Template:TMITM/September 2015

 



So now that Zeref has killed Mavis, he goes back to being all emo and brings her body back to the guild where he runs into Precht. Precht informs Zeref that everyone is preparing for the harvest festival. Seeing Mavis, Precht is shocked, stating she has been missing for a year and that he has had to act as guild master in her place. Zeref then drops her to the ground like she was worthless trash. Meanwhile, Tristan screamed that you can't treat a loli like that. Precht yells at Zeref but Zeref says she won't be moving anymore, causing Precht to notice that she is not moving. He asks if Zeref did something to her but he simply walks away, saying goodbye to Mavis. Zeref then reveals his identity to Precht. Zeref says if Mavis was a fairy, then that would make him Spriggan. He walks away, shedding a tear as he says he shouldn't have fallen in love. Precht tends to Mavis, finding she has no heartbeat but that her magic can still be felt. He rushes her under the guild where he has a lacrima he thinks can resurrect her. After trying many resurrection spells, Precht realizes the truth, that Mavis has the contradictory curse and she killed Yury's wife (whom I have already forgotten the name of). From there, Precht develops the lies we had been told about Mavis and officially becomes the second guild master. Researching for years on how to bring her back, Precht finally realizes what Mavis has become, a new kind of magic, a source of unlimited magic power. Back at the guild, Mavis goes into more detail about Fairy Heart, stating that if Etherion were to be hooked up to Fairy Heart, it could be fired repeatedly without worry as the magic source is infinite. As everyone is shocked over this revelation, Mavis says it is a magic born of her sins and Gajeel steps in and states that falling in love is not a sin. Everyone then turns their reactions towards him in shock. Everyone encourages Mavis and Natsu then tells everyone that he will take on Zeref with his new super secret technique.

I honestly liked this chapter. It was a really nice resolution to Mavis' story and I think it did a great job of showing how Precht became Hades. I think Precht has now become a much more sympathetic character due to this whole saga. With Natsu's secret technique now, we are still left wondering what it is, all we know is it has something to do with whats under the bandages on his arm.



Over at the Alvarez Empire, we learn that Brandish didn't kill Marin, but instead miniaturized him. As he endlessly compliments her while painting her toes, he asks to be returned to his original size. Before she can respond however, Dimaria bursts in, saying she heard that Brandish had let the Fairy Tail members go. Brandish simply states that she didn't let them go, but rather it was too much of a pain so she didn't bother to stop them. Marin chimes in, stating Dimaria looks good today and Dimaria tells Brandish to return him to his original size as its like talking to a bug. Brandish proclaims what a pain it is before Dimaria says the Spriggan 12 have been summoned as she then leaves. Brandish grabs Marin between her toes and picks him up, saying how much she hates Dimaria as she is so uncute.

Back at Fairy Tail, Natsu says his secret technique is a secret and won't say what it is. Everyone erupts into curiosity with Mest biting Gajeel's head because he is so curious. Natsu says his technique can only be used once but he created it just to take down Zeref. Everyone talks about their confidence in Natsu before Lucy asks Makarov to give more insight into what they will be facing. Makarov then rattles off what he knows, stating that Emperor Spriggan is Zeref and that he has an elite force called the Spriggan 12. At the meeting of the Spriggans, 7 of them have gathered and Yajeel tells Zeref that Nineheart is still somewhere in the castle but has not come. Zeref says its fine, but Invel sucks up to him saying its not fine for one of the 12 to disobey his orders. Makarov states that Invel is Zeref's closest consul and that he uses Ice Magic, leading Gray to of course take over and basically declare he will fight Invel cause why fight ice with fire when you can fight it with more ice! Back in the castle, Ajeel leans back in his chair and tells them to just get on with it. Makarov then tells the members of Fairy Tail that Ajeel is a member of the Spriggans that always wants to fight. Natsu chimes in, somewhat signaling that Ajeel will be his opponent. Zeref tells the other spriggans that they will soon invade Ishgar and Brandish proclaims it to be such a pain. Zeref asks her what happened to her listening to him. She states that whatever he commands, she will do, even if it is a pain. Makarov states Brandish hates fights but she can wipe a nation off the planet if she needed to. Erza says they encountered her before and she can change mass. Dimaria then tells Brandish that no one likes a person that doesn't think before they speak. Brandish' eyes then flare wide as she tells Dimaria that the one she doesn't like is her. Dimaria then states that she guesses they will never be friends. Makarov informs everyone that he knows nothing about Dimaria's magic, only that she has fought in and won many wars. Erza then wonders if she is not a mage. Back at the castle, Zeref asks God Serena if it will be hard for him to destroy his home land and then this happened

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu105/Weisman/rwtn0_zpslyslbnww.gif

and our very own Wrath instantly fell in love with him and wanted to marry him. And then Brandish called God Serena ew and then this happened.

http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu105/Weisman/rwuom_zps3e5jyg3p.gif

