Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the newly formed teams encounter plenty of surprises in the Forest of Death and even more danger as well. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Moving through the Forest of Death, the mother boar looked around with glare, searching for the two humans that had attacked her child. Having continued chasing them, even after losing sight of where they were, with her trying to pick up their scent. Unfortunately, she had lost it not too long ago.
The boar lowered her head and sniffing the ground as she continued moving, hoping to catch their scent again.
Unfortunately, as the boar was focused on trying to pick up Naruto and Carla's scent, she didn't notice or sense that she had just unknowingly wondered into the territory of the apex predator of the forest. One, which all other creatures knew to stay away from, ever since it took up residence here. Since all of them knew that to go near the predator was a death sentence. With the boar soon realizing her mistake, when she stopped just outside the mouth of a giant cave.
But it was too late for the boar to escape, when an equally gigantic black scaled claw shot out and grabbed the poor animal, before pulling it into the cave. The boar squealing in shock and fear, writhing around in the claw to escape. Only for her cries to be silenced, followed by a loud crunching sound. The sound continuing for a few moments, before being followed by the sound of swallowing, as the predator devoured the boar. With two pupiless white eyes shining out from the darkness of the cave, before the predator stepped out into the light. Revealing that the predator was a massive black Dragon.
The Dragon was mastodonic in size, with its entire upper body being covered in black, round scales. Which, in turn, were decorated with spiraling, blue markings. Its lower body, specifically its chin, chest, stomach, inner tail, thighs, and arms are gray in color, and appear to be rather smooth. Its eyes were white and beady, and its head is round and blunt with four, large, elongated plates extending backward. Its mouth is full of razor-sharp teeth, and attached to his chin, is a protrusion that resembles an arrowhead. While its large wings are feathery in appearance, akin to a bird's, and the scales disappear at the end of his tail. Which, in itself, ends in a stinger-esque shape.
This was Acnologia, the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse and the Dragon King.
Sniffing the air, Acnologia growled lowly when he caught the familiar stench of four Dragon Slayers within the forest. Only to sniff the air again and realize he recognized the scent of one of the Dragon Slayers, recognizing not the scent of a Dragon, but something familiar that he's sensed before. Though Acnologia doesn't recognize from where he's smelled the scent before, only that it must have been an interesting encounter for him to be able to remember it, after all this time.
But whether he recognizes the scent or not, there are still four soon-to-be dead Dragon Slayers, he's now hunting.
*With Naruto, Carla, and Kagura*
Meanwhile, at Naruto, Carla, and Kagura's campsite, the latter two were just beginning to wake up, so they could get ready to resume their search for Zoro. Only for their eyes to snap open when they saw that, somehow, Naruto had ended up on top of Kagura, burying his face in her well-developed breasts. Much to their shock, and Kagura's embarrassment, at waking up to such a thing.
'I knew you were a deviant!' Carla thought vindictively, with Kagura's embarrassment fading and being replaced by annoyance.
But before they could make their displeasure known, they immediately stopped, when they heard Naruto mutter something.
"Kaa-chan."
Stopping at the sudden word, Carla and Kagura took a closer look at Naruto, with their anger and displeasure fading when they saw the more sad and vulnerable expression on his face. One that Carla's never seen before, and while Kagura didn't know anything about Naruto, the sight felt very uncharacteristic, given what she saw last night.
It showed Carla that there was yet another side of Naruto that she's never seen before, while Kagura was reminded of how she was separated from Simon and her current quest to find her brother.
'He never talks about them.' Carla thought, realizing that for all the times Naruto talks about Atlas Flame and calls him his father, he's never once talked about his birth parents
This being due to the fact, Naruto never met or knew who they were, having been taken in and raised by Atlas Flame since he was a baby. With it not being something that Naruto likes to talk about, since the subject of his birth parents was always a sore subject for him.
Who were they? Did they love him? Did they abandon him? Were they alive? Were they dead?
There were so many questions, and yet not a single answer to any of them or even so much as a hint. Since not even Atlas Flame could tell Naruto anything, just that he had been found outside of Sun Village and was taken in by his adoptive father.
Now knowing he hadn't intentionally moved on top of Kagura, the swordswoman rubbed Naruto's head lightly, glad to see his expression changing to a more peaceful one. Before she and Carla carefully got him off of her and laid him on the ground, allowing the purplette to get up.
"I'll go hunt us something for breakfast, can you stay here and watch him." Kagura said, while standing up and grabbing Archenemy, with Carla nodding as the older girl went off into the forest to hunt.
Carla eventually gave Naruto a glance, seeing that he wasn't exactly as she believed him to be. That there was more to him, than she originally thought.
But that didn't mean he wasn't annoying.
*With Wendy and Flare*
Meanwhile, with the other half of the Cait Shelter team, Wendy and Flare were already getting ready to set out to continue their search for Zoro. Though before they could leave, they were joined by Rogue, Frosch, Sting, and Lector. With Sting and Lector looking like their entire worlds had been shaken, if not completely shattered.
"Is there something you four needed?" Flare asked, seeing as Wendy was giving Sting a cold look and wasn't about to say anything.
"We wish to offer our assistance in your quest, to make amends for what Sting said." Answered Rogue, wishing to make amends for what Sting said to them.
