Thunder God Tribe

Streets of Magnolia

Erza grunted as she ran down the street, looking over the city for Evergreen. With a grit of her teeth she saw another member of Fairy Tail lay unconscious on the ground, the townspeople of Magolia all staring at them.

"Excuse me," Erza called, getting their attention. "Did you see the person who did this to my guildmates?"

"Erza," the townspeople called. "Yeah there was this girl with a green dress who did it," someone called. "She called herself Evergreen, but I thought I saw the Fairy Tail guild marking on her. Did you not know about this?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Erza stated a frown on her face. "Look, everyone I need you all to do me a big favor here. The city is dangerous right now, some unknown elements are in them and Fairy Tail is trying to put a stop to it. Until that happens can you all assist the other civilians with evacuating the city?"

The group frowned, all glancing at each other nervously. What was such a big problem that had the Titania trying to evacuate the city? Didn't Fairy Tail have the most S-class mages in the entire country? What did they need to worry about? Especially if it was Fairy Tail mages attacking each other? Just as they were about to voice these concerns they saw Erza's eyes narrow, the girl leaping back to avoid yellow bolts of energy that smashed into the ground cracking it. With a yelp the townspeople immediately began to listen to the mage, realizing just how out of their depth they were.

"My my, now that's odd I seem to recall turning you into a statue. Well no matter, this gives me an excuse to get my revenge on you once and for all."

"Let the girls go Evergreen, you don't wanna fight me."

"Oh but I do, 'Titania'," Evergreen spat, the word like poison. She glared down at the so-called strongest female mage of Fairy Tail. "After all, you're the strongest female of Fairy Tail right? It would be such an honor to fight someone as powerful as you."

Erza's eyes narrowed. So that's what this was about. A title. A title she didn't even give herself. Gritting her teeth Erza nodded. There would be no reasoning with Evergreen. She would just have to defeat her in a battle. She wished things didn't have to come to this, but if Evergreen was going to force her hand she would fight. She didn't have the luxury of starting the fight however, as Evergreen launched a series of energy blasts in her direction, forcing her to dodge. Erza grunted, leaping towards the roof of a building before kicking off of it, a sword forming in her hands as she swiped at Evergreen, only for the Fairy Tail mage to leap way from the melee.

Erza frowned, atching her send more blasts her way, the female mage being forced to deflect them into the sky for fear of causing damage to the town or civilians. A glare founds its way onto Erza's face. Evergreen knew what she was doing. Staying out of the range of her melee, where Erza definitively had the advantage, while making sure to force her to be on the defensive for the sake of the civilians.

Evergreen was smart.

With a smirk, Erza forced her blade to disappear, in preference for a spear that was as bright as lightning itself. Erza smirked, her Flight Armor forming around her before she took off in a burst of speed. Evergreen couldn't attack her if she didn't know where she was after all. Her strategy proved true as Evergreen's eyes widened at Erza's sudden disappearance before she felt the butt of a spear impacting against her stomach, keeling her over.

"I could have killed you right there if I wanted Ever," Erza stated. "Release the girls so I don't have to keep doing this. I don't enjoy this Evergreen. You're a great mage, and a worthy opponent, but we are not on the same level."

Evergreen's eyes flashed with rage at Erza's comment, the Fairy Tail mage leaping away from Erza with hatred bubbling inside her. "Oh, I'm not on your level am I?" Evergreen spat. Evergreen cried out in fury, raising her glasses to activate her magic, only for Erza to close her real eye, the artificial one completely negating the effect. Evergreen's eyes narrowed.

"That heinous artificial eye worked in your favor then I see. It must have weakened the effects of my magic. No matter. Let's see how you handle my Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!"

Several energy needles suddenly formed around the mage, before she sent them flying towards Erza. The swordswoman grunted, raising an arm as a massive shield suddenly formed on it, weathering the attack. Erza grunted, shooting forwards in another blitz of speed, kneeing Evergreen in the stomach, keeling the woman over, before she spun her shield smacking Evergreen onto the ground. The female mage turned to glare at Erza, only to freeze as she saw Erza's lance directly in front of her face, the weapon crackling with electricity.

"Cease this nonsense and turn the girls back to normal. NOW."

"You're naive aren't you. I'll have you know my Stone Eyes grant me another ability. Remote control. So drop to your knees and bow before me. If you refuse, I'll use my powers to topple your precious little statues and-"

Evergreen was stopped by the thrust from Erza's lance, the weapon slamming her head into the ground before electrifying her, knocking the woman unconscious and simultaneously breaking the spell due to her no longer maintaining it.

"That was cold Evergreen," Erza stated, before she frowned. She didn't have time to go back to the guild to check on the girls. There were still the two other members of the Thunder God Tribe to take care of, and Laxus himself. She doubted the crazy idiot would just quit after Evergreen was defeated. Erza frowned, flexing her hands and causing her weapons to disappear before she saw a mass surge of fire and ice sprout upwards into the city. She smirked.

Well she had a decent idea who was back, considering Natsu couldn't go passed the barrier. Still, who would Gray be fighting that could use fire? One of the miscellaneous elements in the city? Erza frowned. That was dangerous. Perhaps she should go defeat the ones that were not related to Fairy Tail before she tried to engage Laxus, to eliminate the potential seriousness of the threat.

Shaking her head, Erza began to search for the masters son. Laxus had to be dealt with first. He would likely be the toughest opponent in the city, as he would not invite someone stronger than him into Magnolia on the pure basis of his pride. That meant that Gray could hopefully deal with unknowns, and if the girls were safe Mira would also be useful in stopping them. Besides, if she could defeat Laxus she may be able to call both the foreigners of, and the Thunder God Tribe.

Besides, Laxus would likely require her to be at full strength in order to defeat, even with Kama's training.


Fairy Tail Guild Hall

Crumbling. That was the noise that Makarov heard. With fear the elderly man turned around, only for his eyes to widen as he saw it. The girls. They were crumbling. Stones fell to the ground, clattering against the ground to reveal...the perfectly healthy female mages who competed in the competition.

"Lucy!" Natsu roared, rushing over to the blonde girl. "You're alright!"

"They're all back to normal," Makarov stated, a smile forming on his face. "Erza must have defeated Evergreen."

"Yeah it even says it right here, Erza versus Evergreen, winner is Erza!" Happy called from near the entry way of the guild hall, a smile on the cats face. "Even the number of Fairy Tail mages in the game has gone up!"

"Not that it matters," Makarov stated. "Laxus has lost his hostages, so there's no reason for anyone to keep playing his game. The fool has lost."


Kardia Cathedral

Laxus snarled as he saw the results of the battle, clenching his fists as black and yellow lightning shuddered around him. "Ever," he hissed, rage boiling in his body. "I thought you had trained to defeat Erza! How could you be defeated by her! You failed me!" The man roared with rage, smashing his fist against a column near him, forming a solid dent in it off purely his own strength. "I put my faith in you and this is how you return the favor! Weaker than Erza? Pathetic."

"With all due respect Laxus-sama, the 'Titania' is stronger than you think," Freed called from behind Laxus, the large man whirling on him. "Bickslow or I should have gone after her instead. It would have resulted in a victory. We should not have left Evergreen alone. It was a folly on our part."

"Why are you here," Laxus hissed. "You should be fighting."

"Because the game is as good as over," Freed commented, as though it were as obvious as the sky being blue. "Without hostages we can no longer force the Masters hand. We failed to take into consideration this in our planning and thus the lynchpin, Evergreen, was defeated."

Freed's eyes widened as he saw it. Laxus' eyes fill with uncontrollable rage. It took everything he could not to leap away from the surge of lightning that carved the ground next to his body. Freed clenched his hands, refusing to acknowledge the sheer terror running through his body right now as he saw Laxus' body be enveloped with an intense magical power that he had never seen before. It was overwhelming.

"This fight isn't over," Laxus hissed. "If you don't want to follow me then you can get lost. There's no place for weaklings in my Fairy Tail."


Fairy Tail Guild Hall

"He called it the Battle of Fairy Tail," Lucy questioned, confusion etched on her face.

"The dumbass really outdid himself this time," Cana muttered, a frown on her face.

Makarov nodded, shaking his head. "At any rate, it's over now. I played along with this foolish game because you all were his hostages. I won't indulge him anymore."

"Master, Laxus can't get away with this," Mira stated, although she looked conflicted. She had known Laxus the majority of her life, and he was not always like this. It was troubling to seem him act so rashly.

"Oh don't worry," Makarov stated. "I'm going to give him a punishment I'm sure he will never forget," The elderly dwarf said cryptically.

"Hey now hold on a sec," Natsu said, raising a hand. "I don't agree with him taking hostages, but I don't see anything wrong with finding out who's the strongest. I think we should keep the battle going."

Everyone in the room, bar Gajeel, blanched at that, clearly understanding what Natsu's mindset was. He just wanted an excuse to fight Laxus, which was currently impossible considering Freed's magic.

"Hey I don't think it's nice to beat up on girls, especially when they're your friend," Happy stated, floating in front of Natsu with his wings out. Natsu shrugged, waving the cat off.

