Chapter 9: Aid of the Enemy
The four Demons returned to the new Tartaros Guild.
Each was panting due to exhaustion.
"Mard...Geer...you better have an explanation," Jackal spoke with a venomous tone.
"Haven't seen you get so riled in a while, Jackal boy," Goliath teased.
"Screw you ape bat freak!" The Jackal Demon barked comically.
"Either way, let's report to the Underworld King," Aquaius said softly, though she wanted answers as much as Jackal did.
Syka was having her thoughts. "Mard Geer made up about the book he found was E.N.D's will...what kind of crap is that?"
B
In a random forest, Natsu and Happy were recovering from their battle against Zeref. Happy was washing his paws in a lake while Natsu couldn't help but feel a little worried about his kitty friend. "Happy, are your paws okay?"
Happy continued to wash his paws with a smile on his face. "Aye, they're fine thanks."
Natsu looked at his arm which once had Igneel's power, but, mostly, something else was on his mind. "I met Gold D. Roger...I believe it was sometime after he disbanded his crew...he had a little time left to live..."
"Zeref met Gold D. Roger, that explains how he knew of the Conqerur's Haki..." He pondered. "Does that mean he knows of the two other types of Haki?"
He put that thought aside and was having thoughts of what Zeref told him. "Etherious Natsu Dragneel. You're destined to kill him and once that is done, you'll die too." He never knew he had a brother, that even never crossed his mind. To think he was the younger brother of Zeref. It was strange and a mystery as well. He didn't know of his real parents either.
"Natsu..." He heard Happy's voice and looked over at him. The blue Exceed was done washing his paws with that same smile. "You and I are best friends, no matter what, right?"
Natsu smiled back at Happy and nodded. "Yeah."
Happy walked back to Natsu and hugged him while tears were starting to come out of his eyes. "Natsu...we'll find a way to defeat Zeref...I-I won't let you die. "I'll never let you die!"
Natsu could count on those words. This fight was far from over. "Yeah...let's get back to the guild."
M
At Fairy Tail's bar. Lucy was sitting alone and couldn't help but be concerned about Natsu's reckless action. "Happy...Natsu...please...return to the guild safely."
"Lucy..." The blonde mage turned around and saw Akame holding some chocolate sticks. "I thought you'd be hungry for a little snack."
Lucy smiled. "Oh thank you Akame." She took one of the chocolate sticks and sucked on it. She then remembered these snacks. "Did you and Kurome share this kind of snack back in your world?"
"Yes, before she and I fought, we discussed what our life was like before I defected from the empire," Akame replied looking at the ceiling. "Even before that, we would eat together as well."
"Do you miss your sister?" Lucy asked.
Akame smiled slightly. "Yes, I do, but, she's in good hands with Wave."
Lucy returned her smile. "Yeah, I'm glad you and her worked things out."
"Hello..." A spooky voice made Lucy freeze and there was Brook's ghostly face. "I must say, Natsu said you had quite the panties collection, but, wow...yohohohoh!"
"Ugh! That pyro jerk!" Lucy snapped comically as she karate-chopped the skeleton right on his head.
Akame couldn't help but chuckle a bit, but, then her eyes widened as she sensed a familiar aura. "Lucy...Brook...there's an enemy inside."
Usagi sensed a danger too. "She's right, there's an enemy somewhere, but, I think we should proceed with caution and not alert the enemy."
Fujika was in the infirmary and working on some magic potions. "Don't worry you guys will recover with these new potions." She then sensed a strong presence in the guild. "An enemy...a strong one..." She then put her snake staff out. "My friend...find the enemy but don't attack until my command, just find the enemy's location." The snake slithered on the floor and sniffed out the enemy's scent with its tongue.
B
In the port of the town of Hargeon, Dimaria's group had already taken it. "I have to admit, this place is pretty nice." She was admiring the port's view. "I suppose it was wise you didn't destroy it."
Wahl laughed hysterically. "Well, I was aiming for Magnolia, if you must know."
Dimaria was also glad of another thing. "Alas, in the end, Magnolia wasn't destroyed either." She looked over at her comrade. "That's where Randi is being held prisoner. The mere thought must be humiliating her. I can't wait to see it."
Wahl scoffed at Dimaria's way of thinking. "You humans are so weird with your way of thinking."
Dimaria looked at a soldier. "Where is Neinhard, by the way?"
"He's still on board his ship, ma'am."
The Goddess Twelve couldn't help but chuckle. "Wonderful, I'm babysitting a problem child that isn't a team player and a machine. I think the worst is what I got now."
Far off from Hargeon, the guilds Lamia Scale, and Mermaid Heel saw the opposition they were going to deal with soon and none were too keen about their odds. "Meow...how many of these Alvarez goons have they sent our way?"
