Chapter 14 - Fighting For Our Future!
Dedicated to: Goku275, zzkaizer, Kriim-Sauce786, shank, kush1995b, arata7ksuga, Todoroki Shoko, 4Alucard, and all the new readers who have found this story! Thank you for the reviews and insights, I'm definitely thinking about some of them for sure!
A/N: Hey guys, BD here. Normally I save this for the end, but for this chapter I decided to try both areas! Like I mentioned in the last chapter, I was really hoping I could get this chapter out before the end of January and boy am I hyped I got it done! Really early too! I think you all are really going to enjoy this one, and without spoiling anything, this chapter is about to get lit :D
Hope you all enjoy reading and I'll see you at the bottom for the usual A/N!
P.S. - zzkaizer brought up on the last chapter that they were a little confused that Happy was in two places and I wanted to make sure everyone here understood that part. The FairyTail section of the chapter along with Lucy and Happy's moment happened in the PAST (the day before Natsu left Tenrou) while Natsu and Happy following the mansion battle was in the PRESENT. Hence, the Past vs the Present title name. Hope that clears up any prior confusion!
The rocky terrain never bothered her. What bothered her besides the throbbing pain in her shoulder from that bastard captain and his army, was the thought of the fire dragon slayer she had encountered while out on her assassination quest. The assassination quest came front and center in her mind as she began to pale realizing something.
"I never killed him." She stated aloud understanding she had failed her quest and Hades.
"I just hope Master doesn't kill me for this..." Jenny muttered while she continued to walk towards Castle Hades unaware that up high in the sky she was being followed.
"Alright Natsu, target 12 o'clock!" Happy shouted as the duo flew through the air using the clouds for cover.
"Affirmative Happy, I've got eyes on her!" Natsu responded as the two smiled since their idea to catch her while being out of sight had worked.
"What's the plan?" The blue exceed questioned to his partner as the dragon slayer seemed to be in his thoughts.
Wendy, I know this girl will lead me to you...and I promised you and Carla that I would bring you home. I am going to do everything in my power to make sure I keep that promise.
"Natsu?" Happy asked as he looked down to his passenger. He whacked his shoulder with his paw which seemed to get through to him.
"Y-yeah what?"
"Natsu, are you alright?" Happy spoke concerned as his best friend just looked away.
"Yea, I'm good. What's up?"
"I asked you what our plan was here."
"Just stay in the clouds, I don't see anything just yet so lets just keep tracking her and wait." He shrugged realizing this plan could easily fail if they somehow lost the girl.
"Waiting isn't really our style, but I guess in this moment, it's all we can do." Happy sighed as the two continued to stay in the air looking down at the ground.
"Master Hades, there is news regarding Orange River." Ultear announced as she addressed the guild master of the infamous dark guild, Grimoire Heart.
"Ah splendid! Let me guess, Jenny took care of that smug captain with ease, right?" He laughed within his chair, but stopped as he saw her remain unfazed.
"Right?" He asked again.
"Sir, read this." She responded handing him an electronic tablet. His eyes squinted as he tried to figure out what it was. It was an article from the city of Orange River itself and the headline peaked his curiosity.
MANSION IN RUINS AFTER LATE NIGHT ATTACK
However his calm state did a one eighty as his eyes glanced down at the first paragraph of the article's writing.
Orange River's well known and massive mansion was invaded last night by two accomplices, who ran into the city's stationed army in the process. The two, who remain unidentified to the public, fought rather aggressive against our forces and laid a solid dent into the army which allowed them to escape. Here is Captain Connor Spears' statement on the attack.
"Residents of Orange River, last night the mansion we all know and admire was raided by nothing more then thieves wearing cloaks. Thankfully, nothing was taken from the mansion besides most of its structure, but that can easily be rebuilt. I want to make it clear, the city is safe. The two intruders were mages, but they were swiftly dealt with by our supportive army. It would be useful to add that one of the wizards we know belonged to the dark guild Grimoire Heart. Make no mistake, we are turning off the stun, next time mercy won't be shown."
Hades threw the tablet into the wall as he began to shake with rage, Ultear watching him closely.
"Master-" She began before the quick swipe of his hand cut her off.
"SILENCE!" He shouted as he sat up from the chair sending it backwards and falling to the ground.
"As soon as that failure arrives, I want her here at once!" He commanded.
"It will be done sir." Ultear nodded as she walked away.
Hades paced around his office several times as he tried to calm his rage so he didn't destroy his own guild. Once he had succeeded after a long while, he lifted the fallen chair and sat it back up right. Sitting down, he placed his hands on the desk as he began to think.
I will make sure she remembers this failure...
His thoughts trailed off, however as he unconsciously opened the lower drawer and brought out the red gem that Wendy and her team had brought to him years ago. Its sparkle caught his eye as he could see the raging flames inside wanting to be released and let loose for the world to see. His thoughts went back to the pink haired dragon slayer he had been setting up for years, as he just needed the last piece to his puzzle.
"Sometime soon..." He chuckled as he hid the gem back in its place and just in time too as the door opened and his face immediately darkened.
"It's almost night Natsu!" Happy called out as the long flight started to wear him down.
"Yeah I know, but I'm starting to sense things around here, I believe we're close." He stated as he continued to keep his eyes on the ground.
The truth was, the duo had long lost the sight of Jenny hours ago once the sun had began to set, but her scent was still strong and thus they continued to follow it. Natsu had continued to keep an eye out for landmarks or massive structures, but most of it was just empty rock mountains. Happy had all but lost his ability to see and was flying blindly the only thing keeping him going was the encouragement from his partner that they were indeed close.
For Natsu, however, thanks to his dragon sight, he could still see relatively clear even with the sun having long past.
"This is so unfair that you can see and I can't!" Happy wailed as they continued to move in their direction. The new issue they had going for them was, due to the rather dry climate in this rocky terrain, all but a few clouds had dispersed and they were now vulnerable to being spotted.
