E-Land
Soon, Gajeel could see the giant lacrima, as Happy lifted him up.
"Hopefully Levy will be able to find the others," Happy said.
"Don't worry, the shrimp's smart," Gajeel said, "She'll do it!" Happy grinned.
"You liiiike her!" he said.
"If you weren't carry me!" Gajeel snapped angrily. Happy just chuckled, as he looked up the lacrima as they were getting closer.
"You can turn everyone back, right?" he asked.
"You bet it!" Gajeel answered, "I'll smash it to bits!"
"You sure it will work?"
"I'm doing what Mystogan said," Gajeel answered.
Eventually, they reached the island, and Happy dropped him off. It was much bigger up close.
"Well, nothing to do but start!" Gajeel declared, "You owe me a whole junkyard worth of iron when this is done!" He then held up his sword arm, only for a huge sword to come down. On the other end was Pantherlily, who had a pair of wings coming out of his back.
"He's an Exceed!" Happy declared in shock.
"Stand back, cat!" Gajeel said, as he held up his sword, "Iron Dragon Sword!" He then launched his sword at Pantherlily, who managed to dodge, and brought down his sword, which Gajeel managed to dodge. The slash took out a chunk of the island.
"That sword!" Happy cried.
"Do you really think you can beat me?" Pantherlily inquired.
"Well, its not like I've got much of a choice," Gajeel answered.
(with Lucy and Wendy)
Carla was carrying Lucy down the hall, as Wendy ran alongside them.
"How are your contractions?" Wendy asked.
"Not as bad thanks to you, but they're still popping up," Lucy answered, holding her stomach.
"We need to find a doctor soon!" Wendy said.
"Actually, I have another solution, princess," Virgo said, as she popped into existence.
"Virgo!" Lucy said, almost being dropped by Carla, "What're you doing here?"
"I heard that a new young master or mistress will be born soon," Virgo explained, "As such, it would be remiss of me to not help in his or her birth."
"Can you deliver a child?" Lucy asked.
"Indeed, in my years I have acquired quite a number of skills," Virgo answered, "I can also take you to safety, and protect you during the birth." There was a brief silence.
"That… actually makes a lot of sense," Carla said.
"Why didn't you think of that before?" Lucy asked.
"Because it slipped the writer's mind," Virgo answered.
"The writer?" (I'm sorry, but this was a glaring flaw I did not take notice of until earlier; I'll go jump in a lake now for this joke)
"Now, perhaps you two have somewhere else to be?" Virgo asked, taking Lucy up in her arms.
"I guess so," Wendy said, as Carla picked her up, "Thanks for your help!" With that, Carla took off into the air, and Virgo started running down the hall with Lucy.
"Where's Sir Natsu?" Virgo asked, "I would expect he would be here for the birth of the young master or mistress?"
"I don't know," Lucy said, holding her stomach, thinking He better be here for his child's birth!
(further in the palace)
Natsu, Gray, and Juvia could only stare at the sight of the colossal theme park that was before them. It was all they could really do with sight like this.
"This place is getting weirder by the minute," Gray said.
"You kidding me!" Natsu said, beaming, "This looks like tons of fun!" He attempted to run into the park, only to be grabbed by the scarf by Gray.
"I know you've got a short attention span, but have you already forgotten that you're girlfriend is giving birth?" he asked.
"Oh yeah, that's right," Natsu said, blinking slightly.
"Mmmmmm," a voice said. The group liked over, to see the merry-go-round running. Riding it was Sugarboy.
"Denying yourselves the chance to ride the merry-go-round is a very bad idea," he said, "It can truly be quite pleasant." The group could only stare, until a massive looming ship seemed to appear over them, sending the group sprawling to the ground in surprise. It turned out to be a swinging ride.
"Forget 'pleasant', 'fun' is a much better word," Hughes said from atop the ship, sneering down at them, "And I seriously don't want all this to be lost."
"So we won't let any of this be lost," Sugarboy said, "And it doesn't matter who we have to step on."
