Chapter 73
Nightmare Make Believe
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback you
Location / Date / Time Skip
Laki groaned as she opened her eyes, finding only stone. "Where am I?" She pushed herself up and felt bars that helped her up. "Wait, why am I in jail!?"
"Miss Laki?" A voice called out from the cell next to her. "It's me, Coco."
"Where are we in jail?" Laki asked. "And why is the Neo Oracion Seis working with Zentopia?"
"Shut up." A guard said as he walked by.
"Make me." Laki glared back. The guard smirked before he shoved the spear into her cell. Smiling, Laki pulled on the staff and sent him into the cell door before she wrapped her arm around his neck. "Now let me go."
Growling, the guard waved his hand and the cell door warped around the two before Laki picked him up and slammed him to the ground, knocking him out. "Now, I gotta go find Lucy."
"Take me with you!" Coco demanded as Laki ran past her cell. The older girl nodded before punching the lock with her magic. The door broke and the runner escaped. "Where are we going?" She asked as the two ran through the halls.
"We're going to find the archbishop." Laki replied. "We need stop his crazy plan to destroy the world!" The two jumped back as a large green creature made of blocks landed before them. "Who... what is that?"
"That's Gutman the Cleaner." Coco said.
"You have someone like that here?" Laki asked.
"This is going to be fun, you two have a lot of magic power." The block creature said, rubbing his 'hands' together.
"Be careful, he's more powerful than he looks." The runner said. A green orb appeared on the older woman and seconds later it covered Laki. "Rupture Magic! Get away!"
An explosion blasted Laki back before Coco ran over and helped her up. "I'll destroy anyone who dares to question the doctrine of Zentopia, starting with you two!" Gutman raised his 'hand' and both girls started glowing green before they exploded again and again.
"We don't have time for this..." Laki groaned.
"Then I'll just blow you up right now!" Gutman said before suddenly freezing in place. "Why can't I move?"
"Because I immobilized you!" The three looked over to see Mary Hughes holding her wand at the ready. "What are you two waiting for? Get going!" A rupture seal appeared on her before it exploded around her. Mary stood up and raised her wand before the block creature started spinning.
Fairy Tail Guildhall
"What the hell is going on here!?" Gray asked.
"It seems that Michelle was a mole for the Neo Oracion Seis." Erza said.
"This whole time she was just putting on an act." Elfman added. "What's worse is that they got Laki and Lucy, and it's all my fault. I couldn't do anything to stop her."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." His sister said. "It's enough that you came back and told us."
"I don't understand why my cards didn't predict this." Cana complained. "Brain 2 showing up at the Cardia Cathedral, the teams working out the way they did. Nothing makes any sense."
"All of our running around just wasted time." Gray said. "We need to do something to save Lucy and Laki."
"Excuse me." The guild turned around to see the archeologists society. "I believe we've meet before."
"Can we help you?" Makarov asked.
"We came looking for Miss Lucy, but it seems like you need some help." The leader replied.
The group entered the guild hall catching Macao's attention. "What do you want with Lucy?" The master asked.
"This is a matter grave importance. We must speak to her directly." The leader replied.
"She was kidnapped by the Neo Oracion Seis." Erza said."Can't you tell us? We desperately need any help we can get right now."
The two stared at each other before the leader turned around. "I guess there's no need to keep it a secret. I assume you're familiar with name Will Neville?" Everyone nodded before the man explained everything that he could.
"What makes the clock so dangerous?" Erza asked.
"The Infinity Clock has the power to destroy world woth a spell called 'Real Nightmare'. Jauneluque replied. "Once cast, it alters the perception of time itself. You could say it has control over time itself."
"Say what?" Gray asked.
"Imagine everyone on earth having different concepts of time?" The leader asked back. "Everyone derives themselves from memories of past experiences, but if no one can properly remember that information-"
"We'd lose our very sense of self..." Erza mumbled.
"That's not chaos. That's pure panic." Gray whispered.
"The Clock is hovering over the Grand Cathedral of Zentopia at this moment." Makarov said. "From what I understand, their religion heavily intertwines with the clock."
"Zentopia is said to have been founded by a group of Celestial wizards who once owned the clock." The leader replied. "They sealed away all its pieces and forbade even the discussion of it. It is one of the most heavily guarded secrets in the world, known only to the highest members of the Zentopia.
"The clock accumulates magic and then disperses it every hundred years. Evil ones have constantly sought it for use, which is why I have a formal request of the Fairy Tail guild. Stop the Infinity Clock, at all costs." Everyone nodded in agreement of the job as he explained more details before gifting Erza a magic hammer.
