[ Phantom Lord Arc {5} ]
-G-F-
Steam alters his vision, clouding it as the world boils around him. The heat makes Gray's body sweat as he stood before the angered girl, wondering where he went wrong. Actually, that was just wishful thinking. He knows where he went wrong, it was clear in Juvia's demeanor shift the moment he had offered to give some advice.
A sore subject, he touched on.
As he looks at the furiousness in Juvia's eyes at his words, at his audacity, he realizes that perhaps just this once he was in the wrong. Gray was fortunate to meet others who were willing to give him a chance, blossoming his friendships from there. But there were those in the world who are beaten down before they have the chance to even get up. Society already punishes them for being different, and they suffer the consequences of choices and words that they had no choice but to listen too.
Juvia was a victim of what it's like to be different and not loved for it.
"Fuck," Gray hisses in pain at the burn that accumulates on his shoulder from Juvia's attacks. She's relentless, even moreso than before, as she barrages Gray with blow after blow with her boiling water. He tries to block the attacks with his ice, but it just collides and shatters upon impact. Her fury outweighed his own emotions, and it was empowering her attacks.
Even with a member of Fairytail before her, embodying the very thing that Juvia secretly yearned for, it seemed as if her fate could never be shared and never be understood. An ugly mix of jealousy, anger, and hurt is what fuels her as she launched herself at Gray, her tears only intensifying her power.
What good was the concept of love anyways?
She was still here, she was still standing without it.
Gajeel was right, they had no room for such weak thoughts.
When all was lost, Phantom Lord was the ones who accepted her for who she was in the end. It didn't come with friendship and love, but look at her now! She was an S-Class mage, she was one of the notorious Element 4 of Phantom Lord. She had master control over the element of water, and she had power .
She's made it this far without kindness.
She doesn't need it.
"Fairytail will fall , and Phantom Lord will reign supreme," Juvia announces powerfully as she began to transform into a massive tsunami wave of boiling hot water, summoning her magic mana into one last final attack. Phantom Lord was her home and her…family. She would do everything in her power to prevent her enemies from getting in her way. Her figure dissolves into the water but soon morphs into a massive face that roars at Gray, causing his hair to fly against the harsh wind as he looks up to in small awe at Juvia's power.
"I can't let that happen," Gray replies back, eyes focusing as she shouts "Sierra!" and the wave comes at a rush as Gray prepares to meet it head-on. Ignoring his injuries, white and blue bright lights appear as a massive summoning circle appears underneath Gray, who clasps his hands together with his eyes closed. Concentrating, he mutters something quietly, before he makes eye-contact with Juvia, who was just a couple yards away from him.
Deep blue meets cerulean as he chants,
"Ice-Make: Army. "
Frozen soldiers arise from the ground with a loud crack, surrounding Gray as his eyes snapped open, glowing a brilliant blue. Juvia stares in small admiration despite her raging emotions, watching as the soldiers were launched forwards at Gray's command. They were not alive, they didn't move. It was like massive sculptures that collided with Juvia's tsunami, covering her line of sight as steam generates from the impacts of such severe temperature differences.
Was that his plan?
To obstruct her vision, in order to buy time?
It was futile, Juvia thinks bitterly, as she was going to simply wash this entire building away if she had to.
Gray's hands lit up as he staggered behind his army of soldiers, before letting out a harsh breath as he summoned up the mana from his very core in order to launch his final attack. Running to the masses, he charged directly at Juvia, who was colliding with the sculptures that were pressing against her. She was distracted momentarily, and that was all he needed in order to land the final blow.
"Ice-Make: Ice Geyser Punch. " Gray roars.
Juvia's eyes widened as a pillar of ice shots from where Gray was, who was making the punch motions in the air despite physically touching nothing. It didn't matter however, as his movements seemed to be influence the massive pillar's direction, and it collides with Juvia's face and the source of the power.
Almost instantly, her formerly heated wave had froze into a magnificent frozen wave, standing crystal clear as everything paused. Juvia's heart froze as she stared at Gray in shock, surprised that he was able to freeze her simmering waves, but as it suddenly cracks and shatters, she finds herself falling instead, utterly exhausted mentally and physically.
The rooftop that they were fight on had cracked loudly as Gray pants, looking down at the largest crack in particular that had magically appeared. It had separated the two of them as they stared at each other, pausing for a moment. Juvia was on the ground, collapsed as she laid in defeat. Gray was barely doing better, his knees a bit wobbly as he looked at her fallen form on the ground.
He takes a step forward because god , how can someone so powerful look so vulnerable right now?
Why doesn't it feel like he defeated a villain?
A bad guy?
Another crack signaled to Gray that they were not on a stable surface anymore. It was looking as if her side of the building was going to collapse at any moment, and there was nothing that she could do about it. They had both used up their mana and some, if Gray was struggling to even take a step, he knows that Juvia of the Element 4 wasn't able to get up either as she lays on the ground.
But still-
He forces himself to move forwards, because he won't let her fall .
Not…not like this.
Juvia laid on the ground, looking up at the clouds in the sky as she succumbed to utter defeat. She had failed, yet again it seemed. Intrusted with the task of defeating the enemy, and she couldn't even accomplish that. There wasn't any heavy weight that settles within her at the revelation, nor did she shed anymore tears. It was just numb. Everything was numb. Her eyes were unfocused, her hearing was half-muted. Faintly, she could hear the tell-tale cracks of the building ready to collapse, but did it matter anymore?
She was ready to stop fighting, and just fall, just like the rain from her clouds.
A fitting end of washing away, as an unwanted rain woman.
And when she feels the pressure under her aching back lessen, and the surface shudders before giving out, there's a small bittersweet smile that glimpses her face as she closes her eyes. If it was truly over, then maybe she'll get the chance to be happier in a new life. Where things weren't as cruel.
If she asked to the gods out there for mercy and love, would they grant her wish?
Hasn't she suffered enough?
…
…Weightless.
