A Demon's Rebirth

by SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan

Elfman desperately wished that Natsu had gone with them to confront The Beast in canon. This time, Elfman got his wish and Natsu joined them on that fateful mission. However, with Natsu there, just how will things change. One bad decision on Lisanna's part, led to Natsu changing in a way that no one could have ever seen coming.

6. Weakness and Strength

Sorry for the wait. I'll try to keep time between updates short, but I'm quite short on time these days and recovering from surgery currently, so no promises.

In other news, I finally gave in and started my single pairing Natsu/Erza story: Unleashing The Red Dragon. The first two chapters are on my pat reon, but I'm going to hold off posting it on FF, until I have a few more chapters in reserve, as I know how impatient people get waiting for updates. That, along with the fact that FF has been acting really weird lately and has not been letting me upload chapters through direct file uploads. It has forced me to upload them through the "Copy N Paste" method, which messes my formatting a bit, making me hesitant to use it.

There will very likely be a time-skip for this story either towards the end of next chapter, or at the start of the chapter after that, where we will make the jump to canon. I'm just doing a bit more character building and establishing certain facts, before we get to canon, so you can see how and why things will change.

Well, that's all I had to say now. Thank you for your patience and enjoy the next chapter of A Demon's Rebirth.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.

Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Techniques

Chapter 6 – Weakness and Strength

"Well, that went better than I anticipated. Hopefully Mard Geer doesn't soon forget what I just told him." Thought Natsu, lazily flying through the air, at speeds that would make a train look like a snail.

'Why do I feel like I'm forgetting something though?' Muttered Natsu, before the sun started to set, colouring the sky scarlet.

'Ah, that's right! I'm on a mission!' Exclaimed Natsu suddenly, before blasting off back to Erza.

-line break-

Erza Scarlet was currently fuming. Not only, had she gone out of her way, to give Natsu an opportunity to go on an S-Class mission, but then, he had the audacity to leave her in the middle of it. Bacchus had wisely booked it after getting his share of the reward money, not wanting anything to do with Erza's formidable rage. Erza had waited for close to an hour, for Natsu to return, only for the Dragon Slayer to fail to make an appearance, angering the knight. Erza was currently getting ready to board the train back to Magnolia, only for a missile to slam into the ground, just outside the station. While the onlookers panicked and ducked for cover, Erza rushed right towards the point of impact.

"That's either a genuine threat, or Natsu, about to be pummelled." Thought Erza maliciously.

'*cough* I guess going too fast *cough* makes landing a bit harder.' Spluttered a familiar voice, causing Erza's eyes to glimmer.

'I'm getting a bad feeling.' Muttered Natsu, before his tail quickly shot out and wrapped up his attacker.

'Damn it Natsu! That's cheating! Let me down right this instance so I can administer the proper punishment, for you abandoning me in the middle of a job!' Ranted Erza, not liking how easily Natsu had subdued her.

'Would it help if I say I'm really sorry?' Asked Natsu.

'No!' Shouted Erza.

'What about if I say I'm sorry and I have some cheesecake for you?' Asked Natsu, smirking as Erza stopped struggling.

'… it might help a little.' Said Erza quietly.

Natsu brought Erza closer to him and extended his right arm forward, which held a small box.

Erza quickly took the box and Natsu set her down, as she quickly opened it and looked inside.

'Okay, now let's head back to Magnolia.' Said Natsu, before heading towards the train station.

'The train? You're actually voluntarily going to the train station without me forcing you?' Questioned Erza in surprise, looking up from her cheesecake.

'Well, I really liked our chat.' Said Natsu quietly, causing Erza to smile.

'All right then, let's go.' Said Erza happily, quickly matching the Dragon Slayer's pace, before the two boarded the train.

Erza carefully set her cheesecake down on the seat opposite her, across from the window, with Natsu sitting next to her. The two sat there, waiting for the train to take off, before Erza nudged Natsu's head onto her lap.

'So what happened to Bacchus?' Asked Natsu curiously.

'He took his cut from the mission and left. I still don't think you should fight him, especially when out on a job. It is very unprofessional.' Said Erza strictly.

'Fine, fine, I'll swing by his guild sometime, how's that sound?' Asked Natsu.

'Better.' Nodded Erza, starting to stroke Natsu's hair.

'So, do you feel up to telling me the rest of your story?' Asked Natsu, getting Erza to pause in her stroking for a moment, before resuming it.

