I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
The Fall Of Tartaros
/? – Natsu's POV/
Natsu emerged in a random field on Earthland rubbing his jaw where Eliza had punched him.
"I might have gained power to put me on her level but I have to admit that fucking hurt … still hopefully she comes to realize that Elise doesn't need strong people around her when she herself is strong."
Sighing Natsu began to look around at where he was, it was a relatively plain looking area with a small pond, walking over to the pond Natsu gazed at his reflection. His gaze was drawn to his permanently crimson eyes which defined him now as part of the higher order like the Gods and Devils though his in particular were crimson for another reason.
"A sign of things to come … how much blood must be shed before this world knows peace."
"Do you truly believe peace will ever be obtained when there is always someone who harbours negative emotions towards another Natsu? From the most basic urges to kill, rape and steal to more refined ones like torture and torment you cannot deny mortal beings from all walks of life are bound by such things."
"I'm no fool Igneel I understand that true peace will never be achievable however peace from such madness as consuming all things and turning the entire world into your playground using the powers of a Hybrid is something fair to wish for I would think."
"You have changed Natsu … I cannot say I blame you either, The Darkness is a being that disrupts the balance of one's mind and even I could not stave off his effects. To be honest though I like the more reserved version of you, understanding now that you cannot always be there for your friends is the first step on allowing you to move on from the deaths of the ones that have already plagued your mind for far too long."
"I know … letting go of my views on this is hard but it must be done, if what The Darkness said was true I won't be around for much longer so they'll need to be strong enough to shoulder the world that I give to them."
"I suppose now I can't call you a brat … it takes a special kind of being to accept that their time is coming and to make preparations for it, you know even up until we fought The Darkness for the first time I still didn't see you as mature enough since you kept thinking that you could steamroll through every obstacle and no one would get hurt. But now I look at you and I see a man who has come to terms with the fact that he can't do everything and that one day he might not be there to save the day, to be able to acknowledge ones limits is a sign of growth Natsu and one I couldn't be more proud to see."
"Well now I feel flattered that you would give me such praise I don't think I've heard you speak more than a few words of it in my life …"
"Yeah well it isn't going to become a habit I still am much older and wiser and all around better than you so there is still much to learn!"
"I understand Igneel … I do have a question about the mate mark though?"
"You want to spare Erza from the pain since you know death is coming for you don't you?"
"Yes, to leave her unable to love again after she had someone like me who was never able to treasure her like she should have been would be nothing short of disgraceful. I don't want to condemn Erza to such a life so I want to prepare for when the time comes so that she can live happy."
"I'll see what I can do though it'd help if we could go back to Draconia sometime there is a lot of useful knowledge there I'm sure we'd find something."
"Sounds like a plan then," Natsu said as he pulled a small box the size of his palm from his requip space and looked at it.
"You bought that thing months ago I'm surprised you haven't used it yet …"
"I know there just hasn't been the right time though the way it's going there may never be a time … do you think she'd be mad if I did it just out of nowhere?"
"How should I know I'm not a human?"
"Thanks for the shitty advice … isn't it pathetic that I can fight armies but can't even do this, even now she's out there fighting Mard Geer and I'm here talking to you about my death and this …"
"Now your starting to border on moping Natsu …"
"I know I know time to get on with things … before I go see how the others are doing against Mard Geer I have to check on her …"
Natsu opened up a portal and walked inside vanishing from the field.
/Magnolia/
Natsu walked out of a portal into the infirmary of the Fairy Tail guild, he smiled slightly as a slight cough caught his attention.
"My apologies Porlyusica I know you can't stand troublesome humans … then again I'm sure you've heard the rumour mill already."
"I suppose you are right Natsu … I heard you came to the girls rescues so it means you can't be all bad for a Demon."
"How is she," Natsu asked as his eyes landed on Wendy's unconscious and bandaged form.
