A/N: Yeah, so it's been a while since I last wrote. That's probably why, when I was writing this, I forgot that Happy was actually there when Acnologia showed up. Honestly, I'm too lazy to correct my mistake, so sorry about that. I embrace my idiocy fully. Guess you'll just have to cope with it.

(NATSU'S POV)

I'd woken up with a sinking feeling in the put of my stomach. It was like a sense of dread had taken up residence in my chest. It weighed me down as I was on my way to the guild. "Natsu, are you ok?" I looked up to see Happy floating beside me.

I nodded, "I just have a weird feeling."

"What kind of weird feeling?"

"I can't describe it! Stop asking questions!" I insisted. Happy looked surprised. I shook my head, "Sorry, Happy. I didn't mean to yell at you. I just haven't been feeling like myself today." Happy nodded and we headed towards the guild in silence.

When we arrived, a lot of people were standing in the center of the hall. They were gathered around something that I couldn't see. I tried to jump up so that I could catch a glimpse, but it didn't work, "Happy, what is it?" He didn't reply. I looked up at him and noticed the shock that was on his face. I growled and shoved my way through the crowd, "What is i—"

I froze. Sitting in the center of the crowd were Jax and Panther Lily. They were out of their battle forms, but were badly hurt. Blood caked Jax's fur along his forehead and a large gash stretched across Panther Lily's side. Wendy was treating them. I walked up to them, the feeling that had been plaguing me all morning getting worse as I closer inspected their injuries, "What happened?"

Jax looked up at me. I saw tears threaten to spill down his face, "I c-couldn't h-h-help her…sh-she's gone!" The tears were now dripping down his tiny face, but that wasn't my concern. I felt the blood rush from my face. I raised a hand to my mouth.

"Adel was taken," Lily said sternly, "I'm sorry."

"There was no one here last night, and apparently Adel was tricked…by Acnologia," said a voice. I turned and saw Lucy. Her eyes were puffy and her face was damp. When I looked at her she started crying again. I felt strangely numb. Adel is gone, Adel is gone, Adel is gone. Those words kept floating through my head. Suddenly, that numbness turned into anger. My blood boiled.

"Natsu, don't!" I heard Grey yell, but it was too late. Fire engulfed my body, whirling around me and towering up towards the ceiling of the guildhall. My anger flowed through me, fueling my fire. People backed up around me, trying to avoid being burned. I heard myself scream out of anger. Is she dead? I didn't want to think about it, but the question refused to leave the back of my mind.

"Natsu! Stop!" I heard a voice shout. I ignored it. Unfortunately, that wasn't a wise decision. I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck and I collapsed to the ground, moaning. Erza had whipped out her trademark neck-chop. "Don't be a fool, Natsu," scolded Erza. I covered up my face with one arm. I let this happen. I should have been there. I should have saved her!

"Natsu!" cried Lucy. She knelt on the ground and wrapped her arms around me. She was sobbing now. My arm dropped to my side as I felt my strength leave me, "It's my fault." Lucy shook her head, her tears dripping onto my chest, "No, it's not." I was shaking.

"Natsu," said a voice, "There's something you should see." I turned my head to see Mira standing over me.

"What?" She just closed her eyes and turned. I summoned my strength and stumbled to my feet. I was still shaking a bit. I followed after Mira. She stopped in front of the bar, "I found this when I arrived."

"What is it?" I asked. A smallish, black orb sat on the bar. I sensed a strange magical energy coming from it. It was about the size of my hand. Dark energy buzzed around it, dripping down onto the bar table. It oozed down into a black puddle at the base of the orb. What could only be described at black mist drifted off of it.

"Do you think its—" started Kinana. She'd reached out towards it. Her words were stopped by a scream. I watched in horror as the black ooze snapped out towards her arm and wrapped itself around her like it was alive. I took a step back. It twisted around her body, covering her arms and her neck. "Kinana!" shouted Erik. He lunged towards her and tried to free her from the ooze, but to no avail. He looked frantic. Kinana's eyes had turned completely black, not unlike how Erza's had a long time ago. Suddenly, her arm shot out and slammed Erik aside. He fell to the ground in shock.

"Well, well, well," said Kinana…only it wasn't Kinana's voice. She cocked her head and grinned evilly. "You," I growled. I lunged myself at him, but my fist only made contact with the air beside Kinana's body. She was completely covered in the blackness now.

"What did you do to Kinana?" snarled Erik, on his feet now. I got the feeling that the only reason he wasn't hurling himself at Acnologia was because he was using Kinana's body.