She feels weightless, as she descends without a care.
Gray's heart leaps into his throat as the roof breaks in half, and he stumbles over as fast as he cans, desperate to do something.
This girl was apart of Phantom Lord, she was enemy, but his heart said otherwise.
Treacherous thing had swelled with compassion for her as he lets out a shout to get her attention, but he sees a soft smile instead. And he knows that smile all too well, as it was a smile of acceptance of reality. A smile of lost hope and concession.
No.
He jumps without thinking, falling towards the bluenette as the building crumbles and falls around them. Pieces of wood crashes beneath on the ground, bricks smack into each other, and it didn't matter to Gray as he kept his eyes locked onto Juvia's form, straining out as he reaches to grab onto her.
" Juvia ." Gray calls her name, and her eyes slowly flutter open at the sound of it. It sounded beautiful in his voice, his tone being serious but light as she realizes that he was reaching out for her.
'Oh' , she thinks.
' We're falling together.'
It could've been the look in his eye that caused her to weakly reached forwards to meet him halfway, even as she faintly was confused. Why go through all of the struggle to save her? She had been defeated, so she must suffer her fate.
Why why why why why why?
" Why? " Juvia asked quietly, choked up.
"Because you deserve to have the chance to be saved," Gray answered immediately as he clasped his hand around hers, and yanked her body towards him. Juvia gasps softly at the contact as he wraps his arms around her, holding her close as they fell and prepared to brace the ground together. With the bare minimum of ice he could muster, he casted it in order to create a small ramp for them to land onto harshly, the wind knocking the both of them out as they tumble onto the ground.
The area that they had fortunately landed on was full of grass, as they laid next to each other, coughing and grunting from the impact. Juvia had rolled over and heaved onto the ground as she gasped for air, as Gray didn't move a signal inch from where he had laid, breathing faintly. His wound had opened up again, he was definitely bleeding. Taking the brunt of the hit had popped his shoulder as well before it popped back into place, but who's to say it was done correctly. Not to mention the bruises and mana exhaustion that settled onto his bones, Gray recounted tiredly.
He didn't think he could move another muscle even if he wanted to.
Juvia mirrored Gray, although she was more mentally spent that he was, but it didn't change the fact that neither of the mages were moving anytime soon.
Instead, they laid on the soft grass in silence as they quietly watched the rain clouds slowly disperse into the atmosphere, welcoming the soft, warm glow of sunlight. There was no tears left in Juvia's eyes after the whole ordeal, but the raw emotion on her face was enough to show Gray, who was watching her side profile for a moment, that she had still felt impacted.
'Was the sky always so blue ?' Juvia thought in small child-like wonder as she looked up at the sky for all she had known were shades of gray. Soft, fluffy white clouds flew as birds chirped, flying high.
The sun was extremely bright however, she noted as she made the mistake of looking it directly in the eye. Curiosity truly does kill the cat as she flinched and squinted in discomfort, pain wrecking her body at the movements. Her eyes were not used to such a thing .
Gray unexpectedly laughed at the sight, and Juvia quickly glanced at him for a moment before looking away just as fast with soft flushed cheeks. The sunlight had made his features more accentuated, radiate in the soft light as he stared at her with curious, tired eyes.
'Like a prince.' Juvia's mind softly said as she looked back up at the beautiful sky.
"Don't look too hard at the Sun, it's bad for your eyes." Gray said. "Even if it's getting late, and it's not as bad right now."
He doesn't know why he piped up to say that, but he was too tired to think logically anyways. Laying on the grass and looking up at the sky just felt nice. Juvia just sighs,
"You should've told Juvia that beforehand."
"My bad, I'll remind you next time then," Gray said without hesitation.
'Next time?'
"Next time…?" Juvia asked hesitantly, before turning to look at the man. They stared at each other for a brief moment, letting the loaded silence linger as they thought about the implications of his words. Gray had pursed his lips for a moment, before letting out a miniscule nod.
"Yeah, because we're…uh, friends?"
"What?" Juvia asked in flat confusion. They were just on the battlefield, fighting as fierce enemies. Did Gray hit his head when they fell together? This was utter nonsense. It simply couldn't be easy to become friends. "What are you even saying? It is not that easy to become… friends ."
"But it can be," Gray said with a small hopeful look in his eyes and a small half-smile on his face. Juvia flushed once more at the expression, quickly looking away as she tried her hardest not to smile. It was like a virus, she thought. An infectious virus indeed. "I tend to fight my friends a lot, anyways. It's definitely possible."
"I…see." Juvia finished after a brief moment, barely able to finish talking. She hadn't even noticed that she slipped into first person, something that she hadn't done in an extremely long time. Her eyes were feeling like lead as she briefly fought sleep, desperate to get the chance to continue to scratch the surface of emotions that were simmering underneath her skin, but it was meant for another time.
So many questions, she had.
And-And maybe Gray had some answers for her.
But she fell asleep before she could even ask, before she could properly accept Gray's friendship as well. As he watches her chest rise and fall in a soothing rhythm after a moment, it led Gray to understand that she had fallen asleep, and honestly, he didn't mind at all. He had surprised himself in fact, asking for friendship from the girl.
It had reminded him of Lucy's attempt at being his friend after dissecting him, and maybe there was some method to his team leader's occasional madness after all.
'Well…whatever' , Gray sighed tiredly in his mind as he allowed himself to fall asleep on the grass as well.
For some odd reason, he felt like he was safe enough here to sleep too.
-M-S-
"Majin: Suppression Arts." Mirajane said flatly as her hands became enclouded with dark magic before heading stalking off back to her opponent who was bloodied and shaking from the otherside of the sandstorm. She tsked in disappointment at her own self, if he was still strong enough to continuously conjure the sandstorm, then she wasn't using enough magic to render him useless. Elfman was separated from the rest of them as he lost his mind once more, roaring in the distance.
