Hello people! That was a busy month, but I finally managed to finish my work over this chapter. Let's begin the Oración Seis arc.
Answers for the reviewers:
ValinNight: Fairy Tail do not need to know about Natsu's arm. It will be just fine =)
Silent Reader 6100: Many thanks man.
2: Here it is, thanks for waiting.
FanFictionHunter: Yeah, it's just a part of Natsu's 'pragmatic doctrine' – the one sent to ten years mission is more useful than some exile…
gratsulover117: Natsu will get a prosthesis, yes.
EndlessChains: Actually, there was no Lucy's encouragement in canon at all, since real canon is manga. Lucy's speech was invention of anime's director, who's continuously trying to give her more heroic appearance (still unsuccessful). In manga Lucy didn't say anything, and there's much more scenes in anime, featuring Lucy, that were never present in manga.
As for Natsu… this is only the beginning.
Levy's fine – side effect can only appear if there was deleted more than an hour of memories (like with Reina), but Natsu wiped only about 20 minutes.
And yes – we'll find out about Lucy very soon =)
Digitize27: Yes, he can and will. On the other hand – it could be called Deidara style =)
Tottenham Hotspur: Oh, Edolas arc should be cool, I actually can't wait to land my hands on it. Just imagine – no Happy, Erza's is a dragon slayer, and Lucy… well, no spoilers =)
Void Fart: Yes, he had to. That was planned from the very beginning of the story.
Cameron: Many thanks, I've tried my best =)
Mira-san: Of course. Not too much, but yes, it was reduced.
megaslayer321a: Thank you!
Unknown4804: Well, now I'm ain't getting much free time, and usually I'm in haste when writing, so some issues with grammar are inevitable, sorry about that. However, I want to point at that some words, like center/centre, color/colour etc. aren't mistakes but dialectic difference.
Stilphyell: Thanks for the high praise! I agree – Mashima introduced many powers and abilities with huge potential, but then almost abandoned them. And of course, Lucy will collect her toll… in blood.
Guest: Thanks for your support man.
Now, let's proceed. Honestly, this chapter's name actually was a working name, but I already delayed this chapter's publication for too long, so I decided to let it be since I couldn't invent anything better. I've tried to write one or two omakes here, but they didn't fit, so this chapter simply is the bridge between arcs. Good reading and do not forget to leave the review!
Chapter updated 14/12/2016
Chapter 26 – Psycho Circus, part II
…
December 5, X784, 10:10, Lucy's house.
Lucy was at home, sitting at her bureau. After the events that took place in Tower of Paradise, Lucy stopped writing letters to her mother. Now she simply kept a diary, like many other people.
…
'Almost three weeks have passed since the Harvest Festival came to a close. The town has finally returned to its ordinary relaxed atmosphere.
Naturally, the news about Laxus being sent for a ten years mission came as something of a shock to everyone. Honestly, several people were complaining about this for a whole week, with different reasons…'
…
"…Why can't we go for a ten years mission?!" Several mages gathered around Makarov, who was sitting on the bar counter with his eyes closed. "Come on master, why Laxus deserved such an honor and we don't?!"
"Enough!" Erza interfered, "The ten years missions are extremely risky! Can't you understand how master was feeling himself, sanding Laxus for such a mission, all alone?!"
"Yes, but still…"
"We could assist…"
…
'As for the master, he even tried to take responsibility for his grandson's actions and step down from his position. He even packed his stuff… Everybody tried to convince him otherwise, but…'
…
"Please, do not try to make Laxus' mission any harder than it already is," Freed asked, stepping in master's way. "If he's to learn that you had forsaken your position on his account…"
…
'In the end, it was a single comment from Freed (who seems to have taken the old-fashioned position of 'contemplation head shaving') that made the master to give up on this 'retirement' idea.
Speaking of which. The members of Raijinshū seem to have begun, slowly but surely, to come to terms and open up to the rest of us…'
…
"You can draw a picture of me if you like," Evergreen smiled playfully, joggling with her breasts. "But no, I will not pose nude, however, so don't bother asking."
"Ok… Okay…" Reedus stuttered with sweatdrop, he never had such intentions…
…
"Is it true that you're a cosplay queen?" Bixlow asked with Sin on his shoulder.
"Ugh…" Lucy sighed heavily.
…
'I, meanwhile, seems to be surrounded by freaks, as usual. By the way, I have a strange feeling that Freed's purposely avoiding me for some reason. Every time I appear near him, he's immediately retreating. I still can't remember what happened to me during 'fighting festival'… Freed claims the same, but… his behavior seems suspicious…
Ever since the battle of Fairy Tail finished, Erza still trying to ascertain Mystogan's identity…'
…
"Master, who exactly is that man?" She asked as crowd of mages stopped complaining about Laxus and left master alone.
"He has exactly the same face as somebody you knew?" Makarov wondered. "How strange… I'm afraid I don't know all that much about him myself. He doesn't speak much, you see…"
Erza was frustrated with lack of information, especially because her husband expressed no desire to help her with this investigation. "Maybe he's just a double?" Natsu shrugged, "His appearance is the only thing he has in common with Jellal. Hey, maybe he's sorts of a clone? Someone cloned Jellal's body and transferred his own consciousness into it to prolong his life?!"
"Oh, God…." Titania sighed. Natsu's insane theories weren't making Erza's task easier.
…
'At any rate, that have been busy weeks for all of us… but for me, in particular, there's still one major problem remained. The result announcement of the miss Fairy Tail contest was published today… '
December 5, X784, 11:00, Fairy Tail.
"And Mirajane takes the victory!"
"Ahhhh!"
"I knew it'd be her!"
"Lucy's in second, huh!"
"And third is Juvia."
"Good going, girls!"
Fairy Tail mages were discussing the results.
"I hate these guys! Maybe I had to just come out naked to win that contest?!" Lucy exclaimed angrily.
"Actually, it could have work," Sin replied and Erza nodded.
"You should choose some suit that would enliven men's imagination," Titania advised, surprising Lucy a bit. "Try Nurse uniform or latex suits…" She added, seemingly sharing personal experience and reminding that, despite being a weirdo, Erza was very smart, attentive and feminine.
'Erotic cloths, role games… never underestimate Erza…' Lucy thought. "Huh?" Strange feeling suddenly took over Lucy, as if somebody was watching at her. She quickly turned around and looked towards the guild hall's door, but saw no one special.
"What's up, Lucy?" Erza looked at her questioningly.
"Am I just imagining it?" Lucy thought aloud, "Recently I can't seem to shake the feeling that I'm being watched by someone… Several times I saw somebody who looked like a tramp…"
"Ah, no…" Sin noted, pointing at people near the guild hall's door, "Actually, they're members of our guild…"
"But you're right," Erza snorted, standing up, "I'll deal with it." Tatania came closer to mages that gathered near the guild hall's entrance. "Hey you! How dare you to come here in such an appearance?!"
"Huh?!" "Erza-san?!" "What… what you mean?!" Poor mages certainly were caught off-guard.
"I mean that some people have mistaken you as tramps! Get out of here and get yourself some proper clothes!" Silver-eyed dragon slayer demanded.
"Ahh…!?" "Wait a minute…!" "But we are…"
"That's not exactly what I meant…" Lucy noted with a sweatdrop.
"I'm afraid this is only the beginning…" Sin commented. "Yesterday Natsu and Mirajane were talking to the master. As Natsu said, 'despite Laxus lost the battle of Fairy Tail, his voice still should be heard'… It seems they managed to convince master to install a mandatory minimum of completed missions per month."
"Huh? Really?" Lucy asked in surprise.
"Yeah… form now on, each member of our guild has to complete at least one solo mission per month, or at least two missions if they're in a team. Honestly, it's a very soft rule, 85% of our mages meets these requirements anyway…" Sin explained. As Fiore's number one guild, Fairy Tail was receiving tons of requests of different value.
"And what's gonna happen to those who won't meet this requirement?" Lucy wondered.
"Community service," Sin replied. "Maintaining our guild hall in proper state requires a lot of efforts, you see… As far as I know, master's going to announce this new rule tomorrow."
"I understand…" Lucy said, looking at Nab, who was an exemplary layabout.
