I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

The Next Level

High atop the tallest mountain in the reigion a battle was taking place, a battle that hasn't been seen since the early days of magic. This battle was not really a battle between two mages rather a battle between two opposing ideologies, two different primal powers that have existed since Earthland had first begun the long and bloody tale of war.

On one side was Natsu who was currently being controlled by his alter ego E.N.D which was the greatest Demon Zeref ever created one that at full power possessed the power to rival Gods and Devils.

On the other side was Famine one of the four Harbingers of the Final Apocalypse and servant to the Dragon King Achnologia, a being whose power defied all reason and simply consumed all in its path.

The two were locked in vicious combat against one another with E.N.D still learning about his powers due to him never using them before.

"Wow I can shift these black scales that's so cool," E.N.D said before blocking a sword strike from Famine with his wings.

"You dare act like a child during combat with one of the Four-!"

"Yeah yeah I heard you the first time didn't give a shit then either," E.N.D replied with a smirk as his arms shifted into blades. "Alright now THAT'S what I'm talking about!"

E.N.D charged Famine and the two began to clash with Famine's black blade meeting E.N.D's strange arm ones, the two flew around the mountain several times trading lightning fast blows neither being able to gain an edge.

"Demonic Dragon's Black Flame Impalement Spear!"

Surrounding his arms with black flames E.N.D charged forward and morphed them into spears intending to impale Famine into the cliffside behind him.

"Foolish Demon, Harbinger's Rite: Sickly Cross Shield!"

The large buster sword morphed into a massive shield and upon impact the force from E.N.D's blow sent Famine flying into the cliff however he avoided the impalement.

"Demonic Dragon's Black Flame Pellets!"

Before the dust had cleared E.N.D had begun to pepper the impact zone with massive balls of fire which appeared to do little as moments later Famine emerged once more with his buster sword slung over his armoured shoulder.

"Demon scum like you can only struggle until the end reaches you, die in the name of Achnologia!"

"Well that's not very nice haven't even been out for an hour and you already want me dead," E.N.D pouted before flashing a toothy grin and the two reengaged each other crossing blades once more.

"Perhaps a quick death would be too merciful maybe a nice slow death as your body slowly succumbs to all the diseases known to your kind will be far more fitting!"

"Nah I'll pass," E.N.D said with the same grin as he managed to land a slash to the helmet of Famine scratching it in the process. "Either your getting slower or I'm getting faster either way this fight will end with your death Famine!"

"Fool I cannot die I will merely return to Achnologia!"

"Yeah and he's pretty high up on my shit list and so is Zeref for that matter!"

The two continued to trade blows as the summit of the mountain became covered in slash marks, E.N.D could only grin at the situation which he chalked up to being his inner Demon relishing the combat.

Meanwhile inside Natsu's mindscape Natsu and Igneel had reached the black tower and were currently standing outside two large black steel doors with a magic barrier in front of it.

"So what's this supposed to be?"

"Well Natsu you know how E.N.D is a part of you yet you never once made contact with him?"

"Until you summoned me here directly yeah what about it?"

"Well basically behind these doors you will be able to gain access to his power for yourself, E.N.D is strong and at full power could stand against a God assuming that the right conditions are met but combined with all the power you have accumulated and my own that will one day be yours and you could stand a chance against that bastard Achnologia."

"Wait so he's that strong!"

"Well he's easily at the level of the Gods but I assure you that there are many Gods stronger than he is, they refuse to interfere in order to prevent something like them being consumed and his power being bolstered by them. Really it is quite understandable however it isn't a long term solution."

"I see … so behind this door is E.N.D in his true form."

"Indeed and don't fear being attacked or anything E.N.D told me that he's one and the same in there as he is out here, walk in there and unlock access to your power."

"So how do I open it?"

"Channel some of your magic into it and that should unlock the seal."

"Ah ok… by the way who locked it up in the first place?"

"Zeref did from what I've been told I didn't even realize E.N.D was here until I sealed myself into you."

"You still owe me an explanation about that later you know!"

"Yes all will be explained don't worry about it but for now hurry up and open that door E.N.D is strong as he is now but won't be able to hold his own without all his power available to him."

Natsu nodded and began channelling his magic into the seal and it shimmered and then burst into black flames.

"Well that was … interesting."

