edited chapter 30
Natsu, Ultear, and Erza lounge around the guild while Gray scanned the job board.
He wants to be there to face off against grimoire heart, after all.
Natsu and Ultear did their usual thing in one of the many booths of their guildhall.
Natsu is going over how to proceed from here to the ditching fairy tail during the dragon attack.
That led him to Wendy. He doesn't want to put her through that again.
However, her healing magic is an invaluable resource.
That's when he noticed Gildarts and Cana beside each other like a parent and child.
This reminded him of his plan to prevent him from being frozen with the others.
The reason is simple, Gildarts is the strongest member of fairy tail.
It would make his job keeping fairy tail from falling apart easier during the seven years.
He took a few minutes to ponder this. Then, finally, he made the unsettling conclusion.
If he wants Gildarts to stay, he'll have to replace him for S-class trials.
Given risk will provide him with even less time to leave after grimoire hearts defeat.
It was clear that's would happen, and since he and Gray and Erza know what to expect, they could finish them off earlier than last time.
Giving him more time to leave the island and make some distance.
And since Zeref is there, he might be able to hitch a ride with him off the island.
Speaking of Zeref, he remembered he's the only person in all of earthland who can stop him.
But does he want to kill him...or save him?
But he didn't worry about it. He has more important things to deal with.
The previous day Gramps was informed Gray and Erza got their memories of the old timeline back.
That is also when he ran his plan by Gray and Erza.
They felt it was a good plan since Natsu's job of keeping the guild afloat easier.
And the fact Natsu's power rival Gildarts is a compelling reason for Gildarts to stay, but that won't be for a couple of weeks.
Natsu mentioned this to Makarov, having Gildarts stay at the guild during the exams. He agreed since Natsu wouldn't bring this up if he didn't have a reason.
But the exams won't be for two more weeks, so Natsu had to come up with a plausible reason for Gildarts to stay.
But that will be for another time since he's brought out these thoughts when the guildhall doors opened up to reveal Juvia.
She just got back from another mission, getting Natsu and his friends' attention.
They saw Gray walk up to her, Natsu, Ultear, and Erza plus Happy glanced at each other with knowing grins.
A loud Yes could be across the guild as Juvia latched onto his arm with a massive smile getting questioning looks from everyone.
"I asked her out on a date!" Was his simple response before everyone went back to their previous task.
He walked Juvia to a nearby table so she could process what just happened before going back to the job board.
This time he looked for a job the two of them could do together after his solo mission.
He found and tore it off, registering it to himself before letting Juvia know he'll be gone for a few days.
Later that day, Natsu saw Gildarts by himself, knowing he won't get another chance.
He ran up to the older man just as the guildhall doors closed behind them.
"Gildarts, I need to talk to you real quick."
The crash mage turns to face the eldest slayer, curious about what he needs with him. "What is it, Natsu?"
"I'm gonna take your place for the exams this year. Knowing you, if Cana is selected, you might go easy on her or throw her a bone," He said with a smug grin.
Gildarts couldn't look him in the eye as he knew Natsu is correct on that front. Natsu is a wizard saint, after all.
His power easily rivals his "I already ask Gramps about it, he agrees with me!"
"It would be nice to sit back and relax a bit more after getting back from that decade quest." He rubbed his cheeks with a finger as he spoke those words.
Natsu whispered into his ear, "only a few people know, but there has been some rising tension between the council and our guild. So it is best if you stay around in case something goes down," Natsu finished with a level gaze.
Gildarts matched his gaze before nodding in agreement. He heard the rumors but nothing solid up to this point.
"If that's the case, gonna sit back and relax," he waved him off as he headed home.
Natsu silently thanked Makarov for letting him in on the situation regarding mest. He can tell it will be exhausting, but it has to be done.
He is gonna have to pick up where Makarov left off during the seven years.
But that's a headache for another time. The sun sunk below the horizon.
When he finally made it home, the others were in bed. Going to his room, he saw Ultear and Wendy sleeping.
