Chapter 13 - Disastrous Beginning
Somewhere in the outskirts
Team Natsu were on their way towards the meeting of the guild alliance. From what they had learned, they were meeting with three other legal guilds in an attempt to combat one of the higher ranking dark guilds working under the Balam Alliance. The Balam Alliance working as the Kingpin of dark guilds when it came to running things. Though their motives and real goal being unknown. Fairy Tail was going to work with Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale and an unknown guild called Cait Shelter.
Right now, Team Natsu was composed of Natsu, Gray, Erza and Lucy with Lucy having left behind the boys under the care of Vincent. Mainly to keep the boys safe as they've already been in enough danger than Lucy realize. The girl herself having to work on strengthening her magic and her body with how much she's been slipping up lately. That and her teammates training harder with the servants to share and trade skills to help each other improve.
"So how is Natsu fairing?" Erza asked.
"The sleep spell worked." Lucy answered as the Dragon Slayer was sleeping on her lap.
"He's gotten closer to you recently." Erza said hoping to tease her friend.
"I guess we just have that special bond." Lucy said having various theories as to Natsu being closer lately.
One of them being that Natsu's instincts are making him want to seek out a mate. That or he genuinely like Lucy and reverse imprinted with Shirou. A dragon raising a familiar dragon probably tampered with his instincts.
"Just wake him up in a minute. I think we're almost there." Gray said as they were reaching their destination.
At the meeting area
Team Natsu arrived at a nice furnished building where they were told they would meet the other guilds they would meet. Only it was silent and empty as they arrived. Just as they were about to call out and ask if anyone was already there. The lights turned off and a single spot light turned on.
When suddenly, a horrendous creature… some sort of animal in a suit with the appearance of a hobbit of sorts stood in place and posed. It was terrifying to the point even Erza looked scared.
"MEEEEEN!" the creature screamed.
Lucy was deeply afraid and untintionally summoned Asterios who came running in. Just as the rest of Blue Pegasus arrived to take their own stances. Sadly Asterios was confused and was only aware of Lucy's fear. Causing him to assume that she was in great danger and proceeded to throw the Blue Pegasus wizards around.
"What is this thing!?"
"I don't know but it's too strong!"
"Settle down boys! We can defeat it… ow my leg!"
A few minutes later
Lucy apologized to the Blue Pegasus wizards and explained how she thought their leader Ichiya was some sort of creature. The only offense they felt from that statement was the fact Lucy didn't know who Ichiya was. Surprisingly enough, Erza apologized to Lucy. For her reason was that Lucy had now been acquainted with Ichiya. Although the Titania refused to explain why she didn't like Ichiya and just said it's best for Lucy to never find out.
It didn't take too long for Lucy to be the one getting offended. Because the boys following Ichiya immediately dragged her and Erza to some love seat as if they were at a cabaret with male workers. Unfortunately for them, Lucy wasn't too impressed and another pair heroic spirits felt the same.
That's when Diarmuid and Marie Antoinette appeared shaking their heads.
"I'm afraid you're all missing a few things." Marie said as she stood over the couch. "You weren't leading the ladies as they wished. You want them to be interested and make them feel welcomed. You only made it awkward and uncomfortable for them instead." she explained as Hibiki used his Archive Magic to write notes.
Diarmuid looked at Eve and Ren, "You two have the right idea, but execute it poorly." he said.
"How so!?" Eve asked with a shocked face.
"You are too eager and your friend looks like he cannot control his emotions. Is he a tsundere or is he just socially anxious? You Eve, are a bit too eager as if you expect success. Gentlemen do not force themselves or force women to feel a certain way." Diarmuid explained.
Ren fell on his knees and hit the floor with his fist, "Curse me and my incapabilities! I failed you coach!" he said to Ichiya.
"You're calling him coach now?" Lucy asked.
Back to Marie, she shook her head at the tea, "This tea is too cold. It does not need to be pre-prepared but you should be ready for when offering any otherwise it will grow cold or you might offer the wrong flavor." she explained.
Hibiki facepalmed, "How do I screw up something so simple damn it!?" he asked.
"Cursing is also frowned upon." Marie added as Hibiki sighed.
"I failed you too senpai!" Hibiki said to Ichiya.
""Are you going to keep giving him nicknames?" Lucy asked.
Then Diarmuid appeared in front of Erza, "A hand kiss is a gentleman's gesture towards a lady. However, sometimes they will not like the gesture. Therefore you must know when to pull out." he said before looking into Erza's eyes.
"Diarmuid, it's sweet for you to show…" Erza stopped as she felt Diarmuid's charm affect her mind.
"Good day madam, how are you on this day?" Diarmuid asked.
"F-Fine." Erza said trying to break free of the charm.
This nonsense ended once Lamia Scale had arrived. Revealing that Jura, a Wizard Saint like Makarov, arrived as a representative alongside Sherry and Lyon surprisingly enough.
"Sorry we're late. We were… what is this?" Jura asked.
A little while later
Seeing that Lamia Scale had arrived, everyone from Blue Pegasus prepared a presentation to begin their planning. While at the same time waiting for the representatives of Cait Shelter to arrive. When they did, all everyone saw was a blue haired little girl who came running in. Only to fall on her face.
"Wendy, you should have been careful not to rush in. Now you've made a poor first impression." said a white cat that followed her.
As Lucy helped the girl up, she gave the cat a serious look, "I think you should be careful with first impressions. I mean what if, Wendy was it? Had hurt herself?" she asked surprising the cat.
The cat looked wide eyed, "Oh heavens, I did make a bad impression. Please excuse me." the cat said before she also went to check on Wendy who was fine.
