A/N: Episodes 194 + 195.
Enjoy!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: ZIRCONIS'S MAGIC
"It's my fault... It's my fault this world is going to end." Hisui said.
Darton turned around. "It's not your fault, Princess. This was the plot of that man from the future!"
"All right, Princess, it's dangerous to be here. Please evacuate." Arcadios informed.
"No. I have a responsibility to stay here to the end." Hisui claimed.
"We're all counting on the dragon-hunting wizards and the Dragon Slayers." Arcadios said.
Motherglare continued to fly in the sky as Future Rogue chuckled. "It's useless. Humans cannot defeat dragons." He claimed.
"If it means protecting everyone, then I don't have to be human." Natsu said.
"Motherglare..." Future Rogue spoke.
Motherglare soon began dropping eggs. "Eggs?" Natsu questioned.
The eggs soon fell to the ground. "Big-ass eggs!" Elfman commented.
"Say, Elf-nii-chan... These eggs..."
"They were just laid by that thing?"
The eggs soon hatched, causing Lisanna to get behind Elfman. Small dragons soon appeared one by one.
"Hey, are you serious?!" Romeo asked.
"Now we've got a lot more than seven to deal with." Mavis replied.
"What are they?!" Lisanna questioned.
"More monsters!" Elfman answered.
"Even though it's hard enough just dealing with one..." Romeo started to say.
Laxus charged forward at Atlas Flame using his lightning.
"Laxus!"
Laxus was sparking. "Move. I'll take the big one. You guys do something about the offspring."
"You can't do it on your own!" Romeo said.
"He won't." Freed stepped forward.
"He's not alone." Evergreen said.
"We'll back you up, Laxus." Freed claimed.
"Leave it to the Raijinshuu!" Bickslow added.
"You heard Natsu, right? It takes a Dragon Slayer to beat a dragon." Mavis reminded. "Laxus, I'll let you and the Raijinshuu handle this."
"Right!"
"Gajeel, take on the other one!"
"Gotcha!"
"The rest of you, obliterate the little ones."
"Leave it to us!" Elfman replied.
"Understood. Everyone, steel yourselves." Erza said.
"Gajeel, I'll give you support." Levy offered.
"I don't need it. Besides... after you and the others finish off the mini-dragons, I want you to find the residents who couldn't escape and take 'em outside the city." Gajeel said.
"Okay." Levy nodded.
"You'd better not die." Elfman told Evergreen.
"I know, dumbass." Evergreen said.
"Rogue! I got this one. Find another dragon... and help the guilds that don't have a Dragon Slayer!" Sting instructed.
"Right!" Rogue said.
"Natsu-san's voice has given me courage." Sting aimed holy light at the dragon. "Not the courage to fight... The courage to protect my comrades!"
"That's right! Comrades! The era of an emotionless Sabertooth is over!" Rogue thinks to himself as he began to run. "We're moving forward!"
The rock dragon laughed. "The human perched on Motherglare is bellowing about something!"
"Our guild doesn't have a Dragon Slayer." Eve pointed out.
"That's not good. We don't have any means of fighting back." Hibiki said.
"Why don't we have one of 'em?! Dammit!" Ren complained.
Jenny soon stepped forward. "I guess it's my turn to step up." She said.
Jenny soon posed in a bikini. "Hi, horny old dragon-san! Feast your eyes on me and be soothed."
"Buzz off, humans!"
"Men! Then have a whiff of my prizes parfum!" Ichiya said.
"What is this?"
"W-What is it?!"
"My nose... is gonna fall off!"
"W-What is this parfum?!"
"The parfum of my armpits!" Ichiya replied.
"Gong!" His guildmates went pale as they were on the ground.
"What do you think, everyone?" Ichiya asked.
"Th-That's our Ichiya-san..."
"I can't move!"
"Your machismo staggers the imagination."
"Your beauty is a crime..." Jenny said.
"What a fragrant parfum!"
The dragon laughed. "Dragons have a keen sense of smell... but I don't have a nose!"
"I don't believe it!" Ichiya exclaimed.
"No matter the centuries passed, the foolishness of the human species always surprises me!"
