Ok, so a brief update. Back to studying again and I'm now able to give a reasonable estimate on my writing expectations. It takes me about three weekends to get out a decent 5K chapter, two weekends if the weather is good and my week wasn't too busy. With this being said, I can at least promise one update a month for now. I will maintain this by only posting my new chapter for the month on FF, when I've posted next month's chapter on my pat reon, so I know I won't miss an update, in case of a busy month.
Other than that, I will be moving over the next four months, but it will mostly affect me in late March/April and should all be done at the very least by May, meaning, during my June break, I can write a lot just like I did before.
Lastly, things seem to be going well for me health-wise and hopefully this continues, so I won't have any troubles writing or moving in the future, meaning speedier chapters for all of you.
That's all for now, enjoy the chapter!
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Previously:
The battles at the Tower of Heaven rushed to their ends. Mira handily pushed Ikaruga to the limit and no tactics on the part of the assassin could handle Mira's might, leaving her barely in the fight at this point. Vidaldus and the girls, consisting of Juvia, Lucy and Millianna, fought back and forth like cats and dogs, with Vidaldus finally managing to come out on top, taking over both Juvia and Millianna with his Rock of Succubus. Fukuro found out there was no justice for an assassin, being captured by a retreating Shou, who had come to aid Simon, Wally and Gray, before managing to sneak away in the commotion of the impending Etherion. Erza confronted Jellal and while starting out strong, was soon fooled by his words, leading to her gaining Natsu's ire. Natsu then went on to verbally berate Jellal, noting that his deceit was not so great, before coming to blows after the launch of Etherion, with Erza unable to help due to Jellal's trickery.
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 10 – To Protect…
Ikaruga questioned her luck here today with annoyance. Since starting at Death's Head Caucus, she had not lost a single fight. Today, however, not only did it seem like she was going to lose her first fight, she was barely able to cause any damage to her opponent. Ikaruga considered if she had fought Erza and how things would have gone differently. She was quite confident that her abilities with a sword were far superior than the red-haired girl, who threw them around like they were going out of fashion. Sure, Erza would have her armours to supplement her skills, but Ikaruga figured if you weren't going to be cut by your opponent, armour was unnecessary anyway. Now, compare how things would have gone to her current opponent and Ikaruga was regretting her decision deeply. Mirajane Strauss had no sword skills to speak of. Her magic lied in overwhelming power and a strong constitution. Unfortunately for Ikaruga, this made Mira quite resilient to her precise attacks. Ikaruga's more powerful, wide range attacks, were also only effective at temporarily slowing the demon down, as her recovery speed was astounding. Essentially, the fight had turned into a game of whack-a-mole for Ikaruga, with her struggling to keep abreast of the situation, as a dozen of her well-aimed, tactically sound attacks, were still not as effective, as a single one of Mira's, with her back groaning in agreement of this conclusion.
'I'll admit, you've held on a lot longer than I thought you would, especially after I gave you a little love tap to set the mood, but we both know this fight ends when I decided I've had my fun with you.' Said Mira, a sadistic grin decorating her normally sweet looking face.
An explosion went off above the two, which Ikaruga took as her chance to strike. Instinctively, Mira turned towards the sound and at this time, the two mages were less than a metre apart. Ikaruga lunged forward, sword poised to pierce the demon right through the heart, only for her steel blade to be met with an unbreakable grip.
'That's odd, it seems Natsu is here. Well, if that's the case, I'm done playing around here with you.' Said Mira, before pulling harshly on the sword in her grip, causing Ikaruga to stumble forward, only to be sent back by a knee to the face.
Mira then quickly followed after Ikaruga and punched her in the gut, sending her crashing into the rocks behind them, leaving her partially imbedded into the stone structure.
'*cough* It isn't like this fight matters to you anyway, in less than a minute or two, Etherion will fall and wipe you out.' Rasped Ikaruga weakly, before passing out.
'Well, in that case, I better get up there.' Said Mira, before snapping her wings out and flying towards the commotion she could hear above her.
Halfway to the top, Mira felt an insane amount of energy build up above her.
"Is that Etherion?" Thought Mira, a bead of sweat rolling down her face, before it was vaporised, by the mass of blue energy that washed over her form.
