AN: I've just fixed up a few errors pointed out to me that I missed one being a pretty massive one so apologies for that.
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
Embarking For Alvarez
/Magnolia – Natsu's POV/
After finally bothering to move from the snowed in street Natsu trudged back to the guild hall where everyone else decided to rest and prepare for the journey to come, upon arriving however Natsu's mood was immediately soured when the conversation between the group turned to who the stand in Guild Master should be.
"No."
"Come on Natsu you're the best one for it," Elise said as Natsu shook his head.
"Come on Natsu out of all the S Class Mages you're the obvious choice even Laxus knows that," Erza sighed as Natsu once again shook his head.
"No I can't become the Guild Master if I did then anyone who would consider coming back would choose not to and I don't want to rob them of their chance to return to the guild."
"Actually many of the guild members quickly realized their mistakes a short while after you left Natsu," Juvia cut in quickly. "If you became the new Master maybe more people would come back even if to just hear your side of the story plus you plan on saving Master Makarov so they'd have to see that?"
"But surely either you or Mira would be more qualified for the job," Natsu said as he turned to Erza who shook her head.
"While it's true we are around a lot more we aren't even close to how strong you are, to be the Guild Master of Fairy Tail you have to have strength and a good heart and I can't think of anyone else who has both those things beside you."
"But you're biased Erza," Natsu said as Erza sighed and shook her head.
"Natsu just do it you won't even have to be the permanent Master just a stand in so that the guild can still operate, Mira, Gray, Laxus, Gajeel, Levy, Juvia, Jellal and the rest of Crime Sorciere can get everyone back together for when we get the Master and you can hand the title back to him I'm sure he'd understand."
Natsu sighed as he looked at everyone gathered in the room all sporting supporting faces, shaking his head he managed to grin.
"Alright fine I'll do it, there anything specific I have to do?"
"You have to stand in the guild hall and say I Natsu Dragneel do hereby take up the mantle of Ninth Master of Fairy Tail and do hereby swear to uphold its name to my dying breath," Gray said as Natsu nodded and moved to the centre of the room.
"I Natsu Dragneel do hereby take up the mantle of Ninth Master of Fairy Tail and do hereby swear to uphold its name to my dying breath," Natsu repeated as a strange glowing light aura appeared around him for a moment before vanishing and suddenly knowledge was planted into his head as he looked to the basement.
"Yeah see when I was possessed by The Darkness that never happened for me," Gray said as Natsu nodded slowly.
'Probably a guild secret I'm guessing.'
"Alright guys you all get to fixing up the guild hall I've just got to go check something out," Natsu said as he walked over to the basement and descended the stairs.
"Whatever that magic surrounding him was its compelling him to go downstairs, there is a sealed room down there that The Darkness wanted to get in but couldn't no matter what he did. Whatever is down there isn't for our eyes," Gray said as the group nodded and began busying themselves with cleaning up the guild hall.
Natsu descended the stairs as the strange light disappeared through a door, opening the door Natsu was surprised to see a large chamber with a massive double door made out of stone. The stone had a rainbow coloured Guild Mark on it with the light fluttering around it beckoning him to come closer.
Natsu approached the large seal and placed a hand upon it as the seal disappeared with the doors slowly opening allowing him access, walking forward there was another set of doors though these ones didn't have anything on them. Opening the doors Natsu was shocked to see the body of the First Master herself Mavis sealed within a large crystal.
"So you see Gildarts this is the dark secret of our guild."
Natsu was shocked as an ethereal version of Gildarts and Makarov walked through him and stopped before the crystal.
"Is she still alive?"
"Yes though how I'm not too sure, she was dumped here by Zeref around the time the Second Master Precht was put in charge and simply told that he was done with her. Precht dedicated a vast amount of time and resources to trying to wake Mavis however all failed and so it was decided that until a cure was found she would remain hidden away beneath the guild known only to the current Guild Master so that they may care for her."
