Chapter 23 - Always Naruto
Siegfried blocked Erza's first sword strike while at managing to block Mirajane's fist with his gauntlet. He then proceeded to release a lot of wind from his mouth as to blow both girls away. Siegfried quickly moved away as he noticed his gauntlet cracking from the demon's punch. He used a little bit of Reinforcement magic to try and seal up the cracks. Right before having to raise up his word to block Mirajane's flurry of rapid kicks and punches.
"You're regaining your strength Mira." Siegfried said with a smile under his helmet.
"You're smiling under that tin can on your head, aren't you?" Mira asked with a glare as she kept throwing punches. "I always wanted to punch that smirk off your face!" she yelled.
"I see the demon is coming back." Siegfried said making Mira's eyes widen.
This caused her to lose her focus as Siegfried sent her crashing into the barrier with a sword slash. As Mira slowly recovered, Erza switched to her Flight Armor and tried to overpower her opponent with her speed. Which Siegfried did have some issues with as he tried relying on his heavy sword skills.
"You're going easy on me Naruto. Are you testing me with that large sword?" Erza asked.
Siegfried shook his head as he parried her last attack, "Heavy sword style is my first style Erza." he said before slamming Soul Calibur on the ground. Causing a giant wave of ice to move towards her, "You have to graduate from this school to move on." he said.
"Requip! Adamantine Armor!" Erza yelled as she used her heavy shield to block the spikes.
Though she could feel a heavy impact that forced her to hit the wall. As the crystals started to dig into her shield and armor. With enough force, Erza shattered the crystals as she switched armors again.
"Mirajane, now would be a good time for you to stop resting." Erza said.
"I'm not resting!" Mirajane said as she quickly recovered. "Just don't get in my way!" she yelled as she ran towards Siegfried.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Siegfried calls out.
"Oh no you don't! Take your lumps like a man!" Mirajane yelled as she shattered the barrier with a single kick.
Only to be met with a group of ten clones that were awaiting her, "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" they all yell together.
"Dark Deflect!" Mira yelled as she made the fireball miss their target.
"Fire Empress Armor!" Erza jumps in as to prepare for more fire.
"About time you showed up!" Mira yelled as she destroys three clones with a quick leg swoop.
"I had to time the situation carefully Mira." Erza before blocking the swords of two clones. "Naruto is much more crafty now. His clones don't just dogpile foes anymore." she said as she killed the two clones.
When suddenly, she felt the earth under her break. Causing Erza to sink into the ground as she lost her grip on her swords. Mirajane was too distracted fighting the couple of remaining clones to help her teammate. When Siegfried revealed himself after having buried Erza up to her neck on the road.
"I know this may sound foreign to you Erza, but consider yourself grounded. Literally." Siegfried said as Erza glared at him.
"Requip! Giant's Armor!" Erza yelled as she quickly burst from the ground.
"Don't forget about me! Evil Blast!" Mirajane yelled as she fired a dark purple beam as Siegfried.
Siegfried just barely managed to escape with a kawarimi. Letting Mira only destroy a wooden log in the process as he avoided her attack. All the while avoiding Erza's heavily javelin attacks.
Outside the barrier
Makarov looked up at Freed, "Can your barrier hold this much fighting Freed?" he asked.
"I think our fighters are still holding back master. Mirajane is still getting used to her old power and Erza still hasn't become serious yet." Freed explained.
Gajeel shivered, "The whole thing will collapse when he summons that giant armor." he said referring to Susanoo.
"Hey Levy, since you're close to Naruto. Do you know anything about his abilities?" Lucy asked.
"Just the bare bones and other details he mentioned." Levy answered. when she decided to ask Astolfo, "Do you know anything?" she asked.
"Sieg is pretty awesome with heavy sword skills. Though he didn't have a lot of armors or weapons back in the day. So my knowledge is super outdated." Astolfo explained. "Except, I remember two spells he tried learning, but I'm not sure if he mastered them yet." he said.
"That's right, Naruto could hardly control his magic. Except now, he's got a new a source of power." Levy said.
"I know the first one is kind of cool, but he almost always messed it up. It's where he can summon all of these ghost like swords and fire them like rockets." Astolfo explained.
"And the other one?" Lucy asked.
Astolfo shrugged, "I forgot, but I think it's meant for when he's ganged up. I have a really bad memory with this stuff." he answered.
"And here I thought you were reliable." Levy said.
"Hey, you invited me!" Astolfo said sounding offended by Levy's comment.
Back to the fight
As the girls started relying on heavy hitting, Siegfried almost considered going back to using heavy swords again. However, this was not the time to be having fun and feeling nostalgic. The Azure Knight quickly used kawarimi during one of Erza's hits appeared again behind the Titania. Where he then threw a kick behind her that sent her skidding across the ground. Before having to block another one of Mirajane's punches.
"What's wrong Naruto? I thought you were supposed to be tough now." Mirajane taunted.
"Did I say that? My memory feels hazy. You always seem to see things differently." Siegfried replied before jumping away.
"Mira, don't let him gain distance!" Erza warned.
"He's just pissing me off!" Mira replied as she chased after Siegfried.
Siegfried stood his ground and formed a few hand seals, "Shadow Shuriken Jutsu!" he shouts as he threw a single shuriken that turned into a volley of them.
"Now he's just mocking me!" Mira yelled as she blasted the projectiles.
"Mira, you're letting your emotions go rampant!" Erza yelled but her friend didn't listen.
Siegfried then proceeded to create a group of clones, "Shadow Shuriken jutsu!" he yelled again.
Mira once again broke through the projectiles, "Evil Shower!" she yells as her darkness bullets destroy the clones.
However, Mira failed to notice one of the shuriken that she avoided flying towards her. Where it transformed into Siegfried who was flying towards her. Mira had no time to react upon realization that her opponent was behind her.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sword!" Siegfried yelled as he slashed at Mira's back with a wind enhanced swing.
