Hello Readers!

It's been quite a while since we last saw our heroes and now I have brought you another chapter to enjoy! Thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows! On with the show!

Part 2 Chapter 6: The Water Nymph vs. the Ice Mage

"I swear if I battle another water wizard, I'm going to switch places with Natsu for a day!"

Gray regained his balance as more water blades came rippling after him. He leapt out of the way just in time to see Manami come right at him. The girl giggled and brought up her crystal ball.

"You're making this fight more enjoyable by running! I love it when the enemy runs!" She said, summoning more water balls. "AQUA MAGIC: WATER ORBS!" The balls of water went soaring over near Gray.

Gray growled and put his hands together. "ICE- MAKE: SPEAR!" Multiple spears burst out of his hands as they cut through the orbs. Manami frowned at this, only to smile once more.

"You make my job too easy. How can a mage with more experience than I be beaten?" She teased him. She focused her magic on the water as the crystal ball glowed blue. "To be honest, I haven't had this much fun in months!"

"For a little girl, you are certainly chatty." Gray jumped up and sent another wave of ice spears at her. Manami gasped as the spear went through her body, making her burst into water.

"Man I hate to break a little kid to pieces, but Natsu and Seika need my help." He turned to walk away before something caught his eyes. "No way…"

The water had swirled around really fast, making a typhoon in the middle of the pond. Emerging from its center was the sullen face of the little girl. The crystal ball in her hands glowed darker as her eyes glowed blue.

"Now why did you have to go destroy my puppet like that? All she wanted was a little fun that's all." Tears started to roll down the girl's cheek. "You're a big meanie mister!"

Rain was now falling as Gray watched in utter disbelief at what was taking place. The little girl started to change form, the water seeping into her body. The body of the girl turned into liquid, almost melting into water. She then took the form of blue, adolescent mermaid with fins for ears and two wing-like fins on her back. Her hair is parted in the middle with several strands emanating from the top with a scaly band decorating her forehead. Her eyes opened up and sharp fangs protruded themselves out of her mouth. A dark, sinister laugh rung throughout the area.

"Now you see my true form! I was once a water nymph from the same place where the Firebirds lived. My people were very peaceful folk until the humans invaded!" Her voice had an echo-like edge to it, making Gray feel uncomfortable. "The war brought nothing but devastation to my people and they were wiped out! All of my friends and family turned into puddles! And it was then, while I was alone in the world, he came to me!"

"He? Who's he?" Gray asked, stepping back from the lake's edge.

"The Dark Shadow…"

Flashback…

A sobbing figure sat in the middle of the river. Her long blue hair streamed in front of her face as she wept. Minami barely made it out alive after the humans raided her village. Now, she was the only nymph left.

"Oh you poor sweet child…" A strange voice mused as Manami looked up. "Last of your kind and left all alone, how about you come with me instead?"

"Um…who are you?" She sniffled, wiping her cheeks. "I-I-I don't even know your name…"

Suddenly, a dark figure appeared in front of her. A shadowy figure gave himself a humanoid form, to make it easier for her to see him.

"They call me Dark Shadow, with you in my ranks; I can finally make my mark on this world. All I need for you to do…" He placed a hand on her head. "Is to say you'll accept my offer."

Minami hesitated for a second before seeing two other figures appear behind Dark Shadow. One was a redheaded boy with a smirk on his face and the other was a girl with white hair.

"Is she to be part of our ranks Master?" The white haired girl asked.

"She's pretty cute! I hope she'll make a great little sis!" The redhead said.

Manami blushed deep red at that comment, making the water around her boil. The other two children laughed and walked near the river to see her. The Dark Shadow chuckled a bit too.

"So are you joining our family or not?" The white haired girl reached out her hand.

She looked at the hand, longing for another chance at family. Another chance to set things right.

Manami shook that hand.

Flashback end…

"So that's who you work for? For someone so young, you hold a lot of hate towards humans." Gray replied, seeing her sad face.

"Yes it was humans who destroyed everyone I loved. Dark Shadow gave me a new life and a new family to call my own. If I can have a family like them, then there's nothing in this world that won't stop me from reviving the Firebird!" She screeched and shot towards Gray. "AND THAT MEANS BY KILLING YOU!"

Gray just stood there, waiting for her to strike. Seeing the fist about to strike him, he put a hand up. Minami gasped as ice formed around her hand and ran its way up her arm.

"You aren't the only one who's lost someone important to them. I lost my parents, my teacher, and even her daughter. But the difference between you and me is that I didn't join the dark side for revenge. Instead I found a new family that helped me up and showed me a better way."

Frozen icicles formed around him, the air getting even colder. Manami saw the lake freezing over, the ice traveling up her body. She shivered, feeling numbness taking over her midsection.

"Sorry, but it doesn't matter if you're a little girl or even a nymph. I don't go easy on anybody who hurts my comrades." Gray looked up at her, making her quake with fear.

"No, stay back! Stop you're hurting me!" She screamed, her crystal ball glowing ever brighter.

The ball, that's it! That's where her powers lie! Gray thought. Channeling the power inside him, he used his other hand to form his magic seal.

"ICE-MAKE: FROZEN FURY!" A snowflake pattern appears on his hand as he thrust his palm forward. He hits the crystal ball, making icicles shatter the orb on impact. Manami screamed, her body freezing up entirely, as she falls forward on the ground. With a loud THUD!, her frozen form is left in a state of shock.

"I hope you'll one day see the error of your ways. But for now, you need to chill out." He grimaced at his pun. "Man I've been hanging around Natsu too long. And where the heck are my shorts?"

Meanwhile….

"Manami was defeated! Impossible!" Sayomi sighed to herself and gritted her teeth. "First Era gets beaten by the Sky Dragoness and now Manami has fallen to the Ice Wizard? So much for being the Elemental Knights…"

She turned around to see the petrified state of Lucy Heartfilia. She was currently in a dark crystal that was slowly siphoning her magical energy.

"And she was a total weakling! I hoped for her to give a proper fight. Now I'll have to see what Chimaru will do to the Knight Girl…"

Her eyes flashed red as her shadow gave an evil smile.

Next time: Chimaru the Earth Swordmaster vs. Erza the Knight!

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And boy did I make Gray look awesome or what?