thanks to the threats(encouragement) of my best friend Silent Angel Eyes, i have finally finished typing up chapter 9. it took me a little while. i had to revise it from the previous chapter 8 to make sensewith the rest of the story. it took a little thinking to get it to make sense. im pretty happy with how it worked out in the end. so here enjoy. Warning: there will be a part that i took from the game/manga corpse party. i dont own Fairy Tail or Corpse party in this chapter. Enjoy and make sure to review i love reviews. not criticizism though.
the trip through the labyrinth didn't help Talia regain her memories. Besides the fact that it left some of them shocked and Jailen felt like crying. But they were finally at the last part of this hell. Going through the labyrinth had changed Talia into trusting them which was a start but not much progress.
In the process of Jailen, Natsu, and Erza in the labyrinth Luna and Ru had somehow found their way in to them. When they got out they were waiting for them. Luna looked ready to kill someone and Ru just looked at them trying to assess the situation. After a glance around Ru noticed that something was amiss.
Jailen kept looking around but her eyes were now foggy and unfocused. She had a stick in hand was fanning it around like a blind person. Lucy kept fanning her arms around trying to get Natsu's attention, Erza wasn't wearing her armor which was strange. That was all Ru ever saw her in. and Gray was shivering like he was cold but that couldn't be possible.
Talia wasn't trying to pick a fight with anyone. Even though it had been a few months since Jailen and Talia arrived she had come to know Talia as picking a fight just about all the time like Luna would. But Talia was just sitting there, near Jailen, her eyes closed as her head rested on her shoulder.
Ru walked over to Jailen as Luna went to go see if she could try and snap Gray out of his 'im cold' phase. "Jailen?" Ru asked.
"Ru?" Jailen asked looking around for a minute, "Is that you?"
"Im right in front of you, can't you see me?" she asked. Jailen shook her head, then she started crying like a baby.
"It's my fault." She wailed, "he took it. He took my sight, Talia's memories, Lucy's voice, Gray's adaption, and Erza's strength and it's all my fault."
Ru looked at the girl as she cried. She noticed that her eyes were already blood shot and her face looked worn. Her voice was also raspy. "Will you shut up already?" Luna snapped. Jailen sniffed before trying to slow her sobbing.
"what the hell happened before we got here?" Luna asked. Natsu and Erza filled her in on the situation. When they were done Luna just nodded silently.
"That bastard." She whispered. She calmly went over to the wall before punching it leaving a giant indention. But slowly before their eyes, the hole filled itself in. "This isn't a normal dimension." Luna muttered.
"I think we should keep moving, the more we wait here, the more toll it takes on us." Erza said. Ru nodded in agreement, "Let's go then."
As they were walking along Luna ended up along side Jailen. "I never got to hit you." She said cracking her knuckles.
Jailen was frantic, "You wouldn't hit a blind girl right?" she asked. Luna hit her as lightly as her strength would allow.
It still hurt her though. "Luna leave her alone." Ru spoke over her shoulder with a sigh.
"Come on already!" Natsu yelled from the front, losing his patience. Luna socked him in the jaw, "This place is more dangerous than the other two places you guys have been through." She huffed, "Death wants to play tag."
"Tag?" Jailen asked. Luna nodded, "He loves it. It's sickening." "But isn't it just a normal game of tag with a twist?" Natsu asked.
"I thought it was a normal game of tag, didn't death already tell us that no one has made it past the last round?" Gray chattered.
"This isn't normal tag." Luna clarified. "We would already assume that." Erza interjected. Luna was starting to get pissed by all of the interruptions. "How about if you get tagged you die?" she asked them with a frown.
That shut them all up. Lucy yanked on Natsu's arm and mouthed something. "Lucy says that why would death do that?" Natsu translated.
Luna chuckled coldly, "Did you not hear me the first time? Death is Death, he likes to add souls to his collection and more than once has he tried to take mine."
Gray shivered in his boxers, "Can someone turn up the heat?" he shivered. Jailen sighed, "Then put your clothes on and keep them on!" she snapped.
Gray remained quiet as he put on his clothes. There was a creaking sound and the doors in front slowly opened to reveal the next playing area. Ru grabbed Jailen and Luna grabbed Talia. "Whatever happens do not get tagged." Luna warned, "And stay in pairs."
Lucy grabbed hold of Natsu's arm, and Erza got Gray as a partner to his horror. They all nodded and walked inside.
"My favorite game." Death said froom somewhere in the room. The group looked around but didn't spot anything. The room was tricked out like some horror game. Talia was good at those if she could remember.
Ru looked around for the others but didn't see them. "That's strange. I could have sworn the others were right behind us." she said to Jailen. The younger girl gulped, "Uh, what's around us?" she asked her. She had felt a dark presence around them. A chill was creeping up her spine.
Ru looked around, "Chairs, small desks, it appears to be a classroom. Why?" she questioned.
"We're in the worst possible place to be tagged." Jailen said, her voice filled with fear. It almost seemed like she was on the brink of insanity again. "A game." She whispered, "I don't want to be here."
