Somewhere along the north end of the large second shield, there was a peculiar structure. It looked like a giant ovular motor device, but it was almost a hundred meters long and had two tower-like ends on top and bottom. There were red tips on the top and bottom, and they were blinking slowly.
On the ground, a hundred soldiers were stationed. They all had magical weaponry along with plain old weapons. Since the first shield was down, they were told to maintain high alert.
"So, how long again?" A soldier asked.
"A half hour. It's almost been a whole day, but look on the bright side." The second soldier said. "There have been no enemy sightings. Perhaps they were dumb and went for the second shield?"
"Haha! Sucks for them!" Another soldier chuckled.
As they were making conversation, they began to feel a great wave of magic rise from somewhere. It felt like the west for some reason. A few soldiers turned their heads towards the source, and there in the distance was a large dust cloud.
"What the heck is…?!" One other soldier's eyes widened underneath his mask as he saw one hundred of figures close in like wild animals on the loose.
"I'LL SPIN YOU ALL!" Leading the mob of mages was Lamia Scale's Obaba, spinning like a top and leading her guild behind. The top runners were Lyon and Jura, the best of Lamia Scale. They led the charge second to Obaba. "EVERYONE FIGHT OR YOU'LL END UP SPINNED!"
"Ice-Make: Dragonfly!" Putting two hands together, Lyon gathered cold magic and materialized into dozens of medium-sized dragonflies of light green ice. The attack fired at the soldiers, pushing them all back.
"Rock Doll!" Sherry used her back and manifested a giant golem out of hardened rock of the earth, which slugged several soldiers and sent them flying.
"Everyone, protect the barrier at all costs!" The lead soldier yelled. "Charge!"
On his command, several soldiers engaged, only to be passed and stunned by Toby.
"Aroof!" Toby passed five at once, leaving them paralyzed by his long claws. "Come on! I'm disappointed! The least you can do is fight better!" He slashed away frantically and without much control, swiping soldiers away that were weary of his paralysis claws.
"Talus!" Rock pillars jutted up beneath on Jura's call, making numerous soldiers fly from his Earth Magic.
Obaba was spinning so fast she was almost a blur. "Just you wait, Fiore's gonna put you in the dirt where you belong, you naïve simpletons!"
On the southern end, where a similar generator was hovering, Master Bob pointed out at the incoming number of soldiers that were stationed. "Now, my sweethearts, show them what it means to be a Pegasus!"
"Me~n. You heard the Master." Ichiya adjusted his stance and pointed with stylish fashion at the incoming enemy brewing. "Let us relish in the parfume of glory! Onwards, my brave friends!" With a swift skip, sparkles followed behind Ichiya as he entered the fray, fortunately for him, him eccentricity startled a number of soldiers in an awkward fashion for Blue Pegasus to lay an assault.
"We're on it, boss man!" Eve happily declared as he moved his arm in an arc, pummeling several soldiers in one go with a furious blizzard.
"Yeah, I guess." Ren shrugged, looking away as he made a veil of air around a couple soldiers, incapacitating them and limiting their air supply. He then smiled. "It's the least we can do for how they treated us."
Jenny was in her Battle Form Take Over, socking a soldier in the head with a furious kick. "I was just thinking the same thing!"
Eve pivoted and swiped a blanket of snow from the side, dealing damage to more soldiers coming his way. "Let's just hope the others are doing as well as we are."
Ichiya struck a pose, sparkling with glory. "Fret not, for our comrades and Fairy Tail have not disappointed in the past. Let us have faith, and do our part! MEN!" Spinning about with style like an awkward ballet, Ichiya released a parfume all around from a flask. When the enemy took a whiff from all around, they instantly fell down into unconsciousness.
"That's our hero!" The Trimens smiled with thumbs up.
As they embarked for the second shield, Makarov took the steady front, with Team Natsu taking the frontlines as they had to be in the case of strong opponents appearing. Everybody else followed behind with a strong and mighty urge to rid of their unwelcomed guests. The way they had it yesterday, they wanted to get more beatings in, roughhouse some more, but there was something off, something that left Makarov unnerved sort of speak.
Mirajane took up from behind, walking with her siblings. "Huh?"
Elfman looked down at his older sister. "What is it, Mirajane?"
"It's quite odd." She started. "When you think about it…for the past hour now, we haven't really engaged in any fighting with anyone, have we?"
Lisanna realized the scenario as Mirajane did. "Hey, yeah! And the fact is that we're so close to the second shield. Is it because their numbers are busy dealing with Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale?"
"Doubtful." The Strauss siblings were shocked as they turned ahead to see Makarov still walking but hearing them. "Our enemy used up almost all of their forces yesterday. According to the reports, five thousand were apprehended yesterday, and from the signatures this morning, only two hundred were left."
"But then that means we're in the clear?" Lisanna wondered.
"…for now." Makarov said. "But what I question is how and why would these kings be so willing as to have all of their forces laid out in front? It's very unlikely to have someone penetrate that first shield, granted, but in our case, they'd have no defense after their fleet is incapacitated. It's not like someone to lay all their cards out at once."
"Master, if I may?" Erza interjected. "Perhaps because we ourselves had a remorseful struggle. Look at what happened to us. We barely held up against those numbers, and we exhausted a majority of our Magic Power to break down their first line of defense. If that happened to us, then it could very well wear out anybody."
Makarov had to ponder some about the predicament as he kept on walking and leading his group. "Yes, I suppose you're right, but then that leaves the question: If that was their first line of defense, what's next?"
"Whatever it is, it ain't stopping me. I ain't scared of a few traps." Natsu declared with a confident smile.
Gray sweat dropped. "Would you stop being such a brainless bull ready to charge?"
"Say what?!" Natsu grew a tick mark. Flares went between the two almost instantaneously as they butted heads. "And why wouldn't I be ready to charge?! It's a new day and one step closer towards victory! We gotta keep up the momentum!"
"I'm just keeping a cool head rather than going and bashing everything in sight, ya dumb pyro!" Gray retorted.
"Oh yeah? How's about I warm up on the enemy with you?!"
"You wanna go?!"
"Enough!" Erza interrupted with a heavy stern in her tone.
Natsu and Gray immediately jumped in their feet attire and were put a halt on their challenge towards the other, much to their embarrassment and fear of the redhead's wrath. As she scolded them both, the guild snickered them some, pitying their dumbfounded rivalry at such pointless times. Lucy sweat dropped and sighed as Happy covered his mouth to hold back his snickering. As the many others kept on going, the argument was cast aside and they all trudged uphill eventually into the heavier crags.
