WARNING, this chapter depicts dark scenes that some readers might struggle with. If you have issues with torture and character death use your best judgment when reading onward.
"Speech"
'Thought'
"Attack/beast"
Chapter 4. Family
(Alvarez Empire, Vistarion city)
Walking the streets of the capital city of Vistarion with an air of caution. Both Naruto and Laxus maneuvered through the bustling streets together. Preparing for the worst and knowing a smaller group would draw less attention, Laxus made the decision to leave his three friends behind. Their single duty within this mission was simply to standby and safeguard a ship that would be used for a fast escape home when needed.
"Things look rather normal." Naruto whispered softly as he and Laxus walked down a street that was barricaded on both sides by large buildings that were at least two to three stories tall. "Almost reminds me of home in a way."
Laxus scoffed under his breath and gazed upwards at the gargantuan castle in the city's center, which most likely held the royal family of this nation. "Still appearances can be deceiving. I talked with Freed before we left them behind and he passed along some information."
"Care to share?"
Laxus placed his hands into his pockets and slightly arched his back so he could be closer to Naruto as he whispered. "Freed talked to a local on the way here. Apparently the Alvarez Empire started as a relatively small nation, but their king started absorbing more guild's and nations under his command. Some by force and others by a lack of options. Eventually Alvarez became an Empire of several nations and well over 700 plus wizard guilds. All controlled under one man. Emperor Spriggan."
"I can only assume he's very influential or powerful then."
"Or both." Laxus replied.
Naruto nodded and folded his arms. "I can only assume we would need more information, but should also move carefully. I've had a bad feeling ever since we hit land."
Laxus smirked. "Afraid Menma?"
"No, I'm just not overconfident like some." Naruto replied as he lowered his sunglasses, which allowed his bright blue eyes the opportunity to glance at Laxus.
"Tch, whatever." Laxus grumbled as he removed his line of sight from Naruto and looked forward.
Sighing to himself and placing his hands into his pockets, Naruto moved his eyes to the side as well. Watching carefully as the natives of Alvarez all moved about it their carefree daily lives. "We need to come up with a strategy, Laxus. Just walking around and bickering won't get us anywhere."
Laxus frowned. "I'm thinking."
Naruto rolled his eyes, as he was quickly having some serious regrets about teaming up with Laxus. Considering the older boy in his company wasn't easy to get along with by any means and Naruto himself didn't have much experience working with others in the first place. Yet the sounds of loud cheering and the movement of large packs of civilians did grab Naruto's attention.
"It would appear that something is going on." Naruto mumbled softly, while Laxus nodded.
"Sounds like a festival or parade."
"Could be worth investigating." Naruto proposed.
"Or a helpful distraction to investigate somewhere else." Laxus countered.
"I would agree, but we don't have a lead at the moment." Naruto argued back.
Laxus folded his arms and nodded. "That's true. I guess it wouldn't hurt to investigate whatever that commotion is."
"If we are lucky we may find a lead." Naruto added.
"In that case let's go, but let me do the talking if a situation presents itself."
"Of course, oh great team leader." Naruto grumbled in response.
Not giving Naruto the satisfaction of a response, Laxus simply followed the crowd of people to wherever they were congregating. Naruto keeping pace with Laxus followed the older wizard until the two reached a street wider than most. This was because this street was the main roadway that led to the massive castle.
Naruto himself took notice that there were civilians gathered in crowds on each side of the street, while leaving a massive walking path in the center. A walkway that led straight into the gates of the castle.
"A parade?" Naruto mumbled, while Laxus had a frown on his face.
"No." Laxus replied as he suddenly carried himself with an air of caution. "Listen around to the locals. This is a welcoming home."
Naruto, doing as Laxus had advised, started to listen into various conversations around him. Hearing people saying things like Spriggan and that he was finally back. Yet these whispers and conversations quickly erupted into applause and praise, while cries of celebration called the name of their returning emperor.
"The Emperor is walking by?" Naruto began, which made Laxus nod.
"Follow me. We should get a closer look."
Naruto nodded and followed Laxus, as he led the way by pushing and squeezing past multiple people to get to the front of the crowd. Yet as the duo from Fairy Tail made their way to the front of the crowd their eyes quickly moved down the street. Both gazing at the approaching figure within the distance. Taking notice of an individual with the appearance of a young man. Who was dressed in a high collared black and tan robe with gold trim and a large flowing white toga that was wrapped around his torso.
His hair was short and pitch black, while eyes were just as black as his hair. Giving the young supposed Emperor a rather dangerous look for someone so young in appearance.
"So that's him?" Laxus mumbled softly as he subconsciously tightened his fists. "Emperor Spriggan."
