I'm back baby!
I'll keep this note as short as possible, since it has been so long since I've written anything, so here are the main points.
I have SLE (lupus for short) and it has been the cause for all of my unexplainable fatigue, joint pain and numerous other problems. I am now taking proper medications for my condition with only minimal side effects, although not before it landed me in hospital for two weeks.
My joint pain is currently completely gone, but this may change as my medication dosages are lowered, hopefully everything goes well though.
I am currently in the process of moving as well, but it should be resolved within a few months, meaning, I won't be able to knock out almost daily updates this month like I did this time last year, but I will be able to knock out quite a few during my mid-year break.
I also can't promise weekly updates for the first few months of the year once I go back to the hospital (as a student, not a patient this time), but I will endeavour to get out at least one a month, hopefully one a fortnight as a bare minimum.
I've lost some patrons and gained some patrons and I fully understand that things change with everyone, either financially, or due to me not being able to write. I would like to take this time to thank everyone for their support, continued or otherwise, as I dealt with one of the hardest years of my life, emotionally, medically and financially and I can only hope my return to writing is thanks enough.
I have also started doing previous chapter recaps on all of my stories since they tend to go without updates for a while and hopefully this way, you (and I as well), will have something to refer back to if I go months without updating, as I've had to go back and re-read my stories to remember what has happened.
That's all folks!
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Previously:
The group consisting of Mira, Juvia, Lucy, Erza and Gray finally arrived at Akane Beach where they started to enjoy their break. Eventually, the group were confronted by Erza's old friends, with them finding more than they bargained for in Mira, who decimated Wally and Shou, before almost doing the same to Millianna, only for Simon to show up and reveal the truth to everyone, shaking his group to the core and angering Mira. Mira then proceeded to tear into Erza for continually giving up on her friends, causing her to reflect on her own shortcomings.
Natsu, meanwhile, was called to the Council to receive his Wizard Saint medallion, where he overheard their talk of using Etherion and verbally rebuked them for their cowardice. Realising the location that would be targeted was near where his friends were currently, he and Happy shot off through the air to reach the Tower of Heaven as fast as possible.
Inside the Tower of Heaven itself, the group of two split into multiple groups; with Juvia, Lucy and Millianna meeting Vidaldus Taka, while Gray, Simon and Wally soon learned that justice was something Fukuro was eager to dish out. Shou, in a rash move, stored Erza in a card and rushed off towards Ikaruga, only for both to find themselves outmatched quickly. Before things could escalate though, Mira intervened and after some negotiation, Erza was free to move past Ikaruga and confront Jellal without a fight, while Mira stayed back to deal with Ikaruga.
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 9 – Art of War
Shou was quite a fearful child. As he grew up and learned magic, he begun to visualise himself as powerful. A man. A mage. Currently though, Shou had never felt more emasculated, as he watched two beings of immense power clash in battle. If Shou thought he could beat Jellal, who he imagined would be much stronger than the two in front of him, he must have been out of his mind. Whether this was true or not had to be tested, but in Shou's mind, he had just been saved from suicide, by a person who likely didn't care for him in the slightest. Who was this person, one might ask? Mirajane Strauss, a true demon of battle who was currently deflecting fire and steel with her own two hands, albeit, clawed hands, but bare handed nonetheless.
'Is this really all you can do? Swing around a piece of metal and keep me warm? I expected more from a so-called assassin.' Taunted Mira, a dark smirk being aimed at her opponent.
Her opponent, the assassin in question, was Ikaruga and despite Mira's taunts, was not down and out, although she did appear somewhat disgruntled.
'I suppose it is fitting that such a crude person like you would make such crude remarks. I had thought with all of your non-magical endeavours, you would be less of a challenge, but it seems I have allowed arrogance to sully myself.' Commented Ikaruga, as she repositioned her blade into a quickdraw position to her left.
'Just because I can pose in a magazine, doesn't mean I can't crush your little toy with my bare hands. A mage is more than their looks, or even their magic, it is their will that wins out and my will is unbreakable.' Said Mira.