"All of you, get back!" Ichiya ordered.
The dragon was suddenly struck by poison. "I can hear it..."
"That voice!" Hibiki exclaimed.
"Him..."
"We know it. We know that voice!" Ichiya said as Cobra continued attacking the dragon with poison.
"I can hear the cries of chaos and despair! It's a fine sound. Get out of the way, stinkpot." Cobra ordered.
"Stinkpot?! How dare you speak to me like that?!"
"That's Cobra from Oracion Seis!" Hibiki recalled.
"What's that Poison Dragon Slayer doing here?" Eve wondered.
"I can't stand the thought of being saved by him after all the suffering he's caused." Ren stated.
"How did this come to pass?" Jenny posed again. "Maybe he fell prey to my sex appeal strategy? Take a good look, handsome Cobra..."
"Quit flappin' your gums! Maybe I'll eliminate you twits while I'm at it!" Cobra threatened.
"His ears really are sharp..."
"He's scary!"
"Men. Still, it is curious. I thought he was in prison." Ichiya said.
"Ye gods. I can't believe we did what Jellal asked. I hope we're only fired for it..." Doranbolt commented.
"Worry about that later. First, we have to make sure there is a future." Lahar reminded.
"True."
"Let us join the fray, as well." Lahar said with a bunch of Rune Knights behind him.
Siegrain sighed to himself before walking away from his colleagues.
He needed to find Jellal before Kaira did.
He still didn't know why his daughter wanted to kill him, and he was going to get answers.
"Everyone's fighting... If everyone works together, there ain't nothin' we can't do!" Natsu claimed.
"You people still don't know how terrifying a dragon's power can be." Future Rogue stated.
Zirconis lets out a laugh. "All right, who should I eat first? Let me see..." He looks at Lucy and Yukino. "You look tasty, young ladies. Although cats would be good for a change. What's this? There's also you rugged lot."
"Zirconis, don't you remember talking to us before?" Wendy asked.
"You're a cute young thing. Maybe I'll start with you." Zirconis stated, ignoring her question.
Carla walked up to her. "It's pointless, Wendy. The Zirconis we spoke to was a spirit that died long ago."
"But..." Wendy began to protest.
"You heard Natsu, right? The only way to take down a dragon is with a Dragon Slayer! And you're the only Dragon Slayer we have right here, so get your head on straight!" Carla scolded.
"I've decided! I'm gonna eat all of you at once!" Zirconis said.
"Wait!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Oh no! Everyone, please evacuate!" Yukino instructed.
"Colonel! Get the princess to a safe place!" Darton ordered.
"Come with me, Princess!" Arcadios said.
"But I..."
A red blast soon appeared from Zirconis's mouth as he fired, making everyone duck for cover as Zirconis attacked the guards.
"This is terrible..." Happy commented.
"He says one thing and does another!" Lily said.
"Hey!"
"This is just wrong!"
All of the guards had their uniforms removed from their bodies, leaving everyone stunned.
"Terrible!" Happy said.
"Oh no, I think I'm gonna throw up!" Lily claimed.
"You humans are delicious, but your clothes taste foul. That's why I made them disappear." Zirconis said.
"Our armor!"
"How embarrassing!"
"Mama!"
"D-Don't look at me!"
"You don't look at me!"
"I've never seen such an awful sight." Mira said.
"Princess, are you all right?" Arcadios asked.
"Y-Yes..." Hisui replied.
"Th-This is an insult!" Darton shouted as Hisui and Arcadios's eyes widened upon seeing Darton's clothing had been removed as well.
"Minister!" Arcadios shouted.
"Retreat!"
"We can't fight in the buff!"
"And it's embarrassing!"
"Come to think of it, men taste disgusting." Zirconis looked down at Lucy. "Women. I'll eat the women."
Arcadios placed a hand in front of Hisui. "You can't eat the princess. She's a man!"
"What, but she's a princess..." Zirconis said.
"Was that magic just now?" Wendy questioned.
"That's right. All dragons can use magic." Zirconis answered.
"What kind of magic makes clothes vanish?!" Lucy exclaimed as Zirconis stared at her.
