Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail

Chapter 1

The Encounter

*†*†*†*†*†*

"Damnit Joshi! That's the last time I'll ever let you lead!" Shouted a pissed Khyd.

"Stop complaining you big baby! I'm not that bad of a navigator." He replied sheepishly. "Besides, it's not like they could take us anyway."

"Well you do have a point there" Khyd commented.

They were currently surrounded by close to thirty vulcans, around twenty of them were knocked out with burns and other wounds all over their bodies. "This was fun, I haven't gotten this much exercise in ages." Commented Khyd while stretching.

"That's because you're lazy and don't train as often as I do." Replied Joshi as he dodged a punch from a vulcan and delivered a flaming punch to it's face that knocked it out cold. "It's not being lazy, it's called being sane, only a crazy person would ever do the find of training you do, how do you expect me to lift a 250 lbs boulder?" Retorted Khyd as he flew around two vulcans causing the to collide head first into each other and pass out. "At least learn to wield a sword or something so that you'll be able to protect yourself better than you can now. What if something happens and I'm not able to protect you?" Joshi asked as he judo flipped a vulcan over his shoulder into a group of five and threw a fireball at the rendering them unconscious. "Let's make a deal, you learn to wield a weapon and I'll do only half of my regular training as long as you're training with me. Hell, I'll even be your sparring partner until you find someone else or you decide that you will be fine on your own." Joshi offered as he finished the last vulcan by toying with it by dodging all its attacks causing it to become exhausted and passed out from exhaustion. "So what's your answer buddy?" Khyd thought about it for a few moments before he looked up and gave an answer. "Fine, I'll take you up on your offer but I have my rules, got that?"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say partner." Joshi replied with a grin. "Now fly up there and see if you spot Hargeon, I'm starving!" Joshi shouted while holding his stomach.

Hargeon train station

*†*†*†*†*†*

"Ummm, Sir...? Is he ok? Asked the train's conductor as he tried to get a pink haired teen to get off the train. "Aye! He always gets like this!" Replied a talking blue cat. "Natsu, we're here! Hargeon!"

"I'm never riding the train again..." Mumbled the pink haired teen. "Give me a minute Happy."

"Aye! You say that all the time." Sated Happy as he walked out of the train, "if the info was correct, Salamander should be in this town." He mumbled as he continued to walk in the station. "S-save meeee!" Shouted Natsu as the train left the station. "It departed." Happy said with a sigh as he watched the train in the distance.

Elsewhere

"Eeeh!? There's only one magic shop in this town?" Asked a distressed busty blonde. "I guess this was a total waste then."

"This town relies on fishing as only 10% of its citizens use magic. This store caters to traveling mages like yourself," replied the store owner. "There are items that might interest you, like this colorS, it's really popular among you young females." He continued.

"Have that already," replied the blonde, "I'm looking for powerful gate keys."

"'Gate keys'?" Parroted the owner, "those are rare." The blonde continued to kook around until something caught her attention." Ahh!" She gasped in delight, "the key for the little doggy, Nicholas!"

"That one's not powerful at all." Deadpanned the owner.

"Yeah, so? I was looking for it." She retorted. "So how much is it?* she asked with a smile. "20,000 jewels." Answered the owner.

"I'm sorry, I must've misheard you," replied the blonde, "how much did you say?"

"20,000 jewels." Replied the owner. The blonde decided to step up her game so she sat atop the counter and tried her charms on him. "How much really is it you wonderful old man~?" She asked the man.

A few minutes later

"I can't believe he only knocked off 1000 jewels," she fumed, "are my looks only worth a thousand jewels?" She continued walking until she heard some noise and saw a crowd surrounding a figure. 'What's going on?' She thought to herself. She heard a woman ask what's happening, and heard another tell her that Salamander has come to their town. "Salamander? The blonde asked herself until it clicked. "The mage who is said to use fire magic you can't buy in a store! He's actually here!?" She asked as she ran into the crowd.

With Natsu and Happy

"I ended up riding the train again," complained Natsu as he and Happy walked into town, "and to top it off, we don't have any money because somebody used it to buy fish."Happy was about to retort, but Natsu cut him off asking, "hey Happy, this Salamander is Igneel right?"

"Yeah, I doubt that Salamander is anything but a fire dragon." Happy replied.

