Chapter 22 - Fairy's Survival

Tenroujima

Hidden in the forest, a young blond woman with the appearance of a preteen child sat on a tree branch. Watching as the dark guild, Grimore Heart, makes it's way over the island. It was only a while ago that the guild master attempted to destroy the airship. Unfortunately, one of the dark mages onboard the airship utilized a powerful time magic spell. Allowing it an it's inhabitants to be remain unharmed.

Now the master was knocked into the ground by the leader of Grimoire Heart. Resulting in the two continuing their battle elsewhere on the island. As the main members of the dark guild made their way towards the center of the island.

"There are many intruders in your domain." said a tall man in a skull shaped mask.

"I'm sure my guild will overcome any obstacle and foe that challenges them." The woman said.

"I'm afraid, this may be too much for them." the man in the mask said.

Then a man with white hair spoke up, "The time of dreams ends today and the guild must face a sad tomorrow." he said as the blond woman looked up at the sky. "At the very least, my student Stella remains the same. Even in a new body." he said with a smile.

Elsewhere on the island

By this point in time, the guild was fully aware that the island was under attack. Though a few were still ignorant and believed that the exams were going to continue. Regardless, it seemed like this would be the guild's most difficult trial yet. With all of the guild's strongest mages on one island and separated with little means of distant communication. It only made it easier for the dark mages to strike.

"I think we need to regroup Cana. This all seems pretty intense." Ventus suggested.

"We can't Ven, we're probably close to Master Mavis' grave." Cana said.

"Cana I really doubt the old man is crazy enough to force the test to continue when all of this is going on." Ventus said trying to reason with his partner.

"Master Makarov does a lot of crazy things. I am pretty sure he'll still continue with promotions once this is over." Cana said sounding desperate.

"Cana I think you really need to listen." Ventus said before hearing a loud crash nearby. "Because I think whoever is attacking us, won't care about a title." He said.

"Well I do. It's important that we pass!" Cana argued.

"Do you really want to do an S Class job that badly? There aren't a lot of perks for the promotion besides that and bragging rights." Ventus pointed out.

Cana drew her cards as saw a large overweight pale skinned man with shaggy black hair come out from the forest. Though he appeared moe beat up than competent. As there was a giant lump on his head.

"Is this guy a sumo wrestler?" Ventus asked.

"Careful, he might be a dark mage." Cana said.

"I am Kain! I use…" Kain was interrupted by Cana throwing cards at him that exploded. "Hey! Let me…" he was interrupted again by Ventus throwing his keyblade like a boomerang. "You have to let the villain finish his speech first! You two are jerks!" he yelled as he tried taking a stance.

Kain the proceeded to shuffle his legs together as he rushed his foes by thrusting his palms forward. Luckily Cana and Ventus avoided the palm strikes as Kain revealed some amazing speed out of nowhere. However, upon missing the two of them. Kain stopped and pulled out a doll as he wanted to explain his magical abilities.

"You better be scared now, because not only do I have martial art skills. I can control you guys with my doll, using curse magic, Ushi no Koku Mairi." Kain explained.

"Like voodoo?" Ventus asked with a raised brow.

"Yeah, but like voodoo. My curse magic only works if I have a hair from my target." Kain answered.

Cana sweat dropped, "Then why are you telling us? We'll know your…" she was interrupted by Ventus who covered her mouth.

"Can you show us an example? It helps us understand how scary and intimidating you are." Ventus said tricking Kain.

"Yeah, that would help. Can one of you give me some hair. Preferably from the babe in the bikini top?" Kain asked.

Ventus thought for a moment, "Actually, we both have lice." he said.

"Ew! You're both gross! I guess, I'll use my own hair." Kain said as he attached some of his hair onto the doll. "Look, now all you have to do is mess with the doll." he said as he handed it over.

"Like this?" Ventus asked as he pulled on the doll's legs.

Resulting in Kain screaming as he did the splits, "AHHH! Yes, like that. AHHH!" he screamed.

Cana grinned, "Sorry, I'm a super slow learner. Do you mean like this?" She asked as she tossed the doll in the air.

This resulted in Kain flying in the air as well. Before smashing his head into the ground and growing another lump in his head.

"Yeah, like that. You got the point. You think I'm scary now?" Kain asked as he struggled to stand.

Cana feigned fear, "Super scary. A damsel like me can't hope to battle such a powerful foe." she said.

Kain grinned, "I'll go easy on you if you surrender. If you want, I'll even…"

"And do a barrel roll!" Ventus said as he picked up and threw the doll into the air again.

"AHHHH!" Cain screamed as his own magic turned against him.

With Lucy

Lucy was currently scrambling through the various maps. As she detected multiple signatures around the island. With a heavy force approaching the forest through the beach side. Having already sent multiple servants to go and defend the island from the hostile invaders. Lucy was standing at base camp alone as she tried to come up with a strategy to help out the guild.

"Thinking about it, where's Wendy and Mest?" Lucy asked herself as she looked over the map. "I see they're still in the same path Loki and Gray were at." she said.

Feeling some relief, Lucy was too late to notice the impact of something crashing near her. The Holy Maiden looked away from her magical map and raised her hands as she prepared to combat whatever came forward. Meanwhile Buddha just sat back without any care as a man with the appearance of a goat came crashing through the trees.

"Relax kid, it's not our fight." Buddha said with little care.

"What? That guy is probably the enemy!" Lucy argued.

"Kid, look into the man's soul and no, I don't mean that as some spiritual forgiveness crap." Buddha said as he used his clairvoyance to look at the goat man.

Lucy tried to scan the man but it was hard to understand what he was. The potential foe was definitely not a goat and definitely not a normal sentient. In fact, she feels like this is a Celestial Spirit but that doesn't make sense as a contracted spirit and their user can still be sensed as two separate entities.

