Chapter 20

A roar breaks through the silent air. Many bystanders from the prison watch in shock as they saw the serpent beast in the air. Gajeel and Elfman were in disbelief on how big it was. Even police officers and minor prisoners were very petrified to death.

"What the fuck is that thing?" said Elfman.

"I don't know, but I don't want to wait around and find out." Said Gajeel. Then, the ground started to again. The foundation of the prison was beginning to collapse, people were put the prisoners into car and driving out of the place as quickly as they can. Gajeel saw a car that was empty and went inside and pray hope that the key were ignition.

"Wait, what about Natsu and Gray?" He shouted.

"Do you think we can go up against that?! And besides, I'm sure they got Lucy and left by now." To be honest, Gajeel was worried about them as well. He wasn't to have a soft spot for people. But, something has got to give. Elfman jumps inside with him and they drove out of the prison and back to the city.

Outside of the council, Jellal and the others were outside as well and surveying damage. They were lucky that Jellal sense what was going on and got them all out of there before the building exploded. Louis was utter disbelief by the level of destruction. Lava was sweeping out of different levels of the building.

"So, what now?" said Laxus. "Should we head back to the guild?" Jellal nods in response protecting the people are important. "But need to deal with the situation with the port." Said Jellal.

"I'll deal with the water in the port. In fact, I've an idea of what to do with it." said Louis. He looks at his soldiers. "You two, I want you to stay with them."

Ichi was baffled. "Wait, are you serious, sir?! We're helping you out with this."

"I don't to fear your fucking complaints. You'll do as I say that is an order!" Louis retaliates.

Ichi jerk back at his boss's reaction. He turns away from them and turns to Jellal. "I'll teleport you guys there." He said. And just like that, they were gone council building that was now in ruins.

The demon serpent made a battle cry and starts to fly towards the skies.

In Magnolia , Markov was on top of the guild's roof. He could hear roar of the east many miles away. He looks down and sees many officers in the city and warrior and mages from his guild evacuating the citizens out. They were all in worried and in terror of what is happening. Markov knew this was battle is going to a difficult one. And he also knows that lives will be lost in this.

He contacts Warren by telecommunication. "Warren, how it's coming with the evacuation?"

"A lot faster now we've got more people helping. But, we still got a lot of people." He states. "And there are still some people that are still fixing the port."

The situation was getting bad. If they don't hurry, this brute will burn Magnolia to ashes. "Please hurry." Markov breaks communication and senses someone here. He turns around and sees Dunate and Alicia. He was surprise to see him or to see him injured.

Dunate was breathing in and out as blood was coming out.

"Councilman. " He said.

"Please, Markov. I need your help." He states. He called on a few of warriors to help Alicia to take him to the infirmary.

Natsu had his eyes completely shut. All he heard was a roar and saw a bright light. He didn't want to expect after that. Or assumed that Lucy and the others were gone from that blast and he was the lone survivor. He couldn't bear what would have happen to her after seeing her body like that. He opens his eyes and saw his own hands.

He was alive and so was the rest of them. He sees a black barrier protecting all of them. His eyes look and didn't betray him. Alek was the one that created the barrier that they were in.

Natsu was impressed by his abilities. " Are you okay?" he asks Alek.

"Yeah. I'm fine. About you guys?

"We're fine." Gray responded.

Alek takes down the barrier and they were all outside. He looks down and saw a big hole in the ground. He looks around and Tristan and Hayden were nowhere to be seen. Could they've be eaten by the monster.

"Guys, the gates." Said Erza. Everyone looked and the Gates of Hell was gone.

"This is bad. That thing is on the loose now." Said Natsu.

"We need to get back to the guild. Lucy needs some medical treatment." Said Mira as she was holding on to her. Natsu looks at Lucy then looks at Erza. "All right. We'll back and fast."

In the office, Markov was with Alicia. He was brought up to speed by her. He didn't look the least of shock. " I see. So, that was his plans." He said.

"To be honest, I was surprised myself." Said Alicia. "But, you can count on me to join in this fight."

Markov was glad in his hear the more the better. Cana came rushing into the hallway and burst through the door.

"Excuse me." she said.

"Cana, what's it?" he asks.

"It's Erza ,Jellal and the others. They all made out safely with Lucy. But, she's…" Cana had a look of horror on her face.

Markov was shaking on what has happen to her. He got his chair and heads to infirmary to see what has happened.

Lucy was in the infirmary, resting on her wounds. Wendy was able to cure most of them. Natsu, Erza, and Markov was there as well. Wendy excuse herself out of the room.

"Look like she did quite with the scars." Said Erza. "Yes, but the needs to rest. She must be a shock right now." Said the master.

He was so sadden to her in this state. He couldn't even image what was going in the mind of Natsu right now.

"Erza, let's leave these two to talk." He stated. Erza followed the order and they left the room and headed downstairs.

Natsu walks up to her bed stand. Her eyes, or rather, her face was sad. It kill him on the inside to her like this.

She slowly opens her eyes and looks at him. "Don't feel bad." She said. "It hurts. But, I'll manage." She was holding on to his scarf. "You're heading out to battle right."

"Of course. That's thing is there. And we need to send it back to Hell." He bent on to meet her level and caress her face and hair. "Once that was all said and done. How about we send some time on town."

She chuckles. "Are you asking me out on date?"

"What do you think…Lucy." They stared at each other eyes. Both of them knew what they want. Natsu leans into her and their lips touch each other into a blissful kiss.

Lucy tugs on his vest as she felt that the warm embrace. She definitely sure that he was feeling it as well. As they broke the kiss, Natsu had a blush on his face.

"I'll be back. I promise." He gets up and said goodbye to her. Lucy squeezes the scarf and prays for his and everyone's safety.

Natsu was down at the guildhall where some of the mages and warriors were gathered. He turns to see Jellal, Laxus, and Gajeel and Elfman. But that wasn't the only thing that he saw. Ichi and Norwind were as well. Anger started to boil inside of him again. He marched toward. He was back by Jellal himself.

"Do you really think that is a good idea." He said to him. "Staring a fight here while Magnolia is moment away from being crumbled."

Natsu pushes away from him. "These guys are working for the council. They tried to bring you guys down."

"I understand how you feel and will deal with the matter another time. But right now, this battle is what's most important." And he wasn't playing around with that.

Markov came on top of the second floor and spoke a speech with them. "Young mages and warriors of Fairy Tail. Today, we're here to fight something that's valuable to us. Our people, homes, lives. Today, we're standing in the Gates of Hell as demon is approaching us waiting to strike us down. We'll always come back up stronger than ever."

He continued. "My children.. believe in your powers and your strength. Let's bring victory in the Fairy Tail name!"

They all roared in excitement and move forward to the heart of the battles. Demons were approaching the west end of the city. And so was the serpent. Natsu was out on the front lines charging at them as well as Gray, Erza, Laxus and Alek.

"I don't care how many of are there… Come at me!" Natsu shouted.

To be continued…