Boiling Love

***Fairy Tail Hideout (This happens during the same time as Elfman's fight)***

"Lucy, it's just a dream. Wake up." Reedus shook the blonde as Laki watched from the side.

The blonde slowly opened her eyes and panicked. "Hey, pervert! Out of my room!" She shouted as super back kicked the painter into a crate, making Laki laugh. "Wait, this isn't my room."

"Lucy, calm down." Laki said, helping Reedus up. "Mira used a Sleeping Spell on you, and then we brought you to our hideout."

"Oh." Lucy remembered the spell Mira put on her. "So she put me asleep to protect me."

"Oui." Reedus answered.

"I know I'm not much help without my keys, but I'm not completely helpless." She told her guards.

"No one thinks that, Lucy." Laki told the blonde. "We're protecting one of our own. That's all there is to it."

"Still, I have to go help them!" The blonde shouted. "I can't just sit here and do nothing while they risk their lives for me."

"Lucy, if Phantom Lord catches you, than all of this will have been for nothing." Laki explained. "Please, just stay-"

The roof shook, interrupting her as their eyes moved to the door and someone bending the metal. "Whose trying to get in!?" Lucy asked in a panic.

"Just get behind us, Lucy." Laki ordered as she and Reedus prepared to fight.

The door flew open and Laki countered with her statue spell, blocking most of the damage. Three intruders walked in, all bearing the Phantom Lord emblem on them.

"I guess we should be honored." A man with broken sunglasses said. "They sent the Green Woman as a bodyguard."

"Just hand over the brat and you two can walk away." A girl with double pointed hat said.

"Now where's the fun in that?" Gajeel asked before he jumped on to the ceiling and hung there.

"Laki, take Lucy and run." Reedus said as he painted on his chest.

"No, I won't leave you!" Lucy said before Laki grabbed her wrist and pulled her out the back. "Laki, what are you doing!?"

"If Phantom gets you, then everything up to now will have been for nothing!" Laki said back. "Please, just stay with me."

"Stop it, I might cry." Both looked ahead as Gajeel landed in front of them.

**"Wood-Make: Violent Approach!"** Laki shouted as a spiked ball was launched at the piercing covered wizard, who just swung his arm and sliced the ball in half.

"I expected more from the famous Green Woman." Gajeel said as he sprinted towards them and punched both of them into the building. He picked up Lucy and started to walk away when his nose twitched. 'That scent again...' He looked over at Laki, who had crafted her scythe and swung, only to have it shatter when it hit his arm.

**"Iron Dragon Club!"** He turned his arm into a pillar that slammed into Laki, forcing her into the wall that broke behind her. "I've got some questions for you..." He said, grabbing her by the hair before jumping on the roof. "Abyss Break, huh?" He asked looking up at the giant. "They won't be around for much longer." He moved out of the way as someone else landed on the roof.

"That's no way to treat a lady, let alone two." Loke said as the dust cleared. "Let them go, now, or you won't live to see tomorrow."

"Is that so?" The Dragon Slayer asked as he dropped the girls. "Well, I like a good challenge. So let's jive, Fairy!" He transformed his arm into a pole and launched it at Loke, who jumped out of the way. As eh reached Gajeel, he activated his Ring magic and swung his arms and the two dodged blows.

'Somethings off with this guy...' Gajeel thought as he ducked a haymaker. 'He's no ordinary Holder type wizard.' "So just who are you, and what's up with that smell of yours?"

"I normally never let dudes smell me." Loke said back. "Besides, I never got any complaints from the ladies." His body began to shift and distort, making him grunt in pain. 'Not now, damn it.' Gajeel smirked and slammed him through the roof.

"Looks like I was wrong." He chuckled through the hole he created, now holding Lucy and Laki again. "You wear nothing but a joke. Hey, I'm taking both of these two back to the boss." He said looking to the other two. "Deal with pretty boy, would ya?"

"Why are uou bringing the other one back?" The man asked, only to be glared at by Gajeel. "Never mind."

