"WOAH! This wind is crazy!"
The group left the raging wind barrier thanks to Virgo's hole in the ground. The sight was like a stationary tornado in the middle of town. A spectacular sight to behold if this world worked on normal standards as Shidou's old world, but even here the barrier was symbol of power to the caster.
Whom was currently on his way to destroy a government.
"Princess! I'll keep your panties from showing!" Virgo announced as she crouched behind Lucy to keep her skirt still. It did leave her own vulnerable to the winds, which Gray and Shidou noted as they stood behind her.
"Oh wow..." Gray muttered, mesmerized by the sight.
"Try not to strip. The last thing we need to see the 'ice pick' you're packing." Shidou said to Gray. The ebony-haired teen blushed even harder at his words.
"...It's no use." The team looked at Kageyama's resting form. His eyes were closed, but he was most assuredly awake. "You'll never be able to catch up with Erigor. You can't stop us. We've won."
His eyes then snapped open when Shidou clamped his hand over his mouth. He looked in fear at the Chinese man above him. "Be grateful Natsu pulled some sympathy to help you out of the barrier. The least you can do is shut your mouth." He looked up and noticed the dragon slayer mentioned wasn't even here, as well his cat friend. The rest of them noticed as well.
"Holy smokes! Look at that thing!"
Everyone turned to a pizza delivery man on a green moped staring at the wind barrier in shock. Shidou then had an idea. Like hell was he gonna let Natsu take this fight from him! Erigor already escaped him twice. He refused to let it happen a third time.
Shidou shot towards the man. "I need to commandeer this vehicle. NOW." His voice held no room for argument and the gleaming sword at his hip didn't help the pizza man's bravery. He hoped off without struggle.
Just as Shidou got on and the pizza man was taking off his deliveries off the bike, Lucy went to his side in worry. "Do you even know how to drive?"
"No, but I watched Erza drive, so I'm confident I can manage."
His response did not alleviate any worry. "The track to Clover is in a rocky quarry. High up in the quarry. On wrong move and you'll fall to your death." Gray then added as Shidou got the moped revving.
"Then I guess I won't drive near the edge."
"Shidou, I demand you exit that moped right now! We'll go together and-" Erza was cut off as Shidou shot forward on the moped into a china shop.
Shidou paused and saw the owner behind the counter. He then wordlessly tossed him a bag of money and back out of the shop. He then shot forward again at a surprising speed for a moped and eventually found his way on the track to Clover.
"I see the town up ahead." Airborne, Erigor soared like a bird towards the town of Clover. "A bit farther and I'll have revenge."
"We've got you now!" Natsu yelled. Happy held his friend and flew, propelled faster thanks to Natsu's flaming feet acting as jets. "Didn't know cats could fly at Mach speed, did ya?!" He then kicked Erigor out of the sky with a bang.
The fire dragon slayer landed on the tracks. Happy followed after him as Natsu caught his exhausted form. "I'm so tired. Can't fly." the cat informed.
"It's okay, buddy. I think I can handle it from here."
"You again... You're one of those pesky Fairy Tail flies. What are you doing here?" Erigor questioned. He landed fine other than a few scrapes here and there.
Flames coalesced in Natsu's hands. "I'm not lettin' ya get pass me ya dress-wearing windbag!" he announced. "I'm gonna burn you and that stupid flute to a crisp!"
"So you were able to break through my wind barrier. You little flies can be such a nuisance." Erigor demeaned. "If you were that sword-wielding warrior, then perhaps I could afford to fight you for a bit."
"HEY! I'm just as strong as Erza! Just watch ya glorified windmill!"
"Titania?" Erigor laughed. "No, no, the other one. The man in the dark armor. He has something Titania could never have: a ruthless, killer instinct. You, too, lack such a thing. Now get out of my way kid, or else..."
The dark wizard held a palm out and blasted high speed air against the dragon slayer. This did not prove to be his demise as Natsu fired up into the air before launching himself at Erigor.
Erigor blocked his fiery punch with blunt end of his scythe. 'Impossible... He uses his flames to jump and to strike? I underestimated his power. This might actually be a challenge.'
In an attempt to gain distance, Erigor flew into the air. "What're ya doin' up there, ya coward?! Come down here and fight me like a man!"
"Don't get to cocky, fly!" Erigor held out his palm again and blasted Natsu with air, but air did not push him back, it twirled and twirled into a tornado. "Storm Bringer!"
"Natsu!" Happy tried his hardest to manifest his wings, but with all the energy he expelled just to get them here, they wouldn't come out. "It's no use. I don't have enough magic energy." he lamented. He watched n horror as Natsu twirled in the tornado before getting flung into the quarry.
But then, he paused as a soft revving was heard. Because of his advanced hearing, he could perceive the sound coming in Erigor's direction, but the man was obviously not the source.
A purple crescent of energy collided into Erigor's back before exploding. He roared in pain and went back to the ground. He turned behind him, and his and Happy's eyes widened at the new arrival.
Shidou stood in front of a green moped sporting a pizza symbol on the side.
Erigor grinned. "Fellow warrior! It is so good to see you again. As much as I want to duel once more, there's some old codgers that need killing. So unless you want to join that boy I just sent to the quarry, you better stop getting in my way." Erigor threatened.
Shidou's hold on his sword tightened. He came just in time to see Natsu thrown off and it caused the anger in him to spark even brighter. He pointed his sword at him in defiance. "I'm not leaving until that head of yours leave your body."
Rather than cower at the threat, Erigor grinned back at it. There it was, that killer instinct. It was sight not many people possessed. It almost saddened Erigor someone so ruthless was with Fairy Tail.
"I invite you to try!"
Erigor flew at him at top speed and slammed into him with all his might. Shidou was knocked back and toppled the moped behind him. When Erigor's scythe neared him, he kicked the blade away and shot back up to start his offense. Shidou closed in on Erigor, knowing he needed range to get the his weapon's fullest potential. The white-haired man tried to back away or fly up, but Shidou uppercutted him with a palm strike. This allowed Shidou to slice his midsection and side as he maneuvered behind Erigor. Shidou then sliced his back, but it was small one as Erigor jump forward to distance himself and Shidou.
