//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 Shadow Gambit // Story: Realms Unite 2 // by Ninyn //------------------------------// Natsu was pacing back and forth. The guild was quite lively ever since they won the Grand Magic Games. "I can't take it anymore! Nightshade is out of action and The Sentients are running around like idiots! I say we march into the shadow realm and destroy that guy Nightwalker like we did with Roark!!" he shouted. Makarov sighed, "You know just as well as the rest of us we can't ignore Elustar's orders Natsu. The best we can do is wait…" he said. Natsu snorted and sat at the bar grabbing some soda. Elustar returned to the guild with her large sword on her back. Makarov eyed the sentient curiously, "You've returned mighty quickly Elustar. What's going on?" he asked. Elustar took a deep breath as she sat next to Makarov. "Well… We closed the portal to the Shadow Realm. We can no longer go in or out through that realm at the current time… If we are to get to the shadow realm we'll require a passage of each realm to the shadow realm. There is always a way to the shadow realm…" Elustar said with a sigh. Makarov frowned, "Is there no other way?" he asked. Elustar shook her head, "The portal can't be opened until Star Bright and Odion have finished their business in the newly discovered realm… Other than that we have Goku and Naruto in The Palace discussing plans. The problem is, Kisashi and myself have decided we need to get Natsu and his friends into the shadow realm before the fighting begins. If we can get into the shadow realm without them being detected we'll have the element of surprise against Nightwalker. The only major problem is we not everyone can get into the barrier yet. We magic users can't get into the barrier Nightwalker has set otherwise our magic will be rendered useless," she said. Makarov rubbed his chin, "Well…. For starters I think you and my guild members should get into the realm first. Then devise your plan to enter the barrier. You sentients always have a way of figuring things out. One step at a time my dear, one step at a time," he said. Elustar nodded, "I do have an idea of how we're going to enter undetected… But I don't think the others will quite agree…" she said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Within the palace Obi-Wan and Anakin had re-entered the palace. Team RWBY was also in the palace along with another 4 man team. Naruto, Sasuke, and Goku were discussing the attack plans. Odion looked around, "So the biggest of the plans for the attack are setting up the equipment to amplify the ponies magic. They'll be in human form once more, but the real problem is getting the equipment built and powered. Anakin, I'll need you to build the equipment while in the shadow realm," he said. Anakin looked around, "Where are the ponies?" he asked a little annoyed. Odion blinked and looked around, "I believe the ponies are all in the mess hall. I believe they are speaking… With themselves and Star Bright," he said. Anakin nodded and headed off to the mess hall. Obi-Wan met with Naruto, Goku and Sasuke. The three began discussing something in private. Odion caught a little of their conversation. "A good thing about my different techniques is that I was able to save some of that from when we kicked Roark's ass," Naruto said. Odion raised an eyebrow but left them to their own. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In the mess hall Anakin came to a halt, *I know I didn't drink that much before coming here!* he thought. Standing before Twilight and her friends were exact replicas of themselves, minus Sunset Shimmer. Star Bright was talking rapidly but it seemed the girls could easily understand her. With a final breath Star Bright slammed a hand into the ground and the two sets of pony/girls fused together! The mane 6 stood in there partial pony forms with different colored streaks going through their hair. Star Bright fell to one knee sweating heavily. Sunset rushed to her side helping her. Anakin blinked, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything important," he said. The girls all turned to see Anakin and tackle hugged him. Anakin blushed darkly, "It's great to see you to girls," he chuckled. Rainbow Dash laughed, "Whatcha doing watching us Fly boy?" she asked. The others nodded to the question. Star Bright and Sunset joined the circle looking at the Jedi. Anakin was about to speak until he noticed the instruments they had laid out across a table. All of the stereos and wiring intrigued him. He had a lot of work ahead of him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "WHAT?!" The group gathered in fairy tail roared. Elustar stood as pale as a ghost drenched in sweat. The group hadn't exactly taken lightly to her plan. "You do realize the amount of risks you are taking don’t you Elustar?" Makarov said. Elustar nodded slowly, "I realize asking for his help isn't exactly in Fairy Tails best interests but it's the only shot we've got. He's the only one who can help us get into the shadow realm undetected. He's not exactly into destroying the world either," she said. Natsu was growling darkly. Gray was turned around with his arms cross. Erza had a sword drawn ready to bat Elustar out of the guild. Lucy frowned looking at all of them and thought about what Elustar might be feeling, "I think we should give it a shot," she said. Natsu and the others turned to her, "What?!" Lucy glared up at Natsu, "You've fought against the likes of Nightwalker before! You know what we're up against, and if he's taken over your friends body then we’re in even bigger trouble. Elustar has a point to all of her plan. If we're to be successful we need all the help we can get, and if it means going to