Outside, the sun was shimmering rays of light down, casting tranquility all around Magnolia. However, as beautiful as the town way with birds flying overhead, something was different about this day. The usual busy streets were devoid of population. It was like it all vanished.
"Hurry, Mama! We'll be late!" A little girl happily tugged her mother as she was genuinely excited. She could hardly contain herself as more and more people were closing in.
In the bustling town of Magnolia, all bustled to South Gate Park. They all surrounded the park's atmosphere as it looked more vacant, save for the few people down below. The only ones who were down by the tall oak tree was Fairy Tail itself, though they were more or less back away as Craig and Cana were beneath the massive tree. They all looked to be waiting for something.
Natsu had sparkles in his eyes. "Man, this is gonna be so awesome!"
"I'll say to that." Gray chimed.
Elfman crossed his arms. "Can't imagine what's going on inside their heads down there." He looked at Cana and Craig, seeing one standing up while the other sitting down at the base of the tree, looking ready for a nap.
Gajeel examined with heavy discerning. "So this guy is supposed to be insanely powerful, right?"
"If what we have heard is to be true, yes." Pantherlily replied.
"So is it true?" Levy asked. "Are they really going to fight?"
"Alright~!" Jet and Droy cheered.
Lucy facepalmed. "I still say this is a very bad idea."
"Yeah, me too." Wendy worried. "We all know Gildarts might be more laid back, but you know…" She looked at Craig, seeing him with a bored look. "Craig isn't necessarily the kind who holds back."
Erza was well aware of this fact already. She remembered her battle against him all too well. Even if it was but a while ago, it took immense amount of recovery to keep herself alive. Craig tried to kill her! Fairy Tail isn't keen on such a prospect unless forced to, but Craig isn't like them. As proven when he was merciless to her. If he could rip into her armor, and if he can defeat Laxus, what are the odds he can beat Gildarts now?
While many were heavily anticipated, Craig had his chin on his palm, resting it as his blue eyes looked half-asleep and groaning. Unlike others, he wasn't into it in the very least.
"Remind me again why I'm doing this?" He bluntly asked Cana.
"Don't look at me. I'm not the one fighting him." Cana belittled.
Craig cocked a brow for a second. "Who said I was looking at you. All I'm saying is that this is bull."
"I know." She looked down at the ground, a serious but configuring look plastered on her face. "But it looked like Gildarts meant business…"
All in Fairy Tail were screeching to a sheer halt at the sound of Gildarts challenge. They were all, left speechless. Or at least they would be if not for them shrieking in shock.
"WHAAAA~T?!"
The entire guild was completely flipped on its head as Gildarts grinned down at Nic, but all he did was give Gildarts a raised brow and a tired expression. Cana, of course, showed shock like everyone else as she stared at Gildarts.
"Y-y-you're kidding…right…?" Max shuddered.
"He…he really wants to fight?" Laki stammered.
"Man! Does Gildarts read minds now?!" Nab panicked.
"Oh man, this is getting good!" Warren looked like he was going to burst at any given second.
Laxus looked over his shoulder with widened eyes and a frown. He was looking at the scene of Craig and Gildarts, but nevertheless, he did not show any other caring symptoms. Despite Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow's exasperating expressions, he was more focused on Craig than anything else.
"Say WHAT?!" Natsu exclaimed. "You want to fight Craig?!"
"Looks like it." Gray evaluated.
"Well don't forget about-gngh!" He instantly fell back to the ground, his injuries from what Craig gave him not even five minutes ago enflaming his insides. It was taking Wendy all she had to keep him at bay.
Lucy was shuddering with Happy, as shocked as everyone else at the declaration.
"Gildarts…" Makarov murmured.
Many were having heavy palpitations; some barely standing as they were falling over from just thinking of what could happen. What were to happen if the two went head-to-head? Would Gildarts toil with Craig, or what? Craig was a matter of his own. He wasn't anything like Gildarts. He was no fun, and all he did was nap…if not go sink his jaws into something worthwhile. Then again, Craig can use chi. Would that save him from Gildarts' brute strength? So many factors, but strength and experience was a tough call.
Gildarts flashed Craig a smirk. "So what do ya say, kid? Wanna test our skills?"
Cana looked towards Craig, her expression showing no less shock than it did a few seconds ago. She saw the curious look on his face, but saw the head turning away, his interests…annoyed?
Craig faced the window, showing a half-hearted look. "I'll pass."
Instantly, the guild nearly floored.
"You WHAT?!" Bickslow stammered.
"Are you saying no to a challenge from Gildarts?!" Evergreen exclaimed.
Craig continued to look away, eyes closing as he shrugged. "That's what I said."
Lucy sighed in relief. "Well, glad we can put that behind us now."
"Damn, that would've been fun to see." Gray said.
"Aw c'mon! I wanna see Gildarts beat that guy's guts out!" Natsu bellowed on the floor.
"Take it easy. Your wounds will only get worse." Wendy reminded him.
Gajeel casually shrugged. "Tch, what a wuss." He grumbled. "Able to take on prehistoric monsters and dragons, but doesn't take on another human being? I'm not sure if you should even be considered a menace if you cower away from a fight like that."
Craig leaned back in his seat, looking over his shoulder at Gajeel. "Hey, tin can." He sniped. "If you care so much, just make me."
The way he sniped at Gajeel was what gave the Iron Dragon Slayer some hesitation. He would love to make him fight, but there was one small flaw…come any closer to him and he might slice his arm off. Gajeel knew better than to push his luck, otherwise he will be hurt seriously. Craig exemplified this. He's always serious, and doesn't mean anything other than four words: Kill or be killed.
"That's what I thought." Craig looked back to Gildarts. "Sorry, buddy, but if you wanna measure my strength, and that's all you want, I don't have an obligation. You're not in my way of what I wanna do, and I'm not in your way either, so go and belittle that pink-haired dunce instead."
"Hey…" Natsu grumbled.
"Besides…" He shot Gildarts a more serious look. "If you saw the world like did…then you and I should know the kind of fights we end up in…are always for keeps. There's no such thing as a friendly fight when you end up hurting someone. A fight is still a fight…and I don't mean mercy in fights." He looked over to Natsu lying down on the ground. "You know this." He shot a glare at Gray. "You know this."
Gray rubbed his shoulder, recalling his first meeting with Craig.
Craig looked at Erza, more serious than the other two with squinted eyes. "And you know more than those nimrods."
The three – as well as Fairy Tail – knew Craig wasn't wrong, but they understood where he was coming from. After the torment and adventures he had to go through, he had to keep himself alive. Every fight is a way of survival, and as such, he would do anything to survive, though he still had morals of human being.