"Maybe I'll Taurus clear some things up." Lucy said as she reached for her keys.

Only to see the man with skull mask dash out from the trees. Then immediately begin to cut up the goat man with quick and precise strikes.

"Foolish mortal, obtaining what does not belong nor should belong is the mockery of thous existence." the masked man said as he slashed at goat man's body.

"The Grand Assassin?" Lucy asked with a shocked face.

"The one and only. Assuming you have Billy Shakes with you, now there's two people talking like old men." Buddha said as he watched the fight unfold.

The goat man sneered as he tried to stand up, "How about you deal with this? Knights." He said before disappearing.

Assassin soon found himself surrounded by several armored individuals as the area around him were suddenly filled with shadows. Assassin felt no fear or concern as the figures that surrounded him came closer. However, he did feel some disgust towards his foe.

"Thou lacks the skills and knowledge to face me. Using the weapon mastered by one who brings death from the abyss." Assassin said before quickly disappearing and cutting down each foe. Before finding the goat man and stabbing him, "I am the Old Man of the Mountain, The First Hassan-I-Sabbah!" he exclaimed.

The goat man cried out in pain before collapsings. However, as he fell, there was no wound on his chest but he did leave behind a man with an afro who was still attached to King Hassan's blade. Hassan looked over his victim's shoulder as his cold breath made the man shiver in terror.

"Zoldeo, though threw away your loyalty to your mistress, violated the laws of magic and in gave into insanity through thou own hubris. A simple death is too rewarding for a criminal such as thy self." Hassan said.

Zoldeo cried out in pain, "I won't die if I take your body!" he yelled as he extended his arms. "Huma Raise!" he yelled as he attempted to control Hassan with his dying breath.

Only to regret it as the Celestial Spirit he controlled was far weaker compared to Hassan. Leaving him unable to control the Grand Assassin who immediately pulled out his blade and decapitated the man. As Zoldeo was left screaming in pain as he disappeared from existence. Leaving a slightly scared Lucy and a sick looking Buddha.

"This is why I don't watch that macabre crap." Buddha said as he held his stomach.

King Hassan ignored Buddha and faced the celestial spirit, "Thou art now free." He said.

The spirit held his head, "You have my thanks." he said before noticing Lucy. "Lady Layla?" He asked.

"Layla? No, that's my mother's name." Lucy replied with much confusion.

The spirit then turned to King Hassan again, "Are you her servant?" he asked.

"I serve the Holy Grail." Hassan replied.

The spirit then kneeled before Lucy, "Allow me to properly introduce myself, I am Capricorn. I was a spirit of Lady Layla before her passing." he said surprising Lucy. "I was meant to be given to you should you have pursued magic. Though greed and insanity mattered more to Zoldeo before his own loyalty." Capricorn said.

"Treachery can only be rewarded with execution." King Hassan stated.

"Yeah, some creepy ass death if you ask me." Buddha commented.

"Lady Lucy, if you would allow me to be contracted with you." Capricorn said.

Lucy smiled, "Of course, you're always welcome. Though you might be surprised with how much you missed out." she said before Capricorn gave her his key. "Though we might have to save the talks for later." she said.

"Yeah, this whole stinking island is a mess. Are you teaming up with us too old man?" Buddha asked.

"As I said, I serve the grail and it's current retainer by default." King Hassan replied.

"That's good to hear." Lucy said.

Elsewhere

Being lost in the maze of the island and having yet run into the dark mages Grimoire Heart. Elfman and Evergreen continued to navigate around the island in an attempt to find the grave of Mavis. Only stopping upon noticing that the vegetation around them starting to die. As the grass became yellow, the trees losing their leaves and several birds falling to their death. The partners looked around and wondered and wondered what was causing it until they saw a man in black outfit.

"Hey, who the heck are you?" Elfman asked.

That's when a dark aura surrounded the man, "Stay back! I can't control it!" he warned.

"You can't tell a man what to do!" Elfman replied as he assumed he was being threatened.

That's when a flare of dark magic was released from the man's body. Elfman and Evergreen were saved by the effects of the dark magic by the white haired man. The man then surrounded himself in a golden array of magic as to stop the dangerous stranger's magic.

"Stay behind me, this man has been cursed for breaking the laws of life and death." the white haired man said.

"Who are you?" Evergreen asked.

"You may call me Solomon and you should heed my wisdom." the man answered.

"Solomon!" the dark haired man said angrily.

"For a man wishing to warn others, you are quick to towards your hate Zeref." Solomon said.

"Zeref?" Evergreen and Elfman asked in confusion.

Zeref glared at Solomon, "Leave me be and take those two with you." he warned.

"Very well." Solomon said.

"What? You can't be serious!" Elfman spoke up.

"Lower your voice, this man is beyond you." Solomon warned before Natsu came out of nowhere.

"I don't know what's going on, but I got a bad feeling when I saw all of these dead trees." Natsu said as he turned to Zeref.

Who suddenly shed a tear, "Natsu." he murmured.

"Is that man bipolar or something?" Evergreen asked as Zeref was cautious to angry to sad in less than five minutes.

"Who are you!?" Natsu yelled as he punched Zeref in the head.

"I discourage further action!" Solomon shouts as Zeref quickly recovers from the hit.

"That's Natsu, punching people first without thinking." Happy said as Zeref looked unharmed.

"How long has it been?" Zeref murmured to himself before his dark magic enveloped his body. "I don't want to kill anymore people." he said.

"Young man, stand back. That man is a dangerous foe and kill end your life as he did to the forest." Solomon warned before Zeref released his dark magic.

Seeing the danger, Solomon protected himself and the Fairy Tail wizards with a golden dome of his own. However, with the power that Zeref unleashed. The already dead trees had turned to ash as the entire dome was surrounded in black magic until Zeref disappeared. Finally allowing the group to see properly and move around without danger.

