Titania and The Hunter
Chapter 83: Fury of the Wrathful
I keep getting PMs for art collaborations but I've been warned that they're scams and phishes so I'm getting tired of them.
Let me reach out!
Anyway, the grievance is done.
Last of the April marathon!
Hunter
"GRRRHG!" Erza let out a strained yell as another blow from Kain sent her flying back into a tree. Before she could slump down to the floor her body lurched forward unnaturally and came flying right back to her raging opponent. As Kain pulled the doll with a strand of scarlet hair back, he swung his arm in and slammed his palm into the S-Class Mage's stomach. With a flash of light, she was sent flying back and skidded along the ground before lying limp in the dirt.
Kain's entire body glowed before hardening into steel again. The cursed doll on his hip had also changed to metal so that his body was more prepared for the beating he was about to deliver.
The other Fairies were laid out across the uprooted and destroyed portion of the forest they had been fighting in. Once they realized that Erza had been affected by the fat man's strange Lost Magic, the others jumped in to try and strike his blind spots or relieve their friend of the predicament she was in.
But even though Kain may have been dim he wasn't a total idiot. Whenever one of the Fairy Mages approached, he'd swing the cursed doll controlling Erza around and into the path of their assault. Despite Erza's insistence to follow through and not worry about her, the fact she was Kain's meat shield caused the Fairies to falter.
Long enough for Kain to strike them in their weak points. Tossing Erza aside once her duty as meat shield had been complete, Kain swooped in and decimated the hesitating Fairies with a barrage of palm strikes switching between metallic, stone, water, and light properties.
The only one left standing was Erza - relegated to being swatted around in Kain Hikaru's enhanced state like his plaything. He should have focused his efforts on securing Zeref's location or annihilating the Fairies, yet the demon participles in his body were causing him to lose focus. A broken, heavy pant forced itself from Kain's mouth every few seconds as he couldn't take a full enough breath to fill his lungs. He stomped forward, his feet cracking little divots into the ground as he made his way over to the slumped redhead S-Class leaning against a broken tree. As he stopped before her, the light of the setting sun casting his shadow over the limp Titania, Kain tightly gripped his fists, "Any last words, Fairy?"
"This enhancement you gave yourself…" Erza lifted her head, a line of blood running down her face from her head and down her chin as well, "Are the other members of your guild capable of doing it too?"
"Y-Yes," Kain struggled to retain enough sense to keep a conversation with the Fairy in the shattered armor, "All of us…have the demon particles…a-and with them…" He raised his fist, "We'll crush all of you!"
"Why not work together with the rest of your comrades?"
"I-I DO NOT NEED THEIR HELP!"
"Ironic," Erza looked up at Kain, unfazed by his intimidating frame and the attack he was about to launch, "I always need help from my friends."
"HAAA!"
Kain's body snapped aside painfully when he felt a sharp cut start to tear through the first layer of his fat. He jumped away from Erza and cradled the small claw marks bleeding from his side. With a gasp he looked up at his attacker, "I-I thought you were dead."
"Go fuck yourself, fatass." Gajeel snapped irritably at the rotund man, his body still injured and beaten but the Dragon Slayer took it in stride as he spat, "I wanted to cut you deep enough to gut you, but all things considered," Gajeel opened his hand and revealed the cursed doll he had snatched during his ambush, "I think I got something pretty good."
"M-Mr. Cursey?!" Kain looked down at his belt to see one of his magic dolls had been snatched from his grasp. Specifically the one with the scarlet red hair atop it, "No, you can't! That's my-"
Gajeel was already yanking the red hair off the top of the doll before tossing them in different directions, "Sorry, were you saying something? How about now, Titania?"
Erza slowly stood up, the broken pieces of her armor sliding off her as she raised from the ground. Once she was on her feet she rolled her head and shoulders to loosen up. And then her whole body glowed as a new armor appeared over her, "Thank you, Gajeel. It's nice to be in control again." Erza opened her eyes and narrowed them at Kain, the much larger man flinching and stepping back under her scrupulous glare, "Now, do you want to keep this fight going?"
"That's fine!" Kain slammed his foot down and took a stance with his fists raised, "I don't need Mr. Cursey to hold you down! I can beat you all on my own!"
"Again, it's admirable you say that because I can't do that." Erza shook her head, "I need my friends' help."
Before he could react, Juvia slammed her water whips into the back of his legs and sent him dropping to his knees. In a panic, Kain looked back and saw the Water Mage reeling back to strike again. He turned his body into air and narrowly avoided her next swipe.
The heat started to rush towards him and he looked back to see the words FIRE lit aflame and flying towards him. From Levy's position, she used her Solid Script to launch her fire attack, engulfing the rotund man in flames as he screamed and fell to the ground. He patted himself to try and quell the flames over his body.
From his flanks, as he picked himself up, Gajeel and Lily charged in with a pincer move. The two partners landed devastating punch after punch, making the unsuspecting Seven Kin member bend and bounce around their fists before they sent him flying with an uppercut.
While he was in midair Carla swooped in and grabbed him by the back of his neck fat. The little white Exceed struggled to lift such a massive weight, and could only carry him past the top of the trees before she could go no higher. So she dropped him, flying around him to snatch his other cursed doll and leaving him unarmed as he fell through the air.
As Kain descended towards the ground, Erza stepped forward with her hands out at either side. Swords appeared in her grasp and she calmly walked ahead while Kain fell into her path.
The other Fairies could barely see her attack as she suddenly appeared on the other side of Kain, slashes littering his entire body as he let out a pained wail and his eyes rolled back in his head.
As the fat man slammed into the ground unconscious the dark tint over his body steadily started to recede. It took a moment before the unnatural color disappeared and his pale complexion was only marred by the numerous cuts over his body.
Erza let out a sigh of relief as her armor flashed and disappeared to leave her back in her bikini, "That was a surprisingly resilient foe. We were lucky to handle him as easily as we did."
The other injured Fairies looked at the redhead in disbelief like she'd suddenly grown a second head. Gajeel groaned, "How the fuck are you even standing after getting knocked around like that?"
Erza looked over the bruises on her body, "I've had worse."
"When?!"
"Gajeel-kun, enough." Juvia sternly warned her old friend as she turned to the S-Class Mage, "Erza-San, what should we do next?"
"He said he was a member of the Seven Kin, right?" The redhead narrowed her eyes and turned to the forest, "So there are at least 6 more people like him causing trouble for our friends. And on top of that…"
"The Black Mage." Levy shuddered saying that moniker - the boogeyman that most people learned and feared when they were kids, "Did - Did they come to revive him?"
"Let's go find out."
Hunter
Naruto made his way back to the camp carrying Makarov on his back. The short Wizard Saint was propped on the Sky sword between Naruto's hands, the blond using his magic to heal the injured old man as they made their way back, "And the guy I met said he was Zeref. I didn't wanna believe him but it's crazy, Jiji, what this guy felt like. I've felt bloodlust and the intent to kill before but…it felt like death. I don't wanna admit it but he's the real deal."
