Disclaimer: I do not own Hiro Mashima's "Fairy Tail", but all original plots and characters are mine.
In a land, far, far away lies the kingdom of Fiore, a small, peaceful nation of 17 million, and a place filled with Magic found in every home, bought and sold in every marketplace. For most, Magic is merely a tool, a mundane part of everyday life. For some, however, Magic is an art, and they've devoted their lives to its practice. These are the wizards. Banded together into magical guilds, they ply their skills in search of fame and fortune. Many such guilds dot the landscape of Fiore. But there is a certain guild in a certain town that soars high above the rest, one from which countless legends have been born. A guild that will no doubt continue to create legends well into the future. Its name...is Fairy Tail.
Previously, on Fairy Adventure, Nashi sure woke up with a surprise, didn't she? The Harvest Festival has been set up and ready to go and Aisha and Jay are back again to experience it! Well, Aisha is. It seems like all that's on Jay's mind is Luna. Gale better watch out! Looks like Julia and Galileo should watch out too. What's going on with those two anyways? Who did Julia meet? And why is Galileo so…romantic? Bet it's from all those romantic novels! Anyways, Jay finally came out with the truth and the truth hurts. Who knew he had a photographic memory? Maybe everything he remembered will help Fairy Tail! The Miss Fairy Tail Contest started, but Luna missed most of it with her little argument with Gale. I'm glad those two made up though. They could never be mad at each other. Lucy was declared the winner, but whoa! Igneel should watch out who he's calling old! Looks like the Battle of Fairy Tail is about to begin! And Gale chose Luna to be his personal cheerleader—after he promised he has a thing for blondes.
You better win, you jerk.
Gale better win—especially after that kiss! Maybe Jay doesn't stand a chance after all…
In a certain light, one could see Freed's ruins covering the buildings of Magnolia and its flora. However, no one could see the ruins as they all waited inside their houses or buildings, looking out the window. One by one, Mages appeared all over the city. Their eyes burned with the drive to be victorious. Anyone could tell each Fairy Tail Mage would not give anything less than their all in this battle royal. They may have been friends, but right now, they were enemies all after the same prize. And one of them was going to be the one who defeated the mysterious boss in the cathedral.
Lacrima Screens appeared all over the city and Laxus' stern face was shown. Each Mage looked up as the resident Lightning Dragon Slayer addressed them. "Remember: you are not to do anything illegal in this event. Your goal is strictly to make it to Kardia Cathedral with no means of cheating necessary or you will be punished. Good luck to you all."
Galileo rolled his shoulders.
Nashi had a hand on her hip and determination in her eyes.
Mystogan and Erza looked at the screens in matching solemnity.
Paige cracked her neck while Penelope looked up blankly.
Olivia crossed her arms under her chest.
Romeo closed his eyes as he concentrated.
Silver grinned at the prospect of a challenge.
Juvia and Gray frowned as they put themselves in their fighting zones.
"On your marks…"
Igneel cracked his knuckles.
"Get set," Laxus counted down.
Gale smirked.
Orange in the shape of the words GO appeared in the air for all to see. The Lacrima Screens showed off the letters for each Mage to see.
"Go!" Laxus shouted on command.
The Battle of Fairy Tail had commenced.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Maji desu ka SUKA!
•
Donna toki demo POJITIBU de
meccha KIRAKIRA hanasakasou
•
Kitto itsuka wa FAMIRII wo
Shoukai sasete ne
Urusakutte mo yurushite
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Mystogan casually walked down the street. Silence was the only person that escorted him on his walk. He was not particularly worried about meeting his first opponent. He was excited at the prospect of it. In his head, he went through strategies for each Mage he knew was roaming about.
I should be wary of any veterans. Mother is out there too. She'll be a tough opponent to beat. She did raise me and train me. She knows my limitations and I still don't know all of hers. Hopefully, I don't come across her so soon.
Mystogan turned down another street and stopped. He saw his first opponent standing at the end of the street with a smirk on his face and challenge in his hazel-red eyes.
"Galileo," Mystogan greeted.
"Misty," Galileo said back.
In a flash, purple ruins encased the two of them and covered the buildings to their left and right. That was their cue to start their battle. That was their cue to see who would be the victor.
"Wow. Didn't think you'd be the first one I'd be beating," Galileo taunted.
"Don't get arrogant, Galileo," Mystogan warned. "You don't know what I'm capable of."
Galileo smirked as he grabbed his jacket. "Don't get all smartass on me, Misty," he taunted. And he threw off his jacket with a jerk of his hand. The jacket fluttered to the ground and Galileo brought out his metal arm. He put a hand on it. "It's been a while since we fought," Galileo reminded, "but who really cares?"
Magic the color of Gainesboro encased his hand and arm. His metal arm brought out an arm blade. He slowly pulled his hands back down and broke into a fighting stance. The Magic burst off.
Galileo went on. "Because you don't know what I'm capable of."
Mystogan smiled and pushed his glasses up. "Well, why don't we find out?" he supposed.
Galileo made mad dash for Mystogan, his sparkling arsenic gray Magic swirling on his arms.
Mystogan smirked and sprinted over to Galileo.
As the two came close to meeting, Galileo shouted, "I won't lose to you!"
Mystogan formed a fist and Heavenly Magic blazed around it. "Heaven's Shield!" A blazing shield of Magic the color of sparkling gold formed around his fist.
Galileo stabbed the shield.
And Magic exploded.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 011
Race to the Cathedral
友人に対して激突。誘惑に圧倒されるとは戦う意志
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Paige ran through the streets of Magnolia in anticipation. She had no clue who she would run into and that brought out her competitive spirit.
Hopefully, I'll run into Cane. Today's the perfect time to kick his drunk ass for sure!
The ruins activated before she saw her opponent.
"Huh?" Paige stopped running in confusion. She had found her opponent already? "What the—?"
"Greetings, dear sister," came an emotionless voice.
Paige looked over to see Penelope standing there with her red eyes locked on her twin. Paige cocked her hip and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Hey, sis. Didn't think I'd run into you so quickly," she admitted.
Penelope flicked her hair over her shoulder. "But here we stand. Sister versus sister. Ironic."
"If I didn't know you any better, I'd think you didn't think of me as a challenge." Paige smirked. "But I do know you. And I know you're gearing up for a good fight."
"And I hope you're doing the same," Penelope desired.
"Come on, sis. You should know me better than that," Paige mocked.
Penelope blinked. "You're right. I do," she supposed.
As red locked on red, the battle between sisters began.
"Stone Eyes."
A stony Nab fell to the ground, shocked.
Evergreen put her glasses back on. "Honestly. Did he really think he'd be that hard to defeat?" she wondered. Evergreen had changed over the years. Her wavy brown hair had been tamed into a braid that ran down her back. Her attire had changed as well. She wore a tan, pleated skirt and grey leggings underneath that went to her mid-calf with sandals on her feet. Her top was a green halter with the insignia of Fairy Tail on her chest.
⌜FAIRY TAIL
Name: Evergreen Strauss
Occupation: Mage
Magic: Stone Eyes
Likes: statues Dislikes: wilting flowers
Special Note: Watch out! Stare into Evergreen's eyes for too long and you just may get trapped—in stone that is! ⌟
In the air, a picture of Evergreen appeared with the purple words WINNER across her picture while a picture of Nab appeared with a fat red X over him. On every Lacrima Screen, it showed her being victorious.
Evergreen hummed in contempt. "Well, it was obvious I would be the victor. Did he truly think he stood a chance against me?"
Freed's ruins appeared under Nab and he disappeared in a shimmer of violet. Soon, the ruins deactivated around her and Evergreen continued her strut around the town.
"I hope my next opponent is somewhat of a challenge," she prayed. "It's getting boring around here."
As Evergreen turned the corner, Freed's ruins activated and she was trapped once more. She looked at her next opponent and was shocked.