"From what I heard, over two thousand at least..."
"There must be more lurking in the two as well."
"On top of that, other troops are at sea, who haven't boarded the port yet."
"So, altogether, we're probably talking over...thirty thousand."
"That's just crazy!"
Chelia couldn't help but feel nervous about their enemy. "Between Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel, our odds aren't the same."
Lyon was aware of that but they didn't have a choice. They had to fight and win. "Our squad is at a disadvantage, the fact that we must fight them head with everything we got."
Kagura couldn't agree with him more. "Ishgar is our turf! No matter the cost, we must fight!" She lifts her sword. "We must eliminate our enemy and take back Hargeon! CHARRAGGEE!"
Dimaria was wondering when the enemy would attack them. "It seems the fools didn't learn their lesson yet." Both she and Wall smiled at their enemy. "Let us burn the strength of the Twelve into their minds."
B
In Northern Fiore, Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus were already engaging the enemy. The fight so far was in their favor.
Yukino kicked away a soldier. "These guys aren't bad, but, we're far from done." She began to wonder how the Straw Hat Pirates. "I wonder if Luffy and his friends can make it through this war." She also wondered if she would get to them again including Natsu and Lucy.
Yukino then saw a large group of their members fleeing away in fright. "What is going on now?"
"Hurry up and run!"
"Yukino, our people are...one after another...they're being slaughtered-" Blood spilled out of their mouths and fell to the ground. Yukino was horrified as the same thing happened to the other members. A frightening figure appeared amidst the chaos.
Spriggan Twelve member, Grim Reaper: Bloodman
"It's the Grim Reaper!"
"What is that?" Yukino questioned at the sight of the new strange enemy.
B
In the Eastern Fiore, the Wizard Saints finally met up with the three Spriggan Twelve. One of them was they knew very well, God Serena who smiled at his former fellow Saints. "Yo."
Seeing them coming from the direction of Bosco had Wolfheim dreadfully curious about something. "I knew you are a disgrace on attacking Bosco, you sunk to a new low!"
God Serena chuckled at the lecture he was getting as he casually spread his arms towards the other two Spriggan Twelve. "Alas, that wasn't my only doing, I had help from August and Jacob, will you lecture them next?"
Draculos couldn't figure out God Serena's treachery. "Why would you dishonor your homeland, tell me!?"
God Serena saw the look that the second strongest Wizard Saint was giving him. "That's some glare, you look a bit fussy, Draculos."
Jura examined each of the three opponents standing before them. "So this is the man that stood on atop the Ten Wizard Saints, God Serena. What a disgrace."
Draculos nodded and looked to the left to see August standing behind God Serena. "Behind him is August known as the Wizard King, who mastered every magic on every corner of the globe."
"In black is the member of Spriggan Twelve and a genius practitioner of Assassination Magic: Jacob Lessio." The Spriggan Twelve was tightening one of his gloves.
Spriggan Twelve member; Jacko Lessio
Jacob smirked at Jura. "Hey, old man..."
Jura tilted his head. "What is it?"
"Who does your hair?" The bald saint wasn't expecting to Assassin magic user to say that.
Back in Fairy Tail, Brandish was just sleeping when she heard a familiar voice. "M'lady..." Brandish woke up and saw someone appear before her. It was Marin in his regular size smiling at her. "So glad I was able to find you."
Brandish never thought she would be glad to see her subordinate again. "Me too, I knew you would come for me, after all, you're a pet." She saw up and lifted her chain arms behind her. "Now take off these shackles...I can hardly wait to screw around with this shabby guild hall." A smirk was shown on Marin's face and he quickly stood over her and then grabbed her by the throat. Marin pushed his superior down on the floor while Brandish struggled to get free while figuring out what came over her subordinate. "Marin! What do you think...stop...this..."
"You've completely and utterly had your way with me for so long until now...heh heh." Marin had a crazed and twisted look on his face while seeing Brandish grasp for air. "And for that, you'll be getting an F-minus! You fail-"
"Bone...Bone...Bone..." Marin quickly halted his strangling as he heard a faint chanting sound. "Who's there?"
"Bone...Bone...Bone...Yohohohohoh!" Brook in his ghostly form appeared right above Marin's head. "That's no way to treat a lady young man. Honestly, my eyes would be popping out of my skull at the disgracefulness I see...oh wait...I have no eyes...Yohohohohoh!"
Marin's eyes pop out as he jumped in fright causing him to release Brandish, who blacked out. "Ahhhh! A ghost!"
Just then two arms sprouted from Marin's back and heard a female voice. "Dos Fleur..."
"Where'd these creepy hands come from?" He exclaimed still frightened as he felt hands grabbing his head.
"Clutch!"
His neck was snapped as he passed out on the ground.
Lucy's voice was heard. "Get her to the infirmary!"
