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.
Things definitely got interesting on the last Fairy Adventure, don't you think? Looks like the old Iron Maiden met with the new Iron Maiden and to say their battle would be epic was an understatement. Olivia learned how to transform into the Iron Beast! Talk about the animal inside you! Looks like Erza will be tough to beat, but don't count Olivia out just yet. Anyways, Iggy—I mean, Igneel—tried to get a sense of his direction when he was in for a literal shock. Still, at least he ran into Romeo. Fighting fire with…fire? Meanwhile, Erza and Olivia heated things up with a battle I could barely see! Erza dished out some harsh moves, but Olivia pushed them right back and had moves of her own. And even her own Iron Beast King Roar! She may not be a dragon or a Dragon Slayer, but she can definitely roar like one. As Erza and Olivia's battle came to an end, Igneel and Romeo seemed to be fighting fire without fire. Guess you don't need Magic in this battle. But their fight got interrupted by a few ugly new friends. Luna could feel a dark presence, but is it another demon? Too bad no one had time for any warning, but that's okay!
"No time to explain! We have to warn everyone before—!"
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENG. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENG.
Wow! What a loud siren! And Igneel, are you sure these aren't friends of yours?
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENG. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENG.
And the whole guild froze.
Then, erupted into chaos.
"What's happening?"
"What does the siren mean?"
"What's with the flashing red?"
"Master?"
Erza was already moving toward Freed. "What is going on?" she bellowed.
Freed drew back the bangs that covered his right eyes and closed his eyes. He reopened his eyes. His right eye was purple, his iris glowing. "My apologies, but there has been a breach in my ruins," he announced.
Erza seemed contemplative at the news. "Is it a civilian or another Mage?" she asked.
"Neither," Freed answered. "It's something I can't identify, but it bears a strange Magic deemed dangerous according to my ruins."
"Levy! Gary! Luna! Lucy!" Erza barked. The three ladies and one gentleman hurried over to him. Erza looked at a nervous Luna. "Luna, do you think it's a demon?"
"I-I-I think so," Luna stammered. "It feels like it. And if it is, it brought with it enough familiars to take over Magnolia."
"I was afraid of that." Erza looked at Gary and Lucy. "I need you two to pick put five Mages each to get out there and bring home any and all Mages out on the streets. Let your teammates know about the familiars only if you encounter them."
"Are you sure, Erza?" Lucy asked.
"I have no choice now that they decided to come into our home. I didn't think this secret would be kept too long either way," Erza told her. "Make sure civilians stay indoors." A dark look crossed Erza's face and anyone could see the fury in her brown eyes. "We will defend our home from outsiders and make sure we show them they cannot mess with Fairy Tail or Magnolia. This is our home and these people are our family. And Fairy Tail will do what it takes to protect their family."
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Maji desu ka SUKA!
•
Donna toki demo POJITIBU de
meccha KIRAKIRA hanasakasou
•
Kitto itsuka wa FAMIRII wo
Shoukai sasete ne
Urusakutte mo yurushite
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Erza turned to Freed as Lucy and Gary sought Mages. "Freed, cancel the fighting festival rules, but keep ruins on every building in Magnolia. Then, find Warren. I want to send a message out to anyone out there."
Freed nodded. "Yes, Master."
"What happened?" came a rushed question.
Erza looked to see Laxus hurrying over. Mira and Mary Jane were with Orochi and Mara, freshly emerged from the stairs, and Mara settling into her chair. Erza answered Laxus. "There has been a breach," she told him. "Go and release them. Have them scout."
Laxus nodded and raced back for the stairs to the lowers areas of the guild.
Erza turned to Levy. "I need you to use the guild's library and find anything on these creatures. We need anything and everything."
"I've already checked, Master, and there is nothing down there," Levy sadly informed. "Until I meet up with Hibiki or go with Lu to the Crocus Library, we have nothing."
Erza looked displeased at that. "We have got to have—"
"Wait! Jay knows something!" Luna interrupted.
Levy's eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, right, Nashi's friend! She invited him to be with use for the Harvest Festival. Is he still in the infirmary?" she asked.
Luna nodded. "I don't know what he knows, but I know it can be helpful to us. I just know it," she insisted.
Levy looked at Erza. "Master?" she prompted.
Erza gave her a curt nod of permission. "Interrogate him. Hopefully, he will have something useful on how to defeat this type of enemy quicker, but don't give your hopes up," she cautioned.
"Right." Levy nodded and scurried to the infirmary.
Luna looked at the master expectantly. "What can I do, Aunt Erza?"
"Stay safe," Erza told her firmly. "I don't want you going out there."
Luna protested, "But, Aunt Erza, I—!"
"The last mission you were on, Zagan had captured you and only you," Erza pointed out. "Who is to say the same won't happen again?"
"Aunt Erza—!"
"Mira!" Erza called, walking towards the Demoness.
Mira let Mary Jane in the hands of Orochi and Mara with low words before approaching Erza halfway. "What is it, Erza?"
Erza nodded at Luna. "Keep her safe and in the cellar. She is not to leave without my permission," she instructed Mira, then walked away.
Luna tried to follow her, but Mira was already tugging her away. "Aunt Erza, I can help! Aunt Erza!" she shouted uselessly. It was too late. Erza was already talking urgently with other guild members. Pleading was in Luna's eyes as she looked up at her aunt Mira. "I can help!" she insisted. "Please, Aunt Mira! I can do this!"
Mira shook her head. "I'm sorry, Lu, but you're going to have to sit out on this one."
"But my brothers and sister—!"
"Will be fine," Mira finished for her. "All of them have been training hard. Nashi has experience in this type of fight. They'll be okay."
Luna blinked her surprise. "Wait. You know?"
Mira nodded. "When Erza came by the house, she explained the situation to Laxus, Lance, and myself." She sighed. "I never thought demons would rise again. Not after last time."
"'Last time'?" Luna repeated in a whisper. However, Mira gave her no answer. Luna allowed Mira to guide her to the entrance of the cellar. As the two walked down the steps, Luna's thoughts went out to her guild.
Please, someone protect them, she prayed. She hoped she would hear that voice once more to tell her the wish she made had been granted.
But she heard no one.
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure 014
Familiar with Familiars
浸潤！私は部外者から私の家を保護します
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Nashi walked around the city with triumph in her step. "Wow. I can't believe I beat Ellie," she murmured to herself. "She got really creative with her Magic this time. I'm surprised." She turned down a narrow street.
I wonder how everyone else is doing, she thought. I still can't believe Aunt Erza lost to Olivia. Must have been some battle— Huh?
Nashi stopped as she emerged from the street. She was on a street that bordered a canal and one of the bridges was to her right. She took a few more steps, looking around.
I walked this far? I'm not even close to the cathedral.
She puffed and slouched at the thought.
Oh geez. I did all that walking for nothing… I hope no one else has gotten this—
Nashi gasped.
It's oddly silence all of a sudden. I can't even hear fighting or see Lacrima Screens appearing.
She was on edge within a second.
"What is going on?" she muttered to herself. She scanned the canal and the other side of Magnolia, but all she saw was silence. She knew the civilians inside were safe and the noise within their homes was cancelled out due to the ruins.
A chill went up her spine. She felt a warm sensation pulse against her skin. "Something's not right," she deduced, shifting her eyes from side-to-side. "I can feel it. So can my Magic. It senses something dark like a dark type of Magic."
Another chill ran up her spine.
Nashi slackened at the realization and her eyes widened. "But… It couldn't be…"
That Magic… It's the same Magic I felt with Zagan and Orias and their familiars… But that means that…
Something moved in the corner of her eye, and Nashi turned her head. She caught the tail end of a tail slinking into the shadows.
Nashi tensed.
A croak of laughter reached her ears.
Nashi tensed as her eyes rapidly moved from side-to-side.
More laughter. More movement.
"Who's there?" Nashi demanded.
Then it stopped.
The laughter and movement stopped.
Everything stopped.
And Nashi stilled.
She listened closely, but all she could hear was the silence. There was nothing else.
But there was a ringing silence.
Nashi's eyes slowly moved from left to right, and her eyes went on the water. The current was still and the breeze nonexistent. But she knew something was there. She could feel it. Her Magic could feel it.
Something stirred in the water.
Nashi gritted her teeth and growled lowly. "It's here!" She jumped in the air as the water suddenly burst. "Now, transform! Divine Soul!" The shift to her Divine Soul was quick as she barely managed to pass a liquid blast headed her way. Her Magic shattered off her skin and she was floating in the air. She looked down below her to see a demented crocodile glaring up at her with its kind in the water, hissing and snapping at her.