While he knew his friend is a good person, more often than not, he let his pride control him and believe he was better than others for being a "true Dragon Slayer". Which could also lead to him getting into trouble as well, like last night.
This made the girl's frown, neither of them really eager to be around Sting for who knows how long it'll take them to find Zoro. But they also couldn't deny it'd be good to have some help, both having more eyes to help their search and in case they run into any creatures, they can't handle on their own.
"Alright, you can join us." Wendy stated, with Rogue nodding in thanks, before the newly formed group set out to resume their search for Zoro.
*With Naruto, Carla, and Kagura*
Back with Naruto, Carla, and Kagura, the trio had just finished eating breakfast before resuming their own search for Zoro.
"Hey Kagura, why exactly do you want to find Zoro and challenge him anyway?" Naruto asked, curious as to why Kagura wants to test herself against Zoro, if it was just to test her skills or if she had another reason.
"Idiot! Don't ask such a personal question!" Carla hissed, while smacking Naruto on the head for asking a potentially personal question.
"Please forgive him, he has a distinct lack of filter for anything he says, and absolutely no manners at all." Said Carla to Kagura.
"At least I didn't send us falling off a cliff, headfirst into a river." Naruto retorted, as the two glared at each other, with Kagura looking between the two as the corners of her mouth twitching up in amusement.
"It's alright, it's a reasonable question. As for why I wish to challenge Zoro, he's one of the greatest swordsmen in Fiore and I desire to see how I measure up to him. I hope that if I am able to at least put up a fight against him, I will have a better chance at find my brother." Kagura replied, making Naruto and Carla look at her.
"Your brother?" Carla asked, unable to deny her curiosity.
"Yes, my brother, Simon. He was taken many years ago by Dark Mages, I would have been taken as well if it wasn't for the actions of our friend. And ever since then, I've been trying to find him. While training myself to be as strong as I can be, so that I will find him one day." Answered Kagura, surprising the two.
"Oh, well I'm sure you will be able to find him one day, as long as you keep trying." Naruto said, while smiling at the swordswoman, who nodded in thanks, knowing she won't stop until she finds her brother.
Though suddenly, the three tensed before jumping out of the way to avoid several blasts of air, followed by several bipedal bird-like creatures jumping down around them.
"Tengu!" Kagura said as she gripped her sword tightly, while Naruto and Carla tensed at seeing what they were.
Tengu were a race of demons that specialized in using air-based magic and have been knowing to cause trouble even for the likes of S-Class Mages.
The Tengu screeching at them, before swinging their arms and wings at the trio, unleashing several blasts of condensed air at them. With the three jumping into the air to avoid the attacks, before going to retaliate.
"Gravity Magic: Earth!" Kagura said, while using her magic on herself, sending her speeding back towards the ground and straight towards a Tengu, before slashing at it with her still sheathed blade and cutting it down.
"Light Grenade!" Said Carla, while firing several balls of light at the Tengus, which exploded on impact.
Not only damaging them, but also releasing several bright lights, blinding them.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Intimidation!" Naruto said, while coating his fist in hellfire, before falling to the ground and slamming his fist down, unleashing an explosion of flames that threw the Tengu back.
Though the Tengu were injured from the attacks, they shook off the damage and cawed angrily at the humans, before unfurling their wings and flying into the air.
"Gravity Magic: Earth!" Said Kagura, grunting as she forced the Tengu to crash back into the ground, having difficultly holding down this many targets at once.
Even more so, with how hard the demons were fighting against the increased gravity.
"Light Beam!" Carla said, while firing off several beams of light at the Tengu.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Fire Spin!" Said Naruto, while rushing towards them and jumping up, before hellfire covered his body taking the form of a large twister of flames as he spun towards the Tengu.
Only to grunt in pain when a pressurized blast of air slamming into him from above, breaking his concentration and dispelling his flames, as the whiskered blonde slammed into the ground. Looking, Naruto's eyes widened, when he saw that even more Tengu had arrived, with one divebombing straight towards him!.
"Sun God's Cruel Sun!"
Before the Tengu could crash into him though, Naruto saw it get hit by a mini black sun that exploded on impact. Looking to the source, Naruto saw Wendy and Flare arriving, though was confused at seeing Sting, Rogue, Frosch, and Lector with them.
'Who are they?' Naruto wondered, only to be shocked when Rogue opened his mouth and began devouring the surrounding shadows.
"Shadow Dragon's Slash!" Rogue said, while rushing towards a Tengu and slamming his shadow-covered fist into its head.
'A Dragon Slayer?!' Thought Naruto, a thought that was shared by Carla, when she saw what Rogue did.
"White Dragon's Claw!" Said Sting, while firing a blast of light at a Tengu, engraving a stigma into them, and restricting their movements.
'Two Dragon Slayers?!' Naruto and Carla thought, shocked that Wendy and Carla had encountered two more Dragon Slayers.
"Sea Dragon's Whirlpool Bombardment!" Wendy shouted, while creating a magic circle that unleashed several whirlpools, that flew out and slammed into several of the Tengu, while Naruto and Carla shook off their shock and got back into the fight.
"Hey, glad you guys got here when you did. Who are they?" Naruto asked Flare as he moved beside her.
