Titania and The Hunter

Chapter 56: Marcado por Errores

It's been so long but I needed to update. I've missed this, and I want to make things right. Consider this the first step, but I still have more to do. And I shall get it done...

What it takes...

Oh god now I'm just sadly humming the Avengers theme to myself. I don't wanna cry anymore!

########Hunter########

"Everyone, can you hear me?! What's happened?! Respond!"

"W-What is it? What's going on?" Lucy looked back at Hibiki in concern as she saw him furiously type away at the screens of his Archive. She saw the expression of fear and horror that crossed his face as he tried to comprehend what was happening to the others. Looking back down at the redhead laid across the ground with a pained expression as she took every breath, Lucy couldn't help but fret as well. The blonde took a deep breath and raised the blade Naruto had lent her over Erza's chest before channeling her magic, "Hibiki?"

"They just stopped moving along the radar." Hibiki noted as the blips on his map came to a halt, "It's possible they've intercepted the enemy and are engaging them in a fight right now."

"Are they okay?"

"They're still appearing on my Archive so they're alive. Please, if anyone can hear me, respond."

("Hibiki!")

"Ren!"

("We've made contact with one of the Oración Seis. The Lamia woman and I are engaging Angel at this moment. Eve has joined up with Lamia Scale's Maker Mage and is attempting to regain control of the Christina.")

"So we'll have our bomber back. That'd be useful." Hibiki smirked before typing away, "Natsu-kun? Gray-kun? Have you located Wendy-chan yet?"

("WRAAAAHHHHHH!")

("WRAAAAHHHHHH!")

Hibiki shirked away even though the message was in his head. He looked over and saw Lucy eyeing him oddly, "Um, your friends are screaming very loudly right now."

"No surprise there." She nodded in understanding, "Let's just assume that means they're okay."

("Hibiki-dono, I am currently facing a Mage under the Oración Seis' employ with Kichiyo. I am unsure how long this will take or if we are any closer to reaching Wendy-dono and Happy-dono.")

"Thank you, Jura-San. Naruto-San, what about you?"

"Tell him Erza is still breathing but they need to hurry."

"I'm trying to reach him but-"

"What is it?"

"He sounds...sluggish?"

########Hunter########

"URGH!" Naruto flew across the ground and tumbled in the dirt after he took the impact on his arms, "Shit, that hurt." He muttered under his breath as he quickly picked himself up and stared down the oncoming threat, "That all you got!"

"Not even close!" Racer raised his arms as a multitude of motorcycles and vehicles appeared around him. He brought his hand out and sent them rushing towards the whiskered Mage, "Dead Grand Prix!"

The magical motorcycles sped forward, tearing up rock and earth and everything in their way as they focused on Naruto. The Fairy Mage roared and charged forward to meet the oncoming vehicles before they could swarm him. He leapt up and vaulted off the seat of the closest motorcycle before jumping off them again and again. The S-Class Mage jumped and chambered his fist before flying down and striking one of Racer's vehicles, shattering it to pieces and scrap metal before it faded away.

The Dark Mage grit his teeth and yelled before swiping his hand around and causing his motorcycles to swerve around to charge the dual-eyed man. Naruto sensed the attack coming and covered his feet and fists in his Armor magic. He spun around and roared at the top of his lungs as he started throwing punches and kicks, his strikes shattering the motorcycles to pieces. When the magic vehicles started to grow in number and circle around him, the Fairy Mage realized how bad his position was right now.

"Do something!" Carla yelled from high above as she watched the fight from out of Racer's reach, "If he gets around you-"

"I know!" Naruto summoned his black blade from his Requip and held it at his side before drawing it in an instant, "Vacant Eye!"

The quick draw attack sliced the Dark Mage's vehicles to pieces around him before they could overwhelm him. However in the pandemonium of the shattered pieces of metal and engine, Racer dashed around the debris in the blink of an eye. He hid behind broken wheels and seats of wreckage before dashing into Naruto's blindspot.

The whiskered Mage knew his most vulnerable spaces would be the first place the speedster would attack, which is why he deliberately left them open. He spun around when he heard the ground rustle behind him and swung his sword. Racer lurched back and avoided the slice to his throat, trading his rush attack for a quick strike to the blond's chest instead. He flinched from the kick to his ribs, but smirked as he had the Dark Mage quickly retreating.

"Dammit." The long-nosed speedster cursed before waving out his arm, "High Side Rush!"

Naruto charged forward as his vision was blinded by an array of flying tires rushing towards him. He roared and started to slash or smack the tires away from him, "Is that all you got?! I was expecting more from one of the Oración Seis!" The blond weaved through the attacks with Racer's panicked form in his sight, "I can see your little tricks and attacks coming a mile away! If you tell me where you're keeping Wendy, I'll go easy on you!"

"Shut up you noisy bastard!" Racer increased the volume of his attack.

"Not enough!" Wind started to kick up around Naruto before he swiped out his hand, slicing apart the tires in his way and clearing a path, "You think just because you're fast that's enough to beat us! We'll keep getting up! We'll keep trudging forward! And give me enough time, my eyes will adjust, my senses focus," The Fairy Mage finally broke through to the other side and came down on a shocked Racer with his sword held high, "And I can catch you!"

The black sword flew down and the long-nosed man seemed to still in horror...

Before a smirk appeared on his face.

"Gear Change: Red Zone."

