Hi guys Azza here!
Apologies for taking so long, life stuff and all that. I've been wanting to get this out for a while but haven't had the chance to write since not only have I been busy with work but I keep getting sick which sucks!
But hey, here's the chapter and hopefully I can get the next one done at a decent time. I'm actually still sick right now but I pushed through for you guys so hopefully its still up to standard!
Anyway, onto the reviews!
Dragonborn2704 – There are several Servants aside from Erza who'd fit that bill but yeah I get what you mean haha!
Lucys Demon – Yeah this fight was one I couldn't figure out how to engineer in Volume I but with Servants being a thing I felt it would be the perfect time. Hopefully the coming chapters don't disappoint!
Ouroborousdragon – The simple answer is Observational Haki would see through the illusion since it can be used to perceive others even if they're invisible or under an illusion.
As for Natsu being naïve, he knew full well that he'd be tortured but he didn't anticipate just how low the regular troops would go for their superiors. That being said, he had to ensure that there was absolutely no chance whatsoever anyone would suspect he wasn't the real deal and that he wasn't utterly defeated. Remember, he was doing this solely to protect Hancock's home and get them a solid key into Impel Down.
Besides, Natsu's mind hasn't been in a good place for a long time now and this is only adding fuel to the fire. If he were whole and well rested, perhaps he might have found some other way to fool the World Government but he did the best he could at the time.
That's how I look at it anyway.
Anyway on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail, One Piece or the Nasuverse.
A Clash Between Mages
/Marineford – Execution Plaza/
"All I've learned," Natsu asked calmly as the pillars of light dissipated around the pair. "If only I could remember it all but alas, Time stripped 'everything' I've learnt away. That being said though, this old timer does still have new tricks up his sleeve for you, boy."
"Heh," was Makarov's only response as he held his right arm out at a forty-five-degree angle, his index and middle finger pressed together as a solid sphere of golden light manifested itself just above its tip. "Haven't learned to curb that cocky attitude in all these years though, have you?"
"Part of the charm, wouldn't you agree?"
"Heh."
Natsu's eyes narrowed as Makarov started releasing a monstrous amount of energy, his entire form beginning to glow the same bright golden colour as a familiar magic of his own.
"True Heavenly Body Magic – Sirius!"
Suddenly swiping his right arm out in front of him, the two fingers that held the summoned sphere of light drew a solid line across the air, leaving behind more spheres every five inches. Moving his hand in front of him as if he were drawing, Makarov linked the line up after drawing a rather familiar symbol in the air as a blinding light forced Natsu to squint.
"Impressive," Ahnk hummed as the spheres within the symbol started to expand. "To think Makarov could use that spell!"
"Get ready Natsu, I'm not going to make it easy for you," Makarov shouted as the symbol turned into its namesake and a massive dog made of starlight charged out of the constellation. "True Heavenly Body Magic – Sirius Caenis!"
"Well, you wanted a fight Makarov," Natsu huffed as he placed his right leg forward and slowly slid into a semi crouched stance. "Let's go!"
With the right half of his body facing forward, he used his middle and index fingers of his left hand to lift up a solid chunk of the ground behind him. As he did this, he held his right hand out in front of him to summon a giant Magic Circle comprised of multiple elements.
"Let's see how you like this," Natsu grinned as he placed the giant chunk of rock into the centre of the Magic Circle. "Five Layered Magic Circle – Magma Cone!"
The massive chunk of earth was turned into pure molten magma by the elements as the Magic Circle seemed to break into five smaller ones, each individual one rotating the opposite way to the one next to it as it reshaped the now liquid magma into something more solid.
"All right, let's see if this will be enough? Five Layered Magic Circle –!"
Clenching his right fist, Natsu charged forward and put his hand right into the centre of the now solid magma object he'd forged. Vanishing from sight, he reappeared right in front of Makarov's attack with his fist cocked back.
"Molten Meteor!"
