A/N: Hello everyone and welcome back! My mind has been on fire with ideas for this latest chapter, and considering what happened in the two latest FT chapters, my creativity has been going into overdrive…basically; I HAD AN URGE TO WORK ON THIS WHILE MULTITASKING MY OTHER STUFF!

Plus, I was off from college for Thanksgiving break so that helped (I hope everyone here in the U.S. and our neighbors to the north had a wonderful and happy Turkey Day!).

Speaking of the latest FT chapters, as you are about to see, this chapter will draw inspiration from them and then some. I swear to God, something big is coming soon and I think Natsu is going to have an even bigger role to play than he already does. But then again, this is Fairy Tail we're talking about so one never truly knows.

I am very happy to see how much of a positive response this story has gotten; I honestly wasn't expecting that many reviews. Thank you to everyone who posted a review, I'm glad to know that I'm doing well with this story.

So, in this chapter, expect END!Natsu to be dealing with a slight personality disorder, END!Natsu losing his temper while "leveling up", an all-out slug fest with Mard Geer…and four surprise visitors to the battlefield. This chapter will be longer than the previous one (44 pages overall!) so hold onto something; because an epic, double beat down is about to begin.

In all seriousness, I think out of all the things I've written so far, this is going to be the most epic piece yet.

Also, a scene in this chapter was inspired by a picture of END!Natsu and Lucy made by rboz on Tumblr. She's an amazing artist, so all credit goes to her for the picture...which in turn inspired the scene. If you look around, you should be able to find it. For those of you who know what I'm talking about, you'll see what I mean when you read it. Once again credit goes to rboz for the picture; I'm just writing what I was inspired to write.

But, before we continue, here is a shout out to you wonderful people who left seventeen (17!) wonderful reviews:

Amanda: Hello there and welcome to the story! Yay, you were the first reviewer!

EclipticChaos: Hello there and welcome to the story. No offense but I'm not sure how to respond to "…" but I'll take that as a good thing X).

dragonball256: Hello and welcome to the story! If you thought last time was epic, I wonder what you'll think of this chapter. I have a feeling Natsu is END. Despite it being somewhat obvious that he is, I would feel like if it were someone else, it would be a rather big smack to the face. Don't worry about Igneel, he'll be here soon enough, you'll see.

Gh0st's buddy: Hello there and welcome; I'm glad you are enjoying everything so far. I'm a sap for details, what can I say? X)

Ichihime4: Hello there! Long time no see, how are you?! I'm glad you like the story so far. O-oh my…that's an innuendo if I've ever seen one (lol!). If liked last time, then prepare yourself for what is coming in this chapter.

Zangetsu50: Hello there! Welcome to the story; I'm glad you're enjoying it.

NyxFairy: Hello there and welcome to the story; been a while hasn't it? Yes, things are pointing END in Natsu's direction.

Hoko-Ryuu: Welcome to the story, glad you're liking it!

LpboyXIII: Hello and welcome! Glad to know I'm on the right track!

CopDog: Hello there! Glad to know you're enjoying this END Natsu story.

Fire girl 108: Hello and welcome to the story, nice to know you're enjoying it!

Dark Shining Light: Hello, glad to know you're enjoying the story! :)

WildHeart4ever: Hello there and welcome back, long time no see! Glad to know you like the story. It'll be short but I'll work hard to make it worthwhile.

BigBadBen: Hello there and welcome to the story! That's quite the response there, I'm glad you're liking the story so far!

fairytailblossom: Hi there, sorry for the late update, glad you're enjoying things so far.

xxTheNightmareBeforexx: Hello, I'm glad you're enjoying things so far; I hope this chapter is better than the last!

Wacko12: Hi there, long time no see; I'm well aware of the debate of what color Natsu's eyes are. I've heard that they're onyx and that they're dark green. Personally, I think they're green so until otherwise, I'm sticking with that; it is what it is.

So, now that that's taken care of, let's continue with the story!

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CHAPTER 2: Melee

XXXX

Then…

How it had started, he had no idea.

For the longest time-or what could be added up to the span of an eternity-he had known darkness. A cold, soulless, timeless, ageless and senseless void of nothing.

Just…nothing.

That is all that can describe darkness; a loneliness and an evil so powerful that nothing is felt.

He drifted in that darkness, his mind since lost; his memories mere broken, shattered fragments of what they used to be.

He would catch a faint whisper though every once in a while; an echo of a memory or name that filtered across his ears only to be forgotten moments later.

Natsu, one voice would whisper with an image of a blazing fire; the heat so tangible that when it went away he would cry out at the loss of the comfort the heat gave.

E.N.D, another voice would say with the memory of vast power, power unlike he had ever experienced, ready to be used with just a snap of his fingers. But then that too would disappear…and the emptiness would return. And in turn he would return back to the void where seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, day, night and seasons-where time itself, did not exist.

He remembers wondering which had passed first, an eon, millennia or eternity itself.

And it started. For what reason, out of the blue-or void as it were-he felt it.

The call to return.

He had been summoned.

And as his senses returned, so did his memories at long last.

He remembered his name.

"I am E.N.D." He said, finally finding his voice.

He remembered who he was.

"I am E.N.D, the greatest of Lord Zeref's creations. I am the ultimate incarnation of evil; my curses beget magic and the humans-the slime-who wield it."

But most of all, he remembered his purpose.

"I am E.N.D…and my one true goal is to return to Lord Zeref. I am to take his life and in turn, reshape the world the way it was meant to be."

As his senses returned, he could feel another presence-a magic that drew him like a moth to a flame. It was a familiar sensation of heat and fire.

His host…the one named Natsu.

Soon he could feel his power wrestle with his host; feeding off of his energies as he did so. Power, nourishment and strength returned.

The host's soul resisted.

He was making things complicated.

"Do not resist." E.N.D had commanded, "You are making this much harder than it should be."

"Never!" the host raged, "Get out of my head; I don't want you here!"

E.N.D sighed. He could see his host now as the curse took shape and form as fire-a fire which burned away the soul and consumed all that there was. His host was tall, with spikey pink hair and a soul of untapped power and potential. A strong but slightly dim witted human…perfect for E.N.D's needs.

But there was something about this human's magic. Something familiar-

"Ah," E.N.D had said in understanding, "you're magic…I thought it was familiar."

"You must be the son of that bastard lizard that tried to kill me all those years ago. Imagine that, the son of Igneel the fire king is to be my host!?"

E.N.D had laughed at that. It had been a long time since he laughed.

"Oh the irony! I can't wait to see the look on that overconfident son of a bitch's face when he realizes who now controls his son. I'll savor that memory…as I rip his heart out."

"No!" Nastu had protested, "You leave him alone; you leave my father alone!"

He could feel E.N.D's power overwhelming him. It was impossible to fight back against. The demon was too strong, even for him!

"And when I'm done with the lizard, I'll take my time slowly with those friends of yours. What? You didn't think I could see your memories? You are my body now boy which means I own you; you're my little bitch to control…and all you can do is watch."

"No!" Natsu had said as memories were forced before his eyes, the fire burning him…changing him.

"All you'll be able to do is watch as I slaughter your precious "nakama". Oh I'll take my time with this lot," E.N.D reaffirmed, "hmmm, let's see. I think I'll find Wendy-"

The memory of the sky dragon slayer flashed before his eyes; the girl he thought of as his quasi-little sister.

"-and I'll make you break her heart; both literally and figuratively. She'll realize with the utmost despair that you are as good as dead…right as you rip her heart from her chest."

E.N.D bombarded Natsu's mind of Wendy being put through such a horrible demise. Of her screaming for Natsu to stop but to no avail; her eyes wide and pouring tears as blood spilled from her mouth-her feet dangling helplessly off the ground.

"No!" Natsu screamed.

"And then there's Gray; your brother, your best friend. He seems so set on stopping me that I wonder how he'll react when he sees you. Hmmm? Let's ask him as I rip his arms out other their sockets!"

Another image. Another gore soaked montage.

"And who do we have here?" E.N.D said in sadistic glee.

"No…" Natsu pleaded as his body changed, the pain-both physically and emotionally-ripping his body asunder.

More images.

More names.

Happy, Erza, Asuka, Alzack and Bisca, Lisanna, Cana, Elfman, Master Makarov, Laxus, Mirajane, Sting, Rogue, Romeo…the list went on and on. With each name, E.N.D made their deaths more gruesome than the last.

All of his friends-all of the people he cared about-were in danger of dying by his hands when he had no control over them.

"NO!" Natsu had screamed, hands clawing at his head, "NO! NOOOOO!"

"It's over now boy; you're mine." E.N.D had sneered before pausing slightly, "And when all is said and done…I think I know who I'll save for last."

A series of images and memories appeared before Natsu's mind.

"No…" Natsu had pleaded, "oh God not her; please just leave her alone!"

"But why!?" E.N.D had cackled, "With a response like that, of course I'll save her for last!"

"She'll watch as everyone both she and you care about are slaughtered and torn limb from limb! And then she'll beg you for mercy, beg you to come back! But it'll be of no use."

Had E.N.D known what he was getting into, he would have realized that had just opened the proverbial Pandora's Box.

"She'll die like the rest of your pathetic kind." E.N.D had hissed.

Natsu's mind had stilled then…and E.N.D immediately sensed something was wrong with his host. The images of this Lucy girl began to appear in mass and despite Natsu struggling in pain on the outside, his mind had become a maelstrom of desperation, anger and…love?

"No." Natsu hissed, "No, no, no, no, no!"

"You stay away from her!" Natsu screamed, "I won't ever let you harm Lucy; I won't let you take her away from me!"

An energy and magic so powerful and bright began to overwhelm both E.N.D and Natsu, the memories fuelling the power on.

"I'LL NEVER TURN AGAINST LUCY!" Natsu ragged, "I WILL NEVER. HURT. MY. LUCY!"

The power had become overwhelming and for the fraction of a second, his control slipped.

It was then, that the light of the magic burst forward with blinding vigor.

"What the f-!?" was all E.N.D managed to say before everything changed.

XXXX

He had awoken, face first on the ground, his body aching and feeling as if it had just been lit on fire.

The whole situation sucked, to put it bluntly.

"Master E.N.D," A voice called out, "; awaken!"

Yeah…that sounded like a good idea. Pushing himself up and standing, he felt the joints in his knees crack and pop. And his spine, oh his spine was making noises that only a breaking tree branch should make!

"Holy crap" he thought, "I needed that!"

Being asleep for who knows how long could really give one such a crick in the back.

He had stood with his eyes closed, trying to regain what currently passed as his senses. On a mental command, his wings shot out, inadvertently clearing the dust away from him as they stretched. He began to concentrate on his surroundings, as his he became attuned to his environment. Behind his eyelids, he could see that he was not alone as indicated by the flickering blue flames in front of him.

Souls, he remembered…human souls.

A presence behind him also tugged at his senses and the color red came to mind.

A demon…much like himself…he thought.

He heard voices from the humans but paid them no mind as he straightened his shoulders and deeply took his first breathe in what had been ages. He growled in pleasure, a gentle clicking noise at the taste of the fresh air. Although he did taste what appeared to be dust and ash in the world.

The one behind him continued to speak but he paid him no mind as he opened his eyes to take in the world around him…while also dealing with persistent aches in certain places.

Slowly blinking twice he dealt with the aches by equally slowly cracking his neck, toes and knuckles, which he popped on at a time. He then flexed his arms, shoulders, knees and back, emitting a similarly loud popping of bone and joints. The wings did the same, as per his command. Funny how those things worked.

He was once again drawn to the humans in front of him. Their voices…their scents…it was all familiar to him…but why?

He didn't know these humans…at least, he didn't think he knew them.

It was then that his attention was drawn to his hands, which were still raised from cracking his knuckles; armored but colored a brushed black. He could see that the skin that wasn't covered was a dull red and had a scale like pattern.

Had he always looked like this?

He couldn't remember.

