Chapter 24
Revelations
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Magic"
Flashback you
Location / Date / Time Skip
The eleven dark wizards stepped back in a mix of shock and fear at Ultear's revelation. "This skinny little guy is Zeref? Get real." Racer huffed.
"She's not lying." Salamander said back, shocking the blonde. "I saw her dragging him back to Hades on Tenrou Island. He's the real deal."
"I see you've done well for yourself these past seven years, minus a few scars." Zeref smiled, eyeing the scar over Natsu's face. "I wish I could say I'm here for pleasantries, but the timeline has changed." Holding out his hand, a black orb formed before he let it float out, slowly flying towards the group.
"EVERYONE, DOWN!" Ultear shouted before tackling Meredy and Jellal. The Oración Seis jumped to the side and the orb hit a tree, boring through it before continuing into nothingness.
"What kind of spell was that!?" Salamander shouted.
"You don't understand the grand designs at play." Zeref declared, walking forward. "But your destiny lies elsewhere. It's time you learn everything."
"He's not going anywhere with you." Angel declared, the rest of the Seis standing around the Fire Wizard.
"Please, just stand down." The Black Wizard requested. "I don't want to have to hurt people Natsu cares about."
"Too late!" Racer came up from behind and tried to kick Zeref, but the legendary wizard caught his foot and threw him into Jellal and Meredy. Ultear launched her orb at the legend, only for him to catch it and turn it black before dropping it. It crumbled to the ground and turned to ash as Imitatia charged him.
"You wish to die then?" He questioned as he dodged the sword swings.
"You can't kill what was never alive to begin with!" She declared before going for a stab.
Zeref stepped back and pushed her aside only to see an arrow flying towards his eye. It glowed before exploding into a mass of flames and smoke. Clearing his eyes, Zeref found himself in a black void, a red sun illuminating the world. "An illusion… You can't run from me."
Black energy exploded off him and shattered the world, letting him see the wizards picking themselves up. Ikaruga and Imitatia charged in, both aiming their blades at his neck. He blocked with his bare hands and the blades punctured his skin, spilling blood. The swordswomen stopped behind him and saw his wounds rapidly healing.
The ground under him started melting and Zeref sunk in before bluish creatures dived at him. They surrounded him and began trying to bite him, only for a simple hand swipe to wipe them all out. Walking through the softened dirt, he came up close to the Seis, who held a desperate defense.
Ikaruga swung her blade and launched fire at Zeref, only for him to walk clean through the blaze. "Stand down. I won't show any mercy if you continue to fight."
"We don't give up." Macbeth declared before unleashing a blast of Dark Rondo. The others joined the volley as everything from arrows to flames to energy blades flew at the Black Wizard. Zeref sighed and waved both hands, causing everything to circle around him and fly back.
The attacks hit and exploded, wiping out trees and anything else that couldn't move. The dust settled and the dark wizards groaned in pain on the ground. "Natsu… run!" Angel gasped out before Zeref stepped on her stomach.
"Now I see what I must do." Zeref declared, looking down at the fallen Fire Mage. "I must remove all distractions from you. Starting with this one." Holding up his hand, a black sphere appeared before he turned down. "I'm sorry."
"BACK OFF!" Natsu roared, fire raging around him. Pushing himself up, he tackled Zeref off and slammed him into a surviving tree. The Death Orb fell and Sorano rolled out of the way, letting just eat through the ground. "STAY!" He slammed his flaming right arm into Zeref's face, scales covering his arms.
"AWAY!" He punched him in the gut with the left arm and made Zeref gasp in pain. "FROM!" Another punch to the face cracked the tree behind him. "HER!" A final hit sent Zeref crashing through the tree, splinters flying everywhere. Natsu charged at Zeref and kneed him in the gut before slamming both fists down on his head.
A big kick hit Zeref in the face, who reached up and grabbed Natsu by the head. Reaching for the scar, Zeref pushed on it and Natsu screamed in pain. Not from the action, but because Zeref was pumping magic into it. Stumbling back, Natsu gripped his head in pain as a dark red energy leaked out of his hand. "What did you do to me!?"
