Previously:
The battles against Trinity Raven finished up, with Mira defeating Ikaruga with ease, while Juvia managed to beat Vidaldus, with the advent of Etherion distracting the group. The group of mages barring Erza, Mira, Natsu and Happy, managed to escape the tower, even though some were forced to leave against their will. The battle between Jellal and Natsu was even, but Mira's arrival tipped the scale in the favour of Fairy Tail, with Mira instructing Natsu to take Erza off the tower and let her handle Jellal. Natsu and Erza once again traded verbal blows, with Erza being cowed once more, however, even words wouldn't stop Erza, who followed Natsu back to Mira, where Erza took one last desperate attack from Jellal, after Mira and Natsu had almost finished him off. After Natsu had instructed Happy to carry Mira off the tower, in a move of great resolve, Natsu then consumed part of the tower, brimming with the power of Etherion, but now, it seems Natsu is not quite himself any more.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
'Dragon or E.N.D. talking'
"Dragon or E.N.D. thinking"
Techniques
Chapter 11 – …and Sever
'I see, so you wish to create a demon of your own, Natsu.' Said a dark-haired individual. 'I only want to provide the same gift you gave me. It isn't fair how many innocent people die needlessly. All these people who attack you and the rest of us, they don't care about their own lives, let alone those of our friends.' Said Natsu. 'I never thought you'd be so compassionate, Natsu, not after what you yourself did. After all, you've carried out some quite horrific deeds against our foes yourself.' Said the man. 'I do not regret killing any of those who attack us simply because they believe we are evil. Raising the dead isn't evil.' Said Natsu softly, causing the man he was speaking with to sigh. 'Yet not everyone can be brought back, Natsu. I'm sure we don't need to discuss this matter again, do we?' Asked the man. 'No, I understand. I don't like it, but I understand. This one though, she is strong, and she has always been alone. At least I had a family once, she never had anyone to call a distant relative even.' Said Natsu mournfully. 'I understand. This is not simply a request, is it? Well then, do what you like, Natsu. The only way this will work is through desire. After all, I managed to bring you back to life because I wanted nothing more than for my baby brother to live again. If your desire is strong enough, the ritual will succeed. If not, it will fail.' Explained the man revealed to be Natsu's brother. 'Do you think I'll end up with the same problem as you, Zeref?' Asked Natsu. 'I think not, since if you were to become immortal as well, well, it would make me very happy, something I'm sure Ankhseram would not want, preferring for me to suffer instead.' Said Zeref, causing Natsu to nod and walk away.
Natsu carried a body not much smaller than himself on his back. It was slightly difficult to manage, given his small frame, but his baggage was equally small, making the task manageable. 'Master E.N.D., what do you have there?' Asked a horned woman. 'I'm trying something out and I need this person to do it.' Said Natsu. Natsu suddenly felt the load lifted off his back and looked up. 'At least let me assist you then, Master E.N.D., it is the least I can do.' Said the woman softly. 'Thanks Sayla.' Said Natsu, causing the woman to nod slightly. 'Of course.' Said Sayla simply, before Natsu led her into the building she had been standing in front of. Natsu guided Sayla down to the basement of the building and led her to a steel door. Natsu opened the door and stepped inside with Sayla following. 'Please place her on the pedestal there.' Instructed Natsu, to which Sayla obliged, placing the body down on a small steel platform, raised a metre off the ground in the centre of the room. 'Thank you Sayla, you can leave now.' Said Natsu, with the woman nodding and leaving. 'Now then, let me see what I can do here.' Said Natsu.
Natsu blinked in surprise as his flames started to transform, turning into tendrils of water. The tendrils started to multiply and thicken, before converging on the body in front of him. Natsu staggered back a step, as all of his flames suddenly turned into water and pulled away from him, starting to form a dome of water around the body in front of him. The water started to dig into the body, before skin and muscle was stripped away, being replaced by water, before the skin and muscle grew over it. The process repeated itself numerous times, with the body within changing, growing and shrinking randomly not only in size, but developmentally as well, varying between a small child and a grown woman. Eventually, the water stopped invading the body and started to expand outwards, filling the room slowly. The body settled on that of a small girl, before the water lifted the body up, so that it was now standing in front of the platform.-line break-
'So you it seems you both succeeded and failed, Natsu.' Commented Zeref. 'How did I fail?' Asked Natsu. 'You've become considerably weaker now. I doubt you can instil the same terror into the hearts of others as you once did with no power to speak of. However, it seems you did manage to create something interesting after all.' Said Zeref. 'I can always gain more power later. Bringing a person back to life seems like the bigger thing to me than losing a bit of power.' Rebutted Natsu. 'Funny that you mention that, since there is someone who wants to train you in magic, would you be interested?' Queried Zeref. 'Of course, but only if you trust them. Do you?' Asked Natsu. 'I do. Igneel is in fact what I would call a friend, strange given he isn't human, but then again, neither are the rest of us, so maybe it is appropriate.' Commented Zeref. 'In that case, I'm in.' Said Natsu. 'Excellent, I'll let Igneel know.' Said Zeref.
