Greetings and Bienvenue. We are back for Shadows Past Between Worlds. Hey everyone, what's going on, sorry for the late update on the story but a few thing came up blocking me from posting my update so sorry about that. But I was just glade to get it posted before the new year so I won't hold you up anymore.
"Last time on our story, Natsu stepped in to save Yukino from Mereoleona's relentless assault, challenging the Crimson Lioness to a fight. As their battle began, Natsu shocked Mereoleona with his immunity to fire, quickly gaining the upper hand. But Mereoleona, never one to back down, shifted her tactics, channeling her magic into reinforcement to bypass his resistance and strike back.
Meanwhile, the rest of Team Natsu arrived, tending to Yukino and Minerva, who were injured in the chaos. As they watched Natsu struggle against a fire mage for the first time, their instincts to join the fray kicked in. But just as they moved to intervene, four shadowy figures leaped into the battlefield, halting both combatants in their tracks. From the shadows emerged a dark-haired man with ominous black horns, his commanding voice cutting through the tension: 'What is going on here?'"
Important Disclaimer: I don't own anything from these franchises please support the original creators.
Chapter 7: The Unknow Guests
"Let me ask again, what is happening here? And I expect an answer this time. I don't enjoy repeating myself," the dark-haired man said, his smile fading as he fixed a sharp gaze on the others. The tension among the mages grew palpable. The fiery woman mage let out a laugh, breaking free from the hold on her, and turned expectantly to the other fire mage, clearly waiting for him to explain.
Natsu met her gaze, understanding her silent cue. Turning toward the dark-haired man, he spoke, his tone laced with anger. "Your friend here attacked our friends after they saved you. So I thought it was only fair to return the favor until you showed up and interrupted us."
The green-tipped-haired man took a cautious step back, visibly uneasy. The dark-haired man, however, remained composed, his expression unreadable. Slowly, he raised a hand, dismissing the shadowy creatures he had summoned. They vanished without a trace, and as they did, his horns receded, and the dark line marking his face disappeared.
"I see," the dark-haired man said coolly, his voice betraying no emotion. "Then I apologize for our wild animal here choosing to sink her fangs into your friends." His cold gaze swept over the Fairy Tail wizards as if analyzing each of them. "But, if you wouldn't mind, could you tell us where we are and who you are?" he asked, stepping forward until he stood between the two groups.
Erza Scarlet took a step forward, her commanding presence hard to ignore. "I am Erza Scarlet, and we are wizards of Fairy Tail. You are in Magnolia, our hometown," she said firmly.
At this, the shorter man with green-tipped hair frowned and turned to the dark-haired man, confusion evident on his face. "Vice-Captain, is there a town called Magnolia in the Spade or Diamond Kingdoms?" he asked.
The dark-haired man shook his head silently. His expression grew heavier as he surveyed the unfamiliar group before him. His gaze lingered on Erza, locking eyes with her. He could sense her strength and authority she was clearly not someone to be trifled with. "I understand you're likely on edge with our presence," he began, his voice measured. "But we need to find our comrades. Do you know where they might be?"
Lucy relaxed slightly, noting that this dark-haired man seemed far more level-headed than the fiery woman. Standing up, she brushed off some dirt and addressed him. "We know where your friends are. You just need to follow us back to our guild. Your Captain and one of your members Charmy are there," she explained, offering a hand to help Yukino and Minerva up from the ground.
"I see. Thank you," Nacht replied curtly. His gaze shifted to Mereoleona, who scowled at him with a growl. "And I'll make sure this beast here doesn't attack anyone else," he added coldly.
Mereoleona snarled but reluctantly backed off, clearly aware that finding out where they were took precedence over her pride.
Natsu, however, kept his fists clenched, still ready to fight. But an ominous sensation from behind him made him pause. He turned to see Erza glaring at him with a murderous intensity, her arms crossed. The silent message was clear: Stand down.
Natsu gulped, muttering something under his breath before reluctantly backing away from Mereoleona.
Gray took the opportunity to cut in, gesturing at the unconscious Sabertooth mages sprawled on the ground. "If you're going to follow us, you'd better help. Thanks to the crazy lady, we've got four extra 'passengers' to carry all the way back to our guild." His tone was sharp as he shot a glare at Mereoleona, who, unsurprisingly, seemed utterly unfazed by the jab.
Nacht glanced at the nervous man beside him. "Can you create a portal to their location?" he asked.
The man scratched the back of his head, his expression sheepish. "Uh… no, Vice-Captain. I can't. I've never seen this 'guild' or been anywhere near it, so it's impossible for me to open a portal there."
Each of the Fairy Tail and Sabertooth mages exchanged puzzled looks at the Dark-haired man question to other man to make a 'portals' to their guild.
