You know I've written a decent amount of stories, but this is the first time I haven't received feedback. :-( Nonetheless, I still wanted to get out a Natsu Centric chapter. After that. I may or may not continue. So...what happened to Natsu when he left? Here's my little fantasy. It's a bit longer than the others but there's a lot going on. Please enjoy it.

Disclaimer: FairyTail does not belong to me, it belongs to the one and only Hiro Mashima

Power of One 3

By lightning-storm

Bla...Bla. Bla. Natsu zoned out as the guards and the royal family seemed to go into some type of debate about his fate. As if he cared, he'd just bust out of it anyway. No, he'd much rather think about training or beating in some heads. Or better yet, how he had gotten so strong in the first place. Yeah that was a much more interesting topic.

Without Lucy around, his journey seemed terribly long and boring at times, but Happy was great, and it was so worth it. He was a thousand times stronger than when he left. and so many things had happened, things he still couldn't comprehend.

-One Year Ago-

Igneel was gone. Igneel was gone. His father, the one he searched for so long, killed before his eyes. What kind of cruel fate was that. He had so many questions and so little answers. He needed to speak with his father, find out why all the dragon's had disappeared, and find the identity of the elusive E.N.D. but now... now, Natsu choked back his tears. His dad would never want him to mope like this, but still...this was so sudden. There were so many things he had wanted to talk about, general things, things he would need to survive...this little leg of despair... that the bastard Zeref had brought up so kindly, before he disappeared into thin air...as usual.

-Natsu...you've grown

Speaking of Zeref, Natsu knew him from somewhere, he could tell. He had a sneaky suspicion from the moment he had connected with the black wizard's jaw on Tenrou Island, and not just because the man had called him by name. Though...that really bothered him. Than there were those dreams, or nightmares, he should say, which came far more frequently after he met the bastard.

-Only you or E.N.D will be able to get to me

Not to mention the black mage's annoying messages.

-What will it be, Life?...or DEATH...only you can choose

What the hell did Zeref mean by that? The choice of Life or death? That wasn't even a challenge, he'd choose life anytime. Something about the way Zeref had said it though, set him on edge, as if the bastard knew something he didn't. Natsu growled under his breath, unaware of the waiver in his magic, dark to light, dark to light. The leaves stirred around him, and for a moment Natsu could swear he was being watched, but he sensed no presence, smelled no life, and heard no movement.

-If you can survive this desperate situation, I'll give you more despair.

He had gotten so much stronger since the GMG, but still, it wasn't enough. He couldn't protect his father, his friend's fathers...or his guild-mates. He needed strength. He needed power, not only the power of a dragon slayer, but the power of a demon. He needed to defeat the dragon king, to become the dragon king...and destroy the devil. It was far too dangerous for his loved ones, and so he left...though it was the hardest thing to do. He had to become stronger, no strongest. He needed to protect his family... his Guild, Lucy...his Lucy...no matter what the cost.

He had failed someone dear to him once, he refused to do so again. His helper had made him realize that.

-Flashback-

"Damn it!" cried the rose haired youth, gripping his messy locks in frustration. "I think I passed it Happy! "

"Passed what Natsu?" asked his small companion, a smirk on his cute face, "That gas!"

"Ha ha, nice one Hap," he said, petting the creature on the head, "But I mean the training ground! I can't recognize anything!"

"Maybe we should retrace our steps?" suggested the feline.

"I was thinking the same thing. Hey I know, maybe I can SMELL it out! Let's go happy."

"Aye!" started the small creature, before..."Wait."

"Can't Happy! I'm searching for a familiar scent."

"But Natsu..." whined the blue Exceed, "It's been over 16 years. Don't you think it would have changed by now?"

Natsu paused momentarily, "Oh, yeah," he caulked his head to the right in contemplation, before his dark eyes lit up in glee. "But, not everything! The trees and stuff! They should be still around!"

"Do you really remember those?" Happy asked, some doubt in his dark eyes.

"Of course!" cried Natsu, a look of indignation on his face,"I may not remember anything prior...but my memory of training with Igneel is as clear as ever!"

"Aye!" cried the winged creature.

Nose in the air, Natsu thought of a time long past, a time before Fairy Tail, when it was just him and Igneel along the mountainside. The valley was empty and the overwhelming scent of Cyprus, daisies, fire and moss encompassed the area. Right to left he went, zigzagging up to 400 meters in every which way, before he became tired. Nothing...absolutely nothing. Finally, when he was just about to give in, the oh so familiar scent filled his nostril's, faint...but present! Natsu leaped in joy.

"I think I got something Happy!" cried the cheerful slayer.

"Really!" exclaimed his blue friend.

"Yeah!" Then pointing far into the distance, "It's this way!"

With that, the energetic youth ran full speed ahead, leaving his blue friend in the dust. He hadn't gotten far however, when a haunting melody filled his ears...it sounded almost...familiar.

"What on Earth...?" he stated, his body getting heavier by the moment as a strange cave appeared alongside one of the mountains. Stumbling towards the caves, Natsu felt a strange numbness in his legs, before he fell against the cavern wall.

"Come to me at last young Dragneel," called an eerily cool and confident voice. Started, Natsu searched the cave for any scent, shadows, or presence, but other than some old torches, and the flicker of the fire in his hands bouncing off the walls, there was not a single sign of life.

"Who are you?" called the pink haired slayer, his body feeling normal again.

"A friend...for the moment"

"Whats that supposed to mean?"

"Just as it sounds," stated the strangely familiar, yet smug voice.

"Why cant I see you?"

"Its not time" Nastu twitched slightly.

"How do I know to trust you?"

"You don't."

"Than why should I even listen." he exclaimed, irritation evident in his entire stance.

