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Also, I know some of you are still suffering from Shark withdrawal, but don't worry! Shark will be in action soon! Just sit tight!

Until then... enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 45

Nirvana Awakens!

In another area, Erza was making her way towards Nirvana. She had requipped back to her original outfit and felt much better thanks to Wendy curing her. However, she was deep in thought about one person in particular. Jellal. When Nirvana unsealed, she happened to overhear Natsu mention that Jellal was alive and he was the reason that Nirvana was unsealed. Upon learning that, she slipped away unnoticed and start to head towards the light where Nirvana was herself. She also had lots of mixed up emotions fluttering in her heart, but the biggest that stood out most of all was confusion.

"I still can't believe it..." she thought. "Jellal is alive... but how is that possible? He should have died when the Tower self-destructed. And why is he here of all places? Damn it all... I don't even know how I should be feeling right now..."

Needless to say, as she ran, her thoughts were filled with memories of Jellal. Memories of him being there for Erza in her darkest hour to when he tried to kill her back at the Tower of Heaven. Those memories alone were enough to make her heart cringe, but she pressed on as she grew closer and closer to the pillar of light.

Soon enough, she came into the area where Nirvana was just unsealed only to have a powerful gust of wind blast right into her. The wind was strong, and dust blew everywhere, but Erza continued going step by step getting closer and closer to the beam of light. The wind and the dust eventually settled down and Erza was able to see once again. However, when she looked up and saw the source of the light. The pillar of light had now changed into from black to a pure white color. She also saw something or someone standing by the light that immediately made her eyes widen in shock. There standing in front of the white beam of light was the man that unsealed it and when he turned around and looked back at her, she knew immediately who it was. Jellal. At the same time, Cobra who was still in his hiding place with Cubellios peeked out and was surprised to see Erza.

"No way... It's Erza?! She's still alive!?" he thought. "That's impossible! Why wasn't I able to sense her approaching?! Damn it! If she takes out Jellal before Nirvana's fully activated, then all our hard work will be for nothing!"

Needless to say, Erza's heart felt like it stopped with shock as she gazed at Jellal frozen and unsure how to react to while Jellal stared back at her with an emotionless expression on his face.

"Jellal..." she murmured. "It really is you..." He shocked expression then changed into a glare. "How did you get here? I demand to know!"

It took a few second until Jellal finally responded to her. "I... don't know," he said. "I have no idea... the only thing that I can remember... is Erza..."

Jellal know looked completely confused making Erza's glare soften not expecting this.

"Erza... Erza... That name is the only thing I can remember," continued Jellal as he raised his voice gradually rose with confusion and frustration holding his head. "I have no memory yet I still I remember that name. I don't even know who I am or where I came from!" He looked at Erza now sounding desperate. "Can you tell me? Please! Do you know?! If you know anything, please tell me! At least tell me who this Erza is! If you know anything you have to tell me! I'm begging you!"

Cobra was baffled having to have heard everything Jellal had just said. "You're kidding me..." he muttered. "He's lost all of his memories?!"

Erza at this point was completely shocked by this turn of events and her eyes began to fill with tears of emotion. It was because that she had begun to realize that the Jellal she knew as a child had come back to this world lost, alone, and scared. The innocent and kind Jellal that had helped her get through the hell that was the Tower of Heaven. However, that emotion was quickly shut out, for she wasn't entirely sure that this was an act or the truth. Her tears were quickly flushed away and then she began walking towards Jellal with a serious frown on her face.

"Jellal..."

Feeling threatened, Jellal panicked as he fired a blast of magic power by extending his arm. "Stay away!" he cried

The attack hit Erza square on, but the knight stood her ground taking the attack completely unfazed surprising Jellal. Taking that as a sign of wanting to fight, Erza bravely stood in front of Jellal and stared him down.

"All right then! You come to me!" she said. "I'm the one you're looking for! I'm Erza! And your name is Jellal Fernandes. There was a time when you were once my one and only friend, "

Jellal eyes widened having to have a couple of his questions answered. "We... we were?" he asked.

"Yes, but then you became deranged, desecrated the dead, hurt my friends, destroyed the magic council, and killed Simon!" continued Erza now sounded and looked more furious than before. "And so, if you... if you even dare to forget the pain you caused, I'll take my sword and strike you in your heart and make you remember! Now come at me and face your atonement!" she yelled.

Jellal stood there completely shocked and full of disbelief from what Erza had just told him. He had done terrible things which made in a monster and that made him feel terrible. His eyes then began to fill with tears. Tears filled with remorse and self-loathing.

"No... it can't be..." he murmured as he looked at his hands. "I... I did that to my comrades? Please... no. What have I done?!" He then began to weep as his buried his face in his hands sobbing. "It can't be true! It just can't be! Please... tell me...how do I make amends?! What should I do now?!"

