Chapter 10
Daphne
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback
Location / Date / Time Skip
"Long story short, Wendy and Carla are the newest members of Fairy Tail." Erza explained, motioning to the blue haired girl in the green dress and the white cat. "So treat them well."
"Nice to meet you all." Wendy said with a bow. The guild crowded around her and started praising her cuteness.
"Were so glad you all made it back, Erza." Mirajane said to the red head. All of team Natsu had just returned from the mission Makarov gave them; destroy the Oraciōn Seis, one third of the Balam Alliance. Together with members of three other guilds, the six demons were defeated and arrested.
"Hello, master." Erza nodded to the old man.
"You did well, Erza." The master said. "Now that the Oraciōn Seis are in jail, I'm sure things will quiet down. And thank you for bringing two precious and powerful new members to the guild with you."
"Girl, it's been too long!" Levy cheered before tackling Lucy in a hug.
"Does Lucy seem, different to you?" Jet asked Droy.
"Who knows what they went through on this mission." Droy mumbled.
Water poured out of Juvia'a eyes and swept them away, and almost drowned the whole guild. "Gray, darling, you're back! I'm so happy I'm crying waterfalls!"
"Gray, calm down your girlfriend!" One member shouted, struggling to keep his head above water.
"She's not my freaking girlfriend!"" Gray shouted, floating by before the water drained out of the guild.
"And then the giant snake grew wings attacked." Natsu said, telling others about his fight with one of the Seis.
"Quit pulling my leg." Elfman said back. "No snake is manly enough to fly."
Mirajane walked out from behind the bar and over to the new members. "Welcome to Fairy Tail, you two. I'm Mirajane."
"I can't believe it, Carla!" Wendy said to the cat. "First we meet Erza, and now Mirajane!"
"I'm guessing your cat friend uses the same magic as Happy. Would you mind telling me what magic you use?" The model asked.
"Don't you dare compare me to that furry freak!" Carla shouted.
"Don't mind her." Wendy said about the cat. "I use healing and support magic. Actually, I'm a Sky Dragon Slayer." The whole guild stopped talking and stared at her, making her drop her head. 'Did I do something wrong already?'
"That's Awesome!" The whole guild shouted, shocking her.
"Ive never heard of a guild having four dragon slayers!" Wakaba cheered.
"Four?" Wendy asked.
"Oh, yeah, you don't know about him. Nicholas, come here!" Cana shouted over to the back of the guild hall. The members moved out of the way to show the Earth Dragon Slayer sitting alone on at a table.
"Come on, grumpy." Brianna teased as she grabbed his wrist and pulled him over. "Sorry about that. He's Nicholas and I'm Brianna."
"Hey..." The Slayer mumbled before returning to his table.
"What's wrong with him?" Lucy asked the other take over mage.
"I don't know. He's been like this since he got back from his solo job." Brianna explained.
"Wait, I know you two!" Carla shouted. "Weren't you two those criminals that were wrongly blamed and had to spend seven years on the run?"
"On the nose." Brianna said. "Then we ran into Natsu and the others, one thing led to another, and now we're members."
"So what magic do you use?" Wendy asked.
"Mythic Soul Take-Over." Brianna then pointed to her friend. "And he's an Earth Dragon Slayer."
"Wow..." Wendy mumbled.
"Okay, everyone!" Makarov shouted. "Listen up! Let's welcome our new members the only way we know how!" The whole guild cheered him before they started partying all night long. Only two members stayed out of it; Mystogain, who faded away after seeing Wendy, and Nicholas, who stood up and left.
A Few Days Later
Wendy and Carla, now decorated in their new guilds emblem, stared up at the request board, looking for a job to do. "See anything you want?" Mira asked, walking over to her.
"There's just so many." Wendy said to the model.
"Take as much time as you want." Mirajane said back. "But a little advice. Stay away from solo jobs for a while. All our new members usually start with team missions. You'll take a pay cut, of course, but the experience is well worth it."
"Sounds like fun." Wendy said with joy.
"Wendy, do I need to remind you of your potently choices?" Carla motioned over to the bar, where Elfman and Natsu where laughing like madmen and Gajeel was sulking.
"Helping Wendy find a job, Mirajane?" Lucy asked as she and Levy walked over.
"Actually, I'm thinking it be best if she started off teaming with someone else." The model said back.
"Not a bad idea." Levy said. "That's how lulu started here."
"Yeah, I'd rather not think about that." Lucy said, thinking about all the problems that has lead to.
"Well, do you two need any help?" Wendy asked.
"Sure, we need all the help we can on ShadowGear." Levy said.
"Why not just stick wit us?" Lucy asked.
"That might be hazardous to her health." Levy said back, making Wendy chuckle.
"Hey, Natsu." The pinkette turned around to see Nicholas behind him.
"Where you been, man?" Elfman asked. "None of us have seen you for days. Brianna was getting worry about you. She want to talk to you after she gets back from her job."
"It's fine." Nicholas brushed of the concern. "A few days ago, I heard a rumor you might wanna hear."
"Well, what is it?" Natsu asked.
"Someone in town says they saw a dragon." The brunette explained, shocking Natsu and Wendy. Gajeel turned to look at him, a metal nut still in his mouth.
"For real?" Happy asked as Natsu jumped off his seat.
"Was it Igneel?" Natsu asked.
"No names were dropped." Nicholas answered.
"You talk to the guy who saw this dragon?" The pinkette asked again.
"It's just a rumor." Nicholas answered again. "The girl who started it is named Daphne. According to her, she didn't just see it, they talked with each other."
"In person?" Natsu asked. "Is it true?"
"No clue." Nicholas answered. "Honestly, I don't care about it, but I know you do. It's worth checking out, don't you uthink?"
"How do we find her?" Happy asked.
"She's in a lodge outside of town." Nicholas explained.
"Thanks, let's go Happy." Natsu said. The cat jumped off the bar and onto Natsu's shoulder.
