Tookoolforu2handle – Yeah I took inspiration on what the sword being Celestial in nature from our conversation after reading about a pair of black steel swords by the same name and thought hey that's a sick idea haha.

Also before we begin a huge thank you for all the messages and reviews on the 100th chapter you guys are great, not gonna lie when I first started I was afraid that I'd be one of those authors where you go through the reviews and it's just abuse pretty much the whole way so you'll always hear thank you from me for the support!

Now on with the story!

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

Ascension

/Natsu And Gildarts' POV/

What was once a battlefield had turned into what one could only describe as Ragnarok, currently four of the most powerful mages on the planet were engaging in some of the most jaw dropping combat to ever grace Earthland in its history.

Each mage was a master in their field revered and feared by all for their awesome power that bent the world to its will, Natsu Dragneel the Second True Hybrid, the mythical Demon E.N.D, Fire Dragon Monarch, Gravity Dragon King, Divine Dragon King, Demonic Dragon Monarch and the recently anointed High Arbiter of the Council of Twenty Four was by far the biggest players in the conflict using magic that shook the very earth before him.

Gildarts Clive known as Fairy Tail's Ace, a man who was rumoured to be as powerful as God Serena himself before his disappearance, Grandmaster of the school of Crash Magic, Master to Natsu Dragneel and a man who was rumoured to only have one loss in his entire career as a mage to Achnologia the Apocalypse Dragon was aiding Natsu against foes who had a good chance at defeating them in battle despite their accolades.

Sentomaru known by his epithet as the Arbiter of Forced Evolution, 1st Sword of the Alvarez Empire and leader of the Leichart 12, a man who had the ability to grow stronger during a battle to match his opponent through the use of his Evolution Magic, Grandmaster of the Crushing Fang fighting style, a man who alone fought off the Alvarez Empire during the invasion of the land of Grinea by himself for twelve days and nights without rest before being offered an ultimatum by Zeref himself who was forced to step in had the potential to out power everyone else in the conflict should it drag on too long however even if he held the raw power his partner was the true threat to look out for.

"August Dragneel better known by all as The Magic King, Master of over one hundred different schools of magic, known for single handedly crushing entire countries with ease, a man who is rumoured to be as powerful as Emperor Spriggan himself, 2nd Shield of the Alvarez Empire and rumoured to be untouchable in battle August is by far the deadliest man alive being powerful enough to generate magic felt across the entire Empire when in his fabled Battle Form.

These four men now stand locked in combat reshaping the land with each blow, each wielding unfathomable power at their fingertips and each fighting for a cause they believe in.

Natsu and Gildarts had gone into this fight knowing it would be their toughest fight, having felt the frightening power of August for themselves so long ago in Scarlione the two never imagined they would be fighting in such a high power, high stakes fight like this one.

Natsu was currently fighting Sentomaru with neither mage able to land a blow on the other as they flew around the battlefield, Natsu was surprised Sentomaru had a natural ability to fly despite being human and was informed that he once faced a foe who could fly and so from that day on he flew.

Gildarts meanwhile was trading blows with August, the battle wasn't as flashy as Natsu and Sentomaru's with August using his staff to block and negate the Crash Magic of Gildarts forcing the man to rely on his monstrous strength and timing a game which neither mage had yet beaten.

Natsu was utterly shocked at the man he was currently trading blows with, after gaining such a massive increase in power whilst fighting the Omega Weapon Natsu thought he'd stepped into the realm of the higher beings for real only to be reminded that even mortals can achieve such power should they try hard enough.

Sentomaru was a powerful mage and Natsu found himself respecting him a great deal, the man fought with honour not resorting to dirty tricks or underhanded tactics during the fight and more than happy to trade mid combat banter back and forth to liven the fight up a little.

Sentomaru also found himself respecting Natsu a great deal as well, someone so young wielding such monstrous power and a master hand to hand combatant like himself was a rarity for him to encounter. His options were limited when it came to using all his strength, either fight August or Zeref and be crushed in moments or fight other Liechart and Spriggan members who were far too weak for him to bother going all out.

Both Natsu and Sentomaru's fists met as a massive crack in the earth formed below them from the shockwave as they separated.

"Impressive I've not seen one as strong as you in a long time Natsu," Sentomaru said as Natsu grinned assuming another stance.

"Indeed it's nice to fight someone who isn't a hulking monster or old God in combat its rather refreshing."

The two stared at each other for a few moments before vanishing and meeting fists in the centre once more, pushing against each other for a few moments they both opted to swap fists colliding moments later sending shockwaves out in all directions as they began to start rapidly trade blows blocking or dodging as they began to descend towards the ground at a rapid pace.

Landing on the ground first Natsu raised his left arm to block a blow from Sentomaru who tried to kick him in the face, raising his knee he blocked the strike and using enough strength he pushed Sentomaru into the air flipping back a few feet assuming a defensive stance as Sentomaru finally hit the ground.

"Impressive but I wonder if you could keep up with my Crushing Fang fighting style?"

"Never heard of it," Natsu replied as Sentomaru chuckled.

"Of course not I invented it and I'm the only one who can use it, served me well all these years I can assure you."

"Alright let's see what you've got then old man," Natsu said as he pivoted his foot ready to take off at a moment's notice.

