~*****~

I don't think I'd ever seen such an amazing fight, even if Mard Geer was exponentially stronger than before, Gray and Natsu were perfectly in tune. Two men who hated each other from the very first moment they've known each other, trusting one another to do exactly what the other needs.

I can't seem to decide on which battle to focus on, my head is switching to each battle for no more than a few seconds to soak it all in. I feel kind of bad that I'm having a ball in a serious situation, but good fights were hard to come by.

My head ultimately snaps to the left as Sting and Rogue fall to the ground. "Hey!" I chirp as I limp towards them.

"Aren't you-- supposed to be hiding?" Sting groans as I try helping them onto their sides.

"Shut it, kid--" I comment irritably. "Be grateful I'm trying to get you away from that creep in case he wakes up!" Rogue groans as I start trying to drag him along. "Why're you guys-- so heavy--" I complain.

"Don't strain yourself..." Rogue hums softly. Debris starts to rain as I go back for Sting and I have to cover his head with my body, wincing at every rock hitting my head and back. I start dragging Sting to the side for cover.

My head whips to the side as a dark fog wraps around Natsu and Gray, submerging them entirely. When it disappears in a blast of light, I feel my breath catch in a panic. "The moment has arrived," Mard Geer hums as he returns to his normal form. "The ultimate curse has finally been perfected and invoked. Once E.N.D. has been revived, I'll fulfill my promise. And then... You will be destroyed, Lord Zeref..."

My legs shake as I stand up full, and step out, my bones aching and protesting every movement. I don't say a word as I step into his field of vision again, staring him down as my heart continues to pound and send blood rushing into my ears.

"St-Stay back--" Sting groans quietly, his hand reaching out feebly. I feel his finger scrape against my ankle for just a moment.

"So you wish to die as well?" Mard Geer asks, his head tilting. "You're the one creature that Lord Zeref has written will be his demise. Your power will be absorbed by E.N.D. to aid in his defeat."

I shook my head. "I don't care if I die or not today," I retort softly, my hands ceasing in their shaking. "I'm not going to sit by while you're intent on destroying this world. So I'm gonna hit you with everything I've got."

"Everything you've got?" Mard Geer taunts. "You're one breath away from dying an agonizing death. What makes you think you can harm me?"

My head throbs violently at the magic swelling inside of me as it prepares itself. "This spell was created by the only Ice Dragon left in existence to ward off evil and protect the light." A wide, golden magic circle spreads beneath me, illuminating the area in a soft glow. "O Gods of old, hear my pleas and use my body as a vessel to purge this world of the evil that threatens to consume the souls of good. Unleash your fury and strike down this blight! Wrath of Boreas!"

My head pounds harder as I unleash all the magic swelling inside, the shocked face of Mard Geer appears in my field of vision as his body is thrown from the ground and slammed into the walls behind him with such a savage force, it knocks the wind from him and continues to pound him into the ground as he lands. My eye slips closed as my body is forced to attack over and over again, straining the already injured muscles and bones to the brink of agony.

The magic fades as Mard Geer lays in a heap on the ground, blank eyes staring up into the sky as I tumble to the side, nearly crying out as my nerve endings feel as if they've been light up from within. Tears well in my eye for a moment before I manage to stuff them down. If I was going to die by this monster, I wasn't going to go out like a blubbering cry baby. I still managed to hurt him good, and if anyone else were to stop him, I wouldn't die in vain, because I used everything I had.

"You-- you insolent rat!" Mard Geer growls as he slowly sits up, shaking visibly from the strain I put on him. I can't even move as he stands to his full height, a violent, hateful look on his face. He reaches down, grasping my head with a handful of hair. "I'll strip you of your flesh and let E.N.D. devour you as you writhe in agony!" He raises me up, then stops as something starts pushing through the ground. My good eye is turned towards the opposite direction and all I can hear is Natsu's gasp. Relief floods through me and tears well in my eye before I start bawling silently. "This can't be..." Mard Geer hums, his attention off of me as he stares down in the pit. "No... He's morphed into a half demon. Is this Silver's power? Did that traitorous corpse somehow manage to counter my ultimate curse?"

I give a shrill bark of pain as I'm dropped to the ground, seemingly forgotten. "Hey, Natsu--" I hear Gray gasp. "I know I... talk crap... But I've got faith in you... I always have. If anyone can beat him, it's you." There's a soft thud and I cry even harder, because that means Natsu will have to fight this monster on his own.