At the battle of Hargeon, Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel continued their fight against the Alvarez Empire army stationed there. Lyon put his hands together. "Ice-Make..." He pointed his hands at a large group of the enemy and a giant foot of ice appeared and slammed them underneath the foot. "Titan's Foot!"
Chelia was also making quick of the enemy. "Sky God's Boreas!" Her attack swept up and sent the enemy soldiers away from her.
Far off from the battle, Wall grinned at the sight as he locked on several members of both guilds. "Targets locked." He created several missiles around him. "Now the time...SHOW THEM WHAT HELL IS LIKE!"
The missiles quickly reached the battlefield and struck their intended targets. Beth looked at where the explosives were. "Huh, what's that?" One of the missiles struck her and another explosion occurred.
"Beth!"
Milianna saw up to where the missiles were. "Leave it to me!" She jumped straight at the missiles and drew out her Archenemy. With several slashes, she managed to cut the missiles in half and landed on the ground as Kagura sheathed her sword and the missiles exploded behind her. "Archenemy: Flip Form!"
Cheila was impressed by what Kagura did. "Wow, that's cool!"
Kagura sensed someone powerful coming her way and quickly drew out her sword again to block Dimaria's sword against hers. "I must say your reaction speed is quick." The two swordswomen slid back away from each other. "Dimaria admired Kagura's outfit. "So, that's a kimono, it's beautiful. "She sways her sword to the side. "But, I think it'll soon be stained with red."
Cheila was feeling a bit nervous. "Do you feel that Lyon?"
Lyon did. "Yes, there's intense in the air."
Kagura felt the high pressure in the air. It was the overwhelming sense of power coming from the Spriggan Twelve. "This overwhelming magic power of hers...the battlefield is frozen in terror...she's got to be a member of the Twelve..."
Dimaria smiled at her opponent as she recognized something about Kagura. "Oh, your haircut reminds me of Randi's. This is going to be fun."
In the next instant, part of Kagura's outfit was ripped which surprised her. "What the hell..."
Happy carried Natsu in the air. "There's Magnolia up ahead!" He then realized that his friend wasn't budging. "Hey, are you okay!? Oh no, Natsu!"
B
Brandish's eyes opened to see a different kind of ceiling. It took her mind a few seconds to register what happened to her before she blacked out. She quickly sat up with a panicked look on her face. "Where are we?"
"The infirmary," She looked to see Lucy sitting in front of her, Akame and Robin were leaning against the wall next to the door with their arms crossed.
Cana and Porlyusica were standing. "Looks like sleepy head woke up."
Fujika came with a hot towel. "Here's a towel, this will get rid of the bruises on your neck." She handed over a towel with liquid on it, and Brandish took the towel and rubbed it on both sides of her neck. "Feels good and warm." Her bruises began to fade away. "How did you..."
Fujika smiled. "I've been an expert on making medicine for healing wounds and bruises. Porlyusica offered to share some ingredients with me."
Porlyusica scoffed with her usual glare. "As if, you practically begged me to share my stuff with you!" The former Kuja pirate froze at the potion woman's outburst.
Brandish looked at her magic restraints cuffed on her wrists. Lucy smiled for a reason. "Sorry, but Master Makarov ordered us to keep those on you."
Cana smiled as well. "It might be a little mean, but, you should be more comfortable since your hands aren't behind your back."
Brandish noticed one obvious person was missing among them. "Where's Marin?"
"He's locked up in a cell," Akame answered. Brandish looked over at her. "It was surprising he was trying to choke like that. Even more so since he's still alive, you must've used your magic to shrink him instead of killing him."
Brandish recognized Akame, she was one of the girls that fought against Marin. Now that she had a closer look at Akame, she could see a certain look in her eyes that reminded her of someone. "Why does she remind me of Jacob?"
She then saw Nico Robin. "You...you're the woman that I met in town." She recalled the usual powers that held her in a tight lock. "You used some weird magic to hand-lock me or something..." She shook her head. "No, you don't have magic...I can't sense any coming out of you."
Robin didn't flinch as she kept her usual calmness. "It's true, I don't have magic, however, that doesn't mean I can't defend myself."
Brandish was a little weirded out by Robin's calmness. "She seems so calm, despite the fact she has no magic power." She then looked at Fujika again, sensing no magic either. "Who are these people."
Knock knock
Brook walked in with a cup of tea. "Yohohohoh...hello everybody."
Brandish gasped quietly. "What the hell..."
Lucy panicked. "Brook, what are you doing here?" Knowing that his appearance might scare the enemy.
"Oh, I just wanted to see if the lovely woman...I mean prisoner wanted some tea," Brook replied casually he looked in Brandish's direction. "Oh my, you're more beautiful up close."
