Chapter 22

Dealing With Devils


"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback you

Location / Date / Time Skip


Three Months Later

Kinana held the bars tight as her purple magic covered the bar. Her arms glowed in the same color before she fell over in exhaustion. "I can't... do anymore." Angel patted her hair before walking over to the cell wall. She gripped the metal and pulled with all her might. The corroded metal budged before the bars snapped.

"You did it!"

Angel wanted to kill this girl for her joyous scream. Footsteps began echoing through the base as they grew closer to the prison room. She jammed the busted metal door at an angle that it dug into the floor and a door. "Let's get out of here!" She grabbed the girl's arm and the two started running as people began banging against the barred door.


Domus Flau

Laxus stared as he watched another copy of himself get battered around by a copy of Alexei. "What is the meaning of this?" The blonde asked.

"It's a type of illusion magic." The armored man replied. "The people surrounding us cannot see us having this conversation, nor can they hear us. All they see is this illusion of us fighting."

"You're not making any sense here." Laxus snapped back. "What good's it gonna do to win an illusionary battle?"

"Believe me, I would love nothing more than to crush you myself." Alexei replied. "But my orders are clear. The outcome of this match all depends on these negotiations."

"Bullshit." Laxus replied, dropping his cloak. "It doesn't matter what the illusions show. If I kick your ass in real life, it's just as over."

"That won't be possible." The second-gen Dragon Slayer watch as sand whipped up behind the armored wizard as Flare, Nulpudding, Obra and Kurohibe appeared. "No matter how powerful you are, you'll never defeat all of Raven Tail at once."

"And one more thing..." The blonde turned around to see his father walking up from the side. "I think you know powerful I am, don't you my son?"

"Yeah, I figured this would happen." Laxus said as he glared at his father.

"Makarov will die without ever telling me, but you're different." His father said. "Tell me where the Lumen Histoire is!"

"Even if I knew what you were talking about, I wouldn't tell you." Laxus replied.

"Come now, you think you can take out a victory from the depths of despair that is your present situation?" Ivan Dreyer teased. "If you cannot comprehend your circumstances, your defeat will not only be illusionary."

"...You're always making yourself the biggest pain in the ass as possible, huh?" Laxus asked as lightning arched off his body. "Come at me, all of you at once. Anyone who threatens the master has to deal with me."

"It seems like it's time for a fatherly lesson." Ivan chuckled. "The lesson: just how powerful a guild solely to created to battle Fairy Tail can be. I recruited members of my guild based on the weaknesses of Fairy Tail's members. And the five you see are the elite Wizards. We've studied your every weakness for seven years, you have no hope of defeating us."

"Yeah, the old man had you sussed out a long time ago." Laxus declared, shocking the unmasked people. "Your numbers, guild location, operating expenses, everything you've been doing for the past seven years. He knows everything, but he never made a move. In the corner of his heart, the old man still trusts his son."

"SHUT UP!" Ivan shouted before a swarm of paper dolls flew forward and blasted his son. "I have lived in the shadows for years, all preparing for this moment! It was all so I could get my hands on the Lumen Histoire! Why would the trash left behind know where it is! I searched the guildhall, all of Magnolia, even Tenrou Island! And I never found it! Where is it!? Tell me!"

The dolls gathered together and formed a massive orb before it flew forward and crashed into the son, which slid him back from the impact. "Obra, eliminate his magic now! Show him the power of the guild created to fight Fairy Tail!"

The blue skinned creature raised its hands to the sky, only for Laxus to close in instantly. "This is for Wendy and Carla!" He speared the man in half and knocked him our instantly. Flare and Nulpudding charged in from behind, each casting a spell. "This is for Gray." He declared before backhanding the imp away.

Flare managed to wrap her hair around the arm, only to anger the blonde even more. "This is for Lucy." Laxus opened his mouth and blasted the red head with lightning, knocking her out. Sand whipped up from behind, only for Kurohebi to get blasted as well.

"It-it can't be..." Ivan mumbled in shock. "My elite squad..."

"I don't know what you're after and I don't care. But I am gonna get payback for you hurting my friends!" Laxus declared, making his father step back.

In anger, he turned to the armored man, who had remained still through out all of the action. "Do something, Alexei!" The armored merely raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The entire illusion shattered like glass, letting the entire arena see the scheme. "What is wrong with you!?"