'I'll try… but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get through it all right now.' Said Erza shakily.

'That's all right, take all the time you need, I'm here for you.' Said Natsu soothingly, relaxing Erza.

'Well, when we first arrived at the Tower of Heaven… first, the guards separated us into groups, based on how much work they estimated we would be able to do. Naturally, the very young and very old were grouped together. It was really a blessing for us. As young as we were, we were terrified and didn't know what to do, the older people with us though… they helped us through it, especially Grandpa Rob.' Said Erza softly.

'I can't imagine what that must have been like… it must have been really difficult for you.' Said Natsu.

'It was, but after a while, we started to integrate into the system… as sad as that sounds.' Said Erza, with a frown.

'Well, you're here now, so something must have changed.' Said Natsu.

'Yeah… there would be occasional attempts to escape the tower. Every time it happened, some of the people were tortured and some were even killed, to send a message.' Said Erza, causing Natsu's gaze to harden.

'Erza… did that ever happen to you?' Asked Natsu, barely holding his anger at bay.

'… It did… once.' Said Erza, not noticing the temperature around them, was steadily increasing.

'What happened?' Asked Natsu stiffly.

'… They… they took my right eye.' Said Erza quietly.

Erza jumped slightly in her seat, as the box containing the cheesecake Natsu had got her, was set alight.

'Bastards!' Hissed Natsu, visibly trembling with rage.

Erza was shocked, never having heard Natsu curse before. The knight then noticed her cheesecake had been reduced to ash.

'Natsu, calm down.' Said Erza, resting a soothing hand on the Dragon Slayer's head.

'How dare they do that? Especially for something as stupid as trying to revive Zeref. Idiots! I'll crush every last one of them.' Growled Natsu.

'Natsu it's okay, really.' Said Erza, getting Natsu to glare at her.

'Don't tell me it's okay, when even now, you still need to shield yourself to stop those memories coming back to haunt you!' Shouted Natsu, startling Erza.

'You don't think I noticed, how guarded you are? I'm not the only one who noticed either. Gray noticed too, Mira as well. The three of us always knew something was holding you back, but we didn't know what to do about it. Gray and I just decided to never disagree with you and Mira actively disagrees with you, to try and get you involved with the rest of us, but we could never help you because we didn't know what was wrong.' Admitted Natsu.

'Wha-What? Since when?' Asked Erza in shock.

'Since we were kids. Gray and I had both realised it before Mira even joined and she realised quickly as well, since you were just like her, pushing everyone away.' Revealed Natsu.

Erza looked away at this, looking out the window. Erza felt Natsu raise his head off her lap, causing her to turn in his direction.

'Erza, please don't keep this bottled up inside anymore. I told you, I'll protect you so you can protect the guild, but you have to recover first. How can a knight defend their home, with cracked armour? It doesn't make you weak to show weakness, it only makes you weak if you don't grow stronger from it.' Said Natsu firmly, his black coloured eyes boring into Erza's brown unflinchingly.

Erza looked away from Natsu again, looking at the trees as they passed them by, only for Natsu to place his hands on her shoulders. The scarlet haired mage turned to face the Dragon Slayer, only to see a kind smile on his face.

'Erza… it's okay to cry.' Said Natsu softly.

Erza stared at Natsu for a moment, before the Dragon Slayer pulled her into his chest. With Natsu's warmth emanating around her, Erza realised something: she was crying. She had said she had already shed half her tears, so why now was she crying, from both eyes?

Natsu looked down at Erza's head in sadness. The girl in his arms had been crying, even before he pulled her into his embrace, not even realising it. Realisations… Natsu had just made one. Erza's attitude and demeanour didn't come from any strange sense of order and rule abiding, no, it came from Erza trying to keep everyone close enough, out of harm's way, but still far enough, that no one would see the little girl on the inside, crying for help. It severely angered Natsu, that people had been made to suffer, for something that couldn't even be done. Revive Zeref? He wasn't even dead. For what had all of those people been tortured, murdered and worked to the bone for? For some fool's dreams of grandeur? What did they really think Zeref would do to them if they brought him back and he was actually dead? Zeref wanted to die. Those fools didn't understand that. If Zeref had caught wind of this, he would have eliminated them.

"Or would he?" Thought Natsu, realising that he had no idea what his brother might have become, in the past four hundred years.

"Zeref, I'm going to track you down one of these days and you've got some stuff to answer for." Thought Natsu, as he held the former slave, noticing that she had stopped crying.

