Hey guys! I know, right? Two chapters in one day? Crazy! But I caught the writing bug and I'm ready to get this story moving! But anyways, I got another review to respond to. Righel: Did you really think it was that good? I still need work on my writing, so I didn't think it was. In other news, I start winter semester classes tomorrow, and I found a new anime addiction! If you haven't watched The Seven Deadly Sins on Netflix, I highly recommend it. The entire series was compelling and flowed really well, and I would assume there is going to be another season, and I can't wait! Anyways, enough of my ramblings. Storm Out! Enjoy!
"Absolutely not!" Erza slammed her iron-clad fist on the table in the center of the cavern, concern coloring her features. "It's too dangerous to engage a force like that head on!" "But I'm not saying we engage them head on!" Gajeel practically growled at the requip mage. He put his head in his palm. "Basically, we split into pairs and divide the main force between our best fighters. Sort of a divide and conquer strategy, if ya will." "I still say it's too dangerous. We've seen the power the enemy possesses. They've managed to take down nearly our entire guild. And just recently. With Gray, Lucy, and Juvia, they've managed to take out three of our best remaining fighters-" "WHICH IS EXACTLY WHY WE SHOULD STRIKE FIRST!" an angry shout came from the other side of the cavern, and everyone turned to see Natsu standing on the far side of the cavern, his fist embedded in the pillar that he had just punched, which slowly crumbled away. "If we just sit here and do nothing, they will just continue to pick us off! They've already taken more away from us then most could handle-"At this, he broke down, collapsing to his knees sobbing. "Lucy, I'm sorry. If I had gotten there quicker…if I had just gone with you, instead of staying here." The others sat there, feeling for the Fire Dragon Slayer. They wished that there was something they could do, but Gajeel and Laxus had explained it to them what Natsu was going through. They just couldn't imagine the pain he was going through. No longer was he carefree, fun-loving Salamander that they knew and loved. Now, he was cold and focused when he had something to do, but when he was left with nothing to do, he was, in a word, broken. Silent, distant, and prone to violent outbursts against the numerous rock formations in the cavern, completely reducing them to rubble.
"Natsu is right. We need to start taking the offensive approach." Everyone turned to see Erin still at the table where they held their meetings. "We've been reacting to everything that the Alliance has thrown our way, and its cost us dearly. We need to start doing what Fairy Tail does best. Act, don't react." "Exactly!" Gajeel exclaimed, striding forward to stand by the storm wizard. "If we launch an attack, the Alliance won't know what hit them." Erza bowed her head. She knew that all three of them spoke sense, but one thing held her back. "I can't lose any more!" she yelled. "I've already lost too much. My childhood, my friends, my family, the guild…I can't bear the thought of losing what little remains…" She trailed off as Erin wrapped his arms around her, turning and sobbing into his chest.
"I know how you feel, Red," Erin said, using her old nickname from when they first started dating. "But if we stay on the defensive, we'll die without having done anything to stop the Alliance, and we'll just keep losing." Erin sighed as he looked at the ceiling of the chamber. If we have any chance of surviving this, we HAVE to launch an attack. It's the only choice we have left." Tears began to stream from his eyes as he looked back at Erza. "Plus, if we must die, we'll make sure they never forget our names, and that the guild of Fairy Tail will go down in legend as the greatest guild in all of Fiore. But I CAN not and WILL not sit back and watch as I lose everyone I care about to those monsters."
The room fell silent, everyone looking at the pair in the center. After the impassioned speech from Erin, they waited to see how his lover would respond. Finally, Erza looked up into Erin's eyes. "You're right. Why do you always have to be right?" "Because I'm just that good." He responded with a smile. He glanced around at the others. "Well," he said, a look of determination on his face, "what are you all waiting for? We've got a counterattack to plan."
"So we'll use Gajeel's plan, but we have to pick and choose where we fight them. If any non-magical people get involved, then…" "They won't. They know to steer clear of wizard fights. But anyways, how are we going to split up?" Laxus queried, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "That's easy. We'll pair up." Erin said with a determined smirk. "I'll go with Gajeel. My long-range attacks should pair well with his techniques." "Sounds like a plan!" Gajeel remarked, clenching his fist. "In that case, I shall go with Mira. Our enemies will tremble before us." Erza stated, a steely glint in her eye. "Are you sure?" Mira said, a mischievous edge to her tone. "I don't know if Little Miss Armor can handle that kind of pressure!" "I do believe I could ask the same of you, She-Devil." Erza said, returning the joke in full. "Alright, break it up, ladies, you're both pretty." Laxus said, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I'll go with Natsu. Somebody's gotta make sure that he's able to stop himself, and I wouldn't mind being able to let loose on these Alliance bastards myself." "Oh, yeah, now I'm all fired up," Natsu growled, menace in every syllable he uttered. "Those bastards are going to pay a thousand times over for taking my Lucy away from me." "In that case," Gildarts said, standing to his full height, "I'll take Elfman with me." "Damn straight!" Elfman roared. "A real man makes his enemies pay for hurting his friends, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a real man!" "We'll stay behind and watch camp." Alzack said, walking up to the table with Bisca and Asuka in tow. "As will we." Cana and Levy said. "If they think they can attack here, they've got another thing coming!" "Alright, then it's settled." Erza said. "We leave at dawn, and we'll split up at the base of the mountain. Happy hunting!"
"Oh, yeah," Erin whispered, fire in his eyes. "Fairy Tail is back!"
OH YEAH! Finally, a chapter without a death! I realize that up until now, and even in the first half of this chapter, the characters are slightly (or in Natsu's case this chapter, very) OOC, but remember, these guys are going through one of the darkest times their guild has ever seen. So bear with me, please. But anyway, should have some action, and MAYBE a little bit of fluff in the next couple of chapters. Once again, any feedback is most appreciated. Peace, guys! Storm OUT!