Well, this is my last update for at least two weeks and possibly up to eight, as I'll have surgery this Monday and be unable to write for some time. Hopefully, I'll recover quickly and can get back to writing as soon as possible, but just in case this doesn't go smoothly, I just thought I'd let you all know, that I won't be updating anything for a bit.
On to more pleasant news, I'm kicking off the Tower of Heaven arc, my favourite arc in Fairy Tail, so prepare for at least a few chapters dealing with the events themselves, i.e. the fights, but then, also a few dealing with the fallout, particularly in regards to Erza, Ultear, the Council and… Juvia! Yes, after this arc, Juvia will be coming into prominence and it is long overdue, considering the main pairing of this story is Natsu/Juvia.
Well, enjoy the chapter for now and I'll be back to writing as soon as I can.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
Techniques
Chapter 7 – Will
'We're here!' Exclaimed Lucy in excitement and a bit of relief, as the group had finally reached Akane Resort.
The journey had been short, but the palpable tension felt on it, made for a very uncomfortable ride. Mira had practically bored a hole into Erza's head, who, for once, could not match up to her rival and avoided her gaze at all costs.
'We should get unpacked as quick as possible.' Said Erza firmly, only to falter a moment later.
'Great idea, Erza.' Said Mira sweetly, but it still caused the knight to flinch.
'On it.' Said Gray, missing the note of malice in Mira's voice and heading in to the resort.
Lucy quickly followed, not quite sure of what was going on between Mira and Erza, but wanting no part to do with it whatsoever.
Juvia spared a glance at the two mages, before following after Lucy.
'Relax, Erza. This is exactly what we all need right now to unwind. Why so serious?' Asked Mira, with a smile.
'I'm fine.' Said Erza anxiously, before heading after the other three.
Mira merely smiled, as she watched Erza walk away.
"I've still got it." Thought Mira viciously, enjoying how easily she was unnerving her rival.
-line break-
The group had spent the day enjoying themselves at the beach. Mira eased up on Erza, taking the time to relax herself, for which the knight was grateful. Juvia was rather disappointed at the lack of a certain Dragon Slayer, but instead took the time to examine her self-proclaimed rivals. As the sun set, the group headed back to their rooms, with Erza deciding to take a nap.
'Erza, in this world, freedom is merely an illusion.'
Erza suddenly woke up, remembering a set of events she would rather forget. Slamming her fist into a nearby pillar, Erza walked over to a mirror and examined herself. To most, they would have seen a voluptuous red head, with a delicate face of unmatched beauty, but Erza… Erza couldn't help seeing a weak willed, dishevelled girl.
With a little bit of magic, Erza requipped into her standard set of armour.
"I suppose even now, I'm still most at ease in armour. There really isn't changing a girl like me." Thought Erza weakly.
'Erza! They've got a casino in the basement, want to check it out?' Asked Lucy, barging into the redhead's room, as though she didn't understand the idea of knocking. Lucy was wearing a pair of shorts, that could have passed for underwear and a top, with a large flower sewn on her left breast.
'I'm not really fond of gambling.' Said Erza.
'Why not, you're on vacation, you should enjoy yourself?' Said a familiar voice, which froze Erza once again.
'Mira, I didn't know you came up with me as well.' Said Lucy in surprise.
Mira was wearing an elegant black dress, with white lace frills around the arms and bust of the dress, along with a set of frills around the dress at mid-thigh. The dress reached to her ankles and she wore simple, red, high-heeled shoes.
'Well, I know how stubborn Erza can get, so I figured I'd come help you. You'll come and join the rest of us, won't you, Erza.' Said Mira happily, not leaving any room for disagreement, on the part of the redhead.
'Of course.' Said Erza, requipping into an elegant purple dress, decorated with numerous pink flowers, woven into the design of the dress.
-line break-
The three made their way down, before Mira broke away from the two, causing Erza to unconsciously release the breath she had been holding. The duo of Erza and Lucy made their way to the poker table, where Erza started to clean out the casino.
'Wow, you're amazing Erza!' Exclaimed Lucy, hugging her friend.
'What can I say, luck is on my side today. Right now, I feel like I can't lose no matter who I'm against.' Said Erza confidently, ignoring the image of a certain barmaid, which popped into her head.
'In that case, why don't we play a special game? Instead of betting with coins though, let's bet, with our lives.' Said a new voice, which Erza seemed to vaguely recognise.
