Hi everyone, thanks again for waiting. We have finally reached the climax of the Tenrou Island arc. This has been one epic arc as Fairy Tail has been pushed beyond their limits, even Dante was given more trouble than expected, but despite the odds, they were able to push through and defeat Grimoire Heart's elite, now onto their master who has got more than few surprises in store. Can our heroes overcome this arc's final boss? Find out right now.

Into the Devil's Heart

"Hey. Wake up." Trish stated as she kicked the bound Rustyrose's shoulder to stir him awake. His eyes widened in shock as he Trish, Natsu, Lady, Freed, and Bickslow standing over him with glares.

"We know how your fancy magic works, so don't even bother trying to use it on us." Bickslow commented.

"All your pals are down, and your boss is next." Natsu stated. "So, you're gonna tell us everything about him."

"The foolish fairies believe themselves superior to the devil's chosen." Rustyrose said poetically. "To be subject to such a dreary role is truly….!" He was cut off by a gunshot as a bullet shot past his head by an inch and impacted the rock behind him.

"Does it look like we're in the mood for games, jackass?" Lady glared as she held her pistol. "Enough with the damn poetry, just start talking!"

"Tell us everything you know about Hades." Freed said. "What kind of magic he uses, or even any demonic abilities he may possess? More importantly, what weaknesses does he have?"

"You better start talking or you're in for a world of pain." Natsu gritted his teeth as his right fist lit on fire.

Rustyrose glared for a moment before a maniacal smile formed on his face. "A weakness?" He laughed. "You fools! Master Hades has no weakness! He was chosen by our lord and savior, Mundus! He is the one destined to reawaken Zeref and bring about Lord Mundus' return! You think such a force of nature has a weakness?! You couldn't be further from the truth! Go ahead and execute me if you wish, charge head on into the Devil's Heart, but Master Hades will be your undoing! He our lord's bringer of destruction and harbinger of death!" Rustyrose let loose another maniacal laugh, but it was brought to an end by Trish who smacked the back of her Luce gun onto his head to knock him unconscious once more.

"God he was so annoying." Trish said with an annoyed sweatdrop on her head.

"Well this was a total bust." Bickslow commented. "Didn't learn a damn thing from him."

"I suppose it couldn't be helped." Freed said. "It would seem this guild is truly devoted to both their master and Mundus."

"Yeah, seems Grimoire Heart's just full of fanatics." Lady commented.

"It doesn't seem like they've gained any information from him." Modeus observed as he sat on a box inside the tent, as Wendy sat next to him along with Lucy, Lisanna, Levy, and the Exceed trio.

"It was worth a try though." Lisanna said.

Lucy looked up to the cloudy sky as thunder continued to roar and lightning flashed through the clouds. "You know, storms are kinda relaxing."

"Ya think so? They put me on edge." Levy replied.

Levy wasn't the only one as Panther-Lily seemed more than a little stiff as he held his paws over his ears. "You're really shaking over there, Lily." Happy observed.

"I think I know why." Carla said with a teasing smile. "He's afraid of thunder and lightning."

"Well isn't that just precious." Happy teased, much to Lily's irritation.

"I am not precious!"

Natsu and the others met up underneath the tent as they began to discuss their plan of action. "Alright, I think it's time we pay Hades a visit. You guys in?"

"Aye sir!" Happy exclaimed with a smirk.

"Hold on, what about Dante and Erza? Or Gray and Juvia?" Lucy asked. "Shouldn't we wait for them?"

"Something's telling me we'll meet them on the way there." Natsu said. "If I know Dante, he's probably there already."

"Yep, that sounds like something he would do." Lady agreed. "So, who's on the offense-team? Freed, maybe?"

"Thanks, but I need to stay here write an enchantment." Freed said.

"We'll stick around and make sure the others can heal up." Bickslow added.

"If that's the case, I'll stay here as well." Modeus said. "Besides, it wouldn't make sense if we send all our powerful players to confront Hades, considering there might still be some enemies lurking around."

"Well then, you can count me on the offense-team." Lucy said with a determined expression.

"I've done what I can here, so I'll go to." Wendy stood up.

Carla however appeared against the idea "You'll do no such thing!"

"They're going to need every bit of support they can get in this fight." Wendy replied.

"Wendy, are sure?" Modeus asked with concern.

"I'm sure." The young Sky Dragon Slayer nodded with a determined expression.

Modeus couldn't help but smile proudly at his student as he nodded. "Very well, just be careful."

"If you insist on going Wendy, then I insist upon accompanying you." Carla said with a proud smile of her own.

"Oh… I'll come to!" Lily voiced, despite still appearing nervous in the middle of the storm. "I owe him a beating, for Gajeel's sake!"

"Okay, I'll stay behind, and help Freed with his encasement." Levy said.

"I'm still getting the hang of my new magic powers, so I think I'd be a liability if I went." Lady said. "I'll stay here on defense to."

"I'll come to." Lisanna said.

"No Lisanna, you gotta stay here." Natsu told her, surprising Lisanna quite a bit. "Like Modeus said, we can't send all our heavy hitters."

"You know he's right sis." Elfman said as he still appeared to be hurt quite a bit as he could just barley stand.

"If that's the case, I'll stay behind on defense to." Trish said before putting a hand on Lisanna's shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll keep our friends safe."

Lisanna seemed to understand before turning to the Fire Dragon Slayer. "Alright. Oh, and Natsu…" As he turned to her, he was caught off guard as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Kick his ass." She said with a smirk.

Natsu's cheeks blushed before a confident smirk formed on his face. "You got it."

"Alright you love-birds, save it till after we get out of this mess." Lucy teased.

"It would appear we have our teams." Modeus said as everyone got serious. "Trish, Lady, Freed, Bickslow, Levy, Elfman, and I will stay here to look after the injured. Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, Carla, and Lilly; you try to meet up with Dante, Erza, Gray, and hopefully Juvia and take the fight to Hades."

"That old bastard is the reason we're all in this shitstorm. So, teach him a lesson he won't soon forget." Lady told the offense-team.

"Let's show him why he shouldn't mess with Fairy Tail!" Wendy voiced in determination as well.

"If we do our very best, we always win!" Happy exclaimed.

"Now don't be over-confident." Carla advised.

"Exceed Squad, move out!" The shaky Panther-Lily said, still holding his hears down.

"LET'S GO!" Natsu shouted before running toward their destination with Wendy and the Exceed trio right behind him. Lucy was about to join them when she heard Trish call her name.

"Hey Lucy, hold on!" The blonde turned around as Trish addressed her. "When you guys get back, there's something important I need to tell you. Both you and Dante. So, try not to die, aright?"

Lucy was somewhat surprised before a genuine smile appeared on her face. "You got it." She said with a wink before running off to catch up with her friends.

At the same time, Meredy continued to carry the unconscious Zeref as Juvia attempted to crawl after her. "Wait… Meredy, please wait!" Juvia called to her as she tried to stand but ended up falling onto the ground with a painful grunt. Meredy stopped as she cast a glance towards Juvia. "Listen to me, I saw your hometown! I saw what you went through!" Meredy's eyes widened, remembering how she had linked herself and Juvia together through their sensory link. "You lost everything as a child… if you take Zeref with you… and free Mundus… so many more children will go through the same kind of hell you did! Is that really what you want?!"

"I don't want to cause the end of the world!" Meredy argued desperately. "If we reach the Grand Magic World, my town can go back to the way it was! Ultear promised me!"

"You really think a monster like Mundus cares about anything like that?!" Juvia argued. "Please… it doesn't have to be like that! Just come with me to Fairy Tail! We can help you!"

Before Meredy could offer a response however, a meteor of black fire suddenly crashed in front of her as Zancrow appeared, covered in bruises and burns from his last fight against Natsu, Wendy, and Lisanna; but his maniacal smile was still evident on his face.

"Well, well…" The Flame God Slayer smirked.

"Zancrow!" Meredy exclaimed in shock.

"You do realize the ship is in the other direction, right?" Zancrow told her.

"No… I didn't…" Meredy tried to lie, but Zancrow didn't seem to buy it.

"Like I believe that! Everyone knows you follow Ultear around like a little lost puppy!" Zancrow said in annoyance.

"You're wrong!" Meredy tried to say, despite the nervousness she was now feeling.

"You ain't a part of Grimoire Heart anymore!" The maniacal wizard launched a black flame breath attack at Meredy, sending her, as well as Juvia soaring and skidding across the ground, much to Zancrow's amusement as he gave a maniacal laugh. "That's what you get for trying to take something that doesn't belong to you!"

Zancrow then went to collect the unconscious Zeref as the downed Meredy tried to plead with him, tears already forming in her eyes. "You can't… if you take him, you take Ultear's future… not just hers, but mine to." Juvia looked to Meredy with sympathy before glaring at the smirking Zancrow.

"You never learn, do you? Ultear's just using you like she uses everyone else." Zancrow said.

Meredy refused to believe that. "You're wrong… she made me a promise! She promised if we reached the Grand Magic World, my hometown would go back to the way it used to be!"

"That crappy place?" Zancrow mocked. "Why would you want it back to normal after Job and I redecorated it. We weren't the only ones wrecking the place, ya know. Your precious Ultear lead the attack, she slaughtered even more people than we did!"

Meredy's pupils shrank as even Juvia was caught off-guard by that revelation. "That's…. that's not true…" Meredy was already sobbing. She couldn't believe it. Ultear was like a mother to her. But she remembered Ultear was there to when her hometown was destroyed… but it couldn't be… could it?

Zancrow couldn't help but laugh at Meredy's heart-broken expression, much to Juvia's anger. She was primed to attack him right then and there despite her injuries. However,…

"Acno… logia…"

Zancrow stopped his laughing as he, Meredy, and Juvia directed their eyes toward the Black Wizard as he regained consciousness. He opened his eyes to reveal that his pupils had turned blood red and he glared at the Flame God Slayer.

Suddenly, everything in the area came to a grinding halt, as if the shroud of death had fallen all around them. All the light and color faded from the area briefly before this odd power faded. It wasn't like before where an uncontrollable wave of death befell the area, but rather, all that negative energy was focused directly on Zancrow. Once it faded, Zancrow's lifeless body fell to the ground, all color from his skin, hair, and eyes had faded completely.

Zeref stood back up on his own two feet, his red pupils turning to his normal black. His look of rage faded into one of shock as he saw Zancrow's corpse, as if he had just awoken from a deep slumber. A somber look fell onto the Black Wizard's face.

"Forgive me. You didn't deserve such a fate." He kneeled down to close Zancrow's eyes with his hands. "I now bear even more darkness on my shoulders." He glanced to the sides to see Juvia and Meredy on the ground, both were unconscious, but still alive, causing Zeref to sigh in partial relief. "At least… those two will still live."

Zeref then began to walk away, with the intent on leaving the island. "It's my solemn vow, the suffering I have caused will not repeat in the current era. It was the vow I made to you… my old friend." He thought back to a memory of the Dark Knight Sparda standing over him with a compassionate smile as he offered his hand. "I will be neutral, and isolated; a friend or foe to no one. That said…" His eyes closed briefly before they opened to reveal they had turned red again as a scowl formed on his face. "…If the current era should give way to a new, or Mundus threaten to return… I will have to take on a far more active role. I had hoped Natsu would destroy me… or even your son… but neither of them are strong enough. Forgive me… Sparda. But I don't know if I can keep the promise, I made to you any longer."

