"You gotta be kidding, they're looking to wipe us out no matter what, aren't they?"
"Talk about obsessed."
The Fairy Tail wizards watched as more shades poured out of Phantom's guild hall. All of them gathered together in a swarm before rushing towards them.
"I think there are more now!"
"Will it ever end?"
Cana panted as she drew more cards. "Come on you guys, the others inside haven't stopped fighting. They took down Jupiter and that Abyss Break spell. They're not done yet, which means we're not done either!"
There were a few scattered cheers of encouragement, but it was clear. Everyone was getting tired, the longer this went on the lower morale would be. There was no end to the shades Jose sent out, whenever one was destroyed more were sent in their place. It didn't help that some began to gather together, building a large mass that put everyone on edge.
From further back, Mirajane stood beside the broken guild hall. She could only watch as her friends fought against the endless stream of shades. She couldn't do anything to help, only watch and look after the few that stumbled over once they were out of magic energy.
She clenched her fists and watched on. It was the only thing she could do, just watch them fight as hard as they could as they waited for the others to finish everything inside the giant. Her brother being one of them.
You all can win this! Just keep fighting but please. Please be safe!
-.-
"I can't believe those jerks got Lucy!" Natsu glared at the ceiling as if he could see them. His fists shook as Lucy's pained cry echoed again and again in his mind, each one fuelling his anger further.
"And Levy." Elfman frowned. "Taking hostages like that, it's not manly!"
"We have to go get them!" Happy cried.
"Isn't what's his face up there with them too? Their Master or whatever?" Katsuki asked. "You idiots really think you stand a chance against him? Even if Armor Lady beat the shit out of Boltface, you think you can handle their Master?"
"What makes you think we can't?" Natsu looked at him.
"Wizard Saint? Master of a Guild? The asshole hasn't done any fighting unlike your pyro ass, so he's still got magic energy."
"Katsuki does have a point, unlike us he hasn't had to engage in any combat."
"What about those freaky shade things?" Elfman raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't making those things tire him out?"
"They likely don't take too much magic to make, or else he wouldn't bother to make so many."
Before anyone could respond a wave of dread washed over them. Far more intense than what Izuku had caused earlier. It chilled them to the bone, sending them all on edge.
"What is this?"
"What the…"
Happy shuddered and hid behind Natsu, while Katsuki forced himself to stay put.
Erza gritted her teeth as she looked around. "This feeling…I sense death!"
A dark miasma began to flow throughout the room. Surrounding the wizards, but not getting too close. As if to taunt them.
"I'm super manly but this is giving me the chills." Elfman shuddered.
Natsu's nose twitched and he looked up. "Hold on, who's there!" He whirled around to face the stairs.
Standing at the top was a man surrounded by a dark aura. Death poured from his very being as he gave a mocking applause, prompting the others to look up.
"Bravo, you're all quite keen, aren't you Fairy Tail wizards?"
Happy gasped. "It's him…"
"I must say you have managed to impress me. You surprised me at almost every turn. You annihilated the Jupiter Cannon, you defeated three of my Element 4, actually sent one running for the hills the moment you showed up, brought my giant down to its knees, and even went toe to toe with my dragonslayer." He grinned down at them.
Katsuki swallowed hard and glared at the man ahead. "I'd say we did more than bring your giant down to its knees. It's practically destroyed you creepy fuck!"
Jose scowled at the speaking cat, making him flinch.
Erza put a hand in front of Katsuki as she watched the man. "You're Master Jose!"
"This creep?"
"This guy is Phantom's Master?" Natsu asked.
"I must thank you all for entertaining me, I simply must return the favor. It is what a gracious host does now, isn't it?"
"Natsu, you need to go." Erza looked up at the dragonslayer.
"What? No way!"
"Natsu, you have to. You need to get Lucy and Levy, and get them out of here."
"What? But…"
"Oh come now, running away is rather rude, isn't it?"
"Who says we're running!" Elfman charged forward as a magic circle surrounded his arm.
"No! Don't do it!"
Natsu tried to rush forward to help, but Jose raised his hand and a large, purple, magic circle appeared in front of him.
"Oh please."
Small purple phantoms appeared from the magic circle and surged forth, they all honed in on Elfman and tore through him. It sent him crashing to the ground. Before he could recover Jose swept his arm to the side, sending magic circles across the floor and detonating them.
He grinned as Elfman cried out in pain, and crashed against the wall. He was out cold.
"Elfman!"
Erza dashed forward from where she had taken cover, a brilliant glow surrounding her body.
"Natsu, go!" She shouted. She leapt up into the air and the glow faded to reveal her Black Wing Armor. She swung her sword down, which Jose sidestepped and grabbed her arm.
The man laughed as he tightened his grip and threw her to the side. Erza righted herself and landed on her feet, pointing her sword at Jose.
"I can't just leave alone with this creep, besides what about-" He looked for where Izuku had been, only to see he wasn't there. Neither was Katsuki.
"We'll be fine," Erza said. "I can handle Master Jose, but someone needs to go after Gajeel. We can't let them hurt Lucy and Levy more than they already have."
"But…"
"Natsu, look at me."
The dragonslayer flinched but obeyed. He looked over to see her staring him down.
"I need you to listen to me, right now you're the only one that can do it." She tightened the grip on her sword. "Dig deep, find your strength, and awaken it. Do it now Natsu, for Lucy, for our Guild. Finish what I couldn't, and take down Gajeel. Do you understand me?"
Natsu stared at her, her words alone chased away the stench of death that filled the air. Of course, it was something only Erza could do.
He grinned as he reached down, past the burning flame of his magic deeper down. If he was going to do this, he was going to give it his all, and for that, he'd need an inferno. Flames began to surround his body and the room grew hotter.
