Hi everyone Azza here!
Just a little notice now that the fic is going to be heading into its final arc I plan on updating the title of the story to what it should be and updating the summary since the current one does not do this story justice in the slightest anymore just letting you all know since it's a hint for what is to come.
Tokoolforu2handle – When I started this story I swore I wouldn't abandon it especially since most of the Fairy Tail fics including many long running ones were abandoned at crucial moments which pissed me off a lot since I really get invested in them thanks for the compliments and don't worry my updates may be random but I 100% plan on finishing this!
galacti – I left hints several chapters ago about Achnologia's powers and this isn't refering to the Achnologia vs Celestial Spirit King fight if you reread the Ahnkseram chapter you'll figure out just where Achnologia's power stands in comparison to the Hybrid power if you don't spot it though that's fine I was pretty vague about it.
Yeah at this point Natsu is just trolling the Gods and Devils especially since Time runs faster in the higher realms which means Life and Death have been stalling for him for ages haha.
Anyway with all that done on with the story!
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
The Time For Unity
/Natsu's POV/
"Aww are you sure we can't come with you," Jason whined as Natsu shook his head.
"Sorry kid this is a meeting for anyone S Class or above so I can't take you," Natsu replied as the Phoenix Slayer pouted and stomped away to go train.
"I'll keep him occupied Natsu just make sure to hurry back," Wendy said as Natsu nodded giving her a small hug.
"If you want a hand find Elise she's probably getting rusty already-."
"HEY I HEARD THAT," Natsu heard from outside in the training field as he chuckled.
"Alright we're off," Natsu said snapping his fingers opening a portal.
"You know I keep forgetting you can do that," Laxus muttered as the group walked through the portal appearing at the entrance to the palace.
"Alright I'm gonna go see the King now before all this kicks off, you know since I'm like public enemy number three and all."
Walking back through the portal Natsu emerged inside the throne room as a shocked Arcadios, Hisui and Toma gaped at him.
"Natsu Dragneel … it's been years we didn't think you'd actually come," Toma said quickly as Natsu nodded.
"I've been to Alvarez and seen firsthand what's coming if Fiore wants to have a chance at winning we need to band together, also it helps that my friends and I killed off three of their commanders recently."
"But are you sure that you're alright with what the Council did, we did try and persuade them to recind the price on your head but they were adamant you were to be eliminated," Arcadios sighed as Natsu moved towards them.
"Actually during this meeting I have a motion I wish to present to the guilds of Fiore about them, the Council is corrupt as it is and even refuses to hear out even you the King of the country, we currently stand at a point where we can make history and I believe it is time to change how this country is run though you'll hear more about that during the meeting."
"Speaking of the meeting it should be starting soon are you prepared," Hisui asked as Natsu nodded.
"I won't make my appearance until it's at the most opportune moment since I want to hear what the others have to say first, knowing how all the other guilds feel about the idea of unifying under one flag to repel Alvarez will go a long way so if you could push that agenda it would be appreciated."
"You clearly have a plan so we'll follow your idea Natsu after all if it wasn't for you and your friends none of us would be here today so the least we can do is hear you out," Toma said cheerfully as Natsu nodded with a small smile.
"Where is this meeting taking place?"
"In the grand hall just down the hall there you can't miss it," Toma replied as Natsu nodded and disappeared through another portal leaving the royal family and Arcadios still slightly stunned about his sudden arrival and departure.
/Jellal's POV/
Jellal along with Meredy and Anna landed in the palace courtyard as many of the guards looked at them in shock, looking around he spotted the rest of Crime Sorciere heading over to him with Ultear at the head.
"About time you got here they've been asking us to go inside for the last ten minutes."
"Sorry Ultear but finding Anna here was a bit more difficult than we had first anticipated, do you know if Fairy Tail has arrived yet?"
"They were among the first to arrive along with Sabertooth, Blue Pegasus and Mermaid Heel. So you are the infamous Anna Heartfilia Natsu's had us tracking down a pleasure to finally meet you," Ultear said amused as Anna accepted an offered handshake.