A haunting laugh escaped Kinana's lips, "I didn't do anything…she's fine. When she waked up she won't remember anything and she'll be fine…either that or she'll be dead. Who knows?"

Erik screamed in outrage. Acnologia smiled contentedly. He turned to me, "Natsu Dragneel?"

I narrowed my eyes and took a step forward, "How do you know my name?"

A cold grin snaked across his face, "Because Adel told me all about you."

A flurry of emotions flew past me: surprise, joy, anger, and fear, "What did you do to her?"

"I just…" he paused, considering what to say, "Helped her realize her true self."

"What the hell does that mean?" demanded Erza. She wasn't one to swear, so it was clear that she was angry.

"She's alive, then?" asked Lucy, hopefully.

"Why don't you find out for yourself?" he asked.

"What?" demanded Grey. Acnologia turned to Grey, now, "Why don't you come see her? Or shall I send her to see you?"

"Send her here?" questioned Lucy, "W-what?"

"I quite like that idea. You should ready your little guild for a guest," he said. He spat the word 'guild' at us. I growled. With that, the black ooze lifted off of Kinana and disappeared into the air. It left a foul smell behind. Kinana collapsed to the ground breathing hard. Erik was by her side immediately, cradling her in his arms. Wendy was on it. I worried about her healing so many people at once. She was bound to exhaust herself.

Suddenly, the full force of what I'd just seen and heard hit me. I had to sit down. I angrily ran my fingers through my hair. Thoughts spun through my head like crazy. "She's alive, Natsu," squeaked Lucy, coming towards me and sitting beside me. She leaned against my arm as I nodded. I didn't say anything.

"What did he mean by 'helped her to realize her true self'?" asked Erza, stroking her nonexistent beard.

"I don't think it's something good," Grey pointed out. I nodded in consent. Helping her to realize her true self…bullshit.

"I guess we'll find out soon," I said under my breath. I stood up and walked out of the guildhall, thoughts of Adel chronic thoughts of Adel recurring in my head.

~TIMESKIP~

It was dark now. The guildhall was still pretty full, but it was quiet. I suppose people didn't want to head home just in case Adel spontaneously showed up. I kept looking to the door, wishing she would appear and smile at me. I should have been more careful. I should have valued the time we had together more. I missed her like crazy. I couldn't focus on anything. I fidgeted constantly. As soon as I'd found out that she was gone, I'd been feeling like this.

"Natsu, you should calm down." I turned and saw Grey sitting on the stool beside me.

"Like you have a right to say that," I grumbled.

"I get it. You love her."

I punched him, "Don't be weird."

"What? It's true, right?" I stared at him for a moment and then nodded. "Well, I get it, then."

"You mean because you're in love with Lucy?" I asked bluntly.

His face turned bright red. Hehe, a new way to torture him. "How did you know?" he demanded.

"I don't mean to imply that you're an idiot, man, but it's really obvious."

His shoulders sagged, "I am an idiot."

"I wasn't being serious."

"But it was true." I stared at him, "Other than the obvious, why are you an idiot?" We then proceeded to shoot idiocy back and forth between us.

"Don't be an asshole."

"Impossible."

"It's because of Lucy."

"What about Lucy?"

"You know I love her?"

"Yeah."

"I haven't told her."

"Man! How long have you loved her?"

"I don't know. A long time."

"You are an idiot."

"Yeah."

"…So tell her."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I just can't."

"Why?"

"What if she rejects me?"

"She won't reject you."

"How do you know?"

"You are an idiot!"

"Asshole."

"Hey, I told you it was impossible…"

"Yeah, yeah. How do you suggest I go about it?"

"Kiss her."

"WHAT?!"

"Kiss her."

"I heard you the first time!"

"Then why did you—"

"Shuddap!"

"You're the one who asked me."

"Fine!" I grinned. Hehehe, Natsu 1, Grey 0.

To my surprise he stood up and took a deep breath. He walked over to where Lucy was standing and touched her shoulder. When she turned he pulled her to him and swept her into a deep kiss. I grimaced and turned away. Damn, he actually did it…idiot. I was waiting for the sound of a violent slap, but it didn't come. I turned to look and saw them holding each other, still kissing. My eyebrows rose. As people started to notice, a chorus of cheers erupted in the guildhall.

"You go get her, Grey!"

"That's a man!" I could guess who had said that.

"Get a room!"

"Kyaaaa! Lucy!" I turned to see who that was. Levy was jumping up and down beside Gajeel. Gajeel just looked bored.