As Zeref walked away, he failed to notice Doranbolt hiding behind a tree, having heard everything Zeref said as a look of terror formed on the spy's face, his eyes shaking with his entire body.

'No way…! Please…! Tell me I misheard him! Did… did he really say… Acnologia?!'

Gray struggled to make his way toward Grimoire Heart's main ship, but his fight with Ultear took quite a bit out of him, not to mention him using his own frozen blood as well. He stopped to rest a bit as he put his hand on a nearby tree as his vision got a little blurry.

'This isn't good… everything's getting hazy…' He slipped and was about to fall. 'I… can't go any further…'

However, before he could fall flat on the ground, he was quickly caught by both Erza and Dante from his left and right side respectively. He was surprised to see both of them before he groaned in partial annoyance. "You two done showing off?"

"Nice to see you too, ice-boy." Dante cracked with a smirk.

"Ya know… getting rescued all the time… gets old really quick." Gray groaned.

"Consider this returning the favor." Erza said with a genuine smile.

Dante soon saw that they had company, causing him to smirk to grow even wider. "Hey guys, glad you could make it."

Gray was even further surprised by the appearance of Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, Carla, and Lily. "You're all here?"

"Looks like we met up again after all." Lucy smiled.

"We're glad we found you." Wendy smiled as well.

Natsu gave his own smile as well. "Feel like getting some payback?"

"You're damn right, buddy." Dante replied.

Wendy noticed the condition Gray was in and immediately went to his side. "Hang on Gray, I'll get you fixed up." She began to apply her healing magic to him.

"Don't overdo it, Wendy. We still have a fight on our hands." Carla advised.

"Guys listen, I think I have an idea on how to bring down Hades." Gray revealed, getting everyone's attention.

"So, he does have a weakness?" Lily wondered.

"Are you sure? Cause the last guy we interrogated got all fanatic on us." Happy asked.

"I'm sure." Gray nodded. "Hades' weakness is his heart. I don't know how, but somehow Hades had his own heart removed from his body." That took nearly everyone by surprise, save for Dante.

"Probably Mundus." The youngest Son of Sparda assumed.

"If we destroy Hades' heart, we should be able to stop him." Gray continued.

"How do you know this?" Erza asked.

"Ultear told me." Gray said, surprising much of the group.

"That time bitch, again?" Dante growled.

"You sure she's not just making that stuff up?" Natsu questioned, wanting to make sure. "That crazy old lady is a real piece of work if I've ever seen one."

"Trust me, I'm sure." Gray confirmed with a serious expression. One look in Gray's eyes and the entire group could tell that he was being very serious about this. "But, there's a catch…"

"There's always a catch, isn't there?" Lucy practically whined.

"Hades has been watching everything that's been happening on this island." Gray continued. "So, he probably knows that we know about his heart, and he's gonna have it protected."

"So, he's expecting us." Erza assumed.

"Yeah, probably." Gray confirmed as Wendy finished healing him up.

"So, what if he is?" Natsu stated. "If that demon-worshiping bastard is dug in and ready for a fight, then we'll bring him a freaking fight!" He punched his fist into his palm for emphasis.

"Damn right." Dante agreed. "Time for this show's main event."

Hades stood at the edge of the deck of his ship, his black cloak blowing slightly in the wind as the rain poured down on his face. "I never would have imagined that the Eight Kin and Bluenote could be bested at the hands of Fairy Tail, not just Sparda's son. In the end, I suppose Makarov is a better guildmaster than even I had anticipated. Well, no matter, since my team was too inept to exterminate their prey, I shall just have to do it for them. Playtime for the devils and fairies is now over, from here-on-out, it's all business. But that doesn't mean, I won't take pleasure in making them suffer."

The group consisting of Dante, Natsu, Happy, Lucy, Panther-Lily, Gray, Wendy, Carla, and Erza had made their way to the shore and stood before Grimoire Heart's airship, with the master of the dark guild himself literally looking down upon them.

"So, you wish for the same treatment I gave your master?" Hades questioned the glaring members of Fairy Tail. In direct response to that question, Dante quickly flashed Ivory and shot at Hades. However, he was quick to catch the bullet, not surprising Dante one bit as he continued to glare. "Hmm, someone's eager for their death." He flicked the bullet back at Dante, which shot past his face, causing him to glare even further. "Come face your destruction, children of Makarov." He turned around and walked back into the ship.

"Hey, you old fart! Give us a way up there!" Natsu comically exclaimed.

"We owe him one, not just for Gramps, but for everything his guild did to us!" Gray stated.

"He'll answer for it soon enough." Erza replied.

"So, if we can defeat that man in time, the rest of them will leave and the council won't have to fire on us?" Wendy assumed.

"Yeah, that's the plan." Lucy confirmed.

"Who said anything about him leaving?" Dante questioned with a glare. "I'm gonna put that son of a bitch six feet in the ground after all the crap he's pulled."

"Happy, I've got a job for ya." Natsu told his blue Exceed companion. "I want you to find Hades' heart and take it out of commission."

"Aye sir." Happy nodded.

"Don't forget, as it is likely the source of Hades power and his only weakness, he'll more than likely have it guarded." Carla said. "So, we will help him."

"Yes, you can count on us. Can we go in now?" Lily asked urgently, ready to get out of the storm.

"Hey Wendy, better cast that anti-motion-sickness spell on Natsu." Dante said to the young Sky Dragon Slayer. "Considering we're going onto a vehicle, if it starts moving it could be a problem… at least for him." He finished with a teasing smirk, causing Natsu to look more than a little embarrassed.

"Yeah, good idea." Wendy applied the spell to Natsu, which he was grateful for.

"Thanks, little sis. I owe ya." Natsu smiled, causing Wendy to smile back at him.

Gray stepped forward "I think we've kept him waiting long enough!" He brought his hands down onto the ground and created a large ice staircase that led from the ground straight to the ship. "Let's go!"

As Dante, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy, and Wendy ran up straight toward the ship; Happy, Carla, and Lily flew around to the side to try and find a way to sneak in.

"Let's get in there and break stuff!" Happy exclaimed.

More lightning flashed in the sky, spooking Lilly quite a bit. "Let's just try to get in there as quickly as possible!"

"Remember, his power surpasses our own master's." Erza told the group as they continued to run. "Once we're inside, hit him hard and hit him fast!"

"Yeah, okay!" Wendy nodded.

"Don't worry, I'm not letting up until he's begging for mercy!" Gray stated.

"After everything he's done, he doesn't deserve any mercy!" Lucy also stated.

"Damn right! Let's get this party started!" Dante shouted.

Natsu was already at the front of the pack. "Ready or not Hades, here we come!" He was the first inside the ship to face the expecting Hades. "I got a message from Makarov! CHOKE ON IT!" He unleashed a massive stream of fire point-blank at Hades, but he already raised his hand to create an invisible barrier to easily block it.

"You'll have to do better than that, try again!" Hades challenged. However, he looked in surprise to see Dante, Erza, and Gray already leaping above him.

"Nevan!" Dante quipped his electric scythe and swung it down, generating a surge of purple lightning as he did.

"Black Wing: Moon Flash!" Erza transformed into her Black Wing armor and swung her sword to unleash a volley of slashes at the enemy.

"Ice Make: Cerberus!" Gray created an ice replica of Dante's three-pronged-nunchuck, which he swung to unleash a torrent of ice.

All three attacks combined and appeared to hit Hades head on as Dante, Erza, and Gray slid on the ground. The dust cleared however to reveal Hades looked more annoyed than anything, but the group wasn't done yet.

"Open! Gate of the Golden Bull! Taurus!" Lucy had summoned Taurus, who gave a battle cry as he swung his axe down onto Hades, though Lucy quickly sent Taurus back into the Spirit World to avoid using too much energy at once.

"Arms! Armor! Vernier!" Wendy had casted her support spells on not only herself, but also Gray, Erza, and even Dante; each of them glowing cyan, bright blue, magenta, and crimson red respectively as they soared at Hades with incredible speed, though it seemed Hades could easily match their speed as he dodged the sword slashes from Erza and nunchuck strikes from Gray, and even Wendy's wind attacks. However, Dante, still under Wendy's support spell, appeared behind Hades and swung Rebellion to score a hit on his back to send Hades rolling across the ground, though he was quick to get back on his feet as Gray, Erza, and Wendy soared at him.

"Nimble little scamps!" Hades sent a series of magic chains to not only ensnare the incoming trio but fling them away. However, this left him open for Natsu to come in from above as he was surrounded by an orange aura, also under Wendy's support magic.

"Fire Dragon Wing Attack!" A winged strike from Natsu's flaming arms was enough to knock Hades into the air, where Dante met him again to deliver a roundhouse kick to Hades face, but as he fell, Dante quickly drew Ebony and Ivory to open fire with a barrage of bullets. However, Hades quickly recovered and created a magic shield to repel the bullets before creating two more magic chains which shot out to grab both Dante and Natsu and fling them away.

However, Erza quickly flew in-between them, in her Clear Heart clothing again and a sword in each hand to cut both chains and set the duo free. Dante landed on his feet as Natsu fell towards Gray.

"Natsu!" Gray created a large ice-mallet, which Natsu landed on with his feet, before Gray swung the mallet to propel Natsu directly at Hades. "GET IN THERE!"

"Agni! Rudra!" Dante quipped both his red and blue swords as he brought them together to create an X made of fire and wind in front of the soaring Natsu.

"Sky Dragon Roar!"

"Scorpio!"

Wendy had unleashed her breath attack at the same time Lucy summoned Scorpio, who already unleashed a massive sand twister from his tail. Both attacks combined and mixed with Dante's strike and the growing flames around the propelling Natsu.

"A Unison Raid…?" Hades did not expect that.

"Fire Dragon Sword Horn!" Natsu's attack, combined with the added momentum gained from Dante's, Lucy's, and Wendy's merged attacks, was enough to send Hades flying and crashing at the far end of the chamber.

Dante, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Wendy stood tall with glares at the smoke that came up from their enemy's crash. However, they weren't out of the woods just yet.

"I've often heard young people referring to their mistakes as life-experience." Hades began as he walked causally out of the smoke, having discard his cape, to face the shocked heroes without even so much as a single scratch on him. "But true mistakes do not yield experience, as there is no coming back from them, such is the case here. Your future consists only of the grave. There will be no lesson to learn other than opposing me was the biggest mistake of your lives… and your last."

Wendy covered her mouth in shock. "Oh no…"

"All of that… and he wasn't even scratched…" Lucy's eyes trembled as even Erza shook in her place.

"Come on!" Gray exclaimed in frustration. "We poured everything we had into that!"

Dante's eyes narrowed as well. 'We knew he wouldn't go down so easily… but we should have at least done some damage to him!'

Even Natsu looked visibly afraid. "His magic power is unreal… how do we beat him…?"

