Chapter 154

The Horrifying Truth

After leaving the location as well as Amina behind, our group was our way to the rendevous point. No one hadn't said a single word ever since our confrontation with Amina. I, myself, couldn't stop thinking about what she said. No thanks to her, Mira and the others were now more suspicious about me than before, which made worry whether or not they were going to question me. If that happened, they'd most likely force me to tell them I've been up to, and I couldn't bear to, especially about Finn.

There was absolutely no way I could ever tell them about what happened to him. If I did, there was no way they would forgive me, and would most likely despise me along with the rest of the guild. However, at the same time, I couldn't keep them from the truth forever. Sooner or later, they would find out, and if things weren't tense enough with the Infinity Clock business, things would get worse.

The journey back to the ruins was a bit long. We had to go through a scorching hot desert, and some ruins that were under the sand, but we soon came to managed to make it to the lower levels. When we arrived, we found ourselves in a large and spacious room, which looked more like a city of catacombs. Aside from being abandoned, there were several thousand candles that scattered the entire place that kept it lit, and there were also lots of skeletons that littered the site here and there. As we wandered around

, I couldn't help but wonder what a city like this would be doing in a place like this.

"Man, this place sure feels creepy," said Elfman. "My man senses are tingling."

"Yeah. I wonder what something like this would be doing down here," said Lisanna. "And I wonder how anyone could live down here."

"From what I heard about this place, the monks, like, not only guarded this place, but also spent their entire lives down here," explained Mary. "They didn't even step outside once according to what I heard about in legends."

"Well, that seems kind of boring," said Elfman. "Who would want to spend their lives living in a stuffy place like this?"

I didn't say a word as we kept on walking, and neither did Mira. I wanted to at least talk to her, but I didn't know what to say to her.

Then, as we ventured further, we saw a few familiar faces just up ahead of us. Sitting near one of the tombs was two of our groups, one of them being Natsu's group and the other being Erza's. When we came up to them, I couldn't help but notice two strange objects behind both of their groups. Behind Erza's group, there was a large black and gold structure that was in the shape of a desk's legs. Next to Natsu's group was an object that was a gold circle of metal surrounded by two larger metal circles, one being red and horizontal, and the other being silver as well as vertical.

"Oh, look! It's Willy and his group!" said Wendy when she heard us coming. "And it looks like they found a clock piece, too."

"Way to go, you guys," said Lucy. "That makes three clock pieces so far."

"Only three more to go, and we'll have them all," smiled Coco. "The others should be showing up any minute."

"All right! Mission's almost accomplished!" cheered Natsu.

Our group then came over to the others and put the clock piece with the others and waited for the others to return. As the others talked, I sat on a rock away from the group, trying not to think about our confrontation with Amina. But the more I tried not to think about it, the more it seemed to pop back into my head. Not to mention, that Mira still was wearing that same grim expression on her face, which made things all the more troublesome.

Eventually, the other groups began showing up one after the other having their clock pieces as well. However, those groups ended up with a few additional members of their parties.

Firstly, during their search for the clock's face, Team Shadow Gear's group somehow ran into Gajeel, who was MIA since the showdown with Laxus. Supposedly, he was doing some training to increase his tolerance for water and lightning. However, thanks to them finding him, they were able to get the piece without much difficulty.

As for Gray's group, they ran into a young wizard named Lyon, who was supposedly Gray's childhood rival and an Ice Mage just like him. I didn't know the details about their relationship, but Gray was so exasperated, he looked like he was going to keel over from the stress. Sugarboy and Juvia were fighting over who wanted and loved Gray more, and then Lyon just showed up from out of nowhere and made things more awkward. But they too were able to get the job done and were able to find the Infinity Clock's engine.

All of the clock pieces, save for the clock's hand, had now all been collected.

"So, what happens now?" I asked. "Are we waiting for Byro or something?"

"Yes. According to Coco, Byro's going to be meeting up with us in a little bit with the clock hand," said Lucy. "After that, he's going to take the clock pieces back to Zentopia to be sealed away. He should be here in a bit."

"Well, that's good," I sighed. "Hopefully, we can hurry up and get this over and done with."

