The forest was an inferno. Flames licked across the blackened earth, the once-green forest reduced to a wall of smoldering ash and burning timber. The air itself trembled with heatwaves, every breath tasting of smoke and molten ash.
At the center of it all, Issei Hyoudou and Natsu Dragneel faced one another, neither moving, neither blinking—two blazing titans locked in a standoff.
Natsu's body burned with an otherworldly glow, dark red flames wreathed around him, each lick of fire carrying the heavy authority of a king. Igneel's presence pulsed inside him. His fists tightening with flames as his scarf whipped wildly in the heated winds.
Opposite him, Issei's aura surged in defiance. Red flames crackled outward from his body, coiling around his limbs, while the emerald light of the Boosted Gear pulsed brighter with every second. His arms and legs shimmered with the green glow of Reinforcement, muscles hardened to steel and bones thrumming with magic. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, but his eyes—sharp, burning—refused to falter.
Both were battered with dark bruises against scorched skin, cuts and burns carved into their bodies, each wound a reminder of the punishment they'd endured. But neither showed an ounce of pain, neither acknowledged the flames consuming the forest around them. All that mattered was the man in front of them.
The silence was broken by a familiar, booming voice.
"BOOST!"
The emerald gem of the Boosted Gear flashed, a surge of power rippling through Issei's body. His aura swelled, fire spiraling higher. 'Five boosts. Hopefully this is enough'
Issei's lips curled into a feral grin as his eyes gave a green glow. "Let's see whose fire burns hotter!"
Natsu's grin widened to match, his eyes alight with Igneel's flame as they turned to the color of amber. "I'm all fired up!"
They charged at the same instant, two blurs streaking across the burning clearing. Their fists ignited, fire wrapped around their arms until each punch looked like a meteor about to tear the world apart.
"RAAAHHH!"
"ORAAAAH!"
Their fists collided. The earth shattered beneath them, a shockwave exploding outward, ripping trees from their roots and scattering embers into the night sky. The ground caved in, molten cracks racing outward from the point of impact.
For a heartbeat, they were locked, muscles straining, fire screeching against fire. Issei dug his heels into the charred ground, sweat rolling down his face, teeth clenched as he forced every ounce of power into his fist.
'Come on! I have Five boosts—I should be overpowering him!'
But then he felt it.
The weight. The overwhelming force pressing down on him like a mountain.
Natsu's flames flared brighter, Igneel's voice roaring through his veins, and with a guttural shout, he pushed harder.
"NGHHHHHH!"
Issei's eyes widened as his fist was forced back, his body staggering under the pressure. "What—?!"
And then he was sent flying.
His shoes scraped trenches in the dirt as he skidded backward, struggling to hold his ground. He planted his feet, bracing himself, but the moment he looked up—
Natsu was already there.
"FIRE DRAGON KING'S CLAW!"
The kick tore through the air, flames spiraling around Natsu's leg. Issei crossed his arms to block, but the impact detonated against him like a cannon, the heat blasting his skin raw. He was hurled backward again, crashing through a burning tree that collapsed in cinders around him.
"Damn it—!" Issei hissed, coughing smoke, forcing himself to stand. But Natsu didn't give him the chance.
The dragon slayer was relentless, a blazing inferno given human form. Fists, kicks, elbows—an endless onslaught of attacks came at him. Every move was sharper, faster, heavier.
Issei raised his guard, parrying with his gauntlet, twisting his torso to evade, countering with hooks and fiery jabs of his own. But no matter how quick his reactions, no matter how much he tried to read the flow, Natsu broke through.
'He's too fast! Too damn fast!'
"FIRE DRAGON KING'S FIST!"
A flaming punch slammed against Issei's guard, the heat blistering his arm.
"FIRE DRAGON KING'S TALON!"
Natsu's heel crashed down, forcing Issei back into a crater of molten dirt.
"FIRE DRAGON KING'S WING ATTACK!"
Flames burst outward from Natsu's spinning strike, scorching everything in a radius. Issei was driven back, teeth gritted, smoke filling his lungs.
He lashed out with his own counter, but Natsu swatted it aside, roaring, "You're wide open!"
And then the blow came.
Natsu's fist, wreathed in Igneel's fire, smashed into Issei's stomach. The impact was devastating, heat tearing through his flesh as if his insides had been set ablaze. His lungs seized, air exploding from his mouth in a choked gasp.
"GUHHHHH!"
The Boosted Gear's gem flickered violently.
"RESET!"
The voice echoed hollowly. The green glow vanished. His accumulated boosts scattered into nothing.
Issei was thrown to the sky, making him land and dropped to his knees, coughing violently, clutching his abdomen as pain radiated through every nerve. His vision swam, the flames around him sputtering.
'Damn it! He hit me so hard I lost everything…!'
Natsu stood above him, his chest heaving, flames roaring wildly around his body. His grin was savage, teeth bared, eyes burning with dragonfire.
"Issei… you'd better not quit now!" He shouted as the fire roared. "Because I'm just getting started!"
Issei forced himself up, his entire body trembling. His jaw clenched, his gauntlet sparking faintly as Ddraig's voice rumbled low in his mind.
(Partner… are you going to let him crush you? Or are you going to rise and show him the strength of the Red Dragon Emperor?)
Issei spat blood, his lips curling into a grin despite the agony. "…Like hell I'm going down that easy."
Their flames surged once more, clashing violently as the night sky trembled under the fury of their battle.
Issei staggered forward, his body trembling, sweat and blood mixing down his chin. Each breath tore at his lungs, every muscle screaming from the punishment he'd endured. The fire tornado around them raged higher, feeding on their clashing auras.
