Battle of Crocus

Makarov looked at the destruction across Crocus. Debris from Sasuke's massive attack was still raining down in the city. To make matters worse screams could be heard from the Magic Council room. Makarov had seen the figures break through the roof, but he could sense from their magic power that they were incredible threats. Unknown variables in this situation would undoubtedly wreak destruction. The darkness in their magic clearly signified that they were not allies. Makarov's eyes widened as he realized the reason why the Generals had demanded for Fairy Tail to go to the Magic Council. Still, civilians were in danger and that couldn't simply be ignored.

The guild master had to come to a decision quickly. He glanced around, noticing his mages rushing around to try and destroy any form of debris that they could. Makarov frowned as he noticed the distinct lack of a certain pinkette. The mage had no time to worry about Natsu however. He had to act.

"Mirajane get Sasuke to a hospital! He needs treatment for those wounds! Then head back to the arena! Everyone else with me!"

The mages, even Mirajane to her credit, immediately acted. The Fairy Tail mages, bar Mirajane Strauss, rushed towards the Magic Council spectator boothe only for their eyes to widen as they saw the sight. Mages, some recognizable as members of Oracion Seis attacking the Magic Council. The Council was defending themselves to the best of their abilities, all of them former mages of some note, but they were out of practice. These were dark mages at the peak of their abilities. The Council was no match. Already one had died. If Makarov was correct - the coprse was mangled - it was Michello.

"Fairy Tail! Defend the Magic Council!"

The mages instantly leapt into action, their magic powers surging forth. Erza snarled, blades flashing as she swung directly at Cobra. The man turned, a nonchalant look on his face as he dodged the strike. He grunted however as Erza sped up her assault, another blade appearing in her hands as she swung wildly in an attempt to push him away. Cobra grunted, an annoyed look on his face as he briefly glanced to his side. He leapt into the air, the blade Erza had summoned to shoot downwards stabbing into the ground where he once was. Erza quickly followed.

Gray grunted, a gauntlet of ice covering his hands as he charged Doriate. Doriate roared in return, catching the blow and flipping Gray over his shoulder. The Ice-Make mage landed on his feet, twisting his hips to launch a punch that Doriate caught. The demon smirked, raising a leg to smash into Gray's chest sending the teen flying out of the building. Doriate stared after him, a smirk on his face.

"Hey Midnight," the demon hissed. "I'm gonna go have fun with the kids." The demon then leapt after Gray.

Midnight frowned at Doriate but rolled his eyes. He understood there was no way he could stop the demon. He may be their leader, but most everyone acted on their own accord. It wasn't like everyone else was following his directions anyways. The teen turned back to Yajima, raising a hand to kill the Magic Council member. Yajima grimaced, preparing to leap away only for the world to become a blur as he was dragged away from the attack. Midnight turned, an annoyed look on his face as he stared at Azuma, the man holding Yajima in his arms. The man let the short politician down, staring at him.

"Run."

Yajima wasted no time in following his orders, running from the battlefield as fast as possible. Azuma turned, looking at Midnight with an interested look on his face. "Your Magic Power. It's quite high. I wonder how strong you are..."

Midnight sighed, raising a hand. "You won't even be able to touch me."

Azuma's eyes widened as a battle-lusted grin appeared on his face. "Oh really," Azuma muttered before he disappeared in a burst of speed. Midnight glanced upwards as Azuma appeared above him, hand glowing.

"Let's test that out! Bleve!"

The explosion shot forwards, throwing everyone aside as the room flashed a bright white. Makarov and Gajeel grunted as the man started his attack. He was too destructive to be left around the Council. Already the elderly mages were further than they were before due to the explosion. The room was practically destroyed. The Guild Master glanced around, a frown on his face as he saw Fingers blast another Magic Council member into dust.

"Belno..." Makarov hissed, irritation in his voice. The Guild Master glanced at the three remaining members of Oracion Seis, his eyes widening as he felt the shorter ones power. He was far to much for Gajeel. Hell he was too much for even him! But it was the responsibility of the Guild Master to protect his guild members with his life.

"Gajeel, go attack the one that just killed Belno!"

Gajeel nodded, blitzing forwards. The man shoulder charged Fingers, sending the man flying. He skidded across the destroyed battlefield, stunned but not otherwise hurt. Makarov turned his attention from the duo, turning to see Animus and Zash cornering the remaining Magic Council members. With a flash of power he appeared before them, beams of light firing at the two dark mages. Zash's eyes widened, the attack a mere blur to him, only for Animus to step in the way and bat the attacks away like they were nothing.

"Makarov Dreyar," Animus stated, blinking. The man frowned. "Zash he is too much for you. Focus on the Magic Council members."

Zash nodded, shooting towards the Magic Council members. Makarov moved to intercept only for Animus to appear infront of him in a blur, batting away Makarov's hand. Makarov's eyes widened before Animus raised a foot, slamming it into Makarov's chest and sending the smaller man flying high into the air. Animus leapt after him, catching him in an instant as he raised a fist.

"I am your opponent."

The blow landed with a massive BOOM, sending Makarov flying towards the city of Crocus. Animus shot after him in a blur.

Wolfhiem grunted as he dodged the storm of chains that threatened to slice him in two. The man frowned, leaping over one, watching as the ground was carved in two without the chain actually touching it.

"She's enfusing her chains with Wind Magic," Wolfhiem muttered. The man glanced at Draculos. "Please remove her from the area Draculos."

Draculos nodded, walking forwards with no fear from the chains. The weapons slashed through him, blood sent flying as they demolished his body and organs. The gruesome wounds did not seem to bother the man however as he still moved towards Mito. Mito's eyes widened as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Well aren't you an interesting mage?"

The sceneary around Mito changed, revealing the other side of the outskirts of Crocus. Mito blinked, glancing around.

"That was some high level Teleportation. Impressive."

Draculos made no attempt to keep the conversation going, his fist flying towards. Mito leapt away, flipping in the air only for her eyes to widen as she was suddenly assaulted by a large energy signature. Mito's eyes widened as Jiemma appeared above her, his arm covered with purple energy. The man roared as he brought his arm down, a massive explosion ripping through the air. Mito careened towards the ground, gritting her teeth. She landed on her feet, glaring upwards to see Jiemma landing on the ground before her.

"I didn't hit her. She blocked it with a chain."

"That's alright," Wolfhiem stated, walking forwards as his body was enveloped in a white aura. The man's body suddenly swelled before he transformed into a massive green monster. Twin fangs protruded from his mouth as he glared at Mito. "We were expecting a fight. She's an unknown. Still, even with the power we believe her to have there's no way she can defeat three Generals."

Mito smirked, her eyes trailing from each of her opponents. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed Draculos seemed completely fine, not even a scratch on his body. How had he healed so quickly?

"Oh? Only three? Let me guess, the others ones are focusing on Uzumaki and the massive bakeneko he happens to be fighting currently?"

The Generals lack of comment was enough of an answer for her. Mito smirked, chains swirling around her body. "Of course it doesn't really matter. If you think you three can handle me you're sadly mistaken," she muttered. Her chains shot forwards. Jiemma and Wolfhiem leapt away, leaving the chains only target being Draculos. The man did not bother dodging, the chains spearing through him once more. The man walked forwards.

Mito frowned.

"I can already tell you're going to be annoying," she muttered, clasping her hands together. She separated them, an orb of flame growing between them before she launched it. Draculos continued to walk forwards, seemingly unbothered by the searing flames. His body was burned and demolished by the flame only for him to look perfectly fine by the time he left the conflagration.

"What are you?"

Draculos shot forwards, his body cloaked in darkness. Mito's eyes widened as she barely managed to avoid the blow. She grimaced however as she saw the man move with speed that shouldn't be possible, his leg implanting itself in her side. She grunted as she was sent flying to the side. Wolfhiem appeared before her, his arm already cocked back. With a roar he let the punch fly, the force of it sending Mito flying once more. The guild master grunted, ignoring the blood trailing from her lip as she flipped, skidding across the ground to slow herself. She glanced to her side, her senses picking up a threat. She was correct. Jiemma's hand reached out towards her face. The Guild Master ducked underneath the blow, chains swirling around her hands before she thrust her blows forwards. The twin punches drilled into Jiemma, causing him to howl as he was sent flying away, blood trailing from the places the chains touched.

Mito grunted, ducking underneath the kick Wolfhiem sent flying her way. She watched as the ground cratered from the impact. He packed a lot of power behind those blows. The Guild Master grunted, steam bleeding off of her body before she shot towards Wolfhiem. The man grunted, turning with a speed that bellied his large body. The man roared, throwing a punch to meet Mito's. The blows sent a shockwave as they impacted with one another, the wave of force sending dirt and grass flying into the air. Mito smirked, raising her other hand in a seal above her face. Wolfhiem's face widened as the ground beneath him turned into sand. Tendrils of sand shot upwards, grabbing the man. Mito moved to press the advantage only for Draculos to grab her punch. The woman's eyes widened as she was sent flying by a flick of the man's wrist.

'What is up with his strength! Even for an S-class mage it makes no sense! How is he that strong! And why can't I hurt him!'

Mito flipped in the air, glaring at Draculos only for her eyes to notice a blur of purple energy to her left. The woman turned to see Jiemma shooting towards her, wreathed in purple energy. The man roared, launching a punch. Mito grunted, raising her arm as it transformed into a gray crab-like shell with dense red muscle visible underneath. Jiemma's punch connected, the massive explosion it generated sending Mito flying towards the ground. The redhead tried to land on her feet only for Draculos to appear beneath her, darkness swarming around him.

"Shit," she muttered.

"Vanish."

The beam of darkness fired at her was so dark Mito swore it could have visibly darkened the world before she was hit by it. The woman was unable to scream, the suffocating darkness stealing her voice from her as she was blasted into a nearby hill. Mito groaned, rising to her feet only for her eyes to widen as her senses screamed at her to duck. She followed their advice, her eyes widening as a massive green fist shot through where her body once was.

'That form either enhances his senses or he has amazing magical sensing abilities,' Mito thought as Wolfhiem glared down at her. She stared back at the man. With a roar the elderly man brought down his arms, greenish red energy flickering around them. Mito shot to the side, just barely avoiding the initial strike. She failed to avoid the massive sphere of destructive energy the attack released however, the force blasting her away. Mito grunted, skidding to a stop on the ground only for Draculos to be in front of her once more. Just as she was about to leap away she felt a hand grab her back and slam her into the ground. Mito's eyes widened as she saw the familiar flash of purple before her world was enveloped in another explosion. She cried out in pain, the proximity to the explosion and the inability to get away from it making it more painful than the last.

