I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

The Power Of Time

/Draconia/

"Are you sure that you aren't busy I mean you do control all of time that has to be a lot of work?"

"Not really like I said earlier I'm usually a perfectionist but Zeref has gone and ruined that by opening the Eclipse Gate."

Natsu shrugged and decided to just accept the Goddess' help as the Dragons returned.

"Where the hell have you been Natsu we've been looking all over for you and … oh."

Gaia promptly shut up as he had a closer look at the person next to Natsu and all the Dragons collectively took a step back.

"You know I should send you all back right now just looking at you hurts my head."

"We apologize maam but we just want to know if our deaths will mean something, we want to know if Achnologia can truly be defeated," Zirconis said as Felicity sighed.

"By using the Milky Way I assume?"

"Yes we've found it and were going to take Natsu there but he was gone."

"Fine let's go so that we can get this over with and Natsu can take you all down so that we can fix this mess, the longer you are all here the more problems you create back home for me."

The Dragons quickly nodded as Natsu and Felicity hopped onto Levia and the Dragons took flight and began to head towards the tallest mountain.

"This mountain was home to the Sky Dragons I hope I don't have to explain the reason why they lived here," Levia said as Natsu shook his head.

Quickly reaching the plateau Natsu and Felicity hopped off Levia and began to look around; the place had been hit but not anywhere near as much as the other places.

"The Sky Dragons came down to the battle rather than let Achnologia and the Harbingers come to them, the only reason there is damage is from stray magic."

"So where is this spell I'm looking for," Natsu asked as Zirconis motioned towards the temple like building in front of him.

"Go in there and you'll find it, feel free to take whatever else you find in there it's not like any of it is ours anyway."

Natsu nodded as he and Felicity walked inside the building and Natsu ignited his body for light.

"You know that's a really amusing use of your powers I'm sure Xicor finds it groundbreaking …"

"Ha ha aren't you a funny one," Natsu replied as he looked at all the strange stuff lining the walls.

"Dragon artefacts, and ancient texts, can you read the language of the Dragons?"

"Of course I can Igneel beat that into me years back otherwise I wasn't allowed to learn the Fire Dragon Slaying Magic."

"Well then that makes the search much easier what does that say?"

"It doesn't really say much relevant stuff although it does mention that the King and Queen's chamber is that way," Natsu said as he pointed to the right. "I'd say that would be a good place to start."

Walking down the hall Natsu couldn't help but smirk at the vanity these Dragons had, countless statues of them lined the halls and even the floor had carvings of Dragons in it.

Reaching a large door Natsu and Felicity pushed it open and inside was a well lit room with countless stone tablets and a large spiral staircase in the right hand corner.

"I'm going to assume that heading upstairs is a good idea none of these seem very important," Natsu said as the two ran over to the stairs and began the rather long climb to the top.

Ten minutes later the two reached the top and came across what Natsu assumed to be the room that held the tablet they were searching for, a large tablet stood in the centre of the room and Natsu began to read it.

"This is … the Sky Dragon Slayer Tablet … you could learn the art from this!"

"There isn't time for that Natsu perhaps someday in the future if you are truly interested you can return but right now there is only one thing you need."

"Yeah I know the Milky Way now let's see …ah here it is."

As Natsu was reading the entire tablet so did Igneel who filed its information away for later, once Natsu was finished he walked back over to Felicity.

"Alright I've got the spell now we can go."

"Before we do Natsu I need to talk to you … about the Dragons. I know you think they aren't that bad but you must kill all of them for if you don't there will be consequences, if you do not kill them soon and get back to destroy the Eclipse Gate then there will be far worse consequences. You know what I'll just show you."

"Wait you don't mean-!"

Felicity's eyes glowed golden as her clock like Iris's began to turn at a rapid rate and the numbers that flowed through her hair began to flow faster, Natsu felt himself pulled from where he was standing and they were now in a sort of vortex he couldn't explain if he tried.

After several minutes she stopped and the two stood on top of a hill overlooking Crocus.