"These are Rogue Cheney the Shadow Dragon Slayer, Sting Eucliffe the White Dragon Slayer, and their companions Frosch and Lector. We ran into them after setting up camp, and they agreed to help us find Zoro. We heard the fighting and came to investigate, and I'm glad we did. Sun God's Rays!" Said Flare, while firing several heated blasts of black light at the Tengu, burning them.
"Who's she?" Wendy asked, while looking at Kagura, before unleashing a Sky Dragon's Roar at a Tengu.
"That's Kagura, we met her last night, she's also searching for Zoro to challenge him, in order to test herself." Answered Carla, before throwing a Light Disc at a Tengu bisecting it.
"Gravity Magic: Sky!" Kagura said, launching several Tengu straight into the air at high speed.
"Shadow Ray!" Said Rogue, while gathering shadows in his hands, before unleashing several homing blasts at the airborne Tengu, taking them out.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Roar!" Naruto roared, releasing a burst of hellfire at the Tengu.
"Sky Dragon's Claws!" Said Wendy as she swiped her hands, releasing several claw shaped blades of wind, that flew through Naruto's flames igniting them, before slashing through several Tengu.
The two groups managed to fight off the Tengu, though Naruto soon noticed Sting wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, as three Tengu were flying down straight towards him. The White Dragon Slayer only noticing at the last second, as he froze up at the sight of them.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Blazing Inferno!" Said Naruto, firing a large stream of hellfire at the demons, with Sting being surprised at being saved.
"Come on, keep your head on the fight!" Naruto said, before jumping back in to the fight, while Sting clenched his fists and looked down.
'Come on, you can handle this, you can handle this!' Sting thought, slapping himself a few times to pump himself up before he returned to the fight.
It wasn't long, before they had managed to take care of all, but one of the Tengu. With all of them facing the last one, glad that they had managed to take out so many already. Though they could see that rather than try to escape, the Tengu was actually staring them down defiantly. The demon refusing to run away and was going to make its last stand against the humans.
Cawing loudly, the Tengu charged towards the humans, who readied themselves to take it out, only for someone to beat them to it. When, without warning, an arm was stabbing through the Tengu's chest, killing it instantly, much to the group's shock. With the new arrival pulling their arm out and tossing the Tengu's corpse aside, giving them a good look at who it was.
The person was a rather muscular young man with long, dark blue colored hair. He carried a sharp gaze; his eyes have black circles around them. He had dark skin, and on his body, he had light blue markings. For attire, he wore a high collared, black cloak which also had blue markings, sharp red claws around his neck, a sash around his waist, a gold arm ring tightened around his right upper arm, and baggy pants, which are decorated with the same markings as his cloak and body.
The group were shocked at this person's arrival, along with how he brutally killed the Tengu without hesitation. But more than that, they found themselves rooted in place by his gaze, actually finding it hard to breath as he looked at them, as if they were less than the dirt on the ground. And the sheer power they felt radiating off of him…it was inhuman.
"RUN WENDY! YOU HAVE TO RUN NOW!" Grandeeney roared within Wendy's mind, recognizing just who this was, seeing that even after four hundred years, he looked exactly the same.
'Grandeeney…who…who is this?' Wendy thought nervously at hearing the fear in her mother's voice.
"It's him Wendy, it's Acnologia!" Said Grandeeney, as Wendy's eyes widened in shock and fear that they were now face-to-face with the Dragon King.
"I smelled the putrid stench of Dragons, and all I find are children." Acnologia said, actually feeling a little disappointed, since while he fully intended to kill them, he had actually been hoping for a decent warmup against some experienced Dragon Slayers.
Instead, he finds himself facing a couple of brats.
The Black Dragon glancing at Naruto, also seeing the familiar scent he had smelled was coming from him, yet he still couldn't place where he had smelled it. Though Acnologia couldn't deny, there was something familiar about the boy's appearance as well.
"Who…who are you?" Naruto questioned stiffly, as Acnologia allowed a small smirk to appear on his face.
"My name is Acnologia, remember it. For it will be the last name any of you ever hear." Said Acnologia, wanting them to know exactly who it was that killed them, as all the groups eyes widened at learning just who they were facing.
No one moving a muscle for a few moments, before suddenly Acnologia pulled his arm back with a dark smirk on his face.
"Die." Stated Acnologia, gathering magic in his hand, before thrusting it forward and unleashing a gigantic blast at the group, who only had a moment to jump out of the way to avoid being vaporized.
"Gravity Magic: Earth!" Kagura shouted, trying to force Acnologia down to the ground, only for the Dragon King to not even flinch at the increased gravity, the only visible sign being the ground cracking beneath him.
Acnologia smirking as he looked around at his prey, seeing them all trying to think of ways to try and hurt him. Before seeing Sting and Rogue rushing around to attack him from behind.
"White Dragon's Iron Fist!"
"Shadow Dragon's Slash!"
Sting and Rogue jumped into the air, before bringing their attacks down on Acnologia from behind. Only to gasp in pain when Acnologia turned around and slammed his leg into both of them, knocking them both off to the side, where they crashed through a tree.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Blazing Hell!" Naruto shouted, while gathering hellfire in his fist, before thrusting it towards Acnologia and releasing the fire towards him.
"Sky Dragon's Tornado!" Said Wendy, unleashing a giant tornado, which combined with Naruto's Blazing Hell, creating a massive burning tornado that slammed into Acnologia.
