(Edited 17/07/24)
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does
The Power Of Time
***POTD***
"Are you sure that you're not too busy right now," Natsu asked Felicity, as the Time Goddess skipped ahead of his position, the pair making their way to the entrance. "I get that you can probably just abuse Time and go back to touch things up, but-?"
"Have you ever heard of the phrase being a perfectionist before?"
"I'd say it speaks for itself, doesn't it?"
"Quite so. I consider myself to be a perfectionist when it comes to matters relating to my domain of Time. The Time Primordial, Lord Tim, has said I'm the best Time God he's worked with since the twenty fourth Time God."
"That's…great?"
"It is," Felicity hummed, not noticing Natsu being totally confused as they made their way back outside. "With the opening of the Eclipse Gate, and the successful melding of two Fixed Points in Time, my perfect record has been blemished!"
"Well, I mean… I'm sure this can't be the ONLY problem you've had to deal with across every Reality across countless places?"
"A lot of these things tend to sort themselves out," Felicity sighed, as she ceased skipping, placing her hands on her hips as she turned around to face him. "Its true that there are some Realities out there where abusing Time is the norm, and one Timestream can contain a billion offshoots to dead Timelines…"
"But…?"
"But that's normal," the Time Goddess replied seriously, her cheery demeanor fading away, replaced with a much sterner one. "Certain moments in a history can hold countless possibilities. Constants and variables across dozens of branching paths overlapping until they veer off, spiraling out of control until they fail…"
"Fail?"
"This is a bit advanced, but I suppose there isn't any harm in mentioning it as we walk," Felicity replied quietly, as the pair continued on at a sedate pace. "When a Timeline reaches its apex, Lord Tim refers to these Timelines as a Bad End scenario."
"A Bad End? You mean…?"
"Yes… A Timeline that falls stagnant, that fails to advance alongside the countless other offshoots, lagging behind as the ravages of Time eat away at its Universal Corpse," Felicity sighed. "This is known as the Pruning Theoretical Phenomenon. To put it simply, dead branches are pruned, so the rest of the tree may flourish freely, casting the dead Timeline aside to fade into nothingness…"
Natsu paused in his steps, pondering the concepts that the Time Goddess was presenting him with. Despite the fact that she spoke of it being complex, her analogy of using a tree to represent a Reality, and its branches as the Timeline, made it much simpler in his own mind.
"So, every world has these?"
"That's correct," Felicity replied with a curt nod. "Would you like to hear of a few?"
"Okay."
"Well, the most recent Bad End I can recall was a Timeline that followed most of the basic ones. You were a regular Mage in the Fairy Tail Guild, and were far weaker, and far less intelligent. Despite these drawbacks, you and your friends had persevered, coming to face down the might of the Alvarez Empire…"
"What happened?"
"This alternate Timeline version of yourself relied far too heavily on the support of others in order to achieve major victories. Very few of the battles against notable foes were won primarily through your own efforts. The result led to your overconfidence when facing Zeref…"
"He killed the other me, didn't he?"
"Yes. He acquired a power he'd long sought, gaining a stronger form and easily dispatched the alternate you. He then destroyed the rest of Fairy Tail, the other Guilds, the Wizard Saints, and eventually… the world itself."
"Seriously!? No one could stop him!?"
"This form of Zeref wielded a power that gave him mastery over both the Black and White Arts, his Immortality shielding him from death, and his Magical Power, already unrivaled, surpassed even the Achnologia of that world. He brought that world to its knees and throttled it, not realizing that he'd doomed himself to wander alone for eternity for his hubris…"
"W-What…?"
"Even now, this alternate Zeref still wanders, completely alone. All he has is himself, not even the wind to keep him company. He lives in a dead world of his own making, a Hell of silence he may never escape from…"
Natsu shuddered to think of such a place. A dead world with Zeref as its only inhabitant, cursed to wander for eternity for his heinous crimes against it.
"That is but one of countless Timelines pruned away," Felicity continued, as they ascended some stairs and spotting the Dragons over near the area he'd first arrived. "But I think it is a rather apt example to give you, since you face arguably a far greater threat than that of the pruned Timeline…"
"Wait, what-!?"
Natsu didn't get a chance to voice his shock at what the Time Goddess had just told him, as she vanished, reappearing right in-between the gathered Dragons. Shaking his head, Natsu sighed, deciding to push the entire scenario from his mind for now.
After all, he had something far worse to deal with in his immediate present…
***POTD***
Meanwhile, back in Fiore, a certain Squad Captain of the Rune Knights was fuming as he stalked through the damaged streets of Crocus. His steps heavy, his gaze hard as he recalled the glares of the powerful Guild Mages he'd confronted earlier.
Erza Scarlett was considered by most to be THE woman. Powerful, beautiful, charismatic, chivalrous and kind, the people of Fiore naturally gave her the epithet of Titania, Queen of the Fairies.
"Titania… Bah!"
Lahar sneered as he stopped near a damaged corner store, noticing a damaged copy of the latest edition for Sorcerer Weekly, the confident smirks of the powerful women seemingly mocking him, with the man whom he despised seated squarely in the middle, looking almost regal in his laid-back seated position.
Lahar always hated the fact that Guild Mages received so much glory. The fact that they could be granted epithets disgusted him, as he found them little better than sell swords who generally operated around, or sometimes even outside of, the law.
That was when his memory of the encounter shifted to her… Elise Faulkner.
He would never forget what had happened to him because of her, what she'd done to him. He'd thought his chance to get his revenge had finally come when Gran Doma kicked her out of the Rune Knights, having spent several days fantasizing about what he'd do once he'd captured her…
But then, she'd joined Fairy Tail.
"That blasted Guild," the Captain hissed, kicking a rock that smashed the cracked glass window of the store apart. "And damn YOU Dragneel… capitalizing on her vulnerability before ME!"
His hatred for Elise was a dark flame that fueled his desires, that much he knew. Doranbolt, his Lieutenant, simply didn't understand the depths he needed to go to secure her. WHY he needed her…
But now, as he looked down at the latest edition of Sorcerer Weekly, his eyes locked onto the man whom Lahar felt possibly an even greater deal of hatred for…
A faint wind blew through the deserted streets, catching the pages of the magazine as it flicked through a dozen pages, before landing on a rather spicy picture. It showed Natsu, wearing only a loincloth, surrounded by Mirajane Strauss, Kagura Mikazuchi, Erza Scarlett, Elise Faulkner and even Kiara Lynnes, all of them wearing little more than animal skins as they wielded primitive weapons, posed seductively around him as he held the prop of a Human skull in one hand, a massive two-handed battle axe in the other.
The theme? Primal Pursuits, Heated Passion In The Age Of Myth And Legend.
It was a popular series, one Lahar himself had read when he was far younger. But now, seeing Natsu cosplaying the Hero he himself once idolized, knowing the dark truth about his relationship toward those women…
Raising his right hand, the store exploded, Lahar's glasses reflecting the inferno, before he used his middle finger to adjust their position on his face. Narrowing his eyes, he was about to flee the area, when a gentle hand upon his shoulder froze him in place.
