Chapter XI: Final Showdown
Here we have reached the climax of the final battle between the Dark Flame Dragon Slayer and the Fairy Tail guild. Let us see who emerges victorious!
Magnolia was in ruins. So much of the city had been burnt down, and what was still standing was slowly being devour by the dark flames. And the only one that might have been capable of stopping him from destroying everything had been defeated.
But Zane, or what looked like him, was doing nothing. One moment he was destroying everything, and all of a sudden he stopped.
"Why did he stop attacking?" Elfman was still on top of Mira, protecting her from the relentless Dragon Slayer. "He's just floating up there."
The slayed looked like he was in some sort of trance. Only his wings flapped to keep him afloat. If only the rest of the guild could come and strike him while the opportunity lasted.
Zane's eyes opened, his breathing became normal. He was awake. His countenance had his now usual predatory grin. "Sorry for that. I had an unexpected problem. Someone woke up earlier than I'd anticipated. But do not worry, I'll kill you now."
Zane was about to muster his strength to blow the Fairy wizards to kingdom come when a loud, and annoying, sound reached his ears. What in Earthland was that horrendous noise? Was that a scream… Is that someone screaming? Wait, why is getting louder? And why did he had the feeling the scream was produced by someone obnoxious.
Is that a comet coming at him from the distance? Have they always had wings? Is that a cat?
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Natsu punched Zane in the face using his signature move. Happy carried Natsu over to the fight, he had flown as fast as it was possible.
Zane was astounded by the strike. He didn't think Natsu and the others would be in any condition to fight him. Especially not now, with his new found strength. Annoying Fairy Tail wizard.
"You bastard! First you attack us, then you kidnap Erza, try to kill our members, now you are destroying the town. I will never forgive you. Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!" Natsu ignited his left hand, swung it at an arc, and struck him under the chin.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art, Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon's Fist!" Natsu launched a continuous barrage of powerful fire punches. Each one of them exploded the moment they made contact with Zane. "This is for the master! For Laxus! For me, and even Gray! Lucy! Mira! And for Erza! Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Natsu's massive fireball created a destructive explosion. He never gave the enemy slayer time to even blink. One hundred percent direct hits.
"Natsu, did you do it?" Happy inquired.
"Yeah, that did it. Bastard has some tough skin, but I got him." Natsu had a cocky smile.
Zane's armored claw pierced the smoke caused by Natsu's explosion. It quickly took hold of Natsu's face. "When will you learn, your fire will never harm me." He directed a punch straight into Natsu's abdomen. It went in deep, emptying his lungs of air.
"Natsu." Happy shouted as he saw Natsu gasp for air.
"Out of my sight, ningen." He tail whiped Natsu. The strike sent him crashing downwards, until he collided onto the roof of a building. Happy crashed with him, unable to regain balance or stop the momentum of the crash.
"Natsu-san." Wendy gasped while being transported by Carla.
Not far behind was Gajeel with Lily on his back. "Dammit Salamander, going on ahead without us."
"More insects to crush? I thought I taught you a lesson, Gajeel."
"I'm a slow learner, ge-he. Wendy, you should go and check the others. Leave him to me." Gajeel said.
"Don't worry, Wendy and Carla. You help Mira and the rest." Lily added. Even if they couldn't beat him, if they could just stall long enough.
"Understood, Gajeel-san- Ah!" Wendy was struck by a fireball. If they thought the pseudo-dragon was going to give them even the smallest opportunity to counter, they were wrong.
"Wendy!" Gajeel shouted as he saw the little Dragon Slayer fall to the ground. "Let's go Lily."
"Hold on tight." Lily flew them as fast as he could. Outflanking the slayer.
"You bastard. I'm your opponent. If you want a fight then fight me." Gajeel moved behind the slayer. "Iron Dragon's Sword!" He struck Zane's skull.
Zane's thick Dragon skull was unfazed. The iron sword broke in two. "W-what?"
The enemy slayer turned around. He placed his open palm in front of the Iron Dragon Slayer's face. "Fight? No, I am not interested in fighting. I want destruction!" A massive dark flame beam struck Gajeel.
