Hello! And welcome to the next chapter! Sorry about the whole 'I-would-try-to-update-every-week' and then NOT update last week. But I went to cinema to watch a movie with my mate and I couldn't update! But enough of my lousy excuses! This chapter is going to be amazing! Why? Because A BIG PLOT LINE IS GOING TO BE REVEALED AT THE END! However, no skipping to the end to find out what it is :/ Read the whole chapter and enjoy and prepare for the reveal at the end! Now, on to the show!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Fairy Tail but Scarlet Destiny is all mine :D
Her footsteps echoed rather loudly in the hallway. Well, considering the fact that she was still really pissed at her two companions, she had to take that anger out some way or another. Stomping her feet seemed to be her childish answer.
Lucy sighed lowly, flicking part of her traitorous blonde hair behind her back, and her foot clashed against the marble floor precisely with a large 'Clang'. She flicked her gaze to the two boys walking beside her.
Natsu was uncharacteristically quite for a moment glancing here and there rather nervously at Lucy. He knew how she was when she was angry. Lucy could easily turn into Erza number two if she was riled up enough. And he and his newly 'stuck' companion had pissed her off a lot running off twice on her.
Ren, on the other hand, was letting out frustrated sighs and other little noises of displeasure. A hand was caressing his right check which was flamed red, almost the shape of a small foot-print.
"I don't get it! Did you have to 'Lucy Kick' me in the face?!" Ren cried out yet again.
Lucy shifted and gave Ren a menacing glare. One that would have Natsu cower slightly (She really was as scary as Erza when angry), but Ren just gazed back at her normally, lips quirked up slightly, unfazed by the death glare.
"You ran away from me! Twice! Not to mention that we are god-knows where and could run into danger or a trap at any moment. You deserved that kick, Ren!" Lucy shouted back at him.
"Okay and I did apologize didn't I? But...How come you only kicked me in the face?! What about Pinky?! How come you didn't hit him?! He ran off too!" Ren accused, lifting up his hand that was stuck to Natsu as emphasis.
It was true. The minute that she had caught up to Ren and Natsu some while back down this long hall-way she had immediately kicked Ren in the face, causing him and Natsu to fly backwards. Of course, Ren got the worse part of it all. Natsu was left unhurt.
"Because," Lucy started looking at Natsu who was grinning smugly out of getting hurt and Lucy was determined to get it off "I didn't hurt him because I imagine he's going to be in a lot of pain once he meets Erza after this. Can you imagine what she would do? Oh, poor, poor Natsu. I doubt there would be a part of him left to bury."
Goal! Natsu's smile instantly dropped from his lips. His eyes filled with fear. No matter how scary Lucy was when she was angry, it was nothing compared to how Erza would be. She would skin Natsu alive! No, even worse! The things Erza would do to Natsu. He literally shuddered in fear.
"Oh, Pinky I actually feel sorry for you!" Ren laughed before pausing for a second, his eyes widened slightly "Wait! This better be after Natsu and I get our hands unstuck, right? Right?"
If he was still stuck to Natsu when Erza finds them...well it would not be pretty.
"Nope, you'd be collateral damage, Ren. Lucky to make it out alive..." Lucy trailed off with a grin.
The two teenagers beside her gulped in fear while Lucy grinned like the devil beside them. Payback was going to be sweet.
"Anyway, have either of you manage to catch Slave's scent?" Lucy asked.
"Nope," Ren replied, popping the 'p' "The mansion is interfering with our sense of smell for some reason. I can smell him a bit, but there's this other scent that's too overpowering so I can't track down Slave's scent at all."
"This is bad. If were to run into a trap right now..."
"Eh? Lucy, don't worry! I'm here! I'll protect you no matter what." Ren claimed out loud causing the said girls cheeks to heat up.
'Stupid Ren.'Saying stuff like that out loud...' Lucy thought with a soft blush staining her cheeks.
Natsu on the other hand stared at the pair. They were much closer than he thought they were in the beginning. He actually was wondering what kind of relationship these two had. Perhaps just friends, right? Although Happy had teased them of liking each other, which is not uncommon of him and he does it with a lot of people. Natsu groaned in his mind. He was over thinking things. And, he didn't like to think sometimes.
"Wait!" Ren suddenly shouted causing four pairs of eyes to look at him.
The boy had his head cocked to the side, a slight twitch between his eyebrows showing he was in thought. He had stopped in his tracks causing Natsu to stop with him. Lucy followed their example.
"Do you smell that?"
Natsu frowned. He took a small sniff of the air. Nope, nothing. All he could smell was that weird stench of the mansion. Nothing else.
"What? There's nothing to smell." Natsu replied back.
"No, no, there is. I can smell it. It's faint but it smells, a lot like...Zolo!" Ren shouted out.
Lucy's eyes widened with surprise. Zolo?Was he here? Did the rest of Scarlet Destiny somehow catch up to them? This quickly though? Her thoughts whirled with never-ending questions. Natsu's frowned deepened. He took another sniff of the air, but this time a large one. He really couldn't smell something apart from the mansion. How could Ren smell his comrade when he couldn't smell anything?
Ren seemed to jump with excitement.
"Yeah! It's definitely Zolo! It smells like alcohol and leather. He's here. But, why? And, how?"
No one could answer his questions.
"Do you think you can trail his scent Ren?" Lucy asked.
