood and used his magic power to transform it into a long metal chain which he wrapped around the two criminals then began to lift them into the air with telekinesis letting them float like a balloon.
"Thank you sir! Thank you very much!" The old man thanked Mason with tears in his, but the Dragon Slayer simply kept walking past him.
"Don't mention it." Mason brushed him off carrying his bandit balloon along with him. 'I just hope everybody's alright…'
(Custody Enforcement Unit, Temporary headquarters)
In a unfurnished warehouse in Era sat at dusty old table the Custody Enforcement Units new 2nd Captain Tyson Hammer sat working on piles of unfinished paperwork.
"Crap…" The older man grumbled to himself. "Not only is there more work to deal with after news got out of the attack on the council, but those of us that are left have to pick up the slack until replacements can be found. It's especially hard now that we're down a pair of hands…" Also at the table sat Amber Celadon the new 4th captain polishing a magic pistol as well as Julia Moors the new 5th captain looking over a piece of paper. "Julia, what's the report say."
"Nothing good. After the council went down, a majority of the troops dropped out. Apparently Sieg- I mean Jellal was very popular with a lot of soldiers, and Mason's entire battalion chose to leave after receiving news of his sacrifice. Are numbers are down to about 5000 at the moment, barely enough to keep the piece. Citizens are complaining bandit attacks but unfortunately we don't have the manpower to deal with minor crimes like that." Julia explained in a depressed tone.
"Scum…" Tyson growled. "The lowest of the low, choosing to strike now while we're at are weakest and we don't have the funds to pay new soldiers to help deal with them…"
"Wait. So you mean I'm not getting paid for these?" A familiar voice called out from the corner of the room causing everyone to drop what they were doing and turn to the door where Mason stood holding his human balloon, the crooks still unconscious as Mason lifted his levitation spell letting the thugs drop to the ground. "What's up gu-uggghhh!" Mason couldn't finish before he was tackled to the ground by Julia and Amber.
"I knew it! You're alive!" Julia cried out with tears in her eyes.
"We thought you were in the tower when it went boom…" Amber didn't exactly cry or show much emotion but you could tell she was relieved.
"Yeah, I thought I was too. Guess not though." Mason smiled, but eventually he got tired of being smothered. "Okay hop up."
The two girls got off of him and Tyson offered a helping hand, Mason took it and it quickly turned into a massive bear hug. CRACK! "Your alive! The Fairys told us you sacrificed yourself in the tower." Rivers of tears began to flow from the giants eyes.
(Flashback, on the Magic Council ship after Jellal was defeated)
"Hey." Amber called out in her soft monotone voice as she examined the horizon through the scope on her riffle. "I found something." After she said this Natsu and Erza were fished out of rough waters in a net, and the two of them were reunited with their guildmates and Erza's old friends.
"Wheres Mason?" Brosnan asked, her voice flooded with concern as she and her fellow captains approached the water logged redhead.
"Mason….and simon sacrificed themselves to protect us from Jellal and his tower. They're dead..." Erza, full of sorrow addressed everyone present.
"No simon…" Sho could believe what he was hearing, as Wally removed his hat in respect.
"No! Maaahhhh-kun!" Millianna sobbed.
Amber stood silent, her eyes wide in disbelief as Tyson clinched his shaking fist. Julia covered her mouth and turned away to keep from sobbing aloud.
"No way…" Brosnan's mouth was agape as she stared out into the black waves as the tower of heaven crumbled before her. Her entire body shook as she slowly walked over to the side of the boat and put her hands on the railing. A single tear fell from her cheek and into the sea below. "How could you…. You just left….YOU DAMN IDIOT!" She screamed at the top of her lungs as more tears began to stream down her face.
(End of flashback)
"So Natsu and Erza made it out okay… That's good. Sorry for worrying all of you though." Mason lowered his head briefly feeling bad that he made all of his friends feel bad. He looked back up at Tyson. "Speaking of the boss, where is she."
"She and Lahar are both out on missions. There's been a lot of work after the council's attack, but things are starting to look up now that you're here. Maybe you can convince your soldiers to return to battle." Tyson went on with his optimism, causing Mason to sweat a bit.
"Ummm well here's the thing…" Mason said, fidgeting as he did so.
"WHAT?!" Tyson and Julia yelled, there faces covered in shock as Amber remained indifferent. "Your quiting the Custody Enforcement Unit? Why?" Tyson finished.
Mason took a second to think about it before answering. "Well, Jellal is dead… He's been my driving force for so long, but when I finally went face to face with him I didn't stand a chance. I refuse to believe that Natsu's ceiling is just higher than mine, so there's gotta be something to his strength that I'm just not getting. I need to find that thing before the next Jellal shows up and I've spent years here and I couldn't find it so it's gotta be out in the world somewhere."
"But you just got back…" Tyson pleaded once again with teary eyes. "Don't you wanna wait until Brosnan gets back?"
"Actually about that…" Mason scratched his chin. "It may be better if you guys broke the news to her. I'm not exactly great with goodbyes but I think it would help to have a head start." Just as he said this he heard a loud THUD! from behind him and he immediately got chills. He turned around to see Brosnan standing outside of her armor in the doorway a heavy napsack on the ground next to her.
She remained silent for a time as the two stared at each other. "Mason?... You're alive…"
Mason couldn't help but smile back at the girl. "Sup Boss…" Brosnan ran up and wrapped the boy in her arms and held him there for a time, a long time… "I think I'm hugged out today." Mason phased through the girls arms and took a few steps back, his face looked a bit troubled.
"What's wrong?… You look nervous.." Brosnan tried to approach again but Mason kept a safe distance.
"Nothing's wrong." Mason lied. "Coming back to life is just a bit tougher than it looks." Mason faked a smile.
"Mason-san is leaving…" Amber blurted out, causing the dragon slayer to break out in a cold sweat.
"Leaving? You already assigned him a mission, that's a shame I just got back. I guess we'll celebrate when you get back." Brosnan too happy at the return of her friend to stop smiling.
"No." Tyson spoke up, getting Mason to sweat even more. "Amber means that Mason plans to resign."
"Resign?" Brosnan sounded confused and when she looked over at Mason she could read everything on his face.
"Look on the bright side." Julia who sounded upset spoke up. "At least this time he decided to say goodbye before disappearing."
Brosnan began to shake with fury, and Mason quickly jumped in to try to calm her down. "Uh… Boss it's not personal I promise… But now that Jellal is gone, I have to find something new ya know… I'll come visit I promise…" Eventually Brosnan stopped shaking and she looked up at Mason with an extremely serious glare.
"Captain Mason Alastor." Brosnan said in an authoritative tone. "You broke command by leaving your post as supervisor of the Fairy Tail guild and at the same time impeded the operation of the Tower of Heaven. For failing to follow orders as Head Captain of the Custody Enforcement Unit, I hereby strip you of your command and relieve you of your duty. You are dismissed."
Mason was stunned for a moment, but eventually smiled back at his old friend. "Thank you sir." He saluted before turning around and walking out the door, but before he could leave.
"Where do you think you'll go?" Tyson called to him.
Mason turned back to face his old mentor. "Honestly I don't really know."
"Yeah you do…" Tyson saw right through the boy. "If you hurry you may make it back in time for the Magnolia Festival. I hear it's a spectacle that's not to be passed up."
"Uh thanks…" Mason took one last look at his friends before leaving. "Hey, I'll see you guys around. I'll be back I promise."
(Later at magnolia station)
"Ughhh…. Trains…." Mason groaned as he stepped of the loading platform still shaken from the ride, but he was quickly revitalized by the smell of baked goods and fresh flowers and soon a smile appeared on his face. "New home, new beginning. Time to get started."
