Hi guys! First of all please excuse any typos made in this chapter, my Beta Reader did her best at editing most of the chapter but unfortunately my keyboard broke this morning so... yeah...
Anyway, this came out late again (but honestly when was the last time I was early? XD) I re-wrote the plot AGAIN and hopefully made the ending a lot better (or at least less complicated anyway; i.e easier for me XD) I apologise if Rogue sounds funky in anyway, I tried to explain his behaviour best I could but unfortunately I have a bad habit of not explaining things until it's too late.
Also, Gajeel's Dragon Force is official (check the wiki), my Beta thought I put it in myself (If only I was THAT creative; Shadow Puppet is technically mine though so feel free to quote me on that XD) It's just that in the anime Rogue didn't know about it either so it didn't make sense for him to know now.
Finally I recently watched Akame ga Kill (after months of badgering from my friends) and now I'm even more mentally unstable than I was a few weeks ago. Great, I might just end up stabbing someone this week XD Anyway, enjoy this new chapter :P
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
Chapter 33 (Cold as Iron, Dark as Shadows & Scarlet Red Blood: Pt 1)
Lucy's POV,
It doesn't bother me anymore, the feeling of the 'end'. It wasn't like what they talked about in books or stories, where the end usually meant happiness, justice to those who had been wronged and a romance that was almost guaranteed to last forever.
It didn't matter whether you've really earned it or not, this happy ending was just going to ride up to your doorstep anyway.
It wasn't like that in reality; the 'end' for you didn't mean it was the 'end' for everything else, did it? You are so insignificant that your death would mean almost nothing to the bigger picture of life. The 'end' wasn't going to tie up your loose ends, or guarantee the love of your life.
In fact, the 'end', as I've come to realise, holds no guarantees whatsoever.
Some welcome the 'end', grateful that all their problems would disappear as soon as they themselves start disappearing. Others struggle desperately for more time to be granted towards them.
I know my problems won't just disappear if I disappear, neither do I need more time to be the horrible human being that I am.
I don't welcome the 'end', nor do I run away from it.
I sit there and wait for it to find me.
And when it does, I know I'll have done all I could for the world I had spent so little time in.
Mom,
Dad,
Natsu,
Sting.
I'm sorry we didn't have more time.
"I'm sorry Minerva... For dragging the guild into this."
My voice echoed down the hallway as those heavy words dragged themselves out of my throat.
Minerva didn't answer me, her eyes fixated to the ground as if the answer to everything was right there in front of her. I wished it was.
God, I wished it was.
"How... How long have you known about this?" A voice mumbled suddenly, breaking through the heavy silence between us. I didn't look up at Minerva's empty question before I answered hollowly,
"About one month, maybe two before the Grand Magic Games."
Minerva growled in between her teeth, frustrated, before going silent again.
My back was beginning to hurt after leaning against the wall for so long; I wondered if hers was too. I hoped no one was going to come out and ask her what we were doing outside for so long - something told me this wasn't exactly the easiest thing to explain.
Not that it had been to begin with.
I hadn't meant to just tell her like that, it was just... Her questions, they flew at me from every direction I could think of and after what had happened with Zeref last night... My resolve just went flying out the window.
I couldn't help but feel relieved though; finally someone knew other than Jellal knew. But at what price? I thought I wanted to protect my friends, didn't I? I was trying to protect them from the horrors of my reality, but in the end I was happy?
What kind of a person am I?
But this was who I was, wasn't it? I was selfish, arrogant, careless; just like every god damn human on this earth. I'm not an angel, I'm no better than Zeref with the amount of lives I've taken. Why the hell was I trying to act all noble?
Couldn't I accept that I was just as dirty as the rest of them?
I only cared about myself, my own well-being; like hell I actually cared about my friend's psychological health. I'm just as guilty as Acnologia.
But at least he had a good enough reason.
I don't even have a god damn good reason why.
"Why.. Why didn't you tell us sooner?"
This time, I looked up at Minerva's face, trying to ignore the fear that was clearly visible on her face and smiled softly. "I told you, didn't I? I was trying to protect people, trying to protect you."
