Author's Note: Well, here we are again. My contract at my job ended so I am back on the job hunt while taking care of my little girl. I'll try to get some updates in while I am at it. This one is a bit on the short side, but it is an update!
Aceofspades2255: Thanks for the feedback. You'll see. *twirls moustache* Mwahaha…
TR4PP3R: Thanks! And wrong Strauss. :D
LordNevaman and pichu missionary: Thanks for the support. I am not stopping anytime soon.
And now for a new thing... {Rawr! I am speaking in draconic!}
Chapter Six: The Sleeper Has Awakened
The guild hall is filled with a tense energy that is almost electric. Rumor has spread within the guild that Natsu would be returned to them soon. Some sit by to see a dear friend, while others merely out of boredom. A thunderous noise can be heard from underground rushing towards the hall as the library doors explode outward in blazing splinters.
Without a second to steady themselves, the assembled mages feel a wash of heat blazing like the noonday sun as a fiery form rockets through the shattered portal and into the body of Elfman Strauss. The pair continues on that path until they impact a wall, and there, in a stationary position, the guild finally sees what has emerged from the library.
Crouched over Elfman's battered form, a slightly older Natsu is seen. Scales faintly surround his eyes and coat his hands like gauntlets, his nails extending like talons. A pair of fiery wings wreaths their forms, causing the air to shimmer with heat.
Erza's eyes widen and she equips her Fire Empress armor to attempt to talk the feral dragon slayer down. As she approaches, she sees one taloned hand wrapped around Elfman's beefy neck while the other extends towards his face. Rushing forward, she is repelled by the quick snap of a blazing wing and is forced to watch in horror as Natsu drags a superheated claw from the edge of Elfman's eye to his jaw.
The guild shakes itself from their shock as they hear a low growl emanate from the dragon slayer. The hisses and rumbling tones evoke terror in the take-over mage, his voice paralysed by fear. Natsu negligently tosses him to the floor and gives a predatory glare to the guild. His next sibilant utterance is cut short as Levy charges out of the library.
In the five seconds, since Natsu emerged, the hall appears to have been in the middle of a war zone, yet the solid script mage pays it no mind. Instead, she weaves through the shocked crowd, and ignoring the stunned attempts to call her back, dashes through his blazing wings and wraps her arms around his waist. Her clothing briefly ignites, though her modesty is preserved by the optical distortions of the heat as well as the dense inferno she charged through. Glancing down she sees the scar crossing Elfman's face and she locks eyes once more with her dragon slayer. "Natsu, you have to stop now… You're home…"
Natsu tilts his head and regards the tiny woman wrapped around him. He gives a tentative sniff and briefly recoils before leaning in again. Rasping with a guttural hiss, he inquires, {You… I know you. L…Levy?}
Levy's eyes widen and a smile creeps across her face, in a far less precise and frankly adorable growl, she replies, {Yes, Natsu. Welcome home.} She hesitates before looking at Elfman again. {Why did you scar him? It wasn't his fault… it was an accident.}
The guild recoils as if slapped as the inferno in human form emits Levy's tiny voice in the same language Natsu spoke. The pink haired dragon slayer grits his teeth and closes his eyes, {To remember. His life is safe from me, but he must always ALWAYS remember what he took from me.} He looks down at Levy, {I don't know how you are my mate, and I am going to get answers one way or another.} His eyes drop slightly lower then snap back to hers. He wordlessly shrugs off his vest and wraps it around the blue haired mage before picking her up and launching through the guild hall door towards the forest.
Gray, looking at the devastation in the guild hall, looks at Natsu and Levy's retreating figures. "What the fuck was that?"
ooOOoo
Natsu and Levy land in a clearing not far from his house. Signs of old charring have largely healed in the years since he was last training in the woods. The duo enters his rustic abode, the place in surprisingly good repair and unusually clean. No words are exchanged as Natsu rummages around in his wardrobe for clothing he wore years ago, that may fit his new mate's diminutive frame. Handing her the clothing, she makes a quick dash to the back room to change, her modesty finally kicking in after her recent actions.
When she emerges, she is clad in a tiny vest and shorts, both fireproof, with the vest fastened, and the shorts cinched tight. She hands Natsu his vest with a sigh, already missing the wood smoke scent that lingered upon the garment. She then locks eyes with him, bracing for the inevitable questioning.
{How?}
Levy blinks, "Not the question I thought he'd ask first…" She begins, {Well, the Master had to encase you in a lacrima to keep you… you. Then I started researching how to reverse your transformation, came up with the idea of finding Igneel.} She looks up to see his eyes boring into hers. {We found him. Sort of…}
Uncharacteristically patient, Natsu restrains himself from interrogating her on his father. Clenching his jaw, he gestures for her to continue.
Taking a deep breath, she rushes on, {Our new member, or her family, is connected to the dragons somehow, so a spirit… bubble... thing... that Igneel spoke through emerged from the Lacrima. As best I can tell, he used you as a focus. He told us how to save you… it meant someone being bound to you as your mate.} Seeing a disheartened look on his face, she pushed on, {He said it would only work if… if there were genuine feelings between the two.} She takes a deep breath, {If… if love, or the possibility, existed.} She closes her eyes and waits for his reaction.