"If it was anyone else she'd be dead, what those Demons did to her will leave her bedridden for weeks at the very least however she will recover in time. Her mental state however I cannot say but from what I heard from Makarov she was that scared for your safety that she was hitting a God so I suppose you should take some blame for it."
"The full brunt of the blame rests with me Porlyusica … I was E.N.D and I kept quiet fearing for what others thought of me, although it seems at least in most of the guilds case I was right I should not have been so quick to judge. If I had come forward about what I really am perhaps Wendy could have been spared such torture however dwelling on that fact is futile."
"I assume you are heading out for revenge?"
"I won't lie to you the idea is sorely tempting but no it won't be solely for revenge, Mard Geer and his guild of false Demons have caused more than enough trouble for Earthland. If the others are unable to mete justice then I will do so myself."
"And what will you do then?"
"I don't rightfully know … most of the guild have shown their true colours and I don't want to cause trouble for Makarov so I might look at disappearing for awhile."
"I see … and I take it you haven't informed any of your friends of this yet?"
"No they are currently fighting Mard Geer and the last two remaining Demon Gates, I would have told Wendy but she's clearly not in a fit state to do so. Instead this is all I can do for her could you please give this to her when she is in a healthy enough state of mind to process this," Natsu said as he handed Porlyusica a lacrima crystal. "Tell her to channel her Dragon Slayer Magic into it and she'll know what to do."
Natsu opened up a portal and was about to walk through when he felt Porlyusica's hand on his shoulder.
"For what it's worth Natsu … I'm sorry things ended up this way for you, as childish as you wanting to run off and become stronger for your friends sounds out loud it reminds me of the old days back when Team Makarov was a thing … you might be a Demon but you most definitely have a heart which is more than most of these troublesome humans can say."
"Thank you," Natsu said as he walked through the portal and vanished just as Makarov burst into the room.
"Porlyusica that magic signature felt just like Natsu's was that him!"
Makarov was stunned into silence when Porlyusica turned to face him with a lone tear running down her cheek.
"You humans and you're damned ignorance," she growled as she went and sat by Wendy's side leaving the old man to only wonder what conversation could bring someone like Porlyusica to shed a tear.
'Will your suffering never end Natsu …'
/Unknown Forest/
Gildarts was sitting on a log reading through a newspaper he'd picked up in a town he'd recently passed through and simply couldn't believe what he was reading; the headline itself nearly knocked him out cold when he read it.
Wizard Saint Natsu Dragneel Revealed To Be E.N.D The Strongest Creation Of The Black Wizard Zeref!
Gildarts couldn't tell how many times he'd read the news it just didn't seem logical to him he'd spent over a decade with him and practically raised him so the revelation hit close to home.
"Tell me Gildarts what do you think of it?"
Gildarts sighed as he put the paper down and looked up to see Natsu standing in front of him with the same crimson eyes Eliza had.
"Well is it true?"
"Yes."
"Did you know the whole time that you were E.N.D?"
"No I only found out towards the end of our return to Scarlione that was how I beat the Harbinger of Achnologia and made Irene Belserion give us a lift."
"And in all that time you didn't think to tell anyone?"
"Would you have done the same in my shoes Gildarts, lesson number 37 always conceal your true power to throw the enemy off and strike when they least expect it and rule 45 never reveal information about yourself that you believe would compromise your safety unless absolutely necessary."
"I did teach you that didn't I …"
"Gramps found out about it during the Grand Magic Games when the Dragons invaded so I explained it to him and he was fine with it, so I ask again what do you think?"
"What do you want me to think Natsu you've given me sound reasons why you said nothing, had you informed all of us back in Scarlione an incident could have occurred and it's not like I stuck around or anything so even if you did plan on telling me I wouldn't have been there."
"So you don't want my head like the majority of the guild?"
Gildarts frowned at that statement as he sighed and shook his head.
"Is that really true?"
