Black Bull Banishment

by stringdog

To save Asta and Nero from execution following the Elf Incident the Wizard King has struck a deal with Damnatio Kira. What is the deal? Why to banish the Black Bulls to a place called Earth Land for 6 months while he works to clear Asta and Nero's names. What could possibly go wrong with this?

45. Chapter 45: Bulls to the Aid

Here is the forty-fifth chapter in this story released in accordance with my upload schedule for this story. Sorry it's been so long, I had hoped to get something out in early April before I went abroad for a few weeks but IRL stuff came up and prevented that. Hopefully I will be able to get another chapter out before the end of May as there is only really one major thing that will get in the way but anything can happen so bear with me. Anyway, I'm back and it's time to see the results of the Black Bulls' reallocation of their resources in the wake of their victory over the Sea King Dragon and by results I mean all of them so buckle up for the longest chapter in this series to date as the Black Bulls split up and lend aid to the other combatants in Crocus. That is all that I have for the administrative stuff I have for y'all and there are no questions that need answers nor guest reviews that needs a response though there is a small note to make regarding the latest issue with this site. Do keep them coming as your support is the best motivation for me to keep producing chapters at this kind of rate and onto the notice.

The notice is that once again the email alerts have gone down on the website so to avoid the issue I recommend getting the app if you don't have it and downloading your favorite stories on it as the notification system there is still working. You can also PM on the app and it will have notifications as well though it's separate from the PMs on the website which at the moment you have to manually check due to the email situation. This will eventually be resolved, it always is, but it's happened before so the app is the best way around it especially for stories like mine which are not cross posted anywhere else.

Anyway, that is it for this pre-chapter note so it is time to sit back and enjoy the forty-fifth chapter in Black Bull Banishment.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to these two great animes.

Chapter 45: Bulls to the Aid

"Let's see how you like this!" Laxus roared as he unleashed a massive amount of Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic right into the large green dragon that had remained relatively close to the Eclipse Gate while the others had flown out into the city. "You're going up against the wrong guy now you perverted old bastard!"

Laxus had come here with the Thunder Legion to back up Wendy in dealing with this dragon while Natsu, who'd told him to help Wendy out, dealt with the burning dragon that Laxus had originally been fighting. It was the right call; his lightning had been a poor matchup for the intense fire of the burning dragon so things hadn't been going well for him in that battle until Natsu showed up and turned them around.

After all, what better way to fight a dragon that was literally on fire then by using the one person in Crocus who was not only immune to fire but could also consume it to restore his strength. Natsu was the perfect counter for the burning dragon and that freed Laxus to help where his magic was a better matchup. Said matchup was near the Eclipse Gate where Wendy was facing off against a green dragon called Zirconis who could make clothes disappear, a magic he claimed was made to strip humans of their dignity, with Mira backing her up.

Wendy was strong and tenacious, Laxus knew that, but her primary skills were in healing and support whereas his were in direct offense, so it would take a while for her to take care of a dragon without backup. As such Laxus was here to lend his firepower to Wendy's support so that they could take down this dragon together. Natsu had his handled, in fact he'd already turned Atlas Flame to their side thanks to his and Atlas Flame's respective relationships with Igneel, so this was where Laxus could do the most good.

Unfortunately, even with Laxus's strong offensive output of Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic, this wasn't going to be an easy fight. That much was clear when his attack did plenty of damage but was nowhere near enough to bring the dragon down to its knees.

"Damn you." Zirconis said as he groaned in pain from Laxus's attack before grunting through it. "That cocky attitude of yours will only get you so far though, little insect. Take this! Let's see you handle your own magic you brat."

With that Zirconis roared and broke free from the lightning storm that Laxus was inflicting upon him and blasted it back as he extended his wings and he bellowed his counter. The bolts flew everywhere, slamming into the ruined ground and buildings and kicking up dust while causing the Thunder Legion, Mira, Wendy, and Carla to leap back and try to shield themselves from the magic that was being flung at them.

Worst though was Laxus as he was directly in the path of the attack. He had leapt into the air to attack the green dragon from a similar height and now that was coming back to bite him as all he could do was look wide eyed and grimace at the attack that was coming for him.

"Mirror Magic: Full Reflection!"

The spell came from below Laxus and seemingly out of nowhere but it was just in time as a massive mirror appeared before Laxus and right in the path of the reflected attack. The magic hit the mirror and was reflected back again only this time it was onto Zirconis who could only blink in surprise before the attack slammed into him. As it was still Dragon Slayer Magic it affected him and he roared in pain before he fell back and landed on the ground, a grimace on his draconic lips.

"I agree that most humans are insects because no one compares to Marie." A man said as Laxus landed on the ground in a crouch behind the newcomer a little surprised at what happened as the mirror vanished. "But you're threatening this place and I need to return home in a few years to my darling angel Marie so you've got go. Man she's going to be so proud of her big brother when I get back and tell her all the stories of this place."

"Huh?" Laxus asked really confused. "That doesn't sound right at all."

As he spoke, Laxus looked at the back of a man with light brown hair wearing a long sleeved purple shirt with what looked like a brown leather protector that reached his elbows, a brown belt with a satchel on his right buttock, and light brown pants tucked into calf high brown boots. However what gave the man's affiliation away was the black robe over his shoulders with a gold border and the floating, open, book next to him that was glowing with a pale purple color. He was one of the Black Bulls though not one that had been on their Grand Magic Games team.

"Yeah just ignore him on that front, we all do." A happy go lucky voice said with a slight laugh to it from next to Laxus causing him to start slightly at the second sudden and unexpected arrival. "So this is who you're facing. Looks tough, wish I could fight it but alas I know my magic won't work directly so I'm here to support. Teamwork can be fun as well though."

"Hold up." Laxus said as he looked to his left and noticed Luck Voltia, the Lightning Wizard of the Black Bulls standing next to him a smile on his face as he looked up at the dragon before them a slightly mad gleam in his eyes. "What are you two doing here? Don't you have your own dragon to deal with."

"Not anymore, Noelle cut its head off with some water sword that I think she got from that strong woman in your Guild that Asta knocked out and who I now really want to fight." Luck said as if it was nothing. "Not sure how it was brought to her though beyond Finral's portals but not complaining either, it was a great fight. Anyway, ours is dead so we're here to help."

"Yeah so listen closely, we can turn the tides but some of you need to buy the knock off Luck here a few moments for me to work with him." Gauche said from in front of Laxus as Zirconis growled at them still feeling the rebounded Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic. "Not Marie, you're a Dragon Slayer so get to distracting this thing. Have the scary demon lady and the others help you."

"Me?" Wendy asked confused.

"It can't be anyone else he's referring to." Carla said unsure what to think of the Black Bull that they'd not seen before but who was at least strong enough to rebound Dragon Slayer Magic with his Mirror Magic. "He's a strange one but I've got a feeling that they can help turn the tides if they did really kill the dragon that they were facing. I'll fly you while Mira and the Thunder Legion help out."

"Is there any point in arguing about the while scary demon lady thing?" Mira asked to which no one responded as she could indeed be a scary demon lady. "Fine, Satan Soul!"

"Can you guys really do it?" Freed asked looking at Luck as Mira cast her spell and took one of her takeover demon forms. "Can you help Laxus beat this thing?"

"All we can do is provide the tools that he needs to win." Gauche said as Wendy, with Carla holding her, and a transformed Mira took off and flew at Zirconis just as the dragon fully shook off the latest hit and roared a challenge at them. "We're the best to aid this particular fight so we came here after ours ended. We've split our forces to help the other battles as well."

"So one of my brethren is dead, impressive, I bet the human that killed a dragon will be really tasty." Zirconis said grinning as Wendy unleased a windstorm of Sky Dragon Slayer Magic at him that he blocked with his wings. "That's good, keep it coming you brats!"

"We're not going down without a fight!" Wendy shouted as she and Mira pressed forward to distract him while Wendy and Carla flew behind to try and attack his blind spot.

"I see." Laxus said understanding a bit though he was still amazed that the Black Bulls had actually killed one of the Dragons given how tough they were. "You're a Lightning Wizard which means you can juice me up. That's why you were sent to me."

"Correct and trust me you'll need it." Luck said as blue lightning crackled all over his body before be began to form a ball of it between his hands. "So eat up. I'll feed you my magic when you need it until I run out of it myself."

"That I get." Laxus said grateful for the replenishment that Luck provided as he turned fully to his fellow Lightning Magic user and waited as the younger wizard built up his lightning. "But what about the other guy? What's his deal?"

"Just eat and then you'll see." Gauche said as he watched the others hold back the green dragon for a bit but it was clear that all they were doing was annoying him. "Hurry though, we predict that it will take all of us to bring this bastard down so you'd better be fully charged for it."

"Fine, you lot did show how good you were in the Battle Royale." Laxus said. "That Asta kid is a full on demon, I saw that right before he struck me down at the end. Not even Mira is that scary."

"Hey!" Mira shouted as she flew past Zirconis narrowly avoiding his roar attack. "If you think that then you haven't seen anything yet, Laxus."

"See." Laxus said gesturing to where Mira was. "Anyway, hit me, I'll consume all your lightning."

"That's it, here you go!" Luck cried out and he blasted the ball at Laxus only he did so by unleashing a beam from the ball and sending it right at Laxus knowing that the blond man could take it. "Eat up!"

The blast hit Laxus in the face but he was already ready for it and quickly he began to consume the lightning, his mouth open and drawing the magic that was his element into him. To say that it was strange was an understatement. Luck's lightning was unlike any that Laxus had tasted before be it magical lightning or normal natural lightning. It wasn't bad, just very different and almost unnatural to him in a way. Still, it worked and he was quickly filled with the magic, his reserves were fully topped off, and his strength restored.

"Thanks, that hit the spot." Laxus said as he finished consuming it and leaving Luck with a fair bit just in case he needed another dose. "Right what now?"

