Chapter 172 Allied Forces Assemble
Endless Tree Sea.
The ancient forest stretched out like a green ocean, its canopy so dense that it swallowed the sunlight whole. The air here was heavy, stagnating with the scent of wet earth, decaying leaves, and a thick, oppressive magical pressure that would make ordinary mages struggle to breathe.
Oración Seis gathered here.
Perched on the gnarled roots of a massive tree that seemed to claw at the sky, a man with maroon hair and pointed ears sat with his eyes closed, listening to the rhythm of the world.
"I heard it... I heard the sound of light shattering and falling."
Cobra opened his eyes, a snake-like slit in his pupils. He looked down at the Endless Tree Sea below, where viscous black substances were bubbling up from the earth like crude oil, corrupting the greenery. A look of twisted, almost predatory excitement spread across his face. "It's crying out."
"You're quite impatient, Cobra, though being fast isn't necessarily a bad thing," Racer said, leaning against a tree trunk. His attire—a speed suit resembling a racing outfit—stood out against the primitive forest. He tapped his foot rhythmically, his need for speed evident even in his stillness. "But waiting... waiting kills my momentum."
"Of course, this is where that magic is hidden. Racer, it's bound to make one's heart race!"
Nearby, a tall, blocky man stood with his arms spread wide, his eyes gleaming not with the madness of the dark magic around them, but with the golden light of avarice.
"Darkness descends, a magic that shatters all light," Hoteye proclaimed, clutching a handful of dirt as if it were gold dust. "Oh, it sounds very valuable! Indeed, money is everything! With this power, the price of the world will be mine to set!"
"Don't measure everything by money," a soft, velvety voice chided. Angel sat elegantly on a floating celestial spirit, her white dress pristine amidst the dirt. She looked out over the sea of trees with a detached amusement, her fingers toying with a feather. "Nirvana is not such a shallow magic. It is something far more beautiful... like an angel falling from grace."
Standing at the forefront of the group was a man who exuded an aura of absolute authority. Brain, the leader of the Oración Seis, held his skull-topped staff firmly. The intricate tribal tattoos on his face seemed to pulse with dark energy.
"The legendary magic is finally falling into our hands," Brain said, his voice deep and resonant. "Look, the earth is slowly dying, simply because Nirvana is nearby. The vegetation withers, the light fades... it is magnificent."
"Those guys of light certainly won't stand by and do nothing," Angel remarked, though her tone lacked any real concern. It was merely an observation, like commenting on the weather.
Brain spread his hands, a dark, confident grin stretching across his face. "It doesn't matter. The insects of the Light Guilds may come, but they are already too late. At this point, no one can stop us! As long as we obtain Nirvana, the entire world will be completely in our grasp. Light will be extinguished, and darkness shall reign supreme."
Somewhere on the road to the meeting point.
The carriage rattled rhythmically as it traversed the unpaved road, the wooden wheels groaning in protest against the uneven terrain. The scenery outside shifted from the familiar plains of Fiore to a more rugged, mountainous landscape.
Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was a chaotic mix of excitement and nausea.
"I didn't expect us to be on a quest together again so soon."
Erza Scarlet sat by the window, her armor clinking softly as the carriage bumped. She offered a gentle, rare smile to her companions. For years, Erza had undertaken quests alone, burdened by her past and the weight of her armor. But recently, the warmth of the guild had begun to melt the ice around her heart. The feeling of doing a quest with companions—reliable partners she could trust with her back—was a luxury she was quickly growing fond of.
Lucy Heartfilia, sitting opposite her, clapped her hands happily. "Yes! What a wonderful coincidence! Since we're all here, and the Master selected us, why don't we team up properly? The 'Strongest Team' rides again!"
"No way!!!"
The objection came instantly and loudly. Gray Fullbuster, sitting with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face, formed an 'X' with his fingers. "I absolutely do not want to team up with Natsu! It's a disaster waiting to happen! We'll end up destroying more than we save!"
"I... I also... Ugh..."
Natsu Dragneel was currently draped over the windowsill, his face a sickly shade of blue, his soul seemingly leaking out of his mouth. "I... don't want to... team up with... Ice Princess..." he groaned, battling his nemesis: motion sickness.
Erza ignored their bickering, her smile softening. She was somewhat moved; she was starting to enjoy working happily with her companions, chaos and all. To her, this noise was the sound of family.
Ren sat quietly in the corner, observing the scene with a faint smile. He enjoyed this camaraderie, this quintessential 'Fairy Tail' atmosphere. However, his mind was calculating.
'A joint operation against the Oración Seis...' Ren thought. 'Given the danger level of my usual quests—which are strictly S-Class and above—the current strength of Natsu, Gray, and Lucy is technically insufficient. If this were a normal scenario, taking them along would endanger them.'
He glanced at Natsu, who was retching out the window. 'But this is necessary for their growth. Still, I wasn't too keen on taking quests below S-Class. The rewards are just too different.'
