Chapter 64

Acnologia

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

Natsu and Laki dropped to their knees and smiled at each other. "It's finally over..." Gray mumbled, clutching his chest.

"Indeed it is." Erza nodded as she donned herself in her basic armor.

"That means we won?" Wendy asked.

"Here, you two might want these back." Lucy said offering the slayers their accessories.

"Thanks." Laki nodded before they took the items.

"Natsu!" Happy screamed as he, Carla and Rose ran into view.

"What now?" The pinkette asked as the group looked over.

A swarm of masked wizards were running after the cats, weapons at the ready. "Well this is just great." Gray huffed.

"Not good, I'm completely out of magic power." Erza said.

"This is bad." Wendy added.

"I'm out of power too." Pantherlily added.

A footstep caught everyones attention as they turned behind the fighters. "Don't you move!" Makarov bellowed as he and the rest of the injured and defensive team stood behind him. The offensive team smiled at the group while Laxus looked on in worry. The dark wizards panicked even more when they saw Hades on the ground in defeat. "Leave this island at once."

In an instant, the masked wizards turned tail and ran for their lives. It took a second before the Fairy Tail members began cheering in victory. "Is something wrong, Gray?" Freed asked.

"Yeah, why isn't Juvia here?" The ice wizard asked.

"She never made it back to camp." The vernette explained.

'I hope she's okay...' Gray thought to himself.

Laxus sat on the floor as Makarov walked past him. The two shared a small glance before the master sighed. "It's good too see you again... Is that what you were expecting me to say!? How dare you set foot on our sacred ground while I've expelled you!"

"You're gonna give yourself a stroke." Laxus mumbled.

"Please calm down, master..." Levy begged.

Off to the side the Thunder Legion stood in shock before tackling the blonde in joy.

"Man, the master is still as strict as ever." Elfman mumbled.

"Yes he is..." Mirajane chuckled.

"Now lets get back to the the trial!" Natsu cheered, shocking the entire group.

"Seriously?" Happy asked.

"Now that the interference is taken care of, we can finish it off with an all out battle royal." The pinkette said, swinging his arms.

"I'm starting to think that someone knocked out the only two braincells out of your head." Gajeel spoke up. "Theres no way you can beat me when you're that beat up."

"I can take you know problem! Especially now that I've got a Lightning Flame Dragon-" Natsu fell over in a mix of exhaustion and magical trauma.

"Is he okay?" Levy asked.

"He'll be fine." Laki replied. "He's just a little sore from eating something other than fire. For now, let's just head back to camp."

"Sounds fine with me." Wendy added as she held onto Carla. "We could all use some rest."

Everyone began agreeing with the two walking back to the camp while Makarov just stared at Hades. "Just finish me off already..."

"I learned a great deal of things from you over years." The third master told his predecessor. "In exhange for that, I'm going to let you leave the island."

"Such foolishness..." Hades mumbled. "If you let me live, I'll just return to destory your guild."

"I did fail to beat you. But my kids defeated you." Makarov pointed out.

"No... they merely destroyed my heart while they received a power boost from the Tenrou Tree." Hades replied. "If those hadn't happen, I'd be the victor."

"How did you turn into this?" Makarov asked.

"I once told you that magic was just an extension of darkness." The downed man said. "All the miracles of magic are from the depths of that darkness. I left the guild so i could learn the secrets of magic, and learn the truth of the world. The world we live is full of life, the world of magic Zeref describes is dark and dead. I wanted to see if for myself, that's why i went after zeref and his keys. I was so close to reaching it... The One Magic."

"Nothing would have changed even if you did find it." Makarov spoke up. "Whether magic is born from darkness or light doesn't matter. Magic is as much a living thing as anything else. It changes and grows with us, becomes whatever we want it to be. And living freely together alongside Fairy Tail. All of these things... I learned from you..."

Makarov turned and walked away leaving Hades alone with his thoughts.

Base Camp

Natsu snorred loudly as the Strauss siblings and Laki surronded him. "Laki, will you shut you boyfriend up?" Elfman asked. "I cant sleep with that noise."

"Elfman, just let him rest." Mirajane said.

"Hey, check it out." Lisanna smirked before tying Natsu's hair in pigtails. "What do you think, Laki?"

"Aw, he's so cute." The glasses girl chuckled.

"That's just nit right." Elfman mumbled.

"Do you really think we destroyed Hades heart?" Happy asked.

"No, but we still did our job." Carla replied.