"Now look into my eye." Gauche said as he quickly turned and faced Laxus, his words causing Laxus to do the same and look the man in the face for the first time.

As he did Gauche raised the bangs that were completely covering his left eye to reveal that he didn't actually have a left eye but that it had in fact been replaced by a small mirror of some kind. As he did the mirror flared with magic showing Laxus that it was a magical item and the grimoire next to Gauche flipped to the right page as Laxus stared at the implanted item.

"Mirror Magic: Mirror Brigade!" Gauche said casting the spell. "Go!"

"Get clear!" Luck cried out as suddenly multiple copies of Laxus were manifested and leapt into the air as Gauche activated his spell. "It's about to get good."

"Woah that's one hell of a spell." Laxus said remaining on the ground as he realized what was going on his copies mirroring his words in an echo. "And to think the Black Bulls didn't put on their team. Damn, no wonder we underestimated them if someone like couldn't make their team."

"Get moving." Gauche said with a slight pant as a trickle of blood ran down from under the magical item. "I've used the magic stored in this tool to create it and this replicates your magic as well. That should take the bastard down."

"Don't need to tell me twice." Laxus said with a grin as he and rushed forward and leapt up while his copies fanned out in the air around him. "Right take this you perverted dragon!"

"What the…" Zirconis began as the other humans fell back and Laxus and his mirror brigade surrounded Zirconis on all sides and from multiple angles with their hands forward and sparking before being cut off as they unleashed their Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic all at once. "AHHHH!"

Zirconis had nowhere to go and no way to avoid or block the attack as dozens of blasts of Lightning Dragon Slayer Magic, fully juiced up thanks to Luck's top up, slammed into him from all sides. All the green dragon could do was roar in pain as the magic rocked him, his body spasming as it was pumped with magic from multiple angles. It was so much that his skeleton was briefly visible and the magic kept coming until Gauche's spell ran out and the copies faded away as Laxus himself landing in a crouch before Zirconis panting from the all-out barrage.

The large dragon was standing for a moment, his body now charred with smoke billowing off it. Then with a long groan that caused more smoke to escape from his mouth he collapsed to the ground with a loud thud that shook the area around him.

"Damn you humans." Zirconis groaned as he lost consciousness though it wasn't enough to kill him. "What even was that in the end, it didn't feel like it was…"

However, before Zirconis could finish he passed out and lay there out cold as smoke continued to rise from his body. Laxus was panting and needed some lightning to recharge but for the moment they'd won as everyone gathered around him to look at the downed dragon. As they did Luck manifested a ball of lighting in his hand and passed it to Laxus.

"Thanks." Laxus said taking it and biting into it as if it was an apple to consume the Lightning Magic. "Just what was that spell?"

"Mirror Magic." Gauche said. "I learned it thanks to seeing the need for teamwork from Asta when we were facing some mud monster a few years back."

"Yeah Asta's really something else." Luck said with a laugh. "He taught me a similar lesson in a dungeon against a strong Smoke Mage."

"I can tell." Laxus said his free hand going to the bandages all over his chest and face from where the blow that had ended him in the Battle Royale had landed. "He's the strongest bastard I've ever faced and I've faced a few that are up there including a Wizard Saint only hours before him. To beat Erza though, that was beyond what any of us thought possible. It's not just him though, look at your Guild, you just came in and helped out in moments."

"Yeah really convenient." Carla said looking at Gauche. "Also who are you? You weren't part of your Guild's team."

"Gauche, and I was the best person to back you up." Gauch said as blood continued to run from below his magical tool though it wasn't much and would stop soon. "Luck as well given the Dragon Slayer Magic at play here, well one of them at least. We've done that with the other battles as well, either sent someone who can replenish a Dragon Slayer or someone who can aid them, this is the only one we could sent both too though. It is what you did after all, we saw that the lightning man wasn't originally facing this dragon."

"True, Natsu sent us here because we were better suited supporting Wendy than facing that burning dragon." Freed said with a nod. "So thank you. I've never seen so many Laxuses in one place, it was quite the sight. I won't forget the glory of it for a while."

"Certainly a powerful spell." Mira said having turned back to normal in the confusion. "You lot are full of surprises it seems."

"You should see the others we've sent." Luck said with a laugh. "They're just as strong if not stronger seeing as Yami himself is fighting. Man I want to spar with him so bad."

"I'm sure we'll hear more later." Laxus said as he rose and looked at the smoking but still alive dragon before him. "But for now we should remain here and on guard while I recover my magic just in case this bastard wakes up. If he does then Wendy and I can hit him hard and fast to keep him down. Still, thanks for the assist, this would have taken a while without it. Hell, it might not have gone well as he was shrugging off two kinds of Dragon Slayer Magic. Once again it looks like we owe you lot."

"Then pay it back by allowing me to fight some of the strongest you have when this is over." Luck said before pointing to Mira. "Starting with demon lady. She's really strong, I can sense it."

"You can call me Mira but if you wish to spar then I can oblige after all this is over." Mira said with a smile, it was the least she could do to repay the Black Bulls for their help here and who knows, it might be fun to let loose a bit again. "Though I'm going to be a lot harder to beat than my brother and you failed to beat him."

"Oh the big guy in the games who sounds like our Captain?" Luck said his smile growing. "That was fun sure. By the way, you sound like Nero only with a little more emotion."

"Who's Nero?" Mira asked confused.

"One of the Guild." Gauche said and left it at that.

"Ok." Mira replied unsure what to say to that.

"Well while we wait how about you tell me what else is going on." Laxus said his eyes never leaving Zirconis just in case. "How did you beat a dragon and where are the others right now?"

"Right well that was a fun battle for sure." Luck said. "Though all the fun was really had by Noelle, Asta, and Captain Yami. See…"

With that Luck started describing the Black Bulls' victory over the Sea King Dragon and what they'd decided to do since then while Gauche showed Mira, Wendy, and Carla a picture of Marie and described her to them his nose bleeding while they tried to be polite. So far one of the aid units had done well but there were still many other battles raging on all over Crocus and not all were going as smoothly as the subjugation of Zirconis had gone.

---

"Is this some kind of Dragon Slayer Magic that you've been tickling me with?" The Rock Dragon asked as he looked at the man he'd just wounded as he stood on a rock pillar before him. "Doesn't feel like much if you ask me."

"Will you shut up and keep your ugly mug closed, you sound like a pack of dying Vulcans and it's really grating on my sensitive ears."

The man speaking was the 8th Dragon Slayer and the only one who'd not been present at the start of the battle. Instead, he'd been broken out of prison by Doranbolt at the request of the wanted criminal Jellal Fernandes so that he could lend his power to the battle and that's just what he'd done.

He'd once been part of the Dark Guild Oración Seis but as with his comrades, Cobra had been arrested following their defeat to the combined forces of Fairy Tail, Blue Pegasus, Lamia Scale, and Caith Shelter, and had been languishing there ever since. However, like Laxus, Cobra was an artificial Second Generation Dragon Slayer who'd had the Poison Dragon lacrima implanted in his body. Therefore, given the situation in Crocus, his magic was a must have hence why he'd been broken out and parachuted into the battle.

Cobra, now dressed in dark pants, a dark blue shirt with a white border and a long white coat with a fur lining and thick, dark gray cuffs, had landed just in time to attack the Rock Dragon's back from above while Blue Pegasus had tried to fight him off. They'd tried seduction with Jenny offering to strip and had even tried Ichiya's pungent Armpit Parfum but neither strategy had worked though the latter one was only because unlike other dragons who had very sensitive senses of smell, the Rock Dragon had no nose so Ichiya couldn't use its sensitive smell against it.

Thankfully, Cobra had showed up and attacked before they were overwhelmed though he'd been slightly injured when the Rock Dragon had tossed him off its back. That didn't really bother Cobra as he now stood before it as they exchanged insults.

"See, right now I'm in a really good mood given that I was in prison only a few moments ago." Cobra said his eyes closed though as he'd lost his right eye and had a scar over it he only had one eye to open. "And I'd like to take in as many voices as possible while I'm free. Unfortunately, this lame excuse for a boulder keeps making noise and interpreting my attempts to hear other voices."

"Petulant insect!" The Rock Dragon roared as he raised a leg and brought it down onto Cobra but he quickly moved to the side and out of the way of the attack. "I'm going to squash you like the bug that you are!"

"Too slow, I heard that coming from a mile away." Cobra said as he pushed off the ground and leapt high into the air so that he was above the Rock Dragon again and looking down at the beast's broad back. "Better luck next time!"

"You will not face this threat alone; I shall assist you!" Ichiya said leaping in to help. "My parfum will…"

"Keep back sideliner, you're not needed!" Cobra shouted as Poison Dragon Slayer Magic coated his right fist and he brought it down in a punch onto the top of the Rock Dragon's head piercing though it thanks to it being Dragon Slayer Magic so that he could unleash his magic within the dragon. "Poison Dragon's Sharp Horn!"

The blast of Poison Dragon Slayer Magic erupted around Cobra and through the head of the Rock Dragon so much so that it blasted from the dragon's mouth. From there it shot around the area and as Ichiya was too close to avoid it he was forced to try and dodge the blasts of poison that were coming for him. He wasn't fully successful as some of it hit him in the ass and burned through his pants to the flesh beneath causing him to bend over in pain his buttocks streaming and red for all to see.

"Ah my patootie, you've disfigured my most beautiful asset." Ichiya cried out before he leapt away with a final. "Man!"

"And that's why I told you to stay to the sidelines." Cobra said no remorse in his voice as he didn't really care for collateral damage in this fight but as he did he heard another voice just as the Rock Dragon roared and thrust upwards causing Cobra to leap of its head. "Now what's this? A new player arriving via a portal? That's some unexpected magic right there and I've not heard your voice before. Who are you?"

