A/N : I mean, I couldn't ask for a favor without giving anything in return.. So here's chapter 26 ! And..
Enjoy !
Night had fallen over Magnolia, but one place was still buzzing with activity. Beneath the ground, in a small bunker next to the remnants of the destroyed Fairy Tail guild hall, Natsu and the others were gathered. The cramped space was filled with tension as they organized their counterattack. The plan was simple: get out and demolish NightShade. Nothing more.
Cana shuffled through her cards with practiced ease, her eyes narrowing as she drew each one. Erza sat in a corner, methodically polishing her swords until they gleamed even in the dim bunker light. Wendy sat cross-legged on the floor, her face a mask of concentration as she prepared herself mentally and physically. Gray and Laxus had just returned, their presence adding a tangible electricity to the already charged atmosphere.
Everything was ready. The air was thick with anticipation, the smell of steel and magic mingling in the confined space. As they took their first steps out into the night, however, the plan immediately crumbled. Standing in their path was a group of dark mages, their presence casting long shadows under the moonlit sky.
The Shades were here, waiting for them. At the forefront of the group stood a medium-sized battalion of NightShade mages, each one exuding an aura of menace. But it was the figure slightly behind them that commanded the most attention.
The leader of NightShade, an imposing figure named Obsidian, stood tall and confident, exuding an air of unshakable superiority. His dark armor gleamed malevolently, crafted with jagged edges and obsidian spikes that seemed to swallow the light around them. His piercing silver eyes were cold and calculating, and his long, jet-black hair flowed down his back, giving him an almost regal appearance. A deep scar ran diagonally across his face, a testament to countless battles fought and won.
Obsidian held a staff adorned with dark crystals, each pulsing with a sinister energy. When he spoke, his voice was deep and commanding, carrying a weight that made the Fairy Tail members involuntarily tense.
"So, Fairy Tail finally emerges from its hole," Obsidian sneered, his eyes scanning the group with disdain. "I was beginning to think you had all given up."
Natsu stepped forward, flames already flickering around his fists. "Give up? Not a chance. We're just getting started."
Obsidian chuckled darkly. "Looks like our target is the first to speak." He smirked, his eyes narrowing with malevolent glee.
"Target?" repeated Erza, her eyes widening. "You... You're here for Natsu?"
"Absolutely," Obsidian replied with a cold smile. "We had no quarrel with the rest of you, but someone paid us for an important mission: capture that fire dragon and deliver him. I don't care why they want him or what they're planning. I'm just doing my part of the contract."
"But you're an official guild," Laxus growled, his eyes sparking with fury. "You're not allowed to take on missions like this."
Obsidian's smirk widened. "Oh, my poor boy. If you knew the amount of money they're offering, I promise you would have done the same. So now, Salamander, come to us, or your little friends will end up in the same state as that brat and his cat. What a stupid idea, sleeping on the roof."
Mira's eyes darkened, and she began to swell with dark magic, an aura of raw power radiating from her. "He's talking about Haru and Sora," she growled, her voice a low, dangerous rumble.
Lucy quickly caught her arm, nodding in a calming way. "Mira, please. We need to stay focused," she whispered, her eyes pleading.
Mira took a deep breath, her magic receding slightly, but the fire in her eyes remained. Her gaze still locked on Obsidian, "You won't get away with this," she spat.
Obsidian shrugged nonchalantly, clearly unbothered by the tension. "We shall see about that. Now, enough talk. Let's get this over with."
Natsu stepped forward, his flames roaring to life. "You're not taking me anywhere," he declared, his voice filled with determination. "Fairy Tail doesn't back down."
The battle erupted with a fury that shook the very ground beneath them. Natsu launched himself forward, flames roaring around him as he delivered a powerful punch to the nearest NightShade mage. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" he roared, sending the mage flying backward with a trail of fire.
Gray was right beside him, his hands already forming intricate ice patterns. "Ice-Make: Lance!" he shouted, spears of ice shooting out and pinning several mages to the ground.
