(Edited 27/06/24)
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
Eclipse
***POTD***
Several visible shock-waves erupted around the Financial District of Crocus, as Natsu reappeared on the main street, skidding backward along the pavement as he slowly came to a stop.
Dropping to one knee, the Dragon Slayer panted slightly, clutching his side as Varnik appeared from thin air around twenty meters away, mid-step, as Phyrra slowly floated down beside him, sitting upon the metal grip of her scythe.
"Two on one… All things considered, this could be a hell of a lot worse," Natsu panted, as the two Swords of Alvarez slowly advanced in his direction.
"Why do you not unleash your Demonic power," Varnik asked, the pair stopping several meters ahead of him. "Are you perhaps afraid of the inevitable consequences, should the discovery of what you truly are come to light?"
"Or perhaps he simply hasn't garnered any real control over the full power of E.N.D yet," Phyrra chimed in, an amused smirk on her lips as she tapped her fingers against her knee. "The greatest creation of Lord Zeref he may be, but he's been influenced by Ishgarian scum for far too long. In the end, it's inevitable that such backward trash would weaken him."
"You two really think I'm that stupid, don't you," Natsu huffed as he slowly rose to his feet. "You think I don't know what your game is?"
"Could've fooled me," Phyrra smirked, only to be shot a glare by Varnik.
"Elaborate."
"The two of you ganging up on me out here in the area designated for the last day of the Grand Magic Games is no mere coincidence. I know you plan to expose E.N.D to the people of Fiore, as well as wider Ishgar," Natsu replied, shaking his head. "You wish for me to be exiled, hunted by them. You know that I'm an asset to the enemy, and one that cannot be ignored."
"Partially correct," Varnik replied with a curt nod. "Part of the reason Phyrra and I are facing you together is simply because we're the only ones who can. Granvill is far too weak to face one such as you, as are the members of Phyrra Squad."
"Holding you back is the primary directive," Phyrra continued lazily, clearly bored of all the talking. "The primary objective remains unchanged, despite your interference alongside those meddlesome rats from Crime Sorciere."
"So, outing me is just a bonus," came the amused scoff. "No matter where you Alvarez scum show, you never cease to disappoint."
"Joke all you want, it means nothing to us," Varnik shrugged in response. "Unlike Fiore, Alvarez has proven time and again that its strategies succeed. You on the other hand are a failed Commander of the now erased Scarlione Empire, and a soon to be fallen Wizard Saint."
"Strategies so great you couldn't even take Scarlione even after August softened the place up for you-!"
Several explosions rocked the area as Natsu vanished, Phyrra vanishing moments later as the pair traded a series of light-speed attacks. The pair reappeared nearby, both skidding backward after a final clash.
"Your arrogance grates on my nerves," Phyrra hissed, pointing her scythe in his direction. "The might of Alvarez is unquestionable!"
Natsu merely narrowed his eyes in response, blood trickling from the corner of his lip as his left hand toward his upper chest, wincing as he felt pain within.
'Not good. Her attacks are colder than ice, and my organs aren't liking it at all,' Natsu thought to himself grimly. 'Death God Slayer huh…'
"Why do you hesitate Dragneel," Varnik asked, cutting Natsu's thoughts off abruptly as he slowly met the older man's gaze. "If you don't, you'll perish against Phyrra's mastery over Death."
"Is that really what you want," Natsu muttered in reply, spitting out a chilling glob of blood that shattered on the ruined pavement. "I see now… You lot want me to unleash E.N.D in a public place, thereby outing my true self to the public, no doubt to weaken Fiore as I'd be branded a Dark Mage and targeted by the Legal Guilds…"
"Look at that Varnik, seems he does have a brain," Phyrra cackled in response, twirling her scythe at blinding speeds. "Go ahead brat, ruin your life! AHAHAHAHA!"
"Do you ever shut up-?"
Natsu ducked as Phyrra's scythe sailed overhead, raising both his arms up to block a punch from Varnik that sent him flying, smashing through a nearby building as the two Leichart officers slowly advanced toward his position.
"You know how this goes boy; you've had it drilled into you enough times over the years back in Scarlione. But I'll repeat it here, since you're clearly still not getting it," Varnik huffed, taking a drag from his cigar. "You aren't ready for this level yet, and you never will be. Not without a higher power at your disposal. A power… like that of E.N.D!"
"Fuck off Varnik," Natsu spat, walking out of the rubble as he shrugged off part of a collapsed wall. "If the two of you were so sure of your victory, you wouldn't need to gang up on me. But no, instead, you both stand there talking shit even though you're fighting me in a two on o-AUGH-!"
Before Natsu's retort could even leave his lips, Phyrra had vanished, reappearing in front of him with faster than light speed, driving the blade of her scythe up through his chest and out his back.
Her speed had caught him completely off guard, having assumed she was already facing him with her full power. His eyes went wide, blood pouring from his mouth as he was lifted up into the air, a sickening crunch echoing across the ruined area.