Instead of making a response, Naruto's eyes drifted to the man flanking the Emperor's side. The man in question was dressed in a pair of dark dress pants and a white collared dress shirt, completely buttoned up with a yellow tie hanging from the neck. Over that, he donned a trench coat with a black border. The color of its interior as well as its exterior matched that of his tie. Dark flame markings were diagonally branded from the left shoulder down to his sleeve and ran down both the front and the back of the coat. However, the most damning features upon the man's face were his long spiky blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Both of which held a rather emotionless and unfamiliar gaze behind them.
Yet all the same, Naruto could only look at the man with disbelief and confusion. Considering following ever so closely to the Emperor was his missing father, Minato Namikaze.
"Dad?" Naruto croaked in a moment of weakness, as he slightly leaned forward to get a better look at the man.
Laxus, hearing his fellow Fairy Tail wizard could only look down at Naruto with shock. "What are you talking about?"
Ignoring Laxus and taking a step forward, Naruto was almost certain his father was only a few feet away. Something that left Naruto with a strange feeling within his chest and a whirlwind of questions. The older of the two Fairy Tail wizards realizing his teammate was inching closer into the walkway of the Emperor tried to reach out and pull Naruto back to him. However, he was too slow and Naruto quickly stumbled his way right into the path of the Emperor. Halting the man's approach along with his entire following.
"Now what do we have here?" The Emperor mumbled softly with a slight smirk on his face. His eyes looming over Naruto with a rather uninterested stare.
Naruto ignoring the Emperor simply moved his attention directly to the man who he was now certain was his father. Since everything from his stance, height and looks was just as how he remembered his father before he left all those years ago.
"Dad it's me. Naruto." The Ghost of Fairy Tail began as he stepped forward, but froze the moment he saw the hate filled glare from his supposed father.
Laxus, listening on, was surprised by the fact that for the first time it had clicked that Menma was a fake name. However, the older of the two stayed off to the side and tried to remain unnoticed, as he didn't know what was going on or how things would turn out.
The Emperor chuckled at Naruto's declaration and looked back over his shoulder. "How interesting. A son you've never told me about. Is August aware of his little grandson?"
"He's not mine." Came the voice identical to his father's that completely crushed Naruto's heart with its abnormal cruelty.
"Dad what's going on! I told you it's me! Don't tell me you've forgotten your son? What about Ultear do you at least remember her?"
"I have no children by name." Came the annoyed response that made Naruto grit his teeth.
"This has got to be some kind of joke! You've got to at least remember Mom right? Your wife? Ur Milkovich Namikaze!" Naruto yelled out as he had finally made a large enough scene to where every bystander was completely silent. "I know it's been some time since Mom and Ultear passed, but you have to remember them. You loved them!"
"Now that whore's name rings a bell and it does bring a smile to know she's dead." Came the sly remark that finally sent Naruto over the edge in rage, as that single insult was the spark to ignite years of pent up frustration.
"That's it." Naruto growled as to the surprise of everyone watching he vanished in a flash of light. Only to appear right beside the look alike of his father with his fist held back. "I'm done talking!"
Yet as Naruto threw a fast punch to the man's head, Naruto's fist was instantly intercepted by an open palm catching the strike. However, keeping his momentum, Naruto swung his leg around to deliver a swift kick to the man's ribs. Unfortunately the man was faster than Naruto and easily brought his forearm up to block Naruto's second strike.
"Now it's all making sense who you are brat." The man mumbled as he quickly moved at speeds Naruto couldn't follow and slammed his elbow into Naruto's stomach. Knocking the air from his lungs and making the blonds eyes roll back into his head from the pain. "And knowing that makes this all the more enjoyable."
Naruto gritted his teeth in pain and ignited his hand with Light Magic and pushed through the pain with the intention to attack back. Yet again he was too slow and was quickly blocked, punched in the face and immediately dazed by being slammed onto the ground.
Laxus watching from the sidelines frowned as the man who Naruto called a father displayed no mercy in beating his supposed son up and down the street. Naruto to his own credit kept getting back up and trying his hardest to fight back, but it was obvious that he was completely outclassed. Laxus himself felt sorry for Naruto and not only for the beating he was receiving, but for the relationship he apparently had with his father. Something that Laxus could relate to as he didn't have the most healthy relationship with his own father.
Yet as Naruto cried out in pain and his blood began to spill onto the ground beneath the man's feet. Something within Laxus snapped. So acting without even thinking Laxus dashed forward with lightning sparking around his entire body. Using his entire strength and as much magic as possible to punch Naruto's attacker from behind.
"Listen here you piece of garbage!" Laxus roared in rage as he watched the man roll down the street and quickly struck a defensive stance over Naruto's body. "You might not claim him as family, but as his senior within the guild you bet your ass I will!"
