Tenrou Island arc

The Tenrou Island arc also known as the S-Class Trial arc is the eleventh story arc of the Fairy Tail series.

Celebrating A Former Member's Return
The guild holds a party to celebrate Lisanna's return. This celebration, however, quickly turns into a brawl when Gajeel wanted the Exceeds to fight one other and accidentally started the fight between members instead.

At the newly established Magic Council, the new members complain about Fairy Tail's problems. Despite Org's arguing in their favor, the new head of the council, Guran Doma, announces that they will force Fairy Tail to disband if they cause trouble once more.

Elsewhere, in some woods, a mysterious young man is attacked by wolves. Despite him pleading for them to leave him be, his power is activated and it kills them all. He mutters that he wishes to meet Natsu soon.

Power and Luck
The guild grows excited for the announcement of the annual S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial. Makarov states the venue: Tenrou Island, Fairy Tail's Holy Ground, and the eight participants: Natsu Dragneel, Gray Fullbuster, Juvia Lockser, Elfman Strauss, Cana Alberona, Freed Justine, Levy McGarden, and Mest Gryder. Makarov continues to explain that only one of those eight will be an S-Class Mage, and that each participant needs to have a partner that isn't an S-Class Mage. Soon, Carla sees a vision of Natsu crying, Cana crying, a lifeless hand on the ground, and the face of Zeref. Later, every contestant successfully chooses their partner; Natsu and Happy, Gray and Loke, Juvia and Lisanna, Elfman and Evergreen, Cana and Lucy, Freed and Bickslow, Levy and Gajeel, and Mest and Wendy. One week later, the contestants go to Hargeon Port and board a ship.

All the contestants and their partners make their way to the first stage of the exam on a ship. After the explanation of the rules, the trial commences. The contestants race to get off the boat, with each pair trying to get ahead of the rest to reach the island.

Natsu and Happy choose Path E as Natsu believed that Erza would be there, but encounters Gildarts instead. Lucy and Cana are the last to arrive on the island and head through the Path C to engage in battle with Freed and Bickslow. Meanwhile, Juvia and Lisanna encounter Erza, Elfman and Evergreen meet Mirajane, Gray and Loke square off against Wendy and Mest, and Levy and Gajeel go through the safe route.

Freed and Bickslow decide to lose on purpose since they owe Lucy and Cana. Erza defeats Juvia and Lisanna. Elfman and Evergreen manage to defeat Mirajane by catching her off-guard. Gray and Loke easily defeat Mest and Wendy, but are having trouble remembering Mest's background. Natsu loses to Gildarts in battle, but Gildarts lets him pass when Natsu learns to accept defeat and fear. Meanwhile, Pantherlily and Carla are flying towards Tenrou Island because of their suspicions on Mest.

Grave Searching
At the gathering place of the passing contestants, Makarov announces the beginning of the second exam with the task of finding the grave of Mavis Vermilion, the first Master, within a time limit of six hours.

Mest and Wendy decide to explore the island after failing the test while Gildarts, Bickslow and Freed return to the guild and Erza, Juvia, Lisanna and Mirajane rest at the camp. However, Erza begins to worry about Wendy and searches for her along with Juvia.

After escaping the claws of a beast while grave-searching, Elfman and Evergreen notice someone coming their way, Zeref. He tells them to stay back as he loses control of his power, releasing an aura that destroys the life around him. Natsu, in a nick of time, saves the two. Zeref starts crying with happiness upon seeing Natsu, but Natsu, not recognizing him, demands to know who he is and punches him in the face, though the Mage is left unfazed by this. Suddenly, he feels that yet another wave is about to be unleashed, and the Mage warns them to run. As the wave is unleashed, Natsu meets it head on. He is still alive, though for some reason, his scarf has turned black.

Mest, who noticed the wave of energy, is both happy and excited due to the fact that Zeref is on the island. On an airship, Ultear reports to Hades, saying that they located Zeref. Six of the Grimoire Heart Guild's Seven Kin of Purgatory gather and prepare to attack Tenrou Island.

Demon's Arrival
Lucy figures out where the grave is using the vague hints left by the Master and she and Cana head to the site immediately.

Meanwhile, two members of Grimoire Heart ambush Levy. Just as she is about to be killed, Gajeel saves her. The members reveal themselves to be Kawazu and Yomazu and the battle of the two pairs begins. Levy and Gajeel are easily overpowered by the Dark Mages, so Gajeel tells Levy to run and warn the others. Before she leaves, she helps Gajeel replenish his energy. With pure determination and pride, Gajeel battles the two Dark Mages despite his severe injuries in order to defend his guild.

Just as Gajeel defeats Kamazu and Yomazu, Levy brings back reinforcements, Juvia and Erza. Knowing the seriousness of the battle, Erza declares that the exam is now on hold, and launches a signal flare to let everyone know about the enemy attack.

The Seven Kin Of Purgatory
The red flare is seen by the contestants around the island. Cana tries to pay it no mind, but Gray and Loke interrupt, as they were secretly following the two, saying that they need to focus on the enemy attack instead of the exams.

Carla and Pantherlily find Wendy and Mest and tell her to stay away from him. When confronted about his identity, Mest counters that he was a disciple of Mystogan like he said before. Pantherlily knows it is a lie and confronts him about it. Mest, however, teleports in front of Wendy, and grabs her away from an impending blast. The perpetrator morph out of a tree and introduces himself as Azuma, a member of the Seven Kin. Mest reveals that he's a member of the Magic Council and was searching some dirt to disband Fairy Tail, but with both the Grimoire Heart and Zeref, he imagines how high his promotion will be if he succeed in finishing the job himself. But, in case of emergency, he had a battleship ready in case something happened. The battleship, however, is destroyed in an instant by Azuma.

This prompts Pantherlily to begin a battle against Azuma. Mest and Wendy also join in to attempt to take him down. However, Azuma proves to be too strong for them and easily takes each Mage out without a taking a scratch.

On the Grimoire Heart Guild's Ship, the members notice a gigantic Makarov waiting for them and he attacks. Hades orders Carprico to take all the Grimoire Heart members to the island while he deals with Makarov himself. Makarov threatens to cast his Fairy Law, but to his surprise, Hades counters with Grimoire Law. With shock, Makarov recognizes Hades as the second master of Fairy Tail, Purehito. Makarov, shocked by Hades' true identity, is caught off-guard and shot down do his original size. Due to his identity, Makarov does not attack him with his full power. However, Hades has other concerns and easily defeats Makarov with a Magic blast punctured through his body.

