All Rights to Hiro Mashima
This chapter is dedicated to my Bathtub in which I had a major brainwave about this next chapter while I was just chilling out, soaking my pruney toes this afternoon.
I had so many people review about that little tidbit about the dragons I left last time and about who was holding them prisoner. (I WONDER WHO THAT IS.) But seriously, my precious cupcakes. I love sassy Igneel who has all the answers and snark out the wazoo, and I hate killing him off cause...feels. #PAPAIGNEELISALIVEANDKICKIN
BEWARE! IRRATIONAL DECISIONS AND SASSY KINGS!
Chapter 36: Spinel
This stone is often confused for rubies and sapphires, there are two very famous Spinel's that were both thought to be rubies, the first was the Black Prince's Ruby – part of the Crown Jewels of England now – and the second was the Timur Ruby from India given to Queen Elizabeth and set as a necklace, also part of the Crown Jewels of England.
Laxus pounded on Lucy's door with a closed fist, trying in vain to reign in his more Dragony tendencies for heightened senses, and in this particular situation; hearing. There were many things that he felt that he was ready for in this world. Meeting Zeref in battle, letting the world know that he loved Freed more than anything else, and telling Lucy that he was indeed the one who had broken her favourite training bow six years ago – that one was a bit iffy cause she was…Lucy and he didn't truly want to die – were among the many things that he knew he could handle.
Hearing his baby sister shriek out Natsu's name in the middle of what sounded like a world shattering orgasm was not one of those things.
And it never would be.
"OI! PERVERTS! We have a situation developing in the courtyard! The Ageless Witch is here and Fullbuster is beating you to her location."
A single exclamation of 'FUCK!' was heard from within, then scrambling, mutters, a crash of metal on stone, glass shattering, then silence.
Until he heard Natsu swearing colourfully not five seconds later.
"Natsu? What's going on?"
The door was almost ripped off its hinges to reveal a half dressed absolutely livid Drake seething and gnashing his teeth together, smoke leaking out from between his lips. As an answer, Natsu pointed to the obvious window that held no glass. The room was devoid of a certain Celestial Mage and Laxus had an inkling of suspicion of exactly where she went.
Laxus pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers and squinted through a tension headache he felt coming on. "She jumped out the fucking window again didn't she?"
"Tch. I love your sister, but goddamn is she going to give me a fucking heart attack."
"Welcome to the club."
Muttering darkly, Natsu decided to follow Nova's exit while Laxus sprinted down the corridor. If nothing else, Lucy always knows how to make a statement.
-ooo-
Lucy's feet hit the ground solidly, displacing the inertia that her body had gathered from falling down three stories as a ring of energy that blew everyone's hair back. She thanked her lucky stars for Erza and her insight to commission her favourite magical armour once again.
She knew her hair was a mess, and she only had time to throw on her leggings, a simple undershirt that really didn't cover anything, her grieves, gauntlets, belt – complete with sword and whip – strap her bow on her back, materialise her favourite golden broad sword and jump the fuck out of that window. It was the fastest route to where she needed to be – her room looked right over the courtyard in a stroke of luck – and she knew, she just fucking knew that at least two Dragons were going to berate her for scaring them again.
She watched the incredulous face of Sting melt away into concern for her and confusion on why she didn't have any broken bones and she mentally added another tick to her tally.
Now there were three Dragons who were going to chew her out.
In her defence, Gray was a little unstable when it came to three things.
Nix.
His sister.
And anything to do with Deliora.
Unfortunately, this had to do with the second, seeing as the Ageless Witch was none other than his older sister, Ultear Milkovitch.
A quick look around the area had her tense and ready for anything. All the Generals and most of the Lieutenants were here, including all the Dragon Slayers, the King, Crime Sorciere, and Mystogan.
For the first time in a week, she suddenly wondered where Gildarts was, but that thought was pushed out of her mind as Laxus finally came huffing out the front doors that were left open – shooting her a very unsavoury look at the same time – and Natsu touching down almost silently behind her, his presence warming her as only he could.