"Is anyone hurt? That magic is can kill any normal individual upon contact." Solomon asked.

"I'm fine, but that jerk is gone." Natsu said.

"Natsu, your scarf is black." Happy pointed out.

"What!? Igneel gave this to me!? How dare that jerk!?" Natsu yelled angrily.

Solomon looked at the scarf, "What is that scarf made of?" he asked curiously.

"It's made of scarf stuff. Like any other scarf, only Igneel made it. He's a dragon so it's extra awesome." Natsu said before looking angrily at the scarf. "Now this color is going to clash with my outfit." he said as he got the clothing dye ready.

"You have dye ready on hand? Where were you when I needed to fix myself up during a mission?" Evergreen asked incredulously.

"I'm not part of the Laxus Fan Club so don't ask me, Ms. Secretary." Natsu answered.

"Why you little!" Evergreen cursed.

"Ever, calm down." Elfman said.

"Don't call me Ever, only my friends may call me that." Evergreen replied.

"Yeah, the president and the mascot." Natsu said as he tried dying his vest white.

"Enough, this is no color dye. In fact, I think this scarf has magical materials and it absorbed the magic and prevented your death." Solomon said as he bent down to look at it.

"Unless you can fix it, don't grab my scarf old man." Natsu said rudely.

"Just give me a moment to release it. Then we can seek out Stella." Solomon said.

"Who the heck is Stella?" Natsu asked.

With Mest and Wendy

Wendy looked worried as her instincts were telling her that something wrong was going on.

"Hey Mest, do you think we should try to find our way back now?" Wendy asked.

"Maybe, that sounds like a good idea." Mest said as he was tried to bite a rock for some reason.

However, before they could plan for a trip back. Panther Lily and Charle had arrived from the sky.

"Wendy! We have to regroup with the rest of the group! The island is under attack!" Charle exclaimed.

"What!? Is that why you're here!?" Wendy asked with great surprise.

"Precisely child, that man Vincent also came and he is likely locating Lucy to warn her as well." Charle answered.

Meanwhile, Panther Lily looked suspicious, "Hey, who's this guy? My memory is a bit hazy." he asked.

"This is Mest, he picked me to be partner." Wendy answered as if it were common knowledge.

"I'm afraid, I can't recall such a member." Kato Danzo said as she revealed herself.

"Ninja girl?" Panther Lily asked.

"I've been watching over the guild for the last few months with several others. I have to recollection of this man." Kato explained.

"That's because I'm often training with Mystogan. I was his apprentice after all." Mest said trying to playing cool.

That's when Panther Lily transformed and proceeded to hold him down, "That's a lie! The Mystogan I know never had a student!" he exclaimed.

"Mystogan-san is also frequently on missions and knocks everyone unconscious with his arrival. There's also the fact that he officially left the guid." Kato explained as the servants shared knowledge amongst each other.

Leaving Mest in a difficult position as he's been exposed.

"That's right! I knew there was something fishy about you!" Panther Lily exclaimed.

It was a good think Happy wasn't around either. He would have made a quip about fish. Since this was a very serious moment and not the time to make jokes.

"But I am! Mystogan took me on as his student!" Mest continued to lie as he struggled under Lily's arm.

"Then you would know that he's been gone for over a month!" Panther Lily said as he briefly caught Mest's look of surprise.

"I did, it was a very difficult…"

"Stop lying!" Panther Lily yelled.

Charle crossed her arms, "The nerve of you. Just who are you and why have you dragged Wendy here with you?" She asked.

"There's a fleet of ships incoming." Fuma Kotaro said as he revealed himself.

"How can you see behind that blindfold?" Wendy asked.

"It doesn't matter, you may have exposed me, but it's over." Mest said as he still struggled. "My name is really Doranbolt and I work for the Magic Council. I was sent here to work undercover and expose Fairy Tail with any evidence I find to shut it down." he said.

"What!?" everyone but Charle asked.

"I used my memory magic to manipulate all as to fit in without being found suspicious." Mest added as he knew the Magic Council would protect him by this point.

"You bastard!" Panther Lily growled.

"Well it wouldn't have worked." Charle said confusing everyone. "Technically speaking, while undercover work is common for many government agents. It's illegal as Fairy Tail is a legal guild and while you may argue this in a court. You technically falsified legal documentation and technically tampered with guild records." she continued to explain.

"Charle, what are you talking about?" Wendy asked.

"Thus, while you would most likely get away with undercover acts. As well as denying the truth you are telling us now in a court. Forgery makes your acts become criminal and thus, any evidence found will be considered illegally obtained and found unjust by the law. That's if you do not count manipulation and falsification of your idenitty." Charle explained.

Mest only had one response to Charle's argument. It was to break free of Panther Lily's grip and start eating grass like a crazy person.

"Crap! I screwed up!" Mest yelled.

"You also lack a warrant and probable cause." Charle said as Mest bashed his head against the ground.

"When did you get so smart? All you did before is give people snappy responses." Panther Lily asked.

Charle suddenly put on some glasses and smirked, "I read Dr. Jeckyll's books which were written by Lucy. The dictate the legal loop holes law enforcement abuse while also detailing complex situations as to how to make a criminal report. Of course a few minor consultations to expect if thinking about hiring an attorney as well." she explained.

"I guess something useful came form someone who wrote adventure books and autobiographies." Panther Lily said with some respect for Lucy's servants.

However, before anyone could say anything else or even wonder how they would prepare for the Magic Council's arrival. The various ships that were on course for the island were destroyed. All of them were being destroyed from the inside as none of them were even able to make it to the shores of Tenroujima. The Invasion of Normandy was bloody and messy, but at least it was a success unlike the Magic Council who were sailing for about 20 minutes before exploding all together.

"That reduces the concern for the council trying to shut down the guild." Kato said.