Gildarts frowned down at him. "Kid…"
Craig turned and looked up at Gildarts. His brow again arose when he saw that the man was no longer smiling. His frown as deep, and his expression was more dominant than it was previously.
"When two men talk to each other, that's a battle of their own. I'm not in it to test you. I was already filled in on what happened and about what you did, and I'm gonna be honest…your methods are unorthodox."
Craig twisted a brow. "Like hell if I care. Look dipshit, if you really want to fight so bad to prove your own fighting style and methods to me, then be my guest. But I know the risks, and I know the consequences just from where this is all turning to."
"You make it sound like you already know." Gildarts sneered.
Craig turned in his seat, looking up at the middle-aged man. "I don't…that's why I'm gonna find out." He stood up, the chair creaking across the ground as he glared up at Gildarts. Sure Craig was shorter than Laxus and is around Gray's height, but he was a feral expression, one that made Gildarts' eyes widen. "I was taught something a long while ago. 'The best way for two men to understand one another is through their fists, no matter to whom they're directed to'. If you really wanna judge me like any human being would, you'll have to judge with this knuckles of yours." His eyes narrowed. "So if you really are into this and feel like you should truly understand me…then fine. I'm right here."
The guild was once again turned on its head. 'Wha~t?!' They all mentally paled.
"You got a mouth to bite at me, kid. I like a little fight like that." Gildarts smirked. "Alright then, tomorrow morning at South Gate Park. You'll be sure to know how Fairy Tail rolls behind my back."
Craig narrowed further. "This is between the two of us, not a guild. That's what a man-to-man brawl is."
Cana looked down at Craig, seeing as how he was dozing off. "You do realize you contradicted yourself yesterday, right?" She asked him, but all he did was lean against the tree. "You didn't want to fight him because he wanted to test your strength, yet you accepted when it became a man-to-man battle? Where's the sense in that."
Craig yawned as he turned over, his back sliding onto the ground. "I don't expect you to understand. Strength is what showoffs do. Men don't walk away from a fight when they declare it to be personal. Even though I'm a freak of nature, even I am not dumb enough to ignore that code…" He yawned once more, eyes still shut. "If I'm honest, I just wish he forgot and we can all agree to disagree…" His eyes opened up meekly. "But I know that isn't gonna happen. If he really doesn't mean business after all and prefers to warmup…the it'll be his fault for crossing a line he wasn't meant to."
In a sense, Cana was understanding him. She knew the way Craig works. He doesn't always take subtle approaches unless necessary. Sure, he's rough around the edges – and teeth – but he means well. He always has a cause and sees it to the bitter end. He helps out in his own way, and in a fight, it's always someone falling before him. It happened with Grander. With the Three Kings. Essence. Erza. Laxus. Andrea. The Tahungadon. Velociraptor. Igneel. Grandeeney. Metalicana. All of them ended up hurt and thudded over his agony, a world of pain Craig ensures. She knows every single fight he takes is serious…and he'll see to its end if he must with his own bare hands or swords.
"Look, it's him!" A citizen pointed out.
The crowd outside of South Gate Park all turned and went quiet as a strong magical pressure was palpitating with sheer intensity. No one said anything as the sheer pressure pumping didn't stop, and Craig could feel it. His eyes opened back up and grunted as he stomped on the ground, shaking his head like some primal beast aroused from a nap and looked up.
The ground instantly spread apart, making a straight path for the legendary Gildarts to travel down. He smiled with pride as he took step by step. He ventured ever so closer to the park, and step by step closer to someone who has a lust of killer instinct.
Craig watched Gildarts carefully as he ventured down the stairway down towards the park. Many were whispering many compliments and cheers, some were scared but stuck around to see who would win. If Craig was being honest right now, he could feel his heartbeat increasing by a tiny fraction. The way Gildarts was looking made it seem like it was nothing, but to Craig, this was no test. No contest. It wasn't any of those. This was a settlement, a test…of ideals.
"Alright, Gildarts is here!" Happy cheered.
"It's about time!" Macao smirked.
"I thought he'd actually forget and we'd have to go get him or something." Wakaba mused.
"Master." Erza said.
Makarov watched on as Gildarts stepped forward towards the grassy area, both Craig and Gildarts beneath the tree stepping up as they looked at the other, a serious look passing over him. He could tell what the other was up against, so to say. All he did was stay silent while Gray and Natsu cheered for Gildarts in the distance.
"You go get that guy!" Natsu cheered.
"Yeah, let's go!" Gray exclaimed.
Wendy scooted away while holding Carla. "They're really into this."
"Well you can't exactly blame them." Carla said. "After all, they probably aren't too fond of Craig and what he's been through."
"Yeah…" She looked at Craig, looking with worry. "But don't you feel sorry for him sometimes?"
"I do. But right now, the better question to ask is who we should be sorry for when this is all over."
The anticipation was again going wild as Gildarts continued his path, stopping meters away from Craig as the latter was giving Gildarts a half-grin. However, Gildarts was looking chipper than before. "Well, looks like you made it." He said.
"Yeah, well I could be bugging Miss Booze-a-lot over there…" He looked back, earning cross arms and a sassy Cana grunt. "But if it gets her to shut up for five minutes, I'm all for it."
Gildarts laughed. "You're an interesting one."
"Thanks. I like to keep it that way."
Once again, Gildarts laughed. "You're just pulling my leg every time, you know that?" His laughter dialed down, his smile of determination fixated on Craig. "Alright, enough small talk. You ready?"
Craig was all set. He didn't look it, he never is, but no matter what, he never backs away from fights…unless otherwise. He has his own life to look after, and he looked after many others n the past. Children. Animals. What one could imagine. It's funny how if you doubt yourself you would look for answers even within pineapples, and yet in the heat of battle, a smiling face as a pink-haired girl he cared for vanished into thin air, she continued to chuckle and laugh down at him.
She was perky, and even in battle she thought of it all as fun and games. In a way, she was right. Like a game, a fight has a winner and loser. She always encouraged Craig to have fun doing what he loves, and even when he recalled her on that day, he smiled very wide with tears running down his face. Only today, no tears, but the memory of that sweet girl and the situation back then against a lethal opponent made his demeanor shift.
Gildarts and Cana saw the dark smirk on Craig's face. His look of seriousness shifted to a toothy smile, where he showed all his canines and his feral blue eyes. What he said back then, he spoke the exact same words: "Don't worry. I'll have the time of my life."
Gildarts was looking at Craig with growing shock. 'What's with this guy? What's with this sudden shift in demeanor?' As he looked at him further, Craig had a very bizarre appeal, one that made him almost blink in surprise. 'He's giving off some sort of pressure. Whatever he's planning, I think he means business. Guess I should oblige.'
Likewise Gildarts smirked back. "Yeah, I'll have fun as well."