"Is something the matter, Willy?" asked Wendy. "You look like something's troubling you."

"It's nothing," I replied, shaking my head. "Just want to get this wrapped up and call it a day is all."

It wasn't too long before Byro arrived with Lucy's keepsake in hand. When he saw that we had the clock pieces with us, he was surprised.

"I don't believe it," Byro murmured. "You've all managed to gather all of the pieces."

"Of course we did," Natsu grinned. "Was there any doubt?"

"No, I suppose there wasn't," said Byro. "I'm just amazed that you and the rest of your guild were able to accomplish such a feat is all. I'm impressed as well as surprised."

"Well, we can't take all the credit," smiled Erza. "We all pitched in, and we've also prevented the enemy from taking them as well."

"Aw, yeah! Score one for Fairy Tail and the Legion Platoon!" cheered Romeo.

"Aye, Sir!" chimed in Happy.

Then, suddenly, the clock piece in Byro's hand began to glow in bright light, a string of yellow symbols spreading all over it. All of the other clock pieces had the same reaction, each one shining while having a ring of yellow runes. Not only that, but I sensed an ominous and strong magic aura emanating from them as well.

"What's going on?!" exclaimed Lucy.

"All of the clock pieces are resonating!" gasped Erza.

As they continued to glow, the clock piece that Byro was holding, suddenly floated free from his hand and flew up the air as did the others. The clock pieces began to glow even bright as they started to fly in a circle.

"What's going on here? Something tells me this isn't a good thing!"

The six pieces then came together, meeting in the middle, creating a bright burst of blinding light. Amid the glow, a loud and powerful gong sound was heard from it, which was so loud that I almost had to cover my ears. It was also so loud, that the tomb began to tremble and shake, causing some rocks to fall. Then, the light dimmed down, and from it, I could no longer see the pieces. In their place was a strange-looking clock that released an even more powerful and evil magic power than before. That was when I knew that this new object before my eyes was the Infinity Clock, completed and most likely fully operational.

"Oh, man! That's freaking loud!" Natsu cried, holding his ears. "It's making my ears bleed!"

"That's some alarm clock!" agreed Happy.

"Never mind that! The tomb is starting to collapse!" Erza shouted. "At this rate, the whole place could come down!"

"Yeah, this isn't the time to be spacing out!" Gray shouted. "Let's am-scray!"

I tore my eyes away from the clock and began rushing toward the others, when Natsu suddenly became tense as he looked up, wearing a look that told he sensed danger yet was also a glare ready to fight. "Hey, guys! Keep your guard up! We've got trouble!"

I looked up to where Natsu was looking at, and just below the Infinity Clock, amidst a cloud of dust, seven people came into view. Among them was a face that made me gasp.

He was a man that looked a bit older than he did before, now having long hair as well as a different outfit. However, I could never forget those cold red eyes nor the time that he threatened to come for me when he got out.

And he wasn't alone. Joining him were the other members, four of which I didn't recognize off the top of my head, but for some reason, I remembered vaguely. Those members were a young man with blonde hair wearing a black jumpsuit with red lines, a young woman with long sky-blue hair in a blue and white frilly dress, a man tan skin that wore a red jacket with gray trims with a blue cuffed cloak on top along with having a scarred eye. The only other member that I didn't know was a large mechanical bear-like creature that wore a creepy smile.

The ones that I recognized were a fair-skinned man that was taller than all the other members, having long thick orange hair with a pointed mustache, and the other being a dark-skinned man who looked the same from when I saw him before, except for a small goatee on his chin.

At this point, my eyes were wide as saucers, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.

"It can't be!" Lucy gasped. "It's the Oración Seis!"

"Oh, crap. I never wanted to see those guys again, and yet here they are," scowled Gray. "They sure look different, though."

"And it appears that they have a couple of new members," said Erza grimly.

The mechanical bear then laughed as it pulled its lever on its side, and in the middle of its chest, three symbols matching appeared. "You've indeed met these people before, but things have changed. Allow me to present to you, The Neo Oración Seis!"

"The Neo Oración Seis?" everyone repeated.