Makarov was exhausted but the worst of his pain and injuries had started to fade with Naruto's preliminary healing, "I know you don't wanna think about it kid, but unfortunately I think this is real. These people wouldn't come here for a rumor - much less an imposter they couldn't verify as real. It looks like he found the Black Mage."
"Who?"
"Grimoire Heart's master."
"Hades?" The young blond snarled the name out through his teeth. Memories of his encounter with the one-eyed Dark Mage when he was younger came to mind. How utterly powerless he felt standing before the indomitable old man. The way he was so soundly beaten and made to understand how much stronger his enemy was. The feeling of giving away to anger to beat the old man to death only to get swallowed up in a fiery explosion that knocked him out for a month. The thought of the old man made Naruto mash his teeth, "That old fucker is still breathing?! Dammit! I swear to god if I run into that one-eyed-"
"He's Master Precht."
"What?" Naruto looked over his shoulder, "What'd you say, Jiji?"
"Hades is Master Precht."
"Who is that?"
"The master of Fairy Tail before me. He was my mentor and master when I was a boy in Fairy Tail. He's the one that passed the title down to me."
Naruto stopped in place so that he didn't stumble and drop his injured passenger. The blond's eyes widened to nearly the size of plates after hearing that. And after a moment of comprehending it, the news was still too difficult to understand, "W-What are you talking about? That's impossible."
"It's true. I saw it for myself."
"B-But that can't be true! M-Maybe you just identified him wrong-"
"Naruto, I looked him in the eye." Makarov said melancholically, a resignation on his face, "I recognized him like you would recognize me. I know he was my guild master."
It still didn't make sense. It just couldn't sit right in Naruto's head. The image of the vile, coldhearted bastard that callously killed people lived on his head since he was a boy. It was the benchmark by which he judged the Dark Mages he fought and captured. The shadow which he knew he had to protect his loved ones from. The monster that made the world a worse place.
But that monster came from Fairy Tail? He walked its halls and sat at its tables. The idea of Hades sitting at the counter looking out over Makarov, Rob, Porlyusica, and the rest of their generation… guiding them…
"How?" Finally managing to speak, Naruto continued ahead with a shake of his head, "How the hell did a master of Fairy Tail end up like that?"
"I don't know, but he's become obsessed with learning more about magic. And that obsession has brought him to find Zeref." Makarov clicked his teeth, "Whatever happens next we have to…"
Makarov stopped speaking and Naruto stopped walking. Both Fairies froze and stared in silence at the strange sight before them.
A goat man in their base camp tending to Lisanna lying in a cot.
"Um…what is this?"
The goat man heard them, raising his head and looking over in their direction, "Oh, good, someone has arrived."
"Wait! I know you!" Naruto's body tensed, "You were on the Grimoire Heart ship that attacked that village a few months back! You're another one of the Seven Kin, aren't you?!"
"No. Well, you may have seen me on that ship, but it wasn't me." The goat man stood up, turned to the two men, and fixed his glasses, "My name is Capricorn and I am a Celestial Spirit?"
"A Celestial Spirit?"
"Like Loke and Virgo?"
"Indeed," Capricorn nodded, "Once upon a time I had a contract with an upstanding and remarkable wielder, Lady Layla Heartfilia."
"Heartfilia?" Naruto and Makarov shared a look, "Lucy's mom maybe?"
"Indeed. When Lady Layla passed away, she passed my key onto her subordinate, Zoldeo. Zoldeo however was a wretched and cowardly man studying a forbidden Lost Magic, Human Subordination magic. It's a magic that allows him to weaken human opponents and subjugate them under his rule."
"Mhm," Makarov let out a soft grunt as Naruto knelt to allow him off his back. The injured Wizard Saint sat down to rest, "That would explain how you were able to transport so many people off that ship while I was knocking it out of the air."
"And why I suddenly felt so weak when I tried rushing you guys back then? But how did he control you?"
"He didn't." Capricorn picked up the first aid kit, making his way over to Makarov after finishing up with Lisanna, "A few years back I had requested that I end my contract with him. I had heard from the other Celestial Spirits that Layla-sama's daughter, Lucy-sama, had started her journey as a Mage. I felt duty-bound to offer my services to her and watch over her like Layla-sama would have wanted. But Zoldeo panicked and tried to use his magic on me to make me obey. What he didn't know, and what I was unfortunately forced to experience, is that when you use Human Subordination magic on something that isn't human your body evaporates, and you possess the form of the thing you aimed to control. So, for the last few years, he's been using my body while using his magic to keep my form sustained, and joining Grimoire Heart in the process."
"So you're free because he moved on? Where-"
"Wait!" Naruto jumped up in a panic, eyes scanning around before landing on Lisanna, "If Lisanna is here then where's Mira?" He turned and noticed Capricorn looking up at him, "Where's Mirajane?"
Hunter
"Goddamn, for a guy that can instantly teleport us anywhere he found the most remote spot on the damn island to drop us off. Where the hell even are we?"
"We're by the shore closest to the Council ship. I'm just not certain where we are in terms of the others or the campsite."
"Maybe we shouldn't have left so quick?"
"Yep."
"Bad choice."
"Silly in hindsight."
"Freed just had to look cool and screwed us over."
The green-haired Fairy's eye twitched irritably, "Bickslow, do you think you can stop your totems from heckling me?"
"No can do, buddy. I make them fly and lead them around. Can't make them stop talking or decide what they talk about."
"That's…certainly convenient."
Wendy let out a weak, nervous chuckle at the two older men's bickering - more precisely Freed's grousing while Bickslow chuckled mockingly. The young Dragon Slayer continued to walk ahead trying to determine where they were. If her nose was as strong as Natsu or Gajeel's she would've been able to sniff out their friends and guide their way together.
But that was no excuse. If she couldn't sniff them out then she had to find another way to meet with them. She had to do something because she couldn't accept being protected and hidden away while everyone else was in danger.
If she released an attack into the air that could get the attention of their comrades. It would also be an obvious signal to the enemies of their location, but she had a feeling Carla would get here instantly.
"What's wrong, kiddo?"
"Is something troubling you, Wendy?"
"No," Wendy shook her head, "I just had an idea. I thought if I used my roar and aimed it towards the sky, Carla might be able to see it. And then she could fly over and help us find the others. But if I did that, I'd be broadcasting where we are to all of our enemies too. I can't-"
"Do it."
"Huh?"
"Go ahead." Freed nodded with firm determination, "It makes this matter easier if our friends came to us than us just wandering around blindly."
"B-But if our enemies see us-"
"Then we'll kick their asses!" Bickslow smirked with his tongue hanging out, "What kinda Fairies would we be if we let something like the consequences of our actions stop us from doing something?!"
