Surprised at myself at being able to crank out another chapter so quickly. It's so simple and easy tp write out since in know the outline of each chapter, so expect updates (somewhat) quickly (hopefully!). A slightly longer chapter than usual I believe, yet I hope you guys enjoy it.
Rogue sighed, slouching as his forearms rested on his thighs, mind mulling over what had happened when him and Sting returned to the inn.
He wasn't stupid. Rogue knew that they were both going to have to face Jiemma, and most likely the whole of the guild would be forced to watch —just like yesterday, with Yukino— as their guild master verbally tore into the Twin Dragon's, he had accepted his fate when they were in the infirmary. Yet what he didn't expect was what would transpire during the confrontation.
Standing beside Sting, Rogue's head was held high however his gaze was averted to the tiled floor. He didn't have to look but he knew Jiemma had a scornful look on his face, showing how displeased he was with the Twin Dragons efforts during their tag team match. It didn't take a genuis to know that this sudden 'guild meeting' was going to end on a good note.
Everyone in the Sabertooth guild was gathered in the main hall of the inn, standing far away from the two dragon slayers, most of them with a knowing look on their faces as they prepared for what was about to happen to Sting and Rogue. It didn't take much thought to figure out just exactly what was going to happen, as the same thing had happened only twenty-four hours ago to a previous member, leading them to be banished from the guild. A few had smirks, knowing that the two egotistical mage's were about to be put in their place. The top dogs of the Sabertooth food chain were about to be chewed out, and it bought nothing but sheer satisfaction to those who despised them.
The silence was uncomfortable, the two waiting for fate to take them as Jiemma stood silent before the two men. No one dared utter a word. Rogue could tell that Sting was getting impatient, the blonde shuffling his weight from one foot to the other, loose hands tightening into fists. Sting always was the impatient of the two. But right now that didn't matter, all what Rogue knew was that he and his best friend weren't coming out of this meeting unscathed.
"Sting, Rogue." Jiemma spoke, spitting out their names with unhidden malice. Sting flinched at the tone used, a shiver going down Rogue's spine at the tone used. No matter how many times they heard their guild master use that tone, neither of them got accustomed to it. "Have anything to say about your pitiful display today?" he questioned.
Rogue swallowed thickly, knowing he was going to have to pick his words carefully. "I apologies, Master. It seemed to be going in our favour, however Natsu's strength, he bested us. His power was-"
"I don't want to hear your stupid excuses!" Jiemma shouted, swatting Rogue was like he was a harmless fly, sending him crashing into the wall. Sting blinked at the sheer force used only to go flying into the wall opposite his friend. "You told me you were the Twin Dragon's! That no one could measure up to your power, how you were the epitamy of true dragon slayers. I don't want to hear your petty excuses, boy!"
Rogue could only look down in shame, his hand rubbing at the throbbing ache spreading across his back. Jiemma was right, he had said that they were the strongest, he had bragged that no one could hold a candle up to him and Sting, yet today he was proven wrong. There was someone who was more powerful than them. There was someone who matched them in their skill and stamina, if not bested him and Sting. Today proved that there was someone better than them and that lead to them being defeated by Natsu Dragneel. A man who belonged to none other than their rival guild, Fairy Tail.
You think he's right? Wrong. You are the strongest. Don't let him talk down to you like that, he has no idea what you are truly capable of. Rogue blinked, the world around him seeming to come at a standstill as the sound around him muffled out as he lost himself in his own mind. That voice, was the voice he recognised earlier, the one which spoke to him. I can give you a taste of what your true potential is, once you do that the old bastard won't know what hit him. We can take him out. Show him the true, destructive power that is dragon slaying magic.
"I... I can't..."
You can. Just give me the word and we can end that miserable, pathetic excuse for a life. Trust me, we can rule together.
"No!" Rogue breathed out, clutching his head in his hands, pain shooting through his mind as he tried to will the voice away. It laughed at him. Stupid boy. Don't worry, your time will come. His heart quickened, the voice inside him bought an unsettling feeling to the dragon slayer. Rogue looked down to see Frosch by his side, paw gripping at the fabric of his kimono staring up at him with wide eyes, tears threatening to spill over.