"But why put her in a crystal though?"
"Ah you see that is why there is the need for secrecy Gildarts, locked in whatever coma Zeref induced into her has done something rather unexpected to her magic," Makarov explained as Natsu's eyes narrowed on the crystal and noticed hundreds if not thousands of magic dampener runes etched into it.
"Her magic go haywire or something?"
"No something far worse and something that makes her the ultimate weapon that Zeref will most likely hunt for, Precht was unsure but apparently her magic is without limit and could be used in theory to fire the Etherion Cannon of the Magic Council an endless amount of times without need for recharge," Makarov said as both the ethereal Gildarts and Natsu stepped back in shock and awe of the power Mavis held.
"You can't be serious Master the idea of infinite magic is a myth at best!"
"Far from it Gildarts because Zeref is a being who knows no such limitations in what he can twist for his own gain, if he wanted a power source he got it in the form of Mavis though why we can only speculate. You must never let anyone know of this Gildarts the consequences for the world could result in its end!"
"I understand Master don't worry I won't tell a soul."
"I know you won't Gildarts but it just needed to be said, now then we have other business to attend to."
"Like getting the guild hall back?"
"The hall will be ours again soon enough Natsu has enough jewel to pay for it three times over if he wanted to but we shall find other ways before asking him he already does so much for the guild."
"Yeah," Gildarts replied as the two ethereal people vanished leaving Natsu alone to his thoughts.
Walking up to Mavis he could feel something stir within her however when he activated his eyes he noticed her soul was missing.
"Where have you run off to Mavis, you bound your soul to me even though your body is in perfect condition and you disappeared from me too? Once I get gramps back I'm going to have to look into that," Natsu said softly as he placed a hand on the crystal before turning on his heel and walking out of the chamber with each of the doors closing as he went.
Making sure the seal returned Natsu waited until the rainbow emblem reappeared before returining up to the main level where everyone was waiting, walking over to the bar he grabbed the one bottle that wasn't smashed and walked out of the hall lost in thought with everyone shrugging their shoulders except Erza who chased after him.
Sitting on the steps of the guild Natsu was joined by Erza who sat down leaning her head on his shoulder.
"Everything alright Natsu?"
"There's something down there Erza it could spell the end of the world if Zeref gets his hands on it," Natsu said softly as Erza looked at him in shock. "I can't tell you what it is since the Guild Masters are the only ones allowed to know."
"Oh so it's one of those secrets, and it's a world ending one?"
"If the wrong people get their hands on it yeah."
"Well then it's a good thing we picked you for the job of Master then isn't it," Erza said as she hugged his arm.
"How many years has it been since we had a moment to ourselves Erza …"
"By my count or yours?"
"Yours would be fairer Erza I didn't live them all."
"Then a long time," she said softly kissing his cheek. "I really missed you Natsu."
"I'd be hurt if you didn't Erza."
"I knew you weren't dead though I was able to somewhat feel that you were alive though it was faint, plus you promised me a wedding didn't you as soon as we met back up again though given the circumstances it hardly seems appropriate."
"It will come Erza most likely when the guild gets back together, sorry for leading you on so long I know it must really make you mad."
"I've come to accept your position in the world Natsu and that you are the one to bring the balance, I may not possess the strength you do but I'll always be there to support you no matter what."
"I know and I appreciate it Erza truly, I do try my best to be there but every time something always gets in the way to tear us as far away from each other as possible."
"And yet you always claw your way back which solidifies my decision in choosing you Natsu."
"I thought I chose you?"
"Oh please no one chooses for Erza Scarlett you know that," Erza said softly as the two shared a light laugh as Erza took the bottle from Natsu.
"You sure you can handle that?"
"I'm sure with you around I'll be fine."
"I hope so because I just want to rest even for one day before we begin this nightmare."
"There isn't any use thinking about what's coming Natsu just focus on today and go from there, today there are no Zerefs, no Darkness, no Demons, no Council, no Super weapons just family."
