Author's note

And I'm back, and as promised there is plenty of action in this one.


The Greyhound Part 3: War of the Mind

Chapter 24

"Wow, your mom sounds like a… really interesting person," Cana commented.

The card mage and Kinzo had been walking for some time, growing closer and closer to her home. An apartment complex called Fairy Hills where a lot of girls from the guild set up shop. The housing was for women only though which meant he would be dropping her off at the front gate.

"She was a hard woman to get along with, that's for sure, but I owe her a lot. And she loved me in her own, somewhat misguided, way."

"How do you mean?" she asked him.

Looking down he met her eyes "She knew how dangerous this world was, and wanted me to be prepared. She taught me how to fight, how to survive, how to handle myself in a world that was out to get me. You don't do that for someone you don't care about."

Well, I suppose that's true.

She could see the entrance to her gated dorm only a couple hundred feet ahead of them but there was still so much she wanted to ask him. And he was being particularly open now compared to their first meeting, so she didn't wanna miss out on the chance to hear more.

But she only had time for maybe one more question, and there was definitely one on her mind.

"Hey, Kinzo, why do a lot of the people from Team Natsu always look so cautious around you? I mean Natsu himself seems pretty relaxed, but Lucy is always scared when you're around. Not to mention the way Erza was watching you like a hawk. And even Mira looks at you like you're a menace sometimes."

Haah, how to answer?

"... Team Natsu and Fairy Tail's S-class are privy to some of my personal information. And knowing what they know it would be strange to me if they weren't cautious. Erza and even Gray's more recent looks of distaste at my presence… make sense as far as I'm concerned."

"I don't get it though, sure you can be a little obnoxious or even stuck up when dealing with other people. But is your past really that bad? I mean you've been more than polite to me-"

"Cana." He cut in with force.

"Let's get one thing straight, I am not a good person. I'm not sure how you view me but you need to fix any kind of false images of me you have in your head. I'm not a good guy and I'm not surprised they see me the way they do."

"...? Ah, I see."

As she relented they stepped up to the gate and she knew this was where the conversation ended.

Moving through the entrance she said back to him "Well this is my stop."

With a nod, he turned to move away "Good night then."

As she moved to the other side she pulled out the metal card he'd given her. Tracing the Queen of Heart's symbol with her finger before making a decision.

"Hey Kinzo," she said before he got too far away.

Looking back they met eyes again.

"It's because of my dad."

… what?

"You asked me why I wanted to learn Crash Magic. It's the magic my dad uses."

He just kept looking at her "That's as good a reason as any." he said before turning away once more.

"Good night Cana," he called back while walking toward his own resting place.

"Good night Kinzo." a small smile dancing on her face.


He'd walked another mile in the direction of his campsite. All it really consisted of was a flat piece of dirt next to the local lake where he could set up some canvas to sleep on. It wasn't much but it was better than a lot of the places he'd slept over the years.

Honestly any time he considered complaining about his sleeping arrangement, he would just think about his time in Alvarrez and how difficult Dimaria made it to sleep at all. Her insistence on picking fights constantly put him on edge, and Chronos always encouraging her to stay close to him only made things worse. Of course, Brandish did nothing to help, seeing the whole situation as somewhat comical. All that to say he didn't get much sleep while in the 'Spriggan' Empire

Haah, he really didn't wanna think about that... her right now though. And so his stroll through the moonlit streets continued. Until he picked up on an unnerving smell.

Turning his head to the east he saw a large park. From it came two very distinct, very potent scents. The first was iron; the smell was practically assaulting his nose. Honestly, he wouldn't be surprised to find a blacksmith in that direction with just how heavy it was.

But if it was just that he would have kept walking. No, the second scent is what gave him pause. Along with the odor of metal, there was the unmistakable presence of blood. The smell was so strong he could almost taste the copper.

That was what concerned him, and that was what made him move forward.

He didn't have to search long before finding the source of blood, and he did not envy those he found.