Naruto's sword flashed down in a blur of black, but hit nothing. Racer disappeared so quickly his form was almost suspended in place. And when Naruto's sword missed, the speedster reappeared to plant his foot in the blond's gut. Naruto gagged as he was blasted off his feet and sent flying.

"Hey!" Carla swept down out of the air and caught Naruto before he could land in the dirt again. She flew back up and kept flying away to keep Racer at a distance, "What happened?! What did he do?!"

Naruto flinched, "He got faster."

"But how? That speed was almost exponential compared to his initial movement! How did he-"

"I don't know! But we have to - LOOK OUT!"

Racer leapt off the ground and started to jump between the trees to gain height and chase after them. He launched himself off the tree and charged the man and cat before they could evade him. The Dark Mage spun and kicked at them, forcing Naruto to cradle Carla to his chest and take the attack on his back. They dropped back to the ground with Racer riding atop of Naruto's body as they dragged along the gravel, dirt, and ground. The Oración Seis member leapt off his body and spun through the air before landing in a crouch.

"H-Hey," Carla yelled in panic as she looked up at the whiskered blond, "A-Are you okay?!"

"You need to get out of here." Naruto whispered, his eyes hardened as blood slowly seeped from his lip and dribbled to the ground. Carla's eyes widened as she watched him in silence, shielding her from Racer's sight, "We're wasting our efforts both being here. I'll keep fighting this guy, and you fly out of here to look for Wendy and Happy."

"What?" Carla hissed, "What are you going to do?"

"I'll finish fighting him and catch up with you."

"What are you going to do, wait until his knuckles ache and try to rush him?!"

"Shut up." Naruto hissed in anger, matching the white cat's glare, "Finding Wendy and Happy is the priority, and getting them back to Erza is more important than anything. I can beat this guy-"

"Not likely from the looks of it."

"-but you don't need to fly around waiting for me. Now," Naruto snapped up, covered his hand in magic, and throwing a screaming Carla as hard as he could up into the air, "GO!" The moment he returned to his feet, he raised his guard and weathered the blinding blows that landed over his body. His feet dragged in the ground and he was forced back several feet before the barrage finally ended.

"Did you think just being tough and tenacious was going to help you win?" Racer slowly stepped forward with a cocky smile and chuckle at his opponent. Naruto lowered his arms and the Oración Seis member found himself being glared at with blue and brown eyes, but he continued to mock the Mage, "Doesn't really do much when I see you moving so slow it's like waiting for a statue to kick my ass. You might be able to take some punishment, and that's pretty impressive considering we all attacked you earlier, but a punching bag can only take so much. Hit a crack in the same place and it spreads out through the whole thing. Drop some water on a stone long enough and it makes a hole. I just need to keep hitting you…and you won't be able to take it anymore."

Naruto stood up, spitting some blood out to the side as wind started to pick up and lift his clothes and hair, "You're welcome to try. But you better hope I don't catch you when you lower your guard, because that'll be it."

"Oh trust me, you won't be catching me."

"Idiot." Carla fretted as the blond man started to swipe his hands around and release blades of razor sharp wind around him. But the speedster kept his distance and dodged the attacks before they could reach him. At least the moron was keeping a wide berth from the Dark Mage and not giving him a second to slip in. But did he think he was being brave or cool by making a statement like that and not even backing it up with anything?

The white cat frowned but shook her head, begrudgingly realizing he had a point as she was just wasting time watching them fight. Her wings flapped and Carla flew high into the air above the top of the Woodsea. The fight still raged on below her with the trees and forest being shredded to bits below by the attacks being thrown around so easily. They were both ludicrously powerful, and she felt quite uneasy being a part of their battle without offering anything to help in the Fairy's favor. But right now she could use her effort to try and locate Wendy faster before these monsters did anything to her.

Carla hovered high in the air and looked around, seeing the endless trees and forest that stretched out in every direction. If was difficult to see anything through the top of the trees, but she did see the plateaus and mountains that separated chunks of the forest and the craters in the ground that had small lakes and waterfalls. There was just so much it was impossible to guess where she would be.

The white cat grumbled to herself before turning and making her way back down to rejoin Naruto in his fight. She really did need his help if they were going to find-

…

"What?"

Naruto, now armed with his Wind Dragon sword, leapt off the ground and weaved a tempest around him that decimated everything in its path. He roared at the top of his lungs and swung his sword, sending the accumulated wind flying out in every direction. The rush of wind was so powerful that it tore the bark and wood off the trees around him, but the speedster outran the attack before leaping over it, "Is that all you have to offer, Hunter? Ha, I had heard stories about your ferocity and strength, but I'm getting bored here!" Racer mocked as he easily vaulted over the attacks and rushed his foe, "I might play around for a little bit longer, but sooner or later I'll get behind you and break your-"

"Raging Stream!"

A blue sword appeared in Naruto's hand from his Requip that he stabbed into the ground as a mighty wave of water formed around it. Racer slid to a stop and looked up at the oncoming wave before turning around and sprinting away. The water crashed down and washed away everything in the way of its violent torrent. Racer could easily outrun the oncoming wave, but when he realized just how far he was going to get he realized the error he was making. He clicked his teeth in irritation before leaping up and grabbing hold of a tree as the wave of water passed below him.

