Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any way, shape, or form.

Here's a new story! Some of you may find it weird to put together Gildarts with a 6 year old Romeo, so I'm just going to leave this warning below right here.

WARNING: IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE AGE GAP IDEA FOR THIS STORY, PLEASE DO NOT READ. POINTLESS FLAMES WILL BE DELETED. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. THANK YOU!

An overwhelmingly loud noise shook the earth, as if the world itself was collapsing. There was a heavy amount of panting as a small boy ran, his face dirtied and panicked. The trees behind him were upturned from the dirt, and he almost fell over each time the thundering steps of the pursuing beast vibrated throughout the shaking ground. A loud roar sounded from behind him to accompany the monstrous image he was getting from the sounds of the beast's steps alone; a horrible, hungry screech. This caused the boy to radiate even more fear, which only attracted the beast further. Frenzied from the smell of fear, the booming footsteps got louder, faster, closer...until the boy could hear the harsh breaths of his hunter closing in from behind him.

He risked a look back and immediately regretted it. The horrible green-almost-black jaws poked through the trees. He let out a frightened scream as the beast finally trampled over the trees that had blocked the rest of it's body, and it came into view completely. A terrifying reptilian beast lunged forward hungrily, it's eyes rolled to the front of it's head, locked onto it's running meal. The boy's body locked up completely in fear at seeing just how terrifying the beast truly was. Up until now he had only been imagining its size. At this point, any hope he'd had of escaping was gone. His legs failed him, and he fell to his knees as the sky disappeared, and a shadow overtook him. His eyes were wide with defeat as drool dribbled down from the beast's mouth and down his shoulder. Slowly, his head rotated to look up at the bottom of the beast's chin. Suddenly, he felt the burning red eyes looking at him, focused on him, and the pit in his stomach spread even more dread throughout his entire body.

He was going to die.

The snout of the beast tilted until it's horrendous, pointed, black teeth were clearly visible with lines of saliva. The boy's body wasn't even able to shake anymore as those impatient jaws moved rapidly towards him. A huge rush of air suddenly flew against the boy's face, and there was a loud noise; but it did not come from the monster. With eyes even wider than before, the boy blinked and looked around in confusion. The reptilian beast was on its side a few yards away, a trail in the earth from where it had been moments ago to where it had been flung to. The small boy turned around to see another boy, teenager aged with brown hair and what seemed to be the beginnings of facial hair standing with his hands on his hips and a look of business on his face. Needless to say, his coolness looked to be unmatched by anything the boy had ever seen. A feeling of sudden safety washed over him, and using whatever strength he had in his worn out limbs, he managed to crawl behind the teenage boy who had just arrived on scene. His savior barely flashed him a glance as his feet shifted in the ground and he took a stance.

A loud, angry roar shook them as the beast got to its feet and glared straight at its attacker. His mouth slowly formed a challenging smirk as he awaited the beast's first move. The crocodilian monstrosity launched itself forward with a powerful push of its feet, jaws snapping messily at him. For a moment, another wave of fear took hold of the small boy who was watching from behind his savior, but the boy's confident smile washed that away.

He pushed a foot back, making a trail in the dirt, and clenched the opposite hand into a fist, bringing it back behind him with his arm in a 90 degree angle. Then, when the beast was upon him, he stepped forward, giving a loud shout as he launched his fist forward at the same time. A rippling power emanated from his punch as he drove it straight below the beast's jaw, forcing its mouth closed instantly. There was a brief silence, like the moments preceding a terrible disaster. Then, the entire body of the beast rippled and contracted from it's head down its body to its tail. The red eyes grew in size more and more until, when it finally seemed the beast's body could expand no more, it exploded. Combusted for a split second, then just disappeared into microscopic pieces with a massive noise and effect on the surroundings. The greenery around them was blown away. The guy wiped sweat from his forehead, giving a heavy sigh. He seemed to finally notice the boy he had just saved, looking down at him. He gave a smile, and the small, blue-haired boy's eyes widened, as though he had just witnessed the making of the most amazing wizard in history.

"And that, my son," Macao said with a smile. "Is how I came to meet Gildarts; and how I came to join Fairy Tail." A 6 year old Romeo was ecstatic after having just heard the amazing tale of how his dad had joined Fairy Tail. His eyes sparkled the way a child's eyes sparkle, and his mouth was agape without words to say. "Pretty cool, eh?" His father egged on, looking to the side. Romeo slowly followed his dad's gaze to a picture on a shelf in the house, and he saw his dad as a teenager. There was another, older man behind him with copper hair and facial hair. He had an arm around the younger version of his father's shoulders, and both men were smiling in the photo.