The flames slowly died out and the doors swung open to a pitch black room, Natsu sighed and made his way inside with the doors swinging shut leaving the room pitch black.

"Huh that's weird my flames don't light up the room," Natsu said as he ignited his hand but couldn't see the results.

"Well it's about time you got here Natsu this guy is being a pain in the ass he won't shut up about being Achnologia's boyfriend or some shit!"

"Heh looks like we'll have to fix that now won't we, so where are you?"

"Can't you see me?"

"It's pitch black I can't even see my own fire in here."

"Well basically I'm all around you the darkness around you it's all me, see I don't have a real form my existence is based off yours so this is what I really am."

"So you are the dark half of myself."

"Pretty much but one thing you should keep in mind that the dark isn't necessarily evil just as the light isn't necessarily good, time and again all beings prove this so don't think that I'm necessarily evil."

"So what exactly are you then?"

"Well you know how there are people who are what you would call white knights that follow the rules to the letter … and you know how you don't like people like that?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I'm that little voice in the back of your head that tells you to go a little further that's me, basically I'm the rogue aspect of your character though if Zeref had his way I could have just become a murderous monster."

"Hmm well I kind of get it so what you are basically saying is that you are the darker part of my personality not some crazy alter ego?"

"Yeah that'll do for now but never mind any of that now because we've got bigger problems right now, all right we've got to get down to business ok you'll be the one taking over the fight from me since only you can use the power effectively."

"All right so how does this work?"

"Firstly you need to begin eating the dark in here like how you would eat your element."

Natsu began eating the pitch black around him and suddenly felt a burst of power.

"Bwlergh wghat ish thish shtuff," Natsu said with his mouth full as he continued to eat.

"In order to become whole once more you need to consume the power and make it your own, once that is complete then the power will be yours."

By the end of E.N.D's explaination Natsu had already lost consciousness but was consuming the pitch black as a bright light began to shine at the top of the tower.

"So it is done … let us see if you are ready to handle such power Natsu …"

Inside the tower light began to appear as the darkness vanished into the bottomless pit that was Natsu's stomach until it was all gone, Natsu's body fell limp in the now lit room for a few moments before suddenly bursting back to life with all of his elements circling him with black magic containing it all near his body.

Slowly Natsu opened his eyes and looked around the room he was in and couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Is that … me?"

On the wall was a child no older than two in the arms of a black haired beautiful young woman, next to her was a boy no older than ten with black hair with a small smile on his face. Behind the group was a man that looked similar to Natsu however his hair was styled much differently, Natsu felt tears run down his face as the more he looked around the room the more photos he saw each of different settings and scenarios but all of the same four people.

"Were they … my human family?"

"Yes Natsu they were … this tower was pitch black for two reasons the primary being me being sealed away here. But the second reason is because this is where all your memories of your life before dying were sealed away by Zeref he knew any sign of love would ruin me the moment he created me so he locked the memories away. However I was too smart and found them for you see without them you wouldn't be the person you are today just an emotionless husk or a mindless killing machine."

"So you saved me from that life … gave us a chance to live a life of happiness over one of destruction."

"Yes and no … Natsu take a closer look at the black haired boy and tell me who he reminds you of … and I mean really think about it."

Natsu nodded and looked at the boy for a solid minute and then a thought struck him but he dismissed it as foolish.

"But it's not."

"No way you can't be serious!"

"Dead serious Natsu."

"But that's impossible that's-!"

"You being alive right now speaking to me should be impossible too yet here we are and its all thanks to one simple word … Zeref."

Natsu recoiled in shock as he dropped to his knees. "I remember … I remember everything! The attack on the village by Achnologia, Zeref holding me in his arms, my … resurrection, all of it!"

"So do you understand what it all means?"

"That … Zeref is …. Zeref is my … brother," Natsu said before tearing up slightly.

"Yes that is the harsh truth Natsu now let's take a trip down memory lane since we don't want this to bite us later, our father and mother were simple people neither of them were humans of any particular import the same could be said of us and Zeref but then one fatefull day …"

"The Dragon War …"

"Yes the Dragon War came to our home, thousands of humans and Dragons battling for who deserved the right to dwell in Earthland as free beings neither side giving an inch since the humans were backed by many Dragons as well Igneel being among them."