"Hey Erza?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you mind if I just rest my head on your lap for a bit?"
"Not at all," Erza said with a smile as Natsu laid his head down on her lap as she ran her fingers through his hair.
Slowly Natsu began to fall asleep with years of fatigue weighing him down as the world slowly went black …. and then a new world appeared.
/?/
Natsu was confused, Natsu was annoyed, Natsu was very very angry.
After finally feeling like he could finally rest he was suddenly dragged back up to Life and Death's place against his will, gritting his teeth he stomped over to their house and opened the door.
"Ah Natsu how good of you to join us," Life said cheerfully as Natsu shook his head with a scowl planted on his face.
"I want to sleep so send me back!"
"I'm afraid we can't do that yet Natsu there is important information you need to know."
"What like why you two think flicking marbles at my damn head during combat is some form of amusement?"
"No no this is in regards to the old man being held prisoner by the Alvarez Empire," Death said calmly as Natsu sighed and took a seat.
"Alright so what is it?"
"Do you want to know where he is?"
"Well obviously."
"If we told you he was dead would you believe us?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because you haven't shown me proof so I don't believe you."
"I suppose that's fair well luckily for you he isn't dead just unconscious, before you set out to Alvarez there are some things you need to keep in mind the main one being that you still aren't back at full strength yet."
"You brought me here to say that?"
"No we brought you here because we don't want you dying again and playing hero is a good way to do so," Death sighed as Natsu shut his mouth.
"Now then there are several things going in your favour the first and foremost being that August is not presently in the section of the Empire you need to focus your attention on."
"Well that actually takes a load off my mind," Natsu sighed as their faces became grave.
"However don't believe that makes things easier for you Natsu, though August is out of the way there are still plenty other mages capable of discovering you."
"And they would be?"
"You'll find out when you get there."
"Then what's the point of telling me if you won't give me an idea!"
"You know now to be cautious Natsu which means you will do so, you are far from a fool and have been gifted with a keen mind. Use your mind to pick and choose the right battles to fight since you will be in the heartland of the Empire Zeref's home ground."
"Is he there?"
"We don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know how can the two of you not know something?"
"Because he has long since learned to conceal his presence from us by remaining alone, the only reason anyone was able to find him was because he was around others and we were able to sense him through them."
"I see, so is that everything?"
"Not quite see you asked us why we keep flicking marbles at you don't you," Death said amused as Natsu nodded. "Ponder this as you journey Natsu, how many years of power must be restored to make you whole again?"
Natsu tilted his head at the question when everything began disappearing signalling the end of the meeting as Life and Death faded away with wisps of black and white smoke.
"Damn them and their riddles …"
/Magnolia/
Natsu felt quite comfortable as he felt the warm confines of a bed.
'How long has it been since I've slept in a proper bed?'
Sighing he slowly pulled himself up out of the bed and realized he was still fully clothed, it then occurred to him that his clothes couldn't actually come off since they were a part of him and so he'd have to use his mind to remove them.
"I suppose a warm shower couldn't hurt," he muttered as he willed the clothes to vanish and walked into the adjacent room taking a nice hot shower.
While in the shower Natsu looked at the state of his hair again with it having grown long once again he had to decide what to do with it, creating a tendril he shaped it into a blade and shaved his beard off until there was only the slightest signs of stubble before looking at his hair once again.
"Medium length I think this time," he said as he brought the bladed tendril just behind his neck and cut the hair off letting it fall to the floor. "How it grows so fast is beyond me."
Several minutes later Natsu was out of the shower and drying himself the old fashioned way since he didn't have his flames to do it for him, after that awkward experience Natsu willed his Devil clothing back but altered the design a little.
Gone was the rather regal looking suit he wore before and in its place was black combat boots with red outlines with matching combat pants with a mixture of red and blue outlines. He no longer had a shirt of any kind just a coat that hung loosely from his shoulders which was half red half black with blue outlines with the kanji for Demon in crimson and the kanji for God in galaxy blue.
