Alright! It's a new year and countdown has begun for the next Fairy Tail Dvd volume and Fairy Tail Dragon Cry to come out!

So look forward to it March!

Until then, enjoy the story!

Chapter 52

Feelings of Power

Natsu was making his way down the halls of Nirvana heading towards the lacrima he had chosen. His body was beaten, his clothes were torn, and he even felt so weary that he was about to collapse due to being attacked by Zero. However, that wasn't going to stop him. He just kept on walking. He had a duty to fulfill, and he wasn't about to let his friends or Cait Shelter. In fact, he couldn't afford to give up.

He staggered as he walked, trying his best not to fall over from his injuries until he came into a brightly lit room. He could see the lacrima, which was a giant gray crystal sphere in the center of the room. Then his eyes widened, and his heart skipped a beat, for that wasn't the only thing he saw. There standing in front of the lacrima just like where he said would be, was Zero.

When Zero saw Natsu, he flashed an evil and amused smile.

"So you're still alive, you little brat? Fancy seeing you here," he smirked. "Makes me wonder what you're doing here in the first place. Oh well, it doesn't matter because if you came here looking for a fight, you found one."

Natsu didn't answer at first as he took a few shaky deep breaths. Then he flashed a toothy smile while his eyes gave off a predatory gleam making Zero raise a brow in confusion.

"You know, I'm starting to wonder something too," he smirked as his fist burst into flames. "I'm wondering which one of us is gonna make it out of here alive. Me, or you?"

Zero's look of confusion then changed into a predatory smile like Natsu's as the fire dragon slayer came dashing straight for him letting out a yell of battle.

In another hallway inside of Nirvana, Gray was slowly making his way towards his assigned lacrima. He too was still feeling hurt due to Zero's recent assault making him feel very weary, but he pressed on.

"Geez. This is one long hallway," the ice mage complained. "It's like it never ends."

Soon enough, he came too came into a brightly lit room where the second lacrima stood in the middle.

"Looks like I made it. That must be Lacrima number 2. I was worried that I wasn't gonna make it in time," Gray panted as he gazed up at the large object. "Well... it looks like it'll be easy enough to destroy."

He slowly stepped into the room and looked around, trying to see if Zero was somewhere in the room. Luckily, Zero was nowhere to be seen.

"Doesn't look like there's any sign of Master Zero either. Lucky me," he said to himself. "But... if that's the case, then one of the others must be going head-to-head with that psycho right now. And I get the feeling I know who it is..."

Lucy and Happy were making their way towards Lacrima Number 3, but Lucy could hardly stand. Out of the others who got attacked by Zero, she was probably in the worst shape. She was so battered, that she had to lean against the wall for support as she walked. This made Happy worried.

"Lucy, do you wanna take a break to catch your breath?" he asked.

"I can't, Happy," said Lucy weakly. "If I did, we wouldn't make it in time."

"I guess so, but I'm worried about you," said Happy worriedly. "You're barely able to walk right now; let one standing up."

"Don't worry, Happy. I'll be fine," winced Lucy as she walked. "I may be a little slow right now... but I'll get there. I can't afford to stop if we do... well, let's not go there. We have to stay focused."

Happy could only look at Lucy with worry as she continued to walk seeming to use every once of her strength. Soon enough, they could see a light at the end of the hallway in sight, and they could also feel a large amount of magic power. Then they stopped at the opening coming to a brightly lit room. In front of them was lacrima number three.

"We did it," gasped Lucy as she sank to her knees in exhaustion. "We made it to the lacrima."

"Are you OK, Lucy?" asked Happy.

"To tell you the truth... I don't think so," replied Lucy weakly. "Honestly, I didn't want to admit it earlier, but... I'm not even sure if I can do this. I'm... completely out of magic power... but... I've got gotta do what I can to protect Wendy's guild. I don't want to let the others down and making myself ashamed. There's... no way we're gonna let Oración Seis beat us... so I refuse to give up!"

Lucy then struggled back to her feet, leaning against the wall for support again, but then she stumbled almost falling over.