With the hellfire then detonating on impact, engulfing the Dragon King in a colossal dome of fire, which incinerated everything in the surrounding area. Only for everyone to be shocked, when the flamed were immediately snuffed out. With Acnologia grinning savagely at them, with his arm held out.
The Black Dragon then opened his mouth and began devouring the Ethernano in the air, before roaring and releasing a massive blast of pure magic. With Naruto and Wendy jumping out of the way, only to be shocked at the destruction the attack unleashed and how far it went.
"Sun God's Blink!" Said Flare, before her body turned into shining black light and flames that sped towards Acnologia and slamming into him, before reforming behind the Dragon King.
"Hair Shower: Thousand Birds!" Flare said, as her hair extended and began striking Acnologia before wrapping around him.
Flare grunted as she tried lifting Acnologia up to the throw him, only to gasp in pain when he grabbed her hair and threw her across the forest.
"Flare!" Said Naruto, while jumping up and grabbing Flare, grunting when they hit the ground, though glad that she was safe and unharmed.
"Light Barrage! Light Impact!" Carla shouted, releasing several blasts of light around Acnologia, before having them all converge on the Black Dragon, exploding on contact.
Only for Acnologia to stand there once again, unharmed with his smirk still on his face,
Kagura then rushed forwards and used her Strong Form to stab her blade straight at Acnologia, only to be shocked, when he stopped her with a single finger. The purplette then coughing and gagging in pain when Acnologia slammed his foot into her stomach, launching her back. Thankfully being caught by Naruto as well before she could get too badly injured.
The group could only look at Acnologia in disbelief and growing fear, that nothing they did could so much as even phase him, let alone scratch him.
"This…this is unreal. How can he be this strong?" Sting said, shocked at the power they've seen Acnologia unleash.
"He's not even taking us seriously. He's just playing with us." Said Carla, realizing that if Acnologia wanted to, he could have killed them all before they even realized they were dead.
"We can't give up now! We have to at least try and hurt him or do something! Come on, if we hit him all at once, that should be strong enough to at least stall him." Naruto said, while looking at the others, who nodded after a few moments, believing that attacking all at once should be able to do something to the Dragon King.
"Hit him with everything you've got! Hell Flame Dragon's Roar!" Roared Naruto.
"Sky Dragon's Roar!"
"White Dragon's Roar!"
"Shadow Dragon's Roar!"
"Sun God's Bellow!"
"Light Burst!"
The group all fired their attacks at Acnologia, while Kagura grabbed Archenemy's hilt, knowing she needed to draw it. Drawing the blade, Kagura grunted, before forcing the blade towards Acnologia, just as the energy blast shot out of it.
Acnologia raised a brow at the multiple attacks rushing towards him, even more so when they began combining together into one massive spiral. The amount of power, along with the fact they were able to successfully and accidently combine their attacks, made the Dragon King actually feel a little impressed. Silently admitting that these brats did have potential and could become powerful mages.
But it still wasn't enough.
Raising a hand, Acnologia's body was soon covered in his scales, acting as armor, and added defense. Just as the accidental Unison Raid impacted him, triggering the largest explosion yet, since the fight started. With the group covering their eyes, with Kagura also quickly sheathing her sword.
When the explosion faded, everyone was shocked at the devastation around them. Only for their shock to turn to horror, when they saw that Acnologia was still standing, completely fine, without so much as a scratch on him. The Dragon King lowering his arm and noticing, to his intrigue, a barely noticeable burn mark on his claw.
"How impressive. I can hardly remember the last time anyone was ever able to injure me, no matter how small. Take pride in this fact, you have earned the recognition of the Dragon King. But now…it's time to show you the true meaning of power!" Acnologia roared as he began glowing brightly and started grow.
The group's shock and horror growing, as now standing before them, was Acnologia in his full draconian glory and terror.
"Behold the true power of the Dragon of Magic! The power of Acnologia!" Shouted Acnologia, while throwing his head back and roaring loudly.
"This…this is unreal…" Wendy muttered, terrified at the sight of the Black Dragon, knowing they couldn't fight something like this.
They could barely hold their own against Fafnir, an Artificial Dragon. But now, they were against someone who's killed hundreds of Dragons and became one himself.
"Just what is he?" Said Carla, not believing this was happening.
"Is this the power of a god?" Said Kagura, looking up at Acnologia with wide eyes, doubting he could have ever been human and that he could even be considered a normal Dragon.
"That…that's what…what a Dragon Slayer that kills Dragons…will become." Sting said, looking at Acnologia in fear, but rather than the Black Dragon, he saw himself.
Someone who takes joy in killing Dragons, hunting them down and tearing them apart, until he became the very thing he hunted. And then becoming something much worse.
"How could we have ever beaten Skiadrum and Weisslogia? If this is the power of the one who reigns above all Dragons?" Muttered Rogue, not believing he and Sting actually managed to kill their foster father's, when they were now facing the one who stood above all others.
"Frosch is scared." Frosch whimpered as she and Lector hid behind a tree.
"D-don't worry Frosch. St-Sting and Rogue, and all the others, t-they can handle him." Said Lector, trying to act tough despite how terrified he was.
Acnologia growled menacingly, as he could practically taste their fear and he relished in it, as they now saw how hopeless fighting him was.