"Rogue are-"
"LECTOR! NO-"
Rogue glanced over to see a flash of white light, the red exceed being pulled in with a scared look on his face. "Sting, help me!" Lector cried out before dissapearing. It had taken a moment before Rogue realised what had just happened. Jiemma killed Lector. Yesterday, he had forced Yukino to strip down and erase her guild mark before forcing her out the guild. Today, he had taken the life of Sting's companion and best friend, Lector.
The shadow dragon glanced over at his best friend, whose body shook as he cried out over the loss of his best friend. He picked Frosch up, cradling the exceed close to his body, hoping that his exceed wasn't next to be vanquished to nothing.
It had all happened so quickly, one moment Lector was standing there, only for a second later for him to be engulfed by a blinding light, his voice echoing out to Sting for his help. Jiemma had taken Lector's life right in front of the whole guild and didn't look remorseful at all. Yesterday he had forced Yukino to strip down in front of the entire guild, before telling her to scrub away her guild mark. Today he had taken Sting's companion and best friend.
"Pathetic scum... Who let such a thing bear the Sabertooth ma—" Jiemma was cut off, a fist covered in white light punching through the center of his chest. His eyes widened in shock that someone had struck him, his body slumping down to the floor as he looked back at his attacker.
Rogue couldn't believe who he was seeing standing in front of the guild master; fists clenched, stance ready for a fight to break out, showing that he was ready to go if needed be. Teeth bared as they tried to calm the rage building within them, yet it was showing hard to contain as their body shook with anger.
Sting.
"You stupid boy, who do you think you are—"
"That's enough, father." Minerva spoke, instantly shutting her father up as she stepped forward. She looked at Sting with a knowing smirk before glancing back at her father. "Well... It seems as if Sting has bested you, I always knew his potential would shine through eventually."
"My... My potential?" Sting questioned, brows furrowed as he looked at Minerva.
The woman let out an amused sound, humoured by him not understanding. "You're power, Sting. It seems like your true power has been awakened, and to think all it took was to see your silly cat killed before your very eyes." Minerva saw the rage build in the blonde yet again, his first raised to strike her for talking about Lector. Her hand came out to stop him approaching her, "The power of raging emotions. This is the exact power Natsu had over you, that's why he had the advantage on you. You see, Sting. Your feelings for Lector are what give you strength, the strength you need."
Rogue blinked, "His power lies...within his emotions?"
Minerva hums, her gaze casting down at her father, who was laid out on the floor, blood seeping out of the gaping hole from Sting's attack. "Seems as if your reign of terror has come to an end, father." she smirked. "Don't worry about your seat, it will be filled by someone worthy. And since Sting was the one to put you in your place, I suggest he take the throne as Sabertooth master."
"Minerva... You hateful witch!" Jiemma growls.
"What was your mantra? There is no place for losers. Or are you an exception? You disgust me." she rolls her eyes, stepping on his body to move closer to Sting. Raising her hand, she cups Sting's cheek gently, "Sting, you can wield this power and surpass Natsu. Take the seat as master of Sabertooth."
The dragon slayer blinks, a stray tear falling from his eye. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can..."
"Oh but don't fear, your precious Lector is still alive."
Sting's eyes widened.
"He was just simply teleported during my father's attack. He's not hurt, just simply shaken at the events." Minerva explains with a shrug, a hand flipping her hair over shoulder.
Frosch glanced up at Rogue, "Lector... Lector didn't go bye-bye?"
"No. No he didn't." Rogue replied, hugging the exceed closer to him, attempting to calm the shakiness of the cat. Minerva had saved Lector during the attack, but at what cost?
"You mean it milady? He's still alive?!" Sting let out a sigh of relief, collapsing to his knees. "Thank you... Thank you. Thank you so much, just please bring him back—"
"Don't be so naïve!" Minerva scolded him, forcing Sting to look up at her helpless. "You'll be able to see your precious Lector again only if we win the Grand Magic Games."
"What are you saying? Why are you doing this to me? Stop this, and bring Lector back!" Sting choked out, rubbing away at his tear stained cheeks. He couldn't believe that she was being so cruel, yet then again, Sting reminded himself that this was Jiemma's daughter.
The dark haired woman scowled, "You should be thankful I'm not like my father! But the Sabertooth guild is stills destined for greatness and I won't expect any less. I won't allow our status as the best in Fiore be taken away. Losing Lector unlocked your new power, and that power was enough to leave my father in a helpless heap on the floor. Surely you want to show your new power of to the world, right?"
