A dark void embodied the hemisphere. There wasn't even a hemisphere to begin with. Rather, it looked more like a dark dimension, with a hazy distortion clouding the "sky". The void-like depth it had made it look like a psyche, if not a bizarre dreamland. No sound emitted from the psyche plane; no sound; no wind; nothing but empty space.
Within the dimension's darkness, a monstrously large figure's silhouette was seen. It slowly faded into view, looking to be the shape of a large, four-legged turtle. The familiar clam-like helmet opened, revealing a set of hazy eyes that glanced around.
"To all my fellow beasts, have we gathered accordingly?"
The deep voice bellowed outwards, alerting the dimension's residence. In other sections of the dimension's space, more figures began to slowly fade into view. Slowly, but surely, the silence began to fade in contrast. The multitude of silhouettes appeared, and most of them, shockingly, were of greater height, making the four-legged turtle figure seem short.
One figure looked very much like a bizarre wyvern, with its long claws curled up. It had a long neck, and had many small, sharp teeth. The second one apparent looked like an odd scorpion, the size relative to that of the turtle. Only instead, had many stingers and tails. Another one looked a lot like a very large cross between a dragonfly and a scorpion. It had four wings and a slim, pointed stinger. Another one looked very much like a spider, but the head shape was miraculously ovular. The next one looked like a large ape with spines jutting outward. Another one looked oddly like a Pegasus, though far larger than estimated. The next one looked like the shape of a massive cat, somewhat like a tiger.
Together, the number had equaled eight, and all of them looked at each other in a full circle, acknowledging the others' presence.
"I greet you all once more. Welcome." The turtle silhouette greeted.
The scorpion silhouette hissed, its huge claws raised. "I welcome thee as well!" He greeted.
"Our summon has been most surprising. I am honestly shocked that we have joined here at this time, not even after 5 years." The Pegasus acknowledged.
The odd dragonfly turned towards the Pegasus. "Has it really been that long? Felt shorter than that."
"Come now. Don't tell us that you have gone senile on us." The large primate hollered. "We're not like those humans. We don't dry up after a hundred years."
The dragonfly hissed back in retort, earning a holler from the primate.
"Settle down this instant!" The tiger-like figure announced, almost in a roar. Instantly, the others followed and they quelled themselves. "Good. Now, I am sure we have all gathered under the same dimension of a reason. I agree this is surprising, but I must ask, how does this affect us?" He looked towards the large turtle. "Just what is this short instance exactly?"
The atmosphere had gotten quiet yet again, with the eight gathered beasts looking towards the monstrous turtle who was the prime reason of their calling card. The turtle silhouette showed no acts of nervousness as he was the center of attention, as he knew would come.
"My brothers and sisters." He started. "I have summoned you all here for one reason and one reason only: To alert you all of the one that we have known to trust."
The spider raised his head. "Wait, hold up. Do you possibly mean…?"
The turtle nodded. "Yes. I'm certain. I have met him."
The gathered beasts began to show several signs of shock. Some of them went wide-eyed, and some looked around, seeing the other look with winder and surprise. There was hesitation and worry as they all knew of whom they were talking about.
The wyvern-like silhouette turned towards him, shocked. "And you're absolutely certain that this is him?"
"Yes, I question that too. How do you know it's that guy?!" The scorpion exhaled.
The Pegasus looked towards him. "Well I am not sure, but I can tell that this is something to take note of." The beast looked towards the tiger. "What are your thoughts?"
The tiger hummed as he looked at the turtle with a serious disposition. It was complicated to say the least, but he knew that the beast with the durable shell has never been wrong. Even after so many millennia of hiding and foreshadowing by the turtle, they knew his wisdom was to never be questioned. Still, he did seem awfully surprised.
"And you're absolutely certain of this?"
The turtle nodded once again. "Yes. I have met him myself. The boy is still far from us I'm afraid."
"I see…"
The spider turned his head to the turtle. "So what you're saying is that he's still lost? He hasn't regained anything yet?"
"No, I didn't say that." The turtle argued. "He may have lost everything, but slowly, I felt a little fragment of power within him. His potential is still there."
"So you think he'll remember Primordial Energy?" The ape asked.
"Hard to say. But his chi gathering is immeasurable. Still…" He glanced around, taking in everyone's faces. When he saw them all, he lowered his head. "I wish we knew where he is too."
The primate turned his head away. "Tch, that damn dragon. How long is he going to stow himself away?"
"Hard to say." The tiger slowly looked up towards the nomadic void. "However, I'm sure he too will be anxious for when his comrade comes around. If he chooses to be one that is…"
Within piercing darkness, there lied solemnly nothing. The dimension was put distorted dark light, while the space in this darkness was darker than anything else. All that was seen within that enigmatic space was a small flash of blood red crevices. A large eyelid weakly opened, revealing a blood red pupil with a demonically feral slit. The look of a pure, bloody demon could've been recognized before it shut once more, returning to slumber.