"This is what happens if you do not kill the five and return to destroy the gate before tomorrow night."

Natsu looked down at the carnage in utter shock, countless Dragons had come through the gate and had already laid waste to Crocus itself and were now spreading to destroy the surrounding villages and towns.

Natsu averted his gaze but unfortunately he met one that looked right at him, Zeref's.

"You shouldn't be here Natsu … not this version of you anyway."

"Enough Zeref I am only showing him the consequences of his actions we are not here to stop you," Felicity said as Zeref smiled.

"As you say Goddess of Time it is your domain after all to do with as you see fit."

Felicity took Natsu back in time to where they had previously had been and he stood there blinking for a few moments trying to comprehend what he just saw.

"You get used to it if you do it frequently Natsu just sit for a few minutes and think."

Natsu nodded and rubbed his temples before sitting down and leaning against a wall, after a few minutes Natsu sighed and stood up.

"So that wasn't the actual future was it more like a possible future?"

"Oh it was very much the real future Natsu all possible futures are 100% real which one becomes the legitimate one isn't ever truly decided unless time travel didn't exist."

"I see … it seems I don't have much time then," Natsu said as he walked outside with Felicity to meet the Dragons.

"So did you find it?"

"Yes I found it now what do I do?"

"Just use the spell and think of Igneel."

Natsu sighed and nodded before making his way to the centre of the plateau and held his arms out to his sides.

"Dragon Slayers Secret Art: Milky Way!"

Natsu dropped to his knees as his eyes began to glow red and a projection of Igneel appeared before the gathered Dragons and Goddess.

"What do you all want I'm pretty damn busy in here!"

"Fire Dragon King Igneel we want to know a few things like if you actually succeeded in finding a way to destroy Achnologia," Yamizou said formally as Igneel let out a low growl.

"Are you all really that stupid YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT IT THE ENTIRE TIME! Natsu is the final plan who will succeed in destroying Achnologia but he is far from ready, his powers must be carefully merged so that he does not go insane like the bastard did otherwise we'll be in even more trouble."

"Are you referring to his E.N.D power and the Dragon Seed?"

"Yes that is exactly what I am referring to, normally the two wouldn't be possible but with my power I am slowly changing the seed to be compatible with his E.N.D power which conveniently is also a seed. By the end of all this the first Demonic Dragon may be born and the final hope against Achnologia will be unleashed but there are still others who have yet to play their parts."

"Lord Xicor has said the time is not yet right however it comes soon Igneel in fact he said that your duty is coming to an end."

"Yes the process is nearly complete and from there it'll be a matter of beginning the merger process which doesn't really need any of us present, but that's all I'll say on the matter is that clear!"

"So then our deaths aren't for nothing there is still hope after all … thank you Lord Igneel," Levia said as Igneel nodded and disappeared and Natsu collapsed unconscious.

"Shit we have to fight the kid still … he's our only saviour but Igneel said that his power isn't complete yet what do we do!"

"Did Zeref's orders specify that you all had to fight him at once?"

The Dragons all looked at each other before looking back to the Goddess and shaking their heads.

"It's not that he even ordered anything it's more of a drive implanted into our minds, the minute combat starts we'll be hard pressed to hold back."

"Ah I see … very well then I'll try to limit the drive you all feel within to all fight as one that way Natsu-."

Felicity's eyes turned to Gaia who's throat had been slit as blood poured out of the Dragon who staggered back, covered in the blood was Natsu who had blood red eyes and a sinister grin.

"This … doesn't seem good."

"What the hell he was knocked out a moment ago!"

"Yes Natsu was knocked out that is true but there isn't time for rest not when Fiore could be destroyed while he sleeps, I've had a good nap now and I'm pretty keen to test out this new power source Natsu picked up I'm sure he won't mind hehe."

"What the hell are you!"

"That's E.N.D I actually forgot he was a separate entity right now but this actually works in our favour since he won't hold back … you know what needs to be done right?"