As Mira came crashing down, Erza jumped high into the air towards Siegfried. Using Requip to change into her piercing armor, Erza aimed her jousting javelin at her opponent. Causing him to crash into Freed's wall with the enormous impact that she dealt. Not allowing Siegfried to escape or change the shape of his sword to better fit his defensive needs.
"Are you willing to go as far as to strike someone from behind to win Naruto? I thought better of you." Erza said.
"Am I still supposed to be asking for your approval?" Siegfried asked back making Erza stagger.
Siegfried then began to inhale a lot of air, "Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!" he casts as he unleashed a gust of wind powerful enough to push Erza away.
Upon landing on the ground, Siegfried quickly senses Mira and her ever growing rage. As she punches the ground where Siegfried once stood and once again chases after him. Siegfried proceeds to throw several kunai at Mira which she ignores as she continued to dash at him. Before grabbing him and flying high in the air and coming twirling down. Mira grinned as Siegfried try to pry her off of him.
"Not another clone this time Naruto? What happened to your fancy tricks?" Mira asked.
"There is no trick, but now Mira. Now you get my full attention." Siegfried said as Mira could see the red glint of the Sharingan.
Mira ignored the brief change in color as she crashed into the ground hard enough to make Siegfried go through 10 feet of solid road. However, the demon girl knew that one count of brute force was not going to take him out. Despite Mira giving into her anger and her childhood tendancy to mock Siegfried all of a sudden. She started remembering what Levy told her.
"This doesn't even hurt does it!?" Mira yelled as she repeatedly punch his armor. Resulting in several deep dents, "I heard you have extra thick skin. So a few punches shouldn't be bad would it?" she asked as she kept hitting him.
Siegfried recalled Soul Calibur to his side and turned them into shoulder blades. Siegfried used a brief window of opportunity to try and slash at Mira. Only finding them both being struck by Erza's flying swords. Siegfried closed his eyes and started inhaling more air now that he's been disarmed.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" Siegfried yells as he sends Mira flying away with more wind. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" he yells as he forces Erza into defense.
When the fire cleared up, Erza changed into her Black Wing armor and floated towards Siegfried. Where he once again recalled Soul Edge and changed it's form into a Zweihander to block the red head's attacks. Before the two started to clash their blades over with each other.
"Does my heart still seem weak to you?" Erza asked.
"You should worry more about your lack of cooperation." Siegfried answered as the two continued to clash.
"Cooperation is difficult with someone who refuses to listen." Erza replied.
"Then find a common ground." Siegfried said before adjusting his arms and overpowering Erza.
Resulting in Erza slipping up and taking an upward slash that sent her flying into the air. Right before Siegfried jumped up and made a downward slash that sent her crashing down. Erza quickly raised up her blade as she blocked the Zweihander while she was lying on the ground. Only being saved by Mira who tackled Siegfried into the ground again and started to punch his helmet.
"I'm starting to think you're trying to avoid me." Mira said.
"I'm starting to think you want me alone." Siegfried said as Mira turned red rom anger and embarrassment.
That only made Mira want to hit him harder. Resulting in the Tribute Armor's helmet cracking open and Mira witnessing Siegfried's Sharingan. However, instead of finding herself in a genjutsu, the three tomoe pattern started to move rapidly. Causing Mira's entire body to go completely stiff in the process.
"What the?" Mira asked as she looked down in horror.
Mira was turning into stone. Erza saw this and fired more sword projectiles at Siegfried before rescuing Mira. Just before the girl completely turned into a statue. Erza used her Requip magic to bring out a small ouch where she pulls out a golden needle. Using the exotic tool on her teammate, Erza cancels out the petrification before it can be complete.
"Mira, avoid his gaze. He has Evergreen's power now." Erza warned.
Outside
Makarov's jaw dropped, "What!? How did he get that power!?" he asked with clear shock.
Evergreen shivered, "I don't want to remember that day." she said.
"Wait, so he can copy magic now? That is so unfair!" Natsu complained.
"Not all magic." Levy spoke up. "Naruto told me that his magic eyes copy ninja techniques but somehow evolved. The techniques he uses require physical movement, he can't copy and paste every little move." she explained.
"What?" Natsu asked.
"She means Naruto doesn't need to see magic. He needs to see how it's done and somehow did that with Evergreen." Lucy explained.
"Then that means he can't use Dragon Slayer magic right? Because it's different compared to regular fire magic." Happy said.
"That's true, but I think something like Gray's poses and gestures may let him copy his magic." Levy said.
"That is even more unfair? The pyromaniac gets to be special while someone else plagiarizes me?" Gray asked angrily.
"Gray-sama, you will always be special in Juvia's heart! No matter who's magic it is, yours is better!" Juvia said like a fangirl.
"Wait, wouldn't that mean he needs a source of power or at least practice?" Lucy asked.
"That's true, just doing the pose isn't always enough and something like Take Over magic can't be copied." Levy points out from what Siegfried told her.
"Your lectures are really hurting my head." Astolfo commented.
Back to the fight
(Heaven's Feel OST - The Four Rings)
Siegfried adjusted himself before switching to his Requiem armor. As Erza and Mira were getting to their feet. Siegfried made a quick dash for them. Letting his eyes do a lot of the work as Erza's own body started to petrify. The Titania Requipped once again into a more simple looking armor with anti-magic properties. Which immediately started to nullify Evergreen's petrification.
"Remember Mira, Evergreen's magic doesn't work without eye contact." Erza warned before running to face Siegfried.
Mirajane grumbled about Erza telling her what to do. She started flying high in the air where she started to channel a lot of darkness magic into her palms. All the while preparing to find an opening while Erza battled Siegfried up close and personal.
Speaking of which, Erza was having a trick time trying to break through Siegfried's defenses. While she was much faster in her current armor, it had no special properties besides deflecting most magic, but even then it had it's own limits. As it wouldn't be as good as some of her other armors which are either enhanced or resist certain magic, but it has the capability to stop small arms magic.
