Chapter 28

Natsu was soaring through the air as he speed up his flight towards Nirvana and then landed to the ancient fortress.

He looks around and sees that this looks to be an ancient city belonging to the Nivit people.

"**Erza's scent is near."** Natsu said as he could smell his fiancé's scent.

Natsu whipped his head to the side as something came flying and nearly hit him.

He looks down and sees a purple substance melting the ground.

"Welcome to Nirvana, Salamander Dragov." Cobra appeared above Natsu and was standing on top his flying, purple snake that was flicking its tongue at him.

"Or should I say Natsu?" Cobra said to him with a smirk.

"**Nice to see you too, Erik."** Natsu spoke as he was familiar with the man.

The two had a history with each other as one time the both of them had a debt to each other.

"Congratulations on your wedding, but you won't be seeing your fiancé in her wedding dress when I'm through with you." Cobra said with a smirk.

"**We never did settle our score, have we Erik?"** Natsu said as Enryuo no Yoroi purges off of Natsu and Reiter no Yoroi equipped itself to Natsu.

"Time to settle the score, Natsu!" Erik exclaimed as he had dark red dragon scales appearing on his hands as they turn into dragon claws.

"**You've asked for it, Erik!"** Natsu shouted as his armor expands and burst into flames as glowing red eyes appeared on the visors.

The two of them dashed at each other and clashed their fists at each other as a shock wave was created upon impact.

**BOOM!**

The two of them crashed to the ruins as several of the ruins, crumbles down upon the two fighters crash.

"Tch!" Cobra got out of the rubble as he saw Natsu coming out of his own.

"**Looks like you upped your game from last time."** Natsu said as he summons his halberd to his side.

Erik smirks before he had poison like mist in his claws.

"I've prepared since last time!" Erik shouted as he dashed at Natsu who defended against Erik's claw attack with his halberd.

Natsu headbutted Erik as it sends him skidding back a bit.

He then swings his halberd to his side before throwing it at Erik.

Erik leans his head back as the halberd went past him.

He then leans back up and put his guard up as Natsu punches his guard.

The two grin at each other before they jumped off and landed a few feet away from each other.

"**You've gotten better."** Natsu complimented him.

"I could say the same to you." Erik said as he smirks at Natsu.

"Learning to block your thoughts is something not many people can do."

Natsu huffs before the flames around his armor died down and he took off his helmet.

"Look, we can either go our seperate ways or we can continue this." Natsu said to Erik.

Erik just raised up his claws at Natsu who sighed.

"You asked for it." Natsu said as he put on his helmet.

Natsu then looks up to see the full moon.

"**A full moon huh?"** Natsu said as Erik was confused on why he was talking about the moon.

"what are you -?!" Erik looks and sees Natsu's armor changing color as the red was turning into dark blue

"**I'll be finishing this in just 3 seconds."** Natsu said as he bends his knee a bit.

"DAMMIT!" Erik exclaimed and tried to strike Natsu who disappeared as the ground cracks upon his disappearance.

Natsu then appeared beside Erik who falls down as Natsu caught him.

"**Sorry, Erik."** Natsu said to him while his armor turns back red as Erik has gone unconscious.

Suddenly

**CRASH! RUMBLE! CRASH! RUMBLE! CRASH! RUMBLE!**

Nearby ruins suddenly exploded as they all crumbles into pieces.

"**Looks like I overdid it a little."** Natsu said as he set down Erik to the ground as Cubelios came to his side.

Natsu reaches his hand up as a pendant appeared and then he puts the pendant into Cobra's pocket.

"**Get him away from this place."** Natsu told to Cubelios who wrapped its tail around Cobra before sprouting its wing as the flying serpent flies away from Nirvana

He looks to where the serpent flies away with its master as Natsu sighs.

"**Hmm?"** Natsu sensed a rising magic power as he could tell that it was Erza's.

He then started running to the direction that will take him to his fiancé.

**With Erza**

Erza had just defeated another member of the Oracion Seis, the man who goes by the name of Midnight, she stood in her place with Jellal going to her side.

She then heard footsteps as she turns to see Natsu standing a few feet away from them.

"N-Natsu?!" Erza was surprised to see him there already.

