Mama Mirajane-21
"Alright, that's it, keep it up, don't stop you've got three weeks to get in shape for the fight." Yang exclaimed as she sparred with Scythe in the gym's octagon.
"I know, but I'm getting nowhere fast." Scythe exclaimed slamming his foot on the ground, jumping up with a side spin axe kick engulfed in crimson flames, landing it on Yang's crossed arms as she blocked the attack.
"You're getting nowhere because you're being too impatient, you need to keep focus and patient, otherwise you're going to lose the gym." Ruby sighed stepping into the octagon handing them each a water bottle. "Weiss has always been like this. Sure she means well, but she's not going to back out of a deal, it's not the Schnee way; besides, you just got out of the Fairy Tail infirmary this morning. So try not to push yourself too far."
"Well, if he pushes himself too far, he can just get back up."
The trio in the octagon turned to see Nora, Jaune, Ren, and Wendy standing at the door.
"What are you guys doing here?" Scythe questioned looking directly at Wendy in shock as they stepped out of the training octagon.
"Well, we heard about your deal with the Ice-Queen through the grapevine during the Fantasia Parade last night, I'm sorry you couldn't be in it." Ren smiled.
"So we thought we'd come and help you train. Who better to help you than your fellow Godslayers?" Jaune smiled.
"We ran into Wendy on the way here, after telling her what was going on, she agreed to join us to come support you." Nora smiled softly.
"Weiss has always been as stubborn as a mule when it comes to deals involving her company, but there's a trick you need to know in trying to beat her." Ren exclaimed.
"I appreciate that, but she's not the one I'm going to be fighting in the final round." Scythe exclaimed. "The Heavy Weight Champion of the Octagon, Titan Goliath."
"Since starting out our professional carriers, he was the only one to take Ruby and I head on in a tag team battle, with no one else." Yang exclaimed. "We were never able to beat him. He's a beast."
"In more ways than one. He fights like an animal, he even looks like an animal, and he acts like an animal. An actual beast." Ruby stated.
"His brute strength is something greater than anything I've ever seen. I don't think he was ever human to begin with." Yang stated reaching up and gripping the skin on the upper half of her right arm, and pulled it down, revealing it to be a skin over a prosthetic arm. "He damaged my arm so bad I had to get it amputated, and replaced with this robotic one."
"The reason he's unbeatable is because he uses rebound magic." Nora sighed.
"Rebound magic?"
"Magic that allows someone to take damage, and then dish it out twice as strong, or stronger depending on how much damage they take." Wendy explained.
"You might recognize him." Jaune said pulling out a magazine and handing it to him. "The guy on the cover is Titan Goliath. His real name, Adam Taurus."
"Guy does look tough, does he always wear that mask?" Scythe asked, analyzing the redhead man, dressed in a black suit, with a white and red mask over his eyes, and a pair of horns sticking out from the top of his head, posing on the cover of the magazine.
"He does. He's never taken it off, no matter what." Ren stated.
"Trouble with people like him though, is they believe themselves superior to anyone they face." Wendy exclaimed.
"I didn't know you were into these types of fights Wendy." Nora exclaimed.
"I wasn't really, but I started watching them a bit after, my ex and I, started dating before he… you know." Wendy stated. "He actually got me hooked on it."
"No, we don't know." Ren exclaimed.
"I do, and trust me, if you knew to, you'd be glad he's dead." Scythe exclaimed going to the large lacrima at the signup counter.
"What did this ex of yours try to do to you?" Ruby asked.
"Uh well…" Wendy began motioning for them to lean in closer, as she whispered what Jack had done to wind up in jail.
"I hope he burns in hell." Yang stated, her eyes a fiery red as she clenched her teeth.
"Alright, here it is." Scythe stated pulling up some videos on the lacrima.
"What's he doing?" Wendy asked.
"Studying his opponent. He's trying to find a pattern within Adam's tactics." Jaune stated with a slight smile. "Kid's smarter than he looks."
"I heard that." Scythe stated his eyes still glued to the lacrima.
"I'm making a call." Nora stated pulling out a portable communication lacrima.
"Where'd you get one of those?" Ren asked.
"It was part of the reward from the last job I took." Nora said before someone answered. "Hey Coco, its Nora. I'm good how are you? That's good to hear, Chelia is doing great, she's happy to be back at the daycare. Hey listen how fast can you get to Magnolia? I'm calling in a favor you owe me. Well, if I recall correctly, you're a supreme tattoo artists that won first place in all the tattoo competitions held in Clover. No the tattoos are not for me."
"Nora, what are you doing?" Scythe asked, his eyes wandering over to her.
"Scythe, how do you feel about body art?" Nora questioned.
Scythe turned his head fully to her, and his solemn look broadened into a smile as he had a general idea of what she was thinking.
~One Week Later~
"Where's Coco?" Ren asked. "She did say she was gonna be here in precisely two hours right?"
"Relax honey, she'll be here soon." Nora smiled.
