"They're gaining on us!"
"I see them!"
The demons were relentless in pursuit of their prey. Hideous and snarling, the beasts' eyes held a blank window into their hollow souls. They had no sense of right or wrong. No feelings of empathy or pain. All they possessed was a desire to eat. An innate need to rip, tear, and rend the flesh of whatever was unfortunate enough to cross their path. Hunger and death were their only reasons for being.
Their current targets were two young girls. One with magenta hair. The other dark green. They desperately raced through the long dead remains of East Forest. Their legs moving as fast as they could to stay ahead of the monsters behind them.
The smell of dead animals and decaying plants filled their nostrils, but they ignored their overwhelming urge to retch and kept moving forward. Just a bit farther and they would reach town. The barrier would protect them.
"I can see Magnolia!" The first girl pointed.
The demons snapped at the girls' heels as the ruined town grew in the distance. The girl with dark green hair grabbed the pistol from the holster affixed to her hip. Once her weapon was loaded, she turned and faced the demons.
"What are you doing?!" The magenta haired girl asked.
"What's it look like?! I'm giving them something to snack on!"
SPARK SHOT
The girl pulled the trigger and magic circles appeared in front of the demons. In an instant the beasts were struck by jagged bolts of electricity. When their twitching bodies fell to the ground, the two girls were able to safely reach town.
"Gabriel!" the magenta-haired girl shouted to the heavens.
A section of an invisible barrier opened wide enough for pair to enter. As soon as their feet touched the dirt of the city limits, the door instantly closed. The demons – having regained feeling in their bodies - attempted to attack again, but as soon as they touched the barrier their bodies burned away in a white flash of light.
The magenta haired girl sighed in relief. "That was close. I thought we wouldn't make it. Are you ok, Asuka?" she reached for her hunched over companion but her hand was quickly swatted away.
"Don't touch me." She said forcefully.
"S-sorry."
"Let's just get these supplies back to the guild." Asuka rose up and walked ahead into town.
"Alright." Aura nodded and followed.
"We're back." Aura announced as she and Asuka entered the Fairy Tail guild.
"Welcome back." Lisanna smiled from behind the bar. "How was the supply run?"
"It was going fine until we passed by a summoning script on the way back. We nearly ran all the way from Shirotsume with demons on our tail."
Aura placed her full backpack on the bar counter.
"You both made it back safely. That's what's most important."
Asuka placed her bag on the counter next. Without breaking her stride she walked to the stairs.
"Asuka, do you want something to eat?" Lisanna asked.
"I'll pass."
"Ok…"
Aura sighed as she watched the girl ascend the stairs.
"Still hates you, huh?"
Aura and Lisanna heard the dull thumping of metal on wood and looked to the library door. The pair watched Cana approach the bar with a playful grin on her face.
"Cana, that's rude." Lisanna chided as the brunette sat on a stool. "Don't worry, Aura. Asuka just needs some time. She'll come around eventually."
"Yeah…I guess so." Aura said flat. She then looked to Cana. "Where are the others?"
Cana pointed her thumb to the library. "In a meeting."
"Then why aren't you down there?" Lisanna inquired.
"I got bored. After a while you just get tired of hearing the same thing over and over again."
Aura couldn't help but agree. Day after day. Month after month. Year after year. It was the same thing. Bring peace back to the world. The plan was always the same…unfortunately so were the results. Failure. How long could they keep going like this?
"What else can we do?" Lisanna sadly asked. "Trying to make things better is the only thing that keeping us sane."
"Maybe for you." Cana countered. "Booze usually does the trick for me. Speaking of which…"
Lisanna rolled her eyes and filled a mug with beer. She slid it over to the fortuneteller.
"Thanks. Wanna sip, kid?"
Cana held up the mug to Aura, the metal half of her right arm peeking from between her glove and shirt sleeve.
"I'm still too young." Aura politely declined.