Natsu's armor burst into crimson flames as he summoned his halberd and dashed towards Jellal as he had the intention of killing him but was stopped midway by Erza.

"Wait!" Erza stood in front of Jellal with her hands out as she could tell that he was going to attack before he even began.

**"Get outta the way Erza!"** He demanded.

"Look, I know how this seems weird! But there's a reason for th-!"

**"Like hell there is! This bastard has earned death a hundred times over! Why the hell are you helping him!?"** Natsu demanded even more coldly than the last.

"He has memory loss!" She finally got out. "He's not aware of what happened!" She desperately tried to explain.

**"Memory los-?! Bullshit! He attacked me back in the forest!"** He recalled.

"I'm...sorry about that." Jellal frowned. "I...mistook you for one of them. I...caused such pain...for Erza...didn't I?" He said remorsefully.

**"You tried to kill her!...and me!"** Natsu clarified.

"Natsu, please! He doesn't intend harm! He tried to sacrifice himself to stop Nirvana!" She also pointed out.

**"What!?"** Natsu eased off his weapon and looked at her like she was nuts**. "You're telling me this asshole, was trying to stop Nirvana!? Why the hell would I believe-!"**

"It's the truth! Or do you not believe me!?" She suddenly shouted at him. Natsu gasped, surprised that she would say that.

"..." He remained silent with a shocked look on his face.

"Please Natsu. Just listen, I understand the anger you feel. I didn't believe him at first...but he has shown remorse. I wanted beat him to a pulp after I first saw him, but, then when I saw him try to destroy himself along with Nirvana...I didn't want to think twice about it...but then your words reminded me. Dying is the cowards way out."

She seemed to be calm and approached him slowly. "Letting him die wasn't the answer. Please, I don't really think that he meant to do what he did. He could have attacked me, but he didn't." She said as she looked back at Jellal.

"No...I...feel like..I did something unforgivable." Jellal put his hand on his head from the muddy memories that were slowly being brought up.

"Erza...I hurt...Erza bad." He started breaking up. Natsu looked at Erza's softened expression, then he looked at Jellal. He didn't seem to be a threat, and Erza seemed more than happy to believe in him.

The flames on Natsu's armor died down as he grips his halberd.

"..."

"..Natsu?" She asked, noticing he was gritting his teeth.

"**DAMMIT!"** Natsu suddenly roared and swing his halberd to the side as a long slash attack destroyed the ruins as a huge gash mark was on Nirvana.

Erza flinched from his sudden outburst as she sees Natsu was breathing heavily in his armor.

He turned away from Erza as his armor vanishes.

"...Natsu." Erza approached him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "...do you trust me?" She asked calmly. "I know you're upset. And that this doesn't make sense to you...but can you find it in your heart to listen to me?"

"..."

"..." The two were silent as Erza patiently waited for him to cool off.

Natsu looks to her for a second before looking away as he nodded to her.

Erza smiled as she hugs Natsu's back.

"Thank you." Erza thanked him as she can feel Natsu's heart beating crazy yet was calming down from the outburst.

"..."

"..."

"..." The three had been silent for a good minute now. The tension was heavy around them. Jellal seemed to be showing remorse for what he did. Erza was troubled by this situation, due to Natsu running into them before explaining the situation to him beforehand.

"Can I just explain what's going on?" Erza asked Natsu.

"...please do." Natsu suddenly got up and stared dead in the eyes. "Because as far as I can see, the man who tried to kill you, your friends, and me, is standing right over there." He pointed at Jellal.

"I'm trying to tell you, he wasn't himself. He wouldn't have done those things! Just look, he's afraid!" She defended him. Natsu glanced over at him as he could see Jellal's expression was showing a sign of remorse.

"You said he tried to sacrifice himself? If he really wants atonement for it, why did you stop him?" He asked her as he narrowed his eye.

"Because dying does not make up for your misdeeds, living, and trying to make things right is." She responded firmly.

"Erza..." Jellal was surprised she was sticking up for him.

"What if it was one of your friends that you grew up with? Would you want them to end their life, or try to make things, right?" She asked.

"Why are you trying to defend him?!" Natsu asked suddenly.

"...mmgh." Erza shifted her eyes away.