Punching Makarov's Sirius Caenis directly, his fist went right through it. Neither seemed remotely surprised by that fact even as the Demonic half of Natsu's body was blasted away by the Heavenly Magic.
"Now for the real part of my attack," Natsu grinned as the molten magma around his fist seemed to show visible signs of cracking. "GO!"
Suddenly, hundreds of molten projectiles were fired at Makarov's position. The blonde didn't seem too concerned however as he created a jagged line in the air in front of him and snapped his fingers.
"True Heavenly Body Magic – Sirius Ntous!"
To counter Natsu's magma-based attack, Makarov's hastily created line fired out dozens of light-based projectiles to intercept them. Natsu simply grinned as dozens of explosions went off between the pair, smoke obscuring his opponent from view.
"That's right Makarov, just what I'd expect from you," Natsu laughed as he clapped his hands together. "Let's see more of it!"
"What's with that smirk on your face Natsu," Makarov growled as he started slashing the air in front of him. "Is this all just a game to you!?"
More light-based projectiles were fired in Natsu's direction however this time he stood his ground, the attacks simply halting several metres in front of him before slowly being pushed back as Natsu's cheery demeanour pulled a one eighty.
"A game," Natsu muttered in a hollow voice as the ground around him started to lift up, perfect cube sized portions slowly beginning to orbit around him with the rest being ground to dust. "All our history together and you'd think I'd consider a fight like this … a game?"
Makarov winced as his own attacks were shattered into cubes before being fired back in his direction. In his haste to try and deal damage he'd forgotten one of Natsu's most powerful branches of magic at his disposal.
"You didn't even need to lift a finger to do that," Makarov growled as he clapped both hands together, summoning a giant pillar of light that enveloped his form. "But even mastery over Crash Magic won't be enough of an edge against my decades of magical knowledge!"
"See, that argument might have worked when we last spoke Makarov," Natsu replied as the cubes around him increased in their speed of orbit. "But it's been a long time since we've last interacted and I've learnt much more!"
"True Heavenly Body Magic – Vega!"
The pillar of light around Makarov rapidly began to expand, engulfing everything in a destructive sea of gold. Natsu simply raised an eyebrow in surprise, having not expected such mastery over the Heavenly Body Magics from Makarov, but he was far from intimidated.
"Vega, the spell to engulf all in a luminous sea of solar energy. I must say that's certainly not something I'd have pictured the old gramps of my memories using, but …"
Makarov watched as Natsu raised his right hand and snapped his fingers, bringing the cubes around him to a screeching halt. What had once been pieces of stone and earth, carved into cubes by Crash Magic, was now pure white cubes of condensed energy.
"True Heavenly Body Magic – Rigel."
"Impossible," Makarov replied breathlessly as lines of the same pure white light began to form between the currently suspended cubes of the same substance. "There hasn't been a mage since the First Master to successfully use Rigel!"
"You forget where Mavis gained that knowledge, and our former time together," Natsu grinned as his entire body gained a bright golden glow to it. "Though Mavis didn't teach me Rigel, let's not get that confused. No, I learnt how to use the majority of the Heavenly Body Magics from the one who truly taught her!"
"But Zeref is-!?"
Makarov barely had the chance to respond before putting the pieces together, the intelligent man that he was. Looking at Natsu's current stance, he slowly locked eyes with his fellow Guild Master and instantly knew the truth.
"Ahnkseram …"
"Let's see who has the better mastery over the True Heavenly Body Magics then, eh Makarov," Natsu grinned as he held his right arm out at a forty-five-degree angle, a small cube of white light manifesting itself at the tip of his middle and index fingers.
Makarov knew though that he'd been put into a bind, despite Natsu's statement demanding to see which one of their spells would win. Vega was a spell created more for defence whilst Rigel was an absurdly powerful offensive spell most often used as the upgraded form to Sirius Ntous.
Knowing that the sheer destructive power behind Rigel would rip through the defence of Vega, he had to act quickly. Closing his eyes, he slowly began to separate his palms as a golden light began to manifest itself.