And then Wrath just came in his pants. So back at the guild, Makarov tells them that while God Serena may be deplorable, his strength should not be taken lightly. The rest of the guild questions why he turned traitor before August enters the scene at Alvarez and says they are all prepared for Ragnarok, leading Makarov to gain a look of intense fear across his face as he says August is on a different level than everyone else. Makarov states that August is rumored to know magic of every element, even ancient ones, and knows more forms of magic than Zeref himself. Makarov says that is all he has on the members but he knows the names of 3 others, Neinhart, Bloodman (YES WRATH, ITS BLOODMAN, BRADMAN IS THE DUMBEST SHIT EVER) and Wahl Icht, the adjudicator. Everyone breaks out into pointless babble about how they will defeat the enemy and bla bla bla

Anyway, out in the mountains, Acnologia lays on the ground, seemingly having been bested by Zeref. He states the arm that Igneel took from him is itching. He then states he will take everything back at the Dragon King festival. Transforming into his dragon form, he says the only one deserving of the title, king of dragons, is him.

So....WOW. So much content packed into one chapter. I loved everything about it. First of all, Brandish is the best character introduced in a long ass time. She is absolutely hysterical. I love everything about her. Her looks, her magic, her personality. She is perfect! Then we have God Serena and Wrath gets a giant boner every time someone mentions him. Everything about this chapter was just so hype. I honestly can't wait to see how everything turns out.



Now back at her apartment, Lucy updates her diary with the events about to occur and about Fairy Heart. As she finishes, Natsu and Happy interrupt her, having snuck into her apartment again. Lucy kicks them away but they say they are bored as the town has been evacuated. Lucy says they need to get rest as they have to be at the battlefield tomorrow and she isn't excited for it like Natsu is, but Natsu says he isnt excited either. He says he likes contests of strength, not battles to the death. He states he likes battles where he can go all out and compare his strength to his opponents but this one is different as they need to do everything to win otherwise they will die. He then says that he has stuff he has to do after the battle so they have to win. Lucy tells him not to talk about the future as he can jinx them but Natsu says Igneel told him to talk like that as it will make him want to live. Happy then suggests they play strip poker but Lucy says no and says he is already naked.

At the guild, Erza and Wendy take a bath and Wendy asks if Crime Sorciere will help, to which Erza responds that they most likely will. Wendy is happy to hear this but Carla hasn't forgiven them for destroying Cait Shelter. Erza then asks if Wendy remembers when she asked Wendy to join the guild and Wendy says she was thankful. Erza then thinks to hersehow she could have gotten such a young girl involved in all of this as we are treated to some overly gratuitous Erza ass. Wendy then gets up and hugs Erza, telling her to let her be the one to protect her this time. Erza turns around and smothers Wendy in her boobs and says she has become a fine mage.

Elsewhere, Juvia approaches Gray, who offers her some chocolate. Juvia takes hold of the chocolate and begins to get worked up over it before Gray says he is glad she is there, causing her to go crazy. Gray then tells her he will give her his answer after the battle, but to let him focus on that for now as he has tricks up his sleeve as well. At the guild, Makarov, Warren and Macao finalize details of their plan before Mavis arrives and says she has checked on everyone and they seem strong. Makarov however thinks they are barely holding up. Makarov says then though that it is his job to stand before his children no matter what. As he says this though, the ground begins to quake and everyone begins to look outside and they even wake up GAJEEL AND LEVY WHO WERE TOTALLY IN THE SAME BED AND I DON'T CARE WHAT ANYONE TRIES TO SAY OTHERWISE. Makarov and Warren are sent into a panic as they realize that Warren's detection system failed and that Alvarez has arrived with Ajeel leading the fleet.

So basically, this chapter set up for the 3 major 'ships of Nalu, Gruvia and Gajeevy to happen with Gajeel and Levy straight up sleeping with each other. I interpreted Lucy saying "If it wasn't for her, we would have never met" as meaning Natsu, but I guess thats open for interpretation. Im not really into shipping but this chapter was kind of heavy handed with it. I did like the calm before the storm feel it had to it. For those unaware, I was a writing major in college, and one of the things I remember my professor saying is "If you take away all the hope in a situation and leave just a glimmer of light, what you are left with is something very interesting". I think this is what Mashima is trying to achieve here. The situation seems very hopeless. All of the Spriggans are far more powerful than the members of FT, but there is a chance. The problem is we know they will win and they will most likely win through bullshit means, which kind of destroys the hype a bit, but still, interesting.

So with the Empire invading, Mavis sounds the alarm. Ajeel fires but the missiles are stopped by a barrier enacted by Freed. FREED. OMG A NON MAIN CHARACTER DID SOMETHING. HALLELUJAH. As Freed struggles to keep the barrier up, Macao states they didnt expect them to come from the west. Because it makes no sense for the country to the west to attack from the west, right? RIGHT? Anyway, so Mavis being Mavis stated she totally called it and enacts their plan, which involves two teams, Osprey Force and Flying Dragon Force, which frankly sound better as squad or team but Bitch insisted they be called force because of the pun in Flying Dragon Force. Oh well. Osprey "Force" consists of the Connells, or more precisely, its Bisca who fires at the enemy forces and takes down one of their ships. Enter Flying Dragon "Force" (it sounds so hokey dude), which turns out to be exactly that... Dragon Slayers being flown around by Exceed. They dodge fire as they fight the ships while Bisca charges her gun, which we soon learn is a freaking stripped down Jupiter Canon which she fires straight at Ajeel's forces. Ajeel is able to deflect the blast to save himself but it blows up many of the surrounding ships. Gajeel and Co. then land aboard the ship, looking all badass, but of course that doesn't last long as they are now aboard transportation and instantly become sick, leading Mavis to say she forgot about that. Just as Ajeel is about to kill Natsu though, the ship is sliced in half and the crew is defeated as Erza in her Heaven's Wheel Armor prepares to take down Ajeel. Back on the ground, Evergreen states the enemy should prepare to bow down before their queen Titania.