Lily managed to keep their balance and not fall to the floor. "You okay, Gajeel?"
"Yeah, he's tough. But I won't let him beat me again. Iron Dragon's Roar!"
Zane stopped the attack by hitting it with the back of his hand. These Dragon Slayers were weak. To think they carry the same title as him. It was disgusting.
Gajeel and Lily charged at him, but barely halfway Zane was in front of them. He whispered one word, "Weak." He slammed his massive tail against Gajeel. This time it knocked down both the slayer and his neko companion.
"You challenge me, ningen, and yet you show this sad level of power? Putting you out of your misery will be a service for you."
"I don't like cocky bastards. Iron Dragon's Scales." Gajeel covered the entirety of his body with iron scales. The slayer charged. "Iron Dragon's Hard Fist!" He landed a direct hit.
"What makes you think your weak iron can break through my diamond hard scales?" The enemy slayer said as Gajeel's iron skin broke.
"Maybe not, but that wasn't the point. Now Lily!"
"Musica Sword Slash!" Lily had managed to move behind Zane while he was distracted on Gajeel. But his strike was blocked by Zane's independent minded tail. "What?" That was his only reaction before the tile struck him with tremendous power.
"You two make a mockery out of my power." The slayer attacked Gajeel with an explosive punch. The moment he hit the ground Gajeel went back to normal.
The tail blocked a dagger that had been thrown at him. "Erza." He growled.
Erza swung her sword but he blocked it. "You disappoint me. You said you were a man of your word. But I see now that is not the case. Why have you broken your promise?" But the slayer only gave her a sly smile. That is all she needed. She could see it in his hollow eyes. This isn't the boy that told her his life story. The boy that spoke from the bottom of his heart. "You are not Zane."
His smile only lengthened. "You catch up fast, Titania. I am glad. I am not Zane, but I am also him."
Erza equipped another sword, and she launched a double barrage. "What do you mean?"
Zane blocked all of her attacks. "I am what lurks inside his heart. His despair, his hate, and his lust for power. I am his darkness. But I do not posses his human weakness."
"Weakness?" Erza shrouded herself in magic. "Requip: Gale Armor." Erza summoned a sky blue, armor-plated suit. In the middle of her cuirass, right above her chest, a green symbol representing wind. Her head protected by a medieval-type knight helmet, with a silver wing sprouting from each side, above the ears. Two large, metallic wings sprouted from her back. "What you call weakness is what makes him a human. A human that can learn from his mistakes and better himself. One that can feel compassion for his fellow humans. That's a human's real strength."
On her right hand Erza had hold of a long, heavy sword, on her left a much shorter, lighter dagger. "Gale's Fury!" Erza swung both of her weapons, the speed of the swing cut through the air at such a speed it created a sonic boom.
The attack made contact with their target, but Zane moved forwards as if nothing happened. "Words expected from a weakling. Let me show you my strength, ningen!" The slayer casted two massive flames from each hand, he placed them together right in front of Erza, detonating them.
Erza's armor was destroyed, and she was gravely wounded.
"Using wind against fire? What an amateur. I will take pleasure in finishing you this time, Erza Scarlet." Zane had his palm a few inches away from Erza's face. He was ready to power it up and blow her to smithereens.
"Ice Make: Prison!"
Zane was trapped in an icy cage. That could mean only one thing.
"Fullbuster." He sneered at name. "As if ice could stop me. I'll burn you down together with it, Gray."
… Gray… ?
A low whisper made the Dragon Zane hesitate for a second. Gray took notice and used the opportunity. Lucy, Juvia. Now.
"Open, Gate of the Flying Horse. Pegasus!"
A pegasus flew down from the sky. "Did you summoned me, master. Neigh."
"Get Erza out of there." Lucy ordered.
"I will not let you harm Gray-sama. Water Cyclone!" Juvia casted a whirling torrent at Zane. He was still trapped in the cage, but the powerful cyclone made good use of it. Destroying it and washing Zane away. All while the pegasus rescued Erza.