Somewhere far away, Laxus is walking in the desert. He suddenly gets an uneasy feeling.

Dragon Slayer vs God Slayer: Natsu vs Zancrow
With Makarov lying on the ground defeated and Hades leaving victoriously, all the Fairy Tail members are battling with the lesser members of Grimoire Heart Guild.

Zancrow shows himself to Natsu and declares to the lesser members that he'll take care of him. He uses black flames that Natsu couldn't eat, much to his surprise. Elsewhere, Caprico presents himself as the opponent of Lucy, Gray, Loke, and Cana. Both Loke and Lucy are surprised to see him, but for different reasons. Meredy encounters Erza and Juvia, and has changed her objective to defeating them. Rustyrose confronts Evergreen and Elfman. Meanwhile, Mirajane and Lisanna meet with Azuma.

Zancrow claims that he is a God Slayer and his flames are above the ones of a Dragon Slayer, which is why Natsu cannot eat his flames yet Zancrow can eat Natsu's. Natsu fights a losing battle against him and is thrown off a cliff where he finds Makarov in a critical condition. Makarov asks that they leave due to their disadvantage, but Natsu refuses outrightly. He battles Zancrow, who followed him, once more with a brand-new determination fueled by anger.

During the battle, Natsu is consumed by Zancrow's inextinguishable flame that threatens Natsu's life. Makarov attempts to crush Zancrow in order to stop him, but Zancrow begins to fry Makarov as well. The lives of the three are all on the line, and it seems that Natsu is the first to go when his Magical presence fades. However, it turns out he emptied his reserves in order to have his body adapt to eating Zancrow's inedible flame. Recharged, Natsu combines the flames of a dragon and a god, defeating Zancrow. After this, he faints, but Wendy and the Exceeds find and heal him.

Struggle of the Fairies
At the camp site, Mirajane and Lisanna are taking heavy damage from Azuma's attacks. Azuma recognizes Mirajane as the feared "Demon" and requests a battle with her, going as far as binding Lisanna up with a tree bomb. In an instant, Mirajane transforms into her Satan Soul, but she knew that she couldn't last long. Mirajane, distracted by her sister being made into a hostage, couldn't concentrate fully on the battle, making her unable to land critical blows. With little time left, Mirajane chooses to shield Lisanna from the blast. The blast engulfs the camp, and as Lisanna cries for her unconscious sister, Azuma leaves.

At a different place in Tenrou Island, Ultear finally finds Zeref and requests for his existence in behalf of Grimoire Heart. The Black Wizard, however, refused as he doesn't want to see anyone else dying, and orders them to leave. With his intimidation, Ultear is left paralyzed. The two engage in battle where Zeref is defeated as he wasn't at full power.

At another battleground, Elfman and Evergreen are battling against Rustyrose and his summoned monster. Despite their best effort to fight back, it was no use and were nearly defeated. Afterwards, Rustyrose revealed the true reason for coming to the island, to acquire Zeref and lead civilization into the Great World of Magic, where non-Magic users are unable to survive. The two Mages protest their ideals and continue to battle. However, despite their teamwork, Rustyrose's Arc of Embodiment overpowers and defeats them with an explosion.

At the woods, Natsu, with his scarf reverted to normal by Wendy, wakes up. While Makarov remains immobile, Natsu catches the scent of the person he met on Galuna Island, Zalty, and decides to head where "he" is.

The Battle of the Spirits: Leo vs. Caprico
At the destroyed battleship of the Magic Council, Mest shows up before Lahar and reveals everything that had happened on the island. Lahar couldn't believe his ears, and fears that the Chairman, Guran Doma, may fire Etherion to rid the world of Fairy Tail, Grimoire Heart, and Zeref. Mest is ordered to contact HQ, but has second thoughts regarding it.

Caprico, who stands triumphantly on the top of ruins after beating up his four opponents without difficulty. Loke tells them to leave and find the other members, while he would take care of the goat. He reveals that Caprico's Magic could weaken human, and as a Celestial Spirit, he is unaffected by this and can battle on par with him, Capricorn, who is also a Spirit. As they leave, Lucy makes Loke promise that he'll come back to her, to which Caprico notices that something is familiar about her.

The two of them clash, but neither of them seemed to have the upper hand. Caprico asks about Lucy, and when he realizes that she is Layla Heartfilia's daughter, he goes berserk and summons San Jiao Shin to eliminate Lucy. However, Loke easily defeats him and the knights he summoned afterwards. Caprico reveals that he broke a taboo which left him with a goat body. Loke realizes that Caprico has a human possessing him and that human cast a spell that would let him fuse with Loke instead. Trying to stop the fusion, Loke punched Caprico with Regulus, but is too late in the end.

Now fused with Loke's body, the possessor now prepares to finish Lucy off in order to become human once again. However, Caprico suddenly strikes back with his newly-transferred Regulus, and the possessor, Zoldeo, is forced out of Loke's body. Zoldeo expresses his delight at regaining his original body, but fades away shortly after, as he is now a spirit without a body. Afterwards, Caprico explains everything about his past with Layla and Zoldeo, and decides to fulfill his promise with Layla by becoming Lucy's Celestial Spirit. Lucy, who notices her key were glowing, announces that Loke has defeated Capricorn to Gray and Cana and that Capricorn has joined them.

The Grave's Location and The Tag Team Battle
Walking down the path, Cana suggests that they split up and find the members of Seven Kin of Purgatory so that they could find and eliminate the enemy faster. The trio agrees and Gray separates from Cana and Lucy.

In another battleground, Meredy summons an abundant amount of magic blades to attack Erza and Juvia. While Erza effortlessly dodged the attack, Juvia, even with the water body, is damaged by the Magic blades. Meanwhile, Natsu finds Zeref and later, Ultear who he battles.

Cana starts to ask about the grave of Mavis Vermilion, and Lucy reveals where the grave is most likely to be at. But just as she was about to finish, Cana puts Lucy to sleep, apologizes and leaves. Suddenly, Kain Hikaru shows up in front of Lucy and attempts to stomp on her. Lucy, however, wakes up in a nick of time to dodge the attack. The two begin to battle, though its beginning is comical due to Kain's foolishness of letting Lucy hold Mr. Cursey, the source of his Ushi no Koku Mairi Magic. However, upon getting back his Magic doll, the battle begins to get intense and serious, with Kain gaining the upper hand as he easily defeats Lucy's spirits.