"Yes only five of them not including gramps or Wendy spoke up in my defence and I'm guessing you know which ones they are."
"I would've thought they'd know better than to act that way perhaps Fairy Tail isn't as family orientated as I thought it was, you know that killing you will become a Century Class Quest by the Magic Council now right?"
"Perhaps but they couldn't kill me even if they wanted to in my fight against God Serena I was holding back because I couldn't use my Demonic power but now I am under no such limitation. In addition my power has grown since then so even without it I am more than a match for the supposed God."
"I don't really know what to say Natsu this isn't really something I have any expertise in …"
"It's fine I just wanted to hear what you thought of me … also I finally understand why you never interfere with our fights and usually adopt that laid back and carefree attitude. Right now Erza, Elise, Laxus, Mira and Gajeel have launched an assault on the Tartaros guild and have defeated all but two Demon Gates and Mard Geer himself. My first thought was to jump in and save the day but then I realized that by doing that not only am I stating I have zero confidence in their abilities but all the work they put in was for nothing."
"You know I remember trying to beat that into your head years ago good to see you actually get it, but remember they are up against Mard Geer."
"I know I'll be there just in case but I just had a few stops to make first, thanks for not seeing me as a monster."
"Natsu I spent over a decade with you I think that would be more than enough time to determine that wouldn't you agree?"
Natsu gave Gildarts a small smile as the two fist bumped creating a small crack of Crash Magic before Natsu snapped his fingers and opened a portal and left leaving Gildarts to look up at the sky.
/Cube/
"Do you humans really believe you stand a chance against me," Mard Geer said amused as he held Laxus and Gajeel by the head and dragged them through the ground tearing it up in the process before throwing them.
A ways away Elise was fighting Keyes and wasn't having a good time simply because her attacks weren't having much effect.
"You might be powerful however it all comes to naught when you can't even hit your opponent … there was only one time I feared an opponent had the chance to hit me and that was against Natsu Dragneel years ago."
"Every opponent has a weakness I'll find yours too don't you worry about that!"
"Such confidence when your friends are being beaten before your very eyes …"
Elise grit her teeth and let loose another volley of aerial slash attacks which phased right through Keyes.
Erza was locked in combat with Silver who didn't seem to be enjoying the fight all that much, out of everyone she was doing the best in terms of holding her own however in their minds they all knew not to fall until Seilah and Mira finished preparing their attack.
"Why do you look so familiar," Erza grunted as she deflected several pink ice shards.
"You must know Gray then … a pity I'd kind of hoped he'd be here."
"He refused to come because Natsu was a Demon in his eyes."
"I see … it seems to this very day the Deliora incident haunts him, quite ironic since Natsu was the once that killed Deliora once and for all."
"So you know about that …"
"Tartaros has been watching him from the moment he went against Jellal all those years ago since he began interfering with their plans."
"You speak as if you aren't a part of them despite being a Demon Gate yourself," Erza said as the two clashed Erza's sword and Silver's Ice Devil one.
"I'm a stain on the world; a being that shouldn't exist yet Keyes continues to let me roam knowing I have the stink of death permanently etched into my soul. I am what all Necromancers seek to reach and sadly I know I don't belong here anymore …"
Erza felt pity for the man in front of her being nothing but a pawn however she quelled it and continued fighting.
"So how does one kill you I've stabbed you in the heart at least three times?"
"You have to kill Keyes in order to set me free however it will have to be one of your friends since I am ordered to keep you busy."
"I see … then I will have faith in my friends," Erza said with conviction as the two began to exchange blows once again.
Mira and Seilah were both in their Demonic forms and held their left hands out with two bits of darkness forming in the middle.
"Are you sure this will work," Sitri asked as Seilah nodded.
"We must eliminate Keyes in order to eliminate Silver so we should direct this attack at him."
"Sitri nodded as the two dark orbs slowly began to merge until it became one, the orb then began to expand until it was the size of the space between their hands.
