Chapter 10: Phantom Lord vs Fairy Tail!
"WHERE'S LUCY!" Natsu yelled barging into the main room of the Phantom Lord hideout after literally blowing the doors off their hinges. The hundred or so members whipped their heads in his direction as the rest of Fairy Tail entered the building standing behind him. They were definitely outnumbered, but that wasn't going to stop Natsu from rescuing his friend.
"So much for being stealthy…" Gray sighed from where he stood next to Juvia and Erza who just stared at the back of Natsu in horror.
"NOW THAT'S HOW FAIRY TAIL MAKES AN ENTRANCE….MANLY!" Elfman rushed to stand next to Natsu.
"That boy seriously will send me to the grave early…" Makarov grumbled. Phantom Lord's members had soon recovered from the shock and had stood to their feet, some drawing weapons, but others just waiting to see what happened. Natsu glared straight forward, his face darkened, and his fists spontaneously combusted into a raging fire, several scared members slowly backed up, while Fairy Tail followed Natsu's lead. Gray placed his fist on his open palm, Elfman held out an arm letting it transform into a lizard-like scaled arm with claws. Alzack and Bisca stood back to back holding their guns, Erza transformed into a pair of red hakama pants with yellow flames at the bottom, white bandages wrapped around her torso leaving her midriff exposed, she held two samurai swords.
A second later the Phantom Lord people had charged at the Fairy Tail members. Natsu grinned and rushed forward connecting with fiery punch after fiery punch. Gray took out several enemies at once by slapping his hands on the ground freezing it over causing them to slide all over. Erza was locked in a six on one fight the clashing of the swords echoed through the room. Elfman swung wildly taking out multiple people at once.
"Juvia used to love this guild, but now I belong with Fairy Tail!" Juvia shouted, sending a large wave crashing onto them. Jet ran around the room at impossible speeds taking out people one by one. While Droy had summoned plants to come from the ground and wrap around others. Cana was just punching with one arm while chugging her vodka with the other, clearly not interested in the fight. If Natsu was honest with himself, these guys weren't putting up much of a fight, he was easily making his way through goon after goon. He hadn't even gotten touched yet. In fact, it was kind of fun. He quickly shook off the thought, keeping his focus on finding Lucy.
"OI! JET!" He yelled out, as he simultaneously dodged a baseball bat swing, knocking out the attacker. The orange hair guy made his way over to Natsu the literal second the sentence had escaped Natsu's mouth.
"Yo! What's up Natsu?" He asked as they quickly stood back to back to continue deflecting the onslaught of attackers while having a conversation.
"I need you to do me a solid…" Natsu began blocking a punch and sending a flame kick to the person who threw it.
"I'm all ears buddy!" Jet replied, delivering a series of punches that looked more like a blur to one guy.
"Here take this. That's Luce...I need you to find her, this place is huge and you're fast enough to look pretty much everywhere." Natsu took a break from bashing the oncoming goons' faces to reach into his pocket, fishing something out. Grabbing his phone he handed it behind him, Jet snatched it from Natsu, he saw that Natsu's wallpaper was him standing next to some blonde girl, he immediately guessed that it was Lucy.
"Okay I gotcha man! Give these guys a couple good licks for me…" Jet agreed and zoomed off, knocking over several people in the process. Natsu cracked his knuckles and returned to the scrum.
"Children stay here! I'm going to go and find Jose!" Makarov yelled out so that all of them could hear him. He ran off in the same direction as Jet had. Gray created an ice wall in front of the stairs so that nobody could follow them. Gunshots could be heard as Alzack and Bisca were sniping goon after goon with rubber bullets leaving grapefruit sized bullets where they had hit. Erza had changed her outfit once more and was now clad in an all silver angel looking suit of armor she had even summoned several swords to form a spiraling circle behind her, she took out several people at once, just by pointing the sword in front of her causing the circle of swords to fly forward. Natsu created two fire ribbons that he held with his hands and whipped them around.
Unbeknownst to Fairy Tail, a shadowy figure with long black hair, and many metallic studs loomed from high up in the rafters grinning down at the brawl, he cracked his neck and knuckles. Before jumping down to join the fray.