"What his Excellency sees within you, I can't even begin to fathom," Phyrra scoffed, twisting the blade for added measure as Natsu weakly grabbed the blade, his vision rapidly fading. "Don't presume that you could match the likes of me, not when you struggled against my counterpart in the Spriggan."
Phyrra's words fell on deaf ears as Natsu struggled to remain conscious, the blade having pierced through his heart. He could feel his entire body going into shock as he fought off the inevitable, his awareness momentarily returning as he felt his face be roughly grabbed and forced to face Phyrra.
"You know nothing, and are nearly worthless… All you are is his Excellency's weapon, a tool to be used as he sees fit!"
"Heh-hehehehe…"
Phyrra seemed surprised as her words were met with naught but a bloody grin, as semi-lifeless eyes gazed back at her.
"F-Fuck you…bitch," Natsu wheezed, spitting in her face, much to the disgust of the Leichart Commander. "I won't serve…anyone…except…NGH…Erza…"
Phyrra growled and spun her scythe, flinging his body off her blade as his body hit the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop in a nearby gutter.
"Disgusting," Phyrra snapped, wiping away the blood and spit, before her attention snapped off to the right. "We have company Varnik."
Both Leichart officers were ready, as Makarov landed on a nearby collapsed building, his eyes immediately locking onto Natsu's form.
"NATSU," Mavis cried, flying past the two Alvarez Commanders who couldn't see her. "Makarov, he's been-!"
"This matter does not concern you, Saint Dreyar," Varnik grumbled, tossing aside his cigar as he felt Makarov begin to open up his Magic reserves. "I would highly suggest you leave."
"Leave? No, I don't think so," Makarov replied firmly, fists clenched as he looked up to meet the gaze of the older man, his eyes now glowing a bright golden color. "You'll pay for what you've done here… I will not allow this sin to go unpunished!"
Makarov's form became cloaked in a bright golden light, a large golden Magic Circle appearing at his feet as another golden light appeared on his middle and index fingers.
The entire area shook violently, though the two Leichart officers didn't seem concerned by Makarov's outburst. Instead, they merely watched as the old man gathered more and more Magical Power, taking their attention away from Natsu in the process…
***POTD***
Natsu slowly opened his eyes, finding himself back in the desolate, magma infested corner of his mind. It didn't take him long before he spotted someone who he really didn't want to deal with right now, though he knew he likely didn't have much choice.
With a sigh, Natsu made his way over toward the massive form of Igneel, which currently sat atop a charred black hill. Once he was close, Igneel shifted his gaze to look down at him, stirring certain unwanted feelings within him.
"The Hell do you want?"
"Don't go taking that tone with me just because you got your ass handed to you brat," Igneel grumbled in response. "It's childish."
"Oh, my apologies O great King Deadbeat," Natsu sniped back nastily. "Fuck you Igneel! FUCK! YOU!"
"…"
"Got nothing to say? No excuse as to why you promised we'd talk, only for you to cut off all communication once I was out of Scarlione!? You're a real piece of shit, you know that!?"
"Are you done?"
"Not even slightly done," Natsu hissed, fists clenched tightly at his sides. "You're just lucky I've got more pressing concerns than dealing with you!"
"You are correct," Igneel replied, seemingly not even remotely bothered by Natsu's hostility toward him, as the Dragon conjured two images before them from a cloud of steam. "The Leichart Twelve, Swords of Alvarez. You always love digging yourself down into the worst sorts of places, don't you?"
"What's your point?"
"I'd say its fairly obvious, wouldn't you? You're stuck here until you use your E.N.D abilities to fix this mess," Igneel replied dryly, motioning to the massive gaping hole in Natsu's chest where his heart and part of his lung should have been. "You know you don't have a choice now, don't you?"
"I know."
"I had hoped to leave you be for a time longer, but it appears that Time necessitates action."
"The Hell are you talking about?"
"It is clear, given both the presence of Alvarez forces in Fiore, as well as the advent of the Dragon King Festival, that I can no longer maintain my silent vigil within you," Igneel replied bluntly, as he fully turned to face Natsu, flaring his wings as the temperature increased drastically. "Go and handle these Human whelps, then I'll explain everything in greater detail."
"I don't trust you. Like, I really don't trust you…"
"That doesn't matter," Igneel shrugged in response. "What matters is my actions going forward. Trust me or don't. Either way, you're stuck with me."
"You'd better not give me the silent treatment after I do this Igneel," Natsu replied slowly, as he slowly started to let Etherious trickle throughout his core. "If you even think about giving me the silent treatment again, I'll start jumping off cliffs to get back in here-."
"Shut it brat! I told you that this time I'm not going anywhere, and this time I swear it on my position as the Fire Dragon Monarch!"
"That's… Okay, that's actually pretty good assurance," Natsu replied, somewhat surprised as Igneel exhaled a plume of smoke. "Talk to you soon then, I guess?"