Erza looked down to the ground unsure of what to say her anger quickly dissipating. She was also wondering that if this was the same Jellal from before, but she was rudely interrupted. Erza sharply turned around to see that Cobra finally came out from his hiding place and was walking towards them.

"Well I guess that explains why I wasn't able to hear your inner voice," he said as he walked towards them with Cubellios hissing and baring her fangs. "But now I've got a whole bunch of other questions to ask you, like how you were able to find Nirvana. No more importantly, how were able to break Nirvana's seal?! I demand to know!"

Jellal took a minute to process what he had in mind, then he explained. "While I was unconscious, I heard a voice inside my mind. It would say, 'I must have Nirvana'. Then when I came to, for some reason I knew exactly where Nirvana was. However, I could also sense how powerful and dangerous it was." He paused impressively. "And that's why... I unsealed Nirvana so could destroy it!"

Cobra and Erza's eyes widened with shock, Cobra being more shocked than Erza.

"How do you intend to destroy something like that?!" asked Erza.

Her answer came sooner than expected. For right then, a large complex purple magic circle with some red inscriptions came into view out of the nothingness from behind him.

"I've rigged this monstrosity with a self-destruction magic circle," continued Jellal. "Very soon, Nirvana will crush itself and be destroyed, and then no one will be able to use its power for evil."

Cobra immediately ran up to the magic circle and started typing on it like keyboard trying to disarm it, but no matter how much he tried he couldn't.

"Damn it! I've never seen a magic circle with this much complexity!" he said as he backed away. "If I don't do something to stop this, we'll lose everything!" Then he glared at Jellal. "Spill it Jellal! Tell me how to disarm it or I'll beat it out of you!" he snarled.

Jellal didn't say anything. Then he suddenly let out a groan of pain making him hold his chest. "Erza... I'm glad I found out who you were," he said to the woman in particular. "Whenever I hear your name, I feel a calmness wash over me... Kindness, cheerfulness, and even fierce unwavering loyalty." He then began to cough violently making Erza believe that something was wrong. "I have no doubt that you'll continue to hate me for my crimes and that's understandable," continued Jellal as he grunted in pain. "I would probably hate myself too. Therefore, if I'm truly your friend, then I cannot allow that hatred to keep robbing you of your freedom."

"Jellal... what are you saying?" asked Erza who was feeling confused.

Then she and Cobra saw something in the middle of Jellal's chest that made their eyes wide with horror. A purple magic circle like the one from behind slowly appeared on Jellal's chest.

"You gotta be kidding me!" said Cobra gritting his teeth. "He placed a self-destruction circle on himself?! Is he seriously gonna sacrifice himself!? If he dies, then he'll take the disarm codes with him!"

"I'm so sorry you suffered because of me," Jellal spoke again as he began to fall backward. "I'll do everything I can to make it right. Be free from your hatred Erza. Be free from me... I swear... I'll take your sadness... and your hatred with me to my grave... so they won't shackle you down... Goodbye... Erza... and thank you."

As he fell flat on the ground smiling with satisfaction, Erza could only stare at her friend with shock. Her eyes filled up with tears and began streaming down her face. She was once again about to see her one of her friends die once again in the same fashion that Simon did. By sacrificing himself to protect her. She couldn't bear to see this again. Not again.

"Jellal! Don't do this!" she cried as she ran past Cobra and rushed over to his side picking him up by the collar. "Listen to me! I will not allow you to die like this! You must atone for your sins! Do you honestly think that you can rest in peace completely ignorant for what you did?! Own up to guilt and live!"

Jellal opened his eyes to see Erza's face before his. Her eyes were still streaming with tears as they trickled down on her cheeks and dropping on her armored fist.

"Erza... please don't cry," Jellal spoke quietly. "There's really no reason to."

Erza taken aback immediately look at her right hand to see the tears on her hand. Jellal then smiled.

"Don't forget... you are a good and kind-hearted person," he said. "And you'll always will be..."

His body then went limp as he seemed to lose consciousness letting himself await his death at the hands of his own spell.

"Jellal! Please! You have to pull yourself together!" panicked Erza as she shook him to try and keep him conscious.

Just then as Erza was beginning to lose hope for Jellal, two more visitors arrived on the scene. It was Brain and Shark.

"What could be the meaning of all this foolishness?!" demanded Brain who sounded less than pleased.

Cobra was surprised, but at the same felt relieved to see them. "Brain... Shark... they're here..." he murmured.

Erza seeing two more foes on show up quickly wiped tears and looked back the two not sure what they were planning to do or what their purpose was.

Brain looked up at the large magic circle and immediately knew what it was. "A magic circle of self-destruction?" he murmured narrowing his eyes.

"This is all Jellal's handiwork!" said Cobra angrily. "We've gone through all this trouble to find Nirvana and take it and this moron is trying to destroy it!"

