Kunugi Station
The train had pulled into the station before Erigor killed a conductor to show they meant business. "I want every passenger and piece luggage off this train. All of it. If anyone tries to defy us, kill them all."
Kageyama and Dosu stepped off the train to meet Erigor, Mizuki, Aoi, and Akahoshi.
"Well, look who's here." Kageyama stated.
"Kageyama and Dosu." Erigor stated. "We'd heard you two were coming back aboard this train. There's a fair bit of wreckage. Care to explain?"
"That would be our trap taking full effect." Dosu stated. "As promised, Kageyama and I fulfilled our tasks." They both displayed Lullaby and the statuette of Hephaestus. "Fairy Tail is on our heels with Salamander in tow."
"That is rather fortunate." Mizuki stated. "It saves us the trouble of getting him to come to us. Aoi, take Dosu back to Eisenwald's guild hall and prepare the ritual. Akahoshi and I will remain with Eisenwald to capture the Dragon Slayer."
"As you wish." Aoi stated. "Come along Dosu."
Aoi opened a black portal while Dosu tucked the statuette on his person. He then walked into the portal followed by the caster.
Erigor took the flute from Kageyama. "Alright, this is it men. In our grasp, we have the forbidden flute Lullaby. Originally, it was a simple flute meant for inflicting death curses. Once the dark mage Zeref got his hands on it, he turned it into a demon flute.
With this, our revenge is one step closer, but our work is far from over. Every one of you need to prepare yourselves for what's to come. Other than Salamander being here, the plan is on track, so let's move out."
Oshibana Station
Even with Erza pushing her magic to fuel the car, Eisenwald had an impressive head start aboard a train. As a result, the group arrived to see something going down at the station ahead.
A conductor was trying to calm the crowd as Erza approached. "Excuse me, but what is going on?"
The conductor looked at her. "Why would I tell you lady?"
That was not the answer Erza wanted, so she punched the guy out before moving onto the next conductor. The result was the same.
Kakashi currently had a still out of it Natsu on his back. "I think her interrogation technique could use a little work."
"Erza just has her own way of doing things." Gray stated.
Romeo noticed something about him. "Gray, you're not wearing any clothes!"
Eventually, Erza got the answers she wanted because she approached the group. "Alright, Eisenwald was seen entering the station."
"If they're in there, Sound's Desire is either with them or nearby." Kakashi glanced at his surroundings and paid close attention. "They may be out of the range of detection."
Inside
The team ran along the halls as Erza spoke, "A small army unit stormed in earlier, but they haven't returned. I'm guessing they got caught up in a battle with Eisenwald."
As they ran, the group saw the dead bodies of the unit scattered around.
"They were completely wiped out!" Happy exclaimed.
At this point, the group started walking as it would allow them to be a bit more cautious.
"These Eisenwald guys are real monsters." Romeo commented angrily.
"These men who tried to stop them were brave." Kakashi stated. "It is not an easy thing to give your life in the service of those you're sworn to protect."
Everyone there got the sense that Kakashi really knew what he was talking about. As a Shinobi, he had seen many comrades give their lives, so even though Kakashi didn't know these men, he could respect them.
Eventually, the group came to a halt as they entered the platforms and confronted Eisenwald. "Welcome." This included Erigor who sat on a clock above his fellow members. "Step into our parlor. Fairy Flies"
"Man, that's a lot of Wizards." Romeo commented.
"You fiend." Erza declared. "I take it you're Erigor."
"Hey you, Kakashi Hatake." Kageyama called out. "We didn't get to finish what was started on that train."
This seemed to get Natsu up and the slayer got off Kakashi's back. "I know that voice."
"We're not threatened by you." Erza declared firmly. "Tell me what your plan is with Lullaby and Hephaestus."
"You haven't heard?" Erigor flew into the air which caught the attention of Kakashi's own magic. "What do all train stations have in common?"
"He flew!" Romeo exclaimed in shock.
"That's wind magic." Happy commented.
Erigor landed on a speaker and Erza got it. "You're planning to broadcast Lullaby!"
Erigor laughed. "Thousands of onlookers have flocked to this station to get a glimpse of the action. Who knows? If I raise the volume enough, I may just be able to extinguish the entire city with my melody of death."
"What reason do you have to commit such a heinous crime against these people?" Erza asked.