"Damn, cheerleader," said Bickslow and Laxus at the same time, their arms crossed over their chests. I grinned. Grey actually did it!

"Surprise?" said Grey. He was smiling largely.

"At least I didn't slap you on impulse, though. You should be proud," she shot back.

He nodded, "Thanks for that."

"Does this mean that you're my boyfriend now?"

"Only if it means you'll be my girlfriend." I curled my lip back in disgust. I didn't need to see two of my best friends piling on the flirts. I stood up and walked to the door. The guildhall had suddenly lit up, the somber mood broken. I reached for the doorknob, but the door swung open before I could grasp it. I stumbled backwards.

"Hey, there," cooed a voice. The guildhall was completely silent. The fresh air from outside drifted into the room. The street lamp outside flickered, releasing a strange buzzing sound. "It's nice to meet you…not." Adel's fist hurtled towards me, sending me flying. Since when was she so strong…and why the hell did she punch me?!

Adel stepped into the room. Everyone was tense, wondering why she'd thrown a punch. That's when I saw it. Adel looked like her regular self except for one thing. It was hard not to see. Both of her eyes were the same color…dark. "Adel?" Lucy whimpered.

"That's not Adel, Lucy," I said sternly. I got to my feet and stood facing the person in the doorway.

"Oh, I'm very much Adel. Just not your Adel. I'm the better Adel…the one who isn't a little bitch and didn't fall in love with your punk ass," she said laughingly. I took a step forward, "Give me my Adel back." I growled at her, igniting my fists.

"Ohoho…look out, everyone, we've got a badass over here!" she called to the guildhall, "Oh wait, no we don't! All I see is a little orphan who couldn't hang onto his love…if that's even what you would call it."

I froze, "Orphan? That's not exactly an insult considering your past."

She smiled. It wasn't the warm smile I was used to seeing from Adel. It was a spine-chilling smile that was full of insanity. She leaned backwards, her arms hanging like those of a ragdoll. She cocked her head and let out a chilling laugh that shook me to my soul, "You mean Silinean? I couldn't be happier that he's gone! Acnologia took care of him for me! I never have to see him again!" Her laughter echoed through the hall.

I growled, "Adel would never say that!"

She gasped, "Oh, she wouldn't? Well, I'm not as weak as your little girlfriend!"

"Adellaine Dragoe! Stop this, this instant!" bellowed a voice. It was the master.

"How do you know my name!?" Adel asked. For a moment I saw a flash of my Adel in her eyes. The eye that was usually light shimmered.

"Adel, stop this!" Lucy called desperately.

"This isn't you!" shouted Erza.

"STOP IT!" screamed Adel, holding her head, "Stop it, stop it, stop it!" She screamed and launched herself at me. I was barely able to dodge her fist. Before I had time to react her leg swept mine out from under me and I fell. She stomped on my chest and I couldn't breath. I felt my magic seep from me as she used her own.

"Adel!" I choked out, grasping her leg. She flew off of me as she dodged an attack from Lyon.

"Lyon! What are you doing?" yelled Grey.

"Don't be a fool, Grey. She's hostile!" he answered. Glass-like, ice birds flew towards Adel. She knocked them aside, "Pathetic!"

"Look at her!" shouted Hibiki, "That is not Adel!" I did so. He was right. Her face was dark and shadows surrounded her. She stood there limply as if she were half dead. My heart felt like it was cracking in two.

"He's right!" screamed Erza as she requipped and flew towards Adel. Adel just grinned evilly, not even trying to dodge. She raised her hand and a shockwave knocked Erza backwards. It was like when Adel would use her magic, except the waves that blocked magical energy were a deep black. Erza dropped to the ground, unconscious.

"Erza!" screamed Lucy. She called out Leo. He charged towards Adel, a lion or light brilliantly illuminating the guildhall, but Adel easily destroyed him. He vanished back to the Celestial Spirit World. Lucy was crying, "Adel! No!" She wasn't only sad, though. Anger shone in her eyes, displaying her open affection for her spirits.

"Roar of the Iron Dragon!" roared Gajeel. A funnel of razor sharp particles of metal bore down on Adel. She took the blast full on. When the smoke cleared she was still standing. Her clothes were ripped and thick blood dripped from a cut on her cheek. She raised her hand and pointed it towards Gajeel, "You shouldn't have done that." She grinned and positioned her fingers into the same of a gun. She lowered her thumb, "Pow." With that one word what seemed like a bullet of her magical energy zipped through the air directly towards Gajeel. His eyes went wide as Levy jumped in front of him. The magic shot hit her shoulder and she screamed out. She fell lifelessly to the floor. I worried that she was gone, but she cried out when Gajeel lifted her up. His face was wild as he held her. I looked at Adel. She blew on the tip of her finger as if it were a real gun. I needed to stop this.

