Hi there, people! Actually, I planned to publish this chapter tomorrow, but since it appeared that I'll be busy – here it is, the new chapter (actually it was written two weeks ago…)
I have read the new omake. Well, have to admit – that was fun, quite a bit, so my disappointment about FT was reduced a little. Still, many of us have guessed long ago what's actually hiding beneath that Mirajane's angelic smile, aren't we?
Thanks everyone who left the review.
Notes for the reviewers:
TheMoneyKid, Silent Reader 6100, Guest, eze5555, DragonSlayer96, Mira-san: Many thanks to you people, I assure you – these simple words actually mean a lot for me (and any other writer).
FanFictionHunter: About blue flame… Well, temperature of Erza's magic is about twenty thousand kelvins, so it won't be much of a difference to her – I assume that Haru's flame temperature is about 3000 – 3500 kelvins and cold flame… let's say 100 kelvins. In both cases, difference is huge.
Now, let's proceed. From the beginning, this chapter was mostly canon-like (I wrote it a while ago). However, as I promised, I partially rewrote it, to introduce OC in this chapter (initially she was planned for the next one). Also, I made a kind of omake about Natsu and Erza's joint life and their house. I hope it will be fun. Notes about OC at the end of the chapter.
Note: It was really hard for me to do that to such a cute girl, but it really had to be done. It's a preparation for the Fighting Festival arc. Read to know what I've meant xD.
Chapter Updated 5/12/2016
Chapter XIII – The Mist of Nightmare
…
August 26, X784, 9:40, Magnolia's outskirts, Natsu and Erza's house.
It was a nice, cloudless morning. Rays of late summer's sun filled the bedroom with warm light. Erza opened her eyes and yawned sweetly. She smiled as she felt Natsu's hands at her back. Even in his sleep, he held her encased in tight embrace. Erza was feeling herself so… secure in his strong but gentle arms.
Six weeks have passed since their return from the island of Galuna. During this time, Natsu and Erza could be rarely seen in the guild, since most of these days they were training to the point of complete exhaustion. Erza's battle against Haru gave them both a good shake-up. Natsu couldn't forget that his skills are so inferior comparing to Dragon Queen's art of magic. Compering to Andromeda's flawless spells, his magic was quite a sloppy work.
Erza, on the other hand, was even more determined – being defeated by Haru's hands… that was the last drop. Once she lost to the God Slayer Natsu and now to Dragon Slayer Haru. She liked her Za Naito [The Knight] magic, she really did, but atop of the Temple of the Moon she got a reminder of immense power of Ushinatta Mahō [Lost Magic]. Moreover, it seems that her new, highest-grade magic continued to displace her old, increasing the 'price' of her sword spells and even ex-quip spells, so now she had no choice but to master her Sei no Metsuryū Mahō [Star Dragon Slayer Magic] as quickly as possible. That magic could fully utilize her uniquely balanced quicksilver attribute. Besides, there was something imperceptibly attractive in a pure power of dragon's magic… She still can use Za Naito of course, but now it's a backup magic. Nevertheless, the other guild members still were unaware of this new development – apart from Erza and Natsu, only Gray, Lucy, Sin and master Makarov knew that she's become a dragon slayer.
During her training, she got all of the dragon slayers' common attributes – large canines, dragon-like pupils and exclusive star dragon feature – her body now were glowing in darkness (Natsu was raptured when he noticed it, glowing girl appeared to be an immense turn on for him). Glow wasn't noticeable during day but the fact that she's trying to avoid looking directly into other people's eyes actually looked weird… another reason to not hang out around the guild until she'll be ready to tell everyone. She knew that it will cause quite a stir, but now she just wanted to live and train peacefully.
However, it's easier to say than done. Learning the lost magic ain't a simple task. It's good that she has Natsu to help her – thanks to his knowledge and experience she managed to comprehend the principles of her new magic and master all the basic and standard spells. However, when she started to learn advanced spells – Metsuryū Ōgi [Dragon Slayer's Secret Art], Erza realized what exactly the phrase 'complex spell' means.
Let alone Andromeda's secondary magic – Madō Warifumi [Magical Runes] – even basic runes appeared to be extremely hard to master, partially because Natsu couldn't help her with that – rune magic, and especially dragons' runes, were completely unknown to him, so Erza had to learn everything about them by herself, using her grimoire and trying to gain some knowledge directly from Dragon Queen's heritage.
And, as if everything aforementioned wasn't enough – there was one more issue. Back then, on Galuna, Natsu mentioned that with her new magic, Erza is 'eligible' for learning Senmei Saikō [Sure-kill Shot] arts, however…
Flashback, next day after they returned from Island of Galuna.
"Natsu, you said that with my new magic I can learn Senmei Saikō, haven't you?" Erza asked impatiently.
"Yes, I remember," Natsu replied, calmly looking into the window.
"Then why we still haven't proceeded?" Her impatient expression didn't go anywhere.
"Because you still didn't match the second condition," God slayer replied as if it was obvious.
"Second condition?" Erza asked in surprise, "What is that?"
"You got the proper magic, but now you need a proper weapon to charge it with your magic," Natsu explained.
"Oh, come on, I have plenty of swords, and you want to say that none of them is good enough?" Erza asked in anguish.
"No, I want to say that all those swords of yours are junk," Natsu clarified, "And I mean it – every last one of them."
"Natsu!" Erza exclaimed resentfully but he cut her off and continued.
"Cara mea, this is exactly because I love you so much that I am so straightforward with you when it comes to your safety. If you try to charge a low-quality sword with high-grade magic to execute the Senmei Saikō, it will just explode right in your hands. Of course, even if you lose your hands, I'll still love you, but I'd prefer to avoid that scenario. And I thought that I've proved my saying about your swords when we fought about a year ago," Natsu ended his monologue.
Erza's face expression softened, because Natsu said '…I love you so much…', but she wasn't ready to give up yet. "I remember, but if you referring to my Yōtō Benisakura [Demon Blade Crimson Sakura], which you destroyed back then, then you should know that it wasn't my strongest blade!"
Natsu smiled softly, "Amica mea, one day you'll learn to take my word… but that's alright, if you need one more proof – you'll get it. C'mon," He asked his fiancée to follow him.
"Where are we going?" Erza wondered.
"To the backyard," Natsu replied shortly, "You was the one who said 'No magical experiments in my bedroom, this place is for experiments of another type!', don't you remember?"
"I remember!" Erza replied quickly as her cheeks flushed – she remembered what kind of experiments she still wants to commit in bedroom…
As they reached the middle of the backyard, Natsu turned to his bride. "Alright, what's your strongest weapon? Tenichijin no Chito [Nakagami Halberd] if I remember correctly… Okay, summon it."
"I can't summon it…" Erza mumbled with regret. "It requires a huge amount of magic power, and I still don't have enough, especially now, when my Za Naito magic became even more taxing…"
"Hmm… Well, then use my magic as well," Natsu suggested.
"How?" Erza wondered.
"Through the Seal of God I placed on you, it's not just a symbol of eternal love, you know." Natsu walked behind Erza and placed his right palm on glowing crimson seal on her right shoulder blade. Erza immediately felt the surge of magical power. "So?" Natsu asked.
"Nice!" Erza exclaimed in excitement.
"For now, this ability is pretty useless in real battle, but with our connection becoming tighter, we'll be able to transfer magic without physical contact… but that's another story. Right now – what about your armor?"
"Yes, I think that with this amount of magic I can do it!" Erza announced.
"Then, by all means," Natsu encouraged her.
"Okay, Tenichijin no Yoroi: Za Naito! [The Knight: Nakagami Armor]" Erza summoned an elegant armor composed of a short blue robe, trimmed with gold, which is largely open in the middle, revealing much of Erza's chest, as well as her panties.
"Wow! You never mentioned that this armor's so sexy!" Natsu seemed fascinated.
"Natsu, focus!" Erza shouted, "I can't sustain that armor for long!" True to her words, Erza burned about 70% of her own mana, as well as half of Natsu's mana just to summon it.
"Okay, sorry," Natsu shook his head, "Now then, use your strongest attack, let us clash our weapons!"
"Wait, Natsu, this Halberd can slice through anything, even 'space' itself!" Erza exclaimed worriedly.
"Erza, calm down and do as I said," Natsu ordered. "This is the reason we started this experiment in the first place. And don't worry – Halberd is my mother's weapon of choice, so I know all too well how to counter it. Besides, you shouldn't target me – try to hit my sword."
"Alright… I hope you know what you're doing…" Erza said, she was still worried, but Natsu was right – this was the goal of that experiment. "Okay, prepare yourself!" Erza took the combat stance, "Tenichijin no Shōmyōri! [Nakagami Starlight]" Knight-mage thrusted herself toward Natsu, preparing to strike with all her might.
CLASH! Tenichijin no Chito clashed with Natsu's Gladius Terminus. "See!?" Erza asked victoriously – it seemed like her weapon withstood the impact with Natsu's katana.
"Yes, I see…" Natsu replied almost mournfully. From the first sight – everything was alright, but… Clank… Clank… Clank… Cracks started to web across Erza's weapon. In the next moment her Tenichijin no Chito crumbled to pieces. For a few seconds, Erza stood with senseless sight, as if she lapsed into idiocy. But that wasn't all – seemingly, weapon was directly connected to the armor itself, so… Clank… Clank… Clank… Within two seconds, entire armor also turned into mix of metallic scraps and shreds of clothes, leaving Erza in panties only, because they weren't part of the armor. Loss of such a powerful armor was quite a shock for Erza's meridians, so she suffered a backlash and lost her consciousness as she began to fall to the ground. Fortunately, Natsu was fast enough to catch her. Luckily, she suffered no permanent damage, just lost her consciousness. "This is what happens when you don't listen to me…" Natsu sighed with slight smile. "You're my oddity in feathers," He added as he gently kissed his unconscious fiancée.
About two hours have passed until Erza regained consciousness. Natsu brought her back to the bedroom and now she was lying in bed. With some efforts, she managed to sit, and then she perplexedly looked around, trying to remember what exactly happened. She noticed Natsu, who was sitting at his desk, reading some scroll, as if nothing happened. Then her sight fell onto something in the corner of the room, and she let out an anguished moan. That were the remnants of her superior armor, which now was nothing more than a pretty small pile of trash, literally.
"Natsu! That armor was a gift from master Makarov! He gave it to me as a 'gift from the guild to the most promising knight-mage', when I passed the S-class exam! For more than ten years no one could equip that armor, but master said that one day I definitely will be able to wear it! And now it's been completely trashed! How I'm going to explain that?!" Erza complained, ignoring the fact that she's still topless… well, in her bedroom it's not an issue.