"Let... them... go..." Loke said as he stood up.

**"Sound Blast: Disturbed!"** The man shouted as sounds of Oh AH AH AH! tore through Loke's ears.

**"Mirror Magic: Kaleidoscope!"** The woman raised her hand and a crystal sphere trapped Loke inside. "Good thing you like looking at your pathetic face, 'cause that's all you're gonna see for a long time." The two turned around and headed back to the Giant.

"Forgive... Me, Lucy." Reedus gasped out in pain. "I couldn't protect you..., or Laki."

"I knew something was wrong." Loke said after punching the wall of his prison in anger. "Why the hell did I wait!? I should have been here sooner... I'm nothing but a coward... And now she's gone... Pathetic!" He looked up as tears rolled down his face. "She's right, I do look pathetic. Don't I, Karen?"

***Giants Throne Room***

*'"*Unbelievable!" Jose shouted in anger. "How did those weakling beat two of my Element 4?!"

"Maybe this will cheer you up, Master." Jose looked over as Gajeel walked over and placed Lucy on the ground.

"How did you find her?" The master asked.

"Never underestimate a dragon's nose." Gajeel smirked.

"Excellent work, Gajeel." Jose smiled. "But are you sure she's still alive? She's no use to us if she's dead."

"Good point, I was a bit rough with her." The slayer pondered. "Hey, wake up!" He kicked the blonde, making her gasp in pain. "There, she's alive."

"Well done." Jose smiled before looking over the slayers shoulder. "And what about her?" He asked, pointing to Laki lying unconscious against the wall.

"Personal." Gajeel said back.

"Very well then." Jose smiled before he pressed a button.

***Phantom's Giant***

"What's the matter?" Elfman asked as her sister looked towards the circle.

"The giant, it's slowed down." Mira said and Elfman followed her eyes. "Abyss Break is the forbidden spell of the four elements..." She had a realization and turned to Elfman. "How many of the Element Four are left?"

"Uh..." Elfman thought for a second. "Two, I think..."

"That must be it!" She declared. "When you beat them, the Giant slows down."

"Okay, but why?" Elfman asked.

"Because it's being powered by them." She explained. "If we beat them, we can stop the spell from being cast."

"Really!?" Elfman asked.

"We have to hurry. The others are probably inside!" Mira stated. Before they could run inside, feedback squeaked out of the speakers.

"Attention, Fairy Tail!" Jose's voice boomed through the speakers. "I admit, you surprised me, beating two of my elite wizards, but I think you should hear this!"

"Agh!" Lucy's voice cried in pain from the speakers, shocking everyone.

"That's right." Jose bragged. "Not only have we foiled your plans to keep Lucy Heartphilia away from us, but we've also captured your Green Woman!"

"Ahhh!" Laki's cries were the next to be heard out the speakers.

"No..." Mira whispered in horror.

"Now we move on to my favorite part: Wiping you retches off the planet!" Jose shouted with sick joy as the shades flew back towards Fairy Tail.

"This is all my fault..." Mira told herself. "I sent Laki to look after Lucy. It's my fault she got captured..."

"Don't talk like that, Mira." Elfman said. "It's not your fault. Besides, I'm pretty sure that this will work to our advantage." A massive angry scream and flames burst out an upper level window. "See what I mean? Come on, let's go." His sister nodded and the two ran inside the Giant.

"Mira's safe..." Cana said as she looked up at the Giant. "All right." She dropped to her knees tired as the shades swarmed the members.

"Cana!" Macao shouted concerned.

"I'm fine!" She said. "Just focus on these things! We have to protect Fairy Tail!"

Macao dodged a shade before punching it with purple flames. 'She's pushing herself too hard.' He thought as he looked at the brunette. 'But I honestly wonder why all the women in our guild are so strong?'

***Phantom Lord Hallway***

"Those Phantom creeps are gonna pay!" Natsu shouted as he ran down the hall with Happy flying close by. "It's bad enough they took Lucy, but now they've really made me mad by taking Laki!"

