It was supposed to be like any other normal easy mission, executed with ease by the strongest team of the Fairy Tail guild and returning safely but things took a turn for the worse during their travel home through the forest. It became dark and they were confronted by a multitude of dark guild members for no obvious reason. Without a warning they struck. Stress rose quickly as the team suffered from fatigue but were fighting valiantly, Natsu scorched countless surrounding enemies and trees, Gray lashed out with his ice-make, Erza requiped into her Heaven's Wheel Armor, and Lucy summoned Taurus to support the front lines. Things were working well, so well that they managed to eliminate their members to the final three strongest opponents. When everything seemed to be going right, Lucy collapsed under immense magic consumption and Taurus returned through his magic gate.
Gray looked back, "Oh no, Lucy's down!" His guard lowered, he barely managed to dodge an incoming attack from a summoned demon.
A burst of light flashed before Lucy, as an orange haired man with blue glasses appeared next to her. "Loke! Take her as far away as possible, if not back to the guild!" Erza commanded as she began her assault on the demons presently in front of her while Natsu leapt towards the large number of demons.
Loke nodded, "I got her!" He lifted her into his arms and dashed out through the clearing.
Natsu's devilish grin appeared, "Alright, I guess it's three on three then! No holding back anymore! Fire Dragon: Iron Fist!" An immense fire engulfed his fist swinging wildly into the center of demons.
The three dark guild members all wore long black robes with hoods. The only one that stood out was wearing a necklace of chain links. He lifted his hand to the air, beginning a spell with a white spell seal. Erza noticed a second or so later, "Everyone cover your ears, sleep magic!" She yelled with two hands to her head now.
"What?!" Gray called. Ding, a white light flashed, as the sound chimed along with a disruptive crash.
Erza clenched her eyes shut until the light lowered. Upon opening, she found she was too late, that Gray had not heard in time and had fell victim to the spell but Natsu continued after one of the guild members that drew a large iron hammer on him. Natsu must haven't of heard it if he caused that large explosion but now Gray is out and there are still three of them. Ugh! How are we going to escape this one?!
"Erza! Stop hesitating and FIGHT!" Natsu exclaimed as he drove his knee into his opponent's stomach, stumbled, then collapsed. "Happy, get Gray and go after Loke!" She gazed at him in awe.
"Aye sir." His flying cat said lifting Gray into the air and flying out above the trees. Their ringleader sneered at their dwindling numbers but Natsu paid no attention to him flashing his Erza his toothy grin.
"You're right, I apologize. We shall not lose!" She nodded and commenced her attack on leader, still mocking them with a smile. He used slight movements and side steps to escape each mundane swing of her sword.
Natsu turned to the final member who summoned another horde of demons. "Oh no, you don't! Fire Dragon: Roar!" From his mouth, a large blast of fire scorched the majority of the demons in an instant but they returned in the same lapse of time. "Damn it! I'm just getting started!" Glaring through the crowd, he saw the bastard summoning more of them, "If they won't fall, then maybe you WILL!" He left out a cackle before dashing through the dense mist of creatures straight into the caster's stomach with his head. Natsu used his palm to rub the spot where he had collided as the demons vanished and the caster had collapsed. "Crap! That hurt…" He turned to Erza as she attacked endlessly on their leader. "Wow! You've got him on the run Erza!"
He may think so, but he's dodging every attack without cease… and why is he smiling? She thought in the midst of her attacks. Her fear rose and caused her to hesitate; she knew that he had seen it. He capitalized with a quick kick to the chest, snapping her chest plate and sending her through a large oak tree. All the time, he held his evil smile. She lay there, unable to move. I guess I used too much magic continuously requiping… It's as if he had watched me fight for years and could predict every move...
"Erza!" Natsu dashed to her side.
"Listen…" She murmured quietly, drawing Natsu close enough to smell the charcoal and burned rubble covering his clothing, "be… careful… Natsu…" Her vision blacked out and she released her grip on Natsu's scarf.
She fell limp and her armor disappeared, exposing her casual attire. "You bastard!" He sprung to his feet, smoke seeping from his skin, "Nobody hurts Fairy Tail!" He turned to the enemy, now nearing him. The smoke turned to fire as he leapt towards him. The leader threw his hands up frantically but no attack came. He peeked through his guard but received a large uppercut, launching him into the air. Before he took flight, Natsu caught him by the sole of his foot and yanked him back. "Fire Dragon: Iron Fist!" The flaming fist met the face of the hood and exploded into a thick dark smoke. Where'd he go? He could be anywhere now! His paranoia caused a chill to run up his skin. His eyes focused until the haze had cleared, finding an empty cloak on the floor. Examining the area he found that all the other defeated members had disappeared as well. His attention immediately turned back to his red haired friend lying helplessly under the moonlight. His arms felt as if there were needles in them, his legs trembled and shook violently, and his head felt heavy as he trudged to her side before dropping to his knees. His breaths came in heaves until he fell back onto his side next to her. Rolling over he gazed at the stars, watching as each one twinkled in the night sky. Not soon after, his eyes were heavy swinging in and out of a drowsy state. He sat up immediately, shaking his head awake. He looked down at the scarlet wonder, lying peaceful and calm, that he had never seen a woman look so beautiful under the low lighting of the night sky. He sighed and pulled his scarf from his neck. Seating her upright, he wrapped it around her and lifted her into his arms. He began his trot back home, head held low. It was a half hour train ride back during the day, but at night, the trains weren't in service so there was a long journey ahead.
Treading under the stars, he looked down the dark path to a village surrounded in laughter and bright lights. That's right… It's the Fair of Fairies tonight… he thought to himself. Looking down to his brave leader, he admired her peacefully sleeping, pressed into his scarf and chest. A content smile spread across his face as he turned her onto his back and finished his walk into town.