Romeo Conbolt: The Demon Wolf of HellFire

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, its characters, or any other content that may be traced to other sources found in this story.

A.N: Quick warning: some chapters may contain slight gore.

"Speaking out loud"

"Speaking in thought/dream/flashback"

"Dragons/Demons/or anything falling into that category speaking"

Enjoy!

Chapter 3: Awaiting Battle

As Romeo stood up his hood fell of revealing his face to them. None recognized him at first except Natsu who had a shocked look on his face. "It can't be."

"Something the matter Natsu?" Asked Erza

"Romeo is that you? Are you really the Demon Wolf?" As the words left Natsu's mouth everyone looked at Romeo with a look of shock that matched Natsu's.

"Wait a minute. That's Romeo!? As in Macao's son!?" Said Lucy

"Careful Lucy whether that's him or not the kid is still dangerous." said Loke

"That can't be." said Erza

"But there is a resemblance." said Gray "And he's the same age Romeo should be right now."

"Just what has been going on these past seven years?" Asked Wendy

"Guess time really does change you." Happy commented

"Yes like learning how to use a demonic katana." Carla said

Natsu walked closer to Romeo while everyone else stayed still. "It really is you isn't Romeo? What in the world happened to you?" the pinked haired mage asked

Romeo finally decided to speak, "Guess it's about time I broke my silence. You are correct Natsu it's me; Romeo Conbolt. And as to what happened to me, I could ask you the very same question. For instance, why do you all look the same as you did seven years ago?" Romeo asked as Erza approached him

"We're asking the questions here. Why are a bounty hunter? What was with that magic puppet you used? Why did blow up that street? And why are avoiding Fairy Tail?" Erza asked relentless questions in a firm tone.

"I see you haven't change Erza. It's a long story, but as for the puppet thing." Romeo snapped his fingers. "Kikomaru." As Romeo called out the name of his demon his sword glowed, catching everyone's attention.

"What's happening now!?" said Wendy

"I don't know and I don't wanna find out." Said Lucy as Kikomaru returned to his normal form.

"AN ALBINO LIZARD!? They all yelled in unison as Kiko went over to his master. Climbing on his leg and resting on his shoulder.

"To answer your question Titania. Those puppets where my doing. While in my sword form my master can use my power to summon and control these puppets as well." Kiko explained

"And just who are you?" Erza questioned

"I known as the Sword Demon Kikomaru and the faithful partner of the Demon Wolf." Kiko explained

"Are you from the Book of Zeref?" Asked Gray "Like Lullaby and Deliora!?"

"No I'm not. While I was created by humans, it was not by Zeref. I were created using different methods than the creatures you've encounter."

"Different methods?" Lucy muttered

"Might as well tell them the rest Kiko." said Romeo

"Kiko?" Wendy muttered

"Alright, two hundred years ago I was but a simple frilled neck lizard minding my own business. Until one day I was captured by humans who idolized the Black Wizard Zeref. I was exposed to some sort of demonic essence turning me into what you see today. I don't really know much about it myself." said Kiko

"Lamest backstory ever." said Happy

"SHUT UP CAT!" Kiko screamed

"Alright your turn Romeo start explaining!" Natsu said in his signature loud tone of voice.

"Fine I'll tell you. It was about two weeks after you vanished, me and the rest of the guild were completely heart broken by the news. I ran away into the forest to cry, that's when it all started. Cultists who worshipped Zeref kidnapped me and took me to this strange location." Saying that caused a wide eyed reaction from Natsu and the others. "Me along with a few other prisoners were to be used as bait to lure out a demon that had been destroying ships from an outside country, Alvarez I think it was called. Anyway I watched as several prisoners were cut in order to lure out the demon with the scent of blood. I had heard rumors amongst the soldiers that this demon was as powerful as dragons. Not one created by Zeref, a true demon."

"True demon." Wendy muttered

"I was so afraid, but before it was my turn to bleed a loud and ominous howl was heard followed by a pillar of bluish purple fire and the sound of large foot steps. The demon appeared as predicted but was much stronger than my captors anticipated, that mistake cost them their lives. The flames melt my chains so I was free, but I soon felt even greater fear as the demon appeared in front of me with its monstrous size. I blacked out after that."

"So you fainted." Snarked Happy

"Shut up and let me finish. When I regained consciousness I found myself resting of the demon's head. To be honest its fur felt like a giant furry bed."

"Wait is this going where I think it is!?" said Lucy starting to put the pieces together.

"Yes. After all that it was the demon that saved me. The Fire Demon, Fenris."