She wanted to hurry up with the worm before her, and Satan had to agree based off of her feelings that she felt of the demon. But first, she had to finish toying with her prey. Mirajane would've normally been able to fight off the urge, but it has been a long time since she's been used to Satan's presence.
Her aura was too powerful, her nature was seeping into her actions as she looked down at Sol who looked at her with fear and disbelief prevalent on his face. She reached over to grab his monocle with glowing, dark hands. Giving the man a small smirk of amusement, she peered through it like a toy before crushing it with two fingers, grinding it into tiny particles that fell lost into the storm.
"Hmm, I suppose there is something entertaining about messing with your opponents, after all." Mirajane pondered, cocking her head at Sol who was shivering. He gulped in fear at the blank look within her eyes, not matching the smile that was on her face. How was this possible?! His intent told him that she wasn't able to use her magic for years, and now all of a sudden she's in her famed Majin Soul form in front of him? "Especially when they deserve it."
"Demon Blast."
A large ball of dark energy is charged between Mirajane's hands, from which a dark purple beam is blasted into Sol, who screams from the direct impact. His back arches in agony before Mirajane lets go of the man, before nudging him with her foot at the end of things. Sol's eyes briefly rolled to the back of his head as he was blinded by pain. They were both considered S-Class mages, but why did it feel as if she was on a completely different caliber compared to him?
What was this massive difference in strength?
The sandstorm flickered weakly around them, before it slowly settled to a stop. Mirajane frowned, because she genuinely felt the urge to flex her powers and settle this once and for all. She had gone through all of this growth in an insane short amount of time, and now she wasn't able to properly let loose? It wasn't fair. She felt an itch for bloodshed beneath her fingers, Sol wasn't enough. There's more people that deserves to suffer by her hand-
" Mira ."
Mirajane blinks. "W-What?"
"Mira, control it!" Cana shouted as she noticed the familiar look that was growing in Mirajane's eye. She had grown up with the girl after all, those who were there since the beginning knew what Mirajane looked like when she was on the verge of wrecking havoc. Her demonic nature called for it, but she also was able to suppress the urges after training for months on end. Mirajane's resolve was still weak, it's been far too long since she's activated her magic, let alone think about fighting others.
She could lose control, Cana feared. "Mira, snap out of it!"
Mirajane's brows furrow as she tries to collect herself, but it was hard when Sol was still in front of her, cowering before her. Good, she thought once more, he should be scared. He caused this mess, and he was going to suffer properly for his words, for Phantom Lord's actions against her family, for provoking the demon within her.
"No, Mira!"
Mirajane snapped her head at Cana in annoyance, but then she saw the look on her eyes and felt a cold wave of reality wash over her. She wasn't looking at Mirajane in fear, but the concern was clear in her eyes. She was worried for the Take-Over mage. Her actions were causing her girlfriend to worry for her and Mirajane lets out a shaky sigh as she begins to collect herself with more urgency. They didn't have time for unnecessary worries, they had to defeat Phantom Lord and save Lucy.
Feeling unstable still but a clearer mind as she tries to refocus her efforts, Mirajane casts Explosive Punch promptly on Sol's fallen form. The dark mana exploded the moment it collided with his stomach, and Sol was rendered unconscious upon impact with a crater underneath him that reflected the power that was in the punch. She did not use much force as she had no interest in killing the man, but it was crucial that he had no possible chance of getting back up as she dealt with other matters.
Another shaking roar echoes through the streets of Magnolia and Mirajane shivers at the memories of it, before she turns to look at Elfman who was in Full Body Take-Over, raging against enemies and foes. He was mindlessly throwing and fighting Shades, but he almost attacked one of the other members of Fairytail, and Mirajane knew that she had to stop him before he hurt someone that he would regret deeply later on.
She knows he's always scared of his own strength and so was she.
So she was best fit to help him through his manic episode, just as Cana did for her moments ago.
"Elfman…" Mirajane called his name softly as she walked towards her brother.
"Elfman, it's okay. Lisanna is in a safe place now, and I am too."
Elfman continues to wreck havoc and Mirajane silently says sorry as she whispers, "Evil Shower." Instead of the normally showered extended bullets that reigned everywhere, piercing into its targets, she manipulated it in order to wrap around and prison Elfman. Elfman didn't like that as he fought against the restraints, roaring and kicking his body as he twisted and turned.
Her heart ached to see him like this, but they had no choice. She wouldn't allow history to repeat itself, costing another life. She had to stop him, she thinks as she floats before her monstrous brother with a solemn expression on her face. She cupped his cheek and kissed his forehead as he screamed, whispering. "It's alright Elfman, I have you. I won't let you do something you'll regret."
"Elfman…come back to us. I know you can do it, my lovely brother." Mirajane sighed. "I was able get past the fog if only for a brief moment. You can do it, Elfman."
He was trapped inside of his own mind. His body no longer listened to his commands as his magic ran haywire inside of him. He was crying, because it always turned out like this. What kind of mage deserved to be one when they couldn't even control their basic forms? It's going to end like it did before and it makes him sick to his stomach.
He doesn't want to hurt anyone he loved ever again.
"We've talked about this before, Elfman, but it's not your fault. S-She's no longer with us, but we can't…we can't go on like this. We can't be scared of our power or it will continue to consume us like it has for the past couple of years."
Is that Mira…?
But..if he doesn't continue to suppress it, he'll just hurt-
" I'm still here. I won't let you hurt anyone else, so trust me, Elfman. Control it and come back to your senses. Come back to Fairytail, Elfman. Come back to me."
Elfman stops moving as the words sink in, vibrating into his core. He's tried so hard in order to be viewed as this strong individual that has grown from the incident, and he has in many ways. His magic is stronger, but so was his fear. Did he overcompensate and hide it with bravado about being a real man, wishing that that confidence would magically replace his feelings inside? Perhaps. He tried his hardest to be a new pillar, especially seeing Mirajane fall so far down from her prime after the incidence.
And besides, no real man would kill their own sister, for fuck's sake.
