Chapter 8: Prize
"Hmm, it seems I won again," a young Erza smirked.
A young Natsu was on the ground, clenching his fist "Damn it, I lost again,"
"Come on, don't you get tired of always challenging me," Erza offered Natsu her hand.
"No," Natsu shouted, "I'm going to keep challenging you until I beat you."
Erza smirked "I see, well I look forward to your next challenge," she offered her hand to Natsu.
Natsu smiled "Yeah, I'll definitely beat you next time,"
Once Erza helped Natsu back on his feet, he felt something inside him. When he saw Erza, it was something he never felt, it was resentment and hate towards her.
Erza saw Natsu giving her a strange look "Hey, Natsu are you okay,"
Natsu quickly shook off the feelings and gave Erza a smile "Um, yeah I'm fine. Just thinking how I can beat you next time,"
Erza smiled "Well I'll be waiting for your next challenge,"
"Yeah," Natsu smiled confidently "Just wait, I'll win next time," he declared.
Erza smiled and walked back inside in the guild.. Once she left, Natsu grasped his chest confused.
"Why, why did I feel that when I lost to Erza?" Natsu thought to himself.
Natsu's eyes opened, he saw himself in darkness.
"Why am I remembering this now,"
It was then in his mind he saw a picture of him and the guild and the picture was beginning to tear apart.
...
"Who are you," Zeref's eyes narrowed at Ultear.
Ultear's face was red, she fell to her knees and bowed to Zeref "Zeref-sama, I have spent so long searching for you"
Zeref's eyes narrowed "I see you are the ones who are causing more chaos on the island,"
"We desire your existence Zeref-sama, please grant us your power so we can enter the new age of magic," Ultear prayed.
Zeref glared "I have no interest in doing something of that sort,"
Ultear's eyes widened and she felt herself shiver feeling the dark power coming from Zeref.
"I do not want to witness more chaos," Zeref continued "No more lives need to be lost,"
"He doesn't want to see people die," Ultear shivered."He is Zeref, but is he in a state of slumber,"
"I am angry," Zeref glared, his Sharingan activating.
Ultear looked up and began to shiver in fear at Zeref's power
"What, what is this,"
…
Erza slowly opened her eyes and she saw Wendy, Carla, Happy and Lilly. Wendy was currently healing her.
"Wendy," Erza awoke.
"Erza, you're awake," Happy smiled.
Wendy wiped her tears "Thank goodness, you're okay Erza-san,"
"What happened," Erza sat up.
"We found you and Master here unconscious," Wendy told her. "We also ran into Happy on our way here, and he told us the situation,"
Erza rubbed her head "I see, is Master okay,"
Wendy nodded "He's beaten up pretty bad but he'll make it,"
"Erza," Makarov opened his eyes.
"Master," Erza smiled seeing the old man awaken. "Are you okay,"
Makarov nodded "yes, thank you, Wendy,"
"You're welcome Master," Wendy wiped her tears.
Makarov then turned to Erza "Erza was that power, you used against that man,"
"Huh," Erza blinked, it was then she remembered what happened the red aura that surrounded her made her stronger "I don't know what it was, but it made me stronger and I have no idea where it came from,"
Makarov signed "I see we'll have to figure it out later, for now, we must gather everyone and leave,"
Wendy and the Exceeds then looked down depressed, catching Erza and Makarov by surprise.
"Wendy, what's wrong," Erza asked when she helped the Master up.
"Natsu is missing," Wendy told them.
Erza's and Makarov's eyes widened at this "What, are you sure he could have left with Gildarts, Freed, and Bickslow,"
"We found his scarf," Wendy showed them the scarfed "it was just lying on the ground, Natsu-niisan will never leave this,"
"When I went to base camp with Levy and Gajeel he wasn't there either," Happy said.
"Natsu," Erza thought "what happened, are you safe,"
"Do you think Natsu is okay," Wendy tore.
Erza's gaze softens seeing Wendy worry for Natsu and she placed a reassuring hand on Wendy "Hey it's Natsu, Wendy. I'm sure he's okay,"
Carla smiled "Yeah, knowing him he's probably on some rampage,"
Happy nodded "aye, that's Natsu for ya we'll find him,"
Lilly smirked "right,"
Wendy wiped her tears and smiled "Okay,"
"Let's head back to base camp so we can check on the others," Erza said and the others nodded, and they headed in the direction of the camp "Natsu please be okay,"
"Natsu, my boy,"
Flashback
Makarov was on his back barely conscious after the fight with Hades.
"Master Precht"
"You've raised quite the guild boy, but you are not without failures. Your grandson for example, but the other as well. One of your own children as of this moment will fall into darkness," Hades told the old man as he walked away.
