//------------------------------// // Alvarez vs Fiore: Part 2 // Story: Spike the Fairy // by PonyJoel //------------------------------// Spike is at the guildhall with his friends. It's been several hours since the first wave of attack. He's drinking a barrel of water after consuming sand energy from the sandstorm. Cana and Lucy place Brandish in magic-seal stone cuffs to nullify her magic power and put her in a holding cell. "Taking up Cana's drinking habits?" Gajeel jokes around Spike. "Do you know what it's like to eat sand?" Spike's voice sounds raspy. "I tasted it, and it's dry. Eating it, no," Gajeel replies. He's eating iron. "I have never been this thirsty in all my life!" Spike drinks the barrel of water some more. "Ugh, never again will I eat sand energy. It's the worst." "Have you learned by now? Never again always leads to doing it again," Happy said. "For instance, mode of transportation for Dragon Slayers." "Don't remind me," Natsu feels motion sickness at the thought of another vehicle. "We managed to fend off the first wave of attacks. However, the fact remains we're facing enemy forces coming at us in every direction," Makarov said. "Luckily for us, thanks to Spike's letters and Ichiya spreading his message far and wide, we have every guild in Fiore coming to our aid," Jet said. "Yea, ain't no way we're losing this battle. We have Fairy Dragon to counter anything they throw at us," Droy said. "I'm flattered that you believe in me to counter anything, but there's only one of me. I'm not everywhere at once," Spike's voice sounds better. "Oh, yeah. We forgot," Jet and Droy said. "You can count on me to defeat the punk that attacked the Thunder Legion, Spike," Laxus said in a vengeful tone. "Thanks," Spike finishes drinking the barrel. "I finished using my healing magic," Wendy said, coming out of the infirmary. "The Thunder Legion and Ichiya need time to recover." "Warren, give me a situation report," Master Makarov orders. "I'm on it, Master," Warren uses his magic to project. "Oh, no! There's a situation to the east! Almost every guild in Basco has been decimated!" "Not good!" Several members of the Fairy Tail Guild panics a bit. "I don't know if their goal was to take down Basco, but it seems like they stopped their advanced for now," Warren said. "There is some good news, though! The enemy army coming from the north is about to be met by Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus! Although the invaders have taken the Port of Hargeon, Mermaid Heel and Lamia Scale are on their way to drive them out!" Spike sighs a bit which catches Master Makarov's attention. "Something wrong, Fairy Dragon?" "I hate to be the bearer of bad news. I believe Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus may be at a disadvantage." "What!? Why would you say that!" Warren, Jet, Droy, Max Alors, Nab, and Lisanna, Mirajane, and Elfman say in unison. Spike takes a deep breath. "Sabertooth didn't train as hard like Fairy Tail did when I gave the initiative order a year ago. I flicked Sting in his White Drive Dragon Mode and defeated him. Then again, we don't know who's out there for them to encounter from the Spriggan 12." "First Master?" Master Makarov turns to Mavis. "We'll need to form some squads to help our allies," Master Mavis calculates the best crew to team up with to aid every other guild. "Mirajane. You, Elfman, Lisanna, Gajeel, Levy, Lily, and Spike will take the north." "Manly Squad!" Elfman cheers. "This isn't a favor to Jenny but glad to help," Mirajane said. "We can handle them," Lisanna said. "Yea," Levy nods. "Getting to team up with Fairy Dragon. Now, this is a party," Gajeel chuckles. "I'll say. Just like training during the year and working together all over again," Panther Lily said. "Perfect," Spike smirks. "Aw, man," Wendy sheds a tear. She was hoping Mavis would pair Spike with her. Mavis announces the second team. "Providing support to the south. It'll be Natsu, Happy, Gray, Juvia, Wendy, Carla, and Laxus." "I guess that means we'll be seeing my old buddy Lyon again," Gray said. "I hope Popeye has returned to Hargeon to lay waste on some Alvarez Soldiers," Juvia said. "Who's Popeye?" Mavis asks Juvia. "He's a Sailor, wicked powerful when he eats spinach. I've seen him one-punched Kain Hikaru during the battle with the Seven Deadly Sins," Juvia answers. "Let's hope he's there!" Romeo said. "If I go south, I can crush that mechanical freak's real body," Laxus is looking forward to some payback. "It'll be great to work with Sherria again," Wendy said now that she thinks about her situation. Still, it bothers her that Spike won't be by her side going to Hargeon. "Yes, the Sky Sisters. Back in action," Carla said. "Hang on, where's Natsu?" Gray asks. He doesn't see Natsu anywhere in the guildhall. "I could have sworn he was here with us," Juvia said. She remembered seeing Natsu around after bringing Erza back to the guildhall. Erza comes in, badly bandaged up. "Wherever he is, he's doing what he needs to do." "Erza," Carla is worried about Erza's condition. "I volunteer to go in Natsu's place," Erza said. "I loved to see Kagura once more." "You're still too injured," Wendy said. "Sis, you can't be serious. You were getting choked by that Ajeel guy and that Nakagami Armor worn you out," Spike said. He's worried about Erza's health. "I'll be fine, Spike. I'm worried about you for what you may consume