Ch 2: Tragedy and Loss
Several hours later on a small fishing boat:
"Are you sure you're alright Salamander?" asked the owner of the boat.
"Yea just a little motion sickness." replied Natsu with all of his concentration being on not throwing up while he said that. Then quickly letting it all come out over the side of the boat where it wouldn't make a mess that someone would have to clean up.
"A little motion sickness my ass, that's the worst case of it I have ever seen while being a fisherman for the past thirty years." stated the man as he shook his head back and forth.
"I'll trust you on that one sir." replied Natsu with a weak voice as he once again emptied the contents of his stomach into the ocean.
"Which way do I need to go Salamander, since you only told me that you would be able to guide me there?" asked the older man that Natsu hired to take him to the island where the S-Class exams where being held.
Natsu only pointed to thirty degrees to the right of their current heading. Natsu had never actually been to Tenrou Island before and didn't even know if it was on any of the maps. But none of that mattered thanks to his nose which easily allowed him to follow the large group of Fairy Tail mages that he's know most for his entire life while being a member of Fairy Tail.
"I know that you told me this before, but how do you know where your friends are?" asked the man as he changed their heading to where Natsu pointed. Rather than saying anything Natsu just pointed to his nose and gave a small grin before leaning over the edge again just in case he needed to throw up.
"That must be pretty handy sometimes while also bad at other times, because look at what we're doing now. No one else could do something like this, but on the other hand how would you handle the smell of rotting fish which is something that I smell more often than I would like?" asked the man with a grin.
Instead of saying anything Natsu once again started to vomit over the side of the boat.
"AHAHAH that's what I thought, that nose of yours is a blessing while also being a curse. Which I hear is actually pretty common with any sort of blessing that people get." stated the older man with a grin.
"Can you tell how close we are to them Salamander?" asked the man who was thoroughly enjoying the ten thousand jewels that Natsu paid him to so far to just take Natsu out for a ride on his boat.
"We're getting close." mumbled Natsu being barley able to speak.
"Good to hear Salamander, it wouldn't happen to be that island off in the distance?" asked the fisherman since it was the only thing on the horizon. All he got from Natsu was a nod confirming that he was correct with his assumption.
"I have been dying to ask you this Salamander since we started this trip, but what happened to your arm?" asked the older man with a smile.
"Drake tried to bite it off." replied Natsu quickly as he once again started to hurl over the side of the boat.
"You have to be shitting me, a real live drake bit your arm and you didn't lose it?" asked the man in shock. Once again all Natsu did was nod his head signifying that it actually happened as hard as it was to believe.
"Sorry Salamander but I find that really hard to believe, wait a minute what in the world are Council ships doing all the way out here?" asked the fisherman as he looked at the large fleet that were stationed around the island. This caused Natsu to bolt upright and completely forget that he was on a form of transportation.
"What the hell are they doing here, this island is supposed to be a secret I thought?" asked Natsu knowing that no one was going to respond but then he felt a presence of magic that scared him right down to his core. And the worst part it was coming from the Island that he knew his friends and family were on.
"What in god's green world is that?" asked the fisherman who was literally shaking in his boots at the sight of a black dragon taking flight off of the island and gaining height.
"Acnologia." muttered Natsu with pure hatred in his voice as he then let out a roar that brought the fisherman to his knees while he covered his ears. Once Natsu stopped his roar the old man got up to only to be brought back down by the roar of the black dragon that was now staring at their boat.
"What in the hell are you thinking Salamander are you trying to get us killed?" asked the man as he started to fear for his life that he now assumed was going to end in a few seconds.
"No I am just trying to save my friends, thanks for the ride and you are free to go now." said Natsu as he then jumped into the air and ignited himself on fire and hurtled towards the island with the black dragon hovering above it.
On Tenrou Island moments before:
"What in the hell are we supposed to do when our attacks do nothing?" asked Laxus in frustration that they didn't even leave a scratch on Acnologia.
"Not even with three dragon slayers could we hurt him." stated Gajeel as he was panting from exhaustion.
"That's why I said that we needed to run." replied Gildarts with a frown on his face.
"So what is the plan now Master?" asked Erza as they all watched Acnologia take flight and start gaining altitude.
"We stand united as a family of course." said Master Makarov with a big smile as he held out his hand for one of them to grab. Soon all of the Fairy Tail mages where in a big circle holding each other's hands and smiling at each other, while thinking about all the memories that they shared with one another. They all just waited for their impending doom.
But then from somewhere out in the ocean came a roar that all most made them cover their ears, but upon hearing it everyone could only smile knowing who made that roar. Their smiles soon turned to expressions of concern knowing that their idiot of a dragon slayer had no idea what he was getting himself into, so they started to talk while his roar went continued.
"Is that Natsu?" asked Lucy with a faint smile since this was just like Natsu to show up at the last second and save the day.
"That's Salamander alright and he sounds pissed." Gajeel said while chuckling and giving Levy a reassuring smile.