"Take this, True Heavenly Body Magic – Rigel Foteino Ntous!"
From the cube shaped pieces of light, thin needles of light were fired directly at Makarov's position by the thousand. Each cube alone was firing off blinding levels of light that any ordinary eyes watching the display were rendered totally blind as a result.
"Wait," Natsu muttered as his mind raced to calculate Makarov's response. "Something's off …"
"Too late," Makarov snapped as a massive golden energy wave was fired out from within Vega's heart, the place Makarov had been.
Natsu instantly reacted, shoring up his Crash Magic to its maximum as he redirected the cubes of light to intercept the attacks path. Unfortunately, Makarov's attack was easily able to smash right through each and every one that warped in the way with the attack swiftly engulfing Natsu's entire form as the entirety of Marineford was bathed in a bright golden hue.
"True Heavenly Body Magic – Leo Kyma!"
Everyone was shocked to see Natsu be engulfed by the attack, its sheer size on par with some of the other large blast attacks being tossed around earlier. The child explosions that followed the attack shook the entire area which had most ceasing their fights due to a lack of stability, the island of Marineford becoming even more shattered than before.
Makarov however knew that this was only the beginning. Even if Natsu was as worn down as the intelligence of the World Government said he was, he was still the same Natsu. There was zero chance an attack of this calibre would even knock him out let alone kill him and so he was already in an offensive stance and ready to fight once more.
His instincts would be proven correct mere moments later as the smoke and flame was blasted back to reveal half of Natsu's body still there, the other half rapidly regenerating. Immediately moving to capitalize, Makarov leapt toward Natsu, his right hand summoning a Magic Circle with Natsu's sole remaining arm doing the same.
"That was a magnificent attack Makarov, a shame I never got to see you in your prime back home," Natsu laughed as he leapt backward, a Magic Circle appearing beneath his feet. "Let's shake things up a bit though and throw some more Lost Magic into the mix, eh!?"
"Is that-!?"
"True Hellish Body Magic – First Circle!"
His entire form becoming coated in a blackish light, Natsu held his right palm outward before flipping it over. Right as he did this, Makarov had managed to approach with his own attack that was now coating his fist in a golden light however instead of closing the distance and striking, he found himself upside down and high in the sky above Marineford.
"What-!? How-!?"
"Your confusion is understandable," Natsu said before striking Makarov in the gut with such force he hit the ground from his current position in the time it took to blink. "After all, Ahnkseram only taught Zeref how to use this kind of power."
Vanishing and appearing right where Makarov had landed, he raised a hand and blocked all the gunfire aimed in his direction and flung it back at his attackers with a sigh. As dozens died, he shook his head tiredly.
"When will you lot learn that there are some who are just way beyond what you can handle?"
"You … have grown strong," Makarov grunted as he shot out of the massive crater and landed several metres away from Natsu, dropping to one knee as he wiped some blood from his forehead. "I'd only ever heard tales of the counterpart to the Heavenly Body Magics, yet you have proven such tales true."
"To be fair, unlike the Heavenly Body Magics, Hellish Body Magic is a rather niche school comprised of only Ten Circles."
"Is that right," Makarov panted as he rose to his feet. "And just what was it you just used?"
"That was the First Circle, as the name no doubt implies," Natsu chuckled lightly in response only to suddenly frown as he looked over at Makarov once more. "The Circle of Limbo."
"Ah … now what you did makes sense. You used Limbo to flip everything on its head, didn't you? What was once up and down, myself mere moments from landing a solid strike to your still regenerating form, you flipped it."
"Yeah. Believe it or not but Tartarus back in the Devil Realms has the physical embodiment of these places which is apparently what Ahnk modelled the spells after," Natsu explained as he entered a defensive stance. "Limbo, the place where things hang in the balance. A fifty-fifty chance of success or failure."
Makarov simply hummed in response as Natsu held out the same hand he'd used to execute First Circle, the entire thing now a withered husk of its former self. Makarov watched as Natsu sliced it off with his other hand and promptly regenerated a new one.