"If our enemies see us, we'll deal with them. What's more important is that our friends will see it. Do it, Wendy," Freed assured the worried young Mage, "Let our friends know where we are."
With the support of her older comrades Wendy didn't feel as much hesitation. So with a firm nod, she turned away from them and took a deep breath. She raised her head and started building her magic…
But the sight of a figure in the air caused her to stop.
As Wendy looked up to the sky Freed and Bickslow followed her gaze. Seeing the flying form Bickslow tilted his head, "What is that? Some kinda bird? I don't recognize it from anything I saw on the island before."
"That's Mirajane's Take-Over form. I'd recognize it anywhere."
"That's awesome! Mira! We're down here! Oi!"
As they called out to the S-Class Mage high in the air they saw her circling and fly down towards them. And as she flew down she didn't let up, speeding down towards them like a meteor with them in her path.
"Move!"
Freed snagged Wendy as he jumped aside while Bickslow jumped on his totems and deftly avoided the path of the demon crashing into the ground. The dirt kicked up by Mirajane's explosive landing blinded them for a moment as the three Fairies stared at the cloud in confusion.
"Ah, I still need to get the hang of flying with these wings. But on the bright side, I didn't even feel that landing." Mirajane's sauntered out in her demon form, arms, and legs covered in scales with a long tail and wide wings coming from her back. The S-Class Mage loosened her neck and smiled, "This is more power than I ever expected to have."
"You…" Freed lowered Wendy to the ground as he and Bickslow took a defensive stance in front of her, "Who are you? You're not Mirajane."
"You can tell?"
"Mira ain't no noob that'd crash into the ground like that."
"And whenever Mirajane is in her demon form there is an air of intensity around her that makes you pause to take any action." Freed looked her over once, "I don't get that from you. Just a sense of sick, malicious joy getting to prance around in a body I'm sure is magnitudes stronger than your own."
"Eh, you're not wrong there." 'Mirajane' raised her arms to flex her bicep, "It's remarkable the kind of power someone so young has already come to possess. I can just imagine the kind of things I could do with this strength. And this body," Her other hand ran over her arm, trailing over her breast and down her stomach, "Oh if I could have met a beauty like this with my own body-"
The totems rushed forward and tried to clasp down on her from all sides. 'Mirajane' jumped over before she could get caught, only to be met by Freed with his wings spread and his sword drawn. He tried to strike her with the pommel of his sword but she blocked it with her forearm, pushing him back as they separated.
'Mirajane' landed a few feet away as Bickslow and Freed took a stance against her, "I don't know who you are, but we'll be taking Mirajane's body back from you. As your earlier crash proves you have yet to fully acclimate to her power and ability."
"That's true," 'Mirajane' nodded, "There's a lot of power in this body and it's going to take me time to figure it out. Just have to work with what I know. Fortunately for me-"
She rushed ahead like a blur, appearing before the two Fairies with a maniacal grin. Freed and Bickslow tried to break away before a move could be made but her hands whipped down, grabbing their wrists before they could evade. And then with a simple spin, she dragged them off their feet, spinning around with a gleeful laugh before she tossed the two powerful Fairies into trees.
"Freed-San! Bickslow-San!"
"I need to get used to this body, and I need some practice to do that." 'Mirajane' noted with a grin as she rolled her neck and watched the two Fairies pick themselves up, "And with my magic, you're the perfect set of dummies to use."
Hunter
"This way! C'mon!" Lucy grabbed Cana's arm as they ducked aside and tumbled into a bush. The shrubbery led to a small slope, the two women toppled down it and slid down into a small creek before they went still. They looked up as they saw the crest of a writhing, withering purple cloud of screaming, cloying faces overhead.
The footsteps of Rustyrose treading on the gravel over them permeated the abrasive silence. The two women held their breath, not daring to even inhale while the unstable and dangerous man was walking around. They heard a faint hum coming from the Dark Mage above as he casually walked around trying to find them. Lucy and Cana felt cold sweat run down their skin as their hearts beat so fast they feared they might burst from their chests.
The cloud started to subside and Rustyrose's footsteps started to fade. As they continued to get farther away and the oppressive sense of his magic lessened the two girls dared to take a breath. And as a minute passed the girls finally let themselves breathe in relief.
"Holy shit," Cana wiped her face, "That guy is a freak. Making anything you imagine real? Who comes up with unfair shit like that?!"
"He's still looking for us, right? Then we need to stay low." Lucy whispered to her partner, "We need to reconvene with the boys and figure out what to do next."
"No, we need to stop him now."
"What?" Lucy blinked and looked up as Cana drew her cards and prepared to scale back up the hill to follow Rustyrose, "Wait, are you serious? Cana, we couldn't do anything to stop him because he keeps making things up to protect himself. He made fire against Gray's ice and dark shades to block Loke's light. I couldn't even pull out my keys because he kept throwing attacks to get me!"
"Then we just have to ambush him!" The brunette sharply retorted as she drew some of her cards, "He's strong but he isn't invincible. Catch him off guard before his imagination can do anything and we've got the fucker in the bag."
"We should still wait for the others to catch up before-"
"Lucy," Cana snapped at the blonde girl and made her flinch, "We need to take this guy out and the rest of his people as soon as possible. If you're not comfortable fighting him yet then stay hidden. Keep working on that riddle we were given."
"But how can you fight him alone - riddle?"
"Yeah, the one Master told us. Once we beat this prick and the rest of his invading asshole party then we can get back to business. And we can secure the best position for the exam."
"Cana, t-the exam is probably canceled."
"Don't be so sure," The card user said confidently, "When has Fairy Tail ever let something stop them from doing what they want? If we beat these guys then we can carry on with the exam."
"But we should be focused on protecting our friends, not passing the exam."
"We can do both."
"But only one matters."
"Lucy!"
"Cana!" The two partners yelled each other's names, glaring at each other in intense silence as a brisk evening air started to run through the trees. The blonde kept her stern expression as she spoke, "Listen to yourself."
…
It was Cana's gaze and expression that faltered first. The veteran Fairy's legs sagged as she fell back onto the ground, catching her shallow breath as she registered what she had been thinking and saying. She looked down at the card she had drawn before hanging her head, "Shit…what's wrong with me?"
"There's nothing wrong with you."
"Yes, there is," The brunette sighed deeply, "Here we are with a Dark Guild invading our sacred land, and all I can think about is how to get them away faster so that I can focus back on the exam. Like it'll still count even finding the first master's grave when everyone could be in danger." Cana hung her head and curled her hands in her hair, "Forget being an S-Class…I don't even deserve to be a member."
"Don't say that!" Lucy fiercely stated while her partner spared her a look, "You're just a little out of focus right now. You've been thinking about this exam for so long you just need to remember what matters."