"You okay, Erza?" Gray asked, he placed himself in front of her. "Where are Wendy and Mira?"
"Hey." Elfman shouted. He was carrying Mira on his back. Lisanna and Wendy not far behind.
"Wendy, you are hurt?"
"Don't worry, Juvia-san. I am fine. I was hit but managed to land safely. I tried to heal Mira-san as much as possible."
There was an explosion from a distance. "That guy won't give a break, huh."
"Damn it Zane, startling me. I won't let your little boy-crush make a fool out of me." The enemy slayer was furious. He realized he didn't have as much control over Zane's mind as he thought. And to add insult to injury, he was pushed back by water magic. A creature of flames being humiliated by water. Outrageous. "I'll have to teach you a lesson, boy. Maybe I'll kill the ice mage first."
The dragon's massive, dark wings fully extended. He flapped them. He went straight for the Fairy Tail mages. Flying at subsonic speed. He rushed without hesitation to grab Gray, wrapping his claws around his neck. Gray only managed to become shocked.
Zane dragged him around town. Draggin his face into the concrete floor. "Let see how that pretty face of yours looks after I am done with it." He chuckled. When he ran out of pavement he flew upwards while tightening his grip on Gray's neck.
Gray felt as he was moved closer to his enemy's face. Separated by less than three inches. "I remember, Zane was supposed to chop your head off because you thought his father was Acnologia. You have my gratitude, wizard."
"What?"
"Zane had me sealed inside him for many decades. But his mental state has been fragile for some time. Ever since he saw your guild fight at the Grand Magic Games. His desire to fight you guys clouded his mind, weakening his resolve to keep me away. It had been a hundred years since that boy threatened to kill someone. Until you pushed him to the breaking point."
Gray's eyes opened wide in surprise as he realized what the enemy told him. Was it his fault Zane was out of control? It couldn't be that way. It's not like he knew. But it explains why Zane had reacted with such fury.
"You struck him where it hurt the most." The slayer explained. "His hate for Acnologia burns with a blazing passion, and you blatantly accused him of being related. Beautiful! It all worked out for me. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be having this conversation."
"You bastard. You are just using him and us." Gray tried to release himself, but his struggle was in vain.
"Yes I am. You see, Zane only wanted the powers of the Dragon Slayers, not to fight your entire guild. But once his mental state weakened due to your ignorance, I made my move. Subconsciously controlling him. Pushing him until he was forced to rely on my power. I have Laxus to thank for that.
"Zane is a lot of things. Powerful and cunning, but also immature and naive. One disadvantage of becoming immortal at a young age. One cannot truly and fully mature. But you can die knowing your guild will be destroyed because of an innocent mistake from your part. As a show of gratitude, I'll kill you fast."
"Lightning Fire Dragon's Firing Hammer!" Natsu struck the enemy slayer on the back with powerful combo.
Zane's grasp on Gray's neck weakened enough for him to release himself. "Damn you, Salamander."
"Ice Make: Hardened Javelin!" Gray fired an ice javelin at point-blank range, at the enemy's face. "Ice Make: Floor." The ice wizard used the icy floor to slide down.
"You okay, popsicle?" Natsu asked.
"But a scratch, ashes for brains." Gray answered back. "But this guy is tougher than nails."
"I guess I have to teach you two another lesson." Zane charged at them.
"Water Slicer!"
"Photon Slicer!"
Zane was hit by Juvia's and Erza's attack. But his hard armor protected him from any serious injury.
"You insects keep on coming! I will squash each and everyone of you."
Reckless as always, Natsu and Gray charged forward. A bit eager. They finally had a chance for payback.
Natsu moved behind Zane. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Gray moved to his flank. "Ice Make: Cold Excalibur!"
Zane managed to block them with his gauntlet-like scales. Once he protected himself he grabbed the wizards' wrists. He slammed both of them against each other. He was not going to be forced to defend himself. He slammed Natsu into the floor, and Gray into a building.
But the Fairies wouldn't relent. One by one they attacked him. "Sea Empress Armor. Snap out of if Zane. I know this isn't what you want." Erza said as she attack her opponent with her water sword. "Don't let the darkness consume you."
