chapter 15 enjoy
Natsu carefully carried out his son so the others could see him. Especially after all the ups and downs they've been through far. They need something to lift their spirits.
With his son in his arms, Natsu kneeled so they all could get a good look at sweet baby Rowan.
The first to see the baby boy is Happy sitting on Natsu's shoulder, and let's not forget Lazarus.
Once they get their fill, he carefully hands his son to Sting with Lecter and his dragon Helios getting a good view.
Then he hands him to Minerva. She marveled at the beautiful baby boy in her arms. It's only natural she would, as a young woman.
She didn't notice the blush on Rogue's face as he gazed at Rowan over her shoulder.
He showed him to the tri-men next, figuring they'd want to see the baby after getting Laki to a doctor in record time.
The first to hold the newborn baby is Hibiki. Next, Rowan showed his gums to the world, seeing a new face.
He carefully handed Rowan to Ren, who had a smile of his own. But, of course, the other didn't hesitate to tease him with his wedding date coming up.
"Your son has a lovely perfume to him, Natsu," Ichiya added.
"Thanks, and words can not express how thankful I am of the four of you helping us out!"
"No thanks necessary, Natsu," Hibiki said, getting nods from his tri-men.
Natsu stayed with them for a few minutes before heading back to Laki. He deprived her long enough.
September 1st X787
It has been one month since sweet baby Rowan was born.
During that time, everyone in the house more or less nailed down a routine.
The point was to help make taking care of Rowan easier on Laki since all her time is dedicated to him.
Of course, besides Natsu, she has a little help from Minerva. The presence of a baby is drawing out her feminine side.
Seeing this did cause Rogue to blush from time to time as she dragged him into helping.
Also, shortly after his birth, Natsu decided to propose to Laki to make things official.
They purposely kept us small, only having about a dozen guests.
He just got news members of Fairy tail would stop by soon to see the little one.
Natsu, like the other, is cleaning the house, making everything is perfect for the new mother.
Then he heard a knock on his front door. He opened it to see who knows how many members.
"With this many people, we're gonna have to do this outside!" This got chuckles from everyone.
They relocated to the back-of-the-house training field. It's the only place big enough to hold everyone.
Natsu and Laki sat in the middle giving everyone a look at the baby Rowan.
Predictably the first people getting to hold Rowan is Bisca and Alzack.
And, of course, Asuka had her eyes glued to the baby.
"Wow, she's so small!"
"You were that small to Asuka," Alzack informed.
"Really, dad?"
"It's true all newborn babies are small. However, he is a little bigger now since a month has passed."
Laki quickly made it known anyone wanting to hold him has to be sitting down next to her getting chuckles.
It took a couple of hours, and thankfully Rowan, like his father, is being a team player.
If falling asleep minutes after everyone got their chance to hold the little one isn't proof enough.
He buried himself in his blanket, sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms.
Of course, many didn't hesitate to get a picture of the parents with their little one.
"Hey, when he gets old enough, don't be afraid to bring him to fairy tail for a play date," Bisca said, gesturing to Auska asking her dad when they could come again.
"Definitely!" The new parents said in unison.
"They're probably…NO, the only one I will trust to leave him alone with," Laki whispered into her husband's ear.
"No complaints here," he whispered back.
Natsu took a whiff of the air. "It looks like someone made a stinky!" Laki got up, taking her son inside to change his diaper for the umpteenth time that day.
Fairy tail stayed with them till sundown before heading home.
With it being dark, the group had dinner before calling it a night.
Laki did one last diaper change, ensuring everything was perfect for their son.
She carefully lay him down in his crib, putty on his blanket, she stayed there with Natsu beside her.
They still can't believe they're staring at their own flesh and blood.
With one final yawn, they called it a night. Before they knew it, a month had passed.
October 1st X787
Laki sits on the couch, breastfeeding Rowan with Minerva by her side, watching Diligently.
Excellent how baby's can bring out a girl's maternal instincts, even though she is not a mother herself.
"Don't get any funny ideas, Minerva!" Laki said with a grin, causing the poor girl to blush.
"That won't be a problem. It was a surprise for you. Besides, Rogue and I know we're too young even to consider this outcome." She said, looking away.
"Where are the boys anyway?" Just as she finished those words, a loud boom was heard outside. "Never mind" this gets a giggle from the two females.
"Something has been bugging me for a while now, besides raising Rowan and training. So what's next for everyone?" The young teen asked.
"Natsu is planning the raid of Tartarus. That why he's training Sting and Rogue so hard. It's clear they want to help, so he's training them into the ground, so they'll be a benefit instead of a liability."
"Why didn't he ask me?"
"Because he doesn't want you to be a distraction to Rogue!" Minerva nodded at this.
"That reminds me, what about his E.N.D power as far the little one is concerned since Alzack has some of Natsu's life force in him?"
