Written by 4fireking and Fairy-L-Tail. Next chapter is final chapter.

XXXX

Looking around in the darkness, Rain begins to chuckle. "That's a new trick, Cooro." He comments as he tries to make out anything in the darkness; his hands, Cooro, Nana, anything.

"I'm not responsible for this," Cooro rips the hand off his mouth and looks around fiercely.

"Then who did it?" Rain questions.

"Please," the voice scoffs. "You can't not know who it is."

"Kanellos," Cooro growls.

"Oh look, the not-so-smart one knew who it was," Kanellos chuckles as he snaps, and the light slowly flicker on around him. "I was here the entire time, and let me say, your fight was very boring." Kanellos sighs. "But, thanks to you losers fighting, Waru is finally released. His reign of terror is reborn!"

"You can't summon Waru!" Cooro shouts at Kanellos. "We found the good Jinchuki! It's over, Kanellos!"

Pointing up, Cooro and Rain follow Kanellos' finger. Watching in shock as black clouds begin to swirl inside the Ice Castle, randomly shooting out black lightning, Rain growls and glares at Kanellos as he says "Oh? Does it look like it's over? Don't you see these giant, angry clouds? Those are clouds that signal Waru's return. He will appear from those clouds and destroy your worthless human lives. And, it's all thanks to you, Cooro." Kanellos grins as he suddenly appears in front of the teen.

"What are you talking about?" Cooro questions as Kanellos grabs him by the front of his shirt, lifting him up slightly.

"What do you think Waru was doing while you were going after Jinchuki? Do you think he just watched as you made weapons that could destroy him once and for all? You're smarter than that. Think Cooro, think." Kanellos demands of the teen.

"You were planning this all along, weren't you? You wanted me because you know how much I wanted to be a Fairy Tail mage, despite how much I acted like I didn't care. You knew about Ishi, and my powers. You knew about my real father, didn't you? You were responsible for everything, weren't you?" Cooro growls.

"What? Do you want a confession?" Kanellos scoffs. "Yes, I knew and did all those things. I was the one who took you away as a kid. I knew about Ishi and your powers. I knew about that girl, and how much you liked her. I knew about everything, Cooro. You were just a pawn in my little game of chess."

"You were responsible for Aōyami being killed, weren't you?" Cooro lowers his head so that his bangs cover his eyes. "How could you do this?"

"I'm a Spirit, Cooro. I can do whatever I want. Do you know what that means? It means it's easy for me to come up with ideas, it's so easy to manipulate cheerful boys who become broken hearted. All I had to do was wait until you were older and had nothing left to lose. It was necessary for you to be older and no longer caring about things." Kanellos grips his shirt tighter, bring them eye-to-eye.

"Why me?" Cooro growls.

"Because you're the only one who can stop Waru." Kanellos spits in Cooro's face. "Back to Aōyami," he clears his throat. "Didn't you ever wonder why Vulcans and a Tornadus just so happened to appear that day? How they just so happened to choose you and your precious little family?"

"It was you, wasn't it?!" Cooro flipped, punching Kanellos in the face. Both crumpling to the ground, Cooro straddles Kanellos and begins to choke him. "You hurt her, didn't you?! It was you this whole time!"

"It's... always been me," Kanellos says hoarsely. "I wanted her filled with darkness. The Tornadus was an evil Jinchuki that I asked to help me destroy her. Pity that it didn't live too long, but, it got the job done. Aōyami was as has been taken care of by the Jinchuki."

Growling, Cooro presses Kanellos' neck tighter, choking him. "Don't you... want to see... your daughter?!" Kanellos taunts, having a bit of trouble breathing.

"I don't have a daughter," Cooro falters for a second, memories flooding back to him, but he resumes his hold on Kanellos.

"I wasn't talking... about a real human girl... I was talking about... the beast you raised since she... was an egg. I think... you called her... Joy!"

"... Joy?" Cooro questions, scrambling off Kanellos.

"She really is an intelligent beast." Kanellos laughs, rubbing his throat. "It can talk like you human. Guess what's stopping it front talking? That's right, me. I gave her a drug that stops it from talking. Anyways, other than me being a genius, I got the information I needed out of her."

"What information did you get?" Cooro asks.