"Tsk… I have to say, you've really surprised me?"
Lahar felt the blood drain from his features, refusing to turn around and face the person who he knew could end him in an instant. The newcomer chuckled darkly, as he suddenly found himself down an alleyway that was half way across the city.
Staggering forward from the sudden movement, he dropped to his hands and knees before turning around and scrambling backward, eyes wide in fear as a familiar smirk reflected off of his glasses.
"I've got a proposition for you, Captain Lahar…"
The figure laughed, as the smoke from what he'd done became visible even from his current position. He knew he had no choice, but something in the figure's eyes told him that it didn't matter…
How right he would end up being, he'd later think to himself.
***POTD***
Arriving down where the Dragons and Felicity were, Natsu could feel the tension in the air.
Felicity was calm, clearly unbothered even when surrounded by five massive Dragons that could each cause large scale disasters in a single breath. The Dragons however, were extremely nervous before the Goddess.
They could sense her Divinity, and knew that she was far beyond even their power. Worse, they knew she was the current Time Goddess, and knew exactly why she was here.
"With respect, we know that we do not belong here in this Time period," Zirconis' voice grumbled as he stood at the head of the group. "As you already said, we were brought here against our will by the Black Wizard. We did not choose to defy the edicts of Time…"
"Even so, you still have all chosen to drag Natsu half way across this planet just to sate your own curiosity?"
"We merely wish to learn the truth from Igneel regarding the plan Lord Xicor has formulated to defeat the abomination," Zirconis replied firmly. "Surely you would understand, being able to see all that our race suffered at Achnologia's-!?"
"The Dragons of Draconia suffered due to their own hubris," Felicity sniffed, wholly unimpressed. "I care not for the excuses of your kind, Zirconis. The fact is, your kind brought about its own destruction through an inevitable revolt. If not Achnologia, one day, another would have done the same."
"But-!"
"She's not lying Zirconis," Natsu cut in smoothly, moving to stand next to the Goddess, as the five Dragons all shared shocked looks.
"D-Did she-!?"
"Felicity didn't show it to me directly, but I have seen the last days of this place… The giant Dragon that you all praised, High King Grendel, even when your own kind were being slaughtered around him, continued to repeat the same rhetoric that forged Achnologia to begin with! You can't stand there and claim the moral high ground in this argument, not when the sins of the Draconian Dragons run just as deep as Achnologia's own!"
"Be that as it may," Felicity cut in gently, silencing everyone present. "None of us are here to argue morals and ethics. Only action and answers shall satisfy all parties, correct?"
The five Dragons and Natsu all silently agreed that Felicity was indeed correct, with the Goddess smiling smugly at having cowed the lot of them.
"Let's get this over with so we can nip this whole debacle in the bud," the Goddess huffed. "I assume you all planned on having Natsu utilize the Milky Way Spell, yes?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Right then, let's get to it!"
The Dragons hastily agreed, as Natsu and the Goddess hopped onto Zirconis' back, the five Dragons taking flight toward the tall mountain that towered over the ruined city. As they flew, Zirconis decided to explain to Natsu more about where they were going.
"This mountain was home to the Sky Dragons. The joor of our Time called it The Nimbian Spire, for obvious reasons…"
"Yeah, I can see why," Natsu nodded understandingly. "Because it pierces through the clouds and reaches into what they assume to be the heavens, right?"
"Correct. During the battle against Achnologia, the Sky Dragons all came down to the battle, choosing to face him down in the city rather than risk their home high atop the clouds."
Natsu didn't have the time to respond as the group pierced through the cloud cover surrounding the mountain, going a little higher until they reached the plateau. The group landed, with Natsu and the Goddess hopping off Zirconis, landing gracefully at his side.
"So, this is the home of the Sky Dragons," Natsu murmured to himself, sensing Igneel stirring within him. "Yeah… I can see why."
There was a constant wind current active across the plateau, though it was a rather calming breeze, making it more than tolerable. Looking around, he was glad to see that the place hadn't sustained any battle damage, only the ravages of Time and neglect.
"So, where is this spell I'm looking for Zirconis?"
"Within the large temple at the back there, you should be able to find what we're looking for," the Jade Dragon Monarch replied slowly. "I suppose you can take anything else from there that strikes your fancy as well, seeing as there's no one else who can claim it?"
Shrugging, Natsu decided to head on over to the massive temple, Felicity at his side, as the pair stood before a giant light green set of doors. Their design was similar to the ones down in the city, and made from the same metal, yet also somewhat different, with depictions of Sky Dragons across them.
"I assume you know what I'm supposed to be looking for," Natsu asked the Time Goddess, who smiled and motioned for him to follow her through the doors as they rusted to dust at her touch. "Well…"
"I take it you can read the language of the Dragons, Natsu," Felicity asked as they walked into a large, ornate room full of crumbling statues and other debris.
"Yeah. From as far back as I can remember, Igneel beat the knowledge into me… Without being able to understand the language, it's a lot harder to learn Dragon Slaying Magic."
"Well, that will make reading the Sky Dragon Tablet much easier then, won't it?"
"The what?"
"You don't know what we're actually looking for? Really?"
"I just know that they wanted me to come here and learn a specific spell, that's it?"
"It seems you've been neglected gravely by the Dragons, despite all they wish from you," the Time Goddess sighed, her cheery demeanor dulling somewhat. "Allow me to explain exactly what we're looking for in this place, as well as its significance…"
The pair halted in a long hallway which held countless statues of Sky Dragons, every surface part of some sort of faded mural which seemed to depict their history.
"Long ago, the Dragons began to transcribe their knowledge onto a tablet made of Obsidian. Depicted within these tablets are the Arts of that particular Dragon Class," Felicity explained, motioning to where they currently stood. "You seek the Sky Dragon Tablet, and upon it, seek to learn the Spell known as Milky Way. Understand?"
"So, every different element of Dragon has one of these tablets?"
"That's correct. Years ago, the tablets would reside deep within the territory inhabited by the Monarch of that element, with only they having access to its contents. Not even regular Dragons within the same elemental class were allowed to read it, let alone place knowledge upon it…"
"So, you're telling me that this tablet we're looking for just has everything I'd need to learn how to use Sky Dragon Slaying Magic on it?"
"Correct."
Natsu exhaled slowly, momentarily contemplating if he'd want to take the tablet for himself, only to sternly shake his head. He knew that wouldn't be right, not as things were now…
"I'm going to take that tablet back with me and give it to Wendy," the Dragon Slayer murmured, as the pair began walking once more. "Hopefully she can learn what Grandina has failed to teach her?"
"I would advise caution in handing such a thing to a girl so young," Felicity responded, as he felt Igneel stir within his mind.
"She's right. There would be Magics etched upon that tablet that could cause catastrophic damage to the skies should she attempt to cast them prematurely."