Suddenly she felt herself pulled into the air, Draculos standing in front of her. In the mans hands were the magic restraining cuffs Wolfhiem previously had. Mito's eyes widened before she snarled, a thick miasma of red energy swirling around her before flames shot towards Jiemma, the flames forcing the man back. As he released her Mito clasped her hands together. Sand shot forwards from the ground before her, wrapping themselves around Draculos. Mito leapt away, noticing the unbothered look Draculos gave, flicks of darkness swirling around him.

Mito snarled as she landed. They almost had captured her, because she was underestimating her opponents. She needed to stop. These were not run of the mill mages, these were the Generals of Fiore! No matter the fact that individually she may be stronger than them, together they were a serious threat. Mito glanced at Jiemma, a frown on her face. The large, burly man was obviously the weakest but he was a useful asset in distraction. She could never move in reliably on the two larger threats due to his sheer speed. The man's attacks still hurt and he knew what positions to move in to attack her when she was unable to do much about it.

Then there was Wolfhiem. The man was clearly the heavy-hitter of this hit squad. His attacks were devastatingly powerful. She wasn't sure how many direct attacks from him she could withstand. He was just as fast, if not faster, than Jiemma as well. The man was clearly experienced and his senses were extremely well honed. There was no way she could effectively handle him without the other two being removed from the field. In a one-on-one fight she was sure she could handle him, their brief skirmish proved that much. She hadn't truly hit him either, but she was willing to bet he typically would be the hardest one to take down. She couldn't unleash the proper attacks necessary to defeat him with the other two on the field. He would be the most difficult to take down.

Well, he would be if it weren't for the confusing entity that was Draculos. The man seemed to take no damage whatsoever from any of her attacks. No that wasn't accurate, he took damage but he seemed to heal practically instantly. Was it some sort of Time Magic? But that wouldn't explain the Darkness Magic he so obviously was using. It wasn't as much as he was transforming into an element either, because if he was than her elemental attacks would be capable of harming him. No, whatever he was doing left him practically invulnerable to her attacks. Until she found a way to trap him or hurt him he was practically untouchable considering his invulnerability seemed to barely cost him any energy. Figuring a way around that alone would require her full attention, which was something she couldn't provide with the two other credible threats on the field. That wasn't even considering the fact that he hit hard as well.

They had created this strike force well. Still, it wasn't perfect. They hadn't accounted for everything.

Mito raised her hand, a seal forming in front of her as her magic spiked. She grinned at her opponents.

"Three against one isn't very fair. Let's even things up shall we!"

The three realized what she was doing far to late to stop her. The Uzumaki's hand touched the ground and a cloud of smoke shot into the air as figures appeared beside her. Three men stood beside her, staring down at Wolfhiem, Draculos, and Jiemma.

"Well it looks like Makarov was right," Wolfhiem muttered, his eyes resting on Fong. "The Ghost Brothers are working with you."

"Not exactly," Mito stated, looking at Shukaku. Shukaku grinned, staring at the Generals.

"Please tell me we get to kill them."

"That's your problem Shukaku," Son Goku muttered, heat radiating from his body. "Always so eager to kill something, never one to enjoy the fun of battle."

"Shut up Four Tails, or I'll thrash you!"

"What'd you just call me," Son Goku hissed, the heat around him increasing.

Kokuo raised his arms placatingly between the two brothers. "Please everyone, let's not fight. There's no need for this."

"Well they're the interesting group," Jiemma muttered. "Don't seem to get along very well."

"Maybe not," Wolfhiem muttered. "But their magical power is immense. Don't underestimate them. This fight just became incredibly more difficult."

"Enough!" Mito roared. "Shukaku! Son Goku! Kokuo! Do what I summoned you for! Kill them!"

"That's all you needed to say," Shukaku roared before he rode forth on a wave of sand, laughing like a madman. Son Goku rolled his eyes before he shot forwards himself, flames following his every step. Kokuo merely nodded, steam shrouding his body before he too shot forwards.

"We need to focus on Mito, we can't afford to get distracted!" Jiemma stated.

"Agreed," Wolfhiem stated. "Draculos, do you think you can handle them?"

Draculos saw the three approach, a frown on his face. "I'll require a long rest afterwards in my chambers along with the usual treatment but...I believe so yes."

"Good," Wolfhiem muttered, leaping into the air above the Bijuu. Jiemma nodded as well, before he raced around the Bijuu.

"Where do you think you're going," Shukaku hissed, sending his sand towards Wolfhiem, only for Draculos to appear in front of the tendril, a shield of darkness stopping the attack cold. Shukaku scoffed, annoyance on his face.

Son Goku appeared in front of Jiemma, a grin on his face as heat wafted off of his arm as he launched it forwards. Jiemma didn't bother moving to dodge however as Draculos caught the blow. The explosion of lava didn't even seem to bother the man as his leg swung forwards, slamming into Son Goku and sending him skidding backwards.

"There's two of him," Son Goku questioned, only for Kokuo's eyes to widen as he felt a presence appear behind him. The Bijuu turned, seeing Draculos appear behind him.

"No," Kokuo muttered. "There's three!"

The third Draculos raised a hand. "Midnight."

A wave of darkness washed forwards, catching all three of the Bijuu in it as they were sent flying away from the battle. The three Draculos appeared at the other end, staring stoically at the rising Bijuu. Son Goku and Shukaku both looked absolutely livid that a human had managed to send them flying, while Kokuo stared at Draculos with an uneasy look in his eye.

"I'm gonna kill him," Shukaku hissed.

"Agreed," Son Goku muttered.

Away from that battle Wolfhiem and Jiemma landed in front of Mito. The Uzumaki smirked, glaring at the two opponents in front of her. This? This she could handle. With no pesky General to defend both of them it would be easy. A chain was only as strong as its weakest link. It would simply be a matter of getting rid of the weakest link as quickly as possible. Mito's eyes locked onto Jiemma before she charged.

Naruto frowned as he looked at the massive bakeneko roaring in front of him. He had brought the Bijuu to the outskirts of Fiore so as to not endanger the public. He couldn't afford to truly let loose as long as they remained in the city. Sasuke's Kirin was enough evidence of that. Their more powerful techniques would cause too much widespread destruction. Even still, it wasn't really him that necessitiated the move. Naruto's eyes glanced down to see the blaze Matatabi was creating on the green hills. Yes, she wasn't holding back anymore either. Naruto frowned. He could only hope his Drive combined with this worlds magical energy would be enough to put her down.

If only he had Kurama.

Naruto shot forwards in a blur, his fist blazing as he cratered it against Matatabi's cheek. The Bijuu snarled, her face forcefully turned before she snapped back at Naruto, flames surging from her mouth. Naruto grunted, disappearing in a burst of speed into the air, black winds hugging his body tightly. The blonde couldn't afford to use his Heavenly Body Magic. It simply wasn't fast enough for what he required. A single hit from Matatabi could put him out of the fight. The blonde rushed in once more, winds swirling behind him. Matatabi roared, a torrent of flame shooting towards Naruto. The blonde spun, dodging the flames as he curled his hand in a claw like shape. The blonde roared, swinging his limb forwards. A massive whirlwind of wind smashed into Matatabi's side, grinding away at her.

"Sky God's Boreas!"

Matatabi snarled, her body pulsing with heat. The gigantic Bijuu roared as she grew even further in size, reaching her full height. The sudden increase in size destablized Naruto's attack, causing it to disipate. Naruto frowned, his hands clasping together.

"Let's try this then! Sky God's Aurora!"

Naruto roared, and the sky roared back two giant tornados of wind surging downwards. The tornados merged together just before they smashed into Matatabi. Matatabi howled, struggling to beat back the intense storm until her eyes flashed with power. With a snarl she let loose a conflagration that put her earlier blaze to shame. The flames surged into the sky as the temperature rose. Naruto grunted, his hands instantly grabbing this Flying Thunder God Kunai before he threw them in either direction of the battlefield. It was a simple matter of creating clones with his Energy-Make before the battlefield was covered in his weaponry.

'Almost no one has the outright ability to defeat a Bijuu in combat in this world. I don't right now either. Hell most people back home couldn't hope to do it. The best way to defeat a Bijuu back home...was sealing!'

Naruto nodded to himself, instantly teleporting to one of his kunai behind Matatabi and slamming a hand on the pommel.

"Dark Ericture: Impassable!"

The kunai glowed, purple energy rolling off of it in waves before a massive wall of purple energy sprung into the sky, runes swirling around it. Matatabi hissed, unleashing a storm of fire only for the flames to fail to reach Naruto. Naruto smirked, disappearing in a flash of yellow. The blonde appeared at the other side of Matatabi, another wall erecting itself. Matatabi whirled as Naruto repeated the process twice more, trying to keep up with the blonde. He was too fast. Teleportation caused that. Soon she was trapped in a massive cage of purple runic energy. Naruto smirked, appearing in front of her.

"I don't have anything to seal you in though..." Naruto muttered. "I definitely can't seal you in myself."

Matatabi roared, blazing eyes staring down Naruto from a distance. "You think this can hold me Naruto! We both know that's not true!"

Naruto's eyes snapped to Matatabi, a frown crossing his features. "Why are you attacking us Matatabi?"

Matatabi paused, the heat seeming to die down briefly as though she was pondering the question. The massive beast tilted her head, a motion that looked far too human for a creature as powerful as her.

"I die if I don't."

Naruto's eyes widened, shock on his face. "Mito is holding all of the Bijuu under the threat of death?"

"Not exactly," Matatabi muttered. "Shukaku of course wants to kill everything. You might be the only exception to that. But in general we're being held against our willl...kinda."

"Kinda?"

Matatabi shook her head, a dazed look covering her eyes before a clarity snapped back into them. "It's easier to fight off when I'm accessing my full power but..." Matatabi shuddered, a rage covering her face that she only just barely managed to push down. "...lacrima..." she managed to squeak out before the look of rage covered her once more. With a howl she let began to form a massive Bijuudama.

Naruto vanished just as it fired. The power behind that attack was far too much for his magic to hold. He was proven correct as the cage Matatabi was trapped in exploded unceremoniously, the smell of burning wood filling the air. Naruto grunted, staring at the exlosion. As the smoke cleared it revealed Matatabi staring at him, her eyes covered in a haze.

"You look like you could use some help here Wizard Saint."

Naruto turned, surprise on his face as he saw the three men walking towards him, all looking rather casual despite the situation. The blonde even recognized one of them.

"Barakiel Katakana...what are you doing here?"

"Well technically speaking we're here to take you, Sasuke Uchiha, Mito Uzumaki, and Yui Nii in for questioning," the shorter man spoke up. "Names Ging by the way." The white-haired man slapped Ging on the back of the head, an annoyed look on his face.

"Stop revealing information the target doesn't need to know," the man grunted.

"But Silva," Ging whined, only for Silva to slap him again.

"Don't say my name!"

Naruto shook his head at their antics. At least he finally had names for the duo. He glanced back at Barakiel who sighed.