"Lucy!"

Happy was now more worried about the busty and injured blonde than before, but Lucy remained standing.

"I'm fine... I'm not ready to throw in the towel... not yet!" she said as she continued to walk.

As she walked into the room, she could no longer use the wall for support, but Lucy was able to walk on her own feet step by step until finally, she was in front of the lacrima. Lucy was now out of breath and bent over, trying to catch her breath.

"So what are you gonna do now?" asked Happy. "You said it yourself; you're out of magic power."

"I don't know..." panted Lucy. "But I've... come this far. I can't give up now. I'll destroy this thing... even if I have to throw myself at it! No matter how tired I am... I won't give up!"

"We've always admired you, Ms. Lucy," said a pair of voices. "Such feelings like that will no doubt give you strength."

Lucy and Happy turned around behind them and saw a surprise awaiting them. There standing behind them was the Celestial Spirit of the twins, Gemini.

"Gemini?!" gasped Lucy. "What in the world are you two doing here?"

"We heard everything you said," said Gemi. "That along made us inspired by your resolve."

"And we're deeply moved by your feelings and emotions," added Mini. "So, therefore, we're here to help you."

Then in a puff of smoke, Gemini transformed into a copy of Lucy surprising the girl and Happy.

"Don't forget when we copy you, we share not only your appearance but your magical abilities as well," smiled Gemini Lucy. "Allow us to be your resolve. We're more than capable of doing the job for you."

Lucy's and Happy's eyes streamed with tears of gratitude.

"Thank you, Gemini," said Lucy. "Thank you so much..."

Ichiya was practically crawling his way to his designated lacrima due to still being tied to a pole. He was tired and dirty, but he kept on going.

"This is exhausting, but I must hurry!" Ichiya said to himself. "No matter what happens to me, I must get there in time! Man! I'm Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki or Blue Pegasus! I will fulfill my responsibility and destroy that lacrima for my guild! For the alliance! And for my lovely Erza! Man!"

Ichiya kept on crawling resolute in fulfilling his mission. Then he felt a strange smell waft into his sensitive nose.

"This perilous-smelling parfum," he gasped. "I'm almost there. Man."

Soon enough, he came into the where the fourth lacrima stood in the middle of it.

"Man! Man! Man! Man! Man!"

He crawled closer and closer to the lacrima not realizing there was a dip in the floor until it was too late. He rolled along the floor until he came to just in front of it. He was exhausted, tired, and was on the brink of fall unconscious, but he remained strong.

"Not yet," he gasped. "I can't afford to black out after I've made it this far, and I'm so close..."

He looked up to the ceiling and then thought about his beloved comrades, The Trimens and remembered how hard they fought in this battle so far. That thought alone gave him the strength to stay strong.

"Hibiki... Ren... Eve..." he murmured. "I ask that you all lend me strength. Lend me the strength to get through this."

He wiggled his hips, causing a vial to slip out from his belt. He rolled over and managed to get it in his hand and uncorked it. He inhaled deeply, taking in all of the perfume inside it, and his body began to glow magic power, and his body and muscles bulked up, making him taller and more muscular in appearance. The binds that held him strained until they couldn't contain his muscles anymore. They finally snapped setting Ichiya free.

Erza herself had arrived at lacrima number five without any trouble or problems. She looked around, expecting Zero to be at the lacrima, but to her worry, Zero was nowhere around.

"Master Zero isn't here. I knew it," she said to herself. "He must be at lacrima number one, after all."

Her eyes then narrowed as her hand tightened around her bisentō. She was worried about her friend that was probably locked in a battle with Zero, but at the same time, she had confidence in him.

"Natsu..." she said out loud to herself. "No matter what happens, I'll always have faith in you."

WILLY'S POV

Wendy, Carla, and I were making our way towards lacrima number six through a passageway. Carla was carrying Wendy using her wings while I walked alongside them. I could see that Carla was struggling a little as she flew while holding Wendy, but she kept on going.