'I wonder if you would say that if your sister was here!' Said Ikaruga, before launching a slash at Mira, which seemed to catch fire once the sword had completed its full arc.
The fire barrelled towards Mira, who stared at it darkly, before a tint of dark purple magic covered her left hand. As the fire neared Mira, her fist shot out like a bullet, tearing through the attack, leaving only embers to flutter to the bridge they were both standing on.
'I see, I really have got you nervous then, haven't I? If you're already resorting to trying to drag up my past to distract me, then it is clear you've realised what I already know, you can't beat me.' Said Mira firmly.
'Perhaps not directly, but there are other methods to winning a battle than being the most powerful. A direct attack isn't always the best, when you have a way around a direct confrontation.' Lectured Ikaruga, before slashing her sword again, aiming towards Shou.
If Ikaruga expected what happened next, she would have definitely rethought this action, as it almost led to her undoing right there. Mira, instead of moving herself into the path of the attack, to defend, who Ikaruga thought was her friend, charged straight for Ikaruga, who was caught unawares and received a brutal straight right into her gut, causing spittle to fly out of her mouth and for her to be flung through the air, before she managed to flip herself in mid-air and land back on the bridge. The fact that Shou had just barely rolled out of the way of the attack mattered little to the two combatants, who glared at each other, Mira impassively, while Ikaruga's gaze held some fear and even more surprise.
'With all your talk about my past, I had thought you had done your homework and learned a great deal about me, but it seems you only skimmed the surface. Let me summarise what you probably think about me. Mirajane Strauss; model, former mage, troubled past, bleeding heart, sound about right?' Inquired Mira.
'Quite.' Said Ikaruga.
'Well, you would be half right then. I am a model, but I am not just a former mage anymore and while my past might have been troubled, I am no bleeding heart. I protect those close to me. Him, I barely know him and I'm not about to sacrifice myself for a stranger, when my friends need me. Besides, if he was any mage at all, he would realise how outmatched he is and retreat from here, maybe going to help some of his friends who might actually need him, as opposed to sitting here doing nothing.' Said Mira, sparing a moment to glare at Shou, who actually flinched.
It seemed Mira's words actually seemed to have an effect on Shou, as he stood to his feet and ran back the way they had come.
'Oh my, it seems you are a bleeding heart after all, talking tough to protect that boy.' Smiled Ikaruga, bringing her sleeve to her mouth.
'I'm sure you might think that, after all, anticipating your opponent's actions is part of good military tactics and strategy.' Said Mira, before disappearing from Ikaruga's sight and appearing behind her, left leg raised, an axe kick ready to be delivered.
'But I actually just don't want anyone here to see me brutally destroy you!' Roared Mira, before Ikaruga's back was almost snapped in two upon impact, with Mira's high heeled boot.
A loud thud was heard as Ikaruga's body was smashed into the bridge, which groaned at the force being exerted on it. It was a true testament to Mira's power that the kick, completely devoid of any magical enhancement, had done so much damage to such a powerful foe. Mira then leapt off Ikaruga, who coughed out blood onto the bridge, coating the wooden panels red.
'What are you? To hurt me this much without magic… are you a monster?' Asked Ikaruga, using her sword to get herself back to a vertical base.
'Worse, I'm a demon.' Said Mira, her form outlined with glowing purple energy.
-line break-
'Why can't you all stay still!' Raged Vidaldus.
'Why would we do that? So your creepy tentacle hair can attack us?' Retorted Lucy, an affronted expression on her face.
'Oi, you're using a bloody cow to attack me, don't diss my hair. Also, what is up with those orange dildos?' Retorted Vidaldus in annoyance, simultaneously dodging an axe that sought to behead him and a long tube that tried to ensnare his legs.
'Meow! Don't call my magic something so crude. I worked hard for this power.' Huffed Millianna, throwing more tubes at the wannabe Rockstar in annoyance.
'Water Cane!' Cried Juvia, as a lash of water struck Vidaldus across his left forearm, causing him to wince.
'All right Juvia, you got him!' Cheered Lucy.
'This isn't over yet.' Growled Vidaldus, before his hair lashed out at the group.