*CLANG*
"No more flashy armors Erza?" Siegfried as he slammed his sword onto the ground next to her.
"I'm finally taking this seriously." Erza replied before dealing a kick to his chest.
Siegfried quickly recovered and raised up his sword to block Erza's next attack. Before parrying her blow and sending her in the air. Where he proceeded to jump after her and dealing a heavy downward swing. Despite being able to block the attack, the impact sent Erza crashing back down into the ground.
As Siegfried landed, he quickly started slashing at Erza while she was down. Causing her armor to crack as she struggled to get back up. When she did, Erza was still too disoriented to properly defend herself as Siegfried thrusted his Zweihander into her chest. The Titania let out a gasp before being kicked on the abdomen then to the chest making her skid across the ground.
'Damn, this armor is too slow and too weak.' Erza thought, but she didn't want to risk petrification.
Siegfried started running at Erza before realizing that Mira hasn't randomly jumped in yet. Looking up, he saw the girl was preparing a powerful amount of dark magic.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu!" Siegfried yelled as he tried to bring Mira down.
But it was too later, "Soul Extinctor!" Mira yelled as she quickly overpowered the measly jutsu.
Resulting in Siegfried in needing to go defensive, "Wood Style: Wood Dome Jutsu!" he yelled.
Having rarely used the Mokuton and it's natural power only being greater than Yamato but significantly weaker than Hashirama. The wood dome grew big and became very thick. However, as mentioned before, it wasn't as strong as Hashirama's as it slowly but surely broke apart. Causing Siegfried to crash into the wall as his Requiem armor shattered.
Mira let out a sigh as she Siegfried twitch on the ground as he tried to move. However, her concerned moved onto the sight of Freed's barrier slowly breaking apart and then to Erza. Luckily it looked like Erza was fine as she had quickly switched into her Adamantine Armor to protect herself.
"For once, I'm happy that one of my guild members took it too far." Erza said with a smile as she lowered her shield.
However, while Mira's childish side really wanted to celebrate. Something told her that this was still far from over. That with all that Siegfried had been through, the sudden surprise of a giant blast shouldn't have been enough to beat him. She was right as she saw Siegfried missing the upper half of his armor and with the lower part of his pants and shin guards looking heavily tattered. Though his body seemed to look relatively well.
'Levy was right, Naruto's body is super dense.' Mira thought as Armor of Fafnir's ability had still confused her.
"I see your teamwork is improving." Siegfried said as he dusted himself up. "But good timing isn't enough and neither is taking turns." He said sounding like he wants more.
"If you're masochist, then you have a nasty kink Naruto." Mira said.
Siegfried shook his head as he started changing armor again, "It's not about how hard you think can hit Mira. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." he said before forming vaguely familiar hand seals. "That's how winning is done!" He said before clapping his hands together.
"Get ready!" Erza warned.
"Domain Expansion." Siegfried said before all three combatants were trapped in a black sphere.
"What happened to them!?" Makarov asked before having Freed lower the barrier.
Inside the Domain
Erza and Mira looked around in confusion as they found themselves in some rocky area filled with various streams of water. The two girls could also feel some heat rising in the air as well as some fog being created. Maybe this was one of those areas where a natural hot spring was forming up.
"This is one of those illusions. The same that Naruto puts on Natsu to knock him unconscious." Erza said.
Mira growled, "Then how do we get out? That fox told us about genjutsu didn't he? He said that every sense is blocked in an illusion like this." she said.
Erza didn't like their situation either, like any hypnotic event or mental game. Erza was quick to test these situations by inflicting self as if she were trying to wake up from a bad dream. However, that idea is not going to be particularly helpful here.
"You're wrong you two. This is no illusion." Siegfried said standing at the top of a waterfall.
"Naruto!" Mira and Erza yelled.
"I see Kurama betrayed me too, I'll be sure to get back at him later." Siegfried said. "However, this isn't genjutsu. This is all reality that I made up. It's nothing special since it takes up a lot of energy to hold up." he explained.
"Well that saves us a lot of trouble. Now I can kick your ass!" Mira yelled as she started flying towards.
"Mira wait!" Erza warned.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Siegfried yells as a giant dragon in the form of water moved towards Mira.
Mira braced herself as the dragon tackled her back down. Only to evaporate from Mira's heavy use of darkness magic. The girl then let out a roar as she tried flying up to Siegfried again. Only to find a group of clones waiting for her at the top.
"Water Style: Hot Water Bullet!" the clones yelled as they pelted Mira with hot water that start to burn her skin.
"Stupid hot spring water!" Mira yelled as she blasted them all away.
Only now realizing that the real Siegfried wasn't there much to her frustration. She snapped out of her anger once Erza arrived in her Blackwing armor.
"Mira, I know you're angry, but you can't just run head first and hit him." Erza said.
"I've had enough of your warnings Erza! I'm pissed and I'm getting more pissed when you think you know everything!" Mira exclaims as she pulls Erza close to her face. "So how about you listen to your own advice and try to prepare for Naruto's attacks too! Because for once, he's being smart and us taking turns isn't going to help!" she yelled.
Erza sweat dropped, "Okay everything but the taking turns part and a little bit about the attacks." she said she pulled away from Mira.
Mira tried to clear her head, "Look, I'm just really anxious. We can't just talk things out since Naruto is hiding and listening to us and he can attack at any time." she started to say. "So we need to learn to adapt. Try some of that synchronizing stuff like they do in sports." she said.
"Very well, then what do you suggest? I'll give you command for once." Erza said before Mira shoved her away.
As Siegfried came rushing at them with a Zweihander shaped Soul Calibur. Mira raised up her wrists to guard against the attack. Where she quickly pushed Siegfried away and started creating a large dark sphere in her palms.
"Demon Blast!" Mira yelled as she fired at Siegfried.
"Time to increase the difficulty. Susanoo!" Siegfried yelled as the upper torso of the ethereal armor appeared.
