Gildarts POV a few minutes earlier.

Gildarts landed from the 100ft jump out of the erupting building hard having to 'crash' the floor to break the fall a little, Erza held tightly under one arm as Laxus yelled over to them to get in the boat, Laxus had jumped out earlier and was already pushing the large boat further out into the sea, the boat also had the people they beat on their way up to the top tied up in the back out of the way, just in case one unties themselves they won't have anywhere to go.

Gildarts ran over to the boat, jumping the one meter distance from the rocky edge to the boat, still holding a squirming Erza, she'd hurt her leg when Gildarts landed somehow making her un-able to jump up from such a small distance. He placed her on the floor on the boat and awaited the death mage to come down, he placed himself at the front of the boat ready to let the sail fall down. The shinigami only seconds later landing shattering a large boulder under his feet.

'I don't like that armour...' Gildarts thought in his mind analysing him from bottom to top, finishing on the mask, the red devil form like mask and the yellow penetrating eyes looking from side to side then landing on Erza, Gildarts watched as the shinigami threw Jellal over at Erza hard, causing her to catch him skidding to the other side of the boat, his head softly caught even after the hard throw.

She took out the sowing equipment ready to patch him up, her voice constantly repeating.
"It's going to be okay. " Her voice soft and yet in a panick to help the man. I looked at the tower again to see it spewing into all directions soon to completely combust. "Natsu get in! We gotta go!" I shouted already knowing it was too late, Natsu was just looking up at the building his deathly eyes narrowing at it, his fists clenched, his body completely motionless not shaking or twitching just motionless.

Natsu turned slowly back towards us, Laxus only seconds ago finishing up with the people at the back and joining me at the front, I couldn't see his face, I couldn't see Natsu's true face, just a picture painted on a mask he calls reality. His face was always emotionless, and it annoyed me, I could tell such a face was being shown now, a face that represents, betrayal, hate, fear, anger, and sadness all in one compact facial expression but looking so emotionless even with those emotions mixed inside of it.

He turned fully to us, the lights of the eyes not to be seen, Natsu had his hands in his pockets with a bored like posture, his words hitting me hard and cutting my train of thought in half. "Someone's got to do it." Natsu said finally opening his eyes and looking at the group, only shutting his eyes again as all heads turned to the shinigami, even those that were tied.

I watched as Natsu closed his eyes back into a resting position slowly, his eyes flicking in my direction before fully closing. My gut sank low, very low and I felt mildly sick when he said it but at the same time... I felt relieved, not for my safety, but because it just showed even though he didn't show it, Natsu did have a heart, and he cared.

I turned to my left to see Laxus stepping off the boat promptly a few metres away from Natsu, he puffed his chest out almost standing in the 'attention' and spoke up with a slight smile on his face. "I'll do it!" His voice filled with pride as he put an arm on his Fairy badge and smiled at Natsu. Only to get shot down moments later.

"You can't." I heard say Natsu plainly. "Nor can you Gildarts" He stated analysing the building once again, his fingers running through his pockets subconsciously. Stopping a second later as he heard Erza shout.

"What the hell are you talking about?! We can make it if we leave now!" Erza screamed obviously not wanting any person to have to do it and die in such a place. There was a moment when almost all the men stared at her naivety. Natsu the first to speak. "Why don't you carry on attending to your boyfriend do something productive." Natsu said bluntly not wanting to talk to her at all anymore. Gildarts noticing Erza crunch her fingers up tightly but didn't respond. Her eyes threatening to show tears but carried on and helped Jellal.

Natsu's voice cold and dry his yellow eyes shimmering. "If I'm right..." I looked up at him questioningly. Natsu was smart, very intelligent in fact (when he wanted to be anyway.) If this tower had a way of sending the power away safely including how to and who could, he was sure Natsu would figure it out. "You need to have some sort of connection with this building or be a perfect host for Zeref. Or at least connected to him in some way."

I looked at Laxus questioningly for a second not fully understanding what he had said then back at Natsu quickly. He raised his head a little. "You guys don't know yet, but you might have guessed..." he said slowly ignoring the towers small power explosions going on behind him. I watched as Natsu reached under his mask removing it from his face and holding it in his hand, his eyes changing eyes back to the normal black ellipse shaped eyes his cold yet somehow emotionless stare remaining on his face. "I'm his son. And what better reason is that to do it?"