Hades merely brushed the dust from his shoulder before he spoke. "Very well, now that I'm all warmed up, it's time to get serious." He began to show off just the aura of his own insanely strong magic, which already began to shake the entire chambers. Nearly everyone became visibly terrified at just feeling his magic, it made even Makarov's and Gildarts power look puny by comparison. But he wasn't just using magic.

'This bastard's got so much demonic power flowing through him!' Dante thought as a nervous sweatdrop fell down his face. 'Not even Arkham when absorbed my old man's power could compare to this!' Dante tried to get the read on Hades' power and predict his next move, however he could sense it was being focused on a specific target in their group. Dante's eyes widened as he turned to a certain Dragon Slayer. 'Wendy!'

Right Hades gave a yell, Wendy had vanished completely from that spot, much to everyone's shock. However, their shock also blinded them to Dante's sudden disappearance as well.

Wendy didn't have time to react as she was perfectly fine in Dante's arms, time around them having slowed to a crawl as a cyan aura encompassed them both. Dante carried Wendy safely as they were directly behind Hades, the Quicksilver power still in effect.

'Even if that heart of his is his only weakness, I should still be able to hurt him if I can cut his head off!' Dante, while still keeping his Quicksilver active, swung Rebellion towards Hades neck from behind.

Suddenly, before the blade even touched its target, Hades shot out his hand to block the sword with only two of his fingers. The Quicksilver effect had worn off as Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and Erza looked in surprise at what had transpired, as well as Wendy, still in Dante's arms. But none were more surprised than Dante as his pupils shrunk. Hades was not only able to intercept his attack while his Quicksilver was active, but he even blocked Rebellion with only his bare fingers.

"Your Quicksilver technique allows you to slow down time around you, often giving the illusion of super speed." Hades began as he kept his back turned towards Dante. "I must admit it's certainly a handy ability. However…" He slowly turned his gaze back towards the shocked half-demon. "When used against someone like me who practically breathes demonic power, it's little more than a cheap trick."

Acting on instinct, Dante pushed Wendy out of the way just in time as Hades sent a series of magic chains that didn't grab Dante, but rather impale him through his chest, causing him to cough up quite a bit of blood.

"No! Dante!" Wendy exclaimed in shock, but she was quickly ensared by Hades' chains as well before both she and Dante were flung over Hades and sent crashing into their friends. Hades then waved his hand to send a wave of dark magic to knock them all down and send them skidding across the ground.

"You were able to get the read on my demonic power and could sense my intended target." Hades spoke to Dante specifically as all of them were on the ground. "You used your Quicksilver to not only rescue your friend, but even attempt to ambush me from behind. It wasn't a bad strategy, all things considered."

"Damn it…" Dante cursed as even he struggled to pick himself up with everyone else. 'He saw right through me… he not only has all this power… but he actually knows how to use it… no wonder he took down Gramps… I doubt even Vergil can scratch him.'

Dante tried to get the grip on his sword, only for Hades to stomp on the blade and keep it pinned. The dark guildmaster cast a glance on the sword itself. "The Devil Sword Rebellion, I haven't seen that in quite a while." He spoke in an almost nostalgic tone. "Forged by the Dark Knight himself, it has power that rivals even that of the Yamato, but to see someone like you use it so carelessly… you swing such a mighty blade like a Neanderthal would a club. What a disappointment to your father's legacy."

The red-clad Devil Hunter glared as he flashed Ebony. "You love my sword so much then get the hell off it!" He fired his gun, prompting Hades to casually step off Rebellion, allowing Dante to stand up with the sword as the rest of his friends struggled to pick themselves up.

"Your father had a quick temper as well." Hades observed. "I see the apple truly hasn't fallen far from the tree, though he wasn't as reckless. Likely your mother's side." That really earned a glare from Dante. "Or rather, I suppose it should be a result of Makarov's influence. And now that I think about it, both Sparda and Makarov actually shared quite a few things in common."

"So, you knew my old man, huh?" Dante glared. "Not surprising, a lot of people knew him. Let me guess, he kicked your ass one time, now you're all sore about it and since he's dead, you're taking it out on me. Right?"

"Hardly." Hades replied. "Sparda was actually my mentor in my youth, I even considered him my friend."

"Say what?" Gray voiced in surprise as he, Wendy, Lucy, Erza, and Natsu looked in surprise.

"You expect me to believe that crap?" Dante questioned.

"Believe me or not, it is the truth." Hades told him. "Your father taught me much, and I in turn tried to pass his teachings onto Makarov, which would explain their similarities."

"So, you know Sparda and Gramps? Natsu questioned with his own glare.

"I'm surprised he never told you about me." Hades began. "I expected Sparda's records in the guild to be expunged, as per his request. But have mine been expunged as well? I should have as much." That earned a suspicious glance from Erza. "If Makarov is 'Gramps', I suppose that makes me 'Great Grandfather'. I'm Fairy Tail's second master."

Lucy, Erza, and Wendy all gasped at that revelation, while Gray and Dante's expressions mixed those of shock with glares.

"THAT'S A FILTHY LIE!" Natsu yelled.

"My name was Precht back then." Hades continued. "I worked alongside Sparda, Mavis, and many others to form the Fairy Tail guild in the first place. Yes, the Dark Knight himself was a founding member of the guild, the original candidate to be Fairy Tail's first master."

"What…?" Dante voiced in shock, clearly not expecting that.

"Sparda… was a founder of Fairy Tail…?" Erza stuttered.

'The first master…?' Wendy thought in shock.

"You expect us to believe that?!" Natsu didn't buy it for a second. "Gramps and Sparda wouldn't have anything to do with you!" He was the first to rush at Hades, but the dark guildmaster had created an Amaterasu spell to act as a point-blank weapon to blast back the Salamander.

"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed in shock at seeing him injured. But she didn't even have time to react as Hades threw another wave of destructive dark magic that blasted her, Erza, Gray, and Wendy back. But Hades wasn't done yet as he ensnared Lucy and Erza together in his magic chains, which then exploded to send them skidding across the ground.

Dante was the first to get back up as he tried to shoot with Ebony and Ivory again, only for Hades to block it with a dark magic barrier. "You like to play with guns, boy?" Hades asked mockingly. "Well I can play to!" He pointed a finger-gun at Dante and shot a dark magic bullet at Dante's head to knock him down. He then fired both his finger-guns at not just the downed Dante, but even Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, and Lucy while they were all down on the ground.

Hades laughed as he continued to torment them. "Now do you understand your folly!" He taunted as he pelted them more with dark magic bullets that even caused a great deal of pain for Dante as he groaned in pain along with all his friends.

Meanwhile; Happy, Carla, and Lily continued to search through the hallways of the ship, but even inside, they could hear the thunder outside, and it was really freaking Lily out.

"So loud!" Panther-Lily continued to hold down his ears. "Who builds a ship with such horrible sound insolation?! It sounds like it's in my head! Make it stop!"

"We get it already!" Carla exclaimed in annoyance.

"At least the lightning can't hit us while we're inside the ship." Happy said. "Okay, let's check this way next." He turned one corner.

"Don't get left behind! Keep moving!" Carla called to Lily as she followed Happy.

"Wait for me!" Lily followed them as best he could.

At the same time, Doranbolt had returned to the Magic Council's ship. He shook as he sat down as he gave his report, despite how terrified he appeared to be.

"There's no denying it…" He held his hands to his face. "At first… I'd hoped I'd just misunderstood him… but… I know what I heard…!"

"Acnologia?!" Lahar exclaimed "You're sure that's what Zeref said?" Even Lahar's body began to shake. "You must be certain!"

"Damn, I'm useless!" Doranbolt looked like he was about to have a panic attack. "How could I let myself just get paralyzed by fear?!"

"Please get a hold of yourself!" Lahar told him, despite the fact that he was experiencing true terror right now. "Are you absolutely sure that he said 'Acnologia'?" Doranbolt's only response was him lowering his head even more, which was all the confirmation Lahar needed. "Move! Prepare to withdraw!" He ordered the Rune Knights under his command. "All forces, retreat at once! As of this moment, our survey of Tenrou Island is negated!"

As the crew tried to steer the ship away from the war-torn island, Doranbolt felt a huge wave of guilt sweeping over him as he cast a glance at the island. 'No… there's nothing I can do now… It's all over… forgive me…'

Back inside Grimoire Heart's ship; Dante, Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Erza, and Wendy all laid in pain across the ground as Hades finally stopped his torment of them.

"Tell me, do fairies possess tails?" Hades began, getting everyone's attention. "It's an eternal mystery, and thus an eternal adventure. I believe that was how the guild's name originally came about? That cute little phrase was actually invented by Sparda. Though he was originally supposed to be the guild's first master, he chose to pass that duty onto Mavis, as he believed the forces of the Underworld would attack the guild simply by its association with him. And yet, that's exactly what's happening right now. I suppose then, it's all come full-circle."

No matter how much they wanted to deny it, this wall the confirmation they needed to hear. Not only was Hades predecessor to Makarov as Fairy Tail's guildmaster, but Sparda was indeed a founding member of the guild.

"But would have expected that Sparda's very own son would join the same guild his father built." Hades said as he stood over the injured Dante. "It must be fate."

"You're… really the old man's predecessor… huh?" Dante struggled as he glared up at the old man. "You're looking pretty healthy for a guy who should be pushing one hundred or something… let me guess… Mundus?"

"One of the many gifts he granted me, yes." Hades answered. "You cannot comprehend the power he has granted me. But even then, what I wield is puny in comparison to his own glorious power."

"Why…?" Wendy stuttered, getting his attention. "If… you were friends with Sparda… and created Fairy Tail… Why would you betray us?!" She cried with tears flowing down her eyes. "Why would you join that monster?! Why would you want to undo everything Sparda and the dragons worked so hard to protect?!"

Hades gave something of a sigh. "If you truly wish to know, I shall tell you. After I appointed Makarov as the guild's third master, I left Fairy Tail with the intent on finding the source of all magic. However, all my research pointed me directly to Zeref. As you would expect, I was in denial at first. But no matter which direction I looked, it all pointed me to the same answer. But the deeper I dug, the more I realized that while Zeref was the first person to master magic in its most pure and original form, he was not the source. No, the source of all magic… the One Magic was Mundus himself."

Everyone continued to listen as they either looked in shock or glared at him. "I followed the trail, and it led me to Mundus himself. I may have never ventured to the Underworld, but the trail I followed led me to an inversion point, where the barriers between this world and the Underworld are at its weakest. And that location was a small island called Mallet Island…"

Flashback

Precht had stood inside what appeared to be a white cathedral, standing before a massive statue of a humanoid who sat on a chair, this humanoid had three eyes, indicating that this appeared to be a statue of Mundus.

"Hmmp, to think a human could so easily find this place. I suppose I have Sparda to thank for that." The statue spoke, despite its features unmoving

"You must be Mundus." Precht stated with a glare as he clenched his staff.

"Has humanity become so brazen in the past two thousand years since my imprisonment? You stand before the one being that took the accursed Sparda and several Dragons just to imprison, and you don't seem the least bit afraid." Mundus said in a mocking fashion.

