Chapter 5 - Duel Of The Slayers
"Wendy." Erza called out to the sky dragon slayer.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Take this flare and light it when you get back to Fairy HQ. I have no doubt that some of the other members are currently in combat with Grimoire Heart members." She ordered passing the rocket to the youngest dragon slayer.
"Alright, I will!" Wendy said determined as she and her exceed began to rush through the forest back to FairyTail. I won't fail you Erza!
Wendy Marvell, the sky dragon slayer, was thinking about her latest conversation which took place earlier with the Queen of the Fairies. She hoped that Erza would be able to hold off against the tree mage. Wendy wanted to argue and stay behind to help fight, but she could tell this was a battle she would not be strong enough to participate in and decided to help FairyTail with any way she could. Running alongside her through the forest was the dragon slayer's cat companion, Carla.
"We are almost there child." Carla told her as the two could see the fiery light up ahead bouncing off the dark leaves leading them to the campfire.
Sitting around the makeshift small campfire currently was, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Lisanna and Elfman Strauss and a fully recovered Mirajane Strauss.
"Wendy!" Gray shouted with surprise and happiness as he saw the petite dragon slayer run up to them. "We were worried about you, where have you been?"
"Sorry you guys!" She exclaimed sheepishly. "I fell asleep in the forest after my fight with Gajeel. I'm fine." Wendy smiled at them in reassurance.
"Good to know." A now awake Mirajane responded. Suddenly, her small smile faded and turned into a frown upon noticing the item in her friend's hand. It was an emergency signal flare that is only specific to Erza.
"Wendy." The takeover mage asked her quickly grabbing her attention.
"Hmm?" Wendy wondered.
"Why are you holding that emergency flare?" Mirajane questioned fearing for the answer she could only assume was coming. Don't be an attack please…
"Oh! I totally forgot." Wendy facepalmed embarrassed yet again. Darn my cluelessness!
After gathering her bearings she continued. "Erza sent me. We are in trouble!"
"What's wrong?" Mirajane asked trying to cover her worriedness behind her facade.
"Grimoire Heart is apparently here. Another member of their guild his name name was Azuma, attacked me and Erza. She told me to take this flare and light it when I got back here."
"Good job Wendy." Mira patted the young girl's shoulder. "You completed Erza's task. You returned her and now we just need to light this thing and warn the others."
Mirajane and Wendy both grabbed the flare and ignited it as it sped up towards the darkening sky bursting a red color. While the others watched the firework show in amazement, Mirajane clasped her hands together, gazing up at the fiery colors reminding her of her two best friends, both were engulfed in their own separate inner battles while ironically participating in the same outer battle. Natsu, Erza wherever you guys are…please be safe.
"Ah Mavis." Makarov sighed disappointed. Sitting next to FairyTail's first master, Mavis Vermillion's grave, he awaited the contestants of the S Class trials to appear. However, after a little while he began to grow anxious. "Where are those brats?" He questioned aloud. Suddenly, the short man received his answer as he saw a flare shoot into the sky and burst into vibrant red colors. "Oh no." He muttered shocked hoping his eyes were playing tricks on him. "The emergency flares!" He shouted to no one in particular, knowing now that the time for fun and games was over.
"Mavis, I am so sorry for leading an enemy onto sacred grounds." Master Makarov said kneeling in front of the founder's grave. "Just please, keep my children safe." He pleaded. Suddenly, a sleek black ship arrived off the shores under the dark clouds of Tenrou Island. Makarov stood up walking away from the deceased founder's grave, activating his GIANT magic in the process. You will not win today. He declared his vision adjusting to locate the intrudes.
The iron dragon slayer and his cat companion walked through the plain field following the conclusion of their surprise battle against Grimoire Heart.
"Pantherlilly." Gajeel asked looking over at his partner.
"Yeah?" He replied.
"You good?" Gajeel questioned wanting to make sure his cat was unscathed.
"Yep, I'm fine Gajeel. No need to worry about me. That guy wasn't a problem for me after all hah. His partner was for you though, huh?" Pantherlily asked looking over at the damage to his dragon slayer.
"He was strong. His attacks were somehow breaking my dragon scales. Luckily though I got him for guard and was and able to defeat them. I wonder what they are here for, whatever reason though those guys were not playing around." Gajeel spoke. How the hell was he able to get through so easily without using fire like Salamander?
"Yeah. They said they weren't even the strongest members either. After seeing that, I can guarantee there are probably more someplace on the island." Pantherlily stated.
