Ch. 10- March of Destruction

Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima

Story and OCs © Me

"How do we keep getting ourselves into these crazy situations?!" Lucy asked as she looked down to the forest, which was miles below them by now as she and the others found themselves stuck on one of Nirvana's legs.

"I stopped asking myself that question ages ago!" Haru answered.

"Well, here's a question!" Gray exclaimed. "How the hell do we stop this crazy thing?!"

"Uh... umm..." Haru muttered before she looked toward the city. "Oh! I think I got it! This thing is moving, right?"

"Yeah, so?" Lucy asked.

"Then that means that there must be someone piloting it!" Haru replied.

"So I guess that answers that!" Gray replied as he looked toward the city. "There's only one way to go, and that's up!"

"Right then!" Natsu exclaimed as he began to run. "I'm gonna punch this thing's lights out!"

"Natsu, wait for us!" Haru called as she, Lucy, Gray, and Blue Fang ran after him.

"By the way, Lucy," Gray began, "how come you and Natsu are wearing matching clothes?"

"This is HARDLY the time!" Lucy argued, but then, as Nirvana's leg began to move, Natsu froze and clung to the leg, his stomach starting to heave.

"You've gotta be kiddin' me!" Gray complained. "Come on, man!"

"Natsu, come on, bro!" Haru urged. "Keep it together!"

"You can't start getting sick, now!" Lucy added.

"Urrgh... I can't help it...!" Natsu groaned. "This thing's moving... from one place to another...!"

"It may be moving, but it's not a vehicle!" Gray shouted. "Don't think of it, that way!"

"Rrrgh... right!" Natsu exclaimed as he stood up and tried to keep moving forward, but he couldn't take so much as a single step without stopping and holding his stomach in agony. "Ugh... my tummy hurts...!"

"Oh, for the love of Mavis Vermillion!" Haru complained.

"I'm gonna hurl~!" Natsu whined.

"Just think of it like a giant octopus or something!" Lucy cried. "Being on the back of an animal doesn't bother you, right?!"

"An octopus in the woods is all kinds of wrong, Luce...!" Natsu pointed out.

"Don't sweat the weird details!" Lucy shouted, but then, as Nirvana moved one of its legs, once more, Natsu found himself sliding downward!

"Oh, crap!" Natsu cursed. "HELP!"

"I gotcha, bro!" Haru called as she attempted to catch her brother by the hand... only to barely miss him by just a mere centimeter. "AAH!"

"WHOOOOOOOOOOOAAA!" Natsu screamed as he plummeted toward the forest below, to Lucy, Gray, and Haru's shock... but then, a small blue blur suddenly flew in and caught the Fire Dragon Slayer by the back of his shirt, causing him to look up and gasp as he saw that it was Happy, just in the nick of time!

"Happy!" Lucy and Haru exclaimed while Gray sighed in relief.

"Thank, Mavis..." he muttered. "Err, I mean... I wasn't worried or anything!"

"Yeah, right," Haru grinned before she looked to the sky. "Natsu! Happy! We'll go on ahead to the top! Meet us there, okay?!"

"Got it!" Natsu called back. "Let's go, Happy!"

"Aye, sir!" Happy answered as he flew off with Natsu while the others hurried on, entering a passageway as they reached the base of Nirvana.

"Hey, Haru," Lucy spoke up. "I just realized something."

"What?" asked Haru.

"We could have just had Natsu ride on Blue Fang," Lucy answered, causing Haru's eyes to widen before she smacked her palm against her forehead.

"Why didn't I think of that sooner?" the Beast Wizard asked while Blue Fang groaned in exasperation.

"Hey, we can't change the past," Gray added. "Besides, Happy's gotten Natsu taken care of, so we just have to find our way to the top, right?"

"Right," Haru nodded as the group made its way through the passage... only to end up standing in the middle of Nirvana's empty streets with nothing but the eerie sound of the howling wind. Lucy shivered, hugging her arms around herself in an attempt to keep herself calm... though it wasn't much help.

"This place is a ghost town," she said.

"Where the hell are we?" Gray asked. "Is this place really a city?"

"It is indeed, Sir Gray... the City of Illusions, they once called it."

The Fairy Tail wizards turned to see Jura... as well as Hot Eye standing beside him!

"I am very pleased to see you all here, unharmed," said Jura.

