Chapter 266: Natsu vs. Totomaru
Noah watched the guild members fight. They were doing well.
The younger, stronger members like Simon, Lyon, and the Thunder Legion were holding the line. The veterans like Macao and Wakaba were steady. And the others—Kagura, Lisanna, Levy, Alzack, Bisca, Warren, Max—were also pulling their weight.
Many had started off shaky, but with their comrades' support, they had adapted quickly and were showing marked improvement.
Seeing this, Noah knew that one of his goals for this whole operation had been achieved.
Now, it was up to Ultear's strike team.
Inside the giant, Ultear's group had arrived safely thanks to Noah's blast clearing the way.
"What now?" Sorano asked. "This thing is huge inside."
From the outside, the giant looked big. Inside, it was a labyrinth of corridors and rooms. They didn't know the layout, so finding a few specific people would be a pain.
"We split up and search," Ultear decided. "If you find an enemy, engage them. If you can't win, call for help. Don't try to be a hero."
"Right. Let's move!" Erza said immediately. Abyss Break was charging; they didn't have much time. Since Noah had entrusted this task to them, she didn't want to fail and force him to clean up their mess.
"I'm going this way!" Natsu declared.
"Aye!"
Natsu's nose twitched, and he took off down a corridor, Happy flying after him.
"Looks like Natsu found someone," Gray said. As Natsu's rival, he knew how sharp that nose was.
The others nodded. Aside from the path Natsu took, they each chose a different direction and split up.
Eight people and one cat, moving simultaneously. The first to encounter an enemy were, unsurprisingly, Natsu and Happy.
Natsu kicked open a large door and burst into a spacious room. In the center stood a pedestal that looked like a giant candlestick holder, though whatever it held was missing.
Next to it stood Totomaru, looking panicked. "Where did that huge lacrima go?! It just vanished! What am I going to do?!"
"Found you, you bastard!"
Natsu charged at Totomaru. Totomaru reacted just in time, leaping backward to dodge Natsu's punch.
"You again? The Fire Dragon Slayer. Perfect. If I beat you, maybe the Master won't blame me for losing the lacrima."
"So this is where the cannon fires from, huh?" Natsu looked up at the massive barrel embedded in the wall. He then smirked at Totomaru. "Noah wanted that crystal. Did you really think you could stop him?"
"Aye!" Happy agreed.
"I happen to counter you perfectly," Totomaru said, taking a stance. "Defeating you will be my redemption."
"Hmph. I wanted to beat you anyway. You got away last time. Now I get my revenge!"
Natsu raised his fists, flames igniting around them. He stomped the ground and launched himself at Totomaru, throwing a punch.
"I told you before, that doesn't work."
Totomaru smiled and raised two fingers, preparing to control Natsu's fire.
SMACK!
Natsu's fist, controlled by Totomaru's magic, slammed into his own face, sending him flying.
"Huh?" Totomaru's smile faded. He looked at the fallen Natsu with a serious expression. Something was different.
"Just as I thought," Natsu said, climbing to his feet with a grin. "That was way weaker than before."
He ignited his fist again and charged.
Totomaru waved his fingers, trying to seize control of the flame again. But this time, nothing happened.
"What? I can't control it?"
He had felt the resistance increase dramatically just moments ago. Now, he couldn't grasp the fire at all.
"Did you develop a resistance to my control?! In such a short time?!" It had been less than a few hours since their last encounter.
"My fire is my fire! Don't you dare touch it!" Natsu roared, closing the distance and punching at Totomaru's face.
Realizing his magic was useless, Totomaru leaped back to dodge.
Natsu missed, but he stomped his foot, blasting fire from his sole to propel himself forward in a burst of speed.
"!!!"
In the blink of an eye, Natsu was right in front of him. They were both mid-air. Totomaru couldn't dodge, and his fire control was ineffective. He drew his katana and slashed.
Natsu slapped the blade away with his flaming left hand and followed up with a right hook to Totomaru's exposed face.
BAM!
Totomaru was sent flying, smashing into the wall and cracking it. He fell to the floor and tried to scramble away, but Natsu was already there, stomping on the spot where he had just been. If he had been a second slower, he would have been crushed.
Totomaru rolled away and sprang to his feet, ready to counter-attack, but Natsu was already in his face.
"Eat this!"
Natsu's flaming fist slammed into Totomaru's defenseless face. He flew back again, hitting the wall hard enough to spiderweb the stone.
Thud!
Totomaru fell to the floor, struggling to get up. He had taken two heavy hits and was badly injured.
Natsu didn't give him the chance.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu charged again, the flames on his fist roaring brighter and hotter than ever before.
"W-Wait!!" Totomaru stammered, watching the fist grow larger in his vision.
WHAM!
Natsu ignored him and punched him square in the face.
Totomaru was driven into the ground, creating a crater. Dust billowed up.
When the dust settled, Happy flew over to see Natsu standing over the unconscious Totomaru.
"Natsu! You beat the Fire Element!"
"Yeah. Noah said beating the Element 4 would stop the spell."
"I'll go check!"
Happy flew out of the room and looked at the giant magic circle in the sky. It was moving noticeably slower.
He flew back. "The magic circle slowed down!"
"Great! Let's go find the others!"
"Aye!"
Natsu rushed out of the room, with Happy close behind.
"Natsu defeated the Fire Element. The magic circle's drawing speed has slowed," Noah announced to the guild members outside. He had been monitoring the situation inside.
"Really? Brother Natsu is amazing!" Yukino cheered.
"He really is! I have to work hard, too!" Wendy smiled. Wind gathered around her hands. "Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!"
She swept her arms, blasting away a group of Shades.
"Wendy's doing great, too!" the guild members praised.
"Hehe!" Wendy blushed but quickly turned serious as more Shades filled the gap.
Knowing that Natsu had succeeded and seeing the tangible effect on Abyss Break boosted the guild's morale. They fought with renewed vigor.
"OOOOH! I am ELFMAN! Even if it costs me my life, I will protect Fairy Tail!"
Elfman was sprinting through the giant's corridors.
"By the way... where am I?"
He looked around as he ran. He was in a long, straight hallway lined with statues.
Suddenly, an eye popped out of the floor right where he had stepped. Elfman sensed something and stopped, turning to see a brown figure emerging from the ground.
"One of the Element 4?"
"Bonjour. I am Sol. Please, call me Monsieur Sol," the man said, wiggling his body as he spoke.
"Perfect timing. Beating you will stop that magic circle outside."
Elfman raised his right arm. A magic circle appeared over it. When it vanished, his arm had transformed into a massive, black, scaled limb.
"Beast Arm: Black Bull!"
~~~
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