"Alright Mirajane we only have one shot at this they won't let us do this a second time!"
Sitri nodded as the two pushed as much magic and Etherious into it as possible before firing it.
"Double Etherious Dark Stream Of Destruction!"
The two feigned the attack being aimed at Mard Geer before suddenly firing it at Keyes who was taken off guard and tried to flee only for Elise to grab onto the only solid part of his body and hold him in place.
"What are you doing you will perish too!"
"Heh you underestimate me," Elise said with her crimson eyes full of confidence as the overwhelmingly powerful spell engulfed the two and blew a massive hole in the cube causing it to slowly begin falling from the sky.
"Impossible they managed to perform a unison raid," Mard Geer said in shock before seeing Silver fall and hand Erza a pink lacrima crystal and die. "So Keyes has fallen … enough of these games!"
Everyone waited for the dust to settle and there was Elise who was missing entire chunks of skin but giving them a thumbs up.
"You know … I can heal from this … but … this really fucking hurts."
Falling to the floor Elise passed out to the surprise of no one leaving Mard Geer to look at the rest of the humans and Seilah who stood defiantly before him.
"So you've almost defeated Tartaros have you … I will give credit where credits due you did well to reach this point however this is where the fun ends."
"Give us back Natsu," Erza shouted as Mard Geer chuckled.
"And why would I do that just because you demand such a thing Erza Scarlett, he is now within the realm of Demons and Devils where he belongs so you should really be thanking me for banishing that scum."
"So I guess there's no loyalty between Zeref's creations then huh," Laxus muttered.
"Oh there is indeed however E.N.D is someone most of us wanted gone, Lord Zeref always spoke highly of E.N.D while the rest of us were failures … well now the failures have risen up and banished his pet so maybe now he will realize who is the real superior Demon!"
"Master E.N.D will always be the superior Demon Mard Geer and you know it he even has a seat in the Triumvirate with his name on it!"
"Ahh Seilah you little traitor your death will be a slow one I promise you that …"
"I am no traitor I was always loyal to Lord E.N.D not you!"
"Is that so … I'll be sure to remember that when the torture begins," Mard Geer said as he began to morph into his Etherious form.
The remaining allies took a step back as Mard Geer's power spiked and he began walking down the steps of his throne.
"The walls of this place will be stained red with your blood!"
Before any of them could even blink Mard Geer had Gajeel pinned to the wall across the room by the neck, letting go he kicked him in the chest as he coughed up blood.
"You think the Dragon Force will save you I defeated the one you all came to save when he was in the Dragon Force and yours is nothing compared to it!"
Laxus appeared next to Mard Geer in a flash and tried to land a blow only for it to be blocked with his forearm.
"Is this truly the best humans can do … compared to me you are all lambs to the slaughter!"
Grabbing Laxus by the neck and Gajeel by the leg Mard Geer swung them around and threw Gajeel followed by Laxus as they hit each other in midair before Mard Geer reappeared above them and impaled them on some thorny vines.
"Behold the power of the Thorn Curse that not even Dragneel survived, Dea Yggdrasil!"
Laxus and Gajeel were struggling to stand before being smashed several metres into the ground by an immense wooden beam.
"That's enough Demon I won't allow you to hurt my friends any more, Requip: Armor Of The Scarlet Dragon!"
"Oh so you wish to imitate the power of E.N.D then … a pity you possess but a fraction of its true potential, no human magic will be enough to stop me but you shall soon realize your mistake when you awaken in the next world!"
Erza growled as she rushed Mard Geer and went to slash him with her sword only for him to block it with his forearm, smirking he ripped the sword from her grasp and kicked her in the gut sending her skidding back before throwing the sword at her nearly impaling her until she rolled out of the way.
"You might be strong by human standards but it's nothing compared to a Demon."
"Enough of your nonsense give me back Natsu at once, Fire Dragon's Scarlet Strike!"
