Huntresses of Fairy Tail
"I should have known." Makarov said. "This is all your doing, isn't is Laxus?"
"Freed and Bickslow are here as well." Grey said, spotting the other two members of the Thunder Legion.
"What the hell do you all think you're doing?" Seras questioned.
"Come on, let's have some fun." Laxus said.
"Laxus, Ruby and her team were all supposed to be participating in the pageant, but they aren't up there with the others who were petrified!" Raion growled, his body trembling with anger. "Where are they?"
"They're safe, for now that is." Laxus chuckled. "We nabbed them before the pageant began, so their location is something only the Thunder Legion is aware of. Play nice, and you'll get them back."
"I've had about enough of your nonsense. Don't go joking around, with the safety of your fellow Guild Mates!" Makarov stated.
"Oh it's no joke, that Beacon Team is completely out of harms way, an' they won't get caught in the crossfires of any battle. They're nothing but lawn statues at this point, so it would be a shame, if something bad were to happen to any of them, and turn those girls into gravel." Laxus stated.
"That's enough. Turn every one of the petrified girls back at once, including Team RWBY, or else!" Makarov stated.
"You'd better play nice if you want these ladies to join the parade." Laxus stated, as a thunderbolt began to form over Erza.
"No stop." Makarov called out, as the thunderbolt struck the stage in front of the petrified redhead.
"Erza." Seras gasped.
"In other words, I'm taking all of them hostage!" Laxus said. "Break the rules, and I'll shatter these chicks one by one. Or I could just smash them all right now!"
"I'm not amused Laxus, stop fooling around!" Makarov said.
"I'm serious old man!" Laxus said as Freed came to his side.
"I've always wondered who was the strongest in the guild. Now it's time to find out!" Freed said.
"Yeah, let's have some fun!" Bickslow stated.
"Laxus, that's him?" Kali asked.
"Hmm? Do I know you?" Laxus asked.
"You wouldn't remember me, since you were really little, but after Ivan started neglecting you, after your mothers passing, I took care of you." Kali said.
"She left the guild sometime after your first birthday." Makarov said. "Your first words even warmed my heart, because you called her, Mama."
"Sentimental old fool as always." Laxus sighed. "But I guess I remember you from some old photos I found. As a sign of respect to you for taking care of me, I'll allow you to leave, before things get too out of hand."
Laxus was instantly on his guard, and crossed his arms, bracing himself as Raion's fist collided with his crossed limbs.
"It's too late for that Laxus." Raion growled, sparks of black and gold electricity flying around them. "It's already gotten out of hand, because her daughter is a member of Team RWBY!"
"I see." Laxus said, in a low tone, before pushing back against Raion, creating an opening he took advantage of, and quickly hit the hybrid with a roundhouse kick, that sent him flying into the seats. "Pathetic, you really have gotten weaker. An' the old man chose you, to be his successor when he retires? Don't make me laugh."
"Stop this at once Laxus!" Seras said, coming to Raion's side, and helping him sit up.
"There's only one rule." Laxus stated. "Whoever's left standing in the end, is the winner. It's a Fairy Tail Battle Royale."
"Nice and simple. That's just how I like it." Natsu smirked. "I'm fired up now."
"Glad you could see it my way. If nothing else, at least you got the right attitude." Laxus smiled.
"Natsu." Makarov said in a warning tone.
"Have you already forgotten how badly he beat you the last time you guys went at it?" Warren questioned.
"I was just a kid back then." Natsu argued.
"What do you mean? That was last year." Warren shouted.
"Yeah, but since then, I've become a man, who protects his family." Natsu shouted pulling back his fist covered in flames as he leaped through the air, heading straight for Laxus.
"On the other hand I think that attitude of yours is gonna get you into a world of hurt." Laxus smirked. "Why don't ya sit back down?" He shouted hitting the pinket with a lightning bolt, frying him to a crisp.
"Natsu." Grey shouted.
"I told you so." Warren deadpanned.
"He's no man." Elfman declared.
"Poor guy, he was finally feeling better too." Happy sighed as Natsu landed on the ground.
"Naturally if you want me to turn the girls back to normal, you're going to have to defeat us first." Evergreen stated.
"This is insane, even for you Laxus." Raion growled from where he sat.
"But those odds aren't bad. There's four of us and like a hundred of you guys." Bickslow smirked with a laugh.
"Lots of you. Lots of you." The dolls behind him chanted.
"You have three hours and not a second more." Evergreen smiled. "After that, these pretty statues of your will be reduced to dust."
"You kiddin' me?" Macao questioned.
"All of Magnolia will serve as the battlefield. The fight will begin when, and if, you can find us." Laxus exclaimed.
"Laxus how could you?" Makarov questioned. "I won't stand for this." He shouted his body growing with his Titan's Wrath magic.
"Now, now, simmer down, old man. It's all part of the festival right? It'll be fun." Laxus shouted with a mad smile on his face as he let of a flash of lightning. "Let the battle of Fairy Tail, begin." The lightning grew and enveloped the four on stage, before exploding into a bright light, blinding everyone for a moment, before it vanished, showing those within it were gone.