"...Gildarts..." Romeo breathed out in absolute awe. Macao watched his son with a grin before standing up with a small grunt.

"Alright then, son. You oughta run down to the guild now, see if Mirajane needs a little helper, alright? Who knows, perhaps you'll become a mage like your old man one day!" Romeo nodded enthusiastically.

"Mmm! Or maybe even like Gildarts!" Macao gave a bittersweet laugh.

"Well...I guess if you're going to look up to anyone other than me, I'd have it be Gildarts." Romeo laughed nervously.

"Well, dad...Gildarts certainly sounds amazing...I've never really seen him in action at all..." Romeo looked to the side, his hands clasped tightly together on his lap as he swung his legs back and forth. "But...I already have someone to look up to!" Macao gasped as his eyes became watery.

"You mean...you actually look up to your old man?" Tears of joy streamed down his face, but Romeo didn't even seem to hear him as he daydreamed. Then, as he swung his legs forward, he jumped out of the spinning chair he was in, landing and turning to smile at his dad who was still crying in a comical manner.

"I'll get going now!" Macao just gave a nod while sobbing in happiness, and Romeo quickly ran out the front door, bumping into someone on the way. "Hm?" He looked up to see a man the same age as his father with brown hair styled in an afro. Romeo gave a polite bow.

"Good morning, Uncle Wakaba!" Wakaba took the cigarette out of his mouth and leaned down as Romeo straightened his back to look him in the eyes.

"Mmm, off so early, huh, Romeo?" Romeo gave an eager nod and shouted a goodbye before running past his father's best friend. Wakaba gave a small sigh as Macao arrived on scene. "Really, he's only 6 years old you know, is it wise to encourage him to help Mira? She runs a bar you know...with beer..." Macao gave an annoyed grunt as he crossed his arms.

"What would you know? Besides, my Romeo is the most innocent of all, I don't need to worry about him being around that adult stuff." Wakaba rolled his eyes before entering the house without permission.

"Well, I guess you're right about Romeo being innocent little Romeo, but still." Macao smiled.

"What'd you just say about me being right? Say it again, say it again!" The two quickly broke out into argument.

Romeo panted as he ran through the trees in the direction of the guild. His eyes were wide and bright, and he was smiling as he daydreamed. Someone to look up to... His thoughts quickly over took him as images of a pink-haired dragon slayer filled his mind. He could hear Natsu's voice already, shouting louder than anyone else's, protecting what he believed to be his personal belongings to the very end. Even if it was something as tiny as the stool he had been sitting on, he would fight to keep it if Gray or someone else tried stealing it. Obviously this usually lead to fights that the guild found annoying, but Romeo found Natsu's single-tracked mind admirable. He imagined the scene and could almost hear the shouting...hear the protests of other guild members...hear Natsu stubbornly throwing a flaming tantrum...and when he heard a mild explosion, he became aware that he wasn't simply imagining all this noise.

The Fairy Tail guild hall came into view just up ahead, and Romeo could discern loud noises. He made a mad dash for the building and sprinted through the doors, not willing to miss seeing any action. The moment he was inside, he heard the familiar shouting that was music to his ears.

"Come on, Ice Princess! Didn't you just say you were going to kick my ass?!"

"Huh?! Who're you calling Ice Princess, you watermelon head!" Fire and ice flew across the guild hall as people cheered and shouted. Romeo's eyes became fixated on Natsu, the way his muscular arms propelled his elbow into Gray's side, the way his six pack flexed and contracted as he breathed heavily and literally spat fire everywhere...Romeo gulped. He noticed the room was feeling significantly hotter to him despite Gray's ice everywhere. Before anything else could happen, however, all the ice was shattered and both quarreling men were on the floor with swirling eyes. Each of them had one foot being held up in the air as twinkling, evil, red eyes glared at them.

"I've had about enough of this for my morning. Get along or run along. Your choice." Erza said in a deadly, monotone voice. The two of them muttered out the best 'yes ma'am' they could. Satisfied with that answer, Erza dropped the two of them, and people who were watching cringed as their heads slammed into the ground loudly. The Titania of Fairy Tail coolly walked away to take a seat on the stool that seemed to be the reason for the fight, and with a sigh, she turned to Mirajane, who was leaning on the bar counter with a sweet smile.

"The guild is lively as always, this morning!" She commented. Erza grunted in agreement.