"What is that idiot doing here?" asked Master Makarov with a big smile.
"I told you Master that something like putting him to sleep wasn't going to stop him." said Mira with a big smile because just like Lucy she had gotten used to Natsu saving the day by somehow doing the impossible.
"Flame Brain even used transportation to get here." stated Grey with a big grin.
"Is that idiot trying to get Acnologia to focus on him?" asked Laxus in disbelief, because he knew that Natsu did crazy shit in his past but this was plainly just suicidal.
"Yep it's probably the only plan that he could come up with that would possibly save our lives." said Erza with a proud smile at what Natsu was trying to do and she already had plans of how she was going to punish him for doing something so reckless if they all made it out of here alive.
"AHAHAH that idiot never ceases to amaze me." said Gildarts while chuckling but was the drowned out by Acnologia roaring back at Natsu with a roar that would have most likely caused them to all pass out if it was directed at them. After Acnologia was done roaring the members of Fairy Tail all uncovered their ears and got back up to where they were standing before and looked up to see that Acnologia seemed to still be focused on them. So once again they all joined hands while looking up at the dragon that was apparently intent on killing them.
"You did your best Natsu it was a valiant try." said Master Makarov as he started to cry thinking how lucky of a Master he was to have members like he did.
"Please don't die Natsu, Fairy Tail will really need you once we're gone." said Erza with sad smile as she too started to cry knowing that if Natsu did in fact survive this as improbable as that may seem. That he would blame himself for their death and do who knows what because of it.
"Natsu." whispered almost all of the other girls with tears coming down their faces thinking along the same lines of Erza and knowing that if Acnologia didn't kill him then their deaths might finish the job.
And then they were all stunned to see a huge stream of fire smash into Acnologia's face as he was charging up his roar and left a cloud of smoke obscuring their view of the black dragon. As it cleared their hearts dropped seeing that Acnologia was acting as if he wasn't just hit and continued charging his roar like nothing happened.
"You gave it your all Salamander." said Gajeel with a big grin.
"Dammit Natsu you can't die on fairy tail too." whispered Grey as he squeezed Juvia's hand tighter.
The whole group of Fairy Tail mages looked up into the sky with smiles on their faces as Acnologia's roar came barreling down on them. And the last thing that they saw was the flaming form of Natsu Dragneel charging at Acnologia like is life depended on it, and then there was nothing.
Grimoire Heart Airship before Acnologia took flight:
"Why couldn't you all just let me live in peace on that island?" asked Zeref as he looked out the front of the Airship as it slowly flew away from Tenrou Island.
Zeref then felt something that wasn't supposed to be at the island especially now that Acnologia was out and wreaking havoc on it. Then he heard the roar that confirmed his suspicions that he was just having and could only shake his head in disapproval.
"Natsu you weren't supposed to be here, you can't die on me, otherwise this torture will never end for me." said Zeref as he listened to the roar of Natsu.
"Please survive Natsu, otherwise this world will most definitely fall into chaos within a few years." said Zeref who has gotten into the habit of talking to himself, but what do you expect when you can't die and everything dies around you.
"If you do happen to survive I know that you will become stronger than anyone could possibly imagine, and will be able to change the world with every decision that you make." stated Zeref with a grin.
"I would love to meet you now Natsu but it is still too soon, but don't worry Natsu, I believe that we will most definitely see each other again." whispered Zeref to on one as the airship continued on its path away from Fiore.
Council Ship before Acnologia took flight:
"Lahar please just let me go back there and save some of them." begged Doranbolt as he was being held by two Rune Knights.
"And do what Doranbolt, bring Acnologia's attention our way?" asked Lahar which caused Doranbolt to stop fighting and hang his head in defeat.
"Besides this is going to accomplish what the Council wanted you to do." stated Lahar while he stared at the island.
"But that was only going to be the disbanding of Fairy Tail not the annihilation of it." shouted Doranbolt.
"Doranbolt there are still other members of Fairy Tail out there, like that Natsu Dragneel that the Council is always complaining about. But unfortunately he's not on this island so he might still be a problem for the Council as Fairy Tail slowly dies off after losing their strongest members here today." stated Lahar with an expressionless face.
"How the fuck can you say that Lahar, these are good mages that have always helped those in need? Especially Natsu, and you stand here saying that you want him to die along with the rest of Fairy Tail's best just so the Council doesn't have to do a little more paper work!" shouted Doranbolt as he tried to get at Lahar for being such a cold hearted bastard.
"I don't want that Doranbolt I was just pointing out that it would have made things easier for the council." stated Lahar as he watched Acnologlia take flight.
"Well the Council is lucky that he isn't since it seems that we might have more drakes popping up if what the first drake told Natsu was true. I would also like to point out that we would still be dealing with that right now if it wasn't for him." stated Doranbolt angrily.
"Doranbolt I have nothing against Fairy Tail and am only following my orders just like you. Honestly Fiore is lucky that they have been there when we needed them the most." stated Lahar.