Mira once against flew directly towards Siegfried, "Explosion Punch!" she cries out as she cocks back her fist.
Where she channelled a lot of dark magic and created a large explosion where her fist landed onto the Susanoo armor. Causing a small crack to appear when she hit it. Mira's minor fear didn't last as Siegfried slapped her away with the Susanoo's arm. Erza quickly catches Mira in air and flies away.
"This one is going to be a lot more tough Mira. We're lucky that Naruto hasn't completed this one since he was able to give it legs last time." Erza said as she remembered Siegfried's using this jutsu in Edolas.
"So what do we do?" Mira asked.
"We can risk trying to break it or hope he exhausts himself." Erza answered.
"Both sound like a waste of time and really difficult." Mira said before flying on her own. "That doesn't mean I'll quit! Demon Blast!" she yells.
(Fate Apocrypha OST - Shirou Amakusa Tokisada)
Siegfried raised up his shield and blocked the attack. This time, he wasn't just going to let Mira hit him the whole time. With the shield raised up, Mira was unable to leave a scratch on the shield with all of her heavy attacks. Neither was Erza as she tried dealing quick slashes and running away before coming back.
Like bees stinging a person, they were not able to harm Siegfried while inside of the Susanoo. Using his EMS, Siegfried surrounded his Susanoo with the flames of Amaterasu and sent both girls flying back. As Erza crashed across the rocky terrain and into the river, she saw Mira quickly get back up and launch herself at Siegfried's susanoo.
As Siegfried started to move towards Mira. The girl raised her hands over the direction of her foe using her dark magic. Which caused a giant amount of water from the river to come crashing down onto Siegfried. Despite using Amaterasu again to burn away the water as it surrounded his armor. Siegfried didn't see where Mira went until she landed on top of him and started charging lightning through her palms onto the Susanoo's head.
"Just fall already Naruto! Evil Spark!" Mira yelled as she channelled all of the electricity she could muster and surrounded the Susanoo with a giant surge of electricity.
With enough force, Mira created a large explosion that surely would have started to damage the Susanoo. Erza stood up and walked ran towards the sight of the explosion. Only to end up catching Mira as she crashed into her arms.
"No." Erza whispered as the Susanoo still stood strong.
Outside
With Freed having lowered his barrier. Makarov tried to inspect the orb as he wondered where his grandson and the girls went. He came close to thinking that he could just smash the orb, but didn't want to risk it.
"Just what is this thing?" Makarov asked.
"It's a Domain Expansion." Kurama spoke up.
"A what?" Wendy asked.
"It's a pocket dimension, it's very powerful but difficult to hold. Naruto will just tire himself out unless the girls can find exact spot to break it. That's if they have the method." Kurama explained.
"So what's going on in there?" Makarov asked.
"Naruto is still toying with them by putting them in a pocket dimension he set up." Kurama answered.
"So Naruto can tamper with reality!? That's not fair!" Gray yelled.
"It's a tiny reality, it's weaker compared to a Reality Marble and he can't control the entire aspect and it takes a lot more energy." Kurama answered.
"So Naruto is still in control until he's exhausted or Mira and Erza can break through." Gray said.
"That lame, we can't see the fight now." Wakaba comments.
"Well at least now they have more space to contain their destruction." Makarov said while trying to hide his worry.
Back inside
Once again, Erza's Purgatory armor is broken and not doing a good job at being intimidating. For an armor that no one has seen and lived to tell the tale. It sure doesn't last too long as Siegfried managed to break it during the scuffle.
"I should upgrade this thing." Erza said as she struggled to stand.
"Why do you fight me Erza? What do you have to prove?" Siegfried asked.
"I want to help you Naruto, but you closed off your heart like I did as a child." Erza answered.
"My condition is worse than being antisocial." Siegfried argued.
"This is beyond that Naruto! If you think this is a matter of pride or control then you are wrong!" Erza yelled.
Siegfried narrowed his eyes, "This is big talk from someone who never wanted any help. Going as far as to lie about being fine when her own pain is visible." he said as Erza stiffened.
Flashback, X778
Siegfried was sitting outside in the park after finishing a small delivery quest. It wasn't anything special like handing over government documents or escorting a VIP. However, it was good for the boy to get some traveling experience and to build up endurance with his light travels. However, as he sat around, he saw Erza walking with a limp towards the guild. He could see that the girl's armor was covered in scratches as some dents.
At this point in time, he had no experience in a fight and he couldn't analyze the cause of damage. That didn't mean that he was ignorant enough to not know about wounds. Having regular check ups with Porlyusica made Siegfried made Siegfried aware of the nasty injuries some guild members get. Though by this point, he's not squeamish anymore about seeing bad injuries.
So Siegfried decided to go help Erza, "Hi Erza, was your mission tough?" he asked as he ran up to the girl.
Erza turned her head, "Hello Naruto, yes my mission was difficult, but I completed it." she answered.
Siegfried then started reaching into his bag, "You want me to heal you? I always have extra medicine." he asked.
"I'm fine." Erza said before wincing.
"You don't look fine." Siegfried said.
"I am, you just can't see it." Erza replied stubbornly.
Siegfried narrowed his eyes, "Friends don't lie to each other Erza." he said. "But if you don't want help. I'll respect your decision." he said as he put his bag away.
"Good." Erza said as she kept stumbling towards the guild.
Siegfried felt disheartened by Erza's pride and refusal to let him help.
End of flashback
Erza flinched as she grasped her arm. How many times has Siegfried wanted to help and she pushed him away like a bug? Erza ignored Siegfried while nearly everyone else thought he was mocking them for having a better life. It's funny really, the girl who dd nothing had caused the most pain.
"No amount of armor is going to protect you Erza." Siegfried said he raised the Susanoo's hands. "Kagatsuchi." he said a sword made of black flames.
