Chapter 27

Everyone has gathered around while tending to their wounds as Natsu sat cross-legged on a stump.

"So, I think I know everyone here. But this is certainly a surprise." He chuckled as he looks to Lyon.

"I'm surprised to see Lyon here though. Looks like you finally got your head on straight " He teased.

"And seeing you is more surprising." Lyon smiled.

"Looks like I was a tad too late though." He frowned before he saw Sherry.

"well~ if it isn't, miss tragic romance." He eyed Sherry who gasped. "Guess you realized you got something to live for." He smiled.

"O-of course! I don't need you to tell me that!" She pouted.

"Nice to see you too," Natsu said sarcastically. He then turned to a trio who was tending to each other.

"Not familiar with you guys though." Natsu said blankly.

"Silent Night, Ren." He snapped his fingers.

"Hundred Night, Hibiki. At your service."

"Holy night, Eve."

"And together, we form Blue Pegasus's elite team, Trimens!" They all posed at once but winced from the pain.

"...Never heard of ya'." Natsu deadpanned.

"Humph! It does not matter" Ren said,

"You seem to be quite strong." Ren narrowed his eyes.

"What do you expect? He's a wizard saint." Gray said with a grin.

"Humph~\* It appears everyone is here~" Ichiya came as he did weird poses.

"They all ran away before we even fought at full power, therefore we win by default~!" He posed.

"THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS YA WEIRDO!" Gray shouted in annoyance.

"We may be battered but we're not down. Here, let my pain killer perfume ease your discomfort~" He popped open a vial and a fragrance wisped around the air.

"What a lovely scent." Sherry could feel it rejuvenating her.

"Yeah, my pain is fading away." Lucy said as she enjoyed the fragrance.

"I am glad to see you all are alright." Lyon said to Jura.

"I barely made it out alive." He said sternly.

"if it wasn't for Dragov-dono's potion, I wouldn't have made it."

"Their power is not something to make light of. We were right to forge an alliance." Jura sighed.

"Well, they aren't here now. We should probably come up with a new plan of attack." Sherry suggested.

"I agree, but.." Ren agreed, but they all turned to Erza.

"Ngh!..." She winced in pain from the stinging sensation of a purple venom in her veins.

"Erza, are you alright?" Gray asked.

"I-I don't know." She grimaced from it spreading throughout her arm.

"Not to worry my honey~!\* I know what you need...An EXTRA DOSE OF HEALING PARFUM~\*" He opened another vile and it circled around Erza.

"NNghh..AAHhh!" Erza, however, was still in discomfort.

"W-what is this~? My perfume has no effect~?" Ichiya was surprised.

"That venom was pretty nasty." Sherry cringed.

"In that case...Lucy! I'll need your belt!" Erza quickly grabbed Lucy's belt, shocking the blonde.

"Wha-!?" Her skirt fell down and the Trimens had perverted looks but were met with a Lucy kick.

"Don't look~!" She wailed.

"Erza? What are you doing?" Gray asked.

"Ergh!..There." She wrapped the belt tightly around her shoulder and stabbed her sword in the ground in front of them.

"CUT IT OFF!" She demanded.

"What!?" Lucy was surprised.

"Erza, are you losing it?!" Gray protested.

"It's the only way I can continue fighting. Please, make it quick!" She bit unto the belt and readied herself.

"But-!" Lucy was about to interject but Jura held his hand in front of her.

"It is her wish. We must not intervene." He said firmly.

"Very well..I'll do it." Lyon picked up the sword.

"Wait, let's talk about this!" Gray began to defend her.

"What's there to talk about? Her arm, or her life? Which is more important to you?" Lyon argued.

"This is something that will affect her for her whole life. We have to think of something else!"

"I'm doing it. It's what she wants." Lyon raised the sword and swiped down, but Gray caught it in ice which surprised them all.

"You're not cutting off her arm." He made a threatening look at Lyon.

"Humph. Same old Gray. Spineless as ever. When are you going to learn to grow up?" He scowled.

"And you're just as shifty as ever!" Gray argued back.

"Please, hurry!" Erza begged. Natsu was watching and decided he should intervene.

"That's enough Gray." Natsu told him.

"He's trying to cut off her arm! Do you realiz-!?"

"I said enough Gray." He made a stoic look. "Bickering like an imbecile is not helping her in slightest, and every moment you spend whining about it she feels more pain."

"But there has to be another way!" Gray turned to Natsu.

"There is, now would you settle down? " Natsu ordered.

"Well, what is it?" He asked.

"Move and I will show you." Natsu said pushing him aside and kneeling down. He looked at Erza's arm and slightly touched the area.

"Please..Natsu.." She was slowly blanking out.

"Everything's going to be fine." Natsu said as he had a vial with pink liquid in it appeared in his hand.

"Looks like I have to administer this the old fashion way." Natsu said as he opened the vial drink the substance yet did not swallow.