The land was of a bright green, flourishing. Yet the green clearing was shaking as a monstrously huge tree shot higher into the sky. It was all crumbling to bits. Dirt and deep earth-like roots fled the ground, slithering upwards as boulders and fragments went flying and tried to strike down Craig.
The 14-year-old boy comically fled and ran around, screeching and trying to evade the flying dirt shower. It felt like shards raining down and dirt clumps desecrating the land. The boy yelped constantly until he had finally got behind an already fallen crumb of dirt. He bunkered beneath it, ducking at its base as the dirt storm showered considerably.
The earth rumbled and the whole world was at a standstill. Everything green was beginning to die off slowly, starting from the one tip of the world, and slowly began to spread like fire. The desert-like point it started from reveled the sands turning black, almost becoming like ash. It spread swiftly across the domain, heading towards directions widespread. When they reached a nearby cactus, the cactus dried out instantly, reducing to dust.
The huge tree was leaving earth, shooting skyward as it raced for areas unknown.
Looking up, nine monstrously huge silhouettes looked startled as their gazes turned towards the rising tree. Shockwaves blew littler trees away, sending them in directions unknown as the winds created vicious tornadoes that blew outwards. Chaos reigned as the land on the island cracked apart, and the winds blew many of the trees into the seas and over cliffs on the odd island.
As the wreckage unfolded, the beasts themselves could barely hold their own ground as the insidious tree ascended into the sky like a roaring rocket.
"We're too late!" The ape announced.
"It's already taken off!" The dragonfly shrieked.
The black dragon with blood red on his body opened his mouth, exerting a vast and powerful roar at the roar. The shockwaves rippled upward, and yet the wake of the ascending tree did nothing more than minimize its voluminous wake.
As the dirt shower finally began to settle down, Craig found room to finally move around freely without prospects of being impaled. He peeked over the misshaped mound and looked up, his eyes widening at the titanic size of the roots. His very pupils were dilating from its takeoff. "My god…" He murmured.
"We need to get closer!" The massive spider shouted.
"We cannot! You know we'll only end up powerless if we get too close!" The tiger shouted. "This is in the hands of Craig. We need to get him up there!"
"I guess so…" Craig went blank and blinked. His eyes widened as he whipped around and looked at the beasts like they were foreign objects. "…say what?"
The tree ascended higher into the sky, moving at high speeds to where the sound barrier broke apart. It was looking to leave Earth Land, escaping to the stratosphere.
Craig looked back up, staring with uncertainty at the beastly tree with a face that spells uncertainty. "Well, this bites. Guess there's no other choice."
"I wouldn't count on that."
The entrance of another voice captured Craig's attention as he looked back down to the ground, his eyes fixing themselves and growing unsound with the arrival of what seemed to be a single figure. It was hard to make out, but from the sun's glare, he appeared to have some bizarre draconic armor. In a way, it looked similar to the black dragon standing behind Craig.
Craig's glare hardened. "You!"
The man rushed forward, using the sound barrier's breakage to his advantage and sprung at Craig…
Craig's world returned to a hazy blur as he groaned. His sea-blue eyes fluttered awake and he began to arouse from his slumber. With a tiresome groan that mixed with his animalistic growling, it was easy to tell that he was still disliking morning.
As morning rays of sunshine beamed through the window, Craig found himself laying on his back, eyelids half-open as he stared at the ceiling fan moving about in circles. He heard shifting and felt a large bump under the thin covers move. Without having to look, he instantly knew that it was Cana as her back was to him. With her wavy brown mop on the pillow next to him, he had the hunch she was still asleep, allowing him time to process what he had dreamed.
Dreams; flashbacks; memories; no matter how he perceived it, he never had a quality dream, and as such, he could only take solace in the fond memories he had with Cana. Of course knowing his conscience, he could've set those happy thoughts on fire if they had a physical form. He would never admit it…right?
He gazed up at the ceiling, his thoughts racing about the recent memory that transpired. It left him with mixed feelings. 'I know I saw that somewhere before, I know it. Right?' He wasn't at all certain, but he knew from memory that he in fact had something similar of a vision not too long ago racing towards a tree. 'It doesn't make sense. Who were those large creatures? And that one turtle, was that…?'
"Mmmm…"
Cana stirred over to her other side, her face facing Craig's as his eyes widened in slight astonishment. Cana was starting to wake up, so for now, he would have to set his inquiry on hold. He sat up in bed and hunched over, staring at the closed door as everything became an uncertain mess.
