AN: Bonus chapter for another 100 power stones. Enjoy!
As the colossal Phantom Lord HQ loomed closer, its massive legs thundering against the ground, the tension among the Fairy Tail members reached its breaking point. The air was thick with unease, and no one could look away from the monstrosity now bearing down on their home.
From within the fortress, a booming, venomous voice echoed, amplified for all to hear.
"Prepare the Magical Convergent Cannon: Jupiter!"
Jose's order sent a chill through the air. Moments later, a massive panel on the front of the Phantom Lord HQ creaked open with a metallic groan. From within emerged an enormous cannon, its sinister barrel glowing faintly as magical energy began to gather within it.
"What the hell is that?!" Macao exclaimed, his voice laced with panic.
"It's a magic cannon," Gray muttered grimly, eyes narrowing. "And judging by its size, that thing could wipe out the entire guild."
Aurelius' sharp gaze snapped to the weapon, and his stomach dropped. "Everyone, move!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the panic. "Scatter! Get out of here now!"
The guild erupted into motion, members scrambling for safety as the realization of the impending danger hit them.
But as the crowd moved, a flash of scarlet caught Aurelius' eye. Erza, still clad in a towel from her interrupted shower, stepped forward without hesitation.
"Erza!" he barked, his voice sharp with urgency. "What are you doing? Get back!"
But Erza was already raising her hand, her voice calm and resolute. "If I don't stop that thing, there won't be anything left of our guild."
In a brilliant flash of light, her Adamantine Armor materialized, its massive shields glinting in the moonlight. She planted her feet firmly in the ground, ready to intercept the attack.
"Erza, stop!" Aurelius shouted again, panic creeping into his usually steady tone. "You can't take that on alone! That cannon's power—"
Erza turned her head slightly toward him, her expression unwavering. "This is what it means to protect our family. Trust me."
Before Aurelius could argue further, the cannon's hum grew louder, the energy at its core glowing brighter and brighter until the night sky seemed to vibrate with its intensity.
"Erza, don't—"
The cannon fired.
A blinding beam of energy surged forward, tearing through the air with a deafening roar. It crackled with unrelenting power, lighting up the night sky like a second sun.
Erza raised her shields, the force of the blast slamming into her. The ground beneath her cracked and buckled as the impact pushed her back slightly, her feet digging into the dirt. Her Adamantine Armor glowed under the immense pressure, the magical shields absorbing the brunt of the attack.
For a moment, hope flickered in everyone's hearts.
"She's holding it off!" Natsu shouted, fists clenched. "Erza's stopping it!"
"Come on, Erza!" Cana yelled, her voice desperate.
But as the beam subsided, the strain became too much. Erza collapsed to her knees, her shields shattering into pieces before her armor faded entirely. She fell forward, hitting the ground with a loud thud, unmoving.
"Erza!" several voices screamed in unison.
Aurelius was already rushing forward, his heart pounding in his chest. Dropping to his knees beside her, he gently turned her over, checking for signs of life. Her breathing was shallow, her face pale.
"Erza, wake up!" he called, shaking her slightly. "Can you hear me?"
Gray and Natsu reached his side, their faces pale with worry. "How is she?" Gray asked, his voice tight.
"She's alive," Aurelius said, his voice strained with relief. "But she's unconscious. That blast took everything she had."
Mira knelt beside them, tears brimming in her eyes. "Erza… you didn't have to do this alone," she whispered.
The rest of the guild gathered around, their expressions a mix of fear and fury.
"This is too much," Macao growled, clenching his fists. "They're trying to destroy us completely."
Aurelius stood slowly, his face dark with anger. He turned his gaze toward the towering Phantom Lord HQ, his jaw tightening as fury boiled beneath his calm exterior.
Jose's laughter echoed from the moving fortress, amplified for all to hear. "Did you truly think Fairy Tail could stand against the might of Phantom Lord? Your precious guild is nothing but rubble waiting to be step upon!"
Aurelius clenched his fists, his mind racing. He looked back at the guild members, their fear and anger palpable in the air. He needed to act—and fast.
"This isn't over," he muttered, his voice low but filled with resolve.
Before anyone could act, the air crackled with magic as Jose's voice rang out once again, his tone dripping with disdain and malice. His words boomed over the battlefield, amplified for all to hear.
"Fairy Tail," Jose began, his voice oozing contempt, "your Master is down, your Titania has fallen, and your precious guild is at its breaking point. Why prolong the inevitable? Hand over Lucy Heartfilia, and I will spare the rest of you."