As they marched on with a huff with every careful step, Cana was getting an odd feeling. It wasn't one of those 'I have a bad feeling' things, but more like 'something's out of place'; along those lines. The brunette marched on, and as she tried ignoring it, the more it bugged her.
'Okay, I'm gonna bite, whatever this feeling is that I'm getting, it's starting to give me a little headache.'
Miles away from the group, Craig was heading up a craggy slope, briefly stopping when he got this sudden realization. "Achoo!" He sneezed and shook his head. "I don't know why…but I think I'm having a little mental celebration."
'It feels like something's out of place…meh, whatever. Can't be that important.' Cana was trying so hard to forget this feeling, despite how all the more perplexed she was. However the case may have been, the others were aware of the distraught and irritation that was clear as day. They dared not break her concentration, nor question. She seemed irritated enough as she was already.
Time marched on until they all stood in front of what was the second shield. By no means was it bigger than the first shield, in fact it was much smaller. Compared to the massive expanse of the first shield, this one was limited to only a few miles in diameter. Fra within could they see the pitch black dome that was the third shield.
"There it is." Makarov said. "We're so close."
Gray, Juvia, and everyone else present had high hopes as they stood before the second shield. They seemed very much satisfied knowing that after this one lied only one more obstacle. After which, they shall take on this so-called Essence. While it was still a mystery, it wasn't something they weren't gonna let slide. Fiore's hope was in their hands, and it's with that will alone that they shall triumph. Whatever happens, it'll be decided in their favor, as it shall always be.
"So gramps, what's it gonna be?" Natsu wondered, glaring intensely at the second shield's dark gray layer.
"I say we take it out while aiming at a single point as before. It worked last time." Gray speculated.
"Hmph, the stripper ain't wrong, but we don't know what kinds of surprises this one has." Gajeel grunted.
"Well as Levy said, we don't know what kinds of traps this shield has. Shouldn't we test out the waters?" Lucy advised.
All of the above were liable options. It was hard to pick just one solid idea, especially with the assortment of possibilities. But Master Makarov had to make a solid choice, as it was his duty to decide what actions were appointed, and so he acted accordingly.
With his own conscience acting, he walked up to the shield and pointed two fingers at it. "This is just to see what'll happen." He fired a small beam of light, catered by his Light Magic. His beam of light shot right into the gray shield, but the most perplexing ideal was that it completely went through, like the shield itself wasn't there.
Everyone's eyes were wide and shock grew. Elfman was the first to speak up. "Whoa, did that just happen?"
"His magic passed through." Mirajane pointed out.
"But hey…" Macao crossed his arms with a frown. "There's something I don't get. Wasn't the means of a shield to keep magic and people out?"
"Guess not this one. It must be weaker than the first one." Wakaba speculated.
"Well then…" Natsu stepped forward, a smirk on his face as he cracked his knuckles. "Let's see what other kinds of things can go through." He puffed his cheeks as he took in a big breath. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
A blast of fire was unleashed, and just like with what happened to Makarov's magic, it went straight through the dark gray layer.
"Even Natsu's flame went through." Wendy said.
"So magic can get through, they say?" Carla pondered. "How odd, but what's the deal with their weak defenses?"
"Well I say since we got no problems here, let's get through his false shield and-GUH!" Gray only made it so far until he was stopped cold. Touching the dark gray dome was like solid steel to him. He fell onto his rump while holding onto his nose.
"Gray, darling!" Juvia rushed on over and put a hand onto Gray's shoulder as he was calming down. "Are you hurt, my love?"
"Aw man, what was that just now?" Gray looked back up at the shield again. He stood up and proceeded ahead toward the peculiar structure. He stood in front and touched it. It was solid. "Now that's odd."
"It's like it suddenly turned on." Juvia said, poking the shield to find it solid.
Elfman clenched his fist and brought it back. "Let's see what a real man can do!" With a roar, he punched forward and struck the shield. There was a loud boom and the big guy was repulsed from the force applied. He screamed as he soared into a number of his own guild mates, knocking them down like bowling pins.
"What the heck?!" Cana got out some of her tarot cards and pulled her arm back. She brought it around and swiped, hurling the cards and they, once again, went straight through. Her disbelief grew. "What…?"
Erza requipped a sword and prodded through the shield. To her shock, the shield accepted the sword a sit went through, but not her wrist nor hand as they were stopped like stone. "What can this mean?"
"I don't know…" Natsu took a few steps back, gaining what was momentum for a running start. He then lunged onwards head first into the shield. "But this thing ain't stopping me-!"
All were left shocked as Natsu's momentum completely struck them like lightning. He headbutted the shield…only thing was that he fell straight through falling into the dry dirt on the other side. The Dragon Slayer muffled within the dirt until he got back up, shaking his head.
"Uuuhh, hey wait? What?!" He jerked back up and looked around, seeing as how the sun was blocked out by dark gray. He looked around to find a mountainous desolation afoot. "What the heck just happened?!"
"Natsu? Natsu?!" Erza shouted into the shield. "Are you there?" She sounded worried.
To her relief, Natsu's head popped out of the shield. "Yeah? Oh, hey Erza."
Erza sighed in heavy relief.
Cana put a hand to her chin. "It's so strange."
"What? That our magic and Natsu can get through but not us?" Elfman questioned.
"Well I don't know about you guys, but I feel fine. Look." Happy demonstrated his side of the story when he flew in a circle overhead, going in and out of the shied just fine with no worry. "See? I'm fine as well."
"How odd." Carla's Aera Magic kicked in, and in which she ascended and met with the shield. Unlike the others, she was in the same boat as Happy and Natsu, as she stuck her paw out and it went in like nothing happened. She retracted her paw and looked back at the shield. "How is this even possible?"
Altogether, Fairy Tail had a melee of displays. They all went physical and tried to break through, kicking and punching, but no matter what, the shield made them bounce off. However, when their magic was displayed, that went straight through.
"Whoa! Hey!" Natsu was lifted by Happy as magic went through the shield, almost hitting him. Thankfully, Happy was there to keep him up from their deluge of assaults. "Watch where you aim, you big jerks!" He retorted downwards.
Wendy and Gajeel both attempted to get through the shield as they tried pushing through, but they were forced to have a halt in their steps as they were stopped by the shield.
"Even Dragon Slayers are affected? How come not Natsu?" Pantherlily thought aloud.
"And why can only us Exceeds be able to accomplish this feat as well?" Carla wondered. "I seriously am beginning to wonder how exactly this shield of theirs functions."
"Whatever or however-!" Gray punched again, only or his fist to completely deflect off the shield. "This stupid shield is gonna pay!"
Makarov turned towards Warren. "Warren, did you get word out to the alliance?"
Warren turned towards the Master with fingers pointed to the side of his head. "Yeah, just got the message out towards them. They just finished destroying those shield generators, and now they're trying to get inside.