"And what about your tablet? Any spells on there that you never taught me?"
"Dozens," the Fire Dragon Monarch replied bluntly, stunning Natsu as he slowed to a dull shuffle. "Even as you are now, there are a few spells I'd be wary in allowing you to learn."
"Really? Even after everything I've done and gone through, and all the power I hold… you wouldn't allow me to learn everything on that tablet?"
"You need to understand something Natsu," Igneel sighed, clearly disliking the fact he was going to have to be honest. "If you learn every spell on a Dragon Tablet, you don't just learn new techniques."
"Really? What else is there besides learning?"
"Once a Dragon masters what lies upon a Dragon Tablet, they are recognized as a Monarch Class Dragon," the Fire Dragon Monarch stated, shocking Natsu, as the Dragon Slayer fully halted in place. "Etched upon my Tablet are some seriously destructive spells, its true. However, you are not yet worthy to bear the title of a Fire Dragon Monarch, despite all your efforts over the years."
"I-I don't quite know how to respond to that…?"
"Don't take it as an insult," Igneel huffed, as Natsu felt himself pushed out of his mindscape by the Dragon. "My tablet is a little more unique than the others, so you simply need to be more powerful before I'd be willing to let you study from it."
Natsu didn't respond, simply following after Felicity as the Time Goddess lead him to the room containing the colossal Sky Dragon Obsidian Tablet.
Its surface was smooth, and Natsu had initially thought it to be some sort of bizarre rock. But then, right as he blinked, he noticed the surface started shimmering, bringing up a series of characters that almost instantly vanished.
"So, what do I do now?"
"Simply approach the tablet and think of what you're searching for," Felicity replied with a gentle smile. "The tablet with draw forth the spell you're thinking of in a matter of mere moments!"
Giving her some side eye, Natsu slowly approached the tablet, the thought of the spell being put at the forefront of his mind. Within seconds, the Milky Way spell appeared, the Draconian language etching itself into the stone before his very eyes.
"Alright… I've got the spell," Natsu muttered, extending his hand out to touch the Sky Dragon Tablet. "This thing is huge, but I'm definitely taking it with me."
The tablet shimmered momentarily, before becoming absorbed by a rainbow-colored light. Slowly, it de-materialized, before vanishing entirely, leaving Natsu to drop to one knee, sweating heavily.
"Shit…"
"Did you really expect shoving something that large and full of so much Magical Power into your Requip Space was going to go well?"
"S-Shut up," Natsu huffed aloud, eliciting a giggle from the Goddess. "Not you too!"
"To be fair, I could have told you that you'd receive backlash shoving that into your Requip Space? Then again, if someone like Erza had tried that, they'd have died since she lacks both the control and power necessary to move an object like that."
"Small mercies, huh," Natsu panted, shakily rising to his feet. "L-Let's get back…"
Taking several steps forward, Natsu stumbled and fell over, a shocked look on his face as he struggled to stand.
"Maybe…Maybe we can get back in a few minutes," the Dragon Slayer muttered, as Felicity giggled at his antics, not taking the situation seriously at all.
***POTD***
"We're not sure what caused the store to be set ablaze," one of the royal guards said, as a flurry of activity went on all around him.
Erza stood opposite the man, Elise at her side, as the pair had been the first on the scene once the explosion had gone off, arriving to find a damaged store set alight. Looking around, she couldn't help but sigh in relief, knowing that no one would have been hurt, since the city had been evacuated.
"Have you checked for possible damage to the Ether lines," Elise queried, the guard scratching his beard pensively.
"We checked that first Capt-er… Miss Faulkner, and the lines had been shut off since the evacuation."
"Ruling that out then," the former Rune Knight hummed, looking back toward the building as she watched Juvia and Gray emerge from the rubble. "Anything?"
"Nothing that would indicate it was an accident, no," Gray huffed, tossing a pile of soggy copies of Sorcerer Weekly onto the ground between the small group. "The place is full of these though, so there was plenty of kindling to go round."
"Even though the city has been evacuated, we can't guarantee everyone has left the city limits," the guard chimed in, looking back toward the ruined building. I know that several looters have already been detained by other Knights in the area."
"I don't think this is the work of a mere looter," Elise muttered, eyes narrowed as she sensed something vaguely familiar in the air. "I think there's more to this than we know…?"
"I must say that the fire did take a bit of effort to extinguish," Juvia chimed in helpfully, staring down at the palm of her right hand thoughtfully. "Usually, my water can extinguish common fires in a matter of moments, yet this blaze took nearly half an hour to put out, with assistance no less!"
"Wouldn't that simply confirm that Fire Magic has been used here then, Miss," the guard asked curiously, with the others all sharing a look.
"Seems like it," Gray agreed, the first to respond. "If it took Juvia time to put it out, then the flames must have been cast by a guy with at least expert knowledge on Fire Magic?"
"I agree," Erza nodded stiffly. "It appears someone had some sort of issue here tonight, and struck this abandoned store, threatening the city in the process…"
"I'll have to report this incident in full to the King. With the… death, of Captain Arcadios, we're forced to report to King Toma directly until he can choose a successor for the position. I'll take my leave, but thank you all for responding to this incident!"
The Fairy Tail Mages watched as the Knight marched off toward Castle Mercurius, before turning back to face the ruined store.
"Well, not much more we can do here," Gray shrugged, looking toward Juvia. "Come on, let's go get you something to eat?"
"A-Are you sure?"
"You used a lot of Magic helping to put out the fire Juvia," Gray replied, taking her hand. "I'm not about to let you go unrewarded for that."
"Oh my… Well, I suppose we shall see the both of you later," Juvia giggled, as both she and Gray departed, leaving Erza and Elise alone among the Knights still investigating the area.
"Well, I suppose we should head back too?"
"Mmhm…"
"Elise?"
"Huh-!? What?"
"Are you alright," Erza asked, her eyes showing clear concern for her friend as she stepped closer. "You seemed to be spaced out there for a moment?"
"Oh, sorry Erza… I was just thinking about something, that's all."
"What were you thinking about?"
Elise looked down at the soggy copies of Sorcerer Weekly, before motioning for Erza to follow her away from the damaged area. The pair walked for several blocks, stopping in a small alleyway, as the God Slayer sat down on the ground.
"What's going on?"
"I could sense some residual Magic back there, and it felt familiar," came the curt reply. "I'm trying to place it, because it seems so familiar…"
"Must have been pretty faint if you can't immediately pick it?"
"It was almost gone by the time I sensed it. Something tells me this is important somehow…?"
"Well of course its important, considering that someone out there is blowing up buildings and all?"
"I don't mean like that," the God Slayer huffed, biting the tip of her thumb, her eyes narrowed sharply. "What is this feeling?"
The pair sat silently in the alleyway, the voices of the Knights echoing from nearby due to the city lacking its usual hustle and bustle. Resting her head in her right palm, Elise huffed, seemingly stumped.