"What they say is correct. However I'm afraid that can wait until we deal with that...thing behind you."

"It's not a thing," Naruto stated adamantly as he turned to look at Matatabi. The cat stalked the quartet, a snarl on her face as the temperature rose once more. The air began to grow slightly hazy as waves of heat wafted off of the Bijuu. "Its name is Matatabi."

"Yui Nii, Matatabi, I don't particularly care what she's called," Barakiel stated, lightning flickering off of him in waves. "We need to take it down."

"While I appreciate the help that's easier said than done," Naruto stated. "Her stamina is immense. Far above all of us. It's practically impossible to defeat her in a one-on-one battle. It'd be easier to just seal her power away."

"And how do you propose we do that," Ging stated, bouncing on the balls of his feet next to Naruto. "It's always easier to just beat something into submission."

"That won't work," Naruto stated, shaking his head. "We need something to seal her in. I don't know if the four of us combined can take her down." Naruto looked at Ging and Silva. "With all due respect, I know how strong Barakiel is, if by stature alone. I don't think I could take Matatabi down even with his help. I'm sure you two are no slouches but..."

Silva snorted, glancing at Ging. Ging grinned. "Let's show 'em ey Silva?"

"Let's do this."

The two were shrouded in orange and pink energy respectively before they took off in a blur. Naruto's eyes widened as he struggled to keep track of the duo. Matatabi snarled, her eyes snapping to her feet where Ging stood, fist cocked back. The mans fist blurred forwards, smashing against one of Matatabi's front legs. The Bijuu cried out, the leg snapping backwards. Just as Matatabi began to fall, off balance, Silva appeared next to her face, purple lightning flickering around his arm. With a roar he shot his punch forwards, the blow snapping Matatabi's head to the side and sending the Bijuu stumbling to the other side. Thanks to her unstable state she fell to her side.

Naruto's eyes widened at the casual blows the two landed on the Bijuu. They had made it look so easy when he was trying his hardest to even keep up with the Bijuu!

"Most people don't know of their existence so I don't blame you for acting the way you did," Barakiel stated. "But these are two of the Generals of Fiore Naruto. Trust me when I say they can handle themselves."

Naruto nodded dumbly. "I can see that..."

Barakiel snorted.

"Well if that's the case," Nauto called, the sky roaring as the winds picked up in their intensity. "Let's take Matatabi down!"

Naruto shot into the sky, a sonic boom signalling his movements. Barakiel shot after after him, lightning surging around him as he caught Naruto before passing him in a burst of speed. Matatabi, just now returning to her feet, had no time to prepare for the onslaught the duo brought with them.

Natsu groaned, shaking his head to clear his blurry vision. The Dragonslayer slowly stood, glancing up at the sky with a frown on his face. Up in the sky was the arena, or rather what remained of it from Sasuke's attack. The Dragonslayer snorted. The Uchiha had that in his arsenal despite being so heavily outclassed? It was ridiculous. And this wasn't even his full power. He had been sent flying from the arena all the way down to the town from the sheer destruction of the blast. Destruction that had affected the citizens of Crocus. It was easy to see wherever he looked. Pieces of debris covering the town.

Natsu rushed into action, saving who he could. Lifting and destroying pieces of debris, trying to lead citizens to hospitals, he did it all. He would have kept doing it if he didn't feel the surge of magic energy that stormed the area. Natsu glanced back up at the destroyed arena, his eyes widening as he felt magic power surge throughout the area. The sheer power of it was overwhelming. He had never felt anything like it. And this smell, it smelt like...no it wasn't it exactly, but it was close.

The sight of a figure crashing into the city before another chased after it was all Natsu needed to see, his nose telling him the rest. Natsu rushed into action.

'Igneel?'

Erza grunted as Cobra dodged underneath another slash of her blade, frustration filling her face as the man seemingly avoided all of her attacks with ease. Cobra sighed as he raised his leg, his eyes flashing before he launched a kick towards Erza's side. Erza grunted, summoning a blade from her Requip dimension in a flash to block the attack. Still the force behind it was real, sending Erza flying backwards. The redhead landed on a stone pillar at the edge of the destroyed arena, glaring at Cobra.

"Why is Oracion Seis here? And why are they attacking the Magic Council?"

"That's none of your business," Cobra stated. The man smirked, tilting his head to the side as a blade Erza created behind him shot forwards, stabbing into the ground. Erza's eyes widened with shock as Cobra moved in, launching a punch she just barely managed to deflect with the flat of her blade. "I can hear you 'Titania!'" Cobra shot forwards, appearing behind Erza in a burst of speed, launching a roundhouse that smashed into Erza's side and sent her flying towards the city below.

"And you're no Uzumaki!"

Erza grunted, flipping in the air and quickly changing into her Heaven's Wheel Armor. The wings allowed her to catch herself, the redhead gently touching the ground as she glared up at Cobra. The man was soaring through the air towards her. That was manageable. He could only move linearly then. Ten blades appeared behind Erza, each of a different elemental variant. With a thought they fired, lances of lightning, waves of fire, jets of water, storms of dirt and more, the elements merged together directly towards Cobra. The man smirked despite his inability to dodge the attack, sucking in air. With a roar he shot upwards into the sky, the sound waves forcing him over the attack.

"I already told you, you're no Uzumaki!"

Erza's mouth quirked upwards in a smirk. The beams surged upwards, the combination attack destined to smash into Cobra. However, before anything could be done the beams parted, revealing Cobra with his hand out, a deafening sound filling the air. Cobra smirked, falling to the ground to smirk at Erza.

"You're no match for me. Give up."

Erza frowned, her blades spinning behind her as the Mugetsu-Ryu appeared in her hand. "No," she muttered. "If Naruto could defeat you then so can I."

"Why you little," Cobra hissed. "Uzumaki is a Wizard Saint! You're not on that level!"

Erza smirked, blitzing forwards in a downward slash at Cobra. The man weaved out of the way, only for three blades to launch towards his abdomen, all with the intention of spearing him. Cobra managed to slip between them as well, however the brief time it took to dodge the follow-up allowed Erza to get into position for another attack. With a wave of her blade red energy flickered forwards at Cobra.

"Kamaitachi!"

Cobra's eyes didn't even widen, having expected the attack and easily leaping above the wave of red energy that surged forwards, cutting debris from the arena in half with ease. Cobra spun midair, launching a punch that Erza's supplementary blades unified together to block. With a mental surge they unraveled, Erza's blade thrusting forwards. Red energy flickered off of her blade, and yet despite what should have been the element of surprise and Cobra being in a compromising position the man managed to avoid the attack just barely and leap away.

Erza frowned, drawing back her blades to see Cobra land just slightly out of her range.

"How are you avoiding my attacks? This is too clean to be natural."

Cobra smirked, pointing to his heads. "I can hear you. Your thoughts, your actions, your ideas. All those fancy little techniques you have in your head, all the attack strategies you're thinking of. I can hear it all. A finesse fighter like you could never beat me."

Erza frowned, narrowing her eyes. "So you know my moves before I even make them? Mind Reading? That's a rare magic. Difficult to get around, but at the end of the day you're just reading my thinking patterns."

Cobra snorted. It wasn't Mind Reading, although he couldn't blame her for the confusion. The two abilities were similar. Still, did she really think she could still beat him? He knew all of the attack patterns she was thinking of. Weapons-users were strategists at the core. They knew how to position their opponents so as to hurt them in the best way possible. But if the opponent knew all of the traps, and was too fast to be caught in them there was nothing they could do. A brute force opponent or someone with practically limitless attack patterns was the only way to beat him. A brute force opponent could force him to react, even if he didn't want to and overpower him. Someone with limitless options was obvious. In a one-on-one setting there weren't many mages he'd say could take him, and none if they didn't possess one of those two qualities. That was the only reason the Uzumaki had been able to defeat him, because he had just possessed both of them. Erza Scarlet did not.

And then the noise became quieter.

Cobra's eyes widened and before he had any time to react Erza was in front of him, her blade descending. The man dodged, but it was closer this time, a strand of hair being cut by her blade. Cobra's eyes widened even further, causing Erza to smirk. Blades swirled behind her before a jet of flame shot forwards. Cobra scrambled back, the flames licking his clothes but otherwise not harming him. However, the flames had blocked his vision. The man could hear though. He tried to listen in to Erza's strategy, confident in his ability to react. The plan came in but...slowly. Like it was moving through mud. By the time he had realized what her strategy was...

Cobra's eyes snapped open, desperately bringing his arms up to catch Erza's blade. He was just a second to slow, Erza's blade slashing from his right shoulder down to his left hip, a trail of blood spurting into the air. Cobra cried out in pain, the deep cut would surely scar. Before he had any time to react a punch cratered into his chest, sending him flying into a nearby piece of debris. Erza smirked at the man, ignoring the blood glistening on her blade.

"So what were you saying exactly?"

Cobra snarled, rising to his feet to glare at the S-class mage. How was she doing that? He should be able to hear her thoughts! Her strategies! Sure she was strong, but she was nothing compared to a brute force fighter against him. Technique fighters were easily picked apart unless their technique was practically impossible for him to counter like Midnight. The man clenched his fists, taking several breaths to calm himself. No, he was overreacting. He could hear her thoughts, they were just slower...no...not quiet. The thoughts weren't gone just...muted. Was she...blocking her thoughts? He had encountered enemies who had tried that before, but all of them had failed. Where was she succeeding where they had failed?

Cobra's eyes narrowed. Could it be something as simple as control? No...it couldn't be could it? All of the weapon experts he had fought in the past clearly had control. That was obvious. You couldn't be a master of a weapon without understanding control. So how was she-Cobra had to leap away to avoid a jet of pressurized water from the redhead, frowning as she sent another storm of elements at him the second he landed. Clearly he wouldn't get the opportunity to think the issue through. He'd have to rely more on his eyes than he thought.

The man leapt away, content to avoid the streams of elements for now. He glanced around, noticing the distinct lack of citizens. They had likely ran the second they saw the arena explode. Good. That meant he didn't have to hold back. With a grunt he landed again, noticing the stream of elements approaching him once more. The man raised his palm and whistled.

"Sound Wall!"

The wall of pure pressure echoed throughout the area, dispersing the elemental attack before he shot forwards. Erza rushed in to meet him. Cobra snarled, launching a punch that Erza slipped underneath. With a grunt she slashed upwards diagonally, attempting to cut the man in two only for him to clap his hands together. The sound emanated throughout the area as the pressure forced the blade away, giving Cobra enough time to dodge. The man slipped in once more, punch aimed directly at Erza's face. The woman raised her forearm to block only for Cobra's punch to turn into a grab. Shock filled her face as Erza was forcefully lifted in a show of monstrous strength by Cobra and slammed into the ground. The man raised his foot, preparing to bring it down on Erza's head only for her blades to react. Cobra grunted, letting go of her and leaping into the air to avoid death by piercing. Erza was quick to react, climbing to her feet and launching another Kamaitachi at the mage.