Sentomaru adjusted his stance so that his arms remained relatively close together with in what seemed to be a sort of mouth like shape which initially threw Natsu off as Sentomaru chuckled.

"Yeah that's what usually kills most of my opponents," he said as he appeared in front of Natsu clawing him across the face with his right arm sending him flying through the air at high speed.

Tendrils shot out from Natsu's body rooting into the ground slowing him down and flinging him back towards Sentomaru bringing a fist mere inches from his face only to have it blocked as he received a jab in the gut and an elbow in the head knocking him into the ground.

"Not easy to understand is it, entirely unpredictable and unorthodox for a fighting stance making it perfect to throw off even the most skilled of opponents."

Picking Natsu up Sentomaru kicked him in the side sending him flying across the battlefield right into Gildarts' back.

"Oh hey Natsu how are things," Gildarts asked as he wiped some blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Oh fine just got hit by the train, you?"

"Much of the same more or less," Gildarts replied as Sentomaru landed in front of Natsu.

"Heh just like the old days."

"Since you said that is that a pass to call you old Natsu?"

"I'll give you that one but only because I can't slug you for it," Natsu said with a grin as August and Sentomaru moved in to attack.

Gildarts ducked as Natsu blocked and the two began covering each other's backs with Natsu rolling over his back blocking the blows from August as Gildarts fired a condensed blast of Crash Magic at Sentomaru.

Raising his staff August brought it down like a hammer with Natsu blocking it with his forearm as his fist met August's own, Gildarts meanwhile took a blow to the face from Sentomaru before returning it in kind as Sentomaru staggered back with a grin rushing right back in to deliver several more punches.

"Natsu two o'clock!"

"Six o'clock!"

Natsu fired a blast of flame from his right hand right at Sentomaru forcing him back as Gildarts raised his metal arm to block August's strike before throwing a blast of Crash Magic forcing him to back off on the defensive.

"Yep just like the old days."

"If we make it out of this war alive I'm calling you old man from now on," Gildarts said as Natsu scowled.

"I'm not the one with the beard here!"

"Touche but I heard you can grow a mean one?"

"Not the point."

"To be fair you do sound like an old man," Sentomaru said as Gildarts snickered.

"No one asked you!"

"Just saying."

"What type of fight is this," Natsu asked more to himself as the four paused for a brief moment.

"As an older man myself I must agree with Gildarts-."

"NOT YOU TOO," Natsu cried as August joined in on the debate keeping his stoic look despite the stupidity of the situation.

"You know I learned this new spell the other day that instantly shaves off beards precisely how you want to it would be perfect for you Gildarts," Sentomaru said as Natsu hit the floor comically.

'The fight went from serious as hell to talking about beards what the hell is this!'

"I wouldn't be opposed to learning such a spell," August said as Natsu nearly fainted hearing someone like him act so different despite his powerful aura and presence.

"Uh hey aren't we all supposed to be fighting?"

"Yeah yeah in a minute let me learn this spell real quick," Gildarts said as he waved Natsu off leaving the Hybrid to just stand there gaping at what had occurred.

After watching Gildarts try and fail to use the useless spell for ten minutes he finally nailed it as his beard came right off making the Crash Mage cheer comically.

"Alright now I'm not an old man anymore!"

"TAKING THE BEARD OFF DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE IDIOT!"

"Well that was rather interesting," August said with his beard trimmed slightly as he walked towards Natsu placing a hand on his shoulder. "Time to continue."

Natsu suddenly felt his body grow much older even if he physically didn't age, August jumped back expecting Natsu to be an old man like him only for him to remain the same.

"Impossible you didn't age a day!"

"What did you do to me?"

"I just aged you by 125 years," August explained as Natsu grinned.

"Heh you may not have been able to ruin my combat ability by making me a useless old man but you gave me a power boost," Natsu cheered as he began powering up shocking everyone as he began to unleash an absolutely monstrous amount of magical power forming a sphere of darkness between his hands.

Before he had a chance to do anything however August touched him again reversing him back to his proper age as the power disappeared much to his disappointment.

"Oh damn it that power was awesome give it back!"

"No."

"Ah screw you then," Natsu huffed before realizing what happened. "Wait a minute we're still screwing around what the hell!"

"I suppose Natsu is right we're supposed to be the best each of our sides have to offer and although none of us really want this conflict we really should do our jobs," Gildarts sighed as Sentomaru and August nodded in agreement.

"Hold on a sec where did my parents and Illyandra go I haven't seen them since the fight started?"

"I'm positive I saw them fade away no doubt Neinhart plans to use them for something else," August sighed. "That man messing with the dead in such a way, get's around it because it isn't technically necromancy because he isn't physically bringing the dead back just projections of them."

"So I don't have to fight them now at least, that's a relief let me tell you," Natsu sighed as August and Sentomaru took up positions next to each other with Natsu and Gildarts doing the same.

"It is a shame we had to end up foes we would have been good friends in another life," Sentomaru said as everyone nodded in agreement. "Now then enough fooling around we are at war after all."

The four began to exert their magic power once more and the tension returned full force with Natsu charging Sentomaru landing a clean hit to his face and Gildarts taking a hit from August's staff on the back of the head as he knelt down comically.

"Ow that hurt!"