Racer's eyes widened in shock, looking up to see Naruto flying through the air right towards him with Wind gathered around his hand. The Dark Mage panicked and leapt off the tree as Naruto swiped and sliced it in half. With both men suspended in the air, Naruto twisted around midair and released a barrage of magical attacks up at his foe, "Knight's Crusade!"

Racer guarded himself but felt the powerful barrage of magical projectiles impact across his entire body. He grit his teeth through the pain before he dropped through the air. He bounced off the ground as Naruto landed and charged after him, "Can't move in the air, can you?!"

Racer finally picked himself up, bruises and blood over his body as he yelled and disappeared in a burst of speed, "Motor!" He appeared under Naruto, kicking up into his chin and sending a spray of blood out of his mouth, "No, but as long as I'm on the ground you're mine!"

The blond picked himself up, his blood boiling and anger rising beyond his control before he felt something fast slam into his back. He thought Racer had made his move again and prepared to retaliate before realizing Carla had returned and grabbed him, "What-"

"Come on!"

Carla pulled them both up over the trees before Racer could reach them again. She made sure to fly through a section of the forest they had already fought through, moving over the toppled trees and robbing the Dark Mage of any platforms for him to climb up. Once they were over the treetops the white cat let out a breath of relief, "We made it-"

"Dammit Carla he's still down there!" Naruto yelled, "We can't just leave the fight! If we try to search for Wendy while he's still around then he'll keep following us-"

"You're slow."

Naruto frowned, "He's just too fast. I'm usually the quickest guy in the room. And if you were saying I'm stupid-"

"You are stupid, but you were actually slow." The white cat interrupted as she motioned downward, "When I came up here trying to spot where they could be keeping her I looked down at your fight. Racer was moving at a fairly average speed while facing you, but you were slow. Unnaturally slow. You, the ground, the rocks - everything that was being moved or displaced around him was moving at an unnaturally slow speed." Naruto stared at her before his eyes widened, "He doesn't have any kind of Speed magic-"

"But he looks fast because we're being affected by his Slow magic." Naruto finished, he eyes narrowing before he frowned, "Oh that's pissing me off even more than when he was just faster than me."

"I think his magic affects a range around him. See." Carla motioned towards some birds that weren't far off that were moving at normal speeds, before the looked down and saw some wildlife move so slowly they almost looked frozen, "We're out of his range now, which means if we want to beat him we have to find a way-"

"Stay still."

"Huh?" Carla blinked before two blades appeared in his hands, a red saber and a brown cleaver, "What are you doing?"

"Ending this." Naruto reeled his arms back and gripped his swords tightly, "Hey Racer!"

The Dark Mage looked up and panicked as his foes moved outside of the range of his magic.

"You better run!" Naruto pulled the cleaver back before spiking it down, sending the blade rocketing towards the ground hard enough for it to pierce where it landed.

Racer stared at the cleaver imbedded in the dirt before he felt a powerful rumbling beneath his feet. The ground started to crack and sever around the center of the blade, before lifting up and separating from the tremors. After the rumbling was finished, the Dark Mage found the entire area now reduced to uneven land and fractured rock. He was robbed of his footing and would make running through here more difficult. But as long as he had his Slow magic-

The red blade followed next, flying down into the freshly made crevices and letting out a bright red shine. The red light flowed beneath the service of the cracked ground before a blast of fire flew out and an explosion erupted underneath the surface.

Racer was blown up into the air from the force of the explosion. He felt heat and flames rise up all around him, overwhelming his senses as he guarded himself. But he suddenly felt a powerful rush of wind start to pull in the smoke and heat around him as he looked up.

Carla had released Naruto and the blond remained floating in the air. Wind started to build up and gather around his feet so intensely that he could remain in the air with enough balance to crouch in place and aim down at the Dark Mage.

Racer's eyes widened in shock.

Naruto's gleamed in anger.

"Void Storm Step!"

With a thunderous explosion through the air Naruto leapt off the platform he made and slammed down into Racer's body while he was prone in the air. They slammed into the ruined earth, creating a large crater that released a shockwave powerful enough to blow away the smoke and flame.

Carla powered through the rush of wind running over her before opening her eyes to look down. She slowly descended down into the section of the Woodsea that had been destroyed in their battle. Flying just over the crater they had made, she looked down at the two men.

Naruto was panting for air, hunched over in the dirt with sweat coming down his face. Underneath him was Racer, a pained expression on his face and his sunglasses shattered from the force of the attack. The Dark Mage laid defeated in the center of the crater, a spiderweb crack stretching out from his spot in the center as he coughed up puke and blood after the impact to his body.

"You couldn't move in the air," Naruto said through his frantic breathing, "And that move makes me pretty damn fast. Only so much - *huff* - you could have done."

"D-Damn you." Racer coughed before gagging and spitting up whatever was in his mouth.

Carla lowered herself down, "Are you okay?"

"I don't usually slam into things with that move, but I think I've been doing it more recently than normal." Naruto huffed, "It made me dizzy."

"And all your injuries before probably didn't make that any better." Carla noted as she looked over the poor state of his clothing and the bruises she could see through its cuts, "Why don't you use that healing sword? You can make another one, right?"

"Only if the first one is destroyed." Naruto sat back on his feet and sighed, "And right now Erza needs it more than me."

"H-Hehehe," The two looked down at the beaten Dark Mage as he let out a strangled laugh, "I think you're just delaying the inevitable for Titania." Racer opened his eye and looked up at Naruto, "Why not just let her go?"