Minerva's teary eyes narrowed as she bit her lip tightly, "You are so stupid, Heartfilia." She hissed, her voice cracking a little as she spoke. I chuckled, "I know but... I thought I could handle it all by myself, you know?"
Minerva looked away, wiping furiously at her eyes. "Who the hell is stupid enough to think they can handle Zeref by themselves?" She muttered. I shook my head, "Someone who's killed as many people as I have. Even if we didn't think we could, well... who knows?"
Minerva sniffed, "Suicide? Are you actually crazy?" She snapped.
"Minerva you have no idea what I've gone through, but if I had to say it... I think I am crazy, or at least going crazy." I whispered tiredly, leaning my head against the wall.
Minerva sighed and tucked her head against her shoulder as if curling herself into a little ball. I couldn't help but feel like she hadn't done that in a long time...
"Minerva, can you do me a favour?" I whispered quietly, not looking at the person in question. Minerva scoffed, not looking at me either. "Isn't that a stupid question now?" I laughed half-heartedly and nodded.
"I'm going to leave Crocus tonight. I need you to get someone to fill in for me tomorrow for the last day of the Grand Magic Games."
"It's nearing the end of the world and you're worried about that stupid little competition?" I sighed and stood up, "You know why I'm doing this, Minerva, and - can you not mention this to the others? Make up whatever excuse you can, just... Don't tell them I left because of this, ok?"
"You're expecting me to just tell them you left for no good reason?" Minerva snapped, standing up herself, her fist clenched at her sides. I smiled bitterly, "I'm sure you'll figure something out."
Quietly, I reached for the doorknob when Minerva grabbed my wrist irritatedly. "No." I stared at Minerva's tight hold on my wrist blankly. "Why not?" I answered blankly. Minerva scowled before growling in frustration for the third time that day. "Because I'm not sending my friend on a suicide mission, damn it!" She yelled, her grip on my wrist tightening - as if shackling me to the door could keep me from leaving.
"Calm down, you haven't even known me that long anyway, and aren't I the reason you're in this mess in the first place?...Don't you hate me?" I asked softly. Minerva went quiet for a minute before reluctantly letting my wrist go.
"I... It's true I haven't known you that long, neither have the others right?... You just don't get it, you-you little weasel! You wedge yourself into all of our lives, all determined for a new start and now you're just going to leave?! Like hell I'm letting that happen!"
"And you ask me if I hated you... I do, I hate you for keeping this from us, for not telling us sooner, for suffering alone, for even thinking we would be terrified-"
Minerva grinned softly before continuing, "Can't believe you had such low expectations of us."
I felt my heart jump in surprise as I realised what Minerva was saying - she didn't blame me for this?
But before the small bit of hope could even rise in my head another thought dawned on me - Minerva didn't blame me, but what about Yukino? Rogue? The others?
Sting?
"Don't speak for other people, Minerva, they might not feel the same way." I muttered before grabbing for the doorknob again.
"Shut up Heartfilia, you know that's bullshit!"
I growled angrily before turning around to face Minerva, "So what?! Get over it Minerva, it's either me or the entire world! Think about it, is losing me worse than losing everything you've ever known?!"
She scowled before answering quietly,
"I'd rather live in an apocalyptic wasteland than pretend I hadn't just sent my nakama to her death."
We were both went silent my eyes still staring at the doorknob in front of me when I spoke,
"And I'd rather die than live in guilt knowing the whole world was enslaved because I didn't do anything. I'm telling you again Minerva, let me go."
I went for the doorknob and turned it, but before I could leave, Minerva spoke again,
"You still have that guild mark. As long as you have that mark, you're one of us!" She yelled, stopping me in my tracks. I froze, my mind trying to process what she was saying.
Comrade... That's right, I'm their comrade.
I'm still part of Sabertooth.
"I guess I have no choice then." I whispered grinning slightly as I turned towards Minerva again, holding the hand that was bearing my guild mark in front of her. "Cut ties with me Minerva."
She stared at my hand, her tears gently fell to the ground as she glared back at me. "Fine, if that's what you want, then go... But I don't want to see you again after tonight. That's my condition for you leaving Sabertooth."
