“Argh!”

“Brain!”

The man leaned over Truth, nearly collapsing as one of the tribal lines covering his face disappeared into nothingness.

“Racer… is gone?” he whispered in disbelief.

“What!?”

“One pillar of the Six Generals has broken…”

“What do you mean? What happened?” she pressed, growing more agitated.

“I underestimated our enemy!”

He got back to his feet, turning to Midnight, who was still sleeping.

“I never thought we would have to wake him up… Truth?”

“S- sure. Oi, Midnight! Come on, time to go kick some asses!” She shook the boy awake. “Come on, wake up!”

His red eyes snapped open and he slowly got to his feet.

“Morning sunshine!” she greeted as cheerfully as she could manage.

He stared for a second, before letting out a sigh and placing his hand over her head. Then, pulling away, he faced Brain.

“Get rid of every last one of them,” the leader ordered.

“Yes, Father.”

There was suddenly an enormous flash of light, blinding the three members of Oración Seis for a few seconds.

‘Could it be…’

‘Of course it is, what else could it be?’

“Nirvana…” The name escaped her mouth as a tower of dark light and obscure magic elevated until it reached the sky.

“T- there is no mistaking it…” muttered Brain, sweat rolling down his forehead.

“Congratulations, Father.” Midnight’s lips twisted in a small smirk. “Those Guild wizards will all be wiped out… before midnight.”

“I can’t tell if this was just a way of saying or just a really bad pun,” mumbled Truth.

If Midnight had been able of showing emotions, she was certain he would have rolled his eyes at her. Instead, he settled for poking her forehead, before turning back to Brain.

“Father, you head toward that light with Truth,” he then said. “Nirvana is ours.”

“… yes. Yes, it is.”

Brain stiffened, another tribal tattoo disappearing. They hadn’t left the cave yet, waiting for the main body of Nirvana to activate but time seemed to be running out.

“Who was it?” Truth frowned.

“A- Angel has fallen too…”

The girl stilled at that. “That’s… not right. Angel was strong, very much so. The only way for her to lose would have been that she lost her keys, or they turned against her… She can’t be…”

Her throat tightened at that, the idea of the white-haired mage dying numbing her senses. Her Magic roared inside of her very being, shaking her core, and one of the closest rock exploded.

Brain placed his hand over her head, snapping her out of her dark thoughts.

“These scums will pay for the lives of our comrades, but now is not the time,” he warned. “You need to regulate your magic power as fast as possible. Now come! Nirvana is awaiting us.”

“… yes.”

‘Angel… Racer…’

‘Make those petty mages pay’

“Oh, I will.”

Soon, the sky took a darker shade as the sun slowly set down, tainting the clouds in flames, pierced by the tower of light growing in power each passing second. Brain and Truth finally reached Nirvana, only to find Cobra and Cubellios staring at a barely conscious Jellal and a certain redhead, who had somehow been revived from the snake’s poison.

Brain hit the ground with his staff, drawing their attention.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Brain,” Cobra spun around to face them. “Truth.”

“A self-destruction magic circle,” recognized Truth, staring at the said circle, which was covering Nirvana.

“Jellal constructed it, that bastard!” seethed Cobra. “This is bad! At this rate, we’ll have finally found Nirvana only to see it destroyed!”

But Brain didn’t seem bothered by it, his lips stretching in a smirk.

“Fear not, Cobra. I’m sure you know just why I have the codename ‘Brain’, do you not?” He started advancing towards the three and the light tower, Truth just behind him. “I was once a member of the Ministry of Magical Development. During that time, I used my knowledge to create hundreds of new spells. One of them is the self-destruction magic circle. And—“ Brain finally reached Nirvana while Truth went to stand beside the maroon-haired Drago Slayer. “—I was the one who taught it to you. Or have you forgotten, Jellal?”

“I have no idea what’s going on, but whatever,” mumbled Truth, plopping down with Cubellios on her knees. “There’s another circle on his body, though. He must be planning on taking the cancellation code to the grave or something.”

“If you don’t know what that circle is, how do you know about the cancellation code?” Cobra couldn’t help but ask, unable to hear her thoughts as always.

“Logic,” she shrugged. “There’s always a key to the lock, always a way to cancel what has been done. Well, materially speaking, at least. You can’t exactly bring back the dead or something like that.”

He hummed in understanding, before looking back to Brain.