Thanks to the Wizard Saint Jura and his Rumbling Fuji spell, their designated shield generator was reduced to decimated shambles that released a lot of smoke into the air. Lamia Scale's celebration was cut short, however, when they were just given the message sent by Warren. They were currently on the north of the big shield, and as startling as it was, Obaba spun in and deflected right of, yelling and screaming into one of her own.
"Our attacks can get through, but not ourselves?" Jura inquired.
"Well this makes the situation unbearable." Yuka grumbled.
"Aroof! You stupid shield! Your defenses are so annoying!" Toby barked, slashing at the shield, only for his swipes to deflect right off without so much of a single scratch.
"Arooo…WAAAHHHH!"
Of course one deflected swipe got him in the face, resulting in an agonizing shock and heavy paralysis for him, leaving him to fall to the ground with spirals in the eyes.
Lyon looked annoyed. "This is very cumbersome indeed. If we can't get through, but Magic can?"
On the other end, the southern location, Hibiki was dialing coordination key points of his Archive Magic. "Everybody stay calm. According the Master Makarov, Natsu and the Exceeds were able to penetrate the shield. Meaning they can get to the shield generator and knock it down for the rest of us." He pressed one final button, and then the whole monitor in front of him flashed. "I'm uploading data into you all right now, try and stay still."
Within a matter of seconds, above everyone's head was a holographic bar with the word 'DOWNLOAD' above it. The bars went from blue to yellow upon completion and faded, leaving many with wide eyes with information suddenly plugged into their brains.
Mirajane could almost process the information just like that. Elfman and Lisanna were both startled with this new information.
Cana spoke up. "I'll bite, what is this weird map in our heads?"
"This is a diagram of the layout. The area of which we currently are around is the second shield. According to my magic scans, there's only two signs of life inside the second shield's layer." Hibiki explained. "It's safe to assume that they're both the remaining kings standing. In short, I believe there is a way to take down the second shield."
"Care to explain yourself?" Makarov asked through the telepathic connection.
"Sure. As you all are aware, Natsu and the Exceeds can pass through, yet we can't. I managed to find the generator…it's actually a Body Link Magic connected to one of the two kings left. If Natsu can defeat him, then the second shield should dissipate for us to pass through."
Natsu grew a serious look. "So it's all up to me, is it?"
Pantherlily nodded. "It would seem to be the case."
"This is a very bold decision, Hibiki." Makarov pointed out. "A lone guild member against unimaginable odds…but it seems we have no choice in the matter." He turned towards Natsu, reaching for something located in his pocket.
"Gramps?" Natsu wondered.
Makarov pulled out what was a lacrima strapped by a necklace. He held it up to Natsu as his head was sticking out still.
"This is a small video lacrima. We can see what you can see, and we'll be able to keep in touch with you telepathically. Remember, be extremely careful. We don't know what kind of danger shall be approached with those two kings remaining."
Natsu gave his trademark grin. "Don't worry, I'll knock that one down, then we'll all have a fair share of that last one!"
He accepted the necklace and Erza watched with a grin of confidence, but deep down she wished in desperation. Natsu, while not technically, will be going alone. It's up to him for the most part, and she really listed she was there to help him like what happened yesterday. All she could do was hope for the best and watch through the lacrima. 'Natsu…'
"I'll be back soon!"
With that, Natsu retreated his head back into the dome, turning and running off with Happy. Carla and Pantherlily stayed behind as they wouldn't help all that much, and would instead have to keep a lookout if one of the two kings decided to attack the borders.
Cana was left perplexed still, scoping around the area. It had been a long time, and her headache reached her eyes. It was leaving strain as something was bugging her, and she couldn't shake it off. 'The heck is this feeling?' She mentally scowled. 'Just what the heck are we missing that could give me just a…'
Realization dawned upon her. Her eyes widened when she looked around, noticing how one person in particular was missing, someone who played a role. She grew despondent. "Oh, you've got to be pulling my freakin leg. Not that snarling grump."
Craig stood in front of the big, dark gray shield. It was as tall as it was foreboding. Inside of it held mighty foes, three of which he had to vanquish for good.
"…" As peculiar as it was, it dared not deter him. However he did maintain a high guard. His experience with shields of all variety did leave him to consider the pros and cons of what may or may not be the unfathomable. Instead, he observed. Waited. He waited, until he saw small animals jump and run out. They were little squirrels, and they seemed fine. Craig saw no sign of worry, only they were scared and scurried off. However his answers were not fulfilled. 'Can this be one of those shields where one goes in and does not come out, or is it reversed…?' Taking a cautious route, albeit with an exhausted look, he picked up a nearby twig and stuck the end out. The tip touched the shield, fazing right through inside. His speculations were all the more perplexed as he reeled the twig back and turned it over, seeing as how it was fine. He set the twig down, seeing as how it was fine, and then went with a different material. Drawing his dark red sword he did the same motion and stuck the blade into the shield, albeit slowly again. The results as before transpired.
'What's this all about?' He wondered. Bringing his sword back and sheathing it, he then to go direct. 'I guess it's time for that big leap of faith…' He then reached his arm inside, and as he touched the shield, the most shocking piece of evidence was that his arm went all the way through. Only blinking once, a hostile expression returned to his face. How knowing what lies ahead, there was no going back.
He went inside the shield. Not bothering to look back.
Natsu was carried by Happy as they got a high view. "Hey, Happy?"
"Something bothering ya, pal?" The blue Exceed wondered as he carried Natsu across the open air within the confines of the dark clay shield, blocking out the sun.
"Why is it that we were able to get through and not the others?" The Dragon Slayer looked down at his necklace dangling, seeing the lacrima glint.
All three quadrants had a perceptive view as Hibiki managed to get large monitors up for all to see. They saw a clear vision as to what was happening. With every dead tree and valley located through Natsu's lacrima, Hibiki charted the location and geography by pushing buttons. They could hear crustal clear as well.
"I don't know, guess they have a bone to pick with us, I think?" Happy figured.
"Yeah, maybe…" Natsu grew his smile again. "Don't worry, we'll find that royal pain and show him up like we did with his friend."
"Aye-!" Happy's eyes suddenly widened. "Whoa! Incoming!"
"Huh?"
A loud roar was heard from a 6 o'clock angle/ There was a glint, but then in a blinding rush, a massive volume of blue roots shaped into a dragon head, bellowing outwards as bark crackled. The huge wave of roots opened its mouth wide and Natsu and Happy dove out of the way of the attack and watched as the dragon root arched back down into the ground, making the earth rumble. The roots all dissipated and traveled back into the earth, leaving dust to scatter.