"World's ending, kid. No better time to start a new hobby." Cana took a drink from her mug.
"You're back!"
The trio saw a young woman walk down the stairs with a bright smile on her face.
Aura focused on the woman's dark blonde hair for a brief moment, taking notice of the pink streak going down the side.
"H-hi, Uriel." She greeted.
"How was the mission?" the jovial young woman - now known as Uriel - sat very close to Aura. "Find any bad guys?"
Aura scooted over to the next stool to give herself some distance.
"We were chased by some demons on the way back."
"Oh how fun! Anyone die?"
"No."
"How about serious injuries then?"
"No. We came back just fine."
"Oh poo." Uriel pouted. "How boring." She turned her attention to Lisanna. "Lizzie, can I have a sandwich please? Extra pepper sauce."
"I'll have it out in a moment."
Lisanna nodded and busied herself in the kitchen.
"Shouldn't you be securing the barrier?" Cana asked Uriel, not looking away from what would be her third drink.
"It's fine." Uriel waved off. "Gabe created a doppelganger to tide things over while I came down here." She stretched her arms overhead. "It gets so stuffy in that room, ya know? I don't know how those two can stand it. I like to stretch my legs every once in a while. Oops." Uriel looked down to her legs dangling over the side of the stool and smiled innocently. "Poor choice of words." she giggled.
The other three weren't amused by the joke.
"Have you spoken to Juvia?" Cana asked.
"The water girl? I don't think so. She's still locked away in her room, right? I don't think she likes people very much."
"Maybe she just doesn't like you."
"Entirely possible, but it's not like we can change the past now can we?" Uriel shrugged with a wide smile.
"Here is your sandwich."
Lisanna placed the plate of food before Uriel.
"Thanks, Lizzie!" Uriel crammed the sandwich in her mouth, much to the surprise - and slight disgust - of Aura. "I'll see you guys later~!" she sang with her mouth full. She skipped back up the stairs, nearly tripping when she reached the top.
"I'm ok!"
"She really is energetic." Lisanna said.
"Must be easy when you're joyriding in someone else's body." Cana said curtly.
Lisanna's face fell. "Cana…"
"Don't mind me. I'm just drunk."
Aura rested her chin in her palm, watching as the clock behind the bar slowly ticked away. According to the time it was well into the evening - not that one would automatically know because of the pitch black skies.
"Sissy…?" a small voice called out.
A little girl - no older than five or six - with deep purple hair groggily walked to the bar, moaning as she rubbed her eyes free of sleep.
Aura hopped down from the stool and knelt in front of the girl.
"Rosemary. Were you sleeping?"
The little girl nodded. "I heard you talking, and I came out to see you." she wrapped her arms around her older sister's neck. "Welcome back, Sissy."
Aura smiled and hugged her back. "Thank you."
The two walked to the bar, Aura placing Rosemary on the stool next to her.
"Hello, Rosemary." Lisanna greeted with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"
The child nodded, her face slightly hidden behind her older sister's shirt.
"Do you want something to eat?"
Rosemary nodded again.
"Then I'll make something for you, ok?"
"Ok." Rosemary muttered.
In a few minutes time Lisanna placed a plate of pasta and a glass of juice in front of Rosemary.
"Here you go."
"What do you say, Rosemary?" Aura prompted.
"Thank you, Ms. Lisanna." Rosemary timidly said.
"You're very welcome, sweetie."
The library door opened and out stepped the council. Headed by Jellal: Jura, Rogue, Laxus, Master Bob, Ichiya, Lucy, Levy, and Hibiki all filed out of the room. From the solemn looks on their faces, not much had been accomplished during the meeting. Though that really wasn't anything new.
"Looks like they're finally done." Cana noted.
"Daddy!" Rosemary jumped from the stool and ran to Jellal, attacking his leg with a tight hug.
"Hello, Rosemary." Jellal chuckled, lovingly patting his daughter on the head. "I see you had a nice rest."
