Note: This is my first fan fiction (ever) :D I hope you enjoy reading this.
Also, I do not own Fairy Tail.
Natsu's Hardest Mission
Summary: Nothing could prepare the fire dragon slayer for this. He had found and trained under Igneel (again) in three years, returned to Fairy Tail and proposed to his beloved. But after a certain mission, Natsu faces his ultimate challenge yet.
Chapter 1: Enter the Elemental Dragon
The sky was dark. Everyone felt a storm brewing. Thunder clapped, the wind howled and the waves crashed. The dark clouds covered the moon, leaving the lightning to be the only source of illumination. The crashing of waves made little noise to muffle the sounds of fighting.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu roared.
On a cliff near the ocean, a battle was ongoing. Gray and Erza were recuperating their energy and magic power. Lucy was with Happy after using most of her power summoning Gemini to assist Natsu.
"Is that the best the legendary Salamander can bring?" the man said, dodging Natsu's attack with ease.
"I'm just getting started" Natsu smirked.
Team Natsu was currently on an S class mission. They were to detain and apprehend a man who can control the elements (earth, water, fire and air) and has been infused dragon slayer lacrima. His real identity is unknown but he goes by the moniker, the 'Elemental Dragon'. He wears a tattered black cloak and a white mask. Currently, the mask was fractured but it kept his eyes hidden. His shirt was burned and his well toned body was bruised and cut. He wears dark blue pants and black combat boots. He is bald.
The man flicked his wrists and the ground beneath Natsu shot up, hitting him in the stomach. The pillar of earth continued to rise. Natsu had to do something. The man jumped and ran up the pillar he created. Natsu saw this and despite the pain, stood up and raced down to approach him. As he got nearer, he dodged the man's attack.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Natsu's breath attack was shot at near point blank range. The rock pillar was immediately crushed. Natsu kept the breath attack until he heard the man hit the ground. He stopped and landed on the ground.
"Did that do it?" Lucy asked, feeling weak after using almost all of her magic power.
Natsu looked at the crater he created after his attack. He approached it and looked down. He could not believe his eyes. In the middle of the crater, a dome of rock appeared after the smoke cleared. The rocks receded and the man was burned.
"Despite being infused with dragon slayer lacrima and having control over fire, it seems I cannot eat a true dragon slayer's flame." The man said.
Natsu grinned. He lit both of his hands on fire. "I've battled countless of guys claiming to be dragon slayers. I've won at least once against all of them."
The man smiled at Natsu's cockiness. He felt movement in the earth. Team Natsu was getting back. Erza and Gray had a bit of their energy restored. Erza requipped her Heaven's Wheel armor and headed to Natsu. Gray and Happy helped Lucy up and they both prepared for another gruelling battle.
The man eyed Team Natsu. He knew his chances of winning against two S Class mages, a powerful and angry dragon slayer and the most powerful Celestial Spirit mage and Happy are really slim. He knew the fight minutes ago were just a warm up and they were getting sick of him. He knew his end will come soon. He had to do something to make sure they never forget who he is. He knew what he had to do.
"I think it's about time to end this." The man said. The man removed his cloak and began summoning a magic circle. Rocks began to rise and the earth was shaking. The wind grew more violent. The water crashed harder and the temperature began to rise. He was releasing a tremendous amount of energy.
"What's happening?" Gray asked. He was losing balance and began emitting a little of his magic to cool the increasing temperature.
"W...what i...incredible m...m...magic power!" Lucy said, trembling.
Without hesitation, Erza charged at full speed. Swords began appearing around Erza and began circling her.
"Dance, my blades!" Erza shouted.
The swords launched itself in a disc and headed towards Erza's target. It hit. The swords then separated and continued their damage on the man.
"Did we win?" Lucy asked.
Erza returned her swords to her storage and she couldn't believe her eyes. The magic circle was gone. She had stopped the spell. But the man was smirking. He began growing scales and his canines grew. He was entering Dragon Force. In a blink of an eye, he sent Erza flying back with a massive elemental attack.
"Gaah!" Erza screamed. Her Heaven's Wheel armor was shattered. Erza was falling but continued to take multiple hits from the air even though the man was still on the ground. Pillars of earth continue to pound Erza. Each pillar was burning and scorched the skin of Titania. Water formed out of the air and began wounding Erza. Lucy had seen enough and used her whip, Fleuve d'etoiles, to grab one of the man's arms and try to stop him from killing Erza. The man used his magic to disrupt Lucy's grip on his arm.
Gray jumped and caught Erza before she landed hard on the ground. Gray felt the ground he was stepping on move. He quickly dodged away and saw a pillar of rock rise up.
"Earth has always been my favourite element. Wind comes only second." The man laughed.
Gray couldn't strike back. He was still carrying Erza. That man knew he was the only threat next to Natsu. Natsu was equally dodging the man's attacks.
"Let's try this one. Elemental Dragon's Roar!"
