(Edited 10/07/24)

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does

The Fallen Kingdom Of Draconia

***POTD***

As the five Dragons slowly faded away into the distance, accompanied by the strongest Dragon Slayer, those who managed to survive the carnage of the last hour regrouped before the Eclipse Gate.

As the notable Guilds slowly trailed in, the Dragon Slayers seemed to naturally gravitate toward each other. None could look another in the eye for more than a moment, yet all were in silent agreement…

"That… We're pathetic."

Sting was the first to speak, his head hung in shame as his body shook from the numerous wounds he'd suffered during his battle with Yamizou. Out of all of them, Sting had been the cockiest, boasting about how easily one could slay a Dragon, and failing miserably.

"You don't believe Natsu will die, do you, Gajeel," Rogue asked, struggling to meet the gaze of the man he'd once looked up to, who could only respond with a fierce glare. "I-I mean…"

"Salamander's tough. Toughest there is, I reckon. But he's about to go up against FIVE Dragons, one of em bein a Monarch," Gajeel grunted in response, placing a firm hand on Wendy's shoulder in silent support. "He's a tough bastard, but I can't see how he's gonna take out five of em without getting torn apart?"

"We couldn't do anything to stop them," Sting muttered bitterly, clenching his fists as he looked back toward the damaged city. "Only Natsu managed to actually kill one…"

"If nothing else, this is a reality check for you," a new voice chimed in, as both Erza and Kagura approached the group, both sporting minor wounds. "Its easy to boast about something until the day comes you have to back up those boasts with action, isn't it?"

"For years, all of us had to endure the arrogant prattling from your Guild and your rabid supporters. The Twin Dragons of Sabertooth, TRUE Dragon Slayers," Kagura added coolly. "Tonight has proven to the people of Fiore, and eventually all of Ishgar, that the Dragons did indeed exist… and they were far more powerful than anyone ever gave them credit for."

"That's not all," a new voice added, as Elise made her way over, her face suffering significant bruising despite her healing factor, shocking the entire group. "We've been found complacent, lacking… Weak. Tonight, seven Dragons were unleashed upon the capital city of Fiore whilst every Guild in the country had all its members present, along with the top Wizard Saints… and we got fucking demolished like a bunch of children."

The entire group looked down almost in unison. There was no denying Elise's words there, how could they? Only Natsu managed to actually kill any of them, let alone truly harm one. Even the Wizard Saints failed to deal any true damage to them.

"Even so," Wendy's voice responded quietly, as all eyes slowly shifted toward the youngest of the group. "There was something about Natsu that wasn't right…"

"What do you mean Wendy?"

"Actually, the little one's right," Gajeel agreed as he looked toward Erza. "Salamander's Magic felt stranger than usual? It wasn't like all the other times he went into Stage II of the Dragon Force, but it was…"

"Denser?"

"Yeah," Gajeel agreed, as he looked toward Wendy. "It was like his reserves had doubled, or even tripled since we last saw him?"

"Not only that, but there was something else too. It felt… dark, cold and really strong," the youngest Slayer muttered, eyes narrowed as she recalled the feeling. "It was almost like-."

"I'd say Natsu had an extremely tough go of it before he arrived to meet you all."

"Master," Erza gasped, as the old man joined the group, seated upon Laxus' shoulder, Mira on his left sporting several wounds of her own. "Are you alright!?"

"Fine Erza. But I'm not as important right now as our resident troublemaker, now am I?"

"You know why Wendy and Gajeel felt that strange feeling from his Magic, Master?"

"Indeed I do Erza," Makarov replied curtly, as Gray moved to join the group. "Prior to the release of the Dragons, Natsu was facing two extraordinarily powerful opponents. One of them was a God Slayer who wielded the power of a Death God-."

"WHAT!?"

"I figured you'd be surprised Elise," the old man sighed, shaking his head. "She was the real deal, I assure you, having witnessed her powers firsthand."

"If Natsu got hit by the power of a Death God, then that definitely could be a plausible reason his Magic felt so off," Elise theorized, as Gray handed her a block of ice for her face. "Thanks Gray…"

"No problem. Though, why aren't you regenerating to heal that?"

"Some of you guys weren't here when I first showed up, but I said that we learned a lot tonight. One of the things I learned is that, for whatever reason, the attacks dealt by a true Dragon bypass the healing factor of a God Slayer."

"Wait, what? How does that even work," Erza asked, clearly unsure.

"I don't know? I'm going to ask Mother about it after all this is over, so I'll have to get back to you all on that."

"I think we all need to discuss the obvious proverbial elephant in the room," Ur cut in, approaching alongside the rest of the Wizard Saints, as well as King Toma and Princess Hisui. "Gajeel, you're a Dragon Slayer, and you saw the Dragon that was guarding the Eclipse Gate, right?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think Natsu's actually got a chance of beating all those Dragons, including their leader?

"Way to put me on the fuckin spot," the Metal Slayer grumbled, eyes narrowing as he looked across the assembled group. "Like I said earlier, Salamander is the strongest of us Slayers, right. He's already killed two of em, but that was in a one on one. If he's gotta face all five at once, I just can't see it, even with all that power he got?"

"But that doesn't mean we can't have faith in him," Wendy cut in quickly, noticing many in the crowd sharing worried looks. "Natsu's beaten the odds before!"

"Young Wendy is correct, we cannot count Natsu out yet," Solomon chimed in as he too approached the group alongside Alyssa. "He has survived Achnologia multiple times now, and has nearly broken the back of the Dark Guilds in this country through his own strength. A man such as he cannot be counted out until definitive proof is presented before us."

"I agree one hundred percent," Toma nodded sharply. "Thanks to Natsu and those he brought to assist us earlier tonight, my Daughter and I survived. That man is a hero as far as I'm concerned, and I won't allow anyone to count him out until definitive proof slaps me in the face!"

"My Father and Mister Solomon are correct. We should all take a page out of the values Fairy Tail was founded upon tonight, and believe in our dear friend who is on his way to fight a dire battle! Instead of lamenting the possibility he is going to die, let us pray for his victory and safe return!"

"Heh. Well, that was definitely a nice little speech from the Princess," Ur smirked, looking toward the other Wizard Saints. "I know you guys already have faith in Natsu, eh!?"

"He's one of us, so of course we have faith," Draculos sniffed, clearly not even doubting Natsu's fate.

"Not only that, he's a Mage of Fairy Tail," Warrod added, a small smile on his face as he looked toward the stars. "I'm sure Mavis is watching over the boy as we speak…"

At Warrod's words, everyone looked up toward the skies where the Dragons had long since vanished. Every last one of them was praying for Natsu's victory, as well as his safe return from wherever the Dragons planned on taking him.

