Hi everyone, well this is it. This is it, the final chapter to the first instalment of Fairy May Cry (excluding an epilogue I have planned shortly after). You'll get quite a few questions answered in this chapter (not all of them though, as we still have a few other mysteries to solve as the series continues). I know I've said this before, I am beyond grateful for all the support every single one of you has given me; I have over a thousand likes, followers, and reviews, when I first wrote this story, I never imagined it would get this many. Thank you all so much.
Now, without further delay, let us begin.
Acnologia
"Be prepared, change is on the horizon. I have a very serious announcement that I need to make" Makarov stood on a pedestal of boxes as he addressed all the Fairy Tail members below him as they each gave him their undivided attention. "Once we leave Tenrou Island and return to the guild…. All female members will be required to wear uniforms!" Makarov then began to jump up and down. "Nurse outfits and school swimsuits galore!" He laughed, resulting in nearly every Fairy Tail member looking rather annoyed.
"In your dreams, you perv!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Can I please kill him?" Lady voiced in annoyance.
"Don't know about you, but I kinda like the idea." Dante smirked.
Even Erza seemed intrigued. "Swimsuits, huh? I haven't worn mine in a while."
"Shut up you two! You're not helping!" Lucy told the pair.
Mira suddenly loomed dangerously over Makarov with a pair of glowing red eyes. "Get serious. If you don't, then I'll have to."
"Can't an old man have some fun? Party pooper." Makarov pouted before coughing to get serious. "But in all seriousness, it pains me to say it, but this year's S-Class trial is officially cancelled."
That took nearly all of them by surprise, especially a certain group of guys. "IS THIS A FREAKING JOKE?!" Natsu, Gray, Gajeel, and Elfman all yelled.
"Nope, no joke, now deal with it." Makarov said firmly as he leapt to the ground. "After everything's that happened, I have no choice but to cancel the trial!"
"But we can still compete! Come on!" Gray exclaimed.
"Yeah, we've been through worse, so let us finish!" Natsu also yelled.
"I ain't leaving this island till I'm S-Class!" Gajeel also exclaimed.
"Did that psycho priest fry your brain, or did you just forget that you're not in the running!?" Elfman told the Iron Dragon Slayer, who could only sulk.
"I don't want to cancel it but try putting yourself in my shoes." Makarov stated.
"First a Council member manipulated our memories and snuck in, then Grimoire Heart interrupted everything…" Mira began to list.
"Not to mention the Black Wizard Zeref has been living on this island for who-knows-how-long." Lisanna also added as she seemed fine with Makarov's decision to cancel the trial.
"Yeah, when you consider all that, it really can't be helped." Levy seemed to agree as well.
"Come on! Are you gonna take this crap, lying down?!" Gajeel exclaimed to her.
"If your partner has decided not to compete, you should respect her wishes." Lily told him.
"Hey, setting that aside, does anybody have any clue what the hell happened to Zeref?" Dante got everyone's attention. "I haven't seen him since we ran into that Ultear-lady."
"Oh no, does that mean Grimoire Heart got him?" Lucy voiced with dread.
"If that were the case, I'm certain Hades would have left with him before we fought him." Erza said logically.
"I tried to catch Zeref, but I was knocked unconscious by a member of Grimoire Heart." Juvia explained. "When I came to, the one who attacked me was dead, and Zeref was gone."
"I'm quite certain then he must have left the island of his own accord." Carla said.
"But if the Black Wizard is out there somewhere, shouldn't we be worried about that?" Wendy asked. "Hades and the rest of Grimoire Heart said he was Mundus' chosen one."
"What do you think, Trish?" Lisanna asked her partner, considering the lightning-she-demon worked for Mundus before.
"I don't know, it's news to me." Trish shrugged.
"This is cause to be concerned, yes." Modeus said. "However, we have more questions than we do answers. We should look into this before we make any plans, perhaps work with our guild allies as well."
"Oh come on! Some ancient wizard strolls up and you're all just gonna throw the Trial out the window!?" Natsu exclaimed, still not over Makarov's choice. "Come on Lisanna, Dante, Happy, you guys back me up!"
"Sorry Natsu, but I gotta go with everyone else." Lisanna apologized.
"Yeah, I think a guy who could potentially end the world takes precedence over a stupid Trial." Dante said.
"Looks like your out-voted, sorry pal." Happy told Natsu.
"You guys all sound like a bunch of freaking toddlers!" The Salamander exclaimed. "If you all wanna throw in the towel, that's fine by me! Cause that means I'm the winner by default! Go ahead and make me S-Class! I'm the last one standing, right?!"
"Looks like that lightning-power he's got fried the last of his brain cells." Dante said with minor annoyance.
"You're saying that like he ever had any to begin with." Lady also said, just as annoyed.
"Fine then." Makarov gave a sigh. "If the boy won't listen to reason… Alright Natsu, I'll make an exception and let you take the final test. If you can defeat me, then I'll promote you right here and now."
That got Natsu hooked instantly. "So, let's do this thing! You're looking at the newest S-Class member! I am not gonna hold back Gramps!"
"Ten bucks says he won't last two seconds." Dante commented.
Natsu leapt on the attack. "I'm ALL FIRED…."
*SMASH!*
Makarov enlarged his fist and punched Natsu into a tree so hard it almost broke apart, which was enough to knock the wind right out of him. Though nearly everyone screamed in surprise; Dante, Erza, and Gildarts were among those who smirked slightly as this was completely expected.
"I was so close…." Natsu whispered in physical and emotional pain as Makarov pulled his fist back, allowing Lisanna to tend to him.
"Master." Cana walked up, getting his attention. "I have something I need to confess." She spoke with an expression that carried seriousness as well as guilt. Lucy, Lisanna, and Trish were those who had a good idea what she was about to say and paid attention as Makarov began to listen.
Grimoire Heart Airship
Meanwhile, the Black Wizard himself stood before the remnants of the dark guild that sought him out, his red eyes burning with hate as he glared at all of them, Hades in particular, though they seemed somewhat oblivious to hit as Kain Hikaru and Rustyrose immediately kneeled before him, while Hades seemed beyond ecstatic.
"Lord Zeref…" The gravely injured Hades muttered in an excited surprise. "I cannot believe my eyes… Lord Zeref is standing before me! Or is this merely a dream? A fantasy?" However, the physical pain he was still in was all the proof he needed to know that this was indeed reality. Maybe his wish and ambition for the Grand Magic World was still possible. "The keys! Bring them at once!" He ordered his two servants, only to look surprise as they were unable to move from their kneeling positions.
"I'm stuck…" Rustyrose voiced in surprise.
"I can't move a muscle…" Kain Hikaru said as well.
"There is no need for those keys of yours." Zeref said. "As you can see, I'm wide awake." He revealed, much to Hades' shock as Zeref continued. "How many atrocities did you commit to obtain them? Did you count the lives you took? The widows you made? The children who would never grow up? Every single one of them was a meaningless loss, victims of a lie that an old fool put stock in."
"What…? But… but that's impossible…?" Hades stuttered.
"The keys you sought were just stories concocted by a group of desperate fanatics." Zeref explained. "Cultists who longed for my 'resurrection', and you took their fiction as gospel. What a sad and horrific legacy to leave behind. But it wasn't just them, was it?" He asked, as Rustyrose and Kain Hikaru were starting to become extremely nervous, already sweating. "You were whispered lies and decent from the Demon Emperor, Mundus. He told you I was his 'chosen one', a herald to bring about the destruction of this world; I would lie asleep, waiting for the servants of Mundus to awaken me so that we may clear the way for his return, is that what he told you? But you couldn't be further from the truth. I was never asleep, and I have no affiliation with that wretched false god whatsoever! The man who stands before you is the true Black Wizard Zeref, a sworn enemy to the Demon Emperor!"
That hit Hades like a bombshell. "You were never asleep…?! The enemy to our lord Mundus…?!" He questioned. "But… I saw it myself!" He recalled Zeref's fight with Ultear. "I watched you fall with my Devil's Eye! You were so weak you couldn't hold your own against one of my underlings! And all those legends…. You created tens of thousands of demons! You brought entire nations to their knees by the mere mention of your name, and you say you're an enemy to Mundus?!"
"Allow me to explain it to you." Zeref began as a swirl of black magic began to form around him, causing Hikaru and Rustyrose to look in dread as they could feel the malevolent intent in the air, and it terrified them, even Hades was looking rather nervous. "Many centuries ago, I lost my family. I sought to learn ancient and primordial magics in order to save someone that I loved, and that drew me to Mundus. It is my regret that I struck a deal with him; he would give me the power to save the person I loved, and I would assist him in a way he had yet to tell me. However, the Dark Knight Sparda came in and pulled me out of that deal, he showed me how I could save that person without the use of Mundus' power. Sparda became my teacher, as well as a true friend, and we helped so many people in our time together. However, Mundus was not happy that I backed out of our deal, so he had me cursed, not just with immortality but the magic that you know see before you. Because I gained an appreciation of life under Sparda's teachings, the curse Mundus placed on me would take the lives of those around me; the exceptions being Sparda and a select few others. Though the curse could not be lifted, it can be controlled. In order to do that however, I must forget to appreciate the sanctity of life. This burden, is a wretched one indeed."
