Good evening, people! It seems I got lucky this week, I have had little work so I was able to devote some time to this chapter, so now it's already done. Here it is, please enjoy reading!
Answers to the reviewers:
Ferdoos, ValinNight, epic story reader: Many thanks for your support, thanks to it I'm writing as fast as I can =)
FanFictionHunter: Well, about contest… Oh, just look by yourself.
Tottenham Hotspur: Honestly, I wanted previous chapter to be creepy =)
Imperial warlord, Void Fart: Thanks for the support, I remember about grammar, it's because I'm in haste to write chapters =)
gratsulover117: As I said – kids are possible, but not in close future.
Animefreak457: Thanks for support, I hope I answered all your questions via PM.
InflatedChimp: Many thanks. With few exceptions, chapters' length for this story was decided 10-15k words.
Now, let's proceed. There's not much to say about this chapter as this one is the beginning of the arc. It's social, but still important for the plot. Good reading and do not forget to leave a review!
Chapter updated 13/12/2016
Chapter XXIII – Laxus' gambit
…
November 7, X784, 9:00, Bloodfallen family's house.
"Damn, we overslept…" Natsu whispered as he woke up and looked at the clock. Actually, he and Erza were planning to wake up at 8 o'clock today, i.e. an hour ago. The God slayer looked at his newlywed wife. He had to wake her up, but he just couldn't do it – she was so beautiful in her peaceful sleep, holding Natsu in tight embrace, so he just didn't find it in himself to interrupt her dream…
Three weeks have passed since Nexus temple has been destroyed by Acnologia. Despite the initial depth of her shock, Erza recovered pretty quickly, considering the circumstances, thanks to Natsu's, Sin's and even Andromeda's help. Of course, first few nights she had nightmares (she's very impressionable), but her strong mind overcame it, with her family's help. Nevertheless, Erza and Natsu decided to keep those events quiet, no one could do anything about it; besides, it was family business, after all…
Anyway, 'raid' into Nexus temple could be considered successful – they got what they came for, plus a big tapestry, which now was decorating the living room.
Besides, Natsu recovered a small archive of ancient scrolls, which predates Nexus Temple creation date for eons. Seemingly, Nexus temple was built on ruins of much more ancient structure, and while they were building Nexus Temple, its creators found those scrolls. However, it seems that dragon slayers had neither time nor resources to translate and properly examine them (they were at war), since those scrolls were written using divine language, not dragon language, and, moreover, very specific dialect, so even for Natsu, for whom divine language was his native, it was very hard to understand the content of those scrolls.
Leaving that aside, many new questions have arisen… Why Acnologia showed up? Maybe he felt disturbance inside the temple, which was considered abandoned and forgotten? He knew about Astrum & Eclipsis? Unlikely… Then maybe he just wanted to do what had to be done a long time ago (from his point of view) – erase the monument of dragon slayers' power from history. But, worst of all, now there was no way to know about Venena's connection to all of that. Once a member of a nine-headed heavenly python tribe, she turned into a horrible demon, whose poison can defile almost anything. But she, as a part of a much more ancient history, supposedly has been defeated and sealed away, several thousand years ago… Yet she reappeared just 400 years ago, and attacked Nexus temple? Why? Because it was built in place of older structure? Which structure it was then?
So many questions and no answers.
Despite Natsu's offer to go to the resort was still on, Erza herself decided to cancel or at least postpone their vacation. When she saw her enemy with her own eyes, she was shocked and desperate, but eventually she got a hold on herself and devoted herself to training with doubled enthusiasm. For example, almost entire yesterday she spent in deep meditation, using her magic to wash over her entire body, every cell had to be filled with her new magic. Andromeda advised that this is the fastest way to finalize the fusing of Erza's body and dragon queen's powers, so Erza's body evolution will be matching her actual age, as if she's a natural dragon slayer, raised by a dragon from the very childhood. May be her body will be even more evolved, since she has lacrima…
By the way, since Erza finally acquired an adequate weapon, she finally was eligible to learn Senmei Saikō-type [Sure-kill Shot] arts. Of course – perfect solution for Erza would've been to learn arts that utilizes Sōken-ryū [Two-swords Style], but Natsu knew no such techniques. But some help came from the unexpected side.
Flashback, November 2 (five days ago), X784, 3:20
Deep night, Natsu and Erza were sleeping in their bed. Suddenly, Natsu woke up, he felt some magical disturbance nearby. He perplexedly looked around, but he didn't see anything abnormal.
"What's wrong?" Erza also woke up.
"No, nothing…" Natsu replied uncertainly. "I think I just felt something strange…"
"I'm not feeling anything," Erza replied as she closed her eyes.
"Me neither…" Natsu also couldn't feel anything now. "Maybe I'm just imagining things…" He thought aloud. "Alright, let's get back to sleep, sorry for waking you up," Natsu kissed his wife and closed his eyes. Soon, both slayers quickly fell asleep again – they were quite tired after yesterday's intense training session.
Next morning, about 9:30
"Hey, Natsu, wake up!" Erza shook Natsu's shoulder to wake him up.
"Hmm? What's up?" He asked, slowly opening his eyes.
"Look!" Erza pointed at Natsu's desk and, as he traced the direction she was pointing to, he saw something that definitely wasn't there yesterday. He jumped from bed and came closer to examine it.
"What is it?" Erza asked. She was smart enough to not touch anything that appeared out of nowhere.
Natsu carefully examined the white box, tied with pink ribbon. After he concluded that this is not a bomb or something like that, he untied the ribbon. Inside was a book, and a handwritten note. Natsu took the note, and froze like paralyzed as he recognized the handwriting.
"Natsu, what's wrong? What is this?" Erza asked as Natsu was standing still, more than fifteen seconds.
"That's a… wedding gift…" He mumbled, as if he couldn't believe his eyes.
"A wedding gift?" Erza asked again. "Well, that one came pretty late… From who it is?"
"From Okā-sama…" Natsu replied as he realized that his senses didn't fail him – he really felt a disturbance when this box apparently just appeared by itself, in the middle of the night.
"WHAT?!" Erza almost jumped as she heard that this present was from her mother-in-law.
"Look at this," Natsu showed the present itself. It was a quite unremarkable (at first sight) book, written on divine language. Its name was 'Sanctus Scirto' [Holy Dance]. "Erza, believe or not, but this book contains the detailed description of several Senmei Saikō-type moves, developed specifically for Sōken-ryū users…" Natsu said as he handed the book over.
"Really?!" Erza exclaimed as she took the book. "Thank you, Okā-sama, thank you!" Titania shouted excitedly. As she began to flip through pages, Natsu looked at the box where book was.
"Seriously? White box with pink ribbon? Just like that?" Natsu asked as he seemed offended for some reason. "If this gift would've been for me, it would've been guarded by Acnologia!" He complained. Erza twitched. "Oh, sorry!" Natsu hastened to apologize, "Bad joke…" He kissed his wife.
"No, it's okay," Erza shook her head, regaining her wits. "By the way, Natsu, I think this is for you," Erza giggled as she gave Natsu another handwritten note, which apparently was hidden inside the book. It was written in common language so Erza also could read it, no doubts.
"Why are you laughing?" Natsu asked, but as he looked into the piece of paper he quickly realized. There was a message:
'For my son, who's, no doubts, whining right now'. It required all of Natsu's willpower to not blast that paper with his magic, because, aside from waspish message, there was a magic formula: Ikusa Megami no Fujutsu [Art of Battle Goddess]. Seemingly, that was a gift for Natsu. "At least once in her life, could this woman just congratulate me normally?!" His arms were trembling with indignation.
Erza, on the other hand, was in rapture. Natsu calmed down and smiled, looking at her. He softly caressed her luxury scarlet hair, trying not to think about how exactly his mother learned about that Erza now has two swords, which could be used to perform a Senmei Saikō. "It won't be that easy – as far as I can say – that style originates from far away, south-western lands, it's way different from everything you've learned until now," He noted, "But I'm sure for you it should not be an issue." Erza's enthusiasm didn't wane even one bit as she heard Natsu's note.
Flashback end.
Speaking about Natsu. While Erza was meditating and studying basics of Senmei Saikō, son of Morrigan was busy doing his own researches – he was trying to solve problem with his secondary powers. As his swordsman's skills and god slayer's powers was growing pretty quickly – his deathfrost arts remained almost at the same level as it was when Natsu get it, four years ago. Back then, when Natsu was younger, it was great advantage as his Kuroi Geijutsu [Black Arts] was stronger than his own god slayer's magic. But now it became almost useless, excluding some special occasions, like hiding from Acnologia. These black arts were like existing on their own, like it actually wasn't Natsu's powers at all…
Natsu's pretty poor performance during the battle against Nexus Temple's avatar, when he almost got his ass kicked (together with his wife), was just another reminder for him that there's so many ways for him to improve. And one of the main issues was the fact, that magic that he's using now – Senso no Metsujin Mahō [War God Slayer Magic] – it is not his magic but his mother's. It perfectly fits Morrigan's attribute – Airblade – a combination of metal (60%) and wind (40%), but in Natsu's case that magic benefits only from metal part of his attribute, which is still good, but far not ideal. Comparing to Erza, whose magic fits her literally perfectly, there's a chance that Natsu is going to fall behind sooner or later… to bad, but that can't be helped, for now.
