CH23: Ferrous Nostrum

How long had it been since Fairy Tail had united for a common cause? Phantom Lord. Edolas. Even the Tenrou Island War didn't get the guild this fired up. But this time, in Zancrow's arms was a bruised Dragon Slayer who was beaten half to death and the perpetrator was standing right before them. He was not about to get away with this.

"You all look as if you have seen a ghost. I will ask again. Which one of you is Laxus Dreyar?" The hooded figure demanded.

Erza spoke up. "You are in no position to make demands of any sort. Harming one of Fairy Tail's members to get our attention was a fatal mistake on your part."

With that remark, the battle ready guild members charged at the assailant.

"Fine. We will do this the hard way. If you won't give me answers, I will beat them out of you."

The cloaked figure stood his ground as the first wave of wizards blasted him with Dragon Slaying magic. Both Natsu and Gajeel unleashed their dragon breath on him making a massive explosion in the center of the marble floor. From the smoke the cloaked man closed the distance between him and the two Dragon wizards catching them both off guard. He formed his arms into iron clubs and nailed both Natsu and Gajeel right in the stomach. He smashed them both together finishing them off with one massive roundhouse kick which sent them flying directly towards Zancrow.

Zancrow evaded the flying bodies heading his way and decided it was time to lose the "dead weight." He set Wendy down against a pillar and decided to get in on the action.

Juvia and Gray's unison raid was not much better against their mystery guest as he merely dodged the Water Nebula and Ice Geyser while launching several Iron spears towards the couple. One nailed Gray right on his left thigh while the other nicked Juvia on her head. They were both out of commission.

The remaining wizards began to prepare for round two.

Lucy began to call upon Taurus and Capricorn but Laxus held her back.

"Wait." He said. The lightning mage looked directly at the one who assaulted their guild with disgust. To think that he would attack a helpless girl half his size while she was off guard. He was going to make sure he paid for what he had done. "Who are you and what do you want?"

The man then removed his cloak revealing a large muscular wizard who had rivets on his face and arms similar to Gajeel. He was tall, well built, and had a strange mark on his forehead which resembled that of a capital "A". After a moment of silence, he spoke.

"My name is Ferrous Nostrum. And I have come looking for the wizard Laxus on behalf of my master."

"Well listen up, Ferrous. You damn just broke the doors to my guildhall. You assaulted one of my best friends. And now you think you can just waltz in here and make demands to see me?"

Laxus discharged some of his lightning towards the heavens. "Raging Bolt!" From the ceiling a ball of lightning crashed down onto Ferrous burying him into the marble.

No one was convinced that Ferrous was down for the count, not for a second. The guild members left standing were on their guard. From the rubble walked out a calm collected Ferrous. He had a few scratches on him and his clothes were singed. But otherwise he looked unfazed.

"You are as powerful as the rumors say you are. It is no wonder my master desires you specifically."

Mira had had enough of this guy's monotone dialogue. He should be out cold right now after her boyfriend unleashed one of his most devastating attacks on him. She charged at Ferrous followed closely by Erza. Normally those two didn't get along. Today however they fight as one for the sake of their friend Wendy.

Erza swung at Ferrous with her Purgatory sword while Mira slashed at him with her razor-sharp nails.

"Iron God, Piercing Blade!" Immediately Ferrous' right arm turned into a sword that looked so brutal, it rivaled Erza's. He blocked her attack in its tracks and swung her around like a shotput and launched her straight into Mira sending them both flying back to join the knocked out Dragon Slayers on the floor.

He had no trouble dealing with Lucy's celestial spirits. After all, once you rough them up even a little bit they retreat back to the spirit world. Taurus was the first to be defeated followed by Capricorn who gave Ferrous a little more of a struggle. Once they both retreated back to the realm, he made short work of Lucy by merely giving her a blow to the neck which made her loose consciousness.

Zancrow was pissed. Not because his guild was knocked down so quickly, but because he had been the last one to get in on the action. But one thing boggled his mind; He was not unique. His disbelief was manifesting itself on his face. He had no idea that there were others like him that utilized God Slaying magic. He surrounded himself with his signature black flames and charged at Ferrous.

He first launched a right hook which was easily dodged. Then Zancrow jumped and gained some altitude for an air takedown kick which Ferrous blocked with his sword. Ferrous then used his other arm to land a blow directly into Zancrow's stomach making him hunch over in pain. As Ferrous swung his sword to finish off the God Slayer, Laxus rushed in and socked him right in the jaw. The Iron God Slayer found himself embedded into a marble wall astonished at the Lightning Dragon Slayer's strength.

"Thanks." Zancrow said.

"Let's just kick his ass."

Zancrow stood up and launched a barrage of black fireballs at Ferrous while Laxus unleashed his dragon roar. Ferrous knew better than to stay put so he got out of the way of the incoming attacks but just barely. The explosions from the combined attacks sent him flying into yet another wall. He got back on his feet and decided it was time to end things. Laxus was in a league of his own. He was already difficult enough to handle by himself. But with Zancrow backing him up as well, he had to tread carefully.

Ferrous inhaled deeply.

"Iron God Bellow!"

A burst of shrapnel and wind was heading directly towards Laxus and Zancrow but they nimbly avoided it. However the two wizards were not Ferrous' target.

Laxus looked in shock as he saw that the attacked he dodged was going full force towards the knocked out Mira, Erza, Natsu, Gajeel, Juvia, and Gray. He quickly turned into his lightning form and zapped himself directly into the attack blocking it from its target. When the dust settled, Zancrow looked in shock at an exhausted Laxus. His shirt was shredded revealing multiple cuts on his chest which were bleeding out.

"A wizard no matter how powerful will always loose to himself. In this case, your protective instincts for your loved ones have betrayed you. Had you let the attack hit your friends, you might have still had enough power to take me down. Instead you took the full force of my God's Bellow and have become severely wounded." Ferrous explained with a grin on his face.

Zancrow tried to swing at his rival God Slayer but he vanished and reappeared directly in front of Laxus. He turned his arm into an iron club and smashed the blonde Dragon Slayer over the head knocking him out.

"Why…YOU!" Zancrow powered up letting his rage consume him. He was about to charge when Ferrous interrupted him. In one fell swoop Zancrow found himself embedded into the same marble wall Ferrous was in not too long ago. He could taste the blood in his mouth and could barely make out the Iron God Slayer walking towards him.

"The age of the gods will start with this man. All the preparations have been made. Once the ritual is complete, Ankhseram will walk amongst us mortals and bring forth a new era. An era in which neither dragons or humans will rule. It will be one world, under the gods."

The Last thing Zancrow remembered was Ferrous picking up Laxus over his shoulder before he used his iron club to knock him unconscious. He despaired as the darkness consumed his vision.