"I'm here to aid you my new friend." The voice said.

"Great, I've got another weirdo who's showed up to aid and this dragon doesn't seen wounded at all." Cobra said as the rock dragon roared over him showing no signs of damage despite Cobra's attacks. "This isn't looking good."

"It may not look good my friend but allow me to be of assistance to you in your battle." The new voice said and Cobra turned to the left noting that the man had appeared from a portal by his remaining eye and glared at the unknown arrival. "My name is Gordon Agrippa and I know that we will become great friends in time."

To say the newcomer, Gordon Agrippa apparently, was strange was an understatement and that wasn't including his repeated declarations of friendship. He was pale white as if he wore makeup with black eyes and lips, again as if it was makeup, and black nail polish. To add to all of this he was wearing a dark gray uniform of sorts that was trimmed with red and red cuffs along with a gray cap with a black bill on his head. His pants were tucked into black boots and he had a matching black belt.

However, what really caught Cobra's eye was that over his shoulders Gordon wore a black robe that came to his elbows and was edged in gold with a golden and elaborate bull's head on the left breast, an emblem that was also in the center of his cap. Cobra had never seen the robe or crest before and as such the man was totally alien to him.

To add to the bizarreness of the situation, Gordon had a book that was open and floating to the side that glowed with purple magic. However, as he sensed the magic present Cobra finally noticed something that wasn't strange about the man who'd just arrived, his magic. That was because he realized that whoever this man was, he was using Poison Magic and it was because he used this magic that he was here.

Cobra was able to confirm that because he was able to hear Gordon's thoughts and right into his very soul. The man wasn't scared of him or the dragon, he was genuinely here to help Cobra by offering him his own magic to consume and thus keep Cobra in peak form for as long as possible in his fight with the Rock Dragon. Course the desire to be friends was a bit creepy but Cobra couldn't help but grin at the aid that had been sent to him.

"I see so you really are here to help whoever you are." Cobra said knowing that the man was genuine in his desires, if a little off putting. "Alright, give me a taste of what you have to offer and I'll see if you can stay on the sidelines while I dismantle this boulder."

"Of course, the Black Bulls are here to help and I hope we can be friends." Gordon said as he formed some of his raw Poison Magic over his hand and then threw it at Cobra. "Here, this is what I have to offer you. It's why my Guild Master sent me here."

Cobra hadn't heard of the Black Bulls before so they had to be some new Guild that had arrived on the scene since he'd been locked up 7 years ago though what they were doing in a battle if they were a new Guild was beyond him. That said right now Cobra didn't care about why a new Guild was here. All he cared about was what they could offer and what they could was apparently a Poison Wizard to back him up, which was basically the only backup he needed.

Without hesitation Cobra opened his mouth and swallowed the small amount of Poison Magic that had been tossed at him and consumed it almost instantly. It tasted strange and not like any poison that he'd had before but it was still Poison Magic and he could consume it so that was all that mattered to him. With this as a backup he'd break this sentient boulder down for sure and finally hear all the voices around. Hopefully, Cobra could find the one in particular that he was looking for.

"Thanks, you can stay but keep the extras back as I'm not going to be holding back against this loudmouth rock so there's going to be a lot of poison flying around." Cobra said with a grin as he turned to the Rock Dragon. "Now, Poison Dragon's Roar!"

With that Cobra unleashed his roar attack right into the Rock Dragon's face staggering it back a bit with a roar of pain that gave Cobra an opening to press his attack. As he did Gordon moved to join the rest of Blue Pegasus and fill them in on what had happened with the Sea King Dragon and wait for his new friend to ask for more of his Poison Magic as they did their best to backup Cobra against the Rock Dragon.

Cobra heard all of this and was impressed by the Black Bulls; they seemed to have their own Dragon Slayer who used some variant of Water Dragon Slaying Magic and it thanks to her they had actually killed a dragon hence why Gordon was now here. Given the tones that Blue Pegasus's members were using when talking about the Black Bulls it was clear that the Guild held significant respect in Fiore.

It was certainly interesting information for Cobra and showed how much had changed while he'd been in prison, but he put it to the back of his mind as he focused on slaying the dragon before him. That was why he'd been released so he was going to do just that while occasionally getting poison top ups from Gordon while Gordon cheered his new friend on along with all of his other friends fighting dragons or dragonlings all over Crocus.

---

"Have another taste of my Iron Dragon Roar!" Gajeel bellowed as he unleashed a whirlwind of Iron Dragon Slayer Magic from his mouth and right at the dragon that he was facing, known to the other dragons as the Dark Dragon, that engulfed it and caused the dragon to roar in pain as the area around it blew up sending dust and debris high into the air. "Alright let's see if can still fight after… what the hell!"

Gajeel just stared wide eyed as the dragon before him roared, it's arm wings spread wide as it stood tall and proud without even a scratch on its powerful body. The black and red dragon was mocking him now it seemed.

Unlike the other dragon fights, this one was a solo fight as Gajeel had gone to deal with this dragon alone. The others had some kind of backup to aid them but with an even number of dragons and Dragon Slayers there was bound to be a fight or two that had to be conducted solo. That was fine with Gajeel as it meant that others could get to safety, especially one in particular who was helping lead the evacuation efforts, but to not land a scratch on it was annoying.

"Die human!" The Dark Dragon bellowed and it unleashed it's own roar right at the heavily bandaged Gajeel.

However, as the roar came at him a large, gray portal that Gajeel had seen before only on a much smaller scale appeared between them and of all things a large wolf's head burst through it, mouth open, and swallowed the attack as if it was nothing. As it did the rest of the wolf lumbered out to reveal that said wolf was anthropomorphic and wearing a vest of sorts and for some reason carrying a knife and fork in its forepaws.

As it emerged it was joined by a woman a little above average in height with long black hair that hung down and wearing a short sleeved white top and maroon shorts under a distinctive black and gold robe. The clothes had several rips in them and looked a little small as the shorts came to just above her knees and the sleeves to her elbows but clearly they weren't bothering the woman as the portal closed leaving them alone with Gajeel and the Dark Dragon.

"Mhm, tasty." The wolf said in a low growl as it finished consuming the magic and the girl next to it glowed with a brown magical aura the likes of which Gajeel had never felt before while her grimoire floated next to her showing Gajeel that it had a green front and white back cover. "Give me more food! My hunger is insatiable!"

"What, what am I looking at?" Gajeel asked as he tried and failed to understand what was going on. "You're with the Black Bulls, right? How can that wolf consume magic like a Dragon Slayer? Come to think of it what is that wolf?"

"Shut it metal face." The wolf snapped not looking at Gajeel. "It's dinner time."

"Pitiful humans." The Dark Dragon scoffed as Gajeel blinked at the wolf, this was so far beyond what he'd expected that he couldn't process it. "Some cheap magic trick there, I can sense it. I will feast on your carcasses."

"The only thing on the menu tonight is dragon." The girl said and Gajeel had no idea which of the Black Bulls she was as from the back she didn't look like any of the ones who'd been on their team over the last week though her clothes were oddly familiar. "And I can't wait to finally try it. We've got one waiting to be cooked up back where we won the Grand Magic Games, Noelle took it's head so all that's left is to gut, clean, and cook it up in as many ways as possibly. Next up is you."

"Wait you lot killed one of them?" Gajeel asked stunned. "I can't even scratch this bastard. How'd you manage that?"

"Not sure so let's get in close and see if that works as we're here to aid." The girl said. "My wolf will handle the magic which will in turn keep me topped up as I teach this dragon about food."

"Yes come on scaly, feed me!" The wolf cried hungrily. "I'm nowhere near full!"

"Time to tenderize this large slab of meat!"

With that the girl, who Gajeel would learn later was the same as the tiny one called Charmy who'd defeated Juvia in the Grand Magic Games only somehow transformed for reasons that escaped him, leapt off the ground and rocketed at the dragon with enough force to crack the street around her feet. She then proceeded to land a savage uppercut into the surprised dragon's jaw causing it to stagger back a pace from the blunt force damage as she began yelling about the dishes she'd make out of its meat. Overall it was a surreal and strange sight but Gajeel wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Alright, as this works just fine for me it's best to not question this but man do these Bulls have some surprises." Gajeel said with a grin as he turned his arms to Iron Dragon Slaying weapons and rushed in. "I can't be shown up by you lot for a second time today, now can I."

With that Gajeel roared as he leapt up and struck the Dark Dragon in the chest with his arms causing it to roar in pain and finally drawing blood. This would work and Gajeel grinned as he launched into the close combat with the aid of the strange Black Bull girl and her even stranger magical wolf. Hopefully, the others were doing just as well as he was right now.

---

All Rogue could do at the moment was kneel on the ground, head down as he was rocked by what the large, aquatic looking, dragon called Levia had told him, which his own shadow had then backed up as being true. Apparently all of this, all this destruction and violence, was the result of his own future self who was aspiring to become a king and using Dragon Supremacy Magic to control the dragons that were currently attacking Crocus.

The plan had been in motion for a long time and a future version of Rogue had come back in time via the Eclipse Gate to ensure that this would happen. Rogue had doubted this but his shadow spoke to him confirming it which had been the final thing needed to confirm it. That on top of how he'd been unable to beat Levia singlehandedly had destroyed what strength Rogue had left to fight.

"Yes that's it, submit to your fate and accept it for soon your heart will be stained by evil." Levia growled as he looked down at the past version of his master. "Come, unlike everyone else you are being spared today."

All Rogue could do was just sit there and stare at the ground. It was too much to take in and he had no idea what to do now that he'd learned that he was, or well would be, responsible for this. He knew that alone he couldn't beat this dragon and to think that he would be ultimately responsible for all this death and destruction, well the latter for sure as he hoped the city had been evacuated in time to prevent as much of the former as possible, was almost too much to bear.

"What the hell are you just sitting there for?"

