A/N- Oh my gosh I'm so sorry I have been gone for this long! School got really crazy at the end of the term and I had zero time to even think about writing during this winter break. I have been so busy. I have so many ideas for this story but getting to those points in the story feel like are gonna take forever haha. I had a bit of writers block for the current arc, so in my absents I have written two chapters that will come later in the story, one will come right after the battle of Fairy Tail arc and the other will come before Tenrou island arc.
I Hope you had a great holiday, and I hope you all have a happy new year!
This is a long chapter I want to try and start writing longer chapter and I want to get done with this story arc.
I hope you enjoy this next chapter!
Disclaimer- I do not own Fairy Tail
Chapter 9
"Now," Tawna raises Happy closer to her face, "Where is Natsu?" She glares.
"I don't know" Happy cries with tears streaming down his face, "We got split up."
"Last I saw him he was fighting against the cold emperor's allies in the village." Luck says as Erza ties her and Happy up.
"Show us the village." Erza demands.
"Yes ma'am," Lucy and Happy bow before the two wizards. Erza holds the end of the rope to Lucy as she leads them to where the village is like a dog, and Katawna is holding a tied up Happy in her arms. Lucy leads them through the forest to where the village should be.
"It should be over this hill." She says quickly trying not to look a glaring Erza in the eyes. The celestial wizard turns around and freezes at the top of the hill, "What? I don't understand, it was right here." Lucy says looking over a large crater where the village used to be.
"What happened?" Happy asks from Tawna's arms.
"It looks like Natsu went overboard to me." Tawna grumbles.
"Tawna are you catching any scents?" Erza asks.
"I can smell the remainder of Natsu's scent, but from what I can tell he's been long gone. I won't be able to track him." She says holding onto Happy's rope as he floats above her head like a balloon.
"Lucy, do you know where Gray is?" Erza asks glaring back to the blonde.
"He was injured from a fight," Lucy says, "He was with the villagers last we saw him."
"Happy fly up and see if you can find where the villagers are." Tawna says giving happy more rope to fly higher. Happy flies above the trees searching the ground below. After a few minutes, he lowers back to Katawna resting on her shoulder.
"There's a storage area to the east behind those trees over there," The cat says using his tail to point in the direction. "It looks like they are all there."
"Then lets go, "Erza demands tugging on Lucy's rope as they make their way to the storage area. As they approach closer to the tents Tawna picks up a familiar scent.
"Gray is definitely here somewhere," She say glancing around looking at the demonic deformed villagers. A girl with short black hair and a demon leg approaches the wizards as they enter the camp.
"Lucy thank goodness you are all right," The villager says, glancing to a tied-up Lucy, "Well somewhat okay."
"Yeah, I have seen better days," Lucy sighs drooping her head.
"I'm Erza, and this is Katawna, we are also from Fairy Tail." Erza says, "We are looking for Gray."
"He is still passed out from his injuries." The villager bows slightly to the armored wizard.
"Is there a place we may wait for him?"
"Yes, there is a tent over there you may use, when he wakes I will make sure to send him your way." The villager smiles.
"Thank you," Erza nods, "come we will wait." She says tugging Lucy behind her. The four of then enter the large tent and Erza sets Lucy and Happy on the ground and Tawna sets in front of them glaring. Erza had Lucy catch them up to what has happened on this mission. Once she has finished Tawna catches Happy looking at her.
"What Happy?" The pre-teen sighs.
"Are you mad?" Happy quietly asks making her roll her large dark eyes.
"Yes, you broke guild rules, I knew Natsu was stupid, I didn't think he was this stupid." Tawna sighs, "Whose idea was it Happy?"
"It was more of a collaboration" Happy stutters, "He thought of it, I flew up to the second floor when it was empty and took it."
"I hope you know Laxus saw you," Tawna glares, "Is there a reason you guys didn't tell me?"
"We knew you would be mad," Happy says looking down sadly.