Jose watched as fire exploded out of the dragonslayer, forming into the shape of the great beast he was taught to slay.
"My, how touching. However, do you truly expect me to just let you-" Jose was cut off by Erza closing in and bringing her sword down. He dodged by stepping back and sent her back with a wave of his magic.
"Cutting off someone when they're speaking. Goodness has no one taught you children manners?"
Erza only lifted her sword. "If you expect me to let you harm anyone else, then you're sorely mistaken!"
Natsu's flames only further exploded in power as he began to roar, his voice echoing through the halls of the giant. With another battle cry, he leaped up and began to charge through the ceilings, his fire boosting him through the air. A streak of blue followed him through the building, leaving only Erza and Jose as the only wizards still standing in the room.
"Oh no you don't you unruly thing. Dead W-"
"What part of not allowing you to cause any more harm did you not understand!" Erza slammed her blade into the forming magic circle, forcing it to stop. Jose scowled at her and lifted his other hand, unleashing a wave of dark energy.
Erza was forced to back up as she slashed through the purple phantoms that chased her down. When she noticed a few stray spirits making their way to a certain part of the room she gasped and rushed over, cutting through the remaining magic.
She barely dared a glance to the side before turning to face Jose again.
"I am your opponent, Master Jose. If you intend to get to Natsu or anyone else you'll have to cut me down first."
Jose simply glared at her before shaking his head and giving a mocking smile. "Very well Titania, if that's what's required. I can't wait to see what the Queen of Fairies looks like when drowning in despair!"
-FH-
Lucy cringed as Levy cried out in pain, slammed into the wall by a metal beam. She reached up and used the wall as a means to steady herself as she got to her feet.
"Stop it! Stop hurting her!"
Gajeel barely glanced at her as he flashed her a dangerous grin.
"Sorry blondie, but I'm bored and this one ain't as valuable as you. Besides," he walked over and dragged Levy up by her hair, "if you don't want her getting hurt, I suggest you quit yapping!" He slammed her down on the ground, earning another cry of pain.
"You're annoying, and when I get annoyed I gotta get it out of my system. And beating someone so pathetic is cathartic, especially since it's gonna get those other fairy flies worked up. So just sit there like the little princess you are and let someone else take the blow! Unless you'd rather take her place?"
"I'm fine…Lucy." Levy looked up at her with a smile. "It doesn't hurt, not as much as he'd want it to."
"Levy…"
"You really think now is the time to be talking so much smack girly?"
"You know, you're one to talk." Levy looked up at him. "You talk a lot but you can't do much, can you? It's kinda sad…"
"What?"
Levy slowly got up. "You actually listen to Jose? Especially when he talks to you like that? You're replaceable to him, especially when you're considered a failure. Did you not hear what he said to you? If you fail, he's going to end you."
"And why do you care? It's not like you two are going anywhere soon."
"But you're afraid of that happening, aren't you?" Lucy said.
"You'd better watch your mouth blondie!"
Levy was on her feet now, looking up at Gajeel and unwavering in her stance. "You're loyal to someone who doesn't even care about you!" She shouted. "If anything it just goes to show how Phantom is a sad excuse for a guild. A guild is supposed to be a place where you find a family, where you can come home and let go of your worries even for a little while. Phantom has none of that!"
"Shut up!" Gajeel threw his arm forward, allowing it to turn into a metal beam. Before he could strike Levy, Lucy pushed her out of the way and took the hit head-on.
"Lucy!"
The Celestial Wizard looked up at Gajeel through the pain. "You don't get to hit her, just because she's right! You Phantom wizards, you're cruel and heartless. You don't know the first thing about being in a guild, a real one. I haven't been part of Fairy Tail for long, but at least I know they'll come for me if I'm in trouble. And what about you? You're all alone here, with no one to back you up. If you fail and Jose comes to finish you off, nobody in Phantom is going to come for you! Unlike Fairy Tail, I already know my friends are on their way."
Gajeel bristled in anger as Lucy continued to glare at him. "Even when all this is over, you'd better watch your back. Because if Jose isn't going to finish you, then you'll have the scariest guild coming after you. You've hurt too many of us, and no one is going to forget that."
Gajeel gritted his teeth, his arm returning to normal as he glared at the two girls in front of him. After a moment he started laughing. It sounded forced.
"You two can talk trash all you want. Family? Guilds? Who gives a crap about that? You talk big about your guild, but there ain't no one here to save you now, is there?" He charged at them, his arm turning into a large blade.
Levy tried to put herself in front of Lucy as Gajeel closed in. Both braced themselves for the pain-
Only for the floor to explode as someone came crashing through it. A deafening roar echoed throughout the room and the ones below. Intense flames that were gathered around the wizard lashed out and raged in time with him.
Lucy almost laughed in relief as the Iron Dragon Slayer had been struck and was forced to back up, coming face to face with his true opponent.
"Natsu…he came!"
The fire grew in intensity as he roared out in anger. "Gajeel!"
-FH-
He could feel it in the distance. An intense heat that could burn through anything and everything, and an echoing shout followed after it. An endless abyss pulling everything in. Freezing cold, the ripples of reequipping magic. Reaching further and further. Despite the distance he could feel it, the warmth of magic of all kinds, the determined cries of wizards protecting their friends and home.
Sensing it from afar, it was like coming out of a fog he hadn't realized he was stuck in.
"My children…I can hear them."
Makarov opened his eyes to see he was in a place far different than what he remembered the last time he was conscious. The last thing he remembered was…
"Makarov?"
He looked up to see Porlyusica, his old friend, walking over. "How are you feeling?"
He hummed as he sat up and turned so he could hop off the bed.
