Hello, everyone. I know, it's been a while since I've published something, however, due to current circumstances I simply cannot write faster. Anyway, here's new chapter, and I met a lot of blocks writing this one.
…
Natsu is Awesome, John Bob, FanFictionHunter, BlackDragonShinigami, Lightningblade49, Reaper495, people, many thanks for your reviews.
TalonIbnLaAhad: I'd rather not reveal details about Andariel's family, however it is true but not only Natsu but it simply characteristic of most dread masters to care little for the affairs of lesser/younger sentient races, and not only sentient.
Chapter V – Natsu's powers
…
Ruins of Temple of Ishtar
"Shall we dance?" Dread mistress asked as skeletal dragon, on which she stood, prepared for breath attack. Creature didn't has lungs so it was possible to see magical charge that was forming inside dragon's skeletal chest. Next moment he shot concentrated energy blast, composed of crimson lightning energy. At the last moment Ishtar (in form of two-headed lion) managed to jump aside, landing on neighboring rock and causing slight earthquake. Dragon's breath split the mountain, on which Ishtar stood a moment ago, caused huge explosion and incinerated the entire valley behind, causing destructive shockwave.
"Whoa!" Andariel exclaimed excitedly, "This thing is more powerful than I thought!" Seemingly, now was the first time she herself was using undead dragon's full power.
"I remember this magic…" Ishtar said, both heads were talking simultaneously, with low, echoing, female voice. "In times, when even I was young, he was the ruler of his tribe… Lightning dragon's king – Fulminion." Two-headed lioness looked at her enemy. "You destroyed my temple, killed my servants and attacked me… Yet you decided that list of your crimes is still too short, so you've defiled a reposed soul in your goal to continue spreading nightmares and hatred…" Goddess was talking calmly but her eyes were burning with white flame, she definitely was infuriated.
"Defiled souls? Ah, you mean this thing," Andariel caressed dragon's huge skeletal head as if it was a teddy bear. "He's not the best exemplar of his tribe, but the best one we could find so far. And I merely got him summoned here, but it wasn't me who brought him back to this world. The one who brought Fulminion's soul back from the afterlife was my brother, as even death powerless against him!" Dread mistress stated proudly. "Besides, haven't you tried to do the same when you ventured to the underworld?"
"I did…" Lioness growled with anger and grief. "And I've paid dearly for that... Just as you will pay now!" Lioness reared up and then slammed both paws on the ground, and channeling her magic into the mountain. By the goddess' divine will huge mountain began to raise, changing shape, turning into enormous stone golem. Golem roared, causing shockwave with that roar alone. Dread mistress, however, just yawned.
"So predictable…" Andariel said as undead dragon began to gather magic for another breath attack. Golem raised his enormous arms to crush Andariel and her dragon, but that was the last thing he did. Concentrated blast of red lightning energy destroyed golem's body with another devastating explosion, as golem's limbs, deprived of junction, crumbled and fell on the ground, causing earthquakes. "You really think that I'd come after you without studying you first? I know that majority of your spells based on earth magic. This is why I've summoned lightning dragon's king for this battle," Andariel's eyes flashed with red light, "Earth weaker than lightning!"
Lioness just growled angrily. Andariel didn't let up, "Shall I remind you that, since Fulminion was resurrected using Edo Tensei, his body will regenerate any damage and his magic reserves are unlimited? Besides, though even perfect Impure World Reincarnation can resurrect someone with only 90% of his powers he had during lifetime, his resurrected body could be upgraded afterwards. This one's magic was augmented with crimson flames, increasing his attacks' ionizing capability. Right now Fulminion probably even stronger that he was during his prime. There's no worse enemy for earth magic user than this one," Andariel again caressed dragon's head. "So, I ask one more time, will you give up willingly?" Dread mistress smiled indulgently.
"Repent… and your soul will be saved…" Goddess replied as she again channeled her magic through earth. Suddenly, four gigantic hand appeared right from the ground and caught all four dragon's legs. Dragon growled, but now he was immobilized, "This time, you won't escape!" Ishtar stated, preparing for another breath attack.
"Boring…" Andariel yawned, as she quickly manifested her Susanoo's ribcage and one skeletal arm with sword. Susanoo, made of golden energy, swung his sword, cutting off all hands that was holding undead dragon on the ground. Then creature swung its wings and soared into the air, dodging Ishtar's energy beam attack. Seemingly, Andariel wasn't too careful using her Susanoo, as she also cut off dragon's rear right claw. However, just as she said, mutilated claw began to reform itself, quickly repairing the damage. "My turn," Dread mistress announced, as she placed her palms on dragon's head. Using her chakra, Andariel formed dark purple sphere, as dragon began to channel his magic into this sphere, instead of releasing it in breath attack. Sphere continued to grow, as it seemingly was very dense and heavy, proportions of Andariel's chakra and Fulminion's lightning magic was about 2 to 8, respectively. "Try to dodge this," Andariel said as sphere became about 30% of her dragon's size, "Dragon Shell!"
Bomb-like shell shot towards lioness. "Wall of…" Ishtar tried to raise protective wall, but she wasn't fast enough as bomb was too fast. Shell hit her with massive force and smashed to the ground, making a deep hole in earth surface, dragging goddess below ground level. Then bomb became unstable and exploded, causing devastating underground blast. Closest mountain entirely was torn out of the ground as huge scar appeared on earth's surface. Ishtar, still in form of two-headed lioness was lying on resulting crater's bottom. She seemed defeated but dread mistress haven't hurried to approach the enemy. With her sharingan, Andariel could see as magic from the earth itself was flowing into goddess' body. Of course, being a goddess whose primary magical domain was earth, Ishtar could replenish her power and health by consuming magic from the ground.
Few moments later she stood up. "You really pissing me off!" Lioness growled, she began to glow with bright light, so bright that it forced Andariel to shield her precious eyes. When light dissipated, instead of one two-headed lioness, two huge normal lionesses appeared on her place.
"Ah, so this is why you've been called Ishtar the two-faced," Andariel noted. "You know, I'm wondering… How's that possible to be a goddess of war and strife, and goddess of love, sex and even prostitution at the same time? Those are rather different domains… Tell me, does that mean that warriors under your patronage should fuck each other after victory or something…" It was unknown for what reason Andariel was driving Ishtar mad, but she definitely reached her goal.
