Magnolia, a city as big as New York. Just like New York, crime is around every corner. However, there is one who stands tall and watches over the city. That one leaps over buildings in a blaze of glory. Literally with his fire powers and that's where he is now. Natsu Dragneel, also known as Salamander. Salamander is the hero of Magnolia taking down all the bad guys.
"Oh yeah." Natsu said as he leaped from building to building. "Nothing like a nice exercise in the morning." Natsu jumped from one building to the next. "I better pick up the pace." Natsu moved over the buildings as fast as he could and jumped down in an alleyway so he could change. Natsu changed into his regular clothes and stepped into the open streets and waited outside an apartment building and met up with Erza.
"Natsu! You made it!" Erza said.
"Yeah. Are you surprised?" Natsu questioned.
"A little. There are times when you aren't on time." Erza said. "Are you excited for tonight? The Halloween Festival is going on."
"I know. I can't wait." Natsu said.
"Natsu, hello there." Natsu looked to the door and met Erza's mother: Irene Belserion.
"Hello, ma'am." Natsu said, but kept his guard up. Every superhero has his supervillains. Natsu believed that Irene Belserion was actually his enemy: Scarlet Despair. Scarlet Despair is one of the most dangerous criminals of the city, but he couldn't let her know he was on to her.
"I was on my way to a meeting of mine." Irene said. "Would you and Erza like a ride to school?"
"No thanks, Mom." Erza said. "Natsu and I don't mind walking and we wouldn't want you to be late for your meeting."
"Very well." Irene said as her limo pulled up. "Erza, your costume for that trivial festival is upstairs. Just go up and take it when you need it."
"Thanks, Mom." Erza said as Irene got in the car and it drove off. Natsu and Erza were on their way to school and Erza turned down that offer so the two of them could talk. "So have things gotten any better at Weekly Source?"
"Not really." Natsu said. "I keep sending in pictures, but Mr. Mailer won't change his opinion about Salamander. I don't know how much longer I can work for him, but Zeref and I need the money."
"I understand, Natsu. Has to be better than how things are with me." Erza said. "My own mother treats me like I'm an employee instead of her actual daughter."
"I know things haven't been easy between the two of you with your father gone." Natsu said. "I guess we just have to hang in there and do what we need to do."
"I think we should ease up on talking about fathers." Erza said as she pointed ahead. They made to their school and saw their friend, Gray, and he looked a little depressed. "Poor Gray. He hasn't gotten over on what happened to his father." Natsu felt horrible about it himself.
'She's right.' Natsu thought. 'Gray blames Salamander for his father's death when it was really Scarlet Despair and END's doing.'
"We should talk to him when we get the chance." Erza said. She waited for Natsu to respond, but she noticed he was staring off into space. "Natsu?" She looked to see what he was staring at and could tell. In Natsu's sight was Lucy Heatfilia, his next door neighbor and someone he was crushing big on. "Natsu!" Erza shouted and snapped him out of it.
"Sorry." Natsu said.
"You and Lucy are already good friends. You should ask her out." Erza said.
"Trust me, Erza. Salamander fighting crime is probably easier than asking Lucy out." Natsu said.
"Whatever. We were talking about Gray, remember?" Erza said. "I really think one of us should go and talk to him. I've never seen him like this before and I'm getting worried."
"I know, but Gray isn't really in the mood to talk about this kind of stuff." Natsu said. "No way is he going to let it go. He just needs to see for himself that Salamander isn't to blame."
"You might not be willing to try, but I am." Erza said and went on ahead to talk to Gray.
…
Natsu
In between classes, Natsu called his brother, Zeref. They were talking about the situation with Gray and try to figure out what to do about it.
"So what do you think, bro?" Natsu asked.
"It's going to take time, Natsu." Zeref said. "Remember when Mom and Dad died a couple years ago. You and I weren't really the same for a while, but I had to keep it together for your sake."
"Yeah, but Gray was real close with his old man. How am I going to make him understand that his death wasn't my fault?" Natsu said.
"I think it might be best to just leave it alone." Zeref said. "I know he's your best friend, but Gray needs to see for himself that Salamander isn't what he thinks it is. I've got to go. I'll see you after school." Zeref ended the call with Natsu sighing in frustration.
"Hi, Natsu." Natsu closed his locker and saw Lucy standing there.
"Hey, Lucy." Natsu said.
"Were you just talking about Gray?" Lucy said. "I feel so bad for him, but I refuse to believe that Salamander would actually kill his father."
"He wouldn't. Gray didn't see what happened. So he doesn't know what could have happened?" Natsu said.
"I'm sure he'll be okay with his friends helping him." Lucy said. "So are you going to the Halloween Festival? I bet it's going to be a lot of fun."
