Chapter 46: The Ancient Spirit

Gildarts and Cana were exhausted from the fight.

"Dad, are you okay?" Cana asked.

"Yeah, this arm is damaged but it could've been a lot worse," Gildarts replied.

Run knelt on the ground and his body began to shift strangely. "Run..." Cana ran over to him as she tried to hold onto him, her hands went through him."What in the world is going on with your body?"

Run chuckled feeling his life was up. "It looks like...my time is...up." He felt completely exhausted. "Using my Trump Card must've mustered all the energy I had."

"Wait, you can't die yet!" Cana yelled.

Run chuckled weakly. "You forget...I'm already dead, I was killed by Tartaros in my world...though, what kept me going in this world was my desire...to see how Fairy Tail handles fights." He coughed a violently. "I think I understand you guys more than I think. You guys do what you can and have faith in each other. Faith that the people in my world never had...though, there still some that same faith to make a better future."

His body began to slowly disappear as he glanced at the two wizards with a genuine smile. "Cana...Gildarts...I'm grateful that you and your friends were able to save my former team and the innocent. I'm forever in your debt. I hope that you all will continue to share and spread your faith to others who lost their way..."

Run soon vanished into thin air and Cana smiled sweetly. "Run, we will rest in peace."

Suddenly, August stood out of the rumble he was in. "You got to be kidding," Gildarts said in disbelief.

"How he is still standing?" Cana asked sharing her father's reaction.

"I was born with mighty magic power...because of this I was feared, abandoned, and scorned...his majesty saved me and with that...I WILL ELMINATE EVERYONE ON THIS PLANET EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!"

His body rose in the air as red streams hovered around his body. Everything in the town began to melt and that wasn't the only thing happening.

"Hey, why can't I breathe!" A guild member coughed.

"It's like there's poison in the air!" Another member added covering his mouth.

The town's buildings began to fall apart.

Mavis stopped in her tracks holding her chest. "A spell that evaporates everything in its path." She quickly stood up and put her fingers to her head. "Listen, convert your magic right now!"

Luffy and Ace struggled to keep their composure. "Damn, what is this?'

"It's like we're suffocated in quicksand or something!"

"Why was I rejected..." August thought for a second until he looked back where Gildarts and Cana.

"Cana, don't worry, I got you!" Gildarts shielded his daughter as the wizard king recalled what he said to Jellal. "His Majesty was blessed with a son. The boy was born with the tremendous power of light. Good and evil are not as simple as black and white. If there's one thing to what we call one thing good, perhaps we would call it "love"." He had an image of him and Zeref standing together. "His majesty's child...perhaps the one that can beat him is his mother."

He caught a glimpse of someone on the street and saw Luffy and Ace. But, he mostly was staring at the young girl that was standing between them. He recalled him as a baby and catching a quick look at his mother sleeping in her crystal.

Mavis then noticed something off by the spell that was being cast by August. The air was becoming clear again and everything was melting was reverted to normal.

"He must've run out of magic with his fight with Gildarts," Ace guessed.

"Either way, let's go!" Luffy motioned to his brother and Mavis.

"Right!" Mavis turned around following the two pirates.

August's body began to slowly fall apart.

Cana didn't understand what was happening. "He's crumbling away...did he run out of magic power?"

Gildarts thought otherwise. "No..."

August gave Mavis a sad expression. "Just one moment...would've been enough."

Gildarts had one guess as to why August stopped his spell. " He must've seen something."

"I wished you could've helped me...just once...MOTHER!" August and Larcade's voices cried out as Mavis stopped abruptly feeling a presence behind her.

The girl turned around to see nothing behind her. "Who was...that?" She then heard footsteps coming from the opposite direction.

"Mavis, Luffy!" Lucy called.

"Ace, it's good to see you're safe," Brook sighed in relief.

"I take that you're a new crew member?" Ace guessed with a big grin.

Brook nodded and put his hand out which Ace took in response. "Yes, it's a pleasure to meet Luffy's big brother Ace. My name is Brook."

"So, that's Ace," Leone grinned flirty at the pirate.

Chelsea sweat dropped at the blonde assassin's face. "Now's not the time."

Akame giggled lightly.

"Anyway, why did you have us come to meet you?" Gray asked.

"Well, first off our allies are in the south still fighting remaining soldiers, though most of the enemies have been defeated," Mavis explained then she took a book out of her dress. "As for your question, I attended to give you this."

"It's the book of E.N.D." Lucy took the book in her hands.

"It's Natsu's..." Happy added.

"I wasn't aware that all of you knew of his origin," Mavis said. "I'm positive that he can win, once he does I'll eliminate Zeref."

"Unbelievable, but, do you plan to eliminate Zeref?" Brook asked as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's not waste this time to ask questions, we're running out of time," Robin said shaking her head.