Zane, the real Zane, wouldn't… couldn't listen. He was too deep inside the darkness for Erza's words to reach him. "Stop wasting your time, ningen."
Wendy and Gajeel moved behind him while he was distracted on Erza.
"Iron Dragon's Club!"
"Sky Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Neither slayer knew about the fact that Zane's tail had a mine of its own. It struck before they could carry out their attack. It knocked them away.
The pseudo-dragon ignited his left claw. "You'll regret not finishing Zane when you had the chance, Fairy mage." Before he could finish Erza off Lucy's whip wrapped itself around his claw. Stopping him.
"I won't let you harm her, again." Lucy spoke with a fierce look in her eyes. She saw as he nearly killed her once, she was not about to let it happen again.
"You will pay for hurting Gray-sama." Juvia cried.
Zane wasn't interested in either one of them. He used Lucy's whip against her. He swung his claw to the side, with great speed and force, forcing Lucy to collide with Juvia. "Out of my sight. Weaklings." Juvia and Lucy were struck by two flameballs.
"Moon Flash!" Erza slashed him on his back,
"Gah. Damn you, you wench." Enraged by her audacity, the Dragon Slayer fired a flaming whirlwind.
She tried to block it, but it had no problem devouring her armor and burning her.
"Your death will be specially agonizing, Erza." Zane received a foot to the face.
"Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang! As if I would let you, bastard. I am going to kick your- Gah."
Zane was choking the fiery, pink-haired mage. "You, I will kill you last. And I will take my sweet time, you worthless excuse of a slayer." Natsu was engulfed in dark flames. He shouted at the overwhelming pain. When was the last time fire made him scream?
The slayer relished at the sight of his fire counterpart wailing in agony. "Be gone." Zane tossed him aside like a rag doll.
"Natsu!" Lucy cried. "You are a heartless monster."
"Don't worry about him. He won't die… Yet."
"Super Freeze Arrow."
"Water Slicer."
Again, Zane was unable to dodge or block the attacks. His sense of superiority was blinding him. It was hard for him to understand why they kept on fighting. He was stronger than them, even all of them together could barely damage him. So why?
"You'll pay for that. For everything you've done to us, and our town." Gray stated. His body was injured, but his sense of determination and pride were unscathed.
Zane flapped his massive dragon wings, creating a massive gust of wind that pushed Gray and Juvia back.
A magic blast exploded on his back. Startling the slayer. "What the? You?"
"I hope you haven't forgotten about me?" Mira had returned to the battlefield. She was breathing heavily, and she had serious wounds, but she could still fight.
"Why do you stand up-" Zane felt a metallic slash on his gut. It was Gajeel's turn.
"Iron Dragon's Sword."
Why won't they give up. What makes these insects fight with such determination? Zane thought. But he did not allow those thoughts to cloud his mind. He was going to destroy them at all cost. And he was going to start with the foolish slayer in front of him. His sharp claws were aimed directly at Gajeel's eyes. But as those claws neared their target Zane was struck on the face with a powerful blast.
"Sky Dragon's Roar!"
The attack had actually pushed him back. How was that possible? It couldn't be!
The dragon's patience had reached its limits. Enough was enough. He was not going to allow the Fairies to humiliate him any further. He wrapped his wings and tail around him. Then covered his entire body with his devastating Dark Flame magic. Enough magic was casted until a floating, dark sphere covered the slayer.
None of the Fairy Tail wizards knew what their enemy was planning, but none of them were going to wait to find out. All of them attacked the orb. Launching barrage after barrage, but to no avail. The sphere simply ate it. Growing in size.
"Wait, I recognize this attack." Gray whispered. "Everyone, get as far away as possible!"
"All of you, stop pestering me! Infernal Final Nova!" It was Zane's most powerful secret art. The explosion send dozens of flaming shock waves rippling in every direction. It struck every single wizard, every civilian that was nearby, and it destroyed every building that was close.