Hades could only look in further shock. "So, you've been waiting for something to force you to fight against the value of life?!"
"No, I sought solitude as I choose not to take any part in whatever scheme that Mundus has planned." Zeref answered. "However, your abysmal intentions have rid me of the shackles of morality for good." He shot a death-glare at Hades. "I know understand that I must take a more active role in this coming new era, for Acnologia will bring an end to the old one, and it was your evil intent that had summoned him."
"What are you talking about?!" Hades questioned as he stood from his chair. "Who is Acnologia?!"
Zeref had no answer to give as he began to move his arms with the intent on casting a spell. "Now you must be punished; for all the suffering you have caused, for betraying the Fairy Tail guild you once called your home, for abandoning the teachings of Sparda to become a pawn to Mundus…"
"No! Hold on!" Hades exclaimed. "There are so many questions I have yet to ask you…!"
However, Zeref would not let him speak another word ever again. "But, your greatest sin of all… Hades, it was you alone that caused me to forget the importance of life!" He held his hands out as he readied to deliver his punishment. "Repent while you still can."
Meanwhile, a single boat floated across the ocean, away from Tenrou Island. The only occupants of the boat being Ultear and Meredy.
"Meredy… you don't seem to be very happy." Ultear noticed the contemplating look on the younger girl's face. "I know that it's not going to be easy, but here's an idea… let's just forget about Grimoire Heart, and Zeref and Mundus to." Meredy said nothing, however. Ultear noticed a small pod of dolphins breaching the surface. "Dolphins, do you see them?"
"Ultear, is it true?" Meredy finally spoke, surprising Ultear a bit. "Were you the one in charge… of destroying my hometown?" Those memories were forever etched into Meredy's mind as she could still remember all the screams, fire, and blood when her town was attacked. "I lost my family, all my friends, I deserve to know."
Ultear made no attempt to hide the guilty face as she gave her answer. "Yes, it was me."
Meredy gave a gasp at that revelation. Though a part of her had expected that, to hear the confirmation come from Ultear herself felt like a jab to the heart.
"I'm sorry…" Ultear began. "I always intended to tell you the truth someday. I used to consider the life we're currently living our 'first try', and I saw only the bad things this world had to offer, I guess that all stemmed from my belief that my mother had abandoned me. I thought by mastering the Arc of Time and reaching the Grand Magic World, I could somehow 'reset' everything and bring about our second try. I believed our actions in this world had no real meaning, because we would be able to start all over again. This philosophy enabled me to act in horrific ways without remorse; I hurt and manipulated so many people, destroyed their lives and dreams and didn't even give it a second thought. I honestly thought the second time around would be our true life, and yours as well. A life full of happiness and peace. That's the reason, I did what I did."
However, now that her eyes were open, she knew that the Grand Magic World was nothing more than a fanatic dream, and she finally felt horrible guilt for all the unforgivable crimes she committed.
Meredy stood up from her spot, her fists clenching with so many mixed feelings, anger being the most visible.
"I was so wrong…" Ultear continued. "I had no right to cause so much suffering… I was a fool…" Her voice began to crack as she slowly began to sob. "A fool who spilt so much blood in the pursuit of a delusion… when all I needed to be happy was right in front of me. And I know… I don't deserve your forgiveness, but at least let me say that I am so sorry." She noticed Meredy's fists were still clenching, so much so her knuckles were turning white. "I understand… your filled with hatred for me." Meredy looked to Ultear in slight surprise. "However,…
*PIERCE!*
Meredy's pupils shrunk as Ultear had manifested her clock-hand sword to stab herself.
"Now there's no need… for you to dirty your hands… ever again…I can promise you that…" Ultear stuttered as she gave the girl a loving smile. "Because after today… I won't be here…" She stood up to let herself fall toward the water.
"Ultear!" Meredy yelled in shock.
Despite that, the woman still smiled toward the girl she considered her daughter. "Find your joy… your free to live your own life Meredy… so go out there… and make something of yourself… I love you."
She sank into the water, leaving a shocked and horrified Meredy. "ULTEAR!"
Ultear felt herself sinking deeper into the ocean as she felt her cursed life was about to come to an end. 'The sea… I'm with my mother again… I just wish… I could tell her how sorry I am… but then again… I don't deserve a happy ending…'
However, her life would not end here as Meredy had dove into the water, grabbed Ultear by the shoulders and pulled her up toward the surface. She quickly began to apply some magic to heal the stab wound Ultear inflicted on herself.
"You… saved me…? Ultear voiced in surprise.
"Let's live… together…" Meredy said as her voice cracked, Ultear looked in surprise to see tears flowing down the girl's face like a waterfall. Ultear was even more shocked by a familiar magic band around her wrist.
"A Sensory Link?"
"I feel it all…" Meredy cried. "Your frustration… and your sadness… It's not… all your fault" She gripped her by the shoulders and faced her directly. "You made a mistake… but you still saved my life… you raised me and gave me a home… you're still a mother to me... nothing will ever change that!" She continued to cry. "It's okay! I forgive you! Just promise me, you won't talk like that ever again! I can't bare the thought of being alone without you Ultear! I love you, to! So please! Live life with me!"
This was enough for Ultear to start crying as she and Meredy embraced each other and cried their eyes out.
A massive column of black magic suddenly shot up from the Grimoire Heart airship as Hades' lifeless body fell to the ground, with Zeref himself glaring hatefully at the corpse of the dark guild master.
"No! What did you do to our master?!" Rustyrose exclaimed.
"He's… dead as a doornail… oh god…!" Kain stuttered in terror.
"Death is too good for you!" Zeref cursed hatefully. "May you suffer in the afterlife!"
"Are you proud?"
Rustyrose and Kain cast a shocked glance at Hades corpse as a dark aura formed around it and it slowly rose to hover in the air; its arms and legs limp, it's only remaining eye glowing red. It's mouth move, but it was not the voice of Hades that came out.
"You disposed of an insignificant pawn. Are you proud of this accomplishment, young Zeref?"
Zeref glared with all the hatred he could muster. "Mundus."
Hikaru and Rustyrose looked in pure terror as the 'god' they worshiped did indeed poses the corpse of their master, who could only chuckle in amusement.
"Regardless, this puppet did as I intended him to do." Mundus began. "You have returned, and you are now in complete control of your curse. Humans are such unique beings, wouldn't you agree? They are so weak, and yet so useful."
"This was your goal?" Zeref questioned, continuing to glare. "To bring me back into this world? That may have just been your biggest mistake! I can indeed control your curse now, and I will use it, and everything at my disposal, to completely destroy you! So, you can consider this a declaration of war!"
Mundus chuckled even further. "War, you say. And how would you accomplish this when this world only fears you, with a few exceptions? You believe yourself to be the 'hero' of this story? Are you truly that naïve? Or just ignorant to how this realm sees you. You are every bit the 'villain' as I am. Even if you delude yourself into thinking otherwise, it won't matter. Your fate is all but sealed; sometimes the hero dies in the end. Just ask Sparda… no, better yet… ask your brother."
Zeref glared even further as he produced a black flame in his hand, which he didn't hesitate to throw at the possessed corpse of Hades. The second it made contact, it exploded, and the corpse began to burn away to nothing. However, despite that, Mundus continued to laugh. "Ha, ha, ha, ha... Muh ha, Ha, HA, HA, HA!" His dark and unforgiving laugh would forever scar Rustyrose and Kain Hikaru. The flame disappeared, and what was left of Hades' body was nothing more than ashes to be blown away, with Mundus' laugh echoing throughout the chamber before it faded.
"Even if that is true, I will do what it takes to end you." Zeref declared. "I will destroy you Mundus, even if I have to turn this whole world against me!"
Suddenly, Zeref felt a familiar presence approaching. It was massive, while carrying a powerful lust for blood and destruction, a presence he knew all too well. "He's here… Acnologia."
Tenrou Island
While most of the guild was recovering from their injuries, Cana had told Makarov everything she had done; from knocking Lucy unconscious in the middle of the war against Grimoire Heart, to finding the Grave of Mavis. She sat on the ground as Makarov had listened to every word she said; Erza and Mira were present around Makarov as well, along with Natsu, Dante, Lucy, Lisanna, Trish, and even Lady. Most of them looked disappointed, while Lucy and even Lisanna were sympathetic towards Cana as she looked down in shame. Though she did not tell them about Gildarts being her father as she wanted to tell that to him personally and he was among those recovering.