"You're not hurt, are ya Lily?" Gajeel asked before wincing in pain.

The Thunder Legion was gushing around their former leader as Wendy pulled away from Happy. "Okay, so who's next?" She asked.

"Don't you think you should take a rest?" Laki asked.

"Nah, ever since the Tenrou tree came back, I've been feeling so refreshed." The bluenette said.

"What i don't understand is how the tree came back to normal." Erza mumbled.

Rustling caught everyone's attention to see Juvia crawling out of the woods. "I'm sorry, my love... I let Zeref get away..." Instantly, she presented her ass to Gray. "Please, punish me..."

Gray froze in fear as Laki placed her hand on him. "Wait, Laki i wasn't gonna do anything, i swear!"

"Looks like all we need is Gildarts..." Cana mumbled next to Lucy.

"Wait, you were really kicked out of the guild?" Gildarts chuckled next Laxus. "What'd you do, kill a guy?"

"Shut up, drunk." The blonde replied. Both girls stared in shock before laughing at the two.

Grimoire Heart Airship

The smoking hulk of the ship took in shame as the three survivors sat in defeat. "I can't believe we lost..." Rusty mumbled.

"I know..." Kain mumbled.

"We had Zeref in the palm of our hand and we let him slip away." The poet explained.

A footstep caught eveyrones attention before they three gasped in shock. "Its people like you that turned me into a monster. And now nothing can stop me from ending this era." Bright red eyes filled with anger stared up at them as Hades stood before them.

"Z-Zeref..." Hades mumbled in shock. Kain and Rustyrose quickly dropped to their knees and bowed to Zeref. "Is... is this a dream? Lord Zeref is in front of me?" The unchanging glare on the Black Wizards face only brought a smile to Hades. "Quick! Bring me the keys!"

Rustyrose and Kain could only tremble in fear in Zeref's presence. "I-I can't move..." The poet mumbled.

"I'm stuck..." The large man added.

Hades gasped in shock as Zeref looked down at the two. "I have no need for these 'keys' of yours." He said shocking Hades even more. "I'm already awake. Now tell me, how many lives did you snuff out to obtain them? Did you even bother keeping count? All you did was follow the stories some fanaticals made up, and that will be your legacy. I was never asleep to start with."

"But that's impossible!" Hades shouted. "I saw you with Devil's Eye! You fell so easily to Ultear!"

"I'll say this once, at the time that was my true power." The Black Wizard replied before unleashing a wave of dark magic. "I've seen so much death and destruction in my four hundred year life. One day, i finally learned the value of life. But that is when my curse only grew worse.

"The more I value the life, the more my curse steals it. In order to save the lives of those around me, I must forget just how precious life it is. This is a horrible burden, but one I've chosen to bear."

"You mean you were hiding to protect life!?" Hades asked.

"Correct." Zeref nodded. "I refused to use any of my magic out of a sense of duty. But your actions have broken that line of thought for good. Because of you, Acnologia will bring an end to this era."

"What are you talking about!?" Hades asked standing up. "What is this Acnologia!?"

"On this day, I bring you pentance for all the sins you've comitted." Zeref said, waving his arms.

"Wait, there are still questions I need answered!" Hades begged.

"For summoning Acnologia, for taking so many lives, and for making me forget the importance of life." Zeref held out his hands and glared at Hades. "I'd repent while you still can."

Ocean

A small boat floated above the waves as Ultear and Meredy sat in it, floating away from Tenrou. "Meredy, is something wrong?" Her mother-figure asked. "I know its going to be hard, but we need to forget about Zeref and Grimoire Heart." The girl just sat silent as dolphins flipped out of the water. "Look, dolphins."

"Ultear..." Meredy finally spoke up. "Tell me the truth; were you the one who lead the destruction of my town? My family, my friends... I deserve the truth."

Ultear could only hang her head in shame. "Yes... it is." Meredy went wide eyed at the truth. "I always wanted to tell you the truth. I used to consider this life the first try. Then once we reach the Grand Magic World it would begin our second life. I belived we would start life all over again, and thus i acted so incredibly cruelly.

"Thats the reason i acted and did such terrible things." Meredy stood up in anger. "I was so wrapped up in reaching the Grand Magic World that i turned into a monster. A wicked woman who killed countless others to achive my own goals. I have no right to ask for your forgivness.

