Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters.
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
Natsu groggily opens his eyes and finds himself surrounded by darkness.
Where am I?" The slayer asked as he surveyed the environment. "Am I dreaming?"
The last thing Natsu remembered was facing that strange man, then getting caught in the weird darkness that emanated from him. Deciding this was a dream, Natsu started walking in a random path until he wakes up.
"Natsu Dragneel, we finally meet"
"Huh?" Natsu stopped when he noticed a figure approaching him: a tall man with white hair swept back, a blue trench coat, some sort of armor vest and knee high brown boots completed his attire.
"Who are you?"
"Natsu! Lisanna! Wake up! Please wake up!"
At first, Angel was glad to find that the dragon slayer was alive after getting caught in the death wave, but now she was lost on what to do: for the last minutes she had been trying to wake Natsu and Lisanna but with no luck. Resigning, she reached for the emergency flare given to her.
"He was here, wasn't he?"
The celestial mage almost dropped the flare, surprised by the sudden arrival "You're…Mest, aren't you?" Mest ignored her and approached the dead trees with morbid fascination.
Getting over the initial shock on how he arrived here (without adding the fact Mest approached them without Angel sensing him) she quickly turned to the matter at hand: "Please help me! Natsu and Lisanna…they're hurt and I can't seem to wake them up!"
Mest stopped his observation and spoke in a colder tone: "Actually, let's leave them like that for a while"
"What are you talking about? They're our guild mates!" Falling into despair, Angel reached for her Keys.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you"
Angel froze when in the blink of an eye Mest moved at an impossible speed and appeared behind her, or if her memory served her well: "Teleporting magic!" From past experience she was unsure if she could summon a spirit before he could make a move on her, so she dropped her shoulders in defeat.
"I'm glad you see you're cooperating." Mest walked around to stand before her "Lahar told me you were impulsive, but smart nonetheless."
"You're from the council." It wasn't a question but a statement "You fooled us all with a memory charm."
"You're right again!" Mest smirked at her expression "Just don't tell anyone else or my cover will be blown."
"What do you want?"
"Straight to the point, I like that. I'm here to find anything we can use against Fairy Tail, the guild's days are numbered." Giving her a creepy smile he added "And you are helping me with this task."
"What! Why would I betray my nakamas…"
"They aren't your 'nakamas' " Mest interrupted her "Do you really think they would accept a dark mage into their fold? Better yet: do you really think the council would forgive the hideous crimes you committed so easily? No, they planted you here to help us infiltrate this excuse of a guild."
"That's not true" Angel said, but even she was having doubts about it.
Seeing her expression, Mest knew he had her "Fairy Tail has dark secrets; one of them is the man you encountered moments ago. You Will help me with my task."
Angel looked at the unmoving form of Natsu "And if I don't?"
"You will go back to prison and serve your sentence" Mest casually said. "Help me, Angel, and the council will not only grant you forgiveness, but also a spot in our forces."
Just as he appeared he vanished, leaving Angel with a lot to think. While the members of Fairy Tail had accepted her, her one wish was still unattainable. As long as Natsu and Lisanna are together it would seem she would never get his love. The sinister idea of dealing with the takeover girl while she was unconscious passed through her head, but just as quickly as it appeared she erased it; Lisanna, of all people, was a true friend to her. Back to Mest offer: if she accepted, Natsu would hate her for sure, and if she declined she would never see daylight or Natsu ever again.
For the first time since she caused Karen's death, Angel wept not knowing what to do.
Back with Natsu:
The white haired man scoffed seizing his 'owner' "To think I would end with a pathetic excuse of a warrior."
"What did you say?" Natsu glared at him, igniting his fist on fire. The unknown man wasn't the least threatened by the slayer's outburst.
"It appears that, besides being a weakling, your hearing is bad."
"Hey! This is my dream! If you want a beating, just say so!" Natsu yelled, causing his opponent to laugh lightly.
"By all means do so. Show me what you can do."
Not thinking it twice, Natsu charged accepting the offer. When he was halfway there, Natsu saw the man reaching for something concealed within his coat and only had a second to duck when a blade sliced the space he occupied a moment ago. Natsu was about to counter when he realized what blade this man was wielding.
"Hey! That's mine! Give it back!"
The mysterious man pointed Yamato at Natsu's face, clearly pissed by the slayer's words: "This. Sword. Is. Mine! Consider the ownership you have on it a 'loan'. And that ends today."
Unconsciously, Natsu reached for his belt and was surprised to find Yamato strapped to it. Then what's the deal with the other one? The man removed the tip of the sword away from Natsu and took a few steps back.
"Since you somehow defeated the previous owner, I will indulge a bit. Draw Yamato and face me!"
