"So, tell me, why are you taking me with you?"
Seraphina laughed at Kageyama as he asked the same question for about the 20th time, Gray shook his head, annoyed at the constant questioning from the man.
"You have to see us beat Erigor, silly!" Seraphina grinned with a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm sure it'll be a great show!"
"What? No!" Lucy exclaimed shaking her head at the lavendette before turning to the man. "We're going to take you to a doctor, and since everyone skipped town you're going to have to go see one in Clover. Try and show some gratitude!"
Seraphina shook her head slightly while staring at Kageyama, he was frowning and confusion tugged on his features. It seemed he couldn't understand the simple answer they were giving him, maybe it was because he wasn't used to being treated nicely?
"Oh, I get it." He deduced narrowing his eyes slightly and curling his lips into a sneer. "You're taking me hostage, so you can make a deal with Erigor. Well, you can forget about that. He doesn't care for me or any of his men."
"Ahaha," Seraphina laughed awkwardly trying to lighten the depressing mood that had fallen upon the magic mobile. "D-Don't be all sad like that!"
Gray remained silent as he gazed out the window, observing the canyon just outside the magic mobile.
"If you wanna die we can make that happen." He declared coldly, briefly landing his glare on Kageyama.
"C-Chill, Gray!" Lucy exclaimed, a shiver running down her spine at the threat. Even though it wasn't directed towards her. She didn't want anymore unnecessary fighting that was sure to occur, judging by the team's eagerness to cause conflict.
"Yeah," Seraphina added while pumping her fists. "We are the heroes! The saviors! Not bullies!"
Kageyama frowned as he observed the strange Fairy Tail wizards, were all of them like this? Gray turned away from him and closed his eyes.
"There's a lot more to this world than just life and death, ya know," Gray said. "You should try looking for the positives, you and your Eisenwald pals."
Kageyama frowned as he stared at the ice mage who had turned back to look out the window. Man, this kid is the definition of brooding. Then out of nowhere, the magic mobile shook violently, sending everyone in the vehicle flying. Lucy's butt flew into Kageyama's face and Gray's body jerked downwards, causing his head to fall forward, not quite hitting the seat, but landing in between something a bit softer and warmer.
What the hell?
Once they were righted, Lucy jumped away from Kageyama and Gray blinked, with only darkness greeting his eyes. Where did he land?
"Haha, Gray, mind getting up?"
The ice mage shot up and righted himself he rubbed his forehead a bit as a tinge of red spread across his face after realizing he had landed on Seraphina's thighs. The lavendette didn't seem to mind much as she just readjusted her skirt and smiled once again.
"What happened?" Gray asked.
"It's okay!" Erza called back reassuring everyone. "Everything's fine now!"
Kageyama held his face while shaking his head, Lucy leaned over him seeming very apologetic.
"I am so sorry!" Lucy exclaimed apologizing profusely.
"Can your butt be any bigger?" Kageyama asked his voice muffled.
"Sexual harassment!" Lucy yelled, pointing an accusing finger at the man. "He said I had a big butt! Kill him Gray, Seraphina!"
Seraphina giggled. "I mean, isn't that technically a compliment? Cana said that having a big one is good."
"NO, KILL HIM!"
"Geez, so much for trying to have a serious moment." Gray complained, crossing his arms behind his head and once again turning away from the group.
Seraphina just laughed at his comment and then turned to the window to see what was happening up ahead. There was a lot more track ahead, but they'd probably make it soon. Sitting back she relaxed a bit into the seat and stared out the window at the canyon, watching the endless rock formations as they continued forward on their mission.
"Wow~~ good job, Natsu!"
They had caught up to Natsu who had managed to defeat Erigor, the Dragon Slayer was hunched over the wind mage and was shirtless. Since when did he get Gray's habit?
"Hey! You guys missed me beat Erigor!" Natsu exclaimed, albeit a bit out of breath.
Seraphina grinned as she jumped off the magic mobile, of course, Natsu had managed to defeat Erigor. The wind mage was sprawled on the ground and right beside him was the lullaby flute, Seraphina narrowed her eyes and began walking towards the flute which was at the edge of the train track.
The flutes eyes then began to blow which had Seraphina frowning, that couldn't be good. The lavendette turned around to talk to the others but her eyes widened seeing that the magic mobile was coming towards her, and Kageyama was the only one on the inside. The vehicle rushed towards her and stole the Lullaby flute, the wind from how fast it was going caused Seraphina to lose her balance, and considering how close she was to the edge that wasn't a good thing.