"This is a cleansing of all the fools who fail to appreciate the rights they hold dear." Erigor stated. "Those who remain ignorant to those who've had their rights stripped away. They've committed the sin of turning a blind eye towards justice, so the reaper shall punish them."
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." Kakashi countered. "Your guild would still have its rights if they did not undertake assassination missions. You refused to change with the times, so the only ones at fault are you. Your own guild lost its rights through its choices."
"We lost our rights because the council decided what was justice." Erigor retorted. "Our words meant nothing, so we will gain the power to erase the sins of the past. We will write a better future."
"It's not too late for your guild to make a better choice." Kakashi stated. "The moment you use that flute, there will be no going back."
"We're rolling in a new age of darkness." Kageyama knelt and put a hand on the ground sending out his shadows at the Wizards. "By the time it gets here, you will be long gone."
The shadows came off the ground and formed fists that would strike the group.
Romeo stepped forward while taking a deep breath. "Earth God's Bellow!"
The black earth tore through the shadows dissipating them.
"A kid has the power to stop my shadows." Kageyama growled. "Impossible."
"Don't underestimate me because I'm young." Romeo declared. "I'm as much a part of a Fairy Tail as any of my comrades."
"Couldn't have said it better myself Romeo." Natsu patted the kid on the back. "What a great opener to this party."
"These flies have no idea they've fallen into my trap." Erigor thought. "Soon, Salamander will be no more, and in his place, we gain a god. With his power and the flute, no one will stand in our way." He floated above everyone. "I leave them to you. Show them our power."
Erigor vanished leaving Erza to look at her team. "Natsu, Gray, and Kakashi, I want you three to find Erigor. Split up to look if you must but stop him."
"We got this Erza." Kakashi stated. "Come on your two."
The three Wizards ran off leaving Romeo, Erza, and Happy behind.
"They ran off."
"They're going after Erigor."
A tanned man with a pointed nose and sharp chin threw out some wrapping using them to get to the second floor. He wore a light shirt under a signature jacket that made him look like a pharaoh, simple pants, and shoes.
"I got them." The man stated. "I, The Great Rayule, will take them down."
"I'm coming with you." Kageyama began fading into the shadows. "That silver haired bastard and I have a score to settle."
Rayule ran off while Kageyama vanished into the shadows.
"We'll catch up with them once we've finished up here." Erza informed Romeo.
"I'm in." Romeo nodded. "I didn't work my butt off just to cower."
"Mama always told me not to hit girls or children, but I'll make an exception this time."
"Sorry you two, but you aren't going to look so nice once we're done with you."
"Let's do this." Erza stated firmly.
She held out a hand causing a dark red magic circle to appear in the air which in turn produced a sword from seemingly nowhere.
Romeo had to admire how cool it was to see a magic like this. "Whoa, so that's Requip Magic."
"If you insult the Fairy Tail Guild in my presence again, I swear none of you will live to see tomorrow." Erza declared.
Eisenwald lunged at Erza with various weapons, but the Armored Wizard charged right into the thick of things taking out Wizards like it was nothing. She switched weapons on the fly. Swords, spears, axes, and so on. A group of Wizards noticed Romeo.
"Look, this child's alone."
"Let's take him captive."
"Get him."
"Don't underestimate a God Slayer." Romeo let his magic flow before slamming his palms on the ground creating a brown magic circle. "Earth God's Okuninushi!"
Many black spears of earth rose from the ground directly in front of Romeo and into his approaching enemies knocking them back. They were slammed into those behind them leaving the younger Wizard clear for the moment.
"So, that is the power of an Earth God Slayer." Erza had observed Romeo. "Most impressive." She then saw how many opponents were left. "There's still so many. I thought by now we'd taken care of them. Annoying, but I'll wipe them out."
A deep red magic circle appeared below Erza as her armor vanished to be replaced with another. This one was a metal skirt with a metal top and wings to match. She held two swords.
"Man, Erza really is something." Romeo thought amazed. "She's not just a scary lady, but a totally awesome Mage."
Erza floated into the air as a circle comprised of swords moved around behind her. "Dance my swords: Circle Swords!"
She slashed out the swords in her hands resulting in blades going everywhere and taking out the remaining Mages.
"Erza's in top, fighting form." Happy declared.
With practically every Mage taken care of, except for a rotund guy who fled, Erza requipped back to her standard armor. "I would imagine that one's gone to look for Erigor." She turned to Romeo. "Go after him for me, would you?"
