Hi everyone, thanks for your patience. We are now in the mid-area of this arc as the Neo Oracion Seis and inner circle of the Order of the Sword make their move with the Infinity Clock. How will our heroes from Fairy Tail rebound? What is Nero planning with his group? Find out right now with Fairy May Cry.
Divide and Conquer
Sanctus stood on a pedestal just below the Infinity Clock with Midnight standing beside him; just below them were those among the Neo Oracion Seis including Cobra, Racer, Erigor, Gloria, and Gilver; with Credo and Agnus present as well.
"At last, the Infinity Clock has been reassembled." Sanctus said with a grin as he held a certain sword in his hand. "And the Devil Sword Sparda is ours as well. Only one thing remains before the Savior can be completed."
"Sparda was a fool to try and discard this incredible power, when he could have used it to wipe away all the corruption and sorrow that has infested this world." Midnight commented. "But then again, who am I to talk?"
"I would advise you to watch your tone when speaking of the Dark Knight." Credo said to Midnight with a glare before turning it to the others. "We may be working together for our grand mission, but that does not mean I have to approve of your methods and actions."
"Stow the self-righteous talk, pal. You came to us, remember?" Cobra told him.
"That is enough bickering." Agnus interjected. "We must finish severing the links, in order to b-b-b-break the seal and unleash the Infinity Clock's full p-p-p-power."
"So, let's hurry up and finish the job." Gilver said.
"More destruction, the end of everything." Racer said with a cackle.
"The end is coming." Cobra stated. "Just one thing left to do, and we can open up the gates of hell."
"It's weak…. The gathering storm of carnage is far too weak…" Erigor said in a looming voice.
"Patience, my fallen angels." Sanctus said. "Soon the world that has wronged you so will disappear, and a new utopia will be born."
"It is time then to p-p-p-put your newfound power to the test." Agnus told the Neo Oracion Seis. "The power that… most of you wield." He said with a condescending glance towards Cobra, who returned with a glare of his own.
"The time has come!" Midnight announced. "Go forth! We'll move the hands of time, forcing them onward until this world is history!"
Fairy Tail guildhall.
"The Oracion Seis…" Macao said in a grave tone as all those from the missions to retrieve the clock pieces gave their report. "I was hopping I'd never hear that name again."
"I'd reckon that's why old Makarov was summoned by the Wizard Saints?" Wakaba assumed.
Erza nodded in confirmation. "Our guild was responsible for their arrest following the Nirvana incident."
"Not to mention we had Angel… I mean Sorano during that mess with Devil Hand seven years ago." Lisanna added. "Personally, I'm kinda glad she's not with them anymore."
"Yeah well, don't be too glad." Dante said. "Cause they got some new members who are packing some serious firepower."
"And the original cast of those bastards got a major upgrade too." Gray added.
"What do you expect?" Trish questioned. "It's been seven years; while we all slept, the rest of the world moved on."
"We were so utterly helpless against them." Carla said as she held a cup of tea in her hand. "At least seven years ago, we were able to hold our ground. Now that may no longer be the case."
"I couldn't do a single thing to help!" Romeo exclaimed, frustrated with himself. "I'm too weak!"
"Romeo, don't be too hard on yourself." Wendy tried to tell him. "We all feel the same way."
"We were so focused on finding the clock pieces, as well as racing against the Order of the Sword, the Neo Oracion Seis completely blindsided us." Modeus said.
"I'm sorry, I'm the one to blame for all of this." Michelle said in grief, to which Lucy put a supporting hand on her back.
"Please don't be so hard on yourself, Michelle." She said. "It's like Modeus said, we were completely caught off guard. But at least now we know how my dad got involved in all this."
"Yep." Lady began to sum up. "While Sparda and the original Order hid most of the clock pieces, your ancestor kept the clock hand and it's been in your family for generations."
"I'm still shocked that the Order of the Sword really was founded by Sparda all those years ago." Happy said. "Not to mention he was friends with Zeref of all people."
"Yeah, when we saw Mr. Black Wizard back on Tenrou Island, he seemed to speak pretty highly of my old man." Dante recalled. "But how the hell those guys even know each other is beyond me."
"That mystery can be resolved at a later time." Erza said. "Our highest priority at the moment is to locate the members of the Neo Oracion Seis, and from there recover the Infinity Clock."
"Then let's get moving!" Natsu stated. "All we gotta do is start looking everywhere we can think of and we're bound to run into them eventually, right?"
"Don't be stupid." Gray said to the Dragon Slayer. "We need to come up with a solid plan of action before we do anything."
"He's right Natsu, we can't just rush into this." Lisanna said. "With how strong the Oracion Seis are now, we don't stand a chance."
"Hey! Wait a minute!" Patty stood up from her chair to get everyone's attention. "Aren't we all forgetting something?! The Order of the Sword is turning people into demons! I get that these Oracion Seis guys are bad news, but turning people into demons is even crazier!"
"Yeah, that is pretty whacky." Gajeel commented.
"A very disturbing thought indeed." Juvia added. "It makes me wonder if those Angelo soldiers we've been facing are truly empty suits of armor, or if they're something else entirely."
"We've seen before that people can use demonic power, but to actually transform themselves like that…" Levy said. "I can't even imagine how that is possible."
"What makes you think these things aren't connected with each other?" Dante questioned, getting everyone's attention.
"Dante, what are you talking about?" Lucy asked.
