User blog comment:FairyVsDark/Theory on Tartarus Arc/@comment-25676290-20141113131205

True...Igneel's appearance here was so sudden, it seems like he'd have to die to make sure he does tell us everything. I do, however, think that Makarov is more likely to die in this arc - from Laxus' selfless sacrifice and subsequent near death experience, I just feel like this is really finally establishing him as a capable guild master. Also, since this is a really gut-wrenchingly painful arc, why not add some heartache for the whole quild? Plus, if Igneel died here, then we'd know more or less for sure that FT was on its last legs.

I'm really happy Jiemma's showed up; I was hoping he'd return sometime - however, I'm also really pissed he has, because now he's just wasting my time - I really want to see what happens with Lumen Histoire and the fight with Jiemma is just stretching things out.

HURRAY FOR GRAY! Really love Gray's development this arc, just hope he doesn't become to OP.

Also a little personal head-canon: I'm really hoping that Mashima is going to use Jellal as some kind of explanation for Erza's ridiculous win, since Meredy has her Sensory Link ability (even if he doesn't I really couldn't care less about that anymore, I will still love Erza). Kinda like how he helped when she fought against Azuma.

I'm guessing Crime Sorciere will show up fairly soon - seeing as all the other dragon slayers are already gathered in one place, we'll soon need Cobra to show up...hopefully Yukino would have followed Sting and Rogue and we'll get a heartwarming reunion between her and Angel (at least one nice thing to look forward to in this arc, I hope). My guess it that they're either trying to rally other guilds (unlikely since they're all strictly speaking ex-(magical terrorists) or just taking their sweet time getting there.

Honestly, it really is inevitable that Natsu will end up being E.N.D. I don't think anyone can convince me otherwise at this point. Just today I remembered how in Edolas he referred to himself as 'The Great Demon Lord Dragneel' (foreshadowing much?). Also, if, as you seem to believe, Igneel died at the end of this battle, then I see Natsu falling into a depression of sorts that would make it easier for him to become E.N.D. (that, or whatever Igneel did to prevent him from becoming E.N.D. would finally fail, 'unleashing' his 'dark side'. It sounds cheesy, but it's possible).

The only problem is, where does that leave Gajeel? One of the 'proofs' for the 'Natsu is E.N.D.' theory is that time when he couldn't get past Freed's runes, along with Makarov and Gajeel. So if Natsu is so old because he is a demon from the Books of Zeref, then what about Gajeel? Is Wendy in on this as well? Sting? Rogue?

On a final note, I really hope that what's been going on in the current anime filler arc won't have any effect in the manga - if Celestial Spirit Mages are able to craft keys, SPECIFICALLY keys for the 12 Gates of the Zodiac (like Hisui has recently claimed to be able to do), then all that heartache with Aquarius has just been for nothing...and as much as I love Aquarius and feel sorry for Lucy, I really don't want it to be that easy (plus I love that she has Aquarius' powers, even if it may be temporary). I just makes the whole 'summoning the Celestial Spirit King' thing less important if she does this, then straight after the battle, makes another set of keys.

Apologies if this is really long; I sorta threw up all my thoughts onto the page. I didn't even know I'd thought about it this much...