"Thank you for doing this, Carla," said Wendy. "I really appreciate it. But... I'm a little worried, though. Do you think that Jellal is going to be alright?"

"You should be a little more concerned with yourself, child," advised Carla. "This is not going be an easy task."

"Carla's right. We should stay focused on the task at hand," I added. "Jellal's counting on us and we can't afford to let him down. Although, I must ask you, Wendy. Are you sure you want to go through with this? I can handle the lacrima myself if you want to."

"Yes. I'm sure," said Wendy. "If I don't do this, I can't pay everyone else back for saving Cait Shelter."

"And what about you, Ms. Carla? Are you doing OK up there?" I asked. "You can take a break if it's too exhausting for you."

"I'll be fine," said Carla. "Besides, I can't say that I trust you no thanks to that little stunt you pulled before. I have to do this in case if you try to attack us again."

"Carla!" said Wendy giving her a disapproving glare.

"It's alright. It's only natural that Carla would be overprotective," I soothed. "Especially since after what I did. I really must apologize for that. I was not in control of my actions at the time."

We didn't say anything more for the next few minutes as we walked. Then Wendy spoke.

"Excuse me, Willy, but... I have a question to ask you," she said. "If you're willing to answer."

"Ask away," I replied.

"Jellal said that you know dragon slayer just like me and if that's the case... then that would mean that you had a dragon teach you," said Wendy. "I wondering, did you know anything about a dragon named Grandeeney?"

"Now hold on a minute child, I know that he's a dragon slayer, but I don't think that you should be asking him that," chided Carla. "Especially since we're not sure that we should trust him."

"I can't say that I have," I replied, ignoring Carla. "That name seems unfamiliar, but then again my memory is all mixed up, so who can say? I most likely forgot."

"So you lost your memory as well?" asked Wendy.

"It would seem so," I replied. "I can't remember a single thing about myself, what happened to me, or what I've done. Although... I've been told that I've done some terrible things to people."

"I'll say you have," said Carla. "You were Brain's bodyguard, after all. Who knows what other things you've done?"

This made me clench my hand into a fist, feeling a bit angry that Carla was so blunt, but I also felt a pang of guilt.

"Carla! That's enough!" chided Wendy. "Don't be so hard on him."

"She's right though," I said. "If what I heard was true, then I'm responsible for hurting a lot of people. I can't say that I'm proud of that considering that I was a puppet, but I intended to make it right. And what better way to start than by helping you stop the very people that controlled me by destroying Nirvana. Don't worry; I have no intention of attacking you two. Especially a girl, that's so kind and innocent."

Wendy blushed a little from the compliment, and Carla looked away from me in a huff.

Soon enough, we could see the end of the passageway. We walked through it, and were welcomed to the sight of lacrima number six. Carla gently dipped down and gently set Wendy on the ground.

"Looks like we're here," said Carla. "That no doubt must be lacrima number six just as Jellal said."

"It's so huge," gasped Wendy. "Are we gonna be able to destroy that thing?"

"We will, Wendy. Speaking of which, we better get started," I said, facing the girl. "We only have about five minutes left; then Nirvana will be ready to fire again, so let's get started. You ready, Wendy?"

Wendy gave me a firm nod. "I'm ready Willy," she said. "Please teach me."

"Alright, then. I'm going to teach you one of the most basic but powerful dragon slayer spells I know," I spoke. "The dragon's roar attack. It may seem a bit complicated, but it's a lot easier than you think. Since you're a sky dragon slayer, all you need to do is take in as much air as you can and then when your magic power reaches its peak, unleash it all at once at the lacrima. You think you can do that?"

Wendy answered with a nod as she stepped forward, staring at the lacrima.

"I can do this," she said to herself. "I'm gonna unleash the dragon inside of me so that I can protect my guild! Grandeeney, if you can hear me, please lend me your power!"

Wendy then closed her eyes and began to concentrate standing there in silence. A few seconds had passed, then I sensed some magic power stirring within the girl, and a calm breeze began to emit from her body.