The voice was immediately recognizable to Rogue and he let out a gasp before he turned to the voice and addressed it. He hadn't expected anyone else to be present once he'd ended up facing Levia on his own.

"Sting what are you doing here?" Rogue asked confused as he saw Sting running towards him. "Shouldn't you be dealing with your dragon?"

"Well I just stopped by and save your ass." Sting said still running and looking a little scuffed up but that was it, which given that he'd not actually fought during the Battle Royale and surrendered shortly after he was confronted by Asta made sense. "Now let's do this! We can take this dragon down together."

"Wait so does this mean that you beat your dragon then?" Rogue asked, that would be great as two on one would be better against Levia and if Sting did kill his second dragon things should be a lot easier especially as he and Sting knew how to fight together. "That's…"

"Nope, just figured it would be easier to bring him with me." Sting said with a grin as if it was nothing and his reason for why he was running became clear as a red dragon with sharp crest and under chin protrusion that looked like a set of pincers burst through the remains of the building behind him with a roar. "Plus this got him away from the others so no one will get hurt."

"What the hell!" Rogue yelled his visible eye wide.

"Hey no worries dude." Sting said still grinning. "This guy's super slow so I was easily able to outrun him."

"This is no time for jokes." Rogue pointed out getting to his feet as rocks and debris from where Sting's dragon had burst through a building hit the ground around them. "We're dealing with dragons at the moment!"

"Yeah I know but we're a team, aren't we?" Sting asked as he reached Rogue and began to run in place next to him. "We should take them on together. It will be easier that way."

"Scissor Runner, this human is turning out to be rather hard to subdue." Levia said to his fellow dragon. "Lend me your aid and we can ensure that he's safe like we've been commanded to ensure."

"I don't care, I'm not interested in taking one alive regardless of who he is." Scissor Runner said looking down on the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth below them. "I plan to kill every single human I can find, that's all that I want to do here. Why do you think I agreed to this idea in the first place?"

"Come on, we're the Twin Dragons, nothing can stop us." Sting said grinning while the dragons began to bicker about their orders and desires on the humans of this era. "I've got your back and you've got mine. We'll slay them together."

"Right." Rogue said Sting's words reaching him as Sting moved so that they could stand back to back a smile on his lips, his confidence back because he knew that if he was destined to be tainted by evil then Sting's light would be there to strike him down. "Let's do this."

Levia and Scissor Runner finished their bickering and turned to them to roar at the defiance and prepared to attack the two Dragon Slayers though both had their own goals and weren't as coordinated as the Twin Dragons were. Sting and Rogue also prepared for what was to come but just as they were about to counter the incoming dragons a spell tore through the area.

"Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Dimension Slash!"

The power behind the spell made the Twin Dragons leap apart and just in time as a long, straight, vertical line of black colored magic sliced between them right were their backs had been touching. The magic seemed to cut through the air itself it and left a deep, clean, grove in the ground.

It continued onto the dragons and slammed into the side of Levia's head staggering him with the force of it but doing no damage beyond the blunt force damage from the kinetic power of the spell. Still it was enough to rock the dragon's head to the side and into the side of Scissor Runner's head, though unfortunately it missed the deadly looking protrusions there, with a crash while the rest of the spell carried on past the dragons and sliced through the building there until it ran out of power.

"What the hell was that for!" Scissor Runner roared as he shook his head and glared at Levia. "You trying to stop me from killing both of them? You're not the boss of me Levia."

"You're not supposed to kill the past version of the master." Levia growled. "But that wasn't me. That was someone else who's decided to but in on this just like that blond human did."

"Who else could it have been?" Scissor Runner spat. "Other than Dragon Slayer Magic, no magic works on us."

"It wasn't the magic, that didn't affect me, but the damned force behind it." Levia countered. "So whoever it was has a fair bit of power."

"Well looks like these lizards don't exactly get along, guess a 5 headed one would have issues if two one headed ones argue like this." A new, human, voice said as the sounds of boots on the ground approaching them reached Sting and Rogue's ears and they turned to the voice. "Still, I knew that this looked like some fun and a good chance to surpass my limits but now it's more so with that second one showing up. So, how about letting me in on the party?"

The Twin Dragons blinked as they saw the man walking towards them. He was about 6 feet tall and extremely muscular, though not as much as Jiemma was, wearing only a white tank top, black pants, and brown boots with brown leather chaps over his thighs. Floating to his side was a black and purple book that was glowing with a dark purple light and out to his right side he held a katana that had Dark Magic coating the blade and roiling off it. As he walked, while smoking a cigarette the pair realized, a ragged half cape over his right shoulder flapped with a golden bull's head on it.

While neither Dragon Slayer had actually met the man in person before they knew who he was thanks to his reputation. Jiemma had mention him about a year ago, an upstart who's strength was easily comparable to the top of Sabertooth if not Jiemma himself, but of whom little was known. Given the fact that the Black Bulls were a New Guild, Jiemma hadn't made much of an effort to learn about their Guild Master beyond confirming that he was a strong as the rumors said he was.

Well he should have made an effort as it turned out that the Black Bulls were a lot more than they'd seemed. That had been on full display throughout the Grand Magic Games, during which both Rufus and Minerva were defeated by Black Bulls before Sting blew a hole through Jiemma, and culminated in the Black Bulls all but ensuring that Sabertooth had no chance of winning and retaining their title.

That had been confirmed by both the Black Bulls and Fairy Tail taking down the members of Sabertooth's team one by one over the course of the Battle Royale. The defeat of Minerva solidified their defeat but everything had truly culminated with Sting's chat with Asta after Asta beat Erza.

It was from that that Stung truly grasped that the former Sabertooth Guild Master hadn't fully realized how strong the Black Bulls were and by extension just how strong the man now approach the Twin Dragons was. After all, the Guild Master of the Black Bulls, the man who'd mentored and molded a warrior on Asta's level and who Asta clearly looked up to, was going to be something else.

"That's, that's the Black Bulls' Guild Master." Rogue said breaking the silence as the man approached while the dragons began to squabble again. "Yami Sukehiro."

"Yeah and you can feel his magic power." Sting said with a gulp as the full force of Yami's power hit him. "That's Wizard Saint level. Not even Asta felt like that, actually I didn't feel that at all from Asta but my mind was elsewhere at the time so hard to say there. Regardless, what's he doing here?"

"It's simple, we've killed our dragon so I decided to split up my Squad and send them out to help the rest of you out, after all it is what the top Guild does." Yami said in response as he reached them and looked up at the dragons while taking a drag on his cigarette and grinning. "Yeah this things are tough, just what I like to face."

"Come again?" Rogue asked. "You killed your dragon?"

"Yup, well our Dragon Slayer did but I helped set it up, as did Asta." Yami said still admiring the dragons before him and the challenge they posed. "Then we checked the city to see how everyone else was doing and redeployed those best suited to back up the other fights going on. Given the Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic here I decided to personally aid you, and use these dragons to push past my limits again. Wasn't expecting the white guy to rock up as well but the more the merrier."

"Wait you were here the whole time?" Rogue asked.

"Part of it yes, I do have a Spatial Mage in my Squad so I came as soon as I could." Yami said looking at Rogue. "So I was here long enough to hear what that water looking one said to you about your future self and sense your ki about it."

"Er…" Rogue said gulping. "Well…"

"Listen here moron." Yami said and before Rogue or Sting could react he reached out and grabbed Rogue's head in his free left hand and squeezed painfully as he lifted Rogue off the ground as if he weighed nothing. "I don't care what is going on with this attack, how it happened, or the whole time traveling stuff as that's a bit beyond me."

"Then what do…" Rogue began with a grunt of pain but a glare from Yami silenced him.

Yami had heard most of what Levia had told Rogue and frankly it was too confusing for him to fully follow. The only Time Magic he was aware of was Julius's and it didn't work like this so Yami just chalked it up to an Earth Land thing and left it at that. What he cared about was beating these damned dragons and if he had to knock some sense into this kid's head then he'd do so. Plus he kinda needed Rogue at the moment as he could work with Shadow Magic thanks to his experiences with Nacht even if the man hated him so together they could at least wound these large lizards though the goal was of course to slay them.

"Whatever that overgrown lizard said to you, it's not set in stone that you will follow the path your future self has." Yami said his voice low. "The future is not set in stone and if you think it is then break the stone it's set in. Nothing is unchangeable, I've seen enough to know that for a fact, so don't let what might happen in the future dictate what is happening in the present. If you don't want it to happen then man up and surpass your limits here and now to prevent it from happening. Can you do that?"

"Y, yeah I was going to fight and change the future." Rogue said taken aback by Yami's intensity but he'd already committed to do all he could to not become what he apparently became and Yami felt that conviction in his ki. "When Sting came to help, I knew that his light would help strike down my evil if it happens."

"That's a good start and I sensed as much when you got ready just before I attacked but you and you alone dictate your future kid." Yami said as Sting just looked on in disbelief, this was some serious tough love but he recalled how Asta had helped him and in some sense he could see where it came from though not entirely as Asta wasn't as gruff with things as his Guild Master was. "So rather than fear that you are destined for evil and hoping that your friend will take care of it if it happens, avoid it entirely by fighting to the end and I can help there, if you'll listen."

"You can?" Rogue asked surprised.

"Yup, I've worked with a Shadow Magic user before and we've got a few Union spells that work." Yami said. "One of which I think is perfect for right now. It likely won't cut the dragons down, these bastards are tough even when you hit them with Dragon Slayer Magic, but it will hurt them and when you see a dragon bleed you will know that you can win."

