Chapter 4: Destruction of Nuclear Magic
Luffy, Hibiki, Natsu, Index, Summer, and Touma stared at the man who beamed at them. He had dark blond hair that goes down to his shoulders and covered his yellow left eye. The man has a furry tail and ears like those of a dog. He wore a dark green tank top on his torso and baggy pants that reached down below his knees.
"Is that a dog man?" Cure Summer asked in shock.
'Something off with this guy,' Laura thought suspiciously. 'He may look human, but he isn't.'
"Who the hell are you?" Natsu asked.
With an unimpressed look on his face, the man ignored Natsu's question. "So you're the fireball that kicked Rugal's ass a couple of months ago? I don't see anything impressive."
"Hey, you know this dog guy?" Luffy asked Natsu.
Hearing that caused a tick mark to appear on the guy's forehead. "Do I look like a dog to you?!"
"Well you do have dog-like ears, and a bushy tail," Hibiki replied nervously.
"You're right about that," The man chuckled a little. "I might as well introduce myself. That way, you'll remember my name in your final shortness of breath."
"He went from angry to cheerful very quickly," Touma sweatdropped.
"My name is Jackal, and I'm one of the Nine Demon Gates created from Tartaros~!" A crazed grin adorned his face. "I'm mainly here to take your head, Natsu Dragneel~!"
"Jackal? Not really a creative name," Index sighed.
"Sais the girl named after a part of a book," Touma retorted quietly.
"So he is a dog~! Since jackals are part of a dog right?" Summer guessed.
"You're right, but he's walking on two feet though," Hibiki realized.
"He looks like he's wearing an outfit." Luffy said. This causes another tick mark to appear on Jackal's head.
"Yeah, he looks and smells like a weirdo," Natsu's comment made more tick marks appear on his forehead.
"Yeah he does look weird!" Luffy laughed.
"Weird and perverted," Hibiki added.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING WEIRD AND PERVERTED~!" Jackal barked at the group with shark teeth. "AND QUITE IGNORING ME LIKE I'M NOT EVEN HERE~!"
"Eh, he even barks like a dog!" Summer exclaimed.
"Who barks like that?" Touma, and Index questioned with a sweatdropped.
"You're from Tartaros huh?" Natsu cracked his knuckles and grinned at the man. "That's perfect, I still owe you bastards a beating after the little stunt you and your friends caused!"
Natsu rushed at Jackal, preparing to strike. Jackal smirked as he moved his arms in slow motion, and put his leg back. After just one swipe, an explosion engulfed Natsu.
"Natsu!" Hibiki cried out. She, Index and Summer stared in horror while Luffy and Touma clenched their fists.
Jackal laughed at the remains of Natsu burning to a crisp. "One down, six to g-."
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
A flaming fist struck Jackal in the face before he could react, hurling him a few feet away.
"He survived that explosion!?" Touma gawked in awed.
"What?" Jackal was able to land on his feet and stared in shock.
"Never underestimate a member of Fairy Tail," The Dragon Slayer grinned. His entire body explodes into flames as he charges at Jackal, causing the guy to be struck by a flaming headbutt. "Fire Dragon Sword Horn!" Natsu then launches Jackal upwards with a fire pillar.
"Wow! He's so cool!" Luffy, Summer and Hibiki exclaimed in awe by Natsu's strength.
Jackal grunted from the attack as he glared at Natsu from below. "I won't let you beat me that easily Fireball!"
As Jackal swung his arm, the ground around Natsu exploded, pushing back the others. Summer held unto Index protecting her from the derbies.
"That should finish you off," Jackal said while still in the air. From below, Jackal and the others heard a slurping sound, which initially confused them.
After the dust cleared, Natsu was seen swallowing the flames from the explosion. Everybody in the area gasped with a comical expression.
"D-Did he just ate that explosion?" Touma stuttered in disbelief.
"Amazing," Summer stared in awe.
Natsu swallowed the last bit of flames. "Now I've got a fire in my belly!"
