This willingness was weakening the mind control effects, only strengthened if the opponent isn't willing… There was a scowl from Emil, the glow from his and Natsu's eye's fading a bit but not completely.
'Just as I thought' Gray though to himself before lunging forward and fighting Natsu as they usually did every day inside of the guild.
Gray ran at Natsu, getting in a few hits with his ice magic, however, it was short lived as Natsu used fire dragon breath on his teammate.
Gray managed to dodge it mostly "Shit… I should have seen that coming…" he groaned holding his burnt arm. Natsu grabbed Gray and started battling like they did back at the Guild, with enthusiasm but not deadly. While they fought, a small conversation arose, quiet enough for Emil to not hear, all he was doing was standing amused at his show.
"Natsu… Listen to me… In a minute I need you to drain your entire magic supply, that way you aren't much of a threat and I can make a move on washing-line over there" Gray told him, avoiding punches and returning some.
"W-What? Why you? Why can't I beat up that hat stand?" Natsu grumbled causing Gray to sigh.
"Are you stupid or something?"
"I'm Not Stupid!" Natsu growled
"Okay, Okay… Look, you're under his mind magic already… he can't control two at a time, or else he'd have gotten me already… so just go along with it alright?" Gray looked into Natsu's eyes, exchanging momentary conversational glances before nodding to each other.
"Alright" Natsu stood, out of breath a little before firing up "You've made me mad now!" He shouted putting on a display, he suddenly combusted, crying out as he raised his power more and more until he was sweating and his legs were starting to feel like jelly.
Gray watched, glancing past Natsu to see Emil's eyes widen considerably, 'he obviously underestimated us' Gray thought with a chuckle before looking back at Natsu and nodded, giving the signal.
Putting everything he had into this one attack "Fire Dragon ROAR!" he yelled and released the attack towards Gray who had jumped up onto a high wall, this way Natsu's attack will be directed towards the sky and not harm anyone.
Gray jumped out of the way just in time, and made haste towards Emil, who of which seemed to be mesmerised by Natsu's attack. Gray took this chance, staying quiet and out of sight "Ice mage prison" he whispered, not wanting to snap Emil out of the trance. A cage of ice suddenly surrounded Emil, finally snapping out of it "What the-?!"
Natsu panted heavily before giving Gray the thumbs up "Maybe this battle was a little overkill, but nice job" he spoke exhausted before collapsing on the floor "I-I… I'm just gunna lie here for a bit" he added.
Gray laughed, "Alright, you rest, I'll call in the guards to have this one arrested" he glanced at Emil who hadn't moved and was back to his stoic expression.
'This was too easy… I wonder how the girls are doing…' Gray thought before going over to the cage.
He called the magic council's guards using a communication lacrima, then glanced at his beaten opponent "you're very calm for someone that's about to be arrested" Gray spoke, sceptical on his win.
Emil stared at him with an expression that sent chills down Gray's back.
"Arrested you say?" Emil raised a brow "I doubt that will be the case, my brother is the one that likes to have all the fun, I just like to tag along for the experience and information" he told the ice mage.
Just after hearing this Gray and Natsu heard the scream from the other side of the town "T-That… That sounded like…" Natsu started to stand again, Gray looking to the south with worry.
"Erza!" They both finished in unison.
On the other side of town Lucy still lay pale and unconscious on the bench out of harms way, Erza on the other hand, looked like she'd been hit by a train, her armour bashed and broken, crouching on the floor heaving for breath "N-No… How… How can you be this strong?... You're not even from a guild" She panted, looking up at the spotless Jacob with one eye, the other closed from blood leaking over it.
Jacob shrugged "wouldn't you like to know missy~ but that was one hell of a scream, I'll give you that~" he laughed, causing Erza to feel helpless for the first time in a long time, how could she be so weak...? Was it the 7 year gap…?
"Oh? What's this? Looks like the show is just about to start, oh, seems my brother needs me too~ I'll be sure to watch the show from a far~!" Jacob grinned widely rubbing his hands together like he was waiting for a feast.
"W-What are you talking about?" Erza strained, trying to get up.
"Your knights in shining armour are coming, but I think the ending will be a bit boring if I don't give a tiny bit of assistance" he hummed tapping his lip with his index finger/claw.
He then leaned in real close to Erza before whispering four words.
Once Upon a Time~
(A/N: I hope this chapter was ok . I suck at writing battle scenes hahaha I'm a sucker for putting more detail in to dramatic and/or romantic scenes . Forgive me hahaha~ Review below what you think Jacob is talking about~)