"Yeah. Of course I'm going to that." Natsu said and was met with a football hitting him in the back. Both of them turned and saw Laxus, the school jock, was the one who threw it at him with his entourage, Freed, Bickslow, and Evergreen, laughing at him.
"Why wear a costume, Dragneel? You look freaky enough as it is." Laxus said and laughed as they walked away with Lucy and Natsu getting annoyed by him.
"What's with Laxus? Just because he's popular doesn't mean he should act like that." Lucy said.
"I don't know what his deal is. He's been like that to me ever since we were kids." Natsu said. "Anyway, I'll see you at the festival." Natsu left Lucy and she was hoping to see him there. That's assuming Natsu can even figure out what to do.
….
Gray
School was ending and Gray got his stuff together so he could head home. He closed his locker as Erza went over to talk to him.
"Hey, Gray. Can we talk for a minute?" Erza said
"Sorry, Erza." Gray said. "I have to get home and help around the house. My mom is working a double shift and I want to give her less things to worry about. I need to help out around the house."
"Gray, you've been depressed for a while." Erza said. "You need to talk about it. I know you blame Salamander for what happened to him, but you can't hold on to it."
"He killed my dad!" Gray said. "My dad is dead because of him and you expect me to just move on from that?! Forget it. If you really want to help Erza, bring Salamander to me so I can make him hurt the way he made me hurt." Gray was on his way out and passed Natsu on his way out.
"Natsu, we really need to talk to Gray." Erza said.
"I don't know, Erza. Maybe we should just leave him alone." Natsu said, but one look she gave him made him change his mind.
…
END
Ethan Nathaniel Darringtin, also known as END, is Salamander's worst enemy. He seeks to control the city. He's had a few bad guys serve him and he desires Salamander to work for him, but since he's refusing, he desires to eliminate Salamander.
"Keep me updated on what happens." END said as he ended a call as he rode up an elevator. To everyone else, he was just a simple businessman. "People these days don't know how to take the initiative." END made it to his office and entered it.
"Hello. I hope you don't mind that I let myself in." He looked ahead and saw Scarlet Despair in his chair.
"You're in my seat." END said.
"Sorry, but you were taking a while and I needed to get comfortable." Scarlet Despair said.
"What do you want?" END questioned.
"I'm here on business." Scarlet Despair said. "I thought I should let you know that I recently came across a little drive with all the illegal deeds that you've done that could take you out of commission. Yeah. You might seem like a decent man to the outside world, but anyone who actually knows you knows better. The rest of the world will know as well."
"You're bluffing." END said.
"Maybe, but can you really take that chance?" Scarlet Despair said. End had a dagger slid out of his sleeve and was about to strike. "Ah, ah, ah. I don't have it on me, but I will tonight."
"When tonight? Where?" END said.
"You'll know." Scarlet Despair said as she called her hover disk and stepped on it. "Oh and come alone." She flew right out the window. END knew not to trust her, but he knew this be a best opportunity to eliminate her.
…
Natsu
"How does she do it?" Natsu said. Natsu changed into his costume and was jumping across buildings because of Erza. "One look and I'm off talking to Gray." Natsu stopped in his tracks when he spotted Scarlet Despair flying through the air. "Of course, she didn't say when." Natsu changed directions and went after her. "Scarlet!" He called and got her attention. "Where've you been?"
"Been looking for you." Scarlet Despair said as she turned around and tackled Natsu with the two of them flying around. "We both want END out of the way."
"For different reasons." Natsu said. "Me so I can protect the city. You so you can take over."
"Well, you should know that I managed to get a drive that will put him away." Scarlet Despair said as Natsu climbed under her board. "Great. Fork it over and I'll take both of you in."
"I don't have it on me, but I will tonight." Scarlet Despair said.
"When tonight? Where?" Natsu said.
"Déjà vu." Scarlet Despair. "Oh well. Believe me, Salamander, you'll know. Oh and heads up." Natsu didn't understand until he felt himself hit the roof of a building and she flew off.
"I think Gray will have to wait." Natsu said.
….
The Halloween Festival
Everyone was loving the Halloween Festival. Magnolia High had a little stand set and little kids were taking sweets.
"Argh! Enjoy the cookie." Mirajane said with her dressed like a pirate. Erza was dressed like a knight and was looking for Natsu and Gray. However, there was no sign of either of them.
"Hey, Erza." Erza looked and spotted Lucy dressed like a vampire. "Nice knight costume. Is everything okay?"
"I'm actually looking forward Natsu and Gray. I'm a little worried about Gray." Erza said.
"I get it. You three have been friends for a long time." Lucy said. "I'm sure they're around here somewhere. I doubt they miss this." Lucy said as she pointed to something amusing.