"Don't make it awkward brat. Just go and kill those Humans," the Dragon snorted in reply, as Natsu vanished from his sight. "Far too much like Ignia indeed…"
***POTD***
"Do you truly think you stand a chance against us, Makarov Dreyar," Varnik asked, arms crossed, clearly unimpressed.
"Let him try Varnik, it'll make gutting him all the more fun!"
"You Alvarez bastards are absolutely despicable! Was the entire continent of Alakitasia and the destruction of Scarlione not enough for you!?"
"The nations conquered and assimilated into the Empire now enjoy a far greater life than they once possessed. Soon, Ishgar too shall fall under the Emperor's flag and reap the benefits of unity."
"Neither Fiore, nor Ishgar, will EVER fall to Alvarez! The people won't stand for it!"
"People didn't stand for Alvarez back on Alakitasia either… That was, until we got rid of them," Phyrra chuckled darkly, brandishing her scythe. "As much as I'd like to torture you, destiny awaits for Fiore!"
"Indeed," Varnik hummed in agreement. "Phyrra, kill him and let's ensure Granvill succeeds in his objective."
As Phyrra advanced on Makarov, Mavis knelt over Natsu's body, his eyes lifeless. Clenching her fists, the First Master tried to touch him, but failed due to her incorporeal form.
"Natsu… I've failed you," Mavis sniffed, looking back to Makarov with worry. "What can we do from here without you…?"
Turning to look back at Natsu's corpse, the First Master could barely stifle a gasp as his body had vanished, only the blood left behind as a reminder it had been there at all.
"What!?"
Phyrra halted her advance, eyes narrowing as she sniffed the air, spinning back around to notice that Natsu's body had disappeared. Her eyes darted toward Varnik, who immediately entered a defensive stance.
"Well, not the worst nap I've ever had…"
Both Leichart Commanders spun around to Makarov's position, their eyes glued on the figure behind the aged Guild Master. Mavis was rendered completely speechless, Makarov noticing her reaction as he slowly arched his neck to view what the others were seeing, his blood running cold in the process.
"What in the Hell…"
Standing before them all, was Natsu. The gaping hole in his chest was still present, though to the horror of Makarov, and less so Mavis, dozens of writhing tendrils slowly emerging from his damaged flesh.
"Anyway, where was I before that," Natsu groaned, running his hands across his face and through his hair as its color slowly shifted jet black. "Ah, that's right…"
A slow smirk wormed its way onto his face as the tendrils started to rejoin together, his destroyed organs, muscle, bone and sinew reforming until naught but regular skin remained. Two black horns slowly emerged from his upper forehead, slightly curving back as a flood of black Aura washed over the area.
"Natsu… Natsu, what…?"
"This is the real Natsu," Mavis replied in Natsu's stead, as he moved to stand protectively in front of the old man. "This is who he really is… The ultimate Demon, Lord E.N.D."
"I-I must have just misheard you First Master, because it sounded like you just said Natsu was-?"
"So, you finally show your true form," Varnik muttered, placing another cigar in his mouth as smoke began to cloak his form.
"About time! I thought you were going to be really stubborn about it, tool!"
"I really didn't want to do this, but you've both left me with no other choice," Natsu sighed, taking one step as Varnik was belted away, smashing through multiple buildings as he reappeared within an inch of Phyrra. "Actually… Now that I think about it, you're both just Alvarez scum anyway, aren't you? Guess I won't feel bad about this then, heh."
"How dare you," Phyrra screeched, performing an upward slash at point blank range at faster than light speed.
To her surprise, Natsu had evaded it, his hand grabbing onto her skeletal wrist before she found herself suffering a similar fate to Varnik. Her form simply vanished in the eyes of Makarov and Mavis. But really, Natsu had thrown her across Crocus at faster than light speed, a speed neither of them could track.
"I hope you understand why I've kept this mostly to myself gramps," Natsu asked, not looking back to face the aged Guild Master, who was on his knees in sheer disbelief. "If it makes you feel a bit more reassured, Mavis has known about this for some time, and she had no issues with it."
"Natsu, I-I don't even know…"
"I understand. Take some time to process it before we speak about it, I know its probably the largest shock of your life," Natsu replied neutrally, outputting even more Etherious Aura as he prepared himself for battle. "For now, just know that I'm still the same Natsu you've come to know and love. I'm just… a little extra."
Two simultaneous explosions went off ahead of them, as Phyrra and Varnik landed a kilometer away, charging their position as Natsu finally turned back to look at them. His eyes were now onyx black, his teeth much sharper, similar to his Dragon Force form.
"You two get back to the others and get them ready. I can sense an overwhelmingly monstrous Dark Magic coming from below Castle Mercurius, and that's where Gajeel is right now, likely facing Granvill alone."
Makarov could only nod dumbly in reply, as he turned and sprinted off in the direction of Domus Flau. Mavis lingered slightly longer, her eyes misty as she reached out to him, her hand passing through his form.
"We will do all that we can Natsu, so don't hold back."
"Don't worry Mavis," Natsu smiled sincerely, as the First Master vanished. "I don't plan to."
