Titania and The Hunter
Chapter 49: Festive Games
So what's happened?
Samurai Jack. Iron Fist. Into the Badlands. Logan. Nier Automata. Jojo. Nioh. Final Fantasy XV. Persona 5. My Hero Academia 2. Dragon Maid. God of Highschool. Tower of God. Spider-Man: Homecoming. Thor: Ragnarok. Justice League. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. And a solid showing for DC shows.
My attention has been on way too many good games. Why so many good games, 2017?
A whole bunch of stuff. And it really helped with my writer's block too. Didn't make this easier. Just kicked me in the butt to move forward.
########Hunter########
"Master?"
Makarov wasn't sure how long he had been silent. His fists were clenched so tightly his arms started to shake and he was certain his hearing had gone for a moment. When he stopped seeing red the old master looked around to see all their anxious faces towards him for guidance.
Gray had a hand on Elfman's chest and was stopping him from running to the stage. A futile effort they all knew but still felt sorry for the lone brother.
Natsu and Naruto were pulling themselves out of the heaps of wood that used to be their table. Happy was apologizing, ashamed for letting Laxus smack him away long enough to nab Koyuki. If he didn't snatch him away from the cat then he probably would have put Happy through a whole lot of punishment.
He looked up at the stage and saw the girls frozen in place like decorative statues. Once bright and full of life but reduced to stone and the prizes for this ridiculous game Luxus had proposed. And on the stage beside them was Mahiro, her shoulders rising and falling while she took in air. Probably hitting herself for not being able to grab Koyuki in time and just imagining how she was going to hit Luxus when she got the chance.
He couldn't blame her.
Makarov took a deep breath and looked around at everyone present. His voice was low and firm, carrying over the room clearly to everyone present, "I don't know what my idiot grandson is playing at but this is not a game. Endangering the girls. Kidnapping Koyuki. Trying to start a fight during the festival. I don't know...and I don't care anymore!" Makarov yelled as the guild started cheering in agreement, "That boy has taken this too far!"
"YEEAAAAHHHHHHH!"
"If he wants a fight, then let's give that brat a fight!" Makarov pointed out to the exit, "Let's get out there and find that uppity shit! And make him apologize to us and all these girls!"
"YEEEEAAAAAAHHHH!"
They all started charging out the guild while roaring at the top of their lungs. He saw a head of blond hair walk past him and called out, "Mahiro!" The Senju woman froze for an instant after he called for her, thankful she wasn't so lost in her anger that she wouldn't hear him. His wrinkled expression creased before speaking, "I know what you must be feeling, and it must feel uncontrollable. But whatever you do...he needs to face his punishment...don't..."
"Master, he endangered Koyuki by making her a part of this." The beautiful woman's face was twisted in fury as she looked back at him, "I can only promise I won't beat him to death. And that's all I can give you."
Makarov could only watch sadly as the furious blonde dashed out of the guild. He was sure that if Mahiro did find Laxus then his grandson would be getting a serious beating for his bullheaded decision.
And if not from her then he'd be picking up the slack.
The short master squared his shoulder and took a deep breath as his brow furrowed. He stalked towards the doors and seethed, "When I find you Laxus, I'm going to kick your - AGH!"
Gray and Elfman looked back when they heard their master grunt in pain. They saw the wizened old man's face pressed up against nothing as he stayed just behind the guild entrance. The two men shared a look of confusion, "Jii-San, this isn't really the time to be playing around."
"He's right, Master! We can't afford to waste any more time!"
"Y-yes, I agree." Makarov stumbled back and before taking a deep breath. He started back in a run but slammed his head against nothing. He kept pressing himself against it but couldn't budge an inch past the entrance, "A-and I would love to help, but I appear to be stuck behind these GODDAMN DOORS!"
"The hell?" Gray stepped up and grabbed Makarov by the shoulders before pulling him. He met a powerful force stopping him from pulling the old man through and groaned while Makarov was pressed up against the invisible wall, "H-He won't budge!"
"Let me try." Elfman stepped up and easily enveloped the small man in his hand before yanking back as hard as he could. Makarov's body was compressed between Elfman's grip and the barrier he could not pass through, "W-what's going on?!"
"OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW! LET GO YOU IDIOTS!" The elderly Dreyar was finally released and left groaning on the floor. He opened his eyes and looked up before they widened in horror, "He really did it."
"Huh?" The two Mages looked up to see the dark purple letters hovering within the doorframe. Gray gawked, "A-are those runes? Did Freed seriously set these things up while we were having the contest?"
Rule: Those over the age of 80 and stone statues may not pass through.
"Shit." Gray pulled on his hair, "They planned for this."
"They knew they'd never get away with this if Master was part of it," Elfman showed his teeth in a snarl, "And they were ready to hold Nee-chan and Lisanna captive from the beginning." The massive man growled before he turned around and bolted, "GOD DAMN YOU LAXUS!"
"Elfman-"
"Gray, just go!" Makarov warned the younger Mage while he continued to rub his aching face. He pointed out into the town, "Just get out there and do what you can! I'll figure out how to work with this!"
"Okay!" Gray nodded and started running off, "We'll fix this, Jii-San! I promise!"
Makarvo watched in silence as Gray turned the corner around the guild yard and disappeared from sight. A situation where his family and children were all in danger...some held hostage and reduced to stone statues as the others were left to search the town for Laxus...
And all he could do was stand here and watch.
What was Laxus was after? Did he just want to test himself by fighting the other members of the guild? Did he want to prove he and the Raijinshū were stronger and more capable than other members of the guild?
"We need to decide who in this guild is strong and worthy to keep carrying our name!"
That wasn't what the guild was about. This place was never about finding the strongest people or being the toughest in the land. This was a home. A family. Where people came together and found the place they'd been missing from their whole lives.
Why was Laxus twisting it like this?
"Natsu! Natsu!"
"I'm okay, Happy." Makarov looked back and saw Natsu lifting himself up from the destroyed table his grandson had planted him into. The Dragon Slayer merely rubbed his neck and looked around at the empty hall, "Can't believe that jackass blindsided me. Dick move, even for him." The pink-haired man's eyes widened before he looked to the stage, "Naruto, are they-"
"Fine. They're stone...but they aren't hurt." Naruto had already pulled himself up, but immediately took to checking on the girls after their sudden petrification. And one person in particular. He raised his hand and gently cupped the cheek of his lover.