"Oh, it's not about you, Cooro." Kanellos laughs. "I finally know everything about Aōyami, who she really is. Oh Cooro, don't you want to know?" He taunts. "She was never Natsu's disciple. She has no older brother. She is an only child; Natsu is her father, Lucy her mother. Isn't it so funny how your life intertwined with Fairy Tail at such a young age? Especially since you two are really close; you do know that Natsu and Lucy are your godparents, right? Natsu Eucliffe, I mean, that is your real name, isn't it?" Kanellos chuckles. "How happy do you think they will be when they find out that their daughter is still alive? But how much will they hate you when they find out that you let her get hurt and 'die'?" he quotes the air.

"I tried to save her!" Cooro cries.

"But you didn't try hard enough."

Suddenly feeling a presence behind him, Cooro looks up slightly to see the angry face of Natsu as he stands behind the teen. Grabbing him by the scarf, Natsu pulls him up so that they're facing eye to eye. "Cooro," he growls. "We had a deal! We were supposed to you together!" Natsu shouts at him before punching the teen across the face and sending him flying.

"Good, the father is here," Kanellos crosses his arm. "This is something I want both of you to see. Aōyami grew up with the influence of Waru and myself. But, she could never go home; we scared her too much," Kanellos begins to laugh loudly, causing Natsu to freeze and slowly turn towards Kanellos.

"Aōyami?" Natsu questions brokenly. "What did you do to my daughter? Is she alright?!"

"She won't be for long," Kanellos says darkly. "Waru isn't about to stop absorbing people. Once he collects all the Jinchuki we will kill them all, and then kill every single human that gets in his way."

"Give me my daughter!" Natsu booms, running towards Kanellos, his body ablaze. "Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"

"Foolish," Kanellos sighs, putting his hand up. "Darkness Shield." Kanellos, his body glowing a dark purple hue, puts his hands out in front of him. Cooro, watching on as the hue around Kanellos builds a wall, flinches when Natsu hits head first into the wall.

Natsu, falling backwards, gets up quickly, glaring at Kanellos. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fists!" Natsu shouts slamming his blazing hands into the wall, shattering it. Grabbing Kanellos by the front of his shirt, Natsu throws him up in the air. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" he screams sending a large column of fire towards Kanellos. Watching as Kanellos jumps out of the way, Natsu sprints towards him. Jumping up, grabbing Kanellos by the chest, Natsu sends them hurdling towards the ground. Slamming into the ground, cracking it, Natsu breathes heavily. "Where the hell is my daughter?!"

Rain, gapping at the sight of Natsu singlehandedly beating up Kanellos, backs away in shock. Slowly scanning the room, Rain spots Nana backing away in fear. Running over to her, Rain grabs her by the hand.

"Rain? What's going on?!" she cries as she and Rain sprint from the room. "Where are we going?"

"You," he stresses. "Are going to safety. I'm taking you to the barricade, where no one can find you or hurt you."

"But," Nana stops running. "What about you?"

"I'm going back to help your brother and that Natsu fellow." Rain grumbles, picking Nana up and running forward.

"No!" Nana screams, beginning to punch Rain's chest. "You're not going back! I need you with me! They can handle themselves."

"Love," Rain groans. "Stop punching me."

"Then don't go," Nana sighs.

Rain, opening a door, sets Nana onto a bed in the room. "I have to," he kisses her forehead and back away, closing the door with him.

"Rain, no!" Nana cries, getting up from the bed.

"Love you," Rain smiles at her before closing the door and locking it.

Turning around, Rain runs back towards the two Fairy Tail members.

XXXX

"I don't have her," Kanellos chuckles as Natsu punches him.

"Then where the hell is she?!" Natsu booms, picking Kanellos up. Throwing him up in the air, Natsu braces himself. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"

Landing on the ground, Kanellos chuckles. "You do really pack a punch." He sighs happily. "The only thing is, you're not punching hard enough."

"You sure you want to question that?" Natsu growls.

"I don't need to question it, Dragon Slayer," Kanellos says getting up to his feet. "I already know of such things."

"Let's test it then," Natsu grumbles. Running forwards, his eyes burning Kanellos, Natsu suddenly skids to a stop. "A-Aōyami..." Natsu stutters, falling to his knees as the image of his daughter stands in front of him.

Cooro, blinking in surprise, stares at Aōyami, where Kanellos once stood.

"Daddy!" Aōyami cries, jumping into his arms. "I missed you!"

"Oh my gods," Natsu cries, holding Aōyami tightly. "You're okay... you're here."

Kanellos, appearing behind Aōyami, smirks slightly. "Pretty cool, don't you think, Cooro." Kanellos says, looking at him. "It's so easy to manipulate minds. This is only an image of Aōyami, though I guess it could technically be her."