"I don't fucking get you at all." said Doranbolt who was then startled by a ferocious roar coming out from the sea.
"What in the world is that?" asked Lahar as he turned to Doranbolt.
"It sounds like another dragon." replied Doranbolt as he started to scan the sky for one.
"You have to be kidding me this was just supposed to be taking down Fairy Tail but then Grimoire Heart showed up. That was something that we could handle, but then their came the reports that Zeref might have been involved too. But no Acnologia came in to destroy everything and apparently bringing another dragon with him." said Lahar in disbelief at this situation.
Doranbolt was going to say something back to him when Acnologia roared back at the first roar and this time they all dropped to their knees at the power and how loud it was. They finally got back up after Acnologia finished his roar and were surprised to see that he was once again concentrated on the island and not caring about whatever made that first roar.
"What is he planning on doing?" asked Lahar as they watched Acnologia start charging his roar.
"He's going to take out the whole island." stated Doranbolt while feeling responsible for the lives that were soon going to be lost.
"What in the hell is that?" asked a Rune Knight as he pointed to the sky and they watched as a ball of fire shot a huge stream of fire right at Acnologia's face.
"Dear lord it's actually trying to fight Acnologia, who is stupid enough to do something like that?" asked Lahar in complete disbelief at what he's witnessing.
"That would be the one and only Natsu Dragneel the Salamander." replied Doranbolt who couldn't help but smile but was instantly lost as he then watched Acnologia unleash his charged up roar on the island. Everyone just stared at the place that once had an island that was literally reduced to absolutely nothing by being hit by just one of Acnologia's attacks.
There was once again a roar but this time it sounded like a dragon that was ready to do one thing only and that was to kill it's enemies. Which exactly what it looked like Natsu was trying to do as they watched him fly at Acnologia and start hitting random parts of the dragon's huge body.
"Alright men let's move out before Acnologia turns on us." stated Lahar as he turned away from the fight as his men quickly followed his order's because they all would really prefer if they weren't around when Acnologia was done with Natsu.
"We have to help Natsu." shouted Doranbolt who was still being restrained by two Rune Knights.
"He was dead Doranbolt as soon as he attacked Acnologia and I will not have any of my men die pointlessly while I can do something about it. Knights, keep a constant watch on Doranbolt and to not let him get away from you." commanded Lahar as he walked away from them.
"Yes sir." shouted the Rune Knights in response as they continued to hold Doranbolt.
Doranbolt looked back at the fight as he watched Acnologia swipe at something and see a small dot get launched into the water. Acnologia let out a small victory roar and then took off not caring about the Council ships in the slightest.
"I am so sorry Fairy Tail, Natsu please forgive me for not being able to do what you just did." said Doranbolt as he started to cry.
With Acnologia after Fairy Tail's attacks did nothing:
"Well it was fun playing around with these insects, I think it's about time that I end this." thought Acnologia as he took flight and watched the pitiful human start holding each other's hands as if that was going to help them.
"A simple roar should reduce them to nothing." thought Acnologia as he smirked at the look of despair on some of their faces; it was truly the best part of doing what he's known for. Acnologia just loved to listen to them beg and scream for mercy which he has never once shown any of his opponents in battle and never will.
Then came a roar and a flare of magic that caught Acnologia off guard. But what shocked him more was the fact that this roar actually caused the insects underneath him to actually smile and actually have to look of hope return to all of them. This made Acnologia wonder who was the owner of this roar that was going on and then finally came to the realization that it must have been another dragon slayer that belonged to the group underneath him.
"If only he was here with you guys you all might have actually stood a chance if I felt his amount of magic correctly. But alas he wasn't and now he's going to have to watch all of you die right in front of him." thought Acnologia with a sickening smile spreading across his mouth as the roar stopped.
"Time to bring him here." thought Acnologia as he let out his own roar in reply to the stranger and afterwards started to build up a devastating roar that he was only going to release once the dragon slayer got close enough to see his friends.
"Just a little bit closer." thought Acnologia as he watched the flaming person come from his peripherals. The next thing Acnologia knew he was hit by the roar of this dragon slayer that came from nowhere but still wasn't able to pierce his scales.
"I was definitely correct about you slayer, you have power that most would do anything to obtain, that attack almost got through my scales. But it is truly a shame that you now are going to die by my hands now, you would have made for a good opponent in a few years." thought Acnologila as he unleashed his roar onto the island which then vanished.
"Hmm my roar shouldn't have gotten rid of the whole island." thought Acnologia as he looked at the spot that no longer had an Island. Another roar was let loose right in front of Acnologia along with the slayer's magic spiking to levels unheard of for someone as young as the slayer in front of him.
"I'll kill you for taking them away from me Acnologia!" shouted the slayer as launched himself at Acnologia with speeds that the dragon had troubles following. And the slayer started to attack away at Acnologia who couldn't pin down the position of the Slayer because he only stayed in one spot for two attacks at most and moved to somewhere completely different. The slayer was literally going to spots that were not important at all but did that only to make sure that Acnologia wouldn't be able to predict where he might end up.
