Thank you all for waiting, I likely won't be posting another chapter this month so sorry about that.
Natsu grinned at the amalgam of Grimm, it's been a while since he got to let loose, and to a much lesser extent show off.
"Alright buster let's do this!" He reared his fist back, a sphere of electrical energy charged into it, and he had a maddening grin, "Lightning Dragon's... BREAKDOWN FIST!"
The Dragon Slayer mock punched the air, but as he followed through, the plasma left his hand and shot forward, out came an enlarge hand, clenched into a fist, crackling with lightning. The Queen had no clue what was happening, and took the blast head on, it roared in pain, however it dug it's body into the earth, discharging the electricity. Needless to say, it was enraged and broke into a mad dash towards Natsu.
He cursed, he looked back at the chasm behind him, he had no doubts that if it fell in there, it would likely never come out, not alive. However he also didn't know what kept Grimm in the state of existence, they weren't alive, lacking a soul, but at the same time, they survived. There was no telling what it was they survived off of, and he couldn't let something that clearly existed long enough just rest in a pit so close to school, it was far too big a risk.
He jumped back towards the remnants of the bridge. Looking past towards the clearing he saw Jaune leading the charge to end the Death Stalker, but it wasn't looking good. Deeper into the ruins were the other girls, who didn't seem to be fairing much better. He was stuck in the middle and that left him with limited options. Fall too far back, and the four girls would have unwanted attention, push to far without ending the creature meant the others would be forced into a battle between snakes and scorpions.
But it went much further, he had to minimize damage to the ruins or else the girls would be stuck until help arrived, and judging from the falling debris, these ruins won't be able to take much more abuse. It also meant if his attacks went astray, or the beast managed to charge past him in either direction, they were in a bigger risk. That left him with one option.
Natsu crouched down, and just as the Queen reached him, he shot a jet of fire out his soles, "Fire Dragon's Claw!" He jumped away, burning the skin of the Grimm. Just as he reached his peak, he proceeded to inhale deeply, lightning racing across his hair, "Lightning Dragon's ROAR!" A yellow stream of energy with blue cracking lightning shot down to the chasing Grimm, the ever resilient beast however managed to move it's massive body out of the way, mostly.
A deafening roar was heard as the attack managed to clip the rear end of the beast where no head was. It managed to make it take cover towards one of the many fallen pillars, lying on it but circling it. In all honesty, Natsu was impressed the elderly Grimm managed to avoid it. However he also knew the effects of his attack meant it would be paralyzed, at least momentarily. He wasn't sure the effects on Grimm, as none managed to survive such an attack, however he noticed the static still racing across it's black scales.
"I've got to find a weakness... but what!?" Natsu cried out, that's when his enhanced eyesight caught something in the mess of Grimm. With it encircling he noticed the unusual 'core' of the Queen. It was a strange lump of white with black holes, not only that but it had the all too familiar red patterns of Grimm marking. Coming out was a series of what he first assumed were the bodies of the Taijitu, bet upon closer inspection, they ended in sharp spikes. This wasn't one gigantic Grimm he realized, eyes widening.
He jumped back higher, as the effects of the paralysis ended while he discovered this fact and it was now rearing up to charge at him. Natsu cursed as the beast landed on the bridge, Blake ended up falling, however thankfully her ribbon strung weapon managed to hook onto another pillar and swing herself up. She turned around and backed off, fear quite evident in her eyes. It was sheer luck the beast was enraged and seemed only to focus on the Dragon Slayer.
'Guess I have no choice.' Natsu thought.
Natsu had successfully managed to separate Lightning and Fire Dragon Slayer magic, and it was not that difficult to swap between the two, however he had trouble balancing and filtering both at once. He never had time to practice, mostly because it was a very much devastating attack. Though now that he knew there was a weak point, or one he believed to be, he threw caution to the wind and took a shot in the dark. Unfortunately this meant Natsu would likely be knocked out soon after, the strain would be far too much. But he had no other choice, lightning hardly managed to paralyze the beast for long, and the fire he used only managed to singe the behemoth.