Makarov gave a sigh. "Words cannot express the disappointment I feel right now."
"Hold on." Lucy spoke up. "I'm not saying I agree with what Cana did, but the trial was very important to her. And she did come back and save our lives, doesn't that count for something?"
"Lucy, this isn't a matter that can be resolved just by saying 'I'm sorry'." Erza said. "What Cana did was very serious. You were her partner, she was responsible for you; yet she prioritized her own interests above the survival of her comrades, putting your life in danger in the process."
"We can't overlook what she did." Mira added upon seeing Lucy attempting to protest. "She might not have intended to put you in danger, but that doesn't excuse what she did."
"But…" Lucy still tried to protest, but Cana held up her hand to get her to stop.
"Lucy, they're right." Cana spoke. "I was selfish and stupid; we were in the middle of a war and I didn't even take it seriously. All I could think about was this stupid trial. You don't have to defend me, and I honestly feel even worse because you think you have to when you were the victim."
"Cana…" Lucy spoke, but Trish put a hand on her shoulder and shook her head, silently telling her this had to be done; even Natsu, Dante, and Lady, were in silent agreement, even Lisanna reluctantly accepted it.
Cana bowed her head to Makarov. "I'm fully prepared to accept responsibility for what I did and whatever punishment you think I deserve. Even if you have to kick me out of the guild, that's fine; after what I did, I don't deserve to be a member of Fairy Tail, let alone an S-Class wizard."
Though her friends, Lucy and Lisanna especially, were hopping that she wouldn't be kicked out, they knew they had no say in this and that fell onto Makarov alone.
The guildmaster of Fairy Tail soon spoke. "Cana, you're not expelled from the guild." That took her by honest surprise as she looked up towards him. "What you did was wrong, but you still came back to put your life in danger in order to save your friends and make amends for your mistake. That proves that you are willing to atone, and you will remain with Fairy Tail. However, as you say, you must still accept responsibility and you will face punishment for what you did."
"I understand, and I'm grateful that you choose to keep me in the guild." Cana replied. "But, before anything else…" She began to unwrap the bandages around her arm. "When I found Mavis' grave… I got this." She took off the bandages to reveal the red mark that was the sigil for one of the three sacred Fairy spells. Seeing it was enough to cause Makarov, Erza, and Mira to look in surprise.
"Is that…?" Erza stuttered.
"Fairy Glitter…?" Mira was also quite stunned.
"Yeah…" Cana confirmed. "But when I tried to use it to save Lucy and the others… it didn't work. Maybe I got a dud… or maybe I just blew it."
"It didn't work because you don't know how to use it." Makarov began, catching everyone's attention. "Fairy Glitter is one of the three sacred spells of our guild, it took me years to fully master the Fairy Law spell, and Fairy Glitter is said to be even more powerful. You can't honestly expect to just get a powerful spell and use it perfectly right off the bat. And that right there is all the more reason to keep you in the guild. If power-hungry individuals learned an independent wizard possessed such power, it would put a target on your back."
"I see…" Cana seemed to understand as she looked at the Fairy Glitter emblem on her arm.
"Is there anything else?" Makarov asked.
"No, that's it." Cana shook her head.
"Hey out of curiosity, what were you planning to do with something like that if you did get kicked out of Fairy Tail?" Dante asked Cana.
"I would have given it back in an instant." Cana answered. "Only a true Fairy Tail wizard should possess a spell like this."
"Now then, for your punishment Cana…" Makarov began, getting everyone's attention. "When we return to the guild, you will be placed on a three-month probationary period. During which, you will be forbidden from partaking on any jobs. If you are facing any financial issues, come to me and we'll work something out. Or if we are faced with a crisis, such as the guild being attacked, or we are to stop another 'end-of-the-world scenario', you may lend us your power; but nothing more than that."
"Three months, alright." Cana nodded and accepted the punishment.
"Three months is an awfully long time." Lucy said.
"Eh, could be worse." Lady shrugged.
However, Makarov wasn't done yet. "And during this probationary period... I will work with you to master the Fairy Glitter spell." That took Cana by honest surprise, as well as everyone else as Makarov spoke seriously. "The spirit of our first master, Mavis Vermillion, choose to pass this spell onto you and I can see why. Yes, you made a mistake, but you have shown that you are willing to accept your flaws and learn from them in order to make amends and improve yourself. That right there is the true markings of a Fairy Tail wizard." He finished with a smile.
Cana looked around and saw the smiles and nods of approval from everyone around her; including Lucy, Dante, Lisanna, Natsu, Lady, Trish, Erza, and Mira; some of which were mad at what Cana did and she didn't blame them one bit. Yet, they were still willing to give her another chance, which was all she needed to smile and shed a few tears of joy. "Thank you."
"Now, all of you get some rest. We will be leaving soon." Makarov told his underlings.
"Eh, one last thing." Trish spoke up, before they could leave. "There's something I need to say; well it's more so to Dante and Lucy, specifically."
"Man, everyone's got confessions today." Natsu commented. "What is this, a church?"
"It's not a confession, but more so a revelation." Trish replied.
"So, what's up?" Dante asked as he and Lucy gave her their attention.
"You remember how the Edolas version of your mom was that world's Lucy's aunt, Dante?" Trish recalled. "Well, it's the same thing here. Your mother's full name was Eva Heartfilia, the older sister to Layla Heartfilia."
That took nearly everyone by surprise; Cana, Lady, Erza, Mira, and even Makarov were the most stunned, even Natsu's jaw dropped in shock. Lisanna wasn't all that surprised as she, along with Lucy and Dante had thought that might be the case since leaving Edolas, though it was still quite a surprise to hear it out loud, even as Dante and Lucy looked towards each other in honest shock.
"So, wait… that means Lucy and Dante are….?" Natsu stuttered in comic shock.
"Cousins, yep." Trish confirmed.
"How'd you find out about that?" Lucy asked.
"Capricorn told me and Loke." Trish explained. "He used to be your mother's spirit before she died. When Eva married Sparda, she had her last name erased to spare her sister and her future family from the Underworld, given what happened to Dante's family…"
"Demons would have torn apart the mansion and everyone inside." Dante already knew exactly what would happen if any demons found out about something like that.
Despite that, Lucy couldn't help but smile. "Well, I mean we did figure that was the case since Edolas, but I'm glad to finally hear that. Thanks Trish."
"No problem. Sorry it took so long." Trish nodded.
"But this also means Vergil's your cousin to, you know that right?" Lady reminded Lucy as a dark cloud hung over all of them in comic-anime fashion.
"Yeah, I figured." Lucy said with a small wince.
"Dante Heartfilia." The youngest Son of Sparda said. "No offense Lucy, but it doesn't quite roll off the tongue very well. I kinda like Dante Redgrave a bit better." He joked.
"Wouldn't your name actually be Dante Spardason?" Mira asked. "Considering your Sparda's son, and since he didn't have a last name… at least not that I know of…"
Dante shrugged jokingly. "Eh, I like my dad, but I don't wanna be in his shadow my whole life. What kind of rep you wanna build off that?"
"Hey, what kind of a name is Redgrave anyway?" Lisanna joked as well. "I get the 'red' part since you wear a red jacket, but 'grave' sounds kinda bleak."
"It was the name of my hometown." Dante answered with a smirk "And I like it."
"Redgrave?" Natsu also joked. "What was 'Crimson Corpse' already taken?"
"No, but that could be a cool name for a death-metal rock band." Cana joked, which resulted in some chuckles from the group, as even Makarov shook his head with a small smile.
"Alright that's enough you dunderheads." Makarov said. "Go get some rest, I want to leave and return to the guild soon."
With that, everyone made their way back to basecamp. The guild spent at least ten minutes or so recovering and talking with each other, some told the others about what each of their fights against Grimoire Heart was like. As Natsu and Dante went to catch up with Gildarts and Happy, Lisanna had set down, only to look in minor surprise to see Laxus in front of her and pulling on her cheeks.
"Laxus…? What are you doing…?"
He blinked in surprise. "You're real." He patted her on the head slightly. "Well I'm glad that's settled, so what's death like?"
"I wasn't dead! How rude!" Lisanna exclaimed.
"You've had your fun, Laxus." Evergreen slightly scolded. "Now don't pester the girl."
"And you really don't wanna mess with her." Bickslow smirked. "She's got this new badass Dragon Take Over that can really knock the bad guys' heads in."
"Yeah. Total badass."
"Dragon Take Over, huh?" Laxus smirked amusingly toward Lisanna. "This wouldn't have anything to do with Natsu, would it? What you went to bed with him or something?"