***POTD***

As Fiore reeled from the attack on its capital, five Dragons soared over the open seas, the sun slowly rising over the horizon, as Natsu sat atop the head of Zirconis. He didn't exactly feel safe where he was, but he also didn't feel like he was in any particular danger, either.

A rather strange way to feel, considering present company.

"So, where exactly are we going?"

"The Magic of the Eclipse Gate compels us to defend it from any who would be capable of destroying it," Levia's voice replied smoothly, as the Ocean Dragon flew overhead. "The further away we get from the Eclipse Gate, the weaker the command it has over us."

"And since you're the only one of those Humans capable of breaking the Gate, and you're with us, it means that we're free right now to do as we please," Gaia added, flying low to the sea beneath them due to his sheer weight.

"We're interested in speaking with Igneel, who is still sealed within you," Scissor Runner spoke up, dashing past his position. "We want to confirm something with him before we come to a decision. To do this, there is a spell that will allow you to project him from your body in an ethereal form."

"Problem is, you need to be the one casting it," Yamizou sniffed, shaking his head. "Basically, we're headed to the one place in the world you can acquire it."

"A spell that will allow me to project Igneel so you can talk to him…?"

"The spell is called Milky Way," Zirconis replied, chuckling deeply at the name of it. "Sounds dumb, but its actually a really handy spell to have. It allows anyone casting it to commune with someone who has either passed on, or is not currently able to physically enter the realm of Earthland for whatever reason."

"That actually does sound pretty damn useful…"

"Problem is, there's only one place left in the whole world where that spell could possibly be found," Levia sighed, her blue eye meeting Natsu's own. "High upon one of the tallest mountains at the end of the world…"

"What?"

"We're headed to a place you've no doubt never even heard of kid," Zirconis smirked in reply. "Invented by the Sky Dragon Monarch Grandina centuries ago high atop the tallest mountain in the capital of Dragon civilization, Milky Way was a spell rarely used by our kind."

"…So, where exactly are we going?"

"Heh… We're going to the homeland of the Dragons. In the tongue of your kind, it was known as Draconia, Land of the Dragon Monarchs."

"Wait, so we're going to the place where ALL the Monarchs used to live before Achnologia started wiping your race out!?"

"Yeah. I wouldn't expect any Dragons to be there now though. It was the first place hit by that bastard, and the hardest hit too."

"So, how far away is Draconia anyway?"

"Roughly a week," Zirconis replied, shocking the Dragon Slayer as the five Dragons shared amused looks. "Might as well rest up while you can boy?"

Scoffing at the Jade Dragon Monarch's words, Natsu couldn't deny it was the smartest option right now. A whole week would afford him the time needed to properly acclimatize to the power he'd absorbed from Atlas Flame, as well as recover from the fights he'd had just prior to facing said Dragons.

He couldn't lie though, he was excited to see what Draconia was truly like, even if it would be little more than ruins.

Even if that meant exploring them with five powerful enemies around him. It was a worthwhile gamble.

***POTD***

"You have done well Varnik, I'm impressed."

"Thank you, your Excellency," Varnik replied, dropping to one knee as Zeref idly waved his hand, seated atop a tree stump as the gathered forces of Alvarez who he'd dispatched to infiltrate Fiore kneeled before him.

"All of you, be at ease. Today is a day of celebration, not protocol…"

"With respect Sir, the operation wasn't entirely successful," Granvill muttered from where he sat, covered in bandages.

"Of course you'd say that Granvill," Phyrra snorted as she sipped on some tea served up by Yamata, one of the few of her squad who weren't injured. "How many times have you been carried by your betters now?"

"There's no need for that Phyrra-."

"Shut it Varnik-!"

"Phyrra, enough," Zeref sighed, shaking his head as Yamata poured him some tea as well, bowing as he pulled back. "Granvill did his best, adhering to my request to not transform during the attack."

"Tch! Of course, my Lord… But I have to ask, what was the whole point of what we did," Phyrra replied, as several of her injured squad looked toward Zeref, mixed looks on their faces, their eyes darting between their Emperor, and their Commander. "Was the goal to simply weaken Fiore?"

"Such a question proves naivete, Phyrra," Zeref chuckled lightly in response, as Varnik lit a cigar, barely stifling a scoff of his own.

"What's so funny Varnik!?"

"I've been handling the Fiore front for almost a decade now, and I know this country better than almost anyone. From the Government, the Guild structure, Dark Guild operations, the corruption within both political and economic spheres…"

"There's no need to gloat about it Varnik. Like you just said, you've been here far longer," Zeref smiled lightly, as he looked toward the rest of his infiltration force. "To answer Phyrra's question rather bluntly… No."

"No?"

"But what about the Wizard Saints? And Dragneel," Phyrra spluttered in disbelief. "My Lord, surely you intended to weaken them by trying to reveal Dragneel was actually E.N.D, right!?"

"That part of the plan has yet to come."

"Yet to… HUH!?"

"The only other person who actually saw Dragneel wield the power of E.N.D was his Guild Master, Makarov Dreyar," Varnik huffed, taking a drag from his cigar. "That man won't tell a soul."

"Regardless of that fact, even had the other top Wizard Saints seen it, they wouldn't have talked either," Granvill agreed. "He's friends with all of them."

"B-But then why did we go through all that effort to use the Eclipse Gate!?"

"Two reasons," Zeref replied, as he pointed up to the space above him, as he began drawing a flowchart using raw Magic. "Phase one of the plan was to engineer a scenario that would see the strongest of Fiore all put in one location, before unleashing a calamity upon them. This was to gauge their response to a powerful external threat suddenly appearing within their borders."

"I'd say the result was rather obvious," Varnik huffed, smoke billowing from his nostrils as the small group, minus Zeref, all looked toward the direction of encroaching footsteps. "Ah, there you are."

"To say the Magic Council are scared would be a massive fucking understatement. I couldn't stop laughing the whole way here!"

"Really," Phyrra smirked, leaning back against the tree stump Zeref sat on. "I haven't stopped laughing since Dragneel kicked the shit out of you-."

"SHUT UP!"

"God Serena did as instructed, just like Granvill, Phyrra. There's no need to take further jabs at him, his acting was exemplary."

"Are you sure he was acting my Lord-?"

"Say one more fucking word bitch and I'll plaster your face across the camp-!"

"With respect, he did do as Lord Zeref asked," Varnik sighed. "Both of you are relative to one another, so I don't really understand why you're so eager to take shots like this? After all, you are a team, both sitting within the upper four of the Spriggan and Leichart, are you not?"

"Yeah, you two should be grateful. I've got to share the number twelve spot with Wall Eehto," Granvill joked, which actually seemed to amuse both God Serena and Phyrra Ashar.