"Another side effect of the Hellish Body Magics, their price."
"Precisely why Zeref never handed out the knowledge of this particular branch of magic to anyone. Though the Ten Circles offer such powerful magic, the toll they exact in exchange would surely kill any who used them," Ahnk chimed internally as he held out his own right hand. "Honestly, I've come to regret having Zeref handing out things like Blood and Death Magic to the Dark Mages …"
"To think you can use such dark power so casually now," Makarov sighed as he sent Natsu an almost pitying gaze. "I still remember when you first returned from Scarlione, how you still despised Dark Mages and everything they stood for."
"I'm not like them."
"Aren't you? I know what that Vice Admiral did to you was truly vile, but you-!"
"There is a stark difference between them and myself," Natsu said firmly as he clenched an outstretched fist, red lightning beginning to spark off of his form every few seconds as his hair began to frizz up in response to the static increase. "Dark Mages wield their power to hurt without true purpose, to harm the innocent and weak. I use it to fight against their kind, against those who would cower beneath their false notions of 'Justice' as these World Government lackeys so love to say at each and every turn."
"But Natsu, the Pirates-?"
"This world isn't like ours, its arguably far worse overall," Natsu cut in as he shot a glare up toward Sengoku. "They're meant to be the military that keeps the world safe, but they're just nothing more than an oppressive occupation force to all the lands they touch! They endorse slavery, rob their poor citizens and kill or lock up those who can't pay tithe to those bastard Celestial Dragons! They're literally the opposite to the force of Justice, they're Anarchists hell bent on world domination!"
"And that justifies stooping as low as torturing them in the manner you did before we began our fight," Makarov countered just as firmly. "I don't recall you doing the same to Zeref's forces during the Scarlione Campaigns, or when they invaded Fiore!?"
"Alvarez and the World Government aren't the same and you know it," Natsu roared in response as red lightning struck the centre of the crater between them. "Sure, Alvarez wasn't perfect, no nation across all of existence will ever be the ideal picture of perfect! Such a notion is beyond conception due to the concept of individuality. But, when you are the dominant ruling group and your country is willing to enforce slavery, enact discrimination toward others for being different, abuse the weak and destitute to prop up the elite class … I won't stand by and allow such vile things Makarov; you know damn well by now my code forbids it!"
"Even if the World Government is far from perfect Natsu," Makarov began as he slowly rose to his full height. "Not everyone within its ranks truly believes in its ideals so surely you should understand that killing so many of them-?"
Makarov didn't get a chance to finish as Natsu snapped his fingers, red lightning raining down from the darkened skies above to strike dozens of unsuspecting Marines and Soldiers, frying them on the spot. Sparks surged from the charred corpses and chained between the metals of their weapons and armor, killing and maiming thousands all whilst Natsu never once broke his firm glare toward the former Master.
"Natsu!"
"If they are willing to carry out such orders, to comply with robbing their fellow mortals of the basic tools to survive, then they don't deserve to live."
"Natsu …"
"They have forfeited decency for greed Makarov, I can't allow such filth to remain dominant in my presence!"
"And just what gave you the right to decide any of this Natsu? Who deemed you judge, jury and executioner!?"
Natsu didn't respond to Makarov's question as the aftereffects of his lightning attack died down all around them, making a much wider space than before. The sound of clanging metal was soon accompanied by hollow laughter as Makarov took a shaky step backward, his eyes glued to the man before him.
Hollow eyes devoid of all warmth and care started back at him. It was like looking into the eyes of a psychopath, a cold-blooded monster who couldn't even perceive the world with its vast array of colours. All those eyes could likely see was the dark depths of the world and it was one of his former children bearing them.
And it tore his heart out.
"Hate to break it to you, but I'm quite literally the being of Balance. I stand at the centre of both spectrums Makarov and this is probably news to you but guess what?"
"Wh-what," Makarov managed to stutter out as Natsu's pupils seemed to dilate ever so slightly.