A surge of relief filled her body about hearing about this. Okay, she knew Zolo was the last person she should feel relief about that he was here, considering how scary he was, but if he was here that meant the rest of Scarlet Destiny was. It also meant her, Ren and Natsu weren't going to get caught in some sort of trap and if they were, they had help and back-up.
"Zolo's? Sure I'd be able too."
The moment the plan was agreed on, something clicked in Natsu's mind. If Scarlet Destiny's S-Class mage was here...then that meant Fairy Tail's members were also. This concluded to Erza being here as well. Erza! No he couldn't face her! She would kill him.
Too late.
Natsu opened his mouth to say something but Ren had started to run off, determined to find Zolo before his scent might disappear or the mansion's scent would over power it. Unfortunately, Natsu wasn't ready. This leaded to Ren running as fast as he could and Natsu literally swinging about after him, feet off the ground. His cheeks puffed out. His body was telling him that this was like transportation. He was going to be sick!
Lucy followed after them in a hurried pace watching as Natsu flung around in the air behind Ren. The sly grin from before made its way on to her , she knew exactly how Natsu was feeling right now.
This lasted for a few moments before Natsu somehow managed to get his feet on the ground, as he ran along-side Ren. The trio made their way through the hall-way walking back down the path they had come from. Lucy had no idea how long she had run for, but she was quickly getting winded.
Finally, she and the rest turned around the hall-way's swift corner. Instantly, Lucy noticed them. Erza,Zolo...and Happy? Why was he with them? They were walking downwards, Zolo and Erza side-by-side and Happy in the air.
She watched as each of their eyes ballooned since they hadn't really expected her, Natsu or Ren to make such a surprised appearance.
"Happy!" Ren shouted out in joy, which caused a slight tick to go off from Natsu's joy.
"Ren!" Happy yelled back which caused the tick in Natsu's jaw to worsen.
That was his best friend after all! Why were they screaming out their names so happily out loud? It wasn't right and it wasn't fair either. He was the one that found Happy and took care of him. Why was Happy always acting like he was a stranger?
Happy with the advantage of flying, launched himself forwards so he could basically tackle Ren into a flying hug. It would have worked rather well although suddenly a loud click fell through the atmosphere.
Out of nowhere, a large white wall rushed from the ceiling right between Erza, Zolo, Happy and Ren, Lucy and Natsu. Ren and Natsu let out a large dismayed yell when the wall came into view. A sharp gasp fell from Lucy's lips. Erza eyes widened at the wall and Zolo looked at it, a corner of his mouth turned downwards.
Happy unfortunately was too late to reach Ren. He was also too late to stop when the wall fell down. Which leaded to Happy crashing face first into the wall with a large smash. His small body practically flattened on the wall. There was a moment where Happy seemed to stick to the wall before he slowly peeled down and drifted to the floor like a feather being let loose into the air. He managed to swish his way to the floor.
Erza's stern expression remained with a hint of worry. Zolo burst out laughing at the sight. What? Could you blame him? People in pain brightened his mood.
"Are you okay cat?" Zolo asked as he had leisurely made his way to the cat on the floor.
Happy had tears at the corners of his eyes while holding his nose.
"That hurt!" Happy yelled out.
Zolo chucked his head back as he laughed out loud. He was actually beginning to really like this cat. Happy looked at Zolo in dismay. People wouldn't laugh at that.
Erza sighed before looking at Happy's hunched up body on the floor.
"Come Happy. I'll make you feel better."
"I'm fine! Aye!" Happy yelled out as he quickly flew up in to the air despite the pain, knowing exactly how Erza nurses people back to health. It wasn't a pretty sight.
"What the hell? Where did this wall come from?" a new voice spoke, the source from behind the wall.
Ren.
"It seems to have come from the ceiling. And with a reason I suppose. To separate us, just as we found each other. A trap you could say." Erza mused, already figuring it out quickly.
On the other side of the wall, Ren and Natsu seemed to let out a simultaneous huff. If they could cross their arms they would. Lucy bit her bottom lip at the knowledge. Zolo didn't seem fazed by any of it. Happy just stared at the wall, glaring daggers at the thing that gave him pain.
"I'll break it!" Natsu yelled, his tone taking on a deadly edge "My fire dragons roar will break it down."
"Natsu!" Erza yelled angrily through the wall which caused a light squeak from the boy as his reply. Even with a large white wall, separating them, Natsu did not feel safe from the red-haired women at all.
"No need to waste your energy. I suspect the wall is magic protected. Otherwise, why bring it down if we could easily break through it. These Lacus Animairum Mages are talented...I'll give them that." Erza explained calmly.
There was a slight moment of silence where each person pondered their thoughts.
"Well," Zolo spoke loudly gaining everyone's attention "time to break down the wall."
A hand rested on one of his swords hilt. Slowly, he began to slide it out of its sheath.
Erza gained a slight tick mark at Zolo's words.
"Did you not hear me? I said-"
"I heard you," Zolo interrupted, his sword already free, 'Kazuki' silver blade gleaming, "These Lacus Animairum pride themselves in being puppet masters. We are their puppets, in their setting and they expect us to follow their rules and outlet. However, I am not a person that dances to other people's tunes. Are you, Titania?"
"Never." Erza's brisk reply was spoken without a hint of hesitation.
Zolo grinned. His attention on the white wall in front of him. He didn't care if this wall was magic protected or not. It was facing against Kazuki. The sword that can cut through anything. The wall will break.
"Stand back from the wall."