As the humans and the demon squabbled, he tuned them out and dealt with his own personal problem; who was he?

He could remember his name; E.N.D. Or at least he thought that was his name.

Why was it so hard to remember something that was so simple?

"Hey you!" A voice echoed in his head and he found himself in a different place.

It was dark but the spot he was standing at was illuminated by an overhead light… from somewhere.

"Down here." The voice said again. Complying, he looked down and found himself looking at a…child?

He had short, spikey pink hair and wore sandals, khaki cargo shorts and a red, long sleeved shirt. A scarf, similar to dragon's scales was wrapped around his neck. But most of all, he had the greenest eyes he had ever seen in a human-well…as far as he knew.

The boy smiled brightly, exposing his fanged canines.

"'Sup?" the boy said and he cocked an eyebrow.

"Uhm…hello?" He said, noting how strange his voice sounded, "Who are you, how did you get here and where are we?"

"My name is Natsu; Natsu Dragneel! I'm the strongest mage in Fairy Tail!" The boy, Natsu beamed, before his smile became smaller, tamer.

"Well…one day I'll be the strongest. To be honest; I'm you and you're me!"

"…I find that very hard to believe kid." He replied skeptically.

"It's true. As to where we are, we're in our head. I didn't "get" here…I've always been here. We're the same person so it makes sense that we'd end up here."

"Not really," he said, "pardon me if I don't take you seriously squirt."

"Oi, don't talk to yourself like that!" Natsu said, before shaking his head, "None of that matters anyway. I don't have long before the big bad guy comes back."

"Who? And wait a minute how did this happen?" He said, barely registering something else making itself known at the edge of his senses.

"E.N.D," Natsu said looking around, "he's a really bad and tough demon. I don't remember how this happened but I remembered him making me really angry when he threatened all of my friends…especially Lucy; no one hurts Lucy."

"Who?" he asked, a question directed at this E.N.D and Lucy, "And isn't my name E.N.D as well?"

"No time to explain," Natsu said, "let's just say you're Good E.N.D and he's Bad E.N.D. Bad E.N.D will be back and he'll try to make you do some really bad stuff. I'll stay here and hold him off. When you get back to the real world…try your hardest to remember who you are…who you were…and protect Lucy and the others too."

He was silent…but nodded in agreement after a pause. He didn't know why, but he felt like he could trust Natsu unlike the dark presence on the edge of his senses. As the world faded back to reality, he could hear the demon drone on and on in that haughty, over confident and arrogant manner of his.

It was annoying and it was starting to piss him off.

"Oh," Natsu said, calling back-his voice a faint echo, "and punch that guy really hard too. His name is Mard Geer, the Demon King of Tartarus; he's a big jerk who won't shut up!"

And then he was gone.

He stood, stock still and clenched his hands into fists, making the knuckles pop as he looked over his shoulder.

Yeah…making that guy shut up was sounding like a really good idea.

XXXX

Now…

With a brutal right cross, Mard Geer was sent stumbling back as E.N.D continued his assault on the leader of Zeref's demons. He had easily cut and burned his way through Mard Geer's initial attack and countered with one of his own.

Turning into the punch, E.N.D delivered a follow up spin kick that hit directly into the center of the demon kings chest-sending him flying through the ruins of a brick wall.

E.N.D landed on his feet, knees bent and shook his hand. Even with the armor covering his arm, that punch had made his wrist go numb just for a second. This Mard Geer guy was turning out to be one tough son of a bitch after all.

While the demon king was down, E.N.D glanced over his shoulder back to the humans behind him. The one, a short blue haired girl-Levy, he thought he'd heard her name was-was tending to Lucy, who clutched her shoulder in pain.

"Damn it," E.N.D whispered, "I should've seen that coming."

E.N.D's head quickly snapped forward when he felt an increase in dark magic, just as a number of thorn vines shot from the rubble.

"You're reflexes are slow Master," Mard Geer sneered as he emerged from the rubble, "even further proof that the humans were trying to corrupt you with their filth."

"Look out!" Natsu cried out from within his head.

E.N.D's left hand snapped out, palm up and fingers splayed.

"Fire curse!" E.N.D yelled as a large fireball shot forth from his hand, incinerating the thorns it raced to.

Some thorns however, dodged the attack and impaled themselves on the ground, missing the mages only thanks to their quick reflexes.

E.N.D growled and slammed both his hands onto the ground, magma like cracks forming in his armored forearms and hands.

"Volcanic crag!" E.N.D said as the ground before him swiftly split open in a winding chasm that filled with magma and reached Mard Geer.

The demon king simply took to the sky but E.N.D was prepared for this as he drew his right hand into a fist and punched the ground.

"Erupt!" He said and the magma flared and exploded out in a tremendous but concentrated geyser of lava.

The attack had reached Mard Geer just as he was halfway off the ground and engulfed him in the burning liquid rock. Bits of molten slag rained down on E.N.D but he simply raised his one wing to shield him. He growled slightly.

"That was too easy." He said, eyes narrowing.

From within the geyser, Mard Geer came flying out like a bat out of hell. He skin was smoking but he was wide eyed and smiling in amusement. He was upon E.N.D in the blink of an eye and had slammed his palm into E.N.D's face and forced his head into the ground, dragging him along as Mard Geer rapidly flew over the ground.

"Yep!" E.N.D said, his voice muffled but not sounding the least affected by the attack, "Too easy!"

Mard Geer glided for a moment before slamming his foot down to the ground, sliding low with E.N.D still in his grip. Grabbing his master by the jaw, Mard Geer lifted E.N.D up singly handedly while he was inverted and slammed him head first back into the ground in a move similar to that of a pile driver. E.N.D's back and legs arched down at a weird angle and his arms flopped to the sides, his wings flat against the ground.

"Natsu!" Lucy cried out in panic only to be held back by Levy.

"No Lu-chan, stay put!" Levy said, "You're still hurt!"

"But I have to help Natsu!" Lucy protested.

"Relax," Gajeel said as he observed E.N.D's condition, "I don't think Salamander's going down that easily."

"Of course you realize," E.N.D said, his voice muffled from beneath the stone, "this means war."

He tapped his foot to the ground and a black spike fired forth from the ground in front at Mard Geer at high velocity, striking him in the shoulder and taking him off his feet. Back flipping into the attack, Mard Geer slid to a halt right side up and looked at the projectile lodged in his shoulder; the wound leaking blood.

"It's been a long time since Mard Geer has seen his own blood." Mard Geer mused as he ripped out the spike and tossed it away.

E.N.D had since used his wings to push and pull himself up to his feet as he turned to face the demon king. His neck and head were bent to the side at a broken angle. Had E.N.D been anyone else, he would have died from his neck snapping like a twig.

"Get used to it." E.N.D said as he popped the joints back in place with a sickening series of crunches.

"Because there will be a lot more where that came from."

The two regarded each other for a moment as Mard Geer's eyes narrowed.

"Tell me Master, why are you holding onto bonds which should have been broken with your awakening?"

E.N.D did not reply, he simply raised an eye brow in question.

"You are the master of all of Lord Zeref's demons; in fact you are the strongest demon born form Lord Zeref himself. But in spite of all of this, you still hold onto the past…you let it cloud your memory, judgment and vision. You defend those filthy humans when you and Mard Geer should be eradicating them as we speak for defying our might and power. After all that has been done to return you, why do you forsake your own destiny?"

E.N.D inhaled deeply and cocked his head slightly to the side.

"I have no memory of what you speak." E.N.D said, before pointing to the Fairy Tail Mage's, "I am not who you want me to be…and the way you're describing me, I refuse to let myself become it."

E.N.D ignored the mental cheer of Natsu in his head while the other presence, which was now making itself known, growled in anger.

"I can't explain why I feel the way I do towards those humans. But I feel that there is something there…something familiar about them that is helping maintain my grip on myself. Until I figure out what that is, I will not harm them and I will most certainly not allow you to do the same."

Mard Geer glowered at his master. Why was he refusing to accept his destiny? Why was he choosing the humans over his own kind!? Those disgusting life forms that didn't deserve to walk the same ground as him and E.N.D, let alone live in the same world. But most of all; how did those humans still have such a strong hold over his master!?

It was a sickening and ludicrous idea which only served to deepen his glower. If that was the case, Mard Geer decided, then he was just going to have to do what he had been saying all along; kill the humans. In the most brutal way imaginable. Only then would E.N.D be free, he reasoned.

His eyes flickered to the mages and then back to his master, a smirk playing out on his lips.

E.N.D caught the movement of Mard Geer's eyes and lips and he instantly went on edge.

"Don't you even dare." E.N.D warned.

Mard Geer chuckled in that arrogant manner of his that grated on E.N.D's nerves.

"Sorry Master…but you really should learn to worry more about yourself than others."

It happened to quickly for E.N.D to react. So distracted had he been with Mard Geer, he had failed to notice the vine with razor sharp thorns decorating it slowly snake its way near him. With the speed and precision of a viper, the vice snapped up and severed E.N.D's right arm from his shoulder, making him cry out in surprise, anger and pain.

Lava spurted out from the wound as the arm sailed into the air before tumbling to the ground. The lava singed and burned the ground as E.N.D clamped his free hand over the wound while letting off a string of profanity laced curses.

"NATSU!" Lucy cried out in panic and only then did Mard Geer smirk in delight.

His plan had worked. Master E.N.D was crippled and vulnerable to his combination attack.

From within the ground, vines of thorns sprouted to ensnare E.N.D and immobilize him. The vines lifted him up into the air just high enough for the ground beneath him to crumble as a Mard Geer's Prison Flower returned.

The bulb of chains and thorns opened and began to slowly engulf E.N.D.

"Hang on Natsu!" Gray called out as he summoned his ice sword-ready to channel his demon slayer magic, "We're on our way!"

The ice mage and his fellow mages made to charge Mard Geer but the demon king had been expecting this.

"Gullible fools." He said and cast out his hand, causing more vines to appear from within the ground.

"Nice try!" Gray said as he cut a series of vines in two, "But that attack only works so many times!"

"Yeah!" Lisanna said, still in her cat animal soul form as she used her claws to cut the vines, "It'll take more than these overgrown plants to stop us!"

Then the vines suddenly stilled in their attacks, pausing midair. Only then did the mages notice something…eerie.

Mard Geer was laughing. He was laughing in what appeared to be absolute amusement.

"What's so funny freak." Gajeel hissed.

Stifling his laughter, Mard Geer looked down upon the mages, his demented smile never leaving his face.

"Mard Geer cannot believe how utterly stupid you humans are!" He said, "You humans are so stupid that it actually amuses me! You walked right into a trap and didn't even know it!"

The vines began to twitch and suddenly, tendrils of sharper, smaller vines burst from within the parent vines. They shot out with blinding speed to the mages.

"Weak!" Mard Geer said.

The Fairy mages once again resumed their attacks but found that even when they cut the vines down, more would take their place. It was like macabre version of a hydra from ancient legend.

"Pathetic!" Mard Geer cried out in delight, "How absolutely pathetic."

The first mage to be ensnared was Lisanna. She had just swiped her paw when a series of tendrils quickly wrapped around her wrist and snapped her arm out to side, causing her to stumble. The other vines followed in rapid succession. Soon her left wrist was caught along with her ankles. Her limbs were pulled out to the point where she began to cry out from the pain. She felt like she was slowly on the verge of being pulled apart. More vines followed and continued to snake up and around her arms, legs, midriff, chest and throat; the thorns squeezing her and making her bleed while also choking the life out of her.

One by one, the Fairy Mages found themselves in a similar predicament. It was a valiant fight but a futile one as they were all lifted into the air for Mard Geer and E.N.D to see.

Mard Geer looked to E.N.D who continued to struggle within his prison, the bulb nearly close to sealing itself shut.

"As much as Mard Geer wants you watch their last moments, I'm afraid the flower won't allow that."

E.N.D snarled and fiercely tugged against the thorns and chains of the flower.

