(Edited 18/11/18)
(Edited 31/12/20)
(Edited 10/06/22)
(Edited 14/03/24)
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
Galuna, The Island of Demons
***POTD***
It was a crisp, early morning in Magnolia, as Natsu pried himself from bed. He couldn't help but snicker at how clingy Erza was, the scarlet-haired Mage partially drooling she was so out of it.
Making his way downstairs and into the kitchen, he paused.
"I swear, this isn't what it looks like," Elise stressed as Natsu's eyes went from her, to the fridge, before returning to her chocolate covered face.
"If I ignore this… you're volunteering to do all my chores around here for a week."
"I promise," Elise said between several spoons of chocolate spread. "So worth…"
"You also have to explain to Erza why we have no chocolate spread, because I'm not even going to attempt to do that. Anyway, I've got another job from the Council."
"Really," Elise replied, moving over to the sink and washing her face. "What is it?"
"I've got to go to Galuna Island and take out another Demon Of Zeref, Deliora."
"That's the one you guys said killed Gray's family, right?"
"Right."
"Wow, that's kinda crazy you got stuck dealing with another Demon so soon."
"You wanna come?"
"Normally, I'd be completely down to kick the ass of a Demon, but Master Makarov has asked me to do something for him today…"
"Really? What's the old man getting you to do?"
"He wants me to go find these two guys from the Guild who haven't reported back in a bit," Elise replied as she grabbed two photos from the counter and passed them to him.
"Macao and Wakaba? How long have they been missing?"
"About a week now. Apparently, they took a job to go up to the peak of Mount Hakobe and take out twenty Vulcans, so its strange they haven't even reported back for sure."
"Is anyone going with you on that?"
"No, I told Master Makarov that I could handle it myself. We … Makarov confronted me about my service record in the Rune Knights yesterday, while you and Erza were gone."
"Really? How'd it go?"
"He told me the truth about the S Class Mages," Elise replied quietly, surprising Natsu somewhat as his eyes widened ever so slightly. "He asked if I could assist you guys and … kill, if necessary."
"Your service record must have surprised him enough to offer that, you know? From what Gildarts told me, there are often even S Class Mages that don't ever find out the truth about what gets done to safeguard the Guild."
"I don't know what he was thinking, but I accepted. I've already got blood on my hands, and War is in my blood, quite literally. Plus, if you and I are gonna be on the same team going forward, it wouldn't make sense not to agree."
"Fair enough," Natsu replied as he handed the photos of Macao and Wakaba back. "If you ever need to talk because you're not doing so great, Erza and I will always listen. Okay?"
"Okay," Elise replied softly as Natsu pulled her in for a hug, surprising the God Slayer. "O-Oh…"
"What?"
"S-Sorry. I've just never really had one of these moments before," Elise laughed awkwardly. "Also, I'm still sort of covered in chocolate …"
"I'm going to have a shower in a minute anyway, since I have to go grab Gray," came the gentle reply. "Expect more hugs from everyone going forward, you're one of us."
Elise sniffed and hugged him back, burying her face into the crook of his neck.
"Thank you…"
From the stairs, Erza watched the scene and smiled sadly. It was obvious Elise wasn't used to things they all had grown up with like close contact with someone who cares. As she went back upstairs, she internally swore they'd help her grow accustomed to such things, just like they had when they were younger.
After all, that was one of Fairy Tail's best traits.
After several minutes, they broke the hug and Elise stepped back, wiping her face, clearly embarrassed.
"Gods, I'm such a mess. Glad I don't use makeup, or my face would look like an art piece!"
"Don't let Erza or Mira hear you say that," Natsu chuckled as he gave her a gentle nudge on the shoulder. "I've heard those two have … girl's nights."
Elise giggled as Natsu visibly shuddered. It was obvious he wasn't really a fan of girly things, not that he'd be caught dead saying it aloud around Erza or Mira.
"I've never really been big on that stuff either, honestly. I've spent most of my life training, fighting and learning how to survive in the wild thanks to Mother."
"I mean hey, at least it made you strong, right," Natsu grinned as he made his way toward the stairs. "Anyway, I'm gonna go catch that shower now."
"Right," Elise smiled as she saluted mockingly with the spoon. "I'll let you know about how this thing with Macao and Wakaba goes."
"Yeah, fingers crossed everything goes okay," Natsu replied as he made his way upstairs toward the shower.
***POTD***
After an, allegedly, long shower, Natsu picked out a new outfit to wear from their new wardrobe. Looking at himself in the mirror, he couldn't help but agree he looked rather good in the clothes Erza had bought for him.
He wasn't vain by any means, but he certainly thought he looked good.
Natsu wore a pair of navy-blue stonewashed jeans, a black pair of combat boots, a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket that hugged his form nicely. The look was completed as he brought his white scarf out from his Requip Space, smiling at it fondly before wrapping it loosely over his shoulders.
"You still have your scarf," Erza noted as she entered the room, dressed in her usual Heart Kreuz Armor. "I didn't think you still had it?"
"I don't always wear it anymore since it almost got ripped in Scarlione," Natsu replied as he pointed to an expert patch job around a third of the way into the scarf. "It almost gave me a heart attack when it happened."
"Well, it certainly suits the rest of your outfit," Erza nodded in approval. "Now come on, let's get to the Guild Hall and grab Gray."
