Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima


ACT III: Crossroad - Where demons roam

Approximately X793

Chapter 7: It begins

The Dragon Slayer's was all alone in the middle of no where, when they woke one by one. None of them knew what had happened, nor did they have any knowledge of the horrible things that had transpired. All they knew was that none of their parents was in sight, leaving them confused and baffled as they staggered alone into the world, determined to find their dragons.

Natsu was one of the first to wake up and didn't really bother with the other kids, as he started calling and searching for Igneel. The day before the dragon had vanished, he had given Natsu a super cool scarf, that he was nuzzling every once in a while, trying to seek comfort in it. It didn't take long before he met an old man called Makarov, who asked him to join his guild and since the Dragon Slayer didn't have anywhere else to go, he agreed and followed him.

As for Zeref, then he was once more rummaging the world in solitude. Sometimes he would go to his country and do his duties there, but he preferred being alone because his hatred towards humanity was once more burning with a passion. .

It was during one of his trips in X784, he stumbled across Mavis's spirit. He told her everything about his loss, but also about the dragons and Dragon Slayers. This made the small mage speechless since she could sense a lot of darkness and anger in Zeref, that hadn't been there before.

The loss of Layla had left a deep scar in Zeref, because he had opened his heart and tried to be forgiving towards humanity. But when the celestial mage died, his heart had been shattered and that was why he had turned darker and more cynical.

Mavis tried encouraging the other mage, but he was deaf to her reasoning. Instead he told her how he had lost his last faith in humanity and that one day, he would to see it all burn. Whether it would be by his hands, his brother's or Achnologia, he did not know. But when it did he would finally find a place to die.

Startled but also angry, Mavis once more tried to reason with the dark mage, but he wouldn't listen.

And with that, the two former friends saw each other in a new light, because they knew that this was the end of their friendship.

It took seven years before they would cross paths again in X791 after the Grand Magic Games.

Zeref was still determined in seeing the world burn, because he believed that only through the destruction and annihilation of humanity, could they get a fresh start. So his solution to everything was regeneration, since that might lead to harmony. In that way he could stop the meaningless and cruel circle people always continued to make, since humanity would essentially be reborn.

Mavis wasn't shocked by his speech and told him that the world is beautiful despite it's flaws and that Fairy Tail is a guild that accepts it.

Zeref didn't believe her, so he told her that there would be a one-sided annihilation that would kill humanity.

Determined and having faith in her own guild, Mavis answered that Fairy Tail would stop and annihilate him.

After a while the dark mage approached Achnologia who was wounded after his fight with Igneel. Zeref informed the dragon, that he himself would be his challenger, if he just waited for the fated day where humanity, dragons and immortals, would face each other in a fierce battle.

It wasn't yet though, because before that could happen the fairies and a lot of other guilds confronted his country and The Spriggan. After a long and fierce battle it resulted in defeat for the dark mage, making him flee once more. Humanity had won another war and all cross the nation, they took their time to celebrate but also lick their wounds. It was during this peaceful time, that yet another tragic event was about to happen...

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

It had been yet another bloody battle and it had left a huge mess everywhere. Destruction, blood, corpses... all of it evidence of the things that had happened.

Because of all the horror it was with heads held high, that the guild members of Fairy Tail found themselves celebrating at their newly created guild hall. In spite of all the things they had been through and endured, they somehow managed to suppress it and have a blast until the early morning.

"What a mess" Lucy stated to herself when she entered the guild, after taking a quick trip home to take a shower. In some corners people were sleeping peacefully, in other corners food, kegs or alcohol was splattered, clearly implying how successful their party had been.

It had been a good night indeed...

A moan escaped her lips as she spotted a huge mess of pink hair sticking out of a barrel.

Not knowing what else to do she quickly went over to it and started knocking on it's side.

"Oy, what are you doing in there?" Lucy asked curiously.

"Mmm... go aaaway..."

"It can't be good for your back staying like that"

Natsu tried moving making his spine crack painfully "Ugh!"

