Chapter 34: Return of the Empire Part 4

Natsu and Happy continued their way in the direction of the Fairy Tail guild.

"It's not far away!" Happy said.

Natsu nodded. "Yeah, if we can sneak further without bumping into any enemies, then we should have an easy chance." He suddenly sniffed something in the air. "Hold it!" He stopped abruptly and saw Lucy coming toward them.

"Natsu! Happy!" Lucy waved happily.

"Lucy!" Natsu replied waving his arm.

Gray was running through the battlefield. "Damn, I must've scattered further from the guild." He then felt a child sensation through his spine.

He didn't have time to react when he felt two pairs of arms embrace him in a hug. "Gray, my love!" It was Juvia as she snuggled her face against Gray's arm. "I'm so glad that you're alright!"

Usually Gray would try to pull away, but, he just smiled. "Yeah, did you see anyone else?" Juvia looked at her crush. "Yeah, Wendy and Cheila, they went along with Miyaka to find any more of our allies that can assist."

Gray could understand that. "That's good, the more allies we have with us, the more we can push through." He did have one thought. "I wonder where Esdeath is, she hasn't reappeared since we scattered. Is it possible that she meet up with anyone else?"

As much as he was concerned if any of the other Fairy Tail members or allies ran into Esdeath, the results would end in bloodshed but he needed to have faith. "Anyway, let's go, Juvia." The water mage nodded with a determined look on her face.

Luffy cracked his knuckles as he glared at the former empire general. "You use electricity, right?" He had a smirk on his face. "Well, this should be a piece of cake."

Budo glared at the rubber man. "You shouldn't take me lightly, I possess the Imperial Arms, young man." He clashed his fists together giving off a strong electrical spark. "Before we begin, what is your name?"

Luffy grinned widely. "My name is Monkey D. Luffy."

Budo was slightly intrigued by the reply. "Monkey D. Luffy, quite the unusual name, the initial is quite intriguing, I never heard of a name like that." He spread his arms apart. "Anyway, I take it that you're an unusual young man, regardless, it's my duty to kill any villain trash like you."

Luffy cracked his knuckles grinning at the older general. "Is that right, well, I'll be sure to kick your ass quickly, old man."

Fujika giggled quietly.

Budo didn't take Luffy's comment lightly. "You'll pay for your insolence!" He summoned a strong lightning bolt at the Straw Hat pirate captain.

Luffy didn't move as the lightning struck him creating a massive explosion and sending a large smoke from the dirt. "Such a shame that a young man like you wasn't able to withstand my-" He suddenly heard a chuckle within the dirt cloud.

"Shishishishi...is that all?" Luffy was shown and he wasn't even damaged as his eyes were hidden by the front tip of his hat. "I did mention I fought someone that had powers like yours. He was tough but his powers were useless against me."

Budo didn't understand why his attack didn't even phase him. "How did you survive my attack?"

Luffy lifted his head and looked straight at the general as he pulled his cheek and stretched it out. "You see this..." The former general was stunned as well as confused. "Why is your face stretching like that?"

Luffy let out of his cheek. "I ate the Gum-Gum fruit, making me a rubber man." He replied. "Your electric attacks won't work on me."

Budo was baffled at what he was seeing but he wouldn't let this shake his composure. "No! I won't let this battle be like the one I faced before!" He gathered more electricity. "Lightning Crash!"

Fujika wasn't phased as she heard of Luffy's powers from Boa Hancock. "That old man isn't going to hurt Straw Hat."

Budo's attack struck Luffy again but like last time he wasn't damaged. "Is that all you got old timer, you suck."

Budo was getting pissed off more than he was when he fought Laxus. "I won't let a pirate scum like you to mock my power!" He began to float into the air.

"Whoa, he's flying!" Luffy pointed out with sparkly eyes.

"Not the time to be impressed!" Fujika comically barked with shark teeth.

Black electricity formed above the great general. "HEAR ME STRAW HAT PIRATE LUFFY! I GREAT GENERAL BUDO WILL MAKE YOU REGRET THAT THE DAY YOU CHOSE TO FIGHT ME!" The black electricity above formed into a colossal back sphere of electricity. "NOW FEEL THE WRATH OF MY IMPERIAL ARMS ADRAMELECH AND THE FULL POWER OF MY TRUMP CARD!" Budo swung his arms down and his attack descended quickly into the battlefield. "SOLID SHOOTER!"

Luffy quickly bit on his thumb. "Third Gear..." He muttered as both of his hands became gigantic. "Armament Hardening..." His hands became a metallic black color and put his giant hands at Budo's attack blocking it.

"No way!" Budo exclaimed in disbelief as his attack was gone and left no damage on the Straw Hat pirate captain. "This can't...be...my Trump Card didn't even phase you!"