Brain's frown then changed into a smile as he along with Shark walked towards the magic circle. "Spare me the hysterics Cobra," he said. "I was given the title Brain for a reason. The reason why I am called that is because I once used to work for the Bureau of Magic Development. During my time there, I produced hundreds of spells including the ones that are designed to bring destruction like this one you see before you." He was soon right in front of it and cast a glance towards Jellal. "In fact, I was even the one who taught you how to use them Jellal. Or have you forgotten?"

Erza looked at Brain completely stunned for learning that. Then Brain happened to see the other self-destruction magic circle on Jellal's chest.

"He's placed another one on himself. He intends to take the disarm code with him to the grave, does he?" he wondered.

"Apparently the Ethernano messed his memory up and wiped it clean," explained Cobra. "So, I don't think he'll be reminiscing with you anytime soon. He doesn't even know that he was the bad guy at some point."

Brain let out a laugh filled with amusement earning him a spiteful glare from Erza. "Is that so? How comical. No matter. We have no need of his assistance anyway, for I know how to nullify this magic circle with ease."

He placed his hand on the spell's center and then sharply raised it up like he was doing a chop. The magic circle then changed to a bright green color and then bit by bit started to dissolve and break apart much to Erza's and Jellal's shock.

"No!"

"You can't... do this!"

Brain simply laughed with triumph as the last of Jellal's self-destruction spell broke away now nullified. "You did your best Jellal, but now Nirvana is under my control!"

"We'll see about that!" cried Erza as she summoned her sword in an attempt to strike down Brain, but it was too late.

"Now, Nirvana! Arise!" yelled Brain as the ground now began to rumble and shake. "And reveal your true face!"

The ground then began to split apart as the overwhelming power. Rocks flew everywhere and the light from Nirvana grew brighter and brighter.

"Yes! I can hear it!" crowed Cobra who was awed by this terrifying sight. "The sound of the future! The sound of light crashing to the ground!"

Then the pillar of light unleashed a powerful blast of force sending Erza and Jellal high into the air. The two tried to reach out to each other, but they grew further and further away from each other.

"No Jellal!"

"Erza!"

Then they were both enveloped by the light as Nirvana was ready transforming into its next stage.

Meanwhile, Ren who was still on his mission hoping to stop whoever had unsealed Nirvana. However, he had run into the last person that he wanted to see. Midnight. As soon as he saw him, Ren tried his best to take out Midnight using his Air Magic, but just like with Eve from before, Ren's magic wasn't able to land a single hit. He would unleash spell after spell and it would curve around Midnight completely missing him.

"Damn it! Why can't my magic hit him!?" cried Ren in frustration.

"What's the matter?" smirked Midnight. "Having a little trouble hitting me?"

Ren feeling angry from Midnight's cockiness decided to try one more time.

"AIR MAGIC! AERIAL SHOT!"

With a wave of his hand using his Air Magic, he made dozens of rocks and rubble levitate and then fired them at Midnight. Unfortunately, once again the attack curved around Midnight leaving him completely unharmed.

"No way! You gotta be kidding me!" gawked Ren seeing his attack fail.

Then with one simple glare, Midnight attacked Ren with a shockwave of magic power hitting him hard. Ren staggered and then not having the strength to fight back anymore then fell to the ground defeated.

"And that makes two," said Midnight sounding a bit disappointed. "How pathetic. Isn't there anyone who's tougher than this?"

Then suddenly a bright light shone from behind him causing him to turn around and look towards the pillar of light. When he saw what was going on, he couldn't help but smirk.

"So, it's finally happened... Father has finally gained control of Nirvana."

It was now evening as the sun began to set just over the horizon. Carla had managed to get Wendy to a safe location far away on the edge of a mountain that overlooked the Woodsea. She had lied Wendy against the rock and was watching over the young girl until she regained consciousness.

"Whew... I swear those fools are going to be the death of us," she muttered. "Oh well... at least I managed to get Wendy to safety. Now it's only a manner of time before she wakes up."

She didn't have to wait for long, for right then, Wendy slowly began to open her eyes as she woke up.

"Wendy! You're finally awake," said Carla. "What a relief."

"Carla? What's going on?" wondered Wendy. "Where am I?"

Carla then explained what had happened after Wendy was knocked out. Wendy took in everything Carla said listening intently. When Carla finished her story, Wendy couldn't help but feel a little glum for what had happened. Especially since she also remembered that she had healed Jellal. She now was starting to feel sorry for herself.

"Maybe... maybe I shouldn't have come and joined the alliance," she said sadly.

"Now child, stop talking like that," chided Carla. "You need to stop beating yourself up. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was," said Wendy as she hugging her knees curling into a ball.