Before anyone could ask, the orange-haired fire mage abruptly marched up to the nervous man, grabbing him roughly by the collar. "What does this 'guild' look like?" she demanded, her sharp eyes fixed on the Fairy Tail group.
The man flailed awkwardly, his composure breaking under her intense grip. "H-Hey! What going on? Let me go?!" he stammered, clearly panicking.
Wendy was the first to respond, her voice soft but clear. "Um, it's a large building with tall arches and a wide entrance. It has our guild symbol on it," she explained, pointing to her right shoulder where her guild mark was proudly displayed.
As soon as Wendy finished, the fiery orange-haired mage barked out a command. "You hear that, portal boy? Look for that!" Her sharp tone made the man in her grasp stiffen nervously.
Then, without warning, she effortlessly hurled him into the air as if he weighed nothing.
The Fairy Tail mages froze, wide-eyed, watching the poor man flail helplessly in the air, they couldn't help but stare. Several of them exchanged uneasy glances, as the scene in front of them seemed strangely familiar. The same thought crossed their minds: "She's just like Natsu".
As Finral was hurled into the sky, a terrified scream escaped his lips. He flailed helplessly, already regretting every decision that had led him to this moment. "Of all the groups I could've ended up with… why this one?!" he thought.
As he ascended higher and higher, panic began to set in. Desperately, he scanned the town below, hoping to spot the building Wendy had described so he wouldn't have to endure another launch like this. At the peak of his flight, he was finally able to see a building that match there description, he would have jumped for joy seening it but his stomach dropped as he hung motionless for a split second. Then gravity took hold, and the realization of his imminent fall struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"Okay, okay, think fast!" he muttered to himself, thrusting a trembling hand forward. A swirling cyan portal, surrounded by glowing white edges, materialized in the air just as he began his plummet. Without hesitation, he dove into the portal, disappearing from view.
The other mages watched in stunned silence on the ground. The sudden appearance of the portal left them wide-eyed, and their confusion mounted as another portal flickered into existence closer to the ground. Moments later, Finral tumbled out of it, landing on one knee and gasping for air.
The group stared at him in a mix of awe and disbelief. Minerva was the first to break the silence. "What… was that? I've never seen magic like that before." Her sharp gaze locked onto Finral as the other mages did as well, equally curious and waiting for an explanation.
The two standing near Finral remained silent, their expressions suggesting they were equally uninterested in stepping in to help him explain. Realizing he was on the spot, Finral awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Uh… well… hi! I'm Finral, and that was just, uh, my Spatial Magic," he said sheepishly, brushing himself off and finally standing up straight.
But once Minerva and Erza heard him say 'Spatial Magic' they were even more confused because they had never seen or heard of that type of Spatial Magic before.
But as his eyes landed on the women in the group his demeanor shifted instantly. His nervousness melted away, replaced by a roguish grin. He smoothed back his hair with a flourish and adjusted his collar, taking on a more confident stance.
"With that out of the way…" He stepped forward dramatically, eyes gleaming with flirtatious intent as he addressed Minerva directly. "How about we take this opportunity to get to know each other better? A private tour of this lovely town, just the two of us?" He struck a flamboyant pose, winking as if he'd just delivered the world's most charming proposal.
Minerva and Yukino blinked, clearly caught off guard by his sudden shift in behavior. Erza raised an eyebrow, visibly unimpressed but intrigued by his antics. Lucy, however, sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Not another one of these guys," she thought, shooting Finral a tired look.
Before anyone could respond, Finral's expression abruptly twisted into horror. "No, no, no! Stop it, you idiot!" he yelled, suddenly dropping to his knees and furiously smacking his own forehead with his hand. His cries of self-reproach echoed through the street as the mages stood frozen, watching in utter bewilderment.
"What… is wrong with him?" Minerva muttered, stepping back cautiously.
"I'm starting to think everything," Gray deadpanned as he had been watching the scene from the side, glancing at Lucy, who nodded in silent agreement.
Finral's frantic self-flagellation abruptly halted as Mereoleona strode up behind him, her fiery aura flaring to life and forming a paw like she had done before. The intense heat coiled around her like a predator ready to strike, and with a swift motion, the flames extended and seized Finral, lifting him off the ground until they were face-to-face.
"So," she growled, her voice dripping with authority, "did you see the building or not?"
"Y-YES!" Finral stammered, trembling in her burning grasp.
"Then make a portal so we can get this over with." With that, she tossed him aside like a discarded rag and turned her blazing gaze on the others. "You might want to grab your fallen comrades before we leave you all behind." She pointed to the four unconscious Sabertooth mages sprawled nearby.