“It seems his memories are screwed up thanks to the effects of Ethernano,” he explained. “Basically speaking, he doesn’t understand he’s a bad guy.”

That made Truth snort and Brain laughed.

“What? Hilarious!”

Erza gritted her teeth at that, but Brain paid no mind to her and approached even more Nirvana.

“Even without the cancellation code, I can nullify the magic circle itself, you see.”

He raised his hand, magic emanating around the circle, which soon started to disappear. Erza’s eyes narrowed, Jellal letting out a gasp as Cobra echoed in a victorious cackle.

“To say he doesn’t want me to copy that…” huffed Truth, crossing her arms with a pout. “I’d be awfully strong.”

‘That’s exactly why he won’t let you copy him’

‘He’s too scared that you’ll overpower him, how rich is that!?’

“How pitiful, Jellal!” then exclaimed the silver-haired man. “Nirvana is now mine!”

“Never!” Erza, Requiping a sword, ran at him with all her might.

“Awaken, Nirvana!”

The ground started shaking, Erza lost her balance as Jellal struggled to get back up. The rock under their feet broke, pieces elevating at different heights. Cubellios hissed softly before going back to Cobra, while Truth jumped to join Brain’s side.

“I can hear it!” Cobra’s voice took an insane taint. “Our future! The sound of the extinction of the light!”

“Drama queen,” grunted Truth, deflecting a heavy rock falling upon them.

“Rise, Nirvana!!!” shouted gleefully their leader.

So Nirvana rose.

The black-haired girl gazed around in awe. They were standing on top of Nirvana, everything having stop moving barely a few seconds sooner.

“So this is Nirvana…” she muttered, eying the buildings all around them.

From what she could see, it was a gigantic city supported by six even more gigantic pillars, or legs, or whatever people would call them.

“Finally! Finally, it is mine!” yelled a triumphal Brain, extending his arms in victory. “The ultimate weapon that will destroy the light, the ultra-inversion magic, Nirvana! The greatest weapons of the official Guilds, their unity, and trust… have now become powerless before me!”

“Why do all villains feel the need to monologue? It’s a ridiculous habit,” scoffed Truth.

Cobra swatted the back of her head and she sent him flying against a pillar, instantly drawing Brain’s attention.

“Do not use even an ounce of your magic, Truth,” he warned, narrowing his eyes. “Your mission is the most important and demanding of all, you will need all the power you can get.”

“Oops, my bad,” she grinned sheepishly.

“Still, finally! We have Nirvana…” Cobra got up, rubbing his palm against the pillar he had just hit. “A relic of the ancient, uh? Cubellios, this is pretty awesome… and don’t deny it, Loudmouth, you’re amazed too.”

“Oh, I won’t deny it alright,” she shook her head. “It’s pretty neat. Too bad I can’t explore…”

“Cobra, Truth,” Brain called. “Look at the world spread out below me. The city of the ancients… that itself is the true identity of Nirvana! While I stand here on the King’s Summit, this city moves exactly as I will it!”

“Move?” the poison mage tilted his head. “Are we making it go somewhere?”

“Obviously,” Truth rolled her eyes. “We’re going to destroy all the light Guilds, one in particular…”

“Our first target?” grinned Cobra.

“First of many,” she grinned back.

They exchanged a high-five at that and Brain activated his magic.

“Go forth, ancient city!” he ordered. “Change our darkness for the light!”

But as what seemed to be the command boards popped from the floor, there was a glint in the sky. Before any of them could react, none other than Natsu flew at them, spouting fire and deactivating Brain’s spell.

“I’ll stop you!” he assured, lifted by Happy. “Fire Dragon’s Roar!”

The girl hid behind her leader as he activated his shield, remembering his warning about not using her magic. She narrowed her eyes at the strength of the attack.

“Cobra! Don’t let him interfere!”

“Right! Cubellios!”

The purple snake hit Natsu, sending him farther, but it wasn’t enough.

“You… I’ll burn everything!”

But Cobra got to him before he could cast another attack, repelling the boy even farther away. Then, Cubellios sprouted her wings, her master and friend standing on her back so as to face their opponent on equal grounds.

‘That’s why I don’t like snakes’

‘Shut it, this is fricking awesome’

“Of course she is,” replied smugly Truth. “You go, girl! And you too I guess, Cobra”

“Gee, thanks!” he called back, before going back to his beginning battle.

“Truth, you will have to act soon,” informed Brain, his eyes never leaving the two above. “Start gathering your Ethernano.”