His knees dug into the molten earth, one hand clutching his stomach where Natsu's fist had nearly broken him. His vision blurred, but his mind burned sharper than ever.
'Ddraig…'
(What is it, Partner?) The dragon's voice rumbled from within the gauntlet, calm but weighted with concern.
'Balance Breaker… how long can I hold it?'
There was a pause, the emerald glow of the Boosted Gear pulsing faintly as if Ddraig were measuring his host's condition.
(With the damage you've already sustained… and the state of your stamina… less than thirty seconds. Any longer, and your body will collapse.)
Issei smirked, wiping blood from his lips. "…Thirty seconds, huh? That's plenty."
His hand slammed into the ground for leverage. With a guttural roar that echoed across the battlefield, he shouted:
"BALANCE BREAKER!"
The world erupted in red light.
It poured from the Boosted Gear's jewel, engulfing him, burning away his battered form and replacing it with raw, unrelenting power. Red scales materialized, one by one, locking into place with the sound of clashing steel. Energy pulsed through the armor, wings unfurling behind him in a blaze of living fire.
"Boosted Gear Scale Mail!"
The sheer brilliance of the transformation blinded Natsu for a moment. He flinched back, his scarf whipping in the storm of power as the ground cratered beneath Issei's feet.
And before he could react—
WHAM!
An armored fist smashed into his face.
The impact thundered like a cannon, sending Natsu flying across the scorched battlefield. He skidded through burning soil, dragging his feet against the molten dirt to slow himself. Sparks flew as he carved trenches into the ground before finally grinding to a halt.
Smoke curled from his cheek, blood trailing down his lip. He spat, then wiped his mouth, his eyes narrowing as he looked up.
Standing before him, wreathed in fire and power, was Issei, clad head to toe in red draconic armor. The armor radiated off the Boosted Gear, each beat radiating a wave of oppressive heat.
"Damn…" Natsu muttered, his grin twitching wider despite the sting in his jaw. "That looks awesome."
Issei flexed his gauntleted fists, the green and red energy thrumming up his arms. "Sorry, Natsu. But I'm not going to lose!"
And then it began.
"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!"
The voice of the Ddraig rang out, each chime a hammer to the senses. Power surged higher and higher, the Scale Mail amplifying him with every echo. The air warped under the weight of his aura.
Natsu's grin didn't falter. His blood roared, his instincts screaming that this was what he'd been waiting for. "Heh… if you think I'm just gonna let you outshine me, you're dead wrong!"
He planted his feet, fists clenching. The flames around him blazed, Igneel's fire bursting outward in a storm of reddish-orange. He inhaled deeply, his lungs drinking in the inferno around them, pulling every ember into himself until the flames coiled around his body like a living cloak.
The ground shattered under his feet, black cracks racing outward as his aura flared. "Let's go, Issei!"
In the blink of an eye, they moved.
The distance between them vanished, both roaring with fury and exhilaration as they collided mid-field.
Fist met fist, armored knuckles sparking against scaled skin. Neither blocked, neither dodged—they had no time for defense. Only offense. Only the thrill of breaking the other down.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Their fists slammed into one another's faces, ribs, jaws, shoulders. Flames burst outward with every strike, shockwaves exploding through the meadow. The ground quaked as if it couldn't withstand the clash of two dragons.
Issei's armored punch rocked Natsu's cheek, but Natsu's blazing fist crashed into Issei's ribs a heartbeat later. Each strike was a trade, a promise. 'If I fall, you're coming down with me.'
Their roars split the night, drowning out even the firestorm.
"RAAAAHHHH!"
"HUAAAHHHH!"
From a distance, the two looked like suns, each blow detonating with light and heat that seared the sky. Neither relented, neither gave ground.
Inside the armor, Issei's body screamed from the strain. His lungs burned, his muscles tearing with every motion. 'Less than twenty seconds… I have to end this before I break apart!'
Across from him, Natsu's flames scorched his skin raw, but his grin was wilder than ever. Igneel's voice echoed in his mind, pushing him further. (Do not falter, my son! Burn until nothing remains!)
And so they did.
Two dragons-in-the-making, tearing the world apart in their desperate bid to prove who was stronger.
The battlefield was becoming unrecognizable—trees reduced to skeletal ash, the meadow torn apart by trenches of molten earth. Firestorms raged in every direction, the air so hot it shimmered and warped like glass.
At the center of it, Issei and Natsu clashed again and again, until their fists collided with a deafening BOOM. The impact shook the ground and ripped a shockwave through the burning forest, tearing the soil apart as their bodies were hurled backward.
Both struck the ground hard, carving trenches as their bodies skidded and tumbled across the ruined battlefield. Dirt and embers scattered into the air, the earth itself screaming under their weight.
Issei groaned, coughing blood as he forced himself onto his knees. His armor smoked, scales cracked and fading, every nerve in his body was burning with pain.
Across from him, Natsu staggered to his feet, his body scorched, skin blistered, his flames sputtering violently. His legs trembled as though they might give out, but his eyes still burned with stubborn defiance.
Both men could barely stand. Both knew they were at their limit. Yet neither even thought of stopping.
Their gazes locked—two dragons, unwilling to yield.
One last attack.
Issei straightened, blood dripping from his lip, his body trembling. Inside his mind, his voice rang out.
'Ddraig… keep Boosting. Don't stop.'
(Partner…) Ddraig's deep growl vibrated through him, heavy with warning. (Your time is running out. The Scale Mail can't sustain itself. At best, you have seconds.)