"Shut your fucking mouth!" Both lionesses bellowed simultaneously, as their voices alone caused shockwave and earthquake.
"Yes, that's more like it," Dread mistress nodded with satisfaction, "C'mon, come at me with all you got." As she said it, her dragon shot another crimson lightning at lionesses, making them to split up and causing another devastating explosion. A pair of wings sprouted from backs of both lioness, and with furious roar they soared into the air, chasing Andariel and her dragon.
Aerial battle continued for about two hours. Andariel, riding her skeletal dragon, and avatars of Ishtar in form of two winged lionesses, fought on low altitude, using high mountains and rocks as cover, shooting at each other and thus devastating surrounding terrain. Despite being technically outnumbered, Andariel was able to keep up with goddess, as she could easily predict lionesses' movements with her sharingan. In addition, she manifested her Susanoo in its skeletal form, which was shooting special energy shells – three magatama bound together by a single, circular thread – Yasaka Magatama. These shells, together with dragon's lightning breath attacks, could keep both lionesses occupied. Forces seemed equal, and it seemed that battle will last many more hours. Yes, Andariel was using her chakra in this fight, but her chakra reserves seemed pretty big as she still doesn't seemed exhausted at all. Her dragon's magic was unlimited. Ishtar, on the other hand, could replenish her magic from earth. However, the tipping point suddenly came much earlier.
It was hard to say – has Andariel relaxed too much that she gave Ishtar an opening, or goddess herself get used to her enemy's moves and managed to find a weakness in dread mistress' defense. Simultaneously, both lionesses swooped on dragon. One of them grabbed his wings, preventing undead creature from swinging it, as another one managed to strike Andariel's Susanoo, knocking it down from dragon's back and dread mistress along with it.
"Ugh!" Andariel fell on the ground as lioness pounced on it, pressing Susanoo to the ground with her foreclaws. With horrible rumble skeletal dragon fell nearby with second lioness on top of it.
"Die, insolent bitch!" Both lioness roared at the same time, as one that was holding Andariel began to gather her magic for breath attack, she knew that if she'd managed to finish off dread mistress then dragon also would stop attacking. However…
"Hiraishin no Jutsu!" All of a sudden, Andariel disappeared from within her Susanoo and reappeared right on Lioness' nose. Somehow, she managed to mark Ishtar's avatar with Flying Thunder God symbol, presumably at the moment when beast attacked her in close combat. 'Crenel Cross', with additional runic inscription, was glowing on Lioness' nose, near right eye. Ishtar understood what will follow, but huge eyelid couldn't close her eye in time. Dread mistress dashed to the huge eye and looked right into it, "Tsukuyomi!"
In an instant, Ishtar appeared in an empty world with black sky and pale gray ground, with huge red moon illuminating surroundings and reflecting Andariel's Mangekyō. Goddess was in her humanoid form, naked and crucified. "Welcome to my world," Dread mistress smiled, she was the only colorful being here. "Wind Blade!" Andariel covered her palm with wind chakra, extending it forward and giving it a shape of blade. With one swing of her arm she sliced Ishtar's body in half. As goddess, Ishtar couldn't be killed permanently, she's a manifestation of this world's natural energy. Soon, energy will manifest itself once again, however, it will be a different being, with different personality. But…
Ishtar opened her eyes. She clearly remembered her death, the pain that she felt when Andariel killed her. And now she was eying her own body, sliced in half, drowning in her own blood. "What… Is this…" Goddess asked in hoarse voice.
"I admit, you're not too convenient opponent for me," Andariel said, not looking at her enemy. "Since you have two separate bodies, with two separate brains and two set of eyes, I can't use my Kotoamatsukami… But my genjutsu isn't some cheap trick so I'd has to change my fighting style because of you. Rasengan!" Andariel created a sphere of spinning chakra and smashed it into Ishtar's chest. Goddess' body was torn apart, but once again she reawaked in another body nearby. She was breathing heavily and covered with sweat, death appeared to be quite painful thing. "Despite you have another body, it'll require some time for you to break free from my illusion. You need time to see the real world, and to understand what you're seeing, about one second overall. But one second in real world is equal to one week in the world of my Tsukuyomi Mangeshi…"
"A week!?" Goddess exclaimed in horror.
"It is true that my eyes doesn't possesses that raw overwhelming power like my brothers', but don't you dare to think of me as of a weakling. My powers are just… different. Water Release: Great Water Dragon!" Dread mistress created huge dragon-like being made of water, which has torn Ishtar's body apart, but it instantly reappeared nearby, again. "And don't you dare to think that I don't possess raw power," Andariel added, "I'm kid-glove treating you because I need you alive. But at the very end I'll show you the true face of despair…" Dread mistress raised her right arm, covered with golden energy. "But that will happen only after you experience hundred thousand deaths…" She gathered wind-natured chakra in her left arm, as chakra took shape of shuriken, "Wind Release: Rasen Shuriken!"
Just as Andariel promised, she held Ishtar inside illusive world for a week, and during this time she killed her one hundred thousand times. World was illusive, but pain was real… Such torture caused severe damage to Ishtar's mind. Thanks to Dread Mistress' 'therapy', proud goddess now was sobbing senselessly, shaking all over.
"We've almost done…" Dread mistress said indifferently. "You're not that bad…" Andariel admitted. "According to gathered information, brother evaluated your strength as 'slightly below average', but you appeared to be stronger than I thought, despite such damage you didn't go insane. Very well then, you earned the right to see the real power of Andariel Cantatore Aurorae… Don't get it wrong, we're still inside illusion but what you're gonna see now is real!" Andariel emitted burst of golden energy, as same colored, colossal figure appeared, shining brighter than moon. This Susanoo was more than four hundred feet tall and looked like four-handed skeleton, covered with cloak of sort. "Stabilize!" Andariel clenched her fists, making her Susanoo to take its final shape. Susanoo took shape of humanoid being, encased into glossy armor, in his left hand it held huge double bladed sword, whose blades were shaped like hooks. Dread mistress herself now was inside hexagon on Susanoo's forehead.
"Zantetsuken!?" Ishtar exclaimed, eyeing the sword.
