Yay! I'm back! I finally got some more goddamn reviews which made me want to write more. I really need those reviews to motivate me or I just don't want to write.

Chapter 9: Beheader And Island

As Ryu and Erza were applying for a stay at the towns motel he had noticed something. They were being followed and these guys were good. As he was waiting at a table for Erza to return with the keys he closed his eyes.

"Devil Art: Cursed Eye." He whispered, a technique used by devils to see everything in a 360 degree radius. One could not move however when this technique was being used. As he scanned the outside of the building he could see them.

"Rune Rogues." They were a different branch from the 'Rune Knights' of the magic council. This was a group that specialized in espionage and assassination. Ryu, counted up to two of them, but they held no ill intent. A third one walked towards him.

"Hello there Ryu-sama." He opened his eyes as in front of him was a third one. He wore a black and white cloak that covered his body and his face had a mask on. He laid a scroll on the table as he sat in front of him. Ryu narrowed his crimson eyes at the man.

"What does the magic council wish of me?"

"Do you remember the executioner of Bosco?" He said as Ryu nodded. The man was known as Zank the Beheader and he was a man who had gone mad from executioning to many people. He held as much blood on his hands as Ryu had.

"What of him?"

"He has been roaming the countryside and beheading people and we need you to kill him." Ryu rose an eyebrow at this.

"And why not just kill him yourselves?"

"He is a skilled fighter and using mind reading magic. He also is a master of the seathed blades, we have tried but have not succeeded. He has killed about twenty of our assassins so far."

"How many people has he killed in total?"

"The numbers have risen past 100. The Magic Council has been trying to keep it a secret." He then moved the scroll towards Ryu. "There is a large sum of jewel as well if you take the mission."

"No need for money. If there is evil in this world I will exterminate him." Ryu said as he took the scroll and placed it inside his leather vest.

"Also sources say that he will be here tonight." This had certainly complicated things. Erza was with him. "He usually attacks at night and when you kill him we will take his body. The rest of the information is in that scroll."

"Be careful for this man is a high S-Class mage." He then left silently.

"How am I gonna tell Erza about this." Ryu, sighed.

"What's wrong?" He looked up to see Erza looking at him oddly with the keys in hand. She then blushed and looked at her feet.

"They only had one room." She said as Ryu chuckled. Erza looked at him in surprise.

"It's no problem if we share a room Erza." Ryu said with a smile as she nodded.

(20 Minutes later)

"Like I said, Erza I will sleep on the couch." Ryu said as Erza refused. Apparently the owner of the hotel thought that they were a couple(Which they aren't sure of yet) and gave them one bedroom. Erza was staring at him with her arms crossed.

"No. Ryu I will sleep on the couch since you're money is renting the hotel room." She said with determination.

"Erza, since I'm using my money I can choose who sleeps where. And you shall sleep on the bed." Once again she shook her head at this.

"I refuse. I insist that you will take the bed, no matter what." Erza declared with conviction in her tone.

The two began to debate, until it lead to this…

"How did this happen again?" Ryu asked himself unsure of the situation. He had ended up sharing a bed with Erza, he could see the smug look on his Otoutou's face already. She also had her arms wrapped around his waist from behind preventing him from escaping. He could also feel her 'assets' on his bare back.

"I need to go and track down the beheader…"

Around an hour later when Erza had turned over, Ryu quickly got up. He looked down at her and saw that she was wearing her usual purple pajamas. He quickly put a pillow where he was as she turned back to hug it. He then took a deep quiet sigh and smiled.

"See you later...Erza." As he closed the door, Erza's eyes snapped open.

"I wonder what you are doing, Ryu…" She quickly got up and re-equipped her armor.

(Roofs of Cornelia Town)

Ryu was currently jumping from roof to roof alongside three 'Rune Rogues'. They had apparently found out the location of "The Beheader".

"Has he killed anyone?" Ryu yelled as they jumped from roof to roof.

"Right now we have him occupied." The 'Rune Rogue' said as he nodded. They came upon the town square where a man was cutting down multiple men. Ryu quickly used Sound Ceremony and appeared in front of the man kicking him away. The captain of the 'Rune Rogues' ordered them all to back off.

The man watched as the "Rune Rogues" backed off. He then studied the eyes of, Ryu as well as his posture and his clothing. With a sick grin he spoke. "Ahhh, Ryu 'The Fire Devil' how good to meet you."

"Zank 'The Beheader'." Ryu replied.

"Tell me something Devil, how do you deal with them?"

"Hmm?"

"How do you deal with the voices of the people you killed? I know you have as much blood on your hands as me." He said as Ryu closed his eyes.

"I live with them everyday." He said as his cloak fluttered in the wind. "Those voices telling me to join them in hell. The innocent lives as well, I hear them all."

