(Edited 21/03/19)

(Edited 21/10/21)

(Edited 10/06/22)

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

Fairy Tail Versus Phantom Lord

/Phantom Lord Guild Hall/

"This must be Phantom's Guild Hall, right Master?"

"Indeed Erza, this is the place," Makarov replied as his eyes scanned for any sign of its occupants.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get payback on these bastards!"

"Patience Gray, it's about to start."

All of the Fairy Tail mages who weren't on a job or injured had come to assist in the counter attack on Phantom Lord. With several of their S Class Mages absent, Makarov decided to use the element of surprise to catch Phantom Lord's Guild Master, Jose, by surprise.

"All right you brats listen up! When we bust in there, I want each and every one of you to remember why we're fighting! Remember what we represent as mages of Fairy Tail! We won't stoop as low as them as to beat our enemies beyond that which they are capable of handling, to single out targets and gang up on them! But most importantly, we will show them what messing with family truly means!"

All the mages present shouted their agreement to Makarov's speech as said Guild Master motioned for Natsu to begin the assault. Inwardly, the aged Guild Master hoped that they would come out of this mess however one look at his furious children seemed to cast serious doubts over that.

"Fire Dragon's Quaking Iron Fist!"

Natsu threw an explosive punch at the guild's front door, the door and the surrounding wall flying forward from the impact into a shocked crowd of Phantom Mages.

"What the hell!"

"We're under attack!"

"Where are the Element Four!?"

The mages of Phantom Lord began to scramble into the main hall as the mages of Fairy Tail began to pour in, Natsu leading the charge with a sadistic smirk on his face.

"Knock knock Phantom, Fairy Tail's come callin, and we're here to collect!"

"Shit, that's Fairy Tail's Salamander!"

"What's he doing here!?"

"Someone get the Master, or at least one of the Element Four!"

"Wait, look behind him, there's more of them!"

"Shit, look over there! Isn't that Titania!?"

"And that's one of the Take Over siblings!"

As the Fairy Tail mages began attacking any Phantom mage in sight, a lone figure chuckled darkly up amongst the rafters, his gaze focused squarely on Natsu. Taking a bite out of a piece of metal he held in his hands, the man tossed it aside before rising to his feet.

"So that's Salamander huh, better give him a real Phantom Lord welcome."

Natsu was easily knocking out the random guild members who were rushing him when he suddenly found himself blocking an iron club that had shot down from the rafters, an attack which was easily countered but upon contact, found himself almost immediately recognizing.

"So, I'm guessing you're the bastard who threw a bunch of scrap at our Guild Hall?"

"Gihi! So what if I am? You weak Fairies deserve nothing less far as I'm concerned!"

Natsu cracked his knuckles as flames began to flare up around the area, his smirk only widening as many of the surrounding mages watched the display. Much to Natsu's own amusement, many of the Phantom Mages began cheering for the newcomer, thinking he was enough to defeat the pink-haired Slayer.

"Yeah, get him Gajeel! Show those stupid Fairies that they're not the only ones who have a Dragon Slayer!"

Gajeel grabbed the Phantom Lord guild member who just spoke and threw him at Natsu like an object, wiping the smirk off of Natsu's face in the process as he ducked to avoid being hit by the man.

"What the hell's wrong with you, that guy's a member of your guild!?"

"Doesn't mean shit to me Salamander. People who run their mouths and let things slip don't last long around here."

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Natsu rushed Gajeel, no longer interested in talking to the Slayer who clearly showed so little regard for the lives of his comrades. As he came closer, Gajeel warped his right arm into a sword-like shape that seemed to absorb the brunt of the damage.

"Almost felt that Fairy, Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Natsu was pushed back several feet as the roar comprised of wind and pieces of metal tried to slice him apart. His Crash Barrier however was far too powerful to be penetrated by such a weak attack and so he simply skidded backward whilst preparing to counter Gajeel's follow up attack.

"Iron Dragon's Club!"

"Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow!"