"Got you," Nashi smirked.
Soon, more familiars joined on land. All of them looked up at her with cold fury. She did not mind. She hated them just as much.
Nashi snickered. "You guys are pretty stupid to come during our fighting festival. You're messing with the Fairy Tail Guild." She summoned her bow and pulled back the string. Her Arrow of Light did not fail to appear and she aimed it at the canal. "Freedom Arrow!" she chanted as she released the arrow.
The Arrow of Light sailed before hitting the familiars in the canal. The whole canal jolted as the Arrow of Light exploded. The familiars in the water poofed into smoke.
Nashi dismissed her bow and put her hands out in front of her. "Holy Charm!" she chanted. The gemstones on her hands began to glow as her holy rings glowed and slipped off her waist. One Holy Ring went in front of each hand, both glowing a vibrant rainbow color. The glow of the gemstones beamed into the holy rings that took that beam and amplified it. Nashi watched as the familiars hissed and snarled as the blast came their way and hit their comrades. She moved around to catch onto the ones who attempted to run away. They poofed into smoke, much to her satisfaction.
Nashi let go of the attack and her Holy Rings slipped back on her waists loosely while the gemstones on her gloves reverted to their normal crystal glow. "Really. Did they think they could get past me?" she mocked, though pantingly as she floated downwards.
Little one, came Seraphim's voice, you know better than to use that spell.
I'm sorry, Nashi breathed. She paused when she touched the ground, caught her breath, and leapt again, floating through the air. I guess I got a little ahead of myself, huh?
A flutter of violet cut off any more of her thoughts.
Nashi watched, entranced, as the ruins that covered the city began to glitter and change rapidly.
Freed must be changing the rules. Guess he realized there was a breach in the ruins and the battle's off.
A pulse shook Nashi and she felt her Magic glow on her skin. She cringed.
What's going on?
Another pulse racked through the air, and she winced. She could feel her Magic pushing to protect her, but it was not enough. Nashi flew higher than the buildings to get a clear view of Magnolia. She scrutinized the town.
Now where is—?
Nashi gasped.
Her eyes widened.
The cathedral… What… What is that?!
Kardia Cathedral was no more the lovely chapel she visited once and a while. Gone was its purity. Everything was washed away in a sinful color. The cathedral itself had become a darker, sinister version of itself, contradicting its purpose. Darkness blossomed from the now black stone and tainted stained glass. It was a shell of its former self. Kardia Cathedral was gone and this was its replacement.
A pulse hit Nashi and she cringed, clutching her head as she lost more altitude.
That's really strong negative Magic, she noted. And it's all coming from the cathedral.
She tensed.
I've got to tell the others. They need to be warned!
Nashi instantly took off in skies, her eyes set solely on Fairy Tail.
A flash of colored fire caught her eyes.
Nashi sighed and adjusted her course. Her Magic flowered through her and a pink glow covered her body.
You idiot, she deemed. Can't believe I'm going to have to save you too.
The Magic shattered off and angelic wings flapped and pushed Nashi to an ever faster speed.
For two Fire Mages, taking out familiars was nothing, if not easy. Romeo used his Purple Flare to slam a group of familiars against a building. The ruins appeared, protecting the building, but the familiars disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"If only all opponents were this easy to deal with," Romeo grunted as a new group of familiars replaced their fallen.
Igneel grinned at that. "I know you're this easy to take down," he jested. He crouched low to the ground and set his right leg ablaze. "Flame Wheel!" He did a low roundhouse kick with fire lashing out and taking out the familiars around him. The familiars disappeared in smoke. However, as Igneel stood up, more of their kin took the place of their fallen.
"Didn't get enough?" he goaded. He punched his fists together and set them on fire. "Good. If you think I'm backing down, you've got another thing coming!" His red fire crawled all over his body like a curious kitten, purring all the while. "Let's kick this into Overheat!" he commanded. His flames instantly flared up and fanned out. To him, the new wave of heat was welcome. But to the familiars, they backed away warily.
Igneel's grin broadened. "Red Burst!" he shouted. His flames roared as they fanned out. The familiars vocalized their distress as the flames hit them. Many disappeared at the touch of the flames and a burst of spoke.
"Hey! Watch it!"
Igneel dismissed his flames and turned his head to see Romeo. He had created a shield of his blue flames, but released his flames after a moment. He gave Igneel a teasing look. "What, are you trying to burn me too?" Romeo asked good-humoredly.
Igneel shrugged. "Anything to win this fight," he jested.
A growl warned the two of them.
A hard glint came into both of the eyes of the Fire Mages.
Familiars surrounded them once again, their eyes burning in hatred and bloodlust. Igneel and Romeo stood back to back. Igneel's eyes ran over the number of familiars around them. "Man, these guys just don't quit, do they?" he muttered.
Romeo smirked. "Heh. Getting scared, kid?"
Igneel smirked back, fangs and all. "Like these punks could scare me, old-timer. I'm more worried about you, old-timer. Wouldn't want you throwing out your back in the middle of battle."
"Watch it with the age stuff, kid, before I show you what it means to have a broken back," Romeo threatened good-naturedly.
A familiar broke rank, charging top-speed at Romeo. He sighed. "Come on. You'll have to do better than that. Purple Flare!" Purple flames erupted on Romeo's hand. He lashed them out and they created a large and fiery hand. The hand smacked down the familiar, causing it to poof back into smoke.
With one fallen, five more appeared, battle-ready and muscles tensed.
"Damn," Romeo swore. "One goes, more show up."
"Getting scared, old-timer?" Igneel smirked.
Romeo snorted. "Like these punks could scare me, kiddo," he said, mocking Igneel's words.
"Seven Stars!"
The familiars let out noises of distress as explosions came to be, making all of them disappear in a puff of smoke.
Igneel stamped his foot childishly. "You couldn't have left any of them for me?" he whined in a loud voice. "Seriously? You're such a killjoy."
A snort. "Geez, such an ungrateful little shit."
The Fire Mages looked—one in annoyance, the other in shock—as Nashi touched the ground, flapping her wings once. She shot Igneel a glare.
"Don't think I saved you because I wanted to, little shit," she sneered.
Igneel crossed his arms over his chest and sat down, crisscrossed. He looked like a child whose favorite toy was taken away. Head down, he grumbled, "Like I need you to save me. You're not even that great. Stupid, bitchy older sisters."
Nashi raised a fist threateningly and her eye twitched. "What did you say, you little shit?" she snarled.
Romeo was the only one who was still gazing at Nashi's new form in shock and awe. "You can turn into that?" he asked her. He looked at Igneel and pointed at Nashi. "She can turn into that?"
"Yeah, but it's not even that pretty," Igneel mumbled. "Ow!" He clutched his head while Nashi loomed over him, anger in her eyes. He glared at her. "What was that for?" he spat.
Nashi raised a fist again. "You don't just insult a woman like that!" she scolded. "I save you and this is the repayment I get?"
"Yeah, well, I never asked you to do that. I could've stopped them all by myself," Igneel pointed out.
Nashi huffed and looked away. "Yeah, but so what? I still saved you."
Igneel blinked once before a sly grin was on his face. "You were worried about me," he accused.
Nashi blushed, but would not look at him. "No, I wasn't!" she denied vigorously.
"Aw, sis, you actually care!" Igneel teased.
Nashi blushed harder. "Sh-Sh-Shut up! I don't!" she insisted.
"You do!" Igneel cheered. "You care!"
"I don't!"
"You do!"
"I don't!"
"You do!"
"I don't!"
"You do!"
Romeo watched the two siblings bicker with one eye twitching.
Are they serious right now?
"You totally care!" Igneel raised up and poked Nashi's nose. "You love me!"
"Um, duh. Of course I love you," Nashi said in an obvious tone, though she looked uncomfortable. "But don't think I care! I just—!"
"Hey, Nashi?"
Nashi stopped her rambling to look at Igneel. He looked up at her with a soft look in his onyx eyes. "Thanks, sis," he appreciated quietly.
Nashi smiled back at him. "You're welcome." She reached over and ruffled his hair. "You little shit," she teased.
Igneel instantly whined, swatting her hand away. "Bitch! Don't mess with my hair!"
"You deserve it, you little shit! Now you're in my debt! And I'm so going to use it against you!" Nashi cackled.
"I take it all back! You don't care about me!" Igneel cried, trying to get Nashi away from him.
A laugh.
Nashi and Igneel froze. They turned and looked at Romeo who was chuckling into his hands. He realized they were staring at him and waved them off.
