What's up, everyone! This is GKC here bringing you the next chapter of "Spirits of Fairies".
Apologies for the late arrival but work kept me busy. But the views as well as the reviews are what kept me going.
Also, some Guest reviewer named "Limitless" asked if I was a chuuni. I looked up the meaning and I will tell you this now, I sure as hell am not a chuuni. So, I will say this, if you don't like reading it then go away. You ain't hurting my feelings. You're just one reader over a thousand others.
Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OCs, Fairy Tail or the Fate series. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Now let's get this party started… BEGIN!
Chapter 6: Tower of Heaven Part 3: Heaven's Game
Nope.
…
…
Nope.
…
…
Nope.
Geez, even with Lancer's speed, it's hard trying to find Natsu. I know he's in the catgirl's room but just where the hell is it? I didn't exactly get a freaking floor plan for it.
The only way I can tell where he is would be-
*BOOOOOOOM!*
Ah, there he is. Leave it to Natsu to make a big explosion or cause destruction wherever he goes.
With a small jog, at least by Servant standards, I followed the sound of fighting until I came upon an open room. When I looked inside, I spotted Natsu tied up…and wearing that ridiculous cat helmet- Are those freaking tears!?
Oh, right. Wally and Millianna are also there but the latter seems more focused on Natsu's crying kitty face. Then all of a sudden, the furry rope tied around him fell while Happy (Oh, there he is.) gaped in shock. "Whoa, it really worked!"
"Why the hell did ya let him go, yah dingbat?!" the Blockhead demanded.
Millianna sniffled as she took out a handkerchief and used it to cover her nose. "Mm, poor little kitty looks so sad!" She whimpered.
"Oh for crying out loud!" Wally hollored.
"I'm a free man!" Natsu declared.
"Yeaaaah!" Happy yells out with a crazed look on his face, pink swirls on his cheeks, his eyes widened and red cracks around his small pupils. "Get 'em, Natsu!"
Natsu rushed forward, arms engulfed in flames that took on the shape of dragon wings. "Fire Dragon Wing Attack!"
The fire struck Wally and Millianna and sent them careening back with burns across their bodies. Wally landed near the door and tried to get back up-
*BONK*
-only to receive a swift hit to his block-shaped noggin courtesy of my spear. Millianna was already out cold so I didn't have to worry about knocking her out too.
"Hey, Natsu." I casually said.
"Huh? Who are you?" The Dragon Slayer tilted his head in confusion.
Right. He never saw me in this form. "It's Chris, you idiot." I said, shouldering the crimson lance I carried.
"Whoa! A new guy already?!" Natsu suddenly beamed in excitement as his eyes (or rather the cat helmet's…eyes) began to sparkle.
"Well, not really new but, to you, yes," I shrugged. "Anyways, how long are you gonna wear that stupid thing?"
Natsu slumped his shoulders and sweat dropped. "Until I can find a way to get it off my big noggin," He mumbled.
(3rd POV)
Meanwhile, in the throne room, Jellal was sitting on his throne. His upper face was hidden in the shadows of his hood. Extending from his right armrest was a circular game table with uniquely-shaped pieces that represented everyone currently in the Tower of Heaven, excluding the guards.
Jellal picked up a red dragon piece and moved it forward, knocking over a pink cat piece in the process. He then picked up a miniature silver chalice and used it to knock over a blue-suited archer piece. These moves represented Chris and Natsu's victory over Wally and Millianna.
Vidaldus walked up to Jellal's throne and stopped a few meters away, wearing his usual frown.
"Hmph," Jellal said. "Sho and Simon have chosen to betray me…and it appears that Wally and Millianna have fallen at the hands of Salamander and that new Take-Over wizard. This is how the game should be played. One-sided matches are always so dreadfully boring."
"But master…Erza must be captured at once so we can begin the ceremony." Vidaldus protested sternly. "I'm afraid the time for playing games is over now."
Vidaldus narrowed his eyes. "You'll allow me?"
Jellal turned to his game board and laid three pieces in front of a king piece that represented himself. One piece was a blue and white electric guitar, the other was a pink-haired angel in a white robe, and the last one was a brown owl.
"It is our turn after all." Jellal stated.
Vidaldus grinned sinisterly. Suddenly, he crossed his arms over his chest as crimson energy flowed up from beneath his feet, making his long hair fly up.
When the energy faded away, Vidaldus's new appearance resembled an extreme Metal musician. His skin was now much paler, and he had donned dark makeup around his eyes and lips. His bare-chest sported a tattoo with the word "Skeleton", and he had put on shoulder pads and arm guards covered in prominent spikes. His pants were replaced by tights held up by a belt with a skull-shaped buckle, and his legs consisted of boots paired with greaves decorated by flames-motifs.
Vidaldus let out a wicked scream after his transformation was over. Standing by the metal musician-like wizard now were two other people.
One was a curvaceous woman with long pink hair tied on top of her head with two large pins. She had pale skin, a beauty mark underneath each eye, and wore red lipstick. Her body was clad in a long, loose white kimono with a red stripe in-between two black stripes around the waist, and a black collar lay snug around her neck. Her shoulders and a fair amount of cleavage were exposed.
This was Ikaruga, a calm and deadly woman who specialized in Sword Magic.
The third figure was the most bizarre of the trio. He had the body of a man, but the head of an owl, as well as a large rocket pack strapped to his back. His body was heavily muscular and mostly bare, with his clothing consisting only of a pair of green shorts held up by a belt, whose buckle bore a symbol reminiscent of a waning moon with a triangle pointing left in the empty part, and high sneakers bearing the same symbol. Wristbands were visible on both arms, and each of his biceps was adorned by a band, which has several long feathers hanging down from it.
This was Fukuro, a strange-looking owl-man who specialized in Jet Magic and Absorption Magic.
"Assassins from the Death's Head Order," Jellal sounded off. "Vidaldus Taka."
"Go to hell!" Vidaldus smiled wickedly, his voice sounding raspy. "Yeah, that's right! They can say their prayers if they wanna, but they're all gonna be burning in hell tonight!"
