Fairy Tail - 333

People and people, dragons and dragons, people and dragons!

Natsu launches his counterattack! With Atlus Flame now on his side, Natsu proceeds to reenter the main fight, riding upon the dragon's back. Future Rogue summons Mother Glare (The Adamant Dragon) to help him fight Natsu and Atlus Flame. A predictable development, since the ending of the previous chapter alluded to a showoff.

Neither dragons can hurt each other, since attacks phase through Atlus's body, and Atlus's flames can't burn Mother Glare. However, Natsu resolves this by consuming Atlus's powerful hell flames, and landing a devastating blow on Mother Glare. This raises the question towards the true extent of a dragonslayers capability, since Natsu managed to absorb Atlus's fllames, and amplify them in order to attack Mother Glare. Rogue is visibly surprised by this show of strength, and Natsu has yet to demonstrate his Lightning enhanced Fire. If all the other dragonslayers manage to pull off a similar feat, then there's a good chance the threat from the future may be eradicated.

The King of Fiore gives a reflection upon the conflict, whilst standing in the ruins of his headquarters. Seeing the mighty battle going on in the sky, the King talks about peace being overturned by disorder, and states there is no way they can win. His defeatism, and reluctance to fight are uncharacteristic for a King. Natsu should be the king!!! In the shown cutscenes, Sting, and Cobra seem to be in a tight predicament, though there is no doubt they will somehow find their way out.

Rogue is also in a difficult situation. However, the twist is in that while the dragons are free to kill anyone else, they must spare Rogue so that he can grow up to be his evil future counterpart. At first believing these claims to be nonsense, Rogue struggles to come to terms with the revelation when his dark shadow refutes his naiveté, causing him to sink to his knees in despair.  

Two choices are introduced to save the timeline. Either defeat Future Rogue, and the 6 hostile Dragons, or kill the present Rogue, which would cause the Future Rogue to cease existence. While it's obvious killing present Rogue before he becomes a threat is a much easier option, Natsu's compassion won't allow it, stating that the present Rogue has done nothing wrong. This really shows Natsu's bravery, and innocent morality, believing they'd be the ones taking the wrong path if they were to kill present Rogue. Natsu may ultimately come to regret this decision, though I believe he took the right one. As the story continues, we will soon find out the essential differences between the future timeline, and the current one.

Ultear witnesses Rogue's dialogue from a hidden position, having made the promise she won't touch him. However, seeing the widespread destruction, and ruin, she begins to doubt there is any other possible way to resolve the concurrent problem. She has also given up hope, instead, taking the entire matter into her own hands rather than accepting defeat. The chapter ends with her preparing to kill Rogue, as he is the trigger for everything gone wrong.

With the next chapter revealed as 'Sin and Sacrifice', I believe the story will take a twist into the shadows, with one of the more prominent characters potentially losing their life. Ultear's attempts to kill Rogue could perhaps water the already existent seeds of evil in him, and be the trigger to Rogue's transgression to the dark side, along with all the current catastrophes. All in all, I disagree with Ultear's decision, and can only say: 'HANG IN THERE ROGUE!!!'