"From what I've heard Natsu isn't very well liked how come you lot were so willing to help him?"
"Well we're all ex criminals ourselves who seek redemption through helping others and we often work alongside Fairy Tail though more specifically Natsu on matters pertaining to the eradication of Dark Guilds."
"I see … well it's good to know he has many responsible friends like yourselves," Anna said with a smile.
"I wouldn't say we are responsible that's his wife's job," Jellal said amused as he began walking away leaving a stunned Anna behind.
"Wh- wait Natsu has a wife, since when!"
No one replied as the group made their way over to the entrance where the rather cautious guards began to escort them to the grand hall.
"Listen here the King has granted you lot a free pass for doing this so none of you had better do anything to sully his kind gesture," one of the guards said sternly as Cobra smirked.
"Relax I'm tired of sleeping in caves and shit I'd rather be able to walk around in public again anyway."
The guard seemed slightly unnerved at Cobra's grin as they reached a large set of double doors which were opened by two of the guards that were standing on either side, Jellal nodded to the two as they made their way inside.
The moment they entered all eyes turned to them with many of the guilds who weren't in the loop about things shocked at the appearance of such criminals however they just ignored them in favour of making their way towards the ones that knew the truth.
"Jellal my boy how was your trip," Makarov said cheerfully as he shrugged.
"As good as could be expected given our status as wanted criminals but fine nonetheless, I assume your trip took less than a minute?"
"Yes Natsu dropped us here," Makarov replied as Jellal nodded.
"Do you know where Natsu is I would very much like to see him," Anna said softly garnering Erza's attention.
"Why do you want to meet Natsu?"
"I've heard he's been looking for me for some time plus we're- I'm his Aunt."
"I don't want to be the annoying one in this conversation but how exactly is that possible Natsu himself is over eight hundred years old and you look like a woman in her mid thirties," Laxus asked as Anna sighed nodding in understanding.
"I was the one who came through the Eclipse Gate with the First Generation Dragon Slayers, I taught them all the basics they would need in life and planned to do more but we were separated upon coming through and by the time I managed to return to civilisation they had already found places of their own to go so I thought it best to just leave them be."
"But what about Natsu I mean you say you're his Aunt that's more than enough reason to find him," Erza asked not satisfied with her answer.
"The truth is I had two reasons to come through the gate the first being to look after the children and the second being to research how to kill Achnologia and every form of magic that is either lost or forbidden was to be used. With the children all finding places of safety I decided to begin the research phase, I put work before them and it makes me a terrible person and for that I do not expect forgiveness however I wish to see my nephew at the very least."
"Natsu is a hard person; people have stabbed him in the back many times Anna and I won't forgive you if you hurt him."
"You seem rather familiar you wouldn't happen to know an Irene Belserion by any chance would you," Anna asked completely changing the topic.
"Irene is my mother," Erza replied as Anna gasped before closing the distance between the two giving her a hug much to her shock.
"Little Erza I can't believe it's really you I couldn't even recognize you at all, your mother sent you through the gate along with the other children and you were the only one I couldn't find!"
"Wait you know my mother!?"
"Of course it was thanks to her and … him that we were even able to build the gate, my how you've grown and you married Natsu you two were always close even as children!"
"We knew each other as children Natsu never told me that …"
"If Natsu remembers his past then it's likely there is plenty he hasn't told anyone so don't judge him too harshly he does have to live with the fact that he died, living with the pain of how he died would make anyone try to suppress their past after all."
"So when do you think Natsu will arrive," Mira cut in as everyone collectively shrugged.
"Knowing Natsu he'll probably show up as masquerading as the King or something," Laxus scoffed as more mages filtered in with several important ones such as other Wizard Saints and members of the former Council such as Yajima.
"My this is certainly a big event I haven't been around so many people in years its quite nerve wracking," Anna said eyeing almost every newcomer with suspicion until the doors were finally sealed.
"Could we please have silence in the hall," one of the Royal Guards called out as the noise promptly ceased. "Thank you and welcome to the palace his majesty King Toma thanks you for coming on such short notice. Before we begin today let it be known now that there are indeed people here who are considered criminals by the Magic Council who have been invited by the King himself, these people are not here to fight and you will be evicted should you attack any of them without a valid reason!"
