I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
From Trial To Survival
/Natsu's POV/
Natsu had been sitting on top of a rock that was sticking out of the ocean watching the cave his opponents were supposed to emerge from with anticipation.
Natsu could feel magic spikes from both Erza and Mira and knew that both of them were now testing their respective opponents which only made him more eager.
Hearing footsteps Natsu stood up and smiled as Elise emerged from the cave entrance along with to his surprise Ur.
"Oh looks like we've run into trouble," Ur said as Elise looked up at the Dragon Slayer with a grin.
"I've always wanted to fight you seriously but there was never a reason to until now, neither of us will be holding back Natsu!"
"Just a few things before we begin which one of you were chosen for the trial, to be honest both of you are potential candidates so I'm just a little confused?"
"It's Elise Natsu she asked me to be her partner for the trials and I could use the workout," Ur said as he nodded.
"Alright then Elise I want you to know that as your examiner I won't be taking it easy on you, and I'm not taking it easy on you either Ur even though you do a great job keeping my house together while I'm gone."
"I wasn't planning on holding back either Natsu I hope you're ready to lose!"
Natsu could only grin in response as he thought back to his decision earlier. After spending some time pondering the words of both Eliza and Gildarts Natsu had decided holding back was something he could no longer afford to do, however he wanted to make sure Elise understood all the aspects of being an S Class mage before he passed her and he knew just the way to do it.
Jumping off the rock and landing in the water Natsu began to evaporate the water around him, his fists fully ignited and ready to go.
"Be careful Elise Natsu is a formidable opponent you can't let your guard down for even a moment!"
Elise nodded as she began to power up. "War God's Divine Requip: Inferno Armor!" Elise's outfit began to change into an ebony armor that appeared to glow red in colour.
"So you're going for the reduced flame damage, smart move. Unfortunately I still have an arsenal of other abilities I can make use of if fire isn't enough."
"Less talking more fighting," Elise said as she rushed Natsu and went to strike him to which he easily dodged. Feeling a slight chill Natsu looked at his leg and noticed Ur had begun to freeze the area and launched into the air.
"That's some impressive ice even my current heat doesn't melt it, still I'm not even close to trying yet so we'll have to see how it holds up."
"You saw some of my abilities during the Phantom attack Natsu so you know not to underestimate me either."
"I never was the both of you might be able to give me a run for my money should you go all out."
Landing on the sand Natsu cleared some distance before picking up several large boulders with his Gravity Magic.
"Now let's see what you girls can do," he said as he began to launch the boulders at the two as they dodged to both sides before meeting back up in the middle.
"War God's Armageddon Fist!"
"Gravity Dragon's Fluxuation Fist!"
The two attacks collided creating a small crater before Elise was suddenly thrown into the air and slammed into the ground hard as Natsu jumped over her.
"Fire Dragon King's Iron Fist!"
Striking Ur in the centre of the chest Natsu was shocked when his attack went right through and the Ur turned into solid ice freezing him in place.
"War God's Piercing Arrows!"
Elise summoned a bow fired several volleys of arrows at the frozen Natsu however before they landed the ice cube seemed to break into a dozen large pieces and spin around Natsu taking the arrows intended for him.
"Not a bad combo but you'll have to do better," Natsu said as the ice dropped to the ground full of arrows.
"Fine then guess we'd better go all out then," Elise said as she began to glow again. "Demigod's Ascension: War God!" Elise emerged from the bright light a spitting image of Eliza as Ur began to cover herself with ice.
"Alright you two I said no holds barred before but we'll try this again, feel free to use your other weapons Elise you won't kill me if you do trust me."
Elise nodded as she summoned two ebony swords and charged at Natsu with Ur close behind. The two began to attack Natsu with a barrage of lightning fast attacks as Natsu began to feel his body slow slightly.
"Damn its Ur's Powdered Snow if this slows me down anymore then …"
Kicking one of Elise's swords out of her hand Natsu grabbed it and blocked Elise's other strike before catching Ur's Ice Make Sword between his feet.
"Fire Dragon King's Wing Attack!" Surrounding his arms in flames Natsu hit the two directly pushing them back before throwing Elise's sword back at her with considerable force piercing one of her pauldrons.
"That was too close," Elise said as Ur nodded.
"I have a plan but I need you to push him into the water!"
"Alright I'm on it," Elise said as she rushed towards Natsu once again. "War God's Twilight Slash!"
