"Hey Natsu, how about you fight me instead of just showing your power. I'm actually pretty excited to see how a fight between us would go." Guildarts proposed and earned a smirk from Natsu
"Yeah, screw it. I'll fight but I'm not holding back, you got that?" Natsu said as he began taking 10 long paces away from Guildarts.
"I've always been bad at holding back." Guildarts replied with a confident grin
"You two don't destroy the entire town." Makarov joked and then he realized... THIS IS GUILDARTS, HE WILL DESTROY THE WHOLE TOWN! "please" He pleaded
The two combatants ignored the plead and took up a fighting stance.
"Pardon me but I'm afraid this brawl will have to wait." An unknown voice spoke from the side lines
"What? Why? Who are you?" Natsu asked, a bit pissed off because he was pumped for a fight.
"I'm here to take Natsu Deathbringer to begin the per-trials, I was ordered to do so and I'm a messenger from the magic council" The woman answered stoikly
"Why the hell do you want me? And what the hell are these pre-trial things?" Natsu asked as he lowered his fighting stance
"Natsu, it's okay. I signed you up for the tournament but I never expected this to happen so soon. Why is he being taken 7 months before the tournament begins?" Makarov asked the messenger
"Gambling is permitted in this years S-Class wizard tournament and Natsu is being taken to determine his magic power and then we will be able to create a rate accordingly. He is to be at the Arena in 1 week time so until then... try to rest up. When he arrives he will spend a week inside the Champions village before returning home, however I will require someone else to accompany him." The messenger finished with a blank look on her face
"Erza" Makarov turned to the scarlet haired mage "You've become comfortable around Natsu, would you accompany him?" He asked with a hopeful voice. Erza was the only person besides Guildarts that wasn't afraid of Natsu. Wendy was becoming used to him but everyone else was a bit fearful of the Chaos Dragon Slayer.
"Very well Master, I will accompany him" Erza replied.
"HOLD ON A MINUTE!" Natsu yelled "I didn't even agree to what ever this thing is! I've been topless for over a day because I ripped my shirt and to top it all off I have over 60 hours of Meditation to catch up on to destroy that shitty thing over there!" Natsu said angrily as he pointed at the Relic that was leaning against a wall of the guild
Many questions filled peoples minds at this point.
He's been topless this whole time and I didn't notice?
He meditates?
He can destroy that thing?
He can count to 60?
Why does he have so many scars?
He doesn't know what the S-Class tournament is?
"Natsu, this is a test to determine if you are worth of the S-Class wizard rank. If you win then you can take any job you wish. There's also a prize pool of 5 million Jewel that goes to the winner." Makarov gave a very brief explanation of the tournament
Natsu simply scoffed.
"You get to fight powerful wizards" Erza said knowing the outcome
"Where are they?! Lemme' kick their asses! I've been itching for a good fight!" Natsu yelled. Guildarts put him in the mood for a fight and now he's not stopping until someone is face first on the ground.
"I take it you accept?" The messenger asked
"Yes, I'll be there." Natsu said before turning to Guildarts
"Sorry ginger but I've got to destroy that thing ASAP. I'll beat you after I win this stupid tournament thing" Natsu said as he turned his back to a now pissed off Guildarts and headed to pick up the troublesome relic that was still a mystery to everyone.
Natsu entered the empty guild hall and made his way to the door, shortly followed by Erza and Wendy.
"Natsu, I feel like you owe me some answers. You've kept too much a secret up until now so I want- no I demand answers." Erzas voice was stern, commanding and annoyed all at once. Natsu had yet to turn round but he knew she was glaring at him, he could feel it in his gut.
Natsu turned his head 90 degrees to the left and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. Just a sidewards look from Natsu sent a chill up Erzas spine, something not many people are capable of.
Natsu turned his body completely and aproached her with a look in his eye that caused Wendy, who was having fun with Natsu mere minutes ago, to take a few steps back. Erza in the mean time held her ground. She wasn't afraid of Natsu... much. The look in his eye, in truth in terrified her. Not because of the way he was looking at her but because this look... this look of pure hatred for whatever reason was practically confirming all the theories that she and Mira had been speaking of this morning.
Natsu stopped when he was mere inches from her. His taller figure looking down on her. But Erza didn't the affects it had on her show. She needed answers and if she had to beat it out of him like she would any other member then she would do so, but her ever growing feelings for Natsu were fighting against her thoughts of using force against Natsu. He had suffered enough and didn't need anymore abuse from anyone. That was for sure.
