Christmas is drawing near, so I wanted to get this out. I can no longer keep up with the manga, so I'm officially PRE-S-Class Mage Arc (not the real name, I know). I'm ignoring the truths/revelations about Grimoire Heart and anything thereafter, so please do not point out the inconsistencies ;) A year has passed and I'm still writing, and there are just parts I can't change.
Happy holidays to everyone, everywhere! Warm wishes, and thanks for all the encouragement. As usual, much thanks to my readers (new and old) and reviewers! You make my world go 'round! You know the drill: RxR!
~OoOoO~
"T-There's too many of them!" Lucy yelled, retracting her whip as a dozen or more of the short, grotesque creatures collapsed into the trap Virgo had laid for them.
The earth crumbled apart with a loud sucking noise as the ground gave way beneath their enemies. Lucy shuddered as she imagined the monsters plummeting to their sure deaths. The giant crevice encircled the mages, giving them at least one hundred feet between opposite crags of dug-out earth. Lucy's eyes were round as she realized the devastation her spirit had managed to create in such a short period of time. Natsu peered over the edge, his gaze flickering to the other side as if to decide if he could leap over the newly formed canyon.
"Princess?" Lucy's eyes darted toward the speaker. The spirit bowed before her, pink hair falling in her pale face as she waited expectantly, ignoring the nuisance as her body bent forward. The shackles clinked as they encompassed her slender wrists. "What else do you require of me?"
"Nothing! That's enough for now!" Lucy's voice was filled with both authority and awe.
Chocolate eyes returned to the enemy front, and the spirit mage silently watched as the creatures fell into the gaping earth, lacking the intelligence to realize that they could no longer proceed toward the mages. The monsters howled at the sky, beating their chests as their beady eyes rolled around in their sunken sockets. They were short and stocky, their legs bowed and shoulders hunched as sharp vertebra protruded through withered skin. Their jaws were too large for their heads and their noses flat and non-existent as large, pointed ears protruded from their skulls. Their skin color varied: some gray, some green, some yellowish—none of which made them look any less hideous. Their appearance was nothing to fear, but their strength was formidable. Lucy had seen one take Natsu by surprise, jerking the dragon slayer around and tossing him, easily, a few meters away. She had been stunned, and so had Natsu. Gray had warned them of their enemies' strength, but the pink-haired man ignored his friend, as if Gray had no idea what he was talking about. The ice mage nursed his broken wrist, a result of his own encounter.
"Don't they ever die?" Gray hissed in frustration, his brow matted with damp hair as he grunted through the pain.
Lucy swore under her breath as the creatures kept flowing forth. It was as if some invisible womb was creating them by the dozens—no, hundreds. At this rate, she was unsure if they could do anything to stop the monsters from decimating Magnolia.
"Ice Make: Cannon!" Gray yelled, his hand slamming into the ground. He disliked one-handed techniques, but he would not sit idly, watching his friends fight. He growled through the pain as a large cannon of ice appeared, blasting massive chunks of frozen water at their opponents. They monsters were taken down by the handful, though most pushed themselves right back up. Lucy decided that it was best to maim them—taking off a limb or two to render them harmless. The dark cloud rising above them made mind snap back to the matter-at-hand.
Lucy screamed, dodging an arrow. Then another. "They have b-bows?"
"And spears!" Laki answered. "Luckily for us, they move so turtle-ish"
Lucy glanced at the purple-haired mage. Her clothes were torn, burned, and soiled, yet she was still finding the energy to reinforce her wooden barrier. Lucy was intrigued by the uncommon form of magic. She recalled Laki being a key hand in the rebuilding of Fairy Tail...
"Wood Make!" the girl yelled, a seal forming around her hand. A giant tree cropped up from the ground, growing wider and entangling itself in its own thick branches. The arboreal production shielded them, at least partly, from the projectiles being cast into the air.
"Sagittarus!" Lucy yelled, not bothering to grab the key at her waist. The costumed spirit appeared next to her.