Bloody and bruised, Naruto glanced up to Laxus with a look of disbelief, while the sounds of civilians screaming and running away reached his ears. "Laxus." The boy began with both tears and blood streaking down his face.
"Can you stand?" Laxus asked in a low voice while never taking his eyes off the man Naruto claimed as his father.
Naruto balling his fists and pushing himself up nodded. "Yeah I'm not done yet."
Laxus smirked as Naruto took a fighting stance by his side. "Not bad brat. You definitely know how to take a beating, but let's see how you do dishing one out."
"If that man is my Father, just know he's a master of Rune Magic and Light Magic and also has various other tricks." Naruto explained as he watched the man slowly stalk over to him and Laxus.
Laxus nodded and began building up his magic. "Anything else useful to know."
"He's a Wizard Saint?" Naruto mumbled as both his hands flashed to life with Light Magic.
"Unfortunately for him he's looking at the future Master of our guild. Wizard Saint or not. He's going down!" Laxus declared as he opened his mouth. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
Naruto was completely surprised by the sight of Laxus using a Dragon Slayer spell. Yet that surprise was nothing in comparison to watching the massive torrent of lightning expel from Laxus' mouth and travel across the distance between the two Fairy Wizard's and their opponent. However, instead of running out of the spell's path Naruto watched in both realization and horror the moment he saw the man lift his hand upwards.
"Rune Magic: Space-Time Barrier." The man mumbled before a massive black magical circle burst to life out of his hand. A magical circle that didn't appear to block Laxus' spell, but instead absorbed it completely.
"What!" Laxus shouted in surprise, while Naruto held a much different reaction. Since he was already looking left and right, but once he looked upwards his eyes went wide.
"Laxus move!" Naruto yelled as he pulled onto the older boy and jumped backwards. Moving within inches to avoid Laxus' attack that had come down from the sky above and struck the ground they were standing on only seconds ago.
"That was my spell just now!"
"Yeah he used an advanced Rune Magic spell to redirect the spell's destination. This is bad Laxus, I need tons of preparation to barely pull that spell off and he did it in reaction to your attack."
"Well we can't exactly run now can we?" Laxus replied in a frustrated voice. "Looks like it's close quarters until we can make a break for it."
"Or I distract him and you escape." Naruto proposed in response.
"Not happening. Now shut your trap and back me up!" Laxus yelled as he dashed forward in a burst of speed.
Naruto, clicking his teeth, dashed after Laxus and followed the boy's lead as they engaged their opponent in a fierce trade off of blows. Yet despite the combined effort of Naruto and Laxus the man with the appearance of Minato Namikaze never buckled or left any room for either boy to capitalize upon.
"This is incredibly boring." The man whispered as he kicked Naruto in the stomach and elbowed Laxus in the face.
Laxus gritting his teeth grabbed Naruto by his shirt and threw him over his shoulder and away from the coming danger. "Don't underestimate us you bastard!" The Dragon Slayer cried out as his entire body began to discharge lightning that actually caught their opponent off guard. Resulting in the man getting momentarily stunned by the electricity that was followed by a swift punch from Laxus.
Naruto watching this display was impressed by the older wizard's quick thinking. However, watching his fellow wizard sparked an idea into Naruto's own head. "Not bad Laxus! But I've got an idea if you can buy me some time!"
"I'll do what I can!" Laxus replied as he was instantly placed on the defensive once again.
Naruto nodded and took a crouched position from behind, his finger already drawing several runes at a remarkable pace. Yet simmering his sword into his free hand, Naruto quickly started drawing runes with one hand and even more runes with his sword in the other. A bead of sweat poured down his face as he could hear the sounds of Laxus fighting along with the evacuation of the civilians around them that was rapidly emptying the streets. However, Naruto kept his entire focus onto his runes, as he needed more and he needed them fast.
"Brat you better do something quick!" Laxus yelled with exhaustion all over his tone.
"Almost done! Cut me a break. I've never done this before." Naruto replied back without even looking up, as he was hyper focused on the runes before him. "This is just as advanced as Space-Time Runes, but takes even more preparation and creativity."
Laxus being punched hard enough to roll over right in front of Naruto's runes. The older of the two gritted his teeth. "Times up. Do something!"
"It's not perfect, but here goes nothing!" Naruto yelled as he stood to his feet and held his left arm out, while touching his middle finger and thumb together. Then by holding his sword in a reversed horizontal grip he shouted out. "Rune Domain: Flying Thunder God!"
Within seconds the runes began to glow yellow before busting outward into a large golden dome that surrounded their current battleground. Something that made Naruto grin like a mad man as he realized he had actually pulled off an extremely high level spell of his own design.