"I suppose I'll have to sleep on it?"
"Might be a good idea? You are still sort of injured from your fight with Levia," Erza pointed out, motioning to the slight bruising still visible across her face.
"Yeah… I still can't get a hold of Mother to ask her about why the Dragons attacks were able to deal lasting damage to me," Elise sighed, shaking her head. "I feel like we should have led with me asking about that BEFORE trying to find out what was going on with Natsu?"
"Heh… Yeah, I think we were a bit too forceful there, weren't we?"
The two friends looked toward one another, before giggling at their own foolish antics. As they rose to their feet and walked out of the alleyway, Elise sighed, looking up toward the sky.
"We should know the outcome soon, right?"
"I hope so Elise," Erza muttered quietly, as the pair started their trek back toward the Castle. "I really do hope so too…"
***POTD***
Natsu and Felicity emerged from the temple, confidently striding toward the five Dragons, all of whom could immediately sense the residual Magic of the Sky Dragon Tablet upon him.
"I assume you had little difficulty finding it," Zirconis asked, standing at the head of the group.
"I've learned the spell Zirconis, so I can cast it whenever you're ready?"
"Excellent! Did the tablet pass on the knowledge on how to activate the spell-?"
"Don't worry, it told me everything," Natsu replied easily, as he held both arms out in front of him, two light green Magic Circles manifesting around his wrists. "You all ready for this?"
"We are," Zirconis answered for the group, as Natsu closed his eyes, pushing Igneel toward the front of his mind.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art – Milky Way!"
Natsu felt a strange rush of energy, as a colossal amount of Ether flooded out of his body, shining brightly as it quickly mashed together, forming an ethereal version of Igneel.
"So, it seems you really did allow yourself to get sealed, eh?"
"I don't see why you're so surprised? I wasn't just going to sit idly by as Achnologia rampaged?"
"You betrayed us, Igneel-."
"I was unaffiliated with the Draconian Dragon Clan when Achnologia attacked-!"
"And that just absolves you," Zirconis hissed, feeling his anger beginning to steadily rise. "You say that you care about avenging our race, yet the boy you've chosen hasn't even been taught intermediate knowledge-!"
"I taught the boy how to fight, to survive alone in the harsh world we live in! Without my training and subtle guidance, he'd be dead already!"
"Do you even want the boy to live, Igneel!?"
"What-!?"
"How is he meant to combat Achnologia if you refuse to teach him all the knowledge a Dragon should know!? How could you not tell him the consequences of the Dragon Force!?"
"Why do you even care? I thought you hated the joor!?"
"I do! However, I can look past that if one is going to avenge our race you thick headed lizard! How is he going to last, or even want to fight to avenge us, if you aren't even going to tell him the consequences of using his power!?"
"Enough! I don't have to answer myself to you, Zirconis," Igneel snarled, as the Jade Dragon Monarch growled in response.
"Fine! Then answer us this, Igneel… Have you lot actually got a plan to finally slay Achnologia? You all walked away, leaving the Dragons of Draconia to their fate, so…?"
"I would think its rather obvious who we plan on having face Achnologia in the end," Igneel sighed, shaking his head. "He's far from ready, but Natsu shall one day bring that monstrosity down, once and for all."
"I assume you're taking precautions to ensure his sanity remains intact, unlike that bastard's?"
"It's a slow process, but you are correct. So long as we don't rush it, Natsu will be fine, both physically and mentally."
"And this will work alongside that Demonic power of his?"
"It will, again, provided the correct amount of time is given to gently melding the full power of a Dragon alongside the power of the greatest Demon Lord on Earthland."
"So… You expect us all to bet our hopes on the boy here?"
"Once the power of a Dragon and the power of E.N.D are properly melded together, it is our hope that he will be capable of standing up to Achnologia. I cannot say anything further on the matter, other than we've got something planned…"
"How long before this merging process is fully completed?"
"At the current rate… I'd say it'll be done in a few weeks."
Zirconis' jaw actually dropped at that, the other Dragons sharing stunned looks, before quickly realizing that it actually wasn't as absurd as it sounded. After all, he'd fully absorbed Atlas Flame, a full-on Dragon, and also gorged on the lifeblood of Motherglare…
"So, our deaths aren't for nothing," Zirconis whispered to himself, as the image of Igneel flickered before them. "There is still hope after all?"
"That is up for you to decide," Igneel huffed in reply, before vanishing, as Natsu dropped to one knee, panting slightly as he returned to his senses.
"Eugh… That was really strange?"
"Welcome back Natsu," Felicity smiled, as she helped him to his feet. "Now that you've granted them what they wanted, the time has come…"
The five Dragons all shared a look, somewhat nervous now that they knew Natsu was supposed to be their supposed savior. Though he was powerful, none of them thought he stood a chance against four fully grown Dragons, AND a Monarch Class Dragon.
"Let us head outside the city," Zirconis muttered quietly, as the five Dragons looked around at their surroundings. "Let us not defile this place with more Dragon blood…"
Natsu silently agreed, as the five took flight, heading outside the city to the large charred plains that stretched for several kilometers to the East. Looking toward Felicity, she simply nodded in his direction, urging him to go, before vanishing into a flurry of numbers, reappearing atop the nearby hill on the outskirts of the city.
With a final sigh, Natsu accepted his fate, and began the march toward the looming battlefield.
***POTD***
An hour later, Natsu finally arrived at the predetermined battlefield, the five Dragons standing tall around forty meters away.
To any normal man, standing before such titanic beasts would invoke naught but fear and despair. How could a mere mortal, a joor as the Dragons might call them, compete with these frightening creatures?
The simple answer… they don't.
To face five Dragons alone, one couldn't be mortal. Each Dragon alone wielded the power of the strongest of mortals, each capable of destroying a city with relative ease…
But standing before them, was something that only appeared mortal.
The Dragons were not fools, though, and could sense the Demonic power their foe held. They knew he was not to be underestimated, as he had slain one of their number with ease in single combat.
Standing before the Dragons, Natsu took a deep breath, exhaling deeply to calm his nerves, the wind blowing ominously across the battered wasteland.
"So, this is it Zirconis…"
"That it is, Son of Igneel," Zirconis replied formally, as the four Dragons flanking him tensed. "I have decided to test the choice of Igneel and Xicor, to see if you truly do have the potential to one day slay Achnologia. Standing here, amidst the ruins of the capital of Dragons, I would see the legacy of the Sage Belserion prove that they are more than abominations! Prove to me, Natsu Dragneel, that my people's bet on the Dragon Slayers was worth it!"
As soon as Zirconis finished speaking, the four Dragons at his side slowly padded forward. Wings flared, teeth barred and a myriad of snarls, hisses and growls would have sent an entire army running… But not Natsu.
"We can sense you are more than a mere joor, Son of Igneel," Levia hissed, as water began to slowly manifest from the vapour in the air around her. "But that alone shall not be enough to deter us!"
