The Fairy Contender

by Insane Dominator

One day, Nic Pularis is drawn into a sub-dimension, where he encounters Legendary Pokemon. He is entrusted with Plates by Arceus, and send to the land of Fiore, where he encounters Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Erza. He must go through multiple perilous journeys with his Pokemon and Fairy Tail, and triumph and endure hardships to master all eighteen Plates and save the universe. OCxErza.

39. Tainted

Chapter 39 – Tainted

Hello people! Insane Dominator is here, and bringing you another exciting chapter of The Fairy Contender! I am so glad this story has a lot of Favs and Follows! Much appreciated!

I made my first poll, and I'm positive it's a unanimous decision, but I at least want to see the numbers rise just a couple more days. Please look at my poll guys! It's about a possible Fairy Tail OVA 2 remake with Nic and friends involved.

I haven't got a lot to say left, but please enjoy some fluffy moments and some more combat!

To Recap:

After a brief confrontation with a wild Foongus, the assailant that attacked Nic from before emerges and attacks the group. Despite their efforts, the group was no match for the assailant, as was Nic, even when he was enraged and gone feral. Nic ended up impaled and was tortured and wailed in front of everyone. His Pokémon then fend off against the assailant, driving him away as Arceus uses his power to heal Nic. Later, as Nic was crying out of failure and promise-breaking, Vanessa explains Nic's rage and how he bottles it up, and she tells Erza to hold onto Nic. Nic returns, and Erza gives him a hug and they reluctantly press on.

---

Chapter 39 – Tainted

The air was unimaginably frigid, not to mention the light snow falling didn't help the situation. A whole day has passed since the mind-scarring scene, and everyone pressed onwards. The group was currently riding Mamoswine, which were large mammoth-like Pokémon with pig snouts and giant tusks.

Route 17 was also called 'Mamoswine Road', and everyone road on Mamoswine through the huge snow piles as they were making way through the frosty and frigid valley, with a couple of people per Mamoswine.

Surprisingly, Natsu didn't ascertain motion sickness this time and pumped a fist in the air. "All right! Let's go buddy!" He shouted gladly, and the Mamoswine that he, Lucy, and Wendy shared unleashed a call and picked up the pace slightly.

Lucy sweatdropped at the ridiculous notion that Natsu wasn't motion sick. "How the heck aren't you motion sick Natsu?" The blonde stammered. "Doesn't this count as a vehicle?!" Immediately, she shivered as the light jacket she wore wasn't helpful.

Natsu raised a brow and turned towards Lucy. "Huh? What are you talking about? This guy ain't no vehicle, he's helping us get to the other side of the valley. Duh."

"Oh sorry." Lucy sarcastically stated. "I walked right into that one."

Wendy was in the back as she was still feeling cold herself. "Uh, Nic? How long until we reach the end of this valley? I'm freezing." She shivered as she explained.

Nic, who was riding a Mamoswine, with his Icicle Plate active, turned towards Wendy. "A couple hours, okay." Nic was sharing a Mamoswine with none other than his sister and Erza, who were both behind him. "It'll be dusk when we get there. We'll get plenty of rest for tomorrow."

"W-Who i-i-invented snow anyway?! I-It's's's's n-not he-helpful at all!" Happy shivered as he rode on a Mamoswine tusk, with Carla on the other.

Lily was on the tusk of the Mamoswine that Gajeel and Natsu shared. Lily was looking unfazed, yet he too was showing signs of shivering. "This weather if truly formidable."

"Quit complaining ya crybabies. It's pathetic, not to mention embarrassing." Gajeel said, kicking back in his saddle as Gray steered the Mamoswine.

"Yeah, I don't see the big deal about this weather. If anything, it's my style." Gray said.

Sophie, with shared a Mamoswine with Lisanna, made comically startled expression. "That's saying something considering you're half naked again!"

"Huh?" Gray looked and realized he was without a shirt…again. "Gah!" Lisanna just sighed as did Sophie as the Mamoswine all pressed on.

Erza was behind Nic, who was unfazed by the cold due to the Icicle Plate active. Erza looked on blankly as she was looking dazed. She was having that fuzzy feeling again, like she would usually had when Nic's around. Her eyes glanced over to see Lucy holding on to dear life as Natsu happily shouted on his Mamoswine, and she saw how Lucy's arms were around him so she wouldn't fall off due to the sheer reckless behavior that was Natsu.

Erza looked back at Nic's back, and she only stared as her impulses her twisting her, telling her to hold onto Nic, at least until the ride stopped and they would have to get off. Erza was almost tempted to wrap her arms around Nic, unable to let this feeling to rest.

Before Erza could move her hands to attempt to hold onto Nic, the Mamoswine stopped unexpectedly. Nic noticed right away and narrowed his eyes.

"Nic? Tell me what's going on?" Lucy asked.

Nic remained quiet. "We got company."

From in front of all the Mamoswine, a very large shaggy Pokémon that was as white as snow. It had purple eyes and green hands and feet. It roared as it emerged from the snow and stopped the group.

Wendy jerked at the huge creature, being bigger than Elfman in size.

Lisanna looked with shock. "That must be another wild Pokémon!"

Vanessa peeked over to get a look at it. She went wide-eyed. "I've heard about those! That's an Abomasnow!" She exclaimed, making Erza turn back towards Vanessa.

Nic nodded. "Yeah, they're very rare to come across in these parts."

Vanessa slowly got out her Pokedex as she analyzed Abomasnow, for everyone to hear from the other Mamoswine.

"Abomasnow, the Frost Tree Pokémon. It blankets wide areas in snow by whipping up blizzards. It is also known as "The Ice Monster.""

As Vanessa put away her Pokedex, Happy shivered. "T-The Ice monster?!" The Abomasnow then roared, making Happy shriek and hide behind the Mamoswine tusk.

Natsu stood atop the Mamoswine and stared out at it. "So it's an ice kind of creature isn't it?" Natsu then smirked and cracked his knuckled. "Yeah, this is my specialty. I'm all fired up now."

Lucy panicked. "Uh, Natsu? Whatever you're thinking ain't gonna end well."

Natsu chuckled and he jumped off the Mamoswine and into the air into the snow in front, making him get stuck up to his knee caps, but that didn't bother him.

"Natsu! Get back on your ride ya dimwit!" Gray shouted.

The wild Abomasnow sought this as a challenge and unleashed Ice Shard, unleashing multiple light blue ice spheres at high speed towards Natsu, who smirked. Natsu took the hit, which caused a light blue burst of ice with every shot taken. His body jerked repeatedly, but after it was all over, he was still smirking.

"I've been aching for a fight since my loss, and this is the perfect cover up!" His body lit aflame, melting the nearby snow and startled the wild Abomasnow. Natsu leaped into the air above and sailed down with a flaming fist. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

When Natsu rained down onto Abomasnow, the Ice and Grass-Type had its right arm get coated in a green aura that took the shape of a stump, as though it was like a hammer. The wild Abomasnow unleashed its Wood Hammer with precision timing, striking Natsu's side and stopping the fist from making contact. Natsu sailed into the snow on his right, leaving him in a fresh trail.

Natsu emerged quickly and shok his head and clutched his side, wincing. "Man, this one's a heavy hitter." He then smirked. "But I am too!" He then inhaled as the Abomasnow was accumulating recoil damage. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"

The attack sailed towards Abomasnow, landing a clean and explosive hit, melting some more snow in the process. The Abomasnow was swallowed up by the fire and was shot like a rocket upwards towards the nearby mountains, making a loud crash sound that echoed about throughout the area.

Natsu grinned triumphantly. "HAHA! Now that felt-!" He froze in midsentence when he heard rumbling from the mountain where Abomasnow had landed and the ground shook. Everyone then looked and saw something they wish they never did.

"AVALANCHE!" Sophie shouted, with Lucy shrieking to no end.

As the massive snow came down, Nic just remained still as his eyes were twitching. "Natsu…if we survive this, will are going to di-!" They were all then engulfed in a thick blanket of heavy snow, leaving them stiff underneath.

The gang was all under the snow, huddled by the Mamoswine, as they were following their protocol and came together in a huddle. It was as if they were in a small cave, and they had little space. Surprisingly, they had air.

"Wait, how are we not having snow touch us?" Lucy asked, and everyone turned and noticed that the edges were lined in turquoise, and they recognized this and whipped their heads towards Nic, who was in his usual form and was using Protect to give the group some room.

Nic was grunting as his Protect was wearing off, and he panted briefly as he had just gave the group a small cave-like area. "That should do it, for now." Nic stated, finally having his breath catch up to him.

Erza leaned closer to him. "Are you okay?"

Nic turned back towards her. "Don't worry. I managed to use Protect to keep us from drowning in snow, however I could only supply little space. We need to get out of here, and fast."

Vanessa looked down at her shivering hands and she was left to think. 'Think. What do I do to get us out of this cave…!' Vanessa's eyes widened slightly. She then jerked upwards. "If getting out is what needs to be done, then let's do it!"

Vanessa then pulled out a poke ball. "Krokorok go!" The poke ball opened, revealing Krokorok yelling. Vanessa then pointed forwards. "Krokorok! Use Dig to make a tunnel!"

Krokorok turned forwards and stared at the space between him and the wall. "(LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF SNOW THAT TRAPPED KROKOROK AND TEAMMATES UNDERNEATH! KROKOROK WILL BURROW RIGHT THROUGH YOU!)" He let loose a yell as he dove forwards, using his claws to dig through the snow.

"Nice thinking Vanessa." Nic praised, in which Vanessa happily smiled and nodded.

Happy looked back towards Lucy. "Hey Lucy, why not summon that maiden of yours?"

"Oh yeah!" Lucy realized. "Virgo would be a great help!" She then pulled out Virgo's key. "Open: Gate of the Maiden – Virgo!"

A Magic seal was made, and Virgo appeared with a bow towards Lucy. "It's a pleasure to meet you again Princess. How may I be of service to you?"

"Help Krokorok and burrow us out of here!" Lucy ordered.

Virgo bowed. "Very well, Princess." Virgo then followed the hole Krokorok made and enlarged it as she followed suit.

"Nicely done Lucy. Now we can get out of here." Erza said, pointing towards the tunnel. The Mamoswine then followed single-filed behind Krokorok and Virgo, who were digging as fast as they could.

About half an hour rolled by and Krokorok burst through the last bit of thick snow, leaving only shallow snow left and he dove out of the hole and Virgo had followed behind, making the hole large enough for the Mamoswine to pass through.

Gray looked out. "Look, there's less snow up ahead! Guess that means we've reached the end of Route 17?"

"Virgo and Krokorok's digging must have made it so we could travel with less snow resistance." Nic surmised. "Brilliant work you two."

Virgo bowed. "Thank you." She turned towards Lucy. "Princess. I must depart. It's possible I may get frostbite in the fingers now." Just like that, Virgo vanished back to her world, leaving Krokorok out.