"Told you so" Lucy giggled as he glared back at her with accusing eyes.

"Yeah, yeah" grumbling he slowly got out of the barrel and stood stretching his body for a while "Nice party, huh?"

"It really was" she nodded in agreement.

"Yo!" they heard Gray calling and both turned their heads to stare at him. Like always he had managed to lose his shirt, but since it had happened the day before during the party, nobody knew where it was.

"Hey" Lucy said and smiled towards him "How are you doing?"

"Fine..." the ice mage shrugged "... just wish I knew where my shirt went"

"Perhaps Juvia took it?" she snickered teasingly.

"Maybe..."

"Why isn't Mira here yet?" Natsu complained in a high-pitched tone "I'm starving!"

"Well it's really nice weather outside, so how about we go buy something and eat it at the park?" Lucy suggested.

"Good idea, I mean I wouldn't want to eat in this smelly place, even if I could" Gray said and motioned with head towards the entrance "Let's go"

"Mmm hm" Lucy nodded and followed the ice mage outside.

"Oy!" Natsu roared in outrage before storming after them "Wait for me!"

"And waaait for meeeee!" Happy shouted and spawned his wings, before flying after the small group.

After buying a lot of burgers the group found themselves entering the park.

"Hey isn't that Erza?" Lucy asked when she spotted a woman casually resting on her back.

"Looks like it" Gray said and started heading over in her direction.

"Ey! Erza!" Natsu yelled making the woman turn her head to glare at the approaching group.

"Guys" the scarlet haired woman nodded and got into a sitting position "What are you doing here?"

"Well Mira was absent at the guild and since it's such a nice weather, we decided to go get burgers" Lucy answered and showed her the bag she was carrying "We've got more than enough if you want some too"

"I appreciate your offer and gladly accept" Erza nodded stoically.

And with that they found themselves having a nice time, consuming burgers and sharing stories. Once their stomachs were full they sprawled out on the grass, resting in content.

"That was awesome!" Natsu exclaimed as he raised a clenched fist into the air.

"Yeah..." Gray sighed and rubbed his stomach "... mmm"

"Is something wrong?" Lucy asked in concern.

"Naaw, not really" the ice mage sighed, making it obvious that there was something troubling him.

"Come on, you can tell us" the blonde turned over to stare at the black haired mage.

"Well..." he started "... there's a few things that's been bothering me lately. I mean.. is it just me or does it seem like Makarov is avoiding Natsu?"

"Ohh..." Lucy blinked in surprise.

"I have noticed that as well" Erza stated knowingly "He has so ever since we rescued him from Albaras"

"... yeah..." the blonde muttered sadly.

"It just doesn't make sense why he would do that" Gray grumbled in thought "Unless there's a reason for it"

"Perhaps there is" the scarlet haired woman said "We just don't know it yet"

"Yeah... reminds me though, that there's another thing that's been bothering me" Gray sighed as he turned around to lay on his stomach and stare in Natsu's direction "You're hiding something aren't you?"

The fire mage didn't answer, but instead narrowed his eyes and stared at the sky above him.

"Well..." the ice mage urged but still didn't receive an answer.

"... Gray..." Lucy turned her head to stare at him. She had the same suspicion that their friend was carrying a secret, but never had the courage to ask about it.

"Is this true?" Erza sat and stared at the Dragon Slayer too.

"You guys..." Happy stared at them in turn with a sad expression.

"Come on, answer us!" Gray said, his voice dripping with impatience as he got to a standing position and in a quick movement grabbed Natsu's shirt and pulled him up, so they were suddenly face to face.

"Gray!" Lucy jumped to a standing position "You're going too far"

"No I'm not!" he growled and stared intensely at Natsu, who still didn't answer, but instead turned his head to look in another direction, as if the conversation was boring him "I've seen how you sometimes grab your bandaged arm, like there's something underneath it that's bothering you and I want to know what it is"

"Gray..." Happy sulked clearly in turmoil about what to do.

"Say it!" the ice mage spat.

