Chapter 17: City of Stone

It was a night unlike any other, a night the city of Magnolia would remember for years to come. The night of January 16th 2020. The night where a video had been on everyone's TV, or sent to their phones, maybe even their computers. The moment they watched that video something strange occurred. Something Lucy Heartfilia, along with so many others were about to find out. She sat on a box in her and Natsu's living room, with Happy on her lap mindlessly petting the cat while watching an old rerun of That 70's show. Comfily bundled in a blanket she scrolled through her phone texting Levy back and forth about a new book that was coming out by their favorite author, when it chimed. A notification popped up, a random number had texted her with a link attached that led to the strange video.

"Ummmm...no thanks, and blocked." She muttered blocking the number that had sent the video. The second she confirmed blocking the number her phone buzzed three more times. All from different numbers, all with the same link. This was starting to freak her out. Her phone went off five more times, again all with that link to the strange video.

"Okay this is getting freaky, maybe I should shut it off, it might have gotten hacked." Lucy muttered and did as she suggested to herself. Placing her phone back in her pocket, her attention returned to the television, it was in the middle of a scene when it began to show static. The show flickered, before the static took over the entire screen and cut the show out completely. Lucy's eyebrows raised. This was getting creepier and creepier. The static soon faded out and a figure soon stood in the center frame. The picture was blurry so she couldn't tell who it was, but it was definitely terrifying. As the camera focused on the person in the middle of the screen, they became recognizable. If the purple button up shirt with the popped collar combined with a black fur lined jacket around broad shoulders wasn't enough of a giveaway as to who it was. The blonde spikey hair with a lightning bolt shaped scar on his face was. Laxus.

"What's going on?" Lucy asked herself. Laxus stood there completely still, his arms crossed and eyes were closed. He slowly opened them. He stared directly into the camera almost as if he was staring through the glass of Lucy's TV right at her. He stayed like that for a few seconds before speaking.

"Ladies and gentleman of Magnolia. I am aware that I need no introduction, but allow me to give you one for those uniformed losers. My name is Laxus Dreyar, the living lightning bolt as many of you have called me. Following tonight's speech from that idiot Mard Geer, I feel I have no other choice than this. I have stayed silent and by the side for too long as I watched this city fall apart. With the help with my Thunder Legion I have hijacked this TV station, and everyone in the city should be watching this video now. This is my revolt, I have plans for this city, I'm going to save it. To do that, I need to start from scratch…..Evergreen, come do your thing." Laxus walked off camera and the brunette girl walked onto the camera, a smirk on her face as she toyed with her glasses.

"Why thank you leader….Now listen up, cause I'm only going to say this once….keep your eyes on mine…." She started removing her glasses completely. Lucy was confused, she tried to look away and turn off the TV, but she couldn't move. Just as Evergreen took off her glasses, strange purple text began floating around the screen. Then Evergreen's eye began to glow. Something was wrong, Lucy felt strange, she tried to move, but couldn't. Her skin began to turn grey, her eyes widened in horror as she got turned into stone. Soon in the living room of the small shared apartment, a life-sized statue of Lucy Heartfillia sat where she once did, complete with a stone cat on her lap. She wasn't the only one, because the normally noisy city was completely dead silent as every last citizen slowly turned into a stone version of themselves.

Levy laid on her bed, when she began getting the strange notifications. Curiosity got the better of her. Clicking on it, she soon bore the same fate as Lucy. The same occurred to other members of Fairy Tail. Juvia, Elfman, Cana, little Wendy Marvell, and even Makarov.

"Mannnn I'm bored…." Natsu yawned from his perch atop a large building's roof. He had pulled down his mask and hood allowing the cool winter evening wind to hit his face. He had already been out for an hour and there was no action, usually there was something for him to do by now. Laying on his back he folded his arms behind his head like a pillow. He closed his eyes as his feet dangled off the ledge of the building. He really wished he had his phone right about now, next time he saw that jerk he would make him pay for a new one. He was just so bored right now. That's when he heard several loud noises coming from a nearby alley. Sitting up he rose to his feet, flicking his hood up, he also pulled up his scarf/mask leaving only his eyes exposed. Getting a running start he leapt from the rooftop onto another one, following the direction where the loud sounds were coming from. Jumping down into the alley in question he landed in the snow with a crunch. Looking around he saw that the alley was a wreck, the dumpster had been overturned, garbage spread everywhere, and what was that red stuff on the snow, was it blood? Following the trail of blood he saw someone laying on the ground face first. Natsu rushed over to the person. Flipping the unconscious figure over revealed a very bruised man with blood pouring down his face. Natsu's eyes grew to the size of saucers once he saw the man's face. Even with how banged up he was, his countless amount of face studs and piercings were always recognizable.