Looking up, Erza saw a tanned face and blond hair.
'It's been a while, big sis.' Said the man.
'Shou, you were safe…' Said Erza quietly.
'Safe?' Asked Shou.
'Ah no, I mean…' Said Erza weakly, sweating trailing down her face.
The lights suddenly disappeared and when they came back on, Lucy and Erza were alone.
'What happened to everyone?' Asked Lucy, only for the sound of cards hitting the floor to draw their attention.
'They're in here.' Said Shou calmly.
'I learned how to use magic too.' Continued Shou proudly.
'Magic?' Asked Erza in surprise.
'Of course, I'm not the only one either.' Said Shou, before a strange orange tube wrapped around Lucy and pulled her towards the one who had thrown it.
'Meow, feeling spiffy.' Said a girl, with cat like ears on her head.
'Millianna… you can use magic too?' Said Erza, getting a smile from the cat-girl.
'Long time no see, Erza.' Said Millianna.
'Let go of Lucy, she's my friend!' Said Erza.
'Friends? Weren't we your friends… that is, until you betrayed us of course.' Said Shou darkly, causing Erza to grip her sides and tremble, as she avoided Shou's gaze.
A loud crash got everyone's attention, as a smoking pile of blocks, slammed into the ground near them.
'Betrayal? Erza might be a lot of things, but a traitor isn't one of them.' Said Mirajane, in a darker voice than usual.
Mira had transformed into her characteristic Satan Soul form and was making her way over to the group.
'Wally!' Cried Shou in alarm, only for Mira's clawed fist to slam into his jaw, sending him flying into the poker table, smashing it to smithereens.
'Shou!' Cried Millianna fearfully, as the she-demon approached her.
Mira ignored the cry and walked over to Lucy, before reaching for the tube around her and pulling harshly, destroying it. Lucy stumbled a little, before quickly retreating to Erza's side, as Mira glared down at Millianna. Millianna gave a small whimper, seeing those dark pools of malice staring down at her.
'Mira, stop! Please, these are my friends!' Pleaded Erza.
Mira continued to glare at Millianna for a moment, before turning to face Erza.
'Well, given how you've been treating your so called friends recently, I doubt I'm doing anything too bad by comparison.' Said Mira darkly, causing Erza to growl slightly, but turn her gaze away from Mira all the same.
'Look at me! You're pathetic Erza! You realise what you're doing and you won't even bother to face it head on, let alone try to fix it. You disgust me!' Spat Mira.
'Nekousoku Tube!' Cried Millianna, seeking to take advantage of Mira's distraction.
Millianna trembled fearfully, as without even turning to face her, Mira grabbed the orange tube in her clawed right hand and crushed it right before her eyes.
'I'm sorry, did you want to join your friends on the floor over there?' Asked Mira darkly, turning a glare full of malice, on the whimpering girl.
'Please stop. I believe there is some confusion that must be addressed.' Said a new voice.
A magic circle appeared on the floor a bit away from the group, before a large muscular man appeared.
'Simon.' Said Erza quietly.
Mira narrowed her eyes on the newcomer, ignoring the pitiful form of Millianna for the time being.
'Confusion? I don't know of any confusion right now; all I know, is that fool tried to attack me.' Said Mira, pointing at the crumpled form of Wally.
'And she, attacked one of my comrades.' Said Mira, sparing a glance at the humbled Millianna.
'Demon Mirajane, please listen to me, if what I say displeases you, you can feel free to take your anger out on me.' Said Simon calmly, even as the imposing woman glared at him.
'Fine, I'm listening, talk. Now.' Demanded Mira.
'Just a moment, the other two are coming.' Said Simon and sure enough, Juvia and Gray soon approached the pair.
'Hey, what are you doing here?' Asked Gray, glaring at Simon.
'Quiet, Gray! Now, talk.' Demanded Mira, silencing Gray.
'The truth is, we were sent to capture Erza for a plot, thought up by a man, named Jellal. Jellal and Erza were friends at one point, along with the rest of us. We were enslaved in something called the Tower of Heaven, by Zeref cultists and worked to the bone every day. Our time there was very harsh and we struggled for a long time. We attempted to escape once… but we were caught and Erza suffered for it.' Said Simon, causing Erza to grip her right elbow and look to the ground.
