"Tyregenium" 

In his time the dragon had been the true king.

"Tyregenium" 

He had been cruel, merciless, and heartless King, the cause behind the Dragon King Festival.

"Tyregenium"

He had been the only thing to haunt Acnologia... and now he stood before him.

The man was middle-aged with a hard face. His hair was jet black and cut short. He leaned on a rock smiling at Acnologia. He passed as a human except for his eyes. They were cruel and empty, belonging to something less human.

"You aren't... you can't be," Acnologia said shaking his head. Mard Geer slowly began to creep away. If the Dragon King was afraid, then there was something very bad about this human.

"Oh but I am, I'm also very disappointed in you. You lived your first life so much better," The man laughed.

"How... how do you know?" Acnologia asked trying to control his breathing, he tried to convince himself this was a nightmare, that somehow he was dreaming.

"You locked me in a nearly inescapable prison; you think I sat around allowing myself to die? I recreated the bonds of time; I became a time traveler, learning not only of this reality but of another."

"How did you escape, the prison restricted of you of using any magic."

"I have my ways, and trust me if I wasn't in such a good mood I would attack you here and now... but I will break my rules... just this once, and I will play with my prey. You, my apprentice, will return to your glory... I guarantee it," The man said softly hiding a tone of malice.

"You have no control over me, this is a simple figment of you, you've somehow used your mind to take over this citizen's body," Acnologia growled.

"Good, very good... it's true my body is still... caged, but I will escape, the time is drawing near."

"You'll never escape, no one can get in or out, you're stuck there for an eternity," Acnologia growled hiding his fear.

"Well this eternity is coming to an end," at this Tyregenium smiled manically.

"What have you done?"

"I'm sure you know now, why the dragons disappeared."

Suddenly Anna's letter, her reason to worry, it all became so clear. Why else would she keep it a secret... there was only one dragon that would have the power, the mindset, and the reason to take or kill every dragon in earthland.

"You," Acnologia breathed.

"Good, yes... but don't worry I didn't kill them, I've merely taken them and I've used some very, very dark spells to strip them of their sanity, individualism, and... independence?"

"What have you done with them?" Acnologia snarled.

"I'm sure you're very concerned about your... siblings? That's what you call them?"

Acnologia seemed to be radiating anger. "Tell me or I swear I will-"

"What? I'm locked in an ever-changing vortex that drains me of magic, you can't touch me!"

Acnologia growled, low and dangerously. Mard Geer looked upon the spectacle with absolute fascination.

"Oh, yes, I forgot this one was here, I need him," Tyregenium said to himself.

He snapped his fingers and Mard Geer froze. Tyregenium winced in his human form as if the spell had harmed him.

"What are you doing?"

"I need this demon to contact Zeref, allow me to get a good connection so to speak," Tyregenium said walking up to Mard Geer and looking him over.

"Why?"

"So I can... ah hold on," Tyregenium said touching Mard Geer's forehead, he withdrew and Mard Geer reverted to his book form. Tyregenium knelt down and touched the book. Black magic poured out and entered Tyregenium's body. He stumbled back holding his hand. "Sometimes I forget how weak humans are, I must be careful, I may just break this puppet," he muttered to himself.

"He's a person, and he doesn't deserve a monster like you inside him," Acnologia growled.

"And what if this human was murder, a monster?"

"He'd still be more righteous than you."

"Yes, but when have I ever allowed righteousness to intervene with my plans?"

"Which are?"

"Ah yes, well, I need to make a connection with Zeref, ah yes, there it is," Tyregenium laughed holding up his wrist to study a black Magility link. "A pity you didn't allow me to teach you how to master all the types of magic."

"What is the purpose of that," Acnologia growled.

"Well, its simple isn't it. I've had a whole lot of time to myself so I decided that instead of murdering you where you stood, I would tear you apart, strip you of your beloved humanity until you were the monster that I wished you to be."

"I will never be like you," Acnologia growled.

"Liar... you were, in your other life, but let's not talk about that right now," Tyregenium scoffed.