"Fukuro," Jellal continued.
The owl-man twisted his head to where it was nearly upside down. "Ho-ho, ho-ho, HO-HOU!"
"And their leader, Ikaruga," the powerful, blue haired wizard concluded.
Ikaruga smiled; however, it was a smile full of malice. "Life is a flower, fated to be cut down and scattered across the ground below." She claimed. Without warning, pink Sakura petals flew around her from out of nowhere. "So tonight…we make merry."
Ikaruga, Vidaldus, and Fukuro bowed to Jellal with their right hands placed over their chests in a respective manner.
"We are assassins from the Death's Head Order Guild." Ikaruga said. "The special forces squad known as Trinity Raven is at your service, master."
"It's time you entered the fray." Jellal announced. He lifted his head and looked at the assassin trio with a malign grin. "Now go."
After the assassins left, Jellal remained at his throne…then pulled out another piece and had it placed in between the Trinity Raven pieces and his own.
"And should they fail, I still have my…ace in the hole." He began to laugh in malicious amusement.
The piece he had set was a dark blue humanoid dragon wielding a red sword.
(1st POV)
"Dammit, Natsu, why did you think putting on a cat helmet would be a good idea?!" I growled, pulling with all my might to get the feline mask off of Natsu's head.
"Hey, don't blame me! I thought it was cool!" Natsu argued.
"Well, now your giant melon of a head is stuck in there!" I exclaimed, pulling once more only to let go when it didn't move an inch.
"Wow, that's on his head tight." Happy chimed.
"Just keep trying, guys!" Natsu whined.
"Oh, screw this." I brought up Gáe Bolg. "I'll just whack the thing off your head."
"W-Wait, won't that hurt!?"
"Probably. But you'll survive…I think."
"THAT'S NOT HELPFUL AT ALL!?" Natsu exclaimed in comical terror.
"Maybe, but I'll feel better, at least." I replied then brought down my spear, wracking the Dragon Slayer a few times on the cranium. Did I really need to do this? No. Is it satisfying? Yes. Am I petty for wanting payback after getting run over by Natsu? You bet your ass I am.
With one last hit, the cat mask flew off Natsu's head, which sported numerous bumps from me wracking him. The Dragon Slayer smiled brightly with a bit of sweat running down his face. "Yes! Sweet freedom!"
The cat head then flew off before it landed on Wally's head; much to my and Natsu's amusement.
"Oh look, now it's stuck on Ole Boxy." Natsu laughed.
"Kinda amazing it fits perfectly on his weird head." I admitted.
With a groggy groan, Wally steadily returned to his feet. His blue suit was in tatters and bruises littered his blocky body. He pulled off the cat helmet and threw it to the side.
"This dance ain't over yet, you two!" Wally then hunched over in pain, his injuries catching up to him.
"Looks like it to me." I remarked, shouldering Gàe Bolg.
"Yeah," Natsu agreed. "Besides, I already got my payback. And since Erza and Happy are safe there's no reason for us to waste our time with you, pal."
"Aye! You tell him!" Happy chirped.
"Talk all yah want." Wally said through clenched teeth. "But we're still gonna get to heaven. Jellal told us that we would finally have real freedom, and a world where people like us are calling the shots."
Before anyone could comment, a smooth, male voice spoke from down the hall.
"I welcome you to the Tower of Heaven." Jellal announced.
"And there he is!" Wally smiled.
Natsu, Happy, and I ran down the corridor to the source of the voice. We went through an open entrance into a large, stone room. At the end, sitting in an alcove was a giant statue. The eyes of said statue were glowing red, and it appeared that the voice was coming from it.
"My name is Jellal and I am the ruler of this tower. I see the players have been arranged." He commented. "I'm delighted that you've come all this way to see me. Shall we play around with heaven's game?"
"I don't wanna play your stupid game!" Natsu yelled.
"What do you mean, Jellal?" Wally asked in confusion, having followed us.
"The rules are really quite simple. I wish to use Erza as a sacrifice in my ceremony to resurrect Lord Zeref." Jellal explained.
"Like hell I'll let that happen." I snarled.
"If I succeed, the Gates of Heaven will open, crowning my victory. However, if you can manage to find a way to stop me, then you will be the winners of the game."
Oh, believe me, Jellal. I have seven ways to stop you. All of them are stronger than the last.
"To make things a little more interesting," Jellal continued, "I've enlisted three knights to battle on my behalf."
"Three knights?" Natsu echoed while I narrowed my eyes in realization.
"The only way that you can get to me is to defeat them. In other words, a three-on-nine battle royale. Oh…and there's one more surprise, the Magic Council has the Satellite Square focused directly on this tower, and it's highly likely that they will attack. At this very moment, they're in the midst of voting on whether or not they should fire an Etherion blast." Jellal informed.
"That doesn't sound good." I commented.
Happy nodded, fear plastered on his blue face. "Aye. The Satellite Square is a powerful weapon that's in orbit around Earthland, and an Etherion blast has enough power to destroy an entire nation."
Yeah, I figured as much. Having the equivalent of a satellite laser over your head is enough to put pressure on a guy.
"There's no telling how much time is left. Should the Etherion strike, complete annihilation is imminent. No players left to win. Game over."
I really hate how cocky Jellal sounds right now.
"Oh, and before I forget, I have a secret player with me. One that holds an interest with Fairy Tail's newest member. Chris Holmes, I believe?" Jellal spoke and I could practically feel the amused grin on his face. "I'm sure you two have met already. She had such wonderful things to say about how weak and pathetic you are."
"Come and say that to my face, Jellal." I growled. "I'll show you how weak I am."
"Only if you can reach me. Now then, let the game begin." With Jellal's announcement finished, the red eyes of the statue died away.
Asshole.
I looked over at Natsu and Happy with a wicked grin on my face, "You know, I don't really feel like playing games right now. I say we go find Jellal and punch his face in."