"Boy, just like that?" Lucy said. She then caught on to what Virgo said. "Wait…"

Vanessa caught on as well rather quickly. "If she left because of frostbite, then…" Vanessa turned towards Krokorok, who looked unfazed, ye his claws were blue. "GAHHH! KROKOROK! YOU'RE GONNA GET FROSTBITE IF YOU DON'T GET INTO YOUR POKE BALL RIGHT NOW!"

"(Heh?")" Krokorok moved his arms, and he noticed that his caws were becoming blue. "(The cold's got nothing on me! Krokorok will frostbite all day! Krokorok is colder than a frostbite! I WILL MAKE YOU SEE KROKOROK HAS A BETTER FIGHT THAN YOU FROSTBITE! YA HEAR ME?!)" He declared, and was tempted to bite his nearly frostbit arms.

Vanessa called out before that could happen. "Krokorok!" She scolded, making Krokorok cease his actions. Vanessa just shook her head. "No. Just, no." She implored.

"(What?)" Krokorok asked rudely, in which Vanessa gave a cold glare. "(…sorry.)" Vanessa just sighed as she returned him to his poke ball.

"Honestly." Vanessa muttered.

Nic turned towards Vanessa. "Don't worry. It's his personality." He said.

"I know." Vanessa sighed, and then the Mamoswine proceeded another fifteen minutes before they saw that there was no snow up ahead.

The Mamoswine all stopped and they remained still, which got everyone's attention.

"Huh?" Wendy looked down. "Why they stop?"

Nic then hopped off the Mamoswine he was riding. "This is where they stop." He said, padding the Mamoswine's side. "Thank you."

The Mamoswine simply nodded.

"Alright, it's back on foot guys! Move out!" Nic ordered, and everyone started getting off their Mamoswine and they raced ahead to where there was frosty grass.

Lucy finally stretched. "Finally, no snow."

Natsu pumped fist. "Nothing can stop us!" He declared. "We'll get back to Fiore in no time!"

There was an ominous silence that fell after Natsu said that. "Natsu…" A male voice muttered, in which Natsu turned with fear running up his spine as he saw Nic glaring coldly at him, having said in his normal self and cracking knuckles.

"Uh…"

"You got us buried alive. And on top of that, you nearly destroyed a mountain." Nic growled, this eerie feeling growing.

Erza joined in by Nic's side. "Natsu, you must be given punishment, for your actions almost suffocated us and we could've been frozen, and on top of that, Vanessa's Krokorok will need to go to a Pokémon Center."

Erza and Nic's auras fused into a sinister aura, making Natsu sweat profusely. "Uh…well I just…"

The two stepped towards Natsu. "Take your punishment with dignity." They said in unison.

Everyone watched and heard as many painful things happened in the next ten minutes.

---

Later…

The group had arrive in Anistar City as the last bit of sun was setting over the water. The city was pretty large, and unlike the farm-like town of Dedemille Town they visited before Route 17, this one had a more active atmosphere, much like Lumiose City, though not as large.

Lucy marveled as she clasped her hands together. "Anistar City! Just as Nic said!"

"Oh wow. It's so majestic." Wendy thought out loud as the sunset was giving the city a nice aspect.

"Yup. Anistar City is known to be beautiful at sunset, especially with its sundial." Nic explained. In the background, Natsu was bruised and sizzling from his punishment, and Happy sighed and shrugged. Nic then turned towards Happy, Carla, and Lily. "You three…"

"We know. Act like plushes or hide." Lily said, and he hopped into Gajeel's arms and looked blank, as did Carla with Wendy. Happy sat in Natsu's arms, the latter still moaning as his face almost looked unrecognizable.

"Sundial?" Lisanna asked.

Nic took a few steps forward and turned towards the group. "I suppose I could spare some time before we get to a hotel. Follow me." The group made haste in following Nic as he ran his usual quick and furious pace, passing a lot of people. The others followed behind as they followed him northwest, where there was a humungous magenta crystal object lodged in the water that was at the end of a curved port.

"WHAAAAA?!" Everyone shouted, seeing the huge sundial in view.

"That thing is the sundial?!" Natsu exclaimed, seeing as his bruising was gone.

"It's gadol!" Sophie exaggerated.

Nic smirked. "Pretty much. A fun fact to know is that some historians believed that it came from outer space."

Gray crossed his arms. "Come on, outer space? Really?"

Nic shrugged. "I just hear these things." He then glanced back at him. "Also Gray, clothes." Gray then shrieked as he tried to find his shirt.

Vanessa sweatdropped and leaned towards Nic. "Why does he always take his clothes off?" She asked in a whisper.

"We don't know." Nic whispered. Nic turned towards the sundial up ahead, and he looked out to see a small crowd gathered in front of the sundial. "Hm? That's odd."

"What is it?" Wendy asked, as Nic turned towards the sundial.

Nic put his hands into his coat pockets as his sunglasses reflected the sundial's shine off of them. "The sundial is known to be a great historic monument and all, but I don't it recall being a popular tourist attraction. I need to go check it out quick." Just like that, Nic ran ahead, with the group telling him to slow down, in which he didn't listen and he stopped behind the crowd.

When they all caught up, they saw the crowd taking pics and having pictures of a woman.

"It's her!" "I can't believe that the Champion is here!" "She's so hot!" "Mommy, I want to go home." "Try telling your father that." Many people were yammering on about this woman.

This got the small group peaked and they waited until the heat died down, and when a few dozen people departed, leaving a couple of people left and the woman, of whom had angel feathers. Recognizing her, Nic gasped briefly.

"Hold on, she's here?" Nic thought out loud.

Gajeel turned towards Nic. "You know that chick?"

Nic nodded. "Yeah, we've met a couple of times." He then proceeded a slow few steps and as the last person departed, having said get their autograph and picture, leaving the woman to look and notice Nic, with shock in her eyes.

"Nic?" She asked. "Is that you?"

Nic stopped several feet away and crossed his arms. "Yes, it's me. And I see you're as busy as ever, Diantha."

Vanessa almost jumped into the sky. "H-Hold up!" She exclaimed. Vanessa made her way through the group and by Nic's side. She gawked at a smiling Diantha. "Wait…" She pointed a shaking finger at her. "Y-You're the…the…"

Diantha chuckled. "Are you trying to say Champion?"

"Yes! You're Diantha! The Champion of Kalos!" Vnaessa squealed. "Oh my god! I am such a fan of your acting! You're such a talented star! And you know my brother!"

She was starting to fangirl like crazy, but Nic pressed his hand on her head to suppress her. "Okay Vanessa, lie down before you hurt yourself." He told her.

Vanessa realized that she was embarrassing herself and covered her mouth. "Oh! Sorry!"

"It's fine, really." Diantha assured. "In fact, I'm quite honored to have met the sister of Nic Pularis. He and I did meet quite a few times."

Nic nodded. "Yes, and that was one heck of a battle too."

Gray crossed his arms. "So that girl's the Champion. Nic said something about her earlier, what was it?" He wondered.

"I don't know. Couldn't be that important." Gajeel muttered.

Erza had suspicions. "Back in Lumiose City, Nic said that the Champion never lost. If she's the Champion, then did they battle?" She muttered.

Diantha looked over Nic's shoulder, seeing his friends. "And these are your friends, right? They look like a lively bunch." She smiled and looked back at Nic. "So how are you and your Pokémon?"

Nic kept his grin. "We're happy as can be."

Diantha nodded in understanding. "I see, so you've made more friends and your team grew together. That's true friendship and trust. Just what I expect from a true star."

Nic turned away, cross-armed and amused. "Don't be so modest now Diantha. Last I checked, you're the Champion."

"Oh?" Diantha put up a curious façade. "True, but let's not forget who the real winner was, right?"

Nic then went wide-eyed as he looked with shock as Diantha was spilling beans. Everyone in the Fairy Tail group raised a brow. "Nic?" Vanessa asked.

"Uh, look Diantha!" Nic tried to point out, embarrassed. "I'd love to catch up on how you've been and all, but we got places to go so we gotta leave early!" He said, exceedingly flustered.

Diantha smiled. "I see. Well I can't keep you waiting for those places and what not. It was nice meeting you again…real Champion." She smiled and turned away, walking towards Anistar City.

Nic remained still and perplexed as his friends closed in on him. Staring to ask question. "What'd she say?" "Did she say 'real Champion'?" "Nic, what's going on?" "Is there something you're not telling us?"

"I-It's complicated…" Nic was in a real bind, as he was unsure as to how he was to address the story. He then heard his sister speak.

"Nic?" Nic turned towards Vanessa and he saw her eyes, how they were so full of sweetness and innocence, yet maturity and understanding.

Nic gave in and sighed. He turned away. "I guess you guys have a right to know." He opened his eyes under his sunglasses. "Come on, let's go somewhere private…"

The group traveled into Anistar City, where they saw a massive crowd swarming Diantha and blinding her with flashes of pictures and Nic snickered as he thought of that as payback. He still pressed on and he stopped in front of a hotel, where the group gathered.

Nic then sighed deeply and proceeded in telling them that he and Diantha battled in the past, where Nic defeated the Elite Four and how the two squared off in a battle that NIc had won, declaring him the Champion.

"HEH?!" Everyone exclaimed after Nic's tale.

Wendy pointed a shaking finger. "Y-You mean…y-you're the Champion of Kalos?"

Nic looked down softly. "Technically, yes and no."

"Yes and no? Why?" Sophie asked.

"Hmm…how do I put this?" He pondered. "I officially defeated her, giving myself the title, but I turned it down."

"You what?!" Natsu exclaimed. "Why the hell did you deny the title?! It's the Champion!"

Nic sighed and he started towards an alley. "Follow me." The group followed Nic down the desolate alley, where they gathered once more and Nic shifted into his Mind Plate. He then projected an oval like he did to show how he met Garchomp, and he replayed the last bit when Greninja fought Gardevoir and won. They all watched in amazement as Nic denied the title, and how he though won the title, he wanted nothing of it, and allowed for Diantha to keep the title, but she stated he was the real Champion at heart.

The group watched in awe as the projection faded and Nic returned into his normal self, thankful that they were not seen.

"Wow. That's pretty freakin awesome man." Gray remarked, having no shirt again.

"Yeah, no kidding! No wonder why you're so strong!" Natsu said.

Vanessa was in deep awe. "My brother beat the Champion, and he chose not to be it." She muttered softly. "He truly did become strong."

Erza nodded in agreement. "The way he denied such a noble title, it's like turning down a Wizard Saint Title. Still, it was a very considerate choice he made." She smiled at the remembrance of the flashback. 'A responsibility he chose not to accept. He chose to be a wandering being in the end, wanting to be with his Pokémon.'

"Okay." Nic said. "Now that that's settled, let's go find some rooms."

"I'll be happy to do it." Sophie said, and was given enough cash, catered by Vanessa, and rushed out of the alley and into the hotel sliding doors.