Little Atticus was still not over his shock after seeing his master's transformation. He was still in the area of the metamorphosis, trying to understand what had occurred. What had happened to his friend? What happened to the kind, caring young boy he befriended? Had the darkness lurking inside of his mind been far more powerful than he had anticipated? Maybe he never realized that Zane's inner struggle was far more grave.
That thing that flew to Magnolia was not Zane. Whatever it was, it was not the boy that had saved his life over six years ago. It was a monster. A monster that took over Zane's fractured mind.
Atticus was a few miles from Magnolia, but he didn't have to think too hard to know why he went there. Zane never went against his word, after all.
Tears threatened to leave his eyes, but he didn't let it happen. This wasn't time for tears. It was time for action. The Exceed's gaze was full of determination. As his friend, it was his duty to rescue his master, his nakama.
Atticus summoned his wings. He poured every ounce of magic into them. He fired into the sky, flying with his extreme speed. To Magnolia.
It was up to him to rescue Zane from his own darkness.
The center of the vibrant city of Magnolia was no more. Leaving but a crater and rubble. Zane was in the middle of it all. He had expended more magic than he had expected, but nonetheless his smirk was that of triumph. He had proven his superiority against the humans.
All of the Fairy Tail wizards were on the ground. They all have been overwhelmed by his final attack.
"Now then, whom shall I annihilate first?" The slayer looked around. Searching for the perfect victim, the way a person looks for the most ripened fruit. A large smirk appeared once the perfect victim was chosen. "Fullbuster, you will have the honor of dying first."
Gray stared at him, his eyes never revealing a hint of fear or cowardice. "Give me your best shot, you bastard."
"Cocky… No wonder Zane likes y-"
"Iron Tail!" Atticus tail whipped Zane on the face. Catching him off guard. The fact that he had to attack his friend was painful, but it was the only option for him.
Dragon Zane was startled. To think he would be attacked by the less likely of foes. "Atticus, how dare you?"
Atticus cried. "Don't call me like that. You are not Zane-kun. I want him back." He sniffed. "I want my friend back."
Everybody was stunned by the sudden turn of events. The Fairies stared in awe as the tiny Exceed placed himself between the dragon and them. What a brave little neko.
"I am Zane, Atticus."
"NO! You are not him. I know Zane-kun. Better than anyone."
"You think you know him better than I do? Ha ha ha. I have been with him since the beginning. Since the moment he became a slayer over a hundred years ago. You know nothing-"
"I know what's important." Atticus shouted. He was no longer able to hold back tears. "I know the real him. What's inside. His heart. You only know his darkness. but he's more than that."
"That's all he is." The slayer claimed.
"Zane-kun, can you hear me? Please, stop this. This isn't you. I know you like to fight, to test your powers against others, but I also know you don't like to fight those that are defenseless. Or those that can no longer fight back. Please."
A… Atticus?
Zane, the real Zane, was trapped inside a dark place. Nothing but darkness surrounded him. A place so dark not even the strongest of lights could pierce it. And yet, he could hear it, a tiny, soft voice. A voice he knew well. The voice of his dearest friend.
"I know you can hear me Zane. I know your darkness isn't strong enough to beat you. You are stronger than this. Much, much stronger than the darkness."
"Silence!" The dark Zane growled. But Atticus would have none of it.
"You are a good person, Zane. What you did in the past is in the past. Don't let that haunt you. You are not evil. You are kind and thoughtful person. You have always risked your life for others." Atticus spoke with pride. He had to do everything in his power so that his voice would reach his friend. "You saved my life Zane. You didn't know me but you did it anyways. And you have done much more than that.
"Remember that time you risked your life saving a town? You fought a dark guild that was trying to control a town and its people. You did not hesitate to save them, even if it meant fighting the entire guild single-handed. I almost lost you, Zane. I don't want to go through that again."
Atticus, how can you have so much faith in me? I have done nothing but hurt you. Yet you still think I can beat this. I don't deserve your faith.
"Zane, can you hear me?" Erza managed to stand up, but she had to use a sword to do it.
Erza?
