"That's not my problem pal. Now I hope you saved your prayers, because I'm going to make this quick." Gray taunts, cracking his knuckles.
"Tch. Your cocky behavior is obnoxious." Stark griped. The angel glanced over at the ice wall Gray created before looking back at him. "Very well then. If you desire to make this quick…" Stark closes his eyes as he twirls both guns. "Then I suggest you don't waste time by struggling." He provoked before opening fire at the shirtless mage.
Gray leaps back down the stairs before the magic bullets could strike him. He lands on one knee and slides back a couple feet, using his palm to slow himself down. He looked back up the stairs and saw more magic bullets hurling towards him.
"Heh, two can play at that game." Gray quipped while placing his fist on his palm. "Ice-Make: Arrows!" He conjures a large ice bow and fires multiple arrows made out of ice. They collide with Stark's magic bullets, causing them both to evaporate on impact.
Stark observes Gray beginning to cast another spell as he adjusts his glasses. "Seems your melding magic is far superior of that of Balrus'." He complimented. "However, you still have the weakness of the human body." He points out, noticing the bulging marks on Gray's chest.
"Ice-Make: Lance!" Gray conjures several lances out of ice. They quickly stretched their way where his opponent was standing. Stark begins to sidestep each lance, completely avoiding the attack. Gray raises an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"Guns Magic: Stinger." Stark twirls his gun as they turn pink before firing two long bullets at the ice melding mage.
Gray leaps up in the air, avoiding the attack as the bullets dig through the ground effortlessly. The shirtless mage creates ice plates in the air, allowing him to leap off of them to gain higher ground. Now near the room ceiling, he slams his fist on his palm once more. "Ice-Make: Battle Axe!" He creates an axe blade out of ice and swings it right at Stark.
Once again, the slender angel dodged the attack by leaping out of the way. He lands on his feet and bends down for a brief moment before standing back up. He twirls his guns and they turn red. "Guns Magic: Homing." He fires two magic bullets right at Gray.
Gray swings his arms out and conjures another ice shield. The bullets strike it and cause the ice to burst in an icy mist. Stark remains on guard and awaits for Gray's next attack. The shirtless mage proceeds to fall right where the Tenhei member is, winding his fist back to land a punch. Acting quickly, Stark leaps back right before Gray lands.
The punch Gray made created a small crack on the ground. He slowly stands up and gives a cocky smirk at the angel. "What gives? My last attack was pretty half-assed. You could've flown right at me and countered." He provoked. He then points right at Stark. "Or maybe, you can't even fly to begin with?" He said, noticing Stark's few feathers on his wings.
"Tch." Stark glared at Gray. "So you figured out I can't fly? You think that gives you the advantage? What, do you insult the disabled too?!" He accused, appearing more irritated.
"Uh, no that's not it at all…" Gray hesitated, having a feeling he struck a nerve.
Stark proceeds to sigh and cross his arms. "It is true, I am one of the few in this country whose wings didn't fully adapt." He explained, beginning to pace around. "But I'm still a Tenhei for a reason, I was able to prove my worth."
The angel placed a hand on his chest. "After all, I am the country's ambassador. Unlike other Tenhei, I deal with political work since our lord isn't too fond of that. I would be second in command, but Hahlos already has that role." He says, proceeding to point at Gray. "So what if I can't fly? I don't have the same limitations as you humans."
Gray squints his eyes in annoyance at the angel. "Heh, so you don't like us humans then?" He wondered.
"There's a reason you're literally below us. I don't even know why Hahlos is so interested in you land-walking scum." Stark mocks as he stops and places one hand on his hip. "I just happen to share the same opinion as our lord. The magic you all take for granted to the point where you abuse such power, it's like a virus in this world." The slender angel sneered.
"Tch, and yet you let the civilians here use magic by throwing them at us like rats?" Gray argued.
"Not many people like to kill. But if they were forced to for self defense, then most people would put their sensibilities aside." Stark retorted.