Natsu and Gajeel clashed as the two began to exchange fierce blows that shook the area prompting many of the mages to give them space. Many of the other Fairy Tail mages grinned at the sight of one of their strongest members in action with many increasing their own efforts in turn.

"Damn, Natsu's all fired up today," Macao shouted with a grin on his face.

"Yeah! Givin it to em like a real man!"

"Everyone keep focused on the battle, I'm going for Jose," Makarov barked as he raced up the stairs.

"How are you doing Erza?"

"Fine Gray, these mages are pretty weak," Erza replied as she dispatched another group with ease.

"Yeah, though I heard the Element Four were supposed to be tough though?"

"Speaking of the Element Four, we have yet to encounter one of them," Erza replied as she sent out a hail of swords in all directions.

"Well, the only S Class Phantom here seems to be Blacksteel Gajeel and Natsu seems to be toying with him easily enough."

"Leave Natsu to his fun Gray," Erza replied with a small smile. "He probably hasn't seen another Dragon Slayer before."

The two continued to decimate the Phantom mages when a large surge of power came from upstairs, promptly followed by a loud explosion as something small flew down toward them at high-speed. Erza ceased her attack and immediately moved to intercept it, a sinking feeling in her gut telling her something had gone very wrong.

Her eyes widened as she leapt into the air and caught the falling object which turned out to be Makarov, who appeared almost lifeless. Looking down at the gaunt form of their beloved Master, Erza grit her teeth as Gray ran over toward her position.

"What the hell is that?"

"Shit … Gray we need to retreat!"

"Why, we've got the upper hand!?"

"Look, the Master's down! We need to get out, NOW!"

Gray looked at the unconscious form of Makarov, a dark look crossing his features momentarily only for it to fade as he managed to focus on the number one priority. That priority being saving Makarov.

"Natsu, we're retreating," Erza shouted as Natsu saw her holding the unconscious Makarov.

"What the hell … have you done to GRAMPS," Natsu roared almost immediately ceasing his previous game with Gajeel as he delivered a powerful blow to his chest, sending him crashing through a nearby wall.

Many Fairy Tail mages who heard Natsu's cry turned and saw the defeated Guild Master and couldn't hide their shock. Just as they were about to continue fighting, Natsu turned around and addressed them in a rather unfamiliar tone that seemed much more like one a commander would give to his troops.

"Everyone, get moving now, we're leaving," Natsu roared almost immediately prompting the entire guild to begin to retreat until it was just Natsu and Erza left.

"Come on Natsu let's go," Erza cried as Gajeel burst forth from the rubble he'd been sent into earlier.

"You Fairies don't think we're just gonna let you all go do ya!?"

"Erza, I'll hang back a few minutes. You get everyone organised and moving, you're better at that than me," he said with a smile as she looked at Natsu before sighing in defeat.

"Fine but you'd better not do anything stupid," Erza snapped in reply eliciting a nod from the Slayer.

"Relax Erza. After what's happened to the Master, we can't afford one of us going down. Get going and I'll catch up."

Erza nodded and bolted out the destroyed hole in the wall, many of the Phantom Lord mages quickly recovering from their earlier shock as they moved to pursue them.

"Come on guys, let's go get em and leave Salamander to Gajeel!"

The Phantom Mages began charging toward the hole Erza and the rest of Fairy Tail left through when suddenly the entire boundary of the building burst into flame, blocking them in and forcing them to confront Natsu.

"None of you are going anywhere, your fights with me!"

"You for real Salamander!? You seriously think you're tough enough to take on our whole guild by yourself," Gajeel asked in disbelief as he stood in front of the lesser mages.

"Indeed, I am quite curious to see exactly why you believe yourself to be capable of such a feat," a voice sneered from the second floor.

"You must be Jose," Natsu growled.

Guild Master Of The Phantom Lord Guild

One Of The Ten Wizard Saints

Wizard Saint Rank Eight

Jose Porla

"Yes, I am indeed," Jose smirked in reply as he descended to the ground floor. "And you, little Fairy, will soon be dead, just like your precious master!"