"Fenris?" Erza muttered

"Fenris gave me a choice: either walk the path leading back to my normal life or walk the path of a Devil Slayer. I think it's pretty obvious which one I chose."

"So where is Fenris now?" asked Wendy

"Don't know. A little over a year ago Fenris vanished without a trace, same as your dragons." Said Romeo

"But why are you avoiding Fairy Tail? Family doesn't walk out on each other." Said Natsu. Romeo clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.

"It's not that easy Natsu! I disappear without saying anything and then show up a Devil Slayer. It's not that simple, I became a bounty hunter to survive in this harsh world since I didn't know how do get back to Magnolia. In the process became a hazard to public safety as the council puts it. Do you honestly think my Dad would be happy knowing his long lost son is the Demon Wolf."

"Romeo." Natsu muttered

"Now answer my question. Why haven't you age in all this time?" Romeo asked. Lucy explained everything with Fairy Sphere and Acnologia.

"Huh. Well pulling off miracles is what you guys are best at. Besides destroying towns." Romeo said. Lucy then walked up to the boy.

"Romeo listen why not come back to the guild and explain this to everyone. I'm sure they'll understand. And I know your father would be happy to-" Lucy's words were cut off as Romeo's fiery demon claw was dangerously close to her face.

"LUCY!" Natsu screamed

"Don't lecture me got it." Romeo said turning his arm back and walking away.

"Hang on a second!" Natsu yelled causing Romeo to turn around. "I may not get the full story, but no one threatens Lucy and gets away with it." Natsu said with his fist ablaze.

Romeo did the same. "So what you wanna finish the fight."

"Damn straight!" said Natsu

"WAIT!" Everyone looked to see it was Wendy who yelled. "There is no reason for you guys to fight each other here. Three days from now meet us at the entrance of The East Forest, there you guys can settle this."

"Why three days?" Gray said to himself

"I don't know but just go with it." said Erza

"Fine we'll do that. That okay with Romeo, not gonna run away?" Natsu asked

"I will be there." Romeo said as he and Kiko ran off as the others just looked in the direction they went.

"The weight of these past seven years is really starting to show." said Lucy


"WAIT A MINUTE WHAA!" Makarov said as Erza explained everything to the guild. "Are you sure all of this is true?"

"Yes the color of Romeo's fire claw was the same as the pillar we saw in town." Erza said

"He's alive… My boy is alive." Macao said seeming both happy and sad.

"Hard to believe that little Romeo would turn out to be the Demon Wolf." said Wabaka

"I always suspected that the Demon Wolf had some kind of connection with Fairy Tail but I never expected this." Said Jura

"No kidding. All this time we thought he was dead." said Droy

"What I'd like to know is how Romeo became partnered with that sword demon." said Erza

"Kikomaru I think it's called." Said Wendy

"I wonder what he tastes like?" Said Gajeel

"Not the issue right now metal head!" Said Elfman

"Do you really think Romeo will show up? I mean if he's avoided Fairy Tail for this long why show up now to a fight knowing we'll all be there?" asked Cana

"Because if he is a real man he'll show up to fight!" said Elfman who then got hit with Evergreen's fan.

"Shut up bonehead." the fairy mage said

"Either way we'll find out in the next three days." said Makarov "Until then we let him be. And Macao if you could wait until the fight is over to speak to Romeo. I have no doubt in my mind he'll appear." With that everyone left for the day.


"Wendy why did you postpone the fight?" asked Carla as they walked home.

"I was hoping it would give them time to cool off, but now I don't see that happening." said Wendy "I wonder how everyone is reacting to this?"


Romeo and Kiko returned to the Inn, booking a room for the next three days.

"Well this complicates things." said Romeo "Figures, when Natsu gets involved things always get out of hand."

"I think this is for the best." said Kiko sitting on the bed

"How so?"

"Romeo for the longest time you've been running from your problems. It is about time you face this head on. Trust me it'll all work out."

"We'll see Kiko."


Natsu is seen laying in his bed unable to sleep.

"Are you okay Natsu?" Said Happy

"I just feel like Romeo being like this is partly my fault." Natsu said

"But it's not."

"Maybe. But it's not just Romeo I'm thinking about it's that demon Fenris." Natsu said remembering Romeo telling them about the fire demon.

"After all that it was the demon that saved me. The Fire Demon, Fenris." "Fenris gave me a choice: either walk the path leading back to my normal life or walk the path of a Devil Slayer. I think it's pretty obvious which one I chose." "Don't know. A little over a year ago Fenris vanished without a trace, same as your dragons."