He had lost a sister and a half, that day. Mirajane became a shell of what she used to be, even picked up some of Lisanna's habits in order to help her cope with the loss.
Maybe that's why Mirajane's current words shock him so greatly and makes his world spin. They were both still effected by the incident to this day, and yet Mira…his older sister was finally ready to begin the process of carrying on Lisanna's legacy in a different way. He-He tried to do that, he really did, but it was too hard.
Maybe all he needed was his sister to get out of her own head and for him to get out of his in order to heal together. They didn't talk much about the incident except when it was time to go visit the cemetery, after all. It was entirely possible that this fear of power that they both share, and their own demons just amplified with the distance from the subject. Too stuck in the past, but how could he say such a thing when what had happened in such past was so devastating to his entire world?
How could he move on?
No…
How does he move on, is the new question now.
Mirajane was right, they couldn't be scared forever. He doesn't know how they're going to make it out okay, but it was time to at least give love and attention to the sister that is here and grieving just as hard as he was at their shared loss. Because he wasn't the only one to lose a sister.
" Trust me, Elfman."
"I do," He whispers with wet eyes as he looks at Mirajane, conscious regained thanks to her words. Mirajane's face lights up with joy as she hugged him promptly, letting go of his restraints. There was so much to take in, when Elfman hugs her back just as tightly. Mirajane was using her magic, she was in Satan Form. She had avoided that for so long, but now…she was really ready to try and take the next step in loving her magic again.
"I'm sorry," Elfman sobbed quietly, but Mirajane was quick to shush him as she patted and carded through his hair. "I'm sorry."
"I told you I'd stop you, Elfman. It's-We're going to be okay. We're going to get better, and we're going to control our powers, I promise." Mirajane said quietly, but her tone was firm. She was nervous and knew that it was a long journey ahead, but Cana was right all of those times they've fought. It was time to be open to learn from the past, and to ensure that it doesn't happen again by not getting stronger, but controlling what they already have.
She doesn't think she could handle obtaining another form other than Majin and the forbidden one that Makarov told her she couldn't use, Halphas, right now. It was time to go back and reinforce the basics instead.
"I'll learn to control it, I promise." Elfman said weakly, feeling much like the scrawny, timid child he was in the past. Or maybe he still was, just suppressed with a mixture of false and true confidence.
"Love you," Mirajane whispers as she looks down at Elfman, before looking back up at the sky to whisper the same to their sister in the stars. Elfman just hugs Mirajane harder, nodding his head and saying the same as they allow themselves to calm down from the revelations and promises, before getting back up to fight against the Shades and protect Magnolia from Jose Porla and Phantom Lord's assault.
When it all ends, the Fairytail guild hall will be rebuilt with a stronger foundation and a new, beautiful exterior.
And so will its members.
-E-S-
A single spell was enough to defeat Aria, the Air Element of the Element 4 as Erza cuts through his strongest spell as if it was butter. Equipped with her Heaven's Wheel Armor as she panted from exertion, she had activated her Blumenbatt spell which allowed her to equip two massive swords and slice the enemy with two hits, before levitating sword made out of pure mana come to finish the second blow.
Erza Scarlet looked down at the enemy with disgust on her face as she recalls how close he had been in using his magic to kill others, Phantom Lord and Fairytail alike. How was it possible to be so heartless, to even kill your own comrades in the crossfire? It was pathetic, and it had enraged Erza, giving her the power to defeat him in the knick of time.
But she was lucky that Mirajane had helped her regain her strength and rest from the Jupiter cannon firing.
She doesn't know if she'd be able to take Aria otherwise.
Stepping over the unconscious and bloodied form of Aria, she limped over towards one of the windows in the mega robotic guild mage, peering to see who needed her help urgently next. As she took a step forwards however, the guild had shuddered and stopped moving for a moment as it seemed to have lost power. Slightly alarmed, Erza looked around to see if there was anything that had happened in her vicinity, but there wasn't anyone left.
She had followed Natsu into the guild after the massive shock wave it produced from whatever happened inside, nearly knocked everyone else away on the outside. Looking at the remains of the battle, she let out a small smile to see that the Jupiter cannon had been destroyed, and that it most likely was a fierce battle between Natsu and someone strong in the process.
It was her wandering around that led to her confrontation with Aria of the Air Element, who was proved to be a formidable opponent in the end.
With a sigh, Erza looks out the window once more to continue her original thoughts as she scanned the battlefield. Her eyes widened when she thought she saw a glimpse of something she hadn't seen in years. Mirajane using her Take-Over magic, and defeating an enemy member alongside her brother who was in full-beast form? Just what was going on around here?
Itching to return to the fight, Erza paused when she hears Jose's massive announcement ringing through the guild, leading outside. Her face paled as he said that they had managed to grab Lucy again, and she quickly ran towards any direction, hoping that she'd be able to make it in time before who knows what's next.
Slamming the door open, pointing her floating swords at grunts that moved in to attack only to freeze after looking at who their opponent was. Erza didn't make eye contact with any of them as she stalked forwards with a glower.
"If you know what's best for you all, you won't get in my way." Her words were as cold as ice.
No one said a word as she walked through the next set of rooms, message and intentions clear as the cold expression on her face. She had been following a lead of shouts that had intrigued her, feeling as if she had heard a familiar voice. It was confirmed the moment she heard a loud crash, followed by a loud boom as she hastened her steps.
"Tell me where she is!" Natsu roared at the grunt that was in his hands, hands fisted within his collar. He hadn't done the unthinkable and beaten the man without giving him a chance to speak, but the moment he had heard Jose's words ranging throughout Magnolia, his morals began to slip. His honor was on unstable grounds as he tried not to loose himself in the wave of aggression that threatened to overtake him. He clenched his teeth as he glared hard at the man who trembled before Salamander.