"Doesn't matter," Issei hissed aloud, his fists tightening. "At the very last second… transfer it all into my fist."
Ddraig was silent for a moment, then rumbled approvingly. (Hmph. Very well. But tread carefully—your body is not indestructible.)
Issei smirked, fire reflecting in his eyes. "…Who cares. I'm not about to lose now."
"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!"
The gem in his gauntlet pulsed again, emerald light flaring as his aura surged higher.
Meanwhile, inside Natsu's mind, another voice rumbled.
(I warned you, Natsu. Your body cannot hold any more of my power. Push further, and you'll break yourself apart.)
Natsu's chest heaved as he bellowed back, "I don't care! I'm not losing, old man! Not to him!"
For a heartbeat, silence stretched. Then Igneel's chuckle rumbled deep within his son. (Very well. If you refuse to back down… then I will give you one last gift. A spell that embodies the Fire Dragon King himself.)
Natsu's eyes widened, his flames swirling violently. "Heh. Just what I needed."
The two warriors stood ready.
Issei's armor cracked and shattered, the red plates of Scale Mail dissolving into sparks of crimson light. But before they vanished completely, a thunderous voice echoed—
"TRANSFER!"
The last of the Boosted Gear's power surged into his left arm. Fire exploded outward, engulfing the gauntlet in an inferno so intense the air screamed. Issei grit his teeth, struggling to control it using his ki and magic to control the power. The flames writhed, untamed, threatening to consume him.
'Not yet… not like this. I'll shape it… give it form.'
Slowly, the fire coiled and spiraled around his arm, condensing, molding itself into the serpentine form of an oriental dragon. Its blazing jaws stretched wide, its body winding along Issei's arm like a living embodiment of his will.
Across from him, Natsu braced himself, inhaling deeply. Flames devoured his arms, swirling around his fists as he drew them back. His aura blazed wildly, crimson-orange fire erupting outward in surges that melted the very ground beneath his feet.
With a roar, he swung both arms in a wide circular arc, his flames expanding outward into a massive vortex of destruction.
"FIRE DRAGON KING'S SECRET TECHNIQUE: CRIMSON LOTUS—EXPLODING FLAME BLADE!"
The torrent of dragonfire tore across the battlefield, a storm of annihilation racing straight for Issei.
Issei roared back, thrusting his blazing arm forward, the dragon of fire coiling into motion.
"FLAMING DRAGON FIST!"
His punch shot forward, the fiery dragon roaring as it launched, jaws snapping as it dove into the heart of Natsu's attack.
The two forces collided.
For an instant, there was silence. The flames pressed against one another, straining, writhing, neither giving ground. The night sky lit as though the sun had risen.
Then came the explosion.
BOOOOOOOOOM!
The impact split the air, tearing apart the battlefield in a wave of molten destruction. Fire erupted in every direction, a tornado of flames spiraling high into the heavens. Trees vaporized in an instant, the ground itself scoured clean as if the world had been remade in fire.
The inferno twisted upward, a blazing column that could be seen for miles. Magnolia's night sky turned blood-red, townsfolk screaming as the horizon became a living storm.
Inside the vortex, Issei and Natsu screamed with exertion, their bodies pushed beyond their limits. Their firestorm raged, each refusing to yield, until the entire forest roared as though the earth itself was burning alive.
—--------------------------------------
The night forest blazed like a furnace, trees bending and collapsing under the sheer weight of fire. Each step closer to the battlefield was like walking into the heart of a volcano.
Fairy Tail raced through the woods, their faces slick with sweat, the heat singeing their skin. The glow ahead was blinding—an inferno tearing the heavens apart.
"Master!" Levy shouted over the roar of the flames, her voice cracking. "If we go any further, we'll—"
But before he could finish, the fire surged.
A wall of flame erupted from the burning meadow, screaming toward them like a living beast, devouring everything in its path.
"Shit—!"
"GRAY!" Erza barked sharply, her armor gleaming in the firelight.
"I know!" Gray shouted back, his eyes wide with alarm but his hands already moving. He slammed his palms into the earth. "ICE MAKE: ICE WALL!"
Thick walls of crystalline ice burst forth from the ground, forming barrier after barrier between the guild and the raging inferno. Steam hissed violently as the flames crashed against the frozen walls, cracks spiderwebbing instantly.
But it wasn't enough.
The fire roared hotter, pressing against the ice with overwhelming heat. The front wall melted in seconds, the water vapor rising in choking clouds of steam. Gray cursed under his breath, sweat pouring down his brow as he raised his hands again.
"ICE MAKE: ICE WALL! ICE MAKE: RAMPART!"
More ice surged upward, layer after layer, but each one began to melt as soon as it was born. He grit his teeth, his entire body shaking as he funneled more magic into keeping the barrier alive.
Soon Levy and Cana joined as they created water to help Gray but even then the water quickly evaporated.
"Damn it… this isn't normal fire," Gray muttered, his voice tight. "Even with everything I've got—it's barely holding!"
Behind him, the guild members huddled close, shielding their faces from the blistering heat. The sound of wood cracking and the hiss of burning leaves filled the air as the forest shrieked in agony.
Lucy pressed a hand against the ice wall, her eyes brimming with worry. "Natsu…" she whispered, her voice trembling. Then louder, desperate. "NATSU! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!"
Her voice was swallowed by the roar of fire, her words nothing against the storm.
Beside her, Happy's small body shook violently. His wings drooped, his fur slick with sweat from the heat. "N-Natsu…" Tears welled in his eyes as he pressed against Lucy's side. "Please… please be okay! Don't die in there!" His voice cracked as he screamed into the inferno, "NAAAATSUUU!"
