The Black Dragon Attacks

RRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Atop Tenrou Island, the entire Fairy Tail guild reeled from the sudden, deafening roar that reverberated across the sky. Even after the threat of Grimoire Heart had passed, another, far greater danger descended upon them.

"That roar…!" Wendy gasped. "It's a dragon's cry!"

"What did you say?!" Carla stammered.

Natsu's whole body tensed. "Hey, that's the voice of a dragon?!" His eyes lit with a mix of dread and excitement. "Could it be Igneel?!"

"Don't be reckless!" Erza barked, halting Natsu in mid-shout.

A monstrous silhouette swooped out of the dark clouds, massive black wings cutting through the skies. The creature soared once around the island, then swooped down with terrifying speed.

Seeing it more clearly, Makarov's face went ashen. "The Black Dragon of the Apocalypse… Acnologia."

"D-dragon?!" Lucy cried, heart pounding at the sight of the colossal, obsidian-scaled beast landing heavily upon the ruins. It dwarfed any creature they had ever encountered, bristling with destructive might.

ROOOAARR––!!!

Acnologia's bellow echoed like thunder, dislodging stones and sending cracks snaking across the ground. Sharp winds flung debris in all directions. A closer look at the draconic face revealed merciless eyes, as though it regarded every living thing as beneath it.

"It's landed… Everyone, take cover!" Makarov commanded urgently. "We can't beat it in our current state!"

However, one figure stepped boldly forward.

Su Yan stood with a giant mace in his hands – the same weapon Erza had given him moments ago. Around his arms, black and red lightning crackled, a sign of his overlapping Armament Haki and compressed Conqueror's aura.

Seeing him ready, Makarov hurried closer. "Brat, don't do this alone! That thing is on a whole different level from anything we've faced!"

But Su Yan merely glanced back. "Master, get everyone to safety. I'll buy time."

Makarov's protest died in his throat, recalling how Su Yan had triumphed against Hades. Yet Acnologia was another matter entirely, a living calamity rumored to wipe out entire countries by itself.

Still, Su Yan's gaze never wavered. Bolts of purple lightning streaked across the sky as the black dragon's presence warped the atmosphere.

Acnologia fixed its baleful eyes on Su Yan, as if sensing his power. A savage grin seemed to curl across the draconic maw before it lunged, jaws snapping.

"KRAAAAH—!"

Wasting no time, Su Yan let his Haki flare fully. The black shell of Armament Haki coated his mace, while arcs of red lightning (overlapped Conqueror's Haki) danced around it, giving off a fearsome hum.

Su Yan planted his foot, earth cracking under him, and raised the mace high.

"Thunder… Bagua!"

He slammed the weapon forward, meeting Acnologia's snapping jaws head-on.

Boom—!!!

A thunderous shockwave exploded outward, flattening the surrounding ruins as man and dragon collided in a clash that shook the island. Stones the size of houses launched from the crater, and the shockwaves hammered every Fairy Tail wizard trying to flee to safety.

Natsu, bracing himself behind a broken wall, stared in awe. "He… he stopped Acnologia's bite?!"

Gray, shielding Juvia with a half-finished ice wall, could only stare with wide eyes at the cataclysmic duel. "That monster… and Su Yan's actually matching it…?"

Despite the successful block, Su Yan felt the raw force of the black dragon's might surge through his arms. Even in partial draconic form, Acnologia was unbelievably heavy and strong. The mace hummed, cracks forming in the ground beneath Su Yan's feet.

"Gh—!" Su Yan grimaced, pushing back with all his will. The clash forced him back a couple steps, but he did not yield.

Acnologia's eyes flickered with what might have been surprise or irritation. It drew its head back for a second lunging strike, half-spreading its wings to bring them down in an air-splitting slash.

Su Yan's muscles tensed. If he wanted even a chance to stand against this beast, he might have to unleash that form again. Yet how far could he push before his own limits snapped?

Snarling under his breath, Su Yan prepared to find out. "You're not the only one with draconic power, Acnologia…"

Even as the black dragon rose for another brutal assault, Su Yan brandished his crackling mace, determined to resist the apocalypse given flesh – if only for a few precious minutes, until his friends could escape.

And perhaps, just perhaps, a new miracle might bloom in the face of certain doom.