"Zane, I won't pretend I know you or understand what you went through. But I did believed in you when you made you promise. Even after telling me about your past I resented you for attacking my guild. But in your eyes I saw honesty, regret and kindness. However, this has to stop. You are going on a path of self-destruction, and you have hurt far too many people."
She's right. That's all I know what to do. I hurt anyone that gets too close.
Gray, somehow, managed to stand up. "To call you a monster would be an understatement. I don't know if you can hear me, but let me ask you this: how are you any different from Acnologia? Look at the town, look at the people fleeing in panic. You are the same as that beast you claim to hate."
To think I would ever fall so low. But he's right. Once again an innocent town and people are suffering my wrath. Another town is being destroyed by me. Its people dying because of me. Just like my town. Like my family. I have no right to desire Acnologia's destruction when I am no different. My own destruction is-
"Enough!" The Dragon growled. "You brats have annoyed me for the last time. Heed my words, none of you will leave this town alive."
"You won't. I know Zane will stop you." Atticus proudly proclaimed. "He has the strength, and I will help him. I believe in him." The neko extended his paw. "And I need him to believe in himself."
Sniff. Yes, Atticus. As long as you still believe in me, so will I.
Zane's started to extend his own arm. "What the-? How is this possible? You should be under my control Zane." But Dragon Zane couldn't stop his right arm. It was no longer answering to him.
Zane's hand and Atticus's paw were getting closer, slowly but surely. Only a few more inches before the friends were together again.
The Fairy Tail wizards stared in silence. Their faces full of horror and shock when Dragon Zane's massive tail struck Atticus. The poor neko never saw it coming. His attention had been on Zane that he failed to take his own safety into consideration. It didn't matter. Atticus's whole being was paralyzed in blinding pain. The tiny, unconscious body was slammed into a broken support beam. Atticus, Zane's closet and only friend, was out. Hurt by his own friend.
Atticus… A… ATTICUS!
"Foolish pet. If you thought I would allow you to ruin my plans you were mistaken. Zane is mine. His body and his powers. At last I shall be free. And you, my little furry friend, shall be the one to make Zane suffer the most. Your death shall break him."
Dragon Zane was ready to blast Atticus out of existence. "Now, vanish from my sight, Ex-"
The Dragon's claw was frozen solid. "Ice Sword: Super Cold Slash!" Gray, catching the slayer off guard, slashed him with a massive ice sword.
"Damn you… worthless human…" Why did it hurt?
Gray was crying. The anger and frustration he had over his enemy finally overwhelmed him. "Only a heartless demon would do something as vile as attacking his own friend. I don't care about your past or your suffering, what you just did is unforgivable. I won't show you any mercy. Ice Make: Giant's Cold Fist!"
A blue magical seal appeared in front of Gray. It expelled a bright light as the attack took form. The seal fired a massive ice fist.
"You think your petty ice can hurt-" But Zane's words were cut short when the ice fist struck. He felt as the air left his lungs. Zane was on his knees, the pain on his abdomen was strong. "How did ice injured me? My armor… Why is your ice so hard?!"
"Because it is my ice. I control it. The denser I make it the harder it becomes. I can make ice as soft as crystal or as hard as diamond. Let me show you."
By the time Dragon Zane noticed what was happening it was too late. Gray had placed dozens upon dozens of magical circles around the slayer. "When did he?!"
"Ice Make: Giant's Cold Fist Barrage!"
The overwhelming barrage of large ice fists rained down on him. From every side. It was not possible for him to dodge.
One fist hit his arm, another one hit his left cheek. "Gah!" Was all the slayer could express as another fist struck his back. He received another hit under the chin, then the stomach, and his chest. The fists shattered when they struck him, but the pain was immense. His armor was useless against the Ice Make Wizard's assault.
"Enough!" The slayer used his fire to melt the incoming ice fists. "You think you can humiliate me with your magic…" He turned his attention upwards, to the massive magic circle on top of him. "Ba… kana."
"Ice Make: Twin Giant's Cold Fists!"
Two, even larger fists, squashed the Dragon Zane. They left him in a massive crater. Gray's fury and heart managed to overwhelming the seemingly unstoppable Dragon Slayer.
