...don't believe this...

I gasped, hearing a familiar voice in what should be a silent void. I had a feeling my eyes were open but I couldn't see anything. There was nothing to see. It was neither hot or cold. There was no up or down. I was just... there; existing. It felt like as though I had been asleep this whole time. Is this what a coma feels like? Is it just the darkness that comforts me? I thought I heard someone say something just now... but perhaps the loneliness I feel is just getting to me.

...HEAR ME LU-!?

There it was again. The same voice from earlier. I'm sure, this time, that I actually heard someone call out to me. But how was that possible? How could someone reach me here? I'm... nowhere. Even if I tried to reply, my voice wouldn't come out. My body isn't my own anymore. My mind is no longer my mind. I don't even know how long I have been here. All I remember are the faint feelings of despair and helplessness I felt from back then. Back when I lost the most important thing to me.

I KNOW... HAVEN'T GIVEN UP...!

Who was that? Why does the heavy feeling in my heart get lighter when it hears that voice? Why can't I recall the name and face of that person? They must be important. They have to be. Though the weight of my chest feels lighter, I can feel my heart tighten. But why? I don't remember. It feels like an eternity... since I heard that voice. But, as sure I am of its importance, I can't recall anything. I feel nothing. Nothing but the weight. The lingering pain. The pain of something missing.

I AIN'T... EITHER!

That person... they sound so strong. Could I even remember what it felt to be like that? Was I also like that? And if I was... could I be like that again? Am I allowed to feel anything again? The passion in his voice. That strong belief in his heart. I can hear it. I can sense it. Like a burning flame that wouldn't even go out in the strongest of storms. His name... warm like the sun. "Na-"

HURRY UP... COME HOME! Thump.

What was that? I can hear something. It's getting louder. That word... "home"... it sounds beautiful. It sounds peaceful. The reason I am here... the reason I am just a floating entity in darkness... Perhaps I can find out why if I search for this home. Maybe... I will remember what I had lost. And then I will remember who is calling for me. I don't know why but... I want to reach my hand out to that person. I can feel their pull so strongly. I want to let them know I can hear them.

Thump.

Could that sound... could it be my heart? It's slow, but I can feel it. It's making me feel like I should do something. But how can I do something when nothing can be done from within this space? I don't know how to move nor can I see a way out. I can't remember how I got in here yet it feels like it's been an eternity. The only hint I have is the lingering feeling of home. The fading memory of something I have lost. The voice of that person who's name I cannot say.

'Mama?'

I blinked when I heard the voice of the child I loved with all my being. That small yet strong little voice that I cursed myself for forgetting. When I opened my eyes, I was no longer met by the void of darkness that was my prison. A small little light was shining brightly from far away. Even though she was far, I can feel her warmth and love as if she was right next to me. That small little girl that I didn't know would be my own. The same little girl that should not be here.

"Nashi..."

That name sounded so foreign coming out of my lips. Hearing the sound of my voice seemed felt like an illusion that would go away. But that little piece of light that shined in the darkness just came closer. The closer it was, the brighter this space became. I desperately reached my hand out towards her. My beloved daughter whom I can no longer hold. "Nashi!"

'I'm right here, Mama.'

That little light soon collided with my floating human body. The collision creating a bright burst of light as I began to regain my sanity. My mind. My being. Uncovering my eyes, I was in awe at my dark prison turned into a golden space of what seemed like my magic. Light surrounding my body as my hair floated slightly above my neck. The little piece of light that had recovered me now turned into a translucent version of Nashi's body. Just hearing her face and voice making me tear up.

"Nashi... my daughter..."

Nashi only smiled at me just as she'd always done. Not a single shred of despair, sadness or anger on her face. 'I knew you weren't lost, Mama! No one could ever lock you away forever!' She cheered happily.

"But how... how is it that you're here!?" I asked in confusion. "I saw you-"

She said nothing and just continued to smile at me. I was at a loss. Looking around, though this space was no longer shrouded in darkness, there still seemed like there was no way out. I can only assume that this was only a small piece of what remained of my consciousness. If I had fully regained myself, I wouldn't be seeing Nashi before me but instead see the outside world. I would be able to control my body again. But I didn't even feel like I was in my own body.

'What matters is that I finally found you, Mama!' Nashi continued to say, going forward so that she could hug me. 'Now you can break free and help Papa beat those meanies that are hurting everyone!'

Papa... Natsu... that's who's been calling me. That's the voice I've been hearing in the darkness. Natsu was calling out to me. He's trying to bring me home. I couldn't help but laugh to myself. It's so like him to prevent Igneel from following my wishes. But it was also cruel of me in the first place to ask Igneel of such a thing. After all... me dying would just result in Igneel, Grandeeney, Metalicana, Weisslogia and Skiadrum's temporary host bodies to disappear back into their dragon slayers.

Though, I do doubt that anyone actually understood what I asked for. Maybe it would've been wiser to teach Celeste my spell. As wise and powerful Igneel is, he definitely had a tendency to misunderstand a few things when it was unclear. No doubt that he misinformed everyone about the purpose of the spell. If he hadn't, the situation might've been different than what it currently is. But, it's not like I could change it now. First and foremost, I have to figure out a way to see what was happening and regain control of my body.