Then Happy got excited and pulled out a fish. He was about to run and present it to the female cat as if it were a bouquet of roses. Only for Diarmuid to pull him back.
"Aye, what's up?" Happy asked.
"Happy, you don't go rushing in to meet a woman you are interested in. Take your time and be careful with what you say." Diarmuid said.
"Then what should I say?" Happy asked curiously. The Irish gentlemen then whispered into the cat's ear, "And then?" he asked. Happy grinned, "Aye sir!" he exclaimed before slowly walking up to the cat.
"Hello, who are you?" the cat asked.
"Hello ma'am I am Happy. I see your a fellow feline. Please, accept this fish as a token of potential friendship." Happy said almost sounding like a robot.
"No thank you, I do not like fish." Happy's heart shattered like glass upon hearing those words. "Thank you for the gesture though. I am Charle and this child is Wendy." she said introducing herself.
'Charle.' the name Happy would consider belonging to the woman he would consider to be the love of his life.
"Everyone please group up. Hibiki here, will do the honors and present us with the details of our objective. Right Hibiki?" Ichiya asked while doing another pose.
"Yes big bro." Hibiki said making Lucy sweat drop.
"Again with the nicknames?" Lucy asked.
As Hibiki prepared his archive magic again. He presented his files on the Oracion Seis, one of the three leading guilds in the Balam Alliance. Though very small, they rely on the quality of their strength, power and cooperation over sheer numbers and brute force like many no named dark mages rely on. Something that the whole group inside the building needs be wary of and prepared for.
From what Hibiki presented, as the name of their group translated. There are six members in total and most of them are powerful in their own right.
Their leader was a tanned man with tattoos on his face, named Brain. No doubt just another way to point out his intelligence as a leader needs some to handle a strong dark guild and keep it organized.
His subordinates were a beautiful young woman named Angel. A fast man with a pointy nose named Racer. A poison magic user named Cobra who keeps a large snake around him at all times. An army killer who utilizes earth magic named Hoteye. Finally there was a mysterious mage with unknown capabilities named Midnight with a rather feminine appearance. All dangerous in their own right and something they can't take lightly.
Unfortunately that still left Natsu with the stupid idea that he should run head first. Even worse, Lucy wasn't fast enough to trap him inside of a Perfect Cube like last time.
"Damn that idiot!" Gray yelled.
"We should go after him but then again. We haven't finished our meeting." Lyon said.
"My next plan was actually to locate the Oracion Seis!" Ichiya said.
"That's right boss! You're the man!" Ren exclaimed.
"So did you have an idea of where they were or were we just going to go and look randomly?" Lucy asked.
Ichiya paused for a moment to take in that question, "Thinking about it now, I may need to revise that idea." He said feeling a bit embarassed.
Lucy sighed, "Well running in one direction and thinking you'll get a fight. Won't be any better." She said while facepalming.
"Regardless we better go after him. There is no doubt as to how much damage Natsu will cause before he's even aware of the presence of the dark guild." Erza said with everyone else either nodding in agreement or sighing in annoyance.
'I'm going to enjoy disciplining him.' Dark Lucy said.
'Shut up Dark Lucy!' Lucy mentally thought.
'Teehee!' Dark Lucy giggled.
A few minutes later
While Ichiya and Jura stayed back. Everyone else left to run after Natsu in hopes of keeping him from hurting himself. Upon surviving a long trek through the forest followed by Gray and others tripping and hurting themselves along the way. Natsu stopped once he accidentally fell off of a hill only to just barely be saved by Lucy, who was saved by Gray, who was saved by Erza, who was also somehow being saved by Asterios. With everyone minus Asterios hanging off of the hill.
"Natsu, do you even know where the Oracion Seis are?" Lucy asked.
"I don't but… I thought if I ran long enough. I would find them and beat them up." Natsu said making Lucy twitch.
The Dragon Slayer immediately got nervous as he briefly saw Lucy's eyes flicker into the color yellow. Lately, Dark Lucy was a lot scarier than Erza. Not out of strength since he knew Lucy was leagues below Erza but likely stronger than Mira before she lost control over her magic.
Once everyone was safe and Asterios was tucked away back into Lucy. Everyone gazed at the sky as an airship was floating over them.
"What is that?" Sherry asked.
"That is the Christina, the pride of Blue Pegasus." Hibiki answered proudly.
Sadly while the Christina is the very definition of elegance. The advanced piece of technology would fall from grace, literally. Explosions went off and it immediately fell down to the earth. Leaving everyone shocked at the sight of the machinery's destruction.
"What could have done?" Wendy asked with fear in her eyes.
"Get down!" Hibiki yelled out as another explosion nearly hit them.
Luckily enough, Lucy was able to react quickly. As she forced Gray into using the servant card for Achilles as well as summoning the real Trojan War hero himself to block most of the explosion.
"What the heck was that?" Gray asked as he watched the smoke clear up.
Revealing the very six figures they were looking for. Perhaps Natsu did have a good reason to run off on his own. Then again, they probably saw the Christina and just followed it.
"Look what we have here." Cobra said sounding smug.
"Looks like a bunch of slowpokes who are late for the party." Racer said also looking smug.
"They also look a bit short handed. I wonder why." Angel said with a smirk.
In reality, everyone in the Oracion Seis knew why. Angel is a Celestial Spirit mage and used one of her spirits to disable Ichiya and Jura while they were alone. It also didn't help that they also functioned as spies due to their stealth abilities. So the dark mages were well aware of the plan by now unless the spirits have yet to report back.
"Everyone get ready! There's more of us than them, but quality beats quantity!" Lucy said warning them.
"Ice Make: Eagle!" Lyon yelled as he launched an eagle made of ice at them.