"Lucy," he bowed awkwardly.
"Shoot them!" she pointed at the few that were now climbing over the edge of the canyon closest to the mages. So they are smarter than they seem, using the dead bodies of their comrades as cushions! Not good!
"As you wish!" the horseman drew back his arm, releasing a steady stream of arrows. They fell true, sinking deeply in the creatures' backs and arms. They howled in pain, writhing off the edge of the wall.
"Dammit! There are too many of them!" Natsu growled as he furiously fought the numerous monsters that were encroaching upon them from the nearest canyon wall. "Don't they end?"
He kicked one in the face, and Lucy cringed as its jaw shattered and its head snapped back before it fell off the edge of the canyon. Lucy chewed her lip as she looked over the hundreds that were slowly closing in on them from nearly every direction. She glanced around at her friends, all were showing signs of extreme fatigue. Even Natsu—who always appeared to be an abundant source of energy, was moving much more slowly.
His magic must be nearly depleted, too, Lucy thought to herself, worried about her friend. Natsu had the most endurance of them all, though Gray would argue against that. They were all exhausted and she wasn't sure how much longer they could hold up in the endless fight. The ice mage was fortunate that they had happened up on them when they had, or he may have-
No...don't think like that! she silently berated herself. She briefly wondered where the others were: Juvia, Elfman, Mirajane, Erza, Levy, Adie...
She prayed they were safe. Hopefully they are faring much better than us, right now!
"Uh...everyone?" Laki pointed skyward. The others followed her bewildered gaze and jutting finger.
"Uh oh," Natsu stood, kicking one last monster off the crag. His expression was serious as he studied the heavenly spectacle. "Shit."
"What?" Lucy asked, not sure what to make of the bright light shooting skyward. The clouds were parting around it, swirling softly.
"Fairy Law," Gray nodded, his voice low and knowing.
"Gramps must be desperate," Natsu looked oddly concerned as he slowly lowered his gaze, meeting Gray's ominous look. Both men maintained their silent communication, Natsu being the first to look away. Miki looked concerned, as well.
"What is it?" Lucy asked, looking around in confusion. Why were they suddenly so worried?
Before anyone could answer, the ground shook violently. The mages swayed, their balance affected as the rumbling quickly died down. Lucy cried out as she fell, her elbow hitting a jutting stone. She looked up at her friends, noticing they were all in similar predicaments. Glancing past Natsu, she could see that their enemies were not immune to the quaking earth, and neither was her celestial spirit.
"Sagittarus, go!" Lucy yelled. The spirit immediately disappeared. "What the hell is going on?" she wailed as the light spread outward, approaching them. She could feel the warmth on her face as the others remained silent. It quickly overtook them, and the spirit mage's skin tingled from whatever magic created the glowing storm. She saw Natsu staring at the ground, his hands balled into fists, red earth crumbling from his grip. She recalled this so-called Fairy Law—a spell used by Makarov, though she could not remember the specifics of the magic, itself.
"Look!" Miki pointed toward the enemy. Lucy looked in the direction the mage was pointing. She gasped as she realized that the monsters were disintegrating, their remains gently floating above the ground before being sucked up by an invisible force. As quickly as it started, the spell ended; Lucy felt the shock as the light disappeared. The mages looked around them in silent confusion as every monster that had infiltrated their guild was immediately annihilated.
"It's over?" Laki whispered, her eyes wide.
"No," Gray stood, looking around, "Master Makarov wouldn't have used that spell unless—"
"Don't say it, Gray!" Natsu scowled, his voice a hiss of air.
"He's right, Master wouldn't so frivolously use that spell," Laki agreed.
"W-We have to get back to the hall. Maybe everyone else'll be there. We can figure out the rest from there," Lucy suggested. Maybe Erza or Mirajane will know what to do...
They each silently nodded their agreement, their thoughts better left unsaid.
