Merry Christmas everyone!
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
*expression*FlashbackTechniquesChapter 4 – Linger
'And that's how I found myself at Fairy Tail.' Finished Erza, having just regaled Natsu, with the events of her life up to that point.
Looking up from her lap, Erza didn't know what to expect when she would see Natsu. Would he be angry, would he be sad, would he be speechless? Erza didn't know what to expect at all. Once Erza had finally managed to look up, she noticed Natsu had stood up and had turned his back on her.
"He won't even look at me." Thought Erza, with a sad smile.
'Erza…' Said Natsu, his voice coming out strained and husky.
'If I ever see this Tower of Heaven, or come across this… Jellal… I will destroy them utterly. Make no mistake, I will end them both and no one will be able to stop me, not even you.' Finished Natsu, turning back to look at Erza.
Erza recoiled at the sight. She had seen people angry before. She had seen people who looked as though they were about to explode before. She had also seen people appear completely calm and collected. Right now, Natsu looked like a dangerous mix between the three and it would only take an insignificant trigger to set him off from the looks of things.
'Natsu… I don't want to involve you in my problems.' Started Erza weakly, faltering under Natsu's gaze.
'Erza, you are not alone any more. I told you before, your problems are my problems and I meant it, even the things you don't want to deal with. After what you just told me, there is no other way for me to react. Even before… if you had told me all of this, I would have gone to almost any length to deal with all of this for you because you're my friend. Now though… I would go above and beyond all that because nothing means more to me right now than you.' Said Natsu.
'I… I don't know what to say.' Admitted Erza, letting her shoulders slump.
'You don't have to say anything.' Said Natsu, before walking away, leaving Erza there to think.
Natsu made his way deeper into the woods, before coming to rest against a tree.
'This isn't good, I'm really going to lose control of things at this rate. If Erza can't pull herself together soon, things are going to be dangerous on my end as well. The sooner I can deal with this mess the better… yeah, the sooner the better.' Mumbled Natsu, before blasting off into the air, trails of flames lighting his path.
-line break-'How'd I get roped into doing this? No rest for the weary I suppose, not even the dead.' Grumbled Silver, the most human looking member of Tartaros, despite the fact that he was a zombie.
Well, perhaps technically not a zombie, but he was most assuredly part of the collective termed the undead.
Silver sighed in annoyance once again, as he trudged through the rocky desert he was currently in. Having been dispatched to find E.N.D. along with the rest of Tartaros, Silver had been sent in the direction which was directly opposite to where they believed E.N.D. to be.
'They don't trust me at all. Smart move, since they shouldn't.' Hummed Silver, even as dust and sand lashed at his suit of silver armour.
'Even when I'm dead, I still don't like deserts.' Complained Silver, before giving a smile.
'Well, at least I can't feel itchiness.' Said Silver, before continuing to trudge on.
-line break-Erza awoke the next day, one minute later than usual. To most, that would be insignificant. For a positively anal-retentive woman like Erza though, it was quite a change.
"Natsu never came back, I wonder where he went." Thought Erza, as she set out for the partially reconstructed guild.
The guild was largely empty, owing to the fact that everyone was eager to be back on jobs and practically no one wanted to remain inactive, when they need money and resources for their guild, especially with what had just befallen them. Erza's gauntlets creaked in protest, as the knight clenched her fist tightly for a minute, recalling Fairy Tail's battle against Phantom Lord. A quick exhale and the pressure was released, along with her clenched fist, as Erza crossed the threshold into the guild hall.
'Master, have you seen Natsu?' Asked Erza, immediately making her way towards the diminutive Guild Master.
'Hmm, no, I can't say that I have today. Perhaps he is still sleeping.' Suggested Makarov, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
'I see, I shall wait a bit then before choosing today's mission.' Said Erza, moving to sit at the bar.
'A slice of cheesecake please, Mira.' Ordered Erza, getting a smile from the barmaid.
'Coming right up!' Called the white haired beauty, before busying herself with getting Erza's desert.
'Morning Mira, morning Erza.' Chirped Lucy, sitting at the bar, to the left of the knight.
'Good morning, Lucy, you seem to be in high spirits.' Commented Erza.