Gray, his patience wearing thin, glared at her. "Like I said earlier, thanks to you, we're going to need help carrying them, you crazy woman!"
Mereoleona's only response was a withering glare so fierce it sent a chill down Gray's spine. It reminded him of the occasions when Erza unleashed her wrath on him and Nastu when they would fight. Reflexively, and with no small amount of self-preservation instinct, he backed down and muttered, "Fine, forget I said anything…"
With no further interruptions, the group worked together to hoist the unconscious mages. Meanwhile, Finral adjusted his cloak, still shaken from his encounter, and raised his grimoire. The book floated beside him, glowing with a faint cyan light. A swirling portal materialized, its edges radiating bright white energy.
Turning back to the group, Finral offered a nervous smile. "The portal's open. You can all go through now."
Before anyone could step forward, Carla's voice rang out. "Wait! How do we know that portal actually leads to our guild hall? And…" she narrowed her eyes, her tail flicking sharply, "...we don't even know who you people are. How can we trust you?" Her words struck a chord, and the Fairy Tail mages nodded in agreement.
Finral, however, froze, staring wide-eyed at the white Exceed in utter disbelief. "Wha… A talking cat?! You're a talking cat?!" His shock was palpable, and he wasn't the only one.
Mereoleona raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise breaking through her usual fiery demeanor. Nacht's expression shifted almost imperceptibly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Carla.
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Finral cleared his throat. "R-right, introductions! Like I said, I'm Finral. Finral Roulacase a proud member of the Black Bulls." He gestured toward Nacht. "This here is Nacht, the Vice Captain of the Black Bulls." Finally, he pointed to Mereoleona. "And… that's Mereoleona Vermillion of the Crimson Lions." Finral scratched the back of his head. "Uh… so, how do we prove the portal actually goes to your guild?"
But when Finral introduced Mereoleona's full name, a ripple of surprise passed through the Fairy Tail mages. "Wait… Vermillion?" Lucy repeated, her brows furrowing. She exchanged glances with Erza and Gray. "Isn't that… the same name as the first master."
At the mention of the first master, Erza's expression softened, a hint of reverence glimmering in her eyes but quickly shifted into deep thought. "Mavis Vermillion was the founder of Fairy Tail, but she said she had no family?." Her tone carried with confusion. "Are you… related to her?" she asked looking at Mereloena.
Mereoleona raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Mavis Vermillion? Never heard of her," she said bluntly, her arms crossing over her chest. "But if she's Vermillion, then she must be part of my family or is using our family name." A smirk tugged at her lips, but her fiery aura simmered as she seemed genuinely curious.
Lucy tilted her head, a little perplexed. "You don't know her? Then maybe it's just a coincidence then."
Gray chimed in, skeptical. "It has to be a coincidence. I mean, Mavis didn't even look like her, maybe Vermillion might not even be that uncommon of a name
Mereoleona's smirk vanished, replaced by a sharp glare that immediately made Gray regret opening his mouth. "Vermillion is the name of a Royal Family, not knowing a member of the family is a disgrace to the Vermillion name. So coincidence or not, if she's got my name, I'd like to know why." Her voice was low, almost a growl, but it carried an edge of genuine curiosity.
Finral, sensing the tension rising again, nervously waved his hands. "A-ah, I'm sure it's just a coincidence! There's probably no connection! Right, Nacht?" He glanced desperately at the stoic Vice Captain, who merely shrugged.
"Unlikely there's any relation," Nacht said evenly, his gaze flicking between the Fairy Tail mages and Mereoleona. "Still… it's not impossible. It wouldn't be the first time a royal would leave their family's influence and venture to other regions. They usually only get as far as the outskirts of the clover territory, not another continent".
Mereoleona's brow furrowed, and for a moment, her fiery aura flickered slightly. "If there's someone out there who carries my family's name, even if it's in some far-off place, I'd like to know if she's worthy the bare the name of the Vermillion legacy or even if she is even part of it." Her face goes into a serious, sharp, and challenging expression. "But I'm not about to stand here swapping family histories.
Lucy, Gray, and Wendy exchanged glances, unsure whether to press further. The idea of a possible connection to their beloved first master intrigued them, but the intensity radiating from Mereoleona made them think twice.
Erza, however, stepped forward wanting to prove that Mavis was indeed worthy. Her composed demeanor never faltered as she met Mereoleona's gaze. "Mavis Vermillion was not just a brilliant tactician and mage, she was a symbol of hope and unity. If you do share even the smallest connection with her, then I hope her legacy resonates with you."
Mereoleona scoffed but didn't argue. "Hope and unity, huh? I'm more about strength and action. But…" She paused, her fiery aura dimming. "...if this Mavis Vermillion is anything like you say, then maybe I'll look into it…once we figure out where we are and how to get back home."