-line break-
'You're the worst!' Shouted Lucy in embarrassment, as Vidaldus laughed madly, enjoying his show.
'Come on little girl, you can't hate on me for wanting to see some great girl-on-girl action!' Crowed Vidaldus, enjoying watching Lucy's clothes being slowly ripped to pieces courtesy of Millianna and her claws, while Juvia continually drenched Lucy with water.
'You aren't even trying to end this fight you pervert!' Screamed Lucy in frustration, feeling more of her slight modesty drift away, as another piece of her skirt was torn off.
'Taurus, can't you do something?' Pleaded Lucy, only for the tied-up bull to huff.
Any response the spirit would have given was lost, as a large explosion was heard overhead, which sent a chunk of debris down, right on top of the spirits head, causing him to dissipate into golden particles of light.
'The hell is going on up there?' Asked Vidaldus, sparing a moment from his entertainment to look up, which Lucy sought to capitalise on, pulling out Virgo's key.
'Open the Gate of the Maiden! Virgo!' Called Lucy, only for the familiar pink haired spirit to appear.
'Oh yeah, four girls! Now we can have a solid orgy!' Howled Vidaldus in excitement.
'Virgo, kick his ass!' Yelled Lucy in anger.
'Punishment time?' Asked Virgo curiously.
'Yes, his punishment time!' Cheered Lucy.
Virgo then quickly spun into the ground, leaving a perfectly shaped hole behind, before appearing behind Vidaldus and wrapping her chains around his midsection.
'Oh, a little tight, but I can work with this. I'll make you a succubus too, you can be the sadist of the group.' Said Vidaldus in excitement.
'Actually, I'm more of a masochist.' Commented Virgo, only for Millianna to lunge at her from behind and slash her back, causing her to release her prisoner.
'In that case, never mind the whole succubus thing, I'll just enjoy the show.' Laughed Vidaldus.
'Juvia, snap out of it!' Cried Lucy, hoping to circumvent Vidaldus' control now that he was distracted, but to no avail, as the blue haired girl conjured up two whips and lashed either side of Lucy, causing her to duck and roll away, before she could be struck.
'Please Juvia, I don't want to fight you.' Said Lucy.
'As if you could anyway.' Taunted Juvia, upsetting Lucy.
'Hey, I didn't become part of the strongest team in Fairy Tail for nothing you know!' Protested Lucy, unaware that both aspects of Juvia, mind-controlled and free bristled at this statement.
'Exactly how are you part of the strongest team, when Natsu isn't in it? Natsu, Mira and Juvia make the strongest team in Fairy Tail since they are an actual team.' Growled Juvia.
'It isn't like I'm the one who keeps going on missions without him! You try and say no to Erza.' Whimpered Lucy.
'Weak and spineless. Juvia has no idea how Juvia ever thought someone like you could be a love rival. In that case, let Juvia give you a taste of the pain you've caused Natsu.' Said Juvia, before launching multiple projectiles of water at Lucy.
'Whoa, that fight is getting too intense for me to enjoy. Settle down little succubus.' Said Vidaldus, seeking to exert some control over Juvia, only to find himself unsuccessful.
'What the hell?' Grumbled Vidaldus, before feeling a huge wave of energy above him.
'Oh hell no, Etherion is coming down now!' Yelled Vidaldus in annoyance, before the group was covered in blue.
-line break-
'You are special, you will be my counterpart. All of the others were made by him, but you, I made you with my own abilities. With your help, I will achieve both destruction and balance. If I am the roaring inferno that consumes all, you will be the rain which douses it once finished… yes, you will be Juvia.'
-line break-
Once the blue energy had dissipated, the aftermath was revealed. Instead of a rocky cave, the entire area had been transformed into beautiful blue crystals that thrummed with energy.
'Whoa, that was some wicked stuff. I can't believe we survived Etherion! Oh well, the show must go on.' Commented Vidaldus, before a tsunami of water smashed into him and slammed him into the lacrima until he passed out, releasing his control on his succubi.
'Way to go Juvia!' Cheered Lucy, only to see the blue haired woman standing still, seemingly frozen.