"A small sample of what will be done." Zeref declared before walking over. Natsu pulled his head back and unleashed a roar, only for Zeref to once again to walk through the flames. "You've grown stronger, but still not strong enough." Zeref reached Natsu and chopped the back of his neck. "You must learn the truth."
"I didn't… hear him…" Natsu gasped before landing in Zeref's arm, out like a light.
"I cast a spell that negated your audio powers." The Black Wizard explained. "Now it's time for you to return to your true nature." A black void surrounded the two before they vanished.
"Where… did he go?" Macbeth groaned.
"My best guess… Tartaros." Ultear answered. "Zeref's bookshelf."
"I need… to go after him…" Sorano pushed herself up, only for Huntress to catch her.
"They must be halfway around the world by now." Sawyer pointed out. "I don't think I can catch them. Especially if I have to carry all of us."
"I can… get us there." Jellal pushed himself up, turninf to the group. "But I can't take everyone. Only two."
"I'll go." Sorano declared.
"As will I." Imitatia added. "Best to have someone immune to Zeref's death magic as back up."
"Agreed." Ultear nodded, holding up her orb. "And it looks like I found them. Just outside of Magnolia."
"Magnolia?" Macbeth repeated. "Isn't that-"
"The home of Fairy Tail, yes." Meredy nodded. "If I had to guess, they picked a fight with Tartaros. Or maybe the other way around."
"That hardly seems relevant right now." Ikaruga declared before turning to Sorano. "Get there and save him. You aren't the only one who cares deeply for him."
"Trust me, we have a lot to talk about." Sorano declared before turning to Jellal. "Take us there, now!" Jellal nodded before wrapping an arm around each girl. "What are you doing?"
"Do you have a better idea on how join me in this spell?" He asked back before turning to Ultear and Meredy. "Head over to Magnolia as fast as you can, we'll meet up there." The women nodded before Jellal glowed golden and the three took off, racing after the Black Wizard.
Outside Magnolia
Tartaros' Base Remains
Erik and Gray panted in exhaustion as they stared across from Mard Geer, master of Tartaros. After everything from killing Council Members, to using necromancy on Gray's father, both were ready to kill the demon and stop his plan for Face. Even Erik's dragon dad Doyaku and Acnologia appeared, trying to kill each other.
"Why won't you two humans just die!?" Mard Geer shouted, clutching the book of END to his chest.
"We don't listen to demons!" Gray snapped back, demonic ice flowing off his left side. "If anyone is gonna die here, it'll be you!"
"This is for all the people you and your guild killed!" Erik added, poison seeping off him. "This end now!"
"I couldn't agree more." All three froze at the new voice as the book in Mard Geer's grasp floated away. Zeref grasped the book as he threw Natsu to the ground. "Your work with Face has been admirable, Mard Geer, but wholly unnecessary. This boy is all you needed to unleash your master."
"Lord Zeref…" Mard Geer mumbled.
"Make yourself useful, distract those two while I complete the ritual." Zeref ordered, a magic circle appearing around Salamander.
"At once." In a flash of light, Mard Geer had transformed. His body became more muscular, and his skin darkened and gained the ragged pattern of his cloak. He gained a set of long, dark horns on his forehead, jagged teeth, and retains his ponytail. Mard Geer's fingers are replaced with claws and his ears became elongated and elf-like. A set of large, bat-like wings that are both light and dark in color popped out of his back. Feathers had also sprout from his wrists and collar.
His wings fluttered before palming Erik and Gray in the face, dragging them along the ground. "The hell? Why is Salamander here!?" Gray questioned.
"Fight now, questions later!" Erik replied, punching the demon in the face with poison.
Zeref slit his finger on the book, making the letters on the cover glow red. The book opened and the magic seal started glowing black. "And now, your destiny will be revealed to you." Dark red energy flowed up and crept into the scarred eye. Natsu opened his eye and screamed in pain as the wounded eye was forced open.