His flames were then used as a booster to fly towards Jackal and land a fiery punch in his gut. He then followed it by a knee to the chin sending him crashing to the ground.
After the dust cleared off, Jackal could be seen struggling to get up. "You're stronger than I thought, but I should warn you about my curse pow-."
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!" Natsu ignored Jackal as he fell towards him, slamming his fist into the guy's stomach, causing a fiery explosion.
The others had to cover their eyes from the dust blowing towards them. As the dust cleared a little, they saw Natsu walk towards them, pulling an unconscious Jackal behind him.
"Man, I think I've gone a little overboard there," Natsu said with a grin on his face.
"A little?" Touma sweatdropped while witnessing the huge crater behind him. "I think you might have killed him."
"That was amazing~!" Luffy declared his eyes sparkling. "You beat the crap out of him!"
"So what are you going to do with him?" Hibiki asked.
Suddenly, Natsu's right hand was engulfed in a glowing symbol. Luffy was the first one to notice it. "What the heck is that?"
"It's my curse," The others cautiously turned to find Jackal sitting in a crossed leg position, facing away from them.
'No way!' Touma thought in shock. 'That guy is still standing after taking that many hits?!'
"Curse?" Summer asked.
"Yeah, they're better than your pathetic magic," Jackal taunted as he stood up. He turned to Natsu. "You really should listen to people when they're talking to you."
Initially confused, Natsu realized multiple symbols appeared on his body suddenly. Then he turned to the others. "Get away from me!"
"What?!" Touma was startled by his outburst.
"JUST GO!" Natsu roared. Touma, Hibiki, Index, Summer, and Luffy were still at first, but when they saw the symbols glowing brighter and engulfing the dragon slayer, they began to flee.
BOOM!
The beach area was engulfed in a heavy explosion, sending the others flying. Touma slowly stood up, he noticed Natsu falling backward, eyes rolled back. After the dust cleared, they stared in disbelief as Fairy Tail's fire mage lay on the ground KO'd.
"Natsu!" Summer, Hibiki and Luffy shouted in disbelief at how the tables suddenly turned against them. The four glared at Jackal just stood there laughing like a maniac.
"Omega Fire Dragon Iron Fist~!" Cynthia swung her fist at Naru who blocked it with her forearm.
"You are so damn annoying," Naru growled. The green nuclear energy erupted on her arm, causing her to overpower Cynthia and swatted her away. "Nuclear Bomb!" A purple magic circle appeared on her palm firing a large sphere of green nuclear energy at Cynthia.
Her arms flared up, Cynthia crossed her arms as the sphere collided with her, causing exploding on impact. While flying, she quickly twists her body to land on her feet.
"Sky Dragon Crushing Fang!" Wendy appeared behind Naru swinging her foot towards the woman's face. Naru ducked and performed her own kick aimed at Wendy's midsection sending her back.
"This is so intense," Shirabe said quietly as she watched the battle. Wendy joined in after she finished healing the boy who was resting. Naru was going toe-to-toe with two girls who called themselves Dragon Slayers. However, the woman handled the two of them with ease.
Then she gazed at the boy sleeping beside her. He no longer had any bruises or cuts. Still, Shirabe is concerned for the boy as his face still shows signs of fear. She caught a glimpse of a large scar on his left arm, looking like someone ripped a portion of his skin. 'How did he get that scar?'
"HAUH~!" Cynthia and Wendy swung a dual kick at Naru's stomach, causing her to staggered back a bit.
"Damn it," Naru muttered in frustration as she recovered quickly from their attacks. "Why isn't my magic hurting you two? They should be crying in pain right about now."
"He told me about your magic," Wendy proclaimed while glancing at the boy. "Nuclear magic is extremely dangerous if it comes into contact with your skin. That's why I enchant Cynthia and I the moment you reveal your magic."
Naru paused for a moment before chuckling, and then she laughed hysterically. The situation caused all three girls to feel uncomfortable.