Natsu nodded as the pair made their way to the Guild. On the way, Natsu and Erza lightly bantered about various topics of little import, more happy to just have a moment to have a chat.
Upon arriving, they quickly found Gray getting stuck into some breakfast Mira had served him, the young man practically salivating at what was on his plate.
"Hey Gray," Natsu grinned as he slid into the seat opposite his position. "How are ya?"
"This seems strangely familiar," the Ice Make Mage replied slowly. "You literally did exactly this the last time you wanted me to help you out…"
"Did I? Well, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"
"Whatever you want, it can wait until after I finish my breakfast, delivered straight from the heaven that is Mira's kitchen."
"Deliora."
Gray froze mid bite, his eyes immediately darting to Natsu's own, all traces of his hunger vanishing as he pushed the plate aside.
"What did you just say?"
"Deliora."
"I heard that," Gray hissed as he leaned forward in his seat. "Why are you saying that thing's name?"
"I know where it is," Natsu replied, the blood draining from Gray's features as he visibly began to sweat. "I promised you I wouldn't fuck you around when it came to Deliora, Gray, just like you promised me about Igneel."
"You actually know where it is…?"
"I do. The Magic Council have tasked me with a Decade Quest to go and take it out."
"Take it out? But Ur froze it, there's no way Deliora can get out of that-?"
"A Dark Guild has taken Deliora from where Ur froze it, and moved it to a place called Galuna Island, off the coast of the Port of Hargeon."
"What," Gray hissed, clearly trying not to lose it with what he just heard. "Are you fucking serious!?"
"Apparently, we have two days before Deliora is completely thawed out, according to Council Scout Teams."
"Natsu-."
"Shut up, let me get to the point before you start your pleading," Natsu huffed, silencing the young man. "You're coming with me, as is Erza. The three of us are gonna go down there and defeat this Dark Guild, as well as Deliora as well."
"Natsu," Gray muttered as he stood up and walked around to his side of the table, dragging him to his feet and bringing him in for a solid hug. "You have NO IDEA just how much this means to me…"
"Believe me, I do," Natsu replied as the pair hugged it out, until Erza's cough startled them both.
"Now kiss each other," the Requip Mage smirked, drawing glares from both of them. "Not at that stage yet? Aww, how cute!"
"Shut up Erza," Natsu replied, a small smirk on his face. "That aside though, we'll leave after you've eaten."
"Thanks guys."
Natsu turned to Erza as Gray started chowing down on his breakfast, the pair walking over to a map that was strung up along the wall next to the job board.
"So, we're headed to this island up here?"
"We'll need to hire a boat to travel there," Erza nodded as she moved to point at something on the map, only to stumble slightly, clutching her head.
"Erza," Natsu gasped as she seemingly fainted, catching her before she could fall.
The sound of multiple other thuds around the Guild Hall, however, surprised him. He gently laid Erza down and moved over toward the bar where Makarov and Gildarts were, the former only somewhat drowsy, and the latter wholly unaffected.
"What's going on, and why aren't either of you worried about this!?"
"I forgot that you didn't know about him," Makarov sighed tiredly. "It isn't an enemy attack, so rest easy."
Both Natsu and Makarov then got up and started swiping free drinks from the bar whilst Mira was knocked out. As they did, the doors to the Guild Hall were gently pushed open, as a robed figure slowly strolled in.
"How intriguing that Fairy Tail's most recent S Class Mage has the power to resist my sleep spell," the robed figure mused. "From one S Class Mage of Fairy Tail to another, its nice to meet you, Natsu."
A Mysterious Robed Wanderer
Master Of Staff Magic
Fairy Tail S Class Mage
Mystogan
"So, you're Mystogan," Natsu mused as the man slowly approached. "Mind explaining to me why you feel it necessary to knock out the entire Guild?"
"The answer is quite simple, Natsu, in that I don't want others knowing of my identity. Nothing more."
"Why?"
"That, I cannot tell you at this time," Mystogan replied softly as Natsu made to retort, only for Makarov to cut him off.
"Drop it Natsu. I have discussed this at length with Mystogan, and have agreed with his reasoning. Rest assured that I know the truth as to why he masks his face, and it is with good reason."
"Fine," Natsu replied with a small huff. "Sorry, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but surely you can see it's a bit strange to knock everyone out every time you show up?"
"Believe me, I'm well aware," Mystogan chuckled lightly. "If it helps, I keep my identity a secret out of necessity, and would rather I didn't have to do this every time?"
"Heh. If that's true, then that actually does help," Natsu replied as Mystogan walked up to the Job Board, grabbing three S Class Jobs and walking back down to Makarov. "I'm taking these three."
"That's fine. I'll have them marked off once Mira wakes up," Makarov nodded as Mystogan handed over three S Class Jobs from his pocket. "All of these completed?"
"Yes Master."
"Good."
"I'm guessing you like to do solo jobs then?"
"They are the most preferable, yes," Mystogan replied as he pocketed the three jobs. "Though, I've partnered up with local Mages from time to time when necessary. Perhaps one day, the two of us could go on a job together?"
"Perhaps we could," Natsu smirked in reply. "But you've got three S Class Jobs that need finishing right now, so it'll have to wait."
"Very true," the robed man replied as he turned and made his way toward the door, before looking over his shoulder. "Congratulations on making S Class by the way."