"The way I see it, you have two options: go back to prison, or die," Hughes said, before pausing, "Actually strike that, you're going to die no matter what so…. I guess you could stay here and just get it over with."
"Mmmmmm," Sugarboy said, "It would be more efficient, especially since the Dragon Slayers have done their task. Subject S is still there anyway!"
"His name's Särakaotus!" Natsu snapped, "And you can't control him anymore! I destroyed his binds! He's free!" Gray and Juvia exchanged glances. It would probably be better if they didn't find out the dragon was comatose.
"WHAT?!" both commanders snapped.
"You let the dragon go?!" Hughes yelled, "Are you insane?!"
"Probably," Gray answered.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Hughes said, his face contorted with rage, "Once we're finished, we won't need Subject S anymore! Let's kill these damned invaders!" He then held up some kind of glowing wand, as the swing ship he was on suddenly lifted into the air, and charged the mages.
"Scatter!" Natsu yelled. The three Fairy Tail mages leapt out of the way. Gray then brought his hands together.
"Ice Make: Lance!" Several streams of ice shot from his hands, and blasted at Hughes, who only just managed to avoid the attack.
"That ice came from thin air!" Hughes said.
"So Knightwalker wasn't joking after all about Earthland magic," Sugarboy mused.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Hughes said, "You're on our turf, and now…"
"I've got better things to do than deal with you!" Natsu declared, as he rocketed at Hughes, and punched him through the air, "My baby's going to be born! I'm not going to miss it because of a bunch of stupid assholes! No give us back our guild!"
"Hate to…. the hell am I saying? I'm glad to tell you that said guild will become Edolas magic power!"
"You bastard!" Natsu snapped, as his chest started to glow. Suddenly, what looked like a roller coaster shot at Natsu straight out of nowhere, something Natsu easily avoided. However, Hughes waved his wand again, sending the train twisting around back at Natsu.
"My wand can control every attraction in this park," Hughes explained. It then shot at Natsu again. However, Natsu held his ground, as his chest remained lit up.
"Get out the way Natsu!" Gray yelled, "You know you can't handle transportation!" But Natsu didn't move an inch.
"You stupid…" Hughes' cackle didn't finish, as Natsu let out his Fire Dragon's Roar. The dragon fire consumed the car, and when it faded, the car was completely melted. Hughes' jaw dropped in horror. Even Gray and Juvia were shocked at that.
"In hindsight, maybe we should've seen that coming," Gray said.
Hughes just stared in horror at the Dragon Slayer before him. That was when he saw it, looming behind Natsu. Now he had seen Subject S, so it wasn't like he'd never seen a dragon, but this time…. The looming, serpentine shadow, with glowing eyes, and broad wings. It made his very soul began to tremble.
"What next?" Natsu growled.
(in the throne room)
Faust tapped his finger on the throne. He was normally a patient man, but that was beginning to fade rather quickly.
"Your Majesty!" Byro said, as he hurried forward, "It seems…."
"The link from Subject S has been severed, I know," Faust said, "It is of no consequence at this point."
"No consequence?" Byro asked in shock, "That creature is still a monster of unmatched power! If it were to awaken…"
"It has been comatose for over four hundred years, it practically dead," Faust insisted. Byro clenched his teeth, wringing his hands.
"We've enough energy to use the Dragon Chain Cannon," Faust said, "And one that is done, Subject S will be completely irrelevant." He then rose to his feet, holding out his hand.
"The key?" he said. Byro then held out a key with a dragon insignia.
"Wait, your Majesty!" Cocoa said as she scurried forward.
"Cocoa!" Byro scolded, "Don't go scampering around like that!"
"Lily is on the island!" Cocoa explained, "If we use the cannon, Lily is going to die!"
"And?" Faust responded coldly. The air grew so still that it could've solidified.
