S.R: Well…. I don't really have anything to say this time.
Natsu: Don't lie to us! You want to rant about how no one reviewed and pointed out where Yamuraiha is from!
S.R: Nope.
Natsu: Then you want to mention bringing Ultear in?
S.R: Not really, and you just mentioned it for me.
Natsu: I got nothing then…
S.R: Can I get to the story now?
Natsu: Sure.
S.R: Good….. Now my fair readers, read on.
"speech"- Talking
'speech'- Thought
NATSU'S POV
After taking Gray's offer to help me with my new magic, we returned to the guild hall and joined the party that was going on despite Hyberion and Wolfheim's best efforts to stop it. Eventually gramps and I talked them into giving up and just going with the flow. Towards the end of the party we had a few guests sneak in to talk to us. Thankfully they went unnoticed by most. Making eye contact with gramps, I nodded and gathered a few people before leading the group into a storage room to talk with our guests.
"First I'd like to congratulate you on your ascension to the saints Natsu."
"Yes, if there is anyone that should be a saint it's you."
"Natsu just became even cooler!"
I chuckled at our guests words, before thanking them and asking what was going on that brought them to the guild. Jellal explained that they had uncovered the plans of the dark guild Tartaros, and after learning that every member was a demon created by Zeref they wanted and needed to get help in stopping the demons plan. After we all agreed to help he explained that Tartaros was going around killing important past and current council members, in an effort to get the codes needed to unlock a weapon known as Face and that they had only learned the fact after arriving too late to save one of the slain ex council members.
"If that's the case they may target them all at the same time. We should get master's opinion on how to stop them" Erza chimed in before leaving the room and returning with a sheepish look as not only had master followed her but so did Hyberion and Wolfheim.
"Crime Sorciere eh… Considering all the good you've done since forming I'll ignore the fact that you are wanted criminals. So please recap whatever it was that made Miss Scarlet come to get Makarov."
After Wolfheim spoke, Jellal once again explained the situation they had uncovered. After he was done speaking Hyberion and Wolfheim shared a look before taking charge of the situation.
"firstly, we need to warn the other saints. Makarov let Yamuraiha and Jura know to protect the current council members that stay in Era, since they are the closest right now… Wolfheim you know Leiji fairly well so you'll guard him. Makarov put together a team for guarding Belno, and one for guarding Michello as well. Natsu you guard Yajima, Jellal go with him. As a former Wizard Saint you are strong enough to back him up. I shall go guard Org. Each group should have a communication Lacrima just in case something goes wrong."
MAKAROV'S POV
Once Hyberion finished giving his orders everyone nodded. Natsu, Jellal, Hyberion, and Wolfheim left to go guard their assigned people. Sighing, I called for Laxus.
"What's up Gramps?"
I gave Laxus a quick summary before sending him to gather whoever he wanted to join him for guarding Michello. I then looked up at Natsu's normal team.
"You know things are rapidly changing and the danger is escalating. I can't in good conscious send you with anyone Wendy since you are still so young. And Lucy no offense but you aren't experienced enough for something of this level. You two will stay here at the guild…. Ultear I would like for you to join Erza and Gray in guarding Belno."
"I'm going with them Master… I refuse to let something bad happen!" Mira spoke up getting an encouraging nod from Erza. I could tell that while she was worried about Natsu, she was also worried about Erza. Smiling at her I just nodded my consent. As they left I made my way to my office chuckling.
"Natsu you should be proud that your mates care for each other just as much as they do for you." I said to myself feeling more secure in my new thoughts before calling Gildarts to join me in my office.
As I waited for Gildarts to make his way up I used a communication Lacrima to inform Jura and Yamuraiha of the situation and what Hyberion suggested to do. Luckily as I ended that conversation Gildarts came in.
NATSU'S POV
"Mind if I ask why Hyberion and Wolfheim were at the guild with you and Makarov, Natsu?
"They're supposed to look for potential in the guild members and train them so that we can fill in the remaining four openings in the Wizard Saints."
"why just look in Fairy Tail though. There are strong mages all over the country."
"Because with everything going on they need the as many strong people as they can get and Fairy Tail is chock full of strong people with the potential to become a Saint."
"In other words things are so bad the council is forgetting their grudge with Fairy Tail in an effort to protect the country as best as possible?"
"Yup… Especially since Serena didn't just retire, he defected to Alvarez."
"Well… shit, things are a lot worse than I thought then."
