Chapter 72

Despair Unleashed

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback you

Location / Date / Time Skip

Fairy Tail Guildhall

"The Oracion Seis..." Macao mumbled. "Never thought I'd hear that name again. Is that why Makarov was called away?"

"Yes, our guild was one of the four that first defeated them during the Nirvana incident." Erza nodded. "Now, they've escapee and have the clock."

"While we slept, they had seven years to gather their strength." Carla mumbled. "We were utterly powerless against them."

"That won't happen again." Laki said. "We just need to take these guys out one at a time, just like we did before."

"First we need to find them and recover the Infinity Clock." Erza added. "Unfortunately, we have no idea where that is. And with Natsu and Gildarts away on their mission, it means we can't rely on them. Of all the times to be away..."

The doors opened and everyone turned to see the Thunder Legion walk in having completed their job. "Is there something wrong?" Freed asked, noticing the look on everyones face.

The guild explained everything to them right up to them just talking. "You leave the guild for a few days and this is what happens." Bickslow complained.

"This all makes sense now..." Freed mumbled, confusing his team. "While out in the market the other day, I overheard some guards talking about the recent destruction of a church. They mentioned two fleeing suspects; a hooded man holding a scythe and man with incredible speed. It seems the attacks on churches are become more frequent as well."

"Why go after churches?" Erza asked. "It doesn't make any sense."

"All I know is that since they got the clock things have only gotten worse." Lucy said.

Macao perked up when he saw Kinana walk down the stairs. "Hold on, you're in no condition to be moving." The girl ignored her and just walked over to the wall, having picked up a fork. She started carving into the wall, scaring everyone until she passed out.

"Does anyone know what this means?" Max asked as Mirajane held Kinana's head off the ground, the bar maid still mumbling something.

Levy leaned in to wall and studied the carvings. "This is ancient Protmelian..." She mumbled.

"Like on the clock hand?" Macao asked.

"It seems to be a description of a man named Will Neville." Freed added.

"Wait, isn't he the guy who wrote Key of the Starry Heaven?" Laki asked.

"This is a rough translation, but it says that Will Neville was once a great wizard who made many contracts with Celestial Spirits." Levy read. "He was also very skilled at using them."

"So he's kinda like Lucy only better." Happy said, angering the blonde.

"It also says that Will Neville had many followers. But after his death they scattered to the winds to places unknown." Freed added.

Lucy gasped before pulling out a biographical encyclopedia and flipping it open. "There it is. Will Neville; author and cardinal to Zentopia. It says that he was also the most extensive researcher on Zentopia's history. Until he left the church and reappeared years later as a writer of children's books. But it doesn't say anything about him being a Celestial Wizard."

"Is anyone else freaked out by this?" Max asked. "How would Kinana know about stuff not in the encyclopedia or how to right in ancient Prodomelian?"

"So the Captain of the Legion Platoon said the Clock was Zentopian property and a former member of the church wrote the Key of the Starry Heavens." Laki mumbled. "Anyone else think this isn't a coincidence?"

"It would help if we knew where the Oracion Seis were going, we could show up there and stop them." Max said.

A yawn caught everyones attention as Cana woke up. "Keep it down, I'm trying to get some beauty sleep."

"Of all the times to worry about that..." Wakaba mumbled. "You've been asleep all day."

"I just can't seem to wake up." The card user mumbled, wiping sand from her eyes. "Now, who here wants to find the Oracion Seis?"

"That's right, you can use your fortune telling to find them." Erza said as Cana walked over to the map.

"Alright, people. Stand back and watch." Cana held up a deck of cards with guild members face before throwing them at the map. "Okay, we send these people and we can stop the Oracion Seis."

Macao walked over and pulled the cards out. "Okay, the first team is a duo of Freed and Gray." The two shared a nod before Macao grabbed more cards. "Then we have Erza, Evergreen and Max."

"So long, Max." Laki said, scaring the boy as the two girls glared at each other.

"Then we have Gajeel and Juvia." The master said before pulling out two more. "Then we have Wendy and Bickslow, an all Exceed team, and finally we have Laki, Elfman, Lucy and Michelle."

"We're the only four-person team?" Lucy asked.

"Wait, why am I still behind?" Macao complained.