"Can I come too?" Wendy asked. "I don't wanna bug you. I just want to see if it's Grandeeney or not."
"The more the merrier." Natsu chuckled before turning over to the bar. "You two sure you don't wanna come?"
"Not a chance in hell." Gajeel said back.
"I know you're as curious as we are." Natsu teased.
"Will you just listen to yourself?" The metal eater asked. "You hear dragon, and you run off on a wild goose chase. Stories like this are made for suckers like you. It's pointless to get your hopes up."
"What if it was Metalicanna?" Natsu asked. "Would you still sit here?"
"No, I'd find him and punch him in the face." Gajeel said back. "I don't know why you care about someone who abandoned you."
"Don't know about that, but I've moved on from Arnighte." Nicholas answered. "I've got my own problems to deal with."
"Well, I'm not giving up." Natsu said back. "Igneel is out there, and I'm gonna find him. Let's go Wendy."
"Right." Wendy nodded before turning to Carla. "I hope it's Grandeeney."
"Don't get your hopes to high." Carla warned her. "If your hopes are too high, you'll only be disappointed."
"Thanks for the tip, man." Natsu told Nicholas as he walked over.
"Not a problem." The brunette smiled back as the other slayers ran out the guild. He watched them run through town, a somber look on his face.
Magnolia Cake Shop
"Id like to order this one." Erza said, pointing to the strawberry cake with the Fairy Tail symbol on it.
"Thank you, miss Erza." The owner said. "I have to say, you are probably my most faithful customer."
"I byy one each time we get a new member." Erza explained. "I guess it's become something of a tradition. Then again, if you weren't a master of your craft, I wouldn't come here. So are fifty cakes do able?"
"You got fifty new members already?" The baker asked.
"No, just four." Erza said, turning to the door. "The rest are for me." The owner stared in shock as Erza walked out the door. Knowing a shortcut to the guild, she walked down an allyway before jumping out of the way of a pair of swords that a clocked figure swung.
Erza summoned her own pair and blocked a double swing before she swung herself, breaking the blades. Her opponents hand glowed green before two short swords appeared. "Requip?" The figure jumped down and swung again. Erza blocked the blades before jumping back and then charging. Both blocked the first blade as they traded blows. Erza landed and turned around, only to find air. "What was that?"
Rise Hotel
The four stared at the bright yellow hotel just sitting in the dull rocky plain. "This looks... out of place." Happy mumbled.
"And run down." Natsu added. The pushed open the door and walked in, only to find the whole place empty.
"It doesn't look like anyone's around." Wendy observed.
Calra walked over to the receptionist desk and a crystal glowed. "I think that's by design. This place seems to be run automatically. It can check people in and out with the need to hire employees."
"You're so smart, Carla." Happy said, trying to score points.
"I don't think anyone's here to maintain the place." Carla ignored the blue cats comments.
"Rock head is getting a punch for this!" Natsu growled.
"I think we're jumping the gun." Wendy spoke up. "They're are a ton of rooms to check. Maybe we can try checking them, this Daphne might be staying in one of them."
"Okay, let's split up and check every room." Natsu nodded. The four split up and knocked on all the doors they could find but no one answered them. They all met up at the last room, a big door surrounded by giant stuffed animals. Two were sticking out of the wall and the door had a giant face on it.
"So, I'm guessing this is the last door?" Happy asked.
"And it's not suspicious in any way." Natsu added sarcastically. "Daphne, are you in there?"
"Ya got that right!" A voice shouted back.
"Open up! We need to talk!" Natsu shouted.
The door opened slowly cracked opened to reveal a girl in a cowgirl outfit and glasses, chewing on a pokey stick. "You really need to work on your manners." She poked out the door and adjusted her glasses.
"We heard you saw a dragon." Natsu shouted.
"That I did." Daphne nodded opening the doors wide. "Come inside, we have much to talk about." Magic seals appeared under the four and they dragged the wizards into the dark room before the door closed. The lights flashed on and it show Daphne sitting on a couch, her patchwork dolls pampering her.
The four could only stare as she ripped the lid off another pokey box and had a doll give her one. "What are you waiting for, sit down." The seals lead her guests over to the couch and forced them to sit. "Now I understand you have many-a-questions."
"Damn right we do!" Natsu shouted. "That dragon you saw, where is he? What did he look like?"
Daphne fixed her glasses and stared at Natsu. "Tell me, why do you want to know that stuff?"
"I'm a Dragon Slayer from Fairy Tail!" Natsu shouted, igniting his hand. "I've been searching for a dragon named Igneel that disappeared. My friend here is also looking for a sky dragon, named Grandeneey. We heard a rumor that you saw one. That's the only reason we're here! So if you know anything, tell us! We need your help."
Fairy Tail Guildhall
"Hmmm... it's strange that he would attack and then leave." Makarov mumbled as Erza told everyone about the attack.
"It was a warning." The red head explained. "He was letting me know that he was out there. But there was something odd about him. The only way I can put it is that he smelled wrong."
"Smelled?" Lucy asked.
"Not like a person, more like an animal." Erza clarified. "Even his breathing wasn't normal."
"Well be caustious, but not paranoid." Makarov spoke up. "He'll come to us."
"Are we going to sit here and do nothing?" Erza asked.
"Yes, we are." Makarov answered. "We'd be doing nothing but waste recourses otherwise. Go about like nothing has happened, that should irritate him into attacking again."
"Wait, this guy's out attacking us?" Brianna asked, having just come back from her job. "Has anyone seen Nicholas around?"
"Last time I saw him, he was walking out the guild hall." Gray answered. "Something about a job he has to do."
"He never signed out a job." Mirajane said.
Rise Hotel
"Yes, I said I met with a dragon." Daphne said, turned around to the group. "But that was nothing but a lie."
"A what?!" Natsu angrily shouted.
"That's too bad." Wendy mumbled.
"Looks like Gajeel was right." Happy said, disappointed.
"I'm sure you understand, dragon boy." Daphne said, messing with Natsu's hair. "I had to find some way to get you to come."