"No. Not yet." She insisted. "You still need rest. You're not entirely recovered."
"Hmph, and when have I ever listened to you?"
The hermit frowned as she watched the man gather his clothes. "That was a rather speedy recovery, especially considering the condition you were brought in."
"That so?" He half listened as he quickly pulled his clothes on. "Well, clearly I'm fine. Aren't I?"
He pretended not to notice the way her hands clenched into fists. She wanted to yell at him, he could already hear it, but she would have to save her lecture for another day.
A day when his children weren't in danger.
"Barely awoken, and you hasten to your death. Are you a fool?"
The Guild Master shook his head. "I'll take the chance. My children need me now. I've left them for too long."
He began to walk toward the doors, only pausing for a moment to look at her. "Thank you for your help Porlyusica."
He left without another word, steeling himself and allowing himself to gather his rage together.
His children needed him, and Jose had too much to answer for.
-FH-
"Well, well, look who finally showed up!" Gajeel grinned. "Finally, it's about time! I was wondering when you'd finally show your face, Salamander!"
"No need to wonder any longer, because I'm here to take you down. Black Steel!"
"I'd like to see you try!"
Natsu seethed for a moment before his flames became more controlled. "Lucy, Levy, you two need to stay back. This isn't gonna be pretty."
"Natsu…"
Without another word, Natsu charged forward and collided with Gajeel. The Iron Dragonslayer sent a metal beam toward Natsu, but he caught it and used it to throw Gajeel into a wall.
He barely had the chance to block before Natsu came charging at him again, his flames growing in intensity. As the two magics collided it sent ripples of explosions through the room.
Levy and Lucy retreated back as far as they could without getting caught in the crossfire. As they found themselves in the clear, a blue cat flew up from the hole in the ground.
"Lucy! Levy!"
"Happy!" Lucy beamed as the cat flew over and crashed into her for a hug.
"You guys are okay!"
"As okay as we can be." Levy smiled and watched as Happy went back to floating. Before they could continue there as another ripple of power that went surging through the room as fire and iron clashed again and again.
They tried to keep up with the fight, barely able to watch as Gajeel was thrown into a wall, and Natsu once again chased him. Only to receive a metal fist to the face.
He flew back and crashed into the wall, but managed to stay on his feet.
"Gotta say, for being fairy scum, at least you put up a fight." Gajeel rubbed his jaw where Natsu had landed a particularly hard hit.
"Oh, I've only gotten started." Natsu scowled at him, the heat of the room fluctuated for a moment. "I'm gonna melt your ugly iron face before you even know it."
"Yeah? Sounds fun."
"Does it now? Then get over here!"
Gajeel cackled as they threw their magic towards each other again. Natsu rushed forward and barely dodged another metal beam, but as he closed in to hit Gajeel, more beams exploded from the main arm.
It knocked Natsu off course and earned him a punch to the face.
Gajeel's victory only lasted for a moment before wild flames sprang to life and threatened to burn him.
Natsu came out of the fire like an animal, shouting as he threw himself at Gajeel. His fists were ablaze as he chased after Gajeel, again and again trying to close the distance and strike him whenever he could.
Gajeel struggled to keep up, there was no rhythm to the fight, no real direction. Natsu was just fighting with one thing on his mind- getting back at Gajeel.
"He's relentless," Lucy muttered.
"If anything, fighting Natsu is like the icing on the cake." Happy said. "Erza already fought with Gajeel, and if I had to guess that was pretty rough on him."
"That explains why he looked so beat up when we first saw him."
"Aye."
Their battle tore up the room, breaking down the stone walls and tearing up the ground below them.
"Fire Dragon Roar!" A magic circle appeared in front of the fire wizard, point blank at Gajeel.
The ensuing attack sent Gajeel flying into a wall, and falling into now broken equipment.
Natsu panted as he watched Gajeel lay on the ground. He grinned to himself when he figured he wasn't getting up, and looked at the others.
"You two okay?"
Lucy blinked away her awe before nodding. "Yeah, we're o-"
Before she could finish a metal beam shot out and nearly struck Lucy, barely grazing her and sending her stumbling back.
Natsu whirled around to see Gajeel getting back to his feet. He retracted his arm and turned it back to normal, while with the other hand he ate the metal of the broken equipment. He glared up at them as he ate through it like it was nothing.
"He eats metal!"
"The Iron Dragonslayer. It makes sense if you think about it." Happy said.
"You really think I was done Salamander? Really?" Gajeel grinned up at him. "Now that ain't too fun now is it?"
"You still wanna fight?" Natsu asked, his flames surrounded him. "You really feel like getting your butt kicked again?"
"Don't get too cocky, Salamander." Gajeel finished his snack and allowed metal to coat his body, hardening into something indestructible. "You can't have thought that it was going to be this easy."
"Considering how Erza beat you up, I was almost afraid that you wouldn't have a lot of fight in you."
Gajeel's grin widened as he looked Natsu in the eye. "I'm going to tear you apart, and once I'm done with you, I'll make sure that little parasite you fairy flies are so fond of comes next!"
The heat of the room intensified for a moment, and Natsu shot forward towards Gajeel. Fire enveloped his fist and a magic circle appeared in front of him.
"I told you not to call him that! Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"
Their collision sent the room shaking again. The three bystanders did their best to stay on their feet. The dust whipped through the room, blinding them to the scene.
When it cleared, they saw Natsu shaking and that Gajeel had blocked the hit. Natsu gritted his teeth, trying not to cry out in pain.
"What's wrong Salamander? That didn't hurt, did it?"
Natsu huffed and jumped back, holding his bruised fist and glaring at Gajeel. "You wish! Just because you got a fancy upgrade, doesn't mean much Bolt-face! I'm still gonna take you down!"