"But you can listen however." Mard Geer sneered, "You can listen to their final moments. Listen to their screams. Listen as the last shreds of doubt are purged from you."

The bulb closed shut with a mucous like "slurp" and E.N.D was sealed away.

"You'll thank Mard Geer for this, when you have regained your senses." The demon said before turning to the mages, raising his hand and slowly closing fingers to his palm.

"Now humans," Mard Geer sneered, "please do us all a favor and die."

As per the demons command, the vines began to tighten, cut and pull. The mages would slowly be ripped limb from limb, powerless to stop their own deaths.

Cries of pain and protest managed to escape the mages mouths.

Gajeel struggled to grab Levy's hand but found her to be out of reach despite the tips of their fingers brushing.

Juvia frantically called out for Gray as a series of vines dug into his open wounds, making him cry out in agony.

"NATSU!" Lucy screamed, "NATSU; HELP US!"

The vines tightened around her neck but still she cried out to Natsu/E.N.D.

"N-NATSU!" she screamed, "H-HELP M-ME!"

A single vine slithered up her arm before digging itself into her shoulder wound while the vines constricted around her throat. Lucy began to gasp in panic and pain, her mouth agape, eyes widening and streaming with tears.

"There'll be none of that from you." Mard Geer said, "You're "Natsu" no longer exists; he is dead…and soon you shall be joining him."

"N-Natsu…" Lucy rasped weakly as her struggling began to slow; her limbs starting to slacken.

The other mages began to do the same.

"N-N-Natsu…" Lucy choked out, her vision blurring and fading, "N-Na…Na…Nat…su…"

Her eyes slowly began to roll up into her head and only then did Lucy realize that she was about to die; that Natsu wasn't going to get to her in time. That he wasn't going to save her or the others.

And the worst part wasn't the fact that she was about to die, it was that she wasn't able to help Natsu…to bring him back to the light.

…Suddenly, the Prison Flower began to convulse and thrash about as if in the throes of death agony.

"WHAT?!" Mard Geer yelled, his head snapping to the flower.

The bulb trembled and shook as it began to expand outward, a ripping sound emanating from the inside.

And then it violently exploded.

In a shower of chunks and slime, the bulb violently burst apart…courtesy of E.N.D's wings which were now flared and fanned out. The demon then fell to the ground in a heap of slime and torn thorns.

"Impossible!" Mard Geer said in alarm, his eyes wide, "You were fully locked away!"

Slowly, E.N.D rose to his feet and the thorns slid off his body.

The slime that coated him from head to toe began to sizzle, pop and steam as it quickly evaporated off of his body. The air shimmered from the heat radiating off of E.N.D as the glow of his heart increased in tandem with the heat. His head lowered, E.N.D moved his right side in the general direction he had lost his arm. From within the still lava-bleeding wound, a black ichor burst forth and shot out to the severed limb; promptly grabbing it and returning just as swiftly to the shoulder. The arm, now back in place, was fused back to E.N.D's body in brief puff of steam.

Trembling hands balled into fists, the knuckles cracking, as E.N.D raised his head.

His expression said it all: he wasn't angry, he was most definitely not livid and he sure as hell wasn't pissed. He was furious, plain and simple.

His eyes now completely glowed a vibrant shade of crimson as cracks broke out in the skin around the edges of his eyes; which glowed an equal fiery red.

His jaw, which had remained shut since his awakening, slowly began to open with a series of audible cracks; a loud and angered hiss emanating from the slowly opening maw.

"I..," E.N.D growled in fury, "I am one hundred and ten percent done with your bullshit!"

E.N.D's left hand snapped up in the direction of the trapped mages, fingers curled in a claw like fashion. The air around the vines began to shimmer from a sudden wave of extreme heat and a hissing sound like the boiling of water could be heard. Then, suddenly, the vines burst into flames and quickly withered away to ash; releasing the mages and letting them fall to the ground.

They were gasping desperately for air and covered in sweat from the sudden heat, but were otherwise alright; the fire having caused them no harm.

Mard Geer looked from the mages to E.N.D in disbelief. E.N.D too had been looking to the mages, more importantly Lucy who slowly began to push herself up from the ground. She felt E.N.D's gaze on her and she looked up to find him looking at her.

"Natsu…" she whispered, her voice hoarse as she rubbed her neck. Her eyes, which had been wide and stricken in pain, now shimmered with hope and joy.

"Nice save!" Natsu called out from within his mind.

Disgusting, the Other voice hissed, you should have left them to die.

"Oh shut up already." Natsu said, annoyed at the other E.N.D's return.

How dare you talk to me like that, the Other hissed, watch it boy or I'll make you suffer for your insolence.

"Go ahead and try." Natsu retorted.

E.N.D didn't reply to either voice, he simply turned his eyes towards Mard Geer, his maw opening slightly in a growl. Without warning, he bolted towards the demon king, using his wings to give him an extra burst of speed. Mard Geer had no time to react as E.N.D dropped his left foot down, cratering the rubble and bringing his right fist forward in a devastating straight punch.

Mard Geer was sent careening back, end over end before tumbling to a stop. E.N.D inhaled deeply as his heart glowed even fiercer than it already was and E.N.D raised his head back.

"Incineration Blast!" E.N.D hissed.

Stomping his foot forward, arms curled at his sides, E.N.D flung his head forward-mouth open-as a fierce jet of fire erupted out with a tremendous roar of air.

The mages could only watch and compare the attack to that of a dragon breathing fire…which for all intents and purposes was what the attack was.

The jet of fire was right on target when it hit E.N.D, causing both him and the area he landed in to explode in terrific blast of fire. Mard Geer himself was blasted out of the flames, his body smoking and partially on fire as he tumbled and rolled on the ground.

The edges of E.N.D's maw curled up slightly in what could be seen as a satisfied grin. He closed the maw, which was still smoking, and locked it back in place. E.N.D rose and cracked his neck; Mard Geer was obviously down for the count…but E.N.D wanted to make sure he stayed down…permanently.

Walking over to Mard Geer, E.N.D looked over to his shoulder; locking eyes with Gray.

"Stay put," he said, "this won't take long."

"R-right." Gray said, still in shock over the previous bout of attacks.

"Holy shit," he thought, "so this is the power of the Master of Tartarus…unbelievable…unbelievable."

The rubble crunched beneath his boots as E.N.D calmly walked over to Mard Geer, who had since doused the fire that had coated him. He stood on shaking legs while his body had reverted back to its "human" appearance.

"Well…well…well," E.N.D taunted, coming to a stop a few yards away, "so this is what you look like. You know, I find it ironic that for you proclaiming to be the king of demons…you're surprisingly human."

Mard Geer, who had a fine trickle of blood running down the corner of his mouth and was covered in a multitude of cuts and bruises, felt his eyes widen in shock.

"W-what?" Mard Geer said in shock, "What did you just say?"

"You heard me." E.N.D continued, his tone similar to the mocking tone Mard Geer had been using before, "You bleed like a human, you get angry like a human…and you even share their arrogance. Face it; for all your talk of being an all-powerful demon…you're more human than you let on."

"Master…" E.N.D hissed as his body began to twitch slightly in anger, "how…how could you…how dare you insinuate such a thing! I, Mard Geer, am a demon of Zeref; a far superior being compared to such wretched filth as those lowly humans!"

"That's not the case from my point of view." E.N.D said, his eye brow raised skeptically.

"Don't patronize me Master!" Mard Geer snapped, "I, who carried out Lord Zeref's will while you were gone! I, who brought the true meaning of fear and suffering to those humans! I, who have worked tirelessly to facilitate your resurrection!"

Mard Geer's body quaked in fury.

"How dare you compare me to the likes of a human when I have shown them the inferiority of their resistance; the inferiority of their species!"

His hand snapped out to point at E.N.D

"And if I, Mard Geer-the Demon King of Tartarus-must destroy you in the process to make you realize it; then so be it!"

A black mist suddenly materialized out of the air surrounding E.N.D but also made its way to the Fairy Tail mages.

"Oh shit," Gray said aloud, "not again!"

"What is that?!" Cana said with Lisanna's arm slung over her shoulder, "Some sort of mist?!"

"No," Gray said, "something much worse, we have to get out of here; now!"

"You're not going anywhere." Mard Geer hissed, "You're going to stay right there and disappear; out of sight and out of mind."

Gray made to run but found the mist had quickly surrounded him and the others.

"Gray-sama…" Juvia said as she moved closer to Gray…but found that she couldn't.

"What!?" Juvia said in surprise, "I-I can't move!"

E.N.D also tried to face the mages but found his body locked in place. His eyes flickered to Mard Geer, a glare on his features.

"What are you doing?" E.N.D hissed.

Mard Geer smiled his demented, wide eyed smile.

"Mard Geer is casting a curse that he had originally created to destroy Lord Zeref. But seeing as how you survived it the first time Mard Geer casted this, Mard Geer has no doubt you will survive again. But, this curse will erase all traces of humanity from you…as well as those humans. It is a curse that will not kill you nor keep you alive but merely erase you…for all eternity. You will cease to exist."

"What?" E.N.D said.

"The curse will awaken you while erasing those meddlesome humans…you will be completely free. You will be reborn in the fires of destruction…and all shall be made right. All shall return to the way it was meant to be." Mard Geer continued and the mist seemed to engulf the mages and E.N.D.

"Through death, there shall be rebirth…" Mard Geer said, focusing his dark magic, hand raised.

Knowing he had to act fast, E.N.D began to fight the pull of the mist, twisting his head, and torso to turn around while struggling to raise his left arm. His body screamed in protest; the bones on the verge from snapping from the strain.

But he ignored the pain.

He knew on some level, he would survive this attack…but the mages wouldn't. They weren't as strong as he was.

"Fire…Shield." E.N.D said through a strained voice.

A ring of fire swiftly formed a perimeter around the mages, cutting the mist off and freeing them just as Mard Geer finished his curse.

"…Memento Mori." Mard Geer said.

"NO!" Gray called out, watching E.N.D through the fire, "NATSU!"

And then, in a blast of dark energy, a beam of dark ethereal spirits exploded out from the ground and engulfed E.N.D. The ground shattered and flew apart and the mages tried to shield themselves as the blast wave caused the fire shield to waver and die.

XXXX

Inside the dark beam, a different scene was unfolding within E.N.D's mind.

E.N.D could feel the energies of the attack work their way across his body; trying to pull him apart…trying to make him disappear. He resisted the curse, focusing his own power against it and felt some success against the curse: the feeling of his arms disintegrating wasn't as noticeable.

He knew, however, that he couldn't hold out forever. He had to do something…but what?

"Hang on!" He heard Natsu call out to him in his mind, "Just hang in there, you can do this; we can do this!"

"I'm not so sure about that," E.N.D said his voice strained and winced, feeling a sharp pain spread through his abdomen, "I can't keep this up forever."

You're right, the voice of the Other sneered, once you're power breaks you're as good as dead.

The other chuckled in amusement.

But I can be of some assistance. I can give you the power to not only survive this curse but to put Mard Geer down.

"Don't listen to him!" Natsu called out, "You can't trust him!"

And what reason would you have not to? The other asked, Mard Geer may be one of my demons, but he is trying to destroy you with this spell…he is in turn trying to destroy me without realizing it. That is unacceptable.

"So you'll help me by turning against the loudmouth," E.N.D said, "but who's to say you won't do the same to me?!"

You have no alternative, the Other said wickedly, C'mon, embrace a little darkness. It'll do you wonders if you just open your mind a little to me.

"Don't listen to him," Natsu pleaded, "You can't trust him."

E.N.D was quiet for a moment.

"…Do it." His said finally.

The other began to chuckle in a menacing manner and he could sense Natsu's shock.

"I'm sorry Natsu, but I have no choice," E.N.D said, "…but don't worry. I won't let him get his claws into me."

We'll see about that, the Other said as he began to channel his power to E.N.D.

We'll see about that.