"You would have made a good opponent in a few years slayer." said Acnologia with a chuckle because this was the first time that he had talked to a human in over a hundred years because in his opinion none of them were worthy to hear his voice.
But this slayer was different than all of the other humans and even the other slayers that Acnologia has fought with, but this one fought with his life truly on the line which is something that most humans are too afraid to do. But not this one and from what Acnologia could tell this was how he treated all of his fights, he was literally ready to die in this fight which gave him the ability to do things that a normal person wouldn't.
"What are you talking about would have been a good opponent? FIRE DRAGON'S PIERCING CLAW!" asked Natsu as he then shouted out his attack and hit Acnologia at the base of his right wing.
"Why you little bitch that actually hurt." said Acnologia as swatted where Natsu was once at but he was already landing another FIRE DRAGON'S PIERCING CLAW on his tail.
"You do realize that you are barely hurting me slayer?" asked Acnologia in annoyance as Natsu landed a few more of those hits on various parts of his body each time they just barely making it through his scales.
"Yes, but I told you that I was going to kill you for taking away my friends." stated Natsu as he continued his fast attacks on Acnologia.
"You are going to run out of energy soon here slayer and when you do I am going to enjoy eating you." taunted Acnologia who stopped trying to swat Natsu down and was actually coming up with another plan to end the life of this infuriating slayer.
"I can do this all day Acnologia if it means that I get to end you and your reign of terror." shouted Natsu as he stuck with his plan that so far has been working quite well. Which was using Acnologia's size and ever so slightly slower speed to his advantage but it was really starting to take a toll on Natsu even while he was in dragon force.
"I am surprised that you were able to achieve the first stage of dragon force Slayer, and I am also wondering why you only said that I took away your friends and not killed them?" asked Acnologia as he just came up with a way to end this pitiful fight, which was sadly the best that he's had for years considering that the little slayer could get through his scales.
"That's because they somehow got away before your roar reached them." stated Natsu as he kept assaulting Acnologia.
"That is a very keen eye you have their slayer, I thought something was fishy with the whole island disappearing, too bad that whenever they return you won't be waiting for them. So what is your name slayer and this is a great honor that I have only shown a few opponents?" asked Acnologia with a big grin.
"It's Natsu Dragneel the son of Igneel the Fire Dragon King." said Natsu proudly as he landed a blow at one of the spots he attacked earlier and finally drew blood from the mighty Acnologia. Who only had a sinister grin as he let out a large amount of magic that launched Natsu away from Acnologia which was exactly what he was waiting for since up till Natsu was always right next to him and on the move.
With a swipe of his left arm Acnologia made contact with Natsu's head and then watched him plummet into the sea like a rocket. Acnologia looked at his claws seeing the slayers blood on them but not as much as he would have wanted so he looked at the sea waiting for the slayer to emerge from the ocean in all his fiery glory and commence the fight. But that didn't happen so Acnologia let out his victory roar and took off to look for something else to amuse him.
"Natsu Dragneel that name sounds familiar for some reason, guess it doesn't matter now that he's dead but you were the first to make me bleed I will definitely remember your name Natsu Dragneel. And to think that Igneel could have raised such a strong slayer, I have to hand it to that old lizard he sure knows how to pick them. Maybe I should try and find him so that I can be the one to tell him that I killed his precious son." thought Acnologia with a sadistic grin on his face as he flew off into the distance.
On a boat with two ex-Grimoire Heart mages before any of the roars:
"Come on Meredy we need to get out of here as fast as we can." stated Ultear who was no longer in her Grimoire Heart uniform and was wearing civilian clothing. But before Meredy could respond, who also was in similar attire as Ultear, a loud roar came from farther ahead of them causing them to cover their ears.
"What in the world was that Ultear?" shouted Meredy as the roar continued and they both still had their ears covered.
"I don't know Meredy and would prefer if we didn't find out." replied Ultear with a worried look wondering what fresh hell was upon them now as if Acnologia wasn't enough.
"Thank goodness it stopped." said Meredy with a smile directed at Ultear but was quickly followed by the roar from Acnologia causing them both to cover their ears again.
"You just had to say that didn't you?" asked Ultear with a small smile.
"Someone had to." replied Meredy with her own little smile, glad that Ultear wasn't going to leave her.
"What do you think that was all about?" asked Meredy as soon as Acnologia's roar stopped.
"That." was Ultear's response as she pointed to a flaming body flying through the sky.
"What in the world was that?" asked Meredy having never seen anything like that.
"That would be the Salamander, Natsu Dragneel one might even call him the true Ace of Fairy Tail since he comes to save the day when no one else can." explained Ultear as they both watched him fly at Acnologia.
"He isn't going to try and fight Acnologia is he Ultear?" asked Meredy who knew that such a thing would be suicide. But before Ultear could answer they watched as Natsu unleashed his own fiery roar onto Acnologia, which definitely answered Meredy's question.