Lucy nearly cried at the sad state of the guild's main hall. The front door had been blown apart, though the walls still stood. Part of the roof was gone, but the largest tower was still erect. Laki wearily put her hand on the wall, whispering as a makeshift door appeared. The group silently trudged into the guild.
The spirit mage gasped at the sight that greeted them. Their comrades were scattered about, some nursing others to health, others carrying bodies to the far end of the great hall. Lucy could see familiar faces on those dead bodies, lifeless eyes staring at nothing. Others were injured beyond recognition, their bodies gruesomely maimed. She stifled a sob as Natsu and Gray flanked either side of her. Both men were silent, though tears filled their eyes as well. Miki hiccuped as she sprinted toward an injured teammate of hers.
"What has become of us?" Gray whispered, his hand clenching into a fist. He winced as he tried the same with his injured hand.
Natsu remained silent, glancing at Lucy, who silently stuffed a fist into her mouth. She bit, hard, tasting blood as she staved off the sense of hysteria that was hovering around her. She had to be strong. For everyone. She felt Natsu softly take her free hand, and she refused to look at him, afraid that he would see the weakness in her eyes. Gray placed a hand on her shoulder, lending his unspoken support. Their gestures gave Lucy the strength she so badly craved.
"Is he—?" Mirajane whispered, her face tear-streaked and puffy. She looked down, her expression filled with defeat as the young mage nodded his head, biting his trembling lower lip. She raised her hand and pointed to the far corner, "Let him rest there. We'll give them all a proper burial when the time's right."
Lucy had never seen Mirajane look so helpless before. With each recognized death, her resolve crumbled more. She looked years older, the strain obvious in her features. Lucy's gaze was pulled to the main entrance as Elfman trudged into the guild. He supported an injured Juvia, who was nursing her arm. Lucy could see the charred skin of Juvia's hand and forearm. Blood bubbled to the surface between the cracks of black, burned skin. Still, the water mage remained silent, her face devoid of any indication of her pain despite her ashen complexion. She briefly met Lucy's gaze, her own flickering over to Gray. She nodded slightly before she turned her attention away. Lucy heard the breath release from between Gray's lips as he studied the woman whom had, until recently, idolized him. She watched his injured fist clench, though he did not react in pain.
Mirajane, noticing her brother's entrance, sobbed loudly as she ran to him. She enveloped him in a hug, her body shaking as she cried into his shoulder. He murmured into her hair, patting her back as his eyes wandered to the far corner. His face was stony, the scar rippling as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. Juvia murmured to him before moving to the bar. She filled a bucket with water and began ladling it out to the injured as she held her arm close to her body. Wendy looked up, weary from doing her best to heal the injured. She saw Juvia's arm, and immediately tried to help.
Juvia shook her head, "Help the others, first. You may not be able to do much for this. Besides," the blue-haired mage did her best to smile, "I'll survive."
Wendy nodded, as she continued to try to heal Wakaba. The tears slowly streaked her cheeks as she looked up at Macao, who nodded his understanding. He patted his son's head as the boy hugged his father more tightly.
"I'm sorry, Dad!" the boy sobbed, "It's all my fault!"
"Don't apologize, Romeo," Macao replied, wiping away his own tears.
"B-But, he saved me! If it wasn't for me—" Romeo whimpered, wiping at his nose.
"Enough!" Macao snapped, "I would have done the same for him. Do not take away from his sacrifice, son. Now help me."
Romeo nodded, a long string of snot dripping from his nostril as he bent down to lift Wakaba's legs. Macao bit his bottom lip and averted his eyes to avoid his best friend's unfocused, lifeless gaze. Father and son dragged the body to the far end of the hall, blood trailing behind them. Lucy watched, horrified that the people she had come to love were dying around her.
"Happy?" Natsu called out, as he saw his friend limping through the throes of people. He immediately released his grip, moving away from Lucy. "Happy!"