"This was all that mattered to me." The booze-lover glumly muttered, "Making it to S-Class, proving that I can finally stand on that mantle, and then finally…" Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, "I could finally tell him."
"You know you could tell him anytime you want." Lucy jovially noted, giggling when her partner pouted and narrowed her eyes. The blonde smiled warmly as she crawled over and gently hugged Cana from the side, "But if you want to be an S-Class when you tell him then I understand. I promised I would help you become one and that's still true now. It's just that with everything going on I think we might have to postpone."
"Ugh, the first time I feel good about my chances of winning in years and we get ambushed by a pillar of the Balam Alliance. How typical is that?" With a defeated groan Cana hung back her head and sniffled before drying her eyes, "Okay, nothing to do but accept and do something about it." With a faint redness in her eyes, Cana smirked and nodded with more of her familiar cocksureness, "Let's send these pricks flying."
"There's the Cana I love. And don't worry, he isn't going anywhere anytime soon."
"I know. However long it takes I'll wait before I can reach the point where I can tell Gildarts I'm his daughter."
"You're Gildarts' daughter?!"
Lucy and Cana flinched at the high-pitched squeal of two voices behind them. The girls turned and saw the startled expressions of both Gray and Loke looking down at them. As the two girls groaned at their blunder, the two boys looked like their brains were still trying to register what they had heard.
Gray's jaw dropped, "S-She said she was Gildarts' daughter?!"
"No." Loke shook his head, disbelief and denial dripping from his tone, "She didn't say that. She just said a word that sounds similar to daughter. Like…d-daughter? She's his daughter?"
"She's his daughter?!"
"I-I always knew that! I knew they looked the same!"
"Did you know that when you hit on her the first time you showed up at the guild?!"
"Oh god! Gildarts is gonna kill me!"
"What about me?! I know I've flashed my dick at her a few times! Is Gildarts gonna kill me realizing it was his daughter?! Is he gonna crush my bits?!"
"H-He's a fellow man! He wouldn't do that!"
"Parents do weird things for their daughters!"
"We're gonna die-"
A swift slap to the back of their heads shut them both up immediately. Cana glared at them with unflinching, dead-eyed disgust, "Stop. Talking. Now."
"B-But-"
"Yes, I'm Gildarts' daughter. That's established. Move on. We've got bigger shit to focus on right now, remember?"
"Like you being-"
Cana clapped her hands, "Grimoire! Heart!" She did it again several times in their face until the duo started to regain some clarity in their eyes. With stinging red cheeks and eyes full of focus Cana let out a sigh, "Are you back with us?"
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"It's just…that's one helluva bombshell to drop. Is - is it-"
"True? Yes! Move on!" Cana stepped forward, her glare focused out toward the trees, "We need to either regroup with the rest of our friends or figure out a way to handle that imaginary dickhead!"
"Y-Yeah, right." Loke scratched his head, "Well, we kept throwing what we could at the guy and he kept countering it. As long as there was something he could imagine to negate it then we couldn't hit him. So either we need to do something he can't expect-"
"Or ambush him." Gray said, "Hit him hard and fast enough that he can't make a counter."
"Then we've at least got a plan." Cana nodded resolutely, "Let's jump this guy and take him out."
They nodded and made their way to follow in the direction Rustyrose disappeared to. Cana was about to follow before she noticed Lucy's conflicted expression as she hung back, "Lucy, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Cana. I didn't mean to spill your secret to the others like that. I should've just kept quiet-"
"No, it's fine." The brunette saw her blonde friend's face and chuckled, "It's kinda relieving letting someone else know the secret. It took forever for me just to confess it to you but now those two bozos stumbled upon it? Pfft, I feel stupid all of a sudden."
Lucy noticed the lightness in Cana's voice talking about the subject and smiled, "Heh, if you feel that way then maybe we can just let the secret slip and everyone can know. Then sooner or later Gildarts will catch word."
"Don't even joke about that!"
"Why not? It's kinda funny."
"Shut up." As Lucy giggled and Cana blushed, the card user rubbed her forehead before sighing, "I'm not gonna let him know with a rumor. If he's gonna find out, it's gonna be from me."
Hunter
"Natsu, wait up!"
"Dammit! That kid moved so fast!" The Dragon Slayer sniffed at the air, "But I'll find her! You can't hide from me forever!"
Instead of chasing after and trying to match the Dragon Slayer's zealous charge for Meredy, Elfman, Evergreen, and Happy lingered behind watching him rush around looking for the young Dark Mage. They stared blankly as the fiery pink-haired man roared and spewed flames while knocking down every tree in his path. Ever sighed exhaustedly, "He has way too much energy to spare. At this rate, he's going to raze the island before ever finding that girl."
"I'd say he should feel ashamed letting himself be this enraged by a child," Elfman groaned while looking down at his chest. He poked at the pink heart on his pec hoping it would smudge or scrap off. When it remained Elfman clicked his tongue, "What the hell even is this?"
"Some kiddy tattoo?" Evergreen pondered while looking at the pink mark on her breast, "It's tacky and goes against my color scheme so I'd like it off. Can we rub it off with water or does it just peel after a day?"
"I already tried spitting on it and it didn't work!" Happy murmured while trying to rub off the heart buttons avail, "Do we need soap?"
"I don't think we're going to wash them off, Happy."
"Come out, come out, wherever you ARE! OLLY, OLLY OXEN FREE! QUIT HIDING YOU LITTLE-"
As Natsu rushed around and pushed a tree branch out of his way it slipped out of his grasp, snapping back and slapping him right across the bridge of his nose.
"AH!"
"OW!"
"Iayh!"
"Wah!"
…
All four Fairies looked up, tears in their eyes after they suddenly felt the sharp pain across their faces at the same time. Even as a faint red mark showed across Natsu's nose, the other three looked just as pained and shocked as he did.
"What just happened?"
"Hold on." Natsu walked over towards Eflman with narrowed eyes, "I think I know how to test this."
His fist came swinging in and punched Eflman across the cheek, sending all their heads snapping in the same direction.
"You bastard!" Eflman rounded and punched Natsu in return. An action that had their heads snapping in the other direction.
"Ah! What was that for you jerk?!"
"You punched me!"
"I was testing things out! You punched me because you can't handle a punch!"
"I'll show you what I can handle you-"
"Both of you shut up!" They flinched and cowered away from Evergreen's furious scream. The bespectacled woman was cupping both of her stinging cheeks, "We all felt the pain! The worst thing you idiots could do is beat each other up while we're all feeling it!"
"A spell for making people share pain?" A look of horror crossed Happy's face, "There's no quicker way to destroy Fairy Tail!"
All four of them stayed at a safe distance away from each other as they wrapped their heads around their circumstances, "That kid connected our senses? How are we supposed to fight like this?!"
"I don't think we are. That's the point."
"She just stunted three powerful members of Fairy Tail with just a single spell." As Ever stood up and rubbed her cheeks she saw Happy's hurt expression looking up at her, "Three powerful Mages and a cat."