"Think about it for a minute." Dante began. "We know somebody in the Order has been working behind the scenes, playing around with demonic power; and then all of a sudden, just as we get all six pieces of the Infinity Clock, the Neo Oracion Seis just pop up out of nowhere, in the exact same spot where the Clock is reassembled? No way that's a coincidence."
"Dante, are you suggesting that the Order of the Sword and the Neo Oracion Seis are working together?" Modeus asked.
"I got no proof, but it would make sense." Dante replied.
"If that's the case, we're in even deeper shit than before." Gajeel commented.
"Hey, that actually makes things easier for us!" Natsu pointed out.
"Have you burnt out the last of your brain cells?" Lady questioned. "How the hell does this make things easier?"
"Come on, we all know the Order lives on this island, right?" Natsu explained. "And if the Neo Oracion Seis are working with them, wouldn't they be living on the same island too?"
"That actually does make sense." Happy said. "It's so rare to see Natsu use his brain for once."
"Natsu, even if you're right, we can't just charge into the lion's den without a plan." Trish told him.
"Then let's come up with a plan and beat the crap out of those jerks!" Natsu stated.
"Before we do anything, we need our key players back." Erza said.
"Yeah, Gildarts and Laki are still out with Morrison." Max commented.
"Freed and the others also went out as soon as we got back." Lisanna added. "They think they might be able to get a solid answer if they investigate some of these church burnings."
"Makes sense." Lucy seemed to agree. "This whole thing seemed to start once we heard about all that."
"And they are indeed connected." They heard Freed's voice as they saw the Thunder Legion enter the guildhall. "We have returned."
"After being gone less than a day? You guys work fast." Wendy said with an impressed smile.
"What do you expect? We are the best team in the guild after all." Evergreen said with a smirk and a wink.
"Well don't keep us in suspense, what did you find?" Dante questioned, getting right to the point.
"A couple churches were attacked last night." Bickslow reported. "We overheard some royal soldiers talking about what went down."
"Two churches in the town of Shirosume were destroyed, and three suspects were spotted fleeing the scene." Freed added. "A hooded man carrying a large scythe, a man in green with bandages over his face, and their accomplice who possessed incredible speed."
"I can think three bad guys who fit that description perfectly." Happy said.
"Erigor and Racer." Natsu said in a low growl. "And that Gilver guy too." At the mention of that name, Lucy paid a glance toward Dante, his face being seriously stoic while his hands clenched into fists.
"So, the Oracion Seis are the ones behind the church attacks?" Modeus asked.
"Seems like it." Bickslow confirmed.
"And if they're working with the Order of the Sword, then it's not acts of arson." Erza said. "They're targeting churches for a reason."
"Oh and get this." Evergreen told them. "Effective yesterday, Zentopia and the Order of the Sword have officially merged together."
"And since then, the attacks on the churches have suddenly intensified." Freed said.
"But why?" Romeo asked. "I don't get it. If the Order and Zentopia are now together, aren't the Oracion Seis just attacking their own guys?"
"Maybe they want people to think they're fighting each other." Patty suggested. "To everyone else, the Oracion Seis are infamous bad guys so… maybe they want the Order to look like the victims?"
"And they can keep doing all their shady stuff, like turning people into demons, without anybody noticing." Happy seemed to follow along.
"That would make sense, but I don't think it's that simple." Dante said. "Something else is going on here."
"Were you guys able to learn anything else?" Lisanna asked the Thunder Legion.
"Unfortunately, no." Freed shook his head. "The soldiers would only give us basic information and nothing more than that."
"I have a sneaking suspicion it has something to do with the Infinity Clock." Lady commented. "Call it a gut feeling."
"And I've got a feeling that things are only going to get worse from here." Lucy said, not noticing a strange look in Michelle's eyes.
Later that night
Five of the members of the Neo Oracion Seis, minus Midnight, stood on the outskirts of a small town where they could see their targets in the distance.
"I can hear them, there are four churches in this area." Cobra identified. "The priests and nuns have already been taken away, and the guards don't have a clue as to what's really going on."
"Then let's get this bloodbath started." Gilver said as he held the hilt of his katana. "We got a job to do, after all."
"Oh yes! Carnage! Destruction!" Racer laughed wildly.
"Why are we still standing around talking about it?" Gloria questioned. "When we would rather be having as much fun as yesterday."
"What fun?" Erigor asked. "I can't seem to remember anything that happened to us yesterday."
"Don't worry about it, little reaper." Gloria told him. "Just do your job, and everything will work out fine."
"I see. I will carry out the instructions I am given." Erigor said without a hint of emotion in his voice.
"We've wasted too much time already, let's move." Cobra stated before they split up to hit each of the churches.
The royal soldiers stood vigilantly around the church, prepared for anything and everything that may come their way. At least that's what they all thought, right before an explosion erupted from the side of the church behind them, getting their attention as they turned toward the inside of the fence to see Cobra and Gloria standing there, the later smirking playfully.
"It's the Oracion Seis!"
"Now men! We must defend the church!"
"Alright boys, let's dance." Gloria said as she spun her curved knives, white lightning surging around her arms and weapons before leaping to the slaughter.
With the sounds of death around him, Cobra walked closer to the church as he focused his hearing inside to find his target. He could hear only a single man, deep in the basement, probably praying. He could also hear the type of spell that he had casted to try and protect himself.
"Concealment magic, huh?" Cobra said before unleashing a devastating sonic wave on the church, crushing the entire building, and collapsing its basement, burying the man alive if he wasn't crushed first. "What a pathetic little trick."
When it was all done, the church was nothing more than a burning pile of rubble. Gloria walked up, flicking the blood from her knives before standing closer to her teammate.