The eye turned solid black as the iris turned a deep crimson. Zeref smiled as his screams echoed through out the remains of the Cube. All who heard it froze in fear from the sheer pain that was transmitted. A pulse of magic rippled through the battle field, affecting certain people more than others.
"Natsu…" Kinana mumbled before rushing into the destroyed guildhall.
"And now, my ultimate demon shall be restored!" Zeref declared.
"What are you doing to him!?" The Black Wizard glanced over his shoulder to see Jellal, Imitatia and Sorano arriving, the male panting in exhaustion.
"Humanity has proven too sick to be left alone." Zeref explained. "After four hundred years of observation, I have come to that conclusion. I shall strip this entire world of life, and then my ultimate creation shall kill me. With my end, all of my demons shall be killed as well. Life will begin anew on the blood of this world."
"You're insane." Imitatia declared before charging at him, sword at the ready.
Zeref merely held out his hand and caught the blade. "I see now, you are not a true living being." He surmised, angering the golem. "Then I shall simply destroy you." With one twist, he shattered the blade. The shock wave blasted her back into a crumbling wall. Zeref pointed his hand forward and unleash an energy wave at her.
Looking up, Imitatia was barely able to roll out of the way, only losing her left hand and foot. In shock, she couldn't do anything as Jellal raced over, leaving Angel alone. "Cost Eighty Total. Zarathos, Barakiel, Gabriel, I summon thee!" The three angels appeared around her, charging at the Black Wizard.
"You use a cursed magic." Zeref shook his head. "Does my creation really mean that much to you?"
"More than you could ever know!" Sorano shouted, only to watch in horror as her angels were instantly shattered. Gasping in pain, she fell over and clutched her chest as Zeref walked over.
"Then your death will drive him further." Zeref declared, only for Kinana to stop in front of Sorano, unaware of the wings and tail coming out of her back.
"Leave my friends alone!" She declared, poison seeping off her hands.
Zeref sighed, holding up his hand as a black energy blade emerged. "Then both of you shall die. Just know that your deaths will lead to a much better future." Kinana braced herself for the blow, Angel still writhing in pain.
"ENOUGH GAMES, ZEREF!"
A deep voice bellowed from behind, stopping Zeref mid swing. All turned back to the trapped wizard as he burst into flames. The Black Wizard watched as a gigantic Dragon emerged from Natsu's body, the whose body is covered with dark, red scales. The lower body, specifically his stomach, the inner portions of his long tail, and legs, are beige in color. There were also has noticeable scars on his stomach and neck, with the largest one, which is X-shaped, located around the center of his body. His back has numerous black spikes, reaching down from the back to the end of his tail.
The beast had a triangular head with horns, a pair of large, round eyes with yellow sclera and a sharp horn pointing upwards just above his nose. The mouth also sports very sharp canine teeth, and has claws with long, sharp, red nails. The large bony wings resemble a bat's, with rippled tips. With one beat of the wings, the seal around Natsu shattered, letting him fall to the ground.
"Igneel…" Zeref declared, closing the book. "The betrayer has at last shown himself."
"I betrayed nothing. I protected this world from your creation." The dragon declared, smoke seeping from its mouth. "It was you who sealed me into that lacrima and left me to be forgotten. By pure chance, I ended up in his body."
"And you used the spell I prepared to escape. Impressive." The Black Wizard confessed. "But I will not avail you. My mind has been made up, humanity will perish. If not my my hand, then by Face, or Acnologia."
"You underestimate them, as always." Igneel said before taking to the sky. Flying around, he caught ablaze and slammed into a large pillar topped with a face. An explosion of fire rocked the land and blasted others apart, crumbling them to broken stone. A blue beam forced him to the side as a massive black shadow flew by. "So he does still live…"
Flying up, Igneel flapped his wings and stared down the Black Dragon. "So, you are done hiding after all this time, Fire Dragon King." Acnologia growled out.
"I was not hiding, cur." Igneel replied. "I was imprisoned. But now I shall end you for good."