"With the Flames on my left," Natsu chanted, embers turning to a fierce blaze.
"And the Lightning on my right," he continued, electricity sparking across his arm, collecting in his palms.
"When combined together..." He brought his arms up high, a large sphere of overwhelming heat condensing in his hands.
"Lightning Flame Dragon's... CATACLYSMIC BLAST!" 1* Natsu roared as the fireball descended onto the connecting beast.
An screeching cry resounded throughout the forest, birds and small Nevermore flew out in confusion.
The being was instantly disintegrated, fading quickly into the ashy remains. To the staff and others watching from their scrolls, they had no clue what caused this screeching, as the light from the lightning that followed the fireball blinded the cameras filming the battle momentarily.
When the flash subsided, the once monstrosity was now a set of four Taijitu, and ever unfortunately, they were much more experienced alone than together.
Natsu could only curse at his misfortune, realizing perhaps it would have been better to fight one unknown factor, than four individuals. He stumbled slightly upon landing back on the bridge, but was now surrounded by the remaining Grimm.
"LOOK OUT!" It was Jaune, and with a quick glance to his right, he was met with a White Taijitu head, only for it to be speared by Pyrrha, who followed with a sorry.
The Slayer chuckled, "Don't apologize for saving my life." He gave a thumbs up, it appears they had defeated the Death Stalker, and the girls the Nevermore.
The two teams managed to regroup. "What in Remnant happened here?!" Yang yelled firing a shotgun shell at an approaching Taijitu.
"Let's just say there was another Grimm and leave it at that!" Natsu yelled flashing in lightning to get over, he gasped in pain, clutching his side. Removing his hand, it was caked in blood. It must have happened when Pyrrha struck the Taijitu, it likely nicked him before it was pushed away. Thankfully the cut wasn't deep, only wide. But he was losing blood and fast. He set his hand on fire and cauterized the wound. He hissed in pain.
"Dear Oum." Blake muttered seeing the sight, Natsu was able to take down the monstrosity, but even though it was strong individually and now weaker, they now had to split their attention to four. "Back off everybody! I don't know if we can fight it."
Natsu smirked but winced, "As if I'll let those things take me down." He stood up shakily, "I recommend you run," He gave an eye smile before firing himself high into the air, flames once again ejecting from his feet. "Alright Laxus... this one's for you." As he neared the highest point, he raised his fist, chanting once again. He could feel his energy depleting, and knew he wasn't coming down consciously, but the only alternative was to let these four creatures live.
Thankfully, the eight had heeded his warning and backed off. They managed to make a blitz into the forest, deep enough they would unlikely be hit by stray attacks.
"Resounding through the air,
the Roar of Thunder,
Rain from the Heavens
and reap Destruction!"
"Lightning Dragon's RAGING BOLT!"
As the Slayer chanted, the sparks raced up his raised fist, collecting even higher above him and split into four gigantic spheres. He pointed his fist down and opened it towards the four Grimm, all looking up, glaring at him, unaware of the sudden gathering of power, and their impending death.
The crack of thunder resonated throughout the Kingdom of Vale, and when the blast landed, there was no sign of the Grimm, though everyone knew what had happened.
He smirked, before the strain of switching between magics, especially after the use of Lightning Flame Dragon Mode, finally caught up to him, and he fell out of the sky, barely aware of his senses.
However before he hit the ground, he felt two sets of arms hold him. "Easy there partner, you aren't getting away from my team that easily." The last thing he saw was a pair of stylish shades, something he thought Loke might have worn before revealing he was a spirit, and a set of bunny ears.
~.oO0Oo.~
When Natsu woke up he noticed two things right away. First off he wasn't in the auditorium where the teams were being announced. Two, it was eight P.M. the next day.
"Yo," A voice called out, noticing his now alert state. "Gave us quite the scare, kid." It was the girl with the shades. All Natsu could think is, 'Why on Earthland is she wearing shades this late?'