Three people. Two males, one female. All crucified to a large tree several feet off the ground.

The sound of their groans touched his ears.

The fact that they weren't completely unresponsive yet told him this was just done to them. And whoever put them up there was likely still nearby.

Sharpening his senses he picked up on the sound of nearly silent breathing coming from a thicket of bushes to his left.

He wasted no time in throwing a dagger at it and heard a 'clanking' sound as it struck.

He'd definitely hit something.

A dark mass removed itself from the leaves, stepping into the moonlight.

"Gihihi! How did you know I was there?" Came the assailant's chuckling voice while he twirled the dagger in his hand.

The man he saw was unique, to say the least. And by unique he meant it looked like the guy had just walked out of a 'Hot Topic'.

Everything he wore was black. Long jagged black hair that reached his low back. Black gloves, black boots, black belt. Not to mention the black shirt, tunic, cape thing he was wearing. He would give the guy credit for the white pants though.

And as if the solid black wasn't bad enough, everything was studded too. The shirt, his gloves, his collar. Everything screamed 'punk-rock' in the worst possible way.

Sadly the studs didn't stop there. Instead of just leaving it in his clothing this guy decided he wanted large portions of his skin to be covered in metal as well.

Now I could take the time to explain where each individual piercing is to really show you how extra he was, but I think this captures the problem just as well:

He doesn't have eyebrows!

Yes apparently having eyebrows wasn't edgy enough so what did he decide to do? Why replace them with face piercings of course.

All that to say, Kinzo's first impression was… well he wasn't impressed.

"Hm? Not the talkative type huh?" the man asked him.

"Can I assume you're from whatever group attacked Makarov's guildhall last night?"

"Hehe! Gajeel Redfox of Phantom Lord, at your service." the now-named Gajeel said with a mocking bow.

"I didn't ask for your name."

"Gihihi, I gotta say. You're surprisingly calm for someone whose friends are strung up like that." The Phantom mage retorted.

"... You're making a lot of assumptions right now."

Gajeel just watched him quizzically "You don't care about them?"

"Not particularly."

"He, hehe, Hahaha!" the man roared "You know I was about to nail you up there with them, but just for that I'm gonna let you go hahaha!" The delinquent took his eyes off Kinzo for just a moment while he laughed, but when he tried to lock gazes again his face contorted in surprise.

The boy was gone.

In the next moment, he felt a heavy blow strike his face causing him to lose his footing and slide back against the dirt.

"Like I said. You're making a lot of assumptions."

Just because he didn't care about these three didn't mean he was just gonna leave them there. He needed to stay on Makarov's good side after all.

"Alright buddy, you just made the biggest mistake of your life!" Gajeel told him while taking a fighting position. This guy got lucky with that last hit, but he wouldn't be so careless this time.

Kinzo took in his opponent and decided to end this little fight in as few moves as possible. So forging a sword in his hand he cast Conversion Leap and took off at breakneck speed ready to cleave this fool's head from his body.


Gajeel was ready this time. He wouldn't be taken by surprise again. He was ready, prepared for anything he might try- "HOLY SHIT, HE'S FAST!"

He lost track of the man as soon as he started to move. He must have known some kind of Speed Magic. Regardless, his eyes were working overtime trying to track him.

His peripherals caught movement to his right, and turning his head like lightning he found himself face to face with a sharp sword heading straight for his neck. Shit! He couldn't block that, it was already too close, and dodging was just as improbable.

"Damn it, think Gajeel think! What do I-... I'm an idiot." As the blade was only inches from him, the punk could only smile before opening his mouth and chomping down.


"Did this fucker just-?" looking at his sword Kinzo found it to be broken in two. The first half was still in his hands, but the second half was-

*Crunch*

-being eaten… What the hell?

"Hahaha, thanks for the meal!" Gajeel cackled at him.

Kinzo was preparing for another strike almost immediately. "Alright if taking your head off doesn't work maybe I can lob off your torso."