When she suddenly threw a kunai behind her. The blade itself embedded itself into a piece of wood summoned by another man.

"Who is that!?" Charle asked.

"You may call me Azuma and while interference by the Magic Council was not predicted. It will do none of you any good." Azuma said.

"Wendy-san get behind me!" Kato said as she extended some blades from hands.

'This man, he's dangerous.' Panther Lily thought as he could almost sense Azuma's great power.

"And thus, I will end your lives as well." Azuma said as he proceeded to surround the group in wooden vines.

That's when Kato shifted her weapons and proceeded to reveal machine guns from her arms. The Assassin then proceeded to tear through the wood with all of her might and nearly hitting Azuma in the process. As Azuma evaded, he found several flying explosive projectiles coming from Kato's back.

"You're a robot!?" Panther Lily asked.

"Lucy asked me to maintain stealth for most missions. However, this man is much more dangerous than he looks." Kato said as smoke came out of her guns. "Though, I consider myself more of a puppet than a machine." She added as Azuma shielded himself with more wood to stop the explosions.

"Clever, quite surprising too." Azuma said as he was undeterred.

"Then maybe this will impress you!" Panther Lily yelled as he rapidly ran up to Azuma.

Azuma raised his hand at the charging exceed, "Bleve." He said just as his arm was pulled back.

Azuma's hand then released a powerful explosion that completely missed Panther Lily. As Kotaro revealed himself after having grabbed Azuma's arm with a kusarigama. Azuma was then hit by Panther Lily who sent him skidding. After a moment of being pulled around, Azuma destroyed the chain before having to block a windmill shuriken tossed by Kotaro. As well as avoiding several slashes from Kato who rushed at him.

With Panther Lily not falling too far behind. Azuma realized that he needed to rethink his tactics from multiple speedy opponents. As such, he surrounded himself in an giant linear explosion that sent everyone in the vicinity falling off the cliff.

"I was unprepared, how reckless of me." Azuma said as he left the area.

All the while the two Assassins grabbed Wendy and Mest. While the exceeds extended their wings and tried to fly back up.

"Who was that guy!?" Wendy asked.

"A dark mage most likely." Charle answered.

"We need to regroup with Lucy." Kato said.

"Then what do we do with this guy?" Panther Lily asked while angrily pointing at Mest.

With Natsu

After helping Evergreen and Elfman make it back to camp and Solomon fixing Natsu's scarf. Natsu and Happy ran through the forest trying to find the rest of their guild in an attempt to regroup. Only to stop and find an injured Makarov who lied on the ground looking beaten.

"Old man!" Natsu yelled out.

Only to be stopped by a wave of black flames. Natsu jumped back and saw a crazed looking blond man with red eyes coming at him.

"Come here dragon hunter, your doom is finally here!" The man yelled as he tried to hit Natsu with another wave of flames.

"Who the heck are you, Crazy Eyes!?" Natsu yelled before being kicked in the gut.

"I'm Zancrow, a member of the Seven Kin of Purgatory as well as a God Slayer!" Zancrow answered followed by a maniacal laugh.

"What!? There's no way you were trained by a god!" Natsu argued.

Zancrow laughed at the dragon slayer, "Master Hades is the equivalent of a god, if not greater." he responded. "Unlike you, I am skilled in greater power while you and your teacher as insignificant as this creature." he said as he held up a random lizard he found.

With that said, Zancrow's fighting words had prompted Natsu's favorite language. A language only composed and spoken through the trading of punches and it was fairly close to a stand still. As both the Dragon and God slayer were matching up, but Zancrow was arrogantly stating how his own magic is superior than the magic taught by Igneel and any other dragon.

"You are pretty slow dragon hunter. Maybe I should fight that lizard from earlier since it's your dragon's relative." Zancrow taunted.

"Igneel is not a gecko!" Natsu yelled angrily as he kept throwing his punches.

Eventually, the two hit each other pretty hard. Causing the both of them to skid away from each other. Having had enough of Zancrow's wisecracks, Natsu started to charge up all of his magic.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu roars as he envelopes Zancrow with a torrent of flames.

But there was not chance to celebrate as Zancrow devoured the flames in the same manner Natsu would. Zancrow actually looked satisfied as he finished devouring the flames and started laughing.

"That is mighty tasty dragon slayer. However, it was not man or dragon that created flames. It was the gods." Zancrow said as his crazy red eyes pierced Natsu's gaze. "The gods created the flames and while these can kill a dragon. They have no hope to kill a god." he said before charging up his own magic.

Natsu immediately took a defensive stance as he tried to prepare to counter Zancrow's flames. Even if it seemed futile, Natsu was not going to give into fear and back away from a fight. Meanwhile Happy felt a bit nervous as he saw a strange shape in the background as the fight went on. He discreetly reached for the green bag he always carries and reached for a class card he took from Ventus.

"Fire God's Bellow!" Zancrow yells as he unleashed a giant wave of black flames onto Natsu.

Without being able to do as so much as block the attack. Natsu took the direct hit but dug his heel into the ground. As to keep his stance, Natsu roared back as if to make the pain subside. As even with all the dangerous power that surrounded him had the capability to end his life. Natsu refused to surrender to some cocky man with rare magic claiming that it was the gift given to him by a god.

Makarov looked up with surprise, 'Even now, Natsu refuses to be scared.' he thought.

"You think this hurts!? You think this scares me!? It doesn't you jerk! In fact, I'll just eat this too and show you that you're nothing special!" Natsu yells as he tries to eat the fire.

"You stupid fool, are you deaf? Did you not pay attention to what I had said?" Zancrow asked.

Before he realized it, Natsu painfully devoured the flames as they slowly converted into his own magic reserves. Despite the pain and risk of taking foreign magic into his body. Natsu still stood strong despite the heavy damage surrounding his body.

"What!? Zancrow asked with wide eyes.