"Thanks Mystogan. I'll see you around," Natsu replied as the man slowly departed, the Sleep Magic lifting as everyone slowly began to recover. "Just so you two know, I'm taking Gray and Erza with me on the Galuna job today."
"Your insides doing good after that fight with Bluenote," Gildarts asked, prompting Natsu to nod in the affirmative.
"I'm feeling pretty damn good honestly. In fact, I feel stronger than ever!"
"Look at you, acting like a kid again," Gildarts chuckled in response. "Still, that'll serve you well on Galuna I'll bet."
"Make sure to keep an eye on Gray for me," Makarov added quickly. "I want to know how he goes on this job, how he handles himself?"
"Will do gramps," Natsu replied as Erza shakily rose to her feet. "Looks like I'll be heading out soon-."
"Eugh! Fucking Mystogan!"
Looking over in Gray's direction, Natsu couldn't help but laugh at Gray. He'd passed out with his face planted firmly in his breakfast, now completely covered in it.
"Alright, we'll be heading out AFTER Gray cleans up!"
***POTD***
Several hours, and one hot shower, later, the trio arrived at the Port Of Hargeon. Heading down to the docks, they had initially thought the task of finding a boat would be easy. However, after the ninth person refused to take them there, something seemed off.
"This is actually bullshit!"
"Settle down Gray, we'll get to Galuna by nightfall," Natsu replied calmly. "The fact that every single person here is refusing to take us means that there's some kind of Magic at work."
"You think someone has cast some sort of spell on everyone here," Erza asked, intrigued by the theory.
"Not necessarily on the people here, but on Galuna itself."
"That … Actually, that would make sense," Erza muttered quietly. "Even a moderately powerful Repellent Ward would keep these people from wanting to go there…"
"So, if that's the case," Gray sighed as he ran a hand through his hair. "What's the plan?"
"Worst case scenario, we just steal a boat," Natsu shrugged, surprising the pair. "Well, the Magic Council isn't exactly gonna get up us about it, are they? They're the ones that want the job done, so they'll approve of the method, right?"
"Stealing a boat to Galuna won't be necessary, young man," an elderly voice muttered from behind them.
The trio turned around to see an old man, looking to be in his mid-fifties, staring at them from the dock.
"You offering to take us?"
"Perhaps. That entirely depends on what your business upon the island entails, now doesn't it?"
"We've been tasked by the Magic Council to find and destroy a Demon that is being revived on Galuna, as well as defeat the Dark Guild responsible for reviving it."
"I see. So, you all plan to deal with those outsiders that have been causing trouble there? I can take you to Galuna, on one condition…"
"What is it?"
"I am a native of Galuna Island, a scout for my tribe. I came here to seek aid for them, but no one aside from the three of you seem to want to go to the island," the old man replied. "If I take you to the island, I would ask that you help my people?"
"That sounds fair," Natsu nodded in agreement.
"Oh, thank you Wizards, thank you! My Chief has been very concerned about our home, I feared I would never find help!"
"Its alright old timer, we'll do what we can for them."
"Thank you so much. My name is Bobo by the way, Head Scout of my tribe."
"I'm Natsu, that's Erza and Gray," Natsu replied as he shook the man's hand. "We're Mages from the Fairy Tail Guild."
"Come, Fairy Tail Wizards, and board my boat," Bobo replied cheerfully as he motioned the trio over to a modestly sized fishing boat. "The trip will take several hours, so perhaps you would all like to rest up on the way?"
"Sounds like a plan," Natsu replied as the three hopped aboard and went into the small cabin Bobo pointed at.
"We're setting sail! Thank you again for offering to help, kind Fairy Tail Wizards," Bobo cried out joyfully as the boat pulled out of the dock.
"He seems like a nice guy," Natsu said to the pair as they looked out the small window, seeing Galuna Island in the distance. "Let's rest up since we don't know what's coming."
The pair agreed as they all found comfortable positions, taking the brief opportunity afforded to them to rest.
They would most certainly need it.
***POTD***
"So, this is Galuna Island," Natsu mused as Bobo's boat pulled up alongside a shoddy looking dock. "Hey Bobo?"
"Yes?"
"Where is your village from here?"
"If you follow the dirt path from the edge of the dock, it leads straight to my village. The gates will be closed and you'll have to be granted permission to enter. Just tell them that Bobo sent you and they should open up."
"Thanks Bobo," Natsu replied, waving toward the man as the trio started making their way up toward the village.
"So what do you guys think the village wants us to help them with," Gray asked curiously. "He knows we came here to do an S Class Mission, right? Surely, he knows that whatever he wants us to do it'll have to wait until after?"
"Beats me man? Either way, we have to help them out regardless, so who knows what kind of reward we could get in exchange," Natsu replied as they saw the outline of the village up ahead. "Maybe they can even help us with the Deliora job?"
"There's no way a bunch of villagers can help us with a monster like Deliora-!"
"Gray, you idiot," Natsu scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I meant that maybe they can give us an idea of where to find these Dark Mages or Deliora itself?"
"Oh…"
"That's enough bickering for now," Erza chimed in as she nudged Natsu. "That looks like the gate to their village up ahead."
The trio fell silent as they made their way up toward the gates. Before they could reach them, a light was shone upon them, a loud voice booming all around their position.