"And you didn't think I'd be mad when I found out my brother and his cat went on suicide mission!" Tawna shouts making Lucy and Happy flinch, "Do you know how scared I was when I found out you two took an S-class mission," Tawna pauses and glares at Lucy, sending shivers down the celestial wizard's spine, "And you, I would have thought you'd be smarter than Natsu and Happy."
"They were pretty persuasive," Lucy say looking down in defeat. Before Tawna can say more, she glances to the door of the tent.
"Gray's near, his scent is stronger," She says standing from the ground. The entrance to the tent opens and Gray freezes.
"You made us wait, not smart." Erza states.
"E-E-rza," He stutters then looks to the small glaring dragon slayer, "Tawna?"
"You were supposed to bring them back not join them," Tawna snaps.
"I, uh, I uuuhhhhh," Gray stutters, then glances to Lucy and Happy, "Why are they tied up?"
"Don't change the subject," Tawna glares.
"Lucy got us up to speed on what is happening here," Erza says standing, "You were sent here to stop these fools, needless to say I'm disappointed."
"Where is Natsu anyway?" Gray asks.
"That's something we like to know too," Tawna says crossing her arms. Lucy and Happy explain what has happened since Erza and Tawna arrived, catching Gray up to speed.
"Okay, we are going to look for Natsu, and then we are going back to the guild." Erza says walking to Gray.
"But we can't leave the island yet," Gray states, "If Lucy filled you in, then you know what is happening here."
"What's your point," Erza glares, "Katawna and I came just to collect you fools for breaking guild rules. I'm not interested in anything other than that."
"Rules, you seen what has happened on this island?" Gray snaps, "And you are just going to walk away from these people who need our help."
"They have requests posted at every guild hall," Erza states, "They will be better suited to receive help from someone cleared for S-class."
"How can you be so heartless?"
"What did you say," Erza glares making the other three in the room shutter.
"That's no way the speak to The Erza," Happy shouts.
"Oh she's pissed now," Tawna says.
"Have you chosen to defy the guild's rules also," Erza says requipping a sword and pointing it at Gray, "You'll face the same punishment."
"Um Erza," Tawna says quietly, "There's no need for threatening him with the sword." Erza sends a glare to the pink headed mage. Tawna closes her mouth and looks away, "Never mind, carry on."
Gray grabs her sword and holds it over his guild mark looking Erza dead in the eyes, "Do what you please, but I can't walk away from doing what I know is right." Gray says. He walks around the sword to the door and glances back, "I'm seeing this through to the end, and there is nothing you can do to stop me." He says as he leaves the tent. Erza grips tighter to her sword and glares at Lucy and Happy.
"Please don't hurt us," Lucy begs.
"We can't control what he does," Happy says speedily. Erza quickly cuts their ropes freeing them from their bonds.
"We'll deal with the immediate problems for now," Erza states.
"Thank you!" Happy and Lucy celebrate.
"This doesn't change anything, you are still gonna face punishment." Tawna glares.
"Yes ma'am," The two sigh.
"Lets go!" Erza shouts as the four of them quickly exit the tent to catch up to Gray. Tawna pauses and glance toward a path in the forest.
"I heard something, coming from that way." She points toward the direction of the temple, "It sounded like an explosion."
"That's going toward the temple we need to hurry!" Gray shouts and dashes down the path with the others running behind him. "Lyon wants to fight Deliora."
"A demon from the book of Zeref?" Tawna shouts.
"I can't believe he wants to fight that thing!" Lucy says running slightly behind Tawna.
"This Lyon guy must be as stupid as you guys are." Tawna mumbles as they come to a stop in the middle of the jungle.
"Ever since we were kids Lyon has been obsessed with surpassing our master Ur's ability with Ice Make." Gray looks down, "But since she's gone and he can't challenge her, he wants to kill Deliora since that is the one thing she couldn't do."
