Chapter 7 - The Painful Truth
With the girls
Both girls gasped as they found themselves in the room where Erza had found Siegfried's journal. Lucy was clutching her chest as she panted rapidly while Levy fell on her back and clutched her throbbing head. When they had finally returned to their senses, they looked back to Elysium who was patiently waiting for them to recuperate.
"Are you both fine now?" Elysium asked.
Levy nodded, "For now, but what was that thing and why did it look like my brother?" she asked.
"That was Inferno or at least it's avatar, Nightmare." Elysium answered.
"Ah... are you close to Naruto by any chance? I kind of confused you with Aries back there." Levy asked nervously.
"As you heard Inferno say. My name is Elysium, this is merely one of my many forms. Though I do not see why you or Siegfried Naruto confuse this woman with the celestial spirit. Her hair is a darker shade of pink and only has one horn that is sticking out of her head." Elysium explained.
"O...k? So who are you? I mean the real you and not this random lady." Levy asked as she rubbed her temples.
Elysium cleared her throat, "I am Elysium, a spirit from the sword known as Soul Calibur. Inferno is my counterpart and he inherits Soul Edge. Both blades are in Siegfried Naruto's possession and something the two of you need to stay away from." she explained seeing as both girls realized that Soul Edge was the sword with the eye.
Lucy whimpered as she squatted and covered her head, "I knew we shouldn't have gone through Naruto's stuff. He was so nice, he put up a security system so everyone can stop breaking into my apartment." she said.
"Yes, frankly it is disturbing to go through another person's undergarments. To think Siegfried or Naruto as you call him, had romantic feelings for the red head." Elysium said as Luc was the only one who looked shocked.
"Naruto had a crush on Erza!?" Lucy asked.
"Lucy, while you're new. Literally everyone from six years ago knew that... except Erza." Levy said with an annoyed expression on her face.
"Hopefully you've found what you needed. It's best you leave before you break something." Elysium stated as she presented a seal and gave it to Levy. "Just channel your magic and you will be able to transport back home safely." she explained.
Levy nodded as she saw Lucy's current state, "Thank you." she said as the two of them disappeared and left Elysium to return to Soul Calibur.
Back home
Lucy collapsed on her knees once more and started taking deep breaths, "If someone like Naruto goes through that. I'm wondering what goes inside Natsu and Gray's minds.
"That's something else Lu-chan. They might be disturbing, but not as terrifying as what we saw." Levy said as she could still remember Nightmare's piercing red eyes and it demanding her brother to be brought to him.
Lucy shook her head, "Sorry Levy-chan, but that thing was pretty intense. I mean I've seen Deliora in ice, but that thing." she said before taking a deep breath. "Levy-chan that thing. That was the second time I've seen that thing!" she said as Levy looked shocked.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! What do you mean second time?" Levy asked.
"To be honest, I-I d-didn't want to say anything. I was still of Gajeel, so I didn't feel like asking him what happened to it." Lucy answered as she was still shaking. "I never even met Naruto until the war with Phantom was over. So I couldn't even tell if it was human." she continued.
Levy started thinking over what she had learned since Siegfried entered his coma. Gajeel fought him three times with two of them being his transformation. Lucy was at one of the fights so she likely witnessed Jose Porla being turned into a vegetable. No doubt Lucy was not in the best condition to witness Nightmare in action rather than his spirit form.
"I think we should take a break Lu-chan. Even I'm pretty shaken up." Levy said as Lucy nodded and went home early for the day.
The next day, back at the guild
Lucy and Levy managed to calm down after the incident from yesterday. Though rather fearful of the idea of running into Nightmare again. While still against the idea, Lucy admitted that something like Nightmare was meant to be stopped. Levy was quite determined to find the mystery behind her brother and what happened when he went missing for six years. While it also made Lucy nervous, Levy invited Gajeel to their talk since he actually had a run in with Nightmare during his fights with Siegfried.
"So what did you and Bunny girl find?" Gajeel asked as Lucy sighed at the nickname he gave her.
"We ran into Nightmare. The thing you said Naruto turned into." Levy answered.
Gajeel looked shocked, "How are you two still alive?" he asked.
"It just told us to bring Naruto to him before we got away." Levy answered.
Gajeel shook his head, "I need more details than that shrimp. I know something like that wouldn't let you go without a fight." he claimed.
"Well we did have help from another sword spirit called Elysium." Lucy spoke up as Gajeel started shaking.
"Hey don't tell me there's another one!" Gajeel yelled in fear.
"Relax, this one was bloodthirsty." Levy said.
Gajeel didn't like that statement, "So it is bloodthirsty!" he exclaimed.
Levy sighed, "I'm not going to argue with you on this. The main point is something is haunting Naruto and I want to know how we can help get through this." she said ignoring Gajeel's paranoia.
"Hey you guys up to something sneaky?" Mirajane asked as she appeared.
"It's nothing Mira, just worried about Naruto is all." Levy answered as Mira's face softened.
Mira placed a hand on Levy's shoulder, "Levy I know Naruto and I... we didn't have a good friendship when he left, but... I know he'll pull through." she said.