"He disappeared." Alzack exclaimed.
"So it's high stakes hide and seek huh?" Macao asked, not sounding amused at all.
"Let's go!" Elfman said.
As Elfman said that, the entire guild ran out the door, leaving only Natsu, Raion, Seras, Ghira, Kali, Grey, and Makarov with the statues.
"We should get going to." Makarov said, returning to his normal size.
"Hold on." Raion said, getting to his feet. "Nobody touches Laxus. He's mine to deal with, and mine alone."
"Are you sure? He just kicked your ass like it was nothing." Grey said.
"Oh trust me. He hasn't even begun to see what I'm truly capable of when I'm pissed." Raion growled, his tail flicking about in anger, as his eyes were glowing red.
"The PA system's been enchanted to allow only Gramps to turn it on, to announce who his successor will be, or if he's passing the Guild on. I'm not sure how Laxus found out Gramps chose Raion to replace him, but it's clear to see, that plays a big part in why he's doing this." Grey stated.
"That insolent brat!" Makarov shouted as he began to run for the door with the others. "Just wait. I'll stop you with my own two hands. Ah!" He exclaimed just before he hit an invisible barrier.
"What's wrong?" Grey questioned.
"An invisible wall." Makarov said as he tried to push himself through it.
"Don't be silly gramps, there's nothing here." Grey stated as he tried to pull Makarov through the barrier. "Man what's the deal?" The ice mage questioned before noticing something, while dropping Makarov on the ground, seeing Raion and Seras in the same situation as Makarov. They fruitlessly pressed against the invisible barrier, which shimmered momentarily with red lettering and runes.
"We can't get through either." Seras growled, clawing at the barrier, before looking up. "What's that floating above us? Looks like some kind of writing." She questioned, pointing to the purple runes floating in the air over the entrance.
"Must be one of Freed's enchantments." Makarov sighed.
"It's gotta be." Raion agreed.
"What do you mean 'enchantment'?" Grey questioned.
"It's a barrier formed by magic runes. Anyone who steps inside is bound by its rules and the only way to escape is to follow them." Ghira explained coming up to the barrier.
"His magic is similar to Levy's that way." Raion added. "Both involve some form of writing, but their executions are completely different."
"Any idea what it says?" Grey asked.
"Stone statues, Kryptonians, Grimm Demi's, and anyone over the age of 80 years shall not be allowed to pass through these doors." Makarov read aloud.
"Whoever writes the rules wins the fight huh?" Grey questioned.
"Perhaps, but enchantments like these take time to write. As such they'd be useless in a one-on-one battle, unlike Levy's Solid Script. Still as you can see, they're quite effective if set up as traps." Seras stated. "He must have worked on this all night, and it only activated once Laxus started the Battle Royale."
"You're really stuck? You can't break through?" Grey questioned.
"I'm afraid the rules of the enchantment are absolute." Makarov sighed.
"Not even I'm powerful enough to break them." Raion stated, rasping his knuckles against the barrier.
"Well, I guess that settles it." Grey stated. "It looks like we're gonna have to go into this fight without any of you."
"I'm sorry." Makarov sighed.
"Don't be. It's not your fault this happened." Grey said, before looking to the hybrid teen. "Raion, once you make it out of here, kick Laxus's ass for all of us in Fairy Tail."
"I will." Raion nodded. "Good luck Grey."
"Since when have I ever needed it?" Grey smiled, before he went running off.
"Master Makarov." Ghira said, addressing the Fairy Tail Master. "I know that I am not a member of Fairy Tail, and that I am a former Master of an opposing Guild, but my wife is a former member. I happen to use Rune Magic myself, nearly identical to Freeds, so if you would permit me, I'd like to aid in breaking down this barrier and returning your forces to their full strength."
Makarov looked to Ghira, before he smiled with a nod. "I'd be honored, to have Menagerie's Monarch, aid in our quest to end this senseless violence. From here on out, you can consider yourself a full fledged member of Fairy Tail, with Kali's status as a Fairy Tail Huntress, reinstated."
"Are you sure about that Master?" Kali asked.
"It'll be fine my dear. Plus, I get the feeling you're itching to thrash some enemies, for what Laxus said he's done to your daughter." Makarov stated.
"I would be lying if I said my blood wasn't boiling with anger right now." Kali nodded. "That sweet child I cared for, has turned into a monster, who needs a good spanking."
"There's the She Beast of Fairy Tail I remember." Makarov smiled.
"I got the stamp right here Master." Raion said.
"How long have you been holding that?" Seras asked as Raion tossed the stamp to Makarov.
"Perfect." Makarov smiled, catching the stamp before giving Kali their guilds emblem in amethyst-purple on the thigh, and Ghira one in blue-violet, on the shoulder. "Welcome to Fairy Tail."
~Laxus~
"Well, seems two more names just popped up on the roster of fighters." Laxus said. "Crazy old coot, thinking he can just bring on new members, into MY Fairy Tail."
"It is a shame that he hasn't accepted reality." Cinder said, walking behind him, dancing her fingers on the heads of the four statues of the petrified Team RWBY, positioned on the platform behind the pedestal. "You're obviously stronger, and far more suited for leading the Guild, then that senile bag of bones."