"I-I don't know. I didn't have access to the blueprints of the Robot Mage version! I don't even know where I am!" He cried out as Natsu's forehead pulsed with a vein. The dragon slayer seethed as he let him go, before quickly moving around to try and get rid of this rush of wrath that was lingering in his fists. Happy looked at Natsu with concerned eyes, "Don't worry Natsu, we're going to find her in time! We always do!"
Natsu punched a wall with great force, filling a miniscule bit better as he let out an exhausted, worried sigh at the thought of what could be happening to Lucy right now in Phantom Lord's hands. Fuck, he had to desperately wanted to beat them all up quickly so that she didn't have to worry as she escaped, but he wasn't strong enough, fast enough. It was too late, they had her.
"Happy." Natsu says flatly as he looks around, "We're going to blast our way through."
"No need, Natsu," Erza said as she walked through the room, staring intently at the dragon slayer. Natsu's eyes widened in small surprise at the sight of Erza, but he gave her a stiff smile and a nod in greeting. Erza's eyes softened slightly at the tension that was apparent inside of him. "Don't worry, Happy was correct. We will find Lucy, and Jose will get what is coming. Let's go together, shall we?"
Erza walked up to stand before Natsu and patted his shoulder with a determined look on her own. "I managed to get some people to talk so I have a general idea about where we are heading."
"Really?" Natsu let out an exhale of relief. He didn't want to waste his energy trying to roar his way out of the reinforced metal, but he was going to do it if he had no other choice. He had to get to Lucy.
"Indeed. Your objective should be grabbing Lucy, I'll deal with anyone who gets in the way of you making your way." Erza said confidently but Natsu gave her a small look of concern. He frowned slightly,
"What if it's Jose?" Natsu asked. "I don't want to leave you behind if he's the guy we meet. He's on the old man's level, and while I'd love to fight him, it's-it's different right now." The stakes were higher, who's to say that Jose Porla won't execute Erza in the middle of their fight. He's unhinged, Natsu growls at the mere thought of the man. Unhinged and unpredictable right now.
"I am a shield for Fairytail, Natsu. I was made to take the hits for my comrades, and I do so gladly. Perhaps it will be a losing battle, but I will do my part in making sure we get Lucy out. Even if it costs all of my strength." Erza said proudly, "That's what it means to be an S-Class mage."
Natsu remained silent for a moment as he looked at Erza, feeling as if there was more to those words and her firm belief in them. It felt a bit off to him, because Natsu always wants to do his best for others at his full capacity, but he always hopes to make it out alive to be with them in the end. And Erza always sounds as if…
Natsu shakes his head at the thoughts, pursing his lips. He doesn't like the plan, but he can't think of any other option and he verbally states as such. "I don't like this, but we've got no other choice. You better shout if you need my help, yeah?!"
Erza chuckles as they run out of the room, side by side as they made their way towards Lucy's location.
"I will."
(translation: maybe.)
-L-H-
"So you're Heartfilia, eh?" Gajeel grunted as he carried her over his shoulder, walking towards the massive robotic guild. He tsked in annoyance at the sight of it, as Lucy cranked her head around to stare at the creation in utter shock. She also took a look around at the destruction and felt increasing pangs of guilt inside of her.
Regardless if Fairytail knew the truth of the matter, she would still feel the guilt just as heavy.
Lucy didn't bother to answer the questions, struggling with all of her might in order to free herself from Gajeel's grasp. She twisted and flailed to no avail, as Gajeel simply tightened his hold on her with the small "gihihi" as before. Inside of her mind, her Nee-san clenched her fists in confliction.
What can she do?
Gajeel is a future comrade that she cares about, but she must also support Lucy in her time of need. Rushii couldn't possibly tell Lucy to cut the Iron-Dragon Slayer some slack, he was a formidable enemy that has hurt those that she had loved. Not being able to give insight on the growth that Gajeel went through after switching sides would be fighting a losing battle. Lucy won't be able to understand her hesitance.
She normally agrees with her approach of sitting in the sidelines until something important comes up in order to protect the past but the future as well. A mantra, she rings in her mind. Over and over again. Mentioned countless of times so that she understands not to lose sight of the end goal. Suffering was unavoidable, there will be times where Lucy has to find her strength.
'Yes, as expected-'
Lucy grunts painfully as she's dropped on the floor unceremoniously, pain racking through her body as she's laid before familiar shoes. Her heart jumps into her throat as she looks up to see Jose's furious, but manic eyes looking down at her in an eerie delight. This is the second time that she has been forcefully brought to the man, a man who was sadistic as he was prideful, secretly ashamed that he had lost the celestial spirit mage that was within his own grasp. Not that he would ever mention that out loud, however.
So when he squats down before the blonde mage before fisting her hair roughly in order to bring her face close to his, and he snarls softly, "You won't get away this time, you little bitch."
And Rushii feels the rush of Lucy's fear.
'-..t-the best of action is to stay to the sidelines.'
Jose gets back up with purpose in his steps once more. All is well with the Heartfilia girl back in his clutches, it was time to show that in the end, Phantom Lord truly was superior-
"Sir, the guild is only running at 25% capacity!"
" What? " Jose roars. 25% functional capacity is all that was left? The Reconstruction of the neo-Guild Hall required the mana of the Element 4. If they were to be defeated, the endless supply of mana that they generate would cease connection. To say that there was only 25% left, meant that three out of the four have been defeated. Jose suddenly felt the urge to scream as his members had failed him yet again. Makarov, the Fairytail bastard, how dare he prove to be superior?
Gajeel watched Jose with a closed expression on his face as the guild master raged around the room inside of the robot, before whipping his unleveled head towards Gajeel. "Take the girl and protect her yourself. It seems as if you're the only one who's fucking reliable around here."
A flash of something foreign entered through Gajeel at Jose's words, making him feeling a little bit irritable at the feeling it brings. Fire Man is just some cosplaying freak who can blow rainbow fire out of his ass, Earth guy was a fucking nuisance that actually was useless, and Air dude was just plain fucking weird. All of them are shit, and he doesn't talk to them unless he absolutely has to.
