The FJ chpt. 18
Erza Scarlet was angry.
The sentence alone didn't quite do her feelings justice. The white hot rage she was experiencing, there were no words capable of describing.
Currently dawning her fastest armor, Titiana was racing across the open road as quick as her legs could carry. The moment she learned of her teams horrendous stupidity, Erza had very nearly snapped. Her guild, a place that had grown accustomed to her erratic fits of violence had shrank back in terror at her furry.
Those fools. Those stupid, ignorant fools had done the unthinkable. They had stolen an S-class mission.
Erza had never expected something so atrocious, especially not from Natsu. While often times stubborn, even borderline ignorant, Natsu wasn't stupid. Not by any stretch. Arrogant at times perhaps but never stupid. The boy knew first hand the horror of taking a mission unprepared could result in.
'Yet here they were,' she thought with an audible growl. Not only had Natsu convinced his companion Happy but he had brought along Lucy as well. If that wasn't enough, despite everything, Gray had joined them.
It was easy to berate the masters choice to send that particular person but hindsight was twenty-twenty. In truth, Erza knew it was a difficult position.
The master couldn't just cancel the mission because of practical reasons and the fact he would severely hurt Fairy Tail's image. If news got out that the guild couldn't regulate it's missions it could prove disastrous. Not just in the group of cliental but legal ramifications as well. There were reasons why S-class was very specific. Entire regulations set down by the Fiora government to prevent such things from happening. Fairy Tail more than any other guild with far higher standards in what actually constitutes an S-class wizard.
There was also the fact to consider that very few members would have been able to forcible pull Natsu back from such a mission. Natsu was very capable mage, when passionate about his cause even Erza herself struggled with him. Not to mention adding in a power house like Lucy. At the moment only a hand full of members were capable of such a feat. Even then, most were either unavailable or simply unwilling to help.
The only one left was Gray. While individually as strong as Natsu or Lucy, he couldn't force them both back. That left only two options. Convincing them to retreat. Or reinforcements.
While the rational point of her brain understood this, Erza couldn't fight the irrational anger towards Gray. Knowing him, he probably didn't try very hard (or at all) to get his teammates to retreat. If anything, he would have been insulted at not being invited.
Erza grit her teeth so hard she was sure they might have cracked. This entire situation was just so frustrating. She was angry at EVERYTHING and EVERYONE.
That wasn't what she needed though. She needed to be clear headed going into the unknown.
She couldn't change what was already done, and blindly rushing in a fit of rage wouldn't help matters. The truth was she was scared. It was a horrible aching feeling that refused to go away. Even though Erza trusted her teammates she couldn't help the worry.
They were strong, she reminded herself. Natsu and Gray were quickly becoming two of Fairy Tails top mages. In terms of fighting ability few could match them. Natsu was a Dragon Slayer. Destruction incarnate, and with the sheer stubbornness that at times he simply refused to give up. And Gray was quite possibly the most skilled Ice Mage Erza had ever seen, bar none. He might not have the raw destructive power his fiery rival had but Gray was clever. He was a sharp mind and could create a limitless number of ice constructs to match any situation.
Erza knew them both so well. She had fought with them, fought against (however one sided it may have been) and she knew them. They were her allies. One of her first true friends she had made at Fairy Tail. They were her family. But they weren't ready, at least, not yet. They were still too young, too inexperienced to be thrown into the chaos Erza's world had to offer. They had the skill but not the experience needed.
Then there was Lucy . . . the name caused a torrent of emotions to swell in the red head's armored chest. Her feet self consciously quickening when the blonde's face came into view. Yet again, Erza cursed Natsu for his stupidity. How could he do this? How could he not see that this kind hearted girl was so pained and desperate for friendship that she would follow him anywhere?
Lucy would follow Natsu and Happy anywhere, would do anything if they only asked. It was obvious from the moment they met the blonde held them close to her heart. She only hoped she was alright. It was all she could do.
The trip to Hargion port was made far faster than Erza could ever recall making. Driven by the impending sense of doom Erza Scarlet's feet were frantically moving up and down the bustling port looking for three mages and their blue cat.