"Salamander-sama! Burn me! Salamander!" Were the shouts that were suddenly heard. Happy and Natsu looked at each other before grinning and dashing off to meet Igneel. Meanwhile the blonde was was currently at the front of the circle of girls going crazy for Salamander. Her heart was beating like crazy and she had hearts in her eyes. 'I wonder what is causing me to act like this? Is it because he's a famous mage? Is it that... Could it be? Love at first sight!' She thought. Salamander turned to her and winked causing her to almost melt into a puddle. "Igneel!" All of a sudden she snapped out of whatever spell she was under. She looked to the source of the sound and saw a pink haired teen. "Who the fuck are you?" He asked.

"Why, I'm the great Salamander!" Replied Salamander as he struck a pose, only to find the teen walking away from him. "He already left!?" He asked.

"Show some respect to Salamander-sama!" yelled the girls as they proceeded to beat up Natsu.

"What is wrong with you people?" asked Natsu as they randomly hit him.

"It's ok ladies," stated Salamander as he tried to calm them down which got comments along the lines of 'he's so kind' and 'OK Salamander-sama.' Salamander then proceeded to offer his autograph to Natsu who turned it down only to end up with a bump on his head and him being tossed into some trash. "I'm leaving ladies," Salamander stated which caused the girls to start whining and asking why he had to leave so soon. "I'm having a party on my yacht later tonight and you're all invited. "Red carpet" he stated as he summoned some pinkish colored flames and set off to his yacht.

"So you'll be on your yacht later, eh? I'll definitely be there to kick your ass." Said a hooded figure that was crouched on a rail above where Salamander was a few moments ago. "Umm, Joshi, you -"

"Not now Khyd, I'm planning how to go about challenging Salamander later." stated Joshi as he cut off Khyd and went back to planning. 'Wait a minute, did that brat say Igneel?' He thought as he looked down on Natsu, 'better keep an eye on him since it appears that he knows Igneel.' "Let's find a place to stay until tonight," he said and motioned to Khyd to follow him.

With Natsu

"I guess it wasn't him huh," Happy stated as he looked at Natsu.

"Hey there, thanks for saving me back there. I'm Lucy by the way," the blonde said as she approached Natsu and Happy, "how about I treat you to lunch?" she offered. Natsu and Happy looked at each other then at Lucy, Happy furiously nodded his head, Natsu raised an eyebrow, Happy gave him the puppy eyes and Natsu shrugged. "Sure, I don't see why not." Natsu replied and they headed to a restaurant.

Restaurant

Natsu and Happy sat on one side of the booth scarfing down the food while Lucy sat across from them trying to make small talk. "That creep earlier was using charm magic, if you guys didn't show up, I don't know what would've happened," as she sat there talking she had other thoughts going through her head, 'I'm kinda in the splash zone here,' she thought as a bit of flying food landed in her face, 'there goes my 1000 jewels,' she thought as she watched as the number of dirty dishes kept rising. "I may not look like it, but I'm actually a mage. You aren't considered a full fledged mage until you have joined a guild. Oh, a guild is a place where various mages come together and take jobs. I really want to join a guild, but the the strong ones are really hard to get into, the one I want to join is-"

"You talk too much," Happy cut her off.

"I must've bored you with all that about mages. So who is this Igneel person you were looking for?" she asked.

"We heard a rumor about a Salamander being here so we decided to check it out, turns out it was just some creepy human jerk." Natsu replied.

"What kind of human looks like a salamander?" Lucy asked with a bewildered look.

"Igneel isn't a human, he's a fire breathing dragon." Natsu replied.

"EEEH!?" Lucy looked at them as if they were crazy, "a thing like that wouldn't be in the middle of a town!" Natsu and Happy opened their mouths to retort but froze as realization hit them like a bucket of icy cold water. "Anyway, I'm leaving, it was nice meeting you guys." Lucy stated as she placed the money on the table and turned to leave. As she walked out, a waitress stopped her only to gape at the scene behind her. Lucy slowly turned around only to find Natsu and Happy bowing with their foreheads touching the floor. "Thank you for your kindness!" shouted Natsu with his head still down.

"Kindness!" Happy parroted while in a similar position.

"Stop it! You're embarrassing me!" complained Lucy, "you guys saved me back there so we're even now."

"But we weren't trying to save you," stated Natsu as he and Happy looked at each other, "I know, you can have this!" Natsu said with a grin as he offered Lucy Salamander's autograph.

"Like I'd want that!" Lucy snapped.

Later that evening

Lucy was sitting on a bench going through a magazine, The Weekly Sorcerer, and commenting on some of the articles. "I really want to join Fairy Tail, I wonder if there's some sort of interview..." she mused.