"Mhm!" the child happily nodded. "I woke up when I heard Sissy's voice."
"Oh? Aura's returned? Where is she?"
"Over here."
Aura raised her hand and Jellal looked to the bar. When he saw her he smiled.
"Welcome back."
"Thanks."
"Where's Asuka? I thought you two went on the supply run together."
"She went to her room."
"I see."
"Where's Mommy?" Rosemary asked.
When Erza emerged from the library, Rosemary's eyes lit up.
"Mommy!"
Erza smiled warmly at the girl.
"Hey, Mom."
Erza watched Aura approach and smiled at her as well. "Welcome back, Aura. I trust the supply run went well."
Aura nodded. "Yeah. We got everything on the list."
"Good. Did you encounter any resistance along the way?"
"A few demons, but it was nothing we couldn't handle."
"That's good to hear. I'm sorry. I wish there was another way to get what we needed without putting the two of you at risk."
"It's ok." Aura reassured. "I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to do. Besides going outside the city once in awhile lets me hope that not everything is bad…"
Erza smile wilted a little when she looked at her eldest daughter. "I promise things will be better soon."
"Yeah…I know." Aura nodded, her eyes now on the ground.
"How about we spar for a little while? It's been some time since I've tested your skills."
"Ok." Aura accepted.
"Excellent." Erza smiled. "Go to the training area. I'll meet you there shortly."
Aura nodded and walked out of the guild hall.
"Are you sure sparring is the best thing right now?" Jellal asked Erza.
"We don't have much time left." Erza answered sternly. "We have to know that she is ready when he comes."
"She's just a child, Erza."
Rosemary tugged on her mother's cloak. Prompting Erza to look at her.
"Yes, Rosemary?"
"Is Sissy ok?" she frowned.
Erza knelt down to her daughter's level. "Yes Aura is fine. She's just a little sad."
"Why?"
"It's complicated." She placed her hand on Rosemary's head. "Now why don't you let Daddy give you a bath and tuck you into bed, ok?"
The child shook her head in refusal. "I want Sissy to tuck me in."
"Ok we'll get her to tuck you in when she and Mommy are done talking. Is that ok?" Jellal offered.
Rosemary accepted this compromise with a nod.
"Good girl." Erza kissed Rosemary's forehead and waved as she and Jellal walked up the stairs to the bathroom. When they were gone her face hardened and she faced the door.
"Lucy."
The blonde walked to Erza. "Yes? What is it?"
"Can you check on Juvia? Lisanna said that she hasn't been eating lately. I'm starting to get worried that she's falling back into old habits."
"Ok." The short-haired blonde nodded.
"Check on the angels as well. I want to know the status of their spell. Take Levy and Hibiki with you. They seem to get along with them well enough."
"Right."
"Thank you."
Lucy gathered the pair and the three were soon on their way up the stairs.
"Laxus. Jura. Can the both of you check around the town perimeter for any weaknesses in the barrier? I want to know just how those demons managed to enter the other day."
"As you wish." Jura bowed his head.
"Got it." Laxus said.
The pair walked out of the guild.
"Is there anything you need me to do, Erza?" Rogue asked.
"Yes. Rest. You're still hurt from the battle with Franmalth."
"Right." The white shadow dragon slayer accepted. "Sorry for being such a burden."
"You're not a burden in the slightest." Erza reassured. "We just need you at full strength in case there is another attack."
"As you say." Rogue bowed his head and walked to his room.
"Cana, can you give me a forecast for next week?" Erza asked.
"On it, Boss." Cana saluted.
"Thank you. Lisanna?"
"Yes?" The barmaid answered.
"See if you can contact of Cobra and the others. An update on Tartaros' forces would really help us right now."
"I'll see what I can do."
With that Erza thanked Lisanna and walked out of the guild.
Aura sat in the dirt as she waited for her mother at the training ground - formerly known as South Gate Park.