Everyone appeared out of the alley and saw the sliding doors, seeing them before in a lot of places. "Gee, your world is so advanced Nic." Lisanna said.

"You can say that." Nic said.

Five minutes later, Sophie poked her head out of the doors and gestured for the guys to make it inside, in which they followed. They traveled into the lobby, which was pretty spacious, with ferns placed in all four corners. There was a shiny navy blue tiled-floor, and there were couches and a flat screen TV off to their right.

"Check it out! This place is pretty cool!" Natsu said.

Erza nodded. "Now remember, we have to leave early. Hopefully at some point, Nic will be able to sense something." She then turned towards Sophie. "Sophie, where are our rooms?"

"Our rooms are on the top floor." She said. "Enough for the boys in one room, and girls in the other." She stated.

Erza saw Natsu and Gray glaring at the other, having said both dissatisfied. "Problem boys?" She said sternly.

"N-Nothing!" They both backed down, and Gajeel snickered.

The group then went towards the elevator, in which the door closed…and of course Natsu falls on the floor, motion sick. Lisanna sighed and Lucy face palmed.

"Oh, so Happy and Mamoswine are one thing? But me and elevators are another?" Lucy stammered, in which Natsu gurgled.

When they reached the fifth floor, Erza dragged Natsu out and everyone exited the elevator. The carpeting was a velvet red and blue and black pattern, in which made designs to no end on the carpet. They made way down the numerous doors available, in which Sophie led them. She led them to two doors, the left door being for the boys.

"Here you go guys." Sophie gave Natsu, Gray, and Gajeel room cards/keys that were labeled with the identical number. The three, plus Happy and Lily, made way inside. Sophie then gave Nic a room key with numbers.

Everyone was given a room card/key with numbers to match the room number, and the girls went into the other door. For some reason, Nic's room card didn't match the other guys', but he chose to go with it and he looked right to the girls' door and found the room number matching his card. He inserted the card and the door opened, and he followed inside.

To be honest, it actually looked nice. It was just as decorative as it was that one mission where he and Erza went to stop Tartaros and that bomb. There was a single bed, with velvet sheets, with a nightstand on both ends. Nic saw the nightstands had lamps, and he looked behind and there was a TV resting on the wall, with a long horizontal shelf. Ninety degrees from that, right next to the windows, was a fold-in couch. There was a bathroom connected to the room, and inside were velvet curtains.

"Hm, not bad." He admitted. He continued to inspect the room until he heard his door open, in which a certain someone enter.

"Erza?" Nic asked, surprise Erza had arrived in the same room he did.

"Nic?" Erza asked. "What are you doing here?"

Nic held up his room card. "The room matched my card, so I didn't protest."

Erza grew suspicious, as she held up her room card. "Funny, mine has the same numbers too."

Hearing this, Nic raised a brow and he was trying to process this. "Wait, Sophie did ask for two rooms, right…?"

---

Girl's Room

The girls were getting situated, and Lisanna and Wendy agreed to share a bed. Unlike Nic's room, there were two beds rather than one, but there was a fold-in couch installed. Sophie agreed to take the couch that folded out to make a bed. Lucy and Vanessa agreed to sleep in the other bed, leaving everyone situated.

"Hey, where's Erza?" Lucy asked, looking about the room and seeing as how here were five girls, with Erza being the sixth, yet nowhere in sight.

"Now that I think about it, there should be six of us, right?" Lisanna asked innocently.

Sophie said nothing as everyone turned towards her, putting pressure on her.

"Sophie." Vanessa started.

"Eh, you did give Erza the right room key, right?" Wendy asked.

"Please tell me you didn't give her one of the boys' keys." Lucy pleaded, thinking how awkward it would be with Erza in the same room with two Dragon Slayers and a Gray.

All Sophie did was smirk, as she remembered that she gave Nic the exact same card. She lowly giggled at her wonderful little trick.

---

Nic and Erza's Room

Realizing that Sophie got a third room just to get him and Erza alone from the boys and girls, Nic mentally sizzled. "Sophie." Nic growled. "That little trickster."

Nic knew full well Sophie vowed to help the two get their bond reestablished, but he didn't take into account this. Nic should not have allowed Sophie to check them in. He made a mental note to 'thank' her tomorrow.

"Well…" Erza was caught off guard by this certain phenomenon as well, as she was, once again, sharing a room with Nic – with a single bed again! Sophie was probably basking in her brilliance by now.

"Um…well…" Nic wasn't exactly certain as to how this situation should be addressed. "I…guess we should get ready for bed." He said slowly.

Erza remembered that day when they were on that Tartaros job request, and she recalled them both being in the same room after the mission and stayed an extra night. She knew that Nic would sleep on the floor again, so her senses were lightened somewhat.

She turned towards the bathroom. "I'll freshen up first." Erza closed the door behind her, leaving Nic be.

Alone, Nic was in deep thought. He plugged in his earbuds and he drowned out his concerns with some of his metal. The metal helped filter out his leftover frustrations from yesterday, and it kept him at bay. As Nic listened cross-legged on the floor, he couldn't help but be left in revelation.

Flashes of images of his past were coming back. Endless kicks to the face, Magneton shocking his nerves until they fried, and as of recent events. Nic subconsciously touched his gut, where he looked and saw it was as if it never happened, but the bloody and vile torture never left his psyche. The next thing he knew, Nic saw his hand was shaking, unable to keep it steady.

'How could I have left this happen?' He thought. 'I couldn't protect Vanessa, again. I promised myself I wouldn't let her get hurt, but I still failed in the end. Is it really okay to have her come with us?'

His doubts were being drowned out when muffles in the background began to echo into his name being called out. Hearing his name, Nic blinked repeatedly, falling out of his daze as the voice belonged to Erza.

"Nic?" She asked once more. "You can get in the shower now."

Trying to get out of shock, Nic stood up. "Oh, right. Sorry." He noticed that Erza was nice and clean, and was in her Heart Kreuz pajamas. As he passed her, he stopped momentarily. "How long were you calling out to me?"

"…a short while." Erza said. "You looked dazed, is something bothering you?"

Nic remained silent, as he wasn't feeling comfortable. "…roughly." Before he could hear Erza ask why, he bolted through the bathroom door and closed it.

Erza remained quiet as she heard the shower water running, and her glance cascaded down to the bed sheets. It was evident that Nic was troubled, and she could understand after seeing him tortured and slaughtered right in front of her own eyes. The remembrance of Nic's blood seeping out, the violent shaking, the catastrophic face he made as he screamed throughout the entire area, it horrified her.

All Erza could do was keep her mind fixated on that sullied moment, and she couldn't think of anything else. She was unable to protect him, as Nic was unable to protect Vanessa. She was unconsciously clenching her fists in frustration.

'Damnit. Why wasn't I strong enough?' She thought in frustration. 'Why was that man's power beyond Gildarts? I couldn't save Nic. What am I?' She remembered back when Phantom Lord attack, Nic told her to pick yourself up and put the past behind you, but the past came back in front of him, and more corrosive than ever. 'I have to protect him for now on. If lose him…'

The door opened, and Nic came out of the bathroom, refreshed by the water. Erza was brought out of her thoughts and she looked back at Nic. The two were caught staring at the other, seeing as how the other was looking fixated.

Nic tried to avoid the situation and walked to the floor on the right side of the bed. "I think we need to rest." He said blankly.

Erza said nothing, but she nodded and the two were soon found to be staring up at the ceiling, with Erza on the bed, and Nic on the carpet floor. Erza watched the ceiling fan spin round and around to no end, just like her luck, always going around in circles and not solving anything.

Erza soon turned off the lights and the room was dark. The windows were seen open to allow a faint breeze through, but through that window, Erza noticed that the sky had no stars. Not a single star was seen, which made her think back to when Arceus gave his power to save Nic.

Out of all the battles, she never saw Nic so adulterated, ever. This was the worst thing that could've happened, and it was only gonna get worse if they didn't make it back to Fiore pronto. Due to her worries, she looked over from her bed and looked at Nic, who was sound asleep, his sleeveless coat used as a sheet, leaving her to see his full grey V-Neck. She watched as his chest rose up and down, yet she was unappeased when her glance took note at how his hands were shaking in his sleep, and his arms were following suit.

"Nic?" Erza whispered. No answer. Nic was still asleep, but his body looked uneasy. Erza could only discern the possibility of Nic having a nightmare, and she couldn't blame him.

As Nic was asleep, his gaze looked upsetting. The memories integrated into his dream.

Nic's bloodshot eyes screamed for their demise, and he refused to quit and avenge his sister. He was sadly unable to react due to the knife attack earlier and the father punched him in the Adam's Apple, making Nic gag blood as he stumbled back. The mother swiped the knife, leaving a faint gash in Nic's chest and made blood seep down and taint his now ripped up shirt.

The Dragon Claw didn't stop Crunch and Nic, but also…it was aimed and impaled Nic's gut completely, the arm going straight through Nic's skin entirely and through his back.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" He said. "The pain you must feel. To see your loved ones suffer from your suffering. How the failure you must feel. Arceus made a pitiful mistake in choosing you. Someone who's taken pain all his life, and for what? You didn't get anywhere. This is the end Nic Pularis. How you would say, insult to injury!"

He drove his left arm back into Nic's hole in his body and used Hex, making Nic grit his teeth and he finally let loose an agonizing wail that shrieked through the entire area so loudly and his body shook violently.

The memories of his near-death experience with his parents integrated with the events from yesterday boiled within his dreams. His nightmare wouldn't go away, and in turn, Nic was sleeping uneasily and his body was slightly shaking, which frightened Erza.

"Nic?" Erza called out, but Nic was looking as though the nightmare was clutching onto him and he couldn't hear. Now Erza was definitely worried.

She was well aware that the most recent experience traumatized Nic, which was why he wasn't sleeping well. She in turn was upset, and she had to do something. She saw Nic tensing up in his sleep and looking uneasy, her eyes looking at his face. Erza thought desperately as to how she could ease Nic, but what could she do?

Erza remained still as she remembered what Vanessa said.

"You're lucky." She said, making Erza turn her head in shock. "I saw how desperate you were when Nic fought. You couldn't bear to see him get hurt, just like me. We both want him safe." Her gaze softened even more. "I know my brother, and for what it's worth, he's got the purest heart. Erza…please…don't leave that heart alone." She paused. "Nic's been through enough pain. He needs someone he can care for. I love my brother dearly, and I've never seen him more happy when you're close to him. Don't break my brother's heart. Protect it."

Erza grinned half-heartedly as she remembered that she hugged Nic not long after, and she remembered that unlike what Nic did, she stayed by his side, and that's what she was going to do now.

Erza slowly got up from the bed. "You're not alone Nic." She walked on over and looked down at Nic. "We've been through torture, and we pulled through and pressed on." She then slowly bent down towards Nic's side, her face turning a bright red. She honestly couldn't believe she was doing this, but she swore to protect him, and to keep him close. He was her light after all.

