Hi everyone Azza here.

So yeah I'm back with four chapters ... I'm sorry don't kill me I've been pretty sick and had finals on top of it. So basically things are going to ramp up from here and the Scarlione Arc is concluded so please enjoy.

Also I think I put something similar in one of the other chapters but I was doing that when I was sick so yeah if you don't read my reasoning for late chapter uploads and other stuff it'll be there ... wherever that is.

Anyway I hope you all enjoy!

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

War Ravaged Lands

Natsu was snoozing comfortably for the first time in many days; he'd just gotten back from speaking with Erza and decided a little R&R was in order. His sleep was interrupted when he was suddenly hit in the face by his bedroom door and a furious Illyandra stormed in.

"You little bastard how could you dare suggest such a thing Felix is deep in enemy territory you'll be killed for sure I won't allow you to go no matter what," Illyandra screeched as she continued to beat him over the head with the door.

"Oi Felix is unfinished business, business that you should have dealt with years ago! I know damn well that Gildarts explained to you why we're doing it now and you won't change anyone's mind by having one of your little hissy fits," Natsu shouted as he shattered the door with his Crash Magic.

"You little bastard how dare you speak to me that way when you don't have the strength to back it up you aren't going to deal with Felix and that's final!"

"The hell we aren't gonna go he's half the reason we came here only to find out that in the seven years we were gone you did absolutely nothing to try and get him back, don't use Alvarez as an excuse either you could've gotten him back years ago yourself you just didn't want to!"

"That's not-!"

"No you don't get to argue on this one Illy Felix has suffered enough the poor bastard for all we know could be chattering away to himself in some cave eating himself to survive and even if he's not he's suffering from a madness none of us could even hope to comprehend!"

"I just … don't want you two to die, not again."

"We won't die Illy we're stronger now than we were years ago especially me, we're gonna find Felix and deal with him alright," Natsu said in a softer tone.

"And then you plan on leaving …."

"Look you know the reasoning is sound if you couldn't beat this August guy then neither could Gildarts or me, returning to Fiore and training for the coming battles is the only way to assure a win."

"You know deep down I know that what your saying is true but I just can't accept it, you know of my relation to this country and you know I cannot leave."

"I know Illy but there are thousands dying by the day in a war Scarlione simply cannot win, Alvarez seem to have nearly endless amounts of forces to just throw at the army and then there is the Spriggan 12 who are walking armies in their own right. I can't risk my friends for this no matter the history between us especially when victory isn't possible."

"I … understand Natsu and I'm glad you and Gildarts spoke to me about it instead of just disappearing again, if you really do plan on going to see Felix then you'll be taking Solomon with you as a guide as well as all your friends."

"Gildarts and I weren't gonna take them but if you aren't giving me a choice then that's fine just know that we won't be coming back here."

"I understand now go you have your final mission I'll have your friends and Solomon waiting out the front for you once you're ready."

Natsu nodded as Illyandra left leaving him to his thoughts, sighing he went and splashed some cold water on his face before leaving the room and making his way to the exit of the base.

Once he was outside the group silently left knowing full well where they were going and that none of them would be returning, turning around Natsu saw the Queen standing on the mountain looking down at them and he shed a single tear before moving on.

It had been several hours since the group had left the base and they were currently crossing through marshland, Natsu had Wendy on his shoulders as the group waded through the muck and carefully avoided the creatures inhabiting the area.

"You know if it's any consolation Natsu I fully agree with what you are doing," Solomon said as Natsu looked at him confused. "Illyandra has lost sight of the truth and it only worsens with each passing day, she was once known to be a wise ruler always knowing the limits of everything however she is blind to the limits of her people and their will to fight."

"Ah now I understand but you know as well as I do that she can't not fight Alvarez from the moment they set foot in Scarlione she knew they could not be trusted with this land and its secrets."

"True but what she doesn't know is that the secrets she fights to protect are already destroyed and buried along with the castle."

"Wait what how does she not know this!"