"You certainly didn't waste any time." She commented. "You're sure he's dead?"
"I can no longer hear his breathing, or even his heart pumping." Cobra said. "He's most definitely dead."
"So cold and direct, or at least that's what you try to put on the surface." Gloria said with a mocking smirk, causing Cobra to turn to her with a glare.
"Something you want to say to me?"
"Why ask when you can just read my mind?" Gloria mocked. "You act like you've given up on this world, like your old comrades. Only difference is, you didn't partake in the ceremony. Why is that? Is there still something you're holding onto in this world? An old friend, or someone special?"
Cobra suddenly seized her by the throat as he glared at her with a burning hatred in his one eye. "What would you know?! You're just an artificial piece of filth grown from some random she-demon!"
"At least I know what I am, which is more than I can say for you." Gloria said, still maintain her smirk as she brought one of her knives close to his throat and kept the other less than an inch from his own heart. "Other than 'close to being dead' of course."
Before the situation could escalate any further however, a katana was slowly lowered in-between their faces in an attempt to separate them.
"That's quite enough." Gilver said in a calm tone. "Play nice, kids. We're all on the same side here."
Cobra glared for a second before he released Gloria, who put her weapons away. "So the others are finished up, I take it?" She asked Gilver.
"Yes. My job is done, Racer and Grim Reaper should be finishing up as well." He responded. "We're done in this town, and at a record time."
As the trio turned to leave and meet up with their comrades, Cobra's eye still carried its angry look, as well as an expression of sadness underneath. 'She's all I cared about, now she's gone. Pulled from my hands, and all I have left is this power. Power born from misery, the sorrow consuming my soul is the only thing driving me forward. The pain can only end when the world itself ends. There is no other way.'
Fairy Tail guildhall
As the guild members rest, talked, and drank while trying to devise their next move, Macao glanced up toward the stairs to see a certain someone walking out from the infirmary and down to the main floor.
"Kinana…?"
"Hold on now!" Wakaba tried to talk to the girl as she walked down the stairs like a zombie. "You're in no shape to be walking around!"
"What's wrong, do you need some help?" Lucy offered her, but she didn't respond.
Kinana walked toward a table to grab a fork before walking toward the nearest wall, everyone looking curiously at her.
"You better get back in bed and rest." Wakaba continued to try and talk to her, but she still didn't respond.
"That strange look in her eyes." Michelle noted, which got Dante's attention as he focused on Kinana.
"We've wasted… too much time already…" Kinana spoke, almost like she were in a trance before using the fork in her hand to carve away at the wall, much to everyone's surprise. "Let's move… power from misery… the sorrow that consumes my soul… is the only thing still driving me forward… the pain can only wend when the world itself ends…"
"Hold on Kinana…" Levy looked in surprise.
"What the hell are you doing?" Lady questioned.
"Kinana!" Lisanna exclaimed as everyone surrounded her, but before they could try to pull her away, they noticed that the markings she carved on the wall were all familiar symbols.
When she finished, for a brief moment, her eyes appeared to be reptilian slits before she fainted backwards. She would have fallen on the floor if Dante hadn't caught her, the young son of Sparda having a serious expression on his face as he glanced from the unconscious girl in his arms to the symbols that she carved on the wall in front of him.
Fortuna
"Lord Sanctus." Byro bowed before the head of the Order as they were in the town's prison tower. "I am yours to command."
"I've summoned you here for one reason, Byro." Sanctus began. "The Order has recently recruited a new member, and I would feel it is best that you were to meet him. You may be working with him very soon."
"My lord, if I may, why are we here in Fortuna's prison tower?" Byro asked.
"Because your new comrade is about to be freed from here." Sanctus revealed as the door behind him opened. In the darkness, the sound of large steel balls dragging could be heard as the figure's appearance soon came to light.
This being didn't appear to be human at all. His skin was green, covered with small aqua-colored boxes. He had a long pillar-like neck, with a massive cube-like head and two antennas. He also had a short round body with stubby arms and legs, no fingers at all. He wore a brown robe over a pair of red shorts. He was currently escorted by four hooded knights of the Order, with a series of ball and chains wrapped around his body.
"He's… a demon…" Byro narrowed his eyes in surprise.
"Indeed, he is." Sanctus confirmed. "This demon came to Fortuna many years ago to cause us a great deal of trouble. We were able to subdue and capture him, and shortly afterwards he sought to repent, something we were able to grant him. Now he has a chance to atone for his past sins; though he may be a demon, he has chosen to use his powers to protect this world like the Dark Knight has before. Byro, meet your new comrade, Guttman the Cleaner."
"Hey there, your Holiness! Old Guttman Kubrick is ready to play in the name of Sparda!"
"Telepathy." Byro noticed the way the odd-looking demon spoke.
"Yes, Guttman is unable to speak for some reason, but his telepathy can easily compensate for that minor oversight." Sanctus said.
"And I am to be working with this… thing?" Byro questioned.
"Oh, what's wrong? I can play nice!" Guttman said in child-like glee as he channeled his own inner power to shatter the balls and chains that kept him bound.
"Guttman's power is called Rupture." Sanctus explained. "He can channel his own power to destroy anything around him, or rupture the magic and power of other living things. He'll most certainly be useful to us. On that note Byro, I have a very special mission for you."
As Byro glanced at Sanctus, he thought more and more about his previous battle with Dante. Try as he might, the veteran warrior could not shake the words of the young Devil Hunter from his head.