Soon enough, Lucy's clothes were removed from her body.
"Naked as a jaybird!" Happy commented.
Arcadios had a stunned look as Hisui slammed her hand over his eyes.
"I use magic, as well. That's right. The type that robs humans of their dignity."
Wendy clenched her jaw tightly. "The magic that I use is going to bring you down!"
"Magic that's going to bring me down, you say?" Zirconis quoted.
"More importantly, clothes! I need some clothes!" Lucy shrieked.
Zirconis grinned before grabbing Lucy. "N-No! At least give me clothes!" Lucy whined.
"Lucy-san!"
"You look dee-licious. Sniff-sniff!"
"Don't smell me!"
Zirconis poked at her. "You seem to have a nice texture, too."
"Stop it!"
Wendy soon had a green glow around her. "What's this? Are you angry, young lady?" Zirconis asked.
"Let go of me!" Lucy shouted.
"Can you defeat me before I devour this lass?" Zirconis taunted.
"Ow!"
"Arms! Vernier! Enchant!" Wendy shouted as Mira glowed a dark purple. "I will defeat you!"
"That optimistic attitude... is insolent!" Zirconis roared.
Happy slammed into a wall. "Ouch... It feels like this always happens." He said as Lily and Carla slam into him.
"Lucy-san!" Wendy called out.
"Humans can't fly, so can you even get up here?"
"C-Cold!" Lucy complained.
"That's because we're at high altitude! You'll taste even better if the cold makes you nice and crispy." Zirconis claimed.
Lucy was trying to prevent herself from going into Zirconis's jaws as Mira flew in the air.
"Forget about it."
"Wendy! Now!" Mira shouted.
Wendy was being supported by Carla. "Right! Sky Dragon's Roar!" She called out, releasing her breath attack.
"Look, Wendy! It's working!" Carla pointed out.
"Yeah!"
"You...!" Zirconis throws Lucy in the air.
"Lucy-sama!" Yukino shouted.
"I'll save Lucy!" Happy informed.
"Please!"
"We're counting on you, Happy!" Carla added.
"We'll deal with Zirconis!" Wendy said.
"Right!" Mira agreed.
"Don't get cocky, talking snacks. I'm going to eat you in a moment." Zirconis claimed.
"I'll be your backup, Wendy!" Mira informed.
"Thank you in advance!" Wendy thanked her.
"I slash and I slash, but they keep on coming! We're not even making a dent!" Erza informed.
Elfman turned to face her. "Hey, Erza! Take a break like Cana told you!"
"That's right! We'll handle them somehow!" Lisanna agreed.
"Nothing to worry about! I'm fine. No problem!" Erza reassured.
Natsu continued fighting with Future Rogue. "It's pointless. No matter how many times you come at me, it doesn't change anything. You can't fill the seven-year gap between us. I'm stronger than I was during the Grand Magic Games." Future Rogue claimed.
"Bastard..." Natsu mumbled. "I made a promise to Kaira that I would take you down. I can't afford to lose."
Future Rogue chuckled. "So you stand yet again? You won't witness the despair of the future, for you shall die here."
"Natsu!"
"Lucy!"
"Help!"
Natsu saw Lucy heading his way as he ended up getting knocked off of Motherglare.
"Wait!" Happy called out.
Erza had crashed onto the ground, the mini dragons surrounding her. "Crap! I'm separated from everyone..." She thought as the mini dragons zeroed in on her.
"Can't... move my leg... Guess I really did push myself too far... Dammit..." Erza scolded herself.
"Hey, Erza! Take a break like Cana told you!"
"Nothing to worry about! I'm fine. No problem!"
"I never let myself show any weakness..." Erza lays down. "Even though I know that's not strength... Is this the end of the line?"
That's when she heard a shout.
"Epsilon Carinae!"
A large sphere made of white light engulfed Erza, attacking all of the mini dragons at once. Siegrain soon appeared with Jellal at his side.
"The way you look, you'll be lucky if you can stand up. I may be poking my nose in where it's not wanted, but can I give you a hand?" Jellal offered.
Jellal walked forward, taking Erza's hand.
"You really are troublesome, Sister." Siegrain commented.