"Quit your whining would ya." Natsu spoke as he suddenly noticed something.
"Are you the one flying while exhausted mister? That's right I didn't think-" Happy began to go on a tirade but stopped as he saw Natsu create flames in his hands.
"What's going on, do you see something?"
"Oh yeah, buddy. I think this is it." Natsu cheered quietly as he began to scout checkpoints. A massive castle rested below and he pinpointed several watch towers a decent distance away from it.
"Ok, listen to what I tell you, alright?" Natsu whispered to Happy who made a slight noise which Natsu assumed was an unspoken yes.
"I'm going to put my fire out and when I do, I want you to start dropping us in closer to the ground. There are watch towers east and west of us, and the main one seems to be way we are headed in. When I tell you to, we're gonna swoop in and I'm gonna light the east one ablaze to serve as a distraction, that sound good with you?" He continued to whisper his plan as Happy whispered back.
"Let's do it Natsu!" He quietly agreed as the two smiled, before beginning their descent.
She stood in front of her mirror as she gazed deeply towards her reflection. Wendy Marvell had definitely changed. Seven years ago when she regained her memories in Grimoire Heart she had undergone task after task Master Hades had asked her to do and she passed with flying colors. Once she reached her eighteenth year, he promoted her into the Seven Kin of Purgatory, she was the seventh as amongst the ranks were Ultear, Zancrow, Meredy, and the returning members of Kain, Rustyrose, and Azuma. She did make it clear early on that she did not want to kill and surprisingly Hades gave her the okay. That just meant the assassination quests were dealt by Jenny or another member of the guild.
Those seven years had also changed who she was, however and it showed quickly, add along her birthday being just a few days ago and things have definitely changed. Gone was the shy twelve year old girl as she had now blossomed into a beautiful nineteen year old woman who was happy to see her magic become stronger, her emotions become more understandable, and even her physical change, despite not knowing why that made her happy.
Wendy's dark blue hair had grown longer, her brown eyes glowed with renewed happiness in life and even her body had begun to show off its curves, which definitely startled her at first when she was younger but her friends helped her get used to it. Her outfit had also been upgraded as she found herself in a dark blue shirt that was covered up by a sky white jacket which was finished with tight black pants and white boots. She also had an alternate outfit which was very similar, but instead of a white jacket and white boots, it was black to help her when she needed to be stealthy. Overall, she preferred this outfit more.
She at first, felt funny as she hit her teenage years as she suddenly began to develop a slight crush for Grimoire Heart's supposed ace who was a dragon slayer like her. She knew his name, but for some odd reason any access she tried to learn more about him was always blocked off or denied. It made her curious, but after a while she shrugged it off and forgot about it.
Well, she forgot about it until she reached eighteen. Last year, Wendy really began to fall for the mysterious Natsu Dragneel of Grimoire Heart and couldn't help but wonder if maybe he was maybe indeed just a myth. So with her curiosity getting the best of her, she decided to go and ask Hades for answers after wondering for so long.
Grimoire Heart (1 Year Ago):
"Hello Master." A voice made itself known as they entered Master Hades' office. Hades himself sat at his desk with an archive pulled up as he studied it thoroughly. Once he noticed the figure entering, he rapidly closed it as he put a smile on his face.
"Wendy! My dear girl, how have you been?" Hades asked.
"I've been good Master, thank you." She responded.
"So seeing as you have come to me for the first time in a little while, what can I do for you?"
Her shy personality returned in that moment which caught Hades off guard. She tapped her fingers together, as if thinking what to say to him, before she began to speak.
"I want to know more about this...Natsu Dragneel." She questioned which made his eyes expand.
She wants to know about Dragneel huh? I wonder what this could mean...
"Well come over here and sit down first Wendy." Hades motioned her over as she obliged and looked at him seriously.
"What would you like to know my dear?" Her gaze seemed to wonder to the floor above as she began to think to herself.
"I want to know more about who he is." She finally released her thought as a light tint of red formed across her cheeks.
So...my little added manipulation seems to be working at last oh?
"Well..." Hades began as his memorized summary for the fire dragon slayer made its way present.
"Natsu Dragneel is a very strong and powerful wizard, he has a fiery nature, and cares deeply for his Grimoire Heart friends." He summarized to the girl as she smiled.
"He sounds amazing." She thought aloud before covering her mouth only for Hades to laugh.
"He really is my dear, now I am curious myself...you seem to not recall who he is?" He questioned as he wondered if his manipulation was beginning to wear off or if something had gone wrong.
"No, I can remember, but...everything seems hazy inside of my mind and it was six years ago...it's like I forgot who he is." She stated sadly as Hades suddenly had an idea.
"Wendy, to help your freshly restored mind at ease, would you like to see a picture of him?" Hades sent the lure out to the girl as she took the bait.
"Of course Master!" She clapped excitedly.
Opening his archives back up, he told Wendy to close her eyes, to which she did, and opened a new file he had been working on for quite some time now.
"Ok, open your eyes Wendy, here is the Natsu Dragneel."
As she opened them, Wendy Marvell looked at the frame in front of her in shock. On the archive page that her Master had pulled up depicted of a pink haired man whose fists were on fire as led an army of Grimoire Heart soldiers. His clothing consisted of a crimson colored t-shirt covered by a jet black jacket. Following that, the figure wore black pants with bright orange flames designed running up the side and was finished with midnight schemed boots.
His outfit looks very similar to mine...
After admiring the photo for a little longer then she probably should, she noticed a black checkered scarf, outlined with orange, around his neck as well as eyes that glowed red.
"Well, what do you think?" Hades asked as he watched her closely.
"Well, he looks a little terrifying at first...but my memories call out to me and tell me he is the kindest soul you'll ever know. He looks rather handsome too." She added that last part before making an embarrassing squeak.
