Chapter 23: Kouta's Secret Revealed
Back at the flying fortress.
Maria felt the two Spriggan Twelve and the fire god Slayer's connections fade away. "Looks like they have lost. They were such a pathetic trio and supposed to be the strongest. No matter, those fools don't realize the true plan that I have in mind. Before they realize it, it'll be too late."
Kouta was continuing his assault on the School District 7
He continued to have his robot fire magic beams destroying nearby buildings and vehicles. "Please, just surrender...and I'll stop this." He thought looking ashamed and regretful.
Konori and her Judgement army were falling one by one. Some were getting exhausted from taking down androids. "These androids just won't stop!" Konori growled in frustration.
Satan was whacked by an android with a steel hammer. "Pant...pant...pant..." She panted breathing out tiredly.
Uiharu was worried about her best friend's condition. "C'mon, Satan don't push yourself too hard!" She looked at the Judgement branch officers and some were becoming tired.
One judgment officer suddenly collapsed due to exhaustion. "One is day!" A female called getting the unconscious officer up.
Just then android-like cats resembling jaguars came rushing at them baring their fangs. "You got to be kidding me!" Saten exclaimed in disbelief.
The Judgement officers were spooked. "We can't win this fight!"
"Yeah, these androids are tougher than the mechas we fought before!"
Uiharu heard their doubts and felt worried. "This is bad, our morality is down." She thought.
Suddenly something jumped over the officer. "Mind if I join in?" There was Kovu. "Take Over: Triceratops!" He got on all fours and turned into a triceratops. He charged through the android-like jaguars and sent them flying away like bowling pins.
"Wow, where'd he come from?" Uiharu asked.
Saten was more amazed. "That is so cool, how did he turn into a dinosaur?!"
Big Mecha appeared and launched several missiles. "Look out!" Uiharu cried.
A flying silhouette came flying and holding a sword. "Paladin Light: Sword Slash!" The missiles were sliced in half and blew up.
"Kovu, don't let your guard down!" Joan lectured.
Saten was absolutely in awe. "No way is that an angel?!"
The big mecha pointed its right arm and out aiming a big missile. "No, you don't!" Cana appeared and had several cards floating before her in a curved line. Then the cards were in a formation that burst out flames and sent flying at the robot's arm causing the missile to explode and destroy the arm.
"Wow, who is that chick?" A male Judgement asked practically drooling.
"Don't know, but, she's a babe," Another male Judgement officer added with a perverted smile.
"Focus you perverts!" A female officer whacked the two teenagers on their heads.
The big mecha wasn't done as it put its left arm out front and out of his palm was a cannon that began to light up and then released a magic beam.
Lahar appeared and wrote a few letters and inscriptions. A barrier-like force field appeared and reflected the magic beam at the mecha leaving a big hole.
"No way!" Satan exclaimed in amazement.
"That lady chanted some words and a force-field-like barrier appeared and reflected the beam," Uiharu said sharing her friend's reaction.
Just then gorilla like Mecha came running at them. "Look out!" Satan pointed out.
"Out of the way!" Elfman came running in his Beast Soul Form and punching the big gorilla-like mecha sending it rolling over in a circle.
"Who is that?" Uiharu squeaked in surprise.
Konori was getting worn out and as her small army. Some were unconscious while still barely able to stand. "Damn..." She cursed feeling a little frustrated.
Then a massive thunderbird-like cyborg came soaring down from the sky. "Great, just what we need!" Konori yelled seeing the situation had gotten worse.
The cyborg-like bird opened its beak and let out a high-pitched screech stopping the other Judgement officers in their tracks. Most were so dizzy and barely felt conscious.
More androids were coming at them and strangely they were skating making them fast. "Damn it, they're fast!" Konori cursed again.
Suddenly a flying figure flew at the cyborg bird. "To think that cyborgs like this were built." It was Mirajane in her Satan Soul Form.
"Who is that?" A Judgement officer asked.
Mirajane charged a large ball of dark energy between her hands. "Demon Blast!" A purple beam was sent at the bird-like cyborg.
Kouta was looking at the screen that his cyborg-bird was about to meet an end. "Shield up!" A blue shield surrounded the cyborg-eagle and Mirajane's magic attack was absorbed into it.
"What just happened?" Elfman asked in shock.
"That shield looked like it absorbed my attack," Mirajane guessed.