He didn't wait to see if Lucy, Ren and Natsu had obeyed his command nor really gave them time too. Erza and Happy watched as Zolo raised his sword. There were two quick slashes, a bright silver blur as fast as lightning which Erza and Happy witnessed.
Both of them watched carefully at the wall that seemed to be unfazed. Slowly, a slow cracking sound was heard. Followed by another. Then all at once, like a dam being broken and water flowing out, the wall crumbled, collapsing. Bricks flew down on the floor in front of Zolo creating large dust clouds. Once cleared, the wall had a large crooked whole revealing Lucy, Ren and Natsu, the three seeming awe-struck and also covered in dust.
"Come on." Zolo said as he stepped through the wall, Erza and Happy following.
Natsu seemed to have stars in his eyes. He needed to fight this person! He bet he could beat Zolo. If he could then he would be able to beat Erza for sure. Although, Natsu's musing was short-lived when he felt a huge amount of killing intent sent his way. He knew what this was. Felt it so many times before.
"E-Erza.." Natsu stuttered seeing the red-haired women glare at him.
"Natsu." the women said shortly and calmly "We need to have a serious talk about running off into obvious traps. Do you have any last words to tell me before the 'talk'?"
The last part of the sentence sounded very much like she was asking for him to tell her his last wishes. Natsu gulped. Erza took a menacing step towards him, eyes darkening by the second.
"H-Hey," Ren interrupted suddenly, seeing the confrontation "As much as I would love to see Pinky get hurt, I rather not be dragged into his world of pain."
"What do you mean?" Erza asked shortly, not pleased someone had interrupted her.
To show his view-point, Ren lifted his hand which also caused Natsu to involuntary lift his. There was blue sticky stuff covering both their hands, mostly in between the palms which were stuck together. Erza's eyes widened as she remembered Happy talking about the 'sticky situation'. So this was what he meant? Zolo snickered when she saw the hands.
"Aye, it's funny isn't it?" Happy claimed when he saw that Zolo laughed "I bet the sticky stuff isn't even the cause. I bet they just wanted to hold hands!"
Lucy laughed out loud at that while Ren growled lowly in his throat. Natsu didn't seem that amused by Happy's teasing either. Zolo grinned while even Erza had a small smile on her face.
"This is why we had to run away to find Slave!" Ren yelled "So, I can get unstuck to Pinky!"
"Well, it's no fun being stuck to you...Uh...Bluey!"
Silence. Lucy and Happy face palmed. Natsu bristled. He really needed to come up with a good comeback to the 'Pinky' nickname and soon.
"I think I can fix this." Zolo spoke up, his gaze on Ren and Natsu's hands.
"Can you?" Ren asked excitedly as he automatically brought his and Natsu's hands up to the S-Class Mage.
Zolo took a step closer to the stuck hands and seemed to stare. He let out a hum and raised 'Kazuki' in the air, slightly.
"Yeah I can definitely get you out of this." Zolo agreed.
"How?"Natsuasked, his voice equally excited.
"Hold still," Zolo stated as he raised 'Kazuki' higher until the sword was a few feet above both Natsu and Ren's hands "So, who wants to be the one?"
"What do you mean?" Natsu asked confused and Ren was agreeing in the background wanting to know where Zolo was going with this.
"Well, Kazuki can cut through anything unfortunately the blue stick stuff is all over your hands and in the way. So, I'll do the next best thing. I'm going to chop off one of yourguys hand-"
The rest of Zolo's sentence was cut off by two very large, very freaked out yells.
"NO WAY!" Ren yelled as he drew his hand right back away from Zolo's deadly sword.
"I AGREE!" Natsu cried as he stared at Zolo in dismay.
Even Lucy and Happy seemed freaked out. Zolo had said that with such a serious and straight face. Erza, on the other hand, looked slightly miffed. If someone was going to hurt Natsu, it should be her.
"You didn't let me finish," Zolo started and he saw that Ren and Natsu had reluctantly settled so he could go on. Zolo's face instantly went serious again, a very dark look in his eyes "I'm going to chop off one of your guys hands and then remove the sticky stuff and whoever hands get chopped off, they'll quickly run off to try to find that shy kid who can heal it back on. So, who is it going to be?"
"NEITHER!" both dragon slayers shouted out loud, appalled and traumatized at the very idea.
"WE AREN'T DOLLS YOU KNOW?!" Ren added on.
"Come on! It won't hurt that much." Zolo edged as he took a step, sword pointing straight at Ren and Natsu.
"NO!" came the scream from both dragon slayers as one.
"Guys," Lucy finally interrupted saving both the dragon slayers "As much as fun as this is, I've got questions. Like, how did you get to us quickly?"
"Well, I went back to the guild to find Jared. Once I did, we realized that we wouldn't get to you on time. But, Nyx remembered about the 'Kuro Express Way' and we took that cutting off half the time. Everyone separated to look for you guys. I guess we should start heading back to the main area now that we found you." Happy explained.
"Oh so it's that idiots doing." Ren grumbled followed by Lucy who snapped at him,
"Hey! At least they're here now to help."
"We should head back." Erza agreed with Happy.
"But, our hands-" Natsu started before he was cut off.
"You're going against me, huh, Natsu?" Erza asked, raising a single eyebrow.
"No, Sir!" squeaked Natsu.
At that moment they would have all left. If it wasn't for the fact that another voice spoke up,
"Aw~ You're leaving? But I thought you wanted to get your hands unstuck?"