With Natsu and Gildarts

The two men walked along a road with Natsu looking at the sky. "...I'm bored!" He shouted.

"Calm down, Natsu." His idol said as they reached the top of a hill. "We're here." The two stared out over the destroyed farm and looked at the skeletons and broken buildings. "These are farm lands, alright."

"Or they were." Natsu said as they walked towards the main house. "Now it's all dead, and only the few survivors are able to remember the good days."

"I think it's been a while since anyone lived here, Natsu." Gildarts said.

"Well after your little 'love story' with Cana's mom, I need some hope." Natsu replied before looking at the house. "You really think Michelle lived here? It looks like it's been a while since anyone's been here."

"Yeah, but those steps look pretty fresh." Gildarts said, pointing over the hill. The two nodded and started walking along the path before coming to a door. "Yo, anyone home?"

A slot on the door opened and a woman's face appeared. "Outsiders are strictly forbidden from coming in." She said.

"Come on, don't be like that." Gildarts flirted as Natsu sniffed the air. "Don't you wanna be-" Natsu punched the door down, crushing her underneath it. "What the hell, Natsu!? Have you lost your mind!?"

"Calm down, she wasn't even human." Natsu replied, picking up the door. The woman underneath was in pieces like a broken doll, chipped and cracked. "She didn't even smell like a human. Whoever put these here didn't think about a Dragon Slayer coming."

"Well, you better keep it up." Gildarts said before punching a zombie-like man back. "Because your little stunt just woke up the hornets nest!"

The pinkette merely ignited his fists before punching a doll woman back. "Finally, some excitement!" Natsu chuckled as the two ran into the monastery. With very little effort, the two plowed through the religious building before they hit a cave. "Well, this is isn't like the church back home. Look."

Gildarts looked ahead and found a bandaged girl laying on a bed. "A girl?"

"Yeah, and she's still alive." Natsu said. "But why is she here behind all these creepy dolls?" He looked over and found a chart on the wall. "Says she underwent a treatment for an accident. Wait, that lacrima is keeping her in a coma even if she gets better."

"Seems like someone wants this girl to be sleeping beauty forever." Gildarts mumbled. "Who is she?"

"Wait, this can't be right." Natsu said, holding the paper to his face. "It says that SHE'S Michelle Lobster."

"This girl is Michelle?" Gildarts asked.

"Yeah, the very last member of the Lobster Family." Natsu nodded. "Everyone else died on 'accident'. And they have the same scent so there's a chance it's true."

"Wait, if she's the real Michelle then who's been following Lucy?" Gildarts asked.

With Lucy's Team

The four stared up at both the slot machine creature and Byro as the wind blew across the empty field. The machine laughed as it jumped down and stared at Laki and Elfman. "Why is it that I always get the weirdos?" Laki asked. "And why aren't you down here helping us!?" She asked Byro, still standing on the cliff.

"Get ready, it's time to play!" The creature pulled its lever as the two wizards charged it, spells at the ready. The dials stopped on what looked like ice pops. Ice shot forward and pushed the two back before the ground froze over. Elfman tripped and fell forward, his transformed hand grabbed her butt.

"Elfman!" She shouted.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry!" He repeated.

"Laki, stop it." Lucy said from behind. "We can worry about this later. Right now, if we want to beat this guy we need to work together!" The others nodded as Lucy summoned Cancer before all three charged. The slots spun again and steel walls trapped the three, making them hit the metal face first. "That could have gone better."

"They don't seem like a good team to me." Michelle mumbled.

"I don't get it." Lucy mumbled as Laki swatted Cancer when he tried to cut her hair. "Cana said this was the best team for the job. She's almost never wrong."

Lightning shot down from the sky and launched the two apart before Laki and Elfman stood up. "We need some kind of plan. Any ideas?" Elfman asked.

"We can't just keep charging in." Laki replied.

The slots spun again and a black cloud filled the field, making them all cough. Wash tubs fell from the sky and hit them all, making Cancer return to the spirit world. Rain started falling and Lucy summoned Aquarius, only for the mermaid to berate her. "Get mad at that thing!"

The spirit only further mocked her before firing off a blast of water from her urn. The slots stomped on a 'U' turn symbol before the water turned around and hit Laki and Elfman. "Okay, this is getting ridiculous." Laki groaned from underneath Elfman.