Meanwhile, within the empty cathedral, Nero sat down in the bench with Kyrie, Coco, Dan, Sugarboy, Samuel, and Mary either sitting or standing in the same area.
"You sure we're alone here?" Nero asked.
"We're alone. I can say that with utter certainty." Samuel confirmed.
"Then let's get started." Nero began. "You all know what's going on."
"Yeah, turns out his Holiness ain't so holy baby, working with those dark guild thugs." Sugarboy said. "Crazy!"
"And it seems this Agnus-character has indeed been experimenting with demonic power, which would explain why the mystery behind those Angelo soldiers has remained so." Samuel said.
"And… Credo is working with them too." Kyrie said, looking down with a confused and emotionally hurt expression, causing Coco and Nero to look toward her with sympathy.
"Aw don't worry Kyrie." Dan put his arm around her shoulder, causing her to comically shudder. "You're knight in shining armor; Dan Straight is here to take all those worries away! For you, I would stand against even Credo if he tried hurting you! He may be a better swordsman, but I've got looks and charisma on my side. He doesn't stand a…"
Dan's speech was brought to an end when Nero slammed his human arm, his other one currently wrapped in red bandages, on his head, knocking him down onto the ground.
"Thank you, Nero." Kyrie breathed. Though she could tell Dan was trying to help in his own way, she didn't approve of his womanizing tendencies, especially when it was directed toward her.
"So, what are we going to do?" Coco asked. "We can't just sit here and do nothing!"
"We're not going to." Nero stated. "I think I have an idea."
"Hold on! Are you guys serious, right now?!" Mary Hughes questioned. "Are you like totally planning to betray the Order?!"
"Mary…" Coco tried to speak to her, but Nero looked more irritated with her.
"Hey, in case it slipped your mind, his Holiness has been working behind our backs!" He reminded her. "He's screwing around with demonic power and working with a pack of psychos!"
"Maybe he has a reason for it!" Mary argued. "This is his Holiness we're talking about!"
"Mary, I understand that you may be shocked at all of this, but we have to face the facts." Samuel told her. "Sanctus and even Credo have formed an alliance with dangerous criminals. That is not something we can overlook or brush by."
"Yeah, I gotta go with Nero and Samuel here, baby." Sugarboy agreed. "This whole thing is loco, and not the good kind of loco."
"Turning our backs on the Order is like a major sin!" Mary exclaimed. "We're practically turning our backs on Sparda by doing this!"
"Mary, do you really think Sparda would work with a bunch of dangerous criminals?" Coco asked. "Or that he would be plotting something like what his Holiness has been doing? Or the stuff that we've done?"
"I'm not gonna listen to this!" Mary stood up in heated fury. "That man took me in when I was at my lowest! And I'm not gonna turn my back on him just because he's keeping some secrets!" She turned around to leave.
"Hold on, where the hell are you going?" Nero questioned, standing up as well.
"Shut up! I don't have to listen to you!" Mary didn't even bother to face Nero, which only made him angrier, but Kyrie quickly ran up to her and put her hand on Mary's shoulder to stop her.
"Mary, please just listen!" Kyrie pleaded. "I know… I know why you look up to his Holiness so much. You're right, he did help after that gang used and humiliated you the way they did. But… but please just trust us… trust me. What he's doing right now… it's wrong. If we don't do something… if we don't question it… who will? Please."
Mary Hughes didn't respond for a moment before she turned to look and speak at Kyrie directly. "You say you got a right to be suspicious at his Holiness, well what about your so-called boyfriend?"
"What are you talking about?" Kyrie asked.
"Oh come on, haven't you noticed how he's trying to hide his arm?" Mary replied. "First he had it in a cast after an 'accident', now he's got it wrapped up? You don't think that's at all suspicious?"
"Mary, there are bigger things going on right now." Kyrie tried to tell her. "I understand that you think you have to protect me, but I don't need to be protected from by Nero. He would never hurt me."
"That's not the point!" Mary exclaimed, but when she saw the look in Nero's eyes as he gave her a subtle glare, she scoffed before walking away. "Forget it. You guys do whatever the hell you want, but I'm not gonna be a part of it." She stormed her way out of the cathedral.
"Mary!" Kyrie called to her.
"Let her go." Nero said, causing Kyrie to turn around and look at him in surprise. "If she's not gonna help us, we can't force her."
"Sorry Kyrie, but I gotta go with Nero on this one." Coco agreed.
"Mary's always been really stubborn, but I haven't seen her this worked up." Dan commented.
"She must be having a hard time accepting all of this." Samuel said.
"Well given how messed up her past is, I can't say I blame her." Sugarboy also said.
"We'll worry about Mary later, we gotta focus." Nero said. "Something big is going on and we need to find out what. Are you in, Kyrie?"
She briefly looked toward the exit where Mary stormed off before rejoining the rest of her friends. "I'm in." She took out a map of Fortuna and laid it out, five X's were marked at specific locations.
"So, you say these 'Hellgates' are where they appear to be getting the demons needed to fuel their resources?" Samuel asked.
"Yes, I can't think of any other reason they have them." Kyrie said. "There are five Hellgates in total, each one appears to be guarded by a very powerful demon. There are also plenty of old tunnels underneath the island that make it easier to travel to each of the Hellgates, I'm guessing that's how they transport the demons without anyone noticing."
"A logical deduction." Samuel nodded.
"And you're sure the Neo Oracion Seis are the ones behind the church attacks?" Coco asked Kyrie.
"Absolutely." She confirmed.
"What in the hey are doing that for?" Sugarboy asked.