"That's it, Wendy," I said. "Keep going."

"Remember, you have to stay focused," added Carla.

"I know," Wendy spoke, still concentrating. "Don't worry."

As Wendy continued to focus, the wind around her gradually began to grow a little stronger, and her magic power grew and grew. I couldn't help, but feel impressed with this girl. She came off to me as the shy type, but she had courage. However, I didn't have time to be admiring. I had to throw my weight too. I stood next to Wendy and closed my eyes as well focusing my magic power too.

NO POV

The fight between Natsu and Zero had begun. Natsu bravely went on the attack using an Iron Fist, but Zero stepped back dodging the blow. Natsu tried attacked again using Talon, but once again Zero dodged by ducking. Then Natsu unleashed a breath attack hoping to hit Zero with a widespread attack causing fire and smoke to billow everywhere. However, when the smoke dissipated, Zero still stood unharmed

"Well, now. You've gotten much more agile than before. I'm impressed," said Zero. He pointed out his middle and index finger, aimed at Natsu, and then unleashed his spell. "DARK CAPRICCIO!"

A giant spiral stream of green and amber colored dark magic erupted from his hand shooting straight at Natsu. He immediately jumped out of the way as the Dark Capriccio drilled into the floor where he stood disappearing into it.

"I should take this opportunity to let you know that this isn't the same power as Brain used," smirked Zero. "My power, as well as my control over it, is twice as strong as his!"

With a wave of his hand, the Dark Capriccio Zero unleashed came shooting up from the ground causing Natsu to dodge, but still take damage. Zero waved his hand again, making the attack bend and shoot right towards Natsu again, making him immediately jump out of the way. This went on and on until Natsu started to take damage from the assault. All the while, Zero was laughing, enjoying the dance Natsu was doing in front of his eyes.

"You were asking which one of us was going to make it out alive right?" he chuckled sadistically. "Well, I think the answer's obvious. It's going to me!"

He waved his hand again, and the Dark Capriccio came right towards Natsu again threatening to pierce him, but Natsu was ready for the attack this time.

"FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!"

Using his fist, Natsu punched right at the Dark Capriccio to defend, but the spell was so strong and powerful that it immediately began pushing Natsu back. Bracing his arm, Natsu put every ounce of weight and muscle against the attack desperately trying to stand his ground. Then in a burst of flame, Natsu was able to destroy the Dark Capriccio. However, the amount of effort took a lot out of him.

"Well, color me impressed," said Zero. "I never expected you to stop a piercing spell like that."

Then suddenly from seemingly out of nowhere, a stream fire shot right into Natsu forcing the Fire Dragon Slayer back, but he managed to skid to a stop.

Zero immediately snapped his head towards the direction the flames came from. "Who's there?!" he demanded.

Natsu looked up, and then he and Zero saw the very person who attacked him. There standing just above them in the entrance of a passageway, was a certain man with short blue hair with a tattoo below his eyes.

"Jellal!" growled Natsu immediately feeling his blood beginning to boil.

"Well, hello there," greeted Zero who was amused to see him. "I take it that your memory has returned?"

"Yes," replied Jellal was looking right at Natsu, never taking his eyes off him.

Natsu then got back up on his feet and immediately ran straight at Jelall with a hostile intent etched on his face. "Jellal, you bastard!" he roared.

"Stop Natsu," said Jellal calmly as he raised his hand and shot another stream of fire at Natsu setting his body on fire.

"Did you forget already?! Flames don't work on me!" said Natsu as she shrugged the flames off.

"I'm well aware," replied Jellal. "In fact, I just remembered. You're a fire dragon slayer, and you use the power of flames to amplify your power. Not only that, but you're also the hope. The hope we need to defeat Zero."

Natsu was now surprised and confused as was Zero.

"You liar!" seethed Zero. "Based on your actions, your memory hasn't fully returned at all!"

"I didn't lie to you about that," Jellal said to him. "However, only my memories of Natsu have returned. Whether my memories return or not, it will not dissuade me from my goal, Zero. I will stop Nirvana."