next." "Eating sand is one thing. Consuming Hades' Abyss Magic was another. I don't think I'll be able to top that," Spike exclaims. "She got you there, Fairy Dragon," Gajeel said. "No joke. You even consumed a Demon Slayer's magic power," Juvia reminded Spike. "Let's not forget he consumed the Pheonix's magic bomb that held all of our magic," Lucy noted. "Geez, I'm not that reckless," Spike said. Most of the guildhall gets a good laugh. "Spike," Wendy walks up to him. "Yes," Spike looks at Wendy. "When this is all over, and we win," Wendy holds Spike's claws. "I want a day just the two of us. It's been a while since we had one of those." "I promise you we'll have a day when it's the two of us," Spike leans to kiss Wendy. Wendy returns the kiss. Mavis smiles, watching the two kiss. She turns to Lucy and Cana. "Lucy, Cana. You'll stay here and watch over the prisoner." Lucy was distracted by Spike and Wendy kissing. "Oh, yes, Ma'am." "Definitely don't want to leave her alone with those creepers," Cana is referring to Macao and Wakaba. "C'mon," Macao and Wakaba whine a bit. They were hoping to watch Brandish alone. "Everyone else will defend the guildhall," Mavis instructs. "There's still a high probability of a surprise attack." "Agreed. What about the forces coming from the east and west?" Makarov asks Mavis. "The western army is moving much more slowly than the others. Which means that's likely where Zeref is coming from; We'll have to deal with the other three groups first. Once they're neutralized, we'll fend him off with everything we got left." "Okay, you can send me to the Eastern Front!" Romeo shouts with confidence. "The eastern army poses the most imminent threat right now. Given the situation, we must counter them with the strongest fighters we can find," Mavis said. "And who would that be?" Romeo asks Mavis. "I assume we're in contact, Warren?" Mavis turns to Warren. "Yes, Ma'am! Fiore's Mightiest are ready for action!" Warren replies. He's referring to Jura Neekis, Warrod Sequen, Wolfheim, and Draculos Hyberion. The Four Emperors of Ishgar. "Whoa, it's them!" Several members of Fairy Tail are amazed to see them partaking in the war. "If the enemy somehow fights their way past them," Mavis turns to Spike. "Spike, you'll be our backup for that kind of enemy." "Consider it done," Spike said. He figures God Serena is there, coming from the east. He remembers what Brandish told him the other day. On Warren's monitor; They picked up where Natsu and Happy went. Natsu is going after Zeref with his secret weapon. "That boy is foolish! Spike! Bring Natsu here!" Master Makarov commands. "It won't do any good. Natsu will go out after Zeref. Like an endless pursuit," Spike's answer is a no to Makarov. Makarov grabs the back ends of his hair in anger. "Spike, teleport me to Natsu! He should face Zeref alone!" Gray shouts at Spike. "No!" Erza intervenes. "This is Natsu's fight. Natsu said he has the power to take out Zeref. We need to trust in Natsu." "Also, Natsu is not alone. Happy is with Natsu," Carla reminds Gray. "We need to get going and meet up with our allies," Erza said. "Fairy Dragon! Time to fly! Manly style!" Elfman said. He wants to ride on Spike again. "Hold it," Erza interrupts. "He needs to teleport us to Hargeon. From there, we'll meet up with Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel." "No," Spike shakes his head. "What do you mean no?" Erza gives a vicious glare to Spike. Other Fairy Tail wizards cringe, flinch, and back away from Erza. Erza's glare doesn't scare Spike. "As much as this pains me, you still need time to recover. Since you're taking Natsu's spot, a day of travel will do you some good, which will extend Wendy's healing magic on you. Also, my flare marking is in Hargeon, surrounded by enemy forces and not with the allies. You'll need to meet with Lamia Scale and Mermaid Heel to push back the army." Erza takes it into consideration and sighs deeply. "You're right," Everyone around Erza flop by Erza's calm reply. "Teleporting us to Hargeon will be dangerous. I wasn't thinking clearly. Thanks for the reminder about your flare marking." "You're welcome," Spike replies. "I swear, I can never get Erza to talk like that whenever she gives someone the cold shoulder," Gray said to Lucy. "It's crazy that no matter what stare Erza gives, Spike is immune to it," Lucy says to Gray. "Spike," Wendy looks at Spike's eyes. "If you have to go to the east, bring me with you. I refuse to have you fight alone." Spike reads Wendy's eyes and hugs her. "I will. Don't you worry, I won't fight alone." "Thanks," Wendy graciously says. After twenty minutes, Elfman, Lisanna, Mirajane, Levy, Gajeel, and Panther Lily are ready. Spike goes outside and transforms into a full-size dragon. His friends jump on his back, and Spike flies north. It's late at night in the north. Spike lands, allowing his friends to hop off his back. He reverts to size. "I can't believe it took us over a day to get here!" Elfman complains to Spike. "This is why I prefer to travel by different means! There are areas I haven't explored nor tagged a flare marking!" Spike barks back at Elfman. "You read the map upside down and told me where to go, so it's not my fault that it took us this long!" "Perhaps I should give you a manly beatdown!" Elfman is ready to throw down on Spike. "Bring it on!" Spike is ready to fight Elfman. "Shut up! Both of