"I think I remember some of it … the war it-it brought destruction…"

"That it did but there were many big names who fought in the war who wanted peace, Eliza the newly appointed Goddess of War, Achnologia the first Dragon Slayer, Benoldt Dreyar the first man to ever kill a Dragon without the use of Dragon Slaying Magic, Xicor God of Dragonkind, Irene Belserion a commander in the human resistance and first female Dragon Slayer and countless others."

"Hold on wait a minute you said like four people who I actually know but let's start with the biggest one, ACHNOLOGIA IS A DRAGON SLAYER!"

"Yeah he was the first, the prototype I suppose you could call him. A man who was taken captive by the Dragon Supremacist side during the early stages of the war Achnologia was being tortured for information regarding the whereabouts of the hidden human colonies. One night several Dragons defected and freed Achnologia and somewhere along the way a deal was struck one that would change Earthland and by extension the outer realms forever."

"He was trained as a Dragon Slayer," Natsu said as E.N.D hummed in response.

"The man poured his being into mastering the art that would allow him to exact vengeance upon the species that wronged him so, after his first Dragon kill Achnologia reveled in his victory and thought himself all powerful so he slew all his teacher and stole the lacrima within them for himself. Really the Dragons should have known better since he was damaged goods from the start however at the time they needed someone who was willing to go all the way to prove to the humans that this way would work."

"And it lead to their destruction."

"Yes Achnologia made good on his word and began slaughtering countless Dragons and consuming their souls for his own bolstering his strength, he probably could have been stopped had the Dragons realized that the man was a legitimate threat but that didn't occur until it was too late. For many decades the Dragons number dwindled until they were driven across the ocean to the continent now known as Ishgar which lead to the fateful day."

"Where … they died … I died."

"Achnologia was on the hunt for Dragons by this point his senses were as sharp as one and he could track them just as well as a real Dragon, he finally caught up to them right where our village was and a bloody battle was fought where every last Dragon that fled was devoured … but that isn't how they died … how we died."

Natsu was shocked to hear that he assumed that they were just killed by a stray attack or something but to survive through an event of such a magnitude seemed impossible.

"After consuming the last soul Achnologia let out a primal roar and his skin began to peel and harden creating scales, his teeth began to grow sharper and more jagged and his body began to grow becoming far too much to bare forcing him on all fours in addition to growing a tail. The man had become what he hated most … a Dragon. Enraged that such a thing could happen to him the man now turned Dragon let out another deafening roar and released the first of what would become many city sized breath attacks right down on the village that bore the bodies of the Dragons he killed … and us."

"So we were … utterly helpless he just slaughtered our whole defenceless village!"

"Unfortunately yes but the sad tale doesn't even come close to ending there, your brother Zeref was far out in the woods on a hunt when the attack happened. Now Zeref always had his Black Magic however it was nothing like it is now but even so he used it to teleport to the village to find it destroyed. Making his way to where his home was he found you … hidden inside a stone basement you had survived the blast but been crushed by the very stones that shielded you leading you to die a slow painful death."

"My god …."

"When Zeref found you too much time had passed and you could not be saved however he vowed to bring you back no matter the cost and swore to devote his life to it. Now as you know Zeref has taken the soul of Ankhseram and become a God himself but this event is what pushed him to do such a thing since back then the Gods walked freely on the Earth without fear of reprimand."

"Yeah Eliza told me as much."

"I don't know exactly what happened but Zeref must have found Ankhseram or his soul and consumed it, conquered its will and used its dark powers to resurrect us only something went wrong. Everywhere he went Achnologia would either destroy and raze leading Zeref to become angered by his actions. In response to this he created us a being that is on the level of a God that would be able to combat Achnologia and vanquish him from the world."

"Wait but I thought E.N.D was meant to kill Zeref … and if Zeref was only doing noble stuff why would the Gods be mad at him?"

"I'm getting to those points Natsu so just listen, Zeref was in the final stages of preparing our resurrection when several Dragons appeared before him. Igneel the Fire Dragon King, Grandina the Sky Dragon Queen, Metalicana the King of Metals, Weisslogia the King of Holy Light and Skiardrum the King of Darkness and Shadow. These five Dragons knew of Zeref and what he was doing and asked him for a favour."

"A favour … what would they need from Zeref?"