"Mhm, I agree with you on that one. I do wonder if everyone is alright?" As Pantherlily was about to reply to Gajeel, they both saw a rocket propel into the sky and burst into shades of variant red colors.
"Any idea what that means?" Gajeel questioned.
"FairyTail's signal flare." Pantherlily answered. "That's the guild's warning signal. An enemy is coming. No doubt its Grimoire Heart." He replied.
"Alrighty. Looks like we get to punch some more heads!" Gajeel grinned getting pumped for another fight.
"Let's regroup with the others and plan accordingly, no idea what were in for now." The black cat suggested as the two continued towards camp.
The red-haired knight ran through the thick large forest with Natsu situated on her back. She was searching the forest to locate her way back to the camp. Looking back at the mage dangling off her, she lightly chuckled. Oh Natsu... You always seem to be getting yourself in trouble you fool. Once she got back on the correct path towards their small base her thoughts began to derail when she saw a bright flare burst into the night sky. So, Wendy was able to get back to FairyTail and warn the others. She smiled with contentment knowing that her family was aware of the enemy closing in. She picked up the pace through the woods wanting to get there as soon as possible and lead the fight against this treacherous dark guild.
As the Grimoire Heart ship began to grow closer and closer to Tenrou Island, Hades smirked with glee. As his mind thought about messing with Makarov, a bruised and bloody Azuma appeared at the feet of Hades and before the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
"Azuma got beat." Ultear confirmed to her master as if it wasn't obvious enough seeing the mage's state.
"Well…" Hades' voice rose with frustration. Who were you taken down by Azuma?" Master Hades asked the man roughly.
"I was fighting Erza Scarlet, Titania of FairyTail, when I had her on the ropes and almost into submission. Then all of a sudden, that blasted mage who beat Zancrow entered the fight. He was able to somehow overpower me, manipulating my explosions as if they were nothing…I was forced to flee Master Hades." Azuma angrily spoke about the fire dragon slayer who embarrassed him.
"I see... calm down Azuma." Master Hades ordered noticing the raise of anger in the tree mage's tone. "It looks like I will have to defeat Makarov's child by myself." He chuckled in amusement. Azuma eyes extended out in surprise and delight seeing that the annoying FairyTail wizard was going to be toyed with and hopefully obliterated at the hands of their master. His trance breaking, however after hearing Hades continue.
"Sadly though since you were defeated Azuma, you and Zancrow will sit on the sidelines for a while and will only fight if we need backup, which I doubt it." Master Hades ordered. "Also, after this is over, you may have Erza Scarlet to yourself." He added evilly as a perverse grin came upon Azuma's face.
Ultear sat staring out the front of the ship, the glass reflecting her glowing white appearance back at her almost in a taunting-like manner. Ignoring the rest of Master Hades' speech, she thought about only one thing. Natsu Dragneel, how powerful have you gotten since we last encountered one another? I look forward to crushing you myself, I can feel it deep down. Her eyes turning red momentarily before dulling back to their normal color. You will lead me to Zeref.
As the Seven Kin of Purgatory as well as Master Hades drew closer to reaching Tenrou Island, the infiltration team began to get prepared.
"Nice outfit." Zancrow smirked looking over at Ultear lusting over her partially unzipped white jumpsuit. "It gets me really fired up and ready to cut loose." He laughed.
"Zancrow! You should be taking this battle seriously." Capricorn stated.
"Tonight." Rusty Rose started. "The souls of our foes die in the city of war." He poetically declared grabbing his sunglasses besides it being nighttime.
Kain Hikaru began to mumble different things to himself as he stood next to Grimoire Heart's own pinkette. Meredy looked back and then forward as she saw something, before shouting "Ur!" directed at Ultear.
"Don't ever call me by that name!" An enraged Ultear glared at the girl.
"Sorry, please forgive me..." Meredy apologized.
"Oh come on." Zancrow sighed. "Don't be so nervous all the time pipsqueak. So what's up?" He asked the pink haired girl.
"It's here now." She mumbled. "The Fairy Island."
Ultear shockingly looked out and the girl's words rang true. Resting there, under the bright shining light of the moon, lay Tenrou Island in all its glory. Suddenly, as the ship got closer, a gigantic figure appeared as if emerging from the island itself looking none too pleased to see them.
"What in the hell is that!" Zancrow shouted with shock.
"Who is that?" Meredy silently questioned watching her master's reactions.
Master Hades' hands flew from the wheel as his eyes grew wide and his closed mouth formed into a smirk. "Makarov." He said as if the two were best friends.
