With Erza, Mirajane, and Nab holding me in place, the numerous attacks coming at me from behind successfully engulfed me, creating a massive explosion while the three of them dodged at the last second.
"Did that get him?" "Haven't you read any books, Natsu? You're not supposed to ask something like that!" "Heh, bold of you to assume he's read a single book, Lucy." "Reading isn't a manly quality!" "So being stupid is Elfman?" "Um, ah, n-no-, yes, no?" "Focus! The fight has only just begun!"
I couldn't help but faintly smirk while listening to my siblings; this week has been pretty stressful, so their conversation was quite relaxing, though it would've been better if they weren't attacking. 'Haa, they reopened my wounds that took forever to close.' Since I'd constantly been on the move, my body hadn't been given much of a chance to heal, so I was still injured from my fight against the draconic skeleton and two wizard saints.
Clicking my tongue, I swiped my hand through the air, dispersing the smoke and dust obstructing my vision before I turned around and glanced at my adorable little siblings. "I'm a bit offended you guys didn't continue attacking; I hope you don't think just because I'm injured and exhausted and that you've formed a united front against me that you'll be able to easily win." Narrowing my eyes, I flexed my muscles along with my magic power, causing everyone but Erza and Mira to reflexively step back.
I was far from being in peak condition, but to deal with my siblings, whom I knew like the back of my hand, I was more than enough; however, they knew me too, so I wouldn't get out of this unharmed. 'If after defeating them I encounter someone on the level of a wizard saint, I'd be in trouble.' Furrowing my brows, I restrained my magic power; usually, I'd never turn down such a fun opportunity to practically fight the whole guild, but I was busy right now.
"Oi, listen, I can guess why Master sent you after me, but just give me two hours. I'm nearly done." Folding my arms, I eyed everyone before settling my gaze on Erza and Mira, the de facto leaders, though unfortunately for me, their gazes didn't waver in the slightest. "Let us help you then." Narrowing my eyes at Erza, who had just spoken, Mira continued.
"Master told us why you're doing what you're doing. Including your past." Hearing Mira, I clicked my tongue, releasing a short burst of magic power. "Tch, to think I might need to apologize to Laxus; Gramps is really going senile." As I thought about what type of beating I'd give Gramps after dealing with Jasmine Hady, Gray's voice echoed within the clearing.
"You've helped us plenty of times, big bro. Let us help you this time." "Tsk, this isn't something you need to involve yourself with, Gray. I'll deal with this alone; it's a personal matter." "So was the deal with Deliora and I, yet you still involved yourself! So why can't we?" Clicking my tongue, I was about to reprimand Gray, though before I could, I was suddenly shot in the head; thankfully, I have a thick skull, so the damage was minimal, but I wasn't expecting it.
Snapping my eyes at Bisca, who was in the very back, concealed within the canopy of a tree, holding a rifle, she shot once more, though this time I was ready and tilted my head to the side. "Since you don't seem to understand our sentiment, big bro, we'll just have to beat it into you." "Now you're speaking our language! Fairy Tail isn't known for being able to talk things out."
Seeing everyone get fired up, I shifted my gaze to Erza and Mira, whose eyes only narrowed, causing me to growl in annoyance. "Fine." Lowering myself to the ground, I partially enhanced my body, waiting for them to attack, which didn't take long. "Fire Dragon Roar!"
As a wave of condensed flames headed right for me, I didn't dodge and charged right into it, using it to conceal myself, though such a trick would only work against the less perceptive ones. Sensing Mira and Erza coming at me from the sides, I leaped forward, my body parallel to the ground as Mira went above and Erza went below.
Stepping on Erza's shoulder, I kicked her away and grabbed Mira's wrist before digging my elbow into her stomach. As Mira aggressively coughed, I threw her behind me before rolling onto the ground and continuing my charge. "H-He's coming!"
