Here is the next chapter readers!
Things are going to be heating up now!
Enjoy!
Chapter 140
Carbuncle's Assault
The entire tavern was now in ruins. Wood, stone, and glass littered everywhere, as I, along with everyone else, pulled themselves out from the debris, wondering where the attack came from. Sure enough, from the destroyed wall, three people emerged from the dust of the settling chaos, two males and a female.
One of the males was tall and muscular, had slight brown skin with caramel-colored hair that was straightened and flattened, and also had sideburns and a beard. He wore a sleeveless dark green tank top, brown trousers with a black belt, red armor covering his entire arm, and a fingerless glove matching in color. He also was holding a large gun in his hands and had six large blue barrels hovering above him.
The woman was pale-skinned, curvy, and had long flowing blonde hair that went to her waist. She wore a blue headband that held her hair back, a blue band with an emblem covering her bosom, blue bracelets on her wrists, gray bands on her triceps, leg armor, and a strange-looking metal skirt, vaguely similar to one of Erza's armors.
The second man, compared to the two, was a bit more conservative when it came to attire. He wore a coat and mantle colored black, white boots and gloves, and silver highlights on all of them. He also had pale skin, narrow mean-looking eyes, and messy hair colored turquoise.
"Who in the hell are you guys?!" Natsu demanded, rage evident on his face.
"We are known as Carbuncle," the man with turquoise hair spoke. "The garnet-adorned beast that forever lurks in the shadows..." A strange and ominous aura enveloped his body as numerous pieces of debris began to float in the air just in front of him and his colleagues. "And you may call me Dyst!"
The stones suddenly launched forward, shooting right at Natsu at such a speed and force, the fire dragon flew across the room into a pile of rubble. The rubble continued to rain down on Natsu, pelting his body all over, unable to attack or defend.
"Natsu!" Lucy yelled.
"You bastard!" Gray snarled, as he shot to his feet, ready to fight.
The man holding the cannon then aimed his gun at the two, licking his lips like a predator that cornered some prey. "Hey, Pretty Boy. You're just in time for a hot date with the cannon of Carcuncle," he grinned.
Immediately, Juvia shot up to her feet and stomped forward, not standing for any nonsense. "Listen, you! Stop flirting with my beloved Gray right this instant!" she shrieked crossly.
There was a brief awkward silence as everyone seemed to be a bit put off by that statement. Even the cannon guy was a bit dumbfounded.
"Look, you got the wrong idea, lady," the cannon guy said. "I ain't doing anything of the sort."
"Silence, you liar!" Juvia yelled, as she prepared to attack, her hands gushing with water. "You could never win my darling Gray's heart, so don't even try!"
The Rain Woman then unleashed a mighty torrent of water with a fling of her arms, only to have the cannon man open fire, releasing several bullets at her. To my surprise, each one of them canceled out Juvia's attack, and another one shot right into her. Luckily, she was using one of her spells to turn her body into water, but her entire body was almost gone, save her head.
Seeing that Juvia was in trouble, Gray stepped in front of her, erected an Ice Make Shield, which protected her from the incoming attacks, however, the cannon man was far from finished. Two of the blue barrels that hovered above him attached themselves to his shoulders, and immediately fired unleashing powerful blasts that destroyed Gray's ice shield in a matter of seconds, and blew him along with Juvia away, knocking them out of the fight.
At that moment, the Strauss siblings came rushing past, charging straight at our three enemies, all three of them transforming into their Take Over Forms, joining the fray. But then, the young woman from Carbuncle stepped forward, unnerved and afraid, and waved her hand. Immediately, and to my shock, all of the Strauss siblings' Take Overs dissipated, reverting them to their normal states. The cannon man saw his opening and fired three times nailing all three of them at once with three thunderous kabooms.
"No! Elfman! Lisanna! Mira!" I yelled.
"What pitiful excuses for Take Overs," the woman scoffed scornfully.
