(Edited 18/11/24)

I do not own Fairy Tail Hiro Mashima does.

The Opening Shots

*POTD*

Natsu yawned as he slowly opened his eyes, feeling the cool morning air within the small room he'd shared with Erza. Sitting upright, the drowsy Hybrid rubbed some sleep from his eyes, his senses slowly coming to him, when his ears picked up something amiss in the next room.

"What the…," Natsu muttered, slowly getting out of bed wearing nothing, as he moved toward the small bathroom attached to their room. "Erza?"

Opening the door, he was surprised to find Erza vomiting into the toilet, looking rather pale. He was immediately at her side, pulling her hair back as she shakily nodded in thanks, before vomiting some more.

"Are you alright Erza? How long have you been in here?"

"T-Ten minutes," his Wife croaked in reply. "I think the food we ate last night must've been bad… Woke up and almost immediately needed to be sick…"

"Shit… I'll go get you some water, okay?"

"Yeah… Thanks," Erza smiled weakly, as she sat down on the bathroom floor, running a hand through her hair. "Fucking Hell…"

Natsu returned not a minute later with a glass of water in his hand, passing it to his Wife as she gulped it down greedily. He took the glass back and filled it at the nearby sink, giving her more as she sighed tiredly.

"Okay…"

"You good?"

"I-I think I'm gonna have a nice hot shower before I answer that question," came the curt response, as Natsu helped her to her feet. "If I got sick from something we ate, that should hopefully be the worst of it…?"

"Alright," Natsu replied worriedly, taking the glass back. "Let me know how you're feeling after, okay?"

"I'll be fine for the mission today, don't worry about that-."

"I couldn't give a shit about that; I'm worried about you."

"Oh… Well, like I said, I should be fine after a shower," Erza replied, blushing slightly as she looked down and rubbed her stomach lightly. "I hate to say it, but maybe I'm starting to get too old to be eating so much cake?"

"No comment."

"Go on," Erza giggled, gently pushing him from the bathroom. "If you try and shower me, I know it'll end in sex. I think we're better off saving that for AFTER we succeed in the mission today, eh?"

"Yes ma'am," Natsu mock saluted, leaving the bathroom and placing the cup down on the bedside table.

Walking over to the nearby mirror, he willed his Demonic abilities to manifest his usual suit, the overcoat now bearing both the symbol of Terminus and Tartarus on each collar, as he undid the first two buttons of the dress shirt to expose his chest a little.

"Right then, time to check on the others," he sighed, leaving the room and walking out into the Guild Hall proper where he saw Mira at the bar, along with Makarov. "Morning."

"Oh, good morning Natsu," Mira smiled, as she served him some black fire. "Make sure you eat up."

"Don't worry, I plan on it," Natsu smiled, grabbing the fire and taking a bite out of it. "Where are Elise, Wendy and Jason?"

"Outside. Wendy is putting Jason through his paces," Mira replied, as Natsu focused his hearing to listen in to the trio outside for a moment.

"I have to say, that young man is quite interesting. He said he basically can't be killed due to his Phoenix Slayer abilities," Makarov hummed thoughtfully. "He's young and inexperienced now, but a power like that could do a lot in the future?"

"Yeah. He might not seem like much now, but how many of us did when we first joined, eh?"

"Anyway, have you decided who is going on this rescue mission?"

"Well, I'm taking Erza, Elise, Wendy, Jason, Seilah and probably Mira if that's alright? It might seem like an excessive amount of people, but-."

"Oh, I fully agree with you. These Alvarez Commanders are not to be underestimated," Makarov replied quickly, silencing the Dragon Slayer. "It's imperative that the First Master's soul is recovered, she will be vital to the war effort."

"And while we're gone, you're gonna meet with King Toma, right?"

"That's right. I've sent a discreet letter under an alias King Toma is aware of, given my current status by the Magic Council. I can't give you any promises on what might happen as a result of such a meeting though?"

"As long as the meeting takes place, that's all I can ask. King Toma is a reasonable man; I can't see him just rolling over for Alvarez since he knows it won't benefit his people."

"Before we go though, I think we should officially induct Seilah and Jason into the Guild. Mira, could you write their names down into the record book?"

"Of course! They've both more than earned their places there," the white-haired Demoness chirped, as she ran off upstairs to grab the paperwork.