"Don't worry Wendy, you've grown up its normal to feel that way, and who knows..." He began to think devilishly. "Maybe soon he will return your feelings." He finished as she looked at him sideways.
"Do you really think so?" She asked her eyes searching his hopefully as she blushed.
"I know so." He concluded as he turned off the archive and motioned for her to leave.
"Continue your training now, I have a mission for you once you're ready." He stated as the girl turned on her heel and left.
With her presence gone, Hades re opened his archive and his current project as he placed the red gem back on the desk and examined it. Unbeknownst to him, Wendy had forgotten to ask him something and had just turned the corner to see him working. Before he noticed her, she quickly sprang off the wall and went back to her dorm room. One thought stayed in her mind once she reached her destination.
Is that the same red gem we stole from Orange River?
"Here we go!" Natsu called out as he and Happy rained down towards the east tower. With renewed spirits, Happy let Natsu free fall as he channeled his magic.
FIRE DRAGON's WING ATTACK!
The dragon-like wing attack slammed into each side of the tower, instantly stirring chaos inside as soldiers began to cause commotion.
"Perfect Natsu, they're panicking!" Happy cheered as he caught Natsu and the two began to circle around for a second round.
"What's the plan this time?" The exceed asked as Natsu suddenly grinned.
"I'm taking the whole damn thing down!" He chuckled to his partner as Happy released him once more and Natsu lit himself ablaze.
FIRE DRAGON's SWORD HORN!
At speeds unthinkable, Natsu's fiery form went head on into the center of the east tower, causing it to begin to sway, and then completely fall.
Desperate shouts and pleas were heard, but none were answered as Grimoire Heart soldiers on all sides of the fortress watched one tower go down and began to wonder if they were going to be on the next. Over on the west side, commands were yelled at the highest possible volume as the dark guild began to go on guard.
"Alert the Master and the Seven Kin!" A commander ordered as multiple soldiers nodded before storming off to get to the main part of the castle.
"Who the hell would be so foolish to attack us like this?" The commander wondered as he began to relay more information to his troops stationed around him
"I think that'll do..." Natsu mumbled as Happy retrieved him from the wreckage.
"You good for nothing idiot Natsu! Why would you headbutt a tower..." Happy chastised his friend who was in a current battle with a raging headache, and not surprisingly losing in it.
"It did the trick..." Is all he said as Happy and Natsu slipped through their detections and found themself resting within the castle walls.
The two landed as Natsu and Happy sat against the side of one of the castle walls hidden from view. Ow my head... He whined internally as he held his head with his hand. The pain seemed to be trying to teach him a lesson for his foolish action.
"Erza would be not be happy with you right now Natsu..." Happy spoke shaking his head disapprovingly.
"Yeah...I know, not like she's going to be happy anyways." He muttered as his thoughts went back to their night in Fairy Hills. He had just put the flames out off her bed as she watched him like a viper about to strike.
"Erza, no. I have more important things to do right now."
"Like what?" She had asked. He so desperately wanted to tell her, but he kept his lips sealed on his plan and shoved her help aside.
"It's none of your business, I'm sorry." He was shocked when like a dagger she closed the gap between them as she captured him once again in a kiss, only this time he instigated it into a make out session with the scarlet haired mage.
Dammit what am I doing? He thought angrily inside as he pulled away from her hastily.
"I have to go." Wendy is counting me and I refuse to fail her.
"Natsu wait!" She called out for him as she lunged for him only for him to send her to the floor with his own flames
He continued to look at the ground inside this unfamiliar territory as he punched the ground.
She kissed me...and I kissed her back. Then I accidentally tripped her and left her behind unconscious. Geez, I'm terrible.
"Natsu!" Happy exclaimed with concern as he saw his friend out of nowhere slam his fist into the ground.
"I'm ok Happy, was just venting off some frustration." Natsu replied wanting him to be at ease. After a little more time of Natsu and Happy resting, the little blue cat put on his green backpack once more as he stood in front of his friend.
"So what now?" Happy asked after it looked like the headache was residing from Natsu.
"We go and rescue Wendy dummy." He smirked as he got off the ground, his nose twitching. His eyes lit up as if it was Christmas, fire forming in his eyes before going away just as fast as it appeared.
"I've located her Happy!"
Before Jenny had even reached the gates of Castle Hades, Ultear, who was followed by Zancrow, were upon her.
"Jenny, Master has ordered you to come to him at once." Ultear emotionlessly spoke.
"Yeah, you're in for it now, haha." Zancrow added laughing knowing the harassing she was about to receive.
"Awesome..." She grumbled as she was led away by the two. Why couldn't you have put me out of my misery when you had the chance Natsu Dragneel...
"What are you doing here Alice?" Wendy asked from her bed as she noticed her friend walk into her dorm room.
"Just checking on one of my best friends since Jenny still hasn't come back yet...do you think she's okay?" She spoke worriedly as Wendy noticed the hint. Laying her book down next to her on the bed, Wendy slid off and walked over to Alice.
"Alice, listen. We both know how strong of a mage Jenny is, I'm sure she is fine." Wendy answered supportively causing Alice to smile.
"Yeah, you're right Wendy!" Alice pumped her fist in the air before noticing the book Wendy was reading. As if on que, their eyes met before Alice leaned over to see the title from the open cover. Wendy darted over to the bed to try and snag it, but Alice beat her to it.
"Am I In Love?" Alice read the title out loud as she suddenly squealed while holding the book.
"Alice!" Wendy shouted embarrassed as she used her wind magic to grab the book from her friend's hands and held it tightly against her chest.
"Wow Wendy...I can't help but say I'm a little surprised. So who's the lucky fellow who's caught your eye? I hope its not that pig Zancrow." Hearing the fire god slayer's name nearly made her vomit.