Flashback over
"Was he referring to Natsu, when I spoke to him? I felt his path was beginning to waver. Natsu I hope what he said isn't true," Makarov thought.
"So should we strike now," Tayuya said.
"There Master is weak," Kidomaru smirked.
"Yes, it will be ample time to strike," Jirobo said.
"Yes, but let's wait til they all gather so we can slaughter them," Sakon smirked.
…
Gray, Lucy, and Cana were running through the woods. Loke decided to stay back and handle Caprico due to both being Celestial spirits.
"Do you think Loke is going to be okay," Lucy asked.
"I'm sure he's fine, besides you're his summoner after all," Gray smirked at the blonde making her smile.
The group then stopped running, taking a rest and after about ten minutes Loke and Capricorn's key appeared on her key ring.
Lucy smiled "Hey guys Loke won,"
Gray grinned "Seriously,"
"That's great," Cana smiled. "So where is he,"
"Oh he's in the spirit world resting," Lucy said.
Gray's eyes widened "Wait, that's not fair he's my partner damn it,"
Lucy's sweat dropped and laughed "Um, he said he'll make it up to you,"
"No, get him here now," Gray yelled.
"Sorry," Lucy laughed sheepishly.
"Hey guys I think we should split up," Cana said.
Gray and Lucy were shocked by this.
"What are you saying it'll be safer if we stick together," Lucy said.
"Yeah, if we encounter another Grimoire guy, then it's best we all stick together," Gray told her.
"I know that, but it's better to take out an enemy faster if we split up," Cana told him.
"I say you listen to your friend," a female voice said.
The group of three looked up and saw a redhead and a two-headed man standing on a tree branch.
"Who are you," Gray shouted.
"Eh, and why does he have two heads," Lucy jumped. "And four arms and legs,"
"I am Tayuya of the Neo Sound 4," Tayuya introduced, and she smirked maliciously.
"And I'm Sakon," Sakon smirked. "And we're here to kill you,"
…
An injured Elfman has just brought the unconscious Evergreen with him to the base camp.
"Damn it, how can I call myself a man, I couldn't do anything," Elfman cried.
"Don't blame yourself Elf-nii, we were all caught off guard," Lisanna said.
Levy wiped her tears "Yeah, I couldn't do anything to help Gajeel,"
"What do we do, there's more of them out there," Lisanna asked.
"I don't know, what about the others who are out there they could be in danger," Levy said.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about them," a malicious voice said.
The group turned and saw a large man with orange hair and a dark-skinned eight-armed man standing before them.
"Who are you," Elfman got in a fighting stance.
"More of Grimoire," Lisanna shouted.
"You got that right, we are the subordinates of Orochimaru-sama, I'm Kidomaru," Kidomaru shouted.
"Jirobo," Jirobo said.
"Kidomaru, and Jirobo," Levy said.
Kidomaru smirked "So are you fairies ready to die,"
…
"Neo Sound 4," Gray raised an eyebrow.
Sakon smirked "That's right, so you ready to die,"
Cana glared "I don't care who you guys, you're not interfering with this exam,"
Cana then threw her magic cards at the two. Gray put his fist in his open palm.
ICE MAKE LANCE
CARD MAGIC THUNDER
The two launched their attacks at the duo, but they dodged the attack with ease. Sakon then appeared behind them and smirked.
"Pathetic,"
MULTI LEG BARRAGE
The group of three was hit by Sakon's attack and sent to the dirt.
"Hehe, you guys are weak," Sakon cackled.
"Hey Sakon, don't hog all the fun," the second head spoked.
"Did that head just talk," Lucy shook.
"Yes, I am Sakon's brother Ukon," Ukon smirked. "Let me have some fun too,"
"Would you two shut up, we have a job to do," Tayuya spat.
Gray's eyes narrow, "Don't underestimate us,"
ICE MAKE IMPACT
Gray molded a giant ice hammer above Sakon and Ukon and Tayuya, the hammer slammed down knocking the three back.
"Bastard," Sakon grunted.
Tayuya's eyes narrowed "I'll stop them,"
The redhead then took out her flute and began to play.
"So what, are we supposed to be scared of your flute playing," Cana shouted.
"Wait Cana, somethings wrong," Lucy said, "I can't move,"
Cana's eyes widen and noticed she couldn't move either "What the hell, me neither,"
"Damn it," Gray grunted "What kind of magic is this,"
Tayuya and Sakon smirked.
…
Elfman exchanged fist with Jirobo the two stared down "Damn it every time I attack I feel weaker what the hell is going on,"
Jirobo grinned evilly "Come on loser, I hear how you always go on being a real man, so show me,"
"Bastard," Elfman glared.
Meanwhile, Lisanna and Levy were fighting Kidomaru who was keeping his distance by firing arrows at the two girls.