'Yup, since we actually got the full reward for our job yesterday, I've paid off my rent for this month, meaning two weeks without any stress.' Said Lucy exuberantly, only for Makarov to spit out his beer.
'Wait! That was real! Not a simple joke Mira played on me?' Spluttered Makarov.
'Yeah, you should have seen it gramps, Natsu blew up the whole building, but somehow didn't cause any damage to the rest of the town… it was kind of weird.' Chimed in Gray, walking over from the table he had been sitting at, stripping his shirt of in the process.
'That is quite surprising indeed. I never would have expected Natsu to be capable of such control. Given his magic, I always wanted him to tone things down a bit, but the kind of control you are describing… I can't ever imagine Natsu being like that.' Intoned Makarov calmly, as he tottered over to the trio, hopping up to the countertop to sit to their right.
'Master, should we be worried about Natsu?' Asked Erza, looking the Guild Master in the eye.
'I don't think so. True, Natsu's rambunctious nature has been a part of his character since he first came here, but a bit… well, a lot of control, isn't something to be too worried about. It is new and odd for sure, but not necessarily a bad thing, only time will tell.' Answered Makarov.
'Here you go, Erza.' Said Mira, placing the slice of cake in front of her childhood rival.
'Thank you, Mira.' Said Erza, before starting to eat her treat.
Getting halfway through her cake, a new visitor to the guild arrived.
'Erza, have you seen Natsu? He never came home yesterday and he wasn't there in the morning to get me a fish.' Whined Happy, flying over their heads and plopping himself on the countertop opposite to Makarov.
'No, I was hoping he would have been here by now.' Admitted Erza.
'Where do you think he could be?' Asked Lucy.
'Knowing Flame Brain, he probably found some lead or something on Igneel and ran off again.' Commented Gray.
'No, whenever Natsu finds something like that, he always takes me with him, to help him get of transportation.' Disagreed Happy, with a shake of his head.
'I'm going to go look for him.' Said Erza, standing up from the stool and heading out of the guild.
'Man, I wonder what's got Erza so rattled?' Asked Lucy.
'It must be big, she didn't finish her cheesecake.' Commented Mira.
'Is that such a big thing?' Asked Lucy in confusion, tilting her head to the side.
'Erza beat me and Flame Brain up in the past if she thought we even came near her cheesecake.' Muttered Gray in disbelief.
'And we got into so many fights over me ruining Erza's cheesecake when we were kids. It is one of the things that Erza never had any mercy over, even now, if anyone gets in the way of her cheesecake, she can become the most violent member in the guild.' Added Mira, with a big smile.
"Everyone at this guild has so got a screw loose somewhere." Thought Lucy nervously.
-line break-Erza wandered around Magnolia, keeping her ear to the ground, hoping to hear any news about Natsu. Her hour long search proved fruitless and caused Erza to wander back into the woods where Natsu had left her yesterday.
"Natsu… where did you go?" Thought Erza, crossing her arms of her chest.
Erza stayed in the woods for a few minutes and looked at the grave marker there in silence, before heading back for the guild.
'Lucy, Gray, Happy, let's go, we've got a job to do.' Ordered Erza, going over to the request board and quickly scanning it, before ripping off a job request, which she handed to Makarov.
'Master, should Natsu come to the guild, please tell him to wait for us to return, this shouldn't take too long.' Said Erza.
Makarov gave a small nod and Erza returned it, before walking out of the guild, with Gray, Lucy and Happy following.
'What's wrong, Master?' Asked Mira, noticing Makarov's pensive expression.
'Something has changed within Erza. This is a crucial time for her and I can only hope Natsu returns soon, as it seems she needs him now more than ever.' Said Makarov.
'Master… about Natsu… I'm sorry.' Said Mira quietly.
'No need to apologise my dear. True, we are all family here at Fairy Tail, but we all have painful pasts too. Natsu won't hold anything against you for your past actions, as long as they do not define your future actions.' Advised Makarov.
'You're right, Master. Sometimes with how perverted you act, I forget that you are actually quite wise.' Said Mira, before wandering off, leaving behind a gobsmacked Guild Master.
'Damn brats are getting too mouthy to me.' Muttered Makarov, grinning into his mug, as he took a drink.
