Natsu and I sped toward Erigor, following our noses. Natsu roared in triumph as we spotted him over Clover Canyon.
"We've got you now, bet you didn't know cats can fly." Natsu exclaimed. I smirked and wove my ice closer to Erigor.
"Never underestimate Fairy Tail!" I yelled, as Natsu slammed into Erigor at Happy's mach speed. They went crashing to the ground and I moved my ice to follow. Natsu landed in a crouch and caught Happy, who was absolutely worn out.
"Hey Little Buddy, you ok?" Natsu asked with concern.
"Yeah, I'm okay but I'm, so tired, I can't fly…" Happy was exhausted, it took a lot from him to use that much magic in one go.
"Don't worry little buddy, I think I can handle it from here." Natsu reassured him.
I smirked, "Don't you mean we can handle this Natsu?" Then our banter was interrupted by Erigor's rather unpleasant sounding voice.
"You again! You all are some of those pesky Fairy Tail flies. What are you doing here?" He was weakened from Natsu's attack and his subsequent fall.
"Kicking your ass Reaper, and retrieving Lullaby while we're at it." I snarled at him as the ground around me began to freeze.
"I'm going to burn you and that stupid flute of yours to a crisp!" Natsu growled, his hands alight with flame.
"So you were able to break through my wind barrier, you little flies can be such a nuisance. Now get out of my way kids… or else." Erigor lifted his hand and a magic circle appeared, sending a burst of wind at Natsu and I. I froze my feet into the ground so he was unable to move me. Natsu however, was thrown back.
"Is that, all, you, got?!" Natsu managed to yell out as he was shoved back inch by inch. Erigor shoved him back further but Natsu leapt into the air, using his flames like rocket boosters. With a roar he landed where Erigor had been and demolished that portion of the train tracks. I stepped forward and unleashed my spell. "Ice dragon Icicle tempest!" I created a mass of icicles and heaved them at Erigor, who blocked them with his scythe and then used it to block Natsu's punches. His face showed an uneasiness and he leapt into the air and flew above us.
"Come one! What are you doing up there you coward, come down here and fight me like a MAN!" Natsu bellowed at him.
"Now you're sounding like Elfman." I murmured and Natsu sent me a dark glare.
"Don't get too cocky flies! STORM BRINGER!" Erigor responded before unleashing another magic circle that sent spirals of wind towards us. I was caught off guard and sent flying into the air along with Natsu. We were caught in a twister. I struggled to right myself, to cast a spell, but I couldn't see which way was up in the vortex we were caught in. As I was sent spinning over the canyon, I formed a pillar of ice that I latched into the ground, saving me from certain death. I reached a hand out to grab Natsu, only to watch him fall into the Canyon. He yelled as he plummeted and Erigor laughed and began to mock him.
My body felt like it was on fire with red-hot rage. I turned my glare toward Erigor who had a snarl on his face as I slid onto solid ground.
"Big mistake." I growled as I let my magic power flow loose. Ice began to creep over my skin, my hair and my clothing. In a few short moments, I was covered in ice. "Take me on you wind freak!" I jumped into the air and began to throw punches. Erigor wasn't laughing now as he fended me off using his his gaze was diverted to my left and I turned my gaze and stared in shock.
It was an orange gleam of fire, a pillar of it, that leapt up from the chasm and latched onto the tracks. Natsu was at the end and he used it to pull himself up onto the tracks.
"Natsu!" Happy and I cried out. He was alright! The distraction had cost me however. Erigor used the end of his scythe and sent me spinning into the track. It did little damage though, as I was still in my ice form.
"Decided to quit being lazy?" I joked with Natsu, though my voice held a slight note of relief.
"That was close one." Natsu chuckled as he spoke and I nodded.
Erigor reared back and his voice held a tremble of fear in it, "But that's impossible."
"You must be pretty cold up there, half-naked like that. Want me to warm you up?" Natsu thundered and Erigor began to shake his head frantically.
"Your flames and ice are powerless against me!" Erigor replied though his voice held fear.
"Oh yeah? We'll see about that. Aquila, you thinking what I'm thinking?" Natsu grinned.
I smirked, "Bring it." I slid into my stance, and a magical circle appeared in front of me. "Ice Dragon, ROAR!" I unleashed my breath attack, a flood of icicles and snow. It joined with Natsu's roar and began to spin towards Erigor.
"Storm Wall!" Erigor yelled as he held a magical circle up that created a wall of wind that blocked our attack. I swore as Natsu laughed.
"Although you alls powers are remarkable, you're still no match for me. Enough of this cat and mouse chase. It's time to get serious." Erigor spoke with calm assurance.
'I'm ready when you are." Natsu smirked and I readied myself for the battle. Erigor was ready to unleash his full power on us now.