Not even an hour had passed since their awakening, and together they ventured towards the guild hall. Both Craig and Cana grumbled and grunted beneath their breaths all along the way – Craig more so than the brunette. However, thanks to some restraint, they managed to make it to the guild hall without the need to snark the other's throat off and found themselves sitting at one of the farthest tables, close to the wall of a nearby window.
Cana was having a nice mug of booze she gladly drank up without much of a care, while Craig was opening his mouth and chomped down on some eggs and sausage. Nothing out there, just typical morning material.
"Ah~." Cana sighed as she sat the mug down. "Now that's how you get your day started."
"Speak for yourself." Craig sniped, groggily shifting his two fingers along the fork to make it go up and down like a teeter-totter.
"Oh lighten up you crabby pants. Would it kill ya to try and have one morning with a good attitude."
Craig raised a brow. "This is my good attitude."
Cana rolled away, eyelids half-open. "Boy, glad I'm not seeing your bad side then." Of course she was blunt and yet heavily sarcastic, but Craig didn't seem to care. He had already figured out this was Cana's way of starting off the morning and rolled with it.
"Well at least some of us are having the time of our lives."
"And you're not?"
"Brownie, do I ever look jovial whenever the sun comes up?"
"Maybe if you actually enjoyed some company, then sure."
"Define 'enjoy'." Craig inquired.
Cana gave him a smirk. "Oh c'mon you sappy heart, I'm sure you got lucky somewhere at some point, right?"
Craig rolled his eyes as his hidden embarrassment was shrouded by increased defense. "Whether or not I made it to second or third base really isn't the point."
Cana again raised a brow. Upon knowing this, she flashed her own smirk. "…well what do you know, the boy does have a pair after all."
"Yeah, well, if you care that much just give me a shout." He flashed his own smirk and cocked his brows. "Just blame yourself if that big ass of yours is sore."
Cana waved her hands up in defense and continued to smirk. "Alright, alright…"
Their little petty talk substantially stable – for now – the rest of the guild was off doing its own thing, with others doing what was their own business. Sitting at the bar, Natsu was with Happy, his cheeky smirk fixed on the blue cat on the counter.
"Alright, Happy, what have we got today?"
The Exceed raised a paw. "I say we go fishing!"
"That's what we did this morning." Natsu deadpanned.
"Is it so wrong to have quality fish all the time?"
"I don't know, okay? I was just wondering if we should go on a job!"
"Oh! Then alright! Let's get food funds up and going!" The Exceed cheered. Suddenly he looked up, his shocked rising when he was seeing something.
Natsu of course just raised a brow as he saw his pal grow stiff. "Hm? What up, Happy?"
"Natsu."
The Dragon Slayer perked at the sound of the voice. At that instant, he knew why Happy became so stiff. However, he wasn't like Happy…to an extent. He casually turned around, looking up to the one and only Erza Scarlet that stood before him. He looked mildly up to her, not at all intimidated by her presence.
"Oh, hey Erza." He smiled.
Erza in turn smiled back. "Good morning to you, Natsu."
The Dragon Slayer and the knight seemed to had something going, though in such a case, it was hard to describe. Ever since their little "dinner" as of yesterday, they have been particularly close…or rather closer than usual. Sure they had a few rounds like the picnic on the hill, but that wasn't as tender as the dinner, where he was rewarded with some affection by the redhead. Granted, he was thickheaded and did know what love was, he wasn't too keen on how to feel about it. Erza was no different, but unlike Natsu, the ideals of love were more foreign. Embracing this step in their friendship was all too complicated to process, but just by looking at the other, they could feel something fuzzy crawling in their stomachs; and it wasn't the fish Natsu had. Taking big steps were never either's forte, so t this point, all they could really manage was keep things as stable as possible, if not normal…if "normal" ever existed.
"Natsu, would you be willing to accompany me on a job?" Erza asked.
Natsu crossed his arms, looking up in pondering. "Uh…I guess so, but I also agreed to take Happy. We gotta get some funds of our own or-"
"I asked would you be willing to accompany me." Natsu instantly froze at the tone in Erza's voice. Instantly he felt her intimidating appeal flare again. Erza's inquiry sounded more like a demand. Apparently she wasn't finished having company with Natsu.
Shivering in place out of fear, Natsu was nearly sweating bullets. "Uh…uh…yes ma'am!" He squealed.
Instantly, Erza's smile returned. "Good."
Natsu sighed deeply, his breath returning. 'Phew, for a second there, I thought she was gonna tie me up and ship me on a train.'
Happy snickered at Natsu's little act of fear.
"What are you laughing at?" He growled.
At a nearby table, Lucy was looking over at Natsu and Erza, a nervous look crossing her face. "Guess those two have their work cut out for them."
"I'll say." Gray remarked. "I almost feel sorry for Natsu, not having air all to himself."