"Yes, legendary blade of outer path," Andariel confirmed. "Many of your kind tried to find it, spending thousands of years for fruitless searches. Yet, my brother found it in less than hundred years and presented it to me as a gift…" And Ishtar noticed kind and sincere smile on Andariel's face when she was talking about her brother. But then she looked back at Ishtar and her eyes flashed with satanic light, "Now, do you understand? And, unlike yours, my power's still growing. Drawn in despair!" Susanoo raised its sword and smashed Ishtar with it, as that blow destroyed the entire Tsukuyomi word and illusion dissipated.
In real world, Ishtar's both bodies were still intact, but battle was over as both lionesses now were paralyzed. Undead dragon curled his tail around lioness that was holding him and threw her into second one. Two Ishtar's avatars crashed into one another and remained on the ground as dragon soared back in the air and Andariel used flying thunder god technique to get back on dragon's head. Once again, using her chakra, Dread mistress formed a dark purple sphere, as dragon began to channel his magic into this sphere, and she shot another bomb. Resulting blast shook entire region, it was strong enough to destroy Ishtar's avatars, thus canceling her transformation. Goddess herself was defeated bat still alive, barely. Undead dragon landed on the ground, Andariel jumped down from its head, clapped her palms and undead creature disappeared. She came closer to goddess body. Without saying anything she overturned her body, making Ishtar to lay on back, and pressed her palm to her chest, "Sealing Technique: Seal of Evil Destiny!"
Goddess' body disappeared as now Andariel held big playing card in her left arm (she was a lefthander). "Five of diamonds…" She said thoughtfully, looking at card in her arm. "She wasn't a complete weakling, and she's only a 'five'… Then, though I was holding back against her, it probably means that Kings, Queens and even Jacks are too much for me, for now… Oh well, this is why we're gathering low ranked cards as preparation… Soon, I will become an ace of trumps," She said, heading back to wherever she came from, "Gods… Dragons… Generals of our guardian corps, they all become nothing…"
July 11, Year X784, 4:17, Natsu's house.
Mirajane and Lisanna woke up in the same instant. They both just saw a dream… So bright and so real… "Mira?... You… What's wrong?" Lisanna asked in confusion. Elder sister didn't reply anything but nodded towards bedroom's door, meaning that they should go out of the room, to not wake up Natsu with their talking. Neither of two girls noticed that Natsu actually also woke up, his sense of danger was so keen that he felt abnormal movements nearby. He, however, pretended that he's sleeping, and when girls left the room he quickly fell asleep again, as sisters' affairs doesn't concerns him.
After short conversation sisters have discovered that they both saw the same dream. Dream about Andariel, probably about the same Andariel Natsu mentioned few days ago, as in their dream Dread Mistress also mentioned and used powers that Natsu described.
"What was that? A dream? Why we both saw it?" Lisanna asked.
"No idea…" Mirajane replied uncertainly. "I'm not even certain that it was a dream…"
"What else could it be?" Younger sister wondered.
"I'm not sure…" Mira thought aloud. "…but since we now linked to him… could it be that we actually saw his memories? Those… 'jutsus', right… we never saw it before…"
"Is that even possible?!" Lisanna was a bit shocked. "Then… Maybe we shall talk to him?"
"No," Elder sister shook her head. "If it actually was a dream I don't want him to think that we have too rich imagination… And, more importantly, if that wasn't a dream… I'm not sure that he'd like the idea that we can see his memories without him knowing about it…" Lisanna just nodded uncertainly.
July 11, Year X784, 11:02, on approach to Magnolia.
Despite Natsu no doubt noticed that girls were disturbed by something, he didn't ask them about it. Instead, he simply ordered Mirajane to help her sister with training as dread master himself left for a meeting with someone, probably some VIP, who lived in country villa not far from Magnolia. Meeting was quite short as Natsu already was on his way back, and since villa was quite close to Magnolia, Natsu was on foot.
As road turned around small hill, Natsu noticed a quite large group of people, which was standing on the road, as if waiting for something. As he came closer, group appeared to be an entire platoon of rune knights, magic council special forces. Natsu, however, didn't slowed down and continued to walk towards them.
"Hold!" Unit commander ordered as about 30 yards left between Natsu and his unit. "Natsu Dawnsinger, you're under arrest by the order of the council!" Rune knight captain announced, he and his entire unit were holding their weapon ready, seemingly they were told to expect resistance.
Natsu stopped and slowly looked over council soldiers. "Out of my way," Dread master ordered as his eyes switched to Mangekyō form, "This is your only warning…"
July 11, Year X784, 13:41, Fairy Tail.
Natsu arrived to the guild hall, to 'recon the situation'. There was quite a stir, as it appeared that one of senior guild members named Laxus returned from his mission, and, during his 'visit' he insulted almost every guild member, including Erza. Elven warrior-mage was strung-up, so other mages were unusually quiet, trying to avoid elf's attention, instead they all were silently condemning Laxus.
Of course, Natsu didn't care about any of that. He was sitting at table in the corner of guildhall, observing master Makarov, who seemed strangely uninterested in everything what was happening, if everyone here was insulted by that Laxus, why he didn't interfere? Yes, Natsu have learned that Laxus is Makarov's grandson, but shouldn't a grandfather be interested in his grandson's upbringing? 'You disappointing me, old man…' Natsu thought, 'His years are already showing so much that he's losing interest in both guild and his own progeny?' Thought, not that he was actually interested in all of this.
"Hey, Natsu," Cana approached dread master, "You didn't take any missions for a while, is something wrong?" She asked. Obviously, that question was just an excuse to start talking, as girl was quite tipsy, and seemingly she actually had nothing better to do but pester with someone.
Of course, Natsu could rudely freeze her off, but he decided that talking with her a bit isn't too big price to avoid getting the reputation of a lout. "In fact, I'm leaving for a mission soon," He replied, since his mission actually wasn't a big secret.
"Really?" Cana asked, "Which one? Have you found something interesting?" Seemingly, it won't be easy to get rid of her.
"Well, you could say so…" Natsu replied with indifferent voice. "Have you heard about island named Galuna, south from Hargeon, it's in neutral waters between Fiore and Caelum, and…" Natsu didn't finish his phrase.
"Galuna island?!" Cana exclaimed, loud enough to attract attention of almost entire guild. "You're going for the mission on Galuna island?!"