She nearly yelped at the shock as the warmth of his hand left her. He didn't seem to notice, too focused on Happy's well-being. The tiny blue cat hobbled toward them, and Lucy nearly burst into tears at his appearance. His tail was bent at an awkward angle and bandaged, as well as his face. His left eye was not visible, and Lucy could see the distinct circle of blood oozing through the cloth. His left ear was torn, the skin flapping with each step. His gaze was hardened, as if he had lived a century in those few, short hours.
"Are you alright?" Lucy whispered, her eyes wide as Natsu dropped to his knees, hugging the cat close.
"Aye." Happy nodded, pointing to his face, "Wendy will heal my tail and ear. But, I don't think my eye can be fixed."
Natsu's expression grew cold as he studied his friend's injuries. His hand trembled as he rested it on the feline's shoulder. Lucy wasn't sure if the subtle tremor was from fear or anger. She was guessing the latter.
"Calm down, he's fine for now. There is nothing you can do," Lucy whispered softly, hugging Happy lightly.
"I could have prevented it," Natsu growled, his eyes downcast as they lightly misted with tears.
"It could have been worse, Natsu," Happy offered, looking up at Lucy, "This was me being lucky."
"Where's Charle?" Lucy looked around, suddenly confused by the girl cat's absence.
"She's not back yet, I looked for her, but..." Happy trailed off, looking away as a tear slid down his whiskered cheek. His shoulders shook as his tiny paws balled into fists.
"We'll find her, buddy." Natsu promised. "I swear it."
"Aye," Happy replied softly, sucking on his lower lip. He sighed as he looked around, saying nothing at the obviously horrendous destruction surrounding them. He looked to the sky, catching a few wisps of clouds as it peeked through the battered ceiling.
"You can get a magical eye," Lucy whispered, ignoring the sudden look of surprise from Natsu, "Like Erza."
"Like Erza?" Natsu seemed to have forgotten what Porlysuica had done for a much-younger red-head. "Oh yeah," he blinked, a smile suddenly lighting up his face. "You hear that, Happy? You'll be able to see again!"
"Aye," the cat repeated again, obviously more concerned about Charle. Lucy felt sorry for him. She wished there was something she could do at the moment. She was about to offer to go look for the female cat, but Erza's voice interrupted her.
"Mirajane!"
All eyes focused on Erza as she entered the guild, sweaty and soiled. She was helping Fried carry something—no, someone!
Evergreen!
Elfman strode up, taking Erza's place as the red-head continued to look at Mirajane, who had nervously jumped at Titania's stern voice. Lucy's eyes shifted back to Evergreen, who was now supported by Elfman and Fried, her still body enshrouded in a foggy haze of symbols. Lucy squinted at the unfamiliar magic. She knew Fried was gifted in runes and she suspected that this was an example of such. She felt her stomach sink as she caught sight of the gaping chest wound and broken ribs.
"Hurry! Over there!" Fried commanded Elfman, who grunted his affirmation. Fried looked around frantically, his eyes falling on whom he was searching for. "Wendy! I need your magic."
The dragon slayer turned, her expression weary as she sought out the caller. Her eyes fell on Evergreen's gruesome wounds. "She is frozen? A time rune?"
"Yes, but I have a theory," Fried nodded, his expression a mixture of urgency and fear. "But I will only be able to hold this spell for a few hours, at the most." His eyes darted around the guild and he paled in horror. "There are more pressing matters, I apologize."
Wendy shook her head, the dark bags under her eyes more apparent. "No, I'll help as soon as I can, Fried." She offered a weak smile. Lucy felt sorry for the poor girl. If only they had more than one healing dragon slayer...
Mira wrung her hands nervously as Erza strode over to her, wearing an expression Lucy had only seen once before. The red-head threw her hands on her hips as she glared at Mirajane, blood and dirt caked in her features. Mirajane's hair was in disarray and her face streaked from the tears as she glanced everywhere but at Erza. Lucy would have found this display comedic given any other circumstance.