"So how do we get up there?" Elfman asked, looking up at the clock.
"Don't worry, help is on the way." Cana chuckled, holding up a card.
The Blue Pegasus ship flew over head as Ichiya dived off and face planted into the ground. "We're seriously counting on this guy to help?" Gray asked.
"You have a better idea on how to get up there?" The drinker asked. "I didn't think so."
"Just get going already." Makarov demanded as the group climbed on board. Seconds after take off, something hit the ship.
"Don't worry, Elfman and I will check it out." Mira said before the two ran out to the deck. They leaned over the side to look at the hole before noticing the hole on the floor. "Someone did this." The oldest sibling mumbled before something hit her.
Racer appeared for a second before moving behind Elfman. "You will fall, like others." He mumbled before striking the ship again. Elfman tried to punch him only to get sent to the deck.
Mirajane stepped forward and triggered her Satan Soul before charging him. She tackled the dark mage off the ship as Elfman looked over the side. "Don't worry about me. Finish the mission!" She shouted as the two fell to the ground. Elfman returned to the others and told them everything before they had to fix the ship.
Mirajane unfurled her wings and let go of Racer before flying around him. He hit the ground before he appeared on a rock and stared up at the ship. He jumped only for Mira to block his path and force him back. "Be gone." Racer said before kicking her in the chest.
She crashed through a rock before slicing through it, now in her Halphas form. She dived at him and the two started fighting even faster. The ground underneath them shattered every time they touched it before Mirajane kneed Racer in the gut. He flashed away and sprinted like an animal before getting kicked again.
"Just give up. You can't beat me." Mirajane said.
The dark wizard jumped back and growled at her. "Faster... even faster!" The red lines on his black singlet started glowing before he vanished from sight.
"What did you do?" Mirajane asked only to get kicked in the back. "He increased his speed!?" She turned around only to get hit again, getting sent to the ground. She jumped back up only to find herself surrounded by speed clones that kept hitting her as Racer laughed.
She flew away and the clones followed her before she grabbed the original and dived bombed the ground, dropping him into the dirt. Mirajane landed on the edge on the crater and walked over to the injured man before punching him out. "I almost feel sorry for you, running away from your past like I did." Her body returned to normal as she stared up at the sky.
Christina Advanced
The repairs complete, the ship soon came into view of the crews target. The clock rang out again and suddenly everyone had changed. Gajeel was now an old man, Warren looked like he was chugging steroids, Gray had shrunk into a child, Elfman was now wafer thin, Wendy had matured into an adult and the Exceeds had all changed species.
"They've been affected by Real Nightmare." Erza mumbled before staring at her normal body. "Is it because of..." She summoned the hammer and thwacked everyone on the head, even Ichiya who wasn't affected. Magic bolts soon started shooting both ways before Kanaloa wrapped around the ship.
The wizards started striking the creature before chains wrapped around the cephalopod. "Get going! I'll take this beast down with me!" Ichyia declared. The Fairy Tail members nodded before jumping off onto the cathedral.
They started running when Warren suddenly stopped. "That's Gildarts." He said grabbing his head. "Apparently, the arch-bishop is being controlled by cardinal Lapointe!" Behind them, Byro growled at the revelation before racing towards the arch-bishops chamber.
There he found Lapointe threatening a Fairy Tail trio before he disabled a spell, letting Gildarts uppercut him into the ceiling. Lapointe fell into the mass of candles and groaned in pain as the spell around Natsu faded. The rescue team arrived to the room and Wendy raced over to the arch bishop to heal him.
"I must confess, I'm surprised you actually invaded our citadel." Byro said.
"Your'e not the only one who's surprised." Gray said.
Lapointe started laughing among the candles and everyone turned to him. "Squirm all you want, but Real Nightmare is already working on you. Today the Infinity Clock will end the world, and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Chaos will take hold of the world and your friend will die!"
Lapointe laughed as his body started fading away, leaving only a tuff of white hair on the ground. "Gross, is that Master Zero's hair?" Natsu asked, sniffing the air.
"Lapointe used the Legion Platoon as puppets." Byro bitterly confessed. "But no more, now I know needs to be done. Your friend is being used as a device to control the Infinity Clock. Therefor, Lucy Heartfilia must die."
"Lucy's here!?" Natsu asked as Gildarts stepped forward.
"He and I have unfinished business." The ace said. "You guys go find Lucy."