"Don't count on it pal, I've been through worse," Natsu growled in response as he ignited his fist and punched the air behind him only to hit a barrier.

"Oh, this is so sad! I was unable to end this fight quickly, now I must slice him until he begs for mercy, isn't that so sad," a man cried as he appeared in front of Natsu before walking over to where the rest of his guild was currently standing.

"Tell me Jose, what'd you do to gramps!?"

"Well, if you must know, I had Aria here remove all the magic from his body, quite amusing really."

Natsu clenched his fists and grit his teeth. "Amusing, you find hurting others amusing? Well then Jose; let's see if you find this amusing!"

A large pillar of fire erupted around Natsu; large cracks began to form in the ground as Natsu slowly began to walk forward. Jose seemed to only grow angrier at the sight as the Guild Master also grit his teeth in turn.

"You think you're so tough Salamander but your nothing but Fairy scum!"

"You know Phantom; it's been a long time since someone's made me this angry … and do you know what happens to my fire when I get angry and let my emotions run wild?"

"What absolute nonsense," Jose scoffed. "Gajeel, deal with this trash!"

"You talk a good game but let's see how you handle this," Gajeel said in response to Natsu's earlier words. "Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Releasing his roar, the entire guild watched as Natsu tanked the attack, Gajeel in particular already beginning to laugh. Many of the lesser mages quickly followed suit with the majority of the guild thinking he'd been defeated.

"Are you stupid!? No one can take a breath attack from a Dragon Slayer," Gajeel laughed upon ceasing his attack. "Your body will be as good as-!"

Gajeel, along with the rest of Phantom, froze. Standing there with a pissed off expression was Natsu, not so much as a scratch on his body. Gritting his teeth, Natsu exhaled as two brief bursts of flame escaped through his nose, fire beginning to escape through his teeth prompting Gajeel to take a step back in shock.

"N-no way-!?"

"Is that the best you can do, that was pathetic! THIS, is a real breath attack! Fire Dragon King's Quaking Roar!" Natsu let loose a roar that was ten times the size of Gajeel's as the guild members scrambled to get out of its path.

Gajeel barely managed to avoid the attack in time, diving out of the way as the attack blasted away a considerable portion of their hall. Looking over at the destruction before looking back at Natsu, the Iron Dragon Slayer was shaking in fear.

"Such power, if my guild can't have it then no one's can," Jose spat as he clenched his fists, ignoring his own guild for the moment to focus on what he considered to be the last remaining Fairy in his path.

"What's wrong Jose, you were so cocky before?"

"All of you leave now, go to the second hall, Jose commanded as many of the guild instantly began booking it.

"A-are you sure, Master?"

"Shut up Gajeel, that boy is far beyond all of you," Jose snapped as he dispelled the flames near the hole in the wall with a wave of his hand. "You know what preparations must be done once you arrive at the second hall, see that they are complete before my arrival!"

Gajeel grunted in acknowledgement at his Master's words, taking a brief glance at Natsu once more before taking off through the hole in the wall, leaving Natsu and Jose alone.

"Tell me boy, do you know who I am?"

"You're a piece of shit who's about to get his ass kicked!"

"I'm Master Jose Porla, Wizard Saint Rank Number Eight," he answered, seemingly ignoring Natsu's insult. "Do you understand what attempting to fight me will mean?"

"I couldn't care less about your status; as far as I'm concerned you stopped serving Fiore when you started leading a guild full of people who would hurt others for fun!"

Jose sneered at Natsu as he began to float in the air. "You sorely underestimate me; you might be strong but you forget that I'm a Wizard Saint! One of the ten strongest mages in Fiore."

"That's up for debate pal, I know plenty of people who are stronger than gramps, who's also a Wizard Saint, yet none of them are even a part of the ten. You think you can scare me with your title, you're dead wrong."

"You'll die for your arrogance boy, Shade Magic – Dead Wave," Jose spat as he raised his arm and fired a massive beam of dark energy at Natsu who quickly dodged it.

"Fire Dragon King's Seismic Iron Fist!"