'It wasn't long after that, that Jellal was taken to be punished, for killing three guards in an attempt to reach Erza. At that time though, Erza led a revolt and unlocked her magic. After that, we all escaped to the boats, ready to flee our site of enslavement, only for Jellal to come back and stop us, claiming Erza had gone mad due to her magic power.' Continued Simon.
'And even though you have magic now and didn't go insane, you still believe that?' Asked Mira, with narrowed eyes.
'No. Jellal too had magic power from that point on, making me infinitely suspicious of his words. I for one, never believed Jellal from the beginning. I always trusted Erza.' Said Simon, getting Erza to look up at him gratefully.
'Simon…' Said Erza happily.
'However, my plan was to lure all of you to the tower, to help us fight Jellal. Out of all of us, Jellal is still worlds above us and we would have stood no chance against him.' Said Simon.
'Simon… what are you saying… these lies…' Uttered Shou, regaining consciousness.
'They are not lies Shou, they are the truth.' Said Simon.
'They can't be! For eight years, eight years! We've been working on that tower because Jellal saved us. Are you telling me now that was all a lie?' Shouted Shou.
'I'm sorry Shou, I should have come back for the rest of you, but Jellal said he would kill you all if I did.' Said Erza.
'So even then you were a coward, Erza.' Snorted Mira.
Erza frowned, raising her head to glare at Mira, only to falter at the sight. Mira was glowing in purple energy and her normally soft blue eyes looked at her with contempt.
'I guess you make it a habit of giving up, when things don't go your way. You and this Jellal fellow would have got your powers at the same time, from the sound of things, so why didn't you fight him? Why didn't you beat him and get freedom for everyone?' Asked Mira harshly.
'Jellal was too strong, he would have defeated me easily.' Said Erza weakly, looking to the ground again.
Mira growled and walked over to Erza, before a clawed hand grabbed the knight's dress and pulled her up to meet the demon.
'You are weak, Erza. Not in your magic, not in power, in your spirit. That fact, that even after all this time, you can't move on from all of this, proves just how weak you are. You act like you're the strongest at the guild, trying to order everyone around like you're the boss, but you're a shell. A weak woman, dwelling on the past, unable to move on. You think you had it rough? Newsflash, Erza, everyone at Fairy Tail has! Do you think you past was worse than mine? You were enslaved, but I was hunted. You never had to fear that people after you may come for your family, yet I was worried about that exact thing every single day. I went weeks without sleeping, so I could keep my family safe. You prattle on about you being an S-Class mage and how you are my senior… I should put you down right now for even thinking you can match me, let alone surpass me. My own sister died in front of me because of my weakness, killed by my own brother and I still push through each and every day. True, I only regained my magic recently, but the fact of the matter is this: whether it is big or small, you always give up. That's why I've been so angry with you. You gave up on your friends from your past and even now, you're giving up on your friends of the present. Wake up, Erza!' Roared Mira, before dropping the redhead to the floor in contempt.
No one could find it in themselves to speak, not the shaken members of Fairy Tail, nor the current denizens of the Tower of Heaven. Erza laid there on the ground in a heap, collapsed on her knees, her head slumped.
'So, you want us to defeat Jellal, is that it?' Asked Mira, turning to Simon.
'Yes. I'm sure that with all of us working together, we stand a chance of defeating Jellal and ending his plans of insanity.' Said Simon calmly.
'Fine then, lead the way, I came here to relax, but if I need to put someone down first, then I'll just need to make it quick.' Said Mira.
'Mira… I'm sorry.' Said Erza quietly, but everyone still heard it.
Mira turned to face her rival and scowled at her slumped form.
'I told you everyone at Fairy Tail has had it rough. In fact, someone was already abandoned twice, before finding their way there, but that didn't stop them, because they had friends at Fairy Tail, you included.' Said Mira, sparing a brief glance to Gray as well, who quickly looked away.
'However, you abandoned him a third time, someone he thought would stick with him through thick and thin, someone he thought was his friend!' Said Mira in anger.
'If there is anyone you should apologise to, it's him, since even at my darkest, he was there for me. You on the other hand, left him for no good reason. All he had done was outshine you in one way, but that was too much for your twisted ego. You better apologise to him Erza, or I will show you just why I am the demon and finally prove who is the strongest between the two of us.' Said Mira, before turning to Simon.
'Well, let's go then.' Snapped Mira, getting the large man to nod.
'Very well, please follow me.' Said Simon, before walking off, with Mira quickly following.