"What are you?" Ichiya asked before he gasped in horror as he sees Natsu kissing Erza as the pink substance flowed into her mouth as it slides down her throat

Gray and the others waited for him to be done as 10 seconds have passed and then 1 minute as they then can see Erza's face turning a tad blue.

"ENOUGH WITH THE KISSING, DAMMIT!" Gray shouted as he hits Natsu's back head.

"That should do the trick." Natsu said while not minding the bump on his head as he looks to see the purple venom in Erza's arm was slowly disappearing

"What was that thing you gave to her?" Hibiki wondered.

"Just some antidote potion I made up a few years back, I could've used some healing magic but it's better if I use the potion." He explained.

"You know healing magic?! That's a lost practice!" Sherry exclaimed.

"Yeah, but I like kissing Erza better." Natsu said with a grin as everyone sweat drops while Ichiya had turned to stone.

"NOOOOOOO! HE HAS TAKEN MY HONEY'S LIPS!" Ichiya screamed as he glares at Natsu.

"I challenge you!" He shouted at Natsu who raised a confused eyebrow.

"What's with him?" Natsu asked Gray while holding Erza who went unconscious.

"He said that Erza is his girlfriend and you stole her from him." Gray answered him.

"Have at thee!" Ichiya exclaimed and was about to attack Natsu who simply flicked him away as the man was embedded into a tree.

"Boss!" The trimens screamed.

"Let's take five guys. I think we should recuperate before we head out." Natsu said to everyone while Hibiki, Ren and Eve were trying to pull Ichiya out from the tree.

"But what about Wendy?" Lucy asked.

"Who?" Natsu asked as he summons a blanket then laid Erza down on the blanket.

"There was a little girl that was representing Cait Shelter, a guild that was participating in the alliance. Brain made off with her and a talking cat named Charla as well as Milo." Lyon explained.

"..Wait, they TOOK a little girl? What the hell for?" Natsu was confused.

"We don't know. I remember them saying something about Maiden of the Sky, then that Brain guy looked like he saw a ghost." Gray recalled.

"Maiden of the Sky?" Natsu repeated. He then widened his eye a little. "Sky Maiden...Sky..is it possible..?" He put a hand to his chin as if he were unraveling something.

"Do you know what he was talking about?" Lucy asked curiously.

"..What was that girl's name again?" Natsu asked them.

"Wendy Marvell." Eve recalled.

"Name don't sound familiar. But it's possible..the time is about right-" Natsu muttered to himself thinking out loud.

"Spill it Flambo, do you know who she is?" Gray asked, getting impatient.

"Well, Maiden of the Sky was actually a title that was given to female Sky Dragon Slayers." He said, and they all were wide-eyed and their jaws were open.

"Huh?!"

"You gotta be kidding me!"

"That little girl?!"

"I thought her power was unusual." Jura put a hand to his chin while deep in thought.

"Are you saying Wendy is a Dragon Slayer?" Lucy asked.

"I don't know. I'd have to see for myself." Natsu shrugged.

"Sky Dragon...Who knows what use they have for her?" Jura shook his head.

"By the way, I haven't been introduced to you yet. My name is Jura Neekis of Lamia Scale." Jura introduced himself.

"I know, you're the one called Iron Rock Jura, we've met sometimes at the Wizard Saints meeting a few years back." Natsu said as he reached his hand to Jura for a handshake

"Yes." Jura replied and shook Natsu's hand

"Although please forgive me for not recognizing you when you came to help, Dragov-dono."

"It's okay, and just Natsu is alright. Jason only took my photo when I was wearing Enryuo no Yoroi, not the other one." Natsu said with a smile.

"Having you in the alliance brings great advantage to us." Jura said with a nod.

Natsu nodded as he put Jura in his "top 20 nice people I've met" list.

"Looks like those get along pretty well." Lucy said as Gray nodded to her.

"Okay then…what's the situation?"Natsu said as he looks to everyone

**A few minutes later**

Hibiki was currently explaining the whole situation to Natsu who took in all of the info quite professionally.

"I see…any info on their hideout?" Natsu asked Hibiki who nodded as he pressed several keys on the archive keyboard as a map appeared and with a red dot at a certain area was showing

"Before they made off with Wendy, I tagged her before we headed out." Hibiki said as he looks to the map.

"She should be somewhere in the area beyond the forest." A red dot was flashing indicating where she was. "I can't get a clear signal, but that's where it was last transmitting." He explained.

"So, I guess we need to divide our forces for this. We rescue Wendy, and go on the offense while we're at it." Lyon nodded in agreement.

"Someone's going to need to keep an eye on Erza as well." Sherry pointed out.

"I'll stay with her." Lucy said. "I'll keep her safe."

"I'll stay as well. I can relay battle information via telepathy. I'd be much more effective as a monitor for the battles." He said.