Natsu watching as Laxus stepped forwards uttering a few words, both he and I already knew about Natsu being the son of Zeref from the master... But... He could see the resemblance, the cold stare, the black eyes and hair, he'd seen pictures and paintings of Zeref and now he thought about it they looked a lot alike. He could tell Natsu was walking over to Laxus, in slow motion however a quick chop to the neck then catching him one arm slung over Natsu's shoulder.

Natsu's voice softer and kinder as he walked towards Gildarts again slowly Laxus rested on top of him, "He's a great guy. The first best friend I've ever had. Take care of him." Natsu said to me letting off a tiny smile before handing him over and turning away, later insulting me and I insulted him back smiling at his final decision to take. I felt bad for not doing it, for not being able to, I just had so many lives in my hands that I was responsible for I couldn't let anything back.

I looked at Natsu momentarily as he spread his scary demon wings out quickly pausing for a second as he got ready. I watched while letting the sail float down, as he patted down just one wing beat sending him flying in the air at an immense speed. I couldn't bring myself to smile. I just couldn't, a dear friend was soon about to die. To die for a girl who came here on purpose and his friends.

I turn as I see Laxus slurring and getting up already sitting up against the side of the boat, he looked at me suddenly realising what happened I can't look at him, I can only look as I see the eterion start getting more manic, Natsu only reaching the top now and flying in quickly out of sight. My depressed face explains it all to Laxus as he wakes up asking where Natsu was. We didn't lower every sail causing us to not go at very fast speed. As if ready to try and retrieve Natsu's body later. He deserved as much, the tower was at a distance now and the winds had died down, the eterion also had momentarily stopped spewing out magic power everywhere.

Laxus POV

"It's..." Jellal said quietly looking into the sky, not able to finish as Erza squeezed his hand tightly, hard enough for it to hurt, all the people on the boat staring at the long tower building. "Done." Laxus finished for him a death glare pointed towards the blue haired man. A silence fell as all people watched to tower, the blue crystal like power soon after erupting into the sky shaking the ground and causing huge waves to come towards them, the power also separating the clouds and sending them all away till all was left was the starry sky.

The upwards explosion lasted for what seemed a decade to the men watching it, the newly formed wind blasts blowing through the boat ripping it's sails from the massive gusts of powerful wind, Laxus and Gildarts however not trying to break for shelter, instead standing at the back of the boat observing the power flow out at a rapid pace.

Each of the men having their hands by their sides and head staring into the starry sky where the power was being shot to. There was no speaking, nor whispers or any movement on the boat as most of them lowered their heads in respect of the fallen.

The power surges had stopped now and the building turned back into its regular form, soon after crumbling into the ground Gildarts turning first and heading towards the front of the boat once again. Laxus staying for a while longer waiting for something to happen, anything, to no result...

He finally turned his body towards the front of the boat an angry look attached to his face to hide the sorrow. 'This wouldn't of happen if-!' He thought angrily, being cut off by a sound he just started hearing fluttering from behind, something with metal clanking quietly in the wind, his super senses causing him to whip his head back looking for the object that was making such a noise, he scanned the sea then the sky landing his eye on what to seemed to be...

"NATSU!" Laxus screamed causing all heads to turn his way, Gildarts running to the back of the boat to see him too. Laxus immediately turning into a bolt of lightning and flying into his direction at an amazing speed.

Natsu's POV!

I can see myself spinning slowly but constantly floating in the air, my body rushing towards the sky from the eterion boost that was given to me at the very last second... I can only hear the wind passing me by quickly but it seemed slow and peaceful, calming, the winds light howling ringing in my ears softly, my eyes only managing to stay open for a few moments then closing again, my eyelids taking for what seems like minutes to fully open again.

I can't feel my body, I can't senses anything at all, I don't even know if I'm alive... I can't help but feel lighter now, like I don't have a care in the world. it's just the wind and I and nothing else, so I relish the moment for a few seconds taking a few breaths of the air... I finally manage to open my eyes again, I find myself falling now, not flying or floating but falling from the sky. I can't get ready for impact my body won't move, as some of my senses start regaining themselves I realise just how fast I'm going.