For today, however, Natsu and Erza have had different plans. When they were trying to win their infamous bet, both Natsu and Erza earned quite a lot of money, plus they got some cash for completion of Galuna Island mission. However, three months have passed since then and only two missions they've done was missions in Lupinus and in Onibas' theater. In Lupinus they've done so much of collateral damage that no money was earned, and money for their show in Onibas were spent on Guild hall's repairs, as intended. On the other hand – wedding was quite expensive, a lot of money were spent during searches for Astrum & Eclipsis, besides, living in big house is a good thing for most days, excluding the day when you have to pay property taxes…
Excluding some displeasing events – that were good three months when Natsu and Erza could peacefully train, enjoining their love and company of each other. But all good things sooner or later come to an end, and since neither Natsu nor Erza were willing to spend their savings – time has come to return to active work, in other words, they were intending to take a mission today.
November 7, X784, 9:20, Bloodfallen family's house.
"Mmmm…." Erza yawned sweetly, stretching her limbs and slowly opening her eyes. "Good morning…" She smiled to her husband, who looked at her with evaluating sight. "What are you doing?" She asked, still smiling, as Natsu continued to examine her face.
"Okay, I think I like it," Natsu concluded and kissed his wife.
"What are you talking about?" Erza smiled again, she though that Natsu wants to joke somehow, he was doing that often during last three weeks to cheer up his wife. Instead of answer, however, Nutsu just gave her a hand mirror. "Um?" Erza wondered, taking mirror and looking into it. From first sight, she didn't notice anything unusual, but after about two or three seconds of examining her face she realized what Natsu meant. It was her eyes, her irises, to be more precise. They weren't brown anymore – they were of color of pure silver, as they literally shone in the rays of dawn. Erza clapped her eyes several times and, as expected, nothing has changed. She stood up from bed and headed to the big mirror, as if hoping to see something different.
"It seems your meditations finally brought some fruits," Natsu commented as Erza was examining her reflection. He stood up and came to her, embraced her and began to cover her neck with kisses.
"You like it?" She asked a bit worriedly.
"Of course!" Natsu replied, "I never saw anyone with such an eye color, it's so unique!" It was Natsu's well-known trait – he admired things that no one else have. It wasn't Erza's first metamorphose – she already got vertical slit pupils, glowing skin and enlarged canines and Natsu liked each new 'feature'.
"You're insane…" Erza smiled as Natsu picked her up and brought back to the bed, "Hey, what are you doing?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
"We already overslept, nothing to lose anyway, and I want to make love with silver-eyed girl," Natsu replied exactly as Erza was anticipated.
"You're even more perverted than I am," She gave him a lustful smile…
By the way, while Natsu was carrying his wife towards their bed, Erza glanced at his desk. She saw some scroll, which Natsu was examining yesterday. It was some sort of a blueprint, with huge number of pointers, sizes, formulas. 'I guess I really am a village girl, after all…' Erza thought as she couldn't understand any of it. However, she managed to read its name – Madō Senkan [Magical Battleship]
November 7, X784, 10:45, Town of Magnolia.
Finally, after some 'delay', Natsu and Erza departed to the guild and now they were walking toward guild hall, where Sin was already waiting for them.
"You're unusually quiet today," Natsu noted as he and Erza were walking along one of town's alleys. It was the first time when Erza was in town since events in Nexus Temple, she spent three weeks at home, resting.
"It's just… I don't know…" Erza admitted with sigh, "...all of this seems …insignificant somehow. All these people…" Erza waved her arm toward townsfolk "…mission that we're going to take… even our guild members with their puny brawls… …it's just as if I'm no longer care about any of it…" Titania explained her worries. "No, it's not the Black Dragon…" Erza replied as she saw a question in Natsu's eyes. "Not only the Black Dragon, at least. I began to feel it after that what happened in Tower of Paradise. After I saw Procellion and Sin's true form… and your Avatar… and tasted my own Dragon Force… And visions I saw in Nexus temple…" Erza counted recent events. "Comparing to that I saw and heard during last few weeks – all others things seem quite petty…"
"I know what you are talking about," Natsu said as he clenched Erza's arm tighter. "I grew up in Arx Tenebris, Okā-sama's citadel. Of course, its inhabitants and visitors alike were individuals of remarkable strength and knowledge, to put it mildly. When I've arrived here, I was feeling about the same as you now, walking among locals with their insignificant lives. And feeling of insignificance of human's problems only grew stronger after I discovered and explored the Tower of Din, when I found out about Seven Guardians, when I met with Sin…" Natsu stopped and looked into Erza's silver eyes. "Those people were like furniture to me when I was walking among them… until I came to Fairy Tail and met with others…" Natsu smiled "…with you…" Then he looked somewhere aside "…and…"
"…with Lisanna," Erza finished his phrase.
"Yes…" Natsu confirmed. "All these things seem petty to you because they are petty, simple as that. But still, what I've learned from that incident is that we shouldn't forget about situational awareness – as petty as those people may be – I thing that if we have a chance to change something to the better – we should use it." Natsu again looked into Erza's eyes. "I mean – that is true – neither of us is obliged to babysit those mediocre mages. But if there's an occasional chance to help some of them will pop up – we shouldn't ignore it, we are the S-class mages, after all," God slayer expressed his opinion. "So, don't you worry – you haven't become indifferent. You just experienced a shift of your priorities. You always were special, but now you can see it more clearly, but that doesn't mean that you have to start to ignore everything and everyone around. Soon you'll recognize who you are now and what it means, and world once again become colorful," Natsu smiled and kissed the tip of her nose.
Erza didn't replied, she just squeezed her husband in very tight embrace.
"However," Natsu continued, "Though there's no need to be hasty, I think you… no, probably both of us, we should little by little begin to prepare for discidium…"
"What's that?" Erza wondered.
"That's a term, which is uses to describe the consequences of difference in natural lifespans of living beings," Natsu replied. "You see, we both are carrying the heritages of ancient bloodlines – if no catastrophe of universal scale will happen – we'll live a loooooooooooong lives. But all of our comrades from the guild, except for Gajeel, are humans, their life is short. Making the long story short – we should prepare to watch them getting mature, growing old and die, buried within the endless flow of time…"
Erza's face darkened as she heard Natsu's reply. No, she wasn't surprised – she was well-aware of her drastically increased lifespan, Natsu told her about that when he implanted a lacrima into her. Besides, he mentioned that many times, trying to convince her to not be hasty with kids – they will have a loooots of time for that. But simply knowing about huge lifespan is one thing, but complete comprehension of its meaning is another story all together.
"Sorry," Natsu apologized, "I guess that's a bit too gloomy theme for a conversation this early in the morning…"
"No," Erza shook her head, "You're right. The early we'll start to prepare ourselves, the easier it will be when time to accept reality will actually come."
Surely, excluding cases with rare illnesses, mages usually live longer than common humans, as magic really can help increase one's lifespan. However, for normal humans, those who doesn't carry some specific bloodline, it is required a really immense proficiency with magic to get a significant lifespan increase. For example, even someone as skilled and experienced with magic as master Makarov probably won't last longer than 120-125 years. To live for hundreds of years, a human has to submerge into the very depths of magic, to the point when he or she will be able to literally convert themselves into magical beings, thus leaving their humanity behind.
"By the way, Natsu, considering that what you've told me… does it mean that I've stuck with you for thousands of years?!" Erza suddenly asked, portraying a terrible shock.
"Yep," Natsu smiled as he didn't succumb to her teasing, "That means that you have a lot of time to try all of those perversions, which your head is filled with…"
"Natsu!" Erza exclaimed as her cheeks flushed and she tried to cover his mouth with her palms, but Natsu just caught her and embraced tightly. He was completely certain that she'll stay this adorable even after thousands of years.
November 7, X784, 11:15, Town of Magnolia.
As a newlywed couple continued its way toward the guildhall, Erza stopped for a moment and sighed, "Oh Lord, with my new powers it seems that I can hear the noise coming from the guild even from here…"
"Really?" Natsu frowned as he stopped in his tracks.
"What is it?" She asked. Actually, she didn't put any important meaning into her words, and Natsu's reaction surprised her a bit.
"Well, to be honest," Natsu began to reply, "I'm not sure that I like the way, toward which our guild as developing lately." Erza looked at him questioningly, so he continued, "How should I put this? Do you remember how many members the Fairy Tail had when I just came to the guild? Well, I do – twenty-three. Twenty-five if we count Makarov and Gildarts. Of course, only few of them were really talented mages, thyself included, but all of them were well-proven comrades, I've even managed to remember almost all of their names… Yet, now our guild has more than a hundred of members, and many of them I don't know in person, let alone their names. I'm not sure that I really feel myself comfortable among all that crowd, but the worst thing is – the only one really talented mage who joined us within the last three years is Gajeel… well, and maybe ajin-chan also ain't that bad." Natsu didn't count Lucy not because she's untalented, but because she lacks determination. "By the way," Natsu looked at Erza, "You knew that there are no more free rooms in Fairy Hills dormitory?" He asked.
"What?!" Erza asked in surprise, "Is that truth?!" Just before she moved out of dormitory, there were still a dozen of free rooms, and considering that Erza herself was occupying five rooms, which became free when she left…
"Yes, all of fifty rooms are occupied now, not to mention that some girls are renting one room per two persons to reduce financial load, you can imagine the scale of the problem now…" He explained.