"Anyway, Natsu's fate is entirely in your hands, use the strength of your bond to save him," Mavis concluded.

Lucy, Happy, and Gray were speechless not knowing what to say.

"Not sure what you mean," Luffy spoke getting everyone's attention. "But, if you mean we're the only ones that can save Natsu, then, let's do this!"

Ace chuckled lightly. "You've grown a little bit."

"Also, I must ask you to stay away from the guild hall until Natsu's fight against him is over," Mavis advised.

B

Natsu and Zeref were still standing not saying a word at least not for a second. "I tried to find true happiness...but...this cursed body kills everyone that I love...without mercy..." Zeref said breaking the silence his eyes hidden by his hair. "I could not have a family...I couldn't have happiness I will never be forgiven!"

Natsu stomped toward Zeref and grabbed him by his collar in a tight grip. "Enough of this crap!" He glared viciously at the black mage. "This hasn't nothing to do with family or to do with forgiveness either! You can make your happiness so quit spitting this nonsense about not having a family!"

Natsu took a moment to breathe and had one more thing to say. "I don't remember what bond we shared when we were little. Though, if we still have one, then I want to see if we still have it...brother..."

Zeref was silent for a second until he smacked Natsu's hand away. "I'm quite surprised, I wasn't sure if we had a bond."

Flames erupted from Natsu's body. "I suppose you can call it "compassion"."

"That's correct Natsu...no, E.N.D." Zeref declared as dark magic energy emitted from his body.

Mavis continued by herself recalling Natsu and Lucy's display against Jacob. "Lucy, you're butt naked!"

"Wow, Natsu, that's too rough!"

"I know how to defeat Zeref, it's risky...but it's the option left." Mavis thought.

Back the dorm

Acnoglogia appeared where Erza's group was. He walked past them and looked at the corpse of Irene. "I never thought this day would come. I finally meet the woman who created the power to slay dragons." A crooked smile was seen on Acnologia's face. "For that, I suppose I should call you mother..." He flipped over the corpse getting Irene to lay on her back as a faint chuckle was heard. "Heheheh...THE SOURCE OF MY SINS!" He viciously stomped his foot on Irene's corpse.

The sight horrified Erza and the others as they saw blood spurt from the corpse as Acnologia continued to stomp his foot on Irene while laughing like a psycho.

Wendy covered her mouth in horror and disgust.

Acnologia continued to stomp his foot messing off Irene's corpse even more. "Pathetic witch!" He cackled.

Erza gritted her teeth as Acnologia continued to laugh manically like he was enjoying messing with a corpse. Before she could get a word in, Acnologia felt a blade of two swords close to his neck. "Stop this cruelty!" He demanded with a vicious glare.

"He's right, don't disrespect the dead!" Erza demanded almost threatening.

Acnologia turned to glare at Erza, catching a whiff of her scent. "You, why do you have the same scent as this dead woman?" He then looked in Wendy's direction realizing who she was. "You...a little runt like you wields such magic power."

Wendy realized who the man was. "Erza, it's him, Acnologia!"

Usagi felt drips of sweat on his forehead. "Oh no...that's him."

Oden took a few steps back. "To think I would be able to meet you in person."

A wide grin appeared on Acnologia's face prepared to use his dragon slayer magic until a rainbow-like barrier protected Erza and the others. "Jellal!" Erza exclaimed.

Jellal performed a signature stance. "Heavenly Body Magic: Pleiades!" He attacked with forth six rays of light.

Acnologia dodged each of the ray lights and saw Jellal quickly reappear before him and nine lightning-made swords appeared above him. "Nine Lightning Stars!" The nine lighting swords struck Acnologia sending flying away.

Jellal placed both of his arms on top of each other. "May the seven stars bring judgment..." Seven magic seals were summoned and created a constellation. "GRAND CHARIOT!" Each magic seal released a powerful light blast down at Acnologia which engulfed the spot the evil dragon slayer was standing on.

Excepting to hear Acnologia's scream, they heard him cackle stunning Erza and the others as they saw Jellal's magic being swallowed into his mouth. "He ate it."

Oden was stunned. "He swallowed it as if it was food!"

"Wait, what's his element?" Wendy asked.

Acnologia finished swallowing the magic attack with a slurp. "Element...I have no such thing...I AM THE LAST DRAGON...THE DRAGON OF DEMISE. I DEVOUR ALL SORCERY! I'M THE BLACK WING DRAGON ACNOLOGIA!"

"All sorcery...does that mean he's immune to all types of magic?" Jellal questioned in disbelief.

Usagi gritted his teeth. "This just got worse."

"He's gotten much stronger since Tenoru Island too," Erza stated.

"Agreed, we have to retreat and regroup with the others," Jellal suggested.