"Don't worry about me," Romeo brushed off with a grin. "You two just remind me of your parents."
Both of them blinked once, twice, t— "What?" they exclaimed
Romeo laughed. "Even the facial expressions too! You're definitely your parents' kids." He looked over at Nashi. "But Nashi, congrats on the new soul. Sorry for my shock."
Nashi waved it off. "It's fine. I showed it off at the Miss Fairy Tail Contest."
"I was helping Freed with a few others to make sure the battle was prepped and ready," Romeo explained. "But thanks for saving us."
"We totally didn't even need it though," Igneel muttered under his breath.
Nashi looked back at him with a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "What was that?"
Igneel shook his head and waved his arms frantically. "Nothing! It was nothing!"
Nashi looked back at Romeo and the light in her eyes faded into something serious. "But I did come here for a reason and not a good one at that," she warned the two of them.
"Wait," Romeo interrupted. "Can someone explain to me what is going on and what exactly were those things that just attacked us?"
Nashi and Igneel exchanged a glance before nodding.
°•°•°•°
When both were finished, Romeo seemed grave, not at all surprised. "And they're all over Magnolia?" he asked.
"I'm certain about that," Nashi answered. "And that's not all. I was flying when—"
Igneel looked at Nashi incredulously. "You were allowed to fly that high? Then, how come I got shocked when I was on a roof?" he complained.
"Freed must have changed the ruins," Romeo muttered. "They must have breached his ruins somehow, so he's making it fair for us to find a way back to the guild." He looked at Igneel. "Our fight will have to wait," he told him.
Igneel did not seem too upset about it. Rather, he looked somber too. "I'll beat you one day. But we've got to protect our home from these guys before anything," he growled.
Romeo nodded, and Nashi spoke. "I know that whatever demon is making these familiars is in the cathedral."
A though donned on Igneel. "Where the mystery boss is supposed to be," he realized.
Nashi nodded, but looked at the ground with a hard frown. "Kardia Cathedral isn't the same as before," she warned. "All the negative Magic warped it into something else. It's not the cathedral that belongs to Magnolia."
Igneel smacked a fist into an open hand. "Then, we'll just have to bring back the cathedral that belongs here," he decided boldly.
"No." Romeo's voice was sharp with authority. "We are to head back to Fairy Tail first and convene with the others before we do anything. We're going to need everyone's help to do this, not just us," he added when Nashi looked like she wanted to protest.
Igneel's ears twitched. Instantly, he was on his feet and his fists ready. His eyes shifted all around him. "And we better do it fast because we've got some unfriendly company," he growled quietly.
Just as he spoke, shadows appeared, surrounding the three Fairy Tail Mages. The shadows wriggled.
Nashi and Romeo flanked Igneel's side.
Out of the shadow came a legion of familiars with their eyes a-gleaming and their claws and teeth at the ready.
"Igneel," Nashi said quietly, "Uncle Romeo and I will give you some cover fire, but you need to go to the guild."
Igneel shook his head. "Not happening," he refused. "I can't leave you to fight while I run off like some coward."
"You'll be getting us extra help this way," Romeo said. "Don't worry about us. Both of us can handle ourselves. Get to the guild and report back to the master."
As more familiars appeared, Igneel protested. "Why can't we all go?"
Nashi shook her head. "We can't allow familiars to overrun the city. Like it or not, Uncle Romeo and I have a greater stamina and greater control of our Magic than you and if we get overwhelmed, I can fly us out of here. Go to the guild."
Igneel looked at his sister with firm eyes. "I'm not leaving you," he said.
Nashi offered him a soft smile. "Don't worry. I can take care of myself, you little shit," she assured. "But you don't know what these guys are capable of."
"Neither does Uncle Romeo," Igneel argued.
"No, but I'm not letting you fight this time. Go to the guild."
"This is so unfair!" Igneel snapped. "You just want all the fun to yourself!"
"Guys," Romeo called, "they're getting restless."
True to his word, the familiars were taking up formation, readying their launch of attacks. It seemed like a black-furred lion with a fluffed mane and painfully long claws was their leader and growled orders. The familiars moved at its command, never losing sight of the three of them.
"Go," Nashi insisted.
"Not without you," Igneel said stubbornly.
Nashi looked past Igneel and at Romeo. Understanding passed between them.
Romeo nodded.
"This is for your own good," Nashi cautioned.
Igneel looked at Nashi in confusion. "What are you—?"
Nashi raised her hands in the air. "Swords of Justice!" she cried. Pink energy gathered in her hands and in moments Urim and Thurimm were in her hands, their silver gleaming in the sunlight. With a fierce battle cry, Nashi flew off into battle. She headed straight towards the black lion.
"Nashi!" Igneel shouted, his fists blazing. "Damn, bitchy sister, wait up!" He took a step and found himself wrapped in purple fire. "What—?" He looked at Romeo confusedly. "What are you doing?"
"This is for your own good, kid," Romeo muttered. He grabbed hold of the fiery stream that connected him to Igneel and yanked hard before launching Igneel into the sky.
Igneel flew into the sky with wide-eyes and twisted his body to see Romeo watching him while Nashi battled it out with several familiars. "Wait! Romeo! Nashi!" he screeched.
Romeo cupped his hands near his mouth and shouted, "Get to the guild! Find the others! Tell the master!" As he yelled, a few familiars snuck up behind him. Romeo quickly turned his attention to them with a whip made of purple fire and lashed it at them.
The last thing Igneel saw as he sailed the sky was Nashi crying out as a familiar bit into one of her wings. She turned around and slashed it, causing it to disappear.
Her eyes flickered up.
Guilty chocolate met with betrayed onyx.
His eyes looked away.
Mystogan flipped in the air as he avoided poisonous darts heading his way. When he landed on the ground in a crouch, he raised two fingers and circled them in the air in front of him. "Umbra…Impact!" He pointed the two fingers at the group of familiars and a dark beam bolted out. It hit the group of familiars, causing them to turn into smoke that dissipated in the air.
Luke stood in the middle of a swarm of familiars. They spat attacks, but he kept a cube shield surrounding him. For each blast coming at him, it reflected and attacked the one who sent it to him. The ones trying to bite and claw at him bounced back, landing ungracefully onto their feet and glowering at him. Luke shifted his eyes around before pushing his shield out and out and out, forcing the familiars near him to be shoved back. He let out a grunt as he pushed his shield out one last final time. It broke, but it served as a distraction. He was quick to deliver his next attack. He raised his hands to either side of him and closed his eyes. His golden Magic outlined his body, starting from his legs and working its way up. He opened his eyes and, rather than those amber orbs, both eyes were a glowing gold. "Jyōti," he rumbled.
The spell took effect.
The familiars voiced their displeasure and agitation as Luke's Magic ensnared them. They were lifted off the ground slowly. Some of them struggled to get back to the ground while others struggled to get to him. But they were far too trapped in his Magic to move.
Luke put his hands above him and brought them together. He gradually brought his hands down to his torso and closed his eyes. He bowed. "Namaste," he murmured.
The familiars began to disappear. Golden Magic blanketed their bodies and, particle by particle, the familiars surrounding him disappeared into golden sparkles. Once all were gone, Luke straightened up and opened his eyes; they were back to a clear burnt amber. The outline on his body went away.
Mystogan looked over at Luke in pride as he stood up, unperturbed at the familiars creeping up on him. "You mastered Meditate. I'm impressed. Good work," he complimented as he easily dodged three disfigured wild cats aiming their claws and fangs at him.
A glow of victory was in Luke's eyes as he bowed at the praise. "Thank you, sensei."
Mystogan nodded as he punched away a few familiars and ducked from a purple jet stream. "I'll have to work with you more on your Zen Magic in our next training session, but would you excuse me for a moment." He paused and pushed up his glasses. He frowned at the familiars around him. "You all really know how to crash a party, don't you?" he sighed pitifully. "Normally, I enjoy a challenge and would take my time, but you're too much of a nuisance for me to want to now. Shame. You really know how to spoil a good time."
The anger in the familiars' voices increased.
Mystogan smiled. "Hmm. Well then. I guess it simply can't be helped." His smile dropped to a frown as his Magic Circle appeared beneath his feet. It illuminated his hair and darkened his eyes. A glint appeared in them. "Ejecta! Activate!" Red Magic crowded around Mystogan, intertwined with golden streaks. For a moment, the Magic supercharged Mystogan.
But that was until the spell took effect.
