Hi guys Azza here!
The poll still has the same in votes for the moment so onto the reviews!
Mukuro Kaze – About the sword remember at the end of Vol I he was tossed the sword by Erza when he was fighting against Ahnkseram and he never had a chance to give it back so he still has it from then.
Hinata probably still will have that whole backstory since it isn't that bad I just plan on going a different route with it where Naruto lets her down easy because in this story post time skip Naruto won't be as dumb as he was in canon though I've yet to decide who I want him with.
Silverdragon5678 – Think of how Natsu jumps around in time being like how it is in Doctor who where you can choose a time, place and date and appear there. Natsu was off with the Master learning how to identify important and key events in time so he doesn't mess with them as well as other stuff like math and other stuff he has no idea about.
Natsu could vanish for like 1000 years and still rock up five minutes from when he saw the Narutoverse last it's all sort of confusing when you think too hard on it but it makes general sense when you just say he can vanish for like two years and pop up anywhere because he has time on his side AKA Felicity.
The Hybrid's Aura and how strong it can get well I'll give you an idea. You know how Achnologia basically one shot Natsu when he had both his and Ahnkseram's power well the Natsu that Ahnkseram summoned in which was Natsu post EOS could probably flick Achnologia and it would have seriously wounded him. He won't hit anything close to that until the around the second half of Vol IV where he ends up on the level of the Gods of Creation and Devils of Destruction.
The name of the next Volume haha I didn't release this one's existence until like 80 chapters in but I suppose I could do that. At present it is called The Tale Of Natsu Dragneel Vol III The Devil's Task. Hopefully that gives you hype because I've done the outline of what the first two chapters would probably be but I'm barely into this one so really the only determined factor for it is where it is set and what part of the story Natsu turns up at.
Yeah really I only made this Titan kind of an introduction to give people an idea of where Natsu stands power wise and to show the Titan's are far from done in the series plus to set up the Otsutsuki Sect so when I do introduce a new Titan it'll be more of a threat for sure.
ChaosofTime – I'm thinking of doing the Chunin Exams quite soon simply because I want to do the Tsunade retrieval arc sometime soon so she can take the Hokage seat since a lot of stuff I know of takes place with her as Fifth Hokage so I would say keep any eye out but there may be like a few small arcs before it I have an arc I'm thinking of doing possibly starting next chapter about a ghost that only Natsu can see thanks to his eyes that leads him to an abandoned research lab by Orochimaru where ROOT have set up shop it could be fun to do but yeah Chunin Exams expect hype.
ThomasMCF – The poll is being split into parts simply because there are just so many servants in Fate that I couldn't pick a single one from the bunch so this poll is to decide what class of Servant people want then from the top three highest voted ones I will then pick a number of Servants using their real names that people can vote for from the list.
So yeah it's a two part poll sorry for any confusion and as for where I got man city from I see so many people who use MCF for Manchester City Football Club in the Premier League I was just curious haha!
Anyway on with the story which by the way is a little different.
I do not own Fairy Tail or Naruto.
The Dark Mind
/Yugao's POV/
The last few days had been hectic for Yugao and that was putting it mildly, Natsu returns appearing on the verge of death even collapsing into her arms as the Hokage ordered her to defend him from any potential threats however his own health seemed much more of a concern than any attempted attack.
Several hours after getting him to bed Natsu's body had begun to sweat profusely as strange ice shards began to worm their way from his body followed by a strange light show of Crimson Red and Galaxy Blue that took half a day to die down.
Just what kind of trouble had Natsu gone through the Hokage hadn't been by and she doubted she'd be able to worm the full story from him either. His condition seemed to worsen as his body often shook rather violently something that worried her greatly.
At present Yugao was in her kitchen dampening a new cloth for Natsu's forehead, though she wasn't a medic nin she knew the basics of caring for someone who was ill and Natsu presented all the signs something that surprised her given his status.
Making her way back to Natsu's room she slid the door open and made her way to the futon kneeling down and gently placing the cloth over his forehead.
"You leave for one mission and you end up like this …"
"Master will be fine you must simply have faith."
Yugao snapped her neck toward the voice only relaxing when she saw Seilah standing in the doorway looking concerned but not to the point she was.
"Do you know what's wrong with him Seilah?"
