Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima

ACT III: Crossroad - Where demons roam

Approximately X793

Chapter 10: Round 1, fight

It didn't take long for the small group consisting of Lucy, Erza, Gray, Wendy, Carla and Happy to form a plan, that would be set in motion, when the celestial mage had recovered from Zeref's attack.

The plan was rather simple and was basically in two parts. First they would divide into two groups, where one team would function as an infiltration team, while the other would serve as a distraction. Since Lucy was the bookworm in their group and was still slightly fatigued, they decided she and Happy would be the ones who would sneak into the guild, to try and search for vital clues, that might help when they were dealing with END. Happy was with Lucy both for moral support, but also to provide her with a way to escape, just in case they needed to flee.

Other than that they were counting on using Lucy as a trump card, that could possibly be used to appeal to Natsu's rationality, since he still though the celestial mage was dead.

While the infiltration team did their work, the other members would use their strength to take care of the fodder while Lucy and Happy hopefully found vital and useful information.

In the meantime Natsu managed to get back to his guild, but it wasn't a happy reunion as some might expect...

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Natsu sighed heavily as he slammed the door behind him.

In all honesty he sometimes hated his guild members. Truly and honest to god, they could be so annoying and incompetent.

Groaning he massaged the bridge of his nose, before walking over to a chair, he leisurely sat down in.

Seriously why did they always fuck things up, whenever he wasn't around?

Of course they had tried to revive him, but that wasn't an excuse! A lot of members was killed in the process and he would not accept that! No he actually cared about his guild and the death of his members made that quite evident.

Natsu groaned loudly as he recalled his discussion with Igneel about values. Back then the dragon had tried so hard to teach him, that there was more to life than death and honestly in that moment the demon had to agree with the dragon, because there truly was more in his life that was worth living and fighting for, other than his one goal to kill Zeref.

Tsch! That was why he had to beat Jackal to a pulp. That fucking dumbass...

Okay, so maybe he had lost control when that happened, but it was Jackal's own fault for taunting him by saying that the dead members wasn't a big deal.

Ohhh well, Natsu used the opportunity to let out some steam and release some of the madness, he had tried so hard to suppress when he was fighting his former friends.

And it felt ohhh so freakishly good!

His eyes flashed in an ominous colour as he looked out of the window.

Even though he had just unleashed his powers, it wasn't enough to soothe the anger that was still prickling underneath his skin, making him feel restless and angry.

Well the fact that his guild only contained of five members was one thing, that fuelled his anger, another thing was how his comrades attitude towards him.

Jackal... well he was obviously an idiot and always had been, so that didn't surprise him.

Tempester seemed indifferent to the world around him, because he yet again lost his memory after Lamy revived him. Of course it wasn't Tempester own fault but it was still infuriating, that he acted like nothing mattered to him. That sort of attitude was the worst, especially because it reminded him too much of how he acted when he fought against Igneel.

"Idiot.." Natsu gritted his teeth hard against each other.

Okay so back to the remaining members of his guild.

Another one who was alive was Torafuzar and actually he was the only person Natsu could relate to, because even though he acted stoic, he actually took pride in being a part of the guild. And that in itself was enough for them to share some sort of mutual respect, but other than that they weren't really close. No, it wasn't like they were best buddies or something like that.

Seilah was also alive but she was always so quiet and spend her time in solitude. Obviously she was moaning the loss of Kyôka, which was okay with him if it wasn't for the fact that she never said or did anything, without looking like she herself was dead to the world. That he nor could or would accept, because it was pointless to be consumed with self pity. After all it wouldn't bring the lost members back going around crying about it.

The last member was Lamy... Dear fucking god, she had amazing and convenient powers, but because she had an unnatural interest in men, she was constantly trying to flirt with him.

And holy shit girl, he wasn't interested in touching her butt!

Some members were gone or missing like Yakdoriga and Franmalth. Well some said they had seen Franmalth alive, but he didn't care what happened to him, since he didn't have the guts to stay at the guild and wait for his return. Yakdoriga was more or less Kyôka's pet and always kept to himself in the dark, so he didn't really know or cared what happened to him. If Kyôka was there then maybe he would pretend to be sad about it, just to make her happy.

Natsu exhaled loudly as he looked out the window at the ruins, that was left of his guild. Honestly he didn't mind that much about the collapsed buildings. He actually thought it was kinda funny that it was his former self, that took part in destroying it.

