Mama Mirajane-40
The room was dimly lit as Hades was sitting in his chair at the head of the dining table, literally covered head to toe in bandages, with Hikaru and Rusty both joining him, and looking down, while Hikaru was bandaged up from what Scythe had done to him with Mr. Cursey. Bluenote had left, saying he no longer wanted to be part of Grimoire Heart, as it wasn't a place someone of his power, could call suited for his stature.
"Crazy, I never would have thought we'd be defeated." Rusty exclaimed.
"Yeah, me neither. I still can't believe it's over." Hikaru said.
"Lord Zeref was there, right before our very eyes, we let the Grand Magic World, slip through our fingers." Rusty said.
Hades was about to tell them to shut up when they heard the sound of footsteps coming towards them. Their eyes widened when they saw that the one they had been searching for, Lord Zeref, was standing right in front of him.
"It's people like you, who made me what I am today." Zeref said, starring at them, not a shred of kindness in his eyes. "An' your wicked thoughts that have summoned Acnologia. This day shall forever mark the end of the current era. It can no longer be stopped. This miserable world, will come to an end, here and now."
"Lord Zeref." Hades said, his voice barely above a whisper. Hikaru and Rusty both fell to their knees, bowing in respect to the Black Wizard. "I cannot believe my eyes. Lord Zeref is standing before me. Or is this merely a dream, a fantasy? The keys, bring them at once."
Rusty and Hikaru were both paralyzed by fear in the presence of Zeref's greatness.
"I'm stuck." Rusty said.
"I can't move a muscle." Hikaru added.
"There is no need for those keys of yours." Zeref said. "As you can see, I'm wide awake." This shocking bit of news was enough to get Hades to stand, ignoring the pain racking his body "How many atrocities did you commit to obtain them? Did you count the lives you took, the widows you made?" Zeref questioned. "The children who'll never grow up? Every one of them, was a meaningless loss, victims of a lie that an old fool put stock in."
"What? But that's impossible." Hades said.
"The keys you sought were just stories concocted by a group of desperate fanatics, cultists who longed for my resurrection." Zeref exclaimed. "An' you took their fiction as gospel. What a sad and horrific legacy to leave behind. I was never asleep, so there was never a need for those keys. The man who stands before you now, is the true Black Wizard Zeref."
"What do you mean you were never asleep?" Hades questioned going back to the memory of Ultear knocking him out. "I saw it myself, I watched you fall with my Devil's Eye. You were so weak, you couldn't hold your own against one of my underlings."
"I'll explain this simply." Zeref began. "At the time, that was my full power, but no longer." The air around Zeref began to grow wild, as his black magic surrounded him in a mini-tornado of raw magical power. "Long ago, four hundred years to be exact, I witnessed countless human conflicts and the devastation they rot. But then, one day as if by a miracle, I learned the true value and glory of life, I gained peace and serenity. However since that fateful day, the more I valued life, the more this cursed body of mine, would steal the souls of those around me. If I'm to stop taking people's souls, I must forget how to appreciate the sanctity of human life. This burden is a wretched one indeed."
"Ugh, so you've been waiting for something to force you to fight against the value of life?" Hades questioned.
"Yes. I was unable to use any of my magic, because I was bound by this sense of morality." Zeref exclaimed. "But your abysmal intentions have rid me of those shackles for good. The world will be forever changed today, Acnologia will bring an end to this era, and it was your evil thoughts, and the actions you took, against his offspring, that summoned it forth."
"What are you talking about, how could he have known about all that I've done?" Hades questioned.
"Now you must be punished, for all of the suffering you've caused." Zeref said, moving his hands into a certain position for the spell he had in place to use.
"No, hold on. There are so many questions I've yet to ask you." Hades pleaded.
"I'll punish you, for summoning Acnologia to this world." Zeref stated. "An' for your greatest sin. Hades, it was you alone, who caused me to forget the importance of life."
The room was quiet aside from the sound of Zeref's magic weaving through the air, as the tension was thick enough to cause the trio remaining of Grimoire Heart, to freeze in absolute fear.
"Repent while you still can." Zeref said, before activating his death spell.
The release of that spell caused both the floor and ceiling of the flying guild hall to be pierced, as Hades was killed on the spot, while Hikaru and Rusty somehow managed to survive the spell's attack.
"What did you do to our master?" Rusty asked.
"He's, dead as a doornail." Hikaru stated. "Oh God."
"Death is too good for you. May you suffer in the afterlife." Zeref cursed.
~Fairy Tail Campsite on Tenrou~
"Is this some freaking joke?" Natsu, Elfman, Grey, and Gajeel asked.
"Nope no joke, now deal with it." Makarov said. "Too much has happened to allow the trials to continue. After everything that's happened, I don't have any other choice but to cancel this year's trial."
"He's right." Scythe called from where he was with Capricorn kneeling in front of him, and restrained with ropes.
"Oh you shut it, you're already S-Class. An' what's with the weird goat man? Isn't he part of the Seven Kin of Purgatory?" Gajeel asked.
"Technically no. He's actually a Celestial Spirit being possessed by someone. That's the member of the Seven Kin." Scythe said. "I promised Jackie, and the others I'd try to separate them."
Scythe put his hand on Capricorn's head and with a boost of magical energy, pulsed through the Celestial Spirit, Scythe punched him in the chest, literally knocking the invading being, out of the Celestial Spirit's body, thus freeing him.