"You can count on me Erza." Romeo ran after him with Happy following. "I will catch him."
The reason Erza wanted Romeo, and by extension Happy, gone was because she was practically out of magic power. Once they were gone, she fell to her hands and knees rather exhausted.
With Kakashi, Natsu, and Gray
The three Wizards ran down the hallway together.
"I can't believe she put you with us Natsu." Gray stated. "What was she thinking?"
"Clearly she wasn't." Natsu stated. "Doesn't she know fire and ice don't mix."
"That's enough you two." Kakashi stated. "Erza sent the three of us ahead because she trusts us to stop Erigor. Let's not disappoint her."
Natsu and Gray spoke at the same time. "It would have been fine if she had sent us because we don't need his help. I could handle Erigor myself!" They butted heads. "Are you copying me?"
"Now is not the time." Kakashi got between them pushing the feuding Wizards apart before walking forward and pointing to a sign above depicting three paths they could go. "Looks like we each got a path to follow."
The Wizards came to stand before a different path. Kakashi would head straight, Natsu to the right, and Gray to the left. Before they left, they had some parting words.
"Kakashi and Natsu, we're up against a freak who wants to wreck the world." Gray smiled. "If you find him, give the guy a real thrashing."
"You don't have to worry about that." Natsu smiled back. "I got a bone to pick with the guy for messing with Fairy Tail. I'll burn him to a crisp."
"I just want you two to be careful." Kakashi closed his eyes. "Take care of yourselves."
Gray and Natsu gave a small smile at Kakashi's words before they ran down their paths.
With Gray
Gray figured the best place to find Erigor would be the broadcast studio since that would be the easiest way for him to send out Lullaby's song. When he kicked down the door, the room's lights were off, and no one seemed to be within. Rayule was coming down from the ceiling.
He attacked Gray with his wrappings, but the Ice-Make Wizard dodged him before turning to his opponent. "You made a pretty good guess, but our plans are far more elaborate than you think."
Gray smirked. "Why don't you fill me in on these plans of yours, and I'll make sure not to hurt you too bad."
Rayule lashed out with more of his wrappings. "There's no escape." Gray was dodging. "You won't get away for long!"
Gray punched the palm of his hand creating a light blue magic circle. "Ice Make: Shield!"
A shield of ice came to Gray's defense blocking Rayule's wraps. "This punk uses Ice Make Magic!?"
"Ice Make: Knuckle!" Knuckles of ice launched up from the ground nailing the dark Wizard and sending him through a wall before Gray walked through. "This is your last chance to tell me what you're planning."
"Erigor's Magic Sealing Barrier should be activated by now." Rayule was crouched and panting. "He's created a barrier that will keep you insects busy."
With Erza
After recovering enough, Erza had warned all the civilians of the danger sending them away followed by the workers of the station. Only after this did she notice that sealing barrier Rayule had told Gray about.
Erigor floated down until he was just above her. "I've always wanted the opportunity to fight The Queen of the Fairies, but you are not our target."
He held up a palm and created a light which momentarily blinded Erza. Erigor then used force to push Erza through the wind barrier trapping her like all the rest.
"Erigor!" Erza yelled.
She tried charging at the barrier, but it rebounded her.
"It's useless." Erigor gloated. "There's no way you'll break through my barrier. You see, it's one way, and if you try to escape without my permission, the wind will tear you apart."
Erza picked herself back up. "What is the meaning of this you scoundrel!?"
"I've wasted enough time with you." Erigor started to float away. "As I said, you are not our target, but a certain fly within is."
"Come back!" Erza tried. "Curse you Erigor! I will find a way to stop you!" She took a moment to think on what he said. "His own men and those of Sound's Desire aren't his target. I've just been ruled out. That means he's after Natsu, Romeo, Happy, Gray, or Kakashi."
With Gray
"Why don't I just get straight to the point?" Gray slammed Rayule up against the wall. "Tell me what your plan is or else."
"Our plan was to always lure a Fairy Tail Wizard, or even a team of them, here." Rayule stated. "That's why we talked in the presence of Titania, and she fell for it better than we ever could have hoped."
"All this time, you've been stringing us along." Gray stated. "What do you mean by your plan working better than you hoped?"