Natsu sweat dropped. "Okay, what the heck was that just now?"
Happy scoped the decimated earth, seeing as how there was only little color as it was either dark gray or earth. However there was a different color Happy managed to sniff out. It was blue. His smile returned. "Gotcha!"
Natsu's eyes widened. "Oh, hey, I see him too!"
Hybria stood with arms behind his back, staring with a collective vibe. His thick blue robe covered his entire body, leaving him clothed all the way; not even the neck was bare.
"There he is." Makarov stared into the monitor, seeing Natsu and Happy's altitude lowering and the lacrima-vision zoomed in to get a full image of Hybria. "So, he is who Natsu is to beat, huh?"
Hibiki's diagram of Hybria had data gathering however seemed possible. "I'm running an analysis on him right now." The data levels kept on increasing, and a chart was made on his monitor. Seeing how high the bar was, Hibiki's eyes widened. "N-no way. This guy has an unbelievable amount of Magic Power."
"Anything else you can gather?" Bob asked.
Hibiki shook his head. "No, but I'm working on it. Just hang on, and maybe we'll spy a weakness."
Natsu clenched his fists as he glared down at Hybria. "So you're one of the jokers I'm foolin around with, huh?"
"Such bold words from thou horrid tongue. Your words snipe with poor marksmanship. Thy magic shall not follow in your excuse of a display, for instead it must be reversed." He lifted up a hand, where the silver gauntlets were cloaked inside a veil of blue. "Now, observe!"
Hybria pressed his palms against the ground with a triumphant grunt. Shockwaves made the ground palpitate, rising and falling like ocean waves. Rising up from the quaking ground were large, thick blueroots with spear-like ends. The numerous roots all arose in a frenzy, having Happy maneuver so as to avoid the roots altogether. The two twisted and turned through the air as the blue roots chased them around, giving Natsu little to no room for a counter.
"Alright, let's go!" Natsu freed himself from Happy's hold, having him fall towards the incoming blue roots from below. He made a massive fireball in his hands and readied it.
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
The fireball exploded upon contact with the blue roots. A melee of fire burned through the roots, reducing them into nothing but charred bits, and yet through it Natsu fell. As he descended, more blue roots that weren't swallowed by the fire tried to strike him. He twisted again, evading several lashing roots and ended up landing atop of a root tip.
"Such nuisance." Hybria crouched and lunged, making the ground cave in from where he stood. He almost instantly closed the gap between himself and Natsu atop of the root that was only ten feet off the ground.
Natsu's eyes widened. "Whoa! Where did that come from?!"
"Hazard Blade!" Hybria's arms crossed, and harsh blue blades swiped right through his sleeves, jutting out and crossed them again, trailing blue as he struck Natsu, as well as dicing up the root into fragments. Natsu screamed as he shot back into the ground, slamming into the hardened dirt and bounced back to his feet.
The blades dissipated, leaving open slits for Hybria. "A testimony of stubbornness I see."
Natsu disregarded the large cut across his chest and wiped the dirt from the corner of his own lip. "Oh yeah? Happy!" Natsu grabbed the necklace around his neck and tossed it upwards. The camera glinted as the lacrima spun, and Happy caught it.
"I gotcha!" He announced.
Natsu faced Hybria again and cracked his knuckles. "Everyone's gonna watch as I beat this guy and bring that second shield down. You guys are toast."
Hybria seemed less amused and narrowed his eyes in heavy suspicion. "How?" He asked, catching Natsu's equal inquiry. "I ask you…do you know what you are exactly?"
"Huh?" Natsu tilted his head, with a question mark appearing over his head.
"If thou is that dumb, then they must be aware that the second shield is much different than from thy first one." He interpreted. "Allow thy self to cast this message clear: This second shield has the power to allow anything to pass through…as long as it's not pure human."
Natsu's eyes widened as shock overran him and Happy. "WHAT?!" They yelled in unison.
Everyone watching heard through the lacrima. This was a bitter shock to every single one of them.
"Wait, hold on!" Jet exclaimed.
"Humans can't pass through, no matter how hard they try?!" Droy stated.
Gajeel punched again, only for his fist to bounce right off. "This sucks!"
"Well now we understand why us Exceeds can pass through." Pantherlily mentioned.
On Blue Pegasus's end, Hibiki's eyes widened. "This can't be…" He began to gather data for another analysis, this time running DNA scanning. Every time when he took his hand off the keypad and onto the shield, the DNA scan always read positive, thus rejecting his passage. "I see now, no wonder we can't get through, no matter what magic we use. It's our DNA that determines our passage."
"But then how the heck can we get through?" Jenny asked.
"…we can't, no matter what." Hibiki grimaced. "Only Natsu can bring the shield down by defeating Hybria."
"GAAHH!" Obaba spun into the shield harshly, and once again was rejected by the coding of the shield. She hit her own guild members.
"This shield will never allow us to pass through as long as we are pure human?" Jura was wide-eyed at the statement.
"This explains it. We're wasting our magic because the shield's coding will not accept pure human." Lyon clarified.
Lucy was caught off guard by the tale, and something caught her attention. "Wait! Hold on!" Her guild mates turned towards her in question, wondering what she had to say. A worried and curious look was on her face. "We can't pass through, that's clear. Happy, Lily, and Carla can, however…but how did Natsu…?"
Elfman swiftly turned back towards the huge monitor. "Wait, you don't mean…?"
Gray stared up. "Well this just got interesting."
Natsu looked down at his own hands, looking with sheer intensity at his palms. He was spacing out, oblivious to the world. "But, I'm a Dragon Slayer…" He mumbled. "But Wendy and Gajeel are too, so why did…?"
"You foolish novice." Hybria scowled. "Dragon Slayers are still pure human, it's just their magic that's different." This revelation only left Natsu on guard as he felt an intense pressure resonating from within Hybria. It was so intense that he was in a small outline of blue. "The question of what you truly are matters not. Identity is vital to one's being, but if it dares not help in thy time of need, none shall survive in this world."
Natsu was caught off guard so bad that he was wide open for Hybria to close the gap again, with his gauntlets glowing blue and sharpening into heavy claws. He thrust forward, slamming the claws into Natsu and the Dragon Slayer flew backwards, sliding against the ground until hitting and breaking apart a boulder.
"Such pity I feel for you. Seems as though thou has not settled down from Ore's confrontation." Hybria scoffed through the dust.
The dust settled, and Natsu stood back up on his two feet, his whole body ablaze. There was a harsh glare in his eyes, and it was heavy; mixed with the fire and it was like looking right at a demon. "So who cares I'm not pure human?"
"H'oh?"