"Ahh, woops~!" Seraphina exclaimed as she tripped over and felt herself going backwards, the light mage began flailing her arms, maybe she'd unlock her ability to fly, but it didn't happen, she felt herself falling back almost completely losing her footing before a hand quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back onto the train path.
"Whew," She breathed out. Seraphina straightened herself out and looked to Gray who was holding onto her arm. She winked and grinned at him appreciatively. "Haha, thanks, Gray! That probably wouldn't have ended well. Dang, now that I think about it being mush at the bottom of a canyon sounds sad."
Gray smiled a bit at the comment. "Yeah, doesn't sound like the best way to go out."
He looked her over real quick to see if she was injured at all, but Seraphina seemed to be okay which had the ice mage sighing in relief. If he hadn't grabbed her sooner it most likely wouldn't have ended well at all. He then frowned and turned his attention back to Kageyama who was speeding down the tracks, cocky bastard… he still didn't realize who he was messing with.
"You alright?" Natsu asked to which Seraphina nodded, a bit comedically, with her thumbs up.
"All good, Natsu!"
"Right," Erza nodded. "Let's go and get Lullaby back."
Everyone nodded agreeing with what Erza had suggested, Seraphina dusted herself off a bit before following all the others as they chased the magic mobile down, trying to get to Clover as soon as possible.
"I wish I could use my flash speed on more than just one person at a time." Seraphina muttered as the group trudged up a hill, trying to use a shortcut of a sort to get to the conference building in time.
"Certainly would get there faster, especially considering someone took our ride," Gray replied back in disdain, he then rose his eyebrows at her. "Surprised you haven't tried to sneak ahead yet and take him out, considering how easily bored you get."
"I am bored…~" Seraphina complained she then shook her head and placed her cheeks in her hands. "But we are a team, and I would be a sucky player if I went ahead. Besides, I feel like everyone would want to get a few punches into Jerkyama"
"Tch! You bet I do!" Natsu growled angrily and Gray winced at how loud he was, for someone with sensitive ears he always seemed to be trying to bust them out. He turned his attention back to the path ahead, Seraphina was right he did want to get a couple punches in, and hopefully more than that.
"There he is!" He exclaimed as they got to the top of the hill, Gray then froze when he realized who was with Kageyama.
"Master!" Erza yelled looking down at the old man in worry.
Seraphina's eyes widened and she attempted to run ahead and warn the master, but something pulled her back and she fell to the floor. She looked up and saw a very familiar face.
"Uhh, hi Master Bob!" Seraphina jumped up and greeted the man as enthusiastically as she could, but she already was moving backward subconsciously… he even weirded her out.
"We're just about to get to the fun part!" He said before turning to Natsu and Gray and smiling a bit creepily. "Well, aren't you boys yummy? So adorable!"
Both Gray and Natsu held each other with comfort as they looked at Master Bob with fear in their eyes, he was certainly creepy.
"Oh, Seraphina dear, you're looking good," Master Bob said looking over the lavendette before turning to Erza. "And, Erza honey, you've really filled out!"
"You're telling me this weirdo is the master of the Blue Pegasus guild?" Lucy grumbled looking at him wearily.
"Yup…"
Seraphina then turned her attention to where Kageyama and the Master stood, and she was tempted to run towards them again. Kageyama had the flute positioned at his lips, a sure tell sign that he was preparing to play.
"Oh, no!" Erza exclaimed.
"Can you guys keep it down over there?" A voice asked. "We're just about to get to the good part."
"He's with Quatro Cerberus!" Lucy said as she looked at the man in the hat. Seraphina nodded, she never personally met him but had seen some articles in Sorcerer Weekly.
Seraphina nodded while turning her attention back to the master, they kept mentioning this 'good part' and she wanted to see what it was.
"Nothing will change," Makarov began. "You can't change the fact that those who are weak will forever remain weak. Now maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Our insecurities are the reason guilds exist, and why we surround ourselves with friends. When we're surrounded with allies it's easier to look forward to the future. Think of it this way, if we're clumsy we might stumble and fall onto things, but as long as we believe in our future we continue marching forward. Our inner strength emerges on its own. But we have to choose that path and choose to live our lives to the fullest. Don't let that silly flute get in the way of that."
Everything was silent, and even the air seemed to have stilled, however, the Lullaby flute then clattered to the ground. Kageyama then hung his head and fell to his knees.