But Dewy…she's the only decently strong one.
Jose- he can't just say that about her when Gajeel's loyalty to Phantom Lord would rival Juvia's as she always did whatever she was asked without a second thought. With that stupid fucking emotionless facade that she always has on in order to protect herself from other and for others and shit, just thinking about how Jose didn't even think about her- she always tries her all for Phantom Lord.
That type of respect and loyalty doesn't get dismissed so-so carelessly.
But he doesn't open his mouth to say anything, not that he could if he wanted to. What the fuck was he supposed to say, don't fucking say that about the others? He didn't even care about most of them, it'd just be useless lies. Fuck, these feelings would've never even have sprouted if it weren't for Fairytail and their nakama shit. Gajeel seethes as he picks up Lucy once more, feeling irritated from everything as he held her up for Jose to announce that they had re-captured the blonde, before stalking off to guard the chick.
"The girl is ours, once more!" Jose grins with his arms wide open as he projects himself to the Fairytail members fighting outside against his Shades. Tears ran down her face as she looked at Jose with raw anger in her face, and embarrassment, because she had failed her family again. How could she allow herself to get captured again so easily? All of their hard work to stop Phantom Lord, it was pointless if she was in their clutches again.
She faintly heard the screams and war cries as the powered Shades advanced their assault even more, Jose finally decided that it was time to take things more seriously. Rushii was right, how did she even think that she'd be able to fight Jose earlier? Lucy felt like a true reckless idiot.
"Leave now."
" 'ight." Gajeel grunts as he storms out of the room without a second glance, carrying a tearful Lucy to the next one over. She sniffed as she was placed on the ground once more, before glaring back at Gajeel with strong dislike in her eyes.
Dried tear marks were on her face as she stared at him in defiance. Gajeel looked down at her with small interest, because what was with Fairytail women and their ability to withstand such strong eye-contact, despite their situations?
'Just like the shrimp from earlier.' Gajeel vaguely thought as he stood a couple distance away from her, leaning against the wall. Red eyes pierced through brown as she shouted at him,
"If you think that you're going to win, you're sorrowly mistakened. Fairytail is going to come for me, and we won't go down until the very end."
Gajeel just scoffs, "They're causing a whole lot of ruckus for a puny bunny."
He's reminded of Salamander's reaction in the middle of their fight at the news of her kidnapping the first go around, and he narrows his eyes at the blonde. She had a rack on her sure, and she was alright to look at. Definitely not ugly, but nothing worth almost snapping into rage though. Why the fuck did Salamander geek out so badly? It was just another run of the mill busty blonde.
"Salamander left in the middle of our fight, just to rescue ya. You givin' him some special reward or something for comin' to your rescue?"
Lucy's face flushed in anger and shock, "What the hell? No!"
" 'Sjust a question." Gajeel shrugged before morphing his skin into iron, and creating small little sharp knives out of them. He flicked his finger and one of them raced towards Lucy who flinched in fear at the thought of being hit. A small thunk sound rang next to her, and she turned her head quickly in order to stare at the weapon before looking back at her.
"Y-You-"
Another one that came too close to comfort shut her up immediately. Gajeel just sighed boredly, not even taking pleasure in the small game of target practice that he had conjured as he awaited for some people to come help the blonde. Hopefully it was with Salamander, he desperately needed a good fight in him. Hell, he wanted a rematch from how things ended from earlier.
The next one cuts her cheek a little bit, and Gajeel is honestly surprised, "Huh…so you do bleed red after all."
"What the-?" Lucy hissed in pain and confusion, "Why wouldn't I?"
"I just wanted to see what made you special to Salamander. Maybe your blood was gold or something." Gajeel shrugged in disinterest. "But I don't get it. You're not even that strong, so what's the point of taking interest in you? In most of you, in fact. I don't why the old man wants to fucking waste time and not crush everyone instantly. Everyone knows he can do it, 'specially since your master is gone. Why are we all being so fucking dramatic?"
He ends the sentence with a huff and another cut across Lucy's face who doesn't flinch this time around as she looks at Gajeel as if he's grown another head. "If someone from Phantom Lord was kidnapped, someone from your family, wouldn't you want to go and save them?"
"The hell? If they were strong, they wouldn't even get kidnapped in the first place." Gajeel snorted. "And no, I wouldn't go save them regardless. Phantom Lord doesn't do that weak shit that y'all do."
" Weak shit? "
"Yeah, like that yelling shit just to pump everyone up as if they'd magically turn into S-Class mage material. The strong are the strong, and the weak are the weak, some fancy words ain't gonna change shit . You and all of your friends are just going to waste time and energy for no fucking reason." Gajeel scoffed.
"At least I have friends, because from the sound of it, it seems like you're just some obsessive freak over strength that doesn't give a crap about others." Lucy hissed and Gajeel got up from leaning against the wall with a furrowed brow due to her words, feeling that foreign feeling course inside of him again at her words. What the fuck did the blonde know? Phantom Lord was a place where if you weren't useful, you'd get tossed aside. Jose would generously to allow you still be a member, but at what cost? You won't get any jobs, you won't make money. You won't be able to prove your worth, and no one likes free-loaders.
Friends were not fostered in this environment, where your actions proved more than fucking words.
"I don't need that shit if I get the job done. What other people do ain't my fucking business, especially if I win in the end." Gajeel snarled, Lucy Heartfilia was starting to become an irritable victim indeed. What is with anything associated with Fairytail, and its ability to make him more susceptible to new emotions. He doesn't need that shit, he only should have one thing in mind.
"I'm done talkin'. Shut up like a good prisoner."
Lucy was livid. How could someone with this much audacity exist in this world? So self-centered and unforgiving, without being a single inch of intention to be openminded. Did he even view her as a human being kidnapped or someone who was just a means to a reward? Something to "win"? She opened her mouth to say something hotheaded and livid, before Rushii quietly spoke up.
"Lucy."