"Shade Magic – Shade Entangle!" Jose snapped in response as several shadows began to emerge from the ground, wrapping their way around Natsu which effectively held him in place.

"What the he-." Natsu was cut off as Jose punched him in the face, breaking his nose and drawing first blood in the process.

"You simply don't understand boy, you're outmatched!"

"Outmatched huh? That what you call this," Natsu asked in reply as he shattered the shades surrounding him with his Crash Magic before delivering a swift punch to the Guild Master's face.

Jose skidded back with a scowl as a small trickle of blood escaped his own nose. This went entirely ignored however as he summoned more shades to latch onto Natsu, the Dragon Slayer wincing ever so slightly in response.

"Put up a fight as long as you can, my Shades are slowly draining your strength. Pretty soon you won't even be able to stand!"

"Is that so, guess I'd better get rid of them then. Crash Repulse!"

The shades began to crack as Natsu's spell went over them before shattering freeing him. Jose however merely raised an eyebrow in response to Natsu's successful escape, as if the act didn't even matter.

"You can shatter as many of them as you like with that Crash Magic boy but it won't do you any good! I can call an infinite army of my shades whilst you surely cannot maintain a Crash Barrier for an indefinite period!"

"You're quick to judge yet you know nothing about me."

"I know all about abilities such as Crash Magic boy," Jose sneered in response. "I will grant you the fact that you must be skilled to even be able to wield it as you have, but it is not the overpowered kind of Lost Magic people talk it up to be and YOUR body will prove that to the rest of that trashy eyesore of a guild!"

"Look pal, I'm not in the mood for this crap! You've messed with my friends and I long enough Jose, this feud between our guilds ends today even if that means fighting a Wizard Saint!"

"The feud between our guilds shall never cease, not so long as one of us remains in this pathetic world," Jose snapped back. "I couldn't care less for your pathetic concerns, only that once I kill you, I shall finally make Phantom the undisputed top guild!"

Natsu felt his anger rising as he felt his body moving to attack Jose once more. He found himself taking two steps forward before remembering what Erza had said to him just before she left.

You'd better not do anything stupid!

Natsu pondered the situation. He could continue to fight Jose, or he could keep his promise to Erza? The choice in hindsight was clear. Channelling an enormous amount of magic power into his hands as multi layered Fire Magic Circles appeared, prompting Jose to take a step back in surprise.

"Fire Dragon King's Seismic Eruption!"

Large cracks began to form in the ground, expanding quickly to encompass the entire ground floor. Searing hot fire began to shoot up from the ground causing steam and smoke to appear as the building began to collapse. Jose found himself forced to retreat as his Guild Hall fell all around him, becoming nothing more than melted rubble.

"That little brat," Jose growled as he scanned the area. "Where did he go?"

Natsu had already bolted from the collapsing building and was in the nearby forest panting slightly from the amount of magic he used in his last attack. He hadn't wanted to expel so much magic like that against Jose, knowing full well that he'd survive the reckless attack, but knew the only way to escape from someone like him was smoke and mirrors.

"Damn that was intense … Shit, I think he actually broke my nose. Guess I'll head back to the guild and see how gramps is holding up."

"I think I have something else in mind Natsu," a voice said from behind a tree prompting Natsu to stiffen knowing full well he wouldn't be able to fight off another attacker as he was.

/Magnolia – Several Hours Later/

"Erza calm down, Natsu will be back soon! He's probably just stopped for something to eat or gotten lost."

"No, he wouldn't do something like that at a time like this. What if Phantom overwhelmed him, what if he's hurt!? Look at what they did to the Master Mira, what if Natsu is like that right now!?"

"You know I'd hate to give the pyro any praise but keep in mind you're saying that a guy who took down Deliora is gonna be beaten by a shitty guild like them," Gray added begrudgingly.

"Gray's right Erza, Natsu will be fine."

"What's this about Natsu," a voice said from behind them as everyone turned to see who the newcomer was.

"Oh, Elise, you're back," Mira said with a small smile.

"Right, you haven't heard what happened yet," Gray sighed with a sad expression.