"If one of my friends killed one another, I would want them to answer for it. I don't let something go, ESPECIALLY killing, or hurting someone, that easily."

"..."

"Maybe he is your friend, maybe he has amnesia. He may have your trust, you know him better than I do. But to me, he's just the guy who tried to kill me, you, and everyone else there. He didn't even care." Natsu finished saying.

"...even so.." Erza clenched her fist. "Letting him die is not the only way to do this. Making up for your past sins is more logical then simply trying to escape in death." She said firmly.

"..." Natsu had a furrowed look as the two were arguing over Jellal. "You...are serious, about letting him live?" He looked down at the ground.

"Yes." She replied with no hesitation.

"Even if he did all those things, you want to give a chance to make it right?"

"Yes."

"..." Jellal was astonished at Erza's declaration.

"..." Natsu was silent for a moment before he sighed heavily.

He looked up at Erza, then Jellal. "..."

"Don't worry Natsu, I will take responsibility for him. Let's just finish this fight, then we'll decide on how to proceed with this. Can I ask for that at the least?" She requested.

"...do what you want." Natsu said coldly. He then began walking away from them and towards the platform that Brain was at.

He then stopped and turned around. He narrowed his eye at Jellal. "You're probably thinking that what you did was wrong, but don't get your hopes up at a shot of redemption. Erza may forgive you...but I won't." He stated firmly before leaving.

"Where are you going?" Erza asked.

"To finish this." Natsu declared as he looked up at Brain in the distance. "Brain's magic power is connected to this damn thing. If he goes down, then hopefully this whole structure will come to a stop." Natsu explained.

"It would make sense." Jellal voiced. "Right now, Nirvana is under Brain's control."

"I'm heading up there." Natsu said as he began heading towards Brain.

"Then, lets go-"

"Hold it." Natsu stopped and held a hand up at the two. "I don't want him watching my back."

"Natsu, please." Erza protested.

"Look at this from my point of view, Erza." Natsu said to her. "I do not trust this guy at the moment. For all I know he could be faking it, and waiting for a chance to strike. No. I'll finish this on my own." He sternly said.

"If you really trust him, and can say for sure that he's not gonna get in the way, then I would have no problem. But as it stands, he's not in the right state of mind, his magic power is low, and I don't trust him."

"But what if you need help?" Erza tried to reason.

"Like I said Erza..." Natsu said lastly before walking once more toward where Brain was. "..do what you want. But if Jellal gets in my way...I will not hesitate. Even for you.." Natsu left as Erza was frowning.

"...Natsu...I suppose I can understand his reluctance...but...no...no, he wouldn't...would he?" Erza clenched her halberd.

"Maybe it's best...I do die. I just cause you trouble." Jellal said with a sad smile.

"How many times am I gonna have to tell you?" Erza smiled. "I believe you. We'll just have to show Natsu when this is all over." She said as she watched him till he was out of sight.

**At the top of the tower**

"Hmm...so the others have fallen." Brain said while looking down throughout the city of Nirvana.

"It matters not. With Nirvana on my side, they are necessary sacrifices." He smirked while clenching his fist.

"You truly are a force to be reckoned with, aren't you?" He turned and was facing Natsu who stared at him with cold expression.

"I was just stronger than them...that's all." Natsu replied in a normal tone.

"Humph. Your talents are wasted on this rabble of an alliance." He shook his head with a smile.

"We both eliminate anyone who gets in our way. We do not abide by the so called 'rules', that were put in place by the council." Brain said with a dark smile. "The way I see it, we're above them. So why would you throw in with those fools?"

"Don't even think for a second that we're the same. if the Balam Alliance wants to mess with me..or the ones I care about.." He glared at him with a threatening look.

"I control Nirvana! And soon, the entire continent. And that's just the beginning. I'll amass armies of dark guilds, and then I will rise to the strongest in the Balam-No, even more than that. Everyone will grovel before my power, and mastery of Nirvana." Brain shouted as he held up and clenched his fist.

"Is that confidence or bravado, Brain? Because you'll need more than that if you wanna live to see another day. " Natsu said, and awaited his response.

"YOU'RE going to kill me? Now, who's sounding confident?" He scoffed and gripped his skull-staff.