you! At least we're here," Gajeel said. He's tired of Spike and Elfman bickerings. "Better late than never, huh?" Panther Lily said. "I hope Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus were able to hold off the armies," Lisanna said. "Let's hope so," Mirajane said. "An army is arriving," Spike sees soldiers marching in formation. "Looks like we're fighting without them," Gajeel said. "Can we take on that many?" Levy is unsure by the mass of the army marching. "Don't worry. The other guilds should be close by; Also, we have Fairy Dragon on our side. I'm not worried one bit," Panther Lily said. "Still, there are members of the 12 Spriggan to dispose of; that guy with the sand had me good at first. We should not underestimate our opponent," Spike said. "Agreed," Mirajane nods. "If we gotta do it alone, so be it," Gajeel prepares himself. "Everyone, get ready to fight!" "Gajeel..," Spike's jaw drops when he sees what the soldiers are carrying. Gajeel's eyes widen in shock. Elfman, Panther Lily, Lisanna, Mirajane, and Levy are horrified to see Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus tied up on wooded poles and tied in crucified positions, raised like trophies for a display of rapid dominance. "Yukino..," Levy is in tears, seeing her friend humiliated in the worst way unimaginable. "That's Sting and Rogue!" Panther Lily shouts in horror. "That is so messed up," Gajeel said in anger. It brings him daunting memories of his Phantom Lord days. "You and your big mouth!" Elfman yells at Spike for being right again. His predictions and theories scare him. "Elfman, calm down," Mirajane said, trying to cool off her brother. Spike grits his teeth. "Let's get 'em!" Spike takes off. "Let's go!" Gajeel follows Spike. Spike flies in front of the Alvarez Army and takes down the front lines. He rescues Ren and Hibiki first. Gajeel uses his Iron Dragon Roar to blow the soldiers away, rescuing Sting and Rogue. Elfman, Lisanna, Mirajane, Panther Lily, and Levy are battling the soldiers while saving every Sabertooth member and Blue Pegasus member. "C'mon, Sting. Wake up!" Gajeel checks on Sting; he's battered and bruised. "All the others? Are they still alive?" Sting asks. "Safe and sound," Gajeel answers. "Don't worry." Members of Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus are resting in makeshift camps Lisanna and Levy made. They're making sure everyone is accounted for while Spike, Mirajane, Panther Lily, and Elfman push back the Alvarez forces. Sting tears up a bit. "What a disgrace! We didn't stand a chance. We're weak!" Sting feels humiliated. "Don't beat yourself up," Gajeel reassuringly says. "We'll get revenge for you. They'll be picking their teeth off the ground." "What's happening?" Sting feels something is changing. "Gajeel?" Levy turns to Gajeel. "Meteor Rain!" Spike conjures Sparkling Green Orbs and unleashes it at the Alvarez Army. The Sparking Green Orbs explode on contact. "Something doesn't feel right," Sting senses the area changing. "You can say that again," Gajeel feels a rift. "It's so weird. The snow is melting," Levy said. "Spike, is that your doing?" Gajeel shouts from afar. Spike picks up Gajeel's call. "No. I'm focused on pushing the army back!" Spike breathes fire on the soldiers, pushing them back. The snowy region of Northern Fiore changes like a new season. From winter to spring. Flowers blossomed all around the area. The attack wages on as Lisanna and Levy help untie Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus, allowing them to recover and take cover while Spike, Gajeel, Panther Lily, Mirajane, and Elfman fight the army. The Alvarez army steps back and brings the wounded with them. Reinforcements will be arriving shortly. Sting and Rogue break down while their friends are recovering. "Dammit, what are we going to do? They got those three monsters on their side!" Gajeel chuckles after hearing Sting mention three monsters. "Yea, but we got six monsters and a Fairy Dragon on our side!" Elfman transforms into his Beast Soul, Lisanna is in her kitty form, Mirajane transforms into her Satan Soul. "Here, Gajeel," Spike conjures a metallic shield and gives it to him. "Thanks, Fairy Dragon," Gajeel munches on the metallic shield, replenishing his magic power. "Let's go!" Spike, Gajeel, Panther Lily, Levy, Lisanna, Mirajane, and Elfman spring into action, going after the Alvarez army now that reinforcements have arrived. Some soldiers flee when they see Gajeel using his Karma Demon Iron God Sword to slash them and Spike creating ice missiles. To two knocks down hundreds of soldiers with their combined attack. "Iron Dragon!" Gajeel conjures his breath attack. "Fairy Dragon!" Spike conjures his breath attack. "Roooooooooooooar!" Spike and Gajeel combine their breath attack into an Iron Sparkle Flame unison raid. Many soldiers get scorched and blown away by sheer force from the attack. Levy uses her Solid Script Magic to create all sorts of carnage. Her Fire Script scorches soldiers; her Iron Script crushes soldiers with iron that spawns above them; her Lightning Script electrocutes soldiers. She's holding her own nicely against the soldiers. Panther Lily takes down many soldiers with his song sword. The soldiers don't have an answer to fighting an exceed that wields a sword much larger than him. Panther Lily's sword slashes rows of soldiers left and right. Mirajane, in her Satan Soul, conjures