Chapter 50: The Door of Vows

By the cathedral, Gildarts and Cana were looking in the direction where they saw the bright light shine. "That light...what was that?" Gildarts asked.

"Not sure, but, it came from the direction where the guild is," Cana answered.

"Gildarts..." Laxus, Bickslow, Evergreen, Freed, Temukai, Thorn, Angela, Tigress, Miyaka(who woke up), Mirajane, and Pango arrived and approached the two. Laxus was still holding an unconscious Makarov. Gajeel, Levy, Lily, Jimbei arrived too.

"How is the master?" Gildarts asked.

"He's fine, he's unconscious, though, we owe Roger and Whitebeard for saving the old geezer," Laxus replied with a smile. "Honestly, I never experienced power like that in my life."

Mirajane arrived. "Hey guys, how is the master?" She saw that the small old man was unconscious. "Oh, I see."

Tigress approached Laxus and patted the old man on the head. "We'll be done soon with this war...master." Laxus chuckled lightly.

"Anyway, did anyone count of the Twelve we defeated?" Freed asked.

"Yeah, I defeated Jacob with Chelsea's help," Mirajane spoke. "Though, she ran off to find the others."

"I learned that Erza defeated Irene," Carla said. "While Natsu took care of the wizard that controlled the dead using magic called Historia," Lily added.

"The wizard king August was the last of Twelve," Cana informed.

Juvia had information too. "As the winter general Invel, he was defeated by Gray with Miyaka's help."

Zoro surprisingly showed up holding Jula up. "Hey guys, need a little help."

"Wow, didn't expect you to show up," Bickslow joked.

"Yeah, I thought you'd still be lost," Evergreen teased while placing her hand to her lips.

"Shut up!" Zoro retorted with shark teeth. "Anyway, I along with Jula and Sting defeated some angel freak named Larcade, I believe he was also one of the Twelve."

"You mean you and Sting defeated him," Jula corrected. "I wasn't able to lay a scratch on him."

"Wait, you and Sting defeated one of the Twelve too?" Warren questioned in surprise.

Gildarts smirked. "I'd expect no less from the vice-captain of the Straw Hat pirates."

"Where is Sting now?" Cana asked.

"He's with Rogue and the other members of his guild," Jula replied.

Laxus noticed some members weren't around. "I haven't seen the others around,"

"The other Straw Hats are helping one of the Twelve recover," Evergreen informed which surprised the others that she noticed. "According to the details, an old man named Yajeel convinced his grandson Ajeel to back down and is being treated for his injury by Chopper."

"So, that sand mage has a grandfather," Mirajane said a little surprised as Evergreen nodded.

"As for Dimaria and Brandish, they left the battlefield too," Carla declared.

Angela did a count down with her fingers. "So, that leaves...Zeref and Acnologia."

"What about Acnologia, any word on that monster?" Gildarts asked.

"Yeah, though, I heard some of them are taken care of by Acnologia with Blue Pegasus," Laxus replied. "Not sure, why, but, they have an idea."

"A decoy mission," Evergreen presumed. "I wonder if Elfman is with the others."

Everyone felt worried about their friends' safety.

"Wendy..."

"Gray...my love."

"Erza..."

"Happy..."

"Luffy...

"Ace..."

"Usagi..."

"Akame..."

"Chelsea..."

"Lucy..."

"Natsu..."

"Be safe..."

At the port in Hargeon.

Rena was looking around. "Geez, where is everyone?" Warren's telepathy magic found the human mermaid hybrid. "Rena, are you there?"

The mermaid let out a small gasp. "Warren, is that you?"

"Yeah, where are you?" The telepathy mage asked. "I'm at the port at Hargeon, I found myself here after a red light appeared and I must've blacked out for a while then I woke up just now." Rena explained. "Anyway, what's the situation?"

"I'm here at the cathedral with some of our guildmates, we're looking for the others, who apparently are taking on Acnologia." Hearing that response shivered Rena. "I-I...see..."

"Anyway, do you see them from the port?" Before Rena gave Warren an answer, she faintly sensed several strong magic presences from the ocean. "Wait...I sense strong magic outside the ocean, it's faint but I can sense it...no, I sense several magic powers and..." She paused as she shook lightly and felt drops of sweat drip from her forehead. "There's...another strong magic power that's extremely powerful."