"Fire Dragon King's Reverberating Flame Elbow!" Blocking the strike with his elbow Natsu was pushed back slightly before Elise changed her weapon to a large lance.
"War God's Midnight Siegebreaker!" Thrusting the lance full force Natsu was forced to dodge the attack normally as he was forced into the shallows of the ocean.
Elise dispelled the weapon and began to fight Natsu hand to hand again as she landed a kick on him sending him into the air before appearing above him.
"War God's Armageddon Kick!" Kicking Natsu straight in the chest she sent him flying into the ocean as Ur quickly prepared her attack.
"Ice Make Ice Age!" Freezing the entire ocean for miles Ur sighed as Elise landed next to her.
"Do you think we did it?"
"I don't know was he supposed to tell us we passed?"
The two waited a moment before the ice suddenly appeared like it had been sliced into cubes and Natsu quickly emerged landing on the rock he was standing on when they first arrived looking no worse for wear.
"Well done both of you, that was some great teamwork. Guess you can pass," Natsu said with a grin.
"But we didn't beat you though," Elise said confused as Natsu shook his head.
"Beating me isn't the point, just trust me when I say you pass."
"But you haven't even gone all out Natsu, you kept telling us to go all out yet you haven't even done that yourself!"
"Are you sure you really want that Elise, same with you Ur?"
"Well I'm curious to see just how strong you really are Natsu," Ur said.
"I trained for all those months with mother and Erza I should be around your level by now Natsu."
Natsu sighed as he shook his head. "Listen Elise I'm gonna teach you an important lesson, one that Eliza and Gildarts both taught me. It seems you only truly understand once you experience it, if you pass this then your free to go on ahead."
The ground began to shake violently as Natsu began to be covered in scales from near head to toe, his wings forming from his back Natsu began to be surrounded by a powerful red pillar of light.
Elise and Ur watched on in shock as cracks began to appear in the space around Natsu, the frozen ocean beginning to be lifted into the air and surround Natsu as the Gravity around Natsu seemed to fluxuate violently.
Large pillars of fire began to emerge from the space that the section of the ocean had previously been as an overwhelming heat hit the two melting Ur's ice almost immediately.
The scene before them seemed almost unreal it was if Natsu was one of the gods themselves as the raw power he was displaying shook the entire island to its core.
"This is my power it 100% Elise, my full unrestrained power for my Fire Dragon, Gravity Dragon and Crash Magic. If you still believe you stand a chance then come," Natsu said as he extended a scaly finger in her direction.
Elise wanted to move, to run away, but she was too petrified to move. Ur was likewise stunned but more so in an awestruck kind of way. Elise dropped to her knees and shook her head before mumbling to herself.
"I can't do it, I can't match that kind of power," she said with tears streaming down her face as Natsu powered down and walked over to her pulling her in for a hug.
"Elise it's ok to be afraid, it's ok to admit defeat, knowing when to admit that you can't do something is exactly what I wanted to see from you. Eliza told me that holding back against an opponent could lead to your death but so could going up against something like what you just saw that fully intends to kill you. Congratulations you passed the test with flying colours."
"Did mother really teach you that," Elise sniffed as Natsu nodded.
"In a bit of a different way but yeah she did, you and Ur both did really good and I'm rooting for you to win the trial this year."
Natsu let go of Elise as she stood up and walked over to Ur who seemed to have an impressed face.
"You continue to amaze me Natsu that amount of power at your age is beyond my understanding."
"Well sacrifices were made to get this far Ur, another thing that an S Class mage needs to know. Know when it's necessary to make a sacrifice for the good of others."
The two nodded in agreement before Elise spoke up. "So where do we go now Natsu?"
"There is a cave just up ahead it'll lead you to a spot where a bunch of signposts will be placed, gramps should be there waiting for all of you."
With that Natsu disappeared leaving the girls to their thoughts as he made his way towards the camp.
"Did I go too far I wonder … nah she'll be fine if not I'm sure Eliza will explain it to her better than I ever will. Still that reminded me of when I challenged Gildarts at his full power for the first time, could barely even move I was so stunned. Oh well enough with this reminiscing crap guess I'll head on over to camp and see if the foods ready yet."
Making his way over to the camp Natsu spotted Mira and Erza preparing meals and was seated before they even noticed he was there. When Erza turned around she nearly threw a plate at him before sighing.
