A/N: Hello, readers! Another chapter is here!
Enjoy!
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR: GAROU KNIGHTS
The audience cheered as Gray laid defeated. "Julian Nightingale won the showdown!" Chapati announced. "Twilight Phoenix receives precious points here!"
"Go, Julian!" Atugia cheered.
"We're on a roll, and we better stay on it!" Riku claimed.
"Gray was defeated... Just like that?" Macao muttered.
"What is this guild?" Wakaba questioned.
Julian turned around to leave. "That was fun, Gray-san. Thanks for a splendid battle." He said, walking out of the library.
"Julian is pretty serious about this, isn't he?" Ajar noticed.
"It's because they know they can't afford to lose. For the sake of the others who went to rescue Zack. The battle is only getting started." Harumi replied. "Twilight Phoenix will be number one this year."
"Now! Let's take a look at the current score!" Chapati announced as Fairy Tail's guild mark appeared on the Lacrima-Vision. "Fairy Tail is in first place with 50 points! Gray lost, but with the fluctuating points, there are three normals and the leader left."
"Sabertooth is in second with 49 points! There are three normals and the leader left-kabo." Mato continued.
"Tied for second place is Lamia Scale with 49 points. They've got two normals and the leader left." Yajima commented, the Lacrima-Vision showing Jura, Lyon, and Sherria.
"In third place is Twilight Phoenix with 48 points. There are five people left, with the leader and four normals." Chapati announced.
The screen showed Team Twilight Phoenix with Ezekiel being in the center — revealing that he was the leader.
"Mermaid Heel is in fourth place with 43 points. They've got the leader and one normal left." Yajima concluded as Kagura was walking through the streets of Crocus with a determined look.
"Well, Twilight Phoenix may not be in the top spot, but they're getting there." Chapati pointed out.
"And all five members are in good condition." Yajima added.
"Twilight Phoenix has gained the advantage-kabo." Mato commented.
Ezekiel was walking by himself. "Not only Minerva will be at the checkpoint, but Erza will be as well. I prefer to not have to battle her, but it would've happened eventually." He sighed, clenching his katana as he looked at the screen to see Erza. "Sorry, Nee-chan. But just because you're my sister, I won't hold back. I hope you'll do the same."
Minerva smirked. "Is Sabertooth falling apart? Or will you take us to a new level of the strongest guild with your power, Sting? Either way, I'm very curious." She claimed as Sting didn't answer her.
"Lector..." He thinks to himself.
The night before...
Sting was breathing heavily as everyone look in shock at Jiemma being defeated.
"Seriously?!"
"He struck Master!"
"What do we do?!"
"Sting..." Rogue mumbled, still holding onto Frosch. Samir backed up a bit, trembling from what Sting had done.
"S-Sting... You think you'll... get away with this?" Jiemma managed to choke out.
"That's fine. Let's have that mark the end of my father's reign of terror." Minerva walked forward. "Sting, whose power exceeds my father's, is more fit to be the new master."
"You nominate Sting as master?!" Orga exclaimed.
"My lady..." Sting started to say.
"Minerva, you wench, what are you saying...?" Jiemma questioned.
"Silence!" Minerva ordered. "We don't need any losers, right? If we're following your philosophy, Father."
Jiemma gritted his teeth in anger. "Sting, what Akame has and you lack is the power of feelings." Minerva claimed.
"Power of feelings?" Sting repeated.
"Without realizing it, you were influenced by my father. Thinking you don't need comrades... That power is everything... But that's not your true nature. Your feelings for Lector will turn into power." Minerva explained.
"The power of feelings..." Rogue muttered.
"What does that mean?" Frosch asked.
"Sting, you have gained that power. You will even exceed Akame."
"My lady, I can't..." Sting looked down.
"Fear not. Lector is still alive." Minerva revealed as Sting widened his eyes. "In that instant, my magic transported him elsewhere. Just before my father's magic would have disintegrated him."
"Is that true, my lady?!" Sting fell to the ground in relief.
"Lector is alive!" Frosch said as Rogue hugged her.
"Thank you! Thank you, my lady! Bring him back! Thank you so..." Sting sobbed.
"Don't presume too much." Minerva interrupted. "I won't give you Lector until you win the Grand Magic Games."
"What are you saying, my lady?!" Sting exclaimed. "Please! Give him back to me now! Give me Lector back!"