Lucy smiled softly, sensing a sliver of acknowledgment in Mereoleona's tone. "Thanks… I think." Lucy then looked back at Finral's portal an idea struck her. She glanced down at Happy, who had been peeking out from behind her leg. "Finral," she said, drawing his attention, "does the portal connect to your destination right now? Could someone at the guild see it if they looked?"
Finral blinked. "Huh? Oh, uh… yeah, I guess they could. Why?"
Lucy smiled, turning to the blue Exceed. "Happy, think you can fly up and check if the portal's visible near the guild?"
Happy perked up, spreading his small wings. "Oh yeah! Aye, sir! I got this!" With a cheerful salute, he leaped into the air, his wings carrying him higher.
As Happy ascended, Finral, Nacht, and Mereoleona all stared in stunned silence.
"What! The cat flies too?" Finral muttered, his jaw slack.
Mereoleona arched an eyebrow. "What is this place?"
Happy interrupted their astonishment with a shout. "Hey, Erza!" He pointed to her as he hovered. "Can you toss me a spyglass!"
Erza, always prepared, retrieved the small telescope from her pocket dimensions and hurled it upward. Happy caught it midair, giving her a thumbs-up before continuing his ascent.
Hovering above the town, Happy brought the spyglass to his eye and scanned the horizon. Sure enough, a glowing cyan portal shimmered near the guild hall, with a few figures standing nearby.
Descending quickly, Happy landed gracefully in front of Lucy. "The portal's there, and there are people waiting by it!" he reported confidently.
Nacht stepped closer to the portal, his cold gaze settling on the Fairy Tail mages. "Now that you've confirmed the portal's destination, can we proceed?" he asked bluntly, his tone as frigid as ever. His eyes briefly met Carla's, but she stayed silent, her previous suspicion quelled for now.
The Fairy Tail mages exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Helping the unconscious Sabertooth mages to their feet, they followed the Black Bulls through the portal. In an instant, they found themselves standing before their guild hall, the seamless transition shocking them yet again.
However, their attention was quickly drawn to the scene unfolding just outside the building. Members of Mermaid Heel stood nearby, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and wariness as they stared at the portal, waiting for whatever would come out of it. But once they saw the Fairy Tail mages coming through the portal, they seemed to relax.
As Erza full came out she noticed that their clothes were tattered, marked with burns and cuts, and it was evident they had been through a grueling battle. But what struck Erza the most was the sight of an unruly blonde boy most likely one of the mages, tied up tightly with ropes. His grin was wide and unsettling, his wild eyes darting between them as if already plotting his next move. Two more mages, unconscious and visibly battered, were being carted along behind the Mermaid Heel group.
Erza stepped forward, "Kagura, what happened to your group? And why is this kid tied up?" she asked, her gaze flickering to the boy, who only grinned wider in response.
Kagura sighed heavily, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "We were doing as you asked rounding up the mages that landed by us. But one of them woke up." Her voice lowered slightly as she glanced at the blonde boy. "When he did, all he wanted to do was fight us. He wouldn't listen to reason."
The boy threw his head back and laughed, the sound unnerving in its manic energy. "Yeah! You guys were so fun! Let's keep fighting! Come on, let's have a deathmatch!" His wild-eyed expression made even the most battle-hardened mages uneasy.
Millianna, who appeared the most disheveled of the group, stepped forward, trembling with barely contained frustration. "We will not do that, you psycho!" she yelled, her voice laced with both anger and fear. She turned to Erza, her cat-like ears twitching in agitation. "Er-chan, don't get too close to him! Even if he's out of magic, he's completely crazy, meow!" Her voice cracked slightly, the fear she felt all too clear.
Kagura nodded solemnly, her hand tightening on the hilt of her sword. "Millianna's right. He might be drained of his magic now, but his skills… they're terrifying. He managed to withstand my gravity magic and still fought with speed that could rival Laxus." Her words carried a weight that made Erza's eyes widen.
Erza was stunned the comparison was no small matter; Laxus's power and speed were strongest within Fairy Tail. She turned her sharp gaze back to the tied-up boy, assessing him more carefully. Even with his magic depleted, there was an unsettling energy about him a dangerous edge that made her question just how formidable these mages truly were.
The blonde boy, seemingly delighted by the attention, grinned wider. "Huh, who is this Laxus guy? Is he strong? Can I fight him?" he asked as he flexed in the rope "You're strong too, aren't you? I can tell. Let's fight! Come on, untie me! It'll be so much fun!" His voice was wild, laced with excitement rather than malice, but that made him all the more unpredictable.