"A girl, a guy, friend, enemy, who cares really."

"The markings," Bisca noted, pointing towards the front of the guild hall. Freed's runes were glowing red and floating in the air, actions previously unseen by the rest of the group. "They can't already be up to something else can they?"

The surprise on the groups face slowly distilled into horror as they saw the runes morph into a skull, its mouth wide open as it glowed a brilliant crimson. Frowning Makarov stared at it. What did this mean? Laxus was clearly trying to send a message the only question was what.

"Can you hear me old man?"

Makarov's eyes widened as he heard Laxus' voice come out of the mouth of the nonmoving creature, a frown forming on his face as soon as he heard his grandson.

"The rest of you better listen up too. One of the rules has gone out the window, no thanks to an incompetent mage. It's fine. I'll just add a new one. In other words, since I would hate to end the Battle of Fairy Tail early I've decided to activate the Thunder Palace."

"Are you out of your mind Laxus," Makarov roared, the heat in the mans voice surprising everyone in the guild. Clearly the S-class mage did not care, ignoring Makarov's question in order to continue his speech.

"You have one hour and ten minutes. If you think you can win you better get moving, unless you're willing to hand the guild over to me now, Master!"

Before anyone could respond the skull face shattered, Laxus' laughter echoing throughout the guild hall. Makarov steamed with anger, magic aura shuddering around him. "This game has gone on for long enough boy. I won't allow you to drag-gurh."

Before anyone could react Makarov collapsed on the ground, clutching his chest. It wasn't long before everyone in the guild crowded around the man, looking at him with fear in their eyes.

"What's going on?" Lucy cried, placing a hand on the mans forehead. It was hot.

"It's his illness," Mira stated before standing. "I'll go get his medicine."

"What does he mean by Thunder Palace," Natsu questioned, however Makarov was grunting to much to explain. However, he didn't need to, as Mira came rushing back down the steps, a case in her hands, pointing to the windows.

"Look outside everyone."

The group nodded, rushing to the outside as Mira went to help Makarov. There wasn't much they could do for the man, so they only really had one choice. As soon as they saw it the group paused, shock in their eyes as they saw the floating lacrima's in the sky all around the city.

"What the heck are those," Natsu muttered.

"I don't know," Levy muttered. "But it's probably whatever that Thunder Palace thing Laxus was talking about is."

"They don't look dangerous," Bisca noted, a frown on her face.

"Maybe not," Levy muttered. "But they're overflowing with Lightning Magic. It's definitely not safe. That's not some firework."

"Wait, if those things are full of Lightning Magic and they're all around Magnolia what will happen if Laxus activates them," Juvia questioned, fear reflected on her face. Lightning Magic was particularly dangerous against her, considering the style of magic that she used. If she got hit at the wrong time, especially with magical power of that scale, it wasn't out of the realm of possibility for it to be lethal.

"Everything would be turned to ash in the destruction," Cana muttered.

Lucy's eyes widened with fear, causing Bisca to sigh. "I really wish Sasuke was here right now. He could just eat all the lightning, problem solved. But he isn't, and I can't let Laxus just destroy the town," the cowgirl muttered, a sniper rifle appearing in her hands before she shot down one of the lacrima's, a smirk on her face. However, before any words of congratulations could go out Bisca erupted in a burst of electricity, crying out in pain before she collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. Levy moved to catch her as she fell, frowning as the girl lay their unconscious.

"Come on Bisca, wake up!"

"How did she get zapped by that thing," Natsu muttered, looking at the skies.

"Organic Body Link Magic," Cana stated. "That's the only thing that could cause that type of reaction. I'm surprised Laxus knows how to use it. If we try and get rid of those things we're risking our lives in the process. All the damage is reflected back onto us."

"What should we do," Levy muttered.

"The only thing we can do," Cana stated. "Defeat Laxus. That's the only chance we have of stopping this monstrosity from firing down on the town without risking lives."

"Not if I have anything to say about it."

The group's eyes widened, shocked to see Jet standing behind them, his spear in his hands.

"Jet? What can you do against this," Levy questioned, but Cana's eyes instantly widened and she nodded.

"The spear! Good thinking Jet! If you can crush all of those orbs we'll have a chance at ending this madness."

"The spear," Natsu questioned. Jet nodded.

"This spear contains Nullification Magic thanks to a lacrima," Jet stated. "If someone can fly me over to the lacrima, I can take them all out without worry. That's why I rushed home so quickly, I was hoping I'd be able to get here so Master could pass by the barrier and defeat Laxus, but it looks like that won't be a possibility."

"Wait," Natsu said. "You destroyed the barrier in front of the guild hall," Natsu questioned. Jet nodded.

Natsu grinned. "That means I can go fight Laxus now! Good work Jet! Happy, you go take Jet to get rid of all of those lacrima's ok," the fiery pinkette called before rushing off, Gajeel following not far behind him. He wanted to pay the lightning mage back as well.

"Aye sir!" Happy quoted, before he floated down to grab Jet. "You ready Jet?"

"Yup. Let's go Happy," Jet muttered before the duo took off, rushing towards the lacrima.

"In the meantime I guess we all better get going too," Cana stated. "We should try and stop Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe and any extra help would be appreciated."

"Right!"


Kardia Cathedral

"How do you like that you old geezer," Laxus hissed. "Now everyone in the whole town is my hostage."

"Laxus," Freed questioned, raising his hand. This was dangerous territory he was going to broach, but it had to be done. "Don't you think you're taking this too far. There are innocent people out there."

"To far huh," Laxus said, a frown falling over his features. "I'll decide how far is too far. This is a fight to the bitter end. And that means it won't be over until one side is wiped out! Now go out there and wipe them out or I will wipe you out Freed!"

Freed frowned, clenching his fists before he nodded. "I understand. If you want me to destroy them I will. But their blood is on your hands."

"Good. Finally someone understands," Laxus muttered.


Elsewhere on the Streets of Magnolia

Gray grunted as he sent a wave of arrows towards Chuck, disappointment flashing across his face as he saw the man's fire raise up, forming a shield that easily melted through the ice. Gray frowned, grunting. Light attacks clearly wouldn't work against the man, at least not in such a direct manner. Chuck's flame would merely melt them all. That had not happened when he saw Lyon fight Chuck back on Galuna Island.

It seemed the mage had gotten stronger himself.

Gray formed his seal, frowning as he saw Chuck's fire swirl around the man. The flame formed a bow and arrow, the bolt quickly flashing towards the Fairy Tail mage. Gray leapt away from the attack, his eyes widening as he saw the thin trail connecting the arrow to Chuck's hand. With a twist of his wrist the flame was sent back towards Gray, causing him to grunt, leaping to the side to avoid the deadly projectile. Chuck did not give up, merely sending the blaze towards Gray once more. Gray turned to avoid it again.

He turned a second to slow.

The arrow pierced through his shoulder, causing him to hiss in pain before a flash of ice shot up his body, the two competing elements wafting off into a hot steam that surrounded Gray, but also got rid of the arrow. Gray grunted, grabbing his shoulder in pain before he glanced down at Chuck, the man smirking.

"What happened to you saying you got stronger than the last time I saw you?"

Gray grit his teeth, forming his handseal once more, only for his eyes to widen as Chuck's fire quickly formed two broadswords that careened towards his position, forcing him to break his seal and leap out of the way. Narrowing his eyes Gray landed on the roof of a nearby building, staring down at the dangerous man before him.

'He's stopping me from forming a focus. Good thing I don't need one.'

Chuck smirked, his broadswords swinging around before they charged towards Gray, who quickly raised an arm, an icy blue glow shrouding it. "Ice-Make: Shield!" With his call ice swirled around his arm, forming a standard knight's shield that he used to bat the two broadswords away, the two flaming objects returning to swirl around Chuck in two orbs. Gray grunted, maintaining his shield before he raised a hand towards Chuck, causing the man's eyes to widen.

"Ice-Make: Ice Geyser!"

Chuck didn't even glance at the ground to notice the prongs of ice slowly beginning to protrude as he leapt into the air, just barely avoiding the tower of ice that threatened to turn his body into a pincushion. Gray frowned, noticing the man's eyes tracking him before he waved his hand towards him again. He would have to cause a bigger distraction than that in order to get a hit in on the man.

"Ice-Make: Lance!"

Chuck grunted as he saw the dozens of lances spear towards him, his flames joining together into one larger sphere before they morphed into one blade. The mercenary swung downwards, slashing through the spears with contemptuous ease.

"I thought you would be stronger. That was a clear miscalculation. I'll end this now."

With a heave the blade of fire carved through the air, only for Gray to sigh, raising his shield and taking the blow, grunting as he skidded backwards from the force. Chuck's eyes widened, surprised that Gray's shield had withstood the power of the attack considering the fragility of his other moves.

"Seems you have a bit more to you than I previously thought," Chuck muttered, causing Gray to smirk.

"Of course I do. Now, I think it's my turn. Arctic Magic: Winter Storm!"