But Gray fell to his knees, he had expended too much magic from an already depleted source.
Gray fights with a fearsome spirit. Just like at the Grand Magic Games. The power of his emotions makes him a terrifying opponent. They give him the strength to fight on. He uses them to protect, unlike mine. The only thing my emotions do is destroy.
"You miserable… little bug. How dare you?" Zane look wounded and exhausted. Gray did a number on him. But he did far more than he realized.
Erza noticed it. She noticed a small crack on Zane's armor. Right above the chest. Somehow, Gray managed to damage the impenetrable armor. "Everyone, gather your strength. Gray just opened a window of opportunity for us."
Everybody listened to Erza's call. They ignored the pain in their wounds and stood up.
"Thanks Gray, leave this to us. Let's go!" Erza ordered, and the rest of the Fairy wizards charged with her. "Requip: Armadura Fairy. Fairy Burst."
She slashed the enemy right in his weak spot. "Aim for the crack in his armor."
"Get away from me." But it was too late, he was already surrounded by the rest of the guild.
"Evil Spark!" Mira placed her hands on her target's chest and electrocuted him.
How? How can they still fight? Where does their inexhaustible power comes from?
"Water Slicer." Juvia attacked him with a water barrage.
"Open! Gate of the Golden Bull, Taurus!" Lucy invoked her celestial spirit.
"Moo! Rampage!" He slashed the slayer with his massive battleaxe.
What is it with his guild! No matter what it is throw at them they keep on fighting. They keep on standing up. Are they mad? Or…
"Karma Demon: Iron God Sword!" Gajeel swiped his large iron sword at Zane.
"Shattering Light: Sky Drill!" Wendy's powerful secret art attack caused great damage when she hit Zane in the crack of his armor.
Zane couldn't do anything, he could not dodge, block or even counterattack, he was being overwhelmed by the incessant assault of Fairy Tail. He was on his knees. Looking up at those who had force him down.
Is this what it means to fight to protect others? The powers that the bonds of friendship create… I can't win. Not against them. This guild… this guild… this guild is too amazing!
"How dare you humans do this to me! I will make sure to destroy you." The Dragon Zane roared.
"This monster can still stand up after taking so many attacks." Gajeel mentioned. He, like everyone else, was running out of magic power.
Dragon Zane was preparing to attack, but his power wasn't answering. Nor could he move. "What is happening?"
I won't let you! This is the last time you hurt someone.
The real Zane, or his spirit, was holding his dark side back. He wrapped himself around him to prevent him from moving.
"What are you doing? Let me go."
No. This is your end. And I will make it happens. No matter what.
Erza noticed her enemy wasn't moving, not by his free will. She had an idea of whom might be helping them, but this wasn't the time to think too much of it. "We need to use our remaining magic and combine it, only then can we defeat it. Use everything you got."
All of the wizards mustered the last remaining of their strength for one last attack.
"Evil Explosion!"
"Water Nebula!"
"Go, Sagitarius, Scorpio."
"Arrow Barrage! Mochi-mochi."
"Yeah, Sand Buster!"
"Iron Dragon's…"
"Sky Dragon's…"
"ROAR!"
"Zane, are you a fool? They will destroy us if they hit us."
I have caused far too much pain and damage. If my destruction is the way for me to pay for my sins, then so be it.
"How can you be so naive, boy?"
"Nakagami Starlight."
Erza's attack combined with those of her friends. It turned into a powerful magic blast. Headed straight for the slayer.
"Damn you. Damn you, Fairy Tail wizards!" Dragon Zane's eyes widened in fear as the overwhelming blast hit him. "AAAAAAH!"
The explosion rocketed the city, sending shockwaves throughout the rest of Magnolia. It formed a tall, towering cloud of smoke in the center.
"Salamander. Salamander, wake up."
"How the hell are you here?" Natsu was baffled seeing what looked like Zane's spirit. Right in front of him.
"You are a slow learner, aren't you. I thought I mentioned I can cast an imagine of myself through my magic."
