(Edited 19/07/24)
I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.
The Power Of Absolute Darkness
***POTD***
The run down ruins of the Phantom Lord Guild Hall shook violently from the battle that raged on outside, debris occasionally coming loose around the Mages who fearlessly stalked the halls within.
The seven figures who had been observing the battle, arrived at the heart of the ruined Guild Hall, and the only area that had been completely restored. Housed within were seven thrones that circled a central dais, a Black Magic Circle etched onto the ground that pulsed with forbidden power.
Robed figures stood around the Magic Circle, as the seven figures took their seats upon the thrones, the leader seated in the one elevated higher than the rest.
"Just as Zeref predicted, Natsu Dragneel has come to slay us all," the figure began, his voice echoing across the hall. "The time has come for us to join together, and become the sword that shall smite Fairy Tail once and for all!"
"You needn't ask for our cooperation," the woman on one of the lower thrones replied smoothly. "You already know that we're just as committed to see those vermin suffer for what they've done to us!"
"That is true," the leader replied gently. "Though I was long dead, the faith that our line held in my vision never once wavered, never faltered beneath the scum who dared deny us our destinies!"
"We should begin the rite," the one on the lowest chair spoke up, as the Guild Hall shook once again. "Believe me, as the one who faced Natsu Dragneel, I know for a fact that if we dawdle in our plans, we won't even get a chance to see them through."
"He's right," another of them agreed. "That was how I found myself defeated as well by that bastard Precht Gaebolg."
"Then let us not waste any more time," the leader replied, before looking down to the one on the lowest throne. "Your body shall be our host."
"Of course. I'm honored to see it shall be used to finally crush those insignificant Fairies," the man spat, his form visibly flickering for a brief moment. "I'll have my revenge against Makarov and his precious children, if it's the last thing I ever do! But most of all, I'll see Dragneel dead for what he did to me, how he dared to stand against me!"
"Indeed. We shall begin the rite immediately. I trust you all remember the process," the leader replied, as the other six all nodded, whilst several Dark Mages brought out several pieces of what was once the body of Jose Porla. "This was all that remained, but it shall be enough for the rite…"
"Then let's do it," the one on the lowest throne hissed, as he looked down at what remained of the body of Jose. "You'll pay Fairies…"
"Very well, then let us begin," the leader muttered darkly, as they all sat back in the throne right as the man pressed a button atop his throne, freezing them all in place. "Begin!"
At his declaration, the Dark Mages standing around the Black Magic Circle began to chant, raising their staves high into the air, as the lowest throne began to glow a deep purple color.
"I, Jose Porla, do hereby grant my power to this rite! My knowledge, Magical Power, my abilities, and even my very soul, all I devote to the Black!"
The moment he spoke, his body flickered multiple times, the man screaming for several moments, before being sucked out of his seat and into the Black Magic Circle, as the light moved to the next throne.
"I, Lanette Porla, do hereby grant my power to this rite! My knowledge, Magical Power, my abilities, and even my very soul… All I devote to the Black!"
Just like with the first, the woman's form flickered multiple times, before she began screaming as she was sucked into the Black Magic Circle, the light moving up to the next throne in line.
One by one, each of those gathered spoke their names and devoted their everything to the rite. Lucian Porla, Amelia Porla, Morzan Porla and Aeris Porla… One by one, each spoke the rite and each was absorbed into the Black Magic Circle, until only one figure remained…
"After all these years, true vengeance is finally at hand," the leader smirked, even as the entire area shook violently once again from the battle raging outside. "I, Geoffrey Porla, do hereby grant my power to this rite. My knowledge, Magical Power, my abilities, even my very soul… I devote ALL of them to the Black!"
Much like all those before him, Geoffrey's form flickered, before being sucked into the Black Magic Circle. However, unlike all his other family, Geoffrey cackled with glee as he was absorbed into the Magic Circle, right as an eighth figure casually strode into the hall.
With a wave of his hand, everyone present instantly died, collapsing where they had stood, as Zeref himself walked up to the Black Magic Circle.
"Let us see just how far the combined hatred of the Porla line can go? The family that stuck together for well over a century, united in their hatred for Fairy Tail…"
Snapping his fingers, the Black Magic Circle lifted up off the ground, spinning rapidly as the few remaining pieces of Jose rapidly began to regenerate, until his full form had been restored.