"Calm down, Natsu." Happy said. "We have to look for this thing's power source, remember?"

"Easy, we just beat up Jose." He declared, making Happy stare in shock.

"Why would you wanna fight him?!" He asked. "He's on par with the master! There's no way you can beat him!"

"But gramps ain't around!" Natsu shouted back. "So who else is gonna beat up Jose!?"

"I was trying really hard not to think about that, but you had to go and remind me!" The cat shouted before sulking in the air. "Without the master or Erza, there's no hope. Even if we stop the Giant, we still have to face Jose." He looked over as Natsu patted his head.

"But I'm here, ain't I?" Natsu asked. "Come on, let's go."

The cat nodded and the two took off down the hall. 'I don't know what it is about him.' Happy thought. 'Master and Erza are definitely stronger. But Natsu has something that gives everyone hope.' The two ran into a main hall when a blast of wind knocked Natsu off his feet.

"How sad..." A voice said as tornado appeared before it was blasted away, revealing Aria. "When the wings of flames rot and fall away, all that doth remain is a dragon's corpse."

"Talk normal, will ya!" Natsu shouted back.

"Watch out, Natsu." Happy said. "This guy's part of the Element Four."

"I am called Aria." He said looking up as tears poured from under his wrappings. "I have come here to slay a dragon."

"Let me guess, Wind magic?" Natsu asked. "I've dealt with your kind before."

"Yeah, but this guys a lot stronger than Erigor." Happy said.

***With Gray***

'When did it start raining?' Gray asked himself as he climbed onto the roof.

"Drip, drip, drop." He heard a voice and turned around as a Juvia walked out of the mist. "I am Juvia of the Element Four. Drip, drip, drop."

"So, you're one them, are you?" Gray asked. "Well bring it on."

"I'm impressed." She said as she stared at Gray. "You beat two of us. However, do not underestimate the remaining two."

"Listen, it doesn't matter if you're a man, woman or child." Gray said staring at her. "You hurt my friends, I'll make you pay." The two stared at each other before Juvia's face turned red.

"Well then, I give up." She said as she turned around. "You win. Farewell."

"Where are you going!?" Gray shouted back. "Come and fight me!"

Juvia held her chest as her heart beat out of control. "Something must be wrong with me. Why is my heart beating so fast?"

"Will you tell me how to stop the Giant!?" Gray shouted as he ran after her.

"I have a strong urge to make him mine." She said as she turned around. "I just can't help myself any more. **Water Lock!**" She raised her hand and water trapped Gray in a sphere. He shouted in pain as his wrappings became visible. "Oh no, what have I done? He's injured! What do I do? I guess let him go."

Gray focused his magic before turning the water to ice and shattered it. "An ice wizard?" She asked in shock. "He froze my Water Lock and broke free!" Her gaze stayed on Gray as he landed. 'I am Water and he is Ice. We must be bound by fate.'

"You really got me..." Gray said as he clutched his side. "You're playing dirty." Juvia swooned as Gray took off his shirt.

"Can't we take things slow!?" She asked as Gray slammed his hands together.

**"Ice-Make: Lance!"** A magic seal launched frozen lances that passed through Juvia, shocking Gray.

"My body is the rain itself." She explained as her body returned to normal. 'He just assaulted me. That's right this is a war. I must be strong.' She raised her hand and a blue magic seal appeared. "Farewell, sweet prince. **Water Slicer!"** Blades of water flew out of the seal and flew towards Gray. He ducked and the water sliced through a metal spike behind him.

Gray growled and brought his hands together again. **"Ice-Make: Battle Axe!"** The blade went through her with no affect.

"You're wasting your time." She said. "None of your attacks will hurt me."

'What do I do now?' Gray thought to himself.

"It is impossible for you to defeat me." Juvia said. "However, you can still be saved. Please just surrender. If you do that, I will ask Master Jose to return the Green Woman and spare your guild."