With Erza's Team

"Please, slow down." Evergreen complained from the back of Max and Erza. "My feet are killing me."

"Well, you're the one wearing high heels." Max pointed out.

"Someone needs to class up this mission." The girl replied. "And it certainly won't be that armored gorilla."

"Just keep walking." Erza said, her blood starting to boil. "If you have enough energy to complain, you can keep walking."

"I should expect nothing less from you." Evergreen said. "You could never understand how to be strong AND a lady."

Erza stopped and glared at her while Max just started sweating. "What a team this is." He complained.

With Bickslow and Wendy

The two walked along the mountain when a storm suddenly appeared in the sky. "This doesn't make any sense..." Bickslow mumbled before wind started pushing against the two. "Where'd all this wind come from!?"

"Was this the weather yesterday? I can't seem to remember..." Both looked up to see Erigor sitting on a rock above them. "All I know is what comes next, a burst through the clouds and your death!" Wind shot down and tore up the ground before a tornado pushed the two back. "You flies won't stand a chance against my power."

"Bickslow, don't worry. I'll support you." Wendy held out her hands and the two started glowing before they jumped at him. Wind shot up and pushed the two back before lightning cracked in sky and a sparking tornado shot at the two. "Don't worry, I got this. Sky Dragon Roar!"

Wind shot out of her mouth and meet the blast. "I don't get it. I can't see his soul at all." Bickslow mumbled before blocking a lightning blast. "Too slow. They're souls are long gone from those bodies. So eat this! Point Blank Baryon Formation!"

Erigor merely took to the sky and the blast missed as he landed on another rock. "Sky Dragon Wing Attack!" Wendy tried to slice him with wind, only for a tornado to send them both crashing into a rock. "Bickslow!" Wendy crawled over and activated her healing spell.

"Don't worry... just run!" He groaned out.

Erigor watched before raising his hand. Lightning and wind shot forward and blasted her back, only for her to stand up. "You have no power against the forces of nature." He gasped as he watched her hobble over and continue to heal him. "If you leave him, you could survive. Why help him?"

"Because he's a part of my guild!" She replied. "And that means I'll never abandon him!"

"Then you two will die together!" He sent another storm at the two only for her spell to increase in power and blast Erigor as well. He gripped his head in pain as he fell to the ground. "Those people... What did you do!?"

"Kid, whatever you did to him, keep it up." Bickslow said as Wendy looked on concerned.

Erigor gripped his head and screamed in pain. "What is this!? Whose memories are these!? Get them out of my head!"

"It's like his mind is fighting itself." Bickslow mumbled as his eyes glowed. "His memories are trying to come back, but something is blocking them."

"We need to help him." Wendy said, shocking the masked man. "If my healing magic started this, then maybe it can end this."

Erigor roared as he swung his scythe and unleashed a storm at the two. Wendy fired off a healing spell/Roar combination that overpowered the storm and covered Erigor. He stared at the two before a black spark shot out of his and he dropped to the ground.

"Something seriously nasty just shot out of his soul." Bickslow said. "Whatever you did helped him escape his spell. His mind is free now, Wendy." The girl wasted no time and ran over to start healing his body. "Erigor! Open your eyes!"

"Calm down, Bickslow." Wendy said. "You don't have to hurt him."

"Don't have to- He's the enemy!" The masked man replied. "Start talking! What's your plan!? Where's the clock!?"

Erigor pushed him away before grabbing his head. "It's not that easy. I don't even remember what I was doing."

"He just got his memory back. It might take a while before he can think properly." Wendy said.

"Can't you remember anything!?" Bickslow asked.

"I remember... a nightmare." He replied. "It was like someone snuck into my head and then... nothing."

"Nothing?" Bickslow asked.

"It sounds like someone cast a spell to control you." Wendy said.

"If that's true, then it must be through the brainwaves." Bickslow added. "Slow controlling them without even being noticed."

"Before I lost my memories, I was offered power." Erigor said. "Magic that allowed to control the weather itself. I forgot everything that mattered to me. I guess it's true what they say about great power coming at w price. You saved me, but I have no plans of being your friend. But let me say thanks." He told Wendy.

Bickslow went wide eyed before standing up. "Cana! Just before she picked our teams, she was talking about how tired she was."