"I'm not like my father. However, Sabertooth should still be the strongest guild in the land. You and Rogue decidedly lost. But with the loss of Lector as well, you gained a new power. One could say you've been reborn. You felt it, didn't you? The strength of your magic as it struck my father... But that isn't enough. You have to demonstrate your newfound power. You must exhibit your power to the public." Minerva ranted before turning her back.
"I hope you harbor no foolish thoughts of trying to defeat me. Remember that Lector's life is in my hands."
Sting stood up. "My lady, if I win, you will return Lector safe and sound?" He asked.
"That's right. All you need do is win. Show me the power of your feelings." Minerva replied.
Sting had a look of determination. "Understood. I swear I'll win." He promised.
"Third place... That's rough." Riku sighed.
"Agreed." Hana said.
"They won one round, we have to keep pushing." Atugia reminded.
Ajar nodded in agreement. "There's still four healthy members of both Fairy Tail and Saber. Not to mention, we have Lyon and Jura to deal with." He added.
"Then the real battle is just beginning, huh?" Riku grinned.
"I'm concerned about the Rescue Team, too." Harumi admitted.
"It is taking some time." Ajar agreed. "So we should probably assume they ran into trouble."
Hell Palace...
"Natsu! Natsu, come on! Wake up!" Lucy was trying to shake Natsu awake.
"He's not even twitching." Wendy muttered.
"Can't your magic do something, Wendy?" Mira asked.
"No. My power isn't strong enough to do anything." Wendy responded, covering her face. "I'm sorry! If only I knew more magic, this wouldn't have happened!"
"It's not your fault!" Lucy reassured. "Come on, Natsu, you're upsetting Wendy!"
"It ain't my fault! I'm so hungry I can't walk another step!" Natsu complained.
"And nothing in here looks the least bit edible." Mira added.
Lily was looking at a human skull. "Will we end up eating... you know?"
"That's scary talk, so stop it!" Lucy scolded.
"Natsu!" Happy called out as him and Carla returned.
"Any luck, Happy?" Natsu questioned.
"No. Even the ceiling is totally sealed off." Happy replied.
"I don't think there is an exit in here." Carla added.
"Dammit! After we walked all the way here!" Natsu complained.
"The hunters have become the hunted, huh?" Mira asked sheepishly.
"Pitiful..." Wendy looked down.
"We've walked for miles. How big is this place?" Lucy wondered.
"I happened to overhear this. The underground area beneath the palace is ten times as wide as the capital, Crocus." Yukino explained.
"I didn't wanna hear that."
"If I'd known this was going to happen, I would've drawn a map on my body." Lily commented.
"Come to think of it, Natsu, what about the tournament?" Lucy asked.
"Juvia took my place." Natsu responded.
"He was all, 'I'm gonna save Lucy!'" Happy teased.
"Yeah, well..." Natsu deadpanned.
"Oh, stop! You're making me feel bashful!" Lucy gushed.
"It's strange. Despite the circumstances, being with all of you makes me feel at ease." Yukino said.
"Maybe that's because you're with friends." Mira told her.
"Friends..." Yukino muttered.
The group soon began walking. "I'll tell you one thing. I didn't forget about you either." Natsu said.
"Oh, you don't have to..." Yukino stated before looking at Akame. "That aside, um, there's something I want to tell you, Akame-sama."
"What is it?" Akame asked.
"While we were in captivity, Zack-sama told me." Yukino started to say as Akame looked at her. "When I was expelled from Sabertooth, you became furious and stormed Crocus Garden."
"Y-Yeah... I remember that." Akame looked away as he was sweating.
"He totally doesn't." Chii said.
"Leave it to Akame to forget thinks quickly." Dusk added.
"Anyway, aren't you with the kingdom's Alpaca Pals or whatever club? Sorry if we got you involved in our trouble." Natsu stated.
"It's Arcadios!" Happy corrected.
"No. I'd always wanted to be in Sabertooth, so I truly was shocked when they kicked me out. Right now, I'm just a provisional member of the Royal Armed Forces." Yukino stated.
"It's also true that she has nowhere to go home to. Both of her parents passed away when she was a child and her big sister went missing." Zack explained.
"I see..." Akame muttered.
"That's why I felt so happy when I heard you fought on my behalf, Akame-sama. Thank you." Yukino thanked.
"Wha...?! I don't need any thanks." Akame said.
"After all, you didn't even remember doing it, right?" Dusk teased.
"Yukino Agria. She's quite a loyal girl." Lily commented.
"You like making those kinds of pronouncements, don't you, Lily?" Happy asked.
"You wanna have a little talk later, huh?" Lily threatened.
"No, I was just kidding. Sorry..." Happy apologized.