Brandish barely remembered his ghostly form but now he's a talking skeleton, she didn't know what to think of what she was seeing.
Porlyusica cleared her throat. "Regardless young lady, Nico Robin, and the pervy skeleton saved your life, be thankful for that."
Brandish was quiet for a few seconds before asking another question. "Why would you save someone like me?"
Cana thought that was obvious. "We wouldn't be able to get info out of you if you croaked."
Brandish expected that answer from her enemy. "I don't have anything to say to you."
Lucy didn't care about that. "True, but we don't want people dying, we don't wish for anyone including our enemies."
"Great, so, you'll torture me, then."
"We can arrange that," Akame said with a blank expression.
Lucy was totally against Akame's suggestion. "No, we don't do that!"
Cana thought it was a good idea. "I will if you want me to~"
"Cana!" Porlyusica yelled comically with shark teeth.
Robin had a suggestion. "Perhaps I can tickle her until she has an accident."
"Seriously?" Lucy questioned a bit weirded but quickly looked back at Brandish with a smile. "We did take a bath together after all. And somehow I don't think you're as evil as I think."
Brandish didn't expect Lucy, her enemy, and Layla's daughter to say something like that to her. So, your questions are about Layla, aren't they?" She raised her cuffed wrists towards Lucy. "Take this off and let me talk with you alone, then I'll answer your questions."
Cana didn't like that neither did Akame. "Don't push your luck-"
Lucy put her hand out in front of Cana. "It'll be fine, Cana, Robin, everyone, give us some time alone."
Porlyusica saw that Lucy made her mind up and decided to accept it. "Very well, I'll remove the chain, but, the seal stays on."
Cana waved at the other girl. "If she tries anything, then holler."
Brook waved casually. "Yohohohohoh. I left the tea pot on the table, better drink it before it gets cold."
Akame remained and stared at Lucy for a couple of seconds. "Be careful around her." She gripped the handle of Murasame and released it as she turned around. She was the last to leave and closed the door behind her.
Robin didn't say anything and she left with the others.
Fujika left as well but she didn't bring her snake staff.
Now it was just Lucy and Brandish alone in the infirmary. It was quiet in the room until Lucy spoke. "My full name is Brandish U, and my mother's name is Grammi. She worked under Lady Layla as one of her servants." Lucy let out a small gasp while her eyes widened in shock. This was the first time she heard about her mother. "When your mother quit being a Celestial Wizard, she passed on three of her spirit keys to three servants. She gave Capicorn's key to Zoldeo and Cancer's key to Spetto..."
Lucy recognized the name as one of the servants she knew that used to work in her mansion. "Sweet old Spetto?!"
"And Aquaius' key was given to my mother, she had a lot of respect for her, she treated the key like it was a valuable treasure, she even polished it every day," Brandish's hands gripped the bed sheet tightly with one of her hands. "But...but still...somehow it mustn't be good enough... because Layla betrayed her."
That wasn't something that Lucy thought her mother would do. Especially someone she trusted so much. "What...what...happened?"
Brandish looked in Lucy's direction. "Where do you suppose you got the key from?"
Lucy tried to recall how did that happen. "It...was my mother's..."
"The key was being looked after by my mother, how could've it ended up in yours?" That was a good question for Lucy, and she had no answer to it. Brandish seemed to have it, though. "Layla had killed my mother to get the key back."
Lucy couldn't believe her mother would do something like that. "No...way...my...mother...wouldn't..."
Little did they know, Fujika's snake was underneath the bed, and on its head was a human-like ear. Robin was using her powers to eavesdrop and she was shocked at what she was hearing.
Fujika had her hand to her ear which had Robin's other ear in her hand's palm overhearing the conversation that was becoming serious.
"Reality isn't what it seems...so naive you are..." Brandish continued as she immediately jumped out of her bed and tackled Lucy to the floor while knocking down a vase from its desk including the tea cup and pacher that had the hot tea. Brandish wrapped her legs around Lucy's waist while her hand covered Lucy's mouth and her other hand locked both of Lucy's wrists from behind her back. "You shouldn't blindly trust others so easily, that could end your life as well as others."
Lucy struggled to break free from Brandish's grip but had no success. "S-stop!"
"I don't have bad blood against you, but, your mother took mine away, so, it's only natural that I take your life as well since she's not here!" Tears were coming out of Brandish's eyes with a sorrowful look in them. "I'm sorry...but just die!"
Lucy moved her body to break free but Brandish kept a tight hold on her. It eventually led to Brandish being on top of the blonde while continuing to suffocate her. While this was going on, neither of them saw the puddle of water next to them and started to act up until it rushed toward where the two girls were. Brandish noticed the water coming at them and swept her away from Lucy. "Out of the water came a familiar spirit holding Lucy close to her. "Are you telling stories about my key?"