Shidou cursed as he had the perfect range to use his scythe properly. The sweeping motions came differently than last time. They were quick and aimed at his body at random. Low, high, high, low, they came so quick Shidou had difficulty figuring out his attack pattern.
Shidou grunted as the tip grazed heavily and loudly against his chest plate. He recovered, yet Erigor was one brutal step ahead. He swung hard at Shidou's right and it landed, the blade cutting into his armor and into his skin. Normally he would try and brave against it to then overpower his opponent in their momentary moment of triumph, but he could still feel the damage from that green-haired fat man. It disappointed him that it affected him so greatly.
Shidou was dragged left near the train rails, but Erigor pulled his weapon back and shoved him with the blunt end of the scythe blade. He was pushed closer to the edge, but kept his footing. He still did even when Erigor shoved him with all his might, but he pushed back the polearm, kicked Erigor in the stomach before closing in with an elbow hit across his face.
Erigor stumbled back clutching his face. He was looking down, but the small smile across his face told Shidou he found the fight enjoyable. "You are one skillfully brutal warrior. I simply can't understand why you'd want to waste your talent with the Magic Counsel's dogs."
"I thought I made it very apparent I don't side with scum."
"It takes one to know one, doesn't it?" Erigor grinned.
Shidou's scowl deepened.
"Your skill with the blade is superior to my own scythe-wielding. You can take pride in that." The dark wizard walked to the middle of the railway. Shidou followed him, prepared for whatever he might do. "But even with your affinity to ethernano, I am your superior when it comes to magic!"
An open palm was introduced to Shidou before strong winds accompanied it. The winds sent Shidou flying back. He rolled a lot before stabbing his sword into the ground for leverage. The winds finally stopped. Erigor saw Shidou's panting, but did not notice how his sword absorbed some of ethernano from the attack. Another blast of air knocked Shidou back.
"Crushing Counter!"
Purple energy sliced through the wind without much fuss. Erigor was quicker in the air, so he dodged and hastily flew behind Shidou to smack him across the railway. Shidou stopped himself just as another torrent of violent air came at him. He was flown even farther and higher than the last. Before he could gather back his wit, Erigor was at his side. Shidou reacted quickly enough to dodge his initial hit, but was still pushed off the edge by the second hit.
In that moment, he swore he was gonna die. To die to someone like Erigor filled Shidou with disgust, but he shouldn't have been surprised. With the way he lived, dying to scum like him was a high possibility. Still, he'd prefer it be someone he respected.
To die falling into a quarry. With his abilities, he would probably be at least crippled from the fall. Easy prey for any predators in the area. It was not a pretty death, but again, he shouldn't have been surprised.
He closed his eyes and waited for the moment of impact.
And he impacted something, but it was not rock. Something less solid and more hot.
Shidou's eyes bulge out. He sat up to see some giant fire hand was the thing he landed on.
"I see you guys are havin' fun without me. Mind if I butt in?" Natsu smiled as he and Shidou got back on the tracks.
"But that's impossible..." Erigor gaped in disbelief.
Shidou was under the same impression. He thought the boy had died, but he was glad he didn't. At least he didn't die under his watch.
"You must be pretty cold out there half naked like that. Want me to warm you up?" Natsu said to challenge the wizard flying above them.
"Huh. Quite the resourceful self rescue you just executed." Shidou quietly commented.
"I learned it from my friends back in Fairy Tail. I learned a lot since you disappeared." Natsu said. Flames collected at his hands as his attention went back to Erigor. "Now it's time to show them off. I'm so pumped!"
He may not have said it, but Shidou knew the boy wanted he and him to fight together. He said nothing as his sights went back to the white-haired wizard. He too wanted to see what Natsu could do. Seeing those flames sparked recognition in him, and he couldn't help but be drawn to it - to be drawn to Natsu.
"Very well. Just try not to lag behind."
"Like that'll ever happen!"
"Fools." Erigor spat. "Your flames and sword are powerless against me!"
"We'll see about that." Shidou and Natsu said in unison.
Shidou dashed ahead while Natsu stayed stationary. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A beam of fire blasted towards Erigor, who defended successfully against it. "Storm Wall!" The fire exploded against the protective barrier Erigor made, but in his frontal defense, he left himself wide open.
Shidou drew his sword back to power up his attack. It was only when the Roar exploded did he release it. "Crushing Counter!"
Erigor braced for impact and the impact made him see stars. The Crushing Counter exploded and damaged his right side. "Enough of this cat and mouse chase!' he then yelled. "That attack will be last one you will ever inflict on me." He spun his scythe in a circle in front of him. "Storm Mail!" What seemed like a personal tornado surrounded Erigor's body, acting as armor. "Here I come."
The dark wizard shot himself first at Natsu who met with a flaming fist. Natsu had hoped he could break through with his strength, but just like the wind barrier back at the train station, it repelled the fire wizard's attack.
"What's the matter? Can't handle the breeze?" the wind wizard mocked.
"Coward!" Natsu raged. "You just had to go and wrap yourself in a wind barrier!" His fist connected with each other. "This'll break through it." Natsu shot forth, his fist enflamed. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
But in spite of his confidence, Erigor's winds easily dispelled Natus's flames. The sight made Shidou think on that. 'In a sense, elemental magic still abides to the laws of nature. With enough wind, flames could be blown out.'
"What the...? I don't understand. Why did my fire go out?" Natsu thought aloud.
"Just as I suspected - You're helpless without your flames. Looks like I have the upper hand." Erigor arrogantly remarked.
"No way!" Natsu refused to back down, even when the winds emanating from the wind wizard picked up in power.
"Unfortunately for you, the winds of my Storm Mail attack blow outwardly! If you get too close, it'll smother your flames, leaving you powerless against me!"
Take out the wind, the more wild the fire. Shidou knew what he had to do. "If that's the case," Shidou was already behind Erigor with his sword aimed at his throat. "Lets take off all that armor." Through raw strength and determination, Shidou pushed pass the winds and got a hit on the Storm Mail. The spinning winds clashed with his sword. It was difficult work to keep himself grounded, but compared to the wind barrier back at the station, Shiodu found this more managable.