"Well, I can tell something's happened just by looking at this place, there's holes everywhere in this building."

"Yeah, well you can thank the Phantom Lord Guild for that," Gray growled as he clenched his fists, trying to reign in his frustration and anger. "Damn them!"

"Phantom Lord? Why would they pick a fight with Fairy Tail?"

"It's a long story Elise but to get you up to speed we mounted a counterattack; the Master is gravely injured and Natsu stayed behind so we could all escape and now he's missing."

"Ignore Erza, she just wants her Natsu," Mira cut in teasingly which brought a slight blush to the Requip Mage's face.

"Mira, this is serious!"

"Look Erza, Natsu will be fine and remember that we need to deal with preparing for Phantom's inevitable reprisals for this. No way they'll just let us off now, we're basically at freaking war with them!"

"Gray's right Erza, as the only two S Class Mages left it's up to us to deal with this. We need to prepare in case Phantom decides to retaliate."

"I know everyone, it's just hard knowing Natsu's out there alone …"

"So, what's the plan then," Elise asked as she took a seat.

"Well first we should check to see if anyone else is injured, then make sure the guild keeps functioning as usual until we can decide on what to do next."

"That's all well and good Mira but with me being the only combat ready S Class Mage people will think Fairy Tail is vulnerable. I know we have people who are as strong as an S Class like you two as well as Elfman, Cana, Alzack and Bisca, but losing the Master will be a severe handicap if Jose decides to turn up with Phantom at his back."

"Well, I tried to get a hold of Laxus but he doesn't care. Mystogan probably isn't an option either since no one ever knows where he is or how to get in contact and Gildarts isn't expected back for at least another few weeks."

"Look, we can sit around moping or we can do something. Let's start with checking up on everyone," Gray said sharply as he slammed a hand down on the desk. "We're only gonna make things worse being like this!"

"Gray's right. Sitting around here is just as bad as giving up," Elise said as she rose to her feet. "I'm going to go see who we've got left and see if we can work out some kind of strategy to combat Phantom Lord should they arrive."

"How are you gonna do that Elise," Gray asked eliciting a smirk from the War God Slayer.

"Well back when I worked for the Council, I was privy to information on certain troublemakers and let's just say some members of that guild are on the Council's watch list."

"Not under enough scrutiny to where crap like this gets stopped before it even starts," Gray replied dryly prompting Elise to smack him in the back of the head "OI!"

"Can you not be positive for once in your life Gray!?"

"Alright alright," he groaned as he rose from his spot. "I'll come and help just stop hitting me!"

"See even grumpy Gray is going to do something so you should too Erza," Mira said softly as she placed a hand on her shoulder. "Remember, there's always a chance that Natsu could show up at any moment so your time would be better spent keeping yourself busy rather than fussing over a man who could likely fight the Master on equal ground."

"I suppose so," Erza sighed as the group got to work.

/Unknown Forest/

"So, you're telling me that you want the two of us to go around to all the Phantom Lord safe houses and basically trash them?"

"That's the idea Natsu."

"You know, when you said we should do a mission together sometime, I didn't think it would be something like this? That being said however, have to say I like the idea," Natsu grinned as Mystogan nodded in agreement.

"Nor did I, but from what you've told me Phantom Lord has this coming. Besides, I only need help with one of their guilds anyway."

"Oh, and which one is that?"

"It's a mobile Guild Hall that Phantom Lord built a few years ago. Now it wouldn't be much of an issue except for the fact that it's heading for Magnolia as we speak."

"You've got to be kidding," Natsu sighed as he massaged his temples. "Fucking Jose, I swear …"

"Natsu, after what I saw you do to that Guild Hall, I know I can entrust this task to you. The mobile Guild Hall is equipped with a Jupiter Cannon; if Jose plans to destroy the guild with it then the entire city is in danger."

"Shit … I remember Jose said something about going to a second hall so that must be it."

"Then we need to hurry, I'll meet you in Magnolia as soon as I've dealt with the safe houses. Hopefully you can make it to Magnolia in time."

"Thanks for the info Mystogan, I appreciate it."

