Chapter 89

Into The Dark

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback you

Location / Date / Time Skip

The group stared as Future Laki explained the future to them. When she finished, everyone went either slack jawed or wide eyed at the threat of dragons coming. "We're... so... dead!" Natsu shouted in a panic.

"Ten thousand dragons..." Yukino mumbled. "I thought they were all extinct."

"Do you think that has something to do with the Dragon Graveyard?" Wendy asked.

"I was wondering the same thing." Carla confessed.

"Do you think they're all gonna come back to life and kill us all?" Rose asked in worry.

"That's dark." Pantherlily declared.

"Well, we can't just sit around doing nothing!" Natsu shouted. "We gotta fight them!"

"We can't do that!" Lucy shouted.

"We might not have a choice, Lucy." Laki replied.

"You... actually believe me?" Her future self asked.

"Of course we believe you." Natsu said as he turned and looked at her. "You're one of us, after all. Besides, you would never lie about something like this."

Tears were welling up in her eyes before she wiped them away. "Sorry, I just forgot how uplifting you were, Natsu."

"Wait... does that mean?" Carla asked as she stepped forward. "What happens to us in the future?"

Future Laki hung her head in shame, her silence giving them all the answer they feared. "No, that can't be true." Happy mumbled.

"That won't happen!" Natsu declared, looking the future version of his girlfriend in the eye. "I don't care what the future says. I'm gonna change it and make sure we all survive!"

The time traveler smiled and hugged him. "Thank you." She said before letting go. "Honestly, I don't remember what happened. Once the dragons attacked, it was chaos. I knew I needed the Eclipse Gate to get back here. It took a long time, but I found it and the keys needed. I opened the door, and I came back three days ago."

"Wait, that was only a few days ago." Loke pointed out.

"Does that mean it can only make small trips in time?" Lucy asked.

"I thought it was supposed to go back four hundred years to defeat Zeref." Wendy said.

"I don't know all the details." The time traveler confessed. "Maybe it was damaged before I got there. But that was as far as I could go."

'It all makes sense now.' Arcadios thought, hiding the fact that he was conscious. 'This is the woman that spoke to the Princess. But something's not right...'

"If we can make it out of the castle, we should rendezvous with Jellal." Future Laki said. "Just be careful. There are surveillance Lacrima all over the city for the Games. That means we'll have to go underground to get out unseen."

"How is Jellal involved?" Natsu asked.

"I explained everything to him as best I could." Future Laki replied. "I bet he's coming up with a plan as we speak... I'm sorry. I wish I could have been more help. But to be honest, I have no clue what to do. I needed his help."

'Just like I thought...' Arcadios said to himself. 'The person who talked to the princess had a plan to deal with the dragons. But this woman is either lying about arriving on the fourth and therefor lying about everything... or she wasn't the only one who used the Eclipse gate to travel.'

"I should have found you sooner... I should have fought harder... I should have-" Future Laki was cut when Natsu hugged her.

"You did everything you could." He said, rubbing her back. "Thank you for risking your life to save us." The future girl started to cry as she hugged back. "We're gonna find a way to stop them, just you watch."

"Y-yeah..." Future Laki whimpered out.

With Gajeel

Gajeel stood over the bruised body of Rogue as he panted. "Care to repeat what you said a few minutes ago?" He asked. "Could have sworn you said I'm not as strong as Natsu."

Rogue started chuckling, catching Gajeel's attention. "I always wondered why you decided to join Fairy Tail after they defeated Phantom Lord... Now I see why." He explained. "You probably forgot all about me by now, but I was just a kid back then. A snot nosed punk who looked up to your guild. As a kid, my dream in life was to join your guild. But after the war between them and Fairy Tail, they were forced to disband.

"And of all the guild you could have joined, you and Juvia choose the one who ruined my dream. I was heartbroken and angry at you, but I knew there had to be a reason for it. I couldn't figure it out, but now I know why. You wanted friends... The very notion of friends is taboo in Sabertooth. We were nothing but foot-soldiers for our master. If we were defeated, he'd make us pay.

"I don't really know what it's like to be in a real guild, because I don't have any friends. I don't even know what I'm fighting for. That bound you all, it's the reason why we could never measure up. The only exceptions are Minerva and Sting."

"...Dumbass." Gajeel growled, catching Rogue's attention. "That's a big a load of crap I've ever heard in my life. Sure look like you've got a friend to me, that frog."

"Frosch is a cat, you idiot!" Rogue shouted as he stood up.

"Technically, he's an Exceed." Gajeel replied. "Ain't he you're friend?"

"...You're right." Rogue replied with a smile. "I do have a friend."