'Natsu.' Said Erza quietly.

'Yeah?' Responded Natsu.

'Thank you.' Said Erza happily, burying her face into Natsu's shoulder.

'Anytime.' Said Natsu.

'Also, you incinerated my cheesecake.' Added Erza.

'Sorry, I'll get you another one.' Chuckled Natsu.

The two spent the rest of the train ride like that, with Natsu holding the scarlet haired mage close, who was content to rest there.

-line break-

'So, despite you leaving in the middle of it, how'd you enjoy the job?' Asked Erza, as she walked towards the guild with the Dragon Slayer, a new slice of cheesecake in hand, safely away from the Dragon Slayer.

'Hmm, well, it was fun, but I don't know, I guess fighting mindless beasts isn't as fun as it was before. To be honest, it was more fun slapping Laxus silly. I suppose I need more than a fight to keep me interested anymore.' Said Natsu thoughtfully.

'Oh.' Said Erza, slightly disappointed.

'Although job aside, the company was well worth it.' Said Natsu, giving Erza one of his patented smiles.

Erza smiled at this as well.

'It really was.' Agreed Erza, just as they stopped outside the guild.

'So what now?' Asked Natsu.

'We'll see I suppose.' Said Erza, reaching towards the door, but paused as her hand reached the handle.

'Although, if you'd like to talk again at a later date, I wouldn't mind either.' Said Erza.

'Whenever you want.' Said Natsu happily, causing the knight to beam.

Erza opened the doors and was greeted to the sight of a surprisingly clean guild.

'Well, this is a nice surprise I must say.' Commented Erza, as she walked into the guild, Natsu not too far behind her.

'Natsu, you're back.' Cheered Happy, as he flew over to his adoptive father and floated around his head.

'Yeah, how were things?' Asked Natsu calmly.

'Great, Lisanna gave me so much fish… but she wouldn't give me any for dessert. She was really mean about it too.' Said Happy cheerfully, before pouting at the end.

'Happy, how could you say such mean things about me?' Asked Lisanna, faking a hurt expression.

'That wasn't very nice, Happy.' Said Natsu expectantly.

'Ah, I'm sorry Lisanna.' Cried Happy, flying over to Lisanna, who eagerly wrapped him up in a hug.

'It's okay, we're family after all.' Said Lisanna.

'Speaking of family, has Elfman woken up yet? Also, where's Mira?' Asked Natsu.

'Not yet, Mira thinks he needs a few more days. As for Mira, she said something about wanting to go train for a bit.' Said Lisanna.

'Between you and me though, I think Laxus hit a nerve and got under her skin.' Whispered Lisanna, getting closer to Natsu, so no one else would hear them.

'*sigh* I should have known. Well, want to go help me look for her?' Asked Natsu.

'Sure.' Chirped Lisanna.

'Can we get fish?' Asked Happy eagerly.

'Fine, but only one.' Said Natsu, causing Happy to pout.

-line break-

The odd family, consisting of two humans and a flying cat, had spent the day looking around Magnolia and getting Happy his promised fish, before looking for Mira.

'Natsu, can't you just fly around until you spot her?' Asked Happy tiredly, reclining within Lisanna's arms.

'Did you just volunteer to do so Happy?' Asked Natsu, causing the cat to pout.

'Lisanna, Natsu's being mean.' Whined Happy.

'Now Happy, it isn't nice to make Natsu do all the work. Besides, aren't you enjoying the three of us spending time together?' Replied Lisanna.

'Maybe if I had more fish.' Muttered Happy sourly.

'Relax, I know where Mira is, I can feel her magic from here, I just felt like taking a stroll. Come on, let's go see her.' Said Natsu, before shifting direction to the forest.

The three walked for a few minutes, before Lisanna and Happy picked up, what Natsu must have a while ago. Sporadic flares of magic and the sound of trees being shattered reached the duo's ears. A stray magic blast suddenly rushed at the duo, only for Natsu to open his mouth and swallow it.

'Hmm, tingly, must have been some lightning in that.' Commented Natsu, startling Mira, as the three entered the clearing she had made.

'Huh, what are you guys doing here?' Asked Mira.

'Apparently, stopping you from obsessing over someone's words.' Said Natsu calmly.

Mira scowled at this.

'It's got nothing to do with what Laxus said about me.' Growled Mira.

'Who mentioned Laxus?' Asked Natsu, tilting his head to the side, causing Mira to huff in embarrassment.