Millianna quickly helped Wally up, while Lucy walked over to Gray and Juvia, who soon followed after Simon. Shou spared a glance at Erza, before leaving with Wally and Millianna, leaving Erza alone again.
"I'm sorry for being so selfish. I'm sorry, Natsu. I only hope you'll forgive me and let me be your friend once again." Thought Erza sadly, as a tear dropped, from her left eye.
-line break-
The group were led to a large sailing boat, which they quickly boarded. Everyone was still eerily quiet after Mira's outburst, with everyone giving the mage plenty of space. The fact that her tail was twitching behind her in irritation, did nothing to encourage them to approach her.
The two groups remained split, as even with Simon's confirmation of Jellal's treachery, the others weren't quite ready to embrace Erza, who seemed to want to be alone right now anyway. Lucy, Gray and Juvia were on the other side of the boat, from Simon and the others, with Erza a bit removed from them, sitting closer to the middle of the boat, while the agitated demon stood towards the front of the boat, observing the horizon.
-line break-
'How can all of you sit here and say that Etherion is not the right course of action?' Asked Siegrain in annoyance.
'You had your chance to convince us, Siegrain, but even your initial support in the form of Ultear has been withdrawn, after that… speech… by Salamander.' Said Org.
'So because of what one mage thinks, you're all just going to fall down like a bunch of agreeable dominos?' Asked Siegrain in outrage.
'It is not a matter of falling down, Salamander made a very valid point. Even if the Etherion is successful in stopping the R system from being used, if word got out that there was another way to handle things and that innocents were harmed, it would be our necks on the line.' Commented Belno.
'Isn't that what we have jobs for though? To make the hard decisions where no one else could. Isn't it our job as leaders to ensure the best possible outcome for the magical community?' Pressed Siegrain.
'You seem to be pushing the idea of firing Etherion for a reason none of us are privy to, Siegrain. Care to explain?' Asked Yajima calmly.
'I… yes… I didn't want to cast any unnecessary aversions upon myself, but I in fact know the man behind this last tower. The man's name is Jellal, my twin brother.' Said Siegrain reluctantly.
'That is rather important information, Siegrain, why did you withhold it from us?' Asked Ultear calmly, even though she was smirking on the inside, even as Siegrain levelled a small glare at her.
'I've been monitoring the situation for a while now, trying to stop my brother before things escalated to this point… that's why, at this stage, I know Etherion is the only answer.' Said Siegrain calmly.
'So you mean to say that Salamander stands no chance, of destroying this tower, a mage famed for his destructive capabilities?' Queried Org.
'If he can, he would be the first in history. The Tower of Heaven is nothing something to be taken lightly, that is why we need to take action now.' Reiterated Siegrain.
'I don't know if this is the best course of action. The boy was right about us needing him on our side.' Grunted Michello unhappily.
'Would you fools stop thinking about your jobs for once!' Shouted Siegrain, starting to lose his composure.
'Don't you feel it? The build-up of dark magic. Black Mage Zeref, that is who my brother is trying to revive!' Exclaimed Siegrain, stunning the others.
The majority of the Councillors looked at Siegrain in shock, while Ultear merely hid her reaction behind her sleeve, hiding the fact that she was smirking.
"So foolish, Siegrain. You were so easy to trick then and even easier to continue fooling. Did you really think an immortal mage could perish, or even more unlikely, that he would contact a young boy, of all people, to revive him?" Thought Ultear in amusement, as the Councillors started to change their mind on firing Etherion, with all but Yajima suddenly being on-board with the idea.
'All the same, are the rest of you truly sure you don't want to let Salamander try his hand at things first? He has already been able to defeat two of Zeref's demons, what makes you think he won't be able to stop this?' Asked Ultear, surprising the others.
'Are you willing to risk the end of the world on one mage's shoulders?' Asked Michello.
'Are you all willing to risk your jobs, reputation and possibly your lives on Etherion?' Asked Ultear back.
The Councillors paused to think about this, causing Siegrain to internally growl in frustration.
"Damn it Ultear, why are you making these old fools second guess themselves?" Thought Siegrain in frustration.
-line break-
High up in the Tower of Heaven, a hooded man frowned in annoyance, before smiling.
'Well, things may be slowing down on that end, but it looks like the fun is about to begin, now that those fools and Fairy Tail, are finally here.' Said the man, giving a malicious smirk.