"Honestly Natsu we get that you're fast but could you at least announce yourself when you arrive?"
"Nah it's more fun this way, so what's for lunch?"
"Well what do you want we've got a little bit of everything at the moment," Mira said cheerfully as she pointed to the table behind her.
"That large power spike earlier that was you wasn't it Natsu," Erza asked as Natsu nodded.
"Who did you end up getting that forced you to go that far?"
"Elise and Ur combo, I only did it because I passed Elise but she still wanted to fight me so I said fine if you pass this test you can go and powered right up."
"I'm guessing she backed down which meant she passed since she's not here," Erza asked as Natsu nodded.
"So who did you guys get?"
"I got Juvia and Cana, Cana was apparently the one who was chosen by the Master and she managed to put on an impressive display of teamwork and hold her own quite well," Erza said with a small smile.
"I got Elfman and Evergreen did you know those two are dating Natsu I can't believe it!"
"For the last time Mira they tricked you," Erza sighed.
"Well thanks for the food guys I'm gonna go look for Gildarts if 'm gonna be stuck here for the rest of the day I'm gonna get a good fight in," Natsu said as he vanished from his chair.
"Hey Erza don't you find it strange that no one else has arrived here yet?"
"Hmm who did the Master say was selected this year again?"
"Levy who partnered with Gajeel, Cana partnered with Juvia, Freed partnered with Bickslow, Mest partnered with Wendy Gray partnered with Lahar and Elise partnered with Ur. I think that should be everybody right," Mira asked as Erza shrugged.
"Maybe they've gotten lost in the forest even though Natsu fixed and repainted all the signposts it's still easy to lose your way around here, I'll go see if I can't find anyone," Erza said as she left the camp as well.
"Remember the signal flare if anything's wrong!"
Natsu darted through the forest looking around for any sign of the Crash Mage, he knew the second part of the trials had begun and was looking for a way to relieve boredom. As Natsu dashed past a road he heard a loud scream and stopped dead in his tracks, turning to face the noise he saw a petrified Levy.
"Hey Levy what's wrong you look pretty shaken up," Natsu said as he helped her to her feet.
"It's Gajeel Natsu he's in trouble there were these two guys one of them was a large chicken thing, they said they were scouts for the main force or something and Gajeel took them both on and told me to run!"
"Shit alright let me take you back to camp then I'll go grab Gajeel, don't worry about him Levy he's tougher than he looks."
Levy nodded as Natsu picked her up and moved as fast as he could back to camp. Within less than two minutes he'd arrived back at the camp.
"Oh Natsu your back already oh and-."
"Mira the red flare use it now Gajeel's under attack I've got to go Levy will explain it when she's ready," Natsu said quickly before disappearing back into the forest. Within seconds the red flare had been fired and Natsu began to track Levy's scent from where he'd found her.
After a minute of tracking he found Gajeel leaning up against a tree panting rather heavily.
"Looks like you took care of business huh," Natsu said as he motioned to the two dead people at Gajeel's feet.
"Yeah the guy with the sword broke my arm as I beat him, stabbed that friggin thing right through my Iron Club. But listen Salamander these guys they're just the scouts for Grimoire Heart, you know Bharam Alliance!"
"Shit this is bad if they were the scouts and managed to deal damage to you then whatevers coming is bound to be too much for some of the others. I'll let loose a flare and let the others know you're here but wounded, Erza or Mira should be here within minutes. I've gotta find gramps or Gildarts and organize something."
"Oi before you go did you find the shrimp she went off looking for help?"
"Yeah I took her back to camp don't worry about her okay, now take this it's the green one alright."
"Gotcha, hopefully you can get Wendy back to the camp so she can heal my god damn arm so I can get back in the fight, I've still got plenty of magic left!"
"I'll see what I can do but if Grimoire Starts attacking shit's gonna hit the fan real quick, alright I've gotta go," Natsu said as he dashed back into the forest.
Suddenly feeling the presence of dozens of people around him Natsu decided to find an open area before assuming a defensive stance.
"You may as well come out I know you've been following me," Natsu said as thirty identical soldiers jumped out of the tree line. "I'm guessing you all come from Grimoire Heart then, hate to break it to you but the lot of you are treading on sacred ground!"
"Your island is sacred yes but not for something as pathetic as your puny guild," one of the foot soldiers said.