"You are welcomed to try!" The Black Dragon growled before the two slammed heads. Claw meet claw as the two spiraled down the air. A blast of purple energy forced them apart as a heavy blow sent Acnologia flying back.
"Igneel!" The fire dragon looked down to see Doyaku flying over. The Poison Dragon was a green, snake like being with long horns that curved backwards. Fangs protruded from the mouth as the front webbed feet hung in the air. A long winding tail winded down as a darker crest flared out from the neck to the beginning of the hands. Membrane wings went down to the very tail, ending in a rattle.
"Doyaku. It is good to see you again, old friend." The Fire Dragon King told the Poison Dragon.
"Two against one, it makes no difference." Acnologia declared, opening his wings wide. "I shall kill you both myself."
"Are there any others to deal with this Face business?" Igneel questioned, fire rolling off his hand.
"Metalicanna and the others are silencing them now." Doyaku replied, his fangs dripping with poison. "We can focus on this."
"Then let us!" The Fire Dragon King flew forward and the serpentine dragon followed suit. Acnologia growled and met both head on, a claw for each one.
Looking up at the sky, Zeref smiled at the battle between the three beasts. A crater formed next to him as he looked to the side. Mard Geer had landed back first, back in his humanoid form as frost and poison covered him. Gray and Erik were panting in exhaustion as they raced over, looking worse for wear. "It seems I misjudged the location for your awakening."
Closing the book, he turned to Mard Geer who crawled as best he could to the Black Wizard. "I have no need for a failure such as yourself." A beam of black energy shot through his chest, turning him into a book. It flew over to his hand and Zeref burned it to ash.
"The hell is going on here!?" Gray demanded as he and Erik returned, battered and bruised.
"My spell was interrupted by a returning face…" Zeref declared, extinguishing his hand. Natsu finally started waking up as Angel and Kinana, who was once again human in form, held him tight. Pushing himself up, Salamander held his eye shut, a dark energy seeping out of it. The two girls hung off his neck as he glared at Zeref.
"I see now that you are not yet ready for this…" He declared before turning around. "I will return in one year with a force to end all of humanity. Will you be able to stop me then? We shall see." Zeref walked away book in hand, fading into a mist.
"What the hell just happened?" Erik asked in genuine shock.
"Zeref has made his intentions known." Jellal gasped out, finally recovering enough. "Salamander is key to his plans, whatever they are…"
"So we need to take him out." Gray declared, a black marking growing on his left side. "I'll do it." Forming an ice weapon, he walked forward, ready to kill Salamander.
"You can't kill him!" Kinana begged, unaware of the poison seeping off her hands. "I won't let you kill my friend!"
A sword was at his neck and he turned to find Imitatia barely standing. "He's a member of our guild." Jellal added. "Hurt him, and you will have all of Crime Sorciere to answer to."
"You let them join your guild?" Erik questioned.
"Who needs redemption more than criminals?" Jellal asked back. "This matter can wait. We need to stop Face."
"Taken care of." Erik chuckled, pointing up at his father.
"Uh, Fang Face…" Gray mumbled, looking up. Doyaku clamped his jaw on Acnologia before throwing the black dragon to the side. A cloud of poison shot out of his mouth, blinding the Black Dragon before he snapped to the side. Igneel charged forward and bared his fangs.
Acnologia roared in defiance and charged back, mouth open. The two dragons hit and Doyaku watched as Igneel managed to tear off one of Acnologia's arms. Igneel gasped in pain as the left side of his body was ripped apart, sending him crashing to the ground.
"NO!" Doyaku watched as Acnologia flew away, blood dripping from his wound.
Salamander started to race over to the fallen fire dragon, when Gray stepped into his path. "I won't kill you because it would make Kinana sad." He declared. "But if you even THINK of being the monster Zeref made you to be-" An ice sword appeared next to Salamander's neck. "No hesitation."
"And I thought I was heartless." Salamander mumbled, gripping the blade and melting the ice. He returned to his sprint as the other five followed him.
"You aren't going to follow them?" Erik asked.
"I have some… things I need to do first." Gray replied. "Besides, don't you want to get some answers from your old man?"
