Hi guys Azza here!
Ok so I'm dropping this chapter early because a decent portion of it is kind of filler but it is necessary for a small part at the end before the Tale From The Tale Verse mini chapter. Not gonna lie though I started going way too far in what I put into both that ending section as well as the final part of the Tales From The Tale Verse segment so I had to cut both short before I just started typing spoilers all over the damn place.
Nevertheless I hope you all enjoy this and please tell me you guys who watch One Piece know where all this Ryuma stuff came from because if you don't I will be very sad!
On with the reviews
Susano'o Chaos – Ok so first off I can't spoil the White Sand bit. Second, the Son is specified as Scathach's and you'll understand why that's the case once we get further into the story. Third, Achnologia as a Servant doesn't pose as big of a threat as the alive one because he has to draw his power from Chaldea and Fujimaru so if they were to cut him off he'd be basically useless. Also he can't sustain his Dragon form indefinitely due to this same issue so he's nowhere near as strong. As for Aava again that is a spoiler and I'd argue it is one of the greatest spoilers for Servant Natsu so I can't answer that. Same with Solomon's goals I can't answer that either but that will begin to become clear by the end of this Volume. As for the Chaos Goddess I think I dropped an absolute bombshell though only those who really pick at it will figure it out. I'm not expecting anyone to get it but kudos if they do because I was SUPER low key about it.
Sorry for being so vague but we're starting to get into where major spoilers are coming into play as three Volumes worth of stuff starts coming together but I'll keep trying to answer what I can.
Erasenpai946 – Like I've said several times Moria won't be going down easy. His character is shit but his Devil Fruit is actually really OP when written to its full potential and that will come into play after the next big baddie is taken out. Also Natsu isn't going to be out of the fight he's actually recovered somewhat from his fight with Alucard now and although he won't be involved with the fight against the next big guy he will be against Moria himself.
Darth Sky Commander – I am fully committed to trying! I decided to include them more in the side stories because they are just two massively overpowered idiots who I actually have decided to base off of the Lutece Twins from Bioshock Infinite somewhat in how just so removed yet involved they feel from everything. Like the stakes don't actually mean anything to them they just kind of 'are' within the whole mess and I just really like that.
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
Insurmountable Sword God Ryuma
It is strange, this feeling I am experiencing deep within this decayed heart. When I look into the eyes of this young one, so desperate to master the blade I cannot discern even the slightest desire for fame or wealth in it?
And his appearance, how strikingly similar to …
What was it I said back then, back on that day? Ah of course it has become much clearer to me now as I face down this young one who still has so far to go before he achieves that which he so desperately desires …
Are you watching from up there I wonder at my rather fortuitous misfortune, Flare?
/?/
The name Ryuma Shimotsuki. When one thinks of it in the world they often shrug and go about their day with the occasional passer by posing the question of 'who' this Ryuma person was and why one should truly care about them?
If that person uttered this question in a certain land in the New World however, they likely would have been executed.
A long time ago, well before the rise of the World Government and perhaps even during the mysterious Void Century, far off in a distant land that would later be dubbed the 'New World' by most was a land of samurai and honour.
Indeed, this is in fact the Land of Wano Kuni however it did not go by such a lavish title back then, instead it was dubbed The Land Of Gold. This was of course owed to the vast resources the country possessed and the potential power it could grant its would be conqueror.
It was this period of the land's history that would forge the inherent fear of the samurai of Wano into the hearts and minds of people the world over, all tales and legends stemming from the skill and strength of one lone samurai who stood fast against the invading Pirates and would be dictators who held nefarious desires over the land and her people.
This is but one tale of Ryuma, the Sword God of Gold.
/A Long Time Ago – The Budding Sprout Town/
"You pathetic bum, get the hell out of my restaurant!"
The sound of shattering glass turned heads as a man was thrown out of said restaurant, hitting the dirt hard as the owner dusted off his hands, spitting on the man with a scowl.
"Try and pull a fast one on me will ya," the owner growled. "Don't ever show your face here again!"
A girl watched as the Samurai got to his feet and dusted himself off, her eyes widening in shock as she recognized who he was. She was about to go out and speak to the Samurai when she noticed another, rather goofy looking one, peeking through the window next to her at the meal that had been left behind by the one that had just been kicked out.
Tapping the glass she gained the attention of the Samurai and invited him inside. To her amusement he was in the door and seated before the meal in moments but he didn't dare touch the food before him.
"You seem rather eager, huh?"
"It is most fortunate that you invited me inside for this will be my first scrap of food in five days," the Samurai replied with a grateful smile, shocking the girl by his claim as she quickly came to realize just how skinny he was.
"Well then I guess you'd better eat up then before it gets cold, er … what's your name?"
"Ryuma, my name is Ryuma."
"Well then Ryuma, my name is Flare," the girl replied with a grin. "And I guess I'm your waitress for today!"
"Thank you kindly Flare, upon my honour as a Samurai I shall swear my loyalty to you since you have all but saved my life!"
"Ok buddy you don't need to go so far …"
Ryuma didn't reply as he tore into the food before him, clearing it within a minute before rising to his feet and bowing toward her.
"Thank you once more for the food Flare."
"N-no problem Ryuma but you don't have to go swearing any oaths to me or anything-!"
"Should you ever have need of my blade I shall hasten to your side, Flare," Ryuma said as he stepped toward the door. "I may not be the most reliable however I shall do my utmost to rectify that whilst under your service."
"Um … right."
