Wow I don't know what to say except oh my god I'm so sorry, it's just that like I said in the last chapter new ideas came up and then there was college and work so sorry. But just letting you know I don't plan on posting any knew stories even though I have some I really want to but that is a really bad habit of mine posting new stories when I have so many I left unfinished for weeks or months. Any way I hope you enjoy the new long awaited chapter.
Somewhere in the dead zone of Fiore
It has been 2 months since Natsu and Sayla left Magnolia, they have been traveling ever since there departure only stopping for necessary breaks because they knew they had very little time to prepare for Zeref's upcoming war. Finally they had reached their destination the dead zone of Fiore, a vast desert where no human dwells for hundreds of miles around and where the only life are a few species of hardy lizard like creatures that seemed to flourish in this environment. This was the perfect place to train with the demons that Zeref handed over to him.
Natsu now stood holding the book 'Absolute Command' in his hands, over the course of their travels Natsu had figured out how to return to how he used to look and was now able to freely switch to his E.N.D second seal stage. Natsu then started to read from Absolute Command causing black smoke to flow from the book onto the ground around Natsu's feet, the smoke then started to take form and after a few minutes revealed the forms of the other Demon Gates.
"You how were you able to summon us?!" Jackal shouted at the person he recognised as the dragonslayer who defeated him before seeing Sayla standing behind him, "Sayla what are you waiting for kill him!" He then shouted at the female etherious. "Jackal silence" Mard Geer king of the underworld demanded before focusing on Natsu and seeing the book he was holding, "How human., did you come across that book?" Mard questioned in a curios manner causing Natsu to smirk.
"My brother gave it to me" he answered plainly resulting in all the Demons gaining a shocked look on his face, they all knew that their lord Zeref was the sole owner of that book. "Are you trying to tell me human that our Lord Zeref is your brother?" Mard asked in slight disbelief, "It's true, I was there when Zeref confirmed it himself" Sayla said finally speaking up. Natsu then handed the book over to Sayla and started gathering up his magic power causing him to change forms.
Natsu now stood in front of the other demons with his crimson blood red hair and eyes with the black demonic markings displayed over his chest. "Lord E.N.D!" Mard Geer exclaimed in utter disbelief, although none of the demons had ever seen their master E.N.D physical form they definitely had felt the power radiating from his book. Even if the power he was radiating was as powerful as Mard Geer's there was no mistaking this power as their Master's. "Over your existence you have believed that your ultimate goal was to return to Zeref's side and end his suffering but you have acted like a lost child without their parent" Natsu stated his voice deeper than normal.
"So I will giving you a new purpose, together will reform Tartaros but we will not be an acting dark guild, no we will be an independent guild whose only goal is to find a way to free my brother from his curse or if push comes to shove End his life." Natsu continued as the etherious demons just in every word he said "Forgive me Master E.N.D but how will we be able to accomplish something like that?" Kyouka spoke up not fully understanding his reasoning for this. "Okay let me get this out of the way, I don't do formalities the whole master thing doesn't sit with me so just call me Natsu, secondly there is a slight possibility that we may be able to lift Zeref's curse without taking his life and lastly the whole world knows of the darkness that is Tartaros and its demons so we shall turn that darkness to light, we shall no longer be a dark guild but at the same time nor will we be a light guild" Natsu explained to the group of demons before him.
"My lord E.N.D…I mean Natsu why do you believe our purpose was misguided and how can we become light when all we've known is darkness?" Keith asked with an emotionless tone, "Well Keith when all of you were released from your books did you have any idea of this purpose, no you didn't it was pushed onto to you from most likely Zeref zealots and worshippers revealing to you what you were so you believed it, Zeref didn't give you the belief and purpose of returning to his side, you are correct in the sense that Zeref had created you in an effort to end his life but his immortality prevented it. As for how we can become light its rather simple because of your powers you believed yourself above all other life, so I will show you and teach you from all my experience as part of the light how to respect all life, humans may have been nothings but insects to you before but it was those insects that defeated you all because you underestimated them." Natsu replied in a neutral tone.
"Interesting, so you are suggesting that we reform Tartaros and coexist with the humans, helping them while we try to obtain our true goal?" Mard Geer concluded with a thoughtful expression, "I will admit that it will difficult to coexist with the humans but if is what my lord desires then I shall abide. However there is another manner to attend to first, you power isn't as strong as I'd imagined in fact it only about as powerful as three quarters of my full strength" Mard then continued curious as to why the strongest demon in the book of Zeref was weaker than him.
"Your absolutely correct underworld king that is my desire and it is true that my strength is less than yours but that is another reason why I need you, my true powers are sealed away each one holding back a different level of strength so I require all of you to help me train to become strong enough to be able to reach my full potential because it is not just Zeref that we will be against" Natsu said pausing momentarily as he saw the confused and curious faces the demons had "We will not only be facing Zeref but Acnologia as well, even if he was permanently damaged by Igneel his strength is still formidable and in the upcoming war Zeref will most likely have an army of extremely powerful Wizards on his side. Our best bet is to train for the remainder of the year to get as strong as possible, together we will make each other stronger than ever before but to be safe we will have the other guilds aid us because there is something Zeref wants other than his own demise I don't know what but I can feel it" Natsu explained to the demons he just stood there taking in every word with slight disbelief that they would also be fighting the strongest dragonslayer in existence the dragon king himself Acnologia someone the demons considered to be on the same level as Zeref himself.