It was smooth but cold. That wasn't how she was supposed to feel.
Naruto pulled back his hand and let it fall to his side limply. His whole body begun to tremble from how tightly he was clenching his fists as he growled through his gritted teeth, "Erza. Koyuki. All of them. I'm gonna make him pay for this."
"Everyone is already out there looking for Laxus. Mahiro as well." Makarov informed them both as they turned to face him, "We're going to stop him and make him realize what he's done."
"Damn right we are!" Natsu slammed his fists together and grinned, "If he wanted a fight I would have been happy to give him one!"
"Shut up already you annoying bastard." A gruff voice groaned from the bar as the men finally noticed an assortment of pans and metal mugs with bite marks in them. An arm covered in piercings palmed the countertop and lifted the owner up to reveal Gajeel with a scowl in his face, "Seriously how does this whole guild stand listening to you yell like that all the time?"
"Gajeel!" Happy exclaimed, "What are you still doing here? I thought you'd be out there fighting with everybody else?"
"I quit halfway through that crazy show. After seeing that Strauss woman flaunt around those boobs with my face on..." Gajeel shuddered in disgust and Natsu snickered, "I decided to eat some of her stuff as payback. Some quality eats despite how crummy the rest of the place looks. So~, there's a fight going on or something, right?" Gajeel cracked his knuckles and smirked, "Interesting. I kinda wanted to fight that lightning guy. Seemed strong."
"As long as you fight, that's fine." Naruto said with a frown, "But if you find Laxus then tell me. I call first dibs on kicking his ass."
"No." Gajeel quickly replied, "Ain't gonna happen, Hunter. First come, first served."
"I agree. First one to find Laxus should get to beat him." Natsu grinned, "I'm totally up for that idea."
"All of you need to be careful." Makarov warned, "Everyone's out there fighting but I'm sure the Raijinshū have taken precautions. And Laxus has never been a pushover. Good luck out here, all of you..." The old man's eyes softened, "And please stop him before he goes too far."
"On it, Jii-chan!" Natsu made for the entrance with Happy flying by his side as he took an early start, "Laxus, ready or not here I - GAGH!"
They all flinched in shock at Natsu's agonized gasp as he slammed face first into the invisible wall. Happy kept sailing through and needed a moment to notice, "Natsu? What are you doing?"
"Aaaaah~." The Dragon Slayer moaned on the ground as he cradled his chest and coughed, "W-what the hell?" The blue cat came back to his side as he pulled himself up and reached for the entrance. His hand spread out against the invisible wall as a flash of runes appeared for a moment before immediately disappearing. He pushed a little harder but found no give to move past the barrier, "What the hell is this?"
"H-how?" Makarov muttered in shock, "The rules are people over 80 and stone statues can't get through. So why can't you?"
"Can I not get through?! Seriously?!" Natsu pressed harder into the wall as his face scrunched up against it, "How is that fair?! I wanna fight too!"
"Pfft, sorry to hear that, you geezer." Gajeel scoffed and walked past the stunned Natsu, "Guess you'll just have to stay here and imagine how much I'm gonna be kicking ass out there. Poor you." The Iron Dragon Slayer chided and took an inordinate amount of pleasure in seeing Natsu's depressed expression, "Like I said, 'First come, First - AH! FUCK!"
Gajeel reeled back after smacking straight into the barrier as well. He stumbled back and covered his nose before looking up in shock. He then looked back at the others and saw their expressions probably matched his at the moment. He turned back and instantly threw a punch, watching his fist hit nothing before screaming in anger, "NO FUCKING WAY! I'M NOT OLD LIKE THE LITTLE GEEZER OR THE PINK-HAIRED GEEZER! AND I'M NOT A ROCK EITHER!"
"Ha! In your face!"
"What the hell is going on?" Naruto looked between the two arguing Dragon Slayers in confusion before looking down at Makarov, "Jiji?"
"I-I don't know." The old Wizard Saint looked up at the rules of the barrier once again, "The Jutsu Shiki should only be able to keep in people over 80 and stone statues."
"Well what if Freed made other rules that aren't displayed or something?"
"Not possible. The rules of the Jutsu Shiki are iron-clad. As long as the processes are well-thought and planned out, it could be an absolute prison. But the rules for this magic have to be displayed. And those rules are the ones up there right now."
Naruto looked up at the rules as well before looking down to see Natsu and Gajeel at each other's throat while Happy panicked beside them. The blond man shook his head, "Then what the hell is going on?"
"I can only think," Makarov cupped his chin, "It's their magic. Dragon Slayer magic is a Lost magic; ancient styles of magic that can come with side-effects and caveats depending on the style used. I can only think that it's because of their magic that the Jutsu Shiki believes them to be over 80. I'm not certain, but whatever the case they're stuck here and can't go fight with the others."
"Fine." Naruto said with a scowl as he walked by the arguing Dragon Slayers with his gaze focused intently on the outside, "Then I'm going to go out there and handle this."
"Naruto wait!" The blond stopped and looked back at Makarov to see the old man's worried expression, "There's something keeping these two from going outside, and I think it has to do with their magic. Which means it doesn't depend solely on your physical age but can be affected by other factors as well. So there's a possibility..."
"Of what?"
"How old was Kurama?"
...
Realization dawned on Naruto as his eyes widened in horror. He turned around and reached out to the entryway...
Only for his hand to stop against the invisible wall just like it did for everyone else.
"No. No. No no no no no no no!" He pushed against the wall futilely as if he believed he could force his way with brute strength. When that failed he roared and punched it in anger, "This can't be happening! I can't be stuck here! K-Koyuki needs me! And I have to help Erza! I-I can't - FUCKING LET ME OUT!"
"Naruto stop!" Makarov came over to his side and grabbed his arm before he could punch the barrier again. The blond looked down at him with an angry, almost desperate look in his eyes, "There's no point. We can't undo the Jutsu Shiki unless we witnessed how it was made, and with Kurama inside you and their magic holding them back none of you are getting through."
Gajeel leaned in towards Natsu, "What's a Kurama?"
"Naruto told me it's the name of the demon that was sealed in his gut when he was a baby." Natsu plainly answered.
"You serious?"