Erza frowned, her instincts screaming that this mage was not someone to take lightly. She stepped back slightly, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword. "Who are these people?" she muttered to herself, her unease growing. "And just how dangerous are they?"
"What? Who wants to fight Laxus?" Natsu's voice rang out as he emerged fully through the portal, carrying Orga slung over his shoulder. His tone was loud and competitive, as usual. "If anyone's gonna fight him, it's me!"
As Natsu stepped through, the portal shimmered briefly before three unfamiliar figures followed him. The first was a tall, black-haired man with a ponytail, draped in a dark cloak. Behind him walked an orange-haired woman radiating confidence, and a nervous-looking man with green-tipped hair.
He came running towards the group "Please whatever he did please don't hurt him" the man said which confused the Mermaid heel group until they saw him put his hands on the tied-up boy's shoulders. "Luck please tell me you didn't hurt any of them to make them tie you up right" he said to the boy but only received a laugh that made the man kneel to the ground in defeat.
The Mermaid Heel mages instinctively tensed, their eyes shifting to the new arrivals. These were not faces they recognized. The portal snapped shut behind the trio, and the green-tipped man froze as his gaze landed on the tied-up blonde boy. His face instantly contorted into an expression of pure panic.
Without a second thought, he sprinted toward the group. "Wait, please!" he cried, his voice cracking slightly as he skidded to a halt in front of Kagura. "Whatever he did we are sorry, please don't hurt him!"
Mermaid Heel exchanged confused glances as the man came in front of the tied-up boy. His hands grasped the boy's shoulders, and his voice turned pleading. "Luck, please tell me you didn't hurt anyone… or at least not enough to cause much damage?."
Luck's response was a wild laugh, the same manic energy as before. Finral shoulders slumped, and he let out a dramatic sigh of defeat, he fell to his knees, muttering to himself.
Kagura, observing the strange display, furrowed her brows. The connection between the two was obvious, "Excuse me," she asked, her tone sharp, "Are you a comrades of this boy?"
The man perked up immediately at her question. His earlier despair vanished as he straightened up and suddenly produced a bouquet from a glowing portal he summoned beside him. The act startled the Mermaid Heel mages, who instinctively reached for their weapons. The man stepped forward with a dazzling smile, extending the bouquet toward Kagura. "Yes, I am! And I deeply apologize for whatever trouble he's caused. Please, take these as a token of my sincerity."
Kagura stared at the flowers in bewilderment. Before she could even respond, the man's expression froze. His face turned pale as though remembering something critical, and he dropped backward to the ground, flailing in a comical fit. "What am I doing?!" he yelled, grabbing his head in frustration. "Wait no I was just being nice, to save Luck! Yeah taht right!"
Kagura blinked down at the man, her sword hand twitching slightly utterly perplexed by the situation.
Meanwhile, Luck chuckled at the spectacle, his grin widening. "Hahaha, Finral, you're so funny!" he said cheerfully before spotting Nacht and the others. "Oh, Vice-Captain! Did you guys find any strong mages where you were?!" His eyes sparkled with an almost childlike excitement, his body vibrating with barely contained energy.
Nacht's eyes narrowed as he sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. Without bothering to answer Luck's question, he turned to Kagura, his voice calm yet commanding. "I apologize for this idiot's behavior," he said bluntly. "If you untie him, I'll ensure he doesn't cause any more trouble."
Kagura studied Nacht warily. His demeanor was vastly different from Finral's flustered panic or Luck's manic energy. He radiated a dark, ominous presence that made her instincts flare. His magic, she realized, felt unusual. It was reminiscent of something familiar yet distinct in a way that sent a chill down her spine.
Her grip tightened on her sword as she glanced back at Luck, who was still grinning as if this were all a game. "I don't know if I trust you," she said, her tone cautious. "Your comrade's actions don't exactly inspire confidence." looking at Finral, still tries to reason with himself for some reason.
Nacht's expression didn't change, though his tone became colder. "I understand your hesitation. But keeping him tied up won't do anyone any good. If he wanted to break free, he would have already. Isn't that right, Luck?"
Luck tilted his head, his grin growing even wider. "Well, yeah," he said matter-of-factly. "I just didn't because it seemed fun to see what you'd all do."
The Mermaid Heel mages collectively stiffened at his words, and Beth muttered, "This boy's nuttier than a squirrel."
Nacht let out another sigh and turned back to Kagura. "See what I mean? Let him loose. He's only dangerous if he gets bored."
Kagura's eyes narrowed as she tried to gauge Nacht's sincerity. Beside her, Millianna gave an audible gulp, and the other Mermaid Heel members exchanged uncertain glances. Kagura wasn't convinced, but she couldn't ignore the authority Nacht exuded.