But watching the whole island disappear as Acnologia's roar made contact scared both of them so much that they could only just sit there and watch as Natsu attacked Acnologia.
"He's actually fighting him." said Meredy in complete shock that Natsu wasn't instantly killed.
"Yea and I want to get a better view." said Ultear as she sent out her orb to get a closer look while not endangering their lives any more than they already were. And what they saw was astonishing, not only was Natsu not dying he was actually taking off a few of Acnologia's scales with his punches.
"And he was supposed to be on this island when we attacked Fairy Tail?" asked Meredy who was really happy that Natsu wasn't because from what she was seeing none of them would have had a chance.
"Yes he was supposed to be but lucky for us on his last mission he got injured." stated Ultear as she watched the two power houses battle it out and listen to the few words that they were exchanging.
"What could have possibly hurt a mage like that?" asked Meredy.
"A drake which is just a different type of dragon." answered Ultear quickly since she didn't want to miss anything that the two of them said to each other.
"Wow that's pretty impressive." stated Meredy with a small smile.
"No way!" shouted Ultear in disbelief.
"What did they say Ultear?" asked Meredy because she wasn't listening to the two talk while they fought she was too mesmerized by Natsu's speed and strength.
"The Fairy Tail mages are still alive somehow." stated Ultear.
"But how, the whole island's gone?" asked Meredy but didn't even care about the answer because she saw something that she didn't want to see. And that was seeing Natsu finally taking a hit and falling from the sky into the ocean which would be his final resting place.
"No." gasped Meredy as she watched Natsu sink into the ocean thanks to Ultear's orb.
"We have to do something Ultear." said Meredy as she shook Ultear who looked like she was really focused on something while also waiting for something else to happen.
"Ultear what are you doing, he needs our help." said Meredy as Acnologia let out his victory roar and took off.
"There, since he's finally gone we can now go and get him." replied Ultear with a smile.
"What are you talking about Ultear?" asked Meredy as Ultear started to steer the little ship to where Natsu fell in.
"I did exactly what you wanted Meredy, once Natsu went into the ocean I caught him with a few of my orbs and then removed the water around him with my arc of time. But I had to wait until Acnologia left otherwise all of that would be for nothing." said Ultear as they got closer to where Natsu was.
"Is he still alive after that hit?" asked Meredy realizing that Natsu actually could have died from a hit like that. Actually she now thought that it would be a miracle if he was alive because a normal mage would definitely be dead, but then again what she just saw of Natsu proved to Meredy that he was anything but normal.
"Remarkably Natsu just barely moved out of the way from that being a fatal attack. But he might have lost an eye in the process of dodging it and preventing that attack from taking his whole head off." explained Ultear as she stopped the boat and floated Natsu over to them with her orbs lifting him up.
"Oh dear lord." said Meredy who looked at Natsu's face which now had three deep cuts going from the middle of his forehead and then going over his left eye at a downwards angle ending just past his cheekbone. There was so much blood that Meredy couldn't tell if his left eye was even there or not and she was really hoping that it was for his sake because it would definitely take him a long time to adjust to one eye.
"Stop just staring at him Meredy and help me clean and bandaged his wounds." said Ultear in a motherly tone that broke Meredy out over her staring at Natsu's wounds.
"Sorry Ultear." replied Meredy as she quickly started to help Ultear with cleaning the wounds. A few minutes later Natsu's left half of his upper face was completely wrapped in bandages.
"Why isn't he awake yet Ultear?" asked Meredy as they started to head back to the mainland of Fiore.
"He probably just got knocked out by that hit Meredy, you saw how fast he flew into the water." stated Ultear she was driving their boat.
"So what are we going to do with him?" asked Meredy who just realized that she never even thought about what they would do once they saved him from drowning.
"Take him to Fairy Tail of course." replied Ultear with a small smile.
"Are you sure that's wise Ultear, we are still wanted because of being members of Grimoire Heart." stated Meredy with a frown.
"Yes that is true, but we can't just leave him somewhere where he could get mugged or killed by some stranger. Fairy Tail will need his strength now more than ever before Meredy and this will be the first good thing that I have done for a long time. But it definitely won't be the last I promise you that Meredy and that is a promise I intend to keep." said Ultear with a small smile and a look of determination in her eyes.
"You forgot about putting that village back to its original state." said Natsu as he sat up, shocking both of the girls so much that they almost fell out of the boat.
"Easy you two, sorry about that, I didn't think that you would freak out like that." said Natsu as he started to fiddle with his bandages.
"How long have you been awake?" asked Ultear who has already encountered Natsu and knows that he isn't as dumb as he would like everyone else to believe.
"Long enough to know that you two saved me when you didn't have to and also that you were once members of Grimoire Heart which is one of the two remaining heads of the Balam Alliance. I also know that you two were going to risk getting captured to take me back to Fairy Tail. What I don't know is why ex members of Grimoire Heart were at Tenrou Island and why do you two have the scents of a few of my friends on you." said Natsu as he ripped off the bandages causing the wounds to start bleeding again.