"Honey, don't yell at me – I warned you about that," Natsu tried to calm his bride down. "More importantly, I hope now you believe me?"
"Yes…" Erza grunted resentfully.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Natsu sat near her and gently pressed her head to his chest, "But I had to dispel your doubts, after all – my ultimate goal is your safety. I promised, remember?"
"Yes, yes…" Erza sighed, still thinking what to do with the destroyed armor now. Is there someone in Fiore who can repair it? And, most importantly – should she bother with repairing it at all?
"Anyway, I hope now you realized that even if armor or weapon was named after some god, it still was made by humans and cannot compete with truly divine equipment…" Natsu noted. [A/N: Ten'ichijin, also known as Nakagami, was the god of fortune in Onmyōdō]
"So, what do you suggest then?" Erza looked at Natsu questioningly.
"Isn't it obvious? If you want to imbue a weapon with Metsuryū Mahō, you need a weapon, sanctified by dragons…" Erza gulped a little, she realized where he's getting. "In other words, if you want to use Senmei Saikō, we have to find Astrum Eclipsis…"
Flashback end
But even that wasn't Erza's last problem – right now She has one more thing to take care of – her wedding draws near, only 48 days left (yep, she was counting days). Erza was an exception from many rules, but not from this one – she too was dreaming about perfect wedding. Natsu, on the other hand, was like the most bridegrooms – his only real interest about the wedding was his bride. Bridegroom's duties are simple – he should come to the right church, at the right time, call the right name at the altar and pay the bills. Other petty details, like dresses, guests, decorations, meals – all of this is up to bride, wedding is a bride's day, in the end. Erza felt all the 'pleasures' of wedding preparation in full measure. For example:
Flashback, three weeks ago.
"Natsu, do you remember how I said that I want a modest ceremony?" Erza asked Natsu, who buried himself in the pile of ancient scrolls, he was doing his research about the location of 'Astrum Eclipsis.'
"Yes," He replied, continuing to stare into the old parchment.
"Then why here are more than two hundred names?!" She exclaimed, holding the guest list, "Who are all these people?!"
"Sweetie, I haven't written a single invitation," Natsu replied imperturbably as he took another scroll.
"What?!" She asked indignantly, "You want to say that the one who invited all of them was me?!"
"You allowed up to five friends for every guest," Natsu replied.
"How should I know that they all have an entire herd of friends?!... Hey!" Natsu struck her ass with the old scroll – he warned her about that at least three times.
Flashback end.
Or like this:
Flashback, about a week ago.
During the short break in their training.
"Natsu, did you already choose your best man?" Erza inquired as she was sitting on the chaise longue near the pool, which was on back yard of their house, her feet were in the water.
"Yeah, I've already asked Gray," Natsu swam closer to his bride, he was in the pool. "I think he'll suffice, I just need to glue his suit to him so he won't be able to undress."
"Have you considered Loki's candidature?" Erza wondered.
"Nah, he'll be staring at your ass, you'll punch him, he'll crash into someone and wedding will turn into slapstick," God slayer replied as he kissed his fiancée's big toes.
"Yeah, right…" Dragon slayer agreed as she imagined the situation. "And you think Gray will agree?" Erza asked.
"Hmm… 'You'll be my best man or I'll make your life miserable…' Yeah, I think he'll agree," Natsu winked to his girlfriend.
"Natsu! You can't threaten our guildmates like this!" Erza scolded him.
"Oh really?" Natsu replied…
…
Deep flashback, one more week ago.
"Lucy, will you be my maid of honor, please?" Erza asked blonde, overhanging on her and glaring at her as only Erza could glare.
"Yes ma'am!" Lucy saluted.
"Thank you Lucy!" Erza exclaimed happily and squashed blonde in hug. "I know you are reliable so I won't have to punish you for the ruined wedding!"
"HEEEEK!" Lucy yelped.
Deep flashback end.
…
"Hey! I was very polite!" Erza exclaimed resentfully.
"So polite that Jane had to mix whiskey into Lucy's tea to calm her down," Natsu noted.
"Whiskey, really? She was so happy that I chose her as my maid of honor?" Erza wondered as Natsu face-palmed. "Lucy's so impressionable… hey, stop it!" Natsu sprinkled her with water from pool.
Flashback end.
Or how about this:
Flashback, three days ago.
Natsu and Erza were talking during the breakfast.
"Oh, by the way, I've hired Jane as a waitress for our wedding dinner," Natsu informed his bride.
"What?! What is it for?!" Erza asked indignantly, to be honest she would prefer to not see Mirajane at the ceremony at all.
"Because she herself offered her services and she would've been offended if I would refuse," Natsu answered.
"So?" Erza inquired.
"So? Erza, how much time I should tell you that you shouldn't offend people who have access to your food? You want to eat your strawberry cakes mixed with her saliva?" Natsu replied before adding, "Hmm… it's almost like kissing her…"
"Cough… cough… many thanks to you… cough… Natsu!" Erza choked as her face became a bit green…
Flashback end.
"Nasty boy…" Erza mumbled as she returned from wandering over her memories. But then she looked at his face, which was just two inches away from hers, and smiled again, he looked so peaceful in his sleep. Natsu could be an insolent, sarcastic nasty boy, but he is her personal insolent, sarcastic nasty boy. 'Natsu… you're brilliant... yet you're just a cute little fool… I love you so much…' She thought as she wrapped her hands around his neck and slightly bit the tip of his nose. "Natsu, wake up…" She whispered tenderly as she touched his earflap with her lips. "Natsu, my love…" She called again, took his earflap into her mouth and started to chew it, carefully, to not hurt it with her massive canines.
"Okay…" Natsu mumbled sleepily, "It seems someone urgently needs breakfast…"
Erza giggled, "You've turned me into a dragon, so this is how it works now – you'll feed me or I'll eat you, mmmm…" She let out a sweet moan when Natsu pressed her to himself tighter. "C'mon, it's already ten, time to get up. We need to visit the guildhall or others will forget how we do look like," She noted, they haven't visited the guildhall since last Sunday.
"Nah, no need to rush, today is the day of relaxation…" Natsu replied. Her body was so hot (both figurative and literally), "…we have time for some morning fun." He said as he grabbed Erza's arms and roughly pressed her to the mattress. She could only groan, unable to resist.
August 26, X784, 11:15, Same place.
"By the way, why did you choose Lucy?" Natsu asked as he and Erza came out from the bathroom, both wearing the dressing gowns.
"She's reliable and have everything I might need – fashion magazines, shopping catalogues, hairdresser, spare bed for me to spend the night before wedding… " Erza replied, "And she is easy to get along with."
"Haven't you thought about Levy?" Natsu wondered.
"I have, but… Don't you think that she is a bit too small?" Erza asked, meaning that Lucy's dimensions are common for the guild's girls and she could be used for clothes choosing, for example.
"Ah, yea… you right. I have nothing against loli-type, but beside you she'll stand out..." Natsu again managed to twist someone's words inside out.
"Hey! That's not what I meant!" Erza exclaimed, "Natsu, start cooking already…"
Actually, Erza appeared to be a very good housewife – house always was clean, neat and welcoming. Her only problem was that she has not learned to cook. She tried, really, yet results were lower than average. When she and Natsu started dating Erza was really bothered because of that, but, for her surprise, Natsu didn't find it troublesome at all. Moreover, he himself appeared to be an excellent cook. Also he said that it will be fair if he'll take over this part of home duties himself. Though, most likely he thought that he's to good to give that position to anyone…
August 26, X784, 12:10, Magnolia.
Natsu and Erza were walking toward Fairy Tail's guildhall. Natsu's clothes were still the same – black army boots, snow-camo army pants and his black/gold coat. The only exception was that his coat now was sleeveless – since he lost his left sleeve in battle against Zanaphar, he just asked the atelier to align the ripped clothes. Now both his shoulders were exposed, he just bought new glove that was long enough to hide mutilated part of his left hand.
Changes in Erza's appearance were more significant. Now she was wearing a white silky "cross my heart halter top" (A/N: Google entire string to see it, with quotes) – crop top featuring a halter neckline and crossed front straps. It was paired with black leather low-waist shorts, featuring a low waist with zip fly, metal studs and chains detail to the bodycon belt. Also she now wore white leather sandals, featuring crisscrossing straps up to knee height, open-toe.
Thanks to her new, revealing top, the crimson, glowing Seal of God on her right shoulder blade was visible to everyone, but Erza had no problem with it. Just like Natsu who has no problem with the Mark of Dragon on his left shoulder – right the opposite to his guild stamp.
Flashback, three days after their return from Galuna Island.
"Natsu!" Erza called out for her fiancé who was sitting on their bed, taking off his clothes before sleep while she was reading her star magic grimoire.
"What's up?" He asked.
"Natsu, I just learned that dragon slayer can place a mating sign, just like you did with me!" She raised her eyes from the book, which were glowing with enthusiasm.
"Hmm? Let me see it." Natsu quickly read the chapter. Even after quick reading he could say that it works almost the same way as his Seal of God.
"Natsu, I want to mark you!" She announced excitedly.
Natsu looked into her eyes. There had no reasons to try to explain the real importance of this mark at the moment, its uses and its benefits. Actually, in the book this also was explained, but in her current condition Erza probably was unable to comprehend this. Usually she is smart and levelheaded, but right now she's just a girl madly in love, she just wants him to wear the mark of her love. Most importantly, that mark is the 'last resort safety measure', so if she's already able to place it – by all means – Natsu thought that it should be placed ASAP.
"Okay," Natsu replied, "Place it here," He pointed at his left shoulder. "I want everyone to see your mark," God slayer added.
"Oh, you're so bold…" Erza smiled playfully before biting Natsu's shoulder with her canines. White glowing picture, which looked just like Erza's dragon slayer's magic seal, appeared on his shoulder. Erza's eyes shone so happily…
Flashback end.
Natsu and Erza continued their way toward guildhall, hand in hand. This Sunday's afternoon was wonderful. Sky was clear and sun was warm and welcoming. While they were approaching the guildhall, they met Lucy, Gray and Sin. It seems that these three were returning from the mission. It was quite boring to sit at home with Natsu and Erza, so Sin often was hanging out with Gray and Lucy.
"Hey guys! How was it?" Erza asked cheerfully as Natsu slightly nodded to their friends. Both S-class mages were in very good mood.
"Success!" Lucy answered joyfully. Both she and Gray decided to intensify their training as well, however, they chose another way – they were doing missions, usually 3-4 per week.
"You're heading to the guildhall?" Gray asked.