Cobra snapped his fingers, the pressured sound waves coalescing to stop the attack cold. He landed in a thud before he took off once more, closing the distance with Erza faster than she anticipated. The man reached forwards, aiming for her throat. There was no time for her to dodge. But her Heaven's Wheel Armor more than made up the difference. Dozens of weaponry filled the air and launched in the time it had taken Cobra to close the distance. Spears, lances, axes, kusairgama, and more shot forwards, visible trails of air resistance following them. Cobra grunted, leaping away just as the storm of weaponry littered the ground he once was. Cobra grunted, landing on a nearby building only for her eyes to widen as the storm of weaponry had quickly left the ground and was shooting towards him.

The man snapped his fingers, the pressurized sound waves deflecting all of the weaponry. Erza was then in front of him however, her body wreathed in her Flight Armor. Cobra's eyes widened, the sound of her strategy having just now finished filling his ears. He had no time to react as she brought down the Mugetsu-Ryu, Erza's blade descending as crimson energy flickered off of it.

"Phoenix Cannon!"

The blade descended, slashing the other side of Cobra's chest as the wave of energy sent him flying, a trail of crimson energy following him as he was sent flying into a building. The building crumbled on top of him, leaving him unseen to Erza. The woman frowned, her grip on her blade tightening. She knew that wouldn't be enough to defeat him. The battle was just getting started.

She couldn't have been more correct as all of a sudden the debris was sent flying in a storm as Cobra rose, his eyes glowing with power as poison flickered off of his form. His arms had turned bestial as massive purple scales covered his expanding arms. Claws took the place of nails. He snarled, enlongated fangs revealed as he glared at Erza. His magic power surged as he cracked his neck, preparing to attack the girl. Erza frowned, gripping the Mugetsu-Ryu tighter.

This would be more difficult than she thought.

Her thoughts were quickly proven correct as Cobra blurred forwards, moving at speeds Erza could barely follow. Erza barely ducked to avoid the first punch but she was to slow to react when Cobra's knee shot up, cracking her in the nose. Erza's head shot back, blood leaking from it. Cobra didn't hesitiate to capitalize, his leg swinging out to smash into Erza's abdomen, sending her flying.

"Posion Dragon's Roar!"

The whirlwind of poison smashed into Erza, sending her through several houses before she eventually stopped. Cobra stared at her, a smirk on his face as she slowly stood. The girl was shaking, looking at him with a blurred look in her eyes. Cobra smirked.

"Ah, you're immune system is weaker than Uzumaki's."

Erza's eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean?"

Cobra smirked. "Uzumaki's immune system was curiously resistant to my poison. That and his winds blew it apart. You aren't. At best I'd give you five minutes before you succumb to the poison's affects."

Erza's eyes widened, before she gripped the Mugetsu-Ryu even tighter. "Then I guess I'll have to defeat you in five minutes then!"

Cobra laughed. "Don't get cocky Scarlet. I'm too much for you. Go seek help from a healing mage to avoid dying."

Erza merely took a deep breath before shimmering portals formed behind her. Cobra's eyes narrowed. He could hear her thoughts again. She wasn't as focused on hiding them. The spell required too much concentration likely.

"This won't work," Cobra muttered, although internally he was somewhat worried. This spell, the attack patterns she was thinking of, it was impressive. Maybe it was not the concentration of the spell that broke her focus but rather her confidence that he couldn't avoid it.

"Dance my blades," Erza muttered, before a storm of weaponry shot forwards at lightning-fast speeds.

Makarov grunted as he stood, looking up at the man who stood on a roof above him.

"Well aren't you the powerful mage," Makarov muttered. "What might your name be boy?"

"You are the boy to me Makrov Dreyar," Animus stated. Makarov quirked up an eyebrow but was unable to respond when Animus blurred forwards, fist smashing into Makarov's gut before he could do anything. The elderly man flew backwards, only stopping when he collided with a wall. He grunted, slowly raising his head to look at Animus who was merely staring at him.

"I expected more from the Guild Master of Fairy Tail."

Makarov smirked, clapping his hands together. Light swirled behind him before it shot forwards. Animus snorted, tilting his head to avoid the beams of light and allowing them to explode in the distance. At least that was what he expected. The lack of an explosion alerted him, forcing him to jump just before the light reached him. Animus glanced downwards, watching as the beams of light chased him. He flipped in the air, avoiding the beams only for Makarov to make more, the world drowned in a storm of Light Magic. Animus grunted, realizing he was trapped.

The storm of light smashed down on the man, the massive explosion shaking the ground. As the smoke from the explosion cleared it revealed Animus standing there, barely a scratch on him. Makarov's eyes widened, shock on his face from the completely unexpected result.

"What?"

"Even you can't do it," Animus muttered. "Is his magic truly the only one capable of being even remotely useful?"

Makarov was confused, but didn't question it. Maybe the man had merely used a defensive magic at the last second. Makarov waved his hand forwards, light swirling around it.

"Rain of Light!"

Animus grunted as the storm of light surged towards him, letting it slam into him with no affect. Makarov grunted, leaping forwards as his arms expanded. He shot them forwards, his punches being caught by Animus with ease. Makarov grunted pushing even harder. Animus' eyes widened as he was pushed back by the elderly mans strength.

"Impressive," he muttered, before he exerted more force, throwing Makarov's arms wide. The man slipped in, leg swinging as it cracked into Makarov's head sending him skipping against the ground. Animus raised a hand in the mans direction, crystal surging from the ground to slam into Makarov. Makarov gagged, blood shooting from his mouth. The man grunted, enlarging his arm before batting the crystal away. Animus merely watched, an interested look on his face.

"I have no interest in killing you Makarov Dreyar," Animus muttered. "Yet anyways. You're strong enough to qualify for an audition. If you survive depends entirely on how you perform."

Makarov grunted, smashing his fists together in a rage before golden light flooded his form. "I'll show you just how strong I am then." Animus' eyes narrowed as Makarov blurred forwards, light being all that comprised his form. The man appeared in a flash behind Animus, his arms flying forwards.

"Solar Ray!"

Animus turned just as the massive beam of light smashed into his form, sending him skidding backwards. The intense heat let off by the blast made the man grunt, the lack of comfort due to the attack bothering him. Still, it wasn't enough. With an exertion of his magic power the attack shattered, revealing him only slightly singed. Makarov did not hesitate however, appearing in front of the man to launch a punch that cratered into his armor. The sound of the blow reverberated through the air as Animus skidded backwards once more, unharmed.

Makarov frowned, raising his hand above his head. Bright light burned through the area as magic coalesced above his hand, forming a rotating sphere. The sphere continued to rotate, a thick darker miasma forming around the sphere to contain the chaotic energy within. Makarov blurred forwards once again, thrusting his attack forwards. Animus' eyes widened as he realized the density of magic in that one attack.

"Helios!"

The sky and ground burned as a massive spheroid of light formed, before it erupted upwards into the sky to blind any who dared to look directly at it. When the light finally died down Animus was stuck in a wall, groaning in pain. Makarov stood before him, fists clenched. Animus slowly pulled himself from the wall, looking at Makarov with an interested look on his face.

"So far you're passing the test Dreyar I must admit. You are stronger than most humans."

Animus' magic power spiked, the oppressive energy covering the entire vicinity in a feeling of dread. Makarov shuddered, taking a step away from the man. Few of his opponenets had ever had such an oppressive magic power. Whatever this man was, he was not normal. Magical experimentation could have been the only explanation.

"Now the question is can you rise above the rest of your races feable limitations and become worthy?"

Animus shot forwards, his body nothing but a blur as he stopped in front of Makarov, hands flung forwards. Makarov barely was able to turn into light at the last moment, the punches phasing harmlessly through his body before he shot away. Animus grunted, unable to chase due to the speed the man was moving out, instead waiting for Makarov to return to normal before he continued his assault. Animus raised a hand, gesturing upwards. Makarov's eyes widened as the ground shook, before a titanic spear of crystal shot from the ground towards Makarov. The elderly mage leapt away, watching in horror as the attack destroyed all of the houses behind him.

"Stop! There are civilians in this area! Let us move our fight!"

Animus frowned.

"No."

The massive crystal spear shattered, countless shards of crystal all speeding towards Makarov. The master of Light Magic frowned his body glowing briefly before a thin armor of light coated his body. The crystals bounced harmlessly against the armor, Makarov's glowing eyes glaring daggers at Animus. In a burst of speed he shot forwards, moving far to fast for even most elite mages to keep up with.

Animus was more than just an elite mage.

The man flipped, dodging the punch launched by Makarov to launch a punch at his exposed back. Makarov was fast enough to turn however, deflecting the punch to his side and instead pointing a finger at Animus' shoulder.

"Photon Laser."

Animus' eyes narrowed as he surged backwards, but he was too slow. The beam of light smashed into his shoulder, causing the man to grit his teeth in pain. Makarov's eyes widened as he flashed away from Animus, his orbs locked onto the wound.

"That should have punctured your shoulder blade," Makarov muttered.

Animus grit his teeth, glaring at the singe mark on his skin. He turned his glare towards Makarov, before a grin formed on his face. "You will be useful. Light Magic mastered to a level that you can keep pace with me, even though you clearly can't hit as hard as I can. Your speed is faster than even my own, and you have enough power to actually bother me. Still, with all of these at best you'd be a distraction. Surely you have something that can truly hurt me?"

Makarov frowned. The words the man was saying. This didn't feel like a fight...it felt more like an audition. But for what? What use could Animus possibly have for him? Makarov's frown deepened. He couldn't guess over it now. He could ask it when Animus was in a jail cell. If the man was right on one thing it was clear his usual techniques would not get him through this battle. For some reason the man was uniquely durable and had a magic power that surpassed even his own.

"Rain of a Hundred Blades!"

The sky glowed a brilliant yellow before hundreds of blades descended from the sky, all seeking Animus. The man raised his hands, welcoming the attack.

"Let's see shall we?"

The blades of light descended like the wrath of god, smashing into the ground and Animus, releasing titanic explosions as they did so. The area around the duo burned with energy and light as Makarov waited to see how his opponent was affected. When the blast cleared it revealed Animus standing there, more injured but still nothing serious on his body. Makarov grunted and shot forwards, a blade of light forming in his hands before he swung it towards the man. Animus snarled, swinging his own arm as a blade of crystal formed. The two blades clashed, releasing a shockwave of energy that sent rock and debris flying. Makarov grunted, making a hand sign as more blades formed behind him. Animus lazily glanced at them, and with a flick of his wrist azure energy exploded outwards, sending Makarov flying and destroying the airborne blades.