Kouta looked at the screen showed where Fairy Tail was helping Konori and her small army. "That's the only thing my eagle can do." The cyborg-like eagle opened its beak once more and unleashed the same move that Mirajane just used.
Mirajane was able to dodge it but the attack destroyed the parking lot that had cars. "Oh no!" Mirajane yelled seeing the the destruction. "Why is this Kouta person doing this?"
"Never mind that!" Lisanna was there in her Cat Soul Form. "We have to find a way to defeat that thing!" She looked at her sister. "Listen, I got a call from Erza, we need to defeat that robot and interrogate Kouta. He might be the only one to know to get into the flying fortress." Mirajane nodded her head. "Understood!"
"Yeah, but the shield that robot just used. We can assume that Kouta's giant human robot can do the same thing," Elfman theorized.
"I can help with that," There was Takitsubo Riko with her usual boredom expression. "My Esper has the potential to sense magic power. From what I'm sensing now, I can sense a source of magic gathered in one spot." She looked in the center and saw a black ball. "Look at the center of the mid area of its stomach!"
Mirajane looked to where the Aim Stalker was pointed at. "It's a Lacrima!"
"Lacrima...I see, I would have to summarize that thing is the reason that give the cyborg eagle to generate that shield and absorb magic power." Takitsubo explained.
"Wow, she's so manly!" Elfman cried impressively.
"Manly..." The bored expressionless girl said tilting her head.
"What my big brother means is that he's impressed with how observant you are." Lisanna giggled awkwardly.
"Anyway, we just find a way to destroy it and then we finish it off," Mirajane said changing the subject. "However, the shield activated quickly, but, once the shield leaves we try to jump when it starts to clear away."
"Hold on, I have another idea, what would happen if we attacked with our magic power and the shield absorbed Mirajane's attack? When it does that, we attack again and then its shield will activate once more, and whatever magic it throws back at us will..." Lisanna began to say as the others caught on. "Great idea, let's do it!"
Mirajane chuckled softly. "In that case..." She changed into her Halphas form and began to charge darkness energy. "Halphas Blast!" She fired the dark energy at the cyborg eagle.
Like before, the cyborg eagle's Lacrima activated the magic shield absorbing the darkness energy blast, and the shield deactivated, the eagle opened its beak to use the magic attack that it absorbed.
"I believe I can be some assistant," Rufus appeared and was standing on a lamppost. "Memory-Make: A Night of Falling Stars!" He extended his arms outwards releasing light from his body which was subsequently shaped into large beams, reminiscent of shooting stars which scattered and directly went toward the robot.
Like before the cyborg eagle's shield activated but at the same time released Mirajane's Halphas Blast blowing it up inside the shield which completely broke into pieces like glass.
"Alright!" Mirajane and Lisanna cheered.
"We're manly!" Elfman roared excitedly with crocodile tears.
"So noisy too." Takitsubo whispered but a small smile took shape on her face.
"Yeah, they're also so spirited, brave, and don't give up," Hamazura stood by his girlfriend and wrapped his arm around her. "They remind me of a certain teenager that helped me see the truth." He was referring to Touma who helped him see what he should do and not do."
"So, Fairy Tail is finally here," Kouta approached with his robot.
"Such a manly robot!" Elfman exclaimed with a gaping mouth.
"Yeah, makes me wonder how Franky would like it," Lisanna wondered.
Mirajane giggled. "No doubt, that Franky would be impressed considering he created his robot."
Rufus tilt his hat. "No matter, we'll defeat you, because we have questions."
At the Heaven's Canceller Hospital.
Misaka, Dimaria, and Brandish were still unconscious.
Yukino was eating an energy bar and watermelon tea. "This stuff isn't half bad."
Index was eating two chocolate bars, chips, and orange juice. "So, good!" She was munching like a hungry wolf.
Just then Yukino's commuciation lacrima started to vibrate. "Hello Yukino speaking." She stood up from her chair. "Anna, it's you, I'm glad you're okay." She had a small chat with Anna for a few minutes as Index watched her talking. "That's quite the cellphone, though, I can sense magic from it."
"I understand, talk to you later," Yukino deactivated the portable communication lacrima. "That was Anna, she brought the demon Nikka here for a check-up. She lost consciousness."
Index was a bit concerned upon hearing that which Yukino noticed. "Don't worry, Anna just thinks that Nikka is just exhausted. Either way, I'm sure she'll be fine."