"I take it back, maybe this frigid piece of scum isn't so bad after all?"

"I agree. Perhaps this useless pile of Irene's possessed excrement isn't all that bad?"

"You two are hopeless," Varnik sighed, shaking his head. "At least I'm paired with Invel…"

"So, you do care about who you have to work with," Granvill smirked, only to groan as some of the smoke exhaled by Varnik smacked his injured arm.

"All that crap aside, I'd definitely call Phase One a success," God Serena smirked darkly as he recalled the events of the last few hours. "The Council practically lost their minds when the Dragons started rampaging through Crocus! It was even funnier when all the other Wizard Saints refused the call to come to Era in order to help fight them!"

"Can't say anyone should be surprised about that, eh?"

"Of course not Varnik, you know those fools well enough by now! Org may be less corrupt, but he's still a greedy little Fioran dog!"

"That may be Serena… The fact remains that we have exposed their selfishness for all to see," Zeref smiled gently, as Yamata refilled his tea. "The people of Fiore will undoubtedly find out that the Magic Council tried to have the Wizard Saints protect them over the people of the capital. Even worse, over King Toma and the beloved Princess Hisui…"

"It's the first step in breaking down the unity of the country," Varnik continued, looking toward the members of Phyrra Squad. "Trust was at an all time low under Chairman Doma, but Org was actually managing to make some moves that were fixing some of the damage we'd managed to cause over the years."

"I presume Phase Two will further destabilize the now fractured will of the Fioran people," Granvill asked curiously, only for Zeref to shake his head. "No?"

"Phase Two does not involve the people of Fiore. Rather, it involves the man who this entire operation you all carried out tonight revolved around."

"You mean Dragneel, my Lord?"

"Correct Granvill," Varnik nodded, looking toward Zeref who dipped his head slightly, granting him permission to continue. "Phase Two of the plan involves transferring the hearts of the people to a savior. The people of Fiore now have their Oberon, their King of the Fairies, so to speak."

"I don't follow," Phyrra cut in, eyes narrowed. "So, we're making Dragneel into some sort of figurehead?"

"Exactly," Zeref smiled. "The hearts and minds of Fiore have been confused for years on who to follow, and who to place their trust. Dragneel has nearly dismantled the Bharam Alliance, slain two Dragons, and now is leading the remaining five away from the capital, whilst also garnering credit for saving the King and Princess in the process. He's well liked, considered attractive, and his Sorcerer Weekly shoots have certainly drawn the admiration of many more besides…"

"When Lord Zeref brought you in on this, he told you one thing before you came over, didn't he," Varnik continued, looking toward Phyrra as he took another drag from his cigar.

"He told me you were still in full command, and I was to defer to you on all matters," the God Slayer answered slowly. "Ah…"

"I've been working on this plan with Lord Zeref ever since Dragneel showed himself in the Scarlione Empire alongside Gildarts Clive all those years ago. All that remains is for Tartaros to play their role, along with what Lord Zeref has in store, and the Fiore Plan will be complete."

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves Varnik," Zeref smirked darkly, taking a sip of his tea as he pointed above his head to the projection of Phase Two.

"So what IS Phase Two, my Lord?"

"Phase Two, Phyrra, requires Natsu to learn something in Draconia… History."

"History? I'm… Lord Zeref, I don't follow?"

"When I opened the Eclipse Gate, did you think I just randomly plucked seven Dragons from the past just to set them loose?"

"You mean, you were actually able to CONTROL what came through!?"

"Why are you surprised," God Serena sniffed, almost looking annoyed at Phyrra's shocked demeanor. "He's the Black Wizard, the legendary Zeref, after all?"

"If all goes according to plan, Natsu will learn important truths he will need for my ultimate plan to succeed," Zeref continued, as he drew a small line to what clearly said Phase Three, though he'd intentionally left that part blank. "Varnik, you've got one final task ahead of you my friend. Only then may you return to Alvarez and receive the recognition you rightly deserve."

"As long as I get that vacation I was promised, I'll do whatever necessary to see the mission through, Lord Zeref."

Zeref smiled as he leaned back, his neck arched back as he looked up toward the faint orange glow which heralded the sunrise and its rapid approach.

"Time to move I think," the Black Wizard smiled, extending his arm out to his right and opening a sizeable portal next to the camp. "All of you, save Varnik and Serena, return to Alvarez. Inform Invel that my return is on schedule."

"As you command," the entire group chanted as one.

"Oh, and Serena?"

"Yes, my Lord?"

"Continue to sew chaos among the Magic Council please. "Perhaps have Mard Geer take advantage of that mole they have? Collaborate with Varnik for a coordinated disaster, if you like?"

"We'll figure something out," Serena replied, as the group slowly vanished through the portal, until only Serena, Varnik and Zeref remained. "Oi Varnik?"

"What?"

"Keep Tartaros away from Akane Resort for a bit," Serena smirked, slowly strolling off into the woods with his hands in his pockets. "I've got some fun lined up there…"

"Noted," the aged Sword muttered, tossing what remained of his cigar onto the ground as he turned to face Zeref. "I trust you'll give me the go ahead once you've set up what you needed to?"

"Naturally."

"Then I'll keep Tartaros on a tight leash until then," Varnik replied with a stiff nod, preparing to walk away before pausing. "My Lord?"

"Hmm?"

"Is Dragneel really worth all this effort? Is it really worth building up his power like this," Varnik asked slowly, eyes narrowed deep in thought as he met Zeref's gaze. "I can't understand why you would want his power to swell so much?"

"There are things I keep close to my chest, Varnik… My final goal with Natsu is known solely to me, and me alone," the Black Wizard smiled, placing a hand upon his subordinate's shoulder. "There are a limited amount of ways for me to get Natsu to where I need him to be before the projected time comes. All I can ask is that you place your faith into me for the moment, and believe that I still hold the vision of a perfect future for our Empire…"

"I do not, nor have I ever doubted that, my Lord," Varnik whispered, his mind briefly flashing back to when he was much younger, in a much more troubling time. "Peace and stability for all… at any price."

"Indeed my friend," Zeref smiled, letting Varnik go as he slowly began to fade away. "If Mard Geer asks about me, tell him I have plans to come visit him soon."

"You don't have any plans to do that, do you," Varnik asked, chuckling at the rather youthful smirk the Black Wizard responded with. "You'd be a terrible Father."

***POTD***

A full week had passed since Natsu had departed from Ishgar, and only now could he faintly see the outline of a mountain range on the horizon.

"Finally! Feels like we've been going forever!?"

"Hmph! You got a free ride the whole way here brat," Zirconis huffed, as several of the other Dragons grumbled in agreement.

Despite each of them being hundreds of years old, that didn't mean they were immune to fatigue. Having spent so much time traveling without food, drink or rest, the five Dragons were running on fumes.