"What do you mean then," Natsu asked as he suddenly felt the emergence of a strong magical presence.
"He means that this island houses something of vaaaaalue," a voice said that sounded like a goat.
Looking up Natsu noticed a rather large airship flying overhead and someone had jumped down. Landing in front of Natsu the mystery being turned out to be some sort of goat person.
"Oi Natsu," Gray's voice shouted from behind him as both he and someone Natsu didn't recognize arrived. "What the hell's goin on!"
"I'll figure out who you are later," Natsu said as he pointed to the man next to Gray. "These guys are the Dark Guild Grimoire Heart and it seems we're gonna be having ourselves a little war."
"Another one of these Bharam Alliance scumbags huh, we'll take you out like we did the Oracion Seis," Gray shouted as the goat man seemingly paid little attention.
"My name is Caaaprico and I am one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory, surrender now and your deaths will be quick."
Natsu was about to attack when he saw Makarov begin to appear in his Titan form, turning to Gray he sighed.
"You wanna take this one Gray, hate to run but gramps might need some help."
"Yeah sure man I've got this guy covered," Gray said with a grin as Natsu disappeared.
"Such shocking speed, we have misjudged the strength of Natsu Draaagneel. Still it matters little all the Seven Kin are currently operating on the island right now, resistance is futile."
"Yeah well we'll just see about that, last Dark Guild that underestimated us their leader is six feet under and their best members rotting in a jail cell where they belong!"
"Gray we must be careful the Seven Kin of Purgatory are far above the Oracion Seis in terms of power and combat ability," Lahar said.
"Well even if that's the case we've got no choice but to fight so none of that matters right now."
"I've grown tired of this it's time you were eliminated," Caprico said as the two began to fight.
/Erza's POV/
Erza had fought her way through hundreds of soldiers, having no idea what was going on Erza was simply acting on pure instinct cutting anything that even pointed a weapon her way.
"Erza," Juvia's voice called out as she appeared alongside Cana.
"Oi Erza what the hell's going on here we've been getting attacked by all sorts of freaks in weird outfits," Cana asked as Erza shook her head.
"I have no idea but we need to make our way back to the camp immediately!"
"There is no escape Number Seven Erza Scarlett," a voice said from the tree line as the three were immediately on the defensive.
"Who's there," Juvia called out as the voice sighed.
"It's none of your concern Number Eleven Juvia Lockser just stand still and prepare for execution.
"Why the hell are you referring to us as numbers for ya creep!"
"Because Number Twelve Cana Alberona that is the order for which you are scaled by level of threat."
"Your list must be pretty bad if Erza's at Number Seven then!"
"No the list is 100% accurate, the list proceeds as follows.
Number Seventeen Lisanna Strauss
Number Sixteen Levy McGarden
Number Fifteen Elfman Strauss
Number Fourteen Evergreen
Number Thirteen Cana Alberona
Number Twelve Juvia Lockser
Number Eleven Wendy Marvell
Number Ten Bickslow
Number Nine Freed Justine
Number Eight Gajeel Redfox
Number Seven Erza Scarlett
Number Six Elise Faulkner
Number Five Makarov Dreyar
Number Four Natsu Dragneel
Number Three Gildarts Clive
Number Two Ur
Number One Gray Fullbuster
"Hold on your placing Ur and Gray above the Master and both Natsu and Gildarts, why would you consider them more dangerous," Erza asked confused.
"Because they present the greatest threat to her, to Ultear! Ur abandoned Ultear in favour of Gray Fullbuster, to spare her from having to bear the suffering of even seeing either of them I'll kill them before they can hurt her any further!"
"Ur had a daughter," Erza said in shock as a young pink haired girl appeared from the tree line.
"See she even refuses to acknowledge Ultear's existence, both she and Gray deserve nothing less than death!"
"Did you say you were going to …. Kill Gray," Juvia said as both Cana and Erza looked at her in shock.
"Yes they will pay for what they've done to Ultear!"
Rainclouds began to form and it began to rain, both Cana and Erza knew that Juvia wasn't happy.
"You would dare … to harm a hair on my beloved Gray's head, now you've done it."
The nearby lake began to rise up as Juvia seemingly became one with the body of water, the only part of her body remaining visible being her top half.
"How can you call someone that despicable your beloved," the girl said as Juvia barred her teeth in anger, her eyes appearing almost as if she were insane.