"I know you want nothing more than to kill me right now, however-" Meredy went wide eyed as she watched Ultear impale herself with her sword. "I won't let you stain your hands in blood anymore... I'll sink to the ocean and you will finally find happiness... I love you." She fell back to the water and began sinking.

"Ultear!" Meredy shouted.

Ultear floated down into the ocean and looked around. 'The sea... I'm back with my mother... this is nice last embrace...' Seconds later, Meredy popped out of the water with Ultear in her grasp. "Meredy!?"

"You have to live... Ultear..." The girl wept out.

Ultear felt a magical spell on her wirst and looked. 'A sensory link!?"

"I can feel it all..." Her daughter said. "Your sadness, your regrett, I know everything about it. But you still raised me, and that will never change. I forgive you! I'll never remind you of this again! So please don't let me be alone! I'm just like you! We need to live together!"

Ultear stared at her daughter and started crying herself before the two hugged in the water.

Grimoire Heart Airship

A massive pillar of magic shot through the ship as Hades fell over. "Master Hades, now!" Rustyrose shouted.

"He-He-he's dead..." Kain mumbled.

"Scum like you deserves to suffer greatly." Zeref mumbled. A roar across the sky caught his attention and he turned around. "Acnologia..."

He walked out onto the open deck and watched as the frame of a massive beast soared over him. "It won't speak to them. They're nothing more than insects to him. Like men, he won't fight them like enemies but pests. Mankind will be knocked off the top of the food chain. This era is coming to end. Goodbye, Natsu."

Tenrou Island Base Camp

"ARE YOU JOKING!?" Natsu, Gray, Gajeel and Elfman shouted at Makarov.

"Not even a little." The master replied. "So get over it. With everything that's happened, I've no other choice but to cancel the trials this year."

"We can still do this trial! Come on!" Gray shouted.

"You always said to finish what we started, so let us do this!" Natsu added.

"No way am I leaving until I make S-Class!" Gajeel shouted.

"Nice try, but it was Levy who was nominated." Elfman said.

"Believe me, I hate this to. But we don't have a choice." Makarov said.

"First we had a council worker infiltrate out guild, and then Grimoire Heart showed up." Mirajane said.

"Its not like we have any energy ourselves." Levy spoke up.

"You're really gonna take this lying down!?" Gajeel asked.

"She's the nominee, and she's made her choice clear." Pantherlily said.

"Damn it all! I wanted to become S-Class!" Gray complained.

"Don't worry, my love. There's always next time." Juvia cheered.

Behind her, Elfman let out a defeated sigh. "Well, a real man knows when to throw in the tower."

"You losers can give up if you want, but that means I just win by default!" Natsu declared. "Now make me S-Class already!" He screamed as he flailed around.

"Natsu, please calm down." Laki begged as Makarov sighed. "Fine, I'll handle this." She walked over to her boyfriend and pulled on his ear. "Natsu, if you don't stop this we won't go on a real date." Instantly, Natsu sat down and apologized to Makarov as the Ice Wizard chuckled.

Hands pulled on Lisanna's face much to her annoyance. "Please stop this." She begged.

"Huh, you're real." Laxus mumbled before patting her on the head. "So, see anyone important on the other side?"

"I wasn't dead!" She shouted back.

"Laxus, leave the pour girl alone." Evergreen teased.

"His perception is better than last time." Freed added. "He must have been training hard."

"You really think so?" Bickslow asked his totems, unsure if Freed was serious.

Wendy and Carla watched from afar as the blonde continued to tease Lisanna. "He seems nice, doesn't he?" The girl asked her cat. "But he's still pretty scary."

"He's just another person, child." Carla scolded.

"Laxus might be a little intimidating, but deep down he is a decent person." Erza said as she walked up from behind. "He's just... a little bit arrogant."

"Really?" Wendy asked as she watched the two. "Maybe i should meet him, then."

Away from it all, Lucy and Cana were soaking in a green pool filled with plants. "I thought this was supposed to help." The blonde complained.

"A medicinal spring..." Cana mumbled as she picked up a plant. "I guess we just let this stuff seep into our wounds."

"Cana, is your right hand okay?" Lucy asked.

"You mesn from when i received Fairy Glitter in my arm?" The brunette asked back before holding up her arm. "It seems the rental period is over." She chuckled before her smile dropped. "Lucy... Sorry."

"About what?" The blonde asked.

"You know... me ditching you and going to Mavis' grave, remember?" Cana said. "Its been on my mind... betraying your friends is something you regret for your entire life."