"You expect me to buy that!?" Gray shouted back. "If we surrender, then Phantom Lord will hold all the cards. Besides, I'd rather die than abandon either one of them!"

Juvia dropped her umbrella in shock. 'He'd rather die, he'd rather die, he'd rather die...' Juvia's mind traveled to a weird place, where she pictured Lucy in Gray's arms with Laki hugging him from behind, all three buck naked. 'Love rivals, love rivals, love rivals!' She cried in pain as she grabbed her chest. "Cruel fate, why must you mock me?"

"Hey, are you okay?" Gray asked.

"They are not worthy of my prince." Juvia whispered before water erupted around her. "Lucy and Laki cannot be allowed to live!"

"Huh?" Gray stared in confusion. Juvia raised her arm and sent a blast of water at Gray, who jumped to the side, only to be grazed by it. "What the heck? That burned. What's your deal? What did they ever do to you!?"

She ignored him and sent another blast of water. "**Ice-Make:-**" He started before he had to duck. The water curved behind him and flew back towards him, forcing him to jump. "It's fast! I don't know if my Maker magic can keep up." The stream curved again around Juvia and flew towards him, making him jump again. He landed in a puddle, making him slide towards the edge of the roof. "Man, that was close." He said looking off the edge.

"Since the day I was born, the rain has followed me." Juvia explained as she walked over. "It is my strength." She raised her hand and a magic seal appeared. "Prepared to be scalded by my jealous rage!" Streams of water flew out of the seal, aimed at Gray.

"What are you talking about?" He asked as he jumped back from the attacks before bringing his hands together. "**Ice-Make: Shield!**" A stream slammed into the shield and began melting it. "Man, this is hot. I don't think I can keep this up!"

"I told you!" Juvia said. "My strength comes from the rain." The shield burst into steam before fading, revealing a broken window. "He used the steam as a smoke screen." She said walking over. "He's not just handsome, he's also smart. I really am in love."

Gray ran down the hall looking out the windows. "I can't waste any more time on this crazy water chick. I gotta figure out how to stop the giant." Water broke through the roof and caught him in the current. "It's burning my skin!" The water turned into a geyser and launched him into the air.

"This ends now!" Juvia shouted as she sent another torrent of water.

"Oh, yeah?!" Gray shouted as he placed his hands in the water.

"He jumped into the scalding water!?" She asked shocked.

"Freeze up!" He shouted as the water turned into ice as he fell down.

"This can't be happening..." She said as he reached the ground. 'I should be angry he froze my water, but...' Gray panicked when he found his hand on her breast.

"It's not what you think, I swear!" He shouted.

'I'm so embarrassed...' She thought from inside the ice. 'Will I be stuck like this forever?'

"Sorry!" Gray jumped back and the ice shattered, freeing her.

'He released me, even though we're enemies.' She thought to herself. 'He's such a nice guy...'

"What say we just start over?" He asked.

"I'd rather we didn't." She answered standing up. "I can't hurt you... So there's no point in us fighting..."

"Are you trying to say you can't beat me or something?" Gray asked.

"Listen, I know I'm much stronger than Lucy and Laki put together." She said with a blush. "I can protect you."

"Protect me from what?" Gray asked.

"Well, anything that might harm you..." She said as the rain picked up. "Because, I, I lo... lo..."

"Is it just me or is this rain getting worse?" Gray asked looking up at the sky.

"This is so frustrating!" She cried out in annoyance.

"It won't let up." Gray said. "Man, this rain is so gloomy." The last word struck Juvia hard as she dropped to her knees. "Hey, you okay?"

'I thought he was different...' She told herself. 'But he's just like the rest...' She stood up violently as water boiled around her. "HOW COULD YOU BE SO CRUEL!?"

"Say what?" Gray asked shocked.

'I won't let feelings sway me anymore!' She thought before unleashing another boiling steam onto Gray, tearing up the floor as well.