"Halt outsiders! This place is not for the likes of you," an elderly voice boomed.
"Are you the Chief of the tribe that lives on Galuna," Natsu called out in response.
"Aye! That I am indeed!"
"We're Mages from the Fairy Tail Guild, here to investigate Dark Guild activity on the island," Natsu called out. "A man by the name of Bobo brought us here, and said to mention his name to you!"
"Bobo, you say," the village elder hummed. "Show me your Guild Marks!"
The three revealed their Guild Marks as the elderly man hummed audibly into whatever it was he was using to project his voice. After several moments, the gates slowly began to open as the lights switched off.
As the light died down, the trio were shocked to see a strange, bipedal looking creature hobbling toward them. Gray looked like he was about to attack, but Natsu easily stopped him and moved to stand before the creature.
"Welcome to our village, Mages of Fairy Tail," the small creature said grimly. "I am Moka, Chief of this ailing tribe."
"Greetings, Chief Moka. My name is Natsu, and these two are Erza, and Gray."
"Welcome to our village, Natsu, Erza and Gray, though I wish we could offer you even a drink. Alas, we are on the brink, struggling to survive, all thanks to that damnable Curse!"
"Curse?"
"Aye, the Curse," Moka replied dramatically as he waved his small walking stick around. "Mages of Fairy Tail, I beseech you! Destroy … THE MOON!"
The trio stood in stunned silence for several moments, as Moka remained in his dramatic pose, pointing his small walking stick up at the moon.
"You want us … to destroy the moon?"
"Indeed we do," Moka replied firmly. "For you see, it is the moon which has cursed us to suffer in these horrendous forms! Our flesh has been forcibly warped, twisted and changed into that of Demons!"
"The moon did this?"
"Eh…Well, it was actually the purple light that the moon is projecting down upon Galuna," Moka admitted after several moments. "But the moon is ATTACKING US … SLOWLY!"
"Alright," Natsu sighed. "In order to help, we'll need to look into the source of the purple light first, okay? We can't just … destroy the moon, on a whim."
"That is acceptable," Moka replied immediately, his personality becoming much more docile almost immediately.
"Right… We're just going to head out now," Natsu replied slowly as the trio started walking back toward the beach.
"Can you believe that crackpot," Gray scoffed once they were a considerable distance away from the village. "Who the hell even asks someone to do something like that!?"
"Though Moka's request was … odd, you handled it perfectly in my opinion," Erza said, putting her two cents in.
"Erza, the guy wants us to destroy the moon," Natsu scoffed. "I think I handled it the way almost anyone else would."
"Maybe if Natsu uses that Fire Dragon's Roar attack of his, he could blow it up," Gray joked, eliciting a bout of laughter from the trio.
"Funny you should mention that Gray, because, that may be all it takes to solve the problem?"
"I see you picked up on that too, Natsu?"
"Wait, what did I miss," Gray asked curiously, not sure what Erza and Natsu were getting at.
"Its quite simple Gray," Natsu began as they stopped on the beach and looked up at the sky. "See the purple light?"
"Yeah…?"
"Now, look at where the moon is positioned in the sky right now?"
Gray's eyes narrowed as he looked between the purplish light, and the moon itself. After several seconds, it became painfully apparent what the two S Class Mages were referring to.
"Now that you guys mention it, that light doesn't line up with the moon at all?"
"Which means someone's using a powerful spell here," Natsu nodded as the trio began walking along the beach.
"Could be Deliora doing it, or that Dark Guild the Council mentioned," Gray suggested.
"I doubt it would be Deliora," Erza replied. "If its not free, it wouldn't be able to do anything. The Dark Guild on the other hand, they certainly wouldn't be opposed to doing something like that to a village, would they?"
"Erza's right. That purple light seems to be focused on that mountain over there, so, lets get a move on and find out what's going on here!"
"Natsu's right, we need to get moving."
"Sooner we sort this out, the sooner we can find Deliora!"
"Calm down Gray, we're working on it. For the moment, Deliora isn't going anywhere," Erza replied as the trio broke out into a light jog. "Let's move!"
***POTD***
After a half an hour trek, the trio made it up the mountain, arriving at a large, ancient temple. The purple light seemed to filter down into a central gap in the temple, going inside the mountain itself.
"Well, if this doesn't scream Dark Guild activity, then I don't know what does," Gray muttered quietly.
"Agreed. I can only sense four people inside though," Natsu whispered in response as he sniffed the air. "And… hmm?"
"What is it," Erza asked, noticing the deep frown on the Dragon Slayer's face. "Is something wrong?"
"There's no Dark Magic here…"
"Wait…what?"
"My nose is able to pick up different types of Magic," Natsu explained as he motioned to the purple light. "That's not Dark Magic…"
"Then what is it?"
"Its not a type of Magic that can be cast, but rather, a natural phenomenon."
"Wild Magic," Erza whispered, looking upon the purple light in awe. "I've only ever read about it in books before…"
"I'm so lost," Gray muttered, shaking his head.
"That's alright Gray, you always were the clueless one when it came to anything complex."
The trio froze as someone slowly emerged from a nearby gap in the temple walls. A white-haired young man that bore a cold expression on his face, glared down at Gray.
"No way…"
"Surprised to see me? Can't say I'm surprised … murderer."
"You know this guy," Natsu asked, prompting Gray to slowly nod his head.