"I guess that would be the only way to surpass someone who is dead," Lucy says.
"But there is something he doesn't know," Gray says turning to the group, "Ur may not be with us, but she is still alive."
"What how is that possible?" Lucy asks shocked, "I thought you said she gave her life to freeze that thing."
"She used Ice Shell." Gray pauses, before he can finish Tawna interrupts.
"She's the ice isn't she." Tawna says looking up him.
"Yeah, she sacrificed her body to seal Deliora away." Gray says as they walk down the path toward the temple, "You need to stop reading so many books Kid, you shouldn't even know that." Gray slightly smiles placing a hand on Tawna's head. Tawna smiles, then pauses sniffing the air.
"I caught Natsu's scent," Tawna says pointing down the path.
"Good let's follow it, Tawna you lead the way." Erza says as the young mage, Lucy and Happy take the lead, leaving Gray and Erza following a short distance behind. Gray glances to Tawna then to Erza.
"You know, Natsu isn't gonna be happy you brought her." He whispers, Tawna is too busy tracking Natsu to listen in on their conversation. "You know he has been more protective over her since Lisanna's death, and here you are bringing her on to an S-class mission."
"She's fine," Erza glances to the short dragon slayer, "Master wasn't going to let her come at first, but with a little persuading and a little help from Laxus he gave in. It would have taken me longer to find you fools if she wasn't here." Erza states, "Natsu can complain all he wants about her being here, but it's better she is here, instead of sleeping on the couch in the guild worrying like she has been for the last few days."
"Uhhh," Lucy says, bring Gray's and Erza's attention to the temple in front of them, "Is it just me or does that temple look a little crooked?"
"What happened to it?" Happy questions floating near Katawna's head.
"This has Natsu's name written all over it," Tawna says looking at the tilted temple.
"I don't know how managed to pull it off, but he is the only one who could pull something this crazy." Gray states.
"This is Natsu we are talking about," Tawna says, "He is pretty good at breaking stuff."
"If he did it on purpose, it's a pretty great idea. With the temple tilted like that the moon light won't hit Deliora."
"His habit of destroying stuff actually came in handy for once?" Lucy asks.
"Maybe he isn't as dumb as I thought," Tawna smirks.
Erza glances to the trees and shoves Lucy, Tawna, and Happy out of the way. Curved knifes come flying out of the brush and Gray and Erza dodge. "Whose there?" Erza demands.
"We have been looking for you," One of the masked a cloaked attackers state, "We won't allow you to interfere."
"Who are these guys?" Gray questions.
"Lyon's minions?" Erza asks.
"We're surrounded," Tawna says standing back to back with Lucy.
"I can handle this!" Erza shouts requipping a sword.
"Are you sure?" Gray asks.
"I'll take care of these guys. You go settle things with Lyon." Erza demands to Gray making him nod in agreement.
"We'll fight with her," Lucy says receiving her whip from her hip, "You go do what you gotta do."
"Yeah," Tawna says with her hands glowing blue surrounded by water, "and if you see Natsu make sure to punch him in the face for me." She smirks.
"Thanks you guys, "Gray smiles as he runs toward the temple.
"Let's kick some butt!" Tawna shouts, "Water dragon daggers!"
"That's the spirit Katawna!" Erza shouts as she attacks a group of Lyon's followers. Lucy attacks them with her whips and Happy shoves some dead fish into another's mouth.
"We must take out all those who oppose the dark emperor." A dark follower shouts.
"Water dragon cyclone!" Tawna sends a line of them flying in different directions, including the one who shouted before.
"Nice work Katawna!" Erza praises as she swings taking out another group. Suddenly the ground begins to shake.
"What's going on?" Tawna asks turning to Lucy and Happy.
"No way!" Lucy shouts turning to the temple.
"The temple is right side up again!" Happy yells.
"The moon drip is gonna hit Deliora again!" Lucy says.