Natsu is silent for a moment. "Hang in there." Natsu hums softly. "You too, sweetheart. You did good." I can't hold back the soft sob that echoes from my throat.

"Once I've slain you, the mongrels are next!" Mard Geer growls angrily.

"You're not gonna touch 'em!" Natsu bellows. There's a familiar influx of magic and I desperately want to turn my head and watch, to see if he's managed to push through and obtain Dragon Force. I hear the sounds of the fight, and after a few seconds, I hear Mard Geer shout out in agony, followed by the crisp scent of Gray's magic. My heart shudders and I welcome the relief, because there was no stronger team than Natsu and Gray.

Although, there's no time to relish in it. Something feels strange in my body, and I can't seem to move, even my lungs are starting to stop working properly. My head fuzzes up and I can barely think straight. "We haven't lost yet, humans! Do not despair!" Igneel's voice suddenly crashes through my panic. I whimper as I manage to turn my head, my entire body shaking violently as I push up on my palms, staring through a dizzy gaze at Igneel as he perches above Acnologia.

"Hurt yourself again, have you little one?" I hear a familiar voice above me. My head snaps upwards immediately, turning my head over my shoulder. Tears well up in my eye as I stare up at her. Everest's eyes stare at me fondly.

"My kindred are free at last. We soar through the skies of Ishgar once again!" Igneel roars.

"Everest--" I exclaim in a shuddering sob. I try to get up, only to collapse as I try to make my way to her. I don't have to go far, as I'm being cupped in her hand, the familiar warmth of her scales making me wail loudly. "Mama!"

"Always the emotional one." Everest coos as she presses her nose to my front, nuzzling me softly as to not injure me further. I curl my arms around her snout. She feels smaller than I remember. "Feeling better yet? Your magic power should be returning." I sob again, nodding my throbbing head as I continue to hug her tightly.

"We've done it. The revival of E.N.D. has been stopped!" Igneel exclaimed. "Victory is ours!"

"We were defeated..." I hear Mard Geer gasp. 

Everest set me down slowly, helping me balance and humming sadly at the probably bloody bandage over my eye. "I don't understand it... He was actually alive?!" Sting exclaims angrily.

"We all were," Everest hums softly. "Skiadrum, Metalicana, and Grandina. We lived with all of you, the Dragon Slayers. We used a very sacred art, to allow our spirits, and our powers to lie dormant within each one of you."

"Wait a minute, is that what those heart palpitations were?" Rogue asks. "Your powers were awakening?"

"Yeah, you never gave me a straight answer on that!" Natsu complained to Igneel. "How exactly did you get inside me, anyway? I think I'd remember eating a dragon."

Everest coos and lowers her head to Natsu. "Quite the dim one, aren't you?" She comments.

"Hey!" Natsu complains.

"We chose this course of action for two reasons. First of all, we wanted to keep you Dragon Slayers from ever physically transforming into a dragon," Igneel explains as Everest raises her claws, batting at Natsu as if she were a giant cat. "And therefore, suffering the same fate as Acnologia." There's a grunt of amusement as Everest squashes Natsu under her palm.

"Oh yeah, I remember Zirconis telling us about that," Natsu hums as he pushes up against Everest. "He mentioned something about Acnologia being human once."

"Yes." Igneel hums. "And now for the second reason..."

Everest scoops me up again and leaps backwards, a deafening roar escaping her maw as Acnologia rears up again. "Hey, wait!" Natsu cries.

"We'll finish this discussion later! You just worry about getting that book!" Igneel roars. "Everest, keep them safe!"

"Don't be foolish, Igneel!" Everest exclaimed loudly. "I can--"

"Protect them!" Igneel roars back. I stare up in bewilderment as Everest backs down, an unusual scowl on her face.

"Dad, come back!" Natsu shouts.

"What does he want? A book?" Rogue asks.

"Which one?" Sting groans.

Gray holds up the book. "This is what he wants, isn't it?" Gray hums. "The book of E.N.D."

"Hand it over," Natsu states firmly.

Gray just stares at Natsu. "I made a promise, too." Gray retorts. "That I would do whatever it took to defeat E.N.D."

"This ain't about you." Natsu snaps.

"Come on, guys," I plead. "Cut it out."

Just as I try to say something else, the book disappears. "Hey, where'd it go?" Gray complained.

"You gotta be kidding!" Natsu shouts.

"It wasn't my fault!" Gray bellows.

"You're the one who was holding it!" I exclaim. I stop my rant as the hairs on my next stand on end, my body shaking violently at the magic presence I sense.