"We're all in this together Natsu, never forget that," Mystogan said as he disappeared in a burst of mist.

"That bastard Jose was just stalling me; thank god I got out of there when I did. Now I'd better get to Magnolia quickly."

Natsu began to run back to Magnolia as fast as he could, hoping to prevent the approaching disaster to both his friends and Magnolia itself.

/Magnolia/

Erza sighed as she stared out of the partially cracked window, her mind still unable to get off of the topic of Natsu. Despite what her friends had said, she still couldn't help but fret after seeing Makarov's current state.

"Cheer up Erza, Natsu will be back soon so just try to take your mind off it."

"Mira, he's not back."

"Erza, he's coming back," Mira replied sternly, hands firmly planted on her hips.

"But what if he doesn't come back?"

"But he is coming back Erza so stop thinking about it!"

"Why are you so concerned about Natsu coming back anyway," Elise asked curiously as she took a bite of the steak in front of her. "He's a monster in his own right so I don't get the issue?"

"Erza's concerned because Natsu's been gone for a long time and only just recently came back. Now the two finally admitted their feelings for each other but Erza's still worried that he'll disappear any day like he did all those years ago."

"Well, I think Natsu will be back if it helps," Elise said with a small smile.

"Thanks Elise. I know I shouldn't dwell on it but it happened once and I barely got through it, to go through it again could kill me."

"Erza, he promised you he wouldn't vanish on you again but you need to accept that as one of our S Class Mages, Natsu is doing his duty to protect the guild. You and I both know he'd lay down his life in a heartbeat if it meant saving us but we also know that he is a survivor."

"Yeah, I know," Erza sighed prompting the others to fall silent until Gray finally spoke up.

"How's gramps doing," Gray asked changing the subject.

"Porlyusica is doing what she can but he's still got a long way to go before he'll recover."

"Damn … hopefully he gets better soon, because we could sure as hell use him right now. Everyone outside is about as cheery as the dead-."

The conversation was interrupted as the whole ground began to shake, knocking over what little the group had restored in the Guild Hall.

"What the hell is that!?"

"Hey guys you need to come out back and see this," Alzack said as he burst through the back doors.

The group ran out the back and stared wide eyed at the large mobile fortress slowly approaching Magnolia from the sea. A massive crab-like platform housing what was clearly a Guild Hall on it if Phantom's flags were any indication.

"What the hell is that thing, it's enormous!?"

"That's not the only bad thing about it, look there," Erza said as she pointed to the centre of the building.

"A Jupiter Cannon, that could be trouble," Elise muttered darkly. "I'd heard Phantom got a hold of one of those, but the Council didn't seem to think they'd ever have the balls to use it."

"MAGES OF FAIRY TAIL," Jose's voice boomed, bringing the scrambling Fairies to a screeching halt. "TODAY IS THE DAY WE FINALLY DESTROY YOU AND PROVE ONCE AND FOR ALL THAT IT IS PHANTOM WHO ARE THE STRONGEST GUILD IN FIORE!"

"Fairy Tail won't ever surrender to trash like you Jose," Gray spat prompting Jose to laugh.

"You all talk a big game but it appears that you only have one S Class Mage left with the rest either dead or unwilling to assist you! I shall ensure that you all die just as Dragneel did!"

"Natsu would never fall to scum like you," Erza shouted at the projection of Jose.

"You may not believe me Titania, but this blood on my right hand should tell you otherwise," Jose sneered in response as Erza dropped to her knees, unable to accept what she was seeing.

"No… he can't be-!"

"He is Titania and you'll all be joining him very soon, that is if you don't choose to surrender in which case you can become … our personal plaything!"

"That isn't going to happen Jose, Fairy Tail never surrenders," Cana yelled as the rest of the guild roared in approval.

"Then you've all chosen your fate; prepare to fire the Jupiter Cannon!"

"Shit, what do we do now," Gray growled.

"Goodbye Fairy scum," Jose cackled with glee as the Jupiter Cannon was fired directly at the city.

"Requip – Adamantine Armor!"