"This is bad," Tawna says as their attacks beging to sourround the tree wizards and the cat.
"Do you guys notice anything strange?" Erza questions.
"Yeah, even though there is a bunch of them their magic seems weak." Lucy answers.
"Exactly," Erza says.
"The magic energy surrounding them is very weak considering how many of them there are." Tawna says looking around.
"As far as I can tell there is only five wizards among them." Erza glares to those surrounding them, "Do you think you can handle this?" Erza says glancing to Lucy and Tawna.
"I got this!" Lucy smiles grabbing one of her keys, "Open gate of the giant crab, Cancer!" Lucy shouts summoning her spirit.
"Haven't we met before?" Erza questions and Cancer bows on one knee to the scarlet mage.
"Indeed we have Miss, and as usual I'm at your service." Cancer says with his smooth voice.
"I thought you always said Ebi?" Lucy shouts, "What's with this Miss stuff, and aren't you supposed to be at my service!" Lucy shouts to her spirit.
"I think someone is jealous," Happy says making Tawna snicker.
"Take them down Cancer!" Lucy demands, "but don't kill them just rough them up a bit."
"All right Ebi," Cancer answers snipping his scissors a few times charging off snipping his way through the dark followers
"Wow, he's making quick of them." Tawna says in awe as Cancer cuts through the last of them.
"Excellent work!" Erza praises, "Lets head to the temple."
"No, wait!" One of the followers says, "We won't let you interfere."
"Those head pieces," Erza says glancing to the followers without their masks, "You're from the city of Brago, one that Deliora attacked, and you want revenge." The few conscious followers nod, then a loud roar echo through the air, powerful enough to shake the ground below their feet.
"Ahh! What's that!" Tawna shouts covering her ears.
"That can't be good!" Erza shouts looking to the temple, "Come on!" She shouts as they run to the temple.
"It sounded like a monster growing." Lucy says as they enter the temple.
"It was probably just your stomach Lucy," Happy takes a jab at the blonde
"You're not half as funny as you think you are," Lucy sighs.
"Be nice," Tawna say bopping the cat on the head with her fist, "Do you think they revived Deliora?" The young wizard asks.
"You see that purple light!" Happy says pointing to a purple magic circle with a stream of light coming from it, "That's the moon drip." Another growl echoes through the temple.
"It may be the demon growling, but someone is still preforming the moon drip spell," Erza says glancing up to the ceiling, "Which means they haven't fully revived it yet. We still have a chance to do something, come on!" Erza shouts running farther into the temple.
"But Deliora is below us!" Lucy shouts.
"Yes, but putting a stop to the ceremony could be our only hope." Erza says as Tawna, Lucy and Happy run behind her to the roof of the temple. Tawna runs ahead of them once she catches the scent of a single person above them.
"There!" the dragon slayer shouts pointing to the single wizard preforming the ceremony as they make it to the top of the temple, "Water dragon roar!" The wizard lets out a howl like yell as the attack hits him knocking him to the ground.
"Awesome, the moon drip should stop any minute now," Lucy says as the magic circle begins to fade.
"Nice work Katawna!" Erza says approaching the wizard laying on the ground.
"He was the only one preforming the moon ceremony?" Happy asks as the dog looking wizards raises his head.
"Too late it's over, the moon drip has already been completed!" He speedily speaks. Just then a large green light erupts from where the moon drip was making the wizards step back.
"No way," Tawna says stepping back towards Lucy as the growl of the demon shakes the island, "They really did it."
"What's going on?" Happy shouts as he looks over the side of the temple. Water pours from the cracks in the rocks like a water fall.
"Do you think it has something to do with Deliora?" Lucy asks.
"We need to go!" Erza shouts as the all begin to run back through the temple, "Tawna can you catch either Gray's or Natsu's scent?"
"I got both," Tawna says, "they are right below us!" they all run farther below the temple.
"I see them!" Erza shouts as they approach Natsu and Gray.