"When do we begin?" Jackal asked enthusiastically "We'll start right now, Kyouka I want you to amplify my sensation to pain by about 50% and then I want Torafasu, Jackal and Franmalth to come at me with everything you got" Natsu said in a stern tone causing the three demons to smirk before Franmalth, Jackal and Torafasu shifted to their etherious forms while Kyouka amplified Natsu's sensation to pain. "Okay don't hold back cause I won't" Natsu declared as the four combatants charged at each other.
9 months later
9 months had passed since Natsu had begun his training with the etherious demons of Tartaros and the results of which were very fruitful, it had gotten to the point where Natsu was able to fight against 3 or 4 Demons in there etherious forms at once even after they had all gotten immensely stronger, he had unlocked every seal except one and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't reach that next level. When he entered his E.N.D form now with four of the five seals undone he had crimson draconic red wings, his eyes were their usual crimson blood red but the whites around them were black instead of white. The black demonic marking on his chest wold spread all over his upper torso, down his arms and up his neck on to his face, some of his skin was replaced by blackish red scales as and his finger and hands were replaced by dragon-like claws.
In terms of the other demons Mard Geer's strength had far surpassed that of the time he fought against Natsu and Gray if that was even possible, this put him in the same league as Natsu but still not as strong although he was still the strongest of all the demon gates and was the only one who could hold his own against Natsu by himself. The rest of the demon gates had also grown immensely strong as well with Sayla being the strongest out of them with Tempesta as the weakest but he was now somewhere around the Wizard saint Jura's level.
Another thing that occurred in these nine months was Natsu teaching the demons about having a sense of comradery and that if they had it then than it would make them much stronger although not physically but would make them more determined and giving them another purpose to protect each other. He also taught them that as they were gonna be in than they should consider themselves like family which resulted in Natsu having to explain the bonds that existed within his guild. Eventually Natsu was to explain and convey everything he meant so that they understood him, while they were demons Natsu managed to recreate his own little Fairytail in a sense, the demon no longer viewed Humans as lower life forms but as equals, treated each other more like family rather than by rankings and thanks to some transformation magic now had an additional human form so that they would be able to blend into human society and walk freely.
In short Natsu had really turned Tartaros on its hinges with it now being completely opposite of what it used to be. Now however we find Natsu, Sayla and the other demon Gates staring at the ruins of what was once the city of Mildian, Natsu had given up on reaching final form as he believed along with rest of his guild thanks to their amazing team work and with the help of the other wizard guilds that he would be able to kill both Acnologia and free his brother. So deciding to leave his training he went to Mildian to search for any possible ruminants of books or scrolls containing information about Ankhserum's curse.
"Okay everyone split, we'll cover more ground that way. Remember we're looking for information on the Ankhserum's curse so if you find anything use the telepathic link to let everyone know and good luck" Natsu said before jumping down into the ruins. Nothing looked out of the ordinary for a ruined city, rubble lay all around them so the remains of the buildings were indiscernible to the demons and Natsu.
Hours passed before Sayla used the telepathic Link to tell everyone she found something "Everyone come quick I've detected a weird magical signature coming from underground where I'm at"
"Good job Sayla, everyone get your ass over there ASAP now!" Natsu mentally shouted through the mind link. It took everyone a little less than five minutes before they all found where Sayla was, "The source of the magic appears to be coming from the ground underneath this ruined building" Sayla explained pointing to the massive pile of rubble in front of them. "This must be the Mildian magic academy, it has to be there is no other place the magic could be originating from" Natsu stated, a little hope evident in his voice as he spoke but reminded himself of what Zeref told him.
"It would appear the Earth beneath the building gave way resulting in the collapse of the academy, how you propose we get through it without damaging any information that may still be intact?" Mard asked as he watched Natsu walking up to the pile of rubble and placing his hand on it. Closing his eyes Natsu then sent a pulse of magic throughout the rubble of the academy mapping it in his mind. "The underground structure of the academy is still very much intact and there appears to be a network of underground tunnels we could use to reach it quickly follow me" Natsu said before running off in the opposite direction of the academy.
"Here. Fire Dragon's Demonic Fist!" Natsu shouted out as he punched the ground in front of him causing it to cave in revealing the network of tunnels. Natsu and the demons then started making their way through the tunnels, it too about an hour to navigate their way through the labyrinth of tunnels before they came to the sunken bottom half of the academy. Once again the group split up with Natsu and Sayla pairing off, Kyouka and Jackal, Franmalth and Torafasu and finally Keith, Ezel and Tempesta then pairing off with Mard Geer going to check out something he sensed on the surface.