"Gajeel?" The man stirred in Natsu's arms, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked a few times. Then he shot up.

"Salamander?! Get off me!" He grunted, shrugging Natsu away. Natsu did as he was instructed and backed off.

"What happened to you?" Natsu asked the former Phantom Lord member, Gajeel cracked his neck, and rolled his shoulders. He stared down at the blood stained snow.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." He tried to stand up, but stumbled.

"No you're not, come on, we need to get you to a doctor."

"No, I'll be fine. Why do you care anyway? You must be getting soft, you do remember what I did to you, and your friend, you should be pleased your buddy blindsided me."

"Don't get me wrong, I still don't like ya, but I do believe in second chances. From what I hear, you were responsible for tracking down and turning in the Elemental Three. So I can tell you aren't all bad. I really meant what I said, if you were a member of Fairy Tail maybe we could have been friends. As for what happened to Lucy…..I will never forgive you, but I understand that you were following Jose's orders…."

"Friends huh? Can't say I ever had any of those, but no thanks. I'd rather die in this alley than be friends with you. Besides, that Laxus punk made it very clear I wouldn't be welcome with you Fairies."

"Wait what? Laxus? He did this to you?!" Natsu took his hood and mask down, and Gajeel turned to face him with a scowl.

"As a matter of fact yea, he did, but like I said I'm fine. Now leave me alone." With that he turned away, but Natsu stayed put, he needed answers.

"Why did Laxus attack you?" Natsu asked him. He saw Gajeel shrug.

"Dunno, he didn't say much as he pounded me into the dirt. All he said was that he was heading to the cathedral, to complete his plan…Whatever that is."

"Plan? Come to think of it he had a massive chip on his shoulder all week, I even had a scuffle with him earlier. He's not the easiest person to get along with….at all, I can't stand him."

"At least there's something we can agree on. Now if you excuse me, I'm heading to the cathedral to get some revenge." Gajeel walked off leaving Natsu alone in the alley.

"Laxus, what are you up to?" He pondered out loud before following the direction in which Gajeel left. After all he too had a score he needed to settle with Laxus if things got physical. While Gajeel and Natsu went off to confront Laxus, a few other people that were left untransformed were slowly discovering what was happening.

Gray had just finished up his shower, stepping out he quickly dried himself with a towel. As he began to put on clothes he called out to his blue haired girlfriend in his bedroom.

"Juvia, are you hungry? I could order some pizza." He shouted, but she didn't answer, maybe she couldn't hear him. Once he finished changing into clothes he stepped outside the bathroom and into his bedroom where she was laying on his bed, her laptop was open on her stomach, Gray didn't look at her as he walked over to his mirror to fix his damp hair.

"Hey, I didn't know if you heard me hun, did you want something to eat?" After combing out the tangles in his hair he turned to look at her when she didn't answer.

"Juvia?..." His normally droopy eyes shot wide open, she was stone!

"JUVIA WHAT HAPPENED?!" He ran over to the bed, and out of the corner of the eye he saw what was playing on her screen.

"Evergreen?! What the hell?" Rushing out of the room he stormed down the stairs of his aunt's house.

"UR?!" He called out as he approached the living room where he could hear the TV playing. It sounded like Laxus' voice. He was explaining that he had hijacked the television station, and was plotting something. This was bad, when he got into the living room not only had his Aunt Ur been turned to stone like Juvia, but so had one of his two cousins.

"Damnit….Lyon you too? I gotta get to the bottom of this.." Gray threw on a pair of boots and grabbed his white overcoat, he stepped outside of the house welcoming the cold air. Pulling his phone out of his pocket he dialed the first number that came to mind. Erza.

The redhead in question was currently standing by a microwave inside her, Cana's and Wendy's shared apartment. The sound of popcorn popping in the microwave soon ended, once the machine beeped she reached in and grabbed the steaming hot bag. She shook it before opening it and pouring the contents into a bowl. Picking the bowl up she walked out of the kitchen, but before she got into the living room her phone began to ring. She looked at the caller ID before answering.

"Hey Gray, why are you calling me at this hour?" She answered, Gray's voice on the other end sounded shaky and breathless, almost like he was running somewhere.

"Erza? Thank God, no time to explain, I need you to meet me at the Lacrima TV station building! It's important!"

"I'm confused Gray, what's going on?"

"I'll explain when you get here, are Cana, and Wendy okay?"