Warren had a guess what the mermaid was sensing. "That must be Acnologia's presence..." He felt a hint of fear shiver his soul but regained his composure. "Do you think you can track our friends down?"

Rena felt afraid but shook her fear away. "Yes, I should be able to find them and the merfolk are the fastest swimming creatures alive. I'll track our friends down, if Acnologia is there, no doubt our friends are too."

Warren nodded. "Alright, and good luck." He put his finger down and looked at his friends. "Alright everyone, I have a lead so, let me explain."

"Hello Fairy Tail." Laxus turned around and his eyes gasped to see a familiar face, there was Taran. "Long time no see."

Back at the park, everyone was getting up from the blast of the light that was released from the guild.

"Oh man, that was that light?" Gray asked.

Happy had one answer. "Not sure, but it came from the direction of the guild." He noticed the writing was gone. "Lucy, where'd those letters go?"

Lucy held the book in her left hand. "It went back inside." She looked at the book. "I'm pretty sure that book and Natsu are connected somehow like a highly advanced body link spell. We've seen one but not one this strong."

"Body Link Magic...intriguing," Robin commented with an interesting look.

"Indeed, so, did you figure something out?" Brook asked.

"Maybe, I can help him if I rewrite it," Lucy replied.

That wasn't what the others expected to hear. "What, how can that be done?" Gray asked.

"Yeah, sounds impossible," Chelsea agreed.

Robin would agree, but, knew it was probably the one option. "Impossible perhaps, but, if this is the only option to save Natsu, then we must try it,"

Lucy nodded. "Yeah, on top of it, I would probably just have to write one page." She recalled what Mavis told them. "I'm positive that Natsu can win, when he does I'll eliminate Zeref. With that, Natsu's only hope is all of you, the strength of your bond." She looked at the others. "Find that page and save Natsu."

Gray sat down in a cross-leg position. Lucy opened the book once more and the letter went flying in the air once more.

Natsu placed Mavis on the floor. "Sorry, the one thing right now is to get rid of him." He charged while pulling back his arm. Zeref didn't even flinch. "You seemed to have forgotten that I can't die."

"Fire Dragon King's-" Natsu threw his arm right at his brother. "Destruction Fist!" His attack released an orange stream of magic energy leaving a big hole in the guild's wall and Zeref was nowhere to be found.

Exhausted, Natsu panted heavily. "Pant...pant...sorry gramps...I wrecked the guild hall again. No doubt, you'll be mad, but, Zeref is gone now." He felt a strange power and saw parts of broken wood flying back to where they came from fixing up the hole in the wall and destroying parts of the inside. Natsu couldn't believe what he was seeing and what he saw next was Zeref returning to normal. "How did you..."

"Forget already, my magic is powered by the Fairy Heart...space and time are in my control...my magic is limitless and everlasting...every form of magic that has never been seen before..." Zeref approached his younger brother his right hand was covered in a purple mass of dark magic energy. "It is reckoning that'll bring the world to it's end." Zeref slammed his fist into Natsu's chest leaving a hole as the fire dragon slayer coughed out a little blood. "You should know that Makarov is alive...thanks to some old friends of mine. Pity that you won't be able to apologize to him in person."

Some feelings of relief and regret ached Natsu's stomach as tears fell from his eyes. "Gramps...I'm...sorry."

"Enough!" A voice ran out, Luffy appeared out of nowhere and punched the black wizard in the face sending him crashing into the wall.

Ace caught Natsu in his arms with a troublesome look. "Damn, that wound looks bad."

"Who...are you?" Natsu coughed feeling his life slipping away and he did catch a glimpse of Luffy. "Luffy...is that...you?"

"C'mon, I know you can kick this jerk's ass!" Luffy declared loudly. "Don't give up, as a brother it's our job to talk some sense into each other. In your case, you must teach this bastard that changing the past is meaningless!"

"Luffy is right, get up and fight Zeref! Make him realize that he should have regrets no matter how rough things get!" Ace proclaimed with a serious look.

Natsu's eyes were growing dim despite the encouraging speeches from the two pirates. "Luffy..." His eyes suddenly changed as he felt his power coming back. Ace's body was covered in flames. "Natsu Dragneel...use my power flames! Eat them to recharge your magic!" Natsu nodded faintly and began to inhale the flames from Ace's body swallowing every flame as he could despite the injury.