"You do realize you're playing with fire Wendy," said Carla. "If you keep being so negative like this, Nirvana will change your heart and make you turn evil."

But Wendy still felt sad. "It's true. I'm nothing more but a coward," she said bitterly. "I practically ran away and left Lucy and the others behind instead of staying to fight with them."

"You know as well as I do that if you stayed behind, you would've only gotten in the way," said Carla. "There wasn't much you could have done."

"You see? Exactly my point," sulked Wendy. "I really shouldn't have come."

"Come now you know that isn't true," said Carla. "Besides, if it wasn't you being there, Erza would have died from that snake bite."

"Yeah that's true," said Wendy. "But it's also true that the Oración Seis found Nirvana because of me. All because I had to revive Jellal."

"Is it really that bad Child? It seems to me that part you of actually happy for seeing that Jellal fellow," said Carla. "While we're on that topic, who is this Jellal anyway? You seem to have a special connection with him which has been confusing. After all, you did mention that you had to repay him for something he did for you and if he's so important to you then why haven't you told me anything about him?"

"Oh yeah. I never told you, did I? Sorry about that," said Wendy. She then looked up at the sky and began remembering back. "It all happened seven years ago, a little after Sky Dragon Grandeeney disappeared. I was left all alone wandering around aimlessly all by myself. I felt lost... and scared... Eventually, I ran into a young boy who was on a journey and was also all alone."

"And I take it that was Jellal?" asked Carla.

"Yes. That was how we met," continued Wendy. "Seeing how alone I was, he then asked me if I wanted to go with him on his journey. Naturally, I agreed and then we traveled together from that day forward. We really didn't know where we were going, but I don't think we really cared. I personally didn't care where we went as long as I was with him. We had been walking for about a month so and then one day he started acting really strange."

"Strange how?" wondered Carla.

"I don't know, but not long after he said that he had to leave me behind for some reason because it was too dangerous," said Wendy sadly. "I didn't want to, but when we got beyond the forest, he left me with a guild which was Cait Shelter and I've been there ever since."

"I see. So that's how you ended up there," said Carla thoughtfully. "What happened to Jellal after you parted ways with him?"

"I don't know. I never saw him again after that," replied Wendy. "But recently I have heard rumors about someone from the council that looked just like him was doing horribly evil deeds to people." Wendy then gave a small smile. "But... it seems so silly. I mean how could he even think about doing such things? It also makes me wonder... does he even still remember me after all these years?"

Carla sighed unable to come up with an answer. Then suddenly heard an explosion of sorts and a bright burst of light coming from somewhere a few feet away from them. They looked to see the pillar of light that was Nirvana had grown bright and was a mixture of white and black. Not only that, but the ground began to tremble beneath them.

"Carla! Look at that!" cried Wendy. "It looks even worse now!"

"Quickly child let's get to safety!" said Carla urgently. "We must get airborne!"

Carla immediately clamped onto Wendy's back and spread her wings lifting her into the air just as the mountain began to crumble beneath them.

Back in the forest, Lucy was knocked out for quite some time. She then regained conscious only to feel a sharp pain on her shoulder. When she shot her hand up towards her shoulder, she felt that it had been bandaged and taken care of. Not only that, but she was now wearing a completely different outfit. Her outfit comprised of a blue top with gold trims that was sleeveless and left her back bare with a white bow close to her neck, a blue skirt, blue bracelets and stockings with white frills, and blue with gold trimmed high heel shoes.

"What the... someone treated me and changed my clothes," she murmured. "But who could have..."

"That would be me, Princess," said a voice next to her. "I thought that clothes from the Celestial World would be better considering that your clothes were damaged."

Lucy turned to see a young girl about her age sitting next to her. She had short pink hair, had blue eyes, had shackles on her wrists, and wore a black and white maid outfit. Lucy knew who it was, but she was surprised to see her considering that she was out of magic power.

"Virgo?!"

"Not only that, but I took the liberty of changing Natsu's clothes as well," added Virgo. "I even picked out the ones that would make you two a matching set."

Lucy looked to see that Natsu was lying against the tree unconscious. He now wore a jacket that was blue with gold trims just like Lucy's, wore a pair of orange baggy pants, and had a dark blue with gold trimmed boots. Lucy then sighed with irritation.

"You know that was completely unnecessary you know?" she said flatly.

Then Natsu woke up. "Hey... what's going on?" he wondered. "Now, where am I?" Then he suddenly remembered. "Wait a second! I don't have time for this! Where's that light thing?"

He then saw the pillar of light in the distance as did Lucy and Virgo. The light was shining in the distance like before, but it also had changed color.

"We seem to be closer to the light," said Lucy. "But is it me or did it change color?"

"Indeed, it did," observed Virgo. "While you were both unconscious, the color changed from black to white."