"Not only did he drain all his power being an idiot like usual but he did so after being hit with an infectious attack. Young Naruto woke him up early which delayed his body's natural healing process and then he proceeded to start making portals again which he definitely shouldn't have done," Seilah sighed as she sat down opposite Yugao.
"So he's suffering from severe exhaustion and some kind of illness?"
"Exhaustion isn't a problem usually for Master however given the events that preceded this his body is still acclimatizing to its current state having lost a significant portion of power. He will ultimately be fine however he will be receiving a scolding for such reckless action."
"Uh I don't mean to pry but Natsu said he was a … Hybrid I think, isn't he supposed to be immune from things like this?"
"The idea that higher beings can't get sick, be wounded, be defeated by mortal man and die is a preconceived notion by the mortals themselves. The very idea of Master Natsu is proof that a mortal can match the higher beings given enough drive and ability however he is far from what you would call true immortality. Does such a state exist I doubt we shall ever truly know the answer."
Yugao looked back at the unconscious form of Natsu before looking back at Seilah in confusion as something popped into her mind.
"Where were you when Natsu fought this being?"
"I was away following Master's orders and performing his regular duties I have returned to check up on him only to find him in such a state. I know you must be wondering why I wouldn't come help Natsu but the answer is Master Natsu often goes it alone opting to save as many lives as possible at the cost of his own my presence would have only been a distraction."
"Well he clearly needed some help against who or what he went up against," Yugao scoffed as Seilah shook her head.
"On the contrary Master is only in this condition because of poor choices had he simply chosen to go for the kill from the beginning he would be tired but active all the same. Master held the advantage from the beginning and simply squandered it in favour of holding back there isn't any other real reason I can conceive."
"So he's an idiot?"
Seilah smiled as she slowly rose to her feet with Yugao following suit and the two left the room as silently as possible heading down to the living room.
"I would agree on that assessment many of his cherished circle called him as such on numerous occasions. Try not to be too hard on Master when he wakes he does try his best but everyone has their ups and downs."
"Wait where are you going?"
"I still have work to do I was merely checking in to see if Master was in capable hands to which he most certainly is, goodbye for now."
Opening a portal Seilah left Yugao alone in the room for a few moments before the sound of a small fire jutsu caught her attention.
"Quite the conundrum these two are aren't they Yugao?"
"I'm still trying to get my head around them Lord Hokage," Yugao sighed as she turned to face the aged Hokage who looked decades older than before.
"I'm afraid I bring grim news the Council now knows of Natsu's existence and are demanding he be brought before them. I've been fending them off for days but Danzo is being crafty as usual."
"Do they know about his-?"
"The God like status from what I understand no however the word seems to be that they think he is a Jinchuuriki or something to which I have neither confirmed nor denied. Either way this presents a major problem since the Council will do what the Council always does and cause chaos to get what they want but Natsu is likely to just kill them all should they threaten him or speak ill of Naruto."
"With respect Lord Hokage I don't think Natsu would kill them," Yugao said slowly as she fidgeted slightly. "From what I've seen, learned and experienced with him he's a rather kind man who would prefer diplomacy before action having suffered much because of the latter."
"Except in the case of Danzo."
"To be fair he deserves everything he gets," Yugao said darkly as her eyes narrowed toward nothing in particular. "The horrific abuse of humans is almost on the level of Orochimaru!"
"I cannot argue with you there both Danzo and my former student are quite alike. Anyway I've come to see how Natsu is doing but by the looks of it he is still out of commission."
"He's gotten very ill but I think he's past the worst of it with the convulsions no longer occurring and the strange ice ceasing to expel itself from his skin. For now he just sweats a lot and sleeps."
"Hopefully he can recover before the Council get bold enough to storm the place," Hiruzen sighed as Yugao looked at him in disbelief.
"You really expect me to allow them to do that?"
"You know how this tale goes Yugao but I agree it is rather annoying, how are you handling the confinement?"
"Tending to Natsu has kept me on my feet so I can't say I've been bored."
"Would you like me to send over your friends I can allow them to join you if you wish?"
"I don't know if that is such a good idea the girls would be a welcome change of pace for me but how they would react to Natsu especially Anko …"
"What do you think they would do?"
"With respect Lord Hokage we are known as the Ice Queens of Konoha for a reason I'm sure you can guess how they would each react to Natsu."