"But… Lily's our friend," Cocoa said
"Don't be naive girl!" Byro snapped, "What's important isn't the individual life! Its the whole kingdom!" Cocoa clenched her fists in frustration. When she heard that the blonde was to be executed, even though she was pregnant with a child that had not done a thing to anyone, she began to question the orders given. Was eternal magic truly worth murdering innocents? But she had still agreed, albeit reluctantly. But now…
"No!" she cried, as she snatched the key away, "I won't let Lily die!" With that, the girl began running as fast as her legs could carry her, though she didn't get far before a searing pain shot through her feet, knocking her to the ground
"Coco," the king said sternly, his staff still smoking, "I remember you running everywhere like you always had somewhere to be. But now…." There was another blast from his staff, as he shot at Cocoa's feet. Byro couldn't help but cringe.
"Hand over the key," Faust growled. But Cocoa rose to her feet, and started running once again, out of the throne room.
"You don't need to be told what to do, Byro," Faust said.
"Yes!" Byro said as he started waddling after her.
As Cocoa ran, her fleet continued to bleed, but she didn't stop. Tears streamed down her eyes as she only focused on what was in front of her. I want eternal magic! Cocoa thought I want the kingdom to be prosperous! But if the same kingdom orders the death of children, and its own soldiers, then I don't want to be part of it!
(in E-Land)
Natsu's sudden display of power had unnerved Hughes more than a little, but he hadn't given up. Which had proven a bad idea on his part. During this, both Gray and Juvia had ran after the fleeing Sugarboy, the couple concluding that the Dragon Slayer probably needed this venting.
"See that weirdo anywhere?" Gray asked.
"No!" Juvia answered. Eventually, the two came to a fork in the path.
"You go that way!" Gray said, "I'll go this way! If you find the weirdo, be sure to kick his ass!"
"You know Juvia will!" Juvia said, as she turned down her own corner, and continued running. As she did however, she rather promptly fell to the ground, with a rather prominent "bang".
"Ow!" Juvia said, rubbing her head as she looked up. She then noticed a small girl with a puppy like face on the ground before her.
"Wait, who are you?" Juvia asked.
"Tch! Cocoa stop!" a voice roared, as Juvia saw a short, goblin-like man running in their direction.
"Please!" the girl begged, "You have to help me!" Juvia then took notice of her feet.
"What?" Juvia asked in shock, "Your feet!" She then gathered some cold water, and poured it over Cocoa's feet, who at first cringed, before letting out a sigh of relief as the cool water lessened the pain slightly.
"You have to take this!" Cocoa said, holding up the key, before she hesitated. This girl's of Earthland! she thought If I give her the key…
"Damn it, Cocoa!" Byro growled as he came up, "For the last time! Give me the damn key!" Juvia glared up at the man.
"Juvia doesn't know who you are!" she declared, "But you're pretty clearly the enemy! So you must be defeated!" Byro glared at her.
"I have no interest in you outworlder!" he growled, "Step aside, and let me deal with these affairs!"
"As a member of Fairy Tail, Juvia is not permitted to do that!" Juvia answered, "Now take this!" Several lashes of water shot at Byron, who, caught off guard, was knocked away.
"That water came from her body!" Byro said. Cocoa could only stare in shock at the demonstration of Earthland magic.
"You'e clearly outmatched!" Juvia declared, "Give up now and…."
"Flame Liquid!" A splash of red liquid was sent at Juvia, who expected it to simply pass through her. However, there was a massive explosion that set the Rain Woman careening away.
"What?" Juvia asked, "My body…"
"That's the magic he wields!" Cocoa said, "That liquid!"
"Storm Liquid!" The liquid that Byro threw suddenly turned into swirling wind, which sent Juvia careening away. Juvia let out a gasp, as she looked up at Byro.
"Alright!" she hissed, "No more Ms. Nice Juvia! Water Nebula!" The stream of water blasted itself at Byro who was sent careening away by the water. Juvia let out a gasp, panting slightly. Cocoa just stared in amazement. She's so strong she thought Maybe the key would be safe with her. Maybe…. Right then, a massive tentacle shout, and snagged Cocoa. Juvia looked up in shock, as a massive creature rose out of the city.