"Nic, I won't let you push me away." Erza was laying down right beside a sleeping Nic. "If you're going to sleep through the pain, you won't sleep through it alone." Erza was going to power through the night with sleeping on the floor, like Nic has his whole life. With every single instinct she had, Erza's face turned red as she wrapped one of her arms around Nic and pulled herself close to him.

She had no regrets. She would make sure Nic makes it through to the end. She still couldn't believe she was attempting to sleep with him, but this was her proof that she won't have Nic deal with the pain alone. She looked at Nic and saw that his twisted face was settling down, and that his body was not shaking anymore. She was content with how Nic's body was starting to feel warm, and she laid her head down gently and she began to drift off to sleep, holding onto Nic.

In Nic's dreams, the bloodshed and the menacing flashbacks and images were fading away. Now, there was only warmth, and he didn't know why. He saw many things in his dream, many being the warmth of his team, how they look at him like family. He saw his sister, but a primary image he caught…was Erza and her strawberry scent. Her warm, brown eyes and her smile directed at him. Her red hair, basically everything about her was warm, and Nic was content with everything.

In reality, Nic was grinning in his sleep as he turned to his side to the direction of where the warmth was and held it close, said warmth being Erza.

---

Many hours later…

The first bits of sunrise were engulfing the skies, and Erza stirred and groaned as her senses yelled for her to wake up. She opened her eyes, and she finally started taking in her surroundings.

The first thing she saw was none other than a peaceful Nic sleeping inches away from her face.

Her face exploded with red, which rivaled that of her hair. She was stiff as a Whirlipede that used Iron Defense, as she had to keep herself as composed as she possibly could.

The memories from last night began to resurface, and she remembered she shared Nic's pain. Her startled self grew less nervous and she stared at how peaceful Nic was compared to last night. After some moments passed by, Erza decided to get up from the floor. She had to admit it was hard. How does Nic put up with this? She used to sleep on stone back in her slavery days, but seeing as how Nic slept in unbearable places made her wonder what if he slept somewhere soft, like a bed.

Erza slowly took her arm off of Nic's waist and she squirmed her way out of Nic's gentle hold. She slowly arose and crawled back onto the bed so as to look like nothing happened.

A few minutes later, Nic groaned and he opened his eyes, feeling his arm as a pillow. He saw a glow from atop the bed, and he figured it was Erza. He saw Erza get up from be, laced in her white blouse and blue skirt. She was going to shift into her armor when they get out to the wilderness eventually.

"Morning." Erza called.

Nic blinked and inhaled. "Morning." He grumbled, and he slowly bent his knees and picked up his sleeveless coat and put it on. He yawned and he looked towards Erza, who looked at him. "What is it?"

Erza grew flustered suddenly and her cheeks became a light pink. "N-Nothing." She stammered. "It's just…how did you sleep?"

Nic looked down at the ground and looked transfixed. It was a whole minute before he answered. "I can't seem to phrase it well. It was first cold, then it became warm." He grinned when he mentioned the last part, making Erza nearly blush in the face entirely. "I haven't felt so warm in the longest time." He then frowned and paused. "…you know, after my recent failures, I haven't been so close to people." He then looked up at Erza. "But you stayed by my side, and I can't thank you enough."

Erza's blush went away and she smiled softly. "You're welcome. I'm sure you would do the same." With that, Nic and Erza got set to leave and they closed the door behind, leaving the hotel and meeting everyone in front of the hotel.

Vanessa saw right away that her brother actually looked happy for once after the incident. Vanessa smiled away while Natsu and Gray were glaring at the other.

"You snored too loud flame brain!" Gray shouted.

"Yeah, well you slept naked!" Natsu shouted. Much like the girls' room, the boys had two beds, and a fold-in couch that turned into a bed. Gajeel took the couch while Natsu and Gray too separate beds.

Gajeel groaned. "Am I the only one ain't complaining around here?"

Lucy smiled. "Good morning Erza and Nic!"

"Morning." They said consecutively.

Sophie smirked devilishly. "So guys, did everyone sleep well, hmmmmm?" She did a pitiful job in suppressing a giggle afterwards, as her question was more directed towards Erza and Nic rather than the group.

In return, Nic and Erza both glared at Sophie and Erza had to suppress a growl. Nic seemed to had remembered to 'thank' her.

"Sophie." Nic called. "We slept just fine. But…" He gave a colder stare than before, and Sophie sweatdropped. "You said you got two rooms instead of three."

He stepped forward as Sophie began to get nervous. "Hehe. Eh, Nic?"

Nic was looking at Sophie with an intense glare that made her stiff. "Lying and tricking me is the last thing you want to do! Prepare for-!" Before could do anything rash or hasty, he came to a screeching halt as Sophie almost shrieked.

Everyone looked as Nic, seeing through the sunglasses he had on see a transfixed look. He was as still as a paralyzed Nosepass.

Sophie didn't see Nic having any will to attack her, at least not of yet, and she waved her hand in front of him. "You who, Nic? Are you home?" She asked. Nic was looking like an animal as he was turning his head in many directions.

"Do we get some breakfast or wha-?!" Natsu was cut off when Nic darted between him and Gray, and everyone turned in shock as Nic looked out south of Anistar City. Nic was acting as though he was a zombie, a possessed being.

"Nic, you're scaring me." Lisanna said.

In Nic's center, the Plates inside were picking up an energy, a spacial energy. He slowly turned towards the group. They could all see through his sunglasses the sharp look he gave them.

"Nic…?" Happy murmured, aware to keep quiet.

"Wait, Luminous. What the heck is wrong with you?" Gajeel asked. He then narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "Wait a minute…"

Nic turned sharply towards everyone present. "I sense one." Nic murmured.

"Sense what?" Wendy asked.

Nic turned south and looked restless. "A portal, I finally sensed one. It just activated!"

At the sound of this, everyone nearly went wide-eyed as Nic picked up a portal at last on his radar. They all saw that looked as though he was going to take off any second, and they saw a motor rental vicinity close by, and Erza quickly requipped a sword since no one was in sight and cut the chains.

"Quick! Everyone grab one and let's go!" Erza shouted. Immediately, Gray got a motorcycle, Gajeel got one, Sophie got one, Lisanna got one, and Erza got one. Lucy latched onto Gray's ride, Vanessa was on Sophie's, Wendy was on Gajeel's, and Natsu was left at a standstill.

"Uh…I think I'd prefer to fly when we get to-!"

"Come on Natsu! We can't dillydally!" Lisanna grabbed Natsu and she pulled him onto her 'borrowed' motorcycle. Petrified, he was unable to do anything but pale.

Nic was shaking as he was just about to take off, and the Fairy Tail Mages were on their vehicles. Much to Natsu's horror, the motors were kicking and they all kicked up the brakes.

Erza led the charge, with Nic up front. Erza then narrowed her eyes as Nic looked like an uncontrollable animal in place. "We're ready." Erza said to Nic, making him stiff.

A brief pause fell and everything fell silent. Erza then took in a deep breath.

"…go!"

Nic then bolted off, faster than ever. He was darting like a Dodrio with high Speed. Natsu's cheeks puffed when he felt the motorcycle move at high speed, and everyone followed Nic.

They all followed Nic, who was unbelievably fast. They followed Nic through the Anistar Gate, where they went on Route 18, where there was wilderness.

"Happy!" Erza shouted. "Get Natsu!"

"Aye!" Happy grabbed Natsu and he carried him off of Lisanna's boke, and Natsu's motion sickness disappeared, and was traveling at the same speed the bikes were, slowly catching up to Nic.

Nic dashed through the tall grass as he eagerly and seriously ran as fast as Natsu when he uses his Fire Dragon's Iron Fist Booster, and that was Nic's normal speed. He accelerate a little as the signal seemed to be in one spot, and everyone was eventually following Nic like a pack. (If you guys ever saw Jurassic World, where the raptors were hunting for the Indominous Rex, think of the scenario like that.)

Nic raced through the grass, not wasting a breath as he followed his senses and Plates, which told him the signal was up ahead. Erza looked over, as she was seeing Nic with his sunglasses on, yet note how focused he was. He then picked up the pace and jumped over a fallen log, in which everyone had to ride around, eventually coming across a large bridge that Nic raced over. Everyone continued to follow, and they made it over the bridge with no problems.

A mile pass the bridge, Nic still continued to race with his determined speed, but when he saw something up ahead, his speed began to die down.

"Hey! Luminous is slowing down!" Gajeel announced.

"Does that mean he's found it?!" Gray shouted. They all lowered their speed gradually in conjunction with Nic, and Nic began to jog and he eventually came to a slow stop in front of a large entrance into a mine.

Everyone stopped and they got off their vehicles. Natsu and Happy descended from above and they all converged on Nic, where they all looked up at the large entrance.

"What is this place?" Wendy asked.

"Is the signal in there Nic?" Gray asked.

Lucy crossed her fingers. "Please not in there, please not in there." She repeated.

Nic nodded when he finally caught his breath. "Yeah, the signal is no doubt inside." He stated, making Lucy whine and get caught in comical revelation. Nic stepped forward, looking into the darkness of the cave. "I've heard rumors about this place. Terminus Cave." He stated. "It was once a mine."

"Why they stop then?" Lisanna asked.

Suddenly, the air blew a silent wind as Nic gazed into the abandoned cave. The feeling that was spine-shattering returned, and everyone turned with surprise that Nic took off his sunglasses and had a shadow over his eyes.

"Because…" He paused. "There's a tale of a monster deep inside of Terminus Cave, and it's massive."

Erza gasped, as well as everyone else. Lucy and Wendy shivered extremely, and Gajeel clenched his fists.

Nic turned back towards Terminus Cave and looked inside. "Whether or not the story is true, we have to take our chances. I sense a portal inside, and inside we'll go."

Vanessa nodded. "Okay Nic, we'll stay right by you."

Nic nodded and he then slowly inhaled and exhaled. He then proceeded slowly. When he took his first step inside the cave, he heard a very faint roar, one that only he could hear. His lips parted as he momentarily stopped, and he narrowed his eyes.

Nic then suddenly felt a dread-like sensation echo in side of him. The faint roar pulsated such hollow evil that made his insides tremble. He could've sworn that he was beginning to quiver again.

'Nic Pularis.' A bold and low-toned voice announced inside of Nic's head. 'The earth will ache, and so shall your entity…'

Nic jerked and looked left and right. "What the?! Show yourself!" He got no answer.

Everyone was confused. "Nic?" Natsu asked. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Huh?" Nic blinked and glanced back at the group. "…s-sorry. I'm just hearing things." He lied, and turned forwards. Though hesitant, made way inside the cave, taking another step inside, where he heard another faint roar, and the dread pulsated from before, but no voice. Nic then but his sunglasses on and used Flash, in which his sunglasses shined a light that laminated the darkness.