"Yep, we have to show ourselves in the guild from time to time or people will forget about our existence," Erza replied carefreely, "C'mon, join us."
"Oh, Erza, can you visit me later today? I need to discuss a few things about the wedding," Lucy asked as she remembered something.
"Of course. We decided to take a break from our training for today, so I'm free till the end of the day," Erza replied.
They continued onward, chatting.
However, when they were on approach to the guildhall, team noticed that townsfolk were looking at them with strange expressions on their faces. They were constantly throwing stealthy glances at team Natsu, whispering to each other. Erza overheard several phrases:
"It's Fairy Tail wizards…"
"I guess they don't know yet…"
"The poor things…"
"We're drawing an unusual amount of attention…" Lucy noted.
"They are... sympathizing to us..." Erza said uncertainly. "And their voices are… frightened…"
"Is something wrong with us?" Natsu wondered as he looked over his team. Erza shrugged, everything seemed normal. Team continued onward to the guild – they were almost there. They rounded the corner… and the whole team froze like paralyzed.
About half a minute they stood still, trying to grasp what exactly they are looking at right now. Instead of their guildhall they all saw… something. Natsu felt as Erza clenched to his arm, "N-Natsu… this is… this is the… the Tower of Heaven! The place I told you about… where I… I was…"
Natsu looked into her frightened eyes, "Erza, what are you talking about? This is the place where all sorrows are sleeping. Forbidden, forgotten place where I met with Sin, and where I became the Kuroi Geijutsu [Black Arts] wielder, the Tower of Din…"
Erza looked at him questioningly but suddenly Gray spoke out, "What the… this is the ruins of the townhall… of town where I lived… after it was destroyed by Deliora…"
"Hmm?..." Natsu get suspicious, he turned to blonde, "Lucy, what do you see?"
"This is… the church… where… funeral took place..." Lucy was trembling a bit.
"Okay, I see…" Erza said as she got the good guess about what is going on, "It seems that we all see the places, linked to our most vivid memories…"
"I don't know what are you talking about, but I see our guild hall, and it's completely wrecked!" Sin exclaimed, he was looking at guild building that has been torn apart by metal rods, surging out of the center.
"Alright, follow me, let's find out what's going on!" Natsu ordered and team rushed toward guild building. As they were approaching, the image from places of their memories was becoming more and more transparent, so when they came to the guildhall's gates, they saw just a severely damaged guild building, just as Sin described it. In addition to the iron rods, entire guildhall was enveloped with a strange green mist.
"Our guild…" Gray growled through teeth.
"What happened here?!" Erza asked angrily.
"Phantom Lord…" Mirajane's voice sounded from behind, Natsu turned around to see a very upset, snow-haired barmaid. "It's mortifying… but we were fucked up…"
August 26, X784, 12:30, Fairy Tail guildhall's basement.
"Is it safe to enter into this mist cloud?" Lucy asked warily whilst the team were walking downstairs, following Mirajane.
"Yes, it intended to create illusions, not to harm people directly," Natsu replied.
"Hey, look who's here…" Some of the guild members said.
"Has master called for them?" Another one wondered.
"Did you see what happened to the guild?!" Nab asked when team Natsu passed him by.
"No, how could we? We are deaf, blind and stupid," Natsu replied in his common indifferent manner, though he clearly just worked out his frustration on someone, who asked a stupid question. Nab twitched as if he got a slap on his face, but Natsu just went forth.
"Why no one informed us about it?" Erza asked, looking around.
"Master said that nothing needs to be done," Mira explained, "So there was no reason to disturb you."
"What?!" Gray, Natsu and Erza asked in surprise, but Mira just shrugged, meaning that they should speak to Makarov himself.
It seems that guild's basement was turned into a temporary beer hall. Angry talking could be heard from all around the basement:
"That sight… that was so creepy…"
"It's so despicable magic!"
It seems that, thanks to the mist, all the guild members saw some vivid scenes from their past, as well.
"Damn phantom! How dare they do this to our guild?!"
"We've always been on bad terms with them…"
"Let's go and smash their guild hall!"
"I said to stop that. This is Phantom we're talking about."
"Coward…" Erza hissed as she overheard the last phrase.
"Yo! Welcome back!" Makarov exclaimed cheerfully as his cheeks were already a bit red due to a fair amount of consumed alcohol.
"We've arrived, Master!" Erza reported.
"Your orders, Master?" Natsu inquired.
"Oh, right!" Master replied, "You two, please relocate those barrels – they hinder on the aisle."
"What?!" Gray exclaimed as Natsu and Erza's bodies became white, cracked all over and crumbled to pieces (in anime manner).
"Um… It's not the kind of order that they meant…" Lucy commented.
"Jii-san, do you understand our current situation?!" Gray exclaimed, "The guild's been busted up!"
"Master, give me an order to start the hunt, I'll teach them the good manners," Natsu's eyes flashed with crimson light (his and Erza's bodies were restored).
"We should catch some of their members, bring them here in chains and make them repair our guildhall!" Erza agreed with Natsu.
'The one that lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas…' Mirajane thought as she heard Erza's suggestion.
"Now, now… calm down." Makarov brushed their words off, "It's not something to get so riled up about."
"They caused millions of Jewels of damage!" Erza exclaimed.
"Not to mention the damage to our reputation," Natsu added.
"Phantom, right? That's all those half-wits got in 'em?" Makarov replied carelessly. "Attacking the guild when nobody was there… Who'd take pleasure in that?"
"Nobody was here?" Lucy wondered.
"It seems the attack happened in the middle of the night," Mirajane replied sadly.
"So, that's why there was no fighting at all…" Gray mumbled to himself.
"If they can only manage a sneak-attack, we shouldn't even give those bastards the time of day. They aren't worth our time!" Makarov concluded.
"Master, do you really think it's so funny?" Natsu asked as his eyes were still glowing, "While we were on our way here, townspeople were expressing their pity toward us. They made us look pitiful and you're okay with that?"
"Master, guild can't work in this condition!" Erza expressed her own concern.
"Cut it out, you two!" Master shouted as he extended his arm using 'Titan' magic and placed a harsh slap on Lucy's ass.
"Kyah!" Lucy yelped, "Why he has spanked my butt!?"
"Master, don't push me…" Mira said sternly.
"I understand your concern, but this problem has already been solved," Makarov answered Erza's question, "We'll take on job requests here until the upstairs is fixed. Now, if you excuse me… I've gotta go take a leak!" Makarov announced with joyful expression as he hopped off from the crate he was sitting on and ran away.
"What's wrong with you, Ojii-san? How can you be okay with such a dishonor?" Natsu asked as he was still unable to believe in that what just happened. The son of supreme warrior goddess, he couldn't bear such a humiliating inaction.
"Natsu… this is just as hard for the master, you know. But outright conflict between guilds is forbidden by the Council," Mira informed.
"Damn old fools!" Erza snorted, thanks to Siegrain she scorned the entire Council now. She embraced her fiancé and added, "Okay, if that's how master feels… we'll submit, for now…"
Needless to say that Erza and Natsu's day off was ruined along with their mood. Instead of enjoying the one of the last summer's days, they had to rid of iron rods and patch up the holes in guild building (strange mist dissipated by itself).
August 26, X784, 21:00, Natsu and Erza's house.
"So… this is where they live…" Gray said in slight shock as he and Lucy, with Sin on her shoulder, arrived to specified country house, "I knew they both are psychos… but this?!"
"Yeah…" Lucy agreed as she looked at three-storey mansion. Unlike Gray, Lucy already saw this house when she was helping Erza to move her stuff from dormitory. "Cool… Extremely weird, but cool". The house was built in ultra-avantgarde style, and resembled starship much more than a normal house, where normal people can live. (A/N: Those who need reference just google the string: "Naomi Campbell's Futuristic Mansion", with quotes. Layout is different from reference). It was not as big as her father's 'palace', of course, but still – 28 600 square feet… it's quite a big house.
"Come on in, you three," Natsu's voice called out from the second floor's window.
"Your house is… remarkable," Gray said as he and others now were with house's owners, at the top floor (on tower), having dinner.
"Thanks," Natsu replied. "I once saved the life of its architect and contractor. In gratitude, he designed this house for free and built it with minimal markup."
"Mmmm…" Lucy groaned as she tasted the meal that was served for a dinner. "Erza, your cooking is delicious…" Blonde admitted.
Erza's cheeks blushed a little, "Thanks for high praise Lucy, but… it's not my cooking," She admitted.
"Really? Then who's…" Lucy's eyes widened as she figured out the answer. She slowly moved her sight at Natsu, who slightly nodded in reply.
"What's wrong Lucy? You thought that I can only blow up everything left and right?" He wondered.
"Well, yes!" Lucy said honestly, making Natsu to shake his head and Erza to laugh happily. Lucy blushed, as she realized that she blurted out, "Sorry…" She said as her inner voice asked 'How many more secrets you two have?!'
August 26, X784, 21:15, Somewhere in magnolia.
Levy, Jet and Droy were walking along one of the town's streets.
"Are you sure about this, Levy?" Droy asked.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to stay with Laki at girl's dorm?" Jet suggested.
"It's fine, no problem!" Bookworm answered carelessly, "We're team, right?"
Both Jet and Droy fell on the ground with hearts in their eyes, shouting "Levy!"
"There's nothing to fear with the three of us!" Levy exclaimed.
"I'll protect you, Levy!" Jet confirmed.
"No, I will!" Droy vowed.
None of them noticed a tall, black-haired man, who stood at the roof nearby. His dragon eyes were focused on trio, while he was watching at them with scornful sneer. 'Time to learn your place, fairies…' He thought as he jumped towards the team Shadowgear.
August 26, X784, 21:25, Fairy Tail guildhall.
Despite it was already late, quite a lot of guild members were still in the guildhall's basement.
"Hey Mira, when you'll decide to go home, tell me – I'll walk you out," Wakaba called for the waitress.
"No way! I'll walk her out!" Macao exclaimed indignantly.
"You two are not manly enough to accompany nee-san!" Elfman stated as Wakaba and Macao grabbed each other by collars.
"Thank you guys, but I think I'm going to spend this night here," Mira replied with her usual cheerful smile. "There is still much work to be done, besides, someone should watch over the guildhall."
"Then I'll too will remain here to watch over guild hall!" Macao announced.
"Yeah, me too!" Wakaba exclaimed.
"It's a MAN's duty to watch over the guildhall at night!" Elfman stated.
Several more people, including Max, Warren, Nab, Vijeeter and Reedus, have expressed their readiness to watch over the guildhall.
