The ruins of Tartaros' base was settled within the earth, yet many figures were already on the move. Many Fairy Tail mages that survived crashed along with Plutogrim, already searching and gathering their numbers. Away from the gathering of mages, the small party comprised of Erza, Minerva, Bellona, and the four Exceeds ventured out of the ruined halls, reaching the shambles of a large chamber with open skies.

Erza looked around, taking in her surroundings with a discerning eye. "You think this is the control room?" She asked.

"Looks like it." Minerva answered, holding up Bellona on her own.

"More like what's left of it." Bellona corrected.

"Huh?" Happy's ears twitched, the sound of consistent beeping ringing from not far. He turned towards the direction of where it resonated from, and to his own shock he found what they were looking for. "Hey guys! Look!" He pointed ahead, everyone following his finger.

Everyone's surprise grew as they laid eyes on the ex-chairman, looking at the archive screen before him. His fingers pressed against keys, moving points across the board.

"The former chairman!" Erza exclaimed.

Crawford didn't answer. As he moved the screens to operate Face, his neck twitched, his eyes devoid of any pupils. Even now, he smelled bad.

"Hey, is it just me, or is he looking a little off?" Lector questioned.

"Fro thinks so too." Frosch said.

Regardless of how, Erza knew "how" wasn't as important as "what". She was aware of time counting down, and she began to urge herself forwards towards the undead chairman. "Former chairman!" She called out as she ran ahead. "Former chairman!"

Once again, he didn't respond. He continued to move dots along the board, like he was mute of deaf to her.

"Something is wrong here." Minerva said. She looked towards Bellona. "Didn't your master say the former chairman was killed?"

"Yes. I was aware." Bellona answered.

Minerva looked back, eyes narrowed as she watched Erza head towards him. "Then this doesn't make sense. If what you say is true, then how is he…"

"You have to stop Face now! Former chairman!" Erza called out, getting closer. Once near him, she began to reach her arm out. "Former chair-!" Suddenly, her body stopped, her feet frozen on the ground. The redhead looked down, her mind bewildered with her body's state of paralysis.

"Erza!" Happy shouted. His eyes suddenly went wide, a gag expelling when he felt an ominous force overpower him, rendering him stiff.

"Happy!" Panther Lily was next to worry, him too succumbing to the paralyzing force. It was him, then Lector, then Frosch, then Minerva. Bellona fell from Minerva's forced hold and fell to her knees, her body feeling the force in her neck.

Erza's hands began to open, slowly reaching for her own neck. "What? My…body…" She strained, her own throat having trouble breathing as her hands reached her neck, slowly grabbing and choking her. The pain and oxygen deprivation began, and Erza strained to get control back, but to no avail.

"Wha…" Happy was gaging as he was choking himself, as though possession laid eyes on everyone else; no one was safe as they all were choking themselves, their necks hurting from their own palms.

"My body…it won't listen!" Panther Lily murmured.

"C-crap!" Lector shouted.

Frosch was tearing up, the pain he was feeling making him whimper.

Minerva raised her head, but the pain didn't subside, it only intensified. "Gah!" She gagged.

Bellona opened an eye, the wincing evident. "This power…"

"You all are nothing but toys that don't interest me in the slightest." The voice belonged to a familiar person. Everyone who was able turned their bodies or glances towards the culprit of the sound, the shocking presence of Sayla unfolding. Beside the demon was another familiar demon. Kyôka.

"Don't kill the red one just yet, Sayla. She's of my belonging." Kyôka smirked.

"Sayla…Kyôka too…" Bellona murmured before bending over, her head against the ground as she felt the suffocation knock her over.

Erza's eyes widened at the unprecedented welcoming of the two. "It can't be…" She gasped. "So the former chairman…!"

"I'm not as effective with dead arts like Keyes is with his Necromancing, but I can make do with my Macro to some extent." Sayla explained. "Even with his dead body, we are within reach of detonating the thousands of Faces thanks to him."

Every victim's eyes widened, astonishment rising.

Kyôka turned her head, smirking maliciously at a weakened Bellona lurched over the ground. "Well, well, Bellona…what a surprise to see you squabbling. And here I thought you'd have some dignity to flee while you still had good condition."

"Kyô…ka." Bellona grunted, unable to accept the taunts thrown at her.

Kyôka turned to face Erza, her smirk turning even more wicked as she leered. "So, Erza, how does it feel? Does unable to move make you remember your time in that cell?"

Erza grunted, trying break free, but she only felt the air and choking envelop her more.

"Yes. That's it. Make it more enjoyable for me…squirm."

Everyone was struggling. Either they would succumb to asphyxiation first or their necks breaking. They were running out of time, and they were unable to move. Not many of them knew what the paralysis condition could do to them, but those who met Arbok's Glare before knew that feeling, and Bellona was beginning to black out.

Sayla weakly grinned in delight. "Your stories shall end here-!" Suddenly, she was cut off as something swift blindsided her. The demon gagged as the sudden arrival of Satan Soul Mirajane socking her in her midsection threw her for a loop.

"Mira!" Erza smiled. If she wasn't glad before that she was alright, she most certainly was now.

"What?!" Kyôka stammered.

Mirajane followed through with her punch, sending Sayla screaming into a wall. The wall broke apart, and at that instant, Erza and everyone else felt their bodies loosen up again.

Erza's hold was let go. "My body!" She breathed.

"I can move again!" Panther Lily cheered.

The late Crawford once again fell over like a sack of potatoes, thudding as his lifeless body was free.

"Alright! The chairman stopped as well!" Lector exclaimed.

Mirajane fell over, her Magic Power depleted. She collapsed on her side, panting as she could no longer get up.

The dust cleared, revealing Sayla on her backside and pressed against the broken wall. Unable to move, she gritted her teeth with an eye closed. "You…" She growled.

Erza rushed on over to her comrade, looking down at the white-haired mage with worry. "Mira! What happened?! You had me worried sick!" She exasperated.

"I'm sorry." She apologized. "I'm okay…but…" She nearly collapsed on her forearms again. "My Magic Power…I don't think I have much left."

Kyôka approached Sayla, frowning as she saw her most loyal and valuable ally in agony. The Macro Demon has always been there for her, and seeing her put up with so much for her left a broken spirit in Kyôka's heart. "Sayla…" She murmured.

Sayla glanced back. "Mistress Kyôka…please forgive me. I tried my best."

"I know, Sayla. I know." She knelt, looking at her straight in the eyes. The look she gave was so sincere that it left Sayla touched. "I'm glad you held up this long for me. I am indebted to you, so let me finish what you've started. Besides…" She looked back, looking at the translucent archives in the sky in the room, resembling that of an intricate face.

"…the chairman has done his job. Those bombs shall go off."

Erza's eyes widened, looking at the countdown with a hefty gasp.

"No…" Mirajane murmured.

"Damnit!" Minerva cursed with clutched fists.

The four Exceeds gaped their mouths in exasperation at the countdown before them.

Kyôka grabbed Sayla's hand, staring silently as the demon was losing her strength. "Sayla…I promise you…" She paused. "We will get through this. With your power, we shall return to Zeref. And we shall kneel before him together." With her hold o Sayla growing stronger, she could feel Sayla coursing the last of her Curse Power through the demon's veins. The increase in strength, though not much, had Kyôka stunned. "Sayla…"

"Win…Mistress." Sayla croaked before she blacked out.

"Erza! Hurry!" Happy urged.

"Face is counting down! We got to stop it!" Panther Lily announced.

"Erza…hurry." Mirajane huffed.

Minerva stepped forward, beside Erza as both glared at Kyôka. "Erza."

"I know…" Erza glowed, an intensity in her eyes as she requipped into her Armadura Fairy Armor. She held up her pink hilt with a glare set on her enemy. "I will stop Face!" She declared.

Kyôka glared at Erza and Minerva, a vibrant force darkly illuminating the atmosphere. "I shall kill you all, in the name of Zeref."

The Face had its clock set.

32:11

With one last tick, all three went lunging at their enemy, with Minerva following behind with green orbs in her hands. Erza sprung ahead of her, her sword in hand as she and Kyôka collided in the middle, sparks igniting when claws met blade. Sparks ignited when the metal grinded against the blade.

"You'll never stop Face. We'll make sure of that." Kyôka sneered.

"We'll see about that!" Erza challenged. "Minerva!"

On cue, Minerva's foot left the ground, springing overhead with a position looking to hold an invisible sword. "Territory!" At her magic's leisure, she swapped her and Erza's positions, making Erza atop of them while Minerva was in front of Kyôka. The bewildered demon went wide-eyed at how that didn't even take a split second, but barely enough time to register before she backed off in time to evade Erza's swing from above. Within that little reflex, Erza did manage to slice off only a single hair from Kyôka.