"Just what is going on here!?" The announcer asked in confusion. "It seems the the fight were watching was nothing more than an illusion!? And it seems like Raven Tail was trying cheat their way to victory!"

"Alexei, you idiot!" Ivan shouted, holding up his arm as the palm glowed.

The armored man gripped his shoulder and dropped fo his knee, just as Laxus launched a bolt of lightning at him. The bolt the man in the face and the mask shattered to pieces before helmet crumbled away, letting a mop of pink hair flow free. The entire crowd gasped in shock as Salamander's face came into view.

"Him again!?" Erza asked, gripping the railing as hard as her injuries allowed.

"This is all making sense now..." Erik mumbled, confusing the others with him. "The flames that destroyed Flare's hair, how the guards who kidnapped Wendy were blasted back... Salamander was sabotaging them from within."

"And now Ivan has a wanted criminal in his guild!?" The announcer asked. "I cannot believe that Ivan doesn't know about Salamander's criminal past. He brought Salamander in for one reason: to ensure victory in the games!"

"You dare betray me!? Do you forget what I have on you!?" Ivan shouted as he clenched his hand shut. A wall of paper dolls rose up and blocked the gates, trapping the guards outside. "Now, you either kill him and get me out of here, or I give the order."

Salamander grasped his right arm in pain before he glared at Laxus. "Nothing personal, blondie." He declared before charging, igniting his fist. "But I can't afford to lose!" Natsu swung his arms and forced Laxus to dodge before delivering kick to the gut.

Laxus slid back and glared at the armored man before charging forward, lightning rolling off him. "Neither can I!" Laxus slammed his fist forward as Salamander did the same, the two elements flying around. They traded fists and Salamanders armor cracked even more before he slammed his knee into Laxus' gut.

The blonde grabbed the arm and slammed his elbow int Natsu's face before throwing him back. "Lightning Dragon Roar!" An solid beam of electricity shot out and Salamander moved his arm to block. An explosion erupted from the hit and filled arena with dust. Laxus turned to his father, only to get hit in the back of the head.

"I'm not done yet." Salamander declared, smoke escaping from his arms. "Fire Dragon Grip Strike!" A stream of molten fire blasted Laxus, sending him tumbling back. "I have too much at stake to go down." The armor on the arms finally gave way as Laxus pushed himself.

Bit by bit, the armor crumbled to the ground and melted. There Laxus saw two things: first was the red scales that covered the arms, and a paper doll embedded into the left arm. "He's being controlled!?" Laxus asked in shock, earning him a knee to the face.

"Pay attention in battle, ya idiot." Salamander teased before slamming both fists into the back of the head.

"So should you!" Laxus declared as he grabbed the fists and slammed Natsu to the ground. He swung the armored teen to the head and hit the ground again and again, completely destroying the leg armor before tossing him to the side.

"Fight, Salamander!" Ivan shouted.

"Will you shut up!?" Laxus growled from behind before pulling his fist back, unleashing a cluster of lightning at his father. The older Dreyer flew into the wall, knocking him out. "And as for you!" He turned to Natsu as he started to stand up and pulled his fist back, lightning shooting off his hand. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Splintering Heavens - Roaring Thunder!"

He punched Salamander in the chest and an explosion of electricity blasted the amor apart. He slid back and crashed into the wall before falling to the ground. Natsu stumbled forward and tried to fight back, only to fall over in defeat and the wall of dolls burned up, finally letting the guards into the arena.

They picked up the members and dragged them out of the arena and into the bowels of the colosseum. Natsu opened his eye just in time to see himself get thrown into a cell.

"You failed me..." Natsu pushed himself up and turned to the side to see Ivan glaring at him. "And now, now your girls are going to pay. I gave my guild the order to do whatever they wanted to them should they get word of my capture... you will never see them again..."

The one-eyed man glared at the bearded master before throwing a fist, knocking him out. "Guards! Get the captain here!" He shouted. The two outside the cell shared a glance before one left.

Minutes later, the spear holder returned with Lahar at his side. "You wanted to see me, Salamander?" The captain asked.

"I wanna make a deal." Natsu replied, catching the man's interest. "I lead you and your goon squad to the Raven Tail base, and all of their book keeping for the last seven years to put Ivan away."

"This is a very magnanimous offer..." Lahar replied. "And in return, I assume you want a lighter sentence?"