Animus shot forwards, his own blade singing through the air as he brought it down. Makarov raised his broadsword, gritting his teeth as he was barely able to hold the attack. With a roar Makarov's blade began to twitch and cut through the crystal blade Animus had created.

'He's bending the waves of light at extreme speeds to increase its cutting power and temperature!'

Makarov roared as his blade cut through the crystal blade of Animus, the light broadsword slashing Animus' shoulder and pushing him backwards. Animus hissed, a thin trail of blood trickling down his body.

"All that...for a drop of blood," Makarov muttered in horror.

"Impressive," Animus stated. "A true wound. Yes, yes you will be passable indeed."

"What are you talking about?"

"Now to see how long you'll last in a true battle against something that completely outclasses you."

Makarov's eyes widened as Animus' fist crashed into his gut, shattering his broadsword and armor in one blow. Makarov was sent flying from the blow, Animus immediately in pursuit as a storm of azure energy swirled around his leg. The man spun, the azure energy transforming into crystal casing as he smashed the blow into Makarov's chest. Makarov coughed up blood as he was sent flying even faster, smashing through dozens of houses before he came to a stop. Animus smirked, cracking his neck before he raised a hand. With a grunt thousands of jagged crystal rocks shot from the ground towards Makarov's downed form. It was only due to the man's Light Magic he managed to avoid it by transforming his body into light and shooting away. Animus glared at the form of Makarov floating in the air.

"I'm afraid you've already proven my Giant magic will not allow me to match you in pure strength. You're too powerful. But if I must fight using all of the magic at my disposal I shall."

Makarov transformed back into flesh and blood, throwing a massive punch at Animus as his arm expanded to preposterous sizes. Animus' eyes widened, catching the blow although the strain on his face was evident. The man hissed, barely managing to hold back the force only for his eyes to widen as he saw a flash. He had no time to react to the light as blades smashed into his body, blowing him backwards. The brief stun was enough for Makarov's fist to crater into him, smashing him into the ground. Animus groaned, bruises forming on his skin before Makarov transformed back into light high above the man.

Then he moved. Makarov shot downwards in a bolt of light, spinning all the while. Light filled the sky, blinding any who dared to look. Animus had no time to react to the sheer speed Makarov was moving at.

"Luminous Drill!"

Makarov touched down and the world exploded in a flash of light as the ground was torn asunder, rubble flying in every direction as light beamed into the sky. In a flash it was all gone, rubble falling from the sky as Makarov stared down Animus who lay on the ground, bleeding. The wound was deep enough to make Animus wince as he stood, glaring at Makarov.

"Broke through my armor and my scales," Animus muttered beforea grin came to his face. Blood trailed from his lip before his magic power exploded, the man grinning.

"Well then, you have proven yourself worthy Makarov Dreyar! Your power is nothing to scoff at. Still, the question is, how long can you last!"

With that Animus moved and Makarov was sent flying.

Gray stared down Doriate, annoyance on his face. The demon was annoyingly capable in hand-to-hand combat. Gray couldn't quite keep up. Doriate's reach was too long and he hit far to hard to last in a drawn out battle.

"Come little human," Doriate growled. "Let me kill you."

Gray grit his teeth, slamming his hands together. "Ice-Make: Lance!"

Dozens of lances of ice shot towards Doriate, only for the demon to roar, breaking them all with a swing of his arms. He leapt forwards, pouncing at Gray only for the teen to backflip away. As soon as Doriate landed he rushed forwards, his arms wide for a lariat. Gray grunted and flipped upwards, throwing his arms downwards just as Doriate was below him.

"Ice-Make: Prison!"

The cage of ice descended on Doriate, the demon's eyes widening as he was suddenly imprisoned. He roared, swinging his arms only for them to fail to break the prison. Gray took a breath of relief, before he formed a focus. "Ice-Make: Saucer!"

The spiralling wheel of ice shot forwards, shredding the ground as it neared Doriate. The prison opened up to allow the saucer entry before closing again. Doriate snorted, grabbing the saucer and stopping it's rotation cold. Gray's eyes widened as the man swung the saucer with a rage, throwing it. The force behind the throw shattered the saucer and the prison in one move.

"Such a weak attack. Is that really all you're capable of at this level? I won't even need to use my magic against you."

Gray grit his teeth, raising his hand. "I'll show you weak. Arctic Magic: Winter Storm!" The storm of ice needles flew forwards, ice following the air resistance the speed they were moving at made visible, only for Doriate to brush them away like they were nothing. Gray was expecting this however and used it as cover to close the distance, his hand covered in a magical storm of ice.

"Arctic Magic: Cold Front!"

The blow shot cratered against Doriate's cheek, sending the demon stumbling. Gray didn't stop though, swinging his body as he formed a blade of ice. The blade was stained red as blood flew. Doriate howled, the cut marring his form. With a roar he threw a wild punch at Gray, the mage trying to deflect with his blade only for it to crack and break under the force. Gray flew backwards, rolling on the ground until he came to his feet to glare at Doriate. The demon snarled, looking at the wound on its body.

"No more playing around boy." Doriate hissed. "You're a child compared to me."

Gray snorted, prepared to fire back at Doriate only for his eyes to widen as the demon suddenly got larger. Doriate shot forwards, swinging his arms at Gray. Gray grunted, jumping only to not clear the blow and be sent flying. Blood flew from Gray's mouth as he slammed into the ground. He tried to stand only to fumble and fall to the ground. Gray grumbled, glancing down only to see his pants extending for far, far to long.

"What?"

Doriate grinned.

Everything clicked for Gray then. His clothes were too big, in fact everything seemed larger. It wasn't that Doriate had gotten larger, he had shrunk.

"What the hell!"

Doriate laughed, slowly walking forwards towards Gray. "You fool," Doriate muttered. "You stand no chance against me now with my Law of Retrogression! No one does!" Gray's eyes widened as Doriate charged. The mage tried to form a wall of ice to protect himself but found his casting to be slower, the punch slamming against his body before he had any time to react. Gray flew through the air, his head cloudy before he smashed through the roof of a house with a loud BANG. The house was quick to follow, collapsing on top of the de-aged mage.

Azuma landed on the destroyed remainder of the Council viewing platform, glaring at Midnight who stood there, completely unharmed.

"I told you already. You cannot harm me."

Azuma grinned, cracking his knuckles. "You'll be more fun than I thought..."

Midnight frowned, sighing before he sent ethereal blades flying in Azuma's direction. The man frowned, feeling the shift in magic power but, unable to determine what exactly happened, was unprepared for what happened next. Azuma cried out in pain as the blades slashed into his shoulders, blood squirting into the air. Azuma stumbled backwards, shock on his face before he grinned. Midnight frowned as Azuma leapt into action.

"I don't know how you did that," Azuma roared as he leapt into the air. "But it won't happen again!" Azuma snarled as he aimed a finger at Midnight, fruits shooting from his hand towards the teen. Midnight stared at the fruits, unbothered even as they exploded near him, none of the explosions even touching him. Azuma landed in front of the mage, not having expected the attack to work when Bleve had failed so utterly and instead clapped his hands together before slamming them on the ground.

"Chain Burst!"

The ground glowed a virulent green before roots tore through the stone, aiming to wrap around Midnight. Midnight's eyes widened before his eyes briefly flashed with magic power. The roots were affected by the teens magic just like the other attacks, bending around Midnight in a wide circle. Small cuts appeared across the roots as they circled him, but they weren't destablized enough to explode. Azuma grinned however, clasping his hands together.

"Let's see if you can stop it when you're already surrounded!"

Azuma roared, the vines exploding from end to end, the explosions shaking the already unsteady foundations left of the arena. However, when the explosion cleared it revealed Midnight once again, completely unharmed. Azuma frowned.

'Some sort of protective shield? But that doesn't explain how he made me bleed earlier?'

Midnight's eyes flashed, his magic power briefly spiking. That was all the warning Azuma needed before he leapt to the side, his eyes widening as the stone debris behind him was cut in two with ease.

'That would have cut me clean in half! But what has that type of cutting power? The only thing even close to it is Uzumaki's wind!'

Midnight wasn't doen yet however, sending blade after blade of slashes at Azuma. The man dashed away, barely avoiding each and every blade. With a grunt he flipped in the air above a slash and extended his arm towards Midnight. "Ramus Sica!"

The ground glowed before tree shards shot from the ground towards Midnight. Midnight frowned, magic power flashing from his body once more. The shards flew off in different directions as they neared him, none getting even within five feet of the teen. All of them had little cuts on them. Azuma landed on the ground, an annoyed look on his face.

'So a protective barrier that is five feet from his actual body it looks like. Then he can also extend the range to manipulate things further away. Plus he can send slashes through the air...ethereal blades.' Azuma frowned. 'What is the weakness of this magic? I don't know exactly what it does yet. Is is some type of reality warping?'

Midnight sighed, raising a hand at Azuma. "Enough. You bore me."

Azuma's eyes narrowed at the insult before he suddenly found himself struggling to breathe. The man's mouth opened in a choked gasp, glancing down to see his own clothes strangling him. The man's eyes widened as he tried to pull his twisted shirt away from his throat only to fail. Azuma grit his teeth, his vision beginning to swim as oxygen failed to get into his bloodstream.

"Goodbye," Midnight muttered.

'He's...he's manipulating my clothes! How? A protective barrier around him, the ability to create ethereal slashes and manipulate my clothes? How does that relate to this?'

Azuma grunted, raising his hands to his body. He didn't have much time left. With a grunt fruits appeared in both of his hands before they exploded. Midnight's eyes widened, a small smirk playing across his face as he saw Azuma, shirtless due to the explosion.

"Clever."

Azuma greedily sucked in air, his eyes not once leaving Midnight. The man glared at him with battle lust in his eyes, slowly standing as he got more oxygen back in his system.

"Ethereal blades, a shield that deflects everything, manipulating inanimate objects, your magic is truly dangerous." Azuma laughed, a grin forming on his face. "Like I said earlier, you are a formidable opponent. I've never faced anyone quite like you."

Midnight rolled his eyes, but Azuma caught it. The man slid to the side, avoiding the blade Midnight attempted to subtly send his way.

"And they can be fired from the most subtle of actions," Azuma stated. "Truly impressive. But it has it's weaknesses."

Midnight frowned. "Like what?"

"You can't manipulate organic matter for one. If you could you would have killed me already."

Midnight frowned, raising a gauntlet-covered hand. "So what? You know that, it doesn't help you. You're too weak." With that Midnight fired off a blast of Darkness Magic, causing Azuma's eyes to widen. The man immediately counted, firing off a Bleve that negated the attack. Azuma was not a fool though, immediately dashing to the side to avoid the ethereal blades Midnight had sent his way under the cover of the smoke.

"You're right, knowing you can't manipulate organic matter itself doesn't help me much," Azuma stated. "Except that my magic entirely revolves around organic matter!"