"Thank you, guys!" Mira exclaimed with smile.
None of them noticed that a strange green mist began to fill the basement.
"All right people, I'm going to sleep a bit, watch over the guild and then I'll change you," Macao said as he started to feel himself sleepy.
"No way! I'm first, you can sleep later," Wakaba said as he laid his head on the table.
"The man should sleep well…" Elfman yawned and fell asleep.
One by one, all members of Fairy Tail quickly fell asleep, including Mirajane.
"Truly, this place is the hive of sin…" Female voice said. Few moments later, quite tall woman, with curvaceous, well-endowed body and long waving turquoise hair, appeared literally from nowhere. She had nice and gentle face features, but her hazel eyes were cold. "Such a corrupted sinners should be cleansed from within…" She added, continuing to walk among sleeping Fairy Tail members.
August 26, X784, 21:40, Natsu and Erza's house.
"Okay people, we're going to wake up early tomorrow, so I suggest everyone to prepare for a sleep," Erza announced, "There's two bathrooms on the second floor, use them, today was a lot of dirty work."
"Nah, I'm too sleepy, just show me the guest room," Gray replied.
"Gray, it's not easy to keep all these bedclothes clean," Erza noted with narrowed eyes. "Get to the bath, now," She added, sending him her signature glare. No, she had no intention to offer Gray to take shower together – she learned that this is quite an intimate action.
Twenty minutes later
"Do you have any idea why Phantom attacked us all of a sudden?" Lucy asked as she entered the living room. Erza and Gray (whose sleepiness somehow disappeared) were here while Natsu was in shower.
"I'm not sure… we've had some brushes before, but it's the first time they attacked us this directly," Sin replied.
"I don't understand… they made us looks like idiots… why master was unwilling to take actions? I'm refusing to believe that he's scared," Erza was thinking aloud.
"No way Jii-san could be scared," Gray agreed, "He's one of the Ten Wizards Saints, after all."
"Ten Wizards Saints?" Lucy asked.
"It's a title given to the ten best mages in each continent; decided by the chairman of the magic council," Erza explained.
"Oh wow!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Master Jose of Phantom is one of the Ten Wizards Saints too," Sin informed.
'And so he is…' Erza thought about azure-haired man that she hates the most.
"I think both master and Mira-san know what would happen if two guilds fight, so they're avoiding it," Gray expressed his opinion, "In order to protect the order in magical world."
"Hmm… you may be right," Erza nodded her head, "It might be that girl's fault – she became too carried away with that ostentatious pacifism of hers…"
"That's not what I meant!" The freaked-out Gray exclaimed.
"Is Phantom lord strong?" Lucy asked.
"Nothing we can't handle," Natsu replied as he appeared from the doorway. He nodded to Erza and she went to take the shower. "We can deal with them, however – they shouldn't be underestimated. They have master Jose, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, who is ranked right after master Makarov. Also they have a so called "Element Four", the equivalent of our S-class mages over there." Natsu made a pause and looked into the window, "However, most formidable enemies, aside from Jose, are the Aces of Phantom Lord guild – Two Dragon Slayers – Tetsuryū [Iron Dragon] Gajeel Redfox and Muryū [Dream Dragon] Nelliel Tu Odel. Presumably they're the culprits behind the attack on our guild last night."
"Dragon Slayers!?" Lucy yelped, "You mean like Erza and Haru?! But… dream dragon?! What could it possibly be?!"
"No idea," Natsu replied, "But I can guess that she is the one responsible for the illusion we saw in the morning. I think I heard about techniques like that – it's called 'The Mist of Nightmare', or something like that. It could explain why Sin saw just our guild – he's unsleeping."
"Right… but, does it mean they eat iron and… what dream dragon can possibly eat?" Lucy inquired.
"I can only suggest that it somehow connected to 'dream'…" Natsu shrugged.
"By the way, Natsu, there is something I wanted to ask for some time," Gray said, "Is your Metsujin Mahō [God Slayer Magic] stronger than Metsuryū Mahō [Dragon Slayer Magic]?"
Instead of replying, Natsu looked at Gray with evaluating sight, definitely he was thinking – how much of his knowledge he can disclose in front of his guildmates. Really, knowledge is power – how much power Gray and Lucy can wield without being crushed by its weight?
"As you know – Metsujin Madōshi [God Slayer] is the one who inherited god's magic, and Metsuryū Madōshi [Dragon Slayer] is the one who inherited dragon's magic," Natsu decided to explain. "As such, it depends on specific dragon and specific god, whose magic has been inherited. Even when it's about magic types, based on the same element, there are many different schools, and one may be more effective against another, regardless of user's race. Not to mention the elemental essences they possess. When it comes to slayers, however, their talent and experience will be decisive factors, not an exact type of magic. All magic types may have some advantages and disadvantages, when compared to one another, and, by the way, neither of them was intended to be used against humans, to begin with…"
"I see…" Gray said, however, he actually was very confused.
"Dragons should not be taken lightly," Natsu continued his 'lecture', "Even the highest ranked deities, like Okā-sama, consider some dragons as worthy opponent, who can stand toe to toe with her. As such, some low ranked gods can be easily outmatched by powerful dragons. Not to mention that dragons are just one kind among several divine beast's bloodlines. And, since we're at it, I must say that powers, used by ancient tribes, is much, much more powerful than human's magic you can see around here. For instance, if we take the ice-based magic," Natsu looked at Gray, "Magic school 'Hundred reincarnations of Ice Phoenix', used by descendants of the undying bird, is thousandfold stronger than your magic, Gray…"
"Undying bird?!" Lucy exclaimed as her eyes widened, in the meantime Gray fell from his chair when Natsu finished his 'lecture'.
"Yes, but there are more," God slayer nodded to blonde. "You should not underestimate this huge world, Lucy. However, regarding our continent, Ishgar, there are only vague rumors about one creature worthy of notice, who's roaming somewhere out there…"
"Who is that creature you've mentioned?" Lucy asked with shocked expression.
"I'd rather not to call its name, names contain power..." Natsu replied, "Especially since the one mentioned is counted among this region's powerhouses. He's known as Kokuryū [The Black Dragon] or Ryū no Ō [The Dragon King] and reputed as The Black Dragon in the Book of Apocalypse."
"HEEEEK!" Lucy yelped as she heard the word 'apocalypse'.
"Don't mind it Lucy, focus on our current reality," Natsu concluded as he stood up and moved toward doorway, where Erza was already waiting for him.
"Guest rooms are there and there – choose any," Erza pointed to the doorways before waving to her guests, "Good night!"
"Sweet dreams!" Lucy, Gray and Sin said simultaneously.
"Sin, you know what to do, if you'll see or even feel anything suspicious – wake us up immediately," Natsu said to his familiar and slayers went to their bedroom. Sin nodded and flew out through the window.
"We did well? It's our first guests…" Erza's voice could be heard from the corridor.
"Sometimes I wonder…" Gray said quietly as the house owners left the room "…who the hell that guy actually is!? How does he know all of that?!" Ice mage actually seemed quite annoyed, mostly due to Natsu's rather discouraging remark about his magic.
"Honestly, he constantly mentions some names I've never heard of…" Lucy agreed.
"I'd say he just has too rich imagination, but… his power is quite real, and he usually right about magic-related stuff, so…" Gray was thinking aloud. But Lucy wasn't following his thought, she had other concerns.
"Damn, I should stop asking such questions before sleep…" Blonde complained. "Such lectures are worse than horror stories. I think I have to read something to be able to sleep…" She said as she noticed a pile of magazines on the table. "Huh? Sorcerer's weekly?" Lucy took one of the magazines and opened it. Inside was a subscription ticket, on Erza's name.
"Hmm, Erza subscribed for sorcerer weekly? I didn't know it," Gray said as he too looked into the magazine.
Lucy noticed a bookmark, it was at the end of the magazine, where some home-care articles were published. "Interesting…" She mumbled. And her eyes slightly widened as she read a title on bookmarked page: 'Learning the knitting. You want your husband and kids to be in warmth at any season? Knit for them the magic sweaters!'
"Erza?! Knitting?!" Gray exclaimed in disbelief. Ice mage took another bookmarked magazine and looked at marked title: 'Simple but useful spells to keep your house clean…' Gray scratched his head "I can't believe it… Natsu is a cook, Erza is a housewife…"
"How many things we do not know about Erza or Natsu?" Lucy mumbled.
"How many things we actually do know about them?" Gray replied. "Very little…"
"Oh, but now you two are about to learn one particular thing about Erza," Voice of scarlet-haired dragon slayer sounded from the doorway, it seems that ears of she-dragon heard their talking even from another floor. Both Lucy and Gray gulped as they saw a quite scowling Erza. She came close to Lucy and Gray, snatched the magazines from their hands, wrapped them into tubes and struck at Lucy and Gray's heads by these tubes simultaneously, smashing them into the floor and knocking them out. "Erza doesn't like when somebody is digging in her stuff," She announced and headed back to her bedroom.
August 27, X784, 1:00 , Oak Town, Phantom Lord's main representative base.
Unlike most of the Fiore's guilds, Phantom Lord has several branches across the country, acting as representative bases. Largest of them was here, in the Oak Town, not far from guild's real headquarters.
Tall and muscular young man with long, spiky black hair, whose face and limbs were decorated with sets of simple, round studs, was having a late dinner – he just returned from his 'raid'. He wore shabby, black, sleeveless tunic with studded edges, a studded belt around his waist, loose, beige pants tucked inside studded black boots, and a pair of studded brown gloves paired with similarly studded wristbands. He also sports a distinctive wing-like ornament, seemingly made of feathers.
"Gajeel! I just heard. You attacked the Fairy Tail, right? Uhahah, good job!" One of the guild members praised Gajeel, who continued to consume metallic tableware. "I bet their spirit must be pretty crushed by now!" Man continued, unaware of that he's annoying Gajeel, "Serves them right, you know?" Man clapped his palms, one second later he was smashed into the opposite wall of the guildhall by Gajeel's Tetsuryūkon [Iron Dragon's Club] as other phantom members just laughed at their unconscious comrade.
"What did I say about disturbing me while I'm eating? Trash…" Gajeel spat, clenching his fist. "Who cares about those fairy assholes? We're more powerful than them."
"The sinners shouldn't be taken lightly, Gajeel-san," Female's voice said, making the Iron Dragon to roll his eyes. Tall woman, about 19 years old, with curvaceous, well-endowed body and long, waving, turquoise hair, appeared near the knocked-out Phantom Lord member. She had a gentle, pretty face and hazel eyes, her outfit consists of high-collared shirt (with large Teutonic Cross, decorating it, 'Crux Ordis Teutonicorum', whose height was from waist to collar), white pants and boots, also she wore white leather gloves. On her waist, she wore a katana, its hilt and scabbard were of the same color as girl's hair. Right side of her head was decorated with a bobby pin, shaped as a white four-point cross.