Nikka was resting in a different room with Anna sitting by her bed. "Nikka...rest for a while." She whispered.
The frog-face doctor came into her room. "Alright, ma'am. I checked out her tests. She's just exhausted from the fight and her vital points are looking good. She needs some rest for now." Anna nodded. "I understand, thank you."
Yukino arrived and approached Lucy's ancestor. "How is she doing?" Anna smiled at the other celestial spirit. "She'll be fine, I can assure it."
"Poor girl, she went through a terrible time and gave into despair. Her mother, her father's abuse, and the betrayal by the people of Academy City. Those things made her like this." Anna said with a sad smile as she put her fingers between her eyes. "But, now, she has finally realized she's not alone anymore."
"Anna..." Yukino whispered almost on the verge of tears. "This isn't the time feel sad. Honestly, just be glad that you came to this world and found out one of the Ancient One's last bloodline is here and that you helped her. I'm sure Nezuko and her people would be grateful to you."
Anna smiled sweetly as she removed her hand from her eyes. "Thank you Yukino, that means a lot to me."
B
"You're Kouta..." Hamazura presumed.
No response came from the former teenage boy though he was looking at them on his screen.
"We read about you from an old article..." Hamazura continued. "According to it, you were a scientist, rather than an assistant for Maria. You and her were working on a project with the black wizard Zeref."
Mirajane had her word to say. "That's correct, then we learned that you and your group were working on creating new life and that's where Zeref came in. He can create demons using his Living Magic." She had her arms crossed. "I can assume your technology also helped create new demons like that Deliora Reborn."
Lisanna decided to join in. "Everything was going smoothly until someone leaked out the project and got the magicians spooked. We also have a source that claimed that you were the only one left when you returned to the research facility where your group and you were creating the demons. I would imagine that you found Maria somewhere in the facility."
Kouta felt sweat drip down his head not responding.
"The point is, Maria and the others were already dead then someone that was hanging around there must've seen you enter the facility and shot you." Lisanna continued. "I would imagine that you were fatally shot, but, it seems that you had a little straight left but you were on the verge of dying."
"That leaves two questions..." Joan began to say still flying in the air while pointing one finger up. "First is, How did you and Maria survive after all these years and becoming cyborgs? I think the answer is that you must've used a spell to transfer your souls into the two cyborg prototype models that you and your scientist group were also working on." She lifts her second finger. "Second, who was the one that leaked the information about the project to the magicians?"
Kouta was silent and his head was lowered covering his eyes. "...
"Defeat me...and I might answer your questions..." Kouta said.
The others expected that answer.
"If that's what you want...then so be it," Lisanna punched her knuckles together.
Elfman growled viciously. "Yeah, let's show him what happens to those who mess with our friends!"
Mirajane punched her hand into her palm. "Right."
Rufus chuckled. "Same goes for us."
The giant cyborg began to rush at them with incredible speed. "Watch out!" Lisanna jumped out of the way while others did the same.
"He was so fast despite how the robot's height!" Elfmane exclaimed.
"No kidding, it's almost as if the robot structure is based on the human body," Rufus theorized.
"That's correct," Kouta's voice was heard from the giant cyborg. "I designed this machine. When I was still alive, I decided to create giant cyborgs. It took me over several months to complete the designs and with Maria's help I was able to complete them before the incident."
"Incident...I'm guessing that you're referring to the part when your project of creating the demons was leaked out," Mirajane guessed.
Kouta went silent and the giant cyborg put its robotic hand out. "Etherion!" He fired an Etherion blast.
"Take cover!" Mirajane quickly got in front of the blast. "Dark Deflect!" She put her palms out front catching the blast and then with all her might she was able to redirect it into the sky.
"Wow, she redirected it with her two hands!" Hamazura was stunned.
"Yes, I heard of Fairy Tail taking down that cyborg hornet, but, this is more than I'd expected." Kinhuta just appeared surprising Hamazura. "Whoa, when did you get here?"
Kouta wasn't too worried. "I admit that effective." He saw Mirajane's state. "Though, you're still a human being and magic has its limits. If you try that move again, it'll surely take a toll on your body. Though, I would imagine you and your friends won't go down so easily."
Elfman narrowed his eyes at the giant cyborg. "Damn right, Fairy Tail isn't the kind of people that would back down from a fight! We're manly!"