Elfman smirked at her. "Boring isn't manly enough for you," he deemed. "But I sure am."
He had not changed too much over the years. He still wore his geta sandals, but wore loose, khaki pants. He wore a white tank top, but his open blue button-down was overtop it. His hair was still that messy, spiky white.
⌜FAIRY TAIL
Name: Elfman Strauss
Occupation: S-Class Mage
Magic: Take-Over: Beast Soul
Likes: manliness Dislikes: anything unmanly
Special Note: Elfman may be known as The Beast, but he will do anything for his women—even be unmanly! ⌟
Evergreen rolled her eyes, but a grin rested on her lips. "You and manliness," she tsked. "It's going to backfire on you one day."
"Ha. Funny. It got me you, didn't it?" Elfman boasted.
Evergreen blushed. "Well, that's beside the point," she dismissed. "The point is: I'm not going to lose to you."
"Losing isn't manly," Elfman agreed. "But your Stone Eyes won't work on this man."
Evergreen laughed. "Who said I need Stone Eyes to defeat you? I think my plants have done enough."
Elfman furrowed his eyebrows before looking down. His eyes widened. Vines had covered the lower half of his body without him having a clue they were doing so. Slowly, the wines continued to crawl up his body. He looked up at a smug Evergreen and grinned.
"If you think this will work against me"—easily, he broke out of the hold of the vines, letting them fall to the ground and disappear in a shimmer of gold Magic— "you're wrong."
"Well then, I guess I'll have to try something else," Evergreen decided. A glowingly yellow Magic Circle appeared underneath Evergreen's feet. "Fairy Wings!" she chanted. Her Magic protruded out of her back, looking quite painful, and shaped into crafted wings mocking each other's design. She fluttered them once, twice, thrice, as her Magic Circle disappeared and left her with wings.
"Now we're talkin'. Beast Arm: Black Bull!" Elfman chanted. Black inked Elfman's right arm as his muscles bulged. Black fur tufted at his shoulder, but he cared little. He stretched his fingers before breaking into a fighting stance and forming fists. "You know, a man doesn't normally hit a woman," he told his wife.
Evergreen smirked. "Good thing we're not a normal man and woman, huh?" She placed her hands in front of her and chanted, "Fairy Dust!"
Elfman smirked right back at her green dust sprinkled over the battle field. "Wouldn't have been very manly of me to marry a normal woman, would it?"
And just like that, the Beast and his Fairy engaged in combat.
"Whirlpool!"
"Water Slicer!"
Silver dodged the whirlpool thrown at him through a backflip while Juvia easily turned her body to water and allowed the slicers to pass through her.
Juvia watched as her son landed on his feet. "My darling Silver is doing so well," she praised warmly as she reformed her body. "Juvia is certainly impressed."
Silver beamed at his mother while panting. "Thanks, Mom! I've been training super hard so I could make you proud! Water Cannon!" Silver raised both of his hands and created a swirling ball of water in his hands. The ball of water expanded until water exploded from the ball and aimed at Juvia.
Juvia hummed and raised a hand. "Water Shield," she calmly chanted and a shield of water appeared before her. The Water Canon hit the shield and was absorbed into it. As Juvia lowered her shield, she smiled at Silver. "Juvia is already proud of you," she insisted.
Silver relaxed from his fighting stance as his shoulders sagged. His blue eyes fell onto the pavement. "I still can't turn my body into water like you can, Mom," he confessed with a sad smile. "I've been trying for a while now, but I still can't, no matter how hard I try."
Juvia softened at Silver's confession. "Silver," she tried.
Silver shot his mother a determined grin. "But that just makes me want to train even harder so, one day, I can turn my body into water like you can," he said. "So I can become as strong as you."
Juvia chuckled. "To Juvia, her darling Silver is already strong. But Juvia hopes he will get stronger and stronger every day to achieve his goal!"
"Thanks, Mom," Silver appreciated.
Juvia nodded. "Now, show Juvia what you've been working on," she goaded.
Silver smirked as brought out his hands and created to fake guns with his fingers. "Water Bullet!" he chanted. Bullets of water shot out of his fingers and towards Juvia.
"Water Claw!" Juvia shouted as water encased her arms and expanded out until two large hands of water loomed over Silver.
And just like that, mother and son dueled for the title of victor.
Nashi walked around aimlessly with a whine on her lips. "Ugh! This is so boring!" she bemoaned. "All this walking around and no fighting?" She turned the corner as she stretched her arms and let out a yawn. She put her arms down and sighed to finish her yawn. "Wow. What a pain. This isn't very fun," she complained.
A smirk.
"Then, how about I make it fun?" came a purr.
Nashi stopped when Gary appeared out of the shadows with a smirk on his lips and mischief in his eyes.
"Gary," Nashi whispered.
"So? How about it"—his smirk broadened— "Angel?"
And the ruins were activated.
Nashi donned a serious look and threw a hand to him. "I'm not going to lose to some dog like you, got that? I only care about one thing: kicking your ass," she proclaimed. Her Magic Circle bloomed underneath her. In a flash, pink covered her body and shattered away. She was in her Divine Soul armor, pristine and powerful. She held out her hands, and her Sword of Truth appeared in hand. She slashed it to the side before hunkering into a fighting stance. "And nothing is going to stand in my way," she declared.
Gary comically held his cheeks with flowers coming off him as his eyes gleamed. "Oh, my darling Angel is so beautiful when she wants to fight me!" he cooed.
A tick mark appeared on Nashi's forehead as she waved her sword threateningly. "Shut up, you stupid dog! I'm not trying to be beautiful!" she snapped. She let out a frustrated growl. "Look, I'm here to win, okay? You're not getting in the way of that."
Gary let go of his cheeks to look at Nashi. "Oh, I know," he assured. "Your determination is something I admire every day. It's what makes me fall for you even more."
Nashi blushed beet-red at that, frazzled and shaken. "D-D-D-Don't say stuff like that!" she screeched. She averted her eyes from him and her lips trembled. "Especially when you don't mean a word of it," she mumbled.
Gary blinked and a frown overcame his face. He reached out to her. "Angel, I—" He thought the better of it and retracted his hand. "If you're going to beat me, it won't be easy," he warned instead. "Not only do I have years more of experience than you, I'm ranked higher. So, tell me"—he narrowed his eyes— "can you say with confidence you can beat me?"
Nashi looked at him, blush forgotten, and nodded. "I may not be on the same level as you, but I don't give a damn," she said. "I have my resolve and that's what matters."
Gary snorted and his hands flew to his shirt. "Funny," he commented as he began to pull off his shirt. "Is that you resolve talking"—he took off his shirt and threw to the ground, his eyes keeping connected to Nashi— "or pride?"
Nashi made a small noise of surprise.
"Even the most powerful wizards have crumbled to pride," Gary lectured. "Our opponents have done the same. Even our own parents have had to learn the difference between their determination and drive to win a fight and the pride and arrogance that comes from a seasoned fighter. You, Nashi, must learn the difference too. Or…" He lashed out an arm.
Nashi flinched and look up to see a long icicle that was only an inch away from the center of her forehead.
Gary looked at her with no feeling in his eyes. "…will you become too arrogant to notice your weaknesses?" he asked.
Nashi trembled as she looked at the icicle near her head. Her breathing became a little rapid.
He could have easily ended me in a heartbeat. I wouldn't have been able to do anything.
Her hands shook.
My whole body… It's shaking… I've never been so scared before.
Gary smirked coldly as he shattered his icicle and wiped his hands. "Heh. So, you're noticing it," he stated. "Angel, from the moment I met you, I knew that you would be a powerful Mage one day. You have impressed me every day with your growing strength and ferocity. But you have much to learn. You must learn to fight with your Magic not only bonded to you, but fight with the Magic of the world. Feel the Ethernano in the air to guide your movements. You must learn to fight for a cause, one you firmly believe."