Natsu grabbed his own Yamato and charged at him; the slayer was not about to let a poser carrying an imitation of his sword talk to him like that. The dragon slayer slashed, stabbed and swung his sword at the guy, putting raw force behind each attack. However, the unknown man was unimpressed.
"Is this all you can do?" Parrying Natsu's attack with a bored expression, the man repelled the dragon slayer with ease. He did however notice that Natsu at least had the basics down.
"Pathetic"
Taking a step back, he unsheathed Yamato and in one swing he sent countless slashes where Natsu was standing. By the time he re-sheathed Yamato, Natsu sported several cuts on his body.
Seeing that he was a better swordsman than him, Natsu put his own sword away and faced him in a fist fight.
"Karyu no tekken!"
Dodging Natsu's fist with ease, the man raised an eyebrow "Physical combat? Fine with me."
Natsu ignored him and sent another fist straight at him. The smirk on the man's face made Natsu boil with rage. Putting more speed into his attacks, Natsu was pleased to see that the man at least seemed more interested now. Natsu sent a punch with enough speed and force to knock him, but the man merely grabbed his fist and stopped him on his tracks.
"It would seem your emotions control you" Applying pressure to the fist he was pleased to see Natsu drop on one knee, but that didn't last long when the fist ignited in flames forcing him to release him. Seising the opportunity, Natsu unleashed several bone crushing blows at the man's chest, making him stagger back as Natsu prepared the finishing touch.
"Guren Karyu Ken!"
Natsu's flames surrounded his fist as he drove it straight to the man's chest, intending to end this weird dream fight quickly, but his opponent morphed into some sort of winged demon and retaliated with a flurry of attacks that ended with Natsu landing a few feet back with added bruises to his cuts. When he looked up the unknown man was back, the demon was nowhere to be seen.
"You…That's cheating!" Natsu tried to stand up, but it seemed his strength was leaving him. "fight me one on one!"
Sneering, the man grabbed Yamato and decided to free himself of the dragon slayer. However, his hand hurt when he touched Yamato.
"My hand… he burned me." When he stopped Natsu's fist, the flames managed to burn him. "You are more than meets the eye, Natsu."
"Natsu!" Lisanna kicked the man and took a defensive pose in front of the slayer; the man wasn't expecting her presence inside the seal and received the full force of the kick. Natsu was unsure why his girlfriend was included on his dream but he was glad nonetheless. Gracefully landing, the man's eyes widened almost imperceptible as he studied her.
"That girl… could she be one of my descendants?" He kept studying her while Lisanna helped Natsu get back up.
"Lisanna, be careful. Even if it's a dream, that guy is too strong."
"A dream?" Lisanna asked while Natsu kept his eyes trained on the unknown man. She wasn't sure about it, but for now she would help him in what she could.
Natsu and Lisanna prepared to fight but the man dismissed the notion and re-sheathed Yamato, earning a confused stare from the two young mages.
"What's the matter you coward! Fight me!" Natsu yelled, but the man ignored him and proceeded to walk away "Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Lisanna was unsure why, but something about this man felt familiar to her. "Who are you?"
The man stopped when she asked that question, after a few moments of silence he answered her.
"Vergil"
After answering, Vergil vanished into the darkness; the half demon still unsure why he told her his name.
"Natsu-kun, are you alright?" Lisanna woke up first and was now nursing his boyfriend's head on her lap.
"Lis-chan…" the dragon slayer woke up and met his girlfriend's stare "I had the weirdest dream. You were in it."
"Did it involve a man named Vergil?" seeing his expression she got her answer "something tells me it wasn't a dream."
"Then what was it?" His thoughts switched from Vergil to that weird man that killed everything around him. Natsu's first impulse was to jump up and figure out what happened, but he was too comfortable where he was.
Lisanna was thinking the same as him, but there was another issue at hand: "Natsu, Angel is missing."
"What! Did that guy took her?"
"I don't know. She wasn't here when I woke up." But Lisanna wasn't done "Also…your scarf."
"Wha…." Natsu looked down and was shocked with what he saw "My scarf!" the one thing that remained from Igneel, was now completely black.
Lisanna wanted to say something, but Natsu put the scarf issue aside for now: "We have to find Angel first. If that guy has her then she needs our help!"
"Natsu…"
"And then I'll beat him for what he did to my scarf!" Natsu said as he took off his vest.
Lisanna smiled, there was the Natsu she loved; He was deeply concerned by the defilement of Igneel's memento, but he was willing to put it aside in favor of helping one of his nakamas.
"There! That's better!" Natsu turned his vest backwards and put it again. "Now, let's look for Angel!"
"You only turned it around!"
Juvia and Pantherlily were searching for the grave of Fairy Tail's first master when they heard the sound of a fight nearby, moments later a red signal was launched to the sky.