"Let us see just what the power of hatred can really do," Zeref smirked, as Jose's form became coated in a black and purple version of the very same Wizard Saint garb he'd died in. "Ah… I see."
Zeref chuckled idly as he lazily strolled out of the room, the rest of the rite taking place without an observer present. The revived form of Jose released a monstrous amount of Magical Power, shattering everything in the room, as it slowly touched down on the ground.
Once both feet were firmly planted, the newly forged being slowly opened its eyes, Crimson Red orbs and black sclera piercing through the piercing light cast over Oak Town by Fairy Sphere.
The last thing Zeref heard was the newly formed being cackling, bringing a small smile to his face.
***POTD***
The battle of Oak Town was one that would undoubtedly be spoken about in the history books, of that, both sides were certain.
Despite the Dark Mages holding a vastly superior numerical advantage, they couldn't stop Natsu. Thousands had already died, the entire town strewn with the corpses of those who believed in Zeref and stood against Fiore.
In truth, the town was being absolutely massacred by Natsu.
What made it worse was the fact that, despite all the forbidden Magics, they couldn't even lay a scratch on him. Such was the difference between a Dark Mage who took shortcuts to true power, and a man who had poured blood, sweat and tears into honing his skills and becoming stronger the natural way.
And yet, despite the skill difference between Natsu and the fodder being leagues apart, they refused to back down. This all but confirmed to the Dragon Slayer that the Dark Mages definitely had an ulterior motive here.
After tearing through another contingent of the Mages, Natsu dashed down a side alley as he prepared some Gravity Magic in his left hand.
"Just how many more of these bastards are there…?"
Emerging on the other side, he immediately tossed the burst of Gravity Magic at a group of Dark Mages, watching as they were completely crushed under the distorted weight, their bodies being flattened like pancakes.
It was then that he felt a sudden surge of Dark Magic from the old Phantom Lord Guild Hall, and he knew where he needed to go. After smashing his way through another foolish group of Dark Mages, he started making his way over, when an amused voice cut through the chaos like a knife.
"Looks like you're doing rather well?"
Skidding to a stop, he looked up onto a rooftop and saw Zeref smiling down at him with his usual gentle gaze. At this point, he'd become used to the Black Wizard showing up, but having killed countless hordes of his followers, he wasn't exactly in the mood for his meddling.
"Zeref…"
"Hello again, Brother," the Black Wizard smiled, taking one step and appearing several meters ahead of him. "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Why the Hell would I be enjoying this!?"
"Oh, I can think of a number of reasons," his Brother replied, clearly amused. "Your eyes for example, they tell a much different story, don't they?"
"My eyes," Natsu muttered, turning to his left as he noticed something was different about them. "Wait…?"
Looking closer, he noticed that his pupils had a faint Crimson Red shade over them, just faint enough to be visible to the naked eye. He watched as the sheen flickered over their usual black hue.
"You've become incredibly powerful now, little Brother. However, you still lack the necessary means to even face Achnologia on an even playing field. Though you have come far with what you have, there are still more powers yet to come…"
"And why exactly are you telling me all this? You do realize that if I ever do beat Achnologia, I'm coming for you next, right?"
"That is not a guaranteed future, little Brother," Zeref replied with an amused chuckle. "I could very well be devoured by him before you face him? Or, I could simply opt to vanish from this world, my goals accomplished?"
"I highly doubt you have any plans to just leave quietly, Emperor Spriggan," Natsu shot back, which only served to amuse his older Brother. "What's your endgame anyway?"
"It is a story for another time," the Black Wizard replied, immediately changing the topic as another wave of Black Magic rolled over Oak Town. "Let us instead discuss the current topic at hand, Oak Town?"
"What's there to discuss beyond these idiots all being Dark Mages, and reviving the guy who founded Phantom in the hopes he can take out Fairy Tail?"
"There's far more to this than that, little Brother. A family that found itself cursed with a cycle of hatred swore to destroy Fairy Tail, and retake Magnolia, at all costs. This cycle drove them to lengths very few mortals ever dare to go, such was their raw and unbridled fury against those who slighted Geoffrey Porla."
"And let me guess," Natsu sneered, clenching his fists. "You just happened by and decided to help them out of the goodness of your heart?"