"Hmm? Hey wait… HEY, you were one of my mom's personal man servants." Lucy said, recognizing the man with scars along his cheeks stitched to look like he was constantly smiling.
"Huh, too bad." Scythe said grabbing him by the back of his shirt. "Hope you're a good swimmer."
Scythe spun a few times in a circle, building momentum and throwing him over the trees and at least two miles away from the island, into the ocean.
"There. Now we can get back to what we were talking about." Scythe said.
"Are you sure you should have done that?" Wendy asked. "I mean, you used a lot of magical energy to help me in healing everyone earlier."
"It's fine. Besides, I didn't want to give him a chance to escape while still possessing Capricorn." Scythe said.
"Come on gramps we can still compete." Grey said.
"Yeah we've been through worse, so let us finish." Natsu said.
"I ain't leaving this island till I'm S-Class." Gajeel stated.
"Did he forget he's not one of the combatants for the title?" Yang asked, drinking a cup of coffee.
"I'm pretty sure he did." Logan said, drinking a beer, with Amaterasu leaning into him while smiling.
"Master, if I might suggest something." Scythe said gaining his attention.
"Hmm? What is it my boy?" Makarov questioned.
"The final trial was for the main combatants to try and land a single blow on either one of us. So here's what I suggest. Right here, right now, they each only get one shot to land a single hit on me, and if they can't before I strike them down then they have to accept it. I only suggest this, because I want to properly thank them, for helping me settle my vendetta with Grimoire Heart." Scythe explained.
"Hmm, you do make a fair point. All right then." Makarov stated. "Scythe it's your time to shine as part of the trial."
"Okay." Scythe said. "Now before we begin, I want to clarify something. All the combatants who were chosen for this trial, get a shot at me, not just the ones who made it to the second round."
"Sweet." Bixlow cheered.
"I'm gonna get a chance to show off in front of my darling Grey." Juvia smiled.
"I'm so excited." Wendy smiled.
"Now seeing as I'm weakened, it should even things out, since I'm not gonna have to focus on holding back anymore." Scythe exclaimed. "Okay, Juvia, Grey, Uncle Elfman, Natsu, Cana, Wendy. All of you come and form a circle around me. You can all attack one at a time, or all together, it's your choice. An' to make things more interesting, if your blow is hard enough to where I might need stitches, I'll treat you to lunch at your favorite restaurant to your heart's content."
"Sweet." Natsu smirked.
All the combatants circled around Scythe, ready to claim the title of S-Class for themselves.
"Begin." Makarov called.
Five of the six combatants charged at Scythe, all at once, hoping that grouping up on him would do the trick, but they were wrong. Natsu was chopped on the head, knocking him out, Elfman was hit in the ribs, which were already damaged, before receiving a kick to the head, and falling unconscious due to the pain in his ribs. Grey was kicking in the family jewels, just like when Scythe was a kid. Cana ran after a bottle of high quality booze he produced from the Celestial Armory, like a dog running for a treat, and Juvia was frozen in a block of ice from her mouth, down.
"Five down one to go." Scythe snickered, before Wendy came up from behind him, and whispered something in his ear, which caused his face to go red before Wendy wrapped her arms around his torso, and performed a perfect suplex. "That's it… Wendy is now S-Class."
"I'll fill out the form and send it off to the magic council." Mirajane chuckled.
"Nice going Wendy." Yang smiled as the bluenet came and sat down next to her. "What did you whisper to get him all flustered and easy to take by surprise like that?"
"I just asked him how many babies he'd want to have with me when we're old enough to start a family." Wendy smiled.
"From how red his face was, I'm guessing you intentionally left out the part of it happening a few more years down the road?" Logan asked, chuckling at how his Grandson reacted.
"Maybe." Wendy smiled, playfully sticking out her tongue, while blushing a bit. "So how's Ruby doing, Yang?"
"She's doing better." Yang smiled.
"What's going on with Ruby?" Scythe asked rubbing the back of his head as he cracked his neck.
"She's been experiencing these bouts of morning sickness the past week, and we're not sure what's causing it. Wendy said she'd be able to give her a look over once the trials ended." Yang explained.
"An' have they only been happening in the morning?" Amaterasu asked.
"Yeah, these bouts only seem to last for a few minutes each morning, and then she seems fine for the rest of the day." Yang said.
"You know, I'm no expert, but that sounds a lot like symptoms of the early stages of pregnancy." Touko said, putting in her two cents. She had tried her best to help fight off Grimoire Heart, but was unable to without proper magic, and that lead to her getting hurt, which explained the bandages on her upper right arm.
"No that can't be possible. My sis is way more responsible than that." Yang said.
"Has she been having any weird cravings lately?" Mirajane asked, holding the rolled up, and finished paperwork, for Wendy's advancement to S-Class.
"You know now that you mention it, I have seen her eating oatmeal and raisin cookies instead of chocolate chip, and she hates oatmeal and raisin cookies with a passion. She's also been eating a lot of red meat, she also looking a little perkier and bigger up top." Yang said, motioning her hands around her chest. "She's also been mixing her food, like putting pickles in her ramen, putting peanut butter on peperoni sandwiches, and putting anchovies on her pizza, even though the smell of an anchovy makes her physically sick. I figured she was just gaining weight from her constant binging on junk food. I'm sure that's all it is, and she's giving new things a try."
'She's in serious denial.' Everyone at the camp, who was conscious and unfrozen, thought.
"Here mom, why don't I use Celestial Teleportation to take that over to the Council?" Scythe suggested, taking the scroll from her.