It was Ultear and Grandeeney's idea since she'll be frozen for seven years and might as well enjoy his limited time with his younger sister.
He got his pajamas on before slipping into bed and resting his arm protectively over the female slayer.
Both his wife and sister snuggled closer to him, wanting to enjoy his warmth.
A small smile formed before it turned to a frown, he hates having to put Wendy through this, but her healing magic is a must.
That reminded him if they can deal with Grimoire's heart sooner, it might be possible to spare Wendy the seven years.
"Hmm, maybe just maybe," he let out a yawn before falling asleep.
Three days later, Gray finally returned to register for another job. This time Juvia tagged along.
Before the two left the guildhall, Natsu noticed a slight smile on Gray's face as Juvia walked beside him.
When they returned another three days later, Makarov announced this year's selection for the S-class trials.
Standing center stage with the S-class mages behind him, Makarov cleared his throat.
"I will now announce the mages participating in this year's exams!"
Levy Mcharden
Gray fullbuster
Freed Justine
Cana Alberona
Mest Gryder
Juvia Lockser
Elfman Strauss.
And finally Jet
They all picked the same partners as the first, with Jet picking Droy as his partner to no one's surprise.
After chatting with Makarov about the trials, Natsu silently let out a sigh of relief. This time, all the challenges were the same as the old timeline.
This year the three S-class mages are Erza and Mirajane. Instead of Gildarts, Natsu took his place.
That leaves, as mentioned Gildarts and Ultear, to stay back at the guild. Ultear silently prayed Natsu isn't caught in the fairy sphere.
The day before the trials officially started, Natsu, Erza, and Mira headed off to find their places for the exams.
With plenty of time to kill, Natsu began his hunt for Azuma. First, of course, he filled Erza in.
Two hours later
The arc of tree mage found himself slammed against the stone rock that makes up the island's base.
Natsu sniffed him out before putting him in a chokehold with an emotionless look in his eyes.
Natsu's left hand is engulfed in curse flames holding it dangerously close to Azuma's face.
"I've never seen flames like these before," Azuma said through painful breaths. It's clear to him Natsu won't be letting up.
"Funny thing besides creating a world only for mages, Grimoire heart has been searching for the books of Zeref!"
Azuma couldn't look him in the eye and ask, "what does that matter to you?"
"Hmm, as my older brother Zeref Dragneel's strongest demon, I make it my business!"
Azuma's eye went wide at this revelation. If you had told him this a few days ago, he wouldn't believe it.
However, the curse flames inches away from him is undeniable proof Natsu speaks the truth.
Azuma managed to lock eyes with Natsu to see his demon eyes as fear crept into him.
Natsu loses his grip as his body starts to transform, Azuma's expression morphs into terror.
Natsu swung Azuma to his right hand before suddenly pulling his right, snapping his neck in the process.
Natsu carried, more like dragged Azuma's lifeless body to a hiding spot. He quickly dug up a decent-sized hole, carefully laying Azuma's body before covering it with the dirt.
"Sorry, it's not a proper burial Azuma, but it's the next best thing I can do!" Natsu chanted in his head.
"It's fine, Natsu, it's better than nothing, and I got to see the pinnacle of Zeref Dragneel Magic!" The voice of Azuma rang in his head.
Natsu silently thanks Osiris for allowing Azuma to give him his parting words.
Natsu glanced to the ocean to see a ship carrying the fairy tail. He quickly found his spot patiently waiting.
It wasn't long before he heard footsteps coming his way. He put his game face as he struggled to keep the anticipation in check.
His victims, of course, are Jet and Droy. Terror took over the two respective faces as Natsu sent them a grin they knew was fake.
His hand caught fire as he waited for them to make their move, trying as the two might Natsu overpower their magic.
But they didn't give in in the slightest. Every time Natsu knocked them down, they got right back up.
They conceded defeat two rounds later, knowing they couldn't beat Natsu. A smirk graced Natsu's face.
He gave them the same speech Gildarts gave him before stepping out of their way to continue onward.
With the first step of the exams done, Natsu can now focus on dealing with Zeref.