'I'll just have to freeze it again!' He thought before bringing his hands together. 'It's not working, the water's even hotter than before.'

"I'm through with love!" Juvia shouted. "And I'm through with you!" Her head flooded with memories of all the people who called her gloomy. "I spent my entire life a gloomy rain woman! But Phantom Lord saw past that! They welcomed me with open arms! I am one of the Element Four, a proud Phantom Lord wizard!" Gray was knocked off his feet by the current. **"Sierra!"** She turned her body into water and flew towards him.

"How could you be proud to be with them!?" Gray shouted as he crafted a shield that blocked the ice. "You and your guild are going down!" He slammed his other hand intot he stream and it began to freeze. Juvia jumped out of the water before looking around her.

"He turned the rain into ice." She whispered. "He's amazing."

**"Ice-Make: Geyser!"** Gray shouted as he slammed his hands to the ground. A magic seal appeared before a column of ice shot up and entrapped Juvia before it shattered.

'I lost...' She thought as she fell. 'It's all over now... I'm going to fall to the ground and splatter, like a raindrop... It seems a fitting end for a rain woman... Goodbye, gloomy Juvia...' Her eyes opened when a cold hand grabbed hers and saw Gray saving her life.

"I'm not gonna let you fall, so just hold on!" He ordered before pulling her up.

"Why did you save me?" She asked as she was laid down on the ground looking up at the sky.

"Just because." He answered before turning to her. "How do you feel? You cooled off yet?"

Juvia's eyes were full of tears as the sun burst through the clouds. "So bright..." She whispered. "The rain... it's stopped..."

"Look! The suns finally out." Gray smiled.

"The blue sky..." She mumbled. "I've... never seen it before..."

"Seriously?" Gray asked before looking back up. "Well, there it is. It's pretty don't you think?"

"It's so... beautiful..." She said as birds flew over them.

"So... you wanna go at it?" Gray asked. Juvia, mistaking what he meant, fainted with a blush on her face. "Juvia, are you okay? Talk to me!" He shouted in a panic. "Come on, say something! Anything!"

***Fairy Tail***

"It's been way more than ten minutes, so why hasn't that thing cast the spell yet?" Wakaba asked as the whole guild looked at the incomplete seal.

"All this stress is bad for my heart." Macao added. "We've got to put an end to this."

"Hey, guys. Is it just me, or is that thing moving slower than it was before?" Alzack asked as he reloaded his pistol.

"Natsu and the others are inside that thing." Bisca added. "Maybe they found the power source or something..."

"Either way, they're doing their best to stop that thing." Cana said walking over. "I say we do the same." She threw a card at one of the shades and it exploded. "They don't need these things getting in their way, so let's take'em out!"

"You heard the lady!" Macao shouted. "Let's go!" The others cheered and charged the oncoming spirits.

***With Gray***

"Gray!" Elfman and Mira shouted as they ran over.

"What's Mira doing here?" He asked himself.

"So you took out another of the Element Four." Elfman observed as the siblings reached the other mage. "Why does she have that creepy look on her face?"

"A good dream or something?" Gray guessed.

"So there's only one left." Mira said, confusing Gray. "If we can defeat him, it should stop the Abyss Break."

"Mira just figured it out." Elfman explained. "The spell and the Giant are powered by the Element Four themselves."

"We can do this, right guys?" Mira asked and the two nodded.

"So, who's left?" Elfman asked.

"Aria of the Great Sky." Mira said. "He's the strongest member, and he'll be the toughest to beat. He's also the one who drained the master of his power. We have to be careful of his eyes."

"His eyes?" Gray asked. "What's so special about them?"

"Evidently, he keeps his eyes covered so he can control his overwhelming magic power." Mira explained.

"That's kinda creepy..." Elfman said.

"At any rate, if we can't beat him before he opens them, otherwise, we don't stand a chance at victory." Mira finished explaining as the three ran inside.

***Phantom Lord Hallway***

Natsu stared at Aria, covered in bruises panting heavily.