"I surrender."
"Ahaha! Good job, Master!" Seraphina exclaimed jumping down from the hill and rushing to the older man.
Everyone else got up and ran to Master Makarov who looked at the five wizards in shock, what were they doing here?
"Master!"
"You did it!"
"Good job, Gramps!"
Seraphina grinned and looked over at Kageyama who sat at the side, the flute strewn on the floor beside him. Once again Fairy Tail won, but with Master, there wasn't even any fighting involved.
"Looks like we got here in time to see Gramps talk his way out of another one." Gray said with a grin.
Seraphina nodded in agreement and she smiled as she watched the antics of everyone else. Master Makarov seemed a little worried though, what could be wrong? They had just stopped the Lullaby flute from playing its song.
Suddenly dark laughter filled the air, coming from the direction of the Lullaby Flute. Seraphina turned around and blinked, deep purple smoke dissipated into the air, also coming out of Lullaby.
"I've grown tired of you wizards and your cowardly antics!"
Everyone froze in surprise and Seraphina's jaw dropped, did the fricking flute just speak?
"I can no longer hold back!" It continued. "I shall come forward to devour your souls!"
Seraphina's eyes widened in shock as a magic circle appeared and a wooden creature came out. It was ginormous, and seemed to be made out of the same material as the Lullaby flute? Maybe it was changing its form?
"I shall feast upon your pitiful souls!" It declared.
"It's huge!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Thanks for stating the obvious." Happy replied sarcastically.
Seraphina observed the large flute thing silently, which was rare for her. How did a flute turn into something like that? She then frowned, that was some really ugly magic, really dangerous as well considering the whole purpose of Lullaby in the first place.
"What is that thing?" Kageyama asked, seeming as shocked as everyone else. "Erigor never said anything about a monster!"
Seraphina glanced over with pursed lips, she didn't think anyone could have figured that would happen, and if they did they probably wouldn't have taken the flute. She then remembered how crazy Erigor had seemed, yeah… he'd probably still take it.
"We're in a pickle." Master Bob declared.
"It must be a demon from the Book of Zeref." Goldmine said.
Seraphina frowned…. Zeref… wasn't he some kind of ancient wizard? How could he have been involved with demons, and ones showing up now?
Master Bob explained what Zeref was while the Lullaby flute stared at them menacingly. Geez, for a talking stick it sure was angry.
"Now then! Which one of these delectable souls shall I dine on first?"
Seraphina looked up at the demon with a smile painted on her lips, it wasn't going to get to any of them.
"Delectable, huh?" Natsu asked seriously before completely switching his mood. "Do you really think souls are that tasty?"
"How should I know what they taste like?" Gray grumbled.
Seraphina jumped up. "OOOO! What if they are tasty! I want to try one!" She gushed in a way too cheery voice.
"Always thinking about eating!" Lucy sighed in exasperation to which Seraphina smiled cheekily at, she couldn't deny that. Food was amazing.
"Natsu, Gray, Seraphina, get everyone to a safe place." Erza ordered as she stared down the demon.
"Mkay!" Seraphina said with a grin.
"Quit barking orders!" Natsu shot back and Seraphina stopped short in her tracks, why was he challenging Erza?
"Yeah, you're not the boss of us!" Gray added and Seraphina shook her head, idiot was contagious it seemed.
Erza looked down at the pair with a dangerous glint in her eyes. She wasn't in the mood to deal with their sudden bursts of cockiness, the minute she threatens to retaliate, their confidence deflates immediately.
"Just do it!" She grounded out angrily.
As predicted, terror overtook their faces and the pair withered under her gaze, "A-Aye!" They sputtered out as they frantically stumbled away from the angry red-head, immediately breaking into a sprint. Seraphina laughed as they tripped over their own feet before remembering why they started running. She flashed Erza a nervous smile before trying to catch up with the two.
Seraphina managed to match their pace and taunted them with a cheeky grin, "You certainly changed your minds quick~"
"Shut up!"
After the trio had gotten the guild master's away from the Lullaby demon they regrouped with Erza watching as it easily destroyed the top of a mountain, effectively scaring the Fiore army away.
Seraphina whistled, leaning forward with a hand raised to block the light from her eyes. "I give that a 7 out of 10, an angry Natsu can do better."
"I have no need for those pathetic humans." The demon flute declared. "I prefer the taste of a wizard's soul! And I shall consume all of yours!"