"You're too stupid to understand just how stubborn Erza is. And even if she wasn't being healed, she wouldn't die so easily from something like this." Before Racer could retort, Naruto grabbed his collar and violently yanked him up, "But what you said was enough to piss me off a few dozen times over. So do yourself a favor...and tell me where you took Wendy and Happy."

Racer coughed but smiled, "Am I supposed to be afraid of you? Doesn't work too well for someone so goody goody."

"Trust me man," Naruto spoke lowly, "You don't want to see me get scary."

Racer laughed, coughing through his pain before he closed his eyes, "My prayer...is to be...the fastest in the world...so no one could touch me...and I can move through the plane...boundless...but I suppose...I'll reach that prayer in my next life."

Fire.

Smoke.

Explode.

"He's got a bomb!"

Naruto heeded Carla's warning and tore the Dark Mage's jacket open to see his chest lined with explosive Lacrima. The blond quickly focused his chakra, covering his fingers in wind sharp enough to cut the fabric lining them across his shirt. He yanked them out, tossing them up into the air before grabbing Carla and covering her body with his.

The Lacrima exploded over their heads, setting the trees and bark on fire from the yield of the explosive. Carla cried out from the intense explosion as Naruto weathered through the shock. After a moment the shockwave ended and they were left in the wave of heat and smoke that remained.

Once the situation had settled, Naruto lifted his head and looked up at the trees lit ablaze by the explosion. He looked over to Racer, who looked defiant despite his injured state.

"So, now that you're little attempt to silent us is finished," Naruto growled, "Tell us where they are."

########Hunter########

Things were starting to finally come along in Brain's favor. They had Jellal Fernandes in their grasp, and by extension the key to activating Nirvana for themselves. They had found a capable healing Mage to cure him of his ailments and stir him out of his Etherion-induced coma. And the rest of the guild was taking care of any stragglers or survivors that fancied themselves heroes wanting to come and get in the way of their victory.

Once Jellal was awake and he led them to Nirvana, they would have control over its vast and unstoppable magical power. And once he had that in his hands, he could mold this world and all of its factors to his whim.

Corrupt the most pure of individuals.

Bathe the most heinous of monsters in a redeeming light.

Turn powerful and righteous Mages that kept the world under their thumb into criminals that would be hunted by the masses.

Change the evil and most vile of Mages, such as their fellow Balam Alliance allies, into weak and quivering fools if they ever decided to turn their attention on them.

With Nirvana they'd have every person, good or bad, strong or weak, easily swayed in the palm of their hand. And it was just moments away from being in his control. He was growing so anxious at Jellal's revival he felt like a young boy again celebrating his birthday.

"Ugh." Wendy moaned and stumbled on her feet as she steeled her position and made sure her hands didn't waver. The skin that had been flayed had healed back over and the blood loss would no longer be a factor. It would just take a little longer until the magic poisoning was fixed, "Almost there."

"Wendy, are you okay?" Happy asked in concern after he saw the younger girl get dizzy on her feet.

"I-I'm fine." The young Cait Shelter Mage tried to ease his worry even as she looked beleaguered by her efforts, "Don't worry about me."

"I can't not worry!" Happy said before turning around and looking over at Brain, "Hey!"

"Hmm?" The Dark Mage came out of his thoughts and looked down at the blue cat, "What is it?"

"You have to give her a break! She's exhausting herself!"

"She can rest after she's finished." Brain callously waved off his concern, "Looks like she's almost finished anyway. A little more of a push here at the end won't hurt anyone."

"She's just a little kid!"

"And she's our ticket to finding Nirvana and gaining our total control." Brain slowly stepped forward, making the blue cat step back in cautious fear as the dark-skinned man grinned, "No age difference or suspected cruelty is going to hinder our chances of reaching our goal. We've come this far, and come so close...nothing will get in our way."

"You..." Happy glared at the Dark Mage before blinking, "What's wrong with your face?"

Brain stood back up and slowly touched his face, trying to discern what-

One of the black bars lining his face slowly started to fade away.

He realized only five lines remained to mark his features.

"No." He muttered, eyes wide in shock before he grit his teeth. The Dark Mage tossed his cane up and grabbed it by the end before swinging it down and over.

"GAH!"

"HAPPY!" Wendy cried out as the blue cat was viciously swatted aside by the Oración Seis master, "Why-"

"Hurry up!" Brain roared. Wendy flinched in fright and focused back on the task at hand as the larger man glowered down at her.

If one of the Oración Seis was taken out, that meant there was a chance - however infinitesimal it could be - that their plan was in danger.

Which meant he no longer had the luxury to just sit back and bask in his victory. There was a time table now.

########Hunter########

Danzo Tobita considered himself an extremely capable and skilled fighter, if he was willing to allow himself that kind of vanity. Years of training in the silent arts and enough experience as an assassin had given him some confidence in his abilities. As well as being named the head of the Mercenary Guild, Death's Head Caucus, after it had been decided that their previous leader was unfit to lead. And he believed he had done a good job of it so far. He wasn't the best leader, but when you were in charge of a bunch of morally dubious mercenaries with barely a shred of loyalty in their bodies, you considered yourself somewhat capable when none of them had taken the initiative to stab you in the back.