"That would be the case, if I were truly facing Mundus." Precht replied. "But you aren't really here. That statue is merely a construct with which you can project only a portion of your power. Your true form is still sealed in the depths of the Underworld. I have no reason to fear the equivalent of a thought projection."

"Impressive, you've managed to figure all that out on your own?" Mundus commented. "Regardless, even if you face a simple 'projection', I am still infinitely more powerful than anything your puny human mind can even conceive of."

"We shall see!" Precht waved his staff and prepared to cast a powerful surge of white magic energy. "In the name of my mentor and my friend Sparda, I will not allow your evil to sully this world!" He launched a powerful magic attack at the statue of Mundus as its eyes began to glow a vibrant red.

What happened next wasn't really a fight, more like a one-sided slaughter as Precht had fallen on his hands and knees; his clothes torn, his body covered in blood and bruises, and his staff broken into splinters. He breathed heavily as his face dripped with sweat and blood onto the floor, terror filled the one eye that wasn't covered by the eyepatch. All the while, the statue of Mundus didn't even appear to be scratched.

"Now do you understand?" Mundus asked. "Projection or not, you are a gnat standing before a god! What did you hope to accomplish by coming here? Why did you come here? You came here to find the source of all magic power in your world, correct? Its origin? The so-called 'One Magic'? Well, you are looking right at it." Precht slowly and shakenly glanced upward at the statue. "Or perhaps you've already known and have been in denial ever since. You cannot comprehend the fact that all your world's power comes from such a being as myself, can you? All demonic and magic power share the same origin and you have found it. I am the beginning and the end, I am the alpha and the omega, I am the Demon Emperor! I am Mundus!"

"This… this cannot be… Sparda… why…?" Precht stuttered as dread and disbelief filled his entire body.

"I will consider this an offering, Precht. And you, my loyal servant." Mundus continued. "Join me and help me to create the perfect world for our kind. For demons and wizards alike, without the pesky insects known as humans to infest our paradise."

"No…" Precht said almost on instinct.

"What are you clinging to?" Mundus questioned. "Some pathetic dream or philosophy placed on you by the treacherous Sparda? He was a weakling that didn't have the courage to do what needs be done. But you do. You, Precht, had the courage to challenge me. And that strength is needed to bring about the Grand Magic World. So, I offer you this choice… Would you serve in Heaven, or reign in Hell?

Before Precht could even offer a response, the floor beneath him was suddenly encompassed by dark purple energy that flowed directly over him before his entire body was engulfed in it. Precht screamed in agony as he felt the demonic power flowing through him; his injuries healed, and the power seemed to condense above his eye-patch, which was easily torn, allowing the demonic power to flow directly into that one spot. As this power flowed through Precht's veins, knowledge also filled his mind; the secrets of the darkest aspects of magic, as well as arcane knowledge of the demonic arts. He understood it all in just a time frame of seconds, compared to what would have been years of study. When the process was complete, Precht stood on the ground, full healed as his hand was over his right eye.

"Precht Gaebolg is no more, long live my devoted servant…Hades!" Mundus announced as Hades lowered his hand to reveal his right eye was now completely blood red.

"Yes… my master. I choose to reign in your stead." Precht, now turned Hades, bowed before his new master.

"Good." Mundus said. "Now, assemble me an army, teach them the magic that has been since lost to the ages. Assemble me a force with the sole purpose of finding my chosen herald. Find me Zeref and reawaken his power. Then, together, we shall change the face of the universe."

The laugh of the Demon Emperor would echo throughout the entire cathedral as Hades' malevolent smirk formed on his face as well.

End Flashback

Every one of the Fairy Tail members present had listened to Hades' story and almost none of them could believe it. Not only did Hades truly believe Mundus to be the One Magic, but the second master of the guild they had all called home had chosen to abandon everything Fairy Tail and Sparda stood for in order to follow the path of the Demon Emperor.

"Everything Sparda taught me, everything he choose to protect in this world, it was all a lie." Hades continued. "Look at the world your father helped to create, Dante. People fight each other every day over the most pitiful and inconsequential matters. The Magic Council who governs this land is nothing more than a collection of bureaucrats who care only for their power and nothing for the world they are supposed to protect. Wizards, those who are stronger than the average human, are subject to servitude in the guilds. Those that choose to break these chains are often labeled as villains and are quickly made enemies. But joining the darkness is exactly what is necessary to set you free. And you can be free as well, my boy."

Hades extended his hand to Dante. "I understand your reluctance. You blame Lord Mundus for the death of your mother. However, in the Grand Magic World, anything is possible, you could even bring your mother back to life if you desire." Dante's eyes narrowed as he gritted his teeth. "Join me, Dante. Step outside of your father's shadow and become so much more! You could stand as the ruler of this world! Anything you dream made real, every wish fulfilled! Everything you've ever desired will be yours!" Hades' eye narrowed as he continued to speak. "Or you can continue to follow the lies that Fairy Tail has spread, or the legacy of a demon who abandons his own son. I offer you this choice, my boy. Would you serve in Heaven, or reign in Hell?"

Dante didn't respond at first, he cast a glance back towards all his downed friends; Wendy and Lucy had pleading looks in their eyes, while Erza, Gray, and Natsu had serious expressions. However, Dante smiled at them as he gave a wink before quickly drawing Rebellion again and slicing at Hades, forcing him to step back.

Hades looked in minor surprise as he felt a trickle of blood run down his left cheek, though it was quickly healed by dark magic.

"I choose the option that a coward wouldn't." Dante said to Hades directly.

"A coward, you say?" Hades' eye narrowed.

"Damn straight!" Dante exclaimed. "I don't give a damn if Mundus is this 'One Magic' crap or not! Yeah, people can be assholes sometimes, but I've seen more than a few good people in my life, not just in Fairy Tail. People live their lives on the line every day to find something to make them happy. They have friends and families, people they love. You can laugh at their struggles and call them weak like the bully you are, but I'll never do that! I'll kick the ass of anyone who tries! I don't care if it's my old man's legacy, I stand up for the little guy cause it's who I am! And I'm not gonna let you or your master put those people through the same kind of hell I went through! So you and Mundus can go suck it you damn sell out! You betrayed your guild and your family, and I will never join you!"

Dante swung Rebellion at Hades again, but he was quick to bat away the sword with only his hands. "Such disrespect." Hades growled before back-handing Dante in the face to send him crashing into the wall. "You are very much your father's son, Dante. Every bit as stubborn and foolish as he was! If you truly miss your mother so much, then allow me to reunite you with her!"

Hades was about to cast a powerful blast of dark magic at him, only to find his wrist entangled by the magic whip Fleuve d'etoiles, owned by Lucy who struggled to get back on her feet. "Don't you lay a finger on him…!"

It wasn't just Lucy; all the others stood up as well and were on the attack again.

"Fire Dragon Roar!"

"Super Freezing Arrow!"

"Sky Dragon Roar!"

"Morning Star: Photon Slicer!"

All four magic attacks soared and hit Hades point-blank as Natsu, Gray, Wendy, and Erza were back on their feet alongside Lucy.

"Son of Sparda or not, Dante is one of us!" Erza exclaimed as she was now in her Morning Star armor.

"Mess with one of us, you mess with all of us!" Gray exclaimed as well.

"We may be wizards, but we're not heartless monsters like you and Mundus!" Wendy stated.

"You are a coward!" Natsu also stated. "You and your BFF Mundus can sit and stew in the darkness all you want, neither of you have the courage to change a damn thing!"

Dante weakly pulled himself from the wall he was flung to as he smiled. He already knew how much his family had his back, but it was still rather heart-warming for him to hear. And no matter what, he would stand with Fairy Tail. The guild was his home and he wasn't about to let anyone harm it, no matter who they were.

Suddenly, multiple magic chains shot out of the smoke and were quick to ensnare all five of them before they exploded, sending all five wizards skidding hard across the ground. The smoke cleared to reveal Hades, who looked relatively undamaged, and more annoyed than anything else.

"If that's the wish of your Fairy Tail… then you can die with the rest of it!" He was prepared to launch another attack at them, and Dante was more than ready to fight back against Hades, however a large and bright yellow lightning bolt had struck the ship from the outside, but even struck Hades' arm, causing him to grunt in pain.

Dante was completely caught by surprise, but none were more surprised than Natsu, Gray, Erza, Lucy, and even Wendy as a certain blonde man with a white outfit and brown robe appeared, with lightning surging all around him to face Hades directly.

"So, this is the fossil that took out Gramps. Interesting."

The downed and injured Natsu could barely contain his smile. "Laxus…"

Dante's eyes widened. 'That's Laxus? The old man's grandkid?'

Hades was also caught off-guard as this intruder bared such a striking resemblance to the young Makarov he remembered. "The boy…?" This left him open for Laxus to deliver a lightning-charged headbutt to knock him back a bit.

"It's Laxus…!" Gray muttered in surprise as even Erza was rendered speechless.

"I'd never thought I'd be so happy to see him…" Lucy rubbed a small tear of joy from her eye.

"Isn't he the master's grandson?" Wendy asked as this was the first time, she's seen him.

That caught Hades' attention. "I see, so you're a blood relative of Makarov. The resemblance is uncanny." This actually left Hades vulnerable for Dante to come in from the side and slash at him with Rebellion, causing a large bleeding cut to form on Hades' chest as he was sent skidding back.

"Guess I can make ya bleed after all, huh?" Dante smirked as he happened to stand next to Laxus. Hades glared but his wound healed quickly enough thanks to the demonic power he wielded.

Laxus cast a glance at the man that stood alongside him. "Red coat, white hair, a fancy sword… you must be that Devil Hunter I've heard so much about. Dante, right?"

"Yep." Dante nodded. "And you're that grown man who threw a temper tantrum like a little kid when he tried to blow up Magnolia with lightning-charged bombs to try and become Fairy Tail's master."

"Uh huh. Guess I was a bit of a spoiled brat back then" Laxus confirmed. "You gotta be pretty strong if you're the only guy who's standing while the rest of your buddies look like a bunch of tattered rags."

Even Natsu chuckled a bit. "No joke."

"Believe me, I feel like a huge wreck on the inside. So, what brings you to town?" Dante asked somewhat casually as he held Rebellion over his shoulder. "Something tells me you ain't here for sight-seeing."

"I came to pay my respects to the first guild master. I was a member of Fairy Tail to ya know." Laxus replied. "But I never would have expected I'd run into the second guildmaster, who's willing to sell out not only the guild but the entire planet to the king of hell."

"Yeah, life is funny that way." Dante said as he got serious. "Tell ya what; how about we hit a few drinks and get to each other a bit more… after we put this piece of shit in the morgue."

Laxus' body surged with lightning. "Sounds like a plan to me."

Hades however didn't appear the least bit intimidated. "Hmm, first Sparda had such an impulsive and rebellions son, but even Makarov would be burden with such a pretentious grandson."

Laxus was the first to attack, his body transforming into a bolt of lightning as he quickly zoomed and dealt a punch across Hades face to send him flying.

"Beowulf!" Dante leapt to in Hades direction and dealt a slug into his chest before giving a roundhouse to knock him back to Laxus, who delivered a lightning-charged punch to pummel Hades' head into the ground. With Hades down, Dante tried to press on with an axe-kick of his left Beowulf grieve, but Hades had already moved out of the way just as Dante's kicked caved the part of the floor in.