"This is a new side of you," Acnologia scoffed. Tyregenium was more unstable now, he wasn't the confident arrogant dragon he had known, he seemed crazed, mad, and sly... things that scared Acnologia down to his bones.

"I'm a changed dragon, instead of domination, I want extermination..."

"And how will you accomplish that?"

"You."

"Ha, no."

"Oh yes, just be exactly how you were in your last life, don't worry I'll take care of the dragon slayers."

Acnologia lunged forward and grabbed Tyregenium by the throat. "If you come near them, I don't care where you are, I'll rip you apart."

"Careful, this Magility link, it's special," Tyregenium laughed pointing to his wrist.

"How so?' Acnologia hissed still holding him.

"This strong Magility link allows both parties to feel completely normal. Zeref doesn't know anything is happening."

"Then what is the point of it?"

"Because if I die, well if this human puppet dies while the spell is cast, it's guaranteed to kill Zeref even with his 'curse'... guaranteed Acnologia."

"And why would I care, Zeref's been a pain in my neck for years?"

"Three letters for you," Tyregenium smiled looking over to the book Mard Geer had been holding.

"Natsu," Acnologia breathe quickly releasing Tyregenium.

"Correct, if you kill me, Zeref dies and so does E.N.D-"

"What are you playing?"

"If, let's say for some reason you don't kill me... I'll... open five portals allowing five special dragons to come through."

"What are you doing!?" Acnologia shivered.

Tyregenium lifted his hands, "I'll make you a monster again. We'll begin by making you make a choice." Five huge magic circles spread out around them. Through each emerged five cages each with a familiar dragon inside.

"No" Acnologia breathed.

Each dragon seemed crazed; they rammed themselves against the cage their eyes glowing white, yet still, they were familiar; his siblings.

"These dragons are trained for one thing," Tyregenium laughed, Acnologia looked to him, "the destruction of their children."

"What have you-" Acnologia cried.

Tyregenium dropped his hands and the cages were dropped, the dragons sped away towards where Tartaros was.

"Now do you see my game?" Tyregenium laughed dropping to his knees. The magic was taken its toll on his weak human form.

Sting and Rogue had beaten down Jiemma and were messing around when they both smelled something.

"Skiadrum?" Rogue asked.

"Weisslogia?" Sting wondered.

Then both dragons slammed into their children. The children were amazed, yet mortified.

"What's wrong with you!?" Rogue cried avoiding Skiadrum's claws.

"Dad, dad are you alright!?" Sting cried running away, Weisslogia pursued him, "Dad it's me!"

Erik, Wendy, Laxus, and Gajeel were all together laughing about random things when Wendy spotted something.

"Look... look... LOOK IT'S GRANDEENEY!" Wendy cried happily.

They all stood up in amazement as the grand dragon rushed towards them

"But how?" Gajeel wondered.

The dragon got closer, she opened her mouth and-

"Wendy... she's gonna-"

A vortex of wind slammed into the four.

"CHARLE TAKE WENDY!" Erik cried.

Charle grabbed Wendy who was horrified.

"What is wrong with that dragon!?" Gajeel yelled over the roaring wind.

"I don't know," Laxus answered.

Charle flew off with Wendy, Grandeeney pursued.

"We have to help her," Laxus cried.

There was a large crash and the three boys turned and saw a huge metal dragon snarling at them, stalking them like a predator.

"Metalicana," Gajeel breathed.

"Laxus, you're the only one who can reach Wendy, help her, she's almost out of magic power," Erik ordered watching Metalicana carefully.

"Don't you two die on me!" Laxus said turning into a lightning bolt and racing after the big white dragon.

"Why is he doing this?" Gajeel breathed as Metalicana stalked closer.

"He's not the Metalicana you knew," Erik answered coldly, "So don't hesitate."

Igneel landed in front of Natsu who was crying in happiness.

"Dad?" Natsu choked.

Igneel roared and lunged for Natsu.

"NASTU!" A voice called. Natsu was pushed away.