"Liquid Ground!" Hot Eye yelled out as the ground suddenly became soft and started pulling down everyone.
However it didn't last too long, Lucy spread her wings and helped Achilles out of the ground who summoned his chariot. Erza started lifting up Ichiya's sidekicks and helped load them onto the the chariot. Charle revealed that she could also use Aero magic and lifted Wendy from the ground as Happy did the same with Natsu. Leaving Gray to figure out how to summon his own copy of the chariot to escape and pick up Lyon and Sherry.
"So they're more resourceful than they look." Brain said with a smile. "No matter, ancient magic versus ancient magic it is." he said sounding excited.
Before anyone realized it, Brain raised up his fist and revealed a command seal. Lucy and the rest of her team went wide eyed as they saw Brain activate it by using up one of the spells.
"Come forth and destroy your enemies, Caligula!" Brain exlaims as the field was filled with red malicious energy.
And thus arrived the barbaric looking Roman Emperor. Caligula let out a loud scream before rushing at everyone head first.
"What the heck is that!?" Gray asked.
"Not good, I found Nero's angry uncle!" Lucy said who unfortunately only had limited knowledge of a few servants that she didn't contain or have contact with.
"RAAAGH!" Caligula screamed as he ran up to Lucy and tried to punch her out of the air.
"Wall!" Lucy casted a large wall to that cracked with a single punch from Caligula.
"Luce! Happy we have to go after him!" Natsu said as Happy nodded.
Gray was about to land his chariot when Racer used his speed magic to jump on it once it was close enough to the ground.
"Hi there, is it a ride share or is there a fee?" Racer asked surprising them.
"What the?" Gray asked before being punched into the ground.
Sherry and Lyon also failed to react quickly before being knocked into the ground as well. The speedster chuckled as he kept hitting Lyon and Gray while they were down.
Meanwhile Erza went after the other members of the Oracion Seis. Using her armor to unleash a heavy wave of swords onto them. Angel hid behind Hoteye who summoned a wall to stop the blades while for some reason, all the swords avoided Midnight who was still asleep. Completely ignoring the dangers going on in the real world.
As for Ichiya's boys, Eve and Ren jumped down in attempt to help with the fight while Ibiki stayed with Achilles to think of a strategy. Leaving Lucy to keep blocking Caligula's attacks until Natsu landed a surprise attack on the raging Berserker.
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" Natsu shouted as he sent Caligula crashing into a boulder.
"Thanks Natsu, but I doubt that will last long." Lucy said sounding grateful but lacking some faith.
"Don't worry Luce, I can take him. Though maybe some extra power wouldn't be bad if he's that strong." Natsu said implying that a class card would help.
Lucy didn't lack faith in Natsu but at least he did show some sign of caution. For now, someone like Caligula was a powerful opponent and they were lucky enough that there wasn't a fool moon right now. Especially since it looks like Brain has good enough power to keep Caligula strong and battling for a long time.
"Sure thing Natsu!" Lucy said as she gave him Beowulf and gave Happy Gareth's card.
"GRAAH!" Caligula screamed as he ran right at Natsu.
Natsu had already inserted Beowulf's card and slammed Hrunting against the ground. Causing a small earthquake before rushing at Caligula who lost his balance. Using this brief moment, Natsu ran at Caligula and tackled him down into a straddle before repeatedly punching him in the face. Before finding himself punched back and thrown off by the Roman Emperor.
Meanwhile Happy already activated Gareth's card and flew towards Charle and Wendy who were hiding behind a rock. Mainly due to Wendy being scared upon her first experience fighting dark mages.
"Don't worry, Happy the Knight is here!" Happy said as he announced his presence.
"Oh? So you're saving the damsels in distress then?" Charle asked with her arms folded and looking disappointed.
Happy then used more of Diarmuid's advice, "Of course, not I'm helping because you two are close allies and Wendy looks like she needs help after all." He said making Wendy smile.
"Oh, I misjudged you tomcat." Charle said sounding surprised.
Happy grinned just as he raised up his shield to block sort of green arm. Happy looked confused before he noticed Brain himself was trying to attack him.
"Everyone work towards capturing the Sky Maiden!" Brain orders as he points at Wendy who got scared.
"You have to get through me if you want to get through to Wendy!" Happy yelled just as Racer appeared and punched his shield repeatedly.
Though Happy used all the strength he had to hold him back while trying to push him away with his lance. Cobra also took the opportunity to attack only to be intercepted by Erza who was using her flight armor. A strange name considering the fact it looked like a cheetah turned into a bikini and it's ability was speed rather than actual flight. Regardless, this fight was not about fashion.
"Haha, you can't hit me. I can hear things, I can hear your next strike, your next plan, your next... OUCH!" Cobra held his head as Happy threw his lance and ended up hitting Cobra with the blunt side.
"How would hearing predict movement?" Happy asked.
"Shut up cat!" Cobra yelled. Happy responded by throwing his helmet at Cobra as well, "Knock it off!" he yelled before Erza sliced down his chest with a sword.
Cobra let out a scream of pain just as the snake around him, Cubellios, bit down onto Erza's arm. Erza yelped in pain before falling back to hold her arm. Sadly by then, Brain managed to sneak his spell past Happy and grabbed Wendy while Happy was busy.
"Wendy!" Charle yelled out as she flew after her.
"I won't let them get away!" Happy yelled as he flew by her side.
"Charle!" Wendy yelled out as the two tried to reach for each other.
Only for Wendy to grab Happy instead. It wouldn't have mattered either way as Charle didn't have any more strength than Happy in his base form. So with the momentum at work, Happy was taken away as well before anyone could do anything to stop the leader of the Oracion Seis.