"STORM MAIL!" Erigor began to spin his scythe in front of him in a circle, generating enormous amounts of wind, which began to encircle him. "Here I come!" Erigor thundered and launched himself towards Natsu, who met his attack and was thrown back. Natsu's attack had done no damage. "What's the matter, can't handle the breeze?" Erigor taunted us.
"Coward! You just had to go and wrap yourself in a wind barrier. This will break through it." Natsu put his hands together and a glowing magic circle appeared once more. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" His punch collided with Erigor's and dissipated in the face of the wind. "What the-? I don't understand, why did my fire go out?" Natsu was confused and I took the chance.
I moved forward and yanked him back, stating, " It's wind, it's moving too fast for you to break through. Maybe it's time you let ice have a go?"
Erigor cackled, "Just as I thought, you're completely useless without your flames. It looks like I have the upper hand."
"Have you forgotten, ABOUT ME?" I thundered. I slammed into him sending his wind covered form reeling back. "Wind can't melt ice. Hear this Erigor, I'm the Icy Damsel, Glacial Aquila, and a S-Class wizard who stands on par with Titania Erza. I will not be beaten by a second-rate magician such as yourself." I lunged at him and began to punch at his figure. Every punch or kick I sent slamming into him with my ice-covered fists sent him reeling back. Then I froze as he smirked.
"Your attacks barely touch me. I've lost my patience little flies." He unleashed a burst of wind that sent me reeling back.
"Damn. My attacks aren't worth crap if I can't break through. Got any ideas Natsu?" Natsu roared and leapt into the air and attempted to get in a hit, but he couldn't even touch the bastard.
"Time for my soaring phoenix magic. It shreds everything it touches." Erigor cackled as he summoned several magic circles that began to spin in crazy direction.
"That's a very dangerous spell. Natsu, Aquila, whatever happens, don't let it touch you!" Happy called out to us. I nodded and Natsu let out a sound of assent.
"Goodbye, Fairy Tail Flies!" Erigor bellowed and unleashed his spell. Natsu and I were sent flying backwards. Natsu landed with a thud, while I managed to keep my balance and land in a crouch.
"Come on Natsu, you have to get up! Hurry!" Happy cajoled his partner while I rose up.
"Ha ha ha, I'm surprised his body is still in one piece after that attack. Not too shabby for wizards so young. And you don't seem to be affected at all. After I play a melody for those old guild fools, they'll be joining you two in your eternal rest." Erigor laughed and I spun around.
"Dammit Natsu, get up! This is no time for laying around." I yelled at my fellow slayer. I turned back to face Erigor. "Alright, I'm done holding back. If you want the masters, you will have to face me, and I'm no easy opponent. Dragon slayer: Secret- what?" I felt an intense heat coming from behind me and I stopped my attack. I turned, it was Natsu!
"No, how are you still standing?!", Erigor cried out in horror.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE, I HAVE, TO BEAT HIM!" Natsu howled as an enormous fire began to burn around him. Erigor squinted his eyes in concentration and Natsu's flames began to burn hotter and higher.
'He's really doing it, he's changing the direction of the wind." Happy muttered and my eyes widened. It made sense. The currents of the air were following the heat, which rises, the flames were dragging Erigor's wind in towards Natsu.
Happy got a devilish expression on his face, "Natsu, just give up, you can't handle this, just give in and let Gray handle it." Natsu flames died for a moment, then rared up even higher,
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Natsu boomed and it finally made sense, his flames fed off his emotions, similar to how my ice expanded based upon mine.
"Curse You." Erigor muttered as his storm mail was finally dragged away.
I grinned and showed off my fangs, 'Well then, seems like it's my turn for a display of power." I lifted my arms in the stance my dragon, Isole taught. One up to my right the other down to my left. "ICE DRAGON: Frozen Blossoms!" I thundered as ice grew in clusters around each of my hands, and I began to spin, sending clusters of my icy flowers in a deadly arc towards Erigor, throwing him into the air as ice crystals fell around us, remnants of my attack. "FINISH HIM NATSU!" I yelled and Natsu launched himself towards Erigor.
"FIRE DRAGON SWORD LEGS!" Natsu sent Erigor flying and he landed in a heap on the ground. As Natsu's flames dimmed, he turned towards Happy, "So did you see that Happy?"
"You showed him that if you mess with the Salamander, you're going to get toasted!" Happy declared triumphantly.
"You didn't seem too sure of me earlier." Natsu groused to which Happy replied,
"Cat's have a really bad short term memory you know?"
As those two began to argue, I crouched down next to Erigor, and reached for the flute that had fallen.
"Natsu! Aquila!"I heard a voice and turned to see Lucy, Gray, and Erza approaching.
"I'm proud of both of you." Erza said wearily as Lucy helped her down from the magic mobile.
I rushed over to my friend and helped to support Erza. "You overdid it again, didn't you?"