"Besides, you shouldn't be acting as if we've arrived just yet anyway…"

"Huh? What do you mean by that," Natsu asked, as Scissor Runner snarled in his direction, teeth barred.

"You'll see once we get closer! Annoying Human…"

Natsu was about to retort, but the rumbling of Igneel within his mind gave him pause. Unlike all the times his supposed Father tried to gain his attention, this rumble was different. In fact, if he had to guess, it sounded more like Igneel was struggling to contain his emotions…?

"Oi? Oi Igneel? Hey, are you-?"

As the Dragons began to slowly descend down beneath the cover of the clouds, Natsu's internal thoughts toward Igneel died abruptly, his mind slowly going blank as it struggled to process what he was looking at.

None of the Dragons spoke, not even as Natsu stood and moved to stand at the top of Zirconis' forehead. His mouth opened ever so slightly, an attempt to voice what he was seeing failed, when someone else decided to do it for him.

"Rather grim, isn't it?"

Natsu's gaze didn't falter, though he knew exactly who had appeared to his right, as Mavis floated out to stand upon the thin air before him, her form moving along with his as she looked into his wide eyes.

"W-What…?"

What Natsu had first assumed to be a mountain range, was in fact nothing more than a mere obstruction. Several hundred kilometers ahead of the obstruction was the TRUE beginnings of the continent of Draconia.

Before him, lay a truly mortifying sight.

Spanning twenty-two thousand feet long, and five thousand feet tall, were the remains of a single, colossal Dragon. And that didn't even take into account its wingspan, as its wings were several kilometers away, clearly having been torn off long ago.

The carcass of the mighty Dragon had clearly been there for centuries, with the bones worn and covered in various forms of moss, coral and all manner of sea and avian critters.

Just looking at the beast sent chills down Natsu's spine. Whoever this Dragon was, it was almost twice as long as Achnologia, though the Black Dragon was slightly taller. Either way, it set a rather chilling precedent for the size of older Dragons, of that there was little doubt.

"This all but confirms we're far into the future, Lord Zirconis," Levia hummed quietly, as the group silently flew over the gargantuan remains below. "I would estimate we're over seven hundred years into the future, based on the decay?"

"All the more reason for us to speak with Igneel," the Jade Dragon Monarch muttered in reply, his eyes shifting upward to look at Natsu. "Well, boy? What did Igneel tell you of the corpse below?"

"H-He hasn't spoken," Natsu stuttered out, surprising several of the Dragons, who shared strange looks between one another. "He made a strange rumbling noise, but hasn't spoken since?"

"So, it seems he did still respect him after all," Gaia hummed thoughtfully. "Guess his words weren't just lies like we all thought?"

"I'm not surprised. Fire Monarch Igneel may have been many things, but he had honor," Levia replied, as she looked toward Natsu. "I take it you don't know the identity of the Dragon beneath our wings?"

"N-No…?"

"Beneath us lay the remains of the last ruler of Draconia's Dragons," Zirconis huffed, as Natsu returned his attention toward the corpse. "Below you lies the body of High King Grendel, the Empyrean Dragon Monarch and our chosen voice to the Dragon God, Lord Xicor."

"Dragons had a High King?"

"Of course we did! Did you think all the Dragon Monarchs just got along and everyone just worked for the benefit of one another without guidance!? FOOLISH BOY!"

"To give you a better response than what Lord Zirconis provided, the High King was chosen from among the Dragon Monarchs through a process known as the Dragon Moot," Yamizou continued, as the angered Zirconis clammed up, refusing to speak. "Every Monarch held one vote, and the rules were rather simple…"

"No Monarch could cast a vote for their own place as High King. Only a majority vote could see a Monarch take the throne," Gaia added plainly. "Before that process, the Dragon God would select the ruler."

"Not that it matters much anymore," Scissor Runner hissed, refusing to look down at the corpse. "Damn that bastard!"

"D-Did Achnologia do this?"

"Instead of asking questions like that, why don't you just look below and make your own decision," Gaia replied bluntly, as they reached Draconia's mainland.

Looking away from the Dragons he was with, Natsu once again found himself shocked into a deathly silence.

As far as the eye could see were the bones of countless Dragons. Thousands upon thousands of corpses lined the clearly battle-scarred landscape, a place so damaged no life had regrown across most of the land.

"This is the reality of Fiore's greatest foe," Mavis' voice whispered, echoing the frustration of his Dragon companions. "THIS is why he is known as the Dragon of the Apocalypse. With each beat of his mighty wings, the Black Dragon brings War, Famine, Pestilence and Death upon all living things… the Apocalypse."

Further examining the area as the Dragons flew lower to the ground, he couldn't deny Mavis' words. The continent of Draconia was a wasteland in every sense of the word.

The soil was mostly charred black, white grains from the decaying bones of countless lifeforms having mixed into it at some point. Massive blast craters littered the landscape, as freak lightning storms flared within their circumference, peppering the area within under a hail of static death.

Magma oozed from the earth's crust, spilling into the mouths of numerous caves and chasms. Strange dust clouds would rapidly flare up, flinging the tarnished soil and other debris further along before fizzling out with a small explosion.

Looking up to the sky itself, the clouds remained a foreboding black, a constant low rumbling echoing across the continent as if the land itself were crying out in pain.

"This…This is bleak."

"Such an astute observation," Zirconis muttered darkly, though no animosity was directed toward the Dragon Slayer this time. "We're almost there…"

"Zirconis?"

"Hmm?"

"Why do you really want to speak with Igneel? What reason would drive the five of you to fly me all this way, to return to such a desolate place?"

"…We want to speak with Igneel, because he must have answers to this senseless destruction," Zirconis replied after several tense moments of silence.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You might have already guessed this, but we are from the distant past. So distant, in fact, that the Time we were summoned from, this destruction hadn't occurred yet," the Dragon Monarch continued slowly. "The Black Dragon had only just begun his conquest when we were plucked from our Time and brought to this future. However…"

"However?"

"However, we know that our corpses reside here, and we could sense them from the moment we arrived in this timeline…"

"Oh… So, that must mean you want to know-?"

"We want to know if our deaths are ultimately to be in vain," Scissor Runner snapped, before shooting on ahead, a furious look on his face as they slowly approached a mountain range.

"We wish to converse with Igneel directly, and ask him if he truly has some sort of plan to avenge our race, or if he chooses to merely cower within the shell of a mortal?"

Ordinarily, Natsu would have taken great offense to the mere insinuation that Igneel could be cowardly. However, after all he'd seen within the first twenty minutes of being in Draconia, combined with Igneel's behavior since Scarlione…

"I understand," was all Natsu could respond with, his head bowed low as Mavis shot him a sad look.