"I'm waiting for Igneel. Maybe Romeo is waiting for Fenris." Natsu thought


Macao, Wabaka and Makarov were all still at the guild.

"Rescued and taken in by a demon." Said the 3rd master

"Right now I'm just happy Romeo's alive." said Macao

"First the Tenrou Team returns and now Romeo. Makes me wonder what tomorrow has is store." said Wabaka

"I wonder… What kind of challenges Romeo has had to overcome over the years?" Macao thought

-TIMESKIP (TWO DAYS)-

The guild is mostly back to normal. However, some are still anxious of the big day tomorrow. Lucy is seen deep in thought.

"Something wrong Lu?" asked Levy

"Nothing I'm just thinking about how my Dad sent that rent money."

"Sorry for your loss. Hey wait yeah how did he send that. It arrived a couple days ago but your Dad passed away over a month ago." said Levy

"Yeah that is strange." said Wendy walking over with Erza and Carla

"He must of asked some to deliver it for him on your birthday." Erza assumed as something clicked in her head.

"What is it Erza?" Asked Lucy

"The day that package supposedly arrived, was the same day Romeo appeared in Magnolia." As Erza said this the rest of the girls' eyes widened

"You don't think that…" Lucy said trailing off

"Romeo delivered it per Lucy's Dad's request." Levy finished

"It is possible I suppose." Said Carla

"But how would my Dad be aquatinted with Romeo?"

As the girls pondered, none noticed Wendy running off. "Time to get some more information on this Demon Wolf." Wendy said mentally


Wendy spent the next hour asking around where she could find Romeo. However, none had any idea. She decided to rest on a bench in South Gate Park.

"How hard is it to find a boy with purple hair and a demon lizard?" She complained as she started walking through the streets again. Suddenly a large muscular man with an eyepatch appeared in front of her.

"Excuse me miss I heard your looking for a boy with purple hair and a white lizard?" The man asked

"That's right."

"Well I think I can help you with that follow him." The man said leading Wendy through an alley.

-Meanwhile at the guild-

"Hey where did Wendy go?" asked Lucy

"Must of got bored and left." said Levy

"That could be bad. There is a rumor going around that a violent serial killer has been spotted in Magnolia as of late." Said Ezra

"HOW DO YOU FORGET TO MENTION SOMETHING LIKE THAT!?" Carla exclaimed before flying out the door to search for Wendy.

"We better go too." Said Lucy as the three girls ran after Carla

"You know another explanation for Romeo being in Magnolia is the bounty on this criminal's head." said Erza

"NOT THE TIME FOR THEORIES!" Lucy and Levy screamed in unison

-Back with Wendy-

"So you saw him in this pub your taking me too?" Wendy asked. However the man quickly grabbed her face and held her against the wall.

"Word of wisdom: never trust strangers." The man said with a sinister grin as he pulled out a knife. "I always enjoy watching my victims scream and cry, begging for the pain to stop. Prepare for a slow and painful death as you entertain me."

Tears started leaking out of Wendy's eyes. As the man stabbed her right leg she let out a muffled scream. He pulled it out letting the blood run down her leg. "Now how about we cut up that pretty little face of yours." He said bringing up the knife

"Someone… Someone help me." Wendy said in thought as she looks at the knife terrified.

Suddenly, a blast of bluish purple fire hit the man sending him on the ground and dropping Wendy. Both Wendy and her attacker looked to see that the blast had come from Romeo who was holding Kikomaru in his other hand.

"R-Romeo." Wendy said weakly

"So you want to play too brat." Said the man getting up

"Bones the flesh collector. One of Fiore's most wanted non-wizards. I've come to collect your bounty." Romeo said

"You see pretty young to be a bounty hunter. No matter die!" Bones said attacking with his knife. However, Romeo used his sword to not only to separate the man's weapon from him but his hold hand along with it.

"GAH!" Bones screamed in pain as Romeo's free hand was engulfed in demon fire.

"Fire Devil's Burning Knuckle!" Romeo exclaimed as he hit bones in the face with a fiery punch knocking the man unconscious.

"Kiko bandage his handless arm and stop the bleeding. We want him alive." Romeo said to Kiko as he returned to lizard form.

Meanwhile Romeo walked over to Wendy who was still on the floor. He crouched down to her level and noticed she was trying to cover up her bleeding leg.

"Let me see." Romeo said removing Wendy's hands from the wound. "Hmm, doesn't look that bad. Kiko throw me some bandages." Per request the lizard gave Romeo what he asked for. "Now hold still." He said bandaging the wound. "You may have to get this looked at later. All I can do is stop the bleeding." Romeo said as he finished doing the bandage and then stood up.