"BEGONE!" The gigantic monster bellowed, rattling the dark guild's behemoth threatening to annihilate it.
While looking out into the forest in an almost dazed-like state while her guild members sat strategizing a plan, Wendy noticed movement bursting out of the forest. "ERZA!" Wendy yelled in excitement and relief as she busted from her wooden stump seat and flew towards the scarlet knight. The two embraced happily before Wendy took notice of the cargo on her back and laughed aloud with her grin growing wider.
"Thank gosh you're okay." Gray spoke rushing over to them as the others looked on from their positions. He then too like Wendy, noticed Natsu resting on her back. "As well as Flamebrain." He added with an amused chuckle. Mira and Juvia, who were helping plan their action, expelled themselves from the tent as they heard the commotion thinking a fight was about to take place before lighting up at seeing the newcomers.
"Erza!" Mirajane greeted with a smile on her face. Mira had to admit, she was worried for her best friend. She let out a rather large giggle after seeing Natsu dangling off her with a peacefully sleeping expression across his features.
"Let's get you two inside." Lisanna said from behind her older sister as she pointed them towards the tent.
"Yes, good idea Lisanna. Thank you." Erza complimented as the younger Strauss sister took them to go rest.
Natsu... Mira thought in amazement at his predicament. What have your wreckless actions brought upon you know? Mira sniggered thinking about how those two encountered one another.
"BEGONE!" Makarov yelled. "OR SUFFER THE WRATH OF FAIRYTAIL!"
"Hah." Master Hades laughed uninterested as he kept the pedal to the floor and came closer to the shore.
"Urgh!" Makarov sped into the water rapidly before smashing the right side of Grimoire Heart's ship clean off as the debris vanished into the reflecting dark blue sea.
Zancrow and Kain lost their balance from the surprised impact and began to slide off the ship before finally catching themselves from dropping into the freezing waters below.
Phew that was close… Both thought.
The soldiers along on-board began to panic. "Heavy right-side damage sub-stained!" One said,
Hhe pierced our armor, it's game over man!" Another soldier said.
As Master Makarov in his GIANT form began to attempt to pound the ship again, Hades ordered "Evasive Maneuvers!" The Grimoire Heart ship slipped by the gigantic fist, dodging Makarov's second attack.
Master Hades extended his right arm announcing, "Prepare the magical canon, Jupiter!" Suddenly, a massive black canon appeared from the upper part of the ship locking its sights directly onto Makarov. The canon began to release dark purple and black shadows before summoning a spiraling tornado and releasing its overwhelming force upon Makarov.
"Ah!" Master Makarov grunted through the pain as he was impacted by the blast, but in his gigantic form he was able to play partial defense and block the majority of the attack with his arm. Taking the offensive approach once more, Makarov raised his left leg and kicked the ship with full force.
The soldiers began to panic again. "The ship! He's tearing us apart!
"He can do anything!" They cowered in fear.
"Hah!" Master Hades laughed again, this time smirking with some interest. "Now Ultear!" Master Hades yelled at the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory.
"Sir." She spoke and then announced, ARC OF TIME... her right eye began to radiate red, RESTORE! Ultear ordered as the right side of the Grimoire Heart ship was repaired flawlessly.
"Capricorn." Master Hades called to a member of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. "Your job is to get yourself and the others on the island."
"What about you sir?" He asked looking up at his master.
"I'll play for a little with Makarov and join you all shortly." Hades replied.
"As you wish." Capricorn then slammed his palms together as the soldiers, along with five of the Seven Kin of Purgatory disappeared. He then used his jet pack and departed from the ship.
Master Makarov saw the air fighter fleeing but kept his attention on Hades. "Run if you'd like, but THERE IS NO ESCAPE." He roared.
The two guild masters glared one another down before Makarov made the first move. He brought his hands together as a bright yellow ball began to form within his palms illuminating off the surface of the sea.
"I'm going to give you the count of three, to get out of my sight." Makarov stated. "Otherwise you and your comrades will see the other side of oblivion and I will make sure of it." He threatened.
"The ultimate magical spell that vanquishes everyone who the caster deems is a foe." Hades spoke knowing this spell all too well.
"ONE!" Makarov shouted beginning the countdown.
"Let's see your FAIRY LAW in action Makarov." Hades smirked with encouragement.
"TWO!" No movement from Hades as Makarov' warning hit deaf hears.
"AND THAT'S THREE. TIMES UP!" Makarov yelled. Bringing his gigantic palms together he casted, FAIRY LAW!