Erza, her swords gleaming, charged into the fray with a battle cry. "Requip: Heaven's Wheel Armor!" she summoned a flurry of swords that surrounded her like a deadly halo, slicing through the enemies with ruthless efficiency.
Wendy stood behind, focusing her magic. "Vernier!" she called out, increasing the speed and agility of her comrades. As Natsu and Gray clashed with their opponents, Wendy took a deep breath and unleashed, "Sky Dragon's Roar!" A powerful gust of wind erupted from her mouth, knocking several mages off their feet and sending them crashing into each other.
Laxus, towering and electric, joined the fight with a thunderous roar. "Thunder Dragon's Jaw!" Lightning crackled around his fists as he delivered a crushing blow to a group of mages, the electricity arcing between them and leaving them convulsing on the ground.
Cana, standing back but not idle, threw her magical cards with deadly accuracy. "Exploding Cards!" she cried, each card landing with a burst of energy that sent mages flying. One of her cards exploded near Gray, giving him an opening, "Ice-Make: Geyser!"
Levy, her solid script magic at the ready, wrote symbols in the air that transformed into powerful attacks. "Solid Script: Iron!" Large, metallic letters formed and hurled themselves at the enemies, striking with the force of a hammer. As she fought, she quickly wrote, "Solid Script: Shield!" to protect Cana from a dark mage's attack.
Obsidian watched the chaos with a cold smile, his eyes locking onto Natsu. "You can't protect them all, Salamander," he taunted, raising his staff. With a flourish, he summoned large, glistening crystals from the ground. "Crystal Surge!" he commanded, and sharp crystal spikes shot up from the earth, forcing Natsu to leap aside.
Natsu barely dodged the attack, rolling to the side and launching another fiery assault. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" A torrent of flames surged towards Obsidian, who blocked it with a barrier of shimmering crystals, laughing.
"You'll have to do better than that," Obsidian sneered, retaliating with a wave of razor-sharp crystal shards that flew towards the Fairy Tail mages. "Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!", Laxus intercepted some with a burst of lightning while Erza's swords clashed against the rest, shattering them into glittering fragments.
Mira, still holding back her full power, summoned dark chains that whipped through the air, binding and crushing any mage they caught. "You won't lay a hand on him," she vowed, her voice filled with venom.
Lucy, amidst the chaos, summoned her celestial spirits. "Open, Gate of the Lion! Leo!" Loke appeared in a flash of light, immediately engaging a group of mages with his powerful punches and kicks, coordinating with Gray's ice lances to trap and incapacitate their enemies.
Gajeel and Juvia fought side by side, their attacks perfectly synchronized. "Iron Dragon's Club!" Gajeel roared, swinging a massive iron club that smashed through the ranks of NightShade mages. Juvia, her eyes fierce, followed up with, "Water Slicer!" Sharp blades of water shot from her hands, slicing through the enemies with precision.
"This reminds me..." spat Gajeel.
"Yes, Juvia remembers as well. Phantom Lord attack. But today, we fight for Fairytail !" she added, before sending another powerful water spell towards a group of enemies.
Obsidian's smirk widened as he saw the Fairy Tail mages struggling. "You really thought you could take me down with brute force alone?" he sneered, raising his staff high. The ground beneath him pulsed with an eerie light as the crystals embedded in the earth began to resonate.
"Crystal Dominion!" he shouted, and a wave of crystalline energy surged outward, covering the battlefield in a shimmering web of crystals. Each crystal pulsated with energy, creating an oppressive atmosphere that weighed heavily on the Fairy Tail mages.
Natsu's flames flickered weakly, and Gray's ice began to melt as they tried to cast their spells. "What's happening?!" Gray exclaimed, his hands trembling as he struggled to maintain his magic.
Makarov growled, eyes narrowed. "Where did you get that Magic, Obsidian?"
The shade's leader laughed, a dark, menacing sound. "That came with the mission. Now, nobody can face us," he said, a demonic expression spreading across his face.
Erza tightened her grip on her swords, her gaze unwavering. "We have to find a way to disrupt his control over the crystals," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around her.
Laxus, electricity sparking weakly around him, stepped forward. "Maybe we can't use our full power, but we can still fight smart," he said, his eyes scanning the battlefield for any weaknesses.
