A/N: The gang and Drake Firenze are heading straight for Wendy's location! Can they reach the island and rescue her before the ritual begins? Let's find out in Pirates at Fairy Tail!
Chapter 12: Resurrection of a Demon!
The Thousand Sunny made haste for the southwest island, but the entire crew knew that by the time they arrived at the land mass, they would have barely a day to save Wendy from the clutches of Nightstalker. The ship kicked it into high gear and sped off across the sea, which gave them an advantage since they were no longer in the Grand Line anymore.
Drake Firenze was a short distance behind them in his tiny sailboat. Peering through a spyglass, he can see the Thousand Sunny off in the distance. He changed course and maintained course towards them, hoping that he had plenty of time left before the full moon. Both ships continue their course well into the night, and they both reached the deserted island on the dawn of the day of the full moon. Drake was still a bits behind the Thousand Sunny still.
The Straw Hats and Fairy Tail crew disembarked the ship and went to a lonely tree stump where Nami laid out a detailed map of the island. "Okay, we will have to split up and search the entire island for any sign of Nightstalker," she began. "We have no time to fool around, so we have to find where Nightstalker is keeping Wendy hidden until nightfall."
"There's a high hill on this mountain top," Erza mentioned, pointing to a part of the map. "We should keep an eye for this spot and any other high place when nighttime comes should the dark guild reveal themselves for the ritual."
"That's one clever plan, everyone, said a familiar voice. Everyone turned to find Drake Firenze just stepping off his sailboat which was beached on the shore. "Who missed me?"
"You're here already?" Lucy commented. "What did you find in the Nightstalker guild anyway?"
"Not much, but I found a number of foolish members who thought they could defeat me in battle, so I took care of them." He let slide a toothy grin. Lucy, Levi, and Robin were the only ones who noticed the faint traces of blood leftover on his long coat, though Natsu and Gajeel could smell the stench of blood still upon them. Drake was introduced to the rest of the Straw Hats and the newly-joined members from Fairy Tail. After much discussion, everyone broke off into pairs to search the island, keeping in touch with their microphone earpieces. Happy, Carla, and Pantherlily kept watch in the skies for anything.
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Hours pass, but the entire group could not find one trace of Wendy or Nightstalker. Worry grew over them, but some tried to keep their heads, especially Natsu. Dusk crept across the sky, and everyone but Drake and the Exceeds had returned to the ship.
"We can't give up now!" yelled Natsu. "Wendy is somewhere on this island and we have to find her now!" Natsu kicked a sand castle that Chopper was building into the air, which made the reindeer cry.
"Natsu, we can't lose our cool here, or we won't be able to think straight," Levi remarked, whom Gajeel agreed with. "Although, I must admit that the island's animal kingdom here is very unique, which I will have to study further another time."
They planned to go out searching again, but they decided to wait for the others to get back, hoping they were alright. The sky was still bathed in the orange-red light of the setting sun, so they kept to the sky for sight of their flying cats.
"Hey, what's that?" cried Bisca, who pointed to a large shadow flying in the sky. The flying figure appeared human, but with large, reptilian-like wings sprouted from its back. They watched the figure in the sky for a while, then it descended into the trees far off. The Exceeds returned soon after the figure disappeared.
"Happy, Carla, Pantherlily," piped Natsu. "Did you guys find anything out there?"
"No," answered Pantherlily. "We could not one sign of anyone out there besides you guys." That put everyone into a slump.
"Did you guys see that flying person in the sky?!" Happy exclaimed.
"You saw it too?" asked Franky.
"What was that thing?" Carla wondered. "It looked human, but it had big wings like ours."
They had little time to ponder this strange discovery as Drake soon emerged out of the trees. "Everyone!" he called. "I have found the Nightstalker's location!"
"You have? Where is it?" Gray asked.
"Follow me, I'l take you right to the altar, but we must hurry!" Without further words, Drake disappeared into the jungle with everyone behind him. They followed for perhaps an hour and well into the night when they happened upon a large alter resting atop a wide hill. They hid in the jungle's fauna s many cloaked people emerged from the jungle; one of them was carrying an unconscious Wendy!
Natsu and Drake had to be held back as they wanted to rush out to save her. "Not yet!" Erza hissed. "They still have their guard up. Wait until they start preparing for the ritual, which is when they will drop their defenses."
The Hooded Man laid Wendy across the altar's sacrificial slab, chaining her wrists and ankles with magical chains. Two more men stood opposite the slab and muttered incantation verses, causing a colorful barrier to emerge around Wendy and around the entire altar.
