Hey guys. As I'm sure you may have noticed, I didn't upload last week save for Monday. Maybe you noticed, maybe not. Either way, I promised to double upload Homecoming last week, and it fell through. Seeing as my update schedule is a promise, I would like to explain why I broke it. Long story short, we have to put down our younger dog due to some aggressive behaviour. Like, really bad. He could have killed my Mom if he wanted too. It was really sudden, so I was kinda shattered by the news. I've kinda accepted it now, which is why I'm here. But that's pretty much the sum of things. Sorry for missing last week!
Enough sadness! This chapter is gonna be awesome! So all of you cheer up and enjoy!
Reyna was too drunk to be dealing with this right now.
Sure, some could say it was immature of her to get hammered during such an important mission, but being drunk was all part of who she was. She couldn't just stop! Although, given their situation, she kinda wished she's hadn't brought her flask.
"Does anyone even see her?!" She shouted over the chaos.
"No!" Ryo shouted. "I haven't seen anything!"
Pretty much just like she expected. Ever since Juno had tried to separate everyone according to their plan, she and the rest of her guild friends, along with Mermaid Heel without Nami were being held down by a flurry of arrows, which seemed to change direction more often then was even possible. She had no idea where these attacks were coming from, and they just kept coming no matter what she tried to do.
"We need a plan!" Akihiro shouted. "Or else we're gonna let everyone down!"
"This wasn't even supposed to be how we were split up!" Ryo responded. "Where's Keita?! He was supposed to help us!" This was also true. Keita had been tasked with assisting them, but he was no where to be found. And instead, they had Mermaid Heel.
Reyna took a deep breath in between volleys. She needed to calm down and think of a strategy. Who was here, and what could they do for them?
They had her, who could use card magic like her mother and a bit of Drunken Hawk Stance. Her deck was still stacked, and she was pretty tipsy, but there was nothing she could do without seeing her enemy first. Ryo could use Sand Magic, but it again couldn't do them much good while getting attacked from everywhere. Akihiro could use Shockwave Magic to create tremors in the earth, and Tsuneo could use Plant Magic, maybe to manipulate the trees and foliage around then. Toshiro could use Bodily Enhancement Magic to make himself punch stronger or run faster, but again without knowing where there opponent was there wasn't much he could do. Same with Kunio and his Water Magic.
As for Mermaid Heel, the same pretty much applied to them. Kumi's cat-like Binding Magic, Megan's Rune Magic, Rachel's Web Magic, Kimmy's Wing Magic and Mai's Telekinesis was all useless when they didn't know where the opponent was attacking them from.
"This is stupid, nyah!" Kumi shouted in irritation, looking around angrily. "If I could see her I could end this fight like that!"
"Then do us a favour and keep your damn head down!" Mai shouted, using Telekinesis to force the girls head down. Just as she did an arrow embedded itself right in the tree where Kumi's head had been a moment ago. "We need you to bind her once we see her!"
"Any ideas yet, Reyna?" Kimmy asked. Reyna shrugged and took a swig of her flask.
"Not any more than you guys," she replied with a shrug. "I can't use my magic either without knowing where she is. So-"
"Hey! Reyna! Guys!" Reyna's eyes widened as she looked towards the voice. Steph was jogging towards them, looking concerned. What was she doing here? She was supposed to help with someone else! "What're you doing?"
"Get down!" Mai yelled, again using her magic to pull the girl towards her. Steph yelped as she was hauled over to their makeshift safe zone comprised of trees and plants, Tsuneo opening it up for her. He was just in time too, as arrows flew past the blonde's head.
"Don't be so dumb," Reyna hissed to Steph, who looked as though she'd had a heart attack. "Did you forget where we were?"
"A-A little bit," Steph replied, hand on her chest. "What was that?"
"Our enemy," Akihiro replied. "But we can't even find her, she just keeps moving." Steph made a face at this, more plants eating arrows.
"So she's pinned us down," she surmised. "Any ideas?"
"Nope," Tsuneo replied. "You?"
"I might. I saw all of you guys in the Grand Magic Games, so give me a minute."
"That was a while ago," Rachel replied, concerned. "Let us give you a refresher." Reyna watched with interest as Steph was given the information she needed to try and come up with a plan, paying some mind to the arrows around them as well. Steph took all of this information in stride, nodding along as everyone said their piece.
"Alright, here's what we do," she said, surprising everyone. "Akihiro, you said you can create shock waves. Can you sense them?" Akihiro looked confused at this, scratching his head.