"Rogue!" A voice called out, shocking the third gen. "Face forward... that man is your enemy... Kill him..."

"Who are you!? Show yourself!" He shouted, looking around.

"You fool..." The voice mumbled, catching his attention. "I am your shadow... Now take my strength and strike him down."

"What's up with you?" Gajeel asked in confusion.

"Kill Gajeel... That is your destiny." The voice said, making Rogue grab his head in pain. "I'll lend you my power..."

The shadow suddenly rose up and swallowed Rogue, making him cry in pain. Gajeel tilted his head in confusing before an uppercut sent him flying back. He flipped head first onto the pavement and looked up to see shadows rolling off of Rogue. "Who are you?"

"The shadow that controls destiny?" Rogue declared, his eyes glazed over.

"What are you-" Gajeel was cut off when Rogue kicked him in the face, sending him sliding back. "I don't know what happened, but I guess you wanna fight to the end. Sounds like fun. Iron Dragon Sword!" He thrust his sword arm forward, only to hit shadows.

"Shadow Dragon Waxing Flash!" Rogue hit Gajeel from behind and forward, a new bruise on his back. Gajeel turned around only to find air. "Shadow Dragon Slash!" Rogue swung his arms and scratched Gajeel before getting picked up by the neck. "As I said, you aren't as strong as Natsu Dragneel."

"B-bastard." Gajeel growled out.

"Though not even he could compete with me now." The possessed man said, lifting Gajeel higher. "This is the famous Gajeel? Pathetic. The shadows will swallow you, and you will disappear forever."

He started squeezing tighter and Gajeel started gasping for air. "Screw it... if Salamander and Greenie can do it, so can I." He gasped out before opening his mouth. Rogue watched in shock as shadows started getting swallowed by his opponent.

Gajeel kicked Rogue back and flipped in the air, landing on the ground. "I don't know who you are, but get out of his body..." Gajeel growled as his arms slowly turned black. "His name is not Rogue, it's Raios and he used to be my disciple. I know better that than anyone else that you didn't look up to me. You feared me..."

"It can't be..." Rogue mumbled in shock. "An Iron Shadow Dragon?"

"I'll help you remember that fear." Gajeel growled as his eyes turned dark purple.

"It's impressive, but I will still strike you down!" Rogue declared. Gajeel lunged forward as Rogue swung his arm, only to suddenly sink into the ground. "How dare you use my magic against me!" He spun around and looked for his target, only to get hit in the back of the head.

Rogue stumbled and sunk into the shadows, trying to get away. Gajeel chased after him and did the same, causing the two shadows to battle. Gajeel raised his hand out and pulled Rogue out of the shadow before beating him repeatedly. A final punch sent him crashing through a stone pillar as Gajeel snaked around.

Jumping out of the shadows, Gajeel landed on the ground and pulled his head back. "Say goodnight! Iron Shadow Dragon Roar!" A massive beam of iron and black shadows shot up and obliterated Rogue, making him fall to the ground. The marks on his arms faded and Gajeel panted in exhaustion as he turned around.

He took two steps forward and saw a dark shadow leave the body. "Okay... that just happened."

"Please stop!" He looked down and saw Frosch standing before Rogue, his arms held wide. "He's hurt real bad, don't kill him!"

A tear fell from the cats eyes as Gajeel squatted down. "Don't worry." He said. "The fights done and that ain't my style."

"Frosch..." Rogue mumbled as the cat turned back to him.

"Rogue! You're okay!" His cat raced over and hugged the man's head. "I was so scared!"

"Wait... why am I in pain?" Rogue asked as he winced. "I lost... didn't I?"

'He doesn't remember the fight.' Gajeel mumbled as he looked out onto the city. 'That shadow... something weird is going on.'

Mercusius

"This way!" The future girl declared as the group rounded the corner.

"How do you know the way to go?" Natsu asked.

"Because I lived this life already." She replied. "I didn't want to get captured by the army again."

"We need to get out fast so we can send a signal to the guild." The present Laki said. "I bet they're worried about us."

Natsu's ear flinched as footsteps came forward, spears at the ready. "The Royal Army?" Future Laki asked in shock. "I didn't expect them to be here."

"Don't worry, we got this." Natsu said as he cracked his knuckles.

"We can take care of these guys, no problem." Loke added as he pushed up his glasses.

"Hold on, Arcadios and Yukino are gone!" Wendy said, looking around.

"Why did they go off on their own?" Lucy asked as the army charged.

"We can't leave Yukino behind. I'll go find her." Laki declared as she raced back onto the castle.

"We need to stay together!" The blonde shouted.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." The future version said.