"WENDY!" Drake screamed. He rushed out headfirst, forcing everyone else to run out after him, but they were already spotted. Drake drew his longsword, and his pace quickened. He was practically flying when he struck the barrier, but his sword merely bounced off it. "DAMN YOU, YOU BASTARDS!"
"You are far too late, Fairy Tail," hissed the Hooded Man of Nightstalker. "The ritual shall commence and our Lord Astul shall be resurrected."
"What is Ashtul?" Luffy demanded.
"Ashtul was one of the greatest Demon Gods in the old era," the Hooded Man answered. "He may have been defeated and sealed away to another dimension, but we have discovered that through the sacrifice of a powerful wizard, we can bring him back to this plane of existence."
"Impossible!" Drake argued. "How would bringing a dead demon help you?"
"We have our Master to help us, whom has dark magic unknown to this world." At his command, a giant figure removed his cloak and revealed himself: Gecko Moria.
"Ke shi shi shi!" he chuckled. "Well well, look who's here."
"Moria?!" Luffy questioned. "How can it be?!"
"While I was escaping after my defeat at your hands, I was swept up into a whirlpool and found myself here in Fiore. I then found the remnants of Nightstalker and sought to resurrect this God and take over this world with my shadows; I have gathered enough powerful shadows of wizards that can compensate for Ashtul."
"We won't let you do such a thing!" Gajeel barked. "What makes you believe you can control a demon like Ashtul?!"
"I have full control over all my shadows, the Straw Hats would know that well."
"I suggest you all just watch as your dear Wendy dies for our Lord," the Hooded Man said, and turned to the slab. The Straw Hats and Fairy Tail gangs tried using their different abilities and magic to break the barrier, but to no avail. They could watch as the Hooded Man raised an evil-looking ceremonial dagger. Lucy and the other girls looked away, not wanting to see what was going to happen.
The Hooded Man raised the ceremonial dagger high, and swung it down, but a hand lashed out, caught the dagger, and tore the weapon away. The Hooded Man spun around and found himself caught in one of his minions' grasp. "What are you–?!" The minion did not answer, instead throwing the Hooded Man across the altar, causing him to skid across the ground. The other cloaked minions converged on the traitor, but with a wave of his hand, golden-colored magical energy shot from his hand, knocking them all down. The minion took the dagger to Wendy and cut her loose, scooping her into his arms.
"Who are you?!" the Hooded Man demanded.
Saying nothing, the minions yanked his cloak off, revealing a handsome young man with brown eyes and long blue hair. He stared at the Hooded Man with those eyes, but it was the familiar red tattoo located on his right cheek that caught the Hooded Man's attention.
"Jellal?" Erza said aloud. He took a quick glance at her and smiled. He shot his hand at the barrier surrounding the altar, and more of his Heavenly Magic shot out, dispelling it and allowing our heroes to proceed. The forces of Nightstalker surrounded them all, including Gecko Moria. With no choice left, Jellal produced a strange, glowing object from his pocket and threw it into the air, where it froze in midair, then broke into multiple pieces that hovered around it as well.
"Everyone!" Jellal called. "Jump into the pillars of light! They will pull the Nightstalkers into them and take them somewhere on the island!" At those words, the objects shot down large pillars of light, which caused the members of Nightstalker to be sucked into them.
Jellal, still carrying Wendy, jumped into the one that grabbed the Hooded Man; Drake pushed everyone aside and leapt into it with him. Erza attempted to reach Jellal, but instead got grabbed by one Nightstalker and pulled in; Zoro jumped in after her. Usopp, Gajeel, and Levi went into another, Gray and Nami went into one, Sanji, and Bisca into another, Robin and Juvia in another, Chopper and Lucy into another, and Franky, Brook, and Alzack into the last one before they all disappeared and the objects flew away in the sky. Gecko Moria, Luffy, Nastu, and Ace were left at the altar alone.
"So, it seems the D brothers and the Fire Dragon Slayer want to go against me," Moria mocked. Unfazed, Luffy, Natsu, and Ace readied for battle.
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A far distance away, on the northwest beaches of the island, one of the magical transporter objects hovered a distance in the air, then expelled Jellal, Drake, Wendy, and the Hooded Man out before falling to the ground like a dead battery. Everyone but Wendy jumped to their feet.
"How dare you, Jellal Fernandes!" the Hooded Man shouted. "How dare you interfere with my plans!"
Jellal stood up and brushed the sand from his black cloak and pants. "I interfered because it is my goal to stop any and all dark guilds in Fiore. Also, you intended to hurt Wendy, which I can never forgive you for, Malcil."