Happy, sitting on the seat back, saw through Lucy's intention at a glance. He covered his mouth with a paw, his eyes narrowing mischievously. "You just want to leech off Ren's S-Class mission rewards, don't you? Aye!"
Lucy's eyes darted around, clearly guilty. She waved her hands frantically. "Where?! I'm not that kind of person! I'm doing it for the team spirit! Team spirit!"
Gray raised an eyebrow, looking at her skeptically. "Speaking of which, you're not actually on this quest list, are you, Lucy? Master only named Ren, Erza, Natsu, and me."
"This... isn't it because I'm worried about everyone?" Lucy stammered, sweat forming on her brow as she tried to find a valid excuse. "Besides, Natsu and I are teammates! A packaged deal! So since Natsu came, I naturally have to come along to help! It's the responsibility of a Celestial Wizard!"
Happy once again ruthlessly exposed her. "You just want to use this opportunity to raise your standing in the guild, don't you? Dirty! You want to be famous!"
Lucy bared her teeth at the blue cat, her defenses crumbling. "Weren't you also not on the list but came along anyway?!"
"I'm Natsu's partner! Besides, I'm a cat. Cats are exempt from bureaucracy."
"You're a thieving cat, a treacherous cat!"
"You're a timid Lucy, a drooling Lucy, a big-butt Lucy!"
"I'll fight you!"
Lucy's defenses broke completely. She grabbed Happy, pinching his squishy cheeks and pulling them wide. "Take that back! Who has a big butt?! It's perfectly average!!"
"Aye! Ren, help me! She's going crazy!" Happy cried out, flailing his paws.
Ren just chuckled, enjoying the lively banter. "You're on your own, Happy."
While Lucy and Happy were playfully bickering, the carriage suddenly slowed and came to a halt.
The coachman called out from the front, "Guests, we have arrived at our destination. The meeting point for the Alliance."
"We're here?"
The group got out of the carriage one after another, stretching their stiff limbs. Before them stood a villa that could only be described as... unique.
It was a large estate nestled in the woods, but the architecture was aggressive. It was a riot of colors, predominantly pink and purple, with heart shapes incorporated into every possible architectural element—the windows, the door, the garden hedges, even the chimney smoke seemed to curl into hearts.
"This design really lacks taste," Gray muttered, shielding his eyes from the glare of the pink walls. "It hurts just looking at it."
"This is Bob, the Blue Pegasus Guild Master's villa," Erza explained, though even she looked a bit skeptical of the aesthetic. "Master Bob... has a very distinct style."
The group pushed open the ornate double doors and entered the villa.
The interior was dimly lit, contrasting sharply with the bright exterior. But as soon as they stepped into the main hall, the atmosphere shifted from 'residential' to 'nightclub'.
Click—!
A spotlight suddenly snapped on from the ceiling, illuminating the center of the room where three figures stood in dramatic, rehearsed poses.
"To the members of Fairy Tail, we've been waiting for a long time," a smooth, charming voice announced. "We are the TRYMENS, the elite chosen by Blue Pegasus!"
The man on the left, with flowing brown hair and a charming smile that sparkled, winked. "Hibiki Lates! The Hundred Night Player!"
The boy in the middle, small and blonde with an innocent, puppy-dog look, struck a cute pose. "Eve Tearm! The Holy Night!"
The man on the right, dark-skinned and brooding, flipped his hair with a cool demeanor. "Ren Akatsuki! The Silent Night!"
Three handsome men, dressed impeccably like high-end hosts, stood under the spotlight. Sparkles—actual magical sparkles—seemingly materialized around them.
Fairy Tail's Ren blinked. He recognized the Blue Pegasus trio immediately. 'The Trimens... they are exactly as flashy as the anime depicted. It's almost impressive how much effort they put into their entrance.'
The three hosts didn't waste a second. They immediately glided towards Erza, their eyes locked on her beauty like moths to a flame.
"Indeed, as beautiful as the legends say," Hibiki murmured, taking her armored hand and kissing it lightly.
"Nice to meet you, Titania," Eve said sweetly, looking up at her with wide, admiring eyes.
"Come... please follow me," Ren Akatsuki added, gesturing towards a plush, velvet sofa.
The three led a slightly bewildered Erza to the sofa. Hibiki seemingly pulled a hot towel out of thin air with a flourish. "You've had a long journey, please use this hot towel. It's infused with relaxing herbs to soothe your skin."
"Ah... thank you," Erza said, stiffly accepting the towel. She was used to battles and blood, not hot towels and hospitality.
Meanwhile, Ren Akatsuki—the Blue Pegasus mage—turned his attention to Lucy. He slid over to her, pushing a colorful, fruity drink into her hand. "Come, you sit here too. By the way, you're just too cute."
"W-wow..." Lucy blushed, a bit overwhelmed by the sudden aggressive hospitality. "Thank you?"