"I get it that people are afraid of you. I get it that I'm a secretive person and I understand that you may want answers." His glare was now backed up with magic energy flowing out of his body and swirling slowly around her, like a calm river spiriling down her body. "No one orders me around. You don't demand anything from me." He took a step forward, causing Erza to take one step back "I know you've been friendly to me but as it stands the only way to order me around is to beat me in combat. Those who beat me in combat become my master so until you can step up and fight me, you never order me around. Got it?" Natsu asked with venom in is voice
"What have we done to deserve such hostility from you? All this guild has done is help you, try to make you feel like you belong in this world and just when people are starting to accept you, you do this. You act like we're below you but everyone in Fairy Tail is an equal, that includes you. You are no more important or less important than anyone else in the guild so quit acting like we're your enemies and let us help you!" Erza said with a solid voice. She couldn't let her strong outside break due to her weak interior. She had to remain strong.
"But I don't belong in this world. I've only been sent here by the one who owns me, simple as that. I'm trying to adapt but it's like taking a fish out of water. I don't know what to do in a place like this, I don't know how to treat people in a place like this, I'm only replicating what I seen others do and it's clear that this world doesn't want me here. All I've been given is weird stares and awkward looks because of my attitude and my hidden eye. I don't want to live in a world that doesn't want me in it either but I don't have a choice, I'm bound by dragons law to obey my master who is Acnologia. If you want me to do anything else then you have to become my master which is no easy feat so I suggest you just get used to me like this because unless you can beat me and claim title as my owner then that isn't going to change!" Natsu yelled in response
"You're not some object to be owned Natsu, you're a human being and you have free will like anyone else! So sto-" Erza began but was cut off
"I'M NOT HUMAN THOUGH!" Natsu yelled which caused Erza to freeze
"Wha- What do you mean your not human?" She asked in a softer voice.
Natsu sighed and decided that this is the only way she will understand but there's someone here that doesn't need to see this. "Wendy, look away. You won't like this." Natsu said as he sent a downward glance at Wendy
"Natsu what are you doing?" Erza asked
"I'm showing you what I am... I'm a monster." Natsu said as he took a step away from Erza
"Chaos Dragon Slayers True Form of the unforgivable soul." Natsu said with a cold voice as his body began to crumble in pain. His arms began to grow something... something blacker than the scales of his wings, it was like a black blade reaching from his wrist to protruding from his elbow. His hands became claws with razor sharp finger nails and grey palms. His legs changed their shape, they began to shift their build to one that was more like the back legs of a dog than those of a human, but they were scaled... they were dragon legs. His face became unrecognizable as he seemed to grow a snout with razor sharp teeth, no more like fangs. His back grew large spines where a section of his spinal column would be and a large, spiked tail grew from his back. His wings appeared too but they were much larger and rather than just wings there was a large talon that grew from the bend in his wings.
When all was complete Natsu was right... he was a monster. A dragon, human hybrid. Something that should be completely impossible but yet, here he was. This is Natsus true form.
"Do you get it now?" Natsu asked in a deep voice that caused Wendy to open her eyes and after a second of evaluating the scene in front of her she screamed. A scream of sheer terror and fear. One that Natsu was used to, one that he used to love hearing but after recent events... he hated it. Moments ago he was training this girl to become stronger and now she probably wouldn't go near him.
"Is-" Erza took a breath "Is this what Acnologia made you sacrifice your heart for? This form?" Erza asked and received a nod from Natsu
When Natsu nodded Erza spotted something before he could move his head towards the floor again. His eyes... his eyes, plural. He had 2 large green eyes that had long black slits down them that served as pupils.
"Natsu. Look at me." Erza commanded. Despite everything she was still determined to be forceful
"We heard a scream what hap-" Guildarts said as he burst into the guild but seen the huge Lizard like figure standing in front of Erza.
"ERZA GET BACK!" Guildarts yelled in fear of the S-Class mages life, completely unaware that it was Natsu. It was proof enough that Natsu is unrecognizable like this but when Guildarts spotted something he stopped his charge at the figure and stopped. He spotted a rope, wrapped round it's scaled neck with 8 colourful scales tied to it. It was what Natsu wore and seeing a body covered head to toe in scales, dragon scales, caused him to come to one conclusion. Natsu
"I have to get rid of this thing." Natsu said as he cast a glance to the scepter in his hand. "Tell them whatever you want but say nothing of my ownership." Natsu whispered to Erza with a deep dragon like voice.
"They deserve to know." Erza said with a soothing voice as she placed a hand over Natsus scaled chest only to feel a warm thud.
Erza reeled her hand back slightly and grabbed his arm, forcing him to stay still.
Natsu knew full well what Erza was doing. This is the body where his heart was transferred to and she just felt it. Chances are she was going to do it again.
Erza pressed her ear against his chest and heard a loud. A very loud
*DA DUM*
*DA DUM*
*DA DUM*
It sounded more like a drum than a heart, it was incredible to hear such a powerful sound.
"Natsu, just give a brief explanation. Please" Erza pleaded slightly before glancing at the Guild members that had rushed in after hearing Wendy scream.
"Very well but this is easier said through memories." Natsu said at a volume that the Guild could hear.
"How do you intend to do that?" Lucy asked him. If there was a way to tell a story through memories she was interested.