"I understand you suck!" Natsu shouted before marching towards the door. "Come on, let's go!" He kicked open the door, only to find a swirling mess of colors instead of a hallway. "What the heck!?"
"The hallway melted!" Happy shouted in shock.
"How does a building vanish?" Wendy asked.
"You belong to me now, like birds in a cage." Daphne bragged.
"Well see about that! Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" Natsu punched the doorway, only to get blasted back.
"Natsu!/You okay?" Wendy and Happy shouted at the same time.
"It's like a magic wall... your a wizard!" Carla asked Daphne.
"Not a bad display, Salamander." Daphne chuckled as Natsu stood back up. "You certainly live up to your reputation."
"She's kinda scary now..." Happy mumbled, hiding behind Natsu.
"I guess good things do come to those who wait." The cowgirl chuckled again.
"This was a set up!" Natsu realized.
"That's right, and you fell for it." Daphne bragged. "Stuff that in your pipe and smoke it."
Wendy ran over to the window and opened it, only to find the same thing. "We can't leave this way either."
"My magic is quite handy, wouldn't you say?" Daphne chuckled as Natsu ran back to the door.
"I've never met a wall I couldn't break!" Natsu swung his fist again, only to be met with a fist of stone to his face. He looked up to find Nicholas glaring at him.
"How's the floor taste, Natsu?" He asked.
"Nicholas!" Wendy cheered.
"Wait, how did you get past that wall?" Happy asked.
"Good question, and I've got my own bone to pick with you." Natsu said, standing up. "Next time, make sure your info isn't a pile of garbage."
"Man, you're stupider than I thought." The brunette chuckled as he walked into the room. "It wasn't garbage. We played you like a fiddle."
"That we did." Daphne chuckled as she put her arm on Nicholas' shoulder. "Good work, partner."
"You know her?" Natsu asked as everyone stared at the two. "What's going on here? I want some answers and I want them now!"
"God, you're annoying." The brunette said walking forward. "What part of a double cross don't you get, you idiot?"
"What'd you call me?" Natsu asked back.
"I still owe you for the cowardly way you beat me the first time." Nicholas said back. "Nows as good as time as any."
"The hell are you talking about?" Natsu asked.
"Let me put this in a way you'll understand." Nicholas said before punching Natsu in the gut, launching him back. "As of right now, I'm done with Fairy Tail and all of you."
"You serious?" Natsu asked from the ground.
"That's a man for you." Daphne said with a smile. "Now fetch me a Fire Dragon Slayer."
"With pleasure." He cracked his knuckles as Natsu stood back up.
"Don't do this!" Natsu shouted.
Nicholas glowed as he encased himself in his Scale spell. "It's time to smother this fire out, for good!"
"This is a dream, right?" Happy asked, not wanting any of this to be true.
"You guys get behind me." Natsu ordered the girl and cats. "He's not joking around."
"Why are you doing this?" Happy shouted.
"Please don't fight!" Wendy begged.
"Just shut up!" The brunette shouted as he swung his arm forward. "Earth Dragon Morningstar!" The ball and chain combo crashed into the floor where Natsu was standing after he jumped out of the way.
"Stay close to me, understand?" Carla said, pulling Wendy out of the way.
"Stop this!" Happy shouted. "There's no need for this!"
Daphne laughed at the cats statement. "You really are as stupid as you look, are you? If you don't fight back, you're gonna end up as a fine paste. Get him, Nicholas Boulton!"
"Coming up!" Nicholas pulled back and slammed the spiked sphere back down, forcing Natsu to roll out of the way.
"The hell is the matter with you?" Natsu shouted.
"There's nothing wrong with me! You're the one just standing there like the idiot you are!" He swung his arm again, and this time the ball scratched Natsu.
"Do you think this is a fake?" Wendy asked.
"I don't see how... One brand of Dragon Slayer magic is extremely rare." Carla mumbled. "The odds of finding another person with the same elemental type are extremely slim."
"Wait a minute, what about that freaky spirit we meet fighting nirvana?" Happy asked, speaking of the Gemini spirit. "That copied a lot of different magics. Do you think it's something like that?"
"It is possible." Carla confessed. Natsu jumped off the chain and kicked Nicholas in the back of the head, forcing him to the floor as the marble tiles shattered upon impact.
"This has to be a fake." Happy shouted.
"How do you know?" Wendy asked.
"Well for starters, he-" Happy started before Nicholas stood up, eating the marble shards in his mouth.
"I told you, untreated stone! This glaze is disgusting." Nicholas told Daphne, wiping his mouth clean. "Still, it made a nice little snack."
"He just at earth. This guy's the real deal!" Happy shouted.
"He's right, only a Dragon Slayer can eat their elements." Wendy added in horror.
"If it's a real fight you want, then you got it!" Natsu shouted at Nicholas.
"Good, I was starting to get bored." The traitorous dragon Slayer said before pulling his head back. "Earth Dragon Roar!"
"Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu did the same and both torrents of elements met in an explosion of dust and flames.
Nicholas charged through the smoke and pulled his glowing fist back. "Earth Dragon Diamond Fist!" He punched Natsu square in the gut before raising his leg in a crescent kick. "Earth Dragon Talon!" His foot wrapped itself in stone before he slammed it down on Natsu's jaw.
"Keep it up!" Daphne cheered for Nicholas. "There's nothing like dinner and a show. And by the way, I'm not one for cheap imitations. That right there is the real deal!" Nicholas threw a punch that sent Natsu flying back. "Oh, and he came to me. I'm not one for something as petty as mind control."
Natsu slid to a hault as he wiped his mouth of sweat. "No kidding. I've felt that punch before. No copycat could ever do the same."
"Figures you'd let me hit you to test if it was the real me." Nicholas said. "Only an idiot like you would-" Natsu head butted him in the gut, cutting him off.
"Fire Dragon Talon!" The pinkette delivered a flaming straight kick, sending Nicholas crashing through the wall. "We're just getting started!" Natsu raced after him as the others followed him into the hall.