"Gray is the man to whom I owe my very life, anyone who tries to get in the way of us is better off dead," Juvia shouted as two large blasts of water sent the girl hurdling into the nearby cliff.
"Erza, Cana I'll deal with this one go and make sure Gray and the others are safe!"
Cana was about to protest when Erza nodded in agreement. "Don't die Juvia Gray still needs you as much as you need him."
Juvia nodded before turning her attention on the girl who had just emerged from the crater left by her impact.
"Your attempts to resist are futile you are only Number Twelve after all."
"To hell with your numbers and to hell with you," Juvia screamed as she dropped the full lake onto the girl as their battle began in earnest.
/Natsu's POV/
Natsu was shocked to see Makarov taken down so easily, the mage that used chains to throw him managed to overwhelm the old man before taking him down. Natsu had arrived just as the mage was about to deliver the killing blow to Makarov, saving the old man's life.
"Well well if it isn't Fairy Tail's other resident Wizard Saint, I must say that glare your giving me is rather menacing."
"You must be Grimoire's Master I'm guessing," Natsu said as the old man nodded.
"I'm Master Hades though I did once go by another name that I'm sure you've heard being a Fairy Tail mage and all. Ever hear of the Second Master by any chance boy?"
"You can't be Precht," Natsu said in utter shock as the old man sported a grin.
"It seems my legacy still lives on in the guild if a youngster like you knows who I am."
"Sorry to burst your bubble but I learnt about you from the biography of a demon you killed at the Dawnspire Incident, before that I didn't know you at all."
"The Dawnspire Incident I'm surprised you have such knowledge, you are no ordinary kid I'll give you that much. Now I'd love to stay and chat but it seems someone would like a rematch with you so I'd best take my leave," Hades said as Bluenote jumped off the edge of the airship and began to sprint towards Natsu.
"Shit I can't fight this guy while I've got gramps here I'm gonna have to run for it," Natsu said in frustration as he picked up Makarov and darted into the forest with Bluenote close behind.
"You can't outrun me I'll have your life Dragneel," Bluenote shouted through the forest.
Arriving at the camp Natsu was greeted by Mira but before she began to speak he blocked a lightning fast strike by Bluenote who was grinning savagely.
"Take care of gramps you guys I'll hold this guy off," Natsu said as Bluenote began to laugh.
"Hold me off, I'm far stronger than when we last fought you don't stand a chance."
Just as Natsu was about to speak Erza and Cana arrived and Erza immediately called out to Natsu.
"All of you stay out of this he's too strong for you!"
"But Natsu we can help," Mira said as she entered Satan Soul.
"Mira's right Natsu you don't have to do it alone," Erza added as Bluenote began to laugh.
"You should listen to Dragneel kids because this isn't your regular mages battle," Bluenote said as suddenly everyone in the camp was smashed into the ground except Natsu who seemed unaffected by the force.
"Your Gravity Magic won't work on me Bluenote I am Gravity now," Natsu said as he countered with his own Gravity Magic sending shockwaves rippling through the camp.
"Well now this makes the fight that much more fun now doesn't it," Bluenote said with a grin. "If only the legendary Gildarts were here this would be a battle worthy of the history books."
"Who said I wasn't here," a voice said as Gildarts appeared from nowhere and punched Bluenote in the face sending him flying off into the woods.
"He's the one I told you about that wanted to fight you back in Oshibana Station, the one who trashed the town."
"Right well good job bringing the old man here, as for the rest of you I'm disappointed you all didn't listen to Natsu when he warned you about this guy. To be honest I'll be interested to see how I go against him but I need Natsu to go after the guild master."
"So that guy isn't even their master," Cana asked in shock as Gildarts shook his head.
"No their master is onboard that airship, he's the one that kicked the tar out of Makarov. Natsu I'll leave him to you hopefully I can beat this guy and make my way over to provide support."
"Wait we'll go with you too Natsu," Erza said but Gildarts held up his hand.
"You can't Erza you'll only get in Natsu's way; neither of us will be holding back this time so anyone caught in the middle runs a high risk of dying. Anyway I've got a fight to catch so later."
Gildarts disappeared as Natsu began to walk to the edge of the camp. "There are still the other Six of the Seven Kin of Purgatory to deal with. Gray is currently fighting one just south of here so he might need backup, Elise and Ur as well as Wendy and whoever her partner is are also still unaccounted for and they may also be fighting. You all still have stuff to do so get to it."