"Actually, I want you to add the redheads years to mine." His words shocked the guards and Flare herself. "Come on, dude. Past record vs first offender, not to mention she was forced into this and beaten when she wouldn't comply?"

"...I must say, most people try to get less time in jail, not more." Lahar chuckled. "Very well, we accept your terms."

The door to his cell opened and the two guards picked him up, dragging him upwards before the three walked away. "Why are you doing this, cherry head?" Flare asked, pushing against the cell bars.

The guards stopped as Natsu glanced to her. "You wouldn't last one day in my world." He declared before they continued to walk along. Her own cell door opened and she walked out, staring as the pinkette left her view.


Tornado Plains

"This is the place." Natsu declared in chains as the winds blew around him. "Now let's go in there."

"You seem to be forgetting your position, Salamander." Lahar declared. "We need to do this smart, and that means waiting for this storm to pass."

"Did you not hear me mention that they keep girls hostage here?" Salamander asked back. "If they get word that their boss has been captured, they won't hesitate to start killing them." An explosion erupted from the building as blue fire shot out of the hole. "Damn it, we need to go now!"

He sprinted towards the base only for the chains to go taunt under a boot. "You do not order us." Lahar replied. "Men, prepare to march." The army started stomping forward as the storms finally died. They burst open the door and started blasting the Dark Mages with their magic. "Don't let any get away! Salamander, where is the-"

He turned only to see the pinkette running down a hall. "Damn it all." He growled before turning to Doranbolt. "Get after him."

"Right." The scared man nodded before teleporting in front of the prisoner. "You aren't going anywhere."

"Move!" Salamander shoulder tackled the man into the wall and kept running. He suddenly tripped and saw Doranbolt holding his chains. "You wanna save these girls or not?" Doranbolt gasped and let go of the chain before the two started running down the hall. "This way!" They rounded a corner and found a barred down. "They're in there!"

Doranbolt vanished and seconds later the door opened. "It looks like it was barred." He said as the pinkette pushed past him.

Natsu glanced his eye around the room and saw the broken metal. "They got out..." He said with soft smile. His ears suddenly twitched and raced forward.

"Would you stop running!?" Doranbolt complained as he sprinted after the prisoner. He came to a stop when he saw Salamander in a room, hugging two girls: a familiar criminal with long white hair and another with short purple hair.

"I came back..." He declared as the girls hugged him tighter as they did the same. "It's all right."

"Okay, we found your girls. Now let's find the others." Doranbolt demanded, grabbing Natsu's chain.

"There are no others." Salamander declared. "Ivan was holding these two hostage so I would fight for him."

"You... you used us!?" Doranbolt growled in anger.

"Of all the things I've done in my life, this is what angers you the most?" Natsu chuckled as he helped the girls up. "Just find what you want and get out. All I needed to save is here with me now." Doranbolt gripped the chain and lead the three back to the main force.

"Where are the others Ivan was keeping?" Lahar asked.

"Seems Salamander was lying to us." Doranbalt said. "These were the only two who being kept."

Lahar pushed up his glasses before he motioned forward. Guards came and separated Angel and Salamander from Kinana, cuffing the two criminals as they lead them into a wagon. "We'll get you back to your guild safely. Just come with-"

"What are you going to do with them?" The bartender asked, cutting him off.

Lahar was taken aback by the question before quickly recomposing herself. "They'll go to the Council's prison, and stay there for the foreseeable future. You'll be welcomed to visit them after this. But I'm sure your friends in Fairy Tail are waiting for you."


Three Days Later

Council Jail

Doranbolt and a frog person walked down the hall, a serious look on the human's face. "You've told no one about this, right?" He asked the amphibian.

"N-No. Of course not." The creature replied. "The prisoner you're looking for is this way, but we don't have the authorization to be here."

"This is a dire situation." The scarred man said back. "We don't have the time to go through all the red tape. I'll take full responsibility." He turned and punched the guard in the stomach, knocking him out. He walked down the hall and reached the cell, making Natsu lift his head up. "100977."

"So it is you…" He chuckled. "I thought I could hear you coming my way."

"We need your help." Doranbalt began. "Dragons have appeared in the nations capital. The people there need your help. In exhange for your services, you will-"

"I'll pass." Salamander cut him off, shocking the councilman. "It sounds like too much of a hassle."

"Did you not hear me!?" The council worker shouted. "Dragons are destroying everything, killing hundreds of people! We're offering you a chance to reduce your sentence! Why the hell would you say no?"