The atmosphere once again altered. A small wave of energy expelled into a shockwave that Gildarts unleashed. The pulse was visibly seen distorting a ripple that made Cana and everyone else become paralyzed. The wave of Magic Power that was being unleashed was beginning to make the ground vibrate, and everyone watching saw the looks that each one had. They were fixed on their own ideals, and no one could get in the way.
Natsu was standing up, looking excited. "Oh man! This is gonna be so sweet!"
"Yeah! Go, Gildarts!" Happy cheered.
The two stared at each other, the airspace around them shaking rapidly. And yet another moved a muscle. However, Nic's mind was racing exponentially. Sure his mind played contradictory games, but the deeper he thought about that small girl who he helped out of a bandit district by slaughtering them all, she wasn't at all fazed when she touched his blades and hands. She just smiled, like all the innocence and hope in the world was packed inside her body.
"You're a fun person, you know that?" When he remembered her voice, he could remember how annoyed he was as he forgot about fun. The deaths and lives he stole were all he cared for, and yet the girl had pink hair and gave him a cheerful look every time.
"I…don't have one. No one named me."
The girl had no name, and as such, Craig could understand how that felt. He recalled his name after his memory, but nothing else. The fact she was born without a name was like one had no identity. As such, he gave a name of one some fallen people he knew of long ago.
"…Ilia?" She tilted her head, giving Craig a questionable look before it turned to a smile. "Ilia…" Her smile widened. "Ilia. I like it!"
No matter where they went, life was a game to her. She wasn't wrong. Everything could be a game, and it could be fun. It confused Craig, but playing simple games of "tag" and "Skip rope" and "Duck Duck goose" did in fact help him in fights, no matter how unorthodox. Even in her final moments before the last of her very Magic Power was being sapped, her excessive strength and belief that fun should be for everyone stung Craig's heart. His enemies lost a powerful foe, but at the cost of Ilia.
She literally faded in his arms, and she still smiled. He could still remember fondly of her big brown eyes.
"Craiggy…don't be sad. It's okay…" As her body was growing translucent, she smiled with sincerity. "Because…I really did had fun. This was the best time I had, because I had somebody to lay with. It's never fun when it's alone. That's why I'll always make sure you have fun." The last of her body faded, much to Craig's frowning. A broken tool as he was, he tried his best to perk a smile. He did in fact have fun. It was fun playing all those childish games.
"Now look at your playmates." Her voice said as she faded off. He did as told and looked them all dead in the eye. The remaining five enemies were giving him smug looks that turned cold when they saw Craig's growing smirk. "Smile wide, because you'll have fun!"
Even as her sparkles lifted into the sky, her ethereal image was seen by Craig as a shadow cast over his eyes, the laughing, happy Ilia heading to a place where she could make many friends and have fun and games.
Craig's fists clutched, balling tight as he gave Gildarts a feral smirk. 'Maybe my life isn't in danger right now…but I'll make this game like others should be. Fun!'
Gildarts smiled on as he saw Craig's hidden fire. "Alright kid, you can have the first-!"
Before he could make anymore syllables, there was a loud smashing sound, like a cannonball was fired. In a way, it did in fact strike, but for Gildarts, and it was in the form of a fist that smashed into the side of his face without any signs of warning. The impact was so swift and with so much might that it did in fact live up to Craig's Smash.
Everyone gaped their mouths in adulterated disbelief at the first blow dealt without warning. Natsu and Erza's eyes widened when they saw the blow dealt, and Cana's heart hitched when she saw that Gildarts was already dealt with a powerful blow. The energy was so ecstatic that all watched as Gildarts went hurdling with a small spiral across the ground, his head hitting the ground with a booming thud.
As dust cleared away, everyone was in a complete loss. They all were in so deep of shock that they didn't even get to see the serious look on Craig returning, yet inside there was a hidden satisfaction as his blow knocked sense into his foe.
At the end of an uneven trail, Gildarts's eyes opened and he managed to stand with a groan. When he finally caught on, his cheek enflamed with pain. He grunted and got back up. "What the…?!" He winced as he turned towards Craig. "Damn, that actually hurt!"
"That's the point of a punch." Craig retorted. "Now you can either complain or show me what you got."
On his feet, Gildarts let go of his swelling cheek and frowned. "Alright." Stepping forward, he went lunging, his Crush Magic making where he stood before embedded with diced pavement. He sprung forth and reeled his fist back, embedding Crash Magic into the making. With a loud battlecry, he reeled forward.
At the same time, Craig tapped a foot against his blood red sword's sheath, forcing it to twirl out of said sheath and caught it without glancing away from Gildarts. As Gildarts' fist closed in, Craig's blood red sword came downwards in a horrendous chop.
CLANG
A massive shockwave went everywhere as the tip of the sword meet Gildarts' Crjsh Magic fist. The strong winds ripped through the ground and area again, making the atmosphere tremble. The winds even went up to everyone watching.
Lucy hurriedly held down her skirt, and Natsu and Gray stepped back as the energy excelled past them. Everyone continued to glare on as Gildarts and Craig were in the dead center, looking sharp as they both smirked. As winds dialed down, Gildarts' gauntlet was pitting against Craig's sword's tip, both moving back and forth to overpower the other.
"I gotta say…that's a damn good sword right there." Gildarts grunted. His compliment was met with Craig sneering as he jutted deeper, managing to make his side stronger. It was enough to make Gildarts lose a few inches from footing.
"Not too bad yourself, but save the flattery for afterwards!" With his left hand still available, Craig reached for Gildarts, shocking the Crush Mage as his face was grabbed. Their stalemate drawn to a close when Craig pivoted while holding the face and head, turning and yelled out as he plunged Gildarts into the ground with a loud boom.
On the ground with the hand still on his face, Gildarts barely caught the sight of Craig's blood red sword's tip brought back for a shoot to kill motion down for him.
"Humming Pointer!"
As the sword's tip was coming down, Gildarts had to act fast. His hands gripped the ground beneath, causing a bright flash. In the next instance, the ground beneath both caved in, creating a crater with another shockwaves running through the area. The crater created drew Gildarts in while it threw Craig off.
'He shattered the ground beneath to cushion the blow!' Happy saw.
Landing on a knee and immediately standing, Craig looked forward to see Gildarts lunging at him. With his fist reeled back, he punched forward and hollered. This time, Craig leaned to the side and dodged. Gildarts repeatedly punched to no end, his Crash Magic in every fist. No matter what, Craig just kept dodging left and right with a serious expression on his face.
He was circling around, not bothering to lean back and away like many would do. He kept circling and avoiding volleys. He was beginning to wear Gildarts out, and the man was catching on.