many dark orbs and destroys the soldiers from advancing any further while protecting Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus. Elfman and Lisanna are helping Mirajane in that regard. While they fight, Sting is still in tears. Rogue is trying to help Sting snap out of his breakdown. "It's all my fault. I'm nothing but a screwup..," Sting sniffs. "I'm supposed to be the Master of our Guild. That flick from Spike the other day made me feel like I'm weak.., too weak to pose a threat now. Look at us.., we got our asses handed to us by those monsters!" Sting sobs. Yukino grabs Sting's arm and pulls him up. Then, she slaps Sting. Yukino is in tears for what she pulled. Minerva, Rogue, Frosch, Lector, Rufus, and Orga are shocked; eyes widen at what they witnessed. They never anticipated Yukino to pull a stunt like that. "You are our Master, Sting. And that means when things get as dark as they are now, you lead us out of it," Yukino said, giving a painful but truthful reminder about what a guild leader is supposed to do. "Yukino..," Sting looks at Yukino's eyes. "You can do it. I know you have what it takes," Yukino believes in Sting even though he doesn't believe in himself right now. Sting looks deep down at himself after hearing what Yukino expressed from her heart. "I'm sorry," Sting holds Yukino's hand. "That must have been painful." "No.., I mean.., I slapped you so, wouldn't that hurt you more?" "Having to do something like that because your Master is pathetic is the painful part of it," Sting wipes his tears. He sees Spike, Gajeel, Panther Lily, Levy, Mirajane, Elfman, and Lisanna battling the soldiers. Newfound confidence emerges within Sting. "You're not pathetic. I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do," Yukino apologetically expresses. "Someone needed to knock some sense into me. We gotta learn from this experience and grow stronger," Sting takes a deep breath. "If you can still walk! Follow me! We're Tigers, and we're hungry for a fight! And right now, it's feeding time!" "Let's do this!" The Trimen of Blue Pegasus steps into the fray. Sting leads the charge with Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus. They rejoin the battle and fight the soldiers for tying them up and humiliating them. Team Fairy Tail hears the commotions and smiles, knowing Sabertooth and Blue Pegasus got their fighting spirit back. Then panic spreads again when some wizards are dying. Members of Blue Pegasus and Sabertooth flee. "What the hell?" Gajeel and Spike see an enemy appearing. Wizards are shouting that the Grim Reaper has returned. Purple and black mist appears and disappears, revealing the demon behind the killings. "Iron Dragon Club!" Gajeel's arm turns into an iron club and hits the supposed Grim Reaper. More iron clubs hit him, and Gajeel uses his Iron Dragon Sword to pin the supposed Grim Reaper to a tree. "He must be one of the Spriggan 12," Spike said, seeing how every wizard is afraid of the supposed Grim Reaper. "What is your name?" Spike asks so he can carve a tombstone for him. "The name's Bloodman," Bloodman is an extremely, muscular demon. The appearance of the demon sends chills to anyone's soul. A Black and red demonic breastplate covers his chest that wraps itself around his lower abdomen. Attached to his breastplate are extremely large, irregularly-shaped metallic pauldrons that connect and fade out into his extremely long cloak, which he uses to keep the hoodie up. His faces resemble a red oni mask with his eye area painted yellow all around his chin to conceal his face. Bloodman wears a fishnet, mesh-like material on his arms. "How do you like being crucified?" Gajeel asks the supposed Grim Reaper. "For me, this is bringing up some bad memories." "Better than what your future holds," Bloodman uses his magic. His voice is dark and grim. His body becomes particles and moves out of Gajeel's iron pin. "Take this!" Spike shoots an energy beam from his claw. It does nothing to Bloodman. "You have touched death!" Bloodman grabs and chokes Spike and Gajeel through his sheer strength. The wizards near Spike and Gajeel become more afraid and flee. "There'll be no deprive, no escape!" "You think so?" Spike and Gajeel grab Bloodman's throat together. "This means it must be my lucky day," Gajeel turns his body into iron. "You'll be six feet under when we're through with you!" Spike's body ignites in Sparkling Green Flames. Gajeel headbutts Bloodman. He lets go of Gajeel's and Spike's throats. "Inferno Flame Scorching Fist!" Spike punches Bloodman. He hurls back a bit from the two impacts. Spike and Gajeel nod and attack Bloodman in close-quarter combat. "My Bane Particles spell doom for any wizard who inhales them. Soon, you'll feel a sensation of your organs liquifying!" "Yea, I don't think so cause my lungs are made of iron!" Gajeel said. "Oh, great. Bane Particles to add on. Erza will not let me hear the end of it," Spike said. "Excellent news, it's been too long since I truly faced two challenging opponents!" Bloodman shoots his Bane Particles at Gajeel and Spike. They dodge the attack. "Iron Dragon Spear!" Gajeel's leg turns into an iron spear to attack Bloodman. His attack phases through his Bane Particle body. "What the?" Spike is trying to figure out how to hurt the guy. "My body is made of Bane Particles. You touching me will seal your doom!" Bloodman declares. He unleashes black