Erza rolled her eyes and stated, "We had to get here as soon as possible." We began laughing however, when we heard Natsu ask Lucy for her clothes and her response to his question.
"Anyway, well done Natsu, Aquila. Thanks to you all, the guild masters will be safe now. While we're here, I think we should stop by the guild masters conference to tell them what happened. Then ask them how we should properly dispose of the Lullaby flute." Erza concluded.
"Might as well, since we're so close to Clover." Happy agreed. As we turned to pick up the flute, we all had to dodge several shadows.
"Kagey!" Erza yelled.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Gray thundered as the mage took off with the magic mobile and Lullaby.
"Lullaby is mine now, shouldn't have let your guard down flies!" Kagey cackled as he headed down the road.
"THAT JERK!" Natsu cried out.
"This is how he pays us back for saving his life?!" was Lucy's outcry.
Erza's was merely a command, "After him!"
"Gray, care to help a lady out?" I smirked at the ice make wizard. "Hit me up with some ice!" I commanded and Gray smirked at me then complied. I wolfed down the ice and felt rejuvenated. "Now, everyone on!" I yelled as I began to freeze one of my slides. Gray made some skates for everyone and we began to hurry towards Clover.
We slid to a stop in the woods and saw Kagey with Master. We made to move forward but Master Bob, the master of the Blue Pegasus guild, appeared before us, scaring Gray, Lucy, and Natsu.
"Shhh, we're just about to get to the good part." he whispered. Then realizing that Gray and Natsu were there he began to flirt with them, giving both of them a case of the scares.
"Who is that guy?!" Lucy sidled over to Erza and I as we watched Master Bob flirt with Gray and Natsu.
As Erza explained to Lucy who Bob was, he paused in his flirtations and spoke to us.
"Oh Erza honey, you have really filled out, and Aquila dearie, you're still as pretty as ever."
Lucy hid behind Erza and I stifled a grin. Master Bob took some getting used to but, at least he wasn't interested in women, unlike the rest of his infernal guild. We stopped for the moment to watch a final exchange between Master and Kagey, who then dropped to his knees and conceded defeat.
We ran down to Master and began to cheer. Makarov was amazed to see us all in Clover.
"Master, your words were so beautiful, they almost moved me to tears!" Erza exclaimed as she gave the master a bone-crushing hug.
I tapped her and whispered, "Erza what was the point of saving him, if you're just going to crush him?"
"Forgive me master! You may crush me as penance!" Erza declared and while I went to work calming her down, Natsu and Gray talked with Makarov, Lucy comforted Kagey and Bob ogled over the boys.
I laughed, only this crazy guild. Then naturally everything went south because when does anything go right really?
"Ha ha ha! I've grown tired of you wizards and your antics !" A voice groaned out from the flute and a dark magic circle appeared in the air in front of us, as smoke poured out from Lullaby. "I can no longer hold back! I shall come forth to devour you myself!" The voice continued and from the magic circle, a giant monster materialized. "I shall feast upon your pitiful souls!" The monster declared.
"What is that thing? Erigor never said anything about a monster!" Kagey cried out.
"Well, we're in a pickle." Bob stated and Goldmine, the master of Quatro Cerberus, continued, stating, "It must be a demon from the book of Zeref."
The townspeople panicked and began to run for cover. Which all things considered, was the wisest course of action for them.
"Why did the flute turn into a monster?!" Lucy squeaked out, her voice high pitched with fear.
"That's what Lullaby's true form looks like, in the flesh. It's forbidden black magic, living magic. Zeref's specialty." Goldmine stated once more.
As the others murmured amongst themselves, no one was paying attention to Lullaby, who had leaned over and opened it's mouth wide to speak.
"Now then which of these delectable souls shall I dine on first?" He said.
As Gray and Natsu began to bicker, about food of all things, Erza turned to them and snapped out orders, "Natsu and Gray, get everyone to a safe place!"
"Quit barking orders!" Natsu argued and Gray added, "Who put you in charge?!"
My eyes flashed and I whipped around to the two of them, "Just go you imbeciles!" I thundered as ice spikes began to shoot up around me.
They gulped and spoke out a hushed, "Aye!' and ran off to do Erza's bidding, however they didn't get very far before Lullaby fired a gigantic blast out of it's mouth at the Fiore army contingents.
"Those pathetic humans! I prefer the taste of a wizard soul, and I will consume all of yours!" Lullaby cackled at us.
"Oh yeah?! I'd like to see you try, bring it on big guy!" Natsu hollered at the monster as Lucy and the other guild masters stood back, leaving Erza, Gray, Natsu, and myself at the front.
Lullaby took a deep breath and a huge magic circle appeared over its head, creating a loud shrill noise that was murder on my ears.