Makarov was currently running throughout the large building with the hopes of running into the Master of this guild. Finally the shorter old man saw a tall man looking out a window.
"Makarov Dreyar…" The man spoke, turning to face Makarov revealing his face.
"Jose Porla..." Makarov replied in a growly voice.
"I should've known Fairy Tail would be the ones behind such a loud ruckus."
"That so-called ruckus is for a very good reason. To think a guild master could do something so heinous."
"Why, I haven't the slightest idea what you are talking about my old friend."
"Like Hell you don't!" Makarov snapped, a vein popping from his forehead."
"Oh don't tell me….This is all about the Heartfilia girl isn't it? I must say I'm shocked you would defend her after what her father has done." Jose dropped his false friendly tone and his normal malicious tone returned.
"The sins of the father do not concern his child! Let her go!"
"I'm afraid I cannot do that." Jose stated bluntly. Makarov scowled, he flexed his fist, anger swelling up inside him as he stared down Jose.
"And why not?..." Jose just smirked and his body began to fade away. Makarov watched on in silence as Jose soon vanished completely.
"A hologram?! Damn you Jose!"
With all the commotion still happening downstairs, and Jose and Makarov having a staredown, Jet was zig-zagging through the halls, checking every room he came across. He had lost count of how many doors he had opened, how many dead-ends he had faced, but that didn't stop him, he kept running faster and faster. Until he made his way to the final hallway left unchecked, it was filled with what appeared to be prison cells.
"If she's anywhere it's gotta be here." Jet exclaimed and rushed over to the door after door flinging them open. After he opened the last his eyes opened in horror.
"No way! She's not here?!" Jet fell to his knees out of exhaustion, his body shaking slightly.
"That means...we weren't fast enough this has been for nothing!" He slowly got back to his feet and ran back to the main hall to join the others. Unfortunately something was waiting for him, or someone. As he was running, something wrapped around his ankles and tripped him over. He looked around as laughter soon filled the halls.
"Going so soon monsieur, non non non!" Jet watched on in silence as a man rose from the ground itself.
"Who are you?!" Jet snapped struggling to get to his feet, but to no avail as it seemed like he was sinking into the ground itself.
"Je m'appelle Sol of the Element Trois!" The skinny green haired man introduced himself bowing formally. The formalities didn't last long however as a wicked grin broke across his face. Jet continued to struggle to free his feet as he sunk lower into the ground.
The next thing that followed was a scream that reverberated throughout the entire tower. It was so loud that despite the chaos in the main hall, everybody could still hear it. Droy looked around recognizing it as his best friend.
"HANG ON JET I'M COMING!" He ran up the stairs, accidentally bumping past Natsu whose eyes were the size of saucers. If Jet was hurt….That meant it was his fault. He didn't have much more time to focus on that thought before a loud clang came from the center of the room. He turned to look at the source of it to see a muscular, tall man with long black hair.
"What do we have here? A couple of fairies that strayed too far from home?" He asked, and instantly all the Phantom Lord guild mates were chatting with one another in excitement.
"Is that Black Steel?"
"We're saved!"
"TEACH EM A LESSON GAJEEL!"
"GIVE THEM HELL!"
"YEAH! SHOW THEM WHAT PHANTOM LORD IS MADE OF!" Natsu let out a growl as Gajeel smirked cockily in his direction.
"Hey there pinky...How's the noggin?" He quipped Natsu just lit his fist aflame. He recognized this Gajeel guy, he was the one who attacked him and Levy, he was the one who kidnapped Lucy. Natsu didn't reply, instead he charged forward. All of Fairy Tail stood down as well as Phantom Lord watching to see how this played out. Gray, Juvia and Erza had gone off to search for Makarov as well as Jet and Droy. Gajeel smirked as Natsu came closer.
"Bad move." He held out an arm and before Natsu knew what was happening his arm transformed into a metallic club.
"NATSU LOOK OUT!" Alzack cried out, but it was too late as Gajeel swung his arm into Natsu's side, sending him crashing into a wall next to the group of Fairy Tail people, several Phantom Lord members broke into cheers at this.
