Chapter 22: Battle Arc II "Battle Of ICE"
Jellal and the other five were currently running around when they could feel the floor was shaking.
"This is been happening for a while. Just what is that?" Minerva asked. Cobra was concentrating when he found the origin, "It seems the Ice Make Magician is currently fighting against someone on his own."
"Ice Make Magician… Gray huh." Jellal said before looking around the place, "It seems their group is making havoc for us not to be found."
"I could think the same thing as well." Laxus said before sighing, "This will happen as well if ever Natsu is with us."
"Taking their attention right?" Levy said, "I'm sure that's what Natsu will do in this situation."
"In any case, we need to find a way how to find Natsu as they take their attention." Freed said which made everyone nod.
"Everyone I found the stair heading below." Levy said as she pointed the way. Jellal nodded, "Let's hurry."
Everyone nodded before running down the stair in full speed.
In Yua and the other's place, they were still running the hallway when they met a group of people that was about to shoot when the twin Dragon Slayer beat them before they could fire it. Some enemies arrived from behind and was about to shoot when both Erza and Yua finished them.
"I found the stair heading below everyone." Yukino shouted as they all head there and move on.
"Jeez how come the stairs are in different places?" Lector complained. Frosh followed, "It's too tiring."
"This is the headquarters. To make sure you can have an advantage whenever the enemies attacked your own home, it is natural to make it a maze to confuse the invading enemies." Yua can't help but smirk evilly, "This is actually the best challenge. This is nothing compared to that kingdom of Fiore, that place was too easy to infrared and if I feel like it I could assassinate the king of yours without no one knowing."
Lucy gave a terrifying look, "DON'T! Anything but THAT!"
"I wonder how far are we from Natsu." Happy murmured. Yukino thought for a moment before asking, "Hey Yua-san this place is like a maze right? Does that mean they have something that can give us one way from below? I mean what if there is an emergency? This kind of place will become a disadvantage for them."
"True to your words that there is certain place where it will lead us to all floor but I cannot recommend to head there and use it." Yua said which earn everyone a questioning look. Rogue seems to realize why she had said that, "Are you saying there is a high chance of us being trapped and most of all captured?"
Yua smirked and nodded, "You all remembered how I tried to destroy the floor right? It would be hard for us to get out if it happened to us."
"Now that I think about it, that's true." Carla said. Lucy spoke, "Destroying a floor feels like it gave us much information about the enemy's base." Wendy nodded to that, "Your right."
"Yua do you have any plan ahead?" Erza asked. Yua was silence for a moment before speaking, "Just one."
Yua stopped and to were the others. They were surprise to see someone ahead and it was Estrela.
"Finally I found you." Estrela said as she raised one of her key that suddenly turned into a large heavy flail.
Lucy was surprise to see her again, "Tha-that's!"
Yua narrowed her eyes, "Estrela should I say 'It's been a long time' or 'glad to see you'?"
Sting turned to her, "You know her Yua-san?"
Estrela hum, "Maybe… I would never thought of seeing you again Yua-sensei. Who would actually think it is you whom my Boss was arching to be destroyed."
"S-sensei!?" Lector yelled in shock. Yua sigh before explaining to them, "I met Estrela six years ago. I only taught her few things about how to manipulate stars without the Celestial King knowing. I must say the theory worked."
"Y-you taught her how to manipulate stars!?" Yukino was really shock to that. Lucy seems to realize the reason why Crux can't find anything especially about Natsu, it was because it was her who manipulated it and covered that fact.
"I am totally grateful that you had taught me about that theory Yua-sensei. Without you I wouldn't have learn it at all." Estrela said as she raised her weapon, "And look, I had gotten stronger as well. I can create my own key as weapon as well."
Yua smirked, "I can see that and to tell the truth, I didn't taught you that, I just used you as a bait to see if the theory will work or not."
"Are you actually that evil!?" Lucy can't help but shout it. Yua didn't mind, since she sometimes agrees to it.
"Since you are here…" Yua narrowed her eyes, "Is there a possibility that guy is here as well?"
"Who's guy?" Rogue asked. Yua was silent for a moment before speaking, "The person I could say my real student, Levin."
The name surprised Estrela before glaring, "You know our team captain?"
"Team Captain?" Sting questioned. Yukino's eyes widen, "Don't tell me, the person whom Makarov-san with the others fought against was…!"
'So it was him.' Yua thought before giving a cold tone, "Estrela move."
"Rejected." Estrela took her fighting position, "You will have to fight me if you wish to save the Dragon Slayer but I think that would be impossible now. The experiment had already started."
That widens their eyes before glaring at her. Yua was unfazed but within she now truly desire destruction.
"Everyone please move on and leave her to me." Yukino said as she stepped forward and showed her Celestial key.
Lector was surprise, "Y-you can't Yukino! Celestial Spirit Magic is not enough to beat her."
"I know but I can't let this go. She's a Celestial Spirit Magician too, it is wise for me to face her." Yukino said in serious and determine tone. "I, The Sabertooth's Celeatial Spirit Magician, Yukino Agria will face you."