From deep within, E.N.D felt a new power course through his veins. It was intoxicating and overwhelming…it took everything he had to remain focused and not let the dark magic consume him. Focusing on his new power, he let it radiate out against the curse that had enveloped him.

He let the darkness…fight against the darkness.

…Overall, the entire exchange had lasted no more than a few seconds.

XXXX

The curse of Memento Mori fired off into the sky, the dark energies circling about it. The mages of Fairy Tail could only watch as E.N.D had been engulfed in the attack; seemingly disappearing.

"No," Gray whispered, "not again…not again."

"Natsu." Lucy said, tears brimming in her eyes while holding her hands up at her mouth.

A light began to flicker within the maelstrom, like the soft glow of a burning ember from a great fire. It flickered once…twice…thrice…before it blasted the curse apart in a tremendous ball of fire. The fire tore the curse apart in a beam of its own which roared high into the sky, causing the clouds to disperse and the sky to brighten if only for a moment.

The flames dispersed as falling embers, like that of a gentle snowfall, filled the area around the large crater that had been created in the ground. It was a perfect circle and steam radiated out from within. From their positions, the mages could see that the inside of the crater had been turned to glass which still glowed dully and hissed from the heat that had created it.

And kneeling on one knee in the center…was E.N.D.

"So Mard Geer was right," The demon king said as he walked up to the edge of crater, "you were powerful enough to survive."

He cocked his head slightly, an intrigued smile on his lips.

"And it appears your true form has returned as well."

Slowly rising from his crouch, the mages quickly saw what Mard Geer was observing about E.N.D.

His musculature seemed to have increased but not to the point where it was over the top. His hair was still salmon colored but was a slightly darker shade than it had been earlier with the blackened tips of his hair being more pronounced. His eyes were open this time and were still outlined in black, along with his eyebrows, but instead of the whites being black in color, the eyes simply glowed a fierce and penetrating crimson.

His skin was still its dark shade of red and still maintained its scale like pattern, but his horns had elongated, now reaching out past his temples by a few extra inches.

The armor now lacked it's brushed, black coloring and now sported an obsidian sheen to it. The armor was still on hands, forearms, collar bone, clavicle, shoulders, neck and spine, but was sleeker; more streamlined to the muscle underneath. But along with the existing armor, new additions had appeared on his ribs, forming a menacing cage like design around his chest. The jet black slacks which adorned his legs were baggier and had armored tasset's attached to left and right side of his heavy belt and were woven to the sides of his thighs. Armor similar to that which covered his arms also adorned his legs which now covered his knees, shins and upper half of his boots.

His heart still burned through his skin like a raging volcano.

The "E.N.D" tattoo and Tartarus emblem still remained in place on his shoulders but now overlaid the armor like a hologram.

The armor and maw which had covered his jaw and mouth were gone now. The face that everyone recognized had returned but his mouth was set in a firm line but the tips of his sharpened canines poked out from underneath his lips.

Two simple, bar like tattoo's lined his cheek bones and ran down the sides of cheeks in a reverse "L" shaped design, stopping at the edge of his jaw. His wings which were flared and stretched out, were still dragon like in form but were now colored a shade darker than the night itself. The wings lowered and then slowly moved to wrap around E.N.D's shoulders and cover his front and sides, similar in manner of that to a cape.

E.N.D briefly looked over his new appearance by flicking his eyes down and then back up to Mard Geer. The two starred each other down for what seemed to be an eternity. Mard Geer's smile had diminished with each passing minute and his eyes had narrowed in turn.

And then the corner of E.N.D's mouth quirked into a smile…just as his maw and armored jaw returned to form around his face in a series of rapidly forming pixels.

"Time to end this petty fight of ours Mard Geer; once and for all." E.N.D growled and dashed forward, charging Mard Geer as his wings unwrapped.

"NO!" Mard Geer cried out in shock.

Memento Mori was meant to reawaken his Master. He had expected his true form to return, but not for E.N.D to maintain his defiance. Without time to return to his true form, Mard Geer casted forth a series of vines in an attempt to hold off E.N.D.

E.N.D made no attempt to avoid the attack, instead taking it head on. The vines ripped into him and much to Mard Geer's surprise, E.N.D burst apart in a series of embers. The embers seemingly had a mind of their own as they rapidly circled behind Mard Geer and reformed E.N.D's right arm with equal speed.

It had happened in the blink of an eye-too quick for Mard Geer to respond-and just as he realized what was happening, the arm created a long double edged blade like the one that had been created earlier. With a swift but powerful thrust, the blade plunged into Mard Geer's back and exploded forth from out his chest in a geyser of blood.

XXXX

As if the violent contact had bridged a mental link between the demons, E.N.D found himself in an unfamiliar environment as he saw a menagerie of images pass his eyes. The destruction of the magic council, the killing of the former magic council members and the plans for FACE.

FACE…

Gasping in shock, E.N.D felt as if he had been sucker punched as the memory came to bare.

"I-I remember…" E.N.D said, his breathe hoarse in surprise, "I remember FACE."

"Yeah!" Natsu chimed in joy that his other half had finally remembered something but his tone quickly became grim, "It's really bad news! If it activates, it will destroy all of the magic in Fiore!"

E.N.D paused as he processed this newest development. What in the hell were these demons thinking, using such a weapon?!

Another series of images flashed before E.N.D…but they appeared as if streaming in real time; which E.N.D quickly realized they were. A timer was seen, the numbers falling rapidly, through the eyes of a dying demon.

"Kyouka…" Mard Geer said, his voice echoing weekly over the shared mindscape.

"Fear not…" the new, female demon said, "Magic will disappear from this world."

"Oh no!" Natsu said in panic, "FACE is going to activate!"

The timer continued to dwindle down rapidly; 00:60.

"Then let's stop it!" E.N.D growled and closed his eyes in concentration. He channeled his power and used his curse magic to quickly reach out into the mindscape, searching for any memory on FACE and how it worked.

00:50

Why do you persist in defending the humans!? The Other questioned, There is not enough time to stop the weapon from firing; leave them to their fate!

E.N.D furrowed his brow, continuing his search at an unhuman pace.

00:40

Accept the facts boy! The Other raged, You are out of time; magic will be purged from this wretched world and just like those humans, you are powerless to stop it from happening!

"No. I'm. Not." E.N.D said before letting out a cry of triumph!

At last he had found it; a memory detailing how face operated!

00:30

E.N.D's eyes snapped open and he quickly swiped his hand before him; a yellow hologram appearing before him and changing from light to a crystal like material. It was the controls for FACE; he now had direct access to the weapon via the mental link.

00:25

"Time's almost up; hurry!" Natsu panicked.

E.N.D's eyes rapidly scanned the controls. There wasn't enough time to launch a full shut down, however, he could stop FACE from activating if he disabled the Fire Control system.

00:15

E.N.D's hands were a blur as they raced over the holograms, trying every manner of code or combination that he had dredged up from Mard Geer's memories on how to stop FACE.

00:10

None of the codes were working; the weapon was too close to firing to be completely shut down!

00:05

"NO!" Natsu cried out.

Yes, the other hissed in sadistic glee.

00:04

For E.N.D, time seemed to crawl to snail's pace as he watched the numbers on the counter slowly change. There was no way to stop FACE in the conventional way…there just wasn't enough time. But just as quickly, a very unconventional though burned its way into his mind.

00:03

He formed his hand into a fist, focusing all of his strength into the appendage.

00:02

He snapped his hand back and plunged it forward with a mighty cry-

00:01

-and E.N.D's hand smashed through the fire control system, splintering it into hundreds of pieces just as the counter reached 00:00 and was followed by FACE: ON.

E.N.D came to a stop and all was quiet. He held his breathe, not daring to move or make a noise.

A minute passed by…then another…and another.

"Uhm…did it work?" Natsu finally spoke up, his voice hesitant.

E.N.D slowly righted himself and looked around the mindscape. Using Mard Geer's eyes, E.N.D got a peak into the outside world. Everything was the way he left it.

Mard Geer was still impaled on his arm blade.

The mages were still standing.

Nothing had happened.

A new hologram appeared before E.N.D and he let out an explosive sigh of relief.

FACE: ON…WANING: FIRE CONTROL HAS BEEN DISABLED, FACE HAS NOW ENTERED STANDBY STATUS

"…Y-you did it." Natsu said in disbelief, but E.N.D could sense the grin forming on the child's face, "Y-you did it…YOU DID IT!"

The other hissed and roared in fury but E.N.D paid him no mind; something that was getting easier to do.

"Yeah…I did it. FACE is still active but unless it can be fired another way…I don't imagine it will be a problem any time soon."

Natsu laughed in glee and E.N.D rolled his eyes in a good natured manner.

"C'mon…let's head back."

XXXX

With the braking of FACE's fire control, the mental link instantly broke from the two demon lords.

The whole event had lasted more than a few seconds on the outside world…but it had dragged on in the mental realm.

Regardless of the fact, FACE had been stopped. It was still active yes, but it would be unable to fire for the time being.

The plan concocted by the fearsome Demons of Tartarus had been foiled; by their own master no less.

Stunned by the sudden turn of events-both his impalement and the stopping FACE- Mard Geer felt his body begin to shake as he looked at the blade sticking out of his chest. The arm began to lift Mard Geer off his feet as the demon king coughed up a long stream of blood. The embers continued to reform E.N.D's body until he was once again whole. The demon silently regard Mard Geer, ignoring the blood the slid down his arm blade and dripped off his knuckles.

Mard Geer coughed violently and slowly looked over his shoulder, his eyes wide and confused.

"M-Master..." Mard Geer whispered, "W-Why?"

E.N.D narrowed his eyes and moved closer to his fellow demon.

"I'm not you're master." E.N.D growled, "And I never will be. Your plan failed Mard Geer…and now you will never harm anyone ever again."

And with those words E.N.D twisted his arm and ripped the blade free from Mard Geer, letting him fall to his knees before E.N.D placed his boot on his back and kicked him down to the ground. Mard Geer's body twitched once and then twice before he stilled, head on its side and eyes still wide. E.N.D exhaled deeply and closed his eyes, heating his arm so that the blood on it evaporated as the blade retracted back into the limb.

"Good riddance you son of a bitch." E.N.D said as he opened his eyes and let his wings form back around him like a cape.

He silently regarded demon as the breeze rustled his hair and wings.

"I…I wish you didn't have to do that." He heard Natsu, "I don't like the idea of killing someone."

It is what it is, E.N.D thought, he needed to die, and there is no other way of looking at it. If he didn't, FACE would have activated and a whole new kind of hell would have befallen us.

"Yeah but…" Natsu protested but E.N.D shook his head.

Let it go, he said, he's dead now and the mages are safe…your friends are safe.

"…They're your friends too." Natsu said after a pause, "They're our friends. We saved them together."

If only I could remember them. E.N.D thought before looking to the mages, who watched him wide and cautious eyes.

The blond girl, Lucy, was shaking slightly, eyes brimming with tears and hand clutching her chest. But most of all, it was her expression that bothered him the most. It was a mixture of fear, shock and sorrow. And in the deep recesses of his burning heart, it pained E.N.D to see that expression on her pretty face.

But for what reason, he did not know.

You're getting soft, thinking like that, the Other hissed, you should've let them die. You're better off without them…we're better off without them.

Piss off. E.N.D shot back with a mental reply, walking back to the mages.

He stopped when he got close to them, observing the assembled humans in front of him. They were battered, bruised, bloodied but otherwise were okay.

"You guys alright?" E.N.D asked, breaking the silence.

"…Yeah." Gray answered hesitantly, "We're…we're fine. Thanks to you."

E.N.D nodded and lowered his eyes.

"Mard Geer was in the process of activating a weapon called FACE right as I got to him." E.N.D said, shocking the mages.

"Oh no!" Levy said as her hands flew to cover her mouth.

"Damn it, the others must've been too late!" Cana said, running her hands through her hair in agitation.