"Ironically, Rowan doesn't show any reaction to his powers. A quick talk with Porlyusica said part of his power is passed down to Rowan."
"That concerns me a little."
"You forget he's my son too."
"Forgot about that," she said with a blush, getting a giggle from Laki.
Just then, Rowan stopped eating before snuggling closer to his mother.
"I can not get over how much he looks like Natsu!"
"Same here." Then they heard a gunshot from outside.
"That's another thing that has been on my mind. Natsu is a close combat person, so why do he and Sting and Rogue use guns?"
"Ranged attack, he used it on several jobs, make short work of enemies who try to run away and when he's not in the mood to fight."
"I see. Is there a timeframe for this raid?"
"He hopes to have Sting and Rogue strength up to par by the end of the month."
"Well, that's all I wanted to know," she said continue gaze at the baby boy in Laki's arms.
November 1st X787
Rowan is now two months old and has gotten bigger since his birth.
But that is not important. Right now, he is sparing with Sting and Rogue.
The two strength has increased severely since he increased their training regiment.
"WHITE DRAGON ROAR!" Sting followed up
Natsu counters the roar with his iron fist attack, holding it off for a few moments before deflecting it away.
He looks down only to grin, seeing a mark on the ground.
Two long gashes are in the ground, about six feet long.
Sting roar didn't damage him, but it did push him back.
"SHADOW DRAGON WAXING FANG!" Rogue shouts
Natsu dodges the attack, the shadow dragon spell leaves a large creator where he once stood.
They go at this for another hour, trading blows. Then, finally, Sting and Rogue pour all their strength into one last attack.
"HOLY SHADOW DRAGON FLASH FANG!" They combine their powers into a unison raid.
"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" Natsu counters with his dragon roar
The two collide, battling for dominance for a few moments before Natsu flames burn away the combined spell.
The two slayers lay on the ground, with the eldest slayer standing overhead.
"That's enough fighting for today!' He requiped his rifle, walking away from the training field edge.
In the distance is a large rock with several targets, some target spots carved into the rock face. Or rocks the size of watermelon sitting on top, waiting for something to knock them off.
He readies his gun, putting his sight on the target, he slowly pulls the trigger. His magic circle appears at the tip of the barrel only for a bullet made of fire flying to the target.
The bullet flies at a speed nearly untraceable before striking one of the targets exploding in a massive ball of fire.
A pearl white bullet hit another target shortly after, followed by a black bullet hitting another. Finally, the shells explode like the fire one.
Natsu looks to his student who has mastered their pistols like him and his rifle.
"So, Natsu, are we strong enough to take on Tartarus?" Sting asked.
"Yes, believe it or not, now I have to plan everything out," he put his rifle away as he headed inside.
Natsu headed to his private study, believe it or not, with his communication lacrima placed on a stand. A few rings later, Jura's voice can be heard.
"What is it, Natsu?"
"The time has come to deal with Tartarus. Get the others online!"
"Give me a minute."
After five minutes of waiting, all but one wizard saints willing to work with Natsu is online.
"Besides us, is there anyone else you recommend helping us on this venture?" Jura asked
"yes, after training them into the ground, Sting and Rogue are ready," then another ring was heard before the voice of Jellal could be heard.
"Took you long enough to get online," Neir mocked.
"Sorry, I was bust dealing with a dark guild. What I miss?"
"Natsu informed us Sting and Rogue are ready to help us," Jura informed.
"Good, the more number we have on our side, the easier it will be to end Tartarus."
They spent hours going over every detail, from the best strategy to location.
"Natsu, I have one question. Do you know where Tartarus is?" Jellal asked.
"Won't be too hard if a flare-up my E.N.D powers. Let them come to us."
"That should give us the element of surprise!" Neir added.
"Neir and I will be the tip of the spear, will do our best on our own. Everyone else's job is to make sure they don't bug out."
"Is there a time frame for this?" One saint asked.
"We begin in one week. We meet at one of Jellal's old hideouts, so get your affairs in order before then!" Natsu informed.
"If that is all, I'll end this call," Jura said.
"See you all in one week, everyone!" Jellal said before cutting off the connection.
Natsu let out a sigh of relief before tracking down Sting and Rogue. He found them in the living room.
"Sting, Rogue, we take on Tartarus in one week, finish any business you have before we leave, understand!"
The two trade glances "no problems here," they said in unison.
Natsu sat down next to Laki, his eyes glued to his son. Laki reluctantly handed him to Natsu.
Natsu held his son close to him with a grin with a grace never before seen in.
Rowan snuggled closer to his father, enjoying his natural warmth letting out a yawn.
Natsu let out a yawn of his own, resting his back against the couch holding his son close to him.
Laki didn't hesitate to take a picture of this, knowing everyone would get a kick out of this.
That week flew by in the blink of an eye, the three slayers plus exceeds stand at the front door of their home.
Minerva had Rogue in a death grip hug with Natsu suffering the same fate from Laki.