"I agree. Let's separate and take the fight to them." Gray was in accordance with the plan.

"hey, Lucy." Natsu called out as he turns to look at her.

"What?" Lucy said.

"Move a few feet back will ya?" Natsu said with a smile.

"Uh? Okay?" Lucy said as she did what she was told.

"Here?" Lucy said to Natsu.

"Perfect." Natsu said to her before he took a deep breath and his chest expanded a bit

"**Enryuo no Hoko!"**

Natsu breathed out a torrent of crimson red flames as the nearby forest was disintegrated into nothing while some of the nearby trees caught on fire.

Everyone was about to ask on why did Natsu do that but got their answer when Natsu pointed forward as everyone saw 80 burned up goons on the ground unconscious.

"Scouts, probably" Natsu said before summoning Enryuo no Yoroi to Erza's side.

"How did you?" Lyon asked while Natsu just pointed to his nose and then ears.

"A Dragon Slayer's senses are not to be underestimated." He said with a smirk.

"I'll be leaving the other hundred guys to you." Natsu said as he started walking to the cliff.

"Wait! A hundred more? There are more of these guys?" Lucy said to Natsu who nodded.

"Don't worry, my armor will protect the two of you while with Erza." Natsu said to her

"Do you even know where to go?" Gray asked Natsu who smirked.

"As I said, never underestimate a dragon slayer's senses." Natsu said before summoning Reiter no Yoroi and his magic bike as he got on and drives it as he jumps down the cliff with his bike

"...What is with that guy?" Gray said as he looks down the cliff.

"Let's head out as well. We'll leave Natsu-dono to rescue Wendy-dono." Jura ordered as everyone nodded.

"Alright, let's do this!"

"Yeah!" They all gathered and cheered at once.

**Elsewhere**

**In a cave**

"Uhh..huh?" Wendy groggily woke up, not knowing where she was.

"Wendy?" Carla asked.

"Nyaa." Milo meowed while looking to her.

"Carla, Milo, where are we?" She asked, still unsure of her surroundings.

"I see you have awakened." Brain said who was sitting in a corner with the rest of the Oracion Seis's members.

"AHH!" Wendy jumped in surprise.

"Sky Maiden. We have need of your abilities." Brain said. He walked up to her with his wooden staff.

"My..abilities?" She asked.

"Yes. We need your help to bring back 'him'." He specified.

"Forget it! Wendy will not help a dark guild!" Charla said as she blocked his path.

"Shaaa!" Milo hissed at Brain before jumping at him with his claws out as the feline tried to attack Brain who simply swatted Milo away with his staff.

"Milo!" Wendy helped the feline up as Milo meowed a bit weak to her.

"i won't even need to force her. She'll WANT to help after seeing him." He snickered.

"What?" Wendy was just as confused as ever.

"Racer" Brain called out to the bruised up man.

"Get him." He said as Racer shrugs his shoulder while massaging his hand.

"Even at my top speed, it's going to take a while to get him you know?" Racer said to Brain.

"It is fine." Brain said before Racer disappeared in a flash.

Wendy looks in fear as Brain grins at her.

**Outside**

**In the forest**

"Aaahhhhh! Run away!"

"He's a monster!"

"He's too strong!"

Goons of a dark guild scream like pansies as they run away from Natsu who was wearing his Reiter no Yoroi as the man has been beating up goons after goons of dark guilds henchman.

He then came across two gorilla looking guys as Natsu looks to the side and sees that he was surrounded by the dark guild Naked Mummy.

"Let's have some fun!" The right Gorilla said with a grin.

Natsu sighs in his helmet as he burst into flames.

All of the apes and monkeys or whatever you call them, instantly pissed their pants as they see Natsu burning in the flames as he looks like a demon straight from hell.

"**Run little monkey, run."** Natsu said amused as he slowly walked towards the two gorillas who were hugging each other in fear.

"OOOOkkkiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"

**BOOM!**

**Back with Wendy**

"Ahh good. He's here." Brain smiled. "Sky Maiden, this is who we need you to revive." He showed Wendy who was wide-eyed with a look of horror and surprise.

"J-J-Jellal?" She managed to say. Indeed, it was him. He seemed to be chained to a coffin and unconscious with lacrima pumping through his veins.

"He's in a coma-like state. We've been unable to bring him back by ordinary means. But with your Sky Dragon Slayer Magic, he will lead us straight to Nirvana." Brain explained.

"This is crazy!" Carla protested. "Wendy wouldn't-"

"But..." Wendy began to say which confused Charla. She wasn't seriously thinking of helping the bad guys...was she?

"He's..my friend." She frowned sadly.

**Back with Natsu**

Natsu was walking through the forest as his ride was wrecked up by some goons who shot his precious bike.

"**I should really buy a new stronger bike."** Natsu thought out loud before hearing someone walking behind him.