"She refuses to listen Natsu it's why I agree with you leaving, over and over I've tried to tell her that the vault was destroyed from the inside and that the legacy is dead but she refuses to listen stating that it isn't possible. You've seen her current level of power Natsu she's nothing like all those years ago the death of her daughter and the destruction of the vault have weakened her considerably."

"Um excuse me but what exactly was in this vault," Wendy asked as Natsu looked to Solomon who nodded.

"There isn't much point keeping it a secret if it's been destroyed but inside the vault was a tree and from that tree is where the Queen and her daughter came from, the source of her power and he claim as rightful ruler of these lands."

"It was known as the Scarlian Elder Glade and it was the oldest tree in the kingdom, from that tree came every last ruler of the Scarlione Empire right down to Illyandra and her daughter. The tree creates a ruler when there isn't one and a backup for when that one dies."

"So what happened to the tree then?"

"Your guess is as good as mine however I'd wager that Alvarez were behind it since that tree has roots to every corner of the kingdom."

"I had my suspicions that something had happened to the tree so she's running off her own power right now?"

"That's correct Natsu but she's holding out hope that the tree is still there and can be salvaged, personally I think it's been destroyed along with the palace and a large portion of the capital. We said that August walked right on in and took the place but its more complicated than that he wasn't exactly holding back and many died that day."

"There's no use crying about it now if the tree is gone then it only reinforces our decision right Natsu," Gildarts said as the group reached the edge of the marshland. "So which way do we go now?"

"See those mountains in the distance Felix is supposedly holed up at the top with a small army of bandits at his disposal."

"What's he need bandits for," Natsu asked as the group started making their way towards the mountain.

"I suppose they are his 'loyal subjects' that he allows to live in order to serve him," Solomon sighed as Natsu and Gildarts frowned.

"What do you mean by that is he that insane that he believes he's a ruler of a kingdom or something," Elise asked as Solomon shook his head.

"No I'm afraid its much worse than that you see when we say he's insane there's a very specific reason for it, peering into Achnologia's mind allowed him to view the Dragon's life in a brief moment however it came with a heavy price."

"To put it simply when his mind saw Achnologia's in that instant his own memories and personality were suppressed and in its place rose Achnologia the Dragon King in human form, I'm not sure of the specifics because I've never seen anything like it before but he seems to be under the impression that he's Achnologia and has somehow become human and is now seeking revenge on those who turned him into a human."

"The mind of a telepath is a sensitive one as evidenced by Felix's condition we aren't even sure if he's able to be cured our hope is that it will one day recede deep into his mind though seven years on and it's clear that hasn't happened yet," Solomon sighed.

"So if he's beyond help then why not confine him somewhere," Erza asked as Solomon shook his head.

"We did however he escaped thanks to his memories of Achnologia, Natsu I know I should have mentioned this earlier but he can use Dragon Slaying Magic or would it be more correct to say Dragon Magic if he believes he's a Dragon?"

"Do you know which element he's using?"

"We only know that it's destructive in nature though it didn't look like Achnologia's magic so we'll just have to find out."

"Destructive Dragon Slaying Magic that could be just about anything though at least now I know what to expect," Natsu sighed as he let Wendy down off his shoulders. "Pretty much all Dragon Slaying Magic is deadly even if it's something simple so you'd all better be on guard."

"Hey Natsu look we're coming up on a city," Elise said as Natsu was shaken from his pondering thoughts.

"What happened here ….," Natsu said as they looked across the ruined city.

"This city stretches for miles and yet there isn't anything but death and destruction why would Alvarez do such a thing," Erza said under her breath as Natsu shook his head.

"They only need one reason and that's their precious Emperor's orders if he wanted this place gone then it was doomed."

"This is Lanstar City home of the Scarlione High Command, ah that is Former High Command I should say. When Alvarez first invaded they laid siege to this city for five days until it finally fell, the people were taken prisoner and anything of use was stolen while the city itself was to stand as a reminder of the might of Alvarez," Solomon said as the group nodded.

"You can tell there was an important battle there but there is something I don't understand why just leave the city it does sit in a strategic location surrounded by marshland and mountains I'm genuinely surprised that Alvarez were able to take this place," Elise noted as Solomon nodded.