"Then do your worst Salamander!"
Natsu surrounded himself in fire and charged forward again.
His fists stung painfully with each blow, and he bit down hard to keep himself from crying out. He refused to give Gajeel any satisfaction.
The issue with his opponent being made of metal was that hitting him hurt, but getting hit by Gajeel hurt even more.
Natsu's head snapped back as he was punched across the face with a metal arm. Stars spun in his vision as his scarf was grabbed and he was pulled forward to receive another blow to the face, and another, and another.
"Come on! Don't tell me that's all you got Salamander! Even that little leech could handle a better beatdown than you could!"
"Shut up!"
A burst of flame flashed as Natsu threw his head forward and slammed it into Gajeel's face. He barely flinched, but it was enough to make him let go of Natsu.
Natsu took the chance to strike Gajeel as hard as he could, fire blazing as hot as it could. Gajeel shouted and struck Natsu to knock him away.
"Oh, you little bastard!"
"Shut up!" Natsu shouted, flames dying down to a flicker, the heat of the room was still unbearable. "I don't want to hear any mention of any Fairy Tail members out of your mouth! You don't get to talk about my friends like that, not after you've hurt them. You especially don't get to talk about Izuku. You beat him down when he did nothing to you, you kicked all this off by hurting a defenseless kid!"
"Please, he's far from that. Or did you already forget? He's-"
"I don't care!" Natsu cut him off. "He's still a member of Fairy Tail, he did nothing to you. He didn't even know what he could do but you know what?" Natsu grinned at him. "I bet he could use your magic better than you ever could."
Gajeel didn't hesitate to throw himself at Natsu, claws trying to rip and tear at the defenseless Fire Dragonslayer.
Natsu managed to dodge most of the blows, but some came too close for comfort, almost grazing his face or arms.
"It sounds like Natsu struck a nerve." Happy said.
"Definitely," Lucy muttered. "It sounds about right. Izuku's used Gajeel's magic a few times now I think. Something like that has to shake him to some extent."
Levy was silent, simply watching the fight and listening to the others speak. She watched as Natsu had to duck and dodge around Gajeel, he couldn't find an opening. If he tried then he'd get shredded apart.
She clenched her hands and looked down, reaching for her magic and feeling only dregs left. The shades that had taken her and Lucy to Phantom's base had also drained them of most of their magic.
As she began to trace small letters in the air the building shook, nearly knocking her and the others down.
"What was that?"
"I think it came from down below…" Happy said. "Erza and Master Jose are fighting down there."
"They're what?" Lucy looked at them. "Erza…against him?"
Gajeel paused his assault when he heard that and looked at them. He grinned and began cackling.
"You gotta be kidding me. Does Titania have a death wish or something? Does she really think that she can take on Master Jose?"
Natsu recovered from the shaking and threw a punch at Gajeel. The Iron Dragonslayer dodged and managed to catch Natsu in his own attack. He threw him to the ground, and before Natsu could get up, Gajeel grabbed the back of his head and repeatedly smashed his face into the ground.
When Gajeel stopped for a moment, Natsu spit out blood and whatever dust had gotten in his mouth.
"Nah, she can take down your sorry master any day. Just like she did with you!"
Gajeel shouted and threw Natsu away. He managed to right himself before he smacked into the wall. He panted and looked up when he felt a shift in the air. He looked up to see a magic circle had appeared in front of Gajeel.
"Natsu get out of there!"
"Iron Dragon Roar!"
A whirlwind of metal tears through the room and heads straight for Natsu. He barely has time to brace himself for the onslaught.
Lucy and Levy stumbled back at the sheer force the roar caused, Happy clung onto Lucy to avoid being blown away.
"Natsu!"
The magic tore through the wall that Natsu had been against, and some of the ceiling came crashing down with it. They lost sight of him. Lucy looked around in a panic as Gajeel cackled.
"Aw, was that a bit much for you Salamander? What happened to all that backtalk?" Gajeel grinned in the direction of the rubble. He raised an eyebrow as Natsu freed himself from the rubble and panted.
"It's gonna take a lot more than that, Black Steel!"
Lucy bit her lip as she watched them. Gajeel by all means was worse for wear, Erza really did a number on him but that didn't change how brutal he could be. Natsu on the other hand fought only minimally and still had a lot of magic energy. Though, he did use a lot of it coming swinging out the gate.
She instinctively reached for her keys and felt nothing there, of course. Except…
Natsu roared loudly and charged at Gajeel again. They knocked each other around the room. Kicking, punching, tearing, no part of it was safe from their rampages.
The more they fought, the more the room shook. It felt like it was all going to come crumbling down soon.
That thought was further supported as another tremor went through the building and they were almost knocked off their feet again. The shaking didn't even stop as Gajeel managed to grab Natsu's arm and fling him out of one of the broken walls, and chased after him.
The two crashed and collided in the air, traveling further and further upwards. A blaze of flames and the gleam of metal being the indication of where they were.
"I don't know how much longer this place is gonna hold out." Happy said.
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.
"Izuku took out half the building with Jupiter, and then the cannon exploded, and I think the giant lost another arm earlier. With Erza and Jose fighting down there, and these two fighting up here, I think it's gotta fall down soon."
Both of the girls looked at the cat in shock but saw his point. The two dragonslayers were only compounding on the damage and making it worse.
"Natsu's going to beat him," Lucy muttered and gripped the one key she had. "I know he will. But…"
Her hold on the only key she had tightened and she pulled it out. "Still, everyone is doing all this because of me. I can't just let everyone fight for me. I know I don't have a lot of magic energy left, but I have to do something!"
"Lucy…" Levy said.