Millianna leapt backwards to avoid the dangerous appendage, while Taurus intercepted the attack with his axe, protecting his summoner. Juvia stood in place as the attack went through her, before deciding on a new course of attack and allowed herself to liquefy completely.
'Water Jigsaw.' Called Juvia, before her form started to twist rapidly like a cyclone, before shooting off at Vidaldus.
'Nekousoku Tube.' Added Millianna, successful striking Vidaldus on his injured forearm, which was suddenly pulled to his side against his will.
'Go Taurus!' Chimed in Lucy, causing the bull to snort in excitement and follow Juvia's charge.
Vidaldus started to panic as he had two attacks nearing him at breakneck speed, only for a large explosion to provide enough of a distraction for him to leap away from both attacks, Taurus' swing going wide, while only a few drops of water struck him from Juvia's attack.
'All right now. I've had it with you all, you're all going to become my Succubus now and I'll watch you all tear each other apart!' Roared Vidaldus.
'Shouldn't it be Succubi?' Asked Lucy, only for Vidaldus' eyebrow to twitch in rage.
'Ok then, you won't get to be a Succubus, but I'll make sure those two rough you up good!' Growled Vidaldus.
'Get ready for my Rock of Succubus.' Said Vidaldus with a grin, tongue lolling out towards the end, as he strummed his guitar, causing purple energy, along with a large sound wave, to rush the group.
As the attack neared Juvia and Millianna, the two backed away, only to soon drop to their knees, as the sound overwhelmed them.
'Ha-ha, this is it, I'm about to have me a show!' Cheered Vidaldus as the two girls cried out in pain, only for a heavy rumbling sound from above to distract them, causing Vidaldus' attack to falter for a moment.
'What the hell was that?' Asked Vidaldus, before leaping back to avoid another axe swing, courtesy of Taurus.
'You damn cow! Don't mess with my fun!' Shouted Vidaldus in annoyance, before his hair swung out at Taurus and forced him back.
Vidaldus then took the momentary respite he had earned and played his guitar again, seeing Juvia and Millianna were still shaken, only this time, the attack reached them both and engulfed them. When the wave of purple energy cleared, Juvia was now clad in skin-tight black leather pants and a short purple top, along with a studded bracelet, while Millianna was now sporting what appeared to be black lingerie lined with studs, along with horizontal stripped black and purple stockings, which reached up to mid-thigh, along with black leather boots and gloves.
'Moo, tame me please!' Squealed Taurus, with hearts in his eyes, only for Millianna to launch a tube at him, which hogtied him, much to his enjoyment.
'Now then, blondie, looks like we are all set, we've got our succubus ready to go, a captive audience and last but not least, the star of the show, the victim!' Cheered Vidaldus, swinging his head around animatedly in excitement.
'You're the worst!' Huffed Lucy, before a projectile of water was launched at her face, causing her to duck.
The harsh sound of rock being smashed to pieces caused Lucy to look behind herself tentatively and the fist shaped hole in the wall behind her, caused a cold sweat to break out on Lucy's forehead.
'J-Juvia, what are you doing, that could have killed me?' Squeaked Lucy, only for Millianna to rush the blonde in question, her right claw poised for a slash.
Luckily, the attack missed flesh, but it tore into Lucy's clothes, causing both Taurus and Vidaldus to hoot at the sight of exposed flesh, before Lucy quickly readjusted her outfit.
'Like I said babe, these two are my entertainers and they are going to put on a good show for me, so you better be ready to take it all off, one way or another.' Grinned Vidaldus, unfazed by Lucy's hateful glare.
-line break-
Fukuro lived to mete out justice. His goal was to see evildoers punished. One might question just who exactly these evildoers were, considering the so-called justice they were being delivered, came at the hands of an assassin. This question didn't bother Fukuro in the slightest. Why? To Fukuro, anyone who stood against him was an evildoer. Whether this was true or not remained to be seen, but it was Fukuro's truth. Hence, as he found himself struggling against three evildoers, he questioned what to do.
'Ho, you must think you have me cornered now, however, the Harbinger of Justice will not be defeated by villainy!' Exclaimed Fukuro, before picking his target.