Turning back to face his opponents, he could see Phyrra was rather pissed off. Varnik seemed composed, though a deep frown marred his features as he slowly slid into an offensive stance.
"I'm not running from you Alvarez bastards anymore," Natsu growled, as he slid his right leg back. "Not one more day of letting you lot do as you please, especially in MY home country!"
Shooting off from his current position, he instantly appeared between the pair mid-flip, as Phyrra had preemptively slashed at the space she had foreseen him to be, Varnik doing the same, as Time moved in slow motion for the trio.
Natsu's left foot pinned her blade to the ground, as his right hand caught Varnik's fist. In what was the blink of an eye, Natsu had flipped both of his opponents by twisting his body as he sailed past, both Leichart members immediately adapting as Natsu blocked a kick from Varnik, and redirected over fifty light speeds slashes from Phyrra as the three skidded away from one another.
"Stand down E.N.D, by order of Lord Zeref," Phyrra barked out, only for Natsu to spit on the ground before him.
"Fuck off Alvarez scum! How's that for a response!?"
"Strong you have grown, that much is true. But do you truly believe that you can beat the both of us," Varnik responded, eliciting a dark chuckle in response.
"Can I win? Will I lose? Questions like that don't matter Varnik," Natsu replied, his gaze hardening as he recalled what Jellal had told him about the man. "You'll be the first to go after what Jellal told me you did…"
"It seems battle is unavoidable then," the older Leichart sighed. "Phyrra, we may require the others-?"
"No! The Eclipse Gate must be opened at all costs," the Death God Slayer growled back. "If need be, we shall give our very lives for the will of the Emperor!"
"Very well, then let us hold nothing back!"
The entire city shook violently as Varnik and Phyrra began to unleash everything they had. Phyrra cackled as more of her body was reduced to naught but bone, her power far surpassing Varnik's, easily making her his main foe.
Natsu Dragneel (Etherious Aura + Second Origin Sealed + Full Power) – 1.32 Billion MPI
Varnik Duscharn (Second Origin Released + Full Power) – 192 Million MPI
Phyrra Ashar (God's Aura + Death God's Champion + Full Power) – 1.24 Billion MPI
"Varnik! Remember, you're on support for this one," Phyrra snapped, as she released a flood of black across the battlefield. "I won't have anyone get in my way!"
"I know," the older man sighed, as he watched the black miasma wash over some nearby plants as they immediately shriveled up into dust. "Just remember what we're dealing with here!"
"Don't need to tell me twice," the God Slayer huffed, twirling her scythe around before both she and Natsu vanished, clashing high in the air as her scythe was blocked by another blade. "So, that's how it is…?"
Phyrra's eyes traveled to the blade that had blocked her scythe, which wasn't truly a blade at all. Instead, Phyrra had clashed with Natsu's right arm, which had reshaped itself into a chitinous blade.
"Famine got just a taste of what I'm capable of," Natsu replied, as the pair pushed against one another. "Let's see just how far you lot can get!?"
The pair pushed off one another, as Natsu's eyes began to glow a deep purple, the veins in his forehead likewise gaining a purplish hue to them. Suddenly, the entire city was deafened, as a one-kilometer section of it was ripped from the ground and lifted high into the air.
"Varnik! You'd best be preparing down there," Phyrra snapped, as she charged Natsu's position, right as the massive elevated portion of the city was torn into millions of earthy lances, all aimed directly at her. "You fucking prick!"
Firing the attack at her without a retort, Phyrra enveloped herself in a pitch-black bubble of raw Death Magic. The bubble rapidly shrank until it coated her scythe, as she cocked back, clearly about to perform a slash attack.
"You're a fool Dragneel! Nothing can escape Death," the God Slayer roared. "God's Aura: Death God's Wilting Wave!"
Slashing at the air in front of her, Phyrra unleashed a monstrous wave of raw Death Magic. Her attack almost immediately made contact with Natsu's earthly lances, immediately reducing them to nothing as they failed to penetrate the potent power of Death behind her attack.
"KAHAHAHAHAHA! FOOL-OOF!"
Phyrra was cut short as Natsu appeared in front of her, slugging her across the face as she smashed into the ground, skidding along briefly before flipping onto her feet. After skidding to a stop, the Death God Slayer shot a murderous glare his way, gripping her scythe tighter.
"Alright, now you're going to get it brat!"
Phyrra vanished and clashed with Natsu once again, as Varnik watched on from his place on the ground. Around him was a Magic Circle, as the man continued to prepare the Support Magic he knew his aggressive ally was going to need.
"Honestly Phyrra, could you not once put aside that attitude of yours? Oh well, if she ends up breaking something from all this, I can't be held liable."
Varnik smirked as the Magic Circle began to rotate, slowly but surely increasing in size as well. As it grew, his thoughts turned toward Granvill, hoping all was well with the newest member of the Swords of Alvarez.
***POTD***
All was not well with Granvill, as the Leichart member currently found himself avoiding a barrage of metal being hurled his way. Shrouded in a dark purple Aura, Granvill landed on the side of a pillar, before shooting off toward his opponent.