"Sorry." Erza apologized.
The sound of footsteps were soon heard, getting Erza's attention. Siegrain turned, seeing Millianna.
"Millianna!" Jellal exclaimed.
Millianna's face turned into an angry expression.
Atlas Flame stepped forward as he roared while the Raijinshuu and Laxus were nearby.
"Don't underestimate the Raijinshuu, huge one. If you're a living creature, then I'm sure you're able to feel pain and agony!" Freed claimed as his bangs moved, showing his eye.
"Darkness Ecriture! Absolute Shadow!"
"Fairy Machine Gun! Leprechaun!"
"Go, babies! Baryon Formation!"
"Lightning Dragon's Roar!" Laxus shouted, releasing a blast of yellow lightning. "How does it feel to get hit with everything at once?"
Atlas Flame laughed. "I don't feel a thing! My hellfire burns through magic!" He replied.
"Dammit! This ain't funny." Laxus said.
"You've got bad chemistry with this one, Laxus. Fire and lightning together..." Freed trailed off.
"Isn't there a Water Dragon Slayer around?" Evergreen questioned.
"Haven't heard of one..." Laxus replied.
"We got a Fire Dragon Slayer over there, anyway." Bickslow said, pointing at the sky.
"There it is, Natsu!" Happy informed.
"Drop me, Happy!" Natsu ordered.
"Aye, sir!" Happy complied, dropping Natsu over Atlas Flame.
"Natsu?!" Laxus exclaimed.
Natsu soon lands down on Atlas Flame. "Found you, Fire Dragon!"
"Who the hell are you?" Atlas Flame asked.
"I'm Natsu, and right now I'm gonna... eat you!" Natsu replied as he began eating the flames.
"Unbelievable!"
"Moronic!"
"That's Natsu all over. Nobody else would come up with that." Happy commented.
"You're going to eat me? What nonsense!" Atlas Flame spoke.
"When I say I eat, I eat! And these are delicious flames!" Natsu said.
Atlas Flame tried to shake Natsu off. "Get off of me!"
"Forget it!"
"Natsu! What the hell are you trying to do?!" Laxus shouted.
"I'm... getting this guy!" Natsu responded.
"Getting?!" Laxus quoted.
"Go to the palace, Laxus! Help Wendy!" Natsu ordered.
"Certainly, Dragon Slayer or not, Wendy is young." Evergreen informed.
"She could be in trouble if she's on her own." Bickslow added.
"Let's go, Laxus." Freed said. "It takes a Fire Dragon Slayer to kill a Fire Dragon... right?"
"Natsu! So we can leave you with this one, yeah?" Laxus shouted.
"Yeah! I'm gonna get more powerful by eatin' this guy!" Natsu answered.
"Okay, let's go to the palace." Laxus said.
"Roger!"
"Happy, go with 'em!" Natsu instructed.
"Aye!"
"This has gone on long enough, boy! Don't anger me!" Atlas Flame claimed as he continued stomping around and destroying buildings.
"A human... eating my flames?!" Atlas Flame exclaimed. He continued to try to get Natsu off of him until he stopped.
"This feeling... Don't tell me... No, it's impossible... But this feels so much like... Igneel, the King of the Fire Dragons!" Atlas Flame recalled. "Boy! What is your connection with Igneel?"
"Igneel! You know Igneel?!" Natsu questioned.
"He is my friend and the King of the Fire Dragons!" Atlas Flame replied.
"I see... Igneel is my dad!" Natsu revealed, making Atlas Flame get taken aback.
Future Rogue was overseeing the destruction. "Wonderful. This is the power of dragons. What destructive force!" He clenched his fist tightly. "With this power, I'll definitely be able to kill Acnologia. And then I'll rule this world."
"Be torn asunder, ground. Burn, sky. Lamplight of life, be extinguished. I am the Dragon King. A new king, born from the Dragon King festival! Shadows will become light here. Absolute light that will illuminate the world!" Future Rogue continued his monologue.
"Nobody needs a dirty light like that!"
Future Rogue turned around. "Natsu..." He muttered. However, his eyes widened upon seeing Atlas Flame.