"Mister Jura!" Haru exclaimed.

"Hey, hold it!" Gray cried as he pointed at Hot Eye. "What's HE doing here?! He's part of Oración Seis!"

"You can be at ease," Jura reassured. "Richard, here, is now on our side."

"It's a world of love, my friends!" Hot Eye, or rather Richard, exclaimed, speaking in the mannerisms of a certain Doll Wizard.

"Uh... why is he talking like Sherry?" asked Lucy.

"Did you use some kind of magic spell on him, old man?!" Gray asked.

"No! It's part of Nirvana's power!" Haru answered. "I was trying to explain, earlier, that Nirvana has the power to take darkness and light and reverse them! It can turn a good person evil and an evil person good and vice versa!"

"I guess that explains why this guy's acting good, now," said Lucy. "Oh, well... all the better for us, honestly."

"So... Richard, was it?" Haru asked as she approached him. "You know about this city?"

"Indeed!" Richard affirmed. "This is the city where the Nirvit Clan of the ancients once lived. There were wars all over the world, lo 4 centuries ago, and the Nirvit Clan, always a neutral party, grieved for the ailing world. Hence, they developed a magic to help restore balance. Hyper magic, so to speak, that would exchange darkness and light, and they called it Nirvana: The Land of Peace."

"Well, that's ironic, don't you think?" Gray asked. "Giving a name like Nirvana to a place like this when it's about to be used for evil."

"Yeah, I know," Lucy replied. "It would actually be really helpful magic if it weren't for the turning-people-evil part."

"I'm afraid there's no help for that," Jura said, grimly. "I'm certain that the ancients took this account, as well. Strong magics are bounds to have strong side effects."

"No matter what its past is," Richard began, "the fact remains that Nirvana is on the move, and therefore, we're in quite a conundrum! We must find a way to stop it without delay!"

"Well, we pretty much figured that out!" Gray exclaimed.

"That's right!" Lucy agreed.

"We're trying to make our way to the top of this place," Haru said. "I'm certain that's where Nirvana is being controlled, isn't it?"

"You may just be right, Lady Haru," Jura replied.

"I'm certain that Brain is piloting Nirvana as we speak," said Richard. "He's more than likely hiding at the King's Hall, controlling its movements... but at this point, he cannot use any other magic while doing so, which means this is our big chance to attack him!"

"So the only thing to do is get to the top, find him, and kick his ass, right?" Gray asked. "That's why we have to get to the top of this place."

"It could be," Richard began, "but there could be other places where Brain is hiding, as well, even if being in the King's Hall is the most likely place he is hiding. Truthfully, I can't really say."

"That's right. You can't."

The group tensed before they turned to see none other than Midnight, standing on the roof of one of the buildings!

"I'm the only one who knows what my Father is thinking," said the mysterious young man.

"Midnight?!" Richard questioned.

"Another one?!" asked Gray.

"It's that sleeping guy!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Hot Eye," said Midnight. "Don't tell me you plan on betraying Father."

"Silence!" Richard shouted while raising a fist in defiance. "I have only realized the error of Brain's ways, is all!"

"That kinda sounds like a betrayal to me, buddy," Haru pointed out with a sweatdrop.

"Father? In error?" Midnight asked as he jumped down to the ground... then slowly raised his head, revealing a darkened expression in his eyes. "Is that what you said, Hot Eye?"

"Okay, who's this creep talkin' about?" Gray asked.

"Is he... Brain's son?" Haru inquired.

"Father and son, in a Dark Guild?" asked Lucy, worriedly.

"One cannot switch someone's heart with magic," Richard stated. "However, weak hearts may be raised into strong ones."

"Hmph," Midnight scoffed as he raised his hand. "Such foolish words... will only get you killed!" With that, he swung his arm in a horizontal motion, and somehow, he cut through several buildings, destroying part of the city! Luckily, the heroes had fallen into a crater... although some were in awkward positions, such as Haru getting her head stuck underneath Blue Fang's backside.

"MMPH! MMHRRRRRMPH!" she let out a muffled scream before she pulled herself out from underneath the silver wolf's rump and spat out some fur that had gotten caught in her mouth. "Ugh... yuck...!"

"What the hell just happened?" Gray asked with Lucy on top of him. "It's like the ground just melted!"