Luffy glared at the general. "It's my turn! I will kick your ass for trying to hurt my friends!" His arms returned to normal and he pulled back his right arm which was still covered in metallic armor. "Gum-Gum..." His right arm was surrounded by hot flames. "Red Hawk!"

Luffy threw his arm right at the general's stomach and fire exploded from behind his back severely damaging his body and armor. Budo coughed hard as blood spurt from his mouth and his eyes rolled back.

Budo was sent crashing hard on the ground his body skidding across the dirt leaving a trail and lost consciousness with his mouth hanging open. "You were strong, but not strong enough to defeat me," Luffy spoke in a calm tone. "I can't die soon, my dream is the become the King of the Pirates."

Fujika flew next to Luffy. "Wow, you were amazing Luffy." The rubber boy smiled at the girl. "Thanks, your transformation is pretty cool!" The former Amazon sweatdropped as she giggled sheepishly. "Uhh...thanks."

"Hey Luffy, glad that you're doing alright." Luffy froze at the sudden voice, one that he never thought he'd hear again. He turned to the direction where the voice came from and saw his adopted big brother, Ace.

Luffy was in utter disbelief and his heart began to melt but not from sadness or despair. He felt so happy as tears formed in his eyes. "It can't...be..."

Ace smiled at his young brother. "Luffy, you've gotten even tougher since the last time we fought alongside at Marineford." Luffy couldn't hold it anymore as he leaped at Ace hugging him tightly like a teddy bear. "ACE!"

Fujika had her mouth covered as she saw the Straw Hat captain bawl in his eyes with joy. "Ace...how is he..." She felt tears form in her eyes too. As confused as she was seeing the famous Fire Fist Ace when he was supposed to be dead after sacrificing his life to protect Luffy.

Sanji, Robin, and Cana were running through the battlefield.

"Damn, this place is big." Cana cursed.

Laxus and Temukai were heading toward the battlefield.

"Looks like, Gramps and the others are making progress in their fight," Laxus spoke.

"I can see that too," Temukai added as he saw Makarov in his giant form. However, he saw another old man fighting alongside Makarov. "Wait...who...is...no...it can't..." He sped off in a flash surprising Laxus. "Hey, where'd that speed come...Temukai...what is his deal all of the sudden!?"

Makarov and Whitebeard along with other fairy tail wizards were fighting against the Alvarez soldiers.

Each low-level fairy wizard fired magic bullets at the soldiers while others fought against some in hand-to-hand combat.

Whitebeard pulled back his arm and a white glowing light surrounded his hand and slammed it onto the ground creating a powerful tremor.

The ground shook so violently that a large amount of soldiers were sent flying away.

"Honestly, this takes me back to fighting at Marineford!" Whitebeard smirked with a chuckle.

Makarov chuckled. "I can see you're quite stronger than the stories I heard." The former pirate emperor looked at the Fairy Tail guildmaster. "I've heard that you and your crew fought to save one of your sons."

Whitebeard's smirk didn't leave his face. "That's right, I knew it was risky and we did what we could, but, Straw Hat is carrying out Ace's legacy. If there's one thing I know our spirits may be gone but our fire won't be."

Makarov smiled respectively. "The same goes for my children in Fairy Tail, as long as we draw breath, we will never surrender to our enemies no matter how strong they are."

Whitebeard began to laugh loudly. "That's what I like to hear from someone with high spirits."

"Yoh!" Laxus arrived. "Gramps, who is this old man?"

Whitebeard looked at the blonde man. "Who is this little squirt." Laxus glared at the other old man.

"Whitebeard!" Temukai called as he looked at the pirate emperor in utter disbelief. "How are you here, didn't you die?"

Now it was Laxus' turn to be shocked. "Hold on, this old geezer is Whitebeard, the pirate that died at Marineford?!"

Whitebeard smirked at the water buffalo. "Well, I'll be damned, Temukai, it's been so long!" He approached the mink with a huge grin on his face. "How have you been for all-"

He suddenly felt Temukai's arms wrap around his waist as the Water Buffalo began to bawl his eyes out. "Whitebeard...we thought you died...how are you here!?" Tears fell from his eyes and snot was dripping from his nostrils.

Laxus and Makarov had a smile at the heartwarming reunion.

"Alright, enough," Whitebeard said in a serious yet calm tone. "I'm glad to see that you're here, though, is there other minks with you?"

Temukai nodded. "Yes, only three. Also, a lot has changed since you died, things have gotten out of balance." Whitebeard's eyes tensed like he already knew what the Water Buffalo was going to say but Temukai smiled confidently at the former pirate emperor. "Though, I can be assured that things in the New World will change for the better. I have faith that Luffy and his crew will bring a new peaceful era someday."