Natsu glared at the light letting out an angry snarl feeling irritated for some unknown reason, but then he took a deep breath and calmed down. He then turned towards Lucy.

"Thanks a bunch for helping me back there Lucy," he said flashing a smile. "You really saved my butt."

Lucy blushed in a bright shade of red. "Oh yeah. Sure... no problem," she said embarrassingly.

"She looooves you," teased Virgo.

"Don't you copy that stupid cat!" snapped Lucy.

"Speaking of Happy, where is he?" wondered Natsu. "And for that matter, Lucy, weren't you supposed to stay with Erza?"

"I'm sorry..." apologized Lucy looking depressed. "I haven't seen Happy and I was with Erza, but we got split up."

"Oh well then. Guess we have to go to that light thing all by ourselves," said Natsu. "Let's get going."

"I shall be taking my leave as well Princess," said Virgo. "I'm happy to have serviced you and please take care."

"Virgo hold on!" began Lucy, but Virgo then vanished into the air back into the Celestial World. It was then that Lucy realized something right then. "That's right. I didn't summon Virgo. She came here using her own magic power, but then does that mean I used up all of mine?"

Then both she and Natsu heard the rustling of bush startling her and Natsu. They looked towards the bushes to find a certain pink haired girl walking towards them in a zombie-like trance.

"It's Sherry," said Lucy feeling happy to see her. "Man! You scared me half to death, but I'm glad that you're alright."

"Wait a sec..." said Natsu who was now looking at Sherry thoughtfully. "You were on Galuna Island? What happened to the bushy brows and that dog guy?"

"You know this girl Natsu!" said Lucy flatly. "You've seen her since then! How dumb are you?!"

Sherry glared evilly at the two causing them to step back. "It's your fault... You Fairy Tail wizards are to blame for what happened to my beloved Lyon!"

She then used her magic to make two large hands made from the roots of trees in the ground. They shot forward threatening to grab Natsu and Lucy, but then several spikes of ice shot up from the ground destroying them. Then a certain ice maker wizard leaped out from the shadows and grabbed Sherry from behind and pinned her to the ground.

"I've had enough of you, you idiot!" he yelled.

"Gray!" cried Lucy. "What the heck is going on?!"

"I don't know!" said Gray as he struggled to keep Sherry down. "For some reason, she seems to be possessed or something! She's been like this ever since that light came out!"

"Hey! You were acting strange before too!" said Natsu indignantly remembering what had happened before. "What's the idea, pulling off that raft stunt?! I oughta kick you in the teeth for that!"

Gray was puzzled, but Lucy quickly explained. "Natsu that wasn't really Gray," she said. "That was actually Gemini, a Celestial Spirit."

"Damn it! Get off of me!" shrieked Sherry. "You'll all will pay for what you did to Lyon! I will avenge his death!"

"Avenge me for what exactly?" said a voice. "I would have thought that you'd have a little more faith in me than that Sherry."

Everyone looked up and they were surprised to see Lyon standing before them alive and well dragging an unconscious Racer on the ground. Upon seeing Lyon, Sherry calmed down and Gray let her go.

"Lyon... you're alive...?" she murmured.

"Of course, he is," said Gray smiling. "He's a lot tougher than he looks."

"Don't give me too much credit Gray," said Lyon. "I was a lot closer to dying than I thought. That bomb lacrima he had was no joke. I had to use every ounce of my magic power just to protect myself from the blast and to recover."

"Sounds like you've had it pretty rough too," commented Lucy. "You are pretty tough."

Sherry's eyes were now brimming with tears of joy. "Thank goodness..." she said. "My dear Lyon is alive..." She felt very happy, but at the same time felt very exhausted passing out onto the ground. Then she began to glow a dark light as a mysterious black vapor came out of her body.

"What the... what is that?" wondered Natsu.

"I guess she was possessed after all," said Gray.

"No kidding," said Lucy looking back at the light. "We better get going and find Erza. We're running out of time."

"I agree," said Lyon. "I'll get Sherry."

Lyon then left Racer on the ground and picked up Sherry in his arms. They were just about to set off when suddenly, the pillar of light began to grow brighter in a burst of energy and the white light was now a mixture of white and black.

"What is that?!" cried Natsu. "I've never smelled anything this dangerous before!

"Did we not make it in time?!" asked Lyon.

"I'm really hoping it's not as bad as it looks," said Gray worriedly. "And to make things worse, I get the feeling that Erza's right in the middle of it."

Suddenly the ground began to tremble and then originating from the light, giant stone tendrils shot forth from the ground causing everyone who was watching to gawk in shock.

"Now what the heck is going on?!" said Natsu.

"I don't know, but those things seem to be coming from everywhere!" said Gray.

"Is this what Nirvana's true form looks like?!" asked Lucy.

"If it is, this is the craziest type of magic I've ever seen," said Lyon.