"Good and evil, light and dark, right and wrong … These concepts, oh these concepts Makarov … They don't exist."
The last three words were said barely above a whisper and yet it was as if the entire battlefield heard them, most of the fighting having stopped as many around them seemed to debate the idea of Natsu's statement.
"These concepts are a mortals means of finding meaning to the things all entities are capable of. The World Government claims that all this bloodshed is in the name of Justice and the kingdoms under their rule support it blindly. They believe that by executing a man that it will all be for the greater good, for the benefit of the world itself," Natsu said as he looked over at Ace on the execution platform. "But in reality, all they are doing is killing a single mortal because they feel like it."
"OI, THAT'S NOT TRUE," one brave Marine roared out in defiance only for the same hollow laughter to scare him back into silence.
"Isn't it? You kill Portgas D Ace because he's a notable Pirate, send a message to other Pirates, that's the plan, isn't it?"
"W-well …"
"But what if I told you that's not even why he's being executed today," Natsu continued as everyone seemed to be confused save for a select few notable figures. "What if I told you that had Ace not been targeted for this sole reason, none of this would have ever happened!?"
"What are you talking about Natsu," Makarov asked, still disturbed by the dead look on his face as he strolled around looking like he could go on a rampage at a moment's notice.
"I bet most of the soldiers here haven't even got a clue why Ace is actually being executed here today," Natsu scoffed as he vanished and appeared with his arm around a random Marine who almost fainted, his friends all pointing their weapons at him though they were shaking profusely as they did so. "Do you know why Ace is being executed here today?"
"W-w-w-w-well …."
"Go on?"
"H-he's the S-Second Div-v-ision C-Commander of the -Wh-Whitebeard P-Pirates!?"
"Nope," Natsu replied before vanishing and appearing back where he had previously been before. "Actually, that is probably the furthest reason from the truth. In fact, I have it on good authority that the World Government were pissed to know that Ace was a Division Commander specifically because it would bring about this entire scenario!"
"Stop beating around the bush Dragneel," Whitebeard growled, his voice echoing from his position on the battlefield not too far away. "If you're going to say it then just get it over with!"
"Get what over with," one Soldier asked in confusion as both World Government and Allied Forces alike looked between each other in confusion.
"Natsu, just tell us what you mean," Makarov snapped prompting that terrible hollow laughter once more. "What is Ace being executed for!?"
"So, you all want to know the truth, the real reason why all of you are being forced to die on this battlefield today," Natsu asked as there were muttered murmurs of agreement across the Execution Plaza. "Alright then, I'll tell you."
"Do you think this will change anything?"
Natsu frowned as he looked over to his right to see Admiral Akainu step out from the rank-and-file troops. The man didn't look like he was coming to fight, but he still had a rather intimidating presence all the same.
"I think the fact that you lot didn't even deign to inform your own troops as to the real reason they were all being forced to fight is quite telling, don't you think Admiral? The fact that you didn't even have the confidence to inform the upper ranks who are clearly just as confused as the lower rank and file fodder …?"
"Just spit it out Dragneel, the real reasoning behind this war doesn't change its ultimate objective," Akainu replied dismissively eliciting more hollow laughter.
"Very well then, now that I have your permission. The real reason as to why all of you are being forced to fight and die here today isn't simply because they want to stand up to Whitebeard, to set an example to the Pirates! No, they are doing this because of Ace's hidden lineage!"
"His … lineage," Makarov asked in clear confusion as many across the battlefield waited with bated breath for the impending truth.
"I must admit that when I had done the research on Ace, his lineage surprised even myself. I cannot divulge the full truth as to the impact of his bloodline, but I can tell you how it affects this world as a whole!"
"Come on Natsu, now you're just dragging it on," Mordred cut in as she too emerged from the crowd. "Just spit it out already!"
"Fine, fine. The reason why Ace is being executed here today is because his Father is a man that the Celestial Dragons and World Government feared! A man who was so powerful he could have ruled it with an iron fist and undone their dastardly web tangled over almost a millennium! His Father is none other than the feared Pirate King, Gol D Roger!"