Wendy trembled in fear upon hearing this, but, she knew there was only one way to end Acnologia. "Well, if that's the case...I'm a dragon slayer, so I will fight him!" She transformed into her Dragon Force form. "AAAAAHHHH!" She soars through the sky toward the black-wing dragon.

"Wendy, don't be reckless!" Usagi yelled.

It was too late, Wendy was already too close and Acnologia was preparing to counter. "Wendy!"

Oden swiftly collided his swords Acnologia's face blocking him from harming Wendy. "You won't be killing anyone here!" He declared with a glare.

"Who is this guy?" Jellal asked.

"He's an old friend?" Usagi answered.

Jellal was taken aback seeing a talking rabbit. "Who are you?" Erza placed her hand on her childhood friend's shoulder. "It's fine, he's a new member of Fairy Tail."

Suddenly Christina arrived and the door to the ship opened revealing Ichiya. "Erza, Wendy, everyone...men!"

"Ichiya?!" Erza exclaimed.

"Listen come on aboard!" Ichiya reached his hand out. "We must drive Acnologia out of the Magnolia!"

Acnologia roared getting everyone's attention. "You won't be going anywhere!" He attempted to swing his massive claw at the ship.

Oden collided his swords against the black dragon's claw-like hand. "You have to deal with me first!"

"Oden!" Wendy cried out.

"Listen to what the old guy says, leave this spot!" Oden demanded.

"Please, don't play the hero, you have come with us!" Erza pleaded.

Oden's body began to fade. "No...my time is up...I won't last much longer, the least I can do is give you time to go where you need to go now!"

Ichiya didn't know who the swordsman was, but, he clearly could see that he was a friend. "Ichiya, was your name, take them and go!" Oden demanded again.

Ichiya nodded. "Everyone get on quickly!"

Usagi took one last look at the Daimyo. "Lord Oden..." Oden saw the rabbit mink looking in his direction. "Usagi, if you and your friends return to our world, take down Kaido for me...no...not just for me...for...THE PEOPLE THAT STILL LIVE IN THE LAND OF WANO!"

Usagi nodded and hopped abroad Christina with the others. "Let's go!"

Acnologia shook off Oden causing him to skid across the ground. "You're quite a pest for a mere human."

Oden grinned widely. "I admit you're strong, not to first time I faced a dragon." He pumped his arms and an orange energy aura surrounded them. Then his arms trasnformed into metal-like armor and his sword's blades turned black metal. "Even if I can't defeat you, I'll die fighting without any regrets and to save my new friends!"

Acnologia laughed in a deep tone. "You think you defeat me without magic power, foolish human!"

Oden had a darkened expression on his face. "Don't belittle humans, underestimating your enemy could be your downfall!" He pointed his swords at the black-wing dragon. "Oden Two Sword Style: Paradise Totsuka!" He performed an X-shaped slash which was so powerful that Acnologia roared in agony. "No...he laid a hit...on me..." He saw an X gash mark on his chest which bled out a bit. "No...I won't lose...so easily...I'M ACNOLOGIA THE BLACK WING DRAGON OF DESTRUCTION!"

Oden turned around as he saw the black wing dragon swing his claw at him once more. "Well, if you want to keep going...then bring it!" He dashed toward the dragon once more keeping his Advanced Haki within his swords and collided them against the dragon's claw.

"I admit you're more of a formidable opponent than those that I fought in the past!" Acnologia stated. "It's been too long since I was wounded in battle...though, I did lose an arm about one year ago." He managed to push Oden down causing him to crash down thus creating a large crater in the ground and his two swords lying a few feet away.

Oden was on the ground coughing blood and was badly injured. "Damn, my bones...are shattered..." He then smiled as Acnologia approached him and put his claw-like hand above him. "Though, I fought as hard as I could...that's good enough for me...farewell...Usagi...and Fairy Tail...I leave everything in your hands." He slowly closed his eyes and had a big grin on his face as he was crushed underneath the dragon's claw.

The Christina was already far away. Usagi was looking toward a nearby window seemingly sensing Oden's downfall. "Farewell...Lord Oden..."

Ichiya had a chat with the others. "Listen up, we intend to draw Acnologia to a certain place where we can defeat him."

Erza was surprised to hear that. "What?"

"Can that be possible?" Jellal asked.

Ichiya turned around. "Yes, isn't that right?" A blonde woman with a ponytail approached them. "Yes."

Larcade is killed by his father's own hands. August almost destroys the Magnolia but stops as he catches a glimpse of his mother Mavis. Lucy and her group are given the Book of E.N.D. and are ordered to find a way to save Natsu. Acnologia appears and fights Erza's team and nearly kills them until Ichiya appears on his ship and Oden gives his new friends time to leave by fighting Acnologia only to die in the process.

End of chapter