"Why would I joke about that?"
"This guild is way weirder than I thought it'd be."
"I know it's awful but you're just wasting your energy lashing out like this. And that's not going to help anyone." Naruto's breathing came out ragged before he lowered his arms and let his shoulders fall next. Makarov nodded, "I know we want to be out there in the fight as well but we have to trust the others. Gray and Elfman and Mahiro and everyone else are all fighting to stop Laxus. He and the Raijinshū are stronger but we have the numbers. Just trust them to handle this-"
"What's that?" Happy asked aloud as they all looked up to see what the cat was referring to.
When they did they saw runes appear on the intangible barrier and form together into words.
Progress Report:
Alzack vs Jet vs Droy
Remaining members- 84
"Why are they fighting?"
########Hunter########
"Stop!" Jet yelled as he used High Speed to avoid the blast from the gunman. He slid to a stop and yelled at his fellow Fairy, "Alzack you can't seriously be going along with this! We're comrades! We can't fight!"
"We have to!" Alzack yelled and stepped away from the downed Droy. The gunman kept his weight off his injured right leg after Droy had grabbed and pulled it with his Chain Plant. But even injured the gunman refused to fall or stop fighting to escape, "Unless there's one person left standing in this trap then we'll never get out! And Bisca will be left as a statue forever!"
"So will Levy!" Jet yelled out before looking over at the barrier that trapped them in the alleyway of the buildings. The three of them had been caught it one of Freed's traps with the rule that they couldn't leave until only one person was left conscious. The fast Mage turned back, "I want to save them too but if we fight-"
"I'm sorry, but I can't waste anymore time talking! I'll save all of them, I promise!" Alzack aimed his weapons, "Mud Shot!"
The speedy orange-haired Mage disappeared in a dash as mud came shooting out the guns at intense speeds. Jet kept weaving in between the shots and charged towards Alzack before he could react, "Fine! If we have to do this then I'm gonna do whatever I can to save Levy!" He slammed into Alzack and heard the gunman groan as he was sent flying into the wall harshly. Jet ran to attack in that moment but couldn't move, "W-what the-"
"Got you when you hit me." Jet's foot was stuck to the ground with a layer of mud over hit boot that instantly hardened to halt his movement. Alzack forced himself up on his feet but cradled his ribs after Jet's strike, "I couldn't let you keep running around."
"Alzack-"
"I'm sorry. I promise I'll save Levy too." Alzack caught Jet in his sights, "But right now, I need to get out of here."
It was terrible. His gut was twisting in on itself at the idea of having to do this to his own friends. People he bonded with.
But then his thoughts went back to Bisca and the others. Frozen in place on that stage. The risk of never getting to see that smile again.
It was enough for him to pull the trigger and send Jet flying.
########Hunter########
Progress Report:
Winner- Alzack
Jet and Droy rendered unable to continue
Remaining members- 82
Makarov stared up at the message in horror as he heard the other boys talk between themselves. But Makarov blocked them out, focusing solely on the display as more words started to appear one by one.
Members fighting each other popped up over and over again. Even being confined to the guild, Makarov could hear the sound of far off battle from where he stood.
Battle for Fairy Tail.
"No." Makarov muttered fearfully, "Laxus you don't mean..."
########Hunter########
"GRH!" Macao and Wakaba punched each other in the face and stumbled back with bloody lips. The blue-haired man wiped his chin of blood, "Still gonna be drinking buddies after this, right?"
The smoker spit his cigarette out and pulled out another he quickly lit up. He smirked, "Depends on how hard we hit each other I guess."
The two old comrades yelled and charged back towards each other to strike.
########Hunter########
"Just stay down! I don't wanna hurt you anymore!"
"No way! I'm gotta save them!"
"Stay down all of you!"
########Hunter########
"Hohoho, you boys sure are energetic, aren't you~." Evergreen cooed as she easily avoided the attacks from her fellow guildmates, "I'm quite impressed with just how passionate you all are."
"Dammit Evergreen this isn't a game!"
"Let the others go already!"
"Tell us where Laxus is hiding!"
"Nuh-uh. No can do." Evergreen wagged her finger coyly, "No fun in bringing out the big guns when you haven't even finished with us yet."
"Damn you!" One Fairy yelled and tried to strike her from behind but hit empty air as Evergreen deftly leapt over their heads.
She pulled out her fans and twirled in midair, "Time I got serious in return." The Fairy Mages looked up at her and prepared to block whatever she threw at them before they noticed red particles in the air. The particles started to glow and ignite before Evergreen threw out her arms, "Fairy Bomb: Gremlin!"
Their fighting space exploded in a mighty fireball that engulfed all the Mages in it. The sparks and smoke dispersed to reveal the defeated Fairies lying on the ground covered in soot and embers.
Evergreen gracefully landed and hid her face behind her fan, "Let this lovely Fairy lull you off to sleep."
########Hunter########
"GYAHAHAHA!" Bickslow laughed as he avoided all of the magic attacks chasing after him into the small alleyway. He led his pursuers through the narrow pass before leaping up the walls and suspending himself between them with a perfect split. The armored man cackled and stuck out his tongue, "Come on kiddies, gotta work a little harder than that! No point if my babies don't even get a little exercise from any of this!"
"I wanna run!"
"I wanna play!"
"Play!"
"Play!"
"Enough Bickslow! We're not gonna keep entertaining you like this!" Laki led a group of Mages after the him. The purple-haired girl was joined by her comrades as they raised their hands to attack the Raijinshū member. Laki slammed her hands together and prepared to create her Wood constructs but looked down in shock when it produced nothing, "W-what the-"
"Look!"
Rule: No magic is capable of being used within this space.
"Oops, looks like you lot shouldn't have been following me so closely." Bickslow teased the Fairies before his totems flew up from behind him to hang over his head. They pointed down at the cornered Mages, "Best thing about my magic? Long-ranged. Right babies?"
"Right!"
The totems released bursts of magic down on the trapped Fairies and rendered them unconscious instantly. The light faded to show the defeated Mages as Bickslow dropped down on top of his totems and flew away to face their next challenge.
########Hunter########
Freed walked through the streets of Magnolia with a hand resting on his sword's pommel. People and families celebrating enjoying the Harvest Festival. Some noticed and greeted him with a wave which he politely returned. Noting that he had been absent for quite awhile and how nice it was to see him again.