"So, what do you think about Scythe's chances?" Jaune asked, drinking from a water bottle.
The trio, all dressed in their training gear, looked over to the octagon as they saw him sparring against Wendy, with Yang instructing him, and Ruby instructing the bluenet, as she wore a brand new pair of gym short-shorts, and a sports bra, with her hair done up in a ponytail, and both their arms and legs from the calves to the center of their feet, were wrapped in fighting wraps.
"In all honesty, I'm not sure if he can win against Adam. The guy is ruthless. Even I'm scared of him." Nora sighed.
"That's saying something." Ren stated. "There have been multiple times where people, amateurs, step into the octagon, thinking they can beat him, and wind up leaving the building in a body bag."
"If that's the case, then why was he never arrested for murder?" Jaune asked.
"Because the fighters all sign a waiver saying that they understand that there is a possibility of death in a fight. These aren't just planned and faked fights, these are actual life threatening fights. That's why there are so few contestants each year during the Battle Royale in Magnolia. The people mainly come for the spectacle." Nora explained.
"Then I guess Scythe won't be wasting a lot of his strength fighting people who don't want to die." Jaune exclaimed before the door opened alerting them that someone was coming in. "I'm sorry sir, but we're closed for private lessons for the day." Jaune said walking over to him.
"Oh, I'm not here for any lessons." The man said.
The guy standing in front of them was dressed in a pink shirt, with blue jeans, and sandals. Sporting a camera around his neck, with a book bag on his shoulder, and a pair of sunglasses on his head in front of the large spike of his blonde hair.
"My name is Jason, I'm a reporter with Sorcerer Weekly Magazine. I was told by Mirajane Strauss I could find her son here. Everybody there and here is so cool." Jason smiled, full of energy and enthusiasm. "Scythe Strauss is the only member of Fairy Tail I haven't interviewed yet."
"Well, Scythe is a little busy training right now." Jaune said looking over at the octagon with Jason following his gaze.
"So cool." Jason cheered rushing over to the octagon. "So cool it's an octagon built like a boxing ring platform. There's no cage, but there are border ropes, just like in a boxing match, so cool."
"Can I help you?" Scythe asked, not taking his attention off of the sparring match for one second as Jason began snapping pictures.
"I'm Jason from Sorcerer Weekly, I'm here…"
"Yeah, I know why you're here. My mom told me you might be stopping by. Whoa." Scythe exclaimed as Wendy flipped him over her shoulder and onto his back. "What are you needing?" He wheezed out.
"I would like to interview you for a few minutes please. It's just you're so cool, and you're so young." Jason exclaimed dropping his camera.
"Alright, I guess a five minute break would be fine for now." Scythe sighed getting up, Wendy handing him a towel. "So, what questions do you have for me?"
"Well, this isn't actually part of the interview, but why did you design an octagon to have the same type of border ropes as a boxing ring?" Jason asked as Scythe and Wendy slipped through between the ropes of the octagon.
"Well, it's only a training octagon, no need to intimidate beginners with an actual cage, the rope borders are to make them feel a little more confident." Scythe chuckled as he walked down the steps, with Wendy close behind him.
"Alright, so is it true you're fighting in the Battle Royale Tournament here in Magnolia?" Jason questioned, after snapping a few more pictures.
"Yep, I'm fighting in the Battle Royale." Scythe smiled.
"Are you aware of the thirty thousand jewel grand-prize for whoever wins the tournament?" Jason questioned, writing down Scythe's response.
"No, I was not aware of that. I'm just fighting in it because of a wager I made." Scythe stated drinking from his water bottle.
"Next question. Is it true, you're an S-Class Sorcerer, who is a millionaire?" Jason questioned.
"I'm not answering that for security purposes." Scythe exclaimed grabbing a protein bar from the table Ren set up with snacks. "I'm just going to say yes, I am an S-Class Sorcerer."
"Fair enough, fair enough." Jason smiled. "Alright. Is it true you stopped a small town leader from performing a co-de-ta, against the King of Fiore with his growing army of followers?"
"Yeah, actually that part is true. It was the town my mother was born in, her parents, my grandparents were the founders of it." Scythe exclaimed.
"If it was the town your mother and her siblings were born in, how come they aren't there right now?" Jason asked.
"Siblings?" Nora questioned whispering to Ren and Jaune. "I thought she only has one sibling her brother?"
"They were driven out, because my mom couldn't control her Takeover Magic, and was branded a demon, for absorbing one." Scythe exclaimed.
"Okay, what kind of magic do you use as the God of War from Fairy Tail?" Jason inquired.
"I'm an Etherion Godslayer, I'm a Celestial Knight who was knighted by the Celestial Spirit King himself; I use a reequip magic that is only accessible by Celestial Knights, and I use the Satan Soul I inherited from my mother." Scythe explained. 'Best not to mention being able to summon Amaterasu and Raijin, otherwise I might as well become the council's ultimate weapon for battle.'