"We don't really have the time to do anything like a party, but I want their names written down in case…"

"I get it," Makarov replied solemnly. "These are uncertain times, and they deserve to be remembered as part of the Guild should the worst befall either of them over the coming days."

"If you're the one who ends up seeing them before me, make sure you let the rest of the Guild know about our new members."

"Of course," Makarov nodded stiffly. "By the way, given what's coming, do you want me to assume the position of Guild Master once again?"

"I did joke about it with the others, but… Well, I just didn't really feel it was right to toss it back onto you like that," Natsu replied honestly. "I think I'll hold onto the position for now, and eventually force it on Gildarts instead."

"Well, I never thought "I'd see the day someone actually took pity on me," Makarov chuckled, smiling up at him. "I'm not just an old man anymore… I'm inching toward being ancient. My body just isn't what it used to be, but I still want to help however I can."

"I know, and you working alongside King Toma to get this meeting of all the Guilds organized is probably the biggest way you could help us out," Natsu smiled, as Mira returned, right as Elise, Wendy and Jason entered the room from the back entrance. "Now then, everyone is almost here. Just waiting on Erza…"

"I'm here," Erza called out, striding out from their shared room, her hair still wet. "I'm feeling a lot better now."

"Good," Natsu smiled, as they shared a brief kiss. "Alright everyone, there's no time to waste. We need to get in, strike them hard and fast. Once we arrive, I'm immediately going to destroy their airship to prevent them from fleeing the island that way."

"We're all set to fight the Leichart Commanders, right," Elise asked, eliciting a sharp nod in response.

"That's right. I'd also expect there to be other Alvarez troops with them too, so try and take them out as you fight the Commanders."

"And you'll be going after this Jacob guy to get Mavis back," Erza nodded, understanding the plan. "What happens once you've got Mavis?"

"If we haven't taken out the Leichart Commanders before I rescue her, I'll need to bring her back here to the Guild Hall, before returning to assist. I won't risk her being captured again by Alvarez."

"Sounds pretty straightforward. If all goes smoothly, we should get this done by the end of the day," Wendy chimed in, placing a hand on Jason's head. "I'll keep an eye on the kid here-."

"Come on Wendy, I told you I'm not a kid," Jason whined, trying and failing to stop her from ruffling his hair. "Quit it!"

"Alright everyone, this is it," Natsu said, drawing their full attention back onto him as he snapped his fingers, opening a black colored Gate. "Once we go through, we're firing the opening shots to the war. Its highly likely that after this, we won't have time to ourselves until the Alvarez War is over. But its imperative that we save First Master Mavis!"

The group silently nodded, each of them understanding Natsu's point here. From this point on, anyone could die, but the mission had to continue.

"The enemy is formidable, but we've trounced the odds time and again. If there's any group I'd rather take into battle alongside me, its you guys. So, are you ready!?"

"Yeah!"

"Let's do it!"

"We're right behind you Natsu!"

"Guess this is why you're the Fire Monarch, huh old man?"

"Let's get to it Dad."

Natsu watched as the group filed through the Gate, until it was just himself and Makarov left in the Guild Hall. Turning back to the old man, his expression shifted from one of calm and charismatic confidence, to that of a hardened warrior.

"I can't promise you I can keep them all safe, but I'll do my best. Alvarez will pay in blood for taking Mavis' soul."

"I know… Show them no mercy Natsu, and make Fairy Tail proud."

Natsu nodded stiffly as he marched through the portal, leaving Makarov alone to ponder the future of Fiore.

"I hate to say it, but you're Fiore's only hope Natsu, even if you yourself don't want to admit it. I hope you don't lose yourself in all of this… I'm praying for you."

*POTD*

Everyone emerged from the Gate into a hot, rather tropical island covered by many palm trees. The air felt almost sticky as the team waited for Natsu's arrival, as they noticed the place was devoid of most wildlife.

"Alright everyone, this is the place," Natsu said sharply, marching out of the Gate. "First, I'm going to destroy their airship, then I'll put up an Aura Barrier to prevent anyone from escaping the island."

"I can already feel a couple of strong Magical presences," Elise muttered, as they all looked off to the East. "That must be them?"

"Yeah. Get ready guys, I need you over there in five!"