Complete silence reigned across Marineford as Natsu practically roared the truth as loud as he could. Many were simply stuck gaping in shock, some of the older ones found themselves realizing that this wasn't just the insane ramblings of a crazy man as they started to see the similarities between Ace and Roger.
Then, chaos descended.
The World Government forces seemed to work themselves into a frenzy and started attacking the Allied Forces with renewed vigour as the battle promptly resumed all around them. This time however, there was a clear sign of desperation in the way they fought.
As Natsu began to laugh, so too did another individual as Doflamingo arrived on the scene. He, unlike most, seemed to almost revel in the chaos as he began clapping in Natsu's direction.
"Well done, well done! You certainly have a knack for destroying morale, don't you Dragneel!?"
"What are you talking about," Makarov asked, clearly confused at the eccentrically dressed man's statement. "If anything, all Natsu has done is whipped the World Government forces into fighting harder?"
"Fufufufufu! Oh yeah, he definitely did that," Doflamingo agreed as he gestured to the fighting all around them. "But take a closer look and you'll quickly realize that he's done the one thing the World Government wanted to avoid!"
"What do you mean?"
"He's panicked them," Akainu cut in as he slowly started marching toward Natsu. "We purposely withheld the knowledge of Portgas D Ace being Roger's son specifically because we knew that if they knew his true identity, many of them would have feared the repercussions. In order to exact Absolute Justice and purge such a cursed bloodline from this world we need our armies to be as composed as possible. Yet you've ruined that."
It was obvious in every swing of their swords, every bullet fired from their guns, that the World Government troops were desperately flinging themselves at the enemy in an attempt to ensure Ace was executed.
As Makarov looked around to see them quite literally tossing their lives away into the proverbial meat grinder as hundreds of World Government troops were cut down by the still composed, perhaps even reinvigorated Allied Forces, he understood the truth.
"Do you see now why I have no qualm about killing them Makarov," Natsu asked as his gaze snapped back to the pink haired man. "Look at them, literally flinging their lives away just so Ace dies. They are completely brainwashed into an ideology called 'Justice' and are already dead."
"We'd hoped to keep casualties down, but you've ruined that," Akainu sighed as he clenched his right fist. "You've been a thorn in the World Government's side for far too long, time to dispose of you!"
"Big words, lapdog."
"Gurararara! Indeed, big words magma brat," Whitebeard laughed as he reached Natsu's side. "I have to say, you are a rather skilled showman Dragneel. Reminds me a lot of Red Hair, actually."
"I simply said what needed to be said," Natsu shrugged in reply. "The truth is that the concepts of what should be considered good or evil, just or unjust, are controlled solely by these bastards. They permit slavery and prop up a bunch of disgusting swine in the Holy Land yet destroy the everyday mortal and no one challenges them because they are the authority."
"Fufufufufufu! Got it in one Dragneel," Doflamingo laughed with that eerie grin he seemed to constantly sport. "The truth is that the entire world is a sham, a fabrication created by the World Government's pen that we all just play along to. The idea of concepts are theirs to play with because they've been the victors up until now with no one to challenge them, but they fear the oncoming storm!"
"Regardless of what you criminals believe, Justice will always prevail," Akainu cut in as his right arm slowly converted into pure magma. "We are the ones who bear rightful authority in this world and it is our law that ALL its people must abide by! Any who would dare to disrupt the mission of the World Government forfeit their right to live in what will become paradise."
"Paradise? You've got no idea what's going down in your own lands, do you," Gawain snapped as he stepped out from behind Mordred. "Your people cry out for aid, the lands under World Government rule lie barren as the Celestial Dragons strip them for all they're worth! You call us the criminals yet it is YOU who is poisoning the minds of your citizens to rebel!"
"We possess evidence to the contrary," Akainu sniffed, not even remotely fazed by Gawain's words as the Knight Of The Sun grit his teeth. "Clearly these people who would allow such things to occur are either in league with the Revolutionary Army or sabotaging the land out of spite."