"Alright Laxus." Naruto began as he narrowed his vision onto the figure of his supposed father. "I want you to go all out, you hear me? Use any spell you've got and I'll worry about the rest."
Staggering up to his feet and panting hard, Laxus brought both of his fists up. "I don't know what exactly you did, but I'm gonna trust you."
"So this is your last ditch effort? How meaningless."
Naruto snapping his finger instantly vanished in a flash of golden light and appeared overtop of the man with his sword held high. "Don't be such a cocky asshole!"
The man turning in reaction quickly followed Naruto's movements. "Here I thought you'd be less of a disappointment. You must get that from your mother."
Laxus, taking notice of the distraction caused by Naruto, charged lightning into his hand that quickly took the shape of a massive spear. "Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!" The Dragon Slayer cried as he flung his spell right at the man's exposed backside.
A bored expression covering his face, the man quickly moved to intercept Naruto's sword strike. Using an open palm prepared for blocking any attempt at an attack and moving his free hand to his backside in order ro once again redirect Laxus' attack by calling out. "Rune Magic: Space-Time Barrier."
Naruto watching the black Space-Time barrier burst to life couldn't fight the wild grin from coming across his face. Considering with one small snap of his fingers, Naruto and Laxus' spell instantly swapped places.
Laxus watching in amazement and now understanding what Naruto had done could only watch with a smirk as his spell smacked directly onto its target, while Naruto slipped under the barrier and slashed the look alike of his father from behind.
"Never insult my Mother again!" Naruto shouted in response.
"Not bad brat!" Laxus praised as both of his fists sparked with Lightning Magic. "Switch me in!"
Naruto merely snapping his finger vanished in a flicker of light and was replaced by Laxus. Who instantly brought a double fisted side strike into the man's rib cage. A devastating blow that actually knocked him off balance and sent him rolling onto the ground. Naruto bending down onto the ground scooped some small rocks and rubble into his hand. Then as he watched Laxus rush forward he quickly threw the small projectiles forward.
The warrior from Alvarez using his fast thinking and athletic ability regained his balance and took a defensive stance. His hate filled eyes already locked onto Laxus who was a few feet away, while he made sure to watch Naruto from a distance. Considering he had already figured out how this particular spell worked and knew he just had to keep his eyes on both younger wizards.
"Neat little party trick, but it's only effective if you don't understand the weakness!" The man laughed loudly, as he was unaware of the small pieces of rubble flying by his body.
Naruto snapping his finger instantly swapped places with Laxus and swung his sword in a downward arc. "Now I definitely know you're not my old man!" Naruto yelled as right before he could make contact he snapped his fingers.
The man caught off guard was expecting to either block the strike or see Laxus appear again with a new attack. Yet instead he only saw two rocks where both boys were standing. Making the man come to a realization for too late the moment he felt a sword slash his side and a lightning coated fist smash against his jawline.
"Cause my dad wouldn't be dumb enough to fall for this!" Naruto laughed loudly as he snapped his fingers again.
The man filled with rage and hatred at being compared as inferior to Minato Namikaze quickly recovered and took an angry swing at Naruto. Yet within one snap Naruto was gone and the man felt a slice at his ankle.
Another snap and he took a punch to the kidney.
Two more snaps and he felt a strong punch to the stomach along with the searing jolt of a lightning attack against his backside.
The man stumbling forward heard a fast succession of at least three to four more snaps. Finding himself on the receiving end of several more punches, kicks, sword slashes and magical attacks. Yet this relentless onslaught never stopped as both Naruto and Laxus both kept in perfect sync with each other.
"That's enough!" The man yelled in a display of overwhelming rage, as his blue eyes turned completely black and a dark aura of magic slowly radiated from his body. Giving off a vile and putrid magical signature that caught both Naruto and Laxus off guard. "Dark Magic: Black Hole!"
Naruto, frozen in place, watched as a small condensed black ball of magical energy formed between the man's hands. Then almost instantly his golden dome began to unravel itself and filtered into the man's spell. Erasing Naruto's spell in seconds and leaving him and Laxus both in this fight without their advantage.
"Did he just absorb your spell!" Laxus cried out to Naruto, but didn't have time to get a response as the man held his hands and the orb outward.
"Dark Magic: Void." The man mumbled as the black sphere expanded at a speed that Naruto and Laxus couldn't react to. Let alone escape as the magic engulfed both boys and left them surrounded in an overwhelming darkness.
A darkness that cut off all their senses except for pain, as both boys felt the most intense pain of their lives. Yet the severe pain only lasted for a few seconds, as the spell quickly disappeared, but Naruto and Laxus couldn't handle the backlash of pain. Since even though the spell only lasted a few seconds. To Naruto and Laxus it felt like a lifetime of pain, which caused both boys to topple over and pass out from the shock.