'Juvia feels strange.' Commented Juvia, before seeming to collapse from exhaustion, joining Millianna, who had collapsed as soon as Etherion had struck.
'Mistress, is it punishment time now?' Asked Virgo, walking over to Lucy, with Millianna cradled in her arms.
Lucy was saved from responding, when an owl-man flew into the room and scooped up Vidaldus, before disappearing, shortly after which, a huffing Gray, Shou and Simon, with Wally over his shoulder, arrived.
'Stupid jetpacks! How are we supposed to catch him like this?' Grumbled Gray, before the two groups noticed each other.
'You're all ok!' Cheered Lucy.
'Mostly, seems you had a rough fight here as well.' Commented Gray.
'You should leave now, there is no telling what will become of this tower now and the longer we stay here, the more dangerous it will be if something does happen.' Advised Simon.
'What about Erza and Mira? What about this Jellal guy you are so worried about?' Asked Lucy.
'I will go and find your friends and send them to you, as for Jellal, I will deal with him in my own way.' Said Simon.
'No offense man, but if you couldn't beat him before, why do you suddenly think you can now?' Asked Gray, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.
'The tower. I can feel it is unstable. I don't need to beat Jellal, I just need to stall him long enough, a task I can easily do. This way, I can finally do what I should have so long ago.' Said Simon, before he was sucked into a card, Wally along with him.
'Shou! What are you doing?' Asked Simon, banging his fists against the card holding him.
'Simon. We are no match for Jellal, or big sis and her friend. Trust me, if I've learned something today, it is how weak we actually are. If I let you go up there, you won't be coming back and I can't live with myself, if I let another friend of mine be taken away from me. I'm sorry for being selfish, but would you come with us as well? I don't think I can look after all of those that have been hurt by myself.' Said Shou.
'Mistress, time is up, your magic is low.' Said Virgo, as she set down Millianna, before vanishing.
'Yeah, I guess we don't have much choice now do we… I'm sure Erza will be able to handle things… and if not, Mira was once as strong as Erza as well, so I'm sure together they can definitely beat this Jellal guy.' Said Gray, picking up Juvia and Millianna and slinging them over his shoulders.
Lucy huffed, feeling exhausted, but managed to stand to her feet nonetheless.
'Then we better get going.' Said Lucy, to which Shou nodded.
-line break-
When Mira's vision returned, instead of dull stone, she saw glowing crystal.
'Lacrima? This whole place is one giant Lacrima?' Commented Mira in confusion, looking around herself in equal parts confusion and curiosity, before a loud explosion brought her back to her senses.
'Natsu, I'm coming!' Said Mira, before shooting upwards at a much faster rate.
-line break-
'Do you really think you can match my magic? I control the heavens themselves. Light in its purest form. Do you really think a little bit of fire will stop me?' Taunted Jellal, despite how evenly the fight had been going.
'You talk too much.' Said Natsu, breathing slightly laboured.
'Just you wait and see.' Said Jellal, before his form was outlined in a golden glow and he vanished from sight.
Having dealt with Jellal's spell a few times now, Natsu was ready for him and was already swinging a flaming kick backwards to where Jellal appeared. The blue haired mage bent backwards, allowing the kick to pass harmlessly over his head, before backflipping to gain some distance.
'Seems you're improving the more this fight goes on, but you keep wasting magic you can't afford. Your magic won't last forever and mine is still in full supply, here, let me give you a little sample.' Said Jellal, as he placed both hands on top of each other with his index and middle fingers spread out.
'Grand Chariot.' Called Jellal, as seven magic seals formed in the air above them, creating a constellation, before hugely concentrated light energy dropped down on top of Natsu, smashing into the tower.
'Natsu!' Cried Erza, fearing the worst for her friend.
When the dust caused by the explosion cleared, Natsu was revealed, looking significantly more haggard than before, but still on his feet.
'Is that it?' Asked Natsu, with a huff, causing Jellal's eyes to widen.
'Impossible! That attack has the same destructive capacity as an actual meteor! How are you still standing?' Questioned Jellal.
'Because dragons eat meteors for breakfast! Fire Dragon's Roar!' Exclaimed Natsu, before placing his hands together and launching his own attack, in the form of a swathe of flames.