"Hey why did you do that, we went to a lot of trouble to get you all bandage up?" asked Meredy in an angry voice that just made Natsu chuckle.
"And I am grateful for that, but if I left them there then I couldn't do this." said Natsu as he shot fire at his face stunning both Meredy and Ultear by his strange action. They were both about to ask him what in the hell was he doing when he stopped shooting flames and showed them what he just did.
"So how do they look?" asked Natsu with a grin on his face as looked at the two girls with him. They were both amazed that he would go about sealing up his wounds in such a way that definitely ensured that they were going to leave scars, even though the chances of that were already really high.
"I would say that you look very intimidating Salamander." said Ultear with a little grin as she looked at the three big scars that went over his left eye and surprisingly didn't get the eye in the process.
"You can say that again, but how did Acnologia leave you with three cuts that close together?" asked Meredy as she stared at Natu's new scars.
"Well my best guess is that he brought his claws together knowing that he was going to hit me and wanted to inflict as much damage as possible. But let's get back to why you two were on the island and smell like you met with some of my friends?" asked Natsu with a very serious expression on his face.
"I will tell you but promise that you won't hurt Meredy since she was only following me and didn't know any better." said Ultear with a steely glare meaning that this was none negotiable.
"I see no problem with that, and can't possibly see why I would even want to hurt her." replied Natsu.
"You might change your opinion on that after I tell you what happened, so do you promise Natsu?" asked Ultear.
"Yes Ultear, I promise that I won't hurt Meredy after you tell me what happened." said Natsu with a grin. After that Ultear went into full detail of what happened on the island. Well everything that she knew about and what she heard from other members that she ran into while fleeing the island.
"So that's what happened and Natsu you promised that you wouldn't hurt Meredy so if you feel like attacking someone then you can take it out on me." said Ultear with a little frown and closed her eyes expecting to receive a fiery punch.
"Why on earth would I attack the people that just saved me?" asked Natsu with a confused face as he looked at Ultear.
"Well because of what we did to your friends of course." stated Ultear.
"AHAHAH that's why you thought that I would attack you." said Natsu while chuckling as if he just heard a funny joke.
"Why are you laughing Natsu, this is a serious situation?" asked Meredy with a glare.
"Sorry you two, but you are seriously making this bigger than it actually is and I will show you why. So first question for you two did either of you kill anyone from Fairy Tail?" asked Natsu with a small grin and both of the girls shook their heads no.
"Okay second question did either of you do something to them that would cause them to be disfigured or not able to do things like the used to? What I am trying to ask is, did any of the damage that you caused them going to be permanent?" asked Natsu.
"No I don't think either of us did." replied Ultear as she looked at Natsu who was just grinning at them.
"See no reason for me to get mad at either of you." said Natsu as he still grinned at them.
"But what about everything that we did before this don't you want to get back at us for doing terrible things in our past?" asked Ultear who felt like she needed to be punished for all of the terrible crimes that she had already committed.
"That's in the past and attacking you now when you are planning on doing things to make up for what you did wrong before would be just stupid." replied Natsu with a grin.
"You are too nice Natsu." said Ultear with a small smile.
"Only to people that deserve it, because trust me right now I have a few people that I wouldn't mind kicking the crap out of." stated Natsu with a smirk.
"You're weird Natsu." said Meredy with a big grin.
"Thanks Meredy, so what do you two plan to do now?" asked Natsu as he leaned against the side of the boat with a grin on his lips.
"I don't actually know, maybe just go around helping people that we run into." said Ultear not really knowing what she or Meredy were going to do.
"Then I have a suggestion that might fix all of that and also make it so you two to don't have to always be on the run from the Council." said Natsu with a smug grin.
"And what would that be the wise and all-knowing Salamander?" asked Ultear in a teasing tone.
"Well if you are just going to make fun of me then I don't think I am going to tell you." stated Natsu in a childish tone that caused Ultear to start giggling.
"Oh no did I hurt the big bad Salamander's feelings by making comments about his intelligence?" asked Ultear once again in that teasing tone.
"No you didn't Ultear because I have been hearing those sorts of things pretty much my whole life. I am not telling you two because I have a feeling that you guys can't stand not knowing what exactly is going on." replied Natsu with a smug smirk on his face as Ultear just glared at him because he was right on the money with that guess.
"Sorry Natsu but you are wrong about that." stated Ultear not wanting to admit that Natsu was correct about his assumption.
"Well if that is the case then you can wait until we reach Hargeon." replied Natsu with a big grin.
"Won't be a problem Natsu, and aren't you supposed to be really sick right now since you are on a mode of transportation?" asked Ultear with devious grin.
"Oh crap why did you remind me." said Natsu as he turned a sickly color and started to hang over the side of the boat moaning out in discomfort. The whole time that he was doing this Ultear was giggle as if it was the funniest thing that she had ever seen.