"Thank you for taking care of my book." Zeref's voice rings out. "But I think it's best that I keep it. It's rather important, you see."

"I should've known." Natsu growls.

"Wait, is that Zeref?" Sting asks.

Zeref starts walking forward and it takes every ounce of will power not to tumble back on my ass from the fear coursing through me. "Well, Mard Geer. That was a valiant effort. You came so very close to reviving E.N.D. You've earned the time to rest in peace."

"Master. Please, I-- I only wanted to fulfill the promise I made to you." Mard Geer pleads softly, his hand raising upwards.

"You've injured the kind soul." Zeref sighs in disappointment. "And to add onto that, you've failed." With a snap of his fingers, Mard Geer's body turns to smoke and is sucked back into the book of E.N.D. The book erupts into a flame and disintegrates.

"What the hell?!" Gray bellows.

"Gray--" I squeak, trying to stop him.

"Didn't you create him?!" Gray continues, ignoring my fearful plea.

"I did, but you see... what I create, I destroy. When this all began, I was only interested in dealing with you." Zeref hums.

"What?" Natsu snaps.

"But then, Acnologia had to come along to ruin my plan. I can't help but wonder, will he change history once again? Or will there be a miracle?" Zeref wonders. "Not even I know the answer to that."

"What are you trying to say?" Natsu asks.

"I'm just very interested to see how you survive this new era of darkness," Zeref hums. "If you can, that is. I'll show you despair unlike anything you've ever imagined." His gaze slowly turns to me and I crumble to my knees, gasping out in absolute terror. He doesn't say another word before he turns on his heel and stalks off, disappearing in the distance.

"Well now what do we do?!" Gray exclaims. "That book could destroy everything!"

"Not if I have it." Natsu snaps.

I feel Everest press her snout into my side. "Calm, child." She says softly. "Ease your fears."

"Why didn't you--" I gasp loudly, clutching my heart as I try to remain calm.

Everest coos again, brushing her claw over my head. "It is not my place, dear one. I am here to protect you all. And there was no threat from that man."

Before I can retort, there's a loud, pained bellow in the distance. Everest's head snaps up, her pupils shrinking as she stares into the distance. Her body tenses and I feel like she's preparing to take flight and attack. "Dad! Where are you?!" Natsu suddenly cries, looking all around.

"That fool--" Everest growls lowly, her face crumpling.

"Where are you going?!" Gray shouts. My gaze snaps to Natsu and my body reacts on it's own.

"No, child, stay here!" Everest pleads as she tries to snatch me from the ground.

I squirm free and bolt, rushing after Natsu, something in my gut pushing me forward. "No! This isn't how it was supposed to be!" Natsu cried, getting further and further away. "Just hang in there a little longer! We're gonna take him down side by side!" I trip onto the ground, crying out in pain before I scramble forward. "I DON'T CARE! YOU LEFT ME ONCE, AND I'M NOT GONNA LET YOU LEAVE ME AGAIN!"

My gaze slings up as Acnologia delivers a deadly blow, ripping an arm from Igneel's body. That kind of injury wasn't something someone could jump back from, not even a dragon. I let out a scream as Acnologia fires a powerful blast at the injured Igneel.

Natsu lets out an anguished bellow that tears my heart out. I don't hesitate when I reach him and curl my arms around his waist, holding him close to me as he sobs violently. We sit there for hours. Natsu's face is buried in my front, sobbing as strongly as he was from the very beginning. Everest sits besides us, silently peering down at Igneel with a saddened expression on her face. All Natsu does is say he's sorry and plead for him to stay. To see what he's become. To be tell him everything he's done all by himself.

Everest curls her body downwards, her eye peering down at us, a kind look on her face. "Natsu," She hums softly. It doesn't make him move, but he stops sobbing so hard to listen properly. "Igneel is proud of the man you've become, so do not think of his departure as a goodbye." Everest hummed softly. "Aria, you've grown into a capable young woman, and I will never stop watching over you. We dragons will continue to watch over you. And we will never stop loving you." Tears spring to my eyes and I nod softly.

"Thank you, Everest... Rest well." I murmur softly, cupping Natsu's head tenderly.

Natsu suddenly stands up, tears still running down his face. I peer up at him, fondly. With a shaky tone, he barks out his goodbyes. "I'm gonna work even harder! I'm gonna get even stronger! And when I do, I'm gonna take down Acnologia!" I smile up at him, tilting my head and sigh.