Speaking of destroying things, he really wanted to unleash his anger and go on a rampage.

A chuckle escaped his lips, that soon turned into a hysterical laughter.

Yosh, better get the insanity train rolling, before I end up smashing this place.

His eyes widened and sparkled in an ominous colour, as he got into a standing position, where he stood stretching his muscles, making some of the bones in his body crack.

"Ahhh, that's the spot!"

He went over to the wall and stared at a huge old fashioned mirror that was hung up on it.

"Ohh hello there you handsome demon!" Natsu winked at himself and smiled widely, revealing all of his glistening teeth.

"I'm the maaaaan!" he flexed his arms "A manly man! Ha!"

Awww yeah this felt good.

Grabbing a piece of cloth, he started polishing his horns.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most dashing of them all... me?" he blinked a few times before he pointed at himself "Me? Naaaw... really? Well thank you mirror, I think you're quite pretty too!"

When he finished polishing his horns he started waving with the piece of cloth.

"Help!" he squealed trying to portrait a girlish voice "I'm a beautiful girl who has been captured by a foul demon!"

"Heeey" his tone lowered considerably as he crocked an eyebrow, trying to look charming "Don't you think I'm a pretty demon? Aren't I the bomb, if ya know what I'm saying?"

"Ohh! Well yes!" Natsu said in a high-pitched voice and wiggled his butt "You totally are!"

"Well then..." he rested his forearm against the mirror and looked intensely at himself "... do you believe in love at first sight, or do you want me to walk by a few more times?"

"WAAAH!" he screamed in his fake girlish tone and pointed at himself "mister demon sir that is uncalled for!"

"Ohh really?" his voice was hoarse and low "You know what you look tired, you should go rest in my bed..." he winked teasingly "... the heat isn't on, so I'll make sure to keep you warm tonight"

The laughter that escaped the demon was almost deafening, making the muscles in his stomach ache from the sudden outburst.

When the laughing stopped he once more looked in the mirror. After a moment not doing anything he used both index fingers to pull his lips to the side before sticking out his tongue and wiggling with it.

He had a nice tongue meant for licking things... like food, walls, people, mirrors, potatoes and weird shit like that...

A hysterical laughter escaped his lips as he felt his anger starting to evaporate, meaning he had managed to suppress it for now.

"Ohh?" he crocked his eyebrow and glared at his claw like hands more thoroughly "These thing? Yeah they're kinda neat right? Sometimes I get a manicure with the ladies... it's like" his smile widened "like totally girls gone wiiiild, haha!"

Natsu giggled as he spun around on his heels "Being so beautiful is a curse in itself"

Exhaling he went over to his bed and fell backwards, making him crash loudly on the bed.

"Yeah it really is..." using the tip of his claw he started poking his nose.

Natsu laid there for a while just staring at the roof, with narrowed eyes and a bored expression, when he heard a loud crash

"Ohhh?" the demon sniffed a few times and smirked to himself "Seems like entertainment is delivered directly today. How fortunate, I wonder how I should tip the delivery guy" chuckling to himself he made his way down towards the yelling sounds that was becoming more dominant.

Yosh, time to paint his guild a new colour! After all he had always liked the colour red...

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Lucy and Happy made their way into the guild, without getting noticed.

The search went by in silence, since they didn't want to catch any unwelcome attention.

After a while they entered a room, that looked a lot like a library and hopefully it contained the answers they needed.

"What do you think we should search for?" Happy asked while turning his head to take in the surroundings.

"I'm not sure" Lucy answered and unconsciously rubbed her arms "Lets just see if anything stands out"

"Aye!"

They searched the place trying to ignore the sounds that was coming from the outside, from what they knew were their friends fighting.

"Lucy come look at this!"

"What is it?" she quickly made her way over to Happy who was staring into what looked like a photo album, only it wasn't pictures but drawings. Well it would have to be, since the events in the drawings happened a long time ago.

"What..?" Lucy's eyes widened when she looked at it.

A lot of the pictures contained the members from Tartaros, evidently having a nice time at what looked like a party. It was kinda weird seeing that, but it shouldn't surprise them that the dark guild did other things than seeking their master or find ways to kill Zeref. After all they were living beings, who needed entertainment once in a while.

"Ohh..." Happy's eyes widened when he saw a specific picture in the book.