"A Unison Raid?" Rogue asked trying to figure out what Yami wanted while Sting blinked at the suggestion. "But we hardly know each other. Wizards can practice for years and not manage it despite having trust between them. Sting and I can do it but…"

"Well then this is a great time to surpass your limits and pull it off with me but I'm sure compatible magics like ours will help." Yami said. "So here's what you and I will do while the other guy here distracts the dragons with that white light of his. As soon as he becomes a beacon…"

At that Yami explained what he wanted to do and Sting and Rogue listened closely to his plan. It was crazy but it might succeed in wounded the dragons and Rogue agreed that he could pull off the Shadow Magic part as Yami explained it. If it did it would combine their magics together so that Yami could enhance his Dark Magic with Rogue's Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic to affect the dragons while Rogue's magic would in turn receive the sharpness that Yami's magic could produce that would add more lethality to his own attack on the dragons.

"Good and it looks like our foes are done bickering." Yami said as the dragon's finished their latest argument with Levia finally convincing Scissor Runner that the force of the spell was what caused the issue and that Scissor Runner could do what he wanted with the Dark Magic user as he wasn't relevant to the overall plan which appeased the other dragon but as they turned their heads to the trio Yami dropped Rogue on his ass. "Now!"

"White Drive!" Sting said as he cloaked his body in an aura of light that amplified his White Dragon Slayer Magic and enhanced his strength, speed, and performance which he'd need to pull off his role in this plan. "White Dragon's Roar!"

At that Sting unleashed his roar attack and blinded the two dragons as they lunged for the trio of humans and caused them to roar in pain from the White Dragon Slayer Magic that hit them in their faces. As they recoiled, Yami and Rogue rushed to the side using the confusion as cover and then cut towards Levia's shadow. The moment that they reached it, Rogue grabbed Yami's arm and extended his magic to the older man so that Yami was coated in it before he melded both them into the dragon's shadow.

"Gah that was annoying." Levia said as he shook his head to clear it more irritated from the light than the pain it had caused him. "You little brat. Good thing that I don't have to keep you alive."

"He's mine, he made me chase him so I'm going to be the one that gets to eat him." Scissor Runner spat as the light cleared and he glared down at Sting. "Back off and deal with the others Levia."

"Huh, they fled." Levia said blinking as he realized that the other two humans were no longer present. "Well damn, now I've got to find him again. Looks like you'll get your wish Scissor Runner as I don't have time to deal with this human."

"Too late." Sting said as he leapt back to create more space for himself while grinning as he saw the ball of Dark Magic form in the air behind the dragons. "Get him Rogue."

Before the dragons could react, an unnatural darkness suddenly appeared behind them sucking in all light, well what little there was given that it was the height of night at the moment, into a small black hole high in the sky above the dragons. As it did two figures burst from Levia's shadow and flew into the air so that they were above the dragons.

On the left was Yami, Dark Magic cloaking his body and katana in his right hand as he held it high above his head and across his body. On the right was Rogue in a complete mirror of Yami also cloaked in Yami's Dark Magic and holding a black katana that he'd forged from a mixture of his Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic and Yami's Dark Magic only it was in his left hand. Then, and as Scissor Runner was turning with a snarl at the surprise attack, both men slashed down at the same time.

The spell was called Doppelganger and was a Union Magic spell of Shadow and Dark Magic that Yami knew and which allowed for two mages to attack simultaneous with Yami being the one to lead it and Rogue mirroring what he was doing. This was the spell that Yami had told Rogue about and which required his ability to slip into shadows as the first part of combining their magic. The result was a pair of simultaneous slashes of combined Dark and Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic that tore down at the dragons.

In addition to all of this, Yami had instructed, and then navigated them as they burst from Levia's shadow, in such a fashion that his slash hit Levia in the back starting above his left wing and ending below his right wing. The attack scored a deep diagonal line there and caused the dragon to roar in pain as blood welled up and ran down his back though it was nothing more than a flesh wound.

At the same time, and thanks to the angle of attack, Rogue's slash missed Levia and hit Scissor Runner in the side though the location was more due to Scissor Runner's turn as he'd been aiming for the dragon's wing. As such, Rogue's attack sliced through Scissor Runner's side and out the front causing the dragon to howl in pain as blood splattered the ground and began to run down its side from a wound that was a fair bit worse than Levia's though nowhere near enough to be a hinderance to him.

"Damn humans." Scissor Runner howled as he put his left claw over the wound to confirm that it wasn't too bad. "What the hell was that!"

"It looked like a Unison Raid but at the same time it wasn't like any that I've seen before." Levia spat as he began to turn to blast the Dark Magic user with his roar attack while he was still in the air. "They used the Dark Magic user's skills and combined them with Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic so that it would affect us."

"They'll die for that!" Scissor Runner bellowed as he opened his mouth and his roar attack filled it.

"Now!" Yami shouted and ended the Union Magic and the pair returned to normal.

As soon as he did Rogue basically became shadow and rushed down and to the side as fast as he could move while Yami just kicked out with his right foot at the air. He then used Mana Zone to kick off the air and propel him down to the ground and right towards Sting. As he did Scissor Runner let off his attack but thanks to the angle of Yami's kick the roar sailed over him as he shot down and flew into the air causing no damage.

Meanwhile, Yami twisted as he fell to the ground and got his feet under him so that he landed on the ground and slid over it and towards Sting who was surprised at how successful the attack was. As Yami slide, he held his katana out to the side so that when he came to a stop it was right in front of Sting.

"Coat my blade with your magic." Yami barked. "I've got another idea that should at least cut these lizards."

"Yeah sure, that worked surprisingly well so why not." Sting said as his hand glowed white before he placed it on Yami's blade and extended it so that the metal was now glowing bright white with White Dragon Slayer Magic. "What's the plan?"

"Use your ability to hurt dragons with my magic to finally make this work just like before." Yami said with a grin as he shifted to raising the glowing white katana over head and then poured his own Dark Magic into it so that it was now a white and black storm coming from the blade that blasted off the time and high into the sky. "Bout time as well. Combo Magic: White Dark Dimension Slash!"

At that Yami brought his katana down and sent the magic off it in a vertical slash that could cut space itself as the spell he'd combined with Sting's raw White Dragon Slayer Magic was of course his Dimension Slash. This time, however, instead of pure blackness it was oscillating between white and black as it cut through the air and right at Scissor Runner's chest as the dragon was turning his head back to where Sting was after missing Yami.

Unlike before when Yami's Dimension Slashes were only useful because of the raw power behind them, this one had Dragon Slayer Magic mixed in and Scissor Runner could sense it. He'd seen the power the non-Dragon Slayer had and knew that if it was mixed with a Dragon Slayer's magic it could hurt him so he wasn't going to take it the way Levia took the opening attack from the Dark Wizard. Admittedly that had been a surprise attack but Scissor Runner was still not going to take this attack.

As suck he roared and twisted as best he could to the side. However, thanks to the distance between Yami and the dragon, he couldn't fully get out of the way of the attack and the slash hit his right wing in the middle of it and cleanly cut it in two while the base of the slash sliced off the tip of his tail causing blood to spurt from the stump.

The wounds were superficial but Scissor Runner howled in pain at them nonetheless, though it was much more about the frustration than anything else as he'd been effectively grounded by the humans. Before he'd felt that he could handle the Dragon Slayers as the blond human hadn't been much of a threat before he'd started to run away and the past version of their controller was Levia's issue not his. Now, though, with the third in the mix and combining his magic with theirs things were getting a little tougher for him.

"Damn that actually worked." Sting said his eyes wide.

"Finally." Yami said with a grin. "Though now they'll be expect it. That's fine though, makes this even more fun."

"So what now?" Rogue asked as he popped up from Yami's shadow and landed next to them as surprised as Sting at what Yami had done. "What do we do?"

"We keep fighting and surpassing our limits." Yami said his grin broadening at the thought as he thrust his katana before Rogue. "You're turn, coat it with that Shadow Dragon Slayer Magic of yours while your buddy distracts them. It's time we slayed two more dragons."

Rogue nodded as he did as instructed. So far things had really changed with the arrivals of String and Yami and for the first time Rogue began to hope that the future would change and he'd not fall to evil like Levia said he would. Hopefully, the other battles were going as well as the clock ticked ever closer to a fateful moment.

---

"Damn it, they just keep on coming no matter how many of them we put down." Gray said panting a bit as the dust cleared following his and Leon's joint attack had taken down three of the dragonlings but several more had arrive in the broken street behind them and were pressing forward towards their position. "Where do they keep spawning from?"

"Doesn't matter right now, we need to fall back and take cover." Lyon said, both weren't in bad shape thanks to the healing the Black Bulls had provided after the Battle Royale but the sheer number of these tough dragons were causing issues. "We can't fight them in the open."

"Gray my love, we need to go!" Juvia said as Leon fell back and Juvia stepped forward from where she'd been behind them while her icy hunk and his rival took point.

"Yeah I…" Gray began when suddenly the dragonlings opened their mouths and blasted out the miniature roar attacks they had.

The attacks were strong enough to break apart his and Lyon's ice and cut through stone so they couldn't afford to be hit them as they'd stand no chance. As such Gray stopped what he was saying and started to get his arms up to create more ice to block the incoming attack but as he got his arms in position a new voice cried out a spell.

"Sea Dragon Slayer Magic: Sea Dragon's Lair!"

The cry came from above them and suddenly a dome of water covered the trio before the blasts reached it. It wasn't just water though, it had whirlpools swirling violently within it while more water spun around it seemingly to reinforce the water dome. All three had either been out cold or in battle with each other when the spell had been used in the Battle Royale so they didn't know about it but it held as the attacks blew up on it and were instantly dissipated by the rapid water. It was an impressive spell but the cast told all of them who was behind it just as a winged shadow flew over them.

"Now go away! Sea Dragon Slayer Magic: Sea Dragon's Roar!"

The second cry came as the shadow passed and landed in front of the dome and was followed by a loud roaring sound like a violent storm burst from the person and tore through the dragonlings like they were wet paper, which given that it was Dragon Slayer Magic that was hitting them made sense. Not that the trio could see what happened as the roar attack blasted through the dragonlings and killed them while also inadvertently clearing the road of debris as well.