"Metal-Make: Shifting Blade." The ax formed in his hands and he shot forward again, this time aiming for the man's chest. The iron dragon didn't even bother trying to block.

The massive cleaver grew closer and in the next second made contact with his target. This was the end.

"Iron Dragon's Scales!"

*Clank!*

As his ax struck, Gajeel in fact was not cut in half. He was merely pushed back, his boots just sliding across the ground. Taking another look at the man, Kinzo noticed that his skin didn't look like skin anymore. Instead appearing like scally metal.

He briefly reflected on the spell he heard the man cast only seconds earlier and everything clicked. "Another dragonslayer… great."

"Hahaha! You really had me goin there for a second, but now it's hopeless. Nothing gets past a Dragon's Scales!" The slayer boasted.

"Heh, we'll see about that." Make no mistake that armor was gonna make things tricky and the fact that he could eat his weapons made things even more difficult, but he had a few ideas he wanted to try out.

Pulling out his revolver he flipped it to the third chamber and aimed at the ground. Squeezing the trigger and closing his eyes, hearing Gajeel's pain-filled cry was all he needed. The flashbang had gone off without a hitch and now the 'dragon' was flying blind.

For the plan he had in mind he needed the slayer angry, and what better way to do it than wailing on him.

"Metal-Make: Black Mace!" Pulling back the giant club he shot forward slamming it into the side of his opponent's face. The impact did little in terms of damage but absolutely succeeded in pissing Redfox off.

"You bastard, when I get my hands on you- KuGh!" the mace struck his chin, launching his head back.

"I'll Kill yo-" SMACK against his back.

"You Fuc-!" Clip a knee, causing him to stumble.

"You're Dea-!" Strike his gut.

"Graaaaaagh!" hearing the roar Kinzo distanced himself and pulled out his revolver once more, just waiting for what he knew would come next.

Finally, fuckin finally Gajeel's sight returned to him. He'd been flying blind for what felt like minutes because of all the hits he had to take, but now was the time to even the score.

The prick he was dead set on breaking in two at this point was right in front of him, and his anger demanded he strike right now. So with a rage-induced battle cry, he shot forward.

"IRON DRAGON'S SWORD!" Forming a massive blade that took the place of his arm, he started to swing. And as he grew closer to his target the edges of the blade started to spin, grinding against each other like a chainsaw.

"Now Dieeee!"

As the weapon tried to tear into him all Kinzo had to do was a quick sidestep. The brutish blade cracked the earth and tore into the ground but it missed him. Gajeel's surprised gaze and gaping mouth were great to see and exactly what he was looking for.

Taking his gun he wasted no time in cramming the barrel into the armored man's open mouth.

"Guys like you are pretty tough on the outside, but I've always wondered… Are you as durable on the inside?"

Panic flashed across the dragon's face, but it was far too late.

*BANG!*


Mirajane was lying in bed enjoying one of her favorite books, well enjoying it as much as she could. Elfman's snores were coming through the wall separating their rooms and distracting her a fair bit. But I suppose she couldn't complain too much, her clock read 11:42 P.M. after all. Realistically she should have gone to bed some time ago.

With a sigh she set the book down, she was in the middle of a chapter but it would have to wait until tomorrow. Reaching over and turning off her lamplight she pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes.

*Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock*… and she couldn't sleep. Sitting up in her now dark room she gripped her hair in frustration. How was she supposed to sleep with everything that was going on?

Phantom Lord attacking was bad enough, but now she had to worry about Master's decision to keep Kinzo around. Not to mention he went off to God knows where with Cana alone for an entire day. She was gonna take some time tomorrow and explain to the girl why she shouldn't be spending any more time around him. Uhhh the whole situation just made her worry.

*BANG!*

Her head shot up. What was that?

She jumped out of bed in no time flat. Walking down the hall she was planning to ask Elfman if he'd heard it too, but of course, when she got to his room her little brother was still sound asleep.