Lisanna's face turned red as steam came out of her head. "It wasn't anything like that! Now lay off! What happens between me and Natsu is our own business!"
"So, does that mean you two finally hooked up? About time." Laxus still smirked, irritating Lisanna even more as she tried to bat at him with her hands, but he playfully used his hands to block it.
"Laxus' perception has become much sharper." Freed observed as he sat with his teammates in the Thunder Legion. "He must have been training hard, we should learn from him."
The scene was being witnessed by Wendy, Carla, Modeus, and Lady from a small distance away. "So that's the infamous Laxus, huh?" Lady observed. "Doesn't look so tough." She smirked.
"He's not quite what I had pictured, at least based on what I've heard from the guild." Modeus noted.
"I know he saved our lives and all, but I'm still scared of him." Wendy said as she held onto Modeus slightly. "Weird, huh?"
"What? Oh don't be silly child. He's fine." Carla told Wendy.
"Fine? Didn't he try to blow up all Magnolia in order to take over Fairy Tail one time?" Lady questioned. "That doesn't quite come off as 'fine'."
"It's true." Erza walked up to the group, getting their attention. "Laxus has made many mistakes, and he did act rather insufferably in the past. But I can tell he has changed quite a bit; I feel like the rest of you would get along with him quite well."
"Really?" Modeus asked. "Perhaps we should get to know him before we make judgements."
"Yes, that does make sense." Carla seemed to agree.
Even Wendy smiled slightly. "I heard from Big Brother Natsu that he's a Dragon Slayer to. I know he's not the same as me because he wasn't trained by a dragon, but it could still be interesting."
After having enough of Laxus' annoying banter, Lisanna had got some distance as she joined Lucy, Cana, and Trish at a spring as they rubbed the herbs on their wounds. "Hey, mind if I join you guys?" She asked.
"Get in at your own expense." Trish grimaced slightly as Lisanna joined them in the spring. However, the second she did, she ended up wincing in pain.
"What kind of hot spring stings?" Lisanna winced.
"Yeah, I mean this is supposed to help, right?" Lucy also winced.
"The spring's herbs are medicinal, knowing that sure doesn't make it sting any less, does it?" Cana asked rhetorically.
"How's your arm holding up?" Trish asked.
"A lot better now." Cana answered. "Guys listen I… I'm sorry…"
"Cana, you don't have to apologize." Lucy told her. "You already got your punishment and scolding from the master. I'm not holding a grudge, I promise."
"Still doesn't make what I did right." Cana said. "But, I promise I'm gonna do better. I won't get caught up in my personal baggage again. But Trish, if I ever do, will you please zap some sense into me?"
Trish smirked in response. "Consider it done."
The four young women relaxed for a little bit before Lisanna spoke. "Hey Cana, I know you said you would tell Gildarts the truth only if you won the trial, but after everything's that happened, even though you didn't win this time, I think you should still tell him."
Cana looked down slightly. "Yeah, you're right. It's time to finally bite the bullet."
Meanwhile; Dante, Natsu, Gildarts, and Happy sat on a ridge over a pond; all of them, excluding Happy, had fishing rods with their lines in the water. Though Natsu looked absolutely bored out of his mind.
"Geeze, Natsu. Try not to look so excited over there." Gildarts said sarcastically.
"Ah, he's just pouting because he didn't make S-Class." Dante commented.
"How come you're not pouting?" Natsu groaned. "You didn't make it either."
Dante shrugged. "Eh, there's always next year. Besides, after basically fighting for our lives, we could all use a little down-time."
"You really should listen to Dante, Natsu." Gildarts told the Dragon Slayer. "Fishing is part of a man's spiritual journey."
"Oh, it's a journey alright." Happy said as he looked into a barrel of fish that they had already caught. "Down my throat and into my belly!"
"Eating the fish isn't the important part!" Gildarts told Happy before addressing the rest. "It's the thrill of using your hunting instincts! The sense of becoming one with mother nature! The name of the game is survival of the fittest! This is the playground where men can feel alive!"
"No offense, but I'm not a fan of the whole 'survival of the fittest' shtick." Dante commented. "Heard that whole speech so many times before."
"There's a big difference between fishing and fighting demons and genocidal psychopaths, ya know?" Gildarts replied.
"As long as I get to sit and catch some R&R, I'm good with whatever." Dante said.
Natsu's line began to tug, which immediately got him excited. "Oooh! Check it out! I got a bite!"
"Way to go!" Gildarts smiled. "No pull it in, gently."
"Pretty sure Natsu doesn't know the meaning of the word 'gently.'" Dante said, resulting in Gildarts chuckling.
"Aye, got that right." Happy agreed as he still tried to get some fish from the barrel, but Natsu was too focused on getting his catch to come up with a response.
"How's it going guys?!" Lucy called to them as she, Cana, Trish, and Lisanna arrived on the scene.
"Hold on a minute." Gildarts told them. "Natsu's about to discover the true spirit of fishing. So don't interrupt us."
"So sorry Gildarts, but Cana has something very important to tell you." Lisanna said with an apologetic smile.
Though Gildarts himself looked curious; Trish, Lisanna, and Lucy ended up comically pulling away Dante, Natsu, and Happy respectively.
"Come on guys, this is a private conversation." Trish said as they dragged the guys away.
"But my journey…!" Natsu complained.
"My dinner…!" Happy whined.
"My R&R…!" Even Dante complained.
Once they were gone, Cana stood in front of Gildarts who continued to sit on the ground as he looked at her with curiosity. "So, what's up?" He asked with a serious expression when he noticed the conflicted and even emotional look on her face. "If it's about what you did before, don't worry about it. From what I heard, the Master already gave you your punishment and you learned your lesson."
"No, it's not that." Cana answered. "Well… I mean it is sort of related to that. But… did… did you know that the reason I joined the guild… was so I could find… my father…?"
"Actually, that's the first I heard of it." Gildarts replied. "Wait, you joined to find him. You telling me your old man was a member of Fairy Tail to?"
"Uh… yes. Still is, in fact." Cana answered, looking away nervously.
Meanwhile; Lucy, Lisanna, and Trish hid behind the trees with Natsu, Happy, and Dante present as well, the guys looking in surprise as they heard what Cana had said.
"Go Cana, tell him." Lucy muttered in a whisper. "What are you guys still doing here?" She asked the three males present.
"Don't know, why are you hear? It's a private conversation, right?" Dante questioned back.
"Guys, stop." Lisanna stopped a fight from breaking out as they all continued to listen.
Cana's hands shook, along with most of her body. She had to say it, but it was still nerve raking. But after everything that had just happened, she couldn't keep it hiding any longer. "His name is Gildarts."
Natsu and Happy's jaws dropped to the ground, even Dante was caught off-guard. 'First my old man was a founder of Fairy Tail, then Lucy and I are cousins, now this?! What is this, the book of Revelations from the Bible?!'
It took almost a full minute for Gildarts to process what Cana had just said. But when he did fully process it, he couldn't stop himself from screaming in complete and utter surprise.
Cana gave a sigh as it was now out in the open. "I tried to tell you, but things kept getting in the way."
Gildarts looked to Cana with white circular eyes, still not over his surprise. "So… what you're saying is… you're my… my…!?"
"Yeah…" Cana muttered. "I guess it's hard to believe, huh?"
"Wait… which one is your mother?!" Gildarts stuttered, shock still present on his face. "Sarah…?! Naomi…?! Clara…!? Fiona…?! Mary…?! Liza…?!"
"Seriously?" Trish muttered in annoyance with a sweatdrop as Lucy and Lisanna both looked rather ashamed, Lisanna especially, while Natsu and Happy were still not over their shock. Dante just face-palmed as Gildarts continued to list off women's names.
"No… No, the hair-color's all wrong!" Gildarts was already on the floor. "Emma… Layla… Jenny… Sydney… Kate… The Yugo sisters…?!"
"Sisters?!" Cana shouted in comic anger. "Just how many women have you slept with?!"
"No, Silvia!" Gildarts continued. "That's gotta be it! It's that face! She made it a lot!"
"Seriously?!" Cana exclaimed. "I finally tell the truth only to realize my old man is a dead-beat who can't keep it in his pants?! Whatever, I was just letting you know! See ya!" She was about to storm away.
"Whoa… hold up…" Gildarts tried to stop her.
"I don't have anything else to say to you!" Cana told him, sounding incredibly disappointed. "Don't worry, I won't be moving in! I would hate to ruin your game! Just carry on like I'm not around and…"
Cana was completely caught off-guard when Gildarts stood up to wrap his arms around her. "You're Cornelia's daughter. No doubt about it." This caused Cana to calm down as that was her mother's name.
"Please let go." She said, not wanting this to get emotional.
"Why did you wait so long to tell me?" Gildarts muttered.