Almost everyone looked at dread master in shock, whispering to each other, surprising Natsu with unexpected reaction. Only Makarov remained seemingly indifferent. "You cannot take that mission!" Erza stated as she suddenly appeared near Natsu. "According to guild rules, only senior mages can take S-class missions without special permission!"
Natsu looked at Erza emotionlessly, "What are you talking about, melancholic elf?"
'Melancholic elf?!' Entire guild gasped in shock as veins showed up on Erza's forehead.
"In our guild, only S-class mages are allowed to go to the second floor," Master Makarov talked, he sounded calm but serious. "There's a special request board, that contains missions that is too dangerous for regular mages, thus only senior mages allowed to the second floor," Old man explained guild rules.
Actually, Natsu had a lot of things to say about closing an entire floor just to keep dangerous missions away from eyes of regular guild mages, however, he decided to keep his opinion to himself as no one asked for it, and, moreover, guild rules doesn't concerns him. "Cute," He simply said, "However, I have a counter-question. Why you're telling me all of this? Does this information has anything to do with my mission?"
"Our guild received a request, which concerns Galuna," Erza replied through clenched teeth, "We placed it on special request board…"
"But, apparently, there has occurred some misunderstanding," Makarov guessed, looking at Natsu.
"Apparently," Natsu nodded. "There are rumors that island of Galuna is 'cursed'. And, as you probably know, seamen are among the most superstitious people. Because of aforementioned rumors, those fools refuses to sail near the island, thus making sea trips longer for almost a day. Freight a ship isn't cheap, merchants loses a lot of money, paying to ships owners, besides they have to wait for their merchandise longer. As such, merchant guilds assembly forced Fiore and Caelum governments to do something about the island, that's intergovernmental request and they asked me personally to take care of that," Natsu explained the situation. "My mission has nothing to do with the guild."
"I see," Makarov nodded in sign that he understood the situation. "We wish you luck then, remember, guild is always with you," Old man said, turning aside and returning to his tobacco-pipe.
"Well… when are you leaving then?" Cana wondered.
"As soon as a get prepayment," Natsu replied, "Which should happen later today, so probably I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Prepayment?!" Several people exclaimed simultaneously.
"Oh, but of course," Natsu nodded, "It's not like mages usually works, but when you're dealing with exclusive governmental contracts, it's a standard procedure."
"Ohhh…" Half of the guild moaned simultaneously. Seemingly, no one dared to ask how much government offered Natsu as fee, though, he wouldn't have told them anyway…
"This guy is in completely different league…" Reedus mumbled.
"Yeah… No wonder he has a girlfriend like Mirajane…" Max sighed. In the meantime, while entire guild was stomaching Natsu's 'badasstitude', Lucy and Gray were sitting near bar counter, whispering to each other and looking at dread master with grim face expressions.
"Natsu, I want a mock battle with you," Erza's voice suddenly sliced through the air, as she once again gained attention from entire guild, as all who were present looked at her in shock, even Makarov was surprised. Of course, Erza frequently was punishing people for their 'inappropriate' behavior, but… Erza herself looking for a fight?! That really was something new… The only one who doesn't seemed surprised was Natsu.
Dread master lazily turned his head and looked at elven mage. "So, you've finally made up your mind?" He asked, looking at blood-haired girl with emotionless face.
"Yes," Elf replied determinately, as if she knew that Natsu would say that. "In twenty minutes, at the guild backyard. Please come," She added politely, and even bowed slightly, in the end she was asking for a favor.
Natsu sighed, "You know, I was expecting something like that since the very moment we've met. However, this is very unfortunate that you've asked for a fight today, now," Dread master said, raising from his stool.
"Why?!" Cana asked as Erza remained silent. Drunkard seemingly overcame her shock and now looked excited as she'll be able to see a fight between Erza and Natsu.
"Because today I have nothing to do until evening, thus I have no reason to refuse," Natsu smiled, and his smile made entire guild to gasp in fear. "Don't be late," His eyes flashed and dread master disappeared with body flicker jutsu.
"Hey, Erza, what are you doing?!" Lucy asked as she ran to elven warrior-mage, blonde still was in shock.
"I'm sorry," Erza replied quietly, "I have to prepare myself before battle," She said and quickly walked out of the guild.
"Okay, what the hell just happened?!" Gray asked, he still seemed shocked.
"Good question…" Cana said, pointing at raven-haired demon. Gray stood in confusion for a few moments, before he understood that he's now only in his boxers.
"Gah! Why is this happening!?" Gray screamed as he ran to find his clothes.
"Still…" Max mumbled as he approached Lucy, "What's bitten her?"
"No idea," Lucy replied worriedly, "But she's been acting strange since she returned from her mission… or, more likely, since the moment she met Natsu…"
"Well, he's remarkable person, but still…" Max noted.
"Do they know each other?" Cana wondered, drawing a ruling in her notepad, seemingly she was making a bet journal.
"Erza claimed that they've never met," Gray said, putting on his T-shirt, "But I also got feeling that she's hiding something…"
"She's 194 years old, a lot of things could happen, considering that she's an elf who's far away from elven land…" Reedus speculated.
"By the way, anyone knows why she's left elven territory at all?" Cana wondered.
"I doubt it…" Lucy sighed sadly. "Come to think of it, do any of us know anything significant about Erza?"
People began to whisper between each other, and soon they came to conclusion that they know almost nothing about elven warrior. "Yeah… However, there's one thing I do know in particular," Gray announced, "Picking a fight with that one… definitely wasn't a good idea… Ouch!" Demon got slap on the back of his head from Cana. "What that was for?!"
"Who do you think she is?!" Drunkard asked with indignation. "She's the strongest woman of Fairy Tail! Besides, there's just a mock battle. Relax, that's going to be a nice show!"
"Hmpf…" Makarov just grunted, looking at younger mages.
July 11, Year X784, 14:29, Fairy Tail's backyard.
Erza already arrived. She stood in the middle of backyard, with her eyes closed, focused on upcoming battle. Huge crowd of Fairy Tail mages stood nearby, around Cana, who was accepting bets. All Fairy Tail mages, who weren't on missions, were here, excluding master Makarov. Everyone seemed quite excited, no doubt they were expecting nice show, only Lucy and Gray seemed strained. "Hey, you two, relax a little," Cana snarled. "It's just a mock battle, no one's going to die here," She added carelessly, but only got dark glares from both demon and half-elf.