"I don't care how powerful you are!" Naruto shouted, snapping everyone out of their shock and fear, as they saw him glare at Acnologia without a hint of fear.
"I don't care how big or powerful you are! I don't care how many Dragon's you've killed; I don't care if you're even a Dragon God! I'm not letting you hurt my friends! If you want a fight, then bring it and face the flames of hell!" Said Naruto, while glaring at Acnologia in defiance and determination, refusing to back down and let him hurt his friends.
The others looking at Naruto in shock that he was still willing to fight Acnologia, despite seeing just how outmatched they were. All just to protect them, his friends, despite having only just met Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Lector and Frosch. He's willing to put his life on the line for all of them.
Despite still being afraid, the group was now filled with determination as they stood beside Naruto, refusing to back down. If they did end up dying here and now, then they would give Acnologia a fight he'll never forget.
With Acnologia now having his full attention on Naruto, now really focusing on the boy and the look in his eyes. The strength, the determination and resolve in them, knowing he was staring death in the face, and yet didn't back down. All to protect the ones he cares about. With the Black Dragon's mind drifting a distant memory, one of a many, as he as a man with similar spiky blonde hair and a woman with long red hair. Both of them carrying the same look in their eyes, staring down the Dragon King without a hint of fear, despite knowing they were going to die.
All to protect their home and their newborn son.
'The boy.' Acnologia thought as realization finally dawned on him on the familiar scent he smelled, and now this boy's determination and features.
Could this really be that same brat, the one he had spared on a whim, simply for being the son of two of the few humans that actually managed to earn his respect?
The Dragon King wasn't completely sure, but he'll soon find out if it's that same boy.
"Very well, come and meet your end!" Acnologia roared, before swiping his claw across the ground and towards the mages, who all jumped out of the way of the swipe.
"Sun God's Hair Shower: Wolf Fang!" Flare shouted as her hair extended and turned into a large beast, that soon ignited with black flames and lunged towards Acnologia.
The wolf growling as it slashed at Acnologia, who roared and slammed his fist into the creature.
"Sea Dragon's Leviathan Constrict!" Said Wendy, while creating a magic circle, unleashing a large tornado of water that wrapped around Acnologia, before taking the shape of a large sea serpent that restricted the Dragon King.
"Energy-Make: Chains!" Naruto said, while shooting out dozens of chains that wrapped around Acnologia, further restricting him.
"Gravity Magic: Earth!" Said Kagura, using all her magic power to force Acnologia down to the ground.
"White Drive!" Sting shouted as he was surrounded by white light.
"Shadow Drive!" Said Rogue as he was surrounded by shadows, before the two cupped their hands.
"Holy Ray!/Shadow Ray!" The two shouted, while firing their attacks straight at Acnologia.
"Light Beam!" Said Carla as she fired a beam of light right into Acnologia's eye, making him roar in anger.
Then to the groups shock, Acnologia stood tall, breaking through the bindings and increased gravity, before flying into the air.
"Eternal Flare!" Acnologia shouted as dozens of starry lights shot out of his body and began reigning down around the entire forest, unleashing massive and destructive explosions.
The group's eyes widened at the attack, before they began jumping around to avoid being caught in the explosions.
"Woah!" Sting shouted as the shaking ground knocking him off balance as he hit the ground, before his eyes widened in fear when he saw one of the stars coming right towards him, with the boy having no time to try and get out of way.
'I'm sorry Lector.' Sting thought, apologizing to his friend that he can't keep his promise.
Only to be shocked when Wendy and Flared jumped in front of him.
"Sun God's Cruel Sun!" Flare said, shooting a black sun at the star, causing it to explode prematurely.
"Armor! Sea Dragon's Wing Curl!" Said Wendy, while enhancing their defense, before summoning a large amount of water that curled around them like a pair of wings, shielding them from the explosion with their enhanced defense adding further protection.
Sting looked at them in shock that they would save him, even after what he said last night.
"What's the matter "true Dragon Slayer", I thought you'd be excited to fight another Dragon? Unless you're scared?" Wendy said tauntingly, before she and Flare jumped back into the fight, with Sting looking at them before clenching his fists.
'I am a Dragon Slayer! But I'll never be like him!' Thought Sting as he looked at Acnologia, before getting up to return to the fight.
Meanwhile, Rogue was avoiding the explosions, while also frantically looking around for Frosch, wanting to make sure she's safe.
"Rogue! Frosch is scared!" Frosch cried out, with Rogue looking, only for his eyes to widen when he saw her and Lector hiding behind a tree, with the Shadow Dragon Slayer looking up to see a star heading right for them.
"I'm coming!" Shouted Rogue, running as fast as he could to save them, only to realize that he wouldn't be able to make in time, even if he transformed his body into shadows to move faster.
Only for Naruto to run up and grab both cats, before diving out of the way.
"Energy-Make: Shield!" Naruto shouted, while forming a shield around them, just as the star hit the ground.
With Rogue being terrified that they didn't make, only to be relieved when he saw that Naruto's shield had held, before the whiskered boy dropped it, panting heavily at the strain from keeping it up against an attack of that magnitude.
"Frosch!" Rogue said, while running up and hugging his partner.
"Frosch was really scared, Rogue!" Cried Frosch, as the Shadow Dragon Slayer patted her back and looked at Naruto.