"Then how do you deal with it?" He said.

"I don't." Ryu said as the man grinned ferally. His hidden blades appeared from the top of his sleeves as he then rose his right blade.

"I'm going to have so much fun." He then charged as his blades glowed black.

"Cursed Tri Slash!" He swiped his blades as he created a black arc of energy towards Ryu. Ryu, then slashed out his sword creating a large arc of fire.

"Fire Devils Soaring Slash!" HIs arc of fire slammed into the ominous energy dispersing along with it. Ryu rose up his sword and quickly parried two strikes from Zank. As Zank took a couple steps back Ryu slashed his sword forward.

"I don't think so!" The man dodged the attack and kicked Ryu in the stomach sending him sliding back. "I can see what you are predicting, Ryu."

"So that is the power they are all talking about." Ryu said as he composed himself.

"Ryu, what did you mean by you don't deal with the voices?" Zank said as Ryu closed his eyes in thought.

"I live seeing their faces and their screams every night. The monster that I am scares them away." Ryu said as he charged forward. She was there and he knew, but he said it anyway. It was essential for her to see who he really was.

(Galuna Island)

"Well I'm being affected once again." Shio said as they ran up a flight of stairs. Everyone stared at him and saw that he was in the form just like when the moon was out.

When they had reached the top of the stairs there were the cult members doing their thing to free Deliora.

Multiple flying orbs appeared as they were suddenly racing towards Shio and the group.

"Sea Devils Piercing Spikes!" Shio slammed his trident into the ground as multiple spears of water pierced and destroyed the orbs only to reform as a person with a red mask and a green cloak appeared. His magical level rose and matched up close to Shio's.

"I'm Zalty and I cannot let you interfere, Devil."

"Natsu you guys go on ahead this person is on a different level than you guys." Shio said as Natsu and the others looked back at him.

"Shio-Nii!" Lisanna said as Shio turned to them.

"Go! It's up to you guys to stop that idiot and his cult." Natsu and Gray nodded as they ran off with the group.

"Oh? How noble." Zalty said.

"Pfft, you don't need to hide it, so tell me what are you doing here Ultear?" Shio said as Zalty grinned.

"As expected of the Sea Devil!" Ultear shouted as she threw off her coat revealing herself. "Now then let's see how powerful you really are!"

She held out her arms as multiple orbs of ice appeared and flew towards Shio. Upon seeing this he put down his trident and began using his hands to destroy the orbs.

Suddenly one hit him in the stomach causing more damage than he had expected.

"Oh, pretty good with that one." Shio said as he grinned. "My turn."

"Breath of the Sea Devil!" Shio yelled as a pressurized stream of water came out of his mouth slamming directly into Ultear.

"Don't you know what happens when you get a girl wet, I wanted your brother, but I don't mind you."

"What are you doing here anyway?" Shio said as he rose his eyebrow.

"Well, the magic council had to keep an eye on this cult. But, since you're here I guess you and those children can handle it." She said confidently.

"Really? Then why did you attack me?"

"I was playing a role and you ruined it, I guess I'll take my leave then." She said as she disappeared.

"I should really go check on those kids!" Shio said as he almost forgot about them. A sonic boom resonated throughout the area as he disappeared.

(Ryu Vs Zank)

Zank, thrusted his right blade forward as Ryu, ducked under it. As he slashed out his katana it was blocked by Zank's left blade. Suddenly Ryu's right leg became covered in silver fire.

"Fire Devils Axel Kick!" He slammed his leg right into the exposed side of Zank, sending him into a building.

"Gah." Ryu, suddenly coughed out blood and saw that Zank had actually pierced his stomach with a blade.

"Oh, so you're body must be really resilient if you stopped that." Zank, said as he appeared. The left side of his body burnt by the kick.

"And you are a really strong opponent." Ryu, said as he took out the blade in his stomach as the wound healed.

"Oh? So it is true then. Your brother can heals others and himself, but you can only heal yourself."

"Yes, Fire Devils have always had that as their trump card."

"Well then, let's continue!" Zank said as he charged forward.

Ryu, raised his katana and brought it down as Zank intercepted with both his blades. His mouth opened as a black ball of energy appeared. Ryu, widened his eyes as Zank, grinned.

"I saw that move coming."

"Cursed Blast!"

"Ryu!" Erza shouted from the shadows as an explosion occurred. She watched as a cloud of silver flames appeared next to her.

She, saw that he was heavily injured and holding his side as blood poured out. She ran over to him as he looked at her.

"Erza, stay back." He said as she frowned.

"No, I will help you fight this monster."

"You aren't ready for this Erza, he will kill you." Ryu said as the wound slowly healed.

"It seems that my healing has slowed down, it must be his magic it is cursed."