Natsu turn to look on who he was as his eyes immediately turn red in anger as he sees Jellal in front of him.

"**JELLLAL!"** Natsu shouted as he summons his halberd and was about to attack Jellal but he suddenly created a yellow magic circle in front of him as it created a blinding flash that causes Natsu to shield his eyes.

Natsu took off his helmet as he rubbed his eyes.

"Dammit!" Natsu shouted as he regained his vision and sees Jellal gone.

"Where did he go?!" Natsu shouted as he looks around and did not spot him.

"Tch!" Natsu clicked his tongue as he put back on his helmet but stopped midway as he smelled Milo's scent nearby.

"**I'm coming, little buddy!"** Natsu shouted as he runs to a cliff and sees a cave bellow in a canyon as it was smoking from inside.

"**Going down!"** Natsu jumped high to the air before landing down in the canyon and runs into the cave as he saw Milo, Wendy and Carla on the ground passed out

"Looks like a fight happened here." Natsu said as he saw a hole in the cave as he sees Brain in it.

**"Let's get you back to the others, Wendy."** He said as he picked her up and slung her over his back. He then picked the white cat up by the tail and Milo before proceeding out the cave.

"**Looks like I've got no choice."** Natsu said as he squatted down before doing the highest jump he can do as he landed to the cliff where he spotted the cave in the canyon.

He then started to run in the direction of where Lucy and the others are while keeping an eye for enemies hiding in the shadows.

"...mmmgh." Wendy slowly stirred and suddenly she woke up. She realized she was being carried through the forest.

Natsu stopped and heard her and suddenly let her off his shoulder. She stumbled a little and fell on her behind clumsily.

"Ow~! Eh?" She looked up and sees Natsu in his armor as Wendy thought that she died and was looking at a demon.

"Eeeek!..." She screams she backed up to a tree and shook with fear.

"Wow wow wow, easy!" Natsu said as he took off his helmet and revealed his face.

"I'm not a bad guy nor am I a demon, see." Natsu said as he points to his face.

"I'm just a guy wearing armor."

He then waited for Wendy to calm down a bit.

"You're Wendy, aren't you?" He asked.

"Y-yes. Um, is Carla okay?" She asked, noticing the way he was holding her.

"This thing?" Natsu asked, looking at Carla curiously.

"Mmm..huh?" Suddenly Carla woke up and the world was upside down.

"Rise and shine." Natsu said as she looked up at him.

"...Unhand me this instant!" She flailed around while Natsu held her by the tail.

"It talks?" Natsu raised his eyebrow.

"Now I've seen everything." He dropped her on the ground and suddenly she sprouted wings and flew up right, and hovered protectively in front of Wendy. "It flies AND talks. This day just keeps getting better and better." Natsu applauded.

"Who are you, you cotton candy haired brute?!" Charla demanded.

"C-C-Carla, I don't think you should make him angry!" Wendy tried to stop her.

"You're too naive Wendy! Show some tact in the face of your enemy-" She suddenly found herself shying away from the overwhelming pressure Natsu was giving off as Charla felt like she was dealing with a god damn demon.

"Y-you stay away from Wendy!" Carla demanded but was trembling.

"Calm down hairball, I'm not gonna hurt you or Wendy." He assured her. "But that last comment might have actually stung." He exhaled to calm himself.

"I have a name, and it is Carla!" She pointed out.

"Right." Natsu said before hearing Milo waking up as the cat meowed happily to see Natsu.

"Nice to see you too little buddy." Natsu petted his head before Milo jumped up to his shoulders.

"The name's Natsu, Natsu Dragov, a Fairy Tail Mage." Natsu introduces himself to Wendy and Carla.

"Huh?" Wendy and Carla exclaimed in unison.

"Natsu...Dragov?" Wendy repeated.

"Yeah. Nice to meet you, kid." He smiled.

"Y..yeah..." Wendy said as she gulped.

"Well let's move, we're sitting ducks out here." He said as they followed Natsu with Milo.

"Natsu-san?" Wendy asked nervously.

"Hm?" Natsu turned to her.

"Um, can I ask you a question." Wendy gripped the bottom of her dress.

"Shoot." Natsu said simply.

"Would you happen to be a dragon slayer like the magazine said?" She asked Natsu who nodded.

"I'm the Fire Dragon Slayer." Natsu said with a grin.

"You're a dragon slayer as well, aren't you?" Natsu told her.

"Y-yes! I'm the Sky Dragon Slayer, Wendy Marvell! Nice to meet you!" She bowed immediately.

"Since you're a Sky Dragon Slayer, I guess that your parent must be the Sky Dragon, Grandeeney, right?" Natsu asked Wendy whose eyes went wide.

"H-huh!? You know Grandeeny!? How do you know Grandeeny?! D-d-do Kth!..Oway~! I bit mah tongue." She was asking way too fast and recoiled from biting her tongue.