"We are Dragons, boy! To underestimate our power is to embrace death," Gaia roared, as the ground shook violently, large chunks of earth rising up and snapping onto his body.
"Prove to us that you can surpass such power," Yamizou snarled, his hatred of Humans on full display as darkness surged from all around him.
"Who will survive this day? We Dragons, far out of Time… Or you, the man beyond joor," Scissor Runner spoke quietly, as they watched Natsu, waiting for him to attack.
"A rather impressive speech, I'm sure the Humans from back in your Time cowered and prostrated themselves before you over it," Natsu replied, eliciting only faint snarls in response. "But…"
Zirconis remained at the rear, eager to see just how powerful Natsu truly was. Already, he could feel Igneel's chosen opening up his Magical Core, as the entire area trembled under his power.
"I came here not just for my own desire to fight against Dragons," Natsu spoke, his form rapidly beginning to bulk up, his height increasing as the four Dragons before him slid into more defensive stances. "I came here, because there's a whole city of people counting on me to save their lives!"
"There it is," Zirconis smirked, as Natsu slid into an offensive stance, a set of large wings flared behind him as the ground itself seemed to melt from the sheer heat his form emitted. "The Second Stage Dragon Force…"
"I'll kill all four of you… in just thirty seconds."
The smirk slid right off Zirconis' face at Natsu's bold proclamation, the four Dragons seemingly furious at his supposed arrogance.
"Didn't we just warn you boy," Yamizou snarled, slamming a claw down into the earth. "Such arrogance!"
Zirconis was about to give a retort of his own to Natsu's words, when he saw the man slowly slide into a different stance.
Bending his knees slightly, entering a semi-crouched state, Natsu smirked as a golden Aura manifested within the all encompassing black one that had surrounded him upon his transformation.
He knew the four Dragons would not know of this technique, but Zirconis did. He knew now why Natsu was so confident…
"Etherious Aura: True Heavenly Body Magic – Meteor!"
Natsu shot forward with unfathomably blinding speed, moving so fast that not one of the four could so much as track his movements. The quartet immediately began firing off a series of area of effect attacks, trying to catch him as he dashed right through them, but Natsu was simply too fast for them.
Already high in the air above them, Natsu crossed his arms, summoning four miniature bolts of lightning, each tipped with a purple Magic Circle. Still moving far too quickly, none of them could even see him as he used his next technique.
"Etherious Aura: Lightning Gravity Dragon's Suppression Spikes!"
Vanishing and reappearing closer to the quartet, he expertly threw all four spikes into the four Dragons' necks, the side tipped with the purple Magic Circles sinking through their scales, as the Dragons all found a sudden and overwhelmingly monstrous force beginning to push them down toward the ground.
This was the moment Natsu executed his final attack.
Still encompassed in Meteor, Natsu shot himself high into the sky, vanishing from their immediate view whilst making a sideways motion with four of his fingers, right as the four Dragons were subdued on the ground. The Dragons instantly felt the monstrous force shift, pulling them toward a central point, as their heads were forcefully pulled back upward.
The quartet's heads smashed together, their bodies nearly bent fully backwards, as their heads looked up high into the sky.
In the time it took the Dragons to blink, their vision started to rapidly shift, their heads hitting the ground in just the right spot, that they saw Natsu skid to a stop, his left arm having morphed into a blade that was soaked in blood.
It was then that everything registered, as the Dragons bodies shuddered, their heads letting out delayed roars as the quartet realized they had all been beheaded by the Dragon Slayer.
Natsu turned to watch as their bodies exploded into a golden dust, which dissipated after several moments. He knew they had been returned to their own Time now, leaving only one foe for him to face.
Slowly, he turned to face Zirconis, deactivating Meteor and suppressing his Etherious Aura in order to conserve it. The Jade Dragon didn't seem too surprised beyond his opening technique, as he slowly rose up, eyeing him with interest.
"I'm surprised you know how to utilize such a power?"
"A good friend of mine offered me the tools I'd need to learn how to wield True Heavenly Body Magic," Natsu replied calmly, his mind flashing back to that day at his house, when Jellal had given him all he could on his prized techniques. "I can't use this power back in Fiore in front of the general public. But here, all bets are off Zirconis, and I'm gonna use absolutely EVERYTHING I can to put you down and save Crocus from Zeref's Eclipse Gate!"
"Heh… You've definitely shown me something interesting boy, I'll give you that," Zirconis smirked, his body becoming enveloped in a jade-colored light, with Natsu's eyes widening in surprise, knowing full well what the Monarch was doing. "But if you think I'm on the same level as them… I'll give you a good and proper thrashing!"
Emerging from the light, Zirconis was in a similar looking humanoid form to the one he'd seen High King Grendel adopt in the distant past. Standing at around twenty-two feet tall, sporting a bulky upper and lower body, Zirconis' dark green scales shimmered in the light.
The Dragon's head remained largely the same as his full Dragon form, with the exception of his eyebrows, which were now almost comically exaggerated, having grown out enough that the out ends came off his face, drooping slightly.
The Monarch licked his lips, smirking at Natsu's stunned reaction to his form, revealing his thick and bulky tail, the tip containing a crystal that slammed the ground hard enough to crack the earth, forming a crater the size of a Lacrima car.
"It's good you aren't afraid… It means you'll give me a good fight, Dragneel," Zirconis roared, flaring his power, as Natsu did the same moments later. "It's been a long time since I've faced an opponent like you… Let's see how long you can last!?"
"Long enough," Natsu snapped back in response, crouching down once again as he activated Meteor.
Vanishing from where he'd been standing, Natsu felt the world move slowly, as if he'd taken a single step and appeared right in front of Zirconis. Readying a kick, he was shocked as Zirconis leaned to the right, Natsu sailing over him, as the Jade Dragon Monarch cocked his fist back, an attack already fully charged.
'Shit' Natsu thought to himself, immediately spinning around mid-attack and attempting to match Zirconis' punch.
The two attacks clashed, the pair dead even, as the ground in the immediate area around them began to crater, Zirconis' laughter nearly audible over the cacophony.
Fatal Battle
Jade Dragon Monarch, Draconian Dragon Clan
Zirconis The Jade
Natsu knew he couldn't match Zirconis with the attack he was currently using, and decided to use the force from the Dragon's own attack to clear some distance.
Ever so gently, he pulled back on the force behind his attack, until he was sent flying away, not taking any damage as he diverted the force behind it into his Crash Barrier. Flipping in midair, the second his feet hit the ground, he ducked, as Zirconis immediately appeared, skidding along the ground with such force behind his movement he'd torn up the earth, his feet several metres deep.
Landing a quick jab to the Monarch's ribs, he managed to narrowly block a brutal chop to the neck with his left forearm, before the pair pushed each other back.
"Even with Meteor, he can keep up!?"
"I warned you Natsu, Zirconis is a Dragon Monarch! Though he resides among the latter half in terms of power, he's worth the strength of multiple Dragons by himself," Igneel warned him, as Zirconis roared with laughter.