"Some of us are women," Lisanna said with a sweat drop.
Just then a vehicle pulled up with Aiho, Erza, and Tsuzuri.
"Guys!" Erza called out while running to them.
"Tsuzuri, take a few of our men and check on the wounded now!" Aiho ordered as her supportant nodded as she ran with some Anti-Skill soldiers.
Uiharu was in the area and was on her laptop scanning the giant robot. "There's got to be a weakness in that over pile of junk." She was taping her fingers on the buttons.
"Better hurry, the guys will need some details, and looks like more androids are on their way!" Saten reminded.
"Quiet!" Uiharu barked.
Wannai and Awatsuki were fighting some androids while protecting an unconscious Kuroko. Using their abilities to send the androids flying away. "These oversized trash cans won't let up!"
"They're even tougher than the mechas we fought in the past!"
Kongou appeared blowing away some androids in a row. "These hunk of junks are so persistent as cockroaches!" She growled.
Then a laser was fired and hit the ground not too far away sending her flying in the air from the explosion. "Kongou no!" Wannai yelled in terror.
"No, we're falling and some of Judgement are becoming exhausted!" Awatsuki was seeing the other officers exhausted and almost on the verge of collapse.
Then over twenty or thirty androids with strange laser blasters were approaching.
"This is bad..." Wannai thought with great worry.
"We have to retreat!" An officer panicked.
"Yes, we're no match for these guys!" A female whimpered in fear.
"Hold your ground, submitting isn't an option!" Saten called out to the fleeing officers.
"Sky Dragon's Roar!" A strong cyclone breath of wind blew at the androids and they were swallowed by them.
Carla was carrying Wendy. "I ain't done!" She was dropped and landed on the ground. "Sky Dragon's Wave Wind!" She swung her hand and subsequently generated a large and very powerful tornado that swallowed other androids.
"Who is that?" Wannai asked.
Kongou recognized the dark blue-haired girl. "It's Wendy Marvel!"
"That's the girl that joined the Tokiwadai Middle School," Awatsuki questioned.
Kongou smiled while putting her fan to her mouth. "Yes, she's the girl that helped Misaka back on her feet."
Wanni smiled. "I see, Kuroko did say Misaka was depressed but this girl helped her."
Three androids wielding magic staff gathered three fireballs and then launched a large fireball at Wendy.
Touma got in front and put his right hand out blocking and nullifying the fireball. "Thanks, Touma," Wendy said with a smile.
"That's Touma?" Wannai questioned.
"He's quite the handsome boy," Kongou cooed with a big smile.
"Sorry sister..." Lessar gave the middle school girl a stern look. "Touma is going to be mine, not some middle school bimbo like you." That insult seemingly boiled the model girl. "Excuse me, who do you think you are?"
"That's right, he'll be joining our group soon," Lancis added with a look that shows that someone found a rival.
Lessar gave a taunting smile. "I'm Lessar, a magician and Touma's woman. Not some big shot model skank would be able to compete with seductiveness."
Lucis giggled in a taunting way. "That's right, you think you such a hot model with such jugs like those. It holds you back!"
"Ha! If you think you can waltz around and say that you two are more beautiful than me, you both got another thing coming!" Kongou retorted with a rough smile.
"This is getting unusual," Wannai whispered with a sweat drop.
"Yeah, Kongou has never lost her cool before," Awatsuki whispered back with a sweat drop too.
"C'mon on you guys, let's take these jerks down!" Wendy called waving her arm and standing by a pile of destroyed androids.
"She's right, enough of this childish argument! We must protect the city!" Carla agreed.
Kongou sighed. "I guess I'll deal with you two later."
Lessar scoffed. "Sounds like a deal to me." Lancis had to agree. "Me too!"
Vento sighed with a shrug. "To think that Lessar likes Touma so much." She thought. "He's more popular than I can remember."
Itsuwa approached Touma. "Touma!" Touma smiled at the girl. "Itsuwa, how are you doing?" The church girl smiled. "I'm fine and-"
A flying figure came soaring at Touma and landed on him. "Touma!" It was Sapphire. "Touma...Touma!" She cooed rubbing her cheek against his affectionally. "Touma!"
Lessar, Itsuwa, and Kongou were stunned at seeing a new girl who had wings hugging Touma as if he were her boyfriend. Saiji and the others arrived. "Too bad, Itsuwa's chance slipped away again."
