Erza stared up at the screen, seeing the many Xs over the locations where Face was. Not a single one was active, much to her surprise.

"Uh, can somebody tell me what just happened here?" Happy asked.

"I don't know, but somehow Face was thwarted!" Panther Lily answered.

"I guess that's…good?" Lector sure hoped he was right.

Minerva and Bellona stared up at the screen, continuing to feel the awe-stricken revelation that hammered them home. Mirajane mustered a smile of her own, despite not knowing the cause.

Erza laid on her stomach and gave a relaxed smile, her Doublade floating right by her side. "You saved magic…Nic."


Nic and Nic-Greninja stood tall over the land of rock and leveled domain, the defeat of Mard Geer still hanging over their heads. The dust whisked itself past them as they turned to face the other once again, soft smiles of sound relief washing over them.

"Are you alright, Greninja?" Nic asked.

"I'm well. I can say you feel the same." Nic-Greninja replied. The Ninja Pokémon shot a glance back at the barren domain upfront. "He was determined, I'll give him that much."

"I agree…"

The sounds of footsteps caught their attention. With the sounds of more figures approaching, Nic and Nic-Greninja turned around to look at the incoming people. Much to his own shock, it was Natsu and Gray, and to their greater bewilderment, Natsu still had the Book of E.N.D in his hold.

"Alright! Where is he?! Where is that jerk?!" Natsu looked around, seeing no sign of Mard Geer. He looked left and right swiftly, hurrying to find him.

Gray looked at Nic and his Pokémon, frowning. "Nic." He greeted.

"Natsu. Gray." Nic answered with surprise in his voice. "What are you two doing here?"

Natsu looked ahead, pointing an accusing finger at him. "Don't 'What are you doing here' me! What's the deal making me hold a book while you hog all the fun! Not cool man!"

"What are you talking about?" Nic asked.

"We just asked you to take the book somewhere safe until we settled with Mard Geer." Nic-Greninja added.

"Well here's the book anyway!" Natsu tossed the Book of E.N.D, much to the shock of Nic. Knowing how precious it might be, he caught it and looked down at the cover, seeing that it was still in one piece. "Now no more glory-hogging! Where is that jerk?! I want a piece of him!"

"Cool your jets, pyro." Gray retorted. He averted his attention to Nic, a serious look plastered onto his face. "Seriously, what was with all that water just now? And that large purple explosion we saw?" Gray took one more step forward, standing in front of his comrades with a sharp look. The serious glare was added by the magic he was giving off, surprising Nic. The next question was dreadful. "And where is Mard Geer?"

The way he made it sound was like a demand. It was very appreciative, but it sounded like something that had to have an answer. Nic and Nic-Greninja looked at each other with purple eyes meeting, seconds of which faded when they turned back towards Natsu and Gray.

"Don't worry." Nic answered. "We've dealt with him."

Natsu's eyes widened. "Aw, WHAT?!"

"I'm sorry." Nic apologized.

"You better be sorry! I wanted to kick his ass as much as you, and you went and had all the fun!" Natsu fumed with a tick mark over his head, gritting his teeth in frustration. As he shot glares at Nic and his comrade, the recipients only looked at him with wonder and slight disbelief.

When Nic and Nic-Greninja looked back at one another, their looks this time were of wonder rather than supposed guilt. They didn't mean to have Natsu get dragged out of the scuffle, but at the same time they were aware at the time that what Mard Geer had was probably as important as a life itself. They couldn't explain it in words; they just knew. Though they did apologize, they also knew deep down Natsu wouldn't have wanted to be caught in the blast himself. Even he wasn't that stupid to clear way when Nic-Greninja arrives. It was an unspoken truth on both ends, and as individuals who live for battle they had to respect that of each other, though Natsu wasn't as willing.

Gray's stare on Nic never wavered. In fact, he was glaring cold daggers into him at the moment. By all means it was his personal goal to destroy Tartaros. It's the very guild that tormented his father. It was the guild that made his corpse dance like a puppet and toy with his own feeble emotions. Gray knew he wanted to make Tartaros pay, that's why his father passed down Ice Devil Slayer Magic, to slay demons. He desired what his father wanted – the fall of demons. While it did happen, he was despondent that it wasn't by his hand. But Gray knew better than to be mad at Nic. He was just doing what all of Fairy Tail wanted alike; in a sense no different from his own ambition. It was selfish of him to consider the folly, but he couldn't help himself. New power, all just to slay a couple demons? Maybe there will come a time when he may use his powers to slay future demons, but for now he can be content that at least one of his father's promises was fulfilled, and that was good enough for him.

"Hm?" Gray glanced down at the book in Nic's hold, the front cover in view. "Wait, is that book…?"

His notion caught Natsu's attention, and he averted towards the book Nic held. "That? That's the book that freaky thorn guy carried!"

Gray's eyes narrowed. "You don't say…"

"This is the Book of E.N.D." Nic answered. He remained as composed as possible around the growing ominous feeling he was getting from Gray. "This is what Mard Geer had beside him all along. I asked Natsu to take it somewhere to hide it so that we can understand it later on."

However, what Gray said next threw everyone for a loop.

"Sorry about this Nic, but that's idiotic."

Nic stared with narrowed eyes at Gray's backlash. It surprised him that Gray would go against what he said, but he wasn't like Erza. He was willing to listen out on reason.

"Think about it. That monster created Tartaros. As long as his book is in one piece, this battle is not over. We don't have the time nor the consideration of dealing with E.N.D. We can't talk to him, nor do we want to."

"You mean you don't want to." Nic-Greninja corrected on an ominous tone.

Gray's fists balled. "I made a promise to someone, and they counted on me for dealing with E.N.D's destruction. That thing is the strongest demon Zeref has ever made. It must be destroyed. Now." His tone was as cold as ice, it was dark and intense with contempt when he spoke about E.N.D. Nic wasn't sure nor was it his business to ask why Gray was hung up on E.N.D, but he knew that if he gave the book to him to be destroyed, it'd probably be a mistake.