"The emergency flare! Someone's in trouble!" Juvia and Lily ran until they reached a clearing where they found Erza helping Levy with a badly hurt Gajeel. "Gajeel!"
Juvia and Lily walked around the weird chicken and samurai dog lying on the ground and rushed to help them.
"What happened?" Pantherlily asked.
"Grimoire Heart" Levy answered while Lily helped her with Gajeel. "They're here on the island."
With pantherlily helping them, Erza knew it was safe to head out. "Juvia! Come with me! We need to find Gray and Wendy!"
Juvia didn't have to be told twice. In a flash, she sprinted in a random direction in search for her beloved Gray-sama.
Erza sweatdropped at Juvia's antics "Lily, can you help Levy and Gajeel get back to camp safely?"
"Count on it." The now large panther easily hefted Gajeel on his back. "Just be careful."
Erza nodded and ran to catch up with the overexcited water mage. If what those two Grimoire lackeys said was true, then time was of the essence.
"What's that?" Lucy pointed to the red flare on the sky "Is that a signal or something?"
"Why now!" Being a veteran for this exam, Cana knew what that flare means "This is my last try at the exam! Even when I might have to leave the guild"
"What do you mean?" Lucy was lost on what it meant.
"I sacrificed too much for this! I sacrificed him!" Cana thought before she reached a decision "I'm continuing the exam no matter what!"
"Cana…"
"Take it easy Cana." Gray emerged from the foliage, surprising the girls. "Lucy: that flare means we're under attack by an enemy. The exam is postponed until the situation is resolved."
"Gray! What are you doing here?" Lucy asked since Cana suddenly quieted down "Were you following us?"
"Yes, I was worried about you two." The ice mage answered.
Cana was taken back by his words "Gray…does this means you forgive…"
"Let's go! We need to reunite with the others." Gray said, interrupting Cana. "Lucy, summon Loke, We might need his help."
Lucy felt something was going on between Gray and Cana, but decided to remain quiet and did as he told her. Meanwhile Cana was thinking about his words, if Gray's tone was any indication he was still angry at her for the stunt back at their fight. She would make it up to him after the exam was done.
Natsu and Lisanna were hot on Angel's trail when they noticed the red flare on the sky.
"The emergency signal!" Lisanna observed "Is it related to that man?"
"I don't know, but it doesn't matter: If someone's looking for a fight with our guild then I'll face them!" Natsu replied as he cracked his knuckles. "But first we need to find Angel."
"Right!" even if they had their difference, Lisanna wasn't about to abandon a friend in need.
"Mest-san, what does that red flare mean?" Wendy asked as she looked at the red light on the sky. Mest pretended he didn't know while he started biting some rocks.
"Wendy! Get away from him" Charle and Happy arrived just when Mest was trying to eat some rocks. The two exceeds landed between Mest and the young girl, trying to protect her from him.
"Charle! What do you mean?" Wendy looked from the white cat back to Mest "What's going on?"
"Mest is not who he says he is." Charle said as she pointed an accusing palm to the mage "He's not really Mystogan's apprentice. Who are you really?"
Mest's calm expression turned into a maniacal one; "So, you found out too. A shame really."
"Charle, Wendy, stand back!" Happy valiantly stood up for them, but the small cat knew he was no real treat for Mest. Before anyone knew what was happening, Mest vanished and grabbed Wendy.
"WENDY!" Charle recognized the same magic from before; teleporting magic. If they didn't act fast, Mest would take Wendy in the blink of an eye. When Mest reached the girl they vanished, and an instant later a powerful attack ravaged the spot the young girl was occupying moments ago. Mest and Wendy reappeared a few feet away, both unharmed.
"You…protected her." Charle was unsure why he did it, but was glad nonetheless.
Mest, however, was not done here: "Show yourself!"
A lone tree stood in the cliff, Happy and Charle followed the path of the attack and realized it had come from it.
"You dodged my attack, impressive." A human face was forming from the tree's surface.
While the group was stunned to see the tree speaking, the face morphed into a humanoid figure.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Azuma. One of the seven Kin of purgatory from Grimoire Heart,"
"Grimoire Heart?"
"A dark guild" Charle added.
"So, the flare from a while ago… was to warn us about you." Mest realized.
"You've realized too late." Azuma said to them.
"What's going on here!" Charle asked.
"I thought that, if I infiltrated Fairy Tail I would find a dark secret or two" Mest informed them "but to find Zeref and now Grimoire Heart… this is more than I had expected. Luck is on my side."
"Zeref? What do you mean? Who are you?"
"Haven't you guessed? I'm from the magic council!" Mest revealed to them.
"Is that so?" Azuma casually asked.