"You two are both weird." said Meredy with a big grin as she watched Natsu all of a sudden get a severe case of motion sickness while Ultear on the other hand was laughing more than she ever had in all the years that she's known her. And it was something that Meredy wanted to see more of and knew that it was happening all because of the pink headed dragon slayer that was halfway out of their boat right now.
So the rest of their boat ride was pretty much more of that, Natsu mumbling about how he would never get on a form of transportation and how it was the evilest thing in the world and how one day he would destroy them all so he would never have to suffer again. And Ultear would just sit back and laugh at the poor dragon slayer and every once in a while ask Natsu what his idea was, hoping that he would just tell her to get his mind off of being on a boat. But that never happened and the whole time Meredy just sat and watched the two of them do their own things while she just had a smile on her face.
When they finally got back to the mainland of Fiore it was already dark so they decided to camp for the night since none of them had any jewels on them. Natsu got a big fire going for them and put a big boar on top of it that he somehow killed and wouldn't tell Meredy or Ultear how. They were all right now sitting around the fire eating big pieces of the boar that was their supper for the day.
"So Natsu are you going to tell us your brilliant plan?" asked Ultear with a smirk.
"Sure, why not since I said I would when we reached dry land." replied Natsu with a grin and didn't say anything else.
"Come on Natsu please just tell us." begged Meredy as she gave him the puppy dog eyes which were over kill for something that Natsu was going to tell them.
"Okay, here it is, why don't you two join Fairy Tail." suggested Natsu with a grin.
"What, you can't be serious?" shouted Ultear in disbelief.
"I wouldn't joke about something like this Ultear and Fairy Tail could definitely use two strong mages like you two." replied Natsu with a big grin.
"Really you think we could join Fairy Tail Natsu?" asked Meredy with big eyes.
"Yep, won't be a problem with me supporting you two." said Natsu as he looked at Meredy who looked really excited about this idea.
"Natsu what if the rest of the guild isn't as forgiving as you are?" asked Ultear who was starting to try and think up reasons why this wouldn't work.
"They might not be right away but this isn't the first time that we took someone who used to be our enemy and made them part of our crazy family. And besides if you want to think about this in a different way, then think about this being a way that I can keep an eye on you two and make sure that you two have actually changed for good and aren't going to go back to your old ways." said Natsu with a big grin.
"Can we Ultear, this seems like a really good deal that we might never get again." said Meredy excitedly right next to Ultear.
"What about the Council Natsu, they aren't going to let you just take in a dark mage that was part of the old council and destroyed it. This alone would give them reasons to try and disband Fairy Tail." pointed out Ultear.
"Ultear you saw them at Tenrou Island, they were already trying to do that to us so having you two join Fairy Tail isn't going to change that since they already were trying to get rid of us. As for them trying to get either of you two they will have to get through me first, and let's just say that I don't think that they are going to want and make me more of an enemy than I already am when a drake invasion is a possibility." said Natsu with a big grin on his face.
"How does that change anything Natsu?" asked Ultear.
"It gives me a huge bargaining chip Ultear, especially since the other dragon slayers except for Cobra are gone. And we are the only mages that can even damage drakes since they are draconic creatures, just look at what happened with the first one that showed up. The Council did everything that they could and then finally had to specifically ask for me to get rid of that dam lizard because they couldn't do anything themselves." explained Natsu with a big grin.
"Yea that is something you could use against them, but I don't think that it will work for something as big as this Natsu." replied Ultear.
"If it isn't then I will fight off anyone that they send to try and take you two." declared Natsu still having a grin on his face.
"You would become and enemy of the Council just to have us join your guild Natsu?" asked Meredy who was stunned to hear that he would do that for them.
"Yep and like I said before I am not a fan of those stuck up bastards any way and they sure as hell don't like me." stated Natsu with a grin.
"You know that they would be able to arrest you for going against them." pointed out Ultear who wanted to make sure that Natsu knew exactly what he was getting himself into by proposing this idea.
"Yea and so what if I have to sit in a cell for a few days or even a few months that's noting. I know that eventually they will come to beg for my help when the next drake comes to Fiore and starts going on a rampage and I will sit back and just laugh at them. The only why that I will do anything for them is if they give me what I want which is you two being forgiven of your past crimes and being members of Fairy Tail." declared Natsu with complete confidence in his plan.
"Actually this might work if we add a few things like alerting the press about the possibility of more drakes coming and dragon slayers being the only ones who can do anything about them. Also tell them in advance that you would willingly go against the council if they try to take any of the members of Fairy Tail away and won't help if another drake shows up if they do such a thing." suggested Ultear with a little grin.
"How will letting the public know about this change anything?" asked Natsu while scratching the back of his head.
"You are forgetting Natsu that I used to be on the Council and the public opinion is actually our strongest weapon against them. Because they can't have the citizens of Fiore thinking poorly of them especially after what happened with the last Council. So we are going to use your trump card along with the news and the fact that you already took out a drake for the Council and make this actually work." explained Ultear with a big grin.