"You're just stating the obvious now!" Laxus stated, sitting down on the steps to the platform. "At the end of all this, I'll be the one to take over the Guild, and nothing is gonna stand in my way!"
"Of course not, the Mantle of Fairy Tail's Guild Master, is your birthright." Cinder smiled. "An' no one can take that from you."
"Still though, I find it odd Freed included Raion be unable to pass through the enchantment meant to keep the old man in." Laxus said. "I didn't order him to do that."
"That was my doing actually." Cinder said. "I thought it'd be far more satisfying, if that oversized monkey, were to watch the Guild tear itself apart, before he found his way here."
"That doesn't sound like something you should have done." Laxus groaned. "Raion's power derives from his emotions. This is only gonna make him angrier, and the angrier he gets, the stronger he gets. An' the stronger he gets, the harder it'll be for me to take him down, and prove to the old man, that I am far more worthy to run the Guild, then some alien freak who's mother abandoned the poor sap, after taking one good look at him."
"Then, might I suggest, a bit of a power boost to help you?" Cinder questioned, holding something to Laxus. "Consider it, a gift from my Mistress."
"Your Mistress huh?" Laxus questioned, taking the item and looking it over. "Who exactly, is this Mistress of yours? You keep bringing her up, but I've yet to actually see her."
"You'll meet her in due time." Cinder smiled. "Until then, just keep doing what you're doing."
"What does she get out of me obtaining the title of Guild Master?" Laxus asked. "What's in it for her?"
"Oh, she doesn't expect much. Just a few favors every now and again." Cinder said.
"A few favors huh?" Laxus questioned, putting on the item Cinder had given him. "I guess that's not such a bad exchange, for the aid she's providing."
"No, it's not such a bad exchange at all." Cinder smiled devilishly, her eyes glowing red, while unaware of the floating doll above them that witnessed the whole exchange.
"Danger, danger!" The doll said, flying out of the open window of the cathedral. "Must warn, must warn! Warning danger!"
~Fairy Tail~
"You really think Reedus will be okay out there?" Raion asked, looking to Makarov while having a drink. "I mean, don't get me wrong, he's strong, and an amazing artist. But there's a chance Laxus and his team planned for any potential escapees trying to leave the town."
"I have faith in him." Makarov said.
"AAAAHHHHH!" Natsu's voice echoed around the hall.
"Looks like Natsu finally woke up." Seras said, as she was the one pouring the drinks behind the bar. "What's the deal with the shouting though? Did the lightning fry what little brains he had or something?"
"Hold on, where'd Laxus go?" Natsu questioned, his head turning as if on a fast spinning Lazy-Susan. "Actually, where'd everyone go?"
"The others already left the Guildhall, to fight Laxus and the Thunder Legion." Raion stated. "But there's a barrier around the Guildhall preventing me, Seras, or Master from leaving."
"Listen up Natsu!" Makarov said, as the fire Dragonslayer ran up to them. "The Harvest Festival is underway; Laxus is hiding somewhere in Magnolia. Find him and beat him!"
"All right!" Natsu shouted as he ran for the door. "Just you wait Laxus…" He cried out, before slamming into the barrier.
"Oh you gotta be fucking kidding." Raion said in disbelief. "Natsu's not a Kryptonian."
"He's not a Grimm Demi, either." Seras added.
"Nor is he a stone statue." Ghira said.
"Or over 80 years old." Makarov stated. "So how is he being held back by the barrier?"
"What the hell?" Natsu questioned, trying to push his way through the barrier.
"This, is very bad." Seras said.
~Kali~
Kali hummed a lovely melody, as she carefully walked through the streets, her hands clasped in front of her as she was just wondering around, not really expecting anything to happen. Or at least making it seem that way.
From the shadows, someone was tailing the older Belladonna woman, hoping to ambush her within a trap, unaware that she already knew of their presence.
'They're skilled, for hired muscle, but I'm afraid it's still a couple centuries too soon, for them to try and get the jump on someone like me.' Kali thought.
Kali continued to walk calmly through the street, turning down an alleyway. Her follower, or rather followers, ran after her. Emerald and Mercury coming out of the shadows and running to the alley, only to stop when they saw Kali had turned around, and stood in the middle of the alley, facing them with a candy sweet motherly smile.
"It's about time you two came out of hiding." Kali chuckled. "I was starting to think the both of you were too shy to confront me."
"Well, you're sly for an old hag, aren't you?" Mercury questioned, as two blades sprouted from his shins.
"Prosthetic legs. I see." Kali said. "You must be Mercury Black. A very rude young man, aren't you?"
"You could tell that, just from my legs?" Mercury questioned.
"Who cares man, let's just take her down!" Emerald said, pulling out her weapons in sickle form.
"Revolver sickles, and partnered with Marcus Black's son, makes you Emerald Sustrai." Kali said.
"How do you know our names?" Emerald asked.