"The five Dragons were a part of a small group of Dragons that had managed to survive Achnologia's murderous rampage across the planet, Zeref was a mortal turned God who had in his possession powers that stem from the Old Gods themselves. They had a plan to kill Achnologia however it required all Dragons to disappear off of the face of Earthland for a long time however they knew such a feat was impossible if Achnologia lived since he could always sense a Dragon's physical presence no matter how far."

"So what did they ask for?"

"The Dragons asked for two things, the first thing they asked is that Zeref build a device known as the Eclipse Gate, a Gate that allows travel between the past and the future. Zeref agreed to construct such a device but asked what the second request was since it most likely tied to the first. The second request was that the Dragons be sealed within a group of children on July 7th and be sent 777 years into the future."

"Hold on wait … so you're telling me that all the First Generation Slayers are from 777+ years ago?"

"Yes that's exactly what I'm saying, Zeref agreed and construction began on the Eclipse Gate since time could not be wasted, during this time Zeref got to know Igneel a great deal and had come to respect him. Looking down at the currently deceased Natsu he thought of a plan, since he already wanted to use us to kill Achnologia he requested that Igneel be sealed within us and make us a part of the plan."

"Well it makes sense I guess they both wanted the same thing so why not make a super weapon."

"Well that's what they thought until you were actually revived, E.N.D powers currently dormant you had little to no fighting potential and no memory of your previous life so Igneel became your father figure and you know the rest except that the night Igneel disappeared was actually the night Zeref sealed him into you and the six of you were taken through the Eclipse Gate by him and left in the exact locations you were previously if it could be helped."

"Wow … that was some story … so we were meant to kill Achnologia and not Zeref?"

"Yes but I can see how it could be misinterpreted since Zeref is a widely hated person, use of the Eclipse Gate drove him mad you see coupled with his immortality he became a walking nutjob making demons and being a downright nuisance in any time period. After a few thousand years he seemed to have gotten bored of being insane and became a King instead or should I say Emperor of the Alvarez Empire."

"I feel like I should be surprised but I'm not at this point."

"Yes Zeref has a goal but no one knows what it is I assume it has something to do with killing Achnologia but conquering the world doesn't seem to make sense, either way he's done bad things and needs to be stopped all the same."

"Yeah you're right he's done a lot of good but those Demons he's made have killed countless amounts of innocent people."

"All right that's enough memory lane for now I've managed to hold back Famine for a good while now so now the rest is up to you."

"Oh crap I totally forgot you were fighting him this whole time I'm so sorry!"

"Its fine these details needed to be explained, besides with this power you should be able to beat someone like Famine easy once you figure out what you're doing."

"You are gonna help me with this right … right?"

"Well I don't know everything about the form I'm just the accumulation of your emotions and memories given form, you are the real Natsu Dragneel or should I say Etherious Natsu Dragneel you figure it out"

"Gee thanks for the help."

"Oh and remember watch out for Irene Belserion she's still watching the fight remember probably thinks that we're totally under Zeref's control again you could probably use that against her if she tries anything."

"Cool I'll remember that thanks."

"All right now I've gotta go I shouldn't even be in charge of your body period so that's made me really tired gonna take five ok ask Igneel for help if you need it he'll get the flood of memories once you return to your body."

"Alright have a good nap … and thanks!"

E.N.D grunted and Natsu closed his eyes the world going black once more.

/Outside The Mindscape Natsu's POV/

Famine stood over a collapsed and unconscious E.N.D with his sword pointed at the body.

"You were strong to fight this long but Achnologia's will be done!"

Famine went to cleave Natsu's head off when a black scale covered hand grabbed the blade holding it in place.

"Hey … you'd better watch out that thing could hurt someone."

"What … impossible you had to use considerable force to block one of my strikes before!"

"Yeah well … rules don't apply when I'm around pal," Natsu said as he got up off the ground and cleared some distance.

Natsu's hair began to change, the black in his hair remained however there were salmon coloured streaks through it same with the scales signifying the merge.

"I still owe you for strangling the life out of me before I'm gonna enjoy kicking your ass!"

"So … this is the true form of E.N.D," Famine said as Natsu grinned.

"I can feel the power flowing through me like a never ending well, this reminds me of when Eliza and I merged together I can hear, see and feel everything around me its almost intoxicating!"