Kyôka slid a safe distance away, trying to recover. 'What was that? Whatever it was, I can't let these humans best the likes of Tartaros!' Kyôka stretched her claws forward firing green beams embedded with her pain enhancement powers. Erza dodged to the side and blitzed ahead, her sword pulled back as she closed the gap between herself and her foe.

"HRAH!" Slashed again, only for Kyôka to dodge with a jump overhead. The redhead averted her gaze upwards, but was blindsided with a claw coming down onto her.

"I RAGD!"

Minerva used her magic, catching Kyôka in a large spatial explosion. The erupting fireworks rattled the air wave, and Kyôka soared out of the sky in a trail of smoke. The demon yelled out as she crash-landed din a dust cloud with a loud thud.

"Yeah! Go, Milady!" Lector cheered.

"That's Minerva!" Frosch cheered.

Kyôka arose out of the smoke, her claws dug into a broken pillar she picked up. She flung the pillar at Minerva, the Territory Mage startled with how fast it was flung at her.

A bright horizontal glint brushed in front of Minerva, revealing to be Erza as she slashed straight through the pillar, the two folds crashing in different areas.

"Yeah!" Happy cheered.

"Way to go!" Panther Lily shouted.

The three were once again in a deadlock, with both sides glaring fiercely with no end. The one to break the silence was Kyôka, who broke into a smirk. "You're not half bad. I admit."

Minerva chuckled, lightly smirking at the demon's words. "Flattery shall not win you this battle."

"I fancy it wouldn't!" Kyôka sprung ahead once more, her claws stretched out and reached for Erza and Minerva. With both their guards up, Erza shielded with her blade while Minerva used spatial orbs to intercept. Kyôka collided with them, her prowess strong enough to swipe them. Both Erza and Minerva split up, separating in opposite directions. When they regained footing once more, they lunged at Kyôka yet again, spatial fists and sword brought forward to attack. Kyôka jumped at the last second, making Erza and Minerva go wide-eyed as their momentum backfired on one another. They yanked themselves back, barely freezing in place; exactly as Kyôka intended.

"Got you!" The demon reached down, firing pain receptor blasts discharged onto Erza and Minerva. Both were enveloped in a dust cloud, the land rumbling beneath their impact.

"Erza!" Happy cried.

"Milady!" Lector exclaimed.

Kyôka landed in front of the dust cloud, chuckling at their own folly. "You humans can get so overconfident."

A silence fell as the dust was simmering, but suddenly a green orb was seen within, surprising Kyôka. "What?" She looked down at her feet, seeing an orb attached to a spatial string. "When did this get here?!" She looked back ahead, eyes widening as the dust settled, revealing Erza and Minerva, both a little scratched from the attack.

Minerva yanked with her magic, pulling Kyôka in. "Now, Erza!" She urged.

"Right!" Erza rushed forward, yelling out as she passed Kyôka, slashing her sword that landed a powerful cut on the demon's side.

"Yeah!" All four Exceeds shouted.

Bellona stared in bewilderment, shocked with the strong amount of prowess they were facing. 'Erza, and Milady Minerva…are they seriously this powerful?'

Kyôka fell with a thud onto her back, with Erza looking back to see the demon beginning to stand once more. Both she and Minerva alike glared as Kyôka let out a sigh as she was on her feet in no time, disregarding her injury with a smirk.

"Well…this is going to be more fun after all." She smirked.

Suddenly, an ominous sound howled in the winds. It was low, but it caught everyone's attention.

"What was that?" Erza turned away, surprised.

Kyôka went wide-eyed, feeling another dark pressure.

The sound reverberated once again, this time as slightly louder roar in the winds.

"That sound…" Happy trailed off.

Panther Lily's face turned to grimace. "This voice…why does it sound…familiar?"

Frosch began to shiver in place. "Lector." He shuddered.

The sound was heard once again, making Frosch clutch his ears.

"D-don't worry. Everything will be okay." Lector assured, although he couldn't lie if asked he was just as terrified. "I hope."


"Muddy Water!"

Upon the command given, Sliggo raised her head, enveloping her perimeter in a brown cyclone of murky brown water. As she cried out, the vortex expanded rapidly, enveloping all the Lamy in the area in its content. As the intense waves subsided, it revealed the dozens Lamy twitching while drenched.

Vanessa looked to her side, eyes narrowing as there were Lamy in the distance. "There's still more coming." She warned.

"Crap! Just how many of these are there?!" Jet shouted. As a Lamy drew near him, he made haste and attacked her, mowing her down with his High-Speed Magic.

Droy incapacitated many Lamy from behind with his Knuckle Plant, but even with that he was shocked. "These clones are becoming a real pain in my butt!"

"Come on! Be a man and fight us one on one!" Elfman declared.

Lisanna was behind him, covering his blind spot. "Anyone got any bright ideas?"

Vanessa was having a hard time as well. Due to the battle against Sayla, and her Aura Magic used to shield herself from the effects of Alegria, her magic was pretty much depleted. 'This is not well. If we keep this up, will we be able to hold out for reinforcements? Will I have to resort to Aura Guardian?' Using it would benefit, but for how long, and with the excess power, who else would be caught in her wake. 'I can't, at least not with this space. We'll have to keep toughing it out.' She swiped her arm at the dozens of Lamy before her. "Sliggoo, Dragon Breath!"

Sliggoo whipped her neck around and opened her mouth, loops surrounding her body. "This is getting tedious!" She yelled. She unleashed another flaming blue beam that blitzed through the atmosphere, engulfing the vast number of Lamy in front in a blue explosion.

As the dust and smoke vaporized, many more Lamy were seen chuckling, crackling in laughter, and wiggling eccentrically through their other clones' dust.

"Oh come on!" Jet yelled.

Vanessa narrowed her eyes, trying to remain calm. She reached out once more. "Once more! Dragon Breath!"

Sliggoo opened her mouth, where she began to gather blue flames again. As she eyes the oncoming Lamy, her green eyes grew serious. "Let's end this…here!" As she channeled her energy, the round of loops gathering began to subside, the blue flames getting brighter and colors varying.

"Huh?" All the Lamy stopped in their tracks, seeing Sliggoo's mouth starting to open with a refreshed draconic energy.

Once channeled, Sliggoo let out a gurgling scream, unleashing a dragon-shaped, multicolored beam from her mouth. The dragon's head opened wide, zooming up, spreading its vast wings, and widened the mouth to snap down on the Lamy clones. They all were enveloped in a much larger explosion, this time of multicolored energy.

As the dust cleared, Sliggoo remained still. "How's that?" She challenged.

However, despite what happened, her comrades were more than bewildered.

"What was that?!" Jet yelled.

"Well that certainly wasn't a Dragon Breath attack." Lisanna examined.

"Yeah. It looked similar somehow." Elfman said.

Vanessa looked ahead, bewildered by Sliggoo's "Dragon Breath". "Sliggoo…was that…" Her eyes widened in realization. "You've learned Dragon Pulse!"

Sliggoo raised her head, beaming with great confidence.

Vanessa swiped her arm. "Then let's go! Sliggoo, Dragon Pulse!"

At her command, Sliggoo again opened her mouth, where multicolored energy gathered. It was launched in yet another beam that blazed through the sky, shaping into a dragon. It spread its wings and angled down on the Lamy in the distance, enveloping them in another champ that exploded with earth-shaking vibrant force.

Jet smirked as he pumped a fist. "Now we're talking!"

A sinister wind howled at that instant, catching their attention. The wind was dark, ominous to where they felt their spines shudder.

"Huh?" Droy looked up to the sky.

"What was that…?" Elfman trailed off.

"I don't know." Lisanna muttered.

The sound roared again, making Sliggoo and Vanessa grow goosebumps. The Pularis girl looked up to the sky, her sense s growing unsound. "What is this darkness?"


In the wasteland of unknown reaches, the numerous Face statues were towering in the distance where Carla, Wendy, and Doranbolt were located. They were all staring at Wendy, who was looking dazed.

"What was that feeling before?" She muttered. Though the sensation simmered down, deep in her gut, the odd but familiar essence lingered.

"Wendy! Focus!" Carla chided.

"R-right. Sorry." She apologized. She turned towards Doranbolt, seeing him ready for another Direct Line. "Are we getting within range?"

Doranbolt looked down. "Can't say. Another 2 or three times should do the trick."