"I... no way" Lucy gasped in surprise.

"... aye..." the cat gulped.

In the picture END or Natsu and that Kyôka demon was sitting beside each other, looking really happy about something. It looked so normal and almost cute the way Natsu had one of his arms wrapped over the other demon's shoulder, looking at her like they were sharing a unique moment.

What the fuck?

Lucy clenched her fist not sure how she felt about that. Angry, bitter, jealous...

"Cute isn't it?" a voice said from behind them, making them flinch in surprise and quickly spin around, to face whoever it was.

"All though such a handsome dude, shouldn't be hugging her" Lamy placed her hand on her forehead and looked serious "Not when I'm around"

"... what?" Lucy narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah he should be hugging me" sparkles was suddenly emerging from the girl "Especially because I'm sure he's totally fab, when it comes to kissing" she looked serious again "That's why he's mine, you ugly bitch"

"You..." Lucy's voice was dripping with anger.

"She doesn't look like his type though" Happy said to Lucy, hoping it would soothe the celestial mage.

"Uh-huh" Lucy jumped backwards and raised her key "Open, Gate of the Bull. Taurus!" she then pushed the key against her chest "Stardress, Taurus form"

"Mooh!" Taurus roared and took a second to glare at Lucy, hearts spawning in his eyes.

"Not now" Lucy sighed impatiently.

"Ohh?" Lamy smirked and wiggled her butt "He looks tasty. I guess I'll eat him, when I've messed up your ugly face"

"I don't have time for this!" the blonde raised a clenched hand and before Lamy got a chance to respond, she was hit directly in her face. The power behind the attack was so strong it made the demon airborne, where she was greeted by Taurus's axe, who sent her flying in another direction.

"Me too!" Happy summoned his wings and collided with the poor girl, directly in her stomach.

"Ugh!" Lamy moaned when she hit the wall and glided down on the ground, where her body started twitching before going limp.

Evidently the combined attack, was enough to knock the girl unconscious. Which was kinda neat!

"Talk about being the strongest team, huh?" Lucy laughed as Happy came over and gave her a high five.

"Aye!"

"Mooh!" Taurus clenched his fist and cheered as well.

"Okay, let's see if we can find anything in here" Lucy said while turning around and to her surprise they weren't alone.

"Zeref!" she gasped in horror.

"I can assure you, that you won't find anything here" the dark mage smirked.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, a sudden chill running down her spine.

"I wanted to thank you" his smile widened "Your role in this is far from finished"

"What?" Lucy narrowed her eyes and grabbed the handle of her whip.

"You'll see" Zeref raised his hand and before the celestial mage had a chance to do anything, everything turned black.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Gray watched as Erza barged into the guild and a second later their group stood, waiting for what might happen next.

It didn't take long before they heard the sound of footsteps and out emerged a certain pink haired demon, who was clapping for some reason.

"Guests!" Natsu laughed as he licked his lips "How excellent!"

"Tsch!" the ice mage snorted "Guests my ass, you know this isn't a social visit"

"What the heck is going on?" Jackal grumbled and scratched his neck, when he saw the intruders "You guys?!"

"Now, now don't be rude" Natsu smirked "After all these guys might provide us with some fun"

"As if" Jackal yawned loudly,

"Shut the fuck up!" the former Dragon Slayer snarled "Or I'll take care of you myself, before taking care of these guys. Aaaanyway!" he turned his head towards the group "Who will fight me, huh?"

"Let's get this over with!" Erza unsheathed her sword and rushed towards Natsu.

"You? Why doesn't that surprise me" the demon's eyes flashed red in amusement and shortly after that the two of them engaged in battle. It didn't take long before other fights started as well, since the rest of Tartaros joined in on the fun all of a sudden.

Knowing that time was of the essence, Gray didn't waste ponder about it but quickly summoned his Demon Slayer powers, before he dodged an attack from Torafuzar.

"We don't have time for this" he flicked with his wrist "Instantaneous Freeze"

As the name says, the ground around him froze the same instant, consuming the four demon's bodies in ice.

"Now Wendy!"

"Okay" the small girl took a deep breath her cheeks bulging "Sky Dragon's Roar!" the attack hit the demons head on, shattering the ice, that had contained them. In the meantime Gray had created a huge sword, which he raised above his head, before he started slashing the paralysed demons.

A moment later the enemy or fodder, was lying unconscious in a pile on the ground, eyes twirling from the sudden defeat.