"Oh I have my ways, believe me darling." Kali said, as a miasma of magic power seeped out around her, with a golden light emitting from her arms. "I tend to keeps tabs, on what happens at my brothers book store, especially to those who try to murder him."
"Try?" Mercury asked. "Check the footage again bitch, Tukson's dead as a door nail. I put the bullet through his skull myself."
"I'm afraid you're mistaken." Kali smiled, raising her arms. "My brother, is very much alive, because what you killed, was a golem made to look like him. He knew leaving the White Fang, was gonna put a target on his back, and took the necessary precautions."
Mercury and Emerald looked in shock, and fear as two more pairs of arms sprouted from Kali's back, made of golden ethereal energy, before taking on a more solid form, showing they were covered in gold plate-mail armor. But what surprised them most, was how each extra limb, was as big as Mercury's torso.
"Come you two." Kali said. "Let me show you, the rage of a Fairy Tail mother!"
~Fairy Tail~
"Why the hell can't you get through?" Makarov questioned. "You're not any of the persons on the list, don't tell me you're actually over 80!"
"I don't think so…" Natsu said.
"You know, now that I think about it, Natsu does smell kinda like a fossil, even more then Gramps." Seras said. "Perhaps, he got caught up in a time jump that brought him to the future, he wasn't aware of?"
"But what kind of magic could do that?" Raion asked.
"There's one possibility." Ghira said. "It's considered to be nothing more then myth. But it's a creation of Zeref's."
"If that's the case, then there's a chance Natsu is centuries older then any of us." Raion stated.
"That's a scary thought." Seras said.
"But like I said, it's nothing more then myth." Ghira stated.
"Hey guys, look up there." Natsu called to them.
"Battle of Fairy Tail status report." Raion read. "This isn't good."
"It says Jet, versus Droy, versus Alzack." Seras read. "You don't think…"
"That Laxus planned on weeding out those he deemed weak, by forcing the Guild Members to fight one another? Yeah, that's exactly what I think." Raion growled, his grip on the mug handle, growing tighter.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Makarov questioned, before the status board updated. "The winner is Alzack. Jet and Droy, KO'd."
"Laxus!" Raion growled, his grip shattering the wood of the mug handle to splinters. "I will make you suffer for this."
~Elfman~
"Evergreen!" Elfman growled, before he ran straight for her. "I'm gonna make you pay for what you did to Mira and Lisanna!"
"Oh, is that a fact?" Evergreen questioned, raising her glasses with her eyes glowing.
The instant he realized what Evergreen was trying to do, Elfman shut his eyes, allowing for Evergreen to smack him away with her fan, sending him crashing into a flower stall.
"Oh, are all those beautiful flowers for me?" Evergreen questioned mockingly. "How kind of you. They suit me so well." She said, as Elfman picked himself up, showing he'd taken on his Full Body Takeover, while his eyes remained blindfolded. "It's a shame, the only thing cute about you, is your name, Elfman."
Elfman took a single step forward, the power he was giving off told the towns people witnessing the scene, that this was not your normal everyday skirmish between Guild Mates.
"You'd better turn my sister back, or else!" Elfman threatened.
"Do you really think you can defeat me, while blindfolded?" Evergreen questioned.
Evergreen got her question, as Elfman came charging at her, throwing his massive fist to punch the woman. Evergreen however managed to dodge the attack, before her eyes widened when Elfman's hand quickly opened and swatted behind him while still in the air, trapping her in his grasp, before he used to momentum to twist around, and slam her into the ground.
"How?" Evergreen coughed.
"Raion's been teaching me Ki sense. So yeah, I think I got a pretty good shot of beating you while blindfolded." Elfman stated with a smirk.
"This isn't over you big behemoth!" Evergreen growled. "One of my arms is still free."
Evergreen didn't hesitate to take advantage of the situation, before she used her fan to send a spell at Elfman, hitting him directly in the face, while destroying the blindfold. With Elfman's grasp on her gone, Evergreen got to her feet, and flew into the air, covering Elfman in her dust.
"I underestimated you. Guess the old saying is true, even a broken clock, is right twice a day." Evergreen said. "But it's too late, you're already covered in my fairy dust. Fairy Bomb Attack: Gremlin!" She cried out, before the dust was detonated with explosions, enveloping Elfman in the damage. When the dust cleared, Elfman was on his knees, and barely holding on, to consciousness. "Statues are wonderful aren't they? No matter how ugly a beast may be, once he is captured in stone, he becomes a beautiful work of art. Now, gaze into my eyes, and submit to the eternal beauty of stone." She stated, lifting her glasses up as her eyes began to glow.
~Fairy Tail~
"An update just popped up on the barrier." Seras said, directing their attention to the doors. "Elfman versus Evergreen. The winner is, Evergreen. Elfman, K.O." She read aloud, worriedly while Raion's body was shaking in anger.
"Now it says that Grey is fighting against Bickslow?" Natsu questioned. "No fair, why does he get to hog all the fun for himself?"
"It also says Freed is fighting against Reedus. I don't know about you guys, but that's a poor match up if I've ever seen one." Ghira said.
"Indeed." Makarov said. "Reedus's magic, is powerless, against Freed's enchantments."