"You fool, didn't you hear me? Your attacks are futile against- huh?" Little by little, Storm Mail's winds began to lessen in power without Erigor's consent. When he saw Shidou blade glow brighter and brighter, he knew the truth of the matter not a second later. "Your sword absorbs ethernano?!"
"Hell yeah! That's my big bro for ya!" Natsu flames returned back to his hands. "You depower, I overpower!"
No, Erigor thought in despair. In a flash, his dreams and ambitions began to look less and less possible. Not only did he have a surprisingly powerful teenager against him, but he also had a swordsman with the power over ethernano itself against him.
"NO!" The winds picked up even faster, their power doubling to push the Fairy Tail wizards back. "You both are just gnats in the way of my revenge! I refuse to let you stand in my way!"
"First flies and now gnats... I think you're confusing the two." Shidou pushed pass the winds and got in close again.
He failed to hit the barrier as Erigor flew into the air. "Storm Shred!" A barrage of wind blades was fired at Shidou, forcing the tiandi to bob and weave on the ground. Just as the barrage ended, Shidou jumped at Erigor, but the picked up wind speed proved too great for Shidou to push pass.
"Crushing Counter!" Shidou threw the energy attack as he fell back on the track. At the same time, Natsu jumped at Erigor with fire in hand. While the teen faced the same issue as Shidou, Shidou's Crushing Counter connected with the barrier. It did not break through it however.
"Feeling a little frustrated?" Erigor ridiculed. "Don't be too hard on yourself! You both never had a chance against me!" He laughed. With a sinister smile, he positioned his body in a cross-like form at Natsu. But don't worry. I'm going to put an end to this - NOW!"
"Emera Baram!" A magic circle appeared in front of Erigor before four miniature circles appeared and rotated around the bigger one. "Goodbye!"
"NATSU!" Happy yelled.
Natsu braced himself for the attack. His arms raised to defend, but that was useless as Shidou ran to his forefront and held his sword against Erigor. "Bro?!"
A large and concentrated wind blast was fired at Shidou and Natsu. The dragon slayer braced behind Shiidou as well as keep him upright, but in the end, they were still thrown back. Shidou took the most punishment as his armor and skin were shredded to piece.
By the time Emera Baram ended, Natsu and Shidou laid on the ground worse for wear - Shidou especially. Natsu awoke from his mini coma to find Shidou beside him, his armor and shirt above his waist ripped away showing his bruised and sliced form.
"SHIDOU!" Natsu called out in distress. He went to his side and flipped him so he could lay on his back.
"Heh. What a fool." Erigor disrespectfully remarked. "But I am impressed. You're both still in one piece."
"Bro, wake up." Natsu shook him as well as slap his face. His voice quivered. Natsu, in that moment, forgot where he was. Shidou couldn't die. He was one of the toughest people he has ever known. And he just got back in his life! He couldn't leave like this!
"After I play a melody for those old guild fools, they can join your friend in the afterlife." the wind mage proclaimed.
Just when everyone was convinced he kicked the bucket, Shidou's soft breathing got progressively louder until finally his eyes snapped open. He groaned in pain. His whole body hurt, even with the ethernano slowly patching him back up.
"BRO!"
"I'm fine." Shidou sighed. Natsu noticed his voice sounded almost... disappointed. "That attack of his really did a number on me, but I'm alive."
Erigor frowned. He survived one of his most destructive attacks? Just how in tune was his body to ethernano? Emera Baram was capable of slicing his enemies into mince meat! "I think cockroach is a more appropriate term for you, warrior. YOU SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE!"
Natsu and Shidou's attention went back to Erigor. The dragon slayer snapped back up while it took Shidou twice as long. "That's right!" Natsu yelled, his blood boiling at almost losing family. "Shidou can take anything you can dish out! Your attacks mean jack crap to him!"
Shidou said nothing at the comment, but it left him feeling disgusted at himself.
Natsu then tossed off his vest. "Now enough talk! Let's fight! Come on!" He then jumped at Erigor as Shidou stood where he was for a moment longer.
"I told you you're wasting your time!" and with that, Natsu was once again blown back. Shidou wasn't close to partially healed, so he couldn't do much than watch.
The frustration in Natsu, along with his anger at almost losing family, reached its apex. Like a child throwing a tantrum, he bent down and grabbed a part of the railroad to pull it off. Just because he felt like it. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?! I CAN'T EVEN GET CLOSE TO HIM!"
The flames around his body only got hotter and hotter. It became so hot, it felt like all the moisture on Shidou's skin dried up in his presence. "So hot... Is this Natsu's full power?" His ethernano levels were skyrocketing at a frightening pace. He then recalled Erza asking for Natsu and Gray's help. This must have been the power she knew was in them; why she can rely on them so much.
This power... it almost scared Shidou. It was like he was starring at the embodiment of limitless potential. It reminded Shidou of himself when he was young, back when all anyone could say about the youngest prince was that he was an excellent fighter.
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE! I HAVE TO DEFEAT HIM!" A roar of rage filled the quarry as Natsu's anger and flames grew. His power was enough to cause nearby rock formation to catch on fire, a sight Shidou never once imagined.
'His power and emotions are closely connected. That is the only explanation that can justify this.' Shidou realized.
"Woah. He's really doing it. He's changing the direction of the wind." Happy then added.
Shidou's eyes widened. His eyes then caught Erigor's wind armor was lessening at a great speed. Just a little more and his Storm Mail would be completely extinguished.
And the last thing Shidou wanted was to watch on the side lines. His body was able, so he shot forward, moving around the pillar of flames that was Natsu and targeted Erigor. The wind mage saw him and started panicking. "You still fight despite your injuries?! Storm Shred!"
His body's reactions were slower, which caused some air blades to his left arm, but his sword hand was strong. The distance was closed. Shidou twisted his body and sliced into Erigor's left side.
"NO!"
Storm Mail was already on its last leg. Shidou just decided to cut it off. Once the wind armor was gone, his sword finally cut into Erigor's side. More of his blood was spilled as Shidou maneuvered behind him and diagonally sliced his back. "NOW NATSU!"