Wendy nodded in understanding. "Okay then, let's…get…" Wendy was beginning to trail off, her body petering towards the side. Without warning, the little Sky Dragon Slayer fell to her side, her body growing silent.

"Wendy!" Carla rushed her side, her worries on the rise.

"What happened? Is she alright?" Doranbolt questioned.

"I don't know!" Carla tried to budge her. "Wendy! Wendy!"

Wendy was not responding. Her body was numb, yet the inside of her was pulsing. Her heart was heart loud and clear, the beating running through her system. The beating was so loud it was heard from her comrades. The sensation she felt that was weak was multiplying, louder than ever.

"Damnit! What's going on?!" Doranbolt shouted. In the distance, he could hear the faintness that was a dark roar. He whipped his head around, eyes wide open. "What's that…?"


Juvia arose, eyes wide with shock. "Gray was here?!" After regaining consciousness, Gajeel gave the rundown on what happened, with how he stopped Torafuzar, and how Gray saved him. Juvia's face fell slowly as she recalled what she did. She felt guilty for not being awake to tell Gray of what she did to his father.

"That ice guy was acting weird." Gajeel said. "He's got this new power. I don't know, but it's seriously scary."

Lucy gave a sigh of relief. "At least everyone's alright."

Sophie nodded.

Gajeel held up a sac to Levy. At the bottom it had damp red, which was barely bleeding through. "Hey, Levy, get this to Porlyusica. It's the blood needed to destroy those Magical Barrier Particles." He informed.

"Right!" Levy nodded and received the small sac.

In the distance, Natsu was looking away, turned towards the sky with his front concealed.

"Natsu?" Lucy asked.

"Is he alright?" Sophie inquired.

"He's probably just pissed to have that Gray beat him to the punch." Gajeel shrugged.

However, there was something wrong with Natsu as well. The longer he stared at the sky, the more his body began to feel another sensation. It was palpitating, and this time, it was so unnerving he was shuddering. Nobody was sound with how he was looking so…terrified. "Gajeel…" He muttered. "Can you hear it?"

Gajeel raised a brow. "Huh…?"

Natsu finally turned around, revealing his eyes wide with fear. Sweat was running down his face, looking like he's seen a ghost. "That growling."

Gajeel narrowed his eyes in question. He thought it was Natsu's stomach, but his stomach didn't make his spine tremble. The Iron Dragon Slayer went silent, and sure enough, he felt goosebumps sprawl as a dark growl was heard. His eyes went wide, an equal level of fear on his face.

A jet-like sound began to emanate. It was an ominous wind that bellowed loud enough for everyone to hear. The ground was vibrating, catching Lucy by surprise.

Within the shuddering atmosphere, it was apparent that everyone heard and felt the ominous pressure. They all stopped whatever they were doing, turning towards the sky to the dark roar coming from the distance.

"What…is that?" Sting asked. The ominous pressure before while battling Mard Geer was dim enough for him to feel, but it faded away. Now it was back, and it was making his spine churn.

"This is bad." Rogue implied.

Mard Geer turned towards the shaking air, nervously smirking. "Well, well, why isn't this a surprise." He said. Even with the predicament, he was trying his hardest to stay confident and smirking. "I've never calculated him to be part of this equation of mayhem."

A dark roar was heard loud and clear, this time loud enough to rattle the earth. Everyone began to feel bitterness swell as an awesome level of power was sensed from the shrinking distance. The jet-like sound closed in, the figure in question roaring and soaring through the atmosphere towards the ruins of Plutogrim.

"One can only plan so far. Was he drawn by the likes of Zeref? Or something more…?"

The beast in question came closing in, his menacing roars bellowing beyond comprehension. As he flew in, he was within eyes' line of sight, but the sound of destruction was what caused everyone to flip. They knew this level of power, and they were all beyond bewildered.

The black beast roared once more.

"ACNOLOGIA!" Natsu yelled.

The Black Dragon bellowed in anger and anguish. As he flew towards the sight, the last bits of Nic's scent fell in silence. As far as he was concerned, he's found his point of origin. The dragon was out for vengeance; blood of those who ruined him. He had to start somewhere.

The beast opened his mouth, unleashing a blue beam of breath that blazed across the sky. He flew over the level of destruction created, explosions devastating everything beneath his course. It was devastating clouds that the dragon reigned over, and no one had a say.

As the ground rumbled, many barely held their ground up.

"It's Acnologia!" Cana cried out.

"You mean that monster responsible for you going through time?!" Romeo exclaimed.

"Acnologia?! That dragon that…" Wakaba trailed off.

"Yeah, the beast that got his ass handed by those Dark Legendary monsters!" Macao reminded.

Cana stared at the explosions in the distance, her mind racing a million miles per second. The brunette was bewildered with shuddering thoughts of how Tenrou Island was nearly destroyed if not for Dialga and Palkia. She knew they weren't around this time, and that left her paling as the Magic Power could be sensed from her distance. "This bad…he's back…" She murmured.

With Erza, Minerva, and Kyôka, the ground was shaking. The arrival of the bringer of mayhem left them all petrified.

"Acnologia." Erza said.

"A dragon?!" Kyôka answered.

Minerva, Bellona, Mirajane, and the Exceeds remained frozen as the air raged with Acnologia's wrath unfolding.


"Wendy! Wendy!" Carla continuously tried to urge Wendy to stand, but no matter how hard she tried, the teenager was shuddering on her side. "Wendy!"

Her heart raced fast, pulsing with energy. The essence inside of her was flaring, and she couldn't explain why.

Doranbolt heard an explosion from the distance, catching his attention. "What?" Another dome of destruction was seen expanding, making him go wide-eyed. "You've gotta be kidding me…"


Natsu was on his knees, his heart thumping louder than ever. He was unable to move, the climax of energy swelling inside of him exceeding what he could take.

"Natsu? Are you okay?" Lucy asked.

Nastu felt another sharp pulse, a heartbeat escalating madly through his stomach. He clutched his belly, grunting in pain. He let out a sharp cry of anguish, much to everyone's shock.

"Natsu!" Lucy reached for him to make sure he was well, but when her fingers tapped his shoulder, she instantly pulled away. "Ow!" Her hand steamed from the touch. "It's hot!"

Gajeel began to clutch his own belly, the Iron Dragon Slayer grunting and suppressing his owns cries of anguish.

Levy looked back with great shock. "Gajeel!"

"Wait…" Juvia's eyes widened in shock. "Are the Dragon Slayers reacting to Acnologia?"

"Everyone…" Sophie wasn't sure what to make of the predicament, but she knew it was beyond her control.

Natsu and Gajeel's eyes dilated, both Dragon Slayers looking dazed as their heartbeats were heard loud and clear, convulsing and expelling energy that they had violent reactions too. But from a short distance off, they weren't the only ones, Sting and Rogue were on their knees as well, both 1st and 3rd generation Dragon Slayers at the mercy of their own pouring energies. All five Dragon Slayers known were having hearts beating, the roars of Acnologia pulsating greater energy to where they could barely keep themselves up.

Mard Geer looked away from the fight, his eyes widening slowly from the phenomenon. "What's going on here?"

Acnologia roared again, closing in on the ruins and everyone in it.

"It's Acnologia!" Lisanna shrieked.

"Crap! We're so dead!" Jet and Droy yelled.

Vanessa stared with shock in her eyes. No words came, only the great wave of bloody red aura around the Black Dragon. It gave off a bad smell that wrinkled her senses. It was almost intoxicating to even sense.

"Everyone! Get cover!" Elfman shouted.

Acnologia flew down, sailing closer to the ground as he passed over everyone's heads. The Black Dragon bellowed out as he made shockwaves that pulsated all around, sending many mages flying. They all screamed in terror as structures fell from the likes of him. Winds shoved many down, stirring chaos and destruction.

Cana laid amongst the debris, looking up with eyes misting. She watched Acnologia take flight into the skies, the black beast making her tear up. "What did we do to deserve this? What?" She whimpered. "Damnit!"

Mard Geer watched from below, frowning before the arrival of Acnologia's maelstrom. "What's brought the likes of him here?" He questioned calmly. "Has he come for the likes of E.N.D?" He narrowed his eyes, feeling the intensity the dragon has made. "No. This isn't fear I sense. It's anger. Is he angry with who I think it is?"

Acnologia ascended to grand heights, looking over the area with everyone below. He growled below them all, seeing no sign of Nic. He couldn't smell him, and that's what irritated him. He wanted him only; him, and the Pokémon that he had. They were what made him so mad. He opened his mouth, gathering energy for another roar to lure him out.

Natsu was holding up, but barely. His heart was pulsating fast and swiftly, almost to where it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest any second now. Everyone hovered around him, worried as he clutched his abdomen in pain.