Then the ground began to shake even more violently beneath their feet.

"Now what's going on?!" exclaimed Natsu. "Why is everything shaking now?!"

"Get a hold of yourself man!" chided Gray.

"Now I'm getting a really bad feeling," said Lucy warily.

Then suddenly the broke tore beneath them and another tendril ripped up. Lyon carrying Sherry was lucky to have gotten out of the way, but as for Natsu, Lucy, and Gray they ended up right on top of it.

"I hate it when I'm right!" shrieked Lucy as she along with Natsu and Gray were swept up high in the air.

As the tendrils came out of the ground, the ground began to break and erupt upwards lifting the pillar of black and white light and then something began to be pulled out of the ground. Eventually, a city emerged from the ground attached to the stone tendrils giving it the appearance of some kind of strange spider. This was Nirvana's complete and final form.

Erza was holding onto a ledge that she managed to grab at the last moment while hanging onto Jellal with her other hand. If she didn't do something quick, they would fall to the ground below. She summoned all of her strength and pulled herself up and then while still holding onto Jellal, pulled him up too. Now the two of them her safe.

"Erza... you saved me," panted Jellal.

"You have to undo the magic circle you placed on yourself," said Erza not forgetting about Jellal's plan. "You have a duty to stay alive."

Jellal looked down at the circle on his chest looking very ashamed with himself. "But... I failed," he said miserably. "I wasn't able to stop Nirvana. And now... the world is doomed."

Erza looked at Jellal with a neutral expression and then she smiled. "No. It's not over yet," she said as she turned her head towards the tendrils of Nirvana. "Take a look over there."

Jellal did so and he couldn't believe his eyes. On one of the legs was a cloud of dust running up to it. The cause of it was none other than Natsu who roared with determination with Lucy and Gray right behind him. And it wasn't just him that he saw. He also saw Wendy flying high in the sky using Carla heading towards the city from above. And on another tendril, he also saw Hoteye who was helping Jura stay on the leg as they too headed towards the city. Jellal couldn't help but be amazed.

"As long as we draw breath into our lungs," spoke Erza as she smiled helping Jellal to his Jellal. "We'll never give up and will keep hope alive in our hearts. That hope only will be enough to guide you, so please... live Jellal."

Jellal looked at Erza stupefied for what she had just told him. A smile slowly worked its way to his lips. He then placed a hand on his chest where the self-destruction circle was and undid the circle shattering it.

"I will," said Jellal. "Let's go together... Erza," he said.

"Once we get up there, I'm gonna smash that thing into a million pieces!" yelled Natsu as he continued to run.

Then suddenly the tendril that they were on began to move as it began taking its first steps. The moment it did, Natsu slipped and skidded back just behind Lucy and Gray managing to get a hold of it, however, he felt his motion sickness come on as his face became a little pale.

"You have got to be kidding me?!" chided Gray. "Natsu, you're getting sick now?!"

"You gotta pull yourself together!" Lucy called. "I know it's a thing, but you have to try!"

"Can't...help it..." groaned Natsu as he felt the bile build in his throat. "It's a vehicle...it's moving... from one place... to another..."

"Come on! It may be moving, but it's not a vehicle!" shouted Gray. "Don't think of it like that!"

Natsu was still feeling sick, but he stood up with determination. He took a few steps just ahead of Lucy and Gray, but the sickness proved too much for him and he stopped holding his stomach.

"Come on! You can do it!" shouted Lucy. "Just think of it as a giant octopus! Being on an animal doesn't bother you, does it?!"

"An octopus in the woods... that's all sorts of wrong Luce," choked Natsu.

"Don't sweat the small stuff and just move!" snapped Lucy.

Natsu then slapped his cheeks and straightened up. "You're right! I just gotta focus!" he said. "Let's do this! I'm all better now!"

Then another tendril next to them stamped on the ground causing the leg Natsu was on to vibrate causing his to slip.

"Watch out!" cried Lucy.

"You idiot!" yelled Gray. "Stay alert man!"

"Don't worry! I got this!" Natsu called back. "This is nothing!

Then another vibration caused Natsu to slip even more. He cried to stay on top, but unfortunately Natsu was no match from gravity as slid off the tendril and fell off it plummeting to the ground below. Just when it seemed that the fire dragon slayer would meet his end, something swooped down and grabbed him on the back lifting him high into the air. Natsu immediately knew who it was that saved him. He looked over his neck to find that a certain blue cat with wings was clinging to his back being his wings.

"Happy! Nice save pal!" he said. "That was totally awesome!

"Aye, sir!" replied Happy. "Bet this is way better, riding the wind like this eh Natsu?"

Natsu grinned agreeing. Lucy and Gray seeing Natsu now flying thanks to happy let out a sigh of relief.

"Way to go Happy!" cheered Lucy. "Awesome catch!"