He'd chalk that up to taking good jobs that ended quite lucratively for everyone involved. One of their more recent jobs came with fantastic benefits and a very generous payment. Of course the risk of the job was quite high, having to survey a dangerous magical energy system tall enough to cut the clouds and waiting for the perfect opportunity to apprehend a Wizard Saint. And at the end of it his most capable group of mercenaries were beaten and less than their normally confident selves.

That's why when the Oración Seis came around again to offer the job of surveying the Woodsea for an ancient magic weapon, he had opted to take the job himself instead of dragging his best along with him. He didn't expect much from this job other than maybe some wild animals and boredom looking for something that couldn't be found.

Unfortunately boredom was nowhere to be seen, and now he found himself faced with another Wizard Saint and his odd sentient rock pet.

Why was he cursed with such piss poor luck?

Danzo decided to compartmentalize those feelings and instead smirked down at his foes. He slowly raised his hand up, letting light slipping between the branches reflect and shine off the thin garrote wire connected to his hand. He let out a quick laugh before whipping his hand out and down, sending the tips of the sharp wire flying downwards from where he stood.

Jura instantly recognized the attack that was coming and jumped back before it could reach. They pierced the ground he once stood on before spreading outward, slicing through the earth easily enough to make it look like hot butter.

Kichiyo did not recognize the attack coming towards them and had two wires pierce into his shoulder and chest. He looked back at Jura, "JURA, YOU OKAY?! YOU'RE ACTING A LITTLE JUMPY!" The wires in his body sliced out and carved out his chest and completely severed his arm, "DAMMIT, I JUST PUT THAT BACK!"

Jura stomped his foot and swung his fist up in front of him, causing large slabs of rock to jettison up and uproot the tree the mercenary stood on. He stumbled atop the branch and caught his balance before the tree was violently thrown out of the dirt.

Danzo fell through the air as splinters and branches fell from the sky with him. He dropped towards Jura and realized as he approached that the bald Mage had not dropped his guard, keeping his stance and preparing for any battle. The ninja smirked as he realized the Wizard Saint hadn't gained that title for nothing.

Swinging his arms across his chest, he tightened the wires that were tied between the trees beneath him and landed on the wire like he was stood upon air. With a wave of his hands another set of garrote swung out and carved through the ground towards Jura. The mighty Mage raised many spire between him and the wires but they quickly fell after being shredded apart.

Jura cracked the ground and created a crater that he fell into while the garrote swung over his head. With a loud grunt he threw a punch upwards, sending dozens of rocks flying through the air with his Earth magic directly at Danzo.

The ninja swiftly dodged the oncoming projectiles, leaping off the wire and dropping through the air while diving between the flying rubble. Manipulating his Wire magic around him, he curved a garrote string underneath him and landed on it weightlessly. He started to grind down the wire, the soles of his shoes causing sparks to fly as he did before he reached the end and went flying off the side.

Jura raised his guard as the ninja came flying towards him. He raised another pillar with his Earth magic that the ninja was going to smash into if he did not stop. But Danzo yanked down and pulled himself up with his wires, skimming along the top of the pillar before clearing over it and falling back down towards Jura.

The Wizard Saint stepped aside as Danzo landed in a crouch and spun around to ensnare Jura in his wires. Jura jumped back and continued retreating in order to put some distance between him and the mercenary. He raised more spires of rock and Danzo shredded them apart in his dash forward.

The wires shined around them both as Jura charged in to meet his foe head-on. He threw a wide and powerful hook for the ninja's head but Danzo slipped under him. The shaggy-haired man jumped off the ground as it sprouted up at his feet and spun, spiking several kunai at Jura's exposed back. The bald Mage turned around with surprising speed and knocked the blades out of the air.

This gave Danzo the chance to strike; leaping over the Wizard Saint's head as his wires trailed behind him. The assassin landed behind the Lamia Mage, Jura realizing that the garrote wire was raised behind him in layers. He narrowed his eyes and caused an explosion of Earth magic that hit and lobbed against the garrote wire, causing it to lose its tension and slump through the air. But the brave Mage reached out to one thin filament covered in dirt and mud and gripped it tightly in his hand.

Danzo looked back in surprise when he saw Jura not only make his strike ineffective but grab one of his wires as well. The stern Mage looked back at the assassin and leveled a bone-chilling glare at him while still gripping the wire. It started to cut into his hand and leave a small trail of blood down its length along with the dirt it accumulated. The scraggy ninja chuckled, "You know if I just give that a quick little tug, it might just slice through your fingers completely. That would be an awful thing to live with for the rest of your life. Well, I'm trying to make sure that isn't a very long period of time anyway, but it really would suck."

"Considering the enormity of the task at hand and what is at risk, it feels conceited and foolish to worry about the loss of just a few fingers." Jura stated, his voice firm and unyielding as he had resolved himself at the idea of sacrificing his appendages to complete his goal. He narrowed his eyes, "Can you truly say you are onboard with whatever their plan is?"

"Honestly, can't say one way or the other because I don't know what they're doing. Some slight whispers and quiet mumblings through the vines but nothing concrete. Everyone here is only participating because they know going against a force like the Oración Seis would be suicide for them." Danzo smirked, "Or doing it for a big profit like me."

"You would help them reach their nefarious goals simply for money?"