"Natsooooo!" Happy shouts as he flies into Natsu's arms and Lucy runs ahead waving.
"Hey little buddy!" Natsu smiles catching Happy.
"Natsu," Erza growls making Natsu jump back.
"E-e-rza!" He stutters.
"YOU IDIOT!" Natsu is knocked back by a punch to the stomach.
"What… Katawna?" Natsu says shocked as his pushed back has she shoves him
"HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPID!" Tawna yells as she bangs he hands against his chest.
"Tawna," Natsu says catching her wrists, "Tawna, calm down,"
"Let go of me," Tawna fights against her brother's grip.
"Katawna," Natsu hooks one of her arms around her head and brings her into a hug. She finally stops struggling and lets her arms drop to her sides. Natsu lets go of her and steps back and bends to her height.
"You're such an idiot," Tawna says as tears start to stream from her eyes. Natsu brings her into another hug. Tawna grips onto his vest and cries into it. Natsu places a hand on her head stroking her hair, "You scared me," Tawna says quietly.
"I'm sorry," Natsu says stroking her hair. Happy flies over and squeezes himself between the siblings.
"We're sorry Katawna!" The blue cat cries.
"We should get out of here," Erza states as Gray helps Lyon up. Tawna pulls away from Natsu and Happy.
"Feel better?" Natsu smiles. Tawna pouts a bit and swings her fist and connects it with his jaw, "Owww! Katawna!"
"Now I do," She says as she walks off next to Lucy. Gray lets out a laugh and looks at Natsu.
"I was supposed to punch you in the face for her, but I never got around to it." He smirks as Natsu rubs his bruised chin.
"Her punches have gotten better that's for sure," Natsu mumbles as they exit the temple.
The group of wizards make their way to a small rocky cliff looking out to the ocean.
"Yeah, we won!" Natsu boasts with Happy floating next to him.
"I was worried for a moment there, but it all worked out in the end." Lucy sighs,
"We finished and S-class mission all by ourselves!" Natsu cheers.
"Do you think master will let us on the second floor now?" Lucy wonders, both Natsu and Lucy's comments are cut short when Tawna and Erza glares hit them.
"Oh no!" Lucy shouts, "We're still gonna get punished."
"You all seem to be forgetting something." Erza states.
"You came here to help the villagers." Tawna says, "The request was to return them to their original forms. You still haven't completed the mission."
"Shouldn't the curse be lifted we defeated Deliora," Lucy says.
"These villagers have been effected by the high amounts of magic energy based around the moon drip, the demon had nothing to do with it," Erza shakes her head.
"Well, then let's go change them back," Natsu smiles.
"Aye sir!" Happy shouts giving him a high five.
"Yeah, but do we even know how to change them back?" Gray asks, "Lyon do you know?"
"Haven't got a clue." Lyon states.
"You don't know?" Natsu asks.
"But the villages said this all started when you guys started the moon ceremony." Lucy says.
"When we came here three years ago, we knew there was a village somewhere on this island, but we left them alone, they never came to the temple to see what we were up to." Lyon answers.
"The whole three years no one came wonder what you guys were up to?" Tawna asks.
"The moon drip was so bright, you can see it for miles. Wouldn't someone get curious about it?" Lucy asks
"Villages weren't transformed by the moon drip. It doesn't effect humans." Lyon states flatly.
"Yeah right, you're just saying that so you will be off the hook." Natsu says.
"Think about it, I have been exposed to the moon drip as long as the villagers have been and I'm still fine." Lyon says.
"He has a point," Tawna says, "Then what has happened to the villagers?"
"I don't know," Erza says, "We should get going, the faster we figure it out the faster we can get you fools back to the guild."
"How are we gonna do that?" Natsu asks.
"I don't know, but let's go." Erza says marching off to the storage area. The Fairy Tail wizards enter the now deserted storage area.
"Are you sure they were here, it looks rather deserted to me." Natsu says walking through the tents.