The crowd murmured and many eyes were on Jellal and Crime Sorciere as well as other similar groups who had been invited to the meeting, after several moments the guard continued.
"Now without any further delay his majesty King Tome E. Fiore accompanied by his daughter Princess Hisui E. Fiore and the Captain of the Guard Arcadios will now present their plea for aid!"
The declaration of a plea for aid garnered much attention amongst the guilds as King Toma flanked by Hisui and Arcadios entered the hall standing above everyone looking grim.
"My dear loyal subjects I am most grateful that so many of you answered the call including those who had no reason to trust us and we thank you for Fiore is in its most dire hour and we need you all! Across the sea lies an Empire that spans almost all four corners of the known world and seeks to engulf Fiore amongst its bloated husk, it is an Empire built upon the deaths of millions of innocents led by someone who you all know well!"
"My father refers to the Black Mage Zeref creator of the Books of Zeref and a man as ruthless in his pursuits as Achnologia! His desire to unite the world under a single banner has seen countless Kingdoms fall and its inhabitants slain to the last, last night we received confirmation that Bosco from border to border has been wiped clean with nothing but the dirt left behind! We beseech you good mages of Fiore lend us your strength in these troubled times so that we may stand a chance of surviving what is to come," Hisui said her voice unwavering as many appeared shocked at what she was saying.
"The act of banding the guilds together is forbidden by the Magic Council you would have us go against their word," a mage shouted as the King sighed.
"The Council are not the supreme authority in this country the Royal Family are, the Council do not seem to have the mental capacity to comprehend what we are facing and instead choose to continue focusing all the resources at their disposal on eliminating Natsu Dragneel-!"
"The Demon needs to be eliminated he is Zeref's ultimate creation," another mage shouted as several people had to hold Erza back from going for his throat.
"Tell me do any of you know Natsu's story, do any of you have proof he is out to kill us all besides him being a creation of Zeref? If it wasn't for the efforts of Natsu Dragneel none of us would even be here, twice the man saved mine and my families lives the first being in the throne room against spies from the very Kingdom we discuss now and from the Dragon Incident during the Grand Magic Games years ago or did you all forget that?"
"Maybe the Demon is just trying to appear innocent so that he can strike us when we are at our most vulnerable!"
"If Natsu Dragneel wanted any of us dead he could have done it and not a single one of us could do a thing about it, he's been in this very room before anyone even arrived here and not one of the top mages of Fiore could even sense his presence! Yes I did indeed invite Natsu here along with the rest of you because he stands as the strongest of all mages in Fiore and the only one who can contest with mages such as Zeref and the recently discovered spy God Serena!"
"There are plenty of powerful mages King Toma don't sell Fiore short," Natsu's voice echoed throughout the hall as many of Natsu's staunch haters paled. "Yes I am a Demon and yes you have every right to fear me however I'm not like the Demons you all know for I am the same as Zeref I have the same power he does and if you want any chance of beating the Alvarez Empire you need my help."
"You think you can beat all the mages here let alone the Wizard Saints you really are stupid!"
"Did you forget that I was to be in the Ishgar Four five years ago taking Saint Warrod's place, how much stronger do you think I've gotten since then because I can tell you right now that I could quite comfortably fight the Saints were I to go all out no offence to you all," Natsu said as many of the Wizard Saints including Makarov and Jura nodded in agreement having a greater idea of the scope of Natsu's power.
"Enough of this pointless bickering while we stand here arguing Alvarez is on its way," Toma roared silencing the room. "Natsu and I have spoken and he agrees to fight however he wants to put a proposal towards you all that I strongly urge you to consider!"
"Thank you King Toma, now that I have everyone's full attention I would ask that no one interrupt me until I am finished explaining my idea. As many of you no doubt found out recently the hierarchy in Fiore has a tier above the Magic Council that being the current King or Queen, for too long has the Magic Council proven to be not only ineffective but abusive in their power and prone to back flipping on the most dire events therefore I suggest the Magic Council be dissolved and the guilds swear fealty solely to the King."
