Chapter 18: What happens Next

A/N: I know some of you reading will think I'm backpedaling from the feedback from the last chapter. I'm not, but I doubt you'll believe me. Just take everything with a grain of salt, please! Please let me know what you think!


Morning did not come quick for Natsu, nor did he manage to sleep. Instead he had sat in one of the chairs at the table and watched as the three women cuddled with his daughter… their daughter, on one of the two beds. He had watched while Myou whimpered in her sleep, only to have Mirajane or Lisanna, the two closest to her, calm her down by whispering softly to her. Millianna had left to explain to Clarissa the plan once their discussion had tapered off. When she got back, she quickly took up a spot next to Lisanna on the small bed.

The long hours of the night had given him plenty of time to go over everything he had learned. After going over everything in his head about their relationship, he had decided to give it a shot, if only for the fact that it made his heart ache at losing any of the three women. He knew it would be selfish, he knew that it was wrong. He even knew that there would be a lot of headaches ahead while they tried to make things work.

First, aside from the obvious attraction he had to all of them, was how they were going to be splitting time between each other. Would they all take turns being together, or would it be more of a constant group? How would they stop from getting jealous that one of them was spending more time with another? He knew that the only way to make things fair was for him not to be the center of everything. They all needed to be on even footing, it was the only possible way to make it work. That and communication.

Which lead to the next problem. Millianna would automatically be outcast because of the distance between them. She wouldn't be able to spend as much time around ANY of them, especially Myou. He didn't want to ask her to leave her Guild for them, just as he knew she wouldn't ask them to give up Fairy Tail for her. Maybe the three had already talked that over? He would have to wait and talk to them once they woke up.

Finally, aside from his relationship issues, was the sinking feeling of what he was turning into. He accepted it now, that wasn't the problem. He had even managed to revert parts of his body back, such as his eyes and hair. He had even somehow pulled the horns back and drew back his claws, though the scales still covered the backs of his hands and fingers, at least they weren't sharp and dangerous.

No. After sifting through the memories he had absorbed from Jackal; he had realized that he had made a mistake. He should never have let the other two leave to head back to their base of operations. All of the others were going to get suspicious when he didn't show up immediately after them, and he didn't think he could bluff his way through a conversation if he headed there right now. Besides, he didn't have any information on this Mard Geer guy, Jackal hadn't spent much time around the guy. The only thing he knew for sure was that through the book that Mard Geer had, they had found out that Natsu was in fact E.N.D. Etherious Natsu Dragneel.

The only bright side of the entire scenario was that the entire Guild seemed to have a fanatical devotion to E.N.D. After he talked with Master Makarov and Master Mavis, maybe they could play off that devotion. Maybe they could play off that devotion to keep Myou safe, or he could threaten to absorb them like he had done to Jackal. Not that he fully understood what he had been doing at the time. Natsu had just been obscenely angry and a voice in the back of his head told him what to do, how to punish the Etherious for harming what was his.

Lastly, it was highly uncomfortable to sit in a chair when you had wings. It had taken him nearly an hour alone to collapse them down against his back so he would be more comfortable when he realized he wouldn't be able to draw them into his body just yet.

While he was thinking, someone knocked gently on the door and Erza peaked inside. Natsu nodded over to her, waving for her to come in and join him. It was just after sunrise so he figured everyone would be up soon anyways.

"I'm happy to see you haven't left yet." Erza said softly taking a seat at the small table. "Were you able to talk things out between the four of you?"

"I don't have a damn clue where our relationship is going to end up, but I think we've come to terms for now." He admitted. "Were you able to get any sleep? I imagine rushing all the way over here from Magnolia wasn't fun."

Erza nodded. "I slept enough. I was more worried about all of you and Myou. That had to be a traumatic experience for her."

"Myou has the heart of Fairy Tail inside her. She'll be okay, we'll all make sure that she is." Natsu said quietly.

The two fell into a companionable silence as the sun started its slow trek up the sky. Natsu waited until one of the three women awoke, gently pulling back from the others on the small bed. She looked over and smiled at Erza and her boyfriend. "Morning Natsu, Erza."

Natsu gave Mirajane a small smile and a nod. "I'm going to head over to the orphanage to see how things are going and to make sure the kids are okay. I'll be taking Erza with me. Once the others are awake can you meet me there? We can head out after breakfast."

Mirajane looked over into his eyes hopefully. "Does that mean… We can give us a try?"

