Episode 7: 15 Minutes
Mirajane had asked the two cowboy and cowgirl wizards to take Makarov to a wizened old healer that lived in a tree. From what Soron had learned of her… she doesn't give a damn about anything. However, she at least had a code that forbade her from refusing to help someone. However, that didn't matter to Soron right now as he was busy fiddling with his megatrix. He figured it was about time he put some sort of firewall or something to prevent himself from accidentally transforming into Jupiter again. After all, he didn't want to end up siding with Phantom Lord.
"Hey," said a familiar male voice. Soron didn't even have to look up to know it was Igrao.
"What?" Soron asked without looking up.
"Shuzy and I need to know something," Igrao said as he sat down across from the shape-shifter.
"Do you have any magic at all?" Igrao asked when Soron didn't respond. Soron stopped fiddling with his megatrix for a second when he heard that, but he went right back to what he was doing.
"If I did…" Soron replied, "it wouldn't really matter. Events would take fold as they are. Doesn't matter if I have magic or not."
"Yes it does," Igrao said darkly.
"What do you-" began Soron before he was punched hard. The punch knocked him off of his chair and onto the floor. When he stood up he saw that Igrao held a sword in his right hand.
"The hell did you punch me for?!" Soron exclaimed.
"Those who have no magic and yet wield abilities that no human has…" Igrao said angrily, "are a threat to all wizards!"
"Well that's a load of bullshit!" Soron said getting angry, "I have done nothing to make you think that I'm the enemy!"
"Liar!" Igrao shouted, "I saw you when you were that buff form who wielded lightning! You were - nay - you are a monster!"
"The hell is going on here?!" demanded a scary feminine voice. However, the voice didn't terrify Soron or Igrao at all.
"Kirito over here is threatening to kill me," Soron snarled, "and I haven't done anything to him… yet."
"I will not let you bring the apocalypse!" Igrao shouted, "People like you are what forced Shuzy and I from our home! People like you are responsible for the deaths of all those we considered family!"
"If you're gonna fight me, then fight me!" Soron yelled.
At that, Igrao charged at Soron with the intention to skewer Soron. However, he quickly jumped back when he saw a sword not his own slash near him. He turned towards his attacker and saw Erza in her Hearts Kreuz armor and a normal sword in her right hand.
"This man is not our enemy Igrao!" Erza said sternly, "He is the one man we cannot afford to vilify! Should he leave us forever, we'll stand no chance against Phantom Lord. Especially, since the Master is still unwell. If you have any issues with him staying… fight it out after Phantom Lord is defeated."
Igrao stood there glaring at Soron and Erza, but eventually he grunted as he allowed his sword to vanish. He then proceeded to turn around and walk off.
"You didn't have to intervene," Soron said quietly as Erza's sword vanished.
"Of course I did," Erza said without looking at him, "You are one of our strongest members, and since Mirajane has retired from the fighting lifestyle… I'm not sure Fairy Guild would survive if you left."
"Why'd you call him Kirito?" Erza asked with a curious tone and expression as she finally looked at Soron.
Later…
Soron had finally put in the firewall to prevent himself from turning into Jupiter again. However, he didn't feel like that was enough. That was why he had transformed into Kronos, his timelord form, and was doing his best to heal the injuries of his guild-mates. However, he stopped doing that when he heard the saddened voice of Lucy. With a frown, he looked up and saw that her head was facing the floor as she sat on a barrel with Natsu leaning on a wall next to her.
"It's just," Lucy said quietly, "All my fault."
At that, Soron or Kronos, whichever you want to call him, stood up and walked over to Lucy.
"Don't blame yourself for this," Soron said kindly as he knelt in front of her
"Hey," Soron said when Lucy didn't look at him, "I've had people come after me my entire life just because I was half-human. It's just one of the downsides of being awesome."
"Really?" Lucy asked as she raised her head.
"Nah," Soron admitted, "I just said that to try and cheer you up. However, you are awesome. You didn't run away in the face of danger, and you used your wits to escape that arrogant prick. Not many can do that. Well, I suppose they can. However, not many are brave enough. Some would just cower and submit in such a situation."
