Chapter 14: The Trap at Hargeon Port
Night cloaked Hargeon's docks, lanterns swaying gently in the sea breeze. Bora's "party ship" loomed ahead, its gaudy lights and banners masking the sinister truth inside.
Lucy walked nervously behind Natsu, Happy, and Menma, clutching her keys. "So… you're really sure that guy's a slave trader?"
Natsu growled. "Positive. He reeks worse than burnt fish."
Happy added cheerfully, "And worse than Natsu's socks!"
"Oi!" Natsu snapped, but his voice was drowned out by the eerie silence of the pier.
Menma's crimson eyes glowed faintly as his chains rattled at his side. "…He's waiting."
The Trap Springs
A sudden purple haze spread across the dock. Lucy's body stiffened, her vision blurring. She swayed as if invisible strings tugged at her.
Bora strutted onto the ship's deck, smirking. "Welcome, ladies! And thank you for falling under my charm again."
Dozens of women, dazed and confused, were herded aboard by thugs.
Lucy gasped, stumbling—only to feel a cold chain wrap around her waist, pulling her back.
Menma stood firm, eyes burning. "…Focus. Don't let him take you."
Bora sneered down at him. "You again? Meddling brat! Men, tear them apart!"
Menma Unleashed
The thugs charged with blades and clubs.
Menma's chains lashed forward, glowing with runes.
"Chain Bind."
They coiled around the attackers, yanking weapons free and slamming bodies to the deck. Another thug lunged, but a wooden pillar erupted from the dock.
"Wood-Make: Grasping Branches!"
The branches coiled around him, lifting him into the air before hurling him into two more.
Lucy's eyes widened. "…He can use Wood-Make magic and chains?!"
Happy cheered. "Go, Menma! Combo magic!"
Bora snarled, fire erupting in his hands. "Don't underestimate me, brat! I'm Bora of Prominence!" Purple flames shot toward the dock.
Menma's crimson eyes spun, the tomoe of his Eye Magic glowing. Space rippled before him.
"Kamui."
The fireball distorted and vanished into nothingness.
Bora stumbled back, shocked. "Wh-what the hell did you do?!"
Menma's voice was low, cold. "…Made your magic irrelevant." His chains snapped forward, wrapping around Bora's wrist.
Natsu Steps Up
But before Menma could crush him, Natsu staggered forward. The moment his foot hit the gangplank, his face turned green. "Ughhh… s-someone stop the spinning…"
Lucy blinked. "…You get seasick standing on the ship?!"
Happy groaned. "Every time. Even if it's not moving."
Menma sighed. "…Pathetic." Still, he loosened his chains, stepping back. "…All yours, Salamander."
Natsu gritted his teeth, forcing himself upright. "Damn straight! You're mine, Bora!" Flames roared around his fists as he lunged.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
His blazing punch slammed Bora straight in the jaw, sending him flying across the deck. He crashed into the mast, splitting it in half before collapsing unconscious.
Lucy stood frozen, stunned. "Th-that power… you're really Fairy Tail wizards?!"
Natsu grinned, rubbing his nose. "Heh. Told ya."
Happy danced in the air. "Aye, sir!"
Menma retracted his chains, crimson eyes dimming as he turned toward Lucy. "…Now you know."
The thugs lay unconscious, the ship crippled, and Bora defeated. The women slowly awoke from his charm, confusion washing over them.
Lucy clutched her keys tightly, her dream burning brighter than ever. She had wanted to join a famous guild—and tonight, she had found the very one she sought.