Siegfried then brought down the sword in a quick swoop. Erza winced as the giant blade of black flames came down upon her. In an instance, Erza calmed down and let out a smile as she hit her chest. Where an orange magic circle came to life.
(Fairy Tail OST - Erza's Theme)
"And no amount of power will push me away." Erza responded as the magic circle flashed.
The result of the slash destroyed a chunk of the hill they were on. Siegfred released a wind jutsu to blow away the gust of smoke he created. Where he was then surprised by Erza wearing her Giant Armor again where she proceeded to throw her De-Malevo Lance straight at him. The large spear proceeded to fly right at the Susanoo like a rocket before crashing straight into Siegfried's shield where it proceeded to apply all the pressure it could muster for a few seconds before stopping.
When it stopped, Erza suddenly faded away as if she were an illusion. With his EMS, Siegfried scanned the area for Erza before feeling a heavy lance hitting the top of Susanoo. Shockingly enough, that wasn't all Erza did. As Siegfried suddenly felt a giant surge of fire uppercutting him.
"Soaring Fire Blade!" yelled a second Erza who was wearing the Flame Empress Armor.
Siegfried stumbled back as he started to feel the strain of using Susanoo for too long. That's when he felt another surge of lightning hit him from behind. As he saw yet another Erza wearing her Lightning Empress armor. That's when Siegfried could sense something off about the duplicates.
"You copied my magic. You know how to make someone feel less special Erza." Siegfried said. "Actually, where there is so many of you. It leaves me wondering where Mirajane is hiding." he said noticing that the barmaid's body disappeared.
"Find out for yourself!" another Erza with the Sea Empress Armor shouted as she commanded a wave of water to attack him.
"Amaterasu!" Siegfried yelled as he burned the water away. "No more." Siegfried said before using Kagatsuchi again to create another sword.
In a last ditch effort, the three Empress Erza's simultaneously unleashed their attacks. The Sea Empress attempted to put out the black flames to no avail while the Flame Empress to combat them with her own. Leaving the Lightning Empress to try her hand at attacking Siegfried directly while the fourth Erza wearing her her Black Wing armor tried to attack from all directions.
"Amaterasu!" Siegfried shouts as he manages to burn the Black Wing upon her next strike.
He then created an arrow from his Kagatsuchi and opened fire on two of the Empresses. Destroying them as a result, leaving behind only the Lightning empress who was jumping right up to his face. As an act of bravery, the Lightning Empress twirled her spear in the air before stabbing her weapon into the Susanoo's chest and releasing all of the remaining magic in her body to detonate her body. When the explosion cleared up, Siegfried realized that the final Erza was yet another clone.
Though, it was time for him to drop the Susanoo and rest his eyes for a moment. As he landed on the ground, Siegfried could still sense one more person but it wasn't Erza.
"You can come out now." Siegfried said as he turned his head.
From the smoke, a shadowy figure came out. As Siegfried raised up Soul Calibur once again, he saw Mira approaching him. Only Mira wasn't prepared for battle, she was in her normal human form. Siegfried paid close attention to her and saw she wasn't a clone of Erza that learned to transform or to disguise itself. Instead, it looked like Mira didn't want to fight.
"You have an odd sense of strategy." Siegfried commented.
"I'm not fighting you Naruto. I'm not going to badmouth you either." Mira said as Siegfried continued to scan the area for Erza.
"Then what did you want?" Siegfried asked as he kept his sword drawn.
"I want you back." Mira answered as she stepped forward. "I want the old Naruto back." she said.
"Your punching bag is gone Mira. You don't have anyone to step on anymore." Siegfried replied coldly.
Mira flinched, "No, I don't want to badmouth you anymore or anything!" she yelled. "I want the sweet boy who wanted nothing more than to befriend everyone! The same one that cared for the guild when they pushed him away!" she continued.
"That boy is here Mira, only he has a new mission." Siegfried said as he tightened the grip of his sword.
"Well I don't like it! You're hurting yourself! You act like nothing's wrong and take the hits like nothing when you're practically dying!" Mira shouts as her hands begin to shake. "You come back after 6 years and if it wasn't for Jose and his guild attacking us! Then you would have just said hello and left again for who knows how long!" she yelled as her throat started to hurt from the volume of her voice.
The girl was pouring her heart out and no matter how much it hurt. She needed to say it and as she said those words. The clouds in this false world started to cluster together as they became dark. As if the Domain could sense everyone's emotions, it began to change to a more fitting setting.
"I get it! I'm a bitch and everyone is right to call me a demon!" Mira yelled as tears started to swell in her eyes. "It wasn't even until I thought Lisanna died that I never appreciated what I had! I was so caught up thinking I was invincible that I screwed up!" she yelled.
(RE: Zero OST - Elegy For Rem)
By this point the tears started to fall down her cheeks. Siegfried remained silent as the dark clouds started to obscure the view of his gaze. Leaving Mira unaware of what Siegfried was feeling.
"I talked big when I was really nothing! I became S Class and I boasted like I was suddenly important! I cared about my siblings well being and I couldn't even protect one when she was trapped in some other dimension or something! But you know what was the worst thing!?" Mira cried out. "It's lying to myself! Trying to tell myself that I hated you! That you were mocking me and tried to find me whenever you can to rub it in my face just how better your life was! Except I'm still a stupid little girl pretending to be a woman!" she practically screams.
"What are you trying to say Mirajane?" Siegfried asked, finally speaking since her rant started.
Mira wiped her tears as she cleared her throat, "I'm trying to tell you I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being a bad friend. For extorting you. Abuse your friendship. For going after Erza when you wanted her attention when I wanted yours." she said as her voice started to crack. "For... for..." she tried tos ay. "For not loving you like I should have!" she screamed.
In the distance, Erza was hiding behind a rock. Unaware of Mira's change of plan and overheard the whole thing. Causing her to gasp as she never knew of Mira's feelings. The red head clenched her chest as she was blind too. She openly accepted the challenges from Mira until her change in personality when Lisanna allegedly died.
