Chapter 1
A/N: This story takes place pre-chapter 337, happening sometime right after the events that lead to him meeting Schierke. Well away from the main group, they explored a cave far in the depths of a dark forest, Guts encountered a horde beasts. After mopping the floor with the monsters he began to feel light headed, then a bright light filled the room. When he awoke he found himself in the depths of a different forest.
"God damn…" Guts ground to himself.
The cold soil beneath sent a chill through his spin. Finally he opened his single eye, glaring up at the forest's canopy. With a sigh he raised himself, rubbing the back of his neck and adjusting his fake arm. Again he sighed and rose to his feet, stopping halfway to check if his sword was still in it's place. It was.
He shook himself loose and stood his full 6 feet. He quickly scanned his surroundings. The forest was much more pleasant than the former. Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted from his chest.
"Hey you big oaf! Let me out!" a high pitched voice proclaimed from under his cloak.
Guts glared down at the tiny bulge; "oh yeah, forgot about you piss ant."
He lifted his shirt and the elf fluttered out.
"Who you calling piss ant, numb skull!" Puck spat, "Where are we anyway?"
"Hell if I know."
"Well lets go!"
After a few minutes of walking Guts stopped and handed the hilt of his blade.
"Down." he ordered.
"What is it?" Puck questioned.
Over a near by hill voices could be heard; "What did you say ice for brains!?" A fiery voice barked.
A cool voice responded; "I called you a dimwit!"
Finally a female voice yelled at the both; "That enough you to! Where almost home so let's keep it together!"
Guts slowly made his way to the top of the hill and looked down; before him he saw three people. First was young man with bright pink hair, a white scarf and wore funny looking clothes. He was yelling at the other boy, who had long black hair. They had been at each other's throats when the girl with them tore them apart. She was blond and…"top heavy". They all fought for a moment but then relives they were being watched.
The pink haired boy was the first to speak; "Hey Gray, what's with Mr. Gloomy?"
"I don't know Natsu but that glare is giving me the chills."
After a few moments of staring the girl stepped forward with a smile. She was dressed in a skirt that was far too short. Guts glared at her as well. Hand still on his sword.
"Umm hello?" the girl quivered, " my name is Lucy, these are my friends; Natsu and Gray. Were from Fairy Tail, who are you?"
She was answered with more glares and a grunt. Then the armored man turned to walk away.
"Hey! She asked you a question!" Natsu yelled up at him. Turning, Guts saw that his hands were ablaze.
"Demon!" Guts crust with a yell. Spinning to one knee, Guts grabbed his auto crossbow and let loose a hail of bolts. To his shock they were swept away with a storm of fire.
He rose to his feet; "fine, be that way." He began to make his way down the hill, unsheathing his weapon. He turned his head to look at them with a single, blood shot eye. Guts stopped at the base of the hill and leveled his blade.
"This sword is named 'Dragonslayer.' He growled. "All that learn his name, die." The trio looked at the massive hunch of iron. Their mouths fell open at the size of the sword.
What happened next brought a quizzical look to Guts' face. The pink boy...was laughing at him?
"That's funny!" he said when he finally stopped. The committee was gone from his face, replaced with anger. "My name is Natsu Dragneel! I am the Fire Dragon Slayer!" They matched each-others toothy grin. Natsu was the first to move. He flung himself at the man like a fireball. Guts stepped aside, swing Dragonslayer at the boy's head. Natsu ducked and rolled, landing on the heels of his feet he let out a yell; "FIRE DRAGON IRON CLAW!" and again lunched at Guts. This time he was not fast enough, caching the fiery punch in the chest. He shoved the boy away with a grunt and attacked again. Mid-swing and tuned the sword to it's blunt side, smacking the startled mage. As he crashed to the earth Guts felt a coldness at his back. He turned to see that the dark haired boy had...removed his shirt…and was preparing a spell. All he was able to say was; "Ice mak..ugh!" as a swift punch to the gut silenced him. He then turned to the girl. She shook in fear as the huge man stormed towards her. Sword on his broad shoulders. As he neared, a voice roared from behind him; "get away from my friends!" Guts again turned to see Natsu back on his feet. Engulfed in raging fire, he yelled again.
"Lucy, move!" ,she dove aside, "FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!" a column of flame erupted from his mouth and barred its way towards Guts. Quickly he rose his left arm. It's hand flung down to expose a barrel and he a jerked a thin cored. The canon fired and ripped through the center of the storm. Natsu, just barely jumped, out of the way but was caught in the fire. Guts braced himself for the combined fire and let a smirk flood his face. Although, it was soon gone the moment he saw the kid eating the flames.
"What the fuck!"
"I told you buddy!" a voice proclaimed from the smoke; "I'm a Fire Dragon Slayer! I eat fire!"
Guts gritted his teeth and braced for the next assault. It never calm. The fight was stopped by to flying annoyances.
"Guts!" Puck screamed, "Look at your brand! Its not bleeding!" He was right. Guts' brand lay dormant. The other creature, a flying blue cat, began to yell at the boy as he finished his meal.
"Puck! You littl' shit! Get out of the way, demon or not, I'm not done here."
"No, these are wizards! They mean us no harm!"
"He's right!" the cat chimed in. Guts slowly lowered his sword as the Lucy and Natsu helped Gray to his feet.
"So who are you guys?" Asked the Dragon Slayer.
All the got from Guts was a grunt so Puck answered; "I'm Puck and this meanie is Guts! Nice to meet you."
Lucy replied; "I'm Lucy, this is Natsu, Gray and that's..."
"And I'm Happy!" the cat interrupted.
"It's nice to meet you Puck!" She finished.
"So what are you?" Gray asked with a tilted of his head.
"I'm an elf." he explained, "we're from Midland, well Guts is." Again Guts grunted and finally put away his blade.
"The hell are we?" He asked as he crossed his arms.
"You're in Fiore." Lucy answered. "but how did you get here?"
Both Guts and Puck shrugged their shoulders.
"Well come on back to the guild hall and meet everyone, I'm sure we can find you away home." Lucy exclaimed. She received nods from her partners and they set off.
Gray and the girl walked in front. Happy and Puck flew together and Natsu yelled up from under them. Guts followed from behind glaring. Slowly Natsu made his way back to him.
"So...Guts was it? Funny name."
A long pause followed the grunt of displeasure Guts released.
"Ever kill a dragon?"
"No. But I've killed plenty of man."
A shocked Natsu stopped. Guts didn't look back.