"That's not a threat, Brain" Natsu said as his face darkens "**it's a promise."** Natsu's face turn dark as Brain a terrifying blood lust coming from Natsu as he sweated from it

"**Dark R-!"** Brain was about to unleash his magic at Natsu when he stopped halfway as Natsu walks past the man.

"It's over." Natsu spoke as he pushes Brain down with a push of a finger.

**Thud!**

Brain falls as blood poured out of the floor.

Natsu looks at him before scoffing as he made his way out while not noticing one of Brain's tattoo mark disappearing.

**Down the tower**

Natsu was making his way back to the others but was stopped when he jumped away from an explosion.

**BOOM!**

"What the-!?" Natsu turned to the sound of an explosion as he looks up and sees a flying ship, with the Blue Pegasus emblem on it. It looked like it was badly damaged though. He could see the smoke from where he was.

**BOOM!**

"Why are they firing!? You can't hope to put a dent in this thing with a pea shooter like that!" Natsu yelled out loud in disbelief.

**BOOM!**

"WHOA!" Natsu dove out of the way and was blown off the platform. He landed on the ground and slowly stood up.

*(Hello! This is Hibiki. I'm using telepathy magic to communicate with you all.)* Said voice, in Natsu's head. *(I'm sorry I was absent, but I found what I was looking for.)*

"Hibiki, are you firing on Nirvana?" Natsu asked.

*(Yes. Looks like it's having no effect though.)* He said with disappointment.

"WELL HOLD YOUR FIRE! YOU ALMOST HIT ME!" Natsu yelled back in annoyance as a tick mark formed on the back of his head.

*(What? I didn't pick up his magic signature on the radar...how..? I apologize for that. Anyway, I found the way to stop Nirvana.)*

"Okay, how?" Natsu asked curiously, closely observing his surroundings.

*(You saw those legs that are moving Nirvana? Well, they're actually tubes. Each one leads straight to a lacrima that's powering Nirvana.)* He explained as everyone listened.

"Okay, we take out the lacrima then, and the place shuts down for good?" Natsu asked.

*(Yes...however there is a catch.)*

"Meaning?" Natsu asked while seeing his friends from Fairy Tail below him, on another level of the city. Erza was with them, as well as Wendy. Jellal was also present, but they seemed to be calm. Natsu narrowed his eye at him.

*(You can't destroy them individually. If you do, the other ones will just repair the one that was destroyed.)*

"I think I see where this is going..." Natsu sighed, knowing what he was implying.

*(You'll have to destroy them all at the same time.)*

"Same time...so we need six of us to blow it up?" Natsu asked curiously.

*(Yes...I'm sorry...it's taking a toll to just inform you all. I can synchronize a timer for you all, so you can all hit them all at the same time.)* As if on cue, Natsu had a timer that was counting down in his head that was just placed out of nowhere.

"Got it." Natsu nodded.

*(Good luck my friends...I leave the rest...to you..)* Natsu was wide eyed, when he saw the ship slowly plummeting down into the ground. Natsu decided it would be best to rejoin his friends now, so he leaped down onto their level, and proceeded to join up.

**With the others**

"So we're all gonna have to hit the Lacrima at the same time, huh?" Gray said as he flexed.

"We'll split up, once we get inside. Then we wait, then hit them all, obliterating Nirvana." Erza said as they all agreed.

She noticed Wendy was a little weary and nervous, so she smiled put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll stop this thing before it even gets close to your guild." She assured her.

"...yes." Wendy smiled suddenly. Filled with confidence, they were about to proceed before Natsu made himself known.

"Looks like you guys got the message," Natsu said as they turned and there were mixed feelings in the atmosphere. Due to Jellal being there.

"Natsu! You're back." Lucy happily said.

"Looks like you can't solo this one, flame brain." Gray smirked.

"Guess not." Natsu smiled but made a blank look at Jellal and Erza. Erza frowned slightly and looked away shamefully.

Natsu proceeded past her. "Let's get this over with." He said while they all we're curious as to the awkward tension between Natsu, Jellal, and Erza. As they walked on, Lucy had to ask.

"So...I take it you already know about Jellal?" Lucy assumed while whispering slightly.

"You could say that." Natsu responded in a slightly annoyed tone.