He just remained composed while he traversed the streets as he sensed people following him some yards away. The green-haired Mage turned the corner and kept walking before stopping in an empty lot between several houses. He turned back and faced his pursuers with an even expression, "Attempting to ambush me. I see you are not taking this lightly. Good."
"Freed, we'll give you one chance." Max said as the others joined behind him and prepared for a fight, "Tell us where we can find Laxus."
"I cannot do that." Freed callously answered as his eyes narrowed, "If you wish to find him, you must play this game. And that means we must fight."
The Mages started gathering their power, "Fine!"
Freed lowered his stance and dodged to the side to avoid a wave of Sand being sent his way. He jumped over the Water and deftly avoided the magic punch. Again and again Freed proved he didn't have to rely on his magic to avoid their attacks. He didn't even pull out his sword as he stopped on the edge of the lot and looked back at his attackers.
"F-Freed..." Max gripped his throat tightly and reached out to the green-haired Mage while the others choked. After a moment they all passed out and fell to the ground unconscious as Freed looked up at his barrier.
Rule: Mages that use their magic in this space will be deprived of air until rendered unconscious.
"Apologies," Freed walked away, "But we have stacked the deck in our favor for this game."
########Hunter########
"Laxus! Where are you, you giant bolt-shaped pain in our ass!" Gray yelled out as he and Elfman ran through the street calling out the S-Class Mage's name. He snarled, "How the hell can he make everyone fight each other like this? How the shit is he even doing it?"
"I'm not sure, but we need to find the Raijinshū first because I'm bet they're the reason behind it!" Elfman responded, "And if we find Evergreen, we can undo the petrification on Nee-chan and the others!"
"Yeah I know! But this is a big ass town and she's a small woman!" Gray complained, knowing that if Evergreen was anywhere close by she was probably taking his angry tirade as something akin to a compliment about her form. He slowed down to a stop as Elfman did the same behind him, "Wait a sec..."
"What is it?"
"Where is everyone?" The two Fairies looked around for any sight of a Mage, civilian, or even a child but realized they were alone in the back alley. He took a step forward but his foot hit an invisible wall as he jumped back, "What the-"
"Did Freed set spaces like this all around town?"
Rule: The Mages in this space must fight until one is rendered unconscious before the time limit expires. If there is no winner, both Mages will be rendered unconscious.
4:59
4:58
"Oh you've gotta be fucking kidding me!" Gray yelled, "You're actually making us fight! Freed you bastard! At least have the balls to come down here and fight yourself! Elfman, we gotta..." Gray paused when he looked back at the imposing shadow growing over him, "Elfman...we can't do this."
"I'm sorry..." Elfman's body grew and expanded as he took on the from of his Beast. The Take-Over Mage spoke with grim determination in his eyes, "But they need me."
Gray clicked his teeth and placed his fist in the palm of his hand in his stance, "God dammit."
########Hunter########
Remaining members- 37
Remaining members- 31
Remaining members- 28
"He's makin' everyone fight everyone else." Gajeel noted with a shrug of his shoulders, "Guess this really is a Battle for Fairy Tail, huh?"
"That's not a funny joke." Happy pointed out.
"Not joking. Just repeating what that other guy boasted."
"DAMMIT!" Natsu yelled angrily and started to punch at the barrier again in an attempt to get some reaction, "Let us out already!"
"Move Natsu! WRAAHH!" Naruto roared as he pulled out his black blade and slammed it against the Jutsu Shiki in anger.
The others ducked back when lightning started to shoot out violently from where the sword and barrier made contact. Despite the force behind his blade, it could not pierce and push through the the barrier, even as runes flashed rapidly around them. Makarov shielded his eyes from the light and yelled, "Naruto, stop! You aren't going to break through that barrier! It keeps a steady field of impregnable magic around the guild at all times!"
That sword could block against nearly every kind of magic attack but it couldn't negate something completely. It was the reason Naruto got so injured during the fight with Phantom when he blocked Jupiter's shot. He held up against it, but the blade could only hold it back for so long before his grip failed him. It couldn't cut through it back then, and it wasn't going to cut through now.
"FUCK!" Naruto yelled furiously as he pulled his sword back and huffed at the fruitless effort. He roared and threw the sword aside, letting it clatter over the guild floor. The others looked at the bristling blond as he started breathing through his grit teeth. The whiskered Mage turned back to them and shook his head with a hopeless, confused expression on his face, "I-I don't know what to do. They're all fighting each other out there and all we can do is sit in here and let it happen."
"Naruto..."
"Don't panic, man." Natsu stepped forward with a grin, "Don't forget that Mahiro is still out there. She can handle this."
"I know that. But-"
"No, I agree with Naruto." Makarov nodded sadly and stared at the barrier and the progress report, "Knowing someone can handle this fight doesn't make up for the fact that we can't do anything to help. Leaving us here to watch this occur...it's nothing short of torture." The guild master hung his head, "And I don't see the point."
"The point was to weed out the meek and leave the strongest for the guild."
All of them besides Makarov looked back in shock at Laxus' sudden appearance in the guild. The man with the bolt-shaped scar gave a cocky smirk and crossed his arms in the center of the guild floor. Naruto was quick to react but Laxus held up his hand when he saw his fellow S-Class Mage clench his fists, "Don't waste your energy. I'm just a Thought Projection, you'd literally be swinging at nothing. Although I'm guessing you've already wasted a ton of energy trying to force your way out, huh?"
"You fucker." Naruto seethed while speaking to Laxus, "Let us out."
"You aren't supposed to be stuck." Laxus tilted his head, "Seriously this was just for the statues and Jiji. No idea why you're all stuck in here too. Something must've gone wrong when Freed drew it up. Pretty funny though."
"Laxus, let us fight!" Natsu complained and pointed at the S-Class Mage, "If you're so scared that you think we'll take you down then you should at least say so! This is cheating!"
"That ain't the problem, Natsu. But it's really, really cute of you to think that." Laxus chided and left Natsu fuming as he smirked, "No I think I'll just leave you in here for now. Come take care of you when things start to settle."