"No need to get defensive about it..." Bruno mumbled while sweat dropping.
"Hey, everyone, don't you think she kind of looks like Lisanna?" Mira asked.
"Now that you mention it..." Lucy trailed off.
"Who's Lisanna-sama?" Yukino questioned in confusion.
Mira gave her a close-eyed smile. "She's my little sister."
There was a sudden snap as the ceiling started to crumble, getting everyone's attention. Natsu sniffed the air. "What's this?" He wondered.
"I feel flowing air." Wendy commented.
"Which means..." Lily started to say.
"We'll check it out!" Carla finished, flying next to Lily.
"Maybe a wall crumbled from that shaking?" Lucy guessed.
"This smell... I remember it from somewhere." Natsu stated.
"Everyone! There's a crevice over here! I think we can pass through!" Carla announced.
"Yay! You're my hero, Carla!" Happy exclaimed.
Everyone arrived at the crevice. "It seems more like it's been melted than a natural crevice." Lily pointed out.
"We can just about squeeze through it."
"It is narrow..." Lucy muttered.
"Are you okay, Yukino?" Mira questioned.
"Yes, more or less." Yukino replied.
"You good, Akame?" Dusk asked, looking at him.
"I'm fine." Akame responded.
"You can do it, Natsu!" Happy encouraged.
Wendy and Natsu managed to get out as Wendy fell to the ground and Natsu fell on top of her.
"I'm stuck..." Lucy said.
"You probably gained weight." Natsu bluntly remarked with his arms crossed.
"I don't need your rude comments, just pull me out!" Lucy sweat dropped.
Natsu pulled Lucy out of the crevice as Lucy landed on Natsu's face. "It was accidental!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Everyone, somebody's over there!" Wendy announced.
The group rushed over and saw an unconscious Arcadios. "Arcadios-sama?!" Yukino exclaimed.
"I get it. It was this old man's scent." Natsu commented.
"'Old man' isn't nice!" Lily scolded.
"Hey, are you all right?! Wake up!" Natsu shouted.
"A white knight..." Carla recalled.
"What's he doing here?" Happy asked.
"He was dropped in here like we were." Lucy realized.
"But how did he get those injuries?" Yukino wondered.
Akame kneels down and presses his hand against Arcadios's chest, making a red glow appear. This shocks Wendy. The red glow soon disappears. "His vitals are normal, and his blood is still flowing. He's alive." Akame told the group.
"I know what you're thinking." Chii spoke, getting Wendy's attention. "Akame doesn't have Healing Magic, but his Magic allows him to check the vitals and blood of a person, and he has the ability to turn them back to normal."
"Amazing..." Wendy thinks to herself.
Arcadios opens his eyes as he groans. "Run..." He warned, confusing the group.
"Arcadios-sama, what happened?!" Yukino asked.
"Anyway, I'll heal him." Wendy offered as she went to work healing Arcadios.
"Don't worry about me! Get away from here!" Arcadios ordered.
The group suddenly got attacked as a hole was in the ground. "That's..." Lucy started to say.
"...acid!" Lily concluded.
"The ground is melting!" Carla exclaimed.
"Then that passage was..." Wendy realized, backing up.
"What a haul!"
Everyone flew up into the air, crashing to the ground.
"Ouch..."
"Who the hell are these guys?!" Natsu wondered.
Plants soon sprouted up along with purple paper. "Now what?!" Mira questioned.
"Confetti?" Yukino added.
Two women soon appeared. "Arcadios-sama, is this..." Yukino started to say.
"I told you to get away from here!" Arcadios informed, struggling to get up.
"Old man, do you know these guys?" Natsu asked.
"They're an independant unit that supports the kingdom of Fiore from the shadows. They're the kingdom's strongest executioners. And their name is..." Arcadios began to explain.
"...the Garou Knights. Mission 1500, begin."
All five executioners were shown.
"Executioners?" Natsu quoted.
"The kingdom's strongest?" Lucy added.
"I thought they were an urban legend. They run criminals to ground and execute them. They're the kingdom's execution machine, so to speak. That's the Garou Knights!" Yukino explained.
"It's impossible to get out of this Hell Palace alive because of them!" Arcadios added.
"We are Fiore's independant Garou Knights. And with the special authority granted to us, we will now execute the criminals."
Natsu and Akame soon bursted out laughing. "Hey, Natsu, at a time like this?!" Lucy scolded.
"You too, Akame?!" Dusk added.
"Oh, sorry, but these losers don't look anything like knights!" Natsu stated.