"Mommy…Daddy," Asuka Connell said as she looked up to her parents, clutching Alzack's leg, "I'm scared."

"…Wait…what do you mean by "in the process?"" Juiva asked, cocking her head slightly.

"I was able to stop FACE from firing by digging into Mard Geer's head." E.N.D said as he made eye contact with Gray, shocking the mages into a stunned silence.

"You…you what!?" Gray said in disbelief.

"I stopped FACE from firing, just as I said. I was unable to stop it from activating, but I destroyed the fire control system and in turn put it into standby status. It can still be fired but unless there is another way of doing so, I don't see that happening any time soon. You have time to figure out how to completely disable it. You guys really dodged the bullet on this one; consider yourselves lucky."

The stunned silence lasted for only a heartbeat before the mages let out a series of overjoyed cries and relieved sighs. Many of the mages present hugged one another with the exception of Alzack, Bisca and Asuka. The gunslinger pulled his wife into a passionate kiss, before kissing Asuka on her forehead multiple times and then finally wrapping his arms around his wife and daughter in an equally passionate hug.

Sting and Rogue fist bumped with their good hands and let relieved smiles form on their faces.

With tears streaming from her eyes, Levy grabbed Gajeel by his cheeks and pulled him down into a kiss…a kiss which the iron dragon slayer returned with equal fervor. Neither one cared if anyone saw them.

Juvia threw her arms around Gray and the ice mage winced in pain. He did return her embrace however and slowly pulled back just enough to kiss her on her lips. E.N.D swore the water mage turned every imaginable shade of red and was certain she would have fainted had it not been for Gray's steadying hand.

Gray fully pulled back but kept one arm wrapped around Juvia's shoulder, holding her close-not that she minded-as he faced E.N.D.

"Thank you," Gray said, "Just…thank you."

"…Don't mention it." E.N.D replied with a shrug of his shoulders, "My ass was on the line too you know."

Gray chuckled.

"So how much time was left?" Gray asked and E.N.D averted his eyes, rubbing the back of his neck as he did so.

"You're better off not knowing." E.N.D said making both Gray and Juiva blanch in fear.

"That bad eh?" Gray said nervously.

"Aye." E.N.D replied and returned his gaze to the mages.

He could sense the relief and joy emanating from them…these familiar humans.

Familiar; there was that word again. It tugged at the threads of his memory but at the same time, it was something that seemed far out of reach.

E.N.D sighed and shook his head.

One problem at a time. He thought to himself.

Letting his eyes drift away from the mages, he slowly let them drift around in search of Lucy.

Soon enough, brown met crimson and the two held each other's gazes. Neither one spoke but E.N.D easily sensed the new tension in the air; it was different from the last time they had gotten close. E.N.D's gaze flickered to the still bleeding wound in Lucy's shoulder and the edges of his maw turned down in what was tad amount to a deep frown.

Carefully walking over to Lucy, E.N.D looked down upon the celestial sprit mage, noting the difference in their height. He then slowly raised his arm from beneath his wing with equal care, revealing the tips of his index and middle fingers to be a glowing red.

Lucy's eyes snapped to the glowing appendages in fear. He could sense her apprehension. After all, he had just run the exact same hand through Mard Geer minutes earlier. She had seen the damage he could inflict.

"Don't be afraid." E.N.D said, "Look at me…please."

Lucy slowly complied and saw that E.N.D's maw had faded away for the time being. The glow of his eyes had dimmed and his mouth was set in a gentle smile…well, the best that he could manage. It was Natsu's face…the face she could always count on to brighten her day.

"I'm not going to hurt you." E.N.D spoke, his voice a clearer blend between Natsu's and the demon that possessed his body. It was gentle, however, something that seemed out of place and character for one capable of such destruction.

With those words, E.N.D pressed his fingers to the wound in her shoulder and Lucy gasped, not in pain but surprise. His fingers weren't scorching hot as she had thought warm…like a heated compress. Slight wisps of steam radiated off the wound and when E.N.D pulled his fingers back, Lucy saw that the wound was sealed shut…with no evidence that it had ever been there. There was no scarring or burn mark; the torn flesh had been healed completely.

"Natsu." Lucy whispered as she looked to E.N.D, who had lowered his eyes as he returned his hand to his side.

Slowly, Lucy reached her hand up and cupped E.N.D's cheek, startling the rouge demon. He looked to the human with those wide eyes of his and Lucy realized how strange such a gentle gesture must feel to him…how strange her touch felt.

How strange contact with a human in general must have felt.

"He really has forgotten me." Lucy thought in dismay as tears silently fell down her cheeks. Lucy bit her lip as she tried to stem the flow of her tears but it was of no use.

"Natsu," Lucy croaked, "why did it have to be you…why did you have to change?"

E.N.D kept his eyes lowered, unwilling to look at Lucy. Once again, an unknown feeling made him shy away from the sight of seeing her in pain. He wanted to comfort her…to lift her spirits…but he didn't know how or why.

"I hate it when she's sad," He heard Natsu say glumly, "I don't like it when she's sad. I like it most when she smiles…when she's not sad…when she's not in pain."

"Why'd you have to change?" Lucy repeated, her voice breaking slightly, "You keep turning into something else before our eyes and there's nothing I can do to help you."

E.N.D locked eyes with her tear stained ones and couldn't utter a response. He didn't know what to say…how could he know what to say?

"I…I just want you back," Lucy sobbed, her pain finally spilling forth with her tears, "I just want you back Natsu."

It quickly became apparent to all those present, excluding E.N.D however, that there was an even more daunting challenge presenting itself; how to turn Natsu back to normal.

For the second time that day, E.N.D's mouth began open as if he were about to say something important to Lucy. He wanted to say her name…to say, "Lucy." He felt that if he did so, he would find a way to comfort her; this familiar girl before him, who filled the memories in the very back of his mind.

But it wasn't meant to be.

For once again, E.N.D was stopped in his musings as a feeling akin to liquid mercury running down his spine suddenly rocked his senses; a warning he had no doubt.

E.N.D snapped his head up in the direction the sensation was pointing him to and saw just in time a shape tumbling out of a cluster of clouds. His enhanced vision instantly discerned the object and his maw quickly reappeared around his mouth.

He then uttered one single word, "Dragon."

"What?" Lucy said only for E.N.D to step away from her and flare his wings out.

"Brace for impact." E.N.D said, right as the sound of what appeared to be a pained cry reached the ears of the mages before the ground shook beneath their feet.

About a hundred yards to the right of the group, a large plume of dust was rising into the air. It was obvious that something had crash landed there and that something was alive; given the pained groans and explicatives that were leaving its mouth. The dust quickly settled and revealed a dragon laying on its side, covered in a multitude of bleeding cuts and gashes.

A red dragon…a familiar dragon.

"Igneel!" Lucy gasped in horror.

"Dad!" Natsu cried out, "No!"

Dad!? E.N.D thought in confusion and surprise.

Igneel the fire king slowly pushed himself up onto his legs, his claws digging into the ruble and earth. He winced sharply when he tried to move his wings and found that his left wing had been broken in his fight with Acnologia.

"Damn it…" Igneel said through gritted teeth, "that bastard got me good on his last run."

He winced again, his stance faltering just for a second, before he became aware of the mages near him. Craning his neck as he turned around, the fire dragon was relieved to see that they were unharmed for the most part.

When he felt the energies of FACE begin to amass, he had feared the worse but just as soon as the magic had built itself up…it had paused, seemingly, and nothing happened after that. It didn't take a genius to know that something must have stopped it from activating. But, so distracted was he in his panic over face, he had failed to notice Acnologia moving in for the kill.

He had stopped The Black Dragon at the last second but the subsequent onslaught had left him heavily wounded while also costing him his left wing…which had resulted in his subsequent freefall. He had no doubt that the bastard was circling overhead, waiting to see if he was dead or not.

"Like a damn buzzard." Igneel growled as he looked from the sky to the mages.

It was then that he felt a presence he had not felt in ages. A familiar aura that only a certain foe had generated.

"It can't be," Igneel thought in disbelief, "after all this time."

His wide eyes quickly found the source of the presence; a demon with jet black wings in the shape of a cape and glowing red eyes.

"E.N.D." Igneel whispered.

Igneel the Fire King, the Other hissed in E.N.D's mind, that damn lizard is still alive after all this time. It was bad enough that I had to deal with him destroying my body in our last encounter but now I have to put up with him again.

"Sucks to be you." Natsu snickered, earning a warning growl from the other.

Igneel,E.N.D thought, the name causing his head to ache,

"Igneel…" He muttered as he absentmindedly rubbed his temple with his one hand.

It was then that said Dragon began to notice certain features about E.N.D. His height, the way his body was shaped…his pink hair color…his scent…his son's scent.

"No," Igneel thought in horror, "no, please, no! Don't let it be him; don't let it be my son!"

But the more he looked at E.N.D, the more he saw of Natsu in the demon. There was no denying it; E.N.D had possessed Natsu.

His beloved son had become his greatest enemy's host.

The thought made Igneel's blood simmer as his eyes glowed a fierce yellow in his anger. He promptly slammed his front claw down, causing it to break and shake violently.

Many of the mages lost their footing, but E.N.D held his ground and the fire dragon roared in sorrow and anger.

"E.N.D!" Igneel raged, "DAMN YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM?! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO NATSU?!"

E.N.D continued to stay put as the dragon lumbered forward.

"RELEASE HIM THIS INSTAT! RELASE HIM OR I WILL RIP YOU FROM HIM!"

But as the dragon continued forward, the wounds on his legs began to bleed even further, causing Igneel to falter in his steps before collapsing just a few feet from E.N.D. Still, he continued to struggle, a fierce glare in his eyes.

But there was something else in those eyes, E.N.D noted in surprise.

Tears, E.N.D thought, he's…he's crying.

Indeed, tears silently fell from the dragon's eyes as he panted in pain, but they seemed to go unnoticed by the dragon.

"Give him back," Igneel hissed, "give me back my son."

A memory flashed before E.N.D's eyes in that moment, causing him to wince sharply.

It was a memory of a large wing covering him from a heavy rain as he curled up next to the comfortable warmth the dragon generated.

"I remember…" E.N.D muttered as if a daze as the memories slowly came out from hiding.

He remembered the dragon before him teaching him how to read and write, about the world he lived in and faraway places.

About strength and the power of fire.

Of courage and friendship.

He remembered feeling safe with the dragon; knowing that no matter what, Igneel would always protect him.

But most of all, he remembered the one name he had always called the dragon by; the dragon who had taken him in and raised him as if he were his own flesh and blood.

Slowly E.N.D stepped towards the dragon who hissed in turn. But E.N.D wasn't deterred as he came within arm's length of the dragon. He then extended his right hand from beneath his wings and let it rest against the fiery warm skin of the dragon. Igneel twitched at the contact and E.N.D cocked his head slightly, his brow furrowing while his eyes glowed softly.

"Dad?" E.N.D said, startling Igneel.

Wide eyed the dragon could only gape as the demon closed his eyes and lowered his head in what appeared to be shame.

"I forgot about you," he said, his tone laced with pain, "I can't believe I forgot about you."

Despite the warping of E.N.D's words, Igneel heard a familiar voice none the less.

"Natsu?" Ingeel said, making the demon look to him with eyes filled with heart ache.

"Are you…are you still in there?"

The corners of E.N.D's maw turned up slightly in what appeared to be a sad smile.

The ground rumbled once more and the crashing of rock and debris broke the moment between father and son.

For having landed a short distance away from the mages, dragon and rouge demon, was The Black Dragon himself; Acnologia.

"Well, well, well," Acnologia said in sinister amusement, "what do we have here?"

He looked to the mages and then to Igneel.

"A bunch of humans who are too stubborn to die and an equally stubborn dragon," Acnologia sneered, "how pathetic."

"Acnologia." Natsu whispered, his tone guarded but filled with apprehension.

And so another pain in the ass decides to show himself as well, the Other said.