"I don't know, I couldn't stick around for long without risking being caught." Kyrie said.
"So, on one end, we got some major powerful demons and portals to hell at home; and on the other, a bunch of nutjobs blowing up churches." Dan summed up. "This is pretty crazy."
"Yeah, this might be a bit much for the six of us to handle." Coco said. "Even if we got Mary back, we can't handle this on our own."
"Who said we had to?" Nero questioned. "We're not the only ones fighting these guys, remember?"
"You mean Fairy Tail?" Coco asked.
"Yep." Nero confirmed.
"What makes you think those doggies are gonna help us?" Sugarboy asked. "We did end up fighting them."
"They were suspicious of the Order's actions, and it would seem they were right to do so." Samuel said. "While I can't agree with their lack of logic or intelligence, I can say that they are genuinely good people."
"Not to mention they got some smoking hot cuties with them." Dan said with a dreamy smile, causing everyone to sweat drop in annoyance.
"They're pretty decent folk, and they got some heavy hitters on their side too." Nero said. "One of which happens to be Sparda's own son. Took down even freaking Byro. I'd say it's time for an 'enemy of my enemy' type deal."
"If you think it's best for us, then let's do it." Kyrie nodded.
"On that note, I believe I have a plan as to how we can proceed." Samuel said as he took out his own map of the country of Fiore with several small x's all across it. "As Kyrie has said, the Neo Oracion Sies appear the be the ones responsible for the church attacks, and from those I've been able to devise a pattern and have identified possible locations where they may strike next. And while most of the Fairy Tail guild appears to be filled with brutes, there is one among them who is quite smart. Perhaps if they are able to learn what we learn, I believe that they will also come to this conclusion and will attempt to intercept the Neo Oracion Seis at these locations." He circled six spots on his map. "If we were to travel there as well, it would be the best way for us to reach out and extend an alliance to them."
"Did you just make up that entire plan right here?" Nero asked.
"I made the calculations as we discussed our plan." Samuel replied. "It's called multi-tasking."
"Awe, look at you, using that big brain like always. Way to go Sammy." Kyrie patted his head with a smile, causing Samuel to smile.
"Well, I did have a good role model." He said bashfully.
"Alright, you guys try to talk with Fairy Tail." Nero told them. "I'm gonna stay here and see if I can get any more answers, maybe even screw with the bad guys' plans a bit."
"Hold on Nero!" Kyrie quickly stood up to meet him. "If you're staying here, than so am I!"
"What?! No way! Out of the question!" He was about to protest the idea, as was everyone else, but she wasn't going to have it.
"I'm not much of a fighter like you guys, but I can help you if you're seriously injured!" Kyrie told him. "Besides, I know the tunnels and most of the hidden spots inside the castle! I also know a few self-defense spells if you're caught in a fight!"
"Kyrie, I can handle myself." Nero told her.
"And so can I! I'm not going to take no for an answer, Nero!" Kyrie told him. "I'm going to help you whether you want me to or not!"
While Nero was dead set against the idea, and Coco looked especially concerned; Dan, Samuel and Sugarboy couldn't help but smirk in admiration.
"Dang, this sweet piece of candy's got a spicey center." Sugarboy snapped his fingers.
"Now that's a woman right there." Dan said with hearts in his eyes. "I think I'm even more in love than before!"
"Nero, you may as well say yes." Samuel told him. "We both know just how stubborn she is, even more so than you."
Realizing she wasn't going to budge, Nero sighed in reluctance. "Fine, but you stick with me at all times, and don't go off on your own!"
"Got it." Kyrie nodded with a smile.
"I'm staying with you guys too!" Coco volunteered. "Who knows if you need extra help? If you're caught in a pinch Nero, I can help too."
Nero didn't miss the hidden message in her words. Nero still didn't tell Kyrie about his mysterious demonic arm, and if she ended up seeing it, Coco could help in explaining it to her so that she better understand and not get any wrong ideas. Nero simply nodded, silently thanking Coco.
"Alright. Let's get to work."
Gildarts, Morison, and Laki walked down an old path toward what an old plantation that looked like it was on the verge of falling apart, as well as abandoned for many, many years. The air around this area was quite unsettling for all three of them.
"Yep, this is one big farm alright." Gildarts commented. "Nothing but fields and pastures as far as the eye can see."
"And we're the first people to visit this place in years." Morrison said as the group walked further into the plantation. "This place was hit with a plague a long time ago, and nobody has dared to set foot in it since."
"Even if this place were safe, the days of growing crops are over." Laki said. "They've withered on the vine much like those that once worked on this land. It would be a distant memory, that is if there was anyone left to remember. Now this once majestic estate is nothing more than a window into the past."
"So, what you're saying is, it's been a while." Gildarts summed up as he looked toward the ruins of the main building. "Looks like Father-Time took a baseball bat to this place."
"This is the place where Michelle grew up." Morrison said. "The Lobster family estate. We should keep moving."
"Are you sure we'll find something here?" Laki asked. "It doesn't look like this place has had any visitors for a long time."
"In my line of work, you learn to trust those gut-feelings." Morrison replied. "There's something here."
"If that's the case, we should start with the church. There's ruins of an old Zentopian cathedral on the other side of this estate." Laki stated as the group made their way through the plantation.
"On the other hand, time has been very kind to you over the past few years, Laki." Gildarts commented with a slight grin. "If you know what I'm saying."
"I know exactly what you mean, and I'm going to tell Cana you said it." Laki said in an annoyed tone of voice, much to Gildarts' comic shock.