"You were supposed to keep an eye on him!" Erza hissed, her voice cold and angry.
Mirajane began to tremble as tears rimmed her eyes again. Her head lowered in defeat, as if to confirm her suspicions regarding Erza's anger. "I-I tried to!"
"Tried to?" Erza's eyes grew round as her face twisted in fury, "That was not good enough! He went out there and used the ultimate spell!"
Mirajane opened her mouth to speak, her eyes downcast as she shivered in shame. "He...he is too strong to be held back by me!"
"Nonsense!" Erza's hands were on Mirajane's shoulders as she shook her childhood rival. "You are stronger than that, Mira—an S-class mage! You are his favorite—"
"Leave the poor girl alone," came the hoarse command, "Can't you see she's been through enough, Erza?"
Erza's eyes grew wide as she turned around, "Master!"
All eyes were once again directed to Laki's makeshift entrance. Makarov stood there, leaning against the thick frame. His skin was pale and his lips bright red. Crimson fluid flecked his white mustache as he rasped for air. His right hand was clenched over his left chest, and he winced with each breath. He tried to take a step, but swayed on unsteady feet.
"Master!" Gray cried out, reaching out to help the older mage. He swatted Gray's hands away.
"I am fine, fool!" he grunted, glancing up. Lucy saw his expression fade from pain to desperation as he saw the dead guild members in the back of the hall. He looked away, his lower lip trembling and his voice barely audible. "Wasn't good enough."
"Master?" Erza replied sternly, despite the fear on her face, "What is the meaning of this? Why would you use such a spell?"
Makarov stood, looking wearily around his guild, "It was an unexpected fight...we weren't ready. I didn't want...any more losses." He whispered the last part of his answer.
Erza spun around, her face hardening as she saw their fallen and injured. Lucy saw her swallow as she glanced at a silently sobbing Mirajane. Realization visibly swept over her as she placed a hand on Mirajane's shoulder, "I'm sorry. I didn't realize... "
Mirajane fell to her knees, burying her face in her hands. Makarov watched, his expression filled with sadness as he walked to Mirajane on unsteady feet. He placed a hand on her head, his eyes closed tightly for a few moments. When the fleeting expression of pain passed, he opened his eyes. Lucy couldn't believe how weak the man looked.
"My child," he whispered tenderly as Mira continued to sob.
"Erza's right, Master! I-I'm too weak!" she blurted through her fingers, her voice nearly a shriek.
Makarov smiled softly, looking up at Erza. The red-head nodded, as if she understood the guild master's thoughts. Lucy watched Gray and Natsu exchange confused glances. She couldn't fathom Mirajane as an S-class mage, given her current state. Part of her felt guilty for that thought...
"You are not weak," Makarov replied calmly, "You are the mother hen this guild needs. You are the backbone that we all lean on. You are..." he sucked in a deep breath, wincing in pain at the movement, "...everything that is right in the guild's new master."
"Master?" Mirajane repeated, looking up, her eyes wide as a few stray tears splashed her cheeks. Her nose was red from wiping at it, and her cheeks puffy from crying. Yet, somehow, Lucy found her beautiful.
Makarov took her hand, gently holding it against his chest, "Yes, my dear. You are our shining star...they need you...no, we need you. You are who I chose to follow in my footsteps."
"But you are the Master!" Mirajane's voice was shrill. A murmur broke amongst the other guild members. Lucy watched Erza's expression. She had always assumed that, after Laxus, Erza would take over the guild. Had this been Erza's decision? The look exchanged between Makarov and the red-head made it appear so. The look of conviction the latter's face confirmed it.
Makarov smiled sadly after a quick glace to Erza, "I, my child, will not be around forever. And...right now...they need someone to lead them, as it can no longer be me. I am...too...weak."