However, Natsu managed to respond, "Sup... and you are?"
"We are your teammates!" Cried another voice, it was the Rabbit Faunus, "Oh, we hadn't introduced ourselves last time, I'm Velvet Scarlatina, and that's our team leader Coco Adel, oh, our other teammates, Yatsuhashi Daichi, and Fox Alistair, are still in the Dining Hall, the nurse said you'd be waking soon and thought it'd be better if we ate here instead, so they're getting food for us all."
Natsu nodded, "So... why am I in your guys' team, no offence or anything, I just thought I'd be with first years."
"Geez, kid, you really did forget." Coco muttered, "You're a special case, remember? We talked on the cliff."
His memory quickly caught up to him and he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Right. Forgot." Coco took off her shades and rolled her eyes, setting the glasses down on her bedside desk.
"Anyways, just a few ground rules for the room, and working with the team. First off, on missions or an official match, what I say, goes. No questions asked." She sent him a withering gaze. He shivered briefly, reminded of Mira and Erza. "Secondly, I don't mind if you go off on your own or make your own decisions, but we are more than a team, were family, and even though you only have to be with us for the first semester that includes you." She smiled softly, one Natsu returned.
'Family... huh?' Natsu thought, but payed attention as she went on.
"Third and final rule, as family, we know it's only natural to keep a few secrets, but we expect secrets to be shared between each other, before anyone else. Friends and Staff included." Coco smile stretched into a grin. "That being said, what's up with your semblance? I've seen elemental semblances before, and you got two."
"Let's just say it's something special, and I'll tell you later. Right now, I think it's time to eat." He said getting up and moving towards the table the two had set up earlier for the team dinner.
Coco and Velvet just looked at him in confusion before the door opened, "We've brought food." Yatsuhashi said as he came in holding a large tray, and Fox came in with a tray of drinks.
"Is it really alright for you guys to bring food into dorm rooms?" Natsu asked.
"Relax," Fox said, "As second year students we have slightly higher privileges than firsties. Added onto that, that we are second year's best, we are given special treatment. Mainly speaking, a bigger than normal second year dorm, and able to bring food into our room. Every student is required to clean their own dorm, and we are responsible just as much."
Natsu nodded following along easily. "So... how about we properly get to know each other while we eat?"
Team CFVY easily agreed. "I'll go first." Coco announced, "Velvet's already introduced me, but I am Coco Adel, I love fashion, training, fashion, and this," she lifted her handbag, "Is my weapon." Giving it a light flick it expanded into a gatling gun. "It's pretty strong, if I do say so myself." She says smugly, clearly proud of her weapon.
"If there's anything I dislike, I guess it's bullies." Velvet's ears drooped a little, which Natsu picked up easily. He'd have to watch out for her. "And I just want to protect the world from danger... all while looking absolutely stylish of course." She winks.
She nodded to Velvet, who continued, "I've already gave you my name," She smiles, "I am a bit shy, since I am a Faunus-"
"Stop." Natsu said, holding his hand up, the four look at him, slightly confused. "I know that you are a faunus, but you're still a person. So what if you are a bit different, I mean, so am I." He pointed at himself. "I've always been different and I-"
"Ease up buster." Coco giggled, "Let Velvs have her turn, and let the boys go too, we got all semester to learn about you. Besides... I love a mystery." She gave a wink again.
He smiled, "Right... I suppose I can give you a bit of myself tonight though, since I am with you guys, at least until semester ends." Though, he didn't sound too excited of leaving.
"Anyways," Velvet continued, "I love working with my weapon, and well, I'm not the best at fashion, but I do like it myself. I'm the same as Coco for dislikes, though my dreams is more towards helping show the world Faunus are willing to protect people too."
Natsu gave a thumbs up before glancing at the mountain of a man, Yatsuhashi. "I am Yatsuhashi, it is a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to working with you." He nodded, "I enjoy training, and I simply desire to protect those near to me, and I am always willing to shield my team if need be. That includes you as well, so do not be afraid to ask help if I can." Natsu nodded, "Dislikes... I suppose it's the same for me."