Mason strolled down busy street after busy street making sure to avoid bouts of magic combat as he did so. "These fairies are crazy, hopefully they'll still have a part for me when I show up." Mason eventually reached the mainstreet of Magnolia where he found the rebuilt Fairy Tail guild hall. "Well, looks like they finished it. I hope they're ready to roll out the welcome wagon."
The door was open so Mason chose to simply stroll in. "Hello Fairy Tail, I have returned!" Mason entered the room to find Natsu and Master Makarov sitting together alone in the massive guild hall. "Okay, not the reception I was hoping for but okay…"
The two stood silently for a moment, until. "A GHOST!" Natsu jumped up in fear.
"No I'm not a ghost. I just didn't die on the tower." Mason explained with roll of his eyes.
Natsu slowly and carefully approached Mason and began to sniff the air around him. "Okay, it checks out. He's alive." Natsu said with a thumbs up.
"Listen kid, I'm a little busy right now. It's great that you're not dead and all but I don't have time to deal with the magic councils crap." The old Fairy Tail master's temper was almost as short as he was.
"No I'm not with the council anymore. You see..." Mason continued as Makarov's eyes widened. "..So I was actually kinda hoping that I could…"
Makarov turned to the boy and lifted his hand, suddenly light began to glow on the side of Mason's neck and before he could say another word the Fairy Tail guild mark had formed itself a few inches above his collarbone. "Listen kid." Makarov spoke up. "You're a member of Fairy Tail now and your guild needs you to fight are you up for it?" Mason nodded slowly as he took in the bizarre circumstances. "Ok, let me explain." Makarov was quick explaining the current situation that the guild found itself in.
"Alright, I got it." Mason stood up and saluted the guild master. "I won't let you down I promise." Mason turned to the door and began sprinting for it, but before he could exit. "OOFF!" Mason slammed into an invisible wall as red rune signs appeared before him. Natsu and Makarov both became pale as Mason picked himself up. "What the?!"
"Alright, I got it." Mason stood up and saluted the guild master. "I won't let you down I promise." Mason turned to the door and began sprinting for it, but before he could exit. "OOFF!" Mason slammed into an invisible wall as red rune signs appeared before him. Natsu and Makarov both became pale as Mason picked himself up. "What the?!"
As the two wizards behind him gave up hope Mason began to sink through the floor beneath him before reemerging on the other side of the magic barrier. "They always forget to extend the barrier below the ground." Mason stood up and brushed off his pants.
"Wait!" Makarov called out from behind the barrier. "You were an elite in the magic council weren't you? Can't you lift this barrier."
"Yeah, probably." Mason said before turning away from the old man. "But this way was faster…" Mason then disappeared into thin air without another word.
(Later)
"All right wise guy, where are you?" The smoke wizard Wakaba Mine stood on guard as he faced the unseen foe. "I saw Freed's Runes activate, so that means there's gotta be someone else around. Quit your stalling, Mirajane and the others need saving so let's get this over with already."
"As you wish..." Mason suddenly appeared less than a meter in front of Wakaba, catching him off guard and startling him. Mason had his hood covering his face but his two bright red eyes shined through almost as if they were glowing. "Let's get this over with…" Mason lifted his arms and purple energy began to form around his hands.
"I know you, you're that council dog they sent to watch us. You're not a member of Fairy Tail!" Wakaba called out as a swarm of miniature fists made of smoke emerged from his pipe.
Mason disappeared and Wakaba's attack missed him. "I am now…" The disembodied voice called back.
"Come out and fight you coward!" The normally laxed Wakaba was becoming increasingly frustrated.
"Okay." Mason said in a mocking tone before reappearing and blasting the smoke mage in the back with a two handed blast, knocking him down. Mason walked over to the grounded veteran and picked him up by the chin and began staring into his eyes. "I'm trying to leave a good impression with my new guild mates so I'm not gonna beat you bloody. Try and remember that none of this real, ok. Dragon Slayer Forbidden Art! Timor!" Mason's eyes flashed before Wakaba's eyes began to glow red as well.
"AHHHH! AAAAAAHHHHHH!" Wakaba began to scream in terror for a time before he had enough. "MAKE IT STOP! I SURRENDER!" Wakaba dropped into a fetal position, as the magic rune barrierdissipated symbolizing that Mason had won the fight.
Mason snapped his fingers and Wakaba's eyes returned to normal and Mason's spell was lifted, but the mental stress caused him to collapse.
"Sorry bout that." Mason apologized as he walked past the fallen wizard. "That makes three fairies, Makarov made this sound almost like a game. I wonder if I'm winning or not?" Mason thought aloud as he walked down the streets of magnolia, the cloaked mage gathered the attention of passersby.
'I guess we're already in the late game, I can walk around freely without worrying too much about getting into a fight. It's almost sad, I wish I'd gotten here sooner.' Mason thought to himself as he scanned for any possible challengers. 'I won't act like I know the guy, I only ever met him once but…..'
(Flashback/ Mason's POV)
'Back before the events on the tower of heaven.'I narrated. 'Laxus paid the guild a visit while it was still being reconstructed and he had a few choice words for me.'
"And the biggest embarrassment of all! It turns out that you losers need a babysitter!" Laxus berated his guildmates before turning to me with a death glare. "Hey you! Council dog! Do you think you can just walk in here and make the rules like you own the place! If you think you can tell me what to do you've got another thing comin!"
I looked up at him and made sure to keep a straight. "Look I'm not here to tell you guys what to do. I'm more than willing to let you do whatever it is you do, its less paperwork for me that way. As long as you don't blow up anymore cities we should be fine." I stood up to face Laxus, but he was still a head taller than me. "You don't mess with me and I won't mess with you. Deal?"
Laxus growled a bit in frustration but eventually he backed down. "Whatever… I'm outta here anyway…"
(End of flashback)
'So it's not like I want I know him very well, but I never got the feeling that he was evil or some sort of psychopath.' Mason thought as he walked down the crowded street. 'I mean I got the feeling that he was a jerk but I just thought he was passionate about his guild. Maybe Makarov is over exaggerating, turning the girls to stone is one thing but just look.' Mason passed by shops and restaurants teaming with people in seemingly high spirits. 'Not a single civilian has been hurt, I don't think Laxus is the evil villain he's making himself out to be.'
"Um excuse me sir…" A timid middle aged woman approached Mason, shaking as she did so. "I hate to bother you but it's festival time here in magnolia and your hood is frightening the children… and some of the adults. I hope its not too much trouble if you remove it."
"Oh, no my bad…" Mason felt a bit embarrassed as his hood and cloak began to glow purple before reducing itself into a small black armband, letting his messy white hair flow in the wind. Under the cloak mason wore a sleeveless white T-Shirt along with baggy black pants. 'Crap! I'm drawing more attention to myself than the enemy…'
"Hey… Your a member of Fairy Tail right?" A man from one of the shops called out to Mason, getting him to jump without his hood on his new guild mark was clearly visible. "Can you tell us what the heck is going on? I saw a couple of your buddies fighting earlier and they almost destroyed my shop here. What's the deal?"
"Sorry…." Mason forced a smile to keep spirits high. "It was meant to be like an appetizer for the Fantasia Parade this evening but you know my guildmates I'm sure things went overboard. Just a few sparring matches for your viewing pleasure, but it's probably a better idea to keep a safe distance…"
"I swear that crazy guild of yours gives me second thoughts about living here." The shop owner said with a shake of his head.
"Haaahhh…" Mason let out a deep sigh. 'I can't get distracted, I gotta keep an eye out for trouble.'
"Woah!" A young boy with a marveled look in his eyes approached Mason from the front. "Are you really a Fairy Tail wizard, I don't recognize you at all."
"Uh, I'm brand new…" Mason's voice began to shake as more and more strangers started to approach him. "I just joined today actually, but I used to work for the magic council as a Rune Knight…."
