**Disclaimer: I don't not own Fairytail characters***
Chapter 2
The Special Mission
It's been six months since the Grand Magic Games and Fairy Tail had climbed its way back to the top and was considered the number one guild in Fiore once again. Since then requests have been flooding into Fairy Tail and everyone seems busier than ever including the guilds strongest team.
"That's five missions this week already I am beat" complained the pink haired dragon slayer as he leaned his head backwards in a booth in the guild. "Aye me too I can't remember the last time I had a yummy fish without running away from danger or running towards danger" grunted the blue cat. "Well you wanted to show off with your battle with those two dragon guys from Sabertooth. What did you expect would happen" said the ice mage. "You say something ice princess" growled Natsu "Yeah stop bitching like a girl about how busy you are we are all busy too were in the same team dumbass". Natsu got in Grays face "You want an ass kicking Ice Breath" "Bring it flame brain," and just like that they begun their usual fight with Happy cheering for Natsu in the background. "Ugh how do those two idiots even have the energy to fight I'm so beat" groaned the busty blond with her head resting on the bar. "We have been quite busy lately" agreed the red head enjoying her strawberry cake sitting next to Lucy. "Hey Erza can we please have some time off? I don't know if I can do another mission this week" begged the blunette dragon slayer holding on to Charle. "You're the idiot pinky". "No you are stripper". "Thats enough!" yelled the feisty red head. "Your both idiots now get over here". "Aye" they sheered in unison saluting the swordswoman. They both got to the bar where the girls were. "Erza if this is another mission count me out" said Gray even more exhausted now from his fight with Natsu. "Wendy has not completely healed from the last mission I won't allow her to go on another one either" Charle said assertively. "Listen I understand you're all tired and truth be told I could use some time off as well. That's why before we left I informed the Master that our entire team would be taking some time off after the mission. He couldn't have agreed more knowing how hard you have all been working. So…." She looked at her team with a firm look than quickly turned into a smile "Were going to a spa resort for the next three days". "YAAAAY!" cheered everyone as they suddenly had energy and ran out the guild to pack.
Master Makarov heard the commotion and looked into their direction with a smile on face from the bar. "Hm…you brats deserve this time off enjoy" he mumbled to himself. "Master the new request forms are here". "Oh…thank you Mira". He started flipping through the requests. 'More and more S Class quests has been coming in lately, I don't know if we have the manpower to handle all of these requests. With the S Class exams four months away we may need to promote more than one person this year' before he could finish his thought he stopped on a request that seemed rather odd to him. He inspected the flier carefully 'this is strange why would they need our help….and asking for him only…hm?'. A few minutes later the Master handed the fliers back to Mira so she could hang them on the request board all except one. "Master did you want me to hang that one on the board as well?" she said with her usual gleaming smile. "No that's ok I'll hand this one down myself".
Three days Later
"Ahh it was so nice for Erza to treat us all to a resort I feel so refreshed" said the blond to her bookworm friend as she sipped her drink. "You're so lucky Lu Gajeel and I went on a mission that was supposed to last a few days and ended up taking a week" she complained. "Well hey at least you finally know how he feels about you" winked Lucy. "You heard about that?" "Yeah it was the talk of the guild when we came back from our last mission a few days ago". Levy started blushing, "yeah it was finally nice to hear him say it too, but enough about me have you told Natsu you looooove him yet" the bookworm said playfully imitating Happy. "Eh! I don't love him were just best friends nothing romantic no way not with Natsu" she said defensively. But as Lucy thought of the idea she could not help but blush and tried to turn her head away from Levy. "Sure you keep telling yourself that but everyone can see it". "Ugh as if," Lucy said irritated. "Oh come on Lu I see the stars in your eyes when you look at him and the fire in his eyes when he looks at you". "Fire in his eyes….Really?" she asked feeling her cheeks warm up not realizing how red she was getting at the idea of Natsu having "fire" in his eyes for her. "Actually Levy…" she said shyly still blushing. "Hm?" "There is something I wanted to get your opinion on," she continued playing with her finger now. "Well you see…when we were at the resort Natsu told me-". "Good morning ladies". "Both girls looked down. "Good Morning Master" they both said in unison. "Sorry to interrupt but Lucy have you seen Natsu today?" "Um not today Master, why is something wrong?" "No I have a special mission for him and I wanted to speak to him about it. I hate to ask but would you be a doll and find him for me, I've already informed the rest of your team, can you get him and meet us back here?" "Of course, knowing him he's probably just at home sleeping" she said rolling her eyes. "Hm…thank you" said the Master. "Well I better go find him Levy we`ll continue this another time ok". "Ok I'll see you later Lu". Lucy waived at her friend as she left the guild to go find her team mate she couldn't help but think about a concerning look on the Masters face when he said he had a special mission for him. `That look he had…just what kind of mission is he sending Natsu on`.