"Nice done Wendy" Carla was in her human form and smiling towards the girl.

"Thank you" the healer smiled brightly in return.

"Come on you guys we don't..." Gray because in the corner of his eyes he spotted a flash of scarlet, that was sent flying.

"Erza-san!" Wendy screamed and ran over to the woman who was struggling to get up, but nonetheless did. In the short amount of time she had fought the demon, she had received a horrible amount of wounds and bruises.

"I'm fine..." the woman panted in pain and grasped her right arm, where a huge wound was bleeding profoundly "... tsch!"

"Ahh come on, don't you tsch me?" Natsu came strolling casually, a big cocky smile on his lips "A little more scarlet looks good on you, don't you think?"

"You fiend" Erza snarled as she summoned her Flame Empress Armor and in a quick movement grasped the hilt of her sword.

"Snap out of it already!" Gray roared as he sprinted over to the demon, leaping into the air to gain more momentum, for when he smashed the sword against his opponent.

Chuckling the demon easily sidestepped away from the attack, making the ice mage skid when he landed on the ground again.

"I'll support you" Wendy motioned with her body before casting the spell "Arms!"

Both Erza, Carla and Gray felt how the spell increased their power level.

"Thank you" Erza said before letting out a battle-cry and storming up to the battling duo "Hah!" she slashed with her sword, but Natsu bend his knees, making the sword glide through thin air above his head.

Taking this as an opportunity Gray brought down his sword in a straight line, hoping to catch the opponent while he was sitting down, but unfortunately Natsu managed to dodge that as well, as he sidestepped away.

"Well, well..." the demon chuckled "... look who's mister popular now. Ha! And I don't even have to strip, like someone else I know..."

"Shut up!" Gray snarled and tried slicing him again, this time however instead of dodging Natsu caught the sword with his hand.

"All though I don't mind being popular, this is getting old" a sad smile was playing on his lips, as jerked the sword out of Gray's hands and he send it flying in Erza's direction.

Gray, Wendy and Carla watched in horror as the sword pierced the woman's stomach, making blood sprawl in a sickening way.

"Shit!" Gray snarled but fortunately Wendy was quickly by the mage's side and started healing her.

Carla was frozen in her spot and stared at the scene. It was all too terrifying, that she had lost her ability to move.

"Ohh my... now why would I do something like that, huh?" the demon laughed hysterically, his eyes glistening with amusement.

"Because you're a fucking lunatic!" Gray spat in anger.

"Maybe..." he tilted his head to the side and raised an eyebrow "... or maybe I'm being clever since I just took out the rest of your team"

"What..."

"It's only you and me now, my super best friend in the world!" laughing he pointed in his direction "Old paaaal, old chuuuump!"

"I told you not to call me that!" fuming with rage the ice mage dove into the fight again head first.

"Ahhh, what's the matter? Don't you like me any more?"

"I said..." the ice mage growled "... to shut UP!" he flicked with his wrist "Instantaneous freeze"

Ice shot up all around them, leaving huge mountains of ice around them.

Chuckling the demon spawned his dark flames, which easily took out the ice that was coming in his direction.

"Ohh..." Natsu smirked "... you're trying to redecorate my guild now, huh?"

"Tsch!" Gray snorted impatiently.

"Or were you trying to get me to chill? Wait, wait, wait!" he frantically waved with his claw like hands in front of him "You wanted me to freeze? Well I can do that!"

Natsu raised his arms up into the air, sucked in the air making his cheeks bulge before he stood perfectly still.

"Damn, your puns are even worse than they were before" Gray's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

"How can you say that?" Natsu sniffled theatrically and glared at the other mage with huge puppy dog eyes.

"... what...?"

"Ahhh!" the demon dramatically placed his arm on his head "You hurt my feelings bro and now I'm gonna cry"

"... what?!"

"Gray-san it's rude making your opponent cry" Wendy shook her head in disapproval.

"I agree" Erza also shook her head.

"What the heck?!" Gray's eyes bulged in surprise "Don't tell me you bought that piece of crap?!"

"Does..." the demon sniffled profoundly "... does this mean you're breaking up with me, honey?"

"What's wrong with you?!" the ice mage said in outrage.

"You totally are aren't you?" Natsu turned around so his back was towards the group "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to my room and have a mental breakdown"

"Like heck you are! Come back here!"