"A Rune Knight huh? I hope you're in for a major culture shock buddy, our Fairy Tail is anything but organized and disciplined." A younger gentleman said with a chuckle.
"A new member huh? What kind of magic do you use." A lady asked from behind him.
"Look at that white hair, he's gotta be some sort of Ice Mage or something." A man answered back.
"Woah, he's pretty cute.." A Girl said with a giggle.
"So what's your name newbie." An older gentleman asked bluntly.
"I... Uh… Umm… Well…." Mason started shaking and had trouble answering. 'Crap, I can't stand crowds. This is bad, I feel like I'm gonna faint…'
(With Erza)
'Laxus you idiot!' Erza thought as she stomped down the streets of Magnolia dressed up like some sort of gothic maid complete with head dress. 'You've always been head strong and full of yourself, but you've gone and taken things too far this time. I'll defeat you and win this Battle of Fairy Tail myself! And save our friends!' Erza raced down the paved streets before she came across a crowd of people gathered around something.
"What's this?" Erza asked the crowd, but she didn't receive an answer. "Hmph! Fine, I'll find out myself!" Erza said as she tossed a man aside who was in her way. "Move it!"
Erza began to quickly muscle her way through the crowd. "What's going on here? Laxus, Is wear if you…." As she reached a clearing her eyes bulged and she lost her train of thought. "... No way…."
"Have you met Guildarts yet?" One of the crowd members yelled out.
"Is Gray single?!" One of the woman followed up.
"Shhh! Give him a chance to answer!" One of the onlookers hushed the crowd.
Mason shook as he stood, a nervous sweat began to form across his face. "W-Well.. I uh…. Ummm…." Mason stuttered for a moment but his eyes lit up as he recognized a familiar face. "Erza!" Mason phased through the crowd to make his way to his new guildmate. "You're not a statue anymore!"
SMACK! Erza struck Mason across the face, knocking jaw back as she did so. Mason paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "Ouch!"
"What the hell were you thinking!" Erza yelled back with teary eyes. "How are you still alive, and if you were alive the whole time then why didn't you come back sooner! I cried for you! Sho, Wally and Millianna all cried for you! Why didn't you come back sooner!"
Erza was on the verge of sobbing and Mason saw that they were causing a scene. "I promise I'll tell you what happened, but not right here." Mason grabbed the redhead by her hand and the two of them vanished from sight.
"Huh? Where'd they go?" The crowd asked as they searched for the fairies.
(Later)
"Whooh!" Mason sighed in relief, whipping the sweat from his brow as he and Erza became visible once more away from the crowd. "I'm glad we got out of their."
Erza didn't quite grasp what had just happened, but when she looked down she saw that Mason's hand was still firmly intertwined with hers. She quickly pulled back from him and crossed her arms definitely as she turned her head refusing to look at him. "How dare you touch me without my consent. Last time I saw you, you flung me from the Tower of Heaven and then I watched it explode and you have yet to explain how your standing here today. For all I know you could be some sort of imposter."
Mason stood stunned for a moment before he began crossing as well. "Your one to talk. Last time I saw you, you were a statue. Now I'm here fighting for a guild I just joined an hour ago. How do I know Laxus or one of his buddies isn't using shapeshifter magic to try and take me out of the game."
"Hmph!" Erza scoffed. "As if anyone would need to use underhanded tactics to beat you. What are they scared you'll pull another useless power up out of your ass." Erza continued in a mocking tone. "Behold! My Phantom Drive that never works on anyone! Now tremble!"
"Oh yeah…" Mason glared back at his childhood friend. "I could kick your sorry butt no matter which of your bazillion armors you choose to use. Tell me has the mighty Purgatory Armor ever actually beat anybody." Mason kept an angry glare for a few more seconds before it broke into a smile. "I guess we both have explaining to do."
(Even Later)
"Okay, so how exactly does having a glass eye keep you from becoming a total statue?" Mason asked as the two teenagers strolled down a nearly empty street.
"Because Evergreen's attack only worked if she looked in both of her targets eyes. You tell me how you got back from Galuna Island!" Erza called back more demanding than her companion.
"Uh… I took a boat…" Mason said as if it were obvious. Mason stood silent for a moment getting Erza to stop as well. "Listen, I just wanted to say that i'm sorry… about Jellal…"
"Waahhh!" Erza jumped back, she clearly wasn't expecting to hear that name. "Wh-What do you mean? He was our enemy, and he hurt so many people! H-He got what was coming to him right?"
"Cut the crap…" Mason deadpanned. "Don't treat me like Natsu or Gray, I'm not that dense. I know you were crushing on him pretty hard. And… he was my friend too. Sometimes I wish he was still with us, even when we were on the tower I thought deep down that I could change him back to the way he was before but I couldn't. Part of me for some reason refuses to accept the fact that he's dead, I mean if I got out okay why couldn't he ya know but I think I have accepted that the Jellal we knew back when we were kids is gone…" Mason lowered his head before he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"No you don't." Erza said with a smile. "You're like me deep down Jellal will always be your friend and he'll always be a part of you, but you're on the right track. Neither of us will ever forget the person he was, but I think both of us need to do a better job of getting over him."
"Y-yeah.." Mason nodded and the two slowly continued their walk. They didn't get much further before Mason's nose began to twitch. "Crap!" Mason grabbed hold of Erza's arm and brought her in close to his chest and rose his other hand into the sky and created a shield of magic energy that blocked an incoming barrage of Magic blasts.
Meanwhile, as Mason kept the bullets of light away from him and Erza the sword mage's face began to turn a bright red as she felt her old friends arm tight around her shoulder. She looked up and got a good look at Mason's brand new snow white guild mark. 'Am I dreaming?...'
"How cute!" The unseen foe called out from above. "I never could've guessed that Titania would be the type to go out and get a boyfriend!"
Mason sniffed around trying to pick up the scent of their attacker, before he lept to the top of one of the surrounding buildings.
"Hey wait!" Erza called out before following the boy up to the rooftop. When she got up there she saw Mason staring down a girl with brown hair tied in a sideways ponytail wearing a flower like green dress with white wings protruding from the back and glasses over her eyes. "Evergreen…" Erza growled.
"Wow Titania, this one's actually pretty cute. I always you'd settle for a one of those other losers like Natsu or Gray." The brunette taunted.
"Evergreen?" Mason mulled the name over in his head for a bit. "Yeah Makarov mentioned you, your one of Laxus' Thunder Buddies or something like that. You're the one who turned all the ladies into stone. I don't typically like fighting girls but that's reason enough to kick your butt." Mason began channeling magic power into his fists as he prepared for battle.
"Listen your new right?" Evergreen asked not really taking the boy seriously. "So I'm not gonna act like this is really your fight, so if you wanna leave now's your chance."
"Pffft! As if! Last time I checked this was called The Battle of Fairy Tail right?" Mason lifted his head to extend his neck and show off his guild mark. "This symbol means that this is just as much my fight as it is anyone's! Now let's go! You and me!"
"Haha! I guess you've made your point." Evergreen said as she fiddled with her glasses a bit. "If you're really that anxious to die, than who am I to get in your way?"
"Wait just a second!" Erza blurted out before she summoned a short sword to her hand. "If you think you can leave me out, you have another thing coming! I have to defend my guild too!"
"Fine! I'll take you both on and prove who the real queen of the fairies is!" Evergreen smiled as she prepared a magic attack in her hands.
Mason began smiling a toothy grin as he couldn't help but get excited for a fight but his nose suddenly began to twitch once more and his face suddenly went pale. "No way….." Muttered loud enough for the other two to hear.
"Mason you look terrified, is something wrong." Erza was quick to ask.