"Oh? Who is this pretty lady?" Zank said as he appeared without his left arm. "You are truly skilled Devil, you cut off my left arm during the explosion."

Erza, kept her eyes on the enemy. He had killed so many innocents and so many people died, because of him.

"Flight Armor!" Erza, yelled as she equipped the armor. "Sonic Blade!"

"Erza!" Ryu, shouted as he stood up.

"Oh? You may be moving fast, but all I have to do is adjust my timing." Zank thought as he tried to dodge the attack only to get cut on his cheek. He widened his eyes as Erza passed him.

"Wow, you actually cut me. I'm going to have to take your head!" Zank yelled as he charged towards Erza only for a sword to pierce him from behind.

"GAh!" Erza, widened her eyes as they met with Ryu's. His crimson eyes redder than ever.

"Erza, look away." He said as she did what she was told as she heard a sickening rip.

She looked back to see a bloody Ryu, lay down the body of Zank without his head. Suddenly men in cloaks that held the Magic Councils mark appeared.

"Thank you, Ryu-sama we will now take the body of Zank." One of them said as Ryu nodded. "Also, we no one must know about this."

"Yes, I understand." Ryu, said as he looked over at Erza, with a frown. Said, person had a sad face. When the "Rune Rogues" left Ryu walked over to her.

"I'm sorry for following you Ryu! Please hit me!" She closed her eyes as he raised his hand and poked her in the forehead.

"By the Devils, what am I gonna do with you Erza." He said as he picked her up bridal style.

"W-what are you doing?!"

"Thanks for the help Erza." He said as they disappeared in a sonic boom.

(Shio And Natsu them)

Right now, Shio, was currently lecturing Gray for being an idiot. They had just evacuated all the villagers, because that one Shelly girl was about to throw acid on the entire village.

"Hmm, so you mean to tell me that you got your ass handed to you?" Shio said as a tic mark appeared on Gray's head. "When I read you magical powers you guys were evenly matched."

"I know that you're gonna ask why I held back."

"Gosh, he is so dumb wanting to resurrect a evil demon for such a reason." Shio, sighed he never could understand the logic of cults. Why would you want to resurrect an evil demon that wants to destroy the world?

"And Natsu, got lost in the woods. That idiot is lucky I have a good nose too." Shio, facepalmed. "You guys are getting a really low grade."

"Shio-nii!' Lisanna yelled. "I beat that Tobi guy!"

"Yeah! We did good!" Lucy yelled. "I beat that one chick and her giant rat!"

"Mah, mah, it seems like you guys get a passing grade for this mission."

"Bladahsfads" A bruised and battered Natsu said as Shio looked over at him.

"Shut up this is your punishment for being even worse of an airhead than me." Shio could be really dense at times, but Natsu just takes the cake.

"Alright guys rest up! We gotta take them out tonight."

(Later)

"Animal Soul Cat!" Lisanna yelled as she transformed. She work a black and blue bikini and her arms and legs had turned into cat claws.

"You again! I hate cats! Im a dog!" Tobi yelled as he charged forward.

"Jellyfish Poison Claws!" Lisanna dodged the attack as her opponent carelessly attacked.

"This guys so weak it's not even funny." Lisanna brought down her leg in an axel form just like Shio, had taught her knocking out the dog like man.

"I wonder how Lucy is doing?"

(Lucy)

"Gosh I'm so dirty from that fight." Lucy complained as she stood next to an unconscious Shelly.

"Aye sir!" Happy said as a tic mark appeared on her head.

"You didn't even do anything!"

"Wah! Lucy why you so mean!" Happy cried as Lucy sighed.

"We better get that money, and I better get that key!

(Gray)

"Lyon! Stop this madness!" Gray said.

"Oh? I thought beating you once was enough already."

"Ur is in that ice! That ice is the only thing left of her in this world!" Gray said as Lyon began laughing crazily.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Foolish, Gray didn't you think that I'd already know?" As soon as Lyon said that Gray put his arms together.

"Ice Make: Hammer!" He yelled with anger evident in his voice. Lyon smirked upon seeing this rose up one arm.

"Ice Make: Gorilla." A huge ape made of Ice stopped Gray's hammer.

"I won't let you desecrate Ur's final memory in this world!"

"You can try."

"Why? Why are you doing this?" Gray said.

"Why?! You want to know why? It's because of you." Lyon said as Gray widened his eyes.

"What?"

"Ur, she was my idol, she was the one I wanted to surpass, she was my dream! You!" Lyon said as he pointed at Gray. "You took my dream away from me!"

"You, you're so blinded by this, you can't even make sense of what you are doing! What makes you think you can kill that thing? The thing that took my family away from me!" Gray said as memories of his family flooded his head.