Lucy couldn't believe who it was that appeared before her again. In her fight against one of the navy officers, she remembered Aquaius came from the seawater. "Aqua...rius?"
Usagi and Brook were in the main room having some coffee. "To think that Marin would want to kill his comrade, it's fortunate that some of us were able to detect his presence," Usagi said.
Brook agreed, but he was a bit concerned about Lucy's well-being. "Sounds like some of the Alavrez soldiers have twisted personalities, but, I'm concerned about Lucy."
"True but Lucy wanted us to leave so we have to respect-"
Happy suddenly arrived with Natsu, who was still unconscious. "Brook, Usagi, thank goodness!"
Usagi jumped from his seat and quickly approached the pinkette boy. "What happened to Natsu?"
"Usagi, carry him to the infirmary right away!" Happy pleaded with tears falling from his eyes.
"Let's go!" Usagi stated.
Brook had a suggestion. "I'll get the others, you go on ahead!" The Rabbit Mink nodded as he carried Natsu on his back and followed Happy.
B
Brandish was just as stunned as Lucy was at what just happened to see the Celestial mermaid appear.
Lucy was overcome with happiness and joy that she hugged her spirit while crying her eyes out. Aquarius grant her master's wish once more remembered she reunited with her in the world of pirates. Lucy calmed down and looked up at Aquarius. "Aquarius...you finally come home, but can you tell me how you entered the world where of pirates?"
Aquarius decided to answer that. "The gateway that opened a portal to your friends' world, not sure how, but, since my key can be opened by connecting to water, I was able to enter that world but only for a brief moment and that's when I found you and your friends against navy officers."
Lucy was a bit confused by the answer. "The gateway...she must mean the one that's deep in the ocean between our regions. How can that connect to the Celestial Spirit World." Aquaius knew she didn't have all the answers. "I can see your confusion look, even though I don't have any clear answers, however, I can only speculate for now."
Brandish overhearing this. "World of pirates...what does that even mean?" Aquarius had one more thing to say. "Also, I haven't returned as you think Lucy after my key was destroyed during the incident with Tartaros, a new key of the Water Bearer was born somewhere in this world. Nobody has made a contract yet but the Spirit King decided to temporarily open the door to your world with his power."
Lucy didn't care about all that. "Even so, the simple fact is what we met twice is good enough for me..."
Aquarius looked over at Brandish and smirked at her. "Long time no see to you too, I suppose...Brandish."
Brandish didn't reply to the spirit. Lucy was surprised Aquarius knew Brandish in the first place. "You two know each other?"
Her spirit continued to look at the green-haired wizard. "Her mother used to own my key, we had a lot of fun back in those old days, didn't we?" Brandish didn't reply and glared at Aquaius, who didn't take that too kindly. "LISTEN UP YOU LITTLE BRAT WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU A QUESTION YOU ANSWER IT!"
And Brandish's expression changed to a feared one. "Y-yeah...forgive me...please mistress..."
Lucy wasn't sure what she just heard. "What is going on?"
Aquarius grabbed Brandish by the cheeks and leered in her eyes at the girl. "I always knew you'd grown up to twisted chick and I bet that nasty attitude kept the boys away!"
Brandish quickly nodded. "Yes...ma'am..."
The spirit let go of the other girl and thought up something fun. "Which reminds me, it's been a while since I saw a good dog impression." Brandish did just that and barked a few times as Aquarius petted the Shield's head. "That's a good girl." Then she slapped her. "Now behave!"
Despite the slap, Brandish looked happy about it. "Thank you kind mistress I will!"
While this was going on, Lucy didn't know what to think about the scenario that was happening in front of her. "Okay...that's weird."
Brandish was bowing down before Aquarius while the spirit was looking down at her. "Anyway, Lucy is my master and includes you too, do you understand that?"
Of course, Brandish did know that, but still refused to back down. "That may be true, but, Layla killed my mother I can't forgive her sin."
"You realize how stupid that sounds...but, truthfully, Layla wasn't the reason your mother died..." The two girls let a big gasp as a light appeared in the room and three of them were in it. "Come with me and I'll show what happened."
In the next second, all of them were in a black space where countless stars were shining above them, that wasn't what caught the girl's attention, they saw that their legs were replaced by fishtails. "We're mermaids!?'
Now Lucy noticed they were all in a different place. "Aquarius, where are we?"
"This is the Memory of the Stars. A place the Celestial Spirit's memories are, what lays is the truth," Aquarius explained as she began to move away. "Follow me." Both girls looked at each other before following Aquarius.
It was strange that they were swimming instead of walking which is a strange experience for the two girls. They soon saw something approaching and within it, Lucy saw a distant figure. "Who is that?"