"So you know who I am. Very well." Tsw eqdche Hooded Man, now known as Malcil, threw off his cloak, revealing a terrifying sight. His pale head was sunk and shriveled, almost like his skull was wearing only skin. His hands were still long and slender, giving off a cold, clammy feel. But the worst part was his eyes, which was sunken into his skull, giving off the feeling like they were not even there. "No sense hiding my true face at this point, but at least now I can kill the two of you and resume summoning our Lord Ashtul."
Malcil stretched out his hand and a large, black-bladed longsword appeared from black smoke. His hand tightened around the hilt and he drew it close to himself. Jellal pocketed the ceremonial dagger while Drake drew his own sword. "Jellal, protect Wendy," Drake ordered. "I'll handle this scumbag."
Jellal drew in front of Drake and put his arm to bar him off. "While I don't doubt your strength, Drake Firenze, it would be best if we tackle him together."
"Sounds good to me, just let me prepare." Drake sheathed his sword and crouched down on all fours. His entire body soon became encased in sky blue reptilian scales, his claws and fangs extended, his eyes changed to bloodshot, his pupils became vertical and piercing. He let out a growl and the back of his pants ripped, producing a scaly, sky blue tail. His shirt ripped as two reptilian, sky blue wings emerged and spread out. Drake let out a loud roar that echoed across the island, recognized by Natsu and Gajeel as the call of a Dragon.
"What are you?!" Malcil demanded.
"I am Drake Firenze!" Drake stated proudly. "Son of the Blue Lightning Dragon Raziel, wielder of the only sword crafted by Raziel himself and blessed with his breath, and I am the Blue Lightning Dragon Slayer!" Drake raised his sword skyward, which was now glistening with traces of lightning sparks.
"Impressive magic, Drake Firenze," Jellal complimented. "Let us work together to defeat him."
"Fine by me, but I get to take him from the front; I want to hurt him for what he's done to Wendy."
"Just make sure to keep him occupied and I can finish him easily," Jellal added. He crouched down to the ground and his body became surrounded in a cloak of Heavenly Body Magic. Jellal sped off and became a blur. Drake flew forward, his feet leaving the ground as his wings guided his path. He struck Malcil's blade into a clash, opening his backside. Jellal used his "Meteor" attack, striking Malcil's backside multiple times with his fists.
Malcil broke the clash and swung his sword at Jellal when he passed again, but Jellal quickly moved out of reach, allowing Drake to strike with his own blade. Malcil jumped back and slammed his left hand to the ground, making the surrounding area glow with a dark light. Drake and Jellal watched as decomposing corpses emerged from the ground and moved towards the two. Drake swung his sword through some of the corpses and clawed a couple while Jellal sped through many of them.
Malcil leapt at Drake, making the sound of steel ring out across the beach. Jellal kept at Wendy's side to guard her from the corpses that wished them all harm. Drake and Malcil clashed and jabbed their blades at each other, striking wounds onto one another. Malcil pushed Drake back a distance, but that was his undoing.
"BLUE LIGHTNING DRAGON ROAR!" Drake shouted, aiming his open jaw at Malcil, causing a brilliant ray of blue lightning to strike the skeleton man down. Drake leapt into the air and brought his blade down, sliding it into Malcil's heart, making him fall dead and the corpses to sink back into the ground.
"Drake, are you alright?" Jellal asked, running over to him.
"I'm fine," Drake answered, sheathing his sword and returning to Human form. "Let's get Wendy and regroup with the others." They both walked over to Wendy's still unconscious body where Drake picked her up and they began the long trek back.
Suddenly, a black blade was rammed through Jellal's back, forcing him to the ground. Drake spun around to find Malcil , still alive holding his blade. He pulled it from Jellal, making him fall onto the sandy beach bleeding. "Give me the catalyst," Malcil hissed.
"Drake, run!" Jellal yelled with his raspy voice. "Just run, don't worry about me! Save Wendy!" Drake nodded and sped off, his Dragon wings emerging again to pick up his speed.
"I'll leave you to die a slow, painful death," Malcil told Jellal. He retrieved the ceremonial dagger from Jellal's coat and ran off after Drake. Jellal lied on the sand holding his wound in to try to stop the bleeding. "I know you can protect her, Drake," he whispered to himself.
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Out on a high hilltop, Erza and Zoro were fighting a sword wielding Nightstalker. "Dance, My Bades!" Erza yelled, causing her Heaven's Wheel Armor's blades to shoot out at her opponent. As each of her blades broke off upon impact of the ground, Zoro dashed out, striking at the Nightstalker with his three blades.
"I'm quite impressed to see such an interesting sword style," the Nightstalker remarked to Zoro.