"I'm impressed." Hades commented. "This is the first time you two have met, yet you seem to be working quite effectively together. I never would have thought someone could reach the same caliber as a Son of Sparda at such a young age and still be completely human. The two of you might even give someone like Gildarts a hard time."

Laxus gave a tisk in response. "Ya know, that reminds me of something the geezer used to say. Whenever you face a tough enemy, it doesn't matter how strong they are; standing up to them is what's most important. Ain't that right, Natsu?"

"Yeah, you bet." Natsu agreed.

Laxus noticed Dante looking a bit tired. "Hey, you think you should take a rest? No doubt this old fossil and his buddies have been putting you through the wringer. I just got here so I've got plenty of power to spare. If you wanna take five and leave him to me…."

"And let you hog the spotlight? Fat chance." Dante replied as he took a stance like a professional boxer with Beowulf. "I might be a little tired, but I can do this all day."

Laxus smirked as they both turned to Hades. "Alright, just don't blame me if you keel over."

"Well then, what are you boys waiting for?" The dark guildmaster challenged. "Come and get me."

Basecamp

As the storm continued to roar over the Fairy Tail members that either rested or stood guard over their injured comrades, Freed and Levy worked to place several protective enchantments along the ground.

"Defense enchantments can't have even the tiniest of holes or they'll be rendered useless." Freed said as he wrote several runes on the ground with his sword. "So, double-check every detail." He told Levy.

Levy nodded in response as she used a magic-pen to fix up any tiny holes Freed might have accidentally left. She briefly turned to the unconscious Gajeel. "It's my turn to protect you know, ya big lug."

"What was that Levy?" Freed asked, surprising the girl as she didn't mean to openly voice her thoughts. "If you have something to confess, then speak up."

"It's not like that and you know it!" Levy exclaimed with a blush on her cheeks.

At the same time; as Trish, Lady, and Modeus sat on boxes around the tent, keeping watch, Lisanna was finishing bandaging up her older brother.

"There you go. You should lie down for a bit, you need your rest." Lisanna said to Elfman.

"She may have a point Elfman." Modeus agreed. "You and Evergreen were already severely injured before, and even then, you still kept fighting. It's commendable, but you shouldn't push yourself."

"Don't worry about me." Elfman said. "What kind of man would I be if I let my sister and friends do all the work?"

"The kind that knows when to let his friends look after him?" Trish questioned in something of a teasing manner.

"Hey, speaking of which, what was it you wanted to tell Lucy and Dante when the get back?" Lady asked Trish.

The blonde she-demon gave a small sigh. "If it's alright, I'd rather wait till they get back. It's kinda personal and it would be kinda shitty of me to reveal it to everyone else first."

"Alright, if you say so." Lady shrugged in acceptance.

"Aw come on, would you guys please get serious?" Bickslow asked as he walked onto the scene. "Now ain't the time to gossip."

"Yeah, get serious!" Bickslow's dolls added.

"You're one to talk. Where the hell have you been?" Lady questioned.

"Getting rid of that guy with the glasses." Bickslow answered, while the unconscious Rustyrose floated away on a raft in a small river away from the campsite. "Since we couldn't get any info out of that whacko, figured it be best to dump him, so he doesn't use a body-link spell to give away our location."

"Yes, that is probably a good idea." Modeus nodded.

"Indeed, well done Bickslow." Freed smiled to his comrade. "We're just wrapping some things up here."

"You two should get some rest to, ya know." Levy said to both of members of the Thunder Legion. "You must be exhausted."

Bickslow however didn't seem all that tired as he smirked. "After dealing with the guys who barged into enemy territory, this is a piece of cake…"

"Pierce!"

Suddenly, Bickslow as stabbed in the back by the Japanese symbol for 'pierce' covered in white energy. This took everyone by surprise as they all stood up ready for battle.

"Bickslow!" Freed exclaimed.

Levy recognized this magic. "No way… that's Eastern Solid Script!"

True to her words, Yomazu had appeared on the scene, having attacked Bickslow from behind. Though most of his armor had been torn, he still had plenty of fight in him. And it wasn't just him, his partner Kawazu had also shown up to lay an attack.

"Heavy Egg Rain!" Kawazu had launched a volley of eggs into the air from his mouth, which were about to rain down on the group, however Trish was able to leap upward and slash with the Devil Sword Sparda, charged with her lightning-powers, to send a wave of electricity to destroy all the eggs in one swoop.

"Is that a chicken and a goat?!" Lady asked perplexed.

"They're Grimoire Heart's reconnaissance team." Modeus remembered them. "They ambushed Levy and Gajeel before the rest of their guild attacked the island."

"Looks like we're gonna have to fight after all." Trish took a battle stance.

"Screw battle etiquette!" Yomazu exclaimed. "It means nothing to a warrior who's lost his blade!" He made several hand signals before sending out a wave of his own Eastern Solid Script to erase Freed's enchantments, much to his and Levy's surprise.

"The enchantment!" Levy exclaimed in shock.

"Protect the injured!" Freed ordered.

"Please… let me fight…" Elfman tried to stand.

"No, you can't…!" Lisanna tried to stop him, only to look in shock as a sudden surprise attack hit Elfman from the side to send him skidding across the ground. She turned around in shock at the sight of Kain Hikaru, both his fists glowing, as he to stepped on the battlefield.

"If we don't beat you down, Master Hades is gonna be angry! Real angry!" Hikaru exclaimed.

"Shit, not this retard again!" Trish grunted in annoyance, remembering how much trouble he gave them.

"Stand your ground. We can still…" Suddenly Modeus was shot from behind in his right shoulder by a beam of yellow and red light, causing him to groan in pain as he was brought to his knees.

"Modeus!" Levy exclaimed in worry as she kneeled down to help him as he held his smoking wound.

Lady's eyes widened as she recognized this type of attack. "Light magic…?" A sense of dread filled her whole body as she turned around to see a certain someone that made her blood run cold. "Oh no… not him…"

It was Job, though he looked like a far cry from the wizard she and her friends had faced before. Most of his robe was gone, save for the left side that still held onto his body. Though the skin of his upper right half appeared to have turned pitch black as it spread along half his face, his right eye turning blood red in addition. He also carried a maniacal and psychotic smirk in stark contrast to his ever-stoic look from before.

"Well, well, looky looky at these precious little cookies." Job said as his tone appeared more unhinged. "It's high time these fairies learn their place…. Wouldn't you say boys?!" He called out to his comrades.

"Damn right!" Yomazu agreed as he and his partner charged forward. "Besides, thanks to the bedlam they've caused our guild…"

"We'll be promoted to the Eight Kin of Purgatory once we get rid of these pesky little flies!" Kawazu finished.

"You two and Hikaru deal with the rest of them." Job stated. "As for these three…" He pointed to Trish, Modeus, and Lady specifically. "They're all mine!" He shot both his arms out to send multiple beams of his deadly Holy Devil Slayer magic in their direction; forcing the three to scatter as they could barely avoid the blasts, though they did get skid across the sides and legs, causing them a great deal of pain.

"Hang on! I'll help!" Levy was about to run and assist them.

"Wait, we have to restore the enchantment, first!" Freed told her. "Get up Bickslow! Take them out!"

Bickslow was already back on his feet. "You got it, just leave them to me! Let's go babies!" He sent his dolls straight at the charging Yomazu and Kawazu.

"Go! Go!" The dolls exclaimed as two of them smacked Kawazu across his face and on the back of his head to knock him down.

"Seith Magic?" Yomazu turned around to face Bickslow. "Well in that case… Bo!" He created a wall with his magic to block the incoming dolls.

Trish had pulled out her Luce and Ombre guns and shot at Job with electrified bullets, but Job was able to block it with a light-magic shield. This however gave her the chance to regroup with Modeus and Lady. "Lisanna, keep that sumo-reject off our backs for now! We'll take care of this guy!"

"You got it! Take Over: Dragon Soul!" She transformed and shot right at Kain to land a flaming fist attack right onto his face.

"Ow! That hurts!" Kain however stood his ground and landed a sumo-palm-thrust on Lisanna to knock her back, but she stabilized herself in the air.

Lisanna felt a twinging pain in her fist where she punched him. "What the heck… Felt like I was punching solid steel!"

"Well duh, I reinforced myself." Kain presented a doll in his hands that had the number 2 on its forehead with a small strand of his own hair on it.

"What?! But I thought Trish destroyed that doll!" Lisanna exclaimed.

"I always carry a spare, just in case." Kain explained. "I call it Mr. Cursey the Second. And being the skilled warrior, I am, I've already managed to get my hand on one of your pretty white hairs. Yeah." He had put a white hair onto his doll's head.

"You creep!" Lisanna readied herself for a fight, though she'd seen a glimpse of what this foe could do, that wouldn't deter her.

"You ain't seen nothing yet!" Kain Hikaru said as he held the doll in his hands. "As much as I hate being beaten, I'll admit that it taught me a thing or two. Change Mr. Cursey! Iron!" Lisanna braced herself but looked in confusion to see that her body had remained unchanged. "Listen to me dragon-lady, if you wanna get back together with me, just say so."

"Forget it! I already got a man in my life and it's not you!" Lisanna exclaimed.

"Then you leave me no choice!" Kain then motioned to throw his doll, which telekinetically threw Elfman, who's body had changed into solid iron, straight at Lisanna.

"Elfman?!" She exclaimed as she flew in the air to barley dodge him.

"Look out Lisanna!" Elfman was then thrown straight up at her before coming back down and up repeatedly as she could only barley dodge him.

"Isn't sibling love just precious?" Kain said as he continued to 'play' with his doll. "Family members share DNA, by taking your hair, I can control your brother to! Lots of girls tell me I wish I was your sister, but I know they're just looking for an excuse to get close to me!"

Lisanna was really getting sick of this guy when she came up with an idea. "I'm sorry Big Brother!" She delivered a powerful kick to the incoming Elfman's side and send him crashing into Kain to knock them both onto the ground.

However, Kain was able to recover. "Ouch! That hurt you know!" He was then suddenly bombarded by a powerful fireball that Lisanna threw at him before she got down to pull her brother away.

"Elfman, I'm sorry…"

"Don't worry about it…" Elfman snickered. "Just glad I could be of service."

"Hang tight, we're not finished yet." Lisanna's eyes narrowed as she saw Kain walking out of the flames with barley a scratch on him.

At the same time, Trish and Modeus both swung their respective blades to block and parry the multitude of light beams shot at them by the crazed Job, however this appeared to have left him open from behind as Lady attempted to ambush him.

"Steel Devil Rage!" She launched a point-blank breath attack which appeared to score a direct hit and send him crashing into a large rock.

"So, this is the man who defeated Dante?" Modeus asked as he regrouped with Lady and Trish. "The one who possess Devil Slayer Magic?"

"That's him alright." Trish confirmed.

"But he's completely different from before." Lady stated. "Last time, he went on-and-on about his 'holy crusade' and didn't even crack a grin. Now he's full blown serial killer crazy!"

"Talk about a one eighty." Trish commented.