Chuck's eyes widened as Gray's arm swung outwards, a barrage of needle like ice shooting towards him forcing him to leap away lest he be turned into a pincushion by the assault. His eyes widened however as he saw Gray appear in front of him, a blade of ice in hand.

"Let's see how good your swordplay is," Gray muttered, swinging his blade downwards, the duo locking together in a contest of flame and ice. The two stalemated for a brief moment only for Chuck to smirk, swinging his other arm as he formed one-handed seals fire manifesting behind him.

"Fire-Make: Kunai Storm!"

Chuck grunted as uncountable amounts of blazing kunai filled the sky behind him, the weaponry enough to fill an entire armory. Gray grunted, leaping away from the man as he channeled his Arctic Magic through his sword, the blade changing shape into a circular disk. With a grunt Gray brought his shield and the disk together, the shield growing ever larger as the storm of flaming weaponry descended upon him. The shield formed a frozen rose just as the kunai reached him, Gray raising the shield to take the brunt of the attack, grunting as he felt the continuous thud. Slowly but surely the teen was pushed back, but not a single kunai managed to pierce his shield.

"Arctic Ice Make: Shield of Ur."

Chuck smirked as Gray lowered his arm, his shield at his side. "I won't deny it boy, you've definitely improved. Still, you've been on the defensive this entire fight. You clearly haven't progressed quite far enough."

Gray smirked. "Oh really? Allow me to rectify that then." A white cape suddenly formed around Gray's shoulders, falling down on his back as his skin became a faint shade lighter as ice covered the surface of it. Mist began to trail off of his form as his dark blue eyes shifted into white orbs that were almost the same shade as his sclera.

"Ice Erosion."

Gray then shot forwards, Chuck's eyes widening at the mages newfound speed before he raised arms, his flames spiraling in a desperate attempt to form a shield.

"Ice Erosion: Cold Front!"

The half-formed shield of flame tried to defend its user, only to fail as Gray's blow smashed right through it, crashing into Chuck's face and sending the man flying onto the ground below. Chuck grunted, trying to rise to his feet only to hear the call just after the cold rushed through the air, his breath visible in the air.

"Ice Erosion Make: Ice Cannon!"

Chuck's eyes widened as the wave of ice shot towards him, the fire around him rushing to his aid. It failed. And with a cry the man was sent flying even further, the wave causing ice to form on his skin. Chuck groaned as he stood, only to see Gray standing above him, his hands covered in gauntlets of ice. Gray launched the blow forwards, his fist blasting into Chuck's side and sending him flying into the sky.

Just as the man reached the apex of his flight he managed to regain control, flame forming around him in the form of a war axe. This proved to be just in time as a barrage of ballistic courtesy of Gray's Ice Erosion Make: Cannon soared towards him. With a grunt the mans war axe spun, before he hurled it at the incoming projectiles, the spinning war axe erupting into a virtual firestorm as it descended down on the ice, melting any of it that dared to try and combat it. As the blaze descended it was only stopped by Gray's shield, the teen grunting under the strain to try and stop the attack.

"That's not enough boy," Chuck muttered, five blazing broadswords forming behind him before they shot forwards, spiraling. The blades flew into the firestorm, the blaze exploding with even more intensity as they made contact. Gray grunted, dropping to a knee as he tried to hold off the massive attack. He couldn't let this blow hit him. It was far to powerful, and it's damage would wreck havoc on Magnolia. That could not be allowed.

Gray grunted, the gauntlets on his other arm making contact with his shield, the rose on the front beginning to spin. "Ur give me strength," Gray muttered, his magic power spiking. He could only use this move three more times in this form before he was completely out of energy. Not to mention it greatly reduced the time he was allowed to spend in his Erosion in the first place. He would have to end this fight fast.

"Ice Erosion: First Winter."

From Gray's shield erupted a storm of ice and snow that immediately snuffed out the fire before it, surging upwards in a wave of gigantic spikes and frost that disregarded everything before it. Chuck's eyes could only widen before he was struck by the avalanche of snow, ice, and wind. Gray stood shakily, his breath heavy as he stared at the destruction he caused a blank look on his face.

"Gramps is gonna kill me," he muttered.


Across the City

Cana frowned as she saw the man...baby...thing approach her. Whatever it was, it was definitely not normal. Was this what the runes said when they mentioned a Milk Boy? The thing was certainly drinking milk like a baby, but it was definitely not a boy. The boy noticed her, his eyes locking on her Fairy Tail guild insignia, before charging her, with a cry.

Cana didn't even hesitate. She knew she couldn't afford to. Her Card Magic would not work against an opponent as large as him. Luckily for her she had been training in her other form. Slipping underneath the large mans movements it wasn't hard for her to launch a single punch against the mans chest, the boy dropping like a sack of wet potatoes as his ribs were shattered from the blow. Cana blinked as she watched blood spit from the mans mouth, completely unconscious.

Maybe she needed to practice her control a bit more than she thought.

"You took that oaf down. And I was thinking I was going to have to do it eventually."

Cana turned, her guard instantly up as she saw the man walk forwards towards her. She frowned. She had never seen him before. The man was tall, about half a head taller than she was, with white hair that covered his brows. However, that wasn't what interested her. No it was his eyes, they were not the same color. One was blue, the other was red.

"Who are you?"

"Just your average mage, I was on my way out of the city when I heard all of the commotion."

"Your average mage huh," Cana said, her eyes narrowed. "How can I be sure you're not one of the people Laxus invited here to be a threat to Fairy Tail and the citizens?"

"The fact that I'm not attacking any of Fairy Tail mages or its citizens should be the most obvious reason."

"I suppose you make a good point," Cana muttered. "Still, I can't very well just let an unknown factor wander around right now. It's dangerous. I need you to leave Magnolia immediately."

"I was on my way to do just that. If you want to accompany me to make sure I actually leave then feel free to do so."

Cana grunted, nodding as she followed the man towards the city limits. There was the slight chance that one of Freed's enchantments could spring up, forcing the two of them to fight, but if he was just an average mage as he said then she was confident she could handle him. Milk Boy was able to defeat Alzack, but she had toppled the giant in one blow, so clearly this man couldn't be much higher of a level.

"Excuse me miss," the man said, glancing back at her. "Have you ever thought about the possibility of multiple worlds existing at the same time?"

Cana frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The existence of multiple worlds. Parallel universe's, other dimensions, things like that. For example a world that allows one to manifest amazing feats of energy previously unseen to any Fiore mage on the planet."

Cana's eyes narrowed. That was...odd. Few people in Fiore even questioned the idea of multiverse theory, and most magicians and scientists viewed them as crazy people. After all, who would believe the existence of multiple worlds when it was practically impossible to prove it? The only people who knew for certain that it existed was Fairy Tail because of...

Cana's magic immediately spiked, getting a reaction from the man in front of her. He turned towards her, his eyes wary as he saw Cana flex behind him, her magic aura cracking the pavement beneath her feet.

"What is your name," Cana hissed.

The man frowned, tilting his head. "It seems I struck a nerve."

Cana clenched her fist. The only people other than Fairy Tail members who knew of the existence of multiple worlds would be related to Mito, and that meant only one thing. The person standing before her was a Bijuu. But that meant that she was heavily outclassed right now. She couldn't defeat a Bijuu, she wasn't even close to being strong enough. Naruto and Sasuke weren't here either, so she had no backup who was used to dealing with the powerful entities. Still, she couldn't just let one of them run wild in Magnolia. It was a death sentence.

"It seems to me that you must know something of multiple worlds. Perhaps it is the two legends of your guild? They undoubtedly show power that has never before been seen on Fiore, and not their Lost Magic either. There are records of God Slayer Magic. There are none of masterful energy control and revitalization, or of a new form of mystical Eye Magic that surpasses every other kind in existence. Truly fascinating. Sadly it seems like the duo are not in Fairy Tail at the moment, so I was hesitant to participate."

The man then grinned.

"But it appears there are others who know of this phenomenon as well. Surely you can satisfy my curiosity until I can interrogate those two."

Cana growled, tensing herself. "I won't ask again. Who are you?"

"Me? My name is Shin Maco."

Cana growled, her magic aura flexing outwards, a clear signal for help. "Well then Shin, you better leave Fiore right now before some of my friends get here. You do not want to deal with us."

That was a lie. If she was right and this was a Bijuu it was far more the opposite, but perhaps he would overestimate how hard they trained after being defeated by them? That was the best she could rely on. If Naruto or Sasuke were here, even with their true strengths sealed, they might have had a chance, but against a Bijuu there was not a doubt that Fairy Tail would lose. Even Master would not be able to defeat such a threat.

"I suppose that may be true, especially with the signal you just sent out. Fighting off wave after wave of S-class and high A-class mage would not be something I'm interested in, especially when I just want to ask you questions. If you're so defensive though I doubt I'll get a better opportunity to investigate my theory. It might be better to just take the risk of facing down Fairy Tail to get my answers. Then again, I doubt you'd give me honest ones, or answers at all, in this situation. No, it is better to just take a tactical retreat."