He seemed to age before their eyes, his skin sunken and shriveled. He suddenly looked extremely fatigued, and he swayed on unsteady feet. This time, he did not push the helping hands away from him as they reached out to halt his fall. He grimaced, clenching his chest—as if whatever magic was holding him together had suddenly given up on him. Mirajane registered his words as her mouth hung open in shock, the tears falling freely. No one held back their tears as they realized what Makarov was telling them.
"Take care of...my...children..." he gasped, before his eyes closed and he fell backward into Erza's arms. Sweat shone on his face, and Lucy could tell that his condition was dire.
"Master!" Mirajane called out, her expression filled with terror.
Erza lifted the small, fragile man, tears of her own silently falling. "He needs to rest."
Mirajane's mouth snapped shut, and she nodded her silent agreement.
"Hail to the new Master!" someone called out, doing their best to rouse morale. "Mirajane!"
Cheers rang out, though they seemed to be lost on the Mirajane, who hugged herself and rocked on her knees. Elfman knelt beside her, lifting her to her feet as he murmured soothing words to his sister. She seemed to be locked in a state of shock, despite the encouragement surrounding her. Lucy sobbed as she watched Erza disappear in a room near the bar, the darkness hiding its goings-on as the older man was carried away, his condition unknown. The door remained ajar as a dimly lit lamp threw shadows across the wall. Her thoughts were pulled away as she heard the angry roar.
"Where is that fool?" Porlyusica bellowed from the top of the staircase.
Lucy glanced up, startled, to see Levy, Porlyusica, and Adie slowly descending the steps. Levy helped Adie down the stairs, despite the demi-spirit waving her away. Lucy gasped when she saw that Adie was awake. She was much thinner than before, and the spirit-mage could see the protruding collarbones from under the baggy shirt. The blacksmith's face grew pale as she drank in the devastation around her, eyes darting over the guild. She fell against the wall, and Levy squealed with displeasure. Adie shook her head, muttering something to the blue-haired mage, her eyes on the pile of bodies. Levy looked around frantically as Porlyusica repeated herself to a frightened, sobbing Mirajane.
"Droy!" Levy croaked as she saw her teammate heaped on the ground, over the covered body before him. She rand to him, standing next to him for a moment, her eyes round as she stared down at the motionless form. Realization struck her.
"Oh no, no, no! Not Jet! Tell me it's a mistake!" Levy wailed as she crumpled next to Droy.
She reached out to draw the covers away, as if uncertain of the body's identity—or hoping she was incorrect in her theory. Lucy averted her eyes as the horrid state of Jet's body was revealed. She saw the blue-haired scholar gag, her body jolting in disgust and sorrow. Lucy recalled Natsu saying that the ape-like creature Alzack had killed was responsible for this. She could only imagine the horror that Levy had just seen. She glanced back as the scholar wrapped her arms around Droy and burst into hysteric tears. Porlyusica watched, her face hardening as she saw Levy's body shaking with sobs of mourning and devastation.
"It's worse than I expected," Lucy heard the pink-haired healer mutter as she shook her head. A teary-eyed Mirajane wiped her cheeks as Porlyusica approached. She sucked in a ragged breath as she prepared for the questioning.
"Where is he, girl?" the healer asked, her voice much lower as she glanced around at the injured and dead.
"He's in his room," Elfman answered for his sister as she attempted to catch her breath. She was hiccuping from the extent of her crying. Porlyusica reached out and grabbed Mirajane near the collarbone, her thumb digging deeply into the flesh.
Mirajane suddenly stopped gasping. She sucked in a deep breath, looking at Porlyusica in surprise. There was no displeasure in her features."Thank you."
Porlyusica's lips pursed in a hard line as she silently acknowledged Mirajane's appreciation. "He named you the next Master, didn't he?"
Mirajane nodded, glancing at the floor and wringing her hands. The pink-haired healer studied the woman for a few moments, before sighing and shaking her head softly. "I don't know what he had hoped to accomplish by using that spell. He knew that he wouldn't survive."