"Everyone regroup at the hideout! Dark Rondo!" Brain yelled out as he unleashed powerful blasts of dark magic over the entire alliance.
However, at the last second Jura and Ichiya suddenly appeared, "Iron Rock Wall!" he yelled out.
Everyone had then taken shelter under the giant cover that Jura had built. When the shelling was over and things were clear over the horizon. The alliance witnessed that their foes had escaped and took Wendy and Happy with them. Making this a terrible start on their part.
"We have to find Happy!" Natsu exclaimed.
"And Wendy too!" Charle added.
"Calm down, we need to form a plan first. Despite stopping that man's magic, I already feel drained of my own." Jura said in between breaths.
"At least you saved us." Lyon said gratefully.
"That's why Jura-sama is the best!" Sherry said in agreement.
Seeing that they were now safe, even if it's temporary. The group moved down to the forest to plan out the next phase of their plan. Especially seeing that Wendy and Happy were kidnapped. However, before they were able to come up with a plan. Everyone noticed Erza was clutching her arm as a giant purple mark appeared.
"What the heck is that!?"Natsu asked.
"Erza what happened?" Lucy asked.
Erza gritted her teeth as the pain filled her entire arm, "That snake bit my arm. I think it was poisonous." she said as she reached for Lucy's sash only for Lucy to smack it away.
"Erza, I'm not flashing my private parts if you die!" Lucy yelled.
"I need a tourniquet Lucy! If I don't sever my arm, I won't be able to fight!" Erza argued as she tossed her sword in middle.
Lyon was the first to go after the sword and pick it up, "Lyon what do you think you're doing?" Gray asked.
"Isn't it obvious? We have to amputate!" Lyon said.
By then Ichiya, who had just arrived a few minutes ago, already pulled out a vial, "No! My Parfum will save her!" he said as his Perfume magic did it's work with no result.
"See? We have to amputate now!" Lyon yelled only for Nightingale to suddenly appear and chop his head.
"No you fool, amputation especially with a sword such as that one will create more harm than good." Nightingale said.
"What do you know old woman!? Lyon-sama is doing this out of love!" Sherry yelled in Lyon's defense.
Lucy sighed, "This is Florence Nightingale. She discovered the concept of bacterial disease." she said making Sherry shut up. "Also she's right, I don't know much about swordplay, but there's a chance that if Lyon screws up. The sword will get stuck and Erza will just die from blood loss." she said as everyone went wide eyed.
"Do not forget, there is more than one way to deal with poison." Nightingale said as she prepared her bag.
"But…" Erza tried to say.
"Not another word girl. Lucy please assist me." Nightingale said.
"One minute, guys I'll give you all a few servants to help. Wendy and Happy are still out there and needs our help." Lucy said as she started getting to work.
The groups, a while later
While Erza was being tended to by Lucy and Nightingale with Hibiki staying back with them. Everyone else broke into groups of three with a servant following each group. As they looked deeper into the forest for the Oracion Seis. Each group found themselves ambushed by several smaller dark guilds. All working under the Oracion Seis with orders to attack the alliance members.
Everyone soon prepared themselves to fight for their lives. Especially Ichiya as he now just realized that he was separated from the group once again.
"MEEEEEEEeeeen?" Ichiya asked as he looked around.
The dark mages laughed, "You're all alone now." one of them said.
Ichiya narrowed his eyes as took a martial arts pose, "Be that as it may. I am stronger than I look. I am not alone with you, you are all alone with me!" he said as he did a spin kick causing him to fall on his back.
The dark mages continued to laugh as they prepared to beat Ichiya while he was down.
With Ren and Eve
Ren and Eve looked around with conern, "Where's the boss?" Eve asked.
"I don't know, but we have company." Ren said as he noticed the dark guild surrounding them.
"You boys ready to fight?" Jason of the Argonauts asked.
Both boys nodded, "We're ready, so lets beat them and save Ichiya as quickly as possible!" Eve said before the fight broke out.
With Lamia Scale
Like the boys from Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale was also surrounded by a dark mage group. Jura warned everyone to not get too reckless or separate at any point.
"I can handle it. I can't say much for the horse." Lyon said referring to Chiron, who was in his complete centaur form.
"Don't be rash young man. I've had many students make names for themselves but still ended up hurting themselves due to reckless behavior." Chiron said referring to Achilles and Jason.
"I would listen to the Archer Lyon. You still lack discipline." Jura said much to Lyon and Sherry's ire.
With Natsu, Gray and Charle
Charle took cover as she lacked combat and support abilities outside of being able to fly and carry one person at a time. Leaving Natsu and Gray to excitedly prepare themselves to fight. Even more so that Quetzalcoatl was here and not aiming to use her fists on them.
"Let's keep it fair muchachos. As the big sister, I get the bigger portion to beat up." Quetzalcoatl told them.
"No fair! I want a bigger portion!" Natsu whined.
"I don't need any permission. Because I can beat them all by myself." Gray said.
"No breaking the rules Gray." Quetzalcoatl said as she gave them a warm sisterly smile.
"Are you idiots going to keep standing there and talking or are we going to fight!?" asked a dark mage.
The Aztec goddess turned her head and gave the man a grin. One where her teeth were as sharp as the ones a shark would normally have.
"Be patient and wait for your whooping." she said terrifying the dark mage.
In the distance, a familiar adversary watched with a glare. Since Eisenwald collapsed, Erigor now had to live off of working with the lesser dark guilds after losing his reputation due to a humiliating defeat by Natsu's hand. Now he was going to wait until all these dark mages who were weak in his eyes were defeated so he could challenge Natsu to a solo fight and defeat him.
Back with Lucy
Nightingale smiled, "She's stabilized, but all we can do now is let the poison leak out and wait for it to exit Erza's body." she said.