"Yeah. Remember what I told you guys years ago, about how Ur had two disciples," Gray asked quietly, prompting both Natsu and Erza to nod. "He's the other one…"
Former Disciple Of Ur
Ice Make Magic User
The Sub-Zero Emperor
Lyon Vastia
"I'm honestly surprised you have the nerve to still call yourself a student of Ur, considering what you did," Lyon sneered down at Gray. "Then again, you always were a fool, weren't you? That's how you killed her, after all-."
"Screw you Lyon! Deliora was the one that killed her, not me!"
"Keep lying to yourself if you must, but we both know the truth. Deep down, you know that you killed her that day, when you foolishly chased after Deliora. Facts are facts, and your stupidity got her killed!"
"Lyon," Gray snarled, clenching his fists, his body visibly shaking from the other man's words.
"I know why you and your friends have come here, and I won't allow any of you to interfere!"
"Wait… Lyon, are you truly involved with freeing Deliora from the Iced Shell!? Are you fucking INSANE man!? Ur would be disgusted with what you're doing right now! You and I both know what the Iced Shell truly is, how can you do this to her-!?"
"I'M DOING THIS TO AVENGE HER," Lyon roared as three other Mages appeared at Lyon's back. "With Sherry, Yuka, and Toby … I can finally put an end to Deliora, once and for all! Just like Ur always wanted!"
"You're insane Lyon! Your little group doesn't stand a chance against Deliora, and you know it-!"
"Oh? And what, yours does," Lyon sneered in response. "Once again, Gray Fullbuster stamps his feet, demanding that everyone concede to his limited viewpoint, ignoring all others, because he knows that he's wrong-!"
"It's not like that-!"
"Then what's it like!? Why do you always think that your way is the only right way, when time and again all you can achieve is failure!? You're a failure, Gray, plain and simple!"
"Look Lyon, I've made tonnes of mistakes in the past," Gray sighed as he took a step forward. "But I've learned from Ur's example, and done all I can to be better! What you're doing will only ruin the very thing she sacrificed herself for-!"
"Stop acting like you care about Ur," Lyon snapped back. "You took her for granted, and ran away with your tail between your legs, forcing her to sacrifice herself-!"
"That's enough," Natsu cut in firmly, surprising Gray, and further angering Lyon.
"And just who do you think you are to barge into this!?"
"For one, I'm Gray's friend," Natsu replied firmly. "That alone already affords me the right to tell you to shut up, doesn't it? However, I'm also someone who has been charged with the job of stopping you lot from reviving that Demon. I can tell already that you lot aren't a Dark Guild, but you still clearly need to be stopped!"
"I agree with Natsu," Erza cut in as she looked over toward Gray. "I know you have a history with this man, but we have a job to do. Stopping Deliora and helping the people of Galuna takes priority over your personal grudge with this man."
"I know," Gray muttered in reply, steeling his features as he looked up at Lyon firmly. "At least let me take on Lyon?"
"You can face him Gray, Erza can take the rest," Natsu replied as he summoned a scarlet-colored Lacrima from his Requip Space. "I'm going on ahead."
"Good idea," Erza nodded in agreement as Natsu handed her the Lacrima. "What's this?"
"Insurance in case Deliora is stronger than anticipated. You know the crown you get with the Armor Of The Brilliant Flame?"
"Yes?"
"You place that Lacrima into the central groove and it will meld into the crown," Natsu replied as he turned to face her. "I hope you don't have to use it though, because you probably won't be able to use it correctly, as well as a few other … side effects. Basically, don't use it unless you absolutely have to, okay?"
"Okay," Erza nodded slowly as she sent the Lacrima off to her Requip Space.
"Good," Natsu nodded as he looked toward Gray. "I trust you to kick that guy's ass Gray."
"Will do Natsu, count on it!"
Grinning, Natsu vanished in a burst of speed, surprising even Erza and Gray, who hadn't expected such speed from him. A loud gasp, followed by shocked cries, had the pair looking back toward Lyon's group.
Lyon was stunned as Yuka collapsed unconscious right next to him, the attacker clearly being Natsu. What worried him was the fact that he couldn't so much as sense a single sliver of his Magical Power.
"Damn pyro, always showing off," Gray smirked as he watched Lyon fall back to the temple. "You gonna be right with these two?"
"I'll be five minutes," came the amused response as Gray ran after Lyon, into the temple.
Looking back to the two remaining Mages, Erza's smile morphed into a deep frown, as she prepared to confront them.
"You think that we're just gonna let you ruin Lyon's plans like this, AWOO," the strange, dog-like human howled as he popped claws from his fingertips.
"That's right! Let's show this one the true power of love," the pink-haired girl agreed as she summons a golem right out of the stone of the temple.
"I would advise that you both stand down immediately," Erza barked as her body was engulfed in a bright, white light. "Requip – Sea Empress Armor!"
"You really think that little light show will be enough to scare us off," the pink-haired girl giggled. "Let's show her the power of love Toby!"
"AWOO! Let's take her down Sherry, for Lyon!"
"That's right Toby," Sherry cooed. "For my darling Lyon! Go on and teach her a lesson!"
The stone golem charged toward Erza, moving to strike her. For her part, Erza seemed wholly unimpressed and merely conjured a sword formed of pure water.
"Sea Empress' Raging Squallstrike!"