Who is he? E.N.D mentally asked as he observed the blue and black dragon before him.

"He's bad news…really bad news," Natsu said as he swallowed hard, "he tried to kill us all seven years ago and now he's back."

E.N.D noticed how tense Natsu sounded but did not voice his observation.

"And he's tough too," Natsu said, "really tough."

"So am I." E.N.D hissed.

Acnologia heard the faint whisper of the demons voice and turned his attention to E.N.D who noticed for the first time.

"Well, isn't this a surprise." The dragon said, his mouth turning up in sadistic grin, "It appears I didn't have to wake you up after all E.N.D when apparently you've come to me."

"You know who I am?" E.N.D questioned, slightly surprised.

"How could I not." Acnologia said, "I know all about the demons of Tartarus and their twisted devotion to Zeref. Even you, "Master E.N.D"."

E.N.D narrowed his eyes at the dragons mocking tone.

"I no longer nor ever had any allegiance to those fools." E.N.D growled, but Acnologia simply laughed.

"Allegiance or not, you are the strongest out of all of Zeref's demons. And now that you're here, you've made it easier for me to complete my endgame."

"What are you talking about?" E.N.D questioned, placing his hands on his hips.

"Once I defeat you, which I have no doubt I will, I shall absorb your power and combine it with mine. Once that is done, I will seek out Zeref himself and rip him to pieces; taking all of his power as well."

"What in the world could you possibly gain from doing that?" E.N.D asked.

"Power," the dragon said with a menacing grin, "absolute power-all the power I could ever want and more. With two of the greatest threats to this world purged from existence, my power-no, my rule-will go unchecked! No one will stand against me and I will finally be able to force humanity back to the groveling and sniveling worms that they are!"

Acnologia looked to the Fairy Tail mages, a sneer marring his features.

"Starting with those who have been a thorn in my side for far too long."

E.N.D let out a low, angered hiss as he clenched his hands until the knuckles and the bones of his forearms began to crack and pop.

"That's not going to happen." E.N.D said, his voice low.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Acnologia said, turning back to the demon, "You can't possibly think-"

The dragon of destruction was promptly cut off when E.N.D appeared before him and delivered a perfect, four knuckle strike to his snout, making him cry out and stumble back from the impact of the hit.

"Simple," E.N.D said, his wings keeping him in the air, "I'm going to kick your ass."

E.N.D flapped his wings and propelled himself forward with blinding speed before slowing himself down just enough to spin mid-air and deliver a perfect roundhouse kick to the side of Acnologia's head. The dragon was lifted off his claws and was sent careening into the ground.

Hovering, E.N.D looked to the mages and his father.

"Look after Igneel," he called out, "I'll handle him."

"Natsu." Lucy whispered in concern as she watched the demon fly off after Acnologia.

Igneel grunted, catching her attention. She turned to the downed dragon and the two locked eyes for the first time.

"It's nice to finally meet you Lucy Heartfilia," Igneel said, before wincing, "but I wish things were under better circumstances."

"…Same to you Igneel." Lucy said in awe before looking over the dragon's shoulder to see E.N.D reengage Acnologia.

"He's still in there." Igneel said, making Lucy look at him.

"What?" Lucy said.

"My son," Igneel said as he rested his head down with a tired sigh, "He's in there somewhere, I can sense him."

Lucy lowered her head, biting her lip.

"You care deeply for my son don't you?" Igneel asked, earning a nod from Lucy.

"With all my heart." She whispered.

"…He'll return," Igneel said as he raised his claw to gently caress Lucy's cheek, "one way or another; Natsu will return to us."

XXXX

Acnologia slid with his claws braced against the ground as he took the brunt of another spin kick from E.N.D. Although he appeared unaffected by the attacks, the dragon was loathe to admit that the attacks carried a good amount of weight to them.

It was something he found rather unacceptable to be honest.

No one was top dog but him and he refused to let a single demon get the best of him.

"You're going to have to do better than that E.N.D!" Acnologia roared as he fired his Dragon's Roar at the demon.

E.N.D evaded the magic blast as it cut its way through the air before diving down to the ground, wings swept against his body. He flared his wings at the last possible second as he reached the ground and soared up at the dragon, coming in fast and low.

He delivered a jarring uppercut that sent Acnologia's mind reeling. Not finished with his attack, E.N.D formed a lance of fire in his still outstretched hand and tossed it Acnologia only for the dragon to block the attack with his wing. The lance erupted in a burst of flame but seemed to have little affect against Acnologia. The dragon lowered his wing, glaring at E.N.D and the demon knew he was about to be in for some serious hurt.

The dragon flared his wings and sprung up from the ground, charging E.N.D with equal the speed he had been using.

"Oh, damn it." Was all E.N.D could say before he hit by Acnologia's outstretched claw.

E.N.D was snapped right to the ground, cratering the ground on impact but landing in a crouch. With ringing ears, Natsu began to rise but was knocked back down when Acnologia smashed his claw down upon him; pummeling him into the earth.

Again.

And again.

"How dare you strike me!" The black dragon raged, "How dare you strike me you insignificant little worm! Me; Acnologia the Black Dragon!"

The claw then wrapped around E.N.D, lifting him up as he let out a low groan as he was brought to the dragon's eye level.

"You don't deserve to even be acknowledged by me…to think that you have the audacity to challenge me is insulting."

The dragon squeezed E.N.D who began to push back against the dragon's grip, becoming aware of his predicament.

"Ah, a fighter to the end." Acnologia sneered, "You've incurred my ire E.N.D…it takes a lot to do that. The last time that happened, I thought I had obliterated those insufferable mages from existence. I won't make the same mistake again."

Acnologia grinned a wicked grin.

"I will give you a relatively painless death…relatively." The dragon said before he opened his mouth, put E.N.D on his teeth and snapped his jaw shut.

E.N.D's hands suddenly shot up and caught the attack, stopping Acnologia's bite and causing the jaw to tremble and he rose up to his feet. Acnologia growled in anger and E.N.D let out a similar growl.

"No way in hell am I turning into your lunch!" E.N.D hissed. There was no way he was going to be eaten and if he had to push back until the dragon's jaw broke, then so be it.

But Acnologia had other plans.

Without warning, E.N.D found himself flat on his chest, dangling from Acnologia's lower teeth, courtesy of the dragon's tongue-of all things-knocking his legs out from under him. With his mouth free, Acnoloiga promptly snapped his mouth closed…and bisected E.N.D across the middle.

As his legs and torso fell, E.N.D was then spat out by the dragon just as his lava like blood began to spurt freely from his two severed halves. Barely conscious, he could just make out the sound of horrified screaming coming from Igneel and the Fairy Tail mages; Lucy's being the most prominent.

With a meaty smack, E.N.D hit the ground with his eyes rolled up into his head. A pool of steaming lava rapidly pooled under bisected body while Acnologia cackled in triumph. He then loomed over E.N.D, looking down on him.

"And now to make sure you stay dead." Acnologia said as he opened his mouth, charging his dragon's roar to maximum power, placing his claw down over E.N.D to hold him in place. But as soon he made contact with E.N.D he felt the sensation-a very powerful sensation-of curse magic flicker across his senses.

E.N.D's head snapped up so that the two made eye contact; E.N.D's glowing furiously as equally glowing cracks formed and spread out from the corners of his eyes. His eyes flashed and a concentrated beam of energy was fired from the two organs with a high pitched cry. The laser hit Acnologia directly in his left eye, interrupting his attack and making him cry out in agony; his claw releasing E.N.D and snapping up to clutch at his eye.

Freed from his oppressor, E.N.D pushed himself on his hands, eyes glowing once more as he fired off a second blast from his optical laser.

"I'M A' FIRIN' MAH LAZER!" Natsu excitedly called out in his mind while the Other let out both a pained and annoyed groan.

Oh spare me, he grumbled.

Said laser struck Acnologia in the chest and knocked him onto his back, flailing about while letting off obscenity after obscenity. The black ichor that had reattached E.N.D's arm earlier sprung forth from his gaping wound and quickly sought out his lower half. Grabbing his lower torso and legs, the two halves were quickly reattached with a hiss of steam as E.N.D pushed himself up and onto his feet.

He winced, clutching his stomach.

"That was too close," he said as he watched Acnologia continue to curse and clutch his now bleeding eye, "too damn close."

As strong as that attack was it seems to have had little effect on the bastard, the Other said, we'll have to try something else…something that will put us on equal footing.

I'm well aware of that, E.N.D thought, question is what and how? Oh, and for the record; there is no "we." There's just me and the kid.

The Other growled but held his tongue.

"Look, he's getting up!" Natsu said, catching E.N.D's attention.

Sure enough, Acnologia was pushing himself up with his one front leg and two hind legs. He pulled the other front leg away from his bleeding eye, noting the glistening and sticky liquid that coated his palm and leaked from his still smoking eye socket; the eye completely vaporized.

Acnologia snarled before, teeth clenched together before tossing his head back and letting out a roar of anger so powerful that both the air and ground seemed to shake from the dragon's fury.

"I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU E.N.D!" Acnologia roared, "I'LL SPILL YOUR GUTS ALL ACORSS THE LAND AND BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD! THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT, YOU HERE ME!? NOTHING!"

"Well he's certainly pissed." E.N.D said as he cracked his neck.

"How are we going to stop him now!?" Natsu asked, "There's no way we'll be able to take him on now!"

Natsu was right. In his rage, it was most certain that Acnologia would unleash all his power to kill him; and he doubted he would be able to fully recover from the dragon's revenge fueled counterattacks.

The boy is right, the Other said, as things are, we will not last long. Our only hope would be to bring another dragon into the conflict, for only another dragon can kill a dragon…but as far as I can see, the only ones on hand are Acnologia and Igneel. As much as it pains me to admit it, his assistance is needed; but I doubt he would last long given his current condition.

E.N.D was quiet as he watched Acnologia begin to turn and face him, albeit slowly.

Another dragon, E.N.D mused.

As his mind raced for alternatives to his current problems, E.N.D remembered something that had gone unnoticed in his previous attacks. In order to charge and fire optical lasers, E.N.D was forced to tap deep into his power; into power that had been buried by his transformation and newfound power.

As he had gathered that power, he thought he sensed a power that was separate from the power of Igneel that still resided within him.

It almost felt like…another dragon.

Natsu, E.N.D asked, when I was charging my power, I thought I felt the presence of another dragon in some of that power. Can you explain that?

"Other dragon?" Natsu replied, "The only dragon's power that I have was given to me by Igneel and…" But his tone quickly died down, almost as if he was realizing or remembering something.

"Wait…Wait a minute," Natsu said his tone picking back up in strength, "I remember! Back during the Grand Magic Games I ate some of Atlas Flame's fire! I ate the fire of a dragon! I just didn't think any of that fire was left; I thought I had used it up."

Atlas Flame, E.N.D thought, are you sure of that?

"Yeah! He and Igneel are best friends so that makes him my uncle!" Natsu said with pride.

"Then that's good enough for our needs." E.N.D said as he closed his hands into fists and pressed them against each other; closing his eyes in concentration.

"But Atlas Flame is dead," Natsu said, "How can he help us? Last time I checked it's, like, impossible to bring back the dead."

E.N.D focused his power and called forth a curse of great power from the recesses of his mind. He then slowly raised arms before him, hands open and palms out flat. Slowly, a series of glyphs and sigils appeared around him, glowing dark shades of red, purple, green and blue. An intricate circle quickly formed beneath his feet as it emitted a slowly brightening glow.

"Oh believe me kid," E.N.D mumbled as his eyes snapped open, glowing a brilliant red, "there are plenty of ways to wake the dead. For even the tiniest trace of magic can retain the memories and power of its wielder."

The circle continued to glow in intensity as did the glyphs and sigils. A cold breeze suddenly manifested with a sound akin to the whispering of voices; many voices, all that one time.

"Curse Magic," E.N.D said, "Necromancy."

The breeze turned into a powerful wind, the voices continuing their unending calls and chants.