The flames gave no answer, only roared higher, as if mocking them.
Mirajane stood further back, her usually gentle smile long gone, her hands clenched tightly at her chest. Her eyes reflected the inferno, her heart heavy. "Issei…" she whispered.
She remembered his awkward grin, his relentless determination, the way he had been so quick to treat her as a friend and family. For him to be in that storm with Natsu—fighting with everything he had—it tore at her chest.
"Why… why do you boys always push yourselves to the edge?" She murmured, voice shaking.
Erza, standing at the front near Gray, watched the inferno with narrowed eyes. Her fists clenched at her sides, armor creaking. "That power… it's beyond what Natsu should be capable of." Her voice was sharp, but beneath it trembled worry she couldn't fully hide. "What the hell happened to him?"
The guild behind her muttered in fear and awe.
"Is this… really Natsu?"
"No way a human could create that much fire…"
"Then what's fighting him in there?"
Makarov's small form stepped forward, his face grim, sweat beading along his brow. He raised his staff, staring into the blazing tornado that clawed at the heavens. "It doesn't matter who or what," he said, his voice carrying with absolute command. "Our children are in there. And we will bring them back."
Lucy's eyes burned as she gripped Happy tighter. "Natsu… Issei… you idiots…"
Gray growled, forcing out another surge of ice as cracks split the barrier. "Whatever they're doing… it's going to burn the whole damn forest down if we don't stop it."
The flames twisted higher, the sound like a dragon roaring from deep within the firestorm. The forest trembled, animals fled, and the very air screamed under the pressure.
And all Fairy Tail could do was hold the line against the fire—until they could reach their reckless comrades.
—---------------------------------
The night sky was split in two. One half glowed red and black, choked by a tornado of fire that clawed at the heavens; the other half was lit by the pale silver moon, watching in silence. Between those two worlds, Kuromaru, the black wyvern, beat its massive wings, carrying its precious cargo through the smoky air.
The women clung tightly to the wyvern's scaled back, their hair whipping violently in the wind, their faces lit by the inferno rising in the distance.
"Hold steady, Kuromaru!" Tamamo shouted, her pink hair and golden tails snapping in the fiery gust. Her fox ears flattened as heat and pressure surged against them.
Kuromaru rumbled, muscles straining as he pushed forward—but then he froze mid-flight, wings flaring wide to hover. A guttural growl reverberated in his throat, golden eyes narrowing. Ahead, the firestorm rose higher, expanding, climbing so far into the night sky that it threatened even their altitude.
"Wh-what the hell…?" Uzume shouted, shielding her face with her veil. "The flames are reaching this high?!"
The wyvern's body shifted back instinctively, the sheer force of the fire pressing against him. The women nearly lost their balance as the heat slammed into them, a wave of suffocating air so hot it felt like it would peel their skin away.
"Hang on!" Yashima cried, her arms wrapping protectively around Misuki, who whimpered under the oppressive blaze.
Sakura clung desperately to Tamamo's kimono, her little voice shrill with fear. "Papa! Papa!" She screamed into the wind, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please be okay!"
Tamamo hugged her close, tails wrapping protectively around her daughter even as her own heart clenched. "He's strong, my little one," She whispered, though her voice wavered. "Your Papa won't fall so easily… But—" Her eyes burned as she stared into the inferno, "—he's gone too far this time."
Karasuba let out a sharp laugh, though it was hollow, lacking her usual thrill. "Tch. That idiot really doesn't know when to stop. Fighting Natsur was one thing, but this…" Her grip tightened on her sword. "He's turning the whole damn world into ash."
Matsu's glasses flickered with glowing data as she projected screens, calculations scrolling rapidly. "Temperature readings… off the charts. Even my sensors can't keep up. This level of output—" she snapped her tablet shut, her hands trembling, "—it's suicidal."
Yuuka's arms crossed tightly, her expression grim as her hair whipped across her face. "Damn idiot. He never thinks about himself, does he? Always pushing until he breaks."
The wyvern roared as another blast of wind slammed into them, forcing them to brace.
"Everyone—hold on!" Tamamo shouted, grabbing the ridge of Kuromaru's neck.
The women dug in, clutching at scales, clothes, or each other as the fiery gale buffeted them.
Then, from the center of the wyvern's back, Akitsu stepped forward, her usually blank eyes glinting faintly in the firelight. She raised her pale hands, cold mist swirling between her fingers.
"…Ice," She whispered. Her breath fogged despite the heat, frost blooming across her skin. She inhaled slowly, then thrust both hands outward. "Ice Make: Barrier!"
A massive wall of crystalline ice surged into existence before them, shimmering in the glow of the firestorm. For a moment, the suffocating heat relented, blocked by Akitsu's creation. The wyvern pressed forward, wings beating harder as the shield cleared a path.
But the relief was short-lived.
The fire roared hotter, crashing against the barrier with deafening force. Steam exploded outward, shards of melting ice raining down. Cracks raced across the frozen wall, glowing red as flames chewed through.
"Akitsu's ice…" Matsu gasped, her voice tight.
Uzume's eyes widened. "It's melting…"
With a final, piercing CRACK, the barrier shattered, fragments dissolving into steam before they hit the ground.
Akitsu's chest heaved, her pale face glistening with sweat. "…Even my ice… it won't hold."
Sakura sobbed into Tamamo's chest, her small fists pounding weakly against her mother's kimono. "Papa's gonna die in there! We have to help him!"