"Can you stand?"

"I-I think so-woah!" Wendy said as she lost her balance the moment she stood up. Fortunately Romeo caught her in his arms causing the sky dragon slayer to blush like Erza's hair.

"Maybe you should just sit for a while." Said Romeo nonchalant

"R-Right." Wendy said trying to hide her embarrassment.

"Hey Romeo this guy's ready for transport." said Kiko

"Good, there some Royal soldiers just up ahead who we can deliver him to." said Romeo putting Wendy on his back. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck. She then noticed that Kiko had summoned a demon puppet to drag Bones the rest of the way. As the group excited the alley way they heard a familiar voice.

"WENDY!" It was Carla followed by Levy, Lucy, and Erza.

"Romeo." Erza said taking a battle stance

"What are you doing with her you delinquent!?" Said an angry Carla

"Wait guys Romeo is the one who saved me!" said Wendy

"Huh?" they all said as they saw a Bones being dragged by a puppet. Romeo then explained everything to the girls and left Wendy with them. As he and Kiko took Bones into custody.

"Well what do you know, maybe he's not as bad as we he was." Said Levy

"I'll agree that we owe him greatly for saving Wendy but something confuses me." Said Erza who as carrying Wendy on her back.

"What's that?" asked Carla

"The reason Romeo came to Magnolia was to hunt down that criminal and that's why Wendy is still alive. But why would Romeo save Wendy if he broke ties with Fairy Tail. Let alone come back here at all. You'd think it take more than money."

"Maybe there is still a bit of Fairy Tail left in Romeo. Whether he knows it or not." said Lucy

"Who knows. But he saved Wendy so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt." said Carla. Just then Lucy yelled in frustration.

"What is it Lucy?" Asked Levy

"I forgot to ask Romeo if he knew my Dad or not."

"Question for another time." said Erza "Anyway how are you feeling Wendy?"

"I'm fine, but Romeo said I should get my leg checked just in case."

With that they all returned to the guild.


"SAVING A GIRL IN TROUBLE IS MAN!" Said Elfman who then got whacked on the head by Evergreen again.

Lucy told everyone what happened making the guild even more excited for the fight tomorrow, somehow.

"Salamander vs Demon Wolf. Should be fun. Gehee." Said Gajeel

"So this Romeo idolized Natsu seven years ago?" Asked Pantherlily

"Yeah, meaning there'll probably be some drama tomorrow." the Iron Dragon Slayer said

"I can't figure that boy out. First he blows up a street, then he attacks Natsu with creepy demon magic and now he saves Wendy." said Lisanna to her older sister at the bar along with Freed.

"It is possible that the boy is struggling whether to stay with Fairy Tail or not. None of us know what the past seven years have been like for him. But getting kidnapped by cultists and then raised by a demon can give us some idea. Romeo seems to have become a complex character." Freed said

Meanwhile Mira was just humming to herself. "A boy with a troubled and bloodstained past. A girl with pure and kind heart. One a fire demon with the power to destroy. The other a sky dragon with the power to heal. The pair make for a combination of Heaven and Hell. Fire and Sky. Angel and Devil. Rowen." Mira thought with a smile.

"Is she even listening to us?" asked Freed sweat drop.

"Probably not." said Lisanna sweat drop.

Meanwhile, Macao is seen with a pondering look on his face.

"Something on your mind?" asked Wabaka

"Just thinking about Romeo. It seems that Romeo has grown into a strong, independent young man. There's no doubt in my mind that Fenris had a lot to do with that. I can't help but wonder if maybe all this happened for a reason."

"Maybe. But who can say for sure. Either way if you ever meet Fenris it's only natural you'll owe him a drink." Wakaba joked

Natsu is seen staring out the window. "Romeo, in a weird way I always knew a day like this would come. I can't wait." Natsu thought with a grin.


Meanwhile, Romeo and Kiko are back at the inn.

"Tomorrow's the big day." said Kiko

"Yeah. Kiko I want to fight Natsu on my own. Slayer to Slayer."

"Of course. Romeo why did you want to take that girl back to her guild at the risk of being seen by your father?"

"I didn't really know what else to do at the time. But when I saw Wendy's fearful expression, I saw myself."

Kiko decided not to pry and went to sleep.

"Tomorrow I fight Natsu. I've dreamed of this."


AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Cliffhanger! Tomorrow it's Natsu versus Romeo! Who will win? What is Mira up too? Cough*Shipping*Cough. Next Time: Salamander VS. Demon Wolf!

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