Ryuma grinned and stepped out into the street however as he did so the Samurai who was thrown out earlier barged past him, intending on storming the restaurant. To everyone else it seemed as if he had barely nudged Ryuma however to the Samurai himself a great sleight had just been inflicted upon him as he stopped in his tracks.
"How dare you throw me out only to hand over my food for free to some beggar," the Samurai snapped only to spin around at the gasps of shock. "Wh-HOW DARE YOU POINT THAT AT ME BOY! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM!?"
"You are the one who has just inflicted one of the greatest sleights against my honour therefore you are now my sworn enemy!"
"Wh-what!?"
"I challenge you to an Honour Duel," Ryuma shouted as he lowered his blade slightly. "To the death!"
The entire crowd that had witnessed the confrontation were utterly silent, openly gaping at the sudden shift in Ryuma's character. The other swordsman also stood there in shock however that quickly changed to a smirk as he placed a hand on the hilt of his blade.
"You, challenge ME!? Clearly you are nothing but a foolish vagrant who doesn't know his place," the Samurai snapped before drawing his blade. "I am the famous swordsman Cyrano, the man who saved a town from an evil Dragon! You think you can match my blade!?"
Ryuma had moved to attack almost instantly with Cyrano barely managing to block his strike, the sound of clashing steel causing many to scream as they realized an actual duel to the death would indeed be taking place right before their very eyes.
"Is that all you can do," Cyrano taunted after regaining his footing and striking back with several swift, practiced strikes. "Your swings lack any form of style or discipline!"
"…"
It appeared as if Cyrano had Ryuma on the backfoot as he was doing nothing but block strike after strike, sparks emanating from their blades as they reached the centre of the street. As Cyrano became more and more confident, he began to openly laugh, a smirk appearing on his face.
"Of course, now I understand. You are some sort of criminal aren't you? A pathetic thief who no doubt wanted revenge against me for some action I've taken against your kind in the past! I bet you even stole that sword-!"
In an instant, before Cyrano could even finish the insult, Ryuma's entire demeanour changed as a look of rage came over him. As Cyrano's blade bore down from above Ryuma moved his left leg forward whilst sliding his right one backward and performed a leftward slash.
The crowd was stunned as, with one expertly executed move, Ryuma staggered Cyrano as his blade hit the dirt leaving him wide open. As his blade returned to his side Ryuma spun it so fast that he was already performing an upward strike however it was then that a voice cried out over the crowd.
"RYUMA, STOP!"
And to the absolute shock of everyone Ryuma did indeed stop, the tip of his blade gently pressed up against Cyrano's neck drawing the tiniest droplet of blood. Cyrano gulped as Ryuma sheathed his blade and walked over toward Flare and bowed respectfully.
"If that is what you wish, Flare."
As if the entire situation hadn't occurred Ryuma followed Flare back inside as the crowd began to slowly disperse leaving a shocked Cyrano as the only remaining person in the area, silently seething at being so thoroughly embarrassed in front of such a large crowd.
Inside the restaurant Ryuma was now sitting at the bar with Flare who had decided to try and learn more about him in the hopes of figuring out how he managed to outmanoeuvre Cyrano.
"Oi, Flare?"
"Hm?"
"When that guy was boasting he said he killed an evil Dragon didn't he?"
'Y-yeah he did …"
"Do you know anything about that?"
"W-well actually I know more about it than just about anyone," Flare replied shakily as she took a seat next to him. "When I was a little girl an evil Dragon attacked my village and killed everyone, my family included. Cyrano was the one who saved me, killing the Dragon and getting me to safety."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, I was terrified but I didn't want to die so I ran and ran until I couldn't run any longer and then that's when Cyrano found me …"
"Well then," Ryuma grinned as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think I've just found a newfound respect for you Flare!"
"H-huh!?"
"You must be pretty brave to continue on after enduring something like that, no? I can't help but respect your drive and ability to keep yourself together despite all that happened to you at such a young age!"
"Oh, well thanks Ryuma," Flare replied with a genuine smile. "No one has ever said that to me before."
"Well its true!"
"Even still, I know Cyrano accidentally bumped his sheath against yours earlier but could you please not fight him? They say he's one of the few Samurai who might be able to fight against The King and I'd hate to see you get hurt!"
"The King? You think that guy is as powerful as the strongest Samurai in Gold?"
"W-well everyone thinks that!"
"Heh, well I don't know about that Cyrano guy but I've seen The King in action and he possesses the soul of a real fighter. One day I would like to challenge him."
Flare sighed and shook her head at the man's enthusiasm, watching as he slowly got to his feet.
"Alright then, I've dawdled for quite long enough. Time to hit the road once more!"
"It was nice to meet you Ryuma," Flare said prompting him to bow once again.
"Thank you for your hospitality Flare, again if you ever need me-!"
"I'll be fine just make sure to eat more out there!"
"I shall do my best," Ryuma grinned as he left and began making his way down the street.
As he walked he only managed to make it several blocks before another person bumped into him, another Samurai who's sheath came into contact with his own.
"OI," Ryuma growled as he spun around to face his new foe only for them to turn around and begin screaming loudly.
"ASSASSIN! THIS MAN JUST STABBED ME," he cried as yet another crowd began to form. "I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO KILL ME ASSASSIN!"
"What the hell are you on about," Ryuma asked, clearly confused as many began to shout at him for being a supposed Assassin.
"IF I AM TO DIE THEN I SHALL USE THIS TO TAKE YOU WITH ME," the man shouted as he pulled out a strange horn and blew into it. "WITH THIS I SHALL SUMMON A MIGHTY DRAGON TO DESTROY YOU!"
The man's declaration caused mass panic, even as he blew into the horn, before suddenly shattering it for no real discernible reason.