"You think that just because I'm not like the others that makes me a freak show? You jerks have been pushing our buttons for far too long. Whatever happens, know that Fairy Tail is my home, and I ain't abandoning it no matter what the cost!"
Everyone from Fairy Tail had triumphant smiles, as they were behind Natsu's words 100 percent.
"And that's why…" Massive fire pulsed from his feet, shooting him forwards like a rocket." We're never gonna let your kind take over Fiore!" He planted a firm punch across Hybria's face, the impact making the king slide backwards several feet.
"Yeah! Go, Natsu!" Happy shouted. "You show'em you're a champ!"
Hybria had a scornful frown on his face, with his magic beginning to swell once again. Again, there was an immense pressure, but Natsu fought through it and watched as Hybria's slit-sleeves jutted out blue blades again and took a starting stance. "Thou is a fool! Thy Lush Magic makes the land's roots thy servants, and these are the blades that signify my Magic Power. And so, thy life is worth more than yours!" He lunged again at Natsu, leaving the ground cracked yet again.
"Bring it!" Natsu challenged. He cloaked a fist in his trademark fire and the attack collided with Hybria's arm blades, creating a strong wind to pulse.
Both stood their ground and were at a solid stalemate but for a few brief moments before backing off. They rushed at each other, again colliding in hand to hand combat, with Natsu kicking and punching in terms of parrying each of the blue energy blades striking him. His punching, kicking, and ducking all held up well, leaving him to eventually find an opening and score a solid Fire Dragon's Iron Fist right to the cloaked stomach. A rupture of fire made him stumble back, leaving him to take the damage and wince.
"Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!"
Natsu cloaked his hand in flames, and like a dragon, he slashed in a downward motion, making small fiery explosions rattle the ground, engulfing Hybria again as he shot backwards. Natsu landed and smirked. "How'd ya like that?"
There was no answer as the fire settled down. Instead crackling was heard from the embers. A still moment settled until a pulse dissipated Natsu's flames, revealing Hybria with scorch marks on his thick robe.
"Now it's my storm to play!" He announced. He clenched his fists and a blue outline went around his body. "Life Maelstrom!" He yelled, creating a tempest of blue energy leaves that had a similar nature-like relevance to the roots he used to attack Natsu with earlier. His robe even picked up a little, showing an odd structure for some feet as it seemed. The blue leaves stretched out in the form of a tornado, picking up Natsu as he was caught in the tempest and spiraled up the funnel until spit out at the top.
"Natsu, hang on!" Happy rushed in at high speed in time to reach and catch Natsu as he spun in midair, leaving him to hold his mouth and his breakfast in. Happy flew around the air and looked down at Natsu. "Are you okay, pal?"
Natsu gave a weak thumbs up, despite how that turbulence made him feel more than a little sick. "Yeah…" He gurgled. "Never better…"
"You're still shaken up a bit from yesterday."
"I'm fine, just get me back down so that I can-!"
Not a second too soon was when energy claws formed around Hybria's gauntlets. He sprung up at remarkably great speeds, slashing at Natsu and Happy alike. Both separated and screamed as pain flared. The two smashed into the ground with a roaring thud, with Hybria landing soundly.
Natsu put a hand on his head. "Uh, my head. That made me feel stars." He shook himself awake and looked over to where Happy fell. "Happy-!" To his horror, Happy was already down for the count. The lacrima was still unharmed, but Hybria had the unconscious feline on a small wall of roots, strapping him down. Natsu looked perplexed, but was far more angered by how Happy was being treated as such. He angrily set ablaze with a growl. "You're gonna regret doing that." He snarled at Hybria.
The blue-robed man looked unappeased by Natsu's claim, as it did not leave any scarcity from within. "Thou accepts your challenge, come!"
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Without so much as even a moment's notice, Natsu gathered up all the fire he could, exerting a blazing torrent that attacked Hybria, even though the man had no defenses up, and he surprisingly took it on. A swelling blaze erupted, making the ground shake from the explosive display. Natsu wiped his mouth of the little dirt on him and glared forward to see Hybria's image in view.
He ran ahead again, his fists cloaked in heavy fire. "Alright, now you're finished-!"
A cyan claw suddenly reached out from the flames and grabbed Natsu by the throat, almost completely choking him. The Dragon Slayer gagged as his air supply was cut off that fast, and his disbelief grew. "Gah! N-no way…how did…?!"
Happy's eyes fluttered open, revealing a horrific creature that stood where Hybria was. The entire alliance had wide eyes and were beyond shocked when they saw what Hybria really was. The sight was truly a shocker.
Hybria's blue robe and gauntlets were burnt away, revealing a cyan body. The cyan skin and claws were match with two small protrusions each on the forearms, almost like little knives. While his upper body armor was still present, as were his dark blue trousers, his feet had claws, and the most startling feature of them all was the tail he had. The tail was surprisingly long and looked like it had dark blue spikes on all sides, like some prickly fern or pine tree with a cyan stinger for a tree tip.
Hybria's lower jaw was cyan, as revealed when a chunk of the mask was gone. "Now you see what I mean by identity means everything in battle?" He told Natsu as his grip tightened. "Look at me, I embrace what is superior to a human!" Again, he made an energy claw in his right hand, reeling it back and slashing forward, scoring a hot in Natsu's abdomen as the Dragon Slayer slid backwards. He had a hand on his abdomen as he felt pain flare from that solemn blow.
"This guy's power…it just grew." He muttered with a wince.
Hybria held up his arm, the cyan skin flourishing with potent force within its veins. "Years ago, in the country of Seven, there was a creature – a Forestaigia. It was a bizarre reptile, the last of its kind. It was elderly, so it really didn't cause trouble. When we found its corpse not long after it passed on, we found it fitting to have its legacy remain, and so I stand above my humanity, as the Forestaigia that'll not let a single human stand in my way!"
His knives on his forearms glowed blue and became long blades once again. With a heavy lunge, he zoomed after Natsu as he was still caught in shock.
Hurriedly, Natsu rebuffed. "How about this for a human! Fire Dragon's Roar!" He exerted a powerful stream of fire, but the blaze was all for naught as Hybria sliced right through Natsu's flame, almost bisecting them.
"Say wha-GAH!" Natsu was passed by him and slashed violently, trails of blue coming short as both his sides suffered cuts. He got to a knee and winced.
Hybria looked back at Natsu with narrowed eyes and a smirk. "No matter who you are, the mighty Essence will prevail."
Natsu got back up again and turned around. Cloaking within his flames, he unleashed a Fire Dragon's Sword Horn, ramming into Hybria with every ounce of strength he could muster up. And yet as Natsu drew near, he was smacked hard by Hybria's prickly tail, like a baseball struck by a bat. Natsu was sent spiraling through the air, screaming as his head had a sharp, prickly pain.