"Besides," Elfman said from nearby as he had heard the entire conversation, "you're protected by a real man like me, now."
"Will you stop that 'real man' nonsense?!" Grey asked irritated.
"I gotta say," Happy said from the floor nearby, "I was shocked when I heard the news. Why'd you hide the truth from us Lucy."
"She feared she wouldn't be accepted," Soron guessed, "after all, not many working class people can accept the rich in their lives."
"That's might be true," Lucy said, "but I didn't try to hide anything. I mean, there's no way to bring up the fact that I'm a runaway in casual conversation."
"I've been gone for a year," Lucy continued, "and my father hasn't cared. Now all of a sudden, he wants to force me to come home?"
"He's done all those horrible things just to get me to go back" Lucy finished, "I hate his guts!"
"Still," Lucy added miserably, "if I hadn't run away in the first place. None of this would've ever happened."
"C'mon!" Elfman said, "don't be ridiculous! You're dad's the one to blame!"
"Idiot!" Grey said.
"Uh," Elfman quickly retracted his statement, "I mean it's phantom's fault."
"No," Lucy said still miserable, "I'm the one who brought trouble to the guild, and it's all because of my own selfish choices."
"I'm so very sorry," Lucy said, "I'm just gonna-"
Suddenly, her face jerked to the side and a burning sensation appeared on her left cheek.
"Ow!" Lucy cried out as she placed her hand on her face. She then turned to see who had done it and saw Soron with an angry expression on his face.
"The hell did you do that for?!" Natsu exclaimed.
"Don't blame yourself," Soron said angrily, "You are not the one at fault! Sure, it may have been selfish to leave your family. However, it was also your right! You're not someone's pet to be kept on a chain and told what to do! You're a member of Fairy Tail! The only ones who have to pay is Phantom Lord and your father!"
"I may not have been in this reality long," Soron added in a calmer tone, "but I believe that free will is everyone's right no matter where you're from. Without free will, we may as well be robots."
"Soron's right," Natsu grinned attracting Lucy's attention, "besides, I can't see you playing the part of a pretty princess sitting around in your mansion. Laughing with us in this filthy guild hall, goin' on adventures even though you'd freak out all the time. That's who you really are."
"You said you wanted to stay with us, right?" Natsu asked, "Why would you ever go back to the place you ran away from?"
"C'mon," Natsu smiled, "Who are you trying to kid? You're Lucy of Fairy Tail! No more runnin', because you belong here with us!"
At that, Lucy began to cry as she stared at both Natsu and Soron.
"Ah don't cry," Grey said uncomfortably, "it's just not like you."
"Yeah, please!" Elfman said shakily, "real men are weak to womanly tears!"
"Sorry!" Lucy sobbed.
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass could be heard which attracted their attention. Lucy was not going to be the only one to cry today as it appeared. Mira was standing by the bar with an expression of anger and sadness as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Mira," Elfman said in concern.
" I don't understand. How can someone in Fairy Tail be so heartless and cruel?" Mira said. Once again, Soron frowned and walked over to a distraught guild-mate.
What is with me today? Why am I being so kind and empathetic today? Soron asked himself in the back of his mind.
"I can't just sit here and watch!" Mira said as she whirled around, "I have to join the others and fight!"
"Wait," Cana, the guild's top alcoholic said, "don't be ridiculous!"
"I feel totally useless being stuck here at the guild hall," Mira continued, "I want to help!"
"I understand," Cana said as she placed her hand on Mira's shoulder, "but you'll only get in the way as you are now. Even if you were once an s-class wizard."
"Then she still is," Soron said as he came to a stop next to them, "Once an S-class wizard, always an S-class wizard. You don't stop being what you are. You only grow. Whether it be in power or as a person. If you truly believe that you can become the wizard you were in the past, you can be that wizard again."
Meanwhile, with Erza…
Erza had elected to take a shower after she stopped Igrao and Soron from fighting each other. However, she had been there for about an hour or so just to clean herself of the grime and whatnot. Now, she just stood there letting the water run over her body as she thought.
