Do you guys like bad news? Because I have some. On Monday, I'll be starting collage. So, A-Levels. Huh, summer is already gone... Unfortunately, that means that uploads will be slower. Down to one a week. Today is Alliance, next Saturday will be Generations. It'll be back and fourth. My main focus is studies, but I need to let you guys know. I'll try my best to stick to that schedule. Sorry guys.

Reviews and constructive criticism is welcome. Enjoy!

Chapter 29

Lucy finally managed to carry Natsu up the final flight of stairs. They were just outside the main hall. Deafening cries were heard, making her heart beat even faster. With one last look at her partner, she settled him down against the wall, before grabbing her keys and running outside.

What she saw shocked her. The Balam Alliance was charging towards her friends, four dragons above them. She saw Gajeel and Wendy leap towards two of them, while Cana, Levy and Juvia fought the red one. The purple one stayed out of the fight, lazily watching. The rest were fighting the Balam Alliance. Erza was fighting Kyoka, with help from Romeo. Midnight was facing off against Jellal. Zancrow was battle the boys from Blue Pegasus while Keyes was fighting Gray and the Strauss siblings. Franmalth was slowly pushing back Mermaid Heel and Torafuzer was battling Lamia Scale. Lower guild members and Sabertooth were defending the rest from the guards, who were surrounding them.

"Lucy!" Makarov cried, hurrying towards the girl. "Where's Natsu?" She didn't reply. She just stood there, shaking, eyes wide, mouth parted.

"Dragons." She whimpered. "Not, not again..."

"Lucy!" The tiny man snapped at her. "Where's Natsu!"

"Natsu... Yeah... Over here!" The blonde recovered from her shock and led the master towards the boy. Happy had stayed at his side, worrying.

"He's got the orb." Makarov analysed. "That must be doing it to him. How long has he had it?"

"Not for too long."

"Well, a bit ago, the fire dragon seemed to have increased in strength. Maybe Natsu holding onto the orb is powering him."

"By sucking the fire magic out of Natsu?" Happy asked.

"Correct. We either need to beat the dragon or make Natsu let go of the orb."

"His grip is too tight though." Lucy told him. "We need t-" Her words were cut off by a crash. Gajeel had flown past them into the wall, groaning as he did so.

"Are you alright Gajeel?" Pantherlily asked, flying up to him.

"This guy is tough." Gajeel grunted. "Let's up our game Lily."

The exceed nodded. "Understood." Gajeel leapt off the wall and charged at the dragon again, shadows seemingly swarming him. Lily followed.

"Everyone is fighting..." Lucy breathed. "I have to help!" Leaving Natsu in the master's care, she summoned Loke and Virgo, and ran into battle.


Rouge stood up. Tears had stopped flowing, but he felt empty inside. Lost. Alone. Confused. But mainly, angry.

"Let's go." He said, his voice cold.

"But..." Lector began.

"We'll get him later. We will give him a proper goodbye. I promise." Rouge interrupted. "But for now, we have to deal with the problem."

Lector shook his head. "I wanna stay with Sting." Rouge nodded.

"Frosh?"

"I'll stay here too." She said quietly.

"I'll come back." Rouge told the two, before turning around and heading towards the mountain. As he went, he could hear the battle raging at the top of the mountain. Both spells and curses were being thrown in unison. He clenched his fists, wondering what he would say to Sabertooth. To Yukino. He pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind as a flash of lightning rippled across the sky. From the clouds, a yellow beast fell. It landed in front of Rouge, making a large crater. From it, Laxus climbed out, spitting out blood as he did so.

"Stupid lizard." He grumbled to himself, before realising that Rouge was there. "Huh?"

"Laxus?" Rouge started. He didn't finish, Laxus had crossed the distance between them and landed a firm hit onto him. Rouge stumbled.

"You made a mistake pal." Laxus snarled.

"Laxus, please, I'm not Future Rouge." Rouge gasped.

"Shut it!" Laxus fired lighting towards the dragon slayer. "I know who you are. You look exactly the same. Don't think you can control the world."

"Laxus, wait!" Rouge pleaded.

"I said shut it!" Laxus roared. "Lightning Dragon Iron Fist!" Laxus slammed his fist against Rouge, sending him spiralling through the air. Rouge landed in a heap on the floor, but didn't bother to get up.

"Trying to travel through the gate, huh?" Laxus spat, glaring at him. "Not happening. Lightning Dragon Breakdo-"

"Stop!" Frosh cried, jumping in front of him.

"Wha?"

"Stop." Frosh repeated. "Rouge isn't bad."

"Laxus." Rouge muttered, standing up. "I'm not the Future Rouge who attempted to take over. He happened when Gray killed Frosh. But she's still here. Sting... sacrificed himself so I could live. By doing so, he gave me his magic. Enough to defeat the Shadow and White dragons. But now he's..."

"Oh. R-Rouge, I'm sorry." Laxus said, lowering his fists. "I just assum-"

"It's fine." Rouge raised a hand. "For now, I'd like to get back to the fight." Laxus nodded before a roar followed. The trees behind them shook.

"What was that?" Frosh questioned.

"We should look." Laxus said.


"You can't win kid." Steel jeered, knocking Gajeel back again.

"Watch me." He snarled back. "Iron Shadow Dragon Mode!" Gajeel conjured a blast of shadow, finally knocking Steel off balance.

Meanwhile, Midnight was pushing Jellal back.

"Did you really think you beat me last time." He asked calmly. Jellal gritted his teeth. "I mean, that attack didn't hurt." He grabbed Jellal and threw him into the castle. "You're weak and pathetic. Dark Rondo!" Dark magic was fired towards Jellal's location, making the main hall explode. Jellal breathed heavily as he staggered to his feet.

Luckily, the blast had caught the attention of a dragon slayer. Natsu slowly muttered to himself, finally opening his eyes. Natsu groaned as he sat up, rubbing his head. His eyes slowly travelled across the area in front of him. Almost like it was in slow motion, he watched his friends, his family, be beaten and battered. People thrown into the solid ground, knocked over by beasts, roars filling his ears. He felt his blood boil to its peak as the surrounding area began to melt from what seemed to be his anger alone. His fists tightened so much that the Fire Orb shattered in his hands.

"MIDNIGHT!" The pinkette bellowed, fire spreading everywhere. He pounced towards the dark mage, who looked shocked by the attack. Natsu slammed his burning fist into him, making him stagger. Natsu then let loose a wave of fire, causing Midnight to shield his face.

"Dragon Slayer Advance Secret Art." Natsu snapped. "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade." Lightning and fire directly hit Midnight, knocking him out.

The sudden attack on Midnight caught everyone's attention. Including Volcano's.

"Ah, the dragon slayer." He grinned. "So, you're Na-" He stopped as his eyes travelled to the shattered Fire Orb. Fear spread across his face as he felt his body begin to cool and weaken. He started spluttering and stumbling, gripping his head. In an instant, Volcano collapsed and didn't move.

"Well that's annoying." Cobra growled. "Oh well." He smirked as another roar bellowed over the mountain. "He's here now. Enjoy."

Natsu's back! And Rouge is ready to fight again! Things are looking up. But "He's here now. Enjoy." What does it mean? Find out. Hopefully you all enjoyed, see you all next week!