Job walked out of the dust with barley a scratch on him as he continued to chuckle, his crazed smile still present. "I don't need to be a preacher to kill all of you. About I give you a hint, remember how I told you how Devil Slayer Magic and Dragon Slayer Magic are almost the same? Maybe it's origins should clear things up for you."

Modeus' eyes narrowed. "I think I understand." That got Trish and Lady's attention. "Dragon Slayers possess their magic because it was bestowed by dragons. As Devil Slayer Magic works on the same principles, it's clear that those magic users possess their abilities from devils. But the average human can't handle so much demonic power without undergoing a drastic physical or psychological change."

"Just like what happened to Arkham…" Lady recalled how Dante told her after her father absorbed Sparda's power, he became some grotesque abomination. Even before then, after gaining some demonic power, it twisted and corrupted his mind, turning him into the monster she knew.

"There are those that can handle demonic power." Job explained. "If they're minds are disciplined enough, they can control it without being corrupted. Just ask your pretty little Mirajane. I could control my power through intense discipline, why do you think I preached so much?"

Trish was able to figure it out. "It was for you just to maintain control…"

"Bingo." The crazed Job confirmed. "But ever since my recent defeat, I decided just to throw discipline out the window, and this is the result!" He showed his transformed state. "You too will become just like me if you let your power, consume you, you Devil Slayer newbie!" He pointed to the surprised Lady. "But don't you worry, you'll be long dead before that happens!" He laughed.

"No one is dying here! Not today!" Modeus declared as he held his swords and stood alongside his comrades. "We'll win and we'll all go home to Fairy Tail together!"

Magnolia – Fairy Tail guildhall.

While those on Tenrou Island continued to fight for their lives as a literal storm hung over their heads, the rest of the guild was incredibly peaceful as it was a nice and beautiful day outside.

"Ugh, what's the hold up?" Macao questioned as he sat at a table with Wakaba. "Why hasn't Romeo made it back to the guild, yet?"

"Alzack and Bisca let him tag along on a job." Wakaba answered.

"What? They probably ditched him somewhere so they can go make-out, knowing those two." Macao stated.

Wakaba gave a slight scoff. "Those two making out? Yeah right, get real."

At the same time; Max, Warren, and Nab hung out by the request board. "So, is it just me, or do we have a lot of new members?" Max asked as he saw the vast amount of guildmates inside their guildhall.

"Yep, and that's a good thing." Warren responded. "We need a bunch more folks to handle all these requests we've been getting."

"Yeah, no joke." Nab agreed. "Just look at all these fliers." He referred to the vast number of requests on the board.

"Why do you sound so excited? You never go out on any jobs." Warren cracked, causing Nab to chuckle nervously as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Check it out guys!" Vijeeter said as he danced behind this particular group. "I've finished my latest routine! I call it 'the Supreme Dance'!"

Max didn't seem all that impressed as all Vijeeter did most of the time was dance. "Way to go, dance your heart out."

Laki walked toward the table that Jet and Droy were both sitting at. "Careful Droy, if you don't stop eating, you're gonna blimp out."

"Nah, it's fine." Droy assured as he practically had a buffet in front of him. "I eat a lot, but I never gain weight." He said as he resumed his meal.

"Laki, long-time no see." Jet greeted.

"Yeah, I've had a lot of long-term jobs lately." Laki replied.

"I'd stop binging if I were you." Jet said to his teammate. "Unless you wanna look like Reedus here." He pointed to the man who was painting a picture of Wendy.

"Oui. But the only reason I'm this big is because of my magic." Reedus commented.

Suddenly, Romeo ran back into the guildhall with both Alzack, Bisca right behind him, but what was something of a surprise was that Morrison was also right behind them.

"Hey Dad! I'm back!" The six-year-old boy ran to his father's table.

"Good about time." Macao groaned when he noticed the middle-aged man's presence. "Wait, why is Morrison here?"

"We ran into him on the way here, said he had something important to do." Alzack answered.

"You guys wouldn't have happened to see Dante, would you?" Morrison asked. "He asked me to look into something regarding his family and I might have an answer to give him."

"Nah, he and the others are still on Tenrou Island." Wakaba answered.

"Ah man, it's boring around here without Natsu and the gang." Romeo said as he sat down next to Laki across from his dad's table.

"You wanna be just like Natsu when you grow up, don't ya?" Laki said.

"No matter how many members we gain, it always seems so quiet when they're gone." Vijeeter observed as he continued to dance.

"Yeah, you can say that again." Warren seemed to agree.

"Or without our best teams, and S-Class wizards, the Dragon Slayers, and the Devil Hunters, we're still the strongest guild in Fiore." Max said. "But right now, we're missing our main forces."

"No wonder it's quiet." Warren said.

"Hmm, you know, now that I think about it, a lot of our newest requests seem to involve something relating to demons." Nab observed as he saw the fliers.

"Can't say I'm surprised, considering that's Dante's territory." Max replied. "But I also see Natsu, Erza, and everyone else taking those jobs to."

"Guess our guild specializes in demon hunting services now." Warren observed. "But without our top tier members, I'm not sure we can handle any big-time demon jobs."

"I can't believe the S-Class trial is happening right now, I wonder how it's going." Romeo wondered.

"We got another set of good contenders this year." Wakaba said. "But honestly, my money's on Dante making it. Which comes as a surprise if you look at it. I mean, he hasn't even been part of this guild for a whole year."

"Our newest rookie becoming S-Class on his first try? Now that would be something." Alzack said as he and Bisca sat down. "Kinda jealous."

"Well, he is the Son of Sparda after all." Morrison said as he sat down as well.

Romeo soon found himself looking at the picture Reedus was painting. Once the young boy set his eyes on the realistic painting of Wendy, he just continued to stare for a good few seconds.

"See something you like?" Bisca teased, causing Romeo to stutter.

"I uh… that's a nice picture…"

"A nice picture of Wendy, you mean?" Alzack teased.

"Awe, does little Romeo have a crush on sweet Wendy?" Laki also teased, causing Romeo's face to turn red as steam came out of his forehead.

"Oh man, that is so cute!" Jet chuckled.

"To bad she's twice your age." Droy also teased, causing Romeo to blush even harder.

"Hey, speaking of Wendy, why did she go along with them to Tenrou Island anyway?" Wakaba asked.

"She was someone's partner, wasn't she?" Macao tried to remember but ended up drawing a blank. "No, wait… that's not right. Didn't Master choose nine candidates?"

"Can't say that I know." Morrison shrugged. "I wasn't around when that all went down."

"Hey dad, you think Natsu will win?" Romeo asked.

"Him beating Dante? Yeah… no offense to the kid, but I don't think so." Macao seemed to doubt it.

Still, an excited smile formed on the young boy's face. "I can't wait for the next trial! Cause I'm gonna be an S-Class wizard for sure!"

"Hold your horses, kiddo." Macao told his son. "You've gotta become a regular wizard first."

"Oh, I will! I'm all fired up!"

Tenrou Island – Grimoire Heart Airship

Happy, Carla, and Panther-Lily had yet to find anything significant in their search for Hades' heart. "I'm afraid that searching as a group isn't going to get us anywhere." Carla said. "I think it would be best to split up."

"Good idea." Happy seemed to agree. "You're as smart as you are pretty."

However, the sweaty Lily didn't seem as eager. "By split up… do you mean each of us search alone?"

Carla gave an annoyed sigh as Happy had a teasing smile. "Are you scared?"

"ABSOLUTLEY NOT! LET'S SPLIT UP!" Lily exclaimed as his head grew to its larger form for emphasis.

"Alright! I'm sorry!" Happy quickly exclaimed as the Exceed trio went into separate directions.

Happy went down one hallway and opened up a door, only to find the toilet.

Carla was in a separate hallway as she hovered to another door. "Maybe in here?" Once she opened it however, the only thing she found was a brick wall, much to her annoyance. "Geeze! What kind of freaky ship is this?!"

Lily held his ears down as he still continued to shake, hearing the echoes of thunder outside. "I am not afraid… not at all…" He spotted one door in particular. "This one looks suspicious…" He opened it, only for his eyes to widen in shock and fear as he saw darkness inside with a pair of glowing red eyes.

Meanwhile, Happy and Carla regrouped with each other. "Did you find anything?" Carla asked.

"Nope. You?" Happy asked in response.

"Afraid not. It was worth a try though." Carla replied.

"I wonder if Lily found something." Happy wondered.

In direct response, both Exceeds were startled by Lily's screams as he flew down the hallway toward them. "Lily!?" Carla exclaimed in surprise.

"Did you find Hades' heart?" Happy asked.

"No, but I found the dog!" Lily exclaimed as he flew past them.

"Dog?" Carla asked as they both turned in the direction Lily flew from and looked in shock at the sight of a massive black furred demon dog with blood red eyes and a red aura around it, growling with drool dripping down it's fangs. It gave a roar that sounded like a demonic bark or howl.

"DEMON GUARD DOG!" Happy screamed as he, Carla, and Lily flew down the hallway with the demonic black hound right at their heels.

"I was never much of a dog person!" Carla exclaimed, quite terrified herself.

"I think I found something more terrifying than lightning!" Lily exclaimed as well as the three Exceeds continued to flee from their pursuer.

Basecamp

Bickslow grunted as he appeared to be locked in a stalemate against Yomazu and Kawazu. "Not too shabby, you guys really know how to put up a good fight, don't ya?"

Both dark wizards laughed. "Mess with Grimoire Heart and you'll find yourself in a world of pain!" Kawazu said in-between clucks.

"It's time to finish you off! Prepare to die!" However, before Yomazu could unleash his attack, a series of magic cards were thrown in his direction, forcing him and Kawazu to dodge. "Who did that?!"

They and Bickslow looked in surprise to see Cana standing on her feet, her damaged right arm bandaged up while holding a series of cards in her left hand. "I've had enough of you assholes. You've disrupted the trial… hurt my friends… and now you're attacking the injured?" She cast them a death-glare. "If anyone's gonna find themselves in a world of pain, it'll be you two!"

Before she could attack however, Freed walked past her. "Hurry to Lisanna's side." He told Cana.

"Hold on, what about the enchantment?" She asked as Freed stood alongside Bickslow.

"I've already enabled it's minimum level of defense. Right now, getting rid of these scoundrels should be our number one priority." Freed declared as he held his sword. "Are you ready?" He asked his partner and friend.

"You know it." Bickslow smirked.

Airship

Dante and Laxus continued their grueling match against the master of Grimoire Heart. While still wielding Beowulf, Dante not only danced around the repeated blasts of Hades' dark magic, he was able to get in close and land a slug across Hades face, before flipping to land a kick on his jaw to send him crashing toward the ceiling, but Hades was able to stabilize himself as he sent a total of twenty magic chains, forcing Dante to skip backwards, using his Beowulf grieves to dance around the chains, while also punching any that got too close with his gauntlets.

"Lightning Dragon Roar!" Laxus unleashed a breath attack which appeared to have scored a direct hit on Hades from behind. However, the dark guildmaster flipped through the air and landed on his feet relatively easily before shooting out another magic chain, but his target was neither Laxus nor Dante. Rather, it was the massive globe that hung near the back of the room.