"Uh… come on! I was trying to pay you a complement! Morrison, help me out here!"
"Sorry pal, but you're on your own here." Morrison chuckled.
Lahar stood at the port, having just dismounted a Magic Council ship that had docked in Fortuna. He wouldn't have to wait very long as Credo walked across the docks to meet him.
"You're with the Magic Council." Credo acknowledged. "I was informed you were coming, is there an issue that needs to be addressed?"
"I am Chief Marshal Lahar of the Magic Council's Fourth Custody Enforcement Unit." He introduced himself.
"Credo, Supreme General of the Holy Knits of the Order of the Sword." Credo introduced himself as well. "I ask again, is there a problem here?"
"There is, actually." Lahar got straight to the point. "This is a matter that concerns the dark guild known as the Oracion Seis, namely those that were in our custody until recently. I'm sure word of their escape has reached you."
"It has indeed." Credo confirmed. "For what reason would you seek to discuss this with me?"
"We are aware that those members were visited by a priest of Zentopia before their escape." Lahar explained. "And seeing how your Order is now merged with Zentopia, I am hopping you could provide me with information about this priest."
"Do you believe this priest is responsible for their escape?" Credo asked.
"It is the only lead we have at this moment of time." Lahar replied.
"So, you possess no evidence that this priest aided in their escape." Credo assumed. "You don't even have a physical description of this priest. Is there any kind of evidence that you are at all capable of providing?"
"No, I'm afraid not." Lahar responded.
"Then I cannot help you." Credo said. "As you are aware, Fortuna is an independent nation that exists outside the jurisdictions of the Magic Council as well as the kingdom of Fiore. That being the case, if you are to investigate in our nation, you must have concrete information and evidence, which you apparently lack in this manner. If you are able to find something to work with, we can talk. Otherwise, this conversation is over." Credo turned around to walk away, but before Lahar could even reply, Credo had one last thing to say. "However, I will give you some advice. Your superiors don't exactly have a stellar reputation, both here and in your homeland. So, I would advise you to be careful. You'd be surprised at how many people have a great deal of disdain for the Magic Council." With that, Credo walked away.
Realizing there was nothing else that could be done here, Lahar walked back onto his ship and ordered the Rune Knight sailors to cast off.
'He's definitely hiding something.' Lahar thought to himself. 'While he may be correct about Fortuna's independence as well as our lack of concrete evidence at the moment, there is something that he is withholding. But without the proper clearances, there isn't anything we can do that won't risk an international incident. I think it's time I pay a visit to an old friend.'
Fairy Tail guildhall
"What the hell is all this?" Trish questioned as the rest of the guild found themselves looking at the carvings Kinana wrote on the wall, with Mira holding the unconscious girl in her arms.
"Does anybody know what the writing says?" Wendy asked.
"Kinana's mumbling strikes me as particularly ominous." Carla said.
"I can't translate it, but I recognize the same symbols that were on the clock hand." Modeus noted.
"How would she know something like that?" Lisanna asked.
"The way she was talking, it was almost like she was possessed or something." Lady commented.
"I don't think she's possessed." Mira said as she briefly looked over the girl. "Kinana seems physically healthy, but there's definitely something wrong."
"Pieces to a puzzle… open the gates of Hell…" Kinana muttered as Mira handed her to Elfman to take upstairs.
"Do you think she's finally remembering something about her past?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah, not that you mention it, it seems like it was bothering her a lot lately." Max commented.
"So, she has amnesia or something?" Dante wondered.
"That's right, you never really got properly introduced to Kinana." Mira explained to him. "She was hired to work as a waitress in the guildhall seven years ago just before you and everyone went to Edolas. She was cursed, but the master was able to lift it; but she seems to have forgotten her past. We don't know if it's a result of the curse or what."
"Poor thing…" Michelle muttered.
Levy got another good look at the writing. "Modeus, are you sure this is the same kind of writing on the clock hand?"
"One hundred percent certain." Modeus confirmed. "Are you able to translate it?"
"Yeah, I think so." Levy replied. "It looks like it's about Will Neville."
"Are you serious?!" Lucy questioned.
"He's the author of the Key of the Starry Heavens." Erza recalled.
"He was also part of the original Order of the Sword, at least that's what Sparda said in his message." Gray remembered. "I think he was one of the Celestial Wizards in that group too."
That got Dante's attention, as well as Natsu's and Happy's as Levy began to translate the inscription aloud.
"This is a pretty rough translation, but it says 'Will Neville was one of the most promising students to Anna Heartfilia, forming contracts with many great spirits during his time in the Order of the Sword. A devoted follower of Sparda and his teachings'."
"Yeah, we already know that stuff." Natsu pointed out. "Anything new?"
"I believe so." Freed also began to translate. "It goes on to say 'after the Order's disbandment and the Infinity Clock pieces were scattered, Will Neville would grow to take many Celestial Wizards as his pupils, following in the footsteps of his mentors to protect the world. But after he passed away, his pupils scattered in all directions to places unknown'."
"Hang on a second." Lucy quickly took out a biographical dictionary. "I think I can find more information here." She looked in the glossary for Will Neville's name, and then quickly found his page. "Here it is. Will Neville, an author and a cardinal… of Zentopia?!"
"So, he was a bird?" Natsu questioned, not quite understanding it.
"A cardinal is a high-ranking church official." Erza explained.
"So, what exactly does it say about him, Lucy?" Lisanna asked.
