Intro

Freed and Bickslow looked up as Acnologia landed just above them. Freed knew he was running out of magic power and he had no time to make a protective enchantment. But he had another plan. He'd decided as soon as he was chosen for the S-class trials… to throw the competition. He didn't think he was worth to win it… yet. He thought Cana deserved the chance. Freed wanted to make it up to her after upsetting her and hurting her so badly during the Battle of Fairy Tail. So he let her wipe the floor with him. He was going to deny it to anyone except Cana herself. Bickslow knew, of course. Freed had informed him before they even left Magnolia.

Then the Grimoire Heart incident had happened and he'd shown some of his real self along with Bickslow. But Freed Justine had a secret. He was far stronger than anyone thought. And he realized… he'd have to show it now. When Gildarts told them of the power of the dark dragon attacking them, he hadn't believed it at first. Until that thing blew away all trees with just its roar. Freed had never been as afraid as he was then. And he knew, thanks to Gildarts' words, that not all of them were going to get off the island alive. But he wasn't going to let that happen. He was going to make it up to his guild and his friends. He only needed one thing… and he'd get it now. Acnologia attacked them. He and Bickslow managed to jump aside but Freed touched the dragon's scale with his right hand. So that no one would hear it he threw a small enchantment that would give him Acnologia's personal code.

No one except Rune Mages knew that every living being on this planet had various of different individual characteristics. Everyone had their soul, mages also had their magic auras, there were fingerprints of course, blood and… heart. But it was also the personal code every single being and every single item on the planet had. If a Rune Mage knew something's code they could use it for powerful enchantments. To find the codes could be dangerous though, like now.

He heard Evergreen scream his and Bickslow's names and he felt what was left of his magic leaving him. Another price to pay. The enchantment to find someone's code took a lot of magic power… more than Freed really had left and he could feel the pain that came from it. But he ignored it as he got the last piece he so desperately needed.

"He cut off our escape route", Freed heard Gray yell.

"But why us?" Wendy asked as they watched the horrible creature attacking them. "Why are you doing this?" the last she asked the dragon itself. "Answer me."

The dragon just looked at her with his cold, evil eyes. Freed knew darkness. It was part of his powers, his being. But this thing this… this dragon he was evil. Evil to the core. Darker than darkness and eviler than evil. To him humanity had no value. Freed heard Evergreen shout Elfman's name and smiled slightly. Those two might finally give in to their feelings for each other.

"No, we're trapped", Levy said in fear, staying close to Gajeel. "What do we do."

Freed had managed to drag Bickslow from the imminent danger and, like the rest of the guild, they watched that horrible creature. He watched Natsu try to fight the thing but being cast aside without much effort from the dragon. But then… his eyes widened as their Master took off his shirt. Very much the same way Gray would do when fights got serious. Freed smiled in spite of it all. He was one of few that knew the reason why Gray did that. Freed watched their Master grow in size.

"Get to the ship", Makarov ordered them before charging the dragon.

"He's crazy", Gray said. "He can't fight that thing!"

"Master please don't claim the hero", Erza yelled. "The guild needs you to stay alive!"

"Get out of here", was Makarov's reply. Freed looked at the man they all view as a grandfather figure. He may be wounded in the shoulder from where Acnologia had grazed him when he "stole" the code. Freed felt weak but he was not going to give up. He was going to try and motivate the others.

"I will fight by Master's side", he said, no fear on his face anymore. Only determination.

"No lizard's gonna tear this guild apart", Bickslow added.

"I'll stay with you to the bitter end!" Evergreen added. Freed was just mildly surprised that no one but the Thunder Legion, called the traitors by some in the guild, spoke up with such loyalty and determination on their faces.

"Me too", Elfman then added and Freed smiled slightly at that. Bickslow noticed his strange mood but didn't say a thing about it. After Elfman raised his voice everyone else did as well.

"Will you brats just shut up and honor your Master's final wish", Makarov then yelled and they all stared at him. "Get out of here now!" Freed felt his eyes widen. He knew what that meant. Their Master was going to sacrifice himself so they could live. He felt Bickslow grab his arm and they started running. But Freed knew no one really wanted that and when he turned around to return to fight… he wasn't the only one. Their whole guild went against that monstrous dragon. They hit him with all they got. Then let the three true dragon slayers of their guild attack him.

There was a bright light and lots of but when it spread for the winds they could all see… that it was all in vain. Acnologia had taken to the skies again.

"All our attacks didn't even put a single scratch on him", Elfman said.

"His power is unbelievable", Gajeel said.

"We gave it everything we had", Wendy said sadly. "Three Dragon Slayers all at the same time, our whole guild went against him and it still wasn't enough!"

Freed noticed Natsu fall to his knees and then looked at the sky as that cursed dragon prepared to attack. That's when he felt the weight in the pocket of his coat. A weight that he'd had there for so long. He closed his eyes and growled under his breath. When Freed was little he'd made his own lacrima. It was a lacrima that was linked to his powers and would restore his magic energy completely if smashed. He'd made that lacrima when he was 7 and he was 20 now. 13 years of never having to use it, but now he had no other choice.