Didn't take long, thanks to his nose. He found him in the middle of a dead forest with a distant look in his eyes.
"Zeref," he called out, getting the man in question's attention.
A smile graced his face, "so you know who I am, that's good to know!"
Natsu took his seat a reasonable distance away from his brother. Zeref couldn't blame him.
He took his seat across from him, 30 feet away from Natsu.
"Are you here to kill me?"
"No!"
"That's unfortunate, but at least you know who I am, so what Dimaria said is the truth. a new timeline with new possibilities."
They would have continued but were interrupted by Elfman and Evergreen.
Like before, Zeref's curse got out of control, releasing a black cloud of death in all directions.
Suddenly the entire area erupted in blue flames. When the fire died down, not only was the death cloud gone.
No one was affected by death magic. Instead, all eyes landed on Natsu, especially Zeref.
"It's a gift from Osiris, the dragon god. flames so powerful they can burn magic itself!"
Zeref nodded in understanding. He silently thanked Osiris for giving his brother the power to stop him hopefully.
"Will talk later. Right now, my guild is in the middle of our S-class trials!" Zeref Complied, stepping out of the way for Elfman and evergreen.
an hour later
All of fairy tail is aware of the grimoire heart presents on their holy ground.
Thanks to Erza and Gray getting their memories back, they dealt with the dark Mages in record time.
Zeref now stood before Veronica's corpse as she tried and failed to bring him over to her side to make their visions reality.
Natsu caught up to mest using the spell Makarov gave him to restore his memories.
"Woah, what's going on?" Mest asked as he gripped his head in a vain attempt to keep the pain at bay.
"Gramps filled me in on you relating to the council. I just restored your memory to help us counter Grimiore's heart!" He whispered into his ear, "watch after Wendy and if things get dicey, get Wendy off this island!" Mest nodded in response.
Natsu hunted down grimoire heart god slayer, wondering how they will taste, now that he's immune to his flames.
It didn't take long for him to track him down, "Flame prince, I was wondering when you'd show your face," the crazed blonde shout with excitement in his voice.
Natsu is equally excited, wanting to test his flames against him now that their both god slayers.
Of course, Natsu toyed with him a few spells here over there, and Zancro eating any flames, sent his way.
Now it was his turn. He unleashed flame god bellows, sending straight toward Natsu, knowing he can't eat them.
Or so he thought when he heard the sound of slurping, seeing her precious black flames being consumed with ease.
"impossible a fire dragon slayer can't eat god flames!"
Wanting to show off, Natsu showed his godsend mark. See this mark it signifying me as the dragon God Osiris godsend. HELLFIRE DRAGON GOD ROAR!" flames far more power than zancrow could throw raced toward him.
He couldn't get out of the way before being engulfed in the combination of yellow, black flames.
Zancrow tried to eat them, but he couldn't "how I should be able to eat these," he said through flames.
"if you were a real god slayer, yes, but you weren't trained by one like me, FIRE DRAGON GOD IRON FIST!" Natsu slams his fist into Zancrow face sending him flying across the island.
Natsu raced after him, wanting to finish him off, but he saw his corpse with his brother standing overhead.
"don't you have a dark guild to stop," Zeref stated, walking past his younger brother?
"It's been century's, and you're still bossing me around before I died the first time Zeref."
"as your big brother, it's my job to Natsu."
"whatever," Natsu retorted before running off to help the others.
Within hours all of the grimoire heart mages were dealt with. their master Hades the second guild master of Fairy tail, is all that's left.
Panther lily and Happy plus Carla hunted down Hades' heart while the other fought off against Hades.
Unfortunately, Natsu wasn't with them as he was dealing with Bluenote and his gravity magic.
Moments after dealing the finishing blow with help from Cana, Natsu could feel the electricity in the air.
A giant lightning bolt struck the grimoire airship when Natsu finally caught up with the other hades is on his last leg.
"Look like it's my turn!" Natsu informed, stepping forward as the others got out of his way.