The user of Heavenly Body Magic quickly activated his Meteor spell again and avoided the attack, appearing behind Natsu once more, before slamming an elbow into his mid-back, stopping the roar in its place and causing Natsu to cry out in pain.
'Now I've got you!' Exclaimed Jellal, before moving rapidly and raining down a multitude of punches and kicks all over Natsu's form.
Natsu growled in annoyance, before flaring his magic in a cocoon around him, successfully forcing Jellal to back off.
'Your magic isn't that special. Being a little bit faster than me, using light attacks, you're nothing special. I won't lose to someone like you, someone who has no one to fight for.' Huffed Natsu.
'Really? How has having someone to fight for helped you? You aren't any stronger or any faster, you have no mental advantage over me and you're already running out of steam, so tell me, how exactly are your friends helping you?' Taunted Jellal.
'Like this!' Whispered Mira into Jellal's ear, before he was brutally kicked in the ribs and sent smashing into a large pillar of Lacrima.
'Mira, you're okay!' Cheered Natsu.
'Glad to see you're holding on as well, Natsu, well, not like I really thought he could beat you anyway. At least you gave me enough time to get Erza somewhere safe.' Said Mira, before laughing could be heard.
'Two against one? Sounds fun. I have to admit, when I heard about the mage who could match Erza, I must confess, I found myself wanting to see who was better. Now that you are fighting again, I can't help but want to test out your strength for myself.' Declared Jellal.
'Natsu, Erza is just in the hallway behind us, take her and run while I hold him off.' Said Mira, causing Natsu to send her a withering glare.
'I'm not leaving you. I came here to save all of you.' Growled Natsu.
'And you will, once you get Erza out of here, I'll fly off the tower and we can leave him here. Let him sleep in the bed he made for himself.' Said Mira, only for Jellal to start laughing.
'Go ahead, make your little plans, after all, even if you get Erza away from me, since you are supposedly her match, I'm sure you will make a suitable sacrifice, especially with your magic already being so close to a demon's. I'm sure Zeref will appreciate it.' Laughed Jellal.
'I'll get her out of here because I promised myself to save my friends… but I'll be back, because I promised to save all of you.' Said Natsu.
Mira nodded at this, knowing she wouldn't get a better response and prepared to face Jellal. Natsu gave one last look around the tower, before heading towards where Mira had hid Erza.
'Do you really expect to be able to beat me?' Asked Jellal mockingly, raising his hands out to his sides.
'Oh I know I can, but I'm not going to bother. I know a fake Wizard Saint when I see one.' Retorted Mira.
'Me? A fake? Your little Dragon Slayer only got the title as a public relations stunt. Not even an S-Class mage? Natsu Dragneel as a Wizard Saint is a joke.' Mocked Jellal, only for the pressure in the area to intensify.
'Now that wasn't very nice of you to say.' Said Mira, a chilling smile on her face, as dark purple energy rolled off her in waves.
Jellal blinked and the demon vanished, before appearing right in front of him in an instant.
'So let me teach you some manners!' Roared Mira, sending a right-handed superman punch at Jellal, smashing the lacrima beneath his feet and causing part of the tower to collapse.
Jellal took a sharp intake of air, having barely leapt backwards in time to avoid the attack, before Mira was upon him again, with a magic imbued roundhouse kick. Again, using Meteor, Jellal escaped the attack and appeared in Mira's blind spot, only for her tail to wrap around his neck and choke him.
'You didn't think I wasn't watching your little fight with Natsu earlier, did you? I know all your tricks and you won't be able to beat me with cheap tactics like that!' Declared Mira, before slamming Jellal face first into the ground, before flinging him away.
'Evil Explosion.' Added Mira, bringing her hands together and generating a dark purple coloured ball of energy, which was quickly launched after Jellal, exploding on impact and shaking the tower from the impact.
-line break-
Erza awoke to find her body was being moved without her own will, at a rather fast pace.
'What's going on?' Mumbled Erza, her armour squeaking as she moved.
'About time you woke up from your nap.' Said a familiar voice, causing Erza to look up.
'Natsu? What's going on? Where is Jellal?' Asked Erza frantically, trying to get out of Natsu's grip.