"If it's not one stupid little cult trying to accomplish their dastardly, apocalyptic dreams then it's another. Seriously, you should have seen my last job. Crystal tower to resurrect dead people and everything." Jura's eyes narrowed and his expression grew colder before Danzo gave an easy chuckle, "I guess that doesn't really click with a guy like you, huh? You seem like the straight-laced kind of dude. I doubt you or I would get along but I must admit I'm surprised by your conviction. But even so-"

Danzo's other hand pointed over his shoulder at Jura's back as a wire jetted out from along his fingers. Jura jerked aside and avoided the sharp attack that threatened to pierce through his face. The Wizard Saint rushed forward, pulling the wire with him in an attempt to yank Danzo off his feet and momentarily gain the upperhand on him.

The assassin panicked and released his hold on the wire before dashing away. Jura raised a pair of rock tendrils by his side before sending them out to chase after Danzo. The Death's Head Caucus master evaded and dashed around the Earth magic attacks that relentlessly chased after him. He dove behind a tree but the tendrils or rock and dirt made quick work of it, shredding it to splinters in an instant to reach their target.

Only to find nothing behind them.

Jura stood up carefully as his rock tendrils shattered apart and rained down in dust and rubble beside him. The Lamia Mage stood quietly as everything went deathly silent and still around him. A slight breeze traveled between the trees and wafted over him for a few seconds. And when it did his ears perked up as he heard something different...

He could hear the quiet sound of taut metallic wires straining and shaking against the wave of wind running over it.

Jura narrowed his eyes and slowly turned around to survey the area around him. The ninja had set up wires between all the trees in an instant. They weren't along the ground or space above it, but the skyline above was blocked and each tree was tied together with a wire.

If he used one of his more powerful attacks he could shred through the wires that were keeping him here. But he had a sinking feeling that they hadn't been set there to bind him in place.

"It truly is a shame that you have decided to pursue such a wicked and deplorable profession. If you had used these abilities and skills for the purpose of helping others, I have no doubt you would have been a powerful and magnificent ally."

"I appreciate the flattery but these skills were taught and perfected for the sole purpose of killing others. Wouldn't be much of a mercenary or assassin if they were used for something else. And while the praise of my abilities from a Wizard Saint is a badge I'll wear proudly for the rest of my life-"

Something launched off one of the tightly strewn wires at blinding speeds and straight at Jura. He narrowly moved his head before whatever it was could hit him. A kunai was buried down to the hilt in the dirt, and blood erupted from the gash it had left on his cheek.

"The fame your death will give me will be far more rewarding."

Wires started to shake again and again as Danzo jumped off one which catapulted him into another. The continuous gain of speed and momentum as he ricocheted from point to point had made him practically invisible. And each time he traveled from point to point he tossed another kunai at blistering speeds.

Jura tried to evade each attack that came his way, stepping out of their path or knocking them out of the air. When he did, they still left small cuts and lacerations on his body. He also raised pillars of rock to protect himself, but when enough kunai hit them they shatter to pieces and left him vulnerable.

After nearly a full minute the onslaught of blades halted and left Jura to stand in the remains. Cuts littered his entire body and drew blood, along with a stray kunai lodged in his shoulder or back. Even so, the Wizard Saint refused to budge or falter despite his wounds.

"You should think about making your move, otherwise I'm just killing a helpless man here." Danzo's voice echoed through the trees, obscuring his exact location from Jura's senses, "You're a Wizard Saint after all. Your end shouldn't be so pitiful."

Jura remained silent, refusing to answer.

Danzo stared down at him quietly before sighing to himself. He poked his head out of the shadow of a tree and flicked his wrist, bringing another knife to his fingers before tensing up, "If this is really how you want to end it, then-"

"Now!"

"WRAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

Kichiyo charged forward, recovered and back in one piece as he barreled through the trees. The rock golem reduced the mighty forest to nothing more than splinters and shards. They toppled over with their trunks destroyed, crashing into the ground without pause. Their sudden drop strained the wires between them and yanked them down. Danzo panicked and leapt off the wires once he realized his intricate web was falling apart.

Jura yelled and swiped his finger up at Danzo during a moment when he was vulnerable. The ground exploded and sent a massive amount of rubble and rocks at the prone ninja. The Death's Head Caucus swiped at the oncoming projectiles and shatter most of them with his knives. However they still impacted against his arms and lower torso and knocked the wind out of him.

Jura met him on his descent down before he could react. The Lamia Mage yelled and slammed his bicep into the mercenary's sternum, robbing him of breath for an instant before sending him crashing into the dirt. Danzo was left gasping for air on the cracked ground as Jura stood over him.

"G-Good move." Danzo panted, "The statue doesn't have a presence or magic - gah - s-so I cant even sense him. I thought if I was fighting a Wizard Saint, you would have been able to kill me faster if you tried. But you were just distracting me, huh?"

"I think the same could be said to you." Jura yanked a kunai out of his shoulder and dropped it to the ground, "I am sure you had more than ample chance to end my life with one quick slash."

"Well...where'd be the fun in that?"

"WE DID IT JURA! TOOK ME A WHILE TO PIECE MYSELF BACK TOGETHER BUT IT ALL WORKED OUT!" Kichiyo came back to join his comrade after their victory. The massive golem threw his arms up and cheered victoriously, even though he was covered almost completely in twigs and leafs. He looked down at the beaten ninja, "I HAD TO WRECK ALL THIS STUFF JUST TO TRY AN CATCH YOU! YOU'RE LIKE A GRASSHOPPER! OR THAT SQUIRREL I WAS CHASING THAT ONE TIME!"