"Nee-san?" Lucy replied in surprise. She hadn't expected her to speak up.
"...allow me."
It was quiet for a moment, as Gajeel walked around with some thoughts in his mind that he tried to shut up quietly. The silence from the girl was good, he should've just told her to shut the fuck up sooner, but he had been a fool just like Jose. Entertaining the weak and wasting energy.
"...you know, I do find it interesting that you mentioned being able to "win" in everything that you do, but are you not on the losing side currently? Or if anything, we're a bit on a stalemate, no?" Rushii said calmly as she stared at Gajeel, who turned to look at her. Immediately, there was something off about Bunny girl now, her attitude, her mannerisms. They were the same, but the air was just different. It had unnerved Gajeel for a moment, who wasn't expecting such a change.
It felt like he was about to talk to a completely different person.
Someone who looked at him with haunted eyes, an air of nonsense hanging around her as she sat up and cracked her neck, arms still bounded. What the hell was this…?
Bunny girl felt a little scary for some reason.
"The hell you talkin' about?" Gajeel answered back hesitantly.
"Look at the bigger picture, Gajeel Redfox ." Rushii said flatly, "You heard what Jose had said. Your forces at that moment had been dwindled down to about a quarter of what used to be. Four S-Class mages, yourself, and Jose Porla was what it started as. That is the heart of Phantom Lord. Now there's only half of you remaining, and who knows where and how the last Element 4 member is doing. Perhaps it was the water lady from earlier, she seemed to have considerable power. Too bad she'll eventually fall to Gray."
She had purposely mentioned Juvia just to see if her observation of him was correct, and when Gajeel scowls down even harder at the mention of Juvia and her possible defeat, she smiled victoriously in her mind as Lucy watched in awe. Rushii did not blame Lucy in her mindset with the iron-dragon slayer, but her omouto was not as open minded as she thought she was being. Phantom Lord was a different environment, and one could either adapt and survive or fall behind.
Juvia, Gajeel, they were raised into these versions of themselves that required such traits. Some actions may be inexcusable, such as Gajeel's violent manner of handling with Team Shadow Gear, but the root end of it was that they were turned into this. Merely products of their environment. But it is hard to see that side of the street, especially when you're the victim being torturered currently.
Rushii did not blame Lucy.
But she's also forgiven Gajeel for his actions, years ago, and there is wisdom that comes from that.
Wisdom that Lucy is still learning, as she watches and learns from Rushii's side.
"So perhaps, you did win the battle currently. You have me in your possession, that is true. But you are all but one man, Gajeel Redfox, and that's what you fail to realize. You are strong by yourself but only against a certain margin of people. If your comrades re all around you losing their battles, and you find yourself to be the last one left, do you truly think that you'll be able to win in the end? You against the world? You can certainly try , and you will certainly fail ." Rushii shrugged as she watched as Gajeel's face darkened. Ah, she had forgotten about his pride. He can say all he wants about not giving a shit, but Gajeel's loyalty was as pure and strong as they come, that is what she does know and remembers.
"Finding people who you can fight side by side with, aiming for a shared goal. That's the power of friendship and how it can be the very thing that changes to tides. It's a form of love in a way, because what is more powerful than someone you care deeply about being hurt and feeling as if you must do everything in your power to make sure they are safe in the end? Nothing is more powerful than that feeling, not even the strongest of hates and the absence of emotions entirely." Rushii sighs as she recalls her past and Lucy's. There truly isn't a more powerful feeling than that.
"All that 'strength' you've been preaching about, but in the end, who are you showing your accomplishments too? Isn't it rather..lonely?" Rushii finishes quietly. "There are many strengths to friends, I hope you'll be able to properly experience it one day."
For some reason, her words had triggered a recent memory for Gajeel who stares at her with dark ruby eyes and a scowl to match. Thoughts flashing through his mind, as he allows himself to briefly reflect.
"Meh, just one." Gajeel replied as he squated down, squinting his eyes to see below. He brushed a long wetlock out of his face as he studied the area, looking for the girl. A piece of him kept an eye on the bluenette next to him though, wondering what the hell was wrong with her. Normally she had the face of dull cardboard, and she looked as if she was had nothing in her mind.
But there was a small difference, as he glanced at her from time to time.
It surprises him a little that he cared in general to be quite honest. They don't talk a lot, but was that such a bad thing? Gajeel really never had much to say unless it was words of agitation, and Juvia-well she was always too out of it to really get more than pleasantries.
Maybe it was because she's strong, and Gajeel likes strong things.
"Oi, Dewy."
"Must you insist on calling Juvia that?"
"Fuckin' smile once in a while and maybe you'll be Sunny instead."
"What is it?"
"Don't get in the way," Gajeel eventually said, not feeling comfortable about saying anything else.
"How…nice of you."
For that moment, he had entertained the idea of having a friend, as Heartfilia had mentioned. Maybe that's why he calls Juvia, "Dewy" as a nickname, is it because he cares in the end? So she was a potential weakness, is that it? But Salamander…he had powered up that moment he had heard the blonde had been kidnapped the first time. How the fuck did he do that? Was that also the power of friendship? What does nakama mean, anyways?
Fairytail's ways were a fucking headache.
And he doesn't feel like dealing with it, especially with the scary bunny girl who's words were cutting deeper than a sword ever could.
"Didn't I tell you to fucking shut up-" Gajeel's voice raised with frustration and confusion littered in his mind as Rushii stares at him with a dead stare, before the sound of loud commotion had interrupted the two. It sounded as if the robot had begun to malfunction as the entire space shuddered and creaked, shaking for a moment before shutting off completely.
The room when pitch black before the emergency back up lights came up, and Gajeel looked around in confusion.
"Ah…there goes the last one then," Rushii said dryly. "So now what?"
Gajeel growled at the woman, what type of sorcery was this? Her words rang true in the end, the dim lights in the room confirmed it so. The source of power to the place has been severed, all of the Element 4 have now been defeated. Anger rushes through him; how dare they lose to these Fairytail bastards? Why was Rushii right down to the very nail? Did that fucking ice bastard hurt Juvia-
What?