"Then it would be same for me." Lucy stepped forward as she readied her weapon, Fleuve d'etoiles. "I'm Fairy Tail's Celestial Spirit Magician, Lucy Heartfilia. We will face her together Yukino."
"Lucy-san…" Yukino smiled and nod.
Yua gaze to Erza and Sting, silently asking if they should leave this to them.
Erza thought for a moment before nodding, "Lucy be careful." Sting followed, "Show them the way of the tiger Yukino."
Both Celestial Magician Smiled, "We will!"
Erza run first followed by others.
"I won't let you." Estrela said as she swings her flail when it was stopped by Lucy's weapon.
"You are facing us." Lucy said as she holds her off. Yukino followed, "Pieces!"
Two big fish came out and dashed to attack her but Estrela swing herself to dodge their attack. She noticed that their other companion had succeeded to pass over her and already gone.
Estrela glared at them, "I will not forgive you."
The two had become more cautious, knowing she's a dangerous opponent even alone.
In the battle between Gray and Gelo, everything seems to be intense as they kept colliding with Ice Magic one after another.
"Ice Devil's Zeroth Destruction Bow!" Gray fires the arrow in high speeds.
"Ice God's Piercing Snow!" Gelo made a form of a strong snow that blocked his enemy's magic and create a strong cold wind force around them.
Gray continues to fire them while he blocked each one of them. Gray's clothes were already torn from the battle, same for Gelo with a scratch on his cheek that was currently bleeding.
'Who would ever thought he was indeed holding back from the last time we had met.' Gelo thought as he continued to block his attacks. 'I will not lose for the likes of Demon Slayer like him.'
The floor was shaking around them but no sign of falling down.
Gelo changed his tactics as he released a powerful magic.
"Ice God's Bellows!"
It was a strong blast of ice with glittering snow around coming from his mouth. Gray countered them with same magic.
"Ice Devil's Rage!"
Gray released a large beam of cold air, ice and snow from his mouth as well. Both made a clash as they were pushing each other's strength.
"GRAAAAAAH!"
Both Roar and Rage magic enlarge before they both collide and gave a powerful destruction. The walls around were beginning to crack because of the two. Gray was huffing loud, same for Gelo but in silence. Both glared to each other.
"Cut this crap!" Gray shouted in anger, "Are you really that loyal to this organization of yours or was it because of the experiments that you became loyal to them. Did your own will and mind completely disappear!?"
Gelo narrowed his eyes, "You had been speaking so endlessly about that. Did you think you have a right to question my action?"
"Then have you ever question your own ACTION!?"
"Not ones and never will."
Gray twitch, 'Is this the result of the experiment they were making? Those bastards!'
"Ice God's Field!" The walls, floor and everything around had frozen. Slowly Gray's foot was being frozen as well.
"Shit!" He cursed as he tried to destroy it but it won't.
"It's useless." Gelo said as he walked forward, wanting to end him now that he can't move. "Time to end your life."
Magic was forming to his hand which made him twitch as he was about to use magic for counter but Gelo immediately act and freeze both of his hands.
Gray's eyes widen. Gelo narrowed his eyes, "As long as you are within my field, anything is useless."
Gray narrowed his eyes as something is forming to his hand, seems his final attack.
'I can't let myself lose here. I won't!' Both Gray's fist began to glow, seems trying to destroy the straining ice from within.
'Still resisting until the end' Gelo thought as he raised his right hand, pointing to him. 'People who kept resisting, especially the organization is unforgivable.'
"Ice God's Eternal Slumber!" A magic circle was form to his hand which also appeared in the bottom of Gray as it began to create earthquake.
"Wha-what's happening!?" Gray shouted, he could feel a powerful magic coming from below.
Gelo didn't give any reaction as he focus on his magic. Soon a light had surrounded Gray with strong cold wind and soon dispersed. There is no sign of Gray.
Gelo huff, "A strong yet fragile." He turned around and walked away, deciding to find the other companions and kill them when suddenly, his body froze for unknown reason.
'Wha-why can't I move?' Gelo thought as he tried to push himself to move but his body won't budge at all.
"Phew… that was close." A familiar voice said which shocked Gelo. Behind him was Gray, wounded but alive and standing. Gelo's eyes widen, "H-How are you…!"
"Heh" Gray smirked, "Getting free from your magic was totally hard… but that doesn't mean I'll let myself be killed so easily." He stood up straight as he ready his own final attack, "It was a matter of minute before I completely vanished."
Gelo glared, "Y-you… wha-what did you do to me?"
"Same as you did to me but in the different way. I will not let you escape." Gray glared as two formed to his palm and dashed forward and attacked him from behind, "Ice Devil's Zeroth Long Sword!"
Twin devil swords appeared in Gray's hand and used them to give multiple slash in Gelo's body.
"GRAAAAAAAH!"
The damage Gray gave also froze his body as he fall down on the ground. Seeing closely the damage he gave wasn't really grave enough to kill him but still enough to make him lost consciousness for a long time.