"Open, Gate of the Archer! Sagittarius!" A magic circle appeared in front of the key, and the sound of a door creaking open resounded through the room. A bright flare of light and the celestial spirit appeared in front of them.
He looked like a man wearing a horse costume, holding his metal bow proudly in one hand and saluting with the other, but was facing away from the group.
"Well, howdy-do my lady!"
"It worked!" Lucy smiled.
"If you wanna salute her, you're facing the wrong way."
Lucy stared in awe for a moment before shaking her head. "Listen, I'm sorry I can't talk contracts right now, but I need help!"
She pointed upwards through the destroyed ceiling to where the battle of the dragonslayers was taking place.
"My friend is fighting up there, he's the one with the flames. The one he's fighting is covered in metal, I don't know if that'll affect how well you can hit him. Or even fire, if you can shoot fire that'd be a big help too."
The horseman looked up through narrow eyes, tracking the two dragonslayers up above. They were almost hard to spot, but they weren't fast enough. Even so, with them so close and moving so erratically, he ran the risk of harming an ally.
"They're rather close together, and if I shoot I may hurt your friend. It's a low chance, but it may happen milady."
Lucy froze. "Then what about fire?"
"I'm afraid I cannot shoot fire. I apologize I can't be of more use."
Lucy looked down. "N-No, I understand. Still, thank you for hearing me out."
"Lucy…"
"Hold on." Levy stepped closer to the celestial spirit, she smiled as she held up a hand. Magic energy gathered at her fingertips. "I don't have a lot of magic left either, but I think I can help with that."
-.-
Just as they were tearing up that room, the two dragonslayers were destroying the outside of the giant. Metal hands carved through stone and brick, and fire melted metal and stone. The sheer force of their attacks sent shockwaves tearing through the giant.
They both landed on a crumbling section as they tried to catch their breath.
"That really all you got bolts for brains?" Natsu asked. He smiled as he got a better look at Gajeel. "You ain't looking too hot. You lost that boost you got earlier?"
Gajeel panted as he glared at Natsu. "In your dreams Salamander!" He ignored the chips in his armor, and how some of his skin was exposed underneath.
As he prepared himself for another bout with the fire dragonslayer he noticed something. He looked to the side with a smirk.
"Hey, get a look at that. It looks like your guild is doing some redecorating." He jabbed a thumb in the direction of the guild.
Natsu narrowed his eyes, not looking away until he heard it. The screams and shouts of fellow guild members down below. His head snapped in that direction and he stopped.
A large mass was in front of the guild hall, large fists beating down on the guild hall. Their home. He could hear them all yelling to take down the monster. Some of them cried at the sight of their home being destroyed.
First, they hurt their newest member, Izuku. Just a kid. Then they hurt Gramps, who was down for the count without magic. Then they kidnapped Lucy and Levy and hurt them too.
And now, they're destroying their home. His home. Lisanna's home.
He could only watch as it began to collapse. Splintering apart and breaking down into pieces.
When was it enough? When did they take enough?!
Natsu seethed, drawing up whatever magic he had left.
It's time to end it. It's all or nothing!
"Looks a lot better than it did before, don't you think Sala-"
Gajeel was cut off as Natsu punched him in the face. Further cracking the metal skin. He refused to let up though as he continued his barrage of fiery punches.
Gajeel tried to swipe at him but was knocked back by a wave of fire. The air was so hot and thick it was hard to breathe, and his metal was growing to unbearable temperatures.
"Oh come on, you really upset about that dump?"
By the time he finished speaking, he realized Natsu had closed in on him. He didn't have time to react. A harsh uppercut sent him flying into the air, but even then he was given no reprieve. Natsu chased after him, using his fire to propel him higher and higher.
"Izuku! Katsuki! Levy! Lucy! Gramps!" Each word was emphasized by a burning fist. "Then our guild hall, our home! I don't care who else you need to hurt till you're satisfied because I'm ending this now!"
Natsu panted and reached for any and all magic he had left. Dregs, having burned through most of it with his earlier rampage.
"Natsu heads up!"
He looked down when he heard Lucy's voice and saw a glint of light. In an instant, a burning arrow was flying towards him. He grinned and reached out to catch it, and sucked up the flames in an instant, giving him the last boost he needed.
"Thanks for the boost Lucy, Levy!"
He threw the arrow at Gajeel, who recovered enough to bat it away. In the time he knocked the narrow away, Natsu had already gathered all the magic he needed. Intense flames burned around him, lighting up the sky.
He roared as he struck Gajeel one last time, fire trailing after him as he drove him back down to the giant.
The air grew hotter and hotter, and the ground exploded as Gajeel crashed into it. Sending more walls coming down and making the building shake even more.
The fire dissipated and the heat lingered as Natsu stood over Gajeel, his knuckles bruised and bloodied from punching metal.
"You're just…a Fairy…fly. You can't beat…"
"Yeah? Looks like I just did. You're done Black Steel!"
-.-
"Ninth!"
"Ninth!"
"You need to get up!"
-FH-
Some rubble fell from the ceiling, cracking the ground it fell on.
"My my, that's quite the unruly dragon you have. Making a mess of things." He scowled. "And putting my own dragon out of commission. How shameful."
Erza stood strong in front of Jose, with hardly a scratch on her. "As unruly as he is, he's still an exceptional wizard. In fact, I'd say he's just as strong as myself if not stronger."
Jose tutted at her and shook his head. "Now, Titania, you shouldn't sell yourself short. You're quite exceptional yourself. No other wizard has lasted so long in a battle against me. Let that be a testament to how skilled you are."
"I don't need your praise."
Jose took a moment to smooth his features and return to a neutral expression.