Sweeping his leg Gildarts tried to hit August but the man jumped into the air only for Gildarts to punch him square in the face with his metal arm smashing him into the ground.

"Hit me with your damn stick!"

Gildarts was blown back as August released an explosive blast of energy and a dark aura began to surround him, Gildarts stopped fooling around as his expression hardened feeling the change.

August's attire began to change along with his skin which began to turn a dark red colour, his magic power also began far denser than before with a strange aura beginning to manifest itself around him Gildarts didn't recognize however Natsu did.

"You can use Aura," Natsu gasped in shock being punched in the face for his momentary loss of focus.

August's eyes glowed Crimson Red as he continued to exert massive amounts of magic power with the sky beginning to darken; Natsu pushed Sentomaru back and motioned for Gildarts to take over.

"Gildarts let me handle this he's using Devil's Aura I can handle that!"

"Fine do what you need to do," Gildarts replied taking Natsu's place as Natsu began to exert his Hybrid's Aura to counter August's Devil's Aura.

"There will be a reckoning this day; if humanity is to defeat Achnologia then the key shall lie with the power of man! There is no good or evil in light nor darkness, if we are to overcome the chains of the Gods and Devils then it will be through unity above all!"

'What the hell is this, his magic power … it defies all common sense,' Natsu said as he felt a bead of sweat roll down his face. 'And that massive shift in personality, what is this?'

"When the bell doth toll for the final time let the Lord wash the sins of man from the stone, let the gates of Zion open wide for all those who dare bow before his great Majesty for today an army stands at the gate led by the folly of the false Gods and Devils all be in the name Hybrid!"

"You think this is all mine and Zeref's fault?"

"Had the power of the Hybrid ceased with Ahnkseram this entire conflict likely would have never occurred, the gates would be free from congestion and the cries of the damned would be satiated."

"I think you've lost it old timer," Natsu said as he felt the Devil's Aura spike at his words.

"There shall be no more quarter given to the sins of the Dragneel, may they all be dragged six feet under!"

"You realize that includes you right?"

"Indeed and it shall be I who drops you before the almighty so that we shall be judged as one!"

'He went from slightly weird yet stoic to a religious nut job, great.'

Feeling his aura urging him to fight Natsu sighed as he assumed a combat stance with August snapping his staff over his leg and tossing it at Natsu who caught them with ease.

"What's this?"

"The first gift," August replied as the two halves of the staff exploded sending Natsu flying back only to block a punch from August who appeared midair before he even flew a distance away.

'So fast!'

Blocking the punch Natsu pushed him off as he rose to his feet and met another punch with one of his own, the amount of Devil's Aura put into the punch was quite surprising considering that August wasn't even meant to wield it in the first place although Zeref no doubt had a hand in it of that Natsu had little doubt.

The two separated and began trading a series of lightning fast blows with Natsu beginning to land more hits as his aura continued to rise in power, Augusts skin began to release a red mist as he began moving even faster pushing the fight back into his favour with Natsu beginning to be pushed back receiving some powerful blows he was unable to block in time.

"Who knew a mortal could master aura this well, oh I'm talking like one of them now it seems," Natsu mused as the two crossed forearms and head butted each other both pushing against each other with their aura flaring wildly behind them.

"And then the Lord granted the peoples of Zion amnesty for they had truly atoned for all they wrought upon this great Earth, inward the plot of eradication as Lucifer was banished to the pit in punishment as the souls careened toward the molten land they cried for the promised salvation to be met with fire and brimstone!"

'Where is he getting this stuff from?'

"The plan was formed among the deserted faithful as they formed the one being with the catalyst Lucifer transformed, magic wept as the Black Arts were born from the ashes of the undesired bitter at the knowledge that she could have done more!"

Natsu suddenly found himself blown back as August's Aura flared erratically as he found himself blown past Gildarts and Sentomaru who seemed to be matching each other blow for blow both sporting broken noses and a few missing teeth.

'Wait the strange stuff he's saying what if it has a purpose, he talks of the Gods banishing the unfaithful to the pit but what could that … be. Wait is he talking about the First Holy War that started the grudge between the Gods and the Devils but how would he know about it unless-! Of course Zeref must have shown him but how would that grant him the ability to raise his own aura like this?'

Natsu's eyes widened considerably as he adjusted his eyes to look into August and was shocked to see a Devil Soul within him, the soul wasn't ordinary however it was an Ancient Devil and a powerful one at that.

'Just like what Brain tried to do with the Discord God Ravus except with Zeref's help August succeeded, he's the Magic King because he wields the power of an Ancient Devil! All this scripture must be the Devil's way of displaying its presence by reciting its creation but that means that this Devil was …'

"And on that day of blackest night Lucifer rose from the pit transformed into being of flame and horn, a tri pronged staff at his side he led the forces of the damned on a crusade to tear the Gods from their ethereal thrones!"

August summoned the same tri pronged staff in his right hand twirling it around before slamming the base into the ground as Natsu actually shivered from the aura coming from August now, the staff was a burnt golden colour almost bronze up close with blood seeming to seep from nowhere with a cracked ruby at the centre of the three prongs.