"Thank you."
"Then we gotta find that kid now!" Natsu yelled with fire in his throat, "I'm gonna make that brat take this spell off us, and then I'm gonna knock her around for-"
"Meredy already reached you? And you survived? I suppose that means you must be formidable."
Natsu went silent and spun around to locate the source of the strange voice. He and the others watched in silent disbelief as a face seemed to emerge from the tree like someone pushing through a sheet. The hair and tattoos of a head started to form from the bark, "If so then I'm lucky to have found you."
The rest of the tree shifted as the shape of a man emerged, stepping out in front of them. They looked at the tall, broad man with sharp features and fierce eyes as he raised his wooden prosthetic and closed it into a fist, "Maybe you'll be a more exciting match than the last two."
Natsu and the others were tense and prepared for whatever move the stranger made. But as they stared at him and felt the power radiating off him, they realized it wasn't just sensations being shared between them.
It was feelings too. Feelings of fear and dread.
Hunter
"Should be just up ahead." As Erza led the group ahead she looked back at everyone else, "Does anyone need any help?"
Gajeel was leaning on Lily's shoulder for support after extensive worrying from Levy but look at her oddly, "Pretty sure we'll be fine. But what about you? You got hurt pretty bad by that big bastard."
"I'll be fine." Despite her injuries, Erza carried herself effortlessly and with total focus on the dire task ahead. She moved some foliage aside before she spotted the base camp she and the other S-Class had set up in the forest. And when she did she was surprised by who she saw, "Master?"
Makarov was sat at Lisanna's bedside as the youngest Strauss quietly slumbered away. The old master raised his head and looked back as he heard the group approach, "Ah, Erza, you found some of the others. Geez, you guys look like you've seen better days."
"Master? What happened to you?"
The old Wizard Saint looked over himself and the bandages covering his body, "I got beat around by the master of Grimoire Heart. I faced him down hoping to block his arrival on the island." He looked himself over, "But I got a little more than I could bargain for."
"I can't believe it."
"I didn't think you could lose, Master."
"You have no idea. It's a long story and will take some time to explain, but more importantly," Makarov reached down and picked up the Sky sword he'd been entrusted with, "You kids need some first aid? I can help with some of the pain."
Spotting the sword Erza quirked her brow, "Was Naruto here?"
"He found me in the forest after I got beaten. Carried me here and gave me some treatment before heading out to search for the others. We found a Celestial Spirit waiting here taking care of Lisanna." The looks of confusion he got were answered with a shrug, "Again, a long story. Anyway," He reached down again and showed off a golden key, "If you see Lucy do you wanna give this to her?" "Wow, a real golden key! Lu-chan is gonna have a field day when she finds out she got one for free!"
"I swear, things just fall in that cheerleader's lap." Toppling over with a groan, Gajeel layout over the ground with a groan, "Old man, that sword heals, right? Wanna get to it?"
"Here, Master, I'll take it." Makarov handed the sword to Levy as she walked over with a pout, "You could show a little gratitude for us taking the time to heal you, you know."
"I'll show gratitude when it doesn't feel like my ribs are pressing against my lungs!"
"Everyone, Juvia has to go!" The romantic Water Mage announced for everyone's attention, "If Gray-sama and the others are out there fighting then she needs to join them!"
"That's a good idea. Good luck, Juvia."
"Thank you, Erza-San!"
"And here," Makarov tossed the key as the young Fairy caught it, "If you run into Lucy, an extra key might just be a big help."
"…"
"Sweetheart, I know it isn't Gray, but you don't gotta look that disappointed in helping her."
Juvia pouted aside, "Yes, Master."
As Juvia made her way into the forest, the others stayed in the camp to tend to their injuries, recover, and plan their next move. As Makarov was in the middle of explaining to them what he'd come to know-
The wind around them kicked up sporadically as they saw a small vortex shoot up from the trees very far away.
"WENDY!"
Without hesitation, Carla spread her wings burst forth from the camp, and flew over the trees.
Before Erza could make to follow her, Makarov's extended arm reached out to grab her shoulder, "Master! I have to go!"
"No, you don't."
"But Wendy may be in danger!"
"You need to heal."
"I'm fine! I've fought with worse injuries than this!"
"But you've never fought enemies as bad as this, and not when we've all been separated too." Makarov snapped his fingers towards Levy, the short woman handing him the Sky sword as he patted the spot next to him. As Erza looked hesitant to stay back she finally sat down in the basking green glow of the sword, "You kids are going to need to regain as much strength as possible. And you'll need to work together to take down all our enemies."
"Then Master, shouldn't I heal you-"
"My old ass doesn't need to take precedence over healing you a lot. Besides," He looked in the direction Wendy's roar came from, "You don't need to worry about Wendy. If I'm right then that was the direction he was going."
Hunter
"Oh? What was that? I don't think that was by accident." Wendy took a breath and looked back, seeing Mirajane staring in her direction while standing on Bickslow's body and choking Freed at the same time. The possessed woman tilted her head unnervingly, "What were you trying to do, little lady?"
Wendy held up her small fists in a combat stance, "Let go of Freed-San and Bickslow-San now!"
"Do you want to fight me instead, little girl?" She shivered hearing Mira's voice say something so threatening and with a chilling smile on her face. Kicking Bickslow aside and tossing Freed to the ground she started making her way towards the young Dragon Slayer, her oppressive magic power bearing down on the young Mage and making her feel like her legs were crushed beneath her, "Do you want to protect your friends so badly you'll take the beating instead?"
"W-Wendy."
"Get out of here!"
"I was trying to be nice not beating up on a little girl and you're just testing my kindness. Don't you think that's wrong?"
"What's wrong is thinking I'm going to stand by and do nothing while you hurt my friends!" The wind kicked up around Wendy as she stood her ground, "I won't let you do that anymore!"
"In that case-"
The ground under Mira kicked up as she dashed ahead with her claws raised high. With a vicious grin, she brought it down to slash through Wendy's face before she could react.
Naruto burst from the side, kicking at Mirajane's head and forcing her to block as he grabbed Wendy while he passed. He slid a few more feet before finally coming to a stop, the young Dragon Slayer held tightly at his side as he kept his eye on Mirajane's body.
"Naruto-San!"
"Thanks for doing that roar, Wendy," He slowly set the young Mage on her feet, "Led me right where I needed to be."
"Naruto-San, something's wrong with Mira-San! She's-"
"Possessed. I know." Naruto looked at his young friend and smiled, leaning in so he could whisper into her ear. As he did Wendy's eyes widened in surprise, and when he finished she nodded with fierce resolve and moved away. He turned back to the possessed woman, "Zoldeo, right? Capricorn told me all about you. He had nothing good to say by the way."
"Heh," Mirajane scoffed and put a hand to her chest, "I imagine he's upset that I ditched him for a better, more appealing form."
