Chapter 32: The Coalition Gathering
*Master Bob's Mansion - Meeting Point*
The opulent mansion that served as Blue Pegasus's primary headquarters stood like a monument to elegance and refined taste, its marble columns and crystal chandeliers creating an atmosphere of luxury that contrasted sharply with the serious nature of the gathering taking place within. Master Bob had graciously offered his estate as the coalition meeting point, providing both security and comfort for the representatives of multiple guilds.
The Trimens—Hibiki, Eve, and Ren—had naturally taken on hosting duties, their characteristic charm and sophistication helping to create a welcoming atmosphere for the arriving guild delegations. Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki moved through the mansion's grand halls with his usual theatrical flair, his presence adding an element of... unique personality to the proceedings.
Fairy Tail's delegation reflected their guild's reputation for strength and unpredictability. Natsu Dragneel bounced with barely contained energy, clearly eager for the upcoming battles. Erza Scarlet maintained her usual disciplined composure while assessing both allies and potential threats with tactical precision. Gray Fullbuster appeared relaxed but alert, and Lucy Heartfilia looked both impressed by the mansion's luxury and slightly overwhelmed by the magnitude of what they were undertaking.
When Lamia Scale's team arrived at the mansion's entrance, their arrival immediately commanded attention. Lyon Vastia strode forward with the confidence of someone who had proven himself in countless battles, while Sherry Blendy followed with her usual romantic enthusiasm barely contained beneath professional focus.
But it was the third member of their group who truly impressed everyone present. Jura Neekis, one of the Ten Wizard Saints, carried himself with the quiet dignity of someone whose reputation preceded him. His mere presence elevated the entire operation's credibility—if Jura Neekis was taking Oración Seis seriously, then the threat was undeniably real.
"Welcome to Blue Pegasus," Hibiki said with his trademark charm as he greeted the new arrivals. "Though I have to admit, when we heard about some of the other participants, I became even more excited about our chances."
"Other participants?" Lyon asked with curiosity.
"The Magic Council approved participation by the Magic Knights," Erza explained, her tone carrying both respect and interest. "Prince Damian and one of his captains will be joining our operation."
The reaction was immediate and varied. Natsu's eyes lit up with the prospect of fighting alongside the kingdom's elite forces, while Erza nodded approvingly at the strategic advantage such participation would provide. Gray looked intrigued, and Lucy seemed slightly nervous about working with actual royalty.
"The Magic Knights," Lyon mused thoughtfully. "I've heard impressive things about their recent operations. That business in Hargeon where they saved fifty thousand civilians without a single casualty."
"And the Whispering Woods incident," Sherry added with obvious admiration. "Four S-Class level dark mages captured alive in a single operation. The coordination required for that kind of success must be extraordinary."
"What about the Four Horsemen?" Hibiki asked with professional interest. "The reports about their individual capabilities are almost too incredible to believe."
"War, Famine, Pestilence, and Death," Ren said dramatically. "Code names that suggest either impressive confidence or dangerous arrogance."
"From what I've heard, it's confidence backed by results," Eve observed. "Each of them supposedly specializes in different aspects of magical combat, and together they form one of the most effective tactical units in the kingdom."
Jura listened to this discussion with the thoughtful attention he gave to all intelligence about potential allies or enemies. "I've had occasion to review some of the Magic Council's files on their operations," he said carefully. "The prince himself possesses magical abilities that are... unprecedented in their scope and application."
"What kind of abilities?" Gray asked with curiosity.
"Dimensional magic taken to theoretical extremes," Jura replied. "The ability to create pocket realities with their own physical laws, to manipulate space and time within controlled parameters, to impose his will on reality itself through magical constructs that exist outside normal magical categories."
"That sounds like the kind of power that could be very useful against opponents like Oración Seis," Erza observed approvingly.
"Or very dangerous if not properly controlled," Lyon added with caution.
"Which brings up an interesting question," Eve said with uncharacteristic seriousness. "We're talking about working alongside someone who could theoretically become as dangerous as the enemies we're fighting. What do we actually know about Prince Damian's character and motivations?"
"From what I understand," Jura said thoughtfully, "he's dedicated to using his position and power to protect innocent people. The Magic Knights' track record suggests he's more interested in justice than personal advancement."
"Still," Sherry said with concern, "there's something unsettling about someone so young having access to that level of power. He's what, seventeen? Eighteen?"
"Age doesn't determine wisdom," Jura observed. "I've met ancient mages who were fools and young ones who possessed deep understanding of responsibility. The prince's actions will speak louder than his years."
"Speaking of which," Lucy said, glancing toward the mansion's entrance, "I think we're about to meet him."
The air outside the building shimmered with dimensional energy, and suddenly a portal of swirling light opened in the courtyard beyond the mansion. Two figures stepped through—one wearing silver armor with a flowing dark blue mantle, the other in magnificent battle gear with six legendary weapons secured at his side.