"So much collateral." Jura muttered darkly before bending down on his knees. He knelt down by his defeated foe, "I understand you are a professional, so I doubt asking you for any information will be very useful."

Danzo chuckled, "I'm hired to kill people, not keep secrets or information. But unfortunately I don't have much to offer." He flinched at the pain in his chest before calming down and looking at Jura, "All I know is that when they have this Nirvana magic for themselves, no one will be able to stand in their way. As they said it...who they face and what they do will be decided on their whim."

...

"OMINOUS!"

########Hunter########

Cobra flinched and rubbed his ear as another yell from Kichiyo started bouncing around in his ears like an echo chamber. His eyes twitched as he snarled, "I swear to god I'll find a way to kill a rock and murder that fucking mud pie."

Cubellios hissed beside him and he gently stroked her chin before continuing to walk around, "Well that goddamn merc wasn't any help at all, but I'm glad Brain didn't decide to tell him anything. I might have had to jump in and kill him if he said another word, and that would put me in the way of that Wizard Saint. No fucking thanks." The burgundy-haired Dark Mage closed his eyes and perked his ears, "Now let's see..."

Cobra focused as his hearing made everything clear and acted as a radar across a good portion of the Woodsea.

Hoteye was still holding off those two Mages, and they were about to lose their shit if the sound of their screaming was anything to go off.

Angel was playing with her food, and being the dumb cocky bitch she was born to be. It sounded like she was fighting with two people at the moment, and maybe a third was coming their way? Don't know. Don't care.

Those extras were having a ball on that stolen ship from Blue Pegasus. He swore when this was all over he was going to take that thing for a joyride.

Cobra's eyes shot open when he heard something whiz through the sky at ridiculous speeds. The direction they were heading towards sent a cold chill through his gut as he realized they were on a path to their hideout. He turned to rush over-

Before he heard something from their base as well. The Dark Mage stopped for a moment before he considered what was happening.

On one hand Brain could be in trouble...

On the other...this was his chance to follow along and see what happens.

########Hunter########

Moments earlier

Wendy panted as she fell to her knees and desperately sucked in air. The effort she had made was straining, but it was the fact her heart had been hammering in her chest and robbing her of air that was causing her to falter.

"Wendy!"

Happy was quickly at her side and checking over her to see if she was okay. She spoke through her heavy breath, "I-I'm okay. This didn't hurt me. I-It's just-"

There was a loud thud beside her as the body fell from its confines and slammed into the ground. Wendy panicked and looked over to see if she had done something wrong. Brain stepped forward as well, wary that his plan could spiral out of control because the boy hadn't survived his recovery.

But they were both proven wrong when he started to stir and move on the cave floor. His hand came up to tightly grip his head through his blue hair and a pained, uneasy groan. With careful movement he placed his hands and feet on the ground to lift himself up. Once he was standing on his own feet he stumbled on them almost deliriously before catching his balance. Slowly he stood back up to full height and stayed silent as he looked around.

A dark cave.

A coffin.

A boy on a flying carpet.

A smiling old man with a skull cane.

And a young girl and her cat.

Wendy stared up at the half-naked figure standing over her as he looked back into her eyes. They widened in relief to see him alive and well, but quickly welled up with tears as she realized what she had done. A rasping gasp and shudder escaped with her sob as she curled up and wept to herself.

Brain stepped forward and chuckled heartily at the man before him, "Jellal...so glad to see you among the land of the living again. How do you feel?"

Jellal took deep, shaky breaths as he looked at his surroundings once more. He looked lost, dazed, confused, and the unfamiliar surroundings weren't helping his comprehension.

"Hehe, I see you must be feeling quite lost right now." Brain said as he approached his former disciple, "Your experiment with Etherion ended quite poorly, unfortunately. Your designs and planning were immaculate, still the perfectionist and genius I remember, but there were a few unfortunate variables you weren't able to plan for." The Dark Mage made a vile grin, "Fortunately those pesky variables are in the area right now, trying to stop our plans as well. Along with some other uppity fools. If you'd like you can take your revenge on them, but in return I require some assistance finding Nirv-"

Jellal swiped his hand out and exploded Brain and the ground he stood on. The portion of the cave he stood on collapsed around him from the force of the magical blast and Wendy and Happy screamed from the rush of gravel and dust over them.

Jellal silently stared at the destruction he had caused with a flick of his hand. He then turned around and looked over at Midnight, who was not even stirred by the attack he had been so close to. And finally Jellal turned to the girl and cat still crouched on the ground. Happy was quick to stand up and put himself between the former Wizard Saint and the Cait Shelter Mage.

Wendy...she looked up at the man with a slew of emotions on her face. She was filled with fear and regret and shame for what she had done, knowing the things he had done and risked and still helping because of her foolish debt. Her breath hitched as she waited for him to do something...

Only for Jellal to casually walk away and out of the cave. He hadn't said a word since his revival, and felt no need to deal with those two the same way he had Brain.

A few minutes after he was gone, Happy gathered enough clarity of thought to realize this was their chance. Brain was done, Midnight was sleeping, Jellal had left, and the rest were nowhere to be seen. He turned and nudged the girl's arm, "Wendy, we have to go."