"'Almost', Gray?"
"Yeah?"
Lucy just accepted her friend's own act of amusement and sighed. "At least find your clothes, would ya?"
"Huh?" Looking down from Lucy's statement, he glanced down, seeing that he was shirtless again. "Gah!"
Natsu ventured on over with Happy and Erza beside him. They all looked mildly pleased as the team was back together, save for Wendy and Carla, who were still walking into the guild hall. "Hey guys!" He shouted. "Hey Wendy, over here!"
Wendy hurried along and met up with the group, her smile widening. "Hi guys! Sorry I'm late." She apologized.
"I told you that you took too long to wake up." Carla chided.
"Don't be." Lucy waved dismissively. "Anyways guys, what's up? We got ourselves a job to do?"
Happy plopped onto the desk, looking at them with a grin. "Well actually, we were wondering what you guys have in mind?"
"Us? Well if I'm honest, I thought you guys would be picking a job. You are the ones who dive head first into the board you know."
"I'll say." Wendy agreed.
"I'm good with whatever floats your guys' boat, just as long as we get something done in time." Gray interceded.
Erza shot a look towards him. "What's that supposed to mean, Gray?"
"You mean you have plans?" Lucy asked.
"Are they about stripping more than just your top?" Natsu snorted.
Gray looked away nonchalantly. "Oh laugh it up. I'm just saying that because of the rumors going around lately."
"Rumors?" Wendy asked.
"And exactly what are these rumors in specifics?" Carla inquired.
Gray raised a brow as he looked at them, as if they were foreign objects. "You mean the geezer didn't tell you guys? I heard that Gildarts might be coming back soon."
Not too far, Cana's ears perked at the sound of the name. Craig raised a brow.
Natsu slammed his hands on the table. "Get out! You mean Gildarts is coming back soon?!" He shouted.
"Yeah, I mean you have gotten word about him, didn't you?" Gray asked.
"Wait, Gildarts?" Lucy asked.
Mirajane nodded. "He's the strongest mage in all of Fairy Tail."
Together, Lucy and Wendy gasped, their faces paling from unison shock.
Erza smiled at the notion provided. "Gildarts is powerful. I've seen it with my own eyes. I admit even I cannot hold much of a candle to him."
"That guys been gone for so long now! Man! I can't wait to see him again so I can knock his teeth in!" Natsu challenged.
Lucy sweat-dropped. "Seriously?"
Bells went off at that instant. They all began to reverberate throughout Magnolia, catching not just Fairy Tail's attention, but also the attention of the whole town. Citizens were stopping whatever they were doing and froze up at the sound of the bells. When the bells toll, they knew what was going on. They also knew of whom that meant. However, Craig wasn't looking so weary.
He continued on, chomping away while the bells rang. All he did to acknowledge them was look out the window, otherwise giving nothing more than carbon to the atmosphere.
Unlike him, however, the guild erupted in boisterous cheers.
"Alright! Gildarts is home!"
"I know those bells! The big guy is back!"
"It's been forever! About damn time!"
"Just wait until he sees what's happened! He'll be surprised!"
Even in the streets, everyone was making a panic. They all were gathering or spreading around, collecting their nearby luxury and holding themselves down as the sirens went off.
"ATTENTION MAGNOLIA: WE ARE NOW UNDERGOING THE GILDARTS SHIFT. I REPEAT, WE ARE NOW UNDERGOING THE GILDARTS SHIFT."
As the sirens kept going off, Craig's eyebrow twitched. "The hell are they babbling about now?" He growled.
"Trust me, just look outside and see for yourself." Cana chimed.
Craig groaned as he listened to Cana. He looked out the window, just as he felt a tremor pick up. His eyebrow raised higher and he slouched upwards as the tremors began to reverberate throughout Magnolia. The sudden tremor caught him by surprise as he nearly got out of his seat.
All throughout Magnolia, the town began shifting like blocks. Segments of seats had begun to rise and fall, while others had begun to split apart. However it was seen, it was all organized and all were staying out of the way as Magnolia began to shapeshift like a fortress.
"The hell?" He grunted.
"Surprised yet?" Cana asked, her tone as blunt as it could've gotten. As odd as it sounded, Craig looked at her, seeing as how she was frowning as she too stared out the window.
The town continued to shift about, segmented and aligning to where everything was out of the way as a deep pathway embedded into the ground had been forged. It had signs on it and it led from one end of Magnolia all the way to Fairy Tail in a steep climb. By the time it was all done, Magnolia was safe for passage as someone had begun walking down the passage provided.
The entire guild was cheering aloud, happy with whom was coming around. They all gathered about and stood near the entrance as Gildarts was starting to walk up the path. Their smiles said it all. They looked happy, if not proud. As Mirajane said, the most powerful man in all of Fairy Tail was coming around, but this factor, however, did not apply to a certain someone who was still raising a brow and looked with a mix of surprise…and annoyance.