Was this even the same Gray talking right now? Nic and Nic-Greninja wanted to ask themselves that, but the look in his eyes made it clear that it was Gray, just colder. His magic was different, but still the same. Something happened to him that left him with a cold shoulder, really cold.

"Gray…" Natsu murmured, eyes widened by Gray's intense stare in Nic.

"Nic, either you destroy that book now, or I destroy it." Gray said.

Nic and Nic-Greninja's stare on the mage intensified into serious purple glares again. "So now you go for threats?"

"I have to…" Gray's fists balled tighter. They were so tight that the blood almost stopped circulating. "I promised someone…" He felt guilty with what he thought of next, but he had to say it. "And I always keep to my word…unlike you did."

Nic's eyes slowly widened at Gray's stab to the heart. "What did you just say?"

Natsu was left bewildered. Even he wouldn't go that far as to insult someone, not ever. He's crossed a lot of lines in the past with his reckless behavior, but going into a personal stand point and offending it was a line he never ventured over, nor would he ever mean to. The Dragon Slayer was aware of why Nic no longer keeps promises; even when he did manage to recover from that deep impact long ago. He's failed to protect his sister. He made Erza cry. He couldn't preserve his own personal belongings long ago from harm's way. Too many strikes and he had it, no more was this some petty promise Nic could make. Natsu experienced it all considering he was there in most of the occasions, and he respected why Nic doesn't make promises as high as those. Things like "meet here" or "come back okay", he can make do, but to destroy or protect someone was something Nic nor Natsu could do much. Still, Gray crossed the line out ambition, and that's where the respect dwindled.

"Give me that book." Gray demanded.

Recovering from the offending blow, Nic's gaze hardened to where he was giving a serious pressure with Nic-Greninja. Nic-Greninja felt the sore blow in Nic's heart, and he sure as hell didn't like it one bit.

"No."

The four-way stare was of an intense agony that could suppress even Pseudo-Legendary creatures like a Salamence. It was like fire, ice, and now water all in a three-way confrontation.

The sound of a large-scale roar was thankfully what broke the intensity.

Everyone went wide-eyed as they saw a black figure crash down with a painful thud. Rock broke apart as the crushing weight of Acnologia slamming on his back rattled spines.

They all turned towards the exhausted dragon, seeing the many scrapes and scars inflicted on him. "Acnologia?!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Whoa." Gray replied.

Acnologia was feeling tired. Blow after blow, and it's only got him so far. He thought for sure he was on the offensive, but Mega Rayquaza had him cornered with nowhere to go. As he groaned, a crushing claw suppressed against his face, embedding him deeper into the ground.

Once again, the group present was wide-eyed as their gaze averted up. A red dragon towered over the fallen Acnologia, his mouth searing with smoke.

"Igneel!" Natsu exclaimed.

"This fight has not been lost, humans!" The Fire Dragon King yelled out.

Over his head, Mega Rayquaza swerved in a simple motion. He opened his mouth and roared into the skies once again, asserting dominance.

"Mega Rayquaza…" Nic trailed off, seeing the Mega-Evolved Legendary once again with surprise, though he seemed to have taken it well.

"We have stopped Face once and for all, thanks to the efforts combined from humans and Pokémon together!" Igneel announced.

In the distance, Garchomp exerted a loud bellow as he soared through the skies.

Wendy's eyes widened as she felt an odd energy from the distance. "Grandeeney?" Even from miles off Fiore, the Sky Dragon's energy was potent for her to sense.

Gajeel looked down at the ground with a perplexed stare. "…Metalicana." With his hearing, he could feel the familiar sounds of the Iron Dragon's roar.

"Weisslogia…" Sting was on his stomach still, but he felt the White Dragon sailing in the skies.

"Skiadrum too." Rogue felt a black shadow soar across the atmosphere as well.

Igneel raised his head high, showing great pride. "The dragons released have soared once again! With Pokémon and dragons sharing skies, the devastation has been lifted!"

Amazing. That was all anyone could feel at the moment. They never saw this coming, not in another 400 years. Not even in a million years. They were so overwhelmed with shock that the sense of anguish and despair brought faded away. The awkward confliction Nic had with Gray subsided as he was bewildered by his Garchomp working with the Dragon Slayers' dragons. It was uncanny.

Natsu's smile widened. "Awesome."

Wendy looked down, cuffing her mouth as tears were brimming. "The dragons…they're back…"

"They saved us." Gajeel murmured.

Down in the basement, Makarov raised his head somberly as victory had occurred, though not by his own hand.

"Victory is ours!" Igneel roared.

All across Ishgar, many people – while confused by what happened – knew that magic was saved once and for all. All the Faces were killed off by the speeds of the dragons that raced across the sky. Thanks to the preemptive efforts set into motion by Nic and Garchomp setting out early, they were about to mow down many Faces and preserve magic for the world they partially live in. All across the continent, many cheers were thrown into the air, especially for Fairy Tail as they claimed the victory against the might of Tartaros.

As the small group present stared at the mighty Igneel on Acnologia and Mega Rayquaza stationary above, the swell of energy subsided, and that left everyone at ease.

"Dad?" Natsu inquired.

Igneel glanced down at his son. "Son, I am sorry this took so long." He apologized.

Natsu stepped forward, eyes widening. "Tell me! You were inside my body the entire time?! I don't remember eating you!"

"Yes. In a way, it's more like dormant." Igneel nodded. "However, I was not the only one."

Gray raised a brow. "Huh?"

"It was not just I who sought shelter inside a Dragon Slayer. It was Grandeeney and Metalicana who also hid in your friends. Weisslogia and Skiadrum included. They were all in a slumber."

"All of them?" Natsu exclaimed.

"How?" Nic wondered.

"We have reasons tied to the process of Draconification." Igneel answered. "This may not be the time, but the prime reason for doing so was to manifest antibodies so that you Dragon Slayers would never undergo the transformation of dragon morphing like Acnologia."

Natsu raised a brow. "Oh yeah, that Zirconis guy talked about that back ages ago." His gaze turned towards Acnologia. "Isn't that what happened to Acnologia with his Dragon Slayer powers?"

