Chapter 1 - A New Generation & A New Beginning
An elderly man collapsed on the rocky floor, completely exhausted from being overworked. He rubbed his heavy sideburns hair as he looked from the mountain horizon. He smiled contently as the world was alit with the orange tint from the setting sun.
'This is nice...' The elderly sighed in comfort as he watched the world slowly go by and begin to go into another silent night. He turned and walked through a forest, rubbing his hands against the myriad of trees and foliage along his path. He stopped in the medium of a large grassy pain, breathing in the fresh air with his eyes closed as his mind began to recall his past life.
Spending time with his father figure, fighting with his rival, protecting not only his wife and children but also his home village and the entire world. He rubbed his neck and smiled as he entered a large cave and stopped once he stood in the center. "I know that you all are here so you don't need to hide." The old man chuckled as he opened his hand, a small flame leaving from it, and flew towards the cavern ceiling. As the small flame touched the ceiling, it expanded and fully revealed what was within the cave.
As the smiling man stood in the center, nine gigantic creatures surrounded him. A sandy brown raccoon dog, a two-tailed sapphire blue cat whose body seemed to flow as dancing fire, an ashy gray three-tailed sea turtle with spikes protruding from its crab-like shell and from its human-like hands. A green-skinned muscular monkey covered in red fur and black-tipped bone-like protrusions trailing downwards on its four tails, a snow-white creature that had a body of a horse and three horns on its dolphin head sharing a tan color with the ends of its five tails, horns, and hooves. A bipedal, blue-tinted slug with stubby arms and six long tails, its body exerting and covering itself in a thick slimy substance. A greyish blue, armored rhinoceros beetle with seven green tails, six of which had orange inner membranes as they were wings. A muscular light-purple beast with an ox head, human-like hands, and eight tentacles sprouting from the lower half of its body. And the final beast was a reddish-orange fox with red eyes, its eyes covered in a black fur that stretched back to the inside of its ears and had clawed hands very similar to humans as well as long swinging nine tails.
"It's been quite some time since we were all gathered here." The beast with the two tails spoke out loud first. "The last time we've all been gathered together was the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, don't tell me that the world is in shambles once again."
The old man chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. "No, no, nothing bad such as that. I wanted to see you all again and talk with you all once more before I-."
"Before you die, Naruto." The fox spoke out loud in a stern tone. "You're trying to sound prophetic before you leave this world."
The elderly man now identified as Naruto sighed as he smiled softly. "... Yeah, you're right Kurama. I've lived long enough to see the Hidden Leaf Village as well as the entire world be in a time of lasting peace, not only for the humans that walk this Earth but also for the nine of you. I wouldn't have been able to protect this world if I hadn't had your help." Naruto placed his staff down and bowed before the beasts. "Thank you, I truly do mean that."
Kurama began growling and crossed his arms as he stepped forward. "Why are you getting so sentimental? You're weirding me out, you old man! If you're going to die, you should just do it!"
"KURAMA!" The beast with the eight tentacles yelled at the fox. "Why are you acting so abrasive to Naruto?! You should be thankful since he not only saved us, but he also brought you back to life!"
Naruto smiled as he stood back up. "... He is, Gyuki. He's just sad that I'm going to die." Naruto sighed while smiling sadly as he watched Kurama look away from him, Naruto could see the tears forming in his eyes. All of the other beasts' eyes widened as they all noticed this and they felt saddened.
"Kurama..." Naruto stepped closer to the giant fox, placing one of his hands on the hands of the fox. "I know that you're upset because I brought you back when I'm close to death but I want to live life without hardships. I may have lived a troubled life when you were inside me but I never blamed you for anything that." Naruto turned around to face the other beasts. "That goes for all of you."
"Shukaku, Matatabi, Isobu, Son Gokū, Kokuō, Saiken, Chōmei, Gyūki, and Kurama. You all deserve to live happy lives, that's what Old Man Sage wanted for you and that's what I hope to leave you. You've all lived such hard lives even when you were first brought into this world. As much as it hurts to leave you all, I just hope that I leave you in a peaceful world. I love you all like friends, more like family." Naruto looked down before looking back up at the beasts with a bright smile. "I'll be with you all even when I die so don't be sad forever, smile as you remember the time we've spent together!" He then raised his fist up at the beasts.