"Our current goal is Salamander." Rayule stated. "Now think about what I'm about to say. Hephaestus is a god of fire in a deep sleep. He needs a host, so who do you think we've chosen?" He then caught Gray off guard pushing him back. "Got you!"
"Salamander…" Gray was shot back. "They're after Natsu. Come to think of it, Erigor vanished, and we haven't seen a Wizard from Sound's Desire since arriving."
"You put all the pieces together." Gray landed on the ground leading to Rayule taunting him. "Well, it's much too late to stop us." He charged at Gray laughing. "You separated from him and left your comrade defenseless!"
He attacked and pushed Gray again. "You Eisenwald thugs must be pretty brave riling up Fairy Tail like this."
"It's already too late." Rayule stated. "Erigor will push your precious Dragon Slayer out of the barrier. With all you in here, he'll be facing Erigor, and two others from Sound's Desire." He launched his wraps and caught Gray. "Salamander will die and Eisenwald will reign!"
Gray let his ice magic flow along the bindings freezing them.
The Ice Make Wizard was then able to break the bindings before looking at Rayule with anger. "That's not going to happen." The dark Wizard started to freeze as Gray approached. "Now, get this straight.
No matter how much we fight, when you mess with one fairy, you mess with all of us. Natsu may be annoying, but he's still family." He laid a hand on Rayule'e s face. "When I get my hands on Erigor, I'll show him how terrifying Fairy Tail can be."
Gray completely froze the Dark Mage in place before walking out of the room.
With Natsu
Natsu was running down the hallways on the lookout for Erigor, and he just so happened to see the reaper up ahead preparing a spell. "There you are Erigor!" Natsu punched his fist together cloaking them in fire. "I'll take you down in one strike! Fire Dragon's Iron First!"
He charged at Erigor who merely smirked. "The puny fly is eager to meet his end I see." He clapped his now wind covered hands together and held them out at Natsu. "Magic Wind Palm!"
Natsu ran straight at Erigor who hit the Dragon Slayer point blank with a powerful, destructive tornado that pushed him clear through a wall outside. He was heading right for the wind barrier.
"Pathetic." Erigor held out his hand. "I could handle this runt myself, but Eisenwald can't be the only ones lifting a finger."
A magic circle appeared on the barrier where Natsu hit allowing him safe passage through.
Oshibana
"That guy really got the jump on me." Natsu was sailing through the air still reeling from that attack. "I wasn't expecting it at all." A memory came to his mind. "Come on Natsu, you can do better than that."
Flash Back
"Watch how I do it." Natsu was a few years younger and standing before Macao as he moved a mug of bear his fire. "See."
Natsu was impressed. "Whoa, that's awesome!"
"Yeah, it's called Purple Flare." Macao had the glass sat in his hand. "Even though it's fire, it can do more than just burn."
"How come my fire burns everything it touches?" Natsu asked.
Macao smiled. "That's because you don't know how to make it not burn. You must learn that if you will it deep in your heart, your flames will only burn what you want them to. Once you master that, no wind or water magic will beat you."
"That doesn't make any sense." Natsu declared.
Present
Natsu opened his eyes wide as all these years later he finally understood what Macao was trying to teach him. With it clicking, Natsu's flames began to burn brightly around him as he held out his hands creating red magic circles.
Flame arms shot out of these circles catching onto a nearby building but leaving them intact. Natsu yelled as he used the arms to slingshot himself up and onto a roof. Once there, he looked around for Erigor.
"Alright, where are you Erigor!?" Natsu yelled. "Come face me like a real Wizard!"
"What you just did was impossible." Erigor came floating above Natsu looking rather shocked. "Is this why Sound's Desire thinks he'll make a good host for Hephaestus?"
"You must be pretty cold up there half naked like that." Natsu declared. "Want me to come up there and warm you up?"
"Erigor, you and your guild have done well." Mizuki called out drawing their attention. "Akahoshi and I will finish this."
"Get in contact with Aoi and have him ready to create a portal." Akahoshi focused on Natsu. "This one reminds me of that Leaf Shinobi." He saw a younger Naruto in Natsu's place. "I will not fall like I did last time."
Erigor didn't like it, but he flew off.
"Hey, get back here!" Natsu shouted.
"You need not concern yourself with Erigor at the moment." Mizuki ran with an impressive speed and moved to kick Natsu in the head. "We are your opponents."