With a roar, Natsu rocketed himself at Erigor and nailed him in the stomach. Shidou backed away and watched as the teen manhandled the dark wizard. "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!" And on the final punch, Natsu catapulted Erigor into the sky before lamely crashing into the sediment that made up the tracks.
They had won. Shidou sighed at a battle well fought. He scowled at Erigor's beaten form and took a step forward to end his life. But that one step all he could muster. He pushed himself too much in that fight. With a groan, he fell face first into the ground, urging Natsu and Happy to rush to his side.
"You good?"
"Well enough..." Shidou sighed as Natsu turned him over. "But enough about me. You won. Be proud of your victory."
"The hell do you mean?" Natsu retorted. "Let's be proud at our victory."
Shidou stared him in the face, and sighed in acceptance.
"Though, to be honest, I don't know how I pulled off that last attack." Natsu commented.
"Guess you're just that awesome!" Happy happily suggested.
Natsu laughed. "I guess so!"
"Don't overly stroke his ego." Shidou then lightly admonished.
The rest of the team and Kageyama arrived not a minute later. "Natsu! Shidou!"
"Hey guys! You just missed us beating Erigor!" Natsu announced. Shidou leaned on his shoulder until the tiandi could walk by himself again.
"I'm proud of you - both of you." Erza complimented as Lucy held her off the magic car. She had spent a lot of her ethernano in getting them here.
"You gonna be okay, Erza?" Lucy asked in concern.
"Yes, don't worry about me." the redhead reassured. Her eyes then landed on Shidou, and the tiandi knew he was in for an ear full. "I can't say the same for you, Shidou." she said, her voice stern.
Shidou softly scoffed. "I'll be fine in an hour at most."
"Look at you. You look close to death."
"And yet it embraces me not." Shidou retorted. The deepening of Erza's stern yet worried expression made him look away. He reached behind him and pulled out his flask. It was a good thing the bone exterior was strong.
Kageyama, meanwhile stared in shock at his fallen leader. In all his years in Eisenwald, he has never heard of Erigor ever losing a fight - that is, until now. His attention was directed downward as the ice and fire mage bickered.
"You look pretty stupid wearin' a scarf when you're half-naked." Gray verbally berated.
"Like you have room to talk." Shidou and Natsu said at the same time. "Hey Lucy, give me your clothes." Natsu then asked.
"IN YOUR DREAMS!"
Using the arm draped over Natsu, Shidou slapped his forehead. "You don't just ask a woman that, you imbecile!"
"Looks like Shiodu got all the brains in the family. The hell happened to you?" Gray chuckled, which caused Natsu great annoyance.
If he wasn't holding up Shidou, he would've bonked him for that. "Why you...!"
Erza chuckled. "In any case, well done you two." she congratulated again, though she still felt Shiodu step way too much of his power range. "Thanks to you, all the guild masters will be safe now."
"Not quite." Shidou refuted. "As long as Lullaby is still usable, no one is safe."
"The guild masters should have a way of disposing Lullaby. How about we go to them?" Lucy suggested.
"Might as well since we're so close to Clover." Happy said in agreement.
Just then, the magic car leaped over them due to shadowy arms emanating from the interior. If that wasn't enough, it also took Lullaby.
"KAGE!" Erza yelled.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Gray voiced.
"Lullaby's mine now! Shouldn't have let your guard down, flies!" Kageyama laughed. The green car drove fast down the rails to Clover until it left the team's line of sight.
Shidou was absolutely fuming. He and Natsu had to engage in a deadly fight only for the flute to evade them from a threat the rest of the team, for some reason, brought along with them. "I should've slit his throat the moment I saw him!"
Why hadn't the team foresee this possible outcome? He was part of Eisenwald - the bad guys! Did they just expect him to turn over to their side just because they saved him? Utter foolishness it was. FOOLISHNESS!
Yet, most of anger was directed at himself. If he had just killed Kageyama at the beginning, then Lullaby wouldn't be heading over to Clover as they stood gaping like dead fish.
"AFTER HIM!" Erza commanded.
After driving for a time, Kageyama still had to locate the meeting hall where the guild masters meet. By the time he found the place it was already dark out. He stood overlooking the brown building, Lullaby in hand and ready to play.
'Yeah, this'll work. Surely they'll hear the Lullaby song from here.' the dark wizard thought excitedly. 'Finally - the time has come!'
Audible smooching sounds put him back in reality. "There's some hot little numbers in this week's issue." said an old man sitting on a nearby rock reading a magazine by the name Sorcerer Weekly. He was extremely short like a child. His head was balding with the outer rims of his head consisting of white hair. He also had a thick white mustache.
For clothes, he wore a white shirt with a black Fairy Tail stamp on the front. Over his shirt he wore an orange hoodie. Matching orange shorts and a blue striped jester hat completed his appearance.
"Wow! Young wizarding ladies are so much more powerful now than they were back in my day. They're sexier, too!" A smile graced his wrinkled face as less than appropriate thoughts entered his head. The old man groaned. "Ah... I don't have time for this! I need to catch up to those fools before they destroy an entire town!"
Sensing a presence he hadn't felt before, the old man turned, shocked to find an injured person discovering his past time. Excuse flew out of his mouth in an instance, but Kageyama couldn't care less. He sighed in exasperation.
"You've been hurt badly, boy. You shouldn't be wandering the woods in your condition." the old man told him.
"I know sir, you're right." Kageyama politely said. He then realized who he was talking to. "Hold on... That's Makarov! The guild master of Fairy Tail.' The same guild that has been giving him and his group constant trouble, he noted with irritation.
A bright idea popped into Kageyama's mind, a rather sinister one. "Excuse me, I don't suppose you'd like to hear a song?" Kageyama proposed as he held up Lullaby. "They wouldn't let me play my flute while I was in the hospital." he lied without failure. "It'd mean a lot to play for someone again."
"That's one creepy-looking flute you got there." Makarov noted, though he suspected more was afoot with the generous proposal.
"I Know, but it has a beautiful sound."