"Yeah...it's kind of mind blowing actually. But, if Erza believes in him, we can trust her, right?" Lucy chuckled slightly.

"...yeah...trust." Natsu said as he recalled her questioning his trust in her.

**In Nirvana**

The group had made their way inside the gargantuan structure, and were proceeding down a large, long hallway. Natsu had the lead, keeping a watchful eye open for anything that looked like a trap. As the group walked along, there was an awkward silence that filled the air.

"...s-say.." Lucy tried to break the silence. "Do you know where we are going?" Feeling overwhelmed by the size of Nirvana's hallways, it felt like something was closing in around them.

"Hibiki said the legs were actual pipes. So I am assuming that there's a room that splits off into each spot. We'll keep heading towards the middle till we find branching paths. Plus, I think Hibiki planted a map in my head that would show me where to go." Natsu explained.

"Wait..." Natsu suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around and counted them all. "Which of you received the timers and a map?" Natsu asked them all.

"Me." Gray said.

"I did? Oh, you're right!" Lucy voiced.

"Me too." Erza also said.

"I-I did." Wendy perked up.

"And me...so who's our sixth?" Natsu sweat dropped.

"~It would be I~\*" A voice suddenly said behind them, prompting they all turn to it.

It was Ichiya...tied up to a poll. "It is only natural I assist in such a serious matter." He tried to say proudly, even though his face was bruised and dirty, while crawling like a caterpillar towards them.

*"ICHIYA..."* They all thought in unison, while beads of sweat ran down the back of their heads.

"You got caught?" Natsu said as he snaps his fingers and the rope tying him got burned away.

"Yes!...er..more like I just woke up like this~\*!" He tried to answer.

"Alright pal, let's get moving, the closer-"

*(Greetings, young wizards...!)* A voice suddenly boomed in all their heads. They all tensed up at the sudden voice.

"Hey, did you guys-?" Lucy turned to them all.

"Yeah." Gray had a serious look.

"Carla?" Wendy cringed while holding her tightly.

"Is this...telepathy?" Charla was equally surprised.

*(I must applaud your tenacity at making it this far! To think that mere children, would even set one foot upon Nirvana! You are to be commended!)* The voice continued booming. *(Allow me to introduce myself, I am the master of Oracion Seis, Zero!)*

"Master?! You mean these guys had a master?!" Lucy said, worriedly.

"...Zero?" Natsu narrowed his eye.

*(You're probably thinking that you actually have a chance at stopping Nirvana, but I have some bad news for you! My first target, Cait Shelter, is in firing range!)* He yelled with enthusiasm.

"N-no!" Wendy had a look of horror wash over her face.

*(However, thanks to that pesky air ship, the alignment is slightly off, so it's destruction has been momentarily delayed. But as soon as Nirvana regenerates itself, I'll wipe it off the face of the map!)*

"No...my guild." Wendy began shaking scared. "It's too late...it's over-"

"Don't listen to him Wendy! We're gonna stop this thing before that even happens!" Gray assured her.

*(Oh yes, you're probably planning on destroying the lacrima all at once to effectively put Nirvana out of commission, however, I'm afraid that you will not succeed! For you see, I, am standing in one of those locations, and I assure you, I have no intention of going anywhere else! So if you want to stop Nirvana, you will have to go through me first!)* He cackled.

"He's watching one of them? That means...we have a one in six chance of running into him!" Lucy said while trying to recover from the sudden shock.

"So if Lucy or Ichiya runs into him, we're screwed." Natsu put a hand to his chin.

"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK I'M GONNA RUN INTO HIM!?" Lucy gawked.

"Relax, I'll be taking care of him." Natsu smiled.

"Are you sure? You fought several battles today, can you even go toe to toe with a guild master?" Jellal voiced.

"Well, I guess we'll have to find out then, won't we?." Natsu answered while proceeding forward

"Look, up ahead!" Carla pointed out to a central room as they entered. There were two large, stone, open doorways leading in opposite directions.

"Looks like this is where we split up guys." Natsu said while looking into the left one.

"Split up...right." Lucy gulped nervously.

"Don't worry Lucy. He's this way. I can sense magic build up in this direction. Maybe he's doing it on purpose?" Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, okay good... wai-I mea-bad! BAD! That's bad!" She didn't want any of them to run into him, but SHE definitely, did not want to run into him.