"They're already settling, Laxus." Makarov spoke up as he was still facing the barrier and watching the report. The number of remaining Fairy Tail members had been halved again and it was only a matter of time before they were down to zero. The old man shook his head, "You've always wanted to prove you were the strongest person in the guild. I knew how powerful you were, and so did everyone else. But you've always felt like you've needed to prove that strength. And I suppose you've done that now."
The elder Dreyar turned to his grandson with a sad expression and nodded his head, "You've won, Laxus. Now end this madness."
...
Laxus' cocky smile slowly fell into an unamused frown as his glare stayed solely on his grandfather. The younger Dreyar matched Makarov...
"Give me the guild."
"WHAT?!" Naruto, Natsu, and Happy yelled in unison while Makarov could only stare at his grandson in shock.
"I told you I wanted this guild to be strong. For everyone to know just where Fairy Tail stands in Fiore, on the very top. But I know that's not an accomplishment that's possible while under your leadership. And I bet you know that too." Laxus grinned and held out his hand, "I'll drop the barriers, free the girls, release the brat, and end all this fighting if you just declare me the new guild master."
"Laxus," Makarov shook his head, "You can't mean-"
"I do, Jiji." Laxus interrupted, "Give me this guild now or the family you've been cultivating all this time will be ruined."
Makarov paled at the suggestion as he imagined surrendering the position to Laxus. He'd bet that most of the current members would resign instead of following his lead. Laxus would follow through with his promise and fill Fairy Tail with the strongest Mages he could find. The guild would definitely become the strongest, but it wouldn't be Fairy Tail anymore. That was enough of a reason not to hand it over...
But his children were suffering. His eyes panned over to the stage to see the girls. Was there any reason to keep the guild around if that meant they had to suffer for it? He shook with anger-
"Mahiro will end this." Naruto spoke up before Makarov could, stepping forward and facing the fake Laxus directly with a smirk, "She's still out there, Laxus. And she's got eyes for you." Laxus' cocky expression faltered, "She's stronger than us. She's stronger than the Raijinshū. She's stronger than you. And you know that. And you stole her daughter."
"Yeah, that's right!" Happy cheered.
"Mahiro's got this!" Natsu pumped his arms.
"That busty mom?" Gajeel tilted his head, "Is she as strong as you guys say she is?"
"Yep," Naruto's smirk grew wider, "And he stole her daughter. So face it Laxus...your plan is done. This little power play is over."
"Mahiro..." Laxus muttered the name before narrowing his eyes, "She's not supposed to be part of the game."
"What? Did you think she wouldn't fight to get her daughter back?"
"I thought she'd know better than to risk it. After all she isn't part of the guild anymore."
"Yes she is! Of course-"
"Guess I'll have to go and fix this mess." Laxus stated, smirking and disappearing, "Don't you lot go anywhere."
########Hunter########
"D-dammit." Gray groaned and spit some blood cradled his ribs. He leaned back against the wall of the barrier confining them after he had started to lose feeling in his legs. With a struggle he looked up at their timer.
0:11
0:10
0:09
"Well I guess we're fucked." He grumbled before looking up at the massive figure of the Beast that he had halted by freezing to the sidewalk. Gray collapsed and slid down onto his butt with a sigh, "We never should have tried to play their game. You know that, right?"
"I know. And I'm sorry." Elfman mumbled while he resigned himself to their defeat. The massive man raised his head and grit his teeth in frustration, "I-I just...I wanted to save them so badly."
"I know man. Me too."
0:00
A flash of light encompassed the area of the barrier and covered the two Mages trapped within it. Once it disappeared the barrier fell completely and the two Fairies fell to the ground unconscious. Their eyes were white and they were rendered unconscious.
Gray wanted to find another way out which was impossible but he still wanted to try. But Elfman was out to beat Gray completely. Not because he wanted to be free. Not because he wanted to prove he was stronger.
But because the people he cherished were on the line, and they needed him even if that meant he had to compromise his friendships and morals to do it.
That's something Freed had been witnessing all day. Friends fighting friends because they knew it was something they needed to do. Risking their friendships for the safety of the people that needed them. Slowly but surely they dwindled down their numbers until there were not many of them left to fight. And once that point was reached it was up to him, Evergreen, and Bickslow to clean up the stragglers.
It was like Laxus said. Everything was going exactly to plan.
So why did this not feel like a victory in the slightest?
No! Don't waver. Don't falter. Laxus had asked him and the others to follow through with this duty to the very end. And he had sworn to do so until completion. Because Laxus had requested it.
He trusted Laxus more than anyone else, and would follow him to the ends of Earthland if he requested it. And he was sure Evergreen and Bickslow felt the same way. So they would help Laxus form his dream and make the strongest guild in the land. Even if that meant toppling down the one that stood in its way...
Even if that meant ruining the Fairy Tail they had first come and join.
Freed clenched his fists tightly and stilled his shoulders before taking a deep breath. He made to look out over the town-
"GAAAHH!" Freed gasped when he was attacked from behind and sent violently careening into the street below. He made a furrow in the concrete and bounced a few times before finally stopping. He heard a few panicked yells from civilians who quickly ran away as he pulled himself up to his knees and took a ragged breath.
"I-I thought it might be prudent to set up a defense for myself." He groaned as a magical barrier behind his necks shined before dissipating completely. He pushed himself up and winced at the damage he still received through the barrier, "Considering this was a battle royal then it seemed necessary to set up a barrier to protect me in case anyone tried to attack me from behind." He stood up and rubbed the aching pain going through his neck and back, "I decided to only protect against the first strike so that it wouldn't discourage the attacker from trying to fight me. But if I knew it was going to be you attacking I would have set up a stronger defense...Mahiro."
"I'm not interested in fighting, Freed." The blonde woman landed in the street and strode up to the injured Dark Écriture Mage with a scowl on her face. The Senju woman stopped a few feet away and glared at Freed intently, "Tell me where Laxus is keeping my daughter, now!"
"I can't give up his position to you like that." Freed replied, "You've been waiting for the chance to attack us, haven't you? Keeping away from getting caught in traps with the others in order to catch us." He pulled out his rapier and pointed it at the Light Mage, "This is a fight. The only way you're going to get anything you want is to battle us."
Mahiro persisted with her frown before she closed her eyes and shook her head. She opened them again and Freed's own eyes widened at the sadness she was showing through her gaze, "She's my daughter, Freed. I know you're a good person. Better than this. You can't possibly think it's okay for her to be involved in something like this, right?"