"Final question." Jason exclaimed. "Do you, blame your uncle, for murdering your aunt, Lisanna Strauss?"
Nora's hands clasped around her mouth and nose hearing that question, Ren and Jaune looked at him in disbelief before looking to each other, then back to Jason. Wendy's expression was a mirror image of Nora's as Ruby and Yang froze, hearing that, and looked to Jason as if non-verbally asking him if he was crazy.
"Well, what is your answer to that?" Jason asked before his shirt was grabbed by Scythe and he was brought staring into the masked face of one pissed off Godslayer.
"Let's get something straight here Jason." Scythe exclaimed, his voice echoing and demonic. "My uncle, and my mom, use the same magic, even my Aunt Lisanna used it. My uncle tried to save an entire town by taking over the monster he's able to transform into. But he wasn't strong enough at the time, so he wasn't the one who killed my Aunt Lisanna, it was the monster's fault. Got that? Now get the hell out of my gym."
Scythe pushed Jason back, letting go of his shirt before walking off to his office in the back of the gym, leaving Jason shaking where he stood.
"That was so cool, and so scary." Jason exclaimed.
"Dumbass, that's what happens when you piss of a Godslayer who has both holy and unholy magic." Yang stated smacking him across the back of the head. "C'mon I'll escort you out, but you'd best not do anything to piss him off again."
"Wendy, why don't you go see if you can calm him down?" Jaune asked.
"Yeah, he could use a friendly face like yours." Nora smiled softly.
"Alright." Wendy smiled heading off for Scythe's office. The shy bluenet walked off to the office, knocking on the door.
"Come in." Scythe exclaimed.
'Well, at least he's not wearing that mask anymore.' Wendy thought as she entered, finding Scythe sitting at his desk, fidgeting with a puzzle box.
"Hey Wendy, what's up?" Scythe asked.
"I came by to see how you were doing." Wendy stated sitting in the chair across from his desk.
"I'm fine. I just needed a minute to cool off." Scythe sighed. "I kinda blew up in Jason's face, I let my anger get the best of me. I should give Sorcerer Weekly a call and apologize to him. He didn't deserve to be yelled at."
"Glad to see you're back to being your old sensible self. But your anger was understandable." Wendy stated. "He brought up a topic that was sensitive to you. Honestly, I was kinda shocked to hear him ask that question, I had no idea your aunt had died."
"It's not something I really like to talk about. Uncle Elfman blamed himself for the longest time for her death, which is why he made himself become stronger, eventually, during the war with Phantom Lord, he was able to master a full body Takeover. Granted, he lost control for a bit, before he was brought back to his senses by my mother."
"Didn't you master the full body Takeover Satan Soul at the exact same time?" Wendy questioned.
"I did. Though like him, I wasn't strong enough to rein it in until I heard my mother's voice. I ended up going too far and put one of the Element4 into a coma he still hasn't woken from." Scythe exclaimed.
"Well, that's the thing with war. There will be casualties." Wendy smiled softly, admiring his sense of honor. "Same with fights, you win some, you lose some."
"Speaking of fights, you've become less timid Wendy." Scythe smiled. "You've grown more confident in yourself, and you've become quite the fighter when it comes to hand to hand combat."
"Oh please, I'm still nowhere near as good as you." Wendy smiled.
"That shoulder flip you did on me would say otherwise." Scythe smiled.
"C'mon, let's get back to training, no-holds-bar just like last time." Wendy chuckled standing up.
"You're on." Scythe smiled as they left his office, heading for the octagon.
Once they set foot on the stage, Scythe and Wendy took their respective stances.
(Que Music… Remember the name: Fort Minor)
"Ready to fight?" Wendy asked.
"I'm always ready." Scythe smiled as Yang and Wendy took their places, knowing what was going on.
"Fight." The sisters shouted at the same time.
Scythe and Wendy attacked one another, Scythe sending her a knee to the gut, before she blocked it with the palm of her right hand. Using that opportunity, Wendy brought her leg up and kicked at Scythe in the head, only for him to block it with his arm.
"Good, things just got interesting." Nora smiled as she stood beside the ring.
Scythe pushed her leg back, and slammed his fist against her shoulder, knocking her back, before she regained her footing and flipped over onto her hands, spinning around, attempting to kick Scythe in the face only for him to block the attack and send her falling.
Acting quickly, Wendy pushed off with her hands, gliding over to the edge of the ring, landing on her feet as she bumped against the rope border.
"Nice Wendy, but don't let him get the upper hand, use his strength against him, like you did in the last fight." Ruby stated.
Wendy nodded her head in confirmation before she ran for Scythe flipping over and slamming her feet into his stomach, knocking him back to one of the pegs holding the border ropes up.
"Not bad Wendy." Scythe smiled standing up.
"I'm just getting started." Wendy chuckled bouncing on her feet.
"So am I." Scythe smiled pushing back against the border ropes before bringing up his feet and flinging himself to Wendy.