"Sure Mira." Levy said having as her mood worsened after hearing that.
"Hey Mira, what do you mean that you didn't have a good friendship?" Lucy asked curiously.
Mira started to poke her fingers together in an anxious manner as she answered, "Lucy, you already know that I was different back then. Though I doubt the change was much." she said denying that her personality changed. "So I did stuff like pick fights with Erza. I wasn't the same friendly barmaid to everyone. Especially Naruto." she said.
Gajeel immediately caught onto what she said, "No. No. Now way!" he began to chuckle. "You were a bully weren't you?" he asked as Mira blushed.
Lucy immediately looked awestruck, "Mira? You bullied Naruto?" she asked.
Mira nodded her head in shame. Though the truth continued to come out as Erza stepped up.
"She wasn't the only one." Erza admitted as Lucy looked shocked.
Lucy respected Erza as a leader, friend and a person in general. It would only worsen as she saw the guilty faces on Natsu and Gray's face.
"You guys too?" Lucy asked.
Happy also looked shocked, "Gray I understand, but you Natsu? You really bullied someone?" he asked.
"You were too young to remember Happy. Lisanna was so mad she wanted to give something called "Discourse". Whatever that means." Natsu said.
"Not discourse flame head, a divorce." Gray said.
"I am in no mood to fight with you ice princess." Natsu replied.
While Lucy was disappointed, she couldn't really say much since it was a long time ago. Especially since it was something she had no say in. So it's not like she had a right to scold them since they all have looks of regret on their faces.
"Was everyone in on it?" Lucy asked only to see Cana drop her barrel on the counter.
"Everyone but me, Levy and Mira's siblings." Cana said before climbing into Mira's corner and coming back out with another barrel.
Ignoring Cana's behavior, everyone went back to the topic at hand, "Anyways, like I said Naruto is going to pull through." Mira said as everyone nodded.
"Well thanks for the confidence, but even if he's physically fine. I think there's still a lot of damage left behind." Levy said in a worried tone.
"Why is that?" Erza asked.
Levy gave Lucy a knowing look, "We broke into Naruto's secret storage room and saw something scary!" Lucy squeaked. Before anyone answered, she spoke again, "And it's so scary, it scares Gajeel!" she added.
Erza narrowed her eyes, "How scared?" she asked.
"Basically how Natsu and Gray look at you times 100." Lucy replied as the men laughed at Gajeel who growled at them.
"Hey it's not a joke. If you saw that thing, it would have ripped you idiots apart! That had to be the worst take over magic I've seen!" Gajeel yelled.
"Gajeel I don't think..." Levy cut herself off as she saw Mira's nervous face as she started to move away. "Mira what are you doing?" she asked.
Mira giggled as if nothing wrong was happening, "I uh... need to clean the mugs." she lied.
"Mira, what are you hiding?" Erza asked.
Mira started to get defensive, "Nothing! If I did I wouldn't tell you! Not because I was told not to say anything! Mostly because I can't, I mean I won't say anything! You know what!? Fight me Erza! I'll AHHH!" Mira's rapid response ended with Erza grabbing her finger and twisting it.
"Mira tell us what you know." Erza demanded as Mira continued to struggle in pain.
"How are you so strong!?" Mira asked.
Erza smirked, "Mira, while I understand that you lost your magic and became depressed from the loss of a sibling. You haven't done any real workouts outside of lifting beer barrels for Cana in the past 2 years." she answered as Mira whined.
Realizing escape was out of her hands, Mira started to speak, "Ok fine, I saw Naruto at Phantom's guild hall. Except he told me not to tell anyone about his take over magic or whatever it was." she said.
"I told you the guy was at the guild hall. None of you saw him without his transformation!" Gajeel said.
Gray nodded, "Hey thinking about it, I remember that before Phantom could fire their Jupiter cannon. A giant snake came out of nowhere and held down one of the guild hall's legs." he said.
"And then the same snake came out of the water and saved Naruto-sama." Gray jumped up in surprise as he realized Juvia was behind him.
"Juvia why are you sneaking up on me?" Gray asked as he was startled by her presence.
Juvia nervously poked her fingers together, "Juvia got lonely and saw everyone crowding together." she said.
"Hey Rain Woman, you're finally talking in the third person again. What happened?" Gajeel asked as everyone else wondered why Juvia was referring to herself that way.
"Juvia's fight with Naruto-sama was intense. So Juvia got hit on the head at some point." Juvia answered cheerfully before looking sad again. "Except Juvia felt better speaking in the first person. Much easier for friends to understand Juvia that way." she said.
Gray sighed, "Juvia, I know it's cute how you talk." Juvia gasped at what she thought was a compliment. "But unless you have something to contribute. Could you be quiet for a moment?" he asked.
Stars then appeared in the water mage's eyes, "Juvia does know something! Naruto-sama shared his memories with Juvia!" she said as everyone got hopeful. Once again Juvia reverted back to being depressed, "Then Naruto-sama erased Juvia's memories because he thought Juvia might break his trust." she said as everyone looked disappointed.
"Do you remember anything Juvia?" Lucy asked.