"I love you, Mira. We'll work through this together." He whispered loud enough for her to hear, giving her an affectionate, if small, smile.

A bright smile split across Mirajane's face and she nodded happily.

"It's going to be hard to wrap my head around all of this, so give me a little time?" She nodded again. "I haven't forgiven you yet, and I think it hurt more because it was you specifically that felt she needed to send the message that way, but I'll try not to dwell on it." Her smile wavered, but she had seen that coming.

Natsu threw on a fresh set of clothes in the bathroom and pulled on his travel cloak to cover his wings and most of his transformation before leaving with Erza.

Natsu entered the orphanage and was pleasantly surprised. Not only had the repairs he had requested be completed been finished, but the hole he had created in the roof was patched up as well! He would have to send the construction company a bonus for working so fast!

"Natsu!" Clarissa cried out, darting through the tables to wrap him in a tight hug with the kids watching them in apprehension. Most of the kids hadn't seen what had happened, but they had heard from others around town and while none of them really knew the mage, he had been super friendly to them the last couple of days.

Natsu chuckled and hugged Clarissa back. "Hey, how are things doing here? How are the little ones that… well…?"

The older woman pulled back and gave him a wry smile. "Almost too well. After the initial scare and they knew Myou was alright, they didn't seem all that afraid. All the shows of magic excited them and I think I've managed to convince the younger ones that there was no real danger. How's Myou doing? I know Millianna came by last night, but I'm worried you know?"

"She'll be just fine. But, until this mess is all over, I'm going to ensure she's around one of my Guildmates just in case I can't be with her every waking moment." He answered before perking up. "Oh! This is Erza Scarlett. Fairy Tail's Titania!" He stepped to the side and gestured to the redhead.

Clarissa reached forward excitedly and shook Erza's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Titania. If it wouldn't be too much trouble would you mind saying hi to some of the kids?"

"It would be my pleasure!" Erza flashed a dazzling smile and stepped forward. All eyes turned to her in obvious excitement, each of them having seen the Grand Magic Games just a few months prior.

Natsu took the time that Erza's distraction gave him to head into the office and grab his backpack from inside, checking what money was left in there. He frowned at what he saw, but knew the numbers added up correctly from what he had spent and what he expected the additional adjustments he had informed Clarissa to request. Counting what he had stashed away at his home, he had just over twenty-six million jewels. He would need almost double that to get what he needed, what he had been saving for since he first got the idea to adopt Myou.

He slipped the backpack under his cloak and slipped into the kitchen to see three older boys making breakfast, two of them being ones that he had helped the first night make dinner. "Mind if I help out?" He asked from the doorway. Their smiles warmed his heart and he grinned while he got closer to them. "You guys wanna see something cool?"

They nodded rapidly so he pulled back his cloak, showing his scaled arms. When they reached out, he pulled back a little. "Careful, they're sharp. Try not to go against the grain." They hesitated for a moment but curiosity won out and they ran their hands across the hard scales with a chorus of 'Whoa!'.

The four had breakfast ready in no time and dished it up just as quickly. Natsu was happy to see Myou there, chatting with one of the girls her age. Millianna was over helping the younger children clean up while Mirajane and Lisanna looked absolutely lost as to what they should be doing, but were talking with a couple of the youngest children. Erza was still surrounded by a majority of the kids, telling stories about her adventures.

After setting down his plates down in front of two kids, Natsu slipped behind Myou and picked her up. Myou squealed in delight, the heat in her anklet hot enough to give her a mild warning before he was wrapping an arm around her. He grinned down at the girl Myou had been talking to before bending and picking her up as well with his other arm, much to the little girl's enjoyment. He took them over and deposited the two girls onto a bench while the boys handed them plates. He left a kiss on the crown of Myou's head and ruffled the other's hair before moving on to help other kids get into seats.

Once everyone was sitting and eating, including the four women that had joined them, Natsu pulled Clarissa into the office for a private chat. "I need you to be honest. Is the orphanage hurting for money?"

Clarissa smiled weakly and shrugged her shoulders. "We've always been a little worse for wear, you know that. We're really lucky the grocers in town have a soft spot for the kids, so they make sure the pantry is fully stocked free of charge. But, with kids growing so fast and the need for school supplies, money drains pretty fast. We've received another cut in funding too because kids have been in and out so fast that the mayor doesn't think we need as much."

Natsu frowned in thought. "Maybe I'll stop by his office on my way out of town."