"You've endured my attack and you're still standing." Aria spoke. "I'm impressed."

"Oh, yeah? Well, watch this!" Natsu ignited his fist and charged.

'Natsu's getting beat bad.' Happy though. 'I've never seen him losing so badly in a fight.'

"Let's see how you do against my Airspace Magic!" Aria held his hands up and Natsu ran into something he couldn't see, knocking back.

"An invisible spell!?" Happy asked as Natsu got up.

"And still you stand, Salamander." Aria observed.

"I can't let you beat me." Natsu said back. "Never underestimate the power of a Fairy Tail wizard. I'm gonna take all you jerks down for what you've done to my friends, you hear me!?"

**"Airspace: Zetsu!"** A magic seal appeared as Aria raised his hand. Pockets of air began to burst, blasting Natsu back.

'He's the strongest wizard in the Element Four...' Happy thought in fear. 'He might be too powerful, even for Natsu...'

"There's always someone better than you, young Salamander." Aria declared as Natsu struggled to stand.

"We'll see about that!" Natsu slammed his fists together before bringing them to his mouth. "**Fire Dragon Roar!**" Flames shot towards Aria, only to have him disappear. "Where'd he go?" He asked looking around.

"It's over, Salamander." Aira's voice said from all around the room. "Consider this a gift. You are about to experience the same pain as your master." He appeared from behind as Natsu glanced behind him in time. "**Airspace: Metsu!"** Natsu cried in pain as the spell activated, draining him of his magic. "Your magic shall drift away into nothingness!"

"Natsu!" Happy cried as Natsu started to turn the same shade of green as Makarov. Before the spell could be complete, Erza ran up and kicked Aria back before the Air wizard teleported away. "Ezra!" Happy cried in joy.

"Are you sure it's okay for you to move?" Natsu asked as Erza turned around and glared, scaring the other two.

"She's PO'd." Happy said as Aria reappeared.

"So you're the one who harmed our master?" She asked the robed wizard.

"The great Erza Scarlet." Aria said impressed. "How unfortunate. Seems the necks of both the Salamander and Titania are in my hands."

"Our master has suffered at your hands, I will avenge him." She declared.

"You can't, you're too hurt." Natsu said as Aria started laughing.

"Well, seeing as I'm faced with a worthy opponent, I guess it's time I start taking my battles seriously." He moved his hands to his face and took off the wrappings around his eyes.

***Fairy Tail***

The Abyss break spell began to glow, scaring everyone who wasn't a shade. "They finished it?" Alzack shouted.

"Well, we're done." Wakaba said.

***Phantom Lord Hallway***

"Now, Titania..." Aria said as wind whipped around him. "Step into the Airspace of death; **Zero**! It takes the lives of all who enter!" The wind turned into a whirlwind, forcing Happy to hang off of Natsu's scarf.

"A spell that takes lives!?" Erza asked as she summoned a sword. "How can you do this!? What do you find so easy about taking lives, you scoundrel!?"

"It would be more fun to show you!" Aria declared as she charged forward. "Let's see you survive this, Titania!" He shot his hands forward and speckles of light flew towards Erza, who swung her sword. "But how, she's cutting through my Airspace!"

Erza glowed before she jumped up, now in her Heaven's Wheel Armor. **"Blumenblatt!"** She unleashed a barrage of swords that struck Aria, sending him to the ground as she landed. "You could never hold a candle to Master Makarov. You're only a sniveling coward who fell by my blade."

"How... Sad..." Aria said before losing consciousness.

***Fairy Tail***

"Everyome, get down!" Max shouted.

"I don't think this is one of those spells that can be duck!" Wakaba shouted before the seal shrunk and faded away, leaving them all confused. The giant robot started to fall apart, with one of its arms falling into the water.

***With Natsu and Erza***

"Whoa, everything's shaking again..." Natsu said as he noticed Erza starting to fall backwards. He caught her just before her head hit the ground. "Erza, you okay?!"

