'Our days of dueling for fun are over?' Natsu thought as he stared out into the sky of a balcony at Jellal's mansion. After hearing about what they're up against, Natsu and the others were wondering if they were really up for this. 'That's the whole point of dueling. It goes against everything Makarov ever taught me.' While he was thinking, Lucy and Gray were right behind him.

"You think he's going to be okay?" Lucy asked.

"This is Natsu. He'll just bounce right back." Gray said. He seemed sure, but Lucy wasn't so certain. She looked around and noticed Erza wasn't around.

"Where's Erza?" Lucy asked.

"I think she said something about wanting to talk to Jellal." Gray said.

"Makes sense. They are old friends who seem they haven't seen each other in a long time." Lucy said. "It also seems Erza has a thing for him."

"How do you think the others are doing?" Gray asked.

"Not sure. It's Wendy I'm the most worried about." Lucy said. "She's so young and she gets nervous about dueling. How can she be expected to save the world?"

….

Wendy

Wendy was in the living room of the mansion. With her being the youngest and least experience in dueling, she wonders if she really has what it takes for something like this. She took out her Grandine card and looked at it.

"The fate of the world seems to rest on us." Wendy said. "I still don't get why we were chosen. If the dragons really did make the choice, why did Grandine choose me? Someone like Erza would be better fitted. What if I'm not ready for this?"

…

Gajeel

Wendy and Natsu weren't the only ones having doubts. Gajeel rested against the roof and was wondering himself if he could do this. He was starting to believe everything he was told was real and there was one other person he kept thinking about.

'What if that Jellal guy was telling the truth?' Gajeel thought. 'What if Levy was already taken by the darkness? That would explain what happened to her and why she seemed to have disappeared.' He was trying not to believe it, but it was hard. 'What am I saying? There's no way Levy could have fallen that easily. What if she did? Last time I saw her, I guess I did sound a little rude.' Gajeel wasn't sure what to think or what was stranger. The fact that everything he was told could be true or that he seemed to care deeply what happened to Levy.

…..

Erik

Erik was walking around through the yard of the mansion. He thought about all that has happened to him in the past few days. He was once part of some punk group and now he's been told he needs to save the world. He felt the breeze against him and took in all the sounds.

"Me? Saving the world?" Erik said. "I know I wanted answers, but this is more than I expected." He took out his dragon card and wondered if this was right. "Why was I chosen? I don't have the best credit. Cuberin, I wish you could give me a clear answer. Am I really worthy of saving the world?"

…

Laxus

Laxus thought it was best to give Makarov a call. If there's a danger that's coming, Laxus thought he should warn his family what's about to come. Makarov was finding it all hard to believe himself, but was much easier to convince.

"I see. That's quite the story." Makarov said.

"I'm not even sure if it's real or not." Laxus said.

"Laxus, I'm your grandfather and as your grandfather, I'm sensing there's something else troubling you." Laxus said. "What is troubling you, my boy?"

"It's just…..let's say all of this really is happening." Laxus said. "I know I'm a great duelist, but I know that's not the reason I was chosen. Why was I? Considering what my old man has done..."

"Listen to me, my boy. You're nothing like my good for nothing son." Makarov said. "You cherish the friendships you have in the guild. That's why you fight. I don't know what you might up against, but I know you will handle it." That had Laxus feel a little better since he has a rough past with his father, but will this encouragement be enough.

…..

Erza

"I must say, Erza, despite all that has happened, it was great to see you again." Jellal said as he poured her some juice and handed her some. The two of them were having a nice talk sitting at a table with a nice view.

"Yes. We seem to be entering dark times, but at least I got to see you again." Erza said. "Jellal, there is something you seemed to have forgot to tell us."

"What might that be?" Jellal asked.

"Location." Erza said. "You seemed to have forgotten that we know nothing about where our enemies are. If we are going to charge into battle, we should know where they are hiding so we can plan an attack."

"You don't need to worry about that. I entrusted all the information you need to Ultear and Meldy. They're going to make sure you're prepared for anything." Jellal said.

"Jellal, I'm serious. If we're going to win this, trust is something we're going to need." Erza said. Jellal saw the fire and passion in her eyes. That was one of the things Jellal liked about her.

"They've been right under you all along." Jellal said and that perplexed Erza. "They're right under Magnolia using the chasms below as their base."

"They've been right under our feet the entire time?!" Erza said.

"I didn't say anything because I was worried someone like Natsu would just charge in without any sort of plan." Jellal said. "I also believe that there might be a portal to the underworld at their disposal. That's how the darkness is coming into our world."

"Jellal, we have to warn the people. We need to get them all out of there." Erza said. "If you were right about how they steal souls, they'll be right where these dark ones want them."

"And tell them what, Erza?" Jellal said. "Just like Laxus and Gajeel, those people won't believe us. By the time we convince them, it will be too late. We'll just have to hope for the best" Erza wasn't sure if this was the right thing. Jellal got up and walked right behind her as he wrapped his arms around her.