Luffy grinned and looked at Zeref. "Listen you jerk, I know Natsu wants to fight you, but, I'll show you what happens to those that hurt my friends!" His body pumped its blood and glowed pink with steam emitting from his body. "Second Gear..." He put his left hand out. "Jet Pistol!" He delivered a swift punch with jet speed at Zeref slamming his fist into his face sending the legendary wizard crashing into two rows of tables and then rolling across the floor until he stopped at the wall. "Honestly, I don't care about your past! However, we must treasure what we have and what happy moments we had should never forget that!"

Ace chuckled impressively for a second until he gave the black wizard a glare. "He's right, plus it seems that you forgot what good things that to you, so, my brother will have to keep punching you until you remember.

B

Jella and Usagi went to the deck of the Christina. They stare off at Acnologia who continued on their trail.

"Wait, you two can't do this, it's far too dangerous!" Ichiya said.

Jellal smiled. "I know, but, we have to do this, in the meantime, you guys protect the others."

Usagi nodded his head. "He's right, we'll buy you guys the time, have faith in us."

Ichiya had no choice but to accept. "Very well."

Jessica was impressed. "What a stunt, that bunny rabbit is quite the man."

Hibiki poking his fingers at his hair. "I think they'd fit in with Blue Pegasus."

Ren had his arms crossed. "Well, I suppose that's true."

"They're on part with Mr. Ichiya!" Eve stated.

Ichiya began to dance. "Oh yeah, they are the man!"

"They're the man! They're the man!" Eve, Hibiki, and Ren chanted.

"Shut up!" Erza growled with a demonic glare.

The four men were as pale as a ghost with comical stares. "Yes ma'am..."

"Meteor!" Jellal flew in the air like a speeding meteor and slammed his body against Acnologia's chest.

"Rabbit Ear Propeller!" Usagi's ears began to hover around his head like a propeller as he flew into the air.

"Holy crap, Usagi is flying!?" Hibiki pointed out.

"No way, I didn't know he could do that!" Erza stated in awe.

"Amazing, minks are more formidable than I could imagined," Anna commented with amazement.

"One Rabbit Sword Style: Lightning Dance !" Usagi slashed with his one sword and created a lighting projectile that was similar to Zoro's Bird Dance move which seemingly cut Acnologia's face.

The black dragon was able to brush off both attacks. "Nice try, but your attacks won't hurt me!" Acnologia laughed deeply. He unleashed his breath attack on the ocean's surface splitting it in two.

"No way, he split the ocean in two!" Jessica exclaimed in awe.

"His power is off the charts," Hibiki stated.

"Men!" Ichiya chanted having his arms crossed in front of him.

Jella reappeared further away. "I was naive to think I would be able to buy us some time."

Usagi hovered by the former fugtive. "Perhaps not..." He pointed at Acnologia's chest. "Look at his chest."

Jellal saw the x-mark gash on Acnologia's chest. "Wait, how did that bastard get his mark?" Usagi had one answer to that. "Kozuki Oden must've done that."

"I will destroy this land...no...not just this land, the entire world shall fall at my power!" Acnologia proclaimed viciously, he felt a sudden pain in his chest. "Cough...cough...damn that samurai bastard...I can't believe..."

"You guys see that!" Hibiki noticed the black dragon's painful reaction.

"What's going on with Acnologia?" Erza asked.

Anna saw the dragon's painful growl. "He looks like he's in pain somehow."

Usagi continued to look at Acnologia's wound. "Oden...thank you...your actions saved us more than you realized." He took out his other sword. "Jellal, this time be our only chance to strike while he's in pain."

Jellal had to agree. "Yes, got a plan?" Usagi smiled. "Yes, though, I'll need you to distract him for a few minutes, I'm going to use a powerful sword technique to defeat one that is similar to Lord Oden's..."

"Oden..." Jellal whispered but he shook the thought off. "If you say so, I'll distract him as long as I can." He flew toward the dragon slamming himself against Acnologia's chest where the wound was.

Acnologia began to roar in pain as his wound began to feel more damaged. Usagi gathered as much of his magic as he could and his arms were covered in black metal and his sword blades were covered in the same material. "Armament Hardening..." He smirked. "Jellal, get out of the way!" Jellal nodded and flew away from Acnologia.