"W-What's so funny you creep?" Cynthia asked.
"It's true I can't kill you quickly, but that doesn't mean you can beat me," Naru mocked. "Atomic Needless~!"
Naru fired multiple tiny nuclear needles at the two girls, who quickly ran on opposite ends to avoid it. She then aimed her palm at Wendy, "Radioactive Pulse!" She had no chance to move out of the way as she was struck by a ring of nuclear energy, which launched her into a building.
"Wendy~!" Cynthia cried out and then glared at Naru. "You'll pay for that!" Dark red flames appeared on her feet giving her a speed boost as she rushed towards Naru. When she was closed she flipped forward aiming her feet at Naru's head. "Twin Talons!"
While Naru was kicked in the face, instead of flying back, she retaliated by swinging her nuclear coated fist into Cynthia's stomach and launching her across away from her.
"Sky Dragon: Wing Attack~!" Right after Naru launched Cynthia, Wendy flew high up, and unleashed a large whirlwind from each of her arms. Naru was hit by pushing her back as she tumbled a bit.
Cynthia was able to catch herself planting her feet on the building. She flew off the building, slightly darkened red fire now coating her body as she aimed herself head first towards Naru. "Omega Fire Dragon Sword Horn!"
Naru had just recovered from Wendy's attack and she didn't notice Cynthia flying headfirst towards her, until it's too late. "GAH~!" Naru screamed in pain as Cynthia slammed into her gut, sending her flying a few feet right into a building.
Cynthia flipped back after impact; she then grinned at Wendy. "I think we taught her a lesson!"
"So cool," Shirabe declared in awe of the girl's strength.
"Don't get cocky…" Before Wendy and Cynthia could react, Naru was in front of the two girls and smashed her fists into their faces. "YOU BRATS~!"
"What!?" Shirabe screamed out shocked that Naru was still alive. Yet at the same time, she along with Cynthia and Wendy who recovered were startled by her new appearance.
Naru's hair and entire body had turned green and was glowing with increased radiation. With a delirious grin, her eyes turned bloodshot red. Once more, she had a long scaly tale growing out of the back.
"What is she…?" Cynthia asked as her body trembled. She and Wendy could feel her magic suddenly increasing to a deadly rate.
"AHAHAHAHAH~!" Naru roared in laughter. "CONGRATULATIONS YOU NOW GET THE CHANCE TO SEE THE REAL POWER OF THE ULTIMATE POLLUTION!"
"Ultimate Pollution?" Wendy asked, startled.
"SURPRISED? I GOT THAT TITLE AFTER I SPREAD MY NUCLEAR ENERGY ON A PEACEFUL LITTLE ISLAND FILLED WITH VEGETATION!" Naru declared proudly. "SEEING ALL THOSE CUTE ANIMALS LAST BREATH BRING JOY TO MY EARS!"
"S-She insane," Shirabe shuddered in fear.
"You call this boy a monster right?" Cynthia rose on her feet. "Have you taken good look at yourself la-"
Naru appeared before Cynthia and lifted the girl up by the neck. "You better choose your words carefully girl."
"Cynthia~!" Wendy prepared to attack. But froze when Naru's tail lashed at her and pierce straight through her stomach, purposely avoiding her vital organs.
"Just lay there and watch as I crush your friend's windpipes," Naru mocked as she released her tail out of Wendy's stomach, causing her to collapse in pain.
"Grrr~!" Cynthia growled when she witnessed what Naru did to Wendy. Dark flames erupted around her body. "You'll pay for hurting Wendy!"
Naru tightened her grip on Cynthia's neck, causing her to gasp out for air. "If you want to put the blame on someone, put the blame on the kid! After all, he's just a plague!"
"A plague?" Shirabe questioned quietly.
"Whether be pirates, marines, or innocent civilians. Everyone who aids this boy will lose their lives! He's nothing but a pathetic monster under human skin~!" Naru mocked. "You should surrender him to me if you don't want to die! You get to live, and I'll put an end to his miserable life... What do you say?"