"Because I'm the only one who can teach you."

"Teach me what?"

"You wish to destroy Acnologia don't you? Acnologia and Zeref? You seek the identity of the one called E.N.D, correct?"

"How do you know?" asked the salmon haired youth.

"I know many things, young Dragneel...things beyond your wildest dreams," he paused, "I have seen much and I have lived. From the Time of scholars, to the Age of fear, the time of Dragon's, to the Age of Mortals, to the time Magic and..." Natsu felt a chill before a cool hand clapped his shoulder, and warm breath tickled his ear, "I know his weakness, I know all weaknesses, and I hold the answers to what you seek."

Natsu shivered uncontrollably, he didn't like the sound of that. "How?" he asked weakly, and the figure laughed darkly.

"I DECIDE fate. Dear Dragneel" sneered the presence.

"Fate! HA! " Natsu let out a red hot flame, sure to be felt by anyone within a kilometer's radius. "I don't care who you are, or what you decide, I just want to defeat the ones who destroy our lives." The air surrounding the two resonated with burning hot power, as Natsu's coal black eyes turned red, and his voice became deeper, "Including you," he spat, "If you should prove to be a threat"

An the presence laughed bemusedly, "As expected from one of the finest Etherion in existence." came the smooth and calm voice.

Natsu blinked his eyes, "Ether...what?" asked the slayer.

"Creatures of the purest magic...young Dragneel, the very embodiment of the power they wield."

"Wha-," Natsu looked at the shadow blankly, before his eyes widened as if in understanding,"Wait,...are you saying ?"

"You are as fire...are you not."

"Well yeah" stated the slayer, scratching the back of his head, "but-"

"Remember the Etherious...Natsu. Dragneel."

"I don't get any of this." he mumbled in frustration.

"You don't have to get it," mocked the shadowy figure, "Just do, and know that I am here to help you in your quest."

Remembering what the figure had said previously, "And why would you do that," glowered the youthful dragon slayer. Natsu felt a chill go down his spine as an icy laugh echoed throughout the cave.

"Let's just say our goals are...interchangeable for the moment."

"For the moment?"

"Of course...for tomorrow we may be enemies."

"What!" Natsu let out a burning flame, when a hand seemed to appear out of mid air and silenced his lips with much more force than was necessary.

"Enough," spoke the mysterious voice, cold. "Time is of the essence, and war will soon break out. Remember the Etherious. Young Dragneel...and there you will find your answer."

"War?" he shouted, "When?"

"Remember," and the mysterious voice faded to naught.

Before Natsu could use his senses to hone on the location of his new acquaintance, a piercing pain ripped through his soul.

"Aaaaahh," he cried out desperately, clutching his chest as his fell to the ground. He was burning up, far more than he should be. Scales began to form on his arms, and blood red wings protruded through his back, dragon wings...Then he was a child again, laughing merrily as he ran through the fields, a blurry dark haired figure not far behind.

-"Hey Nii-san," cried the younger him, just as he stumbled over his blue chair, "I just came up with a great idea!"

-"Oh?" the mysterious figure said inquisitively, a flush on his pale cheeks, "What's that?"

-"Lets create a place...a place where all the Etherious can roam free, a place where we can protect our family."

Yes, protect our family, protect my Lucy, and Natsu's golden eyes shot open. That was the one thing that would not change. Through any age, or any form, his desire to protect his loved ones would remain.

-"Protect our family?" and the dark haired boy smiled, "Hmm, I like it, but what should we call it?"

-"I don't know...Tartaros maybe? It sounds so fierce!"

"Tartaros..."

"No!" cried the pinkette in astonishment. Looking about his surroundings, Natsu found himself in the familiar field of his child hood, mountainside to the right, revelations fading into nothingness. "A dream?" he whispered confusedly, still disoriented as his blue friend sat yanking at his vest.

"Waahh!" cried the small figure, tears in is eyes, "I was so worried Natsu! You passed out, and than you got all hot, like burning lava!" he choked out, "Th.. then all cold like Gray, no colder than Gray! I thought you were a goner!"

"Eh?" he stated confused, "But...Where's the Cave?"

"What cave?" Happy asked in concern.

Turning to the right, Natsu stopped as he found himself staring at the untouched hillside of the mountain in which he was so familiar, "The cave in the..." Natsu's eyes widened as he saw the remains of a decrepit, yet familiar blue chair beside him. "It was right there!"

"Are you feeling okay Natsu?" asked the tiny exceed, and Natsu blinked.

"Ye..Yeah. But," he whispered in slight shock, pounding his fist into his palm, "Let's get to work now!"

"Aye!"

-End Flashback-

"Do you understand?" demanded the dark haired guard, and Natsu blinked in confusion.

"Uh...yeah." he stated, "What were you saying again?" and the princess and the king laughed as the guard turned beet red, his body tense from the decision.

"You're free."He bit out.

"Yeah!," Natsu cried out exuberantly, "Oh and for future reference," a pause, " You might want to watch that stress."

If possible, the guard turned even redder. "Just leave." he said tersely, a dabble of sweat going down his leathery cheek.

"What was that?"

"LEAVE." and Natsu blinked before giving his trademark grin.

"No problem!"and he hurried to the exit, before turning his head once more, "Don't forget about that STRESS!" he cried, and the guard gripped his weapon as the youthful slayer disappeared out the door. He had so much to tell Lucy!

-Changes End-

That's it. Sorry it took so long, but without motivation,;-) aka reviews, I do tend to drag out my updates. Now, since I said this was supposed to have some romance. Next chapter starts...'When the End Comes'. I kind of like how this part came out, but I forgot what exactly was supposed to happen next. Hehe. Reviews might help...:-p just saying.