The Emperor who had merely watched the entire ordeal from the side finally walked forward and looked at his subordinate with a neutral expression. The streets had been cleared long ago and now with Naruto and Laxus unconscious. They were the only two standing in what was an intense battleground only moments ago.
"My Emperor." The man began as he placed a hand over his heart and took a knee before the man. "My apologies for not ending this sooner than I should have."
The Emperor waved the man off and looked at Naruto and Laxus, as the wrappings and clothing around their bodies were ripped apart from the battle. Leaving their Fairy Tail guild marks on display for the man, which made him smirk.
"Think nothing of it, Arashi. This was a very entertaining little display and surprisingly beneficial." The Emperor mumbled with a pleased smile as he placed his arms behind his back. "Take them both to the dungeon for interrogation. I want to know why two Fairy Tail wizards are in my kingdom. Even more so, I want to know why Minato's son is here as well."
Arashi nodded and stood to his feet. "Consider it done."
(A few hours later with Naruto)
Slowly opening his eyes and groaning in pain, Naruto's vision adjusted to a dimly lit dungeon cell. Finding that he was alone and chained to the ceiling with his hands suspended over his head and his legs hovering over the floor below. Within the room he found a few lacrima powered lights that illuminated the cell and table to his side. A table that held multiple tools that Naruto could only assume was for torture and interrogation. Yet one thing that did spark concern was that he couldn't find any sign of Laxus.
"This isn't good." Naruto mumbled as he reached for his magic, but instantly found he couldn't harness his power. In fact as Naruto tried to utilize his magic he saw a few runes glow in dark black lettering around his cell. "Powerful Rune Magic made especially for sealing my ability to use magic. That's just perfect."
Pulling on the chains, Naruto found them to be quite sturdy and there was very little opportunity for him to break out of them. So simply swaying back and forth after rattling his chains, Naruto tried to think what he could possibly do next. Yet before he could even gather his thoughts an eerie and familiar voice called out to him.
"Well look who is finally awake."
Naruto glaring through metal bars of his cell locked eyes with the man with the appearance of his father. Who was slightly bandaged from their earlier fight, but overall seemed relatively fine.
"Where is Laxus?" Naruto growled under his breath, as he glared at the man.
Lifting his finger into the air and shaking it at the younger wizard the man smiled wide. "I don't think you grasp the severity of your situation. You're not in the position to be asking questions."
The man opening Naruto's cell with ease showed the blond it wasn't locked. Displaying how confident that he wouldn't escape.
"Like I give a shit bastard!" Naruto yelled back as he pulled on his chains, but stopped the moment a strong punch hit his side. A blow that sent Naruto swaying from side to side and wheezing in pain.
"So rude. Now I know you didn't get that from Minato. Must have been passed down from that whore mother of yours." The man sneered with satisfaction behind his voice.
Spitting at the man, Naruto could only look at the man with hatred. "Go to hell you-." The Ghost of Fairy Tail began before he was silenced by a forceful punch to the stomach that hoisted him into the air.
The man removing his fist after holding Naruto into the air merely cleaned the spit from his face as he watched Naruto bounce from the suspension of the chains.
"Let's try being more civil shall we?" The man began as a twisted smile graced his features. "Let's start with names. You said yours was Naruto when you mistakenly identified me as that traitor Minato. My name is Arashi Namikaze, your father's twin brother."
Naruto's eyes went wide as everything finally clicked together for him. Realizing why Makarov was so against him coming to this nation, as he had to know that his father had ties to this nation. Understanding why this man was so cruel to him and his mother, as his actual father would never disrespect his mother in that way.
"By your surprise I'm only assuming Minato never told you about me or our family. Did he even tell you he was born right here in the Alvarez Empire?"
"Considering first impressions. I'm glad he never did." Naruto replied as his anger and drive for resistance was far from gone.
"Gods you look just like me and your father at that age." Arashi began as he shook his head. "But your personality screams Ur and you called her Milkovich Namikaze? I don't recall that ever being your mother's maiden name."
"What are you talking about?"
"Man your parents really kept a lot from you didn't they? Tell me you were so excited to see me earlier. How long has it been since you've even seen your father? Weeks? Months? Years?"
"I'm not telling you shit!"
"Definitely years." Arashi replied as he walked over to the table to the side of the cell. His attention away from Naruto as he looked over the various tools that were laid out. "I would ask if searching for your father was the reason you were here, but that doesn't explain why a couple of wizards from Ishgar Infiltrated our Empire. So why are you here?"
Naruto remained silent as he knew he had to watch his words very cautiously, as he knew this was an interrogation and he desperately didn't want to slip up. So pulling up a facade of confidence, Naruto smirked.