"To be honest Alvarez just threw forces at us continuously until the city fell there was no reprieve just constant fighting for five days straight until they wore our defences down to nothing, Alvarez are almost fanatical to their Emperor it's quite disturbing."

"We should avoid this place there could be any number of traps or wild creatures in there," Natsu sighed.

"You'll notice as we continue on most towns and cities from here on are all like this each either razed to the ground entirely or captured by Alvarez and its people used as slaves, to be honest I don't think even a quarter of the people taken are alive today they are most likely dead due to the cruel experiments of Alvarez."

Everyone remained silent as they continued to walk along the road past the town and they soon entered a nearby forest which stretched to the foot of the mountain they were seeking.

"Lanstar Forest home of some of the more bizarre forest critters you'll find in Scarlione," Solomon said as Elise looked at him confused.

"Does it beat a squirrel that had teeth that could slice through steel like butter?"

"Oh that's right I forgot about the Dark Flan you lot killed earlier my apologies but rest assured that the creatures here are all natural, ah look there's one now."

Everyone stopped to look at what Solomon was pointing at and most of them just stared at it wide eyed while Natsu chuckled to himself.

"The Dual Senche Tiger so this is where they come from."

"Yes quite an oddity even more so when you realize that they aren't carnivores rather one head is carnivorous while the other is a herbivore, such a creature is rather fascinating don't you all agree?"

"Um excuse me but why is one head carnivorous and the other a herbivore," Wendy asked curiously as the tiger looked at them before returning to the plant it was eating.

"Well that is a question that researchers have been trying to find out for awhile but from what has been discovered the Dual Senche has two brains and they are always fighting for dominance. The carnivore half is more in line with a regular tiger and will always surface when the Dual Senche is in danger or starving to death, the other half normally surfaces if there isn't an immediate concern for food or there isn't any considerable danger."

"So really only one head is in control at any given time right," asked Erza as she looked at the Senche with amusement.

"Yes we don't know what would happen if one of its heads were to be damaged or what would happen if one was born with a disability since Scarlione frowns on abusing animals regardless of the circumstances."

The group just nodded as they continued to make their way through the forest until the ground began to shake.

"Everyone just stand still for a moment," Solomon said as a hole the size of a house appeared in front of them and a large mole emerged.

"Whoa that's huge," Elise said in shock as Solomon nodded.

"Ah the Excavator Mole quite an interesting species they prefer isolation and can pick up even the slightest vibration for miles, basically it detected us before we even entered the forest."

"Is it going to try and eat us," Elise asked as Solomon shook his head.

"No this particular mole is a herbivore though there is a bigger variant called the Royal Excavator Mole that is carnivorous, no this one just came to see what we are doing here."

The mole looked down at the group and sniffed them a few times before diving back into its hole and tunnelling away.

"You know those moles have tunnels all over the region and are usually responsible for a lot of pitfalls."

"Hey Gildarts you remember when you fell into one of those pitfalls," Natsu said with a grin before being hit over the head.

"Shut up we'd only just gotten here and had no idea what to expect!"

"You guys should've seen his face he was all like ahh save me I'm being eaten by the ground!"

Gildarts just grumbled as the group had a laugh at his expense before moving on once again.

"So Solomon is there anything that's actually dangerous in this forest," Elise asked as Solomon nodded.

"Almost anything here could be dangerous if it wanted to be but the carnivores are by far the most deadly hopefully we don't run into any."

"I don't smell anything near us so we should be in the clear," Natsu said as they continued to make their way through the forest.

After several hours of wandering the group reached a small clearing, deciding that this would be the safest spot they made camp for the night with Natsu and Elise going into the woods to hunt for food.

"So do you have any idea what is edible in these woods?"

"Anything can be edible as long as you think it is Elise I mean we could've eaten that flan we killed the other day though the taste wouldn't have been very good."

"That's gross Natsu no way I'd ever eat something like that I'd rather starve!"

"You say that now but one day you'll understand that sometimes you have to do stuff that appears appalling to you even eating a flan."