"And on that day Lucifer met the first of the old Gods in battle their power now equal as a realm was reshaped into naught but ruin, as the two fell in battle aloft each other's chosen blade the first of the Hybrid's emerged full of rage and hate for both tearing their souls asunder trapping them within his mighty grasp!"

Bones began to shoot out of August's back as the muscle and tissue formed around it with skin grafting on around it in some areas with the rest setting aflame as Natsu began to feel the first signs of fear within him.

"This is why Ahnkseram is so hated by the Gods and Devils, if a Hybrid can defeat those two then what's stopping one from defeating them all!"

With one wave of his staff powerful black flames emerged all around the battlefield as Natsu looked into August's eyes and saw what looked to be the Devil pleading with him to consume them.

"A gift … you want to be free?"

Slamming the staff on the ground powerful purple coloured bolts of lightning rained down around him as Natsu began to consume the black flames as he was pulled into his mindscape, looking around a flame embodiment of the Devil that was trapped inside began to form from the flames though Natsu couldn't make out a physical appearance.

"A deal was made between myself and the boy to fool the mad one, my power in exchange for protection from his corrupting madness! The promised time has arrived and I must return to the land of the living once more, the boy now an old man is unable to set me free since I am bound by chain within his mind by the Hybrid!"

"So I need to break into his mind to free you?"

"The boy will die soon either way he has opened the path and my power floods his veins, as the corruption spreads he will become naught but a mindless husk wielding the power of the ancient Devils! You must act quickly before he slips away completely and there isn't a mindscape left to rescue me from!"

"I understand Eldest One."

"Hurry Hybrid you are the only one who can halt events now," the voice said as the flames dispersed and Natsu emerged from his mindscape with his form beginning to change once more.

His Crimson Red and Galaxy Blue coat began to gain black stripes around it as the white tufts of hair began to increase to cover more than half of his total hair which was now a strange black and white swirl pattern.

His hair also began to lengthen going halfway down his back with his bangs regressing back inward giving it a more slicked back feel, his aura also began to go from a black with white highlight to white with black highlight.

Natsu blinked as the changes began to finish as he looked at the new design of his coat before looking back at August whose wings had finished forming and was standing across from Natsu waiting for him to make the first move.

"Was this truly your plan all along Zeref, fighting back against Ahnkseram by formulating a plan within his plan despite inhabiting the same body? You really are a Dragneel at heart."

Natsu was about to start moving forward towards August when two hands burst from his chest as he was enveloped into a bloody hug from behind, slowly moving his head he saw Ardyn and Reiju with tears in their eyes clinging to his body.

"Natsu we're sorry," Reiju cried as he felt a flame ignite within his body from his father's arm.

"We were forced to vanish and reappear at the opportune moment, but surely this won't be enough to kill you my son. You are a Dragneel and Dragneel's never give in no matter what, now prepare yourself …"

Natsu felt like someone threw a mountain at the back of his head as Illyandra came in from behind him channelling the power of the continent behind her smashing Natsu's face into the ground along with his parents who were tasked with holding him down.

Natsu lay there basking in his parents embrace for what would most likely be the only time he would ever get to experience it, feeling his ever increasing power begin to rise within him Natsu simply stood up despite all the power his parents were putting in to stop him as he caught Illyandra's fist in a spare hand.

"SEILAH, HEED YOUR MASTER'S WORDS AND FIND THIS NEINHART! MAKE HIS DEATH SLOW AND PAINFUL AND TAKE AS MUCH POWER AS YOU NEED OF THIS I COMMAND YOU!"

Feeling that Seilah had gotten the message through their link Natsu looked towards Illyandra who simply smiled sadly as he channelled Crash Magic into her arm shattering it as she was forced to jump backward.

"Don't worry I've got my best working on dispensing justice so that this never happens again, Illy I know you've already been introduced but Mom, Dad this here is my wife … Erza."

Ardyn and Reiju turned their heads behind Natsu and saw a scarlet haired woman standing there with a mixed look of shock and anger on her face seeing two people with their arms through Natsu's back and out his chest as well as a chunk of his skull blown off.

"Erza these are, this is my Mom and Dad."

"Oh my God …"

"They were revived by some bastard called Neinhart but I've just ordered Seilah to go kill him nice and slow for what he's done, still Erza you shouldn't be here there are powers far beyond yours at work here."

"Don't tell me to leave you to your fate Natsu don't you dare … as your wife it's my duty to stand by you always!"

"I know that Erza but-."

"You know you aren't changing my mind Natsu so don't waste the breath."

"Looks like you landed a real firebrand there son," Ardyn said amused as Natsu sweat dropped.

"You have no idea …"

"Thank you for being there for our son we know his life must be full of danger so its good he has someone to turn to," Reiju said sweetly as Erza blushed.

"W-well I uh-!"

The conversation was interrupted as Natsu raised his right hand upward with his hand open and his entire demeanour becoming cold.

"It begins."

The next thing anyone saw was Natsu holding August's fist back with his hand as the magic sent everyone including Natsu's parents flying back with only Illyandra staying rooted to the spot.

"You'll be free soon I swear it, Erza I know how much you want to help me but this fight is just beyond you, remember what I taught you before the war began!"

'Those wizards who are truly courageos are those exceptional few who know when to stand down, there is no shame in knowing one's own fear it's what moulds us into stronger and gentler people. This is the mark of a true S Class Mage something many of you have forgotten over the years!'