"Like I said, things kept coming up." Cana replied, calming down even more while letting her emotions naturally slip out a bit. "Or maybe I was just too afraid to tell you. It's kinda why I was so obsessed with becoming S-Class. I thought if I was a strong enough wizard, I would have the courage to tell you."
Gildarts put his hand on the back of her head as he continued to hold her. "Your mother, Cornelia was the only woman I ever truly loved. Marrying her was the happiest moment of my life." Cana could tell he was speaking the truth as she continued to listen. "She left me eighteen years ago, because all I ever did was work. It killed me. When I heard of her passing, it was like a shot to the heart. But part of her is still with me. I'm sorry. I should have realized long ago."
Cana gently broke off from the hug as she gave him a smile. "Don't worry, I'm the one who tried to keep it hidden all this time, remember? I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, it's just nice to finally have this weight lifted off my chest."
Gildarts' emotional eyes were covered by his hair. "I had a daughter all this time… and she was right in front of me…"
"Hey now, there's no need for waterworks, Gildarts." Cana told him, still smiling. "I don't expect anything from you, okay? You don't have to treat me differently. But if you don't mind, may I say it just this once? I'm glad I met you, Dad. I really am." She said with a smile and a wink.
Gildarts looked at his biological daughter with a surprised and emotional expression. He remembered first meeting her when she was just a little girl and had seen her grown into the strong young woman she was now. This whole time, the daughter of his one true love was right there with him, and while he did care for her, he always worked, and he felt he was never truly there for her. Emotional tears of sorrow and joy flowed in his eyes before he wrapped his arms around her.
"Baby!" He cried as he hugged her. Though surprised at first, she smiled warmly as she returned the loving embrace. "I promise I'll never make you feel sad again!" He said as tears flowed down his face, and she wasn't too far behind. "I'll always be here for you. I'll be right by your side, it doesn't matter whether it's on a job, or hitting up the bars."
"I'm not so sure you can keep up with me." Cana cried and joked at the same time.
"All that I ask… is that you give me the opportunity to be a loving father…!" He cried as he held his daughter tightly.
From behind the trees; Natsu and Happy were both comically crying tears of joy, as the Salamander felt Lisanna wrap her arms around him from behind, tears of joy flowing through her eyes as well. Trish didn't cry, but she did smile and nod with approval. Lucy wiped a stray tear from her eye as she shared a smile with her cousin, Dante.
'A loving father, huh?' Dante thought with a smile as he glanced at the Devil Sword Sparda that Trish still had. 'Maybe I should pay my respects to my old man too. I mean, we're part of the same guild, aren't we?'
However, the touching moment was brought to a surprising halt as they, along with Gildarts and Cana, heard a faint but ominous growl echoing through the air, getting all their attention.
Cana was surprised to feel Gildarts' body run cold, she looked up to see the worried and even fearful look on his face. "No…"
"What's up? Is something the matter?" Cana asked as they heard another growling noise in the air.
"God, I hope not…" Gildarts muttered.
"What the hell was that?" Dante voiced with concern.
"I think that was an animal… a really big one." Lisanna said.
"Something feels off." Lucy said.
"Smells off, that's for sure." Natsu was already getting serious. "There's a strange odor."
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Trish said with worry.
"Whoa, that reminds me." Happy said as he pulled out a fish and presented it to Lucy. "Maybe something yummy will settle your tummy." He joked, much to everyone's annoyance.
"That sound and smell had nothing to do with my tummy, cat!" Lucy told him.
Meanwhile, Makarov had heard that same sound even from his location as he sat upon a large rock. "That ungodly sound, what could it be…?"
"Master." Erza approached him from behind, getting his attention. "The ship will be ready to take us to the mainland very shortly. Also, regarding Laxus…"
"I have nothing to discuss with our about that boy." Makarov said as he turned his back again before crossing his arms. "Except to say he's got quite a pair on him, daring to set on the Fairy Tail guild's most sacred ground. He no longer enjoys that privilege."
"I understand." Erza acknowledged. "But what he's done for us…"
"Yes, I heard all about how he saved your lives and helped you and the others to fight off Hades." Makarov said. "He even gave Natsu a portion of his power. My appreciation for what he did is more than words can convey, as his grandfather, I'm beyond proud of him. But as far as Fairy Tail's concerned, he's still an outsider. Albeit one to whom we owe our gratitude."
Erza looked down slightly. "So your position is firm, is it?"
"Of course, it is." Laxus revealed himself as he leaned back against a tree, having heard the whole conversation. "It's how the guild's stayed strong over the years. You can't buy your way with a single good deed; it takes a lot more." He already knew he wasn't going to get back into Fairy Tail with what he did as that wasn't his objective.
"That's true." Erza nodded in agreement.
"You guys were in a jam." Laxus said. "So, I did what any other decent passing stranger would do and try to help out. There wasn't any kind of ulterior motive behind my actions." He looked towards his grandfather who still kept his back turned. "Hey, old man." Makarov flashed something of a scowling glance, something Laxus was all too familiar with. "Yeah, that's the look. Classic. Probably the last time I'll see that scowling face for a long while, later."
Laxus just about to leave, when that same ominous growl continued to echo throughout the air, surprising him, as well as Erza and even Makarov. They didn't know what that sound was, but each of their instincts told them that it was bad news.
The rest of the Fairy Tail members at basecamp; consisting of Gray, Wendy, Lady, Gajeel, Carla, Lily, Levy, Juvia, Mira, Elfman, Freed, Evergreen, Bickslow, and Modeus, all heard that sound as well, causing them all to look in concern.
"Will somebody feed Lucy so her belly will stop rumbling for a while." Gajeel joked.
"Ha, ha, that's real funny metalhead." Lady said in annoyance.
"Yep, classic jerky Gajeel." Levy said in the same tone as Gajeel flashed a trolling grin.
Wendy giggled slightly however, she noticed something odd about Modeus as he stood up from his chair and looked towards that sky. "Modeus…?"
"That sound…" He muttered, keeping his back turned from his guildmates so they couldn't see the look of pure terror on his face. His skin had turned pale as sweat was already dripping. "Please no… not him… anyone but him…"
Everyone noticed that he was shaking, and it caused them all to look rather worried themselves, especially Wendy and Carla.
"Modeus… is something wrong?" Mira asked.
"Call the others!" He turned to face the rest of Fairy Tail as they all saw his terror-filled expression. "We need to leave the island right now!"
Suddenly, a massive and ear-splitting roar could be heard all across the island, forcing everyone to cover their ears as many screamed in surprise. "What the hell was that?!" Lady questioned.
"It sure is manly!" Elfman stated.
"That's definitely a dragon's roar!" Wendy revealed.
"A dragon?!" Juvia exclaimed in surprise.
"Are you sure it's not a thunderstorm?" Lily asked in a shaky state as he covered his own ears.
Another roar hit the island, causing everyone to wince in pain as Modeus already looked in terror. "It's him… he's here!"
"Hey! Is everyone alright!?" Lucy called as she, Natsu, Dante, Lisanna, Trish, Gildarts, and Cana ran onto the scene, with Happy flying right behind him.
"You guys heard that too?" Dante asked.
"Yeah, Wendy says it a dragon!" Gray responded.
Gildarts felt his wounds ache as he groaned and held his side, prompting Cana and Lisanna to help him. "Are you okay?" Cana asked her father with concern.
"Gildarts?" Lisanna also looked worried.
"My wounds are starting to burn like hell." Gildarts grimaced in pain and fear. "There's no doubt… that dragon… he's getting real close…"
"Oh my god…" Lady looked up in shock towards the sky. "Everyone, look up!"
Natsu and Dante were the first to look up at what Lady was pointing as they both looked in shock. "Holy shit…!" Dante muttered as Natsu's pupils shrunk.
"Natsu, Dante, what's the matter?" Happy asked the pair as he turned to see what they were looking at, causing him to look in shock with a yell as well.
Everyone saw it as it descended from the sky toward the island. It was a massive black dragon with blue spiral markings decorated along its scaled back and wings and a grey underbelly. It had massive claws and with a long trident-like tail, an elongated neck with an armored head and white pupil-less eyes. However, this dragon also appeared to have a series of scars all across his body; such as a massive gouging wound in his belly, implying he had been stabbed there, a long diagonal cut across his right shoulder to his left side, and even a vertical scared-line across his right eye.
"That's a freaking dragon?!" Trish shouted as it easily dwarfed any demon she'd seen before.
"That thing's humongous!" Elfman exclaimed.
Modeus recognized this dragon, as it made his blood run cold. "No… Acnologia…"
"I don't believe it…" Lucy muttered as a large gust of wind from this enormous beast almost blew away the entire forest as the dragon apparently named Acnologia hovered over them.
"You gotta be kidding…?" Not even Gajeel expected to see another dragon again.