"I know who that is….That's Black Steel, Gajeel Redfox. His ability allows him to transform his body into solid metal in any shape he wants…..This won't be good, I heard he's unbeatable." Cana muttered just loud enough for Natsu and the rest to hear her. Natsu grimaced, clutching his side as Bisca helped him up, that one swing had probably cracked a couple of ribs, plus his crash into the wall did a number on him.
"Unbeatable or not….I owe him a couple good hits for Lucy and Levy!" Natsu exclaimed once he was back on his feet. Surging forward once more, Gajeel's grin grew. This time his arm transformed into a saw blade. He swung at the oncoming Natsu who slid under it. Gajeel looked down in surprise as Natsu puffed his cheeks out while sliding on the ground between Gajeel's legs. When he was directly under Gajeel he let out the stream of fire sending him up into the air. This silenced the Phantom Lord side of the room, Natsu quickly flipped up onto his feet and leapt into the air. His foot encased with flames as he smashed into Gajeels midsection causing him to fall to the ground creating a hole in the ground. Natsu landed onto the floor gracefully as his guildmates cheered on.
"YEAH THAT'S HOW SALAMANDER DOES THINGS! LIKE A MAN! UNLIKE BLACK STEEL!"
"ATTA BOY KICK HIM AGAIN!" Cana drunkenly cheered. Natsu smirked while Gajeel rose from his small little crater, the two staring each other down. The two prepared to launch at each other once again, before Makarov's voice boomed from above them. They both looked up to see Makarov with a sunken expression while Gray and Juvia supported Droy up, and Erza carrying Jet. Both Jet and Droy looked badly beaten.
"NATSU WE ARE LEAVING AT ONCE!" The master spoke. Natsu stared at the two unmoving members of Fairy Tail, his heart seemed to stop, and his breath hitched.
"Lucy isn't even here! This whole thing was some kind of diversion!" Gray explained, and that sealed the deal for Natsu, this whole thing was now pointless.
"Aye." He spoke softly, turning his back to Gajeel who glared at him.
"Awww running away already! Things were just getting interesting!" He mocked, but Natsu ignored him.
"What's the matter Salamander….chicken?!"
"YEAH YOU JUST HAD A LUCKY SHOT!"
"WHAT WERE YOU SAYING ABOUT BEING A REAL MAN?!"
Soon all of Fairy Tail had walked out of the tower their heads hung low, while the jeering from Phantom Lord continued.
It had been three hours since the brawl with Phantom Lord. Natsu and the rest had long since returned to their small little base. Cana silently drank at the bar next to Bisca, Alzack and Elfman while Mira was uncharacteristically somber. Gray, Juvia and Erza sat at a table with the Master discussing their next plan of action. Meanwhile Natsu was sitting in the infirmary staring at the three occupied beds that now held Levy, Jet and Droy. He felt tears burning in his eyes as he tapped his foot on the cobblestone floor.
"Levy….you're here, because you were trying to do what I was too weak to do and protect Lucy…"
"Jet….You got hurt, because of me as well, I should've gone to look for Lucy myself…."
"And Droy…..You were trying to save your friend….All of this is my fault…." Natsu began to silently cry as he placed all the blame on himself. It had all been his idea to storm the Phantom Lord headquarters and it was all for nothing, Lucy wasn't even there.
"Pardon me...Are you hurt as well?" A soft squeaky voice informed him of a new presence. He glanced at the door and sall a small girl, maybe twelve years old standing there. She wore a green, and yellow dress, her purple hair tied into two long pigtails, and she hugged a small white cat close to her chest. On the same shoulder as Natsu's, a blue Fairy Tail emblem was exposed. Natsu wiped his tears away hastily and smiled at the young girl warmly.
"N-no I'm fine, I don't believe we met. I'm Natsu…" He held out a hand for her to take, she instead just curtseyed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Wendy Marvell, I'm Porlyusica's assistant, and this is Carla!" She smiled back at him.
"It's nice to meet you too!" Natsu beamed at the small girl. She glanced to his bandaged arm for a second before her eyes returned to his face.