Jellal stared at the form of Natsu and found himself paralysed by fear. It wasn't only that Natsu's appearance had changed, but even his aura had. What had once been a frightening combination of heat and ancient magic had become warped, now reeking of death, immolation and pain. Whereas before the power could have been thought of as profound, it now felt corrupted, wrong even and it chilled Jellal to the bone.
'You have led to the suffering of others. Your goal, while notable, has been a lie. Zeref is not one who could die from the passage of time. You are a fool, Jellal. Your entire life has been a pointless waste of time.' Said Natsu, his voice sounding hollow.'How would you know that? Zeref came to me himself! He told me of my role, my destiny!' Screamed Jellal defiantly, despite his nerves.
'Wrong. Zeref would not come to a simple boy like you. Why would the strongest wizard of all time ask for help from a slave with no magic? Did you ever question that? What made you any more special than Erza or your other friends for instance? You simply believed you were special to give your life meaning. However, your entire life has been devoted to a lie. While it is true this tower could be used to bring Zeref back to life, he is not dead. So then, Jellal, if not to bring Zeref back, what would you use this tower for? What purpose has your life served?' Said Natsu, slowly advancing on Jellal.'You're wrong! You don't know anything about Zeref or his greatness! He sees the true potential in me, the power I can possess.' Said Jellal, only for Natsu to shake his head slowly.
'Foolish, extremely foolish. I can see your life truly has no meaning without this false belief. It would be better for you to just fade away into nothing. At least you will find peace in death.' Said Natsu, almost seeming to pity Jellal.'Death? You think you can kill me?' Scoffed Jellal, regaining some of his nerve.
'You are already dead, Jellal, you just haven't realised it yet.' Said Natsu calmly.
Jellal glared at Natsu defiantly, only for Natsu to raise his right hand up to chest level, a small purple ball of flames danced in his hand. Natsu then turned his hand over, letting the ball of fire drop. The small ball of purple flames made contact with the tower, before sliding through it as a hot knife slides through butter. As the ball descended, it sucked the magic out of the tower, gaining more and more power, causing the lacrima to slowly dull. Jellal watched in horror as he felt the magic of Etherion fade from the structure he had spent his life constructing. The tower started to crack from its apex, crumbling away like dust in the wind, as more and more energy was siphoned from the structure.
'We are done here, Jellal. Goodbye.' Said Natsu, walking back over to Erza.'Natsu, what did you do? How?' Asked Erza in shock, Natsu supremely destructive act distracting her from his altered appearance.
'Destroyed this tower, just like I said I would. It is time for us to leave now, Erza.' Said Natsu, picking up the injured mage and holding her by the waist, letting her limbs hang towards the ground as he walked to the edge of the crumbling structure.With each step Natsu took, the lacrima crunched into dust beneath him. In a matter of minutes, the entire tower would be levelled back to its foundation, with not a trace of magic or lacrima left. Erza watched as the structure which had caused her such suffering and torment for so long crumbled into nothingness.
'Say goodbye Erza, because you won't see this tower ever again.' Said Natsu, breaking Erza from her thoughts and allowing her to finally notice Natsu's changes.
'Natsu, what happened to you?' Asked Erza.
'I just remembered a few things I'd forgotten. Don't worry Erza, your suffering ends today. You don't need to think about your time on this tower anymore.' Said Natsu.
'As if I'd let you get away with something like this!' Roared Jellal, gather magic up again for another Altairis attack.
Natsu sighed and turned his body side on, so he was between Jellal and Erza.
'Jellal, that was your last chance.' Said Natsu, raising his left hand. 'I told you, you are already dead, although now you will realise it.' Said Natsu, as his eyes turned black.
