-Magnolia-
In the heart of the night, the serene town of Magnolia slumbered peacefully, save for one singular location that remained abuzz with activity - a majestic castle-like structure proudly displaying the name "Fairy Tail." It was the town's most celebrated guild, a place where magic users came together to revel in the camaraderie of their fellow mages.
Inside the guild hall, the rowdiness of the Fairy Tail members knew no bounds. Tables were cluttered with mugs of ale, the clinking of coins filled the air as gambling feverishly ensued, and most notably, fierce bouts of combat erupted here and there. The current skirmish du jour featured Gray Fullbuster, the wielder of ice magic, and Loke, whose magic was shrouded in mystery but hinged on the enigmatic rings he wore.
Gasping for breath, Gray declared, "You're not winning this one, Loke."
A triumphant grin spread across Loke's face as he replied, breathing heavily, "Really now? I was thinking the same thing."
As the two combatants prepared to unleash their signature attacks, a fiery-haired figure intervened with unyielding authority. Erza Scarlet, Fairy Tail's S-class knight, stood before them, her stern gaze drilling into their very souls.
"What have I said about fighting in the guild?" she demanded, her tone carrying a menacing edge.
"Uh... not to?" Gray and Loke muttered in unison, sinking to their knees as they begged to avoid her wrath. Erza, despite her youth, was renowned as one of the guild's mightiest members.
"Hehe, you two in trouble," snarked Happy, the mischievous blue cat, who served as Natsu's loyal companion and had an uncanny ability to talk.
"Shut up! Also, where's Flame Brain?" Gray inquired, rising to his feet alongside Erza. Their curiosity was piqued, and they wondered why Natsu, their fiery comrade, was absent from the ruckus.
To their dismay, Happy could only shake his head, providing no answers. Frustration swelled within them, but before they could press further, the guild doors swung open with a forceful slam. The entire guild shifted its attention to the entrance, where the Takeover siblings stood, cradling an unconscious Natsu in their arms.
A surge of concern rippled through the guild members as they rushed forward, peppering the siblings with questions. However, the siblings remained silent, their heads bowed in shame.
"What happened?" Erza demanded, her gaze scanning the injured trio, piecing together that their injuries stemmed from an S-class mission. Still, the presence of Natsu in this state was perplexing.
Before Erza could repeat her inquiry, Natsu began to stir. Something was amiss, though. As he regained consciousness, he unleashed a bone-chilling scream, one that was far from his usual battle cry. It sounded primal, draconic, and even faintly demonic. The guild members clutched their ears in agony, their attempts to block out the noise proving futile.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH," Natsu's agonized wail pierced the guild hall.
Amid the cacophony, his words were barely audible, but he managed to gasp, "I'm sorry, Igneel," before lapsing into unconsciousness once more. None heard the whispered apology over the deafening noise.
As the guild members finally lowered their hands from their ears, they regarded Natsu with a mix of fear and confusion. Fear, because his scream had resonated with an otherworldly quality, reminiscent of a monstrous entity. Confusion, because they couldn't fathom who "Igneel" was and why Natsu had apologized to him.
Erza's determination was unyielding. She demanded answers, and Mira and Lisanna hesitantly recounted the events leading up to their return, including Natsu's mysterious condition. Elfman carried Natsu to the infirmary, where Porlyusica, Fairy Tail's nurse, and Gray, in a futile attempt to control the increasing room temperature caused by Natsu's magic, awaited.
Lisanna voiced her concern, noting that Natsu seemed uninjured despite his collapse. Mira, grateful for Natsu's timely intervention during the siblings' mission, was determined to ensure his well-being.
Porlyusica, a woman of few words, could offer no conclusive explanation for Natsu's actions. She left the room, muttering her disdain for humans, leaving the guild members to ponder in silence.
Throughout the night, Natsu remained unconscious, bathed in his own fiery magic. One by one, his guildmates left the infirmary, each offering a silent prayer for his recovery.
When Natsu finally stirred, he realized that his magic had been active during his slumber and quickly quelled it. Memories rushed back to him - the desperate battle against Acnologia and Zeref, the tragic loss of his mentor Igneel, and the crushing guilt of being unable to protect his friends.
"I couldn't stop them, and they killed everyone," he thought, the anger swelling within him momentarily igniting his Fire Dragon King Mode. He hastily concealed the mark with bandages, determined to master his newfound powers.
Stepping outside, Natsu gazed at the night sky and let out a resounding scream. "I'm going to stop them both, no matter what! Even if it costs my life, as long as my friends, no, the world is saved."
With a smile, he looked upon his approaching guildmates. "I won't let any of you die." His resolve was unwavering, and the bonds of Fairy Tail had never burned brighter.