A/N: Episode 165, beginning of Episode 166.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: NIGHTFALL
Reaching up to her neck, Yukino undid the clasp of her white cape, letting it fall to the ground and removed the rest of her clothing. "Yukino..." Frosch muttered.
"Please be quiet, Frosch." Lector said.
Yukino's blue Sabertooth emblem was located on her left waist. "Erase your guild emblem." Jiemma ordered.
"Yes, sir." Yukino spoke quietly, trying to keep herself from sobbing. "I wasn't here long, but thank you for everything."
"Get out of my sight, trash." Jiemma demanded, dismissing her thank you.
Sting, Rogue, Lector, and Frosch were walking in the hallways. "Our master sure does go to extremes, y'know?" Sting said.
"It couldn't be helped. This is why we're the strongest guild." Lector reminded.
"Fro is sad..." Frosch mumbled.
Hearing his Exceed's words, Rogue stopped in his tracks. "Is this what a 'guild' is?" He questioned, making Sting turn around. "Yukino was a comrade."
"She's gone 'cause she's weak. The strongest guild didn't need her, right?" Sting claimed before he continued walking.
"Come to think of it, I hear the lady is replacing Yukino-san." Lector informed.
"Oh! Now that's what I call the strongest five members!" Sting exclaimed.
"Rogue..." Frosch's voice brings the attention of Rogue. "Fro is weak. Is Fro gonna disappear too?"
"You're not going to disappear, Frosch." Rogue promised as he smiled. "Because I'm with you."
Frosch nodded. "Right! Fro's not gonna disappear!"
Sting stopped walking, realizing something. "By the way, Rogue." He called out as Rogue looked at him. "Do you think Lector can stay with you tonight?"
"I don't mind, but why?"
"My boyfriend's dropping in."
Rogue narrowed his eyes. Him nor Lector knew who Sting was dating, or if they were in a guild. All Sting said was that he was a Mage, and that he was 'shy' and didn't want to meet Sting's friends whenever Rogue asked.
But after seeing his reaction to that Samuel boy's battle, Rogue had a pretty good idea why Sting was keeping it a secret.
A tap on his room window got Sting's attention. He shuts the door behind him and walks over, opening the window to reveal Samuel. "Didn't think you would manage to sneak off." Sting said.
Samuel steps into the room, closing the window behind him. "I was at Bar Sun with Natsu-san and the others. I managed to escape then. Laxus-san, Gajeel-san, and Juvia-nee were already at the inn." He explained.
"Lector's staying with Rogue and Frosch." Sting stated. "Nice job with your battle today."
"It was nothing. I'm not nearly as strong as Lyon-nii." Samuel then smirked. "But what was that during the competition? Was I supposed to be impressed by your motion sickness?"
Sting pushed Samuel down on the bed, hovering over him. "Don't even mention that. I'm lucky that my Master gave me another chance."
Samuel chuckled before connecting his lips against Sting's.
Erza was leaning on the balcony, looking down into the buildings below as she thought about her conversation with Millianna. "I never thought a day like this would come... Not true. I don't know what Jellal's thinking... but between that time..." Her thoughts trailed off, remembering Millianna's words.
"I hate Jellal, too..."
"...And that Kagura..." Erza muttered.
"That sword is meant to kill Jellal."
"...how long will it go on?" Erza asked herself.
"What are you doing out here, Erza?"
Erza turned her head to see Gray had joined her. "Gray..." She said before turning back around. "Nothing... Nothing important. Why are you out here alone?"
"Until now, I was in the middle of some tug-of-war between Lyon and Juvia, and I have no idea what it was about." Gray replied.
"You have no idea what it was about? I wasn't there, but even I have a pretty good idea of what the deal was." Erza claimed as Gray just gave her a look. "You must realize by now how Juvia feels about you. Why not give her a clear-cut response?"
Gray didn't respond as he rested his head on the palm of his hand. "Never mind me. When it comes to love and hate, I've got too much baggage of my own to be giving out advice." Erza said.
"Did something happen?" Gray asked, turning to her.
"No." Erza responded. "Besides, that's not all that's on your mind, is there?"
Gray recalls seeing Samuel and Lyon hug after their battle.
"It's about Sam. He struggled a lot during the seven years we were gone. And throughout that time, Lyon became more of an older brother to him than me— his actual older brother." Gray sighs. "I just have to keep reminding myself that he's not the same twelve year old kid that would follow me around everywhere I went, and was always the first one to welcome us back from jobs. He's grown now, and he's an amazing wizard."