The man glanced at Cana, a small smile on his face. "We will meet again."

Before Cana could react a flash of energy appeared in front of her, and by the time it died down the man was gone.

"Master should know about this," Cana muttered, racing towards the guild hall.


Outskirts of Magnolia

Jet frowned shattering all of the lacrima Happy was flying him towards. They had barely made any progress. Only a small section of Magnolia was cleared of the monstrosities, and if they went off it wouldn't matter because of the sheer number of them.

"No offense here, but can't you hurry up Happy? If we don't destroy all of these lacrima before that timer goes off all of Magnolia could die!"

"I'm going as fast as I can. My magic pool isn't as large as all of yours ya know," Happy muttered, frowning.

"I know Happy, it's just-urgk!"

The duo slammed into a wall of runes, groaning as Happy slowly flew backwards, Jet's spear spinning before he launched it forwards, shattering the spell.

"So that's how you've been getting around my traps. I noticed that they were disappearing. Interesting spear."

Jet frowned, Happy turning around for the duo to face Freed, flying in the air behind him thanks to runes that seemed to sprout out of his back. With a flash Freed's sword was raised, magic sparking across it as rage burned in his eyes. "That spear negates the rules, it is the equivalent of cheating," he muttered before his sword lunged forwards, piercing Happy in the shoulder. The cat screamed as it fell towards the ground, Jet falling with it.

"Anyone who dares break the rules," Freed muttered as he appeared next to the duo, "shall pay a price worse than death. Dark Ecriture: Suffering!"

Jet's eyes flashed open as Freed's blade fell, quickly activating High Speed to barely bring his spear up to block Freed's thrust.

"Fuck off," Jet grunted, before Freed grunted, and with a show of supreme force sent Happy and Jet catering into the ground. Freed landed on the ground in front of them, sword in front of him, only for his eyes to widen as he just barely avoided a thrust from Jet, side-stepping out of the way. That was not the end of the assault however, as Jet stabbed his spear into the ground, before launching a series of punches at Freed that smashed into the mans face, sending him stumbling backwards. Before the Thunder God Tribe member had a chance to recover a foot crashed into his abdomen, his body sent flying backwards into a nearby tree. Grunting, Jet picked up his spear, glaring at the enraged form of Freed.

"Screw your rules. With this spear I can break them. With this spear I can turn your entire little game on its head. Laxus and the Thunder God Tribe will lose this battle!"

Freed grunted, standing to his feet, the tip of his rapier directed at Jet's heart. Slowly runes started to gather at the tip of his sword.

"Anything to say for yourself Freed?"

The firing of his Dark Ecriture: Pain was the response. Jet grunted, spinning his spear as he forced the lacrima into action, the hostile magic dissipating against the weapon. Grunting Freed disappeared in a burst of speed, swinging his blade down only for Jet to deflect the blow, sliding it downwards as he stepped into Freed's guard with a surprising amount of speed, shoulder-checking the man. As Freed stumbled backwards however his arm reached out, grabbing Jet's forearm. Before the teen could react he felt his nerves ignite, pain shooting through his body, a scream unable to leave his lips. Freed grunted, launching a kick that smashed into Jet's chest sending him tumbling backwards.

With a flash Freed was behind him, runes licking his blade as he brought it down on Jet only for the teen to disappear in a flash of speed, this time appearing behind Freed with a thrust. It was only due to the activation of his Eye Magic that Freed was even able to follow the movement, spinning instantly and deflecting the thrust. Jet was not finished though, forcing Freed onto the defensive with a combination of his speed and range of his weapon. Freed grunted, deflecting another thrust from the weapon before he stepped in, taking a glancing wound to his side for his troubles, managing to land a slash on Jet's shoulder in compensation before the two separated.

"You're better with that spear than I expected."

"You're not so bad around a blade yourself."

The two snorted before they dashed forwards once more, their weapons cashing loud clangs to echo through the clearing, along with bursts of dark magical energy courtesy of Freed's magic being negated by the lacrima in Jet's spear. Freed grunted, stepping back and deflecting the spear with the small flat of his rapier, grunting as he saw it hit the ground next to him. With a burst of speed he was in front of Jet, blade thrusting forwards only for Jet to easily abandon his weapon with a burst of High Speed, the teen easily two meters away. Freed smirked however, that was fine by him. He didn't care if Jet fought with his fists, that would be easy to counter.

It was his spear that made him so troublesome.

With a wave of his blade Freed smirked as the battle came to a conclusion in his mind. He could see it already. "Dark Ecriture: Restrict!"

As the beam of energy formed by the runes shot forwards, Jet's eyes widened before he disappeared in a flash of High Speed, circling Freed as the man stood protectively around Jet's spear. Jet grunted before he disappeared in a flash, dirt and rock kicked into the air from his movement. Freed's eyes widened, barely bringing his blade up in time to block the kick from Jet. That didn't stop the momentum however, the man sent flying away from Jet, but more importantly away from Gae Dearg. Jet quickly grabbed his weapon, only for his eyes to widen as he saw Freed was no longer on the ground, using the wings of runes on his back to fly above his opponent.

'Well that's a problem.'

"I can see that your practice with melding that spear with your style has been fruitful. You are a worthy opponent to have a battle of weapons with. But I don't have that type of time on my hands. There are other threats that need to be eliminated. Let's see how you handle aerial opponents. Dark Ecriture: Blind!"

Jet's eyes narrowed as he saw the beams of runes curve through the air towards him, quickly applying High Speed magic in order to negate the spells, only for his eyes to widen as he suddenly felt a presence behind him. The teen tried to turn, but even with his magic active he wasn't fast enough to avoid the blow that followed.

'No way! I didn't even see him move! He's not that much faster than me is he!'

"Dark Ecriture: Shatter."

Jet's eyes widened as the rune-covered blade of Freed slashed through his shirt, a long cut forming on his body before purple energy poured from the wound, sending him flying backwards into a boulder. Freed appeared in front of the boulder before Jet could recover, his blade stabbing down into Jet's hand causing him to scream in pain.

"Dark Ecriture: Gravity."

Jet grunted as suddenly he felt as though two tons had been placed on his body, falling completely flat on the ground with a huff. Freed shook his head, sighing. "And here I thought that you would put up a bit more of a fight once I started getting serious. Such a shame."

Jet glared at the man, irritation on his face as Freed began to walk away. "Get back here," Jet muttered, his voice muffled due to how hard it was for him to breathe. Freed kept walking, ignoring Jet burning holes into his back until the teen fell unconscious.


Elsewhere in Magnolia

Azuma frowned as he saw the carnage being exercised across Magnolia, blinking to himself. "Is this really what Fairy Tail is about? Attacking one another?"

"I suppose you haven't much been paying attention to what Laxus-sama was saying if you think the fairies are doing this willingly."

Azuma turned, frowning as he saw Bickslow standing behind him. "What are you doing here?"

"I have a better question for ya, why are you sitting on this building instead of participating in the carnage? There are battles to be had! Surely you wanna finish that battle you started with Laxus don't you!"

Azuma smirked, thinking back to the battle. The mage was clearly stronger than the rest of the mages in the paltry guild. To fight him again, that would give him some fun, especially considering the Gods just left. Nodding to himself, Azuma prepared to do just that until a hand clasped itself on his shoulder.

"Of course you'll have to get through me to do that."

Azuma turned back, glaring at Bickslow, causing the man's eyes to widen before he cautiously stepped away. Just as Azuma prepared to attack there was a call however.

"Azuma leave him alone! He's mine!"

Azuma blinked, glancing down at the rode to see Levy staring up at the duo, her club in hand.

"You want to have fun with this one?"

Levy nodded, despite the odd choice in words from the mage. "Yeah. I can't beat Laxus in a fight, and he needs to be defeated. From what we saw when you fought him you have a chance, so go handle him. I'll beat Bickslow."

"Arrogant twerp," Bickslow laughed, tongue sticking out of his mouth. "What makes you think you can defeat me in combat!"

"Call it a gut feeling," Levy stated, smirking as she raised her club.

Azuma eyed the girl for a brief moment, before smirking. "Thank you for letting me have my fun. I'll have to pay you back someday."

"Don't worry about it," Levy stated as Azuma leapt from rooftop to rooftop, looking for Laxus. Levy grinned as he left, before looking up at Bickslow.

"Bring it," she muttered.

"Gladly! Go my babies!"

Levy's eyes widened as suddenly five totem-like dolls appeared behind Bickslow, green energy gathering in spheres before beams erupted towards her. The blue haired girl leapt back, eye warily watching the fast moving beams of energy as they smashed into the ground, forming a pothole.

'That much damage just from a casual attack? I can't let those things hit me!'

Bickslow grunted, the dolls beginning to speed towards Levy. The girl cursed, raising her club to function as a pen only for her eyes to narrow as she was forced to jump away lest she be hit with any energy beams from the dolls.