him then so be it!" she yelled. Natsu frowned clenching his fist, "Alright… But I won't be nice…" he said. Elustar let out a deep breath, "Thank you… All of you… I know this isn't the best mission we've come up with… But it's the best chance we have at beating Nightwalker and his followers," he said. The others nodded, "If the fate of the realms are in the balance then so be it… I see no other way around it…" Erza said. The others all looked at Erza with a surprised look and frowned looking back to Elustar. Elustar took a shaky breath, "I know this isn’t an easy decision to make Fairies… And I also understand your concern... Thank you for understanding Erza," she said. Erza nodded and looked to Gray, Natsu, and Lucy, "If Elustar is willing enough to go this far then so am I. We will follow through with her plan. Natsu, I believe you above all else can gain his attention. Let's get away from this area as fast as possible," he said. The others nodded and they all started heading for canyon they had once ventured through once long ago. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Odion sat looking at the gathered heroes and thought of the realm that Nightshade and Thyme had discovered. The realm of tomorrow… He shook the notion off and eyed the second team Ozpin had sent along with Team RWBY. Team JNPR is what Ozpin had called them. The leader of Team JNPR was Jaune Arc. A tall teenage boy with dark-blue eyes with messy blonde hair. He was quite toned, having strong muscles in his arms, shoulders and upper chest. He wore a white diamond-shaped chest plate and white spaulders with rerebrace. Under the armor, he wore a black hoodie with detached reddish-orange sleeves and an image a bunny rabbit named Pumpkin Pete hidden underneath the chest plate. Odion scowled wondering how the boy honestly functioned after seeing his full attire without armor. Jaune also wore blue pants with a white patch on the left knee, as well as black sneakers with "left" and "right" written in black on the respective shoes' soles. He had two belts crisscrossing his waist, both different shades of brown, with a pair of small pouches on them. Jaune wore brown wrist-length gloves with exposed fingertips and a small metal plate on the back. His sword was strapped to his left hip in a sheath that doubled as a collapsible shield. Next in line was Nora Valkyrie. Nora had short orange hair and turquoise eyes. Her clothing was a mix and match of some sort. She wore a collared black vest that ended at her waist. Her emblem was a hammer with a lightning bolt, it could be found on her back. Under the vest are two layers of clothing, colored red and light-blue. Odion frowned a bit noticing the colors, *Please don’t tell me I’ve got another Pinkie Pie on my case….* he thought. She also wore a white sleeveless top that formed a tiny heart shape between her cleavage and collarbone, with a white detached sleeve on each arm. She wore matching fingerless gloves on each hand. She sported a pink skirt that started at the waist and ends mid-thigh. Her shoes are a mix of pink and white with pink laces, displaying her emblem on their soles. She also wore armor that began in the middle of the shoulder and neck and ended by the waist. Third in line was Pyrrha Nikos. Pyrrha had her red hair in a waist-length ponytail, curled slightly into a loose ringlet, and had vivid green eyes. She also wore light-green eye shadow around the far upper corners of her eyes. She was tall and quite muscular compared to most of the girls Odion had seen at Beacon. Her top consisted of two layers. The top layer was a light-brown, strapless top split divided vertically with some bronze patterns. It may have been a piece of leather or metal armor as it appeared to be quite stiff, maintaining its shape without support; this layer also seems to have had some kind of riveting or small, round embroidery on the sides, which may also have been heavy stitching. The bottom layer is a low bronze V-neck. Pyrrha wore an elastic, black, A-line miniskirt and brown opera-length gloves on both arms. She wore a red ankle-length drapery that appeared to be wrapped around her skirt. There was a small circular bronze plate by her right hip opposite two pouches with both connected to a belt. The plate bore her "shield and spear" emblem. She wore a bronze circlet headpiece that could be seen above her ear and under her bangs. A pair of small, green, teardrop-shaped emeralds hang from her circlet on thin chains. She also sported a large bronze gorget around her neck, and a bronze bracelet on the upper half of her left arm. She had elaborate bronze greaves that start below her mid-thigh, continuing downwards into her boots and a pair of cuisses that began mid-thigh and end slightly above her knees. She also donned a bronze bracer on top of the sleeve on her left arm, which appears to be able to connect and disconnect from her shield easily. Her high-heeled boots were brown with bronze trim, matching her skirt and sleeves, and reach up to mid-calf. The final member of Team JNPR was Lie Ren. Lie Ren had long black hair tied into a ponytail that ended midway down his back. There was a magenta streak on the left side of his hair. His eyes matched the streak in his hair. He wore a dark green, diagonally-buttoned, long-sleeved tailcoat that was red on the inside, with black and gold trimming and pink cuffs. The trimming goes down the right side of his torso and forms a black collar. The color scheme seemed to be influenced to some degree by the lotus flower, which is his emblem. He wore a black, long-sleeved shirt beneath the suit, and light-tan pants with black shoes. Odion kept looking over each member with interest. This team seemed far more intricate than Team RWBY. They