"Alright, let's knock this giant monstrosity into the ground! I'll take the left! Good luck guys!" Gray said, before him and Ichiya began heading out.

"I'm heading out, my honey~\*! Wish me luck~\*!" Ichiya flashed a pose before following Gray.

"...Mm. Be careful." Erza nodded.

"Mm! I can do this!" Lucy mentally said, confidentially. She proceeded with the rest of them, leaving only the five others left.

"Let's go, Carla!" Wendy turned to her cat, and Carla sprouted her wings in a glittering flash, and carried Wendy down the corridor on the right.

"That leaves us with the last two..." Natsu said, and began heading out as well.

"Natsu." Erza said which prompted him to turn and face her. "...be careful."

"...yeah." Natsu said normally and left the two to the last lacrima.

**In a room**

Natsu had arrived at the entrance to one of the lacrima cores. Sure enough, the ball of crystal powering the monstrosity was present in the room. As well as the man named Zero was waiting for him.

"Welcome maggot. Are you prepared for desolation, on a level that you've never seen?" He taunted.

"Humph." Natsu scoffed as he stopped walking and stared at him head on. "I doubt you could show me something as little as that." He responded firmly.

"Interesting how the person that nearly killed this body, is the same to return to finish the job." Zero remained motionless.

"Now I get it." Natsu said as he made his way down and looks at Zero.

"Two different people in the same body."

"Indeed. I am in fact known as Zero, the 'true face', of Brain." He introduced himself.

Natsu had his eyes foreshadowed as he summons Reiter no Yoroi on.

"Hoh? Kansho?" Zero said as he looks at Natsu as both of them got into a stand off.

"**Let's see who's all bark and no bite, shall we?"** Natsu said as the room started to shake.

"Indeed!" Zero exclaimed to him.

**"Dark Capriccio!"** Zero suddenly generated a long beam of dark energy, and it bent, and lashed out violently at Natsu like a destructive whip.

Natsu just stood in place as he lifted up a hand as the attack was blocked.

**"Is this all you can do?"** Natsu recomposed himself.

"Not even close! **Dark Rondo!"** Zero suddenly held up both his hands and fired a long beam of green energy at Natsu.

**"I thought so."** Natsu said summoning his halberd as he swings it horizontally as the attack was sliced into half.

"MAGNIFICENT!" He suddenly shouted with glee. "This power, THIS is what I wanted to destroy! Come, show me more!" He urged while shooting out more balls of energy at Natsu.

Natsu scoffed as he swings his halberd in front of him as all of the attack bounces off of it

Zero jumped into the air, and was still raring to go. The look in his eyes were that of someone enjoying the fight.

***"Dark Capriccio!"*** He fired another beam from his hand, and then landed on the ground.

Natsu dodged the beam to the side, and now Zero and him were close. Zero threw a strong punch toward Natsu, and Natsu round house kicked his fist to deflect the strike.

The resulting shock wave from the two strikes, destroyed the ground below them. Zero threw his other fist out, and landed a solid hit on Natsu's chest, and then spun around to fire a beam with his other hand at Natsu.

A blast of dark green energy exploded on contact with Natsu, and made Natsu skid on the ground a bit.

"MORE!" Zero was now charging Natsu who put his guard up.

Zero delivers punches and kicks imbued with dark green energy as Natsu parried them off with his hands and legs as he then did a swing while Zero jumped back to dodge.

"**Come at me with your best shot."** Natsu taunted at Zero who grins crazy.

"Prepare to be sent to the nether world! Disappear into nothingness!" He shouted. Ghost-like apparitions gathered by the hundreds around Zero. He held his hands out. **"Genesis Zero!"** He uttered. The ghosts suddenly charged toward Natsu, like a massive wave of evil intent.

"..." Natsu narrowed his eye as he disappeared in a sea of eerie cries as the ghosts overcame him and his fireball.

"HAhahahaha!" Zero cackled at his favorite spell. "You were all talk Dragon Slayer. Now you truly are lost! In the void of damnation!" He said smugly while watching his ghosts enveloping Natsu still.