"Slow down there, kid." Natsu sweat dropped.

"How do you know about Grandeeny!? Do you know where she is-?!" Wendy bombarded Natsu with questions but was stopped mid-sentence as Natsu pushed her out of the way as he had defended a kick from Racer who appeared out of nowhere.

"Back for more, I see?" Natsu said with a smirk as he grabs a hold of Racer's leg then threw him to a tree as he crashed into it.

"You got lucky last time! But this time you're gonna be helpless when I knock you into next week!" He said and disappeared. Natsu then stood next to Wendy.

"Stay close to me." Natsu told her.

"He's one of the members of Oracion Seis! Racer!" Carla warned him.

"He's so fast!" Wendy exclaimed as his afterimages surrounded them.

"I don't think so." Natsu spoke as he put on his helmet.

Racer appeared in front of Natsu as he kicks Natsu's head but Natsu parried it off with his backhand.

"Tch!" Racer disappeared and tried the same tactic all over Natsu but all of his attempts failed as Natsu parried them off before grabs a hold of Racer's leg then slams him to the ground before throwing him away.

**Crash!**

"You bastard!" Racer got up and dashed towards Natsu.

**"Ice Make: Rampart!"**

A massive wall of ice appeared and got in front of Racer, making him crash into it.

**"Huh? Gray?"** Natsu looked through the other side of the wall as he sees Gray top naked as usual.

"Looks like you found Wendy!" He smiled. "Nice job."

**"Yeah. What are you doing here anyway?**" He asked curiously.

"I just got done giving Erigor a beat down, next thing I know I see Racer on your ass." He explained.

**"Erigor?...Hey , I was about to beat this guy out of commission! Step off!"** Natsu shouted angrily.

"You leave this guy to me, I'll take care of him." Gray declared. "You go get Wendy to safety."

**"What are you acting all noble for?! Playing hero is not ideal for this situation!"**

"I can win! Besides I owe some payback for earlier." His expression remained firm as ever.

**"Fine. But this better not be a repeat of what happened at the train station."** Natsu sighed in annoyance.

"He won't get past me. Go!" Gray told him.

**"Best of luck to ya'!"** Natsu said before him and Wendy took off.

"Don't get in my way pal, or you'll be eatin' my dust!" Racer glared.

"Sorry, but I'm putting the brakes on you right here!" Gray declared and readied his Ice Make magic.

**In the forest**

"Will he be okay?!" Wendy asked Natsu worriedly.

**"Well it's Gray so...yeah. I think he'll be alright."** Natsu smiled.

**"Let's just get you back to the group."** Natsu told her.

"Hold it! Get him!" One of the dark mages from a group coming at them shouted.

"**Tch!"** Milo jumps off of Natsu as he disappeared and then reappears on the other side as all of the dark mages fell down unconscious.

"He...beat them all. In just a second!?" Carla exclaimed in shock.

**"Let's go you two, can't dawdle here forever."** Natsu turned to Wendy and Carla.

"Y-yes!" Wendy immediately complied as they all run to catch up with Natsu.

Natsu and Wendy showed up at the point they were supposed to meet up, they found Erza still unconscious lying on the blanket with Enryuo no Yoroi standing beside her, while Lucy and Hibiki standing watch.

"Natsu!" Lucy happily greeted. "And you brought back Wendy!" Lucy exclaimed.

**"Yeah, met some annoying flies on** the way here, but I swatted every single one of em'." Natsu said as his armor disappeared and Enryuo no Yoroi as well

Natsu then went to go check on Erza. He knelt down and examined her wound.

*'Jellal!'* Natsu thought in anger as he remembers the suffering he inflicted upon Erza.

"Natsu?" Lucy asked.

"..."

"Natsu."

"Huh?" Natsu turned to the blonde.

"Something wrong?"

"Uh, no." He said and stood up.

**BOOM!**

"Huh?" Natsu and everyone turned to an explosion they heard in the distance.

"An explosion?" Hibiki said.

"The enemy?" Lucy wondered.

*'..you better be alive Gray.'* Natsu thought in his mind before looking to HIbiki.

"So where are we at?" Natsu asked Hibiki.

"Well as far as battles go, looks like Jura is engaged with someone currentl-...Huh?" Hibiki suddenly had a surprised look.

"What?" Natsu asked.

"Lyon's..gone?" He said slowly.

"Huh? What do you mean he's-?!" Natsu then turned to the spot he heard the explosion.

"Oh shit. Gray is over there." He narrowed his eye.

"W-what's going on?!" Wendy asked desperately.

"Are we in danger or what?!" Carla demanded.

"Not currently...is Gray still alive? He ran into Racer down there." Natsu asked as he explained what happened.

"...yeah. Okay, but be careful." Hibiki seemed to be in the midst of a conversation.

"Hey." Natsu urged.