Natsu prepared to take the attack since he had been too distracted to mount an effective defense.
With Kakashi
The Copy Mage was running along the hallways when he picked up on someone tailing him. He decided to bide his time and acted once Kageyama poked his head out of the shadows.
"Looks like it's almost time to act." Kageyama thought.
"Body Flicker!" Kakashi called out.
Kakashi vanished and appeared behind Kageyama. Just as the Dark Mage tried to submerge himself back into the shadows, the Copy Mage enacted the Dancing Leaf Shadow. He dropped to the ground before kicking up knocking the Shadow Mage into the ceiling.
With Romeo
Romeo was running down the hallways while Happy flew along with him. "Where did that Dark Mage go!?"
"You better find him or Erza's going to punish you." Happy taunted.
"You're with me Happy." Romeo stated. "If we don't find him, Erza's likely to get us both."
"What are we doing Romeo!?" Happy screamed. "We got to find him!"
Romeo sighed.
Oshibana
Mizuki's foot smashed into Natsu's face sending the Dragon Slayer falling off the roof. Akahoshi's chest glowed as a light purple magic circle appeared on his back.
"Star's Might: Wings!" Akahoshi took flight coming right over Natsu who was trying to recover with the same trick as before. "You will fall Dragon Slayer!" He held the palms of his hands towards Natsu as a light purple magic circle appeared. "Star's Might: Destroy!"
A beam of concentrated, light purple magic fired at Natsu quicker than he could possibly dodge even with his new usages of fire. Given that he didn't quite want to take that attack head on, he came up with another idea.
Natsu took a deep breath. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
The Dragon Slayer let loose his fire pushing himself faster into the ground while his fire met the star magic head on creating an explosion. The initial movement generated from Natsu's own breath still saw the slayer slamming into the ground.
Natsu quickly got to his feet as Akahoshi and Mizuki jumped down to either side of him. "If you both want to take me on, bring it! 1, 2, 5, 10, or so on! If you want to fight, it doesn't matter. I'll take anyone you got on."
"This Mage is out of his league." Akahoshi stated casually. "Should we finish this quickly?"
"This brat has dragged this out longer than I'd like." Mizuki stated. "If we take too long, there's always the chance his friends will come to aid him. That is trouble we don't need."
"Despite my words, these Wizards are strong. Nowhere near as strong as Kuroma, but I'm getting nowhere holding back against them. I have no choice, but to go all out. Secret arts and all." Natsu smiled. "Let's go for round 2!"
A leaf green magic circle appeared below Mizuki. "Eight Gates: Life!"
Mizuki's skin turned red, and his eyes became completely white as the green glow of magic appeared around him.
A light purple magic circle appeared below Akahoshi. "Star's Might: Dragon!"
Light purple magic radiated from Akahoshi before surrounding him in a dragon which rose into the air.
Natsu let his fire magic flow and twisted his body into position. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!" Mizuki and Akahoshi rushed him. "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!"
Natsu twisted back to the right position letting loose a powerful torrent of flames.
The green magic circle appeared below Mizuki. "Hidden Lotus!"
Mizuki used his speed to get well clear of the coming assault.
The light purple circle appeared below Akahoshi. "Star's Reinforcement!"
The purple dragon around Akahoshi gained wings and became a darker purple before colliding with Natsu's flames in a spectacular display creating a powerful explosion. Black smoke covered the area while Natsu and Akahoshi were each pushed back.
"Even with all my prior training, and the power Lord Orochimaru bestowed, I only just even out with a Dragon Slayer." Akahoshi growled. "He's inexperienced to boot." Akahoshi smirked. "Since I'm even, Mizuki should have no problem ending this."
"Are these two like Kuroma or Kakashi? Is that why they're strong or are they from Earth Land? Gah, why does this have to be difficult?" Natsu was trying to recover his footing. "It doesn't matter. I don't feel the same fear as I did from Kuroma, so I have a chance."
As Natsu was kicked into the air, he tried to reverse the ascent. "Fire Dragon's…"
"Get ready worm because this is the end." Mizuki clenched his fist. "Eight Gates: Limit!"
Mizuki's magic flared up around him and he began bouncing around the area at high speeds hammering Natsu with powerful blow after powerful blow. The first hit was even targeted to knock the wind out of the slayer stopping his roar.
"I can't keep track of him." Natsu thought as he was tossed around the field. "I can't give up. A Fairy Tail Wizard doesn't give up!"