"I swear... he almost gave me a heart attack," muttered Gray. Then he saw a tunnel in front of him and Lucy and then called out to Natsu and Happy. "Hey, you two! Keep heading for the top! Me and Lucy are gonna go through this tunnel and see where it leads!"

"Aye, sir!"

Then Natsu with Happy on his back shot upwards flying at a quickening pace until they made it over the wall. They were welcomed to the sight of an old city. The entire place looked abandoned with the buildings made of stone and there wasn't a soul around.

"Oh wow... this sure is a weird looking city," said Happy. "And old too."

"Man... no kidding," said Natsu.

Then strange scent wafted into Natsu's nose. A strange scent that felt strangely familiar. He sniffed trying to get a grasp for what it was.

"What is it Natsu?" wondered Happy. "You smell something?"

Natsu sniffed a couple more times before responding. "I smell... fish?"

"What?! Fish?!" exclaimed Happy which was his favorite food. "Where?! Where?! I want some fish!" He looked around frantically trying to see where the fish was with his mouth drooling, but he couldn't see any. "Hey... what's the idea Natsu?! I don't see any fish!" he said indignantly.

"I don't know," said Natsu. "I just smell fish. Not only that, but... I feel like I smelled this scent before."

"You have? When?" wondered Happy.

"I don't know..." said Natsu thoughtfully. "Sometime... long ago."

As Natsu hummed to himself trying to remember where he smelled the fish smell, he began to smell something else. As soon as he smelled this different scent, he immediately knew who it was and found the source of it all which was a large strange looking building in the center. Not only that, but he could also tell that the fish smell was originating from there too.

"That smell..." he said narrowing his eyes. "I can smell him too..."

At the very tip top of the building, Brain laughed with triumph with Shark and Cobra standing beside him.

"At last! It's finally mine!" he crowed. "At long last, I have obtained it! The ultimate weapon that will make the light come crashing down! The legendary reversal magic- Nirvana! Those foolish guilds of the light may have their powers of friendship, trust, and piety, but now such meanings are completely powerless and meaningless!"

"Congratulations Master," said Shark. "You have now accomplished your mission."

"I'll agree to that Shark," said Cobra smirking. "I still can't believe you pulled this off Brain. Nirvana is finally ours! A city that was once dead now finally back to life." He turned to his faithful purple snake companion. "Isn't this incredible Cubellios?" he asked excitedly.

Cubellios replied with a pleased hiss.

"Behold Cobra! Shark! Look how this world spreads out before us!" said Brain spreading his arms with glee. "A city of the Ancients that is now unshackled from time and the earth itself, this is Nirvana's true form. And from this royal throne of power, I have the power to move the city to anywhere I see fit!"

"Is that so?" wondered Cobra. "It sounds like you have a target in mind. So, where are we going?"

Brain's face darkened as he smiled with malevolence. "I think you know what I have in mind," he said. "A certain guildhall."

"So... that's what you had in mind," said Cobra with an amused expression. "Talk about starting things off with a bang."

"That's right!" said Brain. "It shall the first out of many lights to be extinguished!" He waved his staff to the side, and a series of runes around the top from where they were standing making a circle and then a large insignia appeared in the middle giving it the appearance of a command center made of Archive Magic. "Now, forward Nirvana!" shouted Brain. "Begin your march and transform my darkness into light!"

Then suddenly the three of them saw a twinkle in the sky and then Natsu came swooping down dive-bombing straight for them.

"I don't think so!" he roared. "I'm putting the brakes on this thing right now!"

He cloaked his fist on fire using his Fire Dragon Iron Fist and seemed to be aiming straight for Brain, but it was nothing more but a bluff. Instead, Natsu went straight for the control panel of Nirvana and smashed it with his fist destroying it and causing the circle of runes to disappear as well.

"Damn it! It's the fire dragon!" cursed Brain.

But Natsu wasn't done yet. Using Happy to fly upwards, he took a deep breath and unleashed a powerful blast of fire from his mouth.

"FIRE DRAGON ROAR!"

The blast of fire shot straight toward Brain threatening to burn him to a crisp, but Shark immediately took action. He stepped in between Brain and the blast of fire, clenched his fists cloaking them with the same oily black colored water, and then slammed them into the ground. A giant burst of water burst from the ground and blocking Natsu's attack protecting him and Brain.

"What the heck?!" exclaimed Natsu. "What was that?!"

"I don't know!" said Happy. "It looked like some kind of geyser!"

Shark then went on the attack by summoning a giant star made of water from each of his hands and then threw them towards Natsu and Happy. The stars zipped through the air heading straight toward Natsu and Happy.

"Oh man! Incoming!" yelled Natsu as he flew upwards dodging the stars. "Ha! Ya missed me!"

The stars zipped harmlessly past them, but like a boomerang came zipping right back towards him.