The green-haired man tightened his grip on his sword and ducked his head for a moment before shaking it wildly. His hair thrashed around before glaring as his eyes changed to black and purple, "ENOUGH TALK! FIGHT!" He dashed towards the older woman and lunged for her body as she simply stepped aside to avoid his thrust. He was quick to turn and attack again as he sent a flurry of swipes and stabs to strike her. Mahiro dodged and avoided each attack as Freed's swipes pierced through concrete and slashed through brick. They ran across the whole street as Freed kept trying to land a hit on her, "Stop running!"
Mahiro never struck back while avoiding the attacks aiming to pierce her. Her expression never changed from one of sad disappointment as she continued to escape just inches away from the point of his rapier. Freed rushed and struck as fast as he could but to no avail before he yelled, "If you want this all to end then you need to fight! SO FIGHT!"
Freed lunged and pierced his rapier into Mahiro's shoulder with a splash of blood seeping onto the ground. But despite the injury, Mahiro didn't react in any way to the pain. Instead her hands turned into blurs as they simultaneously grabbed the end pierced into her flash and struck the length of the blade. Freed's sword shattered into pieces and Freed groaned when Mahiro's foot dug into his gut. He was knocked back and skidded across the ground before coming to a stop and gasping for air.
"I told you I'm not interested in fighting." Mahiro pulled the end of the rapier out of her shoulder and dropped it on the ground. She saw Freed look up at her as he cradled his gut, "I just want Laxus. So tell me where he is."
"Dark Écriture: Deepen!" Freed raised his broken weapon to point at the blond. Mahiro flinched as the pierce wound on her shoulder grew and sputtered out more blood. She gripped her wound and charged at the downed man to attack. But Freed disappeared into a formation of runes before her kick could land.
"Pollux!" She reached out and fired a blast of Light magic at the top of a building. Freed was forced to dodge the moment after he reappeared to avoid getting hit with the powerful attack. He stumbled on the roof and summoned his wings to fly away from her. Mahiro scowled and let her body become covered in her magic as she started chasing after him, "Freed!"
"Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!"
"Line Formation!"
Mahiro looked around as she was cornered by an attack on both sides. They struck with her in the middle and created a massive explosion in the street. Evergreen and Bickslow dropped down besides the injured Freed. He winced but kept his voice firm, "How did you know I needed your assistance?"
"Laxus called us. Told us Mahiro might still be sneaking around. And then we started hearing both of you yell and explosions." Evergreen said as she folded her arms beneath her breasts, "Glad we got here in time."
"Yep." Bickslow shook his head, "Definitely not the kinda lady you wanna get stuck fighting alone. Gyahaha, lucky we got the drop on her before-"
The smoke cloud blew apart and Mahiro came dashing out in a blur. She ran in with a flying knee and struck Bickslow in the sternum, doubling him over before knocking him across the street. Evergreen and Freed jumped back, going on the defensive before Mahiro turned to them, "Evergreen, I want you to release the girls right now. Do it and I promise I won't hurt you."
"Quite an ultimatum, Mahiro," Evergreen laughed, hiding the nervous bead of sweat running down her cheek behind her fan, "But it's 3 against 1. And it's going to take a lot more than that to take us down."
"I know." Mahiro frowned, "And that's why I asked you to give up. Because I'm not going to enjoy hurting the three of you any more than I have to."
"HA!" Evergreen didn't waste another moment and waved her fan to create another explosion with the Senju woman at the center. But just as the bespectacled Fairy had thought she had landed a critical hit on the older woman, she saw a bright light form in her periphery. She and Freed looked up to see Mahiro standing atop a building with Light gathering in her palm.
"Starlight Raining!"
A flurry of Light attacks burst from her hands and forced the young Fairies to run as it littered the street. Mahiro furrowed her brow and spotted where they were running off to as she felt something fly up behind her.
"Go my babies!" Bickslow yelled and commanded his totems to attack the unsuspecting Mahiro. But she ducked beneath one totem, jumped up and grabbed another two totems, and kicked out to destroy the final two, "Shit! My babies!"
"Bickslow!" Mahiro released the totems and avoided the barrage of magic attacks aimed at her back. The armored Mage looked over to see Evergreen waving him over and calling his name, "Get over here now! We gotta escape!"
"Dammit!" Bickslow jumped on his totems and started flying away after Evergreen, "I'm coming!"
"No you don't." Mahiro growled as she chased after them as fast as she could. She saw them turn the corner and rounded it-
Only to suddenly stop and lose all momentum in an instant. She was frozen in place, arms and legs stuck in the position of her run as she couldn't move at all. She looked up in the narrow space she was frozen in-
Rule: Any Mages in this spot cannot move until they are released by the caster.
Freed had set this up while she was dealing with Bickslow and his totems. And she was so angry she didn't see it while chasing them.
Shit.
"Now! Dark Écriture: Pain!"
"Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!"
"Baryon Formation!"
All three attacks struck the prone Mage at once, erupting in a massive cloud of fire and smoke with her in the center of it. The Raijinshū waited with baited breath, their breath hitching for an instant as they waited for the smoke to fade. They spotted a figure in the center-
"WRRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHHH!"
A flash of light exploded from the center and blew the dust away with it. The Raijinshū covered their eyes from the blinding light before it faded back into the figure it was emanating from. The light covering Mahiro's body died out to reveal burns, bruises, and trails of blood coming down her face. She looked up towards them...
She hadn't changed.
Stuck in a single spot, attacked by two magical attacks, and forced to experience nothing but pain and the Senju woman refused to falter to them. Her breathing was haggard and she looked exhausted but not defeated as she spoke, "Is that all?"
Evergreen gulped in fear as Freed and Bickslow readied another attack against the fearsome woman-
"You know you're not actually a part of this fight, right Mahiro? After all you stopped being a member of Fairy Tail after you went off to join the Rune Knights, remember?"
Laxus' voice suddenly rang out as a small window with a crossbones symbol made after him appeared overhead. Mahiro grit her teeth, "Laxus! Stop this game and fix everything right now!"
"Seriously, you took a big risk coming out to fight a game you weren't invited to when your kid is on the line."