"I knew Natsu was a barbarian, but I thought this 'Rockslide' would be different." Carla mumbled. "It must be something Fairy Tail puts in the water."
"I want answers, buddy, and I want them now!" Natsu shouted. "Were you ever really a good guy, or were you just fooling Brianna as well?"
"Leave her out of this!" Nicholas charged forward and punched Natsu in the gut before kicking in the back of the head, sending him flying backwards. "She has nothing to do with this! This is between you and me!"
Natsu jumped out of the rubble and used his breath attack, while Nicholas used his Pillar spell to pierce it. "This doesn't make any sense. Why would Nicholas betray his friends?" Wendy asked from the peanut gallery.
"Not that it matters to you, but Rockslide offered to help me with a special project." Daphne explained. "When I first got here I needed information and he was just the first person to help me. After that, we started meeting up and then we became partners on this little endouver of ours."
"A betrayal, after everything Fairy Tail has done for him?" Carla asked in anger.
"But wait, what does that have to do with why you want Natsu?" Wendy asked.
"Sorry, but I'm not into spoilers." Daphne teased. "For now, just shut up and watch."
"If you don't wanna tell me what's going on, I guess I'll just beat it out of you!" Natsu charged Earth Dragon Slayer, who smirked at the bravado shown to him.
Fairy Tail Guildhall
"I don't understand, why are they late?" Erza complained about Natsu and Wendy. "Following a simple lead doesn't take this long."
"You don't suppose he found Igneel, do you?" Lucy suggested.
"Or maybe he got tired of chasing rumors and called it night?" Wakaba added.
"Normaly I would agree, but flamebrain had Wendy with him." Gray pointed out. "As reckless as he is, he wouldn't keep a kid out this late."
"What's more, we still don't know anything of my attacker." Erza added. "For all we know, he could have gotten to them."
"Either way, I don't think we should just be sitting around here." Brianna said. "Nicholas is missing too. They're out there, and for we know, they need our help. I vote for forming a search party to go out their and look for them."
"Rockface is a big boy." Gajeel teased. "He doesn't need his little friend watching him."
"Wanna say that to my face, bolt for brains?" Brianna asked back.
"Enough." Erza stopped the fight from getting any more severe. "I'm going to look for them. Lucy, you and Brianna are with me."
"Got it." The blonde nodded.
Others tried to join in but Erza shot them down. "We can't spilt up anymore than we already have. Stay here and guard the guild hall."
"Be careful." Mira warned them as the three other women ran out the guild hall.
Rise Hotel
"Earth Dragon Cavern Crush!" Nicholas wrapped his hands together before they were coated in stone. He threw them forward as Natsu swung his flaming leg, forcing him down some stairs. Natsu jumped after him, only to slip and fall down the stairs. "My pillars don't just come in flat mode. I can angle them too!" Nicholas explained as Natsu slid by before crashing into the wall. "Pathetic."
"You're one to talk!" Natsu shouted as he pulled himself out of the wall before throwing a fire ball at Nicholas. "Filthy traitor!" Nicholas sank into the ground and the fireball missed him. "Crap. I hate this spell."
"Earth Dragon Quake!" Nicholas shot out of the ground and uppercutted Natsu before grabbing him and dragging him through the walls of the building.
"Don't hurt each other." Wendy begged.
"At the rate they're going, they're going to wear themselves out or destroy this place." Carla pointed out. "But we have a problem. The walls in this place is made of stone. Meaning Natsu is at a disadvantage."
"Natsu needs help." Happy said. "I'm going back to town and getting some." He opened a window and tried to fly out, only to be send to the ground.
"That was painful to watch." Carla mumbled.
"I'm afraid there's no escape, so just relax and enjoy the show." Daphne chuckled. "This place is my illusion, so if I want you to stay, you stay."
"Illusion?" Wendy asked.
"Just a little concealment magic to hide it in plain sight for as long as I want." The cowgirl bragged. "It may not be good in a fight, but it sure fooled you." She glanced out the window and the others follower her head. "On the plus side, you're little friends are here."
The three fairies looked out the window and saw Erza, Brianna, and Lucy looking around. "We're up here!" Wendy shouted pounding on the window.
"They can't see us, child." Carla told Wendy.
"Don't worry about them. They'll have their own problems soon enough." Daphne chuckled.
Nicholas threw Natsu away, only for the pinkette to jump off a wall and springboard back. "Fire Dragon Flame Elbow!" Flames shot out of Natsu's elbow and he rammed the other one into Nicholas's gut, sending him crashing into a hallway as Natsu followed him.
Nicholas stood back up and turned his arm into his warhammer. "Express elevator, going down!" He slammed the hammer down and the floor collapsed beneath them.
"Not only is he good looking, but he's smart as well." Daphne observered as the others ran after Natsu. "Looks like I made the right choice partnering with him."
Outside
"That inn should be here." Lucy mumbled, seeing nothing around her but sunbacked rocks. "Do you think we made a mistake with the directions?"
"Something doesn't feel right here." Brianna added. "Erza, what do you think?"
"I think we may have walked into a trap." The redhead said, making Lucy panic. "It's the same smell as before." Magic seals appeared on the ground before amcloaked figure rose out of the ground. "That's what attacked me. You two stay behind me."
"Got it." The blonde nodded as Erza donned herself in her Heavens Wheel armor. The figure held out its hands and summone dits own blades before charging Erza.
The four swords met as Erza started pushing on the blades. "What is your plan? Are you why Natsu and the others haven't returned yet? Tell me!" She swung her blades and ripped the hood to shreds, showing a lizards head underneath it before it charged Erza and pushed her back.
"Erza!" Lucy shouted as the other two ran along side her. "Hang on!" She pulled out a gold key and summoned Virgo. "Erza needs help, pronto!"
"Understood." The maid started digging underground when she stopped. "Princess, we have company." A seal appeared behind her and another beast landed next to her.