"My whole life, I've only ever done what someone else has told me." Salamander said. "Well, no more. If I'm doing anything for you or your four-eyed friend or those blowhards on the council, it'll be on my terms."

Doranbolt clinched his fist and ground his teeth in anger before letting out a sigh. Salamander had him in the palm of his hand, and he knew it. "What do you want?"

A smirk on his face, Natsu raised his head and looked up for the first time. "I'm not going alone."


Mercusius City Limits

Doranbolt panted in exhaustion as he glanced over to Lahar. "If this is the price to be paid, then so be it." The Captain sighed as he turned to Salamander. "Dragons are attacking the city."

"No shit, what gave it away?" Natsu chuckled. "I heard it all."

"This should be an interesting hunt." Huntress said, gripping her spear.

"I suppose I could use the practice." Angel joked as she stretched her arms.

"Your power, Salamander." Doranbot spoke up. "Will you help us?"

"God, that idiot can't stop screaming." The one-eyed man chuckled before looking over his shoulder. "And we can destroy anything in our way?" Natsu asked, earning a nod from Lahar that made him smile. "Let's rock this joint." He chuckled before the trio ran into the city, magic rolling off them.


Mercusius

A stone like dragon marched forward, laughing as Blue Pegasus attacked it. "That guy on Motherglare seems pretty worked up about something." It chuckled before a blonde woman suddenly tried seducing him. "Scram, you filthy human!" A troll of a man tried hit him with a smell based attack, earning another laugh. "That might work on me if I actually HAD a nose, you idiot!"

The man fell over and curled up ready to die. "You humans are as foolish as ever. It's good to know some things never change." The creature raised its foot and prepared to stomp them to death when an arrow punctured the beast's left eye before it suddenly exploded. "What the hell was that!?"

"No matter the creature, the eyes are always vulnerable." With one eye, it turned to see Huntress notching another arrow in her bow.

"Good idea." A bright yellow glow suddenly filled the sky before a demonic looking white creature flew forward, blasting blue fire into its right eye and leaving it blind for a moment.

"WHO ARE YOU INSECTS!?" The beast shouted in anger before a blast of fire hit it in the back of the neck.

"I can hear it." Salamander declared as he pulled his burning arm back. "All those screams of confusion and despair. What a sweet melody."

Ren stared in shock as Angel came out of an alley. "Aren't those three-?"

"Oración." Ichiya nodded. "Or they used to be. But right now, they're assets."

"Why are they helping us?" Hibiki asked. "They should be in jail after all the hell they've raised."

"Yeah, what's with the attitude change?" The blonde woman asked. "Oh, I see… You saw my twin tigers and wanted a chance to tame them? Keep playing nice and maybe you'll get a cuddle or two."

"Why the hell would I ever want someone's sloppy seconds?" Natsu growled back. "Shut up already, top heavy!"

"Get off of me!" The dragon shouted, shaking around. Huntress jumped onto another building and fired two arrows midair, hitting both eyes.

"You can leave this hunt to us." The red head declared as she landed. "There's some kind of commotion going on in the center. Might as well make yourself useful there."

The guild left as Natsu jumped off and the dragon roared. "Goddamn, that's like nails on a chalkboard. I can do without that in my ears. Time to shut off the source!" Igniting his hands, Salamander charged again before ducking under the club like tail. Sliding around the back, he swung his arms and the flames cut through the ankles.

The creature cried out in pain before a stream of blue fire hit the creature in the face. "This is nothing but an annoyance!" The dragon growled before another blow hit his left wing, making it bend in.

"I'm gonna need you to keep that ugly mouth shut!" Natsu declared. "You sound worse than a pack of dying Vulcans, and I should know about that. See, the three of us are in a fantastic mood since we're out of prison. And I'm not going to let some lame excuse for a boulder ruin it."

"Petulant insect!" The tail rose up and tried to swat him, only for Angel's Zarathos to grab it and pull back.

"Better luck next time! Fire Dragon Grip Strike!" Natsu slammed his burning palm on the creature's head, making fire erupt from all over. "I'm feeling kind of hungry. Huntress!" Natsu looked up and smirked as a flaming arrow flew at him. Opening mouth, he bit down and swallowed the flames like spaghetti. "Don't bother with that next shot. You're gonna miss."

"What do you mean 'miss'?" Huntress asked as she notched another arrow. "I have a clear line of fire right now."