All five of them quickly spun around towards the intruder. Some eyes widened. Others stayed the same, unfazed.
Slave.
He stood directly down the hall-way a long space between him and Fairy Tail and Scarlet Destiny members. His dark goggles still present, and he was grinning giddily.
"You!" hissed Natsu as he took a step forward causing Ren to do the same.
"Yup! Me! The one and only...Well, not exactly, if you think about it, but that's a discussion for another time!" Slave said.
"Come with us quietly. If not, you will be severely harmed." Erza warned coldly, body ready to summon multiple swords at any moment.
They all knew how sneaky this character was by now. What did he have planned now?
"S-Scary..." Slave trailed off "But you wouldn't hurt me. After all, I'm the only one that can unstick their hands, you know?"
"As if!"Zolo scoffed "If it was not all over their hands I could easily cut your sticky substance in half."
Slave raised a single eyebrow.
"I doubt that."
Zolo gained a tick mark, and he quickly spun around to Natsu and Ren. Then, he raised Kazuki to both of them,
"I'll prove you wrong. Come on let me chop off your hands. To make it fair, I'll chop off both your hands not just one person's." Zolo suggested menacingly.
"That doesn't make it any better!" Natsu yelled out, taking a step away from Zolo's blade.
"I thought we agreed you weren't going to do that!" Ren snapped back, his voice tinged in slight fear.
After all, you never know with Zolo.
"Oh my! This conversation is so much fun~ But, we can't have it right now. Not that I have anything planned. Nope! For once I don't."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked, hands raised in defence.
Slave said nothing, his goggled eyes on her. His grin seemed to stretch further across his face.
"There's actually another person here that wants to play with you all~"
The minute the words escaped Slave was the minute they all felt it. A strong, so very strong magical power. This was nothing like how Zolo would be when he woke up. No, Lucy realized this magic power was even worse. It was so bloody suffocating that even though she was breathing fine, she felt that she was losing all her oxygen. Natsu seemed to be having the same reaction along with Ren, both hands (Or rather one hand) were into tight fists and teeth gritted. Happy seemed to want to faint there.
Erza and Zolo were the only ones that weren't affected. They were used to this, in many S-Class missions when going up against dark guilds, mages would release their magical power to 'scare' or 'psyche' their opponent. This was usual the case.
Instead, they both turned around to the opposite side of where Slave stood down the other side of the hall-way where the power was coming from. They were met with a sight of a man.
A very tall man. He was bulky too, muscles in all the right places. His hair was a dark brown colour styled into sharp that were sticking out in all sides. He wore a simple white top with black jeans. Around his neck was a large white cape that dangled down his back. The lower half of his face was covered in a small shadow of hair. His eyes were a dark brown too, matching his hair colour to the tee.
"Master..." Slave trailed off looking at the man.
The man, Master, just stared at the group of five in front of him. His eyes did not waver once from them nor did he zone in on one person specifically. His magic power dimmed slightly at his own will, letting Lucy, Natsu, Ren and Happy to be gather enough energy to see him.
Y-You..." Natsu started and took a step forward as if to attack.
His whole body told him, no yelled at him, that this man was dangerous. More than dangerous. He should be taken care of, defeated as soon as possible. He wasn't the only one feeling like this. Ren also felt like he should go up against this guy and attack him as soon as possible.
"Stop."Zolo said as he took a step forwards and swung his sword so it was right in front of both dragon slayers "Leave now. Take Blondie and the cat with you. Go back to the main hall."
There was a moment of silence.
"What?!" Ren shouted out loud in anger and dismay "You can't tell us to leave! We'll help you! We'll fight-"
"You don't see it?" Zolo interrupted "This guy, he's out of your league right now. You won't be able to fight him. Whoever this guy is, leave him to me and Titania."
"No way!"Natsu shouted "I want to fight-"
"Did you not hear him?" Erza shouted out loud, coming to the exact same conclusion as Zolo had "Natsu I want you to leave. I'll take this guy on with Zolo."
Natsu gritted his teeth. He wouldn't go against Erza. No way. But, he wanted to fight! He wanted to protect! It was in his nature to. He didn't want to leave.
The man wearing the cape still gazed at all five of them at once. Finally, he lifted his gaze to meet Slave's gaze at the opposite end,
"Slave," the man spoke finally, his voice dark, deep and as sharp as a blade "Leave as well. Go to Blue."
Slave blinked once. Twice. Then he clasped his hands together and did a very peppy jump.
"Really?" Slave seemed to squeal "I get to go to Blue~ Do I? Yay! Oh this is going to be so much fun~"
The Master's teeth gritted together. The only sign to show he was completely and utterly annoyed by Slave's reaction.
"Leave before I decide to end you where you stand."
Slave nodded his head, in slight fear. He didn't dare to question his master at all. Instead, he quickly turned around and raced out the hallway.
"We should follow him." Ren spoke up looking at the direction Slave left.
"What?" Natsu exploded "We aren't leaving! We have to fight this guy and I have to beat him up."
"Natsu!" Lucy interrupted eyes on the dragon slayer "Ren's right. We can't let Slave escape. Plus, you can't fight with only one hand and Ren stuck to you. We should follow Slave and force him to get your hands unstuck."
"...Fine." Natsu relented finally, knowing Lucy was right.
But, once he got his hands unstuck he was coming back! He was sure of it.
