S.R: This chapter… I ended up not doing much to it. Mostly grammar fixes.


It had been one month since Natsu reunited with Wendy, and six months since he had become a Wizard Saint. Even though Natsu filled Wendy in on the big important details about modern society before they arrived at Clover, there were still other details he had to cover with her. But that didn't stop him from working with the same drive he had before he'd found her. Though with Wendy accompanying him, Natsu, left Clover more often and stayed outside of towns more since he now had someone to train with. However he made sure that the two of them were stable financially as they traveled Fiore, taking jobs and hunting for the other three Dragon Slayers. Sadly they hadn't found anything, not even a decent rumor about someone matching the description of any of the other three Dragon Slayers.

Since they tried to spend more time out in the wild training, Natsu happily practiced with his Dragon magic. During these training sessions Natsu slowly came to be able to use more of his magic in his dual elemental "Star Drive". It became rather clear to the Dragon Slayers that Natsu was far stronger than Wendy, though that was mostly due to the fact Wendy was trained more to be a healer than a fighter. That's not to say she couldn't fight, as she was still able to hold her own quite well for the most part.

While they were together, Natsu and Wendy did take the time to explain to Luna exactly why and how, the Barghest had come to the conclusion that Wendy was Natsu's mate when they first met up. Luna didn't really do anything when they told her, though she stated getting rather protective over Wendy whenever someone got too close to the girl.

As for Natsu's status as a Wizard Saint… Well because of it the two Dragon Slayers didn't have to worry about money for a while. Dark guilds were springing up all over the country so Natsu was obligated to deal with them. But because of his efforts in completely destroying them when he found a dark guild the Magic Council payed him quite nicely. The only problem was when he went to report about them, he got rushed into the monthly Wizard Saint meeting without getting to say a word to the council. As the meeting hall was protected by magic that prevented anyone that wasn't a Wizard Saint, Magic Council member, or high ranking Rune Knight, Natsu had to leave Wendy and Luna outside while he sat in the meeting.

Upon entering the room he was surprised to see the majority of the Saints were together for once. Of course the first Saint, God Serena wasn't there, but it appeared as if everyone else had come. With help from Hyperion, Natsu introduced himself to the three he hadn't yet met. Thanks to his senses Natsu was able to pick up on the dark feeling coming from the eighth Wizard Saint, who he now knew as Jose Porla, he quickly decided he wanted nothing to do with the man.

Once the meeting was over Jose tried to approach him, but Natsu continually blew the man off, eventually getting Jose to leave though the man was mumbling about people not knowing who they were supposed to respect as he did.. After that happened the sixth Saint, Makarov Dreyar decided to give him a better and less formal introduction.

"Well my boy, I can't say it was smart to anger Jose, but I also can't say I blame you for wanting little contact with him. He's far to single minded and power hunger for my tastes. Anyway, I know Hyberion gave you my name, but I figured it'd be better to introduce myself. I'm Makarov Dreyar."

Something about the man just made Natsu feel like he could trust him. His aura while not quite as powerful as the dragons that raised Natsu, was a strong one that had similar tones to Igneel's. Makarov felt like a person he could both trust and follow. Someone who would rather share your pain and fight both for and with you if need be. Giving into the feeling Natsu smiled as he shook Makarov's hand.

"I'm Natsu. Natsu Dragneel. Counting this meeting I've only made it to two of them since I've been busy traveling Fiore while taking jobs. But back at the first one I attended Hyberion mentioned that you and Jose were Guild masters."

"That's right. I'm the proud master of Fairy Tail. As for Jose, he's the Guild master of Phantom Lord."

Nodded Makarov proudly declared his affiliation, though he did also mention Jose's guild as well.

"I don't think I could get along with him. He just felt… Dark."

Natsu shuddered slightly as he recalled the feeling he got from Jose. He was slightly disturbed by the man.

"I don't know how you could feel it, but Dark is certainly one way to describe his magic. Jose is a master of Shade magic."

Makarov mentioned, confused as to how Natsu felt Jose's magic itself, rather than just the power of it.