Up and down the little port the S-class wizard of Fairy Tail ran. For some time she continued the process, shouting out to her comrades in some faint sense of hope they would hear. Of course, she knew this wasn't the case. Erza was too far behind them and the ground she had to cover was daunting. They had likely already made their way onto the island. The battle had likely already began.
The setting sun, shining over the horizon was only a grim reminder to Erza how far behind she really was. She looked up and around her position on a lone dock, eyes casting out to the island off in the distance and sighed. She was fighting off a multitude of foolish thoughts. Looking down into the water, idly studying her features of her reflection before looking away. She was tempted to swim, even fly across the mass of water but stopped herself.
While she had more magic power than most that didn't mean she was all powerful. The armory that granted Titiania flight were taxing in strength. Perhaps she could make the flight but that would be it. She couldn't fight after, at least not effectively. And if she couldn't fight then why did she even bother to come?
She rumbled on the question, walking slowly up the pier along the port. She needed a way across. If her team wasn't here then it only stood to reason that they found a way across. She would have to do the same. During her frantic search up and down Erza had noticed that very few would answer her questions. Even fewer willing to talk to the wizard once once she mentioned her cause. Something about her mission to this island was causing everyone to avoid her. All but one that is . . .
Erza caught sight of a man staring at her. He was off by a ship with a less than savory looking crew flanking him, all the marking of a pirate, she thought sourly. Still, "My name is Erza Scarlet," The wizard greeted none the less, her expression stone-faced, as she approached.
There was a slight pause in the man's expression, his eyes wavering before he let out a throaty laugh. It was a bit forced, she thought. "I know who you be, Titinia! Not a man on Fiora doesn't know that armor yer wearing."
"You know who I am?" Erza intoned, "Seeing as you are the only person here that hasn't ran from me, I must make a request of you."
Again the man laughed, his crew joining in as they all looked down upon her. "What might the great Fairy Queen need from us, aye?"
Suddenly Erza was before the man, his massive form shrinking back by the intensity of Erza's gaze. "You will take me to Galuna island!"
The Fairy's Jinchuriki
(Natsu)
"Fire dragon's-ugh. . " A painful grunt left Natsu Dragneel's lips as he was once again cut off mid sentence by the blue bastard, Burter.
Reeling back a hand came up to rub at the red mark across his split lip. Feeling the frustration whell up inside of him Natsu growled spiting the blood out by his feet.
"Stand still already, would you?" He groaned.
The chuckling chortle from the blue man had Natsu all the more furious.
"What's the matter? Can't the Dragon Slayer keep up?" He laughed again. "Not that I'm surprised, I am the fastest in all of Fi-" He cut himself off noticing the flaming fist inches from his face.
Twisting off to the side and simultaneously kicking out, the flaming boy was sent spinning away on his back side. Natsu didn't hesitate.
Kicking up, Natsu was once again on his feet charging forward. Burter wanted to laugh at the idiotic display but held his tongue, suddenly he was dodging a much faster strike. The brightness of the orange flames licking the pinked haired teens form strong enough to sting the eye.
Jumping to the side Burter caught the tail end of the flames protruding from the boy's feet.
Using his own power as a propulsion Natsu had managed to dramatically increase his speed. Judging by the way the Dragon Slayer blasted off into the distance he had never tried it before. Burter smirked, this kid wouldn't be able to keep up with him, not after he showed his true speed.
Smashing a fire encased foot into the ground Natsu strained at the massive effort of stopping himself. Moving at speeds he could barely keep track of, he hadn't expected the blue man to dodge.
This was bad. Natsu might have had a reputation of being dense and at times he could agree. Most of his plans were insane, thought up on the fly, the Dragon Slayer often had very explosive results when he fought. He wasn't so ignorant to not see the outcome of this fight. Natsu simply couldn't keep up with the speed mage. In his last lung he had moved at speeds he never dared try, and he knew to leave it at that.
The thing about speed was that if you couldn't watch out around you what was the point?
In one of his many failed attempts at fighting Erza, he'd found that much out. Well, it was more like the woman pounded the lesson into him as he tried to match her speed with his own. If you moved past your ability to react you wouldn't be able to dodge your opponents counter strike.