Quickly, the four of them ran down the hallway to follow Slave. Master did not make a single move to go after the three of them. He just stood there, eyes trained on both Erza and Zolo.
Once they left all was silent in that hallway. Tensions rising within shifted slightly, Kazuki raised already to the master. Erza too looked ready for battle. She had yet to summon any of her armours but that would be in due time.
"So, Master, huh?" Zolo finally spoke up, cutting straight through the silence.
"Heh," The man with the brown hair spoke up closing his eyes "Don't call me Master. That is the name that Slave had to address me by since he is mine. Call me Kyron."
"Kyron," Erza repeated like if she said his name she would know who he was and every single detail about him "You're going to fight the both of us. Are you sure about that?"
Kyron's eyes snapped open and he finally settled his gaze on someone, that being Erza.
"I can handle both of you. Both of you are sword specialists are you not? Bad match against me and my magic, I assure you. There will be no chance of you winning this." Kyron spoke.
"Want to bet on that?" Zolo retorted back with a slight grin.
"Ah, Scarlet Destiny , is your name if I can recall. You're powerful indeed. However, your main magic will not work on me. After all, my mind is being protected." Kyron announced.
Erza's eyes widened slightly by his, Zolo however, seemed unfazed.
"The bastards doing, I'm guessing?"
"Please, I ask you not to call the 'Lord' such an inappropriate name."
"Lord?" Erza repeated, mind churning "That's who the mind mage is. Lord."
Kyron did not answer to that. He didn't even move. He hadn't throughout the entire conversation. His mouth twitched slightly, as if to smile.
"The precious Lord, mind you. Need not worry. You won't live to meet him."
"Yeah, yeah, that's what you think." Zolo snapped out loud, feet widening, knowing it will be only a few moments before they go.
"You did not understand me. All has been planned out. You haven't just lost this battle. No, Scarlet Destiny and Fairy Tail. You have already lost the war. Lord has achieved getting the one thing he needed to win against both your guilds. No matter what happens from now on, both of your guilds will always lose." Kyron explained.
At this, both Erza and Zolo frowned. This Kyron person was revealing way too much yet nothing at all. The one thing? What the hell was that? Neither of the S-Class mages could figure it out at all. They didn't like this. Not at all.
"You're going to pay." Erza hissed as she could feel her anger swirl through her body.
"That is if you can actually reach me first." Kyron replied back.
Before either Erza or Zolo could reply to that, Kyron finally moved. He bended downwards, stretching out a single hand towards the floor. With his right hand outstretched, all five of his fingertips touched the marble floor.
Instantly, there were low creaking and cracking sounds. Erza and Zolo watched carefully with a range of emotions as millions of cracks sprung through the ground like wild fire. The cracks were like spider webs, and they raced all across the marble floor as quick as lightning. Erza'sgazespecifically dropped to her feet just to see the cracks spread across the floor under her feet. In no time at all, the entire marble floor of the ground was covered in cracks.
The source of the cracks, the very beginning was from one place only. Kyron's fingertips.
His head moved up slightly, so he could connect his eyes to both S-Class mages in front of him. A smile slowly etched across the man's face.
"Break."
He slammed his hand fully across the marble floor causing it to shatter into a million pieces.
Levy always seemed to be the damsel in distress. When she went on missions with her team mates, Jet and Droy, and something went wrong then she was always the one that needed to be saved. Jet and Droy would always be there to come in the way and save her. Of course, Levy's strength was never her strong point. But, she more than made up for it with her intelligence. Strategy and tactics were her thing and nobody could beat her at that game.
But, as she watched that red arrow fly straight to her face something inside of her clicked. She wouldn't always be saved by someone else. There would be a time when she herself, had to fight back not with her mind but with her body.
This was one of those times. Veruna would be too slow to reach her. There was no one else there but her.
Levy didn't just move. No, she for once, retaliated.
"Solid Script: Fire!"
Stretching her hand outwards, the word 'Fire' appeared in mid-air followed by it turning quickly into flames itself. They headed straight for the arrow and quickly devoured it, incinerating it to ash.
"Levy! Are you okay?!" Veruna asked as she placed both her hands on the small girls shoulder, eyes filled with worry.
"I'm fine." Levy spoke up shakily, a small smile on her face.
She felt that she accomplished something just then. That she should put a bit more trust in her own magic and strength.
"Boo...I missed."
The voice that came out of nowhere spoke again. Both girls glanced around trying to pin point it. Veruna and Levy caught the site of Kurai as she seemed to materialize back into reality though behind them. First her face came from nowhere, then her shoulder, stomach, legs until she was finally all out in one piece.
"What is that?" Veruna asked as she stared at Kurai.
The girl just laughed.
"A superior magic fit for a hunter like me." Kurai's brisk reply was as she quickly drew another arrow and sling it across her bow.
It looked like she was about to fire only to stop short, tilting her head to the side slightly, as if she was listening to something.
"Huh? It seems stupid Red has started battling. Against the iron mage?Puh, the iron mage will so lose against Red." Kurai spoke out loud as if she was talking to someone.
Levy and Veruna stared at her although it was the former that caught it at once. Someone was talking to Kurai in her mind...? Telepathy? Like Warren? Who? The only logical explanation Levy had was that it had to be the mind mage that was manipulating everybody. Then, she caught on to the actual sentence,
"Iron Mage...You mean Gajeel?" Levy demanded, wanting to know the answer.