"OH, MY WOUND HAS FINALLY TAKEN ITS TOLL," the man moaned dramatically as he fell to the ground clutching his side. "I-I don't want to die …"
And then the man seemingly died leaving Ryuma to just stand there gaping at the performance. Unfortunately for him however the people around him appeared to be sheep and began shouting various obscenities at him and throwing whatever they had at him before moving to flee the area.
"OI WHAT THE HELL!?"
"RYUMA!"
"Flare," Ryuma grinned as he ran toward her. "Listen Flare you'll never guess what just-!"
Slap
Ryuma was stunned at the furious, teary expression on Flare's face as she glared at him with nothing but hate.
"How could you Ryuma, you murderer!"
"Don't tell me you actually believe that shit too!"
By now the pair were the only two left in the area as Flare turned on her heel and began to run. Ryuma began to follow her, asking her where she was going only to again be hit by the furious girl.
"Cyrano is out there and I just know he's gonna try and defeat this Dragon just like he did the last time! Because of YOU such a wonderful man is going to face death!"
"But you said earlier that Cyrano is supposed to be some sort of great swordsman didn't you so why are you so worried?"
Flare turned around and clenched her fists prompting Ryuma to sigh and shake his head in defeat.
"Fine then, go and get in his way then Flare. If he's as strong as you say then-."
Ryuma froze, his eyes widening as Cyrano and the man from earlier appeared holding several sacks between them. The gears in his head began turning as he spun around once more.
"Flare, do not look this way!"
"As if I'll do anything you tell … me … to …"
The moment she turned around she looked past Ryuma and saw Cyrano and the man Ryuma supposedly killed earlier, her eyes widening as she immediately went to shout. Ryuma quickly grabbed her and pulled her off to the side, covering her mouth for a moment before she quickly shook him off.
"Heh, good work blaming that bastard for summoning the Dragon D.R!"
"No problem," the now identified D.R replied with a sadistic smirk. "I mean we've done this so many times now it was bound to go off without a hitch!"
"Oh yeah I hear ya, that idiot Flare still thinks I saved her when in reality it was I who killed her Father and led to the destruction of her town!"
"The best towns to steal from are always the ones with no one in em!"
"Ryuma."
"F-Flare," Ryuma gasped at the rather blank look on the girl's face. "We need to leave, even if Cyrano is a fraud there is still a mighty Dragon coming to destroy the town. We should escape while we can."
"Y-yeah," Ryuma replied, watching as Flare ran off in the direction of the restaurant. "But the real question is are you planning on running, Flare?"
Several minutes later Ryuma found himself back at the restaurant standing before a locked door, the sounds of screams and objects being destroyed evident. Ryuma's eyes were shadowed as he turned around, Flare's anguished cries slowly ebbing away as his vision began to slowly turn red.
"Cyrano … I'll kill you!"
Charging out of the building he sprinted back toward where the two frauds had been, finding them looting one of the nearby shopfronts.
"OI!"
"Well well if it isn't the big bad Assassin Ryuma," Cyrano grinned. "Come to try and kill me, Assassin?"
"You …"
"Uh oh, looks like he's mad Cyrano," D.R laughed as the pair both dropped their bags of loot and drew their blades.
"Well then, now that there isn't anyone around I don't have to hold back against this trash," Cyrano replied with glee. "You're finished this time Ryuma, that stupid bitch won't get you out of this!"
"Her name is Flare," Ryuma snapped back. "I knew you were nothing but a fraud for any Samurai who would knock his scabbard against another Samurai's blade so thoughtlessly could never be a true warrior!"
"HA! Who cares about that shit," Cyrano laughed. "All that matters is what I want and what I want right now … is your HEAD, RYUMA!"
Cyrano charged toward Ryuma who simply stood in place, hand on the hilt of his blade until the man was within metres of his position.
"DIE, RYUUUMAAAA!"
His movement was so fast neither Cyrano nor D.R even saw him move. One moment he was standing there and the next his sword was already drawn and extended out to his far right.
"One Sword Style: Two Verse Polka Remise!"
D.R had stumbled backward in shock the moment he'd seen Ryuma seemingly warp in place, a rather fortunate coincidence as Ryuma entered a passive stance.
It was then that Cyrano's body simply toppled over, sliced cleanly at the chest. What followed was an absolute cacophony as every singly building beyond Cyrano's position was also sliced cleanly at the same height all the way to the other side of town.
D.R was now openly freaking out by this point, scrambling backward with his sword laying forgotten where it fell, pleading for his life.
"P-please, you don't have to kill me! I-I'll give you the real Dragon Horn so you can save this town Ryuma-!"
"Not my town, not interested," the Samurai replied coldly before stabbing him in the chest, killing him instantly.
The sound of roaring could be heard which drew Ryuma's attention toward the sky as a massive beast began to descend from above the clouds. Larger than a mountain the beast roared again prompting Ryuma to sigh as he looked behind him toward where he knew Flare was.
Jumping up onto a nearby roof he saw Flare sitting on the roof of the restaurant seemingly accepting her fate and felt his rage begin to build once more. Gritting his teeth he drew his blade and with a flick he shot off toward the Dragon.
Holding the blade to his right with both hands Ryuma closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them, a Crimson Red Aura enveloping his blade to match his eyes before he suddenly vanished, reappearing on the other side of the Dragon with a sheathed blade.
"One Sword Style: Three Verse Notch Arrow Slash!"
The second the word left his lips the Dragon was cleaved clean in two, a veritable fountain of blood falling down onto the town below followed by Ryuma himself who used the chunks of flesh from the beast to get down safely.