"Ew, no, he is despicable." Wendy said with disgust evident in her voice. "I'd rather not say."
"Oh come on, pretty please Wendy!" Alice begged to her friend.
"You're really starting to sound like Jenny you know..." Wendy groaned.
"Got to fill in for her while she's absent." She winked before grabbing her friend's hands. "For real though, tell me."
Wendy stared at her friend in the eyes for several minutes before sighing.
"Fine. I think I may be in love with Natsu."
The atmosphere was eerily silent as Jenny, accompanied by Ultear and Zancrow, found herself in front of Master Hades' office door. With a quick inhale and exhale, she went to grab the door knob, before the arc of time wizard reached it first.
"Good luck Jen." Zancrow taunted knowing it would get her riled up before her showdown with Hades. Ultear opened the door as the three walked in and stood before Hades.
"The girl, as you requested Master." Ultear stated.
"Good, thank you for completing your job Ultear." Hades spoke already taking a jab at the plant mage.
"You two may go." He said nonchalantly, although they could easily tell it was an order. Not wanting to be caught in the cross fire, the two Seven Kin members departed to leave the two to their own battle. For a moment, Jenny stood staring back at her guild master who had gotten out of his seat and walked in front of his desk.
"Jenny what did I say about failing me?" He asked.
"Well I-uh, sir." Jenny began before the anger in his eyes made her begin to stumble over her words.
"What. Did. I. Say?" He repeated threateningly as he now stood directly in front of her towering down at the young brunette.
"T-to n-not fail." She whispered.
"AND YET YOU DID!" His voice boomed as he shouted.
"YOU MADE A FOOL OF YOURSELF AND GRIMOIRE HEART!"
"S-sir I'm sorry." She whispered terrified as his anger seemed to keep itself in check, for now. She continued to stand there, knees feeling weak, as she hoped it was over. Luck was not her on side.
"Tell me Jenny, why did you fail?" Hades questioned her as he began to walk around her counter clockwise as if he was a shark circling his prey. Seeing his anger go away for the time being, Jenny's voice returned to her.
"I thought I had the captain...but who I attacked was someone I never thought it could be." She quickly spoke knowing if she dawdled his madness would return.
"Oh? Who was this someone you encountered?"
"It's him. The one you've been after this entire time." She boldly declared as she saw his eyes become astonished.
"The dragon slayer you seek. Natsu Drag-" She went to finish her explanation as suddenly a dark purple and black blast sent her crashing into the wall opposite of them. Jenny broke her shock as she crawled out from the damaged wall and froze. As if a monster had been released, Hades was staring at her as if the next words that flew from her mouth would decide the outcome of her life.
"WHERE IS HE?"
"Natsu? You mean Natsu Dragneel? That Natsu?" Alice carefully said and stumbled a bit back after seeing Wendy nod her head.
"Wendy, how can you be in love with someone you've never even met?" Realizing her slip up, she rapidly tried to correct her mistake. "I-I mean, someone you haven't talked with in a long time."
Wendy paid no attention to her error as she tried to defend her reasons. "I don't really know Alice...it just feels right. I can't exactly explain why I feel like I do, but everything you all and that book has taught me, it correlates with my feelings for him."
Alice continued to look at her friend with much concern before a light bulb seemed to go off in her head.
Surely Hades couldn't mess with her feelings towards the fire dragon slayer...could he?
Before anything else could be said between the two, Wendy's door once again opened as the two noticed spiky yellow hair enter.
"ZANCROW!" Wendy cried out incredulously seeing him waltz right into her room.
"What are you doing here?" Alice asked suspiciously before he saw the god slayer pointing at her.
"Easy girls, thought I'd let you know Jenny is back."
"She is?!" Alice clapped her hands excitedly as she took off out of the room.
"Wait you didn't let me finish-" Zancrow began but closed up as the blonde was gone. Turning to the sky dragon slayer, he simply chuckled.
"She's in a hailstorm right now with Hades. See you later spitfire."
There's that stupid nickname again... She thought to herself as she waved anyways.
"Bye Zancrow." She said as she shut the door and made sure to lock it.
"I'm exhausted, time for some sleep." Wendy yawned as she slid back on her bed and fell asleep instantly.
"I know she's close Happy!" Natsu encouraged his cat as the two began to brighten up knowing they were almost there. Eyes scanned the area as he realized he was next to the apartment dorms. His nose continued to twitch as he crossed under building after building, until finally he arrived at the one he was looking for. Dark blue and black ran up the walls as it gave off this different vibe then anything he had ever seen before. Natsu slightly whistled as Happy understood and summoned his wings as they flew up towards the top.
"Which one is she in?" Happy lightly yelled into his friend's ear as the commotion could still be heard from afar.
"Very top, just like she was in Fairy Hills." He smiled sincerely as they reached their destination and Happy dropped his passenger onto the terrace before having his wings disappear and landing on top of Natsu.
"I-I'm sorry Natsu..." Happy panted. "I gave it all I had." He whispered as he lay in the pinkette's hair.
"Don't worry buddy, we made it. You did a fantastic job Happy. I'll take the reins from here." He gave his cat a pat on the head as he tiptoed towards the building and noticed the door unlike the wall, which seemed to be made out of metal, was glass.
Perfect, that makes this easy then! He cheered as he carefully lit his pointing finger on fire and began to trace a circle big enough to slide through. After some solid precision, the glass gave away and he cautiously slipped inside, making sure to make as little of sound as possible. Creeping into the kitchen, he was left with the sight of closed cabinets and a good sized table in the middle.
After making sure the kitchen was clear, he decided to go investigate the living room, but not before he placed Happy on the kitchen table so the cat could have some very much deserved rest. Once again, his search came up empty as she wasn't in her living room. Two doors remained, one which he assumed was a bathroom and the other, a bedroom.