"Out of my way! Make room!" Natsu rushed in front, standing with great joy as he had fists all set. "Alright! Gildarts!"
A powerful magical signature was sensed and began to make way up the slope. Everyone could finally see the man come into view and they all stared with heavy anticipation. They couldn't believe it, and after all this time, they were beyond ecstatic to see the Crash Mage return.
Stepping before the guild, there was Gildarts, in the flesh, With a dark cloak covering his synthetic arm and leg, he stood with slicked orange hair and facial hair. Befitting his renown reputation, he looked to be in his late 40s if not 50.
The atmosphere grew quiet as Gildarts stood before everyone, blinking before he looked around. Everything to him seemed similar, yet at the same time different. He looked up at the ceiling, his face scrunching as he looked at nearby members, discerning them. When all said and done, he let out a long sigh, hunching over.
Natsu instantly made a beeline in front of Gildarts. "Hey Gildarts! Long time no see! Time for a welcome fight!"
"You serious?!" Elfman exclaimed.
Gildarts looked down at Natsu, his face growing into a smirk. "Natsu. There's a face I recognize right away. Long time no see, pal."
Natsu cracked his knuckles and crouched. Without any signs of warning, he pounced for Gildarts with a flaming fist. "You and me pal! Let's go-!"
Before he even had the chance, Gildarts casually reached out and grabbed Natsu's wrist. Lethargically, he whipped him towards the ceiling straight above, embedding him into the boarding and plaster. "Not now, kid." He said.
Natsu groaned as he was stuck on the ceiling.
Lucy and Wendy both looked up, bewildered by the site they had seen. Nearby, Craig's gaze drew towards Gildarts, his attention leering haphazardly in annoyance.
The Crash Mage looked around, smiling with joy. "And lookey here, some new faces here and there. I wasn't gone that long, was I?" He chuckled in a light manner, laugh off some steam.
"That guy." Gray said.
"Takes a real man to be that hardy." Elfman said.
"So it seems Gildarts is much stronger than before. The time away has proven fruitful I see." Erza acknowledged.
Gildarts looked around at the many people, his eyes wandering about and waving them all off. "Glad to see you guys again. You're all looking well." With all said and done, the mage drew himself over towards the nearest stool, where he sat his materials down with a large plop. He sighed as he took a nice swell of time sitting on the bar with his back hunching over. "Man, I'm beat…"
Mirajane ventured on over, a smile on her face. "Would you like something to drink?" She asked.
"Sure thing. I could use one after the long trip. Thanks, Mira."
As Mirajane ventured away with a chime in her hum, Gildarts put his synthetic arm on the table, looking tired. With his back turned, he didn't acknowledge the crumbling of some debris and Natsu jumping down from the ceiling and landing on a knee. He whipped up, a big smile on his face.
"You caught me off guard there, but now I'm ready for ya!" Natsu again went charging for Gildarts, dashing with ecstasy. He had a bigger smile on his face compared to before as his fist again seared in flames.
Once again, Gildarts casually brought his arm around and knife-handed Natsu in the abdomen. The impact was swift and harsh to the Dragon Slayer, instantly making him fall over with conscience devoid.
"Natsu!" Happy yelled.
Even with the behind-the-back move, Gildarts smiled. "Cheap shots aren't gonna work on me, Natsu. You're as energetic as always."
Mirajane came around, giving a smile full of glee as she handed Gildarts his mug. "Here you are."
"Thanks." Gildarts took the mug and began to drink. As it went down his throat, he looked a lot better. He slammed it down on the counter, letting another sigh out. "Man, now that's something I've missed."
Craig's gaze on Gildarts averted away towards Cana, whom he took more of an interest of. Not because of looks, but the fact that she was looking glum. She was giving Gildarts the same look he was giving him. She looked to be watching him, prowling. He's seen that look before, of longing; as if he had something she didn't.
He rolled his eyes away. "Tch, look any harder and I'll guess you wanna ship him off on a boat into shark-infested waters." He snorted.
Cana shot Craig another look. "What's it to you?"
"That's what I want to know."
"Well it's nothing to be concerned about. I'm fine." Cana huffed, looking away from Craig and back at Gildarts.
Craig looked away, annoyed as his teeth were apparent. "Hey, I'm the pissass, not you, Brownie. Last I checked, I'm the one under your skin."
The brunette's eyes narrowed. "Under my skin? Aren't I always the one under your skin.?"
"Everyone is…you're just a bigger bug that doesn't get off my high-horse."
"Well I say go saddle up and prance around in the forest for all I care!" She snapped.