"Please Levy," Bickslow laughed. "Don't even bother fighting back. I know how your magic works. We grew up together after all. You're crazy if you think you even have a chance at beating me. Your magic restricts you to a lowly B-class mage at best!"

Levy grit her teeth at the criticism, leaping away as more energy beams came from the dolls. It was nothing she hadn't heard before. Glancing behind her the girl frowned. Townspeople were behind her, watching the fight like civilians were prone to do. She couldn't keep leaping backwards, else she'd get them involved in the battle and that was far to dangerous to be allowed. No, she needed to make her stand right her. Gritting her teeth as another barrage of energy was sent flying her way Levy tightened her grip on her club. She hoped that this worked.

CLANK!

Bickslow's laughter was silenced as he ducked to avoid the beam of green energy that nearly smashed into his chest, causing his eyes to narrow. However, that wasn't the end of the assault, more green beams sent flying towards him, forcing him to leap away, his eyes narrowed.

'She's redirecting my energy blasts with her club! How the hell is that possible?'

Levy smirked, instantly taking advantage of the brief reprieve in Bickslow's attacks in order to attack. "Solid Script: Thunderbolt!"

Bickslow's eyes widened as the crack of lightning and smell of ozone overwhelmed his senses before he cursed. He was in the air. That was what Levy was hoping for! It was difficult to dodge attacks in the air, especially ones as fast moving as lightning. Difficult, but not impossible. With a thought his totems flew underneath his feet as he began to fall before they shot to the side, allowing him to avoid the blast of lightning that curved into the sky. A grin filled his face until he realized Levy had already completed her next word.

"If direct attacks won't work that's fine by me. Solid Script: Bullets!" The orange word floated in front of the girl before radiating a brilliant light, a storm of energy beams shooting towards Bickslow from all directions. Bickslow grunted, his totems firing off beams of green energy as they moved, stopping any beams that got too close as they deposited him on the top of a toy store. The rest of the attacks, incapable of catching the man, soared into the air aimlessly.

Levy frowned. 'He's to fast to hit typically. I have to get rid of those totems before I can focus on him.'

"Nice try with the attacks, but no cigar. It's impressive coming from a weakling such as yourself, but I think I better end this. Stronger people to fight ya know! Line Formation!"

The totems instantly flashed into movement, stacking on top of one another before grin energy swirled around them, releasing a crescent-shaped wave of energy. Levy's eyes widened, quickly forming a shield with her magic that she through up towards the attack in word form, only for her eyes to widen as the attack easily cut through it. Cursing Levy tried to move, but the attack was far to fast. It was only due to a hasty deflection with her club that she managed to avoid any injuries. Her club however did not, one half from the bisection falling to the ground. Dropping the other piece Levy glared upwards towards Bickslow who grinned.

"I told you Levy! You're too weak," the man said, laughing to himself as though he had said some sort of inside joke.

Before Levy could respond to the taunt Bickslow was instantly on the attack again, his totems firing wave after wave of energy, causing Levy to panic, forming a shield again, this time in its actual form. Still, the word took time to form, and she took several blows to her shoulder in order form the weapon. Cursing, Levy slunk underneath the shield, grabbing her shoulder in a hiss, only for her eyes to widen as the totems instantly flew to the other side of the defensive item, firing another barrage.

Reacting quickly, Levy flipped over the shield, dashing towards Bickslow with a grim look on her face as she reached outwards with her hand, tracing words in the sky. A shield formed in her hands once more, allowing her to deflect the incoming blasts. Quickly tracing her hand in the air once more the girl quickly formed a bow and arrow, the word trace being ascribed to the arrow like a buff of a video game before she clumsily let fly.

Bickslow rolled his eyes. Levy didn't know how to use a bow and arrow, there was no way that attack would hit. Without even bothering to move his clones he watched as the arrow curved through the air and split all of his totems in two.

"No way!" Bickslow called, rage on his face. Levy smirked, locking eyes with the man, confidence radiating off of the girl.

"Game over Bickslow. You can't beat me now."

Bickslow grunted, his head falling into his hands as he began to panic. "No my babies! What am I gonna do? My poor babies!" The man then lifted his head, his tongue hanging from his mouth, revealing the black Fairy Tail guild insignia branded there. "Sike!"

Levy's eyes widened as she saw a massive beam of green energy shoot towards her, the girl hastily trying to complete an Indestructible before the beam reached her. She only managed to half-way finish it before the beam was upon her. The two spells clashed, only for the beam to shred through the word, just barely stopped by the shield Levy already created thrown up in self-defense.

'Tch, if a half-done spell like that can weaken my beams that much I might need to put a little bit more force into this.'

Levy grunted, dropping the scorched shield as she glared up at Bickslow. "I told you, you won't beat me."

"I don't think you understand my magic Levy! For me this is more than just a toy store! It's an armory!"

"You're controlling the toys," Levy asked with horror in her voice, only for Bickslow to shake his head.

"No, come on Levy you know better than that. The toys are just tools, you can break as many of them as you want. What I really control are souls, namely the souls I can see around me!"

Levy frowned, clenching her fists. 'So he sees the souls in the surrounding area and moves them around to fight for him huh.'

Bickslow laughed. "It's ok Levy! Not all of us were gifted with powerful magic! Someone like you just wasn't destined to be strong."

"We'll see about that," Levy muttered, using the brief reprieve to form words in front of her. "Solid Script: Fire! Heat! Oil! Wind!"

Bickslow's eyes widened as the conflagration exploded in front of him, the sea of flame hiding Levy from view as it threatened to roast him alive. Quickly his dolls, this time stuffed animals, stacked on top of one another, forming an amalgamation of limbs before green energy crackled around them. Line Formation quickly activated, the crescent-shaped energy blast bisecting the fire, allowing to to pass harmlessly on the sides of him and the building, despite the rage of it.

"I told you Levy, it's not gonna work!"

"I beg to differ."

Bickslow's eyes widened, the man turning to see Levy standing behind him. He reached out to his dolls instantly, the creatures speeding towards him to stop Levy, but it was too late. She had already finished her word.

"Solid Script: Phantasmagoria!"

A wave of gray and black energy shot forth, causing Bickslow's eyes to widen before he clenched himself, preparing for pain as it washed over him. The man twitched however as he noticed there was no pain, opening his eyes just as the energy around him died. Bickslow's eyes widened before he burst into laughter.

"Such a rookie mistake, as predicted of a B-list mage such as yourself. You had the advantage, a chance to actually defeat me and you wasted it! And unfortunately for you the game just got lethal. But don't worry I promise to take extra good care of your soul!"

Bickslow leapt away from the building, his dolls beginning to circle around themselves as green energy crackled along them. Suddenly a flash of green energy erupted, a burning spectacle to all who were watching before Bickslow howled his attacks name to the heavens.

"Baryon Formation!"

The massive green energy beam erupted from the burning green energy, its light almost blinding as it careened into Levy. If the beam smashing against her didn't kill her, the subsequent explosion that vaporized the entire block she had been on certainly did. There was nothing remaining except for small scraps of toys on the ground, the damage almost reaching where Bickslow was a whole two buildings over.

The man laughed, shaking his head at Levy's defeat only for words to cause him to freeze solid.

"Where were you aiming?"

Bickslow turned, only to feel a hand place itself on his chest.

"Solid Script: Unconscious."

The world went dark for the member of the Thunder God Tribe, the dolls behind him falling to the ground uselessly as the magic controlling them vanished. Levy shook her head, cradling her damaged shoulder as she looked at the destruction around her. She really hoped the mayor or the Magic Council didn't bill her for this.


Magnolia

Chuck grunted as he looked for Gray, the large construct of ice in the middle of the battleground proving to be quite the obstacle in the battle. He had no idea where Gray was, but he couldn't simply let the man gain control of the battlefield by moving wherever he wanted. He had to find the Fairy Tail mage before the Fairy Tail mage found him. Glancing at the massive attack Chuck could only shake his head. He couldn't let another attack like that be launched at him without any warning. The man glanced at his arm, grunting at the series of small piercings coating it. He was lucky he had managed to get away from the attack with just this much damage. If he had been hit full on he had no doubt that he would be unconscious or dead.

Chuck opened his hand, the orb of flame around him forming into a broadsword before he clasped it, glancing around. Gray couldn't be too far. There were only two options after launching such a powerful attack, either following up or finding a place to rest. Either way, in the battle there was no way Gray would move to far away too quickly. Especially if Gray was worried about any other Fairy Tail mages attacking him. Grunting, Chuck leaped over a piece of ice that had speared through one of the buildings, happy that it was abandoned. That would have been a case of mass-murder on the mages hands.

Seriously did Fairy Tail mages not know to not launch massive attacks in cities? He wasn't launching his larger attacks, and he wasn't even from Magnolia! Shaking his head Chuck stepped around the corner, his eyes widening as he saw Gray on the ground, the man clearly trying to recover from the attack. Nodding to himself Chuck began to spin his broadsword, the heat around it increasing before two more formed behind him, a hint of blue in the blades.