"Oh yeah!" Natsu ignited his left fist and punched his open right palm in an eager manner. "I'm all fired up!"
"But I don't understand. Why would Jellal do this to us?" Wally asked, sitting on the floor and leaning up against the wall. "If they fire that thing…it's gonna be curtains for everybody." He closed his eyes and continued, "We were all just a bunch of stupid kids looking for our own taste of freedom."
I turned to the Blockhead with a scowl, "Erza told me what happened to her and all of you guys ten years ago." Though I sympathize with them, I won't be giving them any mercy. "Your idea of freedom is wrong. What you want is to throw the world into slavery. You'd be no better than the bastards who enslaved you and kept you trapped in this tower."
Wally looked at me with wide eyes. He was so shocked that he was incapable of speech at the moment.
Natsu shot the Blockhead with a toothy grin. "He's right. I'm not sure what kind of freedom you guys have been looking for, but what we've got at Fairy Tail is pretty awesome." He proclaimed.
Wally's mouth opened slightly as a thoughtful expression grew on his angular-shaped face.
Natsu then turned to Happy with his grin still present. "Hey Happy, I'm with Chris. I'm not feeling this game either so let's bend the rules."
"Aye, sir!" Happy agreed.
"Natsu, you and Happy head straight for Jellal." I told them, stretching my body.
"What about you?" He asked me.
"The others will have to take the long route and might encounter those three knights that Jellal was talking about. They might need my help."
"And what about that secret boss?" Happy inquired.
I frowned, "I've got a score to settle with that one."
"Alright, you just don't lose against them. I wanna fight you when we get back to the Guild!" Natsu said with a toothy smirk.
Heh, leave it to Natsu to want a fight after a mission. Still, I might as well humor him. "Tell you what, if you manage to beat Jellal all by yourself, I'll fight you."
"Deal! Let's go, Happy!" Natsu shouted.
"Aye, Sir!" Happy added, grabbing onto the Dragon Slayer's scarf to carry him up the tower.
"Well, that's my cue to get going." I said to myself, finishing up my stretches before getting into a runner's position then took off in a burst of speed. "Just wait, Jellal…I'm gonna kick your teeth in when I find you."
Seriously, is it too much to ask for a freaking map!?
How can anybody find a specific room in this stupid tower?!
When I see Jellal, I'm gonna give him a major complaint about this place! I mean, really! How can you expect to rent this place or sell it off if your buyers can't even find their way around?!
…
…
And now I'm ranting about nonsense. Wonderful. Slowly losing my sanity every time I'm hanging out with Natsu and the gang.
Maybe I should-
What the hell is that awful ass rock music!?
Ugh! I can hear it all the way here! Or maybe it's closeby? Whatever, it's annoying the shit out of me and I'm already irritated as hell! I'm going to crack the skull of whoever is playing that crap!
I still have some time left of my transformation. If I follow the source, I could find who it is that's making that awful noise.
Hm, I kinda feel like I'm forgetting something…
…Oh, well.
(3rd POV)
Lucy grimaced from within the large body of water that had been her ally, Juvia. Everything had gone incredibly wrong. Gray had left to chase after Sho, who had turned Erza into a card to protect her, while Simon had gone ahead to look for Natsu, Happy, and Chris.
This left her with Juvia, who seemed to have it in her head that she was a 'love rival' for Gray's affection, even though she didn't like the Ice-Make Wizard in that sort of manner. As well as Ratha, who never left her side.
Until they were struck with the annoying sounds of rock music. That's when they were greeted by one of the Death's Head Order Guild, Vidaldus. When the metalhead played his electric guitar, he released an annoying sound that irritated Lucy's ears…but changed Juvia into a groupie that Vidaldus used to attack the Celestial Wizard. Ratha, on the other hand, fell right asleep which took him out of the fight. Lucy could do nothing against the mind-controlled Water Mage.
'Is this…how I'm going to die?' Lucy thought to herself.
'Lucy…'
That voice. It sounded just like… "Juvia?" She spoke, momentarily forgetting the water surrounding.
'Lucy, listen to me. I'm sorry. I can't control my actions.'
'It's like she's in my head…' Lucy said in her thoughts.
Juvia's voice continued, 'I don't wanna hurt you…because I consider you a friend. And I hope that you can think of me as one too. I know we both had our fair share of differences because we're both madly in love with Gray.'
'Yeah, no.' Lucy thought dryly.
'I really do like you. I've grown to love everyone I've met in Fairy Tail. They care about others. They like to have fun. They're so friendly and warm. Fairy Tail wizards are like rays of sunshine that chase away the clouds of a gloomy day.' Juvia explained. 'Before I met all of you, I never knew that a guild could be such a happy place. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was making friends that I could honestly trust.' The Water Mage's voice began to crack, sounding sadder with each word.
That's when Lucy felt something she didn't think possible.
Tears.
Juvia's tears.
'But who would want to be friends with a girl that would bring them misfortune?'
'She's crying…' Lucy said mentally, feeling the blue-haired woman's sorrow. 'Even through all this water, I can still feel the warmth of her tears.'
"Now, Juvia! It's time for the big finale, baby!" Vidaldus exclaimed with a mad smile.
"WILL YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!" A different voice echoed in the chamber.
"Huh, who said- GAAAACKK!" The metal musician-like wizard cried out in pain as a black boot impacted his face, sending the assassin flying before he crashed into the wall.
"God damn! Finally! I couldn't hear myself think with all that pissant music!" Vidaldus's attacker remarked, holding the man's electric guitar with one hand.
With the magic fueling the spell broken, Juvia is freed from Vidaldus's mind control and gives her reign to release Lucy from her Water Body. Ratha also took this time to wake up from his impromptu nap, looking around in confusion before he spotted his adoptive mother.
Gasping several times for air, Lucy managed to regain any lost oxygen her lungs lacked before she felt a scaly muzzle rubbing against her cheek. Once her vision cleared, she was greeted by Ratha, nuzzling her face.