"Yes. And there is another reason as well…"

Mega Rayquaza glanced down, looking at Igneel with a low growl. "Below you!" He warned.

"What-?!" Igneel heard the warning, but the ground beneath him began to churn and rumble. Acnologia began to stir and growl loudly, jerking up harshly and stirring gusts.

Everyone covered up as a dust storm blew passed them with the rise of the Dragon King once more. The black beast shoved Igneel off, roaring as he back on his feet and surged with intense ire.

"Crap!" Gray shouted through the winds.

"Dad!" Natsu cried out.

Acnologia shot back into the air, flying right into Mega Rayquaza. The long creature spiraled and slithered past the incoming dragon, turning to watch Acnologia race back for the sky. Down below, Igneel took to the air as well, chasing after Acnologia, alongside Mega Rayquaza. "We'll finish discussing this later!"

"Dad! Come on!" However, Natsu's cry of plea fell on deaf ears as his father flew into the atmosphere to deal with Acnologia. His teeth gritted in frustration. "Damnit."

"So the dragons hid inside their Dragon Slayers to produce antibodies?" Nic surmised. If he wanted to believe it was a joke, he would've dismissed it from the start. In the truest sense, he could see it happening. Dormant beings inside their hosts, like that of light and dark; the evil that had been inherited resurfacing that was expelled and made peace with.

Suddenly, Nic's hold on the book felt loose. When he looked down, he saw with astonishment that the book teleported out of his reach.

Gray looked equally as shocked. "Hey! You can't just use a move and send it somewhere!" He objected.

"It wasn't my doing." Nic defended.

The book flashed and reappeared in another hand, one who held the book gingerly. "He's right." Another person announced. "That would be me taking my property back. I hope you don't mind." The figure's voice gave off an unsound aura, one that was dark and dreary of unpleasant vocals that stretched into ears and made the nearby people feel the hairs on their bodies stand on end.

Everyone turned around at the voice, but the tone was nothing like the image they saw. To their disbelief, they saw something that left Natsu, Gray, Nic, and Nic-Greninja all bewildered beyond the means of comprehension. His black robe and white drapes were the indication of whom he was.

Natsu felt his heart skip a beat. "You're…" He trailed off, unable to finish due to shock.

"This book is really nothing to fuss over." The male's black boots continued to hit the ground until they ceased meters away from the group, a soft smile on his placid face. The Black Wizard himself had nothing but black eyes, staring into the still gazes of everyone there.

Zeref was back.

Gray's teeth gritted as he felt his heart race. "Zeref." He growled.

The Black Wizard cursed by the gods themselves paid no heed as he looked at his surroundings. He took in the level of intense pressure that was resonating from Nic and his Nic-Greninja, smiling as he glanced to the scenery behind. As the Black Wizard nonchalantly looked to be scoping, Nic and the others tried to emain as calm as possible; Nic and Nic-Greninja managing to retain calm after remembering Zeref's previous meeting.

The recollection of Zeref's warning about the Impure Underworld and the events transpiring during that time rattled Nic, but it did leave him with a sounder perspective on Zeref. He remained silent as Zeref looked back ahead, glancing over at Nic.

"Well, well, I must say this was most certainly a surprise. Congratulations, Nic and friend, you've successfully defeated Mard Geer Tartaros. That's nothing short of praise." He said.

Nic and his froggy pal kept still fronts, their breathing in sync, though heart rates were still higher than normal. "Thanks." Nic answered flatly.

Zeref couldn't help but snicker. "Don't be so dramatic. It's not like I could kill you if you answered wrong; besides, shouldn't you be used to this level of power by now? I mean you did handle Lysandre and Alpha well, haven't you?"

Once again, a chord was struck into Nic, but his guard simply intensified. "So then you were present that night when it happened?" He inquired.

"From a distance." Zeref replied. "Still, I was pleasantly surprised you've overcome your dark will. If you could've done that, then there isn't a single doubt in my mind. One of these days, you and your Pokémon shall rise to the challenge once more."

The sound of dragons roaring in the sky swirled overhead. Zeref looked up casually as he watched Acnologia, Igneel, and Mega Rayquaza swerve about to attain ground.

"The question is, who is it that you will defeat next? Shall it be me…or Acnologia? Or both."

Nic and Nic-Greninja didn't answer. Neither could really say anything to back up Zeref, nor could they say anything against him. This was more of a neutral aspect they were set in, and by all means were they welcomed to question him back, but they knew that wouldn't get them anywhere.

Zeref looked towards the remainder of the group, grinning at Natsu. His black orbs met Natsu's, eyes interlocking. "A new era is coming this dawn. The question to ask is if we will survive. Shall Acnologia enslave the world? Or shall Pokémon once again intervene and save us once again? The anticipation is giving me goosebumps."

"You…!" Natsu's fists balled.

"The darkness that engulfed the universe and nearly reduced it to nothing is no more, but that doesn't mean I can still show what I call despair." Zeref's red eyes returned, the air shifting as an ominous vibe enveloped him. The Black Wizard frowned, his glowing red stare piercing daggers into everyone. "This story we flow through will meet its climax soon, but with each chapter, the deeper the questions get. Shall E.N.D, Acnologia, I, or Nic pronounce our own aspect of the world?" He turned around, his back facing the group. "Until then."

Zeref walked off, casually strolling with a stale air around him. Everyone stared in palpitating silence as he walked a distance away. As a wind picked up, dust skid along their field of vision. Once it passed Zeref was also gone, along with the Book of E.N.D.

A stiff silence fell as the air around them lifted, though its stale fragrance remained like Wrap.

"Great." Gray said sarcastically. "Now what?"

Natsu stared at the space ahead, glaring daggers of fire that burned with searing intensity. "Zeref."

Nic and Nic-Greninja remained silent as they thought about Zeref's word just now. What he said rolled in their minds; the dawn of a new era; who shall eradicate Zeref and Acnologia; are they to prepare? Their thoughts went silent as the dragons roaring filled the skies.


Acnologia snapped his jaws down on Igneel's neck, making the dragon lurch from the chomping force. He shoved a claw into Acnologia's chest, shoving him away and giving space for them to soar.