"Please don't!" Clarissa waved her hands frantically. "You've already done so much for us by rebuilding what you did. I haven't seen this place look this new in years. I can't thank you enough for that. It means a lot to this old woman and I know it would've made Rocky so happy to see it today." She started to tear up at the end.

Natsu wrapped her in a tight hug. "If you guys ever need anything, send word to Fairy Tail and we'll make it happen." He told her sincerely. "It probably won't be me; I have a lot to take care of in the next few months, but I'll make sure Master knows to send someone out to help you the instant he gets a request. And it'll already be paid for, so don't bother putting a reward with the request." He gave her a mock glare when she made to refute him.

Clarissa gave a hearty chuckle and pat his cheek affectionately. "Thank you for that, Natsu. I'll be sure to send your boss my requests should anything arise."

"Good. Now, we have to leave a little earlier than I had hoped due to what happened yesterday, so my friends and I will walk the kids to school then we'll head out from there." Natsu nodded as he spoke, almost as if reminding himself of the plan.

"Speaking of your friends, I see that two of them are those girls that claimed to be your wife when you first started asking about Myou's adoption. Should I be expecting to see wedding invitations soon?" Clarissa teased him, enjoying the light blush that blossomed over his cheeks.

"W-well… about that. Myou's taken to calling both them and Millianna Mama lately." He admitted, scratching the back of his head. "They kind of came up with the idea that all four of us date each other, so if things go well, you may be getting more than one invitation."

Clarissa was shocked for a few seconds. "A polyamorous relationship, huh? You mages are something else." She giggled to herself. "As long as you are all happy and Myou is loved, you won't get any complaints from me." Natsu was surprised at that, she hadn't been too receptive the last time he had talked to her about the possibility. "Just make sure I get that invite, young man."

Natsu scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "It's a trial thing right now, I'm still not sure how okay I am with all of it. Myou's my main focus right now and as terrible as it sounds, right now they make Myou the happiest. She comes first."

"Got you wrapped around her little finger already, huh?" Clarissa's teasing smile made him groan. "Don't worry too much, you're raising a smart girl. You may not see it, but I see it; that girl has a certain glow about her. She is beyond happy and has a confidence about her that I don't think she would have gotten anywhere else other than by your side. You should have seen her, Natsu. For how scared everyone was yesterday, she stood strong. Just keep doing what you're already doing." She pat his chest gently then left him alone in the office.

He really owed the older woman a debt for introducing him to Myou in the first place. An idea spawned suddenly and he rushed out of the room, asking Millianna to take the others and lead the kids to school and that he would meet them at the train station. He gave Myou a quick kiss on the top of her head and all but ran out the front door.


Natsu crashed down behind the group awaiting him at the train station, much to the fearful surprise of the civilians waiting nearby. He quickly folded his wings down against his back and threw his cloak over them once more, giving a fanged, yet sheepish, grin over to those nearby as an apology. "How long till the next train?" He asked while he rubbed Myou's hair affectionately.

"Your eyes are red again." Erza noted with a frown.

Natsu blinked in surprise and quickly closed his eyes to concentrate until he felt a tingling sensation before turning to the redhead. "Better?"

She nodded. "What were you doing that got you all worked up?"

Natsu's demeanor darkened and he had to consciously reign in his magic. "I paid a visit to someone and didn't like the answers I got. It wasn't enough to fully push me over the edge, but I think I got my message across." He turned to the other three women sitting on the bench, Myou sitting on Millianna's lap. "How long till the train?"

"Right around the corner, it'll be here any minute." Lisanna answered for him. "What'd you do? Should we be worried about collateral damage?" She asked teasingly to hide the worry she felt.

"A cowardly woman has been abusing the power she has. I needed to set her straight." Natsu rolled his shoulder, subconsciously clenching and unclenching his fist at his side. "Hopefully I don't have to come back and give her another reminder." A train whistled in the distance and he scooped Myou off Lisanna's lap and set her on his hip, easily holding the young girl's weight. His heart soared when she let out a content hum and hugged her arms around his neck.


[Fairy Tail]

Mavis was nowhere to be found. But he had expected that. No, what worried him was Master Makarov. The grandfatherly man had been surprised throughout the story, at least that's what everyone else saw. Natsu saw something different though, or maybe he didn't and his overworked mind was making things up. The Dragon Slayer really couldn't say one way or the other anymore. But to him, it had appeared that Master Makarov had been expecting something like this to happen. He hadn't claimed to understand what was happening, but it just seemed too convenient that he knew where to find the information they were looking for.