"Hey, Ratha. Enjoy your nap?" She asked with a smile while giving the baby wyvern a gentle scratch behind his head crest. Ratha answered by releasing a crooning noise.
"Yo, Lucy, Juvia, good thing I came in the nick of time to save the day."
"Eh?" Lucy focused on the speaker only to smile widely, "Chris, you came!"
The Heroic Spirit wizard grinned, "Yeah, I followed that annoying rock star's music." He said before bringing up the guitar. "Speaking of which…" He took the instrument in both hands then slammed it down the ground with enough force to break it in two. "...gotta make sure that loser doesn't get the chance to use it again."
"You have our thanks." Juvia said, her 'groupie' attire reverting back to its original outfit.
"Glad I could help." Chris replied, walking over to Vidaldus then grabbing the man's hair…which came right off. "Huh, so it is a wig. Figured as much."
"Chris, did you find Natsu and Happy?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah, though Natsu and Happy are taking the direct route to get to Jellal. In the meantime, I'm gonna keep searching for Erza." The brunette replied.
"Then we shall- urk!" Juvia tried to move only to drop on her knees.
"You two won't be much help right now." Chris stated. "You're both exhausted and need rest."
"But we-" Lucy tried to argue.
"Lucy," Chris interjected. "I promise, I will find Erza and bring her back to the guild."
The blonde Celestial Wizard looked at the young man for a few seconds before sighing, "Just be careful."
"Lucy, this is me we're talking about. I'll be fine." Chris assured her.
"That's what worries me…" She muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing. You better get going."
(1st POV)
Well, that fake KISS guy wasn't really all that tough. Knocked out by a simple kick. Would've thought members of an assassin guild would be stronger than that.
Right about now, I think Natsu, Gray, Simon, and Happy have encountered that owl-man from Trinity Raven.
I think further ahead, Sho and Erza are about to encounter that samurai woman. The one that managed to destroy a good number of Erza's armors.
If I can get there on time, I can help Erza fight her opponent and maybe take down Jellal as well. Unless I have an unexpected meeting with Charlotte.
(3rd POV)
Around the Magic Council headquarters, four towers with large lacrimas on top had been raised from the ground around the building, each lacrima was a different color: yellow, blue, red, and green. All four of them were supplying magic power to an even larger lacrima floating above the building.
Naturally, this commotion has many of Era's townspeople concerned.
Inside the headquarters, there was just as much commotion as there was outside. Several humanoid, amphibious beings scrambled around, hovering in magic chairs as four colored magic circles floated around a black spherical lacrima inside.
Many of the councilors observed the preparations for firing Etherion with varied opinions.
"Such a critical decision to make…and while the Chairman is on leave due to his ailing health…" Org noted.
"It is our solemn duty." Leiji stated. "In his absence, we nine remaining council members must do whatever it takes to maintain order."
"There's no need for you to worry, Org." Michello consoled. "I realize we're violating international protocol by initiating this massive attack, but we're protected under Clause 4 of the National Security Directive."
"The legality of this is not my concern." Org dismissed. "Our decision to fire an Etherion blast," he paused and turned to face Michello, "will put innocent lives at risk."
"If Zeref is resurrected, more will be at risk." Michello argued. "Sadly, an evil force of that magnitude can only be countered by such extreme measures."
Meanwhile, on a higher balcony, Siegrain watched over the Etherion preparations quietly with his arms behind his back. He was then approached by Ultear.
"The time has finally arrived, Master Siegrain…" Ultear said.
"Yes…"
"After all of these years, your dream will become a reality." Ultear continued.
"Let me ask you something…are you afraid?" Inquired the blue-haired councilor.
"No. Not in the least." Ultear responded. "I trust you wholeheartedly and I have complete faith in your judgment."
Of course you're not." Siegrain countered. "Why would you be? Your life isn't in jeopardy."
"That's true." The raven haired woman conceded.
Unbeknownst to Siegrain and Ultear, Yajima was eavesdropping on their conversation from behind a nearby wall. He was using his Flattening Magic to make his body as thin as paper, allowing him to easily squeeze in tight spaces and hide easier from others, as he was doing now.
"I must admit, I'm a little nervous." Siegrain confessed. "If my plan fails, I will cease to exist."
Yajima's eyes widened upon hearing Siegrain's words. What could he possibly mean by that?
'What?' Yajima thought.
Siegrain clenched his right fist and looked at it with a rather dark expression. "Even so…I consider the risk to my life as a small price to pay. I'm so close now…" His expression darkened further into what one would describe as evil. "My destiny awaits!"
Ultear remained stoic and replied, "Yes…"
In the Tower of Heaven throne room, Jellal sat calmly on his throne as he eagerly awaited the fruition of his plan.
"Just twenty-five minutes left…" He picked up a piece shaped like an ice crystal and used it to knock over a brown owl piece. This signified that Gray had defeated Fukuro. "…the time has come for us to say our farewells…Siegrain…"
In another part of the tower, running down a long corridor was a young man with tan skin and spiky blonde hair. His dark eyes were burning with rage and insanity as he took deep breaths in-and-out of his mouth and nostrils. Only one thing was running through his mind: revenge.
"HOW COULD YOU?!" Sho bellowed at the top of his lungs. "You lied to us, Jellal! You lied to all of us! I won't let you get away with it!"
"Calm down, Sho!" Erza consoled from inside the magic card she was trapped in.
"HE'S GOTTA PAY FOR WHAT HE DID!" Sho exclaimed.
"You're going to need my help to fight him." Erza banged against the card's barrier. "Release me from this card at once!"
"I can't do that." Sho replied. "I'm sorry, but it's for your own good. You're safe in there."
"Don't be stupid!" Erza reprimanded.
The hallway Sho was running through eventually led into a large, peculiar room. He was currently standing on a wooden bridge with Japanese-style posts on the sides. There was a pond below the bridge and pink petals floated freely across the room, courtesy of the Sakura tree growing on one of the huge boulders in the pond.