A frown played across his face. Even moving at nearly his max Burter had counter with ease. He didn't look to be trying. A frustrated moan escaped. That wasn't the worst part, this man, Burter . . . What he was doing was beyond simple speed magic, Jet could do that and Natsu beat him easily. No, this was definitely different.
While Natsu might not be as fast as someone like Jet, or this Burter, he had always more than made up for it in his senses. The Dragon Slayer had reflexes that usually allowed him to keep up with someone like him. In distance, sure the difference in speed was apparent but in close combat Natsu had the instincts of a Dragon. Able to predict an opponent movement often before they even moved. Not now though . . .
'This is so unfair.' He seethed. Natsu could still hear the echoing booms nearby. 'Why the hell did that bastard Gray get to fight the other guy? He would have made a much better opponent . . .'
The idea came to him so suddenly and with such clarity he only just managed to resist face palming.
"Why didn't I think of that sooner!?" He exclaimed.
Taking a brief moment, Natsu was silently thanking the stars Erza wasn't there to witness his massive lapse in judgment. Oh, the things she would have to say about this. Still, He grinned a vicious tooth filled smile.
"What are you smirking at pinky?" A cool voice questioned.
"Nothing." Natsu answered confidently. "Just thought off a way to beat you is all."
Burter raised an eyebrow in challenge. 'Was he serious?' The fool couldn't possible think he could win could he? He hadn't even laid a finger on him yet.
He was about to voice it, even throw in a couple taunts but the pink haired kid suddenly shot into the sky like a rocket, flames shooting him up.
He waved. "Bye."
"Hey! Where the hell are you going?!"
TfJ
"Jace, Bomb!"
"Ice make, Wall!"
Throwing his hands together a blue magic circle formed instantly creating a giant wall of ice. The massive construct exploded to life, the air actually frosting over behind Gray as it stood tall and imposing before its caster. The wall was thick and created with a massive amount of Gray's magical power that was nearly his best. Not a second later the creation shattered into a billion different little shards of ice.
Blinking, Gray felt his face fall as the ground around him shook. He was blown back, Gray Fullbuster hissed in pain as burns marred his body. Bouncing off the unforgiving earth his shirt ripped leaving in it's wake dark stains of blood.
The air around him was still blowing back, the shock evident across his features as the newly created flames shined brightly at the ice mage.
"What the hell?" He muttered. That Ice wall had been massive, pouring magic into the Ice Make the thickness alone could have stopped even one of Natsu's most explosive techniques. But it was like it wasn't even there.
Gray frowned in thought.
"Jace, Blast!"
Rocking back Gray threw his body to the side, just avoiding another massive explosion.
The ground tore apart in its wake, huge orange flames bursting forth just as a bang filled the air. Even having avoided the strike the force behind the blast rocked the ice wizard back.
Skidding to a halt the Gray bounced to his feet, hands already forming a seal, "Ice Make, Lance." The words gave his creation structure then shape as he thrusted the spear creation forward.
Having been a member of Fairy Tail for most of his life Gray knew a little about explosions. Whatever magic this Jace character was using was some kind of bomb magic. If he couldn't match the explosive power with a shield then he would just have to divert it.
There was always a moment, a small window of opportunity between when a bomb hit it's target and exploded. All Gray had to do was strike at the right moment, either he deflected the blast or pierced it prematurely. He chose the latter.
The point of his spear would fly straight through the circle mass of magic. The explosion would still go off, sure, but it wouldn't be nearly as destructive. He just had to pick his moment.
Standing off in the distance Gray spotted him. Jace was clearing the explosion made moments ago with a wave of his right hand. His left was pointed right at Gray. They both simultaneously fired their attacks.
His plan was simple. His lance would spear the blast in two, the resulting explosion would clear around the ice wizard, giving him enough time to close the distance and end things. While definitely strong, the other Mage didn't look like he could handle a fight up close. Maybe it was because of his already small frame or just because his magic was so destructive, Gray didn't think he'd fought often with his hands.
That's how he would win. Gray was probably strongest in his ranged attacks but he took pride in his hand to hand combat. Years of fighting Natsu day in and out had battered and shaped his body to the point he knew he could handle himself better then guy could ever hope too.