Midnight's eyes narrowed. "That won't help you. Your vines can't get passed my barrier."

"I disagree," Azuma stated. "At first it didn't make sense. How you could manipulate my plants which are organic and yet not manipulate my body. They're created by magic but they're very much alive. Then it made sense. What if you're not manipulating my plants, but rather manipulating the air around you to deflect my plants away from you?"

Midnight frowned, an annoyed look on his face. "Perish," he muttered, sending another wave of Darkness Magic at Azuma. Azuma grinned.

"Take it that means I'm right," he muttered as he leapt away. 'So he can manipulate anyting inorganic. He can't extend it's length though. It's like he's twisting and reflect anything inorganic. Plus he has Darkness Magic up his sleeve. Dangerous magic, but I'm a terrible matchup for him. He has to have a max-speed at which he can manipulate attacks, and if I can just get within that five foot barrier...'

Azuma nodded, realizing what he needed to do. Without a doubt in his mind he charged forwards, hands flying forwards. Fruit shot from his hands, eager to breach Midnight's defeneses. The teen snarled, ethereal blades flying forwards and carving through the fruit. The blades would have continued forwards if it weren't for the destablized fruit releasing explosions that destablized the blades. Azuma paid it no mind, continuing his charge. The man extended his hand, a grin forming on his face.

"Bleve!"

The explosion parted around Midnight once more, not even a speck touching him. Midnight's eyes narrowed as smoke covered his vision. With a quick use of his magic the smoke was gone, revealing an open area with Azuma nowhere to be found. Midnight's eyes narrowed, glancing around to look for the man only for his eyes to widen as he felt something wrap around his leg. He glanced down to see a root wrapped tightly around his leg.

"Shi-"

"Burst Claw!"

The root swung, dragging Midnight along with it before he had any time to react. It then exploded in a blaze, Midnight captured in the attack. Azuma stood from behind the rubble he was hiding behind, a grin on his face.

"Come on, I know that didn't put you down! I still have so much more fun I want to have!"

The smoke from the explosion cleared, revealing Midnight standing, but heavily favoring his non-injured leg. The teen was bleeding heavily on that leg and even his stance seemed shaky. Azuma's eyes narrowed.

"He can't take much punishment," the man muttered. "Disappointing, but expected considering his style of fighting. Probably hasn't been hit much."

Midnight roared, his wings exploding from his back before he shot into the air, glaring down at Azuma with hate in his eyes.

"Filthy mage! You're nothing to me! Nothing! You'll never beat me, a demon!"

Azuma rolled his eyes, instead contemplating how he would reach Midnight again. His ability to fly made things annoyingly difficult. The teen would be able to see any attack coming, so sending his roots underground wouldn't work again. Even his Tower Burst would be ineffective because it wasn't organic in nature so the teen would just deflect it with ease. His organic attacks were slower, and this wasn't the best terrain for him to work with. He'd have to hope there was a limit to the speed at which Midnight could manipulate attacks.

Plan set Azuma raised his hands, a feral grin on his face. Fruit shot from his hands, each of them glowing a brilliant red. Midnight snorted, sending his blades to bifurcate the fruit and cause an explosion early. Azuma acted however, clasping his hands together as his magic power surged. With a grunt a massive root sprung from the ground, the root larger than a small building as it surged upwards towards Midnight. The teen just barely managed to see it through the smoke and hastily sent a massive ethereal blade down towards the attack, cutting it down the middle. Azuma continued on, clasping his hands together to send a storm of sharp tree branches flying towards Midnight from the hollow root. Midnight's eyes widened at the multitude. Azuma's eyes narrowed as instead of sending out ethereal slashes of air Midnight raised his hands and released a storm of Darkness Magic.

"Dark Rondo!"

Azuma smirked at the attack, watching as how his attack was succesfully negated.

"So there is a quantity that he can't handle. Good to know."

Midnight swiped his arm in front of him, his index finger outstretched. Azuma cracked his neck, prepared to avoid what he assumed would be blades of wind before he sensed rather than saw the danger around him. He glanced around before the world transformed into nothing but pain, a vortex of distorted air smashing into him with ferocity. The man howled, his body stiff from the intense pain before it ended. Azuma collapsed to a knee, greedily sucking in air once more as he body groaned in pain. Blood fell from his chest and lips as the world swam. Bruises covered his arms. The man could barely think straight.

'What...what did he...just do to me? That's nothing like anything he's ever shown?'

"I'm surprised you're still standing from that attack," Midnight muttered. The teen grinned, raising a hand at Azuma as Darkness Magic swirled around his gauntlet. "That can be fixed however. "Dark Capriccio!"

Azuma's eyes widened as the beam of darkness shot forwards, blasting into his chest. Azuma howled, the attack sending him flying into the remnants of the destroyed arena, out of Midnight's sight. Midnight smirked, flying towards the tunnel the attack had created.

"I told you, you're weaker than me."

Gajeel frowned as he saw Fingers raise his hands in response to his shoulder charge, blue energy licking his fingers. With a surge of power the wave of magic washed forwards, aimed to wipe Gajeel out completely. The Dragonslayer grunted, his Iron Dragon's Scales activating with a mere thought. The wave of energy washed over him, barely affecting the Dragonslayer. Gajeel snarled, charging forwards once more. Fingers grunted, energy flicking across his fingers before he fired once more. Gajeel snarled, blowing right through the attack before he launched a punch that smashed into Finger's stomach. The man heaved blood, causing Gajeel to smirk before he spun, backhanding the man to the ground.

Fingers grunted, rolling with the blow to rise to his feet. He raised his hands at Gajeel, his azure energy firing once more only for Gajeel to walk through it as though it was nothing.

"You're weak," Gajeel muttered. "Far to weak to even put up a decent fight against me."

Fingers grunted, raising a hand to charge another blast only for Gajeel to grab his hand, stopping the spell before it could be required.

"How someone like you could get into what I presume to be an extension of Oracion Seis is beyond me. Racer and Hoteye dont' strike me as the type that allow weaklings in their group."

Fingers made no comment, merely lashing out at Gajeel with his other hand only for Gajeel to catch that one too. The Dragonslayer sighed, looking down at Fingers. "I guess I'll wrap this up."

Gajeel's mouth opened.

"Iron Dragon's Roar!"

The blast smashed into Fingers, sending him careening into a nearby slab of stone. Gajeel grunted, cracking his neck as he saw Fingers lying there, unconscious. The Dragonslayer turned to glare at Zash, his eyes widening as he saw the man watching with a grin on his face as the Magic Council members killed each other.

"What the hell," Gajeel muttered.

Zash turned, a vague look of disappointment on his face as he saw Fingers unconscious in the distance.

"So you beat Fingers. Not that I can say I'm surprised. He is the weakest among us."

"So that's his name," Gajeel muttered. "And who the hell are you?"

"Zash Caine," the man stated. "Slayer of the Magic Council. A title I did not think I'd gain for at least another five years."

Gajeel snarled, magical energy leaking off of him. "You're going to pay for that."

Zash rolled his eyes. "I don't have time for this. Our objective has been secured, and I don't really want to deal with weaklings like yourself." Gajeel roared at the insult, charging forwards to attack the man only for Zash to flip over him and slam a kick onto the back of Gajeel's head, sending him stumbling forwards. Zash landed neatly, a smirk on his face.

"Have fun with that," Zash muttered before he dashed away. Gajeel grunted, deactivating his scales to lighten himself before he took off after Zash.

"Get back here bastard!"

Mito ducked underneath an explosion caused by Jiemma, a frown marring her face before she leapt raised an arm to block Wolfhiem's punch. The force behind the blow sent her skidding backwards. Mito raised her hands, growling before flames surged around her. With a grunt she sent them flying towards the duo, only for both to dodge. Jiemma shot forwards, a purple cloak of energy wrapped around him ashe extended his arm. Mito leapt into the air, barely avoiding the explosion that shattered the ground where she was standing. Wolfhiem was quickly upon her though, greenish-red energy sparking between his hands.

"Savage Buster!"

Wolfhiem let the titanic sphere fly, the orb of chaotic energy crackling as it neared Mito. The woman grunted, a crab like shell covering her body as the blast reached her. A massive explosion devoured the sky, the red hue feeling omnipresent. When it finally cleared Mito was revealed, the crab-like shell cracked and battered but not broken. The shell slowly began to fall off, revealing Mito bleeding from her forehead.

Mito snarled, chains shooting from her form towards the duo. Jiemma grunted, flipping above the chain before grabbing it, explosions from his magic shattering it. That only worked to Mito's advantage however, as the chain fragments suddenly morphed into fully-formed chains, wrapping around Jiemma and binding him tightly. Jiemma grunted, releasing a shockwave of energy only for his eyes to widen as they failed to force the chains away from him. Mito grinned, prepared to rip the man to shreds only for Wolfhiem to appear in front of her, launching a punch. Mito grunted, leaping away as the punch slammed into the ground, cratering it. The movement caused enough slack in the chains for Jiemma's shockwave to free himself.

Jiemma charged forwards, explosions blasting behind him to allow him to reach Mito before he flipped, launching a heel drop at her head. Mito raised her arms, the crab-like shell and muscle forming once more just as the kick connected. Jiemma roared, a massive explosion detonating that sent Mito careening towards the ground. The woman landed with a thud, the ground shaking at her landing. Jiemma was not done yet however, launching himself downwards with an explosion as he threw a punch at her head. Mito grunted, catching the blow with her enhanced strength before she swung Jiemma down onto the ground. With a yell she launched her own punch, the blow smashing into his stomach. Blood flew from Jiemma's mouth as the ground shattered, however before Jiemma could fall three tentacles wrapped themselves around the man. Mito smirked, steam billowing from her body as she prepared to grab Jiemma's throat only for Wolfhiem to grab her hand with one hand, his other fist smashing against her face, sending her flying backwards. Mito flipped in the air, releasing Jiemma and instead using her tentacles to target Wolfhiem. The man snarled, batting the tentacles away with ease before he charged.

Mito grunted, matching the charge with her own, steam billowing from her body. The two clashed fists, the shockwave throwing Jiemma back as the ground erupted from the energy released. Mito grit her teeth, the steam-enhancements failing to allow her to force her way through Wolfhiem's strength. With a grunt her arms began to morph, grey muscle expanding them as she began to push Wolfhiem back. Wolfhiem's eyes widened, gritting his teeth as the woman's magic forced him further and further away until she finally overwhelmed him in a storm of force that sent him flying backwards. Wolfhiem flipped, gritting his teeth as Mito appeared in front of him, muscular arms swinging downwards with some sort of black substance on them.

'Is that ink?'

Wolfhiem grunted, red energy swirling around his arm as he threw it upwards to meet the blow. The two attacks clashed, ripples of energy flowing through the air before the duo were both sent skidding away from the force. Mito grunted as she landed, only for Jiemma to appear in front of her, hands glowing with power.