Erza, having watched the entire exchange silently, stepped forward. "I'll take responsibility for him," she said, her voice firm. Her gaze shifted to Luck. "But if he tries anything reckless, I won't hesitate to deal with him myself."
Luck's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Deal!" he said enthusiastically, practically bouncing in place.
Erza nodded, and Kagura motioned for her team to untie Luck. As they did, Nacht cast a warning glance at the younger mage. "Behave," he said flatly. Luck merely giggled in response, his wild energy still brimming just beneath the surface.
As everyone regrouped, they made their way inside the building proudly labeled FAIRY TAIL. At the front of the group was Natsu, dragging an unconscious Orga along the ground. Without hesitation, he kicked the doors open with a loud bang and yelled, "Everyone, we're back!"
The commotion caught the attention of everyone inside. The guild hall was bustling with life, as nearly all the other guilds except for Quatro Cerberus were gathered near the Fairy Tail stage.
As Natsu and the other Fairy Tail mages entered, their eyes were drawn to an unfamiliar voice rising above the crowd. However, the Black Bulls seemed to recognize it immediately.
"I just need to find Mimosa, and she can take care of the rest," Yuno insisted as he tried to push himself to his feet, only to be stopped by a slim and tall elderly woman with pink hair, tied in a bun by two large pins with crescent moon-shaped edges, and a crimson-colored cloak, with a wide collar decorated by massive Dragon horn.
"You shouldn't move," Porlyusica scolded in her sharp tone. "Without Wendy here, we can't let you go out and hurt yourself more. Stay put until you're properly treated."
"Listen to her," Lyon added, placing a firm hand on Yuno's shoulder to keep him seated. "You're in no shape to be moving around right now."
As Natsu's group got closer, they finally got a full view of the mage causing the commotion. A lean young man with messy black hair and piercing golden eyes sat in the middle of the gathered guilds. He wore a tattered, military-style robe that, despite its condition, exuded an air of noble elegance. His appearance was so striking that some of the Fairy Tail members exchanged whispers about whether he might actually be royalty.
Marijane greeted the newcomers with her characteristic warm smile. "Oh, great, you're back! Just bring the injured by the stage," she said, gesturing toward it. "We ran out of room in the medical area, so we moved everyone here."
As Natsu plopped Orga down near the stage, Frosch, tilted his head. "Frosch thinks the stage looks comfy!"
Lector sighed. "It's not about being comfy, Frosch. It's about how they manage their resources."
Meanwhile, Yukino quietly stepped forward, trying to gauge the situation. "It's certainly… unconventional," she murmured. "But who are we to judge if it works for them?"
Minerva, on the other hand, surveyed the crowd intently. "This guild truly lives up to its reputation for chaos," she remarked with a smirk, watching the interactions unfold. But seemed to notice that the Fairy Tail master was nowhere to be seen.
Finral walked in behind them and raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously using the stage as a hospital? Isn't that where people usually perform?"
"Are you questioning how they run their base?" Nacht cut in coldly, his voice sending a shiver down Finral's spine as he followed him inside.
"Uh… no! Of course not! Just… making an observation," Finral replied quickly, nervously scratching the back of his neck as he looked to the Fairy Tail mage hoping he didn't offend them.
Luck practically bounced with excitement as he followed Finral, Nacht, and Mereloena, the last two carrying the unconscious forms of Grey and Mimosa between them. The Mermaid Heel mages trailed cautiously, still wary of the Black Bulls' eccentric personalities especially Luck's.
"Wow, so many strong-looking people!" Luck exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement, but Nacht promptly stepped in, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep him still.
"Luck, would you stop acting like a hyperactive child?" Nacht snapped, his cold tone sharper than usual. "We need answers".
Luck would usually protest and continue boosting. He wanted a fight, but after all the weirdness he felt in his fight early with that sword's woman, he knew the vice-captain was right. "Ok," he said as he began to calm down, but his smile never left his face.
To the side, never taking their eyes off the Black bulls, the Mermaid Heel mages, including Beth and Millianna, exchanged uneasy glances.
Millianna whispered, "Meow… That boy's got more energy than the rest of them combined. Is he always like this?"
Beth nodded, her southern drawl tinged with concern. "Seems like he's a bundle of lightning just waitin' to strike. Y'all reckon he's as crazy as he acts?"
"Absolutely," Kagura muttered under her breath, still keeping an eye on Luck.
As Nacht and Mereoleona approached the stage, they carefully placed Grey and Mimosa down with precision. Yuno, who had been trying to negotiate his way off the bench, immediately turned his attention to them.
"Mimosa!" Yuno called out, his voice filled with worry. "Is she okay?" He was already attempting to rise again, only for Lyon to push him back into place.