Erza smiles at him. "If you're worried that you're being replaced, I don't think you have anything to fear. Samuel still admires you as he did seven years ago. I can tell." She told him.
"It's late. Let's go back to the inn."
In a lit room, Arcadios was in front of a desk. "One girl has ten keys, another girl has two keys... I'll get all 12 keys! Eclipse will work perfectly!" He said to himself.
"Zeref! Zeref! Zeref! Zeref!"
His laugh then echoed throughout the darkened hallway.
Crocus Garden...
Two consecutive blasts were heard, causing Sting to jolt up, moving Samuel's head off his chest in the process, causing him to whine in complaint.
"What the...?!" Sting said before he heard footsteps coming toward his room. Acting quickly, he shoves Samuel off the bed just in time as Rogue barged into his room.
"Intruder!" He announced.
"Sting-kun!" Lector flew in beside Rogue as did Frosch.
"Wait for me, I'll be quick!" Sting told him as Rogue nodded, closing the door.
Samuel groaned as he sat up from the floor. "'No one will walk in on us.', 'Most of the Sabertooth members keep to themselves.' You know, you're so full of shit, Sting." Samuel said.
"Sorry, Sam. About shoving you off the bed. Couldn't risk Rogue seeing you." Sting apologized as he quickly got dressed.
"What was he saying about an intruder?" Samuel questioned.
"Who knows? Stay here, I'll be back." Sting responded as he finished getting dressed. He pecks Samuel on the lips before opening the door, immeditely shutting the door soon after as him and Rogue rushed down the hallway.
"Who the hell is it?!" Sting asked.
"I don't know... but they must not be expecting to leave here alive!" Rogue answered as a member flew into the hallway before crashing in front of them.
More members got thrown back by flames as the intruder was revealed to be Natsu. "Where's..." He started to say.
"...your master?!" He finished, kicking a member in the stomach with his flames and shocking Sting and Rogue.
"Where is he?!"
"You have business with me, kid?" Jiemma questioned, appearing behind a guild member who quickly moved out of the way.
"Are you the master here? I hear you kicked someone out for losin' once?" Natsu chuckled. "That gets me all fired up!"
"Huh?"
"In that case," Natsu punches his fists together, causing flames to appear. "if you lose to me, you're outta this guild!"
"Fairy Tail..." Rufus mumbled under his breath.
"Natsu...san?" Sting questioned.
"You came here to pick a fight with Master?" Orga asked.
"That's suicidal!" Lector whispered.
"Fro thinks so, too..."
"Are you serious, kid?" Jiemma questioned.
"Anybody who doesn't think of their comrades as comrades is on my list!" Natsu declared.
"Is he talking about Yukino?" Rogue wondered.
"That's got nothin' to do with you! Who would storm in here over something like that?!" Sting thinks to himself.
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I suppose you've got your reasons." Jiemma claimed.
"You don't know what I'm talkin' about?!" Natsu repeated.
"Dobengal. Deal with him." Jiemma ordered as a ninja-looking guy appeared next to him.
"Yes, sir!"
"You're avoiding me?" Natsu accused.
"A guild soldier like you needs 100 more years of experience. If you want a shot at the top, you'll have to prove yourself. Show me what you can do." Jiemma said.
Natsu charged forward. "Fight me!"
"You're not getting near the master!" Dobengal said. He reached out to punch Natsu, but he moved out of the way just in time.
"I, Dobengal, am not taking part in the Grand Magic Games," He disappeared and reappeared behind Natsu. "but when it comes to skill, I'm just as strong as any of the participants here. I'm gonna show you the power of Sabertooth!"
Dobengal threw red, blue, and green balls at Natsu. "A smokescreen, huh?" He questioned as Dobengal threw down rays of light, with Natsu dodging them all. Dobengal moved behind Natsu.
"You don't know who you're messing with. You should withdrawl immediately. Get out!" Dobengal ordered as Natsu dodged his attack.
"Outta my way!" Natsu shouted, punching him with a firey fist. "My beef ain't with you!"
Dobengal crashed into the wall behind Sting, shocking him. Dobengal then crashed back on the ground, defeated.
"I don't believe it..."
"Dobengal's down?!"
Frosch and Lector let out a noise of surprise. "He's one of the top ten strongest wizards in our guild!" Lector exclaimed.
Sting stepped forward. "Master, let me..." He started to say as Jiemma held him back with one arm.