The members of Fairy Tail froze for a moment. The weight of Jose's words sank in, but the silence didn't last long.
"Like hell we will!" Natsu roared, his fists igniting as flames danced around him. "We'd never sell out a friend!"
"Not in a million years!" Cana added, stepping forward, her fists clenched tightly.
"Fairy Tail doesn't abandon its own!" Gray growled, ice forming around his fists as he glared at the Phantom Lord HQ.
The rest of the guild joined in, voices rising in defiance. The sound of their outrage echoed through the night, filled with unyielding determination.
Jose's laughter followed, bitter and mocking. "Stubborn fools! You would all throw your lives away for one insignificant girl? So be it. This is your final chance. I'll ask one last time: surrender her, or be annihilated."
"We said no!" Macao shouted. "You'll never get your hands on her!"
The guild's united refusal only served to enrage Jose further. His voice grew sharper, more furious.
"Very well," Jose spat. "Then your beloved guild will fall! I will give you fifteen minutes. If Lucy Heartfilia is not in my hands by then, the Jupiter cannon will fire again—and this time, your guild won't have a Titania to shield it!"
Lucy stood frozen, trembling as the weight of Jose's threat fell squarely on her shoulders. Tears began to well in her eyes as she glanced at the guild members around her. Despite everything, their loyalty hadn't wavered. They were willing to risk their lives to protect her, and it only made the guilt in her chest heavier.
The ground began to tremble again, but this time it wasn't the cannon charging. Dark, swirling shapes began to pour out of the Phantom Lord HQ, moving like shadows against the dim light of the night.
"What now?" Gray muttered, stepping forward to get a better look.
The shades continued to spill forth, their forms translucent and shifting as if they were barely tethered to the physical world. They moved with an eerie, unnatural fluidity, swarming toward the Fairy Tail guild like a tidal wave of darkness.
"What the hell are those?" Cana asked, her voice filled with unease.
As if on cue, Jose's voice spoke again, smug and cruel. "Do you see now, Fairy Tail? These are my Phantom Shades. They will overrun you, siphon away your strength, and leave you helpless. And when the cannon fires, your beloved guild will be nothing but ash and rubble!"
"Damn him!" Macao cursed.
"Wait," Wakaba said, his brow furrowed. "If that cannon fires, won't it destroy those shades too? They're swarming all over the battlefield!"
Cana shook her head, her expression grim. "It won't matter to Jose. The shades aren't alive, and he can create more whenever he wants. They're expendable."
Lucy's knees gave out, and she crumpled to the ground, tears streaming down her face. "This is all my fault," she whispered, her voice trembling. "If I'd just stayed at home… none of this would have happened. I—I should just…"
"Don't say it," Natsu interrupted, kneeling beside her. His fiery eyes burned with resolve as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're not going anywhere, Lucy. We'll handle this."
"Yeah," Gray added, his tone steady. "We're not letting him take you. You're one of us now."
The rest of the guild nodded, their faces resolute as they prepared for the fight ahead.
Aurelius stood at the forefront, his mind racing. They didn't have much time, and Jose's shades were already closing in.
Aurelius quickly assessed the situation, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield as he began giving orders.
"Mira," he called firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument, "take Erza back to the guild and tend to her injuries. She's out cold, and we'll need her later. Keep her safe."
Mirajane hesitated for a moment, glancing at Erza's unconscious form, but she nodded and began to lift her. "I'll get her back," she promised softly, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by worry.
"Natsu, Gray, Elfman!" Aurelius shouted next, his voice cutting through the noise of the encroaching shades. The three turned to him, their expressions grim but ready.
"What is it?" Natsu asked, flames licking at his fists as his adrenaline spiked.
"I need you three to focus on wrecking Phantom Lord's HQ. Make sure Jupiter doesn't fire again."
Natsu grinned fiercely. "About time I get to break something big!"
"Leave it to us," Gray said, his voice steady as ice crystals formed around his hands.
Elfman pounded his fists together. "We'll show them what it means to mess with Fairy Tail!"
Without another word, the three charged off toward the looming Phantom Lord HQ, their determination palpable as they prepared to take on the massive structure.
Aurelius turned to the rest of the guild, his expression resolute. "The rest of you—take care of the shades. Don't let them get close to the guild hall, and don't let them overwhelm you. Watch each other's backs!"
The remaining guild members nodded, spreading out to engage the swarming Phantom Shades. Though nervous, their trust in one another held firm as they prepared for battle.
As Aurelius watched them move, Mirajane approached him again, her usual calm replaced by a hint of hesitation. "Aurelius… should we take Lucy to the hideout? She'll be safer there."