"But you're *totally* fine in using a human for your own benefits then?" Gray accused.
Stark shrugs. "I never approved of the plan to begin with. But if it was our only resort, I had no choice but to suck it up." He scoffs, narrowing his eyes away. "The fact our country rests in the hands of a human *child* makes me ashamed."
Immediately, a blade out of ice gets pointed inches away from Stark's face as he slowly narrows his eyes back at Gray. The shirtless mage's expression showed that of mild anger as he shot daggers in Stark's sharp blue eyes. However, the angel shows no sign of flinching.
"Alright, I've heard enough out of you." Gray chastides. "I ain't gonna stand here and let you bad mouth my friend." He points his ice blade slightly close towards his opponent.
Stark stares at Gray blankly for a moment before cracking a sly grin. "Very well, we are wasting time after all." He acknowledged as he closed his eyes and lightly grabbed his glasses. He slowly takes them off.
Suddenly, Gray's ice blade gets shattered the moment Stark's glasses are removed. The ice mage widens his eyes and leaps away from the angel, getting on guard. Stark then opens his eyes and reveals his pupils were replaced with a reticle symbol.
"How about I get serious then hm?" Stark raises his magic guns which were not only yellow, but had magic circles on the tips of each gun. "Guns Magic: Echo."
Gray prepares to conjure another ice spell. He notices Stark cross his guns together casually before firing one of them, but no bullet came out. The ice mage raised an eyebrow before he heard one coming from his right. He manages to leap out of the way right before the magic arrow could strike him. He wasn't able to fully react as he witnessed Stark fire another bullet.
"Ice-Make: Cannon!" Gray conjures a large ice cannon as he raises it over his shoulder and prepares to fire. But once again, his creation shatters as a magic bullet goes right through it. Gray stumbles back in shock. "W-what the?!"
Stark simply chuckles before firing two more shots. Gray quickly scans his surroundings and sees two magic circles appear above him. The magic bullets fire out of them as they hurl towards the shirtless mage. Gray quickly melds an ice shield that completely covers the front of him. However, the magic bullets suddenly swerve right around the shield and strike right through Gray's lower sides. He grinded his teeth in pain before collapsing on his knees. His ice shield shatters immediately after.
"You have a lot of weak spots." Stark noted, lowering his magic guns. "Should've thought twice before stripping yourself."
Gray clenches one of his sides, feeling it become numb. "What the hell did you do?!" He looks up at Stark.
Stark chuckles before pointing at his eyes. "See this? My eyes have the ability to scan for opponents weak points for more accurate shots. It's much more manageable when my enemy is closer to me." He explains.
"Give me a break…" Gray grumbles, managing to slowly stand himself back up. "What's with your bullets then?! How come my body is feeling numb?!"
"Oh right, you weren't around when I mentioned it." Stark twirls one of his guns. "They can drain the magic energy of someone. And with someone like you with an embarrassing amount of openings, it won't take much to take you down." He ridicules.
Gray growls at the angel as he prepares another melding spell. "Ice-Make…" He then gets suddenly shot on both of shoulders, causing them to slump over and his spell vaporized. Gritting his teeth, the ice mage slams both his palms on his shoulders and they begin to freeze, which caught the attention of the angel.
"Oh? Freezing my bullets so the drain doesn't take any effect? Very clever." Stark snarkily compliments, observing Gray freeze his lower sides next. The slender angel aims both guns and smirks. "If you're going to drag this out, then make this entertaining and dance for me." His guns then turn purple and he fires normal magic bullets.
Acting quickly, Gray dodges each bullet right before they hit him. He notices that each bullet was being aimed at his ankles, causing him to lift his legs like he's in a field of tacks.
Stark begins to laugh mockingly at Gray, triggering more anger out of the shirtless mage. He slams his fist on his palm and yells out. "Ice-Make! Gungnir!" He unleashes a gigantic lance out of ice as it launches straight at Stark.