After everything that happened, Natsu didn't believe in coincidences, at least not when it came to things like this. He didn't bother with telling the others about his suspicions. That wouldn't have done any good. Erza would have been incensed and would have thrown a fit about how disrespectful Natsu was being. Mirajane and Lisanna would probably have taken his side instantly to show their support of him, regardless of how they actually felt. He believed that Millianna would be more receptive of his worries, that she would have wholeheartedly believed him if only because she didn't have the past relationship with Makarov swaying her emotions.

Then there was Myou, it would have killed her. She would have believed him in an instant and that would damage the grandfatherly relationship that she had with the Master. Besides, he didn't have any real proof. Everything was circumstantial and based off Natsu's own intuition. An intuition that he didn't know if he should trust right now with whatever Etherious being he was deep down awakening inside of him. It was sparking something familiar inside of him, something felt too familiar about this.

Instead, he vowed to think things over. But the one thing his mind was set on, was that Myou wouldn't be leaving his sight for any reason. He wasn't even ashamed to admit that he had followed her to the bathroom to stand just outside the door where he could hear everything that happened within. He knew he was growing paranoid, but maybe that paranoia would keep his daughter alive.


Mirajane was worried, there was no other way to say it. She knew that her sister and Millianna felt it too. Even with his tentative acceptance the night prior, they knew they had an uphill battle before everything was said and done. At first, at the orphanage, they had chalked everything up to all of them trying to get the kids ready for the day and not having any time to themselves. Then, on the train, he had sat himself in a seat next to the window and had all but wrapped himself around Myou to stave off his motion sickness.

The walk from the train station to the Guild and their talk with Master Makarov had been the biggest indicator about how he felt. He never shied away or pushed them away, but he wasn't initiating any acts of affection. He always reciprocated, though, so at least he wasn't totally shutting them out. He would squeeze their hand back if when they did so in a show of support, or if they hugged him he would in turn wrap his arms around them.

It was all the little things that worried them. Natsu was an extremely physically affectionate man. It wasn't just kissing or anything perverted, but in the past, he would go out of his way to touch them. He would often take any chance he could to wrap his arm around them, to run a hand through their hair, going so far as to sitting so close to one of them that their legs rubbed against one another, or even something as small as his hand brushing against theirs while they were sitting.

It was a drastic change, but Mirajane didn't have it in herself to really blame him. In the past forty-eight hours, his whole picture in life had changed and Mirajane couldn't help but hate herself a little for causing him so much pain. To see him sitting so close to them, close enough that she could touch him if she wanted, but she hadn't felt so far from him.

Even during the talks with Master Makarov, she had seen his attitude change, everyone had. The more they talked about what had happened in Clover Town, the more Natsu seemed to withdraw into himself. To a stranger looking at the Dragon Slayer right now, Natsu would look irritated and in a deep concentration. But to her and the others that knew him best, they could see the chained dragon that he really was and it looked like that chain was getting shorter the longer they talked.

Part way through their planning of what to do next, Natsu had asked for them to postpone things because he felt he needed air.

Master had understood and immediately agreed, even going as far as to offer to ask Bisca and Azlack to watch Myou so he could blow off some steam with the women he loved.

The look on Natsu's face was enough to even frighten the old man and had it not been for Myou begging Natsu not to leave her, Mirajane was sure Natsu was going to attack him. Natsu had snatched up Myou, whispering to her that no one would be separating them, then stormed out of the room. An hour later, once Myou had calmed down and had eaten a small lunch, Natsu had released her to go play with Asuka. But his eyes had never left her.

Natsu's voice brought her out of her thoughts with a jump. "We need to get out of here for a little while. Before all this happened, I was thinking of taking Myou down to the river." His eyes finally turned away from Myou and locked onto Mirajane's, the unasked question clear to her. She nodded and he turned his attention over to Millianna and Lisanna who were sitting on the other side of her. With his answers, Natsu nodded and stood up. "I'm going to offer for Asuka and her parents to join us, give Myou someone her age to hang out with."

Mirajane watched him head off then turned to Millianna. "Wanna borrow a swimsuit?"


Natsu and Myou were the first to arrive at the designated spot as they lived the closest. Before she could run off, he knelt down in front of her and brushed the hair from her eyes, looking at her critically. "We haven't had any time for just you and me since everything has happened. So, without the others around to overly worry, how are you doing?"