"Fox Alistair, though I suppose you already knew that if Velvet introduced us all beforehand." Fox smirked raising a fist to Natsu, who returned it with a bump. "Sparring and training are my number one activities, nothing much about me. Oh, I'm not a faunus, or blind by the way. Hmm dislikes... other than being confused for being blind, the same as them. Being confused for a Fox Faunus happens all too often for me to really care." He shrugs. "So... what did you want to tell us then, since Coco doesn't want you to just spill the beans."
"Well, I suppose you could say I don't have a semblance, but another... energy inside of me." Natsu answered.
This got them interested, though it was Yatsuhashi who asked. "Are you saying you don't have an aura?"
Natsu shrugged, "Beats me, but what you consider aura, is a life force, protecting you and healing you, sometimes formed into a semblance as a physical form. To me, I utilize magic, Dragon Slayer magic to be specific. I'll give you three guesses as to what that means."
"Oh gee," Coco rolled her eyes again, "Does it give you the power to perhaps, slay a dragon?" She scoffed though with a laugh, "Get real Natsu, there's no such thing as a Dragon Grimm."
"Perhaps not." He said not knowing himself. "But it's what I have nevertheless. It gives me the power to manipulate fire," He said turning his palm face up before a small burst of embers turned into a delicate flame dancing across his fingertips, "And lightning." He finished as static energy glided between his fingers.
The second year team looked on at interest, before Fox shrugged, "Guess you do have 'magic'."
"Oh get real, Fox." Coco gave him a playful shove. "So his semblance lets him manipulate the elements big deal, the other firsties "have Pyrrha, who, despite being well trained in her semblance, most of us know it's polarity. And then there's that Ruby girl, she's a literal speed demon."
Yatsuhashi spoke up, "That may be, however, it is the fact he can manipulate two elements that make it odd. Unless there is dust woven into his clothing, yet even then, dust woven clothes glow. At this time, even a faint glow would be noticeable, and other than the light from the source itself, not an inch of his clothing glowed."
Natsu sighed, "Either way, whichever you choose to believe, it doesn't matter now does it? Point is I can use both elements interchangeably. So... who am I with for which classes?"
At this point it, Team CFVY declared who was with him at which classes.
Coco: Professor Goodwitch's Combat class
Fox: Professor Port's Grimm Studies
Velvet: Doctor Oobleck's History class
Team: Lunch
Yatsuhashi: Professor Peach's Survival class
Team: Free period
End of classes.
As much as I would love to continue writing, this is a good place to stop for me.
Mostly because, I am being stressed out of my mind and honestly, I have four ways of de-stressing.
1. Write a gigantic rant (With many, many swear words) to my friend(s) who understand my passive aggressiveness about how people need to be more conscious of what they say, and pay attention to other people. (Which is what I did)
2. Draw, I am an artist mostly in my free time and love to draw my original characters, Atioras and Eve (More on that in future updates). So I just step back, listen to music and draw really cynical or depressing scenes/images (I think you can guess why if this is a coping mechanism for stress)
3. I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count. Hint: You've been reading it.
4. Play a solo-campaign of a very violent video game where I can literally blow the heads off of my enemies (coughcoughFALLOUT4SURVIVALcoughcough)
So yeah, I've just had a lot of stress on me, and while I could keep writing, there is only so much I can do before my writing goes from- here's my story, it makes sense to: Screw everything I hate everything and want to chuck my computer, out of the window (By the way I live in a desert and my computer is on the second floor. Guess what- it's a really bad idea)
So sorry if this is "short" for a two month wait. I've been so stressed and despite this being my number three coping mechanism, I just can't do it right now.
Until next time! (I'm probably going to keep it to strictly classes so you can see their team dynamic for a "day-to-day" kinda deal. This will happen every now and again up until they get more actively involved.)