Ru saw a flash out of the corner of her eye. A ghostly blue figure stood there. A little boy. Blood dripped down his face. He started to cry. "It hurts." He cried, "It hurts." Ru wanted to comfort him so she took a step.
Jailen held out her hand, stopping her. "Don't move toward it." She warned her. Ru looked at her like she was crazy. "It's just the ghost of a little boy." She huffed, "What's the harm?"
Jailen tensed, "Does he happen to be missing his tongue? Or blood around his abdomen area?"
Ru took a good long look at the boy. "Yeah, he does." With those words, Jailen grabbed her hand and ran in the direction of the closest door. In the process she stumbled over fallen chairs and desks. Bang! She ran right into the door frame.
"Where are you going big sisters?" the boy cried, he was a few feet from them but not within touching distance. He sniffed and reached toward them
Ru wanted so badly to hug him, to comfort him and take the pain away, like Retsu when they were younger. "Don't touch him!" Jailen yelled at her, "This is tag, not hug the ghost and die!"
Ru looked astonished as the boy's face turned sour. "Hey stupid bitches." Ru grabbed Jailen and ran out the room. "Be careful of areas with dark auras." Jailen warned.
Ru nodded. They both hoped that the others knew to be safe.
Natsu, Lucy & Happy
The others had disappeared as soon as they walked in. they were left in a large office. The place was gloomy and cold. Lucy seemed to recognize the place. She mouthed something. Natsu wasn't looking. "Oi, Lucy, doesn't this place seem familiar?" Natsu asked her. Happy facepalmed, "She's trying t tell you." He said shaking Natsu.
Just then a lonely ghost formed at the end of the room. A woman. She looked almost sad but wasn't. Lucy stared, tears started to form in her chocolate eyes. she mouthed one word, "mom." Happy translated.
Natsu stared closer at the woman and finally figured out they looked almost identical. He kept staring between Lucy and the woman. Layla wandered closer and reached out her hand but then lowered it quickly.
Lucy walked closer. Layla backed up from her, "Stay back Lucy." Lucy obeyed. Lucy mouthed something again before leaning into Natsu and silently crying.
Natsu turned to the ghost of Layla Heartfilia, "I'm taking good care of your daughter. She is a precious member of my family and a precious friend to me." Natsu said smiling at her.
Layla returned his smile, she turned around, "Follow me, this is the safest path through." She motioned.
Lucy was the first to follow, staying close but not too close that she would bump into her if she stopped suddenly. She was followed by Natsu and Happy. They were still on high alert just in case. But by far there were the safest among the others.
Erza and Gray
They were right behind the others when they were consumed by a white light. Nothing but white surrounded them but Erza and Gray were in their own illusions, haunted by their own ghosts.
Erza's POV
It was impossible. They both died in front of me. so why are they standing in front of me now? "S…Simon." I whispered, "Grandpa Rob."
Both of them smiled at me. Tears threatened to fall if not for what Luna had said. "'this is tag, don't get tagged no matter what."
I stayed firm and stared at my deceased comrades. "Erza." Simon said holding his arms out, "It's good to see you."
I stayed where I was. The rule was that if you get touched by a spirit they you are as good as dead. And with my strength gone, I was vulnerable to attacks. I couldn't even hold a bamboo stick and it was hollow.
Simon's smile slowly faded, "Why aren't you smiling?" he asked me. "Simon." I whispered, "It's been over seven years since you died."
He seemed shocked at the news. His face fell. "How are…" he asked. I held up my hand, "Milliana joined Mermaid Heel, and according to her Shou and Wally are still traveling the country side."
He smiled, "Im glad." "So you joined Old Makorav's guild." Rob said standing beside Simon.
"I've been there ever since I escaped." I admitted. "Come Erza. Let's catch up on old times." Rob said motioning for me to follow. An almost dark aura seemed to follow him. I stayed back a few feet but reluctantly followed.
Gray's POV
I thought she was a part of the sea. I'm positive. But she was standing there in front of me as if nothing changed. She still looked the same as the day she died. A smile on her face, cracks down her cheek. "you sure grew from the shitty brat you were." She commented, "Give up on your sorrows?"
I shivered in the cold, "Still have that habit?" she observed as I searched for my clothes. "Thanks to you." I grumbled.
"Come here." She ordered with a smile. I stepped towards her. She held out her arms. I guess for a hug. I wanted to hug her but I knew the consequences for doing so.
"I cant." I told her. She looked puzzled, " I have to find the others so we can get out of this hell hole." I told her. I turned my back on her and ran in the direction from wince I came.
Talia and Luna
Luna stared, Talia remained puzzled but also surprised at what she was seeing. No way were two life-sized dragons staring at her, well more like Luna. Talia hid behind Luna, in fear that she would be eaten. Luna didn't flinch but Talia could see hurt with tiny flashs of love in her silver-gray eyes.
"Dad, Father." Luna said grimly. Talia stared at her in shock, "your parents are dragons?!"
"you've grown into a fine woman Luna." The darker dragon said to Luna. Luna remained quiet then after a few minutes spoke. "Why are you here?" she asked them in a whisper.