Levy, her mind racing, called out, "These crystals seem to be drawing power from the ground. If we can sever their connection to the earth, we might weaken their influence!"
Wendy, despite the oppressive magic, managed to focus enough to cast a supportive spell. "Raise your spirits, everyone! Arms X Vernier!" she chanted, boosting everyone's strength and speed as best she could under the circumstances.
Gajeel and Juvia were relentless, combining their attacks. "Iron Dragon's Club!" Gajeel roared, smashing through the crystal formations. "Water Nebula!" Juvia added, sending torrents of water to flood and weaken the crystal structures. Their combined efforts created cracks in Obsidian's defenses.
Lucy, summoning her celestial spirits, called upon Virgo. "Dig beneath the crystals!" she commanded, and Virgo burrowed underground, disrupting the crystal network from below.
Natsu, despite his weakened state, refused to back down. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" he bellowed, sending a wave of flames towards Obsidian. The attack was weaker than usual, barely singeing Obsidian's cloak. Natsu gritted his teeth, frustration mounting.
"Fairy Law won't work in this field," Makarov muttered, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed the situation.
Obsidian's smirk widened as he raised his staff. The crystals around them began to glow ominously before regenerating every single one on the battlefield, their sharp edges gleaming in the moonlight. "You stupid fairies," he said slowly, his voice dripping with condescension.
"No way," Gray breathed, his ice magic fizzling out as the oppressive power of the crystals weighed down on him again. He glanced around, trying to find a weak spot.
Erza, her swords clashing against the crystal barriers, called out, "We need to find a way to disrupt his control over the crystals!"
Laxus, his lightning sparking weakly, stepped forward, eyes scanning Obsidian's form. "He's drawing power from somewhere. We need to cut him off," he growled, frustration clear in his voice.
Wendy, struggling to keep her supportive spells active, felt the crushing weight of Obsidian's magic pressing down on her. She closed her eyes, focusing on sensing the flow of magical energy. "I-I'll try to sense where the power is coming from!" she exclaimed, though it was a monumental effort.
Obsidian laughed, the sound reverberating through the crystal-laden battlefield. "You'll never find it. My Crystal Dominion is beyond your comprehension!"
Levy, frantically writing in the air, cast "Solid Script: Barrier!" to shield her friends from another barrage of crystal shards. "We need to hold on!" she shouted, glancing at Wendy with concern. "Any luck?"
Wendy, breathing heavily, opened her eyes, the strain evident on her face. "It's... it's coming from..." she trailed off, unable to pinpoint the exact source through the overwhelming power.
Obsidian's grin widened, his confidence unwavering. "Desperation doesn't suit you, Fairy Tail," he taunted, summoning another wave of crystal spikes that shot toward the group.
Erza, switching to her Adamantine Armor, met the spikes head-on. Her muscles strained under the immense force, but she held her ground. "We need to find the source of his power!" she urged.
Gray exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the cold air. "Come on, Gray. Haru's not here. You gotta be the brain. Think," he muttered to himself. He remained still, his eyes darting around as he analyzed the battlefield. Obsidian stood behind his mage army, orchestrating the crystal onslaught with precision.
Gray's mind raced, his teeth gritting in frustration. "What would you do, Haru?" he growled.
"Gray !" he heard, before barely avoiding an incoming attack.
"Move your ass ! Where's that look you had when we talked earlier !" Roared Laxus.
Gray's eyes widened, before turning back, facing NightShade, a smirk on his face. "Thanks Laxus, I nearly forgot about that"
The room was pitch black, a void that swallowed all sense of time and space. Was anyone here? I didn't know. My body was numb, unresponsive, as if it had ceased to exist. I tried to open my eyes, but they refused to obey, leaving me trapped in darkness. My mind, however, was painfully alert, racing with questions and fears. Was I even in a room, or was this some endless abyss?
Desperation clawed at me. I wanted to see, to move, to know what was happening, but it was as if I was locked in place, my consciousness separated from my physical form.