"You sure sweetie?" Mira asked.
"It's no trouble at all. Though Wendy's gonna have to come along in order to verify it's not forged." Scythe said. "I'm sure we can muster enough energy to get there and back."
"Alright, just don't push yourself too hard." Mira said, with a soft smile.
"I promise." Scythe smiled. "Hey granny?"
"What is it Scythe?" Amaterasu asked.
"Would you mind giving gramps and Yang a lift back to the mainland?" Scythe inquired.
"I don't see why not. I am the one who brought them here after all." Amaterasu said. "Yang, Logan, take my hands, and we'll be off."
"Alright, can't wait to get home to my not pregnant sister." Yang smiled taking Amaterasu's hand.
"Granny, would you also mind confirming if Ruby is pregnant or not, to break Yang out of her delusions?" Scythe asked.
"I'm not a Fertility Goddess, but I can still do that." Amaterasu smiled before disappearing with Yang and Logan.
Scythe took Wendy's hand, and used their Celestial Teleportation to get to the council where they were instantly in Gran Doma's office.
"What the hell?" Gran Doma questioned, standing up.
"Ah, just the councilman I wanted to see." Scythe said. "We need to talk about a couple things."
"I have nothing to say to the likes of you." Gran Doma said. "How did you even get in my office?"
"First off, please sign and file this form. It's the papers stating Wendy has passed the trials, and has moved up to S-Class." Scythe exclaimed, ignoring Gran Doma's remarks.
Gran Doma looked at the form, and sighed, before giving it his signature of approval, no use in putting it off, at least it was less paperwork for him.
"Perfect." Scythe smiled, as the document was sent through to be filed. "Secondly, I'm not pleased with what you did with Doranbolt, trying to infiltrate Fairy Tail, and find anything that could be used against us, and force us to disband." He said, his smile vanishing into a scowl.
"What do you expect? Your guild broke the treaty on wars between guilds, and we had to do something." Gran Doma said.
"If you have a problem with us protecting the peace, and saving innocent lives, then by all means, let's just disband all legal guilds, and let thousands of innocent people die at the hands of Dark Guilds, like the Oracion Seis. Cause that's what would have happened if Fairy Tail and the other three guilds, didn't do anything to stop them." Scythe exclaimed.
"I see your point, but you cannot just go taking the law into your own hands." Gran Doma said.
"I'm a Celestial Knight. My word is on the same level of the King's, who last I checked, held more authority then the entire council combined." Scythe said.
"That may be so, but you're not untouchable just because you have the King's protection. You will slip up one of these days, it'll be so bad, that not even the king can protect you, and I'll be there to rub it in your face." Gran Doma exclaimed.
"Whatever you say Fran Fuma." Scythe said, talking to him like he was an idiot, and making a mockery of his name. "We're off. We gotta finish with helping to clean up the camp, before returning to the main land." Scythe said, before both he and Wendy teleported away. To their surprise, they ended up in the Celestial Armory.
"What gives?" Wendy inquired.
"Oh Scythe, Wendy. What brings you by?" Rin asked. "Is Touko settling in okay?"
"As far as we know. We just got finished filing Wendy's S-Class papers, but for some reason we ended up here, instead of back on Tenrou Island like we were wanting." Scythe explained.
"Hmm, that does seem a bit odd." Rin said. "Come to the study with me, we'll talk to Shirou about it, he's left the Celestial Armory more times than I have."
Scythe and Wendy, followed Rin to the study, where Shirou was searching through the papers, and after explaining the situation to him, he knew the answer.
"It's simple, you're trying to teleport to a place, no longer within the timeline." Shirou said. "An' because of that, you're being redirected back here."
"Wait, Tenrou Island isn't in the timeline anymore?" Wendy asked.
"Let's take a look at the timeline." Shirou said bringing up a lacrima orb, and searching through it. "I see the problem now." Shirou said, forwarding his brow in concern.
"What happened?" Scythe asked.
"It would seem after you left to file Wendy's advancement to S-Class, your father paid the island a visit, and to prevent their destruction, the ghost of Fairy Tail's first master used a spell that took the entire island out of the timeline for an unknown amount of years." Shirou explained.
"What? Can't you just send me back in time to before that happened, and let me take out my old man?" Scythe questioned, looking into the lacrima to see what had transpired.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that." Shirou sighed. "Everyone on the island is still alive and healthy, I assure you that much. But the entire island, has been displaced from the timeline, so if you were to go back to before your father attacked the island, you'd just end up swimming in the middle of the ocean."
"So… we can't do anything but wait for the spell to run its course?" Wendy inquired.
"It's not the ideal situation, but yes." Rin sighed. "But at least every one on the island is still alive, and they're just sleeping while frozen in time."
"I guess we'll just have to deal with it." Scythe growled.
"I have an interesting job in mind to take your mind off it." Shirou said.
"Mom told me about the ghoul world mission." Scythe explained.
"No, it's not that. That mission will be put on hold until you and Wendy have both settled down and healed properly from your little encounter with Grimoire Heart." Shirou said. "The Armory received a request to overlook a ritual in a world of sorcerers that involve sorcerers joining in pairs, and signing contracts with devils to become partners. It should be a piece of cake just to overlook and approve of the pairings."
"So, I'm to act as final say in these pairings?" Scythe asked.
"I can come, if you want." Wendy said.
"I think I'll be fine on my own. But you're welcome to come and go sight searching." Scythe said.