-line break-
Natsu and Erza soared through the air, as the Tower of Heaven crumbled behind them.
'Natsu, I…' Started Erza, before stopping.
'Erza, look behind you, tell, what do you see?' Requested Natsu.
Erza used what little strength she had left to twist her neck just enough so she could see over her shoulder.
'The tower… it's gone.' Said Erza softly.
'It is. I destroyed it, Erza, because we are friends, but also because it was my job. If you don't want to be my friend anymore, then you can consider this a parting gift. I've had a lot of time to get to know you Erza and know just how stubborn you are. I destroyed that tower and Jellal along with it because I had to. Your friend, if you still consider him that, is gone. He gave his life pointlessly and I have no respect for people who do not cherish life. To waste away so many years for nothing, it is spitting in the faces of all those who died before their time. That's why, Erza, if you ever try something like sacrificing yourself for nothing again. Not only will I no longer consider you my friend, I will consider you dead to me. Life is something precious. Life is not something you throw away. If you still feel guilty about any of this, then it is your job to life your life to the fullest now and allow others to do the same. I want you to think long and hard about this Erza because as of now, your life is entirely your own, to use, or to waste, that is up to you.' Said Natsu, before splashing into the water near the beach.
Erza felt the water splash against her face as though it was the first time she had felt water in her life.
"My life… is my own…" Thought Erza, as Natsu walked towards the sand of the beach.
Erza felt the water of the ocean slide down her face. The saltiness stunk Erza's eyes, enough that they started to water as well. As Natsu set Erza down on the sand, Erza couldn't understand how the salty ocean water was still on her face, before she realised, she was crying.
'Erza! You're alive!' Shouted Lucy, as she ran towards Erza and Natsu.
Natsu noticed a large group of people just a short distance from them. Natsu recognised Lucy and Gray, both making their way to Erza, before spotting Mira and Happy sitting on the sand, along with a bunch of other people he didn't recognise, before noticing Juvia was also there, lying unconscious on the sand. Natsu started to make his way over to his team, before he heard Erza say something quietly.
'From now on, I will live, Natsu.' Whispered Erza, moments before Lucy leapt on her with a hug.
Natsu continued to make his way over to his team, noting that the strangers sitting beside them tensed up at his overwhelming presence.
'Happy, Mira, I'm glad the two of you are okay.' Said Natsu.
'I'm glad you are okay yourself, Natsu. You seem to have been through a few changes.' Said Mira.
'Aye, you look like a knock-off Satan Soul.' Added Happy.
'That's just rude Happy! My transformations are far more extensive than that.' Pouted Mira.
'Well, it's temporary and it isn't a transformation, it's just me.' Said Natsu, before turning his attention to Juvia. 'Is Juvia okay?' Asked Natsu.
'From the sounds of things, after her fight with Trinity Raven she collapsed.' Said Mira, with the girl who Natsu didn't recognise nodding in agreement.
'I see, I guess she just needs to wake up then.' Said Natsu, before placing his hand on Juvia's cheek. Wake up, Juvia.' Said Natsu.
-line break-
A small child was sitting under a tree on the side of the road. It was and extremely hot day, with the young girl seeking shade from the blistering sunlight. The girl was both hungry and thirsty, having been unable to acquire either food or water for the past two days. It wasn't uncommon for something like this to happen, but it was rarely paired with such terrible weather. The days when food was scarce were usually wet, while water was usually harder to find on sunnier todays. This week had been an unfortunate collection of bad weather and bad luck for the girl. It hadn't rained for days and the sun had been extra intense, scorching the earth. It was bad luck that the girl had been travelling between two towns on foot and her meagre supplies had run out quicker than she would have liked. As the sun continued to beat down on the tree, the girl felt the heat getting to her, causing her to start seeing things. The horizon in front of her started to shimmer, looking like a wave of blue. The last thing the girl saw before her world went sideways was a splash of pink appearing on the blue in the distance.-line break-
'Wake up, Juvia.' Said a voice, causing Juvia to crack open her eyes.
A flash of pink on a background of blue was the first thing Juvia saw, making her think she was still dreaming.
'She's awake.' Commented another, more feminine voice.
'And you lost your Satan Soul.' Said a more childish voice.
'I told you, Happy, it wasn't a Satan Soul.' Said the feminine voice.