"You know what truly irks me about Fairy Tail? The fact that there are so many powerful wizards such as yourself that are aligned with Makarov." He lifted a hand, pointing at a pillar in the room. With a flick of his finger, he sent off a surge of magic energy, barreling through the room until she appeared in front of the blast and cut through it.
"You thought I wouldn't notice Titania? Come now, you shouldn't think me a fool."
Erza gritted her teeth. He had figured it out, that was where she had hidden Izuku in the beginning. Behind a pillar, away from Jose's eyes, away from his spells.
Jose simply continued on his barrage, knowing Erza wouldn't move from that spot.
"I'll kill you and that boy, and any other Fairy Tail wizards still in my giant. I'm sure the death of his children will send that old fool into despair. Imagine how he'll feel when he awakes to find his guild hall in ruins and his dear children dead and gone. He'll grieve the loss of you all to the point it consumes his entire being. He'd be lost, and have no choice but to wither away and die. But not before I torture him, and break him down further. To a shell of his former self."
"You monster!"
The moment Jose's magic barrage paused Erza closed up and sliced at him. She only struck the ground and he appeared behind her. She whirled around and pointed her sword at him, about to slash at him again when she saw him raise his hand again, still pointed at the pillar. She paused and watched him smile.
"As long as I can remember, Phantom Lord has always been at the top. We had the most powerful wizards with the strongest spells, more capital, and more members than anyone else. We were the golden standard." He almost seemed fond of the memory, then his smile turned into a scowl. "However, as of recently Fairy Tail has begun to catch up, leaving our reputation in jeopardy."
Erza narrowed her eyes. He couldn't be serious…
"Names such as Erza, Mystogan, and Laxus became widely known. Stories of your Salamander began to spread like wildfire. And now he's picked up a little pest that knows how to make a mess of things, enough time and I'm sure he'll be a boost to your reputation. Tch, nowadays Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail are considered equals, how preposterous. It's disgusting, I refuse to be associated with such a feeble guild!"
"Silence!"
He dodged to the side as Erza came charging towards him again, sidestepping every swipe as she yelled.
"So we're fighting for our lives just because you've had a fit of jealousy? That's the poorest excuse I've ever heard!"
Jose hummed and this time caught her blade between his fingers.
"Jealousy? Goodness no, it was just time to prove to the kingdom that we are the dominant guild."
"It's a petty reason!"
Jose raised an eyebrow and flung another spell through the room. Erza wrenched her sword out of his grasp and raced towards the blast. She wasn't going to make it in time. Instead, she flung her sword towards the magic and cut through it.
The sword fell away to the ground and Erza was about to summon another one.
Before she could, the air in the room went cold and a magic circle appeared in front of Jose. She didn't have the time to dodge as purple wisps wrapped around her and began constricting her.
"That's certainly another weakness of your guild. How much you all care for each other. Turning your back and throwing your weapon? A rather ill choice Titania."
As Jose walked past her the wisps tightened their hold on her. The magic strangled her as it bit into her skin. She cried out in pain but struggled against them. She could break out their hold, she had to!
"I've never been particularly fond of your guild, but I'm not the one who started this war." Jose closed his hand into a fist, intensifying the spell. The magic circle grew brighter and Erza bit back a cry of pain.
"What?"
"We were hired by none other than the patriarch of the Heartfilia family to find his missing daughter."
Lucy…
"So, the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the kingdoms has joined Fairy Tail. I should have expected it! Makarov is trying to buy his way to the top! Isn't he?"
He ramped up the spell and smiled as Erza cried out, and continued to struggle.
"Now that he has unfettered access to the Heartfilia fortune, it's a matter of time before that happens. Though we need not worry about that, not if we completely wipe you out first!"
Erza's cries of pain paused after a moment, before turning into laughter.
"Oh please. It's laughable how concerned you are over your guild's ranking. But I'm even more amused at how misinformed you are about Lucy!"
She barely flinched as he amplified the spell again in irritation. "Excuse me?"
"She came to us as a runaway. She doesn't have access to any of her family's fortune. She rents a place for 70,000 Jewel a month, she works hard to make a living. She laughs with us, fights with us, she cries with us!"
Erza renewed her struggles against her bindings, reaching for one of her other armors to reequip into.
"She's no different from any member of our guild! She may be the daughter of the Heartfilia family, but just as flowers don't choose where they bloom, children don't get to choose their parents!"
A surge of magic energy began to break through her bindings.
"You don't know anything about Lucy, or the tears that she has shed!"
A glow of light destroyed the shadow binding and Erza landed on the ground, now wearing her Heaven's Wheel Armor. She summoned a sword and pointed it at Jose.
"Her rightful place is here in this guild, and you have no right to take her!"
Jose glared at Erza, shaking with rage. With a huff, more magic circles appeared around her.
"Well I'll find out soon enough won't I?"
Erza gasped and dodged the oncoming wisps, their gaping maws reaching for her. She summoned a pair of swords and cut through them.
"You're a fool if you think I'm just going to hand that girl over without reaping a benefit of some kind! I intend to make that girl my prisoner until that foolish man meets my demands! I am going to bleed the Heartfilia family dry!"
Erza continued to dodge and cut through the phantoms.
"You're a scoundrel! Now who's buying their way to the top?"
"It's certainly what they deserve, after making us go through all this trouble!"
More magic circles appeared around Erza. She couldn't escape as the creatures swarmed around her and blocked her vision. She cut through the swarm before dispelling them all with a swipe of her sword.
It was too easy.
"I suggest you behave my dear, or else…"
He smiled and Erza saw some of the purple phantoms creeping towards Izuku.
"No! Don't you dare!"
"Foolish girl."
Another magic circle appeared behind her and chained her down once more. With her being trapped, two large creatures began to approach her at Jose's orders.