"Haru," a soft voice pierced the silence, gentle yet insistent. I couldn't move, couldn't turn to see where it came from, but it resonated deep within me.
"Haru, my child. It isn't over. Get up, your friends are fighting for you," the voice continued, filled with a mix of urgency and warmth. The darkness around me began to shift, a faint light piercing through the void. It grew steadily, illuminating my surroundings with a soft, ethereal glow.
And suddenly, my eyes fluttered, slowly opening. The dark void gave way to a blurry scene, shapes and colors gradually coming into focus. I was back.
The magic was getting low. It already was, thanks to Obsidian's crystals draining it. Most of the Fairy Tail members were out of breath, panting heavily. They had managed to clear out most of the weaker mages, but Obsidian still stood tall, his presence looming over them.
Gray, slightly injured from his relentless focus on finding an opening, was breathing heavily. "I can't find shit, I don't know what to do," he mumbled, frustration and exhaustion etched on his face.
"Right, I think it's time we end our little show. Stay back, Salamander, and watch me eradicate your little insect friends," Obsidian declared, lifting his staff high. And then it hit. Gray's eyes widened with realization. "THE STAFF!" he yelled to everyone, his voice cutting through the chaos.
But before they could react, Obsidian was already preparing his attack. "Crystal Cataclysm!" he roared, creating a massive crystal above his head. It shimmered ominously, reflecting the fear in their eyes.
"Mavis..." Erza whispered, her voice tinged with despair. Everyone was frozen in place, watching as their impending defeat took shape.
Makarov moved swiftly, stepping in front of everyone. "No way I'm letting you do something like this," he said, gathering both hands together, his expression fierce and unyielding.
"Take this, Fairy Tail!" Obsidian yelled, sending the giant crystal hurtling toward them. The magic emanating from the attack was terrifying, a force of pure destruction. The colossal crystal rushed toward the Fairy Tail members, its sheer size and power casting a shadow of doom.
"Lightning Strike, Kirin!" A voice suddenly pierced through everyone's hesitation.
An impressive and massive lightning bolt came rushing from behind, cleaving through the massive crystal with an electrifying roar. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as the lightning carved a path through the crystal, the battlefield illuminated by the blinding light. Then, with a deafening crack, Obsidian's attack exploded from the inside out, shards of crystal scattering in all directions.
"Take cover!" Erza shouted, and everyone dove for cover, avoiding the deadly rain of crystal shards that showered down. The ground was littered with the remnants of the once-mighty crystal, sparkling fragments catching the light of the moon.
"K-Kirin?" gasped Wendy, her eyes wide with shock.
As the dust settled, the Fairy Tail members looked up to see who had saved them, only to find me, kneeling down, breathing heavily.
"The roof brat? But how can... how did you?" stammered Obsidian, his fury palpable. "I thought you were dead!" he roared, his voice echoing with disbelief.
I tried standing up, my legs trembling, but I steadied myself with a determined grin. "You need more than that to kill me," I said, flashing a defiant smile. "Besides, for someone who hides behind a bunch of crystals, you're nothing but a shiny piece of scrap."
Obsidian's eyes blazed with rage. "You insolent little—"
Before he could add anything, Gray rushed over. "Ice-Make: Ice Bringer!" he yelled, creating a massive ice structure that surged forward, aiming directly at Obsidian. The attack was quickly followed by Natsu and Erza.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu bellowed, his fiery punch smashing into the ice, sending shards and flames hurtling towards Obsidian.
"Requip: Black Wing Armor!" Erza cried, her dark wings unfurling as she charged with her twin swords, striking with incredible speed and precision.
Obsidian barely had time to react as the combined force of ice, fire, and steel descended upon him. He raised his staff, crystals forming a barrier around him, but the sheer power of the combined attacks began to crack his defenses.
"Laxus!" Gray yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Aim for the staff!"
"I know," groaned Laxus, his body crackling with lightning. He focused his energy, eyes locked onto Obsidian's staff. "Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!" he roared, a massive bolt of lightning erupting from his hands and streaking toward Obsidian.