Juvia scratched her head for a second as she thought about it, "Naruto-sama had a very lonely childhood. Juvia was raised in an orphanage and knows what loneliness feels like." she said as Gray felt bad for how he treated her earlier.
That statement alone struck a few chords with everyone considering that they were all orphans with no real home. Though the next thing that Juvia said surprised them.
"Only now Juvia isn't alone, because Naruto-sama believed in Juvia! So now Juvia and Gajeel-kun can have a big family here in Fairy Tail!" Juvia said cheerfully.
"Ok enough with the mushy stuff. Can the bar lady explain what she saw?" Gajeel asked as he wasn't the type of guy to enjoy sweet moments.
Mira sighed, "Naruto's gonna be mad but what happened was I was stuck in the mechanical arm of Phantom's giant robot arm. So then Naruto smashed down a wall and was holding one of the Element 4 by his neck." she began to explain before taking a deep breath. "This whole time Naruto was in his weird take over magic form, but it claimed that he and Naruto were two different people. So when the man pleaded for his life... Naruto set him on fire and dropped into the ocean." she finished.
Gajeel shivered, "It's a good thing my iron scales protected me. I bet he used those black flames." he said fearfully.
Mirajane nodded, "He did, I was too afraid of what I heard before I realized that I heard Naruto's name. So I called out to him and the other personality or whatever you wanna call it started beating itself up before Naruto came out." she said.
"And that's when we found you right?" Natsu asked.
"Yes, but right before Naruto left me. He said he wasn't the "same" Naruto we knew before. That the damage couldn't be repaired before he ran off on his own." Mirajane answered as she gripped the bottom of her dress.
Levy frowned as she had yet to see her brother act in such a manner. Even if he was possessed by something outside of his control. Levy also feared that Siegfried would only push them away seeing as she technically broke Siegfried's trust by going through his stuff and worrying him. Then there's Mira who was instructed to not say anything.
'I'm sorry Naruto, but I really want to help. I won't let you be alone anymore.' Levy thought as she got off of her stool. "Well, I'll see you guys later. I'm going to visit Naruto." she said as she prepared to leave.
"I'm coming too. I didn't leave Aries with him last night." Lucy said as she followed Levy.
"I should also uh... what was it?" Natsu asked as Gray sighed at his stupidity. "I know! Pay my respects!" he said.
Erza suddenly chopped him on the head, "Naruto's not dead Natsu!" she said in a scolding tone before dragging him away.
"I should also visit. It's been a while since I've visited." Mirajane said as she also prepared to leave.
Which left Gray by himself seeing as Gajeel was too scared of Siegfried, "What about you Juvia?" he asked.
"Juvia wants to go, but Juvia needs to finish baking the cake for when Naruto-sama wakes up." Juvia said as she left Gray to do her baking.
The ice mage sighed as he chose to follow his teammates to visit Siegfried once more. Maybe he could come to terms and realize how much damage everyone had caused.
At Porlyusica's hut
Despite the pink haired mage's frustration at so many unwanted "human" visitors. Porlyusica decided to leave the mages to visit the young man she saw as her grandson while she was away on a quick errand. Before Levy said anything, she let Lucy approach Siegfried's body as she wanted to give him Aries' key.
"Here Naruto, I can't summon Aries for you, but hopefully she calms down if you're holding her." Lucy said as she gently placed the golden key into Siegfried's grasp.
Levy smiled at her friend's gesture before approaching Siegfried, "Hi big brother, you're going to be mad when you wake up, but I should be mad too. Except I can't be because of everything that's happened to you lately. Please wake up soon." she told him as she kissed his forehead.
Just as Levy stepped back, Erza hesitated to step forward but when she did. Everyone in the room found themselves going through a strange sensation that only Levy is aware of.
Flashback, X778
Siegfried was panting after a long journey from a delivery related mission. The young boy was getting stronger, he just knew it. He started testing himself further and believed his speed and stamina had improved at the very least. As he sat beside a tree, he started to hear various voices in the back and that allowed his curiosity to take over. As Siegfried watched, he started to feel nervous as he realized those were bandits who were some criminals and thugs who were setting up camp in the forest.
Siegfried whimpered knowing he wasn't ready to handle a fight with someone his own age let alone a dangerous criminal. Especially if there's a chance that there's a rogue mage or dark mage with them. A lot of small time thugs tend to find themselves in clumps if they can put aside their pride. Siegfried was a smart boy, he knew better than to further spy on them or move closer.
"I need to leave and tell someone like grandpa." Siegfried said as he quietly left the area.
As the boy attempted to continue making his way out of the forest and back to his guild. Siegfried stopped and hid himself as he saw more bandits making their way towards the camp. Siegfried's heart beated faster and faster as he could hear their footsteps that weren't too far away. He felt as if his heart was just about to explode the moment he makes even the smallest sound to gather their attention.
However something else had made him turn pale and filled him with fear.
"Why did you have to drag that red haired brat?" asked one of the bandits?
The other bandit shrugged, "There's weird people out there and they're worse than us. So maybe she'll be worth something." he said.