He could get stronger without launching his more powerful attacks. With a grunt the two blades behind him shot forwards, spinning furiously. Gray didn't even have a chance to react, the blades slashing through the man before exploding in a cone of fire. Chuck's eyes narrowed, watching steam waft into the air.

'Steam?'

The man barely had time to react as a hand reached out from the ice near him, his blade reaching up to block the fist that was launched. Gray grunted, his form appearing from the ice as he tried to shatter the flaming sword only to fail. Still, he didn't let up the attack, ice from the massive construct sliding away and into Gray's hands, forming a broadsword of his own that he smashed into Chuck's. The two grunted, trying to overpower the other.

"So you can use that construct as a medium to create more spells. It's probably less taxing on your reserves as well. Quite the workaround you came to for such a draining spell."

Gray didn't respond, ice from the construct sliding off from the construct to form needles of ice that shot forwards, forcing Chuck to leap away for fear of being turned into a pincushion. Gray grunted, eyeing Chuck as he held his blade in only one arm. He was significantly weaker, one arm practically unusable. That was an advantage. With a grunt ice began to slink off of the construct, forming small dragonflys that shot forwards with a mental nod before he charged, his broadsword prepared.

Chuck snorted. Did this amateur think it was this easy? He'd been in worse situations. A picture of a woman's face flashed in front of his mind, causing him to grimace. Much worse situations. With a grunt kunai of flame spawned behind him, spinning before launching forwards, becoming a drill of flame that shattered the weak constructs of ice. Gray frowned as it approached, his arm glowing with a blue and white energy before he reached out, gritting his teeth as he caught the flaming spiral, the heat threatening to break through his protective skin of ice. With a roar the man clenched his fists, the fire sputtering out before him.

Chuck's eyes widened. That shouldn't have happened. Sure, there were people strong enough to completely disregard his fire, but from every action the teen had taken throughout the course of the fight he was not one of those people. There had to be a secret to what he was doing, something regarding that new Arctic Magic he was using. Frowning Chuck noticed the thin film of ice covering the boys skin.

'That has to be the catalyst for this power increase. If I can break that layer of ice maybe he'll decrease in power?'

With that thought in mind Chuck rushed forwards, broadsword in hand. The two mages grunted, bringing their blades together once more, tendrils of ice and fire spearing behind them. The two grunted, their powers clashing even an eruption of steam before they leapt away from each other, both forming follow-up attacks.

Flames spiraled around Chuck, flowing into the air to form dozens of naginata's floating behind him, hints of blue fire at the very tips of the blades. However, just opposite of him, Gray had also formed an attack of his own, ice sliding off of the construct to form a dozen massive broadswords, the duo's attacks colliding in midair as the two mages landed on opposite buildings. With a grunt more ice slid off of the construct, Gray smirking as a pillar of ice rose up to smash through the roof of the building, attempting to spear Chuck only for the man to leap away. Gray rushed forwards, icy mist trailing from his hands before he waved his arms forwards, hail the size of golf balls soaring towards Chuck.

Chuck grunted, a shield of flame morphing in front of him, allowing him to block all of the attack, before he swung open again, fire forming in the holes in his arm. With a grunt countless shuriken poured from the flaming holes, causing Gray's eyes to widen, his arms raised to deflect his vitals before he took the attack, being sent skidding backwards but no real damage seeming to have happened.

"Tch. That ice layer is annoying," Chuck muttered.

"Yeah and your skill at manipulating fire is annoying also," Gray countered. "But maybe we can get around that."

Chuck's eyes widened before he leapt into the sky, catching Gray's eyes flash with power just before the roof froze. The man grunted, fire swarming in his hands before forming a massive great hammer, bringing it down towards Gray who was forced to leap away. That didn't stop Chuck's attack however, the blaze smashing through the building, causing it to collapse. Gray was only allowed to stare at it briefly however, as a massive spear of flame sprung from the ruins, launching itself towards him, blue fire at the tip of the spear. Eyes wide Gray was to slow to react, the spear smashing into him with a violent explosion as he was thrown back onto his ice construct, spiderweb cracks appearing along it.

Chuck grunted, appearing from the rubble of the destroyed building, once again happy it was abandoned, before he walked towards Gray a blade of fire appearing in his hands before he pointed it at Gray.

"Yield."

Gray grunted, glancing down at his stomach to see spiderweb cracks appearing on the layer of ice coating his skin. Grunting the teens head rested on the construct behind him. His time limit was approaching, that much was obvious. It would only be accelerated by the insulator being broken. When he dropped out of his form there was no doubt in his mind he would be too weak to continue the battle. Slowly the teen gathered his magic, shifting the construct behind him slowly as to not be noticed by Chuck.

"This is your last chance, yield!"

Gray smirked, locking eyes with the man.

"No."

With that Gray's arms swung forwards, both of them with a Shield of Ur on them, as they blocked the blazing sword. Gray grunted, stepping forwards as he batted the blade away with one arm, swinging a punch forwards. The shield smashed into Chuck's frame, spittle flying from his mouth before he was launched away. Gray grunted, readying himself before he charged after his opponent. Chuck just barely managed to stand as Gray appeared in front of him, a punch flying. The sword of fire swirled, turning into a warhammer only for it to clank uselessly against Gray's shield, the shudder from the force the only sign that the impact had effected the teen at all.

Gray grunted, swinging his other punch round, his shield smashing into Chuck's side with a sickening POP. Chuck howled, dropping to the ground instantly, causing Gray to grunt, raising his shields in front of the man as the rose symbol began to spin. Chuck's eyes widened, before flames surged from his hands, a storm of flaming daggers appearing at Gray's feet and shooting upwards, slashing against his chest and arms, forcing him to leap away instead of launching his finishing attack.

Chuck grunted, one hand resting on his ribs, glaring at he saw Gray standing away from him, the shields on the teens arms. Chuck grunted once more, flames licking his body, hints of blue in them. Gray responded in kind, his the rose symbol on his shields beginning to swirl violently. Chuck's eyes widened, flames surrounding in in a storm, hints of flame licking the ground, causing a heat wave that collided with the cold air caused by Gray's own magic.

Suddenly the world changed, the two elements competing for dominance. A virtual inferno of flaming blades appeared behind Chuck, the blades all having hints of bluts in them that were so vibrant at the tips they were almost blinding. However Gray had changed too. The ice structure behidn him had completely disappeared, instead forming rocket launchers on his shoulders, their triggers all interwoven to connect to his right hand. The shield on that arm had disappeared, merging with the other to create a giant shield, two rose symbols spinning so quickly that the symbols couldn't be seen even by the trained eye.

"You don't want to do this boy," Chuck stated, creating a ball of flame in his hands, hints of fire appearing in it. "You're lucky I haven't crushed you yet because of the situation. Give up boy. My patience is running thin."

Gray grunted, to focused to even respond. 'Focus...I can do this. Throw everything into this one attack, and win!'

"Fire-Make: Assault of the Thousand Blades!"

"Arctic Make: Final Winter!"

With that the blades launched forwards to combat the tsunami of snow and ice and the world exploded in a storm of steam and dreadful heat.


Near Fairy Tail Guild Hall

Freed frowned as he saw the two Dragonslayers rush throughout the city, both of them looking for Laxus.

"Natsu Dragneel and Gajeel Redfox," Freed muttered. "Those two are threats, threats that cannot be allowed to just wander throughout the city. Even Laxus-sama would struggle with dealing with both of them and Erza. And if Mystogan is truly here as I believe him to be, then the odds of this battle may just tilt in their favor with the defeat of Bickslow and Evergreen. No something else was needed. Enemies that needed to be taken care of.

Gajeel Redfox would be easy pickings for someone like Laxus. His lightning would easily overwhelm his iron, but there was more bad blood with Natsu. There was no doubt Laxus would enjoy destroying the Dragonslayer one more time. While Gajeel did not like Gajeel either, it wasn't as strong as his animosity for Natsu. Of course Freed could take them both on, but that would not be advisable. As much as he hated to admit it, the two were powerful. They were not to be underestimated, for they could defeat their enemies. He couldn't treat them like Jet. He couldn't afford to treat any Fairy Tail mage like weaklings anymore. Jet, however weak, had still been full of surprises and more of a challenge than he had expected. He had no doubt the Dragonslayers would be even more of a hassle. It would be best to have the duo fight each other.

Freed smirked, noting the location of a nearby trap. If he could just lure them there he could get them to defeat one another. That was his best course of action. With a simple swipe of his sword the teleportation rune appeared before him, the mage appearing above the duo, wings at his back.

Let the battle commence, even if all participants were not aware of it.

Freed shot forwards, appearing beside the duo of Dragonslayers before his sword swung outwards, sending both Natsu and Gajeel flying in a burst of purple energy. The duo flipped in midair, grunting as they landed on their feet.

"Oi! What the hell Freed?"

Freed ignored Natsu's roars, smirking as he realized the duo were just a few steps away from the barrier. If he could just force them backwards briefly he would be able to force them to fight one another. The man immediately charged forwards again, only for his eyes to widen as in a blur Natsu was in front of him, flames jetting from his feet. Before the mage was able to react Natsu had circled behind him before launching a kick that launched him forwards, knocking him into the waiting Gajeel who smashed his fist into Freed's face.