"Another one!?" Erza asked, pushing her own opponent back.
"I'll take care of this one, princess." Virgo dug underground, hoping to catch it off guard.
"Why is your spirit copying Nicholas?" Brianna asked.
"Virgo could do that way before we met either you!" Lucy shouted back. The beast behind them dug underground and Virgo missed it.
"It fled?" Virgo asked before it rose out of the ground, catching her off guard. Virgo swung her chains and the beast dodged them before going back under ground.
"Listen, we got this. Go help Erza." Lucy told Brianna as Virgo went back underground.
"Right." Brianna raced over to the red head as Virgo popped back up.
"I failed princess." Virgo reported.
"Just take a rest for now, okay?" Lucy closed the gate as Virgo bowed to her. "Okay, let's try this." She pulled out another key and held it to the sky. "Open, Gate of the Lion - Leo!"
"Sup, gorgeous." Loke asked as he appeared.
"Think you take this guy?" Lucy asked.
"No problem. Besides, I still owe you one for taking in Aries and the others." Loke pushed his glasses up as the beast charged him and was met with a fist to the face, er, snout. Before hitting the ground, a seal appeared and swallowed it before a new one popped out, this one looking like Loke. "Well, this should be fun." Every punch and kick he threw was matched perfectly. "What's going on? He got way stronger."
"Take-over: Harpy!" Brianna turned into her bird form and took to the sky to dive bomb Erza's opponent, only for a third beast to shot out of the ground. This one had wings instead of arms and large about of feathers on its neck. "That might be the ugliest thing I've ever seen." The beast flapped it's wing and a tornado shot towards Brianna, who dodged it. "That's my schit. Lets go, ugly."
"Imitation may be flattery, but you have no style of your own." Erza said before dressing herself in her Giants Armor, only for the beast to do the same.
Inside Rise Hotel
"Are those lizards working for you?" Happy asked after the three watched outside the window.
"What a smart kitty." Daphne teased. "Yes they are, and those aren't the only ones. I've got an army of dolls working for me."
"So, they aren't really alive?" Wendy asked.
"Golems?" Carla guessed.
"Nail on the head." Daphne nodded. "And the best part is they can tag out to another Golem who can match the opponents power. Lucky for me, Rockslide told me everything about the wizards of your guild. And that's not even the best part. But why spoil all the fun and tell you now?"
An explosion rocked the building as Daphne looked down over the railing. "My, my, those two sure like to have their fun, don't they?"
"Earth Dragon Pillar!" Nicholas threw his arm forward and it turned into solid stone aimed at Natsu. The pinkette caught it and started melting it with his bare hands. "Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!" He pulled his arm back and Natsu launched forward and punched him in the face.
"Finish this game, would you?" Daphne asked her partner.
"Right away." Nicholas turned his arms back into weapon mode as Natsu light himself on fire and charged. "You're done!" He swung his hammer and met Natsu's Sword Horn, only to have start cracking. "That's not possible..."
"You lose!" Natsu speared him through the wall and landed in the lobby.
"Not bad, dragon boy..." Daphne chuckled as Nicholas' scales faded.
"Okay, we're done." Natsu panted as he looked up to find the other Slayer out cold. "No way, I actually knocked him out? Awesome!" He noticed the lack of movement from the earth wizards chest. "Crap, I didn't kill him, did I?" He raced over only to find a pillar forcing him to the ground from the ceiling. "What the heck?"
"Idiot..." Nicholas chuckled as he stood back up. "How stupid can you be?"
Daphne laughed as she walked up behind Natsu. "I'll take it from here." She held out her hand and a purple seal appeared beneath Natsu. "Hidden Darkness!" The seal turned into a hole that swallowed Natsu whole. "An excellent performance, Rockslide."
"Thanks." Nicholas said, clutching his gut. "Man, he really has a thick head."
The others ran into the room and stared down the glowing hole. "You sneaky little... You never meant to beat Natsu at all, did you? You were just leading him here." Carla realized.
"And he fell for it, hook, line, and sinker." Nicholas nodded before grabbing Happy and holding him over the hole. "He might get lonely down there, how about some company?"
"Enough fooling around." Daphne said. "It took far to long just to set up my experiment. I'll not have you sully it by adding a meter cat."
"So trapping Natsu was your plan all along." Wendy said.
"Indeed, and now that I have him, the fun begins." Daphne chuckled.
"Hello!? Can anyone hear me!?" Natsu shouted from inside the hole before something zapped him, making him cry in pain. The building began to shake as Wendy almost fell over.
Outside
Erza and the beast clashed spears against each other as Loke brawled with his own lizard and Brianna tried to hit her opponent. "Now it make sense, they switch out with each other that has the same skills as the opponent." Erza said aloud. "But that's also their weakness. Requip!"
She changed into her Adamantine armor and the lizard did the same, before she jumped up, changed into Black Wing Armor, and sliced it in half. "No one can requip as fast as me." She glowed and returned to her normal armor Next time, use your own power."
"Okay, ugly, let's play a game." Brianna took to the sky and the beast followed her before the two locked talons together before falling to the ground like birds do mating. Just before hitting the ground, Brianna pulled away and the two flew apart, only for the lizard to crash into high stack of rocks.
"I win! Talon Dive!" She flew to the rock feet first as her talons glowed before she burst through it, feet first. The beast exploded from the hole in his chest as Brianna landed next to Erza and returned to normal as Lucy ran over. "How did you beat yours?"
"I used Plue." Lucy answered matter of factly.
"I don't know if that's something I'd want to brag about." Brianna said back, making Lucy drop he head in shame. A massive roar drew their attention as something... big appeared in front of them.
"It's alive! It's alive!" Daphne shouted from atop the things head. "Activate lacrima core!" The girls jaws hit the stone floor in shock as they realized they were staring at a giant dragon like thing. "Anything that isn't my Salamander core, get away from my baby!" Carla and Happy flew Wendy away as the things eyes started glowing red. "Behold, the mighty Dragoniod!"