The moment he landed he was met by a heavily panting Flare who instantly grabbed onto his coat, right as he was about to walk away.
"Wait!"
"Hm?"
"Wh-why-!?"
"Flare," Ryuma said firmly prompting the girl to stand up a little straighter. "Do not embrace death in such a disgraceful manner. We all have our own time to go in this world however you decided to go against fate today."
"Wh-what!?"
"Cease these thoughts of dying," Ryuma repeated as he began to walk away. "Dying isn't really that fun after all."
"W-wait a second, Ryuma!"
Pausing mid step Ryuma didn't look back but merely waited for Flare to speak.
"Who are you, why aren't you famous at all?"
"Famous? What use does fame have in a fight aside from what you are trying to protect with it?"
"Huh?"
"When it is just you and your foe, nothing else matters Flare," Ryuma explained as he began to walk away. "After all, I doubt the Dragon would have cared that he faced down King this day, would it?"
Flare gasped, her hand covering her mouth as she watched Ryuma's retreating figure. His kimono blew gracefully in the wind as he left, blade at his side and it was that moment she knew.
She had just met a legend.
/Thriller Bark – Current Time/
'So that's how it is," Ryuma thought as his rotting eyes gently ran over Shusui's length, his ever faithful blade even now shivering with excitement. 'Indeed, I shall test this one.'
Zoro tensed as Ryuma entered a ready stance, doing the same moments later as the pair engaged each other once more. The sound of clashing steel ringing out across the area as the two swordsmen fought for dominance.
"You possess adequate strength boy but it most certainly could be greater," Ryuma noted as he pushed Zoro back using only one arm behind his swing. "Then again I can tell you are not giving this fight your all, are you?"
"My primary form is the Three Sword Style," Zoro replied as he formed an X shape in front of him to block another attack from Ryuma. "Recently one of my blades shattered so I'm sort of handicapped."
"Handicapped? Did you not learn how to use all forms available to you," Ryuma asked curiously prompting Zoro to think back to Natsu mentioning the exact same thing to him.
"Recently I've been working on honing my skills with both the One and Two Sword Styles, I just wasn't expecting my third sword to break so soon."
As the pair crossed blades once more Ryuma jumped back and flicked his blade to his side before chuckling.
"And that is precisely why you must keep up your training with all three styles equally. If forced to rely on another style due to unforeseen circumstances you must ensure that your skills are equally as proficient lest you find yourself outmatched by an opponent who can make better use of the same style."
"Like you," Zoro replied prompting Ryuma to chuckle.
"Perhaps, however you must not forget that I am not the real Ryuma but merely a remnant using the skills of another. My body and mind remember the past but it cannot replicate those same skills easily which bodes well for your chances."
"Then that just means I need to defeat you quickly before you have a chance to figure out any of those old skills of yours."
"Yo-hohohoho! That is correct however there is one other concern you should have though it is one I do not blame you for failing to recognize."
"Hm?"
"Shusui is a Black Blade," Ryuma said as he held it out in front of him before charging Zoro once again, clashing with his guard as the pair pushed against one another. "Given enough time my blade will eventually shatter yours due to the indestructible material used to create it."
"What," Zoro gasped as Ryuma pulled back only to perform several swift strikes before retreating backward once again.
"Indeed, hence why it is a Supreme Grade Sword."
'If that is true then I definitely need to try and end this fight as quickly as possible,' Zoro thought as he looked at his two blades with concern. 'I can't risk losing either of them … especially not Wado.'
"It is good that you show such concern for your blades," Ryuma said, snapping Zoro out of his thoughts as he entered a defensive stance. "The blade is but an extension of ourselves and we must strive to care for them as if they were such."
"That's why I'm not gonna lose to you and leave them here to suffer," Zoro replied as he and Ryuma clashed once again. "Both of my blades and I are leaving Thriller Bark intact!"
"Yo-hohohoho! Good, that is the exact kind of spirit I wanted to see from you," Ryuma laughed as he jumped backward and pulled his sword back. "Do not falter, show me everything you can do! One Sword Style: Aubade Coup Droit!"
Performing a forward thrust, Ryuma fired out a powerful shockwave that ripped up the ground between himself and Zoro. The Samurai narrowed his eyes as Zoro remained completely still, eyes shadowed by his bandanna and wondered just what he was planning on doing.
"Two Sword Style: Seventy Two Pound Phoenix!"
Ryuma was surprised when Zoro suddenly spun around, both blades taking on a momentary green glint before firing out a large aerial slash attack that clashed with his shockwave. The two attacks cancelled each other out prompting Ryuma to chuckle before adjusting his stance into an offensive one with Zoro doing the same moments later.
"Like I said, my blades and I are gonna leave this place intact," Zoro said before grinning. "However that Black Blade, Shusui, will be joining them."
"This feeling I'm getting," Ryuma muttered as he began to slowly advance forward before breaking into a full-on sprint. "Just a little more, show me a bit more!"
Zoro looked at the charging undead Samurai and grinned, his gut telling him to put away his second blade leaving him with only Wado Ichimonji as he also charged toward Ryuma.
"Show me the power of your spirit, prove to me you are worthy of this blade," Ryuma roared as both he and Zoro prepared to strike one another. "One Sword Style: Hanauta Sancho - Yahazu Giri!"
"One Sword Style: Crawling Dragon – Fire Blaze!"
The pair flashed past one another, both eyes shadowed as they each rose to their full height. Both then turned around to face the other with Ryuma beginning to chuckle.
