Praise Mavis! Finally, an update! It's been like two months! Sorry for such a long wait. Also, I swear the next chapter will be the end of the battle between Sabertooth and Fairy Tail, but it's just so drawn out. But it's worth it because Ryō's reactions are super cute. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!
Rogue dusted debris off of his shoulder as he sat down in the underground tunnels of the Domus Flau. "Could have warned me he was going to do that." he huffed, annoyed that Sting gave him no warning that attack was coming.
When the floor caved in from Sting's holy breath attack, he faded himself into the shadows, before moving to safety. Fists tightening and nails biting into the palms of his hands as he heard the fight continue, Sting soloing the match by himself.
Once again Sting's overconfidence had outshone him, leaving him in the shadows. Sting knew that Rogue had every intention of fighting Gajeel on his own, to show his true power and his friend had undermined him.
He fount it ironic, especially with him being a shadow dragon slayer however part of him felt inferior towards his friend.
Rogue was always the one in the shadows, Sting staying in the light. They were both feared equally, but part of him felt they weren't on the same level when people spoke about them. Granted, Rogue wasn't really one for publicity, Sting thrived in it, but it seemed like most people forgot about him when Sting was around. He had always blended in with the shadows, not only alongside Sting, but also within Sabertooth. Idly standing by watching, just like he did when Yukino got was forced to strip and then kicked out of the guild.
He still felt the guilt for allowing the mistreatment of a guild mate to happen right in front of him, angry at himself for being to afraid to stand up against Jiemma. He felt guilty for the way his guild mates treated other guild's, laughing and throwing insults at them. The way Minerva went overboard with her attack on the celestial wizard from Fairy Tail during the Naval battle. He had overheard that she might not be competing for the rest of the tournament. He hated how his guild laughed at the torture Minerva put her through. He especially hated the way Sting spoke to Mermaid Heel's Kagura Mikazuchi, the way he tried intimidate her, granted it didn't work at all, Rogue still felt the need to apologies for his guild mate's actions.
"You're different from the rest of them. Why stick around?" the swordswoman's words had stuck with him ever since the two spoke. But in reality, Rogue didn't feel he was any different from the other members of Sabertooth. If anything, he was just as bad.
"Guess I'm always going to be in the shadows." Rogue chuckled lowly to himself.
"Tired of being second best? I could change that for you." an ominous voice spoke.
The dragon slayer looked around, however no one could be seen. "Who's there?" His voice echoed through the tunnel, yet he got no reply. Where even was the voice coming from? No one else was around, except for Sting and the two mage's from Fairy Tail but they were far away. He was alone.
The voice cackled, ignoring Rogue's question. "But the question is, are you ready for your true power...?"
Rogue glanced over his shoulder, yet still no one. The voice sounded right by his ear, clear to his hearing. Almost like they were right beside him. Was I just hearing things? He ran a hand through his hair before turning away, starting to walk.
"Hmm. Not yet, I don't think you're ready."
Rogue swiftly turned around, yet still finding no one. He shifted on his feet, taking one last glance around for anybody before walking.
Whatever or whoever that was, it made him feel uneasy.
Whispers could be heard amongst the crowd as video lacrima's tried to find the dragon slayers, who had now disappeared after the floor have given way after Sting's attack. No one could believe the power of destruction only one of them bought, this tag team match was on another level compared to previous ones.
Then again, it was to be expected from mages who possessed the magic of dragons.
Ryō gripped Lucy's cloak tight in his fist, eyes widening as tears starting to pool. He stared down at the now missing arena floor, looking for any sight of the shadow dragon slayer. He tried searching for his scent, yet dust still floating around made his nose irritable, making it unable to trace his father.
Lucy's hand smoothed through his hair, attempting to soothe the child. "It's okay, Ryō. They'll be okay." She spoke, glancing down at the young boy, shooting him a small smile. A tear escaped his eye, Lucy's thumb wiping it away instantly.
Blasts and voices could be heard echoing all the way down, prompting everyone to believe that the four men were okay, and still fighting. It wasn't long until the video lacrima's finally caught up with the dragon slayers, Sting still taking on Natsu and Gajeel by himself, easily matching the two dragon slayers blow by blow. However there was one missing, the shadow dragon slayer.