Swinging her blade upward, Erza sliced the large stone golem clean in two, with one blow. Sherry and Toby were stunned as Erza then pointed the blade at them, her gaze firm.
"M-My precious golem! H-How did you do that!?"
"This is my Sea Empress Sword; it allows me to slice through things vulnerable to water," Erza explained. "Your golem is made from Earth Magic, and is therefore weak to Water Magic-."
"AWOO! You shouldn't leave your back turned," Toby yelled as he made for the back of Erza's head with his claws.
"Such a fool," Erza sighed as she lazily ducked and kicked Toby in the head sending him flying into the far wall where he was knocked unconscious. "Last chance to surrender, or you can suffer like your friend?"
"You think we'll defy Lyon, after all he's done for us," Sherry hissed. "Think again, Fairy! Lyon is counting on us to stall you, and we'll do what we can to make sure he achieves his goal!"
"Fool. Don't say I didn't give you a choice," Erza huffed as she dashed forward and slashed Sherry across the torso, lightly cutting her before smacking her in the back of the head with the pommel of her blade, knocking her out.
With a sigh, she caught Sherry and placed her down on the ground in a gentle manner. It was obvious that these were no Dark Mages. Rather, they were clearly a group of regular Mages who held a grudge against Deliora itself.
"Now that they're knocked out, I can go assist Gray," Erza sighed as she Requipped back into her regular Armor and rushed toward the temple.
***POTD***
"Lyon," Gray shouted, chasing the young man through the ancient temple. "Lyon!"
"You're a fool if you think pursuing me will change anything," Lyon snapped back, skidding to a stop near a wooden platform. "I've come too far to back down now!"
"Its not too late," Gray replied sharply, entering an offensive stance as a dark-blue colored Magic Circle appeared in front of him. "If you aren't gonna listen to reason, I'll just have to knock some into you!"
"You fool! You actually think you stand a chance against me," Lyon sneered as he held his right hand outward, a slightly smaller cyan-colored Magic Circle appearing. "My power is, and always has been, wholly superior to yours!"
"Ice Make – Freeze Lancer!"
"Ice Make – Eagles!"
Lyon fired out a volley of cyan-colored eagles made from ice, as Gray fired a single, large, lance made of a deep blue ice. Lyon's confidence was shaken as Gray's attack effortlessly smashed through his own, forcing him to dodge.
"A mere fluke!"
"I don't think so," Gray huffed as he fired a volley of shards in Lyon's direction. "Ice Make – Arrows!"
"Ice Make – Wall!"
A large, cyan colored wall made from solid ice, erupted in front of Lyon, blocking the attack. Before Gray had a chance to react, he suddenly was struck from the side, flying into the nearby wall.
"Like I said, a mere fluke! My form of Ice Make Magic is, and always has been, far superior to yours!"
Gray slowly got to his feet, clutching his ribs. "Pretty sure Ur taught us that using Ice Make Magic with one hand weakens it, but whatever…"
"Stop delaying the inevitable and submit," Lyon sneered as he conjured a whole bunch of Ice Make constructs. "Deliora shall be revived, and I shall have my revenge!"
"You always were an arrogant bastard," Gray huffed as he placed a hand on the wall near him for support. "Ur was more powerful than the two of us now, combined! If she couldn't do anything to stop Deliora, you alone won't stand a chance-!"
"You're wrong! I've long since surpassed her," Lyon snapped harshly, bringing a grimace to Gray's features at the near psychotic look on Lyon's face. "Ur was strong, but she wasn't all that strong in the grand scheme of things. The Iced Shell was a trump card, one that cost her everything!"
"If Ur could see you now, see what you've become … I think she'd be ashamed," Gray panted as the ice constructs slowly advanced toward him. "Ur was far better than either of us … and we didn't deserve her!"
"As if you have the right to speak of her, after your cowardice got her killed," Lyon sneered as Gray was snatched up by an ice construct in the form of a giant ape. "You don't deserve to live, Gray. I'm going to take my revenge out on you as well…"
"Lyon," Gray muttered, searching the young man's eyes for even a shred of the boy he once knew.
"You won't find what you're looking for, Gray. The old Lyon died when Ur did."
"If that's true, then I guess I've only got one option," Gray sighed as he suddenly broke out of the ice construct's grasp, shattering its hand as he dropped down to one knee. "If this is how its gotta be … then I'll gladly do this!"
Crossing his arms out in front of him in a cross formation, Lyon froze, the blood draining from his face.
"No…No, you can't…"
"Try me," Gray replied sharply as the temperature in the area started to drop dramatically. "I won't let Deliora go free, even if it means my life!"
"You know the consequences of using that spell," Lyon said through grit teeth. "If you deploy the Iced Shell, its suicide!"
"A fitting end to a coward like me, wouldn't you agree," Gray grinned as Lyon's constructs started falling apart. "If this is how I am to atone for what I did, then so be it!"
"Gray, stop," Lyon cried out shakily, now fearful of the young man before him. "YOU CAN'T-!"
"Goodbye… Lyon," Gray muttered as he felt the Magic begin to take hold, only to suddenly have his head smashed into the floor, breaking his concentration and ending the spell.
"What," Gray gasped, his face now bloody as he looked up to see Natsu towering over him, a disappointed look on his face.