"Hey, that's not fair, there's no sling shots in MMA." Wendy complained.
"There's no spinning hand stand kicks either." Scythe smiled as he rebounded of another side of the border ropes.
"Touché." Wendy smiled jumping to the side evading another sling-shot.
Scythe landed on his feet before roundhouse kicking at Wendy, as she blocked it, and performed her own kick, at his side.
"Nice try." Scythe smiled catching the kick with his hand.
Bringing his foot down, Scythe leg swept Wendy's other foot, and sent her to the ground, before she instantly brought herself back up and leg swept Scythe, knocking him on his back. Acting fast, without even thinking of what she was doing, Wendy straddled Scythe's torso, and held his hands down, and threw a punch that stopped mere centimeters from his face.
(End Song…)
"Say it." Wendy smiled.
"Not gonna happen." Scythe smirked.
From out of nowhere, Wendy was taken by surprise as Scythe used his legs to switch positions, with him straddling her and pinning her down with his weight, while he held her arms down above her head, with his fist cocked back.
"Your turn." Scythe smiled.
"Alright, alright, I give." Wendy laughed. "You win."
"That's right."
"Hey, get a room you two." Yang shouted, smiling.
Wendy and Scythe looked to her, then back to each other, before realizing the position they were in.
"Sorry." They said in unison as they separated, both blushing madly.
"Yang quite teasing them." Ruby scolded as she helped Wendy stand up. "That was a good match, a little unconventional, but still good."
"Though there's only going to be one rule during the Battle Royale." Yang smiled as they exited the octagon. "Don't die. Anything else goes."
"Wow. Kinda makes you wonder why they don't have more rules to these Battle Royale's." Jaune exclaimed.
"Yeah, I'm thinking Weiss believes this could be an easy win." Yang stated as she grabbed a towel and tossed it in the laundry hamper. "She underestimates Scythe and his skills. Of course she's not wanting him to die, that's more her father's thing, glad he's dead, but she believes Scythe will have to chance of winning against Adam in the finals."
"I believe you're right."
Scythe sniffed the air and turned around, looking at the one who spoke, finding the person standing there, looking like an older version of Weiss, but dressed in a much more strict military attire.
"Winter. It's so good to see you again." Ruby smiled.
"Good to see you to Ruby. I trust you all have been faring well?" Winter smiled as they hugged.
"I've been doing well, Yang and I even have a new boss." Ruby smiled. "Even a few new employees."
"I see, Ren, Nora, and Jaune have joined the gym crew." Winter smiled.
"Well, with the pay being twenty jewel an hour, how could we say no?" Nora smiled. "The guild was sad to see us go, but they understood we were doing this for Chelia."
"Plus with that kinda pay, I can support my growing family no sweat." Jaune smiled.
"So this must be your new boss." Winter said walking up to Scythe. "Weiss was correct, you do seem quite young to be a business leader. But I'm not here to spy on the competition for the fights. I'm here to offer my assistance."
"Thank you I appreciate it. I've only got two weeks left until the tournament." Scythe smiled softly.
"First let me ask you a question. Is it true you're a Godslayer, if so, what's your element?" Winter questioned.
"I'm tired of repeating this to people." Scythe sighed. "I'm an Etherion Godslayer. I take it you're an Ice-Godslayer?"
"I am indeed." Winter smiled. "You're intuition is sharp."
"Nothing sharp about it, your scent was the same as any Godslayer's, only with an icy-mint smell in the mix." Scythe exclaimed.
"Deducing my element and Slayer type magic just by one whiff, my you'd make a fine addition to the Fiore Military." Winter smiled.
"I'll pass. I don't want to risk killing Geld if I ever get assigned to feeding him." Scythe exclaimed. "But I still have him to thank." Scythe smiled holding up his hand, his arm covering itself in dragon scales. "What he had me incubate in unlocked my dragon scales, so now along with my iron, I have natural body armor."
"Dragon scales? Oh that's right, you're the son of Acnologia, I had forgotten momentarily." Winter exclaimed as she examined the gym. "I must say, for a gym, this place is certainly in good condition."
"Thanks, I guess my mom's need for cleanliness kinda rubbed off on me." Scythe exclaimed.
"Well, down to business. Do you happen to have a partner planned out for the fight?" Winter questioned.
"A partner?" Scythe asked as Winter showed him a roster. "Whoa, this many people have signed up?"
"Yes, word has spread out wildly through Magnolia that Fairy Tail's God of War, has signed up for the fight, and are eager to fight you. Now normally, with this many people, they usually go into a tag team battle, sometimes two on one." Winter explained.
"Like what me and Ruby did last year when we both fought Adam." Yang stated gripping her right arm, which she had revealed to be a prosthetic. "When I lost my arm."
"Wait, why do you have the official roster?" Jaune questioned.