skulls in a wave of an attack. "I am the God of Death! Dragging all I face into the Underworld!" Spike and Gajeel scream a bit due to the magic Bloodman is unleashing. It's creating internal torture in their bodies. Many wizards, not far but can see Spike and Gajeel fighting, starts bleeding from their mouths, feeling their organs liquifying, and screaming in agonizing pain. "The two of you can survive this, but what about those who don't have your gifts?" Bloodman taunts Gajeel and Spike. "Everyone, getaway, right now!" Gajeel yells. "Don't come near him!" "Leave this guy to us!" Spike shouts. Spike and Gajeel land in the pile of black skulls Bloodman spawned. "My legion of the dead will consume your souls." "Damn these bones," Gajeel said. They're everywhere. "Solid Script, Shine!" Levy uses her Solid Script Magic to repel the dark souls using light energy. "Holy Magic?" Bloodman was not expecting to face a wizard that uses Holy Magic. "Levy, you gotta go!" Gajeel becomes worried about Levy's health when he sees Levy using her Solid Script Magic to create a mask for herself. "Nice thinking, Levy," Spike said. "Those who oppose me cannot escape death," Bloodman is getting serious. "I'll drag your souls through the gates of Hell. For I am Death, and the life you cling to will be broken, without mercy." "Will that mask of yours work, Levy?" Gajeel asks. "It's Solid Script. Of course, it'll work," Levy said, smiling at Gajeel to ensure him she's going to be okay going forward. "When the first seal is broken, Bane Particles drain your magic power. The second opens the gate to the Underworld beneath this field of corpses. Upon breaking the third seal," Bloodman's body is engulfed in Bane Particles. "The God of Death judges upon you," Bloodman's body turns black while his eyes are and mouth turns bright purple. "And when that happens, you are condemned down to the land of the dead." "You're nothing like the Grim Reaper the way I imagined it," Spike admits. "I get you're trying to be scary, but your magic power is a joke," Gajeel taunts Bloodman. "You got nothing on the rest of the twelve, do you?" "That's because I wield the power of curses," Bloodman proclaims. Spike, Gajeel, and Levy gasp. "I control what rises from the depths of Tartaros! Curse Power! Explosion Spiral!" Bloodman creates a large, spiraling explosion of purple and black Bane Particle Flames. Gajeel and Levy hurl back from the immense power. They crash into the pile of black skulls. Spike, however, is consuming Bloodman's Demon Curse. "You've chosen suicide! Hahahaha!" "Spike! No! We don't know what Bane Particles can do to you!" Levy shouts in horror. "Are you crazy?!" Gajeel thought Spike wouldn't resort to consuming Bane Particle Energy from Bloodman. Spike's body twitches after consuming the power. He falls to his knees; Bane Particles course through his body and organs. "I've seen fools breathing my Bane Particles but now a dragon, willingly to breathe and consume so much? Might as well call you the Kamakaze Dragon," Bloodman laughs in triumph. Spike roars while his body changes color. It sounds demonic, which surprises Bloodman. Gajeel and Levy recognize that demonic roar. A wave of powerful energy strikes Spike. The blinding light shields the eyes of Bloodman, Gajeel, and Levy. "What is that?" Bloodman asks Spike. He has never heard a demonic roar like that. "It's not what I am but who I am." "Who are you, then?" Bloodman rephrases his question. Hours ago. In the ports of Hargeon, Kagura, Erza, and Jellal are in hot pursuit of a member of the Spriggan 12. They're on Alvarez' Military ship shrouded in darkness. "What is happening?" Erza tries to look around in the darkness. "It's so dark," Kagura said. "Can't see a thing," Jellal said. "I know this magic." In the darkness, Erza, Kagura, and Jellal are attacked by - "It's been a while since the gang is back together. Remember my dark moments' spell? Nostalgia, isn't it?" Simon said. Erza, Kagura, and Jellal are dumbfounded by what they're seeing. For Erza and Jellal, it's a blast from the past. "Simon..?" Erza stutters a bit. "You're still.., alive..?" Jellal could have sworn he killed Simon years ago at the Tower of Heaven. "Erza, glad to see you're doing well," Simon said. He's happy to see Erza, his crush. "You seem different these days, Jellal. And you," Simon turns to Kagura. "Could you be?" Kagura is in tears. It's the first time in a long time she sees her big brother since that faithful night in Rosemary Village. When the Child Hunt took place. "Big brother..," Kagura wants to hug Simon. "It's me." Jellal extends his arms, blocking Kagura's path. "Stay back. This thing isn't Simon." Kagura is pissed off. "You bastard. How dare you!" A man sitting high on the sail pole laughs below. He watches and relishes the emotions emitting from Kagura and Erza. The man is wearing green armored boots, green pants, a green armored vest with purple rose patterns. His hair is purple with a ponytail. "Your Historia has a bit of everything. Love, pain, friendship, heart pain, death. Oh yes, you share a compelling and beautiful Historia." "What does that mean?" Kagura asks the man above. "You must be one of the twelve shields," Jellal said. "This is your doing?" Erza irately asks. "I'm Nienhart. I'm surprised you grasped the situation so quickly. This is the manifestation of your Historia. A wizard you all hold in your hearts. I