Myou sagged visibly with a sigh. "I keep thinking that guy is gonna jump out and attack again. I was so afraid; it was everything I could do to just to hold him off for as long as I did." Tears were welling up in her eyes and she dove into Natsu's arms.

"Clarissa told me, in extended detail, what you did to protect them, Myou." Natsu whispered, rubbing her back gently while squeezing her tight. After a few seconds he took her shoulders and pushed her back far enough that he could look into her eyes and gave her a bright smile. "I don't think you understand just how big of a feat you pulled off. You picked up all of those kids and pulled them into your protective bubble! You held off that damn blonde long enough for them to get ahold of me. I don't know any other kid your age that could do half of what you did in a controlled environment and you didn't even hesitate!"

"But I couldn't beat him!" She cried out in frustration. "He was just so strong."

"Myou." Natsu shook her shoulders a little to make sure he had her full attention. "That guy wasn't human. He was built to cause destruction and to kill. You have known about your magic for less than half a year. We can't win every battle, but we can learn from them. Do you think I've won every battle I've come across?"

Myou shrugged her shoulders sadly. "But you're so strong now, I don't think I've ever seen you actually lose. The only time I've ever seen you go down was when you let Mama hit you with that dark attack."

"I've lost more battles than I can even count." Natsu clarified for her, giving her a fanged grin. "But I learned something from every loss, from every time I got knocked down." He poked her in the chest over her heart. "As long as you pick yourself back up and try again, you'll get stronger. Let everyone around you help you get stronger. I've had so many people help me in the past. Igneel, Master, Erza, Gray, Mirajane, Happy, Lucy… Everyone in the Guild has helped me grow not only as a mage, but as a person. You've already proved you know the hardest part of being a Fairy Tail mage."

"What's that?" She asked, wiping her eyes with the backs of her hands.

"You put yourself in front of someone that you knew was stronger than you to protect everyone else." Natsu tried to push as much emotion as he could into his words. "You didn't turn and run away, you didn't leave Clarissa and the other kids to fend for themselves. You proved, in that very first instant, that you have the heart of a Fairy Tail mage."

"I didn't think about it, my body just moved on its own." Myou countered.

"Exactly." Natsu emphasized. "That's not something that can be taught. It's something that has to come from inside you. We don't leave anyone behind, and we never give up. That's exactly what you did, and I never had to tell you that. You did that all by yourself."

He wrapped her into another tight hug. "I'm not going to always be around. We learned that yesterday. I was so worried about you, but I didn't have to be."

"I have to get stronger." She whined.

"Then don't let anything stop you. Keep training, keep fighting, keep learning. Keep pushing yourself and one day you'll be the one protecting me." The two continued to hold one another until they both felt like they had gotten their feelings laid out. He swooped her up in his arms and ran towards the water. "Enough of the emotional, sad stuff! We're here to have fun!"

Far more people ended up joining the two while they played in the water, more than Natsu had been previously expecting. It seemed that a fair amount of the Guild was genuinely worried about the little girl. Not only did Mirajane, Lisanna, and Millianna show up, but Azlack and Bisca were there with their daughter. Gray, Erza, and Lucy weren't too far behind. He could even smell Juvia and Levy off in the distance dragging Gajeel along with them. Wendy showed up with Happy and Carla; Happy was quickly stolen away by both the little girls to take turns flying high in the air only to be thrown into the water.

Overall, it was a relaxed, if loud, affair. Natsu pulled himself away from the group to take a break, sitting his back against a nearby tree where he had a good view. Lisanna had been quick to join him, a large smile on her face as she pressed herself against his side. Her smile grew larger when he wrapped an arm around her waist to hold her close. Despite his obvious reluctance to the new change in their relationship, Natsu didn't want any of the women to think he didn't care about them.

Letting the peaceful moment take him and ease his worries he smiled as he watched his friends interact with each other. Bisca and Azlack were sitting on a towel together, leaned against one another while they relaxed in the warm sun. Mirajane had Asuka in her lap nearby and was gently brushing the young girl's hair while the little girl giggled and Lucy told the girl a story. Wendy was sitting with Myou, their feet dipped in the water and talking animatedly. Gray lay face down in unconsciousness, a towel draped over his waist and Erza standing over him with a harsh glare. Gajeel was halfheartedly glaring at Juvia and Levy as the two continued to splash him until he started to give chase and Juvia disappeared into the water.