"And they say we're scum. When there's more trash out there that like to buy little girls." said another with a scoff.
Siegfried continued to watch as the men walked away only to see that one of them was carrying an unconscious red haired girl over his shoulder. Siegfried started to worry as his suspicions were confirmed as he could notice the metal curacis that the girl was wearing if the red hair wasn't enough. The young boy started to panic and knew that it would be wrong to just leave her behind but at the same time it would be a good idea to run and tell someone more capable like Makarov or Gildarts what's going on.
"I can use clone magic, but... they die in one hit." Siegfried said worriedly as he continued looking back and forth between the bandit camp and his guild. He eventually made the choice that could cost him his life, "Clone Magic!" he called out as he summoned a duplicate of himself. "Go get grandpa and everyone else! I need to help Erza-chan!" he said before running off and hoping his clone can make it to the guild in time.
At the camp
Siegfried couldn't help but to whimper at what he felt was stupidity. Everyone was right, he was a weakling and here he was being reckless and likely getting himself killed. Yet for some reason the boy couldn't turn back and run now. At the very least he thought he could drag Erza's body away and distract them all with various clones. It was risky and reckless, but at the time, Siegfried wasn't really trained or experienced in strategy and battle. So it was basically just run and gun.
Well there is no gun seeing as Siegfried could only run and had no strength or power to fight back.
So as he approached the tent where he saw them drag Erza. Siegfried carefully made his way around and subtly made a few clones to take different positions just in case some of the bandits manage to spot him or try to take Erza away.
'Ok, just drag Erza away and run. Don't stop, not even if your legs break or you think your heart is set on fire.' Siegfried told himself as he took deep breaths and went inside of the tent.
From there Siegfried carefully looked around hoping someone wouldn't jump out and just bash his skull in with a single hit or something just as bad. While the scary thoughts did cloud his mind, he eventually put them aside as he finally found Erza. He looked worried for her as he could see that she was tied up and had a small amount of blood leaking from her head along with a few scratches all over her armor.
"Don't worry Erza-chan, even if it's only once. Let me be a good friend." Siegfried said as he looked around for something sharp to cut Erza out of her bindings. By the time he did, he started to struggle with dragging her away, "Maybe we should feed you less cake Erza-chan. I bet you wouldn't be so heavy. That and the armor since you don't like wearing anything else." he said as he struggled to get her out of the tent.
Then his worst fear had arrived.
"Who let the brat in here!?" demanded a bandit as he kicked Siegfried away.
The bandit proceeded to try to keep hitting Siegfried only for him to make a couple more clones. The bandit was so surprised that the clones managed to knock him over and proceeded to attack him with various small objects. While that was going on, Siegfried continued to drag Erza out in hopes that the backup clones could stop the bandit and anyone else who manages to catch him by surprise. Only to his horror, he must have attracted the attention of most of the camp as what he assumed to be a couple dozen bandits had spotted him.
Siegfried panicked, he used every ounce of strength and ignored any potential pain and dragged Erza's body away. Like a lonely small cub running away with a piece of meat. Siegfried was no wolf, but a pup trying to save his packmate from foreign wolves. With the only help in the form of temporary clones of himself being able to stall for a while as he ran.
"A clone mage!? That kid is going to get away!" said one of the bandits as they started chasing Siegfried through the forest only for most of them to be tackled down and repeatedly slapped around by the clones.
Siegfried continued to use every ounce of strength he had in his body. Ignoring the burns, the pain, the sweat and lack of break he was filled with as survival for him and Erza was all that he wanted.
Sadly this was not a tale of a knight saving the princess.
A bandit managed to catch up to him and smack him with a club. Siegfried bounced across the ground before hitting a tree. From there the bandit proceeded to kick him in the stomach repeatedly. Making Siegfried cough up blood and feeling as if his body was shattering like glass.
"Little brat! Trying to steal our property!? I'll show you how little assholes like you deserve to be treated for stealing other people's property!" the bandit yelled as he kept kicking only for a clone to surprise him by smashing a large branch over his back.
The bandit cursed the clone as he tried stabbing it with a rusty knife he carried around. Only for the clone to block it a few times with the branch until it broke. Just as the bandit was about to get lucky, the clone dodged one last attack before tossing a large rock hard enough to break the man's nose.
"WHY YOU LITTLE!" the man roared as he finally dispelled the clone.
As the bandit looked around for the real Siegfried. He found the boy shield Erza with his body and his back turned towards the man.
"You little brat! I'm going to take my time breaking you before I break my property you stole!" the bandit yelled only to vaguely hear Siegfried mutter. "WHAT WAS THAT!?" he demanded.
"ERZA'S NOT YOURS! SHE'S MINE AND YOU CAN'T HAVE HER!" Siegfried roared only for the bandit to keep stomping on his back until it started to get bloodied up.
"Little brat doesn't know how this world works!" the man yelled as he kept stomping on his back.
All the while Siegfried tried to hold the tears back. Doing nothing but being a shield for Erza as he kept claiming that she was his Erza and that no one is taking her away. Using whatever remaining will power to stay alive and conscious. Siegfried had temporarily believed that the girl who contributed to his abuse had a life with more value than his own.