"Why did Death call you two of all people!?" she yelled, "What did you come to scald me for keeping my hatred?"
Talia looked at Luna confused. Luna didn't acknowledge her. "Damn you Death. You asshole." Luna mumbled under her breath.
"How are…?" the white dragon asked before Luna cut him off, "Sting became master of the guild Sabertooth and Rogue is with him." She answered their question, "Were you two both too busy looking over me?"
The dragons remained silent. A pained look appeared on their faces. "You didn't forgive your brothers?" the dark one asked.
Luna pursed her lips, "Like I can forgive those assholes." She mumbled.
Then she grabbed Talia's arm and marched past. As she passed she mumbled a few words, "I missed you, so long." Was all she said before they disappeared from sight.
Ru and Jailen
The creepy school changed into a building. It seemed like a church of some sort. Jailen sniffed the air and froze. "Ru, lead me inside." Jailen asked.
Ru nodded and lead her inside. "this is a cute area." Ru commented looking at the interior. Jailen nodded silently. She pawed around with the stick, hitting benches lining the wall. Then she hit a door. She pulled it open and went in the main building.
Church seemed to be in session. Ru wandered in after her. But Jailen knew the place well enough. She had practically grown up there. The place was full to Ru. Jailen looked at her with sightless eyes, "Is anyone occupying the seats?" she asked her.
Ru nodded, "a few ghosts are occupying the seats." Jailen remained grim-faced. "Let's go on." she moved around the seats and Ru followed. Jailen must have really known the place if she could go around the place blind.
They walked past four doors, one of which had a girls' bathroom sign on it. Jailen gripped a door handle, "This is going to be dangerous." Jailen advised. Ru huffed,
Bring it on."
Jailen smiled and let Ru go in first. Then she turned back to the seats and smiled, "It was good to see you guys again." She said then she followed Ru.
Everyone
Finally everyone was together again. Some more so than others. All the ghosts that had led them here had vanished, replaced by one single little girl. She seemed only to be staring at Talia. But Talia wasn't looking directly at her. It was more like at something else.
Then the girl suddenly disappeared. They looked around for her but the landscape turned black. Then black figures appeared around them. "what's going on?" Jailen asked as Ru pushed her behind her.
"just stay behind me." Ru growled. Jailen obeyed and stayed next to Talia. The dark forms crept closer. The members of Fairy Tail gathered around the two severely handicap members. Talia was scared and confused, and Jailen was just trying to piece together what was happening.
"Stay back!" Luna yelled. The black figures didn't listen. They advanced slowly. As they got closer, the group realized that the black figures were the ghosts that they were just talking to or saw. Death seemed to be controlling them. Lucy saw her mother, a dark aura but tears streaming down her face. Erza saw Simon and Grandpa Rob, looks of hurt and hate on their faces, Gray saw Ul, fresh tears on her face.
Luna didn't even glance at her dragons. The little boy that Ru and Jailen saw was just smiling at them evilly. And those ghosts at the church, lets just say that Ru was glad Jailen couldn't see.
All the ghosts' eyes were glassy and sightless. Their minds were all being manipulated like puppet strings. The little boy was an exception, he was already contaminated with the dark side.
The first to get tagged was Lucy. She had rushed to her mom and hugged her, silently asking her to come back to her senses. She fell silent, her heart still beating, her lungs still taking air, but now she was just an empty shell.
Second was Natsu, he had gone to save Lucy. But it was futile because he too became an empty shell.
From the sideline, Death laughed, as one by one the group fell until there were only five left. Only, Luna, Talia, Jailen, Happy and RU were left. They were all surrounded. At the moment Death decided to give Jailen back her sight for a few minutes. He laughed as Jailen stared in shock. Then through the silence Jailen's screams split the air.
Luna slapped her to shut up. "If you're going to scream do something else." Luna mumbled.
Jailen nodded, tears running down her face. So she started to sing. Anything that came to mind, she sang. Even if it wasn't good. "the thirteen keys will free us." her voice shaking but she sang as the ghosts came closer.
"Light dragon roar!" Luna yelled trying to blast them. It didn't work. "We will make Death pay. The door is close."
Ru figured it out, "Jailen, that's it." Ru said. She turned to Luna and Talia, "thirteen keys, a door." Ru pointed out.
Talia looked around, so did Luna. They both didn't see anything through the darkness. "Together, light will punish darkness." Jailen continued.
Talia thought of something. Luna looked at her, they were both thinking the same thing. They held hands and closed their eyes. "Light Dragon Roar!" they both yelled in unison. This time the attack cut through the ghosts and pierced the still darkness. The darkness melted away revealing a door.
Twelve holes already had keys in them. The five looked at the remaining key hole in the middle. "Where's the last one?" Luna asked.
Jailen looked around but couldn't spot the key. And before she could look anymore, Death took her vision again, leaving her in the dark.
i hope you like the chapter. review if you like. i would love to hear feedback from everyone. coming soon is chapter ten. the last installment of their journey through hell. dont worry there are two more chapters after that then this story is over and you can wait for book two written by Silent Angel Eyes. so until next chapter guys. Titania signing out.