A few hours later Lucy returned to the Guild with Natsu and Happy. They both noticed their team already with the master. "Where have you been idiot we've been waiting for you" said Gray. "What did you say snow flake". "You heard me pink head". "Natsu, Gray!" yelled the master. "Sir" they both said in unison saluting. Just like that he had the entire team's attention. "Master Lucy said you had a special mission for me?" "Hm…yes a quest came through a few days ago and it asked specifically for you….and only you". "Well of course it did who doesn't want me beating guys up for them right ol buddy?" Natsu said laughing. "Aye" replied the blue cat. "Natsu let the Master finish" said Erza. "Huh..?" It was than Natsu noticed the serious look the Master had. "I know since the games some requests have been asking for specific mages and that's not what concerns me…..what concerns me is who the client is." All members of the team looked at the master with puzzled faces. "The client?" asked Lucy. "Yes "said the master. "The client is the country Heavens Island specifically the military." Everyone had dumbfounded looks on their faces. "But why would another countries military want help from Natsu," asked Gray. "And Heavens Island military of all" said Erza with her arms crossed trying to think. "I never even heard of Heavens Island" said Lucy. "Neither have I" Gray said. "So what's the big deal? A military wants me to take on a mission for them we do missions for the government and the Magic Counsel all the time" said Natsu with his hands locked behind his head looking annoyed with this meeting. "Heavens Island is not just an ordinary Island and their military is not just any other military" said the master. "Let me explain". The team all gathered closer to listen to the master.
"Heavens Island an island that's very rich in spirituality, a holy land of sorts, it is home to many temples and the largest temple in the world as well. One particular temple reaches so far into the heavens that you can see it miles away from the island. People use to think it was a gateway to heaven itself hence the name Heavens Island. It is said it takes at least a week of climbing to reach the temple itself, that particular temple is Temple of Dragons". Everyone looked at the master in amazement. "Wow a whole week? Really?" asked Lucy. "Temple of Dragons?" Natsu asked in a low voice. "Yes, as you know dragons worshiped the elements and it was believed Dragons created the temple on that island because it was home to mother earth herself. The temples of Heavens Island were said to have the world's greatest treasures as they were used as tribute to mother earth and the heavens, but, the riches treasures, are suppose to be stored in the Temple of Dragons. More than half a century ago, after Heavens Island declared their independence, war and hell fell upon the island. Many countries tried invading Heavens Island wanting to claim the rumored riches and if there was not an invasion happening, bandits and thieves were constantly attacking the island searching for its priceless treasures as well. After a decade of war, Heavens Island found itself on the brink of total annihilation, no longer being able to afford an army. The decade of war had destroyed the islands economy and the sacking of towns by invaders and bandits brought the death toll in Heavens Island to an alarming number. All hope was lost for the holy island until one day a group of monks came to the island for a spiritual retreat. Seeing the war bent island they were in shock to see that many priceless treasures were stolen and the destruction to Heavens Islands' temples. The Temple of Dragons, though, was the only temple that had survived the decade long wars. The monks realized this holy land, their holy land, could not take another attack. They decided they needed to protect and rebuild the holy island. They made an agreement with the government of Heavens Island to form and lead an army because these weren't just your typical spiritual monks they were Busshido Monks.