Now Natsu was feeling more confused than before. This was a different Jellal than the one he remembered. "I don't understand. What do you mean 'memory'?!" he demanded.

"When I awoke, I found that my mind had been wiped clean," explained Jellal. "I've also been told that I had behaved like a vile cretin, but I had no recollection of that either. But... that doesn't change the fact that I've not only brought harm to not only to you but to all of Fairy Tail as well. Especially Erza. It's time for me to make amends. I want to stop Nirvana and help you protect Wendy's guild."

Natsu suddenly shot towards Jellal and smacked him right in the face with his fist. Then he grabbed him by the collar and lifted him into the air seething with anger. "You trying to tell me that you forgot everything that you did to us?! To hell with that!" he yelled fiercely. "Quit pretending to be on our side! You may have forgotten what happened in the past, but I sure as hell haven't! I still remember that you made Erza cry!"

"Natsu, please. Take my flames for now and move on," begged Jellal. "I understand where you're coming from, but this isn't the time for this."

"How pathetic," interrupted Zero shaking his head. "If you two are going to argue, must you do it in front of me? You're starting to annoy me and wasting my time!"

He pointed his fingers like a gun and then fired a Dark Capriccio at the two. Natsu looked back in time to see Jellal who had somehow got out of his grasp stand in front of him, shielding him and taking the full force of Zero's spell right in his abdomen. His feelings of anger and rage towards Jellal had immediately changed to shock and disbelief. Not only that, but it also made Natsu remember how Simon, who was a friend of Erza's back in the Tower of Heaven, did the same thing to protect him and Erza. Jellal grunted in pain as he collapsed to floor unable to remain standing.

"Jellal... why... why did you..." stammered Natsu.

Jellal weakly looked up at him. "If you really want to kill me Natsu, then go right ahead. I won't hold it against you. I'm already battered and tattered," he said weakly. "But first, let me give you the power you need to defeat Zero."

He held up his hand, and a bright golden flame appeared in his hand. Natsu stared at it in wonder, amazed by how pure and golden it looked.

"What... is that?" he wondered. "I've never seen... such a golden flame before."

"This is the Flame of Rebuke," explained Jellal. "It holds all of my magic power within it. I don't expect you to forgive me, after all, that's happened. All I want is to give you strength because I believe in you. Erza trusts you more than anyone and so... I shall as well."

Now Natsu could see that everything Jellal said and did was the truth. He was still confused as well as untrusting of the man, but he decided to put his differences aside and accept the Flame of Rebuke. He took Jellal's hand, and the Flame of Rebuke's powerful flames enveloped his entire body. Then he began scarfing them down by the handfuls. When he was finished eating them, Natsu turned back towards Zero but spoke to Jellal.

"Thanks for the chow," he said. "I've accepted your offering, Jellal."

"You've made a grave mistake, boy," said Zero. "By eating the Flame of Rebuke, you now share the sins of your mortal enemy."

"I couple of sins aren't gonna scare me," said Natsu. "Everyone in Fairy Tail's got their fair share of them. The true sin is looking away from someone when they want to help you. Especially when they give you the power to destroy evil like you!"

Before Zero had a chance to react, Natsu shot forwards his body cloaked in flames and landed a blow right in his abdomen in a wicked headbutt knocking the wind out of him. While Zero was stunned, Natsu then grabbed him by the uniform and then threw him sending him flying across the room hitting the wall. Zero then retaliated by unleashing a Dark Capriccio, but to his surprise, Natsu swatted the spell away with a Fire Dragon Iron Fist. Then in blinding speed, Natsu came straight at Zero again and unleashed a powerful and fast barrage of punches pummeling Zero in the face. Zero took the hits in stride and then gave Natsu a kick practically flipping him, but Natsu recovered planting his hand in the ground and kick Zero in the gut. Zero flashed a maniac grin and retaliated once again with a backhand punch. The blow connected, but Natsu took the hit and began chuffing his cheeks until he unleashed a breath attack with an incredible force. The blast sent Zero rocketing upwards until he slammed right into the ceiling.