"You can handle this without me right? There's something I need to take care of." Mason didn't even look at Erza to answer her.
"What's going on, are you okay?" Erza tried to approach her friend but before she could he vanished from sight.
(Elsewhere)
On the outskirts of Magnolia, a man cloaked in tattered blue sporting a mask over his face and carrying an array of magic staffs on his back. "Home at last." The strange man spoke in an voice that was frighteningly familiar. "I'm here to put an end to you Laxus." But before this stranger could take another step.
BOOOMM! An explosion of purple energy erupted in front of the strange man stopping him in his tracks, the new comer looked off in the distance to see Mason standing atop a building with his hand pointed out towards the man.
"You have major balls coming here, I'll tell you. Did you think I wouldn't smell you coming a mile away, and that I'd ever let you anywhere near me or my friends again without a fight? I'd recognize your stench a hundred miles away." Mason lifted his hand and magic energy began to glow around the strangers ask before it was yanked of his face, revealing a mess of blue hair. "I knew you were still alive, but I never thought you'd be stupid enough to show your face around here Jellal!"
"I knew you were still alive, but I never thought you'd be stupid enough to show your face around here Jellal!" Mason screamed as the stranger lifted his head to reveal that he did in fact look absolutely identical to Jellal, down to the red marking on the side of his face. It was impossible to mistake him for anyone else, even twins weren't that identical.
"Wait!" Jellal called back. "I'm not the Jellal you know, my name is Mystogan!" He called back lifting the bandages on his right arm to reveal a Fairy Tail guild mark. "I'm a member of Fairy Tail just like you!"
"Liar…" Mason growled back. "You really think I'll buy this crap again! Jellal! Siegrain! Mystogan! I don't give a crap what you call yourself! You're dead!"
"Please calm down!" Mystogan called back trying to ease tensions. "I promise I can explain myself, lets just talk about it!" Mystogan took a small step as show of faith, but as he did so a cage of red ruins erupted in the area containing him and Mason.
"Looks like talking is no longer an option…" Mason said as he began summoning magic energy into his hands. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S CANNON!" He brought his hands together and created a massive blast of magic energy.
"THREE LAYERED MAGIC CIRCLE!" Mystogan acted out in self defense and performed a series of hand movements resulting in the creation of wall of three magic circles in front of him. "MIRROR WATER!" The magic circles caught Mason's attack before sending the magic blast back at its caster but there was no target to be hit. "Where did he-"
"VANISHING FIST!" Mason appeared in front of Mystogan and struck with a magic charged fist that the blue haired wizard just barely managed to dodge, but Mason wasn't finished. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S ROAR!" Now at point blank range, Mason unleashed his breath attack and the swarm of magic phantoms consumed Mystogan. BOOMMM! A large magic explosion erupted where Mystogan was standing and after the smoke cleared Mystogan stood pat and it didn't appear that he had taken much damage.
"You're a Dragon Slayer?" Mystogan looked shocked at this revelation which only served to further irritate Mason.
"Grrrrr….. DON'T ACT LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I AM!" Mason snapped as magic energy started collecting around his foot. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S STRIKE!" Mason spun around on one foot and preformed a sweeping kick but Mystogan used one of his numerous magic staffs to block the attack. Mason then went to plan B as he fired another punch charged with magic energy at his foe but Mystogan grabbed him by the wrist bringing his attack to halt.
Mystogan had a hold of Mason making him unable to attack. "Now Listen to me! I'm not Jellal!" The blue haired mage tried once more to reason with the Dragon Slayer.
"SHUT UP!" Mason called out and in his rage generated a shock wave that forced Mystogan to release him. "PHANTOM DRIVE!" Mason's eyes were completely consumed by a bright purple glow and magic energy began to radiat off of him like a violet flame. "Die…" Mason growled as he created an energy ball the size of a beach ball in his hand before flinging it at his opponent.
"THREE LAYERED MAG-" Before mystogan could finish his spell the magic blast was upon him. BOOM! The impact of the energy blast sent the caped wizard flying.
"Ughh…" Mystogan rested his head hand as he climbed back to his feet. " This is bad… He's somehow stronger than he was before. I've never seen magic amplification like this its like the very magic inside him has somehow been super charged…"
Before Mystogan could fully regain his footing Mason pounced once more, his hands now replaced with claws made of magic energy. "AAAHHHH!" Mason roared as he swiped his new claws at Mystogan. His anger making him more animalistic by the second.
He went for a forward swipe that Mystogan dodged expertly, before drawing one of his staves from behind him. This particular staff had fan like head and used it to fire a powerful energy blast that knocked Mason backwards and left his body smoking. "Stay down." Mystogan warned but it was no use as Mason climbed once more to his feet. "The you've brought this upon yourself. FIVE LAYERED MAGIC CIRCLE! SACRED SONG!"
Five distinct magic circles began to form above Mason's head and a bright purple light began to shine through them before a massive wave of magic energy was dropped on Mason's head. "AAHHHAAAGGHHHH!" Mason groaned as he struggled to hold himself up against sheer force of the attack. When the magic blast subsided Mason dropped to one knee and began panting heavily, as the power boost granted from his Drive spell wore off.
Mystogan walked slowly over to exhausted Dragon Slayer, his fan like staff aimed at himthe whole time. "Stand down!" Mystogan demanded.
"Haah haahh Never…." Mason said as he panted, even though he was in no condition to continue fighting his body was covered in scratches and burns and his legs shook beneath the weight of his body. "AAAAHHHHHAAAAAAHHHH!" Magic energy exploded from Mason's body as he called on the remainder of his strength."I'M NOT GONNA LOSE TO YOU AGAIN!" Mason fired another energy blast from his hands.
"Gaahh!" The energy blast was too fast for Mystogan to dodge, forcing him to jump out of the way to dodge the attack, but after the attack flew by him he looked up to see two glowing purple eyes staring him down. "What?!"
"PHANTOM DRAGON ROAR!" Mason's cheeks swelled and he opened his jaw and a cyclone of purple ghosts consumed Mystogan's body once again striking him at close range.
"Haahhh…" Mystogan had crossed his arms and his staff to defend himself from the attack but as the smoke cleared around him he realized that Mason was no longer in front of him.
"PHANTOM DRAGON'S STRIKE!" Mason cried out as he suddenly appeared behind the blue haired wizard and slammed his glowing foot into his back, knocking him to the ground. Mason grabbed him off the ground, pulling him up by his shirt as he charged his fist with magic power.
"OUUFFFF!" Mystogan let out a pained grunt as Mason drilled his fist into his stomach. The dragon slayer reeled back again before launching a punch that smashed Mystogan's face and sent him flying backwards. "HACKK!" The beaten Mystogan let out a mouthful of blood as he got back up on his knees. "That's it. I'm done playing around!" Mystogan grabbed his fan-staff and fired an energy blast at Mason.
Before the energy blast could hit Mason disappeared from sight as the attack just flew past. He became visible once more right next to Mystogan where he drove another kick into his stomach. "TOO WEAK!" Mason called out as his foe went flying
"AAHHHAAHHH!" Mystogan let out a pained cry as his body bounced across the dirt floor before coming to a stop.
"Come on Jellal! Use your heavenly body magic or that seven star spell or something!" Mason's voice was filled with a mixture of emotions as he seemed to be losing it. "None of this matters if you don't try!" Mason was in tears but at the same time a twisted smile had formed on his face.
"You want to experience my most powerful spell? Fine! But don't say I didn't warn you!" Mystogan planted all five of the Staves into the ground as purple magic began to surge between them as a massive violet magic circle erupted from this surging power. "SKYSCRAPER…"
A massive magical explosion erupted beneath Mason's feet launching him into the air. "What the hell!?" Mason exclaimed as he hurrdled up through the sky, the ground getting further and further away as he couldn't stop his ascent. Soon he was up past the atmosphere and staring into the darkness of space when a hole began to open, revealing a massive toothy monster. "Heh…" Mason began to grin before opening his mouth wide as he began to swallow the very space around him.