Lucy is sent flying in the clearing where Natsu and Ultear battle, where Natsu's kick coincidentally ends up on Kain's face, saving Lucy from him. Natsu, Lucy and Happy reform their team in order to take down the opponents. However, Ultear leaves with Zeref while Kain continues to battle them. He manages to gain control of Lucy's movements when he plucked a strand of her hair and uses her to pummel Natsu with attacks. However, thanks to Happy's flying abilities and Natsu's creative thinking, they are able to take Kain's doll and take control of Lucy so that she becomes a fireball of Magic Energy, defeating Kain upon contact.

The Strength of Emotions: Juvia vs Meredy
The team decides to go back to Wendy's location and regroup with the other Mages before looking for Grimoire Heart's base. Meanwhile, Cana reaches the grave and notices it shining.

Meanwhile, Gray hears the rustle of leaves and finds a woman resembling Ur carrying Zeref, Ultear, leading him to silently follow. At the Grimoire Heart Airship, Hades is eating, while an unknown figure known as Bluenote was asking when he could join the battle. Hades orders him to stay, but Bluenote says that if one more of the Seven Kin of Purgatory falls, he would join the battle.

At the remains of the Magic Council battleship, Lahar and Doranbolt were discussing Bluenote. Just as Lahar is about to contact the Headquarters, Doranbolt takes the Communication Lacrima and teleports to Wendy's location. He offers to evacuate all the Fairy Tail Mages. Everyone present, however, refuses. Natsu states that he would take care of anyone that dared to oppose the guild.

Erza and Juvia experience troubles in their battle against Meredy. With Juvia down, Erza decides to take on Meredy herself. However, Meredy continues to aim for Juvia, saying that she is number thirteen in her list of people to kill and so she would dispose of her quickly. She adds that Erza is only the fourth, Gildarts is the third, Makarov is the second and that Gray is the first, the person she wants to kill the most because he was the one who killed Ultear's mother. This statement causes Juvia to rise with newfound power and determination. She asks Erza to leave to continue finding the others while she battles Meredy alone.

Erza complies to search for Gray and Wendy while Juvia dominates the battle. Meredy links Juvia and Gray's senses together, including all the pain they would suffer. Further enraged by Meredy's resolution, Juvia's Magic grows and counterattacks against Meredy. In desperation, Meredy links herself to Juvia, and reveals that no matter who dies in that battle, Gray will die with the loser. Knowing that their lives are linked, Meredy prepares to commit suicide, but stopped by Juvia with a blow to her own leg. As Meredy attempts to kill herself once more, her past is revealed, showing how she was taken in by Ultear as a child and how she sees Ultear as her mother. Juvia senses Meredy's emotions and hugs her, demanding that she should live for the ones she lovs. The two eventually lose their will to fight and fall in the water. In Gray's area, he notices that the mark and the pain from the link have disappeared. However, Ultear sneaks up behind him, introduces herself as Ur's daughter, and tells him that she is an ally.

The Strongest of Grimoire Heart and Cana's Secret
Carla returns to report to Natsu and the others about the status of the Fairy Tail members at the camp and the location of the enemy's boat. They decide to head out and regroup in order to take down Grimoire Heart while they ask Doranbolt to stall the council for themd espite his protests. Meanwhile, Ultear continues to comfort and convince Gray, but he didn't buy any of it, and was furious that Ultear is planning to use Zeref. However, Ultear reveals that it was all the will of Ur.

Meanwhile, Erza encounters Azuma as she looks for Wendy while Levy, Lisanna and Pantherlily are faced with the threat of Rustyrose at the main camp. On the Grimoire Heart ship, Hades realizes that Bluenote has already left for battle after Meredy's defeat.

As Natsu's group travels to the main camp, they feel an ominous Magic Power and meet the Grimoire Heart deputy himself, Bluenote Stinger. His Magic is felt all throughout the island as he makes the ground between the group's feet sink. He declares that he doesn't care about Fairy Tail or Zeref and all he wants is the location of the First Master's grave in order to obtain the Magic sealed within it.

At the same time, Cana arrives at Mavis' grave and finds that it's shining and tries to touch it, but it hurts her upon contact. Runes come up, explaining that one of the three great Magics rest within the grave, Fairy Glitter. Cana desperately asks that she won the S-Class Wizard Promotion Trial Test, commenting the last 12 years were for this moment. She reveals her history of how she met her father, Gildarts, who didn't know her. After realizing how strong he was, she resolved to taking the S-Class Trial, citing that if she passed, she would feel worthy enough to tell him. Her first attempts were failures and if she failed once more, she would quit.

However, she remembers Lucy's declaration to help her pass the test. Her Help Lucy Card glows. Realizing she been a fool, Cana cries out she never meant to betray her friends and begs for Mavis to lend her power. It's then that she is allowed to touch the grave, and a voice, Mavis Vermillion's, lectures her that mistakes are something that wisens the heart, and bestows Fairy Glitter on her. With this new power, Cana rushes off to save her friends.

Cana arrives where Bluenote is and attacks with her cards which Bluenote deflects. As Cana charges up Fairy Glitter, Bluenote's Magic knocks her off-balance. She then asks Natsu to distract Bluenote to buy her time to recharge again. Bluenote is disgusted by the fact that Cana got the Magic he was looking for but would be glad to take it away from her by killing her. Natsu, who was still under the effect of the gravity, launched a roar towards the ground, and struck Bluenote with it. Distracted by the attack, Cana took the opportunity and fired Fairy Glitter. The attack, however, was parried onto the ground, and Bluenote further taunted her about her Magic and her Fairy Glitter. Bluenote attempts to kill her once more when Gildarts shows up and blasts Bluenote away from Cana.

Reinforcements Arrive: The Island's Final Battles
Gildarts quickly asks the others to leave and they oblige. He and Bluenote commence their battle, with Gildarts gaining the upper hand.

Back at the main camp, Rustyrose is being overpowered by Freed and Bickslow who returned to the island when they saw the signal flare. Rustyrose is quickly on the defensive with the power of Freed and Bickslow combined though he does not give up on his attacks.