The breath attack surprised Natsu. He wasn't expecting a fusion of all elements in one attack. Sure he had done it with his Thunder Fire Dragon's Roar but it was only with two elements compared to five. This guy's magic is surreal.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Natsu unleashed his own breath attack in hopes of weakening the man's own. Natsu's breath attack was simply too weak compared to the Elemental Dragon's. Their breath attacks met midpoint but Natsu was slowly losing the stalemate. Gray used the opportunity to lay Erza down and use his own magic. He ran towards the midpoint of the breath attacks and used his magic.
"Ice Make: Freeze"
Gray knew he was taking a long shot but with his complete mastery of Ice Make magic, he can freeze almost anything. The breath attacks froze and the man was shocked with just how powerful Gray's magic is.
"I guess Fairies are really full of surprises." The man smirked.
"I may not be a dragon slayer, and Ice Make magic might be simple but I am part of Fairy Tail's strongest team." Gray boasted as he went into battle position.
Natsu and Gray teamed up while Lucy and Happy attended to a weakened Erza.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist"
"Ice Make: Saucer"
"Elemental Dragon's Wing Attack"
Their attacks met head on and created a large explosion. Smoke covered the area, making the sky darker than usual. The winds, however, blew the smoke quickly.
"I'm getting sick of you Fairies! One of you will have die tonight." The man roared.
The words rang inside Natsu's head. It enraged him.
"Happy!"
"Aye, Sir!" Happy flew and grabbed Natsu.
Happy flew as high as he could. The man tried to use this opportunity to kill the famous Salamander but Gray distracted him with his attacks.
"Happy, use Max Speed."
Happy used Max Speed, carrying Natsu and headed for the man. Happy released Natsu upon his signal.
"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"
Flame began engulfing Natsu's body. In a flash, Natsu hit the man in the crater. The crater grew larger and deeper with the impact and the release of an extraordinary amount of magic power. Gray went to Erza while Lucy looked at the crater.
"Natsu..." Lucy whispered.
Smoke covered their vision. They heard a large explosion and a pillar of flame rose within the smoke. The weather began to worsen. The winds grew stronger and blew the smoke away. They say Natsu kneeling at the center of the crater, cradling Happy at his arms and the man was on the other end of the crater, lying down.
"NATSU!" Lucy exclaimed. She smiled and began heading to the dragon slayer's location.
"He's alright" Lucy thought. Gray remained in his position and grinned.
"You did it Flame Brain!"
Erza was too weak to speak but she smiled. It was over. The man wasn't able to make use of his last threat.
"No! I cannot be defeated by a mere fire dragon! I am the elemental dragon! The most powerful dragon slayer of all!" Words rang within the man's head. "I have to prove that I am not finished. I am not yet done. I still have to take one of these Fairies with me!"
The man saw Lucy assisting Natsu to stand up. An idea began brewing within his mind. He will take one of them to the grave. He knows if one of these two dies, he will too but he sees it as the ultimate price the Fairies have to pay for messing with him and defeating, no, almost defeating him.
"Natsu, are you alright?" Lucy asked.
Natsu grinned. "I wouldn't let anyone harm any of my comrades, especially if my comrade is Popsicle, Erza, Happy and more importantly you, Luce."
Lucy smiled and kissed Natsu on the cheek. Happy could only fly above and keep on repeating "They liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike each other". Lucy and Natsu giggled. They like each other more than that. It was only natural. Lucy and Natsu are already engaged and this mission was their first since then. Their engagement came days after Natsu's return from his three year training with Igneel and Lucy's training with Capricorn and Loke. They dated after the incident at Tenrou Island and waited for each other after three years of separation. They were happy.
The man raised his right arm, slowly. He mimicked a gun and aimed at Natsu and Lucy. "One shot. One shot of my Elemental Dragon: Wind Gun and one of them falls. I just have to aim it at the fire dragon!"
Lucy felt a sharp rise in magical energy from the man. She saw what he was attempting to do and hurriedly tried to escape. "He's still not down! Just how powerful is this man?" Lucy thought.
"Elemental Dragon: Wind Gun" the man's finger jerked up as if he was actually shooting a gun. Lucy pushed Natsu aside, trying to avoid getting hit and making sure Natsu wasn't hit either. They both fell down.
Gray was shocked and angry. Gray left Erza on the ground and glared at the man. He positioned his hand and attacked. "Ice Make: Lance". Long icicles appeared behind Gray and rushed towards the man. The man could only smile. "I am finished. One of them is dead." All of Gray's lances hit the man and he was thrown back. Gray dashed forward and formed ice on his right arm and on his left elbow. "Ice Blade: Seven Slice Dance". Gray landed on the ground, and the man was finished. He couldn't move any muscle but he was still alive, though barely. Just to be sure though, Gray froze the man in his position. Gray ran towards Natsu and Lucy. He hoped that they weren't hit but he knew he was wrong.
Gray heard Happy crying. "No! No! No! Let Happy cry because we won. Let Happy cry because we won." Gray thought. Happy was waking Lucy up. Gray headed to Natsu. He was still alive. "The idiot's alive." Gray sighed. "Now, Lucy."