Soon mystogan's spell was broken as Mason stood whiping his mouth after the meal. "Sorry, but fear or illusion magic isn't gonna work on me. I do appreciate the snack though." Mason opened a large magic circle beneath his feet that caused an energy surge that made his hair stand up straight. "Time to finish things! DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART: CURSED SOUL! 10000 PHANTOMS!" A swarm of purple ghosts exploded from Mason, the swarm flew directly up at first but changed direction midair and began to fly for Mystogan.
"Waah! Haah!" Mystogan managed to jump out of the way of two of the but there were too many of them and they moved too fast. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! KABOOM! A series of explosions ending in a large one finally incapacitated Mystogan.
"Haahh… Haahh… Haahh…" Mason panted as he slowly walked over to the beaten Mystogan and picked him up by the hair, then created a magic claw in his other hand and held it up to his stomach. "Haah… I did it… I beat Jellal!" Mason celebrated, but his smile slowly faded.
"Yes… You beat me." Mystogan replied sounding just as exhausted as the dragon slayer. "So what now, You'll kill me?"
"I-I uh…" Mason was caught completely off guard on what he had to do next. He looked down at his glowing magic claw and his hand began to shake. "I... I…" His eyes widened for a moment, before he lowered his head and dispelled his claw magic before dropping Mystogan to the ground.
"I'm not the Jellal you know, please believe me." Mystogan tried to convince the dragon slayer now that things have calmed down a bit. His voice was full of sincerity.
Mason looks away for a moment then he turned back to Mystogan before closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath through his nose and when he opened his eyes he saw a small blue mist like substance surrounding Mystogan. "Haaahhhhh…." He sighed. "You're telling the truth…" Mason fell onto his back with his arms splayed out wide. "Your soul is too clean. There's no way your the Jellal I know…. Sorry…" Mason lifted Mystogan's mask into the air an the mysterious wizard quickly snatched it back and covered his face once more. "I guess I understand why that mask is so important to you, but if you're not the real Jellal than who are you?"
Mystogan extended a hand and pulled Mason up to his feet. "I suppose I can tell you, but it's important that as few people know this secret as possible." Mystogan stared directly into Mason's ruby red eyes. "Can I trust you?"
"Uh… Yeah I won't tell a soul!" Mason said with a grin.
(Later)
"So…. Your name IS Jellal and You're a prince from another dimension…." Mason tried to keep a serious face.
"You don't believe me?" Mystogan didn't sound surprised by this reaction.
"No no, I mean I'm in no position to judge. I was raised by a Dragon after all." Mason reassured. "It's just if you're a magic prince then why are you here in this world?"
"That, you don't need to know right now." Mystogan deadpanned. "More importantly if you have the ability to sense a person's soul, whether they are good or evil? Can't you use that ability to sense where Laxus is, his soul should be easy to detect among the crowd."
"You'd think right?" Mason said understanding where the question was coming from. "My ability to see souls is pretty flawed in the long run which is why I choose more often not to use it. The way it works is that there are essentially three kinds of souls I can see. Souls of good people which tend to be blue in color, souls of bad people which tend to be dark red and the souls of those in between that tend to be purplish. The thing is there are more purple souls than any others, and it looks as though that Laxus is probably one of those in between souls right now. You have to have done something pretty messed up to get a red soul like murder, and no ones dead yet so we're out of luck."
"Well that's unfortunate, I guess it's up to me to find him myself." Mystogan said as he prepared to leave.
"Wait a second, where do you think you're going." Mason jumped to catch up with the fleeing wizard. "I can help you, to make up for attacking you out of nowhere."
"No thanks I'll handle this myself." Mystogan said ignoring the Dragon Slayers plea. "I don't want to risk anymore collateral damage than necessary."
"What's that supposed to mean!" Mason's eyes sharpened in anger. "Listen! I just kicked your butt didn't I. I should be the one to fight laxus, or should at least be there in case you can't beat him!" Mystogan glared back frightening the dragon slayer. "What? Do they not have jokes in opposite world? Heh.. Heh…. Anyway, you can't expect me to just stay here while you go out to fight on your own."
"Yes I can." Mystogan said as he grabbed his fan staff from behind his back. "Sleep."
"Wha?" Mason said as his footsteps began to slow and his eyes began to grow heavy. "Hey… Wait.." Mason summoned magic energy to his hand and aimed it at the fleeing Mystogan but he fell back and the blast was fired straight up into the air. "Haaaahhhh! Shuuuuuhhhh!" Mason passed out and was totally asleep.
Mason laid asleep for a few moments as Mystogan fled the scene completely. The dragon slayer snored peacefully for few seconds before the energy blast he let loose earlier fell back to earth and collided with a small rock next to the sleeping mage. BOOOMM! "HUH?!" The sound of the exploding rock was enough to jar Mason from his slumber. "Huh, Jellal? Where'd you go?" Mason looked around a few times before he got a whiff of the air. "There you are he smirked."
(Later at Kardia Cathedral)
The lightning mage Laxus and Mystogan stood face to face in the center of the church as they prepared for battle. "Let's settle this here and now Mystogan." Laxus stood back with a his arms crossed and a crooked grin plastered on his face. "Or should I say?" Before laxus could finish Mystogan fired a magic blast from his fan-like staff but Laxus countered with a blast of lightning. The collision resulted in a shock wave that shattered all windows in the building and could be felt throughout the entire city.
"How did you know about that?" Mystogan called back.
"Ya know it's really not that hard to figure out!" Mason made himself visible and called out from one of the rafters of the church getting the attention of the two combatants. "If you really want to confuse people try doing a voice or maybe wear something other than black and dark blue." Mason taunted from above.
"What are you doing here! I thought I placed a sleeping spell on you!" A confused Mystogan called back.
"I know you! Your that council loser sent here to babysit the guild!" Laxus growled as his body began to surge with lightning magic. "I thought I told the old man no outside help!"
"Actually that's former council loser." Mason replied before dropping from the ceiling. "I'm a full fledged member of Fairy Tail." He pointed to his guild mark for proof.
"Good for you." Laxus brushed this off before turning to Mystogan. "So you think you need to double team me? You can bring as many fighters as you want, but it won't matter!"
"Actually I told him to remain behind, but as long as he's here I guess I could use the assistance." Mystogan relented with a sigh.
"No way!" Mason said with a smirk getting Mystogan to sweat. "I gave you the chance to join forces and you tried to put me to sleep. The battle of Fairy Tail is a battle royale right? That means both of you are my enemy. He said it himself if we wanted to stop the thunder palace we had to beat him in a fight. That's exactly what I plan to do, but I'm gonna take Mystogan down with me!"
"HAHA! Someone's finally getting what I'm talking about! Let's get this show on the road!" Laxus slammed his fist down into the ground and a wave of lightning shot across the floor.
Mason and Mystogan both lept in the air, with the former drawing his magic staff and pointing it at Mason. "If it's a battle royale you want, than so be it." He fired a magic blast at the Dragon slayer.
Mason disappeared and reamerged behind Laxus and his cheeks began to swell. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S ROAR!" A massive spiral of purple ghosts erupted from the dragon slayer's mouth and blasting the blonde mage from behind.
"GAH!" Laxus wasn't expecting the attack and took a bit of damage. "A dragon slayer, huh? You better be stronger than that loser Natsu!" Laxus turned around and blasted a handful of lightning at the white haired wizard.
"Ughh!" Mason crossed his arms to block the attack but the sheer magic power was enough to knock him back. "You are strong, not as strong as Jellal but stronger than Jellal."