"Thank you." Rogue said, feeling immensely grateful to Naruto for saving Frosch and Lector.
"Y-yeah, thanks." Said Lector, shaken at the near death experience.
"No problem, but you and Frosch should get some distance away from here and make sure to keep away from the fight." Naruto said, with the two cats nodding before they let their wings out, and they flew off.
"Thank you for saving Frosch!" Frosch said, while waving at Naruto, which he returned before he and Rogue returned their attention to the fight.
"Let's show that lizard what happens, when he messes with our friends." Said Naruto, with Rogue nodding in agreement.
"Gladly." Rogue replied as they rushed back into the fight, just as the stars finally stopped falling.
"Sea Dragon's Raging Wave!" Shouted Wendy, while creating a magic circle that shot a massive wave of water.
"Sun God's Brilliant Blast!" Flare said as she fired a blast from her palms that grew bigger and bigger as it approached Acnologia, before exploding on contact, just as the wave hit him.
"Light Disc!" Said Carla, while launching multiple discs of light at the Dragon King.
"Gravity Magic: Sky!" Kagura said, using her magic on herself launching herself into the air and rapidly slash at Acnologia with Archenemy, while not worrying about anyone getting caught in the crossfire, before quickly dropping back down to the ground.
"White Dragon's Holy Breath!" Said Sting, while using a bigger version of his White Dragon's Roar for a bigger blast radius.
"Shadow Dragon's Shadow Breath!" Rogue said as he used his own bigger version of his roar for a bigger blast.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Flame Commandment! Hell Flame Dragon's Fire Pillar!" Shouted Naruto, releasing a large amount of hellfire, before having it shoot up straight towards Acnologia.
The three attacks colliding with the Dragon King in a large explosion of fire, light, and shadows. Only for it all to be dispelled by a single flap of his wings, before Acnologia began gathering magic power in his claw.
"Power of the End!" Acnologia roared, before thrusting his claw forward, unleashing a gigantic and destructive energy blast at the group, with them not having any hope of avoiding it.
Causing all of them to tense and ready themselves for the inevitable.
"Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Empyrean!"
The group was surprised, when Acnologia's attack suddenly broke apart into hundreds of tiny cubes and were further shocked when someone jumped straight towards Acnologia and slammed their fist, right into the Dragon. Even more shocking, was when Acnologia was launched clear across the forest, while the person who struck the Black Dragon landed on the ground.
The person revealed to be a tall, muscular man with shoulder-length slicked back orange hair and a stubbly beard. His attire consisting of a long, black, high-collared, and tattered cloak with shoulder plates; around his waist is a simple belt. He also wear loose-fitting dark pants, complete with an armored waist-guard bearing plates, similar to the ones on his shoulders, tucked inside simple boots.
But the most eye catching part though, was the black Fairy Tail Guild Mark on his chest.
"Gildarts Clive?!" Naruto said, as the group was shocked to see the Ace of Fairy Tail.
"What're you doing here?!" Asked Sting, shocked, but also relieved at having such a powerful mage show up.
"Well, I was in the middle of my Hundred Year Job, when I heard the ruckus going on here and went to see what it was. To which, I find a bunch of kids fighting a Dragon of all things. By the way, nice work holding your own for this long." Gildarts said, smiling at the kids, before turning serious as Acnologia soon returned, looking more pissed off than hurt at the interruption.
"So, I'm guessing your one of those Dragon Gods, I'm hunting." Stated Gildarts, with the group being confused by what he meant by "Dragon Gods".
"You speak of those five Dragons that escaped me, four hundred years ago. I will deal with them soon enough, but now I'll deal with you human!" Roared Acnologia, before dive bombing towards Gildarts, who in turn jumped towards him.
"Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Infinite Heaven!" Gildarts shouted, before unleashing a barrage of Crush-empowered punches on Acnologia, ending with a final one straight at the Dragons chest, causing a giant explosion, with the group looking in awe and amazement at the power.
Gildarts landed on the ground, skidding back, while Acnologia growled before shrinking and returning to his human form. Knowing his Dragon form would only make him a bigger target. Though he kept the scale armor since this human hit surprisingly hard.
"Very well, if you're so eager to die human, then I'll gladly tear you to pieces!" Acnologia said, as Gildarts smirked.
"You know, it's rare for me to encounter an opponent strong enough to survive just one of my attacks. But you, you've managed to survive two of them, so I'm sure you can take a lot of punishment, can't you big guy." Stated Gildarts, before looking at the group.
"You kids just sit back and rest. You're in for a real treat." Gildarts said, while looking back at Acnologia.
"Because what we have right here, it's a rare opportunity for me to cut loose!" Said Gildarts, before he and Acnologia rushed towards each other, the two powerful mages pulling back their fists before throwing them forward.
Their fists colliding against each other, unleashing a massive shockwave that uprooted dozens of trees, and pushed the group back, as they looked on in amazement at seeing Gildarts managing to actually match Acnologia's power.
'Is this the power of an S-Class Mage?' They all wondered.
Gildarts and Acnologia skidded back from each other, as the Fairy Tail Mage raised his arm into the air.
"Mizuwari!" Gildarts shouted, before slamming his fist into the ground, creating a shockwave that rushed towards Acnologia, pushing him back further.
The Dragon King gritting his teeth, before slamming his own fist into the ground, unleashing a wave of energy towards Gildarts.