"Hmmm... Well, I should be going, but I guess one song wouldn't hurt." the guild master said with a gentle smile.
'I win...' Kageyama's eyes popped out a little in anticipation. "Be sure to listen carefully. Okay sir?"
"Yeah, yeah..."
'This is it!' The shadow mage placed the flute near his mouth, ready to play its deadly song. All his comrades' voices lit up in his mind, reminding him of why he was here in the first place.
But then, he was reminded of the tiandi, and he stopped. It was not the threat to his life he remembered, but what he said back at the train station to Erigor.
"This scheme of yours will not gain your rights back..."
Why did he remember that? He should kill this old fool to spite the tiandi for every word and every action he brought upon him; but that one line stood out because he was right. Even if he killed all the guild masters today, new ones will just come up to replace them. The Magic Council will just strengthen its efforts to erase guilds like Eisenwald. If anything, things will just get worse.
"You should try to look for the positives - you and your buddies." Gray had said to him on their way to Erigor, Shidou, and Natsu. They treated him with kindness and respect. Even Shidou at one point acted civil - enough - to not want to kill him and even acted on his behalf when he was betrayed. It was something he hadn't expected considering his past transgressions. As he recalled Gray's words, he also recalled other instances of Fairy Tail treating to him with fairness.
"Kage, we really need your help right now!"
"He was part of your guild, wasn't he? Why did you do that?"
From the distance, the Fairy Tail team spotted their guild master and the runaway dark wizard.
"There he is!" Gray pointed.
"Gramps!"
"Master!"
"Woah..."
Lucy turned to Shidou for his remark. "What's up?"
"Nothing, it's just... Makarov is powerful." His time in Earthland was short, but that little old man was packed with more ethernano than the rest of the team combined. Despite his age and stature, he made Shidou feel like an ant in comparison.
And then a cross-dresser entered.
Everyone, excluding Erza, jumped back in shock. Shidou had to admit the man was... bold in maintaining such an appearance. He was a elderly bald man, round in body shape, but clothed in apparel that leaned more towards feminine.
He had a purple spaghetti-strap shirt with a gold and fuchsia hoop necklace and vertical-striped pink and purple shorts. He even had makeup in the form of blush on his cheeks and red lipstick. Peculiarly, he also had small angel wings. Shidou wondered if they worked.
The new addition gently shushed them. "They're just about to get to the good part." He then turned to the boys of the group. "Well aren't you boys yummy. So adorable!"
Gray and Natsu huddled together behind Shidou. The tiandi raised his hands in front of him as the cross-dresser neared himself closer to them. "Um... I'm flattered... sir?" He then noticed the surprising amount of ethernano in the man. It wasn't as large as Makarov's, but it worthwhile to note.
"Who the heck is that guy?!" Lucy questioned.
"That's Master Bob." Erza answered.
"Erza, honey, you have really filled out." Bob complimented.
"You're telling me that weirdo's the master of the Blue Pegasus guild?" Lucy voiced in disbelief.
Back with Makarov and Kageyama, the elder of the two began to feel more impatient as Kageyama did not play. "Well? I can't wait all night young man."
Kageyama's mind was in conflict with himself and it showed in his stern expression. He brought Lullaby closer to his mouth, which caused panic to rise in the younger members of Fairy Tail.
He was gonna play and everyone of them will die. Shidou unsheathed his sword ready to release a Crushing Counter, but his arm was caught by another. He turned to see another older man with a mildly squared head sporting several wrinkles. He looked the most youthful out all the older people present with dirty blonde hair reaching down to his shoulders. He was also slim and had the most average shape out of everyone.
He dressed almost plainly in a black t-shirt and pants, but distinguished himself with a spiked collar necklace and a spiked wizard's hat. His eyes were also blocked out by a pair of shades.
"Keep your calm. Makarov has got this under control." the blonde man said.
"He's with Cuatro Cerberus!" Lucy said.
"That's their master, Goldmine." Erza added.
"Master Goldmine, let go of me. That man is in possession of a dangerous weapon and I must-" Shidou had gotten out.
"Oh we know. And I'm pretty sure Makarov does as well." Goldmine said, cutting Shidou off.
"Then why isn't he-"
"My boy, you're gonna age faster than your peers if you keep stressing like that. Just look." Goldmine kept his hold on Shidou, which surprised the tiandi. Despite his build, Goldmine was strong.
Makarov urged Kageyama to play, but the ebony-haired wizard hesitated. So much so his breathing quivered. He knew his guild would want this more than anything, so why couldn't he do it? 'I have to do this. I just need to play one song!'
Just when he found the resolve, Makarov spoke, and it was as if he knew what troubled Kageyama more than the man himself. "...Nothing is going to change." Kageyama stopped to listen.
"You cannot change the fact that those who are weak will forever remain weak. Now maybe it's just me, but I don't think that's a bad thing. I mean we humans are weak creatures by nature. Our insecurities are the reason why guilds even exist. And they are why we have friends. When we're surrounded by allies, it's easier to stay positive about the future. Think of it this way: If we're clumsy, then we may stumble and bump into things, but as long as we have faith in our future, we continue marching forward. Our inner strength emerges on our own, but we need to choose that path and pledge to live our lives to the fullest." A genuine smile crossed Makarov's face as he finished. "Don't let that silly flute get in the way."
From the team to the people inside the meeting hall, everyone was drawn to Makarov's words like they were the gospel truth. Shidou was floored by this, but even more so by the fact that the child-sized guild master saw what Kageyama was really attempting, but instead of attacking him, he touched his soul instead.
It was... a familiar sight. His eldest brother wanted to create a world were swords and arrows were useless and the usage of compassion and words overpowered them. He was the most diplomatic out his older brothers, with the ability to touch hearts due to his genuinely kind nature.
And that was exactly what he felt from Makarov. It was no ruse. No tricks, no lies, just a genuine belief in the betterment of the individual and comradery. If the guild master is meant to embody the spirit of a guild, then he was sure he wanted to join. There was no better place to put his talents to good use.
The shadow user collapsed to the floor, Lullaby falling as well. All who witnessed it were shocked as well, but also relieved and happy.
