~*****~

"I dunno if eating lightning was a good idea," Lucy murmured.

I shrug. "He's eaten Ether-nano before." I mention. "And when you think about it, Lightning magic and Fire magic are compatible."

"Yeah, but I've never even seen anything like this before," Gray mentioned.

"This is just like the time he ate a shard of ether-nano." Erza states.

Natsu lets out a roar before blasting across the floor and slugging Hades straight in the mouth. He unleashes both sets of magic abilities onto Hades in quick succession. "So now Natsu's able to use Laxus' power and his attacks?" Gray exclaims.

"That's awesome!" Lucy chirps.

"I'll say." I mention delicately.

Natsu continues to wail on Hades with everything he's got. He blasts a hole straight through the ship with Hades at the crest of his attack, leaving him unconscious on the ground. "I warned ya not to mess with us," Natsu panted softly as he tried to stay upright.

My body moved on it's own accord, my arms wrapping around Natsu's torso and pulled him back almost too harshly. A flush of warmth burned over my torso as I held him in my arms.

"Thanks," Natsu groaned. "That was a close one. I don't suppose you have any food tucked away in that outfit, do ya?"

I chuckle. "No, sorry, Virgo took my pants where I had an entire roast hidden away." I joke.

"Another one bites the dust," Gray comments.

"We won!" Wendy cried.

Natsu chuckles tiredly, his head relaxing into my shoulder. "Man, you feel nice."

"That's kinda pervy, if you ask me." Lucy mentioned.

Natsu just hummed. "Not my fault you got a dirty mind." Natsu mentioned.

Lucy gave an irritated huff. Natsu tried getting up, only to collapse back into my arms with a grunt. "Don't push yourself, just use me to relax for a minute." I say softly, frost billowing out to cool his overheated body.

Natsu sighs in relaxation before we all tense in surprise. "You may have knocked me down, but I'm not out." Hades' voice rings out. "Well done, Makarov. You've raised some truly remarkable children, despite your flawed philosophy."

"There's no way--" Wendy stammered.

"I can't remember the last time someone left me tattered and torn after a good brawl," Hades continued to speak as he stood up.

"How is he standing?" Gray gasped.

"I appreciate the entertainment, but I must get back to work." Hades explained. "I'll be obliterating you now. Believe me you'll wish I'd done so sooner."

"What kind of monster could survive such a powerful attack?!" Erza exclaimed.

Hades pulled off his eyepatch slowly. "Devil's eye.... Open." His right eye opened slowly, revealing a glowing red eye. My arms tightened around Natsu's frame, my face partially burying in his hair. "You will not witness something you've never seen before. The Abyss of Sorcery. From here extends an endless realm that surpasses your feeble imaginations."

"D'you feel that?" Gray wondered with a slight tremor to his voice.

"It's not real. No, it can't be!" Wendy cried.

"I've never sensed this much power in one place before!" Erza gasped.

"And it's getting bigger by the second!" Lucy exclaimed.

"I am the harbinger of Fairy Tail's last breath." Hades hummed.

Natsu tried getting up, only to groan in pain. "Natsu--" I call as I help him to a kneeling position.

"No, I've used up all my strength!" Natsu growls, his fist slamming into the ground. "That last attack did me in."

"The abyss of sorcery..." Gray repeated lowly.

"Yes. Its power is overwhelming." Erza nodded.

Natsu gave a sharp groan and toppled again to his front, his hands feebly keeping him upright. I pulled my arm under him. "You gotta hang in there!" I exclaim.

Natsu groans in response. "In order to walk the path of Sorcery, one must sink into its abyss of eternal darkness. Within that darkness lies primordial magic that shines like the heavens." Hades says. "The purest of magic power! Can you feel it? The Primordial magic is so close it's palpable. Yet it's so far in the depths it may as well be out of reach. Within those depths is a lost world. The Grand Magic World! And Zeref is the key to reaching it! Tonight, Zeref will awaken and history will forever be altered. And then at long last, the primordial magics will find their rightful place with me!"

"We cannot allow that to happen," Erza snaps.

"But you will be ostracized. Only the strong will be allowed to live. And you lack the resolve necessary to reach into the abyss." Hades explained.

"Things are about to get way worse," Gray mentioned.

"No shit--" I snap.

"Chapter four. Verse twelve, from the Book of Zeref. Arcane magic. Nemesis!" Hades shouted. We all gazed in horror at the shadowy beasts emerging from the ground.