Nashi tried to look angry. "I do fight for a c—!"
"No. You don't."
Nashi was taken back.
Gary plowed on. "Whatever you think you're fighting for isn't enough to drive you harder. With the way you're going, you'll never surpass me."
Nashi's eyes widened at the harsh truth.
"You have to find something that makes you train even harder than the day before," Gary preached. "What makes you want to win? Just to think yourself stronger? Just to encourage your ego and pride?"
Nashi gritted her teeth as her hand around her sword trembled.
Gary breathed a laugh and close his eyes. "And let me take a wild guess. You have no idea what drives you to win?" he probed.
"Shut up."
Gary opened an eye to look at Nashi. She was shaking and her bangs covered her eyes, but he could see her jaw taut.
"Just shut up," Nashi ordered quietly. "I may not be on the same level of you. And I may not have learned everything that you have. But I do have a purpose to winning. I fight because I want to see their smiles."
Gary opened his other eye and regarded Nashi in a level stare.
Nashi shut her eyes. "Every time I win, I get to see their smiles. They're proud of me for my accomplishments. Without them, I wouldn't be as strong as I am. And Luna…"
Her mind flashed to the forced smile Luna gave her.
"I want to be able to make her happy," Nashi confessed. "I want to see her smile for real. For so long, I could tell she has been hiding everything through a smile full of loneliness and emptiness. She's been masking it for so long. And as her sister, I should've done something about it. I've just been so selfish and I know that now. So"—she jerked her head up, and gleaming hickory connected with cool blue— "I have to win this to make Luna finally smile for real this time."
Gary looked at her for a solid ten seconds before her burst into laughter.
Nashi glared at him. "What's so funny?" she demanded.
Gary shook his head. "Nothing, my Angel. Nothing." He grinned at her and clasped his hands together. "If that's your goal, then let's make it so"—he dropped to one knee and his Magic Circle bloomed, forcing his eyes to light up— "shall we?" He slapped his hands on the ground and his Magic Circle flashed.
Nashi flinched at the light, but watched the scene unfold.
From in-between Gary's hand rose a golden pommel in the shape of a king's crown. Soon after came a golden grip. Gary took a hand and gripped the grip and pulled it from the ground. The cross-guard was a rare sight. It had a golden bulge with snake-head like creations coming out on the sides and turning their heads to keep the sword in place. The rest of the sword was gleaming ice with a few characters etched in. Gary plucked the sword from the ground and wielded it easily.
"I'd like to introduce you to my Ice-Make: Hrunting," Gary said. "If you're going to fight with a sword, I might as well too." He slashed it through the air for show. "Ready, Angel?"
Nashi gritted her teeth and charged at him. "Don't call me, 'Angel'!" she snarled as she delivered a middle blow.
Gary leapt out of the way, voiding the blow with ease. "You'll have to do better than that, my sweet Angel," he purred.
Nashi lunged forward and tried a diagonal cut, yet Gary voided again. An overhead cut was made and Gary lifted his own sword to stop the blow. Nashi pushed against Gary's sword. Gary kept his form without any effort.
"Well, isn't my Angel so strong?" Gary teased.
Nashi growled. "Shut it, dog. I'm not one to make small talk with the enemy."
Gary lost his teasing expression to frown. "Angel, I'm sorry," he murmured.
Nashi was taken back for a moment. Then, she regained her angry composure and pushed again his sword for a moment. She leapt away with a scowl on her face. "Don't say words you don't mean," she snapped. "Besides, I don't want your pity." She launched herself at him. She went for another overhead strike and Gary was ready. But he was not ready for Nashi to drop to the ground and do a sweeping kick, knocking him off his feet.
Quickly, Gary twisted his body and backflipped away. When he stood on two feet, Nashi was already in front of him.
"I just want to beat you!" Nashi growled.
And the swords clashed.
Nashi had a look of written rage on her face as she delivered blows and cuts. She let out her growls of frustration with each attack. Gary, however, took each blow in stride. Voiding and blocking was all he could do. He frowned and his eyes were hard. But glittering in the cracks was sadness in his eyes.
Oh, Angel… I'm so sorry.
Nashi spun around with a continuously cut, and Gary only leapt back. She stopped to give him a nasty glare.
I only mean to keep my promise.
°•°•°•°
The focus shifted. It was night-time and the sky glittered and the tree were silhouettes, but none of that mattered. What matter was Natsu's face as he stared into the stars. His voice sounded calm, wistful even, and his eyes more so.
"Don't get me wrong. I don't want you around my princess. But if you're going to stick around for a while, promise me something, all right? She'll never get stronger unless she finds something to make victory worth it. Your old man and I fight to protect the women we love and our family. I'm sure you've got your own reasons to be strong. But she doesn't. Well, not yet anyways."
Natsu looked at the focus.
"I need you to be the one to teach her how to make victory worth it. No one besides you can do that, even if I totally hate to say it."
He laughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Don't get me wrong, kiddo. I still want to punch you," he grinned. "But Lucy says I should be nice, so I'll try for her. You know how girls are! Nag, nag, nag, until they get their way. I'm sure my princess nags you all the time. But we'd do anything for our women just to make them smile. So"—he lost his cheerful expression and regarded Gary with a stern look— "can you do promise me? Can you help my little girl?"
Those onyx pools flashed and his lips turned into stoic line.
"Or are you wasting my time?
°•°•°•°
Gary managed to jump away as Nashi pursued him.
I will fulfill my promise to you, sir.
Nashi began throwing around fast blows, and Gary countered them all, blocking them and jumping away from them.
I promise I won't waste your time.
They were a match in skills, Galileo and Mystogan.
Galileo spun around to hit Mystogan low, but missed as Mystogan blocked with his shield.
Mystogan moved his shield up to save him from the blow of a roundhouse kick before he surged forward with his own sword. He slashed it forward.
Galileo met his blade with his own.
The two were at a stalemate.
Galileo smirked at Mystogan as they pushed on each other's blades. A little sweat was beading on his forehead, but nothing too severe. "So, it looks like you got better after all this time," he commented.
"My last fight with you proved I had skills to work on," Mystogan answered. "I hope I haven't disappointed."
The two pushed their blades away and jumped from each other's range.
Galileo's smirk broadened. "Nah, Misty. You've been keeping me on my toes. Impressive, if I do say so myself."
Mystogan did not allow himself to smile. "You've certainly been challenging me," he addressed. "But, I didn't come here to only be challenged." He surged forward with his sword and shield.
Galileo matched him in speed. "Funny. Me neither."
Mystogan skidded to a sturdy halt and swung his sword at Galileo. Galileo was smart to spin from the blow and duck, doing a sweep kick at Mystogan. Mystogan jumped, but was not prepared for Galileo's quick move of bringing himself together and kicking Mystogan's shield. Mystogan was thrown off and away from Galileo, but did not allow surprise to stop him as Galileo charged at him. The two fought with their blades. Galileo did an uppercut with his blade, but Mystogan swatted it down, leaving himself open as Galileo charged at him with another fist. Mystogan was quick to dodge it and moved his head for a head-butt that had Galileo staggering back.
Galileo regained his footing as a bit of blood seeped from his mouth. He wiped it off, grinning. "Not a move the mighty Heaven's Gate usually does."
"No," Mystogan agreed. "But, it's a move the Iron Man does."
Galileo cocked an eyebrow. "Is it just me or were you flirting with me?" he teased.
Mystogan raised an eyebrow as well. "Is it just me or do you want me to?"
Galileo breathed a laugh and shook his head. "Gotta love red heads. All of you are so feisty on the streets and in the sheets." He tightened his form and began to circle. "But, your pretty looks aren't going to get you anywhere with me, Misty, even if glasses are a weakness of mine."
"Is it because of my charming wit?" Mystogan guessed, following Galileo's lead and circling, never letting him out of his sight.