That's because all they saw when the dust settle was the back of a person standing before them with wings of water coming out of water armor plate on her back and extending to the sides as they spread out, a ridge of water spikes down her back with a tail of water shooting from her coccis, high heeled boots and a helm over her head. Despite that there was only one person it could be and that was confirmed when Noelle Silva, the Black Bulls' Dragon Slayer turned around to them her grimoire open and floating to her side and a trident of water in her right hand.

"That should at least take care of them for a while." Noelle said as she dismissed the water dome causing the water to flow back to her and merge with her trident though it's shape didn't change. "Good thing I came when I did."

"Yeah about that." Lyon said as they all blinked at her. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you have a dragon to deal with? You know seeing as you're one of the 8 Dragon Slayers and all."

"Not that we're complaining mind you." Gray added with a sideways glare at Lyon for being rude to the woman that had just saved their asses. "Those things are tough."

"Well they are dragons of a sort so they're going to be hard to put down but I guess they're not true enough to be resistant to normal magic." Noelle said as her wings folded in a little as she wasn't using them at the moment. "As for why I'm here. I came to get some water from Juvia before I go to help Asta."

"That doesn't answer the question about the dragon." Lyon pointed out. "There are 8 dragons and 8 Dragon Slayers so you should be dealing with your dragon right now."

"There were 8, but seeing as I just slew the one we had to deal with there are now 7 hence why I'm here." Noelle said as if it was nothing, and given the fact that she was here it was pretty obvious as to the reason why in hindsight. "And as I did so using one of Erza's swords I need to thank her for that and give her something to help out but I could use a recharge. We have to spare our food for those who need it and when there's a ready source of water on the battlefield I can replenish that way. We've already sent Luck and Gordon to Laxus and that poison guy to help them and Magna's on standby to aid Natsu should he need it but as he's dealing with a dragon that's literally on fire I think he's fine for the moment."

"Typical Natsu." Gray said with a sigh. "That doesn't surprise me at all."

"Poison guy?" Juvia asked. "Who's he?"

"Oh great he's here." Lyon said. "I thought we'd seen the last of him back when we defeated Oración Seis."

"He is a Dragon Slayer so it makes sense." Gray said before it hit him. "Wait, you're dragon is dead? How did you manage that?"

"Yes and I can tell you about it some other time but right now I am in a hurry." Noelle said. "There are a lot more of those things closing in on Erza and some blue haired guy who's with her. We've sent Asta to back them up but I can provide her with something to really turn the tides and add my own strength to the situation however I need more mana so that I can bring my all to them."

"Mana?" Lyon asked.

"Right that's what we call it where we're from." Noelle said trying to keep her frustration down as she really wanted to get moving and help Asta out, she was his primary battle partner at all so it was her duty to be by his side and for no other reason whatsoever. "It's our word for Ethernano. Look, there's no time and this is a battle so I need water immediately. Juvia, please can you blast some of your Water Magic at me."

"I'm still processing this new armor." Juvia said looking Noelle up and down and hoping that her love wasn't ogling the stunning woman in revealing armor before them as she didn't want another rival to deal with. "Last time I saw you in water armor you had a mermaid form."

"It's new, I have a few forms with this." Noelle said and for the first time, likely because this was the first time she'd really focused on what Juvia was saying as their only other interaction involved an underwater battle that involved Noelle trying not to be blown out of by Juvia's magic, she realized that Juvia sounded a lot like Kahono which was odd but she pushed the thought away. "This one is designed specifically for slaying dragons."

"We can tell." Gray said looking it over the way he'd look over any of Erza's armors and the purpose of this armor was evident. "Well thank you, we did need that. These things go down but it takes a lot to ensure it."

"The dragons are worse but we're all doing our part to aid." Noelle said. "That's why I'm here."

"Of course and we'll do ours as well." Juvia said as she raised her arms. "Here Noelle. Take what you need from me."

At that Juvia's arms became water and she blasted it out and right at Noelle. They all knew Natsu well and knew that he was immune to Fire Magic and fire in general so Noelle by default was immune to Water Magic and water pressure which is why no one balked at the raw magic attack. Noelle just opened her mouth and as the water hit her she began to consume it.

She didn't drink it; they could all tell that much, but rather seemed to draw it into her body. It was a bit like how when Wendy consumed air, it was a clearly magical process as Noelle took in the water for a few seconds before she made a hand gesture to stop and Juvia did so ending the blast so that the last of the water was consumed and not a single drop of it had hit the ground.

"Interesting and different." Noelle said licking her lips as she finished consuming it and assessed the taste of Juvia's magic. "Your water is fresh and pure Juvia, like a refreshing stream of freshly melted snow water. It's not bad."

"That sounds pretty good." Juvia noted. "And I like that it has something cold in it, that's got to be my love for my icy hunk that you're tasting there."

"Not now." Gray said why Lyon grumbled at the attention his rival got from his crush. "Also that's just weird, you know that right?"

"No." Juvia said without a trace of shame in her voice.

"I don't know why it was cold but I'll be honest, it's not as good as the Sea King Dragon's." Noelle said surprising them. "But then again his was salty if too warm and salt water is best for me apparently. I guess I have a taste for it now. Anyway, thank you."

"You're welcome." Juvia said. "And thank you, you saved us."

"We're all Guild Wizards, it's what we do when an outside threat attacks our home." Noelle said as she sniffed the air and quickly picked out Asta's scent in it despite the other scents in Crocus as she'd know it anywhere and when her senses had heightened when her magic evolved his was the first she could recognize though she didn't know why that was or why it comforted her so much to know where he was. "Now to go and help Asta and Erza, and whoever's with Erza. We're going to win this."

With that Noelle turned to the direction of Asta's scent and pushed off the ground with enough force to crack it, her wings opening as she did before she flapped them to boost her speed. In seconds she was away leaving the trio there as they stared at her departure.

"If these bastards weren't so persistent in trying to kill us then I might feel sorry for them." Gray said as they watched Noelle head towards her next fight. "And that's not factoring in the Dragon Slayer now bearing down on them though that girl is something else."

"She did beat Minerva in the Naval Battle." Juvia said sensing that there was a kinship between her and Noelle that went beyond their skills in Water Magic that she'd have to look into as it seemed like Noelle had her own love that she was after which meant that she wasn't after Juvia's darling Gray and that sense of comradery had stilled Juvia's usual jealousy despite Noelle showing up in such a revealing outfit. "But why not including her?"

"Right you were out cold, as was Lyon thanks to me." Gray said while Lyon grumbled some more this time at his defeat at Gray's hands in the Battle Royale. "You didn't see that battle and I only say a portion of it but, well, Asta is the person who beat Erza in a one on one fight. A fight that involved swords."

"Oh…" Juvia said her eyes widening as the realization of what that meant hit her. "I recall hearing but I was so worried about you my love that I didn't ask for details."

"Yes well after seeing that it's no wonder that I stood no chance against Asta, even without beating Rufus and Lyon I don't think I can beat him yet." Gray said. "Not even Erza could beat him and now he's going to be fighting by her side. I don't think many could survive a team up of Erza and someone who can beat her and that's not adding in that Jellal is with Erza at the moment."

"No, no I don't think they could." Juvia admitted and Lyon nodded though he didn't really know Erza beyond her reputation but if she lost to Asta then that just showed how good he was as well. "So that's good for us at least."

"It should be." Gray said. "Now let's move, there are still more of those dragonlings to deal with. Noelle's intervention just gave us a moment to catch our breaths that's all."

The other two nodded as they hurried away as the battle raged on. What none of them realized was that a moment was drawing near that would change the battle and the lives of so many of the combatants forever.

---

Erza's growl was louder that the sound of her sword as she cut down another pair of dragonlings as she passed them before they could attack her in turn. As she did she sensed the magic behind her as three more dragonlings opened fire from their mouths aiming for her back but she just managed to leap away in time glad that all of her injuries from the Battle Royale had been healed thus allowing her to move freely on the battlefield.

Jellal took that moment to leapt up into the air from where he was nearby, a black and blue orb in his right hand that he then threw down at the 4 dragonlings, a fourth had joined after the attack on Erza, just as Erza stabbed another dragonling in the chest as it tried to intercept her flight from the attack that had just been sent at her. The orb landed in the midst of the quartet and exploded blasting them away but that was no reprieve from what was going on as Erza fell back to be next to Jellal as he blasted another orb at a dragonling that was trying to use the confusion to attack them.

Things weren't going great for them so far. It wasn't the skill of the dragonlings that was the main issue, for the most part Erza and Jellal could take them down without much problem, it was the sheer numbers of them that had forced Jellal and Erza to be constantly fighting basically since Ultear had barged into their situation with Millianna.

It had been during a respite from the dragonlings that Millianna had shown up, which surprised Erza as she thought that the girl was aiding the Black Bulls, fully intend on killing Jellal for what he'd done at the Tower of Heaven. Erza understood Millianna's feelings but couldn't let her go through with them as they wouldn't bring Simon back and told her friend that she'd already forgiven Jellal for everything.

Millianna hadn't accepted that at first but then Ultear appeared and revealed that she'd been the one behind the Tower of Heaven, both its creation and Jellal's role there, and thus took the blame for all that had happened. She'd even offered Millianna a chance at revenge against her, if Millianna survived the night as they had to deal with the dragons and the dragonlings.

There was certainly a lot to unpack, including that Ultear herself was also a victim as Erza noted having learned some of Ultear's own past, but that could wait until after the battle, providing they survived it of course. On top of that none of them were aware that Kagura had also been present and overheard the whole thing with Archenemy partially drawn but sheathed it after what Ultear had said as she too had a lot to deal with regarding the situation.