"Our light is within our hearts! I can't see a damn thing with your illuminatin' light!" Natsu shouted.
Atlas Flame crashed his head against Motherglare. "Why is Natsu riding on a dragon? Have you betrayed me, Atlas Flame?!" Future Rogue asked.
"I am only following my heart."
"What?!"
"Igneel's child is my friend's child."
"I'm countin' on you, Uncle!" Natsu said.
"U-Uncle?" Atlas Flame sweat dropped.
"My Dragon Control Magic... What did you do, Natsu?!" Future Rogue questioned.
"Magic that blocked my will, eh?" Atlas Flame asked.
"All we did was become friends... right?"
"Mm-hm."
"Friends, you say?!" Future Rogue quoted.
"Let's go, Uncle!" Natsu exclaimed.
Atlas Flame attacked Mother Glare. "All right! Circle around an' get in close!" Natsu said.
"Mother Glare, don't let them get behind us!" Future Rogue ordered.
Mother Glare fired at Natsu and Atlas Flame, destroying a mountain in the process.
"Are you okay, Uncle?" Natsu asked.
"Breath and the like are ineffective against my flame body!" Atlas Flame replied.
"And flames can't burn my adamantine body." Mother Glare claimed.
"I wouldn't take my hellfire so lightly. Gigantic flames that erupt and rage from hell!" Atlas Flame said as Natsu appeared covered in flames. "And the one that devoured them... my fellow Fire Dragon!"
"He devoured Atlas Flame's hellfire?!" Future Rogue thought as Natsu charged at him, creating a huge explosion in the sky as some guards and Toma were watching.
"Your Majesty! That's..."
"Dragons are battling each other?!"
"I-It's awesome, but why?!"
"The once-beautiful capital of flowers has become pure chaos, stained with blood. A festival of people, dragons, and demons... Human is fighting human... Dragon is fighting dragon... Human is fighting dragon... This is none other than the ancient calamity, the Festival of the Dragon King." Toma ranted, collapsing to his knees.
"Your Majesty!"
"What's wrong?!"
"Please stay composed!"
"I-It can't be stopped... Nothing can return to the way it was..." Toma muttered.
"I remember... Memory Make! Sword of Frozen Black Lightning!" Rufus called out, attacking the mini dragons.
"Shrine of the Raging Wind Fang!" Rufus swiped his arm as tornadoes appeared.
More of the mini dragons showed up as Rufus tried to catch his breath.
"There's no end to them... These numbers... This sense of intimidation... I have no memory of it!" Rufus muttered.
"Ice Bringer!" Gray shouted, attacking a mini dragon that was about to attack Rufus.
"Gray!" Rufus said in shock.
"Don't just stand there! You remember the skill that took you down, don't you?" Gray questioned.
"Well, yes. Okay, then, by your leave, I'll use it." Rufus replied, smirking at Gray in which he returns.
"Let's go, Droy!" Jet exclaimed.
"Yeah! Even without Levy here, we're Shadow Gear!"
Jet charged forward. "Falcon Heavenward!" He shouted, attacking a mini dragon.
"Knuckle Plant!" Droy shouted, attacking two more mini dragons.
"You still got it, Droy!"
"You can count on me!"
"Purple Flare!" Macao yelled.
"Why, you...!" Romeo exclaimed.
Both of their attacks hit the mini dragon, destroying it.
"Father and son flame attacks. Nice! But you can't top me!" Wakaba claimed as smoke appeared and a mini dragon was revealed. "Uh-oh! That's just my smoke!"
"Come and get it, monster!" Macao said, attacking the mini dragon.
"You did it, Pop!" Romeo cheered.
"I didn't think you still had it in you!" Wakaba added.
"Shut up!"
"Lightning God's Charged Particle Cannon!" Orga shouted, throwing a blast of black lightning at the dragons. "Um, so how many have I mowed down now?"
More dragons soon surrounded him. "Crap! When did they arrive?" Orga asked himself as the dragons aimed their attacks at him.
"Iron Rock Wall!"
An iron wall protected Orga from the attack. "Jura!" Orga exclaimed.
Jura placed his palms together. "Rock Mountain!"