"All Crush!" Said Gildarts, creating a cross-shaped blast of energy that disintegrated the attack.
Before gasping and coughing up blood, when Acnologia appeared in front of him and slammed his knee into Gildart's chest. Only for the Mage to lift his head and slamming it into the Dragon King's jaw.
"Crushing Evil, Spreading the Truth: Empyrean!" Gildarts said, before smashing his fist right into Acnologia's jaw, sending the Dragon King flying straight into the air and actually managing to crack his scales a little.
Acnologia's eyes snapped open with rage shining in them as they faded to pure white, before his wings came out, while maintaining human form. Catching himself, the Black Dragon flew straight back down to Gildarts at supersonic speed. With Gildart's eyes widening at the sight, before he quickly jumped back, just as Acnologia landed creating a mini earthquake.
Then before Gildarts could react, Acnologia had his hand locked around the Mages head, before slamming it right into the ground.
"Power of the End!" Acnologia roared, before firing the attack straight into the right of Gildart's stomach, blasting right through his body as the Mage cough up blood, while the group looked in horror at seeing how quickly Gildarts was overwhelmed.
"You've interfered enough, human! Now you'll suffer the same fate as all those who dared to cross me!" Said Acnologia, preparing to finish Gildarts off.
But before he could, a jet-black blade got in the way of his claws, with everyone looking to see that Roronoa Zoro, himself, had blocked the Dragon King's attack with his bandanna wrapped around his head.
"Zoro?!" The group shouted at once, at seeing the person they're searching for had arrived as well, with Zoro glance at them for moment, before looking back at Acnologia.
"I don't know what's going on right now, but judging from everything I've seen and heard, before getting here. I'm guessing you aren't very friendly." Zoro said, before smirking.
"Neither am I. Bird Dance!" Stated Zoro as he swung his sword, releasing a crescent moon-like projectile of condensed air, with Acnologia jumping back and was surprised when he saw a shallow cut along his palm, where Zoro's sword blocked him.
"That is no ordinary blade." Acnologia said as he narrowed his eyes, while Zoro smirked, before tossing his sword into the air.
"No they aren't." Replied Zoro drawing his other two swords, and to the amazement of the group, he expertly caught his tossed third sword in his mouth.
"And I'm no ordinary swordsman. Ogre Cutter!" Zoro said, while rushing Acnologia at highspeed, with the Dragon King rushing the swordsman as well.
With the group being further amazed at seeing Zoro fighting Acnologia with all three swords, and even managing to make shallow cuts in his scale armor.
"And this guy isn't a mage." Carla said in amazement, not thinking Zoro could really be that skilled of a swordsman to be able to go against mages, and yet here he is going against the Dragon King and cutting through his scales.
"What's with his swords? They suddenly turned black." Sting said, noticing how Zoro's swords turned black, when he had all three of them.
"I'm not sure, I've never heard of a magic like that and I don't sense him using any, either." Said Kagura, while gripping her own sword tightly, at seeing just how skilled Zoro truly was.
Naruto, meanwhile, observed the fight closely, before seeing Zoro and Acnologia enter a stalemate. With the whiskered blonde immediately rushing forward, much to the shock of the others.
"Naruto-kun!" Flare said, reaching to stop him, only for Naruto to already be out of their reach.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Burning Fist!" Shouted Naruto, while jumping up and slamming his flame covered fist, right into Acnologia's face.
The sudden strike taking Acnologia by surprise, as he was sent crashing into a tree, actually feeling a little dazed. Though when his vision became focused again, Acnologia's eyes widened when he began seeing pieces of his scales falling off his face.
But more than that, were the red droplets dripping down as well.
Slowly, the Dragon King raised a hand to his face and felt a familiar sticky substance coming from his mouth.
'Blood…my…blood…' Acnologia thought as he looked at his own blood in amazement, not even remembering the last time he saw his own blood, or when anyone had successfully injured him enough to draw it.
After this registered, a nearly psychotic grin spread across Acnologia's face before he began shaking. Until he threw his head back, while letting out a loud and maniacal laughter. Putting everyone on edge, at what the Dragon King was going to do next. Only to be shocked when he looked at Naruto and smirked.
"You really are their son." Acnologia stated, shocking the boy as he registered what the Black Dragon just said.
"What did you just say?! I'm whose son?!" Demanded Naruto, wanting to know what Acnologia meant, only for the Dragon King to brush him off.
"Congratulations, you've earned yours and your allies right to live past today. I look forward to seeing how you progress, Naruto Uzumaki." Acnologia said, while standing up and dismissing his scale armor.
"Answer me?!" Naruto shouted, only to be ignored.
"We'll see if you can impress me, just like your parents did. Perhaps you may even be the one to slay the Dragon King." Said Acnologia, before he transformed back into his Dragon form and looked down at Naruto.
"Do not make me regret sparing your lives." Acnologia said, before taking flight, leaving the group and Zoro in a state of shock, especially Grandeeney as this is the first time she's ever seen Acnologia spare anyone.
Let alone those, who are in anyway connected to the Dragons.
"Naruto-kun, what do you think he meant?" Wendy asked as she worked on stabilizing Gildarts.
"I…I don't know, and part of me doesn't even want to know." Said Naruto, knowing there's only one way, Acnologia could know who his parents are.