"Lean to the left! Lean to the right. Stand up! Stand up! Fight! Fight! Fight!" Laxus, Freed, Bickslow, and some other jockies were dressed just like cheerleaders.
"Woo! Shake it boys!" Lucy cheered and everyone was amused by it.
…
Natsu
Natsu arrived at the festival and was on his way down. He heard his phone go off and saw it was Erza.
"Hey, Erza." Natsu said.
"Natsu! Finally! Have you talked to Gray?" Erza said.
"Not yet." Natsu said. "I didn't get the chance. Hopefully, he showed up to the festival. Where are you?" He landed on the street, but just noticed he landed right next to Erza.
"Natsu?" Erza questioned.
"Surprise!" Natsu said as he removed his mask. "What do you think?"
"Wow! For a second I thought you were the real Salamander, but that might not be the best with Gray." Erza said. Erza led Natsu to their school's stand and Natsu saw what Laxus and the others were doing. They were actually trying to do the pyramid. Laxus spotted him and laughed.
"Ha! Look. Natsu is trying to pose being Salamander. As if." Laxus said.
"Wow. Natsu, that's pretty great." Lucy said with Natsu blushing. "You look amazing in that costume."
"What?" Laxus said and his movements caused the pyramid to tumble. "He doesn't look a thing like Salamander. Salamander is much cooler. I would have dressed up as Salamander if I didn't lose a bet to Dragneel."
"Don't worry, Laxus. Lucy was right. You got the legs for your outfit." Natsu said with him laughing and Laxus getting annoyed.
"Laxus, leave him alone. The point is to have fun." Mirajane said and most people were. The fun continued as they all saw fireworks going off….scarlet fireworks with a witch's hat.
"Scarlet!" Natsu said as he knew that had to the signal.
"Natsu, we should get Gray." Erza said, but Natsu was already gone.
….
Steel Mill
The fireworks were coming from a steel mill and that's where Scarlet Despair was. END found his way there and so did Natsu.
"Hey! You got the invite too. Trap?" Natsu said.
"Trap." END said.
"I figured. Race you inside." Natsu said and the two of them head inside. Both of them saw the place was working and were keeping an eye opened for her.
"You two came! Happy Halloween to me." Scarlet Despair said through the PC.
"Where's the drive?" END said.
"I can't believe you two actually fell for that." Scarlet Despair said. They saw a carrier of hot pig iron. It was about to pour on them, but both of them moved out of the way. She had the entire place rigged with traps as the ceiling opened up and some bombs came raining down around them.
"Down!" END pushed Natsu and they both went down on a lower level to avoid the bombs.
"Wow. Thanks." Natsu said.
"Thank me by taking her down." END said.
"As if I allow that to happen." Scarlet Despair said. She had more pig iron fall around them, but the two of them kept going. END looked ahead and spotted the controls.
"That's where she is." END said.
"I got it." Natsu said as he jumped through the area to head at her, but she was going to stop him. She flipped a switch and a bunch of blades were shot at them from behind. Natsu maneuvered his body around to avoid them, but END used his own dagger and deflected each of them. Natsu smashed through the windows of the control room and found her.
"You're quite jumpy. It's only a trick and treat for Halloween." Scarlet Despair said. Natsu tackled her and they both fell out of the control room. With them out, END made his way inside and messed with the controls.
"Oops." END said and got out of there as fast as he could. The machines were going crazy and it was causing the place to fall to pieces. END made his escape while those two tear each other apart. However, the two of them flew out on Scarlet Despair's hover board.
"Why don't you just give up?!" Scarlet Despair said as he smacked him across the face and he fell on a bridge.
"Because I know who's under the mask." Natsu said.
"We all wear masks, Salamander, but which is real?" Scarlet Desapir said as she shot shocks from her fingers. "The one you wear or your actual face." She kept trying to shoot at him, but Natsu was avoiding all of her attacks. Natsu jumped off from a wall and at her, but she easily smacked him away and shot a bomb from her staff. It exploded near Natsu and it blew him into a building. "Now let's see what breaks. A wall or your bones!" She came at him, but Natsu climbed up a building and avoided her. He climbed up to the roof, but she went after him. She thought she had him, but she lost sight of him. "Run all you like Salamander. You can't hide forever!" Natus kept himself hidden as Scarlet Despair flew off. Natsu took some damage from those impacts and was glad she left.
"I know that's Miss Belserion, but how can I stop her. I don't want Erza to lose her mother because of me as well." Natsu said. How can he stop one of his greatest villains when her daughter is his closest friend?
…..
Gray
Gray didn't even go to the festival. He just stayed home as he stared out to the place from his bedroom window. Only one thing is on his mind and it's all that drives him.
"I know you're out there, Salamander." Gray said. "I swear I will kill you one day and I don't care what I have to do to do it."