Natsu's magical pressure began to crack the ground around him as Famine unconsciously took a step back.

"This is impossible E.N.D was fabled to be powerful but this … this is unreal!"

"I know I'm still inexperience with this new form but either way I've got enough of an idea to kick your ass!"

"You may have gained considerable power but it still pales in comparison to Lord Achnologia's for he holds the might of a thousand Dragons!"

"Makes no difference because he's a living thing like everyone else and can die just the same, now let's give this power a spin!"

"Harbinger's Rite: Famine Induction Fist!"

"Elemental Dragon's Triple Etherious Demolition Fist!"

The two attacks made contact and the first thing famine noticed was Natsu's hand generating black fire, lightning and a third element which seemed to be affecting the gravity around his hand. Natsu's attack won the clash and Famine was sent flying into the cliff.

Unfortunately for him he was hit with such force that he went through the cliff and came out the other side sending him flying down the other side of the mountain, Natsu grinned as he took flight and chased after the falling Famine.

"Curse you Demon how did you raise your strength to such a degree you were nothing before!"

"That was because I was incomplete, two halves separated have reunited which means power I didn't know I had has been restored to me," Natsu replied as Famine manage to stop himself from falling and hovered in the air.

"You may be stronger but the power of Achnologia-!"

"Is his not yours you are nothing but a pawn who holds but a fraction of the power he does yet boasts as if the power is his own, a pathetic imitation who will never hold a candle to the real deal."

"You will die where you stand!"

"But we're in the air," Natsu said with a cheeky grin as Famine charged at him with his buster sword once again intent on killing him.

Natsu easily dodged the attacks as if they were childs play and even began pondering how his friends were doing when Famine sent a blast of green flames at him.

"Didn't you learn your lesson from earlier this crap won't work on me, Elemental Dragon's Triple Etherious Wing Attack!"

Natsu seemed to disappear and reappear in front of Famine who could only grunt in pain as Natsu hit him full force with his attack sending him flying into the mountainside creating a large crater.

"Elemental Dragon's Triple Etherious Sword Horn!"

Natsu couldn't help but snicker internally since he actually had horns now to go along with the attack as he hit Famine right in the chest cracking the mountain causing it to shift and crush Famine underneath its weight.

"Damn bastard shouldn't have choked me," Natsu said with a small sigh when he noticed Famine crawl out from under the base of the mountain.

Hovering down to his level he noticed Famine was disappearing in green flames.

"Well you weren't very impressive," Natsu said with a grin.

"It does not matter … I have served my purpose … he comes … his hunger unending, unyielding, undying…"

Natsu raised an eyebrow at this statement but allowed Famine to continue."

"The end … begun … his will … be done … Achnologia …. has all but won … the children they run … for him all but fun … Achnologia's will … all but done …"

Famine faded away leaving the corpse of Felix who seemed long since dead as Natsu sighed not really knowing how he should look at the man for the moment.

"Well now that was rather impressive I'd heard E.N.D was powerful but this …. simply marvellous!"

"What do you want Irene?"

"Zeref wants you to return its time you rejoined your master for his final plan."

"No."

"I wasn't under the impression you got a choice in the matter you are E.N.D one of Zeref's creations you live to serve him correct?"

"That may be the abominations but not me I'm Natsu Dragneel, I may also be E.N.D however I'm different from those things!"

"Well from a power standpoint I can agree on that."

"I'm not like them Irene and never will be, I have a life I will lead without the directions of some Fasle God!"

"You should be very careful how you address him you know."

"Why would I be he's not gonna do anything so what's it matter, now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go save my friends."

"I don't think so you see I was told to bring you back and that is exactly what I plan on doing."

Natsu sighed and with a single swipe of his black flame covered claw he swiped the air just above Irene and she began to scream in pain, slowly her human body faded and a Dragon seemed to appear from nowhere.

"How did you know of this hideous form!"

"Well first off its not hideous so don't sell yourself short, second I've always smelt that scent on you but it was only a few minutes ago I managed to figure it out. Now I'm going to offer you a deal and trust me you'll want to take it you will cease hostilities with me and my friends and fly us back to the border of Fiore or else I will never dispel the magic I've placed on you keeping you in your Dragon form."