For Shidou, he was floored just as much as Kageyama.
"I surrender..." Kageyama said, his head bowed in defeat and realization.
The team came to them, elated that all was well. They congratulated Makarov for his peaceful resolution, but the guild master wanted to know why they were in Clover.
Shidou went to Kageyama's side. The Eisenwald wizard saw his drawn sword and shivered. "Are you gonna kill me?" he asked in a low voice.
His pitiful expression along with his damaged body made him look all the more pathetic. Shidou sighed and sheathed his sword to his side. "No."
Again, Kageyama stared in shock. "But I thought I was scum?"
"Oh, you are." Shidou said unapologetically. He crouched beside him and draped an arm over him, pulling him closer. It had the appearance of a side hug, but none of the comfort. "It's just that Master Makarov took the effort to reach your soul, and I don't want to ruin that." He pulled Kageyama closer until their heads were close. Shidou's mouth growled in the other's ear. "I may not be the one to absolve you of your sins, but I know it will come. I can take solace in that."
Shidou then stood back up to join the others. Kageyama stared back at the tiandi's form in anger, but conceded that - to an extent - he was scummy as Shidou believed him to be. But the best revenge he could come up with was to either kill the warrior, or live his best life proving him wrong. He liked the latter option better.
"Looks like we just got here just in time to see Gramps talk his way out of another one." Gray remarked.
"It was a sight, I will admit." Shidou agreed.
"I don't believe we've met." Shidou looked down to see Makarov's gentle face staring up at him. "Who might you be?"
"I'm-"
"THAT'S MY BIG BRO!" Natsu collided into his side and pulled him into a sideways hug. "Remember Gramps? The stories I told, how I learned how to throw a punch, that all came from this guy right here! He's a tough fighter and he wants to join the guild! Ain't that awesome?!"
The tiandi could only cringe in discomfort from the dragon slayer's tight hold on him. "Thank you for that lovely introduction Natsu." His voice dripped with sarcasm, but it was left ignored by the Salamander. Shidou groaned. "Anyway, I-"
"OH! And he's from another world! Gramps, you gotta let him in-!"
"Let me speak for myself!" Shidou's patience was irritably low and being constantly cut off resulted in Natsu taking a nasty smack on the back of head.
"You're from another world?" everyone but Erza voiced. Speaking of, her expression cringed at the look of annoyance on Shidou's face. Another can of worms opened without his control.
"AHAHAHAHA! I've grown TIRED of you cowardly wizards and your antics!" A purple glow lit up the skull head of Lullaby as a sinister purple energy radiated from the musical instrument.
"HEH?!"
A magic circle appeared in the sky about the size of a building. "I can no longer hold back! I shall devour you myself!" And in a flash of purple light, a wooden being emerged. It was a mountain of a monster, dwarfing the conference hall and looked as if a demon had controlled and oversized a tree. Like its flute form, it had two eyes and one on its forehead, but also donned horns on its head and an unmoving smile. "I shall FEAST on your pitiful souls!"
"It's so big!" Lucy and Shidou screamed out. Lullaby was far bigger than the beast he and Erza fought.
"WHAT IS THAT THING?!" Kageyama uttered in horror. "Erigor said nothing of a monster!"
"It must be a demon from the Book of Zeref." Goldmine suggested.
"Zeref...?" Before Shidou could think more on that name, the screams of the guild masters leaving the conference hall was heard and his attention was back on Lullaby.
"Why did it turn into a monster?" Lucy stammered.
"That's must be Lullaby's true form. Forbidden magic - Living magic, Zeref's specialty." Goldmine answered.
"Who's Zeref? Wasn't he some ancient wizard?" Gray asked as very few knew of the dark Wizard.
"He's the most evil wizard the world has ever known. He was very powerful in his day, but in my wildest dreams I never thought his legacy would pop back up again." Bob replied.
"Now then... which of these delectable souls shall I dine on first?" Lullaby reared its ugly head closer to them as they all stood in defiance against the demon.
"Delectable, huh? Do ya think souls are really quite tasty?" Natsu blurted out.
"Focus on the enemy." Shidou reprimanded. "We'll get dinner later."
"Always thinking about eating!" Lucy deadpanned.
"Natsu, Gray, get everyone to a safe place!" ordered Erza.
"Quit barkin' orders!'
"Yeah, you're not the boss of us!"
The two and their complaint were silenced as Erza flexed a stern look at them. They promptly followed her orders obediently.
Out in the distance, the Fiore military were at the ready when Lullaby awoke. "No giant wooden demon is gonna scare off the Fiore Army! CHARGE!"
Insulted by the humans and their poultry attempt to fight, Lullaby roared, "You doubt my power?! I'll prove it to you!" A magic circle emerged in front of its mouth and in a bright light, it fired a beam into a far off mountain. The result was its destruction.
"Captain... Are we scared yet?" one soldier quivered.
"NOW MEN... RETREAT! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
"Well that was short lived." Shidou deadpanned.
"I have no need for those pathetic humans! I prefer the taste of a wizard's soul and I will consume all of yours!" Lullaby threatened,
"OH YEAH?! I LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY! BRING ON BIG GUY!" Natsu retorted back.
All the guild masters were far away from the fight and wished them good luck. Shidou's confusion increased. Why weren't they gonna join? Wasn't this a serious problem that required the attention of any able wizard?
Unless...
"Can those three defeat Lullaby all by themselves?" Lucy thought in the open.
"Make that four."
The redhead of the group turned to see Shidou stand among them. "Shidou, no, you're still not at one-hundred percent. Erigor was one thing, but this needs seasoned wizards - not rookies."
"Team effort, remember?" Erza's eyes narrowed at his quoting of her own words. "I didn't come on this mission just to play a cheerleader. Besides," his eyes went back to Lullaby. "I think I get a few good hit in."
At his level of experience and his his drive to fight, he was possibly more stubborn than Natsu, which is saying a lot. She debated on whether she should knock him out, but remember that it was his Crushing Counters that inevitable helped them win the fight against the beast. Erza sighed. "Just leave the heavy lifting to us."
Lullaby roared in preparation. It was so loud, most were forced to cover their ears lest their eardrums burst.