"Too lively. They're too lively. Perhaps I should make them more dead." Mirajane laughed.

"Is that something to laugh about...?" Romeo sweat dropped uncertainly as he watched the scene. Mirajane seemed to suddenly take notice of him and waved her arms.

"Romeo!" He shook his head to clear it and quickly ran over to her, glancing at Natsu as he passed by him. She gave Romeo a sweet smile, crouching to be on his level.

"Did you want to give me a hand today?" She asked. He gave a quick nod. She clapped her hands together with a smile and stood.

"Alright then! Why don't you come to the back counter with me?"

"Alright!" Romeo replied enthusiastically, following her behind the counter. She bent down, but quickly resumed her normal standing position.

"I have to attend to the next customer. Romeo, could you get the supplies for me from under the counter?"

"Right away!" She smiled.

"I knew I could count on you." She ruffled his hair before quickly walking away. Romeo ducked a bit and grabbed a box full of supplies. He bit his lower lip as he tried to lift the box. This is heavy... He thought to himself, eyes shut and body straining to try and pick it up. Images of Natsu suddenly began filling his mind for whatever reason. He imagined Natsu's hardened abs, on display for the world, for him... Romeo gulped as he quickly put the box on top of the counter so he could grab his head and shake it clear. Natsu was his idol, but sometimes...his thoughts were quite strange. Quickly getting rid of those images, he looked in surprise as he realized he had easily hauled the box up onto the countertop; and right on time as Mirajane walked back over to him.

"Ah, I see you managed to lift it! I'm surprised, it was a really heavy box! I don't even know if I could lift it! You did a really good job!" She ruffled his head, and he stuck his chest out proudly with a huge smile. He knew Mira was talking him up on purpose, but even so, she really did know how to compliment a kid. She put together a quick cocktail, and Romeo looked at the pretty orange liquid in wonder.

"Here!" Mira offered it up and it was taken immediately.

"Mira is definitely the best bartender ever!" One of the guild members said thankfully. He leaned down a bit. "And of course, her little helper is the best, too!" Romeo gave a huge smile. He was getting compliments all around today. His gaze suddenly fell past the current customer and on Natsu, who had a bored look on his face as Lucy lectured him on fighting too much with Gray, and Romeo's heart sank just the slightest bit. He could receive all the compliments in the world; the only one he really wanted though was Natsu's. He wanted Natsu to recognize him. He did occasionally, but usually only when Romeo did something stupid, since that was when he drew attention to himself from everyone including Natsu. He let out a small sigh, and this small action didn't go unnoticed by Mira. She crouched down again.

"Say, Romeo," The adventure in her voice quickly drew his attention over to her smiling face. "I've been running short on Magnolia berries. They're the ones growing on the wild Magnolia trees just beyond the guild hall in the woods. Do you know where they are?" Excited for where this was going, Romeo quickly nodded.

"Of course! I passed through them on my way here!" Mira gave a gasp of shock, although the shock was clearly faked on her end.

"You mean, you came through the woods to get to the guild hall? All the way from your house?!"

"It's a short cut I take sometimes!" He announced while nodding proudly.

"But going through the woods, all by yourself...that's very brave." Mira said, faking more admiration for his 'bravery'. Romeo didn't even say anything this time, he just smiled wider as his ego grew. Mira leaned forward a bit more again.

"Well, if you pass by the wild Magnolia trees with the wild Magnolia berries often...do you think you could do me a huge favor and go fetch some for me? It'll be almost like you're taking a mission from the mission board, but just for me personally." She whispered the last part, and that did it for Romeo. His smile grew wider than he thought possible, and it took everything he could to not burst in excitement. After all, he had to keep his cool and 'brave' composure.

"I'll do it!" He announced. Mira gave a look of absolute sincerity and thankfulness.

"Oh, I don't know what I would do without you! Run fast and give it your all, alright?" Her hand balled into a fist of determination, and Romeo balled his own hand into a fist. They fist-bumped before he ran out from behind the counter carrying a bucket with Mira's loving, watchful gaze on him. He passed by Natsu, and looked at him briefly before dashing out of the guild hall and losing sight of his handsome hero. He shook his head and continued running towards the forest. If I can collect a lot of berries...maybe if I walk into the guild with lots of berries...Natsu will...! He ran even faster, completely motivated now to do his absolute best on this mini 'mission' of his. He kept thinking about how Natsu would compliment him for collecting so many berries, how he would call Romeo as brave as him for doing this mission all on his own, the look of Natsu's smile...

