edited chapter 18
Ultear just got knocked down by one of Jose's shade soldiers "damn, I let one get past me," she grunted," just as another one came flying towards her.
Just as it was about to strike, it became encased in blue ice. Not only that, nearly all the shade soldiers were frozen.
"Mother," she looks up to see Ur in a maker's stance. "I'm not gonna stand by and watch my child suffer," all the shade soldiers bust from the confines.
Ultear got to her feet once more and get into a maker stance of her own" LET'S SHOW PHANTOM LORD WHY YOU DON'T MESS WITH FAIRY TAIL."
Everyone let out a fierce battle cry as a new level of strength was born.
Mother and daughter unleashed the ice make magic freezing every shade soldier in their sights.
With Jose
Shade magic was running wild around Jose as his giant came crashing down.
"Long time no see...Jose," he looks to the new voice and smirks, "strang in their pleasant of his shade magic. I feel more alive than ever."
"You forget your curse powers feed on negative emotions, and shade magic is full of it."
"right"
"I must admit I'm impressed you stopped my Jupiter cannon, defeated my element four, and stopped my giant flame prince."
Walking out from behind the wall, a flaming Spector appears, mirroring the shade around Jose.
"yeah, fairy tail came a long way. But, then again, we were always the best," he said with a sneer.
"Watch your tongue, boy. Anyone ever tells you to respect your elders."
"If only you knew, time to use those flames," he said with a smirk as the whites of his eyes turn pitch black, and his irises went crimson red.
The flames around him became tainted with black flames.
For the first time in a long time, Jose felt fear and death, among other emotions, when Natsu conjured those tainted flames.
Typically it's his magic doing that to others. He'll have to be careful in this battle if he wants his title back.
"Come at me with everything you got that if you want to be a wizard saint again," he said evilly.
"DEAD WAVE," he unleashes a swarm of ghostlike entities to converge on Natsu.
With a snap of his finger, tainted flames bust out in all directions destroying his shade ghost.
"Let see how you fair against my shade soldiers" he unleashed more of them in the room, and they charge once more.
With a wave of his hand, he burns away his shade soldiers to ashes.
This is where Jose smirked as he waited for his soldiers to reform, but they didn't "how?"
"Simple, these flames I'm using aren't magic."
He smirks evilly, running up to Jose, locking eyes with him.
"what you're about to see. Is something I've been saving for a moment like this, devil's eye curse."
Jose experiences fear in its purest form in only a few moments. All of the negative emotions that the makeup curse poured into Jose's mind.
"Stop, stop, MAKE IT STOOOOP!" he shouts with a blood-curdling scream at the top of his lungs.
Natsu stopped as he was asked and looked at the cowering form of Jose with no remorse "you brought this on yourself when you attacked fairy tail," he walks away as his fight is over.
Suddenly he catches a familiar scent.
He turned to see Makarov floating before him.
"Sup gramps wondering when you get back to normal."
"Came to see if I could offer any assistance."
"A little late for that, but I took care of it."
Makarov looks to the terrified form of Jose trying to hide from the world.
"I see you had to use that power of yours."
"Yeah, used up all my magic blocking the Jupiter cannon."
"I see. I just hope you don't regret this decision."
"I hope so. Come on, let back to the guild now."
When Natsu and Makarov made it outside, the guildhall was utterly destroyed.
"Damn, I wasn't quick enough. Ultear happy how everything on your end."
"Everything this fine, Natsu. We couldn't stop the jellyfish form, but everyone ok."
"Aye, sir, I'm with Erza, and the other will meet you at what remains of the guildhall."
With that, Natsu cut communication with others.
When everything was said and done there, the guildhall was a pile of rubble.
"Ultear think you can fix the guild for us?" a random guild member said
"Don't this could be an opportunity to make some improvement for the guild since we have the funds stocked up," Makarov said
"You sure it wouldn't be that hard for me?"
"Positive, and I don't like the idea of relying on you to fix our destruction."
"Ok, then."
"Guys," everyone faces Lucy.
"Don't sweat it, Lucy. Remember, you're a member of fairy tail. After all, you have our emblem?" Natsu said, flashing the fairy tail hand sigh.
Everyone joined in on this.
"Yeah," came the voice of the three young dragon slayers not too far away.