Standing across the bridge was a pale-skinned woman with long pink hair tied on top of her head with two large pins. She wore a long white kimono with a red stripe in-between two black stripes around the waist, and a black collar lay snug around her neck. She carried a long katana close to her chest, which had a red and gold hand-guard and was in a red sheath.
The woman took a few steps forward. Sho growled as he brought up eight magical cards between his fingers, prepared to attack.
"Konichiwa. I am the one they call Ikaruga." She opened her calm, but deadly eyes. "Who might you be?"
"Get out of my way, lady!" Sho got in a fighting stance. "Don't make me hurt you!"
"Dear me," Ikaruga sighed, exasperated. "Why must I be burdened with such a boorish man?"
"I WARNED YOU! HYAHH!"
Sho threw out four glowing cards. They came together to make a light blue magic circle, from which dozens of other glowing cards soared out of. Ikaruga did not flinch and stood casually with a smug smile on her red lips. She pulled out her katana and, in one swift movement; she slashed the cards in half with astonishing precision.
"How'd you do that?" Sho uttered with wide, shocked eyes.
Ikaruga continued to stand calm and collected as she smugly smirked at Sho. "My katana is able to cut through anything with extreme precision."
"Well that sword of yours won't scare me!" Sho stated.
He held out four more cards and prepared another attack until an X-shaped gash appeared in the wood underneath Sho's feet. The card mage stood where he was in a petrified position, unable to move a muscle.
"No," He said through a strained voice as he collapsed to his knees, and then fell backwards. "I can't move."
"I just severed your nerves without cutting your clothing or flesh." Ikaruga explained. "Don't challenge my Mugetsu Style."
Ikaruga's eyes widened in interest, spotting the magical card Erza was trapped inside falling to the floor.
"Let me out of here!" Erza demanded. The card blinked gold every time she banged against its barrier.
"I can't…" Sho stammered; his entire body trembling slightly.
"Well, well what do we have here?" Ikaruga said. "I wondered where you were hiding, Erza."
"You've got to release me, Sho! She's too powerful for you to take on by yourself." Erza reasoned.
"Don't worry about me." Sho assured the redhead. "All that matters is that you're safe. I cast a shielding spell on that card; she can't harm you from the outside."
Ikaruga smirked when she heard Sho's statement. "Is that so? Well then," she reached for her katana handle, "then let's test that theory. Shall we?"
"Your spell won't hold up against her!" Erza argued, still pounding away against the card. "That's no ordinary sword she's wielding, it's magical!"
"You're safe. I promise." Sho dismissed it..
Ikaruga took out her lethal blade and delivered a quick slash across the air.
"Trust me…" Sho's eyes suddenly widened when he saw that Erza was now holding one of her silver, magical swords behind the card's barrier. This shocked him, considering his shielding spell prevented her from summoning weapons and armor while inside the card. "She can cut across the dimensional rift?!"
Ikaruga's eyes narrowed at the blonde haired man. Amazingly, as she slashed her sword out in front of her, a barrage of blue magical blasts was discharged. Sho cried out as he went careening back and slammed into a bridge post. Erza relentlessly struck the weakening barrier of the card with her sword.
Sho cringed in pain from the attacks, and opened his eyes in apprehension. "Sister…"
All of a sudden, Erza Scarlet appeared out from a golden sphere of light, kneeling on the ground. "I suspected your attacks would weaken Sho's shielding spell," she opened her strong, determined eyes, "allowing me to cut right through it to freedom."
'A sword that can cut through dimensions is impressive enough, but her ability to use that power to her advantage is what makes her even more amazing.' Sho thought, happy tears falling down his face.
"You said your name is Ikaruga? Well, I didn't come all this way for you." Erza stated bitterly. "Be gone."
The smug-filled smile never left her face. "My apologies, but I think I'll stay." Ikaruga retorted.
Without warning, Erza was taken by surprise when her Heart Kruez armor cracked and violently shattered into thousands of tiny fragments. She was left wearing only her white blouse and blue skirt. Erza fell to her knee, gritting her teeth as she clutched her left arm painfully.
"Sister…no," Sho muttered worriedly.
Ikaruga's eyes narrowed malignantly. "You seem surprised. A skilled warrior like you should've seen that coming." The master swordswoman paused, and then began to sing, "Is what you gaze at…the evil apparition…far beyond the mist?"
"Your single-minded focus on Jellal has rendered you a fledgling novice, completely unaware of my katana flashing about you." Ikaruga taunted.
Erza was silent, glaring darkly at the pink haired woman.
Ikaruga smirked. "Yes, there's the look I've been waiting for."
Sho paled in horror from the serious expression on Erza's face. "I've never seen her like this." He muttered fearfully.
"You may be skilled, but you don't stand a chance against me." the Trinity Raven leader asserted.
"You're my enemy and I will defeat you!" Erza stated determinedly. In a bright flash, Erza re-quipped her Heaven's Wheel Armor. "I always do."
"I'd like to see you try." Ikaruga reached for her katana.
The two master swordswomen stared intensely at each other for a short moment before Erza charged at Ikaruga. Blue sparks showered over the bridge as Erza and Ikaruga's blades clashed. Erza went back and hovered in the air above her adversary.
Multiple flashes appeared around her as she summoned a dozen magical swords. "Heaven's Wheel: Circle Swords!" Erza swiped her twin blades in front of her, sending her swords straight at Ikaruga.
"Hmm…so that's your style. Mugetsu Style," Ikaruga said calmly as she swiped her katana forward in a pattern, effortlessly shattering all of Erza's swords.
The fragments from the broken swords pierced the wooden floor around Ikaruga and, astonishingly, none of them even made contact with her.
"That was my Yasha-senku." Ikaruga explained.
Sho's jaw dropped while his eyes widened in shock. "She cut through the swords?!"
When Erza landed back on the bridge, Ikaruga swiped her katana in front of her. Suddenly, cracks appeared around Erza's Heaven's Wheel Armor until it abruptly exploded into pieces. Erza cried out in agony as she careened back a few meters, landing on her feet.