"Gray said he's going to go look for Lyon. Racer was beat, but tried to take Gray with him with an explosive lacrima vest, Lyon got in the way though." He explained.

"So that's what that was." Lucy and Wendy looked over toward the cloud of smoke in the distance.

*'..this is going pretty bad.'* Natsu was deep in thought.

"If Racer was really taken out, then that means that only a few of em' are left. Angel won't be a problem, I have no idea what Hoteye's magic is, that Cobra dude is no where...where the hell did Brain go? Is he waiting for Jellal to find this Nirvana thing?...whatever is going down, it's all linked to Nirvana...just what the hell is it!?" Natsu was just getting more questions than answers the more he thought about it.

"Um, Natsu?" Wendy asked as she came up to him.

"What?" He asked turning to her.

"I'm really sorry." She bowed apologetically.

"For what?" Natsu asked curiously.

"Because of me...because I helped them bring Jellal back-" She seemed to be upset.

"Hold it." Natsu put a hand on her head which made her flinch a little.

"You had to do what you had to do Wendy. No one's blaming you for anything. You made the right call, if you didn't, they'd have probably killed you." He explained to her.

"And don't worry about us, or Jellal. We all know how to pull our own weight."

"But your friend Lyon.." Wendy wanted to protest.

"We don't know that for sure. The guy's stronger than you think. I think he'll be alright." Natsu assured her.

"Let's just kick back, and rest a little. We got a long battle ahead of us." Natsu told and went to go sit on the tree stump he sat on before. As he did, Lucy came over.

"Do you really think Lyon survived?" Lucy whispered.

"This is a battlefield, Lucy. I'd be surprised if we all survive." Natsu sighed.

"Oracion Seis is a lot more powerful than I thought." Lucy frowned. "Everyone else is strong, but I feel like i'm not much help."

"Don't sweat the small stuff Lucy. The fact that you want to help is enough. The only difference between you and everyone else is experience." He pointed out.

"Think of this opportunity as a chance to see how a battlefield works." He tried to cheer her up.

"..yeah. You're right." Lucy smiled.

"But if you slip up, you'll die a gruesome death." Natsu said while still smiling.

"Gr-gruesome?!" Lucy suddenly cringed in fear.

"Hahahaha!" Natsu suddenly started laughing, noticing the change in her expression. "Oh Lucy, you're such a greenhorn." He teased.

"Still?" Lucy had lines of depression running down the back of her head.

"However.." He suddenly said. "..you get through this, and you'll no longer be a rookie." He smiled at her.

"..Mm! We'll get through this! All of us!" Lucy happily declared.

"Heh." Natsu just scoffed and smiled. "...(sniff)..(sniff).." Natsu's nose suddenly picked up a scent. His expression turned to a look of surprise.

"What is it?" Lucy noticed he tensed up.

"Gray?" His nose picked up the ice mage's scent somewhere close by.

"Gray?" Lucy repeated.

"Stay here Lucy, i'm gonna go check it out." Natsu said and began leaving in the direction of the forest.

"Where are you going?" Hibiki asked curiously.

"I sense something nearby, it might be Gray. I'm gonna go check it out." Natsu explained.

"But...isn't Gray down there?" Hibiki looked in the opposite direction.

"I'm sure he is, which is why I'm going to go check it out." Natsu said and began exiting. "Keep a look out you guys."

"It might be an enemy." Carla said.

"Back in a few." Natsu said and made his exit.

**At a river stream**

Natsu walked through the forest and reached a clearing where the first thing he saw was Gray lying unconscious in the river stream with his upper body on top of the rocks.

"Really?" Natsu sweat dropped as he sees the man beaten like this.

"Hmmmmmm." Natsu hummed as he was thinking of what to do.

"Aha!" Natsu had a light bulb appeared above his head as he got near the waterfall and he then sticks his hand into the water as a few seconds passed as the steam started to appear from the water.

Gray's face turned red as the once unconscious man came flying out of the river screaming.

"HOT!" Gray screamed while trying to cool him down with his ice.

"Okay, that's taken care of." He brushed his hands as he bid the raft good riddance.

"Are you trying to kill me?!" Gray yelled in disbelief.

"Well that depends." Natsu shrugged.

"Depends on what?!" He yelled angrily.

"Are you really Gray?"Natsu's expression suddenly changed to a dark one.

"Huh? The hell do you mean, flame brain!?" Gray yelled in annoyance.

"What do you mean if I'm me?! I am me!"

"Then how can you be in two places at once?" Natsu asked.

"Hell if I know. Obviously the other guy is an impostor." Gray scoffed.

"Well either way, I don't believe you." Natsu said as he gives a dark look at Gray.

**"Until only one of you is left on this battlefield, I won't trust either of you."**

"Look, you want proof?! We took down Lullaby! I battled against Erigor and lost! You stopped Phantom Lord from blowing the guild to smithereens!" He named off the events that took place.