"See this as a sort of test, Natsu? Separately, each member of the Porla family from Geoffrey onward, ranks somewhere within the Ten Wizard Saints. So I wonder, how would you fare I seven of them combined their powers in order to try and take their final revenge?"
"You didn't… Are you serious!? Zeref, you're seriously fucked in the head!"
"Tsk… Such language from my darling little Brother," the Black Mage teased lightly. "Then again, you are the most despicable Demon ever made. So… I suppose it is only natural that you'd behave in such a manner, no?"
"Why are you like this Zeref," Natsu snapped back in response. "Are the lives of the countless billions on this planet nothing more than mere toys to you!? Or are you just a sick fuck like Achnologia who wants to see everything destroyed in the end!?"
"What I want," Zeref smiled, wholly unbothered by Natsu's outburst. "What I truly seek… I desire everything, yet nothing. The most important, yet the least important."
"…What?"
"If you could gaze into my mind and ever manage to comprehend what it is that I can truly see, you would find the answer you seek," Zeref continued, shaking his head. "As for the Black Dragon King, he is but a part of the final puzzle. Perhaps one day, Natsu, you will solve this riddle for yourself? But as you are now, you cannot protect anything, or anyone."
"I may not be the strongest being on this planet Zeref, but that doesn't mean I lack the power to protect those closest to me!"
"Oh really?"
"No matter the threat, I always manage to somehow find a way!"
"Is that right? Well, I look forward to seeing just how far you'll actually go to turn such delusions into reality," Zeref smirked, extending his right hand out in front of him, manifesting a solid sphere of Pitch Black that he couldn't even sense. "From where I'm standing, I could tear apart your precious family without needing the Spriggan or Leichart Twelve at my back…"
"Keep away from them Zeref," Natsu snarled, taking a step forward, despite the fact that his instincts were screaming for him to flee. "I'm warning you…"
Zeref merely smirked in reply, his eyes locking onto Natsu's own. The horns that signified him as a Demon slowly emerged from his skull, his form growing slightly taller, as the reddish hue that had once been flickering in and out over his pupils, finally solidified. Though, it remained translucent, his usual black still visible, albeit slightly.
"Can you eventually come to truly match the Gods and Devils," Zeref mused aloud, his form becoming enveloped in a swirl of dark energy. "I'm looking forward to finding out…"
Zeref vanished in a swirl of darkness, replaced by someone Natsu never thought he'd see again.
"Jose!?"
"Not quite," the being smirked, eyes of Crimson Red staring back at him, which caught him completely off guard.
The being held the full appearance of Jose Porla, though its height stood at an impressive fourteen feet. Its skin was paler than the former Phantom Lord Guild Master's, its sclera pitch black, with the pupils signifying that it was a wielder of the Devil's Aura.
"What have you done Zeref…?"
"This power…This darkness," the figure murmured, holding its hands out in front of it as it released even more raw power, shaking the entire town to its core. "It is…unfathomable!"
"You're clearly not Jose," Natsu cut in, cautiously entering a defensive stance. "Who are you!?"
"Who am I, you ask? I am the culmination of hate, anger and rage that had festered across seven members of the Porla bloodline. I am a being borne from Lord Zeref's darkness to be a sword against the light… A light called Fairy Tail!"
"You're not a Demon, that much I'm certain of," Natsu muttered quietly, studying the being before him. "Do you even have a name?"
"I have no name, for all I am is darkness. A darkness that shall envelop all lands, all beings… All of this world shall become engulfed, as is Lord Zeref's will!"
"So that's all you are then," Natsu sighed, shaking his head. "I take it that Geoffrey, Jose, and all the other idiots who did that ritual are truly gone for good then?"
"Geoffrey is a part of me, as is his entire line. We are all one singular being now, made purely of the Black Arts. Geoffrey and his descendants sacrificed everything for vengeance against Fairy Tail… and they shall have it."
"I hate to break it to you, but that's not going to happen," Natsu replied sharply. "You aren't the first creation of Zeref's machinations I've had to face, and you won't be the last!"
"Ah, but you see, there is a distinct difference between all of those that came before, and myself…?"
"And what would that be," Natsu asked, before finding himself instinctively dodging a strike from the being, as a familiar voice echoed through his mind.
"Do not underestimate this one Natsu, or you'll surely die."
"Eliza!? Are you still watching?"
"I am, yes. The being before you that Zeref has created is wielding Devil's Aura, and is basically the power of seven mortals fused together into one new, permanent being."
"Seriously!?"
"Very. He is undoubtedly powerful with Devil's Aura under his command. However, you do have a chance, though I cannot say anything more…"
"I get it," Natsu huffed in reply, as Time slowly resumed, seeing him perform a fly-kick right after dodging, only for the being to block the attack with its right forearm, as they clashed.
The ground shattered apart beneath them, as both combatants were blown back by their respective power. The moment they both regained their footing; however, they were immediately upon one another, exchanging a flurry of light-speed blows.
The few Dark Mages who were left within Oak Town ran for cover, as Natsu and the dark entity flashed around the city, entire areas being blown away in a matter of moments. After several more attacks, Natsu missed a strike, and was punished for it, being struck over a dozen times in an instant, before being kicked through several buildings as the being charged up an attack.
"Can you feel this, Fairy!? THIS is the power of Dark Magic," the being roared, extending its right hand. "Darkness Magic – Dark Jupiter!"
Ripping himself free of the debris, Natsu was just in time to see the being fire the attack from his right hand. Chuckling to himself, his Wizard Saint coat flapped in the wind, as the monstrous blast shot toward his location.
"Guy just casually fires an attack as massive as a Jupiter Cannon blast…"
The attack struck, blowing away a large portion of Oak Town, smashing a hole right through Fairy Sphere, as the giant barrier began to break apart. The attack continued on, erasing a good portion of the forest behind it as it came to blow the top of the nearby mountain off.
"This is how it should be," the being said confidently, ceasing his attack to survey the catastrophic damage. "The world shall kneel before Lord Zeref…"
The being paused, as the dust cleared up to reveal Natsu still standing where he had been moments before the blast struck his position. His right hand was raised, and the ground within a two-metre radius of his central position was completely unscathed, despite the massive scar the attack had gouged into everything else around and behind him.
"You'll need to do a LOT better than that to even begin to rattle someone like me," the Dragon Slayer stated plainly, eyes narrowed as he pondered what had just happened.
He knew that a prolonged engagement with this being wasn't ideal. It clearly held much power, and if he sustained enough damage, not even his E.N.D regenerative abilities would be able to save him.
No, he'd have to push to defeat this being before he began to fatigue. Thankfully, he had a means of combating a user of Dark Magic up his sleeve.
"You want a fight? Well… I'll give you one," Natsu growled, as he opened up his reserves, his form instantly bulking up, as black scales began to emerge through his skin. "Let's see how you handle the Demonic Dragon Force!"
A long, black tail struck the ground behind him, the appendage covered in razor sharp spikes. His black wings held the same physical form as those from his Fire Dragon Force, though the sinew and bone bore more visible battle damage.
His skin also darkened slightly, as his height increased to eighteen feet tall. His razor-sharp claws and talons looking more akin to sets of swords, rather than real appendages, as his pink hair became a more faded hue.
"You believe the Dragon Force will be enough," the being scoffed. "Think again!"
Natsu Dragneel (Etherious Aura + Demonic Dragon Force + Full Power) – 4.72 Billion MPI
The Entity (Devil's Aura + Full Power) – 5.15 Billion MPI
"I'm gonna put you down," Natsu snarled, flaring his wings as his claws clanged together, similar to swords clashing against one another.
"Your form does not concern us, Demon. Lord Zeref already imprinted us with the knowledge of your abilities as we were created. Combining them will do you little good."
"They'll do far more than you'd think," Natsu countered easily, taking a lazy swipe to the left as he sliced apart rubble as if he were cutting through paper. "You might be one of Zeref's creations, but you lack the spark of ingenuity that differentiates you from true, living beings!"
"You use big words, and act as if you know your superiority to me is assured… Yet you don't even realize what you actually are either in the grand scheme of things," the being replied, chuckling hollowly as the glow in its eyes increased. "I can see what lies within your future, Natsu Dragneel… and it makes me laugh!"
"That's enough," Natsu snarled, vanishing from where he'd been standing, and reappearing right in front of the entity. "Etherious Aura: Demonic Dragon King's Malicious Talon!"
Swinging his left leg out before him, the claws on his talon-like feet extended, piercing through the entity's guard, delivering deep gashes onto it as it was sent flying across the ruins of Oak Town.
Landing on one foot, Natsu snarled, watching as the being reformed itself, the black of his Etherious Aura melding with a faint Crimson Red hue.
"You cannot deny the truth, Demon. You cannot deny your ultimate Fate-!"
"Etherious Aura: Demonic Dragon's Malicious Fist!"
Clenching his right fist, his blade-like claws retracted fully, reemerging from his knuckles as he struck the entity, who was again sent flying across the ruined town. This time, however, Natsu took off after him in an attempt to follow up his attack with another one.
However, before he'd even traversed a quarter of the battlefield, he was clotheslined by the being, who had detached his left arm mid-flight, as a fist smashed his ribs from the left. Lurching forward, a fierce kick to the chest sent him right back to where he'd started, as a fist smashed him in the chest again, his body striking the ground so hard that a giant crater formed around him from the force.
"Ow," Natsu mumbled, before coughing up some blood. "Shit…"
"You will learn your place, Demon," the entity spoke, as its body reformed between the four floating limbs. "It is the way of things…"
"I'm gonna be completely honest with you," Natsu panted, slowly getting back to his feet. "Shut the fuck up!"
The entity tried to strike him again, but a fierce headbutt sent him flying off into the distance, the crater deepening from the sheer force behind the blow.
"You were born like, what, ten minutes ago!? Who the Hell are you to tell me anything!?"
"Your foolishness and lack of awareness as to your greater destiny shall be your ultimate undoing," the entity replied darkly, as it reappeared several meters from where he currently stood. "You can run from the harsh truths all you want, but I can see right through you!"
"As long as those seven biased fools are a part of you, and you serve Zeref, you'll forever be blind," Natsu spat in reply, as the pair vanished simultaneously, reappearing high in the air and exchanging a fierce barrage of punches and kicks.
'Still, this Dark Magic its wielding… I've never faced its like before? I don't want to overreact here, but I think Zeref may have given this thing the same Dark Magic that he himself wields? It's the same Pitch Black, like looking into a void, not like the usual Dark Purple most Dark Mages use?'
He was suddenly snapped out of his musings by a strike to the left side of his face, sending him crashing to the ground. As he skidded along, he flipped at the last moment to avoid a dropkick by the entity, as he arched his neck back whilst mid-flip.
"Etherious Aura: Demonic Gravity Dragon King's Zero Graviton Roar!"
Unleashing the massive breath attack at near point-blank range, the entity was forced to block it, the being showing the first signs of being pressured as it grit its teeth.
"You think that this will be enough to face the oncoming darkness, Demon!?"
"Its enough to face the likes of you," Natsu snapped in response, his attack detonating, the explosion blowing away what little remained of Oak Town at this point.
"Do not play the fool forever, for the Darkness comes for all in this world…"
Natsu narrowly avoided a blow from the entity as it instantly appeared in front of him, slightly bloodied, as it attempted to slash at him.
"Its first target is Fairy Tail…"
"One minute its me, then its all of Fairy Tail," Natsu snarled, grabbing the entity by its coat. "Make up your damn mind!?"
"You should already know the answer to that question," the being replied, delivering a brutal knee to his gut, before sending him crashing back into the ground yet again. "The Brother of the Dark God, the one who shall instigate the final war for the fate of the world… A stage where all shall put everything on the line to achieve their ultimate goals!"
"The final war… What the Hell are you on about!?"
"It comes, Dragneel. Years away it may still be, but it comes," the entity muttered, as Natsu again rose to his feet. "The Black Dragon and his Four Harbingers, the Dark Hybrid and his fractured machinations. The frightened Gods hiding in their realm of light and the battered Devils who desire peace, yet know not the true meaning… And you, the one who shall be torn apart by Time itself, your very being tossed over history like celebratory confetti…"
"Shut up," Natsu snarled, rushing the entity as the bladed protrusions on his claws and talons extended. "Etherious Aura: Demonic Dragon King's Malicious Dance!"
Natsu allowed his rage and anger to fully take hold, tearing into the entity with an unending barrage of ruthless punches as kicks. However, even as its body was being hacked to pieces, the entity continued to speak in the same, trance-like state.
"It comes after the Molten and Warrior Titans make their marks upon the land, and the Fairies find themselves reunited once more…"
His rage continued to increase, now using his razor-sharp teeth in the attack, tearing flesh from bone as his limbs moved even faster to slay his opponent.
"Old allies shall become enemies and vice versa, as the world is drowned in a darkness and despair not seen since the Black Wizard Ahnkseram-!"
The being ceased speaking as Natsu tore its neck apart, its skull being hacked into messy pulp moments later. Tossing the remains aside, Natsu dropped to his knees and let loose a primal roar, the faint Crimson hue over his eyes strengthening, as he felt something strange happening to both his mind, and his body.
As he roared, the entity reappeared, though now as little more than a shadowy apparition. The entity circled him, taunting him, as the Dragon Slayer finally returned to a more lucid state.
"H-How…!?"
"Did you really think a being such as I could be so easily destroyed? Flesh and blood are but one facet of my existence," the entity smirked. "All that ultimately matters here, is ruining you."
"R-Ruining me?"
"Indeed. You are the heart of Faiyr Tail, the one whom has single handedly kept its members together and united. However, you bear many skeletons, and many within would be horrified to learn of your true self…"
"Fairy Tail is far stronger than you'll ever know!"
"It is strong as it stands, that is correct," the entity smirked, as Natsu tried to bat it away, failing due to its ghostly state. "But a house divided cannot stand, and that is the ultimate objective…"
"You won't succeed-!"
"Won't we? Even now, one of your number has already been taken by the Tartaros Guild," the entity smirked, as Natsu felt his blood run cold. "The young Sky Dragon Slayer…"
"Wendy…!"
"What will you do, Oberon," the entity asked mockingly. "She most certainly isn't the hardiest of Humans, is she? Who knows what a bunch of bloodthirsty Demons will do to her?"
"Tartaros has her," Natsu hissed, rising to his feet as he can feel his emotions running wild, clenching and relaxing his fists. "Where is she!?"
"Why would I reveal that to you," the entity smirked cruelly. "What incentive would-?"
"You'll tell me, because I'll trade my life for hers, if need be," Natsu snapped, cutting the entity off as it pondered his response curiously.
"That could be… amusing. Very well, let's do that! Their floating Guild Hall is exactly three hundred-and twenty-seven-kilometers South-West of our current location."
Within moments, Natsu had vanished, as the entity chuckling to itself as it began to slowly de-materialize.
"Let us see just how far you'll go, Dragneel…"
***POTD***
Meanwhile, back at the Fairy Tail Guild Hall in Magnolia, things were also looking rather tense. Word had reached them of what had happened to Wendy, and a certain Requip Mage was both furious, and deathly afraid, as she confronted the Guild.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WENDY WAS KIDNAPPED BY THE TARTAROS GUILD!?"
Everyone inside was furiously scrambling for details, as Elise stood off to the side, on a Lacrima call with Ur to inform her of the situation. None of them could believe that Wendy had been taken from the Manor in broad daylight, as four Demons had the nerve to head right into the heart of Magnolia, despite the amount of threats present.
"This is an unprecedented move by them," Mira noted gravely, the Demons within her all restless at the sudden and bold move. "Never before have they done such a thing, since the usual threat of the Council ordering their annihilation keeps them at bay?"
"WHO CARES ABOUT ANY OF THAT," Erza screeched, slamming the bar so hard it shattered. "DO ANY OF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN NATSU FINDS OUT ABOUT THIS!?"
"Erza." Makarov barked from the upper level. "Control yourself!"
"B-But-!"
"I understand the severity of the threat," the aged Guild Master replied sharply, cutting her off. "However, screaming and panicking will not help the situation! I need you calm, and prepared!"
"…"
"Now then, we know that she was taken several hours ago, correct? Which means we still have enough time to get to her before anything terrible happens!"
"What's the plan Master," Mira asked, only for Elise to cut through their conversation.
"Ur's going to the Council to report what Tartaros have done, and then she's going to send through the coordinates of the location of their Cube."
"Excellent Elise," Makarov nodded stiffly. "Whilst we wait for Ur to get back to us with their location, we need to prepare! Mira, I need you to contact Laxus immediately! I don't care that he's on an S Class Quest, I need him and the Thunder Legion en route to help us fight Tartaros!"