"Don't seem so surprised," Midnight spoke as he played with his braid. "However, it has been seven years since we've last seen each other."

"I remember you!" Natsu barked, pointing. "You're Midnight!"

"So you do remember me, Natsu the Salamander," Midnight spoke. "I'm very flattered."

"Wish I could say the feeling's mutual!" Natsu growled. "Mind telling us what you and your friends are doing here?! I know you guys are up to something!"

"Surely, you can assume what our goals are already," Brain spoke. "We're here not only to destroy whatever has form in this world, but also to destroy Fairy Tail as means for our revenge, and it starts with this."

Each one of the Seis then raised their hands, and the Infinity Clock began to glow green as it yet out a loud gong again. Only this time, multiple symbols of the dark guild appeared all over on the pieces.

"Check it out! The Infinity Clock's got the Oracion Seis' mark on it!" said Lisanna.

"How right you are," said Brain. "The Infinity Clock becomes the property of the wizard whose seal it bears. Naturally, since it bears our guild's symbol, it belongs to us now."

"That's not fair!" Lucy yelled angrily. "You can't just show up from out of nowhere and steal it for yourself!"

"I can hear it," the man with one eye spoke with a sneer. "Your voice is filled with growing anger and confusion."

The blonde man in the jumpsuit sniggered. "Ain't that funny?"

"Due to the spell placed on the clock pieces, Dark Wizards like us couldn't even touch it," said the woman with white hair. "Therefore, we had to allow you to assemble it for us."

"So, we were being used?" Lucy murmured in disbelief. "If that's the case, then what about my dad? Why would he do something like this?"

"There's no need to be so sad," the man with one eye mocked. "You should be honored. It's not every day that you get to dance in the palms in our hands."

"Shut your yap!" Natsu roared, as he unleashed a powerful Fire Dragon Roar from his mouth.

But then, just as his attack was about to connect, it suddenly dissipated, vanishing into the air, much to the fire dragon slayer's surprise.

"What happened?!" exclaimed Gray. "Something diffused Natsu's fire attack!"

"No. More like dispelled," said Mira. "That was Nullification Magic! But who could have done that?"

I then glanced back behind me to see any suspects. Then, I saw who had done it. The person had his hand raised that while it glowed in a slight purple color. Then, the person in question lowered his hand as he walked forward and turned around facing us.

That, someone, was Byro.

"Byro, what are you doing?" Lucy asked incredulously.

Byro gazed towards us coldly and then pointed his staff at us. "I thank you for assisting us thus far, Fairy Tail, but I'm afraid your services are no longer required."

"What are you talking about?" Erza demanded.

At that moment, the other members of the Legion Platoon came out from the crowd and stood with Byro facing us, all of them wearing emotionless expressions on their faces.

The mechanical bear then cackled. "Since we've gotten this far, you might as well know," it cackled. "The Legion Platoon has been working with us this whole time."

"Say what?! You're full of crap!" Natsu roared angrily. "There's no way that they would ever work for you!"

"I'm afraid that Jackpot speaks the truth," Byro spoke. "We have our reasons, but everything Midnight has said is the truth, and that's a fact."

"I should have guessed!" I spoke, scowling. "So that's why he was acting so discreetly. He must have been talking to one of the Seis through telepathy the other day!"

"Come on! It's a joke, right?" Lucy spoke, her voice filled with disbelief. "Coco, please tell me that they're lying!"

Unfortunately for Lucy, Coco looked away, not saying a word.

"And they're not the only allies we've gained throughout our seven-year reprieve," said Midnight. "There's someone who's dying to see you for himself." He glanced over at me. "Especially you, Willy Falconer."

At that moment, someone else walked up alongside them. The moment this person walked up, my eyes went wide, and my heart practically skipping a few beats. My pulse began to quicken with hate as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up on end."

The man wore a long white lab coat, and his beard had grown a bit longer than from when I last saw him, and his black hair had even more gray in it. But the most distinctive trait I knew anywhere, were those damned glasses of his. Those same glasses that I've seen over and over again. I could never forget them.