I nodded and smiled, my eyes tearing up themselves. "You won't see me again after today, I swear to you Minerva." She sighed and looked away before waving her hand over mine, making the mark dissolve into my skin, disappearing completely.
"Take care of the guild, Minerva." She didn't answer, and stuck her arm back to her side.
I turned away and went for the doorknob waiting for Minerva to stop me, interrupt me, anything - but nothing did and I left her unceremoniously in the hallway alone.
Normal POV,
"Welcome everyone to the fourth day of the Grand Magic Games! We have just finished our game of the day - Naval Battle with surprising results and are just moving into the battles of the day!"
The arena echoed with enthusiastic applause as Chapati started the battles of the day. It was already halfway through the day and the game of the day - Naval Battle - had just finished, Fairy Tail topping the other teams.
As expected, the air in the arena was tense as the teams faced each other but not entirely for the same reason. Both Lucy Heartfilia and Minerva Orlando were waiting for the worse.
The two had not spoken since returning to their rooms. None of their teammates mentioned it, but they were certain they had heard everything - or at least the yelling and the crying anyway.
Both mages had been abnormally silent the whole day, even after Yukino came second for the Naval Battle which would usually earn her at least a lecture with Minerva. This time, though, there was nothing but a silent viewing box waiting for her.
Their teammates were, to say the least, curious as to why their two most powerful mages were this tense. It didn't take a genius to figure out something was wrong but both mages made excuses of fatigue or nervousness. But it wasn't fooling anyone; something had happened out there in the hallway that morning.
They just didn't know what.
"Continuing with our commentary we have former Council Member, Yajima-san! And of course, as you already know, our special guest today is Rabin-san, esteemed leader of Scheherazade Theatrical Troupe!" The audience applauded again as said man stood up and bowed, his hair bobbing as he sat back down in his seat.
"I will now announce the results of Naval Battle before beginning our match ups of the day! Coming sixth in the game is Quatro Puppy after their immediate defeat in the first few minutes of the game earning them zero points! Blue Pegasus comes fifth in the game and earning them one point!"
"Mermaid Heel and Lamia Scale both tie in fourth earning both guilds six points! With no third place we go straight to second place for - Sabertooth!" The crowd went silent with surprise as everyone looked towards Fiore's once Number One strongest guild, shocked that the all powerful team came second.
Yukino blushed bright red and tried to hide as hundreds of eyes gravitated to her, ashamed that she didn't get her guild a higher place. Rogue stared at the white haired girl for a minute before sighing and gently squeezing her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
"Don't worry, you did really well Yukino." He whispered gently to Yukino who was near tears. She quietly looked up at the Shadow Dragon Slayer before giving him a small smile. "Thank you, Rogue..." She whispered shakily.
Rogue's heart jumped at Yukino's serene smile as his cheeks began to heat up ever so slightly. Caught without an answer, he only smiled before returning his gaze towards the Lacrima Vision in front of them displaying the teams' scores.
"Do-do you know what happened with Lucy-sama and Minerva-sama?" Yukino asked quietly after a few seconds of silence between the two mages. Rogue hesitated before answering, "I don't know."
Yukino bit her lip as she glanced towards her two guildmates, "I hope it's not serious." She mumbled to Rogue, who had followed her gaze. Yukino heard Rogue move as he went towards the seat next to hers and sat down. "Me too." He answered after a few seconds, his eyes never leaving the two mages.
"Coming in first place is the fallen guild Fairy Tail! Rising up their ranks like a Phoenix reborn from the ashes of a great fire!" The arena exploded with cheers as the legendary guild was announced, their gaze immediately directed towards Fairy Tail's viewing box.
No one noticed the extra person hiding in the shadows of the box.
"Alright, now that the scores have been settled, let us move on to the match ups for the battle! The matches will go as mentioned, Blue Pegasus vs Quatro Puppy, Mermaid Heel vs Lamia Scale, and of course, Sabertooth vs Fairy Tail!"
The arena was alight with applause again as the separate guilds appeared before them on the Lacrima TVs in front of them. "Now, some rules for this battle: a new rule has recently been added specially for this particular event, teams as informed this morning are allowed to have one reserve for each pair picked to fight in this event."