"So that's why you stayed with the humans. To keep them from turning into me." Acnologia said.

"What more do you want, Acnologia?! It's all over!" Igneel opposed. "E.N.D is no more! Leave the humans alone!" He charged at Acnologia again, their heads colliding in a powerful shuddering sound that rumbled and shuddered through the atmosphere. Their bodies turned with their momentum.

"This has nothing to do with the humans or you dragons!" Acnologia answered.

"What?"

Both dragons backed off, their space again given.

"What I crave is not your blood as of this moment, Igneel. My anger is towards the one human, and those creatures who dared to deface me. It's because of them that I have nothing else to fear but the thought of them humiliating me again…" The Dragon King began to lower his head, exerting a hot breath as he began to labor in breathing.

"My, my, seems that previous fight with Nic and his dragon wore you down good, Acnologia." Igneel mocked.

"Gnnngh, I'm just fine! Do not stand in my way or I'll rip you through right now!" While was exceptionally weakened from his fight with Nic and Mega Garchomp, he was unable to take anything lying down. The Dragon Slayer flapped and charged right for Igneel, his head colliding with the Fire Dragon King's chest. The impact made Igneel gag, eyes widened as his vision went white for a moment.

The dragon began to fall from the sky, diving head first as the descent was intensifying. 'Damnit. My power is weakening too. Guess I was sleeping too long.' Though he snickered at his own mockery, he knew it was bad news as he didn't have much fire power left in him.

Acnologia dove right for Igneel, tailing him. "I'll crush you from which you fall!"

"Not if we have anything to say about it." Igneel rebuffed.

A green glint was seen in the skies above. Zooming at the speed of light, a green stream slanted down and dissipated nearby clouds, clearing way as airspace shuddered for Mega Rayquaza. The green dragon roared out as he shot at Acnologia.

"Extreme Speed!"

The Weather Trio Master soared into Acnologia's side, knocking him off course in a large green explosion. The impact was what made Acnologia cry out as his large ribs felt the blow. The sharp pain coursed and he straightened out, using his wings to slow down and station himself in the air once more.

Igneel caught himself and retained airborne beneath Mega Rayquaza. "Nice one." He praised.

Acnologia's throat ripples as he glared at Mega Rayquaza. "You pestering creature. You've gotten in my way one too many times! I am the Dragon King, and as such, I shall be ridding of you!"

"I've heard all this before. I care not for it is clear you do not understand what we Pokémon are known for." Mega Rayquaza rebuffed. "If you really had the power to destroy my kind, you would've done so the first time we've crossed paths. If that's all you've got right now, then you're a disgrace!"

"SILENCE!" Acnologia snapped. "You Pokémon shall rue for your powers!"

Igneel arose to Mega Rayquaza's side, his wings stationary as he watched him roar out in defiance. "Long have I waited to see this day. The day Acnologia would pay for his crimes by my own claws."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. You know as well as I do that he's too much of a rough necked lizard to keep down." Mega Rayquaza said. "If I was honest with myself, I'd say that he won't truly die. All we're doing is just scarping at his body and he's still rampaging."

"Yeah, I can see."

"My task is to stall for the likes of Nic Pularis and no more. We shall leave his demise to another."

"Yes. For now, let's give him something to remember us by!"

"Agreed!"

Igneel and Mega Rayquaza ascended into the skies above, gaining altitude to end the long battle with Acnologia. The Dragon King looked up and watched them ascend, but instead of follow, he opened his mouth and unleashed a menacing roar.

The blue beam traveled towards them, but together, Igneel and Mega Rayquaza opened their mouths and respectively unleashed a raging blast of fire and a massive Dragon Pulse that looked like a horrendous dragon. The three attacks went diagonally at one another, colliding in the center. The attacks fused and created an atomic sphere-like explosion that again brightened up the skies. The rattling vibrated the ground beneath, making pebbles shake as the bright light made many cover up.

Within the destructive blast, Acnologia's figure shot through the dissipating light. "I won't give up that easily!"

Mega Rayquaza and Igneel moved to the side, evading Acnologia as he moved through the middle. The Black Dragon caught himself and lashed his tail around, crashing into Igneel's face. The impact was so harsh that the wind was knocked right out of him, sending him flying backwards.

"Hang on!" Mega Rayquaza used his claws and serpentine figure and positioned himself behind Igneel. The dragon slammed into him, shoving him back many meters through the sky. As Mega Rayquaza gained momentum once more, he shoved Igneel forward, giving him his spreading wings once again.

His breath back, Igneel looked over his shoulder. "Thanks for that."

"Don't mention it." Mega Rayquaza slithered to his side, both facing Acnologia as the dragon let out another exasperating roar. The airspace shuddered with the ripples of hot breath the dragon exerted from his wrath.

Igneel's breathing was heavy, his strength fading. The longer he stayed in flight, the more it pained him to stay up. "I hate to say it…but I don't I can hold out much longer against him." He knew Acnologia was powerful, but if he battled him solo, odds may be that he wouldn't have lasted long if he had this much power inside.

"Like I said, I'm here to stall, but in this case I agree." Mega Rayquaza announced. "He just won't stay down, even after all these attacks. Let's sent him away and leave his fate to them."

"Very well." Igneel smirked.

"What are you two on about now? I told you before, I refuse to die by the likes of dragons, or Pokémon. There is nothing I cannot destroy! Not even the world can stop me!" Acnologia raged.

Igneel steeled himself for the last attack. "Then prove it! With dragon and Pokémon united, you cannot win, Acnologia!"

Acnologia opened his mouth, where the air around him shuddered. As he roared the bellowing soundwaves began to distort, almost as though they were being sucked back into his mouth. A blue sphere began to swirl, the dragon charging up his attack. The nearby clouds were also starting to get sucked inside, the vapor distortion like it was going through a black hole. The intensity of the sphere grew, the bright light intensifying.

Mega Rayquaza exerted another roar as his body was coated in a thick green aura. The aura infused and thickened to where it was like a veil of raw strength engulfing him. The dragon went firing at massive speeds, becoming a blinding green streak that made several air ripples from the point of launch.