I raise my head slowly and weakly to look at where I'm going to crash-land to find a small sandy island and palm trees. I can't move myself to get ready I try to raise my arm to break the fall ,while flying towards the island still to no luck.

I just shut my eyes and wait for impact as the island get's closer. It was a somewhat accurate prediction about where I would land, however I still didn't realise how fast my body was flying, I waited for impact crunching my eyes tightly my jaw clenched together locked into a bite.

The huge impact came and it was a lot worse than I thought it would be, my body flew higher than predicted, missing the beach completely and crashing into the trees each one snapping and splintering in half from the speed I was travelling at, soon after skidding my body across the small island not even close to stopping as my body kept skidding, into the water for at least ten seconds, my head bleeding heavily, my mask no longer attached as protection, not that it would have helped that much.

I can't feel anything at all anymore as I meet the warm-ish sea water, I stop skidding as I finally come to a halt and start simply sinking into the water as my speed decreased. My swords and armour weighting me down and sinking with me attached to it. I can't move, my body doesn't respond to what I say for it to do just like before, my eyesight is a red blur from the blood mixing with the water coming from the wounds I sustained earlier.

My hand started floating up as if begging someone to help me. My eyes flickering, I had no breath left, whatever breath I had to begin with was taken out from the collisions. My hearing had gone, I could only hear the deafening silence, the tranquillity and peace, a feeling I hadn't felt for years.

I look up one more time into the plain blue sea top furthering from bellow, observing the beautiful nature around me, my body needing air, and yet not trying to breathe, but simply sinking slowly to the bottom, just like with the eterion, the water was now turning darker as light couldn't reach where I was the moon lit light only passing a few meters of water.

I could see mealy a meter in front of me, turning my head slowly to look at all the fish gathered around me, some the most stunning colours and mixes I'll ever see again. I always loved wildlife and nature, the lot. I loved looking at the birds tweeting high in the sky, animals running, fish swimming, tree's wavering, the flowers to fluttering calmly.

The fish swam around me curious eyes drifting my way as the come to get a better look, coming close and some even bumping their faces with my nose, I could feel a smile dying smile appear on my lips, it may have been the smallest smile, but...

It was the most sincere, as I finally close my eyes once and for all, the last of my breath gone and I had no air in my lungs, the last thing I can see is a small fish looking at me from a few inches away it swimming closer till it's directly in front of my nose. A burst of light diving towards me, the thing coming deeper into the water.

I don't know what it is but... I'm being pulled, pulled out of the water, and on to something soft, I can't see, my eyes won't open, my lungs won't try to breathe, my ears not wanting to listen and my heart not wanting to beat... Am I truly dead this time? Please let me die once and for all. Please let me be with my father... My eyelids only opening to feel a huge electric shock pulsing through me, even with my eyes open I can't see anything. My heart not beating at all, just the feeling of shocks pulsing through me once and again.

I can hear yelling now, shouts for me. Shouts calling me back to the world of the living, these shouts only belonging to a familiar voice, the power also feeling familiar, friendly, kind and yet... I can't tell, my mind is playing tricks on me.

I can feel, feel a hand pressed on my chest, my armour must have disappeared. I can feel water gently caressing my legs as it runs up and down it. The hand pressing down hard several times, causing me to spit out water in my lungs into the air.

I can breathe! My lungs fill with air again with content as I lay on something on the floor, each breath feeling better than the last, a constant wheeze as I try to inhale large amounts of air.

I can see, my eyes go into a blur as I look above, my body still not doing as I say, my heart beat even out again, each pump I can feel going through my veins, my head pressed back against what now feels like sand. I close my eyes again as I hear more footsteps come closer. 'They can't just leave me to die can they?' He thoughts with a tiny dry laugh sounding outside of his body. I open my eyes to see Laxus peering over me, once hearing the laugh he grinned shaking his wet hair in a dog like motion... Right on my face...

"If... I... Could hit... you..." I say slowly trying to inhale more air to compensate for not having any for a while. But quickly being shut up by Laxus as he turned into a more serious face. "No speaking... Idiot!" He muttered at the end, a slight frown on his face as he turned my head seeing the damaged part. Gildarts also appearing out of the blur of vision laughing with happiness at him being alive. Then turning serious as he checked the gash in my head moving my head slightly to take different angles of it...