"Mugetsu Style…" Ikaruga chanted as orange light illuminated underneath her.
"Please! Be careful!" Sho cried desperately.
"…Karuda-en!" A blaze of orange flames formed around Ikaruga. Then, a powerful torrent of fire ripped down the bridge, leaving a charred trench in the ground. The blast nearly sent Sho over the bridge, but he managed to hang onto the edge.
Erza had quickly re-quipped her Flame Empress Armor and crossed her arms in front of her to endure the inferno; however, the force behind the attack sent her sliding back on the bridge. The re-quipping mage was still on her feet as the flaming torrent dispersed.
"Ah…the Flame Empress Armor," Ikaruga observed, "it's highly resistant to flame attacks, is it not? I'm impressed you were able to re-quip so quickly."
Without warning, the large armored gauntlets on Erza's arms shattered, causing her to clench her teeth in pain.
"How embarrassing," Ikaruga mocked, "to be so inappropriately dressed in that young man's presence. I suggest you adorn yourself with the most powerful armor you possess."
As Sho pulled himself back onto the bridge, he glowered at Ikaruga. "What a monster."
A red magical seal appeared under Erza's feet as red light consumed her body. When it died away, she was now clad in a black armor that was covered in spikes. Her hair was styled in very prominent spikes pointing outwards in every direction, a devilish shadow obscuring her upper face.
"Purgatory Armor Requip complete!" Erza shouted with glowing, enraged red eyes. "You'll regret your arrogance…when I'm through with you!"
Another red magic circle appeared in front of Erza's right hand as she summoned a large, silver sword with black spikes jutting out from one edge to the top.
"No one has seen this armor and lived to talk about it!" Erza yelled venomously.
Ikaruga stood still, unintimidated by Erza's armor. "This is the most powerful armor in your collection? Let's test its limits."
Erza leapt at Ikaruga, letting out a thundering roar. She cocked her sword to its zenith from over her head and brought it down on the assassin. However, Ikaruga jumped back quickly to avoid the attack. Part of the bridge was ripped apart while a wall of water from the pond below was thrown up from Erza's powerful slash.
Titania slashed her sword in front of her, sending a strong gust of wind into Ikaruga. The pink haired woman chuckled amusedly as she slashed her katana at the gust. As a result, the wooden boards of the bridge were ripped apart and reduced to splinters.
With a deadly glint in her eyes, Erza crouched low and leapt into the air. She let out a fearsome cry as she came back down at Ikaruga, intending to strike her. The insanely fast swordswoman jumped back to dodge the lethal blade. When Erza's sword struck the ground, she jumped toward her opponent and slid the end of her katana along Erza's giant sword, throwing off sparks. She then delivered a swift swipe at Erza's Purgatory Armor before landing a few meters behind her opponent.
The Fairy Queen felt her blade grow heavier as she hunched over. Erza screamed loudly once more as her Purgatory Armor shattered into pieces, leaving her only in a few tattered articles of black cloth. Erza collapsed to her knees, a wave of agony flowing through her.
"I'm sorry, but you can't say I didn't warn you." Ikaruga said arrogantly. "You made a valiant effort but there's no armor in existence that my katana cannot cut through. Admit your defeat."
'No. This can't be happening. It's impossible.' Sho thought dreadfully. 'She can't lose…'
Erza's lips quivered as her body lightly quaked in pain. She kept her mouth shut and suppressed her painful cries. She wouldn't dare give this arrogant bitch the satisfaction of hearing her scream again.
'What can I do?' Erza pondered in anguish. 'Not even the Purgatory Armor stood a chance against her blade. How can I possibly defeat her when my armor is ineffective?'
"Excuse me!" A voice called out.
"Eh?" Erza blinked. "That voice…"
"Oh? It seems we have an uninvited guest." Ikaruga said, leveling a malicious stare at the doorway.
"Wait, is that…" Sho gaped in shock.
Stepping from out of the shadows, casually walking towards the fight is Chris Holmes.
"Yo, am I late to the cat fight?" He asked with a smirk.
"Chris…" Erza said wide-eyed.
"Seriously, you were such a pain in the ass to find." He chuckled, "But it doesn't matter anyway. I found ya and I'm bringing you back home whether you like it or not."
Ikaruga began to giggle menacingly, "Ara, ara. You seem to forget that Erza Scarlet has a prior engagement with-"
"Could you kindly shut your mouth, please?" Chris interjected. "I came for my friend, not to listen to some fake samurai skank."
(1st POV)
Did I piss her off? Yep. Was it a good idea? Nope, but I don't give a shit.
And judging by the killer glare she's giving, she wants to cut me into a million pieces right now. "You dare mock me, boy?"
"Bitch, I mock everyone." I retorted. "You Trinity Raven guys are supposed to be tough but so far, I'm disappointed. I got a feeling you won't be much different."
Ikaruga looked absolutely livid right now, "I will ensure you do not leave this room alive. Your head will make for an excellent trophy to Master Jellal."
"Hm, I'm gonna have to pass." I said, bringing up my Grail Glove and pulling out one of the only two cards I had yet to use. "Erza, how many weapons do you still have?"
"I…still have plenty, why?" Erza asked.
"Bring all of them out."
"A-All of them!?" She cried out in disbelief.
"What I'm about to turn into thrives on weapons." I stated. "And you're the only other wizard I know that carries an arsenal with her. So, let me help you, Erza. You don't have to close yourself off from a friend."
Erza's brows furrowed as her determination swiftly returned. She shakily got back to her feet and turned to face Ikaruga with a renewed and hardened gaze.
Without a word, golden light engulfed her body. When it died away, Erza was now wearing a pair of long red pants with orange flames at the bottom. Said flames reached up to her knees and were outlined in black. The only article of clothing on her upper body was a long strip of cloth wrapped around her impressive breasts. Her hair was tied back into a long ponytail and a couple bangs hung freely on the sides of her temples. In her hands were two katana-like blades.