can see inside them, you know? Your hearts are brimming with memories and devotions; I gather all those feelings and bring them physical form. I am a creator of life. My magnificent Historias." "I can't believe it..," Simon looks at Kagura. "It really is you. Kagura," Simon disappears slowly. "Big brother," Kagura runs to Simon. "You've grown so mu-" Simon is gone. Kagura's sadness becomes anger for what Neinhart has pulled. Jellal steps in Kagura's path. "Control yourself. It was an illusion," Jellal said, snapping sense into Kagura. "Illusion is a bit misnomer. You saw it yourselves. I create life forms that can use magic, among other things; Living beings with memories and magic," Neinhart shoots a powerful wave of magic at Kagura. Jellal tackles Kagura, avoiding the blast. "Jellal, Kagura!" Erza walks up to the hole in the ship caused by Neinhart's magic power. Neinhart chuckles and snaps his fingers. Erza turns around to see Ikaruga, a swordswoman she fought and defeated at the Tower of Heaven. "You're here too," Erza draws her sword. "You thought our paths will never cross again. How wrong you were," Ikaruga said. "Trinity Raven is gone. I saw you died!" Erza said, remembering the events at the Tower of Heaven like they were yesterday. "You merely released my soul," Ikaruga said. "Ikaruga, an exquisite dangerous flower," Nienhart smiles. Erza and Ikaruga have their sword battle. However, droplets of blood fall. Erza has not fully recovered from her battle against Ajeel. "You're not the warrior I fought years ago. Has the creep of time stole your edge?" Ikaruga is disappointed with Erza's fighting prowess. She expected more from her. Another enemy of Erza's past jumps into the fray. Azuma of Grimoire Heart. "It must be her wounds. The Erza I fought was powerful and fierce." "Azuma," Erza said. She turns to him. "Let's see. Have you lost your strength or was that baby dragon of yours holding you back!" Azuma unleashes his magic, roots rise from the ship attacking Erza. Azuma and Ikaruga doubleteam Erza in this fight. They dominate Erza a bit with their combined magic power. All Erza can do is defend herself in this outcome. After a few moments, Neinhart releases a third into the battle. Kyôka of Tartaros has now entered this battle. "The more adversaries a person has overcome, the more splendid their Historias are. This is my magic. The Historia of Corpses! With it, I can bring new life into battles into old," Neinhart explains. "Kyôka," Erza remembers her the most. "I see," Azuma turns to Ikaruga. "So you died too." "Hush, Azuma. I refuse to discuss it." "These souls have never had the pleasure of meeting before but now interact as old friends. Ah, such a marvelous thing," Neinhart releases more Historia corpses all around Hargeon. Also, he sees a thrilling memory Erza holds dearly. "I shall recreate this one for my pleasure." "Who do you have in mind now!" Erza grits her teeth in anger. A young dragon appears in front of Erza. He looks exactly like Spike, but his spikes are orange while his scales are amethyst. His eyes are orange, while the Fairy Tail Emblem on his chest is black. "Hello, Erza." Erza gasps in horror and steps back. Her eyes are full of tears for the first time in a year. She drops her sword. "Noo... Fairy Rage..?" Fairy Rage smiles while looking at Erza and nods. "It's me. I'm back." Erza pants. She doesn't have it in her soul to battle Fairy Rage; Not after he sacrificed his life to resurrect hers. "So, that's what Fairy Rage looks like, huh," Kyôka remembers the scary prowess Rage had when he possessed the Chairman's corpse. "I can't fight you..," Erza said in tears. She refuses to fight. "I know. That's why I'm here to help." Fairy Rage turns around. "Inferno Rage Roooooooooooar!" Fairy Rage unleashes his fire breath at Kyôka, Azuma, and Ikaruga. The trio crash into barrels of the ship. "What the hell..?" Neinhart is extremely perplexed by the sudden betrayal. "Do you honestly believe I'll harm my friend? My sister?" "Time for you to go!" Neinhart is about to send Fairy Rage back to where he belongs. "Noooooo! Don't!" Erza doesn't want to see Fairy Rage gone a second time. Neinhart snaps his fingers. Fairy Rage smirks and remains as is. "What the..?" Neinhart snaps his fingers again and again. Nothing changes. Fairy Rage laughs at Neinhart's misery. "WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" "Your magic has no effect for sending me away." "How is that possible!? I created you out of memory and gave you a new body!!" Neinhart breathes heavily in anger. "Funny thing. You grabbed my memory from a different realm I was occupying." "WHAT?!" Erza and Nienhart gasps. "Erza holds the memory of me dearly; however, since you pulled the memory from her today, you opened a gateway for me to come back." "ELABORATE!" Neinhart demands. "Gladly. When I sacrificed my life for Erza's during the war with Tartaros and battling Midnight Sparkle, I entered the light. However, since I'm a soul without a body, I wasn't given access to Heaven, Hell, and Limbo." Silence reigns. Erza and Neinhart's jaw drops in shock and horror by that explanation. They are stunned beyond disbelief. "For access, you need a body. All living creatures have a body and can enter the afterlife. The soul creates a new body in the afterlife that matches the one you originally had. I'm an extreme rare occasion because I am the first to