"So you want to join Fairy Tail eh?" said a voice from the bushes by the bench. A second later, Salamander emerged from the bushes. "Your charm won't work on me, your magic's weakness is awareness." stated Lucy as she pointed an accusing finger at him. "I knew you were a mage the moment I met you, that's not what I came for, I came to personally invite you to the party on my yacht." stated Salamander as he held up his arms as a way of showing he had no ill intentions. "As if I'd ever go out with a jerk like you." she retorted.

"Jerk?" parroted Salamander.

"Anyone who'd go that far to get attention and fame is a creep." Lucy stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Have you ever heard of Fairy Tail's Salamander?" asked Salamander. This caused Lucy to turn to him and stare at him.

"You're from Fairy Tail?" she asked as she gaped at him.

"I could put a word in with the guild master, only if you attend my party that is, in return, keep quiet about the charm, okay? Well, I'll be seeing you, Red Carpet" and with that he left a saluting Lucy behind. Lucy suddenly snapped back to reality as she realized he used a pseudo-charm. She quickly brushed it aside as she finally got her dream fulfilled. "I'm going to join Fairy Tail!" she rejoiced as she jumped, "all I have to do is play nice with that dumb oaf." she said to herself as she snickered.

Later that night

Natsu and Happy were walking through the streets of Hargeon looking for a place to stay when Natsu realized something, "Happy, I think we're being followed," Natsu said in a hushed tone, Happy attempted to look behind him but Natsu stopped him, "don't look, I have a plan," Natsu stated as they continued walking then turned into an alley, around 50 ft behind them, a hooded figure sped up as he continued to follow Natsu, when he rounded the corner, he saw no sign of them, he was about to walk off when he picked up Natsu's scent. "I know you're up there, might as well come down." he said without looking up, a moment later, a body dropped to a crouch in front of him, "who are you and why are you following me?" Natsu demanded.

"Who I am isn't important, what's important is how you know Igneel." the hooded figure said as he removed the hood to reveal a teen around the same age as Natsu. "What's it to you?" Natsu asked as he was keeping his guard up around the stranger. "Just curious." replied the stranger.

"If you must know, he's my father." Natsu said as he glared at the stranger. The stranger stared at Natsu in shock as he ran the idea of him meeting his uncle's son in his lifetime. "That's a shocker," the hooded figure said to himself, "what's your name?"

"Natsu, Natsu Dragneel." Natsu replied as he lowered his guard.

"Well Natsu, my name is Joshimomaru Kaji, my friend calls me Joshi, that's what I expect you to call me if we're to be friends or even if we run into each other again," he said as he started walking off, "be seeing you." he called over his shoulder as he rounded the corner. "That was weird." Natsu said as Happy floated down from the roof. "Aye! You always attract the weirdos Natsu!" Happy teased.

"I don't attract weirdos, let's get out of here, it reeks!" Natsu complained as he scrunched up his nose. They continued until they heard some mention Salamander being a part of Fairy Tail.

On the yacht

Lucy and Salamander were in a room to themselves as they ate. Salamander offered Lucy some wine that she accepted but refused it when she realized it was mixed with sleeping magic. Salamander then proceeded to tell Lucy that she was his cargo now as they were headed to Bosco. Lucy tried to summon a spirit but her keys were ceased and tossed into the ocean. Suddenly the ceiling gave way and Natsu landed in a crouching position. Due to the sudden and heavy impact, the yacht bobbed in the water causing Natsu's motion sickness to kick in. "Lame!" Lucy commented as she watched Natsu struggle not to barf.

Around the same time of Natsu's arrival

Joshi landed out on the deck of the yacht and stood. "I'm here to challenge S-mmppphh," he choked out as he felt his motion sickness kick in, "K-K-Khyd, g-get me off this d-death trap." he begged as he sprawled out on the deck, the thugs, each carrying two girls, looked at the weird scene while sweat dropping. Khyd flew down and hoisted Joshi off the deck and up above the yacht just in time to see Natsu crash through the roof of the yacht.