"You won't last long in S Class if you feel like you need to pull off suicidal plays like that, Gray," Natsu sighed, shaking his head.
"What are you doing!? I need to stop Lyon, right now!"
"Gray, did you already forget the mission?"
"We're meant to stop Deliora," Gray replied, only for Natsu to shake his head.
"No, it wasn't to stop Deliora. It was to EXTERMINATE Deliora. You really must've gotten knocked around quite a bit, huh?"
"If that is truly your goal, then why fight us," Lyon asked, clearly confused.
"Simple. The four of you are actively trying to bring back one of the most destructive Demons Of Zeref that plagued Fiore for years, until Ur put it on ice. That alone makes you our enemy, since you're only creating a problem, instead of finding a better solution."
"But that's-." Lyon barely had time to react as Natsu punched him in the face and sent him into a nearby wall.
"That," Natsu huffed. "Is for trying to emotionally mess with my friend."
"Natsu," Gray whispered, gritting his teeth as he dropped down on one knee. "I'm sorry…"
"Don't be. You were willing to put your life on the line for what you believe in," Natsu replied gently as he knelt down next to Gray. "You believe in Ur and her teachings, and were willing to die to defend them. I can't fault you for that."
"Damn it," Gray sniffed, his eyes watering slightly as Natsu placed a hand on his shoulder. "Where the hell do you get off acting all wise like that man…?"
"Experience," Natsu chuckled as he gently gave Gray a pat on the back. "I'm going on ahead, since I can smell a fifth person inside this place. You stay here with this idiot, make sure he doesn't do anything stupid?"
"I doubt he's getting up anytime soon," Gray replied as he looked over at Lyon who was knocked out cold. "Good luck Natsu."
Natsu nodded as he advanced forward into the chamber ahead, bracing himself for the worst.
***POTD***
After several minutes of walking, Natsu arrived in a massive open chamber, finding himself ankle deep in water. Looking around, it didn't take him long to see the towering, yet frozen, form of the Demon Deliora.
"So, this is the Demon Deliora," Natsu mused. "I can see why Gray feared it so much…"
Sniffing the air, he began looking around the cave for any sign of the fifth person, eventually locking onto a small rock outcropping high in the cave. As soon as he figured it out, a familiar figure shimmered into view.
"I'm impressed. The rumors say that your nose can track almost anything, Natsu Dragneel," feminine figure purred as she slowly floated down to ground level. "I was even putting effort into concealing my presence too, I'm almost offended at how easily you found me!"
"Why am I not surprised," Natsu muttered as the woman touched down. "I've had my suspicions about you, ever since I've seen how you interact with Siegrain, but now I know the truth…"
Member Of The Magic Council
The Time Wizard
Ultear Milkovitch
"You suspect Lord Siegrain as well, then," Ultear asked curiously as she slowly strode toward the frozen form of Deliora. "I take it, based on your suspicions, you learned more whilst on the Valtheim job?"
"Hogg was rather forthcoming, before I killed him," Natsu replied cautiously, eliciting a soft giggle from the beautiful Councillor. "To be fair though, I never trusted Siegrain, since he looks just like Jellal Fernandes."
"A wise choice. I must say, Gran Doma certainly has underestimated you, Natsu Dragneel," Ultear purred as she ran a hand gently across the frozen surface of Deliora. "He thinks that you're little more than a mindless weapon. Something that the Council can point at problems and destroy them. Even Lord Siegrain, I don't think, quite fully understands you…"
"Based on the way you just said that, I take it that you and Siegrain aren't entirely on the same page?"
"Tsk. That would be telling, now wouldn't it," Ultear replied playfully. "Tell me Natsu, what do you know of Deliora? Truly?"
"I know that it is one of the more powerful Demons from the Books Of Zeref that was unleashed by a Dark Guild around twenty years ago. I know that Gray's Master, Ur, sacrificed her life to seal it within this icy prison," Natsu replied, noticing the ever so slight tensing of Ultear's eyes at the mention of Ur.
"Correct. The Demon Of Destruction, Deliora, slumbering away within an icy tomb. By now, its body would have decayed rapidly within, its life all but snuffed out."
"Then why manipulate these fools into going through with this convoluted plan to thaw the ice Ur sealed it away with?"
"You are a Dragon Slayer, meaning that you are much more sensitive to Magical Power shifts than most. Take a handful of the water at your feet, and drink it," Ultear suggested. "If you do, you'll understand exactly why I'm doing what I'm doing?"
Natsu narrowed his eyes, and cautiously crouched down, scooping up some of the runoff from the melting ice prison. Sniffing it, he couldn't sense any poisons or Magical tampering, and so, he drank.
Almost immediately, his eyes widened. He felt his Magical Core hum appreciatively as he drank, feeling it eagerly accept the water and expand ever so slightly.
"What…"
"The runoff from the ice contains Ur's power, in raw liquid form," Ultear explained. It is unlike anything else I've ever seen, and can be safely consumed, unlike raw Ethernano."
"So, you're harvesting Ur's power?"
"Partially," Ultear smirked as she summoned a small, crystal ball from somewhere. "You see, I've already collected all the runoff I need from Ur, which means that now, the rest can be used for another purpose…"
"What are you planning on doing Ultear," Natsu asked slowly. "What's that crystal ball for?"
"Within this tomb, and this cave, is the last remnants of Ur, and the sheer will of the Demon Deliora. Let me pose you a question, Natsu?"