"I don't mean dark, as in lack or absence of light. I mean dark, as in corrupted. One of my friends that I grew up with is capable of using a type of Shadow magic, and the feeling I get from the two couldn't be more different."

Natsu said, as he tried to explain it without giving away the fact that he was a Dragon Slayer.

"I've never heard of someone being able to feel something like that from any magic that isn't considered to be one of the Black Arts."

"Maybe if I get to know you a bit more I can explain it properly."

Natsu told the short older man. He was following his gut on the fact that Makarov was someone he could trust. But before he gave the man his full trust, he had to make sure it was worth it.

"Well I don't really want to go back to my guild just yet. I love them all as if they were my own children and grandchildren, but I need a break from the rowdiness every once in a while."

Makarov said, sighing as he talked about the rowdiness of his guild. Though really it was just a casual statement and offer of a chance to talk and get to know each other.

"If that's the case, I don't mind having a chat over some good food. So long as you don't mind me bringing my girlfriend who's been outside waiting for me since I walked in here. Oh and my familiar who should be waiting as well."

Natsu stated, understanding completely that the stubby man was okay with the idea.

"Not at all."

"Well then, I'll buy if you know a good place here nearby."

Natsu offered to pay since he was bringing more than just himself, though he gave Makarov the chance to decide where to go.

"That's fine by me."

With that the two walked out of the meeting hall and Natsu introduced Makarov to Wendy, and Luna. Wendy felt the same aura that Natsu did, finding herself opening up and being friendly with the old man. Luna didn't have as finely tuned senses as the two Dragon Slayers, but she could tell there was something about the short man, though speaking out loud she gave a warning to the short elderly man about how protective she was over Wendy.

Makarov nodded his head politely at the warning, smiling at how close the group was. He even offhandedly mentioned that it was a great thing that Natsu's own familiar was so protective of Wendy.

The group made their way to a nice yet small restaurant, one that Makarov knew they'd be able to get food for Luna at. Since it was just after the lunch rush the place was empty and they were seated rather quickly. Passing the time while they waited for their order, the just chatted about whatever came to mind, answering questions that were randomly thrown into the conversation. Eventually their meal was finished and the talk was starting to wind down.

"How would the two of you feel about joining my guild? Fairy Tail is home to many young and powerful wizards and we treat each and every member like family. No matter how rowdy and over the top everyone gets, we always have each others back. It might even make you search for your friends a little easier."

Makarov asked, though he had a feeling he already knew the answer.

"I appreciate the offer, but as I'm sure you've noticed by now Wendy and I have several types of magic. Some of which are... Let's say extremely dangerous to our surroundings. One of the reasons we've been moving around so much is that camping in the wild and away from civilization gives us a safer location to train. I at least, have to decline. If Wendy wants to that's fine."

"I'm not leaving your side that easily. Thanks for the offer but like Natsu, I decline."

Natsu and Wendy both turned down Makarov's invitation, though he smiled kindly as he replied.

"That's fine. Just know that you are always welcome if you ever change your mind. That goes for both of you."

Time Skip

Natsu and Wendy had taken a quest to explore some ruins and find a special scroll. Supposedly the ruins were towards the peak of one of the larger mountains that was located in Fiore. Due to the size of the ruins, and how difficult it was to find them, this quest was labeled as an SS class mission.

Normally they wouldn't have been able to accept this quest unless the council members themselves gave it to the two, but with Natsu's status as a Wizard Saint he had the same clearance level as an S class wizard and thus was able to register it as being accepted at the Rune Knight's Outpost in Clover.

As Dragon Slayers, neither one had any issue getting to the spot their map marked as the entrance to the ruins. Natsu's familiar Luna didn't even have to walk, as she just shrunk down to hand held size and draped herself across Wendy's shoulders. Having prepared for an extended stay, they set up a small campsite to use while they explored.