Akahoshi noticed that Natsu was starting to flare up.
"This is the end!" Mizuki declared.
Akahoshi decided to lend his aid as he concentrated on Mizuki. "Star's Might: Protective Aura!"
Mizuki was surrounded by a light purple glow. Natsu couldn't speak, but he had to put everything into this next attack if he wanted any hope of walking out of this.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!" Natsu's fist were cloaked in fire. "Crimson Lotus: Dragon's Fist!"
Natsu launched a flurry of punches that Mizuki met blow for blow. Just as their bodies neared the ground, their right fist skimmed past each other and hit the other in the cheek. Now, this was a desperate attempt to win, but all it achieved was turning Mizuki's head.
A purple barrier dispelled around him. In turn, Mizuki's strength and speed was just too much. He cracked the ground with Natsu's head and rendered the Dragon Slayer unconscious. The former Leaf Shinobi had hit the ground himself before standing.
Akahoshi walked over, picked up Natsu's unconscious body, and slung him over his shoulder. "Impressive as always Mizuki."
Mizuki looked at Akahoshi before crossing his arms. He would still kill his team if they ever got in the way of a mission, but the once Chunin had learned how effective teamwork could be from his memories of that last fight with Naruto and Iruka.
"I suppose you played your part well." Mizuki growled. "Without you, the fight would have dragged on longer than I'd have liked." He had no doubt he could defeat Salamander himself, but it would have taken longer. "Let's find Erigor."
Akahoshi was surprised that Mizuki of all people had thanked him in his own way, but he wasn't about to ruin it by speaking up.
"No need to go far." Erigor drifted down. "With you two defeating him, Aoi should open a portal any minute now."
At that moment, a dark portal opened behind Erigor.
"Let's get out of here." Mizuki stated. "No need for those pathetic flies mucking this up."
With Erza
Erza had tied up every member of Eisenwald she and Romeo defeated. Once she was sure no one in the room had been missed, the knight went about questioning them on how to break the barrier.
"Forget it lady. I already told you there's no undoing Erigor's barrier. You and your buddies are stuck."
"Erza!" Gray called out as he ran into the room.
"Gray, have you already subdued Erigor?" Erza asked.
"I haven't seen him but forget that." Gray stated. "Eisenwald's goal was never to use the flute. It was to lure us and get their hands on Natsu. They plan on making him the host to the fire god Hephaestus which will kill him."
Erza gained a dark aura as she turned her attention to the Eisenwald member she'd been questioning. "Why didn't you tell me?" She immediately knocked him out as Gray came down to her level. "I presume they have their ways of getting him out."
"That's what I was told." Gray stated. "Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like my guy knew where they were taking Natsu. With the way he was talking, he'd have said it just to taunt me."
"My best guess would be that Natsu's still outside the barrier fighting or they've taken him to Eisenwald." Erza stated. "I don't think a guild as secretive as Sound's Desire would want to risk retribution by taking him to their guild."
"That leaves us with a huge problem." Gray stated. "That wind barrier is raging all around this place. If we try to force our way through, it'll mince any of us into pieces."
Erza closed her eyes. "I've already tried, so I'm aware."
Gray noticed Erza's arm. "Whoa, is your arm okay?"
"That is unimportant." Erza opened her eyes. "What is, is getting out of here. We must stop Eisenwald before we lose Natsu forever. Wait a minute, I recall that Kageyama was the one who'd break the spell on Lullaby. We must find him Gray."
"I see." Gray nodded. "Sounds like a Dispelling Wizard. With him, we could break the barrier."
"That's what I'm hopping." Erza stated. "Let's start searching."
"Right!" Gray agreed.
The Wizard Erza had been questioning regained consciousness as Erza and Gray took off. "Karacka, how long are you going to hide back there?"
The rotund Wizard that had fled phased through the wall. "I'm sorry, but I was scared."
"Forget that now. Find Kage before they do. Go now."
"No, please don't make me." Karacka pleaded. "You know I'm no good in a fight."
"Calm down. It's a simple job that even you can handle…"
With Kakashi
"After Kakashi kicked Kageyama into the ceiling, he grabbed the Mage as he fell to prevent him from getting away. "You may look like a Nara Clan member, but you most certainly do not have the stealth of one."