As Zero fell to the ground with a thud, he took notice that Natsu had transformed. His flames were now a golden color like the Flame of Rebuke, his canine teeth were longer, and his skin now had a scale-like pattern on both of his forearms and the sides of his face.

"This power. That light. No, it can't be," the man murmured. "It's Dragon Force."

Natsu looked at his hands in amazement, feeling the power surge throughout his body. "Man... this is crazy. It's just like that time I ate that Etherion," he said with amazement. "Awesome! It's like my strength's been doubled, maybe even tripled!"

"I would never have thought that you had that power," said Zero. "Dragon Force is said to be the final form of Dragon Slayer Magic. The slayers that are blessed with its power are said to gain power so destructive, that it rivals that of even the most formidable of dragons." He then smiled with interest. "This must be the reason why Brain had such a keen interest in that puppet, Shark." He then beckoned Natsu wanting him to come at him. I'm intrigued, Dragon Slayer. Come! Show me your power!"

"You sure you want me to do that, pal?" growled Natsu.

"Yes, I do," smirked Zero. "Let me see that power of the dragons for myself!"

"Fine, then! But don't say I didn't warn you!" roared Natsu as he went on the attack.

The two then clashed with their fists causing the entire room to shake slightly. Zero then placed his palms on the ground and unleashed a spell.

"DARK GRAVITY!"

The area around Natsu grew heavy, and then the ground crumbled and broke, and Natsu fell into the hole. It seemed that Natsu had fallen out of Nirvana towards the earth below, but luckily he was able to land on the edge of the hole to save himself.

"Oh, man. That was too close," the fire dragon said to himself.

"Come now! Don't tell me that this is all the mighty Dragon Slayer has!" said Zero as dive-bombed from above unleashing a wave of Dark Rondos.

Natsu shot fire from the bottoms of his feet managing to rocket out of the way from the assault, but he had little time to rest as Zero landed on the ground and went on the attack again.

"ZERO SLASH!"

He unleashed a Dark Capriccio, but he was now using it like a whip. Natsu was barely able to dodge in time as the attack hit the ground below him. Zero whipped his Zero Slash again and again, but Natsu nimbly dodged being able to avoid any damage. He chuffed his cheeks again and unleashed a Fire Dragon Roar. Zero took the hit full force, but he dispersed the flames with ease and seemed to be unaffected. Zero then attacked with a magic-powered fist forcing Natsu to go on the defensive. When Zero's fist collided with Natsu's arm, an explosion rocked the area, and dust and smoke billowed everywhere. Natsu immediately got out of the cloud to find Zero just above him unleashing another spell.

"DARK DELETE!"

From his hand, several spheres of dark magic were shot from it. Natsu jumped, and he ran dodging them, but then some of them managed to land a hit causing a small explosion from Natsu's location, but when the smoke cleared, Natsu was still standing with glaring eyes filled with the intent to defeat Zero. Zero smirked and then fired another Dark Capriccio which was faster than the ones before. This spell scored a direct hit sending Natsu flying into the air and crashing into a wall.

Zero sadistically chuckled as he fired another Dark Delete spell at the location where Natsu crashed, but then Natsu bursting out unharmed and came at Zero with a fist raised. Zero not wanting to back down, jumped out and also came with his fist. The two swung the collision sent an incredible shockwave throughout the area. Rocks fell and even more dust few, but Zero proved to be stronger as he sent Natsu crashing into the ground flat on his face. Zero then walked over to Natsu as he began stomping on him.

"Is that it?! Is that the best your Dragon Force can do?!" he mocked. "Dragons once ruled this world and ancient times, and this is the extent of their power?! Brain was so foolishly misguided having an interest in that fool of a puppet! What a joke!"

He then gave Natsu a hard and sharp kick sending the boy tumbling across and into a heap.

"Give it up, boy. I am Master Zero of the Oración Seis," he said. "I'm far more powerful than a lowly guild wizard like you could ever hope to be, and you know it, especially since you're all alone. Too bad your friends aren't even here to help you. Even that foolish puppet, Shark."