'Natsu.' A voice called.

Nats's eyes widened, the beating stopping. He perked up, much to everyone's shock.

'The time is here.'

"That voice…" Natsu whipped around, but saw no sign of the familiar voice. "Igneel?" He muttered.

'I know that with the right guidance, you can conquer E.N.D.'

"Igneel?! Igneel!" Natsu looked around, still no sign of his foster-father. "Why am I hearing your voice?!"

Lucy looked at him with curiosity. "Natsu?"

"Igneel?" Sophie repeated.

Natsu looked up, but even there, there was only Acnologia, charging up his attack. 'Natsu, now it is my turn to strike down this dragon.' As the voice simmered down, the pulsing came back, a red light starting to emerge from Natsu's abdomen. The Dragon Slayer stared down at the glowing light, seeing numerous beams of flaring red everywhere. The pain he was feeling returned, the sensation was like something was bursting out of his stomach. He clutched it tight, trying to stay conscious.

Natsu jumped onto Igneel's snout, happily smiling as his Dad snickered at the boy's playful attitude.

Igneel pointed to another scribble on the ground, labeled 'E', the next letter Natsu was learning.

Lucy's and everyone went wide-eyed as the light intensified from Natsu's belly, a fiery wind picking up. It felt like Charizard's heat, yet it wasn't.

Natsu and Igneel shared a hardy laugh, their bellowing joyful laughs making them enjoy their day.

Winds picked up around Natsu as the light intensified.

Natsu woke up one morning, a lone scarf around his neck, crying as he realized Igneel was gone. "Dad! Da~d!" He cried out. He raced into the woods, hoping to find him. "Dad! Where are you?!"

Ntsu's teeth gritted as the voice arose once more within the bright light. 'It's been a long time…Natsu. I know that you thought I left…' A pillar of bright fire emerged, making everyone cover up as heated shockwaves flared everywhere. They all screamed out as the light was as bright as the sun. As they found shade, they looked back, their faces paling as sweat flared. No one would've believed it if they didn't see it. 'The truth is…'

Above Natsu, winds flared as a giant red dragon emerged from the vanishing light. He had scars on his face and yellow eyes. The red scaled and light yellow underside and wings was all too familiar. The arrival of the dragon that Natsu had long searched for. Igneel.

"I was closer than you could have ever imagined."

As winds and dust surged everywhere, Natsu's eyes were wide open. If he was dreaming, he'd know this was his mind playing with him. His pupils dilated as he saw the red dragon, but couldn't believe who it was. Dumbstruck would be putting it lightly.

Lucy and everyone gaped their mouths, eyes wide as the heated winds brushed their faces, yet they were unfazed as their attention was onto the ascending Fire Dragon King.

The winds around Igneel burst as the dragon extended his wings, taking flight. "We'll talk later! Right now we settle the score with Acnologia!" He flew into the skies straight up, making more gust waves as he left the bewildered group down below.

As Acnologia charged up, he saw a red flash before Igneel tackled him in the skies with supreme force. The impact made the air quake in fright as the two dragons collided, roaring so loud that the sound barrier broke apart. Dust and fire manifested into a tempest that broke everything. Nearby tall structures were either melted or blown away.

As gusts flared, Juvia's hair shifted as she saw the collision of dragons. "Is this…a dream…?" She murmured.

"Is that…who I think it is?" Lucy wondered. She looked at Lucy, but his body was shuddering. The blonde's fears were starting pause as she saw the look of tears beginning to pool on Natsu's face.

"Dad…" He quivered.

"That's…Igneel?" Sophie gasped.

"No way." Levy murmured. She averted her attention towards Gajeel, seeing that his breathing was beginning to simmer down. "Gajeel."

Gajeel was catching his breath, but the pain in his chest managed to alleviate itself at long last. "The throbbing stopped."


Acnologia and Igneel roared in the skies, bellowing out their signature cries as they flapped high in the air, circling around the other for their counterattack. Their roared echoed for miles, and high above was where they could be seen by all.

Wendy saw a black and red speck from the distance afar, her eyes widening. "That's…"

"Acnologia! And who's that he's fighting?!" Romeo yelled.

"How should I know?!" Vjeteer yelled.

"Another dragon?!" Wakaba exclaimed.

"Where did it come from?" Cana wondered.

"Beats me…" Macao narrowed his eyes. "But, if I didn't know any better, I say those two are fighting."

"You mean that red guy's tussling it out with that scarred beast?" Wakaba said. "I know I wouldn't be messing with any of them."

As the dragons roared once more, Erza and her group in the control room look up with shock.

"That red dragon…" Happy said. "That's a Fire Dragon!"

Erza's eyes narrowed. "Is that…" She knew Acnologia was one thing, but she couldn't believe seeing Natsu's father. 'Igneel?'

Kyôka glared at the two dueling dragons, her nerves on edge. "No…no, I don't understand! What is happening, Lord Mard Geer?!"

Meanwhile, Sting and Rogue were panting, catching their breaths after the incident with the thumping. Sting turned towards him, looking calmer than before. "Hey, you okay over there?"

Rogue looked up, half-grinning. "Don't worry. It's calmed down. More importantly…" He looked ahead, worry crawling upon his face once more. "What happened to that guy before us?"

"He was here a minute ago." Sting noted.

Away from the earlier skirmish, Mard Geer used the distraction of Acnologia to evade the Twin Dragons, finding himself perched within higher ruins of the Tartaros base. He stared out of a broken window, his glancing cascading above. "I see you up there. Black Dragon of the Apocalypse Acnologia; Fire Dragon King Igneel. You two have wrecked havoc amongst the air of which I breathe, do you not?" Mard Geer smirked. "Well…I intend to erase you both next. There has been an adjustment in plans."


Flapping his wings, Igneel shot straight up, evading Acnologia's charge. Above, the Fair Dragon King turned around, inspected the various wounds – new and old – on the Dragon King.

"What's the matter, Acnologia? Don't tell me you ran into some trouble from before?" Igneel taunted.

Acnologia roared into the atmosphere, again bellowing powerful waves of energy all across the airspace. He flapped once, shooting up at great speeds. His steep climb rammed Igneel right in his chest, catching the Fire Dragon King off guard and gagging as he faltered backwards out of the air. He managed to catch himself, mentally cursing himself for letting his own guard down.

"Looks like I'll have to resend that quote." He said, moments before he dove back after Acnologia.

Below the growing skirmish, Natsu was still looking distraught, though it was hard to tell with his bangs covering his eyes. He looked up, glaring at Igneel like nothing else mattered.

Levy turned towards Gajeel with worry in her eyes. "Gajeel, are you hurt?" She asked.

"I'm fine." He assured. Proving his point, he managed to stand on his own. Once up on his feet, he leered at Natsu. "Hey, Salamander! What the hell was that all about?!" He exasperated. "You mean your old man was inside you this whole time?! The heck was that about?!"

Natsu didn't bother glaring at Gajeel, even with his tone. "…I don't know…" He muttered.

Lucy looked at him with worry growing.

"I was looking for him this whole time…" Natsu's fists clutched tightly, his shock evolving into anger. "Igneel…" His legs spread apart, flames surging as the propulsion made him fly. "DAD! WE NEED TO TALK! NOW!" He shouted with his dragon lungs. He shot into the air, in the distance looking like a flaming comet heading right for the skirmish.

Happy looked from the distance, recognizing the flames. "I can guess only one guy who's reckless enough to get up there."

"Is that Natsu?!" Erza exclaimed.

Mirajane managed a smile. "That's Natsu."

"IGNEEL!" Natsu roared, zooming at him with heated rage.

Evading Acnologia by faltering back, Igneel glanced back, seeing Natsu advance onto him. "Natsu!" He yelled. "I thought I told you, we'll talk later!"

"No! I want answers now!" Natsu reached far enough to stop his ascent, latching onto Igneel's wing. As the dragon growled, that only served to make Natsu more determined. "Tell me now! Why were you away all this time?! Why were you inside of me to begin with?! What happened to Grandeeney and Metalicana?! Why did you all vanish on July 7th, X777?!"

Acnologia charged after them, roaring out as he closed the distance quickly.

"Natsu! Shut it!" In a swift reaction, Igneel ascended at the last second; the sudden climb making Natsu jump. With one swing of his tail, he smacked Acnologia, knocking him away. In the midst of Natsu's grip loosening, Igneel seized his son in midair, clutching him in his claws.

