Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 42 - Ice

Natsu ducked underneath the flock of ice hawks Lyon launched his way. He sprang forward with both fists out trying to punch through the stiff wall of ice Lyon had created at the start of their fight, only managing to melt all but one layer of it.

Lyon swiped his hand. Ice-made bulls rushed at Natsu. Natsu caught one's icicle horns and managed to stop it, then flung it to the ground.

A basilisk launched forth from the ice and crashed into Natsu's gut, sending him flying. Natsu crashed through a window and sprawled on the ground. He punched the ground in anger, then burst out of the building, ducking beneath a massive wave of ice magic about to crash on him.

"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!"

The attack blew away all of Lyon's oncoming spells and broke through his wall of ice. Lyon stuttered back but didn't seem all too afflicted by the force of Natsu's spell. He weaved away from more of Natsu's strikes before cupping his palms together, and then separating them. Individual Ice-Make Spells formed in his hands.

Natsu melted one bit of ice as he grabbed Lyon's hand but the shield he had in his other bashed against Natsu's face. Natsu slid back, wiping blood away. He ignited his fist.

Even if this Lyon was Broken as Kip said, there were still those sparks of brutality Natsu remembered Lyon having. He was cocky and overconfident, still, even if his vacant eyes and scowling expression wouldn't betray a hint of that.

Natsu cracked his knuckles and stretched out his hands a bit. Lyon strode forward, cold as ever. Kip continued to linger on the sidelines, staying out of the way of Natsu's fight.

In a flash, Lyon had more Ice-Make creatures summoned and assailing Natsu, who dove in and around them in his charge toward Lyon.

***

Gray heaved up his Ice-Make Cannon, hoisting it onto his shoulder while he continued to track Sting's quick movements. The White Dragon Slayer darted all around Elfman, trying to throw the big Lizardman off his game.

It was a risk, but Gray aimed it right at Elfman. If Sting's previous movements and actions were accurate...

He launched the massive ball of ice, and it struck true as it hit Sting in the side and sent him spiraling away before he could hit Elfman. The latter bounded toward Sting. The Dragon Slayer recovered and matched Elfman's punch with his own. A white gust blew out.

Gray launched another cannonball and Sting blocked it with one hand while using the other to shove Elfman aside and launched a white ray at him. Elfman barely dodged and wasn't quick enough to avoid Sting's kick to the side.

However, Sting was not quick enough to dodge Gray's attack.

"Ice-Make: Geyser!"

The ground beneath Sting erupted and he was uppercut by the attack. He blasted into the ceiling above the three combatants but recovered fast. He was, after all, in his Dragon Force, that cheat mode of a form.

Sting shot right at Gray, who could only make a quick wall to deflect Sting, though the Dragon Slayer still landed right next to Gray. A chill ran through Gray as the General's hard eyes glowered at him, but the chill was alleviated as Elfman came charging in. Sting backed off for just a second, deflecting Elfman's punch and then blasting him aside.

Gray swung twin swords at Sting who blocked both with his talons. His aura flared and magic surged out of him, sliding Gray back a few steps.

"You thin—"

"Ice-Make: Bow!"

Gray released the arrow fast. It was weaker than what he could normally conjure but he had to act fast. Sting deflected it, forgetting about Elfman again, who tackled Sting. Fists rained down on the Dragon Slayer, who ultimately blasted Elfman into the air and out of their tiny crevice in the ground.