"It's kind of hard to take them seriously when they look like that." Akame agreed.
"Well, true..." Lucy added.
"And their outfits don't match at all..." Wendy pointed out.
"Especially you!" Akame pointed to one of the executioners.
"Normally, knights would all look the same..." Mira stated.
"With armor and a helmet..." Wendy added.
"We've got individual freedom-tai. We're an independant unit that operates undercover. If we wore matching outfits, we'd actually stand out-tai!"
"Did I touch a nerve, headband bastard?" Akame taunted. "Then hurry up and bring it on."
"Hey!" Dusk shouted.
"Talking like that... will make me mad!"
"Don't be fooled by their appearance!" Arcadios warned as everyone looked at him. "The magic they use is designed to kill people!"
"Huh. Magic designed to kill, eh? Perfect! Our way outta here has come strollin' up to us!" Natsu stated.
"That's right. They can tell us where the exit is." Mira claimed.
"And if they refuse, we'll just beat it out of 'em." Akame added.
"Lucy-san and Yukino-san, you don't have your keys, right? Please back away." Wendy told them.
Lucy and Yukino walked away as they supported Arcadios. "It's frustrating just to watch at a time like this." Lucy said.
"Arcadios-sama, this way..." Yukino instructed.
"Happy, Carla, get back." Lily said, stepping forward.
"You too, Bruno and Chii." Jim added, joining Lily's side.
"I'm gonna fight, too!" Happy claimed.
"Better not." Carla said.
Lily shifted into his Battle Form while Jim used his Transformation Magic to grow larger. "Been a while since I've been in battle. My blood is boiling." Lily stated.
"This'll be fun." Jim agreed.
"They intend to have it out with the kingdom's strongest executioners?" Arcadios questioned.
"Everyone, Natsu... Be careful!" Yukino wished them luck.
"To show no fear before the Garou Knights betrays your ignorance, criminal. Return to the earth of the kingdom of Fiore."
"Leave them to us, first."
"Just the two of you?! All right, this'll be a cinch!" Akame grinned.
"Aw, I wanted to go first..."
"That's not fair! I'm gonna get mad!"
"Let's go, Cosmos."
"With our beautiful dance, right, Kamika?"
Kamika blew a piece of red confetti. "Confetti, Red Dance!" She shouted.
"Paper Magic, huh?" Akame questioned, engulfing his hands in red mist. He fired his attack at them, but it had no effect. "What the hell?!"
"Red paper is the god of flames. Scatter!" Kamika shouted.
Akame soon got punched by the flames. "Akame, I'm coming!" Dusk called out. "Star Dragon's Roar!"
Brilliant yellow-white light blasted from Dusk's mouth, destroying the paper. "Nice, Dusk!" Bruno complimented.
"Go!" Chii cheered.
"Guess it can't be helped. Two against two." Akame stated.
"Let's take them out." Dusk said.
"Beautiful..." Cosmos muttered.
"Let's jump in there!" Lily informed.
"Wait. Better leave it to Akame and Dusk, and see what the other side does first." Natsu told him.
"Let's go, Dusk!" Akame took off running.
"Right!" Dusk agreed.
"Blood Dragon's Wing Attack!" Akame attacks Cosmos and Kamika with red mist.
"Hmph! Dragon Slayer Magic, huh?" Kamika questioned.
Dusk appeared behind her as starlight engulfed his fist. "Star Dragon's Slash!" He called out as Kamika blocked his attack.
Akame leaped behind Cosmos. "Look over here!" He shouted as he tried to attack her with a fist covered in red mist, but she ended up blocking it.
"You're not beautiful." Cosmos claimed.
"Huh?"
"I'm getting impatient-tai!"
"Are you playing over there?"
"Star Dragon's Roar!"
"Blood Dragon's Roar!"
Both Dusk and Akame attacked with their breath attacks. "Yes!" Lucy cheered.
"That was a great combo attack!" Yukino complimented.
"Both of them are gone. Vaporized?" Lily asked as Akame and Dusk gave each other a high five.
"No. They're... hiding?" Mira responded.
A plant with red confetti showed when the dust settled. "A bud and red paper..." Dusk muttered.
Akame and Dusk were raised in the air before falling to the ground. The bud opened to reveal Cosmos and Kamika. "Now this is a beautiful combo." Cosmos claimed.
"A fitting punishment for criminals." Kamika added.
"The one with the hat controls plants..." Happy pointed out.
"Paper Magic and Plant Magic?" Carla questioned.
"Even though Akame and Dusk should have the advantage over them..." Chii trailed off.