Mest wasn't done. "I wasn't expecting to find Grimoire Heart here. I'm glad I stationed those warships near the island; if I destroy both Grimoire Heart and Fairy Tail that promotion will surely be mine! You're surrounded; we shall crush your dark hearts! Hahahaha!"
"Warships? You mean those?" Behind Azuma, the fleet of ships exploded killing anyone aboard them. Mest's laughter died as he watched the fireworks.
Now out of the tree, Azuma faced them: "Now then, shall we begin?"
Up in the sky, the flying ship that serves as base for Grimoire Heart slowly approaches Tenrou Island. The remaining six Kin of purgatory stood on the main deck as they watched the island on the main window. Each Kin eager to begin the fight that was about to come.
"You seemed excited Ultear" the psychotic looking Zancrow noted "More than usual."
Ultear zipped the top part of her suit and turned to the god slayer: "Why yes. After all, I will see him again."
Her answer got a confused expression from Caprico. Knowing Ultear, Caprico knew of her unhealthy obsession with the dark mage, so he concluded she was referring about Zeref.
"What do you mean 'again'?" Caprico asked "When have you seen Zeref before?"
"After reading a lot about him, it almost seems like I've met him before" Ultear lied, but it seemed Caprico accepted her answer. She had to be more careful not to say something like that again.
Hades knew better, but decided to leave it like that. If Ultear's performance started to slip, he might be forced to remove her as the leader of the Kin's. With all the pestering Azuma was giving him, Hades might give the dark skinned man a shot after all.
Meredy watched with curiosity the small exchange of words between Ultear and Caprico before her attention turned to the island. "Ur, look!"
Ultear got mad when Meredy called her that. "Don't call me Ur."
"I-Im sorry…" Meredy flinched by the harsh stare from Ultear. As they got closer, Ultear's anger subsided when she noticed a giant emerging from the water. Everyone on board, even Hades, was stunned by what they were seeing.
Makarov stood between them and the island, intending to defend it at all cost. When he realized who it was, Hades smirked. "Makarov."
"GET OUT!" Makarov thunderous voice reached them "YOU WILL NOT REACH THE ISLAND!"
Seeing that the ship wasn't backing down, Makarov punched it. The force of the blow easily destroyed a good deal of the ship. While the crew onboard frantically tried to keep the ship in the air, Hades calmly issued orders.
"Increase speed!" Doing as Hades told them, the ship evaded another gigantic punch "Magic Cannon, Jupiter."
Makarov watched as a canon emerged from the top of the ship and fired upon him. The magic behind the shot was powerful, but on his gigantic state Makarov withstood it with only a few burns on his arm. Makarov retaliated with a kick that crippled the ship beyond use.
"Ultear!"
"Hai!" using her magic, Ultear followed Hades command: "Arc of time: Restore" the ship was instantly repaired from any damage Makarov had done to it.
"Caprico, take everyone to the island"
"And you Hades-sama?" Caprico asked.
"I will deal with Makarov."
"Understood" Clapping his hands, Caprico made everyone on board vanish. Grabbing a jetpack, Caprico soared straight at the island, leaving Hades alone to face Makarov.
Makarov watched as Caprico headed towards the island, but paid no attention to it. "NO MATTER WHERE YOU ESCAPE" Makarov prepared to cast Fairy's Law to wipe out the enemy.
"AS FAIRY TAIL TRADITION, I WILL COUNT TO THREE BEFORE JUDGEMENT"
Hades watched as Makarov charged a great source of magic on his hands: "the arcane magic that affects everyone the caster considers an enemy…Fairy Law."
"ONE!"
"TWO!"
Angel had been walking aimlessly trough the forest thinking on Mest's offer, when she felt a powerful magic.
"What power." Angel looked at the direction where Makarov was located. By the looks of it, it seemed the island was being attacked by someone.
Looking up, she spotted a flying object dropping some sort of small spheres all over the island. When the spheres touched down they revealed dozens of masked mages armed with a variety of weapons, before she knew it she found herself surrounded by them.
"A fairy!" One of them shouted as he raised his large hammer, intending to kill her in one blow. Before the attack connected, the masked mage was blown back by a powerful magic.
The other masked mages cowered in fear as Azuma revealed himself: "Azuma-san!"
"Leave" The dark skinned man ordered and everyone obeyed without question, once they were alone he turned to Angel. "I was looking for you: Angel of Oracion Seis"
From past meetings, Angel recognized the mark on him: "You're from Grimoire!"
"That is correct." Azuma answered while Angel reached for her keys "Relax, I'm not here to fight you, but to make you an offer."
"Offer?"
Azuma explained to her: "Master Hades is willing to offer you a place in our guild, being once part of Oracion Seis your abilities are without question. You are not at the same level as us Kin of purgatory, but we can find a position suitable for your abilities. What is your answer?"