"Also, be on the lookout for this man. His name is En, and he's a very ruthless man who doesn't like it when things don't go his way. The world you're going to is one half of the same coin, filled with magic, and that magic is brought on by black dust that is produced by their bodies. Not all Sorcerers have the ability to use magic, or have a large quantity of it. Those who don't have formed a group called, the Cross Eyes. Be careful if you ever run into any of them. But En's magic allows him to turn anything into mushrooms. Six years ago, their time, I had had the misfortune of nearly being a victim of his in a rampage he went on." Shirou said, showing Scythe a picture of a spiky red haired man in a black suit, with a mask that made his face look dried out, and his teeth were all visible after his lips were surgically removed.
"This is him huh?" Scythe asked. "I'll be sure to be on the lookout for him."
"He's after a Sorcerer with magic that can control time, there is one, and she won't go with him willingly. If he does come to the black house with the girl, then you have my permission to do whatever is needed to keep them from signing contracts." Shirou exclaimed handing Scythe a picture of a blonde woman. "Her name is Nikaido."
"Understood." Scythe sighed.
"Hey, there's very little chance it'll happen. So you should be fine, but if it does happen, then don't hold anything back if a fight breaks out." Rin exclaimed.
"All right." Scythe sighed, pocketing the pictures. "We're off."
~Dorohedoro~
"Hey Chidaruma, there's someone at the door to the black house." A woman with black hair and devil horns and a tail said. "It looks like he's barely in his teens, but I'm sensing some powerful magic radiating from him."
"Must be a messenger from the Celestial Knights. Thanks Haru." The blue hoodie wearing devil said, going to the door, and letting Scythe in. "Oh, you look a little roughed up buddy what happened?"
"Got into a fight with my former slaver." Scythe said coming in. "The name's Scythe, I'm here in response to your request for a Celestial Knight to preside over the contracting ceremony."
"You don't look like a Celestial Knight, and I thought they usually came in pairs sort of like how the other Sorcerers here are paired up." Chidaruma said, escorting him further into the house.
"Trust me I am a Celestial Knight. My partner is just out enjoying the festivities and sightseeing as she's recovering from the same fight I went through." Scythe said as he met the other devils in the black house. "Now forgive me for asking, but my grandfather put me under the impression, you've never had a Celestial Knight preside over these contracting ceremonies in the centuries you've been doing them."
"You'd be right about that. Normally, we Devils are mere servants and messengers to the Celestial Knights as our magic is nothing compared to theirs." Chidaruma said.
"But lately the Sorcerers have been getting killed, and we find it to be very tiresome on our world, and finding strong sorcerers who work well together." Haru exclaimed. "So we figured if a Celestial Knight presided over the contract signings, the contracts might boost their magic, and make them stronger, even if it's just a little bit."
"I see." Scythe sighed. "All right, I'll preside over the contract signing since I've heard your reasons for requesting the aid of a Celestial Knight. However, I have a few conditions that must be met, over the three night and day rituals."
"Name them." Chidaruma said.
"First off, I'm not going to agree to forced contract signings. If one of the two don't want to join with their partner, then that's it, they can't be forced into it." Scythe began to list off. "Secondly, if I'm to do this, I need to know how the contract signings go, down to the last detail. Third, if I need a break to change my partner's bandages, then the contract signings will be put on hold until I return, no ands ifs or buts, as I don't want a single forced contract signing to make it through. Finally, if I am away, and there are those insisting they get their contracts done with an unwilling partner, I want you to either kill them, or give them the boot, is that clear?"
"Your conditions are acceptable. But we will need proof you're a…"
Haru stopped when Scythe held up the Celestial Knight badge, and flipped it over to show her the newly added, tribal spider-skull on the back of the coin.
"He's a Celestial Knight all right, and a member of the Archlich Rankings to boot. They sent their best to help." Chidaruma said, nodding in approval. "Your conditions are agreeable, and we will do as you say."
"Glad to hear it." Scythe smiled, before a bell tolled. "An' that is the start of the ritual I assume?"
"It is indeed sir." Haru said. "Shall we get started?"
"Let's." Scythe smiled.
~Final Night of the Contract Signing~
"Man, all these signings are a pain. Still, it's helping me to keep my mind off Wendy going missing, I hope she's all right. I haven't seen her since we got to this world." Scythe sighed as their latest group left with their new partners. "I think it's about time I had something to eat."
"We can pause the contract signings for a quick brake if you want sir." Haru exclaimed, bringing him a drink. She seemed to be a little clingy to him, ever since she saw a glimpse of his strength with a fellow who was trying to force someone into a contract with him.
"I appreciate it."
"Haru, Boss. I'm sensing a very powerful magic coming from En' mansion, I think it might be a Sorcerer who can control time." Chidaruma said coming into the room, calling Scythe by the title he was basically given.
Scythe looked at him blankly and his drink dropped from his hand, surprising Haru and the Only Born Devil, as to why he would have done that.
"Take me to En's mansion, now." Scythe said, his aura growing deadly as he stood up.
"Y-yes sir." Chidaruma said, feeling how intense the aura was.
The devils and Celestial Knight left the black house, through the window and began making their way to En's mansion, flying through the window, while Scythe stood behind Chidaruma and the other devils.
"Whoa." Chidaruma said, making his entrance known with a dramatic flair.
"Chidaruma." En said, looking at him in surprise.
"Hey En, what's up? Been a while huh?" Chidaruma asked. "I gotta say, it's pretty cold of you to keep this a secret from me."
"But aren't you… supposed to stay in that house?" En asked.
