And thus began a test for Natsu, to scour the guild hall, for people willing to help him unlock Pandora's box. At this point he'd already lapped the guild hall shouting out a general plea for help, which got no response. Now he was going to try a more targeted approach: going up to people directly and demanding they help him.

Being back near Levy's work station, she was one of the first he asked.

"I want to help you Natsu really I do," Levy started to respond. She grew nervous, almost attempting to hug herself. "but the passage on the box talks about reliving the most painful moment in your life and that was" Levy stopped, losing momentum- but her gaze briefly flicked over to a shadowy corner of the guild hall were a certain dragonslayer had stationed himself. "I don't want to relive that." Levy explained.

She didn't see, and couldn't know, but the eldest dragon slayer curled in on himself, cursing his heightened hearing which had caused him to hear her explanation. Her talking about her pain, and his part in it, even in passing, felt like a lead weight heaving in his stomach or needles in his windpipe- a feeling he had a lot around her. Guilt.

Lucy, who'd been canvasing with Natsu to find people to help open the box, walked closer to Levy and put a comforting hand on her arm. "We understand Levy, you've already helped enough with the translation- thank you."

"Guess I've gotta find someone else." Natsu conceded. He then pointed in a random direction, his index finger falling on Cana at the bar.

"Cana, help me out!"

"Sure." Cana agreed in a bored tone. "I'll get my tarot cards and give you a reading into your future right now, and you can bypass this voodoo-box." She offered.

"Noooo!" He mewled like a child. "I wanna use the box!" He was sure it would be more reliable than any reading Cana could give, even if she was somehow miraculously sober.

"Whatever." Cana said, successfully brushing Natsu off.

He stalked off to a table with Macao, Wakaba and Romeo. "You Oldies'll help me- you owe me, I've got you both out of some scrapes- don't you remember?" Natsu challenged.

"You're right Natsu- we've lived longer than you, which means we've had more time to be in pain, and we should be exempt from re-living it! So give it a rest will ya? Go find some kid who's young and nimble to help you instead." Wakaba said shooting him down.

"Then Romeo!"

"Get the hell away from my son!" Macao said putting his arm out, blocking Natsu's approach.

Natsu turned away, hands pulling at his hair in exasperation, "Gah! Then Wendy I guess!"

He pointed at the startled girl, who was still sat perched on one of the bar stools, unsure of how to respond. She didn't need to however, as Lucy slapped down the arm Natsu was pointing at her with.

"Don't you dare!" She scolded. "Wendy's been through enough, and she's new to the guild and she's just a kid!" Lucy explained outraged. On top of the bar, Wendy's exceed, Carla seemed to be having a similar rant.

"That's low, even for you Natsu- trying to trick a kid into getting traumatized." Gray said disapprovingly, in a cold tone, as he and Erza walked up to the bar.

Frustrated, Natsu argued "But Wakaba said I should get a kid!"

"It's a figure of speech lame-brain!"

"I wouldn't actually mind, Mr-Fullbuster. I want to help this guild in any way I can." Wendy voiced selflessly, in a quiet but confident voice that surprised everyone.

"Please, you've all been so kind, I want to be helpful to you all. And I can understand how much you want to see your dragon again, Mr-Dragneel." Wendy offered again, showing she was genuine. No-one knew how to react until Erza stepped forward.

"That's a very kind offer Wendy, and it shows you'll make a fine Fairy Tail wizard." She praised. "But it would be discourteous and irresponsible of us to ask this of you, when you've so recently joined the guild. Every comrade should only be asked to contribute what they can give within their own comfort."

Wendy was silently relieved that Erza had seen through her words, to her underlying hesitance. It also made her wonder however, if she was being made to miss out on some inner workings of the guild, because she was so new to it. She wanted to be considered a fully-fledged member of this guild which had done so much for her. That's why she'd offered to help with the box.

Natsu came over and ruffled Wendy's hair. "Thanks, Wendy." He said smiling. "That was cool of you. But friends call me Natsu, not Mr-Dragneel, Okay?"

"Friends?" Wendy asked, still shocked at how readily accepting this guild was being.

"Yeah, and that guy's name isn't Mr-Fullbuster either- it's Ice-Prick."

"Bite me, Natsu." Was Gray's disgruntled reply.

"Natsu," Erza started seriously, demanding his attention. "Tell me, if you required assistance why did you go running off like that just now? You should've looked to us for help first. Or have you forgotten you're a part of Fairy Tail's strongest team?" She questioned a wry smile on her face. Natsu looked to each of his teammates expectantly.

"I suppose I can do you a solid and help you out just this once." Gray offered, crossing his arms across his chest. "Plus, this box could give me a chance to practice overcoming some of my fears."

"I concur." Erza agreed, putting an arm on Gray's shoulder in solidarity. "We'll think of it as a form of training, as well as helping a friend."

"I want to help you too, Natsu." Lucy offered, honestly and openly, behind no precedent.

"Thanks, you guys. But- God Dammit there's only four of us! We need one more person!" Natsu cried in frustration.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Erza placated.

After a quick talk with Levy on how exactly to unlock the box, he learned he'd have to recite an incantation and focus his magic towards the box (which wouldn't burn, she reassured him, as it was protected by an ancient defence spell).

Placing the box on the floor and stepping back, Natsu read over the phrase Levy had written out for him. Once he knew it with confidence, he had everyone step back from the area around the box as a precaution. This got him an audience of spectators from every angle, and as he focused his flames towards the indestructible box, everyone heard him recite the words.

"Unleash unto the ether my strife, that I may know peace."

Natsu's flames were engulfed by a rushing whispering black smoke pouring out of the box, that surrounded him soon after. He didn't hear the members of the guild who shouted his name in alarm, as he was already being taken to another place. One that was very familiar to him…

A/N: Sooo sorry for such a late update, I've no real excuses I just hope this was worth the wait. And if not, to placate you, I've updated a second chapter after this one in penance. This Chappie is fully dedicated to reviewer 'Social6Distortion'. On the last chapter, they melted my heart with their review complimenting the story as original. Originality is golden, and I love you for boosting my confidence in this way. Sending my love to you in Austria! Addressing everyone, we're getting into the first Pandora simulation next chapter, so please read on- I like how it turned out and I think you might too despite it being angsty.