It came in waves from Mystogan's mid-section. Rings of red and gold spread out like a ripple in a pond. Ring after ring came and kept going and going with no destination in mind. The familiars hissed, snarled, growled, snapped their jaws, lashed their tails, as the rings came to them. The effect was instant. The familiars hit with each ring poofed into smoke without hesitation. Row upon row of familiars disappeared in smoke. Luke watched in amazement as they all disappeared from the fight before looking back at his teacher. Mystogan was always powerful, but being able to see him there, standing proud and bold with his Magic forcing him to glow and wind to swirl around him—it was awe-inspiring.
The Magic Circle eventually retracted and gradually, the glow receded and Mystogan was back to his regular self, glasses in all.
Mystogan laughed and rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I, uh, guess I overdid it, didn't I?" he supposed.
Luke's eyebrow twitched as he noticed the ground surrounding them was torn up. "Just a little bit," he agreed as he saw the damage.
Though, without Uncle Freed's ruins, sensei might've destroyed half the town.
"Well, at least the mayor can start the road construction he's been going on about," Mystogan said with cheer.
I don't think this was the way to go about it, Luke sweatdropped. "So, what's our next move, sensei?" he asked aloud.
Mystogan straightened at the topic. "In a case like this, getting back to the guild is a priority. We need to reconvene with everyone else before we try anything else." He looked around down the street. "Perhaps we can even find our guild mates still out on the streets and return back to the guild to wait for instruction. I'm sure the master is already sending out search parties, and I know Warren is still fighting out here. He'll need Warren to send out a message to the guild."
Luke walked over to Mystogan, but did not notice how his shadow detached behind him and began to swirl and morph. "Why don't you use your telepathy, sensei?" he asked.
"I haven't practiced enough to cover a whole city," Mystogan confessed. "And, even if I could, I can't keep a stable connection unless it's with a small team of people. I don't have the concentration like Warren to keep the connection flowing between the guild."
Luke nodded in agreement. He did not notice his shadow was beginning to submerge from the ground with gleaming fangs and sharp eyes. "Should we make finding Warren our priority?" he questioned.
Mystogan shook his head, and turned to Luke. "No. We should—" He noticed the shadow and raised a hand. "Luke! Move!" he ordered.
Luke turned his head, but it was too late. The familiar completed its body and took form of a large python, its jaws wide open as it lunged at Luke.
Mystogan began his spell. "Pyro—!"
"Iron Fang!"
The python was pelted with two large fangs made of pure iron. It reverted into smoke in an instant, and the iron fangs shimmered and disappeared only a few seconds after.
Mystogan released his Magic and lowered his hand. Luke and Mystogan looked up. To say they were shocked was an understatement.
Feet landed. A smug smirk. "Take a picture, Misty-kinz. It'll last longer," she quipped.
Mystogan was the first to regain his tongue. "Livy, I—… I had no idea that you…" He trailed off.
"You look…different," Luke said with as much tact as he could muster.
Olivia stopped before them, her tail flicking as a habit of hers. She looked at her wings before looking back at their stunned expressions. Her smirk broadened. "I learned a new skill while I trained for those months I was on my mission." Her smirk turned into a frown. "But that'll have to wait. I'm sure you guys have noticed those weirdo monsters running around."
Mystogan nodded. "They're called 'familiars' actually," he informed her, pushing up his glasses. "But we don't have time to explain. We need to get back to the guild." He looked at her wings. "Flying works?" he wanted to check.
Olivia nodded. "We can fly back to the guild, but we need to be quick. These things can respawn faster than I've ever seen." She looked at Luke. "What about you? Can you fly yet?"
Luke looked startled Olivia was talking to him and blushed in shame. "Well, uh, no," he admitted.
Olivia raised an eyebrow and looked at Mystogan. "Aren't you his teacher? Shouldn't you be teaching him Flight Magic?"
"It's not a skill I want him to learn until he masters the work I've given to him," Mystogan explained. "Besides, flying without wings or armor is difficult."
Olivia snickered behind her hand. "Oh, yeah. I forgot all those times you cried when you kept falling on your fat ass trying to fly."
Luke looked at Mystogan in surprise. "You really cried, sensei?"
"Don't speak about that again!" Mystogan barked, embarrassment written on his face as he wagged an accusing finger at Olivia. "I'll fly first and make sure nothing happens to the two of you." Mystogan lifted off without another word, muttering curses underneath his breath.
Olivia shook her head as Luke approached her and put a hand on her hip, watching him climb higher into the sky. "Hasn't changed a bit," she sighed. She looked at Luke and jerked her head to behind her. "Hop on my back, kiddo. You're flying with me since your precious 'sensei' isn't too happy with me."
Luke nodded quickly. "Oh. Okay." He went behind Olivia as she crouched and awkwardly climbed onto her back.
Olivia laughed when she felt Luke hold onto the pauldrons of her armor. "You can hold onto my neck, you know." She turned her head and flashed him a fangy smile. "I promise you I have all my shots, unlike my idiot twin, so don't worry," she joked.
Luke nodded. "Yeah, okay." Slowly, he slid his hands off her pauldrons and wrapped them around her neck.
"Hang on, kiddo. You're lighter than Leo, so this shouldn't be a problem." Olivia took off from the ground, careful not to jolt him.
Luke watched in wild fascination as the street was underneath him, growing a little smaller with each second.
So, this is what flight feels like? It's…liberating.
Olivia trailed behind Mystogan who fly in the sky with his arms crossed her and denial on his lips. She chortled. "Aw. Did I hurt Misty-kinz's feelings?" she cooed.
Mystogan pouted. "No," he grumbled. "And I told you to stop calling me that."
Luke looked at the back of Olivia's head and cleared his throat. "So, uh, did sensei really cry when he couldn't fly?" he asked her.
Olivia sniggered. "Definitely. He was such a huge crybaby back then. He got embarrassed at every – little – thing. And don't even get me started on the time when he asked Aunt Mira for Transformation Magic and he—"
"Don't tell him that!"
"Sorry, not sorry, Misty-kinz!"
"Olivia….!"
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Fairy Adventure
• — • — • — • — • — • — • — • — •
Gale dashed on the rooftops, leaping from roof to roof. Normally, if he was doing a routine surveillance, he would be casually strolling on the rooftops. However, that was not the case. He did a front tuck onto the next building and paused to steady himself before taking up his pace once more. He threw himself to the ground when he felt an attack aiming for his back, somersaulted and pivoted so he was facing his attacker. His attackers.
A horde of familiars was facing him, taking up the roofs as they followed his every move.
They attack so recklessly. Thank God Uncle Freed has ruins on the buildings. But unless I'm on the ground, I can't use any earth attacks.
Gale rose to his feet. He smirked.
Too bad for them I know something else.
Gale raised a hand in the air and shouted, "Onyx Scythe!" His Magic materialized in his hand and Gale gripped the handle, expertly twirling it around his body as it shifted and morphed into its final shape. He slammed the staff onto the ground and his Magic shattered off his scythe. The blade was long and curved around him. A thin strip of red onyx was on the bottom of the blade, but black was its prominent color. Gale smirked as he saw the familiars had now surrounded him on all sides. "Heh. Real nice of you shits to show up during our Battle of Fairy Tail," he spoke. "Makes it even more interesting. An actual battle."
The leader of the horde of familiars—a walking salamander with scales blue as the night sky and a poisonously black tongue—made a strange noise, and the familiars responded by raising their hackles and fluffing up their fur to be more intimidating.
Gale tsked. "But as much fun as this will be because we all know I'm going to send your asses back to where you can from, I'll have to cut this short." His smirk broadened and he closed his eyes.
Chocolate eyes, big and innocent.
A smile, encouraging and bright.
"You see, I promised someone important to me I'd win for them. And I may not be a Celestial Wizard, but I take my promises seriously."
The familiars shifted in a formation their leader gave to them.
Gale did not flinch. "So, thanks for making this year much more interesting, but I'm not interested." Easily, he wielded the scythe and spun it around him. "Trust me when I say I'll enjoy kicking your asses." He stopped the scythe, pointing the blade down with two hands gripping the staff part of it.
He opened his eyes—
—and they were a dangerously glowing ruby.
"Because you're not only messing with the promise I made to a friend; you're messing with my home. And I can't take that hands down." Gale showed them his fangs. "So why don't you come at me and see what battling a Fairy Tail member feels like?" he taunted.
That was all it took for the salamander to make a noise and raise a clawed hand.
The familiars attacked.
Gale was quick to slice at the ones that approached him first. He cut through two before spinning around and slicing at two more who dared approached him. They burst into smoke, but others came.
And Gale was ready.