On the other side of the river, Millianna was leaping through the trees, chasing after Happy. She already had Carla wrapped in one arm and he swore he could see Carla trying to hide a smile, thought that could just be wishful thinking.

It was very nice to see his friends having fun and relaxing. It was good for his mental wellness, too. It showed him that despite the rough times that had been thrown in their lap, Fairy Tail didn't let it hold them down. If he could, he wanted to just sit there and relax.

Natsu's eyes snapped down to his other side to see a translucent hand gripping his upper hand. Following the arm up he saw Mavis frowning, a finger held to her lips for him to be quiet. She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. Natsu gave Lisanna a quick squeeze then stood up and stretched, twisting his back until a it popped satisfactorily. "Hey, Lis." The woman was looking up at him from where she sat. "You mind watching Myou for me for a few minutes?"

"Of course." Lisanna grinned. "We'll watch over her. Everything okay?"

Natsu locked eyes with his girlfriend. "I just want to take a walk; I'll be back in a few minutes."

"You want some company?"

Natsu gave her a small smile, bent and kissed her forehead. "Not right now, but I'll take you up on that for later if you are up for it." With that said he turned and left, his smile falling as soon as he was out of sight.

Mavis lead him deeper into the woods before she turned to him with a serious expression. "It's best if we get this done without anyone else around. How much control do you have over…?" She gestured to him.

"Not a lot. Most of this is based off my emotions, but I've managed to revert my eyes, hair, and hands back." He rolled his shoulder and his wings unfurled from his back. "Haven't had any luck with the rest."

Mavis nodded while she thought. "I suspected as much. You said it was tied to your emotions? It could be that the rest will go away if you manage to get them fully under control."

"They're as under control as they are going to get." Natsu ground his teeth as he spoke, but paused and forced himself to take a slow, deep breath.

"I wasn't suggesting you were doing anything wrong. I wanted to head over immediately when I heard, but when that body was brought to the Council, I couldn't just leave a possible clue alone without checking everything first." Mavis folded her arms in front of her as she explained.

"Speaking of, where have you been?" Natsu asked. "I've come into a lot of information lately and I have no idea what to do with it. Everything is telling me to rush off to end this once and for all, but I can't just up and leave. I can't take Myou with me, she would be in too much danger, and I can't leave her here either because then someone will know I'm running off and they might follow me. That will tip these guys off before I even have a chance to attack." He was losing control of his emotions again, everything seemed to be on a hair trigger and he was a moment from snapping again.

"I've been going around to restricted libraries. If I focus enough, I can interact with small objects like books and parchment." She explained. "I was in the Council's private reserves when that Etherious corpse was brought in." She paused and started to look unsure of herself. "I hadn't even thought of the possibility that they were back."

"I know who was controlling Sting." Natsu said suddenly. "I don't expect them to bother with him again, but we need to send word to Sabertooth about these Etherious and what to look out for."

"I'll have Makarov warn them."

"No." Natsu's tone was ice.

Mavis jolted in surprise, but Natsu went on. "Something isn't sitting right with me about that. He knew where to find everything I had questions for and…" Natsu clenched his hands when he couldn't find the words. He threw his arms up in frustration.

"Isn't that why you went to him though, for answers and help? Why is it suspicious that he knew how to help?"

"I don't know!" Natsu yelled out. "He was kind and worried about us. He has done nothing wrong; he didn't act weird; he did everything I would expect him to do! He's never steered us wrong before and I know he has access to a lot more information that we do! I know all of that!"

Natsu punched a tree, the bark cracking under his fist. "It just felt wrong!" He was yelling now. "It's nothing he did or didn't do! It's my problem, and I know that!" He lashed out again, this time knocking the tree down in his anger. "I'll send word to Sabertooth, maybe I'll go there myself, I don't know."

He saw that his fingers had slipped back into claws and he turned back to Mavis and gestured to himself. "This is what I'm talking about! I'm having trouble controlling my emotions, especially my anger. Little things set me off, but I've been able to hold it off."

"Best I tell you everything then." Mavis took his revelation in stride. "Long story short, you are two people. You ARE Natsu, the same Fairy Tail mage that has thrown his life into dangerous situations without thought for his own wellbeing and the same one that gave Myou a loving home." She glided un in front of him and put a hand on his chest, flexing her magic to solidify enough to touch his scales. "But you are also a being created to destroy. You were not born, but created."