"So it seems my suspicions were indeed correct about you," Ryuma said as he slide Shusui back into its sheath. "Tell me boy, what is your name?"
"My name is Roronoa Zoro."
"Roronoa … Zoro? Yes, I see now," Ryuma sighed as a massive gash opened up on his chest with blue fire erupting from the wound. "Now I see why you look so similar …"
"Huh?"
"Listen to me, Roronoa Zoro," Ryuma said suddenly as he undid the strap keeping Shusui's sheath to his hip, holding the sheathed blade in his hands with a look of fond remembrance. "I believe now that you are worthy to wield my blade, its soul would like nothing more than to journey alongside one with such a powerful and noble Fighting Spirit."
Ryuma threw Shusui over to him with Zoro catching the blade with ease, looking over at the burning Samurai with newfound respect.
"I will take care of this blade and make sure it lives up to its legacy," Zoro said formally prompting Ryuma to chuckle.
"I already knew you would," Ryuma laughed as he turned around and looked up at the moon. "After all, you remind me of back then …"
Ryuma!
The King has arrived!
We're saved!
"Never forget the history behind your blades Roronoa Zoro," Ryuma said as his body began to crumble to dust. "Never forget …"
Your legacy
As Zoro watched Ryuma crumble away he attached Shusui to his hip, smiling at the weight of three blades being at his side once more before looking back at the now crumbling head of the legendary Samurai.
"I will never forget it, Samurai of Wano Country."
/? – Eight Hundred Years Ago/
"You are a threat to me," a voice said darkly as the sound of clashing steel rang out across the deserted mountainside. "I must say however I am surprised someone like you managed to grow so powerful in this isolated land."
The other figure panted heavily, clutching his side where a large gaping wound bled profusely as he looked over at his monstrous foe. He did not fear death rather he feared what would become of the world should he fall.
"I have heard tale of your exploits even as far out as the Red Line, the future site of my Kingdom," the figure grinned sadistically. "Legend of the powerful Samurai who no mortal man could ever hope to defeat, a man who can slice apart a mountain with but a flick of his wrist!"
The man coughed up some blood before rising to his feet, meeting the rather odd colored eyes of his foe, the strange rings within them seemingly trying to entrance him though his own Crimson Red eyes would never falter.
"So … it seems that they finally decided to send a real Beast after me, then?"
The figure grinned viciously as he charged forward, dozens of large tails sprouting from his tailbone before wrapping around themselves to form one single solid one. His fluffy white hair billowed in the wind as his claws clashed with the Black Blade of the Samurai, batting it aside before sinking deep into his gut.
"Oh, poor little Samurai," the Beast grinned. "You have NO idea just how much of a Beast I truly am!"
"E-even so," the man gasped as he grabbed onto the beast humanoid's arm. "I can tell you are not yet strong enough to yet sustain yourself …"
"True, I have only been in this world for ten years or so however even still my heavily handicapped level of power is more than enough. All I need to do is ensure I crush anyone who begins to grow a little bit too strong until my power eventually grows without rival!"
If the beast humanoid expected any kind of reaction it definitely wasn't a strained chuckle, his fluffy white ears atop his head flicking in annoyance as his tails began to unfurl into a streaming mass behind him.
"One day … you will grow far too arrogant," the Samurai laughed as his grip on his blade tightened. "And when that day ultimately comes …"
The beast humanoid growled as he caught the Samurai's blade attempting to slice off several of his tails, his barred teeth now fully exposed as he struggled to maintain his humanoid form due to the blinding rage steadily building within him.
"You will be driven out of our world," the Samurai gasped as many of the tails stabbed him, smashing him into a rock face. "Prepare for it …"
Ripping his tails free the beast humanoid growled before spinning around and releasing a primal roar that shook the entire area, the ground itself shattering under the force of his attack before he spun around and stabbed the Samurai through the neck.
"I! WILL NOT! DIE!"
The Samurai was most certainly dead as the entire section of rock collapsed on top of him leaving the beast humanoid standing there panting furiously. Though he sustained no damage the Samurai hadn't been wrong, he most certainly wasn't yet at an acceptable level of power.
"No, I cannot lose control," the beast humanoid sighed shakily. "I can play the long game, Ryuma is gone and so too shall any other who dares to rise in defiance of my power! My new Empire will be more than enough to subjugate the trash of this reality, keep them docile whilst creating the perfect feeding ground …"
The beast humanoid looked up to the sky and grinned as feelings of despair, hopelessness, rage and sorrow flowed into him from the denizens of the world. Their tears were like a succulent treat for his palate and the defeat of Ryuma would no doubt inspire even more.
He would play the long game, an eight-hundred-year long game beginning at the moment of the death of the legendary Samurai.
Tales From The Tale Verse
Chance Encounters In My Room VI
Makarov Dreyar (Caster)
Initial Summoning:
"Hm? Well now it looks like it finally happened to me eh?"
"H-hello?"
"Oh! Hello there child I didn't mean to ignore you I'm just taking all this in."
"The summoning?"
"Oh yes," the blonde haired man grinned. "Not only did I get summoned for the first time but I even get my youth back!"
"Well Heroic Spirits usually get summoned in what was considered their prime you know?"
"Really? Honestly I don't know much about being a Servant but I definitely know a thing or two about being someone who will always aid the weak and innocent."
"Really," Fujimaru asked with a childish grin. "I'm so glad to hear that because we need all the help we can get!"
"Is that so? Well then, Master," the Servant grinned as he held out a hand. "Servant, Caster, ready to go! But really my name is Makarov Dreyar so do use my real name if you'd like."