"Why?" He asked.
"Just answer me," Steph replied. Akihiro shrugged, but nodded.
"I think I might be able to," he said. Steph smiled.
"Good," she said. "Use it to try and figure out where she attacks from. If she really is moving all around, call he rout when she gets to close. When he does, Tsuneo and Kumi need to try and restrain her. Rachel, you too. Megan, what kind of runes can you create?"
"Huh?" Megan asked, surprised she was called on. "Uh, all kinds. Explosive, detective, illusive. Why?"
"Cast runes on the ground around us," Steph replied. "As big as you can. Try and catch her out with a trap or a ensnare. Can you?" Megan nodded and began to do just that, magic seals appearing on the ground all around them before disappearing into the ground and trees, lying in wait for their target. Steph wasn't done though.
"Kimmy, how fast can up sly with those wings?" She asked.
"About four months I got up to 75 miles an hour," she replied.
"Try and keep speed with her once Akihiro or Megan detects her. She should be noticeable by then, and you can attack her. If we can get her to stop, the rest of us will attack her with everything we've got. She may be strong, but she's one person. We can handle her. You guys ready?"
"You came up with that fast," Reyna replied with a smile. "Strategist or something?" Steph just shrugged back at her, also smiling.
"Just came up with it on the spot," she said. "That and I'm not drunk."
"That's probably most of it," Ryo muttered, earning him a glare. Reyna just sighed and put her flask down.
"Alright everyone, let's do this."
Ultear was currently alone, and that was kinda a problem. She was supposed to be helping with Some of the guys from Blue Pegasus against Dionysus, but she was all by herself out here.
"Hello?" She called again. "Does anyone hear me?" She could hear explosions all around her, clearly others in combat. She was trying to find her way to some of them, but the sounds just kept changing places. "Ugh, this is so stupid. I need to find someone to help, or else I'll-!"
A burp cut into Ultear's thoughts, silencing her. Thinking quickly, the girl ran and hid behind a nearby tree, looking out for who was watching. Just as she looked out, a massive man in a toga walked through the clearly she had just been in, carrying what looked like a jug.
"This is bad," the man said, letting out another burp. Ultear's nose was invaded by the scent of wine, and she did her best to prevent throwing up right there. The smell was putrid! Covering her nose with a layer of ice, she watched as the man chugged liquid out of the jug and continued on his merry way.
Wine...That must be Dionysus! What is he doing?
"Need to find the girl..." Dionysus muttered to himself, sounding totally sloshed. "Take her back to Zeus...We need her for... What was it again? Ah screw it all, I need a nap..." Ultear watched in disbelief as the man began to sit down, probably to nap. An explosion rocked the area, which made Dionysus whine. "No, need to fight... Need to find her." With this he stood, and continued to walk along. Ultear watched with a frown on her face, unsure of what to do. She wasn't sure she could take the guy on her own, but was letting him walk to someone else the best idea?
Whatever the case, I need to wait. Hell, he may pass out from being drunk.
Hermes was still being a pain in the ass.
After Drake had joined the fray, Winter had hoped his presence might tilt the fight in their favour. Sadly, it had not. Drake didn't seem any more capable than them at hitting Hermes with anything, and it only seemed to irritate the Dragon Slayer.
"This guy been doing this the whole time?" He asked as his own poison was tossed back in his face.
"Yes," Terra replied. "It's quite obnoxious." Drake smirked at this.
"You're damn right it is," he said. "I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here."
"It's better just having you here," Winter said. "Everyone helps."
"I'm supposed to be fighting Athena," he said, frowning at the ground. "I hope whoever she's up against his doing well."
"I'm sure they are," she said. "Now, let's get this guy!" Winter followed this up with a blast of air at Hermes, but as with usual he managed to avoid it. Drake followed this up with a volley of poisonous projectiles, which followed the blur the man created as he moved. Terra brought the earth up under him, which left him in the way of Drake's attack as it soared right for him. He jumped up to avoid it, but more of them followed him into the sky. All it took for him to manage it was to use his thief magic to take it, rerouting them back at Winter and the others. She dodged the attacks as best she could, manipulating the air to force Hermes back down to the ground. He hit the ground hard, forcing him onto his stomach. Jackson took this opportunity well, running forth and slamming his feet into Hermes back and causing the earth to crack from the pressure. Grace rushed him with her claws ready, but Hermes got up just in time and managed to dodge the attack, falling backwards. Winter waited for the attacks to continue, but nothing happened. Confused, she turned around to look at Blue Pegasus, who had done nothing yet.