"But, as I said, it's only the beginning," Sin continued, "It seems that Natsu managed to convince Erza and Mira that, as accepting everyone who wants to join, Fairy Tail is losing its spirit as a 'place for aspiring mages to form strong bonds' and a 'cozy place for orphaned kids to find a new family and home'. Erza, Gray, Strauss siblings and several other orphans found a new home here, and it seems that Natsu is worried that, if things continue to develop as they are now, Fairy Tail will no longer be welcoming for such kids…"
"If that's so, it will be horrible!" Lucy's eyes widened in slight shock.
"Yes, and it seems that Natsu managed to convince not just his wife and his best friend, but few other mages as well, including Gray and Elfman," Sin informed, "So there definitely will be more changes in the future…"
"Well, if that can help to preserve Fairy Tail's spirit, then why not? Oh, alright," Blonde stood up and turned around, "I should get going, I've to take care about few things, tomorrow I'm going on a mission with Mira, Gray and Elfman."
"Oh, your team in full stature?" Sin noted, "Should be interesting."
"Yeah, I'd better be ready, cya!" She waved her goodbye.
"So long!" Lil boney dragon said and flew toward request board, where Natsu stood. His spouse liked new experiences, so he was looking for something uncommon. "Any luck?" Sin asked.
"Yes," Natsu replied. Actually, he managed to find something interesting. "Look, here's a request from ex-councilor Yajima. He's opening a new restaurant in Hargeon and needs help in its promotion," Natsu showed the request list.
"Hmm…" Sin examined the list, "It's been a while since we were in Hargeon for the last time, but… such missions aren't exactly our profile…"
"I know," Natsu replied. "Honestly, I'd prefer good old subjugation mission. But Erza should like this one, so we're taking it," Natsu smiled to himself. "Besides," He added with low voice, "The new prosthesis that I've ordered will be delivered tomorrow, and I'd like to test it in civilian applications first, before going into battle…"
December 6, X784, 10:20, Fairy Tail.
"Lucy! It's time to get going!" Mirajane announced as she and her brother entered the guild hall.
"Yeah… Let's go…" She replied with smile. Still, some deep sorrow shone in her big eyes.
Yesterday she finally met with a 'stalker', who was following her for a while. It appeared to be none other than her own father, Jade Heartfilia. To Lucy's great shock, he informed her that he lost everything he had – home, money, business, because he used all of his property as a guarantee. Everything he earned, sacrificing his family in the process, was gone in an instant. He even was forced to move Lucy's mother grave.
Also, Jade informed his daughter that he's going to start working at a merchants' guild in town named Acalypha. He decided to start everything from the beginning. However, after that he said that he needs a small start-up capital and asked Lucy to loan him 100 000 jewels. However, just three days ago Lucy bought out a house, which she was renting, so she could remake it as she pleases, so now all that she had was about 40 000, actually she was counting on today's mission reward… When Jade learned that Lucy can't loan him money even if she'd wanted to, he had gone mad and yelled at her. Lucy was forced to drive him away, and her mood was ruined till the end of the day.
Today, however, despite still being sad, Lucy was ready for the mission. She already planned some renovations in her house, so money would come in handy. "So, what's the mission?" Blonde wondered.
"I don't know yet, but Gray said he found something interesting," She-devil replied.
"I did," Ice mage confirmed, showing the request list to everyone, "Capturing the escaped convict Velveno."
"This is the mission for the real man!" Elfman declared.
"Oh, I've heard that guy is really good, kicking his ass should be interesting," Mirajane agreed.
"I wonder why Natsu haven't took this mission – it's clearly his specialty," Lucy thought aloud.
"Well, I guess when you're in relationships you shouldn't think only about yourself…" Ice mage shrugged, and Mira couldn't suppress a smile as she realized that Gray chose this mission not only because of its big reward…
"Oh, 2 000 000 jewels reward!" Elfman shouted.
"Yeah, the reward comes to five hundred thousand for each of us," Mira confirmed.
"Right! Let's do it!" Lucy exclaimed. But suddenly she overheard two mages talking, and a theme they were discussing drew Lucy's attention.
"Hey, did you hear the news about Acalypha?" A wizard with buckteeth asked.
"You mean about that merchants' guild getting taken over by some guerilla group? Yeah… Scary stuff…" Another mage replied.
"No… about the group that took 'em over. I heard they're actually from the dark guild named 'Naked mummy'," Bucktoothed mage explained.
"Seriously?! But then… army would be no match for them!" His interlocutor exclaimed.
'Father?!' Lucy thought, as she froze on place.
"What's up, Lucy? Hurry up, we're going to show that Velveno punk what it means to be a real man!" Elfman urged Lucy.
"Elfman, we're only going to capture him!" Elder sister said sternly.
"Either way, it's gonna be messy. I'll knock his brain out!" Gray said bellicosely, removing his shirt.
"Gray, your clothes…" Cana noted from behind.
But Lucy stood in front of her friends with her eyes closed shut as contradictive thoughts were tearing her head apart. 'A man like that… Why do I care? It's got nothing to do with me…' Suddenly, Lucy dashed to two mages, "Where exactly is Acalypha?!" Both guys were shocked, yet they managed to provide some directions.
"Lucy?!" Gray exclaimed.
"Hey, blonde?! Where do you think you're going?!" Mirajane asked in surprise.
"Sorry, but there's something I have to do!" Lucy shouted in reply, running towards guild hall's exit. 'He may be a good-for-nothing… But even so I… Have to save him!' Lucy decided to rescue her father.
"Should we follow her?" Gray wondered.
"No," Mirajane replied. "She's a grown-up girl, let her have her own way," Goth girl added. "C'mon, we have a mission to complete…"
December 6, X784, 18:40, Dark guild 'Naked Mummy' HQ.
A huge guy, who looked like a crossbreed of a gorilla and a Frankenstein, was poking a heavily brutalized man with his club. "Where is the money?" He asked slowly, speaking with a hoarse voice. His name was Gatō, one of the leaders of the dark guild 'Naked mummy'
"I'b thorry! A lehal huild god id the way…" Poor guy cried. "…so we didn'd manahe to het any…" He was beaten up to the point of unrecognizability, and couldn't speak properly. "…please, spale me!"
"Where is… the money?" Gatō asked again as if he didn't hear the answer.
"Ahhh! Like I said…" Beaten guy tried to say again but he was cut off mid-sentence.
"Ahaha! You're repeating yourself there!" Another man laughed. Big guy with afro-like haircut, the same man who was almost incinerated by Laxus about a month ago – Zatō. "If he ain't got it – he ain't got it, Gatō nii-san."
"You think this is a laughing matter, Zatō nii-san?" Gatō turned to his 'colleague'. "The deadline is approaching for our payment to the Oración Seis. You think this is a laughing matter, Zatō nii-san?"
"You're repeating yourself again, Gatō nii-san!" Zatō noted again.
"I always wonder this, but…" Said one of 'Naked mummy' mages, which were on the background.
"Yeah… why are they both 'nii-san'? Another one nodded. [A/n: 'nii-san' means 'elder brother']
"There ain't a dark guild around that can go against the will of the Oración Seis," Gatō Said emotionlessly. "There ain't a dar…"
"I got it the first time!" Zatō cut off Gatō mid-sentence. "Damn them… Suddenly increasing their demands without warning. Lord knows what they could be planning…"
December 6, X784, 19:30, Dark guild 'Oración Seis' HQ.
A young man of average height, with maroon-colored hair, dressed into white coat and red pants, was looking into window, caressing the huge purple snake that wrapped itself around his shoulders. "I hear it… the sounds of the ages shifting… the sound of eyes being opened… the sound of beginnings… I hear the light crumbling!" He was one of the members of the dark guild 'Oración Seis', codename 'Cobra'.
December 7, X784, 10:15, Town of Hargeon.
"Hello and welcome!" Lucy cheerfully greeted the clients. Dressed in '8 island' uniform, she now was working as a waitress of an aforementioned restaurant.
Yesterday, she singlehandedly managed to liberate the Acalypha's merchants' guild, "Love & Lucky", from "Naked mummy" robbers, in attempt to rescue her father. Despite Jade actually haven't been present among hostages, he and Lucy managed to talk, without yells and offences. They had a little conversation, when Jade explained that in this guild he met Lucy's mother, Layla, for the first time, and that Lucy actually was named after broken guild's signboard. Lucy left the Acalypha with hope that someday she and her father will be able to repair their relationships, as Jade finally realized that happiness of his daughter, who now was his only family, is much more important than any money and wealth.