"She's fine," Nacht replied curtly, glancing at the unconscious healer. "She's just hurt from the impact like the rest of us are, but once she wakes up, she'll be able to help the rest of your group."
Yuno exhaled, visibly relieved, though the tension in his shoulders didn't fully ease. "Good… we going to need her to help everyone," he said as he looked around as the remaining Black bulls were still unconscious.
Porlyusica, who had been standing nearby, observing the exchange with her usual air of irritation, raised an eyebrow at Nacht's explanation. "And what exactly do you mean by that?" she asked sharply, her piercing eyes narrowing.
Nacht met her gaze without flinching. "Exactly what I said. Mimosa is our healer. As soon as she regains her conscience, she can heal the others. And we won't have to owe you a favor for healing us" he said as he made clear his intention was.
Porlyusica squinted at Nacht, her sharp eyes narrowing as she quickly sized him up. She didn't like his cold demeanor or the way he spoke with such detached confidence, but she chose to hold her tongue for now. With a huff, she turned her attention to the orange-haired and light blue-haired mages lying unconscious nearby, leaning over to inspect their conditions.
Meanwhile, Mereoleona stood back away from the woman to check on her cousin so she could allow her sharp gaze to sweep across the room. She wasn't just observing the mages present; she was scrutinizing every detail of the building itself the architecture, the banners, and any insignias or decor that might hold a connection to her family name, Vermillion. A faint scowl crossed her face as she found no immediate answers, though her curiosity remained piqued.
Nacht, on the other hand, took a moment to assess his surroundings. His eyes scanned the bustling guild hall, quickly noting the absence of key Black Bulls members Yami and Asta, and noticing that Gordon, Zora, and Henry were also nowhere to be seen. However, his gaze landed on a familiar sight at the bar a small figure devouring food at an alarming pace.
He sighed and approached the table where Charmy sat, her plate stacked high with food. Despite the chaos around her, she seemed perfectly content, stuffing her face without a care in the world. Nacht could tell she had noticed his approach her posture shifted ever so slightly but she didn't pause her relentless eating
"Charmy," Nacht said, his tone as flat and commanding as ever.
She swallowed a massive bite of bread and looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes. "Oh! Vice-Captain! You want some?" she asked, holding out a forkful of what appeared to be stew.
"No," Nacht replied bluntly. "I'm looking for Captain Yami. Or Asta. Do you know where they are?"
Charmy tilted her head, chewing thoughtfully on another bite before answering. "Hmm… Yami said something about talking where this place leader I think. And Asta went with other members of theirs to find the last group of people since Henry was causing problems for them.
Nacht sighed, the weight of responsibility pulling at him. He understood Yami's need to converse with the guild's leader it was typical for him to navigate matters in his own way. As for Asta, he was the only one in their group who could handle Henry without causing complications. Turning his attention back to Charmy, Nacht noticed she had paused her voracious eating and was now fully focused on him, a rare shift in her usual carefree demeanor.
"Do you think you have enough magic-replenishing food for Mimosa when she wakes up? She'll need it to heal everyone," Nacht asked, his tone measured but direct.
Charmy's face lit up with an almost radiant confidence. "Haha, don't worry, Vice-Captain! I always have enough food for anyone who needs it," she declared, jumping up from her seat. With an air of dramatic flair, she raised a piece of food high into the air as if it were a sacred treasure. "But the first person who gets to taste my divine cooking when they wake up… is my beloved prince!"
She began twirling in place, hugging a piece of bread to her chest as though it were a cherished keepsake. Nacht raised an eyebrow at her display but kept his neutral expression, though internally, he found her antics as baffling as ever.
"Your prince, huh?" Nacht said dryly, stepping slightly to the side. "Then it looks like you'll be getting your chance."
Charmy froze mid-spin, her eyes widening in surprise. She followed Nacht's subtle gesture and gasped audibly. There, sitting up groggily among the injured, was none other than Yuno. His golden eyes blinked in mild confusion as he took in his surroundings, completely unaware of the whirlwind about to descend upon him.
"My Prince!" Charmy squealed, her voice a mix of delight and urgency. She snatched up a heaping plate of food from the table and sprinted toward him with an energy that could rival Luck's.
Nacht sighed and shook his head as Charmy disappeared into the crowd. "At least she's consistent," he muttered under his breath.
He turned, his sharp senses picking up on the presence that had been shadowing him since he entered the guild hall. Calmly, he shifted his gaze and was met with the imposing figure of a woman with long, scarlet hair and an air of commanding authority. Her crimson tresses flowed down her back like a fiery cascade, contrasting sharply with the polished upper armor she wore. Beneath it, a flowing blue skirt added a touch of elegance to her formidable presence.