"M-M-Makarov," Mash gasped in shock prompting the man to look over in her direction.
"Is something that matter, you look like you've seen a ghost!"
"W-well I suppose I may as well have!"
"Mash," Fujimaru asked in concern. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine Senpai its just … I have memories of this man though he was much shorter than what he appears to be now."
"Memories, of me? I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage young lady," Makarov sighed in confusion. "Have we met somewhere?"
"N-no," Mash replied with a quick shake of her head. "I-I think I need to go …"
As Mash bolted out of the room Fujimaru looked between Makarov and Mash in confusion, his suspicions of Makarov fading at the Servant's equally perplexed look.
Dialogue 1: (If you have Erza Scarlett – Archer)
"So, you managed to get into this place too Erza?"
"Master Makarov-!"
"Peace Erza, I am Master no more. We all both now Servants to a cause far greater than Fairy Tail so there is no barrier of rank or age between us."
"M-my apologies but I don't think I'm capable of calling you anything other than Master, it would be inappropriate!"
"If you do not feel comfortable addressing me as anything but Master then that is fine I merely wanted you to know. That being said however I wanted to ask you something?"
"Of course!"
"How exactly do you qualify for the Archer Class?"
"Well that's actually a rather simple question Master," Erza replied quickly. "You see my Magic is similar to several other Servants around her such as EMIYA and Gilgamesh who both are capable of projecting weapons and using them to attack their foes. The summoning system obviously believes that because we often attack from range that we are indeed qualified to hold the class."
"Hm, how interesting."
"Of course, along the same lines the three of us also have rather unusual statistics for the Archer Class since our Strength is closer to that of a Saber or Lancer rather than an Archer meaning we are capable of engaging foes directly if need be."
"Erza," Makarov said after several moments as his face lost its traces of warmth. "This Solomon character we're up against, just how much of a threat is he truly?"
"Well I'll be blunt with you Master; Solomon is one of the greatest threats any of us have ever faced. He is planning on erasing mortals across all of creation using his Incineration Ritual and his strength is currently far beyond any of us."
"Truly, his strength is unmatched!?"
"Master, Solomon struck down Natsu at the height of his power …"
Makarov looked as if he had been physically struck as he staggered over toward a nearby chair and dropped into it, a look of sheer disbelief engraved upon his features as Erza sighed sadly.
"Natsu won't speak of the details but he said that they were equals in power however Natsu was holding back since they were throwing around attacks that were affecting timelines, something about their location I think he said? Anyway, Natsu said that as Solomon landed what was the fatal blow he landed a Curse upon him that was so horrific that it forced him to divert over ninety percent of his regenerative powers toward it for several centuries until his death where he finally succumb to its effects."
"Unbelievable …"
"He never stopped fighting though Master and upon recovering from his defeat he set about building Chaldea, hiring on the staff personally and ensuring that should he eventually pass mortal kind would still have a fighting chance against him."
"That sounds like a Natsu thing to do doesn't it," Makarov chuckled whilst shaking his head. "Where is he anyway? I'd heard that he was around Chaldea but no one seems to know where he is?"
"Natsu is extremely busy Master with his duties."
"Duties?"
"Master is the former Director of this place and is still one of the top three administrative staff. His jobs in particular is Servant Relations, Singularity Rayshift Logistics, Maintenance on the technical equipment, Acting Director alongside Doctor Romani which includes-!"
"Does he ever get time for himself?"
"…"
"Erza?"
"He does, in a way."
"What way would that be?"
"Part of his role in Servant Relations, arguably the biggest role he has, is Rayshifting to various places alongside the many Servants here for some sort of reason or another. Quite often Natsu will use these times to relax since he is powerful enough that most foes within them can be dispatched with relative ease. He then spends the rest of the time hanging out with the Servant and forming a greater bond …"
"You paused there Erza?"
"Well its just that it seems rather odd?"
"What does?"
"Well, yes Natsu is the Manager of Servant Relations but why is he the one aiding the Servants in these quests alone when Master Fujimaru should be in attendance for all of them?"
"Hmm, a rather good question."
"I never thought about that until now … how strange."
"I suppose I'll let you think on that one Erza, I wish to speak with Natsu for myself so I'll see myself out," Makarov said only to be completely ignored as Erza stared blankly at the wall before her clearly deep in thought.
Dialogue 2: (If you have Zeref Dragneel – Avenger)
"I'm not going to lie I'm actually really surprised that you made it here Zeref."
"Makarov Dreyar," Zeref smiled as he motioned for the man to enter. "It has been quite some time since we last spoke directly, hasn't it?"
"Yes well war tends to make conversation rather difficult."
"Ah, yes," Zeref replied with a saddened gaze. "I know it doesn't mean much but I do apologize for not being strong enough to resist Ahnkseram's influence."
"Do not apologize to me Zeref, my life was ending at that point anyway," Makarov sighed. "The people you should direct those apologies to are those who survived it."
"Yes, of course."
"That being said I am aware of what ultimately happened to you and the tragic fate your family went through at the hands of Achnologia. Now THAT is something worth saying I'm sorry for," Makarov replied much to the surprise of Zeref.
"Y-you-!"
"Care? I am not heartless nor am I anyone's fool Zeref. "No one can so easily make a deal with the darkness Zeref, not even you. To be capable of such great evil you obviously went through something tragic in your life."
"Haven't we all?"
"I want to say something to you that I never got the chance to back in Alvarez," Makarov said prompting Zeref to raise an eyebrow in curiosity. "A message from my Grandfather."
"Yuri?"