Having grown bored, she started drawing in the dirt with her finger. Having already drawn both herself and her mother, Aura put the finishing touches on a third face. A man with spiky hair. When she saw her mother finally arrive, she quickly wiped away the caricatures with her hand and stood up.
"My apologies for taking so long." Erza said. "There were a few things I had to take care of."
"It's ok." Aura replied. "I know how busy you are."
Erza summoned a sword in her hand. "Are you ready to begin?"
Aura slowly unsheathed Archenemy and readied herself for battle. "Whenever you are."
Erza narrowed her eyes and dashed forward, Aura quickly following suit.
Inside the newly constructed Plutogrim, a lone man sat upon a throne. He looked to the dark sky above his throne, trying his best to remember what color it used to be. Red? No. I think it was…yellow? No that doesn't sound right either.
"Master."
A woman entered the chamber and knelt before the man. Her head down to the ground.
"Keyes has reported." she said. "His forces have successfully quelled the rebellion in Pergande. Ishgal is now completely under our control."
"Hey, Kyôka..." The man began. "What color was the sky before I woke up?"
"This one believes it was blue, Master." the demon answered.
"Really?" his face twisted in displeasure. "That doesn't sound right. You sure it wasn't orange or something?"
"Master, did you hear what this one said earlier?"
"Yes. I heard you. We conquered Pergrande, right? Good."
"Yes, but…there is still the matter of Magnolia."
"What about it?"
"The resistance there is still strong. They have as recently as yesterday stolen supplies from one of our storage outposts again."
"So we're missing a few things we had too much of. It's nothing to worry about. Magnolia is no threat to us."
"But, Master…"
"If I said its fine then its fine, Kyôka." He said firmly. "Unless there something else you would like to say."
"Well, it's just-"
"Spit it out."
"This one – as well as a few others – believe that you are purposely ignoring Magnolia for reasons other than you say."
The man's eyes narrowed and slowly the room started to heat up. "And what do you believe my reasons are?"
Kyôka was starting to sweat from the humidity. "Popular consensus is that you are refusing to quell the resistance there because you still have ties to-"Before the demon could finish her sentence, she was grabbed by the neck and lifted into the air.
"Go on." He prompted as he squeezed Kyôka's neck, her feet dangling just above the ground. "Finish your thought. Who do I have ties with?"
Kyôka struggled to breathe in her Master's grip. His touch was starting to singe her neck.
"Oh I'm sorry. Were you finished talking? Then allow me to allay all of your concerns. My reasons for not crushing Fairy Tail are my own and no one else's. We will get rid of them when I see fit and not a moment sooner. Do you understand?"
Kyôka nodded and was dropped back to the ground. She gasped for air on her knees, her neck still burning from her Master's grip.
The man returned to his throne and sat down. "You may go now. Oh and tell Sayla the next time she sends demons without my permission we will have the conversation that you and I just had. Only hers will not end with a warning."
Kyôka stood up and bowed. "Yes, Master E.N.D." she rasped. With that she exited the throne room.
Etherious Natsu Dragneel looked back up to the sky, his head resting comfortably on his hand.
"Blue, huh?" a sinister grin slowly stretched across his face. "It looks much better black."
A little bit of a detour here. I'm having a bit of a block right now with how to proceed with the drabbles without spoiling too much of the main story so I decided to do things a little bit different for a couple of chapters (2 or 3 at the most). Basically I thought, "What if Natsu had become END in 7 Years and Counting? What would happen to the world?) So instead of just making it another story, I just decided to add that random idea to a couple chapters in this story.
Don't worry this is still about Natsu's family, just a different version of them. The next chapter will explain some of just what happened when END awakened...and who survived.
Leave a comment letting me know what you think, and thanks for reading! :)
P.S. I know some of you will be upset about the whole Jerza thing, but don't worry it will be explained and it doesn't have much bearing on the mini-arc. SO don't hate me too much.