"Make yourself a chick and that just might be the reason," Galileo jested back. "Damn. I missed our little sessions."
"As did I," Mystogan agreed. "I had begun to miss your…interesting technique after your departure."
Galileo snorted. "Eloquent as ever, aren't we, my pretty Misty? Glad to see I was missed. I'll make it up to you"—he winked—"okay? Already did to my little angel."
Mystogan stopped and Galileo followed.
"As much as the offer flatters me, unlike Nashi, I'll have to decline," Mystogan decided.
Galileo shrugged. "Suit yourself. And just when I was thinking our chemistry was powerful."
Mystogan narrowed his eyes. "As heartbreaking as I know it is, I hope you'll be able to fight me with your all."
"I have to. Victory for me means another victory in bed, if you catch my drift," Galileo revealed.
"Well, then, let's see who's victorious, shall we?" Mystogan offered.
Galileo rolled his shoulders. "Ready when you are, babe."
Heated hazel matched heated chocolate.
Silence, plotting, dwelled between them.
They charged at the same time.
Galileo went with high ground, jumping into the air with his blade aimed for Mystogan. Mystogan rolled out of the way and pivoted so he could meet Galileo's next blow. He twirled his sword around with Galileo's arm blade and got him away before throwing his arm with his sword at Galileo. Galileo sidestepped it and punched at fist at Mystogan's chest, knocking him back. Mystogan regained his footing to spin and deliver a middle wheel kick, aiming for Galileo's middle. Galileo blocked it with his arms and moved forward to deliver and uppercut. Mystogan threw his sword as he went into a backflip. He landed on his feet and raised his hand. His sword fell into his hand and he took position again.
Galileo smirked before rushing at him once more.
Mystogan bobbed to the right as Galileo tried to deliver more punches than use his blade. Mystogan kept dodging them all until he thrust his sword at Galileo's middle and tore into his clothes. His eyes widened.
No! he shouted.
BANG.
Mystogan's sword bounced off Galileo's skin.
He froze.
What the…?
Galileo took the opportunity to chop Mystogan's sword away from him and it clattered to the ground. He drew back a fist in the shape of a bear paw—his fingers curled towards his palm, but his palm still present—and hit Mystogan's chest, physically shocking him and making him skid back, stumble, and fall onto his butt.
Mystogan was still in shock about what he had witnessed and gazed at Galileo in disbelief. "What was that?" he questioned.
Galileo smirked at Mystogan's stunned expression. "You think they call me the 'Iron Man of Fairy Tail' just because of my arm?" He snorted. "Yeah, right. Got this nifty skill from the old man. Can't grow scales like him, but…" He knocked on his stomach and a resounding noise of knocking on metal resonated in the air. "I can harden my skin into the same rhodium as my arm. Cool, huh? Honed in that little skill during my time in the city of metal. Worked my ass off and everything."
Mystogan could not believe it, but, then again, he could. He began calculating.
This is new. I didn't think about him hardening his skin into rhodium. Even I don't know rhodium's full properties or its weakness. Only Galileo's doctor does and only he knows how to find her. This could be a problem until I figure it out.
"Come on, Misty!" Galileo was charging at Mystogan with his arm blade gleaming. "Let's have some fun!"
Mystogan curled into himself and covered himself with his shield while his other hand reached for his sword. "Veni'a!" he chanted.
His sword rushed to him.
Galileo jumped in the air. "Let's get this show on the road!" He landed on Mystogan's shield, but ended up flipping himself off it.
Mystogan's sword came into his hand and he pushed himself to a standing position. He charged at Galileo.
Galileo did a tuck before landing on his feet. He smirked. "Let's up the ante, shall we?" He got down on one knee, his arm blade retracting, and clasped his hands in prayer. "Because this fight is about to get a Hell of a lot interesting." He released his hands to slap them onto the ground. His Magic Circle appeared.
Galileo's Magic Circle was different than most. Surrounding the center of his Magic Circle were seven symbols that revolved around the planets and different metals. The moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn intertwined with silver, quicksilver, copper, gold, iron, tin, and lead. Bordering the center of his Magic Circle was an Ouroboros, a serpent chasing its own tale. The symbol of Galileo's circle was the same symbol tattooed on his arm that held more weight than anyone would every know.
Mystogan's eyes fleeted over the Magic Circle for a mere moment.
His Magic Circle… Those symbols… Those are—
"Iron of Mars, hear my call," Galileo chanted. "I call forth my Iron Dogs!"
Dogs of iron leapt from Galileo's Magic Circle. It was only their upper bodies, but that was all they needed as their howled and growled at Mystogan who charged at them. Mystogan jumped up and used the head of one iron dog to gain ground, ignoring its shriek. Mystogan dodged the dogs snapping at him, jumping from head to head and charging for Galileo. He let go of his shield and sword for them to burst and disappear.
"Meteor!" Mystogan chanted. He kept running until gold surrounded his body and carried him into the air. He soared at Galileo at rapid pace, tilting left and right to dodge the dogs trying to get to him. He spun and spun and spun until he created a gold spiral projecting right for Galileo.
Galileo smirked as he stood up, eyes keeping on Mystogan. He held his hands out as thought anticipating a catch. "Come on, Misty, right here," he taunted.
And when Mystogan crashed into Galileo's hand, the impact was one few could withstand. Galileo was forced back for what felt like three miles every second. He gritted his teeth as he fought against Mystogan's spiral and speed. His feet dug into the ground and began an indent in the ground. It was not too long that Freed's ruins activated on the boundary of their fighting grounds and Galileo was hard-pressed against a wall of ruins and Mystogan. Mystogan drilled even more, trying to get Galileo to break, but Galileo refused.
"I can almost feel you smirking at my struggling, Misty," Galileo spoke good-humoredly, but his voice was tight as he tried not to let his concentration slip. "You made your move. Now?" His arm began to glow. "It's my turn." His palm brightened before it burnt into a hazardous orange-red. Steam came off his palm and so did heat waves, rippling the air.
In time, Mystogan jerked away from Galileo and landed somewhere else. He gritted his teeth as he noticed the burnt marks on his clothes. "So, you can heat up iron as well," he acknowledged. "Your Magic never gets boring."
"And neither does yours," Galileo agreed as he rolled his shoulders. "Didn't think I could hold on any longer with that spin of yours. Got me good. You're giving my muscles a workout."
"Sore already? And here I thought you only made women sore considering how often Nashi complained about you to my sister," Mystogan spoke with faint amusement.
A perverse grin snuck upon Galileo's lips. "She said that, huh? Guess I didn't do my job right if she can even fight today." He lifted his chin. "Don't worry, Misty. We'll find you a girl of your own too. Or guy, if that's your speed."
Mystogan shook his head. "No men or women," he declined. "Men aren't my speed, but I prefer to be single."
"So you say now, but I'm betting there's your own Aphrodite out there, my dear Misty, just you wait," Galileo assured.
Mystogan sighed. "Are we going to talk about my love life or are we going to fight?" he wanted to know.
"Both, if you're down. Don't see why not. We've got the time and fighting is always the best way to talk," Galileo said as he readied himself.
Mystogan got into fighting position. "Then, let's have another one of our fun, little conversations." He placed his hands in front of him so his wrists met. His Magic Circle bloomed beneath him. "Altazimuth!" he chanted. Out of one palm came red and out of another came blue. The two intertwined like DNA and made a beeline for Galileo.
Galileo grinned as his clasped his hands in prayer. His Magic Circle sprung underneath him. "You took the words right out of my mouth." He released his hands to put his hand of flesh on his arm of metal. "Hadron Mode: Activate!" His metal hand melted together and expanded into its own canon with a mixture of reds and oranges and purples and blues swirling on the inside of it. A force grew inside the canon, a glowing black with a white and blue aura surrounding it and particles dotting it. It was almost like its own mini-universe. "Explosió…"—a sharp noise came from the canon as though ready for Galileo's command—"Cinéticanos!" The ball of black bubbled for a moment before exploded. It looked as though a stream of a new galaxy blasted from canon and head right towards Mystogan's intertwining attack.
