This is a re-upload, I made some minor changes, so please be honest with how you feel about them. Thank you for your continued support, I'm going to try my best to bring this to a satisfactory conclusion!
Chapter 14: It ends here
"I will defeat you, for the sake of my guild, and for the sake of my family." Laxus looked at the dark haired man who was currently laughing in his face. The lightning mage shook slightly, his hands clenched at his sides, he still feared the man who had raised him, he still coward in his very presence. Years of hurt and loneliness flooded the lightning mage's mind as he watched his cold hearted father laugh at his bold statement.
"So you think you can defeat me now boy?" Ivan Dreyar mocked his son with a dry laugh. "I've had even more time to get stronger while you were standing still, you don't even stand a chance." Laxus knew that the man standing in front of him was once ten times more powerful than he could ever hope to be, but after becoming a true dragon slayer, he wondered if it was still the truth. He was eager to put it to the test. His ambition combated the fear that had gripped his heart up to this point, he remembered his teacher, and a crooked smile came to his face.
"I don't know if I'll be able to do anything against a monster like you to be honest, but I know that I have to try. You are the reason Lucy had to go into hiding right after her mother died, you are the person who made my life hell for so many years. I can't let you get away with that, nor for all the times you've sold Fairy Tail out for profit. I am here to exact my pound of flesh from you, Ivan!" Laxus held himself as tall as he could, trying to physically show that he wouldn't back down.
"It looks to me like the little puppy is trying to pick a fight with the big dogs." Ivan let out a deep laugh that only angered Laxus further. Ivan didn't even move from his high back chair at the challenge, and Laxus knew immediately that he was being underestimated.
"I'm not the same weak little boy you left behind, Ivan. I've grown stronger over the years, and I'm ready to show you that. I don't even need this stupid lycrima that you implanted in me anymore!" The sparks of Laxus's emotions jumped off his skin erratically. The glow of his magic increased with his anger, eventually bathing the whole room in an eerie yellow light.
"Well then, if you don't need it, I will take it from you. That small crystal is worth a fortune you know." Iron cuffs shot out of the wall clasping around Laxus's wrists in an attempt to restrain him, one more for his ankles came from the floor. Ivan laughed loudly, spouting off various insults at his son, till he caught sight of the smile that was steadily taking over his son's face.
"Metal chains, Ivan? Do you think this will stop me, a lightning mage?" The humor in the young man's voice set his father's nerves on edge. For the first time in Laxus's life, he saw what he would describe as a ghost of fear flash in the old man's dark eyes. It sent a shiver of delight up his spine, causing his smile to grow a little crueler. It didn't take much with his new found powers, breaking the shackles had become mere child's play for the lightning mage.
Laxus didn't discard the broken chains, not just yet, instead he took one in each hand swinging them around his head, picking up speed as time ticked by.
"What do you think you're doing?" Ivan looked nervous under the penetrating stare of his only son.
"I want answers before I put you through a world of hell. If you were as smart as Gramps you would have used mage's cuffs, that way I couldn't fight back, but it looks like your still out of his league." Laxus released the chains, after infusing them with a lightning charge that would temporarily paralyze his victim. Laxus watched his father fall to the ground; his body twitching slightly, his eyes wide with disbelief at the sheer power in Laxus's attack.
"W-W-What are you?" Ivan stammered.
"Now now old man, I'm the one asking the questions here." Laxus cracked his knuckles loudly. "First you're going to tell me why you had Lucy's family attacked, and secondly you're going to tell me why you had our teacher killed."
The howls of pain from the Master of Raven tail could be heard echoing through the whole place, followed shortly by a ghoulish like cackle from his son at the fact that he had so easily brought his father to his knees.
Mira and the others took a moment to listen to the damage Laxus was inflicting on his father with devious smiles. It was a personal victory for Laxus, but the whole guild would celebrate his triumph when they returned home.
"It looks like your Master has his hands full there." Gray shouted to the red haired woman he was going up against. Her eyes were already unusually wide, but Gray noticed they seemed to grow wider at the sound of Ivan's screams. She had begun to shake slightly, whether in fear, or anger Gray wasn't sure, but it really didn't matter so long as he was able to defeat her in the end.
"Master can handle his worthless son." She hissed while attacking Gray from the side. It was an obvious attack and Gray didn't have trouble dodging.
"Watch you're back, she is a manipulator!" Loki called out over his shoulder. His warning was only a moment too late. Gray felt long threads tighten around his boots before he was hoisted up in the air. The red head woman cackled, as a large grin broke out on her face.
It must have been a shock to the woman when Gray burst out laughing in response.
"Is this really the best you can do, at least give me a challenge?" Gray held his sides as he laughed, not even caring that he had left himself wide open.