Vanishing from their position, the entire team were about to start moving out, when a massive tremor caused all of them to stumble forward. A powerful blast of wind surged through the jungle, followed by a searing heatwave as an explosion was heard off in the direction of the powerful Magical Signatures.

"Master didn't waste any time on this, did he," Seilah sighed, as she began to float up above the jungle canopy. "He dropped the enemy airship already."

"Guess we'd better get a move on then," Erza replied as she looked toward the others. "Elise, you're with me."

"Obviously," the War God Slayer smirked, as the pair took off into the forest.

"I've got Jason covered."

"Hey, what do you mean by covered Wendy," Jason grumbled, as the pair also departed, leaving Mira alone with Seilah.

"I figured it would be much more beneficial if we teamed up Mirajane, if that's quite alright with you?"

"Oh, of course! I'm sure a bunch of Demons like us should be able to easily clean this island up, right girls?"

Mira's body began to glow brightly as Hecate stepped out of her form, followed by Halphas and then Sitri. Finally, Yuki-Onna stepped out of Mirajane, as the Demonesses immediately went to greet Seilah.

"You're looking well Seilah," Sitri purred, stretching her arms as if she'd been in a cramped space.

"It appears Lord Natsu doesn't wish for a delay," Yuki-Onna sighed, as the tropical heat was rapidly replaced by Yuki's chilling temperatures. "Still, can't exactly blame him…"

"Indeed. Such qualities make him the perfect Demon Lord," Halphas agreed, as Hecate turned to look toward Mira.

"Are you fine if we all go ahead Mirajane?"

"Of course, I'll be fine," the cheerful white-haired Take Over Mage beamed, as if she wasn't talking to some of the nastiest Demons on the planet. "Seilah, look after them for me!"

"Peh! Look after US she says," Sitri smirked, revealing her fanged teeth. "Still, I'm rather excited we finally get to go on a real mission, not facing down cannon fodder…"

"Come on, let's go see if we can take down one of these Leichart Twelve members," Seilah spoke up, rallying her fellow Demonesses behind her, as they all vanished, leaving Mira alone in the jungle.

"Oh those girls, always so bloodthirsty," Mira giggled lightly. "Hopefully they don't beat everyone before I get there!"

Mira casually strode off in the direction of the battle, an amused smirk on her face, knowing full well that this island was about to become Hell on Earthland…

And that suited a monster like her just fine.

*POTD*

As the rest of Team Natsu moved in to attack the Alvarez forces, Natsu stood before their downed airship, his coat flapping in the wind as he ruthlessly cut down any troops that came his way.

"That's step one complete," Natsu muttered, putting a finger through a soldier's neck, killing him instantly as he looked over the crashed airship. "Now then, where's my target?"

Looking over the smouldering wreck, he noticed there was a shadowy figure standing atop a piece of piping that had pierced through the hull. The figure was looking right at him, a blank look on their face.

"Well, he isn't running at least. Gotta give him credit for not being a coward," the Hybrid muttered to himself, as he slowly advanced toward the wreckage.

The figure hopped off the piping and dropped down into the wreckage itself, as Natsu leaped up and entered through a giant gaping hole in the hull. Landing on a steel deck, he walked past several bodies and kicked down a bulkhead, finding his target just standing there, facing off in the direction of Alvarez, smoking a cigarette.

"Natsu Dragneel," the man spoke in a deep, gravelly voice, taking a deep drag from his cigarette. "I was told by Lord Zeref you'd come for me if you ever found out what I did. So, tell me, who was the rat?"

"There wasn't a rat, I just know you have Mavis," Natsu replied coldly, as the man looked over his shoulder at him, cigarette still between his lips.

"Doubtful, but within acceptable parameters nonetheless. I suppose though that your lack of decorum, respect and intelligence needs to be called into question, if you ever thought coming here was a good idea?"

"Don't even try and turn this around on me, just hand over Mavis' soul," Natsu replied sharply, clearly in no mood for the man's games as he fully turned around to face him now. "If Zeref told you I'd be coming, then he also probably told you that your ability to simply vanish from perceived existence also won't work on me. So, you'd be better off giving in to my demands, Jacob."