Finally changing up things, he threw a punch, which Craig dodged by moving to the side. He then threw a sidekick, which went barreling for Craig. Without any need to dodge this time, Craig also pulled out a trick, or in this case, sword.
He used the flat edge of the blood red sword and blocked Gildarts foot, locking it in place. Gildarts found himself grunting as Craig showed a serious face still, but at the same time smirking. They continued the standoff, but Craig craned his head, opening his jaws to reveal all his sharp teeth.
"What?" Gildarts gasped.
Without bother, Craig went down and snapped his jaws on Gildarts' leg. The sharp fangs and prehistoric jaw power bent itself into his bone, causing Gildarts to gagged in deep shock.
Cana's eyes widened as she saw the attack Craig pulled. It was brutal, just like his life. "Gildarts!" She gasped.
Gildarts could already feel blood bleeding out as Craig kept his jaws fixed on him. He snarled as he craned his head down swiftly and around. He harshly yanked Gildarts, bringing him back down beneath Craig's feet yet again with a grunt, sending a shock through the man's back, again making him gag.
"Whoa…now this is serious." Happy murmured.
"Yeah, is Craig really putting Gildarts on the defensive?" Natsu couldn't believe it.
"Man, this is getting bad for the old man. He's gotta find a new trick and quick." Gray inspected.
Erza and Laxus both looked on as they saw the battle unfold. The level of power that Craig was using was as every big of serious as could be, just like against them.
On the ground, Gildarts looked up, staring at Craig's feral gaze. He had this vile gaze, something that made him almost look psychotic. "Man…and here I thought your sword was trouble…" He strained. "And now you have sharp teeth?"
Craig glared down, but he also saw a smirk. His eyes widened when he knew he had to get off, and fast.
"All Crush!"
In a hurry, Craig tumbled over Gildarts' body as a white explosion flared from where he originally was. The shockwaves of the massive blast diced everything apart, sending greater waves of flashing winds that caught him. He went tumbling through the air until he straightened out. Within the dome-like white light's force expelling dust, he drew his sword down to anchor him. It made a deep trail into the earth and it continued several feet until Craig's feet finally anchored him through the white flash's dissipation.
When it all was over, the white explosion was gone, revealing leveled area and Gildarts slouching up. As dust cleared around him. He looked at Craig with a half-grin, his mood shifting slightly. His need to impress was over. And Craig shared a similar look.
The ground all around the park was covered in dirt, completely leveled from the spell cast. Fortunately the tree still stood.
"You're one messed up guy, you know that?" Gildarts insinuated.
"I get that quite often." Craig said.
"Using not only swords, you're not half-bad when it comes to putting someone in the dirt. You gave me quite the shock there a couple times. Hell I can't even tell if my right arm works." Proving his point, Gildarts raised his right arm, revealing the cracked gauntlet that was from Craig's previous insidious blow.
Craig ignored Gildarts compliments, refusing to go wayward from what he intended – fighting. Rather than speak, Craig allowed his actions to follow as he began to reach for behind.
"Hm?"
Gildarts and everyone watched as they saw Craig reaching for familiar pieces of equipment he carried. 'He's gonna use it?' Erza inquired, keeping steady focus on the battle.
Cana's eyes widened as her conflicted mind raced yet again. She was more intent on Gildarts than the brawl itself. When she saw Craig reaching back, her shock arose. 'Is he…? No, not against him!'
"You got more tricks up those sleeves, pal?" Gildarts mused.
In a flash, Craig had all his blades out. Blood red, dark red, and the golden double-bladed sword were all in their rightful positions. He was set to strike, and he growled at Gildarts with fury.
"Haven't seen anything like that before." Gildarts admitted. "What do you call that?"
"I call it 'shutting that mouth you keep running'!" Speaking of which, Craig crouched and went springing at Gildarts, taking one large stride after the other.
Gildarts didn't hesitate either as Craig once again badmouthed him. Half-grinning, the middle-aged mage reached out, unleashing a diced web of light that was his Crash Magic. As the net drew closer, Craig's eyes sharpened, and he pivoted and turned his head and right arm, slashing through the magic like it was nothing.
"The hell?!" Natsu roared.
"Even through Gildarts' Crash Magic?!" Happy shrieked.
Erza was in shock of her own, but at the same time, she had an understanding. She remembered the chi attack Craig used before. 'He can cut through anything, even magic if he tried hard enough. No, that can't just be the reason. There must be something behind his tricks that we just can't see. Crash Magic destroys everything, so how did Craig cut through something that destroys?'
"You think you're crafty!" Gildarts reached his arm out for the umpteenth time. Volley after volley, he unleashed Crush Magic nets that went at Craig as he kept going. The mentioned darted right for the nets, slicing into them and dissipating their energy. He jumped, this time dodging a net that diced into the ground beneath him. In the air, with several more coming for him, he twirled his sharp blades while twisting and pivoting. Net after net was sliced and nullified as his savage swordplay cut into destruction. After a set amount of volleys blocked with twirls, he pivoted and slashed deep into another one diagonally, slicing it directly in half and landed in a crouched position. Still under fire, he went blitzing ahead for Gildarts, the nets of Crush Magic all coming at him still. Another one came for him, and he used the left side of the mouth blade and slashed with the many others.
He just kept going, slashing as some nets' edging was grazing bits of his cheeks and shoulders. It was making blood trails form, and a few sliced net ends grazed his shin leg weights, making permeated marks on their sides and chipping off superficial areas. However, he ignored it all and made one more jump over a net, managing to at last get in front of Gildarts.
He twisted his body, his blades flowing with his spin as he passed Gildarts.
"Spiral Dragon Slice!"
He posed in a crouched slash formation as Gildarts yelled out behind him. His magic was sliced up, and yet it still reached his body. It hammered him hard as he yelled out in pain with the blood from his body.
Cana gasped in deep shock.
Elfman looked on with crossed arms, inspecting the battle. "Craig's swordplay was enough to destroy a dragon the size of a mountain. I should've figured Crush Magic nets would've done anything."
"Magic that destroys, and a man who can cut anything." Freed evaluated.
"Man, Gildarts was completely off guard there!" Gray exclaimed.
"Is he okay?" Wendy worried.
Gildarts lurched forward and caught his footing. He labored some, taking deep breaths as he tried to cover the deep cuts that spiraled into his body. He panted to no end, and looked over his shoulder to give Craig tired glares. "You bastard." He sneered.
Craig didn't move for a moment as he continued looking behind Gildarts. After a second, he turned his head, swinging his mouth blade with him. The blade closed in on Gildarts, shocking the mage. He barely leaped forward and slid along the ground, making dust flare on either side.
Managing to find ground, Gildarts clutched his cracked gauntlet. "You're really pissing me off, pal! All Crush!"