*Later*
After Wendy had stabilized Gildarts, the group along with Zoro had left the Forest of Death. While making sure the swordsman didn't get lost or wander off, as they headed back to Shimotsuki Village.
Once they arrived, they had immediately gotten Gildarts some medical attention, since there was only so much Wendy could do for the giant hole in his stomach, with it being a miracle that he was still alive. Along with bringing Zoro back to Tashigi, who was happy to see her husband again, and have him home in time. With the couple also apologizing for the trouble the Job Request had caused, though they waved it off.
While they were shaken from the encounter with Acnologia, and how close they came to death. Especially Sting, who had seen what he could have become, when looking at the Dragon King. It was actually a very exciting adventure, despite the near-death experience.
With Zoro and Tashigi giving the Cait Shelter team their payment for completing the Job Request. With the team offering to share it with Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Frosch, and Lector, for their help and getting dragged into the mess in the forest. Only for them to wave it off, since they had gone into the forest, or searched for Zoro, for their own reasons.
"By the way Zoro, we wanted to ask, what was that thing you did with your sword to make them turn black?" Naruto asked, with all of them being curious of what he did.
"Oh, that's my Armament Haki. I use it to increase the strength and durability of my swords." Answered Zoro.
"What's Haki? Some type of magic?" Wendy asked, with Zoro shaking his head.
"No, Haki isn't magic. It's a power that allows certain people to access their spiritual energy for a variety of purposes. There are three types of Haki, Armament, Observation, and Conquerors, that last one is the rarest and those that have are said to have the qualities of a king. But not everyone can use it though, with only one in a hundred people being able to use Haki." Zoro explained, much to their amazement, while wondering if any of them would be able to use Haki.
"Oh, Kagura are you still going to challenge Zoro?" Carla asked, making everyone look at the swordswoman, with Zoro being intrigued that she wants to challenge him.
Only for Kagura sighing and shaking her head.
"No. After the encounter with Acnologia, I wouldn't be able to fight at my best and it has shown me that I still have a lot of training to do, if I ever hope to give him a challenge." Said Kagura, with the others nodding in understanding.
"Well if you ever change your mind, I'm always up for a match, or give you some tips if you ever need a teacher." Zoro offered.
"Same for me. If any of you ever need any help, our door is always open." Added Tashigi, with the group nodding in thanks, before saying their goodbyes and taking their leave.
Though before leaving, they went to see how Gildarts was doing. While being glad, when they saw that the mage was already awake.
"Hey Gildarts, glad to see you're awake." Said Naruto, with Gildarts smiling at the group and nodding.
"Yeah, and thanks for the help back there, and bringing me here. I'm not sure if I would have made it, if you weren't there." Gildarts said.
"I'm glad I could help, and we hope you have a speedy recovery." Replied Wendy, with Gildarts nodding, before they said their goodbyes.
"Oh and tell Natsu and Erza that we said hi!" Naruto said as they left.
"Will do, take care!" Gildarts replied, while waving at them, only to stop and realize what Naruto said, now wondering when they met Natsu and Erza.
As the group exited Shimotsuki, the Cait Shelter team looked at their new friends.
"So, what will you all be doing now?" Flare asked, while wondering what they'll do, now that their Job is complete.
"If it's alright with you four, I wish to accompany you and join Cait Shelter." Said Kagura, surprising the team.
"We'd also like it, if we could join Cait Shelter as well." Rogue said, with Sting nodding in agreement.
"Yeah! If this is the kind of Jobs Guild Mages go on, then sign me up!" Said Sting, as despite everything that happened, it had certainly been a great adventure.
This shocked the team, before they all smiled and nodded.
"Then what're we waiting for?! Let's go!" Said Naruto as they took off for Cait Shelter, glad at not only have made some new friends, but also gained new comrades as well.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see that Acnologia has taken up residency in the forest and has now caught the scent of the for Dragon Slayers within, along with a familiar scent as well. Then we move back and forth between the two teams a few times and see a more vulnerable side to Naruto, along with Wendy and Flare getting help from Sting and Rogue. Then with Naruto, Carla, and Kagura we see them encounter some Tengu, which draws the attention of the others as they all work together to defeat the demons, with Acnologia in his human form arriving and killing the last one. Then it's an all out battle, with Acnologia toying with the mages, though being slightly impressed by their combined power, before soon taking on his Dragon form to show just how utterly outmatched they are. With all but Naruto nearly giving up, until Naruto steps up refusing to back down, leading to Acnologia beginning to realize just who Naruto is when he encountered his parents.
Leading to the battle to continue, with the mages putting up a good fight but have no hope of fighting Acnologia, until the arrival of Gildarts saves them, with the Fairy Tail Ace and Dragon King going at it, seeming to be even until Acnologia stops holding back. But before he can kill Gildarts, Zoro arrives as well leading to another fight, with Zoro even managing to cut through Acnologia's scales with his Haki-enhanced blades. Naruto then jumps in and is able to finally draw blood from Acnologia, earning the Dragon King's mercy and learning just what happened to his parents. Finally we see the team returning Zoro to Tashigi, learn about Haki, and say farewell to Gildarts, with Kagura, Sting, Rogue, Frosch, and Lector all wishing to join Cait Shelter with their new friends and allies. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out