Sting looked down, gaze casting off to the side as he mulled over Minerva's words. She wanted him to take over the Sabertooth guild as master? There was no way he could do that, he was only nineteen years old. He couldn't simply lead a guild. Sabertooth needed someone with knowledge and an iron fist to lead the guild into greatness. That's why there were number one in Fiore.
Minerva shot him a smirk before turning her back to him, "Oh and before you get it into your mind to blow a hole through me, just remember I'm in control of Lector's life and I can end it if I see fit."
Closing his eyes, Sting took in a deep breath before getting to his feet. "Milady," The woman stopped in her tracks, not bothering to turn around to face the blonde. "If I win, you'll return Lector unharmed?" he questioned.
"Yes. If you use those feelings to destroy our enemies in our path, and win... Lector will be returned."
"Alright. I'll win this, for Lector. You can count on it."
Lector's life was a stake, and Rogue knew that he'd have to win in every match he was pitted up against. He had no say, not that he wouldn't. Rogue knew how much Lector meant to Sting, as much as he cared deeply for Frosch. If it was himself in this situation he'd expect Sting to do the same for him, so he couldn't let his best friend and team mate down.
Letting out a deep breath Rogue winced, instantly regretting it as the pain in his ribs throbbed, hand ghosting over the area. He was sure he may have a broken rib or two, especially with how much force Jiemma had thrown him with. Rogue made a mental note to seek out medical attention about that tomorrow morning, before he moved to training for the final day of the Grand Magic Games. Luckily tomorrow was a day of rest, however he knew that Sting was going to push everyone to train, especially with what was at stake.
Maybe you should have listened to me, then you wouldn't be feeling like this. "Whatever." Rogue mumbled, rolling his eyes. If you would have given me the go ahead, that old bag would have been dead as soon as. Lector would still be here. You're pathetic. The voice replied, cackling at his inability to give in.
His mind wandered, was it his fault? If he would have just said yes, then maybe all of this would have been prevented. Lector would still be here, and his life wouldn't be left in the balance of the Sabertooth mage's and the outcome of the Games. No ones life should ever be used as a wager, no matter what.
"Rogue?"
Speaking of lives been put on the line. Rogue lifted his gaze to the ace of Mermaid Heel, Kagura Mikazuchi. "Oh, hello." he greeted her.
The woman stared at him, hazel eyes analysing his position; a hand cradling his side, jaw tense as he winced slightly. He was hunched over, noting that he wasn't sitting with his back on the bench. Injury? She knew that after every match the competitors were treated for any injuries, so why did it look like he was in pain?
Then it hit her.
It had to have been after be went back to Sabertooth's inn. Had their master done this to him? Had he hurt Sting aswell? She had heard stories about the guild's master, and if the treatment of Yukino was anything to go by she knew that had to be the reason.
Her mouth opened a fraction as if to say something, however it closed shut immediately. She didn't feel she had any place in saying anything. What goes on in our guild is strictly between our guild, the blonde had told her. But could she idly stand by as she let their guild master abuse them? Kagura simply couldn't. She didn't let it slide with Yukino, and she'd be damned if she let it slide with the dragon slayer.
"It was him, wasn't it?"
Rogue closed his eyes, hating that she was smart enough to jump to the conclusion that it was Jiemma who had done this to him. The voice inside his mind was right, he was pathetic. If he was that much stronger he could have protected Sting, and in turn protected Lector. But he wasn't strong enough, and he hated it.
He opened his eyes to look at the swords-woman, and hated how Kagura looked at him. It was a look of pity, something he didn't want or need. Then again, he didn't blame her for looking at him like that. He was weak. He couldn't even protect himself, never mind his friends.
"Yeah." he answered simply.
The swords-woman nodded curtly before sitting down on the bench, leaving some distance between herself and the dragon slayer.
Kagura knew it had been Jiemma, and yet again she found herself questioning for the second time today just why he stayed in Sabertooth. Friends? From what she gathered that guild had no concept of friendship, or respect in her opinion. She remembered Sting laughing at her for thinking that any of them cared for one another, when she confronted them about Yukino. None of them cared about one another, only about themselves and their status in that guild.
All Sabertooth cared about was their number one status in Fiore, and said guild was filled with self-centred glory hounds.
However when she glanced at Rogue she didn't see that. From her earlier observations she knew that he was different from his guild mates, well…members. Kagura saw a lot of herself in the shadow dragon slayer; the calm and composed aura he always had, stoic facial expression and carried himself with a quiet confidence in his skills. It was a stark contrast to how the other members in Sabertooth acted. In all honesty, she found those qualities quite attractive.