Normal POV

"I need bandages. And lot's of them, I need to wait till I get back to Fairy Tail before I can really do anything. Your just gonna hang on okay Natsu!?" The brunette started out quiet then yelled as he spoke to Natsu, his face worried at how bad the cut was, his fists clenched as Laxus picked him up in the most comfortable way for him. Laxus kept yelling at Natsu to keep his eyes open and to stay awake. To not fall back into deaths grasp.

It was easier said, than done for Natsu. His body was urging him to sleep, to go into the deep slumber of no return, to end the suffering and pain. "Natsu how you doing?!" Gildarts yelled from jumping on to the boat looking at Laxus holding him up. Natsu couldn't move at all, not a sign to say 'good' or 'It's over'. Just his body completely numb and not responding, his mind trying to leave as his consciousness starts to loosen as well.

Erza tried to stand from hearing his name but her leg fell back down, her face in absolute happiness he was still alive, she expected him to simply walk on to the boat and pretend like nothing happened, his normal, plain emotionless face on as he strut past everyone with his hands in his pockets. That image being crushed only seconds later as Laxus jumped on the boat with the now bleeding Natsu in his arms, Natsu had blood trickling down his head, at a constant rate, at this rate he was going to bleed to death the blood however starting to drip faster and increase the speed of his demise.

Gildarts and Laxus both placed him down on the floor, both looking for bandages on the boat desperately to help their friend. They put the sail down and headed for Fairy Tail once quickly and searched for more bandages. Laxus suddenly having a revelation.
"Erza?! Give me the rest of the bandages!" He yelled running over to her. She turned to him as white as a sheet. Her facing saying everything he needed to know. She used it all on him. And completely forgot that Natsu may still be alive after.

Laxus ran over to Natsu again crunching his hands together for her arrogance seeing now blood was flowing out slowly, Gildarts also running over finding nothing. Laxus looked at his friend from a standing position terrified at how badly this could turn out. Seeing Gildarts kneel and start to search Natsu desperately. Before Laxus could protest Gildarts said. "Natsu carried everything he needs to survive on him. Bandages would definitely be something he'll have!" And then carried on.

A murmuring voice hardly heard to Gildarts but well heard by Laxus. "Top left pocket!" He yelled jumping on Natsu on to that pocket and ripping it open getting out a lot of medical equipment from the small pocket. Even a sowing kit and bandages, feeling another thing in there but not taking it out as they set to work to help Natsu recover.

3 hours later.

Natsu's head was hurting badly, his body feeling no better. A light-headed feeling and a sharp pain in his temples and an immense pain in the hurt area. He was still on a boat, but it was morning now, his head had been bandaged and sown up by Gildarts he presumed as Laxus might have stuck the needle right into Natsus brain by accident.

The wind was blowing softly now, his was lying at the back of the boat next to an also injured Jellal. Erza in the middle of them keeping an eye on them both.

Natsu stayed lay down for three horrible hours and had mostly recovered his senses and movements, he was testing himself out the entire journey to see what he could do and couldn't, as of yet he couldn't move his arms much, but he could flex his fingers, move his legs, twist his body, and roll his neck and smaller less important movements but he was working on fixing his arms nerve system.

Natsu waited till Erza turned to look at Jellal before hoisting himself up on his feet his arms not helping him much to get up but he still managed. He walked away without a limp but a definite wobble as he scurrying past the captured people who Laxus and Gildarts caught on the building. Each one of them their mouths gaping in shock of him still being alive let alone walking within hours.

He passed the gaping faces without so much of a blink in their direction, he was waving from side to side a little on each step but walked to the front of the boat quickly despite that. He arrived at the front of the boat to find both Laxus and Gildarts sat on the front of the boat talking casually.

Only turning to see Natsu arriving behind them, a slight grin on both their face.
"You had me worried back then." Gildarts laughter patting the spot next to him. Natsu obliged walking over and sitting on the edge with them, his breath fully returned but his vocal cords not working well.

"You're a real idiot for someone so smart ya know? Pain in the ass" Laxus said sulking away from the two, a confused pout look on Natsu's face, and a grin on Gildarts. He couldn't argue. Natsu did what he had to. Laxus knew that but he didn't feel happy about it. Natsu just remaining silent, dangling his feet over the edge of the boat.