Natsu looked up and saw that Serena ad grabbed him and pushed him out of the way.

"Are you trying to kill yourself!?" Serena cried.

"It's Igneel, he's back," Natsu smiled.

"HE'S TRYING TO KILL YOU!"

"Why?"

"Well, I don't know!"

Igneel roared and lunged for the two. Serena raised his hands.

"No, don't hurt him!" Natsu cried

"Chill kid," Serena scowled. A flash of light emerged from his hands and hit Igneel in his eyes. The red dragon roared in anger and stumbled around blindly. "Come on," Serena urged pulling Natsu away.

"Now do you understand?" Tyregenium laughed as Acnologia listened to it all in horror.

"What do you want!?" Acnologia cried desperately.

"For you to make a choice, the dragons are now in this world so their mental spell can be broken... by killing the vessel that carries the spell," Tyregenium laughed.

"Your human puppet."

"And if you do that," Tyregenium taunted pointing to his wrist, "Goodbye little summer. You know that's what Natsu means right? Summer?"

Acnologia was trying to control his breathing and anger.

"Or, you can save all your children... if you unleash the monster inside of you."

Acnologia looked at the man in horror.

"Either kill your siblings to save your children or kill little Summer and an innocent puppet and save your siblings along with... most of your children."

"You're a monster," Acnologia growled.

"Yes, and you will be too," Tyregenium laughed.

Acnologia listened to the conflict a few miles away.

"Weisslogia, please stop," Sting cried tears falling down his cheeks as he approached the white dragon, "It's me, Sting."

Weisslogia lashed out his tail and sent Sting flying.

"STING!" Rogue cried. Skiadrum lunged forward, Rogue avoided it, but his leg was caught between Skiadrum's teeth. Skiadrum snapped his head back and sent Rogue toppling now with a wounded leg.

"GRANDEENEY!!!" Wendy cried looking back at the dragon that pursued her.

"Faster," Charle willed of herself, her wings trembled but she wouldn't let exhaustion take her, "faster."

Laxus had zapped his way onto Grandeeney and brought a lightning bolt down on her. It didn't even stun her, she barrel-rolled and threw Laxus off; he turned on his lightning body and continued the pursuit.

Erik drove his fist into the back of Metalicana, something in his hand broke and Metalicana was just barely dented. He hissed in pain and held his hand.

"Come on you old rust bucket it's me!" Gajeel yelled slamming his metal fist into Metalicana's face.

"DAD!" Natsu cried to the angered fire dragon behind him.

"Get a hold of yourself Natsu!" Serena cried dragging the other dragon slayer along.

"Tick, tock, tick, tock," Tyregenium taunted.

"Stop it, you're lying, there's another way!" Acnologia roared.

"Have I ever lied?"

Acnologia didn't respond.

"You better make your decision, it's only a matter of time until one of them is killed," Tyregenium shrugged.

"Please... please stop this," Acnologia begged.

"No," Tyregenium laughed.

Sting was pinned down; Weisslogia was slowly applying pressure to his claw which Sting was under.

"W-Weis-Weisslo-Dad, please" Sting pleaded.

"Sting, hold on!" Rogue cried trying to limp towards his brother, Skiadrum knocked him aside.

"Tick, tick, tick," Tyregenium taunted.

Acnologia turned and threw Tyregenium to the ground.

"So the choice is made," Tyregenium laughed his voice cracking in pain.

"I will kill you... I swear," Acnologia choked, "You will pay for this." Then he turned and transformed, he flew to where the others were fighting.

Tyregenium cackled as he sat up, "Such a sweet little boy, we'll break it out of you."

"STING!" Rogue cried.

Sting's vision was blurring, his breaths were short and weak.

"D... Dad," Sting whimpered reaching up for the dragon. Suddenly a black figure knocked into Weisslogia throwing him off Sting. Skiadrum snarled and lunged for the black dragon fosaking his previous prey.

"Sting," Rogue breathed limping to his weakened brother.