"He's creating some kinda monsters from the debris!" Gray exclaimed.

"With the magic power of the Abyss at my command, I can create nightmares from the tiniest speck of dust! Devilish dancers and heavenly arbiters. Such is the supremacy of Arcane Magic!" Hades shouted.

The fear coursing through me didn't feel natural. It felt horrible. I'd never felt so helpless before. Every cell in my body was begging me to hightail, it leave the others to save my own skin. My stomach twisted violently as I clutched tighter onto Natsu, nearly putting all my weight onto him.

My body stops shaking so much when I feel his hand on my arm. "Don't worry. I've got everything we need to beat this guy down right here with us." Natsu says softly. "There's nothing wrong with fear. After all, how else would we come to know our own weaknesses? And you need to know them to become a stronger and gentler person." Natsu slowly sat up, his hand grasping my arm tightly as I finally stopped shaking. "Today we learned just how weak we really are. So, what do we do next?" Natsu stands up almost effortlessly. "I'll tell you. We grow stronger! On our own we might be too afraid to stand up to him. But right now, we have our friends by our side. I still have courage because you're all here with me! There's no reason to be afraid! When we're together, we can accomplish anything!"

I stare up at Natsu, a warm smile settled onto my face, despite the terror we're facing. I slowly get to my feet, ignoring the tremble in my knees. "Still holding onto the light?" Hades asked. "You fools! Your future is nothing but darkness!"

I grasp onto Natsu's arm and squeeze subtly, a small gesture as thanks for reminding us that we're not alone. My fingers brush against my last ice diamond and I toss them into my mouth, crunching noisily. "Let's go!" Natsu exclaims.

"What could you possibly hope to do without any magic power?! No dance, my devils of the earth!" Hades shouted.

We ran forward, straight towards Hades and his army of dark monsters. Every step we assisted Natsu in getting to Hades. I slung my leg up, giving Natsu a boost towards Hades, leaving ice crystals raining down from the contact.

"I shall send you into the depths of darkness!" Hades roared. "It's time for your sun to set, Fairy Tail!" Natsu just sailed past them and cracked right into Hades. The resulting explosion destroyed the ship.

A white scrap fluttered above me, and I gave a sharp yelp before leaping over the ships edge to catch it. "Oh, crap-- oh, crap-- wings, wings, wings--" I stammer. They sprout from my back and propel me back onto the ship.

"No--" I hear Hades grunt. "That's impossible! My Arcane Magic had no affect on you?!" Natsu just growled angrily as he stomped towards him. "How can that be?! My magic lies within--" He quickly cups his hand over his eye. Natsu slugs him again, cracking up against his chin. The monsters began falling apart.

"Wow, they're falling apart!" I gasp. "They're totally disintegrating!" Natsu continued to wail on Hades. There was a subtle rumble under my feet, causing me to gaze around before lifting into the air. I gape and shout in surprise. "T-Tenrou Tree is back up!"

"But how'd it get back to normal?" Lucy wondered. I feel a surge of magic power rush through me. There's a brilliant shine emanating from my overcoat as I sling it downwards to gaze at the emblem on my shoulder. "What's happening?" Lucy cries.

"Our emblems are glowing!" Wendy exclaims.

"Our magic power--" Erza gasps. "It's back!"

"Well, it's about time!" Gray mentions.

"We're back on home turf," I state.

"This is what you get for hurtin' our master! You jerk!" Natsu bellows as he tries launching another attack.

Hades finally fights back. "Stay back!" He shouts. "Until I stand above all others who follow the path of sorcery... The devil within me will never sleep!"

Out of nowhere, Laxus slugs Hades across the face. "Laxus!" Natsu shouts.

"Attack! Come on, Fairy Tail!" Laxus orders.

We all run in. "This might be out last chance, so let's make it count!" Erza orders.

"We gotta blast this geezer with everything we have!" Gray shouts.

"If you come any closer you shall feel my wrath!" Hades warned.

"Pay attention, ya bastard!" I shout as I come from the side. "Ice Dragon Lariat Strike!" I shout, slamming my leg against his side, sending him sailing away from me.

We all attack together, overwhelming Hades easily, and with Natsu finishing him off, the sun finally rises over Tenrou island, casting light over us. Natsu collapses again, groaning. "We did it Gramps... We showed 'em who's boss. We put everything on the line... And we showed 'em the power of our guild." He suddenly threw his head back and began cheering loudly. "Fairy Tail-- is the greatest!"