"Yes maam slaughter these guys then you take this body back to Fiore and I get Natsu up from his well earned rest, by the way don't jump through time while I'm sleeping its like getting dropped from a skyscraper while you're sleeping and waking up about half way!"

Felicity just smiled as E.N.D became surrounded in black flames and black scales began to form on him.

"Haven't fought your kind before this ought to be fun!"

At those words E.N.D took flight with his demonic wings finally formed and the remaining four Dragons in pursuit.

"Even if you are as strong as they say don't take us lightly," Zirconis roared as both he and Yamizou came in from opposite sides attempting to slash E.N.D who blocked both strikes with his claws.

"Don't play with fire or you'll get burned I'm sure you've heard that one … but what about playing with fire with razor sharp things in them I'm sure that even a Dragon would have a tough time surviving as you're about to find out!"

Cloaked in flame the claws that were holding back the two strikes increased their grip on the Dragons and with the Dragon Slaying Magic behind them pierced the scales as the Dragons tried to recoil in pain only for E.N.D to hold them in place.

"Ah ah where do you two think you're going I have a lesson to teach," he said with a toothy grin as he raked the claws up both the Dragons claws slicing them open before turning and spinning around the claws extending and slashing both their faces.

Zirconis and Yamizou backed off as Levia and Scissor Runner came in, Levia released a breath attack which E.N.D dodged and began firing small black flame bombs at them.

"He does have Atlas Flames' power at his disposal now," Levia grunted as the barrage of flames only increased until Scissor Runner roared in pain.

E.N.D had latched onto his head and Scissor Runner was trying to get him off however E.N.D had used his claws to hook onto the Dragon who was now clawing his own head in an attempt to get him off.

"Hellfire Dragon's Etherious Roar!"

Releasing the breath attack point blank on Scissor Runner's head the Dragon was actually knocked out of the sky and sent hurdling to the ground as E.N.D turned his sights on Levia.

"Now for you Levia what to do what to do …"

Levia didn't give him a chance however opting to instead attack first bringing a claw down which E.N.D blocked with ease.

"The others weren't able to get through what makes you think that you will?"

Looking down E.N.D realized that Zirconis and Yamizou had combined their breath attacks and the powerful attack was now heading straight towards him.

"Ah I see not bad at all …"

Moving away at the last second E.N.D was engulfed by the overwhelmingly powerful breath attack.

"Shit we killed him didn't we!"

When the smoke cleared there was E.N.D smiling away even as he missed half his torso and his legs.

"I was designed to fight Achnologia do you really think that'll stop me?"

The Dragons looked on in shock as his body began regenerating, within seconds Levia's throat had been slit and the Dragon fell down to the earth below.

"You Dragons let your guard down way too easily you know that right?"

Zirconis, Scissor Runner and Yamizou rushed E.N.D who just grinned away as the three Dragons began to try and slash, bite or use their breath attacks on the rapidly dodging demon.

"To be honest it's probably this easy because of how big I am compared to you, I can move much faster than you can and you can't possibly keep up. You are used to fighting opponents of your size and the ones that aren't usually aren't able to penetrate your scales … this will be useful information for the future."

"Just hurry up and kill us already you can't afford to screw around!"

"Ah of course let the slaughter continue and all that," E.N.D said with a grin as he took a swipe at Yamizou's face and took a good chunk out of it.

From down on the plateau Felicity looked on with an indifferent expression as she surveyed the battle, once Natsu finally merged with E.N.D they truly could have a shot at destroying Achnologia if this show of strength was anything to go by.

"He needs to hurry this up or else Zeref will open the gate again …"

As if hearing Felicity's words E.N.D ducked under a swipe from Scissor Runner and quickly slit his throat down the middle ending the Dragon leaving only two.

"You're almost done don't let up now!"

"I had no intention Zirconis … would you like to be next?"

Zirconis just roared as both he and Yamizou rushed E.N.D and the battle continued, blocking a strike E.N.D scrunched up into a ball and hundreds of tendrils shot out in all directions piercing both of their bodies.