"An' the results of that battle just came in." Seras said. "Reedus lost."
"I knew it, he never could have beat Freed, that guy is good." Natsu said, before he and the others had to cover their ears as Raion screamed in anger.
"THAT'S IT! I CAN'T JUST SIT HERE ON MY ASS ANYMORE!" Raion stated, running for the barrier that kept him trapped in the Guildhall, slamming his shoulder into it, to no avail. Pulling back, Raion began punching the barrier, hitting it with multiple strikes.
"Raion stop, you're gonna hurt yourself!" Seras called to him.
"I DON'T CARE!" He shouted. "Laxus is tearing this Guild apart from the inside. I have to stop him. I have to put an end to this MADNESS!"
Jumping back, Raion cupped both his hands together at his hip, building up his Ki and magic for an attack.
"Kame…"
"Raion, what do you think you're doing?" Makarov questioned, slamming his enlarged fist on Raion's torso, and pinning him to the ground. "If you use an attack like this, inside the barrier, then you're gonna destroy the Guildhall itself!"
"But I can't…" Raion groaned, pushing against the weight of Makarov's fist. "I can't just sit here, and watch my home be destroyed from the inside. I can't just sit back, and watch as my friends, my family, destroy each other. I have to get out of here, and defeat Laxus!"
"An' you will." Makarov said, understanding Raion's frustrations. "But don't go doing this on your own. Running headlong into battle, while in a blind rage like this, isn't gonna help anyone. It's only gonna get you killed."
"More fights have broken out." Happy said. "This isn't looking good."
"Foolish children!" Makarov said. "What do they think they're doing?"
"Freed's the one to blame here Master." Seras said. "Those enchantments are hidden all over town, so they're impossible to avoid. It's just like Laxus said, this is the battle of Fairy Tail."
"But why? It doesn't make sense!" Natsu exclaimed, before slamming himself into the barrier. "I wanna fight too!"
"You gotta be kidding me. Is that what you're seriously pissed about?" Seras questioned, chopping him hard on the head. "This isn't some kind of tournament Natsu!"
"But the score board…"
"Is only to mock us." Raion said, getting to his feet and dusting himself off. "Laxus wants us to writhe in agony, while we watch our friends tear one another apart. To top it off, if we can't defeat the Thunder Legion in time, then all the girls who were petrified, are as good as dead."
"You don't seriously think he's gonna hurt them do you?" Natsu questioned. "Laxus might be a jerk, but killing the girls is nothing more then a bluff that…"
"That's not a risk, I am willing to take Natsu!" Raion declared. "Team RWBY's lives are at stake here. They were petrified and kidnapped before the pageant began, and now they're out there, hidden somewhere in Magnolia, and for all I know, they could already be smashed to pieces! Bluffing or not, Laxus has gone too far this time!"
"Oh I've gone too far, have I?"
Raion and the others at the door turned around, spotting Laxus as he stood there, looking a bit more translucent then normal.
"Where'd you come from?" Natsu questioned.
"It's a thought projection." Makarov said.
"Laxus!" Raion growled.
"Not another step Raion. Or sweet little Ruby's the first to be smashed." Laxus said, as a thought projection of a petrified Ruby appeared at his side, under his raised hand.
"Cowardly bastard!" Raion cursed.
"Natsu, what are you doing hold up in this dump?" The Lightning wielder questioned, looking to the fire dragon. "Are you scared?"
"I'm not scared, I'm stuck!" Natsu exclaimed.
"Somehow he's unable to pass through the barrier like the rest of us who are trapped here." Seras stated, glaring at Laxus. "But he's the least of your worries blondie."
"Oh?" Laxus asked, raising a brow. "How so?"
"Because when I get out of here, Master's grandson or no, I will tear you apart! Limb from limb, bone by bloody bone, and I will watch you squirm in anguish as I fillet the skin from your flesh!" Raion glared, his eyes glowing red. "An' I promise you, when you're begging for the mercy of death, I will not give you the satisfaction of it. I will make sure, you remain alive, long enough to watch as the rest of the Thunder Legion, and whoever else you have fighting on your side, perishes a gruesome fate by my hands!"
"Your empty threats don't scare me. We both know you're not a cold blooded killer!" Laxus mocked.
"Enough of this banter, the both of you!" Makarov exclaimed, pushing Raion away from the thought projection. "What do you want, Laxus?"
"How's it feel, huh old man?" Laxus asked. "You think of the Guild Members as your children right? Must be tough, watching your little kiddies tear each other apart. It's too bad Natsu or the others can't join the game, because you don't have anyone left, who's strong enough to take on the Thunder Legion. You ready to throw in the towel?"
"No it's not over yet." Happy said. "Don't forget that Grey's still in the game, and he's as strong as Natsu."
"He's as strong as me? No way man!" Natsu shouted.
"Sorry, but you're in denial!" Happy stated.
"Grey huh? You're gonna put all of your hopes on that loser?" Laxus questioned.
"I wouldn't underestimate the boys power if I were you." Makarov stated.
"Whatever." Laxus tsked. "But I do have to ask, just what exactly is it, that I've overlooked in my plans for taking over the Guild?"