"It's been so long since I got to move like this! Let's keep this going boy!"
Both Natsu and Zirconis flared their power, the force from them powering up alone managing to create a visible clash, the landscape being gutted mercilessly by the two powerful combatants.
Natsu Dragneel (Etherious Aura + Dragon Force Stage II + Atlas Flame Absorbed + Motherglare's Lifeblood Absorbed + Meteor) – 4.14 Billion MPI
Zirconis The Jade (Hybrid Form + Bloodlusted) – 4.82 Billion MPI
Both Natsu and Zirconis vanished from where they currently stood, a powerful shock-wave ripping through all in its path, as the pair clashed, their right arms fully extended and their fists locked in a fierce clash.
"Yes… I see now that this strength was what allowed you to slay four Dragons with ease," Zirconis laughed, raising his left hand as he conjured a dark green Magic Circle. "But strength isn't all that makes the world go round, boy!"
Sensing a sudden surge within the Ether, Natsu broke off from his clash, allowing himself to be sent flying by the Jade Dragon Monarch. However, unlike the last time he'd tried this strategy, Natsu was ready for his incredible speed.
Performing several flips, Natsu sensed Zirconis' movement as he moved to strike at him once more, assuming him vulnerable. However, this time, Natsu was ready, as he sensed Zirconis' fist moving to strike him.
As he performed what could have been his last flip, Natsu extended his left leg downward, striking Zirconis' attacking arm, and pinning it to the ground. With his right leg, it was already moving, an attack fully charged that Zirconis had no real way of defending against.
"Etherious Aura: Fire Gravity Dragon King's Zero Graviton Talon!"
Zirconis was struck across the face, though he was far from shaken. As the kick struck him, he'd already moved to follow up, as Natsu was slammed into the ground hard enough that he coughed up blood.
As soon as Natsu's foot left contact with Zirconis, the Dragon was blasted away, right as Natsu had been slammed into the ground. Groaning, he was almost immediately on his knees, wiping some blood from his mouth as he watched Zirconis effortlessly get up.
"This is going to be a long one, isn't it?"
"Most likely, yes."
"Shit…"
As Natsu got back to his feet, he noticed the Magic Circle Zirconis had summoned earlier had finally started glowing. Then, before he could even react, multiple Jade structures erupted from the earth at varying points across the battlefield, each with a Jade crystal housed upon it.
Looking back toward Zirconis, he was surprised to see the Dragon Monarch charging a breath attack. With grit teeth, Natsu prepared to do the same, only for Igneel's voice thunder through his mind.
"You'll need every ounce of your speed to survive this next attack," Igneel roared, right as Zirconis released his breath attack directly into the closest crystal, the entire structure lighting up as beams of light green color began rapidly traveling across the battlefield. "
Suddenly, Natsu found himself moving so fast, that time seemed to almost stand still, dodging the dozens of beams being projected his way. He knew that no ordinary Mage could pull off what he was doing now, but he also knew not to grow too overconfident just because he could.
Managing to get through the barrage, Natsu slid under the final beam as he pressed his hand to the ground, pushing himself back up and kicking Zirconis in the chin, sending the Monarch up into the air.
"Not bad," Zirconis laughed, arching his neck back as a dark green light began to emanate from the Dragon Monarch's mouth. "Jade Dragon Monarch's Roar!"
Zirconis fired a low powered breath attack mere meters away from Natsu, giving the Dragon Slayer no choice but to block it. Raising his Crash Barrier, he crossed his arms in front of him as the dark green beam of light eclipsed him.
Feeling a burning sensation along his scaly flesh, Natsu was surprised to find Zirconis' attack had partially broken through his Crash Barrier, his body being roasted by the raw energy of the beam-like breath attack.
Having been sent flying, Natsu smashed through several rock formations, before hitting the ground and rolling several times, ultimately managing to get onto his feet and skid to a complete stop.
"Shit," the Dragon Slayer hissed, looking at his singed form. "At least now I get what those beams do…"
"Dragons that possess an element related to things such as Gems or Crystals utilize beams of light in their long-range attacks," Igneel explained quickly, as they saw Zirconis rushing their position. "Fortunately for you, that regenerative ability your Demon form provides can restore the burned portions of your body."
As his flesh bubbled, beginning the repair process, Natsu vanished, preemptively striking Zirconis mid charge, knocking the Dragon Monarch flat on his back with a well-placed punch to the face. As the Dragon slid past his position, Natsu spun around, charging a fire-based attack in his right hand.
"Etherious Aura: Fire Dragon King's Destabilizing Demolition Fist!"
Zirconis had no time to avoid the attack, as Natsu instantly appeared above him, smashing him right in the chest with the explosive attack. To his surprise though, as Zirconis lurched forward, he grabbed Natsu by the neck and dragged him closer, delivering a brutal headbutt that cracked his skull.
"ARGH-!"
Clutching his forehead, Natsu stumbled backward, his vision blurred, as he processed the pain. His regenerative abilities immediately worked to repair the damage, but Zirconis wasn't about to give him a chance to rest.
"Jade Dragon Monarch's Monoclinic Fist!"
Natsu lurched forward as he was struck in the stomach so hard, he immediately coughed up blood. This however gave him an opportunity, as he immediately slashed upward, angling his fingers into a straight position, before slashing upward.
"Etherious Aura: Fire Dragon King's Piercing Claw!"
Zirconis roared as Natsu slashed at his face, tearing through the scales as blood sprayed across his foe, who stumbled backward, clutching his head. The Dragon Monarch hadn't expected Natsu to lash out so accurately, and was caught totally off guard by the nearly lethal blow.
Natsu meanwhile, cursed his luck. Had he been slightly closer, he could have sliced Zirconis' neck. Although, being able to nearly take out an eye was good enough for the moment, as it had the Dragon backing off, clutching his bloodied face.
"You… HOW DARE YOU," Zirconis roared, his body rapidly expanding until he was back in his full Dragon form. "DIE!"
Natsu was immediately on the move as the entire wasteland began to tremble, hundreds of Jade shards erupting from the earth. He immediately knew what Zirconis was going to do, the Dragon Monarch charging up a much more powerful breath attack.
"I didn't expect him to get so angry so quickly," Igneel mused. "I suppose he's rather rusty, having all his subordinates do the fighting for him for so long?"
"Doesn't change the fact that he could still kill me, does it," Natsu huffed, as Zirconis fired a fully charged breath attack at the nearest Jade shard.
Once again, Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Natsu began dodging countless beams of refracted light using Meteor, combined with his own raw speed. This time, however, the beams were three times larger, and Natsu felt himself get singed several times as he rapidly closed in on Zirconis.
"Time to end this quick," Natsu huffed, as Zirconis felt something within him shift. "Second Origin – Release!"
"He can use that," Zirconis gasped in shock, blood oozing from the wound across his face as he attempted to fall back, sensing Natsu's power increase.