"May I please ask that you do not arrive at the S-Class Tournament in this state. It may scare the spectators." The woman from the magic council said before walking past him
"You will need to enter my mindscape. It's difficult but it's possible. After that you will see the memories that I allow you to see and I shall show the memories that involve this form and my servitude to Acnologia. However I ask that none of you attempt talepathy whilst inside my mind. It could cause serious damage to everyone's mind. And as for anything you see, you will be able to do nothing of it so do not bother attempting to intervene and under no circumstances is magic to be used inside my mind. Other than that I suggest we lock this place down because whilst in my mind your physical bodies disappear. If anyone wishes to opt out then say so now." Natsu explained to the guild but seeing none of them back away from him he picked up the relic and clasped it in both hands
"Mentrion ar enthramey, bocanian in remanah, I summon thee to the land the eye does not see. Open thine eye and with to witness the land that minds are free." Natsu chanted in a rhythmic pattern as a large gust of wind blew the doors to the guild shut.
"All is set. Let your mind go blank and let the enchantment wash over you. You will wake up inside my mind in a few moments." Natsus dragon form said before letting a pure white stream of magic flow around the guild members.
"And so they become travelers of the mind of thy caster." Natsu finished before the guild hall became void of all members bar Natsu who simply fell to the floor.
Miras eyes opened slowly and she took in the surroundings. They were on top of a rocky mountain, there were blistering winds and biting cold temperatures but they couldn't be felt by her. She simply judged it by the fact the trees were blowing like crazy and a small pink haired boy had frost hanging from his hair... wait. It's a younger Natsu.
Mira then spotted the rest of the guild members behind her as they too realized where they were.
"WAKE UP YOU FOOL!" Acnologia roared before slamming a claw into the ground that caused it to shake violently. The guild stood silently watching the scene play out as a tiny Natsu jumped to his feet and bowed to Acnologia
"I'M SORRY FATHER!" He yelled in a manner not meant to scare or frighten but to simply emphasize his apology.
"Quiet. Today I have something planned. You will continue regular training but seeing as I had to wake you up, no eating. As for your training I will be performing a forbidden curse to change you into a Half Dragon, Half Human. However before you sleep I will have a man stop by." Acnologia said with a voice that still caused chills to be sent down the spines of the guild members who were still in awe at the sheer size of Acnologia.
Natsu then... thanked him. "Thank you father but I don't want to be half human, can't you make me into a dragon. I don't want to be a stupid human, I hate them so why should I have to be one? It's dumb." Natsu said with his childish side showing but the statement caused Erza to realize what Acnologia did to Natsu.
"That's right boy, hate them. Just like they hate you. Everyone hates you apart from me, remember that. Now as for making you into a complete Dragon I'm afraid it's impossible but if you feel angry about it I can show you where to find Quanderena, one of the Earth Dragons. You can add to your collection but only if I cast the curse on you." Acnlogia proposed killing as a reward to him. But how is that possibly a reward?
"Acnologia would let him kill as a reward? What else did he do?" Mira questioned as she pulled Lissana into a hug.
"AWESOME. I DON'T HAVE AN EARTH SCALE YET! So what do I have to do for this curse thing?" Natsu asked in excitement to get his prize. This was back when Natsu had both his eyes and the look in them was frightening.
"You're heart will serve as sacrifice to receive this form."
"Wait, my heart? But I'll die. I don't want to die. Is there another way to-"
"YOU WILL NOT QUESTION ME BOY! I WILL PLACE THIS CURSE ON YOU AND YOU WILL ACCEPT IT. NOW BE QUIET AND DO NOT SPEAK UNLESS SPOKEN TO!" Acnologia roared in response before slamming his claw into Natsus side which sent Natsu flying into a rocky surface with a force that left a large crack down the surface.
Natsu got to his feet with a whimper. Acnologia had broken some of his ribs.
"Get started with training and use your hatred to drive you forward. I shall be back and when I return I expect you to have finished the training." Acnologia said before taking several large steps down the mountain they were currently resting on, leaving Natsu alone with a large rock cliff and some grass.
Natsu witnessed Acnologia leave before slamming a bare fist into the rock face.
The guild watched in horror as Natsu reeled a bloodied fist back from the wall and dripped the blood over his hair.
With another quick glance around him Natsu took a long strand of rope from one of his pockets and tied it round his upper arm with another whimper escaping his lips.
"What is wrong with that dragon? This is disgusting! How can Natsu consider this monster his father?" Erza said, frustrated with what she had seen. Who the hell does this? It's just wrong. Before Erza could continue ranting on about the scene before her Natsu pulled his arm towards his mouth and placed it between his teeth.
A loud grumble came from his stomach and he clamped his mouth shut and then... white
"That didn't just happen." A guild member said
"I think it did." Jet responded with a distant look in his eye.
"What's happening?" Asked Guildarts as the white that surrounded them began to fade and was replaced with a large open field. A new memory was starting.