Freed crumpled to the ground briefly, standing before the duo launched any follow-up attack. However, just as he stood Gajeel reached out and grabbed him, a savage grin on his face.

"Let's you and I have some fun yeah," Gajeel muttered, swinging Freed over his shoulder. Freed grunted, barely raising his blade to block the kick that sent him flying into the barrier. His eyes widened with horror as Gajeel leapt forwards, into the trapped space. Dodging the punch Gajeel launched Freed tried to reach the barrier of the field, only for it to spring up just before he broke free.

"No!"

"Eh," Gajeel muttered.

"What's all those runes," Natsu questioned. "Where'd they come from?"

"It was a trap," Freed muttered, gritting his teeth. "A trap that you two ruined."

"You were gonna trap us," Gajeel muttered, before he grinned. "Oh I see! You were gonna try and make us fight each other like those other Fairy Tail mages! You were too scared to take us both on by yourself!"

"Scared is not the correct term," Freed said, drawing his blade. "I didn't think it would be worth the hassle. Still, this is good for me. Fighting you one at a time will be easier than defeating both of you at the same time, even if it is not the ideal situation."

"Well that sounds like fun," Natsu stated. "Doesn't really matter to me though, I have a more fun fight coming up with Laxus! Gajeel, you knock yourself out against Freed! Imma go fight Laxus!"

"Oi, Salamander get back here! I'm fighting the electricity brat you hear me!"

"No way," Natsu laughed, rushing around to continue trying to find Laxus. "You're trapped in there with Freed! Just kick his ass before I finish beating up Laxus!"

Gajeel's eyebrow twitched before his attention to Freed. "You suck."

Freed frowned. "I don't understand you Dragonslayers. So confident that you can defeat your betters. You cannot defeat me, no matter how hard you try. You are trapped in here with me after all."

Gajeel cocked his head before he grinned, his sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. Green energy shot from the teens body as his eyes began to glow green, glaring at Freed like a demon straight out of hell.

"Trapped in here with you? No. I'm not trapped in here with you. You're trapped in here with me."

Freed narrowed his eyes, swiping his sword to the side. "Only a fool would say such a thing. I will show you just how wrong you are. Dark Ecriture: Pain."

Gajeel snorted as the beam of energy shot towards him, his body slowly converting to iron. With a easy brush of his hand the beam was sent flying, dissipating in to dust as Gajeel's entire body converted.

"Iron Dragon's Scales," The Dragonslayer stated, before he grinned, his stomach expanding. "Now, let me give you a demonstration. Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Freed's eyes widened as the torrent of spinning shrapnel and wind surged towards him, immediately taking to the sky in order to avoid the attack. Gajeel watched the man fly into the air, ignoring the runes in the air holding back the tornado of power before it dissipated. With a grunt Gajeel's arms transformed into harpoons, causing him to grin.

"You can't get away just by flying coward!"

Gajeel roared his challenge, launching his harpoons towards Freed only for the man to deflect both of them with his blade. That didn't stop Gajeel however, spitting several kunai from his mouth. Freed grunted, deflecting the blades, only for his eyes to widen as a hand clasped his shoulder. Turning, he found that Gajeel had redirected one of his harpoons, the tip turning back into a hand as Gajeel reeled himself into the air.

"I might not be able to fly like the Salamander but I don't need to!"

Freed grunted, bringing up his blade as Gajeel approached. Runes surrounded his blade, Freed finishing his chant just as Gajeel's fist careened forwards.

"Dark Ecriture: Destruction!"

"Iron Dragon's Hard Fist!"

The two attacks collided together, the steely-gray coloring of Gajeel's magic seal roaring against the swirling purple energy of Freed's slash. The two attacks roared, competing for dominance before a small white sphere forming in the epicenter. The two mages glanced at the ball before their eyes widened as a flash of energy appeared within it before it violently exploded, sending the two flying. Freed grunted, barely able to control himself in the air from the force of the explosion, instead merely being sent flying even higher into the air.

Gajeel suffered the short end of the stick due to his position, careening back into the ground to smash into the earth with a grunt. The Dragonslayer groaned, standing to glare at Freed, noticing the slight twinge in his hand. Glancing down he frowned as he saw the cracks appearing on his scales, arcing all across his forearm.

"Tch. Techniques stronger than I thought."

"I told you, you cannot defeat me," Freed stated, swinging his blade, only for his eyes to widen as it shattered to pieces in front of his very eyes. Before Freed could react Gajeel had grinned, immediately drawing on his magic to capitalize on the advantage.

"But mine hits harder clearly! Iron Dragon's Lance: Demon Logs!"

Gajeel's arm instantly began to change, the arm shifting into a large spearhead before a green magic seal appeared at the very tip. Grinning, Gajeel roared, green energy lancing through the air towards Freed, causing the mans eyes to widen. The Fairy Tail mage did his best to avoid the attacks, maneuvering around those that he could. Those that he couldn't he managed to mitigate, the spears of energy making glancing blows against his arms and legs, causing slight cuts but nothing major. Gajeel frowned, glaring at the man only to notice how small a space he was flying around in.

Grinning Gajeel immediately gathered his magic, realizing his opening. Opening mouth he let loose. "Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Freed's eyes widened as he saw the tornado of shrapnel and magic careen towards him. There was no way to avoid it, it was too big. In the magic trap he himself activated he would be forced to deal with the Dragonslayers attack head on, and despite his best efforts he knew how that would end up. His blade had shown him that. The Dragonslayer would beat him in a straight on slugfest. He couldn't overwrite his trap either, or dispel it. It would take to long, and Gajeel would not give him the time. That left him one option. He wasn't strong enough to face Gajeel, not in his current state.

Writing a line of runes in front of him, Freed watched as the attack neared, to close to avoid even if he wanted to. No, this was his best bet. Sometimes you had to fight fire with fire. If he could not beat Gajeel with his normal spells, he would beat him with the forbidden ones.

"Dark Ecriture: Darkness!"

Freed's eyes narrowed as his runes flew towards him, before his body pulsed with power, a dark aura surrounding him, covering his entire body as it begun the transformation. Just as he did so the attack from Gajeel struck, surrounding him in a storm of shrapnel. Gajeel grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"Direct hit. That's that. There's no way no two-bit fairy can handle that attack."

"You would be surprised what some two-bit fairy can handle."

Gajeel's eyes widened as he looked at Freed, only for horror to fill them as he saw what was standing before him in Freed's place. Gone was the human, no, in its place stood a demon. A dark-colored creature, with horns coming out of its head, and fur covering its arms. Its bare chest stood exposed to attack, a bone-like structure covering it. Scales covering its right eye, both of the orbs bleeding red eerily similar to Gajeel's own eyes at him.

"What are you?"

Freed smirked, before he disappeared in a burst of speed. Gajeel's eyes widened, turning to his side to see Freed standing there, his arm already in motion. The blow smashed into Gajeel's head, sending the mage flying into the magical barrier, the iron scales covering his head cracked with parts even flaking off. Freed appeared before Gajeel as the teen stumbled, launching a punch that slammed into his stomach, bending him over. Freed grunted, raising his fists before bringing them down in a double axe-handle that smashed Gajeel into the ground with a grunt. Freed smirked.

"I am destruction. Darkness Breath."

Gajeel barely had time to turn his head before he saw it. The swirl of Darkness Magic in Freed's mouth that was subsequently launched towards him. The blast smashed against him, eliciting a howl of pain as the storm of darkness covered the entirety of the trap. When the blast cleared the iron scales that covered Gajeel were completely gone, only burns and bruises covering his skin, the top of his shirt completely destroyed by the blast.

"Tch. Some Dragonslayer. You wouldn't have been a threat to Laxus anyway. Maybe I should have dealt with Natsu instead."

Freed shook his head, walking to the edge of the barrier to go find the Fire Dragonslayer only for his eyes to narrow as he noticed that the barrier had no collapsed yet. Frowning Freed turned back to see Gajeel slowly rising to his feet, his body still shaking from the pain.

"Stop. You're in no condition to fight. I do not wish to kill another Fairy Tail mage, but if you continue this fruitless effort you will leave me no choice."

Gajeel grunted, spitting out a wad of blood that had been pooling in his mouth before he grinned at Freed, despite the horrendous wounds that covered his body. "Then I guess I'm leaving you no choice then aren't I?"

Freed frowned, a sphere of energy surrounding his fist before he rocketed forwards, roaring as he did so. Gajeel could only watch as he did so, a smile on his face.

'I can't believe that the only reason I'm going to win this fight is because of how my opponent set it up,' the Dragonslayer thought before magic flared around him.

"Iron Drive!"