They arrived at a scene where a figure who looked similar to Lucy. "The woman you see is Anna Heartfilia, your ancestor and powerful Celestial Wizard that ever lived," Aquarius explained yet again. They saw another scene where they saw Anna talking with Zeref which surprised Lucy and Brandish. "About four hundred years an ambitious plan with the Black wizard and the Celestial wizards working together. The plan was to set several warriors to the future to defeat Acnologia and time travel was made possible by magic known as Eclipse. In time the Heartfilia family waited for the time to unseal."
"What was my family waiting for?" Lucy asked.
"For the Elcipse to work, you need one Celestial Wizard at the entrance and one at the exit. This plan needed more Etherano to fuel the warriors passing through, but no one knew when that time would come so they waited. As a result, the Elcipse was ready in Layla's generation."
Lucy was stunned to see her mother again. "Mom!"
"Opening the gate required Twelve of the Zodiac keys. Soon a scene of Brandish as a child and her mother was shown. "Unfortunately, Grammi moved to Alakitasia and was unable to contact her in time. So, your mother decided to use her life force in my key's place to open the door."
Lucy couldn't help but feel a little sad while Brandish couldn't believe what lengths Layla had to go through. "She did that...?"
The scene changed with an ill Laya in bed and a grieving Grammy. "As a result, Layla's gambling paid off, but, she developed severe Magic Deficiency Disease. It was not until seven days her condition reached Grammi."
"Layla, m'lady, I'm so sorry, I couldn't be here in time, forgive me..." Grammi grieved.
"Sweet Grammi...don't blame yourself..." Layla smiled understandingly.
Grammi sniffed while holding Aquaius' key "I appreciate that for what you did for my daughter and me, but I'm not fit to take this. Please take it back."
Layla's smile didn't leave her face. "No...I can't use Celestial Magic..."
Grammi had another suggestion. "Perhaps you can give it to Lucy, I'm sure she'll grow up to be a great wizard like you."
"Thankful my family's duty has ended with me, I don't that burden to fall into her lap, I want to live her own life," Layla commented. "Which reminds me, how is Brandish doing these days?"
"Yes, but, she'll throw a tantrum once she learns that Aquarius isn't coming back," Grammi said her voice getting more choked up. "
"She was around the same age as Lucy, was she not?"
"That's right. I would love to bring her by sometime."
"Yes, I think they would be good friends someday."
"We're friends, right?"
"But, Layla, I'm just a servant."
"No, I consider you a friend too, no matter what."
A short time later, Grammi left still grieving over her friend, and was making her way back home when someone snuck up behind her and stabbed her in the back.
The sight was horrifying to Brandish. "Mother!"
Grammi turned her head to see what her attack was. "Z...Zoldeo..."
Zoldeo had an angry look on his face while tears were coming out of his eyes. "It's your fault. Layla is dying because of you!"
Brandish tried to reach her mother to try and save her. "Mother!"
"Indeed...you're right...it is all my fault. I deserve to be punished."
"Yes, you do, you could've saved her!" Zoldeo continued to scream in despair.
Grammi didn't have much time left and had one last dying request to make. "I'm begging that you spare my daughter, Zoldeo...spare her...promise me...that you'll let her live...that's my last wish."
Zoldeo was torn apart by Grammi's request as his angry face was replaced with regret and guilt.
Brandish felt the same seeing her mother's final moment. "MOTHER! DON'T LEAVE ME!"
Lucy quickly hugged Brandish as they returned to normal and were back in the infirmary. The hug seemed to calm down the Shield a little. "It may be too late but...maybe after this war we can still be friends like our mothers wanted."
Aquaius smiled at the two girls but there was one more thing she had to tell her master. "Lucy, there's one more thing-"
Before she could, the door opened and Happy came in looking very distressed. "Usagi bring Natsu inside now!"
Usagi was carrying Natsu on his back and placed him gently on the floor. "Natsu just passed out and stopped moving all of a sudden.
Brandish was stunned for a moment at seeing a talking rabbit but she turned her attention to the unconscious Natsu. "What happened to Natsu?"
Cana, Akame, Robin, Fujika, and Porlyusica arrived with Brook. "What's going on here?"
That was a question Porlyusica would like to know. "How did this happen to him?"
Akame looked down and gasped as she saw Natsu lying on the floor. "Why is Natsu like that?"
Happy looked down at his friend. "Natsu...he fought against Zeref but we had to pull back. Then, without warning, he just..." Akame wondered what happened to Natsu during his fight against Zeref. Last she remembered, Natsu was confident in his secret weapon which was the key to defeating Zeref.
Robin was thinking the same thing. "Something's not right."
Lucy ran up to Natsu and held him in her arms. "Natsu! What's wrong? Wake up!"
Brook saw Aquarius, who saw him too. "A mermaid, are you from Fishman Island too?"