"You sound like mother I swear you two are so old."

"Heh well technically I am older than you now," Natsu said with an amused look before sniffing the air. "Alright I smell something up ahead so get ready."

Elise nodded as the two began to sneak over to a nearby glade; she was shocked when she saw a deer that had lightning coursing between its antlers.

"Well now what have we got here a Bolt Stag, Elise can you create a bow or something these things are literally lightning quick?"

Elise nodded and used her magic to create a bow with several arrows; drawing back on the bow she let loose a volley of arrows. To her surprise the stag looked right at them and several bolts of lightning struck them.

"Yeah I figured that'd happen," Natsu sighed as the stag disappeared in a bolt of lightning. "They seem to be able to manipulate lightning similar to the way Laxus does though I doubt that they would be able to replicate it in combat, oh well guess we should find something else."

The two continued to stroll through the woods for awhile until Natsu's nose once again picked up a scent.

"Ok there are several scents up ahead let's see if we can't bag whatever they are."

Sneaking through the woods they came across three rather large chickens.

"Giant … chickens …. seriously?"

"Hmm never seen these before and I've never heard mention of them, giant chickens seem rather tame for a forest that contains things like element manipulators and two headed tigers."

As the duo looked at the chickens with confusion they realized that there was a faint aura around them.

"What do you suppose that is?"

"No idea maybe that is what's making them so big though why it would be doing that over literally anything else is beyond me, guess we should have a look."

The two made their way over to the overly large chickens and were surprised to find that the chickens were the least surprising thing there.

"Natsu … tell me you see this too right?"

"Yeah the tree … it's upside down, why the hell is it upside down and how is it remaining in the air like that?"

"Look Natsu there's weird stuff all over here it's not just the trees and those chickens there are all kinds of things out of place!"

"This doesn't look real; things are all over the place. Big things are small and small things are big, down is up and left is somewhere in between this doesn't make sense."

"Hmm it seems the spell still has its flaws back to the drawing board I suppose," a voice said as the two stopped in their tracks. "Tell me are introductions really in order?"

A woman with long red hair and a large staff walked out from the woods and the two looked at her in shock.

"Elise … go back to the others now."

"But Natsu-."

"Just go she's not on your level," Natsu said cutting her off.

"You might want to listen to Natsu here young God Slayer besides I think your friends will need all the help they can get."

"What have you done Irene?"

Elise felt dread fall upon her at the mention of the mages name as a bead of sweat rolled down her brow.

"Oh I haven't done anything the one acting is my subordinate who your little God Slayer friend failed to finish off."

"Elise just go I'll be fine leave Irene to me."

"Natsu there's no way you can take her on alone!"

"You forget Elise the rest of the Tenrou Team might have fallen behind but I haven't I had the seven years of growth that you all missed out on, to be honest I'm many times stronger than Hades was now so have a little faith and get going."

"But Natsu-."

A large explosion could be heard in the distance as Natsu and Elise turned towards the direction of the explosion.

"Go on Elise they'll need your help."

Elise looked back at Natsu and nodded slowly before taking off towards the direction of the explosion.

"Well now that the extras are out of the way the fun can begin hmm?"

"Why do you smell like Erza," Natsu asked bluntly as Irene raised an eyebrow.

"You can smell my true scent well I suppose that's to be expected from someone like you, to put it simply I'm the mother of that girl."

"I figured that but why did you abandon her she's been through so much trauma at a young age."

"Tell me Natsu what do you with a tool when it has no further use, you abandon it. Erza was nothing but a means to the end that failed and once that happened I had no further use for her, to be quite honest I couldn't care less if I was related to her or not."

"A means to an end you say …. That wouldn't have anything to do with that Dragon scent on you would it?"

Irene's eyes narrowed at Natsu who simply glared back at her. "Perhaps but my reasons are my own, besides I'm not here to simply chat about my life I have an objective here."

"Oh and what would that be?"

"Why don't we find out together Natsu hmm, let's go on a little trip together just you and I?"

"And leave my friends and Erza behind I don't think so."