Grabbing her blade and coating it with Fire Dragon Slayer Magic Erza placed it to the left of her body and sliced upward sending a powerful flaming slash towards Mard Geer who simply held out his hand and dispelled the attack.
"You'll never get E.N.D back you fools he is far from your reach now."
"We'll … get him back … he always comes back … he might be reckless but … he isn't one to simply abandon his friends," Elise grunted as she began to slowly stand using a sword for support.
"Elise is right Natsu will return just like always and you'd better hope he doesn't find you when he does," Mira added as she stepped up to help Elise stand.
"Indeed Master E.N.D is far too strong to be banished by the likes of you Mard Geer."
"So you continue to persist in this foolishness Seilah and help the humans despite the overwhelming amount of evidence to support their demise … if only your loyalty was placed in far more capable hands perhaps you'd be a true harbinger of chaos as Lord Zeref initially intended."
"I never wanted to be a harbinger of chaos my only desire was to follow Lord E.N.D in whatever he wished as his loyal servant … my purpose has always been this Mard Geer never to bring harm to countless millions as you have done with this guild."
"So be it Seilah you too have sealed your fate … the two Dragon Slayers are down and the rest of you will soon follow in their wake, once you are all down I will break you and convert you into the next generation of Demon Gates! To do so would be the ultimate slap in the face to E.N.D who is a failure and a disgrace to Demon kind!"
"Don't underestimate humans Mard Geer for Lord Zeref himself is also a human if you have not forgotten that fact from your pathetically blind devotion, the drive to fight for others and the connections in the hearts of humans allows them to reach ever greater heights! Surely even after all this time you haven't forgotten that lesson from Lord Zeref?"
"You dare speak of the human heart to a Demon Seilah when you yourself aren't human, pathetic! We were born free of such restrictions and look at what power it granted us, the amount of progress we can make being free of the limitations known as morality it makes us unstoppable!"
"And that Mard Geer is why Lord E.N.D is Lord Zeref's greatest success … a Demon born with a human heart, the ability to forge bonds and fight for beliefs the way the humans do has propelled him to a level none of us can ever hope to reach … don't fool yourself by thinking that merely banishing him will save you from his wrath he will return and destroy you for hurting those he holds most dear."
Seilah was about to continue when Mard Geer suddenly had her pinned to the wall by the neck and began punching her repeatedly in the stomach breaking her ribs in the process.
"YOU DARE SPEAK SUCH BLASPHEMY SEILAH WE WERE CREATED TO BE ABOVE ALL HUMANITY, ABOVE SUCH PETTY EMOTIONS YOU WILL TAKE YOUR SACRELIGE TO THE GRAVE!"
Seilah coughed up blood before smiling at Mard Geer who growled at her face and began to hit her repeatedly.
"WHY DO YOU SMILE YOU HAVE GIVEN THE ORDER FOR YOUR EXECUTION!"
"Because … you say Demons are above petty emotion … yet you just gave in … to the petty emotion … known as jealousy … you have always been jealous of him … don't deny it … he was always destined for greatness while you … you were just … a footnote in the annals of history …"
Mard Geer was about to kill Seilah on the spot when a red portal appeared on the other side of the room, Mard Geer turned his head to look and his eyes widened in shock.
"No way … those eyes … this pressure … Natsu what have you become," Elise said as she dropped to one knee and began coughing up blood.
Natsu walked over to Elise who looked up into his crimson eyes as he leant down to her level.
"You don't look the best … last I checked humans required their body to be whole to function properly."
"Yeah well things happened … Natsu those eyes what happened?"
"I think you already know Elise there's only one way to get these eyes, I am Lord E.N.D Arch Demon of the Devil Triumvirate."
Natsu stood up once again leaving a gaping Elise to just look at him in utter shock and disbelief as he turned his attention to the others.
"Laxus and Gajeel must have already used a good deal of their magic power fighting before reaching here they aren't ones to normally go down easy, what about you two are you ok?"