"Normally I would, and even if these were different circumstances, I'd only come to give this amazing Sorcerer my business card, but unfortunately, I'm here on behalf of my boss for this year's Blue Night Festivities."
"Your boss for the night?" En asked.
"You see we requested for a Celestial Knight to preside over the contract signings this year, as a way of boosting the Sorcerer's magic and confidence in themselves." Chidaruma said, scratching his skull a bit. "But he laid down some ground rules that we agreed to. An' when he heard you had the Sorcerer who could control time, he demanded we escort him here."
"Chidaruma, move." Scythe said.
"Yes sir." Chidaruma said, stepping away. "He seems to be in a real foul mood at the moment, so I'd play nice with him if I were you."
"Celestial Knights are nothing more than myth." En stated, before Scythe stepped up, and folded in his wings, exiting his Satan Soul form.
"En I presume." Scythe said.
"You're just a kid. Even if Celestial Knights weren't a myth, there's no way you'd be one. I can't even sense any magic coming from you." En exclaimed.
"Shut up En, he's not in a good mood right now." Chidaruma said, before walking up to the blonde wearing the mask, and removing it. "So you're the Sorcerer who can control time huh? It's a real honor to meet you."
"So you are the Sorcerer who can control time then." En said, grabbing the blonde by her shoulders.
"Get your hands off her." Scythe said.
En turned to glare at him, not liking how Scythe used that tone with him.
"She is going to be my partner, so I can treat her any way I like." En said, standing up to face him.
"You there." Scythe addressed the girl. "Your name is Nikaido right?"
"Uh yeah, that's right. How did you…?"
"Relax." Scythe said with a gentle smile. "First off, let me ask you. Are you willing to be this man's partner for the next four years, maybe longer?"
"Hell no." Nikaido said. "I'd rather burn in the pits of hell than be his partner, and have him use my magic to suit his twisted desires."
"You'll be my partner, whether you like it or not." En said kicking Nikaido in the stomach.
"You shouldn't have done that." Chidaruma said, noticing how Scythe was eerily calm. "You've really pissed him off now."
"What do I, care of a fake Celestial Knight's wrath? He's probably just a worthless scumbag who is pretending to be a Celestial Knight." En said. "There was a blue haired girl in the festivities claiming she was a Celestial Knight to. She's down in my dungeon, taking some time to think over what she did to get free food. We've even been punishing her accordingly."
"She's where?" Scythe asked, the aura around him becoming more and more menacing, causing the Devils to step back. "Blue hair you say, and did she happen to have bandages on her left arm?"
"Oh, so you two were in on the scheme together." En said. "Take him to the Dungeons to join his little…"
En was unable to finish his orders as he received an iron covered fist to the stomach that sent him flying into the wall of the room.
"You." Scythe said, turning to one of the devils.
"Uh, yessir." The devil said, saluting to him, and standing at attention.
"Go to the dungeons, and find my wife or it's your head." Scythe growled, his knuckles cracking as he unclenched his fist.
"Right away sir." The devil said, flying through the halls.
"Jack." Scythe called as the little Servant appeared next to him.
"Yes Daddy?" Jack asked saluting him.
"Follow that devil to the dungeons and go help Mommy with any injuries she might have. An' tell the other spirits to call off the search." Scythe exclaimed.
"Yes Daddy." Jack smiled, disappearing after mentioning. "Daddy's in a bad mood. I'd better tell the others."
Scythe stepped up to Nikaido, and placed a hand on the giant mushroom monster that was keeping her bound, and burnt it away with his flames of holy origin. Looking at her back, Scythe scowled, and turned back to where En was picking himself up, and glaring at him.
"Iskandar." Scythe said, as the behemoth of a man appeared. "Take Nikaido to the Armory, and have my grandmother tend to her wounds."
"As you wish, young prince." Iskandar said, taking Nikaido gently into his arms, and returning to the Celestial Armory.
"Wait, did he just say prince?" Chidaruma asked.
"My father is the King of Dragons, and the Dragon of the Apocalypse. Which technically makes me a prince." Scythe said.
"You little brat, bring my partner back." En said.
"En, I'm warning you. Scythe is not someone you're wanting to mess with." Chidaruma said warning him.
"Don't make me laugh." En said, opening his mask. "Now, I hope you like mushrooms."
En took in a deep breath, and blew a giant cloud of black smoke at Scythe, covering him head to toe in the black smoke. When he stopped, he smirked, thinking about what dishes he could make with the mushrooms he made from Scythe. But as the smoke cleared, his eyes widened in shock, when Scythe was standing there, unharmed, and looking more pissed off than ever.
"You done?" Scythe asked, before he stepped forward once, and with a single swing of his fist, made contact with En's cheek, and sending his head flying into the same wall he walked out of, as Scythe decapitated him, with brute force, and strength alone. "Cause I have my wife to look after and help take care of."
"Boss." Chidaruma said, as the devil he sent off to look for Wendy, returned, with Jack having a concerned look on her face.
Wendy was still breathing, but she was battered and bruised beyond what she normally should have been able to handle. Scythe walked up to them, as the devil laid Wendy on the ground. Kneeling next to his wife, Scythe held his hands over her barely breathing body, and began using his healing magic on her, and continued the stream of magic energy for a good fifteen minutes, before he stopped, revealing Wendy was all healed up.
"Would someone mind bringing some food by please?" Scythe asked, picking Wendy up. "She's gonna be hungry when she wakes up. An' I'm hungry now."