His appearance also was a stark contrast to most of the Sabertooth members. He dressed himself in dark clothing, which matched the somewhat dark aura he exuded. Yet despite the cool, composed and constant frown which adorned his face, he was quite handsome. Black hair which contrasted against pale skin framed his face, a prominent tuft covering the majority of his forehead as well as his right eye. Carmine coloured eyes, ones what could be intimidating when needed be, yet now held a soft, faraway look to them. A straight nose and lips darkening in their shade of pink as his canines bit into his bottom lip.
If she didn't pity him right now, she might have felt somewhat jealous over how good looking Rogue was. Got a little soft spot for the shadow dragon slayer, eh Kagura? Kagura inwardly scowled as Risley's words from earlier echoed in her mind. It wasn't a soft spot, she was just concerned for his well-being, especially in a guild such as Sabertooth…right? Right.
Rogue cast a sideways glance over at Kagura, only to notice her staring at him. He turned his head, taking note of her flushed cheeks and wide eyes before she turned her head away from him. He blinked slowly, his mind trying to comprehend exactly what had just happened. He had caught her staring at him and she blushed. She was blushing? There was no way the mighty Kagura Mikazuchi was caught blushing, right? Right.
Kagura stood up, straightening out her skirt as she coughed lightly, attempting to get rid of the lump what had formed in her throat. "Well, goodnight." she spoke shakily, walking away stiffly.
"Goodnight?" Rogue replied, confused as to what had just happened.
"What… I… What have you bought us to?" Lucy questions as she looks at the giant carcasses what littered the underground, ones which used to be mighty living creatures known as dragon's.
"Can't you see, blondie? It's a dragon graveyard."
"I can see that." the celestial wizard replied in a snarky tone, rolling her eyes.
"There's so many." Gray mused, shaking his head at the unbelievable sight.
The fact that there was a dragon graveyard under the Domus Flau, the place where the Grand Magic Games were held, and no one knew about it until now. How had they gotten here in the first place? Even more so, why were they underground?
Wendy look around, eyes wide with shock that there were so many skeletons of dragons in the underground caves. She could count at least twenty, possibly more as the cave seemed to go on forever. Her mind wandered to her dragon parent, Grandeeney, the one who had gone missing seven years ago. Was she possibly…
"Do you think…" Natsu started, seeming to question what Wendy was starting to question herself. "Do you think that Igneel and…" the dragon slayer closed his eyes, finding himself unable to finish the question he didn't want to know the answer to. Natsu didn't know what he would do if he came across his parent dragon's body, now decayed to nothing but bones.
Gajeel's jaw tensed, his eyes narrowing as he knew what Natsu was getting at. He heard Lucy gasp as she finally understood what Natsu had been attempting to ask. In all honesty, Gajeel didn't know what to think. Like Natsu and Wendy, his dragon Metalicana, had gone missing seven years ago and he was still looking. He never gave it a thought that his dragon parent could be lying amongst the mass of bones, until now.
"No," Natsu shook his head vigorously, almost as if he was physically trying to shake the words out of his mind. "I refuse to believe Igneel is gone. I know he's still out there, and the same is for Grandeeney and Metalicana!"
Gajeel blinked, somewhat shocked by the fire dragon slayers outburst, yet grinned. "You're right, flamebrain." he nodded before glancing at Wendy, "They're still out there, somewhere. I can feel it."
Wendy blinked several times before a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Gray walked further into the graveyard, manoeuvring around the giant bones, Lucy trailing behind him. "Something big must have been in their way for them all to be dumped here."
The blonde nodded in agreement, "Whatever it was, it must have been stronger than them." And Lucy hoped she never found out what had managed to overpower something as mighty as a dragon. They were powerful creatures, yet they had been wiped out to the point of being non-existent.
Wendy's brows furrowed in thought, her mind drifting back to the papers Porlyursica gave her which contained spells. Her mind recalled a spell, named Milky Way. One which enabled her to find souls of the deceased, ones which hadn't ascended to heaven. Maybe, just maybe she could…
Instantly she grabs a something which resembles a stick, or most probably a bone from one of the dragons and starts drawing a magic circle in the dirt. The four wizards and the three exceed's observe the girls actions silently, confused as to what she was doing.