Orsola put her hands to her cheeks. "Such youth!" She cooed.
B
Kouta looked at the new enemies. "Erza...she must've defeated Irene. No surprise, that clone did have more conscience of the original and she must've remembered the pain she caused."
Erza approached the giant cyborg. "I believe you're Kouta." She looked up with a glare. "I don't know what you and your friend are trying to accomplish with this war and destruction. However, I won't allow this to continue. We'll defeat you and your friend!"
Uiharu was amazed at the girl's declaration. "Wow, she's so cool."
Saten was impressed by the woman's beauty. "Wow, she's like a beautiful queen and that hair. I wish I had that!"
Aiho approached the two Tokiwadai School girls. " Listen, did you girls find anything out about the cyborg?" Uiharu was looking up at her laptop. "The cyborg is capable of using beams that are quite new. I scanned the cyborg's structure and so far nothing. I believe the technology weaponry is different from what I've seen."
"In other words, you haven't been able to find out much about the kind of weaponry the cyborg is using, right?" Aiho asked.
Uiharu was quiet for a second until she spoke again. "Yes, but, I did find out the weakness. If we can create a jamming signal, it would malfunction the cyborg's controls for a short period and give our friends the time to use an all-out attack to finish off the robot."
"Good choice, but what happened to the teenage boy that's inside," Saten asked.
Uiharu had a worried expression on her face. "Yes, I think someone would have to get inside and grab Kouta out of there in a split second."
Aiho thought this over. "I think I might know someone that can help, I'll be right back, prepare the jamming signal, and don't use it on my signal." Uiharu nodded.
Aiho ran toward Erza and explained the situation and the idea they were going to use. "I see, contact Tsuzuri and have her find Wendy, her support magic will be able to assist us in this plan." The Anti-Skill boss nodded and contacted Tsuzuri.
Shortly after.
Tsuzuri finally finds Wendy and explains the situation, agreeing to help, she had Carla fly her to Erza and the others were. Tsuzuri decided to keep an eye on the other group.
Uiharu was working on the laptop. Saten looked at the screen. "Is the jamming signal almost ready?"
"Easy Saten, this takes time," Uiharu said keeping her focus.
Erza's body glowed and her armor changed. "Black Wing Armor!"
"Wow, her armor is amazing!" Hamazura was almost stars struck.
"Be careful, you're starting to drool," Takisubo said with a bored expression despite there being a hint of jealousy.
Hamazura jumped comically. "Whoa, it wasn't like that!"
"Take this!" Erza used her armor flight ability to fly in the air. "Moon Flash!" The giant cyborg put its right arm and created a green shield barrier blocking Erza's attack.
Erza struggled to push through. "She's stubborn..." Kouta thought as he put his cyborg's free hand out in front of Erza. "Flame Stream!" A stream of flames was fired from a cannon that was in the middle of the palm. Erza quickly kicked her feet off the barrier giving her time to jump out of the way.
"Good move!" Elfman cheered. "I'm not next!" He rushed at the robot and punched the leg with his all his strength.
"Damn it!" Kouta muttered as his cyborg began to lose balance. "I ain't going down easily!" He declared regaining his cyborg's momentum. "Earth Stomp!" His cyborg's food landed on the ground hard creating a violent tremor.
Everyone panicked trying to keep their balance steady.
Uiharu was losing her balance as well as the table she had her laptop on. "Oh on!" She panicked as her laptop almost fell over. Saten was unable to keep from falling. "Thank you." Uiharu sighed in relief.
"This ends now..." The giant cyborg took out a silver-like sword from its back. "Cyborg Power Sword!" He wielded a gigantic sword as it drew strong electricity. "Lightning Blade Slash!"
Moving Erza's armor quickly changed and equipped into her Lightning Empress Armor as the cyborg slashed with his sword creating a lightning projectile. Erza raised the tip of her spear sparking its electricity, which created a lightning barrier while she was able to shield herself from the beam, Erza was blasted by the explosion of the two colliding but was able to catch herself, looking unhinged. "Not bad, it's just as strong as Laxus' lightning magic." She praised. "Though, thanks to my attire, your electricity magic won't work on me."
"Is that so?" Kouta questioned. "Then, I'll use the last option."
Everyone wasn't sure how to respond to that answer until the giant cyborg took out a strange-looking device. Erza's eyes widened in realization. "Oh no, he's using..."