"I thought this guy just got lucky before, but that kick had some serious power behind it." Kageyama thought. "He spoke of the Nara Clan, but I most certainly do not consider myself one."
"I can tell what you're thinking." Kakashi stated shocking Kageyama. "It's written on your face. Let me tell you, us Shinobi aren't the only impressive Mages in this land." He got in close. "I have no reason to lie unlike you, but I'm hoping you're smarter than to do so now."
Kageyama was shocked as Kakashi's killer intent was beyond anything Erigor ever gave off.
"Now, tell me where Erigor is." Kakashi ordered.
Kageyama was tempted to attack, but the man's killer intent held him in place. "He's long gone. I can tell that much. This means your fellow fly, the Salamander, is with him."
"Natsu?" This worried Kakashi. "What do you mean Natsu's gone?"
"He was our true goal this day." Kageyama admitted. "Not originally. We were going to lure in some fairies through Erza Scarlet, but she just so happened to bring our target along for the ride. By now, he's back at Eisenwald being prepped for the ritual."
"This ritual achieves what?" Kakashi asked.
"It all links back to Hephaestus." Kageyama replied. "That statuette contains the god who is currently sleeping. One of the ways to awaken him is by providing a host. In exchange for the Salamander's soul, a god will awaken with a new body to call his own."
Kakashi's mind was flooded with memories of their time as comrades. Their meeting, subsequent fight against Zabuza, and the encounter with Kuroma. He already failed one guild member, so he refused to fail another.
"Why?" Kageyama didn't understand. "Why are you getting so worked up over a single Mage? I don't get it. You should be more concerned with what I just told you about a literal god coming back. You should just kill me and move on."
"There's more to any world than life or death." Kakashi stated. "It's a constant I've always lived with. It's how I thought at various times in my life. I seem to have learned what you and the rest of your guild forgot the moment you turned away from the idea of being legal.
As for why I am concerned about Natsu, it's because he's a valued comrade. One of the biggest lessons I was taught is this. Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum.
That was from my comrade, but the next level is from my own experiences. Those who never valued their time with the comrades they had are even worse scum than that." Kageyama was staring at Kakashi agape. "That is what I live by."
Kageyama was rendered speechless as this man spoke with more conviction than he's ever had. Just as Kakashi was about to speak, he noticed someone rising through the floor with their arm outstretched, and, judging by the magic, going to put it right through Kage's heart.
Kageyama turned his head only to open his eyes wide with betrayal. "Karacka!?"
"I know someone who was far quicker than you." Kakashi's legs were coated in water as he pulled Kageyama over his shoulder. "Water Dragon's Rapid Kick!"
Karacka realized he messed up as Kakashi kicked his legs out multiple times. The Dark Wizard was rendered unconscious before being kicked clear through the floor leaving a hole.
Kakashi then dropped Kageyama and walked past him to the hole leaving his back exposed. "What's this guy doing?" The Dark Wizard looked at him. "Is he just letting me go?"
"You know, for the longest time I walked alone." Kakashi stated. "I constantly pushed people away. The few comrades I let in ended up dying. From then on, I thought my ideals had been solidified. All that changed was the fact that I'd defend my comrades.
Then, I started to find those I could value. Slowly, my heart opened. I came to realize how weak I was making myself. That's just a fact. Some people are strong alone, but together we all become stronger. What I'm trying to get at is that we all make our own choices.
It's those choices that will define the life we lead. If you honestly think anything will change once you have Hephaestus and Lullaby, then you're wrong. You lost legal status because you refused to change. You think you're oppressed, but the only one who's responsible is you."
"Why are you telling me this?" Kageyama asked. "Why would you protect me to begin with?"
"I'm not quite sure myself, but I think a certain student of mine may have rubbed off on me a bit too much." Kakashi stated. "He had a knack for finding the good in people and bringing it to the surface.
I have no idea if I have a gift like that, but I get the feeling you're not as bad as the rest of your guild. At the very least, you're not as convinced of this as they are. Perhaps, you can make better choices." Kakashi walked on. "Either way, I have a comrade to save."
"Do you think I could be as strong as you are?" Kageyama wasn't sure why he asked this.
"What makes someone strong is their conviction." Kakashi looked back at him. "I have people I want to protect and will put my life on the line to do it. You can't say the same for your own guild, but the more time I spend with Fairy Tail, the more I want to protect everyone in it."