"Due to the fact Adam Taurus has killed countless people in these tournaments, and has gotten away with it, because of the waivers the participants have signed, the judges have decided to invoke a few rules." Winter exclaimed. "One of these new rules is the obvious of them, no killing; another is that any participant can sign up a tag team partner within two weeks before the tournament begins. Given the amount of people who want to fight you, I'd recommend you sign up a partner. Also, some of the royal knights were hired from the King of Fiore to make sure the rules are followed. I was put in charge of security."
"But, there's no one I'm really in sync with right now to fight alongside with." Scythe exclaimed.
"I'd disagree on that. Given the fight I just saw you do, I'd say your partner is the young lady with the blue hair." Winter exclaimed.
"Me?" Wendy questioned. "No, I couldn't possibly, my magic is more meant for healing not attacking. Plus I don't know any close range combat spells, only long range."
"There are a few sky slayer attack spells that are used for close quarter combat, that we've been having our daughter learn. If we can teach them to you if you want." Ren exclaimed putting a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I don't know." Wendy exclaimed nervously.
"Wendy." Scythe began. "As much as it pains me to admit it, Winter is right, I will need a partner with the number of people who've signed up, just look, the list is three pages long, not to mention double sided." Scythe stated, showing Wendy the list.
"But you've taken out who armies on your own, why would you need a partner?" Wendy asked. "Not to mention you're an S-Class Sorcerer."
"I know, but I also know my limits, there's about fifty people on each piece of paper, front and back, rounding it up to a hundred and fifty people, sure I could take them on if it were a life and death situation, no problem. But this is a tournament, because of that I won't be motivated enough to push past my limits like I would if my life were actually on the line, plus, there's won't be anything there to motivate me like that." Scythe exclaimed. "I won't force you to do this if you're uncomfortable with it, the choice is yours; you can fight, or cheer me on from the sidelines." Scythe smiled softly.
Wendy took the list and saw the amount of people who had signed up, revealing that Scythe had not exaggerated in the slightest. Given what she knew about him as well, she also knew that he was telling the truth about his limits. His heart just wouldn't allow him to access his deepest magic reserves in a tournament like fight, only in actual bloodshed battle.
"Alright. I'll do it." Wendy sighed.
"Thank you Wendy." Scythe smiled bringing her into a hug.
"Uh… no problem…" Wendy stated, blushing madly.
"Glad to hear you've chosen a partner." Winter smiled.
"Why is that you wanted me to pick a partner?" Scythe questioned turning to look at Winter.
"Because of the reasons you gave your young friend. Weiss knew once word got out to the populace that there would be people signing up for a chance to fight you. She also knew, from what she's read about you in Sorcerer Weekly, that you have one of the biggest hearts ever seen, which would be your downfall in a tournament against so many opponents." Winter explained.
"Man, she knew I'd reach my limit half way through the tournament and lose during my next fight." Scythe said, catching on to what the older Schnee was saying. "That cheeky little snow vixen."
"Okay, so in order for your partner to participate in the fight, she'll need to sign here, here, and here." Winter exclaimed holding out a signup sheet. "Print your name here at the top, initial here, print your name here again, and one last signature at the bottom, claiming any harm or injury that becomes of you will be met with proper medical treatment and you will not sue if you sustain any long lasting, temporary, or permanent injuries."
"I don't think I could afford to sue even if I wanted to." Wendy exclaimed.
"Sun's starting to set. We should probably lock up the gym and head home for the night." Ruby exclaimed.
"I think a good night's sleep will do us all good. Nora and I will prepare the spells I said we'd bring." Ren exclaimed.
"Will they even work for a Dragonslayer, Chelia is a Godslayer after all." Jaune asked.
"Of course they'll work. These spells aren't limited to one type of slayer magic, they're usable by all types." Nora exclaimed.
"Well, let's clean up and pack it in for the night." Scythe smiled.
"Aye sir." They all smiled before laughing as they did Happy's signature catchphrase.
"I'll take my leave, you get plenty of rest before the tournament in two weeks, got it?" Winter asked.
"Yes Ma'am." Scythe exclaimed.
"No slacking off on training either, I don't want my sister's head to get bigger than it already is." Winter stated.
~An hour later~
"Man, today was quite eventful right?" Wendy smiled walking along the cobblestone walkway with Scythe, her gym bag over her shoulder. "I'm still feeling a little guilty that you bought me all these new gym supplies."
"Don't be, the jewel I spent on those is nothing but chump change to me at this point." Scythe smiled.
"But still, I think paying for my full stay at the hotel is a little much." Wendy stated.
"You're spending nearly a month here in Magnolia, there's no reason why I shouldn't help you, since you told me yourself you don't have enough money, plus you turned down my offer to put you up at my place with my mom, uncle, and me." Scythe exclaimed his hands behind his head.
"Still, I… oh no…" Wendy stated as she smelt smoke.
"Not good." Scythe exclaimed as they raced off only to find that the hotel Wendy was staying at was on fire.
"No." Wendy stated.
"Ms. Marvell?"