"Anyone could come across that info." Natsu pointed out.

"What about on Galuna Island?! Lucy took an S-class mission by mistake, and you came with Erza to help!"

"And the fact that you and Erza are going to get married and that you like to make Erza pass out off air, from your kissing!"

"On what day?" Natsu asked to Gray.

"Three months from today." Gray replied before Natsu pierced his chest with his hand in a spear-like fashion.

"Wrong answer." Natsu said before the other Gray poofed into pink smoke.

"Gemi!"

"Mini!" They both clutched each other worriedly.

"..Humph." Natsu scoffed and turned around.

"H-how!? We can have the persons personality and memories! Why didn't you believe us!?" They had to know.

"I lied about the date of the wedding. it is three months from now." Natsu said to them.

"No way!? You based it all on a hunch!?" They were shocked as they shake in fear as Natsu's eyes were glowing red.

"Monster!" They quivered in fear as Natsu approached them.

"Boo!" Natsu scares them as Gemini vanishes into a golden light.

"So weak." Natsu said before walking back to the direction he came from.

After a brief walk, he arrived on site, and find no one was there.

"..Lucy? Lucy! Wendy-?!" He looked around and was surprised to find Erza no longer there. "Oh great." He sighed with frustration.

**SHIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG**

"Huh?" Natsu was surprised to see a beam of light shooting out of the ground in the distance.

He narrowed his eye at this. "There's a change in...what's happening? It's like..." He felt a slight shudder but recomposed himself.

"I gotta find everyone. Where the hell did they-? Wait a minute." Natsu took a look around and sniffed. He picked up a scent not too far away from him. It was back in the forest where he came from.

"Lucy!" He came to a conclusion while sprinting towards the scent. He then felt a spike of magic power coming in her direction.

He came to a stop and looked around. It looked like a battle took place around the creek he was at.

Natsu then saw Lucy passed out with two golden keys lying next to her.

He looked around again and then narrowed his eye over at Angel who looked to have taken a beating. She was still breathing.

"Did she beat her?" He wondered while looking back to Lucy.

"Natsu..." Lucy asked weakly.

"You alright?" Natsu asked kneeling down beside her.

"Mm...Her spirits were...strong...and sad.." She was about to say, but suddenly passed out. Natsu sighed. He then smiled and picked her up.

He then left the area with Lucy on his back and kept on walking back to the camp.

Natsu sets Lucy down against a tree stump to rest.

*'Where's that Hibiki guy?'* Natsu thought while looking around.

he then heard some rustling and summoned his sword. He assumed his quick draw stance and kept himself at the ready. He then made a sound of surprise and saw Wendy come stumbling out of the woods. He put his sword away and he immediately went over to her.

"Nnn...Natsu-san?" Wendy tiredly said.

"Wendy, are you alright?!" He asked worriedly as he came over to help her up.

"We were...ambushed by Angel...and Hoteye. They split us up, and we got attacked." She recalled.

"Yeah. I came across a doppelganger in the woods trying to impersonate Gray. But I took care of it." He assured her.

"What happened to Erza?" He asked suddenly.

"She was gone...before we got attacked. I think.." She wanted to say more but Natsu stopped her.

"Don't worry. Let's take a rest before you pass out. How's your cat?" He asked, noticing her clutching Carla who seemed to be out.

"Mm...Carla is okay. She...got hurt and tried to fly me away." She said as she frowned sadly. "She...always protects me. And yet, I'm so clumsy, and easily afraid." She sniffed while hugging Carla tighter.

He then smiled to her while patting her head before realizing Milo was not here as well

""he must be with Erza"" Natsu thought

"You know, funny thing." He began to say.

"Grandeeny always said that she wasn't gonna take on a student, because she was worried about frightening humans."

"Huh?" Wendy looked up curiously.

"When I first met her, it was pretty interesting..." he began telling her the story of how he met the white sky dragon as he remembered the day when Igneel would drop him off at Grandeeney's place and on how she would take care of him like he was her own son

"I learned a lot from her, despite it being only a few days a month." Natsu smiled.

"She taught me my manners, she taught me a lot about conversing, how to become friends with people. And a lot about women's feelings...which, I am very grateful to her." Natsu said with a soft smile.

"..." Wendy was just wide-eyed, immersed in his story.

"A lot of other things happen after that, but eventually, she just disappeared." He shrugged. "I tried looking for her after Igneel was gone. But the spots she normally would stay at were empty." He concluded.

"I see." Wendy frowned.

"But I'm sure she's still out there," Natsu said which made her look up. "I'm sure she's had a good reason to not show herself. Don't you think so?" Natsu asked Wendy.

"Yes...she must still be out there." She smiled happily. "I'll just have to keep looking! And when I find her, I'll help you find yours." She promised

Natsu smiled sadly as he patted his head.

"Thanks." Natsu nodded to her. "But you won't need to, Wendy."