With yet another sigh she walked downstairs and looked through the window. She didn't see anything but that didn't mean there was nothing there. She contemplated just forgetting about the sound and going back to bed...Oh, who was she kidding? There was no way she would be able to sleep at this point.

So sliding on a pair of slippers she left her home for the cold night air. Wearing only her nightgown and a light jacket.

She walked for a few minutes not hearing anything else. The cold air was actually helping her calm down, which she was grateful for.

As she continued to move, the thought that she was just being paranoid did cross her mind, and remembering that she wasn't an active mage anymore helped cement the idea that it wasn't really her place to be investigating this kind of stuff. So she decided to take one more lap around her little neighborhood before heading back to bed.

BOOM!

The sound of an explosion nearby gained her undivided attention. And a moment later she was running toward the source. "That sounded like it came from the park!"


*BANG!*

"Huh, did you guys hear that?" Natsu asked the room, being woken from his sleep by the sound.

"Wha-? Uhh Natsu, quiet down." Erza complained.

"No seriously guys, I definitely heard something."

"You heard her Flame Brain, be quiet." chimed in Gray.

"Uhh, whatever." The dragon slayer replied, throwing his head back into his pillow.

BOOM!

Everyone's heads shot up, even Lucy left her bedroom to check on them.

"You guys heard that one at least, right?" the fire-breather complained.

"Now's not the time Natsu" the redhead chastised.

"That sounded like it came from the park across the canal!" Lucy revealed.

In seconds everyone was ready to move, racing for the park.


*BANG!*

As he rested in his bed recovering from a stressful day, one of Makarov's eyes peaked open at the sound. He'd heard it before, and had a sinking suspicion that the boy he'd recently taken in had gotten himself into a bit of trouble.

BOOM!

Ok, maybe a lot of trouble.


*BANG!*

Gajeel's head shot up, the force of the bullet nearly knocking him off his feet. Shifting his sword back to a normal arm he brought his hands to his throat and began to cough uncontrollably.

"Coag! Hag! Kuh-Coh! Hah! Hah!"

"Hmm? I guess that didn't quite do the trick." Kinzo commented.

"Maybe this will work instead," he said while Re-Quipping a familiar piece of Orange Lacrima.

After he stopped heaving Gajeel looked up at his assailant in mild fear, it really occurred to him for the first time that this guy had no qualms about killing him… and that chunk of explosive lacrima in his hand probably meant he was gonna try again.

"Wha-what the hell is wrong with you? Aren't you Fairies against killing people!?"

"Heh, there you go again, making assumptions." a satisfied smirk forming on his face "I promise you, Mr. Redfox, I am not and never will be a Fairy."

He took a step forward. And Gajeel took one back.

"Sta-stay back." another step forward.

"I'm warning you!"

Empty threats meant nothing to him. He launched himself at the slayer.

"Stay Away! Iron Dragon's Club!" Long metal poles shot from his hands toward the madman in front of him.

Kinzo wasted no time spinning past the attacks. And continuing his charge forward. There was nothing Gajeel could do.

With one arm he grabbed the slayer's hair dragging his head down, and with the other, he slammed the Explosive ore between his teeth.

Knowing what came next the rogue dashed away to give himself enough space, and sat back to watch the fireworks.

Gajeel could only widen his eyes in panic once more.

BOOM!


Cana jumped up somewhat startled. She wasn't entirely sure what caused it but she did think it sounded like someone set off a firework in the distance.

"Hmmmmm, what the heck." she moaned groggily while pulling her pillow over her head and falling back into sleep's sweet embrace.

Whatever it was, it wasn't her problem.


It was over, the deed was done… but he still wasn't dead yet.

Gajeel's smoldering unconscious form lay against the ground. Back contracting in pain, face toward the sky. His scales were missing, likely deactivating when he lost consciousness, and a fair bit of smoke was coming out of his mouth.

"Man you dragon slayers really are just as durable on the inside, huh?"