"Trust me." He chuckled. "Someone should show up in three, two-"

"Yo, Salamander!" Erik shouted, kicking the rock dragon in the face with his magic. "Get over to Laxus! He's fighting a fire dragon and could use a hand!"

"A fire dragon, huh?" The one eyed man chuckled. "Fine. Sorano, I'll need a ride. Afterward, you and Huntress deal with these little things."

"Got it." His love nodded as she raised her hand to the sky. "Come forth and deliver your order, my divine messenger!" A giant feathered orb with teeth shot out of her palm. Salamander jumped into the air and the messager flew under him, carrying him towards the burning beast.

"Yo, blondie! Hit the bricks!" He shouted, catching the group's attention. "This one is all mine! Go play with the Nereid at the palace!" The messenger crashed into the beasts head, letting Natsu jump off. The 'angel' faded into a puff of smoke as Natsu punched the beast.

"There's only room for one fire dragon around here! And that's me!" He opened his mouth and started sucking in the flames, angering the beast.

"You think a mere human eat my fire!?" The beast asked in anger, slamming into buildings nearby. "Brat, you're making me angry! Get off of me, now!" A sudden jolt of fear filled his body as he stopped writhing. 'It… it can't be… he disappeared years ago… Still, there's no mistaking it…'

"Igneel! Is that you?" The dragon asked, confusing Salamander.

"Who the hell is Igneel?" He asked, flames still going into his mouth.

"Igneel is the king of the Fire Dragons, and a dear friend." The dragon explained. "He disappeared hundreds of years ago, but I never gave up hope. Seems he raised a fine heir."

"Nobody raised me." Natsu said back, igniting his hand. "I have a dragon lacrima inside that gives me this power. Your king had nothing to do with it."

"Then it all makes sense now." The beast declared. "The lacrima inside of you IS Igneel. And only one wizard in history had the power to turn dragons into lacrima: Zeref."

"Wait, does that make me a king?" Salamander asked, a smirk crossing his face. "Then my first order: fly me up to that guy and help me kick his ass! For Igneel!"

"For Igneel!" The beast repeated before flying into the air.

Natsu's ears twitch as he listened to the douche in charge ramble and monologue. "HEY ASSHOLE!" He shouted, catching his attention. "Down here! Your new opponent is coming for you!"

The fire dragon slammed into the other dragon and their heads clashed, creating a massive shockwave. "How can this be? Atlas Flame, you betrayed me!?" The time traveler asked.

"I merely listened to my heart." The now named dragon declared. "This boy has the soul of Igneel, my dear friend in him. That makes him my ally."

"Let's do this, geezer." Salamander declared.

"But you should be under my control!" The time traveler shouted. "What have you done to my spell, interloper!?"

"You magic that clouded my mind is gone." Atlas Flame replied before biting down on the armored dragon's neck. Twisting its body, he dragged the other dragon through the sky before it started charging a roar attack. The blast hit and tore through Atlas Flame, only for his body to quickly reform.

Behind the fight, the attack hit a mountain and detonated, leaving a massive crater. "My body is pure flame! That attack can't hurt me!"

"And no mere flame could ever burn my adamantine body." The armored dragon snapped back.

"You've never felt my hellfire, have you, Motherglare!?" Atlas Flame snapped back. "It burns as intensely as flames from the pits of hell. And this man has consumed my power!"

Salamander jumped off and his body burst into the hellflames as he pulled his arm back. "Suck it, jackass!" He slammed his fist down and punched the dragon, making it cry out in pain as it buckled in the sky. The time traveler growled in anger before he charged. A spiral of shadows gathered in his palm before he thrusted it forward.

Natsu moved to the side and the beam missed him, only to find the back of the dragon empty of life. "You got a few tricks up your sleeves, too?" He chuckled as his ears twitched. A shadow charged in from behind and he turned to punch the scales, only for the attack to miss. The scarred man zoomed past him and sliced his gut, making him buckle. "Okay, not bad…"

"Just because you can hear my attacks coming doesn't mean your fast enough to catch them." The man declared as his body started glowing in a white aura. "Fire might be fast, but it's no match for pure light!" A beam of light shot out of his palm and blasted Natsu in the shoulder.

He clutched the wound and burned it shut before charging again. He threw a punch that hit only mist as the man appeared behind him. Natsu turned and tried to kick it, only for the shadow clone to wrap around his leg. "The hell?"