"Do we really wanna know what Salamander core means?" Lucy asked as it roared again. "So loud!"
"Like a new born, it cries!" Daphne cheered. "The world's first artificial dragon has salamanders power for its life force."
"Ypu guys!" Wendy shouted as she and the cats raced over.
"Wendy!" Erza shouted in joy.
"We need to do something, fast!" Happy shouted.
"Hold on, where's Natsu?" Lucy asked.
"He's inside that thing!" Happy explained. "Some crazy woman named Daphne set up a trap and Nicholas lured him into it!"
"What!?" Brianna shouted back. "This has to be some kinda trick. He's being controlled, right?"
"No, he's not!" Wendy said back. "He's doing all this because he wants to."
"Up there." Lucy pointed to the oids snout to find Nicholas standing on it.
"What are you doing?!" Erza shouted as he jumped off. "If you've betrayed Fairy Tail, I'll-"
"You'll what? Punch me in the head?" He chuckled before looking over to Brianna. "You're not supposed to be here."
"Well, I am!" She shouted back. "Now what's going on!?"
"Can't you tell? He's trading you in." Daphne chuckled from the cockpit. "And I'm still waiting for my congratulations."
"You're the one behind this insanity!?" Erza asked. "Let Natsu go at once."
"Not gonna happen." Daphne said, finishing her pokey. "Kinda using him as a battery after all. I'd say your good byes while you can. Natsu Dragneel won't be around much longer."
"If this thing drains all his magic power, he's as good as dead." Brianna mumbled.
"You wanna stop this? Be my guest." Nicholas teased. "Then again, considering how weak you all are, I don't think any of you are gonna be around yourself."
'Something's wrong...' Brianna thought, looking up at him. 'He's never called me weak before, even during his sleep mumbling. If he's not being controlled, what's going on?'
"I take offense to that." Daphne spoke up. "Genius is often mistaken for madness, but once I'm done, people will know what I am. It wasn't easy though. First, I had to make artificial dragons and then raise the young. After that, well, let's just say my home town finally proved itself useful. But they all use the same magic I do, so they fled before I could get any results. Without any data, the test was ruined. But I got the last laugh..."
"And now, after all my research, I found the solution. In order for my baby to work, I need the power of a real life Dragon Slayer. Of course it couldn't be just any dragon Slayer, no, no. My machine was specifically crafted to hamdle a fire dragon. Now, Salamander, surrender your power my baby can live." Daphne ordered. "Burn, baby, burn!"
Natsu screamed in pain as the beasts eyes glowed red. It slammed its foot down, kicking up dust around the girls and Happy. "Why did you create this thing!?" Erza shouted. "It can't just be for show."
"You're mind is as sharp as your blade, Erza Scarlet." Daphne said back. "My dream is to make the ultamite dragonoid, but this thing is still just a prototype. And now it's time for field testing." The beast slammed its feet down again, trying to squash them like bugs.
"This chick is insane!" Lucy shouted.
"We need to stop her." Erza declared.
"So we're just going to attack that thing with Natsu in it?" Brianna asked back. "He won't survive."
"Sometimes you have to make sacrifices." Carla answered.
"Don't talk like that!" Wendy shouted.
Erxa glanced over to find Nicholas still standing on the rock formation. 'Is this truely what you want?' A magic mobile pulled up and Elfman jumped off and punched the Dragon Slayer in the gut, knocking him out. "What are you guys doing here?"
"You were taking too long, so the master sent us out to find you." Macao, the driver explained. "Mind telling me what the heck this thing is and where Natsu is?"
Elfman jumped down as the wings of the robot started to glow. "Is this thing about to fly?" Lucy asked in disbelief. It started floating off the ground before it flew away.
"It's going to hit Magnolia." Wendy realized.
"You all take Nicholas back to the guild, and then prepare for action." Erza ordered. "Protecting Magnolia is our top priority."
"What about you?" Brianna asked.
Erza summoned a sword to her hand. "I'm going Dragon hunting. Now get moving." The others nodded and Brianna piled into the car before she climbed on top of it. 'Nicholas, what have you done?' The car took off as happy and Carla carried Lucy and Wendy. "Thanks for the ride." She jumped off the wagon and was met with another lizard man. "Again?"
"Did you really think I would leave my baby unguarded?" Daphne asked.
Erza jumped back, donned herself in her Black Wing Armor and took to the sky, only for the lizardman to grow its own wings and fly after her. "I've beaten it before, and I'll do it again!" She swung her sword and sliced the beast in half. She reached the Dragonoids hide and landed on it, only to find it covered in lizardmen.
Magic Mobile
"Guys!" Brianna pointed ahead and Macao skidded the car to a hault as three more lizardmen popped up.
"That's just ugly." Elfman mumbled as the three men climbed out of the car. "Brianna, we'll deal with these things. You just get him back to Magnolia."
"You sure about this?" She asked back as he threw off his coat. "Right, I'll be back!" She hooked up the S.E. plug and the car took off.
Magnolia
"Big dragon, dead ahead." Cana pointed out as the town crowded in to the guild hall.
"Now for the million jewel question: how do we beat it?" Drop asked.
"Master has a plan, right?" Jet asked Mira.
"He wants to wait until Nicholas gets back." She explained. "He thinks that Nicholas will talk to him."
"What good will it do, talking to a traitor?" Cana asked. "We can't just sit here and twiddle our thumbs."
A damaged magic mobile pulled up to the guild hall, Brianna driving it. "Get them help!" The doors popped open and Macao, Wakaba, and Elfman fell out. Everyone raced over to them as Brianna pulled Nicholas out of the car.
Cana pushed her out of the way and grabbed Nicholas by the collar. "Wake up! You might as well be awake and see the damage you done. Pathetic!" She slapped him across the face, waking him up.
"Back off!" Brianna pushed Cana off her old friend. "I'm sure he has a good reason for doing all of this!"
"I got your reason! He's a damn traitor!" Cana shouted back.