I gotta say, this is a pretty nice place. He thought as he cleared the bathroom and found himself staring at her bedroom door. It was the only painted door in the apartment and he noticed it was dark blue.
Like her hair huh?
Easing the door open, trying to reduce the squeak he knew it would inevitably make, it was halfway ajar when he froze in his tracks. For the first time in seven years, he laid eyes on the girl he had vowed to rescue all the way back on that blasted ship above Tenrou. Doing everything he could to keep his emotions in check, he shook himself free and entered her room.
He quickly realized she was sleeping and sighed in relief as he advanced his way in more. His burning gaze never left her figure as he found himself staring at the sleeping bluenette.
She looks beautiful. Wait, WHAT? No! She's different, different, yeah...different.
He smiled at his thoughts as he heated up inside. However, his embarrassment soon switched to something else as his thoughts trailed down a darker path. Thinking about how he lost her to the god slayer and Hades made him become enraged as he closed his eyes telling himself to cool it down. His shadow cast over her sleeping face and immediately as his eyes opened, her eyes did as well as brown orbs met a dark figure. Without warning, and to the shock of Natsu, Wendy threw herself off the bed and began to summon a spell.
"W-Wendy, wait!" Natsu yelled in his best whisper voice as he lit his hands on fire illuminating the room with light, as brightness conquered the darkness. The pink hair and checkered scarf immediately caused her spell to fizzle as she backed away staring confusedly.
"Who are you!" She called out aggressively still unsure of her intruder.
"Wendy don't you remember me? It's me, Natsu." He revealed grinning with his canines showing off his signature smile.
N-Natsu? This does look like him...but why is his appearance off? Wendy challenged her mind as instead of a black and orange checkered scarf, his was pure white. Adding on to her uncertainty, his entire appearance was different then what Master Hades had showed her in the past.
"How do I know you are who you say you are?" She hissed at him as she kept her guard up.
Natsu was stunned at her actions and couldn't help himself but frown. What did they do to you Wendy?
"Don't you remember me, Wendy?" He tried again before getting an idea.
"You remember Happy, Lucy, Erza, Gray, Gramps, and everyone in the guild right?" To his surprise, her eyes or stance never changed after hearing the list of names he had recited. Something far away in her memories was bouncing off the walls, but the other half of her mind kept it locked away.
"Wendy, you know about FairyTail don't you?" He pleadingly whispered out extending his hand towards her while she simply stared at it as if in a deep train of thought. Finally, after what felt like a century to the fire dragon slayer, he saw her brown eyes look into his black as her gaze held his evenly.
"I've never heard of any of those names."
"Where is Jenny?" Alice yelled back at Zancrow who was following her down the hall.
"Like I was trying to tell you before you took off little unknown, she's with the Master."
"Ok, I'll wait then." She stated as she came to a stop on the last floor.
"Probably not the best idea, she failed her quest." Zancrow added chucklingly as Alice's eyes grew wide before she bolted for Hades' office.
"Oh this is tremendous haha." Zancrow continued to laugh as he watched the blonde disappear from his sight.
"I wonder, will tonight get any more interesting?"
"Master!" A voice shouted as they busted down the door and froze immediately. Hades, who was surrounded by purple and black magic, dispersed it after seeing her and her companions in the doorway.
"Yes, Alice?" He spoke while keeping his eyes zoned in on Jenny's downed form.
"What did you do to her!" She yelled as she slid down in front of her best friend and kept herself between them.
"Alice, move. She failed her quest...and knows about something that I want." Hades' tone in his voice dropped as Alice became slightly afraid before standing her ground.
"Can't you see you've already hurt her enough!" She pleaded with her guild master as she too became angry.
"Move girl, this is the last time I will ask." He shouted.
"No!" Alice fired back as suddenly she began to glow a light blue. Jenny looked up in amazement at her friend who suddenly seemed to be giving awful a powerful magical aura.
"Alice Woodson, out of the way now!" Hades ordered as purple and black formed around him once more. He fired multiple blasts towards the two girls without thinking.
"You won't hurt her anymore!" She watched her friend scream as suddenly as fast as the dark blasts came upon them, a jet stream of water shot from Alice's hands as it collided with the dark magic having a standoff against it.
The two magics fought for dominance, however the more experienced spell seemed to win...until Ultear intervened.
"Master, I'm getting word from the army!" Ultear shouted over the battle which instantly caught the guild master's attention as Zancrow released a ball of his black flames to cancel out both spells and end the duel. Hades turned around to glare at Ultear.
"What do they want?"
"Their are reports that their is an intruder sir. The east tower has been completely demolished."
"WHAT! Zancrow, order all troops to search for this piece of filth." Hades roared his anger returning with how careless his army was.
"Alrighty boss!" He nodded enthusiastically.
"Make sure they are found." He added after it seemed everyone was lacking today. Ultear sensed an opening to talk so she finished what she had to say.
"I have more sir."
"Oh? What might that be?"
"Our commander said that the tower was hit with fire." She finished and as soon as she said that, it hit Hades like a train.
"Fools!" Hades yelled as Zancrow was just about to leave.
"Zancrow stop!" The fire god slayer turning around to look at him uncertain as to why he was being told to halt.
"What's up sir?"
"It's a distraction. Hahaha, you almost had me Dragneel!" Hades laughed to himself as he looked up above. Ultear, Alice, Jenny, Zancrow, head for Wendy's apartment. I've got him right where I want him!"
"Oh and Alice?" Hades spoke to the girl as she turned back towards him.
"Yes Master?"
"When we're finished with this task, I have something to tell you that involves your magic."
Natsu couldn't believe it. Her words felt like his lifeline and she suddenly just cut him off for dead. How could she not remember him? Their friends or their entire family, heck even their guild! It didn't make sense to him.
I'm going to destroy that bastard! He thought angrily as he stood there watching his goal fade away.