"By the way, how do you know about all of that?" Erza wondered, Natsu was constantly with her during the last three weeks, so how…?
"Sin's hanging around with Lucy and others," Natsu replied, "I've asked him to monitor the situation in the guild for me."
'Ah, that's how…' Erza thought, seems like having a familiar actually isn't that bad…
"Anyway, what I'm saying is," Natsu returned to the topic, "If things continue as they are now – we'll have no choice but to establish branch divisions to accommodate the growing crowd of guildmembers. Do you remember that, when Lisanna died, all of the guildmembers were supporting and consoling each other? But with several branch divisions all over the country, if members of one branch will die on the mission, other branches may even not learn about that…"
…Erza was terrified as she heard that. To think that some of the guild members may die is bad by itself, but to think that they may be simply forgotten as faceless, nameless corpses… that's just horrible. But Natsu haven't finish yet…
He continued to speak, "…Besides, some people will need to supervise those branches, and that, most likely, will be the S-class mages. I don't like the idea of moving somewhere from here to supervise the branch division…"
For a moment, Erza thought that she actually won't mind seeing Mirajane moving somewhere far away from here to lead the guild's branch division, but that was just on a whim – Natsu definitely won't like to hear such things.
"…In the end, it may lead to Fairy Tail degrading to the state, in which Phantom Lord was until we kicked their asses. Of course, Makarov is not like that idiot Jose, but it is simply impossible for one man to monitor several branch divisions across the entire country. With that, I'm afraid that all the remains of a 'kind and cozy little guild', which Fairy Tail once was, will be lost for good," Natsu concluded.
Erza kept silence for a moment. Actually, she didn't really think about guild's future, but she definitely didn't like the future that Natsu just described. "What are our options then?" She asked.
"I think, first of all, we shall stop accepting all in a row into the guild," Natsu answered. "It's not the reason to accept everyone just because they want to be a members of Fiore's top guild. If they want to be among the best – let them prove that they have what it takes, first." Natsu made a pause, "Yes, I know – it's against Fairy Tail fundamentals, but times change. We need to partially reject even the very fundamentals, because the alternative – corruption, following loss of core members, and resulting imminent collapse of entire guild. As you remember – the real guildmates were the members of Element Four, Nelliel and Gajeel – the rest were just a crowd of a nameless people. Can you actually call such a structure a 'guild'?"
Erza didn't reply anything. She knew that Natsu's idea sounded logical, and that he's, most likely, right. But she also knew that convincing master Makarov to implement so drastic changes won't be easy.
November 7, X784, 11:30, Town of Magnolia.
Natsu and Erza continued their way toward guildhall, this morning proven to be completely unremarkable, but when they were passing by town's park, she-dragon's ears heard that something is going on in there. "Natsu… something's happening in the park," She informed, as she heard more. "I can hear familiar voices there… It's Jet… Droy… And Gajeel… They're arguing about something…"
"Gajeel and two guys whose asses he kicked pretty badly…" Natsu thought aloud.
"Could be troubles, let's take a look," Erza suggested and slayers headed to the park nearby. That was probably one of those situations that Natsu described – they're not obliged to interfere as passersby, but since they're the S-class mages – they shouldn't just let it be.
As they arrived, Erza and Natsu found Gajeel, Jet and Droy at one of park's alleys, near the bridge. Seems they were arguing about something. "Why did you guys call me here anyway?" Gajeel asked, looking at Jet and Droy, "I've got a job to do." His bag was lying near him, so it seems he actually was intending to go on mission.
"Job?" Jet asked angrily, both he and Droy stood against Gajeel with dark and angry expression on their faces, "This coming from the guy who destroyed the guild?"
"You can go to any other guild to take missions!" Droy shouted angrily, "Have you no shame?"
"You guys really hold a grudge," Gajeel snickered, looking at Jet and Droy, "Can't just let bygones be bygones…"
"Jet, Droy, don't…" Levy called out, hiding behind the large tree, "I'm over that, really…" Ironically, that was the very tree to which Gajeel has pinned her and her team.
"What a brave girl…" Erza facepalmed as she heard Levy's words. Natsu just sighed tiredly.
"This is our limit!" Jet shouted belligerently.
Droy supported his teammate, "You are ruining the guild's reputation!"
"No, it's not him…" Natsu commented silently.
"Hmph…" Gajeel just snorted with scornful smile.
"You won't act so casual for long!" Jet shouted as he used Jinsū magic to accelerate to very high speed. [High speed magic, kanji reads "God's legs"] Jet Dashed to Gajeel and punched him in the face, eliciting a dust cloud.
"Nakkuru Puranto!" [Knuckle Plant] Droy threw several seeds under Gajeel's feet. Seeds rapidly grew into large vines with fists, which attacked Gajeel, throwing him back.
"Hayabusa Tenshō!" [Falcon Heavenward] Jet again rushed to Gajeel at high speed and attacked him with leg kick, throwing him further back. However, Black Steel haven't attempted to do something to repel the attacks. "Hey… what are you up to?" Jet asked angrily, unable to understand why Gajeel hasn't fought back just now.
"That can't be it for your power," Droy agreed, he was also confused by Gajeel's behavior.
"Feeling better?" Gajeel asked calmly, even disappointedly a bit, when dust cloud dissipated, he appeared without a scratch.
"This can't be…" Levy murmured as she saw that her teammates' attacks did no harm to Gajeel. Jet and Droy looked surprised as well. However, they ain't going to get another try…
"Jet, Droy, can we talk for a moment?" Soft woman's voice sounded from behind, and that voice made both of Shadow Gear's mages pale from horror.
"ERZA-SAN?!" They cried in fear simultaneously. Okay, everyone knew Erza's attitude toward fights between guild members. She became tolerant to drunk brawls, but fighting in the middle of the street, using magic, two against one… Jet and Droy were in troubles.
"He started it!" Jet exclaimed, pointing at Gajeel.
"Wait, we can explain!" Droy also tried to justify himself.
BAAM! BOOM! Both mages were sent crashing into the tree, which Levy used for cover, and fell on the ground, knocked out.
"I don't need your protection," Gajeel said with grim face expression.
"I'm protecting guild's rules, not you," Erza replied, looking at iron dragon with narrowed eyes.
"What were you trying to prove, Gajeel?" Natsu asked with his signature indifferent voice. "Why you let these morons to attack you?"
"That's none of your business, Bloodfallen," Gajeel snorted, taking a step away from Natsu, "They aren't worth my efforts." It could be true, but if Gajeel really thought so, he wouldn't have stopped to talk with them in the first place.
"Gajeel, I appreciate your desire to became one of us, but letting some fools to beat you won't work," Natsu said with the same indifferent expression. "Being martyrs isn't our way, Gajeel. You wanna be one of us – behave yourself like we do. If you attacked – fight back. Otherwise you're just embarrassing us and yourself…"
'He… he just wanted us to recognize him as a nakama, so he didn't fight back?' Levy thought in slight shock, 'But why he hasn't just…?'
"I'll try to remember that," Gajeel replied to Natsu, heading to his bag. "Now if you're excuse me – I've got work to do… huh?"
At this moment, he and others saw a certain person approaching them. Blonde guy, which wore a large brownish coat, draped over his shoulders like a cape, and magical headphones – Laxus Dreyar.
"Just who we needed…" Erza said sarcastically.
"So, you being picked on, huh?" Laxus asked. Without waiting for the answer, he continued to speak, "So… this guy is the punk who turned my guild into a mess? And that old fart, he let you join the guild for some lame reason?" Laxus spoke, looking at Gajeel and becoming angrier with each word.
"It doesn't concern you, Laxus – master's reasons are his own," Erza snapped, scornfully looking at master's grandson.
"What have you said?" Laxus hissed furiously, as if Erza stung him to the quick.
"Hmpf…" Titania snorted at Laxus' threat, "I saw an incarnation of Armageddon, Laxus, and you think you can scare me?"
"Enough of this clownery from the very morning. Laxus – if you're disagreeing with master's decision – go discuss it with him," Natsu interfered, "Gajeel, you said you have mission to take care of? Go then."
Gajeel silently turned around and walked away as Laxus stood where he was, clenching his fists in anger. Natsu and Erza infuriated him, but he knew that if he'll start the fight against those two at the same time – there's no warranty that he'll win. Laxus abruptly turned around and headed away, towards his house, wherever it is.
"Uff… Thanks for your interference, guys…" Levy sighed with relief, leaving her 'cover', "This Laxus actually scares me…" She admitted.
"Your own shadow scares you..." Natsu sighed, fortunately Levy haven't heard him.
'Talk to the master you say, Natsu… So be it!' Laxus thought as earth was shaking under weight of his rage. 'Useless… Fairy Tail… This isn't the guild I want! Fairy Tail will be mine! I am will be the master!'
November 8, X784, 10:00, Town of Magnolia, Lucy's house.
Lucy just came out from the bathroom and headed to kitchen to make a breakfast. She woke up lately today, since she already has done two missions this week, she planned to rest until the end of the week. Lucy still was in team with Gray and Mirajane, also Elfman often was accompanying them. By the way, seems Mira and Gray were using these two as a 'proof on demand' – if someone, for some reason, will ask – Elfman and Lucy could confirm that they saw nothing suspicious during missions.