However, because of this, Lucy missed the opportunity to go on the mission with Mirajane and others. And since she was in need of money, but unwilling to do a solo mission, she asked Natsu to take her with his team. Fortunately for her, Natsu decided that one more, quite cute, waitress won't be superfluous…
"Have you decided on your order?" She asked with affable smile as she came to the table with two men sitting at. According to their looks, they were a mage from guild and a client.
"Blue sky Bolognese and a holy soda for me, please!" Mage ordered.
"I'll have the beastman curry," Client decided.
"Would you like to order the desert with that?" Lucy smiled again.
"Let's see…" Mage examined the menu "…yes, I'll have this ruby parfait."
"Same for me," Client said.
"Thank you very much!" Lucy replied cheerfully.
"I'm ready to order now!" Another client called out.
"Coming!" Lucy exclaimed in reply. However, as she made a few more steps, she suddenly threw orders on the floor and cried, "Wait, what the hell am I doing?!"
"Come on Lucy… this is a job too, you know…" Sin noted as he flew into the restaurant through one of its windows, he brought a basket with ingredients right from the port.
"What part of it looks like a mage's job to you?!" Lucy asked indignantly, "And what's with this embarrassing outfit!?" Well, waitresses' dresses really were short, from both ends.
"As far as I remember, you were the one who begged Natsu to take you with us since you urgently need money…" Sin noted, ignoring the clients, which were freaked out by his appearance. "Besides, check it out…" Lil boney creature pointed at 'another waitress'.
Wagging her ideal butt, Erza walked across the restaurant to the table with three men at it. "May I have your order?" She asked sweetly, with charming smile as she sat on the table, letting clients to take a closer look at her perfect hips and cleavage. With her measurements being B98-W57-H89 cm, there was definitely something to look at. "What is your desire? Come… tell me…" Extremely distracted with Erza's sweet talk and aggressive sexuality, clients ordered a ton of different dishes. "Oh, that will be a great help…" She gave another sweet smile.
"Some people are really getting into this…" Sin commented and flew to the kitchen.
"I think I'll do my best then…" Lucy mumbled resignedly.
"This is yet another battle to be won," Erza smiled to herself and headed to the kitchen.
On the kitchen, about two dozen of knives, forks and spoons were preparing the food, driven by Natsu's telekinetic power. God slayer himself was walking among kitchen stoves and other kitchen stuff like a general among his troops.
"Darling, there's a new order," Erza informed her husband-chef.
"Sancta simplicitas…" Natsu commented as he saw the list with huge number of ordered dishes as clients couldn't resist Erza's charms. "Alright. Cara mea, these dishes are ready, please deliver them," Four big plates flew towards Erza. She caught them and placed on tray.
"Wait, Natsu, what's this?" She inquired, pointing at intricate and very appetizing meat dish, "No one ordered this… and this is even doesn't listed in the menu…"
"It's present in my menu," Natsu winked to her, "A special dish for mighty dragon with irresistible smile…" Lord knows how hard it was for Erza to decide what to do first – kiss Natsu or eat the dish he made specially for her…
December 7, X784, 19:05, Town of Hargeon.
"Good work out there, everyone!" Ex-councilor, now chef Yajima thanked his temporal employees, "You young ones these days sure are hard workers, eh? Natsu-kun, this time you and your… friend definitely outdid yourselves."
"Thank you, Yajima-san," Natsu and Sin, who sat on god slayer's shoulder, bowed to old man.
"And you too, young ladies, excellent work!" Yajima turned to Erza and Lucy.
"Thank you," Erza replied, "Today was an educational experience."
"Man, now I know how Mira felt during those last three years…" Lucy sighed.
"By the way, Yajima-san… how did things go at the council?" Erza wondered.
"Oh well… I'm not a member anymore, you know…" Old man replied. "When Sieg… or should that be Zerard…?"
"Thet's 'Jellal'," Natsu corrected as Erza's face contorted with disgust.
"Yes, yes! When that Zellard and Ultear betrayed us… well, that was a historic failure on our parts, you see… I heard that right now, they're all very busy laying the groundwork for setting up a whole new magic council…" Yajima explained. "We caused you kids a whole lot of trouble too, didn't we? I must apologize…"
"Oh, no… I heard that you in particular were against the fairing of the Etherion to the very end," Erza tried to reassure him.
"You have nothing to be ashamed of," Natsu nodded in agreement.
"Nah, I just don't think I'm out for politics, anyways…" Yajima waved with frying pan, "Cooking is much more fun!" Lucy giggled at this statement as Yajima again looked at Natsu. "By the way, Natsu-kun… and you too, Erza-chan," Old man sighed heavily. "A lot of things are going to be changing at the council. Without me around, there won't be anybody to stand up for Fairy Tail when they get into trouble again. So I'd suggest acting with more… restraint…"
"I understand, Yajima-san," Natsu replied as Erza nodded docilely. "However… council might be replaced, but it still surrounded with the same old bureaucrats…"
"True enough…" Yajima agreed, "This is one of the reasons why I've quit…"
"All right, Yajima-san, we should get going," Erza said, ex-quipping her normal clothes, "Thank you for the opportunity."
"Well, give my regards to Maki!" Yajima waved his goodbye, before looking into already dark, but clear autumn sky, 'Ultear, hmm… I wonder where she is now…'
December 7, X784, 20:25, Grimoire Heart Airship.
"The Oración Seis? I see…" Ultear replied as her master informed her about his spies' findings. "So, they're going to make their move… How will you respond to this, Master Hades?" Ultear stood, looking into ship's window, she was dressed into light attire with open back, large Grimoire Heart guild crest under her shoulder blades was clearly visible.
"Ignore them," Master Hades replied. "If they try to start something, the lawful folks will hardly be able to ignore it. We should use that opportunity to advance our search for the keys of Zeref's seal. Let us hope that they succeed in eliminating a few of the guilds that stands in our way."
"Fairy Tail… for instance?" Ultear smiled, causing Hades to smile.
"By the way, Ultear, you got any luck with investigation about that attack on your house?" Master wondered.
"No…" Ultear admitted unwillingly. "Not even a clue…"
"Too bad… Well, maybe that really was just a storm…" Master speculated, seemingly he didn't care much about that matter.
"Maybe…" Ultear replied, but by her face expression was obvious that she doesn't think so.
December 9, X784, 10:00, Fairy Tail.
"What exactly is this?" Lucy wondered as she looked at a large, glowing scheme, which was drawn in mid-air. Lucy came pretty late, so guild hall was already quite crowded, and most of those who were present, gathered around the scheme.
"We've come up with an organization chart of the Dark guilds, operating in Fiore nowadays," Mirajane replied, pointing at the paintings.
"It was me that drew it," Reedus noted, as if it was some great achievement.
"The underworld is seeming to be awfully active recently, so I decided to explain the situation, to keep people informed of recent developments," Snow-haired sorceress explained.
On the scheme, many rectangles were painted, each one with a guild's name. Three larger rectangles, also with names – 'Grimoire Heart', 'Oración Seis' and 'Tartarus' – were inscribed in an oval with header 'Balam Alliance' [A/N: Balam is a Latin (and Spanish) pronouncement of a name Balaam, a Biblical magician, referred as curse bringer and false prophet]. Each larger rectangle was connected to a number of lesser ones, without cross-connection. Only one guild, depicted as an oval, was aside from other dark guilds and marked as 'Independent' – 'Raven Tail'.
"What's that big circle for?" Elfman asked.
"Ah, Juvia knows that," Water witch looked at the scheme, "That's the most powerful force amongst all of the dark guilds: The Balam Alliance."
"Yes, the Balam Alliance is a massive force made up of three individual dark guilds," Erza confirmed. "Each one of them has a number of lesser guilds under its control, and thus the three of them keep the underworld in check. There's only one dark guild that acts independently of the rest – Raven Tail…"
Natsu stood aside, seemingly not interested in the matter, as bounty hunter he was way too familiar with that structure. He was more interested in calibration of his new prosthesis – lacrima-powered, it was most advanced model available on market, which could completely reproduce full functionality of a normal arm (except for magic, of course). However, it required a precise tuning.