"Ready?"
All the boys nodded. "Oh yeah!"
The four of them shot forward, though Shidou lagged a bit. "Requip!" Erza landed the first blow on Lullaby. She requipped into her Heaven's Wheel armor and sliced the wooden beast across its entire chest.
Natsu, Gray, and Shidou were still on the ground. "Ice Make: Lance!" Gray smacked a closed fist on his open palm before extending his arms forward, creating ice lances that shot towards Lullaby in its chest.
"My turn!" Nastu slammed his fist together before focusing in on Lullaby. He jump, shooting like a flaming rocket at its face. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Lullaby was punched square in the face, staggering the great beast. "Hey bro! Needs some help?!" Shidou looked up. As Natsu fell back to the ground, his cheeks were puffed and Shidou knew what he had in mind. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Shidou raised his sword to block. The pillar of fire connected and it what Shidou felt was different than any other time he absorbed an attack. In those flames, Shidou could feel the passion behind it, the raw emotion Natsu put into every single attack. It was the same power he was amazed by during their fight with Erigor. But that wasn't all. He could feel more than passion, but his loyalties to him and his friends and his desire to fight for and protect them. In his past fights against enemy wizards, he could only feel their malicious intent to kill him, but this show of positive emotions floored him more than those instances combined.
It was simultaneously the best and worst feeling the tiandi has ever felt.
As soon as the roar finished and Shidou absorbed all its energy, he reared his burning purple sword back and with a heavy swing, released all that energy. "Crushing Counter!" The energy attack was the biggest one he has sent and it exploded on Lullaby's chest.
The crowd was in awe of the young talent shown to them, but Lullaby saw it differently. "You are making me ANGRY!" It smashed a large mound of rocks where they generally were and the four dispersed.
Lullaby only grew more angry as more attacks pelleted him. "I'm not done with you!" Natsu once again closed the distance with Lullaby. His arms were blazing and flowed into long tendrils of flames. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
On the floor, Shidou rushed Lullaby's right leg, the edge of his sword energized. "Crushing Counter!" He slashed its leg, but to his disappointment did not sever it from his body. The flute demon noticed him and raised its leg to stomp him into paste. Shidou tried to run, but wooden beast's leg tracked him lethally well.
Someone grabbed him before the foot fully landed. Shidou expected the afterlie, but what he got was an annoyed redhead. "You shouldn't have closed in like that!"
"I hurt the beast. That's all that matters." Shidou stubbornly dismissed.
Erza squeezed his still sore stomach - harshly.
Lullaby roared again, energy collecting in its mouth. "It's going to play its song!" Shidou pointed out.
Everyone braced themselves for a gruesome fate, but when Lullaby started playing, all that left its body was a gentle breeze. "HUH?!"
"Wow..." Shidou muttered. "All that build-up for this?"
"It appears we punch too many holes in it." Erza, too, was pleasantly surprised as she just floated in the air with Shidou still in her hold.
"He went out with a whimper, huh?"
"Flutes aren't interesting to begin with, now that I think about it." Erza added with a chuckle.
"YOU DARE MOCK ME?!"
"Erza, throw me!"
She flew towards Lullaby, avoiding its swatting hand threw Shidou like she did against the beast in Crust. The projectile that was Shidou was too fast for Lullaby to avoid and he landed on its wooden face with a stab of his sword.
Lullaby roared and went to squash Shidou like an annoying bug, but Shidou anticipated this. Lullaby's hand neared its head, but before it could land, Shidou propped his legs up and backflipped from Lullaby's face. Lullaby's hand separated itself from its face and allowed Shidou to touch down on the back of its hand. He ran up it arm and jumped on its shoulder before Lullaby once again tried to smash him to paste. The tiandi dragged his sword on its skin before stopping on his hump that was the back of his neck. Lighting his sword like he was performing a Crushing Counter, he then stabbed Lullaby so hard, 3/4 of his blade went into him.
Even though Zeref's demon was the size of a small mountain, the stab was one of the most painful feelings it has ever felt. It shrieked loudly in pain, but he couldn't deal with Shidou as Gray shot more ice at him. Its eyes narrowed at the half-naked ice wizard.
A wide spread fiery explosion rang through the area, nearing dangerously close to Lucy and the crowd. However, Gray was near them as this happened. "Ice Make: Shield!" A shield of ice vaguely resembling a flower manifested and covered him and everyone beside him.
"I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" The demon's attention went to the side as his fiery explosion was absorbed. Natsu gulped every ounce of flame until his belly bloated.
"Oh yeah?! Now I got a fire in belly!"
"You're not human - you're a monster!" Lullaby punched when Natsu was, but the boy dodged and ran up his arm.
"That's rich coming from you!" Shidou tugged his blade out and placed energy into it. "Crushing Counter!" and he stabbed Lullaby once more, the explosion happening in his skin. Shidou was pleased when the monster roared in agony.
More attack befell Lullaby. Erza had requipped in her Black Wing armor and sliced its face. An icy chainsaw cut into its hollow stomach, nearing severing Lullaby in two. The final nail in Lullaby's coffin came from Natsu. "I got this!" He ignited both his hands and brought them together to form a giant fireball. "Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Shidou jumped back as the fireball made contact, incinerating the broken down flute of Zeref. He fell at an alarming speed, but not fast enough to Erza to miss. She caught him in his arm in a bridal carry, a detail Shidou noted sardonically. "My knight in shining armor has come to save me once more." He thought humor could bury the wound to his pride, but he was only half right.
"I wouldn't need to save you so much if you knew how to take care of yourself." She chuckled, though the tiandi felt it was more advice than it was a witty comeback.
Lullaby had been defeated, it returning to it lame flute form. The guild masters praised their skills, noting how they made it look easy. To be honest, Erigor was more of a challenge, but that probably had to do with the fact Lullaby couldn't play properly. He'll still take the win though.
"I can't believe how strong they are!" Kageyama gaped in disbelief. How could Eisenwald think of measuring up to them? "Are Fairy Tail wizards as powerful as them?"
"No doubt about it! This is the strongest team!" the blonde of the group gushed.