"Curse Of Dragon: 100 Flame Tendrils!"

The black flames burst to life on all the tendrils as the Dragons struggled to break free since they were basically impaled onto them.

"Just accept death it's easier that way …"

Zirconis was about to roar but felt his body spasm and he went limp alongside Yamizou, after a few seconds their bodies crumbled to dust and faded away signalling they went back to their own timelines.

Satisfied with his work E.N.D flew back over to Felicity who was accelerating time on a flower so it died then reversing it, coughing to get her attention the Time Goddess nodded seeing that the Dragons had been sent back to their own timelines.

"Right we need to head through this portal and once we do you need to wake Natsu up alright?"

"Yeah yeah I know the drill," E.N.D sighed as Felicity opened a portal and the two were sucked inside.

/Natsu's Mindscape/

"Alright why the hell am I in here again," Natsu asked confused as he looked around his mindscape.

"You fell unconscious after using the Milky Way spell … by the way E.N.D just killed the five Dragons for you."

"So he finally awoke huh so does he know where we have to go?"

"Yes the Time Goddess just opened a portal and we are currently travelling through it, once we arrive you'll have to retake control."

"So what do I do until then?"

"How am I supposed to know if it weren't for him you wouldn't even be here!"

"Maybe you could explain a bit more about my powers or something like that next stage of my training?"

"That … isn't my decision Natsu it belongs to Xicor since he was the one who started the mess with Achnologia and all Dragon Slayers."

"Oh … well then how about telling me a bit about the other Dragons saved alongside you?"

Igneel looked at him in shock as he lowered his head to Natus's level.

"How do you know of them?"

"I saw it when I touched Dragon Cry I saw you and all the other Dragon Slayer's Dragons in addition Lykyria and Xicor were there as well as a Forest Dragon and an Ocean Dragon or something."

"Damn they'll be pissed someone knows where they are … but yes they survived the Dragon War and like Lykyria they live a life of seclusion only really speaking to Xicor when he talks to them."

"And …?"

"And what, did you think I was just going to tell you their life stories Natsu they are in seclusion because they want to be forgotten! They escaped one hell and would rather die than be dragged into another I'm surprised Lykyria even agreed to teach you anything at all!"

"Well aren't you just a ray of sunshine huh, fine I'll ask Xicor about it later. Well what do I do with Dragon Cry I don't think using it is a very good idea considering its history and all that?"

"Give it to Xicor he'll know what to do though you'll have to wait until the appropriate time he is rather busy even though most of our race is gone."

Natsu nodded in agreement, to him the staff felt unnatural and he didn't want it with him any longer than necessary.

"Well it looks like your just about there brat now get going."

"Wait a minute I still have questions for you!"

"And they are questions I will not answer … now go!"

Natsu's world suddenly went black before his eyes shot open and he was flying around in that portal Felicity made earlier.

"Ah so you're back Natsu."

"Yeah … where are we going to end up?"

"That's … a good question actually," Felicity said with a smile as Natsu's face went blank.

"So you have no idea where in Fiore we'll end up?"

"Uh yeah pretty much it actually took me six tries to find you; I've never had to use the portals before so it's all new to me."

"I feel like Eliza is doing this on purpose," Natsu sighed as the duo fell out of the wormhole and landed on some soft dirt.

Natsu groaned as he slowly dusted himself off and looked around; his head was spinning as he tried to make out a large structure in the distance.

"Well we landed off the coast so I suppose that isn't too bad."

"I could list several reasons why it's bad but I won't since I'm not dead, any idea which way Crocus is from here?"

"Uh let me have a look," Felicity said as she ascended into the sky and began to look around before coming back down.

"I can see it in the distance but we have a slight problem."

"And what's that?"

"Look up and turn around."

Natsu sighed and did as he was told and when he did his body froze.

"Not them I don't have time for them right now!"