"Uh… according to this, he was a very dedicated and prominent member of the church." Lucy read. "During his time, he wrote his two books 'The Key of the Starry Heavens' and 'Life of the Clockwork'. But there's no mention of him being a Celestial Wizard in here, or that he had any kind of following, or that he even knew Sparda."
"I'm not surprised." Dante said. "Given how the first Order pretty much created the Infinity Clock, they would go to all the effort to erase that kind of history, just to keep any nutjobs from getting their hands on a potential doomsday weapon."
"But they still had to leave some kind of message, just in case." Trish added. "Which is why he wrote the 'Key of the Starry Heaves', as both a map and a warning. In fact, I'm willing to bet the book we found in Lucy's old home was the original copy."
"Which is why it had Sparda's message in it." Modeus figured out. "To keep the information on the Infinity Clock as rare as possible."
"How would Kinana know about something like that though?" Gray wondered.
"Maybe it has something to do with her memories coming back?" Wendy wondered.
"And how did the current Order of the Sword find out about the Infinity Clock in the first place? Or the Neo Oracion Seis?" Happy asked.
"Let's go find the guys and beat an explanation out of them!" Natsu punched his fist into his palm.
"Again, we need a plan you fire-breathing moron!" Lady told him.
"But we can't just sit here and do nothing!" Natsu argued. "Those psychos are out there with a world-ending weapon and we're just standing around!"
"We have to take action, yes." Erza agreed. "And even if the Order and Neo Oracion Seis are working together, and they are based in Fortune, we know little about that nation."
"I agree. We can't afford to go charging into the lion's den right now." Juvia commented.
"If we could somehow figure out where the Neo Oracion Seis would strike next, we could be waiting there to ambush them." Max said.
Cana gave a yawn as she awoke from an apparent nap at the bar. "Ugh, would you keep it down? I'm trying to get my beauty sleep."
"Don't you think it's a little late for that, Cana?" Wakaba questioned. "You've practically been asleep all day."
She rubbed her eyes as she tried to stand up. "Yeah, but I just can't seem to wake up for some reason, ya know? Now…" She pulled out a deck of her cards. "Do you boys or girls wanna find the Oracion Seis or what?"
"That's right." Erza recalled. "You can use your fortune telling."
"That certainly makes things more convenient for us." Dante commented.
"Oh, you bet I can!" Cana said with a smirk and a wink.
Meanwhile, more explosions ranged across another town as the Neo Oracion Seis continued in their mission, obliterating every church they saw. At the moment, Gilver and Erigor came to face a group of royal soldiers attempting to stop them.
"Don't give up your ground, men!"
"Archers ready! Release!"
The soldiers armed with bows and arrows released their arrows at the duo, only for Racer to quickly run and intercept the arrows with little resistance.
"Too slow! Way too slow!" He said with a cackle.
Erigor readied his scythe. "The storm grows stronger now as lightning rips through the clouds!" With a swing of his scythe, he sent a powerful streak of wind, followed by a bolt of lightning to tear through half the soldiers.
"Too hot for you guys? Then how about you cool off!" Gilver drew his katana, which was surrounded by an icy-mist before swinging it, sending a wave of cold air to encompass and freeze the remaining soldiers, allowing Race to dash past and shatter all of them to pieces.
Cobra and Gloria stood over the burning ruins of the church they just destroyed. "It's silent. There are no more vessels to be found in this part of the country." Cobra said.
"Time is running out very quickly for this world." Gloria commented with a grin. "And we'll do everything we can to speed it forward. It is ironic, the Dark Knight sacrificed so much to protect this world, and now his own past mistakes will bring about its destruction."
Back at Fairy Tail, a large map of the country was pinned to the request board for everyone in the guildhall to see.
"There we go, all set!" Patty stood proudly with her arms on her hips. "Is that good for you, Cana?"
"It's perfect." She confirmed, stepping up with her cards. "Now I'll divine where the Oracion Seis will attack next, and which of us are gonna go there and throw them a nice little surprise party."
Everyone paid close attention as Cana concentrated on her Fortune Telling powers before throwing out her cards toward the map. Landing at six different places were four sets of three cards, one set of four, and one set of five.
"That's it? That's all it takes?" Dante questioned, sounding a little underwhelmed.
"That's it. If we send these teams to these locations, we can stop the attacks and save some lives." Cana confirmed with a nod.
"Cool! So, tell us who's going with who and we're they're going!" Natsu stated as Macao went to mark the map where the cards landed and pulled out each of the cards to read off the assigned teams.
"Without further ado, the first is a three-man team. Composed of Gray, Lisanna, and Freed."
"Really? The three of us together?" Lisanna asked in surprise.
"How interesting." Freed commented with a slight smile. "I have wondered if my Dark Ecriture would complement with Gray's Ice-Make magic, and perhaps your various Take Overs could add an unpredictability edge against our enemies."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense." Gray said in acceptance with a smile of his own.
"Next up, we got Erza, Evergreen, and Modeus." Macao pulled out the next set of cards.
"Hmm, both Erza and I are skilled sword wielders, and Evergreen's own magic is quite versatile. Perhaps this could work." Modeus said.
"Yeah, but let's just hope those two can actually get along for once." Romeo said with a wince.
"Oh?" Modeus asked in minor surprise. "I did not realize there was tension between them."
"You kidding?" Wakaba said with a chuckle. "Evergreen's always treated Erza like they're in some kind of competition."
"Oh, and Max is going with you guys too." Macao quickly added.
"Wait?! What?!" Max honestly did not see that coming.
"This is fabulous." Evergreen said toward Erza, an eerie and hostile green aura forming around her as she held her fan close to her face. "Now we can finally settle the matter once and for all. We'll see who's worthy of the Queen of the Fairies title."