Lucy nodded, "Good, hang in there Erza. We're almost done." she said in an attempt to keep the Titania calm.
"That's sweet." Hibiki commented.
"Not that I don't mind, but what are you still doing here Hibiki?" Lucy asked curiously.
"Well aside from keeping you ladies company." Hibiki said unable to hear man of the servants giving him death threats. Most likely thinking he was a pig, "I can monitor everyone here with my Archive magic." he said just as a hologram of a tracker appeared.
"Is that everyone?" Lucy asked as she saw the various groups of dots on the screen.
"It should be, but for some reason I can't find Master Ichiya." Hibiki said looking a bit concerned.
With Ichiya
"You are free to surrender at any time. For I am far from tired, but still fair." Ichiya said despite his situation.
"Shut up." the dark mage said.
For Ichiya did not win nor was he in a continously long fight. Despite his prowess and reputation as a great mage and skills with his parfum based magic. Ichiya also lacked fighting capability much like Charle. Which left him to get surrounded before being beaten very badly. Sadly, the servant he was with was with Ren and Eve. Even worse, he told Lucy to give Eve the command seals as to teach the young boy about responsibility.
Leaving Ichiya with no way to call for help or escape.
"MEEEEEEEN!" Ichiya yelled thinking that they could hear him from this deep into the woods.
Back with Lucy's group
"I'm sure he's fine. Ichiya may be eccentric but he wouldn't be here if Master Bob didn't respect his capabilities as a leader." Lucy said trying to be respectful.
Hibiki nodded, "Of course, I'm sure he just got distracted and accidentally went the wrong direction." he says unaware of the danger his superior is in.
"Though I'm still worried about Wendy and Happy." Lucy said still sounding concerned.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find them soon. We have several teams looking for her and don't forget about your little squad." Hibiki said referring to the Jeanne and the Assassin she sent to help track Wendy down.
"I hope so." Lucy replied.
With Wendy
After being captured, Wendy and Happy were dropped on the ground in front of Brain and the rest of the Oracion Seis. Fearing the many horrible things they could be planning to do them.
"Why did we bring the brat?" Cobra asked sounding irritated.
"Yes, why is that? We could be selling her and make more money!" Hoteye exclaimed.
"It's not always about money Hoteye." Racer said.
"Everything is about money! With more money, you can do anything!" Hoteye argued with great passion.
"Enough! We are not selling the girl because she has more value than a few jewel." Brain said interrupting Hoteye's religious rant.
After Hoteye was silenced and Happy was restrained from fighting back. Brain gestured for Racer to pick present him with a strange box while complaining about the heavy contents of the box slowing him down from when he had to deliver it to the hideout. Once that was done, Brain opened the box shocked Happy and Wendy by presenting the unconscious yet injured body of Jellal Fernandez. A former enemy Happy assumed had been lost inside of the Tower of Heaven once Natsu defeated him with Karna's power.
"Is he?" Wendy gulped as she didn't finish the question.
"No, while he has been roughed up. Jellal is very much alive, but not for too long. That is, unless you heal him." Brain said.
"Don't do it Wendy! Jellal is pure evil!" Happy yelled.
"You're wrong! He's a good man!" Wendy yelled, scaring Happy. "He's a kind person who looks out for others!" she said denying Happy's statement.
For years ago, Wendy was adopted by the Sky Dragon Grandeeney and raised to learn how to use Sky Dragon Magic which was essentially a wind based element. In all that time, Wendy saw Grandeeney as her mother missed her dearly. So when she woke up one day to find the dragon had gone missing. She weeped and ran around to look for her when she found a blue haired boy who would introduce himself as Jellal.
From there, Wendy spent a long time with Jellal until he started getting nervous and forced the girl to live at the village where the leader of Cait Shelter lived. It wouldn't be too long after that when Wendy would find Charle's egg and keep it safe until hatched. Now Wendy was disturbed by the fact that Happy accused Wendy's first friend to be a bad person. So even with Brain clearly plotting something malicious behind Jellal being healed a resuscitated. Wendy had little reason to resist and deny the request.
"I'll do it." Wendy said in a defeated voice.
"Wendy no!" Happy said only to be kicked by Brain.
Happy groaned as he really wished his mana would recharge and let him tap into Gareth's power again. Because he really just wanted to beat everyone up before taking Wendy and leaving. Only to watch helplessly as the very man who tried to kill Erza was being brought back from the brink of death.
With Natsu and Gray
As the other guilds and servants and defeated the other minor dark guilds. Natsu, Gray and Quetzalcoatl finished off the remaining dark mages they were ambushed by.
"Uno! Dos! Tres!" Quetzalcoatl sang in Spanish as she beat the last of the dark mages who oddly enough looked like apes.
"These guys were way too easy." Natsu said before Erigor appeared.
"So eager to be defeated Salamander?" Erigor asked as he landed before Natsu.
Natsu glared at the former member of Eisenwald, "You… who are you again?" he asked.
Erigor glared at the Dragon Slayer, "I see you've gotten so arrogant after my defeat that you've forgotten me." he said sounding displeased.
"If I beat you then you were probably not very interesting." Natsu said ignoring any worth Erigor had as an opponent.
"Who's that?" Quetzalcoatl whispered over to Gray.
"He's a member of Eisenwald. Natsu defeated but had a hard time because of his wind magic." Gray answered before Erigor charged at Natsu.
Natsu dodged the attack and started punching back with his own fire magic. Erigor grinned as he blocked the attack with his wind magic. Yet he couldn't assure victory as his smile faltered. Natsu was generating a lot of heat.
"What!? You weren't this powerful before!" Erigor yelled.