"Gah! Hey, what's the bog de-?!" Natsu went wide-eyed as he saw Acnologia charging in for another assault, his shock averted towards the wings of despair heading their way,

Igneel brought his head back, an intense heat surging all around. The mouth closed and when gathered enough power, the Fire Dragon King opened his mouth, unleashing a loud roar with flames bellowing with the might of the sun. The giant stream of flames looked similar to a miniature sun that enveloped Acnologia, the dragon's roar muffled through its roaring heat.

"It's…so hot!" Lucy stammered as she covered up.

The heat waves traveled all throughout the area, everyone staring as embers went over their heads. It felt like they were being boiled alive. They haven't felt this much heat since Mega Charizard battled at times; in Cana and Sophie's case, in the Celestial World where Nic made lava and land rise.

"It's like the sun's crashing down…" Cana commented.

"It's like we're in an oven!" Laki covered up.

"Crap!" Macao yelled.

Acnologia roared in pain as the fireball swallowed him up, and he vanished as the flames reached the ground. A bright flash flickered before the land shuddered with quakes of fire. The roar became a giant explosion that enveloped a massive level of terrain, bellowing shockwaves that made dust expel all around for miles on end.

Happy watched from afar, bewildered with Erza. "That's the Fire Dragon's Roar."

"Amazing." Erza said.

The shockwaves and heat simmered down, leaving Igneel with smoke coming out of his mouth as he saw smoke down against the earth. He leered at the dissipating atmosphere, snarling beneath his breath.

"Whoa! That was awesome!" Natsu marveled.

Ignee's gaze intensified. "…no. Not quite."

"Huh?"

The smoke cleared away, revealing a sizeable crater in the earth. In the center was a billowing smoke cloud that vanished when a set of wings spread apart. Standing on his two feet was Acnologia, roaring to establish his dominance.

"No way! That roar didn't do a thing!" Lucy stammered.

"Seriously?" Gajeel grunted.

"That attack should've vaporized him, yet he didn't get a single scratch from it." Juvia shuddered. "How could he do that?"

"How come that fireball failed? I thought he could be hurt?" Sophie inquired.

Erza's eyes narrowed. "What is Acnologia exactly?"

Igneel smirked. "Now I'm getting fired up!"

Acnologia bellowed out, unfazed by the likes of Igneel's blast. He suddenly stopped moving when there was an odd sound coming from the high skies above. The Black Dragon wasn't the only one who heard it; Igneel, Natsu, and everyone heard another screech from the atmosphere high above the clouds, making them all look up with wonder.

"What was that?" Minerva wondered.

"Beats the heck out of me." Lector answered.

As the screeched exerted a second time, they all noticed that the clouds that had been separated had begun to gather around, circling around the atmosphere. The cyclone of dark clouds overshadowed Igneel and Acnologia, bringing both dragons to their heightened senses.

Sophie's eyes widened. "Wait, this sound!"

"What? Sophie, what are you saying?" Lucy asked.

Sophie turned towards the shocked blonde. "…I'm saying I remember this call."

Lucy gasped, her brown eyes dilating.

Gajeel raised his head, startled. "I can hear that same sound as well…no, is it really…?"

The echoing of the screech made Mard Geer frown, the energy in the air spiking to where he was unsatisfied. "What now?" He exasperated.

Another screech was heard within the circling clouds above. The clouds began to spread apart, the light of multiple colors radiating like that of an angel. Suddenly, from the center, the light flashed, and a beam shit straight down. All eyes widened at the attack pulsating towards the ground, more precisely on Acnologia.

The beam was a multicolored dragon-shaped energy, this one being much Larger than Sliggoo's. The wings spread and Acnologia was caught stiff as the head chomped down onto him. The Black Dragon was enveloped in an explosion of multiple colors that emanated shockwaves all around, once again making gusts that brushed everyone's feet and hair. Many covered up, while those like Cana, Erza, Sting, Rogue, and Mard Geer stared at the sky with shock as a multicolored dome like Igneel's fireball crashed down.

This time, unlike Igneel's attack, Acnologia was seen roaring in agony as the smoke dissipated. The dragon lost his balance, falling onto his back with a disastrous thud.

A long silence had fallen as Acnologia sustained damage, leaving Igneel to narrow her eyes in confusion. "What?" He questioned.

"Did you see that?" Sting asked Rogue.

"Yeah, I did. What did you think that was?"

"I don't know, but it looks like Acnologia took it."

"Acnologia got hurt?!" Jet exclaimed.

"Wait, did that beam look familiar to you?!" Droy questioned next.

"That attack…it looked a lot like a Dragon Pulse!" Lisanna gasped.

Those within the area turned their attention towards Vanessa and her Sliggoo; the latter being more unnerved due to the accusation.

"D-don't look at me! I didn't do that!" Sliggoo defended.

Vanessa narrowed her eyes at the sky. "A Dragon Pulse…?" The more she thought about, the more it intrigued her, almost to where she was petrified with realization. "Does this mean…?"

"That was a Dragon Pulse." Erza examined. Within this realization, her eyes narrowed. "If that's the case…then that was from…"

"A Pokémon." Minerva gasped.

Bellona said nothing. Instead, she looked on with surprise.

"Pokémon?" Kyôka inquired.

Another loud screech was heard, and all eyes once again cascaded towards the sky. Acnologia was back on his feet, glaring up as he saw a green body swerved in an arch beneath the clouds and then up. It was only a fraction, but the familiar jet-like wings segmented made him growl. The long green body began to slowly swerve downwards, slithering in place. Upon seeing the familiar entity, everyone reacted in their own way.

Gajeel's eyes widened. "You've gotta be kidding."

Natsu looked up with distraught disbelief.

"No way. Is that who I think it is?" Lucy asked.

"What? No way…" Rogue murmured.

Erza's eyes were shuddering. "I knew it."

Everyone else, including Igneel, was caught surprised as the green serpent lowered from the cloud coverage, his long body in a semi-coil as he lurched his head down, revealing his pink gums and few fangs. To everyone's disbelief the creature was the Sky High Pokémon, Rayquaza.

Rayquaza unleashed another loud roar, his yellow eyes as intense as ever. Goosebumps ravaged everyone's spines as they heard his cries.

"No way…" Natsu was nearly paling. "That…!"

"Rayquaza!" Erza exclaimed.

Kyôka glared at the skies, her shock overwhelming her senses. She didn't know at the time, but she was starting to shudder. "A Legendary Pokémon?" From what she remembered during that night, she remembered Mega Rayquaza's undeniable power. It was enough to seriously injure Giratina, and with help from Mega Garchomp, defeat him. "How did that thing get here?!"

"Rayquaza." Cana quivered in astonishment.

"My god…" Mirajane exasperated.

"That thing! He's the one who injured Acnologia long ago!" Macao shouted.

"Great! Now it's a three-way struggle! We're so dead!" Wakaba exclaimed.

Vanessa was at a loss for words. "Ray…quaza…"

Rayquaza opened his mouth once more, emanating another shuddering screech that pierced ear drums. Acnologia looked up and roared back in retaliation. He glared at Rayquaza, remembering one of the few scars on his body being caused by the likes of him.

"So, this is one of the Legendary Pokémon. That green guy is a dragon himself." Igneel figured.

"Yeah." Natsu answered, his tone dead serious. "That's Rayquaza."

"Rayquaza." He blinked. "Hm? What's that?"

"What?" Natsu looked up at Rayquaza, seeing figures atop his head. Rayquaza didn't move much, allowing Natsu to get a good look to see who was on his head. His eyes widened, shock again overwhelming him.

"Impossible."

One of the figures on Rayquaza looked like a human, while the other was a frog. Both were on his scalp, positioned to hold onto Rayquaza.

"We're sorry for the holdup." The human said.

"It took us longer due to some setbacks." The frog said in a similar tone.

On top of Rayquaza, there was Nic and Greninja, both crouching to hold on and glaring down at Acnologia. Their appearance against sparked another roar of anger from the Dragon King below.

"Is that Nic?!" Lisanna shouted.

"He's on Rayquaza like a man!" Elfman yelled.

"Nic?!" Jet and Droy paled, seeing Nic on Mega Rayquaza, on top of a Legendary Pokémon like he tamed it. "We're so dead!"

Vanessa stared up with vivid shock, seeing her brother arrive in such an astounding manner. "Amazing." She murmured. 'Just like what Mom and Dad told us about our ancestor.'

Erza was caught stiff, paralyzed with astronomical disbelief. Her brown eyes averted towards Nic, instantly making her worry about him. "Nic!" She exclaimed in a mix of shock and relief.

Kyôka eyed Nic and his Greninja, her horrors again crashing against her. "Nic Pularis." She growled.