"Do you even hear yourself," Mordred muttered as she pointed Clarent in the Admiral's direction. "How dare you-!"
"Listen here, magma brat," Whitebeard cut in as he slammed the butt end of his naginata into the ground, shaking the entire area. "I'm well aware of what you're doing, what you're trying to do, and it won't work. Ignoring all the crap you've been spouting about how great the World Government truly is, I know you're just distracting us from what's about to happen."
Everyone's eyes widened as they all looked over toward the Execution Platform, two men slowly ascending the wooden steps armed with spears. Looking back to Akainu, the Admiral smirked as he raised his left hand, revealing a set of Command Seals that began to glow Crimson Red.
"Saber," Akainu barked as the Command Seal flashed, the symbol of the Marines momentarily manifesting itself as a familiar Servant appeared at the Admiral's side.
"Your command?"
"We hold them here."
"Understood," Saber nodded as he held out his right hand to summon a crude looking bumper sword that bore ornate carvings in its surface.
"That's one of the Three Generals," Natsu muttered as he looked over toward Whitebeard who simply nodded in response. "We're on the clock here Whitebeard."
"Yeah."
"Mordred, I'll take out Makarov, you face Saber!"
"You got it," Mordred nodded as she spun her blade lazily several times before returning it to her side.
"We haven't got much time," Whitebeard growled as he tightened his grip on his naginata and held it out to his right, the blade becoming surrounded in his Quake Quake Fruit ability. "EVERYONE, FIGHT AS HARD AS YOU CAN!"
The Allied Forces roared and continued to hammer away at the suicidal rush tactics the World Government forces were now utilizing. As they did this, Whitebeard slid into an offensive stance and swung his naginata, attempting to fire off another long-range Quake attack.
Most of the assembled group vanished as something met Whitebeard's attack head on, a massive circle of dust and debris instantly being created as it blasted away anyone too slowly to evade in time.
The cloud dissipated seconds later as the wind from what was now clearly a clash pushed it away. At the centre of the attack, Akainu stood opposite Whitebeard, his foot now coated in magma pressing down on the flat of the blade itself.
"If I let you wreak havoc now, our plan might just fail," Akainu growled prompting Whitebeard to simply laugh in response.
"Gurararara … You really think that you've got a good enough line up to stop us, magma brat?"
Akainu leapt back from the clash as Whitebeard spun his naginata and brought it back to his side, a scowl slowly forming on his face at Whitebeard's mocking reply.
"This is where the Age Of Pirates ends," the Admiral said slowly as he cocked back his right arm, magma erupting from it to form a massive magma fist. "The Age Of Justice will be born upon the corpse of Whitebeard!"
"The Age Of Pirates will NEVER END," Whitebeard roared as he too cocked back his fist, both throwing punches on the spot.
"Magma Magma – Great Eruption!"
"Quake Quake – Severe Earthquake!"
Despite being a fair distance apart, Whitebeard's punch clashed with Akainu's magma fist he'd fired, setting off a massive explosion that shook the entire island. All around the centre of the attack, child explosions started going off as the earth itself began to protest the clash between the Volcanic and Earthquake humans.
As this occurred, Natsu reappeared a considerable distance away with Makarov appearing in a flash of light mere moments after. The two looked down at the explosions before looking back at one another with deep frowns.
"I can't afford to go easy on you now, Makarov. I wanted to enjoy a fight against a fellow mage again, but …"
"Do not hold back against me Natsu, I am an enemy," Makarov snapped back in response as he entered an offensive stance. "My Master has used a Command Seal and ordered me to defeat you, do not relent if you wish to save that young man!"
"No, I sure won't be now," Natsu sighed as Makarov's form started to glow once again. "Alright then, bring it on!"
"I'm going to use every last spell in my arsenal against you Natsu, prepare yourself," Makarov roared as he activated Meteor and shot toward the Hybrid who swiftly blocked a punch directed at his face.