"Hey, you three need rest. Go home now," Makarov said in a commanding tone.
Two and the three hid behind Natsu, hoping they can stay.
"Sorry guy, I agree with gramps, and I'll make sure they get home" this resulted in whines from two of them as he walked the three home.
While Natsu went home, gramps gave the same inspiring speech as last time, causing her to break down in tears.
"Guys, looks like we will be here awhile," Natsu said with the rune night right behind him.
Makarov broke down in tears at this.
Like before, they were rounded up and question thoroughly.
But when Natsu was questioned, it was very unnerving for him.
"That is everything that happened on my end."
"That still doesn't explain why Jose is unresponsive to any question no matter what we do. He still looks scared to death? What did you do to him?"
"I showed him the gap in power between us, nothing more, nothing less."
"A deflection, as usual, Natsu. What is it your hiding from the council."
"Can I go now?"
"One more thing," the council representative leaned over and whispered, "there been some disappearances off the coast near the Arkain resort."
"Want me to look into it?"
"No, this just me but stay alert as they may need your assistance when the time comes."
"Understood," he got up and left the tent.
A few days later
"So let me get this straight you three are godsends?" Macao practically yelled
"Yes," the three said in unison.
"So, how exactly does one become one?" Romeo asked
"We don't know exactly other than proving yourself worthy," Gray added.
"Who would on thought Erza would be one…..then again," Natsu added.
"Right" Gray Through in
"What is that supposed to mean?" she glared at the two.
"Typical Erza always taking things the wrong way."
She didn't say anything as Natsu was still stronger.
"Show us this new armor you got?" he asked.
She did as she was asked and requip into her new golden armor.
"A little flashy, don't you think, Erza," Gray said, eyeing the new armor.
"I thought so too, but apparently I can change its color" just as she finished talking, her armor changed from gold to deep blue "I like this color better."
"What the gem for?"
"Don't know yet. I assume it well represents my current in your words element. For now, it's light."
"Where's your godsend mark?"
"She removed her right shoulder piece to reveal the twin swords."
"What god gave you his favor," and random guild member asked.
"Prometheus one of the 18 war gods."
They continued this conversation. Eventually, the guild asked about Natsu and Gray's gods. Needless to say, it was very enlightening.
Three days later
Everything was going smoothly for the construction of the new guildhall, and everyone was helping.
Course, it was going faster as Ultear could speed up the construction timeline for a bit allowing for smooth sailing for the most part.
But that wasn't on Natsu's mind. So instead, he waits at the train station with Ultear.
They were waiting for Lucy.
They didn't have to wait long when she stopped by.
"You know what I have to do, do you."
"Yeah, Ultear, go with her to make sure everything goes well."
"And you?"
"I got some wizard saint business to deal with since gramps is working on the new guildhall."
"Ok, then come on, Lucy," the two-headed off.
Natsu headed to Era to clear up the damage.
The next day
Natsu sits before the magic council, waiting for their judgment for the guild war.
"Natsu Dragneel, based on the evidence we've acquired Phantomlord, will be disbanded, and Fairy Tail is innocent."
"Can I go now?"
"No, the guild war is done, but this next part concerned what you have done to Jose."
"Figured hey, I don't regret it. Jose brought it on himself when he tried to destroy our guild and Magnolia."
"We aren't condemning your reasons. We simply want to know what you did cause such a reaction."
"Mine going into detail."
"For one, it's nearly impossible to get any information out of him two. He has a fear of the dark. Three, he nearly killed a nurse when she lit a match to light a candle. now can you tell us what you did to him cause such damage to his psyche?"
"I can't tell them the truth but maybe a half-truth. Ok, since I became a wizard saint, I've been secretly developing a new kind of magic to end a fight before it starts. Jose was the perfect Ginny pig to test out on given the circumstances."
"What can you tell us of this new magic you created?"
"Nothing for now as I still need to iron out the kinks but can say it's way too dangerous to tell anyone about it. Consider yourself lucky I'm mentioning at all. I'm the only one who can use it, and after Jose, I plan on keeping it that way."
Everyone let a frustrated sigh as they couldn't argue with him. Jose is proof enough of how dangerous it can be.
"If that is the case, then we will have to classify it as forbidden magic. So you can't use it again."