Rayquaza descended lower towards the earth, where he slithered down from the dark circling skies with speeds breaking sound barrier. He slunk his body as he reached a point, where he gave off a menacing growl towards Acnologia.

Unknowingly, Igneel looked from close behind, eying Rayquaza. "So, it would seem Pokémon has chosen to intervene yet again." The Fire Dragon King said.

Natsu pointed at Nic, looking irritated. "Hey wait a minute! Nic!"

Nic and Greninja looked back, seeing Dragon Slayer in the air with them. "Natsu?" Nic questioned. His eyes widened upon seeing the second dragon in the air. "What?" He gasped, seeing Igneel in person.

"Another dragon?" Greninja questioned.

"What is this?" Nic questioned.

"That's what I wanna know! What are you doing here?! More importantly why are you on top of Rayquaza?! Why is that thing even here?!" Natsu yelled.

Rayquaza let out another screech, though this one was more menacing towards Natsu as he looked back. "Silence!" The Sky High Pokémon announced.

Natsu went quiet, him and Igneel giving the beings from Pookearth a suspicious look.

"We have a lot to catch up on it seems, but we don't have the time to talk right now." Nic turned around, him and Greninja looking at Acnologia as the Black Dragon began to ascend back into the air, slowly. "I'll make this as brief as I can. You see, earlier, I set out to stop and destroy many Faces that have already arisen. As Garchomp and I were in the midst of it all, we came across…him."

Acnologia growled once again, his vision nearly red from seeing Nic. "You…" He growled.

Natsu's eyes slowly went wide. "You mean…" The epiphany made him gasp. "You saw Acnologia!"

Nic nodded. "Unfortunately. Garchomp and I had to pull out all the stops to subdue him long enough to come up with a plan."

"So that's why Acnologia is looking hurt right now." Igneel noted. The Fire Dragon King wasn't sure as how to think of it now. One part of him was pleased to see the Dragon King sustain damage, but another part of him was frustrated because it was done by Pokémon and not his own two hands. In spite of his own feelings for getting personal with Acnologia, he could see that by how Acnologia was glaring at Nic, Greninja, and Rayquaza that he seemed more important.

"You fought Acnologia?" Natsu surmised. Even he was in peril. He saw the scratches Acnologia had as well, and even he couldn't believe that even though he was a Dragon Slayer, Nic and his Pokémon did damage and took him on while all Fairy Tail couldn't do a thing.

Nic could feel the uneasiness resonating from Natsu and Igneel, but he chose to power through. "It wasn't easy, but our confrontation led to the destruction of many face bombs within the country."

Greninja took off from there. "After we came up with a plan, we decided to leave Garchomp to handle the faces as we speak, as to where Nic and I averted ourselves to getting aid from an old ally to handle Acnologia."

Upon being mentioned, Rayquaza let out another loud screech.


Sky Pillar, a place of legends in the myths of Hoenn. It was spotted, but with all the clouds it was never truly identified as a location; that is, until recently. However, the location was very hard to get through, and what was at the top of the clouds was an equally greater mystery.

Floor upon floor of the arrow-shaped tower, Claydol, Ariados, and Banette were all sprawled on the ground, looking defeated by powerful Pokémon. The culprits had made quick haste, mainly the Greninja who did all the battling. Eventually, with their adversaries defeated, they reached the top in no time.

Walking up a flight of stairs, Nic and Greninja stood at the center of the triangular part of the power's pinnacle. The peak had a small lag of oxygen, fitting for its astonishing height. The borders of the three ends were grand, the northern end being larger and looking like a wall without a throne. Winds breezed past them, making the duo feel a slight push from the side, yet they held their ground.

Greninja looked at the surroundings, acknowledging the old décor. "(Is it safe to say that this is the place?)" He asked.

"Yes. It looks the same as before, thankfully." Nic said. He glanced all around, seeing that the Dragonhark altar was in one piece. He was initially worried that the devastation all those months ago would destroy the place, but he knew better than to think on just a malice level.

"Greninja, do you recall this place?"

The Ninja Pokémon nodded. "(Yes. This is where we gathered assistance from he who rules the skies.)"

Nic took another step forward, staring up at the starry sky. He glared up at the twinkling stars, seeing the many passing comets. "It's time."

"(I agree. We can't dawdle. Shall we?)" Greninja stepped forward, standing beside Nic in the direct center.

Both Trainer and Pokémon closed their eyes, both staying silent as they allowed the winds to drown them out. They stayed as calm as the breeze that tried to cut their oxygen. Despite their breathing, their chests went in and out, slowly ascertaining a calm state of mind. All those years of meditating at time under intense pressure paid off. In no time, their bodies were so clam to where they felt no oxygen deprivation. Upon the calmness acquired, both opened their eyes simultaneously, a fire in which they would ignite.

Nic looked straight forward, not daring to look anywhere else. He wasn't certain if his idea would work, but it was worth a shot. He was told of some legends and myths of how some Draconoid folk harbored the tower and called upon Rayquaza before with a chant, but considering Nic knew nothing about the chant, he would have to rely on himself and his Pokémon for inspirational guidance. If Rayquaza could respond to them, then with what he's done, would the Sky High Pokémon answer his call?

With no time, Nic began to speak.

"I come before you now, in sake of others, and for the sake of life. I understand if you cannot hear my plea out of respect to the past, but I implore you of the great skies, allow me to speak in dire to the ruler amongst the weather; he who shows no mercy to those who dare rectify his ruling."

A short silence fell, and Greninja felt nothing at first. Then, after a short time, he began to feel a small vibration. The tower beneath began to quietly shudder, much to his own relief and shock. Still, he remained confident and calm as he put faith into Nic…like he always has.

"Rayquaza, allow me to ask for your assistance once more. Give me your power, so that we shall prevail. I beseech you, in the sake of all life befitting of living amongst us." Nic finished. He closed his eyes, quietly hoping that his prayer to the dragon would reach him at his sacred holy tower. He knew it was far from the actual incantation, he tried his best, pouring his heart into the plea.

A long silence fell over the tower, even the wind stopping. Greninja and Nic continued to remain silent, in spite of hope failing. They didn't give up, as they resided in that spot for moments on end.

Nic and Greninja's eyes suddenly widened, their senses picking up something faint in the wind.

"Greninja."

Greninja looked up. "(Yes. I felt that as well.)"

As the small energy began to spike, the shuddering of the tower returned, this time greater magnitude. A faint screech was heard high above, much to the duo's surprise. Beneath them, the clouds began to stir, slowly becoming a small cyclone of black night clouds, giving the domain an ominous appeal.

Nic and Greninja looked left and right separately, catching the sea of clouds circulating them. They remained on guard as the spike in prowess grew.

Another screech became louder, and this one made their feet vibrate. A green glint was seen in the sky, and said glint became a green stream that closed in on Nic and Greninja. Both remained steadfast and weary as the green glint got even brighter as it closed in. It eventually got so bright that Nic and Greninja covered up and grunted as the tower's top was engulfed in a dust wave mixed with green light.

As the light diminished, Nic and Greninja both opened their eyes, the dust diminishing and allowing them to look back ahead. What they saw made them go wide-eyed, much to their own horrific shock. They have met who they were looking for.

Both looked up, seeing the green serpentine dragon that floated above the ground. Raising his head the dragon let out a loud screech into the atmosphere, this one being so potent that it made Sky Pillar rattle in fear yet again. Nic and Greninja barely held their own ground, but managed as the dragon looked down at them once more.

"(We meet again.)" The green serpent answered.

"Rayquaza." Nic said.

Rayquaza exerted yet another roar, this one diverted towards Nic and Greninja in front of their faces. Both again barely held their ground, even slid back a few inches, but even with Rayquaza's screech, they tried to remain on their goals. They uncovered, seeing Rayquaza float and look intensely at them.

"(I remember you, Nic Pularis. You are the one who has saved the universe and skies from treachery. For that, I am humbled by your services to all Pokémon.)" The green serpent said.

Nic nodded in respect to the praise given by the Weather Trio Master. "If anyone should be flattered it should be me. I am honored to have you answer my call within this time of arduous need." He said.

Greninja gave a ninja fist to palm and bowed his head meekly to Rayquaza before standing next to Nic in the same posture.

"(Why have you summon me now? Nic Pularis.)"

"We have come to ask you in your assistance once more." He answered. "We implore you this once more, lend us your strength."

The Sky High Pokémon craned his head around, looking at the two with a hazardous leer. A low snarl emitted from his jaws, one that made the ground vibrate beneath. After a long, grueling minute, the long beast gave Nic and Greninja a blunt stare.

"(…how shall I lend my strength to you once more?)" He asked.