Igneel flapped his wings and followed behind, allowing Mega Rayquaza to take the lead.

Acnologia unleashed another roar, one fully charged with so much power. He fired it with everything he had in him, the blast wave so massive that the clouds within the skies that weren't sucked in vaporized instantly as an intense blazing glory streamed from the Dragon King's mouth. The glorified blast sailed through the skies towards Mega Rayquaza, green stream and blue beam flipping back and forth.

The field if vison was the incoming Mega Rayquaza's Dragon Ascent and the blue beam. It switched to the face, and then the beam. Face, then beam. The pattern continued to do so for a dozen times until it flashed at light speeds, until at last Mega Rayquaza's picture was seen, streaming in a faster pulsating blitz.

In one go, Dragon Ascent split right down the middle of the roar, much like an arrow. The bolting blast of green was nothing short of an arrow that dove at immense speeds. The air crackled with roars and sound barriers destroyed, ears booming as blinding lights encompassed all that could be seen.

Acnologia's blue light began turning green, Mega Rayquaza closing in too fast for him to track. The dragon roared in agony as time slowed down with Mega Rayquaza passing him, green streaming behind as he grazed past the abdominal area. Time returned to normal as the Legendary beast zipped far away, green fading as Acnologia gave off a green ripple before a violent explosion engulfed him. The air rang with green tearing through all matter. Acnologia cried loudly in searing agony as his body felt like it was being ripped apart. It was sickening, and all he did was roar out in pain and suffering.

As the green light and fired swirled, Igneel flew right through it, ignoring the intense shockwaves that were trying to push him back. He dove right for Acnologia, mouth and talons open as he closed in and roared.

Acnologia was in too great of pain as Igneel also passed him, but like before, Acnologia's screams of pain were hollowed by the rupture. All sense of time for the disgraced king faded as the explosion swallowed him.

As the bright green in the sky faded after several minutes, Mega Rayquaza looked back and saw Igneel flying out of the explosion, with a souvenir from Acnologia himself in his mouth. His left arm.

The smoke dissipated in the atmosphere, and Acnologia fell to the ground below, roaring weakly as he slammed into the ground, mouth gaping.

Mega Rayquaza roared into the skies upon the fall of Acnologia, completing his task at long last.

"We've…managed…" Igneel's vision began to cloud up, Acnologia's left arm falling out of his mouth and plummeted below. As the arm went, do did Igneel.

Mega Rayquaza looked down with surprise and wide eyes. "No!"

Igneel crashed into the ground, making a powerful thud as he slammed into the earth. He grunted, but he laid on his stomach, head turned as he was panting. His declining energy had been depleted, all his strength no more.

Mega Rayquaza descended in several serpentine fashions, until he was above Igneel. "Are you well?" He asked.

Igneel looked up. "Yeah…just gotta catch my breath."

Acnologia's low groan was heard from behind, catching Igneel and Mega Rayquaza's attention. As they watched the Black Dragon struggle back up, he was severely wounded once again, his side grazed with another scrape. He craned his head towards the two dragons, seeing as how one was pretty much down and the other was ready to finish him off. Acnologia suffered a lot this time, and though he'll hate it, he had to retreat.

"Fire Dragon King, your ally and his kind will be obliterated by me." He declared. "Disappear or relish all you want, dragon. I swear, when I find you and your kind, even one of you…I will not budge. I will slay you all." With those words, Acnologia flapped his wings, sailing unevenly away from them, retreating for the time being. He looked completely unfazed with the fact his left arm was torn off, something that Mega Rayquaza and Igneel were unnerved of.

Acnologia faded from their line of sight, both dragons growling as they knew the Dragon King still had juice left to fly away.

"He's so strong." Igneel cursed.

"Next time…" Mega Rayquaza glowed in a rainbow aura, shimmering as the sunrise beamed through the dark clouds in the distance. His Mega Evolution faded, his stare exhausted. "Will settle this war you declared."


In the darkness of the chamber-like basement, Makarov stood at the end of an intricate path that led to a large lacrima, oddly with the body of Mavis vermilion inside with eyes closed. He looked away from the shimmering lacrima, gaze towards the ground.

"In the end, humanity has prevailed, only by the efforts of dragon and Pokémon…for I was too much of a coward to use Lumen Histoire."

"It's okay." Another figure entered the chamber, her bare feet against the smooth surface. It was Mavis Vermilion, the ghost whom Fairy Tail embodied. Just like Makarov, her face was of grimace.

"It just means it wasn't the time."

Makarov said nothing as he closed his eyes and grumbled weakly in his disheartened state.


As dawn broke, the skies invoked a new day that was to come, but this was not of a day of ruin, but of salvation. Face was destroyed, and within the landscape was the Fairy Tail group, all of them standing in front of the five dragons that rejoined with them. And to add shock, Rayquaza was opposite of them, levitating behind the Fairy Tail group. To say everyone was flabbergasted would begin to describe how they felt.

"Look at all these dragons." Vanessa looked around with Sliggoo, bewildered with the site that spelled unfathomable levels of awe.

Sliggoo looked all around with her sloppy mouth wide open. She turned left and right, seeing the dragons and Rayquaza surrounding her. She knew this was a dream, but if it were, it'd be too good to be true. "Woah."

Erza had regrouped as well, with Bellona and Minerva and the cats also rejoicing with their comrades, although the knight was more inclined with where her boyfriend was. As she looked around, she couldn't pick up on his presence, which worried her.

"Hey, look!" Doublade turned one of her blades towards the high hills, where they saw four figures dart down from the slope.

Erza turned around, looking in question at the few figures making way for the rendezvous. To her shock and satisfaction, she saw Nic amongst the group of Natsu, Gray, and Greninja, whom had reverted to himself. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Nic after so long.

"Nic!" Erza began to make way through the group, all of them moving off to the side as Erza made entrance for Nic and the group proceeding.

Nic's eyes widened with surprise and relief. "Erza! Vanessa!"