"Huh?" Kurai spoke up as she looked at Levy, a grin snaking its way to her face "Oh, I see. So, it looks like midget here has got a boyfriend."
"What?!" Levy screeched loudly, cheeks inflamed as she glared at Kurai.
"Levy, you have a boyfriend? How come you never told me?" Veruna complained beside her.
"I don't have a boyfriend!" Levy shouted loudly "And, even if I did, it wouldn't be Gajeel!"
Kurai rolled her eyes at the girl,
"Don't worry. Your boyfriend will be gone soon as it is. Red may be the biggest idiot in the world but he isn't some pushover."
"He's not my boyfriend!"
Another eye roll.
"You know," Kurai started "I'm a hunter, not just any hunter but the perfect one. While my first arrow didn't hit its mark, my others will most certainly. A prey cannot escape its predator."
As soon as she spoke the words she took a step back and just like before her body was sucked up by nothing and she instantly disappeared.
"How does she keep on doing that?" Veruna complained.
"I don't know." Levy said, however she was more than determined to figure it out.
Red raced towards Gajeel, his make-shift spear ready and willing to pierce the iron mage in front of him. He was so close to his target, the spear was just a few feet away from bearing down on Gajeel. However, before Red could finish his attack off someone came in between him and Gajeel.
The silver spear hit the intruder on to the side, and where the spear was meant to piece through the person's thin shirt, it just bounced off it. The intruder was ready to retaliate, had one of their gloved hands ready in a fist. Red'seyes widened behind his mask at the sudden person and was in a state of shock, preventing him from moving.
The girl, the intruder, launched her fist at Red in a lightning quick movement. There was a very large 'thud' as she hit her mark, which was right underneath Red's chin. It hurt him way more than he expected, hell it felt like someone just lobbed him with a crowbar. Red flew upwards and landed roughly a few spaces in front of the intruder and Gajeel.
Nyx smiled satisfyingly at the masked man she just clocked. That was sure to leave a mark. She watched as the masked man, stood up to his feet slowly. His spear had flown out of his hands and returned back to a bracelet and was a few inches away from where he landed.
"You."Gajeel said surprised to see the girl, even more surprised that she had come in the way.
"Yeah," Nyx said with a little laugh "Sorry if I was a little late. I just happened to come upon you a few minutes ago. I tried to get in between you two as fast as I could."
Gajeel said nothing but nodded his head. His way of saying thanks.
"How?" the masked man said as he slowly gathered himself up to his feet, clutching a hand to his bruised chin.
Nyx shrugged,
"I can manipulate my clothing into any material I want. That's why your spear didn't piece through it and me. I changed it into hard metal. Same with my gloved hand. Your chin must hurt like hell right?"
The masked man said nothing until finally,
"Red's the name."
"Nyx is mine."
"Well, things have certainly got interesting from here. This is good! Fun! I'm really going to enjoy this battle now!" Red claimed as he quickly bent down to pick up his bracelet.
Nyx's eyes darted back to Gajeel,
"You okay? I heard the conversation about his magic. You should skip out of this battle."
"Like hell I will!" Gajeel snarled, "I owe girly bracelet man over there a kick in the ass! He's going to get beaten to a pulp! No one uses my iron and gets away with it."
And to prove his point, Gajeel raised a hand and brought it down so he punched right through the metal floor making a hole. He slowly removed his hand from the hole he made. Gripping the side of the hole, he stretched it hard until he basically tore a huge chunk of the metal floor off.
Gajeel took a huge bite of the metal floor, crunching it between his teeth angrily and swallowed. Nyx looked at the scene and sweat dropped. Feeling his energy more than restored since he ate, he quickly stood up. He only felt a slight dull pain from his leg which was easy to ignore.
Nyx and Gajeel looked over at Red who also seemed prepared. His bracelet was once again transformed however this time in the shape of two, sharp looking daggers, each held in one hand.
Two stared at one for a mere second. Then three bodies launched at one another, ready to destroy.
Lily sighed as he turned the corner to the hallway, greeted by the same sight as usual. How long could a hallway go for? Then, he turned his irritating attention to his partners.
"Do you guys really have to hold my hands?" Lily grumbled, as both his hands were occupied holding onto Mia and Miya's.
"Of course we do, Lily! We've been over this a million times. We don't want to lose you. Especially if a flying wall comes out of nowhere like last time." Miya replied strongly as she looked down at the cat.
Lily let out a sweat drop. He was pretty sure he was getting babied by both of the girls. What would Gajeel say if he saw Lily like this? Probably have a heart attacked. Speaking of Gajeel,
"I hope Scary Man is doing okay..." Mia trailed off even though he scared her Mia was still worrying about him a lot.
"I'm sure that Ugly Man is doing fine. You see how hard headed the guy is? No need to waste your energy worrying about him, Mia." Miya said back at her sister.
She had a special dislike for Gajeel it seemed. The feeling was also vice versa.
"Miya that's not a nice thing to say," Mia scolded "Just because you don't like him doesn't mean-"
Suddenly, Mia stopped in her tracks. Speaking wisely as well as moving wisely. Lily looked up at Mia curiously as to why she suddenly stopped. His eyes widened slightly as Mia let go of his paw suddenly, no longer holding on to him. Lily looked confusingly at his paw then to Mia. Why did she let go?
"Time anomaly." Mia whispered her eyes looking all over her hallway.
"What?" Lily asked confusingly.
What was that? What did Mia just say? What did it mean?