I smiled fondly at him, my brow raised in amusement. "Missing something?" I ask impishly as I hold out his scarf.

Natsu gratefully took his scarf back and pushed his face into it. "So I guess... this means we won, huh?" Wendy asked hopefully.

"Gimme your jacket, too, I'm gettin' chilly!" Natsu exclaimed as he tugged at my overcoat.

I choked on my spit and began to laugh. "Sure thing, just don't rip it like last time!" I comment before shrugging it off and handing it over.

Natsu tugs it on and relaxes on his haunch. I chuckle again before I hear Happy and Ballad cry out in need. "Help! Aria, there are a lot of bullies on this ship!" She sobs.

"What is it now?" I complain as I turn around.

"Who's that behind them?" Lucy asks as the four cats run towards us with a literal army behind them.

"Hey!" I shout. "Don't bully my cat! I'll kick your asses!"

"Talk about bad timing," Gray complained.

"I know, I'm completely drained of magic power!" Erza gasps.

"I'm afraid I don't have any power left either," Lily mentions.

"They all look so angry, don't they?" Happy asked nervously.

"Well, yes but can you blame them?" Carla retorted.

We all flinch at the presence of a familiar magic power. "Stay right where you are!" Makarov snapped, with the others behind him.

"Hey, Gramps!" Natsu chirps.

"Everyone's here!" Lucy gasps.

"Master's better! And so is Gajeel!" Wendy cries.

"Good to see you guys," Gray beams.

"Indeed." Erza hums. "The Tenrou Tree has returned to normal. And so has its blessing."

The army behind us began murmuring in concern. "I order you to get off this island immediately!" Makarov barked, causing the army to literally run for their lives.

"NOW! Let's get back to the trial!" Natsu cheered.

"Are you kidding me?!" Happy cried.

"The second round was interrupted by Grimoire Heart so it doesn't count!" Natsu exclaimed. "I say we simplify things and just have an all out battle!"

Gajeel presses his face into Natsu's. "You must've been hit one too many times in the head if you think you stand a chance against me when you're all busted up like that!"

"Chill out, Gajeel," Levy tried.

"Whatever, it'll be a cinch!" Natsu barked. "Cause I'm a lightning fire drag--" He immediately stopped and toppled over.

"Hey, you all right?" Gajeel wondered.

"Natsu!" Levy cried.

"DON'T GO PASSIN' OUT ON ME, YA WIMP!" Gajeel screamed.

I wave my hand at Gajeel. "It was just cause he ate Laxus' lightning magic." I explain. "He's gonna be ill for a few days. So why don't we all just go back to base camp."

"Yes, if we don't get some rest soon, our bodies won't hold up." Carla agrees.

I haul Natsu up and onto my back, vaguely wondering if I could transform to fly back. "Hey, Gray, can you manage to make anything for me to eat? I don't wanna walk all the way over there." I call out.

"No way, I'm tired, too!" Gray retorted irritably.

"Stingy!" I shout.

~*****~

"How am I supposed to relax with Natsu sawin' logs like that?!" Elfman barked.

"At least you ain't being held hostage!" I barked at Elfman. "He's got a death grip on my damn leg!"

"Now, now, he needs the rest as much as you," Mira chirps.

"Hey, I just thought of a great idea!" Lisanna exclaimed. She reached down and put his hair into cute little pig tails. "It's pigtail Natsu! Isn't he the cutest?!"

"Got any make up? We could totally make him into a diva!" I gasp.

Lisanna began beaming wildly before urgently searching around camp. Mira just giggled at us. "Give him a drag look!" Ballad ordered. "Like Master Bob!"

"I told you, don't bring him up, either!" I exclaim loudly.

Natsu's eyes suddenly popped open and he literally ran at Gildarts. "There ya are, Gildarts! It's time for you fight--"

Gildarts merely bopped him on the head and send him into the ground without a care in the world. "You need your rest, kid." Gildarts stated almost tiredly.

"He's out now," Laxus comments.

"Wendy can I get a little help here?" Natsu whined.

"You were being dumb, it's your fault you gotta wait for the others to be treated." I retorted.

"Yeah, man up!" Elfman snapped.

"You can go next, Lily, cause I'm more worried about you than me." Gajeel hummed.

"Well, I don't see why, because you're the one who's covered in bandages from head to toe." Lily retorted.

"Looks like quite the line," I comment as Ballad sighs tiredly.

"Oh, we don't mind at all, do we Ballad?" Wendy chirped.

"Yeah, we're just happy to be of help!" Ballad agreed.