Silent tears slipped down Mirajane's cheeks and she nodded. Despite her fears, she had suspected as much. Lucy cupped a hand over her mouth as she watched Natsu catch the tail end of the women's conversation.
"Whattya saying, old woman? He's not going to die!" Natsu growled. Gray remained silent, his eyes downcast as Wendy was healing his wrist—one of the easier injuries she had encountered.
Porlyusica's eyes bored into him, and she raised an eyebrow slightly, "I'll be the judge of that, dragon boy!" Natsu flinched at her scathing remark; he had earned her scorn with his disrespect. She looked toward Mirajane, who pointed toward the room Erza had taken the frail guild master into only moments earlier.
Porlyusica nodded, glancing at Wendy, "You stay out here and take care of what you can. I'll do my best to help Makarov. It's going to take everything I have, so I won't be able to help you much."
"Thank you," Mirajane tearfully whispered as the mage proceeded toward the dark room.
Lucy tentatively approached, her question of whether there was anything she could do hovering on her lips. She felt so sorry for Mirajane, as the mage had not been expecting Makarov to name her the new guild master. She was still coping with the deaths of those she cared most about. They all were...
"Mirajane?" Lucy whispered, glancing at Natsu as she approached. The dragon slayer was watching her as he spoke in hushed tones to Happy.
Mirajane's eyes flickered to Lucy, and she did the best she could to smile, despite being upset, "Lucy, how—"
"My name is Hibiki Laytis! I am from the fallen Blue Pegasus Magical Guild. I was one of few survivors of a pre-emptive attack!"
Mirajane's eyes grew round as her words were interrupted. There was a brief pause and the guild members look around in confusion, some clamping their hands over their ears in fear of an impending attack. Lucy recognized the familiar feeling of Hibiki's magic, though she was sure it would be terrifying for the others. She met Mirajane's panicked gaze as the pale-haired mage realized what was occurring.
"No.." she whimpered, her eyes darting to the ceiling, "No, Hibiki! It's too soon..you c-can't—" Without a word to Lucy or Elfman, Mirajane turned and scrambled up the stairs toward the room she had used to care for Hibiki and Eve.
The voice continued:
"I ask you all to hear me! Grimoire Heart and its minions are making their move in an attempt to release the Dark Mage Zeref. Fairy Tail has withstood their first wave attack, but there will be more to come. My Magical Brothers and Sisters, do not give up! Do not despair! Join Fairy Tail in the fight to preserve what is good! Friends or foes, fight as allies! If we fail, we will all become Zeref's puppets! "
"What the hell is he doing?" Natsu asked, his eyes trailing up the stairs.
"You've got to be kidding me," Gray murmured, covering at his ears. "He's universally broadcasting this? Does he know how much magic that needs? It's suicide!"
"Suicide?" Lucy repeated, suddenly realizing what Gray meant. Hibiki was still healing! The use of this much power would kill him! "No!"
Natsu swore under his breath as he quickly bounded up the stairs after Mirajane, three at a time. Lucy was still in shock as Hibiki's voice regained its fervor:
"Join Makarov. Join his guild. Join us in the fight to save this world. Protect what is most important to you: your freedom! I ask you not as a mage, but as a living being of this world. We have lost many a friend and sibling. I have watched my guild fall before my eyes, my brothers killed in cold blood. It may be too late for the deceased, but it is not for the living. Magical or non-magical folk, find your way to Magnolia if you are willing to fight! We will meet Grimoire Heart's forces head-on! I, for one, will be proud to die next to my brothers and sisters at Fairy—"
The voice abruptly ended, and everyone once again looked around, a mixture of confusion and pride. Tears were streaming down the guild members' faces; some were embracing in their grief. Lucy looked toward the stairs, finding Adie standing against the wall, her wide-eyed gaze focused on her feet. Her face was growing more ashen. Lucy felt for the demi-spirit, who had no idea that the events had taken this serious of a turn. As if sensing Lucy was watching her, Adie looked up, her icy blue gaze meeting Lucy's chocolate one.