"Shi-"

"Crusher!"

Jiemma roared as his massive attack unleashed, a devastating explosion shattering the ground. Wolfhiem watched, eyes looking for any movement as he sensed for magic energy. That was when he felt it. Mito Uzumaki's foul presence. She felt like an amalgamation of multiple people, too many to count. It wasn't natural. That explained her diversity of magic. Sure, she may be from a different dimension, but this was something else entirely.

Wolfhiem's eyes widened as he felt Jiemma's energy signature suddenly drop. The elderly man dashed forwards, his sheer speed forcing the smoke caused by the explosion to dissipate. He frowned as he saw Jiemma on the ground, a hole in his side. Mito wrenched her arm back, revealing the thick and spiky turtle shell she had used earlier. She smirked, the blood trailing down her lip and forehead making the look more ominous, before she launched another punch at Jiemma. Wolfhiem shot forwards, greenish-red energy flickering off of him as he smashed into Mito just before the blow landed, sending her skipping away. The man snarled, glancing at Jiemma.

"Can you still fight?"

The man nodded shakily, slowly standing as blood trailed down his lip. "Careful, her defense is impeccable and she's fast."

Wolfhiem nodded, turning his attention back to Mitoonly for his eyes to widen. The momentary distraction of Jiemma gave Mito enough time to send a wave of lava towards the duo. Wolfhiem grunted, forming another Savage Buster and sending it flying towards the wave. The explosions sent lava flying in every direction, Mito nowhere to be found. Wolfhiem's sensory instincts snapped to attention, barely managing to avoid the outpouring of sand that shot from the ground. Jiemma was to slow, the sand grabbing him and enveloping him in a cocoon of sand. Wolfhiem grunted, blitzing forward to free him only for Mito to catch his punch, her arms once again enhanced by the gray muscle.

"Come now Wolfhiem. I thought I had all your attention."

Wolfhiem grit his teeth, opening his mouth to fire out a beam of energy that sent Mito flying as it struck her in the chest. The man rushed over to Jiemma, only for his eyes to widen as he found the sand covered with strange markings. Still he knew enough about sealing to recognize it when he saw it.

"Free him."

"And here I thought you knew how to make a girl feel special," Mito hissed, ignoring the pain in her chest. The attack had likely bruised a rib. "But all you care about is him."

"Tell me," Wolfhiem hissed, heat wafting off of his form. Emerald flames licked his mouth and arms as the temperature skyrocketed. Mito smirked, before she waved her hands, water flowing around them in a circle at vicious speeds.

"Make me."

Wolfhiem roared, releasing a wave of the emerald flame in Mito's direction only for a deluge of water to quickly put it out. Wolfhiem snarled, shooting forwards as flames and red energy surged around his arm.

"Bestial Rage!"

Mito barely leapt away in time, flipping through the air before she angled her head towards Wolfhiem, ignoring the conflagration his attack had caused. "Bestial indeed," she muttered before her mouth opened. "Torrential Downpour!"

A wave of water shot from her mouth towards Wolfhiem, the man snarling as it neared. With quick flex of his leg muscles he shot towards the water, emerald flames cloaking his body as he smashed through the wave, any water that came to close evaporating. Mito's eyes widened. Wolfhiem snarled, his arm swinging outwards to catch her in a lariate. With a roar he pushed the attack further, Mito spinning through the air from the force. The woman heaved, attempting to suck air back into her lungs before Wolfhiem capitalized on her momentary weakness.

She was too slow.

Wolfhiem roared, emerald fire swarming around his mouth before it shot towards the woman in a blaze. Mito was swallowed by the blaze, completely unprepared for the attack. It was not long before she fell to the ground, Wolfhiem followingnot long after, staring at her with an annoyed look on his face. Mito stood not long after, burns covering her body as she snarled at Wolfhiem.

"Give up Uzumaki," Wolfhiem muttered.

"Over my dead body," she hissed before her magic power exploded. Wolfhiem frowned, but did not let the woman know that he was worried.

"That can be arranged."

Mito shot forwards, steam billowing off of her body. Wolfhiem grunted, blocking the punch she sent towards him with his forearm. Steam swirled around the duo, causing Wolfhiem to grunt. Mito's mouth cocked open, the only warning Wolfhiem had before a stream of acid shot towards him. He was unable to dodge all of it, part of the acid slashing right into his face. The man flexed his arms, refusing to allow Mito to see his pain. His scales were the only thing that prevented half of his face from being melted, and he doubted they would hold up under such a substance. Mito clearly wasn't done however, spewing more acid in a wave towards Wolfhiem. Wolfhiem grunted, leaping away as the acid corroded the ground. Mito capitalized, chains flicking forwards from her body towards the elderly mage. The chains wrapped around his arms, Mito smirking as she sent the man flying into the ground.

Mito dashed towards Wolfhiem, lava swirling around her arm to bring the attack down only for the roar of emerald fire to force her back, Wolfhiem rising from the hole he was in with a fury. He shot forwards, emerald flames clashing with liquid earth. The two attacks competed for dominance until Mito smirked. Sand shot from the ground towards the man, but he was prepared this time. Emerald flames surged around him, turning the sand to glass and forcing Mito back. Wolfhiem shot forwards, an orb of energy in his hands.

"Planet Cracker!"

Mito grunted, her chains flying outwards asshe tried to defend herself from the blow only for the orb of energy to break through. The explosion ripped forwards sending her flying away from the General. Mito grunted, flipping and landing on her feet even as blood shot from her mouth to the ground.

'He's stronger than I gave him credit for. His durabiltiy, strength, and speed are astronomical. Kokuo's steam doesn't let me keep pace with him by itself. Gyuki's raw strength is greater than his sure, but it's still close. Son Goku's lava doesn't even seem to bother him. Still, I can beat him. Isobu's shell can weather his attacks, and Saiken's acid hurts him. Chomei's blinding techniques may also be useful here. I'll have to keep switching, but I can beat him. Plus my chains and sealing should be enough of a combination to put him down.'

Wolfhiem snarled as he looked at Mito.

'How many different types of magic does she have? Steam, acid, lava, sand, muscle expansion, the ability to generate an indestructible shell, water, summoning, and more. It makes no sense! No way the Council would let someone like her live under their noses, even if she is an anomaly. She'd have been either recruited or killed by now. She's too versatile. I can't win a straight up fight against her if this keeps up. She only needs me to make one mistake while she can make too many and still be able to capitalize. How is she doing it?'

Wolfhiem shook his head. He was panicking and that wouldn't see him through this fight.

'No. She seems to only be able to use three different types of magic at once time. Anything more is probably too straining for her control to handle. That's impressive, but manageable. I just need to figure out which types she'll use and capitalize off of that. Her lava is useless against me, and her steam doesn't let her match my power. Her water can't extinguish my fire either. For offense she'll likely rely on her acid since she knows it can harm me and whatever that muscle she can create is. Defensively she'll use that shell. Of course her chains are always a threat, but they're manageable. I can overpower them.'

The two stared at each other, sick of strategizing.

Without a word they charged each other once more.

Draculos grunted as Shukaku sent another wave of sand in is direction, the sand spears ripping his body to shreds. Blood flew through the air, only for Draculos to shoot forwards in his injured state, spinning and launching a kick at Shukaku's head. Shukaku grunted, his sand shooting up and catching the appendage before it constricted, the limb exploding in blood and gore. Shukaku grinned, laughing as his sand absorbed the blood only for Draculos to raise a hand. Shukaku's eyes widened as the wave of darkness sent him skidding backwards. When he finally managed to regain his balance Draculos looked perfectly fine.

"How does he keep doing that!"

"I'm not sure," Kokuo muttered. "We were able to kill the other two clones of his so there must be some way to harm him."

"Look it has to cost him energy right," Son Goku hissed, lava pooling at his feet. "That means it'll eventually end. We just need to tire him out."

"I refuse to do a battle of endurance with a human," Shukaku muttered, sending another wave of sand at Draculos. The man blinked, watching as the sand descended, devouring his body. Then within the blink of an eye Draculos was before them, completely unharmed.

"You cannot win," Draculos stated, placing his hand on Shukaku's shoulder. With a flick of his wrist Shukaku was sent flying, skipping across the ground. Kokuo's and Son Goku's eyes widened but they still managed to react before the General could capitalize on their shock. Steam rolled off of Kokuo's body as he launched a punch at Draculos. The blow cratered into his chest, blood shooting from his mouth onto the Bijuu's body. Son Goku was quick to follow up, lava coating his foot as he spun, his foot cracking into Draculos' jaw. The man snapped into the air, his jaw hanging loosely from his face before Son Goku leapt, appearing in the air above him. With a roar four whips of lava sprouted from his tailbone, whipping downwards and ccutting Draculos' body into fourths.

"I'm not done yet! You're dying this time! Monkey Flame Arson!"

Son Goku roared as he exhaled green flame down onto Draculos, the flames scortching the ground. The conflagration it caused roared into the heavens, Son Goku hissing as he landed in it, waiting for any signs of life. He frowned as he saw Draculos standing not far away from the flames, not a mar on his body.

"I told you. You cannot win."

Son Goku roared, lava exploding towards Draculos. The man raised a hand, darkness swirling around him before it shot forwards in a titanic blast, the darkness swallowing the lava and blasting Son Goku away. Kokuo's eyes widened as he saw Son Goku be overwhelmed by the attack.

'What human is this strong!'

Kokuo had no time to think over the answer to such a question as Draculos appeared in front of him, blood swirling around his arm. With a grunt he sent it forwards, the drill of blood smashing into Kokuo's stomach and sending him flying away, a bruise forming on his stomach.

"Your first mistake was calling me human," Draculos stated. "I no longer am. You wish to know the mysteries of my abilities, it is because I am no longer human that I possess them."

Shukaku, Son Goku, and Kokuo all rose, glaring at Draculos with varying degrees of hate.

"Bastard," Shukaku and Son Goku hissed. Shukaku grunted, sand swirling around him before his body was enveloped in it. With a roar he sent a storm of sand spears towards Draculos once more, only for the man to easily weave through the attack without even glancing at it. Son Goku snarled, a pressurized jet of lava spearing from his mouth that punctured Draculos' head. The man's head compacted before it exploded in blood and gore, only to reform a second later as though nothing happened to it. Kokuo gave Draculos no time to capitalize off of his strange ability however, steam swirling around his body as he appeared in front of Draculos in a blur of speed, fist rocketing forwards and smashing into Draculos' chest. Draculos grunted, the blow sending him flying away as his chest cavity emptied, blood evacuating his body. Within the blink of an eye he was back to normal, staring at the trio that were still trying to defeat him.

Growling with hatred Shukaku charged, a tail of sand forming behind him to complete his miniature version of his true self, the tail releasing storms of sand daggers towards Draculos.