"You're a pain in the ass as an enemy, but as an ally, I don't know anybody who's more reliable!" Orga claimed.
"White Drive!" Sting glowed white as he activated his Dragon Force. "White Dragon's Roar!"
Sting sent a blast of holy light at the dragon, but it had no effect as he leaped in the air. "Then how about this?!"
Sting used his White Dragon's Claw. "That should keep you from moving!" He claimed as the stigma disappeared.
"It was itchy. But it had no effect other than that. Are you seriously attacking me?"
"Shadow Dragon's Roar!" Rogue shouted as he was trying to catch his breath. His Dragon Force soon deactivated.
"Let's leave it at this, Rogue. You can't beat a dragon."
"H-How do you know my name?!" Rogue asked.
"I was ordered to spare you, and you alone."
Rogue's shadow soon began to talk to him. "It's all true."
"Who are you?!"
"I'm one more possible future. I'm your shadow as well as the darkness in your heart."
Rogue stomped on him in anger. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
He looked back at the dragon. "Submit quietly. You're the only one who shall survive in this world of despair. And you'll become a king."
"What are you talking about?! I don't wanna be a king! Who's giving you orders?!" Rogue questioned.
"Why, you yourself, Rogue! You summoned us dragons... because you want to become the king of the world. It's all part of your plan seven years from now."
Rogue laughed. "That's ridiculous!" He claimed.
"It's true." His shadow spoke.
"Accept it. There is darkness in your heart."
"What?!"
"Or, no. I suppose I should say it will become steeped in darkness from here on out. All you can do is accept your fate. You will not die here."
Rogue clenched onto his head, collapsing to his knees. "It's a lie! All lies!"
Ultear was watching him from above a building. "Rogue..." She mumbled.
One hour earlier...
"Kaira! Hang in there!" Meredy said.
"You can't move yet!" Ultear added.
"How is Lucy-san...?" Kaira asked.
Kaira looks up at Future Lucy's deceased body. "Lucy-san..." She mumbled, standing up and walking forward while holding onto her bleeding side.
She then dropped to the ground as her whole body shook. "Dammit!" Kaira exclaimed.
"Who was that guy from before?" Ultear questioned.
"Rogue from seven years into the future. He's from my time period." Kaira responded.
"So there's another time traveler from the future..." Meredy muttered.
"What is he after?" Ultear asked.
"I don't know."
"Is he an enemy?" Meredy questioned.
"He is." Kaira clenched her fist. "The bastard killed Lucy-san..."
"It sounds like Rogue really grows to become a powerful wizard." Meredy pointed out.
"But if we're talking the future, he has a weakness. If we kill Rogue from this era, the Future Rogue will cease to exist." Ultear said.
"But if we think through the time paradox, one hypothesis is that as long as the Future Rogue exists, nothing would be able to kill the past Rogue."
"That's only if time is flowing normally. Right now, time is in a state of chaos. We know about Future Lucy and that time is in disarray. We can become an unknown factor that disrupts the normal course."
"Then..."
"It's highly likely. If we kill the present-day Rogue, the Future Rogue will be wiped out."
"And if the Future Rogue is wiped out, maybe the Lucy over there won't be..."
"No." Kaira interrupted. "I contacted Natsu-san. He's gonna take out the Future Rogue."
Kaira stood back up, turning to face Ultear and Meredy. "I realize I sound like a hypocrite saying this, but at some point, the Future Rogue chose the wrong path. That's not the Rogue of now. The present-day Rogue hasn't done anything wrong. Kill him, you say... You want us to go down the wrong path, too?"
"You're right. I promise. I won't lay a hand on the present-day Rogue." Ultear promised.
"That's not me... I'm..." Rogue trailed off as Ultear looked at the destruction.
"Kaira... The situation is hopeless. Rogue is becoming the trigger for everything that's happening here. In other words, if Rogue never came from the future, the portal wouldn't open. The dragons wouldn't have attacked..." Ultear thought as she had a dark look on her face, narrowing her eyes.
"The only way to put the world back the way it was is by murdering Rogue."
A/N: Another chapter is completed!
Thanks for reading!
~ Kaleb.