enter without a body. Since I couldn't go to Heaven, Hell, or Limbo, I was placed in a different realm where there is only one occupant. For the past year until today, I was with the Embodiment of Death." "No way..!" Neinhart and Erza said in unison. "Since you pulled Erza's memory of me out of her, a gateway where the Embodiment of Death lies was opened. You don't have the power to put me back since the door is closed. Therefore, you resurrected me." "Oh, shit! Oh, shit! OH, SHIT!!!!" Neinhart grabs the back of his hair. His magic of Historia has betrayed him by bringing back Fairy Tail's powerful ally. "Did Neinhart give you a body, Fairy Rage?" Erza smiles widely. Her fighting spirit has come back. "No. This physical form you're seeing will dissolve because of Neinhart's magic. However, I can roam freely and return to Spike's body." "ZEREF IS GOING TO CLAIM MY SOUL FOR MY BLUNDER!" Neinhart is in full panic mode. He commands his Historias to finish Erza for his blunder. Kyôka, Azuma, and Ikaruga get back up. Fairy Rage grabs Erza's hand. "You ready to finish this battle?" "More than ever," Erza grabs Fairy Rage's claw. Fairy Rage and Erza fights Kyôka, Azuma, and Ikaruga. Erza goes back with her sword battle with Ikaruga while Fairy Rage increases his size to slam Kyôka and Azuma to the ground. Fairy Rage notices his physical form is dissolving and conjures an inferno firebomb by raising his claws. He unleashes it upon Kyôka and Azuma. The two get blown up by the collision. As a result, Fairy Rage is now a spirit without a body that can roam free until he finds Spike. Erza defeats Ikaruga a second time with her swords. Neinhart's Historia of Kyôka, Azuma, and Ikaruga vanish. "Rage, are you here?" Erza asks, catching her breath after defeating Ikaruga. "I'm here. The body dissolved." Fairy Rage is invisible to the naked eye. "I can roam free until I get to Spike's body." "What have I unleashed..," Neinhart looks at his shaking hands, he still couldn't believe he resurrected Fairy Rage. He takes a good look at Erza and becomes awestruck in fear. "Erza!" Kagura and Jellal rejoin the battle. They see Erza catching her breath. "Hello, Kagura. Hey, Jellal." "Who said that?" Jellal looks around. "Fairy Rage..?" Kagura's jaw drops hearing Fairy Rage's voice. "Yes. You can thank Neinhart up there for resurrecting me." "Thank you, Fairy Rage," Erza passes out. She sustained new injuries during her battle. Kagura holds Erza. "Erza, talk to me!" "She'll be fine. She needs rest. Erza overdid it before I came back." Jellal gives Neinhart a vicious glare. He's ready to end his life by bringing calamity to Erza. "It seems there's one final sin I need to commit." "What do you mean?" Kagura turns to Jellal. "No! What happened to the sky!" Neinhart looks up and sees stars. A ring of clouds opens a portal to what looks like nighttime. "May the Seven Stars Bring Judgement Upon You," Jellal aligns himself after his incantation. "I've seen your Historia, Jellal. Simon! Your old friend! The one you murdered after all he'd done for you! You can't do it again! How could you!" Neinhart taunts Jellal while regaining some confidence for his blunder. "The guilt, can you live with that burden?" Kagura unsheaths her Archenemy sword and takes out Simon. "This thing is not my brother!" Neinhart panics. He's lost all confidence now. "Jellal! Strike him now!" "Grand Chariot!" Jellal unleashes seven powerful streams of magic from the skies. It obliterates every Alvarez sailing ship and Neinhart; He falls in the water, defeated and drained of magic power. All his other Historias he let lose disappears in Hargeon. Jellal and Kagura take Erza off the ship and to the ground. Fairy Rage is with them. "Tell Erza what she saw wasn't a dream. She saw the resurrection of Fairy Rage." "Alright, Fairy Rage. Where will you go now?" Kagura asks. "Home. It's time I reunite with Spike." Fairy Rage soars in the skies. Present time. "I'll ask again. Who are you?" Bloodman asks now that the blinding light vanishes. Spike smirks. "I am Fairy Rage!" His eyes turn orange, and his body ignites in radiant orange flames. "WHAT?!" Levy and Gajeel shout in shock. They thought they'll never hear from Fairy Rage again. "Fairy Rage versus the Grim Reaper. How fitting." "You've met your demise Bloodman." "Wait, what?! How the hell are you alive, Fairy Rage!" Gajeel wants answers. "We heard you sacrificed yourself for Erza," Levy said. "Long story short, I was brought back to life by Neinhart of the Spriggan 12." "Impossible. Neinhart projects life by using memories for those they have reverence. Neinhart should have disposed of you by now." "That would be truthful for those that entered the afterlife. However, I did not." "What?!" Bloodman, Gajeel, and Levy shout. "You see, I'm a soul without a body. Instead of going to Heaven, Hell, or Limbo, I was sent to a different realm where there's only one occupant." "Well, allow the Grim Reaper to take you to the Underworld!" Bloodman unleashes bomb curses at Fairy Rage. Fairy Rage reflects the attack away, causing the bomb curses to implode on trees around him. "What!?" Bloodman didn't anticipate Fairy Rage to reflect his demon curses. "You proclaimed to be the Grim Reaper, but you are not him." "I am the God of Death. I judge who lives and who dies! Your sentence is a slow agonizing death by my hands!" Bloodman declares. "No, you're not. I should