"Uncle?" Sting asked weakly as the black dragon fought both dragons.

"Brothers!" Acnologia cried pinning both down, "Come back to me!"

Skiadrum snarled and bit into Acnologia's wrist, Weisslogia wiggled free and lunged for his throat. Acnologia acted on instinct, he brought his claw up and ripped into Weisslogia's neck before he had known what was happening. Weisslogia collapsed on the floor gurgling.

Acnologia backed away shocked by what had just happened. Skiadrum lunged next gripping on to Acnologia's face with his claws. Acnologia turned his snout and bit Skiadrum's forearm, Skiadrum ripped himself free.

"SKIADRUM PLEASE!" Acnologia pleaded.

Skiadrum roared and threw himself at Acnologia who lunged as well and sank his fangs into Skiadrum's throat.

"He... he," Sting choked.

"Skiadrum!" Rogue cried in horror.

Acnologia bit back a cry and lifted himself into the air looked to where Charle was desperately trying to outmaneuver Grandeeney. With a single burst of speed, Acnologia had caught up. He sank his claws into Grandeeney's wings and pulled her down. She roared trying to flap back to where Wendy was.

"She's your daughter Grandeeney, remember her. Grandeeney it's me Acnologia!" Acnologia pleaded again.

Angry that she had lost her prey Grandeeney flipped and began to try and rip into Acnologia's scales... she was unsuccessful. The two dragons grappled midair until Grandeeney used her breath. Acnologia was thrown off her. Grandeeney tried to go after Wendy again but Acnologia pulled her to the ground. There she lunged for his throat, he pulled his claws back ripping her stomach open and killing her.

Acnologia was deathly silent when he first crashed into Metalicana, the metal crunching beneath his claws. The two struggled for a moment until Acnologia pinned him down.

"Metalicana, remember who I am... remember Gajeel, remember us, our family, please," Acnologia begged keeping hold of him.

Metalicana snarled and leaped for Gajeel ignoring the Dragon King atop him. Acnologia shifted his weight and broke his spine, killing him swiftly.

He moved on to his final brother.

"Serena?" Natsu cried as he turned an unconscious Serena over. Igneel had sent the Wizard Saint flying and he had hit his head. Blood poured out of a wound in his head.

Igneel snarled coming closer, he opened his mouth preparing to incinerate the two. Then he was picked up by Acnologia and thrown a few miles away.

"Igneel, you cared for humans like family, you took Natsu under your wing! Please brother, don't make me do this!"

Igneel roared in a challenge, lunged, pushing off the ground and soaring towards Acnologia. He reached him and ripped into his chest. Acnologia roared in pain grappling with the king of the fire dragons. Igneel pushed himself off of Acnologia and soared to where Natsu was

"NO IGNEEL!" Acnologia cried. He flew faster and pushed Igneel into the ground, then he used his breath... and incinerated him.

Acnologia flew higher and looked at the carnage. He roared in agony and flew to the mountains. There he collapsed and shook in unmeasurable pain. 

'We're a monster.'

'We always have been...'

The seven tracked Acnologia down and ran to him, none of them spoke, none of them knew what to do... all they knew was that they needed to find Acnologia. 

He was still standing, he had countless wounds. His chest had large claw scratches, his normally pristine black cloak was in tatters, and he was silent. He looked over the mountain range silently, not seeing anything through his tears.

The dragon slayers were silent; Natsu, Wendy, Gajeel, Sting, and Rogue were all crying, their emotions tumbling within them. Laxus and Erik only looked forward in worry.

"How... how could you..." Sting whispered.

"What, how couldn't he, he saved your lives!" Erik cried.

"HE KILLED HIM!" Sting cried, "HE KILLED WEISSLOGIA!"

"Weisslogia was going to kill you," Laxus argued.

"He murdered them," Rogue choked.

"You can't seriously agree with him?" Erik scoffed.

"Grandeeney... he killed her... Uncle killed Grandeeney," Wendy cried, she collapsed to her knees, "SHOULD I BE HAPPY!" she cried hugging herself.