Girl came closer to the knocked-out guild member and made a deep breath. Green glowing cloud detached from unconscious man and she consumed it. "Having so meager mind... it's almost a sin…" She concluded after consuming the cloud. She had specific, calm, even apathetic manner of speech. "I'm still hungry," She said, looking around, then she headed to one of the tables – despite the late hour, here was quite many people. She plopped down on a bench near the table, pushing aside everyone who was sitting there (one on the other side of the bench fell on floor) and started to eat their food.
"Hey! We paid for it!" Exclaimed one of those who was sitting here (probably it was a team) as other were watching with resent.
"Share with those in need," Girl quoted the virtue and continued to eat as Gajeel was looking at this scene with permanent face-palm.
"The wheels have been set in motion…" Man's voice called from the balcony above the dining hall, "Excellent job, Gajeel-san, Nelliel-san." It was Jose Pola, master of the Phantom Lord guild.
"You're too lenient, master. Those rat bastards won't be lured out of their cages with just that" Gajeel snickered, "So I left them another present."
"Punishment for sinful life should be noticeable. This is the only way to put sinners on the right path," Nelliel noted as she stood up and headed to another table, where another group of Phantom Lord members were dining.
"My, my…" Jose chuckled, "Though, you two mustn't kill that person, no matter what."
"Gi hi hi hi," Gajeel laughed.
"As you wish, master," Nelliel nodded.
August 27, X784, 8:25, Town of Magnolia, town's south entrance.
Team Natsu arrived to the town, Lucy and Gray were intending to go to their houses as Natsu and Erza wanted to check the guild before returning home and continuing their training. Sin went ahead to the guild building.
However, just as a team entered the town itself, they noticed that many townspeople were heading toward the nearby park with very worried, even frightened faces.
"What's going on?" Lucy wondered.
"We should check it out, c'mon," Erza ordered and team headed to the park.
As they arrived to the park, they saw a large number of people standing around the big tree. When they approached, Erza began to shake in fury, eyes of she-dragon were able to see what happened from the great distance. As team came closer, everyone was able to see what she saw earlier. Team Shadow Gear was chained to the tree with metal straps; they all were unconscious and severely injured as their clothes were ripped to shreds. Levy's stomach was burned with the Phantom Lord guild mark.
"Levy-chan…" Lucy cried in shock.
"Jet! Droy!" Gray shouted, clenching his fists.
"Phantom…" Erza growled.
"Gray, get them down from there," Natsu ordered.
"On it!" Gray replied, "Lucy, c'mon, I need your help!"
Gray and Lucy rushed to the tree, Gray made an ice ladder, climbed up and started to unlock the straps with nail puller made of ice, as Lucy summoned Virgo so she could hold the victims to not let them fall down.
"Natsu! You need to go to the town's marketplace, now!" Sin's voice called from behind.
"Sin, we have a situation here!" Erza pointed at the tree.
"It's not our only situation," Little skeletal creature replied, "Quickly, follow me!" He added and headed back to the marketplace.
"Lucy and Gray can handle it, there is nothing we can do right now. C'mon, let's check out the marketplace," Natsu decided as he urged towards market with Erza following him, guessing what else could have happened. As they came to the marketplace, they got the answer.
Large wooden cross was plunged into the ground right in the middle of the marketplace, with Mirajane being crucified on it, as large crowd of frightened people already gathered around. Her elbows, wrists, knees, ankles and neck were tied to the cross by green, magical, but quite corporeal snakes, one more snake was sticking out from her mouth, acting as a gag. Her dress was ripped to shreds, so Mira was in her lingerie, she was severely injured but fortunately alive, and, unfortunately, she was still conscious. Fairy Tail's drawing card was quietly moaning, shedding silent tears of pain and humiliation.
No matter how strong the rivalry between Erza and Mira once was, now scarlet-haired girl sympathized to blue-eyed blonde with all fibers of her soul. Natsu dashed to the cross and Gladius Terminus glinted in the air as Natsu sliced all the snakes. He caught Mirajane's debilitated body as Erza pulled out the last snake from Mira's mouth and squished it.
"Thank… You…" Mira moaned through pain, she was in bad shape but her life seemed to be out of danger.
"C'mon, we have to deliver her to the hospital!" Erza said but suddenly they felt powerful magic nearby and turned toward its source to see master Makarov approaching her and Natsu. His eyes were burning with yellow light, he wore his white coat with Wizard Saint symbol on its back. No doubts – he already saw the team Shadow Gear and was informed that Natsu and Erza went to the marketplace with great haste.
"Wrecking our shoddy bar I can bear with…" Makarov said as he looked at beaten Mirajane and his anger became twice as intense. "But no parent can remain silent after seeing their children's blood…" Makarov growled, eliciting a magic shockwave. "Deliver her to the hospital… and ready yourself, you two, we're going to war!"
August 27, X784, 9:40, Town of Magnolia, Hospital, wizard-treatment facility.
While others were preparing for the attack on Phantom Lord, Lucy was here, watching over the patients. "Jet… Droy… Levy-chan…" Lucy whispered mournfully as she looked at team Shadow Gear. Lucy remembered how she met with Levy. No, Natsu kept his word and didn't tell anyone about Lucy's novel, but still, Lucy was quite a bookworm herself so two 17-year-old girls quickly found common some common ground.
"This is too cruel… and Mira-san…" Lucy looked at a snow-haired girl, whose warm sight and cheerful smile was known to entire Fiore. "Phantom… I can't forgive them…" Blonde mumbled as tears swelled in her eyes.
August 27, X784, 17:15, Oak Town, Phantom Lord's main representative base.
Many Phantom Lord's members were here, celebrating the successful diversion against Fairy Tail. Most of them, if not all, were not aware of the real reason behind feud between two guilds, but they were mostly short-minded people, so they were just drinking, relishing Fairy Tail's humiliation.
"So, let's do some work!" One of the guild members said as a team of three people headed to the exit door.
"And on our way back, we'll pluck off a few fairy wings!" Another one sneakered with quite dumb smile on his face.
However, when the three approached to the door, it exploded, and blastwave smashed all of them into the balcony above main hall. All Phantom Lord members jumped up on their feet, with angry expressions on their faces, looking at cloud of dust, which enveloped a destroyed door. When smoke dissipated, they saw Fairy Tail guild members, with its almost full complement. Natsu stood in front of everyone, leaning on his sword, it seems that he was the one who destroyed the door.
"WE ARE FAIRY TAIL!" Makarov let out a warcry, ordering his mages into the battle.
"Wha?!..."
"Who?!..."
"Hey!..."
Phantom members had no time to recover from initial shock, caused by sudden and very bold action as Fairy Tail mages rushed into the fight.
"Byōhen Rimyō!" [Morbid Dawn] Natsu swung his sword, sending forth a shockwave of his deathfrost power. "Illic erunt nulla clementia... Vos omnes erunt obruent in cruor..." Natsu said as more than a dozen of enemy mages were severely injured by his technique. [There shall be no mercy… You all will drown in blood]
"Don't get carried away, punk! Bring him down!" Phantom members recovered from shock and moved for counterattack. The Phantom members were great in numbers, but it only improved FT's combat spirit – they can punish more of these Phantom bastards. Elfman, Macao and Wakaba were fighting especially furiously – what happened to Mira and the fact that she was kidnapped right under their noses enraged them to the limit.
Aisu Meiku: Hanmā! [Ice Make: Hammer] Gray made a huge hammer made of ice and smashed several phantom members by it.
"Pāpuru Netto!" [Purple Net] Makao shouted as he entrapped a dozen of Phantom members in net made of Purple Flame "Wakaba!" He turned to smoke mage.
"Gotcha!" Wakaba replied before using his spell "Sumōku Kurasshu!" [Smoke Crush] Fists made of smoke crushed the entrapped Phantom Lord wizards.
"Ganzu Majikku: Burasuto Buritto!" [Guns Magic: Blast Bullet] Alzack shot a bright blue explosive bullet into the crowd of phantom members, blasting out several of them.
At the same time, Bisca appeared on the balcony with her sniper rifle, "Target Lock On: Hōmingu Shotto! [Homing Shot]" She locked on one of Phantom Members and sent a homing bullet at him, which exploded on contact.
"Majikku Kādo: Torunēdo!" [Magic Cards: Tornado] Cana combined three cards and shot them at enemies, eliciting a local tornado that caught some Phantom mages and slammed them into ceiling.
"Teiku Ōbā: Bea Āmu!" [Take Over: Bear Arm] Elfman shouted as his arm turned into that of a Bear and he rushed into enemy's crowd, swinging his arm left and right.
"Get master Makarov!" Someone shouted and several phantom members rushed toward the old man. As they approached, Makarov's eyes flashed with golden light as he used his Titan magic to increase his own size 50 times and squished enemies like bugs. "KYAHHH! Monster!" Somebody let out a strangled cry.
"You bastards brought the fight to the children of that monster!" Makarov bellowed as whole building shook from the power of his voice, "Don't even for a second think that you'll be protected by the laws of humans!"
Now Phantom members began to comprehend their situation.
"S-such strength!"
"Their soldiers ain't small fry, either!"
"These guys are nuts!"
"Jose! Show yourself!" Makarov demanded.
Erza fought in the middle of Phantom crowd. She wore her Lightning Empress armor, but without Thunder Spear. Actually, she simply chose this armor as her standard combat outfit, since it provides some protection to her limbs, without reduction of mobility. She fought using her common magic swords, without spells – sword magic became too expensive to use them without emergency. Erza knew that today she'll have to reveal her new powers, yet she decided to keep it in secret until battle become really serious to use her new magic as a trump card. Besides, right now she was doing very good without any magic at all – enemies were weak. "Where!? Where are Gajeel and members of the element four?!" Erza shouted, demanding the answer. She swung her swords around, crushing a dozen of Phantom members with one blow.
Natsu, who fought beside his fiancée, looked around. There already were many crushed enemies. Natsu made a deep breath, consuming unreleased aggression from defeated enemies. Many crimson clouds detached from crushed enemies and headed to Natsu's mouth. As he finished with the 'meal', crimson aura engulfed his body. "Where are you, Nelliel?... Come on, stop hiding… I know you're here somewhere…" God slayer whispered.
Right above the raging battle, two Phantom's dragon slayers were standing, hidden by Nelliel's illusive mist. "So, this is the two of most horrible sinners…" Green-haired girl said.