A cross-shaped blast of Crush Magic embedded around Craig. In a hurry, he jumped away in time to evade the airspace that was disintegrated in the blast. The blast wave itself rumbled through the area, making dust and shockwaves dissipate, and yet Craig landed on a knee. Within that white blast wave, another bright net diced straight through it. The Crush Magic split apart, and Craig's eyes widened when another net came for him – this one being thinner in compounds.
And unfortunately for him, even when he crossed his blades to block, it hit him.
"It hit!" Evergreen gasped.
"Oh man! Craig!" Happy shrieked.
The net pattern embedded itself into Craig, making him snarl and lurch as his body succumbed to the net. In a bright flash, everything for everyone went down under.
Cana looked ahead, startled beyond words at what she was witnessing. She had no words. What she saw only made her blink.
With his hand still stretched out, Gildarts smirked. "You kinda had me there, but so did it. All those nets that I fired, people confuse that with my Crush Magic, when really it was Disassembly Magic."
True to what he said, scattered all around, there were many Craig. The numbers could very well be a hundred but the price was that each Craig was no bigger than the size of a fist. One could've mistaken little chibi versions if they wanted to, but they all looked at each other, backing away and bumping into the other, startled.
"Have you seen this kind of magic before? It's Disassembly Magic, it breaks the target into tiny pieces. Don't worry, you'll go back to normal in a bit, but how do you like it? Not bad, huh?" Gildarts couldn't help but snicker at his own advantage. "You weren't too bad."
"Uh, Gildarts?" Cana inquired.
Gildarts turned towards her. "Yeah, what is it?"
Cana showed an uneasy look. "Look." She pointed ahead in a deadpan manner. Gildarts followed, turning back towards the many mini Craig army. What he saw, it only made him uneasy.
The way the Craig all looked at each other, they realized they had strength in numbers. They all saw their size, but they still had many traits to grow off of. The many Craig sheathed their blades, all of them looking back up to Gildarts with each having feral eyes. They all looked at him like he was their next meal.
Gildarts raised a brow. "Uh…"
Gajeel looked unnerved. "Okay, the hell's his problem."
"I do believe Craig has turned this around." Pantherlily said. "Even though minimized, Craig still has power…and then there's his gifted traits."
All the mini Craig opened their mouths, hissing at Gildarts. The way they sound, it was like Velociraptors. A pack that hunts as such. And they all knew how to make Gildarts bleed for mercy.
The Crush Mage backed away. "Hey, what are you guys…!"
The head Craig let out a loud shriek to rival a crying raptor. All their primal instincts taking over, the miniature Craig all ran very much like Velociraptor, swift strides all aiming for Gildarts. As they closed in, the man realized his fault. They all closed in, taking high jumps and latched onto his calves and shins, with many more to jump.
"GAH!" Gildarts felt hundreds of tiny, razor-sharp teeth edge into his leg – even his prosthetic one. They nipped and tore into him like piranhas, having a frenzy. All Gildarts did was try and swat them off, but when he tried to get them, only more latched onto his hand and arm. Almost instantly pain fared as they bit straight into his skin.
Everyone was starting to have a panic attack. Craig used Gildarts' magic against him, and as it turned out, it was in his favor. Hell was breaking loose for him, and his body suffered the price. They all watched as the mini Craig made it to the head and neck, sinking their fangs into him and hearing him wail and struggle. It was a profuse effort, and some looked away as blood seeped all over Gildarts.
"What the hell is Craig doing?!" Natsu roared. "Is he seriously trying to kill the guy?!"
"That's just messed up." Lucy paled and shivered in place.
Wendy covered her mouth, eyes dilating as Craig bit his hundreds of teeth into Gildarts, ignoring the struggling and screams as he showed his bloody spirit. It was terrifying.
Gildarts was feeling many tears and rips into his bare skin. It was unbearable. The many Craig shrieked as some hissed beneath his footing and the few held his feet down, even just one's strength overwhelming as Gildarts was feeling his weight go under.
"GAAAH!" More blood spilled, and he wasn't taking it anymore.
Cana was looking at Gildarts, seeing the man suffer. "Craig…" She bit her bottom lip. "Gildarts…"
Another mini Craig looked at Cana, seeing the worried look n her face. As painful as it was to watch, he only growled weakly in retort. But at the same time, he saw that she didn't want to see a guildmate possibly perish.
"Alright! Enough!" With a swiping motion with many Craig dangling with teeth embedded, Gildart's fingertips glowed. "No more army for you!"
All the mini Craig hissed as they were all yanked by an invisible force off Gildarts. To much of his relief, the many Craig were converging into a center, and in a puff of smoke, the actual Craig appeared in midair above Gildarts, a fist clutched.
The fist was reeled back, and Gildarts' eyes widened in shock. 'No!'
"Smash!"
Craig used the midair converge to his advantage, sending his fist to sunder straight down on Gildarts' head. The knuckles and muscles sent him straight into the ground, and many could've heard bones crush. Many hearts stopped and some flinched in shock as the force made a small crater.
The rumble was like a clap of thunder, and all watched as Craig landed with a hard thud on his two feet. Though scratched up in some places, he glowered down at Gildarts from a few meters away.
Cana was wide-eyed with sheer shock. "…"
Craig frowned down as Gildarts was in a struggle. The man was trying hard to get up, but his body had blood loss, not to mention the few concussions from the blows to the head he was hit with. As much as he tried, he was slow in getting up.
"I…I didn't think my Disassembly Magic could mess up that bad." He panted. He coughed, but was able to stand on his two feet eventually. He stood tall with fists by his side. The way he looked at Craig, he looked dead serious. All the formality he had for him was gone.
"You've turned things around pretty damn fast there. I'm impressed. But you know I'm gonna have to see an epidermis when this is all over."
"Can that crap." Craig said. "There's always a price to be paid for everything. If you didn't realize who you were up against until now, then your opponent will use that, and they'll turn your power against you." He stepped up, making the ground churn beneath his stomp. "I don't threaten. I go for the strike. That's the difference between us."
It was true. Craig isn't the keen type to threats. When fighting, he always had actions display his thoughts. He could unleash hell and back and say little. Sometimes it was best to be quiet and let threats stay unsaid through actions.
Coincidentally, Gildarts smirked. "Is that right?"
Craig's facial expression didn't change.
"I had a feeling you were that type of guy. True, I may have been screwing around, but I see where you're coming from now. I don't know what your deal is always trying to treat fights as survival…" The ground beneath began to tremble, a light anti-gravity field beginning to churn and distort the area all around.
Natsu's eyes widened.
"This pressure…" Happy murmured.
The air around Gildarts began to roar, a white aura beginning to encompass his body. "But if you want my full power, get ready!"
