Booom!!!!
An explosion occured as the two opposing powers clashed against each other, tearing the nearby space asunder.
Finally, after a few moments of struggle, the two energies disperesed, leaving behind an extremely hot air that made it difficult to breath.
Natsu took a deep breath as he wiped his lips. That roar just now took a toll on his body. He can't believe that it took everything he had just to cancel out a seemingly casual attack from a dragon.
Without giving him time to rest, Animus roared as he flew straight towards him.
Natsu controlled his Flame Dragon to clash against Animus, but it proved to be of little help as Animus was completely dominating his dragon.
Every time Animus ripped apart a limb from the Flame Dragon, Natsu was immediately regenerating it using the Ten Thousand Beast Flames.
"Why must you fight me!?" Animus roared, ripping apart a wing from the flame dragon.
"Do you even have to ask that!?" Natsu immediately healed the flame dragon, "Risking the life of everyone in the continent....you think I'm just gonna let you do that!?"
"This is all for the Dragon Race!" Animus bit the neck of the flame dragon, ripping its throat off, "Acnologia must die! I must return the glory of the dragon race!"
Natsu decided not to engage in talk as he jumped towards Animus head, his body enveloped in bright flames.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art...." Natsu rapidly punches Animus, with his hands lit ablaze, creating a fiery explosion after each subsequent contact. "Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon's Fist!"
Animus roared in pain, he shook his head, causing Natsu to lose his balance and fall down from his head.
Using the opportunity, Animus gathered magic on his mouth, intending to use a Breath Attack to completely annihilate the falling Natsu.
"Crystal Dragon's Roar!"
A blast of silver magic bursts out from Animus and shoot straight towards Natsu.
Feeling the danger, Natsu immediately took a deep breath and tried to counter, "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
But just like a rock crashing on an egg, his fire breath wasn't even able to hold on for more than a second before dispersing.
Natsu's eyes widened, feeling the power of the attack and knowing he wouldn't come out unscathed. He braced himself, only for the flame dragon to wrapped him in its wings, protecting him from the attack.
It withstood the breath attack until it completely dispersed, much to the shock of Animus. However, the flame dragon can no longer hold on and bursts into flames and dissipates.
Natsu quickly created another creature, this time a Phoenix, and stood on its back to prevent himself from falling.
Panting, Natsu wiped off a blood and sweat, feeling extremely exhausted and fatigue just from this fight.
He has never been this exhausted since the fight with Brain of Oracion Seis.
'None of my attacks are working...' Natsu gritted his teeth, 'Are dragons seriously this strong? I'm a dragon slayer, yet I can't even put a scratch on that scaly lizard.'
"An imitation is an imitation after all," Animus snorted mockingly. "Igneel should be ashamed of having a slayer like you."
"Shut your trap," Natsu spat out angrily, "You should be ashamed of calling yourself a dragon, you scaly lizard."
Animus ignored the insult and flew upwards to the sky. Confused, Natsu controlled the Phoenix and followed after it.
After reaching above the clouds, Animus stared at the direction of Fiore.
"Hey!" Natsu called out, "The hell are you going?! Our fight ain't done yet!"
Animus glared fiercely at Natsu, "Screw off, human! I've got more things to deal with than play with you! The Dragon Graveyard is calling for me!"
"Dragon Graveyard?" Natsu looked confused, before remembering what Princess Hisui told him while briefing him about this mission.
The Dragon Cry was found in a graveyard of dragons, created from the anger and resentment of the fallen dragons.
"What do you plan on doing there?" Natsu narrowed his eyes.
"Isn't it obvious? I will bring back the glory of the Dragon Race!" Animus amswered, grinning as he imagined the glorious days, "With the power of Dragon Cry born from the lingering feelings of the dragons, I will call forth their souls, and using their remains, I will create a body for them to dwell in! Yes. A complete revival of thousands of dragons that have been slain! With the help of Dragon Cry, we will kill Acnologia and bring forth the new age of Dragons!"
Natsu can only stare at him in shock.
He was raised by Igneel, a dragon. But at the same time, he was also taught just how cruel and bloodthirsty the dragons are.
They make hunting humans into a game, amd destroying settlements into a competition.
The reason why Dragon Slayer Magic was created is to give humanity a chance to fight against the mighty Overlord of the Skies.
Natsu can only imagine the devastation that would happen once thousands of dragons were resurrected.
Gritting his teeth, his whole body ignited in flames. "I will stop you, even if I have to burn you to crisp!"
"Then bring it! I'll pulverize you! Even if you are the Slayer of Igneel, I will show no mercy!" Animus roared loudly.
Like a lightning, the Phoenix flew above Animus' head, startling the dragon. Before he could even have time to relax, Natsu's burning body came crashing down on his body.
"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"
He slammed into Animus' spine, causing him to let out a pained roar as he seemed to have lost balance and started falling down.
After that, Natsu ignites both his hands in flames and then brings them together, before throwing it towards Animus, creating a fiery explosion
"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"
Animus ignored the pain as he balanced himself, landing on top of the castle instead of crashing down.
He stared at Natsu, who was rushing towards him while riding on a Phoenix, 'Flames of Emotions, I see. No wonder his flames have gotten stronger.'
'But so what! I haven't even used the power of the Dragon Cry!'
He flapped his wings, his horns glowing in dark crimson energy.
Natsu wasn't one to be outdone, "Dragon Slayer Secret Art..."
Animus flew up to meet and clash Natsu head on.
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu swipes his arms in a circular fashion, creating a powerful, and highly destructive, torrent of flames that barrages Animus.
However, it seemed to be ineffective towards Animus as he simply continued flying straight towards Natsu.
"What the—!?" Natsu's eyes widened in shock.
"Crystal Dragon's Horn Strike!" Animus roared, his powered horns aimed at Natsu who was completely unguarded and unable to dodge.
Like an arrow to an apple, Animus' horns pierced through Natsu's stomach.
Natsu's eyes lost its light, with Animus immediately landing on the ground and shook off Natsu's lifeless body from his horn.
With a hint of pity, Animus couldn't help but shake his head, feeling guilty for being the one to kill Igneel's son.
However, he must do what needs to be done.
All for the glory of the dragon race.
"What a pity, if you hadn't stood in my way, you'd surely still be alive. Farewell, Son of Igneel."
...
...
...
...
At this moment, a man in black robe was walking on a barren desert before he suddenly looked up, looking worried and afraid.
If one who knew this man were to see him, they would surely drop their jaws in shock.
After all, this man, whose name was etched in history. A man so infamous he became synonym for the devil himself and was said to have created the demons.
But after years of research, no one has been able to find any traces of him.
This man, is none other than the Black Mage, Zeref.
"Natsu..." He called out, worry and fear evident on his face, "Please be safe."
...
...
...
...
Fairy Tail Guild, Library.
Mavis Vermillon, the First Guild Master, was reading a book, swinging her legs back and forth while humming a soft tune.
Then, as if sensing something, she stood up, her eyes widening as she stared at an empty space.
"Teacher, what happened." Happy, who was learning from Mavis, suddenly called out, feeling startled from Mavis sudden actions.
Mavis calmed down. She stared at Happy, thought for a moment, before shaking her head.
"It's nothing. Just remembered something."
"Oh. Okay." With that, Happy resumed reading.
Mavis frowned as she sat back down, looking worried and anxious as she clasped her hand, as if offering a prayer.
'Please...please be safe.'