"The forest ain't no place for a horse!" Craig barked back.
"Then how's about a nosy carnivore who would eat bears for breakfast?!"
"Better than something as sharp and annoying as a raccoon!"
"You calling me a vermin?!"
"You prefer a parasite instead?!"
"You're the bug that's crawling up my skin every day!"
"Dance and do the cha-cha to get me out of your hair then!"
"I ain't dancing for nobody! Especially for some dunce!"
"Well I'm a bug, last I checked, not a dunce!"
"You're a dunce bug now!"
"And you're a drunk vermin!"
Their heads nearly clashed as their demeanors escalated. Their chattering and barking had gotten loud to where it was heard all around the guild hall. Catching everyone's attention as they were of two animals who were mellow at first before the fires erupted.
"Oh boy. Here we go." Gray groaned.
"How long is this going to take you think?" Elfman asked.
Laxus looked at Craig and Cana's snarking, watching Craig briefly before returning to the stool. It looked like he was annoyed, but knew better than to stand in his way. Especially after what he's seen.
Gildarts' ears rang as Craig and Cana bellowed like mad animals. They seemed to be at the others throat and he looked back to see Craig for the first time. His sea-blue eyes met Cana's purple and blue glaring comical daggers into the other like a bickering old couple. As odd as it felt, as Gildarts stared at Craig, he couldn't help but feel some sort of vibe come off of him. He couldn't explain it, but something about Craig was getting under his skin.
His eyes narrowed, a frown crossing his face. "Say, who's that guy?" He questioned.
"That?" Erza inquired. She shot Craig a look, but one of sheer anxiousness. "That…is Craig Crius."
"Ya don't say." Gildarts continued to look at Craig with a discerning eye. As he watched their bickering unfold into roaring, the Crash Mage got a better look at him. From the looks of him, he had three sheaths, meaning he could wield three swords, much to his winders. Secondly, there were those teeth. They were sharp, looking like they could tear flesh off bones. The eyes especially, that's what got to Gildarts. Those eyes, as odd as they looked, were feral. They spelled an enigmatic sensation that the experienced man felt. Whatever he was feeling, the odd, intense vibe he was getting from Craig left a serious tension in the air.
Everyone went silent as they looked at Gildarts, whose attention was solemnly on Craig as he and Cana were growling and glaring. They all looked back and forth, nerves crawling profusely as they looked back at Gildarts, then Craig again. Both were indeed insidious contenders, and insidious would barely describe it; Craig more so. They've all witnessed Gildarts in action before, but with Craig, they've seen impossible things happen. He slayed and went on hundreds of adventures, and that's what made their spines crawl. They all could feel the tension rise to a boiling point, leading to one question on everyone's mind…
Who was stronger? Gildarts, or the Jurassic mayhem that slayed dragons and armies alike?
Before the tension got too thick, Makarov turned towards Gildarts. "Gildarts."
"Hm?" He looked towards Makarov with surprise. "Oh, Master. Hey, how's it been?"
"I've been well enough, thank you." He looked back towards Craig, once again giving him an odd look. "Say, Master…"
Makarov followed Gildarts' gaze, looking at Craig as his sharp teeth snapped constantly with words of the insidious vocabulary against Cana. Instantly he knew the connection. "I see. So I take it that you haven't got acquainted with the latest edition to Fairy Tail?"
"Can't say I have, but he looks feisty."
Makarov huffed and moved to get off the counter. He jumped off the furniture and moved towards the office. "Come with me. There is something that you need to see yourself."
"Uh…okay?" Confused, Gildarts got up and followed the master, embarking towards the office.
With Gildarts and the master conversing in privacy, the guild was open to talk once again…as long as it was loud enough to break the snarking on the far side of the guild hall.
"Say, did I imagine things, or was Gildarts looking suspicious there?" Gray asked.
"I'd be if there was something yelling up an uproar." Natsu sniped.
"Pot calling the kettle black, not manly at all." Elfman said. "But…when you look at it…"
"How strange." Mirajane looked up, her index finger to her chin. "You know, I wonder what would happen if those two went at it?"
Erza crossed her arms, looking uncertain in her own eyes. "Let's not think about it, shall we?" Of course she did have a point. Knowing the might of Gildarts, a battle could evolve into something destroyed, whether it'd be the destruction of magnolia, or a town, it mattered not. What mattered in his powers and Craig were both beyond destructive. She knew very well of Craig's history and the monstrous adventures he had to endure. He watched homes and people burn down, shot, eaten, exploding; fathomless and disturbing images that continue to haunt her. He survived through them all, and he became who he was to this day. If she was honest, she didn't want to think too hard about it, because an outcome would mean more than just Magnolia's destruction. One side could very well end up dead.
"I don't know about this." Lisanna said. "Arguing who's stronger really won't solve anything."