All of the beasts sighed as they looked at each other but smiled sadly as they looked back at the elderly man, nodding their head as each of them laid one of their hands on top of the other, holding them right above Naruto's fist.
Mountain Range outside the Hidden Leaf Village X560
Land of Forests X768
Much of the forest range was quiet, aside from the occasional strong breeze blowing against the trees. Many of the nearby villagers were in the distant town, enjoying each others' company and working on the village maintenance, much too distracted to cause a ruckus in the woods. Something Kurama liked.
As the gigantic fox lay on a nearby mountain plateau, his aloof eyes watched the scenery and sighed out of both boredom and relief. He was happy that his late best friend had finally managed to bring peace to this otherwise crazy world but most of the world still feared Kurama and the other Tailed Beasts. Every so often, a nearby chief or a group of villagers would come by his mountain and offer some tidings to the fox as a means of keeping the peace between the Kyuubi and the villages.
"Hmmph." Kurama's ear twitched as he began sitting up, placing his clawed hands in front of him as he began walking along with the mountain range. As the Kyuubi began to walk deeper into the forest, his ears perked up at the sounds of wings flapping, he then stopped as the flapping got louder and louder, turning around to face the source. Kurama was surprised at the source, the flapping came from a massive and very muscular crimson dragon. The dragon had a large star scar on the lower region of his abs and scars but his mouth and eyes. "What do you want, Igneel? I doubt you want to fight with being so close to a human village."
Igneel chuckled as he shook his head, landing in front of the giant fox. "No, nothing like that. No friendly fights, just a favor as an old friend."
Kurama snorted as he titled his head and crossed his arms. "This is a surprise. What would The Great King of Fire Dragons need to ask?"
Igneel looked at Kurama with serious eyes, surprised by the sudden change of tone. "I need you to watch over a child." The dragon then opened his clawed hand, revealing a young human-looking child with salmon-colored hair wrapped in a light blue blanket.
Kurama raised an eyebrow as he looked at Igneel. "Why don't you leave the child with the other humans? I'm sure someone will take care of him."
"That's the thing, this boy isn't human. Here, look." Igneel opened the blanket further, exposing the full naked body of the child but the very interesting part that made the Kyuubi's eyes widen was the pink monkey tail that was above the baby's rear. As Kurama looked up at the dragon with shocked eyes and was going to speak, Igneel nodded his head and spoke first. "Yes, this young boy is a Saiyan... It's been some time since I have seen, let alone met one."
"But I thought they all left Planet Earth after the war with the Ōtsutsuki and made their home on that Planet Isebereg?!"
Igneel looked at the child as he began stirring in his sleep, making the dragon sigh softly. "It would seem some are going back to their old ways of conquering planets.I was given this child from his elder brother actually."
Kurama tilted his head. "His brother?"
"Yes, it would seem there is still some remnants of the Ōtsutsukias well as Saiyans." Igneel breathed out flames and as the flames landed between them, they formed into shapes and transformed into the images of the child's family. There was a tall well-built man with the same shade of salmon hair as the child, a beautiful well-endowed woman with raven black hair and holding the young child was a young boy who had the same facial features and jet black hair as the woman. Igneel knelt down as he pointed at the brunette boy. "This boy brought the child you see now to me a few months back. I don't know what happened to the family. Shortly after he gave me his brother, the young boy disappeared and I haven't been able to find him since."
"And what makes you think that I'd take a child in my care?" Kurama asked sternly. "I don't see why this boy would need me, hell! The boy would probably be terrified of me once he sees me!" Just as the Kyuubi finished shouting, the young child woke up and looked his eyes, which caused the Nine Tails to look down at the child. Much to the fox's surprise, the child began giggling and reaching up to his hands. Kurama slowly placed one of his claws against the child's face and caressed it, making the child smile and the young child reached up, beginning to suckle on the beast's claw.
Igneel chuckled at Kurama's shocked expression. "As you can see, this child is different. I was surprised too, he doesn't have that fear most people have when they see beasts like us. It's almost like he doesn't see us as monsters, but as friends, oddly enough. That's why I want to protect him. However, I won't be able to do so for very long..."
"What do you mean by that?" Kurama asked with much concern in his voice.