"Natsu we're fine but … is it really true that you are a Demon," Mira asked as Natsu turned away before nodding.
"Yes … I hid it because I knew how the majority of the guild would react; you don't need to hide it I've already heard what they think of me now."
"Natsu I-!"
"Erza … oh Erza how I always wrong you so … how do you cope with me I wonder, at every turn I seem to only bring more problems onto your shoulders and leave you and the others to pick up the pieces of my stupidity."
"Natsu I understand why you didn't say anything we all do otherwise we wouldn't be here, but know that we still believe in you as we always have even if everyone else doesn't … me more than any other."
Natsu smiled as he stood in front of Erza tracing a finger along her armor with a faraway look.
"I knew you'd follow me to the pit of hell Erza it was never a doubt … but what I've done recently is something that I need time to sort out, my mind broke and I let darkness shroud my heart and feed the fires of hate and rage within me and O how I slaughtered them Erza. A town bigger than Magnolia full of Dark Mages and I killed every last one of them only to fall to darkness however I still held onto the specks of good that were all of you … until I saw Wendy."
Natsu then turned his gaze towards Mard Geer who to his credit didn't flinch under his iron glare.
"They hurt her Erza, the innocence I fought so hard to protect was gone from her eyes and I-I couldn't handle it so … I used everything 100% of my power and became a being bent on killing every last living thing I could get my claws on until the Devils saved me."
"Natsu surely you had your reasons you aren't to blame for this-!"
"But I am Erza I chose to slaughter the Dark Mages and I don't feel a thing for them, I chose to give in to my rage and give myself over to use everything to end the Demon threat and do you know what … I enjoyed it … I actually enjoyed it. I thought this was exactly what they deserved and I found it funny as I tore them limb from limb, consumed them, burned them to ash, spilt their blood and guts for miles across that bloody battlefield I enjoyed every last minute because I could finally let loose and just mindlessly attack things with no consequences … except my own conscience."
"Natsu …"
"Although not all of it was my fault since Zeref created some new being called The Darkness who was the one who shrouded my heart and mind with these dark impulses and he even managed to get Igneel too, long story short I have issues I need to sort out so I may not be the same Natsu you all know and love and I can't promise that I'll ever be the same again."
"Natsu we can work through this together as a family you don't have to struggle on your own, you have all of us and Wendy too as well as Gildarts and I'm sure the Dragons would be there too. Stop pushing us away and let us help for once you idiot," Erza sighed as she pulled him in for a hug as Natsu slowly hugged her back.
"You see Mard Geer … that is why you were never good enough … and never will be," Seilah said between breaths as Mard Geer growled and threw her at the two who quickly broke apart with Natsu catching Seilah and gently placing her on the ground.
"I don't believe we've been introduced I'm Natsu."
"Lord … E.N.D … I've waited so very long to meet you … I'm a Demon … like you," Seilah said as Natsu looked to Erza who smiled and nodded.
"She helped us fight against Tartaros just so she could meet you Natsu she mentioned something about needing to sign a contract with you?"
"Yes … the contract … my life was already growing weaker being without it once you took the seat in the Triumvirate but … after what Mard Geer did to my insides well … without it I will surely die."
"How do I do this contract then Seilah and what is it?"
"The contract binds me to your service for eternity … as it always should be … you are the Lord of Demons … I desire nothing less than to assist you in any way that I can."
Natsu nodded as Seilah held her arm up and Natsu grasped it.
"Place your hand upon my brow … channel your Demonic power … place your signature upon me …"
Natsu did as instructed and as he did he noticed Seilah's body began to stabilize and the Demoness slowly began drifting off to sleep.
"Thank you Master I promise I won't let you down …"
Natsu smiled as he motioned for Erza to come over as he stood up.
"Protect her while she rests she's more than proven herself a friend … I have someone to attend to," Natsu said as he looked at Mard Geer who was scowling at him.