Erza drew her swords, and I felt my ice layer around my body once more. I pulled my hair free from its long braid and allowed its icy strands to flow free and they began to writhe and weave with my ice crystallizing the strands.
"Ready?!" Erza called out as she and I launched ourselves at Lullaby with Gray and Natsu following us. Erza requipped into The Knight armor and slashed at Lullaby's face.
Gray stood on the ground and began his spell, "Ice Make Lance!" Gray unleashed dozens of shards of ice that pierced through Lullaby's torso.
I smirked it was my turn, "ICE DRAGON NEEDLE SHARDS!" I raised my arms as my frozen long hair snapped off and spread out behind me in a large arc. I then sent them spinning into and across Lullaby's torso, resulting in a series of explosions.
"Now it's my turn!" Natsu declared as his fists came together to create magic circle. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" Natsu jumped upward and slammed into Lullaby's face, causing the beast to recoil. I humphed, bastard always had to show me up.
"YOU ARE MAKING ME ANGRY!" Lullaby screamed as he destroyed the rock formation we had been on, forcing us all into the air.
Erza retaliated with a slash across his arm. Gray with a cannon sending ice shard flying across the air. "Icicle TEMPEST!" I roared as I sent my jagged spears of ice plunging into his hide.
"I'm not finished with you yet! FIRE DRAGON WING ATTACK!" Natsu hollered as he leapt into the air once more, his arms trailing flames, slashing them across Lullaby's face.
Lullaby began to roar, and it's magic circle disappeared. The song, it's about to begin! I thought with urgency.
"Just one note and your souls will be mine!" Lullaby thundered and unleashed his song.
Or perhaps attempted to unleash would be a better comparison. Not a single note was unleashed from Lullaby.
"I don't understand, why can't I play my melody of death?!" Lullaby wheezed. I saw the holes that we had formed from our attacks and came to the conclusion that it could not play because their were too many holes to form a proper melody now. As Lucy, Happy, and Kagey began to discuss how lame flutes were, Lullaby howled with rage, "You dare MOCK ME?!" He destroyed a mountain in his anger. Lullaby turned towards us and its eye sockets glowed.
"Gray!" I yelled. He turned towards me with a nod and we moved in front of the bystanders.
"Ice make SHIELD!" Gray yelled, and as his shield expanded I merged with it, creating my ultimate defensive ability, Frozen Heart. As I merged with his shield, my essence spread through it and strengthened it with my natural ice. Lullaby's attack hit the ice and it did not break. I held it together with Gray's ice as a support and foundation.
"I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" Lullaby roared, then halted as Natsu began to eat the flames caused by its attack.
"Oh yeah? Now I've got a fire in my belly." Natsu grinned as he finished his meal. I began to seep out of the ice shield, eating it as I went, a power-up never went amiss.
"You're not human! You're a monster!" Lullaby yelled as Natsu dodged its punch and went running up his arm.
"Oh like you can talk!" Natsu yelled back continuing his way up Lullaby's arm.
"Requip!" Erza yelled as she transformed into her black-winged armor. The end was near for this flute. I finished emerging from the ice and jumped back into the battle. "Ice Dragon, Frozen Spheres!" I unleashed spheres of ice to slam into Lullaby's chest.
"Ice Make Saucer!" Gray yelled, sending a circular blade of ice through Lullaby's torso as well.
Erza sliced through Lullaby's mouth cause the beast to roar in agony.
"Natsu!" Erza and I cried out.
"Do it now!" Gray yelled.
"I've got this, the flames of my right hand, and the flames of my left, put the two together, and this is what you get! FIRE DRAGON BRILLIANT FLAME!" Natsu bellowed and threw the massive flame towards Lullaby.
With a flash of white light and an enormous explosion, Lullaby was turned back into a flute, defeated.
"Well done." the Master commented.
'You kids are amazing!" Master Bob cooed.
"You all made defeating Zeref's demon look easy." Goldmine added.
"Great work out there guys!" Lucy cheered.
"Thanks, but it wasn't a big deal." Natsu laughed.
"Piece of cake." Gray said nonchalantly, causing us all to break out into laughter.
Erza froze for a moment as the townspeople spoke saying, 'We owe a big thank you to Fairy Tail, but still… They went OVERBOARD!"
Erza and I went white as we turned and say the crater that we had left from our battle.
Master went pale and passed out in dead faint.
"Please forgive us Master!" Erza cried out, while Natsu laughed at the destruction caused. I merely shook my head at the destruction. What did they expect? We were the strongest guild, though that didn't stop us from being chased out by an angry mob.
We fled as a group, Erza carrying Makarov, Gray and I in the lead, Lucy close behind, and Natsu laughing like a maniac the whole way.
A/N (UPDATED 12/20/17) : So a big thanks to my beta Solarking, who has been slowly helping me beta these chapters!