Whitebeard chuckled at the Water Buffalo's words. "Good to know." Suddenly out of nowhere, a huge sandstorm surrounded the area.

"Where'd this sandstorm come from?" A fairy tail guild member exclaimed in question.

Whitebeard suddenly a familiar sensation and growled in frustration. "Crap, is that pain in the ass here?"

"No, it's someone that powers similar to Crocodile," Makarov answered. "As you said, the guy is a pain in the ass too."

"Did someone insult me!" Ajeel appeared in the sandstorm looking angry. "In all my years I never been insulted!"

Whitebeard made eye contact with the sand mage. "So, Whitebeard, you old fart! You decided to betray us!"

Whitebeard growled fiercely at the young mage. "I never allied with you snot nose punks!" He held his spear. "I am...WHITEBEARD!" He declared as he spun his spear around in a circle and blew the sandstorm away.

Ajeel was utterly stunned that his sandstorm was blown away like it was nothing. "No way!" Whitebeard smirked at Ajeel's reaction. "What's the matter little man, you were so cocky before but where's your fire now!?"

Ajeel glared at the tall old man. "I'll make you pay for that insolence, old man!"

Wall and Bloodman appeared looking impressed. "Looks like Whitebeard is more powerful than we thought."

"That old human geezer is tough as nails, honestly, I've never seen anyone blow away Ajeel's sandstorm before!"

"You looking for a fight?"

There stood Rogue and Minerva with Kianana.

Jacob appeared putting his gloves on. "Right then, since some of the Historia are occupied at the moment, guess I'll have to step in."

Suddenly a fist slugged him in the face, which belonged to Mirajane. "Take that!" Jacob was thrown off balance by that punch but he was able to regain his balance. "I admit you got spunk, but, if you think that'll-" He froze as he saw the girl's cleavage showing and turned away with a flustered expression. "Such indecency!"

Mirajane covered her chest with her arms. "Oops."

"My reminds me of Paulie," Robin commented with a giggle and saw a familiar pirate. "Is that...Whitebeard?"

Sanji was kicking several soldiers in their faces knocking them out cold. "Man, there's a lot of these jerks." He saw Whitebeard and had a gawking expression. "Holy...is that...Whitebeard?"

Chelsea was being overpowered by Kay's curse power even in Gajeel's form. "Damn, this guy is strong."

"Let me try!" Aquapad pulled back his arm. "Fishman Karate: Shark Brick Fist!" He thrust his arm forward and released a powerful shockwave at the Neo-Necromancer.

Kay tried to withstand the shockwave but he felt his body feeling damaged. "No, how is this hurting me?"

"You may be a demon and skeleton, but, you still have living organs which are has liquid within them. Every living creature is made of water, not even a demon like you." Aquapad explained.

Lisanna cheered. "That's right, Jimbei said the same thing." Aquapad turned at her with a smirk.

Chelsea had to admit she was impressed. "That's a good move." She praised as she transformed again and this time, she was Juliet. "Let's try this!" She swat her hand releasing mucus at Kay which splattered on his skull.

"Is this a joke?" Kay asked. He began to feel a burning sensation on his face. "What...why does this stuff burn?"

Chelsea smiled. "So, he can still feel pain like any other living being." She then got an idea. "Mucus Rain!" She spread her arms apart as mucus was flung into the air and dropped onto Kay like raindrops.

Kay tried to shield his arms from the mucus drops but he barely was able to block it and the burning effects of the liquid were dealing damage.

"I ain't done yet." He struggled to move until he realized that he couldn't even budge an inch. "Oh no, I'm trapped...damn..."

Chelsea gave the demon a smirk. "It seems that you got too fully of yourself. If there's one thing you need to learn about enemies is not to underestimate them."

"That's right," Babara began to walk toward Neo-Necromancer. "I taught my girls everything I knew about battles and how to outsmart an opponent." She swiftly cut the skeleton-like torso leaving a large hole.

Kay held his chest in pain. "Damn, how can I get so careless." He began to feel more pain in his chest and something sizzling inside the hole in his chest. "What is...this?"

Babara grinned as she glanced at the demon. "I snuck dynamite inside that hole and once it blows up you to kingdom come."

Kay began to feel fear within himself. "No...I can't die...again...my dream to experiment like Master Keyes is...over..." His body began to shake violently but then an evil smile was shown on his face. "Not before I decide to take you with me. Last Resort...Ban Particle...Bomb..."

Babara sensed this and dashed away to where the others were. "You kids take cover, he's about to explode!" Chelsea had an idea and transformed into Gray. "Ice-Make Wall!" A large wall of ice erupted from the ground as Kay exploded releasing a large amount of bane particles.