"What do you want? Come to finish the job?" Natsu spoke weakly. After all, the dark side of Zane left Natsu to be devoured by his flame magic.
"No. I came to help you."
"Like hell I want anything from you."
"Maybe not, but you want to save your nakama, right?" Natsu noded. "They are fighting with everything they got. But it is not enough. They need your Dragon Slaying magic. My dark side is too strong to be defeated that easily. I'll restore your magic, as much as I can with the limited amount I have. My dark flames can do more than just destroy."
"Just do it so I can beat the crap out of you." Even when Natsu had no magic or energy left, he never seemed to lack determination.
"I can heal wounds without a problem. But this is the first time I use my magic to restore power. I have no other choice. You're my last hope, Natsu. Stop me with everything you have. Don't hold back."
"I ain't planning on doing that. You flame idiot."
The smoke from the Fairy's combined magical beam dissipated. Everybody hoped the enemy had been defeated. Specially since they had expended the last of their magic.
It wasn't going to be that easy.
Dragon Zane was still standing. Well, standing is not the best way to describe it. The Dragon's armor was in tatters. One of his large, massive wings had been destroyed, the other one was partially destroyed. The independent minded tail was no more. And the small crack Gray had created was now spreading to the rest of his armor. He was a shadow of his former self.
"Ningen… How dare you do this to me?"
"How dare you do this to our guild and town, you bastard!" Natsu was back on his feet. He had recovered, but not in the way Zane had imagined.
"Bakana! Is he… is he…"
He's eating my Dragon Slaying magic!
Natsu chewed and swallowed Zane's dark flames. In the same way he absorbed the God Slayer's magic and Laxus's in the past. It hurt him, the flames were not happy with their new host, but he ignored the pain. Seeing his friends being hurt and his guild attacked was far more painful. But he managed to absorb the magic and it merged with his own fire. The Fire Dragon Slayer was being engulfed by two different types of fire magic.
"Ahhhh!" Natsu charged forward. His right fist was covered in both his fire magic and Zane's Dark Flame magic.
It can't be. Those flames represent my will. How can he use their powers? Unless… Unless his will is somehow overruling my own.
Natsu punched Dragon Zane in the face. The strike pushed the slayer back and sent him rolling into several destroyed buildings.
"Impossible. How can you hurt me with my own magic? Unacceptable." The Dragon charged at him.
Natsu summoned more of his new magic, both flames blazing out of his body. "With the combined power of two fire dragons I'll defeat you." Natsu dashed. With his fiery knee he pummeled him under the chin.
"Bah. It can't be."
"New Dragon Slayer's Secret Art, Dark Crimson Lotus: Twin Fire Dragon Fury Strike!" With one hand covered in his fire magic and the other one covered in dark flame magic, Natsu launched an incessant barrage of punches to his enemy. Each punch overwhelmed the enemy slayer. Their power was too much for him to block.
How can Natsu be this strong? The fiery passion with which he fights is blinding. I can't compete. I can't wi-
"Take this." Natsu poured more of his combined magic to punch Zane. "Give up."
"Never!" Growled the dragon as he hit Natsu with his palm. "You think I will ever submit to an insect like you?" He kicked Natsu in the abdomen. Pushing him away.
The dark side of Zane jumped high into the sky. "You will vanish together with the rest." Zane fired a massive dark flame ball at Natsu.
"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray casted his magic to protect Natsu from the attack. "Finish him, flame-brain."
"I don't need you to tell me that, hentai exhibitionist." Natus summoned the remainder of his strength, This attack had to succeed. Natsu ignited his body with both of his fire magic. As he charged upwards towards Zane, the fire took the form of a blazing blade.
"New Dragon Slayer Secret Art, Twin Fire Dragon's Dark Crimson Lotus: Phoenix Blade!"
Well, just one more chapter before I finish this. Sorry for taking so long. I hope you like this chapter. It was hard to write, I was constantly changing the battle scenes. But I managed. Don't worry, the final chapter should be here fairy soon. Leave a comment or a review if you enjoyed it. I always appreciate them.