'It isn't dandy to try and stay in a fight when you are clearly outmatched. If you are a man, accept that you have lost.' Said Wally, giving his hat a small flick, which Fukuro took as his moment to strike.
In almost a flash of light, Fukuro was upon Wally and tried to swallow him whole. Wally quickly broke up into numerous blocks to avoid being consumed, only for Fukuro to fire up his jets and place his arms over any escaping blocks, forcefully inserting Wally into his gut, with no hopes of escape, once he closed his mouth.
'Justice prevails! Now, I have your comrade's powers and will use them to defeat you two.' Declared Fukuro proudly.
'You think that you can beat me, what a joke.' Snorted Gray.
Fukuro merely hooted in amusement, as he caused a block shaped gun to appear behind Gray, which promptly fired at his unguarded back. Gray felt the attack coming and easily rolled out of the way, before shifting his hands into the ever-familiar stance of his magic.
'Ice-make: Battle Axe.' Said Gray, launching a crescent of ice at Fukuro.
Fukuro quickly shot off into the air, only to quickly drop down again, as a burst of dark magic almost nailed him, courtesy of Simon.
'Ice-make: Hammers.' Called Gray and instead of his previous attack of a single hammer appearing above Fukuro, multiple hammers appeared, easily numbering a dozen in total.
The self-declared Warrior of Justice used his jet-packs to avoid most of the attacks, but found the need to use his new powers to escape the last couple.
'Ho, in less than ten minutes, your friend here will be gone and his magic all mine. Give up now and I will make your end swift.' Taunted Fukuro, only to feel himself sucked into another dimension.
'Shou, what are you doing here?' Asked Simon, surprised at who their aid had come in the form of.
'I'm no match for the fight down that hallway, so at least I can help you guys out now. We need to hurry though, Erza already went ahead to Jellal and I have no idea what is happening up there.' Said Shou, before focusing on the card in his grasp.
'Wally, I know you are in there, I'm going to try and pull you out of the card, but I'll need your help. On three. One, two, three!' Said Shou, before the card holding Fukuro's figure glowed, which was then shortly followed by a small stream of blocks emerging from it.
The blocks enlarged and morphed together, until an unconscious Wally was revealed.
'That must have been too much for Wally to handle. At least we've still got him trapped for now.' Said Shou, glaring at the card holding Fukuro, only for his gaze to turn fearful as an immense amount of energy came into existence above them.
'It can't be… don't tell me we are too late…' Stammered Shou, allowing his magic to waver, unintentionally allowing Fukuro to escape from his imprisonment and quickly fly off to rescue his allies.
'What should we do now?' Asked Gray.
'If Etherion is gathering above us now to the point that we can feel it, it is already too late for us.' Said Simon ominously, before the group was washed in blue energy.
-line break-
'Is this all a game to you, Jellal?' Asked Erza.
'As a matter of fact, yes, this is all a game. I told you before, Erza, in this world, freedom is an illusion. Our very lives are a game. Training. Earning rank. Money. Everything we do in this day and age is a game. Even when we were slaves, we were playing a game, only we were on the losing side. Now though, I am on the winning side. With Zeref's return, I will be the right hand man of the ruler of this world!' Said Jellal, becoming more hysterical as he spoke, causing Erza to grimace in disgust.
'So you're trying to tell me all the struggles I've overcome to this day. All the memories I've shared with my friends. All the achievements I've reached… they all mean nothing… they are simply me playing a game?' Reiterated Erza.
'Of course! Every struggle you've overcome hasn't been unique! How many people were once slaves and overcome adversity throughout time? How many people have enjoyed memories with their friends? How many people have achieved something in their pitiful lives? It all means nothing! Zeref will bring an end to this fake world and bring with it the age of true magic. One where mages will reign supreme. A world where pointless actions will no longer occur. Life will have meaning! Validity!' Exclaimed Jellal.
'I see now, Jellal. You've truly lost yourself to madness. In that case, since I couldn't save you then, at the very least, I can put you out of your suffering now. Prepare yourself, Jellal.' Said Erza, requipping a single sword.