Gray approached Lucy and froze. Natsu was up on his feet and saw Gray freeze. Natsu slowly stood up and looked at Gray.
"Gray, is something wrong with Luce?"
Gray couldn't reply. He was too shocked. Natsu approached Gray and saw Lucy, clutching her stomach, bleeding.
"LUCY!" Natsu screamed as he held Lucy, her head resting on her arm as he tried to comfort her. "Gray, get Erza. We have to get back to the guild immediately."
Gray blinked and ran towards Erza. "Happy, I know you can't use Max Speed anymore. I want you to head to the guild and inform them of what happened. Hurry!"
"Aye" Happy flew, still teary eyed, after seeing her partner's fiancée hurt or worse dying.
Natsu wrapped his scarf around Lucy's wound in hopes that it will stop the bleeding. He then carried her, his left arm under her neck, and his right arm under her knees. Lucy writhed in pain and huddled closer to Natsu's chest. Nastu knew they were only on the outskirts of Magnolia. Suddenly, Loke appeared.
"Natsu, I'm sorry. It all happened quickly." Loke apologized. If he had known, he would have appeared with his own power to take that shot. He knew Lucy would avoid it. He just never anticipated the spell to move and still hit Lucy.
"Shut up, Loke! Help me get Luce back to the guild. She will be fine. I know she will." Loke nodded in agreement. They ran towards the guild. Loke cleared the way for Natsu. He knows Lucy will overcome this for Natsu and for her.
Everyone in the guild was having fun. Cana was drinking her 2nd barrel, Elfman was challenging Gajeel to an iron arm wrestling contest, Levy was reading a book, Mirajane was happily chatting with Lisanna, Juvia was worried about Gray and Wendy was watching Carla and her egg. Other than the said commotion, the guild was really peaceful. Suddenly the guild doors burst open. Happy flew over to Mira.
"Happy? Where's Natsu and the others?" Wendy asked. Almost everyone began asking the same question.
"Welcome back, Happy. Would you like a fish?" Mira asked.
"Aye!" Happy said, happily.
Mira then went back and brought Happy a fish. He suddenly remembered why he's here without Natsu. "Mira! Lucy's in trouble! Natsu is carrying her right now as we speak!"
Silence took over.
"What happened to Lucy?" Mira gasped.
Happy was in tears. "She's... She's... SHE'S IN BAD SHAPE! She's been hit with the bad guy's magic and bleeding badly." Happy said as he took the fish from Mira.
"Lu-Chan" Levy mumbled.
Upon hearing Happy's outburst on Lucy's condition, Mira headed out the guild.
"Where is Mira-nee going?" Lisanna asked.
"Never mind where Mira is headed! We have to head to Lu-Chan! Wendy, can you come with me? Happy lead us to where Lu-Chan is!"
Happy left the fish and lead Levy and Wendy to Natsu. They ran, amidst the rain. The guild was worried. Would Happy, Levy and Wendy get there in time?
Natsu and Loke are rushing to the guild. They have to make it. They have to.
"N...Natsu." Lucy mumbled.
"Just hang in there Luce. I know you're strong. Hang in there." Natsu said.
Gray and Erza waited for the council to arrive and arrest the man behind Lucy's condition and take their reward before heading back home. They were both worried of Lucy. Suddenly, they noticed the frozen man, smoking.
"This guy is really persistent, isn't he?" Gray scoffed.
Erza nodded. The ground shook and ice shards flew.
"Ice Make: Shield!" Gray shouted. He covered both himself and Erza from being pierced by shards. They moved out of the ice shield and saw a large hole where the man used to be.
"WE CAN"T LET HIM ESCAPE!" Erza growled. She began requipping her Black Wing Armor and was about to chase and find him but Gray stopped her.
"We could care less about this man but Lucy's in trouble. We will finish this one day but not right now." Gray said.
"HE TRIED TO KILL LUCY! HE HURT ONE OF OUR MOST PRECIOUS TEAMMATES! HE HAS TO PAY AND WE HAVE TO END THIS RIGHT NOW!" Erza shouted.
"I know how you feel." Gray lowered his head, hiding his reddening eyes. "I love Lucy, the same way as you do. I know we must try and stop the man who caused all of this but Lucy needs us more than we know. Lucy would want us to be..."
Tears were rolling down Erza's eyes. She had returned to her normal armor. She held Gray's elbows and shook him. "DO NOT SAY THAT! DO NOT SAY THAT! LUCY IS STRONGER THAN BEFORE! SHE WILL LIVE... She will live." Erza cried.
Gray stood there, motionless. He saw what the attack did to Lucy. Upon impact with the stomach, he saw a sudden outburst of elemental energy engulfing Lucy in seconds before dissipating. That wind gun was more powerful than it appeared. He has to talk to the Master with this. They have to save Lucy, not just for Natsu but for her as well.
Note: Constructive criticisms (reviews) are welcome. :D