Erik couldn't respond to that.

"You can't blame him, he didn't want to, he had to save you all," Laxus said painfully.

"He still killed them," Gajeel said.

"HE SAVED YOUR LIVES!" Laxus cried.

"HE KILLED OUR PARENTS!" Sting retorted.

"I'm sorry!" Acnologia choked in agony. Everyone grew silent, Natsu, who had said nothing, looked on. "I'M SORRY!" he cried. His voice turned to a roar.

He then collapsed on his knees, "I'm sorry," he choked, he was holding himself as tears flooded his eyes, "so sorry." He cried, why was life so cruel, why did it have to be like this, after all the pain he caused, he wanted to end it; he wanted to make up for it all. Was this his punishment for his past crimes? He deserved this... but the kids... the kids didn't.

"Brother, don't cry," Igneel's voice rang out in the air. Acnologia looked forward in surprise his eyes widening.

Igneel stood before him, he looked like a ghost, but it was definitely Igneel. His wounds were gone, and his kind face smiled down at Acnologia.

"You saved our children, we must thank you," Skiadrum appeared next to Igneel.

"Brother, stop these tears," Grandeeney's warm smile along with the rest of her appeared next to Skiadrum.

"Yeah, they make you look childish," Metalicana appeared to Igneel's other side.

"It doesn't look good in front of the children," Weisslogia scolded appearing beside Metalicana.

"Brethren..." Acnologia whispered amazed.

"You could just call us family you know," Grandeeney sighed leaning forward to look Acnologia in the eyes.

"I'm so sorry," Acnologia choked.

"For what? Stopping us from committing a crime that we couldn't have lived with?" Weisslogia asked.

"For saving our children?" Skiadrum asked.

"For... killing you," Acnologia choked.

"For making the right choice," Igneel said gratefully.

"Acno, our time comes when it comes, as for me, I'm glad it came before I hurt Wendy," Grandeeney smiled.

"Weisslogia!" Sting cried as he ran towards the ghost.

"Sting, I'm sorry I had to leave you, I'm sorry... for everything," Weisslogia said leaning down to look at Sting, he bowed his head.

"That wasn't you, you didn't mean to hurt me," Sting cried trembling in sadness.

"But we did," Metalicana stated painfully.

"Children, don't blame your uncle, he did what any of us would have done in that situation," Igneel said.

"Dad," Natsu cried stumbling forward, he rushed past Acnologia and planted himself right in front of the large red dragon, "Why did you leave?"

"Natsu, it was not my wish, I was forced to," Igneel said. Then he began to disappear.

"NO, YOU CAN'T LEAVE, NOT AGAIN!" Wendy screamed.

"Children, do not blame your uncle, he did what he had to do, because he loves you," Grandeeney smiled.

"GRANDEENEY!" Wendy cried running forward, Grandeeney nuzzled Wendy's head with her snout.

"I'm so proud of you Wendy, and I love you," she said as she disappeared.

"You're slowly improving that look on your face," Metalicana chuckled looking at Gajeel.

"Don't make those your last words!" Gajeel smiled back.

"I love you son," Metalicana chuckled, and then he disappeared.

"Sting, you've grown to be a fine dragon, fate has much in store for you, I love you, Sting," Weisslogia smiled as he disappeared.

"I love you too," Sting cried in agony.

"Ryos, Rogue, no matter what you go by, you will always be my son, and I will always watch over you," Skiadrum smiled, he to disappeared.

"Safe travels father," Rogue smiled large tears streaming down his face.

"Natsu, these times, I've spent with you have been the greatest times in my life, you've grown so much, and I couldn't be more proud, I love you... my son," Igneel smiled, he too disappeared.

"Bye dad," Natsu whispered. He then collapsed to his knees and began to cry.

"Thank you brother," Acnologia heard Igneel's voice echo I his head, "Prepare for what is to come... and keep them safe."

"I will... I will," Acnologia responded under his breath through his tears, "I'm sorry," he whispered.