With a tug of the chains, Hades pulled the massive globe toward his two enemies. Laxus was able to swiftly dodge it, but Dante punched the globe into splinters with his Beowulf gauntlet. Laxus then tried to get the jump on Hades, only for the enemy to push him back telekinetically right into Dante. With both of them down together, Hades waved his fingers to draw an Amaterasu formula around both of them.

"The hell…?!" This was the first time Dante has seen that kind of attack. Laxus however recognized it as he pushed Dante out of the way just in time as Hades detonated it on Laxus alone, encompassing him in explosion of dark magic, the force sending the downed Natsu, Erza, Gray, Lucy, and Wendy skidding across the ground and toward the back of the chamber.

"Those hit by the Amaterasu formula lose all strength in the limbs become immobilized." Hades stated. "Simply blocking it consumes so much magic power it can be fatal…" He suddenly felt a powerful force slug him in the abs as Dante suddenly appeared to punch his right gauntlet into Hades abs, causing Hades to hack out a great deal of blood.

"Guess it's a good thing I wasn't caught in it, eh?" Dante scowled at the enemy. But it wasn't just Dante on the attack, a large lightning bolt zoomed out from the dust and behind Hades to land a kick on his back and send the evil man rolling across the ground. "Nice kick. You got some moves. Thanks for pushing me out of that by the way."

"You're not bad yourself." Laxus granted.

Dante cast a glance at the comrade that stood alongside him. 'So, this is the infamous Laxus. He's got some serious power at his side, no wonder he was an S-Class before, even gave Erza some trouble. I hate to say it, but I think his lightning might be even stronger than Trish's.'

Nearly everyone looked up to the pair in amazement, most of them were surprised at how easily Dante and Laxus seem to be working together, despite only just now meeting, they seem to be giving Hades a bit of trouble even. However, Erza noticed something in regards to her Devil Hunter comrade specifically.

'Since this whole fight started, Dante hasn't been using much of his own power.' Erza thought. 'In fact, he's only had to use it once with that Quicksilver to save Wendy. He's been relying mostly on his Devil Arms during this fight, but why? Did he spend too much of his own power during our fight with Azuma?' She noticed a look in Dante's eyes and that told her everything. 'No… he's trying to save as much of his own natural power as he can, letting it build up while relying on his Devil Arms' own independent powers. Once he's built it up enough, he'll attack.'

Hades however was quick to stand up as his injuries healed easily enough. "Hmm, not bad for an improvised tag-team. Unfortunately for you two, I possess more power in my finger than you two have combined."

"I'm hearing a lot of talking old man, why don't you put your money where your mouth is?" Laxus glared.

"A better idea, how about our fists where his mouth is!" Dante stated as he and Laxus both charged at Hades, Dante's right Beowulf gauntlet alongside Laxus' lightning charged fist to clash together against a powerful surge of Hades' dark magic.

Basecamp

"Demon Sword: Phantom Moon!" Modeus sent a series of crescent-moon-shaped projectiles in Job's direction, but he seemed ready for it.

"Holy Devil Rage!" Job unleashed a massive and chaotic light-based attack from his mouth to not only obliterate most of Modeus' attack but even hit Modeus to send him crashing across the ground, his body covered in minor burns from Job's breath attack.

"This magic… it burns…!" Modeus grunted. "I've never felt anything like it…"

"Steel Devil Void Blade!" Lady's right arm transformed into a blade, which appeared to merge with the blade that was formerly attached to her destroyed rocket launcher as she rushed on Job's left, while Trish did the same on Job's right with the Devil Sword Sparda charged with her lightning powers.

"Holy Devil Blessed Shield!" Job created to light-shields on his right and left sides to block both Trish and Lady's attacks before his shields exploded to produce multiple small light beams which were enough to knock Lady and Trish back as they fell and rolled across the ground.

"Damn it… this bastard's fighting style is completely different from before…!" Lady grunted as she wiped some blood that trickled down her mouth.

"I don't think he even has a fighting style anymore!" Trish stated. "He's completely lost it!"

Almost in confirmation to that statement; Job gave a maniacal laugh as he prepared another attack. "Holy Devil Starburst!" Job shot a multitude of light-beams in all directions in a chaotic fashion; which Trish, Modeus, and Lady could barely dodge on their own.

Lisanna didn't appear to be faring any better against Kain as she was on her hands and knees and appeared out of breath, having lost her Dragon Soul transformation. 'No use… I can't beat this guy on my own… I've used my Dragon Soul too many times during this whole mess…'

"You look like you're in a sorry state, huh?" Kain said as he loomed over her. "Well that's what you get for trying to seduce a pure heart like mine."

"I already told you… I've got my eyes set on someone else and it's not you…!" Lisanna said in a more confused tone than anything else.

"Now then, I think it's about time for me to finish you off." Kain cracked his knuckles. "I promise I'll make it quick, so you don't have to suffer…!" Suddenly he was blasted in the back by a powerful flame attack. Lisanna looked in surprise to see who her savior was.

"Cana!"

"Hot! Hot!" Kain tried to brush the fire out of his hair. "Why'd you burn my bristles, lady!?"

"To teach you a lesson, tubby!" Cana exclaimed. "You need to drop that cocky attitude!"

"NOBODY CALLS ME TUBBY!" Kain yelled as he tried to rush Cana, but she was ready for him.

"Card Magic! Summon Lightning!" She threw a series of cards at her overweight enemy to electrocute him.

"Change Mr. Cursey! Diamond!" With the use of his second doll, Kain had transformed into his diamond form yet again. "Nice try lady, but not only is diamond the hardest mineral around, it also doesn't conduct electricity!"

"No, but it's a shit-ton heavy!" Cana threw a series of magic cards at the ground underneath Kain, which caused the entire ground to collapse and take the diamond-Kain down with him. However, Kain was quick to jump out of the pit as his body now appeared to be made out of cotton.

"Wow, good thinking." Kain complemented. "You know, I don't really have a type, so I'm an equal-opportunity lover. How'd you like to cuddle with me, cause I'm super soft in my cotton form…!" He was suddenly drenched in a geyser of water. "That's cold!"

"You need a cold shower!" Cana exclaimed as she threw a water-card down.

"No! When cotton absorbs water, it gets heavy!" Kain exclaimed in dread as he fell to the ground.

Lisanna looked in awe. 'Cana's amazing! It's no wonder Master choose her as a candidate for this year's trial! She can change her cards so quickly! Maybe she can teach me a thing or two with my transformations."

Despite being in the middle of a battle however, Kain was suddenly caught up in his own fantasy land. "It's been quite a while since I had two beautiful women fight over me, like this. It's kinda like high school all over again. I'm flattered ladies."

Cana looked in comic disbelief. "So, are you just trying to distract us or are you just that clueless?!"

Suddenly a large brick of iron, which was shaped into the word 'iron' comically fell on Kain's face. "Is this guy bothering you?" Levy stepped up as she stood alongside Cana and Lisanna.

"He was." Cana smirked.

"Let's all take him out together!" Lisanna was more than ready to fight as well.

Kain Hikaru got back up and took a sumo-stance. "Wait a sec, let me get this straight. If I heard right, you lovely ladies all wanna go out on a date with me?!" He suddenly imagined all three of the girls in bathing suits and all over him and that really made him blush. "A confession of love from three beauties at once?! This isn't anything like high school at all! I'm the man!" In a stark-turn around however, he addressed the three women in a straight-forward tone. "Now listen up! I'm not a flirt, okay?! I'm an old-fashioned gentleman! I hate to say this, but I can only go steady with one of you! So will the lady who really wants to date me, please step forward!"

Lisanna, Cana, and Levy had sweatdrops on their faces. "Don't look at me." They all said at the same time.

Kain gave a despaired yell as he tried to crush all three of them, forcing them to scatter. "WHY ARE WOMEN EVERYWHERE SO CRUEL?!" He yelled as he cried comic tears.

"Solid Script! Hole!" Levy drew a hole underneath Kain, causing him to trip as he fell in.

"Explosive Flame!" Cana pelted Kain with another fire attack before he even had the chance to transform.

"Penguin!" Deciding to opt for one of her less-powerful transformations, having exhausted too much of her own magic power, Lisanna transformed into a massive penguin on top of Kain with the intent on crushing him.

Suddenly Levy and Cana looked in shock. "Oh no!"

"Lisanna! Look under you!" Cana told her.

The white-haired girl turned back to normal as she looked in shock to find that it wasn't Kain under her, but her older brother who looked flatter than a pancake. "Elfman?! Where did you come from!?"

Kain suddenly re-appeared over them, this time his body having turned into mist. "Did you like that? I call it self-reinforcement overlap! A taboo technique using Mr. Cursey the third!" He showed them yet another Mr. Cursey doll, this one having the number 3 on its forehead with both his and Elfman's hair on it. "By attaching both mine and the big lug's bristle, I can switch places with him whenever I want!" He tried to 'swim' in the air toward them in his mist form. "You're screwed now that I'm in my mist form! It'll be even more frustrating if you can't hit a solid object! All your attacks will pass right through me!"

However, Kain suddenly hit an invisible wall made from Freed's ruins as he turned back to normal and fell flat on the ground, caught in the middle of one of Freed's traps. "What the…?! You tricked me!"

"Where'd that come from?" Cana asked in an impressed tone towards Levy.

"Well Freed had a feeling something like this might happen, so he went ahead and set similar traps across basecamp before we were attacked." Levy explained. "This kind of trap keeps enemy wizards from using their magic."

"Freed really knows how to think ahead, doesn't he?" Lisanna said, sounding more than a little impressed as she helped Elfman back on his feet.

"No fair! Let me out!" Kain complained.

"We can overlap techniques to, ya know?" Levy said as she and Cana got ready.

"Let's do it!" Cana said as she and Levy threw both their magics toward their friend. "Head's up Lisanna!"

"Ready!" Lisanna was already in the air, her arms transformed into large wings as a series of flaming cards flew into her right wing and the word 'storm' in Solid Script flew into her left wing. Taking a similar approach to when she and Wendy helped Natsu defeat Zancrow, and even a bit from Dante with Agni and Rudra, she combined both fire and wind attacks together. "Triple Unison Explosion!" She sent a powerful combined attack of flame and wind that scored a direct hit on Kain Hikaru and sent him flying.

"NO! I GOT BEAT BY A GIRL AGAIN!? WHERE'S THE FUN IN THAT!?" Kain screamed as he was literally sent blasting off to parts unknown.

This got the attention of Kawazu and Yomazu as well. "Something tells me, he lost." Kawazu observed.

"Yeah, good news for us." Yomazu actually smirked.

"Our chances at a promotion got sky-rocketed." Kawazu said in a cluck.

Bickslow and Freed both glared at their enemies. "Those losers are happy their buddy got beat down?" Bickslow questioned in disgust.

"That's how it works in dark guilds." Freed voiced his contempt.

Job had witnessed Kain's defeat as well. "That fat idiot." His attention was brought back to the battle as he brought a light-sword up to block Modeus' own blade.

"You should stay focused on your current opponents!" Modeus advised as Trish and Lady tried to attack him from behind. Job however teleported away right as their attacks collided with Modeus' sword, much to the trio's confusion.