Deciding to do more than requested in the hopes of getting more money, or setting up a follow up quest, Natsu and Wendy cleared the surrounding half mile of all dangerous creatures. Once that was done, Natsu created a lantern with his Fire Make magic for Wendy to use while she mapped out the ruins during their search for the object the request asked them to recover. The reason Wendy was mapping it out was she had cleaner handwriting. The two did find what they were supposed to after around a week of searching, but decided to map the ruins out as much as they could and explored even further.

Around a week and a half into their exploration they found a few secret tunnels that lead further up the mountain. But that wasn't the important factor at that time. A few days before said tunnels were found they were able to catch the scent of someone climbing up even further than the cliff side the ruins sat on. This fact also wasn't the important factor. The most important thing at the time of finding the secret tunnels was that they had moved a lot higher up the Mountain side than they expected and were able to catch on to that scent, a familiar yet different scent, and the scent of blood.

Rushing through the tunnels and followed the new scents the two had scattered thoughts. The thoughts were only made more confusing when there was only one powerful, yet rising aura of magic that they felt. While they weren't positive both felt that the familiar but different scent was a dragon, and they were confused about what to think. After all they knew that only someone trained by a dragon or who had a Lacrima made from a dragon's magic would be able to harm a dragon, unless they held a weapon made from a dragon's talons or fangs.

Neither one knew which of the two scents was the aggressor that caused the blood shed they could smell. But there was a lack of presence to the magical aura they felt so the two could confidently say the dragon was not the one using magic. After about 10 minutes of running the two exited the tunnels to a gruesome sight.

A large black dragon with bright blue tribal markings was staring down at a man that was wobbling back and forth, barely conscious yet fighting to live even though his defensive use of magic was hardly able to delay the dragon. The orange haired man was missing his left leg, and had three large and deep gashes across his abdomen, the outermost gash actually lining up with a spot a few inches away from his shoulder, where his left arm was just barely attached, hanging in the air limply. Despite the pain he was in the man was flaring his magic outward in a barrier, that while powerful was still being shattered in one blow, but near instantly reforming and causing the dragon to growl in frustration. Without even looking at each other the Dragon Slayers split up.

Wendy went right to the orange haired man's side and pulled him down to lay on the ground while she used her magic to stop the bleeding long enough for her to properly examine and treat his wounds. Luna who had been staying with Wendy whenever the two Dragon Slayers got too far apart had grown to her full size and stood in front of the two protectively.

Natsu on the other hand charged at the black dragon, moving just fast enough to get in close enough to prevent being counter attacked as he struck the side of the dragons face with his Fire Dragons Iron Fist. There was a resounding crack when he made contact as the dragons head snapped away from his fist. Knowing just how dangerous fighting a dragon could be Natsu didn't hesitate, following up with his Fire Dragons Blazing Claw and raked his hand down the side of the face and part of the neck before jumping back and away, just barely avoiding having his side pierced by the ever so pointy and sharp tail of the black dragon.

Sadly, Natsu could see his attacks hadn't done much besides crack the scales where he'd hit. Uncertain he could harm the black dragon with just his Fire Dragon magic, Natsu pulled his Gravity Dragon magic out and layered the two so he could enter his Star Drive. He finished just in time to use Fire Dragons Gravitational Roar to block the black dragons roar. The two attacks canceled each other out.

Growling the black dragon spread it's wings and took to the air. Sighing, Natsu used his Gravity Dragons Attraction Claw to pull it back to the ground.

As he did Natsu gave another Fire Dragons Gravitational Roar, this time making the black dragon roar in pain. Hoping that it was enough of a distraction, Natsu dashed in close and right on the black dragons snout he landed a Gravity Dragons Repulsive Fist intentionally shifting the gravity affecting the dragon to send it flying off into the distance.

Unsure of if he had used enough power to send the dragon far enough away, he dashed towards Wendy and the now unconscious man. Placing the injured man on Luna's back the group ran back into the tunnels, just barely making it back down far enough to avoid being destroyed by the black dragon's roar.

The tunnel itself suffered a violent tremor while the dragon's roar devastated the mountain top. Even after the dragon cut it's attack off the ground shook as the mountain stabilized itself once more.

