Hi readers! I'm back with another chapter. This whole story is going to end pretty soon, and I'm not sure if I want to do another fanfic of Fairy Tail. I guess that'll have to depend. I'm currently working on another story at the same time that's of FF7. If you're a fan of AUs and OCs, then go ahead and try it out.
I don't own anything but the fanfic, everything else belongs to Mashima and SE.
Ch. 14: The Dragon King
Natsu walked up to Warren, who was helping out in giving orders to everyone on what tasks they are to do.
"Hey Warren!" He waved at him.
Warren gave Natsu a curt nod before telling another team to go and activate the shield on the west side of the ship.
"Hey Natsu, what's up? Feeling all fired up yet?"
Natsu crossed his arms.
"That's my line! But I'll let it go just this time alright? I want to ask if maybe there's a way I could maybe learn telepathy?" He quickly asked.
Warren looked surprised at Natsu's request so he quickly added.
"It's just in case we get separated inside of Acnologia's core, we'll need at least someone to keep in touch with everyone else. And besides...I kind of need it to announce something important...before we beat Acnologia."
Warren nodded in understanding, then reached into his pocket for something.
"Hang on a minute. I can't teach you telepathy, but you can use this."
He held out a folded headband with a small piece of lacrima inserted in the middle of it. Warren explained how to use it.
"Just put it on your head and put your two fingers to it just like the way you see me do it. You'll be able to use telepathy with the people you want to communicate with. You'll increase your distance in conversation with people by turning that little button there beside the lacrima."
Natsu took the headband from Warren, staring at for a moment before putting it on his head and giving him a grateful smile.
"Thanks a lot buddy," he replied.
Natsu then began walking towards the bridge of the ship where he met up with the rest of the dragonslayers.
Sting asked him, "Well? Did you get it?"
Natsu held out the headband for all of them see.
"Yeah. But...how do you guys want to say it?" The fire dragonslayer asked.
Gajeel, who would usually just shrug his shoulders, thought hard and deep about it.
"Well, there's no easy way for us to say it. But lets just make it quick and simple," he said, barely audible.
Wendy shook her head.
"We know that. But it's when we're going to say that! I mean, nobody is going to accept that we're going to...you know. But they'll be even more mad if we keep it to ourselves," the young girl explained.
Sting nodded in agreement, "We should tell them right before we...leave."
Rogue cocked his head, "And when will that be? We'll be in the middle of fighting. So please explain."
Natsu stopped the conversation.
"Ok ok. Just leave this up to me. I'll explain everything when time is right. Trust me on this guys."
His eyes prooved that he was serious about this, so the rest of the dragonslayers gave in.
Gajeel walked up to Natsu, "You'd better not screw this up salamander. This is the last time we're ever going to see our friends again. Make it count."
Natsu grinned and nodded.
"I know. That's why I want all of you guys to go and talk to everyone one last time. Make this moment the best you could and for all of us. Oh and, get anything you need to say out of the way. There'll be no more chances for you to say it after the battle begins," he looked down at the lacrima Warren gave him and sighed.
At the bridge of the ship, Princess Hisui helped Makarov in preparing for Acnologia's encounter while Erza waited for the Thunder Legion to report once they got in the area of Tenrou Island. Evergreen went over to Erza.
"Erza, we're nearing the island. Acnologia is out of our range currently so we are safe. I think it's time for you to set your plan into action."
Erza shook her head.
"It's actually Minerva's plan." She corrected. "Where is she by the way?"
Bixlow shrugged, "Probably out there helping everyone in preparations."
Erza took a few breaths to relax herself and smiled to tell herself everything will go as planned. She took out the round yellow lacrima and activated it. A gentle pulse began to beat.
"Hopefully, Kagura can convince the Alvarez armies."
On the battlefields, Kagura and the rest of the wizards from various guilds stood their ground as the Alvarez armies neared. None of the wizards drew their weapons.
Lyon began to sweat as the armies came closer, even though they were slowing down due to the fact that their enemies seemed docile. He called out to Kagura.