"Glad to hear that you are on board Ultear." replied Natsu with a big grin.
"I am only agreeing because I have already learned that once you set your mind on something there is nothing that is going to get in your way of achieving it. And it is a hell of a lot better to be with you rather than being against you." said Ultear with a big smile.
"Damn right, and right now I want you and Meredy to be part of Fairy Tail." said Natsu still having that grin on his face causing Ultear to have a faint blush tint her cheeks.
"Yea, I can't believe I am going to be joining the guild that I was literally enemies with this morning." cheered Meredy.
"That you are Meredy and I just know that everyone else at Fairy Tail is going to love you two." replied Natsu with a big smile as he laid down.
"You really think so Natsu?" asked Meredy.
"Yep, but it might take a little while but trust me when I say this. They will eventually come around and when they do, they too will be more than happy to go against the Council to keep you around because that is what family is willing to do for one another." explained Natsu with a smirk on his face as he thought about all the crazy things that Fairy Tail has done to keep their family together.
"Having a family sounds nice." stated Ultear with a small smile.
"It is, and you two are already apart of one, the rest of them just don't know it yet." replied Natsu with a really big grin spread across his face.
"You really are weird Natsu, in more ways than one." said Meredy with a big smile.
"I know Meredy you have already told me that a few times today. And I keep telling you thank you for the complement, but I do think it's time that we all go to sleep because tomorrow is going to be a big day. I have to tell the rest of the guild that the group on the Tenrou Island is going to be gone for who knows how long, but at least we gained two new members." said Natsu with a faint smile as he settled in for the night.
"Are we going to tell them about our past right away Natsu?" asked Ultear as she got ready to sleep.
"Of course we are, right after you two get your stamps of course." replied Natsu with a big smirk.
"Well aren't you being the clever little dragon." said Ultear in her teasing tone.
"I am a dragon but there is nothing that is little about me Ultear." responded Natsu.
"And I will believe you on that Natsu." replied Ultear in sultry tone as she looked at him causing Natsu to have a faint blush just because of how she said those words.
"You two are both weird." stated Meredy as she turned away from them and them with a big smile on her face. That was the last of their conversation for the night as they all drifted off to sleep.
They woke just as the sun was rising and headed off to Magnolia and to Natsu's relief not in any form of transportation since none of them had any jewels. As they walked they got to know each other a lot better, learning about their pasts and things such as everyone's likes and dislikes. Pretty much the things that your family would know about you, Meredy and Ultear were at first hesitant to give out such personal information. Which Natsu said he understood and said that they never had to tell him anything that they didn't want to and then went on to tell them all about his past. This caused both Meredy and Ultear to slowly open up to Natsu and then finally tell him pretty much everything about themselves and the whole time that he listened to their story he never once looked at them with disgust at some of the things that they did. That was something that Meredy and Ultear both really appreciated and as soon as they got into Magnolia Ultear did her part of the plan which was easy since all she had do was talk with a reporter for a bit. After that they were just now coming up to the guild hall of Fairy Tail.
"Well here's your two's new home." said Natsu as they were walking towards it.
"It's so big." said Meredy as she looked at the big building.
"Yea the last time it got destroyed Gramps decided to build it a bit bigger, I didn't like it at first but it's finally grown on me." replied Natsu with a big grin.
"I am honestly getting nervous here, what if you're wrong Natsu and they never accept us like you think they will?" asked Ultear in a nervous manner.
"Don't worry about that Ultear I promise that they will like you two and if not then I will make them." said Natsu as he had a mischievous grin spread across his face and lit his right hand on fire.
"You would do that to your own members and family?" asked Meredy is shock that Natsu would instantly go to fighting them if they didn't accept Ultear and her.
"No not at first but if..." said Natsu who then started to growl because they were close enough to the guild that he could smell what was going on inside of it.
"Natsu what's wrong?" asked Ultear as she watched Natsu change in an instant from the fun having guy that they were with for the whole day. Into someone who looked like he was ready to fight Acnologia again and this time win.
"Those fucking bastards had to make it here before me didn't they, oh they are so going to get a god dam earful." said Natsu as he took off for the guild with Meredy and Ultear following closely behind him. Both concerned at what could make Natsu this angry in a split second.
End of Chapter
Author's Notes:
Thanks for reading everyone and I hope that you enjoyed it. So there's the second chapter and I think that I might want to explain how Ultear got rid of the water around Natsu. The way that I at least reasoned how she did that was she just sent the water into the future where it wouldn't be there any more or it would actually evaporate. Just wanted to explain that in a little more detail in case someone was wondering how she pulled that off. Alright well like I think I said at the end of the other chapter I plan on focusing on the seven years that the rest of Fairy Tail is gone longer than most people do with similar stories. So as always feel free to leave me a review and I will try to respond back to you and answer any questions you have.
Until the next Chapter
Digem Out!