AN: I'm trying out a different style of delivering plot; and here Natsu will be very OOC, other than that there isn't really much to say except to remember to review
The pathway was dark, but Natsu and Happy continued on their way through the narrow path. Natsu was excited, knowing very well that he had picked a good path, one that would ultimately test his skill to the max. He was literally laughing to himself like a maniac at the thought of being able to defeat Erza. Happy walked quietly next to him doubting everything Natsu was claiming he would do, though he had complete confidence in his best friend, he just didn't think he would be able to win that easily.
Finally coming to an opening Natsu and Happy looked around, searching for any traces of their opponent or lack of opponent fully knowing they may have picked the quiet path. However the opening soon began to light up and in the middle stood their opponent. Natsu grin widening jumped forward,
"Erza! It's time to settle this!" he called out; however soon the room became brighter and there stood someone they had least expected, Gildarts.
Happy jumped up in surprise, all confidence he had in Natsu was completely thrown out, after all this was Gildarts they were about to face, the strongest mage of Fairy Tail. Natsu on the other hand was getting excited; this was better than he had expected, he was finally able to prove his strength to the strongest, smiling he stepped forward flames engulfed his fists,
"oh Natsu" Gildarts said with a small smile, "looks like you got unlucky"
"not at all" was Natsu's reply, "I think I'm the most lucky out of everyone else" charging in with fists held high, Natsu eagerly began the fight. Gildarts knowing fully of what Natsu was capable of got into a stance, readying himself for any incoming attacks. Natsu threw in one of his stronger punches making impact with the surface of Gildarts palm as he caught his fist; however what he didn't expect was a jet of flames ignited and blasted its way through hitting Gildarts in the face. Jumping back Natsu had on a serious face, one that truly meant he means business,
"don't hold back on me Gildarts" he called out; the smoke vanished and there stood the strongest mage of Fairy Tail slightly burnt from Natsu's flames. Happy stood by the side looking completely in awe, he didn't expect Natsu to even breech Gildarts defenses, but at this point he was cheering on for Natsu; Gildarts grinned at the Dragon Slayer,
"you know me Natsu, I don't like to hold back; now show me if you are S-class material" was his response. Jumping back into action Natsu trying to use his speed to the advantage sped around his opponent, and began attacking in all directions; however Gildarts easily blocked every one of his attacks and even snuck in a couple counter attacks elbowing Natsu in the jaw; jumping up his foot engulfed into flames and delivered an over head kick; realizing that it wasn't any ordinary kick, Gildarts brought both of his arms to block it while even destroying the ground beneath him to cushion the impact, but even then the force behind the attack was too strong; gritting his teeth Gildarts held his ground but what he didn't expect was another jet of flames blast through; jumping back he could only smile at how powerful Natsu had become. Standing up Natsu grinned in triumphant, but he wasn't done just yet taking a deep breath inhaling as much air as possible,
"Fire Dragons Roar!" a blast of powerful flames erupted from Natsu's mouth towards Gildarts; standing completely still Gildarts brought out one hand and stopped the flames, using his crash magic he disintegrated the flames followed by an explosion, Natsu surprised by the sudden technique was engulfed by the attack,
"Natsu!" Happy called out in horror, Gildarts also realizing his mistake quickly retracted his attack but was too late; a dust of smoke was all that was left, Happy began to tear up realizing what had just happened, clearing up there was nothing left but the crater on the ground,
"don't let your guard down Gildarts" came a voice; completely taken by surprise Gildarts looked down and just barely avoid Natsu's blazing uppercut, Happy on the sidelines was could only cheer in delight that his friend was okay, now the two stood face to face. Gildarts started to laugh,
"good, good" he said, "you exceeded my expectations Natsu" he looked into Natsu's eyes, "but that wasn't your full power was it" he claimed, Natsu could only grin,
"I don't know what you're talking about" was his response,
"Natsu, you're a very bad liar" Happy commented,
"Happy, I'm trying to look cool!" Natsu burst out, "and what do you mean I'm a bad liar?" Gildarts laughed at the outcome,
"regardless, you have proven yourself Natsu, you pass the first exam" Happy jumped up in joy;
"I refuse to except that" Natsu exclaimed, "I won't except that kind of victory; I will only accept victory when I beat you down!" Gildarts sighed,
"I expected that reaction from you, very well" he took a stance "from here on out I will not be holding anything back" and as he said those words an unbelievable amount of energy began to swirl around him, Gildarts released a colossal amount of magical energy that blasted through the roof of the cave, Happy completely terrified by it backed away fully expecting Natsu to do the same, however that was not the case; Natsu stood completely still, unfazed by the massive amount of energy, he stared into the menacing eyes of the mage in front of him. Gildarts was taken back but not surprised, he had a suspicion that Natsu was hiding something, and now was the chance to test his theory. Natsu stepped forward as did Gildarts, both brought up their fists and charged at one another. Both attacking one another at high speeds, Happy had a very difficult time keeping track of their fists. Finally standing face to face once more they charged at one another and before either of them knew they both delivered a hard punch to each other's cheeks. Both were now lying quietly on the floor; Happy could only stare disbelieving at what just unfolded,
"you have powerful eyes Natsu" Gildarts said, "ones that have seen the world; is there something you're not telling me" Natsu stared up at the open sky, he remained silent for a moment reminiscing all the events that have happened to him in his previous life,
"it's a long story" was his reply, "maybe I'll tell it to you after the exam"
"I'll be looking forward to it" both had the biggest grins plastered on their faces; although their battle was short, it was a battle the two of them would remember,
"so, does this mean I fail?" Natsu asked, surprising Happy,
"I already said you passed didn't I" Gildarts responded, "now go, and become an S-class mage".