"There's nothing..." Natsu narrowed his eyes in anger "... so stop questioning me"

"Don't take me for an idiot!" Gray snorted "I know something is there, you're just too stubborn and selfish to tell anyone about it!"

"That's not it!" the Dragon Slayer snarled and slapped Gray's hand away.

"Then what is it?!"

"It's nothing..."

"God damn it!" the ice mage ruffled his hair in frustration.

There was a flash of scarlet and glistening silver, as Erza in a quick move succeeded in cutting the bandages on Natsu's arm, that immediately starting falling towards the ground.

Time seemed to freeze as it did, until his arm was finally revealed for them to see.

The Dragon Slayer's eyes widened in horror and there was a flash of panic in his eyes, as he quickly grabbed his now exposed arm with his hand.

"What..?" Gray's eyes widened as he looked at the black markings that was sprawled on the fire mage's skin.

"... shit..." Natsu whispered but nobody seemed to hear him. All of them was too busy staring at his arm, transfixed by the turn of events.

As Lucy sat staring at the markings, when something seemed to click in her mind.

The feeling she got when she first saw him, after he had been gone for a year. It was still there but now it was more radiant, because the bandages had somehow isolated it.

Dangerous... a dangerous aura...

Her instincts was on high alert and for some reason it evoked a primal fear inside of her, making a shiver go down her spine.

Zeref's unnatural interest in him... the demons...

No... Lucy's eyes widened and her body started shaking uncontrollably, as fear itched its way through her system. As it did layer of cold sweat spawned all over her body, making her skin prickle.

His name... Natsu Dragneel... END... Etherious...

"No..." Lucy whispered as she placed her hand above her mouth "... please god no..." her knees buckled underneath her, making her fall to the ground.

"Lucy, what's wrong?" Happy quickly ran over to her and placed a paw on her leg.

All of the others turned to stare at the frightened girl, who didn't say anything but just stared into thin air.

"Lucy..." Gray said surprised by her sudden reaction.

Erza didn't say anything but instead grabbed the handle of her sword as she quickly scanned their surroundings, to see if there was an enemy approaching. But there was nothing that looked just remotely threatening.

"Luce" Natsu voice was low as he narrowed his eyes in concern "What's wrong?"

"...I..." she started but the air got caught in her throat when her eyes locked with his.

No... please, it was too cruel. He didn't deserve it, no one did... why... WHY?!

A million thoughts spawned in her head, making her clutch her head between her hands.

Her breathing was starting to become more irregular, evidently because she was starting to hyperventilate.

"Shit!" Erza spat as she quickly sat down in front of the girl and grabbed her shoulders "Calm down! You hear me?! I demand that you to calm down!"

It didn't help, as a matter of fact it looked like it was getting worse by the second.

Lucy's face was growing more pale and it looked more and more like she was about to faint.

"Let me do it" Natsu gently urged Erza to switch placed with him and she complied immediately and scooted over, making room for the Dragon Slayer "Lucy, can you hear me?"

She didn't answer but kept staring into thin air, with blank eyes.

"Come on, stay with us" he squeezed her shoulders gently "You need to relax"

"Wait! The bag from the burgers" Gray slammed a clenched fist against his other hand and quickly fetched one of the bags, he quickly handed to Natsu "Make her breathe into this"

"Why?" the Dragon Slayer said in a sceptic tone.

"Just do it okay"

"Fine" rolling his eyes, he took the bag into his hand and gently placed it above her mouth "Breathe into this"

Her breathing was still irregular and fast but it didn't take long, before it became less shallow.

"Good" Natsu smiled, glad to see the colour was slowly returning to her cheeks "You're doing great"

Closing her eyes she placed one of her hands on his wrist, as if she wanted to keep his hand steady, while she kept breathing into the bag.

After a while Lucy started to pull his hand away and he obliged to her motion.

"... thank you..." she whispered and stared down at her legs. Lucy was still shivering though, like she was suffering from a cold or something.

"You're welcome" he said hoping she would look up, but she didn't.

No, she was too occupied with the stuff going on in her head.