"I believe so. We are just about to watch a movie, why?"

"Okay perfect! I need you to bring them with you, I'll need whatever backup I can get."

"Okay? Let me go check on them…" Erza walked into the living room where she had left her two roomates, she was really confused about what Gray was on about. Once she walked into the living room her eyes widened, and her heart seemed to stop. They were sitting on the couch facing the television, turned to statues. She hastily raised her phone back to her mouth.

"Gray. What is going on? They are….they have been turned to stone!" She exclaimed, horrified, and shocked. She heard Gray curse on the other side.

"Long story cut short, Laxus happened. Him and his cronies are plotting something, they hijacked the station. Juvia, Ur, and Lyon have all been transformed as well! That's why I need you to come back me up! There has to be a way to change them back." Erza stared at her two roommates, instantly her decision being made.

"On my way."

"Perfect, I'm goin to see if anyone else was left normal." Gray replied, as he hung up Erza threw her phone down on a counter, she took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and focused her energy, a warm glow filled her living room, in a split second she was no longer in her comfy pajamas, but rather in a pink robe, with black detailing, and white fur on her torso. A green sash tied around her waist, and black skin tight pants tucked into white boots. Soon she was running towards the meeting place with Gray. Who was attempting to call for more backup, so far nobody had answered, Bisca, Alzack, Jet, Droy, heck he had even tried Gildarts, and Gramps. He thought about dialing Natsu's number, but he remembered that Natsu's phone exploded, and that there was a good chance he already was aware of the situation. Sighing he dialed the final number he could think of.

"Please pick up…" He muttered as the phone rang. After a few rings, he was ready to hang up, figuring the same thing that has happened to the others probably happened to them, but thank goodness someone picked up.

"Hello?" The bubbly voice of Mirajane was on the other end. Gray let out a sigh of relief.

"Mira, perfect. Listen...I need your help."

After explaining the situation to Mira who was still at the guild hall, cleaning up for the night, Gray told her to meet him and Erza at the designated location. They needed to do whatever they could do to reverse this whole thing. That was the most important thing at the moment, Laxus and whatever he was plotting would have to wait until then. As Gray ran through the city streets his blood began to boil, this was so messed up.

Natsu walked through the city looking around for where Gajeel went, the only thing he had to go off of was that Laxus was in the Cathedral, so that's where Gajeel probably had gone off. With each step on the city street the snow crunched under his boots. Snow had begun falling from the sky, and soon he was walking around in a heavy snowstorm, which was beginning to make him get a little cold, so using his powers to heat himself up he continued to walk around the abandoned streets. He saw a figure in the distance, they were running straight at him, Natsu stopped walking, and watched as the figure grew closer. As they drew neared he could make out very familiar white hair, mixed with a hot pink fur coat with a black dress, there was no mistake who it was.

"Mira?!" He called out, the figure stopped, and looked around for the voice, she looked around for a few seconds before looking in Natsu's direction.

"Natsu is that you?" She yelled out. Continuing her run in his direction.

"Yeah! It's me!" Finally she reached him.

"Did Gray get a hold of you as well?" She asked, Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"Ummm no, I don't have a phone anymore. Why, what's going on?" Natsu asked confused, Mira's nose wrinkled.

"Oh wow, so you don't know do you?" She exclaimed, surprised, Natsu tilted his head.

"I don't know what?"

"Laxus, and the Thunder Legion have turned everyone in Magnolia into stone statues! Laxus is plotting to control Magnolia, as well as Fairy Tail!" She hurriedly explained to Natsu.

"Waitwaitwait…..He's doing what now? Maybe that's what Gajeel was saying when he said Laxus had some kind of plan, but this is still a little messed up…"

"Wait Gajeel? When did you see him?" It was now Mira's turn to look puzzled. Natsu just shrugged her off.

"Nevermind that...What is he trying to accomplish by turning everyone to sto…." Natsu didn't finish his question, instead he stared somewhere off in the distance.

"Natsu?" Mira asked, trying to get him out of his trance.

"Oh my God….LUCY!" Natsu was about to run off into the direction of their apartment, but Mira grabbed his arm preventing him from rushing off.

"Natsu, you need to stay calm, I get your upset, but you'll be helping her by helping Gray, Erza, and I stop this….She'll be okay, she's a tough girl." Natsu shot the sweet girl a glare, before realizing she was right, but he was still upset.

"It's not just her is it?...It's everyone in Fairy Tail right? Including your brother?" Mira looked confused when he asked this, but the look he gave her told her that he wouldn't be satisfied without an answer.