'Natsu, Mira is being mean.' Whined Happy.
'Really? I thought I was being quite nice all things considered.' Said Mira pleasantly, causing Happy to shiver momentarily in remembrance.
"Happy, Natsu, Mira. Juvia knows those names." Thought Juvia, before opening her eyes completely.
Juvia blinked a few times, until Natsu's face came into focus.
'Natsu? Juvia didn't think you would make it for the vacation. Not like it was much of a vacation anyway since it seems there were issues.' Said Juvia, looking around for the others, spotting Simon and the others, with Erza in the distance.
'That's too bad, especially since I'm probably going to have to head back to the council, or whatever is left of it at least. I bet they are all running around like headless chickens right now, especially after I warned them about using Etherion.' Said Natsu.
'Well, if it is all the same to you, Natsu, why don't we accompany you back. I think I've had enough of a vacation.' Said Mira.
'Juvia will come too.' Added Juvia.
'Aye Sir!' Added Happy in agreement.
'Sounds good to me, whatever is left of the council is going to be begging me for help at this point.' Said Natsu confidently.
'Well, maybe you can use that to get them to ease up on Fairy Tail.' Said Mira.
'Oh don't worry, they won't touch Fairy Tail anymore.' Said Natsu.
-line break-
'He actually did it.' Said Councilman Leiji.
'He did… and we fired Etherion anyway.' Added Belno.
'You should have changed you votes like I did.' Said Ultear admonishingly.
'Yes, for a Council of mages, you all showed poor faith in one of the mages we are duty bound to protect.' Added Yajima.
'It is the duty of mages to protect us.' Retorted Michello irritably.
'Well if that is the case, then only we are at fault here.' Said Org unhappily.
'Well, well, what a mess. I suppose I don't have time to be ill if this is what all of you get up to.' Said Chairman Crawford Seam as he made his way towards the council members.
'It was not an intentional misuse of power, we were deceived by one of our own, Siegrain.' Commented Belno.
'Yet it was a misuse of power, nonetheless. Our image will be tarnished by this, but perhaps it can be salvaged at least slightly. It seems Natsu Dragneel managed to succeed in both destroying the tower and defeating this Jellal individual.' Said Crawford.
'Well, not to rub salt in anyone's wounds, but really, only Councilmen Yajima and myself voted to not use Etherion, so I believe at the very least, a change in position is necessary.' Commented Ultear.
'Where do you get off trying to benefit from this?' Grumbled Michello.
'I'm sorry, perhaps you missed the part where you agreed to drop a weapon of untold power down on Fiore itself? I do believe you have finally gone senile, with all due respect, Councilman Michello.' Retorted Ultear, with a smirk.
Michello opened his mouth to argue, only for Crawford to cut him off.
'I do believe Councilwoman Ultear is correct. As it stands, would you be against taking a more prominent role? Perhaps with a new and younger face, as well as positioning Natsu Dragneel correctly, we can brush this whole incident off as the last act of a now defunct council.' Said Crawford.
'You can't mean to let this woman become the new Chairman of the Magical Council.' Protested Org.
'I do indeed. I will step down into an advisory role, given this incident occurred under my leadership. Additionally, those of you who are unwilling to serve in the new council with lower ranks should leave now, given the fallout from this incident will follow those who voted in the affirmative, which I at least did not.' Commented Crawford.
'I will step down.' Said Councilman Leiji.
'I will as well. Given that we made up the first votes to fire, it is only fitting.' Added Belno.
'I will not serve under a child, I resign.' Said Michello.
'I will stay on, if only because this experience has taught me to be more cautious in making rash decisions.' Said Org.
'I too will stay on temporarily, but I would formally like to request a suitable replacement be found for myself in the near future.' Said Yajima.
'And I do believe I am happy to take the role of Chairwoman.' Said Ultear.
'Very well then, we shall reform the council after putting out an official statement. We must first speak with Natsu Dragneel and confirm details around this incident before finding suitable replacements, immediately for those who have resigned here today and one for Yajima to retire in the future. For now, let us begin to clean up this mess.' Declared Crawford, as the council got to work.
-line break-
'Hmm, I think I can work with this.' Said a shadowy figure, hovering over Jellal's bisected corpse.
'Yes, I think this will work later on.' Said the figure, before engulfing Jellal's body and disappearing.