Aōyami, or the version of her, hearing the familiar name, looks up slowly. "No..." she gasps, staring at Cooro. "Cooro," she breathes out.

Backing away from the two, Cooro looks anywhere but in her direction.

"I can make her actually appear here," Kanellos says, taunting Cooro with the thought of having Aōyami once again. "All you have to do is do me a favour, Cooro."

"I'm not going to do anything for you..." Cooro grinds his teeth, looking down at his feet.

"But don't you want your beloved Aōyami back?" Kanellos whispers in Cooro's ear. "So you can be a family again?"

"Wait," Natsu stands, looking at Cooro, Aōyami standing with him. "You two know each other?"

"Knew," Cooro grunts, not meeting Natsu's gaze. "A long time ago."

Kanellos, snapping his fingers, makes Aōyami slowly disappear.

"Aōyami, no!" Natsu grabs onto her.

"You can have her back, you just have to do something for me," Kanellos walks towards Natsu. Natsu, punching Kanellos across the face, begins to breathe heavily. "Give me my daughter. Now."

"Then do me a favour." Kanellos rubs his cheek.

"No!" Natsu and Cooro scream at him.

"Fine then, you both are completely useless. So, say goodbye." Kanellos bares his teeth. "Darkness Shot." he chants, pointing his finger towards Cooro and Natsu. Sending small beams of energy towards them, time seems to slow as Cooro's body begins to pulse.

Natsu, backing away slightly, watches as Cooro's body begins to split, the faces changing on each of them. Ishi, appearing in front of Cooro, spins his staff in a circle and slams it into the ground, creating a shield that protect Cooro and Natsu.

"Guess you two won't be saying goodbye anytime soon." Ishi speaks to the two mages as he glares at Kanellos.

"Who is that?" Natsu blinks in surprise.

"I am Ishi," Ishi answers. "A... friend."

"Drat," Kanellos sighs. "You're still here?"

"Sorry to disappoint," Ishi stares at Kanellos.

"Stupid kid," Kanellos mutters.

"Dumb old dog." Ishi retorts, lowering the shield and holding his staff to the side. "There is no way I'm going to let you go through with this, Kanellos. Just try attacking Cooro and Natsu again."

"Okay," Kanellos shrugs. "Darkness Blade." Kanellos says, forming a sword in his hands. Running forwards, Kanellos jumps in the air. Kneeling down, Ishi holds his staff horizontally. Slamming his sword onto Ishi's staff, Ishi builds a barrier around himself and the two Fairy Tail mages. Sweeping his leg under Kanellos' legs, Ishi trips him. Landing on the ground, Ishi hits Kanellos on the head.

"Play dead," Ishi chuckles.

"Funny," Kanellos growls. Grabbing Ishi's staff, Kanellos pulls him down to the ground. Standing up, holding onto Ishi's staff, he plunges the weapon into the Spirit's chest, smirking as it and him disappear in a bright light.

"Well, that was easy," Kanellos chuckles, turning to Natsu and Cooro. Blinking in shock as the two stand back to back, holding hands.

"Unison Raid," the two smirk at Kanellos. "White Dragon's Fire Cannon Roar." As their bodies begin to pulse, fire engulfs the two mages, as ribbons of light swarm them. As the fire dies down, Cooro stands kneeling in front of Natsu, his arms turned into Cannons. Pointing them at Kanellos, the two dragon's roar gather in front of the Cannons, and Cooro smirks. "Fire." the both laugh as they shoot out and engulf Kanellos.

"That," Natsu nods. "Is the coolest Unison Raid ever."

"It's okay," Cooro shrugs, getting to his feet.

As the attack disappears, Kanellos lays on the floor unmoving. "So much for him being powerful." Rain chuckles from beside Cooro.

"And where the hell were you this whole time?" Cooro demands.

"Getting your sister to safety because of your recklessness." Rain rolls his eyes.

Nodding, Cooro looks around the room. Suddenly, something catches his attention. Walking towards Kanellos, Cooro notices that the area surrounding him is turning dark and changing. Suddenly, it shoots out in all direction, covering the Ice Kingdom in darkness; changing it to look like a dark castle.

Turning to Rain, Cooro watches in shock as the darkness surrounds him and his disappears in a dark light. "Where did he go?" Cooro questions, running towards Natsu.

"I... don't know," Natsu mutters. Suddenly pushing Cooro out of the way, the two mages watch as cracks appear in the floor.

"Well, at least he's gone." Kanellos chuckles, getting to his feet.