In any case, Lucy earned some money, since Mira and Gray were much more careful and less destructive than Natsu and Erza, so rent payment wasn't an issue. Actually, sometimes Lucy was even thinking about buying out this house so she could make some improvements… Right now, however, Lucy was thinking about some rest.
"Morning, Lucy," Blonde heard familiar voice from kitchen's window.
"Oh, hello there," Lucy cheerfully waved to Sin, she was in quite good mood, "How's it going?"
"Well, I'm okay. Natsu and Erza, on the other hand… could be better…" Sin replied with some irony.
"You three were on mission yesterday, right?" Lucy inquired, continuing to cook, "Something went wrong?"
"Not really. Task was to track down the gang of mages-robbers in Oshibana and deal with them. Mission itself was successful but several town houses, local museum and public bathhouse were destroyed, so, in the end our lovely couple got only one-sixth of promised reward, which initial size was 1 800 000 jewels…" Sin gave the short version of yesterday's events.
"Hi hi hi…" Lucy giggled, "Things only becoming worse, right? Was master angry at them?"
"In normal circumstances, he would've been, but now he's busy with preparation to fantasia parade," Sin replied. "He's intending to put a superior show during Harvest Festival, 'the one that should make Fairy Tail the pride of the entire continent', he said."
"Yeah, yeah, I know…" Lucy replied, rolling her eyes, "He already asked me to dance in 'bunny-girls ensemble' with Erza and Mira…"
"Have you refused?" Sin asked, already knowing the answer.
"Of course I refused!" Lucy replied indignantly, "It's embarrassing! Besides, even if I'd have agreed, there's no way Mira and Erza would agree to be on the same platform…"
"Yeah, rivalry between them now is as strong as it was before Lisanna's death," Sin agreed.
"I'm wondering how they still haven't fought," Lucy noted.
"Well, I think Erza learned her lesson when she was punished after she and Natsu fought each other. Besides, since then fights between S-class mages are strictly prohibited, with no exceptions," Sin informed.
"And I'd say – wise decision," Lucy agreed.
"Moreover," Sin added, "Seems to me, Erza became less interested in quarrels with Mira recently. Is it Natsu's influence, or she feels herself more adult since she's a married woman now or something else…"
"Doesn't matter, I think this is for the best, anyway. However…" Blonde thought aloud, "Sometimes I wonder who'd win if we had a tournament to find the strongest member of Fairy Tail…"
"That'd be exciting," Sin nodded, "However, I don't think we need tournament for that. Excluding master Makarov, I think Gildarts is the strongest mage of Fairy Tail, he's currently holds the title of our guild's Ace."
"Ah, the man everyone here calls 'Oyaji'?" Blonde asked, "The one who unwittingly 'inspired' Natsu to join fairy Tail?"
"Yeah. He, however, usually takes missions, which requires months or even years of traveling, so he rarely could be seen in our guild. Among those who usually hanging around here Laxus is the strongest I think…" Sin obviously wasn't pleased to say that.
"Is he really that strong? Laxus…" Lucy asked with slightly widened eyes.
"Yep, he's also the oldest one among S-class mages, except for Gildarts, of course. Then there are Natsu and Erza, and it's hard to say who among them is stronger now, after all those machinations… Also, rumors have it Mystogan's pretty strong," Sin continued to describe guild's ranking. "Oh, and do not forget about Mira – she lost a lot of time, but she's catching up quickly. Oh, and we also got Gajeel and Juvia – they were S-class mages for a reason. Gray and Elfman are pretty tough themselves…"
"Okay, I got the idea," Lucy interrupted Sin's reasoning. "Still, tournament could be quite a competition…"
"Speaking of competition," Sin remembered something, the reason why he came here in the first place. "You just reminded me, I brought something for you," He said, literally trying to find something inside of his skeletal belly. "Here," He finally found some piece of paper and handed it over to Lucy, "I thought you might be interested."
"What's this? A job?" Lucy asked, unwrapping the paper.
"Well, not exactly," Sin replied, "It's another master's idea how to draw attention to our guild, to show our 'good side' to people, for a change…" The paper was a leaflet with announcement of harvest festival, "Fairy Tail's taking part in celebrations, including fantasia parade, but you should look at the bottom-right."
"Miss Fairy Tail?!" Lucy exclaimed excitedly as she noticed a small contest's emblem.
"Yeah, it's a beauty contest among all the women of Fairy Tail, the winner gets 500 000 jewels," Sin commented.
"Who cares about these jewels, it's a beauty contest!" Lucy shouted, waving her arms. "Sin, it's perfect for me! I finally can show everyone that I'm not just a side character in here!"
"You… you don't need to show so much spirit, Lucy…" Sin even made a step back, confused by Lucy's surge of enthusiasm. 'Since when she became so competitive? Well, I guess death can change people… or she's just spending too much time with Mirajane…?' Lil boney creature thought. "Okay, I wish you luck then," Sin said as Lucy seemingly was already imagining herself as winner, "Mira and Cana will be there, of course, but I'm sure you've got the chance…"
"Mira will be there too? Damn…" Lucy was discouraged a bit. "She's been in sorcerer's pinup and all… And what about Erza?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. Natsu wants her to participate since they need money, but she seemingly doesn't want to, she says 'her beauty was already rewarded'. It's hard to say what exactly is going on in her head right now…" Sin answered Lucy's question.
"Okay… so ,Erza wants to skip that event and Mira… well, not everyone likes her new image… besides, I'm younger then both Mira and Erza, I have the fresher' charms… I can do it!" Lucy suddenly shouted. "I can do it! Everyone will know my name after that! I'm going to become 'Miss Fairy Tail', no matter what!"
"I'd say – go ahead Lucy, in any case you'll got some attention," Sin approved.
November 10, X784, 15:00, Northwest from Shirotsume town.
Inside the forest, northwest from town of Shirotsume, was located the guild hall of dark guild 'Ghoul Spirit'.
"Guuuuaaahhh!"
"Yyaauuuughhh!"
"Ooouuaaghhh!"
Three guild members screamed simultaneously as they flew inside their guild hall, destroying its gates by their own bodies.
"You laughed at us just now, yes?" Female's voice asked as three figures, hidden by shadows, entered the guildhall.
"You utter fools…" Man's voice added.
"It's a fight you want, is it?! You punks!" One of dark mages shouted as several guild members rushed at intruders.
"You're not getting out of here alive!" Another Ghoul Spirit's mage added.
"Oh, dear me…" Woman noted, covering her mouth with fan, "A guild that lurks in the shadows trying to stand up to an upstanding legal guild? What is the world coming to…" She said with evil smile, lifting up her glasses and allowing those dark mages, which was rushing towards her, to look into her eyes. In an instant, those five that were running toward intruders were turned into stone statues.
"Why you?!"
"What happened?!"
"They're turned to stone?"
"Get them!"
"Don't let them get away!"
Seemingly the rest of Ghoul Spirit's mages was still up to a fight.
"Go now, my babies!" One of the intruders shouted, the one dressed like a hybrid of the medieval knight and a clown. He spread his arms wide and several little wooden barrels with wings flew out from behind his back. Each barrel had sorta funny face drawn on them. "Rain Fōmēshon!" [Line Formation] The man shouted as his barrels made a line and sent forth a big blast of green energy in arc formation. The energy arc wiped out all Ghoul Spirit's mages and ravaged the guild hall. Battle was over as no enemies left to fight, two dozen of dark mages were lying on floor, and several more were turned to stone.
"That's enough, Bixlow," Said a man with long green hair, which was silent until that moment.
"It's already over?" Asked a man dressed like clown-knight, whose name apparently was Bixlow.
"I'm amazed they even managed to form a guild being that weak…" Green-haired guy noted. He was dressed into long red coat and white boots, also he had a rapier in his scabbard. His name was Freed Justine.
"It's because they are so weak that they resorted to illegal activities," Woman said, waving her fan. She wore oval glasses and had light brown hair and dark brown eyes, also she wore short green dress and navy-blue stockings. On her back she had movable dragonfly-like wings. She is called Evergreen.
"This ain't enough! My babies need to have more fun than that!" Bixlow was seemingly disappointed that battle ended so fast.
"Well, then I may have a perfect thing for you…" Green-haired guy noted, revealing dark-green Fairy Tail's guild stamp on back side of his left palm.
"Oh… You mean Laxus?" Woman asked, lowering her fan and revealing bright green Fairy Tail guild stamp in her right bosom.
"Ohh, I've been waiting one hell of a long time for this!" Bixlow shouted excitedly, revealing black guild stamp of Fairy Tail on his tongue, "And my babies too!"
"Time to head home for once," Freed said as all three turned around and headed to dark guild hall's exit, "To Fairy Tail."
"I… can't believe it…" One of beaten up Ghoul Spirit's members moaned.
"Just… three people… took out the whole of… Ghoul Spirit?..." Another one moaned weakly.
"Th~… That long-haired guy… He didn't do anything… So really it was two…" Third one said, holding his head, which obviously was aching like hell.
"I… know them…" Fourth dark mage added, "They are… Fairy Tail's Laxus's bodyguards… The Raijinshū!" (A/N: Kanji reads: Several Gods of Thunder)
November 10, X784, 16:20, Town of Magnolia, Laxus' house.
"The Raijinshū are returning…" Laxus said, looking into window. "The time is finally come…" He looked toward Fairy Tail's guildhall. "It's time for Fairies to destroy each other… I wonder how many of them will remain," Master's grandson smiled evilly. "Old man… your age is over now!"