Erza fights Azuma, the two being on even ground. He then uses his Magic, Great Tree Arc, to uproot the Tenrou Tree at the middle of the island. Upon doing so, all the Fairy Tail members start to lose their magic and cannot move, affecting Gildarts and Freed and Bickslow's respective fights, giving their Grimoire Heart opponents the upper hand. Azuma reveals that taking control of the tree means taking control of the blessings it bestows upon Fairy Tail members, such as divine protection, and challenges Erza to beat him so it can be restored. Erza takes the challenge and engages him once more.

She is overpowered by Azuma and has her strongest armors damaged, so she decides to put all of her power in a single sword slash as a last resort. The two attack each another, but Azuma uses the branches of the tree to take hold of her limbs, holding her in place then blows her up. With that, Erza lays defeated before him. As this happens, in a prison cell in a city, Jellal senses this and mutters Erza's name.

His words reach Erza, who manages to get back on her feet. Azuma strikes her down once more and as she falls, she see a vision of Natsu asking if she going to give up. Visions of the other Fairy Tail members run through her head, strengthening her resolve. She comes out through the inferno straight at Azuma. He looks on in shock at first before commenting on their conviction being their true strength and calling them a splendid guild. Erza lands the finishing blow, defeating Azuma. With his defeat, Azuma restores the stolen Magic to the Fairy Tail Mages and starts to merges with a tree as a side effect of overusing his Magic.

With their Magic restored, Freed, Bickslow and Gildarts defeat their respective Grimoire Heart opponents with their ultimate attacks, leaving only Ultear and Hades as the top-tier Grimoire Heart members to defeat.

Meanwhile, Ultear tells Gray that she would take Zeref from the island and requested him to defeat Hades with Iced Shell.

The Apprentice and the Master's Daughter: Gray vs Ultear
Gray decides to use Iced Shell to defeat Hades. He remembers that it is a magic that takes the life of the user, but states that he is prepared for it. However, when Ultear thanks him for it, he claims that he's not doing it for her, or for Ur, but for the Fairy Tail Guild. Back at camp, Natsu, Lucy, Wendy, and the Exceed see the defeated Gajeel, Mirajane, Evergreen, Elfman, as well as the defeated enemy Rustyrose. Wendy tries to use her magic to heal her friends but the cats advise her to rest for a while since she has already used up a lot of her magic. Freed and Bickslow review the situation while Pantherlily tells them that the Grimoire Heart Battleship is located to the east. Lucy suggests splitting into an attack team and a defense team to take them on.

Elsewhere, Ultear meets with Meredy, who acknowledges the body of Zeref. Ultear tell her that they will leave the island but Meredy protests, saying that she hasn't found Gray yet. Ultear reveals that she told Gray that Hades killed her father and that Ur infiltrated the guild for revenge and learned Iced Shell since no other magic seemed to be able to defeat Hades. Ultear also told Gray that despite being Ur's daughter, she was unable to learn the spell, which she says is the only one which can beat Hades. Ultear also told Gray that she intents to leave the island and seal Zeref so that Hades can't find him.

Back to the present, Ultear tells Meredy that Gray is not their enemy, but their trump card. Ultear begins to laugh at Gray for believing her made up story on the spot, and also states that if everything goes right, she can get rid of both Hades and Gray, allowing herself to claim Zeref. When Ultear turns to leave, she sees Juvia's unconscious body and decides to kill her, but her strike is blocked by Gray who states that he never believed Ultear's story. Gray tells Ultear that whatever Ur's will is, he has his own will and so he will never use Iced Shell since he wants to live with his comrades. The two do battle and Ultear states that Gray is no match for her, stating that she was the head of the Seven Kin of Purgatory. However, Gray rushes in and uses his magic to land the first blow.

Ultear is knocked down. Meredy calls out to Ultear but she tells her to take Zeref and run to the dropoff point. Gray calls to Juvia, to which she wakes instantly at his voice, and tells her to follow after Meredy. Juvia starts to do so, but due to an earlier attack in her last battle she can't stand. So she opts to crawl after her instead.

Ultear kicks Gray while he was distracted to which he retaliates with his Ice Lance. Ultear, however warps time so that the ice will evaporate. Gray tries again with Ice Hammer, but that too is evaporated. Ultear reveals she learned Arc of Time so she can kill molding mages, specifically her mother. Hearing this, Gray has a brief flashback to seeing Ur holding one of Ultear's dresses and crying. Gray shouts to Ultear that her mother was always thinking about her and that it was sad that Ur can't convey her feelings to her now. Ultear shows indifference and continues her attack.

Gray switches to melee attacks but Ultear counters this as well. Seeing this, Gray suddenly molds his own blood into ice which Ultear can't evaporate since her magic can't affect living things. Gray manages to land a major blow on her but Ultear refuses to give in. Much to Gray surprise she takes a ice make stance and attack him with her Crown of Thorns attack, wounding him greatly.

Despite getting hit, Gray gets up commenting its been awhile since he felt Ur's magic but he isn't surprised since Ultear has Ur's blood. Angered, Ultear attacks him again. But, Gray rebounds from her attack and tackles her, causing the two to tumble off a cliff. As they do, Gray ask what made Ultear become the way she is. Ur reveals that Ultear abandoned her as a child. She was then taken to a magical laboratory where they experimented on her and locked her in a prison when not doing so. Ultear managed to escape and make her way back home, but by then Ur has Gray and Leon as her apprentiences and Ultear assumed she had been replaced. She vowed revenge as a result.

Ultear returned back to the laboratories and let them experiment on her till she had acquired magical power, using it to the destroy the lab. She then heard about Zeref and his dark guild. She met Hades, who told her of the Arc of Time magic and its ability to rewind time, telling her that in the "Great World of Magic" she could use it to go back and change anything she wanted. Thus Ultear made it her goal to revive Zeref so she could change her past. Gray and Ultear soon fall into the ocean, where Ultear attacks him underwater. Gray counters and the two continue the fight underwater. Suddenly Ultear starts hearing voices calling out to her. She then remembers that Ur was melted and drifted into the ocean after the Galluna Island incident, so Ultear is practically inside her mother now. She then starts seeing memories of Ur and herself, Ur bringing her to a doctor as she sees that Ultear has too much magic and it was giving her a fever.