"There are some names that I remember up there," Wakaba waved toward the chart. "Some time ago they were used to be official guilds…"
"Yes, this is sad, but not all can keep up as legal guild with the ever-changing surroundings," Erza said with deep sigh.
"Huh?! Eisenwald?!" Lucy exclaimed as she saw a familiar name on the scheme, Eisenwald's rectangle was crossed out.
"That's right, that's the guild Erigor belonged to," Erza nodded.
"So that was one of the guilds that are under control of these 'Oración Seis'?" Gray noted.
"So was the ghoul spirit, the dark guild, which was annihilated by the Raijinshū," Elfman pointed at another crossed out rectangle.
"All those guilds that Juvia and Gajeel-kun destroyed when we were part of Phantom Lord, they all were under Oración Seis control!" Water witch announced with joyful smile.
"Hey, don't say that stuff with a smile…" Gray mumbled with a sweatdrop.
"Uh-oh… I hope they're not angry at us…" Lucy mumbled, shivering a little.
"Ah, don't worry about that. I mean, there's supposed to be just six of them, anyway!" Max tried to reassure Lucy.
"Yeah, how small a guild is it?" Warren wondered.
"Don't get relaxed," She-devil narrowed her eyes. "That 'tiny guild of six' is supporting a third of the underworld," She added, wiping out Max's smile.
"About those Oración Seis…" Makarov's voice sounded from behind as master entered the guild hall. "We're going… to take them down!" Old man announced with dark determination.
For a few seconds, deathly silence was in a guild hall as people were shocked after master's announcement. "Just like that, out of blue?" Natsu asked with indifferent voice as he picked up an apple and took a bite, "You just came saying that we should take out one third of the underworld?"
"What kind of reaction is that?!" Lucy exclaimed as everyone present let out an anguished moan.
"So, master… what exactly is this all about?" Erza asked as guild calmed down a bit.
"At the regular meeting a few days ago, the Oración Seis came up on the agenda. Seems they're up to something. It was decided that this development cannot be ignored, and so a guild must be sent to eliminate them," Makarov explained.
"And you just had to go draw the loosing card, as usual, huh?" Gray asked through clenched teeth.
"Fairy Tail is taking up that responsibility?" Juvia asked in shock.
"I suppose we can do that, but, Ojii-san, tell that local league of yours that it's going to cost them a huge pile of money…" Natsu commented.
"Oooo…" Entire guild let out another anguished moan, rolling their eyes and making facepalms.
"Not this time, Natsu," Makarov kept his composure. "The enemy's forces is simply too large for one guild to fight them. If we went alone, then we would eventually end up as the sole targets of the Balam Alliance's wrath. As such… we're going to be forming an alliance of our own!" Makarov announced, belligerently clenching his fist.
"An alliance?!" Several people exclaimed, it was an unprecedented decision.
"Yes, Makarov Replied. "Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Aurore Présage, Lumia Scale, Cait Shelter. Each of these guilds is to select a number of members, and those members will join forces to defeat the enemy.
"Aurore Présage?" Mirajane inquired, "I've never heard of them…"
"It's a new guild, formed just few weeks ago in Shirotsume town," Natsu informed. "I heard that its master is ex-colonel Jiraiya. A former Rune Knight commander, he quit after council's great fiasco and decided to start a new mage's guild. He's considered as the most powerful mage, who served as a Rune Knight, ever. Also he's famous for his eccentricity. He was married and divorced six times, and, as far as I know, he wrote a series of adult novels while still in council's service." To Erza's relief, Natsu didn't mention that he knows so much about Jiraiya, in particular, because she is a big fan of his literary work…
"You're an awfully well informed, as usual…" Master shook his head. "Anyway, master Jiraiya was eager to show his new guild's capabilities. Besides, it was his agent who provided us with information about dark guilds activity, so ex-colonel promised to send her to assist."
"Wait, hold on a second…" Lucy mumbled, "We're dealing with just six people, right?"
"Wrong," Natsu replied. "If Oración Seis is up to something big then all of their minion guilds will be backing them up. If that's the case, we're going to deal with hundreds of dark mages…"
December 9, X784, about noon, Worth Woodsea.
"I hear it… The sounds of the light crumbling… to nothing…" Cobra whispered, looking down into some valley.
Several more people approached the cliff's edge where Cobra stood.
"Don't get ahead of yourself Cobra. Well, not that speed is a bad thing…"
"This is where the magic we're looking for is hidden, Racer," Cobra replied.
"The magic that will bring forth darkness and utterly eliminate the light…"
"Nirvana…"
"That legendary magic… is finally ours."
Five people were speaking while sixth one was asleep…
"Sure, we should be getting our hopes up so high? Is this Nirvana really all that?"
"Observe… The land itself is dying, simply for having Nirvana in its vicinity," One of men replied, pointing at the valley with his scepter. The forest was dark and seemed tainted, engulfed with dark mist.
December 11, X784, 11:10, south from the Worth Woodsea.
'The most powerful force among the dark guilds: The Balam Alliance. One corner of this alliance is the Dark Guild, Oración Seis. It has only six members, but apparently each one of them is incredibly strong. At the regular local guild masters' meeting it was decided that five guilds would band together to defeat the Oración Seis. But I still cannot understand…' Lucy's reasoning was interrupted with sudden realization as she cried in panic, "Why the heck am I included in this grand strategy, anyway?!"
"I think this is a pain as well, don't you start complaining," Gray replied gloomily.
"This is the Master's decision. Do we not have a duty to live up to his expectations?" Erza noted calmly.
"But what about Gajeel and Juvia? They'd be much better suited for a battle like this!" Lucy exclaimed.
"No way!" Mirajane retorted. "This team already has more than enough weirdos! Two more would be too much!" It was obvious who is the team's main weirdo in Mira's opinion. "For example, thanks to a certain someone, we all are walking on foot instead of riding a carriage!" Mirajane couldn't settle down.
But Erza retained completely calm demeanor, "My apologies," Silver-eyed dragon slayer replied as she slightly bowed to Mirajane, "I'm sorry that, due to my excessive seasickness, we were unable to use transportation."
As they heard that, both Mira and Gray froze like paralyzed. Instead of expected threat, in response to her provocation Mira got an apologizing speech, which sounded quite sincere.
"Oh, it's nothing, we… we understand, please don't bother yourself with that," Lucy assured Erza. As a high-bred girl, blonde just couldn't ignore her words and felt a need to apologize for Mirajane's rudeness.
Gray seemed at loss, as, from one side he couldn't say anything against his girlfriend, and from the other side he himself actually wanted to apologize for her childish behavior. Though, the most discouraged person was Mirajane herself – because of Erza's response now she seemed like an immature teenager.
"Well played," Natsu whispered as he slightly flicked his wife's earlobe, making her to smile.
"Anyway, we already have been through a lot in this composition..." Gray hastened to change subject.
"Surely that's a good thing… This is our first strategy meeting with the delegates from the other guilds," Sin nodded, boney creature was riding on Gray's shoulder.
"Interesting, who were sent as delegates from other guilds…?" Ice mage wondered.
"I suggest that we'll see soon enough," Erza replied as her dragon eyes saw Bob's mansion through the forest.
December 11, X784, 11:25, Master Bob's mansion.
"Tell me… why I want to smash this 'mansion' to pieces…" Natsu asked himself as he and his team entered the pink building, decorated with golden 'hearts'.
"I don't know about this place, either…" Lucy mumbled.
"It's a villa belonging to master Bob of blue Pegasus," Erza explained.
"Ah, that's why," Natsu 'remembered'.
Suddenly, lights in entire mansion dimmed as ray of bright light lit up the middle of the hall, highlighting three people. "Ladies and gentlemen of Fairy Tail…" All three were speaking in chorus, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. We are the delegation from Blue Pegasus… the Trimens." Ray of light faded, allowing team Fairy Tail ta take a closer look at the trio.
A slim young man of average height, with spiky, somewhat messy brownish blond hair framing his face came forward, "I'm Hibiki of the Hundred Nights!" He introduced himself.