'You are all talk, Erza. You speak as though you can beat me, don't make me laugh!' Said Jellal, before a wave of magic shot at Erza.
Erza leapt to the side, allowing the attack to pass her by, where it smashed into a pillar.
'All that time spent building this tower and you damage it so carelessly!' Roared Erza.
'A simple pillar or two is no big loss, they are mere decorations.' Explained Jellal, before he ensnared Erza in a shifting ball of magic that only left Erza's head free.
'Decorations?' Shou and the others spent years working for you to make those decorations! How dare you brush their efforts off like that!' Shouted Erza, before tearing through the magic engulfing her through sheer brute force.
Jellal's shock proved to be his undoing, as Erza quickly rushed him and slashed him across the chest, sending him to the floor, before leaping atop him, sword poised over his throat.
'It is over Jellal! Your dream is over! Even with this tower and a sacrifice, the amount of magic needed to power the R-System is more than anyone can provide. Even all the mages in the world coming together may not be enough to power this thing, so why, why waste your life on a hopeless dream? If you want to die that badly, then I will give you release right now!' Said Erza.
'Release… yeah, that doesn't sound too bad… I guess I was too weak after all. My body was possessed by the ghost of Zeref… I was nothing more than a puppet to bring about Zeref's resurrection. Paradise. Freedom. Friendship. In the end, I couldn't find any of them.' Said Jellal softly.
'You're right, Erza, I know I could never complete the R-System… but… Zeref's ghost just wouldn't allow me to stop. I can't stop this anymore… Erza, you win this fight, so please… kill me. That is what you came here for, right?' Requested Jellal.
'I didn't come here to kill you Jellal. I came here to save you.' Said Erza quietly.
'It is too late for that. You should leave now while you still have the chance. Etherion will fire soon and I will perish with it. You should leave, Erza. Take comfort in the fact that at the very end, you freed me from my curse.' Said Jellal.
'I'm your friend, Jellal, I won't leave you. It is my fault this all happened to you. I couldn't save you back then, so this way I too can atone.' Said Erza, before stepping off Jellal, allowing him to sit up.
A huge explosion broke the comfortable silence between the two, slamming just metres away from the two. Jellal quickly grabbed Erza and pulled her towards him, shielding her from the debris.
'Are you serious, Erza?' Growled a voice from within the dust kicked up.
'Who is there?' Asked Erza strongly, seeking to elicit a response out of habit.
'Are you serious, Erza? Do you actually believe what you just said? You need to atone? Atone? What the hell are you saying?' Shouted a voice, that Erza now recognised clearly as Natsu's.
'Natsu? What are you doing here?' Asked Erza in surprise.
'I'm here too.' Muttered Happy quietly, but choose to keep his signature wit down to a reasonable level, sensing the tension in the room.
'You came here to save him and for that you don't mind giving your life? That is a coward's way out, Erza! You can't live with yourself because of a little bit of guilt. You couldn't save one person so you want to give up your life like that? What about all the others in the tower fighting for you? What about all of your friends at Fairy Tail? Do you even care about what will happen to us if we lose another one of our own? Stop being so damn selfish!' Roared Natsu, the dust finally clearing and revealing flickers of fire were pouring out of Natsu's very being, with a strong wind whipping his clothes around.
'This is my responsibility, Natsu. I need to do this.' Said Erza, although she lacked her usual conviction.
'You aren't Erza! This isn't even a joke anymore. You are an utter disgrace! I'll admit you ignoring me hurt, but I thought it was a temporary thing… but talking about dying for something in the past… do you know how angry that makes me? You think you've had a hard life? Everyone at Fairy Tail has suffered! Why didn't Gray kill himself after what he did to his teacher? Why didn't Mira or Elfman kill themselves after what happened to Lisanna? Why didn't I? How dare you talk about dying for nothing when there are still people who care about you! People who need you!' Shouted Natsu.
At that moment, a rumbling was heard that had nothing to do with Natsu. A vast amount of magic was building up above the group and looking up, an enormous magical seal was coming into existence.