"What!?" Laxus blinked a few times in confusion.
"Well that means no holding back!" Mason growled. "PHANTOM DRIVE!" Mason's body once more erupted with magic power shaking Kardia Cathedral. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S CANNON!" Mason's put his hands together and blasted a massive amount of magic energy.
"HAAAHH!" Laxus threw a lightning bolt in an attempt to stop the energy blast, but it wasn't enough. The energy blast barreled past Laxus' defenses and made contact with its target. BOOM! "AAAGHH!" Laxus grunted, but in the end he managed to survive the massive attack. "Not bad, you may just be stronger than that pink haired loser. Bu not strong enough! Huh?" Laxus readied another lightning attack but Mason had once again vanished "Where'd you go? Gah!" Mason reappeared and locked Laxus arms in a martial arts hold.
"Now Jellal!" Mason called out as magic circles began to form above he and Laxus' head.
"FIVE LAYERED MAGIC CIRCLE! SACRED SONG!" Mystogan called out as magic energy began crashing down from above creating a massive purple explosion.
"Ugh!" Mason groaned receiving as much if not more damage than than Laxus did in that attack. ZAP! "Aghh!" Mason's body was blasted with magic lightning, knocking him away.
"Haha!" Laxus laughed from the clouds of smoke that encased him. "This is getting to be fun!"
"Grrr!" Mason growled in frustration before vanishing once more from sight. "PHANTOM DRAGON VANISHING FIST!" Mason appeared directly in front of Laxu and hit him in the chin with an uppercut. The attack didn't do much as Laxus countered with a fist full of lightning. "AAHHAAAHH!" Mason groaned as he flew backwards through the air, but mid flight he extended his hand and a small magic circle appeared on Laxus' chest. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S TERRIBLE RUNE!"
"AAHHHHGGG!" Laxus cried as purple magic energy began to surge across his body damaging him in the process, but the attack quickly wore off.
As Mason landed Laxus already had a lightning attack ready and he through it so that the Dragon Slayer would have no time to dodge, but Mystogan stepped in to intervene. "THREE LAYERED MAGIC CIRCLE! MIRROR WATER!" Three magic circles appeared in front of mystogan and the attack was deflected and sent back at Laxus.
Laxus simply tanked the attack, receiving almost no damage. "C'mon boys, is that the best you can do?"
"Haahh.. Haah.." Mystogan and Mason both panted almost in sync. "He's really strong.." Mason pointed out.
"You don't say?" The hooded wizard snapped back. "At least things can't get much worse."
"Mystogan?" A familiar female voice called out from behind the two wizards. "And Mason?"
"Laxus!" A second familiar voice called out.
"Erza!" Mystogan called back and exclaimed.
"You shouldn't leave yourself open like that!" Laxus taunted as he hurled a lightning bolt directly at Mystogan's head. ZAP!
"You shouldn't leave yourself open like that!" Laxus taunted as he hurled a lightning bolt directly at Mystogan's head. ZAP!
Mason jumped in front of the lightning and took the blast himself. "GAAAHHHAAA!" Mason cried out in pain, as the attack took its toll.
"What!?" Mystogan called out in confusion, the other two fairy tail wizards just stood back and watched with wide eyes.
"Hey!" Mason called back as he slowly recovered, straightening his legs out and standing tall to face Laxus. "If you're not gonna be helpful you may as well try and deal with the lightning palace I can take care of this myself." Mason said as he charged magic power to his fists.
Mystogan smiled under his masks before taking his leave. "I guess you're right, I'll see what I can do." Mystogan slowly exited the church leaving things to Mason.
"What the hell's with him!" Natsu yelled as Mystogan walked out. "And who are you?!"
"I don't know, but something about him seems familiar…" Erza added, watching the mysterious mage as he disappeared amongst the streets of Magnolia.
"Hey fairies! That goes for you too, if your not gonna go help Mystogan then go find something to do cause your just getting in the way." Mason growled as he glared down the lightning mage.
"Hey!" Natsu cried back with angry eyes, as he stepped up to fight. "I called dibs on Laxus! You get out of the way!"
"Don't worry." Erza followed holding her thumb up in support. "You're part of the guild now which means you don't have to fight alone."
The three wizards stared down a smirking Laxus before something came to Mason's attention. "Wait a second! There's three of us and only one of him! That's not fair at all!"
"What?..." Erza blinked in utter disbelief of what she was hearing.
"You're right!" Natsu called back in agreement. "But we have to stop Laxus. I guess I'll just fight him myself." Natsu smiled as his fists were set ablaze.
"I have an idea." Mason smiled as he slowly walked over to Laxus before turning to face Natsu and Erza. "Laxus and I versus the two of you."
"You can't be serious…" Erza didn't even blink this time she just stared at the inprobable scene playing out. "There's no way we would agree to…"
"FINE BY ME!" Natsu blurted out as his body began to smoke. "I'll take the both of you on! I'm all fired up!" Natsu's body erupted into flames as he prepared for battle.
"HAHAHA!" Laxus began to laugh as the scene began to play out before him. "Leave it to the Dragon Slayers to understand what I'm getting at! The final round of the battle of Fairy Tail begins now!"
"ALRIGHT! LETS GO!" Natsu roared as he charged forward, his fist engulfed in flames. "GAAAHHHHH! I'M COMING FOR YOU LAXUS!"
"Wait a second you idiot!" Erza called back to her ally but she was too late.
As Natsu charged forward Mason appeared in front of him seemingly from nowhere. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S VANISHING FIST!" Mason clocked his fellow dragon slayer in the face, knocking him to the ground. "Natsu…" Mason spoke in a serious tone. "I won't lie, I've been hoping to fight you. I decided to join Fairy Tail because of you. Because you beat Jellal all on your own. I want to experience that power to see just how far I have to go, so don't hold back!"
"If that's what you want!" Natsu growled back as he lifted himself off the ground with a massive plume of flames that blasted Mason away. "I'm all fired up! FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!" Natsu smacked Mason in the face knocking him backwards.
"Ugh!" Erza groaned. "Those idiots! I swear any excuse to fight is good enough for them."
"Well with those two occupied looks like it's just you and me red…" Laxus smirked as lightning danced across his body. "I'm sick of standing around! Let's get this show on the road!" Laxus threw down a bolt of lightning at Erza and their battle began.
Mason stumbled backwards before wiping a bit of blood from his lip as he glared back at Natsu. "PHANTOM DRIVE!" Mason's eyes flashed purple before his aura exploded off his body. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S CANNON!" Mason shot a massive two handed blast at Natsu.
"Wha!?" Natsu crossed his arms to block, but it wasn't enough the force of the blast knocked Natsu backwards sending him crashing into a wall. "GAAHH!" He cried out before falling back to the ground. "Ugh… What the hell, your magic power the out put is almost doubled…"
"The phantom drive…" Mason explained. "There are three types of dragon slayers in this world, there are those like you and gajeel who are natural born wizards trained by living dragons, then there are those who have dragon slaying attributes given to them via a lacrima. Finally there's me I am wizard who was trained by a dragon, but at the same time I have a dragon slaying lacrima implanted in my body. Drive allows me to use both at the same time, doubling my dragon slayer abilities." Mason's aura flashed once more as he began to breathe in deep. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S ROAR!" Mason blasted a mouthful of purple phantoms that completely consumed Natsu. KABOOOM!
"FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!" A blast of flames flew out from the smoke plume and Mason quickly blocked the fire. "AAAAHHHHH!" Natsu jumped out of the smoke his foot cloaked in flames. "FIRE DRAGON'S TALON!" Natsu slammed his foot down hard shattering Mason's barrier and kicking him in the stomach.
"UUUFFFF!" Mason slumped over and grabbed his stomach in pain as Natsu moved to attack.