"What are you talking about? What did you do?" Cooro demands.

"I'm changing it," Kanellos says as it's the most obvious thing in the world. "How do you expect me to summon Waru in a place such as an Ice Kingdom? It obviously had to change to something darker. The Ice Kingdom was too happy. So, thanks, by the way. You helped, and are helping us achieve Waru's full power. With three Jinchuki in Waru, only nine more have to appear before Waru achieve ultimate power."

"Well, the joke's on you." Natsu sneers at Kanellos. "It's only the two of us here. No more Jinchuki for Waru to suck up."

"As much as it scares me to say this, Natsu's right. It's only the two of us. Waru isn't at his full power and we can beat you together." Cooro states.

"But your Unison Raid did little to no damage." Kanellos points out. "What else could you possibly do? Besides, you had me inside you Cooro, so that technically makes you a Jinchuki. Waru could suck you in right now and finish Natsu. But, I think you would be better for last. Here's what I'll do instead," Kanellos chuckles. "I made Aōyami appear, you remember that, right? Well, along with that, I can create people and use them as my puppets. So, I could just as easily transform into you. Using my own lacrima, I can make a fake emergency call to the rest of Fairy Tail. I can easily tell them that you are in trouble and need all the Jinchuki to gather because Waru has arrived. And, they'll come. You know why, Cooro? Because you're their saviour. Waru will suck them up and become invincible."

"What makes you think that we'll let you do that?" Natsu demands.

"Because I already have," Kanellos chuckles darkly.

XXXX

"Cooro!" April cries as he appears on the Master's lacrima. "Are you okay? What's happening?"

"Kanellos showed up," Cooro states, looking around a corner. "He's summoning Waru, he killed Rain to get the Jinchuki. Natsu and I can't beat Kanellos... he's too strong."

"So what do you need us to do?" Lucy questions.

"I – I know it's too early, but we need the Jinchuki. Please, you have to help us." Cooro begs before his face shows a look of pain and the screen blanks out.

"Something's happening," Levy says, turning to look at Lucy. "We have to go help them."

"It looks different than before," Gajeel comments. "Something definitely happening."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Gray questions. "We have to go."

"Natsu and Cooro are still there," Lucy whispers. "We have to leave now. They could be in serious trouble."

"Let's make a team then." Laxus says looking around. "The Jinchuki will go, but who can go with them?"

"Fairy Tail's Strongest Team, of course." Gray smirks, as he puts his arms over Lucy and Erza.

"Us too," April says pointing to herself, Haru, and Bones.

"You'll need someone to heal you," Wendy speak up. "Romeo and I are coming too."

"We're coming too," Gajeel grunts as he puts his hand on Levy's head.

"Jellal is coming," Erza says, putting down her lacrima.

"If things get out of control, I'll come too." Juvia speaks up. "I have the strongest water magic here, if there are flames, I'll be able to put them out if Natsu isn't available."

"Fair enough," Laxus nods. "Where's the Thunder Legion?" he questions, looking around.

"Here," Freed raises his hands. "We're staying behind to protect Magnolia if anything happens."

"Alright," Laxus nods. "Everyone set out. By the tone of Cooro's voce, they're in trouble."

"Got it," they all nod, running out of the guild.

April, Haru, and Bones, taking the lead, all turn to look at each other. "It's a trap," the three of them say quietly.

"There is no way Cooro would ask for help." Bones states.

"It didn't sound like him either," Haru comments.

"It didn't look like him. That is not Cooro." April mutters.

"So, what are we going to do?" Haru questions.

"Pretend that we don't know. We separate from the group as soon as we get there. We look for something that we can use against Waru. The only reason the Jinchuki are going to be there, is because Waru needs them for his resurrection." Bones states. "We can do this."

"Okay," April nods.

Back at Fairy Tail, Laxus sighs as he watches the group leave. Turning to the guild, he walks past the worried Mira who tries to speak to him. Walking up the stairs to his office, Laxus slams his door and walks over to his desk. Pulling out two lacrima, he activates both of them.

"Laxus," the two greet.

"I need your help."

"What is it my boy?" one questions.

"What's up?" the other asks.

"Gramps," Laxus sighs. "I need your okay on something."

"What is it?" Makarov questions.

"I need to give Fairy Glitter to someone."

"No." Makarov says with a smile.

"What? Why?" Laxus blinks in surprise.

"Who are you giving it to?" Makarov questions.

"Bones." Laxus answers.

"Absoletely not."