Wendy and Scythe turned to see one of the bellboys with a bit of a torn, burnt, and tattered suit, rolling a suitcase to them.
"I believe this is yours." He stated.
"Thanks, but how'd you get all my stuff out before the fire reached my room?" Wendy questioned.
"As a precaution for all our clients and guests, we have a magical lacrima that packs up all of our guest's things into their suitcase of cases, and teleports them outside a safe distance away from the fire if it gets out of control, thus reducing the risk of any customers dying in the fire because they felt the need to retrieve something from their rooms." The bellboy smiled giving the suitcase to her. "As soon as the bags are fully packed, the room number and the name of the person renting out that room is written on the surface that will vanish as soon as the bag is received by the owner."
"Well, this is one efficient hotel." Scythe whistled from impressiveness.
"Thank you so much." Wendy said bowing to the bellboy.
"Think nothing of it." The bellboy smiled before walking off.
"Oh, now where am I going to stay?" Wendy questioned.
"Well, I have an idea. But first I gotta take care of something." Scythe smiled walking towards the burning building.
Standing in front of the people trying to throw fire on it, Scythe smiled before doing an inhaling motion. Causing the flames to come swirling towards his mouth, as he sucked them down. Once the flames were out, Scythe sighed and returned to Wendy who had a look of relief.
"Thank goodness, at least now there won't be any risk of anybody getting hurt from a burning building." Wendy smiled as the fire department just looked at him in amazement as they walked off. "So where's this place you have in mind for me to stay?"
"Well…" Scythe exclaimed before they disappeared in a flash of blue lightning appearing at the front door to the Strauss residence. "My place."
"What?" Wendy questioned.
"Mom, I'm home, and I brought a guest." Scythe called as he opened the door, removing his shoes. "Well don't just stand there, come on in."
"Oh, welcome back sweetie." Mirajane smiled drying her hands with a kitchen towel. "I was just making dinner. Who's your friend?"
"Mom, meet Wendy Marvell." Scythe smiled.
"Oh, so this is the girl you went to the concert with." Mira smiled welcoming her in. "Welcome to our home."
"Mom, Wendy's hotel burnt down, and she's going to be my battle partner during the tournament, would it be alright for her to stay here until the tournament ends?" Scythe questioned.
"Of course. I don't mind at all." Mirajane smiled leading them into the dining area. "Please, make yourself at home Wendy."
"Thank you for having me. I hope I'm not being too much of a bother during such a short notice." Wendy said nervously sitting at the table with Scythe, across from a large man reading a newspaper.
"Nonsense. Any friend of Scythe's is welcome in our home." Elfman smiled putting the newspaper down. "Name's Elfman Strauss, nice to meet you young lady. I hope Scythe's not too much for you to handle."
"Uncle Elfman." Scythe groaned, annoyed at the comment.
"Oh please, it's an uncle's job to humiliate his nephew." Elfman laughed as Mira put the food down on the table.
"I'm sort of getting a fatherly vibe from you." Wendy stated as Scythe set up the dishes.
"Well, Scythe's actual father is a genocidal maniac, so he needs that kinda roll in his life since he's not around. But I can't fill in everything that requires a father's touch, seeing as I'm his uncle and all." Elfman smiled. "But still, Scythe is family, and family look out for one another."
"I'm needing a breather for a minute." Scythe exclaimed walking to the open balcony.
"What's that all about?" Wendy questioned.
"It's nothing. He does that every night before dinner. He goes out to the balcony, to look up at the stars. But I can tell something's bothering him. In reality, I think he wants to know his father, even I would like to know him. But unfortunately, that's not something possible. Every child wants to know their father, and gain their approval, I think Scythe deep down, wants that from Acnologia, despite him not even knowing of Scythe's existence."
"Oh." Wendy stated.
"No, before he gets back in here. I have a question for you young lady." Mirajane smiled. "Were you the one who put that mark on his neck?"
"M-mark?" Wendy asked a bit of a blush on her face.
"Yeah, the mark on his neck Natsu says makes him a potential mate for a female Dragonslayer." Elfman smiled pointing at his own neck. "It's about right here on the back of his neck, like it was kissed from behind on him."
"W-well… yes I did put that mark on him." Wendy exclaimed.
"I thought so, you match Scythe's description perfectly." Mira smiled. "So, could you tell me why you've fallen for my boy?"
"Well, he's smart, brave, kind. He's basically a gentle giant, he's courageous, willing to put his life on the life for those he cares for. He's handsome, charming, and he's so strong, and daring, he just makes my heart flutter whenever I think about him." Wendy smiled. "But most of all, he's honest, and he mended my heart."
"Mended your heart?" Elfman asked.
"I don't know if he's told you this, but my ex-boyfriend was one of the two monsters he killed during his S-Class Quest/Trial. His name was Jack, and he broke my heart so badly with his actions, I thought I'd never love again. But seeing his charming face, his bright smile, hearing his soft voice, seeing the compassion in his eyes, it makes my heart flutter, which tells me he's my prince charming."