Tamamo's heart twisted, but she forced her voice to be steady as she stroked Sakura's hair. "We will. We're going to him right now. No matter how far we have to go."
Miya, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. Her usually calm smile was gone, her bokken held tightly in one hand. Her voice was quiet, but carried the weight of her authority. "If they continue, there will be nothing left but cinders. We must reach them—before the fire consumes even them."
She then raised the wooden sword and then made a diagonal slash that was actually able to split the flames.
Kuromaru roared again as it saw its chance to push itself forward, fighting through the waves of fire. The women clung tight, eyes locked on the glowing epicenter of the inferno.
Each of them thought the same thing, even if they didn't say it. 'Issei… you idiot. Don't you dare die on us.'
—-----------------------------------------
The flames soon began to die, shrinking back into smoldering embers. The tornado of fire that had clawed at the heavens collapsed in on itself, leaving only smoke that twisted upward into the night sky.
The battlefield lay revealed—a graveyard of ash and ruin. The once-vibrant forest was gone, reduced to charred stumps and blackened earth that glowed faintly from lingering heat. The air stank of smoke, molten soil, and scorched life.
At the center of it all, Natsu laid sprawled on the ground. His scarf was in tatters, his skin marred with bruises and burns so severe that even a Fire Dragon Slayer should never have endured them. For a moment, it was hard to believe he was still breathing—but his chest rose and fell stubbornly, shallow yet steady.
A few feet away, Issei Hyoudou remained on his feet—barely. His legs wobbled with every breath, his clothes gone, his body covered in cuts and burns. His entire frame looked ready to collapse at any moment. But what drew the eye most was his left arm.
It was black.
Charred down to the bone in places, fourth-degree burns crawling up his flesh like a grotesque tapestry. His gauntlet had dissolved after the Transfer, leaving nothing but ruined skin. The stench of cooked flesh hung in the air, and anyone who saw it would have been horrified.
But Issei did not scream. He did not even groan. He couldn't feel it anymore.
"Shit…" He muttered hoarsely, swaying on his feet.
Inside, Sherri's voice crackled, sharper than ever. "Warning—critical damage detected. Nerve endings destroyed. Circulatory system compromised. Allocating emergency reserves for preservation!"
He could feel her working, magic and technology straining through his body, patching blood vessels, stimulating dying cells, weaving artificial scaffolds just to keep his arm attached.
"Can you… save it?" He rasped.
Her voice, normally calm, wavered with strain. "Probability—low. But I refuse to let you lose an arm, Master. Not while I exist."
"…Thanks, Sherri," Issei whispered, the corners of his mouth twitching into a faint smile despite the agony.
But even his stubborn body had reached its end. His legs gave out, and he dropped to the ground with a heavy thud, his chest heaving.
Silence followed as the two young men sprawled in the ruins of their own battle, smoke curling into the night.
And then, within that silence, two voices stirred.
Ddraig and Igneel.
Their words echoed not in the air, but deep in the minds of their chosen heirs.
(Ddraig.)
(Igneel.)
The two dragon voices rumbled together, heavy with age, strength, and respect.
(The Prince… he is reckless, but his spirit is iron and he carries your power well.)
Ddraig chuckled low. (And your boy… stubborn to the point of madness. He fought my partner with everything, and still he wanted more. Truly the son of the Fire Dragon King.)
Igneel's voice rumbled with pride, tinged with warning. (Enjoy this victory while you can. The next time they clash, my son will not lose. When he rises again, it will be as a true Dragon King's heir. And I… I will fight at his side and I expect you to be there as well.)
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Ddraig's tone shifted, softer, resigned. (That will be difficult, Igneel. I am sealed. Bound for centuries. I cannot fight beside my partner in the way you can. I am… trapped.)
There was a sharp growl in response, heavy with disdain. (Nonsense. That is no way for a dragon to speak. Where is your fire, Red Dragon Emperor? Where is your pride?!)
Ddraig stiffened at the rebuke, but Igneel pressed on, his roar shaking the mental plane. (Even in chains, even in shadows, you are still a dragon! Never bow your head, never accept limits. Aim higher. Always higher. With your partner, you can still reach heights no one else can imagine.)
For a heartbeat, Ddraig said nothing.
Then he laughed. Loud, booming, filled with the joy of a challenge. (Hah! You're right, Igneel. I had forgotten myself for a moment. We are dragons. Sealed or not, we never yield. Next time… yes, next time, I will not just watch. I will fight too. Together, with my partner.)
Igneel rumbled approvingly. (That is the spirit. Then let us see which pair climbs higher. My son and I… or you and your partner.)
Their laughter—one deep and booming, the other sharp and fiery—echoed through the fading flames.
And on the battlefield, two battered men lay side by side. One grinning faintly despite the burns searing his body. The other unconscious but alive as a smile was also broadly displayed.
The battlefield still smoldered. Even with the flames gone, waves of heat rippled off the blackened earth, turning the ground into a hellscape of ash and molten cracks. Smoke hung heavy in the air, choking every breath, while the scent of burned wood and scorched flesh lingered like a grim reminder of what had just unfolded.
Through the haze, two groups converged.
On the ground, Fairy Tail broke through the treeline, shielding their faces from the oppressive heat. Above, Kuromaru descended in heavy beats of his wings, his scales glistening with sweat and soot as he carried the Hyoudou household through the smoke.
The moment Tamamo saw the sight of her Darling's battered form she quickly leapt from Kuromaru's back, her tails snapping behind her, and she sprinted across the cracked battlefield. Her sandals burned against the scorched earth, but she didn't slow. Her golden eyes locked on the battered figure of Issei, collapsed near Natsu's side, his arm charred black.