Angel was dumbstruck by Azuma's offer "You're asking me to betray my…" Recalling Mest words she corrected "to betray Fairy Tail for a place in Grimoire?"
"Yes" Azuma stoically replied.
Angel didn't want to betray Fairy Tail, but if what Mest told her was true then she would return to jail after they returned to Fiore. If she joined Grimoire, at least she had a chance to be free. She was torn on what to do.
"I…I don't know." Angel slumped next to a tree; Azuma stared at her for a moment before speaking.
"Think about it, but make up your mind." As he turned to leave, he added "One more thing: if you decide to join us, here is your first task:"
Angel looked up to Azuma, his next words making her feel sick to the core.
"You are to find Lucy Heartfilia…and kill her."
Unable to find Angel, Natsu and Lisanna followed the smoke coming from the nearby cliffs and found Wendy, Happy, Charle and Mest lying on the ground. Lisanna tended to Wendy and Charle, while Natsu helped Happy.
"What happened here?" Natsu asked as he cradled Happy "who did this to you?" getting no response from him he turned his attention to Mest.
"Oi! You did this to them?" Natsu shook Mest around, trying to get an answer from him. "Answer me you bastard!"
After tending the exceeds, Lisanna reached Wendy when the young slayer woke up.
"Natsu… Mest is from the council…"
Realizing who he was roughing up, Natsu immediately apologized to Mest: "My bad! Nice coat by the way!" While he was dusting him off, Natsu realized one thing. "Wait! That means the council is the one attacking us!"
"No, it's not the council." Charle said "It's the dark guild Grimoire Heart."
When Happy woke up he noticed something flying over them: "What's that…a flying fish?"
Caprico dropped hundreds of spheres over the island, when they touched the ground the mages inside them were released. All of them ready to fight.
All over the island, each member of Fairy Tail was dealing with the same situation; Mirajane defended the campsite with simple sleep spells, Pantherlily held the attacking mages at bay while Levy took care of Gajeel, Lucy, Cana, Gray and Loke fought wave after wave nearby some ruins. Erza and Juvia stopped the search of the missing mages in favor of defending against the sudden arrival of dark mages. Finally, Elfman and Evergreen stood their ground against the ones attacking them. Amongst them, the remaining six Kin's of Purgatory touched down on the island.
Deep in the woods, Ultear searched for her target with a mild blush. "Finally, we shall be reunited…Zeref."
Whatever desire she currently had for Gray, Ultear couldn't deny that her obsession for the dark mage eclipsed it.
In another part of the forest, Zeref rested in the shade of a tree as he sensed the invading force.
"The beginning of another war?"
Makarov finished charging Fairy Law and was ready to unleash it. No matter how many enemies arrived to the island he would wipe them all out in one move.
"THREE!" clapping his hands together, Makarov casted "FAIRY LAW!"
"Stop." Hades stood outside on top of his ship, preparing the counter for Fairy Law "Grimoire Law!"
Makarov was stunned when he recognized just who was in front of him. In the meantime, Hades kept charging a similar magic to Fairy Law, the only difference was the dark color it emanated in contrast to the yellow glow of the Fairy magic.
"This magic is a nuisance, but I will cast it if you do not relent." Hades informed him "If that comes to pass, we shall both meet our end."
Makarov ended his magic, realizing it would be sure death for not only him but for his children on the island. "N-NO, IT CAN'T BE…MASTER PUREHITO!"
'It's been some time boy" Hades greeted his former student.
"Why…why are you attacking us?"
Hades ignored the question and sent magical chains at Makarov, and then he proceeded to swing him like a ragdoll despite his gigantic state. Cutting him lose, Hades let Makarov return to his original size and landed next to him.
Summoning his wizard saint robes, Makarov asked: "Why have you created a dark guild?"
"Aren't both the same side of a coin, Makarov?" Hades countered "This world is filled with things that cannot be classified as good or evil."
"Even if you are good or evil, the spirit of Fairy Tail will not falter."
Hearing his words, Hades couldn't contain a small laugh "this boy has learned to speak well!"
"Stop calling me boy!" Makarov replied "You are no longer a member of this guild. However, I don't wish to fight you. You will leave without fighting?"
Hades expression saddened, even if it was only a little "It breaks my heart as well, ever so lightly, that it has to be my hand that crushes Fairy Tail."
"You will not hurt this guild!"
"You dare, challenge me, boy?"
Unleashing their power, both light and darkness clashed in a storm of sparks between them before subsiding. And so began the fight of the current and former master of Fairy tail.
Natsu dealt with the Grimoire mages with ease, numbers didn't matter to the dragon slayer.