"And it seems you're not as smart as your think either." The man chuckled from behind. Holding out his hands, he channeled light and darkness into his fingers before they expanded into lines. Atlas Flame roared as Motherglare tackled him, the two humans locked in place on his back by shadows.

"White Shadow Dragon Rough Silk!" The lines cut into Salamander and cut him everywhere before the man tapped his foot. Motherglare swing his tail and swatted Atlas Flame aside. He then twisted his body and Rogue killed the shadows, letting Natsu fall into the city.


Salamanders body screamed in pain as he fell to the ground. Bloody cuts covered his body before he finally hit the ground. Wracked in all kinds of pain, he set his body on fire and cauterized them all as best he could. "Damn, he packs a punch." Natsu said, wiping the blood from his mouth.

His ears twitched and he unleashed a sound wave that cleared the dust from the air. Looking around, he saw some familiar faces. "Oh, Titania!" Salamander chuckled as he dusted himself off. "Haven't seen you in a while." An overwhelming sound of hated and rage filled his ears as he turned to the strange cat girl from the Tower. "...Am I interrupting something?"

Listening to the sound from the catgirl, he quickly put it together and a chuckle left his throat. "Jellal, are you taking credit for my kill?" Natsu teased, shocking the cat girl as he walked towards her. "I'm the one who broke his neck, so if you wanna try to kill anyone, it's gonna be me." He came to a stop and stared into her eyes, smoke rising off his body. "You really wanna take that chance?"

She flinched in fear and backed away, scared for her life. "Thought so." He turned around and stared at the two behind him. "Now in case you haven't noticed, there's a goddamn war going on. So save this little spat for after we survive this shitstorm, or I will personally kill you myself. Got it?"

Wasting no time waiting for an answer, he walked away past a crumbling building. "You didn't have to do that, you know." He turned to see Ultear standing against a destroyed wall. "I would have told them everything about that tower."

"That would have changed what I did." He replied. "So tell me, what have you been doing for these past seven years? Use anymore people for your dirty schemes?"

"I know you know I don't do that anymore." She replied. "Now I'm trying to make things right with myself. But… just now I thought of killing an innocent man to end all this."

"Then why didn't you?" He asked.

"Because…" She let out a sigh as the two walked along the battlefield. "Because that means I'm still the same wicked woman I've always been. It proves that I can't change…"

"Bullshit." He replied, catching her off guard. "People can totally change." Salamander walked past her and tapped her shoulder, both unaware of the subtle glow that quickly died. "Look at me: I started off as a slave, and now I'm fighting dragons for the future of the kingdom. Your past doesn't define who you are, Ultear." Salamander said, flames coming from his feet. "It's just the starting point of who you're going to be."

He took off and flew into the sky, leaving Ultear alone with her thoughts. A smirk crossed her face and she laughed a bit as the battle raged on. "That's the second time he's given me advice." She fell to her knees as explosions went off around her. "I know what I must do." She declared as she spread her arms along the ground. "I will give my life for the people here. Last Ages!"


Blinking past an illusion of him getting gutted by a claw, Natsu flew into Rogue at the same time Atlas Flame headbutted Motherglare. The shockwave from the hit shattered windows as the two humans slid over the scales. A chunk of building forced Rogue to dodge as Natsu raced forward. "Eat this, ya bastard!" He shouted before kicking the time traveler back.

"Why do you fight for this world?" He asked. "It has been nothing but cruel to you! Join me, and I will make you my general in this new world. Destroying Acnologia is the only way to-"

"I don't give two shits about your reasons!" Salamander shouted, igniting his hands in red and black flames. "No one is controlling my future but me. So take your high and mighty attutude and shove it up your ass!"

"Ignorant swine." Rogue growled as he sank into shadows and started snaking around.

"I can hear it…" Natsu's ears twitched and he rolled to the side, letting a slash miss him. "Not gonna surprise me this time, ugly."

"Then I will simply wipe you out directly!" Rogue reformed and unleashed a gattling of light and shadows.

Salamander moved and dodged around, avoiding every hit before Atlas Flame grabbed him and wrapped him in flames. Natsu jumped and threw himself onto the time traveler, knocking them both off the dragon. Rogue screamed as the two rocketed towards rhe ground, unknowingly heading towards the Eclipse Gate.