Gray and Juvia arrived. "Holy crap, he's got an explosive lacrima!"
Elfman noticed something else about it. "It gets worse!" He pointed at three purple lacrimas that were in the center of the device. "Those are Ultra Concentrated Ether Light Spheres!"
Lisanna remembered that. "It's the same lacrimas that destroyed our guild when we were fighting Tartaros!"
Aiho didn't understand, though she could sense the fear in their voices. "What are you guys talking about?"
"There are explosive items called explosive lacrimas. Those that were in that device are the same ones I was forced to put in my guild," Elfman answered. "Imagine a Jupiter blast time 500. On top of that, there are two more, that would be 1500 times the explosion!"
"That means everyone in the area and possibly nearby would be destroyed!" Mirajane confirmed with fear in her eyes.
Juvia gritted her teeth. "Is he insane!"
"Sorry, but, this is the only way I can win!" Kouta tossed the device as the device was about to explode.
Sapphire was flying while carrying Touma. "I will not let that happen!" Touma quickly punched the center with everything he had making a sound of glass shattering.
The explosive lacrima device began to crack until the entire device broke into several pieces.
"Uiharu, use the jamming signal now!" Aiho proclaimed.
Natsu and Happy arrived at the same time. "Let's finish this hunk of junko off!"
"Aye!"
The young judgment officer pressed a button creating a jamming sonicwave that shook the giant cyborg's machinery to malfunction and go haywire.
Erza saw their chance. "Everyone attack with all your might!" Everyone prepared their attacks.
"Ice-Make: Super Freezing Arrow!"
"Water Wings of Love!"
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Shattering Light Sky Drill!"
"Helphas Blast!"
"Paladin Gleaming Light!"
"Memory-Make: Sword of Frozen Black Lightning!"
"Lightning Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Hamazura took out a bazooka and fired a missile at the cyborg's torso. Mugino rushed through and aimed her Meltdown energy beam.
Kouta looked at the screen and the readings were severe. "Damn it...I...I failed...Maria...this is the end..." His vision began to get blurry but he didn't realize something burning the door behind him and he was grabbed out of the seat he was sitting in.
A short time after.
Kouta woke up surrounded by Erza, Joan, Gray, Juvia, Mirajane, Elfman, Rufus, Mugino, Natsu, Happy, and others who were looking down at him.
"Uhh...what happened?" Kouta sat up rubbing his head as he felt something warm healing his body. He saw Wendy gently putting her hands on his body which were glowing green. "Easy, I need to heal you a little longer."
"May I ask, what did you have me save this piece of crap?" Mugino asked rudely.
"We don't leave our enemies to die even if they cause harm," Erza answered sternly.
"We have some questions for you, I mean I'm referring to what we asked you before our fight," Mirajane reminded the former human teenager.
Kouta took a deep breath and looked away with a shameful look. "The person that leaked out the information about Zeref's project...was...was..." He suddenly stuttered as he tried to get his last words out not because he was hurt but because his guilty expression prevented him from finishing his sentence. "It's okay, just go on and say it," Wendy said kindly getting Kouta to calm down.
"It was me..." Everyone gasped in shock.
"Before I get into that you must know about me and Maria..."
F
Kouta's pov.
Kouta and Maria as young children.
"As you know, we were both research scientists. However, Maria was the smartest in the facility. Even when she was a child. She was the daughter of the famous scientist, Professor William Davis. Maria comes from a family of brilliant scientists. I was lucky to have a good mind myself. That her family and mine were childhood friends."
"Maria loved her parents, she mostly looked up to her father was famous among other scientists. She hoped to be just like him and become a famous scientist herself. One day, her father took ill and passed away, Maria was grief-stricken about this and of course, her kind aunt eventually took her, who lived in the city. I was still able to see her whenever I had the chance."
"A few years later, Maria was becoming smarter and smarter as she studied all kinds of things. Mostly, cyborg robotic technology. She told me that she wanted to create a world."
"Does your background have a point or something?" Natsu interrupted yawning.
Bonk
"Don't interrupt your flame brain!" Lucy retorted leaving a red lump on the boy's head.
"Anyway, Maria was able to buy her research facility and afford a group of scientists to create cyborg technology that can be helpful. Cyborg Tech would be able to help those lost limbs in accidents or during a war. Maria was able to successfully create some for young children that didn't have arms due to birth troubles." Kouta smiled a little. "I was proud of her and what she has accomplished. One thing she would always tell me."