All of Magnolia was shaking, many of the spectators around the park were feeling their nerves crawl. They all backed away, and some evacuated as shockwaves and powerful surges of energy were flaring. A white pillar of pure Magic Power enveloped Gildarts. The energy was so heavy in energy that Fairy Tail's eyes were widening, some were unable to keep their composure.
Lucy and Wendy were holding onto the other, petrified in sheer fear. Erza looked with deep shock, and Natsu and Gray and Gajeel were all gawking as they were feeling one thing in common: Fear. The sheer level of Magic Power that was being unleashed was making hearts beat, and Cana was staring from afar, her glare starting to filate as she saw Gildarts show off his Magic Power.
Facing a white pillar of sheer energy, the ground beneath Craig shuddered as it sounded like a jet was pulsing through his ear canals. He was wide-eyed with lips parted meekly. As he stared at Gildarts, he saw his silhouette inside the pillar, and a pair of red eyes. It was most disturbing, yet his heart raced.
He could feel it, the blood pumping through the inside of his body. The energy he was felling. The power. The figure. As he looked at Gildarts and all the Magic Power he was unleashing, his mind was racing at so many milliseconds. He was stuck in place, yet he was glaring at one thing in particular: The eyes. When Craig looked at Gildarts, he was seeing his eyes. They were of power, and of absolute. They were of intimidation.
Craig has seen this glare before from hundreds of battled in the past, and frankly…this one had just as much of an impact as any other anymore.
Shadows covered his eyes, his lips forming a frown as strong winds continued to run through the park. Sheer magic no one would ever dream of, and yet Craig took one small step after the other, remaining calm.
"Wh…what is that fool thinking?!" Carla exasperated.
"Craig! What are you doing?!" Happy panicked.
"Is he really gonna take on that Magic Power?" Lucy questioned.
Makarov stared down at the sight, his own eyes widened as he saw Craig walk ahead.
Eventually, Craig found his way in front of Gildarts and the pillar of sheer Magic Power. Facing 100% of Gildarts' power, Craig still had his expression shrouded as he looked at Gildarts. He continued to glare down at Craig, seeing that his show of level difference was out of this world.
Within the pillar's rampaging sound, to Craig, it all grew silent as the many battles and enemies he's faced flashed inside his head. The many faces of those depended on him, it was all there.
Gildarts was expecting him to see the level difference, but then the most shocking thing happened. A hand reached straight through, choking Gildarts by the cloak. The Magic Power he gave off was instantly shut off and he was picked up an inch off the ground. Craig held Gildarts with a tight grip and pebbles fell all around. The sheer force unleashed, and it was all for no show.
Gildarts looked down at Craig, seeing the shadows over his eyes dissipating. What he saw, it made his own eyes widen. 'What…?'
Craig's blue eyes glared monstrous daggers. The sclera were deep, crisp, sharp, and venomous. It was like looking at the face of a devil. Worse than that even. What Gildarts stared at was making his own heart palpitate with shock an awe. Craig, in his own way, was giving a glare of primeval. This was the true face of fear, a face who shoots not to threaten, but to kill. This was what Gildarts saw for the first time.
"You dumbass!" With all his might, Craig lifted Gildarts off the ground, and gave a loud, prehistoric shout as he plunged Gildarts into the ground. The land beneath shuddered as a small crater was made beneath Gildarts' back. All that Magic Power Gildarts' gave off was on one shockwaves, sending a wind everywhere, leaving everyone else to cover up, at least the spectators. For Fairy Tail, their entire world went dead silent.
No one said anything. What could they say? Their most powerful mage's Magic Power level was staggering, and yet it wasn't enough to intimidate Craig. Natsu was petrified, and Erza was nearly left stiff. Makarov was dumbfounded when the sheer thrill of combat and ambition Craig had trounced all that.
"Im…possible…" The old man murmured.
Gildarts laid gasping as he stared up at the clouds. He looked like he was seeing a ghost. His ears rang as the clouds overhead looked to see still. His body was numb, but at the same time, he felt nothing but pain.
"Yeah, you have some Magic Power alright." Craig's voice made Gildarts look at him. He was a few feet away, glowering down with that same violent gaze. "But you know what…I've felt worse. I can get on my knees and beg, but there are those who won't show remorse. It may not matter to you, and to be frank, I don't give a remote damn of what you think or how you act. I'm not a kid. To you, I may as well be a monster…" He narrowed his eyes, his sharpened look sending a shiver down Gildarts' spine. "And I'll use every bit of what I embrace of myself to take down whoever stands in my way."
Gildarts was staring up, disbelief surmounting him. He knew of fear, and he felt it before, but not like this. The more he looked at Craig, the more he wanted to challenge that fear. His teeth gritted, and he struggled to stand.
Finally standing, Gildarts was outlined in a white aura once more. He was hunched over, giving his own frown. "…okay…I get your mail now." He gave Craig a dull glare, his heartbeat starting to quicken as his own pupils dilated. "So then let's see whose ideals are stronger!"
"Come on!" Craig yelled with a bloodthirsty smirk.
Gildarts had it with Craig being anything like a comrade, yet he knew his sense of pain. Of belonging. His Magic Power encompassed his body as he and Craig bolted for the other. Craig took heavy strides, head hunched downwards and striding heavily like a dinosaur. He opened his mouth exerting a massive roar that made Gildarts' heart vibrate. It was ecstatic.
Gildarts pulled a fist back and unleashed it. He punched, while Craig did the same. Craig uppercut and Gildarts punched him square in the stomach. Both reacted with Craig spatting blood and Gildarts gaging. Instantly, both recovered and looked at the other, eyes glaring down heavily at one another.
"I'm not done!"
"Bring it ya bastard!"
Their hands connected, trying to force back the other in an almighty push away contest. A game Craig dared not lose. Both their muscles pulsed with adrenaline, and yet Craig's were still smaller, but completely solid. He snarled with a deranged beast, having adrenaline overtake.
"Craig! Gildarts!" Cana exclaimed.
Craig bellowed menacingly, all his teeth showing. With all his might, he shoved Gildarts' fists to the side, revealing back his own fist yet again. "Smash!" He unleashed a blistering punch that socked Gildarts's cheek. The impact was instantly recovered by him and he glared down at Craig and embedded Crush Magic into his fist. He punched Craig in the face as well, creating a powerful blow that nearly broke the jaw and cheek bones inside. However, Craig still didn't waver despite the numbing on that side.
"IS THAT ALL YOU GOT?!"
It was a beef match, and neither would want to lose. Punch after punch, it was one bone cracked after another. It was all tearing apart, both body and soul. It was nothing but two men with their own motivations; one who protects and one whose goals are for not just himself but for the dearest who knew he had potential. Craig dug deep all this time for himself and them. This was his point to get across. Gildarts wasn't the only one who had friends, even though Craig's aren't alive.