"Natsu," I hum softly, grasping at his hand as it falls to his side. He doesn't respond at first.

"Yeah?" He asks in a shaky tone, wiping at his face.

I smile softer, pulling his hand to my face and pressing my cheek against his warm palm, humming lightly. "I love you. And I'll be there every step of the way. Always."

Natsu tears up again, his head tilting down in a hurried nod. "I know..." He stammers, sinking to his knees again, and hauling me into a tight embrace, his lips searing against mine. "I love you, too." He murmurs before reburying his head into my neck.

~*****~

Porlyusica tended to me for the entire week, scolding me harshly every chance she got as she constructed an eye for me. My body had been riddled with extensive injuries. Torn muscles, broken bones, you name it. "Can you not be so rough?" I snap irritably as Porlyusica shoved the eye in place. My vision returns to normal after a moment and I blink rapidly.

"It's only rough because you're still tender. That scar will leave one heck of an impression on your face." Ballad retorts happily.

I smile fondly and nod. "I know. Thank you for all your help, Porlyusica." She sighs loudly and holds out a small bottle.

"Take this for pain. And this for infection." She retorts irritably, plopping two small bottles into my hands. "Your body needs time to heal, so make sure to take a few months to recover. Understood?"

I salute her and get shooed out of the hospital with a harsh shout. "What should we have for dinner?" I ask Ballad as I peer up at her.

She hums delicately and perches on my shoulder. "You think Natsu and Happy would like a warm stew? Or something fresh?"

I snort loudly. "Those boys would like anything as long as it was food," I comment dryly. I yawn tiredly. "Wonder where they are, anyway. Natsu and Happy have been by everyday this week." I murmur to myself. Ballad hums in response as we continue on our long trek home. My shoulders are heaving as we finally make it home, the crutches making my arms sore. I push open the door and quirk an eyebrow at the dark entryway. "Natsu?" I call out. "Happy?"

"You guys home?" Ballad chimes as she swoops around the house, peering everywhere anxiously. I set my crutches against the doors and light the fire, my hands seeking the warmth instinctively. "Miss!" I perk up and wince at the motion. "There's a letter on your pillow!"

I take it slowly from her grasp, my gut twisting and burning at the aspect of what it could be. I tear it open and squint hard at the letters before I read it aloud. "Dear Aria," I hum as I take a seat. "Happy and I are going on a training mission for a year. Make sure you rest up and don't forget about us." My hands shake as I read through the rest of the rambling on the page. "They just left us--" I stammer.

"B-But I thought we were family!" Ballad squeaked, her eyes welling with tears. "Family sticks together, don't they?!"

I snatch her off of the table and curl her to my chest. "Don't cry," I say quickly. "I'm right here... They left us without even saying goodbye... You know what?" I stumble as I try to stand.

"Be careful, Miss! You're still injured!" Ballad cried as I limped to my giant treasure chest.

"We won't be here when they get back." I mention irritably. "They wanna play that game? Well, that's fine by me. Training for a year... You can't just ditch someone you live with like that! We were-- we--" I stammer as I sink to the ground, fingers clutching at the edge of the trunk. "He loved me, didn't he? I mean, it was real, wasn't it?" I ask Ballad.

Ballad nods urgently. "It was! I'm sure of it! Cause he looked at you like how I look at you! And I love you with all my heart!" Ballad sobs.

I stifle back a sob before it all comes crashing out. I clutch at my throbbing chest as I sob and lean against the trunk. We stayed like that until the fire went out. When I speak, my voice is scratchy and dry. "Let's travel. Just you and me."

"But... what about Fairy Tail?" Ballad murmured.

I offer her a kind smile. "We can always let the Master know. Besides, Gildarts travels a lot, what's wrong with us doing it?"

Ballad purses her mouth and stares down at the floor before nodding. I rub at her head fondly before getting to my feet. "Bed rest, miss," Ballad orders after a moment. "Just until morning. We've got a lot to see, right?"

I chuckle and nod. "Definitely. I don't know about you, but I've missed this bed." I mention impishly as I slowly lower myself onto the soft surface. I sigh out in absolute delight. "That's the stuff. Like layin' on a cloud."

Ballad giggled as she face planted onto the sheets besides me. "I bet those broken bones are feelin' mighty rested now!"

I don't have an answer to that. All I know is that for the next year or so, I'm gonna live life to the fullest. And if I ever saw Natsu again, I plan on kicking him in the gut.