"I don't think it's a friendly one…" Wendy's instincts told her this dragon was bad news.
"I knew it…" Natsu stuttered. "I was right all along…! They still exist!"
"I'm afraid that's Acnologia." Makarov said as he, Erza, and Laxus arrived on the scene. "The Black Dragon of the Apocalypse!"
"Yeah… that's definitely him." Gildarts said. "The same one that ripped off my arm and leg." That especially got Dante's attention, remembering when he first met Gildarts and saw his wounds.
"Hey dragon!" Natsu tried to call to him. "You know where I can find Igneel?! Tell me! Grandeeney and Metalicana too!"
"Natsu, no!" Modeus put both his hands on the Dragon Slayer's shoulders. "This dragon won't answer you! It didn't come here to have a conversation! It's here for one purpose and one purpose only… to kill us." Modeus said, his face still as pale as the moon's surface.
"Modeus, do you know this dragon?" Carla asked him.
"Yes, I do." The Demon of the Moon confirmed.
"It's coming down!" Freed exclaimed as Acnologia began to descend closer towards them.
"I don't think this is the same kind of dragon that raised Natsu and Wendy!" Happy stated with worry. "This one seems evil!"
Acnologia had set down on the ground in front of basecamp to face the shocked and frightened members of Fairy Tail.
"You're right, Happy!" Modeus confirmed. "Acnologia is pure evil! The only one who's evil that can even surpass his own is Mundus himself!"
"Don't make us guess here, what the hell are we dealing with?!" Dante exclaimed.
"Acnologia…." Modeus began as they all got a good look at the black dragon that stood before them. "Its name is feared even among the most upper level of demons. He has gone by many names; 'the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse', 'The Dragon King', but in the Underworld, he is known as the 'Dragon Butcher', because he has singlehandedly slaughtered countless dragons and drove the entire species to near-extinction!"
That really surprised everyone, especially the three Dragon Slayers present.
"He slaughtered…. Dragons…?" Wendy questioned, clear fear present in her eyes as Gajeel could only shiver just picturing something like that.
"Acnologia did not come here to get acquainted with us." Modeus continued. "Nor does he see us as food, like other dragons would. Acnologia came here to kill us, not for revenge or any other logical reason. He wants to kill us just for the sport of it. And he won't stop till every single one of us is dead."
Even Dante was beyond shocked at this.
"What are you saying…?" Natsu questioned, frustration and even fear present in his voice. "He came here just to kill us!?"
Acnologia gave another ear-splitting roar, almost to confirm it himself. He had every intention of killing all the Fairy Tail members present, and wouldn't leave until it did just that.
"RUN!" Modeus yelled to all his comrades. "EVERYONE TO THE SHIP! NOW!"
"He's right! We have to get out of here!" Even Gildarts was in complete agreement. The fact that even the strongest member in Fairy Tail was visibly scared of this dragon was enough to tell them just how grave their situation was, even more so than when Grimoire Heart invaded.
However, before anybody could even attempt to run away, Acnologia let loose another roar, this one more powerful than the last ones. The sheer force from his roar alone was enough to not only obliterate the entire basecamp, but even blow away the entire forest around them as all the trees were uprooted. Rocks and rubble were shattered by the sheer force as well, as those in Fairy Tail could barley stand their ground, anyone that couldn't, such as the Exceeds, Wendy, and Levy, who were almost blown away; had to be held on by some of their comrades. Gajeel held onto Levy, who also held onto Lily. Dante dug himself in as he caught Wendy's wrist, while Carla clung this jacket. Natsu kept a firm grip on Happy as he struggled against the force as well.
By the time it was finished, even Dante was completely speechless at the result that laid before them. It almost appeared the entire corner of the island had been leveled, as if a massive bomb had gone off and wiped off most of the landscape in the area.
"No way…" Even Natsu was shocked as he tried to pull himself up. "I don't believe it… the entire forest… has completely disappeared…"
"All that from just a single roar…?" Trish questioned, her voice already shaking with fear.
"I've never seen demons do anything like this…." Lady muttered. "How strong is this monster?"
"It may very well be the strongest creature in all of Earthland." Modeus commented. "Honestly, I dare say that Acnologia strength… is equivalent to that of Sparda, maybe even more so."
If they all weren't shocked before, they certainly were now. This black dragon was equivalent in power to that of the Dark Knight himself?!
"This thing is stronger than my old man?!" Dante yelled in honest shock.
"Not just strong." Gildarts added with a shaky voice, keeping a protective arm around Cana. "He's evil… pure and simple." Everyone looked up with clear fear the massive dragon that hovered above them. "That just now, was nothing more than his way of just getting warmed up."
"Everyone back on your feet! We have to leave now!" Modeus called to the group as they tried to pull themselves up as much as they could. Juvia was unable to walk, but Gray was quick to give her a piggyback. Acnologia gave another roar as he loomed over them with deadly intent. "HURRY! TO THE SHIP! NOW!" Modeus yelled in terror.
"It's this way!" Erza began to direct everyone as she pointed towards the shoreline past what remained of the forest. "Just through those trees! Now get moving!"
All twenty-five members of Fairy Tail, Laxus included, ran as fast as they could with Acnologia flying after them in pursuit. Many of them had hoped that the trees would provide them with cover, but that was only a fleeting sentiment. Acnologia's dragon senses can easily pin-point each of them, and he could just simply smash or blow away the trees.
"Wendy, you know how to communicate with dragons, don't you?!" Carla asked the Sky Dragon Slayer. "Can you talk to it for us!"
"Anyone can communicate with a dragon!" Wendy replied. "But you heard what Modeus said, it didn't come to talk with us!"
Acnologia gave another roar as he flew above then to land in front of them and block their path with his massive frame.
"He cut off our escape route!" Gray exclaimed.
"Damn it! This thing really wants us dead!" Lady also exclaimed.
"But why us?!" Wendy cried as she desperately tried to plead with the black dragon in front of them. "Why are you doing this?! Answer me!"
Acnologia gave no response, other than another predatory roar.
"He refuses to speak to them." Zeref said as he watched the entire scene play out from the Grimoire Heart airship, with Rustyrose and Hikaru right behind him. "Which means he views them as nothing more than insects. Men don't engage vermin in conversation, this is no different. And men certainly don't battle pests the same as actual threats, those poor souls don't have a prayer of surviving. Mankind will soon learn who's at the top of the food chain: the one dragon that even the Underworld fears, someone who can only be matched by the combined efforts of the Three Demon Kings, or just Mundus himself."
The Black Wizard gave a sad sigh as he knew there wasn't anything that he could do to stop Acnologia as he was now. "It seems, I find myself at the crossroads once again, at the end of yet another era. So farewell, Natsu. Forgive me, Sparda, I could not protect your son."
Acnologia's attempts to crush the members of Fairy Tail was the equivalent of someone attempting to stomp on the insects that lay before them; it was his every intent to kill them, yet at the same time, he made no real effort in the attempt, viewing those who squired beneath him as nothing to give effort toward. And those in Fairy Tail were all but helpless to stop him as all they could do was try to keep themselves and their friends and family members from being crushed.
Natsu tried to run straight for the black dragon with the intent on attacking. Dante tried to at least give some form of back-up by firing Ivory at Acnologia, but the demonic-energized bullets barley did anything to distract him as he brought his claw down, the force was enough to send both the Son of Igneel and Son of Sparda sliding hard across the ground.
"Damn it…." Dante grunted. "Can't even slow it down!"
However, Makarov suddenly stood in between his guild and the monster attacking them as he threw away his jacket.
Everyone knew what he was going to do as they looked in a mixture of seriousness and shock. "Come on Gramps." Natsu stated.
Already, Makarov began to grow as large as he possibly could, channeling all the magic power he could to reach his giant form. "Get to the ship!" He exclaimed as he faced Acnologia directly. He wrapped his arms around Acnologia's neck to pin his head in-between his arm and side.
"Is he serious…?" Lady muttered.
"No, not even Master Makarov can stop Acnologia." Modeus stated. "At most, he'll only slow him down!"
Everyone gasped as they tried to get him to stop. "That's crazy! He can't fight that thing!" Gray exclaimed as he still gave a piggyback to the shocked Juvia.
"Master! Please don't play the hero!" Erza told him. "The guild needs you to stay alive!"
"Get out of here!" The giant Makarov shouted as he tried to push Acnologia back as hard as he could.
Laxus was completely speechless as he looked towards his struggling grandfather, though his gut instincts told him exactly what Makarov was planning to do, and he just silently prayed that they were wrong.
"I will fight by Master's side!" Freed exclaimed.
"No lizard's gonna tear this guild apart!" Bickslow stated as well.
"I'll stay with you to the bitter end!" Evergreen also said.
"Me too!" Elfman also exclaimed.