"What's wrong? Who's next?" Natsu looked around "I'm still pissed cause that guy changed my scarf color into black! I need to let lose some more steam!"
The remaining mages cowered in fear. "What's wrong with you? Why are you taking it up on us?"
"Why? You attacked my friends and my guild! That's why!"
"Shouldn't you be helping him?" Charle asked to a very calm Lisanna.
"No need, Natsu can easily handle them all" Lisanna replied while she stood next to Wendy and Happy. Trough their bond she knew he needed to release some pent up frustration after what happened to his scarf, besides, she remained back to protect them in case one of them tried to attack her ward.
A masked mage dropped behind Natsu "Then, why don't you turn to ashes for all I care?" with that said, he unleashed a powerful fire attack upon Natsu. "Fire shot!"
Natsu grinned at the upcoming flames "Just what I wanted"
When the flames consumed Natsu, the masked mage prematurely celebrated his accomplishment. "That fire was hot enough to turn him into ashes. No matter what kind of fire mage he was, he shouldn't be capable of…"
The dark mages stopped cheering when the flames seemed to be consumed by a very much unhurt Natsu.
'W-What?"
"Thanks for the meal, now I'm all fired up!"
"D-Don't tell me: this is…Salamander Natsu!"
"Karyu no Yokugeki! (Fire dragon's wing attack)" grabbing his opponents, Natsu creates wings of fire and easily defeated the surrounding mages with ease. The remaining mages were literally shaking when they realized their magic power was nowhere close to that of Natsu, they were one step away from running for their lives.
"We can't compete with him! He's a monster!"
Natsu sent a harsh glare to the masked mage "Who are you calling monster?"
While the masked mages whimpered, a new arrival saved them "Enough! I said enough!"
Up on a cliff, a crazy looking blonde laughed. "Zancrow-sama!" the masked mages exclaimed.
"He's not someone you can fight against. Go find Zeref. I'll deal with him, no problem."
"Zeref?" Natsu and the others asked.
"I knew it, Grimoire heart's target…is the dark mage Zeref!" Charle voiced her conclusion. Natsu and Lisanna wondered if the man they met in the forest was truly Zeref.
Saved by the bell, the surviving dark mages started leaving: 'Well then, we shall leave you Zancrow-sama, you saved us. That guy is too strong. I still can't believe he's the salamander we have heard about"
Listening to their words made Zancrow mad "Wait! Idiots!"
The dark mages cowered at his words: "You said 'strong' right? Huh?"
"W-well…you s-see…it was a slip of words. Forgive us."
"There's no stronger guild than Grimoire, understand!" Zancrow stated "We are the strongest guild!" Black flames engulfed the remaining dark mages "Grimoire Heart doesn't need weaklings like you!"
Natsu and co. watched as Zancrow burned his comrades, while the burning men cried in pain Zancrow sickly laughed.
"You! You killed your own teammates!" Natsu yelled as the flames around him expanded.
Zancrow laughed and tossed some black flames at the dragon slayer. Instead of dodging it, Natsu stood his ground to receive it. Wendy, however, noticed something weird in the flames.
"Natsu-san! Dodge it!"
"Huh!" By the time Natsu realized it, it was too late; the black flames hit him and Natsu felt after so long what it felt to get burned. "I'- I can't eat them!"
"You are far too arrogant for a dragon slayer." Zancrow then launched a stronger attack, leveling the spot where Natsu stood.
"Natsu!" Lisanna feared the worst, but thanks to their connection she felt relieved to sense him alive, albeit slightly hurt. Wendy, Charle and Happy could not believe flames Natsu couldn't eat existed.
"You're trying to eat the flames of a god that surpasses dragons, how blasphemous." Zancrow said to a scorched Natsu "My magic is on a different level than yours. My magic is a killer of gods: its God Slayer Magic!"
"Lisanna, get them back to camp." Natsu said as he prepared to engage Zancrow "I'll hold him off."
"Natsu, I can help you!"
"Just go!"
Lisanna flinched, but did as he told her. Natsu felt bad for it but, even when he didn't want to admit it, his opponent was too powerful for him to face. If he had to divide his attention between fighting Zancrow and watching out for her he knew this fight would end fast for them.
Lisanna helped the wounded and quickly left the area; tears threatened to spill from her eyes but she held them at bay, knowing Natsu did what's best for them. An S-class mage often had to do the right thing, even if that meant taking the harder path.
"Nice girl you have there" Zancrow watched her retreating form "She will be a nice addition to Grimoire Heart, a concubine perhaps."
Zancrow's eyes widened when in an instant, Natsu crossed the gap between them and rammed his fist on the blond's face.
"SHUT UP!"
Zancrow rolled a good deal away before coming to a stop as he regained balance; wiping the blood from his lip he laughed "That's more like it! Show me what you can do, little gecko."