He considered taking the time to put him down for good but decided against it, in the end, he didn't really care. Funnily enough, as he turned to look away, the smoking heap that was the iron dragon slayer started moving.

"Sheesh, it's like this guy is actually made of metal… well I mean if you go around eating other people's swords all the time then the rest of your body is probably pretty tough too."

Gajeel jumped to his feet and then immediately keeled over his knees in pain. "Augh! Cah! Cuh!"

"Hah! Hah! … what the hell happened?" he asked himself. Everything hurt, it felt like he'd just spared with Master Jose when he was angry.

Collecting himself he managed to look around. A park? What was he doing in a par… the night's memories came rushing back "Shit shit, where is he?" In a mad dash, he scanned the area, finding the man in question within seconds.

When they locked eyes he froze, taking small steps back. And the moment he felt the distance was enough the mighty dragon turned tail and ran.

The sight almost had the blade master laughing. He considered chasing after the man but one look back at the three crucified guild members made him think otherwise.

Makarov would definitely appreciate the safety of his 'children' over the capture of some punk.

"Now how to get them dow-?"

"What did you do!?" came a shout from behind him.

Turning quickly he spotted Mirajane wearing only a nightgown and jacket. Her teary gaze looking up at the trio nailed to a tree.

He was about to tell her it may still be dangerous with Redfox running around the area. But soon her mourning turned to anger as she marched up to him.

He wasn't sure how to respond to the angry glare she was giving him, he didn't have to think long though.

*SMACK*

"You absolute monster." she bit at him with tear-filled eyes "What could they have possibly done to you?"

"... No you probably don't even need a reason to hurt other people do you." tears continued to fall as she spoke with a pained voice. How could Master trust someone who would do something like this?

Kinzo figured out what she was talking about as she struck him, and with a bruised cheek he registered her words.

"She thinks I did this to them?" he asked himself in anger while she verbally cut into him.

Once she'd finished he opened his mouth to explain. But before he could utter a single word someone blindsided him.

Gray… Gray had slammed him against the tree. Forcing his forearm to the metal mage's throat, and pinning him to the rough wood. Not a second later a sword found itself buried in the bark next to his head, courtesy of Erza.

"What did you do?" growled the redhead.

Taking in the scene the rogue noticed that Natsu and Lucy were here too. Lucy was trying to console the balling Mirajane while also crying herself. The fire-breather was holding them both closely trying to provide them with some form of comfort.

"I didn't do anything." He said back while trying, but failing, to stay calm.

"You expect me to believe that!?" Roared Gray.

"What, it just so happens that three of our members are nailed to a tree with chunks of steel? And you the Metal-Make Mage just so happened to be passing through when you found them? Don't bullshit me Kinzo!"

"If you would just let me expla-!" he tried to get out.

"You know what, no, no! I don't wanna hear whatever screwed up line of thinking led you to believe that this was in any way ok!"

"I should take your head off right now for doing this, beast!" The Ice mage and Knight called out.

"..."

"... Heh, so that's how it is huh? Just assume I'm guilty from the get-go? … Well that's fine. I suppose I'm used to that much."

In the next two seconds, Gray found himself pushed backward, and Erza had her face smacked against the tree bark.

stepping away Kinzo stood in a ready position, and once the other two had righted themselves they lunged at him, with ice and swords.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?"

The shout caused them all to stop, as they knew the voice behind it. Makarov had arrived.

That was all the signal Kinzo needed, choosing to walk toward the old man. Gray disagreed with that choice and gripped the boy's jacket.

Twisting quickly the assassin grabbed his offending arm and pulled his entire body off balance. Slipping a leg behind him he threw his weight forward in a sweeping motion and Gray went flying to his back yet again.

Erza was charging him a moment later, sword poised to run him through. But he was ready-

"ENOUGH!" Makarov growled.

Everything stopped again.