"What question," Natsu asked as the crystal ball flew up above Deliora's frozen form and began to spin rapidly, shining a bright golden color. "Ultear!"
"What do you think will happen now, if I wind the clock back on Deliora, now that it is almost entirely thawed out?"
The runoff around Natsu was suddenly picked up and dragged toward Deliora's form, as Ultear smirked, slowly fading away. Natsu grit his teeth as the entire cave began rumbling violently.
"Ultear! What the hell have you done!?"
"There is one, ironclad rule that all Time Mages must follow," Ultear's voice boomed throughout the cave. "We are unable to rewind Time within local Reality. However, Time can indeed be rewritten on a specific object, and any objects associated within that object, without consequence!"
"Damn it Ultear, we can destroy Deliora now! Why would you bring it back as it once was!?"
"A favor for a friend … Jellal."
"Fuck…"
Natsu grit his teeth as Deliora started to emerge from the ice, the chamber rattling violently as the roof slowly started to cave in. Stumbling forward slightly, he was surprised to see the naked form of a woman fall from where Deliora's chest was located.
Rushing forward, he leapt up and caught the unconscious woman, quickly landing and retreating back to the far end of the cave where he set her down gently. The woman didn't take long to come to, her eyes fluttering open and meeting his own, before looking slightly to his right and seeing Deliora emerging from the ice.
"What…What happened," the woman mumbled as she held the right side of her head. "Argh! My head feels like I just got fucking run over by a train!"
"Be grateful its only that bad, considering you were a lake sized ice cube five minutes ago," Natsu replied as the woman looked back in his direction.
"Who are you…?"
"My name is Natsu, and I think you're Gray's Master, right," Natsu asked, the woman's eyes widening as memories began to flood back to her.
"Yeah…Oh my God," Ur gasped as she tried to stand, only to fall into Natsu. "Shit-!"
A Master Of Ice Make Magic
The Master Of Gray And Lyon
Grand Wizard
Ur
"My body feels … weak, and different," the Ice Make Mage hissed. "What the hell happened here, and did you mention Gray?"
"One thing at a time," Natsu replied as he picked her up bridal style, and began sprinting to the mouth of the cave as the Demon Deliora fully broke out. "I need to get you somewhere safe so I can fight that damn thing!"
"Fight it!? Do you have any idea what you're saying," Ur shouted as Deliora punched a massive hole into the mountain, leaping out the side and into the forest below. "Damn it!"
"Relax," Natsu huffed as they made it outside where Erza and Gray were waiting, along with the unconscious forms of Lyon and his allies.
"Natsu, what the hell happened!?"
"Nah, fuck that Erza," Gray gasped as his eyes locked onto Ur. "WHAT KINDA FUCKED UP LUCK DID YOU GET TO PULL THIS OFF!?"
"Gray!? Is that really you," Ur gasped as Natsu gently placed her down onto the ground in a sitting position. "You're…You're all grown up now? And is that Lyon over there!?"
"It's a very long story Ur," Gray sniffed as he knelt down next to his Master. "Probably better to tell it once we stop Deliora … and you've got clothes?"
"Here, these are the only spare clothes I have on me," Natsu cut in as he passed them to Ur. "Erza, Gray, I need you to get these guys back to that tribal village and let them know what's going on here?"
"You got it Natsu," Gray replied as he used his Ice Make Magic to freeze Lyon and his friends, before making a pathway for the frozen forms to travel along.
"You've gotten quite good Gray, nice work," Ur noted before turning to face Natsu. "Are you seriously about to go face Deliora by yourself?"
"Only until Gray and Erza get all of you back to the nearby village, then they'll join me," Natsu replied. "I'll be fine."
"But-!"
"Ur," Gray cut in as Natsu started walking toward the edge of the temple platform. "Natsu's a Grand Wizard, he'll be fine."
"Seriously," Ur gasped as she suddenly felt Natsu's Magical Power spike. "What-!?"
"Flame Drive!"
The trio watched as Natsu quickly transformed into the same, semi-draconian form he fought Lullaby with. The only difference this time, however, was that he seemed to slip into it much easier, and appeared much calmer than before.
"Oh yeah, that's the stuff," Natsu smirked as he flared his power, blowing all of them back and drawing Deliora's attention in their direction. "Alright you guys, get going!"
Deliora roared and changed its direction from the ocean, and back toward where the group was. As it charged, Natsu leapt off of the platform and into the forest, touching down and setting a circular area of the forest alight before shooting off toward the Demon.
Deliora roared and opened its maw, a massive blast of Dark Magic forming in its mouth, as Natsu launched himself up at it.
"Hey, Deliora," Natsu snapped as he appeared right underneath the Demon's maw. "Fire Dragon King's Quaking Demolition Fist!"
Deliora was slugged in the chin, its entire body knocked backward as it fired its attack. A massive blast was fired directly up at the sky, which promptly shattered an invisible dome of Magic that had been erected around the island.
"That solves that problem," Natsu grinned as he landed before the Demon, who quickly recovered. "Now then, time to take this big bastard down for good!"
Igniting both his fists, Natsu grinned and charged toward Deliora, who roared and cocked back his own right fist, coating it with Dark Magic as the pair began their battle. The quest to eliminate Deliora, entering its final phase.