The Master's not here with us. Neither are Mystogan and Laxus. So many of us are wounded. How could we possibly handle another battle?
She then remembered the events of the battle at Phantom Lord which ended with the Master being struck down. In anger she punched the wall.
What was I thinking?! Why didn't I go with him?! Soron could've handled the responsibility of command on his own! In fact he's the best choice between us! This is all my fault! I'm a disgrace!
Her thoughts were interrupted as the ground shook violently alongside the sound of a ginormous thud.
Back in the main hall…
Everyone began to panic in confusion as to what was causing that loud thud and the ground's shaking.
"What's going on?!" Grey asked while Soron returned to his normal form to conserve power.
"Outside!" said the cowboy wizard who had just returned.
They all rushed out of the guild building and came to a stop outside where they looked on with horror.
"What is that thing?!" Natsu exclaimed with his eyes shaking.
It was a castle with gigantic spider-esque metallic legs.
"It's Phantom Lord," Soron said which attracted the attention of Lucy for a sec.
"How do we fight that thing?!" Wakaba asked in fear.
"I never anticipated this!" Erza said as she began to panic, "I can't believe they'd go to such extremes just to attack us!"
Soron saw the others panicking as well, and so he decided to step up and take the lead till Erza could regain her senses.
"Alright!" Soron yelled as he walked up front, "quiet your belly-aching and listen to me!"
Suddenly, a portion of the castle began to slide down which attracted Soron's attention. He turned around and widened his eyes. A gigantic cannon barrel extended itself from the castle and pointed at them. In the barrel of the cannon an energy grew which meant the weapon was charging.
Without a second to spare, Soron immediately ran towards the cliff face and turned the dial on his Megatrix.
"Soron!" Erza called when she saw him running, "What are you doing?! Get back here!"
However, Soron didn't listen as he had found a form he hoped would work. He slapped down on the Megatrix and was enveloped in a blinding golden light.
Suddenly, a crystal being similar to Diamondhead but with a dark purple body and pink crystals stood in Soron's place. He had one golden eye, and the golden Megatrix on his person.
"Chromastone!" Soron yelled out as he took into the air. He got in front of the cannon barrel just it fired.
The blast hit him full force, and Chromastone stayed put in the air as he absorbed the energy. He kept at it for as long as he could which was a long time. Unfortunately, the blast was more of a beam so the energy was building up too fast inside of him. Which was why his crystal skin began cracking. As the cannon barrel stopped firing to cool down, Soron went flying backward as the energy exploded out of his chest into the air. Soron crashed into the ground next to his guild-mates and reverted back to his human form. He was barely conscious, and his clothing had been damaged combined with some cuts on his person. Clearly this magical blast was so powerful it translated to his normal form as well as his alien form.
"I don't believe this," Macao said as Erza ran towards Soron in nothing but a pink towel, "he actually managed to stop it."
"He's the only one of us that's a real man," Elfman said with surprise and admiration.
"Yeah, but look," Cana said as she stared at the shapeshifter.
"You okay?!" Erza asked concerned as she knelt next to him while Natsu, Grey, and Lucy ran up.
"Say something!" Erza yelled.
"Makarov has fallen," said the voice of Jose which echoed across Magnolia, "and now your strongest wizard can no longer stand. Any chance of victory has slipped through your fingers with his defeat. Surrender Lucy Heartfilia immediately. You have no choice."
"That's not gonna happen," shouted the cowboy wizard.
"Like any guild would hand over one of their own to a monster like you!" the cowgirl wizard shouted as well.
"You hear that?!" Macao shouted, "Lucy's staying put!"
The entire guild shouted their agreement.
"I won't ask again!" Josa said angrily.
"Maybe I should just go with them," Lucy sobbed, "Give myself up."
That woke Soron up completely, and in a feat of adrenaline he stood up; albeit shakily.
"We would never betray her like that!" Soron shouted with one eye closed due to blood oozing over it from his forehead, "You'd have to kill us first!"
Once again, the entire guild shouted their agreement.
"You can stop asking now," Natsu shouted, "cause we're not gonna give you any other answer! We're taking every one of you jerks down!"