-line break-Natsu touched down at the edge of a mountain range, deciding to continue trekking by foot, rather than flight.
'I know I'm at least getting a little bit closer, but trying to follow a scent more than a decade old is really something.' Groaned Natsu.
Natsu perked up as he heard a sound, before seeing a man stumble out of the mountain range, clad in silver armour.
'A desert leading into mountain ranges, what's next, a cliff face?' Grumbled the man.
The two locked eyes for a minute, both of them surprised at the sight of another person in such an isolated place. The stare off lasted for some time, before Natsu broke the silence.
'You look a lot like someone I know.' Said Natsu.
'You feel a bit familiar as well, but I am sure I've never met you before.' Commented the man.
The standoff continued for a few more minutes, before the man sighed and slouched.
'I'm Silver.' Said the man, raising his hand in greeting.
'Natsu.' Said the Fire Dragon Slayer, allowing his guard to drop slightly as well.
'So, what are you doing out here?' Asked Silver.
'That's personal.' Said Natsu.
Natsu then turned his back on the man and continued on his way. The man watched Natsu walk away, before following after him, walking behind him in silence. The two walked for a good distance, with Silver about five steps behind Natsu.
'Don't you want to know what I'm doing out here?' Asked Silver after a few minutes.
'No.' Replied Natsu simply, not even bothering to stop walking or turn around.
'I'm hunting a demon.' Said Silver, causing Natsu to pause.
'Oh, I see that got your attention.' Commented Silver in amusement.
'No, I was just surprised for a moment. Demons aren't things that people normally go out and hunt.' Said Natsu, resuming his walk, even as Silver continued to follow him.
'Hmm, do you perhaps speak from experience? I've seen a lot of people in my life and I can count only a few who look anywhere near as interesting as you. Scales and claws on your left side and horns coming out of your head. If I didn't know any better, I think you were this demon I'm looking for.' Said Silver.
'Hmm, well, hypothetically, say I am this demon that you are looking for, what makes you think you could defeat a demon by yourself. I know a lot of pretty strong mages and I don't know of too many that could take on a demon… well, I know one who can take them over, but that's beside the point.' Retorted Natsu.
'Ah, well, that's my little secret, isn't it? I would be happy to tell you about it, if you'd tell me a little about what you are doing out here first. I mean, it is only fair, right?' Questioned Silver.
Natsu stopped walking at this and Silver followed suit, a smirk spreading across his face, as Natsu turned around.
'Fine then, if you must know, I am looking for a certain structure. The Tower of Heaven. I am going to destroy it and the one who built it.' Said Natsu, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone.
'The Tower of Heaven huh? I've heard of that thing. If I remember right, it is a massive tower made to contain a lot of energy, for the purposes of bringing someone back from the dead.' Said Silver, rubbing his stubble in thought.
'I don't care about any of that, I'm just going to make sure it gets destroyed.' Scoffed Natsu.
'I see… why do you want to destroy it so badly?' Asked Silver.
'It hurt someone very important to me. It haunts her to this day and I won't let that stand any longer.' Said Natsu, before turning around again and walking off.
Silver waited until Natsu had taken a few more steps, before following after him.
'So this demon you are looking for, why are you looking for them and what do you plan to do if you find them?' Asked Natsu.
'Well now, that is quite a question. If I answer it, it would only be fair for you to answer one of mine in return, right?' Questioned Silver, only for Natsu to absentmindedly nod.
'Well, you can say that my bosses want to find this demon to recruit it. Well, that isn't exactly right, as they say this demon is their leader. It seems a bit odd to me, why would underlings be searching for their leader?' Started Silver, before giving a small chuckle.
'Of course, it could be possible that they are all crazy and knowing them, that is highly likely.' Finished Silver.
'Well, a demon isn't the best option for a leader. I think these people need to get a new leader.' Said Natsu.
'You and I both. It isn't that straightforward though. However, if you want to hear more about the matter, I'd like you to answer one of my questions first.' Said Silver.
'Hmm, fine then.' Said Natsu, before jumping down a series of ledges and touching down a few metres below.
Silver followed suit and the two were now walking towards a large forest.
'Well, you mentioned I look a lot like someone you know, would you mind telling me about this person?' Asked Silver.