"We'll bring some food to the black house." Chidaruma said.
Scythe smiled at his politeness, before he looked to see the people who came with Nikaido, and the mushroom one of them holding being gone, replaced with a bald man.
"An' can someone get them a ride back to their realm please? I'm not wanting innocent blood to be spilt here." Scythe said.
"On it." The other devil that came with them said, opening a door to the human realm.
"Where's Nikaido?" The bald man asked.
"She's fine. She's just being treated for her injuries." Scythe said, before spotting where En's head was imbedded into the wall, and saw his mask was miraculously in perfect condition. "Chidaruma."
"Boss?" He asked.
"Grab En's mask for me." Scythe said, before entering Satan's Soul and flying to the black house. "After that, send his remains to hell."
"On it Boss." Chidaruma said.
Scythe went into the Black House, going to where the Devils would relax, and set Wendy down on the couch as Haru came into the room, after having finished cleaning up the mess Scythe made from dropping his drink.
"Sir, who is that?" Haru asked.
"My wife." Scythe simply said. "En was torturing her, thinking she was just trying to get some free food, when she claimed to be a Celestial Knight. She's been his prisoner for three days now."
"I'll find him and make him suffer." Haru said.
"Don't bother." Scythe stated, stopping her before she could run off. "He's already dead, thanks to me. An' the Sorcerer he had kidnapped is being treated for her wounds as well."
"Was the Sorcerer really the one who could control time?"
"She is. An' Nikaido is safe in the Celestial Armory. My grandmother is tending to her wounds right now, so she should be properly healed up soon." Scythe said.
"I'm back boss." Chidaruma said, holding both En's mask, and a bag of food. "I stopped at a food vendor selling these amazing meat pies. I figured you'd like them."
"Thanks." Scythe said. "At least you're not treating me any differently now that you know my lineage."
"Hey, from one royal to another, it doesn't matter." Chidaruma said. "So what'd you want with En's mask?"
"Virgo." Scythe simply said, before the pink haired maid appeared bowing to him.
"How may I serve you your highness?" Virgo inquired.
"Take that mask from Chidaruma and put it on a mannequin head before setting it up in my trophy case." Scythe instructed. "I'll punish you later for not being vigilant enough to keep Wendy from harm."
"As you wish your highness." Virgo said with another bow, before going to Chidaruma and taking the mask handed to her and disappearing.
"Harsh man. Do you really think she deserves to be punished for something she wasn't able to prevent?" Chidaruma asked as Scythe ate a meat pie.
"Trust me, to her, it's not a punishment, it's a treat. She is a hardcore masochist." Scythe said. "I just needed an excuse to give her to properly punish her."
"Oh, I got ya." Chidaruma said.
"You made sure both En's head and body were in hell right?" Scythe asked.
"Definitely, why?" Chidaruma asked.
"Last I heard, he had a cousin whose magic could heal any injuries, including decapitation. If that happened, all they'd have to do is perform CPR on him, then he'd be back with the living, in no time." Scythe explained. "An' I'd rather not have to kill the same man twice."
"I understand." Chidaruma said. "Though it's funny you should mention his cousin, she's here right now with her partner to renew their contracts, along with a couple of their subordinates."
"Is that so?" Scythe asked, before a thought came to mind as he finished the last meat pie in the bag. "Question."
"What's up?"
"Would you have any objection to letting Wendy and I sign contracts?" Scythe asked.
"I don't think that's be a good idea Boss, if I'm being honest. We have no idea what effects he contracting will have on your Celestial Knight physiology." Chidaruma said.
"I had a feeling you'd say that." Scythe sighed. "Do me a favor and get a few more bags of these meat pies, buy out the whole vender if you have to, just make sure to bring more than two bags back."
"How many bags would you need?"
"About eight. Two for Wendy, six for me." Scythe said.
"Got it. Can you handle the contracting ceremony on your own?" Chidaruma asked.
"I'll be fine." Scythe said, heading for the waiting area. Once there, he spotted the four people standing there waiting for initiation into the contracting to begin. "Hi there, welcome to the black house. Now I'll need you all to separate by gender and cleanse your bodies."
"Where's Chidaruma?" The white haired woman asked.
"He's currently out on an errand for me." Scythe smiled. "My name is Scythe, I know I'm not a devil, but I'm a Celestial Knight, and I'll be conducting your contract signing tonight."
"A Celestial Knight? But I thought you were nothing but a myth?" Noi asked.
"Well, as you can see. I'm not. An' your cousin was very… closed minded, and disrespectful to my wife and partner." Scythe said.
"Blue haired girl, with a bandage over her left shoulder?" Noi asked.
"That'd be her. She's currently resting in the other room right now." Scythe exclaimed.
"I deeply apologize for my cousin's behavior, please have mercy on him and…"
"Enough talking." Scythe sighed, interrupting Noi's pleading. "Separate by gender and get cleansed for the contract signing."
"Right." Noi said, as she and the skull mask wearing girl were walking away to the women's bath.
While waiting for the four to get cleaned up, Scythe went back to where he left Wendy, and found her picking herself up and holding her head.
"Easy now. You got hurt pretty badly. I managed to heal the injuries, but your muscle will be sore for a while." Scythe said, easing her down a bit.
"Oh I haven't felt this sore since you brought me back from the dead after Adam killed me in that MMA fight." Wendy exclaimed.
"I'm honestly surprised you survived what En was doing to you." Scythe said. "After Chidaruma returns with the food, you should head back to the Armory."