The man surveyed the people present. "So at last we meet Fairy Tail," he said. "I've been looking forward to seeing you for quite some time," he looked straight at me. "Especially, you, my adorable subject."

"Willy, do you know this man?" asked Michelle. "And why is he calling you his subject?"

I couldn't speak, nor could I move as my body continued to tremble, my hands digging into my palms.

"Who the hell are you?!" demanded Natsu.

"You don't recognize me, Salamander?" asked the man. "Granted, it has been quite a few years since you've seen me, but at the same time, you always were someone shy of brains."

"What was that?!" Natsu growled.

"You've all grown so much over the past few years," the man continued. "But the one I'm most impressed with is my dear subject. Thank you so much for taking such good care of him, just what I would expect from a guild like Fairy Tail."

Erza then gasped. "Wait a minute! I know you! You're that doctor from back when!"

The man then smirked. "So, even the great Titania recognizes me," he chuckled. "My, my. And here I was expecting you forgotten all about me. Well, since I'm here anyway, allow me to introduce myself. I'm serving as the scientist of the Oracion Seis, my associates call me a lot of names, but you can call me, Silver Beard."

At that moment, memories of my childhood came flooding into my mind, memories of that bastard's face smirking as he laughed while he experimented on me. It was him, alright—no doubt about it. After all that time searching for him, the man I've sworn revenge on was now right here before me.

"You see, Fairy Tail, you're not the only ones who are capable of making powerful allies," said Midnight. "And like how you've defeated us before, you will fall at the hands of our little alliance, or as you call, the power of friendship?"

"And what would you know about that?" I snapped, finally speaking up. "All you know how to do is use people for your benefit!" I looked across to Silver Beard, my eyes glaring straight at him. "As for you, I don't know your intentions of being here, but I will stop you and the Oracion Seis!"

Silver Beard smirked. "As defiant and stubborn as ever I see," he chortled. "How adorable."

"You shut your mouth! I have nothing more to say to a monster who gets off on using and hurting people!" I snarled. "And once I'm done, I'm going to make especially sure that you pay for what you've done, no matter what it takes! That's a damn promise I intend to keep!"

There was a brief silence then a fit of laughter full of scorn erupted from Silver Beard's mouth, which made me even angrier.

"What's so funny?!" I demanded.

"I just find it amusing," smirked Silver Beard. "You sure you should be making threats like that? After all, you wouldn't want your friends to think that you're a villain do you, even though you've done your fair share of crimes already."

"Oh, give me a break!" Lucy snapped. "We all know that you're just saying that to get under our skin and Willy's, so shut up!"

"Yeah! Willy hasn't done anything wrong!" added Wendy. "And he would never do anything to hurt anyone or his friends!"

"How cute. The Sky Maiden has so much faith in the boy along with the rest of these worms," said Midnight. "Then answer me this, if you truly believe that Willy Falconer is your ally, then that means that he trusts you with all of his deepest, darkest secrets, correct?"

I couldn't help but flinch from surprise.

Silver Beard then looked towards the Strauss siblings. "You three, you're the Strauss siblings Mirajane, Elfman, and Lisanna, correct?" he wondered. "Tell me, how's Finn doing these days? He was like a father to you back when you were children if I recall correctly."

Now, my eyes were wide with horror as a deep sinking feeling entered into my stomach—the same feeling I had back in the Magic Council.

"No way... It's not possible. How could he know?!"

"What are you talking about?!" demanded Elfman.

"H-How do you know that?!" Lisanna asked. "That's none of your business!"

"Yeah, stop talking bull!" Natsu barked. "Otherwise, I'm going to shut that mouth of yours for you!"

"Come now, must you always resort to violence?" Silver Beard mocked. "I'd hate to be responsible for the death of a loved one. Wouldn't you agree, my subject?"

The sinking feeling in my stomach grew tenfold as I squeezed my hands tighter, almost drawing blood. "You shut your mouth!" I snapped. "It's got nothing to do with you or the others!"

"And what about your faithful friends?" asked Silver Beard. "I'd say that it has everything to do with them."

Everyone was now looking towards me as my heart began to pound.

"Willy, what is he talking about?" asked Mira.