"You listen here crazy face! I've been through a lot of crap so if you think some guy with fancy magic and bad hair will beat me then you're the one who doesn't pay attention!" Natsu yelled before hearing a squelching sound.

Natsu turned his head and saw a rogue servant being stabbed in the chest with a golden spear. The servant collapsed and slowly disappeared after being killed as child Gilgamesh appeared.

"You guys are super boring. Especially the guy with the bad hair, that's probably not even a god's magic." Child Gil said as he rested his hands behind the back of his head. "I swear, Ishtar has more magic in her dirty foot you do in your entire body." he said.

Zancrow was now offended, "Don't talk down to me you little brat! You cannot comprehend the lost magic gifted to me by Master Hades!" He snarled.

Child Gil scoffed, "You're right, I can't comprehend it. If he wrote it, it's probably written in chicken scratch and probably has an illustration of himself in a cowboy hat." he said further annoying Zancrow.

"I will teach you not to mess with the gods! Fire God's Supper!" Zancrow yells as he claps his hands together.

As Zancrow attempts to trap Child Gil in his fire attack. The boy merely raises up his fingers as several golden portals appeared under Zancrow. All of which proceeded to wrap around his body and started dragging him down. One of which wrapped around his neck and proceeded to constrict his throat, making it difficult to breath as his fire magic disappeared.

"Lame!" Child Gil shouts. "I think would rather put up with Ishtar again then you. At least she actually dangerous. You're just some loyal puppy that's spoiled." he said.

"Wow, you fought a real god?" Natsu asked.

"Of course I did! I'm Gilgamesh! My adult self fought against the gods! I'm 2/3 a god too!" The boy said as that was obvious knowledge.

"Eh? I never knew that." Natsu said frustrating the boy. "Wait, so you taught this guy some magic!?" he asked.

"No!" Child Gil yelled. "That's not even godly magic. I don't even know what it really is, but it's just restyled." he said.

"Oh, I guess that's why his fire tastes like toe jam. If you eat so much of it, anything tastes good." Natsu said.

"My magic does not taste like toe jam!" Zancrow yells before Child Gil tightens the chains.

Natsu grinned as he came up with an idea, "Hey kid, I have an idea." He said.

A few minutes later

Natsu laughed as the two of them buried Zancrow alive. Leaving him chained up and 10 feet underground with a giant pipe in the middle of ground so he can breath. All the while they can hear the man's threats about the gods or something.

"Hey! In case you get hungry, I'm leaving you something!" Naruto shouts into the pipe as he picks up a centipede. "Don't worry, I think your uh, what's that place where gods are worshipped?" He asked.

"Church, temple, a pantheon maybe." Gil said.

Natsu grinned again, "Here, they like to eat these at your pantheon." he said as he dropped the centipede.

"Heathen!" Zancrow yells as the centipede crawls down.

"Oh so now he's a priest. He has the right to call you a heathen apparently." Gil said before grabbing some dirt. "Here, this will keep you warm." he said as he dropped it down the pipe.

"Okay that's really fun. Happy, do you want to add anything?" Natsu asked.

Happy came running up with a seagull, "Lay an egg buddy! He's hungry!" he said as he squeezed the bird.

The bird let out a pain filled cry as it deposited something down the pipe. Gil and Natsu grimaced as they covered their noses from the stench.

"That was not an egg." Natsu said. "Okay, let's just grab the old man and go!" he said as Happy let go of the bird.

"Did I do it right?" Happy asked.

"I think this one was too far." Gil answered as Natsu picked up the master.

"What happened anyways old man? You're not weak." Natsu asked.

"I'm afraid a terrible plot is on the horizon Natsu." is all Makarov said as the group escaped the area.

With Gajeel and Levy

It wouldn't be too long before the pair got back together again. Only it could have been under better circumstances as the two were attacked by a chicken and goat man. Both of which seem to be quite strong and worthy of being feared by most wizards.

"Gajeel we can't fight them. Grimoire Heart dark mages are so tough that you need council permission just to face them." Levy said with doubts.

Gajeel scoffed, "We can handle them shrimp. I know being S class is about using your head too, but you need to use muscle that isn't in your head." He said as he activated Iron Scales.

Kawazu scoffed as well, "There are no rules in war-peron." he said before jumping high up in the air. "Egg Buster-peron!" He yells as he fires a barrage of eggs at Levy.

Levy proceeded to write in the air, "FIRE!" she yells as word comes to life.

The word for fire then proceeded to fly towards the eggs. Burning each of them to ash as Kawazu landed back onto the ground.

"Iron Dragon's Roar!" Gajeel yells as he unleashes his attack onto Yomazu.

"Bō!" Yomazu counters he blocks the entire attack with his blade. "Nuhahaha! It's fun to fight without any rules!" he said as he charged at Gajeel.

"Iron Dragon's Sword!" Gajeel yells as he parries Yomazu's attack.

As the two blades clashed, Gajeel and Yomazu skidded backwards with the final strike they dealt to each other. Yomazu then proceeded to quick draw up kanji with his sword similar to Levy's Solid Script magic.

"Go!" Yomazu yelled as he unleashed a terribly loud sounds that damaged the ears of the mages.

Levy immediately avoided a barrage of eggs from Kawazu. As she started to quickly draw in the air again.

"Silence!" Levy countered as she made the loud sound stop.

"You shouldn't turn your back on your enemy-peron!" Kawazu yells as he fires more eggs only be engulfed in blue flames.

The chicken had little time to respond as it collapsed onto the ground. With all of it's feathers burned off and it's skin cooked to a near perfect temperature for serving food. Before anyone could question it, King Hassan revealed himself again as he dashed straight for Yomazu.

"Bō!" Yomazu yells as he barely had a moment to block.

"Thy readiness is commendable but not good enough." King Hassan said.

"What the hell!? You're on our side!" the goat man said.