Her eyes widened as she watched Ken drop to the ground, paralysed by Drake just like Akio already was.
"Drake what're you doing?!" She demanded. Drake turned to look at her, and her stomach turned violently. Gone was the usual fire he had in his eyes, and it was replaced with what could only be described as a thousand yard stare.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Winter don't get close!" Ken shouted from the ground. "Something's wrong with him!"
"No shit!" Terra replied, turning her attention back to Drake. "What's wrong with him?"
"Someone must have gotten inside his head," Jackson said. "Look at his eyes." Jackson had hit it right on he money. Winter had known Drake a long time, and she'd never seen his eyes so dead. Not even when Nashi died had he seemed so gone.
"Which means someone from The Olympians must have done it." Winter concluded. "What do we do?"
"We can't fight both Hermes and Drake," Taro said, having joined them when he realised Drake had attacked them. "We need to find a way to break him free of the mind control."
"So we split up?" Jackson demanded. "I don't know about that man. We're having enough trouble as it is."
"Do you want them to gang up on us?" Taro demanded. "Someone needs to deal with Drake."
"I'll do it," Winter said, stepping forward. "You guys keep your attention on Hermes, I'll fight Drake."
"Winter..." Terra started. "That's dangerous, you know."
"Drake's too strong!" Grace shouted like she usually did, claws still bared. "All he has to do is paralyse you!"
"I know that!" Winter shouted, looking back at her friends. "But someone has to do it, you know! We can't deal with him and Hermes at the same time." Everyone just watched her warily for a moment, and then Terra sighed and turned her attention back to Hermes.
"Can you beat him?" She asked. Winter nodded.
"Of course I can," she said. Terra was silent for a moment, but then she nodded.
"I hope you're telling the truth she said, slamming her hands together. Winter was thrown into the sky as the ground beneath her rose up, as did the earth beneath Drake. Winter knew what Terra was doing. She was separating her and Drake from the rest of this fight. Winter kept her eye on her friend as the earth surged forth, forcing them away from everyone else.
"I suppose I wasn't careful enough," Drake said as they flew through the sky. "I wasn't supposed to get caught."
"Who did this to you?" Winter demanded. "Why did you attack Ken and Akio?"
"I was told to," he replied simply. "That's all."
"By who, though?" She demanded. "Surely you know that much." Drake neglected to answer her, just surveyed their surroundings as they landed in a new clearing near the wreckage if the city.
"Seems we're far enough away," he said. "Terra did good making sure we wouldn't be interrupted." With this poison surrounded the mans hands, and he readied himself in a fighting stance. "Shall we?"
"I guess we shall," Winter replied. She didn't want to have to fight him, but if this was the only way to stop him from sabotaging their other friends, she had no choice. Gathering wind around her, Winter launched herself forward and attacked Drake with the wind at her back. Obviously he easily dodged it using his sound magic to read her, and swung at her with a kick.
Fortunately, Winter hadn't spent the last year on her ass.
Manipulating the wind again, it curled Winter over his kicked and then allowed her to drive her fist into his stomach as she did so, forcing him back in surprise.
"Wasn't ready for that," he said, coming to a stop. "You kept the wind out of your wind until you needed it. Smart."
"I know how you fight, moron." Winter replied as she readied herself again. "Did you think I'd fall into your ways so easily?" Drake shrugged at this, also preparing himself again.
"Guess I underestimated you," he said. "You must forgive me, it is rather easy to do." Winter didn't let this bother her, knowing it was just whoever had control of him that was saying this stuff. Drake wasn't that rude, nor was he this stupid. Perhaps whoever had control of him also controlled his movements, making him sloppier. Old Drake never would have gotten hit by that attack, even if she didn't let him read it.
"I figured you already knew not to do that, seeing as we're old friends." She said as the wind whipped around her even harder. "But then again, you were always pretty dumb." Drake just laughed at this.
"Says the one who chose to fight someone you can read her every move. Why would you do that?"
Well, that should have been obvious.
The only reason Winter was here was because of him. Because of the others. When she'd heard that Magnolia had been destroyed, she'd been terrified someone had lost their life in the attack. Finding them all safe and sound soothed her heart if only a little, only to find out that they had another battle to fight. For as long as she could remember, Fairy Tail fought their own battles without including them. The only times they were included was by chance, not because they were asked. Only during the Skylancer Demon Hunter battle last year had they actually been called in for help, and it made her feel like they really were friends.