"Damn you Natsu … damn you for being so damn responsible!"

Natsu grinned as Erza backed off allowing Natsu to begin exerting his power in earnest as the forms of his parents began to crack both unsure of what was happening.

"It's not the most honourable way to kill someone but I cannot bare to look into your eyes as I perform the deed, to my shame."

"There is no shame in that Natsu it means you are still a good person at heart, just know that we will always love you and even though you may never die we will always watch over you," Reiju said softly as she planted a kiss on his cheek just as she shattered into cubes before fading away.

"You've become a fine man son, a better man than I ever was! Don't judge your older brother too harshly though I think you've come to realize that, promise me that you will always stay you my son and live your life the way you desire."

"I promise Dad I'll live on to redeem the Dragneel name for as long as it may take," Natsu said through grit teeth as he held back August.

"Spoken like a true Dragneel, well enough from your old man go on and kick some ass!"

Ardyn shattered into cubes freeing Natsu from the binds that were his own parents as his free hand became surrounded in a white and black aura bringing it towards August with as much force as he could muster as he slugged the man in the face as he vanished into thin air.

"I'll make you proud, both of you," Natsu cried as an explosion went off in the distance followed by a large dome of Devil's Aura signifying August powering up once again.

"Be safe Natsu …"

"You know me Erza," Natsu said softly as he vanished with Illyandra following behind as Erza shook her head.

"That's what I'm most worried about …"

"Don't worry about Natsu he'll be fine."

"Gildarts!"

"We stopped our fight when Natsu ate some kind of strange power from August," Gildarts explained as Sentomaru nodded.

"This whole war is bringing up old wounds and tearing entire families apart, the least we could do is pay heed to Natsu's final moments with the family he never got to have."

"Arent you the enemy why would you care?"

"There is a lot more to this conflict than many of you realize, quite a few of us Spriggan and Leichart do not lust for war and some sort of new world order like the others as I'm sure you already noticed. Irene and Brandish both dislike fighting let alone starting wars yet we all had little choice."

"So I've been told, yet you still would fight us even now?"

"The war could still go either way and if Alvarez does indeed win then we would risk our very beings for nothing, the power of the Hybrid is something I don't think any human will ever be able to fully comprehend in what it can truly do. It is a higher power we mortals simply aren't meant to know merely kneel before, if Natsu was to win I think I would be happy to kneel before someone as grounded as him not mad like Ahnkseram."

"Natsu will win against him he's never let us down before," Erza said with conviction as Sentomaru chuckled.

"Well you'd better hope he wins or we'll all be dying within the next few weeks anyway, no way Achnologia isn't feeling all this magic and aura being thrown around he'll be on his way soon enough."

Gildarts touched his metal arm and Erza shivered as Sentomaru began laughing.

"But maybe its for the best after all the Divines must have truly abandoned us if they won't save us from all these threats so why bother fighting against them you know?"

"Oi where are you going aren't we gonna finish our fight," Gildarts asked as Sentomaru waved him off.

"I don't really feel like fighting anymore, seeing that Natsu kid in action has made me think back on a few things. Think I'm gonna go find a pub and drink up what I can find, who knew the day I would no longer fear my death would come off the heels of the biggest war our world has seen eh?"

As Sentomaru walked away leaving Erza and Gildarts alone in the deserted battlefield the feeling of small quakes going off was clearly Natsu and August as Gildarts sighed pulling out his own flask.

"You know that man is someone worthy of respect Erza, to throw all your cards on the table for a guy you barely know in the hopes that you can have a better life … that takes some serious guts."

"But won't Ahnkseram force Zeref to kill him for disobeying orders?"

"I highly doubt he has the time for that now the war is truly beginning in earnest, the Leichart General just quit and I'd wager Natsu will have August down soon enough. Not sure about the other members but I'd wager Irene and Brandish won't be participating in this madness which means the Alvarez leadership is beginning to crack."

"And you think that'll be enough?"

"It has to be," Gildarts replied as he motioned for Erza to follow him as they made their way back towards the main battle.

/Wendy's POV/

As the battles continued to rage Wendy had spent her time doing her best to tend to the wounded as best she could, of course she was strong enough in her own right to fight with the best of mages but her healing arts were a valuable asset at the moment what with spells that could level entire mountains being thrown around for fun.

Currently Wendy was having a break as she sat outside the healing tent that had been set up by the Fiore side when she spotted someone in the distance.

"Is that …"

Using her sword Elise was dragging herself up the road looking positively exhausted; Wendy froze when she locked onto her as her eyes bored into her very soul like a monster.

"Wendy … my backs killing me, I'm gonna die!"

"Elise what happened," Wendy asked as she rushed over to Elise once she shook herself free of the momentary fear for her friend.

"Well I just had my spine smashed in and I have little magic power left to heal it for myself then on the way back here I was attacked by three squads of Alvarez soldiers and now my legs don't work so good!"

"Oh dear well don't worry I'll fix you right up!"

"Please do I feel like an old lady," Elise whined as Wendy began applying her magic to Elise's back.

"How are you even able to move your spine is basically broken almost all the bones are cracked and on the verge of shattering!"

"Well shit happens huh …"

"There I fixed it right up but you should be more careful!"