Finally, after so long, the group was again united. The arduous struggles that Tartaros put them through had left them divided and unsound throughout the night. Now with dawn approaching, a new day was met with Nic and Erza meeting in the middle, embracing the other tight. They embraced the other with their heads tilted into the other, their hair touching, which felt more than just like pillows to them. Their smiles were genuine, sincere as even though Erza had her armor, Nic's warmth radiated through and ignited her spirits.

"You came." She said over his shoulder.

"Of course I did." Nic's eyes opened over her left shoulder. "We said we'd come back to the other, didn't we?"

Erza chuckled meekly. "That is true."

Vanessa was preceded by Sliggoo, who approached from behind and smiled as Nic and Erza were back and sound. "Nic. Erza." She noted.

Both pulled away and turned towards Nic's younger sister. They all smiled as they pulled her into a group hug, so happy that the three had once again survived peril.

The sound of a familiar snarl came from above. Garchomp came down from the atmosphere, looking tired by very happy to see Nic back. The Mach Pokémon was given room as he descended and landed in front of his Trainer.

Nic pulled away from the sound hug and looked at Garchomp with sound surprise. "Garchomp."

Greninja grinned, glad his fellow brother was in one piece. "Glad to see you in one piece."

"Grandeeney, you're back!" Wendy chimed, managing to work through her misty eyes.

"Yes, and thanks to the combined efforts of Igneel and Pokémon, Acnologia has once again disappeared." Grandeeney smiled.

Everyone down below had their own various revelation.

"Man! Dragons and Pokémon as allies and on our side? If this was a dream, I'd never wanna wake up!" Jet beamed.

"Sounds terrifying to me." Droy denied.

"Weren't there like thousands of those Faces?" Romeo wondered.

"Looks like the dragons and Pokémon really wiped them all out." Cana said.

"So did Legendary Pokémon really team up with dragons?" Laki quivered.

"Now that's manly!" Elfman chimed.

"That doesn't make sense!" Vjeteer retorted.

With the dragons reunited with their Dagon Slayers, that also included Garchomp, who stood alongside Nic and Greninja. The Mach Pokémon took his bruises and scrapes in stride as he stood proudly and tenderly as Nic rubbed his snout with a soft smile.

"Garchomp, I'm so proud of you." Nic praised. "You a great job in destroying those Faces."

"I couldn't agree more." Greninja nodded with blank eyes.

"Thank you." Garchomp answered. Even with a dark tone and deep voice, he still had a tender heart when it came to affection outside of battle. Nic petting him was proof. Nic pet and scratched Garchomp behind his protuberances next, making him groan in pleasure.

Erza looked beside him, smiling as she watched Nic reunite with Garchomp. While she and Nic unified once again, She was glad he was there, and she'll prove it when she can.

Doublade and Sliggoo looked at each other and smiled, glad that the battle was also over.

Vanessa stood right beside Sliggoo, looking up at the dragons and Rayquaza. "I never expected something like this to occur." She admitted.

Sliggoo looked up at her Trainer, glancing at the massive creatures around them. "That's an understatement."

Grandeeney smiled down at Wendy. "I'm proud of you for destroying that Face."

Wendy wiped a tear from her eye. "Thanks, but it was only because Carla was with me."

Grandeeney moved her head and smiled at Sliggoo, Doublade, Greninja, and Garchomp. "And thanks to all of you for helping us in our cause."

"No problem!" Sliggoo answered.

Doublade nodded. "Worry not, for we did what we could."

"It was an honor to be comrades." Greninja answered.

"You weren't so bad yourselves out there." Garchomp admitted.

Igneel looked at Rayquaza with a serious gaze. "Rayquaza, I again thank you for your assistance."

"I thank you with a humble heart as well. You fought valiantly, Fire Dragon King Igneel." Rayquaza replied.

"Hey, Dad!"

Igneel looked down, staring at Natsu once again. The Fire Dragon Slayer had his arms crossed and a frown on his face, showing he was seemingly in a bad mood. Igneel and Natsu continued to stare at one another, both unmoved by the other's intense gazes.

"Natsu…" Lucy stared at Natsu worriedly, seeing something was wrong.

"Son…"

Natsu's frown flashed into a smirk, his mile wide with pride. "About time you showed up! I was getting worried there!"

Igneel blinked. The longer he stared at Natsu's chuckling smirk, the more he began to chuckle. The dragon raised his head with pride. "Guess repelling that bastard took a little longer than I expected huh?" He laughed.

"Man, Pokémon sure are tough, aren't they?" Natsu asked.

"That they are, son, that they are."

Nic, Erza, and Vanessa looked at their respective Pokémon, smiling. Rayquaza himself showed a grin of his own.

Gajeel glared up at Metalicana, the Iron Dragon and Dragon Slayer each sharing a distinctive, scruffy stare into the other. It was a long few moments before Metalicana leaned down, staring directly in Gajeel's vision.

"You still have that stupid look on your face." The Iron Dragon snorted.

"Shut it, you jerk!" Gajeel retorted.

"I don't get it." Sting, along with Rogue, were staring up at Weisslogia and Skiadrum, the two dragons that raised them and standing tall. "Weisslogia, I thought I killed you. What happened?"

"I need to ask you the same, Skiadrum. How are you not dead?" Rogue added.

"We've used Memory Control, in order to help you gain experience along your way." Weisslogia answered.

"It was an experiment that Igneel was against, but ultimately we wanted to grant you Dragon Slayer Magic, and the event of you slaying us would invoke a higher road." Skiadrum said. He looked over towards Igneel, but all the Fire Dragon King did was look away with a distasteful scoff.

"However…" Weisslogia added yet another note. "To say that we dragons are dead isn't wrong as well."

"What?" Sting inquired.

A distilled silence flowed through the atmosphere, the jovial intentions dying down to a more grimacing note.

"The truth is…we are already dead." Grandeeney answered.

Wendy's eyes widened.

Natsu looked shocked. "Hold up, what?" He looked back to Igneel with shock. "Dad?"

Igneel's eyelids faltered a little. "It's true. A long time ago, it was Acnologia who used his Dragon Slayer Magic and ripped out our souls from our actual bodies."

"You've gotta be kidding me." Gajeel said. "That dragon ripped out your souls?"