"Are you sure you don't need me to check that out? I have the power to heal people!" She asked worriedly, slowly making her way over to Natsu to take a look at his arm. She took it into her hands and made a move to unwrap the bandages before Natsu quickly pulled it back. Wendy gave him a curious look.
"That's okay actually!" Another curious glance was sent at his direction from the young girl. He just chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"If you say so…" Natsu's eyes landed on something shiny from the outside, it looked like it was growing closer. His eyes widened in horror.
"WENDY GET DOWN!" He jumped in front of her pushing her head down to the ground hovering over her protectively. A second later a large metal pillar crashed through the wall. He slowly got to his feet, eyes wide as he looked down to the terrified girl. He helped her to her feet, and looked at the black pillar of iron that had crashed through the side of the building. It looked oddly similar to Gajeel's metal. The door that led to the main area flung open.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Gray yelled out upon noticing the pillar. Natsu just shrugged in reply holding Wendy close to him as the poor girl shook in fear staring at the strange projectile. Soon another loud crashing could be heard coming from the roof, the sound of metal splintering the wood could be heard. Followed by another one, and another one.
"EVERYONE WE NEED TO EVACUATE AT ONCE! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!" Makarov yelled out. Elfman had rushed into the infirmary looking at Natsu and Gray.
"We need to get the wounded out of here! Like real men!" He exclaimed waltzing over to Droy's bed and flinging the larger man over his shoulder as if he weighed nothing
"On it!"
"Aye sir!" Natsu and Gray grabbed Jet, and Levy from their respective beds, as the building began to shake as if it was about to come crashing down any second now. Natsu carried Levy bridal style and had Wendy hop on his back. They ran out into the main area and saw even more metal pillars had embedded themselves inside the building's structure. They rushed to the front door, stumbling to the building's shaking. The burst into the cold night, the snow crunching under their feet as they ran away from the building. They rendezvoused with the rest of the guild members outside of the building. The three men set the injured gently down onto the snowy ground. They turned to face the guild hall and let out a collective gasp. The tiny building had several large black iron pillars sticking out of it. There were several large holes in it where the pillars had smashed into it.
"This is just terrible…." Mira held her hands close to her face horrified.
"Jose….You will pay for this." Makarov growled.
"This is just unreal! What could have done this?!" Gray exclaimed.
"Juvia cannot believe Gajeel would do this…"
"This transgression goes too far!" Erza snapped looking around for where the source of the pillars was. Many more grumbles and cries came from the others, but Natsu stayed silent. Yet again, this was his fault. Even when he tried to do good, he was nothing, but trouble. He was shaken from his thoughts when he felt something tug at his singular sleeve. He looked down and saw Wendy looking up at him, she was crying.
"N-Natsu….I think C-Carla is still inside…" She whimpered, Natsu's heart plummeted as he looked at the small girl's face. He could see the fear in his eyes, he imagined that's exactly what he looked like the night he found Igneel. He crouched down and ruffled her hair, looking into her eyes he smiled softly.
"Don't worry kiddo….I'll get her back." Without waiting for a response, he stood back to his feet and ran back towards the building that was ready to collapse.
"NATSU WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!"
"IT'S NOT SAFE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"JUVIA WANTS NATSU TO COME BACK PLEASE!"
"NATSU STOP RIGHT NOW!"
Natsu ignored his friend's cries and continued running forward. He burst through the wooden door knocking it off its hinges in the process.
"I'm sorry guys...but I need to do some good today." He muttered, the groaning of the building grew louder and chunks of the roof had started falling down. He dodged out of the way of the falling scraps, and ran to the infirmary which is the last place he saw Wendy's cat. Flinging the door open he hastily looked around the room, under the sheets, the beds, behind the curtains. Nothing. She must have been scared by the loud noises and had run off somewhere.
"CARLA?! HERE KITTY KITTY!" He yelled out rolling out of the way of another chunk of the ceiling from crushing him. He ran back into the main room, and began searching under the tables as the building's shaking got worse by the second. He didn't have much time left, before he was buried under the collapsed building. Picking up the speed, he started looking in every crevice he could find. Behind the job board, under all the chairs, inside the closet. No sign of the cat, finally he rushed over to the bar. Meowwww. A terrified sounding noise could be heard from behind the bar, bingo.