"Thou speak of the lesser Assassins claiming my own title." King Hassan responded.

In the distance, one of the Hassan-i-Sabbaa Assassin's lied on the ground dying. As they were attempting to locate any Fairy Tail wizard and end their life. Only to be surprised by an attack from the first Hassan.

"Thou made piece with thy existence?" King Hassan asked as he put pressure onto Yomazu.

"Kan!" Yomazu yells as he tries to blast King Hassan away.

"Now Gajeel! While Lucy's servant helps us!" Levy warned.

"Iron Dragon's Hammer!" Gajeel yells as he surprised Yomazu with a hit sending him crashed three hundred feet away.

Yomazu's pain wouldn't end as King Hassan reappeared before him, "I wish to learn the plan of thy master." He said.

"Good for you." Yomazu said trying to reach his sword.

Which King Hassan shattered with his sword, "Art thou deaf? This is no resquest." he said as he gripped Yomazu's head. "Thou will tell the truth and details of thy master's plan." He said as Yomazu felt terrified.

"No." Yomazu said feigning bravery. So King Hassan briefly set him on fire, "I'm not allowed to say anything like how there's more of us on the island or how we're looking for Lord Zeref who believe is secretly alive! Don't burn me, please!" he pleaded.

King Hassan stopped before Yomazu looked like overcooked toast, "Thou has done well without much effort." he said before Levy and Gajeel approached him.

"Did Lucy send you by chance?" Levy asked nervously.

"The Keeper of the Grail indeed sent me to dispatch this foe." King Hassan answered.

"Well it doesn't matter, we're only the low tier members of Grimoire Heart. There's plenty of us left and seven in particular are the strongest!" Yomazu exclaimed.

"Does this guy not shut up?" Gajeel asked.

"That information is already outdated, the treacherous hypocrite Zoldeo is deceased." King Hassan said as Yomazu was now even more scared.

"Wait, what happened?" Gajeel asked.

"Never mind that, make haste back to the Keeper. Return with the rest of your allies. Thy division will weaken you against the number greater foes." King Hassan said.

"Speak clearly!" Gajeel yelled.

"He means run back to Lucy and everyone else." Levy said.

"It would have helped if he said that instead." Gajeel grumbled.

"Goodbye Mister Skull and flames." Levy said as she didn't want to stick around the Grand Assassin any longer.

Back at the camp

Vincent Valentine made his way through the jungle on Tenroujima. Searching and scouring the entire place until he found Lucy. He knew it was a risk to leave Shirou and Arthur behind along with Ilya, but they were safer with the adults. The servants could also be activated with magic so there would a few at the guild to keep them safe as well. As Vincent made went on his own when Charle mentioned her prophecy of the great danger on the island.

As the former Turk continued to crawl through the nearly endless greenery of the island. Vincent stopped and pulled out Cerberus as he pointed towards his left side. Taking a deep breath, Vincent patiently stayed put before turning slightly to the right and firing three rounds. That's when a rogue Assassin class servant appeared and started shooting back at him.

'Should have known that they made it deep into the island.' Vincent thought as he took cover. 'They even stole my style.' he thought as the servant was wearing a red out fit that cloaked a part of their face.

Vincent and the Assassin continued to open fire at each other until Vincent needed to reload. Prompting him to make a run for it as he quickly scrounged for more bullets in one of his satchels. Only to be kicked down as sent rolling down a small hill and into the clearing. Vincent quickly moved as he avoided a knife that almost hit head.

'I'm being too reckless.' Vincent thought as he quickly reloaded and fired at the servant.

As Vincent struggled to fight the Assassin. He was very close to considering transforming into the Galian Beast or something as strong. Only for the Assassin to be scared away as several light magic projectiles hit him. Forcing him to retreat and think of another plan of approach. Vincent looked up to find Lucy standing over her.

"Hey Vincent, not that I'm unhappy to see you or anything. Except I haven't seen you in a while. What brings you to the island?" Lucy asked.

"The white cat had a vision of danger on this island." Vincent said.

"Oh right, bodyguard for life thing." Lucy said as she held her head. "Sorry Vincent, everything has been a bit hectic. Since you probably already noticed that this island is under attack." she said.

"By Grimoire Heart and they're utilizing servants." Vincent said.

"And that's why I'm trying to get everyone to regroup. As you can kind of see, we're in a bit of a mess." Lucy said as she revealed the holographic map.

Vincent nodded, "The whole situation is skewed." he said as Fairy Tail is very disorganized.

"Yeah, but I think Natsu and the Master are coming back along with Levy and Gajeel. Though I'm still worried about everyone else who is still looking." Lucy explained.

"If there was a way to recall or contact everyone at once. That would be very useful." Vincent points out. "However, I suggest everyone stays together and moves together. We may be one big target, but it's safer than being picked off." he said.

That's when Lucy saw Mirajane and Lisanna's positions being attacked by one of the dark mages. From the looks of it, the two are having a very difficult time with this foe.

"Except my spirits and servants, I can just recall them at any time." Lucy said as she tried to think of a good way to save the Strauss sisters.

With The Strauss sisters

It was very painful for the girls as they were assaulted by Azuma. Unlike with Elfman and Evergreen, Azuma is an experienced mage that doesn't hold back. Which is worse because Mirajane is still weak compared to herself two years ago and Lisanna hasn't been able to magic for the same amount of time.

"You are quick and strong, but it's not enough!" Azuma said as he sent Mirajane flying away with an explosion.

"Get away from my sister!" Lisanna yelled as she tried kicking Azuma while in Kangaroo form.

"Try even harder." Azuma said as he grabbed Lisanna's legs and tossed her into a tree.

Mira growled, "I'll show you!" she yelled as her fist met with Azuma's face.