"I don't consider that betrayal." Lucy spoke up. "Thats just the guilds usual pranks and antics. Besides, I don't like seeing you sad Cana."

Cana smiled a little bit before standing up. "I didn't really want to become S-Class, I just thought I wanted to tell my father the truth..."

With Natsu & Gildarts

The man in question was currently sitting next to a depressed Natsu. "What's with the mopey face?" He asked.

"It's not that interesting..." Natsu said.

"Come on, I'm pretty sure Laki would enjoy a date with fresh fish you caught." He chuckled. "Happy, stay out of the basket."

"Aw..." The cat wined in annoyance.

"Natsu, trust me when on this. Women love it when you show them just how manly you really are." The ace said.

"Gildarts!" Lucy shouted as she and Cana walked over. "Cana has something important to tell you." The blonde then grabbed the pinkette and his cat before pulling them away.

Cana and Gildarts stared at each other before the girl gripped her arm. "The reason i came to this guild... was to search for my father." She said.

"First time I heard this." Gildarts said. "Is this really all you wanted to talk about? Is he a part of the guild?"

"Y...yeah he is." She nodded. Her fist tightened as she took a brearh. "It's you, Gildarts." The ace gasped in shock, as did Natsu and Happy from the bushes. "Lots of different things happened... but I never had the chance to tell you."

"Wait a second!? You!?" He mumbled.

"Yeah, its hard to accept, isn't it?" She asked.

"Whose kid are you!?" He asked before listing off every single girl he ever slept with.

"Just how many women have you been with!?" Cana asked in disgust. "I can't take it anymore! I tell the truth and find out my dad is a man-whore! You know what, forget it! Lets just go back to how things were before!"

She marched away in anger before Gildarts wrapped his arms around her. "You're Cornelia's child... No doubt in my mind. "Why didn't you say anything until now? Cornelia was the only woman i truly loved... and she was the only woman I ever married. I was completely fixated on work and left her 18 years ago. I'd just been following where the wind took me. But I had no idea I had a child..."

"Its okay..." She replied. "I'm the one who kept it hidden from you. It might have been wrong for me to decide on my own, but now it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest..." Gildarts began to start crying much to her embarrassment. "Knock it off... I didn't bring this up to make you take responsibility. We can just act like we always do. Just once... let me say I'm happy to see you dad."

Gildarts felt his heart tear apart before he broke down and started crying. He wrapped her in another hug and she did the same. "You don't need to worry about that anymore. I'll never let that happen again! We'll always be together, no matter what."

"That sounds a little annoying." Cana chuckled.

"Please... just let me have the right to love you." He begged as Natsu and Happy were crying from the scene before them.

A low growl filled the sky and Gildarts hugged Cana tighter. "It can't be..."

Base Camp

A deep growl filled the air, unnerving Makarov. "There it is again..." He mumbled.

"Master..." The old man turned around to see Erza walking over. "The ship is ready to take us back to the main land. However, about Laxus..."

"I've nothing to say about or to him." The master replied. "Other than the fact that he has a set in him, setting foot on the guilds sacred ground. He doesn't have that privilege anymore."

"But he-" Erza started.

"I know all about what he did to Hades." Makarov interrupted. "How he saved your lives but risking his own. My appreciation is more than enough as far as he's concerned. No matter what he's done, he is still an outsider."

"Figured as much." Both turned to see Laxus walk over. "This is how the guild has stayed strong over the years. No one gesture is enough to get into the guild. You guys were in trouble, so I did what any decent person would do. No alternative motives at all. Old man..." Makarov just glared at his grandson. "Yeah, there it is. Probably the last time I'll see that face. So long."

Another growl filled the air and everyone on the island stared up at the sky as they covered their ears. "What is that!?" Mirajane asked.

"That... that was a dragons roar..." Laki mumbled.

"You serious!?" Levy asked.

"There's no way a Dragon Slayer would forget that noise." Wendy said.

Another roar rocked the island as Lucy's group reached the camp. Gildarts grabbed his arm in pain as he looked up at the sky. "No way... that dragon is getting real close."

"In the sky!" Pantherlily shouted, pointing up. The whole island stared up at a massive black and blue dragon soared above them.

"This is a joke, right?" Gajeel asked in a panic.

"I don't think so..." Laki mumbled.

"Thats a real dragon." Wendy added.

"I was right, dragons are still real." Natsu said.

"Acnologia..." Makarov mumbled in fear. "The black dragon of the apocalypse..."