As he stood tall behind her, a curious thing happened almost instantly. All the Slayers – to a lesser extent Laxus and Cobra (the only angled their bodies his way) – drifted around them in a rough semi-circle while Sting came to stand directly beside her, his shoulder almost touching her own. Wendy came forward silently and handed a white scarf to Natsu, who nodded and looped the garment around his neck and whispered something so low it was lost to the still air.
To say she was bewildered would be putting it lightly, but she resolved to ask questions later as the reason for this impromptu 'meeting' had finally lowered her hood.
A hush fell over the group and the only sound that was heard was the light breeze shifting through the trees and the heavy breathing of Gray who was being held back by a stony Lyon. In the state that his brother was in – Devil Slaying notwithstanding – the silver haired lieutenant was the only one who could even possibly touch him, and even then, Lyon's fingers were starting to turn blue from the building frost.
Thank the Gods that someone had the sense to keep Gray from getting out of hand. For someone who ruled over ice, something so cool and collected, his emotions over certain things were as explosive as fire.
"You have summoned me here Ms Milkovitch, speak before things dissolve into something even I can't handle."
Ultear stood tall while the person behind her finally lowered her hood as well to show the Maguility Mage Meredy. Both looked…worse for wear, to say the least. Their cloaks were in tatters, faces pale and gaunt while Ultear's hand shook as she clasped the snowflake brooch that was pinned to her cape for comfort. They looked as if they had ran here without rest straight from the blasted lands surrounding the Black City.
She didn't mince words, to Lucy's happiness. To say she was uncomfortable with this situation was an understatement. It was unprecedented and sent more than one shiver down her spine. If the Ageless Witch had come to them with information, it was either a very well disguised trap, or something was about to happen. "The Black Wizard is floundering. Something far more dangerous than himself has cropped on the edge of his radar. He wants to regroup but doesn't want to leave himself at a disadvantage. So, in his haste, he has given the signal for the Dead Demons and Tartaros to march to your location. They will be here in five days' time."
Silence reigned in the little group as smoke from Natsu's mouth and Makarov's pipe mingled in the air before being blown away by the wind.
Gray broke free from Lyon's hold with a snarl, his Demon tattoos spiralling up his arm and across his face, one of his eyes turning a bright silver.
No one had ever seen him move that fast and in an instant, he had his sister in a vice grip, the claws of his possessed hand digging into the fragile skin on Ultear's neck.
Everyone gasped, while Erza swore and made to move forward to remove her lieutenant from this precarious position. Then she would teach him a lesson on how things should be handled with tact and composure. Then beat the living snot out of him for good measure. But she was stopped by a hand on both shoulders. She knew both intimately.
On one side, her husband, his fingers long and smooth, skin palms scarred from his time in the tower as a child. On the other, Nova's cold metal gauntlet.
She decided to listen to them and nodded once to show that she understood. This was Gray's fight, and Lyon's should he chose to go forward. She wouldn't interfere, for now.
"Why should we believe anything that you say? You deserted us! Your family! LYON AND I WERE STILL CHILDREN AND YOU LEFT US ALONE!"
Meredy swayed were she stood, either from exhaustion or fright and sat down heavily on the ground gaping at the angry Devil Slayer, while Ultear just looked tired, all the fight gone from her body. She didn't look surprised at this turn of events, instead, she looked like she had seen this coming from a mile away. "Deliora."
"That's not a true answer and you know it Ultear." Gray shook her by the neck and swallowed heavily. "Explain!" He hissed between clenched teeth. Lucy watched as the tattoo started to stretch and cover more of his face, the dense blackness consuming his nose and chin as his anger started to get the better of him.
Erza shifted restlessly in place readying herself to move forward at a moment's notice. But it was a surprise for most when Natsu, in his half Dragon form and wearing a single pair of loose breeches to cover himself clamped his hand down on Gray's shoulder and started to whisper into his ear.
The next moment, Gray had released Ultear so that she could slump on the ground and gasp and hack as her airways opened up completely. "Speak Ultear."
"I have—I…have been draining Deliora's strength for almost a decade. He was nearly invincible before but now…you have a fighting chance to bury him in the dirt where he belongs."
Lyon shook his head as if he didn't believe her. "There is no proof that what you say is true."