One Of The Twenty-Four Arms Of Alvarez

Eighth Shield Of The Alvarez Empire

The Blackened Hand Of The Emperor

The Director Of Alvarez Intelligence Command

The World's Greatest Assassin

The Dignified Assassin

Jacob Lessio

"Be that as it may, I see no reason to just not kill the ghost within my Space and spit out her ethereal corpse for you? I know I stand no chance against you in direct combat, which is also why the Leichart members accompanying me were of a similar strength," Jacob replied smoothly, not at all intimidated by the powerful being before him. "So, what's your plan now, should I choose to simply destroy Mavis Vermillion here and now?"

"I know for a fact you won't do that Jacob," Natsu replied confidently, eliciting no reaction from the assassin. "If you harm Mavis, you harm Zeref's ultimate plan. And I know none of you Spriggan or Leichart Commanders would risk angering or failing your Emperor, now would you?"

"…"

"Hand over Mavis, Jacob. Things aren't going to end well for you if you don't do exactly as I say…"

Jacob sighed, flicking his cigarette out the shattered window behind him, as he slowly began to pace back and forth ahead of Natsu, his arms crossed behind his back.

"I am an Assassin. I use my skills and Magic to serve Lord Zeref as his faithful hidden blade, dispatching any who dare oppose him," Jacob began, his darkened eyes narrowing the more he pondered his options. "Though you are indeed much stronger than I, that statement matters little in the world of Assassination. An Assassin can often kill those many times their own strength using naught but stealth and subterfuge. So, knowing this, what makes you think that the inability to utilize one Magic type eliminates my ability to kill you?"

Natsu smirked as the Jacob pacing back and forth slowly faded away, as a blade was pressed to the back of his neck by the real Jacob.

"The ability of an Assassin is only as good as the tools they are given. Take those tools away, and their effectiveness drops, that's just a fact. I've heard tales of you offing Kings, Council Members and other high-powered Mages in the past, yet all those times you had your full arsenal available to you… But this time, this time its different."

"A valid point. I have never been forced to fight because of that very reason, but you've failed to take something into account with your calculations…"

"Oh? And what would that be?"

"If I indeed am that good, and have managed to build a reputation of assassinating even the strongest of men, then ask yourself this one simple question…"

Natsu instantly spun around and sliced the Jacob behind him in half, only for his body to shimmer out of existence.

How many abilities do I have that no one has ever seen before, because I have never needed to use them before?

"A clone?"

The art of shadows, Natsu Dragneel, are best utilized for stealth purposes.

Natsu remained deathly still as the voice of Jacob echoed all around the ruined airship, along with his footsteps.

You believe that dispatching the Emperors Swords and Shields shall be an easy feat? Today, you shall learn just why we stand at the peak of Lord Zeref's Empire. But most importantly, you'll learn that each and every last one of us are more than capable of holding their own…

Natsu's head snapped upright upon hearing a clanging sound in the vents above, before dropping to look down at his feet as he heard something moving down below.

Let us play a game of cat and mouse, Natsu Dragneel? Can you catch me, or will Mavis Vermillion die before you succeed!?

The moment the threat was made, Natsu activated his Hybrid's Aura, reaching up and ripping the entire metallic ceiling open, before throwing it out the window. With an annoyed huff, he marched out of the room, determined to catch the Spriggan as quickly as possible.

*POTD*

"You know, you're getting pretty good at this," Wendy smirked, as she kicked a group of Alvarez troops Jason's way, as the Phoenix Slayer roasted them to a crisp. "Keep it up!"

"Thanks! Growing up in Alvarez, you learn pretty quickly how to defend yourself," the young teen replied, as he launched himself into the air and crossed his arms, firing off a wave of searing blue fire at the soldiers below. "Ha! How do ya like that!?"

"Don't get too overconfident," Wendy replied suddenly, appearing at his side as a powerful Magical Signature flared up nearby. "We've got company…"

"Well now, would ya look at that? I heard ya got some good licks in against Prince Ajeel back home, but I didn't reckon you'd be able to sense me from that far away?"

Wendy moved to stand in front of Jason as the troops fell back behind the source of the powerful Magical Signature.

Standing at five foot seven with medium length shaggy brown hair, piercing green eyes and a small brown goatee, was a man who reminded Wendy of Bisca in a way. He wore a pair of faded jeans, a white undershirt with a brown leather vest that had several pouches attached to it, a black ascot around his neck and a brown leather cowboy hat.