Hybria slammed his palms together, making a powerful ripple. "Cataclysmic Earth!" He slammed his palms into the earth, where shockwaves raged on and the ground shook violently. The earth was going up and down again like ocean waves as before, and then a massive array of heavy blue roots arose from underneath, all emerging in such a heinous frenzy. The roots all converged onto a midair Natsu. He was wide-eyed when he saw the jungle of roots lash at him, driving him up into the air as so many struck him at once. He let out one more painful bellow before the multitude of roots arched down altogether and drove him into the earth, making a powerful and dense shockwave and dust rampage violently.
"NATSU!" Happy shouted.
Watching, everyone was wide-eyed at the horror displayed. They just saw their hope get smacked to the ground brutally. Erza was horrified to say the least; her heart was pounding away, anger boiling as she couldn't get through the shield to help, and worst of all she could only watch and nothing more.
The dust settled, revealing Natsu's entire body covered in bruises and scrapes. He was badly beat, and just like Happy, he was held to his own wall of root by tied up blue twigs and root.
"Natsu? Natsu?!" Happy shouted out towards him. "Hey, you there?!"
Natsu eyes opened up. "Happy…"
Hybria appeared in front, his feet making the ground feel a strong tremor that lasted a few seconds. The hybrid glared at Natsu as the beaten Dragon Slayer had no energy in him. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the fire breather.
"You've made a terrible flaw. Humans alone can't make a difference in sheer beliefs alone. If they want something done right, it takes more than heart. It takes more than brains, and more than muscle. Thou better hear these words well, because thy make sure ye hear them echo in your grave." Hybria reeled his right arm back as the knife became another long blade. His glare stiffened an incapacitated Natsu. "There is no purity among the living. Thy conviction must be adjusted by their actions. You say you will never fall because you have thy guilds backing you up, well…" His eyes widened. "They're not here right now!"
"NATSU!" Happy cried out. Among those watching, Erza called out his name as well, hopelessly looking on with many of the startled and scared alliance members as Hybria swung forward, aiming for Natsu's neck…
It sounded sharp, because a loud roar echoed from not far behind. It had a monstrous tone to it, and it was enough of a shock to stop the arm blade from being mere inches away from Natsu's neck. The echoing roar transmitted through the lacrima, and all could hear loud and clear of the tone it had. It was blood-curdling.
Natsu's eyes cascaded downwards, shocked as his body was practically frozen. "What the hell…?" While was thankful the blade didn't slice him, he had to wonder what was that loud roar about.
Hybria retracted his arm blade and his gaze cascaded behind. His eyes were heavily wide with horror and astonishment as he turned his whole body away, facing some nearby passages and boulders. He looked tense, and it was his turn to feel scared.
"H-huh…?" Happy was still a little drowsy, but was able to process what is happening. The lacrima on him got full view and sound of the uneasiness Hybria was getting.
"That roar…" Hybria's eyes narrowed as he looked to a valley passage. His claws gripped the ground tight. "This is impossible. The second shield should've stopped him as well!"
"Who…?" Natsu's eyes were half open, but he suddenly widened them when something trudged into view. Happy also had wide eyes, and the alliance saw with equal shock as someone emerged from the valley passage.
It was Craig, and his footsteps weren't normal. They were stern, loud, and heavy, like the whole time he was walking towards the guild hall and towards the first shield. Like a prowling animal. His teeth were bared and sharp, a snarl emitting that made Hybria stand his ground. Craig's footsteps stopped when he made it out of the valley, only fifty feet away.
"Is that…?" Gray never finished.
Cana's eyes widened. "Of all the selfish moves…Cranky?!"
"That's the new guy! Craig!" Lisanna announced.
"You mean the same one who deliberately hurt Gray? That guy?!"
"Isn't he like a monster or something?"
"Whatever he is, he's our only hope."
Cana had shadows over her eyes. "I can't believe, that all of our hopes…are gonna get crushed by that guy."
Craig twisted his expression, making himself look more annoyed than usual, not that it was different in any way. "So, freak show, you decided to show your face after what happened, eh?"
"Craig Crius. I never had expected to see you again, nor have we ever wanted to." Hybria replied with a scowl. "You murdered our king. You uphold the greatest sin, and you have the audacity to show your face to us."
"Last I checked, I left you lying on the ground along with your little group misfits. So it seems I have to finish what I have started that time ago. This time, I'm gonna make sure that you wished to stayed down in that country…for good."
Hybria's tail lifted upwards and slammed into the ground, causing a great tremor that left Happy and Natsu to flinch, but Craig wasn't budged in the slightest. His display of raw power was staggering, but the alliance and everyone saw that Craig was only bugged rather than budged.
"This second shield does not approve any pure human DNA. How can you possibly pass through?!" He demanded.
Craig tilted his head down and his glance seemed spaced out. "…I have my ways."
2 11/12 Years Ago
The entire country was in a state of pitch black skies with absolutely no blue showing. Scouring across the entire country, or perhaps we should say island, of Enca was in complete turmoil. There were rumors of these so-called 'modules', and there had been two: One of light, and one of darkness. Each individual module had the DNA of two diverse creatures from 5,00- years ago, as the stories proclaimed.
The dark module was far stronger, as the beasts that had their DNA coded were known as Zeldoron. They were beasts of no conscious, and they had a dark, draconic look to them. They only followed their leader under fear and domination.
As the Ying-Yang theory goes; where this is darkness, there is light. The light module had DNA coding of Excalon, valiant noble creatures who were white and more knight-looking with their armor. They were the only species that could counter the darkness of the Zeldoron, and soon enough extinction was brought up…until someone desperate named Chrios, who was a dictator of sorts within Enca, had gone off the deep end and discovered the Zeldoron module.
Using it on himself, his DNA completely turned foul, and he was something but a wispy black beast with dark purple eyes. With his divine powers of darkness, he turned almost every single person into half human and half Zoldoron maniacs who were like caged beasts.
However, the Excalon module was found by Craig in the deep mines when trying to hide. He didn't use it on himself, by when turning the lever of the small device, an insisting professor be got aligned with had become half human and half Excalon, leaving him with white armor that was embedded into his skin, and he had a long tail with a gray underside and a silver stinger end.
Of course Professor Hilt managed to leave a small mark in terms of numbers, but he and Craig had to retreat because the Excalon module doesn't have complete immunity over the darkness. However, they didn't go back empty handed, as Craig managed to steal the Zeldoron module by the skin of his teeth.
Back in the operated lab, Hilt was pacing back and forth. "Now, listen up, there has to be a way, and according my calculations, we have little to grim chances."