"Yeah, but we can talk about that later, we're here… Considering you're a fugitive you should probably stay hidden"
"Right… Use your Wizard Saint medallion to signal me. I still have mine so we can use them to communicate."
Nodding at his words I moved to knock on the door.
"Oh hello there, you're one of Maki's wizards. If you're here something bad is happening, come on in."
Yajima let me in and we sat down for tea while I told him about the situation. He praised our quick thinking, but before things could continue much past that I was on alert thanks to my hearing. Cursing I pulled out my Wizard Saints medallion and called Jellal.
Once he appeared we explained to Yajima that Crime Sorciere was the ones who uncovered Tartaros's plans and that they were backing Fairy Tail.
"Jellal take Yajima back to Fairy Tail. I'll catch up when I can"
"Alright, be careful"
"You to"
After that the two left and I waited to for the sound I heard earlier to be repeated. A few minutes later I heard it, and dodged to my left as the a wall collapsed over where I had just been standing. Whoever it was that made the wall collapse started sniffing the air.
"Damn my target isn't here now… But I guess I have time to take out a Wizard Saint."
The being said in a masculine voice before throwing a punch at me. I blocked the fist with my left arm and shoved it off to the side throwing my own punch with my right hand. Only to feel my knuckles pop in pain.
"Haha, I can change my body surface at will. My body is harder than Iron right now" My opponent jeered before slamming an elbow into my stomach, fully taking advantage of the fact I hadn't yet moved due to proccessing his words.
As his elbow connected I felt like I was being cut, though the force of his elbow hitting me thew me into the wall. As I recovered I glanced down and saw that he had actually cut my stomach slightly. Setting some flames on my palms I quickly cauterized the wound before dodging my opponents fist once more.
"Slash Arm"
As my opponent said that the fin-like protrusions on his arms sharpened enough to glint in the light. A moment later he began slashing at me with them. Dodging them quickly I jumped up above him inhaling as I did.
"Fire Dragon's Roar"
I unleashed my roar on him and felt some satisfaction when I noticed he received some burns from my attack. Though he once again was punching at me after recovering. Crouching down under his arms I lunged forward wrapping my arms around his legs and used my Fire Dragon's Grip Strike before lifting him up and throwing him into a wall.
Not giving him the chance to counter attack I jumped after him, slamming my head into his stomach just as he stood up again with my Fire Dragons Sword Horn making sure to keep a layer of magic between my head and his body to avoid the pain from hitting his hardened body. Using the momentum I had built up I let my body flip and wrapped my legs around his neck to keep him in front of me. As my rotation continued I halted the flip once I was facing him again. Quickly reaching in front of me I hit the sides of his face with the bottom of my magic coated fists.
My attack hardly fazed him, and so I unwrapped my legs thinking to get some distance. But he capitalized on the moment, the second he was free. Lurching forward my opponent headbutted me, which threw me up into the air. He jumped up after me in an attempt to attack me again. Not giving him the chance I unleashed a torrent of flames from my feet to carry me higher.
"With a flame on the right hand, and a flame on the left hand… Combine the flames together… Fire Dragons Brilliant Flame."
My attack forced him back to the ground, and gave me enough time to land safely. It wasn't long after I landed that I heard a chuckle.
"Well then… You're not half bad… I guess you've earned the honor of knowing your executioners name. I am Torafuzar of the Nine Demon Gates."
"What you think this is all I've got?"
Noticing how despite having a few burns Torafuzar was still mostly fine, I decided to up the anti, and activated my Lighting Flame Dragon Form, lunging towards him I unleashed a flurry of blows courtesy of my Lighting Flame Dragons Secret Art Crimson Lotus: Dual Elemental Dragons Fist.
Despite hitting him with attacks that not only burn but shock him too, Torafuzar still was hardly fazed and recovered midway through my assault to start throwing punches back at me. After a couple minutes of back and forth Torafuzar suddenly ducked under my fists and lunged forward with his elbows leading with another Slash Arm. This time he failed to cut me but the force threw me back quite a ways.
Charging after me Torafuzar slashed his arms wildly hoping to hit and lacerate me. Thinking quickly I jumped up over him. Flipping in mid air I brought my foot down into his head with a Lightning Flame Dragons Crushing Claw. Not letting up I thrust my hands forward and pushed off the ground. Angling myself I kicked Torafuzar in the back with both feet still coated in magic.
Before I could blink, Torafuzar had spun around and socket me in the jaw. The force from his hit sent me back a few feet.