Erza jumped in front of the entire guild and erected her strongest barrier in an attempt to stop the blast. A massive Magic Circle formed in front of them all as the shot collided with it, pushing her back almost immediately as she struggled to hold her ground.

After a solid minute the blast finally cracked and shattered Erza's armor as it died, Erza herself crying out in pain as she was shot into the Guild Hall itself faster than anyone could react.

"You've bought yourselves five minutes Fairies at the cost of an S Class Mage, and from what I hear you're short on supply," Jose laughed as his projection faded.

"Mira, go help Erza," Gray said as Mira rushed to Erza's side.

"What do we do now Gray?"

"I'm not sure Elise, there isn't really a whole lot we can do."

"Hey look, something's coming from Phantom's guild," one of the guild members shouted as a horde of shades descended toward the group.

"Well, you wanted something to do," Gray sighed as he entered a basic stance.

The enemies drew closer as the guild began to rain down a barrage of attacks on them to little effect, the strange apparitions seemingly intangible to any attacks they tried.

"Argh this is useless."

"Agreed. These shades are just spirits, attacking them won't do any good."

"Thirty seconds Fairy Tail," Jose's amused voice rang out as everyone found themselves pushed back toward the battered Guild Hall.

"Shit, this might be it you guys," Elfman cried as the shades began circling the group.

"The situation does look pretty grim," Elise added with a sigh.

"Times up, so long Fairy Tail, DIE," Jose roared as the Jupiter Cannon started to glow once more, indicating that it was being prepped to fire.

A bright light began to envelop the area as the cannon was about to fire when Gray and Elise noticed someone standing in front of them.

"Natsu, is that you," Elise asked, shocked at how quickly he had appeared before them.

"Bout time your lazy ass turned up flame brain," Gray said with a grin, not willing to admit that he was actually overjoyed to see the Dragon Slayer.

"You guys might want to hold on to something. Oh, and Macao, I'm gonna need a lot of fire after this."

"You stop that thing and you can have as much as you damn well please!"

Natsu grinned as his entire body became enveloped in flame, scales beginning to grow across his skin as he entered the Dragon Force. The overwhelming amount of magical power being put out sent tremors out in all directions as Natsu prepared for the oncoming attack.

"DIE FAIRY TAIL!"

"Fire Dragon King's Seismic Roar!"

Natsu's roar clashed with the Jupiter Cannon's shot, the two attacks meeting out in the bay as they began to push back and forth against one another. Natsu kept up the roar as he slowly began to push the shot back until the Crash Magic within the roar finally won out over the mixture of magic types put into the Jupiter Cannon shot.

Several seconds later, a large explosion could be seen as Natsu's roar struck the Jupiter Cannon directly, the foundation of the mobile hall being damaged enough to throw the cannon itself off balance, the barrel landing in the water with an audible crash.

"There … Use the barrel to board it and beat them," Natsu sighed as he exited the Dragon Force and dropped to one knee.

The guild was dead silent, unable to process what they just saw Natsu do before bursting into cheers and laughter.

"Guys, save the celebrations until after Phantom's been beaten!"

"That's all well and good but how do we get there?"

"Gray, I thought I taught you better than that?"

"Who's that," Elise asked as Gray stared on in shock.

"Ur!? What are you doing here," Gray asked in shock as his Master stood over him with an almost smug expression on her face.

"I live here too Gray, plus Natsu asked for my help. Nice job on destroying that cannon by the way," Ur said as she punched Natsu lightly on the shoulder. "If I didn't know any better, I'd assume you were strong or something?"

"Hardy har har, you're a real comedian Ur," Natsu replied with a role of his eyes. "Now how about less bullying me and more getting people onto that thing, and where's Macao with that fire!?"

"Oh, uh … right! I've got you covered Natsu," Macao said as he started funnelling his fire into Natsu's mouth.

"So how are you gonna get us over there Ur?"

"Stand back and watch," she said with a smile as she walked over to the water.

"This should be interesting," Elise said under her breath as she felt the sudden shift in temperature.