However the doctors told Ur that she had died, not even allowing her to see the body. Ur became devastated at the news. Ultear is shocked at the revelation as that wasn't how she remembered it. Gray takes advantage of her distraction to hit her with a move the freeze her body in ice, shooting her out of the ocean in the process. Gray floats to the surface telling her that Ur only talked about Ultear once, saying that when she was born, Ur was at the happiest she ever been, and that she had hoped for the best future for her daughter. The ice around Ultear breaks and she falls, crying and admitting she just wanted to see her mother again. The two go back on land, where Gray rests Ultear on a rock, then heads off towards the Grimoire Heart Airship despite being wounded.

The Demon's Final Stand: Fairies vs Hades
While the rain continues to fall, Lucy and Levy comment about it while Pantherlily begins to tremble, causing his fellow Exceeds to conclude that he is afraid of lightning. Natsu then stands up and tells Lucy and Happy that they will go and defeat Hades. While Happy is enthusiastic, Lucy is more than surprised. Happy tells her that it's because they are on the same team, and while Lucy agrees, she points out that Freed and others would be better than her. Freed replies that he has to cast Jutsu Shiki around the area, and Bickslow agrees, telling the others to leave the defenses to them. Wendy requests that she go as well, before Carla can really protest. Lily also agrees to go with them despite the trembling while Levy and Lisanna decide to stay at the camp to help with the Jutsu Shiki and protect the unconscious Fairy Tail members. Before everyone leaves, Lisanna requests Lucy to stay close to Natsu, as he gets stronger if his nakama is around him, to which Lucy agrees.

Back to the Juvia-Meredy-Zeref chase, Zancrow suddenly shows up, and asks Meredy where she is planning to take Zeref. Before Meredy could respond, Zancrow accuses her of planning to betray Grimoire Heart along with Ultear. He then attacks Meredy, telling her that she's no longer a part of Grimoire Heart. As Zancrow grabs Zeref, Meredy tells him that he is their (Ultear and her's) future, but Zancrow reveals the truth of who was the one that destroyed her hometown, Ultear herself. As Meredy is frozen in disbelief, Zeref suddenly wakes up, and says the word "Acnologia". Suddenly, a dark wave appears out of Zeref and Zancrow lies dead on his feet as a result, while Meredy and Juvia lose consciousness. As Zeref walks away, he fears that if an era is about to end, he may awaken once again.

He hoped that he would be destroyed before that happened. Hiding behind him is Doranbolt who is shocked to hear the word "Acnologia". Elsewhere, an injured Gray is about to fall unconscious. Just then, Erza shows up and catches him,asking him if he's okey,Gray states that it seems that he always needs to be saved by somebody,Erza replied that she is the same too,when the two meet up with Natsu's group,Natsu who overheard their conversation,with a big smile Natsu tells them that he is the same too.

Meanwhile, Hades, in disbelief that his entire force has been defeated, wishes to give his praise to Makarov's soldiers. Standing on the top of his ship, he says that it comes down to engaging against his opponent, and that the play between the demons and the fairies has come to its finale. Staring down at his opponents, Hades continues by saying "Now then, let's play for a bit, third generation of Fairy Tail."

Hades beckons Team Natsu to confront him when their ready. Despite knowing Hades defeated Makarov, they proceed. Natsu tells Happy, Carla and Pantherlily to sneak into the airship, find the controls, and smash them to prevent the ship from taking off. The Exceeds agree and head for the bilge of the ship, while Gray creates steps to the deck of the ship and the group ascends onto the deck, everyone agreeing to fight at full strength from the get go.

Natsu starts things off by firing a fireball at Hades but he easily dissipates it. However it turns out to be cover for Gray and Erza to get close and ready their sword attacks while Lucy summons Taurus, and all three strike him at once. Wendy hangs back, enchanting their attack, defense, and speed power. Ezra and Gray press the attack but Hades counters by summoning a chain and snagging Erza with it, slamming her into Gray. Natsu takes the opportunity to attack and hits Hades with his Wing Attack. Hades recovers and catches him with the chain but Ezra cuts him free. Gray make an Ice Hammer and hits Natsu, shooting him toward Hades. Lucy summons Scorpio, who unleashes a sand attack while Wendy released a Sky Dragon's Roar.

The two attacks surround Natsu in a Unison Raid, boosting the Dragon Slayer at Hades until he hits him with the Sword Horn attack. Hades goes flying into a wall and the group seems victorious. But, Hades soon recovers, barely affected, telling the group they made a true mistake in making him their opponent. He then asks if they were done with their "warm up", much to the group's shock. Hades then shouts, which affects Wendy, who suddenly disappears, leaving only her clothing behind, much to the group's horror.

Wendy turns out okay, and appears in Horologium unharmed. Horologium tells them that he automatically responded to the danger of the attack and saved Wendy's body only, as that was his main priority. Everyone thanks Horologium, and he sends Wendy out in new clothes. Hades, impressed, reveals to the kids that he was the second master of Fairy Tail. Natsu doesn't believe it and charges towards Hades. Hades uses Amaterasu on him, and then uses his Chain Magic to tie Erza and Lucy together. He then attacks them with magical beams. He hits Natsu in the leg, Gray in the chest, and Wendy in the arm.

Meanwhile, the cats hear thunder in the ship, and it catches Pantherlily off-guard, as he thought it was soundproof. Carla and Happy tell Pantherlily to get over it as they continue searching for the ships power source. Meanwhile, Mest goes back to Lahar and tells him Zeref used Acnologia. Lahar immediately evacuates the island. Mest looks back at the island and apologizes to Fairy Tail for not being able to do anything.

Back on the airship, Hades talks to Team Natsu about how Makarov changed the guild and made to much "sunlight shown on Magic". Natsu disagrees, and says change is good and that Fairy Tail members live their lives to the end. Hades shoots Natsu's other leg, and then the rest of his body repeatedly. Natsu then realizes Hades is Makarov's enemy.

Just as Hades is about to finish Natsu off, thunder crashes throught the airship as Laxus appears. Laxus, hearing Natsu say that Hades is his grand-father's enemy, proceeds to head-butt him.