The man smirked, hands in his pockets, as he halted his approach, chewing on what appeared to be a twig of some kind, a small green leaf protruding from the end of it.

"Sorry to interrupt ya'll in this little rescue op you've got going on here, but Lord Zeref ain't gonna take to kindly to us just letting ya'll take back that ghost Jacob snatched," the man continued, his stance entirely relaxed as he looked over the pair. "Nice meeting ya'll, even if I'm gonna be executioner too."

One Of The Twenty-Four Arms Of Alvarez

Eleventh Sword Of The Alvarez Empire

Commander Of Aster Squad

The World's Greatest Sharpshooter

The Split Second Shogun

Aster Lucile

"Looks like we got one of the Swords Wendy," Jason muttered quietly, as the pair kept their attention solely on the Alvarez Officer. "He's Aster Lucile, the fastest shot on the planet…"

"Damn right I am," Aster smirked, his eyes zeroing in on the kid behind Wendy. "And you must be the little brat what run off to Fiore with E.N.D and them other escapees from Vistarion Minar… Ya'll know traitors get put in the ground right quick, don't ya?"

"I was barely a citizen of the Empire anyway, and I don't regret leaving it," Jason snapped back in response. "The Empire destroyed my real home and killed my family! I'd gladly join their enemy!"

"Real sad story kid, but let's face facts, they probably deserved what they got," Aster replied dismissively, shocking both Jason and Wendy. "Most likely case was they stood up to the Empire, rather than just sit down nice and quiet like, ya know?"

"W-What the Hell did you just say," Jason hissed, as blue puffs of flame escaped from his body.

"You heard me boy! I told ya'll, they got what they deserved for defying the Empire," Aster smirked sadistically, finding amusement in riling Jason up.

"And just who are you people to decide that!? My family were good people, and you Alvarez bastards killed them!"

"We're the Swords and Shields of Alvarez kid, hands of Emperor Spriggan. He's the big shot who'll run the whole planet soon," Aster replied easily. "The right to decide is, and always was, ours. Little tyke like you don't understand the importance of purging undesirable varmints-."

Jason shot toward Aster, his right fist cocked back and ablaze with blazing blue fire. Before Wendy even had a chance to stop him, a gunshot rang out, and Jason's head now sported a finger sized hole through it, Aster's index finger pointed directly at him.

The teen fell flat on his back, attack ceasing immediately, as Wendy slowly stepped forward, her eyes glued onto his finger as light steam emanated from the fingertip of his index finger.

"Bullet Magic," the Dragon Slayer murmured, moving to stand over Jason as the Leichart member simply laughed.

"Ya'll are a heartless one Miss! Standing over the corpse of that there boy like he wasn't nothing?"

"Jason is fine," came her blunt response, as Aster raised an eyebrow in confusion. "You showed your hand early, Aster…"

"Heh… Well I'll be," the man muttered, as he watched Jason slowly get up, the hole in his head now filled with blazing blue fire as it filled itself back in. "Maybe ya ain't so useless after all, eh?"

"It'll take a lot more than a crappy attack like that to take out a Phoenix Slayer," Jason growled, as Wendy pulled him to his feet. "You're gonna pay for what you said about my parents!"

"Oh, I'm quaking in me boots boy," Aster laughed, raising both hands slowly as his index finger and thumb made the shape of a gun. "Let's see if ya'll can keep things interesting?"

"Crash Arts – Crash Barrier!"

In the time it took Jason to blink, Wendy had raised her right hand, conjuring a powerful Crash Barrier around them, as over a dozen shots from Aster's Bullet Magic struck the Barrier all at once.

"He's definitely a crack shot," the Sky Dragon Slayer muttered, as hundreds of cubes sailed harmlessly past the pair, her eyes meeting Aster's own.

"Crash Magic? Well now, this ought to be a good challenge," the Leichart member said with a grin. "But that there Barrier ain't gonna be enough to hold me back once I start ramping up…"

"We'll see about that," Wendy replied coldly, as Aster slowly levitated off the ground, his arms extended out wide, as she looked toward Jason. "Let's do this kid."