"An… octopus?" Juvia asked. It may have sounded weird, but that was what it was. An octopus with Byro's face.
"Octopus Liquid!" Byro ruled as he loomed over Juvia, "It tastes terrible, but things that are good always do! It doesn't matter what kind of magic you use, I'll always have something to respond!" Juvia glared, as she was struck with a tentacle. Fortunately her Water Body prevented her from doing any damage, but then Juvia held up her finger.
"Water Sniper!" she said, sending a thin blast of water of Byro's face, who blocked with one of his tentacles.
"Didn't you just hear me?" Byro sneered, "You can't do anything against me!" Juvia ran her options, not entirely sure what to do at the time. She knew that she couldn't afford to wait at this point, not with her guild in danger, and Lucy giving birth. She she decided to do what she knew necessary.
"Water Hydra!" One of her hydra heads erupted out of her back, and shot at Byro's head, gnashing its teeth. Unprepared for this, Byro got his face engulfed in its head. This caused him to drop Cocoa. In response, Byro's tentacles lashed out blindly. Using her hydra as an anchor, she heaved herself up towards where Byro's head was. She then produced a second hydra head, which grabbed Byro by the shoulder.
And after that, Juvia yanked Byro down, sending him careening head first into the cement. But Juvia wasn't done. She released the hydra's hold over Byro, before gathering them both together, and shooting down towards him. The combined blast of water struck Byro square in the chest. Byro let out a final "kch", before losing consciousness. Juvia dropped to the ground, before sitting down, retracting both of her hydra heads.
"Juvia!" The water mage looked over his shoulder, and saw Natsu running up to her.
"Natsu!" Juvia said, smiling, "Where's…"
"Aw man!" Natsu whined, "You knocked him out! I was hoping we could beat information out of him!"
"What about…"
"Cooked and also knocked out," Natsu answered. Cocoa stared in surprise. Both Byro and Hughes were beaten? Natsu then took notice of the unconscious Byro.
"Is that an octopus?" he asked. Juvia ignored him, and went over to where Cocoa was.
"Are you alright?" she asked, bending down.
"Y…yes," Cocoa said weakly, before holding up the key, "But you need to take this! Its the key to the Dragon Chain cannon!"
"Isn't that the thing they're going to use to smash the lacrima into Extalia?" Juvia asked.
"I don't want eternal magic, if it means that innocent people and friends have to suffer," Cocoa said weakly, "You have to destroy the key."
"If we destroy the key, then the cannon is useless," Juvia said.
"Alright then," Natsu said, holding out his hand, "Just let me…" However, before he could take it, it was snatched away by a guy sliding on his belly.
"Mmmmm!" Sugarboy said, "You know better than to give something like that to the enemy!"
"You bastard!" Natsu yelled, as he started to run after him. However, a motorcycle dashed by, with Gray on it.
"I'll do it!" he said, "You guys see if you can't get more information out of these people!" With that, Gray blasted after him.
(in the caverns beneath)
Särakaotus remained still, so still it was as if he were dead. But then, a very faint glow began to emit from his forehead.
(with Gray)
"In Edolas, persistence is frowned upon!" Sugarboy said, as he looked over his shoulder smugly.
"You really think I give a damn about what this crapsack of a country thinks?" Gray asked.
"Suppose it doesn't matter at this point," Sugarboy said, "They're no way you can beat me anyway." He then dragged his sword against the floor, as a large depression seemed to appear in it. But it didn't stop there. Soon the entire floor seemed to be caving in, as Gray twisted around to avoid it.
"What's that key?" Gray demanded.
"The key to the Dragon Chain Cannon," Sugarboy answered, "No point explaining beyond that." Gray remembered what Wendy told them. He figured that the cannon was going to be their means of doing it.
"Why don't you hand over the key and spare each other all the usual schtick!"
"I'm afraid I can't allow that," Sugarboy answered.