Prince Damian E. Fiore moved with the controlled confidence of someone accustomed to command, but there was something more measured about his bearing than the reports had suggested. His emerald eyes took in the assembled coalition with careful assessment, showing respect for the gathered strength rather than assumptions about his own authority.
Beside him, Captain Tycun of the Magic Knights carried himself with the steady reliability that had made him legendary among those who knew of the Four Horsemen. The Wardens at his side seemed to hum with barely contained elemental power, but he wore them with the casual confidence of someone completely comfortable with legendary weapons.
"Thank you for allowing Magic Knights participation in this operation," Damian said with respectful acknowledgment as he approached the group. "I'm Prince Damian, and this is Captain Tycun of the Four Horsemen."
"The honor is ours, Your Highness," Hibiki replied with genuine warmth. "We're grateful for any assistance in stopping Oración Seis."
"Please, just Damian for the duration of this operation," the prince said with a slight smile. "We're here as allies and equals, not as representatives of royal authority."
"A diplomatic approach," Jura observed approvingly as he stepped forward. "I am Jura Neekis of Lamia Scale. Your reputation precedes you, though I admit I'm curious to see if the stories about your magical abilities are accurate."
"Probably exaggerated," Damian replied with modesty that seemed genuine rather than false. "Though I hope they'll prove useful against our opponents."
Tycun nodded respectfully to the assembled mages. "Captain Tycun, First of the Four Horsemen. I look forward to working with all of you."
"The Wardens," Erza said with obvious professional interest, noting the six legendary weapons. "I've heard reports about their capabilities during your recent operations."
"They're effective tools," Tycun replied diplomatically. "Though their true value comes from coordination with allies rather than individual power."
As the introductions continued, footsteps could be heard approaching from the mansion's garden path. A small figure appeared around the corner—a girl who couldn't have been more than twelve years old, with long dark blue hair and a dress that seemed designed for someone who spent more time with books than battles. Her movements were hesitant and shy, clearly nervous about the gathering of powerful mages.
Beside her walked a white cat that stood upright like Happy, but with wings folded against her back and an expression of patient maturity that suggested she served as the more responsible member of their partnership.
The girl caught sight of the assembled group and immediately ducked behind a marble pillar, peeking out with wide, nervous eyes.
"Wendy," the cat said with gentle but firm authority, "we discussed this. You need to introduce yourself properly."
"But Carla," the girl whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "there are so many important people here. What if I say something wrong?"
"You won't," Carla assured her. "Just be yourself."
Damian watched this exchange with growing warmth, the girl's obvious nervousness reminding him powerfully of his sister Hisui during her more shy moments. Without thinking, he stepped forward with the gentle approach he might use with a frightened child.
"Hello there," he said kindly, crouching down slightly to be less intimidating. "You must be from Cait Shelter. I'm Damian."
The girl peeked out from behind the pillar, her dark eyes wide with a mixture of fear and curiosity. "You're... you're really Prince Damian?" she asked in a small voice.
"I am," Damian confirmed with a warm smile. "But right now I'm just someone who's happy to meet you. What's your name?"
"W-Wendy Marvell," she said quietly, stepping out from behind the pillar but staying close to Carla. "And this is Carla. We walked here from our guild to help with the bad people."
"That's very brave of you," Damian said with genuine admiration. "It takes real courage to leave your home to help others."
"I'm not brave," Wendy said, looking down at her feet. "I'm scared. But Master Roubaul said someone from our guild needed to help, and I'm the only one who can fight."
"Being scared doesn't make you less brave," Damian said with conviction. "It makes you more brave, because you're doing what's right despite being afraid."
Wendy looked up at him with surprise, as if no one had ever told her that before. "Really?"
"Really," Damian confirmed. "Some of the bravest people I know are afraid most of the time. They just don't let that fear stop them from helping others."
"Thank you," Wendy said softly, a small smile appearing on her face for the first time since arriving.
"Now then," Carla said with practical authority, "we should join the others for the briefing. We have important work to do."
The coalition gathered in one of the mansion's grand meeting rooms, which had been arranged with comfortable seating and magical communication devices. Maps and intelligence reports covered one wall, though the information displayed was notably limited.
Hibiki stepped forward with the confident bearing of someone accustomed to delivering important briefings. "Everyone, thank you all for coming. What we're about to discuss is everything we know about our targets, though I'm afraid our intelligence is somewhat limited."
He activated a magical projection device that displayed images of six figures.
"Oración Seis," he began, his usual charming demeanor replaced by professional seriousness. "Six dark mages of unprecedented power and ruthlessness. Their leader is Brain, though we know little about his specific magical abilities beyond his reputation for strategic brilliance."
The projection shifted to show a tall figure with distinctive markings around his eyes.
