Chapter 203: Backup Arrives, Fairy Tail's plan of Attack!
"It's about time you guys showed up" stated Dante with a smile as he watched his friends walk towards him. It was the next day and Dante, Lisanna and Juvia were waiting for their backup to arrive. Seeing that more than just team Natsu were present, Dante continued to speak.
"I didn't expect you two to be here as well" stated Dante towards Gajeel and Levy.
"There is no way I am sitting this one out. Jose has a lot to answer for and as a former Phantom Lord member it's only right that I deliver the smack down" responded Gajeel with a smirk. Dante nodded his head in response, it made sense that Gajeel would feel a compulsion to act against the revived Phantom Lord.
"And I still need to get Phantom Lord back for what they did. Remember I never got to fight in the last battle against them" responded Levy in a determined tone. Dante smiled at Levy, agreeing that she deserved to get some closure after what happened to her during the last Phantom Lord attack on Fairy Tail. Gajeel had a guilty look on his face at these words as he remembered the worst version of himself.
"Well, I'm certainly glad you two came along. We are going to need your strength Gajeel, and your brain is going to be hardy to have Levy" responded Dante with a smile. Smiling back at her master, Levy started to speak.
"Hehe I promise I won't let you down master" responded Levy with a smile. Dante nodded his head in response before he directed his attention towards the rest of team Natsu and started to speak.
"So, Master Markov filled you all in on the situation right" asked Dante towards Erza, Gray, Natsu, Wendy, Lucy and the exceeds. Erza nodded her head before she started to speak.
"Yes, we are aware that Jose is back and trying to once again destroy Fairy Tail" responded Erza in her typical serious expression reserved for when she was on the job.
"It looks like a battle took place here recently" stated Gray as he looked around the damaged town. Dante nodded his head as he started to speak.
"Yah yesterday more of Phantom Lord attacked the town. One of their lieutenants even attacked but it was nothing we could not handle" responded Dante with a smile.
"Are you sure master? You look hurt" asked Wendy in a concerned tone. Smiling at Wendy, Dante started to speak.
"I'm sure Wendy. I might be a little sore but I'm fine" responded Dante with a reassuring smile.
"You said you faced one of the lieutenants in battle? What became of the lieutenant after you defeated them" asked Erza in a curious tone.
"That's the crazy thing. It seems that each of the four lieutenants of the new Phantom Lord are not in control of their actions" responded Dante in a steady tone.
"What do you mean master" asked Lucy in a curious tone.
"Well, when I beat the lieutenant yesterday, her name is Yang by the way. When I beat Yang, a dark energy vanished from her body, and she suddenly didn't remember a thing about what she did. According to Yang the last thing she remembered was hanging out with her sister and friends before everything going dark. That was about six months ago" responded Dante. Nodding her head in understanding, Erza started to speak.
"I see, and you believe this means Yang was being controlled" asked Erza in a curious tone.
"I do, Yang doesn't seem like a bad natured person. I don't believe Yang would be capable of being a part of a dark guild. Yang was remorseful of her actions when I told her what she did while under Jose's control" responded Dante in a steady tone.
"So, it's safe to say then the other lieutenants is Yang's sister and friends who are also under the control of Jose" asked Gray. Nodding his head, Dante started to speak.
"Yes, I believe that to be the case as well. Our plan should be to track down the remaining lieutenants and beat them in battle. This should free them from whatever control Jose has over them" responded Dante.
"That's easier said than done master. Do we know where the other lieutenant are" asked Levy in a curious tone.
"This isn't the only town that has been terrorized by the new Phantom Lord. There are three other towns nearby that have been suffering the same fate. I think each lieutenant watches over Phantom Lord's operations in the respective towns. This was the town Yang as assigned to, we should find the others if we go to the other towns" responded Dante. Natsu smiled excitedly at these words as he started to speak.
"Awesome! So, all I have to do is go to one of these towns and I can fight someone strong" responded Natsu in an excited tone.
"More of less yah. I think our best course of action would be to divide and conquer" responded Dante.
"Are you sure master? Shouldn't we all stick together" asked Lucy.
"Normally I would say yes but the other towns are being terrorized as we speak. I don't want the other towns to suffer any longer than they have to. If we split up into teams we can save the remaining three towns as quickly as possible. I also think we should have a team stay behind in this town just to make sure more attacks don't come" responded Dante in a serious tone.
"That sounds reasonable. I imagine once we defeat the rest of the lieutenants, Jose will show his face" responded Erza. Nodding his head in agreement, Dante started to speak.
"Yes I agree. Jose will show himself once we beat his lieutenants. Our first priority should be to save the remaining towns so listen up and I will assign the teams we are splitting up in" responded Dante.
"Wait a minute! Who put you in charge" responded Natsu which caused Erza to hit him over the head.
"Quiet Natsu! It was Master Markov who said Dante was in charge of this job, so listen up" responded Erza.