"I call you forth from the netherworld to do my bidding on the field of battle. I call forth strength and power, your body and soul; I call you back to the world of the living."

The glow of the circle and symbols had become almost blinding. The ground had begun to tremble slightly as the wind continued its ghostly calls.

"Return from whence you came; Atlas Flame!"

And for a moment, everything stilled. And then, in flash of light and roar of fire, the ground beneath E.N.D shattered to pieces as a brilliant geyser of flame erupted from the earth. But E.N.D didn't mind as he rose steadily from his spot, he could take the heat.

The fire billowed and swirled but soon enough, it began to take on an animalistic shape; the fire having taken a life of its own. First came the body, then the front legs followed by the wings. Then came the tail and wings which were flared as if ready to fly one more. And then finally, amongst the flames at constituted as a head with burning horns of flame, a face appeared. The eyes were narrowed and the grin was jagged but wide.

Once again, the Flame Dragon-Atlas Flame-had returned to the world of the living as he let out bellowing roar.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Atlas said, as he took in his environment, "Where am I and what in the nine hells is going on here!?"

The dragon felt something land atop his head and he craned his neck to get a better look. He soon saw E.N.D looking down upon him as the demon offered him a small wave.

"Who are you?" Atlas hissed, "The last thing I remember is being sent off to paradise after I had that talk with Igneel's boy about E.N.D. And now I'm here, not dead and certainly not in the afterlife."

Atlas's eyes narrowed.

"Your aura is familiar…diluted by the darkness of a demon, but none the less…Natsu?" Atlas said in confusion.

"Natsu is that you?"

E.N.D shook his head.

"No." E.N.D said, "Natsu is apparently the name of my host body. My name is E.N.D."

"E.N.D!" Atlas said in shock before his flames crackled and flickered in fury, "You damn demon; what have you done to him!?"

"Calm down dragon, I mean you no harm," E.N.D said, flaring his own, more powerful aura, "Natsu is tucked away somewhere inside of me, but he is a constant presence in my mind none the less. Concentrate your magic and I'm sure you'll make some form of contact with his magic."

"I think I'll do just that." Atlas said skeptically.

He focused on the demons aura, who willingly toned it down to make Atlas's search easier. At first, Atlas found nothing and he began to suspect that E.N.D was bullshitting him when he sensed it. It was like the flickering flame of a small candle, but he sensed it none the less.

A very familiar magic; a very familiar soul.

"Hi Uncle!" The soul called out jovially in child's voice.

But there was no mistaking it…the soul was Natsu's. E.N.D had been telling the truth.

"Why have you summoned me demon?" Atlas asked, eyes narrowed in skepticism.

"…I require your help with a certain…problem." E.N.D said.

"What kind of problem?" Atlas asked and E.N.D simply pointed forward; right as a very angry voice called out.

"E.N.D!" Acnologia raged.

Atlas's head snapped to the source of the voice, a stunned look gracing his burning features. He blinked once, twice and then thrice, before his already present grin became even further wicked.

"Ah," Atlas said, "I see, so that's your "problem"."

"What is the meaning of this E.N.D!?" Acnologia barked, "Why is Atlas Flame here!? Explain yourself!"

"Atlas Flame has been resurrected for the time being to help me kick your ass into oblivion." E.N.D stated, causing Acnologia to let out a humorless laugh.

"Stop me, one of my own kind? I fail to see the humor in this." Acnologia sneered.

"You were never one of us Acnologia," Atlas Flame said, making Acnologia glare at the other dragon, "you were never a true dragon."

"What did you say?" Acnologia hissed, "How dare you question my right to bear the name of dragon!"

"The power given to you was a gift from those who swore to protect humanity," Atlas countered, "You were a human who gained too much from the blood of those who called you friend; a human who became too self-absorbed and arrogant in his never ending lust for power!"

"Humans a weak, simple creatures whose sole purpose is to serve us!" Acnologia snapped, "They don't deserve to live freely in a world that was rightfully ours to begin with!"

"No Acnologia, they do." Atlas said, "Our time has long since passed. The age of man began the day we chose sides in the Dragon Civil War. And I will not let the sacrifices of my brothers and sisters come to waste after all this time due to the power hungry, arrogant piece of shit that you have become!"

Acnologia growled deeply and squared his shoulders.

"And in order to achieve that, you are willing to be put under the thumb of a mere demon?" Acnologia hissed.

Atlas's eyes narrowed.

"It is true that E.N.D summoned me back from the grave, but I do this of my own volition this time."

Atlas took a stance similar to Acnologia's.

"I've waited three hundred years for this day to come Acnologia and I sure as hell am not going to turn down the opportunity to deliver the ass kicking you so rightfully deserve. It's time that the shadow of the Dragon Civil War be vanquished…prepare to experience the fires of hell."

The two dragons glared down upon each other.

"Then Atlas Flame…let's bury the hatchet into each other and settle this once and for all." Acnoloiga sneered.

"Ladies first." Atlas quipped as E.N.D leapt off the dragon's head, taking to the air.

With two mighty roars, the dragons charged one another.

XXXX

Atlas Flame collided headfirst into Acnologia, pushing him back as he dug his hind legs into the ground while his front claws grappled with Atlas Flame's. The Black Dragon open his mouth and bit down onto the fire dragon, ignoring the searing heat that filled his mouth as Atlas roared in anger.

Atlas flame in turn used his right wing to smash into Acnologia's face, releasing the bite as the dragon used his Flame Dragon's Roar at point blank range. The jet of molten hot fire burned and seared Acnologia's armored skin and just as he was ready to retaliate, E.N.D came swooping in-flaring his wings out-and drop kicked Acnologia atop his head, snapping it to the ground.

Atlas Flame in turn smashed his claw down atop the fallen dragon and proceeded to violently drag Acnologia across the ground head first in a grinding motion. The ground suddenly disappeared in brilliant burst of light, sending Atlas back as Acnologia freed himself with his own dragon's roar. He then fired the attack again, striking Atlas in his side and tossing him aside.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Acnologia roared as he pounced onto the flame dragon, his claws ripping into the living flames. Atlas violently struggled beneath Acnologia as the black dragon moved his claws to grip his jaw and neck in a twisting manner; trying to break Atlas's neck.

"A little help would be appreciated!" Atlas said through clenched teeth in pain.

E.N.D came swooping in once again but Acnologia anticipated the attack and fired his dragon's roar at the demon. E.N.D dodged the attack, dropped to the ground and broke out into a mad dash. He then leapt into the air, spinning as he did so and delivered two rapid but punishing tornado kicks to Acnologia's ribs; knocking him off of Atlas Flame just enough for the dragon to elbow Acnologia off of him.

Atlas then inhaled deeply as the flames on his body began to glow brilliantly in color. He then released his super charged flame dragon's roar which summarily exploded on impact with the dark dragon. Stumbling back, half his body on fire, Acnologia was unprepared for Atlas's fire spin which barreled down on him from the previous attack.

The two dragon's collided and Acnologia was sent careening back, rolling end over end before coming to a stop.

"Did you stop him?" E.N.D asked as he hovered next to Atlas Flame, carefully watching the downed dragon.

"Stop him?" Atlas said, shaking his head, "No; more like knocked the wind out of him."

With a series of guttural growls and snarls, Acnologia pushed himself up and glared at the demon and dragon.

"I'VE HAD JUST ABOUT ENOUGH OF YOU TWO!" Acnologia roared.

"Oh boy, he's pissed." Atlas said, letting out a low whistle.

"Tell me about it, why do you think I summoned you?" E.N.D said as he formed two blades from his arms.

Acnologia let out a low growl before looking slightly off in the direction of Igneel and the Fairy Tail mages, a gesture that went unnoticed. He let a small grin form on his mouth before he charged up a dragon's roar. When it seemed like he was about to fire on Atlas and E.N.D, he snapped his head to the left and fired in the opposite direction.

"What the hell!?" Atlas said in surprise, following the attack.

E.N.D quickly realized where the beam of energy was heading, however.

"The others!" E.N.D cried and immediately flew off after the attack. Racing parallel to the attack, wings swept close, as he frantically thought of a way to stop the attack. The distance was closing fast and as E.N.D drew closer, E.N.D saw a shocking sight; Igneel was moving to shield Lucy with his body-they had no time to escape the attack. Just like the other mages.

"Dad!" Natsu cried out, "Lucy, no!"

There was no way he would reach them in time. E.N.D decided to take a drastic measure, not really knowing if it would kill him or not. He put in a burst of speed and sped ahead of the attack, back facing the mages and Igneel-right hand balled into a fist as he focused his curse magic into his hand. He intercepted Acnologia's dragons roar in a flash of light and a tremendous explosion that shook the ground beneath those below.

Igneel continued shield Lucy who had covered her face with her arms but the moment the explosion erupted, she looked past her limbs to see E.N.D spiraling out of the smoke and crashing down a few feet away.

"Natsu!" Lucy called out in a panic and ran over to the fallen demon despite the protests of Igneel.

She slid to hers knees, next to E.N.D as the demon let out a wheezing series of coughs.

"Oh man," E.N.D coughed, "that was stupid on so many levels."

His body was burned badly as smoke drifted off his charred skin. Lucy was relieved however to see that the damage was healing however, albeit slowly.

"You idiot," Lucy said in both frustration and relief, "what were you thinking!?"

"Thinking?" E.N.D said as he propped himself up, "That's debatable."

Lucy let out a sigh and shook her head.

"Don't scare me like that anymore…I nearly lost my mind when I saw you get bit in half back there."

"…Sorry…" E.N.D said as he lowered his eyes, "…Lucy."

The celestial spirit mage's head snapped up, eyes wide.

"What did you just say?" Lucy whispered in disbelief.

Before E.N.D could answer, Atlas Flame came crashing down to the earth as he was hurled over the two mages. A massive claw then swept down over Lucy and backhanded E.N.D away with a solid "thwack" as the demon let out a surprised cry, while another claw slugged Igneel in the face.

The claw that had hit E.N.D came back and before Lucy could scramble to her feet to run, she found herself in a vice like grip as she was brought face to face with the dragon that had haunted her nightmares since Fairy Tail had returned from Tenrou Island; Acnologia.

The dragon squeezed her even tighter, making her cry out in pain as a demented grin split his face.

"If you so much as scream for help, I'll squeeze you till your head pops off like a dandelion."

He then faced the other mages, who were frozen with fear.

"Same goes for the rest of you damn humans!" Acnologia snarled.

E.N.D, who had been buried in a pile of rubble from the hit, numbly dug himself out and fell to his hands and knees, looking up at the dragon who held Lucy hostage.

"That animal!" Natsu snapped, "No one touches Lucy like that and gets away with it!"

For a child, E.N.D could feel the weight of the desperate anger coming from his words. It was this anger, the power of the emotion itself, which spurred forth a memory-just like before.

"If you so much as lay a finger on Lucy, I'll crush you! You hear me!?"

And then another one.

"Natsu," Lucy said, her voice laced with sorrow as tears ran down her face, "Does magic only cause sadness, is that really true?"

He was quiet…but shook his head in response.

"If magic is what made me cry," Lucy sobbed as she stepped forward into his awaiting arms, "there's got to be a way…it can make me stop crying to."

"At the very end, Éclair was smiling." he said as Lucy pulled back, her sobs continuing to wrack her body.

"…She was." Lucy said.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice gentle with a soft, comforting smile, "we're all in this together."

He then pulled Lucy into an equally comforting hug as the spirit mage continued to sob against her best friend.

E.N.D clutched his head, gasping sharply at the memory.

"Lucy…" E.N.D said through his strained voice.

"C'mon Lucy, let's go on a job today!"

Lucy…

"Geez Lucy, why are you acting all weird again?

Lucy…

"Hi Lucy, sorry about the door again but me and Happy were really hungry and it wasn't locked so…"

Lucy…

"We'll always be friends Lucy; I promise."

Lucy…

Lucy…

Lucy!