"Darkness Magic – Dark Lariat!"
Extending his right arm outward as it became coated in pitch black, Granvill clashed with his opponent, who had raised a thick section of the floor to block him. It didn't take him long to punch through it, though unfortunately he came face to face with a massive blade, one that nearly skewered him, had he not rolled off to the right at the last possible moment.
Smashing into a far wall, Granvill quickly rose to his feet. Panting slightly, he found himself in complete disbelief at the strength of his foe.
"Gihi! What wrong Alvarez scum, didn't think us Fioran hicks were onto ya?"
"Blacksteel Gajeel," Granvill hissed as the amused form of Gajeel emerged from the smoke of his previous attack, his body slightly altered in his Metallic Drive form. "How have you managed to conceal your true strength from us!?"
"Gihi! Salamander was right about you Alvarez scum comin on into Fiore at some point, so he made it a point to start trainin up some people who can take you bastards down a notch or two," Gajeel smirked in reply. "You really think I'd show my full power durin the games? Against a bunch of soft, weak Legal Mages!? As if!"
"So, that's how it is," Granvill huffed in reply, slowly rising to his feet. "Be that as it may, I still have an objective to do here tonight…"
Granvill's eyes moved past Gajeel, and toward the giant black stone gate behind him. The gate held numerous symbols written entirely in Black Magic, as a low sounding hum echoed throughout the room.
"You're not openin this here Eclipse Gate, not while I'm still alive…"
"Then I'll simply take your life on my way to completing my objective," Granvill replied darkly, purple sparks shooting from his form as he slowly advanced toward Gajeel. "You'll die staving off the inevitable Alvarez victory, just like millions of others. Your name won't even be a footnote in the history books…"
Both men vanished, reappearing before the Eclipse Gate with a resounding bang.
Both Gajeel and Granvill stood before one another, their hands joined together as the ground beneath them cracked, raw Magical Power emanating from their forms.
"You'll die here Blacksteel!"
"Weird way to talk about what's gonna happen to ya, Alvarez cunt!"
Gajeel Redfox (Metallic Drive + Magical Suppressor Removed + Full Power) – 18.4 Million MPI
Granvill Lorthal (Base Form + Second Origin Sealed + Full Power) – 17.72 Million MPI
The two men struggled against one another's strength, cocking their heads back simultaneously as they channeled their respective Magics.
"Metallic Dragon's Sword Horn!"
"Darkness Magic – Cranial Crash!"
Smashing their heads together, the two men were instantly blasted across opposing sides of the chamber. From their clash, a massive gaping hole was blown into the floor, setting off multiple alarms as they stumbled to their feet.
"Damn it all!"
"Gihi… Guess there'll be a few more witnesses to your shit soon, eh?"
"Foolish Dragon Slayer," Granvill snapped, vanishing in a stream of darkness as Gajeel entered a defensive stance, blocking a darkness laced kick from his right side that sent him skidding backward. "You can't keep up with me Blacksteel!"
"Don't need to," Gajeel smirked, letting Granvill land a blow to the left side of his head that sent him skidding along the ground. "See?"
Granvill's eyes widened slightly, noticing the spot he'd struck Gajeel was almost completely unharmed, not even a single scale or piece of skin being scuffed in the slightest.
"What!?"
"I ain't like Salamander or the little one. I'm a Dragon of the earth, see, which means I'm way slower than them. That said, I'm also way more durable as a result!"
"Even if you're durable…it'd have a limit," Granvill snarled, rushing Gajeel as he coated his fist in darkness. "Darkness Magic – Dark Lariat!"
"Metallic Dragon's Steel Wall!"
Bringing his arms together, they became coated in solid steel right as Granvill's attack made contact. Unlike when Granvill had smashed through the section of the floor Gajeel had used earlier, the man couldn't break through Gajeel's guard, instead merely causing him to skid backward.
"No guard is impenetrable! Darkness Magic – Shadow Barrage!"
Gajeel maintained his guard as Granvill set upon him with a barrage of pitch-black punches and kicks. The Dragon Slayer could feel the power behind them, but his guard held firm, more than capable of weathering the barrage as it left little more than dents in the metal coating his defense.
"Gihi! That all you've got big man," Gajeel smirked, clenching his right fist. "This is a punch! Metallic Dragon's Steel Fist!"
Striking Granvill in the gut, the Leichart Commander lurched forward, coughing up blood as he was launched across the chamber and into the far wall. Smirking, Gajeel advanced on Granvill, who dropped down to one knee clutching his stomach, teeth barred as he struggled to stand.
"Far too cocky for ya own good, ain't ya?"
"Damn you, Fioran scum-!"
Gajeel struck Granvill across the face, knocking the larger man to the ground as his arm morphed into a chainsaw. The blades roared to life as he brought it to bear before the downed Alvarez Commander, who refused to show weakness despite his situation.