"... why...?" Lucy whispered in a fragile voice as she leaned her head forwards making her hair shadow for her eyes.

"Why what?" the Dragon Slayer asked in a curious voice "Why the bag worked? I have no idea"

A sad chuckle escaped her lips as she bend her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs, hugging them closer to her chest.

"No..." Lucy sniffled "... that's not it..."

"Then what is it..." he stared at her and was surprised when he noticed that tears was streaming down her cheeks, falling down and landing on her knees.

"Ohh..." his mouth formed a circle for a second, leaving him even more confused about her reaction.

A sigh escaped her lips as she started rubbing her arms.

"You cold?" he asked in concern.

"... yeah...?"

A cocky grin that revealed his teeth was on his lips, as he scooted closer to her and placed his arm around her shoulders.

"I'll warm ya" he said while pressing her closer to his body "No problem!"

"... thanks..." she muttered with a blush suddenly spawning on her cheeks.

"Are you okay now Lucy?" Happy asked as he went over to the girl.

All of the others had stayed quiet to make sure not to disturb Natsu in trying to stabilise and comfort the girl.

"Yeah.." she quickly wiped her eyes with her hands, to remove her tears.

They just sat in silence for a while when a sudden dark aura spawned.

A snarl of anger escaped from the Dragon Slayer who was the first to notice the presence, as he quickly got up and took a fighting stance.

"What...?" Erza muttered as she unsheathed her sword, ready for the incoming threat.

Gray didn't say anything put prepared himself as well, as he stood turning to see what they were dealing with.

Happy raised his paws as if he was a sudden kung fu master, ready to strike his enemies.

Lucy also got to her feet, but her knees was shaking both from the incoming aura, but also because of her emotional state.

"Such a pleasant place..." a voice suddenly said, making them all turn and look in its direction.

"Zeref..." Natsu growled and clenched his teeth hard together in anger.

"Indeed, so we meet again" the dark mage answered.

"What are you doing here?" Erza raised her sword ready to strike "Are you here to avenge the Spriggan?"

"Such a hostile atmosphere..." Zeref said in what could be interpreted as sad.

"No..." Lucy was shaking from fear and anger when she saw the book with the words END in Zeref's arms "No, no, no, no, NO!"

Not sure what else to do Lucy quickly stepped in front of Natsu and raised her arms to the side, like she was trying to form a wall, to shield the Dragon Slayer.

"Luce what the heck do you think you're doing?" Natsu asked feeling outraged "Get away from there!"

"No!" she said in a firm voice "Natsu YOU have to get away from here"

"What...?"

"Please there's no time for me to explain, just go!" The celestial mage urged, her voice dripping with panic.

"My, my..." Zeref chuckled as he gave Lucy the escalator look "... you figured it out didn't you?"

"Yes..." she spat at the dark mage "... please don't do this"

"You know what, not only do you look like your mother, but you're also as smart as she was" Zeref smirked, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"... you knew my mother?" Lucy's eyes widened in surprise.

"Knew her?" the dark mage started to laugh "I loved her, but then she selfishly died in my arms"

"... what?" her body stiffened in horror.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Natsu growled as he quickly stepped beside Lucy.

"If you want to know the full story, then I suggest you visit your old mansion" Zeref said ignoring the Dragon Slayer "There's a book there that explains everything, written by your mother. I found it not that long ago when I was paying the place a short visit. I don't know why I keep doing that, habit perhaps..."

"I suggest you clarify your answers, before I cut off your head" Erza threatened her voice dripping with malice.

"I'm sorry that it has come to this" Zeref sighed heavily as he glared at the ground "But unfortunately fate isn't in your favour"

"Who are you talking to?" Gray wondered out loud.

It all happened so quickly for their eyes to follow. One second Zeref was standing in front of them the next he was holding a hand against Lucy's chest, chanting something they didn't recognise.

"I'm sorry Layla... I'm sorry Lucy" Zeref had a pained expression on his face, as black magic shot out from his hand vanishing inside of the blonde who gasped in surprise.