And the two met in an explosion that could light the cosmos.
Nashi gritted her teeth as her feet skidded across the pavement with her Sword of Truth in her arms.
That bastard! I'm going to win this!
"My Angel is so cute when she's in her armor."
Nashi glared at Gary who looked a bit worn out himself. "Shut up," she snapped as she dismissed her sword. "Why can't you take me seriously for once?"
Gary frowned. "I do take you seriously, Angel," he protested.
"How is flirting with me taking me seriously?" Nashi demanded. "You're not even trying to defeat me!"
Gary hesitated. "Angel—"
"I knew it. I knew you were going easy on me," Nashi snarled. In her hand, God's Hammer materialized, gleaming and ready to go. Nashi swung it onto her other shoulder and glared at Gary all the while. "Is it because I'm not S-Class you think I need a handicap?" she asked sarcastically.
"You know that's not true," Gary defended.
Nashi lunged at him and swung her hammer at him. Gary jumped into the air and flipped out of the way. Nashi hit the ground and made a dent in the earth with her hammer. Her eyes darted to Gary who landed a distance away.
"Then, why can't you fight me?" she demanded to know.
Gary sighed. "Angel…"
"Don't call me 'Angel'," Nashi seethed. "You don't deserve it until you start treating me like your equal!"
"But you aren't my equal," Gary argued. "You're much more than that!"
Nashi dismissed her hammer only to conjure her bow. She pulled back the string and her arrow of light formed. "Then, fight me! Freedom Arrow!" she roared. She plucked the string and the arrow soared off to its target.
Gary's eyes dimmed as he disappeared. The Freedom Arrow hit the spot he was at and created a crater rather than hurting its target. Nashi glared at the spot as she readied another arrow.
How dare he? Did he think I would allow him to escape? You're not getting out of this that easy…
A chilled presence came behind Nashi. "If only you could see the truth," came a tired sigh against her neck.
Nashi whirled around with her arrow ready and a snarl on her lips. Gary was inches away from her arrow with a sad smile on his lips.
"Do it," he gently goaded. "I don't blame you."
Nashi pulled back the string even more. "Just tell me: why won't you fight me? Why can't you treat me like your enemy?" she wanted to know.
"Because you're not the enemy," Gary answered simply.
"But I am!" Nashi snapped, frustrated. "I am your enemy! We must fight for one of us to move on! And, so far? You're not even trying to fight me!"
"I can't fight you, Angel," Gary confessed.
"Why?" Nashi was practically begging at this point. She needed to know. She had to know. "We spar, don't we? This is just like that! Why can't you just fight me? Why can't you—?"
"Because you're my Angel!" Gary shouted in her face.
Nashi was so taken back by the ferocity of Gary's tone that she lowered her bow. Her eyes widened as she stared into those intense blue pools. "I know that," she said weakly. "Just summon your Devil. I'm sure he—"
"I can't. And you want to know why?" Gary suddenly asked.
Nashi was silent.
"He won't let me fight you," Gary answered. "He can't fight you. You mean too much to him." He paused. His blue eyes softened meaningfully. "And you mean too much to me too."
"Gary," Nashi argued, "this is just like sparring—!"
Gary instantly shook his head. "Not to us, this isn't," he told her. "We aren't in training, Angel. We're not in your backyard. We aren't on Fairy Tail training grounds. This is different than training."
Nashi tried to interrupt. "But—"
Gary lowered his head until their foreheads touched. When he took a deep exhale, Nashi could feel the familiar cold flood down her face. "I could never fight you because you have something against me. You have my heart, Nashi Layla," he mumbled. "You could hate me all you want, but I could never fight you. Not when you're my greatest weakness."
Blood rushed to Nashi's face as pink dusted her cheeks. She looked away from the intensity of Gary's stare to look at the ground. "Stupid dog," she insulted in a murmur. "I bet you're just saying that to make me lose my composure."
Gary breathed a laugh. "You can't deny my feelings forever, Angel," he teased. "But I'll wait for my Angel one hundred lifetimes if that's what it takes."
"You have much better things to do than that," Nashi told him. "Don't spend all that time waiting for me. Please, do yourself a favor and move on. I am definitely not worth your time."
Gary put a hand on Nashi's chin and raised her head. Loving blue connected with abashed hickory. "To me, Angel is worth it," he whispered. "And you know what else?"
Nashi leaned closer, their noses brushing. "What?" she asked in a barely audible whisper.
Gary leaned even closer so their lips nearly touched. However, instead of closing the distance, he did something unexpected. "I forfeit," he whispered.
Purple lit up beneath the two of them, shocking Nashi out of her trance. She looked down to see the ruins glowing before looking back up at Gary like a madwoman. "Are you crazy?" she scolded. "You can't just forfeit! We have to fight to get out!"
Gary shook his head. "I could never fight you, Angel," he reminded her.
"Don't say that! You can't just leave!" Nashi exclaimed.
"But I am." Ruins crawled over Gary's body and he gave Nashi one last smile. "Make me proud, Angel. Fight with your resolve." And with that, Gary disappeared from the battlefield.
Freed's ruins deactivated just as Gary left. Nashi was too in shock to realize a picture of her with her fired-up grin appeared in the air and on every Lacrima Screen with the word WINNER written in purple lettering and Gary's picture be x-ed out. She could only gape at the spot Gary was just in.
"I could never fight you real or not because you have something. You have my heart, Nashi Layla."
She clenched her hands into fists. "Dog… You absolute dog…"
"I'll wait for my Angel one hundred lifetimes if that's what it takes."
"How dare you," Nashi cursed. "How could you even say something like that…"
"To me, Angel is worth it."
"I'm not worth you losing. You can't just leave me like that."
"Make me proud, Angel."
Nashi tched. "Like it's my job to make you proud. But"—she smirked, her eyes gleaming in determination and triumph— "I'm going to totally kick your ass when I see you again, you stupid dog. And if I have to win to do that, then I will. Just you watch me."
Nashi dismissed her bow and arrow and broke into a run down the street.
"He can't fight you. You mean too much to him. And you mean too much to me too."
You stupid dog, she thought. Saying crap like that… You almost had me believing you meant it.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Igneel grinned triumphantly as he saw his picture appear on the Lacrima Screen. "Sweet! Sorry, Uncle Max, but maybe you'll win next time," he said. "There shouldn't be too many more people left," he calculated as he locked his hands behind his head and took up walking again. "I wonder how Luke and Nashi and Dad are doing. I haven't seen any of their names appear. Guess that means they're still out there. Huh?"
Igneel looked up at the Lacrima Screen to see Nashi's name appear while Gary's name was x-ed out. His eyes widened and he put down his hands. "Whoa! Seriously? Gary got defeated by Nashi?" He grinned. "Way to go, sis!" he cheered.
Great! That means I have more of a chance to fight her! Now I've got a fire going!
As Igneel kept up his walk, he thought, I hope I run into Nashi. I bet that fight between her and Gary was awesome! Maybe she'll share her strategy! But I'll probably have to do her laundry for a week…
As Igneel was about to walk another step, he could smell that annoying mixture of constant alcohol and cologne. Freed's ruins activated, but Igneel already knew who he would be up against. When his opponent stepped from the shadows, Igneel grinned and put down his arms. "Cane," he greeted.
Cane smirked at him. "Igneel," he threw back. "I was hoping I'd beat Gale before I beat you, but I'm not a picky guy."
"Funny. I was just about to say that to you," Igneel shot back. He cracked his knuckles. "Let's both face the facts: I'm not going to be the one leaving."
"Funny. I was just about to say that to you," Cane mocked.
