Chapter 25
"METAL MAGIC! TITANIUM BODY!" A large, muscular wizard cried out and soon his entire body transformed into titanium. The muscle bound metal then took a swing at Mason but his steel hand simply phased right through Mason's body. "Hey no fair!"
"When it comes to loser bandits like you, I don't tend to play fair!" Mason called out as his fist combusted with magic power. "PHANTOM DRAGON VANISHING FIST!" Mason slammed his fist into the metal man's stomach but he didn't so much as budge while mason's fist began to throb and glow red. "Owww…" Mason sobbed.
"Hehe… Who's the loser now?" The metal man chuckled as he grabbed Mason's arm before he could get away, he then proceeded to lift Mason up above him before slamming him back into the ground WHAAM! The metal man lifted Mason up once more before tossing the battered dragon slayer away.
"WWAAAHHH!" Mason cried out before SPLASH! His body was caught by a large ball of water. "Thanks…" Mason said before the water bubble popped and Mason fell to the ground. "Owww!... Where's Gajeel when you need him?..."
"He and Levy are supposed to be guarding the king's niece." Juvia called back as she washed away a large group of armed bandits.
"THUNDERBOLTS FATE!" Cana cried out as she threw down three of her magic cards before a chain of lightning magic zapped through another large group of bandits. "But does it really take two wizards to guard one little girl? Mason's right, we sure could use him down here. WAAHH!" A thick brown rope suddenly wrapped itself around Cana and began to drag her away. "What the hell is this?!"
"HAHA!" One of the bandit wizards, a short man wearing a bandana over his mouth and nose and with brown ropes for fingers, laughed out loud as his hand had transformed into the rope that had Cana trapped. "How do you fairy losers like my rope magic? Now no sudden moves, if either of you so much as flinch I'll crush every bone in her body like so." The evil wizard smirked as the ropes around Cana began to tighten.
"AAAAHHHH!" Cana cried out in pain.
(Meanwhile with Levy and Gajeel)
"Do you have any three's?" Levy asked as she and the King's Niece played a dull game of Go Fish while sitting in the girls royal carriage.
"Go fish." The young girl called back prompting Levy to draw a card and making her face go sour…
"THIS FREAKING SUCKS!" Gajeel roared as he was stuck in the dull carriage with them.
(Back with Mason)
"Juvia switch with me?.." Mason muttered before he turned invisible
"Huh? What do you mean?" Juvia asked but Mason was already gone.
"WOAH! That guy just vanished!" The ropes wizard cried out in fear. Mason then appeared directly next to Cana, his cloak had already transformed into its sword mode at that point and he used it to slice through the ropes around Cana. "AAAAHHHH! My hands!" The rope wizard cried as he retracted his ropes back into his fingers.
"Are you alright?" Mason asked as he lifted Cana up and lightly shook the injured girl.
"Huh…" Cana opened her eyes and looked up to find the white haired mage holding her rather closely, the card wizard's face turned a light shade of red. "Uh yeah, whatever! I'm fine… You can put me down now…."
"Oh!" Mason blushed as well, not fully realizing until that point the implications of what he was doing. He quickly put his guild mate down. "Haha… My bad…"
"Jeez you two…" Juvia pouted as she surrounded the metal man with a water bubble and his body began to rust. "This is a job you guys! Quit flirting!"
"WE'RE NOT FLIRTING!" They both yelled back in unison, Mason being too busy to notice a small brown rope wrap around his leg. "Huh?" The dragon slayer muttered as he was quickly dragged away from the other two.
"Haha! You arrogant wizards, you thought you were safe didn't you? You're not out of the woods yet!" The rope mage taunted as he dragged Mason across the forest floor. "Now to take your leg! HAHAAHAHAHAHA! Huh?" The next thing the rope wizard knew he was levitating a few inches of the ground, his body glowing with purple magic. "What the?" WHAM! The small wizard was slammed face first down into the ground and knocked unconscious.
"That was annoying." Mason groaned as he untangled the rope around his ankle before he stood up and observed the area around him and his friends. Defeated bandits littered the ground, some soaked, some burnt, some beaten and bruised but none of them were getting up anytime soon. "So much for the thieves guild Shadow Hand. I'll be honest they were actually tougher than I thought but I'd call this another job well done."
"Not so fast!" A raspy voiced hissed from deeper in the woods. Slowly a man decorated with black robes with long silver hair and a skull shaped mask emerged from the woods. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted those weak idiots with a job this important but none of that matters now. Now you face the Master of the Shadow Hand guild as well as its most powerful member! Shadow Hand Billy himself! SHADOW MAKE SWORD!" a long blade of smokey black magic appeared in billies hand before he charged the Fairy Tail wizards.