It only took a few spells to finish off Hades good. Natsu left him alive to hopefully reconsider his actions leading to this point.
Everyone called in a night after a long and exhausting day. In the early morning hours, Natsu met up with Erza Gray and Panther lily.
"Guess I'll see you all in seven years," he couldn't look them in the eye as he spoke those words.
With his peace spoken, he waited for a response, but he didn't get one. So instead, all he got was dead silence from them.
"All I can say is best of luck to you, Natsu!" Panther lily said, breaking the ice.
"What Panther lily said," Gray added.
"Not much I can add either, Natsu," Erza added.
Natsu brought the two of them into a hug. "I'm gonna miss you guys" tears were streaming down his cheeks as he spoke those words.
"We know, it may have been brief, but at least you got to spend time with The Gray and Me you grew up with," Erza said with tears of her own.
"What she said, flame brain!" Natsu tightened his hold in the two, only for them to return the favor.
"Let everyone know I'm heading back to make everything ok with the guild!"
"You should take Wendy with you! Our injuries are nothing to write home about, and it could make the seven years more bearable for you!" Erza said more like demanded.
"I have to agree."
"I thought about it. I have to agree with you" he turned to Wendy's tent.
A glance to the other to see them nod to him, a small smile took over Natsu's face as he stepped into her tent.
He carefully shakes her awake, only for Wendy to try and rub the sleep from her eyes.
"What is it, Niichan?"
I have to return to the guild to tell everyone what happens here. So I figured you'd want to come with me. Of course, that includes both Happy and Carla".
The two glances over to the two exceeds, sleeping peacefully right next to each other.
Natsu picked up happy, waking him up only to put him on his shoulder. Wendy followed up, putting Carla on her shoulder.
"What is the meaning of waking us up this early?" Carla asked.
"I'm heading back to the guild, chatting with Gray and Erza. They felt it's a good idea to bring her back with me," he said with a sincere smile.
"Fine"
The two quietly snuck out of camp, waving goodbye to Erza and Gray,
They didn't make it very far. Mest stood before them, curious where they were going this time in the morning.
"I'm heading back to the guild to let everyone know what is going on. I'm bringing Wendy back with me," he said with a sheepish grin.
Mest just shook his head in frustration, "I'll take her back then you."
"That would be good, but can you make it that far?"
"I can, but I can only do a round trip once a day" Wendy walked over with Carla on her shoulder with an expecting look in her eyes.
One moment the three stood before Natsu. The next, they were gone. Then, a few minutes later, Mest returned only to collapse to the ground using nearly all his magic.
"I take it. You'll need to take a few hours to recharge?"
"Yes," he said, looking away, unable to face him, fearing Natsu might see him as weak.
"That's fine. I have an errand to do anyway," Natsu said, walking right past Mest.
Natsu tracked down his brother hiding in the rocks on the shore near the grimoire heart airship with his nose's power.
"Is there anything you want to talk about, Natsu?" Zeref said, unable to face his younger brother.
"I just wanted to say thank you for dealing with a few members of grimoire heart, and" he couldn't find the words.
"You don't have to say anything, Natsu. I'm glad I was able to assist my little brother !" He said, taking a glance towards Natsu.
But it only lasted for moments before the dark power bound to him resurfaced with blinding fury.
Natsu is quick to jump back with his flames at the ready. Osiris fills him in on the ins and outs of Zeref's curse.
Unfortunately, that means He. Natsu Dragneel is the only person who can find and free the old Zeref, the true Zeref this world Damn to live his life ending the lives of those he cares about.
Another cloud of death erupted from Zeref, only for Natsu to counter with his flames.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance to Natsu. You can sense him, can't you!"
Natsu didn't speak for solid minutes before responding with a "yes, I will save you, brother" with those words, he bolted off to find a way to get off the island.
Natsu managed to find a simple rowboat on the shoreline, no doubt from Hades' subordinates, to get to the island.
And on his shoulder is his best friend, Happy, sporting a frown, knowing what will happen soon.
After half 20 minutes of paddling, Natsu is far enough away to get a full view of the island with a black spec off in the distance.