November 11, X784, 11:15, Town of Magnolia, Fairy Tail.
Makarov was sitting on the guild hall's roof, near the bell, drinking and observing the town. Whole town was preparing for the Harvest Festival, as this event was very good for town's commerce, so everyone was interested in making this event bright and memorable.
"Master? What are you doing here?" Mirajane asked, as she climbed on roof.
"Um? Oh, Mira… well, I'm just looking at preparations to Harvest Festival. Look, the townsfolk are all in festival mood!" Seemingly Makarov was in good mood as well.
"Yeah, everyone wants to make sure that guests, which came to see the festival, will come next year as well," Goth girl nodded. "And our fantasia show is going to be the pinnacle of celebrations…"
"No kidding! We'll going to make this a parade to make us the pride of the whole continent!" Makarov exclaimed proudly.
"Of course… however, Master, I sought you by Natsu's request, he wanted to warn you that Laxus also back in town…" Mira pronounced with grim face expression.
"What?!" Master asked louder than needed, it was an unpleasant surprise…
"Natsu told me he's back here in town right now… If he again is going to deride and mock at our friends… He can ruin festival's mood…" Mira expressed her concerns.
"Damn…" Master swore, he was obviously discouraged. "To think this would happen now of all times…" Makarov sighed heavily as he remembered fantasia parade when Laxus was about nine years old. Cheerful young boy who used to respect his grandfather and admired mages of Fairy Tail. "When on earth did you end up the way you are now, Laxus?"
November 15, X784, 9:45, Town of Magnolia, Magnolia's market.
"I understand Natsu, but I'm not ready yet for publicity," Erza sighed guiltily. Well, everyone knew that if Erza wants to do anything – she wants to do it perfectly. But her thoughts were still busy with other things, she just didn't feel it in herself to participate in such a contest. In fact, she even tried to convince Natsu to skip morning and midday's events, so he could help her with learning Senmei Saikō instead. She wanted to participate in fantasia parade only.
But Natsu couldn't agree to that – even he thought that, as S-class mages, they can't just ignore most of guild events. "Okay, I'm not going to force you to participate in anything," Natsu decided, "But we at least have to be there, we can't ignore our duties to that extent. And tomorrow we're going for mission, and you won't comply about its type…"
"So, Erza aren't going to participate…" Gray mumbled as he heard Erza's and Natsu's conversation, 'Mira will be happy…'
"It sure is crowded," Juvia said as she looked around, smiling, "So many people…"
"Well, Magnolia's Harvest festival is a famous event," Gray replied.
"I never saw so much people in the city," Lucy said as she approached Gray and Juvia.
"In order to watch the fantasia parade, many people have traveled here from other cities," Man's voice said from behind.
"Warren?" Gray asked as he turned around to see the approaching mage, "It's been a while, I haven't seen you since wedding…"
"You took too many missions at once," Juvia smiled to telepathy mage.
"Yeah, I barely managed to complete them before parade, couldn't miss it," Warren replied, he still wore his traveling bag, seemingly he just returned.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the show myself," Lucy agreed.
"You ought to be participating, not watching, you know…" Gray noted, looking at blonde.
"Participating, huh…" Lucy suddenly remembered something. "Speaking of participating, the Miss Fairy Tail contest will be starting soon! I have to go!" She shouted and ran towards the guild hall.
"Juvia cannot allow herself to lose to Lucy…" Water witch mumbled with dark face expression, "Not in means of beauty."
"You're going to participate too?..." Gray asked with a sweatdrop, surprised by sudden change in Juvia's attitude.
November 15, X784, 11:00, Town of Magnolia, Fairy Tail.
Today the Fairy Tail's guildhall was crowded as never before, certainly – additional space after guild's expansion was put into good use. Guild hall was decorated with festive ribbons and banners, and attention of all visitors was focused on the stage.
"Citizens of Magnolia, and guests from neighboring cities!" Max greeted the auditory from the stage. He was dressed into purple suite with big red bow tie. "Eh? And some who have come back from the dead to watch this event? Remember to go back to your graves afterwards!" Max joked, warming-up the auditory, making people to laugh. He actually appeared to be quite a good entertainer. "The moment you've been waiting for! The beautiful fairies of Fairy Tail will take the stage! The Miss Fairy Tail contest is about to begin! I am Max, the sand wizard, and I will be your host for tonight!"
"Sand wizard?" Natsu wondered. "He's running the souvenir shop, working as an entertainer… does he do anything related to magic…?"
In the meantime, Max continued the show. "Without further ado, I'm presenting you our first contestant, an exotic beauty with a black hole instead of her stomach – Cana Alberona!"
Quite many people cheered for her when Cana appeared, now she was dressed like usual. Several people were holding placards with phrase 'We love Cana,' etc…
"Now it's time to appeal to the audience with your magic!" Max shouted in microphone, playing the ape. Cana took out the deck of magical cards. Cards began to fly around her, making a magical whirlwind. "The cards are hiding Cana's body…" Max said with mysterious voice. With bright magical flash Cana disappeared, only to reappear, staying in seductive pose and dressed in a swimsuit. "She's changed into swimsuit!" Max shouted from the stage.
"Hmm, 500 000 jewels… That beer money is mine…" Cana smiled to herself.
"Swimsuit? Quite a cheap trick…" Lucy sighed, watching Cana from behind the stage's curtain.
"Yeah, she could invent something more original…" Mirajane agreed.
'I guess you did, then…' Lucy sighed again.
"Hmm… Not bad…" Makarov noted, trying to look imperturbably. He, however, got nose bleeding.
"Sir! You're talking with your nose bleeding!" Warren exclaimed in shock, trying to warn the master.
"Participant number two!" Max announced next contestant, "A newcomer with an S-class strength! A nymph of water, demure like a gentle rain, Juvia Lockser!" Juvia appeared on stage, and quickly turned into a wave of water. When she regained her human's form she also was dressed into swimsuit, blue one, which was more immodest than Cana's.
"Wow, she really turned into water, incredible!" Some people from auditory shouted.
"Ooohh! Her talent goes really well with that swimsuit!" Max exclaimed.
"Another one who tries to take the 'sexy' route?" Lucy snorted angrily.
"Gray-sama, are you watching?" Juvia asked from stage. Gray, however, was eagerly waiting for the next contestant.
"My turn," Mirajane said with pleased smile.
"The third participant. The pride and face of our guild! Her beauty enchants an entire continent, Mirajane Stratus!" Max announced as auditory cheered for the contestant. Mirajane appeared from the stage, walking like a fashion model, for now she was dressed like usual.
"Finally!"
"The winner for sure!"
"It's Mirajane!"
"Wow, she's really different than the pictures!"
"Now for her magical talent!" Max announced as Mira waved to public.
"My power is transformation," Mira said as her body began to glow, "And I'll show you my special… Satan Souru: Guremorī!" [Satan Soul: Gremory] Mirajane's transformation elicited a cloud of dense blood-red mist, and then she appeared… She retained her snow-white hair and sky-blue eyes, but her skin became tanned like Cana's. She got a pair of bat-like wings behind her back and neat horns, about 10 cm long, which were burning with pink flame. Now she wore black high heels sandals and very hot and revealing black leather suit (A/N: For reference google the string "Black Leather with G-string LC9064", with or without quotes). Also, she got a succubus-like tail that now was making quite seductive moves between Mira's legs.
"Who could have doubts that she possesses a soul like this…" Erza snorted, looking at her rival, as entire audience lost its ability to speak. Now Makarov wasn't the only one with nose bleed for sure.
"It's decided…" Mira said quietly as she gave quite a seductive smile to the public.
"Now this is just great!" Lucy grunted angrily, "Is there any girl who won't undress at any convenient occasion…?"
"Man cannot look at this…" Elfman moaned aguishly, covering his eyes, "It's his elder sister…"
Poor Gray, seems it also was a surprise for him, so now it took all his willpower to not do or say something… compromising.
It took a while for Max and public to recover a bit so he was able to announce the next contender, which, by the way, wasn't discouraged by Mira's obvious success. "Entry number four!" Max shouted, "A little sprite with cutes and intelligence… Levy McGarden!"
"Levy!" Jet and Droy cheered for her especially loud.
Little fairy appeared on stage and used a spell, "Soriddo Sukuriputo: Snow & Metal & Flower & Butterflies" At her will, four words, made of aforenamed substances, appeared just above the stage.
"Levy!" Jet and Droy cheered again with hearts flying around them.
"Contestant number five!" Max announced, "Sexy lady from the west! Bisca Mulan!"
Bisca appeared on stage with her magical sniper rifle, dressed in short leopard dress, high-heels boots and cowboy hat. She threw in the air four coins and made a hole in all of them with one shot, she definitely was charming in some distinctive way.
"How cute!" Alzak couldn't hold his emotions.
"Damn, everyone's really amazing…" Lucy mumbled, observing her opponents.
"Erza, even if you're bored, at least try to imitate some interest – you're a senior mage of the guild, after all," Sin noted as he noticed that Erza was distracted.
"Um? No, I'm not bored," Erza said in reply, "It's just… I have some strange feeling, as if something bad going to happen…"
"What is it?" Natsu joined conversation.
"I… can't say for sure…" Titania mumbled, looking around, "May be nothing…" Natsu, however, learned to trust his wife's feelings, so he also began to look around… but everything seemed proper, for now.