Now feeling angry, I cloaked my fists with water ready to jump into the fray, but Erza beat me to the punch as she requipped to her Black Wing Armor.
"Willy! You and Lucy stay and take care of Éclair!" Erza yelled as she shot towards the woman in blonde.
"Don't worry! We promise!" Lucy acknowledged.
It was then that I realized something. These Carbuncle mages wouldn't just attack our guild for no reason, which led me to believe that they could be here for only one reason, or rather one person.
Éclair.
I then clasped my hands together and used my magic to create a couple of clones made of water, hiding Éclair and the others from our enemy's sights.
"Lucy! You and the others have got to get Éclair out of here!" I told her. "I have a feeling these guys are after her! I'll try to cover you guys as you escape!"
"You got it, Willy!" Lucy acknowledged. "Come on, Éclair! Let's go!"
And Lucy took Éclair by her hand and pulled her along towards the first opening that she saw, while Momon and Happy followed. I refocused my attention to the fight, in time to see Erza get knocked away by the woman, down and out, and her Black Wing Armor gone, while the blonde woman was now wearing some armor of her own, magenta in color, and somewhat bore a resemblance to one of Erza's along with a sword. Taking a breath, while picking up a piece of rubble, I charged towards her while letting out a yell and clenching my fist.
The blonde looked up at me and raised her hand, preparing to what she did to the others, but when she did, I immediately threw the rock at her, with a great about of force, making the woman instinctively deflect the rock with her sword. Thinking I saw an opening, I shot forward using Aqua Jet and pulling back my fist, preparing to bunch the woman right into her stomach. But then, the cannon guy aimed for me and fired with his cannons, forcing me to unleash a breath attack to block the bullets while aiming for him.
As the force my breath attack blew me back, a few of my clones jumped into the fight, two attacking the cannon guy and the blonde at the same time. However, with a wave of her hand from the blonde as well as a few more shots from his cannons, the clones were quickly dispatched. The man who called himself Dyst, then seemed to glance behind me and then smirked.
"There she is."
He then raised his hand, and at that moment, I heard the sounds of screams coming from above, which made me glanced upwards. To my horror, Lucy, Wendy, Carla, Droy, and Wendy were now all hovering in the air, leaving Éclair alone and defenseless on the ground. Dyst then sent Lucy and her group, hurtling sharply towards the side, all of them slamming the walls hard before falling to the ground, dazed and stunned.
"Lucy! Momon!" Éclair cried.
I immediately rushed toward Éclair wanting to reach her before it was too late, but then more trouble arose. Just behind of Éclair, a strange shadow appeared just behind her, and the same masked, cloaked figure from back at Rose Garden emerged from them.
"Éclair! Get out of the way!" I yelled as I summoned forth a pair of water stars throwing them.
Éclair quickly ducked as the water stars shot past her, and the masked, cloaked figure, extended his claws deflecting the stars with ease. I then summoned forth a pair of blades, and with a yell, I swung with all of my might intending to cut the man down. But then, the man suddenly sank back into the shadows from where he came and disappeared. As I glanced around, trying to see where he went, I heard his voice.
"So, we meet again, Willy Falconer. However, I don't have time for games with you. So I'm afraid you'll have to die now."
"Willy! Watch out!" Éclair yelled. "He's right on top of you!"
Six blades then suddenly shot out from my stomach, piercing flesh and blood ooze out from my fresh wounds while retracting back. While still wracked with pain, a shadow seemed to shot out from my body, the masked man emerging from it, and before I could even react, the masked man clocked me square in the face sending me sliding and tumbling across the ground.
"No! Willy!" I heard someone yell.
I couldn't tell who that was, but I assumed it belonged to either Éclair or Lucy. As I turned my head to the side, I could see the masked man standing with the other Carbuncle members carrying an unconscious Éclair in his arms.
"No! They got her! I've got to get up, and save her!"