Freed's eyes widened as he saw it, as though the world was changing in slow motion. First, Gajeel's body changed, as though he was being covered in his scales once more. But it was different, these ones were thicker, stronger, and layered. It looked like an actual sheet of armor, but ten times stronger. And Gajeel was covered in it, looking like nothing more than a hulking monstrosity. The only visible part of Gajeel were the two small slits where an ominous red glow could be seen, undoubtedly his eyes. The thin green cloak of energy covering him only served to enhance the effect. Then the ground reacted, spearing upwards as though all the iron in the area was congregating. He felt it smash into him, trying to weigh him down, only him to power through them. Freed launched his punch.

And his eyes widened as Gajeel caught it with ease, not even moving from the force of the blow. The only way to know Gajeel even felt the attack was the slight release of breath he made as he caught the blow. Freed's eyes widened. That was not possible. No one could make such a power jump in so short a time. Sure, in their base forms Gajeel was more powerful than he was, that much was obvious, but his transformation with the forbidden spell should have negated that. It should have negated everything. He was stronger than even Mirajane in her prime in this form! There was no way that one measly transformation could overcome such a massive gap in power, not when without this transformation Gajeel had been unable to stop him.

"Looks like you're shit out of luck," came a deep, booming voice. It sounded...metallic, and the air reeked of iron and blood. "Now allow me to show you what happens, when you mess with a dragon. Let's see if this breaks more than just your sword this time eh?"

Freed's eyes widened, attempting to pull away only to find that Gajeel's grip was far to strong to resist. He couldn't pull away, and at this close range, if Gajeel's destructive power had been augmented there was no way he would be able to withstand an attack. Not if his defensive showing was any indication. Gajeel grinned, cocking his other fist back, the green aura around that area magnifying as the iron armor began to grow even larger, an intense green like that looked like it was burning through it shining.

"Iron Dragon's Hard Fist!"

Freed's eyes widened as the blow landed, although this time it was due to pain. The punch cratered his chest, his ribcage shattering as green energy blew out of his back, blood flying from his mouth as the blow landed. Gajeel roared, continuing the blow all the way through, smashing Freed into the ground. The force sent a blast of green energy throughout the ground, a crater forming from the blow that buried Freed in rubble, barely leaving his body visible. Gajeel grunted as he saw Freed drop of out his transformation, the barrier around the duo dropping. Gajeel grunted, his drive fading, the extra iron falling to the ground with a heavy thud. Gajeel stared down at the Fairy Tail mage.

"Yeah, so don't use that move on humans, because that almost killed him. If he wasn't transformed he'd probably be dead."

Gajeel flexed his hand, grinning despite the fact that he almost killed a man.

"Still, for a field test I'd call that a success...even if it was only duo to that damn barrier." Gajeel grunted, before he started moving. Freed was a nice warm-up, but he wasn't the main course. No, that was Laxus, and he was going to defeat that man, elemental disadvantage be damned.


With Gray and Chuck

Gray groaned as he lay on the ground. The two attacks both he and Chuck had launched at one another had negated each other, leaving only a drained Gray on the ground, with Chuck kneeling against a wall, staring down at the mage. Gray groaned, the thin sheet of ice that covered his body completely falling off, only increasing the sheer fatigue he felt. He doubted he could form a single spell in his condition. The man shivered, surprised to feel the cold shoot through his body. He knew that staying in that form for prolonged periods of time was dangerous, but to feel cold was a sensation he had not felt in a long while. Gray groaned, craning his head to see Chuck staring at him.

"You did good ice mage," Chuck muttered. "I expected to defeat you with ease, but you showed surprising determination. To face an opponent as powerful as you, it is truly an honor."

Gray snorted, grunting as the pain from the action hit him. "Yeah, but I still lost," he muttered. "You could kill me right now."

"I'm afraid I don't think that's possible. I wouldn't kill you in the first place, but we're not alone anymore. Our battle has attracted company."

Gray frowned, turning his neck to the side to see a beautiful blue haired woman standing next to the duo. It was only when he noticed her presence did he noticed that the skies had darkened, rain falling onto the battlefield.

"Who are you," Gray whispered.

"Juvia is Juiva Lockser of Fairy Tail. Juvia saw the battle from a distance and rushed over. Juvia is surprised to see a Fairy Tail mage she has never met."

"I was gone for a period of time," Gray muttered. "I was training."

"Juvia understands, she thinks," Juvia commented, tilting her head. Gray could only stare at the strange girl. She was so weird. Why did she talk in the third person?

"In that case, Juvia will defeat the enemy."

"Wait!" Chuck stated, his eyes widening as he saw Juvia's arms turn into whips of water. That was not a fight he wanted. She had the elemental advantage and he was tired, easy pickings for even a B-class mage. This was not a battle he needed to participate in. "We don't have to battle. This battle was a draw. I plan on leaving town, don't worry."

Juvia narrowed her eyes, watching Chuck's wet body with an intense gaze. "How can Juvia know she can trust you?"

"You can trust him Juvia," Gray stated. "Chuck is a lot of things, but he's a man of his word."

Chuck frowned, glancing at Gray. How would he know? Sure, he had definitely never gone against his word when around the mage, but every time they had seen each other was on the field of battle, where he had made no promises. How could he judge his character off of that?

Gray smirked, thinking back to their battle. "I can tell through the emotion in his fire. It's similar to Natsu's. He's a good guy, even if he is a little cold."

Chuck snorted, slowly standing. The action drew a watchful gaze from Juvia but nothing else. "I am most definitely not cold," Chuck stated before stumbling off towards the direction of the city limits. Gray snorted.

"Right. My bad," he muttered, before he closed his eyes. Juvia rushed over to the teen, reaching him just as Gray fell into unconsciousness.


Shin Maco is an OC created by millineal. I've changed up a bit of my style in writing. I'm trying to give a better picture of where people are, hence the location details. Anyways, let me know what you guys think of the fight scenes. I think they're pretty good all things considered. I tried to showcase all of the Thunder God Tribe's level according to the opponents that they faced. Not necessarily highlighting how strong they were, but more showcasing where they rank in power. This mainly applies to Evergreen. She is definitely strong, but she's not even close to Erza level. Freed and Bickslow however I think you got a solid grasp of, along with Jet and Gray actually considering both of them did fairly well in their fights.

I really wanna talk about Levy and Gray. I wanted to highlight the big different in their fighting styles. Gray's is destructive and filled to the brim with power shots, with few lead ins. His style mainly focuses around an impenetrable defense and an unstoppable offense, which I think was shown with Chuck. Gray withstood most attacks, or outright countered them with brute strength because that's the kind of fighter he is. He isn't a tricky fighter unlike Levy. Levy relies far more on technique than Gray does. She doesn't use flashy words that have ridiculous collateral damage, she gathers information and tries to weaken her opponent by taking away their strengths as fast as possible. I wanted to clarify that, because well I'm trying to make sure that my story doesn't run into the infamous shonen problem. Select characters will get stronger and it will be seen on the environments they battle in. Others will get stronger and it won't be seen as much, but it has more to do with their style of battling rather than how strong they are. Chuck is also a good example. He definitely has explosive power, but he also has technique, as seen with how he can manipulate his Fire-Make.

Also again, preemptively before someone asks why Levy didn't use a word like nuke or something like that to defeat all of her opponents, the simple reason is that she can't. Obviously she would get caught in the explosion of a word like that, but she physically can't. The more powerful the word the more magical cost required. Words like "nuke" are completely out of her range of being able to cast. She physically doesn't have the magic to pull it off. She might have the might of the dictionary on her side, but it requires a lot of magic. Even status conditions like "unconscious" or "phantasmagoria" cost quite a bit of magic, not necessarily because of their flashiness, but because she is literally forcing her will unto other people. That's not easy. Obviously, certain status-conditions like "unconscious" can require even more magic, depending on who it's used on. Bickslow can take less damage than someone like Natsu for instance, so it's easier to put him into a state of unconsciousness (and thus requires less magic) than someone like Natsu who would be harder to put into a state of unconsciousness (and thus requires more magic). Levy has the ability to be very hax, but it's limited by her own magic supply.

On another note, as I was writing the fight between Levy and Bickslow guess what I did. I clicked away, and what happened when I tried to click back? A misclick. A misclick that did what exactly?

DELETED THE ENTIRE COMPLETED FIGHT SCENE!

2000 words down the drain. And a masterful fight scene detailing how strong Levy was. And her fighting style. All rewritten.

Now onto the next chapters, the ones that focus on the man, myth, and legend himself. Laxus Dreyar. I have been waiting for his sequence of fights. I'm not sure if it's going to be a chapter or two chapters yet, but I do know where I would break it if it is two chapters. Don't worry though, either way you're getting a big fight scene. And you'll see exactly where Natsu and Erza are in their current level of strength.

Sorry for the slow update, but I wanted to finish three different stories chapters, and so I did that. It wasn't too hard. ANLTL was really easy to write for considering it's mostly canon with the addition of Naruto being there, and UNL is typically a fun write. Besides, I got to write battle strategy that I've really been trying to do, so I feel happy with everything I've put out. So look forward to those chapters being put out in a couple days as I proofread them (and hopefully don't miss any dumb mistakes).

Review, review, review!