Aquarius was stunned by what she was seeing. "What the hell-"
Cana noticed her too. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Her question got mermaid spirit to look at the card mage's direction. "I can't explain that right now."
Lucy lay her head on Natsu's chest and gasped in fear. "I can't hear his heartbeat."
Happy continued to shake his friend's body." Natsu! Natsu!"
Lucy herself was finding this hard to believe. "This...this can't be..."
"Out of the way!" Porlyusica kneeled next to Natsu and examined his body closely. She placed a stick close to his body which sizzled. "This boy...of course he would go off and do something so foolish! He's been overexertion his magic power for years and an anti-Etherano tumor has developed inside his body."
Happy thought of what happened because Natsu used his power against Zeref earlier. Cana was trying to figure out what Porlyusica meant by what she said. "Anti...what does that even mean?"
"A malignant mass has developed inside his body. If it isn't removed promptly, he will die."
"How can something that's inside his body like be removed?" Happy asked.
The answer was easy to say but nigh different to perform. "Surgery is the only option. However, there are no doctors with the skills to do so."
Akame thought of a suggestion. "What about Cheila and Wendy, could their healing magic do something?"
To her dismay, Porlysucia shook her head. "This is far beyond what those two can do."
"What about Chopper, he could do the surgery, couldn't he?" Happy asked as he looked at Robin and Brook.
"Unfortunately...he went to assist our friends in the south..." Brook answered sadly.
"Sorry, Happy..." Robin said lowering her head a bit.
"Couldn't we use healing potions?" Fujika asked.
Porlyusica shook her head again. "Potions aren't capable of removing tumors like his,"
"Damn...if only Chopper were here," Brook sniffled.
Tears were coming out of Lucy's eyes as she looked down at the fire dragon slayer. Natsu...please...answer me...Natsu!"
For some reason, Brandish couldn't stand seeing the look Lucy had and raised her cuffs. "Take off these magic seals..." Everyone in the room looked in her direction. "My magic is capable to alter the size of anything, so, if I find where the tumor is, I can make it small enough so that it won't pose any threat."
Everyone was surprised at their enemy offering her help. More so Akame as she had never seen that happen before. Happy thought it was too good to be true. "You really can do that?"
It was good enough for Lucy if it'll mean Natsu will be out of harm's way. "Please...if it means saving Natsu...do it!"
B
Some time had passed and Natsu was resting in one of the beds in the infirmary. Standing next to him were Porlyusica and Makarov who wasn't all too happy with what happened. "Honestly, he goes off and does something crazy then comes back in this state?!"
Porlyusica narrowed her eyes at her former guildmate. "Your crankiness isn't helping."
"You would know about that, wouldn't you?" Makarov breathed out momentarily to calm down.
Despite the smart comment, Porlyusica decided to ignore it. "Either way, Natsu will recover in no time."
Makarov was still surprised at the unexpected aid. "I must say, I didn't expect us to get help from the enemy."
Porlyusica caught what Makarov said about Brandish. "After this turnover, is she..."
Makarov shook his head. "Until the battle is over...I can't answer that now..."
He remembered what Brandish said to them before returning to her cell. "Since I'm still your prisoner? Also, can I have my coat back?"
Makarov admitted that he had her all wrong but that didn't change the fact she was still an enemy of Fairy Tail. "She's quite the confounding woman." That wasn't what also got him concerned. "She saw Brook and Usagi, if she finds out about them being from another world, that could draw unwanted attention."
B
Brandish was back in her cell sitting on her bed. Lucy and Happy were grateful for what she had done to help Natsu. "I can't thank you enough for saving Natsu."
"Aye...thank you so much!"
Brandish didn't reply as she didn't look in their direction. "There's no reason for you to return to your cell."
The other girl begged to differ. "We're in the middle of a war and you want to let a prisoner roam free. Quit being so naive, that is a weakness that could get you killed."
Lucy felt a little disheartened after hearing Brandish say that to her. She'd hoped that they would become friends just like their mothers before. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and looked back to see Aquarius floating behind her. "She just needs some time." She looked across the cell at Brandish. "I'll be seeing you again, Brandish." The other girl didn't reply to her. "YOU HEAR ME?!"
"Yes ma'am..." Brandish muttered back at the spirit.
The response was good enough for Aquarius and she left with the Lucy following her. They arrived at the balcony of the second floor of the guild where they saw the sun setting. "There's something I was about to tell before the drama."
The blonde did recall something about what Aquarius said. "You mean about your key being reincarnated, right?"
"Yes, I don't know the location, but, it's somewhere out there, if I know Brandish, she might want to get it too." That did bring up a good point, Lucy smiled. "But, I can speculate that it's Ishgar or could be in the faraway continent of Alakitasia. Maybe some in some other continent. To be clear, I won't give you any hints."