"So you separated me and Laxus to interrogate us individually huh? Probably trying to see if our stories match up right? Too bad for you that neither of us will break!"
Arashi looked over his shoulder with an emotionless gaze. "There is no need to try and use any type of distraction or psychology on me, nephew. This is merely a formality to validate my own personal vendetta against your father and grandfather."
Naruto, trying to keep his composure, laughed at Arashi's words. "What daddy didn't love you enough growing up?"
"While my father did favor Minato at times during our youth, that's not the man I'm referring to. I'm talking about your grandfather on your mother's side."
"What?"
Arashi laughed at the boy's confusion. "You know so little about your parents it's actually sad. Listen nephew, your little friend already told me everything. He told me about the others here with you along for why you're here. If you cooperate and your story matches up I will tell you everything about your parents I know."
Naruto was in complete disbelief at what he was told and his aura of confidence quickly vanished. Temptations of the truth involving his family instantly clouding his mind and judgment. "Laxus told you everything?"
"Maybe, but your words and body language confirms you two have others with you." Arashi replied with a vile grin as he grabbed a small sphere made of lacrima that held a gastly black glow from his magic. "Search all the beaches that face Ishgar for anyone out of place. Bring me at least one prisoner and kill any others."
"You bastard!" Naruto roared in anger as he pulled on his chains and tried to get closer to the chuckling man.
"And that reaction confirms they were in fact on the beaches. Honestly I'd say I'm disappointed in you nephew, but I am the head of torture and investigation in the Alvarez Empire. You're quite outclassed here."
Naruto's eyes went wide and he balled his fists. He knew what the man was doing, but he still allowed his emotions to get the better of him. Something that pissed Naruto off, as Arashi was just playing with his emotions with ease.
"Well let's move onto the topic of you being here." Arashi began as he held a rod into the air and runes danced across the tool. His face held an expression of excitement as the tool grew red hot and began to hiss from the sudden change of heat. "So tell me nephew. Why are you here when you obviously know nothing about your family's past in these lands?"
Naruto gritted his teeth and weighed his options, as he had been completely out maneuvered so far just from simple conversation. However, now it looked like things were about to get more painful and Naruto didn't know how much abuse he could handle. He was strong after all, but by no means invincible. Still as Naruto thought over his next words he knew one thing. Despite all his hardships and struggles in life he was never one to give up. Something that he wasn't about to start today.
"Well you see I'm on holiday." Naruto replied as he instantly felt searing hot metal against his stomach. Filling Naruto with a severe pain that made him tense his entire body.
Removing the hot iron from Naruto's body, Arashi grinned ear to ear. "That was more satisfying than I care to admit. By all means keep lying to me."
"Have you heard the story about the successful wizard and his second rate twin brother?" Naruto asked as he instantly felt the hot iron hit his skin again, which made the blond seeth in pain. "Not a fan of it?"
"By all means keep this up. It makes breaking you all the more fun." Arashi replied as he ripped Naruto's shirt off, which left nothing on his upper torso besides the necklace around his neck. "If I remember correctly you Ishgar wizards take pride in your guild marks. So let's start here."
Naruto tightened his fists and curled his toes at the burning pain he felt over his guild mark. "If you think that will break me, try again!"
Arashi, removing the tool from Naruto's body, quickly punched the boy in the jaw before slamming the red hot iron back and forth against Naruto's ribs. Making Naruto sway from side to side, which did make the metal cuffs around his wrist that suspended him dig into his skin.
"Well I do love a challenge!"
Naruto, feeling the beating pause for a moment took a second to compose himself by taking a few deep breaths. Wondering just how much longer he could keep this up? Yet to Naruto's horror and Arashi's interest the necklace around Naruto's neck started to glow green.
"Now what do we have here?" Arashi began as he snatched the necklace from Naruto's neck and held it into his free hand. "A lacrima necklace with very small runes for communication? Oh nephew, who do you keep in contact with?"
Summoning every ounce of rage and strength in his body, Naruto jerked his arms downward. Using enough force to make the chains go tense and some rubble from the ceiling fall onto the ground. "Give that back before I kill you!"
"Oh now I'm very invested." Arashi began as he pushed his magic into the crystal and smiled at Naruto with a wicked sense of enjoyment. "Hello there."
"Who is this? Where is Naruto?" Came the instant concerned voice of one Lucy Heartfilia. "Naruto, are you there!?"
Arashi chuckled as he saw the fear behind Naruto's eyes. "Oh he's right here with me! His dear uncle Arashi, but he's far from okay." Arashi then took the hot iron in his hand and jabbed the tool into Naruto's chest, which made Naruto cry out in pain.