"The reserve may be called in if one of the pair is severely injured, unable to fight or medically confirmed dead. Otherwise, the fight will go as planned."
A hush enveloped the spectators as death was mentioned, everyone knew the stakes of the competition well and that getting an injury in one of the events was pretty much a guarantee, but no one had really thought about the possibility of death before.
The judges must not have been aware either - until Raven Tail was disqualified, of course. Then the idea of death during an event was almost too glaring to bear, but none of the competitors ever complained; events and jobs were the same thing - they had signed their life away as soon as they agreed to do it.
"Now let us begin our first match-up, Blue Pegasus and Quatro Puppy!"
Battle after battle passed by with the stronger one, of course, prevailing and the weaker one walking away, or even taken away in shame. One by one, the six guilds faced each other on a two to two showdown and it wasn't long until the most anticipated fight of the day began.
Fairy Tail vs Sabertooth.
It was surprising at first, to see exactly who the guilds were going to send out, there was no doubt among the spectators and the commenters that both guilds were going to use their trump cards this time around. The question was - who these trump cards were.
No one other than the trump cards knew.
Suddenly, Chapati was speeding through the introductions, just as excited as the rest of the arena to find out who these people were, "And our final match of the day, Sabertooth vs Fairy Tail!"
The arena exploded with excited applause and screams as both teams came out from either side of the arena. From the left side - Sting, Rogue and Lucy. From the right side - Natsu, Gajeel and Erza.
The crowd became even louder as they noticed that the Fire Dragon Slayer that had been absent yesterday was back again, not realising just how tense the playing field had gotten.
Opposite to what was happening above them, the dusty grounds of the playing field was silent other than the quiet echoing of their steps. All three eyed each other with emotionless eyes, not really sad or happy.
A flicker of emotion flew through Natsu's eyes as his gaze landed on Lucy's, before disappearing completely - if all six were honest that day, they would have wished they didn't have to do this in the first place.
Erza's eyes were more distracted than usual as she looked around the arena, her eyes scanning the crowd as if she was looking for someone, before finally settling her gaze on Lucy, a slight frown tugging at her lips.
"Alright, can the reserves please step aside for the official players to begin, kabo?" The referee asked quietly, his tone professional. Both Lucy and Erza exchanged glances before stepping aside as Mato had said.
The GMG mascot smiled approvingly before gesturing towards the other two. "I thought you left?" Sting asked casually, menace carefully hiding in between his tense words.
Natsu grinned, "I came here to protect Lucy after all." Sting growled between his teeth, "Yeah? Great boyfriend you are, just upping and leaving like that." Natsu's grin tightened, "None of ya business."
Sting scowled, his fist tightening as they lay tensely at his sides. Gajeel, sensing impending doom for both Dragon Slayers, decided to cut in. "Leave the fighting till the battle actually starts, Lightbulb." He muttered, elbowing Natsu in the side.
Rogue didn't react at the obvious tension between the four, his eyes trained on Gajeel and no one else. "Alright, if you are all ready, please begin on the count of three,"
"Two,"
"One."
The arena was silent for a full minute before Sting made the first move. He ran towards Natsu, fist glowing a hazy white as he slammed into Natsu, sending the Dragon Slayer teetering backwards.
"Salamander!" Gajeel yelled, irritated and surprised at the same time, angry they didn't get to make the first move. The Iron Dragon Slayer glanced wearily towards his other opponent before looking back at his team mate. Gritting his teeth, he scoffed.
"You're slow, Gajeel-san." Rogue whispered, quietly catching the Iron Dragon Slayer's wandering attention. He smirked, "Ain't fair, yer buddy made the first move."
Rogue, caught by surprise by Gajeel's words, gave him a small smile before looking towards at his teammate. "I promised Sting I would give him some time, so until I am defeated - I am your opponent."
The Iron Dragon Slayer glanced towards the Shadow Dragon Slayer, annoyed, "Who are you anyway? Ya look familiar." Rogue chuckled softly, his gaze never meeting Gajeel's. "I guess you don't remember - do you remember Rhyos then?"