"You could always explain the situation to them?"
"Of course just tell them there is a God like being upstairs feeling a bit under the weather who I've been tending to the last few days sounds perfect," Yugao scoffed as Hiruzen sighed.
"I'm just trying to do you a favour Yugao."
"I know Lord Hokage I'm just weighing the pros and cons, I suppose you could send them but you must tell them they cannot harass Natsu he needs his rest."
"I can do that I suppose I could just include them in this house confinement mission alongside you that way it also makes things harder for the Council having four strong protectors rather than one."
"Well when you put it that way …"
"I'll have them dispatched within the hour and thank you for doing this Yugao I know Natsu would no doubt appreciate the lengths you are going to so that he may recover as best he can."
Yugao nodded as the old man disappeared in a swirl of leaves leaving her alone once more as she looked upstairs wondering when the pink haired man would wake.
/Natsu's POV/
Natsu had been sitting in his mindscape across from the Black Dragon that was now as tall as he was in an almost lethal staring contest. Neither one of them had moved an inch since the moment he had arrived with Natsu determined to find out if this was indeed Achnologia or not.
Deciding to make a move Natsu stood up and began to inch closer to the Dragon as she began sniffing the air in his general direction before an almost melodious voice spoke to him.
"Hello Natsu."
"I knew you could speak it was just a matter of when," he replied sitting down directly in front of the Dragon who curled up once more.
"Have you decided?"
"Decided what?"
"A name?"
"You remember the last time I came here," Natsu asked slightly surprised as the Dragon hummed in acknowledgement.
"I remember what came before, eternal darkness filled with rage, most still fuzzy."
"Are you saying you remember your past self!"
"Fragments, slowly it returns, chilling images."
"So you feel repulsed by them?"
"Sadness, pain, sorrow ... confusion."
"Confusion?"
"Why would I kill, how could I continue on, questions in abundance."
"Are you unable to speak properly yet?"
"Still learning pieces of language from you mind."
"The correct term for that is your just so you know."
"Your … your mind. Do you have a name?"
"I have thought of a few but hearing your voice only one fits now, Aava the Apocalypse Dragon that shall be your new name."
"Aava … does it hold meaning?"
"It does now as your name," Natsu said with a small smile. "Names can be as powerful and important as almost anything so treasure yours well."
"I shall," the newly named Aava replied as Natsu gave her a slight pat on the nose. "So why you here?"
"You mean why are you here Aava and I'm not entirely sure I just wound up here perhaps it was fate for us to speak again who could really say."
"Y-your body feels cold outside."
"You mean my real body you can sense that?"
"We are linked, mental and phy-physical-ly."
"Hmm that's interesting and you said my body was cold?"
"Ice Titan Hydros infecting body, own power being dir-directed to help."
"Hmm I suppose that would make sense I did technically die after beating the Fire Titan so I suppose I wouldn't have gotten to feel the after-effects of his attacks and the War Titan was more of a physical fighter using his fists and blades."
"Must wake soon purple girl speaks of assass-sins."
Natsu's eyes hardened as he gave Aava another pat on the snout before standing up.
"Feel free to speak to me anytime even if I'm not here I'll listen but it seems I have work to do."
"Ok."
"I'll help you learn more words and what they mean so we can have longer conversations alright so if you get stuck on a word just ask and I'll help you through it."
"I would like more conv-convers-sations."
Natsu smiled as he forced his consciousness back to his body as his eyes shot open with a start. Slowly getting up he felt a small cloth fall from his head which he caught before it could touch the blanket.
"Yugao must have been taking care of me …"
Feeling sweat running down his face Natsu wiped it away noting that it was ice cold, his eyes locked onto a bucket in the corner with chunks of ice in them and he put two and two together.
"The cut on my face left ice shards in my body."
A bout of laughter could be heard downstairs as he slowly managed to drag himself to his feet. He was yet to fully recover as he felt strain on his arms and legs the likes of which he had not felt in years as he staggered into the hallway.
Stumbling downstairs he tripped on the last step and flew into the living room smacking his head on a nearby table eliciting a groan.
"Oh my god Natsu are you alright," Yugao gasped as she was at his side in moments. "I'm so sorry I should have been paying more attention!"
"I'm fine I just tripped, legs aren't working properly yet," Natsu sighed as she helped him up off the floor and into a chair.