Lucy for the first time in over a year heard the voice of her best friend. The person who she adored and missed more than anything, but the pain in his cries filled her with concern. "Naruto what's going on!"
Arashi chuckling removed the tool from Naruto's body and held the necklace in a taunting fashion right in front of Naruto. "Well I'm currently beating and torturing him for fun!"
A gasp from Lucy came through and Naruto's heart broke as he heard the girl he loved cry for him. "Please stop."
"You see there Naruto? That's called manners, you should learn a thing or two from this lovely young lady." Arashi began as he gave Naruto a slight wink. "Tell me sweetheart what is your name and relationship to my beloved nephew?"
"Don't tell him a thing!" Naruto roared loudly as anger was slowly building behind his eyes. "You hear me? Don't say anything to this bastard."
Arashi shaking his head brought the hot metal against Naruto's skin once more. Making sure to hold the necklace very close to Naruto's mouth to ensure Lucy heard his cries of pain.
"Now don't listen to my rebellious little nephew. How about a deal? You start with telling me your name and we can work towards ending Naruto's pain."
"My name is-."
"STOP!" Naruto yelled with exhaustion as he glared at Arashi with nothing besides hatred behind his eyes. "You win. I'll tell you anything you want. Just keep her out of this!"
Arashi tilted his head. "Hmmm I think we are past that point. So how about it girl, what is your name?"
"Lucy Heartfilia." Came the reply that made Naruto's heart sink.
"Lucy Heartfilia huh? Now that's a beautiful name. Tell me nephew, is she a beautiful young woman?"
Shaking in anger, Naruto had never felt so much anger in his entire life. "I'm going to fucking kill you."
"Well that doesn't answer my question! I'll just have to visit her myself! I hope you don't mind."
"Listen, I told you my name! So please let Naruto go!"
Arashi hummed and gave Naruto an eye smile. "About that. I lied!"
"Naruto, where are you? I can hire a wizard guild to come save you!"
Naruto balled his fists and gritted his teeth, as the last thing he ever wanted was to involve Lucy in any sort of way. "Lucy there isn't anything you can do! Just forget about me and move on with your life!
"How noble." Arashi mumbled sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.
Lucy's sobs coming through the lacrima, Naruto felt so much pain on the inside it was miserable. "Please give Naruto back. I don't have anyone else left."
Arashi grinned at Lucy's desperate plea and simply held the necklace up to Naruto's line of sight. Then with little effort he shattered the necklace and allowed it to drop onto the ground.
"Oops."
Naruto looking at the shattered remains of the one thing he had that tethered him to the person he loved felt an overwhelming sense of hate within his body. "I promise you this." Naruto began in a hollow voice as he gazed upwards with a look that was eerily void of any emotion. "It might not be today or even tomorrow, but I will kill you."
Arashi grinned. "Been awhile since someone gave me a look like that. Funny enough it just happened to be your father too, but we are wasting time! I got a couple more hours of free time on my hands!"
(With Laxus)
Sitting cross legged in the middle of a large cell, Laxus was a mix between being pissed and concerned. He was pissed due to his actions that led to the boy being left within a cell in a foreign country, while having nothing besides a dirty bucket as the only thing he had with him. Yet even more so he was concerned for the people he had come on this mission with. Since he had no clue if Evergreen, Freed and Bickslow were okay and had not seen any trace of Naruto.
To make matters worse Laxus found his magic couldn't be utilized due to runes around the cell that canceled out his magic. So escaping his confinement with his magic was definitely out of the question. Especially since the only thing Laxus could see was the steel bar door that sealed him off from the rest of the dungeon.
However, as Laxus looked across his cell door he could see another cell that mirrored his own. Yet the person within the other cell was an older male who appeared in his sixties, but it was hard for Laxus to judge due to his emaciated figure. The man did have long spiky white hair that went down his backside, but his long hair was definitely unkempt and lost a majority of its healthy appearance. Laxus also noticed that he was wearing what was once an elegant dark blue mantle with a matching under shirt and pants. However, time along with dirt and blood had left the man's once commanding attire to nothing more than dirty rags.
Still the most shocking display Laxus observed were the metal spikes that were impaled into the man's body in different non lethal locations. Showing that whoever placed him within this situation wanted him to rot and suffer, but not die.
"Are you alive over there old man?" Laxus called out and waited in silence for a moment, but quickly realized either the man was ignoring him or was actually dead.
"Move her with the other." Came the sound of an unfamiliar voice that reached Laxus' ears.
So slightly preparing himself as he heard the sound of footsteps, Laxus was shocked to his core to find Evergreen being dragged to his cell door by a few soldiers dressed in Alvarez uniforms. From first glance she looked pretty rough, but was definitely alive.