Gajeel's breath caught in his throat as the familiar name started to link him towards the young man in front of him - that little boy all those years ago was him?! "Ya gotta be kidding me, you're Rhyos?" Rogue's eyes darkened. "Don't call me that, I'm not him anymore."
Gajeel scowled, "Then why'd ya mention him?" The Shadow Dragon Slayer was silent. Gajeel sighed before crossing his arms over his chest, "You were always talking about how you were going beat me back then right?"
Rogue didn't answer, Gajeel turned away exasperated, "Fight me then."
Rogue turned towards the Iron Dragon Slayer.
"I was already planning to, Gajeel-san."
Before Gajeel could react, Rogue had sent him flying to the other side of the arena, wincing as his back came into contact with the dusty ground beneath him, knocking all air from his lungs.
The Iron Dragon Slayer coughed as he looked around for his opponent, but just when he was about to get up and look for him, he was pushed back down again. Groaning, he looked behind him to see what it was - only to see it was his opponent.
"Rogue?" The Shadow Dragon Slayer smirked before letting go of Gajeel, "I've already said so, haven't I? You're slow, Gajeel-san." The Iron Dragon Slayer scowled, "Don't underestimate me brat!" Gajeel got up and was at Rogue's throat in seconds, his fist aimed at his face.
"Taste iron, brat!" He yelled fiercely before a pillar of iron crushed Rogue into the stone wall behind him. The Shadow Dragon Slayer groaned as he was pushed further into the stone wall, helpless to other attacks.
Gajeel sniffed at the Shadow Dragon Slayer's weak state and retracted his iron club, muttering to himself. "You piss me off." He grumbled before walking off. He shouldn't have offered to fight this idiot so easily. But something stopped him in his tracks as he was walking away; he found he couldn't walk away.
He physically couldn't walk away - Rogue's shadow had grabbed both of his arms and legs' shadows, and he couldn't move an inch away from the Shadow Dragon Slayer. He was a sitting duck to any sort of attack the Dragon Slayer was thinking of firing at him.
Rogue smirked at Gajeel's annoyed expression. "You piss me off too, Gajeel-san." Suddenly, shadow versions of Gajeel's iron pillars appeared on the walls, dark and menacing, Rogue glanced at his creations before looking back at Gajeel.
"Shadow Dragon's Crushing Fang." He whispered, as he commanded the pillars rushed towards Gajeel, creeping along the arena's stone walls like vines on an plant overrun castle. They slammed into Gajeel as hard as any one of his own solid ones would and left him battered on the ground.
Panting the Iron Dragon Slayer looked over at Rogue who had managed to get up, his arm resting leaning against the wall. "I didn't do anything, you know. I just replicated your power, Gajeel-san; it was you who did it."
Gajeel scowled at Rogue's serene smile, "Shut up, if you can't even use your own moves, you're nothing more than a coward." Rogue's face darkened as Gajeel's words slashed into him like a sword cutting into skin.
"Ah but you're wrong Gajeel-san, it is because I am powerful that I can use your moves against you." Rogue laughed as he stumbled closer to the Iron Dragon Slayer. "But I will say, that attack hurt."
Suddenly, the shadows from before started to encase Rogue, slowly dragging him deeper and deeper into the ground below until he was completely gone. Gajeel stared in shock, his mind aware that Rogue could pretty much pop out of nowhere.
His heart was already beating out of his chest after that one attack; he didn't want to think what the others might feel like. As if enticed by his fear, darkness surrounded Gajeel's vision, leaving him frozen in shock.
"I do have moves of my own though, Gajeel-san. Want to see them?" Rogue whispered. Before Gajeel could answer, his body was being pummelled by hundreds of fists as shadow versions of Rogue began to pummel his body. Gajeel could only close his eyes and bear, he couldn't run, not in the dark.
"I thought you were going to take this seriously, Gajeel-san." Rogue muttered quietly after a few minutes of pummelling Gajeel's body. The Iron Dragon Slayer didn't respond, Rogue's words echoing in his head.
Yes, he wasn't taking this seriously enough at all.
"You're right Rhyos, I'm not."