Mard Geer was seemingly caught in the explosion and the bane particle explosion was blocked by the ice-like wall.

Chelsea looked at her hand. "Wow, Magical Drain is more powerful than I thought."

Aquapad approached the red-haired teen. "Wow, you used magic like Gray! That was awesome!" He cried with star-like eyes.

Chelsea felt seemingly flattered as her cheeks went red. "Thanks...I guess." She had an anime sweatdrop on her head. "Geez, he acts like a child." Though, she was flattered and proud of herself.

Lisanna clapped her hands. "Chelsea, you were amazing, you've gotten a lot stronger and you're as cunning as ever." Chelsea smiled happily.

Babara chuckled lightly and was just about to say something when she felt a sinister energy coming from behind Chelsea. "Look out!" Chelsea turned around as Mard Geer came at her, but, his appearance changed drastically. He was in his Etherious Form.

Babara pushed the former assassin out of the way as Mard Geer thrust his arm forward and went straight through Babara's chest leaving a fatal hole inside her.

Chelsea looked in horror seeing her former leader in a gruesome state and it made it worse when the old assassin woman coughed out blood hard.

Aquapad and Lisanna were utterly speechless with horrified expressions.

Mard Geer extended his arm back from Babara's chest.

Chelsesa caught Babara by holding her by her arms. "Granny...Babara..." Her hands were placed on the back of Babara and one of her hands was on the wound which was bleeding out badly.

"Chelsea..." Babara spoke in a weak tone. "You've grown to be a strong woman...more than I thought."

Chelsea felt herself getting choked up which hasn't happened for a long time since Babara and her former team were killed. "Babara..."

"Funny...huh...in all my years...I never dreamt of being dying at the hands of an enemy..." Babara said chuckling weakly. "I never wanted to go out like that...but...protecting you is a different...matter."

Chelsea knew what she was talking about what Najasho said to her and how her former leader committed suicide instead of dying at the hands of her enemy. "Babara...you can't...die...again..."

Another weak laugh was heard from the former Oarburgh Clan leader. "Even so, it was good seeing you again. You've grown so much since the last time I saw you, though, I can tell some things are troubling you...no...you seem conflicted..."

Aquapad and Lisanna were puzzled about what Babara meant by that.

"No matter, I know that you'll make the right choice. I believe in you..." Babara continued as blood dripped from her lips. She then placed her right hand on the back of Chelsea.

Chelsea felt tears forming in the corner of her eyes as the old Oarburgh Clan leader had one more thing to say. "Lastly, I'm so proud of you that you've become so strong, Chelsea..." With that, Babara fell forward so slowly like she was in slow motion, and dropped dead.

Her face had a peaceful smile on her face.

Chelsea felt speechless seeing the dead body of her former leader as her hands were covered in blood. "Granny...Babara..."

Mard Geer chuckled amusingly. "Such a pity that old hag of a human couldn't stick around for long." Chelsea snapped out of her state as soon as she heard that comment. "Humans are such weak little cockroaches, not surprising your kind is predictable."

Lisanna gritted her teeth. "That's enough!" She gave a hateful expression at the underworld king. "You'll pay for making Chelsea cry!"

Aquapad punched his fists together. "I agree, nobody makes one of our friends cry!"

Mard Geer found this scene amusing. "How predictable and amusing, I'll enjoy killing the three of you!"

Chelsea stood up as she transformed back into Gray. "Shut your mouth demon." She growled in a threatening matter. "Someone like you thinks of us as weak predictable creatures could also be your weakness. Thinking that you know someone by their nature or their character can also backfire on you."

Lisanna agreed with Chelsea's statement. "Yes, you seemed to have forgotten last time we fought, we defeated you and we'll defeat you once again."

Mard Geer let out a low grunt. "If that's the case, then I shall bury you all until there's nothing left of you!"

Gildarts continued to fight against Alvarez's soldiers sending them flying by punching the ground and creating countless fissures.

Cana was concerned about this. "Careful, you'll take out everyone!" She scolded.

Despite the lecture, Gildarts just smirked. "C'mon, Cana, you're making me blush."

"It wasn't a compliment!"

Roger and Esdeath continued their sword duel.

"It's time we take this to the next level!" Roger declared.

Esdeath smirked amusingly. "Yes, I believe it's time we end this." She put her hands together and created several icicles that appeared in thin air. "Weissschnbael!" The icicles were fired directly at Roger.

Roger just smirked. "Not bad." He quickly deflected each of the icicles using his cutlass sword.

Esdeath was getting more excited than she was. "Impressive, let's try this!" She put her arm up creating a giant pillar of ice that looked like a piece of gigantic hail. "Hagelsprung!" She jumped in the air and threw it at her the pirate king.