Thunder Crashes: The Spirit of Makarov Lives!
Everyone is surprised to see that Laxus is before them. Erza asks what Laxus is doing on the island, which he answers that he came to pay his respects to Mavis's grave. He berates Hades for his disrespect to the previous guild master, though Hades just comments that the brat has such relatives. Laxus and Hades soon fight, with Laxus starting off wailing on Hades before trying to hit him with a Thunder Roar. Hades avoids it and fires his chain at him. Laxus dodges the chain, but it hits the model globe, which Hades pulls toward Laxus trying to flatten him with it. Laxus dodges it, but is hit by a magic shot and blown up by the Amaterasu. Laxus manages to escape the blast with his lightning body, gets behind Hades and attacks him from behind.

The fairies are astonished by Laxus's strength. However, Hades's last attack has weakened him and Laxus comments that he still has a ways to go. Hades recovers and fires a energy beam at him, but before it can connect, Laxus asks that even though he not a Fairy Tail member anymore, if it's alright for him to be angry ifor something that happened to his grandfather. Natsu screams it is just as the blast hits, rocking the ship. However, at the last moment, Laxus managed to transfer his lighting powers to Natsu, though it drains him greatly. The others are astonished that the lightning and fire have fused together in Natsu's body, and Natsu asks Laxus why would he would give him his power since he weaker then him. Laxus states it not about whose weak or strong, but that someone with the guild brand needs to handle this and to take that pain that was caused and return it 100 fold.

Natsu, completely revived and brimming with lighting power, calls it the Lighting Flame Dragon and he will indeed will pay back the pain 100 fold. Now fully charged after eating Laxus's lightning, Natsu commences his attack on Hades beating him with multiple melee attacks with the thought of his injured comrades in his mind. Hades tries to recover and use his magic chain to bind Natsu's hands, but Natsu easily breaks free and fires Lightning Flame Dragon's Brilliant Flame at him. The attack blasts a hole through the ship and can be heard all over the island, even leaving a trench through it.

When the light subsides, Hades lays defeated and Natsu stands victorious, but weakened from using up all his magic. He nearly falls off the damaged potions of the ship, but Lucy rescues him and pulls him up. The rest of the fairies begin to relax now that the fight is over. Meanwhile the Exceed are still trying to find the power source of the ship and have entered into the air vents. They come across a grate and look through, shocked at what's below. Happy asking the others if "it's alive?" Elsewhere Team Natsu is shocked that Hades isn't beaten and gets back to his feet. He comments it been awhile since someone caused him so much damage and decides to "reward" the group for entertaining him. He takes off his eyepatch awakening what he calls his "Devil's Eye".

His appearance changes dramatically, his hair and beard growing longer and darkness swirling around him. Hades cites it as the Abyss of Magic, a magic beyond their wildest expectations. The group look on in horror as they've never felt a magic such as this and that it continues to increase. Hades tells the group that this is the end of Fairy Tail. Natsu tries to move, but finds that due to using up all his magic, he doesn't even have the strength to do that against this new threat.

The Exceeds drop down into the room and try to make out the mysterious power source that they have found. Before they can examine further, a few of the Grimoire Heart members hear them inside and rush into the room. Pantherlily tells Happy and Carla to stop the source while he he holds them off. He transforms into his true form and begins to fight the guild members, grabbing one of their swords which suddenly transforms into a bigger form. Pleased with this, Pantherlily claims the sword as he own while the Grimoire Heart members yell that they have to defend the room with their lives. Happy and Charlie start messing with the controls for the source in hopes something will happen.

Back with Team Natsu, who now face Hades's new form, horrified by his new magical power. Lucy tries to get Natsu to stand, but his body is still weakened from his last attack. Hades comments on the Abyss of Magic, telling the group that it lies in the deepest levels of magic, where in the center is the "Magic of One" which he hopes to take for himself by awakening Zeref. Lucy suddenly recalls hearing this from her mother. Hades cites that the group don't have the resolve to step into the abyss before summoning a spell "From the book of Zeref" which summons demons from the rocks around them. The group, even Erza, find themselves shaking in fear at such monstrosities. Just when it seems they'll give up, Natsu suddenly remembers what Gildarts had told him how fear allows one to learn their own weakness, repeating it aloud. He gets to his feet, telling his team that now that they know their weakness, they can grow stronger. Just as Hades sends his army of demons at them, the team regains their resolve from Natsu's speech, get to their feet, and charge toward Hades. Natsu, however nearly stumbles but is helped up by Lucy and Wendy who fling him toward Gray and Erza. Using their legs, they connect with Natsu's feet and push him toward Hades at a high speed. Hades yells that it was time for the sun to sink on Fairy Tail as he summons a spell just as Natsu's on the verge of colliding with him. The result is a huge explosion that blows up the remainder of the deck.

After the collision Natsu's scarf flies into the air. Erza, Gray, Wendy, and Lucy then look on to see Natsu successfully landing a punch on Hades. Lucy grabs Natsu's scarf as Natsu continues to punch Hades. Hades is in shock and doesn't understand why his Magic had no effect. The reason being Happy and Carla successfully destroying the power source of the ship, which turned out to be Hades's real heart. Hades realizes this in shock. Elsewhere on the island Rustyrose says to himself that Hades's heart was the key to his longevity and his Magical power. As Natsu beats up Hades, Wendy notices the Tenrou Tree had been put back into place. Ultear had used her Arc of Time to restore it. As she did this, Meredy observes her from a distance. With the tree upright, it gives Magic to the Fairy Tail Mages again. Hades manages to push Natsu back, but then Laxus wakes up and punches Hades. Then the rest of Fairy Tail attack Hades for the final time. Lucy calls on Capricorn who elbows Hades. Wendy uses Sky Dragon's Wing Attack; Gray uses Ice-Make: Ice Bringer as Erza completes the combo with Pentagram Sword. Natsu then gets up and beats Hades with Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade. As Natsu gives out a shout, the sun breaks on Tenrou Island.

The Victory We Believed In: Closure of the S-Class Trial
The gang smiles over their victory as Lucy gives Natsu his scarf back. Just then, Happy and Carla run towards them, as Grimoire Heart members chase them. Everyone's Magic is depleted and nobody knows how to help. Just then, Makarov, the Thunder God Tribe, Lisanna, Elfman, Mirajane, Levy, Cana, and Gajeel all return. Grimoire Heart flee at the sight of Makarov, and their master defeated. Everyone then celebrates and hug each other. Gray asks Freed about Juvia, but Freed says he hasn't seen her. Gray wonders what happened with Zeref, and if Juvia is okay. Makarov then yells at Laxus for coming to Tenrou Island during his excommunication. The Thunder God Tribe then spot Laxus, and they all tackle him. Elfman is surprised Master Makarov is so relentless, but Mirajane just wonders if Laxus will stay exiled after his return. Natsu is ready to continue the trial, but Gajeel interrupts calling Natsu stupid for wanting to continue after the event that just occurred. Natsu then falls down in pain due to eating Laxus's lightning. Everyone heads back to camp, but Cana wonders about Gildarts, and Gray still worries over Juvia.