"Ice Make: Doves!" Lyon yelled as he launched forward a flurry of birds made of ice that slammed directly into Gray, blowing him backwards.

(Shio)

"Holy crap we are too late." Shio said as the monster ripped out of its shell. At his side were Lisanna and Lucy as well as Happy.

"Where is Natsu?" Lucy wondered.

"I sent him to go help Gray." He said as the monster roared. "Well you guys ready for this?"

"NO!" Lucy said as she and Lisanna hid behind Shio.

"Well then, looks like it's all me here." Shio stepped forward as the demon looked at him.

"You! You reek of that Devil Keron!" It said as Shio rose an eyebrow.

"You know, I didn't sense any power from you earlier." Shio had expected the monster to step out and disintegrate to be honest. Which is exactly what happened.

"No!" Everyone turned around to see Lyon fall to his knees. "This can't be!"

"Sorry kid, but that thing was dead from the start."

"No, you did something! It talked to you!" Lyon shouted as Shio shrugged.

"Listen kid I suggest you go join a guild or something and do something with your life other than this." Shio then saw Natsu carrying an exhausted Gray.

"Besides I'm so done with all this crap. Let's go guys."

(Village)

"But, we still have the curse on us!" Chief Moka said as Shio nodded.

"Yes, I'll take care of it right now."

"How?"

"I'll destroy the moon." Shio said plainly as Team Natsu face faulted.

"Shio-nii! We have to be serious here!" Lisanna said as Shio grinned.

"Mah, mah watch and learn kiddies." Shio said as he stepped out onto the shore. He took his trident off his back and held it as if he was gonna throw it.

"The first are we

The last we shall be

Owner of the sea

I claim the sea

Help me in this time of need."

The tribe and Team Natsu, watched as water began wrapping around the trident violently. Wind began to blow as Lucy and Lisanna held down their skirts. When they looked up they saw the outline of a devilish creature around Shio.

"Sea Devils Whirling Javelin!" As Shio threw his trident the water from the ocean followed it making it seem as if the ocean sent a spike towards the moon.

"Such strength." Moka said as they watch the spike pierce something? It seemed as if it had pierced glass and it began to shatter.

"You see the reason was that you guys are actually demons you just merely forgot." Shio said as he stepped onto the shore. Suddenly all of the villagers kneeled before him much to the confusion of Team Natsu.

"S-Shio-sama!" Moka said as Shio scratched the back of his head.

"Mah, mah no need for that, but it seems you finally remember."

"Yes, my lord, here is the money for the mission." Moka said as Shio declined.

"I rather not take your money, but we'd take the key." Shio said as he gave Lucy a wink.

(Ryu and Erza)

"How long have you been doing this?" Erza said as Ryu sighed. They were currently sitting at a table in their hotel room. She grasped his hands when she asked.

"For the past couple of years since me and Otouto joined." He said as Erza widened her eyes.

"You know that master forbids killing, Ryu." Erza said.

"Yes, but I couldn't let people like that live, so I had to do somethings behind the back of Master and you."

"Don't you think that you've done enough already?" Erza, could not really understand why Ryu, had to do these things. He had already suffered enough in his life.

"I-I don't know, but as long as those people live I cannot escape."

"Ryu, why can't you forgive yourself?" He turned away from her.

"Erza, go to sleep now please. I'll take the couch."

(Next day)

"Yosh! Finally we are back!" Natsu was about to walk forward until Shio stopped him.

"Natsu, look at the guild."

"Oh, my god what happened." Lisanna said as they looked at the guild. It was pierced by multiple iron spikes. Lucy stepped forward to open the doors only to see a drunk Master and a frowning Mirajane, which changed until she saw them.

"Hey guys! As you can see we have some problems right now."

"AHAHA! Those Phantom Lord fools thought they could do something.

"What!? Master, why don't we retaliate?!"

"Nobody got hurt I'm assuming." Shio said as Hikari appeared with her little demon.

"Shio-sama!" Hikari said as she ran over to Shio to give him a hug.

"How have you been Hikari-chan?" He said as the sky devil slayer looked up at him.

"Been going pretty well! I healed the members that the debris fell on!" She said cheerfully as Shio rubbed the top of her head.

"Those two do seem like siblings." Lucy said as the others nodded.

"Oi! Don't ignore me!" Natsu said as he was slammed into a ground by a giant hand.

"Quiet, Natsu, until then everyone let us use the basement." Makarov said as everyone followed him downstairs.

"Ne, Mira-chan." Shio, said.

"What is it, Shio-kun?"

"Did, Nii-san and Erza-chan come back yet?"

"No, not yet. Oh, and why don't you tell me about the mission you guys took!" Mira said as Shio chuckled.

"Alright why not." Needless to say only Happy noticed Natsu still unconscious on the ground.