"Maybe they gotta fight for real. That'd be a sight to behold." Gajeel sniped.
"As disastrous as it may sound, curiosity has reached me as well." Pantherlily admitted. "However…" He looked towards Craig, who was continuing to leer at Cana with a carnivorous demeanor. "I fear that would not suit Craig."
"Not suit him? What do you mean?" Happy asked.
"Well think about it. Most of us here in Fairy Tail fight for our comrades and to test one's ability against the other. However, Craig is but another story. You saw what he had to go through, and I can guarantee he would not like it. He fights to stay alive, to survive. If he ends up rivaling someone, you'd think he'd end up slaying them. This isn't a good prospect."
"Oh c'mon!" Natsu shouted. "Aren't you all forgetting something?!"
"What?" Gray questioned.
"Duh! Gildarts can so trash Craig! That rude-mouthed meanie isn't anything compared to that guy! I mean seriously. I know I'd take him on! Just watch me!" He darted off for Craig.
Lucy reached out in worry. "Natsu, wait!"
Erza pinched the bridge of her nose. "Good grief."
Back with Craig and Cana, they were constantly snarking back and forth without a break.
"You suck!"
"You double suck!"
"You triple suck!"
"You quadruple suck!"
"You suck a hundred fold!"
"You suck infinitely!"
"You suck ass!"
"Then you suck-!" Craig was halted from finishing when a fist tried connecting with the side of his head. As shocking as it was, he wasn't moved, but the weight behind it made him stare at the table as the fist stayed there. His sharp gaze averted towards Natsu, his animalistic demeanor shooting down the Dragon Slayer.
Natsu's smirk slowly faded, giving wake to seeing the look that a raptor would give his prey before devouring it. The Dragon Slayer realized his impulsive actions, and knew at that instant, that he was screwed. "Uh…oops?"
"Oh crud." Gray face-palmed.
At that instant, a loud roar reverberated throughout the guild hall, followed with a massive quake that shook the entire building.
Gildarts stared with wide eyes in hefty disbelief. If he wasn't before the master, he never would've guessed it, not in a million years. He stared down at the various articles that laid before him, all showing random pictures. The few lacrima that held video footage that he was seeing right now revealed one clip of Craig using his chi and defeating Laxus. He saw the damage, and he was shocked. But he was beyond flabbergasted as he watched another clip, which was a footage in Tahunga, where the Tahungadon was sliced a long with the sky, all by Craig. The size and the scaled alike were beyond what he could have ever perceived. He was speechless. Then came more cynical blows, like seeing a video clip of him diving into the anti-ethernano field into darkness, revealing his usage of nothing but his own physical body. The middle-aged man went above and beyond as he witnessed the shocking duel of the three dragons against the dinosaur version of Craig, and Craig decimating them.
By the time the video footage was over, he was staring with a shocked look. What he saw was more than just raw, unmatched power, but terror. All the tired bones in his body were crawling up and down with goosebumps as he could tell in that instant that Craig was nothing to be taken light of. He was fiendish, and the way he fought…it meant he was willing to slaughter.
Makarov nodded upon seeing his shocked expression. "Now you're all caught up on what happened. I'm afraid we've met a grave misfortune. I do pity the boy for what he had to go through."
Gildarts lowered his head, his nervousness not going away as he thought back to Craig. "Oh man, he ended up…damn. I didn't know such things even existed."
"We all felt the same way, and unfortunately, there wasn't much for us that we could do. As far as what we could afford, we decided to have him have housing here, so that no other misfortune or torturous peril would befall him. He's a broken shell already."
Gildarts narrowed his eyes with suspicion. "I see. That's the weird vibe I got from him."
"Territorial, but of pure golden soul. His intentions were his own, but regrettably we got carried away. I fear that with what knowledge and powers he has, plus his unstable person, would we be able to help him?" He lowered his head, looking despondent. "I asked myself this when we all saw his memory, and the answer I came up with was: No."
Gildarts' eyes widened and gasped.
"I believed at first he had his reasons, but what we all witnessed was beyond reason; beyond fathom. He's not of human, for he sacrificed everything, even his humanity to keep our planet safe. His attitude was brought by the thousands that he loved dearly and risked themselves for his sake. Everyone he loved is gone, one way or another." The master looked out a nearby window, watching the blue sky pass with numerous clouds overhead. "You wouldn't like, but he nearly killed Erza to preserve what he thought right."
Gildarts was still at a loss for words. He wasn't sure whether or not to think Craig was good or bad. It was too hard to tell. All he knew was that what he now knew about him was that he wasn't like the other members. He had his own way, and that way was beyond complicated.
"His ideals are unlike anything we can fathom, and his abilities aren't like that of our own." He turned his head to look at Gildarts. "What do you think of all this, Gildarts?"