"This should be combat ready the suit was too constricting," Natsu said satisfied with how it turned out as he strolled out to meet with everyone.
The rest of the team were sitting at the bar discussing what their next move would be when Natsu strolled out prompting Erza to almost launch herself at him like a missile.
"This new outfit Natsu it looks so laid back yet powerful at the same time!"
"It came to me in the shower," Natsu replied with a grin as he gave Erza a quick kiss. "Alvarez is a lot warmer than Fiore or Scarlione so you should follow my example and wear something light."
Everyone agreed and went off to their separate homes to prepare for the trip with the exception of Wendy who was just standing there looking at him.
"So it's just you and me now huh?"
"Seems like it is Natsu."
"Um about yesterday when you got mad at me was there any particular reason?"
"Oh I don't know maybe the fact that you still thought I was a kid you know I've always been insecure about that …"
Actually taking the time to look at Wendy he realized she looked way too much like the Wendy from Edolas except her hair was much wilder as all Dragon Slayers hair is, her clothing was actually quite interesting at least in Natsu's opinion. Gone was the Wendy who dressed up in adorable dresses and here was a Wendy that dressed like a fighter with black combat boots with dark green combat pants, she wore a grey tank top exposing her midriff and wore a flak jacket over it which was red in colour.
"Quite a mismatch of clothes you've got going on there, the colours I mean."
"I just grab whatever is on the shelf as long as it's practical."
Natsu couldn't help but laugh at Wendy's statement as he received a glare scarily similar to Erza's that shut him up straight away.
"Sorry it's just that I must have rubbed off on you I was the same until I could just use my mind to do it, you should probably ditch the flak jacket honestly it sticks out way too much."
"And you don't Mr red, black and blue?"
"Yeah but it doesn't matter if I stand out Wendy I'm normally the one looking for the fights," Natsu said with a grin as Wendy grumbled and the flak jacket disappeared into her Requip space.
"You know it's really weird not having to look down at you anymore," Natsu said as he began walking around Wendy much to her annoyance.
"Why are you inspecting me?"
"Because out of everyone you've changed the most both mind and body," Natsu said as Wendy blushed from embarrassment. "Also you seem to be going through a rebellious phase," he added with a cheeky grin.
"Jerk," she growled as she went to hit him only for her hand to be caught effortlessly by Natsu.
"Aww I'm just teasing you Wendy and hey you do look pretty good for your age I'm sure the other guys in the guild will be fawning over you-."
"EWW SHUT UP!"
"Man I can't win with you today, damn teenagers I wonder if I was that bad …"
"I'm twenty years old Natsu!"
"Still a kid to me," Natsu shot back as Wendy just glared at him with little to no effect.
"Getting there but you need more lessons with the girls before it'll have any real effect, so anyway onto a different topic you need to pack anything?"
"I don't have a home remember?"
Natsu mentally hit himself as he recalled his destroyed and overgrown manor and how none of them had been back in half a decade.
"Ah right well we'll work on that when we get back ok?"
"Since it was my fault I'll pay for it," Wendy said in a suddenly sad voice that was an almost complete 180 of her previously smart one.
"Hey that stuff with Tartaros wasn't your fault you know," Natsu said as he lifted her chin to look at him. "I couldn't care less if you nuked the place leaving nothing but an empty lot because you did what you had to do, fighting two of the Nine Demon Gates is pretty impressive you know."
"I know Erza, Mira and Elise kept saying the same thing but I'm just not satisfied with it I mean even this scar is proof I've been a burden," as she pointed to a section of her midriff where evidence of the scar Azuma from the Grimoire Heart guild remained.
"Hey remember what I told you about that scar Wendy?"
"Wear it with pride I know I like to think I do that," she replied as Natsu nodded in agreement.
"Remember that you did serious damage to the guy and that's what allowed Erza to finish him off so you should be proud of it just like you should be proud of how you fought Tartaros that day."