Natsu let his fists do the talk and unleashed a flurry of punches, while Zancrow did the same.
"Is this the limit of how strong a dragon slayer is?"
Natsu's attacks weren't getting past his defenses "What's with that name: god slayer? Did a god teach it to you or what?"
Zancrow laughed "Since Master Hades could be considered a god, this is the lost magic that was bestowed upon me by a god."
"So, it was a human that taught you." Natsu gained distance to prepare his next attack "I got a real dragon to teach me! Fire dragon's…!
"Fire god's…"
"Shimmering Flame!"
"Flame spirit!"
Natsu put all of his power behind his shimmering flame, but Zancrow slowly surpassed him. Now it was Natsu's turn to be sent flying back.
Landing on top of some rocks, Natsu prepared his counterattack: "Fire dragon's roar!"
Zancrow merely laughed as the flames got closer "Did ya know, it was the gods that gave humans the gift of fire? Fire wasn't born from humans or dragons…but from a God!"
As he finished saying that, Zancrow swallowed Natsu's flames, leaving the dragon slayer perplexed.
"Let me show you a real roar: Fire God's Howl!"
Natsu had no time to react and remained frozen in place as the black flames hit him, the attack was so powerful he was sent flying down the cliff onto the forest below. Watching his demise, Zancrow did the only thing that came to mind: laugh like a maniac.
"Wendy, can you get back to camp on your own?"
"Why? Were are you going?" Wendy asked, seeing the concerned expression of Lisanna.
"Natsu...he needs me."
Charle knew of the bond, so she understood. "Go to him, we're almost there anyway. We can make it from here by ourselves."
Even if she was worried about her boyfriend, Lisanna was doubting letting them alone: "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Aye! I'll make sure Wendy and Charle are protected." Happy offered, reassuring Lisanna.
Reassured by their words, Lisanna headed to where Natsu was located. she had a bad feeling, like a bad omen was upon Natsu.
"Damn it!" after the fall, Natsu found himself crawling down a path "It's been a while since I've felt fire that was as hot as that."
Picking up a familiar scent, Natsu willed himself to stand up and make it to the origin. Once he got there, Natsu forgot his injuries and ran up to the injured man: "Gramps!"
Makarov groaned as he heard someone calling him. Natsu reached him and tried to get a response from him: "Gramps! Are you alright?"
"Natsu, It that…you?"
Natsu kneeled next to Makarov "Damn, those are some nasty wounds. Who did this to you? Hold on: I'll take you to Wendy…Wait! It's bad to move you like this."
"Natsu…" Makarov spoke to get his attention "It's over, get everyone off the island, we can't win this battle."
"What are you talking about? Next time! Next time will definitely win!" As Natsu said that, images of his fight with Zancrow flashed before his eyes. No matter what he did, the god slayer outclassed him on every turn.
"Natsu…please…take everyone to safety…There are times…when we must…fall back."
"Uhihi. Listen to him; he knows what he's saying."
Natsu trembled as that voice reached his ears. Zancrow emerged from the clearing, ready to end their fight. "You got defeated by master Hades, isn't that right, Makarov? Uhihi"
Natsu stood back up and turn to face Zancrow, Makarov could see that the dragon slayer was trembling.
"Natsu, stop! You are no match for him."
"Even if I'm no match for him…" Natsu recalled Gildarts words:
"Fear is not a weakness; it is a necessity for you to know your weaknesses so you can become stronger"
Zancrow laughed at Natsu: "Look at you! You're sweating all over! Are you scared little lizard? Uhihi."
"Natsu…please go!" Makarov pleaded to him, but Natsu wasn't budging.
"This… is fear?"
Hearing him, Zancrow let out a maniacal laugh: "That's right! Fear! When people face something they can't face they turn immobile and accept their fate! Uhihihih!"
Zancrow laugh died when Natsu spoke the next words: "This is fear…but a different kind from the one Gildarts spoke of. This is fear that someone else will beat Hades before I do!"
"You're gonna defeat…Master Hades?" Zancrow asked in disbelief.
"Gramps; you promoted me to an S-class. I can't just leave…I won't leave you here! I won't!" After saying that, Natsu charged at Zancrow with a powerful blow. But the god slayer quickly recovered.
"Those flames don't hurt at all!" The god slayer got over the initial shock of what Natsu said and punched the dragon slayer in the gut, followed by a high kick that sent Natsu tumbling down.
"Stop it!" Makarov pleaded, seeing the beating one of his children was getting. Natsu fought valiantly, but Zancrow's flames were too much.
"Darn it!" Natsu thought he had him when he slammed a giant tree over Zancrow, but a moment later the god slayer ignited it and reappeared unharmed.