Small bell tinkled, announcing Natsu's arrival. Crowd's attention quickly switched to him, as he was approaching. "The sooner we start, the sooner we'll finish," He said shortly as dread master came close enough. Erza opened her eyes and stood up as crowd of Fairy Tail members quickly made a close circle around two combatants. "All of you," Natsu said, not diverting his eyes from Erza, "Minimum safe distance – 110 yards. I won't be held responsible for any bystanders being harmed," Dread master warned.
People began whispering to each other, but most of them remained where they were. It wasn't the first mock battle in guild, but seemingly no one asked spectators to get away that far. "Do as he said!" Erza ordered. With displeased mumbling, crowd began to move away, towards guild hall, they didn't dare to disobey Erza's command.
"It's just a mock battle…" Max grunted.
"Yeah, why can't we see it from close?..." Alzak agreed.
"I'm beginning to worry…" Levy said, looking back at Erza. "They're not going to use powerful spells, are they?"
"Let's proceed," Natsu said as other mages were far enough.
"Yes," Erza replied, assuming battle stance. "I'd like to ask you to not hold back," she added, as emerald light covered her body, "I want to test myself against strong opponent."
"You're talking too much," Natsu replied emotionlessly. "I wouldn't worry about me holding back if I were you," He added, looking at Erza with his red glowing eyes, "Because you've already been defeated."
"What?!" Elf exclaimed as she suddenly noticed that she's chained to big rock that appeared behind her from nowhere. Before she could understand what's going on Natsu dashed to her and smashed his fist into her face. Due to power of the blow Erza crashed into rock behind her, almost breaking it in half. Hard to say how she's managed to not lost consciousness, but she definitely was dazed. Several trickles of blood flowed down as she hung on chains, her nose was broken and she surely lost anterior teeth.
"Only those who serves me allowed to look into my eyes," Dread master said as he took his gunblade, Overture. Natsu pointed gun at Erza and shot, seemingly his gunblade was able to shoot chakra-empowered bullets.
"AAAAAGH!" Elf let out heart-rending scream as her left leg was torn off with the power of impact. However, blood didn't flow from torn-open knee, instead, grave worms began to crawl out from wound. Crowd of Fairy Tail mages stood still, they seemed deeply shocked. Well, anyone would be shocked and horrified with that sight, however… "I shee…" Erza said. She was lisping duo to lost teeth but her voice sounded surprisingly calm. "Sho this is the powel of Shalingan's genjutsu…" She said, spitting with blood.
'What?' Actually, Natsu was quite surprised. She's not only aware about Natsu's eyes true name, she's also knew that Sharingan is capable of creating genjutsu (and she knows that name also). Dread master didn't give away his feelings, but his interest towards this girl grew significantly. He got several questions to her, but, she'll probably won't answer them for no good reason. As such, he has to give her a reason… "Fascinating," He said. "It's been a long while since somebody managed to see through my illusion. However, it doesn't change anything… Even if you know that this is illusion, you can't get out. Pain is real, and it'll brake your will to fight. You've lost." As Natsu said that, his gunblade switched to sword form and with swift swing he cut off Erza's right arm.
"AAAAAUUHH!" Despite Natsu and his sword were illusive, pain was quite real. Erza was breathing heavily, but when she raised her head and looked at Natsu, she was smiling. "You ale wlong to celeblate victoly just yet…" Elf lisped. "I'm not aflaid of pain… You won't blake me… Pain… will… lelease… me!"
In real world, spectating mages of Fairy Tail were confused. Neither Natsu nor Erza moved a finger since their 'battle' began.
"Hey, are you going to fight or not?!" Cana asked.
"Yeah, we came here not to watch you staring at each other!" Max agreed.
"The man should fight for real!" Elfman shouted.
"Hey, look, something's happening!" Levy suddenly exclaimed. Erza's body began to radiate emerald light, which was becoming brighter with each second.
"AAAAAUUUUGH!" Erza suddenly screamed, as mystic power around her disappeared.
"Ahh!" Crowd gasped from unexpectedness. "Erza!" "You're all right?!" "What's happened?!" "He didn't do anything, why she's screaming?!"
However, Erza ignored shouts from crowd. Genjutsu was broken and Erza again could control her body, besides, since her teeth actually were intact she now could speak normally. "Oh damn… that's hurt…" She said, "…but it worked…" Then she looked at dread master and used her mystic weave, her power manifested itself in form of two long swords. "I won't give up that easily," She noted, rising her weapon.
"Incredible…" Natsu admitted. "I thought that this ludicrous piercing of yours is just a poor attempt of self-expression, but seemingly I was wrong…" Dread master spoke out. When Erza created an aura of mystic power around herself, Natsu noticed that these piercings were absorbing it. Seemingly, these rings and barbells weren't made of solid metal, but they're containing lacrima inside. Lacrima could absorb Erza's power, and due to this, all piercings were heating up. As soon as lacrima enters oversaturation state heating up speed drastically increases, and metal becomes hot enough to cause severe pain to Erza's body, this is why all her piercings were silver – this metal possesses pretty high thermal conductivity. And intense pain not caused by the genjutsu is quite desperate but reliable way to bring senses back in order, thus interrupting enemy's control. "That piercing isn't an adornment… this is your protection from genjustu… quite inventive, I have to say," Natsu admitted.
"I told you, I won't give up that easily, en gardé!" Erza shouted and assaulted Natsu with flurry of blows. However, Natsu quickly drew out real Overture, and using his eyes' prediction capability dread master parried all elven knightess' attacks. In fact, Natsu parried all her attacks with one arm, and he didn't move an inch, he still stood where he was when battle began. And he didn't try to fight back. "What are you doing?!" Erza exclaimed, seemingly Natsu's demeanor made Erza angry, he seemed not interested in fighting at all, "Fight me seriously!" She demanded.