Maria's smile was shown in his mind and remembered her noble speech. "I want to create a world where people don't suffer much anymore. With our technology, that dream will become a reality, and her father will be proud." There was a smile on Kouta's face but then it was replaced with a bitter look on his face. "Then one day, Zeref arrived." Natsu quietly gasped upon hearing his brother's name.
"He was traveling throughout the world. He showed us his powers and the research he had done in the past. At first, Maria didn't know what to make of it. However, she became intrigued by Zeref's creations."
"Let me guess, the Etherious," Lucy presumed.
"Yes, and as you all know, Zeref's demons come from books." Kouta continued. "He demonstrated his magic to us. I was quite shocked to see such creatures created by a signalman like Zeref."
"How did Maria react to this?" Wendy asked.
"Maria was astonished and decided to have Zeref demonstrate more of his magic. Later, they started to spend time together like old friends. I eventually was left at the research facility to handle things with our staff." There was a hint of jealousy in Kouta's voice. "One day, Maria left the lab for a while to go on a trip."
Natsu recalled what Dina and Zira mentioned. "Dina was created from your blood while I was created from Zeref's. From what we heard Dina made a trip somewhere and I guess it was to Earthland where she stumbled upon you and took a sample."
"That mustn't been around the time when Zeref was still working with Maria and her friends." He had an additional thought. "I get the feeling that there is more to this story."
"Maria eventually decided to create her demons with Zeref's help." Everyone was surprised to hear that.
Erza was understanding something about Maria's intention. "What was the purpose of creating more the Etherious?"
"Maria believed that the Etherious could help mankind," Kouta answered looking away. "To be clear, she was the kind person that would never discriminate against other living forms no matter what they were."
Touma couldn't help but respect Maria's character, it's like what he did when Sherry and Vento called Hyouko a monster. "Despite Zeref's warnings, Maria still wanted help to create a new Etherious," Kouta said. "After a few months, she was able to create about four demons."
"Before you continue, what about Nikka, she's not an Etherious, so, where did you and Maria find her?" Lucy asked.
Kouta sighed. "When Maria and Zeref were together to create the new demons. I stumbled upon some information about a demon that was here with her daughter."
"Nezuko..." Lucy said.
"Yes, though, Nezuko wasn't around, her daughter was in another facility and I was able to track her down then I informed Maria of her whereabouts. Together, I and Zeref rescued her and took them to our facility. Though, we decided to let her sleep for a while until our project was over."
"You said four demons were creating, but, the only Etherious that was here was Deliora Reborn," Gray reminded quite puzzled.
"He's right, what happened to the other Etherious?" Juvia asked.
"That was...my doing..." Kouta gritted his teeth in shame and guilt. "I became a bit afraid of what Maria getting into. Though I decided to have a chat with her alone what shattered me the most was what I saw next."
Maria was already having a chat with Zeref. "I saw Maria...having a conversation with Zeref. Then, I saw something that shattered my heart...she...she kissed...him."
Natsu was stunned, he didn't expect to hear that. "Zeref had a different woman..."
"I ran off...angry...jealous...hurt." He clenched his hands. "Though, I came across the room that had the demons sleeping in four tanks. One of them woke up and startled me, so I fled away home without telling Maria. I returned to my apartment and my feelings mixed with sadness, anger, jealousy, and fear. I didn't want Maria to be more involved with Zeref's magic. I decided to take the information about the project to magicians."
The earthland wizards didn't say a word as Kouta continued. "I remained anonymous and tried to get the magicians not to hurt anyone...but...that was my most deadly mistake." Tears fell on his cheeks which slowly dripped on the ground as if they fell in slow motion. "I returned to the research facility about an hour later and what I found there was an unpleasant sight."
Kouta found the research facility in smoke and ashes, and parts of the outside in ruins. "I managed to get inside the facility and I went inside to the tank room where the demons were being held only to find all of them were dead. At least that's what I saw, I noticed two tanks didn't have Nikka and other demon's bodies."
Corpses of the scientists littering the floors of the hallways, and lavatory rooms kept constantly flashing before his eyes. "I...I...still remember the dead bodies of my friends...team..." More tears kept pouring down his cheeks. "I mentioned that two tanks that were emptied and out of the shadows, Deliora Reborn and Nikka dragged to Maria's lab and showed me her corpse. Her body completely smashed...and what was worse was there was dried tears stains went down her cheeks."