"They were here earlier," Lucy says.
"Quick you guys need to come quick!" One of the demonic villagers says running up to them, "There's something we need to see! Follow me to the village." The group of wizards quickly follow him to the village, but instead of a crater, the village is back to normal.
"Wow," Tawna says, "This place was a crater."
"Yeah what happened?" Happy asks.
"What's going on?" Natsu asks banging his fist on one of the buildings, "Everything is back to how it was. It's like the village went back in time."
"Natsu, you probably shouldn't touch anything." Lucy sighs.
"Are you saying I break everything I touch!" Natsu glares.
"That's exactly what she's saying Bro." Tawna smirks.
"Tawna!" Natsu shouts and send them into a petty argument as Lucy walks over to the village leader by his son's grave.
"You wizards restored our village with magic," He says standing.
"Well, uh." Lucy stutters.
"But when are you gonna destroy the moon for us!"
"Destroying the moon will be easy." Erza say stepping forward.
"Is she really saying that?" Gray asks.
"aye," Happy says.
"But first, I have a few questions, can you call everyone together please." Erza asks. The small village gathers around as Erza begins to ask questions. "So what I understand is that you all started taking on these demonic forms was when the moon turned purple?"
"That's correct, during the day we are fine, but when the moon comes out we transformed to what you see now." The leader states.
"And all this started happening about three years ago?"
"Yes that is correct," The leader answers.
"The moon drip shined bright over this island, why didn't anyone go investigate?" Erza asks.
"By village law, we are not allowed to go near that temple."
"Who cares about village law, when your people were in trouble. You knew there was a problem, because you sent out job requests to the guilds." Tawna says stepping forward.
"We tried many times to investigate," The leader starts, "But every time we got near the near the temple we would find ourselves back here."
"That doesn't make any sense." Natsu says.
"Yeah, we got into the temple just fine." Lucy answers.
"Not a single village has been able to get inside." One of the villagers states.
"I get it now," Erza says quietly.
"What?" Natsu and Tawna both tilt their heads in confusion.
"Come on Natsu," Erza says as she requips her armor, "I'm gonna need your help to destroy the moon."
"WHAT!" Tawna, Lucy, Gray, and Happy shout.
"We must destroy the moon to change the villagers back to their original forms." Erza sates as her a Natsu walk to highest point in the village.
"What is she thinking?" Tawna asks and Erza is explaining to Natsu how they are gonna destroy the moon.
"Do they really think it's gonna work?" Gray asks as Erza releases her spear and Natsu hits it with his fire punch. The spear flies fast toward the bright moon in the sky. It makes impact and cracks form over the moon's surface.
"This is bad!" Tawna and Lucy shout. Cracks spread farther and soon outsides the lines of the moon, "What?" the two girls questions. Something shatters revealing the bright white color of the moon.
"The moon didn't shatter, then what did?" Lucy questions.
"The moon drip created a film over the island making the moon appear purple." Erza says requipping back into her usual armor, "Now that the shell has been broken, everything will go back to the way it was before."
"Wait they aren't transforming," Gray says.
"They thought they were humans transformed into demons, but it was really the other way around." Erza says, "They couldn't go near the temple because it expels demonic figures." Erza explains.
"You are quite the detective," A demon steps out of the shadow making Lucy, Gray, and Natsu shout.
"He's the one from the boat," Gray says, "We thought you were dead."
"I was the only one who didn't suffer from memory loss. So I had to leave, because everyone was going crazy." The demon says. The leader flies up and catches his son in a hug followed by the others surrounding Bo Bo.
"Yup they are definitely demons." Erza smiles.
"They kind of look like angles to me," Natsu smiles.
A/N- I thought this was a good line to end this long chapter on. This is very long for me. I'm so sorry the ending kind of felt rushed. I will try and do better. I would love to hear if y'all like the longer chapters. Or if you like them a bit shorter.
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