A/N:

It's been a while, but here's a new chapter. I guess I just kinda got bored of Fairy Tail. Well, that's not entirely true; I'm very invested in the manga, and what's happening currently, as opposed to what has happened in the past. I still work on this story alongside my others ones. It's just harder now since rewatching all the older episodes feels like a chore that has to be done, rather than doing it for fun. And the Eisenwald Arc is absolutely tedious for me to write because it's so damn boring; but it's essential to write, as it's their first mission together, and the introduction arc to one of my own characters; Duane.

Post Edit: Life has been incredibly hard at the moment guys. Recently, we've gotten news that my grandma has lung cancer, but currently we are seeking a second opinion, as many things do not add up, and she seems to be doing well, no different than normaly. But, she does have to be on a bypapp at all times. It's...stressful. But I know my grandma is a strong woman and has overcome everything that been thrown her ways; multiple surgeries, colon cancer, etc. It's hard though to stay upbeat as she currently has to reside in a nursing home and isn't allowed to come home, at all. So life has been...really rough. I'm very stressed and exhausted emotionally. I really thought that this year was going to be better, but it seems that I was wrong.

Life always seems to find some way to bring me down.


Chapter Six: Noelle Vs. Duane! The Battle Begins!

The group of wizards were racing through the Oshibana Station in hopes of coming in contact with Erigor and the Eisenwald Guild.

"A small army unit stormed in earlier but has yet to return," Erza was telling them as they ran. "I'm guessing they've been caught up in battle with the Eisenwald forces."

Their running came to a slow as they came across the unconscious(Noelle prayed they were unconscious) bodies of the army. Noelle knew that a small group like that would have never been able to stand face against a dark guild like Erigor; not many could.

"They were up against an entire guild of wizards. A small contingent of people like this would never stand a chance against such a powerful group." Erza said to them.

A deep chuckle rippled through the air causing the Fairy Tail wizards to halt. "Welcome," the voice of a man rang out to them. "Step in our parlor Fairy Tail flies."

Before them stood none of than the entirety of Eisenwald, and their leader; Erigor the Reaper.

Noelle glared at the silver haired man.

"T-there's so many of them!" Lucy whimpered and took a step back.

"You fiend!" Erza yelled. "I take it you're Erigor?" her eyes narrowed dangerously.

Lucy dropped to her knees and tried to shake Natsu awake. "Come on Natsu we need you!" the blonde desperately pleaded to the unconscious male.

"Good luck," Happy sighed. "Between a train, a magic mobile, and your shaking; it's a motion sickness triple combo!"

"I'm not a vehicle!"

"Hey you," A voice cut through Lucy's yelling. "It's your fault I got in trouble with Erigor. Get up!"

Natsu stirred awake and blinked. "I know that voice.." he whispered.

"We're not threatened by any of you! Tell me what you're planning to do with Lullaby!" Erza demanded.

"Oh? You haven't heard yet," Erigor chuckled and flew into the air. "What do all train stations have?"

Noelle's eyes narrowed. "He uses Wind Magic. That could lead to trouble for us."

Noelle watched as Erigor landed on top of one of the stations speakers. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. They wouldn't dare do something like that, would they? Noelle almost laughed at herself. Of course they would; they're a dark guild. The lives of others is no concern to them.

"You plan to broadcast the Lullaby's song!?" Erza was beginning to lose patience, but who could blame her? Countless lives were on the line and it was all riding on their shoulders.

Erigor laughed and leaned forward with a grim smirk.

"Thousands of nosy on-lookers have flocked to this station to get a glimpse of the action," He gave a deadly smirk as a wicked gleam crossed his eyes. "Who knows, if I raise the volume loud enough, I may be able to extinguish the entire city with my melody of death!"

"What reason do you have to commit such a heinous crime against the innocent people of this town!?" Erza yelled at him.

Noelle scowled and clehcned her fist.

"They don't need a reason. They're a dark guild, they act without reason. The lives of others don't concern them as long as the end result is them getting what they want, even if that means killing. There's no point trying to negotiate with them; they won't listen. They never listen."

Red flash before her eyes, and the screams for help echoed throughout her ears. The vision of bodies, mangled, and splattered with blood, dancer around her mind; the smell of smoke clung heavily to the air, mixed with the aroma of burnt flesh and death. The sound of a young girl crying for her friends and family...

Noelle's breathing was shaky and her nails were embedded into the flesh of her skin. Her fangs dug down into her cheeks filling her mouth with the metallic taste of blood that she quickly swallowed down. She shook her head and took a minute to collect herself.

She wouldn't allow those thoughts to plague her mind; not at a time like this.

Gray studied Noelle from the corner of his eye. Her eyes were practically black and her body was stiff as a board, and her voice trembled with bitterness and hatred with every word she spoke. Her lips began to quiver and her shoulders shook; she was trying not to cry.

He wanted to comforted his old friend, and he would have, had Lucy not beat him to it. Lucy had quickly rushed to the wizards side and cupped the side of her face, worry evident on her own. "It's okay Noelle," Lucy spoke in a calm, steady voice. "I'm here. No one's going to hurt you, I promise."

The Dragon Slayer breathed in and out and nodded to her friend who gently released the hold on her face. Noelle silently cursed herself for letting her emotions become so unstable. All that time she spent fighting to keep them intact was beginning to crumble, and it unsettled her.