Electro energy soon gathered within his sword's blades. "Two Sword Rabbit Style: Lightning Totsuka!" Usagi performed an lightning X-shape slash at Acnologia's chest leaving another X scar over his other while the black dragon roared in great pain.

"No..how can I feel that..." Acnologia coughed out blood once more.

"No way, Usagi managed to damage him!" Erza proclaimed in astonishment. "He didn't use magic...I forget he has a electro which isn't magic...plus he used the Armament Haki which is a power used by people in his world.

"That guy's two sword technique is powerful!" Jessica added.

"The Minks are more powerful than I imagined!" Ren proclaimed in awe.

"MEN!" Ichiya chanted with wide eyes of amazement.

Anna tried to use her magic to reopen the Rift of Time but to no avail. "No...why can't I reopen the Rift...could it be someone purposely closed it."

B

Luffy and Zeref were locked in combat throwing punches at each other. "Alright! Gum-Gum Jet Gatling!" He delivered a barrage of punches that went at the black wizard in a split second.

Zeref was able to evade each fist thrown at him. "Nice try...but, you can't defeat me!" Luffy growled while glaring at the black wizard. "Shut up! I will kick your ass for hurting Natsu and nothing you say will stop me!"

"You have the same spirit as Natsu...I respect that..." Zeref thought as he gathered magic energy around his right hand. "Perhaps things were different we could've been friends."

M

The letters from the Book of E.N.D. continued to fly and stopped in midair. "What the heck...why did those letters stop?" Leone asked.

A few letters from the sentences began to fade away. "What the hell, some letters are starting to vanish." Happy said a little surprised yet confused.

"Why is that happening?" Akame wondered.

Lucy had one guess and a bad one. "I think Natsu's body...he must be seriously hurt, but something is preventing it from vanishing completely." He picked up her feather pen. "I think I can rewrite the letters that are about to vanish."

Happy was perplexed. "Can you do that, I mean won't the letters keep vanishing."

Lucy wasn't too worried about that. "It's alright, I will try no matter what." She felt a hand on her shoulder which she turned to see Robin. "I'll help, when it comes to reading my memory is brilliant." The celestial wizard nodded with a smile.

At the Christina, Anna felt a strong magic. "Wait, the Rift reopened again!"

"Wait, how did that happen?" Erza asked.

Anna wasn't sure herself. "No sure, but, it wasn't my doing at any rate, this is our only chance, and with Acnologia injured."

"Anna, over there!" Ichiya pointed at the direction of the hole which was growing massively and becoming visible to see.

Acnologia looked in the direction where the hole was. "What is that?"

That got the wizards worried. "Oh no, he sees the Rift of Time!" Eve yelled.

"If that means he might have figured out what our plan is too!" Ren added.

Jellal flew over to Acnologia once more. "Don't worry I'll push him through myself!"

"So, I will!" Usagi followed Jellal.

"Wait, you two can't, it's too dangerous, if you two get too close the hole will suck you in too!" Anna called out.

"Don't worry, this is only chance!" Jellal stated.

"He's right, it should be easy since Acnologia is injured!" Usagi stated slamming his swords against the dragon's neck.

Zeref and Luffy were panting heavily. "I must admit that you're quite the formidable opponent that your brother claimed you to be. I envy you and your brother." His face had darkened. "Nevertheless, I shall end you both along with Natsu and I'll take my leave."

"No..." Natsu's voice was heard who was standing back up and glaring viciously in Zeref's direction. "If you want to leave, you have to make a vow...a vow that Gramps told us...that no matter what...you'll return..."

Zeref was in disbelief. "Natsu...you're alive..."

"Yeah, I'm back and going to kick your ass..." Luffy and Ace grinned with a chuckle.

Natsu is seriously injured by Zeref and is on the verge of death until he is protected by Luffy and Ace. Ace uses his Devil Fruit powers to help Natsu replenish his magic power while Luffy fights Zeref as a distraction. Rena detects her guild mate and Acnologia then swims out to sea to find them. Taran returns, but what for? Acnologia fights against Usagi and Jellal, and things on in their favor when Acnologia's wound starts to open more. The letters from Natsu's book start to disappear though Lucy attempts to keep them by writing them with the help of her friends to ease the pain from the demonic flames that is burning her arm. Natsu eventually awakens and is ready to fight Zeref again.

End of chapter.