"Cocky bastard!" She hissed sending another batch of deep red threads in his direction.
"Ice make: Cold Excalibur!" It only took Gray a moment to slice through her attack, and free himself from the bindings on his legs. "Why do I keep getting opponents like this? It doesn't seem fair that I always have to fight off a bunch of girls!" Gray called over his shoulder while Mira and Loki took on opponents of their own.
"We would be in trouble if you let Loki fight her; I bet he wouldn't be able to stay focused." Mira ground out, pushing back the advance of her foe.
"I resent that comment, this woman is a red head, and you should know I detest red heads!" Loki called before taking a hit square to the gut.
"Why didn't you take her Mira?" Gray hollered, freezing another batch of her hair attack. "Girls are better in cat fights you know!" The red head was obviously not enjoying being taunted by the three mages who had invaded their guild.
"Fairy tail is full of weaklings if this is the best force they could send!" She hissed trying to avoid Gray's advancing Ice make: Lance.
"She thinks we are squad A isn't that cute!" Loki called with a hearty laugh.
"Well Laxus and Mira are both S-class." Gray defended lazily.
"But Erza and the others are well above my level now." Mira admitted with a depressed sigh. "I'm merely a shell of the mage I once was."
"Enough talk!" the small golem like man hollered while advancing on Loki. Loki took another hit to the stomach, and landed on the floor laughing like a hyena.
"Man, Lucy hits harder than this midget!" He cackled.
"Lucy's whip is more dangerous than this chick's hair too." Gray laughed as he effectively trapped the female mage in his Ice Make: Geyser.
"Come here pretty boy let me take you down a few notches." Mira laughed, finally changing into her Satan soul. "I'll teach you the meaning of fear."
"We are finished here." The fairy tail mages smirked to see Laxus standing with the limp form of Ivan Dreyar hanging by the back of his coat in Laxus's right hand. "Surrender or I will let them fight you seriously, even if it's against Natsu's orders." The Raven tail mages growled before charging back into battle once more. "Well then you all know what to do, but remember not to kill them." Laxus walked through the crowd, slinging his unconscious father over his shoulder with an evil grin.
"I'm glad to see that you do fear for your own safety, I was starting to get concerned for you." Erza took a slow and deliberate step forward; she watched her prey's eyes double in size as her balance steadily improved. "It is a shame to destroy such a talented mage, but orders are orders." Erza clicked her tongue against the back of her teeth as she advanced further.
The man visibly flinched away from the iron clad female warrior who was steadily growing closer to him, his shadows were no longer providing him with any sense of security or even cover for that matter.
"Are you going to kill me now?" His voice trembled as Erza suspected the rest of him surely was. The man who had been known for brutally killing families of wealth businessmen, and politicians while maintaining anonymity was fearful for his own safety, and Erza laughed loudly at the irony of it all.
"Will you beg for me to spare your life?" Her laughter lightened her tone, allowing a moment of ease to envelope the nameless mage who was staring her twin blades in the face. A simple flick of Erza's wrist was all it would take to end the scum's life.
"I'll give you anything you want; I have money, lots of money!" He squeaked. Erza stopped laughing at his outcry, narrowing her eyes in on him. His whole being was shaking like a leaf; he must have been terrified to have someone actually stand up to him.
The idea struck Erza in a flash, and a devious smile crept back onto her ruby lips.
"Anything?" Erza watched his face closely, wondering how best to decide what to do with him.
"Yes, I'll do anything!" He fell to his knee, groveling at Erza's dark metal boots. She tossed him a pair of magic blocking cuffs and watched as he struggled with getting them around his wrists. He whimpered his thanks for her kindness, and she stopped dead and stared him directly in the eyes.
"This is not my kindness, it is the kindness of our fifth Master, she would never see a man killed for his crimes before he receives a proper trial." Erza grabbed the end on the shackle and began to lead her new charge through the wreckage that was once the third pillar of the underworld.
"What will you do with me now?" His once cold and emotionless eyes now clearly showed his worry.
"That is not for me to decide, you will stand trial under the Celestial court. Once a verdict is passed it will be decided how best to deal or dispose of you."
"All clear on this end Erza!" Bisca called as she shouldered her favorite riffle. She raised and eye brow at her mission partner, not really understanding why she had a man with his hands in irons.
"Good work Bisca, let's head back. I'll check in with the other teams once we reach the station." Erza made her way out of the building and straight to the train station. Once they were securely in a private compartment she pulled out her lacrima and pulled Gray up on the screen.
"How is it going on your end?" She asked abruptly.