Igneel lit a fist ablaze with his red fire. "Come and get some, Gambit," he jeered. Igneel sprinted over to him. "Red Fist!"
Cane pulled out a card and his smirk broadened. As he threw it out, he called, "Dragon's Breath!"
The Magic Card covered itself in Cane's violet Magic and morphed itself. Igneel kept up his run as he watched card get bigger and bigger and become a dragon. The violet cracked off and in front of Igneel was a creature of massive heights and violet scales. Its eyes were a glowing purple and its opened its jaw to reveal sharp teeth. Instantly, dark purple fire spewed from its mouth.
Igneel leapt out of the way as the stream of fire landed on the street rather than hitting him. The stream moved as he did, but Igneel kept moving, trying to find an opening.
"You think this is going to stop me?" Igneel taunted.
The fire was spewed at him, but he dove under it.
"I train with the Dragon King himself," Igneel reminded. "Something like this…" He ran up to a wall of a building and leapt onto it before pushing off. He lunged at the head of a dragon with a fist made and delivered a punch. The dragon roared, but fell to the ground and disappeared back into its card form. Igneel landed on his feet and looked over at Cane with a grin. "…is nothing," he finished.
Cane shook his head amusedly. "Wow. I thought you were smarter than this, Igneel."
Igneel furrowed his eyebrows. "What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped.
"Why don't you ask that to my Rune Knights?" Cane simple asked.
Igneel looked down.
His eyes widened.
Covering the ground were Cane's Magic Cards. Each one had the same design of a Rune Knight, all of them battle-ready. Suddenly, they began to glow violet.
Igneel looked at Cane wide-eyed. "There was no way you had time to do this."
Cane merely smirked. "Did you think I believed that dragon would be enough to stop the son of Natsu Dragneel?" He shook his head despairingly. "Unlike you, I'm not stupid."
"Come say to my face, you jerk!"
Igneel watched as the cards morphed into knights, ready for battle and to defend their king. To onlookers, the sight itself was awe-worthy. But to him, he was sizing up his new opponents. The knights that appeared to him were in their normal baggy white pants and sandals with the crest of their knighthood on their teal robes. But their faces were blank and their eyes were glowing. All of them stared at him like dogs waiting to attack.
Igneel smirked as he lit his fists ablaze once more. He crouched into a defensive stance. "Please. Like an army is going to stop me," he tched.
But he would soon regret those words.
"Knights, attack!" Cane commanded.
The knights were in motion faster that Igneel anticipated.
Two knights flanked him and attempted to hit him with their staffs, but Igneel used them to jump in the air. However, a harsh blow was delivered to his head and he plummeted back into the ground. Instantly, jabs and punches were thrown at him once he touched ground. Some he managed to dodge. He swung his flaming fist at one of the knights. The knight stilled and shimmered before popping back into its card form.
Igneel smirked. "Let's see how you like the taste of my flames. Red Claw!" He instantly jumped in the air with one leg and kicked the other, both feet set ablaze. In his butterfly kick, the flames from his feet flared and lashed out in a hiss as though extensions of his feet and attacked the rune knights. Several of the knights around him still, shimmered, and returned to their flimsy cards. Igneel landed in a crouch, one fist against the ground.
Igneel grinned. "All too easy," he claimed. "Now, this has got my fire goin'!" He punched his fists together and lit them on fire. His red flames crawled all over his body, starting from licking his legs to clinging to his chest to outlining him in their warmth. A glint was in his eyes. "Overheat!" he chanted.
The flames on Igneel's body roared as they grew and grew around him. He could feel his flames excitement as the knights began to falter under the intense heat. They backed away from him. He was too hot for them to attack.
Igneel grinned as he saw them back away a good distance from him.
Now I've got you right where I want you.
Igneel raised a hand. "Red..." His Magic Circle appeared in its glowing red glory. It expanded until the knights found themselves standing atop his Magic Circle, unsure what to do. Igneel made a fist with his raised a hand, his flames igniting around it, and slammed a powerful punch into the ground. "…Boiling Inferno!" he shouted.
The effect was instantaneous.
Red flames shot up from the intricate curves of the Magic Circle until the flames flooded the ground. The knights stilled and, unable to take the intense heat, shimmered and burst back into their card form. Igneel watched in satisfaction as each one disappeared until his opponents were gone. He dismissed his flames and they listened without hesitation, putting themselves out with a pleased hiss. He stood up with his triumphant grin on his face when he saw Cane some ways away from him, his violet eyes widened in shock.
"How?" Cane gaped. "Where did you…?"
Lazily, Igneel stretched out an arm. "I've been waiting to use that move for a while now. Been workin' on it with my old man." He put his hands on his hips and puffed his chest proudly, a smug grin on his lips. "Ha! Like anything could really defeat the awesome Igneel Dragneel!"
Cane sweatdropped as Igneel cackled. "If you were anymore arrogant, I bet your nose would be growing," he grumbled. He smirked as he pulled out another card from his deck. "But whatever. Just because you pulled out some hat trick doesn't mean I'm going down yet. I didn't think I'd have to use this card on you, but I think this'll do the trick."
Igneel stopped laughing when he processed Cane's words. "Throw any card you want. Nothing you give me is going to defeat me," he said confidently.
Cane threw out his card. "Well, try this on for size then. Come on out, ladies!" he commanded.
Igneel was taken back when the card itself exploded mid-air and its pieces turned into—
Igneel's jaw dropped comically and his eyes were widened. "No way! That card makes women?" he exclaimed.
Suddenly in front of Igneel was a cluster of women, beautiful in their own right. Some had long and dark hair while others possessed light hair in curls. All, though, had eyes for him and only him. Igneel could care less these women in front of him were in scandalous bikinis—he grew up in a guild where nudity was practically never an issue—but he did care that they were staring at him as though he was the last piece of meat.
"Like them?" Cane prompted, looking disturbingly triumphant. "They're yours to have."
Igneel grinned and punched a fist into an open hand. "Bring it on. I'm not afraid of them."
Cane grinned right back. "Great. Then, ladies, why don't you go say 'hello' to your newest opponent," he suggested.
The women seemed to brighten at that idea for all of them started running over to Igneel with hearts in their eyes. "Come here, Iggy!" they moaned.
Igneel was taken back at the nickname. "'Iggy'?" he echoed, disgusted. "If you're going to call me, call me by my real—Woah!" He was tackled to the ground as the cluster of women surrounded him and all attempted to get their hands on him. Igneel struggled under their grasp. "Hey! Watch where you're putting your hands, lady!" he snapped when one woman touched his rear.
"Oh, Iggy is so strong!" one woman purred while stroking his arm.
Igneel snatched it away from her with a scowl. "Watch it!" he growled.
A hand ran through his hair. "And his hair is so soft," another woman with a bob of green hair complimented.
"Don't touch my hair!" Igneel whined.
A woman with short and wavy purple hair tugged at his pants. "Iggy needs to relax," she goaded. "I want him to play with me."
"Well, I don't want to play with you!" Igneel groaned as he tried to get out of the arms of these relentless women, but to no avail. "Get off me! Stop touching me!" he demanded.
Boldly, a woman straddled him and ran a tantalizing finger down his chest. "Doesn't Iggy want to be touched?" she asked innocently.
Igneel's eyebrow twitched. "No! I just want to punch Cane in the face for this."
Cane watched his card women assault Igneel in amusement. "Come on, Igneel, lighten up. Who wouldn't want this number of beautiful women around them?" he asked.
"We'll see how you feel when all of them are suffocating you!" Igneel snapped muffledly, trying to get one woman's chest away from his face. "Besides, the girls at the guild are pretty enough, but at least they don't try to—Stop trying to take off my shirt!" he growled at two young ladies with matching blue hair who had managed to lift his shirt to show his abdomen.
Cane sighed and shook his head, turning his back on the situation at hand. "Geez. Just trying to do you a favor and this is how you thank me."