"That form..." Draculos muttered before the sand daggers shredded his body, blood filling the air. Suddenly the blood swirled, shooting towards Shukaku in a massive drill, plowing into him and forcing him backwards. Shukaku snarled, stumbling backwards as Draculos' recovered body flashed in front of him. Son Goku caught the kick Draculos sent towards the Bijuu however, lava melting the appendage, yet Draculos seemed to pay it no mind. Indeed the man seemed to increase the force behind the attack, the leg ripping itself off of the body due to the lava before Draculos swung with the half-destroyed appendage once more, this time blood flowing forwards and smashing into the two Bijuu. The attack sent the duo flying backwards in a crumpled heap as Draculos' leg flashed back into existence.

Kokuo frowned as he saw the interaction, craning his neck.

"His body naturally reverts itself, no that's wrong. It's not time manipulation, it's regeneration. His body regenerates at extremely high speeds, it's almost instantenous. He seems to be able to control it, along with blood and darkness. Impressive. And his strength is nothing to sneeze at either."

"Stop ogling the enemy Kokuo!" Son Goku roared, releasing a stream of lava. Shukaku nodded, releasing a wave of sand towards Draculos as well. The man merely snorted as the two attacks came to close, Son Goku's lava turning Shukaku's sand to glass. Then, in a mere blast of darkness the two attacks were gone, neutralized completely.

"Stop getting in my way Four Tails!"

"Call me that again and watch what I do to you little brother!"

Kokuo watched his brothers with a sad look on his face only for his eyes to widen as Draculos appeared between the two of them, the push of wind being the only sign that he moved. The man reached out with his hands, grabbing each Bijuu by the face and sending them flying in opposite directions, skidding against the ground. Kokuo's eyes widened even further.

'That wasn't movement! There's no way a human could move so fast that I couldn't keep track of him! Did he-'

Draculos was in front of Kokuo, darkness swirling around his hand.

"As the biggest threat here I'm afraid you'll have to go first," Draculos stated. "Push." Draculos' palm smashed into Kokuo's chest, a shockwave of Darkness Magic flying through the air. Kokuo coughed up blood as he shot backwards, smashing into a nearby tree before he stopped. Draculos sighed, staring over the three Bijuu.

"Sand manipulation, and that form. You're the one that destroyed Era. The blood remembers you."

Shukaku snarled, standing to his feet. "What of it?"

Draculos frowned, a black and purple aura wafting off of him. "I see. In that case I must treat you all with the respect you deserve. I will dispose of you quickly." Draculos raised a hand, the energy around him swirling with power as shockwaves of power emanated from him. "4500mm Black Cannon!"

Darkness Magic swirled in front of the mans hand before a massive blast of magic shot forwards towards Shukaku. Shukaku's eyes widened before he smashed his hands together in a rush, sand swirling around him. Sand swirled up around him in a pyramid shape, layering itself with more layers of sand until the blast connected, detonating in a massive explosion that sent waves of force outwards. Son Goku and Kokuo stared at the point of detonation, worry on their faces. They knew just how strong Shukaku's sand was but that attack was impressive. Not enough to mortally wound Shukaku, but definitely enough to genuinely hurt the Bijuu. When the smoke cleared it revealed the pyramid with a gaping hole in it, sand falling around Shukaku as he shakily breathed. The Bijuu seemed to be standing, although his legs were somewhat shaky.

"So that was not enough."

"Bastard," Shukaku growled out. "It got by my Desert Layered Imperial Pyramid Defense."

"Tch," Son Goku stated, relaxing as he saw Shukaku was mostly fine. "Maybe that would have been better for all of us. Less of your annoying voice to hear."

Kokuo frowned, glancing at his brother with disapproving eyes. "Must we fight each other?"

"Pacifist," Son Goku and Shukaku ground out. Kokuo blinked, as though not understanding how such a word was an insult. Son Goku leapt forwards, ignoring his elder brother. Draculos grunted, ducking underneath the lava-infused punch as darkness swirled around him. He launched a punch, only for Son Goku to catch the blow. A grin split the Bijuu's face as he twisted and pulled, forcing Draculos forwards as he launched a kick that slammed into the mans stomach. Draculos bent from the force, only for his eyes to snap up and lock onto Son Goku. The Bijuu's eyes widened as Draculos grabbed his leg, roaring with effort as he lifted the Bijuu and slammed it to the ground. Son Goku grunted, his world darkening as Draculos' hand flashed in front of his face.

"Vanish."

The beam smashed into Son Goku, driving him into the ground. Draculos looked away from the Bijuu to late however as Kokuo flashed in front of him, steam rolling off of his body before the Bijuu's leg smashed into his throat, blowing it into pieces as Draculos' body ragdolled away. Kokuo didn't bother to find Son Goku, knowing the blow would at most slightly injure the Bijuu, instead preferring to stare at Draculos. The man's body snapped together, blood and tendons mending together in gory fashion until the man stood, completely unharmed.

"So it is regeneration."

Kokuo shot forwards, his punches flying at incredible speeds. Draculos grunted, blood swirling around his hands as his own punches flew, the blows clashing together. The shockwaves flew through the air, blowing leaves through the air as the strikes collided with loud cracks. The stalemate was only broken from sand snapping up from the earth, wrapping around Draculos' ankles. The momentary distraction was enough for Kokuo's blows to riddle Draculos' body, blood and bones flying from the power behind the blows. The only reason Draculos' body didn't blow backwards was due to Shukaku's sand, and eventually even that failed to stop te force behind the blows. Draculos' body flew backwards, his chest destroyed and legs missing feet as the sand ripped off the ankles.

Kokuo frowned as Draculos was back to normal in an instant.

Draculos clenched his hands, the blood on the ground from the assault suddenly shooting upwards in massive spikes, stabbing into Kokuo's shoulders. The Bijuu grunted, blood dripping down his arms as he leapt away.

'He targeted my shoulders to slow me down! Smart, but I can still fight fine with this.'

"How the hell are you still standing," Shukaku roared, his stomach expanding. "Die already! Drilling Air Bullet!" The compressed ball of air shot forwards, smasing into Draculos' chest. The man's body failed to withstand the attack, the spell blowing his chest apart in a display of gore. Shukaku snarled, not willing to take any chances when he knew the man would just recover, as he sent tendrils of sand forwards. The sand ripped the rest of Draculos' body apart, Shukaku snarling the entire time. Draculos' body lay in tatters on the ground, blood and gore covering the sands.

Kokuo's eyes widened. "Shukaku quickly! Seal him before he can regenerate!"

Shukaku snarled, sand swirling around him before it flew forwards. The massive waves of sand submerged Draculos' body, layering over one another in massive crashes. Kokuo grunted as the thunderous sounds echoed throughout the air as Shukaku kept layering the mans body with sand. Finally Shukaku decided he had enough before he clasped his hands together grunting in effort. The sand swirled, compressing into a massive pyramid with cursed seals wrapping around it. A smirk split the Jinchuriki's face.

"Desert Layered Imperial Funeral Seal, complete."

"Tch," Son Goku said, finally crawling out of the howl Draculos had placed him in. "I wanted to kill him."

"I don't know how long that would take," Kokuo stated. "His energy reserves have to be massive for him to be keeping up with the three of us and regenerating. We can't kill him because of that magic, and it seems to be a highly mastered form of regeneration. We've destroyed his entire body and yet he still regenerates."

"I don't think it's regeneration," Shukaku stated, a frown marring his face.

"What," Kokuo stated. "But I saw it."

"I think he can regenerate," Shukaku muttered. "But that doesn't explain the times he'd just vanish and reappear perfectly fine. Regeneration doesn't move your position, it essentially just resets your body to a point in time. At least its health, not it's location."

"He seems to be able to teleport as well," Kokuo stated. "That's the only explanation I could come up with when he blitzed all three of us in such a way that none of us were able to react."

"He could just be faster than us," Son Goku suggested.

"No," Shukaku stated. "We can all react to Kurama when he decides to blitz us. This guy isn't stronger than Kurama. Teleportation would explain that, but I still don't quite understand how he can just reconstruct himself whereever he wishes."

"Some form of reality manipulation," Son Goku offered.

"No," Kokuo muttered. "He's combining the two different magics."

"He's teleporting and regenerating at the same time? But the level of control he'd need to do that, it's ludicrous," Shukaku argued.

"What if he's not actively controlling his regeneration," Kokuo muttered. "Remember he said he was no longer human. What if whatever he is now possess the ability to regenerate naturally?"

"Then how the hell do I kill him!"

"Agreed," Son Goku roared.

"I don't think we can," Kokuo muttered in horror. "We still don't quite know the limits of his regeneraton, and I'm sure there is a limit. But whatever damage we'd have to do to kill him, I don't think we can do."

"What if we atomize him?"

Kokuo frowned. "Son Goku, we can't use that attack here. We'd have to fully unleash our power."

"Why do you care," Shukaku muttered. "Atomization is the only option we've got right now, and it's not like our objective here is to let him live. I say we go for it."

"Or we could leave him sealed," Kokuo muttered, gesturing to the sand prison. The two other Bijuu frowned, annoyed at the suggestion only for their eyes to widen as suddenly the sand glowed with a black aura before a beam of darkness speared through the top of it. The sand exploded away as a wave of force flew outwards, revealing Draculos standing there as a wave of darkness washed over him. The man stared at the Bijuu before him, the sclera of his eyes pitch black. His eyes glowed an ominous red as his hair wafted behind him.

"Enough. This battle is over."

"Still thinking about not atomizing him Kokuo!" Son Goku hissed as lava bled off of his body. Sand swirled around Shukaku as steam began to hide Kokuo from vision.

"I suppose you're right," Kokuo muttered as he began to grow in size. Draculos could only watch as the three Bijuu grew, finally reaching their true form in all of their terror as they stared him down, their magic aura's opppressive. Draculos frowned, his eyes snapping towards the one whose magic was even more oppressive than the other ones. The Bijuu was slightly larger than the other two, and faint black markings covered his sand.

"Sand demon," Draculos muttered. "Perhaps I underestimated all of you."

"Now that Kokuo's finally on board," Shukaku shrieked, sand storming around him as his brothers stared at his larger form. His golden eyes contained a hint of darkness within them that was worrying, more so than usual. "LET'S KILL THE BASTARD!"

Draculos barely had any time to respond to the titanic waves of sand that descended on him.

Alright everyone, this is the next chapter. I would have kept it going but it was getting pretty long already. I hope you're all doing okay during this recent pandemic. I wish you and your families the best along with those who are sick. I can't guarantee when the next update will be, because frankly my life has been extremely difficult this year that I don't really have the time to write stories. I won't bore you with the details, especially because my life problems are rather insiginificant in the wake of a global pandemic, but I thought you all should know. Please stay safe y'all.