With a shuddering gasp, E.N.D's eyes began to widen as he clutched his head against the splitting pain.

He remembered now…he remembered her; how on earthland could he ever forget Lucy!?

Rising to his feet, hands balling at his sides while his breathing became deep and ragged in anger, E.N.D let out a deep, rumbling growl from deep within his chest; his glowing crimson eyes glaring up at Acnologia.

The dragon saw E.N.D rise and grinned wickedly as he held Lucy up for him to see as Acnologia increased his grip. Lucy let out a strangled scream of pain as she desperately gasped for air.

"Try anything E.N.D and I'll make sure she pops like a melon." The dragon sneered.

"…Let her go you ugly motherfucker." E.N.D growled as the air around him began to waver from the heat he began to generate.

His left hand suddenly sprung open as a large, angular, diamond shaped shield formed on his arm. The arm was raised in an equally rapid manner and E.N.D squeezed his hand shut; launching the front half of the shield from his arm like the broad head of an arrow, a long chain trailing behind it.

The shield piece had traveled too fast for Acnologia to respond and within the fraction of a second, the metal weapon lodged itself in his claw; right between two of the knuckles and digging deep between the muscle, sinew and tendons of the claw.

Acnologia cried out in pain as E.N.D drew the chain taught and pulled the dragon forward with inhuman strength. With his muscles straining and veins popping from beneath his steaming skin, E.N.D snapped the dragon forward and tossed him over this shoulder; the chains connecting the two never breaking.

The action caused Acnologia to let go of Lucy as he was tossed and slammed onto his back. E.N.D launched himself into the air and caught Lucy before she could even hit the ground. Landing back on his feet with Lucy cradled in his right arm, E.N.D retracted the blade and chain as it returned back into his arm.

Lucy coughed and gasped as she took in desperate lungful's of air.

"It's okay," E.N.D said gently, "I got you don't worry."

"N-Natsu?" Lucy said she coughed, eyes blinking open.

"It's okay Lucy, you're safe now." E.N.D said, just as Acnologia recovered and righted himself up.

"YOU!" The dragon roared, his wounded hand continuing to spasm, "BY THE TIME I'M THROUGH WITH YOU, YOU WILL SCREAM FOR DEATH TO CLAIM YOU!"

The dragon charged forward but E.N.D simply narrowed his eyes.

"I don't think so." He whispered as Acnologia suddenly found himself stopped in his tracks; by Igneel and Atlas Flame.

The two dragons had recovered from Acnologia's previous attacks just in time to see E.N.D immobilize the dark dragon. Waiting for the right moment, the two dragons independently blindsided their foe-eyes glowing fiercely. Igneel came in low, his right hand grabbing Acnologia by his neck and forcing his head to be bent back-his jaws snapping wildly- while his left claw dug into his lower back. His mouth then latched onto his right wing. Atlas Flame had attacked from above by pouncing onto Acnologia and attacking his left wing in a similar manner to Igneel while his claws tore at the dragon's armored skin.

Natsu used his wings to fly back to the mages and gently set Lucy down next to Gray and Juvia, who quickly tended to their friend.

"I'll be right back." E.N.D said, stepping a few paces forward before bending down into a runner's stance.

"This will be over soon."

Igneel and Atlas Flame's assault was nearing its bloody conclusion. The two dragons were merciless in their attacks as Acnologia's armor and skin was ripped and torn-the dark dragon powerless to properly retaliate as he howled in agony. Then, with his wings still in their mouths, Igneel and Atlas Flame pulled in opposite directions; ripping the wings from Acnologia's back as he screamed in pure agony. Blood arced into the air as the dragon began to stumble about in his pain induced delirium.

With Acnologia open for an attack, E.N.D sprinted low towards the dragon as he moved in for the kill.

Power sliding to a stop directly beneath the dragon, the soles of his boots grinding into the dirt, E.N.D outstretched his right arm as the forearm turned into a single, massive and jagged blade. He pivoted upwards on his heel and snapped his arm out, punching through the armor of Acnologia's chest and piercing his heart.

"Go to hell where you belong Acnologia." E.N.D said through clenched teeth as blood spilled down his arm blade while he forced the blade further in.

Acnologia's jaw dropped open in a soundless cry, his remaining eye widening in surprise and pain, while his body started twitching spastically. Blood leaked from the wound in his chest and from his open mouth, as E.N.D twisted the blade and ripped it from the dragon. Acnologia staggered on his legs for a second before he leaned to his side and collapsed; dead.

The Dark Dragon, Acnologia, had been defeated. After three hundred years, his reign of terror had come to an abrupt and violent end.

E.N.D let out a tired sigh and reformed his arm and hand, the blade merging back into the armor. His wings slowly closed around him reforming his cape as he looked up to Atlas Flame, who silently looked down on Acnologia's corpse.

"Atlas Flame," E.N.D spoke up, catching the dragon's attention, "I thank you for your help in this battle…I release your soul back to the netherworld."

The dragon nodded with a small grin as his body began to fade away in series of particles of light.

"Anytime…Natsu." Atlas said.

And then he was gone; returned to the afterlife.

"Goodbye…brother." Igneel said as he closed his eyes and lowered his head in respect for his old friend. He sighed in a deep, sad manner and looked to E.N.D.

The two held each other's tired gazes for a tense series of moments before Igneel inclined his head in a nod. E.N.D returned the gesture.

"You alright?" E.N.D asked.

"I've been better…you?" Igneel replied.

"Much better now that Mard Geer and Acnologia are dead." E.N.D said, but sighed, "But I'm tired…so tired."

With those words, he spun on his heel and made his way back to the mages while Igneel limped behind him. E.N.D was silent as he finally returned to the others and vice versa for the mages. No one dared to speak. But then again, they didn't know what to say either. The mages were no strangers to violence but seeing what E.N.D had done to Acnologia had unnerved them slightly and made them wonder if Natsu was still in the demon somewhere…or if he was beyond all help now.

E.N.D looked to Lucy who was back on her feet and approached her. Before Lucy could so much as speak, E.N.D opened his wings and raised his arms…to take Lucy into a gentle hug. His left hand cupped the base of her skull while his right fell to the middle of her back, pulling her close to him. His wings then gently wrapped around the two as E.N.D sighed deeply, his maw disappearing from his face once again.

"I forgot about you," E.N.D spoke, his eyes glowing softly but distant, "Just like my dad…I can't believe I forgot about you."

"What?" Lucy whispered.

"But I remember you now…" E.N.D said, "And I don't intend to let you or the memories we share slip away from me again."

E.N.D exhaled deeply, pulling Lucy just a little bit more.

"I'm sorry, Lucy." E.N.D said, making Lucy gasp.

His voice. It was no longer the blend between voices that it had been. It still possessed an echo to it…but it was Natsu's voice none the less.

Lucy felt tears begin to run down her cheeks at the sound of hearing her beloved friend's voice.

"Natsu…" Lucy choked out as she buried her face into E.N.D's neck, "Natsu."

E.N.D closed his eyes, letting Lucy cry against him.

Igneel and the mages who witnessed the scene before them couldn't help but smiles that brightened their faces. They smiled at the tender scene between the two friends, who were reunited after the nightmare they had all just endured. But most of all they smiled in both realization and hope. Realization that Natsu, despite having been transformed into E.N.D, was still somewhere in the demon….and there was now hope of returning him back to normal.

Gray winced slightly when a buzzing sound, like static, filled his ears and he instantly recognized it as Warren's telepathy. He placed his index and middle fingers to his temple and opened the mental link.

"Warren!?" Gray mentally called out, "Is that you!?"

"Gray!" Warren said in relief, "Thank Mavis you're alright, I've finally managed a good connection!"

"Same to you Warren, same to you." Gray replied, "What's your status?"

"I'm with Master Makarov and Master Mavis, we've found Mirajane and Erza along with the Exceed; they're in rough shape but they're alright."

Gray let out a sigh of relief.

"Hang on, I'm going to switch you over to Master Makarov." Warren said.

"Gray, you there?" Makarov asked, the telepath seamlessly changing from one person to the other.

"Right here old man," Gray said, "everyone is present and accounted for. You are not going to believe what I have to tell you."

"There's no tome for that Gray; we were too late to stop FACE and I fear that it could go off at any moment. We have to link up and find a way to stop it."

"Uhm, Master," Gray said, "the only reason FACE hasn't gone off yet is because it's been put into some sort of standby mode."

"What; how!?" Makarov asked.

"I'm not sure how but Natsu was able to stop it from firing. He said FACE is still active but until otherwise it can't be fired."

"Oh thank the Gods," Makarov said, his relief obvious, "Of course that brat would find a way to stop it. We now have something to work with. Warren has locked onto your location and we are heading your way."

"I'll let the others know. Also sir, Mard Geer and Acnologia are dead…Natsu…he defeated them."

"How!?" Makarov asked.

"I'll explain when you get here…you have to see for yourself." Gray said, his tone becoming somber.

"Gray what's wrong?" Makarov asked.

"You just have to see it for yourself Master." Gray repeated.

"…Alright Gray…we'll be there soon. Oh! I forgot to mention, Wendy and Carla met up with us a few minutes ago; they're alright. We also have some mutual friends who have arrived to back us up."

"Who?" Gray asked.

"You'll see soon enough." Makarov asked, "For now, it appears the fight is over…we can start to focus on stopping FACE and rebuilding what has been lost."

"Amen to that Ma-" Gray said but was abruptly cut off when a feeling similar to the coldest ice water running down his back cut into his senses. The chill was carried into a breeze that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere.

And then there was a feeling-an aura of magic-that screamed dread; absolute and pure dread.

Turning his head to the source of the sensation, Gray froze in place as his eye began to slowly widen in horror.

"Master…" Gray said aloud, swallowing hard, "I think…I think we have a new problem."

The other mages and Igneel were in similar states of shock and horror as they realized what, or rather, who they were staring at.

He was a young man, with short black hair that drifted in the breeze as did the white toga and red and brown robes that covered his body. He had a small but relieved smile on his face.

"Hello E.N.D…" he spoke, "or should I say; Natsu?"

E.N.D, who still held Lucy close, unwrapped his wings from her and slowly turned to face the newcomer who had spoken his name. Lucy did the same and she gasped in shock.

"It's been a while hasn't it?" The newcomer said.

Slowly, E.N.D raised his arm to shield Lucy as he uttered the name that instantly came from the back of his mind. Together with Natsu's, the Other's, and his voice combined, a single name was uttered.

"Zeref."

XXXX

A/N: DUN-DUN-DUN! Well folks, one hell of a chapter completed!

So folks, what do you all think of this one? It was a doozy to write but I think I was able to pull it off. Mard Geer and Acnologia are dead but now Zeref has made his appearance. I have one question; after what I just wrote…how in the hell am I supposed surpass all of this in the next chapter!?

*sighs* One bridge at a time I guess.

All right people, here's what's going to happen. Next week is finals week for me here at college so I'll be busy studying and then I'll also be packing up to head home for winter break (one-month of no college; yeehaw!). I will be writing in between that time but as to how far I'll get with my stories, I really can't say. I will say that despite exams and studying, I am going to try and update both Into the Fire and Kids: Knight's Tale sometime during the week. If not, expect them to come out the week before Christmas. I'm halfway through with them but between this story, college and everything else, I just haven't had time to work on the two. I still have my train of thought for the two stories, so don't worry!

I will update, I can promise you all that.

But until then, hopefully this will hold you over until the next update or when I get to my other stories.

…And in regards to the whole "Firin Mah Lazer" business in this chapter…well, I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Next time; CHAPTER 3: Zeref

As per usual, if you guys have any comments or questions, please put it in your review and I'll make sure to respond to you in the next chapter. If you have anything else that you wish to ask me or clarify, you can PM me and I'll do my best to respond ASAP.

Until next time; read, review and most importantly of all, HAPPY READING! And if I don't update this story beforehand, I wish you all a very merry Christmas!