"Right." Erza nodded. "Wendy, you stay here. Warren, act as a guard and keep her safe." The telepath nodded before Coco approached her.
"I know how to get to the castle. Follow me." The girl said before Samuel flew past them. "We have to hurry. Samuel isn't going to let her go."
"Let's go!" Laki said before they followed Coco.
Byro and Gildarts traded spells before Gildarts sucker punched him. "You talk too much." He chuckled before getting punched through the wall. The ace stood up and chuckled before punching the staff to pieces before throwing a haymaker, sending Byro into a pillar.
With the Group
The swarm raced through a tunnel before Warren's voice rang through their head, explaining how they could save Lucy. A sound wave pushed them back before they saw Cobra standing over them. "All your desperation makes you so easy to find." He chuckled.
"This time I'm gonna charr you ears off!" Natsu growled.
"I'm saving you and the Greenwoman for last." The second gen said. "Titania and I have unfinished business." He waved his hand and a blast of poison laced sound forced Erza to jump.
"Get going, I've got him." Erza said.
Reluctantly, the group ran further into the castle and found themselves in a greenhouse. "I'm sorry, but you will go no further." Angel said, standing over them.
"Go, I'll take care of her." Gray said.
Natsu nodded and the group raced forward, making Angel chuckle. The five remaining raced through gears only to get blocked by a spell. Brain 2 stood over them on a series of gears, Klodoa in hand. "What makes you think I wouldn't be here to stop you either?"
"Go, he's mine." Gajeel declared before unleashing a roar. The reflector blocked the dark wizards face, letting the other four run by. "Iron Dragon Club!" Two clubs shot forward and then bent around Brain. "That spell is really to piss me off. Iron Dragon Lace - Demon Logs!"
Another reflector shield blocked them before Gajeel jumped up from behind. "Let's try this!" He grabbed Midnight and slashed with his sword, only for the dark wizard to turn to smoke.
"A very convincing mirage, wouldn't you say?" Brain 2 appeared from behind before blasting Gajeel out of the clock. He saw a hand reach out and grabbed it, only for his momentum to pull Gildarts out as well.
With The Four
"We should be coming up on the Infinity Clock!" Coco said as the two Dragon Slayers sniffed the air.
"I've got Michelle's scent." Natsu said.
"We can follow that straight to her!" Laki said before they reached an opening. They found Lucy attached to some kind of orb before Imitatia drew a sword and pointed it at them.
"You four are wasting your time. Lucy belongs to me and me alone!" She declared. "If you value your lives, you'll turn and head back to that rotting guild hall."
"Do you really think you're the first to say that to us?" Elfman asked.
"Let Lucy go right now!" Coco demanded, only for Michelle to trigger her shields growth.
"The three of us will keep her busy while you sneak behind and grab her." Laki said, making the others nod before they raced forward. Natsu unleashed a roar and Michelle jumped over it before drop a kick onto a charging Elfman into Coco.
"Careful, you two!" Elfman shouted, Coco dangling off his arm. "She'll target your vitals with deadly accuracy."
"I find human bodies so interesting." The traitor said. "No matter how big and strong they are, one strike to the right organ and they're overtaken by intense pain."
"What's with you?" Natsu asked. "You're nothing like the ditzy crybaby we used to know."
"That was nothing but an act to infiltrate your guild." 'Michelle' said. "My name is Imitatia, a member of the Neo Oracion Seis."
"I'll make you pay!" Elfman swung his five clawed arm and Michelle blocked it before swinging her sword. She looked up and saw the couple deliver a pair of punches to her face, sending her into the rock wall.
She dropped to the ground and her body twisted about before it snapped back to normal. "It'll do you no good striking me. My body doesn't feel pain and nothing you do can make me forget my purpose. I won't be phased by weak human emotions."
"Then explain that look in your eyes." Natsu demanded. "Even bad guys who fight for something they believe in always a brightness in their eyes. Even in that spaced out look of yours."
"You think you can confuse me, but my heart is unwavering." Imitatia replied.
Natsu slammed his hands and ignited them before the three charged again. Laki unleashed a Roar and Elfman turned in Belcusus only for vines to wrap around him. Natsu unleashed a Brilliant Flame only for the vines to wrap around him too. The plants flew at Laki who sliced them with her Grain Blade.
"You would betray your sister for a stupid mission!?" Laki asked, charging and swinging her own blade.
"I could care less about what you think of me." The dark wizard said before slamming her shield into Laki's gut. "I follow my heart and that is what magic is all about. And my determination is second to none. I will protect her no matter what."