"... My soul is dying. It has been ever since I fought the bastard, Acnologia. I thought that I could avenge Dragonkind by defeating him and I did manage to wound him but I didn't leave the battle unscathed... I don't have much time left, Kurama." Igneel spoke with unrelenting conviction. "I will teach this boy the powers of a Fire Dragonslayer but I need you to be with him. You're more powerful than I am so I know you can protect him when I leave this world so please. Fulfill this dying old man's wish, I begyou." The dragon then lowered its head at the fox.
Kurama looked down at the giggling child, smiling as he rubbed the baby's cheek. "... What is the boy's name?"
"Natsu." Igneel lifted his head up to meet the gaze of the Kyuubi. "Natsu Dragneel."
"Natsu, huh?... You have my word, Igneel." The dragon smiled as the Kyuubi spoke. "I'll let this boy become my Jinchūriki, that way I can protect him and be with him at all times." Kurama began to chuckle. "It's funny, I believe this is the first time that I have chosen to be sealed within someone. The terrifying Nine-Tailed Fox choosing to protect, rather than destroy."
Igneel began chuckling as well. "I suppose that Naruto Uzumaki really did change you."
"I suppose you're right." Kurama smiled softly as he and Igneel realized that Natsu had fallen asleep, holding onto one of Kurama's fingers and sleeping peacefully with a warm smile on the child's face.
Tower of Heaven X778
Hell…You wanna know what hell is? You have no idea what it is. It's not some super sauna ruled over by a red man with horns and a pitchfork named Lucifer. No…True hell is much worse than that.
Hell is forcing the elderly and the sick to do your bidding and then killing them when they can no longer work. Hell is witnessing the loved ones you grew up with go through malicious tortures and seeing their limbs get severed. Hell is feeling weak, so weak that if you do try to help, nothing at all will change. Ironic isn't it…To be in a place called The Tower of Heaven where it is really The Stairway into Hell.
The sounds of a whip tearing flesh. She had come to fear that sound whenever she heard it.
"Come on, get up. Get up! Get up, you lazy fuck!" A Zeref worshipper kicked a slave in his ribs to get him to move, but no avail. "Well, another one lost."
She then her head away and continue to walk, carrying her supplies to the upper level. As she carried, she was stopped by two worshippers who were looking at her very strangely that it creeped her out. She trembled as they surrounded her. "C-Can I help you sirs?" One of the mages pushed her down onto the ground as the other pinned her down. She squirmed and tried to break free, but no use. She was getting scared. She knew it was useless to do it, but she had to…She had no choice. At the top of her lungs, she screamed as loud as she could
"HELP!"
Smoke filled the air as the Zeref worshippers flew back and crash into the walls from the force. They were worried that it might have been the government sending missiles to destroy their creation for their beloved Savior. From the smoke came…
A small pinkette boy.
The boy stood up and shook his head, cleaning his ears out of the dirt. "Well, that wasn't one of my best landings." The boy chuckled as he dusted himself off.
She got a good look at him. He looked rather odd to her. He was wearing a red sweater, yellow shorts, brown shoes, and a scaly scarf that was wrapped around his neck. His spiky pink hair was not fashioned nor styled. His eyes, those onyx orbs, shone brightly as she looked into them. Who is he?
"Eh, it doesn't matter. Hey, fat boy and skinny man. You wouldn't have happened to have seen a Fire Dragon near-" He stopped talking when he saw the girl through the corner of his eye. He examined her head to toe. His hands had many blisters on them, her legs were riddled with cuts and bruises, and her clothes were torn, but what caught him the most was her face. That face…It was filled with Agony. Fear. The way she looked at him as their eyes met. She was begging him for help.
Next thing he realized he was full of murderous rage.
"HEY!" He yelled at the guards who were still in shock at him even being there. "WHO DID THIS!?" The room began to feel like it was the inside of a furnace on the Zeref worshippers as the boy walked closer to them, grabbing them by their collars before picking them up and throwing them into the wall, knocking them both unconscious.
The boy walked over to the girl, knelt down, and lightly grazed her wounds. His face changed from that of pure rage to that of worriment. He looked down at her hands and feet to see that she was in chains. "Here, let me help you." The boy then lit his hands on fire, shocking the girl out of her mind.
