As Galuna Island dealt with Gray's past, this chapter primarily deals with Lucy's past. It also introduces two of the series' major characters: Iron Dragon Slayer Gajeel Redfox and water wizard Juvia Lockser.
The team’s next adventure begins when Fairy Tail’s guild hall is destroyed. When the guild uncovers the identity of the attackers as rival guild Phantom Lord, they declare war and storm the aggressive guild’s own headquarters.
Battle 1: Natsu/Elfman vs. Gajeel |
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Like Natsu, Gajeel Redfox uses an extremely rare type of magic that can only be learned from dragons themselves: Dragon Slayer Magic. In particular, he attacks using iron, usually by forming it out of his body. This allows his hits to do more damage than the average, and also allows him to extend and form shapes that are difficult to avoid. An example of this is his iron kick, which protrudes iron from all directions after his leg is extended. Similarly, his Iron Dragon’s Club allows him to punch from a great distance. Like Natsu’s own roar, Gajeel’s Iron Dragon’s Roar doesn’t travel very far; he will usually perform this attack at a close distance, but this can easily be dodged by backing up. Natsu’s own status as a powerful Dragon Slayer makes him the ideal opponent here; though he is more difficult to use, Elfman can hold his own as well. |
Upon returning to the guild hall, Phantom Lord launches a counterattack by mobilizing their headquarters and aiming the powerful Jupiter Cannon right at Fairy Tail. With the entirety of the guild realizing the danger behind this weapon, Natsu takes action and comes across an S-Class Mage of Phantom Lord.
Battle 2: Natsu vs. Totomaru |
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Fittingly enough for the fiery Dragon Slayer, Totomaru is part of Phantom Lord’s elite Element 4 team, and his corresponding element is none other than fire. Unlike Natsu, his attacks can travel much further. Additionally, he manipulates different types of fire, allowing him to achieve much more variety. This includes shooting a rainbow fireball, causing blue fire to shoot up from the ground (though this can only occur directly in front of him, making it one of his more ineffective attacks), and either creating a wide shot of orange fire or charging while engulfed in orange flames. Totomaru also uses a katana for normal, non-magic attacks, giving him more range in close combat than Natsu’s fists. From a far distance, Totomaru utilizes his rainbow fire, which can be jumped over easily. From a closer distance, he employs the use of the others; notably, when Natsu attempts to approach for a close attack, Totomaru will repel him with his blue fire. Despite the variety in his attacks, they can all be jumped over. A jumping guard becomes very useful here. Combine punches and magic attacks to combo after dodging an attack, and the battle should be over in no time. |
With Totomaru still full of fiery confidence, Natsu’s friends arrive to lend a hand.
Battle 3: Gray/Elfman vs. Totomaru |
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Totomaru’s attacks remain much the same as they were in his battle with Natsu, though he tends to start the battle off with a powerful magic attack, depleting his magic early and forcing him to charge. Hit him with normal attacks when he attempts to charge magic, and use magic when you have him in a combo. As with Natsu, jump over him when he uses magic and hit him from the back. Due to Gray’s long-range attacks, he’s somewhat easier to play, though Elfman’s brute strength also comes in handy. |
Following Totomaru’s defeat, Gray is confronted by another of the Element 4 and, by association, an S-Class Mage.
Battle 4: Gray vs. Juvia |
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As a member of the Element 4, gloomy mage Juvia also possesses an affinity to a natural element, shown by her magic specialty: water. While water itself isn’t very intimidating to an ice wizard like Gray, Juvia makes the most of it. Her strongest attack, Water Lock, has her create a large bubble that, if not blocked or countered, traps Gray inside and forces him to endure hits until his eventual freedom. Water Slicer is much more commonly used by Juvia, in which she sets forth high-pressure blasts of water to act like cutting blades in the air. Additionally, Juvia’s ability to transform her body into a mass of water allows her to perform another powerful magic attack in which she forms a cyclone that charges into Gray. Lastly, Juvia’s normal attacks consist of blades made out of water, allowing her range in whatever attack she decides to use. Her strategy mostly tends to lie in using multiple Water Slicers to distance herself from Gray, and then charging her magic to use Water Lock before he can conclude his approach. Dodge these attacks and counter with Gray’s Ice-Make: Prison whenever the opportunity presents itself for a victory. |
Juvia falls in love with Gray, and the rest of Fairy Tail continue their battle. As one of the strongest Fairy Tail has to offer, Erza challenges Phantom Lord’s leader, Jose Porla, to a battle.
While Erza battles the guild master, Natsu arrives to settle the score against Phantom Lord’s cocky Dragon Slayer in the penultimate battles of the chapter.
Following Gajeel’s defeat, Makarov arrives to aid his young followers to victory against Phantom Lord.
Battle 8: Makarov vs. Jose |
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Makarov is much smaller than Jose, but he makes up for it in his strength. While Makarov has the advantage of dodging many attacks due to his size, his own attacks allow him to enlarge his body parts so that they hold some great offensive power. This applies to his fist when attacking on the ground, his foot when kicking at an angle from the air, and even his head with the ability to deliver a strong headbutt when Jose is directly below him. Makarov is also able to use his own powerful form of lightning magic; while Jose’s dark magic is threatening, it isn’t much compared to Makarov’s lightning attack, which allows him to rack up as much as 14 hits while leaving Jose paralyzed. With the benefits of easily dodging attacks and having his own powerful attacks, Jose doesn’t stand much of a chance. Simply enjoy the beat-down that concludes the chapter. |
As Lucy reminisces about her poor relationship with her father, made worse by the fact that he hired Phantom Lord in order to bring her back, the guild reassures her that she will always have a place within Fairy Tail. Meanwhile, guild member Loke reveals himself to be a Celestial Spirit and the leader of the Twelve Zodiac Keys, Leo. Following certain events, he offers his key to Lucy, allowing her to use him in battle. On that note, the chapter concludes.