Taking the chance to glance back out onto the mountain side Natsu saw the dragon had only returned close enough to unleash a roar large enough to destroy the plateau they'd been on, and shockingly enough of the mountain itself to lower it's height enough to make the ruins the highest safe place on the mountain. Luckily the dragon didn't try to return to the mountain instead, turning and flying off.

Letting out a huge sigh in relief Natsu turned to Wendy who had started healing the man once more. He waited until she finished the process to speak.

"How bad is it?"

"Well we arrived quick enough for me to prevent the injuries from being fatal. But he's had some internal organs damaged pretty severely... I may have stopped the bleeding but we'll need to cauterize his leg and the gashes. As for his arm, I was fast enough to be able to reattach it though I don't think the nerves in it will be as sensitive anymore."

"I'd say I got off pretty damn lucky then."

Neither one of them were surprised to hear the man speak, both had been aware the moment he woke up. Stepping forward Natsu said to let him cauterize the wounds, before they did anything else. While he worked they introduced themselves and the orange haired man gave his name as Gildarts.

"Thanks for the save. I'm certain if you hadn't shown up I'd be dead."

"Mind if I ask what you're doing up here?"

Natsu asked, curious as to why the older man was also present at the mountain.

"I'd taken on a century quest, but what no one knew was that the sword I was supposed to recover was guarded by that beast."

"Beast? No that was a damn dragon."

Natsu commented, a bit put off by the fact that Gildarts called the dragon a beast.

"You're joking right? It's been like four hundred years since any dragons have been seen."

Gildarts questioned. Though something about the fact he was so easily beaten by the monster made him more curious than doubtful of the idea.

"I know a dragon when I see one."

"Same here Gildarts. That was a dragon, though I'm not sure why it just lashed out and didn't even bother trying to talk to us."

Both Natsu and Wendy answered, neither one willing to budge on the idea. Since they were dead set on it, he accepted their reason.

"Don't suppose you'd share how you two know this?"

"Trade secret... Anyway the only quest anywhere near this mountain should have been to find the scroll in the ruins."

Natsu said, not willing to give out the truth just yet. Gildarts however brushed off Natsu's deflection back to why he was there.

"Oh, that decade quest? I thought about taking it, but I wanted something even tougher. A few days after that one was taken down there was a century quest that asked for the sword that was at the peak of this mountain."

"Since you can take a triple S level quest I take it that means you're an S class in one of the guilds?"

Natsu questioned, his phrasing leading the older mage to realize that the pink haired teen wasn't part of a guild.

"Kid, I'm the ace of Fairy Tail. The strongest member of the guild."

"So you're one of the 'brats' Makarov was complaining about when he bragged about his guild."

Natsu commented as he recalled his fellow saint's words about the members of his guild. Only slightly surprised by the statement Gildarts had to ask Natsu how he knew the guild master.

"How do you know the old man?"

"I'm Natsu Dragneel the 9th Wizard Saint."

Despite the fact that he was so young just being one of the Wizard Saints should be a considerable honor and a testament to his strength Gildarts was still surprised that Natsu was seated so low in the group.

"Only the 9th? Considering how you managed to deal with that dragon off I'd say you're stronger than that."

Natsu vehemently shook his head at that statement, a bitter tone to his voice when he commented "Not quite. I was just barely able to hurt it. We managed to annoy it enough to destroy that plateau, and fly off."

"Well you did more than me… Anyway, considering I probably need to find a doctor, and you seem to have finished your quest would you mind helping me get back to town?"

Gildarts had the sense to change the conversation, though he did praise Natsu for being able to deal with the dragon better than he had. But Wendy was the one that replied to his question.

"Not at all."

The blue haired girl had gone into her 'healer' mode as Natsu called it. She fussed over the older mage and was so strict that she reminded the orange haired man of Fairy Tails healer the elderly woman Porlyusica. Due to that similarity, he complied with the younger girls orders and did his best to avoid straining himself.

Because of his size, Natsu had Luna adjust her size to as big as she could be, then very carefully placed Gildarts on her back. After that the group carefully but swiftly returned to the nearest town.