"Busshido Monks?" asked Natsu. "Yes extremely powerful and skilled monk warriors. Only a handful of monks that train their entire lives become Busshido warriors, they are the officers of the military" explained Erza. "Correct" agreed the master, "during those savage times the Busshido Monks formed a formidable army and brought their magic to the Island. Their magic and power was nothing like anyone on the island had ever seen before, the people of the island truly believed these monks were dragons reincarnated to defend the temple they built and their holy land. Within a decade Heavens Island found peace at last and the people of Heavens Island believed God and mother earth placed their divine protection, once again, on the island. Heavens Temple became a pilgrimage for spiritual believers all around the world, with this new found "tourism" Heavens Island economy started growing and the island started building again. Of course there were countries and bandits who still tried invading the island but they all failed. Rumors then spread of powerful monk mages with divine powers.
"Gramps how do you know all this?" asked the dragon slayer. "When I was very young we were contracted to protect a village on Heavens Island during their decade wars, from what we saw it was more if a hell island' explained the master with a sad tone. "Thanks for the history lessons gramps but I still don't see why this is such a big deal" said Natsu as he sat on the floor leaning on his elbow. "Natsu stop being rude to the master" snapped Erza. "Don't you see the irony here? "Huh? What irony? All I see is a mission worth…..(as he grabbed the flier)…5 million jewels!? The entire team was wide eyed and jaws dropped as they made sure they heard correctly. Natsu started trembling his fists in front of him and his head low…"YEEEES!..." he said jumping into the air. "5 million jewels…" with stars in his eyes drooling over the flier, "this is…this is S class money and that makes me an S class wizard!" he said while pointing his thumb to himself with head in the sky. "Natsu that's not how it works" said Lucy rubbing her temples now. "Natsu haven't you been listening to the master? Think about it...why would an Island with such a powerful army need the help of one mage? And why would the rendezvous be at some remote city here in Fiore?" said the aggravated red head questioning the flier herself. "That does sound odd now that you put it that way" said the blond with a concerned look. "Gramps do you think this is a fake request?" asked the ice mage. "That was my first thought too, this is the first time I have seen a request from Heavens Island, so I called their military and confirmed the request. They said the request was indeed valid but could not tell me why and whom put in the request" said the master rubbing his chin while pondering some more. "And the flier has vague instructions" pointed out Erza. "Yes it just says to meet at the rendezvous" stated the master. "Ah who cares its 5 million jewels…..master I accept the job" Natsu said with his famous smile from ear to ear. "You idiot haven't you been listening! This could be some sort of trap how could you accept-". "Then I'll just kick their asses" Natsu said with a confident smile. "ugh," Lucy sighed not surprised by his statement. `That bone head doesn't he understand how concerned I…I mean we are and that he shouldn't take this request'
"Ok it's settled I'm going to start packing Happy you coming?" said Natsu as he walked toward the guild hall doors. "Aye sir" he said flying next to Natsu while munching on a fish. "Natsu wait" said the master. "You may accept the quest as long as your team goes with you". "But gramps the flier said only-". "I don't care what the flier said….there are too many unknowns here and if something were to happen you might need backup and that's final!" the master said with a stern voice. "That's fine with me I will join you Natsu " Erza said with her arms still across her chest. "I'm in too" said Gray. "Me too" said Lucy. "We should let Wendy rest some more though she was still aching from her wounds this morning" Erza said. "hm" nodded the master. "But….does that mean…I have to split the reward?" pouted Natsu softly. "Come again Natsu" Erza said with her evil devils look, "Aye….I said Aye sir". "Good than we leave tomorrow morning pack up for a long trip," ordered Erza.
Coast City Bay, Fiore
"Passengers please gather all belongings as we are now landing on Coast City and Thank you for choosing White Water Fairies". The ship landed and passengers started exiting the boat. He made his way into the harbor feeling the cool breeze and bright sun wash over him. He pulled a piece of paper out from his pocket and stood their examining it. A gush of strong wind came out of nowhere and tugged the paper from his hand. He watched the paper being blown further and further out to sea, the only words readable at this distance were "Quest….Salamander," silently as the gust of wind blew on his white pearl coat and green hoody.