"I think it has more to do with stealing his body and using it to join Grimoire Heart. What, were they so desperate they had to take you in because you had a Celestial Spirit body?"
"They recognized me for my strength!" Mirajane snapped and yelled, leaping off the ground as Naruto jumped to avoid her swiping claws, "I can make all my enemies yield before me!"
"Because of your Human Subordination magic, right?" She looked up and saw Naruto hanging off a tree branch upside down. Even with his peculiar position the blond looked down at her and shook his head, "You can make your enemies weaker? Am I supposed to be impressed by that? If you don't get any stronger then it just kinda makes the whole thing sadder."
"SHUT UP!" Mirajane whipped her tail around and cleaved through the tree, making Naruto jump off the branch and flip through the air. She leapt and swiped at him again only for the blond to twist and push off her arm to evade her attack. As the whiskered man sailed over her head she screamed, "STOP RUNNING!"
"Why? Do you want me to fight?" Clicking his teeth Naruto could only shake his head, "I mean what good would that do? I'm so weak and you're so much stronger~. All I can do is run away."
"Just stand still and let me kill you!"
Mirajane rushed forward, slashing and striking at Naruto as quickly as she could. The S-Class Fairy simply weaved around and jumped out of range of her attacks like he was dancing on the wind. As she scowled and growled with each strike, Naruto kept a challenging smirk on his face, "You know, the real Mira would have hit me by now."
"FUCK OFF!"
"You might have her body but you suck at controlling her."
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Aren't you trying right now? You're not doing a good job."
"AHHHHH!"
As Wendy helped Freed and Bickslow to their knees they couldn't help but watch the fight in disbelief, "He's just dodging her punches so easily."
"We got knocked around but he's avoiding a confrontation altogether."
"Naruto-San is amazing, isn't it?"
"He wouldn't be able to stand on Laxus' level if he wasn't."
"Wendy!"
The little Dragon Slayer looked up and saw Carla in the sky above the trees. Tears came to her eyes, "Carla!"
"I was worried about you!" The Exceed reprimanded even as tears of relief filled her eyes, "Don't you ever leave me-"
"Carla!" Naruto jumped up and appeared in front of the startled Exceed, "I'm glad you're here!" He started falling, "Catch me!"
"W-What?!" In a panic, Carla swooped down and nabbed Naruto before he could fall into the trees, "What are you thinking, you idiot?!"
"That you're just what we need to coax the bastard out." He said with a cheeky smirk before looking down, "HEY ASSHOLE! YOU WANT SOME LESSONS?! FIRST LESSON; TRY TO CATCH US!"
"You little…" Grinding her teeth, Mirajane's tail slammed down and cracked the ground before her wings spread from her back. With a massive squat, she burst off the ground like a missile flying towards the pair, "I'LL KILL YOU!"
"Why is Mirajane attacking us?!"
"Too long to explain! Fly!"
"What did you do?!" Carla flew through the air carrying Naruto, Mirajane hot on their trail as the Demon yelled and tried to strike them out of the air, "Why would Mirajane try to attack us?!"
"Because that's not Mirajane! She's been possessed by a Dark Mage!" Naruto looked back, "Hey Zoldeo, are you getting slower?! Do you need to catch your breath?!"
"Shut up!"
"Carla isn't human so your magic doesn't work to make her slower, right? Such a shame! Mira's power is one of the best in the guild but you're so inept with it you make it a waste! Kinda sad!"
"W-Why can't I catch up with you?!"
"Mira took a break from active duty for a few years! She only recently started using her magic again!" Naruto yelled back with a grin, "So she's a little out of practice! You might be feeling that struggle right about now!"
Carla looked at him judgingly, "Did you just imply she's out of shape?"
"I said her magic power is a little unstable right now. You tell her I called her fat and she'll kill me."
"AH!" Even with Mirajane's greater power, Zoldeo couldn't catch up to Carla and her blond tagalong at this speed. Irritation and bloodlust rushed through her body, even as her breathing was becoming shallower. Mirajane growled through her teeth before smirking, "Is running all you can do?! Hey, how about we make a deal?! Surrender yourself so I can possess you, or I'll destroy this woman's body!"
"Capricorn told me you can't possess other humans! That's why you had to wait until Mira used her Take-Over magic to possess her! Hey, what's gonna happen when her magic runs out?"
There was a panic across Mirajane's face as Zoldeo hadn't considered that risk. The vile man had been so entranced by the eldest Strauss' remarkable abilities that he threw caution to the wind to take her body. Sweat started running down her face as she considered the dangers and what she could do next.
"What will happen to Mirajane?" Carla whispered into Naruto's ear, "If his possession lasts only as long as her magic lasts, then she might be hurt after it wears out, right?"
"Probably. I didn't want to risk it but I didn't know if there was another choice." With a short chuckle he looked back at Carla with a grin, "But we have another chance now."
"What?"
He turned back around, taking a deep breath before belting out at the top of his lungs, "HEY, WENDY! I TOLD YOU TO RUN! IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO STAY AROUND HERE!"
Carla and Mirajane looked down to see Wendy lingering around while caring for Freed and Bickslow. After a moment a vicious grin spread across Mirajane's face before she dove through the sky and dropped towards the ground.
"Wendy no! Naruto, why would-"
"It's okay," He assured the fretting Exceed, "She knows what to do."
Mirajane landed back in the forest with her foes in sight. Freed stood by Wendy's side as she bathed Bickslow in a faint green light of healing. The moment the possessed woman arrived the green-haired Mage took his sword as the Dragon Slayer turned around startled, "You again?"
"If I can't catch that cowardly blond then the least I can do is wipe out the rest of you!" Mirajane flexed her claws before leaping at them, "Say your prayers-"
A flash of green light behind Wendy filled Mirajane's eyes and she suddenly felt her body freeze.
She struggled and felt like her body was suddenly hard like a stone as her skin turned darker, "W-What is this? Why can't I-"
"Finally got a chance to catch you." Mirajane looked up and saw Bickslow stand up from behind Wendy. When he did he showed off his unmasked face, his bright green eyes flashing as his tongue sprung out of his grinning mouth, "Figure Eyes. Let me take control of the souls of those I look upon. You didn't think you were the only one in the business of overtaking souls, did you?"
"Y-You-"
"Naruto-San told me to help Bickslow-San up and tell him that Mira-San was possessed." Wendy said, "If you've taken hold of her body, then he can use his magic to take control of you."
"Your possession against Bickslow's." Freed nodded, "You certainly have an advantage over us in Mirajane's body, but as far as control goes I think Bickslow has the edge."
"Now here's the real important question," In a frightened panic, Mirajane looked up as Carla helped lower Naruto back into their circle of friends. The blond was stone-faced as he stared her down, "We could keep holding you here, but what if we forced one soul to push out the other?"