A slim, rather short boy with blonde hair kept in a neat bowl cut made a step forward, "Greetings, I'm Eve of Holy Night!"
Quite gloomy young man with dark, spiky hair and tanned skin came forward, "I'm Ren of Silent Night," He said with quiet voice.
"Trimens of Blue Pegasus?!" Lucy squeaked in excitement, "How cool! And the one called Hibiki… He's always on the top lines of the 'I wish he were my boyfriend' ranking in the Weekly Sorcerer!"
"Stupid ranking…" Erza mumbled. She had two reasons to dislike that rating – first – because Natsu also was on its top lines and she felt herself uncomfortable with so many girls wishing him as a boyfriend. And second – Jellal also regularly was in that rating… However, to her relief, both were excluded from that ranking – Natsu because he wasn't free anymore and Jellal… well, because he died.
"Oh wow!" All Trimens dashed to Erza and Natsu.
"The Natsu Bloodfallen of Ten Wizard Saints!"
"And beautiful Titania! Here, live, you're even more gorgeous than on photos!"
"I saw the reportage from your wedding, it was unforgettably wonderful!"
"You two are gracing us with your presence!"
All three were speaking taking turns, standing around two slayers, giving them a headache. However, despite being womanizers, three young men also seemed to be gentlemen as they didn't try to flirt with married woman. But then… all three dashed to Mirajane.
"You are every bit as beautiful as the rumors says," Hibiki bowed before silver-haired girl.
"A pleasure to meet you, miss Mirajane," Eve welcomed she-devil, who seemed a bit stunned. And not only she – Lucy was looking at this scene with her mouth agape.
"Please, step this way," Ren asked Mira to follow him and before she knew it, she was sitting on big sofa, located under big 'heart' on the wall.
"Please, take this to wash your hands," Hibike offered a warm towel.
"Will you have your drink diluted?" Eve opened a bottle of white wine.
"Oh, thank you," Mira smiled playfully. "It's always a pleasure to meet young men who knows how to treat the girl…" Obviously, she wanted to make Gray jealous – a sort of payback for his inability to get rid of Juvia. And she succeeded…
"The fuck is up with these guys…" Gray growled, clenching his fists.
"Ahh! So cute…" Eve, in the meantime, seemed amazed, "…to tell the truth… I had always admired you… Your face is simply marvelous!"
"I'm well aware of that," Mira seemed disappointed with boy's lack of imagination to say something original, she's a top-rated pinup model, after all, and of course she heard that phrase countless times.
"What is going on here?!..." Seems Lucy lost it.
Suddenly, Ren appeared behind her. "You… Have a seat yourself. And hey… you're just too damn cute…" He added, gently wrapping his arm around Lucy's waist and pulling her towards the sofa.
"Ahhhh!" Lucy yelped.
"Is that Bob thinks that this is funny? Sending us these three idiots to fight against one of three top Dark Guilds?" Natsu asked indifferently, but his left eye was burning with blue flame, indicating that he's a bit… displeased with Trimen's behavior. Both Erza and Sin kept silence – they had no answer for this question as they also were a bit… puzzled, to put it mildly.
Ren offered Lucy to sit down near Mira, and filled a glass with white wine. However, when he moved the glass closer to blonde, his expression suddenly became gloomy, "It's not like I made it specially for you, or anything…"
"And now he's a tsundre?!" Lucy now lost it completely.
"Come… You must be tired from your long journey…" Hibike came out in front of two girls. "Let us spend this night of rest together…"
Two other guys joined him and all three said in chorus, kneeling, "Forever!"
"What the fuck was that?!" Even Mirajane was shocked with immense stupidity of that what just happened. She never saw so absurdly acting womanizers before, and she saw a lot.
"My friends…" Another voice sounded from upstairs, "…I think that is quite enough of this, yes?"
"Uh… what the?! What is this silky-sweet voice?!" Lucy was freaked out, trembling all over.
"It's Ichiya-sama!" Ren said with reverential whisper. [A/N: Name 'Ichiya' literally means 'One night', or 'Overnight']
"Ichiya?!" Erza snorted as she overheard Ren's words.
"You know him?" Sin wondered.
Erza nodded with gloomy face expression and said something quietly so only Natsu and Sin could hear her reply, as owner of the voice appeared on the stair. "It's been a while, my dear Erza…"
It was a short and rather stout man with a distinctively big face, a large flat nose which always seems to be shining, and prominent cheekbones. He has dark eyes and thick eyebrows. He was dressed into a white suit with elbow-long sleeves, with distinctive pants ending below his knees in dark hems, adorned by Blue Pegasus' symbol on its left shoulder.
"As if we don't have enough of clowns here already," Erza mumbled with facepalm. No, she wasn't trembling or something – after that what happened in her life during last few months this creep Ichiya seemed so puny… Besides, there's a man at her side, who has sworn to protect her dignity.
"I have longed to see you, my honey!" A man, seemingly named Ichiya, announced, heading downstairs. "Worry not, Ichiya is here for you!" He added, obviously addressing to Erza as he was looking straight at her.
"My honey?!" Lucy exclaimed in shock as Mira looked at her rival curiously, maybe there was some piquant story involving Erza?
Ichiya bowed to Titania, "Erza-san! As always, you're so gorgeous, so marvelous…"
"…and so married," Erza interrupted him, showing him her ring finger with a beautiful ring on it.
Ichiya froze on place as his jaw dropped, news about Erza's status was quite shocking for him, seemingly he wasn't a magazine subscriber, which was pretty strange. And Natsu wasn't making this easier as he demonstratively kissed his spouse's earlobe, making Erza to close her eyes and sigh with pleasure. However… "Clear all that away! We're here not to mess about!" He turned to his subordinates and ordered them to rid of wine and other stuff, acting as if nothing happened.
"Yes, aniki!" All three members of Trimens shouted, quickly taking away the sofa, table and wine bottles. [A/N 'Aniki' roughly translates as 'big brother' and counts as yakuza slang]
"Huh…? Weren't they calling him 'Ichiya-sama' a moment ago?" Lucy wondered.
"What a sorry bunch…" Mirajane snorted.
"I've heard everything about you people…" Ichiya announced, sparkling, pointing at Mira and Lucy, "Mirajane-san, Lucy-san, and others…"
"Wha…!?" Gray was freaked out when he was referred as 'other'.
"Hmm!" Short man suddenly waved his arm towards Lucy, "Ah, such a wonderful perfume!" He added, making weird gestures towards Lucy, freaking her out.
"I'm really creeped out now…" Lucy mumbled, trembling and sweating all over.
"No wonder he's acquainted with red-haired," Mira noted, looking at Ichiya with puzzled sight, "She's like a magnet for such morons. I still can't understand how she managed to seduce Natsu…"
"One day, that mouth of hers will cause a calamity…" Erza shook her head as she overheard Mirajane's words, though, she didn't seem angered, just disappointed. By the way, now Ichiya was acting as if Erza simply doesn't exist…
"Listen up, you crappy Blue Pegasus boy-toys!" Gray shouted, annoyed to the limit with these four fools, "Could I trouble you to keep those hands of yours off our lovely ladies here?"
All four looked at Gray with displease. "Oh, you men can just run off back home," Ichiya said with 'It was good to see you' expression on his face.
"It's been a pleasure!" All members of the Trimens bowed, sending their farewells.
"Are you Pegasus punks trying to make fun of us, sending over this bunch of queers?!" Gray shouted angrily, "Are you even men?!"
"Try us," Ren smiled darkly.
"We are powerful mages, you know," Eve stand beside Ren.
"Familiar smell…" Erza suddenly began to look around, sniffing the air.
"The men can just leave," Hibike, in the meantime, pointed at mansion's door.
"Oh, and what women should do then?" Quite gentle and calm, even somewhat apathetic, voice asked, sending shivers along Lucy's and Mira's spines as that voice belonged to a woman who crucified them…
"And only I thought that it couldn't get any worse…" Natsu sighed as Nelliel Tu Odel appeared on the stair behind him. She was dressed as usual – in a white suit with turquoise belt. The only difference in her appearance, comparing to the times when she was in Phantom Lord, was her guild crest. It was still on the backside of her neck, of hazel color, but now it looked like a stylized kanji 兆 (Omen). It was a guild crest of Aurore Présage. [A/N: From French it translates as 'Omen of Dawn']
"You?!" Mirajane shouted furiously, "YOU?!"