know. I've spent the last year with the Embodiment of Death and his realm." Bloodman laughs, believing that Fairy Rage is a nutshell. "We're not friends. I am the living representation of Death! I slaughtered those that opposed me! My power is absolute!" "Is that so?" Fairy Rage stomps on the ground. An orange flame pentagram is drawn in the middle of Fairy Rage and Bloodman. "What's this?" Bloodman looks at the pentagram on the ground. "What are you doing?!" Gajeel and Levy ask Fairy Rage. They see a circle drawn on the pentagram. It lights up in orange and black energy mass. "Summoning, my friend." A cold-chilled nerve-racking deathly whistle is heard and blown. The ground and leaves on the trees wither, the tree barks rot, the black skulls Bloodman place melts. "You call yourself the God of Death, Bloodman. Let me introduce you to the Embodiment of Death!" A tall figure emerges from the pentagram. It wears a black cloak, skeleton body with red dots in the eyeless void. It has skeleton teeth and breathes the coldest air that'll freeze any ice wizard to death. Death wields a scythe that has countless unforgiving souls in its blade. "That's your so-called Grim Reaper?" Bloodman looks at Death. "He's just a skeleton that I can shatter with my demon curses!" "I don't call myself the Grim Reaper. That name is misinterpreted so many times. I am Death," Death uses his scythe to tap the ground. Black mists swarms around Bloodman, causing him to choke. "What is this?!" Bloodman coughs repeatedly. "If you claim to be me, why do you breathe? Why do you choke?" Death walks up to Bloodman; Bloodman feels unnerving chills, unlike anything he inflicted. Death taps Bloodman's arm. He wails in agony. "Why do you scream?" Bloodman steps back while trying to hold the missing remains of his arm on instinct. He grits his teeth, but they chatter. "Why are you afraid?" Death comes closer to Bloodman. With his skeleton index finger, he slashes Bloodman's chest, causing him to bleed a bit. "Why do you bleed?" Death unveils himself, showing his skeleton form to Bloodman. Souls he gathered over the years flow in and out of his rib cage. "This is disturbing..," Gajeel said. "I'm scared..," Levy shields her eyes with her hands. Death picks up Bloodman to meet him eye to eye. "For those who proclaim to be me, receives a punishment unlike any other. I had my eyes on you for many years because you pissed me off. You claimed to be me and made yourself into a God. You are no God; You are nothing compared to me," Death opens his mouth. Blackish-green flames erupt, removing Bloodman's soul in the process. "You can't do this! It isn't fair!" Bloodman protests. "Death is not fair. It never is. However, since you wrongfully judge people by claiming to be me, my judgment is absolute!" Death consumes Bloodman's soul from his body. Death tosses Bloodman's body. It turns to ash before it hits the ground. "That is the most disturbing event I've ever witnessed..," Gajeel couldn't believe he saw Bloodman's soul taken by Death himself. "I wanna go home and take a hot bath," Levy said. She's never been more afraid in her life. "Rage," Death turns to Fairy Rage. "Thank you for the company. You will not come back to my realm," Death descends into the pentagram on the ground. He removes all the Bane Particles released from Bloodman. Anyone infected is cured. The pentagram vanishes. Spike blinks a few times. His eyes are green again. "Rage, was that really you?" Spike eye's water a bit. "Yea, it's me. You can thank Neinhart's blunder of resurrecting me." "I missed you so much!" Spike basically hugs himself like he's hugging Fairy Rage. "I missed you too. I missed all of you." "In a messed up kind of way," Gajeel places his hand on Spike's head. "We're glad to have you back," Gajeel chuckles. "Yea, and please don't do any more horror stuff. Seeing Bloodman and Death is bad enough," Levy said. She's going to have nightmares from what she saw. "No promises. Though, I will try." "We should regroup with the others," Spike said. He, Gajeel, and Levy see the sky glowing red. "Fairy Rage! Is this your doing?!" Gajeel and Levy lividly ask. "Now that I'm back in Spike, this is not my magic. Someone powerful of the Spriggan 12 is doing this." Hargeon Erza wakes up and sees Gray, Juvia, Wendy, Carla, Kagura, and Mermaid Heel in the room of an infirmary. "Kagura," Erza tries to get up, but Kagura persuades Erza of laying back down. "Your wounds are pretty bad, which will take time for you to heal up," Wendy informs Erza. "Don't worry. There shouldn't be any scarring," Carla said. "Kagura, did you tell them?" Erza refers to Fairy Rage. "He told me what you saw is real. He's back." "Who's back?" Gray asks Kagura. "Who did you see, Erza?" Juvia asks. Erza smiles. "Fairy Rage." Silences reigns. Everyone in the room except Kagura is awestruck. Their heart beats rapidly for a few moments. Carla covers her mouth while her thoughts run loose. "Holy, crap! How is that possible, Erza?" Gray asks. "You can thank Neinhart of the Spriggan 12. His blunder led to resurrecting Fairy Rage with his Historia Magic." Erza goes more in-depth about Fairy Rage's return and what he explained when he met with the Embodiment of Death. Gray and the others explain that their mission to liberate Hargeon is a success. A few moments later, everyone in Hargeon sees a red flare in the skies and covering the landscape of Fiore.