'No one is taking my Erza away. Erza doesn't have anyone but everyone at the guild.' Siegfried thought as he continued to feel the stomping on his back. 'Erza deserves a family. Everyone does.' he thought before he felt the stomping stop.
Instead he heard the bandit's voice, "Who the hell do you... AHHH! GAH!" Siegfried struggled to turn but when he did. He found Gildarts smashing the bandit's face against the tree, "You think you can get away with this? Huh!? There's thirty more of us back AHHH!" he continued to scream in pain.
"You bet your ass there was a whole lot of you. A bunch of pushovers that wasted my time." Gildarts said to the bandit who looked nervous as he could see various unconscious bodies of his comrades.
The bandit started to sweat, "H-Hey... there's there's there's a lot of money in my pocket. Take it! I-Its yours now! I'll just be on my way and... GAHH!" he screamed.
"That kid you called names. He's my godson and son the son of Fairy Tail's Titania. You think you can get away with a bunch of coins after your friends called the girl property?" Gildarts asked in a challenging tone.
"H-Hey man, w-we need the money and GAHH! Please stop!" the bandit pleaded.
"I didn't see you stop when the kid was getting hurt." Gildarts said before tossing the bandit hard enough into another tree that it made a loud snap and made the man scream out in pain and curse Gildarts.
By this time, Siegfried had started to lose consciousness and only said one thing, "My Erza... my family..." he muttered as Gildarts gently lifted the two over his back.
At the guild, a while later
Siegfried woke up panting quickly and looking around the corner of his eyes. Only to be comforted with a warm hand on his head.
"You sure had everyone worried young man." said an elder woman's voice.
"Granny?" Siegfried asked.
"You know better than to be running into danger by yourself Siegfried Naruto!" Porlyusica scolded as she slapped the bedside table rather than her adopted grandson.
"But I thought I could help Erza. My clones aren't strong enough to do it on their own." Siegfried replied.
Porlyusica sighed, "I'm not going to scold you Naruto, but while you have your heart in the right place. You still need more time to develop your body." she said.
Siegfried ignored most of what she said, "Is Erza ok? Did the man hurt her?" he asked.
Porlyusica frowned as she stroked his hair back, "Yes, but you need to worry about yourself Naruto. You can't be strong for anyone if let yourself get hurt recklessly like that." she told him. "Though, I will assume Erza will be flustered to hear that her hero was the boy who can't control his magic." she said as Siegfried smiled.
"I'm still gonna be guild master granny. It doesn't matter if I'm not strong right now, because power alone can't protect family." Siegfried replied.
Porlyusica's anger subsided as she heard those sweet words, "It takes a lot of maturity to understand that. I know your mother would be proud of you Naruto." she said as she kissed his forehead. "I'll be back soon, I'll be speaking with your grandfather and let home know how you are." she added before leaving.
Siegfried nodded as he decided to look up at the ceiling and reflect on his actions. Thinking both stupid and good, how he ended up hurting himself but feeling to rather acknowledge the gain than the cost. After a few minutes of being lost in his thoughts, Siegfried turned his head to see Erza was wide awake with a bandage wrapped around her forehead. Siegfried smiled knowing that she was fine and luckily in better condition than he was.
"Erza!" Siegfried called out excitedly.
Erza was already slowly making her way to the injured boy. However, her facial expression was that of great disappointment rather that of someone who is grateful. It took Siegfried a moment to notice this look on her face.
"Something wrong Erza?" Siegfried had asked worriedly.
By now the red haired girl's eyes were covered by her bangs. She remained silent for a moment before striking Siegfried across his cheek and dumping him off of his bed. Siegfried was whimpering as he clutched his cheek and body. It felt as he had collided with a cold steel surface and he did not enjoy it one bit. It didn't help as he felt Erza kicking his back and making him squirm loudly.
"E-Erza, w-why?" Siegfried stuttered out.
"Why? WHY!? You embarrassed me is why!" Erza yelled as Siegfried started to shake. "How dare you embarrass me!?" she asked.
"I was just helping. Y-you were in trouble and I..." Siegfried tried to say only to be slapped hard enough that his face hit the floor.
"I don't need your help. You are nothing but an overly pampered child with no idea what hard work means and yet you go ahead and take someone else's credit for yourself." Erza said unaware of the whole truth.
She spoke to Siegfried as if he was a spoiled child who flaunted his wealth. As if he assumed he was superior because of his status. While Erza was taken and turned into a slave along with her friends to be a slave to build the R-System. She believed that Siegfried didn't understand the meaning of suffering. That all her hard work was just suddenly being taken away by some weak child who can't do anything useful with magic other than duplicating himself. To be honest, she couldn't stand that positive attitude of Siegfried's as at some point, she saw it as a way of condescending her.
At least that's what Mirajane tells her and everyone else in the guild.
"Listen here Naruto Dreyar and listen well! You are weak, pampered, pathetic and no one wishes to be befriend you! No one! So do everyone in this guild a favor and stop being a mage altogether!" Erza told him in the coldest manner she left stomping away.