As he proceeded, this dark feeling crawled through his body, and he felt uneasy. The others proceeded, and Natsu and everyone felt uneasy with this ominous feeling.

"Eh, what's going on?" Wendy asked, looking about. "This scary feeling is creeping me out."

"Yeah, I know." Gajeel muttered. "This is almost like that other day with that assailant, only this is much weaker…I think."

Natsu sniffed the air. "Yeah, the air inside this cave, it's foul for some reason."

"Please tell me it's not the monster." Lucy hopped.

"Don't worry, Natsu and the others would be able to handle it no sweat." Lisanna said with confidence.

Everyone then went deep inside the cave. The deeper they went, the more malevolent it felt, and the more they felt uneasy. They trekked for another hour, crossing paths and the drops from the ceiling kept dropping, giving a hollow feeling once more.

'Nic Pularis.' The voice echoed in Nic's head as his spine crawled with uneasiness. 'You're almost there…the earth cries out for your blood…'

Nic shook his head and pressed on with caution, following his radar, but Erza was still following behind in her armor. She still knew something was wrong, and she wasn't gonna have Nic harbor it.

Pretty soon, his radar was going off like crazy, and they climbed a stone staircase, where Nic led them. It was when they got up to said passageway that the malevolent feeling was at its peak, and Nic had goosebumps like everyone else.

"Guys." Nic said. "I sense it; the portal is up this passageway."

"Alright then, let's go." Natsu clenched his fists and everyone then started running, but Nic kept a slow pace to make sure to stand by the group.

'I know you're here.' The voice said again, and Nic narrowed his eyes. He turned off Flash, as there was enough light for them to see, and since they were in a cave, he took off his sunglasses and put them on his V-Neck..

"Look! Up ahead!" Vanessa shouted, pointing at something in the area ahead of them, in a very cavernous chamber. At the very back was a sparkling area, where there was a cut in space, and inside was blue and pink stardust.

"Is that it?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah! It has to be!" Wendy added.

Nic's radar was at its peak and Nic grinned. He stepped forward. "She's right, that's it." The ominous feeling then attacked his spine, and he grew stiff.

"THEN LET'S GO! FIORE, HERE WE COME!" Natsu shouted.

Nic narrowed his eyes as everyone was making way pass him, but he remained still as the ominous feeling gave him a vicious feeling.

'…I can see you.' The voice said. 'I can see all of you. I can see everything. Including your blood.'

Then Nic felt uneasy as he inspected the incredibly spacious chamber they were in. "Wait…" His eyes narrowed. "This feeling, what…?"

Then he caught a small glimpse of some camouflaged scales moving.

He gasped loudly and his pupils shrunk. He turned towards the group. "Everyone stop!" He shouted.

"Huh?" Natsu asked. "Why?"

Nic's gaze looked ominous and dark and a silence fell. "…we're not alone…"

"(NIC PULARIS! I WANT YOUR BLOOD!)" A hideous and monstrous voice shrieked, making the chamber shake and everyone covered their ears. The telepathic voice roared then, making everyone's spines shake.

Natsu looked as the quaking subsided. "What the hell was that?!"

Gajeel clenched his fists. "I don't know Salamander. Luminous was right this whole time, we're not alone."

"Everyone stay sharp!" Erza shouted, requipping a sword.

Everyone gathered in a small circle and Natsu had flaming fists and Gray was ready to make ice. They narrowed their eyes as they felt an ominous presence inside the chamber. They all looked around, but saw nothing.

They knew something was there, and they knew it. Soon enough, the ominous feeling closed in, and they saw something moving. Everyone turned around towards the portal, where in front, a hazy image of hexagons altered the space in front, and the coloration differed.

Everyone looked horrified as the 'monster' of Terminus Cave showed himself. He used Camouflage, and deactivated it, revealing himself to be a giant serpentine that that pitch black coloring, and the green on his body was a murky green. The eyes were not welcoming, as they were blood red rather than some white as everyone would've expected them to be. It also had numerous appendages sticking out from behind the head.

The beast towered over the group, as it sensed them coming.

Vanessa looked like she saw a ghost. "Oh my…"

The monster roared, and everyone covered their ears as the roar echoed on an extreme level. The quaking of the chamber nearly made everyone lose balance. When the quaking stopped and the roar subsided, everyone opened their eyes and looked up at the beast that was giving off a vile aura.

The beast gave a cold stare, and Nic stared back at it. The two were in a deadlock in the eyes, and then Nic took a step forwards, slowly making way and looked ahead at the monster before him. "Tell me, who are you?" He demanded.

The monster raised his scaly head. "(I am Zygarde, the Order Pokémon. And I must have your blood!)" He declared, his murky green scales shining on his appendages and eyes were blood red.

"Zygarde…?" Nic tensed up as he tried to process this, thinking as to how this all fitted together. "…so you're the so-called 'monster' of Terminus Cave. I've only heard from elders as I walked through places, and they had pictures of you, but…" Nic noticed the coloring of this Zygarde was darker than what he remembered seeing. He just saw light green and black, with light green eyes with a few white scales. This was absolutely nothing like what he saw.

"Something's wrong." Natsu said.

"Yeah, this smell is similar to that guy who almost slaughtered Luminous." Gajeel remarked. "And it's coming from this thing. Whatever it is, it's gonna try and kill us."

Erza stepped forward by Nic's side as he glared up at the blood-thirsty menace. She wasn't going to stand by and let Nic fight this alone, not again. She swore she'd protect him, and protect him she shall.

"Everyone make way to the portal!" Erza shouted. "We'll create a distraction! Now go!"

As Zygarde roared, everyone except, Nic and Erza, tried running around Zygarde. Erza requipped into her Black Wing Armor and poised a sword at Zygarde. Erza jumped and she let loose a battlecry as she sliced downwards onto Zygarde. Her sword clanged onto Zygarde's scaly head, but there was no scratch.

Erza went wide-eyed. "What's this?! My sword didn't faze it?!"

Zygarde roared and whipped his head up, making Erza's assault bounce right off and send her flying and screaming. Zygarde sense everyone going towards the portal and he snarled as he turned his head. Everyone raced towards the portal in an enclosed group, and they were getting close.

Zygarde roared as he unleashed Dragon Pulse, the massive multicolored dragon-shaped blast shot at the area in front of Natsu and the group, creating a sundering explosion that sent debris flying along with the group, making them all land on the ground.

"Guys! Vanessa!" Nic shouted in worry. Zygarde turned towards him and snarled, his blood red eyes fixated on Nic.

"(Nic Pularis, the day of your death has come!)" Zygarde's lower jaw lit up and he went at Nic with Crunch, letting loose a violent roar as he lunged.

Nic jumped, dodging the attack that left a large crater where Zygarde's jaw struck. Above, Nic had a foot ready. "Stomp!" Nic crashed his foot down on Zygarde's head, which made a shockwave ripple, yet Zygarde looked unfazed. Nic grunted as he immediately jumped off and backflipped onto the ground.

"Nic!" Erza shouted, landing on the ground right by Nic. Both looked too see Zygarde fixated on them, yet the vile emanated was all around.

"His skin is impenetrable. Not even a scratch." Nic said.

Natsu and everyone rose to their feet, and they all turned back to where Zygarde was. Natsu grunted and he leaped into the air and inhaled. "Fire dragon's-!" He was stopped when Zygarde lashed his thin yet mighty, scaly tail at Natsu without having the need to turn around. Zygarde's tail slammed Natsu into a chamber wall, creating a large crater with Natsu embedded in the center.

"Natsu!" Lucy shouted.

Gray turned towards Zygarde. "Crap! That thing's stronger than we anticipated!"

Vanessa's gaze looked uneasy. "…now it makes sense." She muttered. Everyone turned towards her in confusion. "I've heard of Zygarde from legends, and they say that Zygarde…is a Legendary Pokémon."

At this news, everyone gawked and gasped in shock.

"You're kidding me?! You mean that thing before us has a lot power that we can't match?!" Gray exclaimed, in which Vanessa grunted and said nothing.

Gajeel clenched a fist. "Well I ain't staying on the sidelines! Titania and Luminous are gonna need backup!" Gajeel ran forwards towards Zygarde and turned his legs into columns and shot up into the air. He then morphed his arm into a spear. "Iron Dragon's Spear!" Gajeel's spear-like arm the struck Zygarde's back with precision, but Zygarde didn't look fazed, but annoyed as his attention was away from Nic, allowing for the Plate wielder to jump as Zygarde turned his head.

"Boomburst!" The inside of Nic's mouth shined a light blue and he unleashed a loud and powerful blast of sound waves that struck the side of Zygarde's head, making a burst of energy and wind. Zygarde roared as he felt that one.

Natsu freed himself from the wall and lunged towards Zygarde. "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!" Natsu was engulfed in flames and lunged into Zygarde's side. All that did was just catch Zygarde's attention.

"(You annoyances!)" Zygarde roared. His violent call shook the area and everyone was on edge as they nearly lost their footing once more. The group jerked in all directions, and Zygarde inhaled and conjured energy as he aimed for the ground and fire an explosive Dragon Pulse across and in an arc. The Dragon Pulse made a giant explosion within that arc that made everyone get sent flying and scream and they tumbled away.

Zygarde roared as he looked and saw how Happy grabbed Natsu quickly and got into the air. Zygarde's blood red eyes looked on as Natsu and Happy dove in, with Natsu using Fire Dragon's Iron Fist. Zygarde used Crunch, his lower jaw lighting up. He then slammed his jaw into Natsu's fist, overpowering with such force that made the duo spiral in the air.

"That's it! Ice Make: Lance!" Gray unleashed his attack as soon as his feet were under him and the rapid production of lances went showering towards Zygarde. Zygarde's serpentine body enabled him to slither right and evade, making Gray grunt.

Erza took flight and Nic dashed from behind to attack. Erza had her sword ready and Nic had a Mega Punch at the ready. Both warriors charged, but Zygarde didn't need to look back to swat his tail upwards and send them soaring.

Erza straightened out while Nic backflipped with the momentum and landed on his feet with a skid, grunting the entire way. "Damn. Do the appendages behind its head count as eyes?"

Erza rushed ahead from the angle she was in. "Moon Flash!" She slashed her attack, in which made smoke emerge from the powerful strike. Zygarde gave a snarl as he finally turned back towards Erza and Nic.

"(You humans are beyond aggravating!)" Zygarde shouted.

Nic narrowed his eyes. 'This bloodthirsty rage, this isn't normal. What happened?'

"Hey scale-face! You forgot me!" Gajeel appeared from above and readied an attack. "Iron Dragon's Roar!" Gajeel's metallic roar was like a tornado that made Zygarde immobile as the pressure of the attack kept him still, allowing for Gray to unleash his attack.

"Ice Make: Lance!"

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu added in to attack. Both lances and roar alike plowed into a still Zygarde, creating a powerful explosion. Everyone heard Zygarde roar in pain, and they all grinned.