"I didn't believe you were actually strong enough to be a Wizard Saint… Now I do. So prepare to die because I'm finally getting serious. Tenchi Kaimei!"
After Torafuzar finished speaking a giant black tidal wave appeared. My eyes widened once I saw the attack, but they opened even further when I realized we were in a valley, and the amount of water coming at us was enough to fill the valley like a fish bowl.
I tried to raise the temperature as mush as possible with my flames, but they couldn't burn hot enough to turn the black water to steam. 'Shit, shit, shit! My normal flames aren't cutting it. I can't use any Lighting magic on it's own and finish him that way.'
'*Yawn* what's got you in a panic?'
'Now is not a good time whoever you are!'
'Now that's just rude. I know Chilthreya told you that your dragon blood would awaken after spilling a dragon's actual blood on yourself.'
'I don't have time to talk, I've got to figure out a way to get rid of all this black water before we drown!'
'Of course you have time to talk. As your dragon blood I can explain and guide you through using all of your abilities. Your normal flames aren't cutting it? Then use the Hellfire flames from Atlas Flame.'
'I would if I actually knew how. I haven't exactly had an opportunity to figure them out.'
'Pah, it's easy. Just channel all your anger and hate into your flames. After all the flames of hell may burn white hot, but they're still tied to the dark emotions that rule hell.'
'That would be a good idea if I could oh I don't know, ACTUALLY GET MY FLAMES TO APPEAR IN THIS BLACK WATER!'
'Can you still swim? Just swim up to the top, stick an arm out above the water summon some flame and viola.'
'Well I would if it weren't for the fact the entire time we've been chatting I've had to dodge attacks from the fucker who summoned all the water in the first place.'
'Geeze you are needy. If it's that bad just let me take over.'
'Why don't we work together like we're supposed to?'
'Because you haven't proved it's worth the effort yet.'
'Well fuck you to!'
"Haha, How does it feel to know you're going to die because you're magic isn't good enough to counter my curse?"
Torafuzar interrupted my conversation with my dragon blood. Rather than let his words get to me I started to ignore them and think of things I could do to possibly get away.
'Hey, hey, hey! Stop that. Get mad, remember anger fuels the flames of hell. Let him piss you off. Use that anger to forcefully call your Hellfire!'
My dragon blood cried out before I could think of another solution. Shrugging at his words, I tuned back in to Torafuzar's speech. Taking it all in I let it whip my anger into a frenzy, and let it course threw my veins. As I did I saw the water around me starting to sizzle.
Smirking in satisfaction, I let my magic wash out from me and almost laughed as I saw the horrified look on Torafuzar's face once he saw that I was heating up the water. Apparently I heated it up too fast as a moment later the entire area was filled with nothing but steam and groans of pain.
I completely cut off the flow of magic, letting the area cool down enough to blow the steam away. Once the air was clear and I could see I was stunned at just how badly I had hurt Torafuzar. The heat of my Hellfire flames had burned him horribly. His skin was gone and most of his flesh had been seared to the point I could safely say most of what remained of his body was char. Torafuzar was still breathing though, and as I watched I could see his body trying to regenerate. After a few moments of debating if it would be a mercy to end it his eyes focused on me.
"Hahaha, you think you've won? So long as master Mard Geer has my book, I can be revived. My soul is bound to that book."
Hearing those words I felt a chill go up my spine. Knowing that now was the only chance I would get, I sighed.
"I really hate to do this, but if this is what it'll take to stop Tartaros, I'll send all your souls straight to hell."
As I finished speaking my recalled my Hellfire flames to my hand and just reached out to touch Torafuzar.
"With the flames of hell I unbind your soul from this world, and cast you to hell. Hellfire Dragons Secret Art Damnation's Calling: Mortal Judgment"
Torafuzar's body then burst into flames. As the flames burned on I spoke to my dragon blood.
'Did I just make up a new move, or did I instinctively use a Hellfire Dragon spell?'
'Both kinda. The name of the spell is wrong, and the chant needs reworded but you were close enough that you cast the real spell.'
'Are we becoming a monster?'
' What do you mean?'
'We just killed him. I mean I didn't want to and I regret having to, but I would make that call again if I needed to.'
'We are no monster. We did what we had to. If it bothers you this much though, try asking someone for advice.'
At this point the flames from Torafuzar's body had died out, leaving nothing behind not even ash. Before I could do anything however I felt my instincts take over and force me to move.