'Are you trying to appeal to his humanity Mira?' Erza wondered.
"There's nothing worth loving Mirajane Strauss." Siegfried suddenly said.
"Naruto." Mira tried to say.
"There's nothing!" Siegfried shouts as he extends his hand. "Do you know what was my first thought after leaving the guild. It was that I hated Fairy Tail!" he yelled making her gasp.
"No, it couldn't..."
"It was! It was my only thought as I dragged myself out of the guild like I was in mortal danger! I probably would have died from my open wounds adding along to my frail body! It's only thanks to Kurama finding me and saving me that I had the chance to recover and become strong!" Siegfried exclaimed. "That not even the bad part. It wasn't giving into hate because of one betrayal. It was my stupid headstrong personality." he said.
The clouds had then started to trickle with water. No one could feel the ice cold water because of all the tension built up to this moment.
"Erza is no better. You see this sword? There are two cursed swords and this is one of them that Erza wants to know so damn badly about!" Siegfried said as he raised Soul Calibur with a shaky hand. "Everyone wants to know about it's twin. The evil one that corrupts any man that touches it. Everyone coveted it and there's a whole lot of bloodshed that came with me claiming it for myself. Yet, here she thinks she can just solve the problem by studying it." he said as he started losing grip of his emotions.
By this point, Siegfried's face changed and looked off putting. His eyes looked like a mix of anger while his mouth was curved almost like a smile. Yet his hand still held onto Soul Calibur as if it were a life saver.
"I'm not playing a game of who had it worse. I know everyone has had it bad in their life at some point. Everyone has their own pain, but that means we all have our own way to cope." Siegfried said as he looked at his free palm. Where it briefly flashed into Nightmare's monstrous hand, "There are moments when you can only help yourself." he said as he closed his hand.
"I don't believe you!" Mira shouted as the rain became stronger. "You're not the same boy I grew up with." she as her hands curled into fists.
Siegfried stared at Mira with an impassive look, "We're not here to talk things out." he said as he raised his sword.
"I don't want to fight anymore Naruto. You win, but I'm not giving up on you and neither is Erza." Mira said as she started moving closer to Siegfried.
"I can't validate that. You know that." Siegfried said as Mira cannot speak on Erza's behalf.
Erza cursed, 'He probably thinks I'm trying to strike him from a hidden location too.' she thought before watching Mira slowly approach Mira.
(Fairy Tail OST - Mirajane no Theme)
Mira slowly approached Siegfried as he waited for her to fight. Instead, Mira gently grabbed onto Siegfried's hands. Despite her feeble strength compared to her Satan Soul form. The white haired girl managed to move the knight's hands to the side as if to move the target of the sword. Mira gently placed her hands on his cheeks and proceeded to wipe off the rain water from his face.
"There you are." Mira said with a smile. "I almost didn't recognize you." she said confusing him.
Mira gently proceeded to gently hug him while holding the back of his head. By this point, Erza dropped her weapon and came out of her hiding spot and without armor. As the rain started to grow more intense. The Titania quickly wrapped her arms around Siegfried's back while lying her head on his back. Though it was hard to tell if Erza said anything as the rain became more intense as a crackle of lightning was heard.
Mira and Erza braved the weather as they held onto Siegfried's. If the world would end, they would let it end with them being together over fighting a needless battle.
In Magnolia
As Makarov still debated whether or not to break open the domain. The orb itself shattered and revealed a soaking wet Mira and Erza who were holding down the master's grandson.
"What the?" Makarov asked.
"Hey, are you guys okay?" Natsu asked.
Mira slowly pulled away once she realized that they were back in Magnolia. She looked up at her crush and saw that his eyes were closed. With a look of peace filling his face as he didn't show any emotion. Erza still held onto him tightly as if the rainstorm was still going on.
"Naruto?" Erza whispered.
"He's asleep." someone said.
"No." Mira said. "I think Naruto is finally..."
"ZZZZZZZ..."
"He definitely fell asleep." Freed said.
Astolfo screamed in terror, "Sieg wake up! This counts as losing consciousness, which means you forfeit!" he yelled. "You have to wake up or else I'm going to be in debt!" he further yelled.
"Yeah, wake up Naruto! The money I put on you will cover my debts three times over!" Cana yelled.
Mira sweat dropped before crying anime tears, 'I thought I got through to him. I assumed his attitude earlier was because of him resisting, but all I did was make him feel bored!' she thought sadly.
"Someone get some ramen! That will wake him up!" Happy yelled, having also bet on his "godfather" to win.
Makarov shook his head, "Naruto, if you don't wake up in 15 seconds. You're disqualified." he told his sleeping grandson.
Suddenly Lisanna came running out with a bowl of ramen and a fan, "This will work!" she said before turning on the fan over the ramen.
Unfortunately, even the greatest ramen wouldn't stir the Azure Knight from his slumber. Everyone continued to yell various things to wake him up.
"Whoops, my bikini top fell off!" Cana yelled.
"Hey Naruto, I'm rubbing my butt on all of your armor!" Happy yelled.
"Lucy will let you sleep over at her place!" Natsu yelled.
"No I won't!" Lucy yelled back.
"Oh no! A dark mage attack! Look at all of those dark mages causing trouble!" Astolfo yelled but nothing happened.
Everyone gave up by that point and Makarov sighed as he raised his hand, "Mirajane Strauss and Erza Scarlet win by default!" he announced.
Erza smiled as she lied head on Siegfried's back, "Just let him rest. He deserves that much." she said.
Half the crowd cheered and the other half complained. Even with all of these noises, Siegfried continued to rest while standing up. That is until he heard Filo's voice.
"Ouchie! Leg cramp!" Filo said as she felt a cramp forming on her foot.
"HUH!? FILO!" Siegfried shouted as he looked around for his adopted child.
"She's fine." Makarov spoke up. "But not you, you're disqualified." he said.
"What for?" Siegfried asked.