"Holy crap!" cried Natsu and he barely dodged the stars just in time. The stars went flying straight into two of the pillars and pierced into them. He breathed a sigh of relief having to have avoided that attack. But then he felt a slight draft on his arms. He looked at them to find that they were sliced open due to the stars.

"Oh man! That was close!" said Happy. "If you had gotten hit, you could have gotten your arms cut off!"

"No kidding!" said Natsu as he looked back at Shark scowling. "I'm gonna burn this guy to a crisp!" He puffed up his cheeks and unleashed his breath attack again. "FIRE DRAGON ROAR!"

The blast of fire came streaming straight at Shark, but then Shark began chuffing his cheeks too and then he unleashed a blast of oil colored water back at him. The two attacks collided creating a powerful shock wave that sent Natsu and Happy reeling back from the force, but Happy managed to stop himself and Natsu thanks to his large wings. Happy and Natsu, however, was in a state of shock at what Shark had just done.

"No way! That was a breath attack just like yours!" he said to Natsu. "Is he a dragon slayer too?!"

Natsu didn't respond. He stared at Shark like he saw a ghost. The reason was that he once again recognized the attack Shark had did just like when he was attacked by Shark before. This time, he remembered where he saw it. It was back when he was a child at the Fairy Tail guild at the time. Back when he was fighting someone who wasn't a member. He could remember fighting the guy, but he couldn't remember anything else.

"Natsu what's the matter?" asked Happy worriedly. "Why do you look so freaked out?"

"I don't know..." said Natsu. "For some reason lately, whenever I fight with this guy, I keep getting this Deja-vu feeling."

"What do you mean?" asked Happy. "Have seen this guy before?"

Before Natsu could answer, he was rudely interrupted by Brain.

"Shark! Come back here now!" he said. "You must stay here with me in case we have any more uninvited guests!"

"Understood Master," said Shark as he obediently walked back to Brain.

"Cobra! Stop that flaming idiot at once!" Brain yelled to the snake charmer. "Do not let him rampage anymore!"

"I hear ya boss!" acknowledged Cobra. "Cubellios!"

At his command, Cubellios pounced into the air and swiped at Natsu using her head knocking him back. Natsu's feelings of shock were now quickly replaced in anger.

"Why you...! You're gonna pay for that!" he growled.

He took a deep breath about to unleash his Fire Dragon Roar again, but Cobra launched himself into the air thanks to an assist by Cubellios and punched Natsu Square in the face stopping him. The force of the punch sent Natsu spiraling in the air, but Happy managed to help him recover thanks to his wings. Then when Natsu turned back to his two new opponents, he was surprised to see that Cubellios had now sprouted wings and was now flying in front of them with Cobra standing on her back.

"What the heck is this?!" exclaimed Happy who was equally as surprised. "A flying snake?! Everyone knows that snakes aren't supposed to fly!"

"I could say the same about you, cat," said Cobra. He turned to Natsu. "As for you, I thought vehicles made you motion sick, so you should be puking your guts out. What's the deal?"

"Hey! Happy's not a vehicle! He's my friend!" snapped Natsu indignantly.

"I see," said Cobra. "That explains it. You have to stay up in the air because being on Nirvana will make you sick. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!"

"Like I care what you think!" Natsu shot back. "Now get out of my way! I've got some questions to ask that ninja guy and while I'm at it, I'm gonna stop this overgrown piece of junk!"

"Go ahead and try. You're gonna need the devil's luck to do that," said Cobra snootily. "Because there's no way I'm gonna let you near Brain and neither will Shark."

Then Natsu looked down at the two men in particular who were watching from below. "So that Brain guy must be the one controlling this thing," he said.

"Bring it on Fire Dragon Slayer," said Cobra beckoning with his hand. "I'll crush you in an instant."

"You got it buddy!" said Natsu as he zoomed right at Cobra. Then he feinted and went straight to Brain and Shark. "Psych! We're going straight to the Brain!"

"Aye!" said Happy.

However, before Natsu and Happy could go right for Brain, Cobra patted Cubellios giving her a signal. She immediately swung her tail slamming it right into Natsu's stomach sending him and Happy spiraling in the air until they finally regained themselves.

"Well... that didn't work the way I wanted it to," Natsu said dizzily.

"That's crazy! How'd the heck did he know what we were going to do?!" wondered Happy.

"I can hear your movements before you make them!" called out Cobra flashing an evil smile. "Yup. They're coming in loud and clear. Come on! Let's have some fun!"

Cobra riding Cubellios then went on the attack as did Natsu and Happy as the battle began.

A little bit of Shark action here, but not much.

But again don't worry all you people who are still suffering from Shark withdrawal, Shark will be in action a couple chapters from now!

Until then, read, review or PM me!

Dragoman out!