Lucy just stood there crying with her hands over her mouth.
"IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT," Jose shouted back with rage, "THEN I'LL GIVE YOU A SECOND HELPING OF JUPITER! You've got fifteen minutes to ponder the folly of your actions!"
"No way," Elfman said.
"What do we do?" Cana asked.
"They're gonna fire at us again?" Loke asked.
Suddenly, Soron collapsed to his knees as his adrenaline had faded. He then fell to his side as blackness took over his vision.
"Soron!" Mira said in concern now that she had joined the group next to Soron.
"Oh no," Grey exclaimed, "he's out, and he's the only reason the rest of us are still standing after that first shot."
Suddenly, shadowy figured flew out of the castle and towards them which caused them to panic even more.
"You're in quite a quandary," sneered Jose, "aren't you, Fairy Tail? There are only two ways this situation can play out. Either my troops will tear you apart, or you'll be blown away by Jupiter!
"Are ya kidding me?!" Macao exclaimed, "If he fires at us, he'll kill his own men!"
"Surely he's bluffing!" Wakaba said nervously, "Who'd do something like that?"
"No," Cana said certain, "he's gonna do it!"
Macao and Wakaba stared at her with their jaws dropped.
"Those phantom soldiers are created by Jose's shade magic," Cana explained, "they're not human so it won't matter to him if they're destroyed."
"What the heck are phantom soldiers?!" the cowgirl wizard asked.
"You saying they're ghosts?!" the cowboy wizard exclaimed.
"We've gotta do something to take out that Jupiter cannon," Cana said.
"I'm gonna smash that thing to pieces!" declared Natsu, "I only got fifteen minutes to wreck it, right?"
As soon as Cana nodded, Natsu ran towards the cannon.
"C'mon Happy!" Natsu said.
"Aye sir!" Happy replied as he popped out his wings and then grabbed him.
"Kay Elfman!" Grey said as he and Elfman ran towards the castle, "We're gonna storm the place too!"
"Oh yeah!" Elfman agreed.
"You're not going in alone!" Igrao said as he showed up alongside them.
"And we're gonna stay here to protect the guild hall!" Cana declared as she pulled out six cards, "You with me?"
"I'll take the lead," Erza declared.
Erza watched as Igrao, Grey, and Elfman ran towards the castle and then onto it.
"Be careful," Erza watched before she summoned a sword as she turned her gaze to the shades.
"We will not falter!" Erza yelled as she raised her sword in the air, "We shall defend our guild and Lucy with all we got! For Master Makarov! For Soron! For Lucy!"
Her guild-mates roared their agreement as the first shade swooped down. Erza slashed at it, but her blade just went through it.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed Erza.
Meanwhile, above the castle…
Natsu fell towards the gigantic cannon with his right fist engulfed in flames. As he landed on the barrell, he punched it hard. Unfortunately, the cannon's metal was very durable so Natsu's attacks was having no effect. He proceeded to punch again and again and again, but just like his first punch it didn't do anything to the barrell.
"Crap," Natsu said irritated as he punched, "I'm barely even scratching the surface!"
"I guess we're just going to have to destroy it from the inside, huh," Happy suggested. Natsu immediately stopped punching as he realized Happy was right.
Natsu and Happy then dropped into the barrel itself and ran down the bottom of the grooved barrel towards the end where they saw light. Once they got inside, they found themselves looking at a cavernous room. In the center was a big gray-ish sphere and on the walls were other spheres colored red, green, yellow, and blue. On the ceiling hung a clock with roman numerals.
"Whoa," Natsu said, "what is all of this?"
"Eleven minutes until jupiter fires," said an automated feminine voice.
"They must be using lacrima to collect magic energy," Happy said in realization.
"Yeah," Natsu agreed, "but why do they need one as big as that?"
"Cause Magical Focusing Cannons don't fire regular ammunition," Happy explained, "instead they fire concentrated magical power."
"I didn't get most of that," Natsu said, "but all we gotta do is destroy that thing, don't we?"