"Don't be so hasty." Master Hades flicked his wrist as if it were all the defense he needed. Suddenly, in the palms of Hades' own hands was a black and purple spiral similar to Makarov's golden. It continued to spiral around before forming a glowing ninja-star-like object. Laughing largely in almost an earlier victory chant, Hades fired back with, GRIMOIRE LAW! The two monstrosity spells found one another fighting for glory, before…Makarov's spell immediately disappeared.
"What?" Makarov questioned. "Impossible!" He added, "No, it can't be!"
Master Hades looked at Makarov and spoke. "Hello boy. You're looking well."
"It is you... Master Precht." Makarov shockingly revealed.
FairyTail (48 Years Ago):
A yellow haired man with a white shirt followed by a light brown hoodie is seen resting his head on his palm. "Hmm..." He mumbled. Then all of a sudden, he jumped up and started shouting. "Dammit! Who do those council low lives think they are!" He yelled.
"Calm down Makarov!" A member spoke. Makarov grabbed him by his collar and held him in the air.
"Oh? You want me to calm down!" He shouted at the man. "Maybe I'll use you to fit this pent-up frustration."
"Please! Let's talk about this!" The member spoke scared. Makarov glared at him. As the member got more and more scared by Makarov's anger, a voice spoke. "That's enough boy." Adding, "let him go." Makarov dropped the man to the floor and turned his head to see the voice.
"Oh Master..." Makarov said. "I didn't realize you were back."
The man in front of him was wearing a purple shirt, followed by a black coat with a white fur scarf around his neck, in his hand was a long brown walking stick. "Do you enjoy making trouble every time you go on a job. You really should tone it down boy, it's beginning to turn into a nuisance. I'll tell you what. Join me later tonight on the bank and we can catch up alright?" He invited walking away to his office as Makarov watched him leave leaving him to his own thoughts.
After the sun began to fade, Makarov journeyed to the bank overlooking the water and found Master Precht sitting there like he said he would be.
"I saw some losers bandits making fun of the guild, so I smacked them up a bit. I don't see what the problem is." Makarov stated as he sat down next to his master.
"There is nothing wrong defending something you hold dear, boy." Precht spoke. "However, violence ultimately leads to more violence."
"Well, what." Makarov started, "was I just supposed to let them get away with it?"
"Harmony is key." Master began, "forgiveness can be a powerful thing you know. Just like violence can be a dangerous thing. Whether you forgive or seek revenge is up to you but know the consequences, boy."
"You ever get tired of saying that?" Makarov mumbled.
Master turned and grinned at him, "I'll be saying it till it gets into your thick skull, boy."
"Seriously! Stop calling me boy!" Makarov yelled at the now chuckling Master Precht who turned his attention back to the sunset.
As FairyTail fled and Grimoire Heart invaded the island, Natsu Dragneel awakened from his deep slumber. He realized he had been out for a few hours and his magic had restored partially from the usage against Azuma. Azuma! That bastard where did he go?
Natsu climbed out of the suspended bed he was once hanging in and looked around at his surroundings. All of a sudden, he noticed Happy, Carla and Wendy face down in the dirt. He lifted up Wendy and held her in his arms.
"What the heck happened here!" He shouted trying to wake up the younger dragon slayer.
"Wendy!" Natsu tried again.
"Come on! Say something! Wendy!" Natsu once again tried to wake her up only to fail.
"Dammit! Someone is gonna pay for this!" He angrily growled, before calming down seeing Happy stir and awaken…only to then fall back asleep. As he sat there on his bed bemused at what the cat had just done, his eyes caught a fourth figure laying on the floor a little bit away from him who looked to be wide awake. It was Mest Gryder.
Natsu looked at the man before stomping over to him and picking up by his collar, shouting at him, "Was it you! Hey! Answer me!"
Has my memory manipulation magic worn off? Mest thought.
"Natsu stop..." Wendy now finally spoke, awoken due to the ruckus. Natsu looked at the man who he was currently holding up in his arms with a dark aura on his face.
"Natsu stop!" Wendy pleaded again. He turned around to see Wendy Marvell awake and calling out to him. "Mest is a part of the magic council."
"The council!" Natsu shouted alarmed. He immediately set Mest back down and fixed his collar. "Hehe. Sorry about that buddy." Natsu said sheepishly while scratching the back of his neck.
"It's fine." Mest accepted his apology. I really don't want to get on the dragon slayer's bad side right now.
"What happen here Wendy?" Natsu asked her glancing over at his friend who was trying to wake Carla.