"Hey. Are you sure this is going to work? What if they continue on?" He whispered.
Kagura turned around to give him a stern stare.
"I told you already. There'll be no more lives lost today. And I will make that happen," she began walking forward and stopped anyone who attempted to restrain her.
The Alvarez soldiers began to grow cautious and wary, but their leaders told them to keep moving on. As they neared Kagura, they saw that she still refused to withdraw her sword. Then suddenly, the female warrior wizard performed a great gravity change spell that lifted all of the soldiers in the frontlines off the ground.
"What's happening?" One of them panicked.
Once the soldiers have floated high enough, Kagura quickly undoed the spell, letting them fall freely towards the ground at high speeds. She turned around to face Eve, who was back at the frontlines of the wizard guilds.
"Now Eve!" She yelled.
As if on cue, the mage of blue pegasus casted a spell that immediately covered the ground with fresh snow, allowing the soldiers to land safely. Soon afterwards, the snow melted away. By now, many of the Alvarez soldiers are very confused as to what their enemies are planning to do.
A woman's voice rang out from the back of the line and made its way to the front. Dimaria emerged from the front lines, amused to see Kagura again.
"Well hello there. I see we meet again. Would you like another addition to your new outfit?" She cackled.
Kagura ignored that and remained silent as she stood her ground. Ajeel appeared at Dimaria's side, grinning as he tilted his head to the side.
"Aww...what are you little wizards trying to do? Beg for mercy? Do it right now and we'll show more than just mercy," he laughed.
Invel walked out from the soldiers and stood next to Ajeel.
"That's not funny. If they do wish to surrender, they should do it on our terms," he coolly said.
"Nah. Mercy's for weaklings. Lets just give them a good swift death. That'll teach you for messing with us!" Bradman yelled while swinging his scythe.
"I agree," Jacob replied standing next to Bradman.
Walh and Neinhart appeared later. Neinhart was quiet while Walh constantly asked if he could be their executor. Dimaria shook her head.
"I think that this woman should be taken care of first. Don't you?" She gestured to Kagura who by now is slightly trembling in fear.
Invel shrugged his shoulders, "What I really want to know though, is why would they be standing like this, when they know that trickery would not work on us."
Kagura took a step forward, planting her feet down firmly to get the attention of the remaining Spriggans.
"There's no trick to this. We're standing here to save us. All of us. That includes you people."
Ajeel raised a brow, "What do you mean? We ain't need no saving. But you little wizards would if you don't surrender right now."
Kagura shook her head, "Surrender wasn't the option I had in mind. But if that's what it costs for this war to end, then we'll gladly accept it."
All of her comrades' jaw dropped and began complaining. But she continued on.
"You see. To die for our purposes is honourable and brave. But to live for them is something even greater."
With that, she unsheathed her sword and raised it above her before throwing to the ground. The soldiers and the members of the Spriggan 12 looked at her with shock.
Behind Kagura, all of the wizards threw down their weapons or pieces of armor and kneeled on the ground. Kagura slowly walked up to the Spriggans, keeping her breathing to a steady pace.
"We choose to live for Ishgar and all of the people that we love, and care about. Do you choose to live for that too?" She asked.
The Spriggans were of mixed emotions by now, unsure of what to say. Neinhart was the first to speak.
"Wait. But why? You said that you stand here to save all of us, including the people of Alvarez. But why?"
Kagura was about to open her mouth when Dimaria interrupted.
"Forget it. She's just trying to buy time for her friends to kill Acnologia. They want to kill our Emperor!"
Kagura protested, "Wait! I—"
Ajeel cuts in, "We can't let them live! Attack!"
Suddenly, a great light shone, causing everyone to cover their eyes. Then a voice commanded for them to stop. After the light disappeared, August appeard from the edge of the battlefield, walking towards them. The Spriggans and the wizards were all shocked to see him.
August silenced anyone who attempted to ask him questions as to how he's still alive, instead he turned to face Kagura.
"Young one. We won't interrupt you anymore. Continue with what you want to say," he gestured for her to speak.