"Yeah… that's Titania Erza and Crimson Cardinal Natsu… So, Gildarts, Laxus and Mystogan are sitting things out, huh? They're underestimating us…" Gajeel noted.
"But it seems that master Jose's plan is working well… let the sinners show their true faces…" Nelliel spoke out in her usual apathetic manner.
"Gi Hi Hi! Come on, scum! Be your reckless selves…" Gajeel snickered.
About six hours earlier, August 27, X784, 11:30, Somewhere in Magnolia.
Lonely blonde girl was returning to her home. "Oouuh…" Girl sighed heavily. "Everyone just went ahead and left me behind… Oh, well… Mira-san and Levy-chan's team need someone to care of them, so I guess that's me…" Her face was still a bit sad because of Phantom actions.
"Huh? A sunshower?" Lucy wondered when rain begun suddenly. "Ah? Who is it?" Lucy asked as she saw someone coming her way.
Lucy saw a young girl, approximately of the same age as blonde herself, with long blue hair, dressed into a navy blue coat, a fur shawl as well as Cossack-styled hat. "Drip drip drop," The girl said, moving toward Lucy. When she came closer, Lucy was able to distinguish strange, deep-blue, pupilless eyes. "Yes… Juvia is a rain woman. Juvia brings rain. Drip drip drop," Lucy looked at a weird girl in amazement until the latter came closer to the Lucy. Then girl asked "What do you bring?" And, without waiting for the answer, she continued her way, passing by Lucy, freaking her out. "It was a pleasure to meet you. Fare thee well."
"What the heck?!" Lucy exclaimed, completely confused with girl's behavior.
"Non! Non! Non!" Suddenly, a strange voice sounded from nowhere. "Non! Non! Non!" This voice made blue-haired girl to stop and turn around. "Non! Non! Non! Non! Non! Non! Non!" Strange, green-haired man in brown suite appeared literally from the pavement. "With 'non' of 3, 3, 7, I say to you, bonjour!"
"Another weirdo!" Lucy exclaimed, jerking back.
"Juvia-sama, you mustn't abandon your job now," Weird man announced.
"Monsieur Sol," Said a girl, apparently named Juvia.
"My monocle, it whispers to me, yes. It tells me that this mademoiselle is our beloved cible!" Sol said, holding his monocle.
"Oh, so it is this girl?" Juvia said emotionlessly.
"Cible? Target?!" Lucy became worried.
"Pardon my manners. I'm Sol of the Earth, you can call me Monsieur Sol," Man announced, continuing to play the ape.
"I am Juvia of the Deep. The member of element four who brings rain," Girl introduced herself [A/N: KanJi reads – Juvia of the Great Sea].
"We've come from the great Phantom Lord to welcome you," Sol said.
"Phantom!" Lucy shouted angrily, "You're the ones who did that to Mira-san!" She grabbed her keys but in the next moment she was entrapped inside of a floating bubble of water.
"Non, non, non. I'd like to clear your misunderstanding with three nons. Attacking the Mirajane-sama and Levy-sama, wrecking your guild… all were done by Nelliel-sama and Gajeel-sama. Though, it is true that this was done through a consensus of our guild," While Sol was speaking, Lucy struggled to break out from water bubble.
"Bwah! What is this!?" Lucy cried as she managed to pull her head out of the bubble, but it quickly engulfed her again.
"Juvia's water lock can't be broken…" Blue-haired girl said.
"Mmm! Tres bien! [From French: very well]" Sol approved as Lucy began to lose her consciousness.
"Don't worry, Jivia will not kill you… for it is Jivia's job to bring you back… Lucy Heartfilia-sama," Blue haired girl explained, "Capture complete."
"Victorie!" Sol announced as Lucy's keys remained lying on the pavement.
August 27, X784, 17:35, Oak Town, Phantom Lord's main representative base.
At the Phantom Lord building, Fairy Tail continued to push back the enemies. It was obvious now that powers are not equal – even weakest members of Fairy Tail were stronger than their Phantom's counterparts. Phantom Lord's mages had numerical advantage, but it was gradually reduced, although Makarov, Gray and Natsu used only their simple magic while Erza didn't use magic at all.
Natsu made another deep breath and consumed aggression from another portion of defeated enemies. "Let battle rejoice," His eyes flashed with crimson light.
"What the hell with this guy?!"
"What he has done to our mages?"
"Could it be…? He's…"
"You will learn the true meaning of pain," Natsu pronounced with his signature emotionless voice, raising his sword, "Senmei Saikō: Raikōmetsukōsan! [Sure-kill Shot: Thundering Chainslash]" God slayer swung his katana, charged with magic, and in the next moment about two dozen of Phantom Lord's mages were struck by electric discharge. It wasn't a lightning magic as Natsu couldn't use it, of course – he simply used his sword to create electrostatic charge in surrounding space. But effect was just as if it would've been a genuine lightning magic – enemy mages got heavy burns and were almost paralyzed due to severe electroshock.
"Aisu Meiku: Ransu!" [Ice Make: Lance] Gray created multiple lances made of ice that he aimed toward another group of enemy mages, taking them down.
"Uddo Meiku: Baironto Apurōchi!" [Wood Make: Violent Approach] Laki cast some weird-named spell to create a massive spiked ball made of wood, and shot it at the enemies who tried to climb up to the balcony to get Bisca.
"Majikku Ringu: Tsuisutā!" [Magic Ring: Twister] Loke touched his Magic ring, generating a powerful storm in the surrounding area, which enveloped the several Phantom mages and sent them flying.
"Yasei no Bousou!" [Nature: Run Wild] Reedus drew multicolored boars on his belly, which then shot from it in all directions, freaking out enemies with weird magic.
Several enemy mages run toward Sin, trying to get at least somebody, but Lil dragon soared in the air and spat a bolt of blue energy on the floor, freezing it. Enemies slipped and collided into each other.
"They're ours now!" Wakaba said as he, Elfman, Macao, Cana and Loki came closer to Erza and Natsu. The Phantom Lord's numbers were still great but they now stood in a circle around Fairy Tail mages, not daring to approach.
"NUUUAAAHH! Man. Man! MAAN! Being a man… is what a man it's all about!" Using his Bīsuto Āmu: Reputairu [Beast Arm: Reptile], Elfman raged in the middle of the enemy crowd.
"What the hell he's saying?!"
"What's with this arm?!"
"It's a Take Over!"
"That big dude took over a monster in his arm!"
"There's really a magic like that?!"
"It's Elfman! Absorbing the power of monsters that he defeated into his arm…"
"He's Beast Arm Elfman!"
While Elfman was working out his fury on enemy mages, Natsu came closer to Erza, who just slashed another bunch of enemies. "Something's not right here…" He said quietly. Natsu knew that Phantom Lord was provoking them, so they definitely were expecting Fairy Tail's counterattack. "They just threw their regular members into this mincer, but where are their seniors?"
"I don't know, but I have a bad feeling about all of this… something is very wrong here…" Erza also had some concerns.
"Erza! Natsu! I'll leave the rest here to you guys!" Makarov shouted as he climbed to the balcony and headed to the door to upper level, throwing away some Phantom mages "Jose is likely on the top floor… I'll teach him a lesson of good manners!"
"Take care, master!" Erza replied.
"We'll handle things here, Ojii-san," Natsu nodded to his master.
As Makarov blew up the door and went for the upper levels, Gajeel and Nelliel had no more reasons to hide. "Gi hi hi! Now when that pain in the ass is gone… I won't have to hold back anymore!" Iron Dragon Slayer shouted and jumped down from the girder where he and Nelliel were hiding.
"True. We can finally show to the sinners a falsity of their path," Nelliel said as she stepped forward and disappeared.
"Tetsuryūkon!" Gajeel shouted as he landed on the edge of the balcony and transformed his right arm into iron club. He swung it around, smashing two Fairy Tail mages into the floor, along with several phantom members.
"Nab! Warren!" Wakaba shouted worriedly.
"What's wrong with this guy?! He even attacking his own comrades!" Alzack exclaimed in slight shock.
"Come and get me, scum! Tetsu no Metsuryū Madōshi [Iron Dragon Slayer], Gajeel-sama, is at your service!" Gajeel the Black Steel introduced himself. [A/N It's Gajeel's real alias – Romaji reads – Kurogane no Gajiru]
On the other side of the hall, Max and Vijeeter suddenly flew forth, head over heels, as if they got very hard kick from behind. A second later, with a flash of green light, Nelliel appeared where Fairy Tail mages were. "I am Nelliel-sama, Mu no Metsuryū Madōshi [Dream Dragon Slayer], and I came to make you pay for your sins," Nelliel the Dreamwalker introduced herself [Romaji – Kurayumi no Nerairu]. Tall and curvaceous girl, with weird manner of speech and explicit religious attributes, attracted even more attention than Gajeel.
"You! You the one who abused my source of booze!" Cana appeared in front of Nelliel with three cards ready, she knew that this girl is the one who brutalized Fairy Tail's waitress. "Lightning, Reverse Tower, Lovers! Jōruto no Feito! [Jolt of Fate]" Cana threw all three cards at the enemy, generating a massive electric field. But when she released her spell, Nelliel disappeared with green flash and Cana electrocuted a dozen of regular Phantom Lord members, who were behind the green-haired girl.
"It seems your sin is drunkenness…" Dreamwalker said as she appeared behind Cana and sniffed the air. "When I'm walking through dream, I'm shielded from the eyes of sinners," She added.
"You bitch! I'll kill you!" Cana yelled as she prepared three more cards but Nelliel again disappeared, appearing behind drunkard, and slammed her boot into the back of her head. Cana flew forth as Nelliel disappeared once more, presumably to follow her. Cana quickly rose on her feet, preparing to take the attack from nowhere, but suddenly Erza appeared in front of Cana and struck the air with her metallic boot, in the jump. It looked strange but apparently Erza hit something as Nelliel was knocked out of her invisibility mode and crashed into one of the tables, destroying it with her body.
"Et tuus peccatum est Invidia," Erza said as she tilted her head, "Vos expieto erit per sanguis…" [Your sin is envy, you will atone with blood]
"Someone managed to hit Nelliel!?" Phantom members were shocked "I thought that's not possible!"