"Evergreen!" Laxus cried out as he stood up, but froze the moment a guard held a knife to her exposed neck.
"Stay back or she dies like the others."
Laxus obeyed and remained still, but his mind was going a million miles a second. Trying to decipher what the man had meant by others. Was Naruto okay? What about Freed and Bickslow? Since Laxus didn't see any sign of his other Fairy Tail wizards. Making the lightning scarred boy sick to his stomach as he thought of the possibilities.
The soldiers opening the door wasted no time throwing Evergreen into the cell before locking the door and walking off. At this moment Laxus rushed to Evergreen's side and cradled the girl into his lap.
"Evergreen are you okay?" Laxus cried as he looked the beaten girl over and got a better assessment on her injuries. He was no healer himself, but even Laxus could tell she was in bad shape.
Keeping her eyes closed, Evergreen groaned in pain. "Laxus? Is that you?"
"Yes it's me! What happened? Where is Freed and Bickslow?"
Evergreen's lips quivering at the question, Laxus could only watch the tears leak out of her eyes and his mind went to the worst possible scenario.
"Please don't tell me they are-." Laxus started but even he found his voice hitching and couldn't finish his words.
Evergreen lifting her eyes open strained to see Laxus without her glasses, but all the same see knew the boy was there and he could hear her. "I'm sorry Laxus we were ambushed and outmatched. Bickslow was the first to go. It happened so quickly. I was going to be next, but Freed."
Laxus watched the girl pause and sob at speaking the boy's name. "You don't have to say anymore."
Evergreen shook her head. "No, I have to tell you how brave he was. When Freed was facing death he didn't run or show any fear. His last words were to escape and make sure you and Menma were safe."
Tears falling out of his eyes for his friends, Laxus held tightly onto Evergreen. "I'm going to avenge them and we are going to survive this Evergreen. I promise you."
"I trust you Laxus." Evergreen mumbled as she slowly nodded off into an unconscious state.
Laxus filled with so much grief and anger could only sit in silence and fight the tears from escaping his eyes. He didn't know what to do next or how he was going to escape, but right now he knew one thing. He wanted nothing more than to be back at Fairy Tail with all his family. A desire he now knew would never be possible, as today was the day he had lost two friends he considered brothers.
(With Naruto)
Beaten, slashed, burned, bruised and bleeding at an alarming rate, Naruto hardly had enough energy to stay conscious let alone move. Yet as two soldiers held his arms and dragged him down a dark dungeon corridor, Naruto glared at the man leading the group. His father's twin and the man Naruto hated more than anyone else. The man who Naruto promised himself if he was to survive that he would kill him. That of course being Arashi Namikaze.
"You're rather quite back there nephew." Arashi chuckled in a happy tone, while glancing over his shoulder. Then as a vile pair of blue eyes met another pair that was filled with nothing besides hatred, Arashi smiled. "Glad to see you're not broken yet!"
If Naruto had the energy he would have probably insulted or threatened the man, but at the moment he was fighting to just stay aware.
Arashi stopping his march at the front of a cell, merely smirked and held his hands behind his back. "Well if it isn't my favorite prisoner! Look what I've found!" The vile man turning to Naruto motioned for the guards to move Naruto closer to the cell. "It's my brother's son."
Naruto peering through the cell saw a man with long spiky white hair. A man whose body was impaled with metal spikes that looked more painful than anything Naruto had endured. A man who surprisingly lifted his head to lock eyes with Naruto.
"Ur's son?" The man asked and slightly impressed Naruto with how his tone sounded. Since he didn't sound weak or defeated, but instead came across as strong and absolute.
Arashi smirked at the man's question. "I believe he mentioned something about your whore daughter being his mother."
The man laughed at the insult. "I'd kill you for those words, but I won't rob the boy of that right." The chained man moving his gaze to Naruto felt a small sensation of pride at seeing the sea of rage and hatred that Naruto was directing at Arashi. "No need to question anything. That boy is strong and is definitely my grandson."
Naruto's eyes went wide as he looked at the man with a whole new perspective. Considering he had never heard of his mother's side of his family much like he had never heard of his father's side. Yet he could at least tell his grandfather was much different than his bastard uncle.
"Well nephew. Meet your mother's Father. The plague of Alvarez and the last of the resistance against our great Emperor. Your Grandfather, Madara Uchiha."
(Chapter End)
So there is another chapter down. I wanted to get it done before Christmas, but that didn't work out. Anyway here is part one of this little mini arc and I hope you enjoyed everything. I placed a lot of work into the fight and other scenes. Next chapter I'll delve more into Naruto's family, but I'm sure by now you can see his family tree coming together.
Well like, favorite and leave a review and have a great rest of the year and stay safe and healthy! Until next time.