An image of an assassin came and shot him three times in the back. "I was shot by the magicians' hitman. Deliora Reborn rushed over to the hitman and killed him instantly." Kouta sobbed. "I told Deliora and Nikka to bury the body of the hitman. Despite my injuries I still have time to live but, my state would eventually give in and I would die." Kouta carried Maria to the cyborg tech room where two prototype models were being kept. "I wasn't ready to die and Maria was barely hanging on. So, I decided to use a voodoo spell on us known as Dambulla...with that spell, I was able to transfer our souls into the two cyborg's model-like bodies. We also knew someone would find us and finish the job, so, we decided to go deep within the facility and the secret laboratory room that had pods that would keep us sleeping and our bodies preserved for centuries."
F
Everyone was stunned.
"I never knew a voodoo spell like that could exist," Happy said sounding surprised.
"It's a last resort for people that would want to use like. Back in the days, cults would use it, but, centuries later the spell was banned from magicians to use." Kouta said. "How I did find out about it, being the computer wiz I was, I was able to track down that spell."
"So, basically, you're saying you transferred your soul and Maria's into those cyborg prototype models, am I right?" Erza asked trying to understand the details.
"What about the flying fortress, what did something like come?" Hamazura asked.
"Even I don't know that. Though, Maria must've known about it, at least, that's what I think," Kouta replied. "You guys are probably wondering what made us wake for over 130 years. If I have to guess, it was the results magic power and esper abilities that were used in War World 3, in theory."
"Whether the reason was, it seems it woke you and Maria up including the remaining demons that were still alive." Elfman said. "Though, what was Maria's true intention. You said she wanted to make Academy City a better life, which I don't follow of what her goal was."
Kouta sighed. "Maria's true goal was to create a peaceful one. I admired her dedication to helping make life better for the people in the city. That said, she always knew of the Magicians and Scientists having scuffles in the past. Regardless, she never felt that both sides should have such intense relationships. So, I guess she worked with Zeref, she thought he would be an example of both sides working together."
Natsu's rough look was replaced with a soft look. "I see, so, that's why she worked with my brother. To ease the tension between scientists and magicians."
Touma couldn't help but respect Maria's noble goal. "I see, that's kind of like what I did."
"But, my betrayal...shattered her dream and everything was taken away from her because of my insecurities...my jealousy drove me to sell her out." Kouta slammed his fists into the ground. "Damn it! If I wasn't as timid and scared as I was then I could've talked to Maria before. But instead I informed the magicians of the project and they killed her along with every scientist I held dear. She and everyone died because of me and this war happens!" He continued to slam his fists onto the ground with rage, guilt, regret, and sadness. "Damn it! I call a friend to Maria...I don't deserve to be her-"
"That's enough of crap!" Natsu was seen crouched down in front of the former teenage boy. "You still believed in Maria, right?" The former human boy looked at the fire dragon slayer and gave a slow nod.
Natsu stood back up. "Then get off your feet and keep fighting!"
"Natsu is right for once," Gray stood by the fire dragon slayer. "If you want to help Maria, then help us stop her from causing this destruction. If you know a way to get into the fortress, then tell us not just for your sake, but for the entire world!"
Touma had his word to say. "That's right, if you want to make up it up to Maria, then help us end this war and save your friend!"
Erza had her word to say. "They're right, I can see that you and Maria wanted to create a world where magicians and scientists could live in peace together. You haven't nothing to be ashamed about."
Wendy smiled sweetly as she held out her hand. "Right, so, please, help us and assist you on helping Maria."
Kouta wiped his tears away with his arms and stood up with determination taking Wendy's hand. "Right."
At the flying fortress. "Kouta...you...you..backstabbing..." The aura around her body began to emit violently as she roared in a demonic tone. "I WILL LET MY PLANS BE STOPPED BY LOWLY WIZARDS AND THEIR MONSTER PETS!"
The Earthland wizards, the magicians, and Esper saw a deadly sinister power coming from the flying fortress as they looked up at it dark energy was blowing from the entire fortress. "What is going on now?" Natsu asked.
Other allies sensed the deadly sinister power emitting from the flying fortress as the true enemy behind the war is about to be revealed one that's controlling Maria. Who is it, find out next time.
End of chapter.