However, the look of Natsu's smile was quickly replaced with the look of Romeo's surroundings, and he suddenly became aware of the fact that he had gotten carried away when he said things to Mira like knowing exactly where the trees with the berries were located. The daydreaming of Natsu had gotten him completely lost. He didn't even know how to get back to the guild hall, not that he would've either way. He was too determined to do his best and get compliments from Natsu. He looked around in every direction, refusing to let fear creep into him. I'm brave! Mira said so! Remember that! He silently scolded himself; because he wasn't doing so good of a job at staying brave. He backed up straight into the trunk of a tree and gave a high-pitched yelp. Despite being well into the morning, everything seemed to be suddenly darkening around Romeo as his surroundings were unfamiliar. He tried to fill his thoughts up with Natsu, but this started a chain reaction, as all he could think about was how he wanted Natsu to come find him; because he was lost. And when he thought about how lost he was, he felt the fear take over him.

Suddenly, he heard a twig snap, and his eyes widened.

"N-n-natsu?" He croaked out, his voice dry from gulping all of his saliva. A pair of red eyes glinted from the darkness from Romeo's side and he gulped in air.

"E-e-erza?" He squeaked hopefully, although he knew the eyes didn't belong to his savior. There was the sound of leaves rustling and slithering, as a reptilian creature crawled out of the darkness towards him, its tail trailing along the grassy floor. Romeo's eyes widened in absolute terror. The creature was small, about up to Romeo's hips, but it was terrifying either way. It barred it's premature fangs at him, snapping it's saliva-filled jaws. He backed up as it came towards him. It lunged suddenly.

"Ahhhh!" Romeo screamed as he fell backwards, barely dodging it's bite. He crawled backwards on his butt until he was backed against a tree. His eyes looked behind him at the trunk that he had backed up into before falling back onto the creature in front of him in terror as it advanced forward. It barred it's premature fangs once more, realizing the fact that he had nowhere to run. It quickly lunged forward, and Romeo let out another scream as he kicked his legs in a panic. He felt his shoes slap against the bottom of the reptilian's jaws, and the creature recoiled quickly, shaking its head. Frustrated, it lunged again, and this time Romeo's panicked kicks hit its snout. The creature dragged its maw across the floor in pain, and Romeo imagined what Natsu would do in a situation like this. Natsu... He stood, slowly growing in confidence. The creature came back to its senses and glared at him hatefully. Natsu... He thought again, however, Natsu wasn't the one who came to mind. Romeo found the image of someone else pop into his head as the reptile lunged forward.

"Ahhhhh!" He yelled out, lunging straight at it. He drove his small fist straight under the creature's jaw, forcing it shut. The creature backed up a bit, shaking its snout, and Romeo saw his opportunity. He quickly rushed forward and, with another loud yell, slammed his foot into the side of the creature's face, knocking it over and causing it to screech out. He was panting heavily at this point, adrenaline and images of a certain someone the only thing overriding his fear and keeping him on his feet.

The creature got up and began backing away from him. He was about to run forward again when the floor shook suddenly. Romeo's eyes became wide as the small reptile seemed to relax its muscles, as it no longer began backing up, but rather, stood stationary. The floor shook again, and Romeo fell onto his butt. Loud footsteps grew closer and closer. His eyes were wide, as from behind the small reptile, a much larger one came into view. It's red eyes glowered with hatred. Romeo's eyes had tears in them as it walked towards him, each step causing the forest floor to vibrate. It opened its jaws, revealing sharp, pointed teeth ready to slice through him. He couldn't even back up from it. All seemed to grow quiet. Then, the beast lunged its entire body forward towards him. Romeo's mouth was wide open, but no scream came out as he imagined those teeth upon him. However, an even louder noise bumbled throughout the forest, and before the massive creature could swallow him whole, it was tossed to the side. He saw a figure in front of him. His eyes became slits as he tried hard to peer at the figure. His world was hazy from the fear, and he had to really concentrate to try and make them out. All he could hear was loud noise. His eyes managed to widen a fraction, trying to take in the figure in front of him. He heard a loud explosion equivalent only to that he had heard from Natsu...but this was not Natsu. Light shown down on the figure who turned to look at him...and he recognized the copper hair.

"..." The two looked at each other, Romeo in awe and his hero with, well, what could only be described as a look of business on his face. Romeo's eyes shined. His body shook. He found a single word, the only word that was appropriate.

"...Gildarts..."

Favorite!

Follow!

Review!

Bye~