Natsu Dragneel (Second Origin Released + Full Power) – 5.38 Billion MPI
"This is the end for you Zirconis," Natsu roared, flashing in front of the Jade Dragon Monarch using Meteor, his right arm fully cocked back as it morphed into a full-sized Dragon Claw. "Etherious Aura: Fire Dragon King's Destabilizing Piercing Claw!"
Zirconis barely had any time to react, as the attack gouged out a sizeable hole in his throat, the Monarch immediately roaring as he brought his own claws to his neck to try and stem the bleeding.
Natsu landed behind Zirconis, his right arm slowly returning to normal. Just as he was about to turn around and face the dying Dragon Monarch, he narrowly dodged the last remnants of the breath attack Zirconis had fired earlier.
Looking back after making sure he wasn't going to get blindsided again, Natsu watched as Zirconis dropped to the ground, his good eye locked directly onto him. No words were necessary between the pair, as Natsu had already proven to the Dragon Monarch what he wanted to see.
He held the power utterly crush Dragons.
Knowing that fact, Zirconis could return to his own Time and die, aware that there was someone in the far future who would avenge his race.
It wasn't as ideal as surviving Achnologia's genocide… but it was enough.
As Natsu watched Zirconis fade away into an explosion of golden light, Felicity popped in next to him, watching as he reverted to his base form. She watched as his Demonic abilities reversed all the damage that he'd taken like it had never existed, content that he would be fine to carry out the next stage of her plan.
"Congratulations on your victory," the Time Goddess smiled, as Natsu sat down on a nearby rock. "I must say, I didn't expect you to put those Dragons down so quickly?"
"Yeah you did," Natsu replied bluntly. "But thanks."
"I'll bring you back to Fiore so that you can destroy the Eclipse Gate once and for all," the Time Goddess continued, opening up a portal for the pair to walk through. "Are you ready to go?"
"…Yeah," Natsu replied quietly, looking at his bloodied hands for a moment before shaking his head. "Let's get this over with…"
Deciding not to comment on his mood, the Time Goddess entered the portal first, as Natsu took one last look at the area around him. Inwardly, he felt both ecstatic and his power, yet also somewhat contemplative.
"You should be proud to have slain five Dragons so easily, so why are you so down?"
"If it wasn't for my absorption of Atlas Flame, and gorging on Motherglare's blood, I'd have been killed by the four Dragons pretty easily," Natsu replied quietly after several moments of reflection. "If it weren't for Atlas Flame, this could have all gone in a much darker direction…"
"I understand what you mean Natsu, and I'm glad that you do recognize the grim reality of how things could have gone. However, the simple fact of the matter is that you won, they lost. Pondering alternate scenarios will do nothing but darken your mind and hinder your ability to keep growing."
"I know that, but its still something I can't stop thinking about because-well, how much longer is my luck going to carry me?"
Igneel remained silent, unable to answer that particular question, as he too had to admit it was the truth. The fact of the matter was that they had simply gotten lucky during this incident, and ultimately, that luck wasn't going to save them forever.
Shaking his head, Natsu walked through the portal, his thoughts marred by what the future may hold for them, and if they would mirror this continent scarred by the distant past.
***POTD***
Night had well and truly fallen over Crocus once more, as the Knights and Guild Mages mulled about in the banquet hall of Castle Mercurius.
Everyone knew that the danger had not yet passed, as the Eclipse Gate still stood tall and very much active. Due to this, none of the Guild Mages were allowed to leave by order of the Magic Council.
As a result, the King decided to just treat everyone to a banquet in the hopes that it would simmer tensions and help everyone pass the time. He himself knew that this was far from a perfect plan, yet no decent alternative had presented itself.
No one could so much as scratch the Eclipse Gate, not even all the Wizard Saints present combined. This left everyone at a loss on what to do, which brought them to the present.
Erza sat off to the side of the banquet hall, a slice of half-eaten strawberry cake on the plate in front of her. Her thoughts lay with Natsu, hoping her prayers for his victory would reach him. Even though it had been over a week at this point, she wasn't going to count him out yet.
Sitting across from her at the table was Kagura, the Mermaid Heel S Class Mage calmly and elegantly eating some steak with all the elegance of a Princess. Though she hadn't personally known Natsu long, she too felt concerned for his well-being, as he was the man who saved her Brother Simon's life, and had proven himself to be a noble and kind person.
Seeing Erza's depressed state, Kagura decided to try and cheer her up. Placing her cutlery down, she reached out and took her hands into her own, a kind smile on her face.
"I'm sure Natsu is alright Erza," Kagura smiled kindly. "Remember, he was able to face down the strongest Wizard Saint in the country in single combat? If anyone stands a chance, its him, right?"
"I-I know that Kagura," Erza sighed, gently squeezing Kagura's hands in response. "But this is about more than just Natsu being missing…"
"Really?"
"Yeah, it really is," the Requip Mage sighed. "Why is it always Natsu that gets forced into these life-or-death situations? Why is he forced to suffer right now so that the rest of us can sit around doing nothing?"
"Erza…"
"I-I get scared thinking that one day, he might not come back…"
Kagura was at a loss for words, seeing the usually stoic and often immovable Erza beginning to tear up. It was a sight that genuinely tore at her, as she too could understand such a fear at not seeing someone close to her ever again.
"It pains me to see you in such a state Erza, but I don't think you should count Natsu out?"
"M-Master," Erza gasped, as both she and Kagura snapped their attention to their immediate left, where Makarov currently stood. "D-Do you know something Master!?"
"Nothing more than the rest of us, though, it seems many have forgotten the kind of man we're even speaking of," the old man replied calmly, sipping from his mug. "Natsu has always been a man who defies the odds. He almost always has to hold back to avoid harming others, but has no reservations unleashing that legendary strength in service of a righteous cause."
"But Master, how can you be so sure he'll return," Erza asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "He's facing five Dragons, and from what the other Dragon Slayers have said, one of them is leagues above the rest?"
"I know that what Natsu is currently facing may appear insurmountable," Makarov began, drawing the attention of others within the banquet hall. "However, you must not forget that this is the same man who went off with Gildarts on his Century Quest as a child. This was the same man who has nearly dismantled the Bharam Alliance, and who is clearly one of the strongest Mages in all of Ishgar by now!"
Many in the banquet hall muttered their agreement to Makarov's words, since the facts really did just speak for themselves.
"We must not lose faith! Natsu WILL triumph and return to us," Makarov shouted confidently, as the rest of the banquet hall roared in agreement. 'Plus, being the ultimate Demon Lord Earthland has ever known also would help his case…'
Makarov shook his head as he pushed the thoughts of Natsu being E.N.D to the side for now. What mattered in the present was keeping morale up until the Dragon Slayer returned was the best he could do.
However, just as he was about to continue his speech, Elise nudged him with her leg, casually sipping on some chocolate milk.
"What is it?"
"You know how you just said about Natsu returning to us," the God Slayer asked bluntly.
"Yes…?"