Stark proceeds to twirl his guns as they turn yellow once again. He fires several shots which causes the bullets to appear around the ice lance and pierce it all over. It explodes in ice particles.
Gray widens his eyes in shock and mouth agape. Stark fires several more shots as they directly hit Gray's ankles, arms and chest. He cries in pain and collapses on his knees once more.
"It's like I said, your human body has limitations. It's over." Stark cackles. His guns turn pink and he aims them at Gray. "Guns Magic: Stinger." He fires two long magic bullets as they pierce right through the ice mage's arms, sending him hurling towards the wall and getting pinned.
The ice Gray created on his body evaporates as he slumps over, looking down. He was still conscious, however. He noticed the amount of bulge marks on his chest. He grits his teeth and manages to look back up, noticing Stark approach him.
"You're wasting your time." Stark scoffs. His guns vanish and he puts his glasses back on while walking towards Gray. He stops a couple feet in front of him and frowns. "Why did you all bother coming back?" He wonders.
"What d-do you th-think?!" Gray stutters, glaring at Stark. "To save our f-friend damn it!"
Stark cracks a smirk. "Heh. You mean your little traitor?" He taunted. "It was from my understanding that she didn't want to even go back to her home." The angel points at his right shoulder. "Isn't that why she erased that mark that connects you?"
Stark's words manage to shoot some energy within as Gray widens his eyes right before harshly staring at him. "How did you know about that?!" He fumed. "What did you bastards do to her?!"
The angel folded his arms behind his back and snickers. "I simply told her the truth of her role and the weight she bears."
~~~Flashback~~~
Wendy was feeling a sign of deja vu once her eyelids opened up. She found herself laying on a bed. She slowly sat up and realized that she was back in the average looking bedroom she was staying in. She held her head, feeling woozy like she was hit by a speeding vehicle. Wendy tried to recall what happened before she passed out and began quickly putting the pieces together. But before she could do anything, she heard knocking on her door.
Wendy glanced over at the door as it slowly creeks open, revealing a familiar glasses-wearing angel giving her a friendly smile. She immediately recognized him and glared right at him, remembering what he did to her earlier.
"Good evening, I hope I didn't wake you." Stark greeted, closing the door behind him.
"What do you want?" Wendy scowled.
Stark chuckles, raising both hands. "My, my that's a scary look. I guess it's fair to say you don't like me very much." He snarkily comments.
"My friends, where are they?" Wendy demands, going straight to the point.
"That's actually what I'm here to discuss." Stark approaches, taking a seat by the desk and laying one arm on the table. "None of us have apprehended your friends as of now. They remained unharmed and unaware they'd even been detected."
Wendy clenches her blanket, remaining on guard. "Why can't I see them?"
"It's because we can't exactly have a human walking around town, you'll gain too much attention. It would cause your friends to be exposed immediately." Stark explains, looking out of the window. "I believe your friends were aware of this, as they chose to wear tacky disguises."
Wendy doesn't respond, continuing to stare at Stark.
The angel looks back at Wendy and sighs. "About before, I'm sorry for my behavior." He apologies, noting at the girl's missing twin tail. "You're here to help us after all. I shouldn't have attacked you like that." He lays his other hand on the table, placing Wendy's missing hair on the desk.
"You're not going to arrest them, are you?" Wendy wonders, not believing his apology for a second. She did glance at her missing hair for a moment, however.
Stark held both his hands together and laid his elbows on the table. "While you were resting, we had a meeting discussing the matter of your friends. As far as we are aware, they haven't caused anything drastic yet. But it's only a matter of time."
The slender angel proceeds to stand up and places both arms behind his back. "Which is why we've made the decision to have *you* deal with them." He offers.
Wendy was caught off guard by Stark's proposal. It snapped her out of her grogginess from waking up. "Wh-what do you mean by that?!" She exclaimed.
Stark walks over by the window and slowly opens it. He gestured down below out the window. "They were last spotted by the town inn. All you need to do is meet up with them and request them to leave." Stark peers his eyes over at Wendy. "Shouldn't be too difficult right?"
