Chapter 17

The group is making their way up Mount Zonia. It won't be long until they should reach the spot where Zeref and the dragons are camping out. Erza is in a hurry to reach the camp, being deeply disturbed by the news Jackal delivered to her.

"You don't think he'd actually do it, right?" she asks Natsu.

"I hope not," he replies, "That'd be…"

"Messed up," Gajeel finishes for him.

Natsu nods in reply.

"If he really goes ahead with this…I won't forgive him!" Erza clenches her fist.

"And I'll stand by you." Natsu tells her.

Erza looks forward and watches as draconic bodies slowly come into view. Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel recognize these dragons as Igneel, Grandine, Metalicana, Weisslogia, and Skiadrum. There is another dragon with them that they do not recognize. This dragon is totally enveloped in fire, but it doesn't seem to bother it in the slightest.

"It's about time you got here." Comes the booming voice of Metalicana.

"Wendy dear, are you okay?" Comes the more soothing voice of Grandine.

Wendy runs over to Grandine and attempts to hug the much larger dragon, "I missed you so much!"

Grandine smiles at the child and nuzzles against her. Erza smiles warmly at the parent and child.

"That's quite the journey you took, Natsu." Igneel says, "I'm impressed."

Natsu smirks at Igneel and responds, "Well, I didn't do it alone."

Natsu motions to the rest of the group. Anna bows to the dragons, with Erza following suit. Mard Geer meanwhile makes his way deeper into the camp. He doesn't go far though, as Zeref appears and greets his assistant.

"I trust your journey wasn't too difficult." Natsu's brother says in greeting, "It's been awhile Natsu, I'm glad to see you again."

Natsu walks up to his brother and extends his fist. Zeref returns the gesture and fist bumps him.

"You should really visit more often."

"I'd love to…but I have my reasons." Zeref explains, "But before we go any further, I believe introductions are in order. My name is Zeref Dragneel, and I am an Arcmage to the Kingdom of Dragnof."

The dragons went next, explaining who they were. Igneel, Metalicana, and Grandine's introduction was of no surprise to anyone. Travelling with their adopted children, Erza and Anna already know the basics about them. Weisslogia and Skiadrum are more of a surprise to them though. They learn that they are the white and shadow dragons', respectively. While they make no mention of it, Anna knows that those two dragons also have adopted children and are teaching them Dragon Slayer Magic.

Last to introduce themselves, is the dragon that is on fire. He elects to give a simple introduction like his fellow dragons, "My name is Atlas Flame. I am the Hells Flame Dragon."

Zeref steps forward and says, "Well then, with introductions out of the way, to what do we owe the honor, Ms. Belserion?"

Erza cuts straight to the chase and asks him, "Are you familiar with the process of Dragonification?"

Zeref closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. He has a feeling he knows what this is about, "I presume Irene is undergoing it?"

"She is."

Zeref looks Erza dead in the eyes and says, "I warned her of the repercussions of using Dragon Slayer Magic. I'm not going to sugar coat this. Unfortunately, at this point there is no saving her. There are ways to prevent it, but none to cure it."

Erza is absolutely crushed by this revelation. She falls to her knees and tears begin to well up in her eyes. Natsu steps up to her and kneels down next to her, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"But you said you have a way to prevent it?" Natsu asks his brother.

"There's a difference between prevention and curing, Natsu." Grandine replies.

"The preventative measures only work on Dragon Slayers, such as yourself, who have yet to begin the Dragonification process in earnest. That medicine Mard Geer has been supplying you is that measure. It can only keep the process in check. It can't reverse anything that has happened already."

"Wait that disgusting thing you make us drink is the medicine?" Natsu asks.

"Yes."

"Did you not know that, Natsu?" Wendy asks.

Before their conversation can continue any further, Erza says, "So, there's…no hope for her."

Zeref walks up to the young woman and says, "Not necessarily. While we can't stop her from transforming into a dragon, we can offer her the training to hone that power properly. For a woman of her skill, she would be able to carry on as though she were a normal human being."

"R-really?"

Zeref offers Erza a hand, which she takes, "Yes. I know it isn't the solution you were looking for, but it's the only one I can offer."

With Zeref's help, Erza picks herself up off the ground and wipes the tears from her eyes.

"Thank you."

"Irene has been good to me. It's the least I can do."

Mard Geer clears his throat, "Well, if you are looking to do more for her, we have received some grim news regarding her current situation."

Zeref raises an eyebrow.

"If what we've been told is true, Rung is planning on executing Irene soon." Anna informs him.

Zeref's eyes narrow, "I never did like that man."

Erza looks at the ground. This has to be one of the most difficult things she has ever gone through. She isn't as close with her father as she is with her mother, but still, it feels wrong going against one of her parents like this.

"Well, I don't know how willing he will be to listen to reason." Zeref says, "But I am willing to stick my neck out for Irene."

Erza looks at Zeref with a determined expression, "Whatever it takes, I will save my mom."

Zeref smiles at Erza and mutters, "Spoken like a true fairy."

Mard Geer looks at Zeref questioningly, but nobody else seems to notice what he muttered. Either that or they simply ignore him.

"Either way, it will be a long journey by foot." Zeref cranes back at the dragons, "Perhaps one of you would be willing to fly us there?"

"Nah, you're on your own." Metalicana replies dismissively.

"Metalicana!" Grandine snaps at him.

"I'm kidding!"

Most everyone has a good laugh at the dragons' antics.

"We would be more than happy to aid you." Igneel answers.

Erza looks up at the dragons and cracks a smile as she says, "Thank you."

Thank you for reading.

Erza's done it! She's found Zeref and now they are headed back to the castle. Do you think they be able to save Irene? Let me know in a review.

Please review!