"Come on, make this more fun for me," Kidomaru cackled.
"Damn it, then how about you come out and fight like a man," Lisanna shouted.
"Where's the fun in that," Kidomaru smirked, he then fired more arrows at the two girls.
Levy's eyes narrowed and she swiped her hands.
SOLID SCRIPT FIRE
Levy burned the incoming arrows at her, Kidomaru frowned but then focused his fire at Lisanna who was dodging them mid-air.
"Maybe this will slow you down," Kidomaru then spits web at Lisanna causing her to fall.
"Ah, what is this," Lisanna struggled but couldn't get out of the web.
"LISANNA," Elfman shouted.
"Hey focus losers," Jirobo then punched Elfman in the gut.
"Gah," Elfman gasped.
"Elfman," Levy shouted, but she too was hit by Kidomaru's web binding her.
Kidomaru then prepared another arrow and cackled "Hehe, die,"
…
Sakon walked up to the paralyzed Gray, Lucy, and Cana, holding a kunai out "Now who is going to die first,"
"Bastard," Gray growled. "Come on move," he told himself.
Tayuya cackled "It's pointless, as long as I play my flute you're completely stuck,"
It was then suddenly the ground beneath Tayuya began to crack "What the," it was then the ground cracked open.
"Tayuya," Sakon shouted.
It was then Virgo popped out of the hole and grabbed the flute "That is very nice to know, thank you,"
"Virgo," Lucy smiled.
"Hey I can move," Gray grinned.
"Me too," Cana smiled.
"I managed to grab the flute," Virgo held the flute in her hand.
"Bitch, give that back," Tayuya growled.
"Afraid not, Gray-san," Virgo tossed the flute to Gray.
Gray jumped and grabbed the flute "Thanks Virgo,"
Gray then began to freeze the flute "Without this, you can't paralyze us anymore," once the flute was frozen Gray shattered it to pieces.
"Bastard," Tayuya growled.
It was then the group felt Tayuya's power rising and their eyes widened seeing her skin turned into a dark shade of brown, her hair became longer and she grew horns.
"Never thought I would go this far against you losers," Tayuya glared.
"Oh to think you were pushed that far," Sakon mocked.
"What is that," Lucy shook.
"She just got a major power boost," Gray said.
Cana's eyes narrow "What the hell are we going to do,"
Sakon and Ukon "How about we join in too,"
It was black marks began to grow on Sakon, and his skin became red, his face morphed into the shape of an oni. It was then Sakon and Ukon bodies separated and the three glared at the fair mages.
"Who would've thought we would use the second stages to these chumps," Sakon said.
"Yes, feels like a waste," Ukon glared.
"Shut up and let's kill them," Tayuya shouted.
Gray glared "Come and try it,"
Cana took out her cards "I won't let you get in the way of me becoming S-Class,"
"Let's go," Lucy took out a key.
ICE MAKE LANCE
CARD MAGIC THUNDER
GATE OF THE CRAB OPEN
…
The arrows Kidomaru fired bounced off against an iron sword. Levy then opened her eyes.
"Gajeel-kun,"
"I can't even sleep and you guys can't handle guys like these," Gajeel said.
"Sorry," Levy wiped her tears.
"What the" Jirobo said.
It was then suddenly Mira appeared Satan Soul ready and punch Jirobo in the gut "Elfman are you okay,"
"Nee-chan," Elfman coughed.
"Mira-nee," Lisanna smiled.
"So what you think having more numbers doesn't mean you'll win," Kidomaru declared. "We just have to power up and it's all over,"
It was then black marks grew on the two enemies, both their skins turning a dark red and their forms becoming more demonic like.
"What the hell is that," Levy shook.
"Some kind of Take-Over," Elfman said.
"You guys are dead," Jirobo charged at Mira.
Mira stood her ground and got into a grappling contest with the beast. Kidomaru then fired more arrows at Gajeel, but the iron dragon continued to deflect it.
Gajeel charged at Kidomaru, shrugging off the arrows he shot at him, and dodging all the web he spat at him. Gajeel spat nails at Kidomaru's feet preventing him from moving.
"Damn it," Kidomaru
Mira then was also managing to overpower Jirobo.
"How is she overpowering me," Jirobo grunted as he was being pushed back by Mira.
"I don't have a lot of strength left," Mira thought "I need to finish him quickly,"
…
"Damn it how are we losing these losers," Sakon grunted.
"They are stupidly tenacious," Ukon said.
"Damn it all," Tayuya shouted.
Gray, Lucy, and Cana breathe heavily.
"It seems those forms are just for, show," Gray told them.
"Damn it has Orochimaru-sama forsaken us again, our Curse Mark should make us stronger than them," Sakon shouted.
"A curse mark," Gray's eyes widened.