"This is the end of the road for ya," Gajeel grunted, slowly cocking back his chainsaw arm. "Not that I'm sad to see ya go…"
"Do your worst Fioran dog! The will of his Excellency Emperor Spriggan will NEVER die!"
Gajeel went to strike down Granvill, only to find his arm wouldn't move. Eyes narrowed, Gajeel put more force into moving his arm, only for it to remain in place.
"What the-!?"
Looking back, Gajeel froze, seeing his arm enveloped in a black shroud of darkness. Beyond the swirling mass however, was a rather unassuming black robed figure, smiling gently in his direction.
"Hehehehehehehe…."
Granvill's strained laughter brought Gajeel back to his senses, as the robed figure began to slowly approach, almost gliding across the marble floor.
"Oi!? Just who the heck are ya!?"
"You foolish Fioran dog," Granvill laughed weakly as he struggled to his feet. "You stand before the most important man in history…"
"What…?"
"That will be all, Granvill," a soft, calm voice cut in gently, as the robed figure moved to stand next to Granvill, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "Return to the forward camp and receive medical care. I shall take things from here, rest assured…"
"As you command, your Excellency," Granvill replied shakily, his form slowly vanishing at the robed man's touch.
Gajeel swallowed hard, now realizing just who stood before him. The man sighed, shaking his head as Gajeel felt his entire body being twisted, forced to follow the man's movement as he slowly advanced toward the Eclipse Gate.
"You're Emperor Spriggan…"
"Indeed I am, Gajeel Redfox."
"W-What the heck are ya doin here," Gajeel ground out, now fearful of the man before him as they arrived at the Eclipse Gate. "The Gate…"
"Indeed. Tonight, I have come to test Fiore, Gajeel. Tonight, Fiore shall be brought to its knees and made to suffer, all to sate my curiosity…"
"What…? Why the Hell would you do that!?"
"Why indeed," came the amused response. "As things stand, I desire a, how shall I say, return on investment, of sorts. Centuries of preparation and waiting, thousands upon thousands of hours devoted to research and study shall be put to the test, as Fiore faces the distant past."
"The distant past? What the heck are you talkin about?"
With a snap of his fingers, Spriggan brought himself, Gajeel, as well as the Eclipse Gate itself, out into the large open courtyard of Castle Mercurius that overlooked the city of Crocus itself.
"No way…"
"Bear witness, Gajeel, as I reach into the depths of Time and conjure forth nightmares from a Kingdom long since forgotten," the man cried, as he released Magical Power so dense, so vile that it made Gajeel want to vomit on the spot from the sheer pressure alone. "Behold, Gajeel, a terror that all of mankind has forgotten to fear! A power so terrifying, not even the Demons dared challenge them at the height of their power!"
Gajeel was speechless at Emperor Spriggan's Magic was absorbed by the Eclipse Gate, watching in horror as it lit up the night sky like a beacon. The doors seemingly ceased to be, replaced by an almost watery, transluscent bubble that clung to the edge of the Gate itself.
And then, all of Crocus heard it as one…
A titanic roar, one that shook the city to its very foundations echoed through the Eclipse Gate, as something began to push against the bubble from the other side. Gajeel paled, almost becoming as white as a sheet, immediately realizing what was about to happen.
"You're crazy… YOU CAN'T DO THIS-!"
"I can, and I shall," came the amused response, as a glowing white form slowly emerged from the Gate. "Currently within the borders of Crocus lay seven Dragon Slayers… Let us see how each of you stacks up to your predecessors…"
"Y-You're insane!"
"Tonight, Gajeel, the world shall learn the true colors of Fiore and her people. Tonight, we shall see how Fiore handles this unprecedented crisis," the Emperor smiled, still acting as gentle as ever. "Who shall rise to the occasion, and who shall abandon their morals and beliefs to save their lives? I look forward to finding out…"
Gajeel watched as the Emperor vanished, the force restraining him vanishing seconds later, as he immediately scrambled away from the Gate, taking off at a hard sprint toward Crocus proper.
"I've gotta find Salamander," Gajeel huffed, as another roar shook Crocus, nearly knocking him off his feet in the process. "Damn it! To think that this was their plan all along!"
Gajeel wasted no time as he leapt from the overlook of Castle Mercurius, his body becoming coated in steel, as he smashed into the main road of the city below.
There was little he could do to stop what was coming through the Eclipse Gate now. The only thing that he knew for certain was that everyone needed to regroup.
Separated as they were, they were all but dead.
***POTD***
"Are you only capable of dodging," Phyrra snarled, hacking and slashing away at Natsu as he expertly avoided dozens of light-speed attacks from her scythe.
The pair had been duking it out for the last twenty minutes, though Natsu could sense Varnik off in the distance channeling Magical Power, no doubt the pair having some sort of plan to take him down.
"I'm told dodging improves one's life expectancy, or were you unaware," Natsu shot back, sidestepping her latest slash as the fingers on his right hand rapidly extended outward as they slowly morphed into a series of serrated, chitinous blades. "Demonic Dragon's Sadistic Staccato!"