Natsu disappeared as the rest of the group looked shocked.
"He sounded so … old and battle hardened," Mira said as Erza nodded.
"That's because he is, he's done things we could only dream about Mira. All we can do is put our faith in him and hope that he's able to defeat Grimoire's master."
/Elise's POV/
"Do you think that's the last of them," Elise asked as Ur shrugged.
"I don't think so, you can sense the signs of battles taking place all over the island and the red signal flare went up earlier but the all clear hasn't been given. We'd better try to get to camp though even there may not be safe I can sense two monstrously powerful forces clashing near there."
"Yeah I know what you mean I think Gildarts might be fighting someone the magical signature feels different than Natsu's though I can sense his spiking all over the island so he might be trying to locate the others."
"I hope Wendy's alright something about that Mest guy just doesn't add up to me, call me crazy but do you recall anything about him before two weeks ago?"
Elise began to think back and frowned. "Come to think of it no, same goes for that Lahar guy that's with Gray I can't really remember anything other than their names."
"I think we should go find Wendy Elise something about those two just isn't adding up, don't worry about Gray he should be able to handle himself."
"Alright let's go," Elise said as a large black fireball flew down from a nearby cliff face.
"I don't think either of you will be going anywhere, no one escapes one of the Seven Kin!"
Elise tensed as she looked up. "It's you again, back for another beating!"
"Well well if it isn't the fellow God Slayer like myself I was hoping I'd get to be the one to kill you!"
"You aren't good enough to kill me I'm much stronger than I was back then!"
"Maybe so but you aren't the only one who can train little God Slayer, once you feel my undying flames you'll realise just how pathetic you really are against the mighty Zancrow!"
"Ur you go on ahead and find Wendy this guy's fire will tear through your Ice Make magic."
"Are you sure my magic can hold its own against Natsu's I'm sure I'd be able to-."
"Trust me on this Ur that's a special kind of fire, the flames of the Flame God herself. He may not have been taught by an actual god like I was but his magic is still as dangerous as mine, your normal weakness to fire is increased tenfold if you are up against Flame God fire."
"I see then I'll leave him to you," Ur said as she began to sprint off into the forest as Zancrow began to give chase.
"Didn't you hear me earlier no one escapes from Zancrow not even the mother of Ultear," Zancrow said grinning at the last part stopping Ur dead in her tracks.
"W-what did you just say!"
"Hmm what's that did I strike a nerve somewhere or maybe you didn't actually know? The leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory and the third strongest mage in Grimoire Heart is a girl named …. Ultear Milkovich," Zancrow said as he burst out laughing.
"My Ultear … it can't be she was … I don't …"
Elise had reached Ur's side and began to shake her. "Ur snap out of it I know that might be a shock to you but there's no time to dwell on it we have things to do!"
"But my daughter … she's dead … the Bureau of Magical Development said that she was dead, that her power had killed her."
"Another of the great plans by Master Hades, paying the Bureau off in order to keep Ultear and conduct brutal experiments on her they told you that she was dead but we knew different! One night though on her twelfth birthday she escaped and went back home only to find you training two new brats, heartbroken our tragic heroine returned to the Bureau and allowed them to continue experimenting on her!"
"She what," Ur gasped in shock as Zancrow began to laugh again.
"Then like the oh so kind old man Master Hades is he swooped in and saved our young heroine right after she massacred the entire place, isn't that the greatest thing you've heard or what!"
"Ur…," Elise said as the Ice Make mage rose to her feet.
"I'm going to find her Elise, my daughter is alive and she's on this island. I've failed her as a mother but if there's one last thing I can do for her it's save her from living like this," Ur said as she disappeared suddenly.
"Such speed that's almost at Natsu's level just how strong is she…," Elise wondered as Zancrow began to laugh again.
"Absolutely pathetic Ultear should have a fun time picking her apart while I-!" Zancrow surrounded his fist in flames as Elise surrounded her own fist in her own magic as the two clashed. "Will have fun tearing this God Slayer apart!"
/Natsu's POV/
Natsu picked up a familiar scent as he dashed through the forest, a scent he'd been picking up as far back as his first trip to the Magic Council. Seeing a strange ball following him Natsu stopped as the ball hovered in front of him.
"It's you again; you know you really ought to find a better group to hang out with. Every time we meet you're doing evil shit," Natsu said as Ultear came into view.