Makarov walks up to Hades. Hades tells him to finish him off, but Makarov refuses, and just tells him to get off the island. Hades calls him naive and promises that he will destroy Fairy Tail next time. Hades excuses his defeat claiming if his heart hadn't been destroyed he would have won. Makarov then asks Hades why he turned to darkness. Hades reveals he left Fairy Tail and journeyed the Road of Magic. While traveling he discovered Magic came from the darkness, and felt the world he was living in was a lie, and that the Ultimate World of Magic, Zeref's world, was the true world. Thus, he traveled to collect the keys to unlock him. Hades knew if he could create the Ultimate Magic World, he could acquire the "Magic of One". Makarov spits on his ideas claiming Magic is whatever people see it as, whether its darkness, light, red or blue, Magic is alive either way. Makarov leaves Hades reminding his former master, he learned all of this from Hades himself.

Back at camp Lisanna and Mirajane mess with Natsu's hair, as Carla and Happy talk about their accomplishment of destroying Hades's heart. The Thunder God Tribe gloss over Laxus's return while Wendy heals other peoples wounds. Erza wonders how Tenrou Island reverted back, and Gray brings up the possibility of Ultear's Magic. Just then, Juvia comes crawling back to camp. She apologizes for letting Zeref get away and asks Gray to punish her. Gray refuses acting surprised. Lucy and Cana wait for Gildarts, but then hear him in the background joking about Laxus' excommunication.

As Grimoire Heart takes off with only Rustyrose, Kain, and Hades, Zeref enters the ship blaming Grimoire Heart for the use of Acnologia. He then predicts the end of the current era.

With Zeref standing in front of Hades, Kain, and Rustyrose, the remaining two members of the Seven Kin Of Purgatory kneels in front of the Black wizard. Hades couldn't believe his eyes, and smile as he tells his subordinates to bring him the keys. However, Rustyrose and Kain couldn't move at all, and Zeref announces that there is no need for the keys as he is already awaken. Though Hades is shocked by the announcement, Zeref states that there is never such requirement, and asks how many lives did Hades took in order to acquire the "keys". He then mocks Hades for believing such myth, and reveals that he has never entered a sleeping state, and standing in front of them is the real Black Wizard Zeref.

Hearing this, Hades screams that it is impossible, having seen it with his own eyes that Ultear defeated him. Zeref, however, states that it was his strength at that time. He then continues his explanation, saying that he has saw countless people died in war 400 years ago, and realized how valuable lives really are. That also started his curse. The more he thought about the preciousness of lives, the more his body will take them against his will. In order to stop such, he has to forget the importance of lives. Zeref continues by stating that they are the ones who caused him to summon Acnologia, and he will punish them. Before Hades could ask him anything else, Zeref announces the two crimes they caused to him, and then prepared a spell.

On a rowing boat in the vast ocean, Ultear tries to cheer Meredy up. Meredy, however, asks if Ultear was really the one who attacked her hometown. Ultear answers with a firm yes, but says that she did plan to confess everything someday. Ultear says that the life she has is her first, and the completed Arc of Time in the Ultimate World of Magic would start her second, true life. Because she believed that she can restart her first life, she would do anything, no matter how cruel it is, in order to reach her goal. Hearing this, Meredy stands up, while Ultear continues saying that she has been a fool that still desires happiness despite all she had done. She then states that she's not asking for forgiveness, and knows that Meredy hates her to the point of wanting to kill her. With a knife stabbed into her body, Ultear says that she can't let Meredy dirty her hands anymore, and jumps into the ocean. As she falls, Ultear says that she believes Meredy will find her happiness, and tells her that she loves her.

As Ultear drowns, she thinks that dying in her mother's arms, the sea, isn't bad either. Meredy, however, saves her, and links their feeling together. With her Magic connecting her to Ultear, Meredy cries, saying that Ultear was the one who brought her up and that she forgives her. Meredy continues to cry as she asks Ultear not to leave her behind because she loves her as well, and that they will live on together.

Meanwhile, a powerful beam strikes through the Grimoire Heart ship, and Hades is killed. Rustyrose and Kain are surprised at their masters untimely death. Zeref then noticed something coming, and wonder if it's Acnologia.

Due to the recent events, Makarov announces that he is going to suspend the S-Class trial. Naturally, the candidates (Gajeel included) are not too pleased with the announcement. Mirajane tries to reason with them and states that since the Magic Council members snuck in and Grimore Heart interfered, they have no choice. Gajeel berates Levy for agreeing, though Pantherlily wonders why he is so upset since he wasn't a candidate. Gray is upset as well while Juvia tries to calm him down. However, Natsu refuses to accept the master's decision and states the he will continue anyway and become the only S-Class Mage. Seeing no way to discourage Natsu, Makarov agrees and says that if Natsu can defeat him, he can become an S-Class Mage. Natsu agrees but is quickly knocked out by Makarov's Titan Magic.

Elsewhere, Laxus is pinching Lisanna's cheeks, wondering whether she is the real one. Lisanna tells him that she is while the members of the Thunder God Tribe sit around the two, happy to be reunited with Laxus. Several feet away, Wendy is watching the group asking Carla if she should greet the group, wondering what Laxus is really like. Erza then appears and tells her that Laxus is strange but is not really a bad guy. Hearing this, Wendy decides to greet him.

Elsewhere, Lucy and Cana are taking a bath, trying to heal themselves with herbs. Lucy asks Cana if her right hand is alright and Cana shows her her hand, saying that she is no longer able to use Fairy Glitter. Cana then apologizes to Lucy for her betrayal during the trial but Lucy shrugs it off.