"There's that weakness in play once again. Come now my dear, you may have had an actual chance to strike me down if you had forgone protecting that little parasite."
"Don't you dare call him that!"
Jose rolled his eyes and watched as the two large creatures poised themselves in front of her. And then- screams. He smiled as he listened to her scream and writhe in pain as they drained her magic and life force.
"It's quite painful now, isn't it? However, I need you to perk up my dear. I want you to make an appearance before your peers. Imagine how they'll feel when they see what their beloved Titania Erza has been reduced to. When they see the sorry state you're in they're sure to surrender!"
"You're a despicable man!"
"Now, now my dear, insulting me won't do any good. Though, you're not quite ready for your appearance. No, not yet."
A manic smile spread across his face as a magic circle appeared in front of Jose, facing the pillar Izuku was hidden behind.
"First, I'll make sure you drown in your own despair. This boy you care for so much, I'll kill him in front of you. Oh imagine the face you'll make then, and how the others will feel once they see you so defeated."
"No! Stop!" She struggled harder against the bindings, but both they and the monsters were draining away her energy. "Don't you dare!"
"It's time for the pest to die."
"No!"
The magic circle lit up, and a larger phantom surged forward, tearing apart anything in front of it.
-.-
"...-nth. Ni-...Ninth!"
Everything hurt. His head felt fuzzy. But was forced to attention as one of the vestiges appeared in front of him, towering over him. It was…Shinomori?
"Ninth, you must wake up!"
He could only stare at the man in confusion, and then he felt it.
A stabbing pain.
-.-
A green blur darted past the pillar, just in time to avoid the phantom that destroyed everything in its path.
Erza gasped as she spotted the familiar figure stumble over and fall to the ground.
My head is killing me…
Izuku looked up through blurred vision to see a man standing in the center of the room, and held up in the air, bound by strange purple creatures was…
"E-Erza!"
"Holy shit you're awake." Katsuki was in his arms.
Izuku flinched as another stabbing pain rang through his skull, and threw himself to the side just in time to avoid a purple blast.
His head was killing him, he was exhausted, his hands hurt, honestly, everything hurt. It was an effort just to keep his eyes open.
"B-Barely…" He muttered. His world tilted as he began to black out again. But stopped as he forced himself to stay upright.
"You're not looking well either, little parasite. It seems Aria did quite the damage to you."
Izuku said nothing to him, instead looking up at Erza. She stared at him before shaking her head, but Izuku wasn't going to budge.
He regained consciousness, which meant he had a little more fight in him. He just needed to buy time so Erza could break free.
"What's wrong, are you deaf boy?"
A smaller phantom came racing towards him and Izuku dodged once more through blinding pain and rushed towards Jose.
"Coming at me head-on, a foolish tactic."
Please work!
Before he could cast another spell, purple smoke poured out around the room, obscuring everyone's vision.
Jose looked around, eyeing the smoke. There was a shift in the air and he turned to blast it. Instead of a body he saw he had knocked a thrown sword off course.
An air of dread appeared behind him, and Jose smiled to himself.
"Amateur."
Izuku was about to make a grab for Jose's magic when a purple phantom tore into him. He cried out in pain as it wrapped around his outstretched arm and dragged him away towards Erza.
"A valiant effort boy, but it's not enough."
"No! Stop it, let him go!" Erza shouted. The purple smoke began to dissipate.
"I don't think so Titania! This little brat is finally going to die!"
"Fuck off!"
Katsuki appeared and bit his hand, but was quickly smacked away.
"Good for nothing pests. All over my guild hall. Now to-" He was cut off by a deafening crack of thunder.
Jose stopped as his magic circle suddenly disappeared. With it gone, the phantoms binding the two began to dissipate.
A warm light chased away the shadows and began to restore some power to the injured wizards.
Erza shuddered as she was lowered to the ground. "But how?"
Izuku was just as confused as he was released. He looked up in confusion and gasped.
Behind them, standing on top of rubble in the room, the source of the warm light-
Was none other than Master Makarov.
"You have shed the blood of our children. And that is unforgivable. They have been made to suffer because of the incompetence of their parents. We are both to blame Jose."
Izuku couldn't help but start to tear up, and Erza looked relieved. Katsuki was in just as much awe.
"This war between us has gone on long enough. Let's end this here and now!"
"Master." Erza smiled and wiped away a tear of her own.
Izuku shuddered as he felt another surge of Jose's power.
Phantom Lord's guild master's eyes turned dark, and he grinned up at Makarov.
"If we fight it could cause a catastrophe."
Makarov only steeled himself as a hold light surrounded merely one of his fingers. Pure power radiated off of him.
"In order to save my guild I will gladly take that risk!"
Jose took that as an invitation and threw eerie phantoms forward. Golden magic circles blocked them from getting anywhere close to the Fairy Tail members.
As the spells collided, Elfman began to regain consciousness. He looked up and got to his feet in a hurry.
"Master!"
"You kids need to get away while you can."
"We'll stay with you!" Elfman said.
"No! We have to do as he says."
Izuku hurriedly got to his feet and rushed to get Katsuki, then followed Erza. He nearly stumbled as the spells intensified.
"Well, well now that you're here I have no interest in those children of yours. It'll be a treat to kill them once their master is dead."
"If we stay here we'll be in his way. He can handle this, I have faith."
"But, how did-"
Erza shook her head and ushered Izuku out.
Makarov waited until his children were out of the way. He silently thanked Erza for getting them out, it was good they listened to her.
"It's been six years since we last came face to face, Makarov. When Phantom was number one and no one knew how large your Fairy Tail would become. And now look at it, reduced to rubble."
Makarov glared at him, unamused as the man laughed at the destruction he caused.