Ikaruga merely lifted a brow at this unexpected development. "Is this some kind of joke? Why would you trade out your armor for an outfit made of regular clothes?" She inquired curiously.
"REQUIP!" Sho shouted.
"Is this peculiar choice of dress design meant to mock me?" Ikaruga asked.
"What are you doing?!" the card mage yelled, utterly confused. "You don't stand a chance against her like that. I'm sure you've got all kinds of heavy duty armor, right? You've got to stay strong!"
"I can't do that," Erza whispered solemnly, "because I've never been strong. It's all a lie." Erza paused as her conversation with Gray at the canal ten years ago played back through her mind. "As a child, I watched as those close to me suffered. I lost loved ones because I didn't have the strength to protect them."
All around me and Erza, weapons of all kinds such as swords, spears, daggers, clubs, and many more formed due to Erza's power. Each of these weapons came straight from her own armors and I definitely wasn't going to waste this opportunity.
"I tried to be strong…but when I was alone I couldn't hide my emotions. I decided that in order to convince everyone else that I was strong; I would hide my heart away inside a suit of armor. There, no one could see that it was broken." Erza continued her speech.
I took hold of one of the swords embedded in the floor and pulled it out. Taking a brief moment to examine the blade before I nodded in satisfaction.
Ikaruga hardly looked like she cared, but she listened nonetheless.
"I wear armor to conceal my weakness from the rest of the world. Without it, I've been too afraid to fight." Erza proclaimed.
Sho listened on to Erza's speech with wide eyes and a slightly gaping mouth.
"Wear it or not, it makes no difference to me. I'll strike you down just the same." Ikaruga replied arrogantly.
"I thought my armor protected me, but it did more harm than good." Erza continued. "It shielded me from pain but it kept me distant from others. My heart was too guarded to connect with anyone…that is…until I joined Fairy Tail. Everyone was so warm and caring that my cold shell began to crack and I began to feel emotions again."
"Sister…" Sho whispered, a single tear rolling down his cheek.
"I can't rely on my armor anymore. I know I'm strong enough to defeat you without it now." Erza's already determined gaze hardened further.
I smirked, "Well said, Erza. And know that you will never have to fight alone. You are not broken. You have friends that are willing to fight for your sake." The hand holding the sword was held in a casual stance while the other holding the Class Card pulsed. "And I shall stand with you." I slide the card into my Grail Glove.
INSTALL: BERSERKER
"Verto!" I roared, surrounded once more by crimson light followed up by a dark purple aura.
After that, all I saw was red.
(3rd POV)
All eyes went to the spiraling pillar of red and dark purple energy before it grew smaller and smaller to reveal a new figure standing in place of Chris.
Standing beside Erza is a robust man fully clad in pitch-black armor and a rustic helmet with a thinly carved slit that glows with a hellish red light. A shroud of black fog surrounded him while the sword he held in his right hand turned black as night with red veins running along its surface.
"What is this?" Ikaruga pondered in confusion.
"Chris…are you still in there?" Erza asked her guildmate.
The fog surrounding the knight vanished, revealing the armor to be riddled with countless marks and scratches. Yet, emblazoned proudly upon the left pauldron is the Fairy Tail marking colored purple. The glowing red visor glanced at Erza then it nodded.
Erza smiled before locking her gaze upon Ikaruga. "Shall we end this?"
Berserker growled menacingly, bringing up his offered sword in a two-handed stance. In a split second, the dark knight lunged at Ikaruga faster than the eye could blink, forcing the pink-haired woman to bring up her katana to block an overhead strike from Berserker's sword.
The woman gritted her teeth, feeling the strain in her muscles, 'Such strength…! It's as if I'm fighting a monster!'
Berserker broke the blade lock by kicking Ikaruga back, allowing his partner, Erza to make her own attack as well. The Trinity Raven leader unsheathed her blade to retaliate. Sparks flew from each clash of the swordswomen. Erza ducked under a slash that would've cut off her head, save for a few strands of her vibrant red hair. However, the Fairy Queen struck Ikaruga in the face with a well-placed roundhouse that sent her flying towards her partner.
Berserker brought up his sword, intent on cutting the assassin in half. Ikaruga, on the other hand, managed to heft up her katana and used it to destroy the black knight's blade.
Unfortunately for her, this did little to deter him as the transformed wizard had already grasped a spear in one hand and a greatsword in the other; both weapons taking on the same black-red appearance as Berserker's broken sword.
'It's just like before!' Ikaruga's eyes widened in shock at the mental thought. 'Is that why he wanted Erza to summon all her weapons?'
"Haaaaaaaaaah!" Erza roared, attacking Ikaruga from behind and forcing the woman to leap away, only to be beset on by Berserker as he swung his acquired spear at the samurai woman, knocking her back towards the wall.
"Damn!" Ikaruga cursed, holding up her katana to block a thrown greatsword that nearly impaled her head. "These two are monsters!"
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!" Berserker roared once more, lunging towards his foe with his spear poised to skewer the assassin. Ikaruga managed to move her body quick enough to avoid becoming a human shish kebab as the dark knight's spear impaled the wall, shattering it into pieces. The samurai took this chance to try and cut off Berserker's head. Fortunately, he managed to deflect the blade away by swinging the shift portion of his spear, which had been sliced in half. This also gave Berserker the opening he needed by reaching out to grab the woman's face then proceeding to slam her head into the water, sending a shockwave from the impact. Ikaruga coughed out a bit of saliva from the inertia but her armored foe was not letting her rest just yet. Instead, he grabbed the assassin by her ankle, spun on his heel once, twice, three times, and threw her towards his partner.
"This is…the END!" Erza roared, bringing her katana blades together before bringing them down in an X-shaped slash that knocked Ikaruga towards the bridge, hard.
After the dust cleared, the Trinity Raven leader had landed roughly to the point her outfit had rips and tears that exposed skin. When she cracked open an eye to see, she was immediately met with the hovering form of Berserker…who had handfuls of weapons in both armored hands.