"I don't care if you're some super dragon slayer or whatever! I'm gonna take you down and then I'm coming for Laxus!" Natsu's arms burst into flames as he stepped forward. "FIRE DRAGON'S WING ATTACK!" Natsu threw his arms forward with streams of flames following them. "What?!" He stared shocked as Mason caught his flaming arms with his hands which were cloaked by glowing purple claws.
"PHANTOM DRAGON'S CLAWS!" Mason called out as he threw Natsu's arms away and striking with his claw. He swiped threw Natsu's Body leaving three long purple scratch marks on his chest that shocked his body, but didn't leave a visible scratch.
"AAAHHH! What the hell was that?!" Natsu grabbed his chest in pain.
"My claws don't harm the physical body, they hurt the soul.." Mason smirked at Natsu's shock. "A living soul can regenerate itself, so don't worry this won't leave permanent damage, but man it's gonna hurt.."
"GRRRRR!" Natsu growled as he looked down on the painful mark on his chest. "AAAAHHHHHH!" Natsu yelled as flames erupted around him seemingly burning the mark off. "Is that the best you got?"
(Meanwhile with Erza and Laxus)
"HAAAAAHHHHHH!" Erza called out as she brought her sword down on Laxus who vanished in a bolt of lightning.
"HAHA! Too slow red!" Laxus taunted reforming on the other side of the church. "You'll never hit me with that dinky sword, and to think the old man decided you were good enough to be considered S-Class! He really is losing it, I should've done something about you losers much sooner!"
"Shut it Laxus!" Erza growled back at the gloating blonde as her body began to glow. "REQUIPPED! LIGHTNING EMPRESS ARMOR!" A light blue armor with golden highlights formed on her body, with a strong breastplate and massive shoulder pads. Her hair was put into a long braid and she summoned a massive staff to her hand. "Lets see if you enjoy a taste of your medicine!" Erza blasted a blue lightning bolt from the tip of her staff directly for Laxus.
"Hehe…." Laxus chuckled before inhaling through his mouth and swallowing Erza's electrical attack. "Tasty…" Laxus' body began to surge with an even more magic power.
"Well this isn't good." Erza said as she reaquipped her traditional armor. "NATSU! SWITCH!"
"Huh?" Natsu called back, his hands full dealing with the powered up Mason. "Hell yeah!" Natsu back flipped away from his fellow Dragon Slayer switching fighting partners with Erza.
"Hey! What the hell!? We aren't done yet!" Mason whined like a kid who was told to stop playing outside.
"Quit being a baby!" Erza called back as she lunged forward sword in hand. "If you must fight then I'll be your foe!" She swung forward with her short sword but the blade just passed Mason's body. "What?"
"Sorry Erza but an attack like that can't hurt me. Hate to say it but you'll never be able to beat me using swords." Mason looked disappointed for a split second before a devious smile sprouted on his face. "But me on the other hand." Mason joked as he blasted Erza away with an energy ball. "HAHA! What were you saying earlier about me never beating anyone, well looks like things are about to change."
"We'll see about that! REQUIPPED!" Erza's body began to glow bright and her armor transformed into the robes of a traditional Japanese priestess including a bright red Hakama and white Kosode. She pulled out a long katana with a hilt that looked like a ritual candle and the blade became cloaked in a holy blue flame. "HOLY ARMOR!" Erza leapt forward in her new armor and swung her sword at her foe.
Mason stood pat as he planned to avoid the attack the same as earlier but something felt off. "BARRIER!" In the last second Mason put up a magic shield to block Erza's attack, but his barrier wouldn't last long as Erza shattered it using sheer force but Mason managed to jump out of the way before she could strike him. "What the hell is that!"
"My holy blade can cleave through any spirit or demon with ease you're phantom powers are no match for me!" Erza stood prideful with her sword in hand as if she'd already won the fight.
"Fine! If you wanna fight with a magic sword, I'll use one of my own!" Mason smiled as his black wristband started to glow purple before transforming itself into a long black katana. Mason began to funnel his own magic power into the blade and it began to glow with bright purple magic energy. "En Guarde!"
"HAAAAHHHHH!" Erza lunged forward and swung her holy blade forward. KLANG! It was met with Mason's own sword cloaked in unholy magic. "HAAAAHHHHHHH!" KLANG! CLASH! KLANG! KLANG! CLASH KLANG! A flurry a slashes and strikes erupted between the two sparks of blue and purple flying off each collision of blades but it looked as though the battle had become a stalemate which began to frustrate the red haired wizard. "What the hell do you think you're doing? The more time we spend fighting amongst ourselves the less powerful we'll be when it comes time to face Laxus! If he wins he may activate the thunder palace, don't you care what happens to all the innocent people or did that explosion from the Tower of Heaven really fry your brain!?"
"Relax!" Mason said with a smile. "Laxus isn't gonna win, Natsu hasn't even gotten serious yet. If things ever really went south then Natsu could just use his Dragon Force again like he did against Jellal and wipe the floor with Laxus."
"Wait…. You were banking on Natsu's Dragon Force this whole time?" Erza lowered her guard as the two Fairy Tail stopped fighting.
"Yeah, as long as Natsu's here we're fine he's probably the strongest wizard in the country with that in his back pocket." Mason said scratching the back of his head. "So I figured if Natsu isn't taking things seriously and going all out to win, then why should I? Was that wrong?"
Erza face palmed at this. "Two things. First no matter how dire the situation, Natsu never takes things seriously. Second the power boost from the tower of heaven was temporary was achieved by consuming a small amount of Ethernano and he can't access it on his own."
"R-Really?" Mason asked before looking over to find Natsu struggling with his fight with Laxus. He was having trouble avoiding the speed of the lightning attacks and missing far more of his own attacks than he was landing. "Uh oh…. I've made a terrible mistake." Mason admitted as he transformed his katana back into a wristband. "Now I gotta fix it…" He said staring back at Laxus.
"Hey wait I can help!" Erza said as she transformed back into her standard armor.
"No.." Mason answered finally getting serious. "We already saw that you aren't a good matchup for him. You should go help Mystogan deal with the Thunder Palace just in case Natsu and I aren't enough to to deal with Laxus. Like you said the priority is keeping the civilians safe." Erza nodded before running out of the church as Mason prepared to face the foe.
"GAAAHHH!" Natsu cried out as Laxus slammed him down. "GRRR! GGRRRR!" Natsu tried to struggle free as Laxus held a fist full of lightning over him.
"HAHAHA! I told you Natsu! Weaklings like you don't deserve a place in Fairy Tail! You shoulda just walked away when you had the chance! Now I'm gonna teach you a lesson you'll never forget." Laxus prepared to slam down his electrified down on the fire dragon's chest but before he could move a massive blast of magic energy knocked the blonde off of the young wizard.
"Hey, you okay?!" Mason asked as rushed over to help his guildmate to his. "Sorry this is all my fault!" Mason bowed apologetically. "I overestimated you, I thought you could take Laxus down on your own like you did Jellal but I put you and the rest of the city in danger!"
"HEY!" Natsu growled back sounding more insulted than relieved to have the help of his fellow dragon slayer. "You didn't overestimate crap! I can take Laxus down all by myself! I had him right where I wanted him before you butted in and ruined everything!"
"Wow…" Mason blinked twice. "You ARE stubborn…" Before they could continue their argument the rubble on top of Laxus began to move and out from it emerged a massive shirtless Laxus at least twice the size of his previous form with scale like markings decorating his arms.
"HEY YOU! SNOWFLAKE!" Laxus roared. "PICK A DAMN SIDE WILL YA! LIGHTNING DRAGON'S ROAR!" A mouthful of lightning flew from his massive jaws as Mason created another barrier just in time.