"Where is he?!" Ryō shouted, looking at the screen. He couldn't feel his father's presence, and it scared him. He wanted to go and find him, check that he was okay. But he couldn't, not here, not in front of all of these people to witness via lacrima.
Lucy held the child tightly against her, trying her best to console him. She felt him shake under her touch, the sound of him trying to stifle his sobs before he buried his head in the fabric of her dark cloak.
"Dad..."
The blonde woman smiled, the sight of the young boy's concern for his father touched her heart. That despite Rogue's actions in the future, Ryō still saw the man as his father, cheering him on in battle. She knew he had always idolised his father, but thought that had disappeared due to what had happened, yet the candle he held for his father still burned as bright as ever.
Over the other side of the arena a prominent frown was etched on the face of Kagura Mikazuchi, who was staring intensely at the screens provided to watch the match. She had also noticed the disappearance of the shadow dragon slayer.
"You okay there, girl? You look like you're trying to destroy the screens with your mind." Risley joked, but was also intrigued by Kagura's sudden interest in the match.
"Where is he..." she mumbled, ignoring her team mates question.
"Who?"
Kagura's head turned to Beth, her eyes widening slightly at being caught out.
"You on about the other dragon slayer from Sabertooth? Rogue, is it?" Araña questioned, glancing at Beth who shrugged her shoulders before looking back at Kagura.
Risley smirked, "Got a little soft spot for the shadow dragon, ay Kagura?" she quipped, nudging the swordswoman who's cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.
"Kagura has a thing for Rogue?!" Millianna exclaimed, gaining the attention of everyone who sat around the balcony where Mermaid Heel were seated.
The ace of Mermaid Heel wished a black hole would just suck her in, she could already hear the whispers throughout the crowd, and already had no doubts that what had been said would make its way to that over-eccentric reporter from Sorcerer Weekly. "Don't speak such nonsense! He's supposed to be helping his team mate-" Kagura gritted out, only to pause mid-way when Rogue appeared.
A small smile tugged at her lips only for it to disappear when she saw the look Risley was giving her. She scoffed before turning her back and walked away from the balcony's edge.
"Change is inevitable, and there's the proof. The old generation battered and beaten at the hands of true dragon slayers. Their era was grand but now it's come to an end." he spoke as he observed Gajeel and Natsu laid out on the floor, all at the hands of Sting.
The familiar voice rang through Ryō's ears, his head lifting to look at the screen. "Lu! Lu! Lu, look! He's back! He's back!" the raven haired boy jumped up and down with excitement.
"I told you he'd be okay." Lucy laughed, mussing up Ryō's hair.
"When you attack you pivot your foot to eleven o'clock."
"Nope, it's ten o'clock you dumbass!" Gajeel retorted back at Natsu.
"It's totally eleven!"
"Are you blind?! It was ten thirty at most. Were you even watching him?!"
Sting and Rogue stared at their opponents, dumbfounded that the two were having an argument during the match. They glanced at one another before looking back at Fairy Tail's dragon slayers, wondering if they should break it up or just see where it lead.
The two butted heads, glaring at one another. "I think you were hit too hard. It was twenty three o'clock." the fire dragon slayer growled.
"THAT'S THE SAME DAMN THING!"
"Should we...?" Sting questioned.
"I'd rather not."
This petty argument was over Sting and his stance when he attacked. The end result leaded to Gajeel being thrown into a mining cart and sent on a ride, triggering his motion sickness.
"What the hell was that for?!" Sting exclaimed, confused over Natsu's actions.
"Betrayal?" Rogue questioned.
Natsu grinned at the Twin Dragon's, "You think I forgot about your insults from before? I can handle you both myself." Fire engulfed both of his fists as he got into his fighting stance, "C'mon, let's see what you got!"
Sting's eyes widened, "You're making a big mistake if you think you can handle the two of us. Did you forget? We have complete control over our dragon force!" he responded only to get a shrug of the shoulders in response.
Rogue's eyes moved over to where Gajeel had fallen down to before glancing back at Natsu. "My interest isn't with you at all. I'm here to fight Gajeel, and that is all." He needed this. He needed to prove to himself that he had gotten strong, and the only way he could do that is if he defeated the man he idolised growing up.
"Defeat me and you can fight whoever you want."
Their eyes widened, the magic energy surging as they activated dragon force in unison. This was it, all or nothing.
"Are you all fired up?"