"Don't do a thing." Jiemma cuts him off as Natsu charged forward with a flaming fist. "Kid, there aren't any like you in my guild. Amusing."
Natsu sends a flaming punch at Jiemma, who blocks it with his arm. "Is that all... you've got?!" Jiemma challenged, sending Natsu back, who sends a punch to his stomach.
Sting and Rogue stared in shock as Natsu sends another punch to Jiemma's face before punching him repeatedly with his flames. Lightning soon joined with his flames.
"Lightning Flame Dragon's Firing Hammer!" He called out, causing an explosion of lightning to appear outside of the inn.
Most of the dust cleared to reveal Minerva holding up two force-like shields. "Minerva!" Jiemma said.
"My lady!" Sting exclaimed.
The force-like shields soon disappeared around Minerva's hands. "Shall we end this evening's entertainment here?" She questioned.
"Huh?"
"Minerva, I didn't ask you to step in..." Jiemma told her.
"Of course, if this had continued, you would have won, Father." Minerva claimed.
"Father?" Natsu quoted.
"However, the world cares about appearances. Even though this one came here and attacked you, if the master of Sabertooth annihilated a participant in the Grand Magic Games, it would cause difficulty for all of us." Minerva said.
"I'll tell ya one thing... if anybody's gettin' wiped out, it's him!" Natsu informed.
"My father has somewhat warmed to this battle, but cannot back down in front of his subordinates. What do you think? Will you allow us to save face?" Minerva questioned as a multi-colored orb appeared and Happy appeared tied up in her arms. "If you do, I'll return this kitten to you unharmed."
"Happy!" Natsu shouted.
"I'm sorry, Natsu!" Happy cried out.
"Dammit!" Natsu cursed.
"You've incapacitated several of our people, but we're willing to overlook this incident. In exchange, I'm asking you to behave in a mature fashion." Minerva said, rubbing Happy's head.
Natsu grits his teeth before lowering his head in surrender. Minerva soon releases Happy from her grip who runs towards Natsu. "Natsu!" He cried out, running into his arms. "I'm sorry! They caught me at the entrance!"
"It's okay, Happy. It's my fault for leaving you behind." Natsu said.
Happy looks up at him. "Natsu!"
Natsu carries him in his arms. "Let's go." He said.
"Aye!" Happy agreed as Natsu began to leave.
"That kid's got grit." Jiemma commented.
"We'll settle this at the Grand Magic Games. To our hearts' content." Minerva informed, causing Natsu to stop in his tracks.
"We ain't gonna lose to the likes of you. In fact, you won't be able to keep up with us." Natsu claimed, turning around to face them. "If you call yourselves a guild, take care of your comrades. That's all I wanted to say."
Natsu continued leaving the inn as Rogue watched him go before glancing down. "Comrades... We don't have that kind of bond in our guild." He thought.
Sting was gritting his teeth. "Y-You're that strong, Natsu Dragneel?!" He thinks to himself in shock.
"Hey! I'm gonna compete tomorrow! I just can't let him get away with this carnage!" Orga exclaimed.
"You mean you're going to unleash the power of Black Lightning, right?" Rufus asked.
"Certainly, this was rather one-sided carnage, but without something like this, we would've lost our spark." Minerva agreed. "Anyway, we need someone to replace Yukino. I think I'll get in on the fun."
Sting widened his eyes, momentarily distracted from the events. "Right! Sam!" He noted, sneaking away undetected.
"I should've known!"
"Sam, keep your voice down!"
"Sorry, sorry." Samuel apologized as he sighed. Sting had just finished telling him what had happened. "An idiot. He's an idiot. I guess some things never change."
"He came to attack us because of what went down with Yukino." Sting said.
"I figured as much. Natsu-san is the type of person to care for those who aren't in our guild." Samuel stated. "But he has to understand that not all guilds are like Fairy Tail."
His statement caused Sting to be taken aback in which Samuel took notice of. "Sting, I don't agree with Sabertooth's inhumane ways, you know this." He informed as Sting glanced away. "But that doesn't mean I'm saying Natsu-san was in the right either. He shouldn't have attacked Sabertooth's inn like that. He's lucky that your Master's not reporting this to the Games officials to have Fairy Tail be kicked out of the tournament."
Sting falls back down onto the bed tiredly. "Can we just please go back to sleep?" He whined.
Samuel laughs as he kisses the blonde before cuddling up next to him.
"Sounds like a plan."
A/N: Another chapter is done!
Thanks for reading!
~ Kaleb.