Natsu grunted as he once more, but shakily stood on his feet. "You're wrong about that..." he said. "My friends... they're all reaching out to me. And that guy's name isn't Shark. He's Willy Falconer!"

Zero raised a brow in amusement as Natsu continued.

"I can hear them... loud and clear," he continued. "They're telling me to never give up the fight... no matter what happens. They're the reason that I'm still standing right now." His magic power began to flare into life once again, wrapping him in its flames. "I can feel it! Their strength! Their determination! It's pulsing throughout my body!"

"What a shame. If only there was some way I could harness the power of Dragon Force for myself," mused Zero seeing the power Natsu was now exhibiting. "But in the end... that will not be possible. Since I have no further use of you, I will send you to the darkness from whence using my ultimate spell of darkness!"

Zero then began to gather a large amount of dark magic while Natsu hands flared with his flames. He then charged at each him unleashing his most powerful spell.

"DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART! FLAME LOTUS EXPLODING FLAME BLADE!"

He swung his arms, making the flames turn them into a torrent, but at the same time, Zero had gathered enough dark magic to unleash his spell.

"Now before my eyes, history will now come to an end, and the Genesis of Nothingness will be ushered in!" he yelled as he clapped his hands together. "GENESIS ZERO!"

From his hands, a giant wave of dark erupted, and the darkness began to take the shape of several phantom-like apparitions. The apparitions moaned and wailed appearing to be those who were suffering in the afterlife as they enveloped Natsu like a wave.

"Now open, Gate of the restless wailing!" commanded Zero. "O travelers of the void, consume that boy's soul! His memory! His very existence! Make him cease to be! In the name your Master Zero!"

The wave of phantoms then began to engulf Natsu using their overwhelming numbers. Natsu tried to fight them, but he fell deeper and deeper into the darkness until he was swallowed up entirely as the darkness vanished along with him without a trace leaving Zero to be the only man in the room.

"Now, you too are a traveler of the void," said Zero smirking with triumph. "Farewell, Dragon Slayer."

Natsu didn't have any idea where he was now. He couldn't see, he felt weak, he couldn't even move. All he could do was float around aimlessly in the void, unsure of what to do.

"Damn it... this sucks!" he thought. "I can't see! And I'm all out of magic power! What the hell am I supposed to do?!"

Then, a memory popped into Natsu's mind.

It was a memory of when he was undergoing training with Igneel. He was trying to use his Fire Dragon Swordhorn to smash a large boulder, but he couldn't and ended up getting a large lump on his head.

"Owie!" he yelped. "There's no way I can do this! It's too hard!"

"Come now, Natsu! Are you really going to allow yourself to be defeated so easily?!" scolded Igneel. "And you call yourself the son of Igneel?!"

"Aww come on! Do you really expect me to shatter that huge alone, do you?!" complained Natsu.

"Why do you accept defeat without actually trying?" shot back Igneel. "I know you have the power to do so." He then spoke a lot kinder. "You need to stop doubting yourself. Remember, you are a true dragon slayer. Never forget to take pride in that, and know no matter what happens... I'll always be with you and proud of you."

"Well... all right then," said Natsu. "I'll try it again, but... I still don't know what to do."

Natsu then smirked to himself. Back when he was a kid, he had no idea what Igneel meant nor what to do, but he knew now. It was time to unleash the full extent of his dragon force.

At lacrima number two, Gray took his stance and used his Ice Make magic to create a cannon of ice aiming the lacrima.

"Alright, then! Here we go!" he yelled. "ICE CANNON!"

He pulled the trigger and then fired a blast of ice right at the lacrima.

At lacrima number three, Gemini pulled out a gold key ready to summon a spirit.

"Alright, then here we go!" said Gemini Lucy. "Mind if I use Taurus?"

"Sure! Go for it!" said Lucy.

Then the two spoke in unison. "OPEN, GATE OF THE GOLDEN BULL, TAURUS!"