As Azuma was sent flying Mirajane flew high into the air to continue her assault. Where Azuma quickly started to fight back. Long enough for the dark mage to manipulate the wood around him to send Mira crashing back down into the earth.

"It's been a while since I had this much fun." Azuma said as he wiped his lip. He then commanded the vines to hold down Mirajane, "Don't give out on me now! Chain Burst!" he yelled as he made the vines explode.

Mira was then sent flying high into the air before eventually regaining control of her senses. Where she proceeded to fly back down and crashed into Azuma. Making him crash through several trees before eventually punching Mira away. With Lisanna trying to come close despite lacking the speed to keep up with them.

"Burst Claw!" Azuma yelled as he sent his roots flying towards the sisters.

Where they all exploded and sent both girls flying away. Before Azuma could determine if he had won yet or if the girls still had some fighting spirit left in them. He suddenly turned around and created a large wooden barrier. As Kain nearly crashed into him. As he lowered the wall, Azuma saw Kain struggling to stand up as his eyes were spinning around like a pachinko machine ball.

"Kain." Azuma said.

Kain suddenly stood up, "What? Where am I?" he asked before noticing the Strauss girls. Making him jealous, "Oh hell no! How come you get two babes while I get one!?" he asked.

"We are not here for you to fantasize about women." Azuma said.

"It is no fantasy, it is reality. So you better step aside, so I can take care of them." Kain said as he was imagining himself as an attractive shounen protagonist that was surrounded by the Fairy Tail girls.

Azuma continued giving Kain a blank look, "You better remember your mission. Have you actually taken anyone out yet?" he asked.

"I was gonna, but this dumb kid and his flying key shaped skateboard tricked me." Kain said as he referred to Ventus.

Not even wanting to spend another moment interacting with Kain. Azuma noticed Ventus flying in on his keyblade with Cana hanging onto his back. Azuma quickly threw Kain to the side, making him it his head against a tree in the process, and started throwing more seeds towards the pair.

"Burst Seed!" Azuma yells.

"Aeroga!" Ventus yells as he covers himself and Cana in a strong wind dome.

As the damage was heavily reduced. Ventus carefully dropped of Cana and aimed for Azuma. Where he started using his Shot Lock and fired several fire projectiles of his own. Which Azuma avoided by sinking into the trees.

"I never expected you to be at this level of incompetence Kain." Azuma said before jumping towards Ventus. "Bleve!" He yelled as he tried hit Ventus with an explosion.

Which Ventus avoided by hovering over the attack, "Thundaga!" he yelled.

Azuma blocked the attack with his arms as he started skidding back. Before he could counter, he heard Kain screaming. When he briefly looked to find his teammate. Azuma said Kain being gripped tightly by a demonic ethereal hand that was manipulated by Kiara.

"This man's desire is only limited to fantasy. How disappointing." Kiara said as she tossed Kain aside.

Ventus looked scared, "The creepy dominatrix nun is back." he said.

Kiara smiled at Ventus, "Ven-kun, take these ladies back to camp. Lucy wants everyone to regroup." she said.

Ventus nodded quickly as he and Cana helped the Strauss sisters. Kiara giggled to herself as she hoped more of a challenge from Azuma. However, Azuma didn't want anyone from Fairy Tail to get away. So he quickly started sprouting more roots from the ground in an attempt to catch them. Only for Kiara to summon a big hand from the ground to rip them away.

Azuma then jumped away as he tried blasting Kiara away with an explosion and just be done with her. Instead, Kiara tapped into her skill, Masochistic Constitution and luckily enough, she was fairly durable. Now Azuma was starting to forget about the Fairy Tail wizards and focus solely on fighting Kiara. Only most of the tame explosions just made her moan in pleasure which bothered Azuma.

Though it gave Kain some ideas.

"If you think that feels good, wait until I deal my own pain." Kain said as he started thrusting his palms at her.

"More, please more." Kiara begged.

"AHHHH!" Kain said as his nose started to bleed.

"Move Kain!" Azuma yelled as he fired an explosion Kiara.

Kiara quickly grabbed Kain's body, "Protect me please." she said seductively.

"Yes ma'am! It is a gentleman's duty to protect an innocent damsel!" Kain said as he used himself as a shield.

Azuma was normally composed and patient but now Kain was doing everything in his power to infuriate him. The dark mage was very tempted to just let Kain die in the crossfire and blame it on the wizards. Though it looked like Kain finally let his stupidity take over and Kiara preyed on that with her seductive ways.

"Fight him, my champion." Kiara whispered.

Kain's serious face came out as he raised up his doll, "Iron Doll!" He yelled as his own flesh turned into iron. "Metallic Rocket!" he yells as he launches himself into Azuma.

With the two colliding, Azuma shoved Kain away and was about to threaten him. When Kiara started laughing as she raised a violet light into the air. The light then started to fire a barrage of projectile beams at the pair and destroyed the entire area around them. Azuma shoved Kain again and prepared to counterattack against the Alter Ego servant when Kain tackled him down.

"You are really testing me today." Azuma said as he tried kicking Kain away.

"The ladies must be defended." Kain replied before grabbing at his hair. "Also give me your hair. My doll can't do as much cool stuff without it." he said as he tried yanking some off.

This left them vulnerable to Kiara's assault which Azuma barely had any chance to defend against as the evil nun was having too much fun.

With Buddha

Buddhe lazily walked down the road looking for Rustyrose. It's best not to get into detail because the pompadour wearing dark mage was going on and on and on about some stupid crap like creating extinction. Buddha wasn't the type to get into philosophical debates at least not doing it with a narcissist with bad hair for more than 30 seconds for obvious reasons. Instead, he proceeded to put down the man's desires to rid the world of most of none magic users.

Now he was looking for the guy because the man's lost magic wasn't doing so good against a guy with good clairvoyance.