"He's not a traitor!" The two tone haired girl shouted, tears pooling around her eyes. "He can't be..."
"Just shut up..." Nicholas groaned as he stood up. "Jeeze, and I thought Daphne was annoying. I thought I was here to see the master, not play 'slap the sleeper'?"
"Let's go." Alzack said, pointing his gun into Nicholas' head.
"Don't make my trigger finger any more excited than it needs to be." Bisca warned as the three walked into the guild hall just as the dragonoid landed in Magnolia. The three reached the masters door and Alzack opened it before pushing Nicholas onto the room. The two closed the door behind him and raced into Magnolia to fight the beast.
"The battle has begun..." Makarov mumbled as he looked out the window. "Now is as good a time to explain yourself.
"I take full responsibility for everything that happened." Nicholas said on his hands and knees. "But believe me, this is the last thing I wanted."
Makarov walked over, anger seeping out of his mouth. "What did you think was going to happen!? Answer me, damnit!"
"Look, only Natsu can beat this thing." Nicholas said back, looking at the master. "And he's right where he needs to be to do it."
"I don't want riddles, I want answers!" Makarov shouted. "Is this how you repay kindness? We took you both in when you had no where else to go. We gave you both a new home, a new family, and you do this to us?! Maybe you're more like Suishou than you thought..."
"Hey, hey, hey! This wasn't my idea!" Nicholas shouted before slamming his fist int the desk next to him, breaking it in half. "Goddamnit!" He picked up a chair and threw it against the wall. "Did you think I LIKED doing this? Do you think I ENJOY lying to my friends, hurting them? I don't do this by choice; they forced me into this!"
"Who?" Makarov asked. "Who forced you?"
"The Magic Council." The Dragon Slayer answered. "Apparently, being cleared of a big crime doesn't excuse you of all the little crimes you did while on the run. After my last job, they gave me a bargain I COULD NOT refuse; force this Daphne woman out of hiding, or both me AND Brianna would be going to jail. Why the hell did you think I was sulking for the last week? I was sick to my stomach, knowing what I had to do."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Makarov asked.
"They have someone on the inside." The younger member explained. "If they found out I told ANYONE, they'd cart us off, never to be seen again." He calmed down with a long sigh. "So, am I getting kicked out of the guild?"
Makarov stared at him before speaking up. "No, however, you will be punished. For the next seven years, all the monetary gains you receive on jobs will be given to the guild."
"But I just got a place to live." Nicholas groaned.
"That's the way life works." Makarov said. "Actions have consequences. Now, how do we clean up this mess you caused?"
"Trust me, everything is set up." Nicholas grinned. "After finding Daphne and convincing her I'm on her side, she told me something very interesting. The only way to beat this thing once it starts is to have a Dragon Slayer attack it from the inside."
"Then what are you waiting for?" Makarov said as the door opened and Brianna walked in. "Get down there and tell them your plan."
"Right." Nicholas turned around and was met with a slap from Brianna.
"Don't you EVER do something like this again!" She shouted, tears rolling down her eyes. "If I lost you too, I'd-I'd.."
Nicholas wrapped his arms around her in a hug and pulled her in. "I'm sorry... I never meant to hurt anyone, especially you."
Magnolia
"Master told you what?" Erza asked after recovering from being forced of the robot. "Destroying the Dragonoid is our top priority? What about Natsu?"
"He said he's tought enough to survive this." Lucy mumbled.
"Natsu!" Erza shouted. "Can you hear me?! The master ordered us to destroy this monster by any means necessary. But I need to know what do you want to do? Answer me!"
"It's about time someone asked that..." Natsu mumbled from inside the core. "Listen up, I'm only gonna say this once! Forget about me! Just destroy this thing!"
"But what's gonna happen to you!?" Happy asked.
"Just do it!" He shouted back. "If Magnolia turns into a pancake because of me, I'd never live with myself."
"Please tell me you've got a plan in mind, Erza." Lucy begged the redhead next to her. "Erza, answer me!"
"Oh, what a rush!" Daphne screamed in scientific ecstasy. "They all called me a liar for that day. But I'll never forget what I saw. It was majestic, powerful... the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I thought it would come back but it never did, so I decided to make my own!"
"Okay, this girl has major problems." Happy mumbled.
"The first thing I'll show them is how my baby can wipe out a whole city, and then an entire country!" The Dragonoid roared, forcing them back a bit.
"Just shut up." Erza looked over as Brianna, in her harpy form, placed Nicholas next to them. "You were right, she is annoying."
"What is the meaning of this!?" The redhead asked.
"Calm down and listen to me." Nicholas said as Brianna landed next to him. "Yes, I screwed up. But if we want any chance of beating this thing, you're gonna have to listen me. I don't care if you believe me or not."
As Nicholas explained everything as fast as he could, the robot was sapping Natsu's strength to the point he was hallucinating two chibi versions of himself. "Only six percent left! We're almost at full power!"
"The council did what!?" Lucy asked in shock.
"I thought you had betrayed us... please hit me!" Erza begged, dropping her head in shame.
"Maybe later, but right now, we have work, to do." Nicholas said, turning to the side.
"So what do we do?" Carla asked as Daphne summoned her lizard men.
"First, we get rid of these things." Nicholas said, kicking one to the side. "Gray, Juvia. Get to the highest point you can and wipe all these things out."
"How do we do that!?" Gray asked.
"Just to the toy store and combine you powers." Nicholas shouted. "You'll understand everything there."
"Combine..." Juvia mumbled as her face turned red.
"Up we go!" Brianna picked both of them up and carried them to the top of the toy store.
"I still don't understand how we're supposed to beat this thing." Erza mumbled. "Master knows Natsu is the only one who can destroy this thing so why is he telling us to attack it." A thought crossed her mind as she figured out the plan. "Of course."
"You always were smart, Erza." Nicholas said.
"Hold of the lizardman for as long as you can." Erza ordered as she donned herself in her Heavens Wheel Armor. "Me and Nick will take care of the Dragonoid."