"You've overlooked, the fighting spirit of your Guild Mates!" Makarov stated.
"That's all you got, their fighting spirit?" Laxus laughed.
"The score board's updated again." Seras said. "Grey versus Bickslow… Bickslow won, Grey KO'd."
"One more down, only 28 contenders remain." Laxus said smugly before he laughed. "An' that chump was gonna save ya?"
"That's enough!" Raion stated, slamming his fist into Laxus's face. What surprised them, all was how it made actual physical contact with Laxus, sending him flying, before Raion put his hand on the petrified Ruby's head, and pulsed his power through her, before vanishing.
"What the hell? How the fuck did you manage to pull that off?" Laxus questioned, as he got up, before his eyes widened when he looked at Raion, and he saw the silhouette of a monstrous giant ape, surrounded by flames roaring in anger.
"This is the second time I gotta explain it." Raion growled. "Thought projection, is used by magic, and ones life force. I'm half Saiyan, so I have a natural affinity for controlling life force, otherwise known as Ki!" He stated, before grabbing Laxus by his shirt, and pulling him forward. "That includes, being able to make physical contact with thought projections, like yours!" He exclaimed, slamming his forehead into Laxus's face with a hard slam, before Raion threw him to the ground. "That's only a taste, of the pain to come for you Laxus. I swear it, upon the name of Lord Beerus."
"Laxus, this has gone too far." Makarov said calmly, his voice filled with pain. "Tell me your demands."
"Gramps no, you can't give in to what Laxus wants." Raion stated.
"Now, that's more like it old man." Laxus groaned, picking himself up. "An' Raion, you can say goodbye to Team RWBY for that little stunt you just pulled. Hope you like garden gravel."
"That is, if you can find them." Raion hissed.
"What was that?"
"If Ruby was close enough to her team, like I think she was, then the spell I used on her should have worked on the others, and sent them somewhere safe." Raion stated. "Meaning while they're still stone, they're perfectly safe."
Laxus looked at Raion, before looking behind himself, as if looking to the stage, but was in reality, looking to where Team RWBY had been, beforehand, wherever he was hiding.
"Enough! Just tell me your demands." Makarov said.
"Well, what's gotten into you all of a sudden old man?" Laxus questioned. "Aren't you supposed to be the Master of the all mighty Fairy Tail? You can't just surrender at the drop of a hat. But if you insist, then hand the guild over to me, and take an early retirement."
"I knew that's what you were after." Seras growled.
"Why you gotta play dirty like that?" Natsu questioned. "Come here and face us, you coward!"
"I should have known. This was your plan all along." Makarov glared.
"You've only got 90-Minutes, until the statues crumble." Laxus stated as he began fading away. "If you really wanna put an end to this, then announce your retirement to the entire town, over the Guild's loud speaker. I want you to tell everyone, you're relinquishing Fairy Tail, over to me! What means more to you, your children or your title? Choose carefully."
"Not so fast bub!" Raion stated, grabbing Laxus by his shirt once more, bringing him back to full view. "You're forgetting something, something very important, that no one should ever do, if they wanna live."
"An' what would that be?" Laxus questioned.
"Let's just say, hell hath no fury like a mother scorned." Raion growled, before he slammed his fist into Laxus's face one final time, and released him, allowing for the lightning wielder to vanish completely.
"That jerk. If he wants to be Master so much, he should have the guts to come and face me himself." Natsu growled.
"It was never the title of Master that I cared for." Makarov said.
"So you're just gonna give up, and let him win?" Natsu questioned.
"No, of course not. Laxus may be strong, but he's not trustworthy. I would never leave the Guild in his hands. He has neither the conviction nor the heart." Makarov said. "That's exactly why I chose you Raion. You have both of those, in abundance. An' the heart you possess even more of."
"There's gotta be something we can do, we gotta hurry and come up with something fast before he turns the girls to dust." Happy said. "If only there was someone strong enough to take Laxus and the Thunder Legion down."
There came some noise from behind the bar counter, before Gajeel pulled himself up into view, showing he was eating a frying pan.
"No way, you were here this whole time?" Natsu questioned.
"He's eating the dishes too." Happy said.
"Only the ones we needed to replace." Seras said.
"Gajeel, will you fight for the Guild?" Makarov asked.
"Might as well. I got a score to settle with that guy." Gajeel stated. "Not to mention, he pissed me off, by pissing off my bro."
"I can count on you to kick his ass?" Raion asked, holding his fist out to him.
"You don't even gotta ask." Gajeel smiled, fist bumping Raion, before heading for the doors. "Don't worry, I'll handle him."
However…
"What the hell?" Gajeel questioned, as he hit the barrier as well.
"AAAHHHH!" Natsu, Makarov, and Happy shouted.
"Don't tell me you're over 80, too!" Natsu exclaimed.
"Do I look 80 to you?" Gajeel asked in annoyance.
"Guess the barrier affects Dragonslayers as well." Raion said. "Because that's the only thing he and Natsu have in common that could make sense of all this."
"Makes sense to me." Seras stated.