Obsidian, seeing the impending attack, tried to strengthen his crystal barrier around the staff. But the combined might of Fairy Tail was too much. Laxus's lightning bolt shattered through the weakened barrier, striking the staff directly. A shockwave of energy exploded outward, sending Obsidian staggering back, his staff sparking and cracking.
"No! This can't be!" Obsidian screamed, desperately trying to regain control of his crumbling magic.
Natsu walked over to him, crouching, flames literally spilling from his body. "Now, tell me why they wanted me. And you should talk," he menaced, his eyes blazing with fury.
Obsidian, struck with fear and now exposed to Fairy Tail's true power, stammered, "I-I don't know, I swear. It had something to do with Zeref, but that's all I—" Before he could finish, a dark shadow coiled around his throat, silencing him instantly.
Everyone watched in horror as the shadow tightened, choking the life out of Obsidian. In a swift, sinister movement, he was engulfed entirely by the darkness, disappearing without a trace once it vanished.
"W-what the hell just happened?" Wendy asked, her voice trembling with fear.
Makarov stepped forward, his eyes scanning the now-empty spot where Obsidian had been. "Something or someone doesn't want us to know the truth," he said gravely.
"Why would they want Natsu? For something linked with Zeref? This makes no sense," pointed out Erza, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"Can I get a hand here, guys?" I groaned, lying on the ground, my body aching from the ordeal.
Everyone gasped, realizing they had overlooked me in the chaos. They rushed towards me, their faces filled with concern and apologies.
"Mavis, man, you scared the shit out of us," said Gray, helping me back up.
"And once again, our hero Gray is here to help me walk. Seriously, this has to stop," I joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood despite the pain. "Where's Sora?" I hastily asked.
Mira came over, tears of relief glistening in her eyes. "Haru... you're alive."
I managed a tired smile. "Of course I am, what were you thinking? Those bastards took me by surprise. I was sleeping when they attacked. If I was awake, I would've kicked his big crystal ass." I exclaimed, wincing as a sharp pain shot through my body.
Mira laughed through her tears, "Sora is inside, resting. She's perfectly fine, don't worry."
I sighed with deep relief. "Thanks for helping us out, Haru," Natsu said, his voice unusually serious. "I'm not kidding. Gramps was ready to stop that crystal with his bare hands. We all hesitated, and that was a huge fucking mistake." He clenched his fists, the frustration evident in his expression.
"Well, let's say if you didn't heal me up that well, I would still be in my bed. So everything is thanks to you guys," I replied, looking around at my friends, feeling a surge of gratitude.
"Haru," Makarov approached, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. "We need to talk. After you have rested, of course. Levy will be here too," he added, glancing at the bluenette who nodded in agreement.
As I finally reached a chair, I sank into it with a grimace. "Mavis, my body has got to hate me. Feels like a car ran over me every two weeks."
Mira gently stroked my hair, her touch soothing. "I'm so glad you're okay, Haru."
I grinned, "Ya know me, not gonna fall for tha—" My words were cut off by Mira kissing my forehead tenderly. "I'm not going to ask you not to do that again because I know you will. So I'll just make the most of my time with you," she added, pulling me into a tight embrace, her arms careful around my injuries.
I relaxed into her embrace, savoring the warmth and comfort. Before I could say anything, something crashed into my side, ignoring my injuries and earning a loud "OW!" from me.
I looked down to see what had hit me, and there was Sora, her eyes wide and tears streaming down her cheeks. "HARU, WHY WERE YOU LIKE THAT? I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO LEAVE ME," she cried, her voice filled with fear and relief.
I softened, gently lifting her into my arms and pulling her close to Mira and me. "It's all good, Sora. I'm happy you're okay. Open your eyes." At my words, she did, and was met with both Mira's and my smiles.
Sora sniffled, her tears slowing as she looked at us, her small hands gripping my shirt tightly. "Promise you won't leave me," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I promise, Sora. We're a team, and we're not going anywhere."
Mira hugged us both, her warmth enveloping us in a cocoon of love and security.
A/N : I hoped you liked it, let me know ! We'll be diving deeper into Haru's parents next time !
Until then, see ya !
.Ney.