"H-Huh?"

"This is our chance. We have to leave before any of them can come back. Come on!" The blue cat yanked on her arm and pulled her out of the cave as quickly as he could. He looked around as Wendy got up on her feet, "I think we're safe-"

"N-No."

Wendy muttered in terror as Happy looked up at her. He followed her gaze up in the air to see a figure cutting through the sky straight towards them. Happy's wings popped from his back, spreading out his paws and preparing to protect the young Dragon Slayer from whatever attacked them next.

"Wendy! Happy!"

Naruto landed a few feet away from them with Carla on his back to help him fly. The blue cat and young Mage looked shocked by his arrival. But before they could say anything he dashed over to them, wrapping his arms around them and clutching them close to his chest, "Hang on! Carla, you too!"

With a powerful jump Naruto leapt off the ground, cracking the rock beneath him from the force of his leap as he cleared the trees. Wendy hugged into his chest as wind rushed over her rapidly while they reached the top of their arc. They came back falling down and Naruto jumped between the trees, halting his descent as he reached the ground and landed safely. When he did he put Wendy and Happy down and turned around in preparation to fight anything that followed them.

"Wendy!"

"Carla!" The white cat jumped off the blond's back and into the arms of her charge. Wendy hugged her best friend closely to her chest and refused to let go as the reunion was enough to quell the panic and worry that filled her mind moments ago.

"Naruto!" Happy flew up and hugged Naruto, diving into his chest with little tears in his eyes, "I-I-I was so scared! I-I knew Natsu and you and everyone were going to come help us, but-"

"I'm sorry it took us so long. We're trying to handle the Oración Seis and their people while looking through this overgrown forest. Are you okay?" Naruto noticed the bruises and blood on Happy's lip, "What the hell did they do to you?"

"Nothing much. Nothing I couldn't handle." The blue cat said bravely with a laugh, "They wanted to make Wendy do something for them."

"Shit." Naruto knelt down and faced the young girl who was still harrowed by her experience, "Wendy, are you hurt? If they did something then I can try to fix you up-"

"I-I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. It's okay-"

"No." Wendy shook her head defiantly and looked up at the older man, tears filling her eyes and spilling down her cheeks already, "I-I'm sorry, Naruto-San. I-I couldn't do it. I-I couldn't let him die." She wept, leaving Naruto scared and confused by her apology before she whimpered, "I-I-I k-know what he did to you a-and Erza-San, a-a-and what he was going to do, a-and I should have just left him but I couldn't. I-I couldn't let him die."

Naruto looked down at the kneeling girl in confusion before he looked up at Happy. The blue cat was looking down sadly before meeting his mismatched eyes-

"They had Jellal. He was sick. And they made Wendy heal him so they could find Nirvana. He left just a little before you arrived to help us."

…

Naruto's eyes slowly widened as what he heard finally registered in his mind. He looked between the blue cat and the girl bent over on the ground crying while Carla hugged her shoulder. Finally Naruto turned back and looked in the direction they had retreated from. Jellal was in that direction…

…

"Wendy." Naruto turned back to the younger girl and held her shoulders, lifting her up slowly so he could see her face. The tears had already made her eyes raw red and she looked so ashamed by what she had done. He pulled down his sleeve to cover his hand and gently wiped the tears from her eyes, "Erza was poisoned during the fight and she's in a lot of pain right now. She's holding out but I don't know for how much longer. Can you fix her?"

Wendy sniffled and rubbed her eyes, "I-I think I can. B-But Jellal-"

"We can handle Jellal and whatever else the Oración Seis tries to throw at us. But Erza needs you right now, and you're the only one that can save her. So please help her."

Wendy caught her breath and gave as firm a nod as she could as Carla grabbed her back and lifted her off the ground. They flew off in the direction they knew Hibiki was stationed with Erza.

Naruto stood up, "Hibiki, can you hear me?"

("I'm here.")

"We found Wendy and Happy, and we're coming back to you to help Erza."

("That's fantastic news!")

"Yeah, but we might have just made things a lot more difficult for us with this Nirvana crap. I'll tell you when I get back." Naruto stopped and looked back once more in the direction they had come from.

Happy flew down beside him, "Naruto?"

"I'm fine. We need to head back and reconvene first." He smiled at the blue cat, "Mind giving me a lift?"

"Aye sir!"

########Hunter########

The first thing was a flash of pain through his head as he was reminded of the light. The blinding, all-encompassing light that swallowed him whole. When the light finally subsided he found himself scrounging around in the dirt in a place he didn't recognize. A place he didn't remember.

He didn't remember anything as he soon realized.

The man that had been talking to him set off something in his mind that told him he needed to get away. And when he swung out his hand he did something that floored that dangerous man and gave him enough time to leave. And there was a girl there, being protected by a cat.

She looked…so terrified of him. So afraid of whatever it was he was going to do.

Did he do something?

Did he hurt someone?

His thoughts were a jumbled mess, and any hope of deciphering them was simply a fever dream. His life – his past and everything that defined him – was lost in that same white light that swarmed him not that long ago.

But from that blinding light were things he could not describe or comprehend.

Something in this forest that needed to be hidden away forever…

A yellow shadow…

And a red light.

########Hunter########

Done

Sorry for such a long break between updates. I don't know what happened, but I kinda lost track of time.

ReadxReview

Thank You and Bye