"Cmon Wendy, you've gotta snap out of it." He attempted to move toward her but saw her eyes begin to narrow as she continued to put up her barrier.
"Stay back...if you really are Natsu...maybe we should go and talk to the Master." She threw the idea out here, but it only seemed to fuel the fire in the mage before her.
"Oh yeah, I'm definitely going to talk to the Master. Talk while kicking his ass!" Natsu lost it as fire erupted from within and he lit himself like a candle.
"What's wrong with you?" Wendy shouted at him with some concern evident.
"You're my problem! Dammit, I travelled all the way out here with Happy and you're not you Wendy! You've got to snap out of it!" His fire began to rise which annoyed her.
"I'm perfectly fine 'Natsu'" She taunted, all concern for him gone now, as she was still unsure whether this guy was the real deal or not.
"Wendy you've gotta believe me here." He pleaded with her. "You're a FairyTail wizard just like I am."
"No, I'm apart of Grimoire Heart! What even is FairyTail?"
"It's where we are from, its our family! I know deep down you are not a dark mage Wendy Marvell!"
"And I know that there is no way you can be the Natsu Dragneel that I love!" Her words instantly snapped their argument as the two just stared at one another. One second, two seconds, three seconds...four
"KYAA!" Wendy squealed as she realized she just said that aloud, and to the supposed figure she had indeed fallen for somehow. Natsu's eyebrow lifted as he dropped back a couple of steps as if he had been electrocuted by something.
Eh?
"I sure hope Hades is right, I've always wanted to finish my fight with that Fairy!" Zancrow grinned.
"Who is he talking about?" Alice whispered to Ultear who simply shrugged, but she in fact knew who the god slayer was referring to. A bruised and battered Jenny Alexander was among there group of four, but she limped and held her shoulder still. Alice caught her eye and slowed her pace so she could run alongside the struggling plant wizard.
"He means Natsu Dragneel, the dragon slayer that Master Hades has been planning around for the past seven years." Jenny lowered her voice so it only would reach Alice.
"Wait, what? Oh no! Jenny!" Alice quickly whispered back to her friend which caught Ultear's attention.
"Wendy has fallen for him!"
"How?" Jenny's voice dropped lower as she noticed Ultear's eyes were on them. Suddenly she blasted their group backwards, even hitting Zancrow in the process.
"What the hell!" He shouted as he stood up.
"Zancrow sorry, you go on towards your target, I have something to ask these two."
"You could of just said so instead of doing that you crazy women." He spoke under his breath as he ran away from them and towards the apartments. Turning her attention back to the two, Ultear held her gaze firm at Jenny.
"How do you know of Master's plan with the fire dragon slayer?" She asked.
"Like I would tell you." Jenny retorted.
"You would be wise to answer the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory." Alice could see the inevitable about to happen and elbowed Jenny.
"Just tell her."
"Fine." She turned towards Ultear who looked like she was waiting for her to start.
"Since you want to know so bad. About six and half years ago, when we were younger, I left something behind in Hades' room and went to go retrieve it. When I got there, my item was there, but Hades was gone. I noticed he had something pulled up on his archive and I got curious and went to go see what it was. It was an entire listing of Natsu Dragneel's status, all his known spell moves, and more. But what really shocked me was, what was sitting on his desk."
This news definitely caught Ultear off guard as Hades had just given her the slight details of it, but nothing to this nature.
"Go on." She said.
"He has an entire outfit style designed for this Natsu and...it seems like he is trying to turn him into a weapon."
"What exactly do you mean, 'a weapon' Jenny?" Ultear implored.
"I don't really understand it my self...but it has something to do with that red gem we got all those years ago." Jenny finished while looking at Alice who stood there wondering.
Oh no, Wendy!
"Come on you two, we need to go catch up with the others." Ultear ordered as they made their way for the sky dragon slayer's dorm.
"You what?" Natsu asked once more to the girl in front of him who now refused to talk after her slip. He sighed as he realized he wasn't going to get anything else from her. A little more then tired, he sat down on her bed and rested his eyes as he went deep into his mind.
Surely this is a joke. First Erza, and now Wendy? What in the hell is going on.
"Natsu?" She suddenly voiced herself once more which brought the dragon slayer out of his thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"A-Are you actually real? Am I asleep?" She cautiously spoke as she got her bearings and sat next to him which caught him off guard.
"What do you mean 'am I real', of course I'm real!" He boasted with a smile but was more then confused at what she was trying to get at.
Hmm.
"You seem real, you just don't look or act like the one Master Hades was talking to me about last year."
"Oh yeah?" Natsu questioned now a little more then pissed off. "And what did the big guy say exactly?"
"Well, he said something along the lines that you are a powerful wizard and that you care a lot for your Grimoire Heart friends." She revealed to him.
"Did he now..." Natsu muttered as he stood up off the bed enraged. "I'm going to roast him alive!" His action made Wendy stand up as well, but before she could anything out...her bedroom door exploded as it came hurling right at her. With not enough time or awareness, Wendy waited for the contact, only to feel herself be shoved out of the way as she watched fire dance around her waist before it went out. Only, this fire never even burned her.
After making sure Wendy was alright, Natsu's guarded eyes turned into slits as he saw who waited before him.
"Long time no see pinky! Nice to see you finally dried yourself off!" He cackled.
"Zancrow." Natsu uttered the god slayer's name as his instincts kicked in and before he could realize it, glowing orange flames were upon him.
FIRE DRAGON's IRON FIST!
Zancrow maintained his balance and smirked, before widening his eyes as it quickly dawned on him the dragon slayer wasn't done.
FIRE DRAGON's GRIP STRIKE!
Natsu smashed his fist right into Zancrow's throat sending him flying into the living room.
"THATS WHAT YOU GET FOR ALMOST BLOWING UP WENDY YOU SON OF A BITCH!" He roared in anger remembering how she nearly vanished on him when they were imprisoned in Grimoire's flying ship.