Natsu grinned and replied, "I got a new training regiment! Lucy even helped me learn a new power!" He says as several marks appear on his body.
"What are those?" Quetzalcoatl asked.
"Lucy gave Natsu and myself some rune magic. So it adds weight. We can turn them off when we feel like it so it helps us build up strenght and speed." Gray answered as Natsu unlocked the weights and added his improved strength.
When Erigor was pushed back, he found himself crashing into a tree. Where Natsu proceeded to summon a pair of swords covered in flames.
"It's ironic, Shirou has a similar power." Natsu said before running at Erigor.
"It won't be like the last time!" Erigor yelled as he used his wind magic to enhance his speed.
"I know! It ends with me beating you faster!" Natsu yells as he makes a cross slash attack across Erigor's chest that sends him flying back farther into the forest.
Where they would later find him unconscious from his wounds, "And the winner is Natsu! Congratulations Luchadore!" Quetzalcoatl exclaimed.
"No time for goofing off yet. We still have to look for Wendy and Happy." Gray said just as Quetzalcoatl made a loud whistling noise.
When all of a sudden, a giant tetradactyl appeared, "Let's go boys, we can find our friends faster this way." she said as all three of them jumped on.
"Wait for me!" Charle said as she was too afraid of being left behind to object to riding a dinosaur.
Back with Lucy
Just as things seemed fine. The group was confronted by that woman named Angel again.
"I see the poison isn't working as fast as it should." Angel said while looking smug.
"It isn't doing anything at all because we cured Erza of it." Lucy said enjoying the shocked face on Angel's face.
"No matter, I hear you're a celestial spirit mage. Let's see if your spirits are as good as mine." Angel said as she revealed her own keys. "Gate of Scorpion! Scorpio!" she said revealing a red haired man.
Lucy glared at her, "Florence, please watch over Erza. With Jeanne and Cleo out there, I can't summon anyone other than the celestial spirits." she said realizing she might have been neglecting them. Lucy then pulled out three keys, "This might exhaust me, but hopefully I can handle tapping into that. Gate of the Lion, Gate of the Golden Bull and Gate of the Water Bearer!" she said as all three spirits came out.
"Three at once!?" Angel asked with a surprised face. 'I can barely handle two.' she thought before smirking at Scorpio as she knew he was dating Aquarius, thinking this would work to her advantage.
"Yo Aqua! It's me baby!" Scorpio yelled as he waved his hands around.
"Lucy! Did you just summon me to fight my boyfriend!?" Aquarius asked.
"Well you never said who your boyfriend was so, not my fault." Lucy said earning an angry stare. Only for the Holy Maiden to pull out a pamphlet, "If you can convince him to surrender or go away. I'll let you enjoy a fine dining experience within a reality marble with a beautiful view of anywhere you want." she said.
Aquarius grinned as she took the pamphlet, "And that's why you're my favorite!" she said before hanging onto Scorpio's arm. "Let go and ditch these losers." she whispered.
"Good idea." Scorpio whispered back as the two disappeared.
"Moo! I need some motivation too Lucy!" Taurus said.
Lucy brought out some photos of her female servants, "This is really shallow of me, but this is more important. Master Makarov requested these for a future swimsuit magazine but I think you will want them more." she says as Taurus drools.
Taurus then saluted Lucy, "Your orders ma'am?" he asked.
Lucy then turned to Leo who turned away, trying to hide his nosebleed, "I wouldn't mind a reward either." he said pretending to sound cool.
"I'll give you a date with Scattach." Lucy said with a blank face as she pointed at the Lancer's photo.
"Deal!" Leo said unaware that Scattach is pretty much the same as a purple haired Erza with a lance instead of a sword.
Angel glared at the group, "Gate of the Golden Ram! Ares!" she called out a pink haired girl appeared.
"Ares!" Leo shouted in surprise.
Before he realized it, Ares was being forced to fight Leo and Taurus. With both getting on the defensive until Taurus put the handle of his axe under Ares' chin.
"Leo you know what you have to do!" Taurus exclaimed as Ares panicked.
"Sorry Ares… tickle tickle tickle!" Leo said as he tickled Ares against her will.
"Stop! Please! I surrender!" Ares yelled only to hear Angel growl.
"Gate of the Chisel Key!" Angel called out as a strange machine appeared.
"What the heck is that?" Hibiki asked.
His answer came in the form of a powerful laser, "Wall!" Lucy called out as she surrounded the celestial spirits in a purple dome.
"You crazy ass!" Leo and Taurus yelled.
The machine continued to fire, now aiming at Lucy who coated her arms in mana, "Break!" she yells as her magic managed to split the beam in half.
Along with destroying a good portion of the forest, "You don't need to cause deforestation to win a fight you know." Hibiki said.
"Shut up." Lucy said ignoring him.
"Clearly Ares was a poor choice." Angel said as she sent Ares back to the celestial spirit world.
"Hold up! How do you have Ares!? She belonged to my old master!" Leo demanded as the barrier broke.
Angel giggled, "Isn't it obvious? I killed Karen Lilica." she said with much glee.
Hibiki's eyes widened as he personally knew Karen before her death. Though suddenly clutched his chest as if his heart literally did break.
"You murderer!" Leo yelled angrily.
"Calm down Leo, don't let her egg you on." Taurus said warning his old friend.
Leo growled but did as Taurus said to him, "Let's just take her down then!" he said as Taurus could agree to that.
Angel gave off a scary grin, "Gate of the Twins! Gemini!" she casts as she reveals two blue little people.
"Aw crap." Leo and Taurus said at the same time.