"Yes, me," Nelliel sighed tiredly as Mira tried to find proper words to express her feelings about Dreamwalker's appearance. "And probably it's time to do what I had to do a while ago…" She added as she knelt. "I'm very sorry for that what I've done to you… and to you as well," Nelliel looked at Lucy, who, by the way, was hiding behind Gray since Dreamwalker's appearance. "I was just carrying out master's orders, but it doesn't justify my own actions, so I'm sincerely asking for forgiveness…"
"Huh?!" Lucy yelped from unexpectedness.
"Um… amm… that…" Mirajane seemed very discouraged, she was sure that Nelliel was going to scoff at her and prepared to fight back. She-devil glanced at Gray… then at Natsu… Of course, simple 'I'm sorry' was far not enough to forgive someone who kidnapped and brutalized her, and then left her crucified for ten hours, in underwear, in the middle of a crowded town square. But… now was neither the time nor the place to remember old grudges, not in front of the outsiders, at least. "As they say – wars are never between soldiers…" Mira quoted Natsu as she regained her composure.
"Strong move…" Sin commented Nelliel's apologizes, and Erza nodded.
In the meantime, Trimens were charmed with beauty of a tall and buxom girl from Aurore Présage. "So cute!" They exclaimed in unison and dashed to Nelliel, "Wonderful!" However, when they approached, all three disappeared with the flash of emerald light. Seems Nelliel not only managed to slip into the mansion unnoticed (as two only persons here who could see her – Natsu and Erza – were distracted the by clownery made by Blue Pegasus delegates), she also made another Kioku no Ami [Trap of Memory]…
"You've done it with what purpose?" Natsu started to get tire from this mess.
"Sorry, couldn't resist…" Dreamwalker said a bit guilty. "Don't worry, it's just a pale copy of the trap that I've made to entrap you, it will last for one minute, maybe two…"
"It's not funny!" Erza exclaimed, "We're here to make an alliance, not to sho…"
"Erza-san!" Suddenly Ichiya appeared behind Erza, "Your perfume is too glorious, I can't just leave yo…"
"Fuck off! I'm married! Go fuck yourself, you fucking freak!" Titania yelled as she slammed her fist into Ichiya face, sending him flying towards mansion's door.
"MEEEHN!" Ichiya cried desperately, calling for help of his team, which, by the way, still haven't returned.
"She went and did it!" Lucy exclaimed in shock. Natsu and others also looked at Erza in surprise. None of them, even considering Mira's eight-year rivalry with Titania, never heard so much of dirty swearing in one sentence.
"Um... I'm sorry..." Seems Erza surprised even herself with to which extent she lost her composure.
In the meantime, someone else appeared on the mansion's doorstep, and caught flying Ichiya with his hand. "Interesting manner of greeting people you have here…" Newcomer said as ice quickly engulfed Ichiya's head and shoulders.
"Huh?!" Gray recognized the voice.
"You have some kind of problem with Lamia Scale?" Man asked, taking few steps inside the mansion, still holding Ichiya by his ice-covered head. As he came closer, man appeared to be another old acquaintance of Team Fairy Tail – Lyon Vastia.
"Lyon!?"
"Gray!?"
Ur's former pupils suddenly recognized one another, as both were a bit shocked to see each other here, on alliance's meeting.
At this moment, with flash of emerald light, the Trimens returned from Nelliel's trap.
"What happened?!" Eve asked anxiously.
"What was that?!" Ren seemed a bit shocked.
"Karen?! Hey, wait!" Hibike exclaimed desperately. Seems Nelliel used a 'classic' version of Kioku no Ame, masking trap's space-time with good memories. No doubt, Hibike saw memories about his, now dead, lover – Karen Lilica, probably in some weird situation as his memories were mixed with Eve's and Ren's.
"I see you have a party in full swing here," Lyon noted, as he brusquely threw Ichiya at Gray.
"Men…" Ichiya moaned as he flew toward Gray, "Men… Handsome men…" He moaned again as he fell on the floor, making Gray and Mirajane to leap aside to avoid a crash. Ichiya rolled head over heels and stopped at Trimens' feet.
"What do you think you all doing to our boss!?" Ren shouted angrily.
"All of this is just horrible!" Eve cried tearfully.
"Karen… What is going on here?!" Hibike still seemed confused and depressed.
"Who the hell are you?!" She-devil asked angrily, looking at Lyon.
"What are you playing at?!" Gray exclaimed.
"Well, you did it to me first, right?" Lyon replied with cold smile. "And I see you've brought even more girls this time…" Ice mage of Lumia Scale examined the girl with the same hair color as his own.
"Oh… But Lamia Scale also has beautiful girls…" A woman's voice said with some dramatic intonation. "Ningyōton: Jūtan Ningyō!" [Doll Shield: Carpet Doll] Suddenly, carpet beneath Mira's feet moved, making her to lose balance as she-devil fell and bumped her ass.
"How it could turn into such a mess…" Lucy cried tearfully.
"Ohoho… Don't try to pretend that you've forgotten me, now…" Sherry Blendy appeared near Lyon, "But please, forget who I was in the past," She pointed at Gray, "I have been reborn for the sake of love!" She said dramatically. But actually, most memorable thing about Shelly was that episode when she and her friends were brutalized by Natsu, after failed attempt to destroy Galuna village.
"Lyon…"
"Gray…"
Ur's former pupils looked at each other defiantly.
"Careful, boys, some dreams could be harmful…" Nelliel noted calmly, pointing at Trimens with her katana, Yume Hyakutō [Dream Slicer]. She ain't liked them for some reason.
"More… I need to smell more of that glorious perfume…" Ichiya again was moving closer to Erza.
"Stay away from my spouse or I'll cut you in half, I'm warning you," Even Natsu's almost endless patience ran out, he blocked Ichiya's way, raising his sword.
"I cannot love you…" Shelly made another dramatic note.
"Love?!" She-devil growled, "I'll give you what for! Satan Sō…"
"ENOUGH!" Someone bellowed with low voice. A tall and massive man with a heavily muscular figure, dressed in ancient Aztec-like clothes, appeared in the mansion's doorstep. "We're here to form an alliance and defeat the Oración Seis. This is no time to be fighting among ourselves!" The man's name was Jura Neekis, the ace of Lamia Scale guild. "Natsu-dono," Neekis addressed directly to fellow wizard saint, "As one of us, you should be an example for others…"
"I'm sorry, Jura-san, but my marriage vow has top priority," Natsu replied, lowering his sword. Seems Natsu not only recognized the man, but also remembered his name, which happens quite rarely.
"Jura?!" Erza also looked at tall man.
"Ah, Jura-san…" Lyon bowed a little, "You've arrived."
"This man is…"
"The ace of Lamia…"
"Gan Tetsu no Jura [Rock Iron Jura] …"
Trimens again were speaking by turn.
"Wow, another one from Ten Wizard Saints!" Mirajane too was surprised to see Jura here.
"Hey… wait a moment…" Lucy mumbled, trembling a little, "They gathered two Wizard Saints and a dozen of other mages to defeat a guild of six people… how powerful they are then?!"
"Breathe deeper Lucy," Sin said as he landed on her shoulder, "Guild masters just don't want to take an unnecessary risk."
"Four of the guilds are now assembled; all that remains is the delegation from Cait Shelter," Jura concluded as he looked at already gathered people.
"You say delegation, Jura-san…" Ichiya made a 'dandy-like' gesture, despite his nose was still bleeding after Erza's punch, "But from what I've heard, they are only sanding a single mage…"
"Also a single mage?" Nelliel wondered, "I thought that Cait Shelter was formed a while ago…" Her own guild was newly formed and she probably was the only mage, capable of doing such missions, yet. But what's with Cait Shelter?
"What's those assholes are playing at?!" Gray was angered about Cait Shelter's decision.
"W… wait… don't tell me it's going to be another stupidly powerful person!?" Lucy grabbed her head, probably expecting to see one more Wizard Saint. But as she said that, a young girl, about 13 years old, with remarkable dark-blue hair ran into the mansion's door. All those present turned towards door as they heard her steps.