"Fine, I just better get to fight someone strong" responded Natsu. Smiling at Natsu, Dante started to speak.
"Don't worry about that Natsu. I'm sure you will get plenty of opportunities to prove yourself" responded Dante with a smile. Seeing that everyone's attention was on him, Dante started to speak.
"The first team will consists of Natsu, Gray and Lucy. You three will head towards the southern town and defeat the Phantom Lord members there" stated Dante.
"Wait I have to team up with the ice prick" asked Natsu in an annoyed tone.
"Hey who you calling ice prick, flame brain" asked Gray in an annoyed tone.
"Cut it out you two. We all have a serious job to do. Remember that this is about saving the towns, the controlled lieutenants and the rest of Fairy Tail. If we don't stop Jose then he will attack the guild" responded Dante in a serious tone that made Natsu and Gray stop arguing with each other. Seeing he had their attention again, Dante started to speak.
"You two might not like to hear this but your teamwork together is exceptional. That's why I want you two to be on the same team. Lucy I am depending on you to keep these two in line" responded Dante as he turned his attention to Lucy. Nodding her head, Lucy started to speak.
"You can count on us master" responded Lucy with a smile while Natsu and Gray looked ready to argue Dante's point but thought better about it.
"The next team will consists of Juvia, Levy and Gajeel. Juvia and Gajeel know each other the longest out of everyone else here, your teamwork is great. Levy your brains will come in handy, I'm leaving you in charge of this team. Your job is the head towards the town east of here and take down every dark wizard you see" responded Dante as Gajeel and Juvia nodded their heads in agreement.
The third team will be Erza and I; we will head towards the town west of here" stated Dante as Erza nodded her head in agreement.
"Does this mean you want us to stay behind big brother" asked Lisanna. Nodding his head, Dante started to speak.
"That's right, the last team will consist of you and Wendy. You two will stay behind and watch over this town. Wait for further instructions through communication lacrima" responded Dante.
"But master I want to help" responded Wendy in a pleading tone. Turning his attention towards Wendy, Dante started to speak.
"You are helping Wendy. I need you to watch over this town, it's likely it will be attacked again. Also, I want you to heal Yang, she is resting in town and could use your help" responded Dante with a smile. Wendy looked like she wanted to argue with Dante, seeing this Dante closed the distance between them and continued to speak.
"Wendy I know you want to help but trust me this is the best place for you" responded Dante in a warm tone before he leaned forward and placed a loving kiss on Wendy's lips. Wendy felt her resistance melt away as she returned the loving kiss. After a short moment, Dante leaned back from Wendy as she started to speak.
"Okay master, but if I hear you are in trouble I am going to come running" responded Wendy. Smiling at Wendy, Dante started to speak.
"I think I can handle anything that comes my way, especially with Erza backing me up" responded Dante with a smile. Wendy smiled back at her master, being reassured that Dante would be okay with how strong he was, and that Erza was going to be with him. Turning his attention back towards the entire team, Dante continued to speak.
"Does everyone understand their teams and roles" asked Dante. Everyone nodded their heads before Dante continued to speak.
"Good, then we will move out tomorrow then" responded Dante. Hearing these words, Natsu had an annoyed look on his face as he started to speak.
"What do you mean tomorrow?! I'm ready to fight now" responded Natsu in an annoyed tone.
"No, you will wait until tomorrow Natsu. You guys just spent the day traveling, I want you all to rest so you are in tip top shape for the coming battles. Truth is I could use another day to rest my still sore body from my fight against Yang. If you really want to be productive today then spend this time going over team formations" responded Dante in a tone that told Natsu he wasn't going to argue with him. Seeing that Dante was holding firm, Natsu sighed with defeat as he nodded his head in agreement.
"Fine" responded Natsu in an annoyed tone. Smiling back at Natsu, Dante started to speak.
"Good, I'm glad you see my reasoning. Everyone can break away for now. Spend the day resting or preparing it's up to you" responded Dante before he turned his attention towards Wendy and continued to speak.
"Wendy come with me; I need your healing magic" stated Dante.
"Oh, you want me to heal your injuries master" asked Wendy in a chipper tone. Shaking his head, Dante started to speak.
"Maybe later. First I want you to heal Yang. She is still banged up from our fight. I had to do a lot of damage to her before the spell controlling her broke" responded Dante. Nodding her head in understanding, Wendy followed Dante as he walked towards the cabin Yang was resting in.
"After I heal Yang I want to heal you master. I won't take no for an answer" stated Wendy in a serious tone, knowing that Dante would say he wanted her to save her energy. Smiling at Wendy, Dante started to speak.
"Haha okay Wendy, I'll let you heal me after Yang" responded Dante as they continued to walk towards the cabin. Smiling back at her master, Wendy cuddled into his arm as they continued to walk. Dante was glad to have backup now, the next couple of days was going to be tough and he would need all the help he could get.
End of Chapter 203