Despite the smile on her face, Erza exhibited a similar red aura. "The goal of our mission is to track down the Oracion Seis, but I'll gladly take you on any time after that."
"Oh… I see." Modeus saw the tension in the air between them.
"Now ladies, remember we have to work together as a team." Max tried to break them up, despite being scared out of his mind right now. "Let's try and get along, okay?"
Macao then pulled out the next set of cards. "The next team is Lady, Gajeel, and Juvia."
"Both ex-Phantom Lord members working on the same team?" Levy asked in surprise. "Plus, Gajeel's Iron Dragon Slayer magic with Lady's Steel Devil Slayer magic?"
"Oh no! Why must I and my darling Gray be kept apart again!" Juvia comically cried. "Why must fate continue to be incredibly cruel to us!?"
"Steel and iron together, eh?" Lady said with a glance towards Gajeel. "I guess we can make that work."
"Just try not to get in my way you damn copycat." Gajeel grumbled.
With that, Macao announced the next team. "Next up, we got Trish, Bickslow, and Wendy."
"Huh? Okay." Trish seemed to accept it.
"Alright, ladies! This is gonna be a real blast! I am psyched!" Bickslow was already pumped.
"Yeah, let's do our best!" Wendy seemed quite eager herself. "We'll be a great team!"
"Sweet! And don't you forget, my babies are gonna be on the team with us!" Bickslow added as his dolls joined the party.
"Go team!"
"To be honest, those things kinda creep me out." Trish commented.
Macao then pulled out the fifth set of cards. "This one's got Happy, Carla, and Panther-Lily!"
"Aye!" Happy exclaimed. "The Exceed squad is back together again!"
"Well aside from Lily, I'm not entirely sure how we would fair against such a powerful enemy." Carla commented.
"Either way, I'm looking forward to working with you all again." Panther-Lily said.
With that, Macao drew the last set of cards. "And for our final team; it's Dante, Natsu, Lucy, Elfman, and Michelle."
"So, let's go!" Natsu was already eager to get going.
"We're the only five-person team?" Lucy asked in surprise.
"This is great!" Michelle also seemed eager. "We're together again!"
Lucy nodded with a smile. "I couldn't have picked a better teammate than you."
"And that's all." Macao finished before he suddenly realized something. "Hey! Does this mean I get to stay behind again!?"
"Ah man! I wish I was going with you guys!" Romeo stated.
"I'm not going either?! That stinks!" Patty pouted.
"There must be some way you and I can be on a team together." Juvia said to Gray before turning to her own teammates. "Gajeel, Lady, one of you switch with him right this instant!"
However, while everyone seemed to accept this, Dante had a contemplating look on his face. "Hey Cana, are you sure about all this? Cause some of these team-ups seem kinda random. I can honestly think of some much better combos."
"No way." Cana replied. "My Divination magic told me these were the best parings for your respective missions."
Lisanna noticed Dante's look hadn't disappeared. "Hey don't worry, Dante. Cana's Fortune Telling hasn't failed us yet. You can trust it."
"It's not that I don't trust it." Dante tried to explain. "It's just… ever since this whole fiasco started, we've been one step behind at best. I can't explain it, but I just got a real bad feeling about this."
"Eh, you're just probably overthinking it, buddy." Natsu said as he casually threw his arm over Dante's shoulder.
"Aye, you should take some advice from Natsu about not thinking. I know Natsu doesn't use his brain at all." Happy snarked.
"Hey! I use my brain sometimes!" Natsu replied in comic irritation.
Despite everyone's reassurance, Dante still couldn't shake this feeling. Something told him that this was going to end rather badly, he wasn't sure how it was going to work, but he had the distinct feeling that things were going to get worse before they get better. All he could do was hope that wasn't truly the case.
Fortuna Island
Nero stood alongside Kyrie and Coco on the long and narrow bridge that led straight to the old castle, snow lightly falling on top of the trio as they readied themselves.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Nero asked. "Looks like nobody's been here in years."
"I'm sure." Kyrie confirmed. "This is where his Holi… sorry. This is where Sanctus went through something called the 'Ascension Ceremony'."
"When Byro transformed into that… thing that looked like an angel… he said he had 'ascended'." Coco remembered. "Does that mean, Sanctus can turn into something like that too?"
"This might be where the Angelos are coming from too." Kyrie deduced. "I didn't get a chance to explore every inch of the castle, but I'm certain this is the center of their operations."
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Nero questioned as he loaded Blue Rose. "Let's get going." With that, the three of them ventured inside.
Done.
So, this chapter ended up being shorter than what I thought, but it's only to serve as a prelude for the real action that's about to take place in the following chapters. Trust me, I have more than a few surprises in store.
Fairy Tail is preparing their counter-attack against the Neo Oracion Seis and the Order of the Sword; while Nero and his group are prepared to form an alliance with Fairy Tail in order to get to the bottom of what's going on (all except Mary, who seems too stubborn for her own good).
We've also been introduced to Guttman, and while his appearance in the anime isn't fully explained, in this continuity, he is a demon that had passed through one of the Hellgates on Fortuna before being imprisoned and now 'recruited' into joining the Order of the Sword.
What's in store for our heroes? Will they be able to stop the Order of the Sword and the Neo Oracion Seis from carrying out their goals? Or are the villains still ahead of the heroes as Dante suspects? Plenty of action awaits in the next chapter. Until then, stay safe and stay healthy out there.
Love you guys. Peace out.