"Three of our own are hanging from a tree not 10 feet away. And instead of bringing them down, you're fighting amongst yourselves!?"

"But master he was the one who- " the redhead started.

The glare Makarov set her way made everyone's hair stand on end "Silence." He told her, and she backed down without a second thought.

Now unhindered the metal mage continued on until he was standing just to the side of his elder, facing the opposite direction.

"Kinzo, explain what happened here." And with his back facing the others he did.

"I was walking toward my campsite, when I picked up on the scent of blood. Tracked it here and found these three. Ended up having a little scuffle with some creep from Phantom Lord. He was dressed like some punk rocker with long black hair and metal piercings all over his face."

"Master, we have no reason to believe a word that comes out of his mou-" Erza tried again.

"I TOLD YOU TO BE SILENT!"

The girl dropped her head and grit her teeth.

"Could you identify him?" Makarov asked the boy next to him.

"No need. Gajeel Redfox was what he called himself. And based on some of the stuff he could do, I'd guess he's the same guy who trashed your guildhall."

The Saint looked thoughtful for a moment.

"What kind of magic did he use?" the old man asked.

"He was an Iron Dragon Slayer." Natus' head shot up at that.

With a sigh, the Dreyar nodded his head "Black Steel is the handle he uses most often, I can confirm he works for Jose."

"Regardless old man, that's all I have for you." With his piece said the younger of the two started to walk away.

But the older had more to say, and something to ask.

"... Kinzo, you warned me not to be passive and I did not listen. Now my children are suffering for it. I don't suppose you would consider helping me right that wrong?"

"Why bother asking, can't you just order me to?" He shot back with narrowed eyes.

"I will not force you to fight our battles for us, I'm only asking if you would lend us aid." came the reply.

"If that's the case then no. I have no interest in a guild war, and I see no point in fighting for people who don't want me." That seemed to be the end of things as he started walking again and his silhouette disappeared into the night.

"Master, how can you just let him walk away without confirming his story? For all we know he could have been the one to do this and that was just some lie he told us." Mirajane cried out.

With yet another heavy sigh Makarov set out to correct his children "Are you all so blind?" he asked them.

"Everyone here should be more than aware of the Contract that binds that boy's actions. And if that's the case then everyone here should know that under no circumstances is Kinzo ever allowed to seriously injure any Fairy Tail member."

Some of the group started to stiffen at his words, their bodies going rigid at the reminder.

"So please, someone explain to me. Why it is that you were so quick to incriminate him, knowing that if he had done this it would be at the cost of his own life?"

"..." the silence was palpable.

"I thought so… Now someone get them down." He said pointing toward the tree.

"They've suffered enough."


Author's note

And the plot thickens.

Ok and there is our ' hero's ' first meeting with Phantom Lord. I hope the fight was entertaining. I'm always worried when I write chapters like this that the constant Scene changes will confuse people, but I hope that wasn't the case.

Anyway like I said in the last chapter I want to get the Phantom arc done before I leave so you'll probably be getting at least 1 chapter a day for the next week.


Magic

1) Metal-Make Magic like ice make... but with metal

2) Speed Magic (Potential energy magic- p.s. I made this up so you won't find it on a wiki... I think.) so any time you see Conversion Leap (speed boost) or Kinetic Decay (stealing something else's speed and trapping it in place)

3) Telekinesis lifting things with one's mind etc.

4) Re-Quip no armor just items/weapons

Tools

1) His Revolver- Iron Maiden (two types of ammo revealed. Puncture rounds and Flashbang rounds)

2) The rings his mother gave him - can be molded into other objects and when spun together replay a recorded message.

3) The magic absorbing metal - He can choose to make his weapons out of this or other kinds of normal metal (iron, steel, etc.)

4) The Eye of Talionis - replacing his right eye, it allows the user to see magic (Ethernano)

5) Isacc Colt's journals - three journals belonging to his father

6) metal woven into his hair - this will not play a major role for most of the story but I may as well mention it so people don't forget.