"Carla!" Natsu hopped over the bar's countertop, several bottles of alcohol had fallen from the shelves and shattered on the ground, the glass shards stabbed into Natsu's knees as he rummaged under the bar for the white cat. Another fierce shake caused another bottle to fall from the shelf and crash into Natsu's head. Shattering on impact, thankfully the bottle was empty leaving him dry, save for the drops of blood that now trickled down the top of his head. He hissed in pain, throwing a hand to his head, he suddenly felt dizzy, but he couldn't give into his body's wishes of just collapsing onto the cold ground, he ignored the pain and returned feeling around for the cat. His hands soon grazed over something small and fuzzy, he smirked and wrapped his hands around the small cat and picked her up. Carla hissed at him, scratching and attempting to bite his arm. Natsu ignored it, and stood back to his feet.
"Come on Carla, we need to get out of here! Wendy's waiting." Natsu spoke to the feline and began walking over to the exit, unable to walk in a straight line, he had bumped into the tables and chairs scattered all over the place, tripping over the uneven areas on the floorboards. He was somehow able to escape though emerging into the snowy night. He managed to get out of the building and far enough to escape the collapse that occurred seconds after he emerged.
"NATSU!" Wendy exclaimed, rushing towards him, Natsu smiled at the girl and handed her the white cat, who gave one final hiss to Natsu before returning into her owner's arms.
"CARLA! YOU'RE OKAY! THANK YOU NATSU YOU ARE THE BEST!" She exclaimed hugging the pinkette who smiled softly. At least he was someone's hero tonight, his vision blurred and he stumbled around falling to the ground.
"Oh no! Are you hurt?" Wendy asked, squatting down next to the sitting Natsu. The others all made their way towards him.
"Natsu!...You idiot come here!" Erza snapped sliding on the snowy ground on her knees and enveloping him in a crushing hug.
"What the heck were you thinking man? You could've died!" Gray scolded him, but Natsu could tell that he was glad he was okay deep down.
"Juvia is glad her friend is okay!"
"THAT WAS MANLYYYYY!"
Wendy began to inspect the top of Natsu's head, a warmth overflowing his body as a green glow shone from her hands. Makarov let out a sigh.
"You might be even more reckless than Gildarts my dear boy…." He frowned, and Natsu looked away.
"That being said...I'm glad you are safe and sound…." He smiled warmly at Natsu who avoided eye contact.
"Natsu, is something wrong?" Mira asked softly when she noticed him avoiding eye contact. He didn't say anything. Erza let go of him to inspect his face, she knew that he always hated feeling vulnerable, ever since her, and Gray had known him he had always been too stubborn to admit he had faults. She nudged his shoulder, giving him a look to let him know that it was okay to share his feelings. He looked down to the ground, taking a shaky breath.
"I'm sorry guys….I'm really sorry, I'm the worst, it's my fault Jet, and Droy are hurt...This whole thing is my fault." He curled his legs up, he really was a failure. He had gotten his new family hurt, in a failed attempt to save his best friend. His best friend who wasn't even there. He was shocked when he felt another pair of arms snake around from behind him. He turned and saw it was Wendy, she sniffled.
"Y-you saved Carla...you're my hero for that! You're not the worst...You're the best!"
"Yeah man, besides the way you were willing to charge head first into enemy territory to save that Lucy girl, it took some stones so don't beat yourself up about it!" Cana smirked.
"Heck yeah sugah! You have nothin' to be ashamed of, you went toe to toe with Gajeel! Mighty cool if you ask me!" Bisca added.
"Bisca's right! You're alright in my book!" Alzack agreed.
"It's really sweet that you care about them so much! But Jet, and Droy will be just fine, and I am positive they won't blame you. So don't blame yourself!" Mira smiled down at him.
"Yeah you really are the manliest man for real!" Elfman stated bluntly.
"Natsu….you still have much to learn about what it means to be part of a guild, that building was nice and all, but what really makes a guild is how strong our bonds are. Fairy Tail isn't a raggedy old shack, it's the people who bear it's emblem….And that emblem means that we fall together, it is not one individual's fault….but when we fall, that helps us rise back up!" Makarov spoke, and Natsu felt his body start to shake.