Ren Akatsuki looked away, crossing his arms with a huff, a slight blush on his cheeks. "This... this wasn't made especially for you, you know. I just happened to have it! Don't get the wrong idea!"
Lucy sweat-dropped, holding the drink. 'A tsundere type!!!'
Gray watched the scene with a twitching eye. "What's going on with those guys... Are we here to fight a Dark Guild or attend a mixer?"
Fairy Tail's Ren chuckled, patting Gray on the shoulder. "It's nothing, the Blue Pegasus guild is always like this. Just get used to it. It's their culture."
Erza, trying to maintain professionalism amidst the pampering, sat up straight and addressed Eve. "Please take care of me this time. Let's all work together to—"
"So cute!!!" Eve squealed, clasping his hands together and interrupting her. "That serious expression is perfect! I... I've always admired you, Erza-san! Please scold me!"
Erza was momentarily stunned, her serious demeanor cracking. "What?"
Suddenly, a voice rang out—sickly sweet, deeply nasal, and undeniably distinct.
"You guys, that's enough."
The Trimens immediately straightened up, their playfulness vanishing into respect. "Ichiya-sama."
"Long time no see, Erza."
Hearing this voice, Erza's body visibly trembled. A look of genuine horror, something rarely seen on the face of Titania, flashed across her face. "Ichiya... you're participating too..."
Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki walked down the stairs. He was a short, stout man with a prominent, angular face and orange hair. He wore a white suit and struck a pose that defied explanation, his index fingers pointing towards the sky.
He approached Erza, bringing his face uncomfortably close. "I've missed you so much, my honey. I am Ichiya, at your service only. My parfum is yours to command."
"My honey?!" Lucy and Happy gasped in unison, their jaws dropping.
Fairy Tail's Ren carefully scrutinized Ichiya. He was indeed much like in the anime: short, ugly, and exuding an aura of pure narcissism. However, Ren's internal assessment was different.
'Ichiya...' Ren thought. 'Despite his appearance and questionable behavior, he is a man worthy of respect. In the later stages of the timeline, he proves himself to be incredibly manly and dependable. But right now... well, he is a bit much.'
"After all, it's a joint operation," Ichiya proclaimed, striking another pose, sparkles erupting from his armpits. "As the guild's strongest combatant—and handsomest ace—I must also participate. Men! Hurry up and get ready! We're not here to play!"
"Yes, big brother!"
The three Trimens immediately sprang into action, moving tables and clearing the 'host club' setup with surprising efficiency.
Ichiya sniffed the air loudly, his nostrils flaring. He struck various poses in rapid succession. "What a fragrant scent... the scent of danger... and beauty! SNIFF!"
"How disgusting..." Lucy muttered, shrinking back. She felt a physiological rejection of the man.
"I'm sorry," Erza whispered to her team, looking pale. "I can't do anything about this guy either. He... he is my natural weakness."
Gray couldn't watch anymore. He stepped forward, hands on his hips. "Oi, you pretty boys from Blue Pegasus. Can you stop being rude to our princess? We're here for a serious mission."
Ren Akatsuki from Blue Pegasus scoffed, flipping his hair. "Ah, the men can go back now. We have it covered. We don't need amateurs getting in the way."
Eve smiled innocently, but his words were sharp. "You've worked hard! Leave the rest to the professionals."
Gray's temper flared. "Tch, I really don't know what Blue Pegasus is thinking by sending out these perverts."
"Want to try it out?" Ren Akatsuki challenged, stepping forward, magic power flaring slightly.
"We're very strong, you know," Eve added, his smile turning predatory.
The tension in the room spiked. What was supposed to be an alliance meeting was rapidly turning into a brawl.
Natsu, who had been lying on the floor recovering from his motion sickness, heard the word 'fight' and immediately perked up. Flames ignited on his fists, his nausea forgotten. "A fight?! Let me join! I'm all fired up!" He shouted, about to rush out.
Before he could move, a hand clamped down on his shoulder like a vice.
Fairy Tail's Ren held him down effortlessly. "Alright! Stop fooling around."
Ren stepped forward, his presence suddenly filling the room. He didn't release his magic power aggressively, but the sheer weight of his existence seemed to lower the temperature in the room. He looked at the Blue Pegasus members with a calm, yet imposing gaze.
"Blue Pegasus," Ren said smoothly, his voice cutting through the tension. "I'll treat what happened before as a joke. We are here as allies to defeat the Oración Seis. If you're not honest again, then I won't be polite."
The atmosphere shifted instantly. The playfulness vanished from the Trimens' faces. They felt it—the instinctive warning that they were standing before a predator.
Hibiki, who had been using his Archive Magic to scan the guests, suddenly froze. His eyes widened as the data processed. He looked at the tall, dark-haired mage from Fairy Tail, and realization struck him like a physical blow.
"It's you!"
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