With Gray
The Ice Wizard threw off his coat, much to Angel's confusion. "You won't be thrashing me around like last time." He said, placing his hands together. "You'll be a real angel by the time I'm done."
"I really hate stubborn men." Angel said.
"I don't really like beating up girls, but to save my friend I'll do whatever it takes." Gray declared. "This one's for Lucy." Angel chuckled before pulling out four coins and summoned a giant baby angel with pigs in his hair. Gray fired off an Ice Geyser but the pigs fired off a blast of light.
Both the spell and Gray shattered before the real one popped up from behind. "Eat my Ice-Make: Death Scythe!" He declared before swinging his weapon. The angel glowed in a dark red light before fading away and the coins turning to dust.
Angel gripped her chest in pain before falling to the ground. "Damn you." She forced herself to her knees only to find the curved blade pointed at her chest. Instead of pushing it away, she grabbed the blade and pointed it at her heart. "Impale me, make me vanish into the sky like an angel. It's what I want more than anything in the world."
Completely creeped out by her fatalistic attitude, Gray shattered his weapon and turned around. "I'm not killing anyone. That's not my style."
Angel glared at him before standing up. "Then this is where you die! Cost Thirty - Barakel!" A three faced angel appeared and fired of a blast of dark arrows.
Gray summoned a shield and braced the attack. "You're not an angel! You're a human being just like me!" The shield shattered and the energy flew at him, only for Dan to jump in the way and send the attack flying away. Instantly, he started flirting and the angel fired another blast of magic, only for Dan to counter and stab it with his lance.
The angel glowed before fading away, making Angel grip her heart. Dan flirted again only for Angel to swat him away. "You both disgust me. You're vulgar, crude and in every way human. Come forth Raguel the Herald." Ten coins glowed and floated out of her hand before a massive angel with multiple heads and a matching number of trumpets appeared.
Dan charged again only for a sound wave blasted him back and shattered his armor. Angel chuckled before Gray growled at her. "What happen to that girl who wanted to die? Quit acting so high and mighty when you're no different from him."
"That's where you're wrong. I'm an angel." The girl declared. "A girl who longs to be an angel. One day, I'll become one. But I don't know how much longer I can wait. One day, my wish will come true. My own magic chips away at my life, but it also washes away all my sins. All I want is my own wings."
"You're insane..." Gray said as Angel jumped down. "Throwing your life away for some stupid wish, calling yourself an angel. It's people like you who made this world a rotten place. Dan might be an idiot, but at least he's living his life to the fullest. The only reason you want to die is because you've barely even lived. You know nothing about this world!"
The faces on the angel cracked, as did Angel's body while glowing in a black aura. "What the hell?"
"Raguel, destroy him!" The angel exploded into a mass of black goo before blasting Gray back. "Keep going! Don't stop until there is nothing left."
"The hell is that thing?" Gray asked, fighting the urge to puke as Angel just laughed from the inside of the swarm. "Look around! Can't you see that your magic is going to kill you!?" He charged in and grabbed Angel before slapping her across the face. "Wake up! You're magic is about to destroy you! The stronger a spell is to cast, the bigger the toll it takes on the body. Look at your angel!"
Her eyes went wide and finally saw what the magic was. "What is this ugly thing?"
"The true form of the magic you use, a parasite that feeds on your life to strengthen itself." Gray explained. "If you don't stop it, it WILL destroy you!"
"This... is me?" She asked in disgust.
"Not for much longer!" The Ice wizard shouted. "If you don't wake up and stop this dillusion, it'll swallow you whole!" The blob swallowed both of them before an Ice spell forced them back. Angel started crying before Dan's spear hit her. Gray blasted the blob into solid ice before it crumbled into chunks.
"Talk about perfect timing." Dan chuckled. "The same second you destroyed that monster, I used my spear to shrink her magic core as small as possible. You're coins are back, and you life is restored."
"I don't understand... why would you try to save your enemy?" She asked Gray.
"I told you, I'm not killing anyone." He replied.
"...I admit defeat." She said before falling over.
In Lucy's Room
"One of the seals has fallen." Lucy suddenly spoke up. "Only three remain."
"Lucy, just hang on!" Laki shouted. "We're almost done with this girl!"
I have a poll up on my profile. Go vote on it if you want.
Anyone else creeped out by Angel's sick desire to die? Seriously. I mean, I hate living in this world but I don't feel like offing myself. And that borderline Venom like magic? No, thank you. Next chapter will wrap this arc up so see you then.
Beta read by JballinR12.