Job then re-appeared directly behind Yomazu and Kawazu. "Job. Looks like you've been having trouble to, huh?" Yomazu observed.

"Shut it, goat man." The crazed Devil Slayer replied.

Modeus, Trish, and Lady, as well as Lisanna, Levy, Cana, and even Elfman all ran up to regroup with Freed and Bickslow as the faced their enemies.

"Looks like it's just these three guys left." Levy observed.

"Just be careful against that wannabe priest." Lady advised. "He almost put Dante down."

"Not to mention he even gave Natsu and I some trouble." Lisanna advised.

"We might not be Dante, but there's no way he can take us all on!" Cana stated as she drew more of her cards.

"That's right. If we all work together, I'm sure we can stop them." Modeus said as all nine of the Fairy Tail members stood at the ready.

"Look at all these pesky flies just wanting to get swatted!" Kawazu sneered.

"I think it's time to finally pluck their wings." Yomazu also said.

"You idiots really think you can take them?" Job questioned his two underlings. "Hardly, as you are now, you're not even worth considering joining the Eight Kin of Purgatory." Both of them turned to Job in surprise as a mysterious and maniacal smirk formed on his face. "But I can change that…"

Job extend both his hands and shot beams of light into both their backs, much to the shock of all the members of Fairy Tail present.

"Did he just shoot his own guys in the back?!" Elfman questioned.

"What a nutjob!" Bickslow exclaimed.

"Wait… something's wrong." Freed noticed how neither Yomazu nor Kawazu had fallen flat dead. Both of them held their heads down so nobody could see their faces. An ominous yellow aura began to form around them.

"I'm sensing demonic power…" Trish saw. "It feels just like his…"

Modeus' eyes widened in shock. "He just infused those two with his own magic!" That took everyone by surprise as the crazed Job smirked.

"Yep." Job confirmed. "You wanna know what's so good about Slayer Magic? This applies to Dragon and Devil Slayers, maybe even God Slayers. The Dragons passed their magical abilities onto humans, which gave birth to the Dragon Slayers. Likewise, Dragon Slayers can pass their power onto others if they choose to. Same applies to Devil Slayers, we can pass on our power to others if we want. But, unlike Dragon Slayers…. My kind specializes in demonic power… and those who don't have the mental discipline to focus and control said that power… are ultimately ravaged and consumed… becoming little more than demons themselves!"

Both Yomazu and Kawazu underwent a simultaneous transformation as the demonic power from Job's Devil Slayer magic worked through their bodies. Kawazu's right side began to transform as all feathers on that side turned pitch black, his right claw and talon extending and glowing with light magic as both his eyes glowed yellow, pupils vanishing. Yomazu underwent a similar transformation where the fur on his left side turned black, and a single black, curved, ram-like horn formed on the right side of his head, a katana made out of yellow light appeared in his right hand, with both his pupil-less eyes glowing yellow as well.

They both let loose demonic-like roars as Freed, Lisanna, Modeus, Bickslow, Lady, Cana, Elfman, Trish, and Levy looked in shock, borderline horror. Not just the transformations of their enemies, or at their sudden increase in power, but how so callusy Job had turned his own comrades into demonic monsters.

"So, my little fairies…" The crazed Job chuckled as two spheres of yellow-and-red light magic formed in his hands. "It's time to bath this island in your blood!"

Grimoire Heart Airship

Dante was down on his knees, using Rebellion to support himself as blood trickled down his forehead; Laxus was in a similar position on his knees as well, while Hades still stood tall, any injuries inflicted upon him had already healed and he still had plenty of power to spare.

"Well, would you look at that." Hades mocked them both. "What happened to all that bluster? Don't tell me the two of you are finished already?"

"Laxus!" Natsu called.

"Dante!" Wendy called as well.

"Come on…" Erza urged. "Get up…"

"Pull yourselves together!" Gray called to them.

"Laxus was hit by that spell after all…" Lucy had her mouth covered. "And… even Dante is down…"

"Tell me Dante, what exactly was your plan here?" Hades asked. "You and your friends would keep me distracted while your feline companions would scavenge this ship for my heart?" That earned a glare from Dante and all his friends. "I've known of your attempt from the very beginning."

"Yeah… we knew that, you self-righteous piece of shit…" Dante grunted.

"Hmmp, you knew I was aware of your plan, yet you still charged in full-speed, knowing the horrors that awaited you." Hades observed. "I'll give credit where it's due that you certainly are a confident one, but confidence and bluster can only go so far. But what's even more disappointing is at so easily you seem to fall. Did your constant battles against my forces already tire you out? Or… is it because you're saving all your own demonic power and intend to use it in one last-ditch effort to destroy me?"

Dante's pupils shrunk. 'Crap… he figured it out!'

"I hate to tell you this my boy, but you will not live to carry out that plan." Hades said as he prepared a massive sphere of dark magic in his palm which he aimed directly at the downed Dante. "Your friends will die once I'm through with you. Your feline companions will as well serve as dinner for my guard dog, and I'll slaughter every single one of the friends you hold so dearly on this island! Be sure to give Sparda my regards!"

Hades launched the devastating attack straight at Dante, however he wouldn't be the one to receive it as Laxus quickly came in to shove Dante out of the way so that he could take the blast himself, much to Dante and everyone else's shock. As the blast was about to hit the grandson of Makarov, all time seemed to slow down as certain memories came back to him.

'I realize… I'm not a member of Fairy Tail anymore…' Laxus thought as he recalled his childhood under his grandfather's guidance, such a happy time for him. But as he grew older, a rift formed between him and Makarov, fist with him constantly being in his grandfather's shadow, and then with his father's expulsion. Laxus had stewed in anger most of his teenage life and that anger was what led him to act out the way he did when he almost destroyed Fairy Tail and Magnolia. He really hated himself for that, as it lead to him being expelled from the only real family that he knew. He really did have a good thing going for him, and he threw it all away. He had no one to blame but himself.

'But this old psycho heart my grandpa…' He continued to think as the blast came closer. 'So, I'm allowed to take revenge, right?' He glanced at the shocked Dante as the blast was almost on him. 'You've been saving all your power for some big finale, right? Well… how'd you like a little bit of help with that?' Just before the blast hit him, Laxus had channeled the last of his own magic and sent it straight at Natsu.

The resulting blast had shaken up the entire ship, blasting Erza, Wendy, Lucy, and Gray all the way to the very back of the chamber. Even Dante was blown back, closer towards Natsu. Laxus, who had taken the full brunt of Hades attack, fell down into the massive hole that was made from the explosion.

"This is… my treat…" Laxus uttered as he fell to the ground. "One Dragon Slayer… to another…"

Natsu's body surged with lightning, the same kind of yellow electricity that Laxus normally uses, much to everyone' shock, even Dante's.

"Big brother…?" Wendy muttered in surprise.

'Did… did Laxus just… give his power to Natsu…?' Dante thought in surprise.

"Hey… thanks for the meal…" Natsu uttered as he pulled himself back up on his feet.

Hades raised a curious eyebrow. "First you allow yourself to take an otherwise fatal attack for someone you don't even know, now you give your power to this child?" He scoffed in annoyance. "You truly are Makarov's flesh and blood."

"Yeah… maybe…" Laxus muttered as he weakly lifted his head to glare at Hades with a smirk. "But it ain't my job to kick your ass… you wounded Fairy Tail's master… so it's only right someone with the guild's emblem have that honor…" He cast a glancing smile towards the pair of Dante and Natsu. "Make the guild proud… you two…"

Dante's eyes wavered slightly before a smirk fell on his face. "Count on it." He closed his eyes as he began to channel all the demonic power he had stored up and bring it out to the surface. His body surged with a vibrant red aura as a powerful whirlwind blew around him, making his red jacket flow like a cape. Dante gave a powerful roar as he was engulfed in a bright flash of red light before he finally donned his Devil Trigger.

But Dante wasn't the only one. Hearing that praise from Laxus, as well as receiving this gift from him, was all the boost he needed to get back on his feet. He channeled all the fire power he could muster and mixed it with the lightning that surged around him. Soon, Natsu's body was engulfed with a mixture of both flame and lightning.

Wendy, Gray, Lucy, and Erza looked in amazement as they saw both Dante in his Devil Trigger form stand alongside Natsu with his newfound power as a Lightning-Flame Dragon. The two brothers in arms glared at Hades' who only narrowed his one eye, silently challenging the pair to come and get him.

"What do you say, Natsu? Wanna ride the freight train into hell with me like our dads did?" The Devil Trigger Dante asked with a small smirk on his demonic face.

"Ready when you are bro." The Lightning-Flame Natsu smirked back.

"LET'S GO HADES!" They both said at the same time as they leapt at their enemy with the intent on ending this war once and for all.

Done.

Wow, this may be the longest chapter I've done for this entire fanfic. I honestly never expected it to be this long. Quite a few things have happened; Dante has channeled the last of his power for one last-ditch transformation into his Devil Trigger and Natsu has become a Lightning-Flame Dragon and are ready to put Hades down for good. But will their combined strength be enough?

Let me explain a few things to you in regards to what has happened in this chapter so far…

*Kain Hikaru is defeated for good, but Job has returned, and has allowed himself to be succumbed to the dark influence of his Devil Slayer Magic. This is what happens to a human who tries to possess demonic power (either through Devil Slayer Magic, Take-Over transformations, or any other means). The demonic energies inside feed off negative emotions; anger, fear, greed, aggression, insanity, etc. The only humans that can completely master demonic power are those with a strong and disciplined mind-set, such as Mirajane who is able to control her own demonic power with her Satan Soul transformations. Job was once the same, which why he was such a preacher before, it was a way to better control his power through mental discipline. But now, he has purposely thrown his mental discipline out the window to let himself fall into insanity so he can kill his enemies. Now he has transferred some of his power to Kawazu and Yomazu, but neither of them have the mental discipline to handle demonic power, so they've become little more than rabid monsters now, which actually makes them all the more dangerous for our heroes to face.

*Dante had a plan in mind for when he and his friends would confront Hades. Since he was told his heart was his only weakness, he had the feeling that no matter what he and his friends did to the dark guildmaster, it wouldn't be enough to finish him. But they had to keep him occupied to buy Happy and the other Exceeds time to find the heart and destroy it. Ever since his fight with Azuma, Dante has been saving as much of his own demonic power as he could, relying on his Devil Arms for the most part, as they each have their own source of power that's independent from his (due to being living beings at one time). But now, Dante is ready to unleash all the power he has left and fight alongside Natsu. But again, will it be enough?

*One last thing, I'm sure many of you were expecting Vergil to appear alongside Laxus, well I'm sorry to say that was never part of my plan. I have a plan in mind for Vergil in the future, and I won't go into the details, but he is NOT coming to Tenrou Island. Sorry if that sounds disappointing, but I've already got a plan set for the eldest Son of Sparda. You'll just have to wait and see.

I promise to be back soon as the war between Fairy Tail and Grimoire Heart reaches its climatic finale in the next chapter. But we all know that's not the end of our heroes' troubles. Something else is coming… and we all know who it is… I'll see you soon with the next update. Until then, stay safe and healthy out there.