"I'll repay you by kicking your sorry ass if you—Would you stop touching my arms?! I'm trying to tell Cane how much I'm going to punch his face in!"
Cane shoved his hands in his pockets and began to walk away. "Guess this match is pretty much over," he figured. "Even you wouldn't be stupid enough to—"
"Red Burst!"
Cane whipped around in shock as the women he conjured were flung up in the air, their eyes shocked as well. Igneel stood tall with his flames dissipating in the air. Determined onyx clashed with surprised violet.
Igneel gave him a fangy grin. "Sorry, but not even women are going to keep me from kicking your ass. And you deserve it."
As the women landed back on the ground, Cane never broke eye contact. He ordered to them, "Ladies, I think 'Iggy'—"
"Don't use that name!"
"—needs a girl who can definitely make him relax," Cane finished.
"No! I just need to kick your ass!"
The women nodded in unison with frowns on their faces, blatantly ignoring Igneel, and glowed violet. Their violet forms pulled together. Rather growing bigger, a large orb of glowing purple was made. Igneel and Cane watched as the orb morphed itself into one woman, petite and with long hair. She opened her eyes as the purple was still not shed, and Igneel recognized her eyes instantly.
"So, you go by 'Iggy' now?" she asked him with a twinge of amusement.
The purple left her and the young lady was left with peachy skin untouched and flawless and locks of blonde hair. She bore a tight bikini, accentuating her growing curves and it was all in his favorite color: red.
Igneel's eyes widened. "MJ?" he called out.
Mary Jane smirked at him and sauntered over to him. "Nothing can beat the 'awesome Igneel Dragneel', hmm?" she mocked playfully. She was right in front of him now, coy cerulean staring up at astonished onyx.
Igneel took a step back. "'Course nothing can defeat me," he said rather shakily. He gulped when Mary Jane came closer to him, pressing against him.
Oh, crap.
"You're on fire," Mary Jane told him.
Igneel looked up and pink flames danced on his hair. He put out his flames by patting his head, laughing. "Oh, um, about that… I, uh…"
Mary Jane smirked at his uncomfortableness as she drew a hand up to touch his cheek. "Don't worry. I think it's cute," she teased. She shoved him to the ground.
Igneel fell on his back in a whine. "Hey! That wasn't very—!" He was quickly quieted when he realized Mary Jane was on top of him. She was straddling him.
What the Hell?
Mary Jane trailed a finger down his chest. "You don't want to be touched?" she asked him tauntingly, never breaking away from her stare.
Igneel did not answer.
Mary Jane took his silence as her victory. "Come play with me, Iggy," she purred close to his ear. "You need to relax."
"Get the Hell off me."
Mary Jane froze. His voice sounded so cold, so authoritative. "What?" she laughed nervously.
"Get the Hell off me," Igneel repeated. "The MJ I know would've punched me already for calling her 'MJ'." His onyx eyes gleamed and a smirk was on his face. "Nice try, but MJ would never be like this. She's too mean."
Before card-Mary Jane could answer, Igneel pushed her off. She landed on her back and this time Igneel was the one on top of her with clear triumph in his eyes.
"Besides, you smell like that bastard Cane. MJ would never smell like liquor," he deduced. "Told ya. Nothing can defeat the awesome Igneel Dragneel."
Card-Mary Jane shimmered and popped back into card form underneath him. Igneel swiped the card from the ground as he pushed himself up to his feet. He looked over at Cane with the card in hand. "Did you honestly think something like that was going to fool me?" he leered as he burned it.
Cane simply shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. I'm surprised my card-Mary Jane threw you off for a few seconds." He cocked an eyebrow, a tongue-in-cheek look about him. "Got anything to say for that?"
Igneel brushed off his feelings of embarrassment. "Nope! Only thing I have to say is I'm taking you down, loser. And none of your fancy cards can stop me."
Cane looked a little too smug that Igneel had said that. "Good thing I have more than my cards then." He widened his arms as a purple Magic Circle appeared beneath his feet.
Igneel looked at Cane in confusion, but held his ground.
What are you up to, Cane?
Cane smirked as purple Magic swirled around him and electrified his arms. "Try my Brick Breaking Clap!" He brought his hands together in a resounding clap.
Time moved in slow motion as Igneel watched in shock.
The stone between the two of them broke apart, regardless of the protective ruins on them. Row after row, the stone broke apart dangerously. But that was not all. A wave of purple energy was in the air, racing towards Igneel, and once it did…
Igneel had little time to even think of a reaction.
The stone beneath him broke apart into jagged edges and the wave hit him. He was thrown back, letting out a squawk of surprise. He hit the pavement a distance away, bouncing once, twice, three times, before rolling and finally landing on his side.
No way…
Groaning, he clutched his injured side as he staggered to his feet. His eyes sought out the destruction in front of him.
The road's torn up… For anyone to break Freed's ruins and make destroy the stone that much, they'd have to have powerful Magic… But a Magic like that was—
Igneel looked up and saw Cane's arrogant look. He knew. They both knew.
Cane… You can use Crash Magic?
"How?" Igneel demanded. "That's a powerful type of Magic, according to my ma. Only Uncle Gildarts is known to use it. And he can only control it after decades of training."
Cane looked expectant as though he knew Igneel was going to question him. "And you should know you can inherit Magic," he answered. "Like Gary. He inherited Uncle Gray's Ice Devil Slayer Magic. And Elvin inherited Aunt Evergreen's Stone Eyes. And even Penelope inherited Magic from her old man."
"But that's directly-inherited Magic," Igneel argued. "There's no way you could have inherited Uncle Gildarts' Magic."
Cane shrugged. "It skipped a generation," he guessed. "It may not be my main source of Magic, but I figured you'd like the challenge."
Igneel observed Cane. Purple energy fizzled out around him in an unpredictable pattern. He saw that Cane had inadvertently caused the ground beneath him to be dented.
It's unstable, so it'll be tough for me to predict his strength, he thought. But I can tell he has no control over its effects.
"Fighting against unstable Magic can be good and bad," his uncle Loke had lectured him in battle-training. "Sometimes, if the wizard truly has no control over his or her Magic, it could harm not just you, but the Mage and everything around the both of you. The number of openings you get can vary between far and few. But, once you get that opening and you use it, your opponent is down instantly. You just have to find the moment when the Mage absolutely cannot control his or her Magic or is spent from using too much and you're set. Remember that, kiddo."
Igneel watched as a lash of purple Magic came from Cane and sliced one of the city's lighting poles. The pole fell to the ground, its light dead and broken.
This is extremely powerful Magic, he recalled. Without any control, he probably has only a few attacks he can do before he loses complete power. If I can stall him, maybe I can find my shot.
"Well?" Cane goaded. "Scared over there, Dragneel?"
Igneel grinned. "Please. Dragneels don't do scared, Gambit. And Crash Magic or not, I'm still going to kick your ass."
Cane put a hand in front of him, palm facing Igneel. "Now that's what I like to here." His violet Magic Circle appeared beneath his feet. "Crushing Pulse!" he chanted. A purple orb flew from his palm and towards Igneel.
Igneel leapt out of the way and the purple orb landed yards behind him. He watched as it touched the ground and promptly blew up a good chunk of the street, creating a decent crater into the ground. He looked back at Cane.
"You'll have to try better than that!" he taunted.
Cane seemed to have expected that. "Don't worry. I have plenty more where that came from!" Several purple orbs came from his palm. "Crushing Pulse!"
Igneel took off in a mad sprint. He used the broken pieces of the road to balance and leap off. He leapt out of the pulses coming his way with ease and ignored the massive explosions behind him. His eyes were locked on Cane.
He's weakening, Igneel noticed. I can hear his breathing. It's becoming more unsteady. He can't keep this up for much longer.