"I..." Cynthia took a deep breath before speaking. "I won't let you kill him!"
"So you risk your life to save that piece of crap over there?" Naru questioned. "You don't even know hi-"
"Shut up!" Cynthia snapped angrily. "Yes, I don't know anything about him or why you're calling him a plague. But that doesn't matter! THERE'S NO WAY I'M GOING TO LET YOU KILL HIM!"
"Such a shame," Naru sighed as she squeezed Cynthia's neck, slowly choking her. "THEN YOU'LL JUST BE ANOTHER DEAD BODY FOR HIM TO SUFFER T-."
SLICE~!
Suddenly, Naru's arm she held Cynthia suddenly fell off her body. It was like someone had even chopped it off, showing no signs of blood.
"GYAHH~!" Naru cried out in pain when she realized her arm had been cut. Wendy rushed towards the limbs and tried to pry her fingers off of Cynthia's neck.
"Cynthia! Don't worry," Wendy said as she cast a healing spell on her friend.
"W-What happened?" Cynthia asked in between coughs.
"Damn buzzsaw girl~!" Naru roared angrily. "I'm going to kil-."
For the first time, Naru stood there frozen in horror. Both Wendy and Cynthia felt something off and glanced at the source, getting the same feeling Naru did.
Standing in front Shirabe was the boy enveloped by a dark green aura, which easily rivaled Naru's intensity. That wasn't what they were afraid of though. His right eye was visible due to his bang scattering from the wind. His glowing emerald colored eyes with a target mark like-pupils. The boy show anger or fear in his eye, just emotionless gazing Naru.
"Oi, w-what the hell?" Naru blinked terrified. "Is this some kind of secret power you have?!"
"…" The boy silently walked over to her. His arm forms into wind morphing into a long menacing scythe.
'What the hell?' Naru was terrified and trembling. 'Why am I so terrified of this weakling? He never was this strong when I fought him before!'
"RAHH~!" Naru's mind shattered as she charged towards him with her right fist coated in nuclear energy. After taking a step, he rushed forward, leaving a crater where his foot touched the ground.
Naru swung her fist at his head as soon as he got close. It looks like a solid hit, but her fist went through his head. 'What?! My power was able to hit him before, so why?'
"Secret Art..." The boy whispered. He dashed towards her preparing to swing his wind-like scythe. "Delta Sky: Gale Storm Reaper."
In mere seconds, the boy was behind Naru, who froze stiff before her torso fell off her body. How the boy easily cut through her body shocked and horrified the girls. Naru's eyes rolled back into her head as she said her final words before her body fell on the ground. "Forgive me…Maki…"
After witnessing Naru's death, Wendy couldn't help but cover her mouth. She felt nauseous. Cynthia comforts her by giving her a hug. The two weren't sure how to react to the action. Despite being grateful for what the boy did for them, they were terrified of going up to him after that experience. The aura around the boy dissipated as he fell forwards and collapsed to the ground. Shirabe skated directly toward him to see if he was alright.
'There's no sign of extra injuries,' Shirabe thought, though noticing the same expression on his face, only tears streaming down his cheeks. 'Why is he crying?'
"Is he going to be okay?" Cynthia asked, walking towards her while aiding Wendy.
In response, Shirabe nodded to the girls, but did not make eye contact. "He warned me that the resort was a trap, and he did everything he could to protect me from the explosion."
"He also told me how to bypass her Nuclear magic?" Wendy added. "I don't know why she called him a plague."
"Me neither," Shirabe sighed.
"By the way," Cynthia glanced at Shirabe's outfit. "What kind of magical armor are you wea-?"
BOOM!
After the girls heard the sudden blast, they turned to see a huge spiral explosion near the beach.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" Upon hearing Jackal's shrill laughter, Cure Summer, Touma, and Index began to shiver. Luffy and Hibiki suffered the same fate as Natsu laid on the ground, their eyes pure white KO'd. "Look like those haven't learned from the fireball~!"