"Yeah… let's go." The Dragon Slayer replied before sprinting towards the landing dragon.
The five runners finally reached the large dragon, blood pouring out of the the wound. "So… even after my efforts, you still fell down a dark path." The dragon huffed, looking down at Natsu. "But… it seems you have found some light." He mumbled, looking at Angel and Kinana.
"So why did Zeref seal you away?" Natsu questioned.
"I was… once his friend…" Igneel replied, his body turning into light. "He asked me… to raise you… but I sensed darkness… and though the best course… for the world… So, I sent you to this time…"
"Does that mean Natsu is four hundred years old?" Jellal questioned.
"No, but he is Zeref's creation…" The dragon replied, turning his head to the sky. "You will need power to best Zeref and end his curse… Seek out Atlas Flame…"
"Atlas Flame?" Natsu repeated. "I thought he went back to his time after the whole gate thing."
"He spoke of building a place… for all who welcome…" Igneel replied. "It should be near…" His whole body turned into dust and faded away, leaving only a pool of blood.
"So, what now?" Imitatia questioned, holding onto Kinana for support.
"The answer is obvious." Natsu replied, flinching as he reach for his scarred eye. The black energy poured out before lowering his hand. "I'm sick of fuckers like Zeref trying to control what I do with my life. I'm going to use whatever power he gave me and kill him. Alone if I have too."
"You won't be alone." Sorano declared, holding his hand. "I'll be with you, I always will be."
"Me too." Kinana added taking the other hand. "I know I'm not much of a fighter, but I'll help however I can."
"And you'll have us as well." Jellal added. "You're part of our guild now. All of you are. And that means we see this through to the end."
"This could mean more blood on your hands, Jellal." Salamander pointed out.
"My hands are already stained red. More won't change that." He replied, taking Imitatia from the barmaid. "Now, I believe you have some business to attend with this one."
Sorano rolled her eyes before turning to Natsu. "Go ahead, Natsu. Add her to the harem." She huffed.
Before Kinana could question what both meant, Natsu turned and kissed her on the lips. She gasped before melting into it, a small glow covering her arm. The two left for air and she noticed the red dragon mark circling her forearm. "You belong with me, Kinana." He whispered, making her blush.
"I… I feel stronger…" She mumbled, unaware of the snake scales that grew onto her arms.
"Shouldn't we be heading for the others?" Sorano huffed, jealous of what was happening.
"Don't worry. I won't forget about you, ever." He replied, grabbing her waist and pulling her in.
"Jackass." She replied before the four walked away from the blood. "You do know that both Ikaruga and Huntress are interested in you, right?"
"Ever since my emotions returned to me." He said as Kinana quickly snapped out of her shock and raced after the four. "Wwhether or not I return them is up to you. You are in charge of this whole thing, remember?"
"I know…" Sorano huffed. "And as much as I would love to say 'screw you' to both of them, they deserve the chance to be in your harem. And I have to keep my word when they helped you when under Brain's control. So, we should give them the chance."
"Chance for what?" The five looked up to see the other members waiting for them. "And what the hell happened to you guys?" Racer questioned.
"Let's just say we've gotten a lot of information at once and need time to process it." Imitatia explained. "And we have a new member too."
Kinana nervously bowed as the group and stood back up as Meredy ran over. "So, tell us everything that happened." Ultear requested.
Hours Later
"Wow…" Macbeth mumbled as the group sat around the rubble and ruins. "That… is a lot to take in."
"I understand if you don't want to be a part of this." Natsu said, sitting between Sorano and Kinana. "This is my fight and mine alone. I'm not going to force you into something that might kill you. If you want to leave, go ahead."
"Like hell we're gonna leave, dude." Sawyer declared. "We've been through hell and back already. What's one more time?"
Richard and Macbeth nodded as Jellal stood up. "You're part of our guild now. And we don't abandon our own. Besides, Ultear would never let us do it."
"That reminds me…" The time mage said, turning to Ikaruga and Huntress. "Shall we see if they are worthy of your… harem, Natsu?"