The twins proceeded high five each other before transforming. Both celestial spirits knew very well that Gemini had the ability to mimic just about anyone and their abilities. Seeing as Gemini was slowly transforming into Lucy, they both knew Gemini would try to manipulate them by mimicking Lucy's magical signature to do Angel's bidding. Only for it to falter.
"Stand down you two!" Gemini demanded while mimicking Lucy's voice only to get an odd look. "What are you two looking at?" she asked.
"You pervert!" Angel yelled very angrily.
"Huh?" Gemini asked before looking down and noticing they/she was naked. "AHHH!" they/she screamed in terror.
"This is so humiliating!" Lucy said as she covered her eyes.
"You're telling me. Lucy's boobs are bigger than that." Taurus commented.
"I think one of them is sagging. You're losing your touch Gemini." Leo added.
Gemini proceeded to cover themselves, "Whatever do as I command!" they said as they pulled out the keys to Taurus and Leo.
Before they could resist, Lucy spoke up, "The deals off if you listen to them!" she yelled.
Hearing that, Taurus and Leo realized they would lose their chance to see beautiful women. Causing them to power up to the point the ground would shake.
"Ultimate Celestial Spirit Combination Technique: Lover of Women Crash!" the two yelled as they proceeded to close their eyes and tackle Gemini down.
By then, Gemini already split back into two. With Leo and Taurus grabbing one each and yelling threats about them almost taking away their chance to see beautiful women from ancient history. In the meantime, Gemini could see deep into Lucy's mind. That despite the cheap way she had to bribe the two idiots. Lucy had great respect for them and greater love for celestial spirits in general.
Even if they were meant to fight for her. Lucy always worked hard to try to improve herself as she didn't see celestial and heroic spirits as slaves or literal servants. Instead, she wanted to collect them as if they were her family.
'Maybe she's better than Angel.' Gemini thought while ignoring the ranting and beating they were getting.
"Enough of this! Finish her off Caelum!" Angel said to her mechanical celestial spirit.
"Break!" Lucy yelled again as she tried to slice the cannon blast again.
"You boy, watch over Erza. I need to assist Lucy." Nightingale said as she already stood up.
"No need, I think I can transfer something to Lucy that will help." Hibiki said as he transferred some sort of magical incantation to Lucy who was stopping all the blasts.
'I should be able to stop this, but my mana is low. I guess three celestial spirits and three heroic spirits along with assigning everyone else to a team is taking a toll on me. I might need to tap into my connection to the grail.' Lucy thought nervously.
Only to suddenly feel the incantation that Hibiki sent to her. After blocking another blast. Lucy started to channel the rest of her mana into an attack that created the image of a solar system in front of her. Meanwhile Leo held down the Gemini twins as Taurus tackled down and restrained Caelum.
"You got this Lucy!" Taurus exclaimed.
"Survey the Heavens, Open the Heavens. All the stars, far and wide. Show me thy appearance. With such shine. Oh Tetrabiblos. I am the ruler of the stars. Aspect become complete. Open thy malevolent gate. Oh 88 stars of the heavens, Shine!" Lucy chanted before blasting Angel with the new magic.
As the attack was about to land. Angel didn't see a generic bright flash of magic. Instead, she saw a woman standing where Lucy once was. A woman great beauty and divinity, with elegant features and what seemed like a graceful personality. The woman smiled at Angel as she gently reached out for the dark mage with Angel doing the same. As Angel believed she was coming close to touching the woman, her eyes widened as several wings came from her back.
'A real angel. My prayer is almost here.' Angel thought before being sent flying with the attack.
The incantion was powerful but it appeared as if it wasn't meant to directly kill anyone. As it merely made Angel crash in the lake. Leaving Lucy unaware of what she did despite her resistance against most mental attacks.
Meanwhile Lucy fell on her butt, "What the heck was that?" she asked sounding confused.
"I think you summoned a solar system." Taurus said with a shocked face.
As Angel drifted off into some lake and felt the pain from Lucy's spell. The woman found herself facing the woman and felt the divinity once more. Only this time, she raised a hand to Angel's forehead as tears fell down her cheeks. Angel was shocked by the woman, who she believed to be a true angel, felt pain by touching her. The dark mage immediately felt horrible as if she caused someone of greater power pain.
Instead, Angel felt relieved of her own pain. Not the blast Lucy caused, but her internal pain. The very one she felt when she was enslaved and forced to build the R-System before the mass prison break. When the pain subsided, Angel saw the woman smile before leaving her view.
"I guess I can wait a little longer for my prayer to be answered." Angel muttered before losing consciousness.
Back with the group, Nightingale proceeded to tend to Lucy who recieved a lot of exhaustion from summoning three spirits of both heroic and celestial. Along with having to assign each group one servant. The girl promised herself to start training harder and maybe add some more physical exorcise with Shirou and Natsu… without taking it too far.
A few minutes later, Natsu did arrive. Along with Wendy too.
"That was fast." Lucy said before noticing Wendy was knocked unconscious along with Happy.
Hibiki looked at his screen, "Did something happen? You got separated from everyone else." he asked as he saw several people split up.
"Aztec lady and Gray went to help Lyon fight the speed guy." Natsu answered.
"Yes, however we have grave news." Charle said in a more serious than usual voice.
"What happened?" Lucy asked only to hear Wendy whimper as she stirred awake.
"I had a good reason. It was important." Wendy muttered.
Then Natsu remembered something, "Uh guys, when I found Wendy. I also found Jellal. Who's either alive or zombie with all it's flesh intact." he said making Erza wake up.
"Jellal!?" Erza asked.
Natsu frowned, "Simpette." he said making Erza blush.