"Erza, you said so yourself that we need trust. You trust me, don't you?" Jellal said. Despite all her worries of what's to come and holding a strong attitude, Erza felt safe and secure in his arms.

"More than you know." Erza said.

"I'm glad you're here." Jellal said.

….

Natsu

Everyone gave Natsu his space. Lucy stayed back in case he needed anything. Not wanting to see him like this anymore, Lucy walked right up to Natsu.

"Natsu, it's okay if you're scared." Lucy said.

"I'm not scared." Natsu said. "I'm just not sure if I can really do this. It goes against what I was taught. Dueling suppose to be fun. Now it just sounds like we have to win or we all lose. I don't want to duel like that."

"But you always take on duelists like Gajeel or someone strong?" Lucy said.

"That was different." Natsu said. "I dueled guys like that because I wanted to show my strength and become strong."

"Listen, remember back when we met." Lucy said. "I wasn't sure if I had what it took to be a member of Fairy Tail. Yet, I still had a great time. Just because the circumstances are different, doesn't mean anything you need to change anything."

"You're right." Natsu said. "Besides, what could happen since I have my friends by my side? I know we do have what it takes to win."

….

Magnolia

Down under Magnolia, those who were servants of darkness were ready to make their move. The eldest one, the one with purple in his dark cloak, stood over a large portal.

"The time has finally come. Bring me our guests." The other three brought Levy and Kinana over to him.

"What's going on?" Levy asked.

"What do you want with us?" Kinana asked.

"I noticed that you two ladies were greatly hurt. From your tears, I could tell it was from someone who you both cared deeply about. I'm giving you the power to take vengeance on them."

"Vengeance?" Kinana said. "I don't want that. I might have been hurt, but I could never bring myself to actually hurt someone."

"I know I seemed upset, but it's nothing to go that far." Levy said. "I think that we should be going now." However, before they could even leave, metal collars were placed around their necks with chains connected to them. The eldest dark servant grabbed a hold of both of them. He got a hold of the chains and kept them from completely falling in.

"I insist. This power I will grant the both of you to bring the pain to those who brought you pain." He tossed both them over the edge and they plummet to the portal. "Levy and Kinana, you shall know true darkness. You shall hurt those who have hurt you. Embrace the darkness and let it take your souls." Two streams of shadows shot up through the portal and almost looked like a snake and an owl. The two shadows encased both of them and placed an owl and snake mark on their right arms. The lives the two of them had was no more.

…

The Guild

Everyone that was in the guild was just minding their own business and were completely unaware of what was going on right under their own feet. The only one who knew the danger that was coming was Makarov and he was hoping that Laxus and the others return safely.

"Master, are you alright?" Mirajane said.

"I'm fine." Makarov said. "I just got a lot on my mind is all." He didn't get to say much more as the whole place began to shake. People thought it was just an earthquake, but people like Jellal knew better. The dark ones were making their move. In Magnolia, dark clouds just shot out of the ground.

"What is that?" Mirajane asked as everyone wondered what was happening. The black clouds was spreading through the city. Some even shot straight into the guildhall and everything going silent.

….

Jellal's Mansion

All of Magnolia was surrounded by a dark dome. From the roof of Jellal's mansion, everyone could see it and were terrified of what it was and where it came from.

"What is that?" Lucy asked.

"It's the darkness." Jellal said. "It's made its first attack in Magnolia and unless it's stopped, it will spread to the rest of the world."

"Guess there's no denying it anymore. This is real." Gajeel said.

"What about all the people inside?" Wendy said.

"I have no clue as to what happened to them." Jellal said. "The time has come for you all to decide. Are you in or out?" None of them spoke right up. Natsu stared at the dark cloud and slammed his fist against his hand.

"These guys think they can just waltz right in and take our home?" Natsu said. "They got another thing coming. Listen, I know we don't know each other well or get along well, but I'm willing to put differences aside just so we can beat this guy. I'll fight these guys alone if I have to. So what about the rest of you?"

"Hm. If Salamander's in, there's no way I'm sitting out." Gajeel said.

"If we leave it to you two idiots, we're as good as doom." Laxus said. "You can count me in as well."

"No way I'm being left out of all the fun." Erik said. Wendy was the only one didn't seem sure. "What about you, kid?"

"Right." Wendy said. "I'll fight too if all my friends are in." It also went without saying that Erza, Lucy, and Gray were going as well.

"Jellal, we're all in." Natsu said and he was glad to hear that. All of them looked up and saw a chopper coming down that was being pilot by Ultear and Meldy.

"I gave the girls all the information you need." Jellal said. "You must act now." All of them were in agreement and with no more doubts, all of them went to board the helicopter. "Good luck everyone. The fate of the world is in your hands." All of them got on and flew off to face their ultimate battle. 'I've done all that I could. I just hope they're ready to face….him.' He thought. As they all flew off to face this battle, Natsu had his heart and head in this.

'I know that together, we'll face whatever comes our way.' Natsu thought.