"Like Natsu," Lucy breathed.
"These guys have one like him," Cana said.
"I see your Natsu Dragneel's friends aren't you," Sakon smirked. "Well it's already too late, he can't be saved,"
Gray glared "What does that mean, what the hell did you do,"
"What did you do to Natsu," Lucy shouted.
Tayuya smirked "don't worry you'll find out once we kill you,"
…
Back on the airship in his lab Orochimaru stood before a control panel and pressed a button and smirked "I no longer need you four had the same purpose as before,"
"I've received my new prize, so long once again my useless Sound 4,"
…
Sakon, Ukon, and Tayuya suddenly stopped their assault and felt a beeping coming from their bodies.
"What's going," Tayuya fell to her knees in pain.
"Sakon," Ukon fell as well.
Sakon was shocked by this "Has Orochimaru-sama forsaken us,"
"What's going on," Gray said shocked
"I don't know," Cana said.
"They look like they're in pain," Lucy said.
It was then to the Fairies' shock, Tayuya and Ukon began to melt.
"No," Tayuya shouted. "Orochimaru-sama," she cried as she melted into nothing.
"Sakon," Ukon shouted as he melted as well.
"What's going on," Lucy shook.
"I don't know," Gray shivered.
"I see, it seems like we served our purpose," Sakon cackled "As always we're expendable to him," Sakon then started to melt as well. "I suppose Natsu Dragneel is you're prize,"
Gray's eyes narrowed and grabbed Sakon by the collar "Oi, just what in the hell does Orochimaru want with Natsu,"
Sakon cackled "Who knows, he's always obsessed with those kind of guys,"
"What does that mean," Lucy shouted.
Sakon laughed "It's too late, you can't save him. He's already gone," he cackled as he turned to nothing.
…
Jirobo and Kidomaru suddenly melted right in front of the base camp team.
"What the hell," Gajeel said.
"They melted," Levy blinked.
"How though," Lisanna asked.
"I don't know," Mira said "But we should be glad they're gone,"
…
"What does he mean by that, you don't think," Lucy shivered.
"No they probably captured him," Gray said.
"For what," Cana asked.
"Those guys said they have a curse mark like Natsu, and old Polyusica said that the person who gave it to him wants to control him," Gray said.
Lucy then remembered the strange man they fought "You mean that man is here,"
Gray nodded "Yeah and he's got Natsu,"
"So what should we do," Cana asked.
"I don't know," Gray said. "I know we should stick together, but I think like you said Cana we should split up and take out the enemy,"
"Are you sure," Lucy asked.
"We kind of have no choice," Cana said. "If we want this to end quickly,"
"Alright let's go," Gray said, and he, Cana, and Lucy split up, Gray going one way, and Cana and Lucy going the other."
…
Ultear was lying on the dirt completely injured "He's too strong,"
Zeref looked down at her in anger
"You people always cause chaos, and do it in my name," Zeref stomped preparing a black ball of magic. "It angers me to my core,"
"Please, have mercy," Ultear begged.
"Now you will suffer punishment for your sins," Zeref closed his eyes, and once he opened his eyes Sharingan changed that of a four-point sharp shuriken.
Ultear shivered fearing the great power before her.
"Now.." it was then suddenly Zeref stopped talking and grasped his chest. "what is this feeling, Natsu, did someone.."
"Nows my chance," Ultear thought and launched her crystal ball at Zeref.
"GAH!" Zeref coughed as the crystal ball hit him at fast speeds.
"No, not him too, he's coming," Zeref's eyes widened, his eyes then returned to normal. He grasped his head in pain, and dark magic was beginning to release from him "NOOOOOO!"
Ultear quickly used her crystal ball as a shield and absorbed all the black magic into it. Once the dust cleared, Ultear saw the dead wildlife around her. She then saw Zeref on his knees breathing heavily. Using this opportunity Ultear threw her crystal ball.
LUMINOUS NIMITZ
Zeref screamed as he was hit by a dozen beams, screaming in pain. Once the attack finished Zeref fell to the ground unconscious.
Ultear breath heavily "I managed to survive, I'm lucky he got distracted," Ultear then started to laugh "I have him Zeref is mine,"
Hey, guys here is chapter 8, probably one of the weakest chapters I wrote because I regret putting Sound 4 in this so this was just written to get rid of them. The easiest way for it was just since I stated in a previous chapter they are clones of the original, so I just Orochimaru press a button, and poof they're gone. And about Ultear beating Zeref pretty much plot armor, Zeref got distracted and Ultear took advantage of it, or did she? Well anyway, be sure to review and let me know what you all think. see ya.
I don't own this art, but this is what Zeref's Mangenkyo looks like:
arsheraldica/art/Mangekyou-sharingan-357363310
Just fixed some grammar mistakes