Seemingly, girl was in great hurry, as she stumbled just when ran inside, and fell face down, "Ouch!" She yelped plaintively.
"Oww…" Hibike looked at a girl with compassion. Other people were puzzled and/or surprised to see such a young young girl here. Mira was looking at the girl with skepticism, Nelliel and Erza seemed a bit shocked. Natsu, on the other hand, looked at girl with some curiosity.
"Uh… um… I'm sorry…" Girl said with excusing tone, as she stood up, dusting off her dress, "I'm so late." She looked at those, who already have gathered here, with guilt, hiding hands behind her back, "I'm here from Cait Shelter. My name is Wendy. Pleased to be working with all of you!" She smiled uncertainly.
"A child!?" Lucy and Gray exclaimed in shock, in chorus.
"A girl?!" Lyon and Shelly were a bit shocked as well.
Girl was of average height (for her age), she had quite pretty face, big brown eyes and thick, long, dark-blue hair. She wore simple short blue/yellow dress and dark blue sandals. On her forearms and ankles she had some attachments, which were reminiscent of wings. Also she was so flat, from the front and from the back alike, that she could be used as an ironing board…
Natsu's right eye flashed with crimson light – he used his heavenly eyes to evaluate Wendy's soul. Then his left eye flashed with dark blue light – he evaluated her inborn attribute. 'Hmm… Now that's interesting…' He thought as Wendy appeared to be a person with single-element affinity. Whirlwind – a pure air attribute.
"It seems all the guilds are now assembled," Jura stated, looking around.
"Agree, all the representatives have arrived. Now that we all here, let's discuss our strategy," God slayer announced, ignoring others' shock about Wendy's age.
"Hey, hey, wait a minute!" Nelliel exclaimed, "Are you two seriously thinking about putting this child onto the battlefield?! Against Oración Seis?!" Among everyone here she possesses the strongest motherly instinct, and it requires to protect that kid.
"She's not a kid – her guild master considered her up to the task, so why should we not take her?" Natsu couldn't understand the nature of Nelliel's complain, "When I was of her age, I was doing just fine against other mages. And she's going with us, not alone."
"You possess the Kodai Mahō [Ancient Magic]!" Nelliel parried.
"She's also possesses Kodai Mahō," Natsu replied as if it was quite obvious, gaining attention from half of people that gathered here. "She's a Metsuryū Madōshi [Dragon Slayer]," Natsu clarified. He saw enough dragon slayers – Haru, Gajeel and Nelliel herself – to sort out common patterns in magic field surrounding them; Erza was different for a certain reason.
All attention quickly switched back to Wendy. "Is that right?" Lyon wondered, "You really are the dragon slayer?"
"Um… yes…" Girl replied. She looked a bit embarrassed, being a center of attention, "I've learned my magic from Grandeeney, the sky dragon…"
"Sky dragon…" Several people whispered almost simultaneously.
'SO, OLD HAG IS STILL ALIVE?' Erza heard Andromeda's voice in her head, 'DEAR ME, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?'
'Old hag?! Look who's talking!' Erza facepalmed.
Nelliel still seemed unconvinced. And she wasn't the only one. "An offensive endeavor of this scale, and they sent us a single child…?" Shelly mumbled with gloomy face, "What do Cait Shelter think they are playing at?"
"Oh? She's not alone, miss too-much-makeup," Another girlish voice said as someone else entered the mansion. To everyone's surprise – it was a cat, female cat, according to her voice and clothes. Cat was white with pink ears, she wore mustard yellow and pink top with a pink bow tie. Also she wore a pink skirt with this top and a pink bow near the end of her tail.
"A cat?" Gray asked in surprise.
"Looks like Haru's, but this one is a girl, I suppose…" Lyon commented.
"Too much makeup?! How cruel…" Shelly mumbled resentfully.
"How true…" Mira chuckled.
"You're really the one to talk!?" Shelly parried. Indeed, Mira's gothic makeup was even more complex than Shelly's.
"Carla?! You followed me here?!" Wendy seemingly was very surprised to see a cat, whose name apparently was Carla.
"But of course. I would be worry to no end if you were to go off alone," Cat replied, with somewhat arrogant expression.
"A cat!" Trimens announcing, as they struck their signature pose together.
"A bit slow, are we?" Sin facepalmed.
"There's just too many people here…" Nelliel mumbled to herself.
"Have to agree with you…" Natsu overheard her phrase. "But one extra dragon slayer definitely will come in handy, considering that we know very little about our enemies' disposition and plans…"
"Uh… Um… I… I can't actually fight at all, but…" Wendy murmured very nervously "…I know lots of support magic that should be useful to you all… So please don't leave me out completely!" She suddenly cried, puzzling people around.
"Honestly… it's that timidity of yours that makes people look down on you!" Carla scolded the crying girl.
Erza stepped forward. Natsu looked at her curiously – he wanted to see how mother of his future kids going to handle a teenager. "My apologies… We were little taken aback," Erza said with friendly smile, "But I'm sure nobody meant you any insult. We look forward to working with you, Wendy."
"W~wow! It's Erza-san! It's really her, Carla!" Wendy exclaimed with shining eyes, seems she was charmed with Titania's honest smile and serene silver eyes. And who wouldn't be?
"She's more agreeable than I had expected," Carla looked at Erza critically.
"Hello, young lady, my name is Sin," Lil boney creature flew closer to Wendy, creeping her out with his appearance. "And I can fulfill any wish of yours, in exchange for your soul!"
"Heeeek!" Wendy yelped, jerking back. Probably Sin tried to cheer up a girl with joke, but…
"Shut it, you moron!" Mirajane grabbed the skeletal creature and forcibly hid it behind her back. "Don't listen to him, it was just a stupid joke… I think…"
"She's going to grow up to be a real beauty," Ren noted, examining Wendy.
"She's cute enough right now," Eve expressed his opinion.
"Please, young lady, this way," Hibike tried to escort Wendy to sofa with round table, which again reappeared somehow.
"Leave her alone, you fools!" Nelliel intervened, intercepting Hibike's attempt to drag Wendy into a messy 'courtship'.
"Huh?!" Wendy was freaked out with what just happened.
"Who are these uncouth men?!" Carla asked indignantly.
Whilst Nelliel was dealing with Trimens, Ichiya was staring at Wendy. "This girl… this glorious perfume… she is something special."
"You have noticed it too, Ichiya-dono?" Jura asked, examining Wendy, "There's something different about her magic… It seems that Erza-dono and Natsu-dono have realized it too…"
"Yes. The clearest sign was when she herself told us about that, but there were other indications, of course," Natsu replied with explicit sarcasm, dropping his usual indifferent demeanor. "She possesses healing powers…" Wendy was looking at Nelliel, who was scolding Hibike and Ren, holding them by their throats, but when skymaiden noticed Natsu's sight, she smiled humbly.
"Hmm…" Natsu frowned, looking at Wendy's soul. It was honest and serene… actually it was much like a soul of the girl Natsu met a few years ago – a girl who managed to became Natsu's first friend among humans…
"Now, then… since everyone has finally arrived…" Ichiya stepped forward, making another 'dandy' gesture, "I shall proceed to the explanation of our strategy!" He came to the middle of the hall. "But first… I must visit the perfume of the lavatory!" Shorty suddenly announced and ran away, making everyone to facepalm, except for Trimens as they applaud to their 'boss'.
"Did you really need to mention 'perfume' there…?" Gray asked with a sweatdrop.
December 11, X784, 12:05, master Bob's mansion.
After some 'delay', Ichiya finally proceeded with explanation of the situation about Oración Seis. "North of our current location lies the Worth Woodsea. It is there that a mighty magic was sealed away in ancient times. Its name… Nirvana!" He declared, making dramatic gesture.
"Nirvana?" Lucy asked again.
"Never heard of it," Lyon said.
"Have you, Jura-san?" Shelly inquired.
"No… I know not the name…" Jura replied.
Erza looked at Natsu, of course he heard the legend about Nirvana, and he told it to Erza about a year ago, during one of their secret dates. However, when Natsu met Erza's gaze he slightly shook his head, meaning that she shouldn't say anything now.