Aurelius shook his head, his tone decisive. "No. Lucy stays here. She needs to be somewhere we can see her and protect her directly. Putting her in the hideout would isolate her—and that's too risky."
Mirajane hesitated, biting her lip. "I see… Then, do you think I should—?"
"Can you fight?" Aurelius interrupted, looking at her intently.
Mirajane's face fell, and she shook her head sadly. "No… not like before."
Aurelius nodded, accepting her answer without judgment. "Then do what you can to help the injured and keep the guild standing."
Mirajane stepped back to fulfill her role, and Aurelius turned his attention to Lucy, who was still sitting on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Her shoulders shook as she quietly sobbed, guilt and fear overwhelming her.
"I'm sorry," Lucy choked out when she saw him approach. "I'm so sorry… This is all my fault. You should just give me up. It's the only way to stop this…"
"Too late for that now," Aurelius replied, his tone sharp but not unkind. He crouched slightly to meet her gaze. "Fairy Tail doesn't give up its own. You're here, and you're staying here."
Lucy looked at him, her tears only flowing harder. "But I—"
"No buts," Aurelius interrupted firmly. His voice softened slightly as he asked, "Lucy… can you fight?"
Lucy blinked, startled by the question.
"Can you fight?" Aurelius repeated. "Can you show the guild why you're worthy of their protection? They've risked everything for you already. Now it's time for you to prove to yourself that you belong here."
Lucy's lip quivered as she wiped her eyes. "I… I'll try," she whispered, nodding through her tears.
Aurelius reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a gleaming celestial key, its polished surface catching the dim light. The design on the key was intricate, marked with the constellation of Sagittarius: The Archer. He held it out to her.
"This is the Gate of the Archer," Aurelius said calmly. "Use it. You'll need all the help you can get."
Lucy hesitated, staring at the key in disbelief. "You… You're giving this to me?"
"Take it," Aurelius said simply, pressing it into her trembling hand.
Lucy clutched the key tightly, tears still streaming as she nodded. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking as she stood, clutching the key like a lifeline.
Aurelius stood as well, glancing at the battlefield, his sharp mind already calculating their next moves. Time was running out, and the pressure was mounting.
"Now prove it to them," Aurelius said quietly, his voice just loud enough for her to hear. "Prove to everyone why should fight for you."
Lucy nodded again, determination slowly replacing the fear in her eyes.
Aurelius focused intently on the approaching Phantom Shades, his face serious and determined. He raised both hands, and a surge of ethernano gathered in his palms, coalescing into an orange orb. It began small, but quickly it grew, its glow intensifying with each passing second, crackling with untamed power. The orb expanded, becoming larger and brighter, sending ripples through the air as the guildmates felt the overwhelming presence of the magic.
Everyone instinctively turned to Aurelius, sensing the vast amounts of ethernano he was channeling.
"DUCK!" Aurelius shouted, his voice commanding and urgent.
Without hesitation, the guild members dropped to the ground, taking cover behind anything they could find. Even those closest to Aurelius felt the urgency in his voice and followed his command immediately.
The orb grew to the size of a boulder, pulsating with energy as Aurelius thrust his hands forward. With a determined expression, he released the orb, and it shot forward, its speed cutting through the air like a comet.
The orange sphere hurtled toward the Phantom Shades, colliding with the center of their mass. The moment it reached the center, a violent explosion erupted in all directions. The sheer force of the blast sent a shockwave across the battlefield, rattling the ground beneath their feet. The orange energy spiraled outward like a tornado, and the air itself felt heavy with heat.
The Phantom Shades that were within range of the blast disintegrated instantly. The explosion's intense heat caused the shades to melt away, their black forms evaporating into a cloud of smoke and ash. Those that were farther out were caught in the explosion's force, sent tumbling through the air, their ethereal bodies torn apart by the shockwaves.
For a brief moment, the explosion seemed to consume everything in its path. The ground cracked and crumbled under the sheer impact, the heat from the explosion turning the air into a suffocating furnace. The explosion's aftermath left the area scorched, with nothing but charred remnants of the Phantom Shades left behind.
Aurelius lowered his arms, his breath steady despite the massive use of energy. His gaze remained sharp, scanning the battlefield for any remaining threats.
"Energy Make, Orange : Hephaestus Wrath," Aurelius muttered under his breath, his voice calm, though the power he had just unleashed was immense.
Bonus Chapter:
99 more power stones for a bonus chapter.
Chapter Titles:
30: Through Shadows and Storms
31: Confronting the Source
32: A New Player