"Our guild hall may have been destroyed, but we're strong as ever!"
Jose brushed aside his words. "I must admit, I'm looking forward to this. Although it's frowned upon by the Council, I can't wait to see who's the superior Wizard Saint.
Magic energy exploded in the room, the warm golden light of Makarov's magic, and the cold dark of Jose's.
"I couldn't have done this without you, my children. Bless you all! Be proud that you are members of Fairy Tail!"
-.-
Natsu shouted as the shaking of the giant sent him flying. It nearly knocked Lucy and Levy over as well.
They could feel intense magic in the air, even from so far away. Clashes of two intense forces that caused water to part for them.
"Is everyone okay?" Levy asked.
"I'm good. Natsu?"
"What the heck is going on in there?" Happy looked up nervously. They all stopped and looked over at Natsu who started laughing.
"It looks like Gramps is back on his feet, and settling the score!"
-.-
"This is insane!" Izuku looked back as Katsuki flew him back to the guild.
In their hurry to get out, they met up with Gray who was carrying a familiar person in his arms. Juvia. He made an ice bridge for himself and Elfman, trailing behind the flying Izuku and Erza.
"How the hell did the old man get his magic back? Was it you, damn nerd?"
"What? No! There's no way it could have been me."
Erza smiled to herself. "Don't worry, if I had to guess, it looks like that might be the doing of someone else on our side. If that's the case, I'm glad they came through."
"Someone else?"
-.-
"I must say, I'm impressed." Makarov stood on top of the rubble, looking down at Jose. Paying no mind to the guild hall collapsing around them. "You have so much power at your command. I can see why you were named one of the 10 Wizard Saints. However, you're misusing that power for your own personal gain."
He looked disappointed as Jose scowled up at him.
"You could have become a role model for the younger generation, and instead you've become a lesson in what not to do."
"Tch. What is this, a lecture?"
Makarov stared him down.
"I have a rule that seems to work well with my Fairy Tail kids. I'll give you until the count of three to do exactly as I say."
"Excuse me?"
Power surged around Makarov.
"Kneel to me."
"What!"
"One."
Jose was amused, shaking his head as his own power surged. "You expect me to concede and kneel before you? There's no way in hell!"
"Two." Makarov put his hands together, the magic energy growing into something devastating.
"If anything, you should be kneeling to me! You and your pathetic children are no match for my guild. Though the Council considers us equal in power, I am the superior one. Being ruthless makes me even stronger!" The phantoms he conjured cowered away from the bright light gathering in Makarov's hands.
"Three."
"You and your precious children are going to die!"
"Time's up."
"You'll be sent straight to hell Makarov!" A few phantoms surged forth, but dissipated as the man put his hands together. Completely canceling out Jose's spell.
Jose faltered and looked around as light consumed the entire room, blinding him.
"I invoke- Fairy Law."
-.-
"What is this?"
"It's so bright."
"This bright light…"
"Is it someone on our side?"
"It has to be, we're still okay, and look!"
Some of the Fairy Tail members looked up to see any remaining shades losing their shape and disappearing with a screech.
Izuku looked away from the blinding light as he landed.
"What is this?"
"Is it the old man?"
"This is Fairy Law," Erza said.
"What is that?" Gray walked over, standing with them and looking towards the light.
She smiled. "A spell that vanquishes darkness with sacred light. It only affects who the caster sees as their enemy. It's one of the most legendary spells in existence. It's incredible isn't it?"
"And the old man just had that up his sleeve?!"
Izuku nodded as he stared in awe. Even the clouds had parted to allow the light to shine on the giant as if the heavens themselves were looking down.
"So this is the power of a Wizard Saint," Izuku muttered.
"That Jose creep is a Wizard Saint too," Katsuki said, looking at the light as well.
"Yeah but, this feels like a whole different level. It's amazing."
-.-
Makarov looked down at the man responsible for this whole mess. Watching him shake and cower before him, trying to shield himself from the light that had long since faded.
"You will never bother Fairy Tail again. Understand?"
The man gave no answer, but his whimpers were enough. Makarov turned around and began to walk away.
"I'm sure the Council will be watching us after all the chaos we've caused, not to mention furious. You'd better be on your best behavior from now on, I know I will."
It was time to go back to his children. To make sure they were all okay. He was sure they were, they were Fairy Tail wizards, they were all strong. However, it's a parent's duty to make ensure their children were alright.
But first…
Makarov swung his fist, feeling it collide with the jaw of the wizard that caught him off guard the first time. It was not a trick he'd be falling for again. He listened to the man's body collide with a remaining wall, and fall to the ground.
"The war is over, we have no reason for conflict. However, should you push me to the point of anger, I will wipe out your guild without hesitation. Am I understood?"
He let out a sigh before turning towards the ruins of the giant with a smile. And any other Phantom wizards hiding nearby.
"Now you kids get out of here, and take Jose."
-.-
"Did we just-"
"Holy-"
"Yeah!"
"We did it!"
"We really did it!"
All the Fairy Tail wizards erupted into celebratory shouts as the dust settled.
"We beat Phantom!"
Everybody whooped and cheered for their victory, only shouting louder once they caught sight of Makarov in the distance, standing proudly on top of the giant.
"We are victorious!" His voice echoed loudly, making sure they heard him loud and clear. He smiled at them all with pride. "But I had very little to do with it. This victory is yours, my children!"
Once again everyone began cheering, shouting to the sky with joy and excitement. It was a battle to remember, something to look back on with pride.
Izuku couldn't help his own smile, sharing in the elation with everyone.
"You know Kacchan…"
"Hm?"
"I think…I think I might want to stay after all."
-FH-
A big thank you to Bola and Hound for beta-ing this for me!
Discord: /b637aVFS8R