Ikaruga didn't waste a second and pulled Natsu into a kiss, angering Angel and making Meredy blush. A glow on her side indicated that she compatible as she left for air. "Shall we see what my mark looks like?" She teased, reaching for her sash.
"Not here!" Ultear shouted, covering her 'daughters' eyes. "Let's just finished this test and get moving to this 'Atlas Flame'.
"I agree." Natsu said before standing up. "Huntress…" The red head turned and walked over. "Are you nervous?"
"A little…" She confessed. "But, if it works, I will happily be with you. It… it would be nice." Natsu cupped her chin and turned her face before he kissed Huntress.
A glow covered her leg as a dragon mark appeared around her leg. The two left for air as the others stood up. "So, shall we get going?" Jellal questioned.
"Hold on… I can hear something." Natsu mumbled, turning around.
The others followed his lead and prepared for a fight as footsteps grew louder. "I knew I sensed your power."
The group watched as a woman walked forward, two large gold-looking horns protruding from the sides of her head and pointing upwards. Upon her head is a white band which separates her hair, framing her bangs from her hair below the band. Worn upon her forehead is a small circular symbol with a small dot on the inside and surrounded by several dots around the top. Tied around her neck is a small white-colored strap.
Her clothing consists of a very revealing blue-colored leopard-printed kimono, bearing the decorative marks on her shoulders. The kimono is wrapped around her torso with a thick, decorative yellow ribbon that ties behind her back, and her outfit is complemented by thigh-high socks that reveal her heels and toes.
"Who… what is that?" Sawyer asked, dropping into a fighting stance.
"She's a member of Tartaros." Ultear declared, summoning her orb. The others prepared for a fight as well as the female demon… dropped to a knee.
"Lord E.N.D…" The woman revered, shocking the group. "I am Sayla, the last true survivor of the Tartaros guild. I pledge myself to you and your cause, whatever it may be."
"Hold on, what?" Meredy asked in surprise.
"The Tartaros guild was created as E.N.D's personal army against Zeref." Sayla explained. "We planned to use Face to release you and aide you in your battle, but Fairy Tail had proven more annoying that we anticipated. They destroyed our base, our lab, our plans, everything…
"But when I sensed your power, I rushed over to your side. And I picked up a few strays as well…" She stood up and waved her hand, letting another girl walk forward. "Take off your hood." The girl obey, revealing a mop of short white hair.
"Lisanna!" Kinana rushed over and hugged the girl. "We've been searching for ever since this fight started! Are you okay? What are you doing with her!?"
The Take-Over Mage ignored her and merely turned to Natsu. "Master…" Lisanna muttered before dropping to a knee, shocking and confusing the group.
"What happened to her?" Ultear questioned.
"We converted her into a demon loyal to you, Master." Sayla plainly stated, shocking the group as a pair of twin cat tails came out her cloak.
"Turn her back!" Kinana shouted, angry at her friend's fate.
"I… I cannot." Sayla confessed in shame. "Hell's Core was destroyed by her sister. For the rest of time, she will be a demon. As will this one." She motioned to the side and another girl stepped out. The black haired girl had two curled horns on her head, a black patch covering her right eye that continues to her left leg. She wears a long black cloak and bandages which cover most of her torso and a pair of underwear underneath.
On her arms she wears light colored arm bands and black gloves covering her hands and her guild mark is located on her left waist. She also wears knee guards and black high-top boots. "Her name is Minerva. She was brought in by Kyouka, and has since betrayed us. Why she is here, I do not know."
"I… I wish to come with you." Minerva requested, a tear in her eye. "I've done… so much wrong with my life. I've done horrible things, betrayed people who called me friend. You're guild is a place for redemption. I don't know if I'm worthy of it, but… But I need to try! Please."
The others shared a glance as Jellal stepped forward. "Crime Sorciere does not turn away anyone who seeks a second chance." He declared, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You're more than welcomed to join." He turned to the other two girls as Lisanna stood up. "All of you."