"I told you, I hate that nickname!" He shouted as the two ran forward.
"But Natsu's still in that thing!" Wendy shouted.
"Trust me, it's all part of the plan!" Nicholas shouted.
Erza jumped towards the Dragonoids snout and summoned a multitide of blades. "Blummenbalt!" She swung her arms and the blades hit the beast.
"That's it, keep wearing yourself out." Daphne teased. "Only three percent left."
"Earth Dragon Cavern Crusher!" Nicholas slammed his fists down and hit the beasts snot, locking eyes with Daphne.
"So, you've finally shown your true colors, Nicholas Boulton?" Daphne asked. "But you're too late. Salamander is now apart of my Dragonoid for good!"
"It's never to late for us, my dear..." He teased the last two words.
The beast roared again, knocking Nicholas off the snout. Brianna caught him in her arm and flew away. "I'm pretty sure the guy is supposed to catch the girl." She joked.
"They in position?" He asked.
"Yep, but all you sure they can do it?" Brianna asked back.
"If they can't, will do it." Nicholas answered as they landed. Lizardmen jumped them from behind, but he whacked them away with his Chain spell. "To think I used to like lizards."
With Gray and Juvia
Gray looked out from the roof to find the Dragonoid was in front of them, as well as the river that flowed into town. "I get it. We're in her blind spot. She'll never see us coming."
"What do you mean?" Juvia asked.
"He wants us to do a unison raid." He explained. "Not gonna lie, I've thought of the idea myself."
"You have?" She asked with a blush.
"Yeah, we're ice and water." He nodded. "The first time we fought, I though how our magic would complement each other."
"Really!?" Juvia asked, now beet red.
"I know we can do this, so what do you say?" He offered his hand to her and she took it.
"Magic Fusion!" Both shouted as they glowed in a blue aura. "Unison Raid!" The river burst out of the canal like a series of geysers as icicles started raining down on the lizardmen, wiping them all out.
The glow faded as Juvia still had sparkles in her eyes. She turned to confess, only to find air. "Don't run away from me!"
Magnolia
The Dragonoid started having a case of split personality, with Natsu's voice begging them to stop him before saying he wants to destroy everything. "This is bad." Bickslow said, using his Figure eyes. "That thing is starting completely absorbing Natsu's spirit. If we don't do something now, he's gonna be gone forever."
It started stomping around while at the same time saying it shouldn't. "Listen up, ya pink haired freak!" Gray shouted, catching its attention. "Are you seriously this helpless?! It's pathetic! I should have known you were nothing but hot air! Stop the lame comedy and man up!"
"Stop it, Gray!" Happy shouted before an idea crossed his mind.
"Smash that thing to smithereens, and let's go home! That is if you can!" Gray shouted.
Soon, Lucy, Happy, and even Erza started jeering him. "Jeeze, you don't have to be so hard on him..." Cana mumbled.
"Where's all the power you had when we first met!?" Nicholas shouted. "Do you have any power at all, or can you only win a fight when someone holds your hand!? You don't deserve the name of Dragon Slayer! If Igneel ever say you again, he'd turn his back on you, and this time never return!" That was the tipping point. Flames shot out of the core as Natsu started marching towards him. "Earth Dragon Warhammer!" He launched upwards and struck the core with his weapon, chipping it.
'Damn it! It's still not enough!' The Dragonoid burst into flames as Daphne couldn't control all the power.
"Jeez, you're dumb." He looked over to find Gajeel walking forward. "Next time you wanna do something this stupid, just do it alone."
"I don't need your sass, scraplord. I need your help!" Nicholas shouted.
"Thought youd never ask." He jumped off of Nicholas and started falling toward the Dragonoid. "Time to shut him up! Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Karma Demon - Iron Spiral!" His legs turned inot a drill and he cracked the orb opend like an egg, snapping Natsu out of the frenzy. "Damn. Was hoping to sneak up on you and beat the snot out of you."
Natsu stared at the sky for a few seconds before smirking at Gajeel. "Is that so?"
"Everyone!" Nicholas shouted. "Get all the fire you can! Natsu's gonna need a snack!"
"I've got just the delivery system." Lucy said as she summoned Sagittarius. Everyone around her summoned as much fire as they could as the spirit fired his arrow. The fire swirled arounf the aroow flew towards Natsu.
"This chick has tarnished the dragons reputation." Gajeel mumbled. "Teach her a lesson."
"Don't have to tell me twice." Natsu grinned as he ate the fire. He climbed to the robots snout and started ripping it to pieces. "You wanna see a dragon, huh? Let me show you what an angry one looks like!" Daphne stared at Natsu as she was shaking in fear. "Pull that vanishing act again, I dare ya. I'll find you, no matter where you hide!"
A blst of fire and the Dragoniod exploded from the head first. The sun rose out from behind the cluds as Natsu slung daphne over his shoulder. "I hope you saw that, Igneel."
"That aboy, Natsu." Nicholas walked over, only to get punched in the gut.
"Don't think you're off the hook, traitor!" He shouted as Nicholas stood back up.
"What do you have ash for brains!?" Nicholas asked, sparking a brawl that sucked Gray and Gajeel in.
"Looks like everthing is back to normal." Lucy chuckled. "Well, what passes for normal in Fairy Tail."
And his story is back on! Not gonna lie, I was just gonna leave it normal when you guys told me you wanted it. But one guy pointed how stupid Grays motives were. Granted, I thought that trusting Gray, of the guild FOR YEARS, was the deal breaker for this filler. So I changed it up. They might not be the purest of plans, but its better than just a promise fogoten.
Speaking of the village, a bit of background. In this story, Natsu NEVER went there. A certain rune knight did, reported it, and this cockamamie plan was made following his report. I cleaned up Daphne a bit because to me... She was a joke. I could not take her seriously going 'Yes, yes' all the time. As for the pokey sticks, I just don't feel comfortable writing about someone eating something that looks like it could still be alive.
Beta read by Natsu is Awesome.