Once the flames vanished, I was only a few steps away from entering the crowd, though I was forced to dodge several ice spears, cards, and magic bullets. Since I couldn't possibly dodge everything, I stomped on the ground, uplifting a chunk of the earth, which I enhanced with my magic before swatting at the incoming attacks, breaking everything in the process.
As I finally entered the united front of my siblings, the first ones to meet were Elfman, Gajeel, Natsu, and Gray, the strongest non-S-class mages. Meeting beastsoul Elfman's fist with my own, I flung him into the distance before raising my arm, blocking an ice scythe aiming at my head, allowing Natsu and Gajeel's attack to sneak their way past my defenses, well, almost at least. "Tch, d-dammit, big bro!"
Having raised my leg, blocking their attacks, I twisted my arm, grabbing Gray's scythe before throwing him onto the two dragon slayers, causing them to bounce off the ground while I punched them into the crowd. 'They will be fine, they can take a beating.' Glancing at the four, I dodged another set of bullets, cards, and now arrows, causing me to shoot a glare at Lucy and Sagittarius. "Sorry, but not sorry, big bro! Keep attacking Sagittarius!"
Rolling my eyes, I quickly leaned backwards, dodging Erza's sword from behind, only for Mira's foot to nearly slam onto my head if I hadn't pushed myself out of the way at the last second. "Stop being so hard-headed and let us help!" Using my nails, I deflected Erza's dual swords and kicked her in the stomach, forcing her back, though Mira prevented me from pressing the advantage.
"It's personal!" Overwhelming Mira in hand-to-hand combat, I grabbed both of her arms and did a backflip while pressing my foot into her stomach, using her body as a shield to block the ranged attacks before slamming her into the ground. However, I wasn't able to move as vines suddenly tightened around my leg, causing me to eye Droy in the distance, only to outstretch my hand, catching Jet's punch.
"Damn, I knew my attack wouldn't work. Good thing I was a decoy." Flashing me a cheeky smile, I pulled Jet closer and punched him in the face, inwardly apologizing only for Erza to suddenly lunge at me in her purgatory armor, wielding a massive mace. With Dory's vines and Mira holding my feet, I was forced to raise my arms, blocking her attack, causing me to wince slightly as I flung into the tree, only for wood, vines, and the word 'capture' to tie me to the tree.
Of course, this wouldn't be enough to hold me down, and just as I was about to break free, I felt two small paws land atop my head. "Hehe, caught you big bro!" Looking up at Happy, he suddenly latched a magic sealing cuff around my neck, causing me to lose access to my magic power.
"Man, even when holding back, big bro hits like a train. I'm going to be bruised for a few days." "I think I broke a finger when our fists collided." "My head hurts." While tied to a tree, I watched as everyone huddled around me while Erza and Mira stood directly in front of me.
"Feel like talking now, big bro?" "My eardrums aren't injured, so I guess… Just make it quick, I'll still be able to break out of this." Even without enhancing myself, I could feel everything going taut from the strain of resisting my raw strength. "Big bro, what are we?" Furrowing my brows at Mira's question, I scanned the Fairy Tail members surrounding me before responding. "My little siblings… And Macao and Wakaba." "This freaking punk. Let me at him!" "Once we're through with him, he'll be respecting his seniors!"
Seeing Wakaba and Macao act tough when I was in no position to fight back, I promptly ignored those two old men and shifted my gaze back to everyone else. "We're you're little siblings, then what does that make all of us?" "A family." Faintly smirking, Mira took over and floated parallel to me while gently rubbing my cheek. "Family helps each other, Cooper. Just like how you've always done for us, we want to do the same for you. It makes no difference when this happened, just let us help you… If you don't, we'll beat you up until you agree."
"Yeah!" "Stop refusing and let us help!" "Your enemies are Fairy Tail's enemies, big bro!" "Even if it's the Magic Council, we'll beat them up!"
Listening to everyone, I glanced at Mira, who was smiling this entire time, only to softly sigh. "Haa, fine. I'm sorry… Now, can you let me down?"