"Ice Make – Ice Age," Ur cried as she placed her palms on the water's surface, freezing the entire lot of it in seconds.

"Holy crap, she just froze the entire bay solid," Wakaba said as his cigar fell out of his mouth.

Gray just stared at Ur in shock. "Just how strong are you!?"

"Strong enough," she replied with a cheeky grin as she began to walk towards the destroyed cannon.

"Wait, where are you going Ur?"

"We have an enemy to defeat don't we Gray; we can't just stand out here and wait for them now can we?"

"She's right Gray, now's the time to strike," Elise said as she followed Ur.

"Go on Gray, take Elfman with you. You need to take out the Element Four if you want to shut that damn thing down since they're the strongest mages aside from Gajeel and Jose himself. Just so you know if you see a guy named Aria in there leave him to Ur, ok. Also, once I'm topped up, I'll fight Jose myself."

"You really planned all this out, huh?"

"Wasn't completely my idea, Mystogan helped."

"Wait, you met Mystogan? When the hell did that happen!?"

"Just after I finished distracting Jose, we met in the forest and he filled me in on his plan."

"You know, Erza's been pretty worried about you man, hope Mystogan's plan is worth it?"

"I had a feeling she would," Natsu sighed with a shake of his head. "But you know as well as I do Gray that the guild needs us to step up when gramps isn't here. Erza knows it too, she'll understand."

"Well anyway, how strong was Phantom's Master? Do you think you can take him in a fair fight?"

"Well, he's at least as strong as gramps as far as I could tell, bastard actually broke my nose," Natsu said as he pointed to his bruised nose. "As for if I can win … I can't tell yet."

"Geez, how are we supposed to beat him if even you have doubts?"

"Well, Mystogan's on his way here but we can't stall for time, plan is that Ur and Elise finish their fights quickly. Elise will go stop Gajeel, Ur said she'd help me with Jose once she's dealt with Aria."

"Well at least it's a plan."

"Be easier if Gildarts were here," Natsu sighed.

"Well, I'd better head on over," Gray said as he began to walk towards Phantom Lords Guild Hall. "Here's hoping we make it."

"Great job holding down the fort guys," Natsu said as he faced the rest of the guild who all seemed to relax now that another of their S Class Mages was back in action.

"Would've been easier if Erza wasn't yelling at us because you were missing," Wakaba replied with a smirk.

"Hey, what do you guys want from me," Natsu snapped in response. "Someone had to hold off Phantom earlier!"

"Out of the frying pan and into the fire Natsu," Cana said in amusement. "Just as reckless as ever. She took all my booze off me so you'd better buy me some after all this!"

"What the hell do you people want from me," Natsu yelled as the guild began to laugh.

"Alright Natsu, I'm nearly out so get going."

"In a sec Macao just got something I've gotta do first," Natsu said as he walked inside the Guild Hall.

"I was wondering when you were going to come and see your unconscious girlfriend," Mira said in a mock judging tone.

"I know Mira, I feel bad enough knowing that I could've been too late."

"Natsu you weren't late from what I heard; you were out there doing your job as an S Class Mage. By the sounds of it you and Mystogan have this covered," she said with a smile.

"Yeah, hopefully this all works out; Jose is pretty strong so it could go either way."

"Natsu, you were trained by Gildarts. Are you saying he's stronger than him?"

"Well, I uh… look its more complicated than that."

"Stop doubting yourself, just go out there and win. Do it for what they did to Erza."

Natsu gazed at the unconscious form of the scarlet haired mage as he felt rage begin to swell within him. He was already pissed at Jose as it was, but seeing Erza in her current state only reinforced his resolve to smash the Wizard Saint's face in.

"Mira, give Erza this when she wakes up and tell her everything's gonna be sorted," Natsu said as he handed Mira his scarf.

"Make Phantom pay for what they've done to us Natsu."

"Don't worry Mira, I've got this," Natsu said as he began to make his way towards Phantom Lord's Guild Hall.

(Edited 21/03/19)

(Edited 21/10/21)

(Edited 10/06/22)