"What has she said?!" Others was wondering about Erza's words, but Nelliel, seemingly, understood their meaning. "So, you know about seven deadly sins…" Nelliel rose on her feet, "Impressive, shorty…"
"How did you call me, you walking lamppost?!" Erza growled angrily. Actually, her height was 5' 7" (170 cm), quite normal for a girl, also she fits Natsu perfectly (he's 5' 11" or 180 cm), yet Nelliel's words managed to enrage her. [A/N: Characters' height according to Mashima's Q&A. Natsu's height in canon is 5' 8" (172 cm), but my Natsu is ten months older so he's taller. Nelliel's height is 5' 9" (176 cm)]
While two girls were staring at each other, on the other side of the hall Elfman, Macao and Wakaba were 'fighting' against Gajeel. Actually, it couldn't be even called a 'fight' – Black Steel was just toying with Fairy Tail wizards. "A Man!... Still a man even if he's scum!" Elfman shouted as he rushed toward Gajeel with his Bīsuto Āmu: Sutōn Buru [Beast Arm: Stone Bull] ready to strike. However, Phantom's ace blocked this attack with ease. Macao used his Pāpuru Rein [Purple Rain] spell, launching dozens of purple flame bullets into Iron Dragon Slayer as Wakaba used Sumōku Hāpūn [Smoke Harpoon], throwing harpoon made of smoke at the enemy. But Gajeel made a deep breath and simply blew away both spells, without magic – just by the power of his lungs.
"No way!" Wakaba exclaimed, "He just blew away my spell?!"
"He's strong…" Macao mumbled, staring at Gajeel.
"Gi hi hi! Weaklings!" Iron Dragon laughed and swung around his leg, transformed into iron club. Macao and Wakaba fell on the floor to avoid it as Elfman blocked the attack but several Phantom members were smashed into the wall.
"You bastard! Look what you're doing to your own comrades!" Elfman yelled, eyeing the beating of Phantom members but suddenly…
"Senjin no Dogō!" [War God's Howl] Crimson tornado-like blast landed a direct hit on Gajeel, sending him crashing into the bar counter and scattering Elfman, Wakaba and Macao along. It seems that Natsu decided to intervene.
"Natsu! You're an asshole! Why you got in the way of manly fight?!" Beast Soul wizard screamed in frustration.
"isn't it obvious that you are inferior? This one is mine," Natsu replied indifferently, leaving little room for arguing.
"Tetsuryū no Gōken!" [Iron Dragon's Hard Fist] Gajeel covered his right arm with iron scales and rushed toward Natsu, everyone who were standing around could feel a shockwave from the blow. Natsu blocked the attack with his elbow but was pushed back by the power of the blow, yet he got no apparent damage.
"You're pathetic, Gajeel…" Natsu said with still the same indifferent voice. "Attacking an empty guild and defenseless people… Let's see what you're truly capable of…" God slayer suddenly grabbed Gajeel's hand and threw him up. While Iron Dragon was in mid-air Natsu attacked him with powerful uppercut "Senjin no Saiken!" [War God's Crushing Fist] Gajeel flew up head over heels, crashing into several girders before sprouting a sharp, harpoon-like blade from the sole of each of his feet. He planted these blades in the ceiling, and looked at Natsu, 'standing' upside down.
"So, is that all you got, Cardinal?" Gajeel asked with insolent smirk. "Tetsuryūken!" [Iron Dragon Sword], Gajeel shouted, transforming his right hand into large spiked swords and jumping down on Natsu.
"Gajeel, you're an Imbecile…" Natsu replied emotionlessly, raising his own sword. Clang! Their swords clashed as Natsu managed to parry Gajeel's attack, forcing him to step aside.
Now was Natsu's turn to attack, he again charged Gladius Terminus with magic, "Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Kiru!" [Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Murder] He jumped at Iron dragon slayer, holding sword with both hands. Gajil raised his arm, which was still transformed into spiked sword, intending to block Natsu's attack, but, at the last moment, he changed his decision and urgently leaped aside.
CLASH! Natsu's blow shook the entire building, as god slayer sliced the stone floor and even rock beneath it, making a very deep crack.
"H… hey…" Makao mumbled, "This attack just now…"
"Yeah…" Wakaba agreed, "It clearly was with intent to kill…"
Though that attack, even if successful, probably wouldn't have been enough to kill Gajeel, for both mages it was obvious that Natsu isn't joking.
On the other side of the room Erza fought with Nelliel in hand-to-hand combat. "You're pretty good, for such a little sinful girl…" Nelliel admitted, it was hard to say – intentionally or not she was mocking Erza. "Hey, what's this heathen symbol on your back?" Dreamwalker suddenly asked.
In her Lightning Empress Armor, upper part of Erza's back was completely exposed, so Natsu's Seal of God was seeable to everyone. Actually, Erza demonstrated it proudly, and Nelliel question, along with definition 'sinful little girl', infuriated her to the limit. "All right, you mindless bitch, that's it!" Erza growled and made a deep breath, preparing to release her plasma breath and to reveal her new powers to everyone.
But, suddenly, an entire building started to shake, making everyone to look upward.
"Wha…?!" "An Earthquake?!" "Wha-what is this?!" Phantom mages started to panic.
"This is gonna get ugly…" Gray smirked.
"This is master's fury…" Erza smiled, "The giant's fury that no one of you punks will be able to stop!"
"That can't be happening! The entire guild is trembling!" One of enemy mages cried in shock.
"That's the real man – master Makarov!" Elfman said with evil smile.
"Seems it's time for a showdown…" Natsu noted as his sword again glinted in his arms.
On the top level of Phantom guild hall's tower, Makarov entered Jose's 'throne room', which started to crumble from master's immense might, fueled by righteous fury. Jose, on the other hand, was imperturbably sitting on his 'throne'. "Jose… What the hell do you think you're doing?! Huh?!" Makarov demanded an answer.
"Well, hello there, long time no see, Makarov-san" Phantom master replied calmly. "It must've been since the regular meeting six years ago… I'm afraid I made a fool of myself back then. I clearly overdid it with the sake…"Jose spoke with calm smile.
Annoyed by Jose's talking, Makarov enlarged his right arm using his "Titan" magic and slammed his huge fist into Jose's throne, destroying it. "I did not come here to chat with you, insolent prick!" However, when smoke faded, Jose remained unharmed, as Makarov understood that this is just a Shinentai [Thought Projection]. "Just an image?! You already gone from this guild?!" Makarov asked, enraged even more.
"A battle among the two of the Ten Wizard Saints can cause extraordinary natural occurrences. I prefer a rational victory," Jose replied, retaining his calm smile.
"Where are you?! Come fight me fair and square!" Makarov demanded but suddenly an additional image appeared near Jose's feet – tied up and unconscious Lucy. "LUCY?!" Makarov screamed in shock, "Why?!" Without warning, Jose drew his dagger and raised it, as if preparing to stab blonde. "NO!" Makarov exclaimed in horror as he rushed forward. He didn't notice that extremely tall and massive man in green loose coat, Aria of the Sky, the so-called Pinnacle of the Element Four, appeared right behind him. Fairy Tail master noticed the threat, but it was too late. 'Shit! I didn't even notice his presence…' Was Makarov's last thoughts before Aria used his Kūiki: Metsu [Airspace: Perish] spell.
"So… So… So sorrowful!" Aria exclaimed as Makarov was encased into the bubble of very thin air and sent crushing into the floor as his magic powers was completely drained.
"Ho ho ho… There's no way we'd kill Lucy-sama, right? At least not yet…" Jose sneered as he plunged his dagger into the floor.
'What's this?! Why I can't use my powers?!' Makarov thought as airspace magic continued to press him to the floor.
"Please don't tell me you don't know who Lucy Heartfilia-sama is, while she belongs to your guild," Jose noted. "Well… I guess it's none of your business anymore…"
Airspace magic made a breach in the tower's floor and Makarov started to fall down, to the main hall, crashing through the ceiling. "It's too sorrowful!" Aria sobbed "Where does this sorrow cometh from?! Ah! Is this sorrow due to the world losing a great mage?!"
With loud 'BOOM' Makarov fell down on the ground level's floor, gaining everyone's attention.
"Something fell down…" Gray noted.
"What's it?" Elfman wondered.
However, both Fairy Tail slayers immediately realized who it was…
"Master?!" Erza gasped.
"Ojii-san?!" Natsu's eyes widened in surprise, even he couldn't remain indifferent.
"Ah… Ugh… My… my magic power…" Makarov croaked.
Everyone become silent, eyeing defeated Makarov as Erza was trembling in shock and disbelief. "Impossible…" God slayer whispered, barely able to believe his heavenly eyes.
At the countryside, inside of a real Phantom Lord HQ, Jose picked up Lucy's body. "Aria-san's magic consists of taking away an opponent's magic powers, or in the other words, making it 'perish'. This victory is ours," Phantom master concluded.
Back in the Phantom's representative base, all Fairy Tail mages were greatly shocked by Makarov's defeat. "My magic… my power…" Old man croaked. Natsu and Erza dashed to their master, having forgot about their enemies.
"Tch… The fun is already over?" Gajeel snorted.
"It seems that the source of sin has perished…" Nelliel noted and disappeared with green flash.
"Master! Hang in there!" Erza cried as she fell on her knees and grabbed master's body to check his condition.
"I can't sense it, Erza, I can't sense his power, there's no magic in him," Natsu informed, "What happened up there?"
"Wait, no magic?!" Gray asked as he punched one of the enemy mages who came too close, "Does it mean that he's nothing but a plain geezer now?"
"How?! How such a man could be defeated?!" Elfman asked in disbelief.
Phantom mages quickly perked up:
"Excellent! Now their battle strength is decreased by half!"
"Get them!"
"Let's crush them!"
Erza heard their talking 'This is not good…' She though, wiping tears from her eyes (yes, from both). With their morale spirit greatly increased, Phantom wizards started to quickly overcome Fairy Tail mages, whose morale now was below the plinth. 'No, it's not only our combat strength! Low morale is our main weakness now…' Erza thought before looking at god slayer, who seems to have the same idea. "Natsu!" Erza looked at her beloved.
"Agree," He replied, nodding. He's a warrior, not berserker.
"Retreat!" Erza ordered, swinging her hand, "Everyone! Back to the guild!"
"No way!" Gray retorted.
"Men don't retreat!" Elfman shouted.
"I can still fight!" Macao assured.
"Me too!" Bisca agreed, however, both seemed quite worn out.
"Who among you is going to fight against Jose then?" Natsu asked, looking at his guild members. No one volunteered.
"We're retreating! That's an order!" Erza declared.
"My my… Going home already? Gi hi hi…" Gajeel snickered, looking at Fairy Tail's retreat from above, he stood on one of the girders, right below the ceiling.
"Sorrowful…" Aria's voice sounded beside Gajeel.
"Aria… You're as creepy as always," Black Steel looked at airspace mage, "I'm surprised that you defeated that geezer."