"You can use magic?" She stared into his flames. They seemed so majestic and beautiful.
"Yeah, don't worry, I won't burn you." He placed his hands on the chains, burning them off of her wrists and ankles. "Are you OK?" He asked sweetly, treating her gently. It surprised her since this was the same boy who made short work of those guards, but now he was treating her as if she was fragile.
"W-What's your name?" She asked timidly.
"Natsu. Natsu Dragneel. Nice to meet you." He then smiled at her widely which actually made her smile as well.
"Erza…My name is Erza Uchiha." She timidly introduced herself to him.
Natsu then stood up and looked around, setting his fists ablaze. "It's about time for a jailbreak."
…
As the two trenched on through the Tower, freeing slaves and defeating worshippers, they stopped at four children: a brunette girl, a blonde black boy, a boy with black hair, a boy taller than the previously mentioned children, and one elderly man with long brown eyebrows, a white beard, and whose skin was extremely pale. The children ran up to the cage to see their friend. "ERZA!"
"Hi, guys."
"Friends of yours?"
"Yeah." The children looked at Erza confused.
The taller boy decided to ask "Who's this, Erza?"
"A friend…A friend is going to help us get out of here." Erza realized two things. 1- She didn't have the key for this cage and 2- "Where's Jellal?"
The little girl in the cage grimaced as she looked away "They took him away for torture." This made Erza's eyes widen.
"We have to go save him, but I need to get you guys out of here." Natsu tapped her shoulder.
"Leave that to me." With his hand ablaze, Natsu placed it on the cage lock and melted it as he opened the cage. The kids inside were amazed by this.
…
People were running and screaming as they were freed. However, they were all filled with fear. None of them filled with the courage to fight back against their oppressors and because of this, the worshippers began to trap them in the main area. Although the situation looked terrible, Erza looked over at Natsu to see that he wasn't scared at all. His eyes still shone brightly as he charged at the cultists, which shocked Erza.
"NATSU! Come on! We have to run!"
Despite her screaming for him to run along with her, he refused and pressed on as he fought countless worshippers. She found this to astound and amaze her, this strength he possessed. A strange light seemed to surround Natsu, making all of the worshippers tremble in fear at him. "You guys can't let bastards control you! You have the right to live your lives! None of you deserve this!" A group of the cultists then tackled him to the ground. However, they were all thrown back as Natsu got up again and shouted: "You have to fight! Fight for your freedom! Fight for your friends! Fight for your right to live!" His actions amazed the slaves as they watched him.
Erza's eyes widened as she listened to the young boy.
Although Natsu was valiantly fighting them back, more and more cultists flooded in and ran towards the slaves. Mustering up some courage, Erza picked up a shovel and whacked it onto one of the cultists, surprising everyone in the room. "He's right! We can't run away because they're going to kill us even if we give up! So everyone grab a weapon and fight! Time for us to fight for our freedom!"
After seeing these two children fight, every prisoner cheered as they grabbed their weapons to begin their revolt. The old man looked at the sight and smiled.
'I always knew you were the bravest, Erza.'
…
"Have we got everyone out yet?"
"Not yet. There's still everyone in Section 8."
"But that's the most heavily guarded section." The taller boy cautioned, trying to reason with Erza and Natsu.
"That doesn't matter at all. I'll take all those guys, no sweat!" Natsu pounded his fists together, setting them ablaze.
"You may be a strong and talented wizard, but I don't think you can take on a hundred guards on your own."
Natsu scoffed and growled after hearing the tall boy's response, he never liked it when he was told he couldn't do something. Suddenly, he sniffed around and then looked forward at Erza. He ran towards her and threw her back at her friends.
"Natsu! What are you-?!"
Suddenly, an explosion was set off, and the fire soon surrounded everything, even Natsu himself. Erza's eyes widened and tried to run into the flames after her savior, but stopped as someone held her back. "Simon, let me go!"
"Are you crazy!? You'll die if you go in those flames!" As much as she struggled, he kept on holding her tightly.
"But-But I have to help him! I have to save Natsu!"
"AGHCK! These flames are disgusting!" A shout from within the flames shut the two children up, making the group stare in wonder as they watched the flames being siphoned and disappear. The children's eyes widened as they realized Natsu was eating the flames. The old man raised an eyebrow in surprise and he watched this young boy devour all the flames.