Above Natsu and Felicity was a large Cube floating through the sky, said cube was home to the Tartaros guild which Natsu has fought on several occasions.

"We might want to start running," Felicity said as the two took off at impossible speeds in the opposite direction to the cube.

After running for several miles the two stopped and looked back to see the cube hadn't moved an inch, Natsu sighed in relief before shaking his head.

"Let's just get to Crocus already I don't wanna fight anyone else today I'm tired enough as it is …"

"I agree now isn't the time to deal with them, now then come along Natsu we don't have a lot of time to make it to Crocus and the sun is setting."

Natsu sighed and nodded as the two began running towards the massive capital in the distance.

/Crocus/

Order had finally been restored to the capital and some of the damage had been fixed, more work needed to be done but for the most part things were looking up. The mages from all the guilds weren't allowed to leave because the Eclipse Gate could reactivate at any time which only caused trouble.

So what was the Council and the King's solution to this problem, naturally throw a party for every guild that was present during the fight against the Dragons, Fairy Tail was obviously there since they could never resist a good party however everyone could tell their hearts weren't in it.

Erza sighed as she prodded a slice of cake in front of her, thoughts of Natsu being out there right now fighting five fully grown ferocious Dragons dominated her thoughts. Everyone had tried their best to assure her that Natsu would be fine but after a few weeks could one really remain optimistic.

Eliza was no help either and kept saying that Natsu was alive but she never said where because it wasn't her place to say, this only served to anger Erza who just wanted him home safe.

"He might have become more mature than even the Master but he's still a reckless idiot," Erza sighed as she slowly took a bite of the cake.

Many of the other guests at the party who knew Natsu on a personal level were also concerned one of them being Kagura Mikazuchi who despite her very cool, calm and collected personality was out for blood because her 'sister' Erza was falling into a state of depression.

Yes the two got along quite well with one another however she knew that Natsu was Erza's pillar of strength and with him gone the unstoppable force that was Erza simply crumbled to dust, one would normally call this weakness but Kagura knew better since she was very much the same with her family so she understood the pain Erza was going through.

"I'm sure he'll be back any day now Erza he was able to fight the number one Wizard Saint and kill a Dragon if anyone stands a chance it's him."

"But why does it always have to be him he's always getting into these life or death situations one day he might not make it back!"

"Actually Erza I'd say he has a very good chance of making it back," Makarov said as he took a seat on the table. "Natsu normally holds back so he doesn't hurt anyone but I know that when it comes down to it he will do whatever he needs to in order to protect us all and return with that same smile we all know and love."

"How can you be so sure Master even you couldn't harm one?"

"I am sure because I have faith in Natsu's abilities Erza and I know that if he gets serious he will succeed."

'Being the strongest Demon ever created also counts,' Makarov said to himself as Erza sighed and returned to her cake.

"Uh you know how you were wondering about when Natsu would get back," Elise said as she came running over to the table Erza was at.

"Yeh what about it?"

"I think that's him over there," Elise said as she pointed to a massive flame that was growing in size just beyond Crocus lighting up the night like a miniature sun.

Erza was at the window in seconds along with almost everyone as the flames suddenly shot towards the palace and turned into a flaming arrow.

"WHAT IS HE DOING," Erza shrieked as she bolted outside with the entire party following behind.

/A Few Minutes Earlier – Natsu's POV/

"So we're here and there's no Zeref and no Dragons attacking so I guess we did good, guess all I have to do now is head on over to that Eclipse Gate and destroy it."

"You'll need a considerable amount of force behind you in order to do it but that's ok I have a plan."

"Alright what is it," Natsu asked already suspicious as the Time Goddess smiled.

"Simple you will build up enough magical power around yourself and I'm going to fire you at the gate!"

Natsu blinked several times before shaking his head.

"Hold on … you're going to … shoot ME at the gate?"

"Yes," Felicity replied not seeing the issue.

"Yeah you see I don't see how that's safe or even remotely necessary so please enlighten me as to why I should do that?"

"Well … you don't have a choice."