"Entry number six: our guild's new super rookie. This upcoming star will sparkle with the guidance of celestial spirits…" Max began to announce Lucy.
'Okay, it's my turn now,' Lucy was determined to do her best.
"…Lucy Heartfilia!" Max shouted as Lucy came to the stage.
"Hi!" She cheerfully waved to public. Seems she decided to try different approach – instead of aggressive sexuality Lucy wanted to use something different. "I'm going to perform a cheer with my stellar spirits, just for you people!"
"Wow, she's cute!"
"Oh, very nice girl…"
"I like blondes…"
It seems public liked Lucy, but before she could proceed…
"Contestant number seven…" Woman's voice said as someone else appeared on the stage.
"Hey, wait a minute…" Lucy said resentfully, as she turned to the woman behind, "I didn't even get to perform…"
"When you say 'Fairy', that's me…" Woman said, ignoring Lucy. "When you say 'beauty', that's also me… yes, I'm all you want!" She announced, coming out of shadows. "The champion's title will be me, too. Evergreen! This pointless beauty contest is over now!"
"What the hell?!" Lucy exclaimed in shock.
"What?!" Makarov's eyes widened in surprise.
"Evergreen?!" Gray was surprised no less than Makarov.
"She's returned?" Elfman was quite worried.
"Hey you, it's my turn now, get out from the stage!" Lucy demanded angrily.
"Lucy! Don't look at her eyes!" Gray shouted, trying to warn blonde, but too late.
"Did you say something, little missy?" Evergreen asked, taking off her glasses. Evergreen's eyes began to glow and next moment Lucy was turned into stone statue.
Public was confused and scared.
"What was that?!"
"She turned to stone!"
"Is that her ability?"
"Is this supposed to be appealable?"
'This is bad…' Max though as he realized that something's going on here, "Please, everybody, exit the plaza!" Max shouted, creating a big sand pointer with words "Run away!" The crowd quickly left the guild hall in panic.
"What are you doing, Evergreen, you're trying to ruin the festival?" Master asked angrily, as now only Fairy Tail mages were inside the building.
"Well, every festival needs some entertainment, right?" Evergreen snickered, as she used her fan to set stage's curtain aflame. Curtain burned down, and everyone saw that all other girls, which were participating in beauty contest, all were turned to stone.
"WHAA…?!" Many mages shouted as one.
"She turned everyone in the dressing room to stone?!" Max couldn't believe his eyes.
"Nee-san?!" Elfman exclaimed in shock.
"She even got Mirajane…" Sin was amazed.
"What do you think you're doing, you, travesty of a woman?" Natsu was quite displeased, seeing his guildmates, including his best friend, as statues.
"This has gone too far, change them back now!" Master demanded, walking towards stage as Erza was ready to simply leap to the stage and punish Evergreen somehow. However…
Bright lightning struck the stage, blinding everyone for a moment. "Yo, punks of Fairy Tail!" Laxus said, as he appeared on stage, at the point where lightning struck. "This festival is just getting started…" Laxus announced from stage.
"Laxus!?" Makarov exclaimed, it was another displeasing surprise.
"Freed?!" Gray noticed green-haired mage on the balcony.
"Bixlow?!" Elfman saw the soul mage behind the stage.
"It's Raijinshū! Laxus' personal team!" Three or four mages exclaimed at the same time.
"Let's have some fun, old man," Laxus 'suggested' with sarcasm.
"Stop this nonsense immediately! We still need to prepare for fantasia parade!" Makarov demanded, still trying to put some sense into his grandson. "Change them back now!"
"Fantasia ain't until this evening, right?" Laxus asked with an evil grin, "I wonder how many will still be alive by then…" As he said that, lightning struck from above, targeting Lucy.
"STOP!" Makarov yelled in fear, he really thought that Laxus wants to destroy Lucy. However, at the last moment lightning bolt changed its direction and broke two planks near Lucy's feet.
"You stupid arrogant fool…" Erza growled angrily. She stood clenching her fists but unable to do anything – her attack probably won't really hurt Laxus, but she easily can shatter petrified girls.
"I'll be taking these ladies as my hostages," Laxus announced, 'embracing' Lucy's statue. "If you break my rules, I'll smash them one by one. I said this would be a game, didn't I?"
Sin shot a glace towards Natsu – god slayer was surprisingly quiet since Laxus' appearance – he hasn't said or did anything…
"Surely you're joking. There are things you can't pass off as a mere game, Laxus," Master growled angrily, he was already tired from this idiocy.
"Oh, I'm pretty serious," Laxus replied.
"We're here to determine once and for all who's the strongest member of Fairy Tail is," Freed said as he jumped down from balcony on the stage.
"That's the game!" Bixlow announced, sticking out his tongue.
"Rules are simple. Whoever survives – wins," Laxus explained the 'rules', "Let's start the battle for Fairy Tail!" He shouted with maniacal face expression.
"Hostages?" Natsu mumbled disappointedly as Erza stood beside him, steaming with rage.
"If you want to free these lovely ladies, you have to defeat us first," Evergreen noted from stage.
"There's four of us, and more than a hundred of you… Ahahah! We're at total disadvantage! Guahahahaha!" Bixlow laughed hysterically.
"The time limit is three hours," Evergreen added, "If you cannot defeat us before that time is up, then these girls… will be reduced to sand."
"Whaaat?!"
"Are you serious?!"
"You… you can't go that far…"
All guild members were shocked, they just couldn't believe it.
"You pathetic… I'll tear off your head!" Erza shouted, but before she could make a step Laxus covered his arm with lightning magic, threatening to blast Lucy.
"No no no, I like that you're up for a good time, Erza, but this is not the place for that," Laxus said, still holding Lucy. "The battlefield covers the whole of Magnolia but our guildhall, we don't want it to be ruined again, right? The moment you find one of us, the battle begins…"
"DON'T YOU SCREW WITH ME!" Makarov bellowed, using his Titan magic to turn himself into a giant.
"I told you to calm down, didn't I…?" Laxus asked lazily, "Let's enjoy this little bit of entertainment." As he said that he used some spell to create very bright light, which blinded everyone in the guild, including Makarov.
"Nghh…"
"Aughh!"
"So bright…!"
When light faded, Laxus and his accomplices disappeared, leaving only the six petrified girls. "Let the battle of Fairy Tail… begins!" Laxus' voice sounded from somewhere.
"He's… he's gone!" One of mages shouted.
"Hide-and-seek with the whole damn town to play in, Laxus…?!" Another one exclaimed angrily.
"Why… that absolute moron…" Makarov growled, wiping his eyes.
"Nuuuaagghh!" Elfman roared as he ran toward guild hall's door, "I've gotta save nee-san and the others!"
"Damn those assholes!" Someone shouted as a whole crowd of Fairy Tail mages followed Elfman.
"Capture Laxus!"
"Hell, I'm gonna smash him to pieces!"
"How dare he look down on us!?"
Natsu and Erza, on the other hand, dashed to petrified girls. "Can we do something about this?" Erza inquired, examining Lucy.
"Let me see…" Natsu replied, looking at Mira and others.
"Bisca… I'll save you no matter what…" Alzack said, looking at a cowgirl and also ran toward exit.
"Damn him!" Makarov suddenly yelled in anger, "I, I'll put him in his place! That damn brat!" He also ran towards door, but when he was in doorway, he crashed into something, unable to leave the guild. "What is this?!" Makarov shouted in shock, "I cannot go any further! There's an invisible wall!"
"What're you playing at, old man?!" Gray asked in surprise, looking at Makarov's strange moves, "What's wrong with you, at a time like this?! I'm not seeing any invisible wall!" Gray waved his arm, showing that it's easily passes through doorway. Ice mage picked up master and tried to drag him through the doorway, but without success.
"What's going on?!" Some mage asked.
"Is there really an invisible wall that only affects master?!" Another one added.
In the meantime, slayers were examining statues.
"So, Natsu, what can you say?" Erza inquired, she wasn't too familiar with this magic type.
"Nothing specific," Natsu replied. "But according to that I know – Evergreen was bluffing when she said that statues crumble if we won't defeat her in three hours. This type of magic doesn't work like that, most likely they'll just return back to normal…"
"Are you sure?" Erza seemed relieved a bit.
"For ninety percent…" Natsu said in reply.
"So, there's a ten percent chance that six of our friends will die within three hours?" Erza asked darkly, already knowing the answer, "I'm not going to take any chances!"
At the doorstep, Gray gave up on idea to help master to get out. Suddenly, some floating symbols appeared in doorway, right above their heads. "Writing in midair?!" Makarov wondered as he saw symbols. "This is… Freed's rune wall?!"
"Rune wall?!" Gray asked.
"A form of barrier," Makarov explained. "It's a form of magic placed upon a location, designed to trap those who stray within its borders. It must be inscribed in these rogue characters all around the guild building. Those who stray within the runes are placed under certain 'rules'. And without following them, escape is impossible, look…"
Runes above made several words: "Rule: Those above the age of 80, and stone statues, may not pass."
"What the hell with this magic?!" Gray exclaimed in shock, "It's like some kid saying 'because I said so', and it is actually working!"
"It takes a long time to inscribe an enchantment like this… As such, it is practically useless in ordinary combat, but when it comes to setting traps – there's nothing better," Makarov explained.