'Hey, take it easy, I'm trying to get you out of here and struggling only makes things worse.' Said Natsu, protesting Erza's movements.
'Natsu.' Growled Erza, seeking to intimidate Natsu, only for him to glare at her.
'Don't. Erza. I'm still pretty pissed off for all that rubbish you said up there. Let me get you out of here so I can go back and finish this thing, then we can deal with everything properly.' Said Natsu, successfully cowing Erza for a moment, before Natsu's words clicked in her mind.
'Finish this thing? What do you mean?' Asked Erza.
'Look around, this tower is still here and things aren't finished until I destroy it and finish off that Jellal guy.' Answered Natsu, before jumping through a hole in the tower to a lower level.
'Where is Jellal now then? Why isn't he coming after us?' Asked Erza.
'Because Mira is kicking his ass right now.' Said Natsu, surprising Erza.
'Mira is fighting Jellal? No, he'll destroy her! Natsu, let me go, I have to stop him!' Protested Erza, her struggling increasing ten-fold.
'Why? So you can go die for him?' Asked Natsu in anger, causing Erza to recoil.
'I'm doing it to protect all of you.' Mumbled Erza.
'Would you bloody stop then! Every time you try to protect us, you only get hurt yourself and make things worse. How do you think we feel when you don't let us make our own mistakes, fight our own battles? I always told you I wanted to fight you and test myself, but you don't even take me seriously any more. Don't deny it, now that I've become a Wizard Saint, things are even worse because you're ignoring me since you know you can't force me to sit out of a fight any more. You're not helping us like this Erza, you're smothering us.' Ranted Natsu.
Erza couldn't speak for a good minute, while Natsu continued to escape the tower. Finally reaching the bottom, Natsu set Erza down.
'I know you've got at least a little bit of magic left, so use one of your armours that can make you fly and get off this tower, I'll go get Mira and we'll be right behind you.' Said Natsu, before fire flared around his feet and he prepared to launch himself upwards.
'Natsu! I'm sorry.' Called Erza, causing Natsu to spare her one last look, before blasting through the sky.
-line break-
Natsu arrived to the scene of Mira and Jellal trading magical attacks. Light and darkness colliding all throughout the room.
'Natsu! How could you leave me up here?' Hissed Happy, quickly floating over to his father.
'Sorry buddy, I had to get Erza out of here. What's been going on here?' Asked Natsu, as the two crouched behind a large pillar of Lacrima.
'Well, Mira's been beating him pretty well, but he keeps getting up and I think Mira is starting to get tired.' Commented Happy, which Natsu noted was an unfortunate truth.
Neither of the pair knew that Mira had fought Ikaruga previously and while Mira's abilities were back, here stamina had yet to recover.
'All right Happy, stay put. I'll see if I can get a big attack and take out that Jellal guy and then we can get off this tower, be careful.' Said Natsu, to which Happy gave a firm nod.
Natsu watched the fight continue on and noted that Mira was slowly starting to lose ground. It was slight, but the fight was getting to her. After a few more moments, Natsu decided on his moment and prepared to strike where it seemed Jellal would appear in a moment.
'With a flame on the right hand and a flame on the left hand. When you combine the flames together…' Whispered Natsu, flames engulfing his hands, before pausing, as he waited for Jellal to shift in position.
The blue haired Wizard Saint backed off from Mira's latest attack, before feeling a surge of magic to his right.
'Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!' Yelled Natsu, as he brought his hands up, forming a ball of flames, which was launched at Jellal in an instant.
Before Jellal could dodge, a multitude of energy tendrils in the shape of hands grabbed on to him, preventing him from escaping, with the fiery ball of energy slamming into him a moment later. Mira and Natsu stood side by side, both watching with bated breath, only for what happened next to confuse them. The nearby shadows were drawn towards the cloud that had formed from their attack, which was quickly blown away, revealing a heavily breathing Jellal, with multiple burns along his arms, forming a small black orb above his head, which was rapidly growing in size.
'I'll blow you both away! With this spell, I will finally be free of you annoying pests and then I will hunt down Erza and sacrifice her anyway! I won't lose here! I will create a land of freedom! Heavenly Body Magic: Altairis!' Declared Jellal, before the fairly sizeable ball of energy was launched at the pair.