'So, he's a Dragon Slayer huh?' The old man smiled.
"Well, thanks for the grub." Natsu smiled as he began to puff up his cheeks with fire. "FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!" Natsu spewed a large torrent of flames from his mouth and right onto the dark mages, blowing them away and burning them. "Hehe, got them all." Natsu grinned as he stood there victoriously.
"No way…" Milliana, Sho, Wally, and Simon all muttered in disbelief, making Natsu proudly chuckle.
Erza dropped her sword and ran over to the young wizard, hugging him tightly. "You're OK…" Her voice was shaky as she hugged him tighter and smiled.
This was new to Natsu. A person hugging him. To be honest, this was the first time Natsu had been around people. This embrace felt…new to him. He looked down at her, not knowing what to do, he patted her on the head which made her look up at him.
"Of course! Fire can't hurt me. Don't worry!" He smiled widely at her which made Erza smile back. He then grabbed her hand and began running. "C'mon! We have to save your friends remember?"
She looked at him for a moment then smiled. "Right!"
…
Loud screams and war cries resonated all throughout the tower as more and more slaves clashed in the battle. The little group pressed on, freeing more and more slaves while fighting dark mages. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, scaring the children but making Natsu grin excitedly.
"FIRE DRAGON'S SWORD HORN!" Natsu lit his entire body on fire and charged right at the enemy mages, burning them and clearing a path for his comrades. As he landed, three more soldiers jumped onto him, scaring Erza.
"NATSU!" She stopped running and turned around, running towards to help her newfound friend. However, as she got close, Natsu had thrown all of them off of him and threw them crashing into the wall. Erza threw a shovel at a Magic Soldier running behind Natsu, making him turn to face more opponents. "Natsu! Stop! We have to work together!"
He stopped, thinking about what she said, then looked at her. He wouldn't mind working with Erza so he made his way back to her, which made her smile.
More and more explosions went up, sending both slaves and soldiers flying. Many of the slaves including the children just stared in total fear and astonishment. "T-They're killing their own…Imagine what they'll do to us…" Sho began to tear up as his legs shook with fear before he turned and ran away, just like the rest of the slaves.
"No! Stop! Don't give up! We have to fight to get to freedom!" Erza began to run after everyone but tripped and fell as she got pelted on the back by a rock flying from another explosion. "Stop…Please…" Tears began to form in her eyes as she was unable to move.
Suddenly, Erza no longer felt the weight on her back and felt that she was getting lighter and lighter then felt strong arms hold her. 'Huh?' She opened her eyes and realized Natsu had picked her up bridal-style and was carrying her towards her friends.
"Don't worry. I got you." Natsu smiled widely at her, easing her for reasons unbeknownst at the moment. Natsu then looked around before looking back at her with a serious face as he noticed the Magic Soldiers were preparing another round of attacks. "Erza, run away with everyone and save your friend, Jellal. I'll take care of these guys here." He then began to set her back down onto the ground.
"NO!" Erza screamed, refusing to leave. After everything he did for her and her friends, how could she? She wasn't just going to leave her and he wasn't leaving her sight!
"Don't worry. I'll be OK. It's just fi-"
"What will you do when they figure out fire doesn't work on you?! They'll just come down and kill you!"
Natsu smirked as he pounded his fists together "Trust me. I don't plan on dying, Erza. When they come, I'll knock them all down! Now you have to go. Go on and save your friend. Go!"
She didn't move so Natsu tried forcefully moving her out of the way. She still wouldn't budge.
"KILL THOSE BRATS!" Many magical shots were released and headed right towards them which made Natsu fear the worst.
He got in front and braced himself for the impact…Nothing. He felt nothing. Natsu opened his eyes and noticed they were being shielded. Erza noticed as well which made her eyes widen as she recognized who it was as the dust cleared.
"GRANDPA ROB!" Erza shrieked as she ran over to him, grabbing his pants. "W-Why? Why did you do this?" Her voice was shaky as she felt her eyes get moist and held his pants tighter.