"My name is Cosmos. You'll be executed shortly, but remember that." Cosmos claimed.
"Red isn't the only kind of confetti I have." Kamika added as yellow confetti appeared.
Everyone shielded their eyes. "I can't see!" Mira exclaimed.
"She can use paper like that, too?!" Lily said.
Dusk easily absorbed the light. "Gotcha." Cosmos muttered as Dusk was raised in the air.
"Dusk!"
Akame was soon attacked by white confetti. "White paper is the god of blizzards!" Kamika stated as Akame easily dodged her attack. However, he soon got raised in the air, joining Dusk.
"Akame!"
"Thank you for the beautiful support, Kamika." Cosmos thanked her.
"Dammit! I can't move!" Akame stated.
"Neither can I!" Dusk said.
"Two criminals have been subdued. Now all I have to do is execute them." Cosmos said as more plants appeared.
"Yuck! What is that?!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Carnivorous plants!" Yukino said.
"Gross!"
"That's no good!" Lily commented.
"Akame, I'll get you free!" Jim shouted.
"Get back! This is just startin' to get interesting!" Akame shouted.
"Say what?! This is no time for that!" Jim scolded.
"Just let me do it myself! Interfere and I'll punch ya!" Akame told him.
"He's just full of bravado, isn't he?" Kamika questioned.
"There's no way they can escape from that position." Cosmos added.
"Dusk! Be sure to dodge!" Akame informed.
"Ready when you are!" Dusk replied.
Akame used his breath attack, destroying the plants that held Dusk. He fell down with his head facing the ground. "Star Dragon's Wing Attack!" He shouted, producing a large stream of starlight and releasing Akame.
"Great! Just what I'd expect from a Dragon Slayer combo play!" Lucy praised.
"Akame and Zack's combo was really something too..." Lily commented.
"...but it looks like these two go well together." Mira concluded.
"Let's go, Akame!" Dusk said.
"Okay, let's finish 'em off all at once!" Akame exclaimed, cracking his knuckles.
Dusk struck at Kamika while Akame struck Cosmos. "There's lots of destruction... As usual." Chii sighed.
"Wow! They're totally in sync!" Happy added.
"What kind of combo can overpower the Garou Knights?!" Arcadios asked.
"The combo of mates, of course. Akame and Dusk are mate bonded. They have a pretty good idea of what the other is thinking." Zack explained as Akame and Dusk smiled at each other before charging forward.
"Mate bonded?" Lucy questioned.
"Yeah. I'm surprised you don't know about it, Lucy. Considering you and Natsu are..."
"We're not like that!" Lucy exclaimed, having an idea of what Zack meant.
Zack chuckled. "Of course. My apologises for assuming." He said.
"They can't let their guards down yet. This isn't the terrible threat of the Garou Knights." Arcadios claimed.
"Knepper, Uosuke..."
The two executioners turned to face their leader. "All right! Sounds like we're gonna get to go to work, too!" Knepper said.
"Those two are coming in! Then so are we!" Mira charged forward with Lily, Jim, Natsu, and Wendy behind her.
"Leave it to me!" Lily claimed.
"Bumper catch-tai!" Uosuke shouted, blowing them away.
Knepper tried to attack Lily and Jim as they dodged it with their weapons. "Hey! I thought it was supposed to be two against two!" Lucy exclaimed.
"I don't remember making that promise." Kamika stated.
"Our purpose is the execution of criminals." Cosmos said.
"We were just playing with you a little!" Uosuke added.
"That was a damn powerful force!"
"We can't let ourselves get close to him!"
Knepper laughed. "Come on! I'll melt you into nothingness!"
"Get your balance, Dusk!" Akame said.
"Got it!"
"Though it was only an instant, you managed to disrupt our beautiful combo.. You'll learn the seriousness of that crime the hard way! Especially the one that's not beautiful!" Cosmos claimed.
"Shut up!" Akame yelled before he got thrown back by a plant.
"Akame!" Dusk called out.
"This is no time for you to be worrying about anyone else." Kamika claimed as Dusk was suddenly looking at his reflection.
"An illusion? If I destroy it all at once... Star Dragon's Roar!" Dusk shouted.
"Beautiful..." Cosmos said as Dusk ended up standing on a plant.
"When did that...?!" Dusk ended up getting closed in the plant.
"Beautiful dancing doll... It's a skeletal flower that blossoms in blood." Cosmos claimed.
"Dusk!" Akame screamed.
A/N: Another chapter is completed!
Thanks for reading!
~ Kaleb.