Igneel cupped his hands at his sides as he avoided another pulse and stopped on a large chunk of stone. He could feel the coolness of his blue flames surging through him and a blue fireball appeared in his hands. He gritted his teeth as he charged his attack. A pulse was coming right at him. He needed to be quick.
"Blue…" Igneel pushed his hands out. "…Freezing Wave!" he shouted. Blue fire fanned out from his cupped hands and aimed straight for Cane. A pulse attacked Igneel and exploded the minute it touched him, sending him flying back the way he came.
The blue fire hurled at Cane and he barely managed to sidestep it. The fire had managed to nick him, causing his clothes on this left arm to tear off and his left arm to feel a little numb with cold. He grunted and gripped his arm. His eyes saw Igneel had been blown away. He puffed a breath.
He's noticing I can't use this Magic too much, Cane noted. If I'm going to win, I need to do it now.
He panted heavily, but ignored the exhaustion and pain ragging on his body. He gathered as much Magic as he could as he shakily raised his hands in the air.
Here we go… Time to use one of Grandpa's finishing moves…
Igneel coughed as he struggled to get up. That pulse had not only exploded, but the explosion had blown him away and slammed him into the edge of Freed's ruins. He grunted as he got up. "Damn. My head hurts like Hell," he moaned. He shook away the dizziness when he felt strong Magic. He looked up to see Cane on the other side of their battlefield. A purple orb was above him and his hands were raised. Magic was gathering to make the orb bigger.
Igneel's eyes narrowed.
He's gathering Magic for his final attack, he realized. If I'm going to strike, I should go it now.
He set himself in a running stance and took off, flames on his heels.
But with which flames? My natural fire or Purple Flare would be useful. Not Holy Fire.
He did a horizontal spin in the air to avoid a pulse before doing a somersault on the ground. He got to one knee and panted.
Dammit. But what else can I use besides—?
An idea came to him.
That's it!
As Cane felt the attack charge almost full, he began chanting the words. "Destruction and chaos to be crushed. Evil shall be damned…" The purple sphere above him flashed as it recognized the proverb. It was time! His attack was ready! "Now! Big Bang!"
Cane threw his hands down, throwing the large sphere at Igneel.
Igneel glared at the sphere barreling towards him and stood up. He broke into a run. He made two fists. "White Fire..." The pure white flames licked his left fist. "Dark Fire…" The dark flames licked his right fist. "Now!" He slammed his fists together. "White and Dark Fusion…" He slowly uncurled his fists and separated them. In-between his hands, the white and dark fire swirled together, abandoning his fists. He looked up to see the sphere only yards away. He could feel himself being pushed back. But he was not ready to give up. "…Spinning Dance!"
The swirling ball of his combined fire erupted in a beautiful stream. White swirled around dark and dark curled around in an endless dance. Through their dance, they hit the sphere dead on. The sphere combusted within an instant and chaotic wind blew around as it harmlessly dispersed. Igneel shielded himself from the debris that kicked up, but watched as his flames continued their dance toward Cane.
Sorry, Cane. But this is for your own good.
Cane watched in his exhaustion as the opposite flames swirled towards him. His lips twitched into a grin and he bowed his head as the flames came closer. His eyes closed as he accepted defeat. "Should've known you'd pull another hat trick on me," he said. "Well-played…"
The dancing flames were only a foot away.
"…phoenix."
The flames hit him in a fury of white and dark.
Gale watched as the ruins disappeared, his opponent already back at the guild. He stretched himself out. "Now that was a nice work-out," he muttered, cracking his knuckles. "Wonder who—?"
He stopped when he saw white and dark flames flaring up a few streets over from him. "Huh. So, that's who's been fighting? Thought I felt their Magic." He smirked and shook his head. "Wow, freak. Couldn't just hold back, could you?" His smirk broadened. "Can't wait to see what you bring to our fight."
Cane was lying on his back in a pile of rubble when the smoke and flames cleared. He was staring at the sky with a smile on his face. There was still daylight in the sky with its shade of blue and its sun at a different position.
"You beat me," were the first hoarse words he croaked when he heard footsteps stop beside him.
Igneel sat down crisscrossed beside Cane. "Guess I did," he supposed. "You put a great fight. Definitely surprised me with that Crash Magic." Igneel gave him a sidelong glance and a fanged grin to go with it. "And you say I pull out some hat tricks."
Cane gave a puff of laughter. "Aunt Erza's going to kill us when she realized we ripped up the road."
"Nah. I wouldn't worry about," Igneel dismissed. "Our guild probably did worse."
Cane had to agree with that. "Yeah. I bet."
Silence passed between there. There were no harsh feelings. There was just a comfortable, respected silence. A comfortable silence between guild-mates—friends.
Violet lit from underneath Cane. It was the signal. It was time for him to return to the guild. A Lacrima Screen appeared above the rooftops. Both of them saw as Igneel was proclaimed winner while Cane was x-ed out.
"I'm going to beat your ass one day, Fire Prince," Cane decided.
Igneel seemed pleased at the declaration. "Look forward to the day, Gambit," he said right back. He raised a fist as Cane's figure began to shimmer.
Cane snorted at the action, but shakily raised his own fist and bumped it with Igneel's. "Show them what you've got, Iggy," he encouraged.
And then he disappeared.
Igneel watched as Cane disappeared, not even caring that the ruins had deactivated around him. He stared at the spot for a moment before lowering his fist and putting his hand on the ground. His head turned up to look at the blue sky.
Man… Some fight…
His flames seemed to agree with him as they purred and settled within him.
He sighed. "I wonder who's my next opponent's going to be…" He supposed he had to get up should he want to find his next challenger. But for now, sitting like this and looking at the sky just felt right. He need not worry about his next fight.
All he did was sit and stare at the sky.
Yea, Baby!
Dance with me! Dance with me! Just dance with me now!
Odorou
motto Party! Party! Like we just don't care!
Sawagou
•
Yea, Baby!
Dance with me! Dance with me! Just dance with me now!
Odorou
motto Party! Party! Like we just don't care!
Sawagou Yay!
TO BE CONTINUED…
Good job to Igneel about winning your fight! Any guesses on who he's going to fight next? Find out on the next Fairy Adventure!
Chibi-Luna appears. "Hey, guys! It's time for another Fairy Lesson! Today, we're going to talk about Hargeon Town!" She pulls down a map that shows the beloved port town. She waves her hand and a pointer wand is given to her. She taps the map. "This is Hargeon. It's in the southern part of Fiore, right near Magnolia, my home! My mama told me this is where she and my papa met when the evil Bora tried to kidnap Mama and other women, but that's a story for another time!"
"Hey, I was there too!" comes a whine. Chibi-Happy flies next to Chibi-Luna with a pout on his feline lips. "Lucy and Natsu didn't even do any work. It was all me," he tells.
Chibi-Luna rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, Happy." She turns back to you. "Anyways, Hargeon is known more for its fishing than Magic since only ten percent of the people there are Mages—"
Chibi-Happy gasps. "Wait a second! Lucy promised she'd take me to the fish market there for more sea bass!" He salivates at the thought of fish. "Oh, my. Fresh sea bass…" he moans.
Chibi-Luna sweatdrops at Chibi-Happy's antics. "Um, well, in that case… The park there is really pretty and the food is really good. Or, at least, that's what Ena tells me. Maybe I could visit one day with her!"
"Don't forget fish!" Chibi-Happy puts in. "Fresh fish… Oh, the sweet, sweet smell of fresh fish!"
"Let's just announce the next episode, okay, Happy?" Chibi-Luna sighs.
The two announce: "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: THE DARK EMPRESS VERSUS THE STONE GENTLEMAN!"
"Bring me some fish!" Chibi-Happy shouts at you.
"Happy, I don't think they well," Chibi-Luna lets down.
Chibi-Happy cries comically. "No one ever gets me fresh fish!" he sobs as he flies away.
Chibi-Luna shakes her head. "No one told me this show would be a drama…"