Dread master looked at her with evaluating sight. "You know, initially I was intending to quickly defeat you with genjutsu only, thus discouraging your desire to bother me anymore. However…" Natsu's eyes began to glow slightly "…since the moment we met I began to think that you already have seen eyes like mine, and you just confirmed my suspicions. Thus, I've got a bit more motivation to fight, but still, I'm not going to fight just for nothing. You asked me for a fight because you want to test your powers against Sharingan, do you?" Erza doesn't seemed surprised as Natsu used real name of his hypnosis technique, which only confirmed Natsu's guess that she's familiar with this word. "You want me to fight seriously? So be it, but with one condition," Dread master announced.
"What is it?" Erza asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Information," Natsu replied shortly. "I got several questions to you and, no doubts, you have a lot of questions to me. Let information be the prize in this battle. If you'll defeat me – I'll answer your questions, all of them. If I win – you will answer mine. If you're agree, then let's fight."
"And if I refuse?" Elf asked, thus she already knew the answer.
"Then I'll turn around and walk away," Natsu replied; well, it was pretty obvious.
Erza stood silently, eyeing Natsu. No doubts she was estimating her chances, comparing the risk of losing to value of information she can get from him.
"Alright…" Erza decided, raising her swords once again. Needless to say that while they were talking, crowd of spectators grew very impatient. Disgruntled shouts were sounding pretty often. All of them, of course, were ignored.
"You got guts, I give you that," Natsu replied, "One more thing before we begin. Come at me with everything you have, do not hesitate. If you hope to at least scratch me then you should attack with intent to kill," He said, raising his sword. "Fire Release: Great Fireball!" There was nothing more to say so Natsu breathed out huge fireball towards elven warrior.
"Wow!" Erza exclaimed, barely avoiding Natsu's attack. Erza was sure that this is not another genjutsu – fireball was quite real. It slightly burned her left arm as she jumped aside, fireball flew forth and exploded near crowd of spectators. "Hey, careful!" She shouted, warning Natsu to not shoot towards other Fairy Tail mages.
"Care about yourself," He replied indifferently, "No one invited them here, Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire!" Natsu made a 'Horse' hand seal and shot two dragon head-shaped fireballs high into the air.
'The same technique he used against Erigor!' Erza thought, seeing Natsu's actions, 'But why he shot into the sky? Oh shit… Don't tell me he wants to create another thunderstorm to crash me with that lightning beast?!'
"No," Natsu said, tracing Erza's sight, "That's tempting, but I'm not going to destroy half of this city just to defeat you."
'He also can read thoughts?!' Elf was slightly shocked, but that question remained without answer. "Oh, damn!" She shouted as she noticed that fireballs turned around and now were heading down, straight at her. Dodging an attack from above wasn't an option, Erza had no choice, "Pillars of Creation!" Erza made two dozens of pillars made of white marble, each one was braided with vines and glowing with emerald light. Pillars bended, creating sort of a dome above Erza. Fireballs crashed into magical dome, creating massive explosions, however, when smoke and fire dissipated, magical dome remained intact. Erza was unharmed, but Natsu noticed that she's breathing heavily – such a spell wasn't easy to perform.
"Not bad," Dread master said, observing Erza's protection. "A-class defensive mystic spell… My B-class technique had no chances of braking through that defense…" Suddenly, Natsu raised his gunblade 'Overture' and plunged it into the ground, "Lightning Release: Thunder Gate!" Out of clear sky, a dozen of lightning struck Erza's defensive dome. Powerful and loud blast annihilated elf's defense, also knocking down almost all spectating Fairy Tail mages. However, at the last moment Erza escaped the dome, riding her white winged horse – Pegasus.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?!"
"That's dangerous!"
"You could kill her!"
Several angry shouts sounded from the crowd, and of course Natsu ignored them. By the way, while everyone's attention was chained to battle between Natsu and Erza, no one noticed that Lucy and Gray weren't present among spectators anymore.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire!" Natsu again launched two dragon head-shaped fireballs at Erza, and since they were homing, elf and her magical winged horse had to show miracles of aerobatics to avoid being fried.
'Damn, how he can use so powerful spells almost without preparation?!' Erza thought, still avoiding fireballs that were chasing her. She couldn't understand how he can use so powerful spells so fast. Besides, she couldn't rid of feeling that, despite Natsu promised to fight her seriously, he's still just toying with her, or, most likely, testing her. However, even if so, she had no chances to counterattack Natsu in her situation – he was too powerful in range combat. Erza had no choice – she turned her winged horse around and flew straight at Natsu. She managed to shorten the distance between herself and dread master so quickly that he had no chance to use another technique (or at least it seemed so). Riding forth, her Pegasus was leaving a trail of emerald light.
'So, she's not just an eye candy,' Natsu thought, elf's speed was quite remarkable. When she was close, Erza engaged him in close combat, still being astride, using two swords made of emerald light. This time, she was much more concentrated, and used her mount as an advantage, so Natsu was forced to use his kenjutsu skills seriously to protect himself. Her mystic winged horse was fleshless, so it couldn't be harmed by physical attacks.
Erza's pegasus was quite remarkable magical creature – elf could ride on it, yet Natsu's physical attacks couldn't harm it. In addition, Erza was quite good with her swords. In fact, she was slightly slower than Mirajane, but her moves were much smoother, so smooth that it was hard to see where one move ends and another begins. Hard to see for all… but not for a Sharingan wielder.
"I am disappointed, Erza…" Natsu said, easily deflecting her attacks with one sword. "I was expecting much more from renowned 'Silken Princess…'," He continued to talk, easily parrying Erza's attacks, "But in the end, you even haven't forced me to make a single step," Natsu still stood where he was when battle began. "I admit, you've analyzed me well – I remember that you stood aside, without interfering, watching my techniques back then, in Clover. Well, it's kinda obvious that I prefer long-range combat, but…" Natsu covered his left palm with lightning energy "…why you decided that close combat is my weak spot? Raikiri!" With one swing Natsu's energy attack destroyed both Erza's mystic swords, shattering them to pieces, "I have no weak spots."
Erza seemed shocked as Natsu pointed his gunblade at her, "It's over."
"Yes, it's over!" Elf suddenly shouted and clapped her palms, "You lost!" All of a sudden, emerald seal flashed right beneath Natsu and in the next moment he was entrapped into very dense shrub of magic vines. Seemingly, using her advantage in height, since she was mounted, Erza forced him to look upward, keeping ground beneath Natsu's feet out of field of vision of his Sharingan, at the same time using her Pegasus' hoot to draw a mystic seal around dread master.