'A team...' Shidou had been alone for years. Fighting alongside well-meaning individuals felt good, he had to admit, but he shouldn't grow complacent with this. If he had a team watching his back, his justified demise would be greatly pushed back. And even if he wanted to continue working with them, the last thing he wanted was to drag them down with him. They don't deserve that.
"We're an awesome guild, aren't we?!" Makarov said as he joined the cheer squad.
Still, Shidou couldn't help but give a small smile at their enthusiasm.
He turned around, and stopped. "Guys..."
"Hm?" Erza turned as well, and stopped at the sight. "Uh..."
"The entire conference hall and even it foundation were leveled completely. A massive crater where the building was occupied the space. It did not take a genius to figure out the perpetrators.
"Huh... We took out a couple mountain tops. Magic is quite the force, isn't it?" Shidou wondered loudly as Makarov's spirit seemed to leave his body. He stayed the most silent as Natsu laughed at it all.
He then spotted Lullaby's flute and promptly stomped it to pieces. Just as the crowd got more angry with the destruction Fairy Tail brought, the guild members made themselves scarce and left. Shidou followed them in tow.
"Look at all this property damage..." Makarov sobbed as he sat at his desk. The crew returned to the guild victorious from their mission, though they withered from the Makarov's glaring face that had been directed towards them. Shidou was included, but Makarov conceded that most of his attacks were contained to Lullaby only.
What looked like a hundred property damage reports adorned the guild master's desk. Shidou showed a look of sympathy at his plight, enhanced when he took a look at the repair cost for the conference hall. "That's a lot of zeroes." Shidou winced.
Makarov's head slumped. "So... you're from another world." he then said changing the subject.
Out of everyone he has told of his true origins, Makarov was the second most receptive to the news. Natsu believed him without a doubt which extended to Happy, but Gray and Lucy were skeptical like Erza had. Makarov, however, didn't seem so surprised Shidou was from another world.
Rather, he was surprised by the fact he could use magic considering he was from a world with no magic.
"Judging by your reaction, you don't seem so surprised." the otherworlder stated.
Makarov merely chuckled. "You can say I've met someone who was in a similar position." he said as a certain pink-haired doctor popped his mind. "But your world must operate on different principles. The way your body acclimated to this world is remarkable."
"Does this person you know not know how to use magic?"
"No, she doesn't." Makarov answered. "Your abilities are also something I've never seen before."
Coming from a renowned wizard, that meant something. "I don't quite follow. I thought everyone in this world can use ethernano."
"They do, but how you use ethernano is simple, but different from anyone else on Earthland." Makarov stated. "Ethernano is essentially fuel for magic users to cast spells. It's then converted and projected into different forms." Examples being Gray's ice make magic or Natsu's fire magic. "You operate on the first principle, but instead you project ethernano in its most raw and destructive form."
The explanation made sense. Crushing Counter was simply an energy attack composed of volatile ethernano. It wasn't a fire or lighting attack; it was just pure ethernano. If Shidou followed correctly, his magic is not constrained to one form or another, essentially making it one of, if not the most versatile magic types Earthland has ever seen. The only limit Shidou could foresee was his imagination.
"I don't recall such a power existing before." Makarov said. "I don't even know if this is some kind of lost magic like Dragon Slayer magic. My boy, I believe you are a rarity." he then praised.
Shidou merely dismissed his praise with a soft scoff. "Please. My power is simply a basic principle amplified. It's not that spectacular."
"What a humble reply." commented the guild master. "You must be a hit with the ladies."
Shidou rolled his eyes. "Am I joining the guild or not?"
In his musings, the old master somewhat forgot why the tiandi was in his office to begin with. He leaned back in his chair and appraised Shidou. "...Why do you want to join?"
"I desire a challenge. That, and I wish to explore this curious land even further."
The response was not a lie, but not the whole truth. Makarov and Shidou knew this and looked at each other further.
"This isn't about reuniting with Natsu?" Makarov inquired.
That broke Shidou's gaze on him as the young man looked to the side. 'I... my memories are still hazy. I did not know who Natsu was before coming here."
A soft hum of acknowledgment was Makarov's response. "And what do you think of Fairy Tail?"
"I think it's a fine place. In my travels, I met a rare few groups as genuine and homely as Fairy Tail." Shidou answered honestly. "I don't mind pledging my allegiance to you."
Makarov nodded at his response with a small smile. "Do you know what I see when I look at you, Shidou?"
Shidou cocked his head in intrigue.
"I see a darkness in you. A heavy burden weighing in your heart even as we speak." Makarov solemnly stated.
Shidou knew he was looking deeply into him, to connect to his soul. It was the same thing he did for Kageyama and it troubled Shidou he was going through effort for him too. "I take it that's a no?"
"Oh, don't mistake my words. You can join. It'd be criminal of me to turn down someone in need." The old man reassured him further by pulling out the guild stamp from his desk drawer He hopped on the table to address Shidou at his level. "I don't know what demons trail behind you, but know that this family you're joining will help you conquer them."
With how Natsu and the others were, Shidou agreed with him. But what did he have to heal from? He saw things as they were: he was the murder of his family and the reason why his empire was ransacked. He doesn't deserve such mercy after everything he has done.
But he hid that thought behind a neutral expression. He did not deny Makarov's words as he said, "My demons are my own to face. If want to face them, I will do so on my own terms."
Makarov merely shrugged. "Perhaps, but a few friends by your side will certainly make things easier, won't it?"
"... I suppose."
"Good!" Makarov smiled brightly. "What color and where?" he said referring to the guild mark.
Shidou requipped into his t-shirt and showed his right shoulder. He lifted the sleeve and pointed to the are above the dragon head. "In the same color as the dragon."
'The same spot as Natsu's mark.' Makarov noticed. He wasn't sure if it was on purpose or not, but it was still nice to see.
The skin on his shoulder was stamped. There was a tiny glow before it was taken off Shidou. There on his skin was the Fairy Tail guild mark in dark purple.
Shidou turned back to Makarov just as the guild master smiled at his newly inducted son. "Welcome to Fairy Tail, Qin Shidou!"