"I wasn't planning on using it unless I absolutely have to."
"Give us an example besides Jose."
"You know him well, the black dragon of the apocalypse" A nerve is hit as the entire council visibly cringed at his statement.
"That is all you may go now."
Natsu was just about to leave the building when he was approached by Yajima, handing him a scroll.
"What is it?"
In a hushed tone, "This is your next task. We need you to look into the disappearances near Arkane."
"Fine, but whose decision was this?"
"Me Org and one other came to this conclusion no else knows."
"dangerous to make this decision without telling the rest of the council members."
"Well, some risk must be taken. There's been growing tension in Era ever since the lullaby incident."
"Well, you can count on me."
"I know. The hard part was convincing the other two to agree with me."
"Who else knows about this?
"very few people in council as were often busy with other affairs."
"How much time do I have before the council acts?"
"Not long, a couple weeks at most before the public becomes aware of it."
"If that's all I'll see ya around, old-timer," he waved him off as he put the scroll away.
Yajima waved back, "I hope I'm doing the right thing."
The next day
Natsu finally made it back to Magnolia just in time as Lucy, Ultear, Gray, and Erza plus Happy.
"Sup guys, how was your trip?"
With a smile, Lucy proudly said "If was fine, Natsu."
"Good cause I have a mission from the council again," he said with a sigh.
"What is it this time?" Gray asked
"Can't say, as the few people know, the better I'll be back in a few days, come on, Happy."
"Aye, sir."
"Need me to come along?"
"No, stay here and help rebuild the guild, please."
"Fine"
Natsu went back to his home and got a few days of supplies.
"Natsu, what are you gonna do when we find the tower? Are we gonna leave it or do something about it?"
"We're just doing recon, for now. Remember they need Erza for some sacrifice, I hope."
"During my battle with Jellal, he mentions he needed someone comparable in strength as wizard saint, and since I am one….."
"I see. Well, do you have a camera with you, so show proof of the tower?"
"Right, almost forgot about that" he ran over to his closet, pulling one out, putting it in his requip space. Let's go."
"Aye, sir."
The two went off on their own determined to stop another tragedy.
Two days later
Hiding in a coastal forest, Natsu used his thought projection to get a closer look at the tower that was barely in sight.
He's having his thought projection paddle a boat.
With his main body on land, he doesn't have to worry about motion sickness.
He used the camera to take as many pictures as possible and carefully paddle away.
It was a simple mission since he knew what he was looking for, but it would be suspicious if it only took him a couple of days.
A he stays a bit longer, three days, in fact, to find an opportune time to strike when the time came.
Then something caught his eye. A boat was coming from the island to shore.
"Crap, if they find me, my plan is ruined."
He would have high-tailed it out of there, but Happy had a better idea hide in the canopy of trees.
With help from Happy, he carefully traverses the tree and used scared birds flying off whenever he can.
Using his camera, he could zoom in on them, and a familiar face made itself known...Simon.
A hundred thoughts were going through his head right now, "could this be a good thing or a bad thing."
He didn't know, so he followed them for the remainder of the day, then for whatever reason, he went off into the brush.
"Now might be my chance" Happy carefully landed him on the ground so he can follow him.
After a fairway, he turned around, facing Natsu, "so you are the one I detected onshore."
He brought his index and middle finger to his brow, causing Natsu to facepalm.
"So you found me out, are you going to tell them" he got into a fighting stance.
"No, you could prove useful to me, flame prince" Natsu had another facepalm moment figuring his name would reach him.
"So, what did you tell them when you left to confront me."
"Nothing as this was my area to scout when we came to the mainland."
"Why are you here?"
"That depends. Can I trust you?"
"Trust me with what exactly?" he knew what he was after
"To stop a tyrant."
"I'm listing."
For the next few minutes, Natsu heard Simon plea, and he accepted, but his assistance will have to wait as Natsu need to get some backup.
The two parted ways to prepare for the inevitable conflict, but not without Natsu teaching him a curse power.
It was relatively easy since he knew telepathy.
Natsu headed straight to Era to meet up with Yajima about his findings.
Era
"So what have you found out, Natsu."
" I found the source of the problem," he hands him the photos he took.
"This is."