“Shoot, I wanted to watch the battle,” she sighed, sitting down. “Well, guess it can’t be helped. Cobra will win anyway, though. Well, I hope. Racer and Angel did lose their battles, and Hoteye is nowhere to be seen, but then again so is Midnight so—“

“Truth.”

“Oops, on it.”

She straightened her back, crossed her legs and placed her hands on her knees, closing her eyes in the process. Calming her breath and blocking out the sounds and interferences from around, she soon entered a trance-like state. She wasn’t worried about getting hit or anything, knowing Brain would cover her.

Truth wasn’t a fool. She knew since day one she was just a tool and that he would only protect her because she was the key to his plan but, as said countless times before, she was okay with it. The deal offered her strength and, dare she say, friends. In exchange, she offered her utmost loyalty. It was a good bargain, so she didn’t really care about the rest.

With that in mind, she fully closed herself from the outside world.

Truth snapped her eyes open as some sort of roar broke her concentration. Looking around, she mildly realized it was full night by now, before running to Brain’s side. His eyes were wide open, staring at the city below them as Cobra crashed to the ground, vanquished.

“C- Cobra!” Truth started shaking.

“Impossible… Defeating Cobra with nothing but a scream?” gaped Brain. “What in the world is that boy?”

One of the pillars flew in pieces as Truth’s fists clenched tightly.

“First Racer… than Angel… and now Cobra…” she gritted her teeth. “Fairy scum, hurting my friends…”

But Cobra got back to his feet as Natsu dropped next to him, now unable to move due to the poison in his veins. The Second Generation Dragon Slayer was about to strike the final blow when…

“What… the hell…”

Brain, now down there, had attacked Cobra from behind, nullifying the mage’s attack and sending him to his knees.

“That’s enough, Cobra.”

“B- Brain!? What are you—“

“You did well. Rest in peace,” grinned the silver-haired man.

There was a moment of silence as Cobra suddenly stiffened. Truth, ignoring her previous orders, flew down to join them and clear things up, worried.

“Oops, did you hear that?” chuckled darkly their leader as she landed.

“Damn you…” At the tears in Cobra’s eyes, Truth’s steps faltered.

“He never cried before… What has he heard?” she mumbled. “What’s going on?”

She took a step forward. And another.

“My prayer…” muttered Cobra, a sob in his voice. “Was only to hear… my first’s friend’s voice… Cubellios…”

His body hit the ground, raising some dust as the purple snake leaned closer.

“Cobra!”

The black-haired girl, distraught, tried to join his side but was stopped by Brain’s staff as Natsu got back up, trembling.

“Why?” he asked, eyes blazing. “Weren’t you… his ally?”

“Ally? I can gather as many as I wish shortly,” retorted the leader. “Using Nirvana’s and Truth’s powers, that is.”

“What are you doing, Brain!?” the girl practically screeched, her body shaking. “Cobra—“

“Has failed. He is of no use anymore. Do not forget your own purpose, Truth,” Brain shot her a dark look. “If I took you in a year ago, it was merely because of the possibilities your potential offered, you know that better than anyone else. Do not forget your place, tool.”

She tried to find an answer but found herself unable to do so. On one side, those she came to consider her friends were falling one after the other. She knew they mustn’t be feeling the same way for her, but they were all she had in this new world, the ones who were there for her when she needed them the most.

“Am I ready to abandon them… just like everyone abandoned me before?” she gripped her head, growing confused and angry at the same time.

‘Kaelys…’

“My name is Truth!” she snapped, closing her eyes. “I pledged my loyalty to Brain, to Oración Seis! I will not turn my back to them! A tool… does not betray its master…”

“What the hell are you blabbering about!?” Natsu snarled her way. “A tool? Give me a break! People aren’t tools!”

“Now, now, don’t get testy,” replied the silver-haired man, obviously satisfied with the girl’s answer and loyalty. “I have taken an interest in your power. I suspect you know what I mean by that… I will make you my first puppet slave!”

Apparently out of strength, Natsu fell back to the ground before he could answer, drained of all energy. Brain grabbed the boy’s scarf, before dragging him away, gesturing for Truth to follow. She didn’t look back to Cobra and Cubellios, this time not because she didn’t care, but because she found herself unable to do so.

“There he is!”

“Natsu!”

As they were about to leave, three of the legal mages came from one of the streets, stopping a few meters away.