(Overlord OST - Era That Has Been Shining)
Leaving behind Siegfried who didn't face her as she left him lying on the floor. Siegfried just stayed there for a few minutes. All the while he was weeping before slowly turning his head back as tears and snot fell down his face. His entire world had shattered from hearing all of that. Not only did Erza shatter his mind and body, the red haired girl shattered his heart.
"Erza... I HATE YOU!" Siegfried yelled as started to crawl away despite the fact that his back started to bleed again. All the boy wanted now was to leave the guild, "Grandpa lied! Fairy Tail is supposed to be family! But no matter what! They don't want me near them! If that's what they want, then I might as well leave!" he said as he dragged himself out of the window before falling onto the hard ground.
What was worse was the fact that it was raining. The cold rain, it felt as if he was being struck by hundreds of sharp needles every second. Siegfried at this point felt as if his body could detach at any moment. That it wouldn't matter, but for some reason he kept driving himself as if he would reach a goal at the end of his seemingly endless journey.
End of flashback
Erza was paralyzed, she knew the truth shortly after her incident with Siegfried, but to witness it was even worse. The current Titania, Erza Scarlet, had become weak once more. She felt it difficult to breathe, as if someone had slit her throat and was patiently waiting for her to collapse. Like Siegfried, she also found it difficult to turn her head, but she did see things clearly.
Lucy was covering her mouth as tears were falling down her cheeks. Natsu look furious, but what Erza couldn't tell was that the rage was at himself. Gray was shocked, he was pale and sweat was running down his face. Even in all his years as a mage, he had never seen such brutality and to see the woman he looked up to as an elder sister brutalizing a child wasn't helping. Mira was also silently crying as she witnessed everything.
To everyone, the image of the spoiled child that taunted them from a distant didn't exist. It never existed to begin with. That they did everything in their power to pour their hate onto something nonexistent, that witnessing that memory. They've witnessed true evil within themselves.
Everyone but Levy thought that.
"Levy..." Erza tried to say only for the petite girl to strike her face.
*SLAP*
It did not hurt too much. Erza was still a veteran close quarters fighter. Levy had no training or skill fighting one, but if her emotions were able to enhance the little strength in her arm. Erza was sure that she would have been missing her head.
While Erza did not expect Levy to assault her, she knew she deserved it. While everyone else was shocked by the sudden action as well. They quickly came to realization as to why Levy did it and why they couldn't blame her. All they could do was watch as Levy scolded Erza. It was a dark, but someone needed to say it.
"Erza Scarlet, you are a despicable human being. Naruto loved you with all his heart. Even if it was just a crush, he saw you and everyone else in this room as a friend and you acted as if you are this... this.. this perfect human! That it was Naruto's fault that you were knocked out and kidnapped! Naruto saved you from being turned into a slave again or even worse and you just hurt him even more! You don't even know him because you think he's some spoiled brat like Laxus!" Levy ranted before taking a deep breath.
Everyone remained silent as they took all that in, "Levy... I know I can't make up for my stupidity. But please believe me, I realized my mistake after Naruto left! I just want to make things right!" Erza tried to explain.
Levy didn't want to any of it, "Well I won't forgive you unless Naruto does and he decided to join the guild again." she said as she wiped away her tears. As Levy prepared to leave to be alone for a moment, "And also Erza, just to show how ignorant you are. His name is not Naruto Dreyfar. Naruto is his last name!" she said before walking out.
"Natsu, did Erza really do that?" the dragon slayer sighed as he turned towards his crying feline friend.
"She did buddy, I think we should go and give everyone some space for now." Natsu said as he picked up his friend and left.
Gray sighed as he also left right after Natsu did. He didn't have much to say anyways. Not like he had the right to say anything like Levy since he was no better.
Even Lucy needed time for herself, "Sorry Erza, I need some time to think about this." she said as she left her team leader.
The only one left with Erza was Mira who placed a hand on Erza's shoulder, "You're not alone Erza. I wasn't a good friend either or a good friend in general, but that doesn't mean we should stop and at least try to make things up for Naruto. He's still hurting and he needs help." Mira explained as Erza nodded.
"I guess we could try." Erza said as a tear started to leak out of her right eye.
(End of Song)
A few more days later
After witnessing the incident from Siegfried's childhood. Levy remained distant from Erza as she wasn't ready to face the woman after what she saw. For some reason, a part of her said that Siegfried would tell her to forgive her similar to how she forgave Gajeel, but she didn't believe that time had arrived yet. So for now, all she could do was continue her research as to how to defeat the spirit of Soul Edge.
Meanwhile Fairy Tail was finally beginning it's annual Fantasia Parade. So stands, floats and all sorts of party favors were occuring around her. Especially since the Miss Fairy Tail Contest was here and a lot of the girls were getting themselves ready with their acts. Levy decided to participate seeing as she needed to relax and wait out for Siegfried who still hasn't awakened yet.