He swept with the scythe in a low attack before using his staff to butt them away. Claws slashed at him, but with his blade, he shoved them away. Slash, twirl, hack, dodge, block—nothing new to him. His aunt Erza and his uncle Gray helped him better control his weapon skills. Uncle Gray helped him create his weapons and learn how to form them with his unique gemstones, but it was his aunt Erza who taught him the art of being a weapon specialist.
"A weapon is an extension of you," Aunt Erza taught. "The weapon decides the outcome of a battle, not you. Only a true weapons master understands the meaning between fighting and wielding."
Gale set his staff down and balanced his weight as he leapt and spun on his staff, kicking away enemies. He landed back on his feet and slashed to the side, eradicating five more familiars.
To fight with a weapon was a reckless parry, an ungraceful slash there, eyes focusing on the opponent alone and never looking at the surroundings for guidance, the mind intent on landing blows than to see the bigger picture. But to wield a weapon meant a wide stance, meant a lower body, meant an effortless grip on not a weapon, but an extension of his body. As he turned his grip and did a low sweep with his scythe to turn a group of familiars crowding him into smoke, he knew in reality while he may hold the scythe, the scythe decided who lived and died.
Gale put the scythe above him and twirled it so fast, a breeze was born. It was a fast wind in a hurry to be somewhere else and had no time for dillydallying. It blew away the familiars trying to attack him and knocked them into their brethren. Satisfied with the temporary distraction, Gale twirled the scythe down, his eyes shifting around him. He felt his Magic pulse through the scythe who reciprocated eagerly. The blade was consumed in his Magic, but he cared little.
"Prepare yourselves," Gale said lowly, "for the weapon of…the Grim Reaper! Onyx Death Scythe!"
All of a sudden, the blade grew three times its size in a raging black with slicked-back spikes. It did not look solid as the black material shifted around with a thin layer of red outlining it, but anyone knew not to let the blade touch them. The blade expanded so its curve went on either side of the staff. A giant red skull sat in the middle with glaring red eyes and no lower jaw.
Gale raised his death scythe as though it were a bat and his smirk was malicious. "I call upon the sacred spell to destroy the souls of the damned. Now! Reap their souls!" Gale swung his death scythe and—
BAM.
A body slammed into Gale, making both of them squawk in surprise.
Gale lost focus as his death scythe shimmered out of existence and he and the thing that crashed into him fell off the roof. Gale was able to regain enough sense as he passed a balcony and grabbed onto the ledge. He kept his grip firm as whatever crashed into him hit the ground with a noisy grunt. He looked down.
His eyes widened.
"The Hell was that for, dumbass?" Gale demanded.
Igneel groaned as he picked himself up while Gale carefully swung his body onto a wall, half-sliding half-climbing down the wall.
"Ugh… Wha…?" Igneel moaned as Gale dropped to the ground.
Gale walked over to Igneel and loomed over him, disapproval in his eyes. "Seriously? Crashing into me like that? You lookin' for a fight?" he grumbled.
Igneel snorted, still a little disoriented. "Like I'd want to fight with a loser like you. We both know who'd win," he mocked as he looked up at Gale.
Gale rolled his eyes and offered a hand. Igneel looked at the hand, then back at Gale who looked away with a scowl on his face.
"Don't take this wrong way. I'm not helping because I want to," Gale rumbled.
A hand reached up and clasped an arm.
Gale clasped Igneel's arm and pulled him to his feet.
Igneel gave Gale a nod. "Thanks," he appreciated before both of them dropped their hands. He put a hand to shield his eyes as he looked at the buildings above them. The salamander was giving orders to the familiars it led. "I didn't mean to interrupt your fight or anything. I was thrown to get back to the guild and this is where I ended up, I guess," he supposed.
Gale raised an eyebrow. "Hold up. Did you say 'thrown'?" he questioned.
Igneel nodded. "Yeah. Uncle Romeo and I were in a fight and a bunch of familiars showed up. Nashi showed up when we were getting a little overwhelmed and had Uncle Romeo throw me towards the guild." He puffed out his cheeks in a pout. "Now, they're just hogging all the fun to themselves. How selfish," he mumbled.
Gale grew serious. "These guys aren't anything to joke about," he cautioned. "I've fought them before, but the ones I'm seeing now seem dumber than the ones I fought in the summit."
Igneel considered this. "Do you know how far away from the guild we are?"
"We have a few more blocks to cover," Gale informed him. "What's the rush?"
"Nashi says the cathedral turned into some Hell-hole instead of a chapel and thinks whatever is making the familiars is coming from there." Determined onyx clashed with powerful ruby. "I've got to get back to the guild and warn everyone."
Gale gave Igneel a long look. Then, he nodded. "I see." He closed his eyes and smirked. "I'll make sure the fire-maniac gets back to the guild. You're going to need my help with all these guys."
Both ignored the fact that they were now outnumbered.
Igneel tched and smirked back. "I think it's the other way around. I mean I am the awesome Igneel Dragneel after all." He rubbed under his nose with a haughty look on his face. "You wouldn't have even last amongst these things on the roof. I saved you."
"I had them perfectly until you showed up!" Gale snapped at him, eyes glaring. "But if you think you can take them on better than I can, then fine. Let's make a bet: whoever gets rid of the most familiars has the loser do whatever the winner wants for a whole day."
Igneel nodded, mischief in his eyes. "Deal," he agreed. "Sounds easy enough to me. Get ready to be a precious little maid, Redfox."
Gale took the taunting in stride. "I think you should prepare yourself to me my little maid, Dragneel."
The salamander made a low hiss and the legion of familiars battened down.
Igneel and Gale leapt back to back, their fists at the ready.
"Ready?" Igneel prompted.
Gale nodded as he eyed a snarling wolfish creature. "Ready for you to lose," he sneered.
Igneel burst his fists into flames.
Black energy surrounded Gale's fists.
"Red…"
"Terra…"
"Fire Dragon's…Rooooooooooooooar!"
Igneel and Gale watched in confusion as passionate flames circled them, destroying every single familiar on sight without a hitch. As Igneel looked at the scorch marks in the ground, his eyes widened. "No way… There's only one person that can do that and it's—"
"Yo! Igneel, Gale, what's up?" came a jovial greeting.
Gale and Igneel looked up together at the building they previously fell from. There stood Natsu, scarf waving, hair tussled, and a sunny grin on his face as he waved at them.
"Dad?!" Igneel exclaimed.
There came an irate grumble. "Geez, Salamander, next time, save some for me."
Natsu threw his words of his shoulder. "Well, move fast next time! Sheesh! And I thought Lucy was slow!"
Gajeel appeared a moment later, standing beside Natsu with a fangy grin and red eyes a lit. He nodded to the two below them. "'Sup, pipsqueak, little Salamander," he greeted with a raise of his hand.
"Dad?!" Gale exclaimed.
"What are you two doing here?" Gale and Igneel chorused in question. they realized they had, they instantly leapt away from each other to glare at the other while pointing an accusing finger. "Stop copying me!" they growled. "No! You stop copying me!"
Gajeel watched them argue in sync in amusement. "Heh. Didn't think your kid could be as annoying as you, Salamander," he commented.
"Hey, if you're not going to say anything nice, then keep your stupid thoughts to yourself!" Natsu scolded him.
"I said it first!" Igneel and Gale claimed. "No! I did! No! I did!"
Gajeel and Natsu half-slid half-climbed down the building and walked over to their sons. Natsu instantly put Igneel in a headlock. "What's up with you two fighting, loser?" he grinned as Igneel struggled to get out of his hold.
"You fight all the time, Pops, so don't even try to make it seem like you're the angel," Igneel shot back.
Natsu only gripped him tighter. "Want to say that again?" he dared.
Gale winced as a rough hand came down on his head. He looked up to see his father grinning down at him with soft affection. "Nice to see you here, pipsqueak. Good job getting Salamander's kid riled up," he praised.
Gale grinned and father and son spared a look at Natsu choking his own son. "Not like it was hard," Gale said arrogantly. "He's not really the brightest gem I've seen."
Gajeel snorted. "Ain't that right?"
Natsu and Igneel stopped fighting to give Gajeel and Gale a blank look. Both blinked twice and tilted their heads in the same direction as a puppy who did not understand. "What's that supposed to mean?" they asked in unison.
Gajeel cackled. "Something too complex for that small mind of yours to understand, Salamander."
Natsu looked away as he released Igneel and crossed his arms over his chest. "I can be complex too, you know," he pouted.
"No. You can't," Igneel, Gajeel, and Gale deadpanned.
Natsu sulked at that, reducing to shunning them and crouching on the ground as he drew patterns on the scorched stone. "I can be complex," he mumbled.