Blow after blow was dealt, and blood spilled from the sides of their heads as they clashed. Their heads collided and retracted almost instantly, and instead they pulsed volleys and blows into their faces and into the stomachs. The ground was literally shaking from their tremendous force.
Everyone watching was feeling their appetites go south. They were all paling, and some were trembling. Gildarts was unleashing all his Magic Power, and Craig still fought back.
"This is crazy!" Lisanna shrieked.
"Crazy?! It's madness!" Laki exclaimed.
"Oui!" Reedus agreed, though the next blow he saw almost made him stumble.
Fists past the other, and Craig and Gildarts connected once more with the other's face. Neither side budged as they continued having their fists connect to the other's face. Together, their eyes locked onto the other once more, their teeth showing.
Both backed away as their stalemate ceased. Both were panting profusely, and it was clear they suffered greatly. Each was a bleeding, bruised mess. Gildarts had blood and bite marks everywhere, his cape completely destroyed. He panted with blood on the side of his lips and head. His face had bruises that ran deep, and yet Craig was no different.
His own ribs and stomach were hurt bad, as opposed to the fact he could barely feel breath through the neck. He had so many bruises on the chin, cheeks, and blood ran from the side of his face. He was a heaping mess; both were ready to finish it.
Gildarts brought his fist back, letting magic surge into the bare fist, the gauntlet having been destroyed a long time ago. Meanwhile, Craig took his own step back and closed his eyes. He relaxed, ignoring the pain when he breathed in and out due to broken ribs. His body pictured the magical energy running around him, and he converted the chi as he moved his hand back and forth in a flowing manner. In a circular motion, the fist clutched, having chi centered.
"Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Empyrean!"
"SMASH!"
At the same time, both attacks embedded in their respective energies, both fists collided in the abdominal regions of either side. The earth beneath them was struck with a powerful magnitude and shockwaves went everywhere as both Craig and Gildarts gagged as all the air and oxygen left their bodies. At the same time, both soared in opposite directions at incredible speeds. Each went far away, passing everyone as the force sent both Gildarts and Craig over the streets and Craig smashing into a glass window and Gildarts into a brick wall. The earth continued to shake as everyone cleared out, many people hollowing out more space as their battle continued to unfold.
Fairy Tail was in exasperated awe as Craig and Gildarts were full on going at it, and as dust cleared, everyone was wondering what happened.
"Who won?!" Happy panicked.
From Gildarts' pile of brick, the red rock completely gave in. It all crushed to oblivion by a bright light, the energy exploding as Gildarts was slouching up, a streaming white energy seeping. The earth vibrated intensely as Gildarts labored in breath, his abdomen having a huge bruise on it.
As he stared ahead, his gaze was dizzy. He saw that behind the glass window, nothing was moving. "Did that…do it?"
A few seconds passed, and materials from wood to boxes diced apart in a split second. The pieces scattered as Craig emerged from the window with his mouth blade in his mouth, cuts cover him from hitting the glass, but not enough to keep him down.
Ignoring the glass embedded in his back, Craig swung his head back with the blade. When he went forward, he flung the blade itself forward, sending it flying and spinning at Gildarts like a Mach shuriken. It raced with all the momentum Craig gave, ripping into the air.
As the spinning blade closed in, Gildarts' body flared in more of his Magic Power and he brought the same fist back. He punched forward, meeting the spinning double blade in the middle. A massive white explosion erupted upon impact, making a blinding flare so massive that everyone had to cover up.
As the blade went spiraling upwards, the light faded, revealing Craig already in front and low with his bloody, bruised, clutched fist set.
"Soaring Pain!"
He jumped into the air, giving Gildarts an uppercut.
"Smash!"
He came down next, crashing his fist into the top of his head next. The shock made Gildarts recoil back with a hefty gag, but he opened his eyes once more, unwilling to give in. He embedded Crush Magic into his fist from the close range, striking Craig once more, but not without the recipient putting up his arms to block. The attack was absorbed by the bruised arms, but the pain and impact itself sent Craig flying, making his lurch.
He landed on his feet, sliding back several feet with blood dripping.
Gildarts couldn't let up. He pressed on, embedding his fists in his Crush Magic. He lunged ahead with a scowl at Craig. Recovering, Craig saw Gildarts incoming and caught his double mouth blade. In a blink of an eye, he sheathed it and went barreling towards Gildarts.
Once again, the two got caught in a high-speed beef match. This time, their fists were parrying. They moved fast and with so much force. Neither was giving an inch as they were – in a twisted way – in a game of their own. The thrill of possibly falling. The blood spilling. Gildarts was seeing it in his eyes, the kind of fun, the kind of games and adrenaline rushes Craig had to endure.
Laxus was at a loss for words. He never saw a match like this. It was making his nerves crawl. He stayed absolutely silent as he and everyone felt the immense charge of power Gildarts was making in his next attack.
With his fist back, Gildarts embedded Crush Magic, which was becoming visible. He screamed aloud, channeling what he could into the attack.
Craig's fingers twitched. 'Now!'
"Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Absolute Heaven!"
Gildarts' fist was enveloped inexplosive energy, and yet Craig's eyes dilated as he moved his arms around. Gildarts' attack smashed into the ground, channeling explosive white energy that rattled and shook up Magnolia with intense fury. All of Fairy Tail gasped as a great energy field erupted and tore open the earth within South Gate Park.
No one had the guts to even speak. They were all flabbergasted as the attack was discharging magic everywhere.
"…wh-what's going on?!" Bisca panicked.
"The hell!" Gajeel yelled.
As the energy exploded, Cana was utterly speechless. She was staring at the battle like it was a ghost battling another ghost. She knew dragons and dinosaurs were one thing, but this was another. This was yet again brutally at its finest.
Gildarts glared ahead, the exploding energy surging still and his intense vibe weakening. 'That did it.'
As the white explosions were still enveloping everything, the energy was beginning to stir. It was spinning.
'What…?'
All the white energy he expelled with Crush Magic was swirling into a hemisphere, which was compressed and continuing to do so. All the ounces of white magic that was expelled was being circulated into a hemisphere of compressed power in Craig's hands. His own attire was in shambles, and he was looking more than beat up, but he glared ahead with no signs of giving up. The aura roared as he pressed and moved his hands in various motions around the compression point. Earth shook as Craig glared at Gildarts with a violent look, yet determined no less.
"I…Impossible. He…he's absorbing my attack…?" He was out of this world, and as Gildarts looked at him further, he saw the hardships he had to overcome. Truly, he knew what he faced. Craig was a beast of his own right.
Craig screamed out loud as he brought his hands and all the compressed explosive energy forward.