"Now you see that's the best part about people like you always believing that they have a say in the matter," Irene said with a smile as she tapped her staff on the ground once and Natsu's world went black.

It was for only a moment but when light returned Natsu was in an entirely different location, looking around he could see explosions in a forest in the distance and realized where he was.

"She moved me to the mountains … why?"

"You were looking for Felix weren't you, that was the goal of your little journey right?"

"And just how do you know that!"

"I know many things Natsu and I also know about what happened all those years ago with the Dragon King Achnologia and your party from Scarlione, all the blood you spilt, live you took and homes you razed in the name of Scarlione. Secrets that you have strived to keep from those who were like family to you, those who you cherish more than life itself."

"Where the hell are you come out and fight me you bitch!"

"But what would happen if they discovered your little secret, would they still accept you or turn you away …. kill you for your crimes or lock you away from the world? Would they still see you as the light of Fairy Tail if they knew of the children you killed, the villagers you rounded up and executed, would they ever believe that you were justified in your actions?"

"Shut up you know nothing of my life … I was a knight of Scarlione and I did what was necessary to drive Alvarez back!"

"The slaughter of defenceless men women and children and razing their villages to the ground was necessary, would they believe such a thing?"

"You made them into weapons you strapped kids with lacrima bombs how could we not kill them they'd have died either way!"

"But that's the thing Natsu you didn't just do it from a sense of duty to Scarlione did you, you slaughtered those innocents because you wanted to didn't you?"

"No I would never willingly do that!"

"But you did many times the first being at the tender age of 15, look at them Natsu all the people who you've slaughtered mercilessly!"

Phantoms of villagers with various wounds and burns began to emerge from all around Natsu as he tried to get away only to be pinned in place.

"You are not a hero, you are not a saviour and you are not a man, you are a monster, murderer, conquerer and tyrant and Scarlione was your … beginning of the E.N.D!"

Suddenly everything stopped and Natsu was able to move again, the phantoms dissipated and he dropped to his knees panting.

"I'm not a monster I did what I had to do just as Gildarts said, they would have died anyway there was nothing that could have been done!"

"Just like how you did nothing for me Natsu?"

Natsu looked up and there was Felix though his appearance wasn't that of a regular man, his hair was replaced with green flames and his eyes were bright green to match. He had several holes that went right through his body and many swords sticking out of his back.

"F-Felix … what the hell happened to you!"

"Nothing … well that's a lie I suppose you lot abandoned me so I suppose that might be a thing, now please by all means continue wallowing in your denial and stupidity its rather delicious to watch!"

"They were right you've gone insane … mad."

"MAD I'LL TELL YOU WHAT'S MAD, the price of a new coat nowhere has them for a decent price."

"Felix …"

"We're all mad Natsu I've just ascended to the next level, you were once mighty Natsu a madman who had the potential to reign like no other ruler had before but then you went back to Fiore and became … that it's so bleagh!"

"Felix it was a war we all did things that we weren't proud of … don't you remember?"

"Remember oh I remember plenty I was proud of like that time you ordered the execution of a village because they could have been aiding the enemy MY GOD THAT WAS GLORIOUS THE SHEER GENIUS OF THE IDEA, DON'T HAVE 100% CONFIDENCE JUST OFF WITH THEIR HEADS A BRILLIANT IDEA!"

"No Felix it wasn't a brilliant idea it was a horrible decision that I wish I never made."

"Of course you'd say that why wouldn't you say that you aren't anything but a simple minded simpleton from simplington! You Natsu Dragneel were once a force to be reckoned with but now you aren't even fit to be leader of a bunch of children!"

"Why am I even trying to debate with you you're insane after all I won't be able to get anywhere?"

"Insane is just another word for enlightened Natsu and that's what Achnologia did for me, his ultimate gift and Lady Irene only further bolstered it and look at me now I could rule the world!"

"You look like a walking corpse; you've had people damage your mind beyond repair so the best thing for you would be a quick death."

"You just don't understand Natsu Lady Irene can help you put you back on the right path to being the best you can be, what you should have been!"