"From what I understand, the tower of heaven, and it looks complete."
"Is there anything else you found?"
"No, but how do we proceed?"
"Hmm, as I said before, there is tension amongst the magic council. This tower needs to be destroyed and soon."
"I could do it. I'm a wizard saint, and we both know fairy tail got the muscle to pull it off."
"Are you sure about as? This would easily be considered a SS class quest."
"I'm sure as I had a feeling something like this would come up the day I became a wizard saint."
"You have my authority to deal with the tower how you see fit."
"Thanks, now I have to get home to prepare."
"Off you go then," he waved him off before returning to his council work.
The next day
When Natsu finally made it home, he found out that Ultear and the other had just gotten back from a job dealing with a cult.
"Sups guy, how was the job?"
"Wasn't so bad. But, unfortunately, I did have to fix the village after their battle," Ultear said through gritted teeth.
"I know, but you save us a lot of money, so thank you," he said with a reassuring grin.
"So, how was your job?"
"Hmm, we have to leave soon. Where are Erik and Erza at?"
"Erik and Sebastian should be back from a job and Erza at fairy hills."
"Can you bring Erza to the guild while I look for Erik?"
"Sure thing, honey."
When Natsu finally made it to the in-progress guild construction, he was relieved to see him talking to Kinana.
"Erik, I need to talk to you when Erza gets here."
"What for?"
"I'll tell you when she gets here."
"Fine"
After about 20 minutes, Erza finally showed up, Natsu ushered them to follow.
When they were a reasonable distance away, Natsu pulled out one of the photos he took.
Erza and Erik were speechless. "I wouldn't bring this up unless I have to. I'm bringing this up as you both have a demon that needs to be confronted."
Erza tried to hide her pain, but she couldn't as she collapsed to the ground. She couldn't stop the tears.
Ultear crouched down to comfort her as much as possible.
Natsu looks to Erik, "have anything to say?"
"When do we leave," he said with his head held down.
"As soon as you two are ready," he looks to Erza, waiting for a response.
After a couple of minutes, Erza manages to get a hold of her emotions.
Wiping her tears away, "thank you, Natsu, but I can't let you do this. This is my responsibility."
"Sorry, but this is officially my responsibility officially, "he said with a smirk.
Picking up on his tone, she smiled, "fine, then when do we leave."
"As soon as possible, oh one more thing, an old friend of yours is helping us out."
"Who?" she said shakily.
Natsu then went over his recon and how he met up with Simon.
Oh yeah, there's one more person we need."
"Who?"
Natsu casually walks over just outside the construction site and pulls out Juvia, eyeing Gray off in the distance.
"Juvia, correct."
"Yes"
"I've noticed you've been sticking around Magnolia since Phantomlord lost."
"You want to bring her with us?'
"Yes, after I assume you want to join fairy tail, you wouldn't be hanging around Magnolia if you didn't."
"He's right, and I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to join."
"All you have to do is ask the master, but if you help us out, it will increase your odds of joining"
With firm expression, Erza had to ask, "Why would you want her to help us out?"
With a sheepish grin, "remember the tower is on an island a few miles off the coast," he had a nervous chuckle.
Erik grasping his mouth and stomach as just the thought was giving him slight signs of motion sickness.
Ultear, Erza, and the two exceed sweat drops at this.
"Besides, we need to sneak in if we're to get the drop on them," he added.
"But what about Gray and Lucy? We inadvertently formed a team with them," Ultear added.
"I don't want them to get involved in this as I want to keep our group small, but more numbers could help us," he said in a thinking manner.
"I say leave it up to Erza," she added.
"I think ...we should leave them out of this….. it's just I have no idea what danger will face, and I don't want them to get hurt."
"I have to agree," Natsu added.
"Let's get this over with," Erza was still battling her emotions.
As they walked away from the guild, they didn't know someone was eavesdropping on them.
Gray carefully comes out from behind a wall, watching them walk away with a stern expression.
"You can choose to run away and hide or stand up and fight" those words echoed in his mind.
He looks to his side to See Lucy right next to him, "what should we do?"
"Don't know as this is Erza demon. We shouldn't intrude as this doesn't concern us, but."
"We're a team. What one person problem is all of ours!" Gray smirked at this.
that it for this chapter
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