As the ball of magic travelled, it quickly expanded and seemed to dig into the tower itself, before exploding, engulfing the two Fairy Tail mages. Jellal started to madly cackle, fully assured in his victory, only to hear two groans from where his attack had detonated.
'Damn, that really hurt.' Groaned Natsu, resting on his right knee and left hand, trying to stay upright.
'Natsu… I don't think I'm going to be much help anymore.' Gasped Mira, feeling the last vestiges of her magic fading away and her control over her Satan Soul form slipping.
'Well, I would commend you for surviving, but it was all for nothing. No, now that I've built this tower, I can build another one in half the time. I'm going to wipe you two of the face of the earth and then, then I will bring about Zeref's resurrection. Just give me a few more years, I'll do it in five this time!' Declared Jellal, as the familiar seal for an Abyss Break spell formed over his head.
'Prepare to die! Abyss Break!' Roared Jellal, his face twisted in madness, as the elemental attack came crashing downwards upon the tower, which so many lives had been lost to build.
Jellal waited patiently this time to see the aftermath of the attack, deciding not to celebrate early and it seemed he would not be celebrating at all.
'You! What are you doing back up here?' Spat Jellal.
The words of the Wizard Saint caused his counterpart to stir, giving Natsu a view he never wanted to see.
'Erza? Why are you back here?' Asked Natsu.
There in front of Natsu, was Erza, traces of her Adamantine Armour still crumbling away from her form. The armour had not been fully repaired since enduring the same attack against Phantom Lord, so it was a miracle that Erza was even alive at this stage.
'I'm really… sorry… Natsu. I know you don't… want me to protect you… but I can't help myself when my friends are in danger… my body… it just moves on its own.' Mumbled Erza, before collapsing backwards.
Natsu just managed to catch Erza's form as she fell, placing her down next to Mira, who he noted had passed out and lost her characteristic Satan Soul form.
'Actually, this is perfect! Not only is my sacrifice back, but there isn't anyone who can stop me anymore! Five years? No. Five minutes is all I will need to succeed.' Laughed Jellal.
'Happy! Come here.' Said Natsu, to which his blue furred friend approached, looking slightly ruffled, but otherwise unharmed.
'Get Mira out of here, she doesn't have any magic left. I'll be right behind you with Erza, just as soon as I deal with him.' Said Natsu, to which Happy obliged, picking up Mira's form and flying out of the tower, with Jellal making no move to stop them.
'Deal with me? Ha-ha, are you out of your mind? You can't even stand!' Mocked Jellal.
'Natsu… you should get away… while you can.' Advised Erza, breathing heavily, with every word she spoke.
'No. I'm going to finish this. If beating him gets me back the Erza I know, then it isn't even a question, I'm going to win.' Said Natsu, struggling to get back to a vertical base, resting both hands on his knees.
'And just how do you plan to do that?' Asked Jellal, clearly amused at the ramblings, of what he considered, a fool.
'Like this.' Said Natsu, before punching his fist into the tower and pulling out a chunk of Lacrima, thrumming with the power of Etherion, before taking a bite of it.
'You're even more stupid than I thought!' Taunted Jellal, before he and Erza both froze.
Erza had gotten a glimpse of Natsu's new power when Natsu and Laxus had almost come to blows, but what she felt now dwarfed that by a huge margin and left her in awe. Jellal on the other hand was stricken with paralysing fear, the ferocious nature of Natsu's magic was weighing down on him like a mountain. Breathing was harder and even his bones were trembling at the pressure Natsu was releasing.
Superheated blue flames were rolling off Natsu in waves, causing Erza to recoil slightly at the heat, but found the flames weren't actually burning her. Natsu's eyes had gone white and his skin seemed to be glowing with a hint of purple energy. Natsu's nails also seemed a tad sharper in Erza's opinion and it seemed as though his canines had lengthened slightly.
'What… are you?' Stammered Jellal, feeling his form start to tremble in primal fear.
In a voice neither Erza or Jellal recognised, having become much more gravelly and dark, Natsu responded, but it was his words that chilled them to the bone.
'I am E.N.D. and your executioner.' Rasped Natsu.