"We'll settle things here." Natsu declared, punching a soldier in the face. An entire melee broke out as Natsu threw a guard back into the horde.

"Crap, we are screwed." One soldier mumbled. A blast of magic hit Natsu in the back and he turned to see and Anti-Magic unit. More soldiers charged at the group and he ignited his fists, unleashing a Wing Attack that knocked them back.

"Regulus Impact!" Loke threw a punch that blasted more back as Wendy shoot a tornado out of her mouth, sending another group into the mob.

"There's too many of them!" Lucy shouted as she back into Future Laki.

"This was all my fault." She replied.

"The three of you stay behind me." Pantherlily said to Carla, Rose and Happy. The ground suddenly melted and he tacked the two to the side, saving them from a massive wave of purple acid.

"Found ya, kitty." Neeba chuckled.

"Not you again!" Rose shouted in annoyance.

"I still have a job to do, pussy cats." The executioner chuckled.

Plants rose up and tried to strike Wendy, only for her to jump out of the way. "Hello again, cutie." Cosmos chuckled as she rose out of the ground. "This will be the last time we meet."

"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" Future Laki complained as Kamika reformed before her and Lucy.

"Did you really think you could just walk away from us?" She asked. "This is where you pay for your transgressions."

Uosuke sat on a stand as his servants carried him in. "Guild Wizards..." Natsu turned around as the scythe user stepped forward. "I understand what compels you, but I must carry out my orders. For your crimes against the kingdom, I will be collecting your heads."

"Again with this crap?" Natsu said.

With Erza

Minerva smirked as she waved her hand, making a glowing tendril wrap around Erza's bad foot. She flung it to the side and Erza was smacked through the pillars. "This will be Titania's public execution." Minerva declared as Erza rolled along the ground.

She looked up and found Kagura and Millanna looking at her in worry. "Erza..." Both groaned.

With Gray and Juvia

Lyon thrust his hand forward and a wave of ice shot at Gray, forcing him to jump back. "Juvia!" The water girl rose up from the river and sent a wave of water shot up, flying at Gray. "Shotgun!" Chunks of ice and water shot at Lyon.

"Sky God Dance!" Chelia jumped in front and waved her hands, black wind cutting through the attack.

"Nice, Chelia." Lyon praised, making the small girl smile. "Attack us with Juvia's water. How dirty." He pulled his hands back and thrusted them forward, making an ice dragon charge and hit Gray.

"Attack Juvia too!" Chelia shouted.

"I leave that to you, but don't hurt her." He declared, stunning the twin-tailed girl.

"Was Lyon always this strong?" Juvia asked in worry.

"Don't worry. Their teamwork isn't the best." Gray said with a smirk. "We have a chance."

With Laxus

The three men stared at each other before Orga spoke up. "Let's see you go all out." He raised his hands and black lightning started sparking off his fingers. "You have the guts to stop this?" The lightning grew more intense and he pulled his hands back. Jura merely smirked and waved his hand, giving Orga the signal. "Lightning God Charged Particle Cannon!"

He thrust his hands forward and a massive black railgun shot forward. Jura was suddenly in his face and slammed his palm into Orga's face, sending him crashing to the ground. Everyone stared in shock as Jura smirked, standing up. "I remember your fight on the first day." He told the unconscious body. "I ended this right away."

He turned and glanced at Laxus, who stood his ground. "I have always wanted to fight you once, Makarov's grandson."

"Stop there." The blonde declared. "Here you're not some old guy with a fancy title and I'm not anyone's son. We're just two men."

"Indeed." Jura nodded before Laxus dropped his cloak. He charged at Jura who clasped his hands and chopped the blonde with enough force to shatter the ground. "In this world, there is always someone stronger than you."

"I know..." Laxus said, surprising Jura. "But sometimes I like to look down too. They might just there at my feet!" He roared as he unleashed a electrically charged uppercut, stunning Jura.

Mercusius

Arcadios walked down the hall in silver platted armor, shocking the soldiers standing at attention. "Where is the princess?" He asked, shocking the troops. "I'm ordering you to tell me."

"Sir, she's on the top floor!" One answered, making him walk away.

'I need to clear up something now.' He thought as he walked down the hall. 'Those were not the tears of a liar. Which means that it's the princess that is lying.'

Holy shit, Iron Shadow Dragon was freaking awesome! Finally, Gajeel has a badass moment in the show!

Yep, the threat is extremely credible and I removed alot of the stupid stuff in this chapter. Looking at you, dolphin boy. Seriously, why the hell was that put in? Who's the moron who created that thing? Well, the fights are picking up and I have nothing else to say. See you all next chapter.

Beta read by General Feng Xiang