"That's quite gigantic ice..." Roger's grin didn't leave his face as he leaped up into the air and slashed through the ice splitting it in half.

Esdeath saw her chance to levitate herself and land on one of the two remaining ice pieces. Roger saw this already and landed on the other large ice piece too.

The two powerful warriors leaped at each other and swung their blades at each other as they stared at each other with intense expressions. "Not bad, been so long since I was able to feel so fired up."

Esdeath couldn't agree more. "Yeah, I admit I'm having fun fighting someone you're more of the Pirate King than Zeref claimed you to be."

The two struggled to push each other with their blades as they did both landed on two of the separate ice pieces.

Once they did the two large chunks of ice shattered as they landed on the ground.

Roger's grin didn't leave his face. "I admit that you're strong, but, not as strong as my rival Whitebeard, though, I have a feeling that you're holding back."

Esdeath was a little infuriated however, she had to admit it was true. "That maybe...but, I have a feeling that you were as well." Hitting the nail on the head, she saw Roger's grin low a bit. "I'll take that as a yes, anyway, I think it's time I show you more of my power." She put her free hand above. "Ice Calvary!"

Countless ice-like centaurs began to take shape from the ice that was summoned.

Roger was intrigued by this display. "Ice-centaurs, not bad." He pointed his cutlass at the ice beings. "But, if you think I'm shaking in my boots because of that, then think again!"

Esdeath chuckled amusingly. "We'll see once my pets slice you to ribbons! Charge!" Her ice calvary obeyed and charged fully at the former pirate king.

"Bring it on!" Roger swiftly charged at the ice centaurs slashing through the cavalry and cutting them all into a few slices.

Esdeath saw her chance and this time she decided to end this quickly so she brought her hands together which both started to glow. "Mahapadma!" In a single bright flash, everything began to freeze in time.

Roger chuckled as a strong large burst of Haki energy emerged from his body which collided with Esdeath's trump card's energy. The two strongest moves collided like a power energy beam creating an intense burst.

Esdeath created her ice-like wings and flew toward the pirate king. "I got you!" She was coming near to Roger with her rapier sword.

Roger already saw this coming and his cutlass blade suddenly changed red color aura. "This is it!" He and Esdeath quickly passed each other in a flash as they stood still for a few minutes.

Roger turned around unharmed pointing his sword at the empire commander his grin not leaving his face.

Esdeath glanced at the pirate king and just stared at him for a few seconds before she spoke. "Looks like...I underestimated...my enemy...again..." She felt a large deep gash on her chest which bled out. She knelt for one moment as her eyes closed and fell forward on her stomach. "Honestly...this fight wasn't what I felt before..."

Roger approached her while sheathing his sword. "Really, what did you feel when we fought?" Esdeath chuckled weakly. "It was...fun...not the kind fun I had when I was enjoying torturing my enemies..." She couldn't believe she was feeling something, it wasn't love, it was a feeling she never felt before. "The fun that perhaps the weak felt...that was...to enjoy the things in life. I guess in my case, our fight was fun."

Roger decided to give the former general some advice. "I can offer some words of advice, our fight was fun. When I was in my last year of living, I decided to enjoy life as much as I could and I did. Our fight was something I'll treasure despite your way of seeing life, I'll remember this fight even when I'm gone again."

Esdeath chuckled once more. "I see...perhaps, that's something Gray could've shown me...my only regret is that I didn't get to fight him again...but, at least...I got to fight once more..." She then died with a smile on her face and her eyes closed.

Roger turned around and walked away. "Honestly, there are a lot of different people around these days." He thought and had something else to think about. "Ace...I wonder what the kid found his brother now..." He chuckled lightly. "Of course, his desire to see his brother is stronger than I can imagine."

Roger looked at the battlefield. "It's time I join in the fight." Images of Rayleigh, Shanks, Buggy, and other old crew members flashed in his mind. "I hope the others are doing fine these days."

Natsu, Happy, and Lucy continued closer to the guild.

"Damn, this is gotten to be the longest run we had," Natsu said continuing to run.

"Aye sir," Happy agreed.

Lucy wondered if the others were okay. "Hey guys!" To their surprise and relief, Gray and Juvia were coming their way.

"Gray, Juvia!" Lucy waved happily.

"Glad that you two made it," Happy said sharing the blonde's reaction.

Natsu grinned. "About time icy stripper arrived."

Gray heard this and clashed his forehead against his rival. "What'd you say, dragon boy!?"

"So what if I did, icy snow guy!" Natsu barked comically.

"This isn't the time you guys," Lucy sweatdropped.

Juvia looked ahead. "Looks like we have to go through those broken down rumble."

Miyaka, Wendy, and Cheila arrived at the battlefield.