"NO!" I screamed. I hurled myself towards Adel, my entire body enflamed. She looked towards me, but she was too late. For some reason, her movements were suddenly slow. I took advantage of it and landed a blow to her chest. She flew backwards and got to her feet quickly. "Natsu!" yelled a voice. Macao's purple flare flew towards me and I gratefully devoured it. Adel laughed, "It won't help you, Dragneel!"

"Want to bet?" I yelled. I felt my rage roil inside of me. Not only anger pulsed through my veins, though. In every inch of my body, every cell, every atom, my love for Adel thrived. I was going to save her. I had to. I felt my flames light up higher with my emotions. I knew this feeling. It was Dragon Force. I'd activated Dragon Force with solely my emotions. I felt the scales creep onto my face, "I'll save you, Adel." She laughed, "Save me from what? Freedom?"

"From that cage you're in!" I threw myself at her. My fury and love escaped through every blow, "Fight, Adel! You can do it! You're stronger than this!" All she would do was laugh cruelly, but I knew I was getting to her. I was reaching my Adel. She could hear me. I landed a solid blow to her right cheek. She froze, "Is this how you treat all your girlfriends?"

I was breathing hard. She didn't look at me. "Adel?" I asked, pausing. Her head slowly turned towards me. I was too late realizing that both of her eyes were dark. Her fist struck my stomach, knocking the air out of me. My magic was practically gone with a single blow. "Adel," I wheezed. She stood over me. A few wizards charged forward to stop her, but she screeched, "If you come closer you die!" Then paused, noticing a strange, dark rippling in the air around us. Adel had put up a barrier of her magic around us. I figured it was so powerful that if someone even slightly touched it, it would eliminate all of their magical energy at once, killing them.

I was lying on the ground. She was looked down at me. She leaned over, her hair sliding off of her shoulders. She cocked her head, "Poor little Natsu, you've been through a lot, huh? Well…let me ease your pain." A crazed and possessed smile stretched from ear to ear and she raised her foot. Magical energy gathered as she prepared to stomp on me. I reacted immediately. I kicked the back of her shin. She fell to the ground. Her head slammed against the wood, momentarily stunning her. I leapt on top of her, pinning her down. She growled and writhed. I raised my fist, flames licking my knuckles.

Suddenly she stopped writhing. She stared at me. I watched in shock as a single tear slid down her cheek. I sucked in a quick breath of air. I felt pain stab into my chest. Her eyes were still dark. I raised my fist again, but instead of bringing it down on her, I did something else. I leaned down and kissed her. Even though this was not my Adel, her lips were still the same. They were soft and tasted sweet. No one would have guessed that those same lips had just said all those horrid things. When I opened my eyes and leaned back, Adel's eyes were closed.

Slowly, she opened them. My heart leapt. Her eyes were back to normal. "Natsu, you need to kill me. You need to kill me!" she screamed, "Kill me, Natsu! I don't want to hurt you!"

My eyes went wide, "You're back to normal!"

"No, I'm—" she screamed out in pain, arching her back and writhing. "Adel!"

"Natsu, it hurts. It hurts!" she screeched. She started sobbing, "Natsu, please!"

"NO! I won't kill you!"

She screamed out again, tossing her head back, "Please! She's going to come back! I can't stop it! Hurry!"

"NO!" I screamed. I crushed her against me, holding her tight. I wasn't going to let her go again. I would save her. I would help her. She was shaking and sobbing. "It hurts so much," she cried. I opened my eyes and saw something I didn't expect. Suddenly, she was ripped from my arms. She rose into the air, black mist curling around her body. She was screamed and twisting around in pain midair. Her hair and clothes defied gravity, lifting into the air. I reached for her, but I was too late. Her body started to disintegrate, disappearing into the dark fog. She reached for me, her eyes desperate and terrified. Our fingers touched for a moment before her hand vanished completely. She hall was silent. All traced of Adel were gone except for one thing. Sitting where she'd been was a sealed letter. I picked it up and opened it. Inside was one note. The paper was blackened as if it had been burnt around the edges. A single line was scrawled on it in messy handwriting.

Come and get her.