"So what, because of this magic, you won't be able to get out of here?" Gray wondered, "Can't you just destroy it? I mean, come on…"
"The runes' rules are absolute!" Makarov cut Gray off, "And these one encompasses both 'age' and 'substance'… Damn you, Freed. When did you become this powerful?!"
"In other words, he never meant to let you take part in this 'festival' from the very beginning, huh?" Gray asked, looking towards town's alley, "He planned for everything… Well, I guess we'll just have to give it our best chance!" Ice mage shouted as he started to run towards town's center.
"Gray!" Makarov tried to stop him.
"I don't care if he's your grandson or whatever, I ain't holding back!" Needless to say how angry Gray now was. Six girls from his guild turned to stone. Including most weird but sweet and beautiful girl in the world! His girl! "Evergreen! You're going down!"
"Ngh…" Master struck the invisible wall in annoyance. 'Laxus… What are you thinking?…' Makarov looked at emptied guild hall, 'He may be an absolute fool… But his strength is the real deal… Is there anybody who can actually defeat him?' Probably he got lucky this time, 'Well, actually Natsu and Erza can deal with him, together they more than a match… speaking of which…' Makarov finally noticed that his 'champions' actually are still here. "Erza, Natsu?! Why are you two are still hanging around here?!"
Natsu and Erza just finished examining the statues, only to make sure that there's nothing they can do. "I knew it…" Natsu whispered, looking at petrified girls.
"Natsu, what are you mumbling there?!" Makarov shouted indignantly as he saw that Natsu ain't in big hurry.
"I knew that sooner or later it will come to this… I knew, and no one believed…" Natsu replied.
"Natsu, please stop it," Erza asked him, probably he already said that phrase more than once. "You were right, we were wrong! Now please stop complaining and let's go save our friends!"
"Move your ass, Natsu!" Sin shouted at him, "We've already been through this…"
"All right, all right, don't yell at me all together…" Natsu 'unwillingly' agreed. Actually, he was almost certain that Evergreen was bluffing and three hours later all girls will be back to normal.
"C'mon!" Erza took Natsu's arm and they both ran towards the door, until… BAAM! …until they both crashed into the invisible wall of Freed's runes.
Runes displayed an inscription: "Rule: Those above the age of 80, and stone statue, may not pass."
"WHAA…!" Sin and Makarov exclaimed in shock as Natsu and Erza saw stars from a hard crash.
November 15, X784, 11:30, Town of Magnolia, 2 hours and 45 minutes remaining.
"Did you find them, Alzack?!" Droy asked as he and Jet were running toward gun mage. They just came out from one of town's streets.
"They're not over there! Alzack shouted back, "And you?!"
"Not a trace!" Jet replied.
"Nghh…" Alzack growled in frustration, "Those bastards… How dare they do that to Bisca!? I'll never forgive you, Laxus!" Alzack bellowed, crashing nearby crates with his leg.
"Hey, calm down already, Alzack!" Droy exclaimed with a sweatdrop.
"How am I supposed to calm down?! We need to defeat Laxus within next three hours or…!" Alzack couldn't think straight.
Suddenly, while they were talking, runic enchantment appeared around them, making a square, and entrapping all three wizards.
"What's that?!" Droy exclaimed.
"Huh? An enchantment?!" Alzack shouted.
"Oh, Crap!" Jet swore, "So, there are runic traps placed around the town as well?!"
"I think we'd better try and take out Freed first of all…" Droy thought aloud.
"HAH?!" All three mages saw the rule, which was written in midair: 'Rule: only the strongest of the mages trapped within here may leave.'
"Huh? What's with this?" Droy asked.
"Is it telling us to fight among ourselves to determine who's strongest?!" Jet shouted indignantly.
"Like hell we're going to do thing like that! Damn you, Freed!" Droy Exclaimed in frustration.
"That ain't fair, Freed!" Jet agreed.
Alzack, however, haven't said anything as he stood behind Jet and Droy with very dark face expression. "I'm sorry…" He finally mumbled with great shame in his voice. Jet and Droy turned around and looked at gun mage in shock as they realized that he's going to follow Freed's rule. "I have to save Bisca!" Alzack shouted, readying his guns, "I can't just hang around here doing nothing…"
November 15, X784, 11:35, Guild Hall, 2 hours and 40 minutes remaining.
"That was… unpleasant…" Natsu mumbled, rubbing his forehead.
"Freed's rune barrier…" Erza explained, she's heard Master's conversation with Gray. "But why can't we pass through?!"
"Are you stone statues?!" Master also was confused, "Or you older than 80?!"
"No!" Erza retorted furiously – her age was sort of a sore spot without additional offences.
"Technically, you are…" Natsu said, dusting off his coat. "And me as well. You are the inheritor of the ancient bloodline, which is thousands of years old. Those runes, on the other hands, are too primitive to use the skeletal age to determine an actual age of someone who's trying to pass through, I bet this runic wall uses blood to determine your age, so of course it thinks that you're older than 80… and me… well, I bet it's because of this," Natsu clenched his left, mutilated arm.
When Erza thought about it, words of Natsu-ghost, which she saw inside of the Nexus temple, '…just admit that you aren't a human anymore…', popped up in her head. "I didn't think that it has already progressed to this point…" Erza mumbled under her nose.
"That's an unfortunate turn of events…" Natsu said as he touched the barrier with his left arm, eliciting a sheaf of sparks, "I doubt that Laxus and his friends-imbeciles knew about our peculiarity, they just got lucky due to a primitiveness of these runes… but now we can't get out…"
"These runes took hours, maybe even days to be inscribed… and no one noticed anything? Experience with Nelliel's trap didn't teach us anything?" Erza asked herself. Though, she wasn't the one to talk, since she hasn't visited the guild for the three last weeks.
Sin tried to move his claw through the doorstep, but instead he touched the rune wall. Well, he was thousands of years old… however, when he touched the rune wall his claw elicited a sheaf of sparks, just like Natsu's. "I cannot pass as well…" He noted.
"As expected, it wasn't mentioned in rules that you must be a human or a mage…" Natsu replied, "These rules are for everyone…"
"So, now what?" Sin inquired, "We're just going to sit here?..." Lil boney creature looked at Erza.
"Sorry," She replied, "Though I've inherited her rune magic, but my knowledge in that field is still too rudimentary to just cancel someone else's runes…"
"I'm pretty sure there's a way to nullify these runes, every magic has some flaw. But I have to see the process of their creation…" God slayer noted, "If only I could lay my hands on that fool who inscribed them…"
"That's our main problem," Erza shook his head, "If only we can get to them…"
"Huh, what's this?" Sin asked as he saw several floating symbols above.
"Battle of Fairy Tail progress report?" Makarov frowned, looking at symbols.
"Jet VS Droy VS Alzack, battle commences..." Sin wondered as he had read the report.
"What the hell is that?!" Makarov asked in surprise.
"They're preparing to fight each other?" Natsu seemed a bit surprised, "And for what reason?"
"Damn morons, what they think they're doing!?" Erza shouted angrily.
"I'm sorry…" Alzack mumbled, walking away from Jet and Droy, leaving them on the street. They were defeated and unconscious as Alzack himself was completely worn out. "Ugh… I'm sorry…"
November 15, X784, 11:45, Guild Hall, 2 hours and 30 minutes remaining.
The runic writing changed: "Winner: Alzack. Jet and Droy are no longer able to fight. Fairy Tail members remaining: 108."
"How long will you last, watching Fairy eating Fairy, old man?" Laxus said with evil smile. He knew that it's hard for master to look at how his 'kids' fighting each other.
"It looks like there's been a ruckus at Fairy Tail," Said a man in black sweeter as he was talking with some of his acquaintances.
"Yeah, I saw it too. They seem to be fighting each other in the streets," Old man replied.
"It's not just quarrelling, they've been seriously going at each other," Said old lady that was passing by with her grandson.
"I hope it won't affect their big parade, Fantasia – I've waited an entire year to see it…" Old man expressed his hope.
Suddenly, the wall nearby has been broken through and some man, dressed in navy-blue, close-fitting dancing suit, flew out of newly made hole head over heels, surrounded by dust cloud. It was Vijeeter Ecor. Man didn't fall on the ground, instead he made a high somersault and landed on the roof of an opposite building.
"Fairy Tail again?!" Man in black sweeter exclaimed, pointing at Vijeeter.
"Don't go crazy in the middle of the town!" Old man demanded as Vijeeter's appearance through a wall ravaged the café where he was.
"The townsfolk?" Dancer mage asked himself, looking down on the street. "I see, it seems the rules inside the rune barriers only affect wizards…" He made a conclusion. It was a truth – runic rule contained a description, '…only the strongest mage can leave…'
"Vijeeter!" Another man, dressed into some tribal clothes, shouted as he landed on the same roof. It was Nab Lasaro, "Play nice and let yourself get blown away! If I don't put you to sleep, I can't go search for Laxus!" Nab shouted as he rushed towards Vijeeter, preparing his magic. It seems that he didn't ask himself what he's gonna do when he'll find him…
"This is not the time for comrades to fight against one another," Dancing mage tried to reason with Nab, but the latter didn't listen, "But if that's the way you want it!" Vijeeter shouted, as he leaped against Nab and two friends clashed in battle.