"Well, what do you know. It would seem that Willy hasn't told them yet," Midnight smirked with sadism. "For shame, Willy. I would have thought that since you trust your friends so much, you'd have told them about what happened to your beloved Finn. Well, here's your chance. Why don't you tell them what happened as a good friend should about the death of your precious father?"

Everyone looked at Midnight in shock, gasping while I bit the inside of my cheek.

"What? Finn - is dead?" murmured Lisanna in disbelief. "That can't be true!"

"You're lying!" Elfman shouted. "You're just making it up! You'll say anything just to get under our skins, even lie!"

"Oh, no? Then let me ask you a question," said Silver Beard. "How long has it been since any of you have ever contacted him? When was the last time you've heard about your precious father?"

None of the Strauss siblings responded.

"And what about you, Willy Falconer?" Midnight chimed in. "You of all people loved and cared about him more than anymore, and yet you've never told a soul about his fate. From what I've heard, you've been going out alone searching for the alleged killer, even though you already know the person responsible for his death. So why don't you go on and tell them who was responsible for Finn's death, or would you rather have us tell them for you?"

Everyone then looked back towards me, expecting an answer. This moment was the very thing I was dreading for so long, and I wished I didn't have to, but I had to come clean.

I swallowed a lump in my throat and took a breath before uttering two words.

"I am."

Everyone in Fairy Tail seemed to stiffen with shock as they stared at me with wide eyes, horrified and stupified. There was a long silence, then Mira spoke up, her voice quivering.

"Please tell me you're lying, Willy. It's not true, is it? Please tell me it isn't"

I looked across to Mira and saw the horror and disbelief on her face, and could hear the cracking in her voice. I then looked down towards the ground in shame while turning away.

"I'm sorry, but it's true," I resigned.

"Now, do you see? He even went as far as to admit," Midnight spoke. "He's not only a traitor, but he's also a murderer."

"No! You don't understand! I-" I began to speak.

"Your father desperately went out to search for you as well as Fairy Tail, and foolishly met his doom and was killed as a result," interrupted Silver Beard. "Not only that, but we also know about your wanted poster that attracted the attention of countless dark wizards wanting to reap the rewards, including the Black Panther guild. Because of that, you were responsible for the death of Don Ghira, the guild master, of whom you murdered in cold blood. You also were the one who killed a woman known as Éclair, a woman who was also a close friend to you, isn't that right? And you were also responsible for hurting your dear friend, Lisanna, back on Tenrou Island. Though you may not remember it because you were in hysteria at the time, however, I'm sure that Lisanna does, isn't that right, my dear?"

My eyes went wide with shock as he looked across to Lisanna as did everyone else. As soon as I made eye contact with her, she clutched her side, chewing her lip in vexation while looking away. Now that I thought about it, Lisanna had been acting strangely around me when I healed her back then, not to mention that bruise seemed odd when I healed it with a spell.

"For someone who claims to be a trusted ally to a guild like Fairy Tail, you not only don't even tell your friends anything, but you also have caused dozens of people to suffer because of your selfishness," Midnight said. "It would seem that Traitor of the Barlam Alliance isn't fully suited for you now. More like the Traitor to all."

I ground my teeth in my mouth as I felt adrenaline and rage start to reach a breaking point as veins pumped with adrenaline. "Stop it..."

"Everything leading up to this point is because of you! If you hadn't betrayed the Oracion Seis seven years ago, all those deaths never would have happened," Silver Beard continued. "You wouldn't have had to make your precious friends suffer, and, you've never would have gone as far as to lie and hurt them. You can call us evil and monsters all you want, but at the end of the day, as the people of Zentopia would put it, you're a vile sinner!"

"Shut up!" I spoke, my voice growing louder as my magic power began to bubble from the depths of my body, causing my body to radiate with its glow, my rage and hate ready to blow.

"You cause nothing but pain and suffering, and you destroy the lives of everyone around you!" Silver Beard went on. "So the next time someone dies, or when you mourn the loss of your loved ones, remember that it all started with you, and you've got no one else to blame but yourself! "

"I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP! ! ! ! !" I bellowed at the top of my lungs as my magic power exploded throughout my body.