Lucy smiled at her spirit and nodded. She wouldn't have it any other way. "I understand, but, I'll find it, no matter what! You just wait and if even Brandish decides to look for it, I guess it'll be a race against time."
Aquarius knew her former owner would say something like that and saw she hasn't changed a bit. "I must say you made some unusual friends...a talking skeleton and rabbit."
Lucy gasped a little. "W-well...I guess you can we made some unusual friends...but..."
Aquarius shook her head with a smile. "No need to explain, Loki informed me of what happened on Fishman Island. Looks like you still have a knack for getting attention." Her body began to glow as she gave her master one last smile to remember. "Thanks...take care...I look forward."
Lucy remembered what Natsu said before the war started. "Plus, I know something we can do after the war."
She wiped the tears that were coming out of her eyes and smiled. "I got something too. We can afford to lose this war...we must win."
B
At the battle to liberate Hageon, Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel had no choice but to retreat and rest, Lyon slammed his hands on the map at the table while looking frustrated. "Their numbers are too great for us."
"At this point, we can't get any closer to the city," Cheila commented.
Lyon agreed knowing the risks. "I know, we must hold them off as much as we can otherwise, their troops will just keep coming."
Over Kagura, she was sitting Seza style in deep thought while wearing a kimono. Millianna approached her carefully. "Kagura, you alright?"
Kagura thought of what happened in her fight against Dimaria. It was embarrassing to her as her previous kimono was fully shredded and left in her underwear. Not to mention male wizards including those from the enemy's forces saw her. "Right now, I'm not alright."
Millianna giggled a little and smiled at her. "Poor thing."
Risley Law saw men making goo-goo-eyes at her guildmate. "Get away from her you bunch of creepers!" She placed her hands on her hips and looked back at Kagura. "Anyway, do you think that woman used a long-range spell?"
"Perhaps, also, her sword might be for show," Millianna added.
"I don't think that's the case, but, I can't be certain, I mean she shredded my kimono in seconds," Kagura spoke recollecting herself. "Either way, that woman's power is unpredictable and dangerous."
In the North Front of Fiore, Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus were forced to retreat to their base after Bloodman's appearance. Sting and his members were at a campfire. "I lost count of the number of casualties."
Lector had to agree with him. "Yeah, these guys are nothing compared to the Fishman pirates we fought against, though, they seem to be on the same level as the navy officers and Cipher Pol jerks we fought on Water 7."
Frosh had his say. "I think it's bad too."
Rouge wasn't about to give up, though. "Even so, we must hold them off."
Yukino agreed. "Right, we must keep our frontline strong otherwise the enemy will march into Crocus."
Sting shrugged at the sudden thought. "Not to trivialize things, but, if we lose this battle, Sabertooth will be the reason for that. Natsu would never let me live that down."
Rouge had to agree with that. "And I don't want to be on Gajeel's bad side."
Lector had another thought. "Don't forget, Fairy Tail's got new members and our allies the Straw Hat pirates, I look forward to seeing them again."
"I want to see them too." Frosch said happily.
Sting couldn't agree more. "Yeah..."
B
At the Eastern Front of Fiore...the battle there was already done as the four Wizard Saints were lying on the ground defeated with injuries all around. God Serena was unimpressed by them. "C'mon, you four had a numerical advantage and this is what you old farts could do."
The four Wizard Saints were helpless against God Serena's power. "This does not bold well...he took us out all by himself."
"I'm afraid that going to Alvarez made him stronger..."
"We failed...we shamed the titles of Ishgar..."
"My old...friend...I won't...see...your smiling face again..." Warrod muttered as he seem to get God Serena's attention. "I think it's time to turn you into firewood Warrod, time to say God' bye-bye..."
A tear fell from Warrod's eye. "Mavis...Yuri...Precht...my old friends...I'll be joining you..."
From far away, Mavis sensed something was wrong and couldn't help but be worried about her old friend. "Warrod..."
B
At the Tartaros Guild
The four Demons rushed inside as they passed by the other Demons, Rachena, Slither, Kay, and Lamy.
"Jackal!"
"Syka!"
"Fufu...Jackal, honey, you returned quickly!"
Shino was walking down a hallway as her guildmates rushed by her. "What the hell...?"
Mard Geer was in his throne room and felt high pressure coming closer to his room.
The four Demons barraged in and stopped to catch their breaths.
"Looks like you were in a rush, did you guys find any-"
"Cut the crap!" Jackal snapped. "We need to know the truth!"
Mard Geer narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
The other Demons arrived at the Underworld's room as they overheard the four Demons explaining what they learned from Natsu and Zeref's fight.
Mard Geer didn't say anything for a moment. "Looks like the cat's out of the bag." He commented. "I'll explain everything I know and what I speculate."
End of chapter.