'Hmm, it depends. This person is a sort of friend of mine and I don't want to stir up trouble for him, well, unless I'm there to watch it happen and laugh of course. What would you do with what I tell you?' Asked Natsu.
'Nothing at all, I'm just curious who else shares my dashing good looks.' Joked Silver.
'Well, I suppose there is no harm in that then. He looks like you as I've said, especially the face. He has a nasty habit of stripping his clothes of all the time though and a surprising temper, despite the fact that he uses ice based magic. Although, that aside, he is also an annoying ice princess.' Said Natsu.
'Sounds like you two have a bit of a friendly rivalry.' Commented Silver.
'Well, most people seem to think so. I don't. It isn't much of a rivalry, when I'm way stronger than him.' Retorted Natsu.
'So you are saying you are the stronger of the two of you?' Asked Silver.
'Yep, not even a contest.' Repeated Natsu.
'Well, I wonder if you think you could beat me, since I also use ice based magic?' Challenged Silver.
'I rather not start a fight with you here and now. I'm on a really important mission right now and I might lose my temper if you try and mess with me.' Said Natsu, stopping in place.
'That's a shame, since as things stand, I need to kill you.' Said Silver, which was accompanied by a sharp rise in power.
'I guess you are Gray's dad, you're just as eager to start a fight as him.' Said Natsu, flames engulfing him in a vortex.
'Silver Fullbuster.' Said Silver.
'Natsu Dragneel, or, as I'm guessing Tartaros calls me, E.N.D. Etherious Natsu Dragneel.' Said Natsu, before rushing Silver.
'Fire Dragon's Iron Fist.' Said Natsu, launching his right fist for Silver's face.
Silver ducked the punch and retaliated with an uppercut that Natsu took in his abdomen, before being launched upwards.
'Ice Devil's Rage.' Exclaimed Silver, aiming his head upwards and seeking to freeze Natsu in the sky.
Natsu's wings burst from his back and he gave them a strong flap, launching him backwards and out of range of the wave of purple ice and snow.
'Fire Dragon's Wrath!' Roared Natsu, plummeting downwards with speed, jets of fire blasting out of his feet, as he extended his right arm outwards, fist clenched, ready to slam it into the ground.
A torrent of fire was launched forwards upon impact, quickly rushing silver.
'Fire Dragon's Roar!' Added Natsu, hands in front of his mouth, launching a trumpet of fire at the mass of flames engulfing where Silver had just been.
'Hmm, from what I've heard, E.N.D. was supposed to be some extremely powerful demon, with enough power to destroy everything and anyone around him. I didn't know he had terrible aim too.' Joked Silver, a few metres to the right of the conflagration.
'If I seriously wanted to beat you, I wouldn't miss.' Said Natsu, turning to face the man.
'Maybe you don't understand the situation here then. I am a member of Tartaros, a guild of demons, however, I am no demon and I don't share their goal of bringing you back to join them. My goal is to kill all demons, which includes all of them and you as well.' Commented Silver.
'Well, I don't want to join them and as far as killing me goes, you don't stand a chance, not with how restricted you are. Maybe if you weren't already dead, we could have a decent fight, but I doubt you had those powers when you were alive, otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for you to be killed by Deliora.' Said Natsu.
'So, he told you.' Said Silver, relaxing and letting his magical power vanish, with Natsu's following suit after a moment.
'Yeah. You're supposed to be dead though.' Admitted Natsu.
'I am, as you said, I'm just being reanimated by Keyes, a member of Tartaros. The leader of the guild, well, in your absence at least, let me learn Ice Devil Slayer Magic. I'm pretty sure I'm incentive for some of the other demons, after all, knowing someone with magic specifically designed to kill you is close by, does wonders for keeping people in line.' Said Silver.
'Well, that's none of my business. Besides, I've wasted enough time as it is. I'm going to find that tower and destroy it, the only question is if I have to go through you first.' Said Natsu.
'Go, destroy your tower, I couldn't care less. After all, you refusing to re-join Tartaros is music to my ears.' Said Silver carelessly, waving Natsu off.
Natsu's wings gave a flap, before Natsu prepared to take off.
'A word of warning though, Tartaros are coming for you.' Said Silver.
'I know.' Said Natsu, before shooting off.