Igneel patted his father's shoulder consolingly. "You're about as complex as two plus two," he admitted.
Natsu's mood dampened further. "You suck at comforting…"
Gale looked at Gajeel. "So, what are you two doing over here? Shouldn't you both be elsewhere?" he asked.
"Titania sent us out here to take care of these little suckers running around the place." Gajeel looked thoughtful. "You know, they kind of remind me of how you and the twins used to be: annoying as Hell and running around everywhere."
Gale gawked at his snickering father. "Was that supposed to make me feel better?!"
Igneel stood up and looked at Gajeel, perplexed. "Why'd Aunt Erza send out you two? Shouldn't we be heading back to the guild?"
Natsu snapped out of his mood as a serious air came about him. He shook his head. "No. Gajeel and I have a job to take care of, and we're going to finish it."
Igneel nodded in agreement. "Well, Nashi says the cathedral has been—"
"We know," Gajeel grunted. He jerked his head over to Natsu. "Salamander felt it too."
Igneel and Gale looked surprised at that. "You did?"
Natsu nodded. "Yeah. Bunch of strange Magic coming from there." He exchanged a glance with Gajeel who nodded. His eyes turned onto the young Mages. "You two should go check it out," he decided.
"What?" Gale squawked.
Igneel looked uneasy. "But, we should—"
"Look, if you two want to run back to the guild, then fine," Gajeel rumbled. "We ain't stoppin' ya."
"But we have to show these guys they messed with the wrong town," Natsu growled, anger flashing in his eyes. "You don't just barge into our home and mess up our festival. We're not letting them get away with this."
"So, what's it going to be?" Gajeel asked. "You two going back to the guild and wait for orders or go knockin' on Heaven's door and go to church like good, little boys?"
Igneel looked over at Gale.
A message passed between onyx and ruby.
Gale gave Igneel a small nod.
Igneel grinned at Natsu, firing lighting his eyes. "Let's show these punks to never mess with the Fairy Tail Guild or our home." He turned back to Gale and walked over to him. "You know, that gem stuff you do might come in handy," he figured. He raised a hand. "You in?"
Gale grinned and raised a hand as well. "Like I could let a dumbass like you fight on your own."
And the two high-fived.
Gajeel put a hand on both their heads and ruffled their hair. "Don't get yourselves killed. Your moms would freak if they found out, and then we're the ones paying for it," he joked.
Both boys broke free from Gajeel, and Gale gave him a thumbs-up. "No worries, old man. I'll keep Fire Freak and me safe and sound and be back in time to help with Fantasia," he promised.
Gajeel chuckled. "Atta boy. Just be careful, ya got me, pipsqueak?"
Gale nodded. "Loud and clear, old man."
Gajeel added in a lower tone, "You've done me and your mom proud ever since you were born, and I want you to remember this, so listen closely. I don't know what you're going to see in that church. Could be Hell. Could be something else. Whatever it is, you can get by it. You're not just a Fairy Tail member—you are my son. You ain't going to lose."
Gale looked at his father in awe. "Dad..." He shook his head and flashed his fangs at Gajeel. "Don't sweat it, old man. I ain't losin'. And, besides"—he blushed—"I already promised someone I'd win. I can't let you or he—them down."
"And you won't," Gajeel said, confident. "Just keep up that attitude, pipsqueak, and know what you're fighting for comes from the heart. I have faith in you." With one of his rare smiles, he added, "And I know so does she."
Gale could already see her. Those eyes staring up at him in warmth and her bright smile. He nodded at his father's words. "Don't worry, old man. I know," he assured. "And thanks."
Gajeel grinned and patted Gale's shoulder. "No problem, pipsqueak."
Igneel had walked over to Natsu and gave him a determined smile. "You know, a fight like this has got my fire goin' just thinking about it," he told him.
Natsu clamped a hand on Igneel's shoulder. "That's the spirit!" he cheered. "Don't lose that fighting spirit either, okay?"
Igneel nodded. "Right."
Natsu nodded back and turned his head in the direction of the cathedral. "Igneel?"
The boy in question looked attentive. "Yeah. What's up?"
"Inside that cathedral, I don't know what you're going to face. Who knows and who cares? But you have to promise you're going to give it all you got, and then some." Natsu turned back to Igneel with his happy-go-lucky grin on his face. "I don't doubt for a second that it'll get tough in there, but I know you can do it." He poked Igneel's chest. "You've got the fire of me and your grandpa in there. And we'll both be there with ya, fighting right beside ya."
"Can't you come with us?" Igneel asked hopefully.
Natsu shook his head. "Nah. I've got a job to do with Gajeel to show these guys they don't mess with Fairy Tail's hometown. But don't worry," he added when uncertainty passed in Igneel's eyes. "Just remember: we're all in this together."
Igneel looked at his dad for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. We're in this together," he agreed.
Natsu hummed and patted Igneel's shoulder before holding up a fist. "Go show 'em to never mess with our guild, got it?"
Igneel bumped Natsu's fist. "Yeah. I've got a fire goin' thinking about all the ass I'm going to kick. MJ will be begging to be my partner afterwards."
A snort. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Dragqueen."
Natsu and Igneel turned to see Gale and Gajeel walking over to them. Gale stopped in front of Igneel with his arms crossed and a cocky grin on his face. "I bet I'm going to have to save you and fight the guy myself," he went on to say.
"You couldn't even beat those familiars on the roof," Igneel pointed out.
Gale glared at him. "If you hadn't crashed into me, I would've been just fine," he snapped.
Before Igneel could deliver a retort, Gajeel cackled. "Heh. Just like watching you and me fight, eh, Salamander?"
Natsu nodded proudly as their sons looked up at them. "Got that right! Like looking in a small mirror!"
Gajeel offer Natsu a teasing look. "You're pretty small yourself, Salamander," he pointed out.
Natsu gave him a smug look in reply. "Well, Lucy doesn't seem to think so." He looked back at the two young Mages and offered them a wink and a thumbs-up. "Good luck you two! Stick to the rooftops so you don't lose your way."
"Use that nose too," Gajeel advised. "Pipsqueak, you may not smell it yet, but you will recognize it before anyone else since you've fought these things before. Don't always use your eyes."
Gale nodded and walked away, and Igneel gave them an easy smile as he waved and followed Gale. "Don't worry! We can do this!" he promised. "See ya later!" As Gale became climbing the building, Igneel quickly followed as though not to be outdone by him.
Gajeel sighed and closed his eyes. "Wonder if we did the right thing?" he muttered.
A hand touched his shoulder. Gajeel opened an eye to see Natsu looking up at the building solemnly.
"No time to wonder; only time to have some faith," Natsu said. "Whatever's in that cathedral is using that Magic to block off what's actually inside. But I don't want to worry about it too much. I know they can do this."
Gajeel nodded, Then, a fangy smirk appeared. "Well, well… Looks like we've got some new friends, Salamander."
True to his word, familiars surrounded them in swarms on either side. The hisses and growls and gurgles bothered them not.
Natsu let go of Gajeel. "They aren't any friends of mine," he growled. Pure anger raged in Natsu's dark eyes, showing off flecks of emerald and ruby as he tensed and light his fists on fire. "I'm going to show these bastards how much hurt my fire can really do. No one tries to hurt Magnolia," he snarled.
Gajeel cackled lowly as one hand turned into a club. "Don't go all primal on me, Salamander," he warned. "Wouldn't want anything to slip out."
"I won't lose control," Natsu promised.
"Good." Gajeel was satisfied with that. "Then, stop wasting time, and start getting rid of these little shits."
Magic Circle lit up underneath both of them, making their eyes gleam dangerously and their fangs be noticeable intimidating. Power radiated off them both. It was the type of power that made you take a step back and pray that Hell or Heaven lets you in.
Gajeel raised his club arm. "Iron Dragon's…"
Natsu raised a fiery fist. "Fire Dragon's…"
It was not long for an explosion of fire and iron to happen.
Luna paced the cellar. The cellar was nothing special. It housed liquor of all sorts in their crates and barrels. There was a small desk with the Fairy Tail symbol painted on it and a few boxes filled with old paperwork. There were a few old chairs as well that lounged about. But, Luna could not sit.
I've got to help them. I can't just sit here and do nothing! I know I can help.
Mira's soft voice floated over to her. "Lu, it will be all right. They'll be fine, sweetie."
Luna stopped pacing to see Mira calmly sitting in a seat.
"I know that," Luna said. "But I know I can help. I've done this before!"
"But only once before," Mira pointed out. "Who is to say that wasn't a fluke? Are you sure if we sent you out there, you could do it again?"