He looks in the opposite direction to see the council's boat fleeing the island.
"I'm sorry everyone for doing this," he shouts to himself as tears streamed down his cheeks.
He quickly dries his tears, conjuring his visual curse power, he knows it won't stop Acnologia, but it will buy his guild some time.
He could hear the sound of battle raging on the island before the black dragon flew high in the sky.
Natsu quickly requiped a recording lacrima wanting to film this as evidence. Then, using all his remaining strength, he glared at Acnologia as he charged his breath attack.
Thankfully it worked. The evidence to this was the moment of pause Acnologia did before cast his breath attack.
To his joy, he saw a fairy sphere activating moments before the breath attack could destroy the island.
"I hope we are doing the right thing, Natsu!" Happy stated.
"I hope so, buddy," he said as he continued to row back to Hargeon.
They managed to make it back to fairy tail by the end of the day. But, no surprise, Natsu is met with dead silence the moment he sets foot in Magnolia.
When he finally reached the guildhall, he saw the soldier working for the magic council standing by.
They exchanged nods before Natsu and Happy entered to see Lahar with mest standing before Gildarts, Ultear, Macao, and Wakaba.
Hearing movement, they all look to the sources to see Natsu.
Suddenly he was tackled by a blue blur. Looking to the source, Wendy was burying her face in his chest.
He could tell she was crying, going off the feeling of moisture on his undershirt.
"I was wondering if you made it off the island," Lahar informed as he adjusted his glasses.
"I decided to head back here early to let everyone know about grimoire heart. If that all, I would like you to leave, please."
"We just finished telling them all we know. We'll leave now" just before they left the guildhall, Natsu brought Mest to the corner just out of sight.
He cast the spell Makarov right at him before sending him on his way.
Natsu headed towards the bar only to go right past it to the guild library. Ultear met up with him halfway before entering the library.
They return with a white book with gold trimming and the fairy tail emblem a few minutes later.
"Everyone can I have your attention, please!" All eyes landed on The couple.
"What is it, Natsu?" Gildarts asked. They could feel the anger in his voice.
"The core members are still alive" silence was all he got in return.
He flips through the book only to stop. He follows this up by requiping the recording Lacrima.
"I started recording this when I saw Acnologia attack tenrou island. look carefully when he used his breath attack."
They comply with his request, getting odd looks from everyone, failing to see what Natsu is talking about.
He played it again, but slower this time, several guild members' eyes went wide, and they could see something blocking the attack at the last second.
"After watching it several times and looking through this book, a spell called fairy sphere was cast protecting them from Acnologia's attack!" Natsu couldn't find the words to continue.
"According to this, it's an ultimate defense spell. But, unfortunately, there is no way of knowing when they'll come back to us," Ultear finished.
The married couple gave everyone time to process what they just heard, only for all of them to let out a cheer knowing their friends are alive, destine to returned to them someday.
None more so than the resident crash mage knowing his daughter is still alive. All he has to do now is wait.
"So who's gonna be the guild master till they return?" Max stated.
"Macao!" Natsu proclaimed, backed up by his wife and Happy.
"Why me, if anyone should be the guild master, it's you Natsu since you're a wizard saint!"
"That's exactly why I say you should. No doubt the magic Council will send more jobs my way," he countered.
Macao knew Natsu's words were the truth. He shifted his gaze towards Gildarts.
"Do you really think that's a good idea, Macao?" Their ace counters with a smirk.
The color drains away from Macao's face before shifting to Ultear. "I'm not a maid, Macao!" She retorted.
"Fine, I'll be guild master till the others come back," he said in defeat.
Everyone cheers before going into party mode to celebrate the fourth guild master of fairy tail.
that is for now
sorry if the arc seems rush I didn't feel like reinventing the wheel
, so so little actually changed
question to the female readers what are your thought on Ultears Desire to be a mother in this fic
I asking because I am a male so have limited knowledge
let me know via PM or chapter review
as always make sure to fav follow and leave a chapter review