"Yes Natsu…..I'm afraid that everyone, but me, Erza, and Gray have been affected as well…" She saw as Natsu's eyes darkened, the air grew warmer. Mira had seen Natsu get upset before, so she knew to stand back before she ended up getting burnt.

"You go help the other two with whatever you are doing….Laxus is at the Cathedral….that much I know….I'm going to go after him." Mira looked at him like he was insane, which he very much probably was in all fairness.

"Natsu, you can't be serious, you can't take Laxus all on your own! He's just too strong, he is literally only weaker than two people, his Grandfather, and Gildarts…." She tried to reason with him, but he didn't waver.

"I've been on the receiving end of one of his punches….I'm not scared of him…" Natsu turned in the direction he knew the Kardia Cathedral to be.

"You should be, he wasn't taking it seriously last time…." Mira sighed, still trying to talk Natsu out of his rash decision.

"...Neither was I…."

"Natsu…"

"Besides….He messed with my friends, I refuse to let him get away with that!...I don't care how strong he is, when push comes to shove, I'll get stronger, I won't lose when there are people counting on me." With that he turned his back to Mira completely, and walked off. Sure he was still injured, and banged up, but that wasn't going to stop him, he knew that this would be a tough fight, but he had to do the right thing. He knew Mira, and the others could handle the Thunder Legion, so he put it upon himself to beat Laxus himself. Mira watched as he walked off.

"That boy….You better be careful Natsu, but you're right, they attacked Fairy Tail…..That cannot be allowed to stand!" Mira then ran off in the direction of Lacrima TV station's building, where she would meet up with Gray, and Erza.

Meanwhile at Kardia Cathedral a lone figure sat on the steps inside the large building. His eyes were shut, his arms crossed, and electricity flickered all over the room. He slowly opened his eyes as the large doors burst open. Gajeel stumbled his way into the large room, blood still dripping down his face. Laxus smirked, as Gajeel limped in front of him.

"Back for more huh? Good, I thought I was starting to think I was going to be bored all night." Laxus stood up towering over Gajeel, who stood his ground.

"Do me a favor, and shut your trap bub….I hate a moving target." Gajeel turned his entire body into his metallic shell like he did against Natsu. Laxus stayed stone faced, standing still with his arms crossed as Gajeel blasted himself forward attacking with a flurry of punches. Laxus dodged all of them with ease, but Gajeel didn't relent, instead he kept his foot on the gas as he threw more and more punches until finally one made contact with Laxus's face. Gajeel smirked, lowering his fists, only to see Laxus hadn't even flinched.

"Pathetic…" Laxus muttered, and slowly raised his fist, lightning cracked around it, Gajeel was too stunned to dodge Laxus' left hook that caught him in the jaw. Gajeel cried out as the force of the punch sent him flying across the room. The lighting dancing around him electrocuted him, he landed hard on the ground his metal shell had completely shattered from just that one punch. Slow to his feet Gajeel rubbed his jaw, Laxus had re-crossed his arms across his stomach. Gajeel weakly got back up to his feet.

"I'll show you who the pathetic one really is…." Gajeel again sprung into action, leaping high into the air, he turned his legs into a giant drill, and began spinning in the air. Laxus stayed stationary as Gajeel came down on him, as Gajeel was about to make contact with him, he just held out his hand, and placed it in between himself and the drill point. Lightning shot from it, and spiraled up Gajeel's attack, before electrifying him again. Gajeel got sent backwards landing flat on his back. Laxus was whooping his ass, and he hadn't even moved more than one arm.

"It's still you. I changed my mind….You are boring me. Let's get this over with." He began to aim his hand at Gajeel who was laying on his back still, but before he shot a blast at him something prevented him, in the form of a flaming punch to the stomach. Sliding backwards he stood straight across from a flaming Natsu who had burst through the doors seconds earlier. Laxus grunted, as he returned the glare that Natsu was giving him. Gajeel sat up slightly.

"Took ya long enough Salamander...What kept ya?" Natsu kept his glare fixed on Laxus, who returned to his normal position.

"Gajeel…..I really hate to say this, but…...I need your help to take this guy down." Gajeel gave Natsu a weird look, but stood back up.

"I hate to admit it, but yeah….unfortunately we have to work together...Just don't get used to it...This is a one time thing!"

"Believe me I won't…..Just do me a favor, stay out of my way."

"Same goes to you." Laxus stood stoic as Gajeel, and Natsu both got into a fighting position.

"Perhaps this might be more fun than I thought...Bring it."

Chapter 18: Gray/Erza/Mira vs The Thunder Legion