Explosions and magical blasts could be seen and heard from all around the town as many Fairy Tail's mages were fighting against their friends, trapped inside of Freed's rune barriers. Max and Warren, Macao and Wakaba and many others.
Progress reports were popping out one after another:
Max VS Warren. Winner: Warren.
Vijeeter VS Nab. Winner: Nab.
Wang VS Joy. Winner: Wang.
Kulov VS Niggy: Ended in a draw, both rendered unable to fight.
Mikki: Four opponents eliminated.
Wakaba VS Macao: Battle commences.
At the same time number of those who still were able to fight was rapidly decreasing, right now counter was showing 72.
"Stop this!" Makarov shouted angrily as he was looking at progress report, "Just stop it, you fools!"
"So, there are runic traps set up all around the town… And the people who get stuck in them are forced to fight one another…" Sin thought aloud, looking at the progress report. "This is what Laxus meant by the battle of Fairy Tail…"
"Idiots!" Erza was in full agreement with master Makarov. "They can't stop their idiotic brawls and think, just for once? What good their infighting will do?!"
"Don't waste your breath…" Natsu said indifferently, he seemingly lost all the interest in those reports. He didn't seem disappointed, but only because he never expected anything from those people, to begin with. 'All they have to do is to stay separate, away from the main alleys, and find Evergreen. Instead, they're running around the town, looking for Laxus, only to fall into Freed's traps…'
"Reedus, stop hiding there already," Erza said in annoyance, she actually was hearing him quite a while, "Why you aren't in town?"
"Reedus?!" Master exclaimed as he saw painting mage when he appeared from behind a large crate.
"I'm… I'm sorry… I'm scared of Laxus…" Painting mage replied, shaking all over.
"Hmm… At least one smart enough to admit the obvious…" Natsu noted.
"Reedus, don't think about Laxus. Instead, I'd like you to pay a visit to Porlyusica in the East Forest," Makarov pointed towards east.
"Oui?" Reedus wondered what master wants from the old lady.
"She might have some potion that'll cure petrification," Makarov explained, "Can you ask her for me?"
"Right! I can handle that!" Reedus quickly perked up when he learned that he might be of some use, without being beaten up. He quickly ran out of the guild hall, heading to town's east exit.
"I don't understand, master, do you have any idea what Laxus is trying to achieve?" Erza wondered when Reedus left, "He wants to force you to change some guild rules?"
"I wish I have the answer…" Makarov replied with heavy sigh. "He always was complaining that most of our mages are weak, that they're putting shame on our guild's name…"
"Familiar notes…" Natsu admitted.
"Maybe," Makarov nodded, "But I don't remember you taking hostages…" Old man said through clenched teeth.
"Natsu would never do such a thing!" Erza exclaimed as she immediately stood up in her husband's defense. She knew that, in warrior's code, such an act is just a cowardice of highest caliber.
"We know, relax," Sin immediately intervened, her yandere mode was the last thing they needed right now.
"I understand," Makarov replied, still clenching his teeth, "But Laxus went completely out of control. He's just an arrogant kid, but with great deal of magical powers…"
"Now our comrades are forced to eliminate one another," Lil dragon nodded, looking into the town. "Lives of six our nakamas are on the line here, everyone is deadly serious…"
"And nobody's even thinking straight out there," Erza said in frustration.
"At this rate, everyone who was petrified will end up a dust, and there's no way to bring them back…" Makarov hung his head.
"And if that'll happen, Laxus and his friends-idiots will be accused in six murders. For that they'll may as well get the life sentences. What is he thinking…?" Natsu thought aloud.
Clank. Progress report changed again. "Combatants remained: 54. Time remaining: 2:18"
"Fifty-four?!" Makarov again was shocked, "Just through comrades fighting one another… there's already less than half of us left…" Total number of Fairy Tail members (currently) is 117. Makarov was excluded from that roster deliberately, as well as Laxus and his followers. Also Gildarts and Mystogan weren't included, because they were outside the town, so initial number of combatants was 110. And now…
"It's not the time for panic yet, master. We still got a few reliable people out there," Erza tried to cheer up master.
November 15, X784, 12:00, Edge of town, 2 hours and 15 minutes remaining.
"The eastern forest… the eastern forest…" Reedus kept telling these words to himself as he was running towards town's border, "I need to find… Porlyusica-san's house… gotta get out of the town…" He was telling himself. BOOM! Suddenly, Reedus crashed into an invisible wall, impact revealed the runes in broad arc formation. "Whaa…?! Don't tell me… there's a runes around the entire town!?"
Then Reedus heard something behind his back. He turned around, only to see several runic 'flows', which were making sort of vortex of runes. "I will not permit violations of my rules," Freed's voice said.
"What's this…?" Reedus asked in fear, "The runes… are flowing…" But when runes began to 'construct' someone, dressed into white boots and red coat, Reedus recognized who it is, "Freed?!"
"Laxus made it quite clear," Freed said, continuing to appear from runes, "Battleground is Magnolia. If you're mage – you have to fight, to show your power. That I decree… as law."
November 15, X784, 12:05, Town's center, 2 hours and 10 minutes remaining.
"Laxus, where are you?!" Elfman shouted angrily, looking around and trying to find Makarov's grandson. A large number of passersby wasn't making his task easier… And then, he finally saw someone noticeable in the crowd. A woman with light-brown hair and green dress. "Evergreen?!" Without delay Elfman rushed towards her, "Damn you! If you're man, then don't take hostages! Put nee-san and the others back how they were!" Beast-soul mage roared, running towards her, knocking over some passersby.
However, when Elfman approached, Evergreen lifted her glasses and looked at him. To avoid being turned to stone, Elfman quickly shut his eyes close and leaned forward. Evergreen used it to her advantage as she leaped behind Elfman and struck him in the back. Elfman flew forth and crashed into flower shop, knocking over some of its clients.
Passersby ran away as Evergreen landed in front of destroyed shop, in the middle of a small whirlwind of rose petals. "You know… I like flowers. They suit me, after all, yes?" She asked, looking inside the shop, "Don't you agree?..." She continued to mock Elfman. "Ah, such a pity… with a cute name like yours…" She added with false disappointment as Elfman appeared from the shop in his Beast King form, with cover on his eyes, made of sleeve of his own shirt.
"Put nee-san and the others back how they were," Elfman demanded once again.
"You really think you can defeat me blindfolded?" Evergreen inquired, she wasn't scared by Elfman's beasty appearance, it seems.
"Raagh!" Elfman attacked Evergreen without further ado, making her to execute a reverse summersault to avoid his attack as his beasty fist crashed right where she was a moment ago, surprising her a bit. "There!" Elfman roared, sniffing the air, as he again almost landed a crushing blow to Evergreen. She used her wings to avoid Elfman's attack.
"I see… You have a beast's sense of smell…" Evergreen got the idea about how Elfman knows where she is, with his eyes covered. "Nice trick, but I'm afraid you are already caught in my Fairy Dust…" True, Elfman didn't notice that while Evergreen was flying around, she engulfed him into a cloud of golden dust. "Yōsei Bakudan: Guremurin!" [Fairy Bomb: Gremlin] Evergreen cast a spell, igniting entire dust cloud, which engulfed Elfman.
"GUUUAAHH!" Beast roared in pain as he was caught into powerful explosion. When smoke dissipated, Elfman, still in his beast form, fell on the ground, defeated. His eye cover was torn to pieces, so his eyes were opened.
In Fairy Tail guild hall status report window updated again. "Evergreen VS Elfman. Winner: Evergreen. Elfman: Out of commission. Combatants remaining: 53. Time remaining: 2:04:36"
"What a fool…" Natsu shook his head, looking at battle's result. "He didn't learn anything…"
"Just let me out of here…" Erza growled, "I'll teach them the good manners…"
"The Raijinshū making their move…" Sin noted.
Evergreen looked at defeated Elfman. "You know, I like statues…" She announced, landing on the ground and leaning down to be able to look into Elfman's eyes. "Even the most disgusting of monsters can be considered beautiful when fashioned out of stone… Now, look into my eyes, abandon your body to beauty…" Elfman couldn't move, even close his eyes, so unwillingly he met with Evergreen's gaze and turned to stone.
"Well, that was easy," Evergreen noted as she looked at petrified Elfman. "And he's counted among stronger mages… I'm wondering… how weak others are then? She mumbled under her nose. Boom! Suddenly she was struck by a huge ice hammer and crashed into the nearby building.
"Let's have a little chat, you and I, shall we?" Gray inquired, looking at the hole that Evergreen made by her body.
Spells list:
Jinsū – Speed Magic
Nakkuru Puranto – Knuckle Plant
Hayabusa Tenshō – Falcon Heavenward
Senmei Saikō – Sure-kill Shot
Sōken-ryū – Two-swords Style
Ikusa Megami no Fujutsu – Art of Battle Goddess
Madō Senkan – Magical Battleship
Kuroi Geijutsu – Black Arts
Rain Fōmēshon – Line Formation
Yōsei Bakudan: Guremurin – Fairy Bomb: Gremlin
Satan Souru: Guremorī – Satan Soul: Gremory. In Goetia, Gremory is a Duke of Hell that governs twenty-six legions of demons. He is depicted as beautiful woman with the crown of a duchess.
Well, that's it for chapter twenty-three. I know it could be a bit boring but still I hope you enjoyed it quite a bit. Do not forget to leave a REVIEW! See you in the next chapter – Shackles of Storm.