Wendy stood in the now vacant space of her bedroom door as she looked at the fire dragon slayer quizzically.
What is he talking about?
"I'll give you credit dragon boy..." Zancrow spoke panting as he dislodged himself from Wendy's wall.
"Your fire definitely has some heat this time around. Unlucky for you, I was just buying us some time." He snickered as it suddenly dawned on Natsu what he meant.
Buying us some time? What does he-oh you've gotta be kidding me.
"YOU BASTARD!" Natsu yelled with much anger as he dashed for the table and grabbed Happy immediately shaking him awake.
"W-What's going on Natsu? Is it time for fish?"
"No Happy! It's a trap we've gotta go!" He explained.
"What?!" Happy yelled.
"You have no where to run Natsu Dragneel." He didn't turn around but he didn't have to, he knew that voice.
Ultear.
He did finally turn around and the one he was expecting was indeed there, but there was more. He could never forget that dark purple hair and her ice magic that was so similar to Gray's. However, behind her were a blonde that he had never seen before and...the girl they followed!
"Natsu, just stand down." He heard Jenny say across the room and knew who would be here next. His eyes caught the crazed god slayer's as he suddenly realized how screwed he was, his fire dimming down in the process.
Wendy was corrupted. Happy was weak. It was a one versus three battle already with Hades and more on the way. His knees felt weak as they nearly buckled on him, but he kept his posture. He searched the entire apartment looking for an escape route, but realized it was all blocked off. He would have to fight his way on to the terrace, and even then...could Happy fly them out with so little magic?
Dammit all! Natsu's mind finally caught up with him as he realized he was alone on this one. Erza wasn't coming to save the day, Lucy wasn't along side of him. Wendy wasn't going to have his back and yet, he refused to give in.
I'm a FairyTail wizard! Carla is counting on me to rescue Wendy and Lucy is counting on me to come back home! And Erza...I won't let her down either!
"No!" Natsu shouted in defiance as fire warped itself back around him and he launched himself, with Happy secure in his arms, through Ultear who was guarding the melted door. She wasn't actually expecting the slayer to rebel and stumbled back giving him enough time to reach the terrace.
Clear of her apartment, all Natsu needed to do was take off into the sky, but Happy was looking at him with wide eyes and he knew the cat didn't have enough energy in him to go far. Before he could even sky rocket out of there using his own flames, Zancrow was back upon him and Natsu had to let Happy go in order to defend himself.
FLAME ELBOW!
Zancrow's black flames came to life as the two fire wizards fought on the terrace.
Punch after punch, Natsu kept deflecting it, but realized Zancrow was just toying with him. His dragon sight scanned his surrounding as he became aware Ultear was chilling the air with her ice magic and Jenny had covered herself in vine-like armor. Wendy stood back at the door watching concerned with much conflict inside.
FIRE DRAGON's CRUSHING FANG!
Natsu swiped at Zancrow, catching the god slayer by his chin and sending him skidding back towards the door.
"That's enough." An order given with a dark, but amused voice announced itself. Hearing that voice began to make the dragon slayer shake with rage as he roared ferociously.
"You have a lot of fight in your boy, I look forward to having you amongst our ranks." Hades boasted.
"You..." Natsu's cold eyes met with the eyes of Grimoire Heart.
"I'm not going down without a fight." He glared as his flames roared to life around him even more. Wendy glanced at the battle not knowing if she should help or stay put.
"It's about time I put you in your place like I did Miss Marvel and turn you into one of us, child of Makarov." Hades' words lit a fire inside Natsu and brought out something that had laid dormant, even during the mansion battle. He had snapped as his voice changed drastically.
"You...are going to pay. I WILL KILL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!"
"Kill?" Happy whispered as he laid a little ways from the unsteady dragon slayer. Natsu has never killed.
Natsu tried to think of a solution as another flamed fist came at him, this time to the right. He side stepped and dodged the attack, however sent his regards back with his own flaming fist into the attackers face knocking him to the floor.
"Zancrow..." Natsu growled out.
Instead of the god slayer jumping on his feet and continuing his assault, Zancrow felt something he had never felt before. For the first time, Zancrow felt fear. Why he felt it he did not know, but he knew it had to do something with the increasing power building up in the dragon slayer.
"You're nothing more then my greatest weapon. You should be honored to take this position Natsu Dragneel." Hades informed the boy.
"You're wrong! I am your destroyer!"
FIRE DRAGON's ROAR! Natsu shouted in frustration as flames shot from his mouth towards Grimoire Heart's master.
"Battling are you? I see you carry the FairyTail ways still." Hades joked as he avoided the dragon roar with ease.
"I will not lose to trash like you, I will defeat you and free us." Nastu glared towards Hades as his voice returned to its normal state.
"Sure, but that's if you can win. Unfortunately for you, I'm sorry boy but you are no match for me or my guild." Hades responded with his own glare.
"Oh, we'll see about that!" Natsu grinned as he rushed the mages.
FIRE DRAGON's WING ATTACK!
The attack slammed into Zancrow's chest sending him into Alice as they fell to the ground.
FIRE DRAGON's IRON FIST!
Natsu went to intercept Ultear's ice, but she countered it and launched him backwards closer towards the edge of the terrace. Hades grinned back.
"My turn boy."
Piercing Bullet!
A small gun shape mimicked into his hands as he started shooting off purple lasers. Having experience with something like this, Natsu jumped over and dodged all of them, except for one which caused him to go off balance while airborne.
"Don't think so!" Natsu laughed as he swiped his arms in a circular fashion, which created a powerful and highly destructive, torrent of flames.
CRIMSON LOTUS: EXPLODING FLAME BLADE!