Most of the girls, like Cana, had proceeded to take off their clothes and strut their bodies while wearing bikinis. This earned a few nosebleeds and a lot of points, or was it the other way around? It didn't really matter in the end, a few other acts involved some of the girls being much more unique. Levy showed off her solid script magic by writing up everyone's names in the air using various fonts that triggered special effects. Then came Lucy in a cheerleading outfit and she was just getting ready to perform when Evergreen interrupted her.
"Um excuse me!" Lucy said.
"You're excused." Evergreen said as she pushed the blonde girl away.
Makarov didn't take too kindly to the disrespect, "Evergreen what is this? You need to wait your turn!" he exclaimed.
Evergreen smirked, "I think Laxus will be the best one to explain things." she said before lifting up her glasses and turning Lucy and all the other girls to stone.
Like the wannabe Fairy Queen said, Laxus appeared as he wrapped an arm around Lucy's petrified body, "You should have seen this coming old man. I'm finally getting rid of all the weaklings in this guild and making it the strong one that it was meant to be." he said.
Everyone was naturally angry at Laxus. The man was spoiled and the type to talk. While he hardly showed his true power, he was strong but he didn't believe in fighting anyone he assumed to be below him. Which was everyone but his grandfather who he hated to admit was far stronger than him.
"What are you on about Laxus?" Makarov asked as he tried to be reasonable before considering punishing his grandson.
"This is how it is old man. Ever since that parasite killed my mom, he's been letting all the strays like this is an orphanage with free handouts. This guild has become too soft and we're nothing but a laughing stock. All thanks because you and Naruto keep letting just about everyone in. This is a magic guild! Not a charity ball! So I think it's time for someone strong to take over!" Laxus announced before escaping in a bolt of lightning.
Before anyone could leave the guild hall, they were stopped by a barrier that matched Freed Justine's designs. From what everyone was able to decipher, it was meant to contain anyone over the age of 80 which stopped Makarov no matter how much force he tried to use. For some reason Natsu was also trapped.
"Are you over 80!?" Makarov asked with a shocked expression.
"No! At least I don't think so!" Natsu answered as he tried punching his way out.
That's when Gajeel appeared, "I think I got this." he said as he stepped up to the barrier.
Only for it to keep him trapped as everyone else had already started leaving the guild hall, "How old are you metal head!?" Natsu asked.
"I'm under 80 so that's for sure! The mage that made this clearly made a defect!" Gajeel yelled as he and Natsu tried punching the barrier together.
Meanwhile Laxus had made his announcement from a distance. He explained that he's practically turned the whole guild into a deathmatch. So Freed is pitting the guild against each other in barriers and forcing them to battle until only one is left and continuing the process until the guild's numbers run out. Along with that, he's trapped the whole city using something called a Thunder Palace which was a barrier created by several dozen lacrimas carrying lightning in them.
While Makarov worried about how his guild along with the citizens of Magnolia would survive this. Other people had one thought about Laxus and his malicious conspiracy.
Temper Tantrum.
At the same time, Siegfried's mindscape
Siegfried opened his eyes and found himself sitting in a dark place. The only thing around him was the bench he sat on and the campfire in front of him. Siegfried was confused, one moment he was with the love of his life in a beautiful landscape. Only to feel a pair of arms wrapping around his neck.
"Hello Sieg." greeted a feminine voice.
"Franny?" Siegfried asked as he turned his head to see a sad smile on the pink haired woman's face.
Siegfried sat up and turned around only to look horrified. Franny gave him a sad look as she revealed a giant hole in her chest
(Fate Zero - Fate and Tragedy)
"No, no, NO! Franny! This isn't happening! You're still alive! We were just out in a field and and and..." Siegfried stopped himself as the sad truth came to him.
Franny remained silent as she watched her lover tear up. She reached into her pocket and revealed a golden key. The homunculus gently placed it into Siegfried's hands. Franny then let the horn on her head fall off as she gently placed her forehead against his.
"I love you Sieg. You have to leave." Franny told him.
"No Franny, I can't! Not without you! Please come with me!" Siegfried pleaded as he held her arms.
Franny shed a single tear as she pried his arms off, "Goodbye Sieg, I'm sorry." she told him before pushing him away.
Siegfried tried to reach out of for her only to find himself somewhere else. Another dark place, with the only source of light coming from a whole in the wall. Siegfried approached the whole only to jump back fearfully. For a large dragon had appeared and stared him down. The beast roared, but not of one of fury. No, this majestic beast was grabbing Siegfried's attention as it approached him. It extended its claw out and pointed to the ground in front of him.
Siegfried looked towards where the dragon pointed and saw Balmung was embedded into the ground. The young man proceeded to lift out the blade only to feel a hand on his shoulder. Siegfried was startled when he felt the hand and turned to see a silver haired man in familiar armor.
"Who are you?" Siegfried asked the man.
(Fate Zero OST - Rule The Battlefield)
"I am the one who passed down my power to your father. Now you inherit it and Fafnir." the man told him.
Siegfried didn't know what he meant when he said that, but all he could do was continue moving towards Fafnir. The dragon let out a mild roar before lying it's hand through the hole.
"This part may seem morbid, but you must cut through Fafnir's flesh and cover yourself in it's blood." the man told him.