"I told you: the flames of a god love to eat mages!" Creating two flame mandibles, Zancrow trapped Natsu "Fire God's Feast!"
Makarov could only watch as Natsu screamed in pain; the black flames were on a different level than his own, he couldn't even eat them.
"You can't eat the flames of a god with the power of a dragon. I told…" Zancrow stopped when a large hand, courtesy of Makarov, began squeezing the life out of him.
"Don't try to hurt children in front of their parents! I will crush you until there's nothing left!"
"You still had that much power inside you?" Zancrow surrounded himself with his black flames in an attempt to get free from Makarov's grasp "If you don't let me go, your arm will not have much left of it!" Even when Makarov cried in pain he intensified the pressure on the god slayer.
"Gramps!" Natsu tried to get free of the black flames to help him, but each time he tried to eat them he felt like his insides were melting.
"Use Yamato"
Natsu stopped and searched for the source of that voice, it sounded exactly like the man from before. "Where are you?"
"Just use it!" Vergil's voice echoed inside his head. If Natsu was to be honest, he was scared to use the sword ever since the last time he used it. Hearing Makarov in pain, Natsu put his fears aside and reached for Yamato.
Vergil smirked when Natsu put his hand on his sword. "Finally"
The moment Natsu touched Yamato; he felt his world vanish into unconsciousness, moments later a sinister smirk appeared on his face.
"Let me go old man!" Zancrow kept intensifying the flames when the fire dome trapping Natsu dispelled "What the…?"
Using Yamato, Natsu was somehow able to cut the fire dome. Both Zancrow and Makarov noticed something different with the dragon slayer: blue flames surrounded him instead of the usual ones, his expression seemed colder and the smirk on his face hid an evil intent behind it.
Taking the opportunity, Zancrow got free when Makarov was distracted. Once he was a safe distance he faced the dragon slayer: "So you escaped my flames huh? Don't think those blue flames will fare any better against mine! Uhihihi!"
Natsu/Vergil scoffed "You're annoying. Quiet!"
Zancrow stopped laughing, enraged by the order "Who do you think you are to order me?"
"I am your death." Natsu/Vergil grabbed the hilt of Yamato and faster than the eye could follow he sent dozens of slashes down at Zancrow, he re-sheathed Yamato before the slashes reached the obnoxious blond. Acting on pure instinct, Zancrow jumped back and avoided certain death, but not without several deep cuts.
"Who are you?" Zancrow clutched a particular deep cut on his stomach "you're not that slayer…" As he looked up, Natsu was nowhere to be seen. Before he even started looking around, Zancrow found repeating the same words from his deceased comrades when Yamato stabbing him from behind. "Y-You're… a monster!"
"Wrong." Natsu's once peaceful eyes were now glowing red "I'm a devil."
A. N.
As you can see, Vergil is the latest addition to the story. I thought it would be an interesting twist, but that doesn't mean this is a full crossover with Devil May Cry. More about his true purpose will be revealed in future chapters.
For now he's only trying to control Natsu from inside out.
You might have noticed I skipped some fights (Gajeel vs those guys and Makarov vs Hades) but I found it a waste of time to write them since they won't change that much from canon. However, if a lot of people ask me to write them… I still won't! Hehe. Only fights that involve certain characters will make the final cut.
Now, onto some reviewers:
Ryvius: I have some ideas for Flare, but sadly they'll have to wait till they reach the grand games arc. Although, I have toyed with the idea of a oneshot. Vergil will be a regular character in future chapters (just hope his inclusion onto the story is not too farfetched). Thanks for the review.
P.S. You remembered to sign your review this time!
Darkness's Blade: Thanks a lot man, it's always nice to get a praise (I only hope more people would follow your example instead of just adding to story alert …)
Andysteve1311: Hey, thanks a lot man. I originally intended to have Juvia in Gray's little harem, but decided to just keep her as the adorable stalker she is. Once Lyon makes an appearance… well, let's see what happens.
freowin: There's a new arc I will unveil before the Grand games (instead of the filler arc the anime is currently airing). Thanks for the review.
Glon Morski: Yeah, last chapter was rushed, so with this one I took a bit more time and dedication. Read it and tell me what you think bout it?
lokelucy11; sorry for the lack of this pairing, but they will be back next chapter. Thanks for the review.
Bosstsuna27: I think I already told you, but that idea of yours seems like a good story. Go for it!
Hawner: Yeah, Yamato is the sword Natsu owns; Vergil also has one inside Natsu's mind. Thanks for the review.
Yuriski-1st: you guessed right! The owner is Vergil, but what relation he has with the Strauss family will be further explained later on. Part of it was revealed on this chapter.
Stalker of Reactions: Thanks for the chapter, hope you like this one too.
Until next chapter.
Demonwithasoul