Ultear provided a massive wall of ice which took the brunt force of the spell before the wall came crashing down. It did its job though as Natsu's spell did zero damage to any of them.
"Ah, dammit come on!" Natsu ranted like a child as he was getting even more frustrated knowing time was running out.
"See, what did I tell you boy? You stand no chance against all of us." Hades instructed before sending another attack at him.
EXPLOSION BULLET!
The bullets rained down on the far side of the terrace, but the spell gave Natsu an idea. He leaped into the air and waited as explosions rang out left and right before dropping himself in the center...and to his joy refueled himself.
Grimoire Heart heard a sucking sound as the smoke cleared with a revived Natsu Dragneel standing in the center with a grin on his face giving Hades a thumb up.
"Thanks for the meal Hades, I'm all fired up now!" Jenny looked close enough and realized stirring inside the fire around the dragon slayer, was lightning!
"Hades he has lightning!" Jenny called out to her Master who seemed now intrigued by the boy's new ability.
Lightning huh? Let's see what you've got boy.
LIGHTNING FIRE DRAGON MODE! Natsu roared as the lightning became more prominent around his flames. His eyes became red as he had an evil grin upon his face.
Time to kick your ass old man!
"Laxus and the First trained with me this power, you won't be able to beat it!"
"Is that so? Come then, show me what your new power can do." Hades beckoned him.
LIGHTNING FIRE DRAGON's BRILLAINT FLAME!
Natsu hurdled it right at Hades as it exploded with him in the middle of the blast.
"Master!" Alice called out in worry as she noticed Ultear had used orb to make a barrier around the man.
"Do you see why you can't win? I don't even have to fight back against you." Hades smiled which just made Natsu even more angrier.
Is this bastard mocking me?!
With Natsu distracted by Hades, Zancrow thought he could pull a quick one on the dragon slayer and end the battle now. However Wendy had other plans.
This is your chance Wendy, I don't know why I'm about to do this but...here we go!
FIRE GOD's SUP-
Was all he could get before he was interrupted rather rudely.
SKY DRAGON's WING ATTACK!
Not expecting the attack from his own guild mate, Zancrow was unable to defend himself and went hurdling over the terrace down towards the base grounds.
"Nice one Wendy! Glad to see you've finally come around." Natsu cheered as he caught her eye and she blushed.
"Wendy?" Alice and Jenny both called out wondering what was going on inside the girl. Taking the opportunity, Wendy walked out from her apartment and stopped in the middle between Hades and Natsu.
"Please stop fighting you two, Master talk some sense into Natsu here, he seems to have forgotten who he is." Wendy pleaded which seemed to give Hades an idea.
So you want me to stop fighting huh, alright my dear. You can take over for me.
"I'll finish this whole damn thing right now!" Natsu yelled as he jumped once more into the sky. The Grimoire Heart mages and Hades watched as Natsu summoned bright red flames and golden lightning around him as it spiraled up towards his mouth. He leaned his head back after focusing in on his target who was circling his hands around with purple and black magic before staring at Wendy.
LIGHTNING FIRE DRAGON's ROAR!
The typhoon of fire and lightning coiled together as it went straight for Hades only to be stopped...by another roar?
SKY DRAGON's ROAR!
Natsu landed back down expecting to see destruction all over the terrace, but instead watched as his own roar was challenged by wind and then the two spells cancelled one another out.
What the hell?!
SKY DRAGON's WAVE WIND!
Wendy formed a tornado before Natsu could prepare for it as he was tossed around inside before being thrown towards the broken terrace ledge as he slipped off, and just barely managed to grab the edge with his hands to stop his fall.
"You are finished Natsu." Hades spoke as he began to walk over to him. He noticed fire was flaring off the slayer's finger tips.
"Why do you continue to push yourself?" He asked. Red eyes exploded with fire as he pulled himself off the edge and back onto the terrace.
"I have to! I'm fighting for our future dammit!"
"Fighting for your future are you? You have no future boy!" Hades darkly yelled as he glanced over to Wendy.
"Finish him."
In a voice that sounded nothing like his Wendy, Natsu became terrified as he saw one of her eyes was her normal brown, the other was a shade of dark purple.
"Master Hades orders you to stand down dragon slayer."
He's controlling you, isn't he Wendy.
"You know I can't do that..."
She turned and looked behind her examining her Seven Kin members. Finally, her regular eye and cursed eye fell upon Hades. He nodded his head at her in approval. With a sinister voice she glanced back at Natsu.
"Then I will be forced to make you."
A/N: Wow, what a chapter right? Definitely the longest this story has seen so far as we capped this one off just over almost at 10k. I am really happy with this one and I hope you all enjoyed it as well! I do want to clarify something.
I hope I didn't make it feel like Wendy's love for Natsu is rushed. Keep in mind, Hades did some manipulation to her mind AND increased her feelings for the dragon slayer. I felt like I made the transition smooth and started to get their feelings for each other going once they met right here. I also hoped I captured the fear and terror that Master Hades can bring, we'll see more of that down the line.
So now back to the ending...oh brother, Natsu has got himself in a catch 22 situation now hasn't he. Yikes! Since I'm feeling grateful, I decided to give you guys for once in a while a sneak peek of Ch. 15!
Once again, thank you all for your kind words, reviews and favorites. I really do enjoy reading what you guys have to say on Wattpad and FanFiction! You all have some great ideas and it's so cool seeing you guys thinking about this story like I do. Thanks and hopefully I'll see you all again soon!
Preview
Chapter 15: Turned To The Dark Side
"Snap out of it Wendy, you know this isn't who you are!" Natsu called out trying to shake her free of Hades' control, but he knew he was useless. It was either back down to not hurt her and surrender his freedom, or use every last remaining drop of his magic reserves and try and get out of here with the girl and his cat.
"Stand down."
"No other option...give me everything ya got Wendy!" He smirked as flames and lightning forged itself once more around him.