"You know hearing it from the others doesn't sound the same as hearing it from you Natsu," she said as Natsu took her hand and noticed the scar where the spikes nailing her to the cross had been put in. "Yeah they scarred up too sadly."
"In the end they got what they deserved and that's all that matters Wendy, so come on you can tell me what's with the new attitude?"
"I don't know," Wendy sighed. "I guess I just want to act tough so that people take me seriously and don't think I'm the kid of the group. Years ago you all used to tell me to stay back when someone of decent strength showed up even if I was actually strong enough to fight."
"So you want to be more hands on now, see years ago you weren't trained enough to be hands on like the rest of us I mean sure you had skills but nothing like what we had and what we were going up against."
"I've trained long and hard Natsu and I even beat Erza a few times," Wendy said as Natsu raised an eyebrow at that statement.
"That would've been some battle I'd guess?"
"We destroyed the top half of a mountain," Wendy said sheepishly as Natsu stifled a laugh.
"Reminds me of the days I spent training with Gildarts, still I want to see your strength for myself."
Wendy just blinked a few times as Natsu flicked her in the forehead a few times until she registered what he said.
"Wait you want to fight me?"
"Yeah."
"Right now?"
"If you're up for it the others won't be back for a bit and I want to see just how far you've come."
"Are you sure though Natsu I mean your powers-?"
"Don't worry about me Wendy just follow," Natsu said as he lead Wendy out the back and into an open area where most guild disputes were settled. "Man I'm pretty excited to see what you've got just head over to that post there and I'll head over to this one."
Wendy did as instructed and walked over to the post, turning around she saw Natsu was already at his post and seemed quite calm despite his lack of power.
"Alright Wendy the match starts now!"
Not wasting any time Wendy shot forward at high speed kicking the air in order to move faster, cocking her fist back she threw a powerful punch but Natsu lazily moved to the left even with the powerful gust of wind that followed up Natsu wasn't fazed as a shockwave tore up the ground from where Wendy's fist stopped.
"You did get stronger …"
Not wasting any time she swiftly aimed a kick at the side of his head however he simply ducked letting the powerful gust of wind fly over him.
Natsu then began to run at a slow pace away from Wendy who seemed angry he wasn't taking this seriously charging him once again Wendy began kicking the air to build up speed as she cocked back her fist only to have the wind knocked out of her along with her spit as she met the end of Natsu's fist being lodged into her gut.
"Always remember Wendy speed is weight though how you use it is entirely up to you."
Gritting her teeth she did the unexpected and let loose a Sky Dragon's Roar right in front of Natsu to gain some distance as Natsu felt the powerful winds tear his skin to shreds.
As soon as Wendy realized what she'd done she immediately tried to run into the storm only for Natsu to walk out with half his face torn off but regenerating.
"Not a bad idea Wendy however what you should have done is use the roar with Crash Magic or aren't you able to do that yet?"
"I can do that but are you ok your face is-?"
"Nah this is fine perks of being a Demon so I regenerate still hurt like a bitch though."
"So I don't have to be sorry?"
"Nah we're still in the fight so anything goes," Natsu said as he dropped into his fighting stance. "Let's see how you handle defence then."
Natsu launched forward with his arm becoming black as he punched Wendy only to find his attack blocked by her forearm.
"Strength training?"
"Every day," she replied as Natsu threw a dozen more punches getting a feel for her basic speed and defensive capabilities.
"You actually are quite strong now Wendy I'm impressed but I wonder how you'd fare if I kicked things up a notch," Natsu said with a grin as his hair began to turn black with pink highlights and he entered his E.N.D form with his talons tearing up the ground as he walked towards her.
"I haven't had much of a chance to use this form alone but I feel it should be more than enough for this," he said as he brought his claws together generating sparks.
"So this is your E.N.D form," Wendy said under her breath as Natsu nodded.
