== Summary

What if Natsu wasn't with his friends when Mavis saved them from Achnologia on Tenrou Island? What if he survived the encounter and lived those 7 years? What would happen with Fairy Tail, Fiore and the World as a whole? AU, VeryPowerful!Natsu, Older!Natsu, Natsu x Ultear

AN: Hey there guys! This idea came to mind after I discovered the 7 years' time skip, and thought, hey what if Natsu wasn't frozen with the others for all those years? What will happen to Fiore, the Guild and the Magic world as a whole with him still around? So yeah, expect a big AU from this. After all fanfiction is all about changing things. (For, I really don't like when people tend to follow the canon nearly word for word, even when it's a time travel! What's the point in time travel if you are scared to change anything? Anyway, my story isn't a time travel, but you see my point. Expect a different Natsu from this ;) Enjoy

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Chapter 1: Tenrou Island

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They were all gathered in a circle, holding hands and hoping against hope that they could survive this madness. Achnologia raised high in the air and started to gather enormous amounts of magic in his mouth. His last breath attack that would surely end the lives of the most powerful mages of Fairy Tail.

Suddenly the flow of time started to slow down, almost getting to a stop. They started to panic from the strange occurrence and were at a loss of what to do. The air in the center of their circle started to shimmer and a white silhouette materialized before them.

"Mavis Vermillion!" the master of the guild exclaimed not believing his eyes. How could she be here? She was dead, for a long time now.

"Makarov, you've become old." was the first thing out of her mouth.

"Mavis! What...?"

"There is no time, Makarov. I can help you, I can save you; but it will come with a price."

"What...what are you talking about? What price?"

"You'll discover the consequences when the time comes. But still, I can't do it alone. I'll need your powers as well as time."

"We can lend you our power! We have plenty of it!" Natsu cried out.

"What about the time ?" Lucy asked already dreading the answer.

"Achnologia must be distracted. His breath has to be slowed for at least a dozen of seconds." For a small moment, all of their hearts stopped beating, constructing on themselves from the pain that those words brought them. All of them knew the meaning of this: a sacrifice.

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But that little moment of hesitation was ended by Makarov, who disengaged his left hand from Mirajane and started to release his right, when the hold on it tightened to almost a painful grip even for one of the Ten Wizard Saints; the glare he received from Natsu made him flinch from the intensity of it.

"Natsu..."

"No, Gramps. No..." Makarov shook his head and tried to speak but was again interrupted by the pink haired young man. "I'll do it!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Natsu! You're young, have all your life before you, and I am the Master; protecting you is my duty!"

Natsu released Lucy and Makarov's hands and pushed both of them away. "You don't be ridiculous! A man cannot stand against a Dragon! Only a Dragon can fight a Dragon!" he exclaimed fire suddenly engulfing his hands.

"Natsu!" "Brat!" "Salamander!" were the cries of Gray, Laxus and Gajeel. "Shut it, all of you! None of you can stand a chance against him, whereas I'm all fired up!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Natsu. You'll d-.."

"Makarov, I can no longer maintain it." Mavis said in a monotonous voice, interrupting any that still wanted to protest. As suddenly as it slowed, time started again and a deafening roar could be heard in the distance. "Push your magic outward. I'll do the rest." she continued in the same tone, not paying attention to the turmoil in all of their hearts.

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"Natsu!" Makarov exclaimed elongating his arm to catch the Dragon Slayer before he did something stupid. But just as he wanted to touch the boy, a heat unlike any other exploded from Natsu, causing him to retract his hand by reflex.

"There is a technique I can use! You've never seen it, but you'll love it!" he cried out turning around to face them for the last time. Tears were freely falling from his eyes, but his smile still held strong. "I love you guys!" he said with a sad smile filled with unbreakable resolve. And then turning away he propelled himself toward the Dragon of the Apocalypse using his fire.

"Natsu!" Erza cried out leaving the circle of friends. But just as she made a step forward, Makarov caught her by the hand and tugged her back.

"It's too late Erza, let him do it, let him save us! Believe in Natsu, all of you! He never let us down and today isn't an exception!" the Master had tears in his eyes as he proclaimed that.

A second later all of them chorused a loud "Yes!" and started to push all their magic toward the floating figure of the first Master of Fairy Tail.

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With every second, Natsu approached the great Dragon, his fire propelling him to incredible heights. And just as he arrived at the same level as the flying Achnologia, his fire completely vanished, as if extinguished by an unseen force. The Dragon Slayer hovered in the air, his momentum still carrying him higher.

'This is it... I'll finally use the technique, Igneel! I hope it's as powerful as you promised it would be, old lizard, or I'll kick your ass once we meet in the afterlife!' Natsu then bumped his fists together and concentrated everything he had between them: his magic, his emotions, and his life-force. And as on cue, the King of Dragons launched his breath attack.

Back with the rest of Fairy Tail wizards still on the ground, cries of fear and despair could be heard. "Natsu!" Then they heard him...

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"Secret Dragon Slayer Art: Supernova!" and just as the name, the wizard exploded not unlike a star, illuminating the skies all around. The light was so strong that it blinded everyone for a few seconds, and when they could finally see, their eyes widened in shock. Achnologia's breath attack was stopped in midair by a giant sphere of crimson flames and Natsu's silhouette could be seen in the center.

As the pink haired Dragon Slayer looked back to his friends, he grimaced when he saw that the barrier wasn't still ready; his powers were leaving him at an outstanding rate and he wouldn't be able to retain the Dragon for much longer. 'Hurry up guys!'

Suddenly the Dragon King launched another deafening roar and the power behind his attack skyrocketed. Natsu was violently pushed back by the force and he screamed in agony when the destructive breath finally struck him. It was like his very being was torn apart, muscle by muscle, cell by cell...

With an ultimate push of his will, he restrained the attack for a few mere seconds despite the agony, but then, even his unbreakable will was shattered in thousands of pieces and he finally succumbed to the inevitable fate.

Finally with nothing restraining it anymore, the deadly breath approached the island, but it was already too late; Natsu Dragneel had done his job right, and his friends had already disappeared from the battlefield.

The final attack of the Dragon of the Apocalypse destroyed what reminded of the Tenrou Island and the resting place of Mavis Vermillion was no more...

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"...tsu! ..at...! Nat...! Natsu!" He started to regain some sort of consciousness but the agonizing pain he felt all over his body just wouldn't let him move even his eyelids.

"I don't think that he can hear you. Look at him, he seems nearly dead. I don't understand how he is still alive in this state."

"His will power... I don't know what Zeref wanted with him, but I think I'm starting to see..."

"What do you mean?"

"You've seen it yourself; he took an attack from Achnologia head on and not only slowed it down but survived. He is no ordinary wizard, and I'm starting to see that."

Natsu willed his body to move, something, anything... He was alive? How could it be? If he was alive, his friends shouldn't be too far away...

"Ul! Look! He moved his fingers!"

"Natsu! Natsu, don't worry! You'll be alright. I...I think I know now what I should do..."

The Dragon Slayer finally opened one of his eyes and the light blinded him for a moment. He could see a female silhouette hovering over him, a somewhat familiar silhouette.

"Natsu, don't try to move, your injures are very bad!"

And finally he recognized the silhouette, "Ultear..." he muttered before succumbing to darkness.

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AN: And here it is guys! Natsu is alive, and is not alone. What will happened to Fiore with him around for seven years? Hehe wait and see. I hope you liked it despite the short chapter, so please review!

Zegeth