***With Gray, Elfman and Mirajane***

"What now?" Elfman asked as the castle shook around them.

"Natsu must have beaten the last one." Gray thought.

"We did it!" Mira cheered. "We stopped the Abyss Break from being cast! All of the Element Four have been defeated!"

"Because we're awesome!" Elfman shouted.

"You know it!" Gray said back. "Now we just have to save Lucy and Laki!"

"Let's go!" Mira said as the three sprinted down the hall.

***Giants Command Room***

"I don't believe it..." Jose grumbled in anger. "My strongest wizards were wiped out by those scum!?"

"I guess that makes them worse than scum." Gajeel chuckled as he clamped the second shackle around Lucy's hand.

"Keep an eye on those two girls for me." Jose ordered as he reached the doorway. "It seems a few insects have invaded our guild."

"You mean Salamander, don't you?" The Slayer asked.

"Indeed, him and his friends." Jose responded as a purple aura rolled off him. "I admit, they've been lucky up to now. But I'm about to show them that all luck runs out. I'm going to exterminate them all myself.

***With Natsu and Erza***

"What now?" Natsu asked, having no idea how to find Jose or Gajeel.

"Natsu..." Erza gasped out. "Release... your power." Her words confused him as she looked into his eyes. "It lies dormant... deep down inside you... Believe in yourself... find it, and use it... For Lucy, for our guild, for Laki... Do it Natsu... Show me, show me that you can surpass me!"

Natsu gritted his teeth before his body erupted into flames that took the shape of a dragon. He roared in his newfound power before sprinting down the hall, with Happy flying close by.

***East Forest***

Porlyusica looked over her shoulder at Makarov, who opened his eyes. "You're awake." She said surprised before walking over. "How do you feel?" Makarov pushed himself up on the bed. "Not yet. You still need your rest."

"When have I ever listened to you?" The man asked as he jumped off the bed.

"That was a pretty quick recovery, especially for someone as old as you." The healer said back.

"I guess that means you've done your job well." Makarov responded as he got dressed.

"Do you run to your death?" The healer asked.

"I will not let my children spill anymore blood." The master said back. "You can't stop me from doing this." The healer's eyes followed the old man as he reached the door. "Thank you for your help." He opened the door and headed back to the guild.

'I swear, nothing changes with him.' She thought as she looked at a picture labeled X736, featuring a younger version of her and Makarov.

***With Erza***

"Erza!" The knight looked over as Mirajane, Elfman, and Gray ran over to her.

"You're injured, you shouldn't be here." Gray said.

"Whoa, guys..." Elfman looked over and saw Aria on the ground.

"That's Aria!" Mira shouted.

"You took a shot from that cannon and you still beat this guy!?" Elfman asked impressed.

"What were you thinking?" Gray asked.

"I didn't want anyone to see me in such a pitiful state..." The red head confessed. "It seems I still have a lot to learn." A feeling of dread broke their conversation as a black mist entered the room.

"What is this feeling?" Gray asked.

"I'm super manly and it's giving me the creeps." Elfman added.

"I sense death." Erza said before clapping made the group turn around.

"Bravo, bravo. What a wonderful show you've all put on." Jose, now donned in a military esq outfit, said. "I honestly never expected this level of entertainment to come from the likes of you. You demolished the Jupiter cannon, disposed of my elite Element Four, and even managed to force the Giant to its knees."

"Master Jose!" Erza said.

"This creep!?" Elfman asked. "He's Phantoms master!?"

'How can magic feel so evil?' Mira asked herself as she covered her mouth. 'It's making sick just from standing close to it.'

"Thank you." Jose said. "You've been so kind to entertain me, I must return the favor in full."

"You ready?" Elfman asked Gray, who nodded before the two charged forward.

"No, don't!" Erza shouted.

**"Dead Shot!"** Jose shouted as a seal shot purple energy through Gray and Elfman, knocking them back. Erza struggled to her feet as Jose swung his arm. **"Dead Pulse!"** The ground exploded, knocking the men and Mirajane back. Erza charged forward sword in hand as Jose cast a dark tornado.