"I assure you this is me doing my real job for once, no disguises or false pretences here. I'm the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory or if you want to get technical one of the hands of Lord Hades."
"That's all well and good but there's something that's been bothering me about you, something that has put me off ever since I've seen your real form."
"Oh is that so, is my body not appealing enough for you O great Salamander," Ultear teased as Natsu shook his head.
"No you are beautiful there's no denying that but your beauty comes from somewhere and I've finally figured it out, Ultear Milkovich daughter of Ur."
Ultear's almost playful expression quickly darkened as she was within a metre of Natsu now, the two staring at each other unblinking.
"You know nothing of me Natsu, nothing about my life and the hardships I went through because of her!"
"Do you know the truth though, do you know about when she came to see you at the Bureau? I'm guessing that since you are currently standing here today it's a no, but I can tell you if you like."
"How would you know that Natsu, my mother abandoned me for Gray and Lyon!"
"No Ultear she never abandoned you, the Bureau told her you died when she came to see you. From what Ur told me the only reason she took you to the Bureau in the first place was because you were born with a vast amount of magical power, far more than a child could handle. You were dying Ultear and she gave the Bureau every last thing she had to get you in there."
"Why would she tell you this Natsu, why would she speak of me to anyone!"
"Well I like to think we're good friends, she listens to my crap a lot and I listen to her when she wants someone to talk too. You know she broke down when she told me about you, supposedly she almost killed herself numerous times until she discovered Deliora ravaging the land. She created the Iced Shell in order to do a bit of good for her final act but then she found Lyon and Gray."
Ultear stood there unblinking and unflinching as Natsu began to explain how Lyon and Gray helped her recover from the loss of Ultear and her regret that her daughter couldn't be saved.
"You know I bet you don't even know the origin of your name do you Ultear, to be honest if you even knew that you'd think twice about how you feel about her."
"Oh and I suppose she told you that too then, let's hear it," Ultear said with her usual coolness replaced with a hint of shakiness in her voice.
"Ultear, you were named after Ur's tear," Ur said as she emerged from the tree line before standing next to Natsu.
"Mother you're lying surely ….," Ultear said before Ur shook her head with tears in her eyes.
"No Ultear neither I nor Natsu are lying, your birth was the greatest thing to happen in my life and I loved you more than anything. But the fact was you were dying and I wasn't going to let my beloved daughter die before she'd even reached her teens."
"Can you prove it, show me your memories mother!"
Natsu pulled out a projection lacrima and handed it to Ur as she projected everything, confirming Natsu's story.
"So you really didn't abandon me then, if I had only approached you that day then …"
Ultear was cut off as Ur pulled her into a hug. "My darling daughter all grown up," she said between small sobs as Natsu began to walk away.
"Wait Natsu since you've managed to convince me my mother hadn't been involved can I ask you something?"
"Sure what is it?"
"You said the Bureau lied to her in order to keep me there but by the sounds of it you did some digging into the place is that correct?"
"Yeah I did why?"
"Who was the one, the so called secret investor the scientists always talked about whenever they'd begin experimenting on me?"
"Are you sure you really want to know?"
Ultear looked at him as he pulled a piece of paper from his requip space before giving it to her.
"Please stop this evil stuff and find something better to do with your life Ultear," Natsu said as he vanished.
"What does it say," Ur asked as Ultear looked at her confused.
"Wait he never showed you this?"
"He must have recently acquired it, I guess you could say I hired him to look into the place to make sure everything happened as they said but Natsu must have found this at some point."
Opening the piece of paper Ultear scanned the document, most of the lines were blacked out but one name shocked her.
"Precht Gaelbog it can't be …."
"Fairy Tail's Second Master are you sure?"
"Mother he's not just Fairy Tail's Second Master he's also the Master of Grimoire Heart Master Hades! That bastard was behind this all along!"
"Then he's in for a world of hurt once Natsu gets a hold of him," Ur said with a small smile.
"Mother Natsu is no match for-."
"As he was before whatever mission the Council sent him on I'd say the same but today he looks more like Gildarts, and everyone knows his reputation in battle."
"He did have a strange look in his eyes but are you sure having a different outlook towards battle will be enough?"
"Honestly I don't think that there's much Natsu couldn't do right now, he's getting angrier and angrier the longer this goes on and he seems to derive his power from his emotions."