"Oh, a fairy-tale love story. That's so sweet." Mira cooed. "I can't believe my baby boy's part of this kinda love story."
"My big sis is kinda crazy about fairy-tale, romantic happily ever-after's. So this is normal for her." Elfman chuckled seeing Wendy's confused face.
Meanwhile, outside, Scythe was looking up at the stars, admiring their glimmering beauty. A thought on his mind.
'Am I really strong enough to win this tournament?' Scythe questioned. 'It's two weeks away, and I'm still not in top fighting shape, should I even have Wendy as a partner. I mean this training has been helping her with her shyness, and it's been helping her feel more confident about herself, but she's not had the same amount of training I've had, then again, I've only been training for a month longer than her, and that was long before the tournament.'
"GET OUT." Scythe heard a familiar woman's voice echo through the air, and saw his mentor and teacher, Natsu, flying through the air and landing on the roof of the building across from his apartment complex.
"Heh, big-bro Natsu's at it again with sneaking into big-sis Lucy's apartment." Scythe chuckled. "I wonder how Ruby would react if she knew he was constantly sleeping over at Lucy's place. She'd probably act like Juvia and start making declarations of death to Lucy. Then there's Yang, she'd probably beat him to a bloody pulp just for him looking at another woman besides Ruby. Yeah, best not to tell her then."
~Elsewhere far away from Magnolia~
It was cold, dark and damp in the cave, illuminated by the moonlight shining through the entrance, and the glowing algae on the stalagmite and stalactites of the cave. The silhouette of a man, walking into the cave walking towards the man living in the cave, as he tore the cooked meat remaining on the bone before tossing it aside.
"I see you had quite the feast." The silhouetted man smiled seeing the pile of bones, with three deer skulls, and two wolf skulls. "Three deer, canines, and a couple jungle cats to boot. My, you must really be hungry Acnologia."
The scene changed to see the man with black and blue hair, tearing the meat from the next chunk of food that was finished cooking, from the animals he had hunted.
"Still five more of these things over the fire. Care to join me, Zeref?" Acnologia questioned revealing the identity of the man who was intruding on his dinner.
"I'm fine, I appreciate the gesture though." Zeref smiled. "I only came by to deliver some news."
"Oh yeah, what news would that be?" Acnologia questioned using his free hand to pick at the food caught in his teeth.
"You have a son." Zeref stated.
Acnologia froze before looking at the Death Sorcerer, with a glare, and an unamused look in his eye.
"I am not amused at you toying with my heart like this Zeref. You know that rampage you made me go forced me to kill my wife and our son." Acnologia stated.
"Don't take my word for it." Zeref said holding a piece of paper to the Etherion Dragon/Dragonslayer. "But it's the truth."
Acnologia put the meat down on the rock surface, and took the paper, unfolding it to find it was a cover page from Sorcerer Weekly, revealing the image of Scythe flexing his right arm, with Mirajane behind him, her arms around his neck, resting her cheek on his head with a tender and loving smile on her face. The title words saying, 'Sorcerer Weekly: Family Edition', written across the top of it. Both of them dressed in their normal every day clothing, Scythe's from before his S-Class Quest/Trial.
"This is my son?" Acnologia questioned. "Then, this woman with him, is his mother?"
"Indeed." Zeref smiled.
"I've never met this woman before, but she is beautiful." Acnologia stated.
"I had a feeling you did that, which is why I had one of my spies retrieve this for me. It's a video recording. This video is of the woman who bared your son, showing a recording the guild they're in, of her leaving a message for him to see when he turned eighteen. One of my spies in the Clover Kingdom retrieved this from the evidence lockup in the castle." Zeref explained holding a lacrima orb in his hand, for Acnologia to take.
"Evidence lock up?" Acnologia questioned, his blood starting to boil. "Are those humans treating my son like some sort of weapon or animal?"
"Easy now old friend." Zeref smiled. "As much as I'd love to see you go on another rampage, taking out as many innocent people as you want, I can assure you he's safe. He's even under the King of Fiore's protection. The one who that recording had been taken from was not the boy's mother, but the leader of the Defense Unit when he was arrested for kidnapping and unsanctioned human experimentation."
Acnologia calmed down, and sighed before taking the orb from Zeref. Activating it, and watching the video, shocked that she had given birth to his son at such a young age.
"How old is my son?" Acnologia questioned after the recording ended.
"Chronologically, he's only five years old, almost six if the date is correct on that video. But the picture doesn't match the video now does it?" Zeref inquired with an amused tone in his voice.
"No, it does not. Is there something you're not telling me?" Acnologia asked.
"Indeed. You see, your son was subjected to one of my books, the Demon Heart, by Hades, Master of Grimoire Heart, and was forced into the fourteen year old he is now. There is no cure, or reversal spell for this curse. It's permanent, and he'll continue to age, properly as if never subjected to the Demon Heart's curse." Zeref explained.