The old man crossed his arms together. "I will not allow you to take the lives of these innocent children!" He glared as flames spiked up from the ground, sending the soldiers into the air with burns. His arms dropped as he dropped down onto his knees. The old man not only had blocked the attack but also burned away the enemy, however, it came at a cost of a lot of Magical energy which in turn made his skin cracked.
Mustering the last of his strength, Uncle Rob smiled at Erza as he stood up again. "Don't end up like me, Erza. You have so much potential…Don't let it go to waste!"
Erza stared at the man in awe. "Grandpa…"
"Your beautiful smile kept me going through all these years in this wretched place…It reminded me of my own daughter." The man began to shed tears but yet he did not fall. "Hopefully, that boy will keep on there." He turned to Natsu, who also stared at the man in awe, before turning back forward again. "Your freedom lies within your heart, child. Follow your heart, and your dream of becoming a wizard will come true!"
More magical shots were fired, engulfing his body.
Rob's body perished and disintegrated into dust.
"GRANDPA!"
"N-No way…" Natsu fell onto his knees as he realized that all people could die, including himself. He remembered the lessons Igneel taught about morality and how people die when they are much older, around seventy-five or higher, but he also taught him that they could die whenever and however.
"NATSU! ERZA! Come on, we have to retreat!" Wally yelled as Simon grabbed Sho's and Milliana's hands to run away.
Natsu was brought back to reality after hearing his voice and he looked over at Erza. She wasn't moving at all, just staring at the cuffs in her hands with her mouth and eyes wide open. She dropped her head as she sobbed, her hair cascading down over her eyes.
Suddenly, an intense rise of Magical Power emerged. Natsu's eyes widened as he realized it was coming from Erza.
The guards charging toward them stopped as well as the slaves ran away.
Erza threw her head up as she screamed, and everyone noticed the change in her eyes. Her pupils changed into a red and black circular designer with three tomes within them as they changed, a dark red magical aura surrounded her. Many of the tools began levitating in the air before darting towards the guards, pelting them and knocking them with slash marks all over their bodies. She then stood up, holding a sword into the air.
"We're fighting back!"
…
"WHAT ARE THESE BRATS!?" One guard shot at Natsu and Erza, however, Natsu grabbed Erza and hopped into the air, avoiding their attacks before throwing Erza at him. She slashed at him, lightly grazing him with her blade, effectively knocking him out. As they finished with the guards, a blue-haired boy walked out from the darkness.
"Jellal!" Erza ran towards the boy, glad to see her friend was unharmed, but Natsu just watched her. Something about the boy felt…strange.
"Jellal, everyone's fighting back! We're getting out of here! We're free now!"
The boy said nothing as he walked toward her with an emotionless face, which caused her to tense up. "Free?" The boy finally spoke before shaking his head "No…We are not free…There is no freedom in this world."
'What's wrong with him?' Erza stared at Jellal in disbelief and confusion "What are you talking about Jellal? We're free now! Everyone's fighting back! Although…we did lose some people…" Her face saddened as she gripped her sword tighter in her hand but then she looked up at him "But we had some help!" She looked over to Natsu and smiled which made him smile back.
Jellal grabbed her shoulder which made her look up at his calm but eerie smile, causing her to tense up again. "That's exactly my point, Erza. We're not free from the conflicts in this world, but there's a way…Only Lord Zeref can save us." He let go of her and stared around the rumble of the tower. "I shall rebuild this tower and call it the Tower of Heaven for it be the pillar to salvation." He turned to face her again with the same smile plastered on his face. "Erza…Stay here with me, help me rebuild this place so that we may reach salvation."
Erza suddenly grew angry at his response. "What's wrong with you!? How could you say that after what happened here!? Everyone's fighting for us! And some even died for us, including Uncle Rob! Please! Let's just leave!" She shouted and pleaded which made Jellal scowl.
"So you choose to run away from salvation?" Jellal raised his hand as his left eye changed into a strange sideway eye design "Then you shall perish just like those before you."
Erza grabbed her throat as she felt some force on her neck then she noticed she was floating in the air as Jellal rose his hand higher and higher. "J-Jellal…Please…S-stop…" He just grinned more sinisterly as he motioned his arm towards the wall, sending Erza into it which knocked her out.