"That brings us to now." Nic said. "Sorry for the interference, but we can't allow Acnologia to disrupt our efforts in dealing with Face, at least not a second time."

Rayquaza let out another screech, bellowing out at Acnologia, who matched the roar in midair. Both roars shook the earth, the air quaking to where the dark concentration of power was meant as trivial.

"It would appear that we have crossed paths once again…Acnologia." Rayquaza spoke.

"As it would seem." Acnologia acknowledged. The Black Dragon certainly remembered the times their paths were crossed, and the first time was nothing to be proud of, for him at least. The second time was a different occasion. "I'm surprised, to think you would come flying back here upon request of human and the likes of your Pokémon kind."

Rayquaza wasn't amused by Acnologia in the slightest, nevertheless, he knew the confrontation was to behold. "I have come in aid for this human and his Pokémon risked their lives to preserve the worlds that we thrive on. It is in my best interest to consider what they have asked."

Igneel turned towards Rayquaza, baring his fangs. "So you're one of the Pokémon who was responsible for mortally wounding the so-called Dragon King, are you not?" He questioned.

"I am, but to the likes of you, dragon, I am but no concern to you." Rayquaza said.

"Hngh! That's some show of care you had!" Igneel deliberately rebuffed, however, Rayquaza wasn't the one to be riled up so easily.

"I have come only by assistance from Nic Pularis. Your kind and what you do is not my concern, as I have only one job." Rayquaza raised his head, glaring at Acnologia from a new angle. "And that is to drive off this putrid creature once more!"

Acnologia opened his mouth once more, roaring in defiance. "You? Drive me off a second time?" He exasperated, his wings jerking and spreading out for battle. "What a fool! Pokémon, prepare to be slain at last!"

Both Rayquaza and Acnologia glared at one another, each far apart in the skies yet the way they were positioned was like they were going to attack at any minute.

"Hey! What about us?! We're still here you know!" Natsu fumed.

"Yes. I agree." Igneel flapped his wings, gliding right beside Rayquaza's side. Even with the red dragon's proximity, Rayquaza was still fixated on Acnologia. "Pokémon, if you do wish to fight, just don't get in my way. Acnologia is mine." The Fire Dragon King then showed a smirk. "How's about we race to see who can destroy him first?" He challenged.

"Your need or competition does not interest me, dragon. Do as you like, but I stand by my own words." Rayquaza said.

"Well you're no fun." Igneel huffed.

While Natsu and Igneel were a more competitive bunch, the likes of Rayquaza does not fall so easily for reasons to get so mad or believe Igneel could be better. If anything, he's indifferent, and by no means would he be afraid to mow down the Fire Dragon King if he turned on him. If he could settle Groudon and Kyogre, by all means he would deal with Acnologia and Igneel alike as well.

As Nic remained quiet and focused, he took a quick glance down, taking notice of something down below. He glared at a familiar man who knowingly smirks, but now frowns with concern. The way that the man glared up at him could tell Nic had brought along something that frustrated the likes of him. Nic's own vision narrowed, glaring down with equal defiance.

"Mard Geer." He said.

Mard Geer said nothing as he glared with hostility.

"Mard Geer?" Natsu wondered. He wasn't sure what Nic was talking about, but he did recount the name, albeit beneath a dense fog. 'Wait, I heard that name somewhere. Is he the one who masterminded all this?'

"If he is the head of Tartaros, then we need to bring him down." Greninja said.

"Yes. If he's defeated, then we should have a better chance at ending Tartaros for good." Nic agreed. He glanced down at Rayquaza. "I'm leaving Acnologia to you."

Rayquaza glanced up at Nic and Greninja. "Very well."

Nic stood up alongside Greninja. "Let's go, Greninja!"

"Right! Let's do this!" Greninja followed Nic as both jumped off of the Sky High Pokémon and diving right for Mard Geer.

"Hey! Save some for me!" Natsu wiggled and pulled himself out of his father's clutches, albeit with some struggle. Once he freed himself, he was atop of the fingers and crouched down, ready to pounce. "Let's go!"

"Natsu!" Igneel didn't a second word in before Natsu jumped off him, diving right for Mard Geer with flames on his heels once again. He wanted to go after him, but he had to deal with Acnologia. "That reckless pest."

Nic, Greninja, and Natsu all dove down after Mard Geer, of whom was frowning upon seeing them incoming. The Underworld King remained stern as his prey closed in. He was familiar with Nic and Greninja, but not with Natsu.

"And what is this?" He asked aloud.

Nic glowed as he came down onto Mard Geer, the pants becoming similar to his Dread Form, including the belt, edging, and the Poke Ball turning into a Dusk Ball. "Normal/Dark!" He announced. In unison, he and Greninja put their hands together, unsheathing a purple needle that they raised over their heads.

"Night Slash!"

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Together, Nic and Greninja slashed, leaving a purple trail at the same time Natsu unleashed a powerful fiery fist. Mard Geer pulled up a durable forearm, but he was enveloped in a purple and fiery explosion from both attacks. The results was the Underworld King overpowered and shot backwards along the dirt, his forearm he blocked with having the sleeve sliced off and a cut of his body.

Mard Geer looked at his right arm, surprised with how he got injured. "What power…"

"And I'm just getting started!" Natsu landed on a knee and went blitzing after the Underworld King, making quick strides.

Mard Geer's smirk returned, seeing Natsu advance onto him. "How childish." He swiped his arm, using his Thorn Curse to summon brambles of thorns that went after Natsu.

In a blue blur, Greninja reappeared over the thorns, alongside Nic. Both had their own moves set, and they unleashed them in a frenzy.

"Swift!"

"Water Shuriken!"

Stars rained down from both; golden and blue alike. The Water Shuriken slashed and blazed through the thorns to where they were cut into shambles, and the Swift countered the residual fragments heading for Natsu, giving him cover beneath a smoke cloud. This action made Mard Geer go wide-eyed, just before he saw a talon kick barrel right for him.

At the same time, Acnologia engaged in battle, charging for Rayquaza, but the Dragon/Flying-type to spiral in a funnel past the Black Dragon. With Acnologia looking back at Rayquaza, he forgot about Igneel, who flew ahead with his own flaming foot.

"Fire Dragon's Claw!"

Natsu and Igneel alike scored direct hits onto their targets, with Acnologia lurching towards the side and Mard Geer sliding off to the side with his forearm still used to block.

"I see…" Mard Geer finished the skid. "So you're of draconic origin. If that's the case, then how about I dispose of you quickly?" Mard Geer had two fingers stretched forward, summoning thorn after thorn to attack Natsu once again, this time from all directions.

Natsu, however, smirked.

Mard Geer's eyes widened. "What can you find so amusing?"

Suddenly, the thorns closing in one Natsu were blindsided by purple glint. A purple zigzag traced left and right, too fast for Mard Geer's eyes trace. He looked left and right, seeing a purple flash. Greninja suddenly appeared in front of Natsu on a knee, sheathing his Night Slash in a swift fashion. Upon sheathing, the thorns were sliced apart, then a bright purple bursts of energy enveloped the air behind him and Natsu, both unhindered as Greninja easily nullified them.

"Impossible." Mard Geer stammered.

"Now!" Greninja shouted.

The purple explosion suddenly made a giant hole as something in a green light traveled through the atmosphere, blitzing in a pace far faster than the Night Slash. The green trail sped towards Mard Geer, his eyes widening as he was struck head on by Nic.

At that point, Acnologia watched Igneel circle around him, leaving him open as Rayquaza screeched yet again. His body was enveloped in a green aura, and he went blazing through the skies at astronomical speeds in a straight line. The dragon rammed his head into Acnologia's abdomen, making the dragon gag.

"Extreme Speed!"

In unison, a ripple exerted from both Rayquaza and Nic before a green explosion engulfed Acnologia and Mard Geer. Acnologia shot back from the explosion, roaring out in blistering pain as he sailed far away. While Mard Geer skid along the ground, his heels dug into the earth until he hit a boulder. Mard Geer slammed into the rock, engraved into it with a loud gag.

Nic landed right beside Greninja, both taking battle stances as Mard Geer slowly pried himself from the piece of earth.

"You're a very stubborn species." The Underworld King yanked his right arm out, finally free as he had but a few scrapes, though otherwise looked unamused by Nic and Greninja. "You're always crawling around like cockroaches, it sickens me. Especially with the likes of you and Pokémon messing with my plans, Nic Pularis. Did you know how long it takes me to recalibrate every step because of what you do?"

"If I truly cared, then I would've asked by now." Nic replied. "But what I care about instead…is that book that you carry."