"Darling!"
She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands already glowing with magic. Her heart clenched at the sight—his left arm burned beyond recognition, skin and flesh twisted as though fire itself had tried to consume him whole.
"No, no, no… you reckless fool," She whispered, voice breaking, her ears pressed flat against her head. "You pushed too far again."
Inside Issei's body, Sherri's voice crackled, sharp and urgent. "Foreign healing detected. Initiating cooperative protocol. Combining regenerative matrices. Warning—stamina at critical levels."
Tamamo didn't answer. Her magic sank into Issei's flesh, golden and soothing, weaving together with Sherri's artificial repairs. Slowly—painfully—the blackened char began to recede. His arm remained scarred, but no longer at risk of being lost.
His chest rose and fell more evenly now.
"Good… good," Tamamo whispered, brushing sweat from her brow. Relief flooded her chest, loosening the knot of terror that had gripped her since she'd first seen the fire tornado rise to the heavens.
Once his arm was stabilized, Tamamo turned her attention to Natsu. The boy's scarf was singed, his chest marred with burns that should have been impossible for a Fire Dragon Slayer. Her magic wrapped around him as well, soothing the savage damage Issei's flames had left behind.
Behind her, the others finally caught up.
The women of the Hyoudou household dismounted from Kuromaru, their shoes hissing against the molten earth. They stopped short, instinctively keeping their distance. The air was so hot it burned their lungs to breathe.
"My god…" Matsu whispered, pushing up her glasses, her voice uncharacteristically shaken. "The entire forest… erased. Even the ground's unstable from the heat."
Uzume crossed her arms tight, trying to keep her composure, though sweat streaked her face. "I've never seen devastation like this. Not even when Karasuba goes all out."
Karasuba smirked faintly, though even she couldn't hide the awe in her eyes. "Hmph. He really did it. Fought Natsu to the bitter end. Damn idiot almost killed himself."
Yuuka's lips pressed thin, her gaze never leaving Issei's still body. "He always does this. Pushing himself until he's broken. When will he learn…?"
Meanwhile, Sakura squirmed in Miya's arms, her little fists pounding against her chest. Tears streamed down her face, her voice raw. "Mama Miya, let me go! I want to see Papa! I want Papa!"
Miya held her tighter, her usual calm smile replaced with firm gentleness. "No, little one. The ground will burn you if you touch it. Your Papa is safe now. Tamamo is with him."
"But—!" Sakura sobbed harder, clinging desperately to Miya's kimono. "He needs me…"
"Shh…" Miya whispered, stroking her hair. "And you need him. He'll come back to you, Sakura. Just wait a little longer."
On the other side, Fairy Tail gathered around, their faces drawn in awe and fear.
Lucy knelt close to Natsu's body, not caring of the heat, her eyes wide, tears threatening to spill. "Natsu…" she whispered. She had seen him fight countless times, but never—never—had she seen him burned. Her hands shook as she clutched her keys. "What happened to you?"
Happy hovered beside her, his tiny body trembling, eyes shimmering with worry. "I've never… I've never seen him like this before," he choked out. "Natsu's never… never looked this broken!"
Gray cursed under his breath, sweat pouring down his brow. "Damn it, flame-brain. You really tried to burn yourself alive this time, didn't you?" His fists clenched. "Idiot…"
Even Erza, always unshakable, looked pale. Her armor was dulled by the heat, her lips pressed tight. "This level of devastation… even Natsu alone could not have achieved this."
Mirajane's hands were clasped tight at her chest, her eyes locked on Tamamo's frantic healing. "Issei… you sweet, stubborn boy. You fought until your body broke. Just like Natsu…"
Finally, Makarov stepped forward, his small frame casting a long shadow against the glow of dying fire. His gaze swept over the battlefield—the ruined land, the two battered boys, the women and friends weeping for them. He sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping with age and sorrow.
"What on earth pushed them to fight like this?" He murmured aloud, voice heavy with both anger and understanding. "What could drive children to tear the world apart just to prove themselves?"
His staff planted in the ground with a sharp thunk, grounding the guild behind him.
At last, Tamamo pulled back, wiping the sweat from her brow, her flames dimming. Her face was pale with exhaustion, but her voice carried relief.
"They'll live," She said firmly, looking between Issei and Natsu. "No more life-threatening injuries. But they won't last long out here. The ground is still burning their bodies just by lying on it. We have to move them."
Makarov nodded solemnly. "Fair enough. We'll take Natsu to the guild. It's the only place we can tend to him properly."
Miya answered without hesitation. "And we will take Issei home."
Both groups exchanged a long look, the smoke and fire between them carrying unspoken questions, unspoken accusations.
But none of that mattered right now.
Two reckless fools lay broken on the battlefield. And all that mattered was getting them home.
—--------------------------------
Three days later
Hyoudou Lakeside Mansion
Curtains billowed faintly in the morning breeze, carrying with it the scent of the lake beyond the mansion. Sunlight filtered through, warm and golden, falling across the massive bed where Issei stirred at last.
A low groan slipped from his throat as his eyes cracked open. For a moment, he didn't move, simply basking in the softness beneath him. The mattress was plush, the sheets smooth, the warmth enveloping. 'This… feels way too nice.'
But then he noticed it. Or rather what he didn't feel. His left arm. It felt numb, weightless—wrong.
His heart lurched. Memories surged, The clash, flames, his final Transfer, the explosion that burned the battlefield to nothing.