Seraphina just shook her head and regarded the demon with a smile, it could talk all it wanted, but in the end, it was going down.
"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try!" Natsu challenged. "Bring it on big guy."
"Good luck." The guild masters said from the safe distance away, Lucy had backed up as well, probably not prepared to fight against a demon.
"Can those four defeat Lullaby on their own?" Lucy asked, she had seen all of them in combat but she was still worried, Lullaby seemed to be a step up from dark guild mages.
"You should help them, Lucy!" Happy suggested.
Lucy laughed nervously. "You see, normally I would, but none of my celestial spirits are available at the moment, and I'd probably just get in their way."
"Good excuse."
She bristled at that, "Don't judge me, cat!"
Happy shook his head sadly at Lucy before turning his attention to the group of four preparing to fight Lullaby. The demon let out a deafening roar and a magic circle appeared on top, most likely meaning it was preparing to attack.
"Ready?" Erza asked.
Seraphina grinned and cracked her knuckles before answering with Natsu and Gray. "Oh yeah."
They each rushed forward preparing to attack the large demon in front of them, Seraphina saw that Erza had attacked with her Heaven's Wheel armor, jumping up she prepared an attack of her own.
"Flash Barrage!"
Many smaller balls of light flew from Seraphina's hand and rained on the demon flute. It shouted out in pain as the small balls of light exploded in flashes as they made contact. Gray took Lullaby's stunned state as an opening to attack. He jerked to the other side of the demon flute and formed a fist against his open palm.
"Ice Make: Lance!"
Long, curved ice spears shot out and were aimed at the demon, it growled in pain once again as the lances effectively impaled themselves into its body. The demon tried to attack them, but all the Fairy Tail wizards were able to easily dodge since it was so big.
"Now, it's my turn," Natsu grinned rushing forward as he prepared his fists for an attack. "Fire Dragon: Iron Fist!"
He punched the demon in the face, and the power behind it forced the demon to take a step back. Seraphina grinned and prepared another spell, continuing to attack it along with the others.
"You're making me angry!" It shouted as it swung at them.
Seraphina pouted in false sympathy as she easily jumped over its attacking hand. "Awh, well that sucks, doesn't it. Flash Beam: Four!"
The beam of light shot through the demon which caused it to stumble, and along with the attacks from Erza, Gray, and Natsu, it wasn't faring too well. Landing on her feet Seraphina grinned, this was going to be easy.
"I'm not finished with you yet!" Natsu shouted. "Fire Dragon: Wing Attack!"
Natsu's arms moved forward in a motion that could resemble of a dragon's wings, which made sense because of the name of the attack. The demon let out a loud roar after he had attacked, and it was preparing an attack of its own. All the plants surrounding the demon began to die out, and Seraphina looked down as the grass under her began to shrivel and crumble into dust. She grit her teeth, they couldn't lose now!
"Just one note and your souls will be mine!" The demon shouted gleefully as it prepared its song.
It let out a roar as it attempted to play its song, but it didn't sound anything like a song. In fact, the weird whistling notes reminded Seraphina of how she sounded when she tried to play any instrument, horrible.
"What happened?" Lucy asked looking at the demon in surprise, though the blonde was still covering her ears.
"Nothing happened!" Happy exclaimed.
Seraphina grinned, it couldn't play its song!
"I don't understand!" Lullaby shouted, seemingly as confused as everyone else. "Why can't I play my melody of death?"
"Dang, kinda feel bad for the poor thing." Seraphina pouted which had Gray turn to the lavendette in confusion.
"What?"
"Yeah, I remember it was like a dream of mine to play the flute…" The light mage muttered. "But then when I tried to I sucked."
"I think you need to practice to be good."
Seraphina waved off his suggestion with a smile. "Pfft, practice? Sounds like too much work… and boring."
Gray rolled his eyes, more amused if anything. "Of course it is."
Seraphina then turned back to the Lullaby flute who was growling and teeming with anger. Maybe it was upset that it couldn't play its song and that its plan was essentially pointless now.
"You dare mock me?!" It shouted before turning and kicking down a mountain.
"I do!" Seraphina replied which seemed to make the demon flute even angrier.
The demons three eyes all glowed purple and they shone brightly for a second, Gray rushed in front of the guild masters and Seraphina followed, not wanting to get hit with whatever the demon was trying to attack them with.
"Ice Make: Shield!"
A barrier of ice appeared in front of them, effectively protecting everyone from the fiery explosion.
