Wendy didn't need to attack.
Fairy Tail had too many reckless fighters charging forward, and she was far more valuable as a battlefield medic—a role no one else could fill.
Thus, it was natural that Cobra overlooked Wendy.
Even Gajeel the Iron Dragon, who was also on the battlefield, didn't catch his eye.
All Cobra cared about was the Fire Dragon, Natsu.
Though annoyed, Cobra didn't change his target.
The Sky Dragon was too far back, even if he wanted to attack, he'd have to break through the entire advancing army first.
It was better to test his strength against the Fire Dragon leading the charge.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Facing Cobra's ferocious assault, Natsu charged straight in without hesitation.
He'd been finding these Dark Mages too easy to defeat; finally, a worthy opponent had arrived.
"Poison Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Fists wreathed in purple poison and blazing flames collided in a thunderous clash.
Both fighters were stubborn, each convinced of their inevitable victory.
*BOOM!!!*
The clash of Magic Power sent Cobra flying backward.
In this direct confrontation, he had been utterly crushed, with no flashy techniques involved—just a simple, overwhelming display of raw power.
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"
Natsu showed no mercy, immediately pursuing with a relentless combo.
Natsu clad in the Leo Battle Armor and wreathed in Stellar Magic Power, entered the battlefield with all guns blazing.
This was Natsu's "standard full-power state."
The term "standard" implied the existence of "non-standard states"—namely, his berserk mode.
Marco was certain that Natsu and his companions possessed such states, a testament to the wondrous nature of Magic.
Magic was indeed a power capable of creating miracles, and the members of Fairy Tail—Natsu, Gray, and the others—were all masters of weaving miracles.
*BOOM!!!*
Terrifying flames erupted like twin fiery palms, slamming into Cobra.
The "Poison Dragon's" eyes widened in shock.
"Poison Dragon's claws!"
Cobra swung his arms, unleashing several venomous slashes at the flames.
But unfortunately, his hastily launched attacks proved ineffective, failing to pierce Natsu's Wing Attack.
'Boom!'
"Aaaaaah!!!"
Struck by the Wing Attack, Cobra collapsed to the ground in agony.
Though his Magic Power shielded him from the full brunt of the flames, the searing heat still burned his skin.
"What's this? You're supposed to be a Dragon Slayer Mage, but this is all you've got? Where are the other members of The Oración Seis? Why aren't they here to fight us?"
Natsu landed, glancing at his fist and then at Cobra.
He couldn't resist muttering his complaints aloud, genuinely convinced that Cobra wasn't a member of The Oración Seis.
Cobra's strength simply didn't measure up.
"Damn you! Damn you! You should have been killed! How... how could this happen?!"
Cobra roared in fury, his ears picking up Natsu's inner thoughts.
Natsu wasn't deliberately trying to provoke him; he truly believed Cobra was beneath him.
For Cobra, this was undoubtedly humiliating.
He held himself in such high regard, even looking down on First Generation Dragon Slayer Mages.
Yet here he was, being easily suppressed by one.
*Buzz!!!*
Rage surging through him, Cobra's Magic Power erupted violently.
He thrust his hand forward, launching a barrage of venom missiles at Natsu, while simultaneously charging forward himself.
Natsu dodged the venom missiles.
Even if one were to hit him, his Leo Battle Armor would likely withstand the damage.
But the putrid purple venom looked so repulsive that he had no desire to soil his precious armor.
"Die!"
Cobra roared furiously as he lunged forward, his face contorted with rage.
Yet this charge wasn't his true killing move; that lay with the snake he had released.
His frantic display was merely a distraction to draw Natsu's attention, allowing the serpent to strike unnoticed.
As expected, Natsu took the bait.
He charged toward Cobra with reckless enthusiasm, completely oblivious to the purple serpent slithering from the shadows.
The serpent's violet hue blended seamlessly with Cobra's own purplish techniques, effectively concealing its presence.
'Boom!!!'
Cobra's enraged outburst was indeed far more powerful than before, successfully holding Natsu at bay this time.
The main reason for this stalemate was that Natsu was focused on dodging poison projectiles and couldn't fully exert his strength in the moment.
Otherwise, Natsu was the type who grew increasingly energized and focused the longer he fought, making it unlikely for his opponent's sudden burst of power to close the gap.
'Whoosh!'
From the shadows, a long, purple serpent darted out—a "flying viper" would be a more accurate description.
This purple snake was no small creature; it possessed wings and had clearly been constrained by remaining grounded.
The snake lunged forward, its massive jaws snapping open to reveal razor-sharp fangs, and lunged for Natsu's arm.
"Natsu, watch out!" Happy cried out in alarm, flying close to Natsu.
Having spotted the strange purple snake, he quickly warned Natsu, giving him a fraction of a second to react.
Natsu immediately retracted his arm, allowing the purple snake to bite down on the Leo Battle Armor's gauntlet with a 'crunch'.
"You underestimate Cubellios' fangs? You're dead meat!"
Seeing this, Cobra smirked triumphantly. 'The Fire Dragon actually thought his armor could withstand Cubellios? How utterly naive! He clearly underestimated Cubellios!'
"Huh? Are her teeth really that strong?" Natsu asked, puzzled.
He glanced at the purple snake, Cubellios, who was already weeping.
She released her bite, collapsed to the ground, and writhed in agony—her fangs had snapped against Natsu's gauntlet.
"Cubellios!!!" Cobra cried out, his heart clenching so painfully he could barely breathe.
Cubellios was his most cherished partner and friend, occasionally even serving as his mount.
She was everything to him.
Seeing her in such agony tore at his soul.
He immediately rushed to check on her condition, completely abandoning the fight.
"Fire Dragon's... Horn!"
Natsu didn't care about any of that.
Still in battle mode, flames enveloped the Fire Dragon as he charged Cobra headfirst at breakneck speed.
A rocket-powered headbutt slammed into Cobra's abdomen, sending him flying backward.
"Ha! That's what you get for trying to sneak up on me with a snake!"
Seeing Cobra knocked to the ground and unable to rise, Natsu roared with laughter.
The "Poison Dragon" had underestimated Marco's Battle Cloth, foolishly believing a mere snake could pierce its defenses.
As Natsu roared with laughter, Midnight, Angel, Hoteye, and Racer rushed to the scene.
"Cobra!"
The sight of Cobra's battered state shocked all four of them.
More than shock, there was disbelief.
Cobra, after all, was a member of The Oración Seis, yet he had been so easily defeated by a Mage from the Alliance?!
They hadn't even faced Marco yet!