“Lucy Heartfilia, Celestial Magic,” she muttered. “Gray Fullbuster, Ice Make Magic, copied. Jura Neekis, Earth Magic.”

“What happened!?” exclaimed the blonde girl, worry in her eyes.

“It’s ‘cause it’s transportation,” the pink-haired boy seemed ready to throw up.

“Guys…” wailed Happy, lying in between the two trios.

“Cat-dono, you are also unharmed?” inquired Jura.

“Cat-dono?” sweatdropped the other two.

“Save… Natsu…” pleaded the Exceed. “He’s being taken away…”

“Half of the Six Generals are finished,” stated Brain. “Their stars have fallen. Starting now, I will create a new set of Generals, including this one.”

He nodded at Natsu, whom he was still holding to.

Gray tsked. “I figured this would happen eventually. Finally getting scouted by a Dark Guild, uh?”

“Natsu isn’t gonna do what you say!” added Lucy.

“Nirvana will soak this boy’s heart in darkness, and he will become nothing but my loyal servant, just like this one,” retorted Brain, gesturing to Truth.

She kept a blank face.

“Hell no, I won’t!” Natsu then bit Brain’s arm.

“You still have that much strength left!?” the leader shoved him to the ground.

This time, shaken by his motion sickness, Natsu couldn’t get back up.

“He does not seem well,” remarked Jura.

“He gets extreme motion sickness,” sighed Gray.

“Hurry up… and beat… this guy…” Natsu whimpered. “Stop… this thing…”

“I’m not doing it for you, but sure,” replied the black-haired boy.

“Stop?” repeated Brain, gathering his magic. “Nirvana? Not even possible. This city will shortly reach its first destination. We will arrive… at Cait Shelter”

“T- that’s Wendy and Carla’s Guild! But why?” Happy asked what everyone else was thinking at that moment.

Brain’s smirk merely widened, and Truth shook her head, growing annoyed.

“Tell us your purpose,” demanded Jura. “Why do you aim for Wendy-dono’s Guild?”

“This ultra-inversion magic can change a Guild of light into one of darkness in an instant. I can’t wait. I suspect you’ll see true hell!” retorted the white-haired man.

“We can’t let this guy off!”

“This bastard is getting to me.”

All stiffened as Jura’s aura suddenly increased tremendously.

“Did you not hear me?” he asked, his tone promising pain. “Tell us your purpose!”

“Of fucking course we’ll tell him, why not? It’s not like it could help them stop us or anything of the sort,” grunted Truth.

But Brain simply laughed.

“I have no words for pitiful weaklings like you!” he exclaimed. “I will become the judge ruling over light and darkness! Bow down before me!”

He kept on laughing before raising his staff as the Wizard Saint stood strong before him.

“Begone, worms!” he yelled, sending a blast of magic.

But the attack was blocked, sending the silver-haired man crashing away. Truth’s purple eyes widened as she managed to deflect the blow coming for her, barely in time.

“I can’t fight, not now,” she mumbled, now wary. “I have to carry on my mission…”

“W- what is this power?” Brain’s forehead was covered in sweat.

“Stand,” ordered the Earth Mage. “I will not let you rest until you say why you are targeting Cait Shelter.”

The leader of Oración Seis was frozen in place and Truth ran to stand beside him, only for a rock wall to block her path.

“Stay put, child.” Jura didn’t even look at her.

“… child?”

Her tone suddenly turned as cold as ice shards, and she Requiped her Book, turning to face him. Her eyes were now void of any emotion.

“I am no child,” she announced, snapping the Book open. “I am a weapon. Ice Make: hammer!”

Jura blocked her attack rather easily, but it was enough to draw everyone’s attention.

“T- that was my attack!” exclaimed Gray, wide eyes.

“She copied it in her Book when she touched your forehead back then!” warned Happy, still lying on the ground. “She can use any magic she copies!”

“Truth! Go and accomplish your mission! It is time,” Brain finally found back his cool, standing once more.

She was about to protest, before sighing and Requiping her Book away.

“Understood.”

Ignoring the gasps from the other mages, she lifted herself from the ground and flew at the King’s Summit, where she the magic circle powering the Magic. Placing her hands upon it, she summoned her Book before closing her eyes.

‘Kaelys, are you sure about this?’

‘You know what might happen if you do this, right?’

“I know what might happen if I don’t,” she scoffed. “Let’s just get this over with. Nirvana: Reversal Magic.”

The Book started shining.