Natsu frowned at her explanation, more questions coming to mind than answers.

"I realized all of this when that Etherious was brought in. I heard about their mission and it was the key piece I was missing to figure this all out. Zeref made you to destroy, you are one of his greatest and worst creations."

"That guy on the Island? You talked about him before. The worst Dark Mage to ever live."

Mavis nodded. "I won't go into detail because you probably don't care, but I met him before I died. He was looking for a way to die, a way to stop himself from hurting anyone else."

"What does him wanting to die have to do with me?"

"Because you were created to kill him." Natsu froze at that revelation. "I don't know what happened after you were created and I don't know why he is still around if he had succeeded. I don't know why you ended up with Igneel and I don't know what these Etherious are after by reawakening that part of you."

"I can answer that, as far as Jackal was concerned, they are to be my army and I am to lead them to Zeref." Natsu answered with a frown. "From Jackal's memories, they all revere Zeref. I don't think they know why Zeref made me what I am."

"That makes relative sense. When I met him, he had just made you, though I never had a chance to meet you before me untimely demise. I was foolish to believe what I felt at the time was love and did not bother to question it."

Natsu hummed, his eyes trailing off behind Mavis while he let his senses loose. Something had caught his eye, movement off in the distance before it hid behind a tree again. It puzzled him because he could smell everyone back at the river and they weren't getting closer, but no one else was coming up. He zeroes in on where he had seen the movement. "I see you. You might as well come out." There was always the chance that it was just an animal that blended into the surrounding smell.

Mavis turned with him curiously. "See something?"

Natsu frowned when he saw a pair of royal blue eyes and flowing forest green hair peak out from behind the tree he had been staring at. Their eyes locked and he could practically feel the affection rolling off the woman, if she could even be called that. He crooked his finger in a come-hither motion and watched as a wave of hesitation rolled over her.

Kyoka slipped out from behind her hiding spot and quickly made her way over. She shuddered under his intense gaze. "Master, I am here to serve."

"I do not appreciate you spying on me, Kyoka. Explain yourself." Natsu surprised himself with how calm and collected he sounded.

"Master, Mard Geer is suspicious that you did not come back with us. He claims that you care more for those humans than we do." Her hands wrung together in front of her in worry. "He sent me here to spy on you and to report back to him."

Natsu growled under his breath. "And what, pray tell, do you plan on telling him? Speak fast before I tear you in two where you stand."

"Don't be so hasty, Natsu." Mavis spoke up as she glided around the woman, inspecting her. "Killing her here would tip them off immediately."

"I wouldn't have revealed myself if I had planned to go back to him." Kyoka answered quickly. "I overheard you speaking to yourself. I can be of assistance to you. We were made to serve you and though I can see you are reverting from your true form; I saw the spark back in that town."

"You heard me? What all did you hear?" He fished for information.

"You suspect something untoward from your Master." The word left her mouth like a bad taste she wanted off her tongue. "You knew about our manipulation of Sting and that you are to lead us to Master Zeref."

"Do you know why I was created?"

"To lead the Etherious to Master Zeref so that we may join his ranks." Kyoka continued, taking short steps to get closer to Natsu.

"He created me to kill him, Kyoka. Not to join him, to kill him." The woman didn't stop until her hand rest on his chest, though Natsu had tensed himself ready for battle.

"Master Zeref created us to follow you, Master. We had simply assumed that you would want to rejoin your true master." Kyoka's voice was a whisper. "But if that is your wish, who am I to question it? I am but at your disposal." She looked up into his eyes hopefully. "Allow me to be of assistance."

Natsu only had a millisecond to react when a dark glyph sprung up from Kyoka's hand to encompass his chest. He wasn't fast enough to pull away, but he wrapped his hand around her throat as pain wracked through his veins. "Master." She wheezed; her eyes still hopeful. "Allow me to be of assistance."

Natsu clenched his hand tighter, cutting off her airway completely while fighting through the pain, his eyes flashing between crimson and the usual charcoal. He snarled as his teeth grew sharper, his canine's lengthening drastically. His lips peeled back from his teeth in a sneer, a deep rumbling growl escaping and his eyes burrowed harshly into the Etherious' blue orbs.


A/N: Sorry, not sorry about the cliffhanger. Don't be mad, I'll have the next chapter up next week. I'll try to make that chapter longer than this one.