"You fell asleep, so that counts as being knocked out in my book." Makarov said.
Siegfried sighed, "Fine, I'll accept the defeat." he said before trying to move. Only to find Erza hanging onto him, "Care to let go? Our daughter is hurt." he asked.
Erza smiled, "Very well." she said.
(End of Song)
Later that night
Once again, everyone was partying as half of the guild won the bet while the rest had sulked with their own debts.
"I can't believe I lost 10,000 jewel like that! I'm going to be sleeping on the couch tonight!" Wakaba said as he felt a headache rising.
"So not manly." Elfman said.
"You bet against your sister?" Wakaba asked.
"No, but Mira took away my winnings because I was technically gambling." Elfman answered.
Gildarts also looked depressed, "The one time I'm not proud of my godson. He really let me down this time." he said as his face hit the table.
"I can't even afford a glass of water right now." Cana said sounding depressed as well.
Meanwhile, Filo was sitting on her father's lap while drinking some juice, "I'm glad that's over papa. I don't like seeing you fight mama Erza and mama Mira. Even if it's a pretend fight." she said.
Siegfried smiled as his daughter, "I know Filo, it's just a complicated thing. All of your aunts and uncles love to fight as their way of showing love. Except you, don't ever fight. I don't want you getting hurt." he said.
Filo nodded, "Papa, I wanna tell you something else." she said. "The other day, when aunt Levy was helping me learn to read. I read a book about the ugly duckling." she said.
"Filo, you're not ugly if that's what you're thinking. You're very pretty and you have a beautiful soul." Siegfried said.
Filo shook her head, "Not that papa, I saw how the duckies are made." she said.
"From a children's book? What has Levy been showing you?" Siegfried asked.
"Papa, I'm being serious." Filo said almost having to raise her voice.
"What's wrong Filo?" Siegfried asked as he could tell how tense she feels.
"Papa, I know I'm a bird, but... you're not a bird. Neither is mama Erza and mama Mira." Filo said as her hair started to cover her eyes. "I know aunt Lisana can turn into any animal, but she's not a bird like me." she said as she started to shake.
"Filo, I know it feels confusing." Siegfried tried to say.
"Papa, I know you're not my real papa by blood." Filo said as tears started to trickle down her cheeks. "But that doesn't matter right? Because you're still my papa right?" she asked.
Filo looked up at her father with tears in her eyes and with a smile.
"Like Wen and Uncle Kurama. You're not my papa by blood, your my papa by love, right?" Filo asked.
Siegfried smiled as he hugged his daughter tightly, "Of course Filo, you're my daughter. Everyone in Fairy Tail is my family." he said.
Seemingly unaware of how many people heard him say that. However, as Siegfried held his daughter and looked around the guild. He could see old memories of him and Laxus together as children. A single tear fell down his cheek as he cradled Filo's short form.
"Fight me next!" Natsu shouted.
Siegfried chuckled, "I will." he said making Natsu smirk. "After you make S Class." he said making him complain.
"You're stronger than uncle Natsu papa." Filo said.
"Probably." Siegfried said before whispering into her ear. "I think your uncle Natsu might be stronger than Erza. He just doesn't have discpline." he said making Filo gasp in shock.
Luckily Natsu couldn't hear that with his superior hearing because he was too busy rambling to himself.
The next morning
It was a bright and early day and Siegfried had a bag prepared as he met Astolfo outside. With pink haired boy was waiting outside with his hippogriff. Both looking ready to take flight and begin a new adventure.
"You ready Sieg?" Astolfo asked.
"I am, but are you okay with it? I hardly ask you for anything. This is basically a wild goose chase." Siegfried asked.
Astolfo laughed it off, "Of course, what are friends for?" he asked.
As Siegfried tied his bag to the hippogriff, Erza came running out, "Are you leaving already?" she asked.
"I'm a busy man Erza." Siegfried responded.
"But you just came back and only for our duel. Shouldn't you be recovering more?" Erza asked with concern.
"Calm down Erza, Mira was such a bad fighter. I felt bored and fell asleep." Siegfried replied.
Erza frowned, "This isn't a joke." she said.
"If it were, I wouldn't have lost lots of money." Astolfo said with a dry look.
"Ignore him." Siegfried said.
"But what about Filo and everyone else?" Erza asked.
"I already told Filo goodbye. She's always fine." Siegfried answered.
"You're being selfish again." Erza said.
Siegfried turned around and faced her, "I said she understands Erza. I think you just feel a bit emotional." he said.
"I am not being emotional!" Erza argued.
Siegfried raised a brow at her, "Sure." he said sarcastically. "Anyways, I'll be right back before you all go to the S Class trials." he said.
"What exactly are you going to do?" Erza asked, demanding to know what is so urgent. "Is it another dark mage guild?" she asked.
"No, I'm going to look for Laxus." Siegfried casually answered.
"What for!? He's been excommunicated!" Erza exclaimed.
"From the guild, not from his family." Siegfried said as he hopped on behind Astolfo.
Erza sighed as she held her head, "I don't know what goes on in your head. I suppose I don't know who you are." she said as she looked down.
"I'm Naruto, Erza." he said said. "I'm Naruto, I will always be Naruto. Besides…" he trailed of as he gestured for Erza to come forward.
Erza was already beyond confused so she came closer. Closer and closer until it looked like he wanted to tell her something. That is until he gently lifted up Erza's head and kissed her on the cheek. Surprising the Titania as a result.
"I'll come back for you later." he said.
"What?" Erza asked.
"Let's go Astolfo." and with that, the journey began.
The flight started quickly, but now Astolfo felt slightly anxious and confused as well.
"Um Sie-, Naruto. What was that? Was that romance or… I can't wrap my head around it." Astolfo said.
Naruto took a deep breath, "I don't know, I thought I would feel something. I kissed Mira and I still didn't feel anything." he admitted.
Astolfo sweat dropped, "How many people have you kissed?" he asked.