'Okay, maybe what he said annoyed me, but that's not why I'm out here. Lisanna nearly got hurt badly because of me and Elfman did get hurt. If you didn't come with us, I don't even want to think about what might have happened.' Confessed Mira.

'Well, whatever may have happened, didn't. Relax.' Said Natsu, getting Mira to huff again.

'Easy for you to say, you're the one who suddenly got so bloody strong. Laxus would wipe the floor with you before… whatever happened on that mission happened and now you can demolish him effortlessly.' Said Mira irritably.

'Uh… are you jealous? Of me?' Asked Natsu in shock.

'No! Of course not!' Shouted Mira.

'It's okay Mira. I don't think badly of you and I know Elfman won't either. It's like Natsu said, whatever might have happened didn't, so there is no need to beat yourself up over it.' Added Lisanna cheerfully.

'I'm not… I want to get stronger too. It was bad enough when Laxus was stronger than me, but now Natsu too… it just makes me feel weak.' Admitted Mira.

'In that case, Fire Dragon's Roar!' Said Natsu, launching a wave of fire at Mira.

The demon dodged quickly, barely being able to do so in time, only for Natsu to appear behind her and slam a punch into her back, sending her crashing to the ground. Mira coughed up spittle from the attack and raised herself on all fours, trying to get back up, only for Natsu to kick her in the side and send her flying into a tree, which she crashed through, landing in a heap.

'Natsu! What are you doing?' Asked Lisanna in shock.

'If she wants to get stronger, I'll push her. I'll make her stronger, even if she hates me for it.' Said Natsu quietly, so Mira wouldn't hear.

'Natsu, isn't there a better way to go about this?' Asked Lisanna diplomatically.

'Not if she wants to be stronger than Laxus.' Said Natsu.

'What the hell Natsu?' Shouted Mira, picking herself up.

'You're right, you are weak. You should just give up on being a mage. I'm much stronger than you and can protect your family better than you can.' Said Natsu coldly.

Lisanna gasped at how callous Natsu was being, while Happy looked slightly uncomfortable in the girl's grip.

'How dare you?' Shouted Mira, before transforming into her Satan Soul form.

'Demon Blast.' Said Mira, charging up a ball of dark energy in between her hands before a purple beam was launched at Natsu.

Natsu ducked under the attack and rushed Mira, slamming a fiery fist into her gut.

'I'm not even using my Dragon Slaying magic against you, how does it make you feel, knowing that I'm so much stronger than you, that I don't even need to take you seriously?' Asked Natsu.

Mira responded by bringing up her own fist and slugging Natsu in the face, sending him back a few metres.

'Not bad, I actually felt that.' Complimented Natsu.

Mira charged another blast of energy above her head, hands raised, which steadily grew stronger.

'I'm not weak! Take me seriously!' Demanded Mira, launching the blast at Natsu.

Natsu stood there as the attack neared him, before the attack exploded in a pillar of dark purple energy. Mira panted, as she tried to regain herself. It didn't help that she had been training before Natsu arrived and was already quite fatigued.

The attack was suddenly blown away though, as a twister of fire ripped it to shreds.

'Okay, you want me to take you seriously, then brace yourself.' Said Natsu, just as he clapped his hands together, a massive fireball above his head.

'Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame.' Said Natsu, launching the attack at Mira.

Mira put her hands out, charged with demonic power, ready to block the attack. Infusing water through her magic, Mira stopped the attack cold. Despite appearances though, Mira was struggling against the attack, which kept pushing against her.

'I. Won't. Lose. Here.' Said Mira through gritted teeth.

Slowly, but steadily, Mira pushed the attack upwards, before with one last mighty heave, she launched it up into the air, before quickly dropping out of her Satan Soul form, exhausted, falling out of the sky. Mira braced herself for a rough landing, only to feel herself grabbed tightly.

'Now could some who was weak do that?' Asked Natsu quietly, as he slowly descended to the ground, with the befuddled Mira.

'Wha-What are you doing?' Asked Mira in confusion.

'Come on Mira, do you really think I would ever think of you as weak? You're one of the strongest people I know, both in regard to your magic and you mind. Laxus can talk all he wants, but you are strong, whether he wants to acknowledge you or not. After all, I acknowledge your strength and I put Laxus through a wall, without even using any magic. You are strong Mirajane, don't forget that. You looked after your siblings for a long time and shouldered a lot, don't let some prissy blond ever take that away from you.' Said Natsu, before setting the demon down.