He wanted to yell, it was too much confusion. Too many complex emotions, too many new things.
Within more internal affairs, Lucy asked Rushii a question.
"What is Gajeel to you?" She paused before continuing, "Because you're acting in a way that's pretty new?"
Rushii chuckled, "What do you mean?"
"It's like you're trying to urge him to see something, normally you'd give like some cold ass words and then wreck judgement. Or you'll take authority for a split second in order to give everying a direction to head towards, and err thanks for that by the way Nee-san, but I don't get it?!"
"...he's just another lost soul in the end. You'll be shocked to see how things have a funny way of ending once the past is settled. It only reminds you that the past is something that can't be erased, which prompts you to look more towards the future. Because encouraging change is to encourage better hope for all, down the line." Rushii says wistfully, before giving Lucy a mysterious look.
"When you're older, or maybe even within the next couple of months, I think you'll be able to fully understand my words then. It's hard to process concepts like that in the heat of the moment."
She was trying to see her Nee-san's logic, but it was hard. Phantom Lord was causing everyone so much pain, how could you be lenient in the midst of all of this nonsense?
Why does the bigger picture matter when the present was suffering.
It was hard.
"I'm…struggling to be empathetic." Lucy admitted.
"As I said before, omouto, don't worry too hard about it. I was in your shoes once, you can't possibly predict what's on the other side of your opponent sometimes. Once an enemy, could be a friend later on in life. People fight for various of reasons that aren't always malicious, even when on the side of "evil". Such a perspective however, is only given to those who've experienced and lived to tell the story. Such is the price for having knowledge of the future, indeed, as I fear that even if I were to tell you how it all ends, you still wouldn't be able to grasp it until you truly experience it yourself."
Rushii let out a small sigh and patted Lucy on the head. "There's no one in the right or wrong here. We're both perfectly valid with our respective feelings, given what we separately know."
"But this is not our fight to fight here, in the end. Watch, Lucy, as I've begun to help the fates continue the aligned course of action without interfering too much. I've come to some realizations of my own, in fact. It's true that I know of how the future plays out as of right now, but this current reality of mine is just as unprecedented as yours is for you…"
Rushii's eyes grew cold as she began to glow, leaving Lucy in awe at what appeared to be Lucy's power. Rushii could feel the magic that she had been toying with and grasping for some time now ever since she had identified it inside of her and left Lucy to gain experience without her, but to also have time to think things through. She cannot name this magic, but after some time, she's been able to get a jist of what it could do.
Like when Sol of the Element 4 tried to enter Lucy's mind, and she had stopped him in his tracks before he could even enter.
A powerful psyche magic perhaps? Or is she manipulating her own soul?
Regardless..
"...and now was the time to take some risks."
Rushii's brown eyes flashed golden as she whispered, "Open the Gate of the Golden Bull: Taurus !"
Gajeel's and Lucy's eyes widened in unison at the bombshell action that just happened, because they both know for a fact that Lucy's keys was taken away from her when she was brought into the room. Gajeel had patted her down thoroughly leaving Lucy helplessly defenseless afterwards.
A strong, mana pulsed through the room that had Gajeel reeling in shock as he took a step backwards in surprise. Parts of his body turned into steel as Taurus enters through from a gate that did not glow like a normal constellation gate. No, this gate was starry and looked like another galaxy had entered into the room as the spirit came out wordlessly, swinging down at Gajeel while glowing like a feast of stars.
Lucy's jaw dropped at the sight of Taurus, at the fact of Rushii being able to summon him without a celestial spirit key, at the fact that their gates were different. How…was this possible?
This Interstellar Taurus flickered for a moment as it's axe came down to slice Gajeel, who took the brunt of the hit full on but acknowledge it's weight with a grunt. His armored skin had protected him from the severity of it, but as he clenched against the blade and tried to lift it off of his shoulder, he found that this strength was unforgiving. The floor broken underneath him as he tried to use his legs to increase his strength, but Interstellar Taurus was as unforgiving as his strength as Rushii continuously summoned him.
It was taking an insane amount of mana however, and she couldn't hold it for long as she gritted her teeth, focusing her magic to keeping Taurus's form stable. 'Come on Natsu, I know you're coming.'
And just like in her previous life, her prayers were answered in the form of a Fire Dragon Slayer's Roar that broken through the wall, bringing light and color to the dim room as Natsu Dragneel broke through with ease. His eyes darkened at the sight of Gajeel, even moreso when he takes a look at Lucy, noticing the fading color of gold from her eyes as she sighs back in relief at the sight of him. Taurus disappeared immediately, dissolving into sparkles of mana and glitter as Rushii takes a step back from the helm, allowing Lucy full control once more.
"W-What was that, Nee-san?" Lucy said in awe.
"...I don't have proper answers as even I don't know. But we can talk about it later, move so that Happy can help untie you." Rushii said tirely as she walked over to her hammock, and slumped inside of it. For a moment, she looked over at the dark, endless storm that never left and noticed that it, in fact, did not move an inch.
'Interesting…' Rushii thought before she closed her eyes to rest.
She hadn't realized that such an attempt to use her magic would end with such an empty mana pool so quickly, leaving her utterly exhausted.
"Be careful, Lucy. I must rest now…"
"Don't worry Nee-san, I'm good now."
She returned her attention towards the sight before her, with the two dragon slayers going head to head exchanging blows as a tension in the room rose with every hit. Lucy looked at Happy, "How…do you think we can help Natsu?"
"...I don't think we can right now." Happy said quietly as the dragon slayers fought true to their name. Snarling, growling, teeth grinning in the light illuminated by Natsu's flames. Roars of fire and metal collided, Lucy and Happy took cover as heated shrapnels flew everywhere from the impacts.
Dragons , Lucy thinks in slight fear but awe at the display of power in the room.
They look like dragons.