Erza Scarlet stood before him, her piercing gaze locked onto his. Despite the chaos of the hall around them, the intensity of her presence seemed to quiet the space between them.
"May I help you?" Nacht asked, his tone sharp as he directed his gaze toward the scarlet-haired woman.
"Just checking in," Erza replied, her arms crossing over her armored chest as she stood tall, her piercing gaze locked onto him. "And keeping an eye on you and your companions."
Nacht remained relaxed, a faint note of approval flickering in his mind. "At least someone here had some sense," he thought, appreciating her vigilance. As he studied her, he could tell immediately that she was a seasoned fighter. Her armor spoke of practicality and discipline, but the way she carried herself with confidence and an air of command told him she was one of the stronger mages in this guild.
Deciding there was no need to linger, Nacht broke eye contact and began to walk away. However, he was halted by her voice.
"Wait," Erza called out, her tone firm enough to make him glance back. "I couldn't help overhearing your conversation with your guildmate," she admitted, her expression softening slightly. "You mentioned food that can replenish magic. Is that true?"
For a moment, Nacht studied her again, noticing a flicker of curiosity and wonder in her eyes so much like Asta's whenever he encountered new and intriguing magic. "That depends," he replied coolly. "Why would it matter if we did?"
Erza's curiosity quickly gave way to her signature resolute demeanor. Straightening, she coughed lightly to refocus herself. "One of our mages is a healer, but she's nearly depleted her magic while tending to your Captain, Charmy, and Asta's injuries and also the injuries from the mages from Sabertooth. If she could use some of that food, she might be able to continue healing the remainder of your guild mates."
Erza's words were measured, but Nacht could sense the underlying tension in her voice. "Building trust? smart " he thought. She was clearly trying to ensure some form of cooperation between their groups.
As Erza spoke, she also took this chance to give him once over. As she did she saw the books they carried and she couldn't help but wonder about their purpose. But what struck her strangely was that she couldn't sense that sinister magic she felt before when they all first met him. At first, she'd assumed it was a variant of the Take Over magic Mira used, but something about it felt fundamentally different.
Before Erza could press further, the ground beneath her feet began to rumble. The tremors were subtle at first but quickly intensified, sending startled gasps through the guild hall.
Erza spun around, her sharp eyes scanning the area. She saw Alzack rushing to catch Asuka as she stumbled, pulling her into a protective hug. Bisca was right behind him, her face etched with concern. Toward the back of the hall, Wakaba and Macao fell from their chairs, struggling to regain their footing as Romeo tried to help them up.
The other guilds reacted swiftly. Lamia Scale's mages formed a tight circle, preparing for whatever was coming, while Blue Pegasus scrambled to shield the unconscious mages on the stage. Yukino and Minerva positioned themselves defensively, guarding their comrades as the tremors grew stronger.
Erza's eyes snapped to Nacht and his guildmates, who unlike everyone else didn't seem the least bit surprised. In fact, they were calm about the whole thing.
Before she could demand an explanation, a deep, gravelly voice cut through the chaos. "Looks like the kid's back with the last of the squad," it said.
Erza turned toward the source, her eyes widening in recognition. A tall, muscular man with messy black hair, a stubbled mustache, and a cigarette dangling from his lips strolled toward the guild's entrance. His katana hung casually at his side, and a confident smirk played on his face.
Erza watched as Yami took a drag from his cigarette, his gray eyes gleaming with amusement. Makarov followed close behind, his expression a mixture of confusion and worry.
The tremors grew louder, and Erza, along with Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Carla, and Happy, followed Yami and Makarov outside.
When they reached the open air, Erza stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes widening in disbelief. A massive stone construct loomed in the distance, its towering form pieced together from what appeared to be fragments of buildings. As it moved closer, its shape became clear a colossal bullman with yellow glowing eyes.
The sight immediately brought memories of the Phantom Lord's assault flooding back to her. The resemblance between this towering construct and Phantom Lord's robotic mage was uncanny, yet this bull carried an entirely different presence.
Erza's shock deepened as a small figure flew toward them, riding atop a massive blade. Asta's familiar voice rang out over the commotion.
"Captain Yami! We're back! And I've got Henry, Zora, and Gordon!" Asta called out, waving enthusiastically with his darkened hand.
Yami laughed heartily, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs of astonishment around him. "Good work, kid!"
To be Continued
And that it for Chapter Seven, again sorry for the late chapter I was able to work on it as much as I would have wanted too but I was ok with it and really wanted it to get it posted but I ok with it. That's all for now, I hope you all enjoyed it, and hope you have a great holiday and can't wait to see you all in the new year. Also if you liked it please favorite, follow, or leave a review.
Until we meet again