"No", Lucy whimpered. "Isn't there anything we can do? Is this it? Are we all just gonna die?"

Freed heard her question and then looked at the dragon.

"No", he said and they all turned to him. Fast as a lightning bolt from one of his best friend's fists Freed grabbed the lacrima in his pocket and brought it out. It was glowing brightly.

"Freed baby what's that?" Bickslow asked with wide eyes.

"What's that what's that", his babies echoed.

Freed closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then his eyes flew open and he got up.

"Cana", he said and walked a bit away from the group. "Gray. Natsu. Elfman. Levy. Juvia. Look closely." They stared at him. "This is what real S-class magic can do!" the last he screamed and he smashed the lacrima on the ground, letting it restore all his magic energy. He started glowing in the same purple light as his runes.

"Freed?!" Laxus, Evergreen and Bickslow yelled. But Freed didn't listen instead he tore off the sleeves of his coat and shirt so his arms were bare. He looked at Acnologia with his eyes full of determination. He started moving his hands in a strange circular motion above his head and they all stared as they saw the runes that appeared and started spreading. They spread wider and wider above him as if making a big storm cloud. The Fairy Tail members just stared at him, not knowing what to do as the light from his runes started to shine brightly. They spread out and covered all of them like a thin blanket. But that wasn't all. Freed dragged his fingers down his left arm, from shoulder to long finger and runes appeared there. He then did the same to his right arm. Makarov stared at the young man, when did Freed get so powerful? Everyone stared at him. They had no idea Freed was this strong. They could all feel the massive energy surrounding them. Levy was trying to read the enchantment but she couldn't make out the meaning of the words. Cana and Lucy gaped, was this the Freed they'd fought earlier? Impossible! He must've been holding back. Laxus smirked. He'd always known his friend was far stronger than he gave himself credit for. Evergreen had proud tears in her eyes. Bickslow was grinning wide.

"Yeah go baby!" he yelled as Freed kept waving his arms, widening the enchantment more and more. It soon covered all parts of the island and the ships out at sea. Freed then stretched his arms out to the side and started glowing, never taking his gaze off of Acnologia.

"Everyone", Freed's voice said, it had a strange echoing to it. "My enchantment is strong… my rules are absolute. Everything in this universe is bound to the wills of Rune laws."

Gray nodded slowly, remembering what their Master had said during the Battle of Fairy Tail.

"Whoever writes the rules wins the fight huh?" Gray asked.

"Perhaps but enchantments like these takes time to write", the Master replied. "As such they would be useless in a one on one battle. Still as you can see they are quite effective if set up as traps."

"You're really stuck, you can't break through", Gray stated.

"I'm afraid that the rules of the enchantment are absolute", the Master replied.

"I've put a shield over the island", Freed continued. "Nothing on this island can be hurt by Acnologia!" the last he yelled and when he did the runes on his arms started to glow. His friends all grinned widely at that, except one person. The Master wasn't fooled. He knew something no one else did. Enchantments as big as this and as strong came with a price.

"What's the price", he asked and they all looked at him. Freed looked at him over his shoulder, smiling slightly.

"You know?" he asked.

"Yes", Makarov said. "Enchantments such as these… making a whole island and everything on it, down to the smallest bug immune to something… has a price. What is it Freed?!"

Freed smiled and Acnologia roared. There was a single tear going down Freed's cheek. But he was still smiling. The attack hit the island and everyone was blinded. But when the light faded… they were still standing there. Not even a strand of grass was hurt. But… the area where Freed had been standing at… was empty. Everyone's eyes widened. But especially Laxus' eyes. It couldn't be. He fell to the ground on his knees.

"No", he whispered. "No… no… no."

"FREED!" Evergreen screamed at the top of her lungs.

Bickslow's entire body was shaking and his dolls were screaming Freed's name. The guild stared in horror at the spot where their friend had been standing. Especially their Master. One of his brats? One of his children? No. No this wasn't happening! This couldn't be true! Acnologia roared in rage and attacked again but nothing happened. He swiped his claws at the mages but it was if they went straight through. But Fairy Tail didn't move. They just stared. Then Bickslow "woke up".

"Everybody run!" he yelled and they all stared at him.

"Are you crazy", Natsu yelled. "We can't just run! If we're invincible we can fight him now!"

"Don't be selfish!" Bickslow yelled. "Freed gave his life to save us! Don't waste it! Let's move!" He grabbed Evergreen and picked her up. Then he ran with her. Their Master was the first to follow, followed by Gray carrying Juvia, Gajeel, Lisanna, Mirajane, Elfman, Gildarts and Cana, Lucy, Wendy, the exceeds, Erza and lastly Natsu and Laxus. But not before he cursed the dragon. They all turned and ran towards the ship, tears streaming down their faces. In an amazing feat of loyalty to their guild, their family, Freed Justine had given his life and they would not throw his gift away.

TBC

Okay this is my first Fairy Tail story. It will be lots of AU storylines here. I never liked the seven year time jump so this is my way of getting rid of it. But since I like the Sabertooth guild they will keep the age they have in the manga and the anime. I'll just pretend they were always the same age as Natsu and Co.