"Ivan Dreyer is secured, but we had to take out a few of his subordinates in the process. The little bastards gave us a hard time when it came down to it." Gray laughed lightly, feeling proud that they had made it through with minimal injuries. "What about you?"
"I have a present for Lucy, I'll show you when you get to the rendezvous point. We are on our way there now." Erza laughed at the quizzical look on Gray's face, but she refused to give him any more details.
"Oh, well, I guess we'll see you in a few hours." Gray gave a quick salute before cutting off his transmission.
"Those things are really handy." Bisca giggled. "I should get Alzeck one when we get home." Erza nodded her agreement, and went about checking in on the other squads that were under her 'command'. It took a good hour to get the full report, but she was happy to know that everything had gone smoothly for the most part.
She felt that her work was just about finished, so she folded her arms over her chest, and simply sat there resting for the rest of the ride.
The brakes of the train screamed in protest as it came to a standstill. It was hot, and humid outside the train, and Bisca felt the need to tie her long green hair back to keep it from sticking to her neck. She was still amazed at how the weather could change with just a short train ride to the south no matter how many times she had made the trip beforehand.
She took a deep breath as she followed her red haired companion out the exit. She kept a firm grip on the bindings that were strapped around the wrists of her captive while she stepped out into the sun; following just a few sort meters behind in fearful silence was the once proud mage who had caused terror in the hearts of many influential men in their kingdom.
Bisca had agreed silently with Erza that the situation was indeed ironic. Here before them stood this legendary figure that even Erza had been excited to fight, and he was shaking in the shadows of two women. The situation was almost laughable.
The station wasn't particularly crowded so it was easy for the three to maneuver their belonging from the train. Erza easily ignored the several passersby that happened to stop to ogle at the trio, even if her two companions weren't as good at ignoring the awkward stares of strangers.
Erza made her way to an abandoned area where she knew they would not be disturbed, and was pleased to see that her presence alone ensured that it stayed that way. A smile crept across her face when she managed to get everything settled. Erza reached into her satchel that Lucy had been so gracious to lone her and pulled out her communication lacrima.
"Hello Erza." Levy greeted the red haired mage with a broad smile and Erza returned it with a wide smile of her own.
"Hello Levy, I hope you are doing well." Erza greeted her friend.
"Things are nothing but rainbows and butterflies here in Era." Sarcasm dripped from her every word. "Never mind that now though, how was your mission, did everything go smoothly?" Levy absently tapped her chin with the business end of her pen leaving a small ink blot behind. Bisca, who was looking over Erza's shoulder, chocked loudly to stifle her laughter.
"Yes, and we even brought you back a souvenir." Erza turned the screen so that Levy had a good view of their captive. "Would you be so kind as to let Lucy know that we have secured an S-class mage, and that I'm taking him to the designated area." Erza watched as the blue haired mage wrote something on the clip board she was holding before offering a kind smile.
"Make sure you secure him properly, we don't need any unfortunate accidents happening." The man, who had been referred to as Ace by Erza since his capture, trembled at the implications, unsure if she meant he would come to harm if he wasn't watched closely. He had hoped no one would try to exact vengeance on him during his incarceration, but that hope seemed fleeting at the words of the unfamiliar woman.
"I will personally guard him, wouldn't want anything to happen before he gets to stand trial." Bisca added with a sly smile.
"All my teams are present and accounted for, sector 2, 5, 10 and 15 are clear." Erza continued with her report, and proper smile gracing her lips.
"Alright, he on to the safe house, but be careful you two." Levy released the connection with a sigh, marking down the success of Erza's team.
Lucy, having over heard the conversation anyway laughed lightly. It was refreshing to see that someone had yielded to Erza, even offering to come back with her.
"So we have secured an S-class mage, this is good." Lucy took the opportunity to inform Natsu of the current situation. Laxus's team as well as Erza's were headed back to the safe point now, and Juvia had reported in a short while ago to let them know she was on her way to her last target.
No word had been received from Cana yet, but she knew it wouldn't be long before she was finished with her targets as well.
"The boys haven't found Acnoligia yet, but they are getting closer it seems." Lucy sighed in relief, she wanted to join the others once things were finished here, but there was no way of knowing if she would be able to do that now.
"Is it time to do some more persuading?" Levy set her clip board down for a moment looking back around the room where the golden spirit boxes still maintained their solid forms, trapping more than a dozen powerful mages.
"I'm good at that, can I help." Vulpi pleaded with bright shining sapphire eyes that sparkled with fake tears.
"Yes, I want to end this so that we can meet up with the others." Lucy flicked her wrist, releasing the angry mages from their confines. "You are the last who remain. I warn you now that if you do not submit to my will, I will be forced to take drastic measures."