"I'd rather die than become whatever you are I don't even think your human anymore; you look more like a monster than me."

"Well that's because I am a monster Natsu one that was brought about because all of you were too weak to save me so for that I thank you, now you have one choice Natsu and that is submit to the good Lady's will!"

"Fuck off Felix I'm in a pretty bad mood and your only making it worse!"

"I said you had one choice Natsu after all with Lady Irene even death isn't an option, so prepare for your enlightenment!"

The flames on Felix began to rage and cover his body, Natsu looked on in surprise as the sound of screams echoed around him.

"Look at it Natsu … gaze upon the glorious gift Achnologia has bestowed upon me that Lady Irene helped me master! Revere me for I … am … APOCALYPSE INCARNATE!"

The entire area burst into green and black flames with the screams increasing in pitch, Natsu could only look on in shock as the Felix he knew transformed.

"Do you see now Natsu all you ever have done or will do is for naught, you are not a hero, saviour or champion just a failure who runs from his past to hide from his true self," Irene's voice boomed as Felix's transformation concluded.

"What on Earthland …"

"From life comes pain, sadness, anger and sorrow, death too is but a window to another round of suffering for time immemorial! Natsu Dragneel you are among the living and are to be judged, as Harbinger of the Apocalypse I find you guilty, the punishment is conversion!"

"Do you wonder what Felix has become Natsu, the man is no more for he is now an agent of Achnologia. Peering into a mind such as his caused much more than madness it branded him and from that brand he became the Herald of Achnologia Harbinger of the Apocalypse."

Looking at the Harbinger's new appearance all Natsu could see was charred black armor with green coursing through it like veins, flames burned viciously from where his eyes should have been and from his shoulders and gauntlets. The man was a knight of darkness one that Natsu could feel Achnologia's power emanating from.

"You stand no chance Natsu … well almost no chance, give in and become who you were meant to really be or else you will meet your end here," Irene said as Natsu shook his head.

"I'm Natsu Dragneel mage of Fairy Tail nobody else!"

"Prepare for conversion Natsu Dragneel you too will serve Lord Achnologia!"

"Go back to hell you monster," Natsu roared as he charged the Harbinger with determination in his eyes.

"That look … it offends the chaos … it will be extinguished," the Harbinger said as he easily countered Natsu's initial punch and sent him flying into the mountainside.

"Dammit that really hurt!"

"You feel pain … you feel frustration … you feel anger, these feelings will be eliminated once the conversion is complete."

"Sorry but I don't plan on becoming a mindless drone today, Fire Dragon King's Destabilizing Roar!"

Natsu hit the Harbinger directly with the attack and he was engulfed by the flames, to Natsu's shock however the Harbinger's flame covered gauntlet emerged and grabbed him by the throat lifting him into the air.

"Resistance is futile … he will not be denied … Lord Achnologia's will be done, submit and bow before the true King."

"Only King I respect is my dad Igneel the rest can go to hell," Natsu said as the grip on his throat tightened.

"His will be done … the apocalypse begun … the world … undone!"

'The world undone what the hell's that even mean?"

"This is it Natsu your last chance embrace your true self or everything you care for will be consumed by darkness," Irene said as Natsu's vision began to fade due to the lack of oxygen.

"I don't …. Erza …. Sorry but … this is it for me," Natsu sighed as his eyes closed and everything went black.

Or at least he thought when he suddenly appeared in a strange mountainous region full of lava, fire and volcanoes.

"Is this hell?"

"God you're hopeless I can't believe you got taken out that easy."

Natsu turned around and saw a being that looked exactly like him but it possessed some more demon like traits, black scaled wings and black scaled claws instead of hands, razor sharp teeth and black hair with red eyes and scaled talons instead of regular feet.

"You … who are you?"

"I think the better question is who are you," the figure responded as Natsu looked at him confused.

"Stop screwing around with him we don't have time for this," a familiar voice boomed as Natsu's eyes widened in shock.

"It can't be," Natsu said as he turned around and standing directly behind him was the King of the Fire Dragons himself. "Igneel!"

Hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one.