"Never heard of you…" Mason muttered as he once again drew his katana once more, this time channeling his own Magic power into the blade. KLANG! The two swords met and a stalemate was quickly formed.
"HAH! Looks like we're equals in terms of magic power! Let's see which of us is more skilled when it comes to blade work!" Billy began to push his body weight forward into his strike but Mason didn't budge.
"I'm getting pretty sick of this…" Mason groaned. "Ladies? Wanna help me out."
"Gladly!" Juvia said as both she and Cana leapt into action. "WATER SLICER!" Juvia called out then with a wave of her hand blades of water began to fly towards Billy.
"SUMMONED LIGHTNING!" Cana waved three cards forward and a mint green magic circle was formed in front of her and multiple blasts of magic energy fired forward at Billy.
The two blasts met in the middle and the collision created a large explosion with Shadow Hand Billy at its center KAABOOOM! The explosion of magic quickly rendered the Bandit Master unconscious and Mason returned his sword to its cloak form. "I think we're done here and I'm ready for a break…"
(Later, Balsam Village Hot Spring)
SPLASH! "Awh…." Mason let out a pleased sigh as he slowly stepped into the hot bath water. "I've never been to a hot spring before but now I'm starting to understand why they're so popular. Good idea Gajeel."
"Thanks…" A satisfied looking Gajeel answered as he let himself sink into the water. "Nothing beats a good warm bath after a hard day of work. I gotta make sure to thank Erza for telling me about this place and it's not that far from home base with all that money we've made on these last couple of jobs, you'll know where to find me when I'm not around the guild hall."
"I certainly won't complain about a hot bath every once and a while but there is something I can complain about." Mason pointed towards his fellow Dragon slayer. "Gajeel where the hell's your towel?"
"Hmph! You don't expect me to enjoy a good bath with a lame towel in the way!" Gajeel argued back. "We're both dudes so get over it will you!"
"That's gross Gajeel!" Levy called back from the other side of the bamboo wall that separates the girls and boys side of the bath. "Remind me never to come to another bathhouse with you again! Am I right Juvia."
"This water is so nice…." Juvia sighed as she literally began to melt into the steamy water. "I wonder why I neglected to try it out the last time I was here. I can't wait to bring my darling Gray back here, just the two of us…" Juvia mumbled on as she started fantasizing.
"Yeah! Like I'd ever invite either of you two Idiots back here with me!" Gajeel roared back. "Jeez, I work hard all day and I come here to relax but now I got all of y'all at my neck cause I don't wanna wear a stupid towel!"
"C'mon Gajeel we really didn't do much today. Juvia, Mason and Cana did all the fighting today…" Levy pointed out getting Gajeel to blush with embarrassment.
"DON'T REMIND ME!" Gajeel roared angrily, getting levy to chuckle.
"Speaking of Cana…" Juvia said as she reformed herself from the bath water. "Just where is she?"
"You mean she's not over there with you two?" Mason said as he sat up in the bath water. Meanwhile a small twinkle could be seen shining from the door to the men's bath.
"Hey boys.." All of a sudden Cana came out through the threshold into the Mens section of the open air bath wearing a towel to cover her body but it was clear nothing was on underneath her face was also quite rosey red indicating intoxication.
"HYAAHHH!" Gajeel shrieked almost like a girl before he quickly reached down to cover up his "Man parts". "What the hell are you doing here?! Go back over to your side!"
SPLASH! Cana ignored Gajeel's orders and hopped into the steamy warm water, landing on Mason's lap. "What are you doing?" Mason growled back as he tried to avoid starring…
"Hehe…" Cana chuckled as she leaned in closer, pressing herself even more against the Dragon Slayer. "You wanna know something? When you saved me from that rope guy earlier, it was actually pretty cool." The chocolate haired girl whispered softly into Mason's ear and his face quickly went red. "I wanted to pay you back so I got to thinking and figured I'd offer you a trade. I'll let you take of my towel if I get to take your's off too. Hehe…"
"Cana, you're drunk." Mason declared as he pushed the intoxicated wizard off of him.
"Yeah, there was like a huge bottle of booze in our room, so what? I'm usually drunk." Cana said as she began to slide her finger down Mason's torso, aiming for the rim of Mason's towel but she stopped a good bit short. "Huh? There's a weird scar just below your chest? Did you get stabbed?"