"Ohh..." Lucy mouth formed a circle and she felt how her heart rate immediately started to slow down. Her body was weakening at such a fast pace, that it made her stagger on her feet.

"Luce!" Natsu roared as he grabbed her body as it started to fall towards the ground "What the fuck did you do, you bastard!"

"You'll see... yes... you'll see" the dark mage muttered as he started to vanish.

"Ohh no you don't!" Gray roared as he slammed both hands against the ground "Ice make floor!"

Ice quickly shot from his hands, towards the dark mage.

"Ahhh!" Erza shouted as she drew her sword and jumped into the air, prepared to strike the dark mage.

But it was too late for either of their attacks to reach.

Zeref was gone.

"Damn it!" Erza cursed as she landed.

"Tsch!" Gray spat in anger.

"Zeref..." Natsu snarled but quickly turned his attention back on the girl, that had gone completely limp in his hands.

"Ahh..." Lucy said as the Dragon Slayer gently placed her on the ground.

"You okay?" Natsu asked as he scanned her body with his eyes "are you hurt?"

"Yes..." her breathing as well as her heart rate was gradually becoming slower.

"Shit!" he placed two fingers on her neck to feel her pulse, noticing how it was weakening way too fast "Shit, shit, shit, SHIT!"

"What's wrong?" Erza asked as she sat down next to them, fear written in her eyes.

"She's..." panic was radiating from Natsu when he turned to face the armoured mage "... we need a healer"

"Understood" she nodded "Happy?"

"Aye sir!" he answered and spawned his wings before flying away.

"I..." Lucy voice was barely above a whisper, but Natsu heard her nonetheless.

"What is it?" he asked in concern and leaned closer to her face, to make sure he heard everything she said.

"I'm... freezing..."

"Ohh..." his heart seemed to skip a beat, making him flinch in pain before he grabbed the girl and held her close to his body "... here we go"

"Thanks..." she whispered, her head casually resting on his shoulder.

"Hang in there okay. Happy will be back any second now and we'll make you feel better" a hysterical laughter escaped his mouth "I promise, you'll be fine I'm not gonna watch you die again"

"..."

"You hear me?" his voice had an edge of madness to it "I wont allow it"

"Yeah..."

"Lucy..." Erza narrowed her eyes in concern, because the blonde's lips was starting to turn blue and her skin was becoming sickening pale.

"Hey, did you know that normal cats can't see what they eat, when they're eating? Because they can't see bellow their nose" Natsu stated with a weird smirk.

She didn't answer but he could feel her lips turning into a smile against his shoulder.

"And... and... some fish communicate with each other by farting! Isn't that amazing?"

"... yeah..." Lucy said, barely able to register what he was saying any more.

"This is taking too long" Erza was starting to panic as well, so she jumped and scanned her surroundings hoping to see the cat.

"... Nat...su...?" the blonde's voice was barely audible.

"Yeah?" Natsu answered but she didn't say anything right away, so he gave her body a squeeze trying to encourage her to talk "What is it?"

"... thank..." she tried to take a deep breath, but it was not nearly as much as her body needed to function "... thank you..."

"Why are you thanking me you idiot?" his body was starting to shake uncontrollably, knowing where this was going even if he was trying his best to deny it "I didn't do anything"

"... yes... for..." Lucy exhaled a long breath, before her body became totally weak in his arms.

Natsu waited and listened but couldn't hear her breathing any more. No she was completely silent almost as if...

As if...

"No..." he gritted his teeth against each other and placed the girl on the ground "No... no, no..."

Panic was rushing through his system as he turned his head to look at Gray and Erza who also looked like they were on the brink of losing their sanity.

"FUCK!" Natsu screamed in terror as he tried searching for her pulse, but he couldn't find it "No! I'm not having it!"

The Dragon Slayer immediately started performing first aid on Lucy pushing her chest and breathing into her mouth, hoping it would get her body to function again.

But nothing happened...

No matter how hard he tried...

Nothing...

He kept doing it though... no matter what, this couldn't be it. He refused it... denied it...