"Wendy, now is not the time to be drawing! And on the graves of dragons too. How disre-"
"I'm not drawing, Carla!" Wendy cuts her off with a small glare before continuing her work. "Well, I am. But it's a magic circle."
"For what?"
Wendy ignores the further question, letting out a pleased sigh once she has finished. She takes a glance at the curious faces, knowing they was all wondering what exactly she was planning to do. "It's for a spell, it's called Milky Way. It was one I learned from the notes Porlyursica gave me before the Games. I'm going to use it to try and find a soul."
"A soul?" Natsu blinked, "Wait… Are you telling me you're trying to contact the dead?"
The sky dragon slayer nodded, only to earn some inhuman sound come from the blonde. "Are you crazy? Contacting the dead?!" Lucy's eyes almost bulged out of her head.
"I thought it would be a good way of finding out how the dragons got here, that's all." Wendy winced, her shoulders slouching as she looked down.
"Hn." Gajeel shifted his weight from one foot to the other, "Carry on."
Wendy looked at Gajeel with wide eyes, only to receive a curt nod from him, signalling for her to continue with the spell. She glanced at the exceed's, who nodded before looking at Gray and Natsu. The pair looked indifferent, only for salmon-haired man to give her a thumbs up.
"Go for it, ignore whatever Lucy says. No one really listens to her anyw-" Thump. "Ouch! Hey, that was rude!" Natsu growled, rubbing the slowly forming lump on the back of his head, curtesy of Lucy.
The bluenette giggled at the pairs antics, before kneeling down in the centre of the circle. "Wandering dragon souls, I welcome your voices… Milky Way!" she chanted, raising her arms in the air as a pale green light shone down, illuminating the cave. Tiny specks —almost like fireflies— floated around as Wendy searched for a lost soul. She could hear faint sounds, the voices of all the dragons what laid to rest around her. And then she felt it. Clasping her hands together, Wendy closed her eyes as she prayed for the soul to come forth.
The small specks of green light banded together to form a large circle, almost like a portal. Then came a mighty roar, one which had the four wizards and the exceed's screaming as they gazed up on ghost of a dragon.
Wendy opened her eyes, instantly falling back from her kneeling position at the sight of the dragon. It laughed at the reactions, "Ah, a humans expression at the sight of a dragon never gets old!"
"Who are you?" Natsu asked.
"My name is Zirconis, the Emerald dragon." the mighty creature replied. "I must admit it has been some time since I have conversed with a human, even then many didn't talk with dragons. How may I be of service to you?" he questioned.
"All of these dragons… How did you…?" Wendy paused, not knowing how to word it properly. She felt wrong for just plainly asking 'how did you die?' and she didn't want to come off rude. The last thing she wanted was to anger the spirit of the dragon.
"Hmm, I'm assuming you're wondering how we died, correct?" The five of them nodded, the Emerald dragon starting the storied history of the dragons. "It goes back around 400 years ago, we dragons were rulers of the land and humans were merely food to us. One dragon believed we could love harmoniously with one another, therefore wanting to form a truce with the humans. However not all of us were willing to get along with the humans, and it started a civil war between the two sides. Pro-human and the opposed. Humans were taught dragon slaying magic."
Natsu glanced at Wendy and Gajeel, noticing their shocked expressions. "Humans were taught dragon slaying magic?" he questioned.
"Yes, they were to help with the war. And it was not long before the pro-human side moved into favour of existing alongside humans. However we dragons didn't see the threat of the the humans who knew dragon slaying magic. One in particular fought both humans and dragons, exiling himself from both parties. I was one of the many dragons the man had slain. He bathed in the blood of the deceased dragons so much that he turned into one."
Gray's eyes widened in disbelief, "He turned into a dragon?"
"Yes, if a dragon slayer is to bathe in the blood of a dragon numerous times, they themselves will turn into a dragon." Zirconis explained. "That said person was proclaimed to be the Dragon King." the spirit added.
"The Dragon King? Do you happen to know the name of the said person?"
The Emerald dragon nodded, "His name was Acnologia."
Seems as if Rogue likes talking to himself..heh. But that Rogura interaction though. I hope your shipping feels are sated! And it seems our Fairy Tail friends have found out the history of dragons. Sorry for no Ryō in this chapter, he'll be exploring next time! Who knows what trouble that kid will get into.. Until next time, thanks for reading!