"Oh of course the next time someone fires an attack comprised of the moon's power I'll just take the hit risking death instead of using an attack that end the fight there."

"Elise I'm serious spinal injuries are no joke!"

"Once I got my magic back I could have made a new one it just hurts like hell, so anyway my problems aside how are things here?"

"Bad, more and more wounded are coming in and the quakes don't ever stop in fact I think they are getting worse."

"Yeah some of the strongest mages in the world are throwing down I wouldn't be surprised if the continent actually split in half, what's more Natsu is going absolutely nuts he's got to be the strongest power I've felt up until this point but there is a second one that feels old and when I say old I mean even older than mother herself."

"Older than Lady Eliza but how can that be possible?"

"Whatever is going on things are just getting started Wendy-."

"Oh you are too right God Slayer things are only just beginning to heat up now that Lord August has released his true power!"

Wendy froze, her eyes displaying shock and a hint of fear as Elise rolled over to see God Serena standing before them with an amused grin.

"That's a good place for you Elise Faulkner, in the dirt like the dog you are!"

"You!"

"I'd hoped to find some capable fighters here but all I find are the wounded and weak, how pathetic. Still I suppose removing you all makes our chances of winning better," he said with a grin as an explosion went off behind them as the entire camp was engulfed by a flaming Dragon head.

"NO," Wendy cried as Elise shakily got to her feet gripping her sword.

"You scum those were wounded soldiers and medics they posed no threat to you!"

"Doesn't matter they got what they deserved for standing in our way, if there were wounded there then they were wounded fighting Alvarez and that means they were my enemies. If the medics were healing my enemies then that means they too were my enemies!"

"You bastard I won't let you … get away with this," Elise growled as she tried to harness her God's Aura only for her eyes to flicker momentarily.

"It seems you are out of magic and aura Faulkner, how does it feel to be so pathetically weak hmm?"

"Bastard-!"

Elise couldn't finish her insult as God Serena's fist hit her straight in the gut as Elise spat up a fountain of blood that had been gathering within her.

"Not so tough without that regeneration are we?"

Punching Elise in the gut again she began to fall to her knees only to receive a knee to the face knocking her to the ground with a broken nose.

"I'm going to make this a beautiful work of art for Natsu to see, penance for wounding me all those years ago!"

"How … pathetic!"

Placing his boot over Elise's neck God Serena scowled as Elise began to choke.

"You will suffer Fioran dog!"

He was about to continue when he received a powerful blow to the face that knocked him off Elise sending him sprawling to the ground.

"You will not touch her!"

"So the little Dragon Slayer grew up, how cute," God Serena said as he dusted himself off. "My that is a fearsome glare you have there but you realize you stand no chance against me I've only grown stronger since Natsu fought me all those years ago and you were nothing but a whelp!"

"It doesn't matter because if I ran away now I'd never forgive myself what Natsu taught me be damned, I won't let you hurt my friend to cause Natsu pain!"

"You act as if you weren't to be included in that not so little Dragon Slayer, just try to resist and I will show you the true power of God!"

"I'm not afraid of people like you!"

"Wendy … don't … he'll kill you!"

"I have to do this Elise not just for you but for all those people he just killed, I have to make their deaths mean something even if they never truly will I need to try!"

Elise knew there was no talking Wendy out of it and reluctantly began making her way from what was about to be a battlefield to the now destroyed camp whilst Wendy entered the Dragon Force.

"Oh so Natsu taught you a few tricks did he perhaps this might be a little fun," God Serena said as he began to unleash his monstrous magic power. "Still think you stand a chance then come try your luck!"

Wendy shot towards Serena with a wind laced punch as he blocked it with his forearm; throwing another punch towards his face Serena blocked it with his palm before kicking Wendy in the chest sending her flying into the raging inferno behind her.

"Wendy!"

Elise's worry was for naught as the flames began to spin around forming a tornado of flame which began tearing towards Serena who grinned as he lifted water from the ground and fired it toward the approaching attack dousing it instantly as Wendy emerged attempting to land another blow only to have it blocked followed by an elbow to the face and a chop to the neck knocking her to the ground.

"How interesting but ultimately futile, I was ordained strongest of Ishgar in other words the BEST it had to offer! You aren't even stronger than Natsu let alone those other fools from the Ishgar four I killed why would you believe you even stood a chance!"

"The Ishgar Four have been slain," Elise gasped in shock as God Serena grinned.

"Oh we made sure they were the first to go, they were powerful yes but their power paled in comparison to that of God!"

"You are the furthest thing from God and I should know I've met the real ones and you are nothing to them!"

"You know nothing of true power Faulkner just stay in the dirt like a good little bitch," Serena snapped as he appeared over her slamming her face into the dirt as she cried out in pain.

"Elise!"

"Look at this pathetic mage without her precious aura to protect her she's useless, a one trick pony with nothing but unsubstantiated hype going for her! To think Lord Zeref himself actually named her an actual threat to us the mere though of such a thing is-!"

Serena stopped as he felt a blade pierce his ribs, looking down at Elise he saw her smiling maliciously at his pain and shock.

"One trick pony am I well for my next trick-!"

Pulling the blade along roughly Serena grabbed her by the throat and tossed her into the air grabbing a hold of her foot as he began to slam her into the ground before holding her up in front of him.