"I think that might be him over there?"
Makarov, along with many others, looked off into the direction Elise was pointing, shocked to see what appeared to be a giant fireball heading right for the city.
"T-This Magical Signature," Makarov gasped, with Erza immediately moving to sprint outside, the rest of the hall following her lead.
'Just what the Hell is he doing,' Erza thought to herself, as she made her way toward the plateau where the Eclipse Gate was waiting for them.
***POTD***
Several minutes prior, Natsu and Felicity stood atop a mountain overlooking Crocus, surveying the city.
"Well, I'm not seeing any other Dragons or Zeref," Felicity smiled, giving him a thumbs up. "Good job!"
"Uh… Thanks?"
"I'm not messing with you Natsu," Felicity smiled, extending her hand out for him to shake. "You did good."
"Oh," came the rather eloquent response, as she gently shook her hand, the pair looking back toward the city, the still active Eclipse Gate shining brightly upon the plateau.
"Now then, all that remains is for you to destroy the Eclipse Gate, and we've successfully fixed all the mess!"
"So, how exactly am I supposed to just destroy that thing?"
"Well, you've got more than enough raw power, but you just need the force behind you to shatter it. But that's alright, because I've got a plan!"
"Okay… What's the plan," Natsu asked, somewhat suspicious of the smirk that wormed its way onto the Time Goddess' face.
"Simple! Whilst you build up enough Magical Power around yourself, I shall fire you at the Eclipse Gate!"
Natsu blinked several times as Felicity stood proudly before him, hands on her hips and a smug grin. Clearly, she thought her plan was one of the greatest of all Time, much to his chagrin.
"So, let me get this straight… You want to shoot ME at the Eclipse Gate?"
"Yes."
"Okay… Well, you see, I don't really see how that is even remotely safe or why it is necessary!? So, please enlighten me as to why I should go along with such a plan Felicity?"
"Well, you don't really get a choice," the Time Goddess shrugged in reply, as Natsu's jaw dropped.
He was about to vehemently protest the Time Goddess' plan, when he suddenly felt his body being lifted into the air, as a strange elastic force seemed to wrap itself around him, dragging his body back behind her.
"Waitwaitwaitwaitwait-!"
"Nice working with you Natsu," Felicity chirped happily, as his body became coated in a dense layer of crimson flame. "See you round!"
Natsu screamed as he was shot across the countryside, reaching Crocus in a matter of moments. Due to the absurd force, he was barely able to get his body into the correct position to attack the Eclipse Gate, as the countryside quickly gave way to the damaged city.
"At this speed, try doing this," Igneel shouted, as Natsu felt his body being readjusted into a new stance, the knowledge flooding into his mind from the Fire Dragon Monarch.
"Here goes nothing," Natsu screamed, lighting up the night sky as his spherical attack adopted a more arrowhead shape to it. "Fire Dragon King's Destabilizing Nova Arrow!"
Less than six seconds after being fired, Natsu smashed into the side of the Eclipse Gate head first, piercing right through it. And, although the impact immediately halted his personal momentum, his attack didn't cease, as it then continued onward to slice Castle Mercurius clean in half, along with the portion of Crocus behind it.
The attack kept going, slicing its way through the countryside and slicing a mountain off in the distance in half, before finally fizzling out.
Slowly, Natsu managed to get to his feet, stumbling around as he held his head. The impact had most definitely scrambled something in his brain, as he struggled to figure out which way was up or down.
This was the sight everyone arrived to, as Natsu tripped over his own feet and smashed his head on a piece of the gate that hadn't broken, crying out in pain rather comically. They continued to watch as he struggled to get up, the latest blow to the cranium seemingly fixing whatever problem he had, as he rolled onto his back and sat up.
"Oh, hey guys, I destroyed the Eclipse Gate," Natsu called out happily, like a child proudly showing his parents the latest mess they'd made for them to clean up.
Erza was the first to reach him, dropping down to her knees as she, rather gently placed her hands on his shoulders.
"Has anyone ever told you how insane you are," Erza asked quietly, the rest of the group slowly approaching them.
"I can think of one person who has told me that numerous times," he replied with a cheeky grin, as Erza gently kissed him on the forehead.
"You foolish man… What am I ever going to do with you?"
Natsu was surprised when he was gently and tenderly embraced by Erza, the Requip Mage pressing his head into her chest as she held him tight. It was a far cry from her usual demeanor, where she was rather rough, almost brutish, in the way she would interact with others.
He then felt another set of hands hugging him from his left side, noticing Wendy clinging tightly to him. Though she appeared older, it was sometimes hard for him to remember that she was still just a teen, after all.
Wrapping an arm around both of them, the rest of the crowd began cheering at the wholesome sight, along with the destruction of the Eclipse Gate.
"Natsu Dragneel!"
Erza and Wendy let go of him, helping him to stand, as King Toma and Princess Hisui hurried toward him. Seeing the stern look on the King's face, Natsu assumed he was in trouble for the damage caused to Crocus and the palace.
He was genuinely surprised when the Princess hugged him, and King Toma shook his hand with a firm grip.
"The palace and the city can be rebuilt, so do not worry about the damage your attack to destroy that infernal gate caused," Toma began, as Hisui stepped back and stood next to her Father. "On behalf of the Kingdom of Fiore, I ask you to accept my most sincere gratitude for saving the Kingdom…"
Natsu's eyes widened slightly, feeling himself taking a step backward, as both King Toma and Princess Hisui bowed before him. Many of the Knights, as well as the Guild Mages, quickly followed suit. The only ones not bowing were the Magic Council, with Org in particular clearly unhappy about the latest turn of events.
"Y-You all don't need to do that…"
"We may not need to, but we want to," Hisui replied with a warm smile, as everyone rose to their feet once again. "You're a Hero Natsu, and we have to show our gratitude to you."
"With that all being said," Toma grinned, as he looked over toward the path of destruction Natsu's attack had left in its wake. "I believe we should all chip in and put these fires out!"
With that, everyone quickly started running to assist in getting the inferno left in Natsu's wake under control. Though, unlike before, there was a certain energy about the people as they worked.
They had successfully survived the disaster, and were all the stronger and more untied for it.
***POTD***
Meanwhile, standing atop one of the few spires that hadn't collapsed atop Castle Mercurius, Zeref smiled as he surveyed the sheer damage Natsu had done in a single attack.
"Another job well done Natsu… Another job well done indeed," the Black Wizard hummed to himself, as he looked down toward the group that was celebrating his return. "With this, I do believe you're ready to fall from grace…"
Taking a single step, Zeref vanished, reappearing halfway across the country in a small, run down village. His cloak blew gently to the right as he strolled down the crumbling streets, those who remained within the place not even registering his presence.
"It does pain me to do this, but in the name of progress, I'm going to have to drag you back down, little Brother…"
Arriving at the official entrance to the town, Zeref smirked as he walked past the run down and faded sign that held both the name of the town, as well as the faded symbol of a phantom…