'You haven't even properly bonded with your mates yet but you still instinctively know when they need you.'
'So that's what's going on right now'
As I thought my reply to my dragon blood I felt the communication Lacrima in my pocket buzz.
"huh, I would have thought it'd been broken during the fight. I guess I was wrong" I spoke to myself as I pulled the Lacrima out of my pocket.
"We need help! This guy is too strong, He's already beaten Erza and Mira!"
"I'm on my way Gray, just hold on!"
At that I forced myself to move faster. I ran so fast that the world around me became a blur. At least it was until I could smell that I was close. As I slowed down I saw a blonde man with pointy ears and a tail attacking Ultear. Behind Ultear were the unconscious bodies of Gray, Erza, and Mira.
Letting my newly discovered Hellfire flames coat my fist I lunged forward slamming my punch into the guys face. The force from my attack threw the guy off into the distance. Not letting up I followed, watching as he stubbornly got up. But his eyes widened when he saw me.
"Oh shit, I'm not ready to take you on. Those bitches back there drained me quite a bit."
The man claimed before trying to run. I was torn between following and killing him for hurting my mates, or letting him leave and checking on them. In the end my concern won out and I turned around to help Ultear take care of them.
"That was an amazingly powerful attack Natsu. I think if it weren't for you showing up we would have lost. I owe you my life."
"No you don't. You protected my mates. You were willing to defend them from an opponent that had you all beat. If anything I'm the one that owes you."
"how about we agree to disagree then..."
"Or you shut up and kiss each other"
Gray had recovered enough to wake up while we spoke. I glared at him, but after noticing Ultear had gone completely silent I looked over at her to find that she was blushing.
"Aren't you and Jellal together?"
"No, he helped me raise Meredy, but we don't see each other that way."
I was quiet for a moment, before nodding to myself.
"Well then… I never said anything before because I thought you two were a thing, but I find myself drawn to you as well as Erza and Mira."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm sure you already know that it's in my nature as a King Dragon Slayer to have multiple mates. You're also smart enough to have researched and probably found out the more powerful we are the more mates we have."
"Are you asking me to date you like Erza and Mira are?"
"Well that's the shorter way of saying it but yeah pretty much."
"shouldn't you ask their opinion first?"
"Not when they can answer that question themselves. They both woke up around the time I asked if you and Jellal were a thing."
"Dammit I can't hide anything from you can I" - Mira
"I should have known he was attracted to powerful women" - Erza
All the while Gray was laughing in the back ground while giving me a thumbs up. After a few moments Erza and Mira both admitted they'd be perfectly fine with Ultear joining us, though Mira muttered about how they would need to find a way to keep me from creating a harem.
Eventually everyone had recovered enough we could make our way back to Fairy Tail. Though I found out they didn't get to Belno fast enough to stop her from being killed. I mentioned that I had Jellal take Yajima back to Fairy Tail while I fought the one that was sent to attack him, but I didn't talk about the fight at all.
A few hours later
We had made it back to the guild, only to find Laxus and the Thunder Legion had made it back before us with Michello. Though Laxus took the brunt of it all and was in the infirmary being treated. Jellal had also made it back with Yajima, and he was currently talking to the two ex council members. Making a hand sign to Gramps and Gildarts, I sneaked away from my mates and Gray. We met in a storage room that was in the back of the basement.
"What's biting ya kid"
"Natsu, you can tell us whatever you need to."
After the two spoke, I sighed before the floodgates opened as I told the two what happened during my fight with the demon from Tartaros. I also told them my thoughts about it, and then after realizing I spoke to Gramps I panicked and begged him not to kick me from the guild for breaking the rule about killing.
"Natsu I won't kick you from the guild. You're clearly torn up by the fact you had to do it. That right there tells me you are no monster."
"Kid you are no longer a regular Fairy Tail mage. That rule is only to prevent everyone from falling into the darkness. I have had to break that rule before, as has master. The three of us are the strongest in the guild, which means we have to handle the things nobody else can. We are the ones that fight the monsters you are afraid of becoming. We do it so they don't have to."
"Gildarts is right… I had hoped that he would be the only one in the guild to handle things like that, but you've been drawn into it to… I can't tell you everything will be okay, because it won't. As Gildarts said we fight the monsters so the others don't have to."
I let their words wash over and comfort me. I cried a bit for what I had to do and was now drawn into, but after a while I stopped.
"I'm not okay, not yet. But I do feel better after talking to you two about it… which tells me that I can learn to live with the burden."