Meanwhile, Gildarts, Natsu and Happy are fishing, talking about trivial stuff. As Natsu finally manages to catch a fish, Lucy and Cana arrive. Lucy says that Cana wants to talk to Gildarts and drags Natsu and Happy away. With the three gone, Gildarts asks Cana what is wrong, having seen her sad face. She explains that she came to Fairy Tail to find her father, who Gildarts realizes must have been a part of the guild. Cana then tells him point blank that HE is her father.

Fairy Tail's strongest Mage is utterly flabbergasted and begins to wonder whose kid she is, listing all the girls he has been with, much to Cana's surprise. Having said what she wanted to say, Cana turns to leave, saying that she is not expecting Gildart's to be part of her family and that they can return to the way they were. However, Gildarts approaches her and hugs her, realizing that her mother is Cornelia, the only woman that he really loved and the only one he married.

Gildarts then explains that he left 18 years ago but never knew that he had a kid. Cana says it's not his fault since she kept it from him. He expresses his sadness about having a child so close but not realizing it but Cana tries to cheer him up, saying that she is glad to have meet him, calling him father. Hearing this, Gildarts hugs his daughter even tighter, saying that she doesn't need to be sad anymore and that they can do things together. Cana comments that that would be annoying but Gildarts continues to hug her, asking for the right to love her. While the two stand in each other's arms, Lucy, Natsu and Happy watch from afar, Lucy thinking about her own father.

Meanwhile, Zeref watches as a large black dragon approaches the Fairy's island.

Destruction Descends: To the Future
The members of the guild start feeling an ominous presence surrounding them. Soon after, a loud cry reaches their ears as Wendy realizes that it is the cry of a dragon. The members get together as Pantherlily points to a large winged-beast flying in the sky. As everyone ponders it, Bickslow realizes it is a dragon. The dragon slayers are shocked as they realize that dragons still exist in the worlds. Makarov calls it the black dragon of the apocalypse, Acnologia. Natsu tries asking it where Igneel is, to no success as it comes down and devastates the land. The dragons size frightens everyone while Gildarts tells them to run for it. They try heading back to the ship as it continues to destroy. Carla asks if Wendy can talk to the dragon to which she replies that she can't due to its intelligence. Zeref, elsewhere, states that dragons believe themselves to be superior to humans and will not communicate, as humans don't communicate with household pests. He states that the era is coming to an end and says goodbye to Natsu.

As the dragon approaches, Makarov tells everyone to escape as he uses his titan magic to grow into a giant and hold back the dragon. Others run showing concern for the master. The Thunder God Tribe tries to help but are ordered back, Makarov berating them for disobeying their masters final orders, a word which shocks Mirajane. Natsu tries to fight since he is a dragon slayer but is grabbed and pulled away by Laxus. Though angry, he does not fight back as he notices Laxus' tears as he leaves his grandfather behind.

Everyone in tears runs away as Makarov continues to battle the beast, asking if kindness can really kill someone and why they cry. He tells them that the answer is in their hearts and that they must live on into the future.

Makaro affirms his declaration that he will not allow the dragon to get past him as he must protect the member of his guild. However, the dragon knocks him to the ground and steps on his wound, injuring him. Makarov smiles as he realizes that he no longer has any regrets and is a true parent now.

Suddenly, Natsu shows up and tries to fight the dragon, to no success as it tosses him aside. The other members of the guild arrive and begin fighting the dragon while Laxus helps his grandfather, reasoning that there was no way they could've left him behind. The dragon repels the mages attacks with little effort as Gildarts realizes that it is holding back, unlike when he fought it. The dragon quickly takes to the skies and Gajeel realizes that it is about to use a breath attack.

Erza tells everyone who can use defensive magic to do so while Lisanna tells them to channel energy to Fried so he can draw seals. Everyone joins hands just as the dragon unleashes its attack, decimating the island and seemingly vaporizing everyone as Zeref, Urtear, Meredy and the magic council army watch from afar. When the attack dissipates, Zeref realizes that it is all over as the island is no more as of December 16 X784. The Magic Council had tried to find survivors with no success. Acnologia had disappeared once again and as Natsu once did, and seven years later Romeo stares off into the sea.

Anime Differences

 * In the battle between Bickslow and Freed in the manga, Lucy and Cana originally "defeated" both using Aquarius in conjunction with Cana's The Prayer's Fountain. In the anime, Lucy uses Aries to hold Bickslow in place and beats him with "Lucy Kick" (a simple kick attack). She then summons Aquarius using Cana's The Prayer's Fountain Card to help them on Freed, but the spirit attacks them (without using water) and leaves after bickering with Cana. Cana then uses more of her Sexy Lady Cards to trap Freed. He tries to escape out the only spot he sees, but winds up stepping into a circle of cards that electrocutes him, knocking him out.
 * Juvia and Lisanna's battle with Erza is expanded, with the former two trying different attacks. In the manga we only catch a brief glimpse of their fight.
 * We only see the aftermath of the battle between Gray and Loke vs Mest and Wendy in the manga with Mest waking up after being knocked unconscious. The anime shows the full fight and how Wendy was defeated with Gray and Loke eating pickled plums and making puckered faces to scare her into submission.
 * We see Erza and Juvia searching for Wendy and Mest in the anime.
 * Erza shares her past experience on her S-class exam with Juvia, while the latter is thinking about Gray.

Trivia
The inner cover of Volume 24 included many S-Class material that was originally planned, remained, and/or cut out:
 * Natsu and Happy's potential opponent had also included Gray and Loke before settling on Gildarts.
 * Mirajane was supposed to have won between Elfman and Evergreen.
 * It involves showing us where former characters are at this point such as Laxus after Makarov was defeated and Jellal after Erza was beaten.
 * Cana and Lucy beating Freed and Bixlow was planned out, along with the battle between Juvia and Lisanna with Erza.
 * Gajeel and Levy were suppose to fight Mest and Wendy, with the latter team winning the battle.
 * The Killing Wizard was originally not supposed to be Zeref and had quite a few other names, including 'Touma', 'Mafuyu', 'Fuyuki', etc. But Death Magic remained.
 * Cana suddenly snuck out of the team, by putting a sleeping spell on her partner, Lucy and worked alone for personal reasons. "Lucy went to find Cana for that reason"
 * Gray participating the exam for the second time.
 * Some info regarding Makarov's death in the battle was circled, but parts about him dying were blurred.
 * Tenrou Island contains the secrets of Fairy Tail, and may be revealed in the course of battle.