"We don't blame ya man...So don't blame yourself!" Gray placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder, the two glanced at each other and smirked.
"Gray my love you are so sweet!" Juvia interrupted the two brother's moment, tackling her boyfriend. Erza shook her head, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"What do ya say Natsu? You wanna keep moping around? Or…..do you want to save Lucy?" Natsu's expression turned to one of pure determination.
"I'M GOING TO SAVE LUCE!" He yelled out holding his hand up into the air. The others smiled at him as he rose to his feet.
"Let's go teach these Phantom Lord punks what Fairy Tail is really made of!" Makarov chirped, everyone letting out yells of agreement. Except for Gray who crossed his arms, and stared off into the horizon.
"I hate to be that guy, but we don't even know where Jose and Lucy are, they could be anywhere in Ishgar for all we know." The mood quickly darkened. They all looked around at each other, but Makarov soon spoke up.
"They are going to be at City Hall…." Everyone's eyes were soon locked on him.
"Master, how do you know that?" Erza asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
"Jose's vendetta is with Mayor Heartfilia...That's the reason he took his daughter….If they are anywhere it's City Hall."
"Are you positive?" Natsu asked, locking eyes with the Master.
"I am." Natsu cracked a smirk at Makarov's response.
"Then to City Hall we go!" Natsu exclaimed and rushed off in that direction, the rest of Fairy tail following him. Wendy stayed behind to tend the injured. Soon enough they were in the heart of Magnolia, luckily thanks to it being Christmas night there wasn't any traffic. Soon the large building was in sight. There were hundreds of people standing outside of it, they wore matching outfits with the Phantom Lord emblem on the front. The gang stopped just in front of the building for Makarov to make a plan. They all huddled up.
"Alzack, Bisca, Cana, Mirajane….Stay out here, see if you can get in contact with anyone else from the guild..." Makarov began, the people he assigned agreeing instantly.
"Natsu, Gray, Juvia, Erza, and Elfman. You shall be our attack team. Now let's go show Phantom Lord what Fairy Tail is made of….As of right now we are at war!" Makarov finished, the Fairy Tail gang all smirked at each other, some stretched and cracked their knuckles or necks.
"I'm coming for ya Luce…" Natsu muttered under his breath, as he turned to face the City Hall Building where Phantom Lord soldiers were bracing for the oncoming assault. Soon they all stood in a line standing still taking a moment to get mentally ready.
Jose looked out of the main window of Jude's office down at the scene. An evil glint in his eye. Gajeel walked up to stand next to him, leaving the motionless body of Lucy on the floor.
"Those fools….they are vastly outnumbered, and yet they don't back down….I need you to prepare the Element Three incase they break in…"
"Yes sir, but what about the Heartfilia girl?" Gajeel replied, pointing back to the girl who had duct tape over her mouth, and wrapped around her arms and legs binding her.
"I want you to hear her somewhere and stand guard, if my plan is to succeed we mustn't let these Fairies interfere and take her. You destroyed their headquarters already, I take it?"
"Of course. What are you going to do might I ask?"
"I shall wait here. I have a feeling Makarov will come to me."
"If that is what you wish…" Gajeel walked over to Lucy flinging her over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing. He fished out a walkie talkie, holding it up to his mouth he spoke.
"Oi, Earth, fire, Wind...Bossman wants you to be at the welcome party...Give those Fairies Hell…" He left the room leaving Jose alone to look down at the street below.
"Your move old friend…"
Back down Makarov took a step forward and turned to face his children who were all lined up.
"I hope you lot are ready, cause this will be a long, hard fight….But we will prevail! I have faith in each and every one of them, so go forth and give them Hell! For Fairy Tail!" He pointed forward after finishing his small pep talk, immediately they all ran forward. Natsu, Erza and Gray lead the charge. All at once and in unison every single member shouted one phrase.
"FOR FAIRY TAIL!"
Chapter 11: Gray and Juvia vs Totomaru and Aria!