"Hm?" Zero realized his ghosts were still there, and didn't disappear. "What is...he should be enveloped into nothingness.".

Suddenly, the ghosts were getting restless, and a blue light glinted. Suddenly the whole structure began shaking. Zero took a step back instinctively.

He looked back toward the mass of souls, and he widened his eyes. Raging flames were bursting forth, and burning away his magic. He then felt a pressure of magic flood the room that he had not sensed before.

Suddenly

**CRACK!**

A metal demon claw pierced out of the ghosts and then a raging crimson flames appeared as another demon claw appeared as the ghost were burned away.

"What!?" Zero yelled as Natsu came out of the flames with his whole figure in flames and he looks like a real demon of hell.

**"Haaaaa..."** Natsu exhaled, and steam left his mouth.

"...not possible. No...unbelievable." Zero had sweat dripping down his face.

"You burned away my magic...?! how?!"

Natsu looks at Zero as his eyes turn chaotic.

Zero took a step back as he never felt such intense bloodlust coming from Natsu.

Natsu took a step forward as the ground melted upon contact of the heat.

He then took another step forward before doing a full sprint at Zero as he grabs Zero's face before slamming it down to the ground.

"Gaaaaah!"

Natsu then grabs his neck and slams him to the floor multiple times before throwing him towards the Lacrima Orb.

*"**End it."*** A dark deep voice spoke out of Natsu as his halberd came to his side as the scythe burst into flames.

"**I will"** Natsu said as he spins his halberd before jumping into the air as Zero who opened his eyes and sees Natsu coming.

"A…..demon?!" Zero feared as he saw a black demon aura behind Natsu as it growls at him.

"**Statza!"**

Natsu spins his halberd before swinging it at Zero as it created a huge flaming wheel that hits the man right on and as well as the giant lacrima ball.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

**BOOM!**

The attack cause and explosion as it clouded Natsu's vision for a while.

The flames on Natsu fades away as well as Reiter no Yoroi.

Natsu took a deep breath and then exhales as he then felt the whole place rumbling.

"Looks like they all did their part." Natsu said before wobbling his way out of the crumbling fortress.

**At the forest**

Everyone had escaped the crumbling fortress as one by one, the injured and weary mages that participated in the alliance had returned.

Oddly, Jura returned with Hoteye, who seemed a lot less hostile, and more courteous towards them. After Nirvana switched the personality of him, he seemed to be a lot more jolly.

Erza and Jellal were having a moment to themselves, while the others were greeting each other. Everything seemed to be turning out okay till a rune wall suddenly surrounded them.

"What's going on?" Lucy asked, shocked to see them trapped.

"Front and center!" Lahar came in and stood in front of the army.

"Wizards, I am Lahar, leader of 4th Custody Enforcement Unit of the new Magic Council. Jellal Fernandes, for your heinous crimes against the previous magic council, I am placing you under arrest." He ordered.

"Huh? What are you saying!?" Gray protested. Jellal bowed his head in shame, and Erza was shocked.

"Please, wait just a minute!" Wendy pleaded. "He helped us take down Nirvana and Oracion Seis!"

"Wendy..." Carla frowned.

"Don't worry, I won't resist arrest. I will come quietly." Jellal assured them.

"..." Jura just didn't sit right with this. The council's orders were not in the wrong, but the situation...

"Regardless, I am ordered to arrest him on sight! Cease him. If any of you interfere, I'll be forced to place you under arrest as well." He ordered. And before anyone knew it, Jellal was already in cuffs. He looked once more back at Erza and smiled slightly, sadly. Erza was hiding her expression, debating on what to do. It wasn't fair. After helping them stop Nirvana, she figured it would be a great fresh start for him, and the people he hurt. Remorse was all he showed to her, convincing her that he was not entirely to blame for his past sins. She wondered if there was another hand that had a play in this. But right now, it twisted her gut to see him leave her again.

"This...isn't right." Wendy trembled as tears fell down her face. "He helped, so why didn't...?" She muttered.

"Erza..." Lucy looked to her guild member with sorrow in her heart. She could only imagine the pain Erza felt to lose someone she cared about, again.

Jellal was halfway to the wagon.

"Well, well, well." Natsu's voice suddenly sounded as he came out of the woods with his arms crossed.