"Right." Wendy said.
"I'm back boss." Chidaruma said, returning with eight bags of food.
"Perfect timing Chidaruma." Scythe said.
"So, that's a devil?" Wendy asked.
"Yep." Scythe said, handing two of the eight bags of food to Wendy. "One of those is for Nikaido, grandma is healing her up as we speak."
"So En managed to get his hands on her huh?" Wendy inquired.
"He did. But he shouldn't be a problem anymore." Scythe said.
"Night's almost over Boss." Chidaruma said. "I can handle the rest of the contract signings, and take over this one for you. Head on back to the armory, your wife needs you."
"You sure?" Scythe asked.
"Positive. Now get going, and don't worry, I'm pretty sure this is the last group of the night." Chidaruma said.
"All right. I appreciate you giving me the chance to do this contract signing with you."
"It was our pleasure to have a Celestial Knight working with us for this year's event. We might just call upon you again next time." Chidaruma said.
"Glad to hear it." Scythe smiled.
"Oh before I forget, there is someone who is wanting to talk with you about that woman. He was actually her big brother when he was still human, apparently." Chidaruma exclaimed.
"Well, if he's wanting to talk with me, then I guess I can give him my ear for a bit." Scythe said, opening a bag of meat pies. "Send him in."
"Kawajiri, the boss says he'll talk with you." Chidaruma said, using mental communication to call the devil. "Get your ass over here, before he leaves. I have to go finish a contracting."
After Chidaruma left, Scythe and Wendy sat there, eating meat pies, before another Devil, with a big horn on his head and wearing a muzzle, appeared from the shadows.
"You must be Kawajiri, Nikaido's big brother." Scythe said.
"We were raised by the same people so, you could say that." Kawajiri said. "I wanted to thank you for saving my little sister, and for taking her to the Celestial Armory to get healed up."
"Is that all? Don't sweat it man, I'm just doing my job." Scythe smiled through a mouthful of meat pie, before swallowing and speaking again. "Though to be honest. I do know a bit of what she was going through when En kidnaped her, so I guess you could say it was personal to."
"I'd also like to request a favor from you, if you don't mind." Kawajiri said.
"You know asking a Celestial Knight for a favor puts you in my debt indefinitely right? An' I'm not the one making this rule, it's something my grandfather told me about devils asking favors of Celestial Knights before I came to this world." Scythe exclaimed.
"I am well aware of that, and will do whatever you ask." Kawajiri exclaimed.
"Well if you're aware, and still wanting to ask me this favor it must be important to you." Scythe said, starting on another meat pie. "I'm guessing it has something to do with Nikaido."
"Yes. I am asking you to take her to your world and let her live with you there." Kawajiri exclaimed, this request causing Scythe to choke on the meat pie he was eating.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I heard you right. Did you just ask me to take Nikaido to my world, and let her live there?" Scythe asked.
"I did." Kawajiri said.
"Oh boy. Of all the things you could have asked of me." Scythe groaned.
"Hey, it's okay Scythe, she can stay at our house until she finds a job at a guild or something." Wendy said.
"Listen, even if I were to hear your request out, bringing someone to a new world isn't all that simple. There are a lot of things I'd have to do since this isn't being asked by her, to my grandpa, who is in fact the head of the Celestial Knights, and there are only four Celestial Knights in existence as of right now." Scythe exclaimed.
"Please, I am begging you. I just don't want her to be targeted or used for warfare, ever again." Kawajiri said, bowing to him.
"A member of the proud Devil Race, swallowing his pride and bowing to me to make this request possible." Scythe sighed, seeing how desperate the devil was. "Look, I get that you want to protect your sister, I do, I have a twin sister I'd do anything to protect back home." Scythe exclaimed. "But ultimately, it's up to two decisive factors. Her consent and my grandfather's approval. I'll try to convince her to go to my world, but I can't guarantee anything. If she wants to return to here, to her world, then I can't stop her if it's what her heart wants."
"All I ask, is that you try to keep her safe." Kawajiri said.
"So, if there's nothing else, we'll be on our way." Scythe said. "Take care Kawajiri. If Nikaido does agree to live in my world, then I'll be sure to send a means for you to maintain contact with her." Scythe said.
"Thank you." Kawajiri said before Scythe and Wendy disappeared in a flash of light, returning to the Celestial Armory.
Specifically, the dining room.
After setting most of the bags with meat pies down on the table, Scythe and Wendy made their way to the medical room of the Celestial Armory, where they saw Nikaido sitting herself up as Rin was washing her hands, after removing the latex glove she wore to patch up Nikaido's wound.
"How's she doing grandma?" Scythe asked.
"Well, I managed to seal the wound perfectly, but without the magic in the amulet I gave you that healed your spine when Ulster paralyzed you from the waist down, there will be some major scarring left on her back." Rin said.
"I can live with a few scars." Nikaido said, before Wendy held a bag filled with meat pies, towards her.
"Here, we figured you'd be hungry after all the calories you probably burned when fighting for your life against whatever En sent to capture you." Wendy said.
"Oh, thanks." Nikaido said, accepting the food and eating the first pie. "Mmm, these are really good."
"So, there's something we need to ask you." Scythe said handing a bag of the food to Rin. "We were wondering if you'd want to come to our world, to live your life out there."
"I'm sorry, what?" Rin asked, nearly dropping her bag of food. "Scythe that isn't a choice you can make on your own."
"I know that." Scythe said.