'You know, Erza… Natsu is right. You can't talk about dying so easily.' Said Jellal, before an enormous wave of energy engulfed the tower.
All vision within the tower was gone for a moment, but when it cleared, blue was all that could be seen. The true form of the tower was revealed in the form of a giant lacrima, which had just absorbed the full power of Etherion.
'You can't talk about dying so easily… when you need to be alive to serve as the sacrifice to bring about Zeref's return!' Finished Jellal, cackling madly.
'You tricked me!' Growled Erza.
'Oh, you were very cute, Erza.' Said Siegrain, appearing behind Erza.
'So you've finally showed your true colours, Siegrain. I should have known you were working with Jellal from the start.' Said Erza in anger.
'Are you serious, Erza? How can you not tell they are the same person?' Asked Natsu in annoyance, surprising the trio.
'How can you tell that?' Asked Jellal in curiosity.
'What? You've got to be joking, that other you doesn't even have a scent, not to mention your magical signatures are identical. Even a blind person could have figured it out if they had met both of you.' Explained Natsu in disbelief.
'Hmm, it seems Erza is even more blind that a blind person then.' Commented Siegrain, before merging with Jellal, without much fanfare.
'I have to agree with you there, but even if Erza is blind, that doesn't mean I'm going to let you kill her. She's made mistakes, but she isn't allowed to die and run away from them, she needs to go on living like the rest of us.' Said Natsu, staring down Jellal.
'No, Natsu, I will deal with this.' Said Erza, standing up and preparing to fight Jellal, only for her back to suddenly lock up on her, followed by her entire body becoming paralysed.
'While I would love to entertain you further, Erza, I've placed a Bind Snake spell on you when I… protected you… from the debris from earlier. However, I'm much more interested in seeing what the Dragon Slayer of Fairy Tail is capable of instead. A Wizard Saint now, my apparent equal, but I don't believe that for a second.' Said Jellal, sparing one last glance to Erza, before fixing his gaze on Natsu.
'Well, it seems that not everyone on the Council shares your opinion. Not like I really care about what you think anyway.' Said Natsu.
'You may have Yajima and the Chairman fooled, but I had the entire Council in the palm of my hand.' Said Jellal, sticking his hand out for emphasis.
'I wonder about that. I think I might have swayed more people than you think, both on and off the Council.' Said Natsu coolly.
'I see… I'm even more excited to fight you now, Natsu. To sway one of my most devout supporters, I'm actually impressed.' Complimented Jellal.
'If you think that is something, just wait until I burn you to a crisp!' Said Natsu, before a cyclone of flames wrapped around him.
'Come, Dragon Slayer, I will see to it that you join your idols in the great beyond.' Taunted Jellal, before the two rushed at each other.
-line break-
Hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Just to clear up any confusion, the four scenes of this chapter are not all occurring at the same time, or even sequentially for that matter.
Mira's axe kick attack on Ikaruga caused the first distraction/noise, which saved Vidaldus from the group attack.
The second distraction, which saved Juvia and Millianna from Vidaldus' first attack, was Jellal destroying the pillar.
The fight with Fukuro finished after all the explosions occurred, but before Etherion came down, meaning, Natsu was on top of the tower at this point. You can think of this as the fourth distraction.
First, second and fourth, sounds odd, right? Natsu crashing into the tower is the third distraction, which hasn't occurred in some of the scenes, namely, those with Mira and Juvia.
So, to put things into a brief timeline: Mira VS Ikaruga first, shortly followed by Juvia, Lucy and Millianna VS Vidaldus, which is occurring with both Mira VS Ikaruga and Erza VS Jellal throughout it in that order, then, Natsu arriving on the tower, followed by Shou stopping Fukuro and finishing off with Etherion.
To avoid any confusion next chapter, Mira and Ikaruga will again be the first scene and this will follow through to Etherion coming down, which will be followed by the fight with Vidaldus also carrying on until Etherion. What this means, is that after those two scenes, all scenes will be at the point where Etherion came down, with the upcoming fight between Natsu and Jellal slightly ahead.
Hope that wasn't too confusing and thank you for reading!
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.