"Tell them to leave? Why can't they just stay here until this is over with?" Wendy questioned. "I promise they won't do anything bad! I thought you said I'd get too much attention being out there!"
"Oh you don't have to worry, I have a cloak I can lend you while you're out there. We'll keep an eye on you too." Stark notes, pointing at his eyes.
Stark proceeds to close the window and face Wendy. "If your friends learn the truth, they will definitely ruin everything." Stark explains with a stern expression. "They *have* to leave."
Wendy lowered her head. "The…truth?"
Stark raised an eyebrow. "Hm? Hahlos never told you? I didn't expect him to withhold information from you, especially over something very important. Well, no harm telling you now."
Wendy paused, having a bad feeling in her stomach. Stark approached the side of the bed and leaned down slightly. Wendy felt some sweat leave her forehead.
"Your role is to sacrifice your entire being. The only way to revive lord Izanagi and save our country is to use yourself as a vessel." Stark reveals while whispering in her ear.
Wendy felt her stomach drop as she widened her eyes. A faint gasp escaped her before quickly backing away off the bed and standing up. She got on guard and began channeling her magic on her arms. "I did NOT agree to that!"
"Now hold on there, don't you remember what happened last time?" Stark chuckles, standing back up straight. "I recommend you drop that if you know what's good for you."
"Shut up!" Wendy shot. "I won't let you take my life! I refuse to help you!"
"Oh?" Stark tilted his head. "But I thought you promised the good civilians out there. Do you plan on going back on your word and deceiving them?"
Wendy raised one arm, preparing to attack. "I never said such a thing!"
Stark holds his chin. "Then what about that opening ceremony? You were there, clearly you remember right?"
Wendy's eyes sank, letting out a hitched gasp. She recalled her appearance there. Witnessing all those angels cheer for her with hopeful looks as Hahlos announced her involvement. She clenched her fists tightly and looked down.
"And you saw the state our lord is in. He could die pretty soon without your help." Stark recalled, beginning to walk to the other side of the bed. "You also know what would happen if he did pass away, do you?" He hinted, stopping right in front of the girl and looking down at her.
The sky dragon slayer clenched her teeth and raised her head up. "I know! But me and my friends can think of something else to help them! I know they-!" She placed faith in her allies. But was interrupted when Stark abrurply backhanded her.
Stark glared at the girl. "Do you *honestly* think a miracle would happen?" The angel chided. "Don't be stupid! You think you can save everyone?!"
Wendy glared back at the angel, gently rubbing the mark on her cheek. "You don't know anything about Fairy Tail! My friends are strong! They'll stop the place from crashing below! No one will get hurt!" She assured.
Stark's patience was wavering. He gripped Wendy's collar and lifted her up to eye level. "Naive girl! Even *if* you somehow prevent an entire country from plummeting below, what will be your plan next huh?!" He smacked one fist on the wall. "You think you can decide the fate of our realm over some ridiculous faith?! Everyone here will be without a home and forced to adapt below! And what do you think the civilians here will say?!
Wendy grits her teeth, eyes twitching. Her magic began to diminish.
"That land walker broke her promise! She destroyed our home and killed our god! It's the humans' fault! They did this to us!" Stark listed the things the civilians would say.
Wendy's eyes sank, she began to feel dizzy. Her wind channeling came to a stop. Stark threw her on the floor. The weight she was feeling earlier slammed on her harder. She began to realize the ultimatum she was in.
Stark looked down at Wendy. "That's right, they wouldn't let something like this be a pat on the back. War would surely break out, and the people down below would be in danger too."
Wendy dragged her fingers on the ground and clenched them tightly. "E-even still…m-my friends won't allow that to happen…" She shivered, still clinging onto false hope.
"That's exactly why your friends need to leave." Stark demanded. "This is the only possible way, do you want to protect them or not?!"
Wendy began to breathe heavily, her body began to tremble and sweat. The hope she clung on to began to break apart as her eyes sank further.