Gray turned back to him to see him down, 'I will not kill you… after all… you lose the will of freedom in this organization.' Suddenly he felt the pain of his body, 'Shit' He curse as he slowly walk on the nearest wall and slid his back there before sitting down. His body is too painful for him to move forward.
'I'll rest for a while.' Gray decided before closing his eyes, 'Everyone… save that flamebrain… no matter what.'
Unknown room, Natsu had already lost consciousness. There are many things were attached to his chest, must be for monitoring his heart beat and so forth.
"Sir everything is ready." The one who monitor his data said. The head nodded before pointing the next thing which was a large tube, "Enter him there and we'll start alternating everything about him. Hopefully we could recover his magic as well."
"S-sir what if this boy didn't regain his magic after alternating his mind?" One of the scientists asked. The head answered, "That only means he had no use for us and he's good as dead. Now hurry up!"
"Sir yes sir!"
Natsu was only silent, not knowing what will happen ahead of him.
Somewhere hallway, Yua, Sting, Rogue, Lector, Frosh, Happy, Carla, Wendy and Erza were still running until they found another stair and went down. As they go, the Dragon Slayers picked up something.
"Someone is waiting for us ahead." Wendy informed them.
Yua narrowed her eyes for a moment before they all face the one who was waiting for them and they all recognize him. It was him, the man who led the group and took Natsu away from them.
"So you are here after all… Levin." Yua said in cold tone.
The person who was name Levin smirk, "It's been a long time since I see you… Master."
"You have a teacher? That's surprising for someone like you." Someone showed up from behind and it was Flaira who swayed her hair, "Who would ever think the person that our boss despised to kill was actually someone you know? Does that depress you?"
"Depress?" Levin smirked wider, "It only made me excited."
Yua stepped forward, "You people go. Head next to the stair and searched around the place. Natsu could be around there now."
"What's make you think that?" Happy asked. Yua answered, "If someone was waiting for you is the strongest, that would mean the most protective is somewhere near."
"If so why are you suggesting the next floor? Wouldn't that be here?" Lector asked. Yua glance to them, "Normally that was always the circumstances but he is different. His magic is enhancive type, if he over powered there is a high chance the room he was protecting would be destroyed. The organization itself can't make a risk."
"Over power… is he that strong?" Sting asked in narrowed eyes to his enemy.
Yua turned back to them and smirk, "Of course, that stupid brat is my student."
"You never change master." Levin said as he gripped his hand.
"While you disappoint me Levin. Did this organization easily capture you…" She narrowed her eyes, "Or you join in your own free will."
"You know me well master." Levin said as he stepped forward and took a fighting stance. "The time has come to see who will fall between us master."
"Ohhh this is sweet. I hate to break this to you but Boss doesn't wish for you to fight alone. I will butt in whenever you like it or not." Flaira said with her seductive smirk.
"You people should go while I keep this people busy." Yua said as she ready her fist.
That surprised them.
Erza stepped forward as she summoned her sword, "This is two against one, I'll join you Yua."
"Don't you'll just get in the way." Yua said in cold tone that surprise Erza, "But-"
"The most important here is Natsu." Yua said in cold and serious tone to them, "The plan here was to make the other team come and get Natsu but I never thought they would be so slow. It is now up to you whenever you can save Natsu in time or not. Don't waste time and go."
They looked to each other, unsure about whenever they go and leave everything to her or help her.
Sting gripped his hand, forcing himself to accept his decision before turning to Yua in determine tone. "Catch up with us as soon as possible Yua-san." She didn't reply, only turning to her opponents. Sting will take that as a yes. He turned to the others, "Let's go everyone!"
Sting began to run and slowly they follow.
"W-wait Sting-kun!" Lector shouted. Frosh followed, "Don't leave me behind!"
Erza glance to her for a moment before turning to where the others run and followed but of course with her last word for her. "You better catch up with Gray, Lucy and Yukino."
Yua can only sigh to that as she feels they are heading far from them.
"Huh? You are fighting us alone? You must be joking right?" Flaira mocked, hating the fact they are being under estimated. Levin however knew better, "She alone is enough to deal both of us. So shut your mouth before she kills you."
"Levin you know me well." Yua commented before showing her bloodlust that seems to surprise Flaira, "Let's see how you ants can deal with me. Your boss under estimated me ones, I hope this not twice especially for you Levin."
Levin glared, "Fine by me Master."
Without a second, Levin dashed forward so fast that he's already in front of her and punched her that create a strong wave force around them.
I do not own Fairy Tail
Is the chapter fine to you readers? I hope so. I will thank you all for reading and still looking forward for it.
Oh Your Author have a huge announcement!
One of my readers, Mio Ri Chan had made a manga of Returning Back Home Quest that will be release in this very day. One is in Youtube and the other is Wattpad, just find the author Mio Ri Chan and find her English version of Returning Back Home Quest because in her work there are two, Indonesian and English. Just find "Fairy Tail Doujinshi Returning Back Home Quest" for both websites.
Your author was really happy for her work, I know you readers will feel the same way too when you read it.
Next chapter release: June 9