"Well, thank you Captain Obvious." Phil, his assistant, sarcastically replied as he sat hunched over on a chair.
"Right ho! We need to find a way so that myself or one of you can have full immunity to the effects of Chrios. There's no telling what crackerjack of a snicker may do if we have no immunity."
"Well you have part immunity since you're part Excalon now, right?" Phil implied. "So shouldn't that mean we should all get a piece of that Excalon module and become part you too?"
Hilt put a hand towards his chin. "Hmmm, that is a liable perception, but we don't have full immunity. We can still be corrupted by that Zeldoron module." He referred to the small black box with intricate purple and green signs that sat next to a white box with intricate silver and gray marks on it. "I am fully aware that Cassidy, you, can splice the DNA out, am I not correct?"
Cassidy, his second, and very curvaceous blonde assistant, nodded. "Of course. If we somehow make it out of this, I can get the DNA out and splice it away…but it'll be extremely gruesome and painful."
Hilt snapped his fingers. "Right ho!"
"However…" She regrettably continued. "There'll still be some side effects, like you won't be yourself. I'm sorry."
Hilt smiled triumphantly. "So I won't be completely human, now will I? Hmmm, very well. I'll take that risk if it means taking that rapscallion down!" He began pacing back and forth once more. "Now, what is it that we can do to get that DNA and apply a vaccination?"
"I'll need a sample then."
"Hold on, save the vaccination for after we save all those corrupted souls." Craig interjected. "Thinking of a vaccination is good, but we don't have a lot of time. We need to make full immunity as well as an offense."
"Craig, old bean? What are you saying?" Hilt asked.
Craig looked back at the two modules sitting on the table. "I'm saying we need to fight fire with fire. We have to use the modules against Chrios." A strong silence fell, and everyone started to go wide-eyed as Craig turned around, and took a deep breath. "Listen…I'll hold him off. Use both modules' DNA…on me."
Shock was beyond measured. Everyone gaped their mouths.
"Are you insane?!" Cassidy barked out. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! Blending both DNA into a single body has never been done!"
"You can get killed!" Phil exclaimed. "What are you really trying to accomplish?!"
Craig shot a serious glare to them both. "While I have Zeldoron DNA, I'm immune to darkness, but while I have the Excalon DNA, I might have a conscience...plus, I don't care if I'm human anymore. If I somehow make it through this, the DNA might be spliced out, and in the end I'll be immune to dark willpower, right?"
It was a very hard concept to consider, and if they were all honest, they rather not go through with it. There have been no records of these two DNA transfusions happening at once. It was one or the other, and Craig was trying to break that boundary in a single blow. It was a lot to consider, but they neither had the words or time to argue. Hilt, Phil, and Cassidy all looked at each other with worry and regret.
"And you're sure of this?" Hilt asked. "You won't be fully human again."
Craig nodded. "I know full well of the meaning of sacrifice." When he thought of it, images of the few comrades he's met in the past appeared in his head, all smiling, and their final moments being of no regret. "I'm willing to make a sacrifice, if it means protecting those that I've seen as those to be treasured. One way or another, there's no other way."
With an agreement settled, Cassidy had Craig stand aside as she had begun preparations. It was with a heavy heart that Craig was going through this, but this transfusion may or may not have perks, depending on how well it goes. In any case, it's what was needed to be done.
In about an hour, Craig was inside a huge chamber with steel walls. Watching through glass above, the three stared down at Craig.
"So, is he ready to be spliced with the DNA of both modules?" Hilt asked.
"Yes, sir. I should warn you, this will not be pretty in the slightest. Forcing Craig's body to undergo a mutation of this caliber will be extremely painful, and the odds of him surviving are very slim." Cassidy warned with a frown.
"Are you insane?" Phil asked. "Pain is one thing, but death is another!"
Cassidy looked at Phil with a look of regret. "I'm well aware, but this was not my decision to make-!"
"ENOUGH!" Craig's shout from inside the chamber ceased all of their talking, leaving them shocked. His face had a very serious look to it. "I HAVE to mutate! Let's do this thing!"
Hilt regained his composure and his tail wagged. "Good show! Very well, we'll start! Cassidy, if you would?"
"Uh, sir, are you seriously thinking of-!" Phil's lack of confidence was cut off by Hilt.
"Phil, you know full well, don't underestimate Craig. He has the heart of gold. He won't let something like this kill him. It's in his eyes."
Phil remained silent as he looked down as Craig looked irritated at them. It wasn't gonna be pretty, but he would have to bear with watching Craig undergo this.
Cassidy approached the keyboard with both modules implanted into a machine right next to her. Above them was a monitor showing white and black DNA strands. "Very well. Craig, be ready." She pressed one final button, and the whole keyboard shined. "Commence DNA transfusion!"
The monitor showed both DNA strands piecing off into a single strand. The huge light above Craig that was on the ceiling emitted a ray of rainbow lighting, and it went down towards Craig. "BRING IT ON!" He yelled. He instantly became screaming in extreme pain once the light touched his body, the DNA invading his body. It was like his insides were turning inside out. Hundreds of spears and knives were attacking him from within. His body violently shuddered and twitched as his mouth was agape. His eyes dilated profusely under the unimaginable stress put onto him. At this point, anyone could've expired, but Craig had a will to uphold, and he wasn't gonna be beat so easily.
The DNA continued fusing on the monitor into a single component, and Craig's DNA was sought on the monitor and pieced off onto that strand. The more it continued on, the more painful it was to watch. Craig hunched over, gagging and feeling a numbing feeling as he was powering through with all of his might. It took more willpower than he's ever used as his skin was showing purple veins.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Craig's mouth was wide open as his body stopped shuddering, but the pulsing through his body was barely contained through his sheer will. His body underwent a bright purple glow, and his figure was seen morphing. His violent screaming kept on rampaging as his few sharp teeth shown were moving, and his lower jaw began to jut out some. Horrid protrusions exerted from atop of his head. As his neck was straightening out with plates, his hands had claws made. His bellowing and roaring was surging as his back had two bulges exert. His shirt was torn off, and two massive jaw-like structures exerted, sprinkling blood on the ground. He grew what was a huge tail, and as it grew, so did the DNA coding on the monitor.
Cassidy's eyes were wide. "Im…possible…"
Phil was no different. "That fool is…"
Hilt remained strong and had proper posture as he saw the glow around Craig fade away. He looked completely different, but signs of him were evident. The rainbow light from above finally stopped, revealing what happened to Craig.