"Who's there?" Lahar demanded, but suddenly a shocked expression appeared on his face, as everyone looked to see him coming out of the shadows.

"Natsu.." Lucy was relieved to see him show up. He walked past Jura, Hoteye, and Erza, not so much as glancing in any of their directions. He stopped right between his guildmates, and Lahar's soldiers.

"Natsu Dragov."

"Dragov?"

"The Salamander?!" The subordinates of Lahar were very tense when Natsu revealed himself.

"Settle down! I will handle this." Lahar calmed his men and stepped forward. "Natsu Dragov." He greeted before seeing Natsu equipped a metal dragon claw as he pierced the ground and sees static coming out of the ground.

Lucy and the others then see the rune barrier disintegrating as Natsu stands up and blows his claws of dust.

"Lahar was it?" Natsu asked while re equipping back his claw.

"What is Natsu-san going to do?" Wendy watched in anticipation.

"We have no quarrel with you, but we are here for Jellal." He opened with.

"Yeah, the anti-magic cuffs are a dead giveaway." Natsu sarcastically put. "You need this many guys to arrest him?" Natsu looked around.

"Jellal is incredibly dangerous. I'm not taking chances with this one." Lahar put.

"Clearly you're underestimating this guy's capabilities." Natsu scoffed. "I remember when you guys fired the Etherion at me, Erza and Jellal." Natsu recalled.

"That issue is no longer a problem."

"Well, I'm still kinda pissed at that." Natsu spit. "Next time your bosses pick a target, make sure I'm not on it. Unless that was the point." Natsu argued.

"I cannot comment on the actions of the old council, but I am here to take Jellal in. That is that." Lahar finished.

"..." Natsu was silent.

"Please let us go about our business. And we will let you go about yours." Lahar reasoned.

"Yeah. You do that..." Natsu said, and Jellal was proceeding to the wagon. "Y'know, I find it a bit strange how you knew he was here." Natsu suddenly said.

"Eh?" Lucy and Erza turned to him.

"We have resources." Lahar ominously put.

"Yeah, but not that good." Natsu countered.

"I fail to see what you are saying." Lahar narrowed his eyes.

"I'm just saying, unless you guys have a crystal ball that shows you everything happening around the world, then there is no way you knew that we came across Jellal. Of course it's just your words against mine, but, I know how the council works." Natsu closed his eyes. "...well whatever. Just let your bosses know, that if they want to keep that council together, to not mess with me. Frankly, I'm getting sick and tired of you guys poking your noses where they don't belong."

"You're threatening me, Natsu Dragov?" Lahar responded calmly.

"Why does everyone take everything I say as a threat?" Natsu threw his arms up and wondered.

"Because of the way you talk." Lucy sweat dropped.

"I don't need to threaten you Lahar. You do not matter to me. As long as it's not unreasonable, I don't mind playing along with whatever scheme you guys are acting, but...on the off chance that the council tries to hinder me, or interfere with my business, AGAIN...they should know I don't have to threaten them to know what I can do to them." Natsu glared with an empty expression

"Look here, Natsu Dragov. I did not come here to argue about your quarrels with the way we do things, but to see a criminal pay for his crimes." Lahar reminded him.

"...teh, fair enough...as far as response time goes, they got here really quick...did one of us tell them?" Natsu thought the last part and looked to each of his comrades.

As Natsu stared Lahar dead in the eye, he asked him a question. "If you take him, what happens to him?"

"He will be imprisoned indefinitely." Lahar answered.

"No death sentence?"

"I cannot say. Once he's there, he'll be lucky if a life sentence is all he gets."

"...hm." Natsu then turned away and walked back to his friends with his eye closed.

"From what I understand..." Lahar suddenly spoke up as Natsu stopped and opened his eye slightly. "..you had a dislike for him, from what the report says. Are you concerned about his wellbeing?"

"No." Natsu replied as he summoned his sword to his side.

"**I still despise him."** Natsu said darkly before he swings his sword at Jellal as a huge gash mark appeared on his chest.

Everyone's eyes widen in horror as they see Jellal falling to the ground with a thud as blood soaked the ground.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

The sound of Wendy's screams rang through the air as everyone stood in disbelieve to Natsu's action