Her comments were once more greeted with blank stares and anger from those who questioned her powers. It only took Lucy a moment to read the room around her. Both of her hands began to glow as she summoned her twin blades.
"There is no honor to be had here. Throw your selves at my feet and beg my forgiveness or by the original goddess I will strike you all down." Lucy's words carried a weight that made the whole room quake, further demonstrating her power as a living deity.
"I'll be damned if a child like you could strike me." With those few words all hell broke loose in the large room. Fire and wind sliced through the marble walls and pillars while swords and other magical items clashed loudly around different areas.
Lupus, Lynx, Levy, and Vulpi all provided back up in the largest mage fight since the last Great War. Lucy flipped gracefully through the crowd slashing and cutting here and there. It didn't take long to weed out the weaker ones, leaving behind three mages who held the current title of wizard saints.
"So this is the path you have chosen?" Lucy circled the three, preparing to get more serious about the main event.
"Who's to say, tomorrow brings a new future and with it a new choice of paths to follow." The man was tall and gray, and by his words Lucy may have mistaken him for a wise man, but by his heart she knew all too well that he was nothing but a fool.
"Tomorrow is an ever changing thing yes, but the choices we make today are what make those possible futures into something solid that we can hold onto." The man guarded against her swords with his staff while another mage attacked with vines that crept up her leg to hold her in place.
"You are but a child in this world, you could never truly understand the reason the world works this way." The mage hissed while Lucy deflected another blow from his staff.
"Age is not the only thing that gives a person understanding." Lucy slashed out with her sword several times more leaving the old mage's staff in a pile of splinters at their feet. "I have seen more suffering than I care for, and I will be the one who stops it." Time began to slow while Lucy formed her Astrim Pulvuis Ingram.
Countless numbers of golden spheres danced around the room poised just meters away from her opponents. Levy watched with wide eyes unable to move out of the range of fire, slowly she marked where her allies were in the room. If it could have her jaw would have dropped to the floor at the sight. It all happened in a fraction of a second and when it was over she and Lucy were the only ones left standing.
Lucy had forced the spirits back into the spirit world before she released the time stop, and the orb that was just a few inches from Levy had gone right over her shoulder to hit a mage that was attacking from behind. Lucy's strength had grown exponentially while they were in the Dragon's Lair, but then again Levy had been holding her own against the over whelming forces of the three Wizard saints.
Levy watched as Lucy's swords faded away, her friend's face was set in a deep frown as she looked over the fallen mages.
"You did what had to be done." Levy's voice was shaky to her own ears, she didn't want to admit it out loud, but for a moment she was afraid that Lucy was going to hit her with the magical explosion as well as the spirits.
"I know, but I wish that it didn't have to get to this point. The darkness in their hearts was just rooted too deep for me to fix them." Lucy wiped the back of her hand across her forehead, Levy looked at her friend carefully, Lucy was deathly pale, and immediately the blue haired mage knew something wasn't right. Levy quickly grabbed her clipboard and the stack of papers that were waiting on the podium and ran to catch up to Lucy.
They made their way across the building to a small room that was being used as the safe house for the council members who remained.
"All of the survivors are to be imprisoned where Jellal was being held. Once that is finished Libra will help you select their replacements. I expect you all to remember what has happened here, and know that the true rulers have returned to bring peace back to your world." Libra came to stand next to the eldest of the remaining mages, who Lucy had sent away from the imprisonment room; she offered a warm smile and led the old man out of the room.
Levy gave a small smile to her friend, glad that this portion of their mission was finally over. It happened in a fraction of a second, Lucy's eyes dilated, and her whole body went limp. She would have hit the ground had it not been for Vulpi who appeared just in time.
"Stupid girl." He muttered pulling her up on his back.
"Vulpi, what's going on?" Levy was panicking at this point, because Lucy didn't look like she was breathing anymore.
"She used too much magic, and forced herself back into the spirit world." Vulpi explained, heading for the exit.
"Levy we need to freeze her, until her magic returns, can you do that?" Levy took a deep breath and nodded her head, she thought for a moment about what spell would be best, and finally decided on one that resembled the one Gray had used to freeze Lucy the first time.
"Put her down so I don't freeze you with her." Vulpi wanted to laugh at the idea that the little mage could freeze a powerful spirit like him, but the look in her eyes chased away any humor he had previously felt.
"Do your thing." He laid her on the floor, folding her arms gently over her chest.
"I hope this works; I haven't used a lot of ice spells." Levy crossed her fingers as she concentrated on the runes she needed for her spell.
I'm working on the next chapter, but I can't promise it will be up in a week like my other series, this one is much harder to write... but I will do my best for you all!