"Now that you mention it, she did say she was having trouble sleeping." Wendy mumbled. "You don't think someone controlled her dreams and she doesn't realize it?"

"There's no other explanation! They controlled her dreams and used her to pick teams that would guaranteed to fail!" Bickslow realized. "We fell right into their trap!"

With Laki's Team

"I'm getting seriously pissed off!" Laki shouted next to Loke and Elfman. "If we can't hit this thing even once, then what good are we?"

"It's like Cana's fortune telling was wrong or something." Lucy mumbled from behind.

"There's no way she's lost her touch." Laki said. "We just need to try harder!" The three ran forward and were zapped by lightning. Behind them all, Michelle just stared at the fight as Byro watched unmoving from his cliff. Laki jumped and tried to throw a punch, only for cabled fists to slam into her.

"Just stay back Michelle. I'll keep you safe no matter what." Lucy declared.

"Silly me, I almost forgot about why I even came here. Later, loser!" The creature turned and ran towards the church before he triggered his magic. The church exploded in flames as Byro finally ran into the battle. Jackpot pulled out a red dagger and it flew into the church.

A red light filled the area as Byro turned to the creature. "What just happened?"

"Oh, there's no need to worry." The creature replied. "Just follow the cardinals order like a good little boy." Laki charged her as the slots landed on lightning bolts, only for nothing to happen as the spiked log hit his hand. "What the-? How is this possible?"

"You will suffer for your actions, sinner!" Byro shouted, pointing his staff at the creature.

Laki slammed into his slots, breaking then before destroying the apparatus around the bear. The rubble fell to the ground as Lucy looked up at the sky. The once blue horizon turned a violent red as lightning filled the sky. A stone like fish flew across the sky as anchors shot out and covered the land. "What's happening?" Lucy asked.

"It seems the Infinity Clock has been activated." Byro said.

"How do we stop it!?" The blonde asked.

"That, I cannot help you with." The platoon member replied. "I've been ordered to take you to Cardinal Lapointe."

"Do you really think that matter right now!?" Laki asked back.

"I don't understand it myself, but I must obey my orders." Byro said. "Come with me, and I won't have to hurt you."

"This isn't the time for that!" Lucy shouted. "Look at that thing in the sky! If we don't stop it now, the whole world is done for! And I know you can't think that's right!"

"Byro..." The creature spoke up as a zipper on its face opened. "Stop thinking about what's right and follow your orders!" A staff with a skull popped up, much to Laki and Lucy's annoyance.

"Not this guy!" Laki shouted.

"My name is Klodoa." The staff replied. "I am the seventh member of the Neo Oracion Seis."

"Wait... Your math is wrong. There's only six members." Lucy replied.

"Stop hiding and reveal your true self." Klodoa demanded, looking past the two. "There is no need to hide anymore! Show them who you really are."

"Michelle?" Lucy asked. "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard! That girl is Michelle Lobster, my family! She travelled all over to find me and give me his memento." The blonde ran over and grabbed the other girls hands. "Don't worry, I won't believe him." Her cousin said nothing as she looked away. "Michelle..."

Her 'cousin' pushed her away as tears fell from her face. "I'm sorry." Michelle started glowing as her body grew plant like clothing, including an eyepatch. She opened her eye and the Six Demon emblem filled her pupil before she glared at the two. "This is who I am. A member of the Neo Oracion Seis, The Mistress of Deception, Imitatia."

Lucy was on the verge tears as the girl summoned a sword and shield, swatting the two girls unconscious. "Byro, take these two aboard the clock. Or did you forget the cardinals orders?"

"You are in no position to order me to do anything!" Byro shouted before a golden seal hit the man in the face. "That's-"

"Whoever holds the Archbishops seal holds the same weight as himself." Klodoa said.

"From this point on, my orders are the Archbishops'." Imitatia said. "Now get these two to the clock."

Elfman leaned out from behind a rock before pulling his head back. "Elfman, what's going on!?" Warren asked through his card.

Took a long time to make this chapter, so I hope you'll forgive me for being late. Hopefully the next chapter won't take so long. I enjoyed this twist very much, but I could have dealt with a little less emotional crap from Lucy.

See ya all next time.

Beta read by JballinR12.