"ERZA!" Natsu instantly ran over to her, checking her injuries and making sure she was still alive. Luckily, she was just unconscious
"Such a fool." Natsu's head rose as he heard the blue-haired boy speak. "Believing that she could save everyone. Ha! Only dim-witted fools will believe such a thing. Only I and Lord Zeref can save this pathetic world." Natsu grew angry and angrier the more he spoke. "Just for going against me, I will tell everyone that you betrayed them. That this little ruse was just a plan for you to escape. Oh, I wonder what they'll do." Jellal chuckled.
Natsu's whole body shook with anger as the entire room developed in intense heat, making Jellal whip around to stare at him, and in doing so, he noticed leaks of reddish-orange energy coming out of the pink-haired boy. "Shut up…Shut the hell up!" Natsu turned his head towards Jellal with crimson eyes with black slits within them. Unlike before, these eyes were full of anger and hatred. "I'm gonna end you!"
The more and more Jellal stared into those eyes, the young boy didn't see the boy. No…what he saw was a monster. A demon. A demon with nine tails and it looked ANGRY. Jellal just gulped and stared in fear before realizing Natsu began charging at him. He tried his Telekinesis on him but he was too close.
"FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!" With his right fist covered in deep red flames, Natsu jabbed Jellal right in the stomach, making him spit up blood as he sent flying through the wall. Jellal spat up some more blood as he began to sit up and as he did, he saw that Natsu was charging toward him again.
'Just what the hell is he!?' Jellal stood there shocked before seeing Erza move again. As she gained consciousness, she grew scared at what had happened to Natsu.
"NATSU! STOP!" Upon hearing her voice, all of the malicious energy coming off of him disappeared as he turned around to see Erza run towards him.
Suddenly, the two were blown back as Jellal stood up. "Erza, you want to leave so badly, then leave. However, you'll be leaving on your own."
Erza picked herself off the ground. "What are you saying?"
"It'll be impossible for me to rebuild this on my own so I'll be needing some help. Luckily I know where to find some." He chuckled a bit before walking toward them while still covering his burn scar. "Oh, don't worry. I won't mistreat them; they'll be taken under my care."
Erza's eyes narrowed at his words. "They're already at the boats and there's no way they'll agree to something like this! You can't convince them Jellal!"
"Oh please. After they witness my newfound power, they'll want some of it. Then all I need to do is give them a purpose and they'll happily resurrect Lord Zeref."
"None of them will willingly sacrifice themselves!"
"Who said anything about sacrifices? Lord Zeref is a benevolent god. There will be no need of them."
She couldn't take it anymore; tears began forming out the corners of her eyes. "Jellal, please…Don't do this…Wake up!"
"Heh, fool. I had awoken! And I see now what I was destined to do!" He raised his hand towards the opening, aiming right at the boats. "Make one false move Erza and I kill them here and now. Sho will be the first to go."
Erza was reluctant. She couldn't this was happening. First, her father figure dies protecting her, and now this? But she could tell he was serious by the look in his eyes. She just turned around and grabbed Natsu, signaling him to run away with her.
Jellal just smirked at the sight. "THAT'S RIGHT! LEAVE AND NEVER COME BACK! I'LL ENJOY THIS FREEDOM WHILE YOU SUFFER FROM THE BURDEN OF YOUR GUILT!"
…
Natsu looked around after waking up to notice that he was on a beach. The memories of the tower plagued his mind, filling him with a vicious rage as he balled his fist tightly. 'I'll make you pay, you bastard.'
"Natsu…" He immediately looked to his left to see Erza staring at him.
"Erza." They stared at each other for moments before tears covered her eyes. She rushed to him and hugged him tightly, surprising him. Tears soaked his sweater, but he didn't mind it. After all, he would just dry himself off.
"Thank you!" She squeaked out although her voice was muffled by the sweater.
He just hugged her back and listened to the soothing sounds of the oceans. This was much better than the tower's screams of agony and seeing so much chaos.
He didn't know why but…he felt attached to this girl. Like he needed to protect her because she's the only thing that matters to him. Was she a friend? No, she was something more than that. He never wanted to leave her side. Maybe…
"Hey…Erza?" With a gentle voice, Natsu called out to her. She looked up at him, tears cascading down her face.
"Do you wanna help me look for my dad?"
Despite everything that happened, all the cruelty, deaths, and betrayal she witnessed; she smiled.
"Yes."