"Cobra," Hibiki continued. "We know he uses poison magic of some kind, though the specific applications are unclear."
Next appeared a lean figure in what looked like racing attire.
"Racer. Based on his name and appearance, we suspect he specializes in speed-based magic, but we have no confirmation of the details."
"Hoteye," Hibiki said as the projection showed a large man with distinctive eye markings. "Our only confirmed intelligence is that he single-handedly defeated an entire military battalion. The exact nature of his magic is unknown."
"Angel." The image showed a beautiful woman with an ethereal appearance. "No confirmed intelligence on her magical abilities."
"Finally, Midnight." The last image showed a young man with an almost ethereal appearance. "Again, we have no reliable information about his specific magical capabilities."
"That's... not very much intelligence," Gray observed with concern.
"Unfortunately, Oración Seis has been extremely secretive about their operations," Ren admitted. "Most of our information comes from eyewitness accounts of their aftermath rather than direct observation of their abilities."
"Which means we're going in essentially blind," Erza said grimly. "We'll need to be prepared for anything."
"The one thing we know for certain," Eve added, "is that they're searching for some kind of ancient magical weapon. Our sources suggest it could give them power to threaten entire countries if they succeed."
"Then we stop them," Natsu declared with characteristic directness, already moving toward the door. "Let's go find these guys and settle this!"
"Natsu, wait!" Lucy called, but the Dragon Slayer was already heading outside with obvious eagerness for battle.
"Typical," Gray muttered, but he was already following along with the others.
As the coalition members began to disperse to prepare for the operation, Tycun moved closer to Damian with an expression of concern.
"Your Highness," he said quietly, "something feels wrong about this situation."
Damian paused, his tactical instincts immediately alert. "What kind of wrong?"
"I'm not sure," Tycun said, his granite features showing the kind of focused attention he brought to potential threats. "Just... an instinct that we're not seeing the complete picture."
"Trust your instincts," Damian said firmly. "Go with the others, but stay alert. If something seems off, investigate immediately."
"Understood, Your Highness."
As Tycun moved to catch up with the departing coalition members, he noticed something that made his warrior instincts flare to life. Ichiya, who had been moving through the group with his usual theatrical gestures, seemed... different. His movements were too precise, too calculated, lacking the flamboyant unpredictability that characterized the Blue Pegasus mage.
More importantly, Tycun realized he hadn't actually seen the real Ichiya since the briefing began.
"**Fire Magic: Phoenix Strike!**" came a sudden attack from the false Ichiya, magical energy erupting toward Jura with lethal intent.
But Tycun was already moving, **"Lightning Magic: Ramuh's Judgment!"** crackling from the Warden in his hand as he intercepted the attack with surgical precision. The electrical energy didn't just block the assault—it disrupted the magical disguise maintaining the false appearance.
The fake Ichiya shimmered and transformed, revealing a beautiful woman with ethereal features and flowing robes. Angel of Oración Seis stood exposed, her Celestial Spirit magic crackling around her as she prepared for battle.
"Impressive reflexes," she said with cold amusement. "Though you've only delayed the inevitable."
"**Celestial Spirit Magic: Open, Gate of the Twins! Gemini!**" she called, and two small figures appeared beside her.
But Tycun was already pressing his attack. "**Earth Magic: Titan's Binding!**" he called, drawing another Warden as the ground itself responded to his command, stone tendrils erupting to restrain Angel's movement.
"**Wind Magic: Garuda's Flight!**" followed immediately, the wind-wreathed blade granting him aerial superiority as he moved to prevent her escape.
Angel found herself outmaneuvered by someone who wielded not one legendary weapon, but six, each one perfectly suited to counter her tactical options. Within moments, she was bound by Titan's earth magic, her movements restricted by Garuda's wind barriers, and her magical energy being systematically suppressed by the combined power of multiple Wardens.
"**Sealing Magic: Containment Protocol!**" Tycun finished, producing restraints designed specifically for containing dangerous magical criminals. Angel's Celestial Spirit keys were carefully removed and secured, eliminating her primary magical arsenal.
"Well fought," Tycun said with professional respect as he secured his prisoner. "Though you should know that attempting to assassinate a Wizard Saint in front of the Magic Knights was... poor tactical planning."
As he emerged from the mansion with Angel in custody, the rest of the coalition was staring in shock at the sudden turn of events.
"Angel of Oración Seis," Damian identified grimly. "Which means..."
The forest around the mansion erupted with magical energy as five more figures emerged from concealment, their power making the very air thrum with dangerous potential. Brain, Cobra, Racer, Hoteye, and Midnight stood in a loose formation, their attention focused on the coalition that had been meant to hunt them.
"It seems," Brain said with cold amusement, "that the hunters have become the hunted."
The real battle was about to begin, and both sides knew that everything depended on what happened next.
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*To be continued...*