"You, over there!" Natsu shouted up. "You know where Igneel is right now, don't you!? Tell me, and where are Metallicana, Grandeeney and Drusta!"

"Natsu, knock it off!" Gildarts shouted. "Don't you remember what he did to me!?"

The beast let out another roar before diving at the island. "It's landing!" Freed shouted. The beast hit the earth and started tearing the ground apart.

"Run for it!" Gildarts shouted, shocking everyone. "We can't fight this thing! All we can do is try and survive!" The beast roared around them, blasting them all back.

Natsu opened his eyes and stared at the destruction the monster has caused. "The whole forest... gone..."

"Stop your gawking and get to the skip!" Gildarts shouted.

After that display of power, everyone began racing towards the ship. "Laki, can't you talk to this thing!?" Rose asked racing next to her.

"Anyone can talk to a dragon, but i don't think this one came here for a conversation!" The purplette shouted back as the beast tore through the forest. "Damn it, he's blocked us off from the ship!" The dragon tore ripped trees out of the ground like nothing as Makarov stood between the guild and the monster.

"Get to the ship, now!" Makarov shouted as his body started to glow. Acnologia roared as Makarov placed his arms around its neck.

"Master, let us help you!" Erza shouted.

"Run!" He shouted back as the beast started pushing on him, only to hear the members vow to help him. "Can't you brats just follow your masters last order!? Just run!"

"Did he just say..." Lisanna mumbled in horror.

e"I'm a Dragon Slayer!" Natsu shouted back. "I can help fight this-" Laki tackled him from behind and started crying as Laxus pulled them back.

"We need to leave, Natsu!" The blonde said back.

"Laxus! How dare you-" Tears were visible from the mans eyes as the entire guild began crying as they ran.

'I'm sorry... but one day you will understand...' Makarov said. 'Don't cry over me, I'm doing what any parent woukd do. Now go! And live into the future!' The monster raised its tail and flailed it around as Makarov gripped the neck tighter. "I don't know why you're here, but you will not harm my children!"

The beast pushed back and forced Makarov to the ground before digging its claws into the giants chest. It roared in triumph as Makarov started laughing. 'This... this is what a father does. For the first time I'm acting like a parent. I can die happy."

Acnologia roared again before it turned its attention to the side. It slammed its tail down, only for Natsu to roll to the side and jump up, grabbing onto the arm. "No one is taking Gramps away from us!" He growled out as he held on as the beast swung like it was trying to hit a bug.

Makarov was flung to the side and shrunk down against some rocks. The dust settled only to show Erza in front of him. "Not gonna lie, I was cool with evacuating." He turned to see Laxus to the other side. "I'm sure the old me would have run from this and left you behind, but not anymore."

"Charge!" Erza shouted before the entire team let loose a swarm of spells that merged into a giant blast. Natsu was pulled away by Happy at the last second from the blast as a small girl watched from afar with a smile on her face.

The creature roared in defiance from the blast, angering Laxus. "Natsu, Laki! Show this lizard what Dragon Slayers can do!"

"Let's do this!" Gajeel added as he, Laki and Wendy took off with their Exceeds partners.

"Iron Dragon/Wood Dragon/ Sky Dragon/ Fire Dragon Roar!" The four unleashed their roars at once and their elements merged with enough force to send it flying back into the ocean.

"Did we do it?" Erza asked.

"Not even a bit." Gildarts said from behind. "He's not even using a fraction of the power he did when he fought me. Right now, he's just toying with us."

The beast ripped out of the ocean and took to the sky again, scaring the group. "Damn it!" Natsu slammed his fists to the ground in anger. "I'm a Dragon Slayer, so why won't this thing die!?"

The creature pulled its head and magic power began swirling around the open mouth. "It's a breath attack!" Gajeel shouted.

"Every one who can cast a defensive spell, do so!" Erza shouted. "Concentrate you magic on Freed and Levy!"

"Hold hands to share your power!" Mirajane added before the entire guild took each others hands.

"Natsu, we're not done yet." Laki said before she gripped Natsu's hand. He nodded and stood up in a circle as the group stared up at the beast. The group started glowing as the breath attack hit, creating a massive hole in the ocean that filled quickly before the dragon flew off into the sky.

With that DEVASTATING attack, the Tenrou Arc is offically over. And it looks like that this story is going to be one of three that gets the Infinity Clock arc in it. I'll put my own spin on it to get rid off some of the stupid stuff in it. See ya then.

Beta read by JballinR12.