"Use whatever attacks you want on me in this form Wendy I can endure them just don't destroy the guild hall or our heads will be the new figureheads at the reconstructed bar."
"Ok then Natsu you asked for it," Wendy said as she shot him a feral grin making him falter for a moment before being smashed in the face by Wendy's knee not that he noticed.
'That face reminds me of myself …'
Being launched into the air Wendy hopped above him still bearing that grin as she brought her leg down on his stomach sending him flying into the ground knocking him into the earth.
'She's finally become a true Dragon Slayer, would you be proud I wonder Grandina?'
Wendy dropped to the ground worried that she might have gone too far when two tendrils shot out of the ground holding her in place as Natsu walked out of the crater and tapped her on the forehead.
"You have grown strong Wendy all this without the Dragon Force but I'm disappointed at just how much you held back I'm positive I said go all out."
"How can you tell?"
Natsu just pointed to his crimson eyes as Wendy gazed into them knowing full well Natsu's Devil abilities would allow for such a thing.
"Still I've got a good idea as to where you stand Wendy so we don't have to continue if you don't want to after all I'm really just being a punching bag so it's no real loss to me."
"Can we fight when you get your Dragon Slayer abilities back," Wendy asked softly as Natsu smiled and exited his E.N.D form.
"I think we can do that," Natsu said with a smile as he released the tendrils holding Wendy in place. "I'm proud at how you've grown Wendy you've really come into your own I'm sure the other Dragon Slayers would agree."
"Sorry for holding back on you I just don't like to hurt people I care about."
"I know I'm much the same in that regard, you know what I just realized we could do on the way to Alvarez?"
"What's that?"
"Remember that drink Erza wouldn't let you have because you were a kid," Natsu whispered into her ear as she began drooling remembering the scent. "I'll teach ya how to make it how's that sound?"
Wendy just hugged Natsu who returned it a few moments later as Erza walked over seeing the large crater and shaking her head.
"I take it she passed the Natsu test?"
"Well even with the subpar training she turned out alright," Natsu replied cheekily as Erza tried to hit him.
"Enough foolishness out of you Natsu we have to think about how we're getting to Alvarez, are we going by boat or are you able to open portals again?"
"I'm not able to do that yet sadly so unfortunately boat it is," Natsu sighed as Wendy visibly paled. "Oh you get motion sickness now don't you?"
"Really bad, I was so jealous because you never got it."
"Oh trust me Wendy I used to get it but I found a trick to block it out though with my power being as it is going by boat will be hell, perhaps Elise could get Eliza to take us there?"
"I'm not a transport service Natsu," Eliza said from behind them as Natsu stifled a laugh.
"Do you ever do your job?"
"I'll have you know my performance is above satisfactory!"
"So subpar at best, until better talent arrives they have you?"
"Another word and I won't take you Natsu," Eliza growled.
"Alright alright I'll stop," Natsu said raising his hands in mock surrender.
A few minutes later after Erza went to grab Elise the group were now standing in front of a portal leading to one of the most dangerous countries on the planet.
"Good luck in there you lot and remember I'll be watching!"
"Doubt you'll help if anything goes sour though," Natsu said dryly as Wendy giggled.
"You know the rules Natsu now go one," Eliza said hiding a smile. "By the way Erza dear Natsu told Wendy he was going to teach her how to make a special brew of his I believe you know the one?"
Erza turned to where Natsu and Wendy were only to find the space vacant as Elise walked through the portal laughing as she clutched her sides.
"Good luck Erza and please do avoid fighting if you can?"
"We'll try Eliza that's all I can promise," Erza said as she walked through the portal and entered the Alvarez Empire.
RIP to ending it here but yes the new arc begins and with it the wonderful build-up to the final war begins!
What awaits Team Natsu in Alvarez and how will Fiore be upon their return, how will the guild react to the Ninth Master? Only one way to find out as I bust my ass to bring these out so I'll see you all in the next one!