"Honestly, I can't be sure." He thought briefly for a moment, reflecting on that odd vibe Craig gave off. "I knew there was something off about him when I came into the guild, but I didn't think it'd be that drastic."
"He isn't the type to back down from a fight, but isn't as sensible when it comes to reasoning unless by his own accord. We're still trying to adjust to everything and what he's done, but for now we chose to let him be. And for far, it's all well."
Gildarts continued to look down at the ground, his nerves crawling as he could see the animalistic demeanor within the image if Craig. It didn't bother him that much, but at the same time he knew he was also weary of him. It was too hard to understand just by thinking, and that lead to him understanding that there was one thing that he had to do.
He got up from his seat, standing before the master with a mild smile on his face. "I gotta say, old man, that kid interests me. I may not feel like it right now…but I think give me a few hours and I might know how to evaluate him yourself. If he's that strong as you say, then it's only sensible we just leave him be…that being said…"
Makarov raised his brow. "What are you proposing, Gildarts…?"
Snarling beneath their own breaths, Craig and Cana's cools have finally simmered down to where they could only huff and look away from each other. Their argument had finally halted and they managed to drop it with a hefty ground shake. But only due to one small flaw…
Nearby, Mirajane was smiling mournfully as she applied bandages to Natsu. The Fire Dragon Slayer had regretted messing with Craig, for if Erza was bad, then messing with Craig was asking for his blood to be spilled. He was battered for a lack of better words, but if one counts his shoulder dislocated by a chop and his right side ribs broken by a lead weight kick, then that was putting it mildly. He was very lucky Craig wasn't slicing him, otherwise he'd lose an arm at the very least.
"Oh dear. Looks like we learned our little lesson." Mirajane chimed.
"Ow!" Natsu grunted, bandages covering him arm. It was thanks to Elfman that it was back in place, though it still hurt profusely.
Erza sighed once again, shaking her head. "I suppose lessons such as these are meant to be learned the hard way. Wendy, would you mind?"
Wendy ventured on over, smiling. "Sure. We'll get him all fixed up." She knelt down, ready to apply her Healing Magic to Natsu's wounds.
"Thanks, Wendy. You're a lifesaver." Natsu groaned.
Green energy exerted from her hands, healing his ribs.
"Moron." Gajeel groaned.
"Tell me about it." Gray huffed. "Still, I prefer to keep myself in check."
"Funny considering you still aren't wearing a shirt."
"I wonder what the master and Gildarts are talking about?" Lisanna questioned.
"Now that you mention it, I wonder that as well." Carla noted. "I mean if it's about the details of the job that's one thing, but what else could there be to discuss?"
The door to the master's office opened up, catching everyone's attention. They all turned to see Gildarts walking out the domain, venturing into the open space where everyone was gathered. Instantly they made way so that they would steer clear of him and his magic, allowing passage up the steps and towards Craig and Cana.
Everyone stayed quiet as the middle-aged man walked up the steps, wood creaking as he inched closer towards the annoyed pair. His smile wasn't there, and instead replaced by a frown. He stood before Craig and Cana, his presence going immediately by the latter.
The lush gasped when she saw the man before her, giving them a serious glare. "Gildarts?"
"Hey." He answered, though he seemed more focused on Craig. It left Cana unsound.
Craig took notice of Gildarts…when he could feel his air being hogged of course. He grumpily rolled his eyes towards the older man, raising a brow. "What are you looking at?" He questioned rudely.
Despite his insidious tone, Gildarts took it in stride. "Hey…Craig was it?"
"Last I checked."
"Sharp tongue. So it is true. Heard you did quite a bit for and yet against the guild. You're an interesting person…"
Craig stared at him with a raised brow, his annoyance fading and giving room to overall curiosity.
"…so that's why I wanna ask you a favor. Do me a solid…and accept my challenge."
Hey guys! I know I haven't updated in forever, and I sincerely apologized. I had tremendous writer's block, and the fact that I was severely hung over on A Contender's Bonds, and I still am. Given this information, I will perhaps be updating maybe once a month until I have completed my Pokémon/ Fairy Tail story, but at least for now, I'm glad I updated for real, to show that I'm stillnot giving up on this story.
I'm a huge fan of OCxCana, and I won't give up. But, in light of my writer's block, there have been plot errors I need to correct, so I will be going back every now and again to adjust and fix those few scenes. I'll only be omitting the scenes with those unknown figures, but otherwise, everything else stays the same. Sorry or the emotionally shattering inconvenience guys.
So as I said, I will be updating maybe once a month until A Contender's Bonds is fully complete. And then next chapter, I shall have the battle of Craig and Gildarts in full bloom. Hope you guys keep following and thanks!