Ok good first. I LOVED that we got to see Freed and Bisca being of use. It gets tiring of only seeing Team Natsu + Gajeel, Mira, Laxus, Juvia and sometimes Cana doing stuff. I like that more minor characters are being of use. I also loved Ever at the end. It shows how much this war means to everyone that Ever is putting her pride away and acknowledging Erza as the queen of the fairies. Personal differences mean nothing anymore. This is a fight to survive and you need every asset you have and the guild is making use of everyone, which is great.

The one thing I don't like about this chapter is Erza vs Ajeel. I just don't feel any hype about the matchup. I'm not even upset about the same thing as most people (Erza just going to put flame pants on and win). What I'm upset about is that the match just doesn't feel right. Erza's magic isn't big and showy like Ajeel's. She is more of an up close and personal fighter whereas Ajeel seems to fight by just overwhelming his opponents at distance with his sand and sand constructs. I can't imagine a very cool fight of just Erza dodging or slicing through the sand to get in close. It would feel kind of boring to me.

WARNING, BIG LONG RANT ABOUT MY EXPECTATIONS INCOMING

I think we all have expectations of who would fight who and to me, I wanted to see Erza fight Dimaria. I think that would be a much cooler matchup. I know Erza always fights the sword users or up close and personal fighters, but I get the sense that Dimaria is one of the strongest Spriggans and I just want to see a really cool match between those two where Erza has to actually requip many times instead of just using the flame pants. I want to see Dimaria force her to have to defend. I feel like if she fights Ajeel, she can just go flame pants, cut through the sand and take down Ajeel quick, but Dimaria would force her to have to do more than that.

Natsu vs Ajeel seems to make more sense. Those two already seem to have a bit of a rivalry/grudge against each other and I think that could turn into a very cool fight. I think we all know Gray vs Invel is coming and I want Invel to be the Ice Dragon Slayer. I think most of us are tired of slayers at this point but Invel just being an ice mage would be a bit lame and it would make sense that Zeref would recruit a dragon slayer to fight Acnologia. I have no idea who would fight Wahl Icht, Bloodman and Neinhart, probably Mira, Laxus, Cana and others. God Serena seems likely to go up against the other Gods of Ishgar. If he is really as strong as has been said, then having the 3 other strongest mages of Ishgar fight him 3 on 1 could turn out to be one of the most epic fights we have seen in Fairy Tail. August, with as hyped as he has been, would only make sense for him to go up against the strongest and best. To me, this means Gildarts and or Jellal. I think people severely underestimate these two. Gildarts to me is 4 Gods of Ishgar level. He has the most destructive magic we have seen. The entire town of Magnolia has to rearrange itself every time he enters town because one small misstep and he could level everything. He went up against Acnologia and managed to get away with only losing a couple limbs. His magic power was enough to bring Natsu to his knees. This is a guy who takes on the hardest missions ever and completes them. Missions that no one has been able to complete in decades. Jellal has more magics listed on his page than anyone else. He was able to become one of the wizard saints using only a thought projection and took out all of Oracion Seis in one attack. He went toe to toe with Jura using a magic he wasn't familiar with and would have easily won against Jura using his own magic had he not been stopped by Ultear and Meredy. A combination of these two and possibly Makarov as well would probably be an absolutely amazing spectacle. So that just leaves Brandish and I left her as last for a reason. I think she will fight Juvia. Now, you may say "But God, Juvia is weak and couldn't possibly solo a spriggan!" And to that I say, no, Juvia is not weak, but she is certainly not strong enough to beat a spriggan on her own. But there are some things to consider here. First, Brandish is basically Juvia. I saw this and it instantly reminded me why I love Juvia so much and how I see a lot of Juvia in Brandish. They are both so animated, I love them. They crack me up with just their facial expressions. Mashima likes his mirror matches and this is a pretty close match. Second, I think Brandish will turn on the empire. Everyone else in the Spriggans gives off an evil vibe except maybe Dimaria, who seems to follow orders and doesn't really come across as caring. Brandish however doesn't have that feel. She is goofy and likeable. She doesn't like her fellow members and doesn't want to invade Ishgar. She seems to follow Zeref not because she wants to, but because she has to. I think something will happen that will cause her to turn. She isn't the same as the others.

So yeah...thats just my thoughts. Feel free to ignore them. I know most of that won't happen, but if this was my story, thats how I would do it. So yay manga. Im out for this month.