"Looks like we made it," Miyaka spoke.

There were several guild wizards unconscious with battered and bruised bodies. "Cheila, Wendy, heal them up as much as you can!" Miyaka's hands glowed and Gatling guns appeared in her arms. "Requip: Gatling Guns!" She aimed at some attacking Alvarez soldiers. "Gatling Magic Bullets!" She fired multiple magic bullets at the soldiers and shot them down.

"Wendy, Cheila!" Carla was flying in the girls' direction and she was carrying Leone, who was waving.

Miyaka turned to see Carla and Leone too. "Hey guys!" She waved back.

Carla hugged Wendy. "I'm glad that you're safe child." Wendy giggled. "Same here."

Leone grinned at Miyaka. "Good to see you're safe." Miyaka smiled sweetly. "Yeah, I kicked some major ass."

Carla suddenly saw a vision of Gray and Juvia in a long chain. Next thing she saw was Juvia stabbing herself. "Carla...Carla...what's wrong?" Wendy's words snapped Carla out of her state.

Carla sprouted her wings. "Cheila, can you assist you allies on the battlefield while the rest of us going to Fairy Tail guild?" The God Slayer nodded her head and went back to the battlefield.

"Good, Wendy, you're with me!" Carla ordered in a serious tone. "Leone, find Akame and bring her back to the guild, we'll need her skills." Leone nodded running off to find her best friend.

"Carla, what's wrong, did you have a vision?" Wendy asked noticing her partner's concerning state. "Yes, we need to hurry, if we don't arrive...Juvia will die!"

Wendy knew Carla's predicating of the future and was full confidence of her warnings. "Alright, let's go!" She proclaimed.

Invel was watching from the edge of the cliff. "The battling getting more tense than I originally thought." He saw Natsu and his group making their way through a path that had several broken-down buildings. "Time for me to make my move."

Back inside the Fairy Tail guild.

In the main hall area, Mavis was on a table and Irene was performing her separating spell on the ghost wizard girl to get the Fairy Heart. The spell was damaging Mavis' body and the pain she was feeling was getting more intense. "You poor little creature. The thing that sets you apart is our intellect and that's been stripped away. Invel's spell rids the inner self of a person's mind."

Zeref was watching his loyal subject. "How long will this separate spell take?"

"You must understand that this girl has a special power and it'll take long to get it," Irene replied.

Despite his former lover being his enemy, seeing her suffer was more than he could bear. "I wish to keep her suffering at a minimum state."

Hearing that seemingly surprised Irene. "Oh, I never imagined you had sympathetic feelings, Your Majesty. This might come as insolence, but, I can assure you that I don't mean any disrespect." She turned to the emperor with a serious expression. "You won't be able to defeat Acnologia with mercy. Only cunning and brute strength shall defeat him. I remind Acnologia is the dragon of the apocalypse, the true Dragon King."

Zeref wouldn't deny her words of advice. "You have a gift for speaking the truth." He turned to leave and took a few steps until he took one last look before walking out the entrance as Irene continued with her spell.

Not too long, Neinhart approached the witch. "Excuse me, m'lady."

"I'm a bit accompanied at the moment," Irene said not looking back at the other Spriggan Twelve. "Could you wait a little later to discuss anything?"

Neinhart looked insistent on discussing a matter with the witch enchanter. "It's about Erza, I found her."

Irene was silent and didn't say a word. "What do you advise I do, I feel I had to console before acting." Neinhart continued.

"Kill her," Irene answered coldly.

Neinhart still felt unsure. "But, my lady...my Historia did not affect her, and on top of that, I sensed a different power awaken within her."

Despite the new details, Irene didn't care at the least. "Don't make me repeat myself."

"B-but..." Neinhart abruptly stopped as he saw the red-haired enchanter glance at him with a darkened expression on her face. "Then you go fight her yourself, you remember you are, do you?" Neinhart's eyes became black and he looked like he was hypnotized.

B

Chelsea, in Gray form. "Ice Demon's Rage!" She bellowed out an icy purple wind out of her mouth.

Mard threw a punch into the ground. "Thorn Wall!" A wall of thorns erupted from the ground blocking the icy breath.

Aquapad pulled back his left arm. "Take this! Fishman Karate: Shark Brick Fist!" He threw his fist forward releasing a strong shockwave that shook the thorn wall violently.

The thorns began to break apart into pieces. Lisanna transformed into her harpy form and swiftly flew into the air. "Harpy Dive Kick!" She dived downward where Mard Geer was.

Unexpectedly, Mard Geer caught Lisanna's bird-like talon. "Pathetic." He tossed the girl aside causing her to flip around in the air.