Zirconis seemed momentarily surprised by his response, pupils widening ever so slightly at the sincerity from the Dragon Slayer's tone of voice. However, he quickly forced the emotions he was feeling back down until they were squashed beneath his usual façade, as they crested the mountain range, coming upon the ruins of a crumbling city.

"Welcome to the Capital of Draconia… Or, what remains of it," Levia sighed sadly, as the Dragons made toward a small landing area that wasn't littered with the remains of Dragons.

The closer he got to the ground, the more he wanted to go home. Never in his life did he think that going to the homeland of the Dragons would be such an awful experience, yet here he stood now, hopping off Zirconis onto the cracked stone pathway below, trampling over the remains of a slaughtered civilization…

And it made his heart ache…

***POTD***

One week on, and Crocus was still on high alert, the power of the Eclipse Gate just as strong as it had been when Natsu vanished with the Dragons one week ago.

The city had been blockaded by the Magic Council, along with an allied coalition of Guilds, with the civilians being temporarily relocated to nearby towns until the situation was officially declared resolved.

Upon the plateau of Castle Mercurius, King Toma stood firmly amongst the now nearly fully assembled Ten Wizard Saints. The only official member missing being Natsu, for obvious reasons.

"-like we told you King Toma, the Magic Council is not responsible for-!"

"Not another word Org! I've been told by the Ishgar Five of your orders to have them retreat and 'defend' Era! How DARE you sniveling cowards even think to show your faces here!"

"King Toma, please be reasonable-!"

"Reasonable? YOU are asking ME to be reasonable!? Thank the Gods that the Wizard Saints often operate against your orders, because you nearly cost the lives of MILLIONS of my subjects with your selfish and cowardly actions!"

Standing a short distance away, Erza, Elise and Mira observed the absolute tongue-lashing King Toma was giving the Councillors. The trio had mostly recovered from the invasion, though Elise's face still showed minor bruising, despite every attempt to remedy it.

"I still can't believe they actually thought people would support their decision to try and have the strongest Mages in Ishgar protect them over everyone else," Mira sniffed, her usually sweet and cheery demeanor completely absent, eyes narrowed in disgust.

"Not to mention the Rune Knight blockades they had up around the city that tried to stop the fleeing citizens," Erza added darkly, recalling how she and Kagura nearly got charged with treason, blasting through the blockade as they led countless survivors out of the city.

"They'll want to watch themselves," Elise sighed, shaking her head, arms crossed as she leaned against some rubble. "If they keep doing shit like this, won't be long before the Legal Guilds decide to band together and rebel…"

"Speaking of rebellion against the Magic Council? Can you truly sink no further, Former Captain Faulkner?"

Elise didn't even bother opening her eyes, her face still throbbing as she nursed a rather annoying headache. Erza and Mira, however, most certainly had no qualms with immediately blocking their friend from the newcomer.

"It seems you've found some lovely pawns Elise? I wonder how long you'll keep up the friendly charade with them before inevitably knifing them in the back for greater power, hmm?"

"Your lies won't work on us, Lahar," Erza hissed venomously, tempted to conjure a blade, her fingers twitching.

"What are you doing here," Mira asked, her voice sounding more like Sitri's, despite the fact that she was in her Human form. "Or, are you just looking for a fight?"

"I don't start fights, Miss Strauss. Unlike that barbarian you all allow into your beds, some of us know the meaning of restraint…"

To his credit, Lahar didn't recoil as all three Mages shot him the most hate fueled glares they could muster, their teeth grit and fists clenched, as they each prayed that he would slip up so that one of them could strike him down then and there.

"Oh? My apologies, did I strike a nerve," Lahar asked coolly, adjusting his glasses with his middle finger, his gaze cool, calm and collected, despite the fact he was kicking something far worse than a hornet's nest. "Perhaps you're all full of primal urges and can't control yourselves? After all, you've been nearly a week without your rabid animal of a boy toy, haven't you-?"

Lahar paused, his pupils dilating ever so slightly as his vision caught up with what had just occurred.

He hadn't even had the time to blink, yet somehow, out of the trio, Erza had instantly appeared in front of him, her nose nearly touching his own, eyes wide and unblinking, hollow even, as he felt her raw Magical Power surround them both.

"Erza," Mira warned, somewhat startled at what she'd just seen, yet not willing to undermine her friend since she couldn't really deny she hadn't considered putting the man in his place either. "He's not worth it."

"If you strike me Erza Scarlett, it will be your death warrant…"

"You will not speak of Natsu that way in my presence… Ever."

"Such primal emotion," Lahar sniffed, still somehow composed despite being less than a centimeter away from someone who could kill him in an instant. "You cannot deny that Dragneel is little more than a rabid animal? He fights like a beast, slaughters like one, and even gallivants about taking women as he fancies, does he not?"

"Your analysis of Natsu is rather poor, Captain Lahar."

Though everyone looked toward the newcomer, Erza absolutely refused to look away, still not having so much as blinked since she had appeared in front of the troublesome man. Lahar himself could see the newcomer out of the corner of his eye, and found himself growing even more annoyed.

"So, another for his personal harem, is it? The supposedly indomitable Kagura Mikazuchi will even spread her legs for the barbaric Dragneel?"

"Such things are not the concern of a lowly Captain in the Rune Knights," Kagura replied coldly, which actually seemed to genuinely annoy Lahar at having his position in society be mocked so directly. "I would strongly suggest ceasing whatever foolishness you came to try here; else you'll find yourself a head short…"

"How strange? I had thought you to be a level headed individual, Miss Mikazuchi? A pity you share the same barbaric tendencies as these three…"

"And you think yourself any better," Kagura sniffed, her hand gently resting upon the hilt of Archenemy, her eyes shifting to the still unblinking form of Erza. "Just what did you hope to achieve by coming here and antagonizing the people who care about Natsu?"

"He's trying to start trouble," Elise muttered quietly, slowly looking up to meet Lahar's narrowed eyes. "He enjoys twisting the knife when he knows a girl is vulnerable. But this is a new low, even for him, surprisingly."

"You're all fools for believing in a man like Dragneel," Lahar hissed in response, ignoring the twitching of Erza's fists. "You all believe him to be some sort of paragon, a man of justice!? He's a near rabid beast, a monster, and there's a darkness hidden within him that clearly none of you are aware of-!"

"Who cares?"

Lahar froze, eyes widening in shock as his attention snapped toward Erza, the scarlet-haired Mage's eyes nearly devoid of life as she grabbed him by the collar. The man tried to pull away, but he couldn't so much as budge an inch, looking toward the other girls who all shared similar gazes, a cold chill running up his spine.