"I didn't kiss, that's all that matters." Naruto said.
"That's just mean!" Astolfo shouted at the top of his lungs.
Back on the ground, Erza rubbed her cheek as Levy came out, "I asked him if he still had feelings for you." She said.
"What?" Erza asked.
"It was one day at Yajima's restaurant. I sat down and had a serious talk with him in front of Filo and asked if he still liked you." Levy explained.
"What did he say?" Erza nervously asked.
Levy sighed as she thought back to that day, "He said…"
TO BE CONTINUED…
Omake #1 - He said what?
Erza looked at Levy with confusion, "He said, to be continued?" she asked.
"No, just a cliffhanger. A weak one I guess." Levy answered.
"Can you tell me now?" Erza asked.
"Nope." Levy answered.
"Levy I know you still think I'm a horrible person, but the suspense is killing me!" Erza complained.
"I don't care." Levy replied.
Erza got on her hands and knees, "I will offer you whatever you want. My time, knowledge, my assets, my armor…"
"Erza, I don't want your armor. I've seen you buy your "seduction" armor. Why would I want any of that?" Levy asked.
"I have the finest literature." Erza said.
"Pornography is not literature!" Levy yelled.
Erza sweat dropped, "Would you like some cake?" she asked.
"I'm going." Levy said.
"No Levy! Please wait!" Erza begged as she wanted to know the answer.
Omake #2 - Guild Girls
Siegfried answered the phone, "Hello?" he asked.
"Dark Mage Slayer, it's me, the Goblin Slayer." GS said on the other line.
"Hey, what's up? Another Goblin Lord appeared?" Siegfried asked.
"Worse, Dark Lancer is on the loose and he's abducting guild girls. We have no idea where he is or where he's going. We just need everyone in every town to keep their guild girl's secured." GS said.
Siegfried nodded, "Got it, I'll secure my local guild girl." he said before hanging up.
The Azure Knight proceeded to run down the stairs where he went to look for Mira. When he got down there, he saw her working behind the counter as usual.
"Hey Mira, since you technically approve jobs. Does that make you a guild receptionist too?" Lucy asked.
"I guess it does, funny. It means I have two jobs (barmaid and receptionist) and yet I only get paid once." Mira said as she looked at Makarov who looked nervous.
Makarov's worries ended as Siegfried pulled Mira out of the bar area. Where he then proceeded to carry her into his room where he barricaded his door. Elfman ran up to the door and tried to pry it open.
"Naruto, let my sister out now!" Elfman yelled.
Lisanna proceeded to shove him out of the way, "No one is allowed in or out of that room until I'm an aunt!" she yelled.
Makarov sighed, "Now that means we don't have someone working Mira's job anymore." he said.
That's when Erza came in wearing a cute dress, "Then I will take it upon myself to be Fairy Tail's guild girl." she said.
Siegfried suddenly ran out of his room and proceeded to carry Erza into his room next. This time, he welded his door shut despite the fact it was made of wood.
"There goes that idea." Makarov said.
As everyone wondered what was going on in Siegfried's mind. No one noticed Dark Lancer sneaking into the guild and climbing up the ceiling like a lizard. Where he proceeded to look around for a guild girl to abduct for his disturbing harem.
QA with Xiaomei
Xiaomei: Wasn't that a short, but lovely chapter and the Tenrou Island arc has finally arrived. Where are my manners? I am Xiaomei and I will be answering your questions again for today.
Question 1 (Troll): For everyone in Fairy Tail who bullied Siegfried in childhood... Erza, Mirajane, Natsu, Gray and especially Laxus. Do you see Siegfried now? This is the same weak and frail boy that you all looked down on and envied years ago. Looking back now, how do you all feel about the fact that technically it was Siegfried who had the last laugh?
Xiaomei: You can hear the cries of shame or embarrassment. It really depends on perspective really. Along with Natsu demanding a fight yet again.
Question 2 (Studious): Siegfried, I heard Sakura saying that you are smarter than Naruto. That is true? Can I ask you a questio to test your intelligence? If you have 10 bowls full of ramen, then a dark mage comes and steals one of those bowls, how many bowls of ramen would you have left over?
Xiaomei: Professor Xiaomei here to explain the mathematics. You see, you would have to adjust to the dark mage's skill level. Because Siegfried would most likely end their life before the reach the ramen. However with his speed, the ramen would either be finished as the dark mage steals a bowl or 9 would be eaten until Siegfried notices that one bowl is missing in a matter of .298 seconds. Hopefully you paid attention, because there will be an exam on this. You are free to bring you TI-84s to class.
Question 3 (Lucian Naruto): Siegfried! What do you think about the Gajeel x Levy pairing? And besides this pairing what do you think of the pairing involving Every and any Dark Mage x your swords impaling them? (sadistic smile) And also the pairing of Natsu x your foot kicking his ass if he keeps bothering you?
Xiaomei: Siegfried tells me that he enjoys all the pairings and finds them very healthy and appealing. Except for Gajeel x Levy, he only hates that ship when it's the most natural and loved of all pairings. Though he has fan art of his swords with every dark mage he's come across. You should see his art gallery of it next weekend.
R0tatcid: *Depressed because he missed out on making a Valentine's Day One Shot yet again. Maybe he'll make a one shot for White Day (March 14)*
Question 4 (Spellbat): "Shukaku: Your transcendent just had to be cool for once"? What about with Naruto Uzumaki?
Xiaomei: Shukaku is just a hater, just dab on them or whatever young people do these days. Now time for the Kingdom of Fiore Secret!
Secret: Despite how crappy his house looks, Natsu is a very capable carpenter. If he teamed up with someone like Yamato, he could be a millionaire from building so many houses. Unfortunately, Natsu likes to fight over building houses. Too bad, he and Siegfried could have built a house for Lucy so that she would never have to pay rent.
Xiaomei: I hope to see you all yet again soon! Next Time: Chapter 24! Goodbye Naruto?
END OF QA