The Magic Council members who had been invited were in an uproar whilst the rest of the mages including the Wizard Saints stood there shocked yet seriously contemplating the idea when Natsu silenced the room.
"For too long you Councillors have used your power to further your own agendas targeting the guilds you don't profit from and silencing any who would oppose you, not only that but you have proven utterly incompetent at handling events such as the impending Alvarez invasion choosing instead to simply ignore it and focus all resources on capturing or killing me. Clearly you are all misguided and utterly incapable handling almost anything and deserve to be stripped of your power, you all even had the nerve to assume you stood above the Royal Family who have stood in power and allowed your very creation over five hundred years ago!"
"You would allow the guilds to return to how they were before we took control of them you really are a Demon intending to cause chaos amidst the coming battle no doubt on the orders of Zeref!"
"The guilds of today aren't like they were a hundred years ago they are full of all sorts of good people who just want to help, yes many guilds such as Fairy Tail do cause collateral damage on jobs but the people know in their hearts and minds we are simply trying to do what is just and right! By swearing loyalty to the Royal Family it pledges us to Fiore itself but of course the Council wouldn't want to lose its free labour force it can't send off to wither and die all the while taxing us just to keep our guilds open!"
"I agree with Natsu," Sting said surprising everyone except Natsu who was only mildly intrigued at why someone like Sting would agree. "The Grand Magic Games all those years ago when the Dragons invaded were proof that the Council was truly incompetent, not only did the Council forces turn tail and run whilst the guilds of Fiore big and small stayed to fight but Natsu who single handedly defeated them all saving the country is now as much of a target as Achnologia or Zeref it's a damn disgrace!"
"Indeed were it not for Natsu's handling of the situation Fiore would have been destroyed, the Council running away and leaving behind thousands of civilians and the various mages to face the threat when they have access to super weapons such as the Etherion Magical Cannon made me question my status as a Wizard Saint, would they ever order me to let innocents die when I should fight to protect them? I stand with Natsu's proposal the Royal Family have always been fair in all matters I've had with them I would gladly stand with them!"
"You would betray the Council Jura," a Councillor sneered as Jura's eyes narrowed.
"I've always fought for the betterment of my home and the countless people in it, Wizard Saint is just a fancy title one that I have no shame in abandoning should it ever force me to turn against my very principles."
"Indeed the younger generation have the right of it I'd say, I was but a young man when the guilds still warred and I can say with certainty that Fiore would never face such a conflict again. You see back then Guild Masters had no one to watch them and the distance between towns was far too great to keep track of them all, if you want this old man's opinion follow Natsu's idea it can't be any worse than what we all deal with now I'm not even allowed to retire in peace because of them," Warrod added as many of the mages began adding their voices to the mix until they were silenced by Arcadios so that Toma could speak.
"So it seems you are all in agreement on this then, whilst I am flattered that you would all swear fealty to the Kingdom I believe I am not the best choice to lead it. Since today seems to be a day of change let this be my last act as King of Fiore, by order of the crown I do hereby abolish the Magic Council of Fiore for countless years of disservice to the Kingdom!"
Everyone was shocked at Toma's words but one part of what Toma said stuck with Natsu and had him looking right at Hisui grinning like an idiot.
"Oh no …," Hisui said suddenly as Toma's crown suddenly found its way onto her head. "Father I- are you sure I'm ready!"
"We stand on the cusp of a new era Hisui, the Magic Council is now gone, the Alvarez Empire invades seeking to destroy us and only one side can remain. I'm too old and far too set in my ways to lead something like this and I believe it is up to your generation to take the torch and light the way for the future, make the new era a good one Hisui."
Hisui turned to look down at the others from the balcony and saw all the mages minus the Magic Council members kneeling before her, the older mages who couldn't kneel chose instead to bow slightly as a sign of respect. Natsu appeared on the balcony and kneeled before her as well which surprised many who still didn't fully trust him.