"I do not need your approval, human." Sayla stated, walking over to Natsu. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled into his chest, angering Sorano once again.
"Oh… this is going to be one LONG walk, isn't it?" Ultear complained.
3 Days Later
Sun Village
The independent guild stared at the entrance to the village, shocked by the size of the buildings around them. "The hell? Do monsters live here?" Racer questioned as the ground started shaking. The group looked up and stared as a pair of giants walked into view, staring down at them.
"Not monsters, giants." The male on the right declared.
"State your business, or turn around." The one on the left with a beard declared.
"Okay, this explains a lot." Natsu said, a crude eyepatch now on his face.
Footsteps came up from behind, a familiar red head coming up from behind a giant. "Cherry hair!" Flare called out before she raced over and hugged Natsu. "What are you doing at my home?"
"It's… a long story." He chuckled before turning to his guild. "But we need to talk to Atlas Flame. He supposed to be here, right?"
Flare stepped back and hugged her arm. "You're too late…" She mumbled. "A few months ago, he used the last of his energy to free our home from a curse of ice. He's gone."
"Crap. Now what?" Racer complained.
"Stay here." A giant declared, catching there attention. "You are a friend of Flare's. That means you are more than welcomed here any time."
"Well, we need a place to train for a full year." Macbeth declared. "This seems like as good a place as any."
"Why are you training for?" Flare questioned.
"War, Flare." Jellal answered. "We have to train for a war. If you don't want us here, we understand."
"No, stay!" She declared, hugging Natsu. "You helped me back in Raven Tail. This is nothing compared to that." A glow caught theor attention as Sorano sighed in annoyance.
"I think you have some explaining to do." The feather clad girl said, confusing Flare.
"Room for one more?" The group turned to see a fairly tall, curvaceous, dark-skinned woman with white lipstick walk forward. She had a brown eyes, curly eyelashes, and thin eyebrows; her long white hair flows freely in the back, but her bangs, however, are slicked upwards, save for one lock which dangles down in front of her forehead.
She is scantily clad, wearing a black, polka-dotted cloak (fastened with a brooch of sorts), under which she dons a blue bandeau with tassels. Around her waist, the woman wears nothing but a black loincloth, and up and down her legs are black bands that are crossed to form several X's. On her feet she wears simple black sandals, and she decorates her ears with silver heart-shaped earrings.
"Who the heck are you?" Ikaruga asked.
"Don't tell me you forgot about me, Salamander?" The girl chuckled.
Natsu blinked before a light hit the earrings. "Briar!?"
"The same girl from our ship?" Ultear questioned. "What have you been doing all this time?"
"Following Zeref's order since he spared me from that massacre after Tenrou." Briar answered, walking forward. "Researching E.N.D. and finding out everything I could. There's no one better to help you control this power."
"I disagree, human." Sayla said, stepping in between her and Salamander. "No one shall teach my master how to use his power aside from me."
"Looks like Tartaros has fallen." Briar chuckled, angering the horned girl. "Then I suppose you know about the Dark Guild planning to fill the vacuum in the absence of the Balam Alliance?" The guild stared in shock at the statement as Briar chuckled. "I thought so. Fortunately, I happen to be a member of it, and am more than willing to aid you."
Before Sayla could say anything, Natsu stepped forward. "Deal. So, tell us everything about this new guild."
"For starters, its name is Avatar." Briar declared in confidence. "And if we are going to stop this plan of theirs, we need to start training."
Well, I kept my word. Managed to get this out before the end of the year.
Damn, a lot happened here. Zeref showing up, awaking E.N.D., and just absolute carnage in the the fight. And then my long awaited plans for Igneel has finally been revealed. I always planned for him to make an appearance here, but I went back and forth on whether or not I should still gut him. Honestly, I legit just flipped a coin at the end.
Now, I have not decided if I should actually show some of the training for Crime Sorciere or just jump into the next arc. So, I'll listen to you guys. Tell me what you want, and what you though of this chapter.
Hoped you all had a nice Thanksgiving. See you all next time, whenever that may be.
Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel