Elfman wiped the floor with his opponent, wiping them out decisively. He had to get onto his match with Erza and waste little energy doing so since he would need as much as he could for that fight. Natsu returned once Elfman was all done. He'd left Wendy to care for Lucy and Gray, though Gray's injuries were even fewer than Lucy's, it seemed. He was just worn down.

Gajeel and Juvia were the only ones remaining, of Fairy Tail, in the room. Axel was still nowhere to be seen, and Natsu's opponent was at the teleportation lacrima already.

"How's my darling?" Juvia asked, her hands clasped together.

Natsu shrugged. "He's fine."

"Then Erza shall suffer at my hands when we see each other in the final rounds," Juvia said. "She will feel the pain of Gray tenfold!"

Gajeel and Natsu absentmindedly nodded. Gajeel then gestured at the ramp toward the arena.

"You going or what?" Gajeel asked. "Don't hold me up, I'm looking to get going."

"Yeah, yeah," Natsu said, waving Gajeel off. "Calm down, would you?"

"Just don't lose, alright," Gajeel said. "One more fight after this for both of us and it's you and me, Salamander."

Natsu sneered and started up the ramp. He gave Gajeel a thumbs-up.

The referee permitted the wizards to teleport onto the arena main stage. Natsu scrunched his nose at the feeling of his clothes. Hopefully, he could get the fight over with, he was not going to be that comfortable in them. They just didn't feel as loose or liberating as his normal outfit did.

"I'm ready," Natsu said and nodded to the referee, who allowed Natsu to tap his hand on the lacrima.


Yukino's suite was empty save for one—Axel. Even Sting was away, ensuring that they wouldn't draw any potential undue attention from Jiemma, who'd just entered the arena.

"Do it now," Yukino said.

Axel stood at the window. The glass was an illusion, allowing Yukino and Axel a clear line of sight, and attack, on Jiemma, who strode forth without a thought in the world. That, or he was so focused on victory, as usual, as to be unaware of his surroundings.

Axel summoned a sharp diamond in his hand. He flicked it around once, prepared to cast it down, but stopped.

"What are you doing?" Yukino asked. Her heart thundered. Why? Was this nerves? "Kill him."

They got their suite on purpose, they waited on purpose. The location was the perfect distance away for Axel to cast forth a powerful diamond shot that would skewer Jiemma right between the eyes, and it was a highly regarded suite for a General like Yukino. A perfect cover for both of them. And they had to wait to allow Jiemma his moment of either great victory or defeat to annihilate his ego, which was the size of the arena.

Their time had come.

"Axel," Yukino said.

"Wait," Axel said, and gestured.

That boy, Bora, appeared in the arena with Jiemma. The one that'd confronted Axel the night before, apparently. The one that, Axel believed, vied for that girl Ashley's heart the same as he. His competition.

And, if Bora were victorious, the fight Axel had in the next round.

"Our mission is Jiemma," Yukino said.

"I don't want to kill Bora," Axel said. "But I do want to see what's ahead of me."

"He won't defeat Jiemma. Only you can do that. And you can finish him right now."

Axel shook his head. "I'm sorry, Yukino. I'm going to let this play out. If Bora dies here, then I want to see it happen. If he's victorious? I want to know what strength he had against me."

Yukino groaned, rolled her eyes, and took a seat where the arena was still visible. Men. What ridiculous creatures.

A Celestial gate opened just behind her. Axel glanced over his shoulder at the approaching Libra, who didn't have a care in the world for Axel. She stopped next to Yukino.

"I have seen Sorano," Libra said. "And confirmed the identity of that Celestial Wizard."

"Ashley?" Yukino asked.

Libra shook her head. "That is not her name. Her true name is, as I suspected, is Lucy Heartfilia."

Yukino sat up. Axel raised an eyebrow.

"Heartfilia?" he asked. "What, the daughter of that merchant?"

"She's dead," Yukino said. "Killed, with the rest of Fairy Tail."

"She escaped, somehow," Libra said. "Perhaps escaping into the Celestial Spirit World. Time manifests differently, it could explain her similar appearance."

"Then," Yukino muttered. Lucy Heartfilia, before her death, was known to be in possession of the remaining Zodiac keys. "Then she's hiding her true powers from us." Yukino stood up, glowering at Bora. "And if she lived, who else in Fairy Tail did?"


Natsu stopped a few feet away from the giant man before him. The guy looked nonplussed about Natsu, not even bothering to move. Natsu didn't appear intimidated either. He'd faced big guys like this plenty of times. They all fell down the same way.

"Forfeit this fight now or be prepared to forfeit your life," the man, Jiemma, said. "I warned that scarlet woman that she must leave you all out of my way or suffer the consequences."

"Look, the way I see it is that you're in my way, too," Natsu said. He pointed at Jiemma. "I've got a rematch coming up, and I have to beat that guy into the dirt. But I won't offer you to forfeit. Er—uh...wait...Cat...no...what was her name?"

"Enough of this child's play," Jiemma said. He opened a hand at Natsu. "Prepare to die."

The whistle blew. Jiemma's power erupted out of his hand, purple light engulfing Natsu's vision before a force he hadn't felt since Master Hades slammed into his chest and blasted him back against the wall of stone.

Natsu peeled off the wall, hitting the ground on his hands and knees. The crowd cheered for Jiemma and jeered at Natsu. The Dragon Slayer grasped some dirt in his hand.

Ah. So, the tough guy wanted a good fight while Natsu had a hand tied behind his back?

Well. Fairy Tail was never one to back down from a challenge before, were they?

Natsu burst forward, jetting flames shooting out from beneath his feet while he swerved around yet another of Jiemma's strikes, sliding beneath the man's defenses with speed unexpected and delivering an uppercut into Jiemma's gut.

With meaty hands, Jiemma grabbed Natsu, unaffected by the blow, then slammed Natsu into the ground. Magic filled Natsu's vision once more. Natsu flared his aura of fire to at least temporarily stun Jiemma and get the distance between the two of them. Natsu slid back, summoning a fireball in his hand.

"Nice," Natsu said wiping nervous sweat from his brow. "This guy is the real deal, I guess."

"Your attempts at escape shall win you no favor, boy," Jiemma said. "Nor will they buy you much more time. I will eradicate this arena if it assures my victory."

"It won't," Natsu said. "But you're welcome to try!"

He lunged into yet another attack, shooting his fireballs at Jiemma, who swatted them both aside with ease. They lacked the oomph without the Dragon Slayer element mixed in. Just plain old fire was fine, but it didn't have the strength to overthrow a dragon. Natsu snarled.

He'd just have to settle for his own power, plain and simple, until he could find a chink in Jiemma's armor. Though, that was proving—

Jiemma roared, swinging his arm down and casting a massive aura of purple light around him that exploded around Natsu and once more sent the Dragon Slayer flying. Natsu caught himself, flipping end-over-end.

"This prattle of yours is useless," Jiemma said. "A fire wizard befriend of the great Titania? I know who you are. Sting and Rogue spoke highly of you, as well as the one known as Black Steel. I knew you would be weak if you were the idol of those two, but this far outdoes my expectations. You are simply pathetic, and I will receive no joy from your death."

His words carried on the speaker's lacrima all around the arena. Already, whispers were abound. Titania? Black Steel? The people knew those names.

They knew Fairy Tail. They remembered.

Maybe, then, they could hope.

Natsu stood up straight, allowing his flames to burn hot, bright, and true. His sleeves crisped into nothing. The breeze generated from his power burning hotter carried away his cap. Natsu smiled.

"My death?" Natsu asked. "Buddy, you think you've seen my strength? No way. The world hasn't seen it for seven years. They haven't seen real power in that long, either!"

The ground beneath Natsu cratered as, for the first time in so, so long, he unleashed the flames bestowed upon him by his father, Igneel the Fire Dragon King.

"Sorry, Erza," Natsu said, quiet so the crowd couldn't hear him. "Hisui. I know what you wanted us to do. To keep quiet. But keeping quiet ain't gonna save anyone's life. It ain't gonna remind them they can keep fighting."

"Praying before the end?" Jiemma asked. "There is no god left in this world to listen to you, boy."

"I ain't the one that needs prayers," Natsu said. "You better get ready, pal. Cuz now?" He concentrated power into his fist. "I'm all fired up!"

He launched at Jiemma, who didn't brace. He just raised his hand as if to stop Natsu.

"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

Natsu swung, flames of freedom screaming behind him as Jiemma's eye twitched, unprepared for the might that was sent his way. Some flames hit first, and then his attack, landing square in Jiemma's chest, and at last, he was the one sent soaring into the opposite wall. Natsu slid to a halt.

The crowd stood in disbelief, trying to comprehend what they saw, and heard.

Finally, a lone voice broke through,

"I—It's Natsu Dragneel! It's Salamander!"

And, for the first time ever, people cheered for him.

Natsu rubbed his nose and laughed.

"Wouldya look at that," he said, resting his hands on his hips. Jiemma picked himself up in a bit of a stumble. "Guess they liked me all along!"

Jiemma brushed away the dirt. "That strike had something to it, boy. Perhaps you'll entertain me for a moment longer."

"I'll do more than that," Natsu said. "Come on, tough guy, let me show you the power of Fairy Tail."

Jiemma charged, running at a speed a bit more impressive than Natsu anticipated. It was like watching a bull gain steam. Natsu couldn't hit him head-on.

Right?

"Fire Dragon Sword Horn!"

Natsu blasted at Jiemma, moving as fast as his base form would allow him. He dipped his head and ran right into Jiemma's fist, the two unmoving for a moment while Natsu continued to surge his magic. The pressure built up between the two spells at last gave, and the wizards flew back across the arena. Jiemma slid to a halt while Natsu had to catch himself and then try to land as gracefully as possible. He wiped away some blood from his forehead.

"Oof," Natsu muttered. "Guy packs a mean punch."

Jiemma flicked his wrist. "I was once Guild Master of the greatest guild in Fiore, Salamander. Summon forth your Dragon Force and we can make this a true fight."

Natsu spat. "Got any Etherion on you?"

"No."

"Tough." He cracked his knuckles, and rolled his shoulder. "Would've been cool, so I guess I'll just deal without it."

Alright, Natsu, time to give this a bit of thought. Jiemma moved with speed but only after generating it. At best, he would try and keep a perimeter. His magic wasn't complicated, but it was tough. Almost impenetrable, unless there was a gap in his defenses. Which, more than likely, came from him being unable to throw up a guard in time.

So, speed was going to have to win the day. Natsu wasn't concerned about generating enough power in a single strike, he had plenty of spells for that. Most of his Dragon Slayer's Secret Arts would do the trick there, but he had to be close-range for those to be as effective as he wanted.

"Wait," Natsu said, blinking.

In front of him, Jiemma hoisted up a massive ball of black magic that crackled with purple power. When had he done that? When Natsu was thinking? Damn it! No wonder he tried not to do that too often.

"I must thank you for your patience, but now, you'll die!" Jiemma roared and flung the black orb at Natsu. It shrunk on its way, picking up pace as it moved.

If Natsu dodged it, it had enough power to obliterate everyone in the arena behind him. So, he had to go through it.

"Here we go!" Natsu exclaimed, and lightning burst from his aura. The crowd was awed by it.

"Lightning Fire Dragon's Firing Hammer!"

Natsu charged his attack, swinging his arm back, and, with the full force of his powered-up mode, crashed his fist down into the orb, pushing with all his strength. It exploded beneath him, sending him flying into the air, and left a massive crater in the arena. Natsu vanished in the smoke but managed to adjust, and was propelled down, quickly, from the fire coming out of his feet. Jiemma spotted him falling and braced.

Natsu swung about, preparing his next attack.

"Lightning Fire Dragon Claw!"

Jiemma threw up a guard to block it but faltered back. The ground broke at his feet. Natsu sprung back. Jiemma cast two orbs of sheer magic power at Natsu, who deflected them both with arms wreathed in lightning and fire. Jiemma grunted and cupped his hands before opening them up, quickly, and unleashing a mad torrent of power

"Lightning Dragon Roar!"

The spells collided and exploded. Natsu tempered down out of his Lightning Fire Dragon Mode while Jiemma swiped away the smoke. Natsu wiped away some sweat from his brow. The crowd continued to cheer for both combatants to get on with the fight.

"In your base form you stand little chance against me, little Dragon Slayer," Jiemma said. "There are no tricks you can pull to steal the victory."

"Steal?" Natsu said. "I'll beat you fair and square, big guy." He pointed at Jiemma, igniting his arm in flames. "Come on. Your turn."

"What?" Jiemma asked. "You want me to attack you directly?"

"Sure," Natsu said. "Give it your best shot. But I'll warn you if you miss or can't take me out with this one hit, then it's all over for you!"

Jiemma nodded. "As you wish, then."

The ground shook beneath Natsu's feet as he adjusted into a defensive stance. Several members of the audience gasped at the sheer magic power gathering around Jiemma, all in a crackling, near-palpable aura that nearly consumed his entire body. It was almost demonic, in its own way. More than anything, it reminded Natsu of Master Hades's strength.

Good thing, Natsu thought, he'd beaten that old guy up, too.

"I warned you your arrogance would cost you your life, and here the toll is due!" Jiemma roared and summoned his entire aura into his hand. With a thrust, the power, invisible at first, shot at Natsu.

Powerful bursts of wind whipped at Natsu while people around him cried out for him to move, to get out of the way. To run.

Long ago, yet not so long for Natsu, Gildarts once told him that it was okay to back away from an opponent that was far too strong. It was okay to know when a fight couldn't be won or to lean back and rely on your friends to achieve victory.

Lightning sparked around Natsu again.

The world had been caught in a dark web of fear, darkness, and hatred for so long. The light of Fiore was smothered.

Natsu's flames burned brighter and brighter, the lightning moving impossibly fast.

"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art! Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade!"

Lightning and fire swirled around Natsu. The attack was there, moving fast, but Natsu wasn't deterred. Wasn't afraid. Wasn't going to run.

He launched at the attack, slamming into it with all his might, as the spells connected once more. Natsu roared with the fearsome power belonging to the son of the Fire Dragon King, dissipating Jiemma's spell while his own broke apart. Yet from the carnage of their collision, Natsu flew, powerful, and ready to win.

"Lightning Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!"

He supercharged his fists with the power of his combined Dragon Slayer magics and slammed into Jiemma, sending him a step back, then followed up with yet another punch that Jiemma tried to block but failed to as one of Natsu's attacks made a direct hit.

"Lightning Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

Natsu slammed yet another fist into Jiemma's face, breaking the big man's nose on impact. He pursued Jiemma as the older wizard flew back. Natsu flipped over and slammed Jiemma with his foot, kicking him into the ground, but Jiemma responded, blasting Natsu point-black with that almighty power he'd condensed. The crowd gasped as Natsu hit the ground.

The world went black for a second but he sprung to his feet. Jiemma was already there.

"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art! Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!"

Before Jiemma's attack could land, Natsu swung his arms around, slamming Jiemma with his spell and sending him flying. Natsu sighed. Running out of power. He had enough for one last spell. One that would surely defeat Jiemma.

Jiemma hit the ground—hard—and Natsu sprinted at him with all the strength left in his legs. That attack from Jiemma continued to linger. If he'd taken a ton of hits like that the entire fight, he'd definitely be done.

Jiemma crushed his hand and the ground beneath Natsu shattered. Natsu leaped over it. Jiemma leveled his arm, a blast filling in his palm.

"Fire Dragon!"

Jiemma unleashed the blast. Natsu swung at it. It slammed into his arms, holding him back in the air, but with a mighty shout, he deflected it. His arm went limp at his side.

"Roar!"

The attack was nearly point-blank. There was no way Jiemma could block, or dodge, it. The big guy's eyes widened, and he was engulfed in its strength. He slid back, hit the ground, and tumbled until he at last came to a halt. Natsu slammed into the ground. His left arm, the unbroken one, he had to use to pick himself up, pushing to his knees and then finally getting to his feet.

Jiemma, however, could not get back up. He tried his best to do so but fell beneath his own power. Only after the referee declared Natsu the winner did Jiemma stand up.

Natsu started to approach, ignoring the pain in his arm.

"Made of tough stuff, you know that?" Natsu asked.

"Do not patronize me, boy," Jiemma said. "If you could not defeat me, you have no hope of winning this war."

Natsu pursed his lips. "No reason we need to be enemies."

Jiemma leered at Natsu. "In this world, there are nothing but enemies."

Then, a diamond spear skewered Jiemma's chest.


The crowd went silent. Nobody screamed. It would be foolish of them to be scared of seeing Jiemma, a rumored rebel, killed. If anything, they could cheer.

"Good riddance, then," Axel said, bringing his arm back. "Glad my aim wasn't off. Would hate to have hit Natsu with that before our fight."

Yukino nodded. Axel glanced at her. She turned away, wiping something off her cheek.

Another tear, another one that she wasn't aware of summoning.

"See to it that body is cleaned up," Yukino said. "And then taken care of."

"Consider it done," Axel said, quietly.

Yukino stepped out of the room, what felt like a prison for the last several minutes as the moment of truth approached, and let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been withholding.

That man had been vile, cruel, and an abject monster. He prided Yukino for her strength and scorned her weak feelings for Sting in those moments of heightened darkness. But why? Why did that tear spring to her face? Yukino slammed her fist into the wall, denting it, before moving on.

Natsu moved to take out the spear but Jiemma held his hand up to stop Natsu.

"You'll die!" Natsu exclaimed.

"The lacrima," Jiemma said. "Find it. Do not let them have that power."

Lacrima? What lacrima-Lector.

The two Dragon Slayers.

It clicked. The two Captains, the two great Dragon Slayers of the Twilight Empire, were his students, once. Members of his guild.

"We will," Natsu said.

Twilight Empire guards moved Natsu aside as they picked up Jiemma and hurried him away. Natsu stood alone in the stadium, yet trailed his gaze up in the direction the spear had come from. A man stood alone in a booth, diamond still sprinkling down his arm.

Axel.

Natsu raised his unbroken arm toward him, then clenched his fist.

They'd settle it tomorrow, and Natsu would win.

No matter what.