In a burst of tight and with a bellowing moo, Taurus appeared on the scene.

"We're counting on you, Taurus!" the two Lucys said. "Take out that lacrima with everything you got!"

"Moo! If I do this, will I get a scmooooch from the two of you?" asked Taurus.

"Just take out that lacrima!" snapped Lucy. "Hurry!"

"You got it, Miss Lucy!" acknowledged Taurus.

He grabbed his ax and jumped straight at the lacrima and gave it a mighty swing.

At lacrima number four, Ichiya was hulked up to the limit was filled to the brim with power.

"Get ready! This is my full power using my power parfum to the max! Hope you're ready Oración Seis, for you're about to receive a lesson in strength and determination courtesy of Ichiya Vandalay Kotobuki of Blue Pegasus!" he roared as he leaped into the air towards the lacrima. "INFINITY SPARKLE! MAN!"

He clenched his parfum powered fist and swung at the lacrima with all of his might.

At lacrima number five, Erza prepared herself to destroy the lacrima as well.

"REQUIP! BLACK WING ARMOR!"

In a burst of light, Erza's armor changed into armor that black with silver trims, revealing a lot of her stomach and cleavage and had a pair of wings looking like a dragon or bat. She also wielded a sword and her hair was tied in a ponytail. She poised her sword and concentrated.

"We only have one shot at this, so I'll put all of my remaining power into this final blow!" she said to herself.

Then with a mighty yell, she flew into the air at the lacrima and brought down her sword with all her might.

WILLY'S POV

Wendy and I continued to concentrate summoning up every once of magic power we had. The wind around Wendy was stronger than before, and I could feel my magic power reaching its peak as well. Then I sensed that Wendy's was at its highest as was mine. Now was the time to strike.

"Wendy! Unleash it now!" I yelled. "Give it everything you got!"

Wendy's eyes snapped open, and she began to chuff her cheeks as did I.

"SKY DRAGON..."

"WATER DRAGON..."

"ROOOOOAAAAARRRRRR!"

With Wendy's being a green stream-like tornado while mine was a blue whirlpool of water, both of our breath attacks were unleashed shooting straight for the lacrima.

Zero was reveling at his victory when he saw something that made his eyes widen in utter disbelief. From the void, a giant burst of flame erupted from it and out from that void came Natsu who was now looking more powerful than ever. As he emerged from the void, all the apparitions from void seemed to be screaming in agony as his flames burned them all away.

"No, it can't be!" exclaimed Zero in shock. "How did he come back from the void?! And his golden flames... they're burning away my magic!"

Then Natsu let out a bellowing roar as his flames flared into life. They began to take shape, becoming a silhouette of a dragon. And for the first time in his entire life, Zero's eyes widened, and he began to sweat with fear. He had seen many wizards in his life, but never someone that could make him fearful like this.

"This boy! His lost magic allows him to have the power of a dragon, and in turn give him the power to defeat one," he thought. "So this... is a true dragon slayer."

Natsu shot straight at Zero landing an overwhelming powerful punch right into his face, sending him flying into the air.

"I'm done playing games with you, pal!" snarled Natsu. "I'm ending this right here, right now!"

He was enveloped in golden fire, and he prepared to land the finishing blow.

"DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART, HIDDEN FIRE FORM: FLAME LOTUS PHOENIX SWORD!"

He propelled himself at Zero, leaving a long trail of flames in his wake and slammed into him with a devastating headbutt right in Zero's gut. The blaze enveloped Zero as he was sent rocketing upwards crashing through floor level after floor level until they were back in the lacrima room heading right for lacrima number one. With another mighty roar, Natsu kept on going using all of the strength and magic he could muster until he slammed Zero right into the lacrima, destroying it instantly.

At the same time, everyone else using their attacks was able to destroy their lacrimas as well. All of the leg joints around Nirvana exploded with six mighty booms as the city began to crumble having to have been finally shut down.

Nirvana has finally been crushed thanks to the Allied Forces!

Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Dragoman out!