Luna opened her mouth, but she hesitated. She looked at her hands.
Last time, it really was just a fluke. And even when I thought I could do it, I kept passing out. I… I'm not sure if I could do it again, whatever 'that' was.
"We just want you to be safe, especially when both demons seemed to know specifically you," Mira informed.
Luna looked at her in confusion. "What?"
Mira looked up at the ceiling in thought. "Well, Nashi came back to the master's office with Gary later that night. She told us more about Orias. Apparently, Orias was familiar with your family, but it was you she was most interested in."
I didn't know that.
"Why didn't Nashi tell me?" Luna asked.
Mira frowned. "I'm not sure. I don't think she wanted you to worry." Her eyes went back to Luna. "When we take both Orias and Zagan knowing you, it could mean the person in the cathedral knows you too. We can't take that risk when you could be captured."
Luna bit her lip and nodded. She saw the reason—she really did—but the reason frustrated her.
So what if I could be captured? I want to fight too! But with me unable to even reach my Magic, what good would I do?
She sighed.
Are—….? Are you there? Luna called out to the voice. If you can hear me, can you help me?
Silence again.
A note of laughter hit Luna and she looked to see Mira smiling amusedly at her. "You know, your mother was in a situation like this," she told her niece.
That got Luna interested. "Really?"
Mira nodded. "It was back when we were all younger, and your mother had just joined the guild. Her father—your grandfather—wanted her to come home and paid Phantom Lord to bring her back."
"Oh! I remember this story!" Luna realized. "Mama said she was captured and some man tortured her. But Papa was there and he rescued her with the help of Fairy Tail and Uncle Sagittarius."
Mira sighed, her eyes downcast, but the smile still gracing her features, if sad. "Yeah. That was a battle we'd rather forget," she admitted. "But when Phantom Lord wanted your mother, she was brought into the cellars too, just like you. Reedus and I were told to protect her." A soft laugh. "Your mother was stubborn and wanted to fight."
"I didn't know she was kept in the cellars too," Luna admitted.
"Not like Lucy would admit it," Mira tittered. "She didn't want to be known as 'Lucky Lucy Heartfilia'. She wanted to be 'Just Lucy'. And she didn't want to be known as helpless to the guild. She wanted to prove herself."
"But my mama's really strong," Luna argued. "She doesn't need to prove herself!"
A glimmer was in Mira's eyes. "You and your father are so alike," she chuckled. "He thought the same. He didn't care about her heritage. He liked the Lucy he asked to team up with and protected her. He even caught her from a tower."
Luna smiled. "I remember that part of the story…"
°•°•°•°
They were all in the master bedroom as they demanded a bedtime story of their parents' adventure. Luna of five years-old sat comfortably in Lucy's lap while Nashi sat in her father's lap and their brothers between them.
Luna looked up with wide eyes as her siblings gasped. "Mama, you fell?" she asked her mother.
Lucy nodded, stroking Luna's hair. "Mmm-hmm. But it's okay because I knew your papa would catch me," she assured.
"And I did!" Natsu said it so proudly. "Although…" He angled Lucy a teasing look. "You were heavy, Lucy. I think you broke my back that time."
Lucy punched him in the arm, ignoring his cry of pain as she upturned her nose and crossed her arms. "If I'm so fat, go sleep somewhere else," she sniffed.
Natsu looked panicked at the thought. "I didn't say you were fat! I said, 'heavy'! And you're the perfect amount of heavy for me!" he added, hoping it would calm her.
That only got Lucy angrier. She offered a tight smile to her children. "Kids, why don't you go to bed? I need to show your father his new one."
As the kids raced out of the room, Luna could hear her mother's low hisses and a window opening while her father pleaded for her mercy.
°•°•°•°
Luna laughed. "My papa spent the night outside and when my mama let him back in, he picked out her favorite flowers. She was so happy until she realized he stole them from her flower garden."
Mira laughed alongside her. "Typical Natsu. But he always has her best interests at heart and your mother knows that." A knowing look was in her eyes. "Just like we have your best interests at heart by keeping you here."
Luna sighed and turned away.
I'm being treated like glass. I guess it shouldn't bother me. It's always been like this. Mama and Papa never did it so bluntly, but I know they always tried to keep me from doing even simple jobs. And I'm not ready to go on hard requests.
Her fingers twitched.
But I can't stand back this time.
A door unlocked and opened up.
Mira and Luna looked up to see—
"Jay?" Luna called.
Jay padded down the steps and gave her a lazy grin. "Hey, Duchess," he greeted back.
Erza closed the door and shuffled down the steps with Levy, annoyance on her face. "He wouldn't agree to tell us anything unless Luna was present," she explained to a confused Mira.
Luna looked at Jay in surprise. "Huh? Really?"
Jay shrugged. "You promised me you would be there with me when I told your master everything I knew," he said. "Don't tell me you were going to go back on your word."
Luna only looked at him in amusement while the master looked frustrated. "Well, you can tell us now," she encouraged.
Jay nodded at her and looked at the ground with a strange intensity. "I'm not saying I have all the answers, but I know enough that can help you."
"Please. We are grateful for whatever you may share," Erza said.
Jay nodded. "Tell me… What do you know about the Archaeological Society?"
"Terra Destroyer!"
"Red Blazing Wave!"
Smoke. Smoke. And more smoke.
Gale leapt over to another roof and Igneel easily followed.
Familiars dashed on the buildings beside them, and Igneel muttered, "These things really don't quit, do they?"
"They're pests, just like you," Gale jested.
"If you want to be a jerk, then go do it somewhere!"
Gale saw familiars waiting for them a few buildings ahead and as he jumped over to another roof, he chanted, "Diamond Storm!" The diamonds pelted at the group of familiars and turned them into smoke by the time Igneel and Gale raced passed.
Igneel glanced behind them with a smirk on his face. "Ha! Take that! Oomph!" He staggered back as he hit Gale's back and held his nose in pain. "Bro, watch where you stop," he snapped.
"Look at this," came a low command.
Igneel rubbed his nose and walked to stand beside Gale. He grumbled, "I don't know what was so important that you stop—"
His words died.
"What the…?" were the only words he could produce next.
The cathedral was no longer the friendly chapel. It had grown repulsively, its colors drained and dulled into black and gray. Black vines ate at the architecture. The windows were no longer see-through. It was as though the cathedral became a nightmare on its own. The visions of God and Virgin Mary had been warped into the stories of covens and cults and Black Magic. The statues of the angels had been changed into gargoyles. The place of peace, the place of worship, the place of saving and redemption became a place of despair and horror.
"They turned Kardia Cathedral into that," Igneel whispered.
"Bastards, every one of them," Gale growled. "They're screwing around with our home. Our home."
Igneel put a hand on Gale's shoulder. He looked at the cathedral with a sense of purpose. "And we're going to get them back for this." That was not just a statement. That was a vow.
"We better." Gale clenched his fists. "I couldn't protect everyone last time. I'm not making the same mistake twice."
The anger was raw, but Igneel could hear the underlying pain. Something happened on that mission, and, while he was tempted to pry, he somehow knew it was not his place to do so.
"Come on. Let's get on the ground and show whoever it is you don't just mess with Magnolia," Igneel instructed.
Gale nodded, and the two easily leapt from the building and landed on their feet in a low crouch. As they stood up, the cathedral was more revolting than it was from their viewpoint previously. The doors had thickened and were scarred with different carvings. Representations of death and chaos reflected in the stain glass. However, that was not all. Lying in wait was a swarm of familiars. Their leader seemed to be a wolf larger than a small shack and matted fur darker than black. Its eyes blazed sunset and were filled something colder than simple hatred. Chains were wrapped around its body with small daggers attached at the ends and acted like tentacles. A collar was on its neck, but anyone could tell it was no tame wolf, especially with such sharp claws. It snarled at them and lashed its tail, prepared for a fight.
Igneel and Gale glared right back, but their ears twitched as they sensed more of those creatures come behind them in hordes. They knew they were on the rooftops, waiting for the wolf-creature to tell them when to attack. They surrounded them. But neither one felt threatened. They were of Fairy Tail. They would not go down easily or at all.
"I haven't been able to protect her."
Igneel looked at Gale with a raised eyebrow and a confused pout to go with it.
"I failed," Gale continued lowly in confession. "I shouldn't have, but I did." He clenched a fist as his Magic Circle appeared, swirling black and powerful. A gust of wind ruffled his hair. "I won't fail again. I can't."
"Dude?" Igneel called. He used that unsure voice you used when a person was teetering on the edge of a drastic emotion. "Calm down. It's okay."