"At this point, he's done so much for me that I'd turn against the world for him," Erza whispered coldly, a dead grin worming its way onto her face as she slowly lifted him into the air with one arm. "No matter what kind of man Natsu is, he's always got me in his corner…"

"And it'll take a Hell of a lot more than scum like you to break a bond like that," Elise concluded, as Erza tossed the man several feet, as he landed amidst some rubble, scrambling backward. "Nobody asked for your useless opinions about him-."

"-and nobody cares," Erza concluded, as Lahar shot the girls one last dirty look, before fleeing back toward the palace proper.

Erza took a deep breath, attempting to calm herself down as Kagura placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, comforting her friend, as Elise and Mira shared a knowing look.

Lahar had been bold to try and antagonize them near King Toma and the Magic Council. It was obvious he wanted to start trouble with them, but the girls weren't stupid enough to go too far in a public area.

But the Rune Knight Captain would get what was coming to him eventually, as karma always caught up with his kind in the end.

Today simply wasn't that day. Though, Elise could feel that it may well be fast approaching…

***POTD***

Elsewhere in Crocus, Wendy stood alone atop one of the balconies overlooking the damaged city. Her expression was neutral, mute even, with the usual spark missing from her ordinarily cheery gaze.

Thoughts of the events a week ago haunted her mind, robbing her of countless hours of sleep and relaxation. Within her mind, all she could see was the arrogant Zirconis mocking her power, and Natsu swooping in to save both herself, as well as Gajeel, from mortal peril for the umpteenth time.

Holding her hands out before her, the young Dragon Slayer could only sigh.

Despite being told time and again how powerful she was for her age, and how powerful she'd likely be once she hit adulthood, Wendy couldn't help but lament her failure to do anything meaningful beyond slaughtering some Drakes.

Was she not a Dragon Slayer too?

Was she not someone whom Natsu had invested countless hours into training?

"Is this… No, I just wasn't good enough," the young Dragon Slayer hissed, clenching her fists as she continued to replay the memory of that night over and over again, before thinking back even further.

From Scarlione to Tenrou, Edolas to the Nirvana incident… Every journey she'd had with Fairy Tail had one key correlation that put a number of things into perspective.

Every single incident, Natsu saves her.

Wendy clenched her fists, teeth barred as she seethed in frustration, her thoughts growing darker by the second as she gripped onto the stone railing so hard that it shattered in her hands, crumbling to dust.

The young Dragon Slayer paid it no heed though, instead choosing to stew in the strange, almost primal feel of rage that swelled within her.

"This can't continue…"

Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, Wendy's entire demeanor shifted once again, as a cold smile wormed its way across her face.

"Natsu and the others will help me… I know they'll make me even stronger if I ask," the young Dragon Slayer muttered darkly, as she felt something strange flow through her as she thought of Natsu himself. "He's given me so much…I-."

"Wendy!"

Like the flip of a switch, Wendy's darker mood completely evaporated in a matter of mere moments, as she turned around to greet the somewhat worried Sherria Blendy, who practically skipped toward her.

"There you are! Gosh, I've been looking all over for you!?"

"Really? Um, you know I wouldn't have left my room at this time without a reason, right?"

"Well excuse me for being worried about my friend," Sherria huffed, puffing up her cheeks dramatically as she crossed her arms and looked away from Wendy. "I won't check up on you seventeen times a day the next time you get attacked by a powerful Dragon!"

"Sherria," Wendy smiled, laughing lightly as she took the girl's hands with her own. "I'm glad we're friends…"

"O-Oh," Sherria stuttered, their eyes meeting as Wendy gave her a shy smile, gently squeezing the Sky God Slayer's hands. "Y-You are!?"

"You've been so kind ever since we fought that day in the games… You could have easily looked down on me, or been mean… I'm glad you wanted to be friends instead."

"Wendy…"

The Sky Dragon Slayer paused momentarily, her eyes shifting down to their joined hands, as an idea popped into her head on how to solve this encounter easily. Though she knew Erza and Mira wouldn't approve, she knew Natsu couldn't fault her for the idea.

After all, she learned it by observing him…"

Releasing Sherria's hands, the Sky God Slayer froze in place as Wendy ran a hand through her hair, pushing back her fringe slightly before shooting Sherria a certain look she'd seen Natsu use on Erza before.

Through half lidded eyes and a faint smirk, Sherria was rendered completely speechless, a fierce blush emerging on her cheeks.

"W-W-Wa-!?"

"What are we going to do now," Wendy asked, knowing full well that's not at all what she wanted to know. "We can go and find some food if you'd like?"

Sherria nodded dumbly, agreeing to what Wendy said blindly, unable to process anything more than what she had in her immediate line of sight.

"F-Food!? I-I like food!"

Wendy chuckled, emulating how Natsu would often do it, which seemed to continue to give good results. Smirking, she moved ahead of Sherria, motioning toward the doorway as if to tell the flustered God Slayer that it was time for them to leave.

However, in that brief moment where Sherria couldn't see Wendy's face, she missed one crucial detail…

Upon reaching the door, all the warmth drained from Wendy's bright and cheery face, replaced by nothing more than a bone chilling deadpan stare.

She liked Sherria, but she hated looking at her. To her, the God Slayer was what she very well could have been, had her life turned out differently. A cheery Sky Mage who was full of optimism, confident even in the face of defeat, and could bounce back from any hardship with ease…

Sherria was everything Wendy had wanted to be once… And she hated looking at it.

***POTD***

"So much history, left to rot," Natsu whispered, running his fingers along a long since faded mural, the contents eroded by Time and decay. "Zirconis… Is this what you expected to find?"

"It was, yes," the Jade Dragon Monarch grumbled in reply, looking up to see the other Dragons surveying the area around them, forlorn expressions upon all of them. "I do hope our brethren who fell to that bastard found peace in the end…?"

"Seeing all the destruction, and all the dead Dragons, I get now why you'd want to speak with Igneel," Natsu sighed sadly. "If Achnologia hundreds of years in the past could do all of this, then how could Igneel possibly possess a counter to him? I-I wish I knew, because Igneel hasn't told me anything about what he's planning…"

"He hasn't told you anything? Not even the drawbacks of wielding Dragon Slayer Magic," Zirconis asked, somewhat surprised as he laid his head down on the ground to meet Natsu's gaze. "If he hasn't even informed you of the drawbacks of your own Magic, I can't even begin to imagine what he's scheming?"

"Wait, what drawbacks? Igneel didn't tell me anything about any drawbacks," Natsu responded with a somewhat shaky voice, now feeling rather concerned as the Dragon before him heaved a heavy sigh.

"Believe me when I say that there is a MASSIVE drawback to wielding Dragon Slayer Magic. Well, I suppose if you value your existence as it stands now, that is," Zirconis replied, as he began to explain the truth. "Tell me, did Igneel ever explain to you the origins of Achnologia? Of how the Black Dragon King came to be as he is today?"