She smiled, the curve of her mouth conveying weak humour and none of the usual wickedness. "There will be when you defeat him as easily as if he was nothing more than a rabid dog."
Makarov tapped his chin while Natsu released Gray's shoulder once the Devil Slayer seemed to come back to himself, pulling his magic back into himself and letting the tattoos fade away.
Laxus rolled his eyes at his Grandfather, knowing exactly what the elderly man was thinking, they had END among their ranks and what used to be the Seis, why not two more defectors as well? Lucy seemed to already be there as she summoned Virgo who bound both exhausted women loosely and made off for the underground cells with Ultear over one shoulder and Meredy over the other. Wendy, Charles and Happy trailed behind her, ready to lend assistance.
"Thank you, my girl. That saved us a lot of trouble." The King bowed his head neatly towards a very dishevelled Lucy. "Now, we seem to be nearing a battle and need to start on preparations. Levy, I trust you have a preliminary plan?"
The bluenette nodded slowly. "I do my liege. Would you like to hear it?"
Natsu raised his hands sheepishly before Makarov could answer, much to Lucy's confusion. "We have a bit of a problem before that happens that I want to share, it complicates matters a little bit if delayed."
"Go on Natsu, Gods forbid there be no complications when it comes to this Kingdom…"
"In three days' time, on the night of the full moon, all the male Dragon Slayers will go into the final phase of their magic expansion. It takes an entire night to change, then another day for recuperation. Therefore…"
Levy nodded and used a free page for complex equations while she answered. "You will have a matter of hours, possibly, to get from wherever you are going to be…changing to where the fight is. I understand."
"Does this include the pseudo-Dragons?"
"No, only those raised by Dragons, and Wendy is still too young."
Makarov stroked his beard yet again. "Alright, then the plan must be modified and you will catch up when you are recovered, as I assume this is something that cannot be evaded."
When Natsu shook his head, the King motioned to Levy who nodded and laid out her plan. "Obviously, the most dangerous Demons will be Deliora and his cousin Lullaby as they are rumoured to be very dangerous and nearly indestructible. Gray, you will go with the rest of Lamia Scale and take Deliora down, as my calculations show that you will confront him no matter what we say. Lullaby is a bit trickier because no one knows his true form, so the heaviest hitters must go. Nova, Titania…this is for you and you alone."
As expected, more than one Dragon Slayer spoke up about her going by herself, including a very grumpy Erik. Interestingly enough, Natsu was the only one who had not had a sudden outburst. She would ask him about his silence later.
Erza held up her hand for silence. "You doubt us? You doubt Nova and me?"
When she worded it like that, the only thing left to do was for them all to grumble or face Erza's wrath. She hated being underestimated almost as much as Lucy did. But the blonde knew they were coming from a place of love, but still, she was strong, she could handle anything with her original partner by her side. "No? Good."
"Like old times Titania?"
"Indeed Nova. We shall come out victorious like we always do."
Nothing else was said on the matter although Natsu's glittering eyes never left Lucy's form. He looked…almost thoughtful and she really wanted to ask him what all the starring was about, but pushed it to the back of her mind for the moment.
"Fairy Tail will coalesce both legions for the time being and fight under The Thunder God, Crime Sorciere will be headed up by Jellal, while Mystogan will draw the Underworld King out into the open as I believe he will go after the same person twice. Sabertooth will back you up in your clash with Tartaros. The rest must fill in the gaps and take out all the grunts as fast as possible. Generals and Lieutenants only have the authorization to fight the Demons directly. I believe that is it."
As the King nodded and dismissed everyone else, the Dragons shifted around their Queen as if they were a protective guard. Erik rolled his eyes at his instincts – they were so very annoying – while all the others took their roles very seriously.
Before she could even ask all the questions on the tip of her tongue, Natsu swooped down from nowhere and stole the breath from her lungs in a fierce kiss. Perhaps he was a bit perturbed with the way she exited her room. In her defence…she really really really needed to get down to the ground and the stairs were just too slow.
"Please…stop throwing yourself out of windows."
"You know that I can take care of myself, right?"
"I know, but I have fucking wings, Luce. I could have got us down here at the same time. Also, there was no need to punch out your window either, you have balcony doors for a reason."