"No! No! Don't you-"
"Bickslow?"
"On it!" Bickslow's eyes glowed and his intention was made clear. Mirajane clenched her teeth and resisted for just a few seconds before finally succumbing to his demand. She screamed at the top of her lungs as her body forced out a black haze that infected her. The smoke shot out from her body and gathered up above her before shrinking and coalescing into a form.
A man with puffy hair and sunken eyes emerged from the smoke and dropped to the ground. And once he was excised, Mira's body went limp as she glowed and released her magic. The exhausted woman fell forward unconscious while Naruto stepped in to grab her.
"Mira-San!"
"Is she-"
"She's okay," Naruto checked over her before letting out a sigh of relief, "Exhausted and probably needs rest, but okay."
"I-I'm free," The Fairies looked over and watched as Zoldeo started to feel his own body. The look of rapturous joy unsettled them while he laughed, "Finally! After all these years I have my body back! I'm free!"
As the Fairies took their stances and prepared for a fight against the Dark Mage, Naruto scooped Mira up in his arms. He turned and started walking, "C'mon guys, we gotta let Mira rest. Let's head back to camp."
"What?"
"Naruto, we can't!"
"What about him?"
"HeheheheHAHAHA!" Zoldeo cackled madly before looking at his hands, "It feels so good to have my body back. Now that it's back I…" He paused, looking at his hands and seeing his fingers start to dissipate. In moments the change carried down to his hands and arms, "What? No! NO! T-THAT'S NOT FAIR! I FINALLY GOT MY BODY BACK! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!"
"Capricorn said he was using a dangerous form of Lost Magic, and the possession of bodies that aren't human is taboo." They turned their eyes away from the screaming panic of the Dark Mage as Naruto spoke solemnly, "There's a price to pay for abusing magic like that. And there's nothing we can do."
The Fairies watched Zoldeo squirm a little more as his body faded away. But they turned and started walking, paying no mind to the Dark Mage's fearful begging before his voice disappeared altogether.
After Zoldeo's passing, Carla immediately dropped into Wendy's embrace as they hugged each other. Freed walked up to Naruto's side, "Thank you for coming to help us."
Bickslow snickered, "Yeah, that might have ended way worse if you hadn't stopped Mira. But at least it's over."
"Don't relax just yet," Naruto warned, the faraway crash of thunder filling their ears, "It's only going to get worse before we make it out."
Hunter
Rustyrose slowed to a stop as he looked around the vacant patch of forest. Out in the distance, he saw a dark cloud roaming over the sea with a flash of lightning deep inside. Looked like a storm was on its way.
"Finished hiding away, have you?" He turned around to see Gray and Loke stand beside each other to face the Seven Kin member down. The flamboyant man tossed his hair back with a smug smile, "Have you finally decided that you are ready to face me down properly?"
Gray and Loke spared a look before the Celestial Spirit stepped forward, "We just thought that we wouldn't get anything done if we didn't face you down here and now. So that's what we're going to do."
"And what of the beautiful ladies that graced your side?"
"Does he mean Lucy and Cana?" The partners shrugged, "We told them to stay back so we could handle fighting you."
"By yourselves?" Rustyrose scoffed, raising his hands as a litany of demonic and twisted weapons popped into existence around him, "Brave and foolhardy doesn't even begin to describe you two."
"Ice Make:-"
Before Gray could finish his attack, the Dark Mage waved his hand out to create a row of bows notching flaming arrows. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the flaming projectiles at Gray while lobbing all the swords at Loke. The two men separated and evaded the weapons being thrown at them so precisely.
Loke slid to a stop after evading all the attacks and shined a bright light towards Rustyrose. With his sunglasses on the light did not do much other than make him squint for a moment. So with a scoff he created several saw blades and sent them flying, slicing through an acre of forest as Loke just managed to dodge it.
"Looks like you're by yourself now," Rustyrose noted while looking at Gray, the shirtless man cornered into a tree with some flames from the arrows starting to envelop and swallow the trees around him. The Dark Mage casually made his way over while staring the scowling man down, "You scurried and survived for as long as you could, but finally the mouse is cornered…and the cat shall bite."
"Enough!" Gray slammed his hands, "Ice Mak-"
Rustyrose didn't give him a chance to finish, changing his arm into a flaming blade and piercing Gray's chest before he could attack. The black-haired man looked down at where he was stabbed as the Dark Mage smiled victoriously.
Only for Gray to pop and fall apart into two pieces.
"Whoa! That was close!" Gemi said.
"Nearly took my head off!" Mini said.
Rustyrose looked at the twin Celestial Spirits that reverted from Gray's form, "What-"
"Here's your spot, Gray-sama."
"HAA!" Gray burst from a hole in the ground Virgo had dug under Rustyrose's feet, popping up and punching the Dark Mage back with a fist to the chin. The Seven Kin member's eyes went spinning from the blow before his pompadour was grabbed and yanked down for a headbutt from Gray.
The shirtless Fairy landed punch after punch across Rustyrose's face, blood spilling along the ground with every blow. Gray didn't give the Dark Mage an inch, refusing to let him counter or attack once this opportunity had finally been seized.
"AHH!" With a roar, Rustyrose tried to unsettle Gray long enough for him to retaliate. He swung his arm-
A shining, almost liquid whip lashed out and snagged his arm before he could make a full swing. The Dark Mage looked back in a start and saw Lucy popping out of a hole in the ground with Fleuve d'étoiles in hand. The blonde cutie winked in his direction before he turned back around to see a bazooka of ice in his face.
"Ice Make: Cannon!"
Gray blasted Rustyrose away with an explosion of snow and ice. It sent the Dark Mage flying through a tree and slamming into a rock as he cracked the surface. The pompadour man struggled to stand on his feet, gasping for air with wet clothes as blood rushed up his throat and spilled out his mouth. He grasped onto the rock to keep himself steady as he glared at the Fairies in front of him.
Leaving his blind spot open as Cana jumped out of another hole at his side.
The brunette Fairy spiked one of her cards straight towards his temple as he was distracted staring at the others. He must have seen the shine from his peripheral as he turned to side-eye the glowing, crackling card fly towards him. There was nothing he could do to react in time as the card flew at his face.
And stopped a millimeter from his nose.
Everyone was stunned silent at the lack of results at their desperate gamble. Even more so when the trump card they'd gambled on went flying back into Cana's hand like a yo-yo.
"You're having more trouble than expected, aren't you, Rusty?"
Gray's breath hitched hearing that voice, and when he looked up he saw someone he never believed he'd see again, "Ur? T-That's-"
"Thank you, Ultear." Rustyrose thanked his fellow Seven Kin while fixing his glasses, "I have no excuse to make. They caught me off guard. They won't do it again." He hacked something up before looking at his teammate and the man in his grasp, "Is…that can't be-"
"We found him." Ultear nodded, "Zeref-sama. Our dream is nearly complete. All that's left…"
"Is clearing the slate." He nodded, "I understand completely. Allow me to settle this properly."