Kagura didn't reveal herself and Millianna had understood that now was not the time so she'd gone off to return to her Guild leaving Erza and Jellal to fight alone. With only Dragon Slayers able to fight the 8 dragons present, Erza had instead opted to focus on the dragonlings that were appearing on the battlefield.

The blind creatures weren't full dragons so they could be cut down with normal magic or with Erza's sword, her armor and magical weapons were limited as many had lost their enchantments thanks to her duel with Asta, but they just kept coming no matter how many they put down. Ultear had said that the mother dragon was producing them so that dragon needed to be taken down but that was a job for the Dragon Slayers, Erza and Jellal had to focus on the dragonlings that were overwhelming the city.

It wasn't just them though, it was most of Fairy Tail, along with a few allies like Lyon, that had ended up taking point in eradicating them but they'd been split up and were in smaller groups trying their best to fend off the dragonlings. Alas it seemed like it was a losing battle given the sheer number of dragonlings that they were dealing with.

"There's way too many of them and we still don't know where the source is." Erza said to Jellal as his latest ball exploded. "All we're doing is slowing them down."

"You're feeling overwhelmed?" Jellal asked. "This is certainly a first but then again today was a day of firsts with you."

"I wouldn't call it overwhelmed." Erza said as she came to a stop and turned to cut down the dragonling that had been chasing her. "Though yes today was the first defeat I suffered in a long time but it's thanks to that that I'm still able to fight so well. The Black Bulls really showed their status when they patched us all up after they won the Battle Royale."

"That's good then." Jellal said before he turned and gave her a side glance a small smile on his lips. "Because if the two of us come together then I know that we can take on anything."

"Of course we can so stop talking and get to work." Erza said as Jellal created another orb. "We've got this."

Jellal just smirked as he tossed the orb that blew up another pair of dragonlings while Erza rushed forward and cut down a third that had evaded the explosion. However just as they ended the trio of dragonlings, 5 more appeared over the rubble behind them and attacked almost simultaneously.

Erza and Jellal sensed the magic and turned but as they leapt back to avoid the attack the 5 beams converged into one large attack and bore down on where they'd been. That wasn't good as while they'd avoid the attack itself, the concussive force of the explosion would hit them and blast them back and right now Erza's Adamantine Armor was still out of commission.

It looked bad but both were highly skilled wizards in the upper echelons of power in Fiore so they could power through it though not without injury which with the numbers being thrown at them could cause some issues down the line. At least it did look bad but suddenly there was a swooping sound and something large, flat, and dark flew between them and turned in the air to swing at the converged attack before it hit the ground.

The attack hit the item with a loud gong-like sound before it was knocked back and at the 5 dragonlings with twice the speed and power that it had been going at. The dragonlings didn't even stand a chance as the attack hit the rubble they were on a split second later and blew up with a conflagration that was twice the size of the still standing buildings. It vaporized the dragonlings and leaving a smoking crater in its wake.

"Damn." Jellal said his eyes wide as he blinked away the light. "That was intense. What the hell did that?"

"There's only one think I know that can do that." Erza said as the she blinked through the light of the explosion and smiled as she saw what she expected floating in the air parallel to the ground and between them and the crater. "A special great sword that I really, really, want to get a copy of even if it is one of a kind. Just think what I could do with one of them."

"Wait a sec, that's…" Jellal began recognizing the sword as well before he was cut off by a pair of slashes followed by a splattering sound from behind him and caused him and Erza to turn.

"Few, got here just in time." The voice said as Jellal and Erza looked to see Asta grinning and walking towards them as if nothing was a miss while two dragonlings fell into 4 pieces behind him. "I figured that Erza at least would be able to evade that attack but I doubt the force would have been avoidable. Good thing I got Slayer in place in time. You're Heaven's Wheel style is really useful by the way."

Jellal just blinked while Erza's smile broadened at the sight. Asta looked unharmed, which given the Black Bulls's healer wasn't a surprise, and had his other two swords floating in the air above him. The way they were positioned and moved was similar to how Erza would when using her Heaven's Wheel armor though that wasn't a surprise to Erza as she already knew that Asta had adapted her Heaven's Wheel style into his own style.

As such that wasn't what caught Erza's eye. No, the most notable thing was that Asta was now holding Erza's Sea Empress Sword in his right hand and to the side in a similar fashion to how she'd hold her katana at the ready. It glowed with Water Magic the way it always did when not being swung only the color was different to before, more whitish blue than clear blue as if it was the frothing sea which given what magic it now used made sense.

"Er…" Jellal began unsure what to say but recognizing Asta at once.

"Right, introductions are probably in order while we have a moment." Erza said as two more dragonlings popped up behind Asta but as they opened their mouths his other two swords moved down so that they were point forward and shot behind him and impaled both through the mouths in a heartbeat all without Asta looking back at the attack. "Jellal, this is Asta of the Black Bulls, the swordsman who defeated me a few hours ago and went on to win the Battle Royale and Grand Magic Games for them. Asta, this is Jellal, he's, um, er, a longtime friend of mine who I trust implicitly."

"Oh I can tell that, your ki is just like Noelle's is around me or Captain Charlotte's is around Yami though I only noticed it once a while back." Asta said as the swords flew back to their original positions above Asta while Jellal processed things, he'd watch Asta fight Erza and defeat her but to see some of what he could do in person was unreal especially as he wasn't sensing any magic power coming from the boy. "I know that feeling well. Come to think of it, you are a lot like Captain Charlotte, she's a Guild Master back where we come from and runs a Guild that's kinda like Mermaid Heel in fact, you even sound a lot like her. I was just too focused on beating you before to notice."

"A Guild Master, so she's a strong warrior then." Erza said surprised by the comparison but not displeased.

"Oh yeah, full warrior woman and a bit scary if you ask me but a good leader and she trusts my Guild Master so I can trust her." Asta said before looking to Jellal as he reached them. "And if you trust this guy then I will as well."

"Really?" Jellal asked surprised especially as it seemed like Asta had no clue who he was but then again from what Jellal had discovered the Black Bulls weren't from this continent and had only arrived in Fiore 2 years ago so perhaps they were truly unaware of his crimes and fugitive status. "Just based on Erza's word?"

"When you have a duel like ours with no animosity just a pure fight to see who's stronger, one that really makes you surpass your limits like ours did, well there's a bond that is forged." Asta said simply though something seemed odd about the Jellal guy and he couldn't place it because it wasn't in his ki so he had to focus more on it. "It's not hard to earn each other's respect and trust in such a battle. Erza proved that she was my equal and I did the same, that's all there is to it. As such I trust her combat instincts and that she's good in a battle so if she trusts you then that's all the word I need."

"Very true." Erza said with a nod. "I'll never forget that fight and the bond it forged. It's not like ours Jellal, just one of mutual respect and admiration. I know that I can trust Asta just as he can trust me when it comes to combat."

"I see, I don't get it but at the same time I get the feelings it's something that only you two can truly understand." Jellal said. "And the Black Bulls have shown their loyalty to Fiore by what they did after the Battle Royale so there is no reason to not accept your aid, especially seeing as it's from the man who almost single handedly took down Fairy Tail. That alone is an impressive achievement."

"Thanks, man that praise gets me it's…" Asta said with a smile his eyes closed and rubbing the back of his head at the praise before his eyes snapped open and he blinked at Jellal. "That's it!"

"What?" Jellal asked a bit confused by the exclamation.

"Something felt strange about you when you first started talking and now I get it." Asta said. "You sound almost exactly like the Wizard King back home only a bit more subdued. Man that's so weird."

"The Wizard King?" Erza asked. "I think you mentioned that in our duel but didn't elaborate, not that you could."

"Right, well, he's one of the people I admire the most in the world and it's his position that I aspire to achieve whenever we return home." Asta said keeping things vague. "He's basically the top Wizard Saint where we're from."

"Ah I see so on the same level as the top Emperor of Ishgar." Erza said though she decided not to mention that if they survived tonight there was no way that Asta wouldn't be offered a spot amongst the 10 Wizard Saints after what he'd accomplished in the Battle Royale. "Well that's good then I take it."

"It's a bit confusing but not an issue really." Asta said glad that he'd figured out what was bugging him about Jellal. "Anyway, I sense another horde of those mini dragon things coming our way so we should be careful."

"Really?" Jellal asked. "I can't sense a thing. You've got some good magical senses there."

"Oh it's not magic but we should be ready." Asta said as he held up the Sea Empress Sword. "Good thing I brought this Sea Dragon Slayer Sword with me. It's really good against the mini dragons, which is to be expected."

"Er it's actually called the Sea Empress Sword." Erza said. "I take it that that's Noelle's magic it's using."

"Yup so it's using Sea Dragon Slayer Magic." Asta said with a nod. "So between that and the fact that Noelle just used it to slay a dragon I've decided to call it the Sea Dragon Slayer Sword from now on, at least while it's using Noelle's magic to power it."

"Wait, your dragon is dead?" Jellal asked as Erza blinked at the news and then looked to the sword in Asta's hand.

"Correct, Noelle took it's head off with this sword, well she put a fair bit more magic into it to achieve it but she did her job and slew it." Asta said stars in his eyes at the memory. "Man she's amazing and so cool when she goes all out like that."

"M, my sword was used to slay a dragon?" Erza asked and Asta nodded.

"We couldn't have done it without the sword, it was really clever of Nero to get it from you." Asta said. "Played a key role in our victory as both Noelle and I were able to use it on the dragon."

"I'm thrilled!" Erza said her eyes lighting up and deciding that the new name that Asta had given the sword was fitting so she'd use it as well. "Plus this is a whole new dimension to using Dragon Slayer Magic. If I can equip my fire and lightning weapons with Natsu and Laxus's magic and then figure out how to incorporate Wendy and Gajeel's as well, the possibilities are…"

"Sorry to cut you off but I've got a feeling that we should move a bit." Asta said and he quickly dashed to the side. "Looks like we're getting some more backup which I expected."