Mard Geer flew toward Aquapad. The Marlin Fishman held his ground as he and the underworld king were caught in close-range hand-to-hand combat.

However, in Mard Geer's Etherious form, he was enhanced with new strength and he began to push the Marlin Fishman back. "Damn, this bastard is too strong..." Aquapad growled in thought.

Mard Geer headbutted the fishman's head causing him to crash on his back.

"Aquapad!" Lisanna cried worriedly.

"You forget about me?" Chelsea brought her hands together. "Ice Demon's Zeroth Long Sword!" She swiftly passed the demon slashing his torso.

Mard Geer felt that blow and knelt placing his hand on his wound. "My, I got a little careless." He coughed due to the damage on his torso but stood back on his feet. "However, your attack only has little effect. Why, you may ask, you may have gotten your friend's powers due to your Magical Drain power, but, it's not strong enough to deal massive."

Chelsea gritted her teeth in frustration. "He's right, I still have to increase my magic power." She had an idea, so, she transformed once more and this time into Wendy Marvel.

Lisanna was amazed. "Wow, you transformed into Wendy!" Chelsea put her arms out which glowed brightly. "Physical ability rise Deus Eques! Ile Vernier, Ile Armor, and Ile Arms! Enchant!" The glow then shined around her entire body.

Aquapad was starstruck by this. "So cool!"

"This just the begin!" Chelsea reverted her transformation and went back into Gray's form. "Ice Demon's Rage!"

Mard Geer shielded himself using both his arms. "Rrrrrhhhh..." He groaned slightly. "How am I feeling this pain?"

Lisanna understood Chelsea's strategy. "I get it now. She used Wendy's enchantments to increase her magic and make her stronger."

Aquapad was inspired by Chelsea's cunning move. "I think it's time we finish this fight and assist our friends!" He put his arms out. "Fishman Water Magic..." His hands both began to blue light and then slammed both his hands into the ground. "Water Fissure!" A long massive crack spread across the ground with strong water erupting from the crack and was heading toward Mard Geer.

Mard Geer was caught in the water fissure that dealing serious damage. "Such power for a measly fish creature..."

Chelsea saw her chance. "Ice Demon's Zeroth Long Sword!" She swiftly used the long ice sword and slashed the underworld king's torso leaving an even deeper gash that spurt out blood.

Mard was falling back as he felt his curse power fading away. "No...I can't...be defeated..." He smirked evilly as a sudden dark paralytic mist appeared out of nowhere. "Even if I die...again, I'll take you Fairy Tail bastards with me..."

Aquapad was utterly confused about what was going on. "What the hell is that bastard doing?"

Lisanna felt a sense of dread in the air. "Oh no...he's using..." She recalled Natsu and Gray's fight against the underworld king. "This power...it's the same one that guy used against Natsu and Gray!"

Aquapad looked at the white-shorted-haired girl. "Seriously, what will this curse attack do?"

Mard Geer decided to fill in. "Last time I used this power, I was unable to kill Natsu and Gray with it. Though, I can't say the same thing about you three." The three didn't like where the underworld king was getting at.

"In other words, if your bodies can't withstand this power, then all three of you will die!" Mard Geer declared with a maniacal laugh.

"Not only watch!" A figure started coming at the underworld king with lightning speed. "Oden Two-Sword Style: Paradise Waterfall!" There Oden came right at Mard Geer from the air and delivered a diagonal slash using both his swords.

Mard Geer was left with a diagonal mark on his torso. "Uhhhh..." He looked down at his chest. "No...I...can't...die...again..." He fell on his back and died with his mouth open with his eyes rolled back.

Oden landed on the other side of Mard Geer and sheathed his two swords back in their sheaths. "I'm sorry, I wish somehow we could've been friends, such a pity that Zeref's creatures are bad guys." He crouched down and closed the demon's eyes.

Lisanna caught some of the stranger's words. "Zeref...his demons...wait...who is this guy...how does he know Zeref?"

Chelsea was in utter disbelief on a different matter. "This man is strong...though, I can sense his aura...but...he took out that demon in one strike." She could tell that man was a skilled swordsman, probably even stronger than Erza and Zoro.

Aquapad was speechless. "Wait...could he be..."

Oden noticed the three. "Oh, how did you kids do, are you three okay?"

Lisanna was about to answer until. "Kozuki Oden..." She and Chelsea looked at the Marlin Fishman, who was gawking at the swordsman.

This man was of course heard the Fishman say his name. "You know-" He stopped realizing who or what he was talking to. "Hold on, are you a Fishman?" He put his hand under his chin in confusion. "How are Fishmen on land, I heard they haven't been on land much since other humans discriminated against them." A sudden bright smile was shown on the former samurai. "Well, it's good to meet ya...young man, what is your name, though?"