"All part of master Jose's plan…" Aria replied before he again started to sob "Wonderful!"
"Stop crying at everything, it's almost a sin…" Nelleil said as she appeared near Aria with green flash. "Can I assume that sinner named Lucy has been captured?"
"We've confined her at our headquarters," Airspace mage replied.
Erza's eyes widened in shock as she overheard talking of three enemy's S-class mages.
"Nelliel!" Erza called.
"We'll settle it some other time, shorty…" Dreamwalker replied as Aria used his magic to teleport himself and both dragon slayers away.
"Erza, c'mon," Natsu took her hand, "We have to cover other's retreat."
"Wait Natsu!" Erza pointed up, "I overheard their talking – they captured Lucy!"
"What? How? We left her to care… Oh, come on…" Natsu finally realized what exactly happened. Whilst regular Phantom members were here, being whipping boys for Fairy Tail, members of the Element Four were in Magnolia.
"Natsu, we have to help her, we can't leave one of ours to Phantom!" Erza exclaimed.
Natsu stood for several seconds, trying to figure out some plan. Phantom crowd were closing, pushing back Fairy Tail wizards. "Okay, that's how we'll act," God slayer decided. He turned to Phantom crowd and chose the random mage. "Senjin no Shōkya!" [War God's Shock Kick] Natsu slammed his foot into that unlucky man, blast from his kick scattered several enemy mages and sent targeted Phantom member crashing through wall. Erza understood his plan without any words. "Sin!" Natsu called for his familiar, "Erza need your help, get here!" He commanded before placing his hands on his bride's shoulders. "Amica mea, please, use extreme caution. Since they captured Lucy in secret, it means that they need her for something, unharmed. If situation become dangerous – run. We'll figure out something later…" Natsu knew that she has a habit to rescue others, setting up herself.
Despite the situation, Erza smiled a little, touching Natsu's cheek with her palm. "Don't worry, I will be back soon, I promise…" She said before turning to little skeletal creature "C'mon Sin, I'm ready!" She pointed at the hole in the wall.
"Yes ma'am!" Sin reported and picked her up, and together they flew out through the hole, made by a phantom member.
"Natsu, what the hell! How can we retreat like this?!" Gray exclaimed as he ran closer to god slayer, "We've got to avenge Mira and the others!" Most of Fairy Tail members were already running toward exit as Phantom mages continued to advance, Elfman took Makarov.
"We will, Gray," Natsu replied, "Just make sure everyone will leave the building."
Gray's eyes widened as he realized what Natsu wants to, but he did as Natsu ordered, and rushed toward the exit, urging other Fairy Tail mages. God slayer turned towards advancing Phantom Lord's crowd. "Don't get ahead of yourselves, maggots, this is not over yet." Natsu raised Gladius Terminus, holding it with both hands, as it began to shine with crimson light. "Senmei Saikō: Komukōrinken!" [Sure-kill Shot: Crimson Arc Sword]
Natsu swung his sword. At that instant, about two hundred of 'slashes afterimages' flashed inside of Phantom Lord guildhall. It was the same-type attack that Natsu used against Leon's subordinates, but this was more ambitious version, as it now cowered the entire guildhall.
"YYAAAAUUUAAGH!" Almost a hundred of phantom mages screamed simultaneously as they were slashed with merciless attack. About half of them now were lying on the floor, others were on their knees, and almost all were bleeding, painting guildhall's floor in red.
But Natsu wasn't satisfied with just that. He left the building, all Fairy Tail mages were outside and Gray was waiting. But when he came out, god slayer turned around.
"Wait, Natsu, don't you think that they've got enough?!" Gray asked as he realized that Natsu's thirst for violence hasn't been satisfied yet.
"No," Natsu replied simply. "Protect ours with your shield," He added and raised his arms to the sky: "Metsujin Ōgi: Ketsusei Tonryūsoku!" [God Slayer's Secret Art: Blood Star: Chaos Dragon Breath] Natsu made a huge crimson energy missile and launched it into Phantom base through its door.
As soon as Natsu launched his missile, Gray used his magic: "Aisu Meiku: Shīrudo!" [Ice Make: Shield]. Ice mage made a large, flower-like shield made of ice, just in time. Powerful blast obliterated the entire representative base and scattering already wounded enemy mages all around. Entire mound, where Phantom's fortress stood, now was wiped clean.
"Now that will teach them…" Natsu noted to himself. This blast was more powerful than the last time, thanks to six weeks of intense training, power of Natsu's spells increased. God slayer made a deep breath, consuming unreleased aggression from knocked out Phantom members. Fairy Tail mages were looking at him in shock, for most of them it was the first time when they saw Natsu's full power (and mercilessness) that close. Only Gray didn't seem surprised, though he obviously thought that Natsu went a bit overboard. If help won't arrive soon – some of those Phantom mages may die…
"Incredible…"
"Now I realize how he got his nickname…"
"Such a devilish force…"
"And no mercy for the wicked…"
"C'mon, everyone. We need to clear out the area, I don't want council agents to find us here," Natsu ordered, heading down from the hill, "We must get our wounded back to Magnolia."
August 27, X784, 18:05, Oak Town's countryside, on approach to Phantom Lord's HQ.
"Oh, you're awake…" Erza said with a friendly smile, looking at Phantom's mage.
"Wha…!? Titania!?" Man screamed in shock.
"Shh… It's okay…" She said with calming voice, "Please, tell me, where's Lucy?"
"I… I don't know… who is that…" Man stuttered, crawling back from Erza.
"Oh… too bad… Then I think I have no choice but to punish you then…" Titania said with falsely sad voice.
"Hey! You promised that you'll allow me to consume his soul!" Sin sat on the large stone nearby, "I want to grow bigger!"
Erza looked at him in surprise but then she understood his idea. "Did I?" She asked… "Oh well, maybe so… All right, by all means, go ahead," She waved her hand carefreely.
"HEEEEK! No! Please don't! Don't let this thing to consume my soul!" Phantom mage threw himself at Erza's feet. "Please! Our HQ is located on the hill straight ahead! Maybe that person you're looking for is over there! Just get this thing away from me!"
"Sancta simplicitas…" Sin shook his head as Erza gave him a high five.
"C'mon, Sin!" Titania rushed forward, leaving frightened and confused Phantom mage behind.
August 27, X784, 18:23, Oak Town's countryside, Phantom Lord's HQ.
"What are you gonna do when we arrive at the headquarters?" Sin asked Erza, he was riding on her shoulder.
"I'll try to find Lucy without being caught," Erza shrugged, "Though, sneak and find never were my fortes…"
"Erza, look!" Sin exclaimed, pointing at one of the Phantom HQ's towers. "Someone's fell out!"
"It's Lucy!" Eyes of she-dragon recognized the blonde, "Seikō Kudō!" [Starlight Drive] Erza used her self-improving spell and dashed forward at high speed.
"ERZA!" Lucy screamed, calling for scarlet-haired dragon slayer. She just jumped out from Phantom's sky prison, after busting Jose's balls.
"I catch!" Erza shouted, jumping forward. She managed to grab Lucy when she was about seven feet above the ground and both girls flew crushing into the HQ's stone fence, head over heels.
"Lucy?! What happened?!" Sin asked in amazement as Erza found her head pressed to the ground by Lucy's lush boobs.
"Lucy, get off me!" Erza demanded, gasping for air and pushing blonde aside, "Ouch! Careful!" Erza still wore her Lightning Empress Armor and her long braid hooked for the button of Lucy's blouse. Titania rose on her feet, listening for something.
"I'm… I'm sorry…" Lucy whimpered but Erza roughly picked her on shoulder and began to run, with her 'Drive'-improved speed.
"You can tell me your woeful story later, let's get out of here!" Titania said while running, "We're going back to the guild!" She got what she came for, and Erza had no intentions to try her luck with anything else.
Up there, on the sky prison's top floor, Jose was pissed off to the limit. "How dare you do that to me?! You little bitch! You all pay me for this!" He screamed, holding his sore balls.
Spell list:
Tenichijin no Chito – Nakagami Halberd
Tenichijin no Yoroi: Za Naito – The Knight: Nakagami Armor
Tenichijin no Shōmyōri – Nakagami Starlight
Byōhen Rimyō – Morbid Dawn
Aisu Meiku: Hanmā – Ice Make: Hammer
Pāpuru Netto – Purple Net
Sumōku Kurasshu – Smoke Crush
Ganzu Majikku: Burasuto Buritto – Guns Magic: Blast Bullet
Hōmingu Shotto – Homing Shot
Majikku Kādo: Torunēdo – Magic Cards: Tornado
Teiku Ōbā: Bea Āmu – Take Over: Bear Arm
Senjin no Dogō – War God's Howl
Aisu Meiku: Ransu – Ice Make: Lance
Uddo Meiku: Baironto Apurōchi – Wood Make: Violent Approach
Majikku Ringu: Tsuisutā – Magic Ring: Twister
Yasei no Bousou – Nature: Run Wild
Bīsuto Āmu: Reputairu – Beast Arm: Reptile
Senmei Saikō: Raikōmetsukōsan – Sure-kill Shot: Thundering Chainslash
Tetsuryūkon – Iron Dragon's Club
Jōruto no Feito – Jolt of Fate
Bīsuto Āmu: Sutōn Buru – Beast Arm: Stone Bull
Pāpuru Rein – Purple Rain
Sumōku Hāpūn – Smoke Harpoon
Tetsuryū no Gōken – Iron Dragon's Hard Fist
Senjin no Saiken – War God's Crushing Fist
Tetsuryūken – Iron Dragon Sword
Senmei Saikō: Jūrokuya: Kiru – Sure-kill Shot: Sixteen Nights: Murder
Shinentai – Thought Projection
Kūiki: Metsu – Airspace: Perish
Senjin no Shōkya – War God's Shock Kick
Senmei Saikō: Komukōrinken – Sure-kill Shot: Crimson Arc Sword
Metsujin Ōgi: Ketsusei Tonryūsoku – God Slayer's Secret Art: Blood Star: Chaos Dragon Breath
Aisu Meiku: Shīrudo – Ice Make: Shield
Seikō Kudō – Starlight Drive
Note: As many of you already realized – OC's prototype is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck from Bleach, all references belongs to Kubo Tite. She has the same manner of speech and clothes from her Espada time, without red marks and mask, of course.
Well, this is it, people. Chapter thirteen has been completed. I hope it was enjoyable. Do not forget to leave a REVIEW! A lots of reviews will encourage me to work faster! See you in the next chapter – For Blood And Honor.