Erza and Jellal weren't sure what that meant but they followed him and a second later the sound of a roaring sea reached their ears just before a vortex of water tore through a mound of rubble nearby, dragonlings that had been behind the mound inside it and being flung off vortex like ragdolls, and through the spot where Jellal had been standing though it would have missed Asta and Erza. The Earth Landers blinked at that but Asta just grinned as he turned and looked up to where the ki that he knew so well was right before the sound of flapping wings reached their ears.

"Were you just going to stand there and let these things amass and attack you, Dorksta? They may be blind but I don't think they're as dumb as they look."

"Come on Noelle, you know that I knew that you were coming to back us up once you got a top up from Juvia." Asta said with a grin as Noelle descended towards them from above her Sea Dragon Slayer armor glowing brightly while the wings slowly flapped to control her descent her trident in her right hand. "Plus I knew that they were there but when I sensed you I knew you'd deal with them and then join us. You did almost hit Jellal."

"Oh, so you're Jellal." Noelle said as she came to a stop in the air and hovered there her wings beating as she turned to look at the other man in the group her eyes narrowing a little and a little frost coming into her tone. "Sorry, I didn't recognize your scent and as I had limited angles to attack those dragonlings from I opted to avoid the ones that I knew. Plus I figured Asta would warn you."

"Judging by your tone you know of me then." Jellal said not to bothered that he'd almost been hit. "I probably shouldn't be surprised that some of your Guild knows."

"I know a bit; I've got good ears now." Noelle said and Jellal had no clue what that meant. "I'm surprised that you're here though."

"He's not bad, Erza trusts him to fight by her side so I do as well." Asta said. "And he sounds like the Wizard King which can't be bad, right?"

"Sounding like someone isn't a reason to trust them Dorksta, but I figured that you'd trust Erza in a fight after that duel." Noelle said her tone not changing but internally if Asta trusted him then she'd give him the benefit of the doubt. "Asta's vouching for you so I won't say anything. Just don't get in the way."

"I won't." Jellal said. "Right Erza. Erza?"

"So cool…" Erza said not hearing Jellal as she looked up at Noelle stars in her eyes though it wasn't Noelle she was really looking at but the armor that the silver haired girl wore. "That armor, how can I get a set?"

"Sorry, same thing as before only this is a special variant for Dragon Slaying." Noelle said remembering that Erza was an armor nerd but that wasn't a bad thing as her grimoire flipped to the right page. "But I can help out a bit and make the coming fight a little easier for you. Trust me we'll need it; I can smell a mass of them gathering. I think whatever is laying these things just send out a whole bunch more."

"Right yes what do you have?" Erza asked snapping out of her armor envy as Noelle's grimoire glowed. "We'll take any help we can get, especially from a Dragon Slayer."

"This, you're clearly skilled with staff like weapons so this should help." Noelle said as she held out her left arm. "Sea Dragon Slayer Magic: Sea Dragon's Trident!"

At that the water on Noelle's left arm morphed and flowed into her hand to form another trident the same as what she held in her right hand minus Noelle's wand which was in the center of the trident that had come with her armor before the water on her left arm was replaced. Then she tossed the trident down to Erza.

Erza blinked but stored her current sword and caught the trident in her hands. She didn't know what to expect as it was made entirely of Water Magic but even with the swirling water on the haft she was able to hold it no problem. It was a little wet of course but otherwise it felt like any other spear-like weapon she'd held and she knew that her grip wouldn't slip when she wielded it.

"I'm still not good with weapons but I can at least provide you with one that will work better on these mini dragons than any that you currently have as that's pure Dragon Slayer Magic." Noelle said as she finally descended to the ground so that they were now standing in a rough square with Erza and Jellal facing each other and Asta and Noelle doing the same. "You did lend us your sword for our battle after all so this is the least that I can do."

"C, can I keep this?" Erza asked amazed at the magical weapon she was holding. "When this is over that is."

"Sure but I can't be certain it will remain." Noelle said with a shrug. "It's Water Creation Magic but I don't know how long it will last."

"Don't worry, if I can't then oh well but if I can it will be great in my arsenal." Erza said with a grin as she adjusted her grip on the trident before she spun it in her hands to get a feel for it her grin getting wider. "Oh yeah this will do nicely. Those dragonlings won't know what hit them."

"Good because they're here." Asta said as he turned, the Sea Dragon Slayer sword up and at the ready as his three Anti-Magic swords now floating over his head. "Took them a while it seems."

"Others likely got in the way, or they were spawned farther away than I judged." Noelle said as she turned just as a few heads popped up in the distance her wings spread. "If it's the former I hope that they're ok."

"Most of them are my guildmates, and the others are ones my guildmates trust, so they'll be fine." Erza said as she turned, the Sea Dragon's Trident in her hands and out wishing she could use her Heavan's Wheel swords as well but she'd not had time to reenchant them after Asta had severed the magic in them in their duel. "I trust them after all."

"As do I, I've come to expect that Fairy Tail can pull anything off." Jellal said as he faced his side a sphere in his hand. "Well anything other than beat you guys, that was a real shock."

"Many underestimate the Black Bulls." Noelle said. "They learn the hard way not to do so again."

"Fairy Tail sounds a fair bit like us when you think about it." Asta said with a grin. "I have a feeling we'll get along well."

"Once we're through this." Noelle pointed out as the dragonlings roared. "For now, fight!"

The others all agreed with Noelle's assessment as she unleased a Sea Dragon's Roar that tore through the pack of dragonlings that were charging at her. A second later Jellal tossed his sphere to blow up the ones charging at him but that was just a dent in the attack as the number of dragonlings that they destroyed were quickly replaced and the second wave was on.

What followed was an explosive mess as the quartet clashed with the dragonlings. They fought off each other with their shared partner experiences helping greatly and Asta's ki sensing and Noelle's senses ensuring that any holes in coordination between the two pairs were plugged as they cut down, blew up, skewered, and otherwise decimated the dragonlings that were attacking them.

They quickly lost track of how many the cut down in the frenzy but it was dozens they felt and yet no matter how many dragonlings they took down they just kept coming. It was a battle of overwhelming numbers and they still had no clue where the mother dragon spawning them was, or that that was the origin point in Asta and Noelle's case. Regardless they all knew that if they could stop the source they might turn the tide especially with several of the dragons now getting pressed hard thanks to the Black Bull reinforcements.

If they didn't then something bad might happen if the dragonlings could keep pressing them with numbers. Alas that turned out to be the case.

It was just as the clock struck a certain time and a convergence attack from several of the dragonlings had gotten through blowing a crater in the ground and sending Erza tumbling over the ground from the shockwave of the explosion as she'd been nearest. Jellal countered and rushed to her while Asta moved to cover Noelle just as two blasts tore at her back from two more dragonlings that had used the explosion as cover for their own attack.

Asta was able to move Slayer into place to deflect one of the mini roar attacks away from Noelle but the second cut through her left wing right at the base where it connected to her back plate just as she twisted to avoid it. Thankfully, Noelle was able to twist away and thus ensured that the blast only grazed her side drawing blood but not a lethal blow. However it sheered her wing off fully and the moment that it was no longer attached to her armor it burst into water vapor which staggered her around more now off balance.

Noelle was still getting used to the wings so she was completely thrown by the loss of one, especially in such a fashion. This resulted in her being open to two more blasts from the same pair of dragonlings that were already coming at her faster then she could bring her trident around to intercept them or get off her raw magic to block them.

"Noelle!"

Asta's yell came as he used all of his strength to push off the ground, the force of which cracked it, and he lunged to her his left arm outstretched and hand open as he did. He'd sensed the attack and predicted that she'd not be able to get out of the way so he'd moved with all the power he had to save his close friend and near constant battle partner.

It was thanks to Asta's raw strength that he was able to reach her in time, his outstretched left hand slamming into Noelle's chest and pushing her back. The move was so desperate that neither of them realized that he'd accidentally copped a feel of Noelle's breasts as that had been what he'd hit to knock Noelle back.

Besides that wasn't the issue. All Noelle could do was only stare in shock as she fell backwards to the ground her eyes wide and arms out as the two beams of light meant for her reached the spot where she'd just been and where Asta now was.

One of the arms flew harmlessly past him and over his arm but the other didn't miss. It hit Asta squarely in the chest right where his Guild Mark was and cleanly piercing right it and out his back before it slammed into the ground with a small explosion that Noelle didn't hear. That was because she was focused solely on Asta as the his wasn't good because Noelle knew that Asta's Guild Mark was right over his heart so there was no doubt in her mind what had happened.

Asta clearly knew as well as his eyes went wide and blank at that as his body twisted to the side to fall onto his back as Noelle reached out her arms to try and grab him and pull him towards her. However she missed and her hands closed on thin air as she landed on her ass on the ground safe thanks to Asta's actions.

It was almost too much to handle and all the feelings she'd been denying ever since Asta had saved her from her magic the day that they first met burst out but Noelle didn't have time to deal with that or even realize what was going on. All Noelle could do was scream one word, one that was mirrored by Mimosa back at the field headquarters along with similar acceptances, all of those emotions in the scream as Asta's body hit the ground.

"Asta!"

Ah I can't resist a good cliffhanger like this and with it I'm sure y'all can tell what is about to happen. This is a long chapter, longest in the series by about 1k words, but I wanted to show how the Black Bulls were helping out with the various battles following their own victory so it ended up being very long and I couldn't really break it up but I feel that it's better this way especially with an ending like this. I'll explain more as to why it's gone like this after the next chapter so you'll have wait until then. Anyway, other than the end there really isn't much to add to this chapter as for the most part it was just the various battles which the Black Bulls have aided in and shown how they have continued to affect this battle over all. As such I will end this chapter off here. If you liked this please favorite, follow, leave a review, or let me know in a PM and I will try to answer any questions posed in reviews and PMs as best I can. Until next time.

Stringdog