~Forest~
Chaos, panic, rage. All those emotions tantalized the taste buds of the monstrous Grimm, laying dormant in the forest far off past the outskirts of Magnolia. It had been many moons, since his slumber began, and he was finally waking up to the negative emotions that aroused his appetite. Getting up from his slumber, the Grimm made his way out of his hiding hole, destroying the earth surrounding him as he broke through it, before pulling himself to his feet. His hunger awoken, he desired to feed, and off in the distance, was a buffet of humans, Faunus, and Demi's, all ready for him to devour.
~Fairy Tail~
"Only six remain in the Guild?" Makarov questioned, looking at the score board.
"An' five of them are right here in the Guildhall." Seras said. "But something's off with Raion." She said, directing their attention to the hybrid teen, as he examined the stone statues, specifically Erza.
"Hmm…" Raion hummed, looking over the redhead's petrified body.
The hits he got in on Laxus felt satisfying for him, so much so, he was calmer then he was before Laxus even made his appearance. Which gave him a chance to think, and come up with the idea he was walking through right now.
"What are you doing bro?" Gajeel asked.
"It's odd." Raion said.
"What's odd my boy?" Makarov asked.
"The petrification, specifically Erza. The power behind Erza's petrification, seems weaker somehow." Raion thought, before he realized something. "Erza's right eye is artificial, right?"
"Of course."
"Then, that may play to our advantage." Raion said, lying Erza down, on the surface of the stage.
"What are you doing Raion?" Natsu asked.
"Either something that'll add another player to the game, or shatter her to pieces." Raion said, his hand moving over Erza's body for a second. "Come on, I know there's one here."
"One what?" Seras asked.
"A weak point that'll undo the petrification, if I strike it right." Raion said. "I can't find it. Ghira, I'm needing to borrow Zaruba for a minute."
"Take him!" Ghira said, throwing the ring to Raion. "He belongs to you anyway. The replica you made me will suffice as my symbol of power."
"Much appreciated." Raion said, catching Zaruba and putting him on his finger. "Think you can find the weak spot Zaruba?"
"It's tricky with this sort of magic." Zaruba said, as Raion moved his hand over Erza's body again. "Wait, stop right here!"
Raion stopped, but he blushed when he realized where the weak point was.
"Right here, seriously?" Raion asked.
"Yes!" Zaruba stated. "If you strike right in the center, you'll shatter the petrification, and restore Erza back to normal!"
"Come on!" Raion groaned.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Zaruba asked. "Don't you wanna end this battle?"
"I do, but…"
"Then what's the hold up?"
"The hold up, is the weak point is smack dab in the center of her cleavage." Raion hissed.
"Oh for crying out loud." Seras groaned, pushing him out of the way. "Move!"
"Seras, wait…"
Seras had already struck though, as she slammed a karate chop down on the center of Erza's cleavage, cracking the stone. Everyone began to freak out and panic, before the stone fell of Erza completely, and she was back to being human once more.
"What the…" Erza questioned. "Raion, Seras?"
"Glad to have you back Erza." Seras said.
"Glad to be back, but um… why are you straddling my hips?" Erza questioned with a blush.
"Oh, my bad. Needed a good angle to chop at the weak spot." Seras said, getting off of Erza, and helping the redhead to her feet.
"Thank goodness." Makarov said. "Looks like Raion's intuition was right. Do you think you could find the weak spots for the others?"
"Leave it to me Master Makarov." Zaruba said.
"Seras, you do it." Raion said. "You'd be better suited for doing it, since you had no trouble with Erza's."
"Oh man up and don't be a baby." Seras groaned, taking Zaruba.
"Erza, do you know what's going on right now?" Happy asked.
"I think so. Even though I was stone, I was still able to hear most of what was said." Erza stated.
"Alright, it's time to strike back." Makarov stated as the score board updated.
"Look, there's seven now." Happy said.
"The runes have already added me to the fray. That's impressive, it updates automatically." Erza said. "But there's only seven left."
"Actually it's just you, and Kali Belladonna." Happy said. "The barrier prevents Raion and Seras from leaving, Mr. Belladonna's trying to find a way to undo it, while Natsu and Gajeel can't leave here for some reason."
"Hold up, now it says there's eight." Raion said, before he smiled.
"It went up." Gajeel said, as they all looked to the stage and the petrified girls on it.
"But who could it be?" Natsu asked.
"The girls are still stone, so it can't be one of them." Makarov said.
"Aren't you guys forgetting about someone?" Erza asked with a smile.
"He's a member who's frequently out of town, and puts the entire Guild to sleep whenever he drops by to pick up some new jobs." Raion added. "An' it's not Gildarts."
"Hold on, you don't mean him?" Natsu asked.
"An' he's back just when we need him the most." Makarov said.
"He's always been one to make a grand entrance." Erza smiled. "It looks like the real battle is about to begin."
"Someone wanna fill me in over here?" Gajeel asked.
"We're talking about a man, who may very well be the strongest Huntsman in Fairy Tail." Raion said. "Even my power, can't hold a candle to the tricks he's got up his sleeve."
