Chapter 12

Inside Chief Erza's Office

Chief Erza, Future Gray, and Future Gajeel are trying to come up with plans to rescue the Fairies. Meanwhile, Master Natsu, Natsu, Samantha, and Kai are in the council infirmary recovering from the battle. "I know you're not serious," Gray said.

"I am Gray," Chief Erza replied. "We know where he is, we can assault him right now."

"Yeah and he knows we know so don't you think he is planning something." Putting his hand on her shoulder he continues, "Look, I want to save them as much as you do, but we can't be reckless." Chief Erza gave a deep sigh. "I know seeing Master, Lucy, Carla, and Happy is painful, Gajeel and I feel the same way."

"You don't know how I feel," Gajeel replied.

"Shut up you sack of bolts," Gray snapped. Gajeel went quiet turning away crossing his arms. "Natsu and the other's are in really bad shape and we're gonna need them. So I say we take a day or two to recover before we go and kick some ass."

Chief Erza nodding, "You're right Gray, about everything." Taking in a deep breath and exhaling, "Ok. Let's put our heads together and come up with something."

Few hours later

Chief Erza, Future Gray and Future Gajeel are putting the final pieces of their plan together when Master Natsu bursts into the room yelling, "What are we doing?" Kai, Natsu, Samantha, Carla and both Wendys followed behind.

"Putting our plan together," Gray replied.

"No, I mean why aren't we assaulting Malachai's Lair right now," Master Natsu asked in anger. "Erza you said you know where he was, so wh-"

"He isn't gonna be there Natsu," Chief Erza replied. "Documents we recovered from one of his cave bases have coordinates."

"And where would that be?"

"The site of the battle." Hearing that, Master Natsu froze and collapsed.

Master Natsu's Flashback: The site of The Battle of Dragons and Men

"Natsu! Help," Lucy and Lisanna screamed. During the battle the two were captured by Malachai and now Natsu has to choose who to save.

"Running out of time," Malachai said. "Tick tock tick tock."

I have to save both…but how. Everybody…they're all fighting for their lives, I…I can't….I…,Natsu thought. Falling his knees he spoke, "I…I surrender…"

Lucy and Lisanna shocked by Natsu's surrender. Malachai chuckled and spoke, "Sorry. That wasn't an option." Charging his attack in both hands, "Oh and you're out of time."

"No don't," Natsu yelled, but all he saw was the two women he loved scream as Malachai's attack ripped a hole in their chest. Staring at their lifeless bodies hit the dirt with the loudest thud Natsu has ever heard in his life. He blacked out.

Natsu…why didn't you save me…You know I loved you even if did marry another man, Lucy's voice echoed in his head.

I loved you more Natsu…we've been through so much…why didn't you save me? Why?, Lisanna's voice did the same.

"I tried…I tried," Natsu says in despair. "I couldn't do anything…there was NOTHING I COULD DO! I'm sorry….I'm so sorry…Lucy…Lisanna…."

Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. Natsu. NATSU!, both voices shouted.

Real World: Inside Chief Erza's office

"I said I'm sorry," Master Natsu yelled waking up swinging violently, but the others in the room held him down from panicking any further. "I'm so…so sorry…"

Natsu shocked seeing his older self in such pain. He kneeled down and said, "It's ok…I'm sure you…you did your best." Giving Master Natsu a smile hopefully to cheer him up.

"So Chief," Kai said. "You all done with your plan?"

"Yes. Two days fr-"

Sgt. Orion bursts in and says, "Chief, you might want to turn on your TV."

"What, why?"

"Just do it Ma'am," the trooper yelled back. Chief Erza reaching for the remote and turning on the TV to see Malachai broadcasting.

"What's this," she asks.

"It seems he is talking to us."

"If you want your friends alive," Malachai says moving to the side revealing the captured Fairies tied up. "Tell the Dragon Slayers to meet me tomorrow at "Where it all ended" by dawn and no funny business or else they all get holes in their chests." The broadcast ended. Everybody in the room was silent.

"You heard him," Kai said breaking the silence. "We don't got much of a choice."

"Yes, but seven vs a hundred aren't good odds," Chief Erza replied.

"Sorry Chief Erza, but the odds ain't gonna get any better," Samanth said.

"Fine, but we have to change our plan a little bit," Chief Erza replied.

"Ok," Natsu said getting up. "I'm all hears Chief Erza."

"Malachai will probably be in the battle himself which means our friends should be guarded by low level Dragon Slayers. I have a feeling he isn't going to keep them at his lair because if he is losing he is gonna use them as bargaining chips."

"Sounds like him," Master Natsu says getting up. "I'm guessing you want us Dragon Slayers to distract him long enough for you guys to rescue them right?"

"Precisely."

"I see no problem with that plan," Future Gajeel says smiling.

"As I said, the seven vs a hundred worries me."

"Don't sweat it Chief," Natsu says with joy. "One thing you should know by now that Dragons are tough."

"Yeah," Kai added. "With our secondary modes we can buy a lot of time and have fun doing it." The morale in the room was rising. "Like a wise man once said, 'If it means getting our friends back. We'll take on the world.' Or something like that."

Seeing everybody pumped up for the battle, Chief Erza chuckled and spoke, "You people will never change." They all turned and gave the face of "You won't either". "Alright, Sgt. Orion."

"Yes Ma'am," the trooper responded.

"Assemble a rescue squad. We leave by dawn."

"Yes Ma'am" the trooper replied exiting the room.

Turning to her comrades, "Now you all get any rest you can. It's going to be a long day." The Fairies exited the room going to their respected rooms.

"Natsu," Master Natsu said. "I just want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"There is going to come a time when you're going to have to choose. I just want you to know that, neither are the wrong choices, but whatever choice you make is going to hurt the other."

"Ok."

"Ok?"

"Yeah, I mean I don't wanna think of that stuff right now. I want to get my friends back and kick some ass. I would appreciate it if you could warn me about future stuff after we've done this."

"Right…I'm sorry."

"Don't sweat it. Now," putting his hand on Master Natsu's shoulder. "You have to forgive yourself. That's all I'm gonna say," he says walking away. Tomorrow is the final battle and our heroes know some of them won't make it back with Malachai holding all the pieces, but for the lives of their friends our heroes will go out fighting. They know that to save the past, they must fight for the future.

What up guys! Sorry I've been pumping out chapters so fast. I mean I write these like 2 days before I post them, but the reason is I'm gonna be traveling soon so I want to at least get to the final chapter which is about 2 or 3 away. Anyway thanks for going on this journey with me and reading my story. I really appreciate it. Thanks and cya!