"We were all resting and waiting for you to awake along with Master Makarov's return, but all of sudden we got attacked by all of these soldiers." She began to explain.
FIRE GOD's BELLOW! A familiar voice to only Natsu shouted, to which he cringed.
Natsu looked up to see the person up on a hill in front of them. "Dammit. Not this loser again." He said.
Wendy noticed this and asked, "What do you mean 'again' Natsu?"
"This was the guy who attacked Mira and Elfman during the trials." He stated, former anger starting to resurface.
Wendy was shocked. When did Natsu fight this man? Wendy looked over to Happy, Mest and Carla, who was now reawakened along with Happy. "You three should go look around the island and try to find our friends. Natsu and I can handle this guy."
"Alrighty." They all responded. "Be safe and take him down." Mest and Happy took off.
Carla stayed behind shaking her head. Then she thought, she has gotten stronger. She also has the fire slayer. I will trust you with her Dragneel.
"Be careful child." She spoke as she chased after the two retreating figures.
"Hehe. I want a rematch dragon boy. I will win this time." Zancrow gloated.
"Bring it. You won't make it out of here alive." Natsu smirked summoning his flames.
SKY DRAGON's ROAR! Wendy shouted at the Grimoire Heart mage catching him off guard but avoiding the breath attack easily.
"Oh? Two dragon slayers? This should be fun!" He said licking his lips in anticipation.
"Be careful Wendy. This guy is crazy." Natsu glanced her way as she nodded understandingly.
FIRE DRAGON's WING ATTACK!
FIRE GOD's EXPLOSIVE FLAME!
SKY DRAGON's WING ATTACK!
All three powerful spells slammed into each other before the dark wizard's attack fizzled out. Natsu and Wendy's overpowering Zancrow's.
What the hell? Zancrow asked himself confused. How did they extinguish my flames?
"You need to learn to not be cocky. Also... PAY ATTENTION!" Natsu yelled at the god slayer as he brought his fist to Zancrow's face. FIRE DRAGON's IRON FIST! Natsu slammed into Zancrow shoving him backwards.
SKY DRAGON's WAVE WIND! Wendy shouted as Zancrow couldn't dodge and took the attack head on.
"Nice job Wendy!" Natsu called to her. Wendy merely flushed at his compliment towards her.
"You should pay attention dragon girl!" Zancrow laughed as he resummoned his dark flames. While Wendy was flustered, he launched his own spell.
FIRE GOD's SUPPER! The black flame shaped mouth engulfed Wendy as she failed to dodge in time. She began to squeal in surprise before activating her healing magic protecting her from the raging fire.
"You punk!" Natsu shouted charging Zancrow. FIRE DRAGON's CRUSHING FANG!
"Get lost dragon boy!" Zancrow annoyingly spat avoiding Natsu's attack and crashing his fist into the boy's chest forcing him go flying into the sky. While the dragon slayer was airborne defenseless, Zancrow followed up with a FIRE GOD's SCYTHE slamming harshly into Natsu. The force of Zancrow's spell caused him to go blasting off the cliff they were near and into the unknown below.
Shoot! Natsu thought as he tried to avoid the weapon but was already caught by the scythe. As he was launched upwards, he looked down to found Wendy still incased in a ball of black fire. No! Natsu shouted in his mind. He tried to summon his flames to right himself, but his power was fading, and the remaining fire was ineffective. I can't... can't lose. Must save Wendy. No! Come on dammit, I have to save her...but I can't even move. That was the last plea that crossed Natsu's mind as his magic flames sputtered midflight before going completely dark like a candle. Unable to save Wendy, more or less himself, the fire dragon slayer went free falling into the abyss, blacking out under the moon light like a forgotten memory.
A/N: So, not to bad on keeping up with the updates this time. Things are beginning to get intense now on Tenrou Island as Grimoire Heart as begun the attack on FairyTail! Wendy finds herself in a dark fiery imprisonment with no aid this time to save her, can she find freedom this time on her own? Find out in next weeks chapter! As always, here's a sneak peek of Ch 6!
Wendy's expression changed from worry to complete horror as she watched her brother-like friend disappear now leaving her all alone with this crazy lunatic. Wendy wished she could attack, but she wasn't able to go on the offensive do too having to protect herself from being roasted alive. She kept her healing magic on her as the flames tried to lick and burn her skin.
Zancrow smirked. "Eventually your magic will run out girl." He said as he kept her engulfed in the ball of flame. Hehehe. This will be fun.
Wendy began to cringe, desperation written all over her face. Natsu... please... I need you.