"I see." Acnologia stated, looking back at the picture before noticing something. "What guild is he a member of?"
"Fairy Tail, why?"
"I just destroyed another member from that guild, he's recuperating in a nearby village right now. Uses Destruction Magic. Tried to take me on, only to fail."
"Should I dispose of him?" Zeref inquired.
"No, if he's smart, he'll return to the guild hall with his tail between his legs." Acnologia exclaimed. "Back to the issue of my son. Where is the man who kidnapped and experimented on him?"
"Right now? I'd say, the royal guards are now just noticing his slit throat and blood pooled on his prison pillow." Zeref stated. "I had my spy assassinate him while there, so he wouldn't try to do anything with your son again. A shame really, he was such a bright and intelligent man, who could have been such a help in my Etherion Projects."
"Good." Acnologia exclaimed grabbing his meat again, before reheating it with a small breath of fire. "But I'll kill the next man who tries to use my son as a lab rat."
~Back with the Strauss Family~
"Mmm, this is really good." Wendy smiled, enjoying her dinner.
"I'm glad you like it Wendy, please have as much as you want." Mirajane smiled. "This is one of Scythe's favorite dishes."
"Mom."
"Oh relax sweetie, it's not like I'm showing her the baby pictures the Draconis Family sent to me. Oh we should do that after the dishes are done." Mira smiled.
"No mom, no." Scythe exclaimed.
"Oh fine." Mira laughed softly.
"Hey mom, there's something I've been wanting to ask you." Scythe exclaimed.
"What's up sweetie?" Mira asked.
"Well, in the video of you talking to the camera while pregnant with me, you said you hoped us 'three' didn't inherit your Satan Soul." Scythe exclaimed causing Mira to freeze as she was about to take a bite. "Do I have siblings somewhere?"
"I see, I messed up without even realizing it." Mirajane sighed putting her fork down. "Scythe, you weren't the only one I was pregnant with. You had two sisters. Both of them seemed to love you, even while in the womb."
"Mom?"
"Big-sis?" Elfman questioned, seeing how his elder sister was getting a little upset.
"They loved you before birth so much, that they left you with their life force." Mira exclaimed.
"What do you mean mom?" Scythe asked.
"I'm just going to go and set my suitcase in the bedroom." Wendy said, not wanting to be part of this conversation.
"When I was pregnant, I was pregnant with triplets. The only reason I don't show it in the video is because of some of the features that was on the recording lacrima." Mira sighed. "The original plan we had was that we'd make two copies of that recording and send one off with each of the children as they were given to a different family. Then once you all came to see me, I'd tell you the truth about you being triplets from the very beginning."
"Mom, what happened while I was inside you?" Scythe asked.
"The doctor had diagnosed that one of my babies was very weak, and probably wouldn't survive for very long after birth. That was you Scythe." Mira began. "When my contractions started, I was so afraid of having to see one of my children die in my arms. But something happened inside me, something that allowed you to live."
"Mom…"
"Your sisters and you, all came out at the same time. I went through hell pushing all three of you out at once. But the doctors were baffled by what had happened. Your sisters were holding you in an embrace, a tight embrace." Mira explained. "It was a miracle you had survived, but the doctor theorized that your sisters were embracing you to give you their life forces. You lived, while they were still born."
"No." Scythe exclaimed standing up from the table.
Mira got up from her chair and left, only to return a moment later with two urns, small enough to hold the ashes of two infants.
"These are your sister's ashes. I had kept them, because I didn't know what else to do with them. I had spent nine months, growing them inside of me, only for them to die, giving their life force to their only brother. I didn't have the heart to spread their ashes, nor do I have the heart to do it now." Mira said, tears coming to their eyes. "I'd like to believe, they gave their lives to let you live, because they knew you were special, they knew you were meant for something grate, despite not even being born yet."
"No. I-I'm responsible for the death of my own sisters?" Scythe asked staring at the two urns. "This isn't right, it's not right. Why'd they have to die, in order for me to live?"
"Scythe, sweetie. Calm down." Mira exclaimed, seeing he was on the verge of a breakdown. "It's okay honey, just breathe."
"No it's not okay, nothing about me being alive is okay. I shouldn't be here, they should." Scythe exclaimed.
"Scythe, it's okay big man. Just breathe, everything is fine." Elfman stated calmly standing up. "This is all a shock to me to. I understand why big-sis didn't mention any of this earlier, but we'll work through this together."
"No, none of this is okay, none of it's alright, none of it's fine. I shouldn't be here, they should be." Scythe exclaimed before rushing out the balcony, and jumping off the railing, before he flew off, in his Satan Soul form.
"Scythe." Mira called running out to the balcony, jumping off the railing and following in her own Satan Soul form.
"Big-sis." Elfman sighed.
Meanwhile, in Scythe's room, Wendy was sitting on the ground, her back against the door as she heard the entire conversation held through the paper thin walls. Concern was written all over her face as she muttered one thing.
"Scythe… I hope you're okay."