"No…" Mason said as he pushed Cana totally off of him. "That's where they put the lacrima."
"Lacrima?" Levy asked from behind the bamboo wall. "So your power comes from a lacrima like Laxus."
"Didn't you tell me you were raised by a dragon?" Gajeel growled.
"I was raised by a dragon, they didn't put the lacrima in till just over two years ago." Mason explained as he rubbed his scar with a bit of embarrassment. "It was a gift from God Serena…"
"God Serena! You mean the most powerful wizard on the continent. The top ranked Wizard Saint God Serena?!" Levy began to freak out and started to spew information. "He gave you a lacrima and put it in your chest?!"
"It really is a long story…" Mason said as he tried to end the conversation.
"We aren't going anywhere…" Gajeel said bluntly.
"Story! Story! Story!" Cana chanted as she began floating around on her back.
"Fine…" Mason groaned before beginning his story. "If you're that familiar with the guy then you must know that not only is he the most powerful wizard saint but he's also one of the youngest and I was there in the Era when he was named as one of the four gods. On that same day I was supposed to have a sparring match with my friend Julia who is a Second Generation Dragon Slayer like laxus, the winner would be promoted to the status of captain but of course it was to be postponed for Serena's ceremony but when he heard we were both dragon slayers he insisted we have our battle and that he be the judge."
(Flashback)
"You ready, spooky?!" Julia called out, a large smile alreadyplastered on her face before the battle had even begun.
Mason transformed his cloak into a large metal rod which he threw to the side of the battle field. "Just promise me you won't go crying when I whoop you."
"My GODness. Isn't this HEAVENly?" The eccentric, brown haired wizard saint said as he watched down from a high perch, next to him stood Brosnan and Tyson. "A battle between the first and second generations of Dragon Slayer."
"Um God Serena sir…" Tyson timidly spoke up. "We could probably get you a seat much closer to the fight, considering you're the referee and only audience."
"I'm fine my muscular friend. I can see fine from up here. Besides, I prefer to look down on others anyway." God serena said before whistling down to the combatants.
Brosnan rolled her eyes. "I'm going down stairs." The light mage said as she marched off the elevated platform.
"Excuse me Mr Soldier." God Serena elegantly tapped Tyson on the shoulder even though the older mage had clearly heard him. "Can you do me a favor and tell me which of the two is stronger, I'd hate to accidentally find myself rooting for a loser."
"Oh, uh well lets see…" Tyson found himself stumbling over his words, not expecting such a question. "Well when it comes to raw power I believe young Julia would have the advantage but Mason is a more skilled fighter. It's really hard to say."
"So it's anyone's fight? Good, this should be entertaining." God Serena said with a smile before whistling down to the battle field. "You may begin!"
"Bout time! PLASMA DRAGON ROAR!" Julia started off firing a large green laser beam from her mouth directly at Mason.
"PHANTOM DRAGON'S BARRIER!" Mason threw up a wall of magic power that put a stop to Julia's attack. "Seriously, I could see that coming from a mile away!"
"PLASMA DRAGON SWORDS!" Blades of green energy sprouted from Julia's elbows as she leapt into the air above Mason's shield and began to spin like a top armed with Laser blades but before she could land, Mason disappeared. "Huh? Coward! Quit hiding."
"Careful what you wish for." Mason's disembodied voice echoed around the battlefield before he reappeared to the Girls left, glowing fist at the ready. "PHANTOM DRAGON'S VANISHING FIST!" Mason punched the girl dead in the cheek, knocking her backwards.
"Phantom Magic? What fun!" Serena marveled at Mason's skill in battle.
"Grrrr…." Julia growled as she slid backwards. "PLASMA DRAGON SLICER!" Julia made an X with her arms before sending out two blades of plasma. Mason created another energy barrier but it only managed to stop one of the slashes and the other hit dead on.
"GAAAHHH!" Mason cried out before aiming one of his hands at Julia. "PHANTOM DRAGON SHOT!"
"PLASMA DRAGON ARROW!" Julia and Mason both fire a blast of magic energy at the other and the two attacks collide with each other but Julia's was large and over powered Mason's attack KABOOM! A large explosion erupted on the battlefield. "Haha!" Julia laughed, feeling her attack had come out on top. "Ready to give up yet?"
While she was busy taunting, Mason appeared behind Julia and placed both hands against her back. "PHANTOM DRAGON CANNON!" Mason unleashed a massive blast of magic power that completely encompassed Julia's body and the force of the blast sent her flying. "Ready to give up yet?" Mason taunted back.