Aquapad shook his head recollecting himself. "Uh...my name is Aquapad. I'm a Marlin Fishman. Neptune used to talk about you once and a while."

"Neptune, I see, that old merman is still alive," Oden chuckled in a happy matter. "How is he doing these days?"

Aquapad was speechless once more. "He's...fine...but a lot has changed since you and Whitebeard died...also-"

"Time out!" Chelsea yelled clapping her hands as she looked at the Marlin Fishman with her hands on her hips. "First off, Aquapad, who is this guy, and how the heck does he know King Neptune."

Aquapad realized he hadn't introduced the former Deinyo to his new friends. "Oh, forgive my matters...well, where I do start?"

M

Zoro and Jula were making their way back to the battlefield.

"Looks like Alvarez soldiers are still lurking around," Jula said seeing the countless enemy soldiers.

Zoro smirked. "Doesn't matter, means more fun."

Jula had one thing to say. "Though, I'm surprised." This got the pirate swordsman to look in her direction. "You didn't get lost for once."

Zoro almost faulted at that and shouted at the squid-woman. "Shut up!" He comedically yelled.

Angela clapped her hands releasing a strong sound wave. "Sound Magic: Clap Wave!"

Thorn wielded his trident and soar through the air while being covered in water-like torrent. "Seahorse Merman Style: Water Jet!" His attack was able of knocking away a row of enemy soldiers. "These guys are becoming a pest."

Rena was in her human form and kicking the soldiers in the faces knocking them out. "They just keep coming."

Natsu's group arrived at the area that had a large pile of rumble and enemy soldiers were blocking their way. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" The moment Natsu released his breath attack it was frozen. Utterly stunned he glanced at Gray. "What's the big idea, Gray?"

Gray was just as confused as the pinkette-haired boy. "I didn't do anything...strange, the air is changing."

Lucy was trembling covering her arms. "F-f-freezing..." Juvia just gave a smug for a second until she felt chilly too. "So...cold..."

"LET'S FIRE IT UP!" Natsu released his magic from the ground and strong flames erupted from beneath only to be surrounded by a large wall of ice.

Natsu couldn't believe his eyes. "What...no...way..." He was soon frozen in ice along with Lucy, Juvia, and Happy.

Gray wasn't even frozen. "Damn it, how did this..." He saw Invel approaching ahead. "Ah...I see that you're immune to cold."

Gray did his maker stance. "I'll freeze you!" He was suddenly slammed by an ice beam of energy while Invel had his left arm out with two fingers pointing to the left.

Gray felt and saw the left side of his body freeze. "How this can be happening?" He was slammed once more by ice-like daggers.

"I'm Invel, the Winter General," Invel introduced. "The title I earned is for obvious reasons. You may be able to handle the chill, but, I bring winter itself."

Gray was trembling from the winter chill. "No...the blood in my veins...are freezing."

Mavis was still being captured by Irene, who was continuing her ritual. "Someone...help...Invel...must be defeated..."

Invel put two fingers in front and unleashed a beam of energy of ice. "Ice-Make Magic: Ice Shield!" Gray created an ice shield blocking the ice-like beam.

Gray raised his right arm. "Ice-Make Magic-" He slammed his right hand into his left palm. "Impact!" A massive Warhammer dropped on Invel, who blocked it with his hand. "Ice creation magic, it's no wonder you're immune to the cold."

Gray was distracted by one thing that Invel just did. "I don't believe it, he froze my ice spell." His Warhammer shattered into pieces.

Invel's calm expression didn't leave his face and he looked unimpressed. "I use ice magic in a more absolute scent. Not creating objects from ice but freezing things to their very core. This maker magic you use is inferior to true ice wizardry."

Gray put his right arm out. "Is that so, then, what about this? I got it from my father, the power to slay demons!" Invel's calm expression changed to utter shock. "This is how I'm going to kill E.N.D!" Gray brought his hands together creating a long purple ice-like sword. "Ice Demon's Zeroth Long Sword!"

This time, Invel felt damage and Gray turned around swinging his long ice sword once more dealing once more.

This brought Invel to his knees and a drop of bottom was dripping from his bottom lip. "How can this be...I never seen it before..." He coughed slightly. "He can use it to create powerful magic weapons...it seems to be cost involved. Perhaps, this robs the user of their humanity." A faint smile was shown on Invel's face. Gray attempted to swing his long ice sword once more but only for Invel to block it with his bare hand.

The undead empire warriors are finally dead including the demons of Tartaros. Oden meets Aquapad, Chelsea, and Lisanna, will they learn of Oden's past? Luffy and Ace reunite. Roger, what will the former pirate king do? As for Fisher Tiger, he's still around, but, where he is, that's for me to know.

End of chapter