"Consequently, that is what also factored in his draconification." Metalicana noted. "We dragons hid inside you humans for a few reasons, one of which to keep you from becoming dragons as well. And the others…" Metalicana trailed off, glancing over towards his fellow dragons.

"We had two more goals, one of which befalling Acnologia." Igneel answered. "As you can see, that part has yet to be achieved." He remarked that part so bitterly, but the scorn was so weak that it was more of a bad note and a note saying he lost self-worth.

"Befitting that, it was also the only way we dragons could prolong our lives." Grandeeney finished.

"You mean…" Wendy's heart palpitated, the shock making her nervous for what is to be said next.

"Now that we have left your bodies, there is no return." Skiadrum said. "The demonstration of power we gave, was the first, and last time. This is another reason why we couldn't unveil ourselves."

"As you have seen, even with the might of myself and Pokémon, Acnologia still flies within the skies. However, it is safe to say that we have left wounds that will render him repelled for some time." Igneel said.

"Unfortunate, yet agreeable." Rayquaza said.

Nic looked up at the Sky High Pokémon with surprise. "Rayquaza?"

"I have seen it for myself. From the first encounter, Groudon, Kyogre, and myself were able to hold him off, but it took our full power to do so. From this encounter, he has gotten much stronger if he can handle me alone. It is not in my best place to say, but I fear the next time Acnologia enacts another confrontation, he shall be even stronger than he was before. The next time may hopefully be the last."

Nic looked towards Greninja and Garchomp, each staring with their serious-minded gazes worried about what Acnologia will do. He kept getting up when he and Garchomp fought him toe-to-toe, even after that last blow, though it did significant damage to assist in the fight of the three dragons. Compared to that, Acnologia was flawlessly curbstomped by the Dark Legendaries and the Weather Trio. Every encounter, his power just keeps rising. They unfortunately had to agree with Rayquaza on this one.

Natsu looked at Igneel, processing all the information he was given. "Dad…" His gaze was distraught, his mind racing as he recalled all the reasons why they stayed inside.

"Natsu. I am truly sorry for what I did, but it was the only way to ensure your safety." Igneel said. "I had an obligation to ensure the future of my own son, and to make sure he can stand on his own two feet. Natsu, I-"

"Cut the crap already!" Natsu snapped.

"Natsu!" Lucy gasped.

The Dragon Slayer stomped a foot on the ground, his fists balling as his teeth gritted. His eyes were misting up. "I searched for you…I wanted to see you again…I wanted to do so much more and tell you all these things that happened…and now you're telling me that you're going again?!"

Igneel wanted to say something, but the foster-father could only mourn for his son's feelings as he saw the streams of tears starting to flow from Natsu's face.

"You said it yourself, that you would never go! You would always be there for me, and that you would see me grow…but then you disappeared! And now here you are, saying all this stuff about being inside us, but did you consider how we felt?! How I felt?! Dad…" Natsu looked straight into his father's eyes, mixture of anger and sorrow piling in his crying eyes. "Don't break your promise!"

Happy looked at Natsu with misty eyes. He never saw Natsu this badly broken apart since Lisanna's supposed death, it was a painful feeling even he didn't have control over. All the Exceed did was stand there as he watched Natsu let his emotions pour out.

"I…I…I looked so long for you." Natsu wiped his eyes with his sleeve, sniffling and trying to catch his breath. "I learned how to read and write…and my magic's gotten much better. I was able to make a bunch of friends, a lot of them. They helped me so much on my adventures. I don't know where I'd be without them. Igneel…" He looked at his father with much more grief, the most he's ever shed. "There's so much I want to say! So stay!"

Everyone around him mournfully frowned in sake of Natsu. They knew the part about parting was never seeing them again; they should know, it happened when Future Nic and Future Lucy passed on and they all were sad beyond comparison. Still, in respects for Natsu's grief, they all stayed silent.

Lucy looked towards him to reach out, but she backed off and retracted her hand.

"Natsu." Igneel leaned down and made it so that he was eye-level with Natsu, who had his head down. "Son, look at me."

Natsu did as told and opened his eyes once more. He was met with the soft smile of his father, alleviating his grief as he looked to be in peace.

"No more crying, okay? You're better than that. I have been with you every step of the way, and I will always be."

"Igneel…"

"I taught you what to do when you're sad, right?"

Natsu wiped away his tears with his sleeves again. "Y-yeah."

"Then stand tall once more. You wouldn't want to send your old man off with a frown, right?"

Natsu heard his father's voice, the sound that he always enjoyed hearing even if it was deep. His words of wisdom were what always inspired Natsu, from the day he was taken under the dragon's wing. In respects of what he knew was right, the pink-haired boy stood up, getting his grief behind him. He stood up and faced his father in the eyes.

"No, I wouldn't dream of it." He said.

"Then let me hear you say it. Announce it to the skies with those lungs!

"Dad…Igneel…" Natsu's fists clutched tight, raising his head towards the sky. "I've become stronger! And I won't stop! I'll get to be even stronger! So strong that I can't be burned away by anything! I'm gonna live on! For you! For everyone! YOU HEAR ME?!" His roaring to the heavens and Igneel were heard from all around, the bellowing that rattled cages and declaration that reverberated into hearts and souls of everyone around him.

Igneel's smile widened as he reeled back up once more. Seeing his son's spirits lifted by his own words was what he wanted to see; he wanted to see how strong Natsu was without a sad look on his face. He knew deep down was still upset that his time was nearly over, but it was also needed that Natsu was to understand of departure and heart. With this in mind, the Fire Dragon King nodded. "Yes, that's what it takes, Natsu! May this be you and your fellow humans will to live on! This was the power of life that I have learned from you humans! The future you seek shall be what paves your will's journey!"

Everyone was starting to smile once more, the grief disappearing as Natsu's flare had returned. Even though departure hurt, their hands and claws alike will carry on for the dragons.

"It is time. Our energy is gone." Grandeeney said. She leaned down, smiling towards Wendy, who looked soft after Natsu's time with Igneel. "Sweet girl, you will face many perils ahead. I don't have a single doubt in my mind that you can succeed."