"Igneel already passed away from old age." Natsu said in a sad voice.

"I..I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to.." She frowned and bowed her head apologetically.

"It's alright Wendy. I've come to terms with it." He said while his hair hid his eye. "When we get back, I'll tell you some more, but for now, it ain't exactly the best time to be telling stories." He smiled at her.

"You're right. Right now, Oracion Seis is still out there. And everyone is still fighting." She nodded.

"Still though, I wonder what the heck happened." Natsu wondered.

"What happened?" Wendy blinked.

"You saw that pillar of light didn't you?" He asked her.

"Um...no? I was unconscious, then woke up when Carla dropped me." She said, confused at his question.

"Hm." Natsu hummed curiously. "Huh?" He looked up and he saw Gray and Lyon coming up over the hill. "Well I'll be darned, you made it." He welcomed them as the two tiredly supported each other.

"Heh, it was a bit of a scrap, but we beat him." Gray smirked. Sherry was also behind them as well. She seemed to have a relieved look on her face. "Don't worry about Racer, he's sleeping off a nasty bump on the back of his head."

"I see you all have won your battles." Jura said as he came out of the woods, holding a beat up Hibiki over his shoulder. "Where is miss Erza?" He noticed that she was not among them.

"Don't know. She disappeared when I took out a doppelganger that was impersonating Gray." Natsu explained. "Then afterwards, I came across Lucy and Angel. Looked like Lucy took her down. " He smiled as he turned to the unconscious blonde.

"I see. So if Racer and Angel are down, that only leaves four more of them." Lyon said as the two regained their composure.

"I ran into the one called Hoteye, but he had a strange switch in personality. He did not seem to be evil anymore. Then afterwards he told me about Nirvana..." Jura explained to them about Nirvana's orgins, and their interest in attaining it. "Afterward, he took off." Jura explained.

"Nirvana..." Hibiki suddenly said which got everyone's attention. "It possesses the power to...switch light with darkness. You all felt it, didn't you? That tower of light that erupted over there in the distance? " He asked them.

"So that's what that was." Natsu thought while remembering the change in magic. "Wait, if you knew, how come you didn't tell us?" Natsu asked asked him.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't sure if I could trust any of you yet." He confessed.

"Tch." Natsu scoffed in annoyance. "Well, I guess for now we can catch our breath. I'm sure after giving those guys the beat down, they'd think twice before engaging us." Natsu figured.

"I agree, let us use this opportunity to-"

**RUMBLE!**

The ground suddenly started shaking violently.

"What the-?!"

"What is going on?!"

"Wahhh~!"

"The ground is-!"

Everyone was trying to keep their footing, as the earthquake shook the earth around them violently. Lucy and Charla woke up after feeling the vibrations, and suddenly wide eyed.

"Wendy!" Carla immediately shouted worriedly.

"Carla!" Wendy clutched her while the earth kept shaking.

"What's going on!?" Lucy was struggling to regain her balance.

"What the heck is that?!" Gray pointed towards something rising in the distance. It was dark, but everyone's eyes could see it clear as day. Shaking stopped, and everyone was wide eyed at what they saw.

"Look at the size of that!" Lucy exclaimed.

"Sonofa.." Natsu shook his head in disbelief.

"It's huge!" Wendy gawked. It was a massive city on a platform, walking with mechanical legs equally as large to support it.

"Is that...Nirvana?" Lyon wondered.

"Are we too late?!" Gray wondered.

"It's moving!" Jura pointed out. It seemed to be heading towards...

"..Oh no..." Wendy had shocked look.

"What is it?" Natsu whipped his head around and asked her.

"It's...it's heading towards Cait Shelter!" She exclaimed.

"What!? Does it intend on attacking that guild?" Hibiki wondered.

"Everyone!" Ren and Eve suddenly showed up, battered and bruised like the rest of them.

"Ah, thank goodness you're okay! What happened!?" Hibiki asked them.

"Oracion Seis has awakened Nirvana?!" They ignored his question and were wide eyed at the site of the massive city.

"Looks like it. It's heading towards Wendy's guild!" He explained.

"We have to stop it!" Lucy said.

"(sniff)...Hmm. Alright, I'll go on ahead. I think I got a whiff of Erza's scent, she's heading towards Nirvana." Natsu noticed.

"Isn't splitting up the last thing we should do?" Lucy asked.

"Don't worry about me. I can move faster on my own. I'll meet you guys on the city after I get Erza." He told them.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Jura raised an eybrow.

"Hell no. I'll see you up there." Natsu said as Enryuo no Yoroi appeared on Natsu as he sprouted his wings before flying off.

"Oi-!...aaand he's gone again." Gray scowled. "Why does he always have to friggin' solo everything?" He sighed.

"Either way, we need to head up there. Stay close, and let's keep moving! We have little time!" Jura led the group on.