But however much I wanted to move, my body was too battered and weak as my eyelids began to grow heavy. As I desperately reached out towards them, willing myself to move, but my eyelids eventually closed, the last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Natsu charging straight towards Dyst as he waved his arms, creating a tidal wave of Earth that swallowed him whole.
It wasn't too long before I managed to wake up. When I came to, I found myself lying on my back, looking up at the blue sky above. I sat up only to have pain shoot up my stomach, which made me clutch it while feeling the texture of gauze. Thankfully, someone had treated my wounds, so I wasn't bleeding, but that didn't stop it from hurting.
Then I heard someone rushing toward me, causing me to look up, to see Mira, Elfman, and Lisanna rushing towards me.
"Willy! You're awake! Thank goodness!" Mira cried as she embraced me in a hug. "We were so worried!"
"Don't worry. I'm fine," I spoke. "Although, I'd be lying if I said that my body's bruised, as well as my pride."
I then got up on my feet taking a good look around. The tavern was almost destroyed, the roof was blown off, a few walls remained standing while others were rubbled, and somehow, despite the damage, the windmill remained standing.
The members of the guild were either licking their wounds or tending to the injured. I then saw Lucy, Momon, and Happy over to the right of me. The blonde was sitting on her knees, sobbing as tears fell from her cheeks, while Happy was tending to Momon, who was just as battered.
"Hey, are you guys okay?" I asked, despite knowing how they were feeling.
"I couldn't do anything," Lucy wept, her hands clenched into fists. "I couldn't help Éclair when she needed me the most. They took her, and all I could do was watch it happen."
"Lucy, there was nothing you could have done," I spoke gently. "Those Carbuncle guys caught everyone off guard, and we didn't know how to fight them. That's why they were able to get the drop on us." I clenched my hand into a fight and punched it into my palm out of frustration. "But... I know how you feel."
"Damn those bastards!" Natsu snarled in anger. "First, they trash our guildhall, and then they had the guts to take one of our friends?! They're messing with the wrong guild!"
"You got that right, Natsu!" Elfman agreed. "Those Carbuncle punks are gonna pay for this!"
Then we heard two old but familiar voices.
"How unfortunate... They gave us a good trouncing, haven't they?"
"Indeed, but I'm sure you're guildhall has been through worse, Makarov. After all, homes are transitory. What should matter is that everyone is still alive and well."
Those voices belonged to Master Makarov and Tu-Chi, who had just arrived, along with Gajeel and Pantherlily.
"Gramps! Gajeel!" Natsu said. "It's about time you showed up!"
"And Master Tu-Chi too!" I spoke with a hint of surprise.
"I must apologize to you, Master," apologized Erza as she bowed slightly in remorse. "I wasn't able to protect the guild for you."
Droy also came up. "Hey, Master. Did Jet tell you what was going on here?"
Makarov was puzzled. "No. I haven't even seen him. Was he supposed to?"
A dumbfounded look then crossed Droy's face. "He must still be running around out there! When I told him to take Levy somewhere safe, I didn't mean somewhere far away!"
After a while, those who were able to stand along with the Masters, all regrouped to the storage and data room, which was the only room left in the tavern that wasn't damaged. I wasn't sure why we were in here in the first place, but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the masters as well as Gajeel and Lily's disappearances, so I followed them and made sure to listen as I stood next to Mira and Macao.
"So where have you guys been?" I wondered. "We haven't seen any of you for quite a while now."
"We out investigating on the Master's behest," said Pantherlily. "For a while now, there have been reports of unusual magic power."
"Until we ended up is some puny little country called Veronica," Gajeel cut in.
"Veronica? Éclair was just talking about that place," said Happy.
"Yeah, she was saying that the people from that country were the ones that stole the other half of the stone," said Gray.
"The guild that attacked us was a mercenary guild called Carnbuncle," went on Pantherlily. "They were hired by Veronica's prince known as Cream. We overheard them talking about getting a large amount of money for the capture of a girl named Éclair."