Wendy wanted to deny it, but even after she began to tear up, she put on a brave face. She never wanted Grandeeney to leave again, but knew deep down that this was for the best. "I…I will!" She choked.

Gajeel placed a hand on her head, smiling proudly. "Let's see them off with heads held high." He said. Like Natsu and Wendy, he was also greatly saddened as his father was leaving him, for good this time. But he knew he'd be with him always, no matter how much rude retorts the Iron Dragon would throw at him.

Everyone, even the dragons and Rayquaza, showed sympathy for the situation. It was time for goodbye, but it was still something they all did not necessarily wanted to happen. Still, even after the abundance of bonding, the time came, and all the dragons spread their wings, slowly flapping and making a weak gust.

"We bid you farewell, humans." Grandeeney said. "At one point, long ago, humans and dragons raged in strife against one another. And as of the Dragon King Festival, war raged with Pokémon and dragons. It brings me great joy that we three parted on this voyage in friendship this one time."

"The age of dragons has finally closed its curtains." Weisslogia said.

"From this dawn on, it shall be humans and Pokémon that shall work to a better future." Skiadrum said.

"400 years ago, a pact was made between man and dragons; the Magna Carta." Grandeeney said. Slowly, all the dragons and their bodies started to glow, their lights starting to shine brighter by the second. "With this act invoke, we dragons shall watch over this growth and humanity, for all eternity."

A pillar of light enveloped all the dragons. The light stretched high into the sky, pulsing with ethereal powers. Slowly, all the dragons inside began to fade away, starting from their tails and up to their legs and upper bodies.

"Grandeeney~!" Wendy cried out.

"I love you Wendy, always." Grandeeney smiled softly as she finally faded away.

Porlyusica looked up to Grandeeney as she went away, grinning softly.

"You still have that vulgar face." Metalicana sneered as his body faded.

"Seriously?! You old rustbucket?!" Gajeel shouted as Metalicana faded at last. As the dragon vanished, he grinned, a small tear in the corner of his right eye. "Tch, yeah…I'll miss you too."

"Thank you for everything, Weisslogia." Sting smiled.

"Skiadrum, rest well." Rogue said.

Both dragons of light and dark smiled with great joy at the appreciation for their sons. At the same time, they faded away into the pillar.

Natsu stared up at the pillar, his gaze fixated on Igneel. He watched with wonders of a child as the Fire Dragon King was in his prime, smiling down at Natsu as his tail began to fade. A moment of still silence came, and the two locked eyes, thinking back to their younger days.

Natsu and Igneel alike could recall all the laughs that they shared, even the times when Natsu messed up in spelling when using sticks to draw. He and Igneel bickered at times, but always made up with laughter and food. Jovial times they were, and what they both saw and memorized the most…was the times they slept soundly by the other's side, smiles as they were cheek to cheek with the other.

'Dad…' Natsu began to tear up again.

As Igneel looked down at Natsu, his eyes also began to mist. The longer he stared, the more he saw Natsu in his younger days, when he was small. His smile softened. "Natsu…"

The Dragon Slayer's eyes widened.

"I've been watching you this whole time. You really have grown up, haven't you?" His lower body was gone, and his hands and arms were next. "We've spent many great times together, and those times I've spent with you I would never want to take back. I treasure them, and always will…" A single tear began to shed, twinkling in the shimmering pillar. "The time I have spent with you…were the happiest and proudest of my entire life."

Natsu's eyes began watering drastically, but even through the heartache and pain, he stayed strong as the glow of his father engulfed his neck and face, making him turn into a fading red light.

"I taught you Dragon Slayer Magic, but what you taught me was something far more powerful…love. To that, I am forever grateful that you were my greatest teacher." The pillar and Igneel's energy faded away, thinning. "Son…I love you. Forever…and always."

The pillar of light disappeared, becoming nothing more than thin air. All that remained was glints of various colors of the five dragons twinkling into the atmosphere.

Natsu had tears running down his face, but he smiled wide, pain but happiness that he got to share another memory with Igneel. "I love you too, Dad!" He cried out.

In the distance, far beyond the hills that looked over the scene, Makarov stared despondently, grimacing with a frown at the parting of dragons.

Rayquaza looked down at Nic. "It would seem it is my time to return as well."

Nic's mournful grin turned into a frown as he turned around, facing Rayquaza. All Pokémon and humans turned around, looking at Rayquaza. "It would seem so." Nic replied. "Thank you once again for all your help in repelling Acnologia."

"It is I who should also thank you, Nic Pularis." Rayquaza replied. "I am grateful that I was able to witness this experience. There has been strife with these dragons and Pokémon, but I am also thankful we have unified under a cause."

Nic turned towards Greninja, whose eyes had become serious once again, and Garchomp. They all smiled and looked back to Rayquaza. "You're not the only one." Nic said.

"However, as I said before, Acnologia is stronger than last time. His power grows, and it shall be of Arceus' knowing when the last fight shall take. He is aware his days are numbered, which is why he is desperate in destroying those who oppose him. The next encounter…must be the last."

Nic took Rayquaza's words to heart, giving a serious nod in understanding. "We understand."

"Very well. I have helped you out of obligation this time, Nic Pularis, however, next time, you must earn it."

Nic smirked at Rayquaza's challenge. "You're more than welcome to see what my Pokémon and I can do."

Greninja and Garchomp stepped forward out of notion.

Rayquaza smirked once more before he out another roar. He zoomed over everyone's head, making gusts that made them jerk around a bit. They all covered up and watched Rayquaza circle into a spiral into the sky, slithering higher and higher. Once he reached a point, Nic reached out, making a spatial portal back to Sky Pillar. With the tower now in view, Rayquaza slithered through, his screeching fading as the portal closed behind him.

Like with the dragons fading, rainbow twinkles scattered in place.

Nic looked back at Erza, the two sharing a soft smile.

At long last, the strife and long battle ended.


So as you saw, I did a different turn in terms of Igneel's fate. Let me know if this was better or worse than what you thought of the anime/manga version of Igneel's fate. Otherwise, next chapter shall be the end of the Tartaros Arc! Until then!