"That's fine but don't overdo it, you two." Carla mentions.

"I can take over for you," Erza states as she approaches us in a nurse uniform.

"Whoa, you look hot, Erza," I hum. "But you don't exactly have healing powers."

"That's true, but differences in ability don't matter in battle... it's our hearts that will be tested." Erza explained.

"What do you mean battle?!" Wendy cried.

"Now look what you've done! You've scared the poor girl half the death, and don't get me started on the crybaby!" Carla exclaimed.

"This can't end well." Levy droned.

"All right, gentlemen, who's up next?" Erza asked. "If you'll tell me where it hurts, I can decide whether I should take your temperature first or just go ahead and give you an injection."

I palm at my face and grimace. "And here I thought I was over sexual. Erza's got a whole list of kinks we don't even know about." I grimace again as everyone gets in line. "And so do the men, apparently."

"STUPID BOYS!" Carla exclaims.

"Awe, come on, look on the bright side, Wendy, at least you get to take a break for a little while," Levy giggled.

"Is it because she has bigger boobs than I do?" Wendy asked.

"Nonsense! It's cause she's a weirdo!" I exclaim joyously. "Come on, you can take a nap on my lap, I know it feels nice to have somewhere cool to lay your head!"

Wendy beamed and clasped her hands together. "It really does! Thank you so much, Aria!" And as fate would have it, Erza is horrible at tending to medical needs.

~*****~

"Be prepared. Change is on the horizon. I have a very important announcement that I need to make." Makarov exclaimed once everyone was tended to. "Once we leave Tenrou Island and return to the guild, all female members will be required to wear uniforms! Nurse outfits and school swimsuits galore!"

I pinch at the bridge of my nose as Natsu turned to me immediately. "You heard him! Go change!" He declared loudly.

I cracked my fist atop his head, slamming him into the ground. "Master," I say in a scolding tone, my eyes slicing into a cold glare.

"Get serious." Mira immediately loomed over Makarov's head. "If you don't, then I'll have to."

"Can't an old man have some fun?" Makarov grumbles under the intense glaring from not one, but two women. "Party poopers." He cleared his throat and hummed. "After careful consideration, I have decided to cancel this years trial."

"Is this a freakin' joke?!" Nearly everyone shouted.

"No, it's not a joke." Makarov snapped.

Mira chimed in. "Technically, we do have one among us that's been promoted to S-Class." Mira reminded Makarov.

He hummed thoughtfully. "Oh yeah, that's right. Aria Tangia, you've earned the right to move up a class."

"WHAT?!" The others shouted.

I shrugged. "Well, I did find the grave." I mention. "Like, a few minutes for the flare went off, but I still found it. Besides, don't you all think you should wait a bit again? I mean, come on, there was a member of the Magic Council who invaded Fairy Tail to spy on us, then Grimoire Heart interrupted the trial, not to mention the actual Black Wizard Zeref popping up on the island."

Levy hummed. "Yeah, when you consider all that, it really can't be helped." Levy stated.

"Come on!" Gajeel roared. "You're really gonna take the freaky ice lizard winnin' the entire thing?!"

"If your partners decided not to compete, you should respect her wishes." Lily mentioned.

Gray shouted angrily. "I wanted to become S-Class! Dang it!"

"Oh, don't worry. Next time you'll win for sure, my beloved!" Juvia chirped affectionately.

Elfman sighed loudly. "I suppose a real man knows when to admit defeat."

"Hey, what's with all the whinin, huh?!" Natsu shouted. "You guys all sound like a bunch of freakin' toddlers! If you babies wanna just give her the win, then that's fine by me! Cause that means all I gotta do is beat her in battle and I win by default!"

"That's uh, that's not what that means," I mention as my brow raises in amusement. I pressed my hand against his face as he began throwing a tantrum. "I think you may have blown a gasket. You totally coulda found it if you followed the smell of ale and old man."

Makarov hummed. "Well, if it really means that much to him, I'll make ya a deal. If you can knock Aria down, then I'll promote you to S-Class instead of her."

Natsu immediately agreed. "All right! You're lookin' at the newest S-Class member!" Natsu shouted. "I am not gonna hold back, Aria! I'm all fired up--" Natsu gave a shout as he hit the ground several times with my tail secured around his waist.

"Wow, that's cold." Gajeel hummed as it slid back into my body as Natsu lay on the ground, groaning and twitching in pain.

"A total Knock-Out!" Ballad cheered with a little white card in the air.