My hands balled up into fists at this. "That Cream guy must have found out about Éclair through that masked guy back at Rose Garden. He's a member of Carbuncle too."
"And since we were there with Éclair," said Mira. "That's most likely how they were able to find us and where they were stationed."
"That's not all we found out," Gajeel continued. "We also know that Veronica's throwing a big four-hundredth anniversary party tomorrow, and Cream intends to make some fireworks by joining the two halves of the Phoenix Stones together."
"And what'll that do?" Erza asked tentatively.
"According to ancient Veronican lore, when the stones become one," said Pantherlily. "The fiery phoenix will spring forth from its eternal prison and be revived..."
"And will grant you eternal life," Gajeel finished again. "Talk about your thank you gifts."
Everyone gasped in shock, including me.
"You're kidding," Natsu breathed in a whisper. "It'll make you live forever?"
Master Makarov then spoke. "When the people of the Fire Village sealed away that Phoenix many years ago, countless lives were lost," he spoke gravely. "If it can cause that much damage, I can't imagine how much havoc it will create if it was released today.
"I agree," said Tu-Chi. "It's revival would be similar to that of a demon."
"That must be why Kalard was working so hard on the dispel magic," Gray frowned thoughtfully. "If he could use that magic to dispel one of those stones, he could keep that thing from coming back."
"And I'm willing to bet that he was waiting for Éclair to bring him the half of the stone too," said Mira. "That would explain why he was so worried about being there."
"If Cream were to join the stones together," Gajeel said. "He would not only get the Phoenix's power, but he'll be able to do whatever he wants without the fear of death stopping him."
"And if the Phoenix were to go on a rampage like last time," added Pantherlily. "Thousands of people will die while the prince will end up being the only survivor."
"There's no way in hell we can let that happen!" Natsu barked seething with fury.
"How can that guy be willing to sacrifice his entire kingdom just to be immortal?" Macao wondered. "If that isn't messed up, then I don't know what is."
"Let me go."
Lucy's voice caused everyone to turn their attention towards her, her face filled with a determination unlike before.
"I need to at least try and rescue Éclair!" Lucy spoke with a hint of sorrow. "When I held her, she was trembling so much that it was enough to make me tremble. This isn't just about the stone or the Phoenix! Éclair's life is in jeopardy! She's just a girl like me... When she found out about her father, she cried as I did. She needs our help! We can't abandon her!"
"Nobody said were, Lucy, but I know how you're feeling," I said. "We will save Éclair and stop the Phoenix Stones from being rejoined!"
There was silence for a brief moment, then Makarov finally responded.
"Very well, then. You two may go," Makarov said. He glanced over at the armored red-head. "Erza, you choose whoever goes with them."
"And make sure you keep it small and efficient," Tu-Chi said. "Veronica may be a small country, but Fairy Tail, or rather Magnolia, can't afford to go to war with them."
"Of course," acknowledged Erza.
"Wendy, I'm gonna need your Troia spell," Natsu spoke the sky dragon slayer. "Something's telling me that I'm going to need it today."
"Then, that means that I'll have to go with you," said Wendy.
"Count me in too," Gray chimed in while raising his hand.
"Wherever Gray goes, I too will follow," Juvia said.
"I'm coming, too," said Mira.
"Aye, sir!" Happy spoke bravely.
Gajeel and Lily both raised their hands with smiles, agreeing to go as well.
"We shall hope for the best while still preparing for the worst," Makarov said. "Tu-Chi and I will return to the Council and give the report. Godspeed, everyone."
Everyone then got up, getting ready to leave for Veronica having our mission made clear. I was about to leave along with everyone else, when I heard Tu-Chi as she walked past me.
"Willy? A moment if you wouldn't mind. Privately?"
I was a bit puzzled, but I followed Tu-Chi until we were just by the fence of the tavern, so that we could be alone.
"What did you need, Master Tu-Chi?" I asked.