"You think yourself the Lord of Demon kind E.N.D I REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU!"
"Well that's a shame because I have the chair and you don't and you want to know what the ironic part about all this is, had you not sent me to Tartaros I never would have assumed the seat, never would have been freed from The Darkness and never would have gained the power and knowledge I have now. So in a way I guess I owe you thanks for being an idiot."
"You dare speak to me this way … have you forgotten how our last bout went!"
"I was much weaker back then and had no knowledge of the Demonic power I possessed had I known any of that back then I would have won for sure, it's time you left this world Mard Geer you no longer deserve to dwell within it due to the overwhelming amount of crimes you've committed."
Mard Geer disappeared and reappeared behind Natsu in moments and went straight for his neck however Natsu's cold crimson eyes had already followed him as he lazily moved to the left to avoid the strike.
"Not this time Mard Geer I refuse to allow someone like you to live," Natsu said as he kicked Mard Geer into the nearby wall and began walking towards him with his right arm coated in Demonic power.
"Only a Demon Slayer can kill a Demon they say … little known fact is a Demon can kill a Demon so … this is the end for you."
Mard Geer was stuck in the wall with blood pouring from his mouth and nose as he struggled to breath.
"That kick was aimed for the centre of your chest I purposely aimed there to collapse both your lungs and cave in your entire chest area if this strike does not kill you then you will die of asphyxiation … goodbye."
Natsu plunged his arm into Mard Geer's chest and crushed his heart which managed to cling on somehow in his crushed chest as the leader of Tartaros spasmed before going limp.
"So much death … but this one was necessary, let this be a lesson not to mess with those I care about."
Natsu turned away from Mard Geer's body and faced Erza who was just stunned at the display of power Natsu had just given.
"Do you fear me now Erza it's ok if you do …"
"No I … its just that was so … odd."
"What Erza meant to say was … we don't usually see the leader of a Dark Guild get demolished like you just did," Elise said between breaths as Natsu nodded slowly.
"Ah of course … I'm sorry if that made any of you uncomfortable I just wanted to finish him off before he tried anything you know how these Dark Guild Masters are."
"Well you have fought the big three now," Erza sighed as the ground began to shake.
"Ah yes the Cube is falling we'd better get going, Erza grab Seilah, Mira help Elise I'll grab Laxus and Gajeel," Natsu said as he snapped his fingers and a portal appeared.
The girls all rushed through as Natsu grabbed Laxus and Gajeel before quickly getting out seconds before the Cube impacted the ground, standing on a hill overlooking the now destroyed Cube Natsu smiled knowing that the Tartaros guild was finished.
"So then we'd better make camp Gajeel and Laxus are out cold for at least another day and Seilah who knows how long," Natsu said with a grin as the girls sighed and nodded in agreement.
/Inside The Ruins Of The Cube/
The hall where Mard Geer's body lay was ablaze as fire scorched everything in sight except for the Demons body which was left seemingly unharmed as the inferno engulfed everything else.
From the flames Zeref emerged with his usual disinterested look with The Darkness floating behind him.
"Mard Geer what an utter failure you are were you so foolish as to believe I didn't notice what you'd done, banishing E.N.D is a big no no and you should find yourself fortunate that you did exactly as I'd intended. Natsu finally acquiring his seat on the Triumvirate has brought him into the upper echelons of the playing field. As for you Mard Geer I may still have some use for you albeit not one that you would enjoy but then again you aren't exactly a natural being to begin with."
"And what of Natsu Lord Zeref do we pursue?"
"Patience you will have your fun however we have more important things to do than to mess with people's heads, you have two years Natsu before I make my next move and let us all pray that you really understand your newfound powers …"
Zeref spawned a book and sucked up Mard Geer before vanishing in black smoke along with The Darkness who was laughing all the while.
Hope you all enjoyed it and I'll see you in the next one.