Back with Natsu

"Lucy! Grab on!" Happy shouted as he hovered above the hole in the roof. Everyone gaped at the sight as not everyone has seen a talking cat let alone a flying talking cat. Happy wrapped his tail around Lucy's midsection and flew off. "What about Natsu?" Lucy asked as she remembered Natsu on the floor in a helpless mess. "He'll be fine," Happy reassured her, "oh, and Lucy, my transformation ran out." Happy said as his wings disappeared causing them to free fall into the ocean. Lucy used the momentum to dive below the surface and found her keys. "Gate of the Water Bearer, I summon thee! Aquarius!" Lucy chanted as she summoned a spirit. "Fish!" Happy shouted as he started drooling. "Aquarius, use your power to wash that yacht a shore!" Lucy told Aquarius as she pointed at the yacht. "Tch," was all Aquarius said as water began surrounding her, "the next time you drop my key, I'll kill you." she finished as she glared at Lucy. "A-aye." Lucy squeaked out of fear. Aquarius summoned some water in her urn and swept it in a arc causing a massive wave to sweep the yacht along with Lucy and Happy a shore. "Don't call me for a week," Aquarius started as she began to disappear, "I'll be on a date with my boyfriend." she finished as she went back to the spirit world. The girls that were drugged seemed to have awoken as they were all seen running from the wrecked yacht. Natsu slowly stood from his place atop the yacht and looked down on Salamander and his crew. "So you're from Fairy Tail eh?" he asked as he removed his coat. "What's it to you boy?" Salamander asked, "git him boys." he ordered with a smirk as he prepared to enjoy watching the teen get a beat down. Natsu simply knocked the thugs aside with a swing of his right arm and showed his Fairy Tail mark. "I'm Natsu from Fairy Tail and I ain't never seen you before!" Natsu said as he got ready to beat up the thugs and impostor.

"He's the real deal Bora-san." said one of the thugs.

"Don't call me by my name you idiot!" Bora snapped at the thug for giving away his identity, "Hell Prominence!" he yelled as he unleashed a fiery attack on Natsu, "I have no pleasure in defeating loud mouths like you." Bora stated as he started to walk away.

Meanwhile up on the bell tower

"I wonder if this will be interesting..." mused Joshi as he and Khyd watched the developing battle. "It should be if he really is Igneel's son," Khyd said from joshi's shoulder. "Nah, this ain't worth watching, that Bora guy is an ordinary fire mage, and fire doesn't affect fire dragon slayers," Joshi said as he contemplated whether to leave or not, "let's get outta here." Just as they were about to leave, Joshi heard one of the thugs claim that Natsu is the real Salamander. "Hold up Khyd, life just got interesting," Joshi said as he grinned, "turns out that Natsu is the real Salamander. I'm going to enjoy myself when I challenge him, let's go ch- what the fuck!?" Joshi yelped in surprise as he covered his ears just as Bora crashed into the bell tower's bell instantly making it chime(?). "I'm gonna give that punk a piece of my mind!" Joshi yelled as he looked for Natsu, "where the hell is he!?" he asked since he was no longer at the yacht. "I didn't know he was that fast," Khyd said as he looked over in the distance at the retreating figures, "he's over there." he told Joshi and pointed to where Natsu had sped pass leaving a trail of dust in his wake. "What the hell caused him to run that fast?" Joshi wondered as he scratched his head, "I think I made the right choice in making him my rival, let's go, I wanna challenge him tomorrow so we can't afford to lose them." Joshi said as he hopped off the bell tower and used his magic to slow his descent. "Over there! That's the one who destroyed the port!" yelled the leader of a platoons of the council's army.

"Fuck!" Joshi swore as he took off with Khyd flying beside him, "that's what caused him to run this fast!"

"Apprehend them! Use your magic!" the leader barked as he wanted nothing more than to catch a Fairy Tail mage. "Speed magic! Third gear!" Khyd shouted as he grabbed the back of Joshi's coat and blasted off leaving the rune knights behind. "Since when were they able to do that?" asked one of the soldiers as they were all surprised to see that display of speed. "I don't know, but I'm sure as hell that Fairy Tail is going to receive a bill for the damage done here." the leader replied as they started to return to their base.

With Joshi and Khyd

"That got my blood pumping, I haven't felt this much adrenaline since forever!" Khyd commented as they kept following Natsu through the streets of Magnolia. "I agree buddy" Joshi replied. They watched as Natsu and Happy tease Lucy before they all entered the guild. "I'm gonna enjoy this." Joshi said with a smirk as they walked up to the guild. Joshi stopped for a second before running up and kicking the doors open screaming like a mad man. "Natsu!" the guild wide brawl halted at Natsu's name being called, causing Natsu to turn to see who called along with everyone else. "I challenge you to a duel!" Joshi proclaimed with a wide grin.

*†*†*†*†*†*

And the second chapter is here. This was due to me and my story getting our very first favorite and follow. Thank you Hoshi Kukan!

As always, review, favorite and follow.

Khyd out.