"Just something that I need to tell you before you leave for Veronica," Tu-Chi said, her face serious and her voice calm. "With the fate of Veronica as well as the rest of the world hanging in the balance, while it's admirable to protect your loved ones as a priority, your top priority should be the completion of your mission. No matter what you have to risk... or who. Do you understand?"
At first, I didn't fully understand Tu-Chi's words, but I assumed that she was telling me to see this mission through till the end, no matter what, so I answered with a firm nod.
"Don't worry, Tu-Chi. There's no way I'm backing down from this," I said to her. "I'm not sure what's in store for us when we get to Veronica, but you can be sure that we'll stop the Phoenix, and we all be back safe and sound."
I then made my way back towards the Veronica team, and we all set off on our mission, first heading for the train station to hitch a ride to Veronica.
It wasn't long before we on the train en route to Veronica, and began making a plan for when we arrived there. Soon enough, everything was in place, and we were waiting for the train to arrive at our destination. As the train rolled along, I stood outside of the carriage, watching the evening landscape go by staring into the distance, trying to clear my thoughts and stay focused. Then, I heard the carriage door open causing me to turn my attention towards it, only to see Mira step out.
"I had a feeling I'd find you here," Mira said.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Or at least I'm trying to be," I told Mira. "I just needed to stand outside for a second."
"Is everything okay?" asked Mira.
"Just trying to stay focused on the task ahead," I said. "After all, we're heading for another crazy mission that's putting the fate of the world on the line, but hey, Fairy Tail's used to being in situations like this, so this shouldn't surprise me."
"Well, we do this all the time, so it is a bit crazy," chuckled Mira. "But you get used to it after a while."
There was a long silence with only the sound clickety-clack of the train car, neither me or Mira saying a word to each other. It got to a point where I started to feel awkward and that I should say something to break the silence, but didn't know what to say. Then not being able to take it anymore, I turned to Mira about to speak, only see her turn towards me about to speak at the same time.
"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean-" Mira began to apologize.
"No. It's my fault," I spoke. "I didn't know you were going to speak."
The two of us then returned to our awkward silence.
Then, Mira finally spoke up. "So, it seems you and Éclair have gotten pretty close," she said. "It's almost as if you've been best friends forever."
"Well, I wouldn't go as far as best friends, but, that girl's something more than a friend. That's for sure," I said, smiling a bit. "When I first met her, I felt something peculiar about her, but couldn't place what it was. However, I finally know why I had that feeling." I then looked over at Mira. "It's because Éclair's just like me. We've both lost our memories as well as loved ones, but unlike me, all Éclair has is Momon excluding us, and she didn't have someone like Master Tu-Chi to restore her memory. That's why I don't want to leave her all alone, because she's a good friend. I even offered her and Momon to join Fairy Tail and come live with us, but it seems, that fate had something else in store." I turned back towards the setting sun. "I just don't want anything to happen to her, especially since she's been so alone all this time."
"I see," Mira spoke quietly. "That's why you've gotten so close, and why you care so much about her."
I looked back, only to see that Mira was now looking away from me, now having a frown on her features, which had me concerned.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked her. "You look a little sad."
Mira then looked back at me, quickly replacing her frown with a smile. "Oh, nothing. I was just trying to understand your reasoning for caring about Éclair. Nothing important."
Then in the distance, we heard the sound of explosions which drew our attention. In the distance, we could see a large city that was surrounded by a white wall, and had little fireworks shining from above, which happened to be the source of the explosions. That was when I knew that the city had to be Veronica, and somewhere in there, Éclair was waiting for us, and was more than ready to do my part to rescue her.
"Just hang in there, Éclair. We're coming for you, and we ain't going to stop until you're safe and sound!"
If you liked what you read, feel free to leave a review, fav, or follow!
Think I need to improve on something? Please also Review.
Also, PM me for any questions!
Dragomaster, signing off!