"Understood Master!"
"Now then, we also need someone to get a hold of Gray and Juvia! Someone head to their home and drag them up here," Makarov barked out, as several Guild Members rushed out the door and into the city. "Once we receive word, we're marching on Tartaros and getting young Wendy back!"
The entire Guild roared in agreement, cursing Tartaros, as they all silently prayed Wendy would be alright until they could get to her.
None of them could even begin to comprehend just how dire the situation truly was, and how they were already far too late.
***POTD***
It took Natsu around half an hour to reach the site of the Tartaros Cube, walking right into the center of a massacre.
The Tartaros Guild had just completed their attack on this town, the body parts of Humans strewn about the place, or left mounted on pikes to both rot, and serve as a reminder of the ruthlessness of Demons.
And speaking of Demons, many minor ones still roamed the town, either feasting upon corpses, or looting what little hadn't been destroyed for their barbaric superiors. However, none dared impede Natsu, all capable of sensing his own Demonic origins, as well as the boiling rage that swelled within him…
As he stalked through the town, he knew that he'd have to pay Tartaros back for this barbarism at some point. However, he was also able to sense Wendy's Magical Signature. It brought a slight urgency to his step, considering how faint it was.
As he arrived at the center of town, his march slowed to a crawl. All around him were the crucified forms of various Guards, Guild Mages and anyone else who had likely tried to resist Tartaros' assault on the town.
However, as he looked toward the center of the town square, he felt his rage completely escape him, replaced with almost a cold emptiness. It was unlike any other emotion he'd ever felt before, not even when his old comrades died in Scarlione, or even when Lisanna died.
He felt almost dead himself…
It was obvious that this had been done as a message, no two ways about it. The placement of the cross, and the brutality toward the one strung upon it was intended to trigger only him…
Nailed to a blood stained cross by her hands and feet… was Wendy.
She had been stripped naked, her body savagely beaten and whipped based on the visible lacerations, ones he himself had endured in his past. Her face had also been struck numerous times; her left eye swollen so badly that she couldn't even open it.
As he looked up, he noticed her right eye was slightly open, looking right at him, and he felt his eyes immediately begin to water.
"Oh Wendy…"
"N-N-Natsu," the young Dragon Slayer whispered. "Is that…a new form?"
"…Yeah. Yeah, it is…"
Her breathing was shallow, her form almost gaunt, as she showed no resistance to her current predicament. She'd been completely broken, and in turn, he had been too.
Without another word, he carefully pulled the spikes out of her body, noting that she didn't make so much as a sound, despite the areas they had been placed, and gently held her in his arms. Not so much as a single whimper.
Holding her in his right arm, he removed his Wizard Saint cloak with his left, quickly wrapping her within it, before adjusting his hold on her in his arms. The more he looked, the worse he felt, his tears dripping onto her face without him even realizing he'd begun crying.
"D-Don't cry," Wendy whispered quietly. "This…wasn't your fault. I was…just too…weak."
"No," Natsu sniffled in reply, shaking his head gently. "No, you aren't weak… You never have been."
"You don't…have to lie…like that," the young Dragon Slayer wheezed, before coughing up some blood onto his shirt. "I-I'm just not…good enough…"
Looking up in the sky, he could see the Tartaros Cube looming ominously over the town, as Demons continued their savage desecration of the people who once called it home. Looking back down to Wendy, he noticed that she had followed his gaze, the first sign of emotion in her lone eye since he'd found her.
"I'm sorry…but…it was…a trap," Wendy continued, struggling to breath as Natsu could sense the Tartaros Cube deploying more Demons onto the ground. "You should…leave me here…and save…yourself-."
"Absolutely not," Natsu replied quietly, holding her tighter to himself, his skin beginning to seemingly spasm, steam slowly rising through his pores. "I've failed you far too many times Wendy… So now, its time for me to repent for it."
"What," Wendy asked, unable to even move as she sensed Natsu beginning to carry her away from the cross she'd been crucified on. "What are…you doing?"
"Eliza… I know you're still watching me right now, so you'd better listen to me," Natsu growled, his form increasing slightly in size as the spasms in his skin increased in its severity. "Take Wendy back to Fairy Tail-."
"Natsu-!"