"Right," Jason replied firmly, as Wendy dropped the barrier, the pair instantly charging Aster, as the man's grin widened to an almost psychotic degree.

"Hoh yeah… This is gonna be good!"

*POTD*

"Well, it seems that Wendy got the first fight against the Leichart Twelve," Mira sighed sadly, as she watched her Take Overs viciously and ruthlessly butcher the Alvarez troops that had reorganized after Natsu entered the airship.

"It seems Natsu has already begun hunting Jacob Lessio," Halphas noted, as she impaled a soldier through the torso with her right arm, lifting him up into the air as he slid down her arm. "That one doesn't seem like the others though? He's just relying on stealth and assassination techniques."

"Safe to say that Master won't need any help then," Seilah asked, clearly bored, as she flicked her wrist and killed over thirty troops, their bodies being reduced to bits of blood and gore.

"Even if he did require help, it wouldn't be our place to interfere," Sitri added, not even bothering to fight as she lazed about nearby, watching the carnage. "There's nothing Jacob can do to avoid his fate anyway."

The group suddenly tensed as they sensed a monstrous amount of Etherious Aura coming from the direction of the downed airship. They all knew it wasn't Natsu, which meant only one thing…

"This one is powerful," Yuki-Onna muttered darkly, as the Demonesses regrouped around Mirajane, as a section of the hull was blasted apart, and a shadowed figure emerged.

Standing at nine foot three with long silken red hair, was a Demon of Etherious. The Demon was female, and wore what appeared to be chain mail leggings with armored boots, both a faded silver with red accents, and a matching armored belt buckle.

Her upper body however was much more exposed, contrasting her armored lower half. All she wore over her chest was a strapless black top with a red rose motif plastered across the upper left breast. Said top only covered her breasts and upper abdomen, exposing her stomach and part of her six pack.

She also wore a black choker with rubies lining its length, as well as a several ornate golden bracelets around her left wrist and upper bicep. The Alvarez Mark was stamped onto her lower back, silver in coloration.

The Demoness smirked, revealing fanged teeth as she surveyed Mira, her Take Overs, and Seilah, her eyes lighting up in recognition as she clapped her hands together in an almost giddy manner.

"No way! Hecate, Halphas, Sitri, Yuki and Seilah!? I can't believe so many Sisters are here in one spot!?"

"This isn't good," Seilah muttered quiet enough so that only Mira could hear her. "We're going to have a real fight on our hands with her…?"

Before Mira even had a chance to respond, Sitri stepped forward, responding to the Demoness ahead of them.

"Let's not play games here, you know why we've come."

"Tsk… Ever the killjoy Sitri," the Demoness sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "You all really want to be obliterated right away? What ever happened to family bonding? Demons together strong!?"

"You know we're the enemy, no use in prolonging the inevitable."

"As nice as it is to see you Sister, I must agree with Sitri," Yuki-Onna agreed, moving to stand next to her fellow Demoness. "We are fighting against Alvarez, and that means we're against you as well."

"Nothing you can say will make us change our stance on this," Halphas agreed, crossing her arms as the Demoness ahead of them narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"I'd heard you all bowed down to a Human… I just didn't think you'd all grown so pathetic?"

"Growing and understanding that there is more to life isn't pathetic," Hecate spoke up, as she stood proudly next to Mira. "We've experienced so much, and each grown in our own ways. Far better a fate than to be bound and restricted inside a book until we're deployed to kill mindlessly!"

"How disappointing," the Demoness sighed sadly, before looking over at Mira herself. "I suppose you're the bitch who took my Sisters then? I'll be killing you first."

"You can try," Mira replied firmly, arms crossed as she matched the Demoness' gaze without fear. "I can feel your power, and whilst its strong, I'm not going to be cowed by it either!"

The Demoness giggled before bursting into full blown laughter. None of the girls below moved, not trusting the Demoness for a second. Once her laughing fit died down, she wiped a tear from her eye before activating her Etherious Aura.

"I'm afraid you've all bitten off far more than you can chew," the Demoness smirked, snapping her fingers and summoning multiple books from thin air, their design awfully familiar.

"That can't be-!?"

"Oh yes Sitri, it is," the Demoness cackled with glee, as multiple Etherious Demons emerged from the books she'd summoned. "I, and my Spriggan counterpart, share one singular duty! And it is a duty Lord Zeref bestowed upon us personally!"