"It's not." Gale's words were sharp and crisp and cut like a knife. "It's not 'okay'. These bastards messed with our home, Igneel." He bared his fangs. "These bastards nearly took her."
Igneel said nothing.
"Screw all of them. I don't care how many I have to go through to get to their stupid leader. I will protect her this time," Gale vowed in a low snarl. His eyes were a wild red, but cool at the same time. His onyx death scythe appeared in his right hand and he gripped it tightly. "You want to mess with the Fairy Tail Guild?" he shouted. "Fine! But you aren't going to hurt anyone in this guild or in this town. Because I'm going to kill every last one of you and your pretty little master too."
Igneel looked alarmed at the ferocity behind each word. "Dude, chill," he tried to soothe.
But Gale disappeared.
When Gale reappeared, he was in the air, his scythe above him like the Grim Reaper. His eyes were locked on the monstrous wolf-creature. "I'm going to make every one of you bastards pay for what you've done!" he roared as he descended onto the earth, his target in sight. "Starting with you!"
Igneel dashed over to him. "Gale, wait!"
A chuckle. "Hmm-hmm."
SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH.
Igneel let out a disgruntled noise of shock and fell to his knees, covering his ears and shutting his eyes tightly. Gale lost his grip on his scythe and allowed it to clatter away. He landed on the ground with his head slammed into the ground. His fingers scraped against the stone like a cat clawing at it in distress.
Igneel could barely open one eye as his teeth gritted.
What – is – this? he gnashed.
The high pitch stopped.
Gale and Igneel panted, ears ringing and bodies weak. Gale shakily brought up his head to see the wolf-creature leering at him. The wolf-creature lowered its head, snarling all the while, and opened his jaw as though to bite Gale.
Another chuckle went with with a command. "Fenrir, no. These are the special visitors, remember?"
Fenrir snarled once more before lifting its head and taking a paw step back.
"Who the Hell are you?" Gale panted as the ringing in his ears stopped and he felt his body recovering.
Another chuckle went with with a suggestion this time. "Why don't you come in and see?"
The once-great doors of the cathedral opened on their own, but only a dark void was inside. From the entryway, black seeped onto the ground in the form of a runway. The familiars parted for the black runway, but their eyes glared at the two boys. Both of them watched as the black runway slipped underneath them. They shared a glance with each other. Could they trust it?
Another chuckle. "Don't be shy, boys. Really. Come inside."
At the command, the two were forced to fly forward with their feet never touching the ground or them making an effort so. A noise of surprise came from the both of them as their bodies were pulled into the dark void. However, there was no time for their determination to falter. They were going to find the guy who invaded their home.
So, they were thrown into the dark void and landed on a floor that was cold and dank.
The doors shut.
Total darkness.
Another chuckle. "Please excuse the lack of light. Let me fix that for you."
One by one, a torch on either side lit up. Twelve of them lit and Gale and Igneel could make out themselves perfectly. Their eyes scanned around them. The inside of the cathedral was disturbingly dark. No sunlight was let in, but you could still see dimly. The stain glass that used to depict biblical scenes told stories of the antichrist and his reign on the earth. He tortured his victims with his children and creatures from the pits of Hell. The benches were drenched in darkness. They felt tainted, not at all safe and comfortable like the benches of before. The bowl that contained holy water at the back of the church was morphed into an overflowing fountain of accursed, black water that, when it fell from the bowl, would disappear into thin air. Not a person was insight. No elders. No people to pass out programs. No choir. No priest. No one.
"Show your face, coward," Igneel proclaimed.
Another chuckle. "'Coward'? What a strong insult. I had no idea you thought that about me."
An organ began to play, its notes minor and mysterious.
A spotlight came onto the organ.
Gale and Igneel looked at the spot. The organ was playing and a cloaked figure was huddled over it, playing the unfamiliar tune with light fingers.
Gale was unimpressed. "Are you going to serenade us to death?" he asked sardonically.
Another chuckle. "Hardly. I just enjoy building up the moment, don't you? I know you two have been waiting to get to the cathedral to face me."
"This isn't our cathedral," Igneel snapped. "And fighting you wasn't on our to-do lists."
The figure stood up, but the organ kept playing diligently. Another chuckle. "You're hurting my feelings."
The figure turned around to face them, but there was no face. Only a hoodie and gleaming eyes.
"And you're trying to hurt our hometown," Gale retorted.
Another chuckle and a promise. "I would never try to hurt my own hometown."
"Like Hell this is your hometown," Gale snarled.
The figure put his hands on his hood. Another chuckle. "Oh, but it is. It's just as much as your hometown as it is mine."
The hood was pulled down.
Both Mages were taken back. Gale looked in plain disbelief, but Igneel took a step back as he recoiled in horror. "Lance?" he whispered.
Lance chuckled again, showing off his friendly smile. "Are you ready to verse your mystery boss?"
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…
Woah! Is this intense or what? Familiars everywhere, Misty-kinz was a crybaby, dirt on the Archaeological Society, and now this? I can't take this anymore! If you can, tune in for the next episode of Fairy Adventure!
Chibi-Luna peeks around and finally catches side of you. "Hey, guys! And welcome to the next Fairy Lesson!" She disappears and reappears wheeling out a cart with Panther Lily, Charla, and Happy on top. "Today, we're going to talk about Exceeds." She stops a little off-center and abandons the cart. She jumps up and pulls down a chart. It is a hierarchy chart with a crown at the top, then an arrow to a group of Exceeds, then arrows below to a group of humans. "You see, Exceeds, didn't used to live on Earth Land. They lived in Edolas. They were the divine rulers in Edolas since they were the only race with Magic in their bodies. Their Queen Shagotte had vision of the future too, making Exceeds believe in their God-complex."
Chibi-Luna pulls down another picture that showed two Exceeds embracing as a group of terrifying beings loomed over them. "But, Exceeds weren't really that powerful over humans. Actually, they were scared of them. And the Magic Power they had was a simple Magic called Aera." She looks at the Exceeds. "Can you show us your wings?"
Without fail, the trio of Exceeds sprout their angel wings. A soft glow of blue outlines Happy's wings while green and black outline Panther Lily and Charla's wings respectively.
Chibi-Luna nods. "But, some Exceeds didn't just have this power. Some of them could transform." She gestures to them. "Charla? Lily?"
Both Exceeds leap off the cart. They vanish into the aura of their Magic and, once they touch ground, they are both different than before. Both grew in size, but Panther Lily is significantly taller than Charla in his muscular form while Charla adopts her childlike appearance, keeping her ears and tail.
"Some Exceeds have the power of Battle Mode Shift, like Lily," Chibi-Luna explains. "It makes them taller and muscular, like a human. And some Exceeds have Transformation Magic, like Charla. They look like a human, but keep their tail and ears. Even their Magic increases. Other Exceeds have powers too, but that's a story for another time?" She pulls down another map that shows Neo-Extalia. "Long ago, the queen of Extalia and the elders forced away one-hundred Exceed eggs on Earth Land and told the people their mission was to kill Dragon Slayers. But, that wasn't the case at all. The eggs were sent away to be protected for when the humans turned on the Exceeds. When the rest of the Exceed race came to Earth Land, they had a new mission: to find all the Exceed children they sent to Earth Land and start anew. And right now, Neo-Extalia is doing pretty good!"
Chibi-Luna beams at the Exceeds. "Thank you so much for helping me today!"
Panther Lily smiles. "No problem, Luna."
Charla's eyes flit to her mate in amusement. "Still can't transform, Happy?" she teases.
Happy begins to comically sob. "Charla, don't bring that up!"
Chibi-Luna giggles. "Thanks for joining our Fairy Lesson of the day, everyone!"
Everyone announces: "Next time, on Fairy Adventure: CHAOS AT THE CATHEDRAL!"
"Maybe I should've taken Panther Lily instead of you," Charla teases as she struts off stage. "At least he can shift."
Happy flies after her desperately. "Charla…!" he whines. "You're so mean!"
Panther Lily shakes his head in amusement. "Never will I understand the ways of those two."
Chibi-Luna has a sly look on her face as she nudges him. "One day, you'll have a wife of your own too, Uncle Lily," she jests.
Panther Lily splutters at that, pink streaking across his muzzle. "I—uh—what?—Excuse me?!"
Chibi-Luna skips away, content and playful. "Only a matter of time," she sing-songs. "You'll find a nice cat to make you purr."
Panther Lily chases after her, face scarlet. "Wait a second! Who said that to you? It was Gajeel, wasn't it? Luna? Luna!"