Vanessa smiled. "Alright! Wait a go guys!"

Lisanna turned towards Vanessa. "Aren't you gonna join in?"

Vanessa frowned and shook her head. "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that I don't want to get into others' way." She looked back up at Zygarde. "That's a Legendary, and my team can't compare…at least not yet."

Lisanna smiled. "In that case, I'll stay right by you. Go get'em guys!" Lisanna cheered.

Wendy was flying thanks to Carla and she unleashed her attack. "Sky Dragon's Roar!"

Sophie made a chain of memories. "Let's put this creepy snake in its place! Memory-Make: Mirrors of Cold Retribution!" Sophie made several mirrors of ice and unleashed dark green blasts from them.

The two attacks went towards Zygarde, and the Dragon and Ground-Type jerked towards the direction of said attacks. "(Suffer for your interference!)" Zygarde let loose his Dragon Pulse, which chomped down on the tornado and green beams, making an explosion in midair, sending winds here and there. This made Sophie skid a few feet back and Carla jerked several feet in the air.

Zygarde roared once more, and was struck from behind with a Swift from Nic, the stars bombarding his back, which only aggravated him. Nic narrowed his eyes as his gaze was on Zygarde's. "I'm who you want! You leave everyone else be!"

Zygarde snarled and began to slowly slither on towards Nic. Zygarde had no words to tell, rather he used Crunch and barrowed his jaws downwards onto Nic.

"Nic!" Vanessa shouted.

"Oh no he won't!" Lucy shouted. "Open: Gate of the Golden Bull – Taurus!"

A Magic seal was made and Taurus appeared at the ready. "Moooooooo!"

Lucy pointed towards Zygarde. "Stop that thing!"

Taurus grabbed his axe and crouched. "Miss Luuucy, I'll do this to get a smooooch from you later!" Taurus then jumped and had his axe at the ready as he was a glint from above and mooed as he went down and brought his axe in a downward motion. Zygarde sensed this and lifted his head and redirected his Crunch so the jaw made contact with the axe. Both attacks collided, making the ground shake. Zygarde didn't budge, and neither did Taurus. Taurus grunted as Zygarde wasn't even flinching.

"Crush Claw!" Nic jumped and his hands glowed blue. He then brought them both down onto Zygarde's face, making a ripple in the air and Zygarde looked uneasy as he recoiled a few inches, and Taurus jumped off and landed on the ground.

"We're not done yet!" Natsu shouted. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Natsu lashed fire from the side, hitting Zygarde's 'arms', which made him emit a low snarl as he swung his direction towards Natsu.

Gray then appeared behind Zygarde. "Ice-Make: Sword!" Gray then made a sword out of ice and he lunged and slashed at Zygarde's back, in which the sword shattered and Gray reeled back as that caught Zygarde's attention. 'This thing has though skin!'

Wendy and Carla were above, as was Lily as he carried Gajeel.

"Sky Dragon's-"

"Iron Dragon's-"

"ROAR!" Both wind and iron went downwards towards Zygarde, and Sophie made a chain of memories.

Sophie smirked. "Let's add insult to injury! Memory-Make: Scorn of the Armored Winds!"

All three attacks bombarded Zygarde, making everyone hear a painful screech as Zygarde felt the attack on a high level of pain, iron, wind, and a mixture of all of them pressurizing and scraping him. When the attacks ceased, the Exceeds had Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel alike in the air, while everyone, exclude Vanessa and Lisanna, surrounded Zygarde.

Zygarde noticed he was surrounded, and he accumulated a few scrapes. Nic pointed towards Zygarde. "It's best that you give up and let us pass towards the portal!" Nic proclaimed.

Erza requipped into her Flame Empress Armor and she spun around and flashed her sizzling sword that unleashed a wave of fire at Zygarde, and Nic added in with Spike Cannon, in which he lashed his arms and fired a barrage of spikes with every swipe. The two attacks exploded upon contact, and Zygarde screeched as he felt pain surge from the fire and Spike Cannon. When it cleared, Zygarde was snarling as he looked annoyed.

Erza narrowed her eyes. "It's not done yet I see." She lunged and leaped towards Zygarde with her sword and did a diagonal slash across the abdomen. She recoiled and saw that Zygarde was still unfazed; if anything, he was aggravated even more.

Taurus pitched in and jumped. "Let's see how you like my Rampage ya looooser!" He slammed his axe down into the ground. Sending an earthquake in a straight line towards Zygarde, but Zygarde wasn't one to be caught off when it was that obvious.

"(You pester me humans! Your insolence in my objective shall be your end!)" The monster yelled, making the ground palpitate abhorrently. Everyone tensed up yet again as the foul aura around Zygarde intensified, meaning his power was amplified somewhat, and they saw his tail being raised.

Immediately, Nic knew what was gonna happen. He went wide-eyed and glanced at everybody. "It's Earthquake! Everybody get away now!"

Zygarde brought his tail down to the ground, making a small glint under the earth and then there was a massive explosion of debris and earth flying haphazardly, stopping Taurus's Rampage cold. Everyone covered up and screamed as the rampaging rock and dust shattered about the entire chamber, not to mention the entire Terminus Cave. Even outside, the Earthquake reached Anistar City, where everyone felt a violent shake about the area.

Everyone was pounded and swallowed in flying dust and violent earth shakes, the ground gave in under everyone's feet and all anybody could see was dust and rock, in which the turbulence could've also buried them if possible. As for Taurus, he screamed as he was pummeled with rock like crazy and was forced back into the Celestial Spirit World.

After several minutes, groaning was heard all about and many bodies were sprawled on the cavernous ground. The ground itself was completely leveled thanks to Zygarde's Earthquake. The chamber walls were cracked and bits of the ceiling were chipped off. Rocks and ground deposits were everywhere, as Natsu and everyone else slowly arose.

Natsu threw off a rock that buried him and Gajeel and soon enough everyone followed. Vanessa and Lisanna were safe at the time, but they were surrounded by large boulders from that attack, the two coughed as dust still hanged about in the air.

Nic winced and he looked over at Vanessa and Lisanna. "Vanessa, are you okay?!"

Vanessa winced as the force of Earthquake made her and Lisanna hit the chamber wall close by, but other than a stinging sensation and being covered in dust, they were peachy. Vanessa nodded. "Yeah, we're fine!" She shouted before coughing.

Nic grunted and turned towards Zygarde, who didn't even look interested. The scaly beast looked about and saw everyone struggling to get up, as his Earthquake dealt catastrophic damage. "(Stay down. My target is Nic Pularis.)"

Despite being hurt, Erza pushed a flat rock off of her and glared at Zygarde. "You will never take Nic away from us!" She declared. She then requipped her shattered swords and armor back into her Black Wing Armor and zoomed in front of Nic. "You'll have to get pass me if you want to hurt him!"

Zygarde saw the determination and seriousness in her eyes, considering her proclamation as a challenge. "(The earth beckons for all to fall, but I shall end you so the land shall consume you!)"

Natsu could barely move, as could Gajeel, as that Earthquake somehow exhausted them greatly. They panted, and their Exceeds were covered in scrapes and bruises. Wendy only had minor damage, but could barely move. Everyone else was in the same boat sort of speak, by they did manage to get to their knees.

"Damnit, this thing's powerful." Natsu muttered harshly.

Gajeel glanced over towards Natsu. "No duh Salamander. Remember what Luminous's sister said. That thing's some sort of Legendary." Zygarde roared up to the air as Gajeel stated that, and slithered on over towards Erza and Nic.

Zygarde initiated Crunch and Erza requipped a second sword and she crossed both weapons, holding Zygarde's Crunch as she was barely holding him off.

"Erza! Hang on!" Nic shouted in worries for the redhead. He grunted. 'Damnit, Zygarde's power is strong, and if anybody interferes, they'll get hurt. I gotta slow him down.' Nic thought on his feet and reached for a poke ball in his pocket.

Nic threw it. "Arbok! Come on out!"

The Cobra Pokémon emerged on the leveled ground in front of Nic and hissed. He stared blankly at the scene ahead. "(Nic-ssssama, what isssss it that you dessssire me to do?)" He asked obediently.

Nic extended an arm forwards. "Stop Zygarde with Ice Fang!"

Arbok hissed and obediently nodded. "(Assss you wish.)" Arbok then opened his mouth and his fangs became solid ice. He reeled his body back slowly and then shot forward faster than a Mach Punch.

Erza was struggling as her crossed swords were barely keeping Zygarde away, and she was close to giving in. She couldn't allow for Nic to get hurt, and she would give it everything she had to keep Zygarde away. She heard a loud hiss and glanced above as she saw Arbok lunging at Zygarde's head with Ice Fang and sank his fangs into the head, causing Zygarde to retract himself and give Erza room to recover. Arbok's fangs clung onto Zygarde as the Dragon and Ground-Type wailed and shook in all directions to get him off, but to no avail.

Arbok held on tight as the icy fangs were stuck on Zygarde, and that left Nic with the opportunity to attack. "Erza! Let's go!"

Erza nodded. "Let's do this!" She lunged ahead by Nic's side and slashed. "Moon Flash!"

Nic proceeded with his attack. "Razor Wind!"

When Erza's cross attack struck Zygarde's abdomen, Razor Wind followed, and multiple white crescents struck consecutively, making multiple white bursts of energy that made Zygarde wail even more.

Arbok finally let go and was sent flying in the air, but he thought nothing of it as he made a silver ball of light that expanded and made a black garbage bag with purple outlining. "(Gunk Shot!)" Arbok's Poison-Type move fired right in between Zygarde's eyes, creating a huge purple explosion of filth that shattered the ground under Zygarde. Zygarde wailed as he scooted back from that attack.

The three landed right beside the other, glaring at Zygarde, who looked even more annoyed.

"It's not staying down." Nic said with distaste. "But it seems we're doing damage for sure." Nic and Erza saw that Zygarde was bruised in many places, yet all the menacing beast did was snarl.

Arbok lowered his head. "(Nic-ssssama. What issss it that you desssire next?)"

Nic turned towards Arbok, staring at him and back at Zygarde. "…block his next attack. I'll deal heavy damage with this next one."

Arbok nodded. "(Asssss you wish.)" Arbok then slithered swiftly in front of Nic and Erza. Zygarde conjured up energy and fired a Dragon Pulse attack, in which Arbok hissed in retort and used Gunk Shot once more. The two attacks collided with such intensity that they cancelled each other out, and a huge explosion kicked out clouds of dust and smoke, which was just what Nic intended for.

Arbok slithered towards his left to allow Nic to fire without any interference. Arbok and Erza turned to see Nic opening his mouth and a massive amount of energy condensed in front of his mouth. This energy caused the space Nic was in to shatter and Erza and Arbok could sense a heavy flow of power in the ball.