"You'll pay for that one in kind, Purgatory Dragon's Roar!"

Elise was engulfed in a powerful blaze as she began to scream in agony with Serena tossing her aside like trash before looking back at Wendy who was frozen in shock.

"Aww what's the matter you thought you were going to receive the happy ending, friendship conquers all don't make me laugh! This is the reality of life even your precious Natsu knew that, listen to those beautiful sounds coming from your friend and know that this was because of you and your pathetic attempt at playing hero!"

Wendy could hear Elise's screams as the flames burned her flesh and something inside her snapped, before she could move however God Serena had closed the distance between them and punched her in the side of the head knocking her to the ground as he ripped the knife from his side and tried to bring it down on her neck.

Wendy blocked the knife as the two began to struggle with Serena getting closer and closer to his mark, as a last desperate attempt she spat a small gust of wind in his face as his focus momentarily allowed her to adjust the knifes aim as she caught the end with her teeth.

"GAGH JUST TAKE THE BLADE INTO THAT PRETTY LITTLE NECK OF YOUR'S AND THIS WILL ALL END NICELY!"

Wendy suddenly felt pain as Serena yanked the knife upward which sliced Wendy's face from her lip all the way to her forehead and slicing open her right eye as she screamed in pain, what also followed was something no one would have expected Wendy to do as she shot up and bit God Serena's hand ripping off four of his fingers and punched him in the face knocking him off as she shot to her feet clutching her bleeding eye.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, MY HAND!"

Wendy could feel anger boiling within her as she heard the screams of Elise beginning to die down as her teeth began to lengthen and her hair begin to grow much more wilder with the wind picking up around her.

"I'll kill you, I'll kill you for this!"

"YOU CANNOT KILL GOD NONE OF THIS CAN BE TRUE," Serena roared as he rose to his feet blocking a powerful strike from Wendy who was now using her Dragon's Fury to its fullest.

"I'll kill you!"

Rushing forward Wendy began ruthlessly attacking God Serena with everything she had however God Serena wasn't rank three among the Shields of Spriggan for nothing and despite losing four fingers on one of his hands and sustaining a severe wound to his side he would be damned if he lost to a child as he began to retaliate with a barrage of Dragon Slaying Magic of his own forcing Wendy on the defensive.

"I don't know how you did it but you somehow managed to improve enough to pose a threat but it won't be enough for you to beat me!"

The two clashed as gale force winds blew in from behind Wendy blowing away God Serena's flames and snow forcing him to rely on his other elements as both he and Wendy slugged each other mercilessly.

Eventually the sheer amount of power and experience God Serena proved to be far too much for Wendy as she was sent flying through several rocks coughing up blood.

"You thought you were a big hero didn't you, you actually thought you stood a chance against someone like me didn't you! This isn't some fairy tale moment where good triumphs over the great evil this is reality and you will die just like Faulkner did!"

"I will never die until my teeth sink into that throat of yours!"

"Just try it I'll crush you, in fact I'll crush you here and now!"

From Serena's back eight Dragon's based on the elements he possessed began to emerge as Serena began cackling with laughter with the Dragon's easily growing to the size of real Dragons as they looked down upon Wendy who was panting on one knee holding her eye which was currently hurting her more than any injury to date.

"I am the Eight Dragon God Serena and you will BOW TO MY DIVINE POWER! DRAGON SLAYER'S SECRET ART: WRATH OF THE ANCIENT EIGHT!"

"I … must win, but I can't match that no matter what I do!"

"You bastard," Wendy heard from behind her as she slowly turned her head with her eye widening in shock.

"It can't be …"

"Crash Arts: Gardna!"

Gildarts stepped in front of her and punched the air as cracks began to appear stopping the attack from reaching Wendy as she fell into his coat her head resting on his leg, the entire space around the area of the attack began to crack as a large square of the world seemed to just vanish leaving nothing but blackness where the attack had once been.

"You did good kid I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner …"

"Impossible no one can stop such an attack with ease!"

Gildarts gently laid Wendy on the ground wincing as he saw the gash on her face before looking at Serena with nothing but fury in his eyes.

"Today you've just made a grave mistake, not only have you badly wounded two people I'd consider family but you murdered countless innocents! You've abused the power you've been gifted for heinous acts and for that there shall be no mercy given no matter what pathetic excuse you give!"

"You can't talk to me that way I am God, everyone who has been killed or maimed received such punishment as ordained by God!"

"I hope you've made peace with yourself then because I'm about to end your pathetic existence," Gildarts said as he became surrounded in a white aura making Serena step back slightly. "I don't think I've been this angry in a long time you'll pay for what you've done here!"

"Just try it you old fool I'll kill you like all the rest," God Serena roared as he rushed Gildarts who clenched his fists and cracked the air on either side of him as the world went black save for both himself and Gildarts.

"Wh-what have you done!"

"Crash Arts: Plane Reassembly! I've been a master of Crash Magic for as long as I can remember, walking the path of magic has shown me much and I've gained and lost so many loved ones who I keep in my memory to this very day. You are an individual who doesn't even understand the emotion of love simply choosing to butcher as he pleases, this will be your prison a cold black reality from which you shall remain for eternity!"