Virtually everyone tried to plead with Makarov, either trying to convince him to come with them, or to stay by his side and fight. However, Makarov was dead set against either options as his fatherly instincts told him of only one possible option left to guarantee his children's survival.
"WILL YOU BRATS JUST SHUT UP AND HONOR YOUR MASTER'S FINAL WISH!? GET OUT OF HERE NOW!"
That caused everyone to gasp. "Final wish…?" Mira questioned in shock, covering her mouth.
"No… he can't mean that… can he…?" Lisanna hoped to god that this wasn't what they all thought it was.
"He knows he can't stop that thing… he's… sacrificing himself…" Trish muttered as a sense of dread and grief swept through not just her, but everyone else.
Both Dante and even Laxus saw the look in his eyes. Laxus had recognized that look from his grandfather before, the same look that said he had made up his mind and nothing would make him budge. As for Dante, it made him reminisce the final time he saw his mother's face before her untimely death.
"I am a Dragon Slayer wizard, Gramps!" Natsu shouted to Makarov. "This is what I was born to do, so let me…!" However, Laxus began to pull on his scarf, practically dragging him away.
"Not today, kid!"
"Let go! Laxus!" Natsu however looked in surprise when he saw the traces of tears that came from Laxus' face, despite his face not looking directly at him.
"Shit." Dante muttered as a he closed his own eyes in frustration before turning around to run away, along with everyone else.
Even Erza seemed in agreement. "Best of luck." She told her master before turning around. "Run!"
Everyone else ran as hard and as fast as they could, tears already flowing down their eyes as they knew Makarov would certainly die trying to hold Acnologia back. All of them felt it; the Thunder Legion, the Dragon Slayers, Lucy, Levy, Gray, Juvia, the Strauss siblings, Cana, Modeus, the Exceeds, Gildarts, even Lady, Trish had tears stinging their eyes as they ran away.
But it seemed Makarov was at peace with this. 'What good children. It made be hard to believe now, but this is for the best. It's times like these that teach you important lessons for your future, like knowing that tears are wasteful things, nothing to trouble over. Is death caused by sadness, or sadness caused by death? The answer is in your hearts. My dear children… you must learn… and grow… and live!'
However, right when it seemed everyone else had made considerable distance, Dante couldn't help but turn around as he saw the giant Makarov continuing to struggle against Acnologia. "You foul creature!" Makarov cursed. Already, Acnologia had used his claws to strike at Makarov's sides, causing several large bleeding cuts to form as Makarov winced in pain.
Hearing the groans of Makarov caused Dante to think back to the last memory of his mother, Eva. Her last words replaying through his mind.
"You need to hide, Dante. No matter what happens, you mustn't leave! I need to find Vergil. I promise I'll be back. I know this his hard. You must listen to me. Be a big boy… a man, huh? If I don't return, you must run. By yourself, alone. You must change your name. Forget the past and start a new life as someone else. A new beginning. I love you."
Dante's hands clenched as his fingers dug into his palms, blood already pouring down as he crunched his face in pure frustration grief. 'No. Not again. Not this time.' He turned back towards the struggle between the black dragon and the master he'd come to view as his second father and ran back toward the fight.
"I don't know what your goal is here, but I'm not letting you get any further!" Makarov continued to hold Acnologia back as hard as he could. "I WON'T LET YOU HURT MY CHILDREN!"
Finally, it seemed Acnologia had enough of this as he gave a bit of effort to push Makarov back, which was enough to knock the giant guildmaster back. The black dragon slammed Makarov's giant form on the ground with a single claw and already dug it into his chest, right into the red Fairy Tail emblem that was imprinted on Makarov's chest, causing it to bleed immensely. However, despite the agonizing pain, and the monstrous dragon roaring at him, Makarov's painful yells turned into a joyous and satisfied laugh. Acnologia lent up slightly, actually looking somewhat confused at Makarov. Why would he laugh in the face of his own destruction?
'This is what a father does for his family.' Makarov thought as he accepted his end. 'I have no regrets. I can die a happy man.'
However, he felt a small wet sensation on his massive cheek and gazed to loon in minor surprise to see it was a tiny splash of blood, but it wasn't his.
Makarov looked up towards Acnologia's face, to see none other than Dante. The red-clad Devil Hunter had used Rebellion to stab into Acnologia's scales just above his right eye, piercing through the skin as he looked right into the dragon's eyes to make sure he had a clear view. Though this was nothing more than an insect-bite to Acnologia, Dante was about to see to it the monster would get a lot worse than that.
"Hands off the old man, you god damn gecko!" Dante exclaimed, holding onto Rebellion's hilt and hanging on with his left hand, while pulling out Ebony in his right hand and shooting directly into Acnologia's eye. This caused the dragon to roar in pain. "What's wrong buddy? Got something in your eye?!" Dante yelled as he continued to pour his pistol into Acnologia's eye.
"Dante!" Makarov voiced in surprise.
It wasn't just Dante, a certain Dragon Slayer had run up and leapt onto Acnologia's arm as he tried to lay a series of flaming punches. "You ain't killing Gramps! Or Dante! We're all going back together!"
"Natsu…?" Makarov's surprise came to an end as Acnologia attempted to shake both Dante and Natsu off by waving his arm in front of his face, but both held on tightly to avoid getting swatted. This accidentally caused Acnologia to smack the giant Makarov into the hillside.
His magic worn off, the guildmaster of Fairy Tail had shrunk back down to his normal size to see yet another familiar face standing protectively in front of him. "Erza… you too?"
"I was down with the plan to evacuate." Even Laxus was there. "But that Dante-guy turned around first, and old Natsu wasn't far behind." He gave a small scoff. "I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there who'd let an old man take the fall." He turned to give his grandfather a genuine smile. "But not your guild."
"Now attack!" Erza ordered.
All the Fairy Tail members present immediately went on the attack and struck Acnologia with everything they had, be it magical, physical, or even demonic attacks. Even Gildarts and Modeus who knew all too well what Acnologia was capable of didn't hesitate to fight back.
Tears were already overflowing in Makarov's eyes. "You damn stupid bunch of kids."
Laxus was already charging himself with all the lightning he could muster, his body surging with incredible electric power. "Alright you guys! Let's hit this monster with everything we got! If you let loose on him and I blast him with a million watts of lightning, he'll learn never to mess with Fairy Tail again!"
"Laxus." Freed, Evergreen, and Bickslow were already behind him, along with everyone else.
"Let's light him up." Lady smirked along with Trish, Gajeel, and Gray.
"Yo Natsu! Dante!" Laxus called to them, getting both their attention. "You better get out of the way, cause here it comes!"
"Quicksilver!" Dante already used his most convenient style to pull himself and Natsu out of the way just in time. "Go for it! Hit him now!" Dante exclaimed once they hit the ground.
"Raging Bolt!" Laxus sent a massive bolt of lightning from his arms, with everyone from Fairy Tail attacking simultaneously with their own powers.
"Heaven's Wheel: Scattered Petals!" Erza quipped in her Heaven's Wheel armor to send a massive flurry of her blades forward.
"Inferno Blast!" Lisanna, in her Dragon Soul form, unleashed a powerful fire-breath attack.
"Super Freezing Arrow!" Gray launched a massive flurry of ice-arrows from an ice-bow he constructed.
"Water Nebula!" Juvia shot forward a massive column of water from both her hands.
"Steel Devil Rage!" Lady unleashed her own metallic breath attack.
"Solid Script: Fire!" Levy wrote the word 'fire' made from flames which she also sent forward as well.
"Sagittarius!" Lucy had summoned her archer-spirit, which already launched a volley of arrows.
"Card Magic: Thunderbolt's Fate!" Cana swiped her cards to send a ball of electricity forward.
"All Crush!" Gildarts sent a powerful surge of his Crush Magic at his target.
"Darkness Stream!" Mira unleashed a massive blast of dark magic.
"Dark Ecriture: Death!" Freed swiped his sword to send his most deadly attack forward.
"Victory Formation!" Bickslow's dolls lined up and shot a massive condensed beam of green energy.
"Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!" Evergreen unleashed a massive hail of energy-bullets.
All these attacks combined into one massive Unison Raid which appeared to have completely engulfed Acnologia.
The bright light from this ultra-powerful attack drew the attention of two observants. The same man clad in purple and the same girl in a pink dress that had been observing all these events play out on Tenrou Island. The man glared with a hateful expression at Acnologia. However, he felt a gentle yet firm grip on his hand and looked to see the girl smiling at him, which was enough for the man to smile as he nodded before they turned to continue observing.
Laxus looked in shock and frustration to see that even when engulfed in this attack, Acnologia had barley budged an inch. "We totally unloaded on this son of a bitch and he's still smiling?! Let's see what you Devils and Dragon Slayers can do! You hear me Natsu!" Laxus called to a group that was already in the skies.