The Spriggans look at him incredulously. Kagura took a moment to catch her breath.
"Ok. What I wanted to say is that we all have a common enemy here. And that is the Black Dragon of the Apocolypse! I'm not talking about your Emperor who lives inside of it! He made that decision on his own, and it's a sign that he wants to end his story right here, right now."
She threw her hands down to emphasize her point.
August nodded at Kagura.
"And what proof do you have of this?" He asked.
She looked down for a second before pulling something out of her knapsack and threw it to the ground. August looked stunned for a second before picking up the book.
"The Memoirs of Zeref...so that's where it was," the great wizard was astonished.
Kagura nervously leaned forward.
"I promise, it was well kept and treated. The entries that Zeref wrote, they were all very touching and relatable. You can clearly see that he's been suffering nearly all his life, but still, he's been able to enjoy what little happiness he has in the world. He's got to see his Empire, all big and beautiful, he's got to meet with several nice people, whom he called friends, he's got to see his beloved younger brother..." Kagura stopped there.
Invel looked to August, asking if it's true. August nodded slowly.
"I've read this book once myself. I knew immediately afterwards...so, lets give the Emperor what he's wished for. He lived his life full circle now, it's time we did him a long overdue favour," he told to Invel.
The Spriggans were at first wary, but then Dimaria finally reached out and grabbed Kagura's sword, handing it her.
Kagura accepted it.
"There's no need in doing that," she replied.
Dimaria smiled, this time for real, "You're not surrendering. So keep the weapon. Oh and, we also choose to live...for our people."
Kagura turned around and pumped her hands up in the air. The wizards all cheered and ran forward to give her a bone-crushing hug. A few of them even tried to mingle with the Spriggan 12 and the Alvarez soldiers. Kagura removed herself from her comrades and took out the yellow lacrima, activating its pulse.
"Mission successful," she said to herself.
Walking back towards her allies, Kagura stumbles over a tiny bump on the grass.
Dimaria offered a hand to help her up. Kagura smiled as she accepted it and stood up, looking next to her, she took Invel's hand and gestured for him to take the nearest person's hand, who was Lyon. Invel reached out for Lyon, who at first was wary, but then warmed up to him.
One by one, all of the people on the battlefield began holding hands and looking to the sky. August stepped away from the large circle of people holding hands, and waved his staff, sending a great aura across the entire continent. In this moment, all discord and arguments that are taking place, suddenly ended.
On the airship, the Fairy Tail guild feels the warmth of August's spell. They reached out for their friends and looked forward with hope. In the bridge, Erza smiled as she felt the pulse of the yellow lacrima in her hand.
"Good job Kagura...good job," she sighed in relief.
Just then, the rest of main team entered from the door to check on their location. Natsu went up to the Thunder Legion.
"Well? How are we doing right now?" He asked.
Freed smiled and nodded, "We're doing pretty good. Everything's going smoothly and according to plan, we should be in range anytime—"
"ACNOLOGIA!" Bixlow shouted pointing forward out the window of the bridge.
Sure enough, the head of the great black and blue dragon appeared in the distance and was nearing the airship at high speeds. Gajeel smirked as he cracked his knuckles.
"Well, it's about time. It's now or never everyone! Lets go!" He led the team out of the bridge and towards the outside deck of the ship.
Makarov shouted through the intercoms for everyone to do their assigned tasks in keeping the ship stable and firing their cannons when needed. Natsu waited until everyone was out before he began running after them, his stomach mixed with excitement and fear.
Laxus called out behind him.
"Hey Natsu! How are you planning on getting inside that thing?"
Natsu stopped in his tracks, squeezing his fists.
"Well, if it refuses to let us in the easy way, we'll just have to get in the hard way!" He shouted in determination.
Laxus crossed his arms and laughed in amusement.
"Never mind. I guess you're all fired up anyways."
Natsu shook his head before leaving, "That's my line! Why is everyone always stealing it from me?"
Acnologia is here! How's the fight going to go down? That'll all be explained in the next chapter...