"▂▂▃▃▄▄▅▅!" The dark knight roared before he threw the weapons down at the samurai woman. Ikaruga was too exhausted to properly dodge and could do nothing but watch as the pilfered blades and arms of Titania came down upon her like the wrath of the Heavens. A spear stabbed above her shoulder, a sword punctured the wood on the left side of her head, a greatsword caught onto a loose flap of her kimono, a dagger caught the blade of her katana, an axe blocked her leg from moving, and a voulge pinned her hair in place. Overall, the storm of steel had completely blocked Ikaruga from moving, leaving her at the mercy of Fairy Tail's wizards.
"Surrender, you've lost." Erza told the assassin, leveling a cold glare down at her while Berserker appeared beside her, growling in warning.
Seeing as she had no way out, Ikaruga chuckles in amusement. "Our battle…is over." She glanced over to her beloved sword, noting the cracks it sported from the abuse it took from Erza and Berserker. "Most impressive…"
Erza smiled inwardly while glancing at her partner, 'Thank you, Chris. Your assistance…really put me at ease.'
Suddenly, Berserker fell to his knees and began to pant heavily, surprising the redhead. "Chris, are you-" She tried to say but the dark knight held up a hand to stop her. With slow steps, he pushed himself back up while motes of purple light began to slowly peel off his body.
(1st POV)
Christ Almighty…
…I've been using back-to-back transformations nonstop…
…I'm running fumes at this point.
Looking down at my hand, the armor of Lancelot vanished but the massive energy drain it left me coupled with my transformations as Assassin and Lancer are pushing my body to its limits.
"Chris…?" I felt Erza's hand on my shoulder. Looking back, I noticed she was still wearing her Clear Heart Clothing.
I gave her my best reassuring smile, "I'm alright, Erza. Just…really tired." I replied.
"Thank you…" She said softly, leaning her forehead against mine…and bringing me dangerously close to her face.
What's happening here?! Am I about to get kissed!? I'm not ready! This isn't how I envisioned getting romance!?
"Sister," Sho stammered in shock, "what you did…was amazing."
Luckily, Erza broke away from me (much to my relief) and looked at the Sho. "Are you alright?" She asked.
"I think so." He replied.
"Defeat is quite bitter indeed." Ikaruga commented softly with closed eyes. "In all of my years I've only known the sweet taste of victory. It doesn't matter that you beat me because you and Jellal are both doomed to fail."
Erza tilted her head in bewilderment. I, on the other hand, knew what the assassin meant.
"What are you talking about?" Sho demanded as he returned to his feet, clutching his injured left arm.
"In fifteen minutes' time," She weakly lifted her right hand toward the ceiling and sang, "the light of justice…will come raining from the sky…it shall kill us all." Ikaruga's arm fell back to the ground. "What a wretched haiku." She then succumbed to unconsciousness.
"The Etherion blast." Erza realized. She turned to Sho. "Sho, go find Simon and my Fairy Tail friends and get them as far away from the tower as possible."
"What? Sister…" Sho said, confused.
Erza smiled. "I know this is hard, but will you do this for me? Please."
Sho was silent for a moment before he looked away. "Yeah," He responded, "but what about you?"
Erza turned away as anger and determination crossed her face. "I'm going to settle things. Once and for all…"
I forced myself to stand then stopped Sho from helping me. "Sorry, Erza, I'm not leaving yet." I said.
The redhead looked at me in surprise, "What? Chris, this isn't the time-"
"There's someone here that I need to speak with. Once I get the answers I want, I'm coming to get you." I interjected.
"But your magical energy is low. You hardly have enough to maintain one of your forms." Erza reminded me.
"That's not gonna stop me, Erza. I'm going and you can't stop me." I affirmed my decision. "Besides, you still have things to settle with Jellal, right?"
Erza grimaced because she knew I was right. But I could tell that she didn't like the idea of leaving me on my own. "But Chris…"
"Look, if things get too much for me, I'll leave. Promise. But I need answers, Erza." I stated. Besides, you won't be fighting alone if Gray finishes dealing with the freaky owl guy.
In the meantime, there's someone else I have to meet. "Sho, do you know where she is?"
The blonde card mage looked at me in surprise, "She? Wait, you mean-"
I nodded, "Yes, I wanna know where Charlotte is."
After Erza and I separated while Sho ran off to find the others, I strolled down a separate hall that would lead me to the source of my questions. The source of the scar that throbbed painfully with each step.
The walls took a blue gleam like the crystalline Lacrima that lined the entirety of the Tower of Heaven. The blue light grew as I drew closer to the end of the hall.
The Class Cards in my Grail Glove began to pulse. I could feel their anticipation. Each of those heroes were eager to confront this new foe.
I, on the other hand, could only see this ending one way. I either get the answers I want…
…or it ends in an all-out battle to the death.
The end of the wall was a step away. Even though my stamina was drained from the constant transformations, I'm a member of Fairy Tail. I can handle it. So with a final breath of anxiety, I stepped into the light to face off against Jellal's ace in the hole.
The room I stepped in looked more like a giant antechamber made entirely of blue Lacrima crystal. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it was big enough to fit several dragons in here.
"So you survived." I heard her voice ahead of me. Lo and behold, there she stood with an expression resembling Erza whenever she got serious in a fight.
Charlotte, the woman with the same powers as me.
The one that left me for dead.
A cocky smirk presided over my face, "You're not very good at your job, Charlotte. If you want to make sure I'm dead, you gotta aim for the head." I teased the dark-haired beauty.
"Hm, thanks for the advice. I'll be sure to do that when I kill you." Charlotte stated. Seems she's not in the mood to talk.
Fine by me. As much as I want answers, I came here for another reason…
…payback!
A/N: And there's the end of the chapter, folks! God almighty, I am finally done! It took me months to do this!
But you better get ready because the next chapter is the official rematch between Chris and Charlotte.
Review and comment on this story. Love it, hate it, but just know that you've read it.
Peace out, everyone!