Mira's mind was still trying to absorb everything that had happened, from Natsu suddenly beating her down, to praising her.

'In any case, I'm going to go explore for a bit, let Gramps and the guild know I'll be gone for a bit. In the meantime, I expect you to get stronger Mira. Not for Laxus, but for yourself. As far as Laxus goes though, when I come back, I want to see you crush him and I won't accept anything less because I know you can.' Said Natsu, before flying off.

'Mira, are you okay?' Asked Lisanna curiously.

'Never been better.' Said Mira, despite the bruises developing on her pale skin.

'Okay.' Said Lisanna uncertainly.

"Don't worry Natsu, when you come back, I won't just beat Laxus, I'll wipe the floor with you too, then maybe we can get dirty another way." Thought Mira, with a smirk.

-line break-

'What possible reason could you have for bringing the Balam Alliance together; on such short notice as well?' Asked a man, with a long white beard and an eyepatch, over his right eye.

'Yes, this was quite sudden and unexpected.' Added a dark-skinned man, with black markings along his face.

'Mard Geer assures you, it will be well worth your time.' Said Mard Geer calmly.

The three were in a circular room with white walls. They were seated around a small table in the middle and seated in plain black chairs. The table itself was grey and without any markings.

'Well, what is it?' Asked the man with the long beard.

'Master E.N.D. has awoken and wished for me to inform the rest of the Balam Alliance. He doesn't wish for the two of you to become complacent.' Said Mard Geer, enjoying the look of fear on the face, of the Guild Master of Grimoire Heart, a man who went by the name of Hades, much to Mard Geer's amusement.

'I-impossible.' Stuttered Hades.

'I can assure you, it is quite possible, since Master E.N.D. and I had a little chat just a few hours ago.' Said Mard Geer.

'Where is he now then? Shouldn't he be here, for a meeting of such importance?' Asked the other Guild Master, arrogantly dubbed Brain.

'Master E.N.D. has other things to do. Mard Geer means no offense, when he says they are most likely more important than this little meeting of ours. Master E.N.D. did not even approach me directly, sending the message through Sayla, before appearing himself to verify her claims, when I didn't believe her. I assure you though, Master E.N.D. has truly returned and it would be best that you move forward knowing these things. Mard Geer would hate for you to earn his ire, as not even Mard Geer can match Master E.N.D. should he be dissatisfied with your guilds. Master E.N.D. hates those who are complacent after all.' Said Mard Geer calmly.

'Hmm, we will take note.' Said Hades, having regained himself.

'Yes, you should extend an invitation to E.N.D. as well, I'm sure there is much we could discuss.' Added Brain, causing Mard Geer to mentally scoff.

'I will see to it that he is informed, but please don't be offended if Master E.N.D. chooses to decline your offer.' Said Mard Geer.

'Is that all you called us for?' Asked Hades.

'Yes, Mard Geer simply felt it was right to inform you of Master E.N.D.'s wishes, as quickly as possible. Even I wouldn't want to earn the ire of Master E.N.D. after all.' Said Mard Geer.

'Then I shall take my leave.' Said Hades, before fading out of existence, revealing himself to have been a thought projection.

-line break-

Hades opened his eyes. There in front of him, were his Seven Kin of Purgatory.

'Well Master Hades, what was the result of this supposedly urgent meeting Tartaros called?' Asked the leader of the seven, Ultear Milkovich.

'Well, if Mard Geer is to be believed, E.N.D. has supposedly awoken.' Revealed Hades, shocking Ultear.

'The most vile demon ever created by Zeref… the one said to be as strong as Zeref himself?' Asked Ultear in shock.

'It seems so.' Said Hades.

'Oh, were not going to have to fight him, are we?' Asked a large man, with very pale skin.

'Why not Kain? This could be fun.' Commented a man, with long blond hair.

'No, we won't. The only thing this E.N.D. had to say, was that we should not grow complacent and that we should know that he was back. This in no way changes our goals and until E.N.D. makes an appearance, we can simply ignore the matter.' Said Hades.

The group nodded at this, seeing Hades' stern glare being directed at them, before leaving as Hades dismissed them.

"If anyone can find Zeref though, it would have to be his strongest demon. E.N.D. I will find you and then you will lead me to Zeref. I'll make sure of it." Thought Ultear, a maniacal gleam in her eyes.