"Richard just liquefied the ground below us and saved our lives," answered Jura... who was stuck with his rear in the air, causing Haru to gasp as she saw a rather unfortunate sight.

"...You know... I think I should have kept my head underneath Blue Fang's butt...!" the green-haired girl whimpered, and even Blue Fang seemed disgusted as he covered his eyes with a paw.

"Hurry, now!" Richard called. "Get to King's Hall as fast as you can!"

"But what about you?!" asked Haru.

"Worry not for me!" Richard answered. "All of Oración Seis are of equal power! I shall deal with Midnight, myself! NOW GO!"

With that, the others quickly climbed out of the crater and ran as fast as they could. As they did, Haru took a moment to glance back at Richard, who faced Midnight alone, causing her to bite her lip in worry.

"Worry not for him, Lady Haru," said Jura.

"I can't help it," Haru replied. "Even though he was a bad guy and he's kinda weird... he's still trying to help us! Doesn't that make him a friend?"

"Look, he said he's got this, okay, Haru?" Gray asked. "Besides, we got bigger fish to fry! We gotta find our way to the King's Hall and stop that Brain guy!"

Haru thinned her lips before she sighed in resignation. As much as she didn't like the idea of leaving anyone behind, she knew that Gray was right. Time was of the essence and they had to stop Brain from carrying out his plan.

As the team ran through the city, Blue Fang suddenly stopped in his tracks and yowled in pain before he covered his ears, causing the others to look back at him in worry.

"Blue Fang, what's wrong?!" Haru asked... and that's when she finally heard it: a monstrous roar, thundering so loudly that it practically shook all of Nirvana!

"What the hell is that noise?!" asked Gray.

"It sounds like a monster!" Lucy cried as she covered her ears... but Haru, on the other hand, stared toward the sky as if knowingly.

"...It's not a monster," she said. "It's a dragon."

XXX

"AAAAAAARRGH!" Cobra screamed as he covered his ears to block out the unearthly screaming. "STOP IT! YOU'RE HURTING MY EARS!"

In his grasp... Natsu's mouth was gaping open as the roar bellowed from the depths of his being.

XXX

As quickly as it started... the roar stopped, causing Lucy, Gray, Haru, Blue Fang, and Jura to uncover their ears.

"Such a strange sound," Jura mused.

"Where did it come from?" asked Lucy as she looked around.

"No clue," Gray replied.

"...Natsu..." Haru replied. "Natsu made the sound... I'm sure of it!"

"Natsu?" asked Lucy. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive," Haru replied... and that's when she spotted something in the distance: her brother falling toward the ground! "NATSU!"

"Oh, man, what did that idiot get himself into, this time?!" Gray questioned, and before anyone could stop her, Haru had jumped onto Blue Fang's back and rode off to find her brother.

"Haru, wait!" Lucy called before she, Gray, and Jura ran after her. Blue Fang panted as he ran through Nirvana's empty streets while Haru looked around, calling out for Natsu in the hopes that he'd answer. After running for a while, it didn't them very long to find the Salamander... except there was just one problem: he was now caught in Brain's clutches.

"Natsu!" Haru cried.

"Oh, no!" Lucy exclaimed. "What happened?!"

"Urrgh... it's because this thing is moving..."

The group turned to see Happy weakly crawling toward them.

"Happy?!" Haru asked, worriedly. "What happened to you?!"

"I see that Sir Cat has survived, as well," Jura noted.

"Uh... 'Sir Cat'?" Gray repeated in bewilderment.

"Guys... you have to help Natsu...!" Happy pleaded. "That guy... he's trying to take him away...!"

"What?!" Haru questioned.

"The Six Demons have all dropped in number," Brain stated. "They have all fallen... therefore, I claim this young man in order to rebuild a new Oración Seis."

"You've gotta be kidding!" Haru shouted.

"Man, I didn't think it would actually happen, but it did!" Gray exclaimed. "Natsu's finally been scouted out by a Dark Guild!"

"There's no way that Natsu will ever do what you want!" Lucy yelled.

"Yeah, so let my brother go!" Haru cried.

"Oh, on the contrary," said Brain. "Once I use Nirvana to send his heart into the darkness, he will be my new right hand-"

Before he could continue, Natsu suddenly leapt up and bit his arm, causing him to glare at him.

"Never... gonna... happen...!" the Fire Dragon Slayer growled with his teeth.