As the two forces met Gray expected an after shock but not on this level. The moment his lance touched the red ball of energy the impact nearly blew him off his feet. His Ice did absolutely nothing. It should have hit fast enough to blow his opponents attack off course but something was wrong. There was no pause, nothing, just a bang. He thought it would have sent the attack into a short of coned style, going away from his body.
Instead, multiple waves broke out between the two combating Mages. Rippling forward the bomb detonated shooting forward so fast Gray didn't have have time to create a massive construct, only able to form a flimsy shield across his forearm.
Flames rocked across his body, the pain he felt enough to make him cry out. Gray wrenched back, skin burning under the fiery wave but he never gave in. Gritting his teeth Gray fought forward, a magical spike of his own created at the last moment enveloping him in a frigid ice dome.
The fiery blast continued to rage about but this time, curiously enough his ice held firm. Gray was at a lose. What had happened? His attack might not have been enough to outright cancel out the other strike but it should have at least changed the trajectory. It hadn't done anything though. Nothing. It was as if the blast had exploded without Gray's own being there at all. In fact, it happened to moment he struck.
Continuing to watch behind his ice, Gray followed the dwindling flames that were still being held back. This was what he expected but why now? What was different about this shield as opposed to another?
As the last of the fire died down, so did Gray's construct. Breaking apart at the seems the ice came apart in giant chunks revealing a red faced Ginyu member.
"That was a good trick, mate." Jace commented. His smirk was one Gray had seen before but it held some caution now. He was slowly pacing around Gray remaining ice, eyes tracking it warily before meeting his gaze. "But you'll have to do better than that."
"Don't worry," He grumbled. "I intend too."
Gray knew his opponent was wary of the ice and in all honesty he'd hoped to catch him off guard with this but it didn't matter now. The way things were going Gray was definitely at a disadvantage. Even if expected, Jace wasn't quite fast enough to dodge all of the ice littering the ground and react to Gray himself as well.
Ignoring the pain that rattled his burnt body Gray swiped his arms across his chest, the ice moving at his will. His only option was to use that power of his to change the surrounding area.
He hadn't gotten a chance to really try this before hand but trying times and all that. Gray had always leaned toward the solid aspect of creation magic but he knew more than enough about his masters abilities and his fellow students alive aspect too work out the kinks.
The connection was within his grasp. The tiny thrills of his own magic still held within his old constructs responding. The ice moving to his will as it warped and spun before striking out toward Jace.
It wasn't the most subtle thing in the world but it was enough. Jace responded immediately with an outstretched arm, instantly vaporizing the ice in a massive display but Gray was already moving.
Augmenting his speed with a simple sheet of ice across the ground, Gray shot forward. Whipping around his own ice just in time he managed to sidestep Jace's attack.
Gray knew it was coming, his vision was obscured from actually seeing the strike unfold but he knew where to expect it from. He'd chose the direction carefully so majority of the strike came away from him. Opening Jace up for a strike. Pivoting back Gray cupped his hands together with a smack before twisting around.
"Ice make, Hammer!"
Swinging the massive club on a pivot Gray launched his body into a twist intending to crush the white haired wizard. Vaulting up into the air and twisting over the explosion, Gray was baring down on him. He saw the smirk, only then realizing his mistake. Twisting a single hand and pointing to the ground, a red lind appeared. The energy flowed outward underneath pointing up in his direction.
Gray knew what was happening as the energy erupted.
Luckily the explosion flared out meeting his hammer in near equal strength. It was just enough for him to escape with only a few extra burns.
Laughing into the sky Jace was practically glowing as he openly examined Gray. "Do you get it now yeh Bloke? These aren't normal bombs. My power doesn't create them, it turns anything it touches into the bomb. Your puny ice doesn't stand a chance!"
"We'll see about that!" Gray roared power flooding to the surface. He wasn't about to lose here. Natsu, Lucy, Happy; they all needed his help. He wouldn't lose!
"Ice make, Hail Storm!"
Scanner blinking radically Jace threw his arms at his sides. "Now that's what I'm talking about Fairy Tail mage!" His eyes twinkling as they reflected off the light of hundreds of ice sickles launching toward him. "This is more I like it." Summoning his own power a red sphere surrounded the ginyu member.
The explosion could be heard for miles.