"IT'S EXACTLY BECAUSE YOU PUT KOYUKI AND ERZA AND THE OTHERS ON THE LINE THAT I'M FIGHTING! I WILL NOT SIT BACK WHILE THEY NEED ME!"
"And here I was half expecting you to play the part of the panicked mother as nothing more than a babbling mess. Wrong on my part. But that doesn't change the fact that this is a fight for Fairy Tail, and you aren't a member anymore."
"If you risk the lives of the people I care about and think I'll do nothing about it then you're a fucking idiot, Laxus!" Mahiro snarled, "I'll be a member of Fairy Tail until the very end. This is my home. And you're burning it from the inside."
"Nice speech, but time we finish this up. Surrender and allow yourself to lose, Mahiro."
"I won't-"
"Unless you want me to hurt your kid." The indomitable will in Mahiro's eyes faltered at the threat. The Raijinshū looked up at the window in surprise as Laxus continued, "So what's it gonna be? Gonna keep playing defiant while the little girl's life is on the line, or will you roll over and die like the rest of the fodder?"
...
"Clock's ticking."
"Fine." Mahiro relented, "I give up. Do what you want."
"Hahaha, glad to see you came to your senses. And just like that I'm pretty sure we can unanimously say this fight is over."
"It's not over." Mahiro stated, "Not by a long shot."
"You think so? Then let me break it down for you; everyone knocked themselves out, the Raijinshū finished off the stragglers, the girls are stuck in stone, and Jiji's stuck behind a wall with Naruto, Natsu, and the Phantom Mage. So there's no one left to fight."
"There's always a fight, Laxus. No one is going to truly give up while you're acting like a mad man. We'll never really give up, even if we're beaten or we surrender." Mahiro glared up at the window, "You're going to lose. Because you don't have the same strength as the rest of them."
"..."
"Enough." Freed spoke, "Evergreen, go ahead and petrify-"
"No. On second thought where's the fun in that? You still gonna fight, Mahiro? You never really gonna give up? Wanna fight to the bitter end? Then have it your way. Bickslow, posses her."
Mahiro's eyes widened and the Raijinshū looked up at the window in shock at Laxus' suggestion. Freed stepped forward, "Laxus, there's no need for that. Evergreen, Bickslow and I are more than enough to handle any remaining issues. There's no need to force-"
"Freed, did I ask for your opinion? Because I didn't. I don't care whether you think you three are enough to handle Jiji and the others if need be. I'm just giving Mahiro exactly what she wants. The opportunity to keep fighting. Now Bickslow, go over there and do it."
The trio looked between each other hesitantly before the tallest member gave a firm nod. He stepped forward and removed the visor from his head. His black and blue hair stood up once it was freed from its confines and his eyes glowed an unnatural green as he approached the frozen woman. Her head was hung low and Bickslow apprehensively stepped towards her in anticipation of another attack. Evergreen and Freed prepared to retaliate-
"You three know, right?"
Mahiro looked up between them sadly, "You know this is wrong. Fairy Tail...it's your home. Please...stop before it's too late."
...
Mahiro's chin was gently grabbed and her head was lifted by Bickslow. His eyes bore into her...
And her consciousness disappeared.
########Hunter########
Laxus smiled as he received confirmation from his team. Most of the guild was finished. The girls were still under his thumb. Makarov and the others were still stuck. And now they had a powerful weapon at their disposal.
He had won. It was only a matter of time before the old man broke completely and handed him the title of master.
A matter of time.
"Laxus-niichan, I'm hungry. Can you get me something?"
Until then he had to deal with this pint-sized pain in the ass. With a snarl he turned around and looked over at the little girl who casually wiggled her feet around while sitting on the ground. The Senju girl looked up at him with a titled head as he frowned, "I should have just let Ever petrify you too. Could've saved myself the migraine."
"There's cotton candy and caramel apples in the fair grounds." Koyuki lifted herself up and came up to his side before pulling on his coat, "Can we go please?"
"Shut the fuck up and sit over there." Laxus coldly responded and refused to look down at the pouting girl. Koyuki huffed and stomped her foot before continuing to pull on his coat to sway him. Laxus didn't budge at all, but the scowl on his face deepened before he glared down at her, "Stop or I'm gonna kick you into the wall."
"Bleh!" Koyuki stuck out her tongue at the man towering over her before crossing her arms, "You're meaner than usual, Laxus-niichan. Let's go out and have fun in the fair with everyone else when they finish playing your game!"
"They are finished playing my game." Laxus said with a smirk, "Everyone is beaten and I win."
"Nope." Laxus looked down at the little brunette that stubbornly shook her head, "You aren't playing fair! You have to let Onii-chan and Onee-chan and Jii-chan out to play too! And then you're gonna get your butt kicked, just you wait!"
Laxus stared down at the smiling girl before scoffing. He kneeled down in front of her and sneered, "Erza is finished. Jiji and Naruto are locked behind a wall. Natsu can't get out there and fight. And your mother has failed. They've lost. I won. And when Jiji finally breaks down and relinquishes his title to me, I'm going to change Fairy Tail completely. No none will be able to laugh at me or my guild ever again."
...
Laxus was surprised when Koyuki clapped her hands on both of his cheeks and pouted at him. She shook her head, "Don't say that. Jii-chan's gonna be really sad to hear you say that. Don't make your Jii-chan sad, Laxus-niichan."
Laxus growled and pulled his head away as the girl looked up sadly at him. She sulked back over to one of the pillars and slumped down against it while wrapping her arms around her knees. Laxus groaned and crossed his arms before looking back up at the progress report with a smirk.
########Hunter########
Progress Report:
Remaining Members - 3
"That's it. All that's left is the three of you." Happy noted before sulking in the air, "It's not even counting me and Master~. How is that fair~?" The blue cat whined as he was consoled with a pat on the head from Natsu.
"It ain't buddy, sorry." Natsu tried to cheer the cat up, "But if it's any help then none of us get to be out there fighting too."
"Dammit!" Naruto yelled and made them all flinch back at his sudden outburst. He turned to the Dragon Slayer with a scowl, "Natsu, this isn't a joke! This isn't like one of the brawls in the guild! Everyone went out there to help but they're beaten! Koyuki is still captured! The girls are statues! And they're gonna get hurt because we can't do a fucking thing about it!"