"LAXUS IS A DRAGON SLAYER!" Natsu sounded totally stunned by this new development.
"Yeah, you didn't know?" Mason said, his eyebrow raised slightly. "Anyway that's not important you want take down Laxus yourself, that's fine." Mason's body erupted with magic power enough to send his hair spinking upwards and to cause his eyes to be taken over entirely by a powerful purple glow. "My Drive technique drains my power like crazy so I'm about to use everything I've got left to loosen him up for you and when my power runs out that's when you step in." Mason jumped into the air his hands glowing bright with magic power.
"HEY!' Natsu called back. "WHY DO YOU GET TO GO FIRST?!"
"PHANTOM DRAGON'S CANNON!" Mason put his hands together creating a massive energy blast aimed directly for Laxus.
"LIGHTNING DRAGON'S ROAR!" Laxus countered with a blast of his own and the two magic attacks created a massive explosion in the middle of the church shaking the old building.
When the clouds from the explosion faded Mason had vanished. He quickly appeared behind
Laxus, his fist charged with Magic energy. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S VANISHING!"
"I don't think so!" Laxus called out before he flexed his muscles and generating a massive wave of lightning that zapped Mason out of the air and onto the ground. "You think I'd fall for the same stupid trick twice!" Laxus moved so fast it was almost like he teleported, he quickly readied a powerful punch charged with lightning and began to slam it down into the Dragon Slayers face but before he could attack Mason phased through the ground below him causing Laxus to punch down and shatter the concrete.
Mason then appeared hovering above Laxus both hands charged with Magic energy. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S SHOT! RAPID FIRE!" Mason threw down dozens of energy blasts that collided with Laxus' massive back. BOOM! BOOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
"GRRRR!" Laxus growled as his back began to smoke from the damage. "I'M SICK OF YOU TRASH!" Laxus yelled as lightning rained down on top of Mason blasting him to the ground with Laxus who quickly scooped him up by the shirt in one hand. "I'M GONNA FRY THAT DAMN PRETTY BOY FACE OF YOURS!" Laxus threatened but before he could do anything Mason phased through his giant hand and in the same movement phased his arm into Laxus stomach.
Laxus looked down in terror but before he could make another move Mason made his arm tangible for a split second before pulling his arm back out. It was brief but Mason's attack was like a sucker punch to Laxus' internal organs, sending him reeling back in pain.
"GAAAHHAAAHH! You little bastard! You could've killed me!" Laxus quickly grabbed Mason's arm. "Let's see how you like it!" Before Mason could phase through Laxus' lock, the Lightning mage sent volts of electricity shooting into Mason's arm.
"AAHHHHAAAAHHH!" Mason cried out but through the pain Mason managed to grab hold of Laxus' arm and started to grit his teeth as a large magic circle formed beneath the dueling wizards feet. "DRAGON SLAYER'S SECRET ART! CURSED SOUL UNHOLY SWARM 10,000 PHANTOMS!" Both Mason and Laxus' bodies were devoured in the swarming phantoms as the erupted through the roof of the church and into the air above Magnolia.
KAABOOOOMM! A large explosion erupted from Mason's attack knocking both Mason and Laxus into different areas of the church. "AAHHHH OOFF!" Mason called out as he bounced across the hard ground and landing behind Natsu. "Okay… That's it I'm out, it's your turn…"
"What do you mean my turn? There's no way he can still fight after all that." Natsu replied almost on cue as Laxus pushed a pile of rubble off of himself and stood up to continue the fight. "Crap…"
"Sorry bout that Natsu." Mason said through a groan. "I thought I did more damage than that but it looks like it's up to you. I just hope Erza and Mystogan have found a way to stop the thunder palace."
"HA HAHAHA!" Laxus bursted out laughing. "You mean that whole time you were stalling, well it's good to know that you weren't stupid enough to think you could actually beat me with those lame attacks, but it's a shame that you're gonna die in vain. Even those two aren't strong enough to stop my Thunder Palace without killing themselves in the process. It was good try but it's hard to win when your opponent holds all the cards! It was nice knowing you snowflake!" Laxus threw a bolt of lightning at the powerless Mason, too fast for Natsu to intercept. But just before making contact with its target it suddenly changed direction and struck a familiar looking iron rod.
"Well those guys have nothing to worry about." The Iron Dragon Slayer Gajeel Redfox appeared suddenly out of nowhere, grinning like a madman and being followed closely by the blue haired Levy McGarden. "They aren't gonna need to take down the Thunder Palace cause I'll kick your ass myself."
"Gajeel…" Natsu said not sounding too happy to see him.
"Hey I thought you were a member of Phantom Lord! What are you doing here?" Mason asked as he struggled to sit up.
"Hey you, ghost boy…" Gajeel glared down at Mason. "Can you fight?"
"..." Mason paused for a moment reluctant to answer. "... No I'm out of magic power.."
"Then get out of here before you get hurt.." Gajeel walked passed the injured wizard to face the foe at hand.
"Here." Levy said kindly before writing out the word ghost in the air, causing a cartoony sheet-like ghost to appear out of thin air. "I hope your powers work the same as Natsu's and Gajeel's." She said before chasing after Gajeel to confront Laxus.
"BOOOO! I'm going to haunt you forever!" The ghost threatened Mason who simply bit down on its ghostly tail. "NOOOOO!" The phantom cried out as Mason slurped it down his throat and climbed back to his feet.
"Thank you." Mason replied as he wiped his mouth. "I'm gonna go help Erza. Good luck guys." With that Mason took off out of the church.
(WIth Erza)
"I'll take the 200 to the north!" Erza cried out telepathically to the rest of her guildmates. She was equipped in her heaven's wheel armor and was levitating a massive swarm of swords with her telekinesis. "You can take the rest! We can do this I believe in you! Now go forth my swords!" With a wave of her arm her blades went flying. Each of them striking and shattering one of the lightning lacrima's floating above the city and in doing so she caused a massive amount of lightning magic to strike down on top of her.
"AHHHHAAAAHHHH!" Erza shrieked in pain as the lightning surged through her, but she managed to fight through this pain. She dropped to one knee before looking back up into the sky. "No way…. There are still some left…"
Indeed there were more than a dozen of the lightning lacrima's left floating above the city. "Damn it… I'm totally out of Magic power…."
"Well then it's a good thing I'm here right…" Mason smiled as he limped closer to his old friend, he was indeed in a better shape than Erza was at the moment but that wasn't saying much. His body was covered in scratches and burn marks and even after the aid given by Levy he was still rather low on Magic Power.
"No way…" Erza seeming to defy all logic managed somehow to stand. "Just give me a minute to regain my power. It could kill you in your state, let me do it."
"Hmmm, not happening. It could kill me but it WILL kill you." Mason put his hand on the girls shoulder and gently pushed her back down to rest. "I didn't crawl all the way back to life for you to go and kill yourself. If I'm gonna be part of this guild then I need to make sure you're here with me. I've already died enough for one week I'm not gonna do it again."
Mason stepped back to make sure he kept Erza out of range before summoning as much magic power as he could muster, causing his red eyes to flash purple once more. "DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART! CURSED SOUL! UNHOLY SWARM 10,000 PHANTOMS!" Another swarm of purple ghosts flew from Mason's body into the sky above, groups of the purple phantoms swarmed around each of the floating lacrima's and one by one began to detonate.
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOM! BOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOM! Eventually all of the lacrima's were taken out and from them massive bolts of lightning struck down on Mason leaving nothing but a black ashy mark on the mongolian streets like.
"No way…" Erza couldn't believer her eyes. "He's gone…. Again…" Before she could even let out a single tear Mason floated up from the ground below without a scratch on him. "Nevermind he's fine." Just as she said that Mason passed out onto the ground completely unconscious. "Nevermind…"
(end)