"You two! Hurry! Get out of the way!" Nic managed to exclaim, and Erza and Arbok reeled back as Zygarde charged from the cloud of dust with a Crunch, roaring as he was ready to finish Nic.

Nic finally let loose the energy. "Hyper Beam!" Nic unleashed a massive dark purple beam with dark black energy that shattered the ground and sent rocks and debris sailing on the sides. The immense beam struck Zygarde's abdomen, making the Dragon and Ground-Type scream as the brutal power given off pushed him back with no contest. Zygarde's scream echoed as the ground under him trailed and cracked upon being pushed back from Hyper Beam, and Zygarde screamed once more and fell backwards in an explosive energy that made winds fly violently, causing everyone around to cover up.

Erza was left surprised as Nic unleashed a devastating move that could've rivaled the Jupiter Cannon if possible. The power given off was intense, and she looked as her hair waved along the winds as Nic was left motionless.

Nic grunted as that Hyper Beam took a lot out of him and forced him to a knee. "That should…do it…"

The dust settled at long last, and Zygarde was found nowhere. Everyone saw the dust finally gone, yet they couldn't spot Zygarde.

"What's this?! It's gone?!" Erza shouted.

Arbok was also left in shock. "(It vanished?!)"

Nic grunted as he narrowed his eyes and looked about. "…no. It's still here, but I don't know where…" There was a brief silence that took over before there was a massive energy in front of Nic, which made him gasp. "Oh crap! Guys! I forget it could use Camou-!"

Zygarde showed itself as his Crunch slammed down onto Nic, making him yelp as his back crashed against the earth.

"Nic-sssssama!" Arbok shouted.

"No! Nic!" Erza shouted. Zygarde retracted his body and saw that Crunch left Nic immobile on the ground and wincing, in which Erza let loose a battlecry and slashed her sword against Zygarde's side, which caught his attention.

"You're gonna pay for what you did!" Erza shouted, a scary look of vengeance in her eyes.

Sophie and everyone else were left speechless and damaged as they couldn't keep up. Zygarde was just packing too much of a fuss and it seemed that they'd only interfere. Sophie winced. 'Ze lo hiyeh tov. The portal is gonna close soon. We need to stop this thing, but…' Sophie and everyone watched as Erza's slashing was to no avail as Zygarde used Dragon Pulse and the attack swallowed her up, making her scream as she landed on her back with a thud.

"Damn. We gotta get to that portal and wrap up this battle." Gajeel muttered.

Gray grunted as he slowly got up. "Yeah, but we can't just leave them here to fight that thing." Gray narrowed his eyes. "I don't care how this goes! I'm staying so they don't get left behind!"

Vanesa clenched her fists. "Yeah! I'm not leaving Nic!" She and Lisanna made their way around the boulders with haste and joined back with the group. They all made way around the fuss and regrouped with haste, with Vanessa and Sophie helping Nic and Erza up while Arbok fended off against Zygarde.

"(Perish!)" Zygarde unleashed his Dragon Pulse, but Arbok serpentine and evaded, avoiding the thunderous attack that shook the ground slightly. Arbok lunged ahead and used Ice Fang once more, embedding his jaws into Zygarde's side and making the monster wail and turn a few times. Zygarde looked down and swatted his tail at Arbok, making the Poison-Type screech as he let go and trailed backwards in a skidding thud. Arbok opened his eyes and straightened upwards and ceased his skid, hissing in retort.

"Nic, are you okay?" Vanessa asked, helping Nic up. Nic grunted as he felt as though he was struck by a dumpster truck.

"Y-yeah, but that Crunch did some damage." Nic said. "We gotta finish it. We have to. The portal may not even have a few minutes left. I can already feel the energy slipping away."

Natsu clenched his fists. "Then let's get back in there and fight!"

Just as he said that, Zygarde whipped his tail up and screeched. Everyone fell frozen as they recognized that motion. Everyone flinched as Zygarde unleashed Earthquake and they heard a rapid explosion and a massive shockwave of dirt and dust headed their way as the earth shook violently under them, making them incapable of keeping balance, which also caused Natsu to get sick and fall to his knees.

"We're gonna get buried again guys!" Happy shouted.

They all watched as the shockwave head towards them and braced for a brutal blow, but it never came. Nic's Arbok slithered in front of the group as the shockwave went towards him. All Arbok did was hiss and narrow his eyes.

"(Earthquake!)" Arbok shouted. He lashed his tail at an angle, hitting the ground with such force. The angled tail slam made a booming sound and a massive wave of rock and dust rushed forwards, yet made the ground underneath vibrate monstrously, making everyone fall to their knees and Natsu had puffy cheeks. The two shockwaves boomed about, making cracks increase along the walls of the chamber and cave, and Zygarde was left in shock when Arbok's Earthquake countered his.

As the massive rumbling and dust and rocks collided, Arbok turned back towards Nic and Erza. "(Nic-sssama! Erzzza-sssama! Make hassste!)" He yelled and turned back towards the turbulence. "(Thisss sssscaled-facccce reptile isss in for a lot of pain!)"

Erza and Nic turned towards the other and looked at each other briefly, seeing the focused and determined looks they shared. Erza turned back towards the front and poised a sword, as to where Nic shifted into his Icicle Plate Form.

"We're gonna get through this! No matter what!" Nic proclaimed.

Erza nodded. "No matter what!" As the dust subsided and rocks diminished, Erza flapped her wings and she let loose a battlecry and slashed repeatedly at rocks and dirt, making a clear path towards Zygarde. The tainted beast roared as he saw Erza incoming and turned and swatted his tail, deflecting Erza's slashing motion and making her retract into the air. As she gained altitude, Zygarde turned his large head up and used Dragon Pulse. The massive dragon-shaped attack had its mouth opened and Erza was left defenseless and was going to get hit.

Fortunately, an Ice Beam from a certain someone from below intercepted the attack, and shot through the Dragon Pulse and made it dispel before Erza could have been hit. Erza looked down with wide eyes as she saw Nic and Arbok dashing right beside the other as the rumbling was now at a low magnitude.

"You aren't gonna hurt my friends anymore!" Nic proclaimed. "I'm the one who'll protect them now!"

Erza gasped, hearing how Nic proclaimed that he would protect his friends, and protect her like he just did.

"(Retribution shall be before you! Go down!)" Arbok shouted. He slithered on ahead and lunged with Ice Fang, clamping his fangs onto Zygarde's tail and making the tainted beast scream as it felt pain. Arbok narrowed his eyes and he noticed a jagged and heavy rock right next to him. He skillfully coiled his tail around it as an anchor so Zygard wouldn't flail so wildly.

"(Unhand me!)" Zygarde demanded, jerking repeatedly, but Arbok remained anchored with his fangs clamped down. As Zygarde was distracted, Erza flew in with her large sword, which was the one she used against Jellal after the tower became a lacrima, and slashed with all her might. The attack hardly left a scratch and that only made Zygarde turn towards Erza with anger.

"(Begone!)" He lunged ahead with Crunch, and Erza used her sword to block, but Zygarde's assault made her jerk back several feet as Erza was barely holding on.

"Frost Breath!" A wind with ice sparkles blasted Zygarde's right side, and the scaly dragon felt the attack and yelled as he couldn't handle such an intense Ice-Type critical move and Nic looked on as Zygarde recoiled and was still restrained due to Arbok clamping on.

Nic narrowed his eyes and coated his right fist in light blue with sparkles. "Ice Punch!" Nic lunged with a punch and jumped in front of Zygarde and rushed his fist forwards, but Zygarde leaned away, making Nic follow through with no balance.

"Nic! Look out!" Vanessa warned from afar as Zygarde brought its head forwards and used Crunch. Nic saw that and Erza flew in and pulled him out of the way in time, reeling him into high the air as Zygarde retracted and growled.

"Nic! We're almost there!" Erza shouted.

"I know! Let's finish this!" Nic responded. Nic then pried himself from Erza and fell downwards. Zygarde looked up to see Nic falling and he readied a Dragon Pulse.

Arbok narrowed his eyes. "(Oh no you don't!)" Arbok released his grip on Zygarde, forcing the latter to get thrown off balance, in which he wobbled and the energy conjured in front of him fluxed and dispersed due to being unstable. Arbok let loose a loud, roaring hiss as he then uncoiled his tail from the rock and slammed it right next to Zygarde, unleashing a close-range Earthquake that made the ground under Zygarde gave in as dust and debris pounded at him. Zygarde screamed as he fell backwards slowly as the earth from underneath shook rapidly once more, sending debris like a tidal wave in all directions, which made Natsu nearly spew again and everyone covered up as dust and dirt swallowed them, but the proximity from Arbok was too great, and so they were spared from giant rock and were hit with rumbling and dust.

Nic took this opportunity from above as Zygarde was falling backwards and his icy coat let loose a freezing energy. "We're getting back to Fiore! And Fairy Tail! Where we belong!" Nic let loose a battlecry as his coat flashed and unleashed a freezing energy that rippled like a wave of cold energy that froze the ground and nearby rocks. Arbok quickly slithered a safe distance somewhat as Zygarde was feeling the ground underneath becoming coated in frost and fragments of ice.

Nic let loose a monstrous battlecry as he then made giant icicles that were humungous, as big as Zygarde, and all were pointed at him.

Nic brought his arms forward. "Legendary Arts – Glaciate!" Dozens of giant ice spikes shot downwards at Zygarde, and the Dragon and Ground-Type was left in horror as his tainted body was then seeing glints of icy blue before being shot with heavy ice spikes and screeching as the ice crashed endlessly on him, and whatever ice spikes didn't hit Zygarde, the surrounding area was pelted and embedded with sheer ice that made the entire chamber shake and rocks started falling from the ceiling, and some rock and ice from the ground shot up from the catastrophic force from that Glaciate.

Everyone watched with wide eyes as Nic's devastating Legendary Arts nearly shattered the entire chamber and Zygarde screeched as after the countless ice spikes, he was engulfed in a massive frosty burst of energy. Nic looked on from above and winced as that Legendary Arts, as did any, drained his Plate's power.

Zygarde was seen screeching as he fell back and was covered in shattered frost and ice, landing with a boom sound as rocks from above smashed downwards, breaking the ice (literally) and burying Zygarde in rock.

With little energy, with fell downwards with the rocks and crashed with a thud. Soon enough, he was left motionless and exhausted as small rocks began to pile around him and started burying him.

"Nic!" Vanessa called out in sheer worry as the rocks finally stooped, and all anybody saw was a large pile of rubble. "Nic!"

Inside, Nic winced. "…Vanessa…" He muttered. Nic was covered in a few scratches and he was under some light rock, providing space for him to attempt to move.

When Nic opened his eyes at last, he saw some rock being shoved away in front of him and saw a hand reach out to him.

Everyone outside watched with anticipation as Erza was giving it everything she had, with Arbok accompanying her, and saw her grunting as she was pulling Nic out.

