After the END

Chapter 10: Checkmate

After a week of traveling they finally make it to the Malum guild. At this point Natsu can no longer walk, each step feeling like his bones would shatter. So Erza and Gray (who completely volunteered) have to carry him on a gurney. Not only can he not walk but he has a fever of 110 degrees fahrenheit, which may be a lot more concerning if his normal temperature wasn't 100 degrees, but still damn concerning. He is barely even conscious anymore since all he can do is sleep. Lucy looks back towards Gray and Erza with concern for about the 250th time in the past hour.

Before they left on this mission E.N.D relaid his plan to everyone. "Despite Zeref dying, I know that he has loyal enough followers that will not stop following him even after death. One of those groups of people is a dark guild called the Malum guild. They know absolutely everything about Zeref, and one of the few groups of people who know why E.N.D. was created. If we go to them I am sure they will know a way to make us better, no matter what it may be."

No one trusted him, but they knew that Natsu was in fact dying, and they were desperate.

"And Natsu knows the plan? He knows what he is getting himself into?" Lucy asked.

"You know you guys are really dumb. Of course he knows he can hear everything I say, even think! Which let me tell you is annoying as hell. And if he didn't like the plan he could take control of the body and tell you no, but seeing as I am still in control" E.N.D. slowly lifts up his hand, "I'd say we are in the clear." He finished with a smirk on his face.

No one said anything, even though Natsu agreed to the plan the rest of them didn't like it. But as stated previously, they were desperate.

So here they are now, on the door step of the Malum Guild. Before they left they all decided not to tell anyone of their trip, thinking if it didn't work they would come back and pretend nothing happened, but now they are angry with themselves realizing how stupid that was. If this doesn't work, they don't think that the person being carried in the gurney will be able make it back to Fairy Tail.

If worse comes to worse they do have a communication lacrama, but it took them a whole week to get here so who knows if anybody would be able to get to them in time. To say the least they were stressed, and for once in their lives happy to see a dark guild.

It surprises everyone when they see that the dark guild's location is in a pretty populated city and is in a decent looking building, but they didn't dwindle on that fact for too long as Happy quickly knocks on their front door.

As soon as the door opens they are met with three muscular men glaring at the "kids" in front of them.

"Now why on earth are the Fairies here? If you are here to pick a fight I am afraid that you are out matched." The man on the left says.

"We are here because of this." Lucy says reaching into her bag that is hanging off of her shoulder and holds up the E.N.D. book. Even after everything that happened Makarov was still in possession of the book, everyone basically completely forgetting it existed. They had Happy sneak in and take it hoping he wouldn't notice the missing book.

Lucy shoves the book back into her bag as the three men's eyes seem to shoot out of their heads realizing what is in front of them.

"This is E.N.D." Lucy says gesturing to Natsu. "He is in this state because Zeref died and can no longer keep him alive. Is there anything you can do for him?" Lucy keeps a monotone voice the whole time, but the desperation is clear in her eyes.

Without saying anything they quickly allow the five of them in to reveal an additional 30 people in the building.

"Master!" One of the men in front of them screams.