"N-No… Does he actually know that though!?"

"Oh yes, he would know," Zirconis chuckled darkly, eyes narrowed as he raised his head slightly. "You, along with the other Slayer brats back in Ishgar, are living proof that he knows the truth."

"What…?"

"Long ago, back when Humans and Dragons had first started meeting one another, wars broke out. Suffice to say, the Humans of almost a millennia ago stood absolutely no chance against our kind, and many were slain or enslaved," Zirconis began, as he looked up toward the skies with a pensive gaze. "Among the first of the captured Humans, was a twelve-year-old Human boy bearing the name Achnologia…"

"Wait…WAIT WHAT!?"

"The boy was thin, his skin a golden brown, and his hair long and shaggy, a faded Aqua Blue in coloration. But his eyes were a lifeless Aqua Blue, similar to that of his tainted hair, and many Dragons of the time believed him to be sufficiently broken in."

"Achnologia was a Human…? A boy!?"

"His size was useful, as he could slip between the scales of an adult Dragon with his fingers, able to clean them like no slave before. And he did, becoming highly valued among the Monarchs of the Time," Zirconis continued, though surprisingly without his usual Anti-Human jabs thrown in. "The boy was highly sought after, as he could make the scales of a Dragon shine as bright as the stars themselves. Therefore, Monarchs actually fought over rights to him, wishing to claim the slave boy for themselves…"

Natsu could only gape as Zirconis continued his explanation, unable to even fathom the monstrous being he knew as a Human, let alone a SLAVE at that!?

"For a Time, that was the way of things, and the Monarchs of the Time were content to vie for the boy. However, one fateful night, everything changed, as a roar tore through the capital. It was a death cry, and many flocked to the residence only to find a Monarch slain, and the now fourteen-year-old boy covered in her blood."

"Wait, so Achnologia managed to kill a Dragon at the age of fourteen," Natsu asked, an eyebrow raised curiously. "How did he do it?"

"At first, no one actually suspected him for much the same reasons," Zirconis replied bluntly. "He wasn't even fully grown, and he had always been mute and docile, never even needing to be ordered twice or punished. He was considered to be the ideal slave, and so, he was initially overlooked."

"Even covered in blood?"

"The arrogance of the old Monarchs had blinded them to such an obvious sign. Instead, they assumed he had merely been doing his duty as another had done the deed."

"So, what, they just didn't treat him as a suspect?"

"Correct. He was taken and placed with the Slave master until a new owner could be determined. It wasn't until the Slave master was killed, that some began to suspect him…"

"Wait, hold on," Natsu cut in, waving a hand to ask the Dragon to pause. "How did he manage to kill the Slave master? Wouldn't he have been locked up during that time?"

"Correct. However, the Slave master had decided to put Achnologia to work on his scales, instead of keeping the boy locked up like he should have. As the boy moved to work on the scales around his neck, he had his throat pieced through by a blade, the boy's arm elbow deep as he twisted the weapon about wildly."

"That makes sense. Igneel told me once that the flesh beneath the scales of a Dragon is usually rather soft, since it isn't exposed to the environment thanks to Dragon scales."

"That's right," Zirconis nodded sagely as he tapped one of the scales on his neck. "The loss of a scale is the equivalent of you Humans getting a serious illness. The open area is treated carefully until a replacement scale is grown over it."

"So, what happened once they figured out Achnologia was the one who killed those two Dragons?"

"I would say his intended fate was obvious… He was struck down on the spot," the Jade Dragon replied, as he looked back toward Natsu. "Once he was struck down, his dying form was tossed over a cliff along with many other broken slaves who could no longer work. It was a ravine that no longer exists, but was once about a kilometer from here."

"Well, I'd say he survived, right?"

"Oh yes, he survived alright," Zirconis snarled, teeth barred as he let out a low grumble. "The thing is though, no one knows exactly how he survived being struck down? He had been pierced through the chest by the claw of a Dragon, leaving a massive hole in his body. Yet somehow, when he returned, that hole had vanished…"

"So, you don't know how he survived? At all?"

"Only Achnologia himself would know the truth, and he isn't exactly going to be telling anyone the answer they seek, is he? However, what we DO know is what he did when he crawled out of that ravine."

"I take it this is when he started killing Dragons for real?"

"Oh yes… When he came back out of that ravine, the Dragon stationed to overlook the place attempted to stop him. However, in a move that would go on to shock our entire race, the boy leapt forward and slashed at the Dragon, wielding the same Magic as the Slave master Dragon he'd killed several months prior…"

"Wait, so he was able to acquire the Dragon Slayer Element of that Slave master Dragon? How?"

"This is where it gets complicated. To summarize the process as best as I can, Achnologia had devoured the blood of the Slave master Dragon, adding its power to his own. His body reacted, and began to change in order to accommodate it, which inevitably granted him the power to wield it for himself."

"Wait, that's actually a way to get Dragon elements!? But I drank the blood of Motherglare, so-!?"

"There is a difference between what you did, and what Achnologia did," Zirconis cut in smoothly, before Natsu could begin to panic. "You are already a Dragon Slayer. Plus, Igneel resides within you, and would have instead merely taken the raw power from Motherglare, rather than her Element."

"Oh…"

"Skipping some history, Achnologia fled, and research was done on infusing Humans with Draconian abilities. From the results, it was discovered that any Human who gains Dragon Slayer abilities will, in turn, become Dragons themselves, usually taking on an appearance similar to that of the Dragon they gained their element from, even if that Dragon still lived."

"…Are you saying that I'm going to eventually turn into a Dragon," Natsu asked slowly, after pausing for several moments.

"You would have, had further research not been done on the topic," Zirconis replied with a wave of his claw. "As Achnologia grew in strength, the idea of using Humans against him was tossed about. Many feared the idea of just creating more of him though, until the Dragon Sage Belserion presented his research on creating Dragon Slayers. He spoke of implanting something known as a Dragon Seed within them, that would negate the Dragon Slayer's ability to become a Dragon against their will."

"A… Dragon Seed? So, does that mean I have one of these things in me?"

"Not anymore," Igneel's voice rumbled within his mind, startling him. "I broke it back on Tenrou Island so that you could access the Second Stage of the Dragon Force."

"…"

"Judging by your fearful expression, I'd say Igneel told you what being able to wield the Second Stage Dragon Force truly means?"

"…Yeah."

"What he probably didn't tell you, is that by mastering the Dragon Force prior to having the seed broken, and training to hone your ability to use the Second Stage, you won't forcibly become a Dragon."

"Really," Natsu asked, looking up at Zirconis before narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. "Hold on, you said forcibly?"