"Nic!" Erza grunted as she gave it one last pull and Nic was yanked out, with Erza holding him by the shoulders as he was slumped downwards with lots of scratches, but otherwise fine.

Nic looked by at Erza, her brown eyes full of worry, yet heavy content. "Erza."

Erza smiled softly as she looked at Nic. "You're amazing Nic, thank you."

Arbok hissed softly as he looked at Nic. "(Nic-sssama, are you alright?)"

Nic grinned at his slithery pal. "Yeah, I'm alright." He got his feet under him and huffed as he shifted back into himself. Erza requipped into her Heart Kreuz and helped him down by putting an arm over her shoulder and they made it safely towards the group.

"Alright!" A majority of everyone cheered, save Gajeel and the guys who just grinned, as Nic smiled at them back at Erza. Vanessa went up and hugged her brother, and Nic stumbled back as he was caught off guard.

Vanessa had a happy smile. "I'm so glad you're safe." She muttered.

Nic smiled. "It's okay." Nic turned towards Arbok and smiled. "You did great Arbok, nice job with that Earthquake."

Arbok nodded. "(Thank you.)" He then looked back at the rubble, seeing as how the foul aura and energy given off by Zygarde was seeping out. Everyone looked and saw the energy seep out of the rubble and into the air above. With narrow eyes, everyone could feel their bare skin crawl from the energy that was full of hatred and bloodlust. The energy dispersed into nothing as it ascended, leaving the atmosphere with no anxiety left.

With that out of the way, Natsu looked and saw the portal on the other side of the chamber. It looked as though it was fluctuating and it was evident time was almost up.

"Guys, the portal!" Natsu warned. Everyone looked and gasped at the remembrance.

"Snap! We totally forgot about that! We gotta hurry!" Gray exclaimed with haste. Everyone made way with as much speed as they could muster up. Natsu was moving as fast as he could. Nic and Arbok were a tad slower than usual, but were still fast to keep ahead. Nic noticed that the fluctuating of the portal stopped and it was slowly contrasting when they were two hundred meters away. At this rate…

"Nic-ssssama." Arbok said.

Regrettably, Nic nodded. "Yeah…I know." Nic knew they were running out of time, and at their rate, they weren't gonna make it.

Natsu had veins on his face as he gave it a full burst of running. "I'M NOT GIVING UP!" He shouted, running full speed and leaving everyone in dust. Natsu dashed with all his might as the portal was closing. "YOU BETTER STAY OPEN!" He yelled as he ran and made a last-second leap. Natsu leaped and had hit hand extended outwards as he was so close to touching the portal, but the portal finally slid shut and turned into sparkles just mere inches from Natsu's reach and the Dragon Slayer slammed face-first into the chamber wall behind.

Everyone from afar stopped and looked on with blank expressions as their most recent chance to getting home slipped right through their fingers. There was a brief ten seconds before Gray finally stomped in frustration.

"Damnit! We were too late!" Gray shouted.

Sophie turned towards him. "It's nobody's fault Gray. We had to defeat Zygarde." She stated as Gray calmed down and gritted his teeth.

Natsu slowly fell to the ground and groaned as his face had hurt like crazy. He soon got to his feet and rubbed his head. "Aw man, that's a hard wall. Huh…?" Natsu then realized that he was too late and then he suddenly punched the wall. "We were too late!"

"We know Natsu." Nic said, but even he couldn't help but feel his grip shaking. He was mentally frustrated, but he sighed in defeat.

Everyone then heard some rumbling and they turned to see the large rubble of frost, ice, and rock that covered Zygarde began to crumble and fall. Everyone immediately tensed up and looked back as they saw the large serpentine emerge, but this time, it looked different.

Instead of the pitch black and murky green, it was a regular black with light green scales. The blood red eyes and blood red scaled were back to being light green and white. Now he looked normal again, which was odd to the group.

Zygarde looked around and noticed that his chamber was all cracked and desecrated. "(What happened?)" He muttered. "(Why do I feel so much pain?)" He winced and everyone took clear notice. "(Did I battle?)"

"That's weird. Maybe Luminous knocked a few of its screws loose." Gajeel muttered.

Sophie highly doubted Gajeel's claimed, as she saw the confusion Zygarde was in. "If I remember correctly, its coloring was darker, right?"

Vanessa noticed it was well. "Huh? Now that you mention it, it did give off a violent aura as well." She turned towards Sophie. "Do you think after Nic defeated it that those traits vanished?"

"You know, I just don't know anymore." Lucy said. "These things are all weird."

Nic narrowed his eyes and slowly made way towards Zygarde, with Arbok slithering by his side as support. Erza watched with anxiousness, as she was ready to strike the moment Zygarde would attempt to attack.

Zygarde took notice of the humans and turned towards them, and saw Nic and Arbok proceed. "(Human, who are you? Do you know what happened to me?)"

Nic stopped when he was thirty feet from Zygarde. "Zygarde, I am Nic Pularis. Tell me, what was the last thing you remember?"

Nic and Arbok both looked on with suspicion as Zygarde looked and saw the bruises on his body. "(…the last thing I recall…I was watching everything from my chamber. Then suddenly, I felt a strong level of negativity escalate. The next thing I knew, I was swallowed up in pitch black and saw nothing but blood red. It was all a big blur after that.)"

Arbok turned towards Nic. "Nic-sssssama, do you think it wassss posssssessssed?)"

Nic glanced back at Zygarde. "Most likely. Whatever that black aura was, it controlled him. It seems he doesn't remember being manipulated." Nic then turned towards Zygarde.

"(Did you happen…to help me erase that darkness I was swallowed in?)"

Nic nodded. "Zygarde, we mean you know harm. However I apologize for our methods. We had to defeat you in order to erase that darkness. You were tainted sort of speak."

Zygarde looked down at the ground. "(I see. I'm sorry if I had laid harm to your comrades. It seems like that was the case.)"

Nic gave a half-grin. "None of it was your fault. We're all fine. You can rest at ease now."

Zygarde remained silent for a while and looked around his chamber, examining the catastrophic damage. He then turned towards Nic. "(Thank you.)" With a nod, Nic turned and went back towards the group, with Arbok following behind. Zygarde watched on with a placid expression as he no longer felt cold and filled with bloodlust.

Nic stopped in front of the group and grinned. "It's okay guys, he was controlled this entire time. We should go."

"But wait, will he be alright?" Wendy asked.

Nic turned back towards Zygarde, who began to use Camouflage and vanished before their eyes. Nic made a half-grin again and turned back towards Wendy. "Don't worry. I doubt that darkness will mess with him again." He then glowed, shifting into his Mind Plate. Nic concentrated and he held his hands out. "Everyone stay still. I need a second…" Nic then began to fixate on a point outside of Terminus Cave, seeing as how the way they came in was destroyed from the battle. "…Teleport!"

With and the group then suddenly were gone in a quick flash of light, and they vacated Terminus Cave. In about two seconds, they found themselves on the grass and in front of the cave entrance. You could see the cracked insides of the cave, but was still intact, so Lairon and Graveler and everything else inside were still able to live in there.

With everyone settled, Nic walked on over and pet Arbok's chin, making the Poison-Type his in satisfaction. "You did a nice job Arbok. Taking on a Legendary was your golden moment. Return." Nic then returned a tired Arbok back to his poke ball.

Gray looked at Nic. "Now what?"

Nic turned back towards the group and stared at them. "…we just keep moving. There's really no other option." Nic then turned and saw the motorcycles parked several feet away and used Teleport on them and he sent the motorcycles back towards Anistar City.

Erza walked up to him and had hands to her hips. She had a smile as she looked at Nic. Nic stared back with a smile.

"I'm glad you're safe." The Fairy Queen admitted.

Nic maintained his happiness. "Me too."

Sophie looked on with a mental giggle. 'He'll be thanking me later. I know it.'

Vanessa looked on with a deep smile as she was glad Erza cared deeply for Nic. Everyone looked on with a neutral expression as the little moment came to an end and Nic cleared his throat. "Enough lollygagging guys, let's move out!" Nic ordered, and then began to rush off south and everyone followed.

---

Meanwhile…

Everyone in Anistar City felt every Earthquake attack, as some places were shaken up, and there was some hysteria. The vehicle store's owner had arrived just recently and noticed that there were a few motorcycles gone and the chains were cut.

"Gah! What the heck?!" He shouted. "Somebody stole my motorcycles!" He turned around and panicked. "Who in their right mind is able to break those chains?! You need giant sawblades to…!" He turned around and wet wide-eyed as the motorcycles were surprisingly back in place. A bit of grass stains, but other than that, they were fine.

The man raised a brow as he gawked. "Earthquakes…and now I'm hallucinating?" A silence settled and he blinked repeatedly as he made way inside. "Ehhh…I think I'll just close up shop early and sleep…" He said awkwardly.

---

In another dimension…

Hoopa fumed as he bounced like crazy. "GAH! STUPID ZYGARDE COULDN'T KILL NIC! WHY DIDN'T THAT ANTIMATTER MAKE HIM TRANSFORM?! THIS IS BOGUS!"

Darkrai crossed his arms. "Zygarde has always been the reclusive one of the Life Trio. It seems even with Giratina's antimatter, he still kept his true powers at bay." He then looked up at the three. "Perhaps we've underestimated Zygarde's will, as he didn't even use half of his power. If I recall, it only activates when the ecosystem is at risk."

Hoopa raised a brow. "Oh, so the universe doesn't count?" He asked sarcastically.

Mewtwo growled as he looked at the image of Nic defeating Zygarde. "That power Zygarde had inside. The hatred we tainted him was not great enough. That one was a waste."

Giratina floated with his bloodlust expression, looking at the image with an immense hatred given off from Zygarde's defeat. "…no matter." He growled in a deep and low demon voice. "That power means nothing to us. Zygarde was a mere tool for us to use. My antimatter has tainted a few more puppets that we can play with…"

---

It's over the amount of words I had intended, but it didn't seem that big of a deal. At least it's better than last chapter's length. I added a lot of fluffy moments in this chapter for Nic and Erza, since this is part Romance after all. And who doesn't love those Nic/Erza fluffy moments, right? Review if you loved those romance moments please.

The reason I didn't use Zygarde's Complete Form was because since I didn't see it in the anime, nor has anybody, I didn't want to make false conclusions on how that power is to be used or unlocked. I didn't feel comfortable wandering into that untouched territory until I saw it with my own eyes sort of speak.

I didn't make Diantha's debut a big deal because I didn't find it a big deal, plus it wasn't the main point of the chapter. The main point was to establish Erza wanting to protect Nic and for Zygarde to fight.

Anyways, RavenousEds and I made another chapter of Fairy Ed, so go check that out. He's also made a poll, so if you read Fairy Ed, please vote in his poll. Also, check out mine quickly as I asked earlier please. Thanks!

Please Favorite, Follow, & Review this story and/or chapter if you guys are loving the battles and the overwhelming romance and are waiting for more.

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Next Time: Will of Fire