The wind was weak and the waves were so small you couldn't see them well at all.
Laxus's sulk now over, he looked towards the pair of mages smiling, both staring into the wave less sea, land only visible in the horizon. "How's the head?" Gildarts asked breaking the silence as both people turned to Gildarts.

Natsu nodded slightly, "T-tha-nks..." He said his voice sounding really fry and rough, they both grinned as they started to mock his voice, imitating it and pretending to faint. To which Natsu rolled his eyes, unable to hit them hard enough to make them stop.

Natsu looked like he was trying to say something as he turned to Laxus. "An-d... Th-th-thanks fo-r s-s-saving... me... I w-as goi-ng to d-d-die ba-ck there." He said his throat hurting already from speaking too much, his lungs aching from breathing and his head hurting because of the massive gash in it...

Both of their eyes turn to look at Natsu in shock, both of them gaping in amazement at Natsu's words. His voice although dry they could tell he was being sincere, and truthful to his feelings. Natsu turned to look at Gildarts to his right then to Laxus on the left, a grin on his face. 'That should stop them from being annoying for a while.' He said an evil laugh in his mind. The peace of mind however, shattering as a female voice penetrated through their ears.

"WHERE IS NATSU?!" The famous Erza Scarlet yelled at everyone and no-one. The trio just looking back for a second then turning away from scarlet demon, each with massive sweat drops dripping down the back of their heads. "Took... Her... Long enough..." He said grinning at the others.
All three men looking at each other for a second then bursting into laughter seconds later turning to see her rampaging through the boat threatening Milliena and her friends with a demonic aura surrounding her.

"Should we tell her?" Laxus asked as she started going insane looking for him. Kind of worried she might sink the boat if she doesn't find him. Causing both other men to turn to her as well, Gildarts twitching as she started to looking out at sea. All the men sighed as they all knew they had to.

Gildarts stood up waving his hands to get her attention and calling her name constantly until she heard his voice. Natsu looking back at sea and not turning back to look at her, instead staring at the endless sea that they were riding. The sun high in the air now as it was around mid day and it was really hot.

Laxus noticing his unwillingness to look at her sighed. Sticking his hands in pockets and feeling a paper. Then bringing it out and tapping Natsu on the shoulder gently, careful not to hurt his body any further then he already was. Natsu recognised the paper immediately smiling and opening it unfolding it once to see the picture it was hiding.

"Sorry, I took it out after we were patching you up, I didn't know you kept sentimental objects like that so I was curious..." Laxus said placing it in Natsu's hand. Pulling back.
"Everyone... Needs comfort sometimes..." Natsu said, his throat getting better. "How long was it since you guys?" He asked not sure as to what happened to Zeref.
"Six years, three months and twelve days." He said not noticing he was being too specific.

"You must have really loved him huh?" The lightning mage said nicely looking into the sky.
"I don't know what love is. So I can't tell." Natsu said honestly grinning at Laxus than hearing loud footsteps behind him as Gildarts came back from fetching Erza and showing her that he was fine. Her immediately questioning everyone even Natsu of how he got there in the first place. Natsu being a genius pretending the head injury made him not hear or see her at all and completely ignore her existence.

"Where's Erza?" Natsu asked in a loud voice to Laxus obviously wanting her to hear.
"Why?" Laxus replied knowing what was happening. "We went to the damn Island to rescue her remember?" He said loudly towards Natsu faking it, finding it hard not to grin.
"Oh... I thought that was Lucy... You know, being so weak and going willingly." Natsu said crunching his fingers together but completely focusing on Laxus. Both getting a whack in the head as Erza left her face in the shadows and a sad look plastered on her face.

"That wasn't okay. She's probably hurt enough." Gildarts said scolding them for being so harsh on her and not taking her own reasons into account. "Fine then what would you have done?" Gildarts asked to Natsu's unspoken protest. Natsu raised an eyebrow at the question. "What would you do if your childhood friends were in the same situation as them?" He didn't answer just stared into the clear blue sky. Not sure himself of what he'd do. He leaned back completely resting on his back resting his eyes feeling the light wind breeze pass him comfortably.

"I'd kill my friends."