"Because you and I go far back," she replied. "We're old friends, remember? I won't let you ruin everything you worked for just because someone has a hold on you! Sky God's Boreas!"
"Poison Dragon Fang Thrust!"
"Iron Dragon Sword!" Elise's attacked was easily blocked by Hephaestus' hammer, making her bounce off uselessly. The small man went in on the offensive, swinging it at Elise and trying to crack her skull. She blocked every attack as best she could as the transport moved, but she was starting to feel pretty motion sick. No! She couldn't feel this right now!
"Just give it in, kid." Hephaestus said. "I know you Dragon Slayers get motion sick."
"Not a chance," Elise replied, trying to smirk as she still stood in between him and Luna. "I can't do that, or else you'll have her. And I can't allow that." Hephaestus sighed at this.
"Foolish children really do get on my nerves." He said. "You can barely stand, and your attacks don't even hurt that much. Don't make this harder than it has to be." Elise only laughed at this despite the sweat coming off her forehead.
"Stupid old man," she said as she readied herself again. "That's my speciality. Iron Dragon Club!" Transforming her arms again, Elise swung at Hephaestus' head, aiming to make him raise his guard to high. The stout man didn't fall for it, blocking her clubs with an armoured arm. He swung downwards, and Elise cried out in pain as her knee bent backwards a little to far. She collapsed as it tried to pop back into place, but Hephaestus grabbed her and tossed her off of the transport, making her hit a tree and slid down slowly. He too jumped off, making the transport slow and stop. He walked up to her and brought his hammer down again on the same knee, making it crunch under the weight. Elise was damn near tears now as the man stood back up straight, regarding her like a failed invention.
"Stop fighting," he advised. "I've broken your knee, you can't even stand now." Fighting back tears, Elise only laughed.
"Did you think that'd stop me?" She asked, using the tree to help prop herself up. "I can't give up, she needs me. If I give up now, she-!"
Hephaestus drove the hammer into Elise's chest, driving the wind from her lungs as she hit the tree hard. The tree cracked at the power he swung with, making her hit the ground as she gasped for air.
"No, stop." Hephaestus said, regarding her coldly. "You've lost." Elise couldn't respond due to the lack of air in her lungs, but she watched him angrily as she tried to get air back into her lungs. Hephaestus' metal eye zoomed in on her, and he huffed.
"That look," he said. "It tell me you won't stop fighting unless I kill you. Pity, I would have liked to avoid that." Elise watched him raise his hammer again, and she struggled to find the power to get up against him.
Damn it, get up! Luna needs you! This is what you're going to do, fall down and die on her! Get the FUCK UP! NOW!
Elise made a face as something blocked the hammer, causing Hephaestus to fall back in surprise from the block. Looking up, a man was standing in between her and Hephaestus, having blocked the hammer swing with a black sword.
Wait.
"Seriously Elise, I get here and I need to save your dumb ass?" The man asked. "Oi! Can I get some help here bud?!" Elise didn't know what he was doing here, but Hephaestus looked shocked.
"You..." he started. "You belonged to-"
He was cut off as a massive black fireball tore through the shrubbery nearby, engulfing him in flames. The flames exploded against him, sending Hephaestus back into a tree.
"Sorry I'm late Elise!" A new voice said, coming out of the trees. This man had short blonde hair and wild red eyes, but Elise knew ho he was, feeling the tears finally breaking free of her eyes. "This guy decided to run ahead and save you."
"Good thing I did," the other man replied. "Or else she'd have a crater in her head."
"Are you okay, Elise?" A new voice asked, feminine in nature. Elise turned to find another person next to her, with short purple hair and kind eyes of the same colour. Elise felt like she was dreaming.
"W-Why...Why are you guys..." She tried, air finally getting back into her lungs. The man who saved her laughed.
"Ah come on Elise," Tetsu the Iron God Slayer said as he turned to smile at her. "Didn't you miss us?"
I did it again, didn't I? Sorry guys! I do like the double meaning in the chapter title, though. Both referring to Winter and Drake and our new combatants! I'm sure you guys remember them, but we haven't seem Katsuchi, Tetsu and Azzie in a while have we? Their back, but why are they here? Where did they come from? Find out next week!
As for today's question, I'll keep it simple. How hype are you guys to have the Devil trio back? That's all I want to know!
I hope you all enjoyed, leave a review! Let's try and get five!
Chapter 320: The Forge God