Chapter 22: Gathering of the Spriggan Twelve

Irene was standing close to the edge of a tall cliff overlooking a vast forest. She'd been standing in the same spot for quite a while now thinking. Thinking about what the king had said to his daughter. Something about that had irked her to no end and the worst part about it was that it was getting to her. "A parent loving their child..." That thought had brought back memories she had long forgotten and would like to forget again. Memories of her carrying a small scarlet-haired baby. Her eyes darkened and gripped her staff tightly at the mere thought of the memory. "Damn, why am I thinking about this right now, I haven't thought about her in a long time."

Another thought distracted her, which was the skeleton she saw. "A talking skeleton, how is that possible, though, I couldn't sense any magic coming from that thing." She began to wonder if something else was going on. "Either way, I must find the ones that are responsible for defeating Heine and Juliet, I'll teach them a lesson that they'll never forget."

"Irene."

It wasn't often Irene was taken by surprise and turned around to see August with Brandish. "I see you can't control your extreme sense of taste." He's referring to her using her powerful spell.

Irene just smiled at the two Spriggan members. "It's been a while since we crossed paths, nice to see you." She walked towards her comrades. "You brought Brandish, you certainly grown up."

Brandish just gave Irene a sheepish nod towards her. "Yeah."

This small reunion was anything but happy for August. "Why did you use the Universe one without his majesty's approval."

Irene wasn't going to deny that and she had a good reason for doing so. "I was confronted by the black dragon Acnologia. That was a battle I couldn't risk of being drawn into so I chose to expel the black dragon and send our lord to Fairy Tail all at once. As for the Demons of Tartaros, they'll be out of our way too."

Brandish gasped a little. "Demons, Zeref's creations were lurking around?"

Irene nodded her head. "Yes, my reasons were right, so, I don't think this is the time for a lecture."

August was a bit surprised to learn that Zeref's Demons were still around, but he agreed with Irene's reason. "The Twelve are to assemble, confirm about his majesty's forward."

Irene closed her eyes while her shoulders gave a shrug and merely scoffed at August's words. "Sorry, but, I'll do whatever I see fit."

August became slightly enraged with how Irene acted and would disobey his order. He gave the Scarlett Despair a stern glare. "You defy my order as the appointed leader of the Spriggan Twelve." Irene opened her eyes and the two strongest members stared intensely at each other. Brandish gulped nervously as she could feel the magic of the two crashing into each other. If they ever decided to fight, she couldn't tell who'd win, but the battle would be beyond catastrophic.

Irene closed her eyes again and smiled while grabbing the edge of her hat lightly. "Very well, I suppose I have no choice but to honor your request, besides, I have some questions for the king about some unusual people I saw."

August could agree with that. "Yes, I encountered two individuals too."


B

"I've missed you...big sister..." Yukino thought she was dreaming when she was seeing her older sister once again. It still felt like a dream to her, but Sorano was standing before her.

"Yukino...I..." Sorano stared at Yukino in disbelief for several seconds before glancing away.

Elfman, Lector, and Frosch still had no idea what was going on. "Whoa, what the!?"

"I'm so confused!"

"Me too!"

There was silence between the two sisters until Sorano finally broke it. "I'm sorry but...I don't have a little sister."

Yukino thought she'd misheard her sister. She didn't know why her sister would deny having a sibling. She was Sorano's sister and older sister at that. "No...you do!"

"You're mistaken, it must be someone else," Sorano denied glancing away while her arms were crossed.

Yukino gritted her teeth in response. She did not doubt that Sorano was her sister. "Sorano, I'm not wrong, I know it in my heart, you're the one I've been looking for and I tried to do anything to get you back!" She recalled as a child of her older sister protecting her and trying to turn back time using the Ecplise. "You were always there to protect me, you stood up for me and I never gave up on hope of finding you again!"

Sorano turned around not to face Yukino anymore. "I told you I'm not your sister."

Yukino's hands closed tightly and was become frustrated as well as hurt by her sister's words. "How could you be so cruel now?!"