She Requiped into her Black Wing Armor and swung her sword, only to have Jose move out of the way. She swung again and he grabbed her wrist before throwing her back. She landed on a chunk of rubble and jumped back.

"Fascinating." Jose said. "You took a direct hit from Jupiter at full force, and yet still you stand."

"Only because, my friends make my heart strong." Erza declared. "If I'm fighting for them, I could care less what happens to my body. I will take any punishment to protect the ones I love."

"Powerful, courageous, and extremely beautifully." Jose smiled wickedly. "Destroying you will bring me unbelievable joy."

***With Lucy and Laki***

Lucy flinched as a kunai flew next to her and embedded itself next to her head.

"So close." Gajeel said. "I almost thought that one was gonna hit you for a moment." The other members just stared at him as his finger turned into another kunai. "Now, where should I aim next?" He asked, throwing the weapon up and down.

"Uh, Gajeel..." One member nervously spoke up. "Maybe you should just stop acting like your gonna hit her?.

"But I'm so bored just guarding her." The Slayer complained. "I know. Between her legs!" He threw the blade and Lucy opened her legs, avoiding the object.

"Just stop!" The other shouted, only to have his face, slammed into the ground.

"Shut up!" Gajeel said. "I don't give a damn who this girl is. From where I'm standing, she's just another one of those Fairy's; a piece of trash. Who cares what I do to her?"

"You're getting too close to her neck, Gajeel." The man with broken sunglasses said. "Let it go."

"Masters gonna lose it, isn't he Boze?" The girl from the raid asked.

"If he does, I'll just blame it on you two." Gajeel chuckled.

"No way!" They both shouted.

"Besides, she knew what she was doing when she joined a guild." Gajeel said looking back at the blonde. "It's almost sad. Her own guild mates didn't even want her back until they found out her old man was loaded." His ears twitched as Lucy laughed lightly. "You say something, girlie?"

"You guys are such idiots." She said looking up. "I feel so sorry for you, I almost wanna cry."

"Sue, did she just say that?" Boze asked.

"This chick is talking smack to Gajeel?" She asked.

"You're bluffing in a situation like this?" The Slayer asked. "Maybe you're worth something after all."

"You aren't even the tiniest bit scared, are you?" Lucy asked before she flinched as another kunai flew next the right of her neck, scaring everyone else in the room.

"Say that again?" Gajeel asked.

"You're the ones who would be in trouble if I died." Lucy said, clenching her fists. "There's no way Fairy Tail would ever forgive you! That's the kind of guild they are. "You'd end up spending every day, cowering in fear of the most terrifying guild in the world, for the rest of your life!"

Gajeel stared at her shaking his head. "I'm getting bored with this one." He said as he turned to the side and started walking towards Laki.

"Stay away from her!" Lucy shouted.

Gajeel reached Laki and forced her head up. "I'm only gonna ask you this nicely one last time." He leaned in and whispered into her ear. "Why do you smell like a dragon?"

Laki's eyes went wide in fear. 'He can still smell it!?' She asked herself. 'I haven't used that magic in seven years! It can't still be around!'

"Answer the question!" Gajeel shouted before a pain shot through his ear, forcing him to pull back. He looked up and felt his ear, feeling no stud on his lobe. He looked towards Laki as she spat out his stud. "Fine, I guess we'll do this the hard way!" He grew four more kunais and threw them, aimed at her arms and legs.

"Laki!" Lucy shouted as the glasses wearing girl stared at the blades coming at her. Just before they hit her, the ground burst open, making the blades hit the stone. Flames shot out of the hole and took the shape of a dragon that slammed into Gajeel, knocking back.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist." Gajeel smiled as Natsu jumped out of the hole, rage in his eyes.

"Natsu..." Laki smiled at her friend.

"Gajeel!" Natsu shouted.