"I can't believe it…" Natsu rolled his eyes. He actually seemed surprised, even confused a bit. "What's wrong with me, how could I do not recognize this mystic weave power?" Erza couldn't understand what he's talking about, but, honestly, she wasn't interested in his bubbling. Elven warrior-mage created a huge bow made of emerald light and prepared to shoot a massive arrow at Natsu, point blank. Seemingly, she remembered his words – 'fight me with intent to kill' – and she took these words seriously.
"What is this?!" One of spectating mages asked.
"This is… Erindel's arrow! Erza's most powerful attack spell!" Max shouted.
"Erza, don't! If you'll shoot this arrow point blank!…"
"Second time I fell for this trifle…" Natsu continued to talk to himself. 'Harmony… Secret mystic weave style created by elven empress Erindel and was passed down along women's bloodline. I thought it died together with her granddaughter…' Natsu looked at Erza, "I applaud you," He said. "Your conceptual skills are quite remarkable. You even noticed that when I'm bored my attention begins to dissipate. And your woman's intuition didn't fail you – I could destroy your swords instantly when you've approached, thus not giving you time to draw a seal beneath me. But you guessed that I'll play with you a little more…" Natsu was completely paralyzed, yet he doesn't seemed worried at all.
"It's good that you're so talkative," Erza said, straining a bow-string, "I hope you'll remain the same, answering my questions!" She released her arrow, but, suddenly, Natsu's left eye flashed, space twisted and arrow just disappeared without trace. Erza stood in silent shock, she got no idea about what just happened.
"Your questions? Child, are you really think that you've won? You simply got access to 'Level 2'," He said. With burst of violet energy Natsu manifested Susanoo's ribcage, destroying vines that were holding him. "Silken princess, you learned a lot of things about Sharingan, yet you didn't understand the meaning of what you've learned. Well, in that case I'll explain myself." Ribcage dissipated and Natsu dashed forth to Erza, jumped up grabbed her by throat and smashed his knee to her back. He was moving so fast that Erza couldn't react, and blow was so devastating, elf thought that her body is going to break in half. She had no time to scream as now she was watching into his Mangekyō point blank. "I am absolute. My eyes can see future, and thus, I can easily change it!" Natsu lifted elven girl up and threw her on the ground with such force that she made a crater with her body. "And my Choku Tamoe Sharingan can see further than anyone else's."
"Amaterasu!" Natsu's right eye flashed and Erza's winged horse began to burn with black flame. Natsu knelt and smashed his fist into the ground, "Explosion Release: High-explosive blow!" He sent his chakra through the ground and it exploded right beneath Erza, throwing her into the air. Erza's pegasus was remote-controlled, however, even if she actually could try to use it now to fly away, mystic horse was completely consumed with black flames. However, with Natsu's drastically increased speed, it wouldn't help anyway. Erza's body flew up, she was heavily contused and couldn't move a muscle, however, she didn't even tried.
'So, this is how it is…' Elf thought. She no longer was feeling pain, only thing what she was feeling now is hopeless despair. Within a blink of an eye she got three devastating blows, which she had no chance to avoid or parry. Besides, Natsu broke free from her trap without moving a finger, with power of his Sharingan alone. 'These eyes… it's hopeless to defeat them. All that time I spent… for gathering information… for training… it all was a complete waste. So long I was waiting… only to learn this last, bitter lesson…'
Natsu raised his arm, creating bright sphere of very dense, spiraling chakra. He jumped up to land this last, finishing blow. "Rasengan!" And right before Natsu landed his blow he saw Erza's face. She was smiling…
'I can't help anyone, I can't avenge anyone… There's no hope for me anymore… A hundred years I was just deluding myself,' She was thinking. She saw a bright sphere in Natsu's hand, and weak smile beamed on her face. 'C'mon,' she thought, 'Do it. I am useless trash, my life means nothing. Finish me, Sharingan user. Do what your master had to do a hundred years ago…'
When Natsu saw her smile, he understood that what he is doing now is completely needless. She is defeated, her will was broken. But it was too late to stop his attack. Natsu smashed his Rasengan into Erza's chest, sending her to the ground with massive shockwave. Natsu only could use basic form of Rasengan, but it was brought to perfection. All spectating mages had to shield their eyes from dust wave. When dust dissipated, Erza was lying on the bottom of pretty big crater, made by her own body. Her mythril elven chainmail was ripped to shreds, she was lying almost naked.
Spectating people were completely confused. Five seconds ago Natsu was entrapped into Erza's spell, and she seemed victorious. However, now Natsu appeared from dust with Erza in his arms, elf seemed unconscious.
"Hey, what's happened?!"
"Erza, you're alright?!"
Very worried shouts sounded from the crowd as people rushed to Natsu, who was carrying elven warrior. "Step aside," Natsu ordered, as he was walking somewhere, but not towards guild hall, "She needs medical attention."
"What's going on?!"
"How is she?!"
"She's unconscious," Natsu replied shortly, irritated by the fact that he has to play captain obvious.
"What happened?!" All Fairy Tail mages were continuing to ask.
"It was just a mock battle!" Worried shouts sounded from crowd. "How such a thing could happen?!"
"I don't know," Dread master replied quietly. "I do know, however, that it's been a very long while since I saw someone who so desperately wanted to die…" As Natsu said it, all Fairy Tail mages froze like paralyzed. Yes, she lovered her guard at the very last moment, however, Natsu had faint feeling that this girl doesn't value her own life… "Partially it was my mistake," Natsu admitted, "My last attack was completely needless. However, she herself lowered her defense right before my attack, this is why she got so much damage. Why she tried to commit suicide with my help – I should ask you about that." Fairy Tail mages stood as if they all lapsed in idiocy, staring at Erza's body. Natsu sighed, "You two," He pointed at Levy and Cana, "You're going to the hospital with me, doctors might need you to answers some questions about her. I'll go ahead, you should catch up quickly…" As he said that, Natsu disappeared, using body flicker jutsu, leaving Fairy Tail mages shocked and speechless.
July 11, Year X784, 18:34, Magic council building.
Mid-aged man with round sunglasses, dressed in long white robe, entered the room. It was councilor Lieji.