"Well, if you're gonna do that then I suppose I should honour you with something I've recently managed to attain. You'll be the first one I test this on Makarov, sorry if I go a little overboard."
Taking a deep breath and sighing, Natsu's eyes suddenly shot open right as a red bolt of lightning struck him directly. Makarov was momentarily blinded by the flash however he quickly recovered and was shocked to see that Natsu had intentionally struck himself.
"What …"
"I still want to face you, not with Godlike powers, but those of an Earthland Mage," Natsu muttered as red, purple and black clouds obscured his form from view. "I've been working toward attaining this form in the hopes that I can put the element on par with my other Dragon Slaying ones … and I succeeded."
The clouds suddenly shrunk in size, revealing Natsu's new form. His hair was significantly longer and was much spikier than before as sparks danced between the tips. His entire body was now covered in scales, the edges almost having a neon like affect to them that fluxed between the colour of lightning at his disposal, yellow, blue, purple and red respectively.
His teeth were now razor sharp, as they were in the other forms, with the same static effect his hair bore as coloured sparks danced between the tips of his teeth. His eyes were narrowed, his pupils more Dragon in shape however the iris was shaped like a lightning bolt rather than a straight slit.
And then there were the fin like extensions to his arms and legs, strange wing like extensions that had slight tears in the skin. His hands and feet were now more claw like, razor sharp and lethal.
But the thing that tipped Makarov off the most about this form was the clouds that had obscured his view initially before shrinking down. They had not vanished, rather they had instead attached themselves to Natsu's form directly.
The red ones were now wrapped around his wrist, the purple ones having joined together and linked around his neck. The blue ones had sunk into his hair and given it a strange sharpness Makarov oddly felt would quite literally outdo his claws. And finally, the yellow had shifted to his back where his surprisingly still intact cloak remained and taken the form of cloud shaped wings.
Sliding his left leg back and opening his arms wide, Natsu roared loudly as the entire area was deafened by the sound of constant rumbling thunder. Makarov knew what this form was, despite never actually having seen it before, and he was impressed.
"You see this Makarov; this is my Lightning Dragon Force!"
"So I see," Makarov chuckled softly as he cracked his knuckles. "If all the lightning hadn't given it away before, your declaration surely did the job. That being said, I won't back down in the face of a Dragon, Natsu."
"Oh, I know you won't," Natsu smirked as sparks zipped between his claws, his anticipation for the fight growing. "Not even Achnologia scared you!"
"No, I was terrified at the time," Makarov laughed as he started releasing his magical power alongside Natsu. "But when one fights for family, they put such fears aside!"
As the two powered up, the seas around Marineford were violently shaken in a repeat of a battle so long ago in their past. The sea had risen up around Marineford like a wall and circled it, seemingly uplifted by the sheer amount of pressure being exerted by the pair as they both prepared to attack.
"This is it Natsu, I'll hit you with EVERYTHING I'VE GOT!"
"FINE BY ME," Natsu roared as he shot toward Makarov, a deafening crack knocking down dozens nearby as he went.
Makarov clenched his fist as markings began to appear all along his arm, powerful Light Magic being called forth at speeds only a veteran mage could possibly do. Time moved slowly for the pair as Natsu came within inches of Makarov with razor sharp claws coated in powerful red lightning.
"Let us see just how durable you are, Natsu."
Natsu's eyes widened as he looked slightly to the right to see Makarov's fist moving to strike his face. It wasn't the fist itself that worried him, but the markings upon his arm that had the Dragon Slayer genuinely concerned.
"What-!?"
Gather! O river of light that's guided by the fairies!
Shine! In order to perish the fangs of evil!
"Noble Phantasm Release – FAIRY GLITTER!"
Time seemed to grind to a screeching halt as Natsu watched the attack that was within a hair's distance of his face begin to activate. An attack that he once wielded so long ago before losing it and recreating his own form later on down the line.
As the light began to increase, Natsu's eyes narrowed.
Crack.
Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one! Cliff-hanger big RIP!