Makarov looked up at the panicking man, "Naruto-"
"Yeah, I know that." Natsu replied before grinning, "But you shouldn't worry so much. Everyone else is gonna get back up soon like they always do. And it's not like Laxus is actually gonna follow through with hurting any of the others."
Naruto, Happy, and Makarov stared at the Dragon Slayer in shock. Naruto shook his head in disbelief as Makarov walked up to Natsu, "Natsu, Laxus isn't joking this time. He wants to take over Fairy Tail."
"Nah." Natsu waved off the idea, "Laxus is always spouting off crap like that but this place is his home! He isn't really gonna do anything to wreck this place."
"How," Naruto shook his head, confused at the pink-haired man's belief, "How can you be so sure of that?"
"Well...Laxus is an asshole. Always has been the whole time I've known him." Natsu answered with a simple shrug, "But he's also been a part of this guild longer than most of us. This has been his home for years, and we've been his family. You weren't there Naruto but when Damnation was coming to attack and you and Hashirama-jiichan were missing, Laxus went out there to fight alongside Gildarts and Mahiro and Erza and Jii-chan. We argue with him a lot but that's just because we're so close. He's like the big brother we all get angry at sometimes. I thought you showed that more than anyone."
Natsu smiled reassuringly at the blond's stunned expression, "He might start a fight, but he's not actually gonna hurt Koyuki. And Lucy, Mira, Lisanna, Erza and the others aren't gonna get hurt either." He clapped the whiskered man's shoulder with a grin, "Plus he can't technically win unless he beats us too. So he's gonna have to come back here to fight us. And when he and the Raijinshū do, we'll be ready to win. So don't panic okay? We got this!"
...
"Pfft - hehehe." Naruto scoffed before actually chuckling. It stopped into a sad smile but he looked at Natsu with a tinge of hope and nodded, "Geez Natsu, and I thought I was a total idiot." Natsu frowned before he smiled at Naruto's chuckle, "Okay, I'll put my faith in your idea." He looked over towards the girls, "I bet they'd be mad if they saw me waste all my strength yelling and - Gajeel, the fuck are you doing?"
"Checking something out." The Dragon Slayer was walking over the stage and inspecting the petrified girls closely. He ended on Erza and looked her over critically before changing his hand to a long metal rod, "You think we can chisel them out?"
"Huh?"
"I mean they're covered in stone, right? Think we can just chisel them out."
Makarov palmed his face, "Oh my god."
"Oh I get it." Natsu knocked his fist into his palm, "That's actually pretty smart."
"No," Happy eagerly replied, "It's really not."
"You are not chiseling them out!" Naruto denied and made his way over to the stage, "They're not covered in stone, they are stone! You'll break them if you do that!"
"And how do you know that, Hunter? Ever been petrified before?"
"..."
"I thought so."
Naruto rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Gajeel, if you seriously try to chisel anyone of them out of their stone, I'm gonna-"
"Calm down, you jackass." Gajeel huffed and threw his arms out, "I just wanna do something because I'm bored-"
The guild went silent when Gajeel knocked Erza's statue over as it slammed onto the stage.
...
It went deathly silent when they heard a crack follow.
Happy blanked, "Oh shit."
"OH SHIT! OH SHIT! OH SHIT! OH SHIT!" Gajeel panicked, "I DIDN'T MEAN TO!"
"OH FUCK!" Naruto jumped on stage and immediately went to Erza's side as the cracks traveled over her form, "THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! NO WAY THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!"
"H-HOLD ON WE CAN FIX THIS!" Natsu jumped up as well, sweat pouring down his face as his hand went ablaze, "LET'S BURN IT SHUT!"
"YOU CAN'T BURN STONE SHUT, MORON!"
"HE'S RIGHT! HERE, SUPERHEAT MY HAND AND I'LL WELD THE CRACK!"
"OH MY FUCK!"
The cracks grew farther and wider. The boys panicked in absolute terror of what was about to happen. Naruto held her hand and called out her name-
Only for the rock to break away and reveal Erza in her prime form. The boys all froze in surprise as the scarlet-haired beauty blinked. Her dual-colored eyes blinked a few times before she sat up. The S-Class Mage looked herself over, pulling on her pageant outfit to see if everything was still together.
"Huh...I guess we did just need to chisel it away."
Erza stood up and rolled her neck and shoulders. The three boys stared up at her before she slowly looked back at them. They shivered at the look she was giving them...
"Who knocked me over?"
Natsu and Naruto slid away from Gajeel without a second thought.
"Oh you fucking bitches."
########Omake: In The Forest - 1########
"I really don't see why you had to volunteer us to take this useless task."
"It's not useless." She replied with a content smile at being able to assist her guild in whatever way she could, "The guild needs supplies and someone has to check if the supply cart dropped them off. Plus I love going out for a walk with you."
"If you say so." The sterner voice harrumphed as they continued to traverse the vast expanse of forest and woodland that comprised the Woodsea. She looked around for some kind of landmark before sighing, "Any idea how much further?"
"Um..." The nervous girl pulled out the map and looked at the destination. She beamed a smile, "It should be up ahead! A little more and - eep!"
They both ducked into a bush when they saw their guild's supply hut being raided by a group of men. The rough looking marauders dug into their supplies as one of them moaned, "So, can we call it a day yet?"
"No way!" Another replied and grabbed a handful of their corn, "I ain't heading back empty-handed! We'll be killed!"
"Not our fault we couldn't find what they asked us to look for. They don't know what it is and this place is huge!"
"Probably not gonna stop them from skinning us alive or feeding us to that damn snake!"
"W-who are they?" The girls ducked under the bush to avoid getting spotted.
"I'm not sure, but they're looking for something. We should make sure it isn't us."
"B-but the supplies-"
"Aren't going to mean anything if we get killed in the process of grabbing them."
"K-killed?"
"Now just step away silently-"
They stepped away from the bush but yelled in surprise when an animal came running out of the bush and startled them. They froze in horror when they realized the loud noise they made and looked towards the group of men-
Only to see them already charging towards them with weapons branded.
Oh no.
"RUN WENDY!"
########Hunter########
Done
I can't describe how good it is to finally finish this chapter. Very...complicated this process was.
But especially happy to bring that omake out. I'm very excited for the next arc...
Looking forward to that.
ReadxReview
Thank You and Bye