"Then the usual schtick it is!" Gray said, putting his hand on the floor, "Ice Make: Floor!" Much of the floor then turned to ice, but Sugarboy maintained his superior expression.
"Silly boy," he said, "Ice doesn't work for me!" He then waved his sword over the ice, as the ice suddenly seemed to splash away.
"My Rosa Espada can turn anything soft! Including ice!" Sugarboy declared. However, he soon found himself careening out of control.
"Soft doesn't mean dry," Gray responded, "Seems its still slippery!" As Sugarboy went head first into a wall, Gray leapt at him.
"Ice Make: Hammer!" A hammer of ice bore down onto Sugarboy, who held up his sword, rendering the hammer harmless. But in that interval of distraction, Gray grabbed at the key.
There was a brief moment of pause, as the two looked at the situation they were both in. Gray had frozen both the key, and their hands.
"How cold Snow Boy," Sugarboy said.
"Don't you go calling me names!" Gray snapped.
"Why don't you let go now?" Sugarboy asked.
"You are away that this situation hasn't changed," Gray asked.
"Is that so?" Sugarboy answered, "You are aware a key this valuable won't break easy, right?"
"Who said we need to break it?" Gray asked, "Our plan is to prevent you from using the cannon. All that we need to do is ensure that it can't be used."
"All I need to do is soften the ice," Sugarboy answered, "I'm one of the greatest sculptors in Edolas. I can tune this ice like its nobody's game. After which it will be your turn." With that, the two began freezing, then softening, freezing then softening, freezing then softening, and so forth. Until all of a sudden, a small crack appeared on the key. Sugarboy let out a very unmanly scream.
"Alright, then keep breaking!" Gray declared.
"No!" Sugarboy, "We can't let it break!"
"The hell we can't!" Gray responded, "If it means saving my friends, I'll crush that thing to dust!"
"You don't understand!" Sugarboy said, "You need this key too!"
"The hell do you mean?!"
"The cannon fires concentrated magic drawn from a dragon, plus two Dragon Slayers!" Sugarboy explained, "I presume you know what it can be used for in this world!" Gray actually had that to him. He remembered what Gajeel said to him, but still.
"We've got three Dragon Slayers!" Gray said, "We don't need your damn cannon!"
"That lacrima is almost as big as the palace!" Sugarboy said, "It would be days before you could do anything, and that's time you don't have! If you want to save your friends, you can't destroy the key!" There was some silence, before Gray's teeth clenched, and his grip tightened. Right then, the key shattered, much to Sugarboy's horror.
"You stupid idiot!" Sugarboy cried, "I wasn't bluffing!" He then thrust Rosa Espada at him, only for Gray to easily avoid it.
"W'ere going to home!" Gray declared, "Whether you like it or not! Ice Make: Impact!" He then slammed his palm into Sugarboy's chest, and with a n explosion of ice, sent Sugarboy careening away, defeated. Gray dusted his hands off, as he took a breath.
"My Prince!" Juvia called, as she came running up with Natsu. Natsu then grabbed Sugarboy and started shaking him.
"Alright!" he snapped, "Start talking how do we save them!"
"Relax Natsu," Gray said, as he held up his hand, making his own version of the key, "We've got a plan. Now all that we need to do…."
"Is come with me," Erza's voice said. Everyone turned, expecting their guild mate to come up to them. However, instead, they saw Erza Knightwalker approaching them.
"We've got something to do," she said, as everyone stared in horror.
(in the caverns beneath)
A glowing violet eye opened.
Note: He's awoken. There's going to be trouble.
I know I rushed the fight in E-Land somewhat, but Natsu, at this point, is NOT playing around. Lucy's in labor, and he wants to be there when his baby is born, so he doesn't have time to screw around with these punks, and neither do the other Fairy Tail members.
I'm currently working on EOTBD, but the current arc is proving very boring, and uninteresting to write. Its literally just redoing canon with minor differences. EOTFD and FoF has enough differences that it makes writing these stories more interesting.
Be sure to review.