He reached up and gripped his neck, pressing his palm into his jugular before letting out a hiss. Slowly a dark color started to spread from his neck and across his body as the demon particles started to take effect.
"The time is nearly at an end." Ultear smiled at the guarded Fairies and stunned Gray as her crystal ball floated to her hand, "The members of Fairy Tail are on their last legs."
Hunter
Elfman and Natsu attacked Azuma from two angles, a giant fist and a powerful flaming one heading straight for his head. Roots shot up from the ground and entangled Elfman as Azuma's wooden hand reached out to catch Natsu's punch. The wood started to burn and char but Azuma's grip tightened so hard his fingers dug into the Dragon Slayer's knuckles.
He twisted around, dragging Natsu along and slamming him into Elfman. As the two men flew, the Dark Mage held out his hand and sent sparks through the air towards them, "Bleve."
They were swallowed up by a series of engulfing explosions that blew them away.
The sound of thudding behind him let Azuma know he had also downed the two flying Fairies. Looking over his shoulder he saw Happy and Evergreen moaning on the ground while suffering from the damage they shared with their friends. He snapped his fingers as leaves started to rise around him, "Folium Sica."
A barrage of leaves flew forward and pelted Ever and Happy across their bodies. As the woman and cat screamed in pain, the two men stifled their groans as the sensation of being cut ran across their bodies. As Azuma's attack came to an end he shook his head, "I shouldn't have picked an enemy that Meredy had affected. Beating even one of you means I go through the rest of you at the same time. I lose the enjoyment of fighting all of you to the fullest."
"Rgh!" Natsu let out a groan as he pushed himself up on his feet and faced down the Dark Mage. Fire erupted off of Natsu's body as Azuma turned and faced him down. As giant fists started to form from roots and branches Natsu bared his teeth, "You're not gonna take us down that easily, you wooden bastard!"
"If you have anything to show me otherwise, I'll happily accept it."
"HHHHHAAAAA-"
A slab of ground went flying past Natsu and slammed into Azuma's defenses. When he looked back it was to see Elfman, Evergreen, and Happy gathered together, "Natsu!" The frantic Exceed called out to his best friend, "C'mon! We have to get out of here! We can't fight him like this!"
What? Running? That wasn't the answer. These guys were attacking them! Treading on their holy ground to kill them! They needed to get their asses kicked and forced out! They couldn't just run! Natsu stood his ground and prepared to move forward…
But couldn't.
His legs were shaking. No matter how hard he tried he couldn't stop the feeling of fear building up in his gut.
Was this the others' fear rushing into him so fervently that he couldn't breathe? Or…was it his own? Was it just like when he faced down Gildarts? Freezing in fear at the idea of fighting someone stronger? Someone who could kill him and by proxy his friends if he failed?
"Natsu!"
Happy's scream made the Dragon Slayer nearly jump out of his skin, and before he realized he was booking it to rejoin the others. They retreated before the battle could continue at their disadvantage and left Azuma behind in the woods.
As the clouds darkened and crashed with thunder, Azuma let out a disappointed groan and released the branches he had formed into limbs. The Seven Kin member looked up at the sky as he heard rain start to pour down from the other end of the island.
"Someone. Someone on this island must give me the fight I want." He lowered his head and narrowed his eyes as the rain rushed over him, "I just need to find them."
Hunter
"We've got you."
"Just take a deep breath-BWCAWK!"
Yomazu and Kawazu dragged the man out of the water and dropped him on the beach. As he hacked up a lungful of salt water, the two grunts of Grimoire Heart looked back out towards the forest, "It was fortunate we spotted you when we did, Sir."
"Woulda been bad if you got swept back out to sea-BWCAWK!"
"We saw Hades-sama land the ship somewhere on the other end of the island. But he dropped everyone else in the guild off around the island to swarm and kill the Fairies. We can join the rest of the Seven Kin in hunting down Zeref-sama and-"
"Unforgivable."
"Huh? What was that Zancrow-sam-AAAAAAHHHHHH!"
The chicken man was engulfed in a blaze of black flames. His screams came out through the crackling fire for a few more seconds before he toppled over in the sand. Yomazu looked on in fear and turned to run but was blasted with a rush of dark flames as well.
Zancrow was going to kill everything in his path. Anything unfortunate to cross him would be ashes and cinders when he was done.
"These Fairies…all these fucking Fairies!" Flashes of Naruto, Wendy, Freed, Bickslow, and of course, Gildarts ran through his head as the flames around him intensified. With a growl, he reached up and gripped his left bicep as tightly as possible.
"I'll kill them. The Fairies. My enemies. This whole island…" The particles started to spread and Zancrow's skin darkened as spittle flew from his lips, "I'M GONNA BURN THIS FUCKING ISLAND TO THE GROUND!"
The Fire God Slayer was on the warpath. And he was going to incinerate everything in his way.
Hunter
"It's kinda funny. I love going out on quests and missions more than anything. Going on adventures and traveling the land…there's nothing I love more. I realized a long time ago that I was just a man who had to keep moving. And I never regretted it…except for losing a chance with the woman I loved. I only came back to the guild for a few days at a time before making my way back out again. But the S-Class Exam…it's special to me."
Gildarts smiled softly, "Seeing the kids I watched grow up and take the test is kind of a thrill. Trying their best to climb the steps to S-Class. Some succeeding. Some failing. But always with the same spirit and determination. It's inspiring…and I love watching them persevere."
"But then you all had to show up." Gildarts stopped walking, "You crashed the party, a bunch of people that don't belong, and are trying to kill those poor kids."
He looked up and stared at the giant flying ship parked on the edge of the beach, "Now does that seem like a smart choice?"
The strongest Fairy crouched before leaping off the ground, barreling through the bow of the ship and careening through everything before he popped up in an open space. A throne room by the looks, size, and single occupant staring him down.
"I would have lowered some stairs and opened the door if you'd given me a chance." Hades noted, "This just seemed unnecessary."
"Was it necessary to invade our island and hunt down our kids?"
"If they got in the way of the goal - yes." The ancient man stood up from his chair, "And who are you?"
"I'm Gildarts Clive." The S-Class Mage released his magical power, shaking the ship as he narrowed his eyes and jutted his chin out, veins throbbing under his temple while staring at the old man, "And you're the old fucker I'm gonna kill for attacking my guild."
Hunter
Done
Phew, just managed to get this one out too. I feel like I'm writing a lot slower than I used to, so managing this was a big relief. I'll probably take another break in May, outside of a small update or two. Back to normal stuff around the end of May or the start of June.
Need to take a breath.
Anyway, the stage is being set for the big battles of Tenrou Island. Players are facing off and the action is about to ramp up!
Let's hope we get back to it soon!
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Thank You and Bye