"I can't allow that," said a voice from the ground below which attracted their attention. The voice belonged to a man with black and white hair styled in a japanese-style top knot. He wore a reddish-orange coat with fur around his collar, black pants, and black boots. On his waist was a katana. This was Totomaru, one of the element 4.
"Is he a guard?" Happy asked.
"Doesn't matter!" Natsu yelled as he jumped towards him, "anyone who gets in my way is going down!"
"I don't think so," said Totmaru cockily.
"Like I care what you think," Natsu said with his right fist engulfed in flames, "Get out of my way!"
Suddenly, he punched himself in the right cheek and was sent flying to his left.
"Natsu," Happy called confused as he flew towards him, "Why'd you hit yourself?"
"I didn't" Natsu said defensively as he curved towards the floor, "my fist just went crazy."
Natsu spun in the air and landed on his feet facing towards Totomaru.
"It seems to me," Totomaru said, "you're getting in your own way."
"Ten minutes until Jupiter fires," the automated voice announced after a metallic clang could be heard.
"Move it buddy," Natsu demanded, "I got a cannon to demolish!"
"All you have to do is shatter the giant lacrima and it won't be able to fire anymore," Happy said.
"You can certainly try," Totomaru said, "but I won't let you."
"Seven minutes until Jupiter fires," the automated voice announced.
"I'm runnin' out of time!" Natsu shouted with his left fist engulfed in flames as he leapt at Totomaru, "shut up and let me do my thing!"
Once again, Natsu punched himself and was knocked aside. This time, to the right.
"Are you okay?" Happy asked concerned as he flew up to Natsu.
"That hurt!" Natsu exclaimed confused, "I did it again!"
"What's going on here?" Natsu asked nobody in particular as he flexed his fist.
"Who cares!" Happy panicked, "we don't have much more time! Just forget about that guy and smash the lacrima!"
"I'll show you!" Natsu shouted as he engulfed his right fist in flames and leapt at Totomaru again.
"Hey!" Happy called out indignantly, "did you hear what I said?!"
Suddenly, Natsu's fist swung about swinging Natsu in circles which allowed Totomaru to jump and kick Natsu into the far wall. Totomaru landed on the floor as soon as Natsu did the same.
"Six minutes until Jupiter fires," the automated voice announced.
"I am Totomaru and I have complete control over the element of fire," Totomaru boasted as Natsu got to his feet.
"Wait," Natsu said in realization, "i bet you're one of those whatcha-ma-call-it 5 guys, aren't ya?"
"Geez," Happy reprimanded, "They're called the Element 4, Natsu! How could you not even get the number part right?!"
"Yes," Totomaru confirmed, "and any form of fire is my plaything to do with as I please."
"You've gotta be kidding me," Natsu said.
"It doesn't matter if it's natural or magic," Totomaru boasted, "all fire will yield itself to my commands alone."
"Hate to break it to ya!" Natsu shouted, "but you ain't controlling mine!"
"That's what he just did ya idiot!" shouted a voice from nearby. Natsu, Happy, and Totomaru looked to see Igrao in a doorway. In his hand was a black sword with a strange handguard.
"Igrao!" Natsu yelled, "What are you doing here?!"
"I came here to help," Igrao said as he walked in, "and from what I saw so far… you could use it."
"This is my fight, so back off!" Natsu shouted.
"Let Igrao worry about him Natsu!" Happy shouted, "just worry about the lacrima! Destroying the cannon is more important than your ego!"
"You should listen to your bird," Totomaru laughed, "because otherwise… you'd just end up hitting yourself over and over again!"
"I'm a cat!" Happy said indignantly.
Suddenly, the lacrimas on the wall began glowing one by one. They then started transferring magical energy to the lacrima in the center.
"Oh no, it's starting to activate again!" Happy exclaimed.
"Worry about the crystal Natsu!" Igrao yelled as he ran forward with his sword pointing behind him like the japanese did with their katanas, "I've got this guy!"
finally episode 7 is out. i'm unsure when the next episode will be release, but don't worry. I have no intention of abandoning this story at all. as always, if you haven't favorited or followed by now please do. also, please ask your questions in the reviews and/or say your opinion about the story... as long as it is nice and not offensive.