The Iron Dragon Slayer laughed before standing up, his legs shaking uncontrollably as he did so, "But I ain't giving up this easily either." It was then when Rogue noticed something off about Gajeel: something was different, but he couldn't tell what.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art, Karma Demon; Iron God Sword!" The Iron Dragon Slayer yelled and clasped both his hands above his head, forming a gigantic sword the size of himself as a green magic circle appeared beneath him. "Let's take this seriously, Rhyos."
Before Rogue had time to react Gajeel's gigantic sword was heading his way, swinging rapidly from all directions. It was all the Shadow Dragon Slayer could do to dodge each swipe.
"Shadow Drive, Shadow Puppet!" Rogue yelled, desperately trying to fight off Gajeel's sword. Suddenly, strings thinner than the eye could see appeared wrapped around his fingers and attached themselves to Gajeel's lumbering shadow, effectively stopping him in his tracks.
For at least a minute anyway.
Rogue's sense of relief did not last as Gajeel broke free from the strings and charged towards him again. It seemed his Shadow Drive wasn't going to be enough to defeat his old idol.
Rogue smirked inwardly, laughing at himself. Of course Shadow Drive wouldn't be enough, he was fighting his old idol after all. He grinned to himself, he guessed he would have to use Dragon Force.
"Dragon Force, Shadow Dragon's Roar!" He yelled, as he fired a flurry of shadows towards his opponent, completely masking Gajeel's figure in a flurry of darkness. He grinned to himself as he waited for the dust to calm down, this would definitely take him down, definitely-
Not.
As soon as the dust had cleared Rogue realised something was wrong. He had expecting nothing to have stayed there, absolute destruction - but standing there with cuts all over his body was Gajeel, his sword crushed deep into the ground below him.
And something else was different about the Iron Dragon Slayer now too. It seemed both had decided activating their Dragon Force was the only way to end things.
Rogue's breath caught in his throat as he stared down the other Dragon Slayer, his eyes scanning the silver scales that patterned Gajeel's body. "Dragon Force eh? Flashy, don't cha think?"
Gajeel smirked as he walked closer to the Shadow Dragon Slayer, his sword crumbling to pieces in his hands. "Let's end this before it gets too long, we're here to watch those two after all." He laughed, "Iron Shadow Dragon's Roar!"
Rogue, caught by surprise that his opponent had the same element as him, couldn't move, realisation settled in place as a tornado of wind slammed into him, flinging him to the other side of the arena.
He was stupid; there was absolutely no way he could win against his old master.
No way.
He stood there, idly staring at his master from the other side of the arena, his body shaking the entire time. He smiled in gratitude to his master before collapsing onto his knees and finally onto the ground defeated.
The crowd cheered as Gajeel stood in victory, his name being cheered and shouted by millions of people, but just when it was the height of celebration he fell too, onto his knees, and finally onto the ground.
It seemed forcing himself to activate Dragon a Force was more than he could have taken.
The paramedics were quickly called in and Wendy quietly went to check if he was alright.
Lucy took one look at Rogue and sighed before patting him gently on the forehead. "You did well, Rogue." She whispered softly, before steeling herself for the rest of the battle.
She glanced at the on-going battle on the north side of the arena that looked like nothing more but a flurry of light and red fire. Lucy glanced to her opponent on the other side of the arena and felt her heart jump.
This was the first time in a long time since she's been this close to Erza. Erza who had taken Lisanna's words almost immediately, Erza who had been one of her closest friends all those years ago.
Was resentment enough to give her strength to defeat the re-equip Mage? Erza's eyes met with Lucy's as Chapati announced for the reserves to step in. Erza extended her hand out in a greeting towards Lucy, her face betraying no emotion.
Lucy reluctantly took Erza's hand in hers before nodding. "It's been a long time, Erza." Erza gave her a soft smile. "Indeed Lucy. Let's see if the rumours are really true about your strength."
Lucy stuck her hand quickly back to her side, terrified of touching the re-equip Mage further, Erza had always been too friendly about these things. She wondered quietly to herself as the referee gave them the usual rules, was she really ready for this?
Next Up, Scarlet Red Blood: Pt 2 & Starfire!
Hope you guys liked it, god the fight between those two are going to be a pain in the ass to write XD (So glad she restricted herself to one fight scene per chapter right now) Please read and review!