I looked down to Nashi before taking her in my arms so that she and I were at eye level. Even though I knew the truth, and that my Nashi is not actually here, it still helped that she was with me in this moment. Even if she's gone now, she is still my daughter in the future. She is still my precious little girl. And that won't change (let's just ignore the fact that Natsu is also her father for now... Whatever happens, will happen when the time is right).

"Nashi." I said as she turned to look up at me. "Do you know a way for me to go back? I can't do much to help if I am stuck in here."

'Of course!' She said with a smile as she covered my eyes. 'I got my smarts from you, Mama! I can help you regain consciousness, but you gotta take your body back by yourself."

I chuckled, patting her head even though my eyes are closed behind her hands. "That seems fair."

As I concentrated, listening to my heartbeat, the darkness behind my covered eyes soon lightened up to show the outside world. Well... more like whatever my dragon body was looking at. I still can't believe that woman forced me to reveal my dragon transformation to everyone. Actually, no... everyone would've found out eventually. What disappointed me the most was that my grief led me to doubt my nakama even a little bit. How could I have been so weak to fall for empty words? That was foolish of me.

"Nashi?" I spoke again, earning a hum in response. "I'm sorry for letting that happen to you. I'm sorry for letting you down as your mother. I'm sorry that I couldn't be the strong mother you looked up to and just allowed all of this to happen."

I could hear Nashi giggle as I could feel a soothing warmth envelop around me. 'Hee... my mama is such a crybaby.' She joked in a soft voice. 'Even when Mama makes a mistake, I know that she didn't mean for it to happen. She always tries her best for everyone!'

I couldn't see Nashi's transparent form anymore, but I knew she was smiling at me without any ounce of hatred or resentment in her eyes. After all, I heard my future self. Nashi died protecting her mother and father. She protected the two people she loved the most. I may have failed to protect Nashi in the end, but she succeeded in doing the one thing she wanted to do. All she ever wanted to was to become stronger in order to protect those in her heart. And that she did. She gave her life for that. Even if it was short lived.

I have all the time I need to mourn once all this is over. But right now, I have to try my best to protect my home and nakama from myself. I may have agreed with Usami and Ushin's words before, and regardless of how angry I feel, I know for a fact that the others must feel just as guilty as me for being unable to save Nashi. And that's something we'll come to terms with eventually. I can't let my anger be the reason for Earthland's destruction. Too many innocent lives will be lost that way.

"I will not allow for my body to be dictated by that woman any longer." I said, my resolve made clear as I concentrated on moving my body on my own free will - or at least take control long enough for me to stop myself from obliterating the others.

I could see Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel, Laxus, Sting, Rogue and Cobra down below me, Natsu's desperate look causing an ache in my chest for some reason. But then, I could feel my dragon body gathering magic energy to cast a spell. Though I wasn't in control, I knew the spell would be the dragon version of my Sun Crater spell, which is obviously much more powerful than when I use it in my human body. The damage of the spell being exponential compared to its usual impact. I was about to kill the dragon slayers.

I needed to change the spell and the intended target. I need to break free from Usami's hold.

'Mama...' Nashi's voice spoke up again, though it was way more faint than before. 'Deep down, I know you can't forgive yourself for all this just yet, but you're going to have to just this once. You won't get your body back if you just think it!'

"I know that! But I-"

'That evil lady and mean guy is standing at the tippy top of the coliseum! If you cast this spell, Papa and everyone will die!'

I don't know how Nashi's words were able to trigger the solution in my head, but it was worth a shot considering our time constraint. Whether this Nashi was really the remaining essence of her or just a piece of my conscience manifesting itself in her image, I did not care. She gave me the only option I could think of to stop Usami and Ushin. Now what mattered was that I time this properly... I needed to take back my body just before the spell is executed.

Taking Nashi's hands off my eyes so I could open them while she gave me a confused look. I calmed my mind and sat in a meditating position, focusing on my nakama as the magic energy around me began to gather around my body. My eyes narrowed, turning bright gold as I stared at Nashi, a telepathic conversation going back and forth. I couldn't do much for anyone outside while still trapped in here, so I had to make do with what I can do.

Nashi's expression then turned grim and she stared at me in disbelief, but I could only soften the look on my eyes and smile at her reassuringly that everything would be okay. A bit of my magic then surrounded her and I beckoned it to send her where I needed her to be, the refusal on her face never wavering as she disappeared. I knew what spell I had to cast. It was simple and powerful enough to completely immobilize Usami and Ushin long enough for them to be confined - that much I am certain.

"You can do this." I told myself. "You have to succeed... or everything you've done 'til now would've been all for nothing."

Luckily, the spell I plan to cast doesn't require a lot of magic power. It is a slight variation from Sun Crater: instead of sending one large blast of my celestial fire, the large sphere of magic energy that would gather at my dragon's mouth will appear to have shrunk and disappear. When in reality, it will become a small stream (similar to Orga's 120mm black lightning canon but on a much larger scale) of celestial fire mixed with lightning that would completely burn, blind and paralyze the intended target.

Now all that was left was for Nashi deliver the magic power I gave her. After all, if I can't take control in time, someone has to stop me from more destruction. Even if I have to be slain in order for that to happen. Once I am stopped, Usami and Ushin would be powerless to take on everyone. They will lose either way. I trust that whichever result ends up happening, I will believe that that is how it's supposed to be. Either way, my family and friends will be safe and will be able to live another day.