Sighing, Laxus looks at Mavis, who freezes in the background. Smiling slightly, she puts a finger to her lips and nods.

"Fine then," he sighs. "Bye." Turning off the lacrima, he turns to the confused face of Sting.

"So?" Sting questions, a smirk on his face. "What do you want to brag about now?"

"Your son is in trouble." Laxus says, causing Sting's smirk to disappear and his aura to become deadly.

"When? Where? And how long do I have to kill the people who are going to hurt my son?" Sting demands.

XXXX

"Where are they?" Gray questions as they walk into the now deserted, darkened throne room of the Dark Castle.

"Cooro's message come from right here," Haru said quickly before he, Bones and April run off.

"So where are they?" Lucy says worriedly. "Natsu?!" she calls out. "Cooro?!"

"Well," a foreign voice to the members calls out in the darkness. "It seems that you were all able to make it. But, you came all this way to help your friends. Without knowing it was a trap." Kanellos appears, dragging Cooro behind him. "You were all so blind trying to help your friends, and didn't even think that this was a trap," Kanellos grins throwing Cooro in front of everyone. "None of you had any idea that by bringing all the good Jinchuki here, you were really helping me bring back Waru."

"What did you do to Cooro?!" Gray demands.

"Oh, you mean this Cooro?" Kanellos questions, snapping his fingers. All watching in shock as Cooro melts into the ground. "He was a creation of mine; my fake Cooro lured you all here with a plea of help. And how foolish you were to believe him."

"Where are they?!" Erza demands.

"Who knows," Kanellos shrugs. "One second I was battling them, and the next Ishi appeared and took them away."

"Who's Ishi?" Lucy questions Levy.

"He was a very powerful Andalphian," Levy repeats from memory. "He was one the Prince of them, the most powerful and important one of them all. When the Andalphians were destroyed, Ishi was the only one left. But, he disappeared and no one had heard from him since."

"Well, surprise, surprise, he was living inside Cooro this whole time." Kanellos states. "Now, we can do this the easy way, or the hard way."

"Do what?" Hana questions.

"Surrender yourselves to me and resurrect Waru, or be killed and resurrect Waru." Kanellos sighs. When no one moves, Kanellos nods. "That's what I thought," he says. Snapping his fingers, the Jinchuki all look down slowly to see that the darkness is slowly making its way up their bodies.

Disappearing one by one, Froi and Hashi look around them. Hashi, looking to Froi, nods. "Come out to play!" Hashi chants. "Riemy!"

When nothing happens, Hashi looks down at his hands. "Riemy!" he tries again. "Riemy?!"

"Your magic doesn't work here," Kanellos says walking towards the young boy. "The minute you stepped into this castle, the minute you gave up your ability to use your powers."

Hashi, continuing to be swallowed by the darkness, growls at Kanellos. "Is this what you want?" he questions. "To destroy everything? What will be left when you kill everyone, Kanellos? Nothing, that's what. You're going to be all alone, and after everything you do for him, Waru will kill you. You'll be worthless to him, and he will kill you. Is that what you want?"

"If that is what it takes to get rid of you, then it is what I want." Kanellos glares as Hashi and Froi, who disappear along with the rest of the Jinchuki. Turning to the Fairy Tail mages, Kanellos smiles at them. "So, you guys can go now. You're not needed anymore."

"You think we're just going to let this go?!" Wendy cries. "You're insane!"

"Wendy," Romeo warns.

"No!" She shouts. "We're going to get Cooro and Natsu back. We're going to stop Waru, and we're going to save the Jinchuki. We're Fairy Tail! Nothing is impossible for us! So we're not going anywhere."

"Well then," Kanellos rocks back and forth on his feet. "Say goodbye then."

Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Kanellos turns his head as his eyes widen in surprise. Cooro, appearing behind him, smirks at him. "Goodbye." Cooro says before he and Kanellos disappear from sight.

"Well great," Gajeel grumbles. "What now?"

"Find Natsu, and fight this Waru guy." Lucy says, walking forward. "Cooro knows what he's doing. Have faith in him."

"If only that were possible," a dark, loud, booming voice echoes.

"Okay," Gray sighs, rubbing his temples. "What now?"

Suddenly, the ground begins to crack and shake as a talon comes into the the view of th Fairy Tail mages. The talon, followed by a claw and a large massive arm, gleams in the soft light given off by the castle. All being knocked off their feet by a forceful gust of wind, all the mages look up in surprise as a large dragon's snout appears right in their face.

"You can't have faith when you are all dead."