Lucy had nothing to say to that, completely forgetting her balcony in her own haste to intercept Gray before he covered her home in everlasting ice once again because he couldn't control his emotions. When she lost control, she blew things up in a wave of magic. When he did it was a massive inconvenience to everyone when their belongings were suddenly encased in a shell of ice no magical fire could melt.
"Yes. I get the part about the doors, as that was just foolishness on my part, but…I have my armour and I am not harmed. So don't tell me what to do Natsu. Just because we have mated doesn't mean that you can just…boss me around. I refused to be owned."
"You know I don't mean it like that. I will always worry about your well-being, the same as I did when we were kids."
"You mean when you used to drop me from the same height into a lake for fun?"
"Uhm…"
"I thought so." Lucy pushed through the wall of solid Dragon Slayer that stood before her. She wasn't running away, no sir. She had just proven her point and now was making a strategic retreat, so that shew could have the last word.
Except for the fact that now she had six fully grown men on her tail and not a clue as to why they were all following her.
Laxus she could understand as he liked to talk strategy after meetings with her one on one to run by ideas before going to Freed for a second opinion, and Natsu because they were probably both off to the same place – her room to have a much-needed shower – but the other four?
She hadn't the foggiest idea.
Lucy whirled around and gazed suspiciously at them all. "Why are you all following me like little ducklings after their mother?"
To her ever mounting confusion, Natsu just chuckled and shooed them all away as if they were stubborn children with a single look.
And they listened, even if it was grudgingly (Erik) or had them pouting (Sting).
She turned her gaze onto her bonded and he flinched and looked sheepishly down at his feet, wings shuffling self-consciously behind his back. "I have so many questions I don't even know where to start."
He opened his mouth to speak, but she clamped his lips shut with her right hand. "I expect an explanation later, but for now, take us back to our room. We need a shower after our earlier fun and I know both of us could do with a wash."
Natsu's wings snapped out and he smiled devilishly down at her. "Your wish is my command, My Lady."
-ooo-
"I understand why you're on this 'secret mission' from Makarov…but…why did you bring me exactly?"
Gildarts shot his companion what he thought was an award winning smile, but Laki's stony expression told him that there was much to be desired. "Because, my dear, you are ever so beautiful and young and amazing."
"Cut the crap Grandpa. I'll take your flirting as an invitation to shove my foot up your ass. So, tell me the actual reason that you asked for me?"
Gildarts expression fell into one of grim amusement and he shrugged. "You were the first person I came across after I had heard the news and I trust you because Cana has spoken highly of you."
They had been away from Domus for almost five days now, Mest had used his magic to get them as far into the Giant's Backbone – the high mountain range that separated what was formally Nix from Domus – and from there they had walked on foot to a specific spot.
A specific spot that his darling daughter Cana had been worried about. The card mage that he loved so dearly had been holed up in her room with nothing but a few barrels of her favourite wine and her cards and she had searched and searched for a solution to their problems, trying to find long forgotten allies or to see the most favourable outcomes for the coming war.
She didn't sleep for nigh on three days before she emerged, tied, worn but adamant that she had to speak with the King immediately.
It was revealed that she had seen three outcomes, one good, one bad, and the neutral one where some perish and others remain in this world. But the most astounding thing was, the fact that when she was searching the map, her cards always – no matter how much magic she imbued them with – failed her around a specific spot in the mountain ranges. Immediately, Makarov pulled Gildarts aside – he had just been cleared for active duty once again by the ever cheerful Wendy – and told that he and one other would go to the mountains to find out just what was keeping Cana from getting a read on the area.
Turns out, Gildarts – while being a professional drunk, not unlike a certain daughter of his – was also one of the most proficient mages Fairy Tail had, even if he was technically a rogue that went on more solo missions than most. It also turned out that he would be able to recognise the suffocating magical signature of whatever or whoever was creating that magical barrier that Cana's future-seeing couldn't penetrate.
As they rounded another bend and skirted a copse of fir trees, sticking to the shadows the entire time, of course, his recent injuries – even though they were completely healed – started to throb.
He would recognise this feeling anywhere.