"I take it you understand what that means, don't you?"

Natsu didn't even need to respond to that question, as the answer was obvious.

"So eventually, I'll be able to shift between being a Human, and a Dragon?"

"Correct. However, in your hypothetical Dragon Form, Achnologia would immediately be able to sense you, no matter how far across the planet you are, and he would immediately come for you. That, however, is still all a hypothetical, and not really worth considering at the moment."

"Yeah… I am curious though about something?"

"What?"

"Can Achnologia transform between a Human and Dragon form?"

"I honestly couldn't answer that boy," Zirconis replied with an honest shrug. "Remember, I only have knowledge from my own Time. The Achnologia you face could be vastly different to the one I know?"

"That's true," Natsu replied faintly, as he felt like he needed to sit down. "I still can't believe Achnologia was Human…"

"I think that we can continue this conversation later," Zirconis huffed, shaking his head as he slowly rose to his full height. "I wish to explore for a little while."

With that, the Jade Dragon Monarch took flight, leaving Natsu alone.

"Well, I suppose it couldn't hurt if I explore too?"

***POTD***

After taking some time to walk through the ruins, Natsu arrived at the entrance to one of the colossal structures at the center of the capital. Despite knowing the context of what went on here, he couldn't help but smirk at the way the place had been designed.

The doorways had been primarily designed for Dragons, with hand crafted golden doors the size of these massive beasts all over the place. What brought the smirk to his face, however, was the fact that housed right at the central foot of the doors were tiny, human-shaped doors.

He knew the context for it, but still couldn't help but chuckle at the silliness of their design anyway.

Walking down the long since ruined hallway, he reached a set of the massive doors. These ones, unlike all the others, did not possess the human-shaped doors at the bottom, which piqued his curiosity.

Placing a hand upon them, he figured he'd just push them open. However, the moment his hand made contact with the door, he felt a strange Magic wash over his position, similar to a Magic Pulse.

"The heck was that," the Dragon Slayer murmured, shaking his head as he easily pushed open the doors to see what lay beyond.

Stepping into the room, he had to take a moment to just soak in what he was looking at. Despite the mess, the area was clearly a grand hall of some sort, with pure gold stairwells and red carpet everywhere that led to multiple podiums.

All around the room were golden Dragon statues, some with damaged plaques. Unfortunately, every single one of them had been vandalized in some way, notably by sizeable claws.

"Achnologia must have come through here with a vengeance… Still, imagine this place back in the day," he murmured to himself, as he continued on toward the stairwell.

Having the option to go either above or below ground, Natsu contemplated his options, before another burst of the strange Magic from earlier washed over his position, now putting him firmly on guard.

"Alright, seriously, what the Hell is that!?"

"Whatever that Magic is, its real Natsu," Igneel's voice hummed through his mind, as the Dragon Slayer felt it wash over his position yet again, as if daring him to approach it. "Whatever that is, its dangerous…"

"I have to agree with Igneel's assessment."

"Mavis? You can sense that too," Natsu asked, somewhat surprised as the First Master materialized in front of him, hovering slightly off the ground.

"I sense despair, rage and death," the First Master replied without so much as a hint of fear. "This reminds me of the Black Arts…"

"The Black Arts? You mean like Zeref's Magic?"

"Not Zeref's," was all Mavis would say, as she began to float down the stairs, prompting Natsu to follow her.

"I have my suspicions of what that Magic could be," Igneel continued as they descended deeper and deeper underground. "Unlike Humans, we Dragons never subscribed to the idea of Good or Evil Magic."

"It is a rather foolish mindset to have," Mavis agreed with a firm nod. "Magic is all about intent, nothing more."

"And the intent with the Magic used down here," Natsu asked idly, as both Igneel and Mavis remained silent, the pair reaching the bottom of the stairs where a single wooden door barred their path.

Stepping forward, Natsu pushed open the massive wooden door, revealing a dusty, cobweb filled chamber. The area was littered with bones, as thousands of Magic Circles gently rotated in both clockwise, and anti-clockwise motions.

"What the Hell is this…?"

"Whatever you do Natsu, don't touch the Magic Circles," Igneel muttered, clearly studying them through Natsu's eyes. "This is a VERY powerful spell of suppression…"

"But what would it be suppressing," Natsu wondered aloud, as he watched Mavis float across the room toward a raised platform.

"Probably this…"

"What is it," the Dragon Slayer asked, as he sprouted tiny Demonic wings from his back and floated over to her position. "Is that a staff?"

"Such power," Mavis murmured, her eyes widening considerably as she noticed Natsu's hand reaching for it. "Natsu!"

"CONTROL YOURSELF NATSU," Igneel roared, snapping the Dragon Slayer out of his dazed state.

"What was…?"

"The staff compels those who are near it to touch it," Igneel muttered in reply, as the trio looked around the dusty chamber again at the countless Magic Circles. "There's something to this that seems awfully familiar…?"

"I think you should touch the staff Natsu?"

"Huh!? But Igneel just said-?"

"I think…I think you should touch it," the Fire Dragon Monarch agreed, as Natsu pondered what he actually should do in this situation. "Touch it if you're in a stable state of mind. I think I know what this is now…?"

"Are you sure I should touch this?"

"I am," Igneel replied firmly, as Natsu looked toward Mavis who echoed Igneel's response with a firm nod of her own.

"Well… I suppose there's nothing better for us to do," the Dragon Slayer joked, placing his hand upon the staff before recoiling violently, yet unable to let go of it.

His mind became flooded with memories, thoughts, feelings and emotions that weren't his, as the world around him seemed to spin violently, before he suddenly found himself flung into the dirt.

"D-Dirt," Natsu panted, shakily palming the ground around him as he tried to sense where he was through touch, his head still spinning. "But the chamber was stone…?"

After laying still for several minutes, the Dragon Slayer groaned and slowly rose into a sitting position, feeling more dirt around him as he cautiously opened his eyes.

"What the…?"

After taking several moments to adjust to the violently bright light, Natsu realized he wasn't in the strange sealed chamber anymore…

"This is-!"

Several audible roars echoed around him, as he snapped his attention skyward just in time to see fifteen Dragons soar overhead, each as large as the Dragons who served Zirconis. Following their trajectory, he was shocked to see them fly down to the capital, which was currently on fire.

"Igneel…Igneel, is this real!?"

Unfortunately, Natsu received no response from the Fire Dragon Monarch, which actually alarmed him somewhat. Though his adopted Father often had the penchant for ignoring him, he knew full well that something like THIS would certainly have his attention.

"T-This has to be it… This is the Time Zirconis spoke of," Natsu whispered, as he dropped to his knees, marvelling at the sheer scale of the destruction before him. "This is…the Dragon War!"