Sting just stood back with a smug grin, and he watched his counterpart struggle for air.
"Just wait till you find your mate, Sting!" Natsu quipped, causing the white dragon slayer to look away, getting a chuckle from the two girls.
After finally being let free, Rogue stood beside Sting while Natsu was getting one last hug from his son.
He lightly kisses his forehead before handing him back to his mother.
With the help of their exceeds, the trio of slayer flew off into the horizon at breakneck speed.
Within hours they found the meeting spot. A small cottage far away from any person, place, or thing.
The first person they see is Neir resting against the cabin wall.
Within hours all the remaining participants showed up. They all found their spot around the fireplace.
"With everyone accounted for, what's the plan from here?" Jellal asked only for all eyes to land on Natsu.
"I need to consult with E.N.D and Igneel on how to bait them to us. I suggest you all get ready. We have no idea what's in store for us!" with those words, he headed outside.
He takes the lotus position on a nearby stump. One second he's in the real world. The next, he stands in a volcanic wasteland.
He sees both Igneel and Lazarus resting on volcanic rock. Not far away, he sees E.N.D resting as well. He walks up to the demon with a reluctant look in his eyes.
"Anyway, to bait Tartarus to our locations."
"Hmm, what do you know about the books of Zeref?"
"Not much" E.N.D let out a sigh before filling him in.
Up till now, he has only been using a fraction of his power. Once he gets complete control, his book in Tartarus's possession will go off signally his return.
Natsu nervously held out his hand to his demon side, only for said demon to take it without question.
Natsu collapsed to a knee as the veins in his arm bulged, turning pitch black.
After a few agonizing minutes, the pain subsided, permitting him to get back on his feet.
"The powers given to you by me are now fully unlocked. Unleash the power in the real world. They will sniff you out."
Natsu found himself in the real world. He walked a reasonable distance away from everyone.
The whites of his eye turned pitch black before unleashing the full might of his powers.
Elsewhere
Mard geer is sitting on his thrown patiently waiting for the day they can return to Zeref.
Then the book he constantly holds in his arms glows a blinding light as it floats in the air before disappearing.
"He's, he's finally returned, Everyone E.N.D has finally returned!' then they felt the unmistakable feeling of one of their kind off in the distance. No word needed to be said as they changed course to find the strongest of them all.
When Natsu returned to everyone, "it shouldn't take long for them to show up." they immediately headed to their positions.
Natsu uses a rock to rest for his rifle with Neir beside him and his student.
Lazarus sits on his shoulder, ready to make the first move. Within hours they see an object on the horizon.
As it gets closer and closer, Lazarus is sitting on Natsu's shoulder. Natsu opened the chamber of his gun.
"Ready, Lazarus?"
"As ready as I'll ever be" he jumps in the gun for Natsu to close the chamber.
He aims, waiting a little bit longer. Finally, he pulls the trigger, a magic circle several times the size of his usual one formes at the tip of the barrel.
A moment later, as a massive bullet of fire shoots out, the gun quickly grows in size.
Seconds later, it impacts the weird cube structure piercing all the way through. Then, finally, a massive explosion of flames burst out the other side.
Lazarus quickly reforms, unleashing his flames on the whole structure as it loses altitude.
Getting his wits together, Mard Geer gets everyone's attention "what's the damage!"
"Hell's core is destroyed!" Jackal informs.
"Great, if we die, it will before good, anything else?"
"That not all, whatever hit us did enough damage destroying the lacrimas keeping us in the sky!"
"Damnit on our way to finally meet E.N.D, and some mortal think it's a good idea to challenge us!"
That was when he noticed the flaming dragon outside circling then.
Now they have no choice but to endure an unquestionable hard landing.
Natsu can only grin, knowing all those hours of practice with his rifle weren't in vain.
He looks to Sting Rogue and, most importantly, Neir with grins of their own.
The cube hit the ground in less than minutes, sending a powerful shock wave through the earth.
"All right, gentlemen, phase two starts now!"
Taking the lead, Natsu rockets off, meeting Lazarus halfway to get a ride.
Sting and Rogue follow his lead with their dragons, Neir turns into a crack of lighting following the three slayers.
Natsu lands first at the wreckage of the floating fortress. He sees a presumed demon of Tartarus with blonde hair and claws.
Only for the enemy to be encased in purple ice, a man with short black hair and a familiar scent stands out from the ice.
"Silver, my man, I didn't know you were a member of this guild!" Neir walked ahead of them.
"Been waiting for the chance," he said, walking up to his lightning counterpart doing a one-arm hug.
"So, who are these three?"
"Silver, meet my friends Natsu, Sting, and Rogue. They're dragon slayers, and on top of that, Natsu is E.N.D himself!"
I made this chapter shorter so I can Hopefully spend most of the next chapter focusing on Tartarus
also finish my dragon judgment fic. If you don't know,
as always, make sure to fav follow and leave a chapter review