The top of his slicked black hair had two silver horns curved ahead, with a larger horn jutting forward. His neck had a shadowcast colored plates along the back, leaving the actual skin the same. The lower jaw had razor-sharp shadowcast edging with a protruding pointed end. His bare feet were shadowcast with silver claws for toes, as were the hands. The legs and arms alike had ridged, spikey shadowcast plating with silver spikes, especially at the knees. The underarms were bare skin, but far more durable with signs of silver scaling; same went for the neck and face, though those features were left alone. On his front was a huge dragon head, with only the upper half and jaw really on the whole front. The silver design was surprisingly smooth, and the eyes on the dragon head were black and blood red for pupils. The two horns curved up and out on either side, acting like shoulder armor. His back had silver spikes running down a shadowcast tail with ridged plates all the way up to a silver forked tail. The most starling feature were the wings, as they were huge. He had quadruple wings that were linked by means of two; in a way, they were two large sets of jaws. The wings had eyes that were black and blood red, and they were silver with sharp teeth in the inside curves.
Craig panted as blood dripped from the sides of his mouth, huffing and panting profusely. He survived, but just barely. His eyes dilated between clear and hazy. He could barely see straight, but he felt an unbelievable surge of some ancient power swell into his veins. He panted like a wild beast.
"He really…mutated. With both DNA strands?!" Phil exclaimed.
Cassidy nervously smiled. "It would seem, the DNA transfusion was a success. Craig's done it!"
Hilt smiled down as Craig looked up, still panting weakly but he was well aware of what the smiles meant. He's done the impossible, and he tried to grin, showing his few sharp teeth."
In the present, Craig cracked his neck and took a stance. It had been far too long since that day, and while all of those parts were spliced off, as well as most of the DNA, that made him human, Zeldoron, and Excalon…among a few other things that he's picked up as the years went by.
Craig smirked. "A mutation has its perks."
'Craig, are you there?' A voice announced. It sounded off as an echo that everyone could hear. Craig looked up to the dark gray sky, hearing the echo.
"Huh?" Natsu looked around. "Hey, I know that voice!"
"Aye! It's Warren! He's using his Telepathy!" Happy cheered, glad to hear another comrade at long last.
'Natsu, Happy, we're glad to see and hear that you two are still okay.' Warren said through telepathy. 'Now you both hang on tight. We have something to tell Craig. Craig, are you getting this?'
"What the hell do you yahoos want?" Craig snarled.
'Listen, this is very important. You have to defeat the man standing before you. His magic is by no means something to underestimate. Judging by the conversation you were having, do you by any chance happen to know these guys, or perhaps Essence? Because any detail is very important.'
Craig gave no plea or pity to the telepathic connection set. "That's none of your business. You all just stay out of this. This is my mess I intend to clean up, and if stand in my way or try and persuade me otherwise, I'm mowing you down!" He yelled.
'Hey, Cranky! Try giving out sympathy why don't ya!' This time it was Cana's voice who appeared onto the telepathic link thanks to Warren.
Craig a brow. "Brownie? Oh great. Can't get you off my back, no matter how hard I try."
'Listen you gargantuan beast, do you know what being in a guild means?' She scolded him. 'We beside one another, and look after the other, and what you're is-'
Craig cut her off there. "Shut the hell up ya annoying insect! I made it clear since day one, I hate you all!" He yelled. "I hate people, and everything else! Staring at this excuse of nature right in front of me makes me want to throw a good smack to his head." He referred to Hybria, who growled back at him. "I'll make this clear: You guys mean nothing! Stay out of my fight, or you'll wind up dead!"
It wasn't so much of a warning as it was a threat, and Fairy Tail and the alliance heard it all too well. Craig's monstrous attitude was something that left Obaba to stop spinning.
Makarov's eyes dilated. "The nerve." He growled coldly.
Cana wasn't having it from him. She pulled onto Warren's ear, making him squeal in pain as Cana talked into it. "Oh yeah?! Well when this is over, Fairy Tail is gonna be all over you like a bad itch! You don't go dissing us like you did without a price!"
"Big words coming from the only itch that's giving me a rash!" Craig yelled. "Why can't you just be a normal girl and where clothing?"
"It's called a fashion statement!"
"Well your fashion is as bad as your smell after you have your booze!"
"Well at least I smell better and look better than you when I eat!"
"Brownie, you care to show me up?! Because if you do, I hope you choke on supper!"
"I hope that guy chokes you, period, Cranky!"
Craig raised another brow as he felt an incoming breeze. When he glanced back ahead, Hybria was in front of him, swinging his tail towards him with heavy precision. "Hold that thought, you talkative slob." Briefly stopping the 'talk' he was having with Cana, Craig grabbed the prickly tail, much to Hybria's shock.
"What?!"
"I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A CONVERSATION! GET LOST!" Craig violently pivoted around and threw Hybria with vicious might into the nearby valley passage wall he went by, making the recipient smash into the rock. The earth shook violently as the rock violently cracked apart, and it all completely fell, an avalanche of rock falling straight down and burying Hybria under heavy rubble.
Everyone gaped their mouths in shock at how Craig used brute strength and made a whole wall come crumbling down.
Craig turned back around to face the sky. "Brownie, I would love to agitate you until you end up falling over with a headache, but I have something to take care of." With that, Warren's telepathic connection was cut off by himself, seeing as how he had the reason to believe it was hurting his head, big time.
Erza stared coldly ahead at the monitor. "Craig Crius, what motives do you have for despising us all?"
Makarov grumbled coldly as he watched Hybria arise from the bed of rock, showing those on him off. "We'll deal with Craig after this shield comes down. Whatever he knows, we need to find out if it means defeating this Essence."
"I don't know about that." Cana said with a sour note and tick mark. "I wouldn't put my eggs in that basket…especially when that basket is that monster."
Hybria emerged and stepped forward. "Craig Crius!" His arm blades activated and he went lunging forward towards him. "Die in the name of Essence and Amaren!"
Craig lunged forward himself. "I'm pretty pissed myself! Brownie knows how to make want to rip someone in half!"
Cana fumed as she was mentioned. "Cranky! I hope you get a scar and choke at the same time!"
Both Craig and Hybria lunged after the other to engage in a heated confrontation, one that should've ended so long ago.
Like I said before, this had to be a long chapter, as shall the next few others until maybe the end of the Essence Arc. Was this all a shock to you? There's much more to Craig's history than battling, and this was proof. Think of what Minerva went through in the canon and became Neo Minerva, and tried to revert back, that's basically what happened in terms with Craig at this point.
It wasn't a big debate with Natsu getting through the shield, but I'd rather not consider him ideal like Craig is. His origins of being an Etherious Demon, or perhaps E.N.D. are oblivious to all at this point, but questions about that may or may not rise faster a short while, while the questions of what exactly Craig is or has become over the course of 4 years shall be sought for.
You'll be seeing Craig's violence rampage next chapter, so until next time!