Without giving it a second thought, I shot straight towards Silver Beard, intent on putting his head on a spike. As I brought my fist back, making it explode with my magic, I swung with all I had at him, my fist connecting with a powerful explosion. But as the smoke cleared, I was shocked to see that something obstructed my way, shielding him from the attack.

It was Midnight who had one of his hands raised, while a large reflective and circular barrier that looked like a mirror hovered in front of him.

Before I had a chance to back off, the mirror suddenly began to glow. Then it unleashed a powerful magic attack of water straight at me, blowing me back until I crashed into one of the tombs, the rock crumbling and falling all around me.

NO POV

"No! Willy!" Wendy cried.

"What the heck happened?!" exclaimed Lucy. "He sent him flying with just a single attack!"

"I'll go treat him!" Wendy cried as she rushed over to where Willy fell.

"He not only stopped it, but he also sent it right back at him," Erza murmured. "He's way more powerful than before."

"And it's not just him," Gray spoke warily. "They're all on a different league now."

"Who cares? We can still take them!" Natsu growled while cracking his knuckles. "Hope you're ready for round two, 'cause I'm going to kick your butt, you bastard!"

"Do we honestly have to waste our time with these idiots, Brain?" Cobra asked. "Just looking at them makes me want to kill them."

"Don't forget, we have an important job to achieve," reminded Angel.

"I agree, however, we've got a score to settle," said Brain with a frown. "After all, they humiliated us seven years ago back with Nirvana, and I believe it's time they get their dues." He looked towards Byro and his group. "Byro, you and the Legion Platoon are to take the Infinity Clock to the location as planned. Is that understood?"

"As you wish," acknowledged Byro.

The leader of the Seis then turned to his right. "Now then, Cobra. Racer, why don't you and the others take this chance to show off your new powers?"

Both Cobra and Racer answered with a nod, and the leaped into battle.

"Alright, boys! Here they come!" Erza shouted, as she quickly requipped into her Robe of Yūen. "Engage the enemy and take them down!"

"You got it!" Natsu and Gray shouted as they joined their comrade in battle.

But before they could even start to launch an attack, Racer suddenly appeared before them in a split second. Then, he disappeared in a flash of light, rushing past the three, landing a series of blows on each of them, blowing them back. He then went on straight towards Cana and Romeo knocking them for a loop using the same attack pattern knocking them out cold, and then did the same thing to Juvia and Lyon.

"Whoa! He's so fast!" Happy exclaimed, shock and worry evident on his face. "I couldn't see him move or hit them!"

"Dammit! I couldn't get a hit in at all!" Gray cursed.

"He's way stronger and faster than he was before!" Erza spoke as she got back on her feet. "Isn't he using a slow spell?"

"Heck if I know!" said Gray. "I don't think I sense one, at least!"

"He's like a wild animal!" continued Erza. "An untamed beast, hunting its prey!"

Back with Wendy and Carla, they were almost to the spot where Willy fell, only to be cut off by Cobra.

"Well, well. If it isn't the Sky Maiden and her cat," said Cobra. "It's certainly been a while, hasn't it?"

Both Wendy and Carla immediately froze, the two taken by surprise by Cobra's appearance.

"What's the matter? You don't look happy to see me," said Cobra, his eyes widening in a cold stare. "Don't worry; this won't take long. I have a question for you two." He paused for a brief second before resuming. "I see. So neither of you two know either. Then you both can die!"

Cobra's glare grew more intense as his body exploded in an evil magic aura, while Carla and Wendy stood there, trembling in fear.

"I-I can't move!" cried Carla.

"It's like I'm frozen in fear!" Wendy whimpered.

Natsu then came to their rescue, igniting his fist on fire. "Quit messing with them, Cobra! Why don't you take me on instead?!" he roared. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!"

But as the fire dragon slayer swung, Cobra immediately ducked out of the way.

"Give me a break already," Cobra sighed in annoyance as he clenched his fist, making it emit a magenta vapor. "Your voice is just as annoying as ever."

And before Natsu could pull back, Cobra landed a hard blow to Natsu's stomach. Upon contact, an explosion of the same vapor sent Natsu flying until he slammed into a tomb.