"Then what would make you think it's all right to give her that offer?" Rin questioned.
"Her brother asked me to make this offer to her." Scythe said, before turning back to Nikaido. "He's worried about you. The world we come from is filled with Sorcerers, and non-magic users, living in co-existence. You won't have to hide who you are there, and you won't have to be on the run, unless you were to break the law. Which I highly doubt you would do so."
"It does sound nice. But… What about everyone else that I care about? What will happen to them? Are they even safe?"
"Hey if you're worried about friends in your old world, don't worry, they'll be provided a way to contact you, and vice-versa." Scythe exclaimed showing her his P.C.L. "This is a Portable Communications Lacrima, a crystal used for making calls and contacting others in distant lands. Theoretically, it could even make calls across the dimensions if given the right magic core. An' don't worry, I already had your friends sent home, safe and sound."
Nikaido looked at the small rectangular device in his hand, then looked at her own, before giving off a sigh of defeat.
"All right, I accept your offer." Nikaido said.
"Interesting."
Scythe and Wendy turned to the door to see Shirou standing there, his arms crossed and an amused smile on his face.
"So just when were you gonna ask me for my permission to allow another interdimensional transfer?" Shirou asked.
"If she accepted the offer. Only then would I have come to ask you for permission for her to move dimensions." Scythe exclaimed.
"An' what would you have done if I had said no?" Shirou inquired as Rin gave him a meat pie. "Mmm, these are pretty good." He smiled, taking a bite of one. "These are Tanba's meat pies, I haven't had these in so long I had forgotten what they tasted like."
"If you had said no, I still would have brought her to Earthland." Scythe exclaimed.
"Is that so?" Shirou asked, before chuckling. The chuckles grew and burst into a full blown laughing fit, confusing Scythe and Wendy, before they died down as Shirou had his laughs. "Oh man, you know Scythe, you remind me of myself when I was in my teens. I was always willing and wanting to do the right thing, and help others, even if it broke the rules. Go ahead, your request has been approved."
"That's great." Wendy smiled.
"Now I'll have Saber or Joan take Nikaido to Earthland, and show her around. But did you think about where she'll be staying?" Rin asked.
"She can stay at our place until she gets on her feet." Scythe said, reaching into his pocket and giving Nikaido his house key. "Here, my sister should be house sitting for us. Make sure she sees you with your escort or she'll attack thinking you're an intruder."
"What about my magic, and the doors I make?" Nikaido asked.
"Well, since you'll be in Earthland, your doors will only be able to connect to the Celestial Armory, and vice versa." Rin explained. "As for your magic, it shouldn't change all that much, it'll just go from smoke to light produced by your body when used due to the ether in the atmosphere."
"That'll be my body's natural reaction to your world's atmosphere?" Nikaido asked.
"Pretty much." Wendy said.
"As for you two, I noticed a new trophy on Scythe's trophy case on my way here. Did you happen to fight En?" Shirou questioned.
"Well yeah, I fought him and when I won, I took his mask as a trophy, before his head and body were thrown into hell." Scythe said.
"Why exactly did you fight him?" Rin asked.
"Nikaido was gonna be forced into being his partner, and he had imprisoned Wendy in his Dungeons, torturing her, as punishment for claiming she was faking being a Celestial Knight, just to get free food." Scythe said.
"Ah, I see." Shirou sighed. "En had always believed the Celestial Knights were nothing more than a myth. An' when I appeared, he claimed I was a fake to, despite not producing smoke when I used my magic."
"Shirou, do you think we should send them to that inn residing in the Yokai realm?" Rin questioned. "It'll give them a chance to relax and properly heal up with little to no risks of fighting."
"I think that's a wonderful idea Rin." Shirou smiled. "After that, Scythe can go to you know where, to train."
"What are you two talking about?" Scythe asked.
"Nothing to worry about. Now I'll be right back, I need to make a reservation for you both." Shirou smiled.
"I don't trust what he's cooking up." Scythe said.
"I assure you it's not as bad as he's making seem." Rin smiled. "There's a hotel for relaxation that Shirou and I would frequent from time to time. It's the only place in the universe we know where we can stay for more than a few days, due to the nature of its existence. It's a world filled with Yokai, and the hotel is run by an Ogre."
"An' what of this world where we're to train, that you spoke of? Wendy and I have to get back to the DWMA as soon as possible for classes." Scythe exclaimed.
"Relax sweetie, you're Celestial Knights, so you're not required to keep to their schedules." Rin exclaimed. "The world Shirou talked about is one that I know will make you stronger. In fact, despite what you think, Shirou and I aren't actually the first Celestial Knights, there was one before us, from Earthland of all places. He wasn't very good at magic, in fact he didn't have any, but what he lacked in magic, me made up for, in a power called Ki."
"Life force energy that all living creatures have?" Wendy asked.
"Exactly Wendy. I'm surprised you know about it." Rin smiled.
"Grandeeney taught me about other types of energy besides magic, Ki being one of them." Wendy smiled.
"You'll be getting the details from Shirou after your little vacation." Rin exclaimed. "Shirou should already be done with making the reservations. Joan." Rin called.
"Yes Lady Emiya?" Joan asked rushing to the medical room.
"Would you be so kind as to give Nikaido a tour of Magnolia around this time?" Rin asked handing her a piece of paper.
"I shall do so Lady Emiya." Joan smiled, after reading the note.
"Excellent." Rin smiled, before turning to Scythe and Wendy. "All right you two, let's get a move on. We don't want to be late for your reservation."