"We, both legal and independent guilds, do hereby swear fealty to the Queen and people of Fiore. To use our power for the betterment of all, to use our power to protect the innocent, to strengthen the bond between all of Fiore and most importantly to protect and ensure the smiles of the future of our great land. This we do swear Queen Hisui from now and into the future let us all put Fiore first as it should truly be."
Behind Natsu there was a cry of 'here here' as Hisui shed a few tears of joy that the guilds would accept her so easily as Natsu stood up once more.
"Your command Queen Hisui?"
"Protect Fiore and her people from the Alvarez Empire, please!"
Natsu's grin returned full force as he turned to face all the mages assembled behind him.
"Well you all heard her we've got a war to prepare for, inform all your guilds and prepare the communication lacrimas Alvarez could be here any day!"
Various cries of approval could be heard as the members of the former Magic Council sulked in the corner devastated that they were just stripped of their power, jumping down to the main level Natsu walked over to Fairy Tail and received a hug from Erza.
"How long were you preparing that speech?"
"Two days," he replied sheepishly. "Couldn't have known how it would turn out though honestly I didn't think all the guilds would follow so willingly."
"The Magic Council was a corrupt force Natsu and no guild was truly free from their folly, we're all better off without them," Makarov replied as Natsu nodded before noticing Anna.
Sniffing the air he walked over to Anna and began sniffing her much to everyone's amusement making Anna uncomfortable.
"So you truly are alive … you haven't aged a day since then, dearest Aunt Anna."
"So you remember then, everything?"
"Why the memory wipe, why was it necessary?"
"It was to prevent Achnologia from discovering our plans should he get a hold of one of you, but in your case there was another reason which I'm sure you know."
"E.N.D I know," Natsu sighed. "I saw my own death, Zeref showed me Mom and Dad's last moments it was … sad."
"Natsu I-I'm sorry I never came to look for you I thought you would have been better off where you were I-!"
"What about Wendy, Gajeel? Wendy was alone living with one ghost of a man for years and Gajeel fell in with a really bad crowd, my situation was good but not all of us were so lucky."
"I didn't realize Gajeel fell in with a bad crowd when I saw him he was with a nice family I thought he was safe there, as for Wendy I didn't realize those people were fake I swear on my life I didn't know!"
Natsu sighed as he took a few steps towards Anna placing a hand on her cheek wiping a tear away.
"Even the best made plans can have snags Aunt Anna, nothing is ever as it seems. I understand that you did try to do your best but I have to ask why didn't you ever reveal yourself to any of us?"
"Well I figured none of you would want anything to do with me especially you considering our relation, instead I chose exile to work on my project of finding away to defeat Achnologia without putting you at risk!"
"Then you are forgiven, the threat of Achnologia is a noble one to face and I can tell you genuinely did care about our wellbeing when you left us where you did. With that said I suppose we should prepare for this little family reunion shouldn't we?"
"Speaking of family there's something you should know about Zeref, there are two more Dragneel you have yet to meet and even I only met them each once."
"What," Natsu said alarmed at this new information.
"Yes there are two Dragneel you haven't met Natsu and I'd hoped you never would because they are … my sons," Mavis said softly as everyone's eyes minus Anna's widened in shock.
"H-how!"
"My youngest is a man you wouldn't have heard about but from what I've heard from Zeref and seen he is extremely powerful, his name is Larcade and he is the 4th Shield of Spriggan known as The Slumbering Archangel."
"Larcade is powerful indeed however he isn't even close to his older brother," Anna said grimly.
"Yes my eldest son you actually know, a man who wields near unparalleled power they call him the Magic King in the Empire, my eldest son is August …"
"WHAT," Natsu roared as everything he thought he knew was flipped onto its head. "How the hell is that even possible!"
"When Zeref had my body he … experimented with me, one of those experiments involved … taking eggs from me and artificially creating a child with a cross between my DNA and his. The result is a powerful mage who has yet to meet an equal, a mage who wields almost all magic with unprecedented skill and power."
"He would violate your body in such a way, Mavis I-!"