"That was my Poison Dragon's Sharp Horn," said Cobra. "Consider that payback from our last battle."

All the other Fairy Tail members desperately tried their best to fend off Cobra and Racer, but the two proved too much for them as they continued taking them out one after another. While this was happening, the Legion Platoon took their time leaving the caves taking the Infinity Clock with them. As they left, Coco couldn't help but look back, watching her former friends getting beaten up. She then looked away, biting her lip as she followed her comrades out of the tomb.

Soon enough, all of the Fairy Tail members were down for the count, battered, and beaten to a pulp.

"I believe the difference in our strength is obvious," said Angel. "It's amazing how things can change over seven years. I didn't even need to bother in joining the fight."

"What a joke," scoffed Cobra.

"Fairy Tail is weak. Way too weak," Racer chuckled.

Then at that moment, there was a bellow followed by an explosion in one of the tombs causing rubble to fly everywhere. In the blast, Willy stood back on his feet, his face filled to the brim with rage, his body radiating in black and blue, and his bandages ripped completely off, exposing his blackened scars.

"How interesting. His magic power seems to have risen significantly," said Satoshi. "And he's still standing after taking the full force of having his attack sent back at him."

Midnight then prepared to fight Willy, but Brain raised his hand, preventing him.

"There will be no need for you to fight, Midnight," Brain spoke. "I shall handle him myself."

Brain then took off his coat, leaving himself bare-chested. Willy then let out a scream of rage as he shot straight towards Silver Beard, his hands and feet cloaking with black water, and swung with a mighty kick, only for Brain catch it with one hand. The force from the collision alone was enough to shake the ground beneath them. Brain then threw Willy away, sending him up into the air, but the furious water dragon slayer righted himself and shot towards him again, attacking with a flurry of blows. Brain parried and blocked every blow that Willy threw and then punched him in the gut.

As Willy continued to attack while being blocked, he started to grow weary, but also even angrier, letting loose another scream as his magic aura flared wildly. He jumped into the air while clenching his fist, the ooze gushing out from it, morphing into the shape of a shark just like before with Amina. The shark let out a fierce roar as it prepared to go for Brain, its teeth bared and ready to rip him to shreds, but Brain stayed standing, not moving while watching. Willy growled, and then with one more yell, he fired, letting loose his Shark Surge Fist, the attack opening his jaws, ready to devour his prey.

Brain remained motionless as it came at him, and held up only one hand with his index and middle fingers extended, while speaking in a calm and low tone.

"DARK CAPRICCIO."

A powerful and enormous magic beam of green with a gradient color of orange and yellow in a spiral, erupted from his hand and collided with the Shark Surge Fist. The two attacks pushed each other back and forth until the Dark Capriccio pierced straight through the Shark Surge, winning the struggle, and shooting directly into Willy's midsection. The beam kept going carrying Willy straight into the tombs again, creating an explosion that shook the entire cave. So much so that the whole place started to cave in, rocks showering down from above.

"That was almost too easy," Brain spoke as he turned on his heel walking back to his comrades. "You've outdone yourself, Satoshi."

"I thank you, Sir," said Satoshi. "I am pleased with the results, as well. You were able to overwhelm him with ease."

"I'm surprised that you're not upset about this," said Angel. "After all, Brain may have killed him with that attack. Didn't you say that that boy was your precious subject?"

"There's no cause for concern, Angel," chuckled Satoshi, pushing up his glasses. "It's going to take a lot more than that to kill him. Trust me, I should know. I did raise him with tender loving care after all."

"Man, I don't get you at all," said Cobra. "You're not only strange, but you're also demented."

"Shall we get going then, Father?" asked Midnight. "Now that we have the Infinity Clock, I believe it's time to proceed with the next phase of our plan."

"Indeed," said Brain. "Let's let the tombs finish them off. It's a fitting grave for lowly maggots like them."

The Oracion Seis then took their leave as the tomb caved in, completely burying Fairy Tail in its rubble.

Oooh! This one took a long time to write and was one I was looking forward to writing!

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Dragomaster, signing off!