Natsu was about to protest when he found himself being lifted into the air and a strange elastic force pulling him backwards.

'Oh for crying out loud FINE if I'm gonna die it's gonna look cool at least!'

Natsu began gathering all his power and it quickly manifested around him like a sun and began expanding outward with him as the centre, his thoughts quickly realized exactly what this would do and he realized this might actually work.

"Wait if I punch it with this much force it'll shatter it for sure!"

"Well I tried to tell you that but you didn't do anything but complain, anyway this is where we part but it was nice meeting you in person Natsu let's do this again sometime!"

Natsu gave Felicity a grin and a thumbs up as he was suddenly fired from whatever force Felicity was using to hold him, after a few moments he adjusted himself so that he could punch whatever it was that was in front of him as the flames became an arrow that shone brighter than the sun.

"Suppose this attack needs a name or something … hmm ah I know! Hellfire Dragon Monarch's Destabilizing Nova Arrow!"

Natsu's speed continued to increase and before he knew it he'd crossed the city and smashed into the Eclipse Gate piercing right through it. Natsu's momentum was halted however the attack continued on through the palace and out the other side before ending up piercing through the surrounding mountains and disappearing in the distance.

"HAH IT ACTUALLY WORKED!"

Natsu sighed as he slowly got up and admired his handiwork, the Eclipse Gate was split in half right down the middle and crumbling away since the Dark Magic holding it together was broken.

Natsu spent the next minute admiring his handiwork before several shouts came at him from the distance, Natsu's grin widened as he saw all of his friends there staring at him in shock.

"Hey guys look I destroyed the gate!"

Makarov was the first to reach him and looked at the crumbling gate in a mixture of shock and awe.

"That you did my boy and you return to us without being gravely injured despite fighting all those Dragons I couldn't be prouder."

Natsu was then tackled to the ground by Erza who began to punch him in the face repeatedly.

"You absolute idiot do you have any idea how worried I've been about you these last few weeks what the hell were you thinking running off to go fight Dragons!"

Natsu just let her vent since he knew he put her through her own hell, what surprised the gathered crowd however was that despite Erza hitting Natsu the way she was he wasn't taking any noticeable damage.

After Erza deemed his punishment suitable she helped him up and drew him into a teary hug.

"You need a bath."

"Yeah I know … I'm sorry Erza."

"Stop trying to shoulder the world's problems Natsu you don't have to go it alone."

Natsu nodded however his eyes locked onto Makarov's and the two nodded in agreement that he'd really done what was best for everyone, after a few minutes Erza broke the hug and looked at the destroyed gate.

"Well I see you destroyed the gate."

"Yeah did you like my attack Erza?"

"It was most impressive but …" Erza then hit Natsu over the head again this time his head hit the ground making a small crater. "WHY THE HELL DID YOU LIGHT HALF OF CROCUS ON FIRE IN THE PROCESS AND DAMAGE THE PALACE!"

At Erza's declaration Makarov paled before beginning to cry.

"MY MONEY!"

Natsu was struggling to stand up since that hit was at least 20x harder than before however his eyes met the King and he gulped.

"Natsu Dragneel!"

"Aye sir," Natsu said quickly as he bowed before the King.

The Princess giggled at the pinkette before tapping him on the shoulder to which he looked confused, looking up he saw the King was now bowing before him.

"Thank you for saving Fiore from such a grave threat Natsu when no one else could the city being on fire is but a small price to pay for that infernal gate finally being destroyed!"

Natsu was in shock and didn't really know what to do with the situation when the King stood up once again.

"That being said we should all probably go and help with putting out the fires down there, again Natsu thank you on behalf of all the innocents of Fiore."

After everything Natsu had been through and his fatigue and internal injuries finally catching up Natsu did the one thing he could do, grinning he gave the King a smile and a thumbs up before promptly passing out.

Yes and this concludes the arc I know you all waited like a million years so I hope it was good enough.

Anyway I'll see you all in the next one!