"Time anomaly!" Miya suddenly shouted out as she dropped the paw she had been holding leaving Lily hand-less in a sense.
"Huh?" Lily repeated still equally confused.
Although, the twins had yet to answer him fully.
"You felt it? It's really strong! Where the hell is it coming from?" Miya yelled out loud looking very distressed.
"I don't know...I-It's stronger from the end of the hallway..."
"We have to find it! Now!" Miya yelled back.
Before Lily could ask them what they were talking about, both girls sprang into action. They ran off forwards so fast they literally left Lily in their dust. Coughing, Lily looked at the two figures running away from him.
Not willing to let them leave his sight, Lily sprung upwards into the air and flew after them. He managed to reach the two girls quickly due to his advantage.
"Mia! Miya! What the hell are you two talking about? What is this 'time anomaly'" Lily asked the twins as he flew above them steadily.
Mia and Miya glanced up at him before bringing their gaze back to the path in front of him.
"We don't have much time to explain!" Miya started "But, you know how we have time magic right?"
Lily nodded his head.
"Well, due to the time magic we are very tuned into time itself, if you will. Time is a delicate nature that should not be tampered with. If someone was to tamper with time, they would create 'ripples' in the fabric of the universe. It goes very scientific and I can't explain it properly. But, these 'ripples' are known as 'Time Anomalies'. Due to our power we can detect them." Mia explained.
"And, the time anomalies are a pain! They are basically things that shouldn't exact in time...exist. Right now, we are feeling one hell of an anomaly. I don't know what it is, but it is very bad." Miya carried on.
Lily nodded his head somewhat understanding their explanation.
"What is the time anomaly here?" Lily questioned the girl.
Mia bit her lip, "I don't know...It's big though. Really big."
"We have to find it." Miya added on.
Lily didn't question anymore but let them travel on. He was actually getting worried. What was it that these girls had discovered? Whatever it was, it can't be good.
He had no idea how long they ran/flew but they suddenly reached the end of the hallway. There, they saw it. It was a huge archway, leading to god knows where. All Lily could see in it was blankness.
Mia and Miya slowed there roll down once they reached the archway.
"It's a staircase leading down somewhere." Miya commented as she started to take a few steps inside the archway and nearly lost her footing.
"The time anomaly is coming from in here." Mia replied back.
Both girls tried to be as quite as possible while walking down the dwindling stone steps. Although Mia was quiet and Miya made rather loud clangs. Once clearing the staircase they came upon a very strange sight.
It was a very dimly lit hall-way. The source of light were single-flamed candles hooked on the walls on either side. The floor was made out of dirty concrete just like the walls were. It was a huge contrast to how luxurious things were above this place.
"Cells." Mia commented as she and Miya began to walk down the corridor, Lily still above them.
On either side of them were huge cells. Prisons. They were barely that big and each cell was empty with no furniture and they were separated by a thick wall. The bars were dark black much like a normal prison cell.
"What the hell is this place?" Miya asked.
"It seems like a prison...Or a dungeon rather in this case." Lily replied "They're all empty though. No prisoners?"
"...There's someone in that one!" Mia announced pointing down at the very last cell in the corridor.
This cell was the largest one and it was directly opposite the three of them. It also marked the end of the corridor too. Mia also managed to see someone leaning against the bars, limply.
Quickly they hurried down the bars. Their echoing footsteps alarmed the prisoner. The person jumped upwards, stumbling on their feet as a show of lack of energy. Before either of the free fully reached the person's cell, they were only a few feet away, the person turned around.
Lily stopped in his tracks. His eyes widened. Jaw dropped. No... No way... This was...How...?
He could no longer bring himself to fly. He swooped low, landed on the floor, wings disappeared. His eyes never strayed from the prisoner who in turn looked very shocked at seeing them three.
How can this be...? Lily thought as he stared at the prisoner.
"An old man?" Miya said confusingly as she looked at the prisoner.
Of course, Mia and Miya didn't know the prisoner. She didn't know who it was...But Lily on the other hand...
The black cat took a few steps forward as he stared. The man looked like him...Except it couldn't possibly be him! Sure, the old man had the same facial features, the same white hair styled into sharp spikes. The same scar going down his face from his right eye. But...But...He was too old! Wrinkles etched into his skin where they should not be.
The old man looked to be the same height as the person Lily was thinking of except he was a little thinner then he should be. A lot older. It wasn't making any sense. How could this old man look so much like...so much like...
"Elfman?" Lily whispered as he looked at the old man.
It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. Elfman was a, well, young man. Not as old as the man in front of him. Yet...The features were the same. Although, the man looked to be in his sixties he still looked like Elfman...
The old man brought his gaze down to Lily and his eyes widened considerably. He suddenly reacted. The man lunged forwards and gripped the bars of his cell in two meaty hands.
"Lily?! That's you isn't it man?!" the old man said, his voice horse yet there was an underlying tone of...hope.
Lily jumped at the sound of his own name. The old man stared at him, unfazed. He knew his name...
"You're the time anomaly," Mia interrupted "Time is rippling around you..."
"Do you know him Lily?" Miya asked looking at the cat then up to the old man wondering how he knew Lily's name.
Lily couldn't reply. He was still in too much shocked. The old man that looked like Elfman knew his name. The only way he could know his name was unless...he was Elfman.
"H-How?" Lily stuttered in confusion.