"I could just have Zeref fix it later why would I-."

Suddenly an ear piercing roar could be heard all across Scarlione which made Irene widen her eyes in fright.

"Oh weren't you listening to what Famine was saying as he disappeared he was saying that his job was done since Achnologia is on his way, now I don't know about you but I'd want to be pretty well hidden if I was a Dragon and the being that slaughters and eats them for fun was running around the area."

Irene couldn't believe it this man had managed to completely turn the tables on her with little effort.

"Fine get on my back but I'll be paying you back for this later for now let's get away from that thing!"

"I'm sure you know where my friends are so let's get going," Natsu said with a toothy grin as he left his Etherious form and returned to how he used to look. "Oh and no mentioning that either."

It didn't take long for the two to pick up Gildarts, Solomon and Brandish who had long since stopped their fight the moment Achnologia roared, The three were surprised at the weird truce but neither side complained since surviving the monster that was on its way took priority.

The group then found Erza and Wendy who were bolting towards the rebel base, shocked and confused the two quickly got on Irene's back once they heard Achnologia was on the way.

After half a days flying the group landed at the border to Fiore and Natsu kept his promise albeit with his usual cheek and the two groups departed ways but not before Irene declared that she would enjoy torturing Natsu herself.

"So this is where we part my friends," Solomon said as he looked out over the Scarlione/Fiore border.

"You gonna go back and tell Illy about all this?"

"Of course Natsu she deserves to know that Felix is at rest even if he was corrupted and changed into whatever that being you told us was."

"How exactly did you beat that thing anyway you never said," Gildarts commented as Natsu shrugged.

"Oh just a lot of trial and error nothing fancy."

"Nothing fancy with you usually means something big went down but we'll save it until we get back," Erza said with a sigh.

"Hang on a minute aren't we forgetting someone," Natsu said when he suddenly felt a fist hit him over the head.

"You bastards you were all about to leave me behind I could've been badly hurt or worse you're all lucky that mother took me back to Terminus," Elise huffed as Natsu rolled around on the ground.

"Then why are you only hitting me!"

"Because bailing was your idea idiot!"

"That's not fair everyone else agreed!"

"You're on your own Natsu," Gildarts said as he began to walk away.

"Sorry Natsu Gildarts is right," Erza said as Wendy quickly followed behind not wanting to get hit over the head.

"You guys all suck you know that," Natsu shouted as he and Elise chased after the others as they began the long trek back to the guild with many new tales to tell over a cold drink when they arrived.

Really clichéd ending but I kind of liked it. Anyway that is the end of the Scarlione Arc so I guess I'll clear some stuff up now before anyone comments on it.

Firstly the exact ramifications of this arc will be felt later on down the line the characters such as Queen Illyandra, Solomon etc are coming back so don't think I just flat out left em to die they will have some tales to tell when the time comes.

Yes Natsu got a massive increase in power by gaining his E.N.D power though he has almost no real idea what he can actually do with it so only time will tell …

Elise also got a fat power boost through the God's Aura which is something only the Gods themselves have I suppose you can look at that as a similar thing to God ki from Dragon Ball Super but less trash since it will be explored and explained in depth as I go.

Erza and Wendy didn't do much this arc well there is a reason for that and it was simply to show that they still have a long way to go to reach Natsu and Elise's level, Wendy will begin making some real progress soon and I'm really looking forward to it.

The introduction of several concepts such as the Four Heralds of Achnologia yes the idea is from the Four Horsemen but he is the Dragon of the Apocalypse so it does work. They won't be 100% the same as the horsemen though as seen by Famine.

Spriggan shakeup since Dimaria is a Demon now and no longer a member of the Spriggan 12.

The concept of artificial Demons vs the real deal and how Zeref's Demons actually stack up.

Some backstory of Achnologia and Zeref always nice.

And obviously the introduction of E.N.D's powers which could literally be anything since we never got to see them in the manga so I'm gonna try not to go crazy though saying it puts him on a level near the Gods at full power is pretty brutal.

Just want to say thanks to those who waited god knows how long for the last three chapters I've been terribly sick and had finals and all sorts of annoying stuff so even looking at a computer was like my head exploding so I thank all of you for your patience more chapters should come out the same time as this one so enjoy those and I'll see you all in the next one!