"Come on guy, if you surrender. Maybe Lucy's crab spirit will give you a haircut. Kami knows you won't get laid looking like Elvis." Buddha said before avoided a sword aimed for his head. Buddha turned his head to see that Rustyrose transformed his hand into a sword, "Wow taking cheap shots?" he asked.

"There ain't nothing cheap about any means to win. After all, you're facing the King of the Underworld after all." Rustyrose said as he tried slashing at Buddha several times.

Buddha avoided each attack with ease, "Then the Underworld is in a recession with how little attention you give it." He said before turning his staff into a golden shield that the sword can't pierce. "I know everyone has to love themselves, but you love yourself too much." he said.

"And what's wrong with that? I'm strong and soon enough, I'll get rid of the trash." Rustyrose said as he wasn't able to harm Buddha.

"So if you lose, does that make you weak?" Buddha asked making Rustyrose look angry. "If so, does that mean you have to kill yourself or wait until someone does that. Because that means you don't follow your own beliefs." he said.

"I'm far from weak, an old hippy like you can't see let alone fight back." Rustyrose said as he retracted his sword. "I'll just finish you here. Sacred Guardian beast: Belcusas the Thunderclap!" he said as he summoned a large creature.

Rustyrose chuckled as he started combing his pompadour as the beast ran up to Buddha. The legendary monk merely closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he channelled energy into the Six Realms Staff. Feeling the energy of those who attained the Great Nirvana in the Pure Lands, he generated a Shichishito to his side. Without worrying about the incoming monster trying to destroy him. Buddha picked up the sword and jumped at Belcusas.

Rustyrose scoffed at Buddha's attack, "It's pointless, I already said this world is only for the strong to live in. I guess it's useless, when all you can do is…" he never finished as Bhudda cleaved the beast in half.

Rustyrose stepped back in fear from the scene, "Listen here you Elvis Presley Shakespeare wannabe hack." Buddha said as he adjusted his glasses. "You are self contradiction in action. All you care about is being tough and all you can do is use your imagination since you can't do anything else remotely good. You love yourself so much, except there's nothing worth loving." he explained.

Rustyrose snarled as Buddha kept insulting him. Even worse, the man stopped for a moment to eat a piece of candy during his speech.

"You know what it takes to confront your weakness? To fight back against your inexperience and to try and overcome it?" Buddha asked as he came closer.

"Sacred Guardian Beast, Belfast The Hurricane!" Rustyrose calls out as he summoned a large winged creature.

Which Buddhe beat with his divine sword with ease by slicing through it, "It's puberty, which you don't have. That's why you're weak." Buddha said as Rustyrose only became more frustrated.

"Pegasus Wings!" Rustyrose calls out as he grows wings on his legs. "I am not weak! I'm the strongest and you're just some dirty hippy! What do you know!?" he asked as he summoned another sword.

"First Realm: Divine realm - Loka Pala." Buddha countered as the two weapons were locked in stalemate. "What I know is that whether you're friend or foe, good or bad, it doesn't matter who you are." he said as he pushed Rustyrose away with his golden halberd.

Before giving the dark mage any time to recover or counter. Buddha used all of his strength to slash at Rustyrose. Causing a large injury to go down his chest that sent him skidding far into the forest.

"In this world, I'm just me. Happiness ain't something you get from killing people and feeling good about it." Buddha said as he reverted his staff to it's original form. "You gotta obtain happiness yourself without taking it away from others like some jealous sack of crap." he said knowing he won this fight.

Buddha then continued down his way in an attempt to find other Fairy Tail wizards or at least make his way back to camp.

With Lucy

Lucy smiled as she could see that Buddha won his battle and Kiara was making progress with Azuma and Kain. With any luck, the guild will have gotten closer to defeating half of Grimoire Heart's Seven Kin of Purgatory. The next issue would be dealing with the rest of the enemy's force from the airship they arrived on.

"Hey Luce!" Natsu called out. "The old man needs some healing!" he yelled.

Lucy nodded, "Right, I'll get Nightingale ready. Just keep a look out for anyone else, friend and foe." she said as she got to work.

Natsu grinned, "I know, they wouldn't dare make it this far." he said as he punched his hand into his palm.

"Yeah, we even beat that crazy guy and I made him eat an egg!" Happy said.

"Happy, that wasn't an egg." Natsu said confusing Happy.

"You guys are lame. I'm going this way." Child Gil said as he left the group.

"You better not stray off Gil." Lucy said.

"Whatever mom." Gil said to mock her.

"What was that!?" Lucy asked.

"…nothing." Gil responded.

With Daphne

The mad scientist gleefully grinned as she stared at her newest creation, "Yes, this will do nicely… Metofu-chan! Good for vegans of all kinds!" she said as she started boxing up her newest snack. "That will look great for my sales. Almost as great as my latest dragon experiment." she said as she looked at the containment room holding a dragon like creature.

Daphne happily knocked on the see through containment door as the ox sized winged lizard growled at her. Daphne shrugged off any threat that the beast could be and continued to smile.

"I know that pompous emperor gifted me with this nice laugh, which I appreciate. Along with some nice tools and dragon DNA, which I absolutely love." Daphne said before sighing. "Except, I think if anyone remembers the name Daphne. It's going to be my Metofu-chan. That's the real winner here." she said before hearing the dragon growl at her.

Daphne glared at the beast before sticking her tongue out. Though she still had a lot of work left. Daphne decided to get some fresh air and some food to eat before continuing on her next project with the rest of the resources Mateus gave her.

"That Shinryuu is still nice though. I wonder what other nice little critters the emperor has in that old book of his." Daphne said already feeling excited to work on literally anything.

All this ancient information and dragon remains was something Daphne only fantasized of. Though that didn't stop her secondary aspiration of continuing her food products. First the Metamo-chan, then the Metofu-chan (patent pending) and whatever hair brained food scheme she had next!

TO BE CONTINUED…