"Energy Arts – Bide Exploder!"
His arms went straight at Gildarts from the close range. The compressed beam finally unleashed in what was a bright flash, followed by a menacing, roaring energy eruption of explosive white. Gildarts was practically close-range - point blank! The attack enveloped him in full, his own power was turned against him in a voluminous and still expanding blast that ripped straight through South Gate Park, and through the crowd as they all cleared way. The attack expanded and blitzed into Magnolia, tearing straight ahead into the streets and eradicating remnants of concrete off the ground. Buildings nearby were chipped away, and some were mowed over completely.
The grand beam that enveloped Gildarts sent shockwaves throughout the entire city. Everything was blown over and sent to sunder. It was all ripped apart, just like the battle of dragons and dinosaurs. Shockwaves flashed and explosions embodies the airspace. Many covered their ears while some barely held their ground. They all screamed and yelled as Gildarts was blown back far away.
After what appeared to be an eternity of shockwaves and ground ripping to shreds, the explosive energy released finally gave in. All the dust and rock in the area finally settled.
Master coughed as he tried catching his breath. "Is *cough* everyone alright?"
Getting up, Natsu rubbed his head. "Uuuugh…yeah…I think." His eyes widened when he looked around. "Happy? Erza?"
"Here." Happy groaned, facedown with a paw in the air.
Erza got up from nearby, looking over towards him. "Yes, I'm okay. Thank you."
Gray rubbed the back of his head. "Crap. I'm gonna feel that in the morning."
"What was that?" Mirajane asked.
Gajeel got up, eyes widening. "That move, it's the same one that he used from before."
"You mean he seriously just turned all of Gildarts' power right back at him?" Max questioned.
With the mention of the name, Cana was brought back around. She gasped as she looked ahead, her eyes opening wide as she looked back at Craig. She saw dust clear around him, and he was facing where Gildarts was, her own lips parted in deep shock.
Macao and Wakaba both looked ahead, unable to comprehend what they saw.
At the end of what appeared to be a long trail, the dust revealed Gildarts – still standing. He had a hazy gaze, his entire body almost unrecognizable. He smirked at Craig, making the teen snarl.
"You're good…" Gildarts went wobbly, slowly falling over. "Too good…" With a loud thud, he went face first into the deep trail embedded into the ground.
Despite swollen and bruised, Craig flashed his own weak smirk. "Yeah, you weren't so bad yourself…" He murmured. Even afterwards, he was standing tall and proud. It was clear who won.
Everyone who watched and cut away from the battle had a long time to understand and process what happened. Some gaped their mouths, and some were petrified in sheer horror.
Makarov stared with shock. "It can't be…"
"What…happened?" Mirajane exasperated.
Gajeel was completely bewildered. "You've gotta be joking."
Laxus and Erza were dumbfounded. They knew Craig was able to beat them, but that was a seriously intense match. Even now, Craig was bleeding, and he was still kicking on his two feet. He was wounded, and yet after glass in his back, bones broken, swollen, bruised, and need of possible emergency care, he was standing.
Cana was still at a loss for words. She stared ahead, fixated on what happened. "You…"
Craig craned his head high and exerted a mighty, vibrant roar. The roar went far and wide, victory assured as Craig declared all throughout the town that he was the head honcho. Some citizens freaked out, but a majority all cheered in deep respect. Many clapped for the most gratifying match they were able to bear witness to. They were flabbergasted, and yet accepting.
Natsu was up on his feet, eyes wide and blinking. "No…way…" For the umpteenth time now, someone he looked up to was taken down by Craig. The Dragon Slayer was at a loss for words, and he couldn't begin to fathom how or why. Igneel, Erza, Laxus, and a Tahungadon…what kind of strength was needed for Craig to take down Gildarts that he didn't have?
"Craig beat Gildarts?!" Bickslow exclaimed.
"Now that's just crazy!" Evergreen added.
"The Ace of Fairy Tail falls before him now." Freed evaluated.
Cana continued to look at Craig with an unemotional gaze. She could see he was still standing, obviously, and yet something was off. Craig continued to pant, but every now and again, he'd cough up blood. He looked dizzy. "Cranky…" She saw him stumble to a knee. She hurried over. "Cranky!"
Exhaling, Craig was relaxing. Every labored, strained breath ached his entire body. He felt like crap. He couldn't even tell anymore which parts of his anatomy were enflamed or not. Despite the pain he felt, he saw a lock of brown hair he recognized. He looked over, his hazy vision seeing brown. He smirked.
"Brownie."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I-!" A gag went up his throat. He turned away as blood again seeped from his mouth.
"Don't move. Your organs and bones must've been crushed." She urged.
"Yeah? Well what about Gildarts?" Gray insinuated.
Makarov walked on over, giving a serious look at Craig. When he saw the countless damage points blown, he looked at Gildarts laying meters away with the same amount of pain, if not more. With a grievous sigh, he hung his head low.
"What a battle indeed, but at what cost?" He questioned.
Craig narrowed his eyes, looking away. "My point exactly." He winced.
Makarov turned towards him. "I suppose some lessons are best learned the hard way, but for now, let's get Porlyusica to fix the two of you up now, shall we?"
Lucy went wide-eyed. "Hey, yeah! Porlyusica can fix them up!"
"Aye!" Happy cheered.
Macao and Wakaba supported Gildarts the best they could. They frowned as they had the older man on their shoulders with his head down. "Well we don't have a lot of time." Macao warned.
Makarov nodded. "Then let's get going."
Everyone around the facility evacuated. Many hurried to get supplies for any repairs needed, and some readied the repair bills. They all scattered, and Makarov was just grieving for what was to come. He just soldiered on while everyone did what they could and ushered Craig and Gildarts to Porlyusica.
With Craig barely able-bodied, he remained silent as Cana supported him. She frowned as she looked ahead past everyone to stare at Gildarts' destroyed cloak. He was a mess. It saddened her, and she only lowered her head in guilt.
Seeing the look on her face, Craig's eyes were half-open and processed the grief. He knew she seemed sad, but as much as he wanted to know and help, he had his own injuries to deal with. He would have to wait to know, at least for now.
Long time no see guys! So sorry that it had taken an extremely long time to finally get yet another update in, but I am officially back to this story, for good this time! I just finished the sequel to my OCxErza crossover story A Contender's Bonds, so with that out of the way, I can finally get to wrapping up this story! I am hoping, if by happenstance, I could get it done by the end of December. That is my goal. But for now, I hope this chapter sufficed!
I am very rusty on Craig's character since it's been awhile, so it's going to take some time for me to a handle on his demeanor once again. Like I said, it's been a very long while, so it's slow and steady until I get a grip on Craig once more. As always, review and hope you enjoyed.