"He often spoke of you in a fond tone you know, and often got into fights because of it too. It was after one of these fights I asked why he would say such nice things about the darkest mage to ever exist and do you know what he told me?"
"What?"
"He said, if Zeref truly was as evil as everyone claimed then how did he make Mavis' light shine brighter than the stars themselves?"
"What …"
"Without you Zeref, Mavis would never have become what she did. Like it or not you forged Mavis into one of the greatest legends Earthland ever had, a force for good that convinced many she wasn't even human."
"But she was though-!"
"They thought she was a Fairy."
"…"
"She was everything the fable described them as Zeref and it was you who forged her into it. You, in a rather substantial way, are responsible for just as much good as evil in our world thanks to the actions of Fairy Tail."
"No, I don't deserve credit for any of the achievements of your guild."
"Like it or not they exist Zeref," Makarov said as he began walking out of the room. "Mavis was a staunch believer in it after all."
Dialogue 3: (If you have Mash Kyrielight – Shielder)
"Hello?"
"AH! Mister Dreyar!"
"Oho, no need to be so formal with me, Makarov is fine."
"O-ok then, Mister Makarov."
"I don't mean to intrude on your time however I wanted to discuss what happened earlier when I was summoned, if that is alright with you?"
"Oh …"
"You do not wish to discuss it?"
"Well it isn't that I don't want to its more that I feel rather silly for reacting the way that I did."
"Really? Is there any particular reason as to why you reacted that way toward me, I promise I won't laugh."
"No, you most certainly wouldn't," Mash sighed tiredly prompting Makarov to raise an eyebrow in response. "I see that my words confuse you Mister Makarov."
"You seem so familiar with me and yet I have never met you before in my life."
"In a way," Mash said as she fully turned to face the blonde. "You have actually."
"What do you mean?"
"I suppose you need some context," Mash sighed. "To begin, are you aware of how important Lord Natsu is to all of us at Chaldea?"
"He was one of the founders from what I have been told and even now dedicates his afterlife toward the place, correct?"
"You are however to me personally Lord Natsu is someone much more important than anyone else."
"Really," Makarov asked in surprise at how sincere Mash's words were.
"Lord Natsu is in essence my biological Father …"
"…"
"Mister Maka-?"
"WHAT!"
"Your confusion is understandable," Mash sighed whilst wringing her fingers in an almost frustrated manner. "I was not born like a human, rather I am a genetically engineered organism not all too different from a Homunculi. The subjects before me all died for one reason or another before drawing their first breath until one day Doctor Romani did something no one had knowledge of at the time."
"What did he do?"
"Sixteen years ago Lord Natsu was dying, not yet on his deathbed but still very very sick. In spite of this he was the Director of Chaldea after the murder of the former Director and he already knew how to make the project succeed but wanted no one to truly know of his involvement."
"Why would he not want anyone to know he was involved?"
"Lord Natsu has more enemies than most can fathom. The Clock Tower wanted him dead and his body for research, the Atlas Institute were not happy that he would frequently pop up in their facility and simply 'borrow' things and The Wandering Sea … well apparently they have supposedly seen the truth of him and believe him to be someone that either needs to be protected or outright destroyed. Right up until the Grand Order it was still a fifty-fifty deadlock on that."
"…"
"Anyway, in order to ensure that the project succeeded Lord Natsu mutilated himself even further than he already had been, allowing Doctor Romani to amputate his left hand which was the only uncorrupted part of his body left. Afterward the two spent months cycling out the other influences within it before finally beginning the experiment."
"Experiment?"
"The me you see before you now was all grown," Mash said as she slipped a glove off of her hand to reveal that the back of her hand bore the Dragon Mark he hadn't seen in what felt like centuries. "From this hand."
"S-so that means that you-!"
"My DNA is almost identical to Lord Natsu's however I possess no Demonic DNA, no Divine DNA and no Anti influence. Essentially what I am is a female version of Lord Natsu who is nothing but an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl, a blank canvas not capable of anything one would consider 'superhuman' by nature."
"B-but I've seen you fight though!?"
"That is where the next part comes in," Mash sighed as she covered her hand once more. "As I grew up Lord Natsu doted on me like a real Father, always telling me stories about his travels and about my big Brother who slew the most ruthless God and Devil Slayer even seen, of the big Sister who gave her life in order to defeat a being known as The Outer God Olkoth."
"…"
"The more stories he told the more aware of the world and of myself I became until I finally managed to form a sense of self, an identity to call my own. I became curious, always asking questions with Lord Natsu always answering patiently and kindly in turn. One day however I asked a certain question."
"What was the question?"
"I asked Lord Natsu if I could see where he grew up."
"You mean Fairy Tail," Makarov asked with his eyebrows reaching well beyond his hairline at the story so far. "Why?"
"I wanted to see the place, see the people in the hope that maybe I could become worthy of being related to Lord Natsu."
"You didn't believe yourself worthy, why?"
"I was frail, delicate and all around pathetic," Mash replied bitterly as she looked beyond Makarov as if seeing her former self behind him. "I was clueless, ignorant of life and its countless wonders so I thought perhaps if I go to the place that made Lord Natsu grow then I might also be able to grow just the tiniest bit and make him proud."
"Mash …"
"Despite being sickly, forced to hobble around at a sedate pace with the use of a cane, Lord Natsu agreed to take me. We arrived at some point between when he had left and when he had come back so as to not disturb history. The city was the most beautiful place I had ever seen, even more beautiful than the videos I had seen on the computers …"
"You'd never been outside before," Makarov asked before wincing, remembering the 'frail' comment from earlier.