I'm sorry, she mouthed to Lucy. I'm so very sorry.
"Huh?" Lucy was baffled. Why was she sorry? She took a few steps toward Adie to ask just that, but was interrupted by the figures at the top of the stairs. Natsu was standing there, supporting a slumped over Hibiki on his shoulder. He glanced back as Mirajane trudged out of the darkness to the landing. Adie followed Lucy's gaze. The kind-hearted, even-tempered Mirajane stood there with her fists clenched and tears in her eyes as her body trembled. But, something was different, and Lucy knew that even Adie—an outsider by guild standards—could sense that. Mirajane swayed there for some time, clenching and unclenching her fists. Finally, she raised her gaze, her pale eyes cold as her jaw was set in anger.
Raw, pure anger.
She opened her mouth to speak, but words failed her. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, her trembling ceasing as Natsu whispered something out of the corner of his mouth. He glanced at Lucy, moving his head to indicate something related to Hibiki. Lucy furrowed her brow, not understanding the subtle exchange.
"THAT'S IT!" Mirajane suddenly howled, her voice loud as she screamed at the guild walls. The noise reverberated throughout the guild, making her sound quite fearsome for such a small woman. She stared ahead, her face turning red from the effort of her screams, "THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!"
The guild grew silent as Mirajane yelled at the top of her lungs, the tears springing from the corners of her eyes. No one had seen her behave like this in quite some time—not since her childhood, when she was nothing more than a smart-mouthed brat with an attitude.
"Sister," Elfman murmured under his breath from next to Lucy. She could see him shake his head softly, though she wasn't sure if it was out of pity or disbelief. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, though his eyes relayed a sense of pride as he watched his sibling from below.
"I will not watch anyone else die! I will not sit around anymore! Do you hear me?" Mirajane looked wild as her voice echoed around them. The color was returning to her face as she found her resolve.
"What is she saying?" Juvia asked from next to Gray, her hand bandaged as she awaited Wendy's magic.
"I think..." he whispered, "she is pissed."
"Juvia thinks that is bad, no?" she replied, her eyes filled with awe at this new, angry Mirajane.
"I'm not sure..." Gray replied, the corners of his mouth twitching upward as Natsu gave the ice mage a nod.
Lucy narrowed her eyes, somewhat angered by the subtle passings of knowledge that had been going on between Natsu, Erza and Gray. Hell, even Happy had been privy at times. Natsu's gaze flickered over Lucy before he stared forward, his face an unreadable slate. Hibiki's head bobbed as his weight shifted with Natsu's movements. Lucy could see his shoulders rise and fall—a sign that he had not succumbed to death from his exertion. She thought she could see the beginning of a bruise as well as puffiness of the right side of his face. Lucy glanced at Mirajane's knuckles, noticing the bright beads of blood on her right fist.
Mirajane took a hesitant step down the stairs, her eyes flashing. "I'm tired of this! No one—and I mean no one—attacks this guild and gets away with it!"
A few cheers rang out, though few and far between. Lucy had heard of Makarov giving a similar speech after another guild had attacked Fairy Tail unsuspectingly. She glanced around, noticing the slight change in the guild's demeanor. Tears were being wiped away, and people were finding the strength to stand. Hands were outstretched to help others, and hugs were passed around. Even Wendy seemed to be working more efficiently.
"What do you mean, Mirajane?" someone called out, pulling Lucy out of her observations. Her chocolate gaze snapped toward the voice. Cana. She was dirtied and bruised, but she appeared unharmed. Her mouth was twisted in a lopsided grin as she stood taller, a hand on her hip."Tell us."
"It means," Mirajane's expression grew dark as she reached up and pulled the elastic band from her hair. Her bangs fell into her face as she bared her incisors, "I'm fighting this time as well. With my brothers and sisters."