Phyrra was forced on the defensive as Natsu's fingers became deadly whips, slicing through buildings like butter. The God Slayer grit her teeth, fending off several slashes before swiping at one of them, severing the finger clean off.
Her frustration was understandable however, as the finger regrew in seconds, rejoining the rest as she was forced to retreat further down the street.
"Damn you brat!"
"As you can see, I'm plenty damned," Natsu shot back with a small smirk. "Now then, time to deal with Varnik…"
In a burst of speed, Natsu disengaged from his fight with Phyrra, smashing through countless buildings at faster than light speeds in order to reach Varnik's position as quickly as possible. The older man was surrounded by multiple Magic Circles, clearly charging something.
All that preparation… wasted, as Natsu slammed into him, the man barely blocking his attack as his concentration lapsed.
"No-!"
"Damn it," Phyrra snarled hatefully, reappearing on the scene moments later as she tried to cleave Natsu clean in two. "Damn it Varnik, couldn't you have charged it faster!?"
"It doesn't work like that-!"
Varnik was cut off as an earth-shaking roar shook the entirety of Crocus. Natsu likewise froze, paling considerably as he immediately recognized what had just happened.
"It begins," Igneel's voice rumbled in his mind as his eyes snapped toward Castle Mercurius. "The Dragon King Festival is about to commence…"
"Maybe so, but we've still got two massive problems before us," came Natsu's grim reply, looking back toward Varnik and Phyrra, both Leichart Commanders now enveloped in a shadowy mist.
"Another successful mission," Phyrra remarked gleefully. "Despite your incompetence Varnik."
"Be silent. All that matters in the end is that we have succeeded in our mission."
The pair shot amused smirks in Natsu's direction, before vanishing. To Natsu's dread, behind them stood none other than Lord Zeref himself, the man smiling away as if nothing were amiss.
"Hello Natsu."
"Hello… Brother."
"It seems you know some of the truth now," Zeref hummed to himself as he strolled closer. "I'm glad to see you've finally reawakened the power of E.N.D. A shame you still haven't got much of an idea of how to best use its unique abilities though…"
"Don't try to distract from the matter at hand, Zeref. You opened the Eclipse Gate, didn't you?"
"Indeed I did. Your friend, Gajeel, had Granvill on the back-foot you see. Though I have no doubt Granvill would have transformed in order to defeat Gajeel, Time was not on his side tonight, and the appointed hour was fast approaching…"
"So, you intervened and opened the gate yourself?"
"Correct. I have pulled my forces back for now, so that the people of Fiore can show us just what they're made of," Zeref continued. "The Dragon King Festival shall be a good test to see just how far you have come as well."
"Countless innocent lives will be lost, all over a stupid test!?"
"A few dozen to save billions later down the line is a more than agreeable sacrifice. All that matters is seeing if you-."
"Shut up Zeref," Natsu spat, clenching his fists tightly at his sides. "I couldn't care less about your damn test!"
"It matters little if you care or not," Zeref shrugged in reply. "Like it or not, Fiore shall partake in the Dragon King Festival. Succeed or fail? Either way, this shall be adequate training for you."
"Training? What the Hell are you talking about?"
"You'll understand in due time Natsu," Zeref replied cryptically, strolling past Natsu's position as the city shook from another roar. "All you need to know is that all of this is to prepare you for what has yet to come. Like it or not, I'll see you prepared…"
"Damn you Zeref," Natsu hissed, as the Black Mage vanished on the spot, leaving him almost alone to his thoughts.
"Like it or not, you cannot sit idly by Natsu."
"I'm well aware of that," the Dragon Slayer bit back bitterly. "This isn't right…"
"Put aside the Black Wizard's words for the moment and focus on the present, and the threat that lay before us. Now, we need to see just what we're dealing with here?"
Natsu agreed silently, making for the area he could see the active Eclipse Gate.
Inwardly, he hoped that whatever came through was of the weaker variety. If not, even he may not be capable of achieving victory. Although, he would never admit it openly, it was reassuring to have Igneel's presence alongside him for the coming battle.
Shaking his head, he pushed on, as the city was shaken once more by yet another mighty roar, heralding the arrival of an ancient threat not seen in countless centuries…
***POTD***
Elsewhere, on a nearby mountain overlooking the city of Crocus, a small group of human-like figures observed the chaos that had just begun to spill forth from the Eclipse Gate.
Standing at the head of the silent group were three figures. The two flanking the tallest one were female, and the one at the head of the group was male, and all sported characteristics associating themselves with that of the Etherious Demons.
"I trust we are all in agreement as to just whose Magic we felt just now," the man at the head of the precession asked, his voice as soft as silk as his compatriots responded with varied grunts or light murmurings of acknowledgement.
"He has returned… Lord Zeref once more walks among the living world," the tallest female Demon proclaimed joyfully. "Our Lord has returned to strike down the filthy Humans!"
"Be calm," the one at the head of the group sighed. "Indeed, Lord Zeref's return is a sign that out time is nigh… However, his was not the signature I was referring to."