His eyes shot wide as he turned, pulling his right arm up with his hand. For a moment, panic clawed at his chest. 'Don't tell me… I lost it?!'
But then he saw it.
The limb was still there, wrapped from shoulder to wrist in thick, clean bandages. He flexed his fingers. They moved—stiffly, sluggishly, with sharp stabs of pain—but they moved.
"Ahhh… thank god…" He sagged back against the pillows, relief flooding through him. 'Still hurts like hell, but at least I still have it.'
Breathing easier, he finally took in his surroundings. The room was enormous, easily dwarfing his own room. The polished floor gleamed, and the scent of lavender hung faintly in the air. The walls were adorned with soft curtains and decorations he half-remembered buying—or being dragged into buying—by the girls.
And then it clicked.
"…Wait. This is… my room. Our room."
He blinked around at the sheer size of the bed beneath him. His cheeks colored faintly. 'Oh right. They insisted on this ridiculous thing. Said I'd need the space…'
He swung his legs over the edge, wincing as his body nearly buckled. The floor felt solid, but his knees trembled. 'Still not a hundred percent. Figures. After something like that…'
Closing his eyes, he reached inward. "Oi, Ddraig. Sherri. You guys awake?"
Two voices answered, almost at the same time.
(Partner.)
"Master."
A weight lifted from his chest at the sound of them. "You're both here… thank god. Thought maybe I'd fried even you two."
Ddraig's voice rumbled with quiet amusement. (It takes more than a few fires to snuff me out. You're alive.)
Sherri's tone was gentler, almost relieved. "We were… deeply worried, Master. Your vitals were catastrophic after the battle. Had Miss Tamamo not intervened when she did, I would not have been able to stabilize your arm."
Issei looked down at the bandages, guilt flickering across his face. "…Figures she was the one who saved my sorry hide. Again."
"Indeed. After you collapsed, the others rushed in. They were frantic, though Miss Tamamo remained composed enough to heal you on the spot. You were carried here. You have not moved for three days."
"…Three days," Issei muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. His chest tightened. "And Natsu? He—he's okay, right? Tell me I didn't…"
(You didn't kill him,) Ddraig said firmly. (You nearly broke each other, but the Fire Dragon King's brat is as resilient as you'd expect. His body was torn apart, but he's alive. And like you, already recovering.)
Sherri added softly, "Miss Tamamo healed him as well. His friends took him to the guild."
The tension drained from Issei's shoulders. He let out a shaky laugh and flopped back onto the bed. "Haaaah… thank god. The last thing I wanted was to kill him. He's a pain in the ass, but… he's my kind of pain in the ass."
For a moment, silence lingered. Until Sherri's tone shifted—clinical, but with an edge that made his skin crawl.
"Master."
"Uh… yeah?"
"The Misses were not pleased. Not in the slightest."
Issei froze. "…Huh?"
"They were… most upset to find you broken and bloodied on the battlefield. And they have been awaiting your awakening with great anticipation."
Even Ddraig gave a low chuckle. (Prepare yourself, Partner. You've faced Dragons and Kings. But nothing… nothing will compare to the wrath of your angry wives.)
Issei's face paled. He sat up straighter despite his body's protests. "O-oh crap. They're gonna kill me, aren't they? I can't—my body can't handle another fight!"
Sherri's voice was flat. "I suggest humility. Apologize profusely. Perhaps they will spare you."
Issei gulped, sweat dripping down his temple. "Oh man… I'm doomed. Totally doomed. Please, let them go easy on me…"
The creak of the great double doors broke the quiet.
Issei turned his head just as the heavy oak swung open, sunlight spilling into the room. Standing there were Sakura, her little hands gripping the doorframe, and Miya. For a heartbeat, all three froze.
Sakura's purple eyes went wide, shimmering with sudden tears. Miya's breath hitched softly, her lips parting as her gaze locked on the figure before them, Issei, standing at the center of the room.
"Yo," Issei said weakly, raising his right hand in a half-wave. His voice was casual, but his stomach twisted with nerves. He braced himself. 'Please don't be too mad… please don't kill me.'
It was Sakura who broke first.
"Papa!"
Her tiny feet pounded against the floor as she sprinted across the room, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her small body collided with his legs, her arms wrapping tight around him with all the force her little frame could muster. She buried her face against his chest, her voice muffled but desperate.
"Papa… Papa! You're awake! You're really awake!"
Issei's heart clenched. Ignoring the sharp sting in his left arm, he knelt, pulling her close, pressing his chin atop her soft hair. His arms wrapped around her trembling body, holding her as gently as he could.
"Hey, hey… it's okay," He whispered, his voice cracking. "Papa's fine. I'm right here. You don't have to cry anymore, Sakura."
Her sobs only grew louder at that, her tiny fists clenching in his shirt. "I thought… I thought you weren't gonna come back…!"
Issei squeezed her closer, guilt twisting in his chest. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to make you worry. I'm not going anywhere, okay? I promise."
For a moment, the world was just the two of them, father and daughter clinging together, her tears soaking his shirt, his warmth soothing her fears.
But then another presence drew closer.
Miya. Her reddish brown eyes shimmered with tears, relief flooding her expression. For a fleeting second, her composure cracked, her lips trembling as she whispered, "Issei…"
But then the memory of the battlefield—his charred arm, his broken body, the sight of Sakura screaming for him—flashed in her mind.
Her gaze hardened. The tears in her eyes turned sharp, her aura shifting.
The Aura of Death swelled around her, filling the room like a suffocating shadow. The air grew cold despite the sunlight, the weight of her presence pressing down on Issei like an executioner's blade.