"So, even though you were hit by Cobra's poison, you still have the strength to defy me?!" Brain asked before he threw Natsu to the ground.

"Natsu!" Haru cried. "Are you okay?!"

"Uggh..." Natsu only groaned in response.

"He seems rather unwell," Jura noticed.

"The guy gets really bad motion sickness when he's on a moving vehicle," Gray replied. "It's ridiculous!"

"Guys, please... stop this thing...!" Natsu begged before he gagged.

"Hang on, bro! I'll save you!" Haru called as she ran to grab him, only to yelp as narrowly dodged what appeared to be a gunshot, and as she looked up, she saw Brain holding his staff, the end of which was smoking as he held it like a rifle.

"Stop Nirvana, eh?" Brain asked. "I think not... this city will soon be arriving at its first goal: Cait Shelter!"

"Cait Shelter?!" Lucy and Gray repeated in shock.

"That's... that's Wendy's guild!" Haru exclaimed.

"But... why?" Happy asked... but Brain did not answer. He only gave the group a smug grin, causing Jura to glare at him.

"State your intention, fiend!" he demanded. "Why are seeking to destroy Lady Wendy's guild?!"

"Hyper Reversal Magic takes a Guild of Light and can throw it into the darkness in but a split second!" Brain answered. "Therefore, I look forward to seeing Hell on earth."

"The bastard..." Gray hissed.

"We're not gonna let you get away with this!" Lucy shouted.

"That does not answer my question," said Jura as he stepped forward, his chest pressing up against Gray's back, causing the Ice-Make Wizard to tense. "State your intention!"

Gray glanced back at Jura, his body beginning to tremble uncontrollably as his eyes widened.

"Gray?" Haru asked. "What's the matter?"

"...This guy...!" Gray whispered as he looked up at Jura. "He... he's no joke...!"

"What?" Haru asked, more confused than before. "What do you mean?"

"Do you think I have time to waste words on such pitiful maggots like you?!" Brain asked. "I am the Judge of Darkness and Light! Soon, you will kneel before me! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"...This man... he irks me," Jura said. "He can't even so much as give a straight answer."

"Heh!" Brain smirked. "Begone... worms."

That did it. Without a word of warning, Jura raised his hand, and all of a sudden, Brain was grabbed in a ring of solid rock and thrown into a wall, to everyone's shock!

"...Sweet Mavis alive...!" Haru whispered in awe, and even Blue Fang's jaw was gaping in disbelief.

Brain groaned as he sat up, gasping for breath as blood dripped from his temple before he looked up at Jura, who glowered down at him in anger as he took a fighting stance.

"Such... such powerful magic...!" he whispered.

"Unless you're a coward, stand and fight!" Jura exclaimed. "I won't let you rest until you tell me your reasons for attacking Cait Shelter!"

"...Whoa...!" Gray whispered in disbelief. "I thought he was strong, but now...!"

"So this is the power of one of the Ten Wizard Saints!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Unreal..." Haru muttered before she glanced over at Natsu and Happy, then gasped as she realized that they were caught right in the middle of the battle. "Oh, no! Bro!"

With that, the Beast Wizard ran toward her ailing brother and began to help him up to his feet, but he was very wobbly and nauseous... not to mention his skin looked a bit pale.

"Natsu, are you okay?" Haru asked.

"Ugh... I can't... move..." Natsu groaned. "The poison..."

"What?!" Haru questioned. "What poison?!"

"That Cobra guy," Happy answered. "He was a Poison Dragon Slayer... he hit me and Natsu really hard with Poison Magic...!"

"A Dragon Slayer?" Haru repeated. "Another one?!"

At that moment, Lucy ran in and grabbed Happy before she turned and ran back to Gray.

"Haru, let's go!" the Celestial Spirit Wizard urged. "We'll only be in Jura's way here!"

As soon as she said this, she yelped as she ducked as Brain was sent flying through the air by another one of Jura's spells, causing Haru to gasp as she hurried over to Blue Fang and gently draped Natsu onto the wolf's back, then climbed on, herself.

"Let's get outta here!" Gray called before the group ran to avoid getting caught in the fray. As they did, Gray glanced back at Jura as he continued to fight with Brain... although with the way Brain was getting pummeled so easily, it almost looked one-sided.

'No wonder Lyon respects that guy...!' thought Gray as they ran.

Review, please!