"There's no way a sinner like me can be your sister!" Yukino's frustration quickly faded when she heard those words from her sister and was replaced by curiosity. She saw her sister close her hands tightly this time. "My little sister is working to make the world right, she deserves someone better that has done so much wrong!" Her body began to shake. "I pray...that maybe...someday all of my horrible sins can be forgiven and when that day comes, I'll embrace my sister!" She quietly cried as she managed to convey her feeling towards her younger sister.

Sorano began to walk the opposite way as Yukino continued calling out to her sister. "I know you'll be forgiven, I know you will!"

"That's what I'm fighting for right now..." Sorano stopped for a brief moment and continued on her way. "But, I know haven't ended it yet."

This may not have been the reunion that Yukino dreamed of, but it was still fulfilling in seeing her sister after so long. To her, she didn't care what Sorano had done in the past, she'd always be her older sister and she wiped tears from one of her eyes with a smile. "It's good to see that you're alive."

Lector was overcome with emotion and couldn't help but cry. "Aw...I love a beautiful thing."

"But she said she doesn't know her..."Frosch added.

That was to be expected and Lector was accepting that. "It's okay, even though you don't understand, Frosch."

"I think so too!"

Elfman looked up at the night sky and thought about his siblings. "Mira...Lisanna, stay safe."


B

In a rocky location with a waterfall and a wooden bridge next to it, Dimara was struggling to flee from her captors as she was crawling on the bridge floor. She didn't get far when a couple of guild members caught up to her. "Stop right there!"

"That's as far as you're doing, lady!"

Dimaria breathed heavily as she clacked her teeth in hopes to use her magic, but to no avail due to the magic sealing cuffs. One of the guild members grabbed her by the ankle. "Can't let a prisoner like you get away!"

"The hag would skin us alive if we lost her."

They were about to drag her back when something strange overcame the both of them. A white light appeared around their bodies and glowed while they moaned in delight.

"What is this...ahh."

"Oh my, feels so good!"

They both screamed in satisfaction as the white light surrounding them flew into the sky before dropping to the floor. Behind them stood a figure who was the one responsible for using his magic on them. "May your spirits white into heaven take flight?" The figure approached Dimaria. "I've come for you, Dimaria."

All Dimaria could do was stare at the figure standing before her. Out of all people to run into, he was the least she expected to find her. "I'm humbled...Larcade Dragneel."


B

Zeref smiled at Mavis while his former lover glared back at him. Seeing his girl again after so long was quite nostalgic for him. "It's been so long since I've seen you, feels like one hundred years ago."

"Ninety-five to be exact," Mavis corrected.

Zeref chuckled lightly at that specific fact. "Nevertheless, the entire time I could sense your presence and your voice."

Mavis didn't say anything back, in hindsight, Zeref appearing in front of her was a good thing, maybe. "Here he is, and I have one strategy for defeating him, first thing was to have my real body and I do now, however, there is one more step I have to take that might work in theory, can I get my mind around it."

Suddenly Mavis felt a strong child go into her spine until she was frozen all over. "No...I can't move..."

Zeref knew who was responsible for that. "That's not necessary, Invel."

Invel had a good reason for doing what he did to Mavis. Especially since Zeref was so close to Mavis now. "Majesty, I'm aware of the relationship that you and she once had, but, she's the Fairy Heart itself, which means she could weaponize that power."

Zeref understood Invel's concerns, but he wasn't worried about the power that dwelled within Mavis' body. "Mavis understands more than anyone that the power of Fairy Heart can't be used, even if it would ensure my long waited for death, the effects would be...catastrophic."

Even with his majesty's logic, Invel was still doubtful. "But still sire..."

Zeref did feel some slight sympathy for Mavis in the state Invel put her in. "Mavis was trapped in that crystal for such a long time merely a century, it pains me to see her in such a state." Invel remained silent at his majesty's plea. "So if you please."

Invel slightly lowered his head and lightly huffed. "Very well."

The Winter General broke a freezing spell on Mavis and she was free, albeit panting a little and felt cold. That relief didn't last long as an ice collar and chain appeared around her neck. "What is this?"

Invel was still not taking any chances with Mavis. He was just taking a different approach. "I'll leave her body untouched but her mind restrained."

Mavis felt something weird about her thoughts. "What's going on, my thoughts are locked, no, I must retain my composure!"