Gildarts exploded into cubes reappearing in front of Wendy's unconscious body before looking over at Erza who had dragged Elise out of the flames thankfully before she was burned to a crisp.

"How is she Erza?"

"Burns on her arms and legs mostly, slight burns to the face but nothing serious it could have been much worse had she not channelled what little aura she had to protect the rest of her body."

"Erza …"

"Shit your awake Elise," Erza gasped in shock as Elise tore herself from her grip and was hanging over Wendy with tears in her eyes.

"This was my fault I wasn't strong enough to protect her, I should've been in the fight with her!"

"Elise you didn't have enough magic at the time there wasn't anything you could've done!"

"I should've done something just look at her face," Elise cried as everyone shivered fearing what Natsu's reaction to this would be.

"Listen God Serena is gone and he'll pay forever for what he's done to Wendy Elise don't beat yourself up over it," Gildarts said as he transferred some magic to Elise so that she could begin healing her wounds however the burns didn't disappear.

"Why aren't you healing yourself?"

"These will be the reminder of my failure to her, instead I'm gonna use this magic to rip a hole through Alvarez the likes of which they've never seen!"

"Listen there are plenty of other people who need my help so I need to get moving so do you think you three will be alright?"

"Go Gildarts we'll be fine," Erza said softly as she held Elise who cried into her shoulder.

Gildarts nodded as he ran off towards the nearest battlefield leaving the three alone with only the sobbing of Elise to be heard.

"We have to defend Wendy Erza we can't fail her again!"

"We will Elise don't worry we'll get her away from the battlefield and get her looked at by medical mages it'll be alright."

"To get your friend to safety you still have one final hurdle Titania Erza Dragneel."

"No …"

"It's him, the one we saw in Alvarez!"

"The man with the title of World's Greatest Swordsman," Erza gasped as Harkon Avery appeared with his Shodaime Durendal drawn and ready for a fight.

"I have been scouring the battlefield for true masters of the sword and I'd heard that there were two mages who could give me a good fight, Elise Faulkner trained by the Goddess of War herself in the art of combat and Erza Dragneel heralded as the best swordsman in Ishgar. If you desire the safety of your friend then you must strike me down in battle!"

Erza and Elise were both unsure how they should go about this, Elise got a huge boost from Gildarts' monstrous reserves of magic but it was nowhere near enough to take on someone like Harkon in combat.

Although Erza hadn't fought anyone of note she had used up quite a lot of magic slaying countless enemy soldiers and deflecting attacks that her reserves weren't even at 60% of their total capacity making the situation quite impossible for them.

"There is one way we can fight him and stand a chance Erza but it is risky and we could both die if it doesn't work."

"We'll be dead anyway if we don't do anything so what is it?"

"We could form a Unison Pact," Elise said as Erza's eyes widened in shock.

"You know how to perform it!"

"Mother taught me it but told me of its repercussions and up until now I never thought it was worth it, after what just happened with God Serena and knowing this guy is the same rank he is just a member of the Leichart I'm willing to throw everything into this."

"The risk versus reward makes this viable and since death is coming either way I suppose we have little choice, how do we do it?"

"We must stand across from each other and join hands clearing our minds of everything but our desire to become one, we must focus all of our magic and will into the wish to become one and offer something that we will give up in exchange for the union."

"What should we give up?"

"We shall give up the War God Sacred Songs I don't really use them anymore anyway, now come we must do this quickly! Oh and for the record Erza I don't think there is anyone I would rather do this with than you, we might be rivals but I've come to see you as the sister I never had so if we do die from this then …"

Erza hugged Elise which she promptly returned as the two separated and joined hands staring into each other's eyes.

"We will succeed Elise don't worry."

Elise nodded as the two cleared their minds and focused on the wish as their bodies began to glow and slowly begin to fade leaving behind only their magic cores which began to pull towards each other beginning to slowly join as one as a bright light appeared with the symbol of the Gods glowing bright blue.

As the light slowly faded a woman began to come into view as Harkon watched with growing interest, the woman had long flowing white hair with the War Goddess Armor as her attire with the symbol of the Gods glowing Galaxy Blue on the chest piece.

"What form of magic is this?"

"Only the most suicidal magic ever devised of course there are quite a number that can do worse but I suppose that wasn't what you asked was it, oh it seems I ramble rambling is interesting I wonder what else I do," the woman said with a voice that was both Elise and Erza at the same time.

"What have you become woman, what are you?"

"What have we become you ask well that is quite the question isn't it, basically we have become one being in order to combat you isn't that exciting? Of course you find it interesting a nice bit of flattery there for you people love flattery!"

"So you are one being then, do you have a name I only face opponents whose names I know?"

"Our name, oh right we didn't get to that did we does that mean we are forgetful too I don't like forgetful neither do I? But to answer your question what is our name well that is simple yes it is quite simple indeed, our name is … Eliza."

RIP when you end it on something like that haha now the question is was this set up all the way back when I created Elise and Eliza at the start of the story since the names are so perfectly suited or is this the greatest convenience ever? Either way I find it hilarious and I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter and I'll see you in the next one!

Oh and on an unrelated note just as I was writing this a trailer for a new fallout game dropped and I'm literally dying so I hope you all have an amazing day like I am right now!