Stark squinted his eyes before noticing the mark on Wendy's right shoulder. He then cracked a sinister smirk and adjusted his glasses. "I think I know how to convince your friends."
Wendy slowly looked up at Stark as the angel applied pressure on his own right shoulder with one finger. "Remove it. Prove to us you'll follow through with our demands." Stark practically ordered.
"What?! I can never do that!" Wendy blurted, clenching her guild mark. "This mark is a sign of our family bond!"
Stark closed his eyes and sighed. "If you don't do what we say…" He bent down, the shine of his glasses making it so she couldn't see his eyes. "They'll die." He whispered.
"I…I…" Wendy stuttered. She shut her eyes and gave a raspy deep breath. Her heart was burning from stress. The images of her friends appeared in her mind. She clenched her teeth hard as tears began forming in her eyes. She clenched on her shoulder tightly.
"...Okay."
~~~Flashback End~~~
"What do you mean by the truth?!" Gray snapped.
"Didn't she tell you last night?" Stark chuckles. "What would happen if our lord passed away? All the lives here were in her hands and she realized that. Our home would be destroyed if she did not comply. And the ones who survived our country's collapse would have their lives changed forever." He explained.
Gray growled at Stark. "That doesn't explain why she removed her mark! You bastards blackmailed her, did you!"
"Blackmail? Oh please." Stark scoffed, summoning a magic gun and twirling it. "I'm *above* blackmail. That girl kept stubbornly placing her faith in you all. I simply explained to her why her faith was misguided..."
"What did you say?! You... punk!" Gray dragged his feet and pulled his arms as hard as he could. He glared daggers at the angel, trying to break free.
Suddenly, Gray noticed the angel was holding his breath. Stark began to burst out in laughter, looking away from the shirtless mage for a brief moment. Gray's eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
Stark pointed his magic gun right at Gray's forehead. "Children... are so easy to manipulate." He insulted and proceeded to shoot right at Gray's forehead.
The magic bullets that held the ice mage evaporated, causing Gray to collapse on the floor. Stark looked down at him.
"Sleep. Don't forget you chose this path... and wasted her efforts to keep you safe." Stark turned around and made his way towards the ice wall that blocked the path.
Stark scanned at the ice blockage and raised an eyebrow. "Strange, this should've melted by now…" The Tenhei member wondered. As he spoke, he noticed that cool air left his mouth. He raised his hand towards his mouth. The temperature of the room began to lower. Stark gasped before looking behind him.
Gray was standing back up and breathing slowly. A black mark began to slowly cover his right half of his body. The aura he generated sent shivers down Stark's spine.
"H-how are you standing back up…?" fretted Stark. "I shot you in the head!"
As the black mark completely covered Gray's right half, he looked right at Stark with a fierce glare. "So you're the one…" He began to speak, slowly approaching the angel. "Who forced her to…" He stopped by stomping one foot, clenching his fists tightly and scowling at his opponent. "...I'm going to make you pay."
"What is this feeling?!" Stark thought, taking a few steps back and summoning both magic guns. "This sickening aura…it's like that of a demon!"
Gray took a deep breath and stretched his body back. He then shot out a beam of purple cold air directly at his target. Stark ducked and rolled out of the blast. He looked at the result of the attack, a giant frozen mark on the wall.
Stark quickly stood up and twirled his guns, turning them pink. "Guns Magic: Stinger!" He shoots out two long magic bullets directly at the ice devil slayer.
Gray remains still as the bullets get closer to him. He swipes both of them in one hand and clenches them tightly, freezing them immediately. He winds his arm back and throws them both at Stark, like spears.
"H-he froze them!?" Stark exclaims, ducking and avoiding the frozen bullets."Tch! Damn you!" He growls, twirling his guns and turning them yellow. "Guns Magic: Echo!"
Magic circles appear in the air around Gray, making him look up. Bullets begin firing out of them. Gray bends down and leaps down the long flight of stairs to avoid the attack. The bullets rained down in the spot Gray was standing at earlier.