Kakashi was about to leave him, as he needed to gather the others to rescue Natsu, when Erza, Gray, Romeo, and Happy came running down the hallway.
"Kakashi, don't let that guy get away!" Erza shouted. "We need him to help us get out of here!"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow before turning to Kageyama. "What's she talking about?"
The Wizards stopped behind Kakashi.
"She's talking about a wind barrier around the station which is meant to keep you all here." Kageyama stated. "I have the power to break it."
"I see." Kakashi remembered what he said to Kageyama, but more importantly, he remembered his conversation with Minato. "Kageyama, how would you like to cut a deal?"
"Kakashi, what are you doing?" Erza asked.
"I'm getting us a way out and potentially securing a little extra help." Kakashi looked at her. "Considering you're here, I don't think it should be a problem. If he tries to double cross us, you can easily take him."
"What's going on here?" Kageyama asked.
Kakashi and Erza stared at each other as they contested their wills.
Eventually, it was Erza who looked away. "If you're wrong about this, I will take him down myself, and you will report such a failure to the master for proper punishment."
"Duly noted." Kakashi stated.
"I'm seriously lost here." Kageyama stated.
"I'm going to offer you the deal of a lifetime." Kakashi crouched before the Dark Wizard. "You're going to get the chance to experience the other side of the coin and avoid jail time all together. How does that sound?"
"What, are you trying to recruit me into your guild?" Kageyama questioned.
"I don't know about this Gray." Romeo whispered.
"I'm not much for it either, but Erza agreed." Gray whispered back.
"Aye!" Happy whispered. "I'm certainly not going to cross her."
"You could say that." Kakashi nodded. "I believe I have a method to get you into our guild and keep you out of jail. All you got to do is help us out of here, rescue Natsu, and put a stop to your guild's plans."
"Gee, that's all I got to do, huh?" Kageyama rolled his eyes. "Get real man."
"I'm being completely serious." Kakashi looked at the hole he made. "Considering how your guild was willing to throw you away, do you honestly expect Erigor to treat you any better? What's more, do you think he can control a god or demon?"
"Well, I suppose not." Kageyama admitted.
"At this point, you have options." Kakashi tried. "You can help us and join Fairy Tail or, best case scenario, you can end up in jail. In there, you won't get to explore your magic, you'll be confined, you'll make no money, and you'll never know how far you could have gone."
"The worst-case scenario is death. Whether it be at the hands of Erigor, Hephaestus, Lullaby, or the magic council for my crimes." Kageyama understood his predicament and gritted his teeth. "I may have a choice, but only one of them is a good one."
Kakashi stood. "If you come with us, and give this everything you got, I promise you'll stay out of jail. Honestly, I won't even force you into Fairy Tail, but you'd be welcome after helping us." He held out his hand. "What do you say?"
"I think the world may very well be on the brink of destruction." Kageyama shook his head. before taking the offered hand. "Alright, I'm in. Currently, we have under two days before your friend is dead, and we got a god to deal with."
"That's two days to ensure it doesn't happen." Kakashi looked at Erza. "How long would it take us to reach Eisenwald?"
"We can be there by the end of the day." Erza stated.
"That will give us one night to rest before attacking with the morning." Kakashi nodded. "Well then, looks like you're up Kageyama."
"Once I break that barrier, I can't go back. No, once I give them what I have in my pocket, I can't go back." Kageyama took a deep breath and pulled a Lacrima out of his pocket. "I don't know if your guild has it, but you could try contacting them using this."
"Is that a Communication Lacrima?" Romeo asked.
Kageyama nodded. "We keep them to stay in contact when jobs come up that fit a specific Wizard. If you're guild has one, you guys could call in some help."
"Do you think we need it?" Erza asked.
She was cautiously observing their current 'ally' for any signs of traitorous intent. No one really blamed her considering he was their enemy mere minutes ago.
"All of Eisenwald is here and beaten; however, Erigor is still standing." Kage explained. "Not only that, but Sound's Desire is bound to be with him. If this ritual is as important as I think, they may call in some back up of their own."
"I don't want to admit it, but the guy makes a point Erza." Gray stated.
Romeo sighed reluctantly. "Yeah, and I wouldn't want to risk Natsu just because we were reluctant to believe him."
"Very well." Erza took the Lacrima as the group began running for the barrier. "Hopefully, Mira can send us some back up."