Natsu growled as Apocalypse laughed.
"Talk about being blind with rage" Apocalypse said, turning to Natsu. "Is it your turn, Salamander?" Natsu knew already that Apocalypse would just throw him back. He needed too wait for an opening, and then strike. He hoped Gajeel felt the same, otherwise it could get messy.
"Just one question, man to man." Natsu said, and Apocalypse shrugged. "What is your masters grand plan anyway?"
"Why would I tell you that?" Apocalypse demanded. "A magician does not reveal his secrets"
"Why not? You've been cocky and out there this whole fight, why not tell me?" Natsu saw Gajeel approaching behind Apocalypse, and prayed that He could do so silently. Apocalypse chuckled.
"I see what your trying to do" He told Natsu flatly. "You're trying to distract me"
"Just being curious" The younger man stared Natsu down, but Natsu was only worried he was going to give Gajeel away by looking at him, if only for a moment. The whole fight was riding on Gajeel's stealthy capabilities, and that only made the knot in Natsu's stomach worse.
"Tell you what" Apocalypse replied. "I'll tell you, but only if you tell me something"
"Depends on what that something is" Natsu said flatly, hoping his stall was giving Gajeel enough time. Apocalypse smirked.
"I already know I'm the last man standing, other then Master Jose himself." Apocalypse told Natsu. "What I want to know, however, is how lucky you're feeling" Natsu felt confusion take over.
"How...lucky I feel?" Natsu asked, scratching his head in confusion. Gajeel looked confused as well. Apocalypse nodded.
"I've already told you it doesn't matter if I fall, I'm just stalling for time." He said quietly. "So, you feeling lucky?" Natsu shrugged, feeling his confusion turn into anger.
"Not really," Natsu growled.
"Well, than you're fucked" Gajeel took that chance to grab Apocalypse and put him in a sleeper hold.
"Tell us what Jose's plan is" Gajeel hissed, applying a little bit of pressure, and Apocalypse's face turned red. "Or I swear to Mavis I'll break your fucking neck" Natsu almost admired the fact Apocalypse felt ballsy enough to laugh.
"Well?" Natsu asked.
Drake watched as Erza, Lyon, and Sherry returned from dealing with Quintus. Erza looked especially irritated, but he didn't want to know. Master Laxus turned to him.
"That leaves Natsu and Gajeel," He told Drake. "What do you hear?" Drake was about to listen when Winter sat down next to him.
"Stop worrying, Laxus-san" Winter called. "I'm sure Natsu and Gajeel will be fine"
"They may be in trouble" Erza spoke up. "Apocalypse isn't any joke, compared to what I've heard from Quintus." Lyon nodded.
"Quintus spoke like he was a one man army." He said warily. "I have faith in Natsu and Gajeel, but Apocalypse isn't a joke. Quintus sounded, afraid of him"
"Just how terrifying is he?" Simon asked Drake. "You're the only one hear who's seen him." Drake was about to respond when Angel and Meredy came back in from checking the grounds.
"Find anything?" Jura asked them, still rubbing the ice on his forehead. Meredy shook her head.
"Nothing that looks suspicious, anyway" She replied. "Sorano was just telling me about this cannon thing about back" Drake remembered that cannon. Nashi had talked about it when they'd first been captured, telling them how dangerous it looked.
"What does it do?" Ultear asked. Sorano shrugged.
"It was here before I was" She replied. "I asked Master Jose about it, but he didn't tell me" Drake could smell Erza's irritation.
"There's that name again." She growled. "Where have I heard it before?" No one said anything, and Drake was sure he'd never heard the name. Before anyone could respond, however, Jura growled in irritation.
"What is it, Jura?" Sherry asked.
"My head is killing me" He said irritable. "I don't know what it is either."
"Did you hit it on something?" Eve asked. Jura shook his head.
"The ice didn't help?" Winter asked sadly. Jura shook his head again.
"Anyway," Hibiki said. "I think Jura's headache i the least of our concerns at the moment. We still have to deal with this Jose guy"
"Natsu and Gajeel better hurry up then" Ren said. "I'm getting bored over here."
Natsu was not in the mood for Apocalypse's shit anymore, especially since the man was about to lose consciousness from the hold Gajeel had on him.
"Just fucking tell us what the plan is!" Natsu shouted angrily. He was done playing around. Apocalypse just chuckled.
"I don't think want to tell you, you'll regret saying you didn't feel lucky."
"We can handle it," Gajeel hissed. "Trust me" Apocalypse shrugged.
"Alright, if you insist" He was silent for a moment, keeping Natsu's gaze the whole time. "Jose plan to use your own strength against you"
"Be more specific" Natsu growled.
"Let's just say" Apocalypse said with a grin. "Jura must have a killer headache right now" Before Natsu could question him further Apocalypse reared back and headbutt Gajeel, giving him enough time to slither out of his grasp, knocking Natsu across the room with a rapture circle Natsu hadn't seen. When Natsu managed to recover, Apocalypse was gone, and Gajeel had a bloody nose.
"What the fuck was that?" Gajeel demanded. "What the hell does Jura having a headache have to do with this?" Natsu thought for a moment. Your own strength against you, Jura's headache... Natsu paled.
"Shit, we gotta go, now!"
Drake was in the midst of describing Apocalypse to Ultear and Mami when he heard Natsu and Gajeel running back towards them.
"Natsu and Gajeel are on their way back" He said to everyone. "Now we just have to deal with Jose"
"Good," Ichiya said. "The parfum of a glorious victory!" Drake was about to crack a joke about the parfum when Natsu and Gajeel reappeared.
"Good job you guys" Master Laxus said. "Now we have too..." Natsu ran forward abruptly, cutting Laxus off.
"Get away from Jura!" Natsu shouted. Everyone, Drake included, was confused.
"Why?" Damien asked, "It isn't like-" Damien was cut off by a column of earth slamming into him, sending him flying by Drake and into the wall.
"Jura, what the hell?!" Erza shouted. Jura looked panicked.
"It wasn't me!" Jura shouted. "I can't control myself!"
"What the hell do you mean you can-" Lyon was cut off as well as the earth collapsed underneath him and Sherry, sending them somewhere below. Drake looked below him and saw the earth cracking.
"Uh, guys" He said to Mami and Ultear. "Maybe we should..." Drake couldn't finish his sentence before the earth under them rose up rapidly, crushing him and the girls against the roof. "Move" Drake finished. "Ow"
"It isn't me!" Jura said angrily. "Someone controlling me!"
"Halberd of he Lightning Dragon!" Jura flew o the side from the sudden burst of magic. Drake saw Master Laxus stand near the hole in the wall. "Try and hold off Jose!" He shouted. "I'll deal with Jura!" With that, Drake watched as their only real hope against Jose flew out of the building, too go and stop their other hope from hurting anyone else. A quick scan around the room showed Drake Jura had done what Jose intended. Everyone was down and out. Dark laughter filled the room, and a figure appeared at the big door at the end of the hall.
"Foolish Faires" He laughed. "Always sticking their noses where it doesn't belong" Drake heard Gajeel growl.
"Jose"
Short, I know, but the next chapter will close the arc out, so it'll be pretty long. Remember to leave a review!