Issei froze. 'Oh no. Here it comes.'
Step by step, Miya closed the distance, her sandals clacking softly against the polished floor. Her calm smile returned, but this time it was dangerous, sharp at the edges.
She reached him, leaned forward… and without a word, pinched his ear between her fingers and gave a merciless pull.
"GAAAAH! OW OW OW!" Issei cried, his whole body jolting. "M-Miya, wait! Be gentle, please! I'm still healing—!"
Her smile didn't falter, though the shadow around her deepened. "Oh? Now you care about your health?" She said sweetly, tugging harder. "Tell me, Ashikabi of mine, what do you have to say for yourself? Do you have any idea how much worry you've caused?"
Issei's eyes watered as he tried to bow his head, but she tugged his ear higher, forcing him to stand straighter. "I-I'm sorry! I really am! I didn't mean to—gah!—make you all worry!"
Her tone sharpened, her grip unrelenting. "You fought until your body was in pieces. You nearly lost your arm. You collapsed before your daughter's eyes. Do you know what it was like, holding her while she screamed for you?"
Issei winced, guilt stabbing him deeper than any wound. "I… I know. I screwed up. I just—I didn't want to lose."
"Idiot," She hissed, her grip refusing to ease.
His mind scrambled. 'If I don't do something now, she's gonna rip my ear clean off!'
Still holding Sakura with his right arm, Issei made a split-second decision. He shifted his weight, ignoring the pain in his left arm, and slipped it carefully around Miya's waist. Before she could react, he pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers.
Miya's eyes widened. For a moment, her aura faltered, the shadows flickering. Her grip on his ear loosened instinctively as her breath caught.
The kiss deepened, his desperation pouring into it. Miya's composure cracked completely, her heart racing as she melted into him despite herself.
She hated how easily he could do this. How he could turn her wrath into weakness with a single reckless gesture. But she didn't pull away.
When at last they parted for breath, her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy. Her grip gone, her hand now rested against his chest.
"You… idiot," She whispered, voice trembling between scolding and affection. "You can't just—do that—every time you get in trouble."
Issei smiled faintly, holding her close with his injured arm while his right cradled Sakura against him. "I'm sorry, Miya. But… I'm glad you're here. Both of you."
Miya exhaled, her body softening as she pressed against his side, her arms slipping around him.
The room, for a moment, felt peaceful. Sakura clung to his chest, Miya pressed warmly against his side, and Issei thought maybe—just maybe—he could breathe.
Then the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hall.
'Oh no.'
Tamamo, Yuuka, Misuki, Uzume, Karasuba, Akitsu, Matsu, and Yashima all rushed in, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of panic and urgency as they all heard his voice.
"Issei!"
"Darling!"
"Ashikabi-sama!"
"Husband!"
Their voices hit him like arrows, sharp with worry but soft with affection. Their eyes widened all at once when they saw him—Issei standing in the middle of the room, alive.
For a moment, there was stunned silence. Relief washed over their faces, mingling with tears, anger, and joy. Then all at once, the dam burst.
"DARLING!" Tamamo's golden eyes gleamed as her tails flared, and before he could say a word she was already leaping across the room, arms wrapping around his neck. Her warmth pressed against him, and the scent of incense clung to his clothes as she buried her face into him. "You scared me half to death, you fool! Never—ever—do that again!"
"Issei!" Yuuka followed, her steps sharp, but her voice cracked with emotion. She grabbed his sleeve, shaking him, her eyes wet with unshed tears. "Do you have any idea how worried you made me?! What if you had died out there?"
Misuki pressed in close, her hands trembling as they cupped his face. "You're really awake…" Her voice broke, and she sniffled. "I-I thought we lost you."
"Issei!" Uzume practically tackled him from the other side, arms wrapping tight around his waist. She squeezed with all her strength, grinning through her tears. "Don't you ever make me cry like that again, you hear me?"
"Oi. Idiot." Karasuba's voice cut through the flood, sharp as her blade. She crossed her arms, smirking, but her eyes betrayed her. "You're not allowed to die unless it's by my sword. Got it?" Still, despite her words, she stepped close and pulled him into a one-armed hug, her hand gripping his shoulder tighter than steel.
Akitsu, ever calm, knelt beside him, her pale hands ghosting carefully over his bandaged arm. "Ashikabi-sama… so reckless," She murmured, her voice quiet, but the faintest tremor cracked her usual composure. "Don't… do this again."
Matsu shoved her glasses up, her hands trembling as she pressed herself against his back, hugging him from behind. "Idiot, idiot, idiot… You—you reckless fool!" Her words were harsh, but her tears dampened his shirt.
And finally Yashima, her steps hesitant, moved to his side. She clutched his hand between both of hers, bowing her head. "Ashikabi-sama… thank you for returning to us. We… we couldn't bear it if you didn't."
Issei's world became a blur of warmth and pain. Arms tangled around him from every side, his body squeezed and pressed, his bruises screaming in protest. He winced, groaning.
"G-Guh! O-Okay! Easy, easy! Ow, ow, ow! Girls, I'm still recovering here—!"
But they didn't listen. Their grips only tightened. Each word of anger was laced with relief, each scolding softened by trembling affection.
To anyone else, it might have felt like punishment. But to Issei…
He laughed. A breathless, pained, but genuine laugh.
Because surrounded by their voices, their tears, their warmth—he realized again just how much they cared. How much they loved him. How much he belonged to them, and they to him.
And no matter how much it hurt, no matter how much they squeezed and scolded, he thought only one thing. 'I really wouldn't have it any other way.'