"Well I hope he can defeat Hades because if not we will all die soon."
"What do you mean?"
"The reason why Hades is here on Tenrou, we didn't come just to attack Fairy Tail you know. We came … for Lord Zeref."
"The Black Wizard Zeref what are you talking about he's been dead for centuries," Ur asked confused as soft laughter could be heard behind them.
"If only such a thing were possible," a man with black hair and clothes said as he slowly walked out from the tree line.
"Is he another member of Grimoire Heart Ultear?"
"No … this man is … but he can't be!"
"I've been observing the battles on this island for some time now and it makes me rather sad. I came to this island centuries ago to be away from others so I wouldn't hurt them, of course Fairy Tail comes here once a year but that was fine it was nice to watch the way they worked together and overcame hurdles with each other. But now a full war has broken out all for my sake, it really does make me quite angry."
"Lord Zeref," Ultear whispered as Ur looked at the man in shock.
"You can't be Zeref he's been dead for centuries!"
"How does one kill the unkillable, should you find an answer to that please find me, due to my magic I am unable to age or die. Anything and everything I touch withers and dies so I came here to find some form of peace."
"But what about the keys you left, keys that would bring about your revival what do they do," Ultear asked as Zeref sighed.
"The keys were made more as a way to show me the way of the world I suppose, should any be foolish enough to gather the keys they will indeed bring me back but not from the dead but back into the modern world. Should the keys be gathered it would only prove humanity is still set about ruin and destruction something which I'd hoped could be cast off with the passage of time."
"So what are you going to do now," Ur asked slightly shaken as a portal appeared next to her and Eliza walked through.
"He'll do nothing here this day Ur, his time in the annals of history has not yet arrived once more."
"Ah the ever vigilant gods of the Plane of Terminus, it has been quite some time since one of your kind has graced me with your presence Old God."
"You know why I'm here Zeref the set path must not be tampered with; Time flows predetermined as it always has you will not interfere in the affairs of the mortals."
"You know fighting me will only lead to a stalemate Eliza Goddess of War, neither of us can die."
"You would still defy Creation and Destruction's edict just to suit your own purposes even after 700 years of time to think on the matter, you already went too far binding beings from the pits of the Underworld to those blasted books! Magic like that does not belong in this realm!"
"Does it frighten you Eliza, the thought that I managed to gain Godhood as a mere mortal while still maintaining full control over myself? The God Ankhseram no longer exists and all that remains is I, while I do curse my own fate of retaining the immortality it presents new pathways that I may take in order to create a better world for humanity."
"This realm is not yours to mould in any way Zeref, the edicts of Creation and Destruction must be upheld in all realms without exception! Interfering with fixed points in time like you were is something we will not allow you to begin doing again, likewise researching ways to allow the Devils back into the mortal realms is another thing we won't allow!"
"It must frustrate you all to be unable to stop me, that your Gods of Creation and Destruction can't simply just come here themselves and erase me on the spot."
"We are not afraid of you Zeref however the mortal realms must remain in balance lest they collapse in on each other," another voice said as another portal opened and a man wearing golden robes stepped out alongside a woman wearing robes similar to Zeref's except they shimmered.
"Ah so you can enter our realm as I thought, tell me as God's of Creation and Destruction does it not benefit you with what I do in the realms?"
"As one of Five Gods of Creation it is my sworn duty to uphold the balance of existence within all mortal realms, however unlike my counterpart you destroy for reasons that are not for the benefit of the realms and your actions already caused many realms to collapse with your meddling!"
"Indeed as a Goddess of Destruction it is my sworn duty to uphold the erasure of all things within the realms; whilst you may operate with the same power we do you use it for selfish human desires. To allow you such freedom would be to condemn all of existence itself!"
Eliza summoned a portal behind Zeref as the Gods of Creation and Destruction quickly forced him through before she closed it. Looking over at Ultear and Ur who seemed completely shocked she sighed.
"I'm sorry but you cannot keep the knowledge of these events," she said as she wiped their minds up to the moment they met Zeref. "It won't be a permanent solution but it's the best we can do for now, his own dealings with the Devils may prove to our advantage one day but for now all we can do is prevent him from attempting to interfere in mortal affairs."
Opening a portal back to Terminus Eliza took one last look at Earthland before leaving.
Hope you all enjoyed it and I'll see you in the next one.