"I can no longer have children of my own Zeref made sure of that once he was done so they are my only children, since you need all the information you can get telling you my darkest secret is probably for the best."
"To think he would do such a thing …," Natsu said when he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his mind.
"But you know the truth don't you Natsu!"
"Natsu are you alright," Erza asked feeling Natsu's emotion spike tremendously.
"Y-yeah I'm just mad knowing someone related to me could do such a thing you know."
"What is the life of one pathetic mortal to my resurrection!"
'He's still fighting back maybe the chains aren't enough?'
"Well I suppose it's time we all headed back to Fairy Tail so Natsu if you would kindly take us back," Makarov asked as Natsu nodded snapping his fingers creating a portal much to the surprise of those who didn't know he possessed such an ability.
"This is where we leave you Fairy Tail Crime Sorciere has much work to do in the wake of the upcoming war, Natsu hopefully you are satisfied with our service I know it took us a long time to find Anna for you."
"You did just fine Jellal thanks for helping me find her and thanks to the rest of you as well I know it can't have been easy for you lot to work while being hunted by the Council, I'm glad to see you all joined Crime Sorciere to me you've already made a massive step towards atoning for your past crimes."
"As if our crimes could be washed away with what little we've done so far," Cobra scoffed.
"Perhaps not but in joining Crime Sorciere a guild that was built upon the idea of atonement you have already proven that you are on the path to becoming a good person, tales of the Dark Guilds crushed by Crime Sorciere stretch far and wide and many thank you for the deeds that they were unable to perform due to the Council's insistence that the guilds not ally to combat them," Hisui said as she and Toma arrived to speak with them.
"Heh well if the new Queen thinks we're doin our part then who am I to say otherwise, time to blow this joint," Cobra said as he and the rest of Crime Sorciere left leaving Fairy Tail and the royals alone.
"Congratulations on inheriting the crown Queen Hisui, fits almost as if it were made for you," Natsu said amused as Hisui narrowed her eyes at him.
"I have a strong suspicion you were in on that with father the whole time the speech you had and the lack of surprise seems suspicions."
"I can neither confirm nor deny such allegations my Queen," Natsu replied coolly as he walked over to the portal. "I have some ideas on how to fill the power vacuum left behind by the Council I'll give you a rundown on them at a later time, if you need me get a hold of gramps and I'll be here as soon as possible."
"You'd better I got crowned Queen of this country because of you!"
"Hey I have faith in you Hisui you aren't incompetent, you have a keen mind I'm sure you can put it to good use running the country."
Hisui smiled as Natsu and the rest of Fairy Tail and Anna disappeared through the portal appearing in Makarov's office.
"Well that was fun," Natsu said as he sat down on one of the couches.
"Removing the Magic Council and the appointment of a new Queen with a war on the horizon, another day in the life of Fairy Tail it seems," Makarov sighed.
"I suppose for now we all should go and get some rest and figure things out in the morning it will take some time for the communication lacrimas to be properly set up so information sharing will be limited until then."
"Yeah about that gramps I don't have a house that's in a liveable condition so where can I sleep?"
"Oh that's right Erza's been staying with Elise, Wendy and Mira at Fairy Hills ever since your manor was destroyed but that option isn't available to you. I suppose you can just use one of the beds in the infirmary since you practically live there these days."
"That'll do, now then I just have one final order of business before I can get some sleep. I'll see you all later I have a meeting of the deities to attend."
Snapping his fingers Natsu walked through a portal and vanished as Erza turned to Anna.
"I suppose you can stay with us at Fairy Hills you can come meet Wendy and Gajeel as well since they are both here."
"I think I would like that very much," Anna said softly as the group vacated the office.
Man I've wanted to get rid of the Council since Chapter 3 I hate it so much but it is necessary for the story!
A new Queen crowned, the Magic Council disbanded and the mages both Legal and Independent swearing fealty to Hisui and Fiore with the war for Alvarez drawing ever closer. Now with Natsu heading off to meet with the Gods Council and Devil's Triumvirate in the Neutral Realm the time for the final arc to begin is almost upon us so as always I hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you in the next one!