Once again Hours passed and it was coming to early morning at this stage yet nobody had found anything but that was because the academy was so large and getting lost frequently occurred, meanwhile up on the surface with Mard Geer we finds himself facing off with a mysterious character. "Why are you here?" Mard questions, well more like demands as he starts to release some of his curse power creating a great deal of pressure. "I think the question is why are you here when you should be faithfully serving a lord Zeref" the man replied to Mard slightly shocking the underworld King but overall causing him to smirk at the man who began releasing Magic pressure as cold mist circled around him.
"While it is true that I devote myself to Zeref there is one other I serve before him, and if you think that you are strong to fight me you are sorely mistaken…Invel" Mard replied as he increased his curse power to incredible heights almost forcing the now known Invel to his knees. "I see you are accurately titled King of the Underworld, it would be fruitless for me to engage in a battle with you as you are far stronger than what the information we have on you says. I take my leave" Invel replied before disappearing in a flash of white. "The Spriggan 12 are ballsy I'll give them that" Mard Geer thought as he suppressed a chuckle.
Unknown location
"So how did your investigation go? Winter General" an elderly man caring a magic staff asked Invel as he suddenly appeared out of thin air, "August, well I had an unfortunate encounter with the Underworld King. Our predictions of his strength were way off he may be as powerful as you August but I'd if I had God Serena with me it would have made for an interesting battle we might have even been able to push him into using his etherious form. But from the information I gathered all the Demon gates and Dragneel himself have increased in strength. Mard Geer is our biggest concern amongst the gates it might take two or three of the 12 two defeat him" Invel revealed to August who didn't appear shocked at all by this revelation.
"Well that sort of strength is to be expected of those wh follow our Lords brother and most powerful creation, it would appear that we may have to rethink our strategy as Lord Zeref has also revealed that Acnologia will be joining the fray" August revealed as he stood in a thinking pose causing Invel's eyes to widen at the realisation of possibly having to fight that Monster. "We'd need the entire continent to stand against that monster!" Invel stated in fear, "According to his majesty Acnologia will not be a factor we need to consider as he has a method to slay the dragon of the apocalypse but I will still take him into account should things not go to plan." August replied before walking away leaving a shocked and frightened Invel to his thoughts.
"The continent of Ishgar is one thing but now we have to worry about both Acnologia and Tartaros, this war is going to be insane." Invel thought to himself as he walked down a torch lit hallway.
Back with Mard Geer
"Mard what Happened I felt you release you curse power?" Natsu asked through the telepathic mind link, "Nothing to worry about Natsu, it's just as you predicted some of your brothers scouts actually it was one of the twelve but not to worry he wasn't a threat and has returned to most likely Lord Zeref" Mard replied through the link "Good, it finally means that the time for war is fast approaching, we'll be up with you soon we think we might have found something related to the curse" Natsu replied through the link a bit of hope and excitement laced through his voice.
Not long after Natsu and the gates met up with Mard Geer to discuss their next plan of action, "Okay we will use what time we have left to return to Magnolia, study these tomes and help Fiore prepare for war agreed?" Natsu said addressing the demons around him who had all shifted to their human forms "Agreed" they replied in Unison.
"Good, the time of war will soon be upon us, the time we have been training for soon approaches" Natsu said in a serious tone while taking the book Absolute Command out and began reciting a curse from it. After a few minutes the sky darkened with black storm clouds which then slowly parted way to show them what they recognised as their old flying mobile guild hall the cube. "Everyone get in we've got a world to save!" Natsu shouted as the others just nodded before entering the cube all accept Sayla that is.
"Natsu do you really think it's such a good idea for you to bring the guild hall and the rest of the Tartaros back to Magnolia after what happened?" Sayla asked in a rather timid manner to which Natsu just smiled, "I think it's a terrible idea but it's the only way we'll be able to get there on time plus Fairytail is just gonna have to suck it up, I may be the guild master but I doubt there will be a welcoming committee for us when we arrive but like I said I'm the guild master so I take full responsibility for the guilds actions in my absence" Natsu explained in a caring tone as he revealed how he believed himself the one at fault.
"What how can you blame yourself when you weren't even aware of who you were?" Sayla questioned him pain evident in her voice. "Because I can't let you or the others blame yourselves" Natsu said before bring her in for a hug and kissing her on the forehead. "Now onward to Fairytail!" Natsu shouted out in a boisterous manner reminding Sayla that while he had changed he was still that very same boy she fell for all those years ago.
And that's it for this chapter once again I'm sorry for not updating and that this chapter was a bit short but I enjoyed writing it, originally I never planned on the whole Tartaros thing but then it hit me I could just reform Tartaros because Natsu is the actual guild master and would be able to make them turn a new leaf (maybe) anyways I needed to get this cha[ter out of the way so I can begin the next chapter which will be called prelude to war and then the chapter after that will be the first chapter in my war arc so till next time bye.