He heard people panicking and running before the two crashed into the object. Swathed in smoke, Natsu stood up as Motherglare crashed to the ground over the rubble. To his surprise, both the dragon and Rogue started glowing in a golden light. "The hell?"

"We're returning to our own time." Atlas Flame explained from the sky, his own body starting to glow. "I shall never forget you, Natsu Dragneel." He and the two dragons nearby turned into powder, fading from his time.

"Thanks, old man." Salamander replied, kneeling down at Rogue's head. "So, looks like your little plan failed. How does it feel?"

"The shadows…" The time traveler said, catching Natsu off guard as he started glowing himself. "The shadows will continue to follow me. I will never escape its reach, and then on that fateful day where-"

"Just shut up." Salamander demanded. "I couldn't give two shits about how you ended up like this. All you need to do is fade away." He watched as the man faded from the time line. "Good."

"Why are you here?" He turned to see the blonde that beat Angel, a girl with hair like Angel's, two cats and a girl with green hair in white clothing.

"You had dragons to kill, so they called me." He replied, stepping out of the fresh crater. "I suggest you all move." A chunk of rubble broke off and forced the two girls to run. The girl in white, whom some knight called 'princess', stepped forward against his wishes.

"You just saved… the entire timeline. The world even." She mumbled. "You deserve something to show our-"

"I don't need your charity, or your pardon." He declared, pushing past her. The knight drew his sword and stepped forward, forcing Natsu to catch the blade. "Fine way to treat the hero." Salamander chuckled.

"Let him go, Arcadios." The Princess ordered, forcing the knight to step back.

"See ya." He bumped into the knight before turning, looking back at the platinum haired girl. "You've got a guardian angel, even if you don't know it." His words confused her as he left, heading straight into the city. Walking through the city past any guild, he soon reached Angel and Huntress. "You two ready?"

"Are we seriously doing this?" Angel asked in annoyance.

"You prefer to be on the run and hungry?" Huntress asked back as they walked forward.

"I'd prefer not to be in jail." Sorano replied as the three reached the army of Council workers.

They held out their arms and three magic surprising cuffs were slapped onto their wrists. "These little trinkets are nice, but you don't make us wear them, ya know?" Salamander chuckled.

"Sentiment is nice, but we must follow protocol." Lahar replied.

"We know, 'lock up the dangerous criminals'." Angel mockingly said.

"Especially the Dragon Slayer who can't live up to his title." Salamander added.

"Your pride took a hit so came slithering back to us." Doranbolt mocked.

"Fresh air was nice." Salamander chuckled. "And taking in all those voices was nice. Cubelious, I heard you out there too." Angel smiled as Doranbolt stared in confusion. "But we've had our fun, so it's time we went back to some piece and quite." The three turned and started walking back into the paddy wagon, a shared smile on their faces.

"Hold on! What did you hear?" Doranbolt shotued as he raced over.

"You really wanna know?" Natsu chuckled as he turned to the side. "The gate to the Netherrealm is open. Still trying to remember it all, so don't go messing around my head. And don't mess with theirs either, or I'll know." He walked up the stairs and the door closed behind him.


Fire raged around them as Ikaruga as she looked around the forge. The blade was shoved into the tempering oil, smoke rising out of the liquid. The smith pulled it out and presented it to the blind woman. Ikaruga picked up the blade and swung it, flicking off the remaining oil.

She swung it a few more times and dropped into a stance. A smile on her face, she stood up and sheathed her blade. "Puppet?" She asked, looking around the structure. Imitatia stepped forward, fresh blood dripping off her new sword. The bladesmith behind the assassin panic and tried to run for his life. Ikaruga leaned to the side and the whip shield soared past her.

The screaming was cut off and the shield returned to its owner. "Just like it used to fly." The plant girl said.

"Now we are ready." Ikaruga replied before the two walked out of the murder scene, stepping over the bisected body of the smith.


And this story is returning. I'm sorry for the long wait, but with most of the GMG focused on the GAMES it took a while to build up to what I felt what as acceptable length for a chapter. But I put my own spin on things, added my own things to expand the world. All in all, I'm feeling pretty good about it.

And I have an announcement to make. On my profile, there is an OFFICIAL Harem poll for this story. You won't be able to vote for Angel or Kinana since they're already in it, but there is an option that just leaves it as those two. The poll will end once I put up the next chapter. Tartaros is coming, and so is a fun time for this story.

See ya next time.

Beta read by The 3rd Dragneel