"You..." he peeked over his shoulder "... you want me back?"

Gray moaned profoundly "That's not what I..."

"Thank you!" the demon launched himself and the next second he was firmly hugging the ice mage against himself "I knew you wouldn't give up on me so fast! Old buddy"

"Nnngh!" the ice mage was frozen stiff in shock, especially when the opponent started rubbing his chin affectionately against his head.

"Such a beautiful story" Erza beamed proudly.

"You... you think so?" Wendy smirked, and doubted whether or not the woman had hit her head.

"Well I guess that's enough of that..." Natsu stopped the hug and took a step backwards.

"Uhm..." Gray stuttered still feeling uncomfortable.

"I guess it's time we get serious" he brought his hand up to his neck and snapped it to the side making it crack loudly.

"Yes" the ice mage immediately got into a fighting position.

"After all" the demon cracked his knuckles "I would be a pretty bad guild master if I didn't punish you, after the things you did. Besides..."

All playfulness was gone from the demon that same second, as his eyes flashed red with something ominous and lethal. It was almost like a predator, who had spotted his pray and was ready to go in for the kill.

"Besides ...?" Gray asked, not sure if he wanted to know.

"... you're partly to blame for her death..." the demon whispered in a low inaudible tone.

"What did you say?" the ice mage asked, since he couldn't hear what the demon had said.

"And that.. is unforgivable.. yes... I let it slip that time, but now..." the demon clenched his hand as black flames started engulfing it "... now I want to unleash it... yes... to make you pay, for everything"

"What?" the ice mage asked as he watched how the black flames grew in intensity, before spreading out and covering the demon's body.

"I'm sorry..." Natsu chuckled darkly "... but the fun ends here" his eyes sparkled revealing his hidden anger momentarily, before a high-pitched and ear deafening scream escaped from the demon.

It was a dreadful sight, making the ice mage freeze in horror as he watched the demon transform.

At first Natsu's horns became slightly bigger in size as they started to stretch backwards. While this happened red and black scales started to appear cross his skin, covering him like a protective layer.

There was a nasty ripping sound making a painful scream escape from the demon, as something started to emerge from the demon's back and soon a pair of black and red wings unfolded behind him.

"No..." Gray gulped and felt a shiver run down his spine, because the aura was becoming so filled with hatred and anger, that it was like the air itself had become toxic.

Natsu was heaving and clutching his head between his hands, when his feet started to grow as well before they took an appearance that matched his demonic claws, that also grew in size, making them look a lot more sharp and lethal.

"Ahh... haa..." the demon had his eyes closed when the transformation finally finished.

"You..." the ice mage felt a drop of sweat run down his forehead.

"Yes me..." Natsu said his voice dripping with malice "and this is goodbye... Gray Fullbuster"

The demon snapped his eyes open and glared at the ice mage, who momentarily flinched before cursing in defiance.

His eyes... his pupils were glowing in a more distinct and viscous red colour and the whiteness in his eyes had turned completely black, making him look so much more demonic and vicious than he had before.

It didn't take more than a second before they started fighting again. This time however it was rather evident that the demon hadn't taken them serious in the beginning. No, he had been playing and toying with them like he was a cat, having fun with a defenceless mouse, before eventually going in for the kill.

Furthermore the transformation had increased the demon's power level, making him so much harder to fight against.

Fortunately it didn't take long before the girls entered the fight again, but that didn't even the odds.

This was bad... really, really bad.

A/N: Natsu is the insane pimp of his castle, bro!

And Zeref... seriously duuuuuuude, DUDE! No! Get outta here, it's a private party...

I'm not that great in creating fighting scenes, but it's fun even though it's hard...

Ohh and making the Tartaros member casual fodder/red shirts made me really happy. Maybe it was my own personal revenge on them, lol :D

Anyhow the members left in Tartaros is purely based on what is listed on the Wiki, about who is alive or has an unknown status. Some of the unknown I didn't want to include and some I excluded, but essentially it didn't really matter since they were KO'ed so quickly.

As you might have noticed, I changed the act name because I decided to take on the challenge and include the battle between Achno, Zeref and humanity... yup, yup I'm mad... utterly mad... so yeah the last act will be Ragnarok – the faithful encounter, when that time comes.

Bonus info: Lucy left Natsu's scarf at home, because she wanted to make sure it wasn't harmed.