Natsu folds her into his arms, holding her tightly. {You saved me. Thank you.} He steps back and gives a faint echo of his toothy grin, {While I don't love you as I do Lisanna, it wouldn't have worked if there wasn't a chance, right? We'll see how things go.}
Levy tightly hugs the dragonslayer, until their moment is shattered by a knock on the door.
With a snarl, Natsu regards the door and gives an investigative sniff. His face is filled with confusion as he looks at it and Levy. Tearing open the door, he is met with the uncertain yet smiling form of Mirajane Strauss.
She looks past Natsu and sees Levy in his old clothing. Her original mission briefly forgotten as she rushes in and squeals at the adorable sight before her. "Ohmygodyouaresocute!" She gives Levy a colossal hug.
"Eh heh... heh… thank... you?" Levy manages to utter from her enviable position of being smothered in a hug by Mira. She looks over Mira's shoulder and sees the dumbfounded dragon slayer. "Was there something you needed?"
Putting the solid script mage down gently, Mira steps back and blushes. "Sorry, I got carried away there. I think Natsu might have figured it out, but… It might be easier to show you." Turning, the takeover mage pulls her shirt up over her head, the other denizens of the building blushing immediately. Their embarrassment subsides as they stare in shock at the breathtaking dragon emblazoned across her back.
Levy steps back as if struck, "But. I… how? What?" She looks in panic at the equally stunned Natsu.
Straightening her clothing, Mira turns back to them. "I'm as surprised as you are. Or I was until Igneel explained it to me."
Natsu's focus sharpens, {What did he say?}
Mira tilts her head in confusion, "Huh?" She looks at Levy, "I… I think I will need you to translate for me." She looks at the dragon slayer, "Can you… not speak the common tongue?"
The pink haired dragon slayer draws himself up to his full height, attempting a measure of dignity. He opens his mouth a few times to speak before letting out a loud sigh and slumping forward. He shows off his enlarged fangs, "I can, but it ish hard to schpeak wif thesh fangsh." {Draconic is easier... and WAY less embarrassing.}
Levy, giggling lightly, promptly translates everything for the dumbfounded Mirajane. A light titter of laughter starts in the takeover mage until the ladies are both half-wrolling on the floor in laughter. After a few moments of affronted dignity, even Natsu joins in. The first joyful noise he has uttered since Lisanna's loss.
Wiping a stray tear, Mira explains, "This is what Igneel told me…"
Ooo
Following the swift departure of the dragon slayer and the solid script mage, Mirajane approaches the glowing sphere. "Excuse me… sir. Why? Why me? I don't harbor those feelings for your son, no offense. I mean, he's adorable, but…" She trails off.
The deep rumble softens, "But?"
Mira whispers, "Lisanna… his mate that died, was my sister."
"Hmm. It seems you have answered your own question. While it is not usual or even desired, if two siblings are similar enough, the dragon's soul will seek out what is missing and latch onto what is 'close enough.' If I had known, I would have had you stay farther away." Igneel pauses in thought, "What is your magic, my dear?"
Mira shakily smiles, "It was takeover magic, Satan Soul. I lost my magic, however." She shrugs.
Igneel lets out a snort, "Preposterous. Your magic is indeed still with you, child. And it remains strong. If you will allow an old dragon's request, teach the boy your magic. I cannot explain more at this time, as I must depart, but it will benefit him greatly. Tread carefully, however. This bond can bring you great sorrow or joy. It certainly will bring you both great power. I hope we meet again. Give my other daughter and my idiot son my best." With that, the orb fades.
ooo
"And that's about it…" Mira smiles sweetly, which a relieved Levy returns. "Natsu?"
His eyes, obscured by his hair, are unreadable. His jaw clenched. "IDIOT SCHON!" His indignant moment ruined by his oversized fangs.
The two girls resume their giggle fit as he attempts to salvage the scraps of his dignity. {Well. I didn't want to talk to that jerk anyway.} He mutters to himself, kicking a nonexistent rock. {So, he wants me to learn another magic? I can do that… then I can combine them and kick his scaly butt!} Natsu exclaims, thrusting a blazing fist in the air.
Levy, recovering from her giggles, begins to ponder. "So… we'll get stronger? I mean, not the reason I volunteered…" She blushes lightly, "But it's a nice benefit." A thought sparks in her mind, "I wonder…"
Taking out her light pen, Levy begins to craft her magic, "SOLID SCRIPT: FIRE!" And lo, the word Fire blazes merrily before them. With a pout, she nudges Natsu to consume the verbal conflagration. Her eyes widen as a determined grin shows on her face. Eschewing common, she begins to write in runes. {Draconic Script: Fire!}
As she puts the finishing touch on the rune, Natsu's eyes widen. {LEVY WAIT!}
The thunderous explosion that detonated both the small cottage and the nearest trees shakes the silence of the forest.