This new restraint was acceptable to Zeref, but he thought it was still a little much for him. "Honestly Invel, you worry too much for your good."

Invel gave a small humph at his majesty's words. "Given my position, it's my job to ensure your safety as well as the empire."

Zeref turned around and glanced over in Mavis' direction while continuing to smile at her. "Mavis, if you please follow me." He began walking towards the guild's doors.

Mavis followed him, but not of her own will. "My body is moving on its own!"

Shortly after, Mavis and Zeref were on a cliff edge which was located in a barren, rocky location. "Take a look down there."

Mavis looked at what was laid before her and gasped in shock. "What is going on here?" She quickly discovered that the guild must be sitting on top of a tall, rocky structure with a ruined house scattered and embedded into it. And what lay before that was the main army of Alvarez. They blanketed the whole area below as far as she could see.

It was also quite the sight for Zeref as well. "Your friends are coming, after all, you're the heart of the guild, however, will they survive after all this?"

"I like to see them try!" Mavis looked to the side and saw two figures standing next to each other. The one who was speaking was Ajeel who had a nasty scar on his chest. "I will grind them into dust, I mostly want to get my hands on the bastard swordsman that gave me this."

Spriggan Twelve Member, The Desert King: Ajeel Raml

"How did that go for ya, not good, right?"

Spriggan Twelve Member, The Assassin: Jacob Lessio

"Like you did any better!" Ajeel had an extremely sinister and determined expression. "That ain't going to happen again."

Jacob shared the feeling. "Of course."

Spriggan Twelve Member, Warrior Queen: Dimaria

Dimaria and Brandish finally saw each other again after so long. "Randi..."

Spriggan Twelve, the Country Demolisher: Brandish

"Mari..."

Dimaria walked up to Brandish. "Looks like you were captured, but you're not hurt."

Brandish gave a small nod and then her companion embraced her in a hug which took her by surprise. "They'll pay for what they did, we'll slaughter them together!"

Larcade smiled sweetly at the sight of the two of them before him. "Friendship is lovely, it is one of the things that warms me." He spoke to August.

Spriggan Twelve Member, The White Dragneel: Larcade Dragneel

August said nothing and all he did was give Larcade a deathly glare at him.

Spriggan Twelve Member and leader, The Wizard King: August

Even Larcade felt a little unnerved at the way he was being looked at. "Not to be confused at the fire of depth that is coming from you."

Invel walked behind him. "What else is he to do, follow his orders and that may change."

Mavis felt frightened by August's presence. "That's August the Wizard King, he's the most powerful wizard." She turned her attention to Larcade and felt something strange coming from him. "That guy...his magic is different from the others...I can't put my finger on it."

"I see you've noticed Larcade, my secret weapon," Mavis turned to Zeref. "The potential to defeat Acnologia rests within him."

Neinhart appeared quite tired after what he had to do. "I must say conjuring the three Spriggan Twelve members was no easy feat."

Spriggan Twelve Member, the History Collector: Neinhart

"Death make bodies fill the battlefield now that I returned from the underworld." Bloodman commented creepily.

Spriggan Twelve Member, Grim Reaper: Bloodman

"The Twelve is gathered, it's been quite a long time!" Wall cackled crazily.

Spriggan Twelve Member, the Adjudicator: Wall

As he said, the three fallen Spriggan Twelve members had returned. "The Eight Dragon god slayer has been revived!"

Spriggan Twelve Member, The Hybrid Theory: God Serena

Neinhart looked at all three of them with a disgruntled expression. "I'd like to remind you that you three are still dead, I'd advise you to have someone protect you, but as long as I'm alive you're free to do as you please."

God Serena pointed at him and smiled confidently. "Just leave it to godly me!"

Irene walked up to Zeref from behind and was impressed at the sight. "One million soldiers and the twelve of us, quite the sight indeed."

Mavis was completely flabbergasted by the woman's magic power. She didn't think someone could be on the same level as August himself. "What...her power is the same as August's..."

Zeref was glad to see Irene again after so long, despite her using her magic without his permission. "I will pardon that use of your magic."