"Come on..." his sight started to blur from the tears that was starting to gather in his eyes "... god damn it!"

Shaking he kept pushing and breathing air into her body.

Why didn't she come back?

Why?

"Lucy-san!" the sound of Wendy's voice echoed and momentarily filled him with gratitude.

"... Wendy..." he whispered and stopped his actions, as she started hovering her glowing hands above Lucy's body.

Nothing seemed to happen though.

"Wendy...?" Natsu narrowed his eyes as he glared at her shaking body "... oy... Wendy? She's gonna be fine right? You can fix this right?"

The healer bit her lips and shook her head.

"Sure you can... it's not like she's..." his voice cracked in pain as he turned his head to look at the blonde "... that she's..."

"I'm sorry... I'm so, so sorry" Wendy stopped her healing process and covered her eyes with her hands "It's too late..."

"... no..." Natsu snapped his head to look at Wendy and Lucy in turn "... it can't be..."

"... I'm sorry..." the healer whimpered, clearly distraught by the situation "I can't..."

"No..." shaking his head in denial he crawled over the celestial mage's body and placed his hands on each site of her body "... it can't be... Lucy please..."

Tears was now freely streaming down his face landing with low thuds on her face.

"Luce... you can't..." he sucked in his breath before placing his forehead against hers "... please"

His body started to shake more and more as his body was overwhelmed with sadness.

"... no..." he closed his eyes and placed his hands on her cheeks.

So cold... her skin was so cold against his warm skin.

Even her scent was gradually leaving her body, making the traces of her existence vanish like it was nothing. Like she had been nothing...

No, she had been everything... and now she was gone... gone forever...

A new sort of emotion started to form in his body, that he didn't recognise. It wasn't fear, pain or anger... no it was something else. A sort of wanting to get justice but also a need to get away.

To vanish... to let someone else be in charge, because he couldn't bear this any more... he couldn't loose another one who was precious to him...

The feeling in his chest was so overwhelming but also welcoming, that he didn't fight against it, but let it sweep him away. As it did his body started to feel warmer. Like his veins was liquid acid, burning through his system.

An almost unnatural and primal scream escaped his lips as his body started squirming in pain.

No... no... no, no, no, no, no!

His hands clutched his head as he got into a standing position.

Fucking hell NO!

Pain was rippling through his body. It was weird because it was almost as if the pain was coming from his markings and not his heart... weird huh?

Another scream escaped his lips, making saliva stream down his chin as he suddenly feel to his knees, where he sat roaring at the sky.

He was losing it... slowly... he could feel it. That something else was gaining control of his body

Why couldn't he resist it? But more importantly, why should he resist it?

The heat from his markings seemed to spread all over his body, until settling in different areas, but he didn't care. Nor did he care that it seemed like something was splitting his skull, as if something was emerging from his head.

No... she was gone... nothing mattered... nothing at all...

Lucy...

And then everything turned black.


A/N: So I guess there are a few things I need to explain. The reason I choose this approach was because I wanted to take a simple route, that would somehow sneak around all of the plot balls Hiro has been throwing at us lately. With that said I hope both the Spriggan thing, the fight between the three fractions and END gets their own arcs, otherwise too much stuff will happen all at once.

With that said I was arguing with myself whether or not to include the huge fight after the Spriggan thing, but since I'm not sure I'm skilled enough to do that justice, I decided not to include it. Maybe I'll make it into a separate story, if I ever get confident enough to make a fiction that is purely based on battles.

So yeah even if it will be three arcs, the END thing might happen before any of the other things. However I think it would be nice, if he turns out to be the final villain, so the stuff in past comes full circle somehow.

In this chapter I unconsciously made Lucy's death similar to when Layla died, but I decided to keep it since it's beautiful and slightly romantic in that weird traumatic kinda way.

… so... now how am I gonna snake myself out of this situation, huh? You'll just have to wait and see as I leave you with this wicked cliffhanger, haha!

(if I manage to finish it I will update the story tomorrow)