Stark snapped his head down the stairs, noticing that Gray was staring right at him and preparing to cast another spell. "Oh no you don't!" The slender angel exclaims, he slams both magic guns together as they turned into a large dark blue magic gun. He took the end of the bow and stretched it back. "Guns Magic! Stream!" The tip of the magic gun glows brightly before it unleashes a barrage of magic bullets.
Gray continues to scowl at his opponent, appearing unphased at the magic bullets about to rain down on him. He quickly raises one hand and completely freezes every magic bullet in an instant. The bullets burst in an icy mist, causing the room to begin freezing in purple ice.
"Grh-!" Stark choked on his breath, his eyes wide with confusion and panic. His large bow returned to two normal magic crossbow-like guns.
Gray clenched his fist that he raised, encasing his entire arm in purple ice that formed a gauntlet. He took a few steps forward, and began to book it right at Stark.
Stark gasped, taking a few steps back and twirling his guns. "I just need one shot! His body can't possibly take anymore!" He thought out loud. His guns turn green and aim both at the ice devil slayer. "Guns Magic! Heavy!" Two large bullets slowly sip out of his weapons while Gray reached the top of the stairs and leaped right at the angel.
As soon as the bullets escaped the gun's tips, they directly went right through Gray, causing him to fall back. Stark smirks confidently. "Ha! I got you, demon!" He cackles, watching the shirtless mage slowly fall back down.
"You dare... spit in the face…" Gray's voice echoes in the room. His body morphing into purple ice before shattering in particles.
"A decoy?!" Stark panicked. He then spotted Gray right behind him.
"Of our guild's bond!" Gray roared.
Stark aims both guns at him, but was struck in the face by the ice gauntlet, his glasses shattering. Two stray shots miss Gray before both of Stark's weapons vanished. Gray proceeds to slam him on the ground, causing the angel to twirl in the air and fall down the stairs. Stark coughed out painfully while hitting his head on the ground. He slid several feet across the opposite side of the hall.
Gray looks down at the knocked out Stark while swinging his coated arm and evaporating his ice. He turns around and walks towards the ice wall he made. He places his palm on it as it begins to melt away.
"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! LAND WALKING SCUM!" Stark snarled, managing to pull himself up. Gray turned around and saw the angel's enraged expression with a black eye and bleeding nose. The scar of Stark's forehead began to twitch before opening up, revealing a third eye with a reticle pupil.
Stark cackles, scanning the ice mage. "You have openings… all over you!" He mocked. Stark spreads both arms out and two white magic circles appear on his palms. Two white cannon-like guns begin to wrap around his arms, completely covering them. The angel swung his arms at Gray's direction and aimed right at him.
Gray remains unphased, reaching one arm out and conjuring a large intricate purple bow out of ice. He slowly uses his other arm to stretch the bow back, charging a spiky ice arrow.
"Guns Magic! Twin Dragon Shot!" Stark exploded, blasting two large beams that took the shape of Chinese dragons. They tore through the room, scattering debris everywhere. The dragons opened their mouths as they got closer to Gray.
Gray released the bow and shot the ice arrow. It went right through both dragon's mouths and cutted right through them. They froze and shattered immediately.
"...Huh?" Stark whimpered. His arms slumped over, seeing the arrow zip right at him. He let out a loud shriek of pain when the arrow struck him and exploded into ice.
As the ice evaporated, Stark was shivering violently and covered in cold mist.
"It's…" Stark whimpers, collapsing on his knees. "S-s-so cold…" He falls to the ground, knocked out.
Gray's bow vanishes. He looks down at Stark one last time. "You should feel lucky. That Natsu left earlier." His black marks begin to dissolve. "This room wouldn't be standing if he stuck around." He spat out some blood.
Gray makes his way out of the hall. He clenches his fists tightly and looks ahead. "Wendy, I swear we'll get you out of this."