(Flashback paused)
"So then I readied my phantom dragon roar." Mason said, puffing up his cheeks for demonstration.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Gajeel interrupted. "The two of you fought, we got it. Skip this part!"
"Skip it?" Mason said, sounding disappointed. "But I…."
"Mason…" Levy called back from over the Bamboo wall. "We can kinda already guess who one…"
"Fine!" Mason gave in. "I'll skip to the end…"
(Flashback resumed)
"DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART!" Mason called out as a large magic circle formed beneath his feet.
"Dragon slayer secret what?" Julia said as she stood in awe of the magic power Mason was gathering around him.
"CURSED SOUL! TEN THOUSAND PHANTOMS!" A massive swarm of purple ghost like magic blasts erupted from around Mason's body and all of them converged on Julia and began to explode around her. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! KABOOOMM!
After the attack ended, Julia was still standing but just barely. Her legs were wobbling and they eventually gave way causing her to fall on her butt. "I surrender…." She muttered before losing consciousness.
"Ugh…" Mason groaned, falling to his butt as well but even though he was covered in bumps, bruises and burns he remained conscious. CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
The sound of slow clapping could be heard as God Serena began to approach Mason on the battlefield. "Bravo, excellent battle good sir." The wizard saint offered Mason a hand up. "Congratulations on your promotion to captain."
"G-God Serena…" Mason happily took the hand of the strongest mage on the continent and was soon back on his feet. "Th-Thank you sir…"
"You impressed me out there young man." God Seren said, even though he himself was not THAT much older than Mason. "Watching your fight it was clear to see that even though your opponent held the advantage when it came to total magic power your superiority as a fighter shined through and led you to victory! But that got me thinking. Do you know what you would get if you combined the instincts of a First Generation Dragon Slayer and the power of the second generation?"
"Uh no sir…." Mason replied, confused by just what first and second generation meant.
"You'd get the most powerful Dragon Slayer on the planet wouldn't you." Serena said, enthralled with his own idea. "So, phantom dragon. I'll leave you with a parting gift, a gift from a GOD if you will." Serena fished a palm sized purple stone out from his robes. "A genuine phantom dragon lacrima. Once you've gotten the hang of this thing come and find me and we'll see what the ultimate Dragon Slayer can do."
(End of flashback)
"Of course the council loved the idea and the next day I had the lacrima installed, I never saw Serena again and here we are now. I never wanted to take that lacrima, its always felt like cheating. Like using a power I Never earned." With that Mason's story was finished.
"Ultimate Dragon Slayer huh?" Gajeel asked before transforming his arm into its club form. "Wanna test that theory."
"I think it's time to get out…" Mason groaned and seemingly on cue Cana sat back up.
The brown haired wizard looked back and forth for a moment before her face turned green and her cheeks puffed up. "BLAAHHHGG!"
"Yep definitely time to get out!" Gajeel sprinted out of the bath, keeping his hands firmly between his legs.
"I don't feel so good…" Cana groaned.
"I know. Okay, Here we go." Mason lifted Cana up on his shoulder and carried her out of the bath, but her face suddenly went green again. "Gross!"
(Days later)
"Oh c'mon there totally getting it on…" Cana said as she and Mason were returning to the guild after completing another job. "Why else would they always partner up together?"
"That doesn't mean anything. We partner up together more often than they do." Mason pointed out. "Besides I'm pretty sure she's dating Jet."
"You're an idiot. The only reason I partner up with you is because you're willing to do all the work most of the time and you still split the reward." Cana said as she pulled a small flask out of her back pocket. "Plus you don't get all pissy when I drink on the job."
"OUTTA MY WAY!" Natsu screamed as he blasted past the two returning, knocking Cana's flask out of her hand in the process.
"HEY!" Cana tried to call back but Natsu was already out of range of her voice.
"Sorry about that." Wendy bowed politely. "Natsu wait for us!" The young wizard called out as she, followed by Carla and Happy chased after the pink haired dragon slayer.
"Why are those four in such a hurry." Cana asked as she picked up her empty flask.
"I don't know… Let's find out." The two wizards entered guild hall and Mason made his way over to the bar. "Hey Mira, do you know why Natsu was in such a hurry to get out of here?"
"Oh, I figured he'd tell you." Mira said with a smile. "According to Gray, someone spotted a Dragon around here and Natsu went to go track down who it was."
"A Dragon!?..."
(End)