"I'm fine, Lucy," Noelle said firmly. "We have bigger issues at hand." Noelle glared at Erigor who was still ranting on about his plans.

Lucy seemed to believe her, but Gray didn't. He knew she was hiding something from them, but what, he didn't know. Noelle has always had secrets; even way back then. One day, he would learn what was causing her so much pain and anguish; but that day was not today.

In her distraction Noelle had noticed the shadowed hands the raced across the floor towards her and Lucy. It wasn't until she felt herself being pulled against Gray;s chest did she realize what was going on. Noelle's eyes darted to Lucy who was behind Natsu, who had awoken and diminished the shadowed hands with his fire.

Noelle pushed away from Gray and focused on the battle at hand.

"You again!" The Eisenwald member scowled.

Natsu smirked at him. "Eisenwald dude. I knew I recognized that voice."

Lucy smiled, happy to see Natsu back on his feet. "You're back to normal!" she cheered.

Natsu smirked and leaned on Noelle's head. She frowned not liking the feeling of being used like a piece of furniture

"Ah, well, it seems we got ourselves a party here." he said, grinning down at Noelle.

She reluctantly smiled back.

"No! Natsu these are the guys we have to fight!"

Oh Lucy. You're so clueless.

Noelle shook off Natsu's elbow and chuckled. "Like he said," she grinned cracking her knuckles. "It's a party."

Neither Erigor of any of the members seemed bother by the Fairy Tail mages. In fact, they seemed to find the idea that a few puny flies could take on their entire guild downright hilarious! No one could match Eisenwald.

Erigor smirked at them and raised into the air with his scythe resting against his shoulder.

"I leave them to you," Erigor told his men. "Show them the terror of the Dark Guild Eisenwald!" He said and seemingly vanished into thin air.

Erza turned towards the group. "Natsu, Gray, and Noelle; you need to stop him," Erza said in all seriousness. The three shared a look as she continued to speak. "If the three of you work together, not even Erigor the Reaper can defeat you. And so, I'm leaving him in your hands."

Noelle was flattered that Erza was putting so much trust in her, especially considering how new to the guild she was. But perhaps it had more to do with her connection to her brother? Noelle shook her head and gave Erza a firm nod that told her she understand. However, Gray and Natsu didn't seem to be so on bored with the plan, as the two were too busy fighting with one another.

"What did I just say?!" Erza screamed and the two broke apart and immediately ran off. Noelle followed after them with Marlow on her heels.

She smirked back at the little cat.

"I'm surprised that you aren't dying to see Erza in action."

Marlow's body froze and his already big eyes double in size. "See the great Titania Erza in action?!" A giddy smile spread over Marlow's face that was mixed with a twisted expression that only he could do. The cat immediately flew back to the room that Erza and Lucy were fighting in.

Noelle sighed. Why did she go and open her mouth?


Just great. I lost them.

Noelle walked through the halls of the train station with her nerves on the edge. At any minute, one of those weirdos could pop out and attack her. Truthfully, she wasn't too worried about that. She was more worried about what Erza would do to her when she learned that she had left Natsu and Gray to run off on their own.

"Stop right there."

Noelle stopped, alarmed by the soothing, male voice. Stiffly, she turned to meet a pair of golden eyes. The voice belonged to a man who had dark skin, and dark red hair styled in cornrows. She could make out black tattoos that swirled around his body, and could see her wore a pair of golden stud earrings. The mysterious man wore a simple black coat, brown shirt, and dark brown pants with matching boots.

"You," Noelle glared at the man. "You're with Eisenwald, right? Tell me where to find Erigor."

The man tilted is head slightly. "That is neither the concern of you or I," He said in a way that made it seem as though it were obvious. "Prepare yourself for battle, fairy. For I, Duane of Eisenwald, will be your downfall."

Said Duane as he held his open hand out before him.

"Sand Wave"

With a wave of his arm Duane has summoned a massive total wave of sand; it was heading straight for Noelle. The wizard quickly summoned wings upon her back and took to the air, weaving in and out of that sand that followed her every movement. The sand slowly began to overpower her, causing Noelle to shield her eyes with her arms. Piece by piece her wings began to chip away, until she was finally sent plummeting to the ground.

Noelle picked herself back up and glared at Duane. "Just had to be a sand wizard, didn't you?"

Duane cocked his head to the side, frowning slightly. "You can choose to give up now, if you please. There is no sense in fighting a battle that you are destined to lose, correct?"

Noelle scoffed. "Don't count me out just yet. I don't know what you and your little Eisenwald pals are planning, but I'm not going to stand by and let you get away with it, ya hear? People like you...disgust me."

The words dripped like venom from her tongue. Noelle truly, and utterly, loathed dark guilds with a burning passion; all were the same. Selfish, and non-caring of the other people around them - even their own members.

Noelle's fists tightened into a ball, her eyes becoming sharp, and her canines barred; the dragon had been awakened.

"Get ready, Duane, because I, Noelle of Fairy Tail, am going to kick your sorry ass!"


End Note: The chapter is short, I know, I know, and it's been so long. Forgive me, please. I have a lot on my mind at the minute. Even so, I really wanted to update this story, even if it was a little short.