It was the same as when that murderous rogue had dropped down from nowhere and almost killed him. Took an arm and a leg and gutted him as quick as could be. He hadn't had a chance, not a single one, and that more than anything scared the living shit out of him now.
"Holy Mother of the Gods…"
Gildarts couldn't agree with Laki's sentiments more. They were looking into the mouth of a truly gigantic cave cared right into the bottom of one of the largest mountain in the Giant's Backbone, The Black Hill, known for its trees that were burnt and blackened hundreds of years before and never grew back. He thought that they looked a bit like skeletons and that they were certainly creepy, but at the moment, the massive hole he was staring at was taking precedence.
Laki stepped around her tree she was hiding behind to move forward but hit a solid wall in the air that lit up like fireworks. He watched as runes and swirling letters in a language he could only squint at in confusion spiralled into existence.
Then he finally saw something that he did recognise. A symbol in the middle of the mass of weirdness and words in blood red that he knew stood for something that he would have a problem with. He grabbed Laki's hand and dragged the gaping woman away from the dark hole and obvious magic, thanking everything that was holy that Warren – the communications specialist and technical wiz that kept all the different factions of the Domus army working together even though they were a bit crazy and unstable – had finished the prototypes of the communications lacrima. He needed to contact his King immediately.
He was a very good mage, a very powerful one in fact, but he knew exactly jack-shit about seal breaking.
-ooo-
This was the second time that Laxus was at a loss for words today.
First, his baby sister jumps out a fucking window – again – when she could have just…opened her balcony doors.
And now this…
His tongue unwound itself enough so that he could choke out a single sentence. "What the hell Gramps?"
Makarov smiled placidly at his Grandson. "Don't look at me, you're the one who suggested this."
"I was being sarcastic and flippant!"
The King took another dainty sip of his tea from the bone china cup. "Serves you right. Now you won't make those comments anymore because I just might do what you say." He looked at his guest. "More cream?"
Erigor shook his head. "Just sugar."
"One lump or two?"
"Two is good. Thanks."
Laxus blinked, then shook his head. "I can't believe you actually invited The Reaper up for tea. Stupid old man. Have you gone senile?"
Makarov smirked into his cup. "No. Erigor here was just wasting away down in our cells and we weren't utilising his…expertise to its full potential. He has a commodity that I need, so we are coming to an understanding."
The Thunder God crossed his massive arms. "What commodity."
"A seal breaker, named Kageyama."
"Does this have anything to do with where Gildarts suddenly disappeared to?"
The King waved away his questions and addressed the silent Reaper. "I didn't hear your answer to my last question Erigor before my Grandson rudely interrupted us."
The man in tattered robes stirred his own steaming drink with a small silver spoon. "He will do what you ask of him. As it is in his best interest not to make the ones that feed him mad. Any idiot would come to the same conclusion."
"And about my offer for the rest of Eisenwald…?"
"We accept. We will work off our debt in your castle for the remainder of our sentences."
Laxus grunted and then left the two men to their tea party, head ache forming at the thought of having to watch over Eisenwald while they were all in the castle. He could keep them in line, he was sure, but it was more the effort that he didn't want to waste. He had more important shit to do.
-ooo-
"Who are you?"
"You know who I am Zeref."
"You're dead. You can't be here, it isn't possible."
"I am dead, but I am also here. Believe me when I say that I am as surprised to be here in this throne room as you are."
"How…?"
"Astral projection."
"But the wards…they would have scattered your energy…ah. Nova. When she destroyed half the fortress."
"That is the most likely conclusion, yes."
"It's wonderful to see you, my love."
"Zeref…you know what you're doing is wrong. Don't you?"
"…I know. But I have to bring you back! Don't you see! You were supposed to be beside me always!"
"…They want you dead for what you did to Natsu."
"I know. I'm counting on it, Mavis."
Heads up my precious cupcakes,
This will be one of my last updates until CoLu week in August so that I can prewrite and make all the prompts all pretty and such. (Anyone excited about GemNika's contributions? I know I am…I have like…ten alerts in my phone to remind me…AND she's extending her Beauty and the Beast story which was where I fell in love with that snakey ass in the first place.
Stay Crazy,
LoadedEel