"Mystogan." Erza said proudly. "An' not a moment too soon."
~Cardia Cathedral~
"Damn, that fucking hurt." Laxus growled, wiping off the blood from his bloody nose Raion left him with. "If I'd known Raion was capable of grabbing thought projections, I wouldn't have gone there. Or at the least, let my guard down."
"It is quite surprising, that someone like him, would be capable of something like that." Cinder said. "An' what's worse, our leverage over him, is gone completely."
"I know. I fucked up big time with that." Laxus growled, looking over his shoulder to where the petrified Team RWBY used to be. "Where the fuck could he have sent them?"
"Laxus!"
The blonde whose name had been called, as well as Cinder, looked to the door, and saw the masked Huntsman with the staffs decorating his back, making his way through the opened doors of the cathedral.
"You actually showed up. I'm surprised you're here. I didn't think this game would be of any interest to you." Laxus stated.
"You should know, that a giant Grimm is making its way here to Magnolia." Mystogan said.
"A giant Grimm, really?" Laxus asked.
"The Primordial Goliath." Mystogan said. "The anger and chaos your little civil war within Fairy Tail has caused, has awakened it. An' the beast is on its way here, to feast upon the towns people as we speak."
"You're just gonna keep playing that bluff, aren't you? You're so desperate to stop the fighting, you're resorting to cheap lies, and baseless accusations." Laxus tsked sadly. "Is that really why you came back? Gimme a break. You're looking for a piece of the action. You wanna know who the strongest Huntsman in Fairy Tail is… you or me." he smirked.
"Don't be so quick to rule out Erza or Raion!" Mystogan exclaimed.
"Are you kidding me? Sure that redhead knight's got spunk, but that idiot is nothing but a freak with mommy issues, because she took one look at his ugly mug and abandoned him. He's weak, useless, and pathetic. He doesn't even have real strength of his own! He keeps relying on the strength of those around him, to push him through his battles." Laxus growled.
"You think they're weak? You're either blind or more ignorant then I thought." Mystogan chuckled, shaking his head. "An' just so you know, it's not a bluff about the Primordial. If you don't believe me, hop on the roof, and take a look to the West. You'll see it."
"I'm not going up to the roof, where you've probably set a trap for me to fall into, and I got nothing against Erza. But you know as well as I, my justifications towards my rivalry with Raion. But I think we can both agree that we're stronger then either of them." Laxus stated. "It's clear one of us, is Fairy Tail's top Huntsman. The question is, who deserves the title?"
"If you see the world in such simple terms, perhaps you are blind." Mystogan stated. "Also, there is more then just me and those on the counter. One such man, has been hiding in plain sight, unable to be detected by Freed's magic in the form he took, while he went about gathering alleys to help our friends fight the Thunder Legion."
"An' who could that be?" Cinder asked.
"Let's just say, he won't take too kindly to Evergreen, petrifying his nieces." Mystogan said, smiling under his mask. "That was some bad, bad luck on your part my friend."
"I'm sick of talking!" Laxus glared. "Let's settle this here and now… Mystogan, or should I say…?"
Before Laxus could finish his little rant, Mystogan sent an attack at the lightning wielder, who blocked it with his own lightning strike, while Cinder hid behind him, before making her escape. The two powers colliding, all the windows, mosaics, and some pillars shattered as they both clashed.
"Tell me, how do you know about that?" Mystogan questioned. "There are only two people, who know the truth about me."
"Oops. Did I strike a nerve? It's a rare treat to see you lose your cool like that." Laxus smirked. "I've got a deal for ya. Beat me, and I swear, I'll tell you everything I know."
"You're going to regret that statement Laxus. You're about to witness magic the likes of which you've never seen before." Mystogan stated imbedding his staff into the ground.
"Oh I'm so scared." Laxus taunted. "Go on and show me what you got, you freak. I'm dying to see how much stronger I am."
Mystogan reached behind his back, pulling out the rest of his staffs, and imbedding them into the ground.
"Skyscraper!" Mystogan cried out, a magic circle forming in front of him, and under Laxus's feet.
Laxus began to look around as the ground began to shake, and rumble, before practically exploding, sending the lightning wielder, high into the air.
"What happened?" Laxus questioned, looking down to see the church was destroyed. "Impossible. The entire church? Aah."
Above him, two pairs of hands began to open up the sky, revealing the owner of those hands, belonging to a monster. Laxus tried to escape from its reach, only to be restrained by leather ropes appearing out of nowhere.
"What kind of magic is this?" He questioned struggling against his restraints, before the monster in front of him roared. Laxus began flashing with electricity, multiple times before breaking through the illusion. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Now that's funny! Ha!" Laxus laughed. "Did you seriously think you'd be able to defeat me using some kind of stupid illusion?"
"Impressive, but it seems you're still a bit slow on the uptake!" Mystogan exclaimed.
"What?" Laxus questioned as a pillar of light descended upon him as five magic circles appeared above him.
"Sleep. Five-layer magic circle… Sacred Song!" Mystogan exclaimed.
"You think I'm the slow one huh?" Laxus questioned with a smile. "This will be interesting."