Zoro chuckled. "You flatter me, but don't think that will make me spare you." Zoror clashed blades with the man, forcing a break away just as Erza flew in and strike at him with two swords, which he blocked effectively.
Erza and Zoro regrouped side to side. "Got a plan, Zoro?" Erza huffed.
"Sorta," he answered with his ragged breath. "Remember that Trinity Sword attack or whatever you did during our battle?" He grinned at her, which returned back.
"You better have an special attack that can match my speed though."
Both swordsmen drew their blades again and prepared to attack while the Nightstalker mocked them. "What are you two planning to try on me this time?"
"DEMON SLASH!" Zoro shouted, rushing at his opponent at lightning speed.
"TRINITY SWORD!" Erza shouted, dashing at her opponent.
The Nightstalker was caught off guard at their speed, but it was too late. The two swordsmen went right through him, spilling blood onto the grass, where he fell dead. Zoro sheathed his katanas and Erza requiped back to her Heart Cruz Armor.
"C'mon, let's head back to the altar," Erza suggested. "I'm sure everyone else would be heading there as well." Erza began running down the hill, but she heard Zoro's footsteps going in the opposite direction. "Zoro, the altar is this way!" she called. He came back and followed her this time.
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On the other side of the island, Usopp, Gajeel, and Levi had just successfully defeated their Nightstalker opponent, thanks to Levi's word magic, Gajeel's iron hammer, and Usopp's own hammer. "Nice hits there, Usopp," Gajeel complimented, bumping fists with the long-nosed man. "Though I can't believe he flinched at that rubber band of yours."
"It worked, didn't it?" said Usopp. Gajeel could not argue with that. Levi rushed to the Dragon Slayer's side and began applying bandages to him.
"Levi, I don't need these," Gajeel told her, but she refused to stop.
"Stop it, you both need bandages after a battle like that," she said back. She slapped him upside the head and resumed her medical task. After being patched up, the trio made their way back to the altar.
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All across the island, the broken members of Fairy Tail and the Straw Hats had defeated their opponents and were running back to the altar.
There, Natsu, Luffy, and Ace were putting the beatdown on Gecko Moria. Moria swung his huge hands at the trio, but they simply jumped out of the way and landed dozens of punches onto him. Moria grew furious and summoned a few of his shadows, which were those of wizards. The three shadow wizards threw balls of fire, lightning, and ice at the boys, but they either dodged out of the way, or in Natsu's case, swallowed the fire up. The three boys continued laying the hurt on Moria, and he soon fell to his knees, then one more hit composed of Luffy's Gear 3 Pistol, Natsu's Fire Dragon Fist,, and Ace's Flame Flame Shot. Moria screamed in agony as he rolled down the high hill from the altar.
The rest of the crews soon arrived onto the scene shortly after, gazing in wonder at the defeated, but still alive body of Gecko Moria. Drake arrived last with the Exceeds behind him, his dragon wings now retracted back into his body, thought the tears in his clothes still remain.
"Drake, you have Wendy!" Nastu exclaimed.
"Yeah, and she's alright too," he answered.
"Wait, where's Jellal?" Erza asked. Drake lowered his head.
"He was stabbed in the back by Malcil, the Hooded Man. He told me to run and leave him behind."
"You did what?!" Erza screamed, grabbing his jacket. "How could you just leave him?!"
Drake did not know how to answer, but unbeknownst to everyone, Malcil had emerged from the forest and snuck up to the altar. By the time the gang noticed, it was too late.
"Lord Ashtul," Malcil called to the Heavens above. "I may not have the catalyst for a sacrifice, but I offer myself unto you." Malcil drew the ceremonial dagger and pierced his own heart with it. He grunted and fell to one knee, but he was not dead. "My Lord, I give myself for your resurrection. Come into this world, be infused with the life of a thousand shadows, and purge this world and make it yours!" A beam of light burst from Malcil's chest and he fell dead.
The light continued shining and went into the sky. Everyone took cover as they could only watch as a large bodily mass emerged from a portal in the sky and fell dead to the earth. Gecko Moria stood from the ground and spread his arms outward, causing thousands of bats that personified his shadows entered the large body. The body stirred, then stood up, revealing a horned head, sharp teeth, claws, and demonic runes tattooed across its body. Moria let out a cackle then fell unconscious.
The demon known as Ashtul looked at his own body, then let out a menacing roar, hurting the ears of everyone. The Demonic God Ashtul has been resurrected.
CHAPTER END.
Natsu: Holy crap! That demon dude is alive and he looks angry!
Happy: That's scary! Plus, did you see Drake turn into a Dragon! That was incredible!
Natsu: What?! He's a Dragon?!