The shorter of the two female Demons stepped forward, clad in a simple dark purple kimono, her eyes possessing a spark within them that was normally absent.
"Lord Mard Geer, you are referring to him, aren't you?"
"Indeed I am, Seilah," Mard Geer replied, looking down toward the tome clutched tightly to his side. "It appears our Lord has indeed been busy whilst he was absent from the world of men. Lord E.N.D walks among us at long last, it appears…"
"Lord E.N.D," Seilah whispered, as the Demons around her all murmured their own opinions on the subject. "Lord Mard Geer, surely we shall meet with Lord E.N.D?"
"I'm afraid not Seilah," Mard Geer replied, shaking his head gently. "Lord Zeref is clearly up to something down there, and Lord E.N.D is involved in said plans in one way or another. I will not risk angering either so soon after their arrival-."
"Mard Geer has the right of it," a new voice chimed in, eliciting the briefest of scowls on Mard Geer's face as the Demon immediately composed himself, turning to face the approaching form of Varnik. "All is proceeding as Lord Zeref wills it to be. The Bharam Alliance shall not interfere."
"I was wondering if you were involved," Mard Geer sniffed, avoiding eye contact with the man. "Regardless your words only reinforce my own belief that we have no place here upon this particular testing ground."
"But I want to meet Lord E.N.D," Seilah frowned, her usually blank and frigid demeanor cracking as she looked longfully down toward Crocus.
"Patience, Seilah. The promised time fast approaches, and we shall have our encounter with Lord E.N.D in due course. For now, however, it appears that we have other matters to attend to?"
"That's right," Varnik nodded in agreement. "I've got a task for you lot. Lord Zeref requires you all to commit yourselves fully to this…"
As Varnik began to explain to the other Tartaros Demons what Zeref wanted them to do, Seilah tuned it all out, her gaze focused solely down toward Crocus itself.
"Lord E.N.D…"
***POTD***
Elsewhere, high atop a mountain in northern Ishgar, Zeref stood before a colossal black mountain.
All around him was dense snow, a fierce blizzard sweeping over the area, yet curiously going around his form. A small smile etched its way onto his face as he looked up at the massive black mountain before him, feeling the rumbling as a sizeable chunk of the wall opened, revealing a lone, Aqua Blue colored eye.
"What manner of mockery is this, Black Wizard?"
The voice shook the entire area, despite its low cadence, pushing back against the raging blizzard with every syllable. For his part, Zeref didn't so much as flinch, continuing to smile lightly as he chose his words with care.
"Do you sense it?"
"Do I sense it? Dreh zu'u haalvut hin kreh voth Tiid, Ved Gein? It washes over my senses like a thousand streams of Dragon fire…"
Still did Zeref refuse to flinch as the colossal mountain shifted, its form unfurling into that of the Black Dragon Achnologia, eyes narrowed as his head loomed mere inches from Zeref's minuscule form.
"You dare cause me such pain by summoning seven from the distant past? Seven who reside within mine own kos? You grow extremely bold if you dare to antagonize me so, Black Wizard…"
"I take it you don't plan on interfering with the Dragon King Festival then?"
"Were I ignorant of the laws of Time, or a more primal existence, I would tear apart all within this farcical mockery of old. However, these seven have already been devoured, their kos all but part of mine own. To devour them twice would cause mine flesh to ripple, forming a paradox of mine own existence."
"I see. And what of E.N.D? You know he is taking part in the Dragon King Festival, don't you? His power has grown exponentially since you witnessed him at Scarlione…"
"The boy is still but a hatchling to mine own power," Achnologia sniffed, shaking his head slowly. "Though his power does grow exponentially, it cannot even best hin suleyk. What worth is there chasing such lesser strength?"
"Then why fight Illyandra Scarlione then? Her power was less than E.N.D's is now?"
"The Elemental was unique… I find unique things amusing."
"I see…"
"I had initially come to secure E.N.D, to torture him so that his screams would lead me to you, if you must know…"
"I may have created E.N.D, but he is hardly linked to me in such a way Achnologia," Zeref replied smoothly. "The only thing E.N.D was created for is to be a weapon to destroy you."
"Keh! A fool to the last, Ved Gein, for none can defeat me!"
"You are indeed beatable, Achnologia. Your inevitable demise draws ever closer," Zeref smiled, vanishing on the spot as Achnologia attempted to devour him on the spot. "Sit back and wait for your death like a good little lizard."
"PAHLOK," Achnologia roared, rearing up as he fired a breath attack at Zeref's new position, only for the Black Wizard to vanish once again, this time to parts unknown. "Your Godhood shall not save you from my maw, Ged Vein! I shall devour this world until naught remains!"
Rearing up on his hind legs, Achnologia roared, flaring his wings as the blizzard was dispelled in an instant. The entire area becoming twisted and morphed under a strange power known only to the Black Dragon.
"I shall watch your weapon, Ged Vein… And I shall feast upon his feeble strength before your very eyes!"