seemed a bit more well put together than them as well. He sensed a writhing emotion deep within three of them… He didn't dare look into Nora's mind due to his past experience with Pinkie Pie. Odion called Obi-Wan over to him. Obi-Wan smiled and bowed before Odion, "It is great to see you once again Master Odion," he said. Odion shook his head, "Here you need not call me "master", Obi-Wan. I wish for you to introduce the two newly arrived Teams from The Realm known as Remnant. I'm sure everyone will get along quite fine," he said. Obi-Wan nodded and walked over to Team RWBY and JNPR. The teams all seemed rather intrigued to hear Obi-Wan introduce himself. They all were quite well mannered and introduced themselves and followed the Jedi Master to see the other companions of the realms. Odion smiled, *May the force be with us all…* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back in Fiore Team Natsu had arrived within a spacious canyon with Elustar guiding them. They came to a barren cliff with no sign of any normal life surrounding them. Elustar turned and a black aura surrounded her arms. Natsu stepped forward sweating a tiny bit. Elustar's eyes turned dark pink as she blaster Natsu with the black energy. Natsu's eyes turned violet for a moment as he took in the energy that had been thrust upon him. Natsu closed his eyes as he focused on all the darker energies of other mages across Fiore. With a smile Natsu nodded chuckled as he found a very familiar and powerful aura of magic out in a far off country, "I think I've found him…" he said. Elustar quickly grabbed Natsu's arm and peered into his vision. She helped him focus on the energy and allowed him to contact the mage. Natsu took a shaky breath and growled, "ZEREF!! You bastard! If you can hear me I know you can feel my presence! Come and find me you freak! We need to talk!" he roared. Lucy, Gray and Erza fell over. Gray stood back up, "What are you trying to do you idiot?! Were trying not get him here peacefully not piss him off!" he growled. A cold chill then shot through all of the wizards, "I'm sorry for the short delay… I must say it is quite interesting to hear you off all people to call for a conversation Natsu…" A quiet voice spoke up. Natsu and the others turned to see Zeref smiling at the group, "I do believe my eyes are fooling me or am I seeing Elustar Dragnite… Famed wizard and Sentient of Fiore? My, my… Such an honor to be within your presence milady…" he said taking a knee. Natsu was holding back the urge to yell as Elustar stepped forward, "I know you've felt the fluctuations of dark energy and magic in the realm Zeref. You're too smart to let such details elude your sight…" she said. Zeref rose nodding slightly, "That I have milady. I do have to say it's quite bothersome to have obtained such a boost out of nowhere, I am rather disgusted with the feeling of such a curse that I did not ask for," he said Elustar blinked taken aback, "Curse?! Does this not help you in any way towards your goals?" she asked. Zeref sighed, "Indeed the power would indeed help me achieve my goals now with a wipe of my hand but I never asked for such a thing. I wish to achieve my goals on my own with no one's training or "blessing". This false Shadow Sentient, Nightwalker, is a nuisance. I do not wish to see the realm that which I live in destroyed. I know that is why you've called me here Lady Elustar. The shouting was quite a surprise. Had you called me with a whisper in the wind I would have appeared. With the boost that the shadow realm is giving all other dark wizards including myself it'll be easy to accomplish a cloaking magic that'll keep you hidden from Nightwalkers sight," he said. Elustar nodded, "Thank you… I think… I know of the portal to enter the shadow realm from here I-" she was cut off as they were soon teleported to a dark cave. Zeref's eyes were flowing with magic, "I too know where the portal is as you can see Lady Elustar. I have had many trips into the realm without permission even when the great Roark Lindrake was slumbering away before his defeat of Natsu and the others that were present during the conflict. I saw the birth of Nightwalker while everyone was blind to the darkness that had left The Gallant's being at that precise moment. The favor of which you are asking me is pretty high but I am not one to hold a high price. I ask-" he paused appearing next to Elustar with a mere step and whispered into her ear. Elustar frowned but did not flinch listening to the wizards request, "I understand," she said. Zeref smiled as his magic aura died down, "That is the favor of which I ask of you Lady Sentient of Magic," he said. Zeref waved his hand over the four wizards before him with a blank expression, "The enchantment I have bestowed upon you shall keep you hidden from all beings of darkness. Not even I will be able to find you once you are within the realm of shadows. I am looking forward to our next meeting fairies. Till our final encounter I wish you nothing but the best of luck in your crusade," he said. Natsu looked at Zeref and stepped forward, "Zeref…" he said. Zeref turned around, "Yes Natsu?" he asked with a smile. Natsu blinked, "The next time we meet I'm going to beat you…" With a hearty step Natsu stepped through the portal to the shadow realm with Lucy and Gray following close behind. Erza summoned four swords and slung them over her shoulder, "These won't disappear if my magic is cut off. They'll do for now until we can use our magic at our full potential," she said to Elustar. Elustar nodded, "Good luck," she said. Erza nodded and stepped through the portal. The die had been cast at that moment. Zeref disappeared within a swirl of magic and Elustar was left alone. The Shadow Gambit had begun.