"Why? Why are you doing all this?!" Cure Summer yelled out.
"Why do you ask? Because I'm a demon~!" Jackal answered cruelly. "Demons are always more powerful and skilled than humans.
"What kind of answer is that?!" Touma angrily shouted.
"I'm just saying facts," Jackal said cruelly.
"Why you-"
"Hold that thought," He snapped his fingers forming a spherical, yellow container around Hibiki, Index, and Luffy and cause.
"T-Touma help!" Index cried out looking frightened.
"Index!" Touma yelled out.
"Let her go!" Cure Summer demanded. Hearing a small beeping noise, she managed to stop herself from running at him. When she looked down, she noticed that she was standing on a yellow symbol. "What the-."
"Welcome humans to my little game~!" Jackal announced. "Two of my Bomb Curses will detonate. The goal is to decide which of the three should be saved and which should die. If you try to move out of my landmines, then you and the others under it along with my bomb orbs will go boom!"
Index and Summer eyes widened in horror while Touma clenched his fist in anger. "You think that toying with people's lives is a game to you?"
"Of course, humans show their true colors once they're lives are at risk!" Jackal mocked. "And it makes for fun entertainment for me! Now you better choose quickly before your precious friends go by by~!"
Jackal let out an evil cackle as Touma pondered on what to do. 'Damn it,' Touma stood there motionless, tightening his fist in anger. 'If I touch the symbol then I might trigger one of the bombs and get them hurt. Wait…can my right hand work on his curse?'
"So have you made your decision human?" Jackal asked.
"Yeah I have," Summer and Index froze upon his voice. But for different reasons.
"Touma please don't," Index pleaded quietly.
Without warning, Touma stepped out of the symbol, shocking everyone except Jackal who just laughed as the landmine near him began to glow.
"TOUMA!" Index screamed, but her voice was blared out by the sound of the landmine going off engulfing Touma. Although she tried to hold back the tears forming on her eyes, the nun's tears started streaming down her cheeks.
"Oh, my god," Summer was startled by his action. She wasn't expecting him to just take his life for them. Everyone seemed oblivious to the fact that Jackal had not kept his word as the symbols on the ground and the glowing orbs blinded them.
SHATTER~!
The sound of shattering glass echoed through the area. Orbs and landmines that were trapping the three disappeared instantly. Summer and Index were able to land on their feet, while Hibiki and Luffy landed head first.
"Touma!" Summer quickly moved towards the smoke cloud to see if the boy was alright. After the dust settled, she and Index noticed something that made their eyes widen in shock and horror.
They saw Touma, who was facing them, still standing on his feet. There was some blood and black smoke coming from his back. Blood dripped from his mouth onto the ground. Not far from where he was, Jackal is seen on back and he slowly gets up. He felt blood oozing from his nose as he held his head.
"Damn, to think you were able to use my bombs to gain a solid hit," Jackal groaned, rubbing his head. "I had to admit that was some keen thinking on your part. Too bad for you dumb like you fri-."
Jackal waited for the bomb curse to react, but nothing happened after a few minutes. Jackal blinked, staring at him in disbelief. "Oi...What the hell? Why isn't my curse working on you!?"
Ignoring his question, Touma took a step towards Jackal. The demon frighteningly found himself taking a step back. 'What the fuck am I doing?! He's just a stupid human who doesn't even have any powers! One attack will finish them off!'
"DIE!" Jackal roared. Just as he swung his arm forward, Touma ran up to him and extended his right hand towards him. It came in contact with something in the air, emitting the same glass shattering sound Cure Summer heard before.
"What?!" Jackal's eyes widened in fear. Despite his burning back the boy continued to charge at him, with his hand forming into a fist.
"HUAH!" Touma yelled as he pulled his fist back, and slammed it into the demon's cheeks, launching him in the air.
"So cool~!" Cure Summer stated in awed at Touma's actions.
Next Chapter: The Final Resort Showdown: Touma vs Jackal.