"-take her back and make sure the others take care of her," Natsu said, as Eliza wordlessly appeared at his side, noticing his form, her eyes narrowing when looking at his eyes.
"Are you certain?"
"Natsu no-!"
"Take her," Natsu barked, his form increasing in size once again, as Eliza gently took her from his arms, as the young Dragon Slayer tried in vain to struggle in the War God's arms.
"Natsu no! Y-You can't just fight all of them alone," Wendy cried, though Eliza barely had to do anything to keep her still. "NATSU!"
"I'm sorry Wendy, truly," Natsu smiled, tears streaming down his face as he slowly turned back to face the approaching army of Demons. "I love you."
Eliza slowly stepped back into a portal, as Natsu started slowly stalking toward the approaching Demons, crying out for him to stop.
"NATSU…NATSU…"
Just as the Dragon Slayer was about to steel himself for what he planned on carrying out here, he heard one last cry from Wendy that managed to pierce through the red mist and buzzing noise that had begun to cloud all his senses.
"DAD! PLEASE!"
Everything moved in slow motion for him, as he snapped back toward where Wendy and Eliza were. The young girl's hand was outstretched for him, her lone eye teary and a frightened look on her face, right before Eliza got her out of there using her portal.
His lip quivered as he processed her final words to him, replaying them over and over again as his mind slowly turned back to that peaceful morning he'd had with both her, and Erza, and how content he'd felt with them in that moment…
And then, he snapped.
Turning back to face the Demonic Armies of Tartaros, his body rapidly began to enlarge itself, far larger than he'd ever grown before. His body was preparing itself for the inevitable battle that was to come, and was morphing into something that could fight effectively against so many opponents.
"She was just a young girl… Kind, loving and caring, and the best thing a piece of trash like me could have ever hoped to have as part of his life," Natsu whispered, the sound of his bones snapping and rearranging themselves as his form surpassed two hundred feet, and was still rising. "And you... Demons, did unspeakable things to her…"
The Demonic Armies halted their advance, watching in horror as his size continued to increase, his form lengthening as his Magical Power skyrocketed past anything they'd been told to expect.
"I won't just kill you… no, that'd be far too easy," Natsu's voice huffed, now possessing an echo to it that had many of the Demons taking a step backward. "I'm going to BUTCHER THE WHOLE FUCKING LOT OF YOU!"
Standing over five hundred feet tall, with a body length of three hundred and twenty feet, was a Black Dragon. Its jaw was wide, displaying several rows of razor-sharp teeth, as it roared up to the skies, flaring its massive, tattered wings whilst slamming its lengthy tail on the ground. Its back possessed razor sharp spikes along the spinal area, which continued on down the tail until reaching its tip, which held a long, sharp blade protruding from it.
With eyes of full Crimson Red, the Dragon took a step forward, snarling as black fire escaped its maw, charring the land beneath it instantly. The Demon Army certainly didn't like their chances, but their Lord had ordered them to engage…
And so, despite the futility of it, the Demons sounded their attack, as the Dragon flared its wings once again, its tail rearing up like a scorpion as it decided to speak.
"I don't care anymore… I'll avenge Wendy, even if it costs me my life!"
Being struck by a barrage of Etherious based attacks, the Dragon let loose an ear-piercing roar, as it prepared to deploy a breath attack.
Arching its neck back, the Dragon fired a massive blast of Pitch-Black Fire that tore a gaping hole in the Demonic Army. Thousands died in an instant, as the Dragon snarled, multiple deep purple Magic Circles appeared along its wings, followed immediately by the Gravity in the area becoming completely distorted, ripping apart countless Demons in the process.
The Dragon stood up on its hind legs, releasing another breath attack, before stomping down on any it happened to miss with the barrage.
With one final roar, the Dragon charged directly into the horde, beginning the largest battle against the Demons of Zeref ever recorded in history, unaware of a silent observer that had been recording the entire thing, a smug grin on his face.
"With this, you're all but finished Dragneel," the figure cackled with glee, before adjusting his glasses with his middle finger. "Just a few more minutes of footage, and you'll be Ishgar's most wanted by dawn!"
The man continued to laugh, even as thousands were slaughtered before his very eyes. All that mattered was getting the footage as he'd been instructed.
The rest of the pieces would easily slot into place afterward.