"Jellal, any news from rune knights unit we sent to arrest him?" He asked.
Lieji was addressing tall, blue-haired elf, who stood near big window. Elf turned around and looked at man, revealing two sharingans in his eye sockets. "Lieji-senpai? No, not yet," He replied, with slight shade of annoyance in his voice.
"Are you sure we shouldn't have sent more troops, Jellal?" Elder councilor wondered. "According from what I've learned about him, he's dangerous and unpredictable."
"No," Jellal replied. "Senpai, we've already discussed that. Rest of the council didn't give us approval, aside from Ultear, you're the only one who supported my request. Thus, we cannot allow anyone learn that we're trying to bring him in. One unit is enough, those are people loyal personally to me."
"Alright, but remember, Jellal, if they fail and press will learn about it…" Lieji warned. "I cannot tolerate this 'Foundation' and its supporters any longer…"
"Of course, senpai," Jellal nodded, but seemingly his reasons to act was different from Lieji's. Door's lock clinked and someone else entered the room. "Oh, captain," Blue-haired elf smiled, "We were just talking about you." That was rune knight captain, the one who was leading rune knights unit that Natsu met on his way from meeting.
"Report," Councilor Lieji requested.
Captain came closer, looked at Jellal, and started to talk, ignoring elder councilor. "Yo, little pup. Tell me, you really thought that I let them arrest me?" Voice belonged to rune knight captain, but words were Natsu's, programmed into knight's head via genjutsu. Both Jellal and Lieji seemed shocked.
"What are you saing!? Captain?!" Lieji shouted.
"Senpai!" Jellal didn't allow elder councilor to approach the knight, "Stay away, his mind was subjugated, he is controlling him!"
"I hope you proud with yourself, because of you I had to slaughter an entire platoon of fair and honorable soldiers…" Captain continued to speak.
"What?!" Lieji exclaimed in disbelief as rune knight continued to talk.
"You cretin really thought that I won't dare to defy 'council's will'? I fear no one, least of all you," He said. "Though, I'm pretty sure that you don't have council's official sanction. Want me, darling? Then come yourself. I wanted to talk face to face with you for a while… or, rather, eye to eye…"
"You…" Jellal was gnashing his teeth.
"And last thing…" Captain said as his eyes suddenly flashed, reflecting Natsu's Sharingan, "As a gift, I'll show you my art." He suddenly dashed forth and tried to grab both Jellal and Lieji, when he moved, upper button of his jacked unbuttoned, revealing explosive seals beneath his cloths, most likely his entire body was glued over with these seals, "My art… is an explosion!"
Powerful blast destroyed at least one third of council's building.
July 11, Year X784, 21:42, Fairy Tail guild hall.
Natsu, Cana and Levy have returned to guild hall. Other guild members were here, worriedly waiting for news as Makarov didn't allow the entire crowd to go to hospital. "She's in coma, but her life is out of danger," Natsu informed.
"Coma?!"
"Seriously?! Erza?!"
"What have you done to her?!"
Of course, some people were looking at Natsu accusingly, thinking that he overdid it, though no one thought that he hurt Erza on purpose. However, accidents during practice fights could happen, and seemingly even stupidest members of Fairy Tail knew that.
"Doctors said that it may take some time, but she'll recover eventually," Cana added, looking into the floor. She also felt herself guiltily as she was the one inciting to that mock battle more than anyone else.
"She has unusually strong regeneration capability, so physically she'll recover relatively soon," Natsu confirmed, "Her mental state, however, is what should worry us most of all…"
People began to whisper between each other, they were remembering what Natsu's said earlier, '…she tried to commit suicide with my help…' Right now Natsu had nothing more to say, so he exchanged few words with Makarov and left the guildhall. On his way out he met three Fairy Tail mages, which were walking towards guild hall, with very grim face expressions. That were Nab, Warren and Wakaba. Obviously, they didn't find any trace of Macao, as expected.
'Oh, more bad news…' Dread master thought, his internal voice actually sounded quite ironic. 'I guess Makarov will postpone announcing your report,' He speculated. Erza being in coma, and now news about Macao's demise… it may be too many bad news for one day.
Time and date unknown, the "Ascension" base.
"Milady, are you awake?" Quite high woman's voice asked from behind the door.
"Yes, come in," Andariel replied.
Door opened, and elven girl entered the room. She was pretty young, slim, rather cute woman, dressed like handmaiden. She wore identification badge and brought brushes and cleaning fluids – so seemingly she was an actual handmaiden. Dread mistress stood in front of mirror, combing her hair. Elf put her stuff on dressing table and began to make bed. "Are you leaving, milady?"
"Yes," Andariel replied, still looking into mirror, as if she couldn't divert her eyes from her own beautiful self. "Brother wants Aurellin to be captured…"
"Aurellin?!" Elven girl's eyes widened, "Gold dragon, queen of Aeire peak?!"
"Darling, even if you're local, you're working for Ascension now, you shouldn't be worried about some dragons and gods," Dread mistress reminded.
"I'm…" Elf stuttered, "I'm not worried about her, it's about you! She's immensely powerful!"
"Is that sarcasm?" Andariel asked, as she finally looked at elf, revealing her eyes. Eyes with ripple-like pattern which spreads over the eyeball, with red sclerae and irides, five thin black circles around each pupil, with three tomoe on first, third and fifth rings, making it nine tomoe total. Her right eye was crimson as her left eye was bright-red with some shade of orange. "I've already told you to keep your sarcasm to yourself, haven't I? You want me to deprive you of your weekly bonus?"
"Ah?!" Elf exclaimed in confusion. Obviously she wasn't sarcastic but truly worried.
Andariel sighed. "Your concern is very touching, but only thing you should worry about is my room being clean and fresh," Dread mistress said. "First of all it is not me but my brother who's paying your salary. And second…" She sighed again. "Yes, she's strong, she's queen of hearts in our deck, but does it really change anything?" Andariel again looked into mirror. "You know, child, I'm actually missing that. Thrill of battle, when you need to strain all your powers to defeat your enemy. However… after I awoke the final form of my eyes… I feel that, in this world, there's no one left to be a worthy challenge for me. Gods… Dragons… Guardian corps… They all sucks. Only I can defeat myself!"
And this is it for now. See you in the next chapter – Miracles don't happen.