Siegfried didn't know why he trusted the man, but attempted to cut through the dragon's flesh with no result.
"It's impossible, I've never fought a beast as strong as a dragon. This flesh can't be cut and this is the sword of the first dragon slayer." Siegfried told him as if his faith and all his courage had disappeared the moment he lost consciousness.
"It can be cut. You cannot cut it now because you lost your faith. You deemed yourself weak and allowed your failures to become an excuse not a lesson." the man told him.
Siegfried kept cutting and cutting. Attempting to pierce and stab through the seemingly invulnerable hide. With no result and he was soon ready to surrender. Only to feel the whole cave shaking as lightning bolts could be seen through the hole where Fafnir lurks.
"What is that?" Siegfried asked.
"Your guild is under attack. Someone who deems himself the strongest believes he is greater than all those below him. Now he seeks to destroy everything the guild stands for." the man explained.
"I need to leave, right now!" Siegfried said only to find that his hands refused to let go of the sword as it embedded itself into the ground.
"You cannot leave." the man told him.
"Why not!?" Siegfried demanded.
"If you cannot cut a dragon while it sits still. How can you hope to save your guild? You believe yourself weak and you honestly believe you can go out there and win?" the man asked.
Siegfried was silent for a moment. He had lost faith in himself and cannot fathom victory. Yet he believes he can still march out there with the same mentality. For a moment, he then remembered why he returned to the guild. It was his home, even if he abandoned it. Yet he still felt in debt and saved it from destruction. The home where he wanted to be guild master.
"In your old life, you wanted the title of Hokage to make people accept you. You matured both then and now, but why do you wish to become guild master?" the man asked.
Siegfried took a deep breath and closed his eyes before swinging Balmung and hearing flesh being pierced as the blood came pouring down on him.
"Is there a reason other than to protect my own family?" he asked before being blinded by a light.
(End of Song)
Reality
Siegfried gasped as he sat up. He could sense several magical signatures outside. He had some clue as to what was going. Without so much as thinking about what he needed to do next. Siegfried unconsciously grabbed Aries' key and summoned Tribute Armor.
"I will protect my family." Siegfried said to himself as he ran out the door.
Omake - How The Battle For Fairy Tail Should Have Ended #1
Laxus was laughing like some kind of supervillain on a Saturday morning cartoon. However as he got cocky, he soon realized that Freed, Bickslow and Evergreen were defeated rather quickly. Soon after, the doors were smashed down and revealed none other than Gildarts.
"Laxus, I think it's time you stop throwing your tantrum and go home." Gildarts said as he was a step away from entering his serious mode.
Laxus scoffed, "You may have some real power Gildarts, but unlike me. You don't have that nerve to put yourself on top! So that's why you lose!" he yelled as he charged up his lightning magic and ran at Gildarts at full speed.
Only to run into his fist which was implanted into his got. Laxus lost his breath for a brief moment before being punched around and having a heel smash itself down his head. Gildarts could only shake his head at this superiority complex that Laxus developed.
"Your mother would be disappointed in you Laxus.
At the guild
"LAXUS YOU ARE HEREBY GROUND FOR 2 YEARS AND STRIPPED OF YOUR MAGIC DURING THAT TIME!" Makarov roared at Laxus who was still being bandaged up by Porlyusica.
Laxus sighed, maybe trying a complete hostile takeover was a horrible idea.
Omake - How The Battle For Fairy Tail Should Have Ended #2
Laxus was laughing like some kind of supervillain on a Saturday morning cartoon. However as he got cocky, he soon realized that Freed, Bickslow and Evergreen were defeated rather quickly. Soon after, the doors were smashed down and revealed none other than the rune knights lead by a black haired man.
"Laxus Dreyar, in the name of the newly reformed magic council. You are hereby under arrest!" Lahar stated.
Laxus scoffed, "You council pigs can't stop the strongest mage in Fairy Tail!" he exclaimed only for the Rune Knights to restrain him in a barrier.
"Nice try, but we know about your lacrima. So it can be disabled from a distance. You are going away for a long time." Lahar said as he adjusted his glasses.
"I know my rights, I'll be out by the end of the week." Laxus said arrogantly.
At court
Laxus looked smug until the judge ruled his decision, "Guilty!" he said.
"Wait what!? Why!?" Laxus asked.
"Laxus Dreyar you have been found guilty of bodily harm against your fellow guild mates. Attempted destruction of Magnolia Town. Attempted Murder of citizens of Magnolia. Attempted coup of a registered guild of Fiore which in turn is treason against Fiore's council and therefore the country itself!" the judge listed as there were a few more that he had yet to cover.
"Hey Freed, those lacrimas can kill people?" Bickslow whispered as Evergreen sighed.
"Not only will you and your three accomplices be incarcerated for life, but I hereby declare Fairy Tail permanently disbanded!" the judge exclaimed as he slammed his gavel down.
Leaving Makarov to cry in the distance as well as everyone else in the guild as they watched Laxus being hauled away. The grandson of the guild master could swear that he had seen the spirit of his adoptive mother shaking her head at him.