Dante, Modeus, and Trish had already transformed into their respective Devil Triggers as they flew in the skies alongside Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel, who were being carried by Happy, Carla, and Panther-Lily respectively.
"You all heard the man." Dante said as he led the attack. "Hit him hard with everything you got! No mercy!"
The group was already above Acnologia when they attacked.
"Iron Dragon Roar!" Gajeel unleashed his breath attack just as Trish shot the Devil Sword Sparda forward to send a surge of multi-colored lightning forward.
"Sky Dragon Roar!" Wendy shot her breath attack as Modeus thrusted Hunter's Moon forward to send a large beam of swirling red and white demonic energy outward.
"Fire Dragon Roar!" Natsu opened fire with his own breath attack as Dante pointed Rebellion forward to send a powerful blast of his crimson-red demonic power out as well.
All six attacks of either dragon or demonic origin mixed together in the form of their own Unison Raid before it scored a direct hit on Acnologia.
*BOOM!*
The resulting explosion from both massive Unison Raids combined had blown away the entire shoreline. When the smoke vanished, the Exceed trio had set their Dragon Slayer companions down as Dante, Modeus, and Trish turned back into their humanoid forms, as they and all their friends had saw that Acnologia had vanished completely.
"Did that work?" Erza asked.
"Of course not." Gildarts said, much to everyone's shock.
"What?" Lady questioned in surprise.
"He's right." Modeus said with a grave tone. "We might have done some damage, but what he just did isn't enough to stop him."
"Are you serious?!" Gray exclaimed.
"Dead serious." Modeus confirmed. "We need to leave now before he recovers!"
But it seemed it was too late for that as Acnologia had already bust out of the water and was back up in the air with a roar.
"Are you freaking kidding me?!" Trish exclaimed in shock and anger.
"I think we all did was just make him angry." Lisanna winced in fear.
Elfman however got a closer look. "No, look, he's bleeding!" They all looked and saw some scratches along his sides that were indeed dripping blood. "We actually hurt him!"
"When he arrived, he was covered in scars." Erza noted. "Which means he's not invincible. He can be damaged."
"Yes, perhaps he can be, but not with the power we currently wield." Modeus said. "True, we drew blood, but it's not enough to even scar him. At most, all we've done was just give him the equivalent of a few paper-cuts."
"His power is unbelievable…" Gajeel voiced in awe and fear.
Wendy was already down on her knees, tears flowing in her eyes. "We gave it everything we had… three Dragon Slayers… and three powerful devils… all at the same time… our whole guild went against him and it still wasn't enough!"
Natsu yelled as he slammed his fists onto the ground. "This shouldn't happen! I'm supposed to be a god damn Dragon Slayer! So why the hell couldn't I beat him?!"
"What do you think he'll do now?" Lily questioned, trying to steady himself.
"Maybe he'll just decide to go back home…" Happy shivered in wishful thinking.
"We can't let down our guard!" Carla stated.
Acnologia however gave a few whiffs. "That scent." Everyone looked upward in shock to see that Acnologia was actually speaking. "That power… I know it." He set his eyes down directly on Dante. "You. You are a spawn of Sparda."
Dante glared up at the black dragon. "Damn right! I'm his son, Dante! What the hell is it to you, you damn freak?!"
"Do you miss your father?" Acnologia asked. "Allow me to reunite you with him." He began to inhale as a vortex of air and energy began to flow into his mouth and build up into a massive sphere of blue energy that already shinned brightly in the back of his throat.
"Breath attack!" Gajeel exclaimed in alarm.
"Is he gonna try to wipe out the whole island?!" Cana questioned in shock.
"My god…" Evergreen breathed.
"He's that strong…?" Juvia was already shaking.
"There's no way we can outrun that!" Lady observed with fear.
"Natsu…" Lisanna was already next to him as she put a hand on his shoulder, both looking to their eyes as they each seemed unsure of what to do.
Dante himself growled as his mind raced to come up with any sort of plan when he heard a sob next to him. "No… isn't there anything we can do?" He looked next to him to see Lucy crying in fear, her hands pressed against her face. "Is this it? Are we all just going to die here…?!"
"Modeus…" The tearful Wendy looked toward him as he tried to come up with some kind of solution.
"The only possible chance we have at surviving is with a powerful defensive spell." Modeus said.
Erza nodded immediately. "Defense magic users, bring up your most powerful spells!"
"But I don't have time to write an enchantment!" Freed stated.
"Script magic has plenty of other defensive spells we can use right now!" Levy said.
Modeus saw that this might be their only chance. "We need to combine all our power together and focus it on Levy and Freed, be it magic or demonic, it doesn't matter! It's our only option!"
"Come on everyone! Let's hold hands!" Mira said to everyone.
Dante was the first one to offer his hand to his cousin as the teary-eyed Lucy looked toward him to see the serious and determined expression on his face. "Come on Lucy. We are not gonna go out crying!"
She looked past him to see both Natsu and Lisanna nodding in agreement as they were both on-board already. Lucy, still having tears in her eyes, immediately grabbed Dante's hand as she tried to look as brave and determined as she could. "Fairy Tail never gives up the fight!"
One-by-one, they all joined hands with one another. "We've gotta all face our fears together!" Gray stated
"Let's show him that this family has a bond that can never be broken!" Lisanna also stated.
Even Laxus offered a hand to his grandfather as he gave a genuine smile. Though he may no longer be a part of Fairy Tail, he wasn't about to sit this one out. Makarov looked with shaky eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks before he accepted his grandson's hand and smiled. "Okay kids, let us all go home together."
They had all formed a circle. On Dante's right was Lady, followed by Trish, Erza, Gray, Juvia, Gajeel, Levy, Modeus, Wendy, Carla, Happy, Panther-Lily, Cana, Gildarts, Makarov, Laxus, Freed, Bickslow, Evergreen, Elfman, Mira, Lisanna, Natsu, Lucy, and back to Dante.
"Hey, just in case." Dante gave his family a smile. "Thanks… for making me a part of your family. It was nice to have one again."
Natsu smiled back. "No problem buddy, it's what we do."
"Grab hold to Fairy Tail!" They all said together.
Acnologia had already finished charged up before he unleashed a massively insane towering breath attack; which was in the form of a ginormous spiral of bright blue energy that appeared to blast the entire island and engulf it in an explosion of pure power. It looked almost like a miniature blue sun had suddenly formed on the ocean's surface.
The light had drew the attention of Zeref on the Grimoire Heart airship; Doranbolt, Lahar, and the Rune Knights on the Magic Council ship, with looking in horror, grief, and regret over what he believed to be the end of Fairy Tail; and even Ultear and Meredy from their lifeboat looked in absolute shock, the older woman holding onto the girl's hand in comfort.
When the light had faded, Tenrou Island was gone. The ocean had parted to reveal a smoking crater on the ocean floor before the water flowed back into that spot. His work completed, Acnologia flew back into the sky and vanished into the wild blue yonder.
The day was December 16th, X784, the day that the whole world will remember the Attack of Acnologia, when the Black Dragon of the Apocalypse had wiped Tenrou Island off the map completely. The remnants of the dark guild Grimoire Heart had arrived with the remains of their airship on the mainland and were swiftly arrested; but the Black Wizard Zeref was nowhere to be found. Search crews from the Magic Council, Fiore royal kingdom, and even other guilds, had all spent half a year combing the ocean for any survivors, but had found none. Time would march on for the next seven years before a miracle would happen.
Done.
Well that was something. We now have an understanding that Mundus was in truth using Grimoire Heart as sacrificial pawns as part of some grand scheme, and his real intent for Hades and his guild was to bring Zeref back into the world for a more active role. Zeref however has made it quite clear that he stands against the Demon Emperor and will do everything in his power to end his existence. But there's a whole lot more to the story surrounding the Black Wizard, Demon Emperor, and the Dark Knight, which you will all see play out in the sequel story to come.
We have also finally been introduced to Acnologia, who even spoke this time around, if only to acknowledge Dante as the 'spawn of Sparda'. I also took the liberty of giving him some scars on his body (As for who gave him those scars, you'll see later), and unlike before in the cannon series, Fairy Tail was able to do some (minimal) damage to him. I know in the cannon he's got that whole thing of his magic attribute being every form of magic, but even then, he's not invincible. But that doesn't mean he's not dangerous. There's a reason that both Earthland and the Underworld fear him as the 'Dragon King' or the 'Dragon Butcher' (as he is called by the demons of the Underworld).
But this story is not over. I have one last epilogue chapter I want to get up soon, and I plan to put that up even before I update my other stories because I don't want to keep you guys waiting for very long. I thank you all for your support throughout this amazing journey, and I promise not to keep you waiting. See you soon.
Peace out.