Irene chuckled as she felt quite flattered by her majesty's unexpected praise. "Oh my, and here I came here thinking you'd spank me."

Zeref had everything he needed to retrieve Fairy Heart. "However, I must ask for you to use the separation enchantment."

Irene nodded in agreement as if she was also thinking the same thing. "Of course, you need me to remove her power from this girl's body,"

That detail stunned Mavis. "How can she do that?"

Zeref was more than confident Irene could accomplish her task. "Irene has a gift for attaching and taking magic from objects."

Mavis' terror intensified from that moment on. "No...this can't be..."

The emperor took a step back and felt confident with his current state setup. He was more than prepared for the upcoming final battle against Fairy Tail. "All of our forces are gathered and ready. How far can your grit drive you, Fairy Tail? The truth is that you won't live to see tomorrow."

Far away from the structure where the guild laid on top, Akame oversaw the entire area from the other side of the small hill. Akame had to admit seeing such a massive army laid out before and the others were unnerving to her. And that wasn't the only thing that made her wary. "An army like no other stands in between us and the guild. From what aura I'm sensing, nine of the Spriggan Twelve are also there as well." Akame gave a shaky breath. "My Observation Haki can detect their power levels, it's the same level as their magic power." She also thought of Leone and Chelsea. "I hope Chelsea and Leone are safe, I hope to see them again, this could be it..." She looked back at Natsu and the others, who were laying on the ground sleeping. Akame had also slept for a bit until she woke up before them. She envied how peaceful they looked sleeping before waking up and fighting the largest battle of their lives. Akame looked back at the tremendous sight of the army. Not long after, she noticed the sun rising over the horizon. She smiled sadly at the sight of it. "I've forgotten that it's been a whole day I believe it's been two whole days since this war started, feels longer than that."

Akame began to remember her times with Fairy Tail even when Gray, Juvia, and Taran arrived then some more of the Fairy wizards appeared and shared so many times. Laughing and crying through the good and bad times. "This could be...the final dawn any of us will see again."

"The final dawn...not if I can help it." Akame was surprised to hear Natsu's voice and looked back again to see him waking up. "It'll be tough, but, we'll never give up!"

"C'mon, let's go!"

"We'll bust in and get our guild back!"


M

Jackal, Syka, and Goliath eventually decided to rest for the night, the three were laying down under a large tree.

Unexpectedly, Jackal woke up for a brief moment. "Mmm..." He groaned while rubbing his head. "Damn, why did I have to wake up?" He noticed the sun beginning to rise from the horizon. "Man, that stupid sun is bright." Strangely, he began to feel somewhat weird as he gazed at the sun's shining glow.

He immediately shook the thought off and laid back down. "Damn...why was I taken interest in looking at the sun." Uexpectedly, he began to think about the conversation with Jula. "Damn, why am I thinking about what the squid-woman said to me?"


Slither and Rachena were walking down a small stream and nearby was a waterfall. "Sounds like the sun is finally coming on."

"Yes, no doubt, it'll be time for the humans to start their war," Slither commented looking excited.

Splash

"What was that?" Rachena asked.

Aquaius swam out of the river and dove down the stream as she flipped forward and transformed her mermaid tail into humanoid-like legs. "Look what the sea snails dragged."

Slither groaned in annoyance. "That doesn't make any sense."

Aquaius titled her head in amusement. "What...not even a 'hi', that's not nice."

"Aquaius, I see you woke up, but, more importantly, did you just fall from the top of the waterfall?" Rachena asked gazing in the direction of the waterfall.

Aquaius nodded her head. "Of course, as soon as I blacked out, I found myself in a river, good thing I'm able to breathe underwater otherwise I would've drowned plus I avoided any unnecessary fights."

Slither scoffed. "Well, if you're done with the games, you can come with us, Fairy Tail and their enemies are sure to continue their war..." He gazed at the sun which got higher into the sky. "Looks like, it'll start soon once the human awake up."


With some of the demons reunited, they're about to join the war and the Spriggan Twelve gathered at the Fairy Tail guild with their emperor Spriggan(Zeref), things about to get crazy and intense, what will happen, find out next time, but, I can say, that next chapter will be interesting.

End of chapter.