"Huh?" Natsu blinked, not sure of what Nic meant. When he noticed the book labeled E.N.D he grew wondrous. "He's got a book?"

"I've noticed that book from our first encounter. It seems you're quite attached to it. What is it?"

Mard Geer's frown faded once more, transforming into yet another smirk. His eyes narrowed in amusement. "Oh, I see you've taken a liking to what I hold dear, don't you?" He sneered, allowing his left arm to angle the book in his hand in a different position. "If you must know, this is the Book of E.N.D."

"Book of…" Nic trailed of.

"E.N.D?" Greninja finished.

Natsu gasped, seeing as how he recalled Atlas Flame mention the likes of the one known as E.N.D. Zeref's most powerful spirit, and Mard Geer had possession of it. He couldn't explain it, but the book had something off about it, and it wasn't just how it smelled, nor its texture.

Mard Geer sneered once more. "This book is the spirit of our master, the embodiment of Tartaros. It is our goal to activate Fcae, so that with Magic Power gone, E.N.D shall be resurrected. With him at our side, we, the demons of Zeref's books, shall be rid of you, once and for all." His eyes narrowed as his gaze hardened on Nic and Greninja solemnly. "The dragons are but one thing, yet Pokémon are another. Your species that revolves around your own world has caused a hindrance in so many faculties, and thus, I shall personally destroy them."

Nic and Greninja remained silent after Mard Geer's critical claim. They didn't even have to look at one another to tell they had the same expression. With equal thoughts, they had serious gazes set solemnly on the Demon King.

"You're foolish." Nic answered.

"What was that?" Mard Geer inquired.

"Do you truly believe that Pokémon and us alike will fall victim to you? We are as resilient as what you claim humans to be." Greninja told. "We never go down as easily as you arrogant demons. You think that you're better than us, when that's only one side of the spectrum."

"And do you have proof to back your claims up, other than power of course?" Mard Geer smirked.

Nic narrowed his eyes. "Yes." He began to reach down, bending a knee as he reached for a random rock at his feet.

Mard Geer's smirk was lost. "What?"

"If what you said about that book is correct…" He picked up the stone, hauling it in front of himself. "Then it's only fitting that we remove it from your plans."

A small silence fell as confusion and anticipation filled the air. With Mard Geer intrigued, he awaited to see what was going to happen.

"Switcheroo!"

Mard Geer suddenly felt a weight difference in his left forearm, causing his heart to skip a beat. He noticed that there was something in his palm, intriguing him. "What-?!" He looked down, seeing that instead of the book, there was a simple pebble in his palm. "What is this?! What have you done?!" He yelled, his eyes widening as his increased tone indicated his horror. He looked back to Nic with demands, but what he saw only made the Underworld King pale with widening distress. "No…"

In Nic's hold was the Book of E.N.D. He held it with a relaxed look, but otherwise maintained the highest guard possible.

"Alright! You got it!" Natsu shouted.

"You…" Mard Geer was beginning to shudder, his fingers twitching to where the stone fell out of his hand. "What have you done…how?!"

"Switcheroo is a Dark-type move that allows me to switch the items of myself and the chosen target. In this case, the rock for the book." Nic replied.

Mard Geer's eyes began to dilate, his frustration starting to boil. "My Master…my…master's book…" He murmured, a dark shadow over his eyes. "My Master's book has been sullied by human hands. This…this wasn't anything in my calculations. I never perceived this factor."

"Sometimes the best action in battle is to adapt and improvise." Greninja said.

"Don't talk so confidently!" Mard Geer snapped loudly. He looked at them with widened eyes of anger and distress. His teeth began to grit in bitter frustration. "You dare to lay your hands on my Master's book! I shall not let this go unpunished! Give him back now, scum!" In distress over the book, Mard Geer unleashed more brambles of thorns, making dozens of spiky protrusions shoot from behind him and in front to attack Nic.

"Greninja, Water Shuriken!" Nic commanded.

Greninja reached to his sides and swiped his arms, sending speeding stars of compressed water that blitzed through the air at glinting speeds. The attack zipped through the brambles flung at him and Nic, slicing up the thorns.

"Damn you…!" Mard Geer growled.

Nic glanced back towards Natsu. "Natsu!"

"Yeah?" Natsu saw Nic throw the book to him. Without a second thought, Natsu seized the book, holding it with both hands. He looked down at it, blinking, and then back towards Nic.

"Make sure you get that book as far away as possible. Make sure it's intact; we might need it." Nic implied.

Natsu would've said something, but the longer he pondered about it, the more Nic had a point. By all means, this could be considered a hostage scenario, and it was making Mard Geer flip. After the carnage created, Fairy Tail needed every advantage they could get, even if that meant taking what the enemy had and using it against them. That was the key to winning any battle.

Natsu flashed his smirk. "Okay. I'll go hide it." He turned away, fleeing with the book in hand. "I'll be back in a flash!" He called out.

"We know!" Nic exclaimed back, but retained focus on Mard Geer.

Mard Geer swiped both arms in opposite arcs. "You're not going anywhere with my Master, dragon spawn!"

Behind Natsu, the ground cracked up. The cracks began to lead towards the retreating Dragon Slayer, who looked back to see the tips of thorns beginning to pierce through.

"Crap!" He yelled.

Mard Geer's smirk of desperation was suddenly wiped away as his widened eyes went white for a second. A powerful force struck him in his gut, making him gag loudly as the pain flared in the abdomen. The Underworld King couldn't process Nic and Greninja having their fists embedded into his stomach. Their unison punch was accompanied by them shouting out loud.

Their combined force made Mard Geer slide backwards once more, slamming into another boulder. This one didn't crack, with the slam to the back made the Underworld King again see black before he thudded against the ground.

With the king distracted and thorns retreating, Natsu used the time to get away, disappearing from the area to get the book somewhere else.

Nic and Greninja had fists clutched, both glaring at Mard Geer with serious gazes. "You've caused a lot of trouble, Mard Geer." Nic warned. "You've made Tartaros do a lot of things to repent for…you took my friends, you've tortured them…" He thought back to Erza, making his eyes dilate with frustration. "You've made my guild suffer consequences, and now you'll have to bear with them."

Greninja spread his legs to battle. "We won't let you get away. This is where you and your guild pay the ultimate price!"

The dust began to settle around Mard Geer, the Underworld King slowly arising with yet another dark shadow over his eyes. He could barely process what has happened, but what he made of it only made him smirk; not of arrogance, but of anger. "Heh." He snickered.

Nic and Greninja narrowed their eyes.

"You…you really think this is over for us? We…are only getting started." Mard Geer's head whipped up his eyes devoid of pupils. This was the look of anger, his anger. The pressure he had given off would've rendered anyone stiff, yet his opponents were completely unfazed. It only served to anger him further. His hair and bangs began to defy gravity, his demonic anger making the air shudder. "I still owe you for what your snake had done to me from before. I intend to pay back in full. And in doing so…I will make sure you are made an example of. I will puncture every fiber of your body until there is nothing left of you, Nic Pularis! The time for Pokémon to bow before the Underworld King starts now!"

Nic and Greninja readied themselves, fists up and going at Mard Geer full force. "Come at us, Mard Geer!" They yelled in unison.


Here is chapter 52 guys! Surprise! So in correspondence with what last chapter received in terms of critical claims, now you get why I didn't do Legendary Force – Rayquaza. I thought there would be enough Rayquaza with what I pulled off this chapter, but I also agree that I have overused the Kyurem Legendary Force too much throughout the storyline. I will attempt and hopefully prevail to pull off some new Legendary Force to keep the spice up. Of course, I also must apologize with how poorly I plan. You see, there's only so much I can engrave into an arc, as to where in the Council War Arc and the Impure Underworld Arc, I managed to make do and keep it all improvised and well thought out. Lately, canon has been a little testy for me, but I'm trying to plan better, and I pray that I do plan better in the future arcs after the Tartaros Arc. Just bear with me guys.

Fun Fact: This week I got a Snorunt in a trade and evolved it into Froslass. I've been debating on a status move since she knows Wake-Up Slap, Crunch, and Ice Fang, and I chose Confuse Ray over Double Team. The Confuse Ray/Double Team debate has been finished!

Okay guys, I got one last piece of news for now. For a week, I'm going on vacation with my family, so at that time, I will also be taking my vacation from FanFiction as well. So for the next couple weeks, I will not be posting anything. I'll still PM my people, but no writing since I will be on vacation. Hope you guys understand and wish me the best.

So until the next 2-3 weeks or so, hope you leave a comment, review, and thanks for reading another chapter! :)