Ren gave the others some explanations about Nirvana. In short – it was dare project, initiated by the ancient mages about 400 years ago. Their creation, however, appeared to be too dangerous, so they sealed it away to prevent anyone from abusing its power. At least it was all that Hibike managed to find in the archive.
"But we don't know exactly what kind of magic it was," Eve admitted.
"But since the Oración Seis have gathered in the Worth Woodsea, we should assume that Nirvana is their goal," Hibike explained.
Nelliel made a step forward, seemingly she wanted to explain what she managed to learn while she was scouting around – obviously she was that Jiraiya's agent who uncovered enemy's presence here in the first place. However, Natsu touched her shoulder, gaining her attention, and shook his head, meaning that she should wait. Dreamwalker looked at him questioningly, but Natsu only said "Let them explain to the end, first."
"In order to prevent Oración Seis from obtaining power of Nirvana…" Ichiya made another dramatic gesture "…we must defeat them now!"
"We have fourteen mages, whilst they have but six. But we would do well not to underestimate them. Each of those six mages are extremely powerful," Hibike activated his Komonjo [Archive] magic, summoning the portraits of six enemy mages, known as Oración Seis:
"Cobra, who uses Doku no Mahō [Poison Magic]," Hibike pointed at portrait of a young man with tanned skin and spiky, upward-styled, maroon-colored hair.
"Racer, whose name would appear to indicate that he uses some type of speed-related magic," Portrait showed a long-faced man with blond and black hair as blonde, central part of his hair being styled in a long, spiky mohawk.
"Hoteye of heavenly eyes, as he calls himself," A man with long hair, and face consisting of geometrical forms with sharp angles, appeared on the screen.
"Angel, a woman who is said to be able to see into your heart," Hibike pointed at portrait of a young woman with pale skin, short silvery hair, with bangs covering her forehead, and indigo-colored eyes.
"Information of this man is scarce, but we know his codename: Midnight," Image of a very lean young man with short spiky black hair on the top, and longer, straight white hair on the bottom appeared in the air.
"And finally, the control center of them all – Brain," Hibike showed a portrait of man with neat silver hair that reaches his shoulders, dark eyes and dark skin. Also, he had some markings on his face, in shape of straight black lines.
"Rumors say that each one of these mages has enough power to annihilate a guild singlehandedly," Eve informed.
"We must take full advantage of our numerical superiority," Ren declared.
"Er… erm… you probably shouldn't bother counting me at all…" Lucy mumbled with shaking voice.
"I'm no good at fighting either…" Wendy cried.
"Wendy! Will you stop being like that?!" Carla again scolded her friend.
"Worry not, our strategy isn't limited to simple combat," Ichiya announced, making another pointless gesture, "The important point is that we locate their base of operations!"
"Their base?" Lyon asked.
"We have yet to confirm it for certain, but we believe they have established a temporary base of operations in the woodlands," Ren explained.
"If at all possible, we want to get all six of them together at that base," Ichiya said, continuing to play the ape.
"How do we do that?" Gray wondered.
"There are lot of ways," Sin replied.
"What do we do once they are gathered there?" Mirajane inquired.
In reply, Hibike's arm shot upward, pointing to the sky, "Then we will use our guild's pride and joy – mighty Pegasus airship, Madō Bakugekitei [Magical Bomber], the Christina. We will destroy their base along with them!"
"A magical bomber?!" Shelly exclaimed.
"Ah yes… Not sure what to do – bring in the heavy weaponry. Always works," Sin shook his bone skull.
"You're braking out a bomber craft against humans?" Lucy asked with a sweatdrop.
"That is the nature of the enemy we're facing," Jura replied. "Now, take heed. If combat does ensure, nobody is to attempt to face an enemy alone. You must always do battle in groups of at least two!"
"Good point, Jura-san," Natsu said, stepping forward, coming closer to fellow Wizard Saint and Blue Pegasus delegation. "However, there's one more thing I want to point at, before we proceed…" And as everyone looked at the god slayer questioningly, Gladius Terminus glinted in the air. "Senmei Saikō: Shinyōbu!" [Sure-kill Shot: Mystic Dance] Channeling his magic into sword, Natsu cut Ichiya in half with swift, relentless swing. A deathly silence hung over the mansion's hall as everyone was shocked with Natsu's deed, but silence quickly was interrupted with Ichiya's scream, which sounded more like a banshee's wail as man's body didn't fall on the floor but instead turned into a golden dust and disappeared. Not a single drop of blood fell on floor, either.
"Ichiya-sama?!"
"What have you done to him?!"
"You're horrible man!"
Trimens were shocked more than others.
"Silence!" Erza shouted, she wanted to know what happened, without panicky screams, "Natsu, what was that?! What happened!?"
"That was a Seirei [Celestial Spirit]," Natsu replied simply.
"CELESTIAL SPIRIT?!" Almost everyone here asked as one.
"Wait… you're saying that Ichiya-sama was a celestial spirit?" Eve asked, still trembling.
"You're an idiot," Mira snorted in reply.
"Since when he was like that?!" Nelliel wondered.
"He was like that since he returned from the restroom," Natsu explained. "Probably the real fool was ambushed and replaced with that doppelganger. You and Erza probably could smell the difference if that moron would use less of cologne…"
"Why haven't you said anything earlier?!" Lyon asked, louder than needed.
"I wanted to know how much of information was leaked," Natsu replied. "It seems our plan has been completely compromised. You three!" Natsu pointed at Trimens, "Get to the restroom and bring that imbecile back, if he's alive I want to ask him what happened. And call off your bomber immediately, if enemy knows about it then it's just a huge flying target."
"Wait, but…" Hibike tried to say something but Natsu ignored him.
"Everyone else – we'll split up in three teams and search the building and its surroundings, the one responsible for this could still be nearby," God slayer commanded. "Remember with who we're dealing with. Lethal force authorized and encouraged…"
Lucy gulped as she heard that. She, by the way, was angry at Natsu because of a method he used to deal with celestial spirit, but got no chance to express her feelings anyway…
"You're enjoining it, aren't you?" Nelleil asked with narrowed eyes as she noticed Erza's face expression when she looked at Natsu giving orders left and right.
"Yeah, it's so arousing," Once again Erza's tongue appeared to be quicker than her mind as she shut her own mouth with hands a bit too late.
"How exactly your family relationships look like?!" Dreamwalker asked as she was slightly shocked with unexpectedly frank answer.
"You don't want to know it, believe me," Sin replied, landing on a stair's fence near Nelliel.
"Sin, get lost!" Erza growled.
"Erza, Sin, c'mon!" Natsu called for his wife and familiar. "And you too, jo-chan, you're with us, let's go, we're going to search in the west wing."
"Um… I… I'm Wendy…" Girl mumbled.
"Don't take it personally Wendy, he's really terrible with names," Sin explained, hovering above skymaiden. "By the way, about my proposition… It is not necessary to give me your own soul – if you're willing to sacrifice your best friend I still can fulfill your wish!"
"Heeeek!" Wendy yelped again.
"Sin, I'm warning you!" Erza growled at boney creature.
"Seriously, Wendy, stop being so naïve!" Carla scolded her again.
"Lyon, Shelly, come on, let's look on the second floor!" Gray called for his fellow pupil.
"Wait a minute!" Lyon protested, "Who's said that he's in charge here and we should carry out his orders?!"
"You have a better idea?!" Mirajane asked acidly. And since neither Lyon nor Shelly came up with better plan, they unwillingly joined Gray and she-devil, heading upstairs.
"Lucy-dono, Nelliel-dono, are you ready?" Jura asked two remaining girls.
"Y… yes, I think…" Lucy replied uncertainly.
"Oh, all right…" Nelliel replied reluctantly. As much as she didn't want to carry out Natsu's order – she knew that someone has to be in charge. "I'll hide myself and follow you," She said and disappeared with flash of green light. "Don't' worry, I'll be ready to provide immediate assistance in case of danger," Her voice added from nowhere, creeping Lucy out. Jura nodded and headed to the mansion's east wing.
Footnotes: There was almost no spells and no battles – nothing to translate… =)
Well, this is it people. I hope you like it. Sorry for little action, following chapters will compensate. See you in the next chapter – Victory is mine!