The old man had an array of emotions across his face, confusion, sadness, happiness and most importantly hope before it settled into determination,
"I'm not dreaming man...This is real...I can't man, there's no time...Lucy?! If you're here...Where is Lucy?!" the old man asked.
As seconds went by Lily was coming into terms with it. He knew Lucy as well? There really was only one way. Yet no sense! It made no sense!
"Lucy? How do you know Lucy?" Miya shouted as she stepped forwards.
"It doesn't matter! You guys don't understand, man! If Lucy's here then you have to get her to leave! You have to take her as far away as possible, man!" the old man, Elfman, yelled out.
Lily snapped at those words.
"What do you mean? Are you really Elfman? Why do we have to take Lucy away from here?" Lily asked confusingly.
"I am man," the old man started, "I'm Elfman."
Lily's body froze. Mia and Miya eyes widened. Elfman..? The man who Lucy 'supposedly' killed? Wasn't he supposed to be young man not an old one?
"...I didn't understand it at first either, man! I didn't know what they wanted at first either. I figured it out though. You don't see it...They want Lucy, man! Lacus Animairum's goal isn't to destroy good guilds or Fairy Tail or the other guilds specifically. They want Lucy! That's all they ever wanted, man! You have to get her away from here! As far away as possible!"Elfman revealed.
This was too much for all of them to take in at this moment. They had no idea how to react. All three of their minds reeled. They didn't know who to believe or what to believe either.
"Why do they want Lucy?" Mia asked.
"Because-"
"Now, now. That's not a very nice thing for you to reveal Mr. Prisoner." a new voice interrupted them all, sounding very posh and sophisticated.
The twins and Lily spun around to the new voice and spotted instantly the man standing behind them. He was very tall and had very short blackish/purplish hair. He was wearing a black suit with a red tie, pristine and very neat. His face was however, covered by a simple white mask. Blue lines went around the mouth and eye holes along with two on either cheek.
"Who are you?" Lily demanded as he looked at the man, already on the edge on his fur.
This wasn't good. How the hell did they get sneaked on so easily?
"Mr. Cat, Children," the man with the mask started and he suddenly bowed at them like he was showing respect "My name is simply Blue. I give you the privilege of using it."
"You're one of those Lacus Animairum members right?!" Miya demanded to know already getting ready to fight.
"Child, it is not a good habit to raise your voice. Speaking lowly has a much, much better effect then that of a loud tone."
A tick mark appeared on Miya's forehead! What was up with this guy? Why was he so calm? And, why was he scolding her?
"Lily run! You can't take him on man! He's too strong-" Elfman started only to be interrupted,
"My, my Mr. Prisoner, you seem to be very talkative today. Need I remind you, that you are ours here. And that you shouldn't speak up especially when not told too. As for Mr. Cat and the children. They are our guest. And, as a host I must entertain." Blue spoke calmly as he got into a simple fighting stance.
Mia, Miya and Lily got into similar stances, the latter turning into battle mode.
"Wait!"Elfman warned but to no avail.
All three of them charged at Blue.
There were large gasps and cries coming from deep within the dungeon. It was followed by multiple crashes and a few screams here and there. What seemed to bea fight going on lasted for a few minutes as multiple sounds came flying out of the dungeon.
With a very loud bang and crash, silence filled the air. The sounds from the dungeon stopped.
Elfman stared from his cell at the scene. His eyes wide in horror. Three bodies were currently lying on the floor, still and unmoving. Above them loomed a very tall figure, violet eyes shining through the holes in his mask.
"Y-You!"Elfman started "You are not manly!"
"That phrase of yours is highly amusing." Blue mused back as he tugged his tie back into place.
Unlike the people on the floor covered in bruises, he was barely hurt. A little cut on his suit by his shoulder and a tie misplaced. Once sorted, Blue looked down at the still children and cat on the floor.
"Do not misunderstand me, Mr. Prisoner," Blue started "I am neither cold nor cruel. I wouldn't dare take a child's life that has still yet to live. Neither have I anything against animals of mother nature. The three of them are wounded but they will survive, nonetheless."
"You won't win, man." Elfman claimed from his place, eyes filled with fury at what happened.
Blue did not speak at first. His head cocked to the side slightly as if he was listening to something. Elfman knew what this was. Someone was talking to him in his mind. No, not someone. Their leader was.
Suddenly, Blue let out a low chuckle.
"It seems the Lord has managed to achieve the final thing...Now, I believe my guild will very much win this Mr. Prisoner."
Elfman eyes widened. Last thing?
"It seems that this is time we must truly leave you alone here Mr. Prisoner. After all, it seems my time has come to join the battle as well." Blue spoke as he turned around.
"No! Come back, man! Come back!"
Elfman's words fell on ignorant ears. All Elfman could see was the back of Blue's blazer as he slowly walked down the dungeon hall disappearing into darkness.
AND DONE! Shit, this chapter has got a lot! Like Erza and Zolo VS Master Kyron...HOW WILL THAT EVEN GO? You find out what happens to Levy and Gajeel (The latter needed to save herself and the former is up and ready) And then you have the ending which I can't even, ugh!
ELFMAN! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU? Well, you will find out soon enough!
As for Blue, I don't know if you noticed but I made changes to his character. I wanted him to have some 'flare' and I wanted to make him a sophisticated villain. Hence, he's wearing a suit and is talking very formally. What do you think? (I need to go back to past chapter and changed his looks from then.
Tell me what you think of the big reveal of Elfman! Review peeps!
Until next time...See yh!