"That boy's maker magic is incredible!" One of the guild masters exclaimed in awe while observing Gray's shield.
"What's maker magic?" Lucy asked.
"Its users can give magic a tangible form…" Happy replied. "However, there's another type of magic that can destroy it."
Lucy stared at Happy a bit scared, what kind of magic could do that?
"I will kill you all!" The demon shouted.
"How many times have you said that?" Seraphina shot back with a smirk.
"ARGH!"
The fire the demon had created was beginning to be sucked away and Seraphina smiled already knowing who was making a meal out of the explosion.
"Oh yeah?" Natsu asked after he had eaten all the fire. He wiped the corner of his mouth and smirked. "Now I've got a fire in my belly."
It swung at Natsu, but he began running up the demon's arm. He then jumped into the air as Erza requiped into her Black Winged armor, one that gave a lot of power to her attacks.
Seraphina grinned and prepared to get close to the demon as well, seeing that Gray's shield hadn't disappeared yet she decided to jump off of that to get to it.
"Thanks, Gray!" She exclaimed jumping up and using the shield to get even further in the air.
"Flash Bomb: Three!"
A huge burst of light expanded as soon as the attack left her palms. The demon flute then began to fall back and Seraphina prepared to land onto the floor, but she realized this was the perfect opportunity to finish it off.
"Natsu, now!" She, Erza, and Gray shouted at the Dragon Slayer.
"'I've got this!" Natsu said with a grin. "The flames of my right hand, and the flames of my left! Put the two together…"
Both of Natsu's hands were then covered in a fireball, but he put them together making an even larger one.
"And this is what you get! Fire Dragon: Brilliant Flame!"
He threw the fireball down and the flames engulfed the demon, sending it crashing down. Lullaby disappeared exploding up into the air with a bright light, contrasting with the dark clouds above. The light then exploded into a bunch of magical sparks which fell from the sky as the as the light disappeared and the flute fell to the ground.
"Woah~~" Seraphina exclaimed as she held her hands out to catch the sparks. "So pretty~!"
"Well done." Makarov congratulated looking to his children with pride.
"You're amazing!" Master Bob said.
"You kids made defeating Zeref's demon look easy." Goldmine added with a nod.
"I can't believe how strong they are," Kageyama muttered in awe as he watched the dust clear revealing Seraphina, Gray, Erza, and Natsu. "Are all Fairy Tail wizards as powerful as these four?"
"There's no doubt about it!" Lucy grinned gleefully. "This is the strongest team!"
"Aye!"
Seraphina caught more of the magical sparks before smiling at Lucy who was congratulating them for defeating the demon.
"Thanks, but it was no problem." Natsu said nonchalantly.
"Yeah, piece of cake." Gray added dismissively.
"I'm all ready for round two!" Seraphina grinned with a pumped fist.
Everyone laughed and Seraphina then turned around before paling considerably.
"Uhm… haha… there are other conference halls right?"
Everyone frowned in confusion before turning to see what Seraphina was talking about, and when they did their jaws dropped. Where the big conference hall had once been was now replaced with a huge gaping hole.
"The conference building has been destroyed!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Aye, and there's even a couple of mountain tops missing." Happy added, not seeming worried at all about the damage.
"Well, technically that was Lullaby…" Seraphina countered, a crazy grin then crossed her face. "Maybe we should destroy some too! I mean that's the one thing Lullaby did better!"
"Ooh, you're right!" Natsu said before turning to the lavendette. "That one seems close enough, wanna do it?"
"NO WAY!" Lucy yelled before Seraphina could even agree to Natsu's suggestion. She stuck out her tongue at the blonde before turning around and blinking in confusion, was Erza chasing after a ghost?
Seraphina shrugged her shoulders before turning to the other guild masters, who were staring at her and the rest of the Fairy Tailers almost as menacingly as Lullaby had.
"Is there something wrong?" The lavendette asked them.
"Yeah, you guys trying to catch someone?" Natsu added as he too noticed the angry expressions on all of them. "We'll do it for ya!"
"You're the ones we're after!" They shouted in return.
Seraphina jumped forward and laughed at that. "Come on!"
"Oh yeah, that's right!" Natsu exclaimed.
Lucy and Gray were already way ahead of the pair, and Erza was close behind with Master Makarov on her back. Seraphina and Natsu gave each other a high five as they ran forward trying to catch up to the rest of the group. Seraphina grinned as she looked back again, Fairy Tail still remained undefeated.