Sitting outside amongst the rest of the contestants who passed was kind of refreshing for Natsu; Happy was standing by his side asking many questions regarding his fight with Gildarts; his only response to the blue cat was a grin and a wink indicating to him he would tell him later. Natsu looked around; there was Lucy and Cana, Levy and Gajeel and looking into the distance he could see Gray and Loke; smiling inwardly things were about to become very interesting. Makarov casually walked towards the group looking at the reaming examinees,
"now then, is this everyone?" he said, "Cana and Lucy defeated Fried and Bixlow in a 'battle' route and passed" Gray jumped in surprise and the announcement,
"Natsu and Happy overcame Gildarts" now everyone looked at the pink haired dragon slayer in shock,
"Levi and Gajeel were lucky enough to get through the quiet route" Gajeel looked incredibly unhappy with the result,
"Gray and Loke defeated Mest and Wendy in another 'battle' route" then Makarov's face morphed into a look of horror, Gray jumped,
"what's with that face?" he asked, Makarov turned around,
"Juvia and Lisanna encountered her…" he started, "the female knight that doesn't know how to hold back" everyone had a look of pity for the duo,
"and finally Elfman and Evergreen…" Makarov started but was interrupted,
"Wait!" a call from the distance, Elfman and Evergreen walked towards them completely beaten up, Makarov looked at them surprised,
"well then, in that case Elfman and Evergreen have gotten past Mirajane" he concluded, "so now let us begin the second part of the exam!" everyone cheered, eager to continue, "your objective is to find the first Master, Mavis Vermilion's grave; you have six hours" he looked at everyone, "Begin!" everyone grabbed their belongings and ran in different directions. Natsu and Happy ran ecstatically around the forest beating up every beast that approached them. However with the sudden spike of dark energy in the air catching Natsu's attention; his eyes widened, looking around in search for the source, he tracked it west from his position,
"let's go Happy!" he called out,
"what's wrong Natsu?" the Exceed asked,
"don't you sense it?" Natsu began, "that dark aura" Happy chook his head,
"no, don't feel anything" Natsu's eyes narrowed; rushing through the forest his mind was in turmoil, if it was truly who he thought it was, things would become difficult; there it was again the spike of dark energy, but this time it was stronger as if ready to burst out; eyes widening he saw Elfman and Evergreen standing in front of a man who looked like he was in agony,
"Happy stay down" he instructed, in response Happy descended downwards; Natsu leaped forward grabbed hold of Elfman and Evergreen and pushed them down just barely avoiding the blast of energy.
"Natsu?" Elfman called out, however Natsu ignored him, rather he was staring intensely at the man in front of them, looking left and right indifferent, the trees around them all withered away; everyone else was horrified at what such dark energy could do,
"why are you here?" he asked, the man recovering from his aching head looked up at Natsu, and began to tear up,
"Natsu?" he whispered out, everyone looked between the two individuals, "I'm so glad to see you" he said with a small smile,
"everyone get as far away as possible" Natsu instructed, they all began to protest, "Now!" never before have they seen Natsu this serious before, but with a look like that they knew they shouldn't question him,
"will you be alright Natsu?" Happy asked, Natsu looked down at him with a grin and a thumbs up. As everyone had left, with Elfman saying he would go get help; Natsu stood up a stern look overcoming his features,
"why are you here Zeref".
The two of them stood in silence, neither daring to move a muscle, the so called dark mage Zeref had a solemn look, while the dragon slayer Natsu remained passive,
"It's been a long time hasn't it" Zeref started,
"yeah…" was Natsu's response, "you shouldn't be here, not at this time anyways"
"I guess what you say is true" the dark mage whispered to himself, "but it's time you fulfill your promise" Natsu's eyes widened a bit, before looking down,
"not yet…" Zeref was surprised by his response,
"what do you mean? Surely after all these years you have recovered your power" Natsu eyed the mage,
"I have my reasons, just trust me" Natsu responded, "after all that we've been through surely you can understand" Zeref wanted to protest, but accepted his response; his thoughts brought him back a couple centuries, a time where the world was at war; he could remember it, the flames that protected its allies and destroyed its enemies. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when an explosion sounded from the distance; both looked in the direction of the smoke, Natsu knowing something was wrong started running in its direction,
"Natsu! Wait!" Zeref called out,
"don't worry! We'll meet again someday!" Natsu shouted out, "I guarantee it, so don't get caught!" and with that he disappeared into the distance, leaving the dark mage alone;
"I'll be waiting".