One Of The Twenty-Four Arms Of Alvarez

Sixth Sword Of The Alvarez Empire

An Overseer Of The Library Of Etherious

One Of The Strongest Etherious Demons

The Crimson Tide

Karliah Zalmoris

Karliah cackled with glee as she started conjuring book after book, summoning dozens of Etherious touched Demons into the area, as Seilah observed the chaos from behind Mira's position.

"I suppose I'll see what Master thinks about this," the Demoness sighed, as she linked her sight to his own through their shared connection, showcasing what was going down on their end.

Moments later, Seilah felt power surge through her, as knowledge of both his Demonic and Gravity Dragon Slaying Magics were pressed into her very being, along with additional reserves to use them to their fullest.

"Thank you, Master… I wish you luck on your hunt," Seilah whispered, as she closed their connection, before stepping up to join the rest of her Sisters.

"Oh, something is different about you now Seilah," Karliah mused, before dismissing the change. "Regardless, it matters little. All traitors to our Lord Zeref must be broken! DEMONS OF ETHERIOUS, ATTACK!"

The numerous Demons flooded down toward Mira, Seilah and the Take Overs position, a mixture of roars, squawks and screeches piercing through the sounds of battle that raged across the island, as the girls prepared themselves for a vicious fight to come.

*POTD*

The amount of Etherious Aura engulfing the island was stunning, almost beyond belief. Natsu could feel two roughly equal forces of Etherious clashing against one another, one most likely being Seilah, and the other being the Demoness he'd seen through her eyes.

He knew he had to deal with Jacob quickly, so he could double back and help, so he decided to just block out all of what was going on outside for the moment. Tuning out the Etherious from his senses, Natsu continued searching through the decks of the airship for the assassin, using every sense and trick he had to lure him out.

What made Jacob annoying was his ability to walk through shadows, similar to the Dragon Slayer from Sabertooth, Rogue Cheney. It was an annoying ability, but not one that would be enough to keep Natsu from his target for long.

I've heard Demons can taste Etherious? Tell me, what does it taste like?

"Sadness," Natsu replied coldly, as a barrage of knives smashed harmlessly against a Crash Barrier he kept around himself as he walked.

So, you can taste emotions?

"To a degree, It's not like I can just walk up and lick someone's tears and instantly know why they are sad," Natsu replied, keeping his mind focused as he responded in an almost robotic way, knowing Jacob was trying to throw off his concentration. "Zeref ruined those who use Etherious, and their Etherious Aura can tell me that."

Better a life under Lord Zeref than one under corruption…

"Says the personal assassin of the Emperor."

That may be. But once the world is united under one banner, such pain like those you claim the Etherious Demons possess would no longer exist. Do you not believe that to be a wonderful alternative?

"Not really, no," Natsu replied bluntly. "Unification through force brings only pain, Jacob. If the people were truly unhappy with their rulers as you claim, they would have revolted against their Governments and Monarchies, yet you've needed to invade them all."

As another series of shadowy kunai shattered against his Crash Barrier, Natsu just walked through another bulkhead, shattering it into cubes, as several more failed to strike at him.

"Your little game is rather pointless Jacob; my Crash Barrier isn't going to fall to a few blades."

I suppose that is to be expected… But tell me, Natsu Dragneel… Why are you so determined to kill me, and not simply take me prisoner?

"Simple. I know you won't give back Mavis under any circumstances. But if you die, everything in your Space gets forcibly ejected back out into the real world, Mavis included," Natsu replied plainly, as a large wall fell onto him, only to shatter into cubes.

A valid point. But again, it begs the question… Who is the rat that divulged such sensitive information regarding my abilities?

"No one you need to worry about," Natsu replied firmly, extending his right hand and firing a burst of Crash Magic down the nearby corridor, as the shadows rapidly receded, almost fleeing from him. "Keep running Jacob, you're running out of busted up airship to hide in…"

Receiving no response, Natsu sighed. He truly wished he could just drop a Nova on the place and be done with it. Unfortunately, he had allies here, and there could be other valuable information around he might need.

And so, he stalked on, determined to kill Jacob.

If not for kidnapping Mavis, then for making him waste his time on such a stupid game.

He hated stupid games…