With Gray's group
Lyon winced as he held his head in pain. He looked up in fear as Quetzalcoatl was preparing to hit him again with her club. The reason being that Lyon suddenly decided that he was the most powerful person in the entire forest and decided that freezing Gray and fighting by himself was more important than getting the mission done. He tried the same to Quetzalcoatl but sadly for him, Lyon seemed to put more of his training into his pride than his strength.
"You wish for another disciplinary meeting?" Quetzalcoatl asked with a sickly sweet smile.
"You leave Lyon-sama alone!" Sherry yelled before seeing the scary sharp toothed grin Quetzalcoatl gave her.
"Focus!" Gray yelled as Racer was the last one standing amongst the motorcycle riding dark mages he teamed up with.
"Hm, you guys don't have the speed to keep up but you do have a lot of stamina." Racer said as he made several snapping noises with his neck.
Lyon grinned, "I'm all you need to face…" he stopped at the sound of Quetzalcoatl's club. "Teamwork wins everything!" he said nervously as the goddess put the club away.
"You're so slow that you just figured that out?" Racer asked mocking the ice mage.
Back with Brain
Brain, now missing several black lines from his tattoo, was staring up at the ceiling in shock. Looking as if he was just told the secrets of the universe but couldn't handle them. The reason for this being the fact that Jellal released a powerful output of magical energy upon resuscitation.
"That man… he's going to steal Nirvana! Not only that, but that damn emperor will have my head!" Brain screamed very angrily. He then turned his head to Midnight and Cobra, "Cobra you go after him! Midnight, you deal with the rest of the alliance members!" he ordered.
Cobra nodded and left. Leaving Midnight by himself as he let out a small yawn as he stood up from his flying carpet.
"Sure thing, father." Midnight said as he left the cave to do as he was told.
Brain himself also left to his own devices. No doubt preparing to unleash Caligula as he could sense two servants approaching him. No doubt the very ones Lucy sent to help search for Wendy.
With Seymour
The blue haired man smiled as he watched everything unfold from a small airship. He saw the large battles and various explosions with a pair of binoculars. Seymour then focused his attention onto Jellal, he was surprised to see that the magic did work and that he was saved from the brink of death. Though with what Mateus has planned, Jellal will get off easy once this is over. Unlike Ikaruga who's likely strapped down to a table in some lab or the other boys who worked under her.
"Lord Seymour, sir." Wedge spoke up.
"Yes?" Seymour asked.
"The Emperor himself has an update for the mission." Wedge answered as he revealed a small lacrima.
Seymour took the lacrima and watched the contents unfold, "I see, so the emperor himself wishes for me execute a few scientists turned criminals." he said.
Wedge gulped, "Permission sir, what was crime?" he asked.
"It's obvious, someone did experiments with the DNA of his family." Seymour said referring to an ancient secret behind Nirvana that dates back to many years ago.
While Nirvana is a term to define one transcending from the state of living. Seymour and his soldiers were assigned with the task of removing any surviving scientists from this world. For while Nirvana won't be in the perfect state it was before being sealed. Time hasn't moved within that space.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Omake: Natsu Is Wrong
Brain grinned as he arrived at the meeting spot with his guild, "Any minute now. The alliance will arrive and we will ambush them." he said.
"I can't wait to beat them!" Cobra said excitedly.
"Too bad they're so slow. I can't beat them too quickly unless they show up." Racer said.
"Patience you two. They will arrive shortly." Brain said.
Three days later
Brain wiped his eyes as he looked around, "Where are they?" he asked.
"I don't know, but we've been waiting for so long that I'm ready to pass out from exhaustion." Angel said.
"Screw your exhaustion. Look at Midnight, he's been sleeping so long that he needs to run laps just to get tired again." Racer said as he pointed at the dark haired man running around in circles for the past 12 hours.
Eventually the alliance did arrive, "Finally, we found you." Jura said in between breaths as everyone looked exhausted.
"For legal mages, do none of you know the concept of punctuality?" Brain asked.
"It's Natsu's fault! He's been running away in one direction!" Gray yelled angrily.
"Whatever, let's fight!" Natsu said sounding excited.
Brain shook his head, "No, because we waited too long. Everyone except that boy is allowed to fight. We will give you one hour to exchange him." he said.
Natsu went wide eyed, "What!? That's not fair!" he yelled.
"It is fair Natsu-san. You took too long." Wendy said.
"Time to go Natsu. We already have a back ups ready in case any of us are unable to fight or get into trouble." Erza said.
"Who are you replacing me with!?" Natsu asked as Erza dragged him away.
A while later
A shorter spiky haired muscular boy replaced Natsu, "Hi guys, I'm Asta and even though I can't use magic. I'm still going to be the Wizard King!" he yelled.
Gray stared at Asta in confusion, "What the hell is this?" he asked.
"There's a surplus of spiky haired protagonists that was on sale." Erza answered.
Omake: Natsu was right all along!
Lucy growled in annoyance, "Natsu! Where are you going!?" she asked.
"Don't worry Luce! I have a GPS tracker that tells me where dark mages are! I got it so Erza would stop getting mad about me going the wrong way and destroying buildings!" Natsu answered.
A minute later
"Remember everyone, we can't fight without stretching. Otherwise our bodies will lock up and we'll be in horrendous pain." Brain announced as everyone started stretching.
When Natsu suddenly appeared, "Get ready to fight!" he yelled.
The Oracion Seis immediately got into fighting stance. When they were suddenly filled but nothing but horrible pain followed by several bones breaking. Leaving them all immobilized and open for attack.
"HAHAHA! You guys forgot to stretch!" Natsu said while laughing and pointing at them.
"Crap! How did he find us so quickly!?" Cobra asked angrily.
Everyone in the alliance stared in surprise at how quickly Natsu defeated the dark mage guild so quickly. With the power of a GPS and rushing in very quickly.
End of Omake