"Lord Natsu took me to many places that day. We went to a bakery and he bought me my very first sweet, a strawberry cream donut that was in the shape of a dinosaur. I found it to be the most amazing thing in the world at the time," Mash giggled which made Makarov smile at the innocence she possessed. "We also saw a Wizard performing in a nearby park, letting loose fancy sparks from his sleeves to create such wonderful images."
"It sounds like you had a rather wonderful time in Magnolia Mash."
"I did," she admitted with a fond smile. "However I began to pester Natsu about seeing Fairy Tail and so eventually we went there. I still remember feeling bad because I made Lord Natsu so very tired as he tried to scale the steps up toward the guild …"
Makarov internally frowned at that. To think someone like Natsu at any age could tire out from something as basic as that was almost unfathomable. Granted, the stairs that led to the guild hall were a bit excessive however not many old people generally found themselves needing to go there so it wasn't ever considered an issue.
"Once we arrived at the top we entered the building and Lord Natsu began informing me that this was once his home, his family and one of his most precious memories. We attracted attention pretty quickly by quite a few people since Lord Natsu was a rather scary looking person in appearance and I was a rather scared looking girl so a few of them …"
"Oh no, please don't tell me …"
"A few of them knocked Lord Natsu down thinking that I was frightened to be near him. I screamed so loud that the entire place stopped what they were doing and jumped onto him, pleading for them not to hurt him anymore."
"Those damn brats …"
"That was when you appeared," Mash said before smiling sadly. "You said that exact thing too. You said, 'those damn brats … can't they ever hold themselves back from attacking anyone who walks through those damn doors' before hitting all three of them over the head."
"And so I should have!"
"You then started apologising over and over once you noticed Lord Natsu was having trouble getting up but he said a meal for the both of us would more than suffice. I also think while he was trying to say that you kept crying and shouting 'my money' over and over too …"
"Heh, not sure why I would've done that," Makarov laughed weakly in response.
"You sat there with us at the bar and asked why we had come and Lord Natsu responded that I simply wanted to see what a real family looked like. You seemed pretty happy when he said that but then you froze and locked eyes with him."
"Why would I do that?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"Not really?"
"You realized that for him to say something like that he'd have to possess some sort of tie to the guild and then you recalled when I whispered his name to him and it clicked. Obviously you didn't outright declare who he was but instead you took us up to your office under the guise of settling the debt between us for what your guild members did to Lord Natsu."
"So what happened then?"
"Lord Natsu admitted who he was, who I was and why I was there and then told Makarov that he had no choice but to erase the entire memory of us from his mind and make it seem like we were nothing more than just another couple of random strangers who wandered in."
"And how did I respond?"
"Actually you cried and gently hugged Lord Natsu," Mash smiled. "At the time I just sat there looking at the two of you in complete confusion since I'd never experienced any kind of emotion that would do that before. So, being the curious child I was I asked why your eyes were leaking."
"Why my-ok, continue."
"When I asked that you told me something that I never forgot," Mash replied as she sighed and took a deep breath. "Natsu was one of your precious children who you had been so worried about after Mister Gildarts took off with him several years prior. To know that he not only lived to such an unfathomably old age but also managed to save so many lives during that time made him so happy to be alive."
"Ah, I see."
"I was so shocked when you said that you were happy to be alive in order to know such a thing and it was then that I finally understood what family truly was."
"Did you now? Well then Mash why don't you tell me what you learned from me that day?"
"It did not matter that Lord Natsu was no longer strong, that he was of no use to you. You did not care that he admitted he'd killed so many people it could fill up your planet nor did you care when he said that he had failed many people and lost many important things in his life."
"So what did matter?"
"That he lived. That despite everything Lord Natsu was alive and before you right at that moment not as a child but as an accomplished man anyone could look up to. You then said you had never been prouder of him and that he was honoured to be a part of your family."
"So?"
"So I learned that family sticks by family through everything no matter how dire things become," Mash replied confidently. "When push comes to shove the only people you know you can rely upon are those who are your family, not those solely of blood or allegiance."
Makarov smiled as Mash blushed, clearly embarrassed at telling the rather large story to the former Master.
"Well said Mash," Makarov grinned as he gently ruffled her hair. "I would've been proud if you were a Fairy Tail Mage."
"R-really!"
"Oh yes, knowing who your true family is isn't an easy feat after all. I hope you are proud to have been able to learn such an important life lesson from Natsu?"
"Of course I am," Mash replied firmly before suddenly looking sad. "Though I also learned that day that Lord Natsu was sicker than I had thought."
"What happened?"
"When we returned Lord Natsu collapsed and was rushed to Chaldea's Medical Ward under maximum guard. I wasn't told until later by Doctor Romani that he was told some time prior that he was no longer allowed to open portals because they caused far too much strain on what little power he had left within him."
"And yet he defied that all so that he could make you happy …"
"Yes. I still remember a week later when he was finally allowed visitors and I ran into the room and jumped into his arms. That was the first time I ever cried, I thought I was going to lose him and I felt emotions that tore me apart from the inside the entire week."
"And what did Natsu say?"
"He just comforted me and told me it was all ok and that he would do it again if I asked him to … then Romani hit him with a rolled-up newspaper and said no."
"Well," Makarov said as he began to digest the rather deep history on Natsu he didn't know. "It seems that you've grown quite well under Natsu's guidance. I do have to ask though how exactly are you able to fight if you were once so frail and weak?"
"Ah, that is another story."
"I would like to hear it if you have the time."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!"
"V-very well then," Mash blushed as she began recounting the tale of how she became a Demi Servant.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!