"Oh no you've broken your nose there's blood everywhere I'll get a wet cloth!"
Dashing off into the other room Yugao left Natsu to sigh when he suddenly realized there were eyes on him.
"Uh hello," he said rather weakly. "Sorry about all this I hope I'm not interrupting."
"You must be the one Yugao was taking care of you look quite out of it," a woman with piercing red eyes said as Natsu nodded weakly.
"This is highly unusual for me I've only been sick once before in my life as a kid so I'm grateful someone is here to help me …"
Natsu was surprised when three small dogs all jumped into his lap and sat down staring at him expectantly much to the chagrin of one of the other women present.
"Oh you three what are you doing can't you see this guy is half dead right now get off him this instant!"
Instead of listening to her the dogs didn't break eye contact much to the confusion of everyone present forcing the woman to physically pull them off of him.
"I'm so sorry about that they've never done that before I swear!"
"It's fine I don't mind," Natsu sighed as Yugao came running back in with a cloth.
"Alright now hold still Natsu I just want to- NATSU!"
Natsu grabbed his nose and snapped it back into place sending more blood everywhere as he sighed in relief after an initial spike of pain.
"Sorry I just put it back in place."
"That sounded like you just snapped it!"
"Yugao I have a healing factor it'll fix itself now trust me," he sighed as she shook her head and began wiping the blood off of his face.
"Healing factor or no after I have you cleaned up you will be going straight back to bed no if's or buts about it!"
"But Yugao I-!"
The glare he received froze him into place not because of fear but of fond remembrance. Her eyes reminded him of both Elise and Erza when he used to do something the disliked and would give him the look to change his mind. Was this a female trait perhaps?
After cleaning him up Natsu was escorted back to his room and warned not to get up again until she gave him permission, another glare silenced his protests and he begrudgingly agreed to her request.
"Well I suppose she is just looking out for my wellbeing and I haven't had a sleep for myself in years so maybe I could …"
Natsu dozed off mid thought as a small smile wormed its way onto his face.
/Yugao's POV/
Sighing as she made her way back downstairs she placed the now bloodied cloth into a basket to be washed later and made her way back to the living room and sat down with a sigh.
"So that's Natsu huh?"
"Anko don't start …"
"WHAT I wasn't gonna say anything!"
"You totally would Anko don't deny it."
"Nai come on you should be on my side!"
"No Kurenai is right you were fantasizing the entire time Yugao was up there I could smell it."
"HANA … too much information," Yugao said blushing as the group began to laugh.
"Honestly I'm surprised at how polite he was even having broken his nose and being as sick as he was," Kurenai said taking a sip of her tea.
"So who is he exactly and where did he come from the Hokage said he's an Elite Jonin," Hana asked as the three girls leant in expecting answers.
"Well I can't tell you much since it's really personal to Natsu but I can tell you that he could probably destroy the village and everyone in it by himself if he went all out."
"No way I'm not believing that for a second there hasn't been a ninja alive who could do that since the days of Lord First and Madara Uchiha," Anko scoffed.
"He's already done it though have you heard what happened in the Land of Snow yet?"
"You mean he did that," Kurenai gasped nearly choking on her tea. "They say a man fought a monster the size of a Tailed Beast and won but the capital of Snow was destroyed along with the mountain range nearby, apparently the fires are still burning and won't go out on one of the mountains was it really him!"
"Yes Natsu is unfathomably powerful which is why I don't understand how he got so sick."
"Well people get sick all the time Yugao its nothing new even the fittest can contract something," Hana said knowingly as Yugao shook her head.
"You don't understand Natsu's different both the Hokage and even Lord Jiraiya know what I'm talking about he doesn't just get sick. Whatever he fought in the Land of Snow saved the Elemental Nations from some kind of disaster of that I'm sure especially from what I heard from Kakashi …"
"What's that closet pervert got to do with all this," Anko said now more intrigued than before.
"He was preparing to take out the target Doto but when he arrived in the throne room Natsu and a strange human who was pure white with the Byakugan but blue were having a conversation. Supposedly this man was sent here by some sort of organization and Natsu was shocked and called them something he couldn't make out."
"Sounds like a mystery that needs solving … right after I get some dango for the occasion!"
"Of course the only thing that matters is your stomach Anko what else would matter in a serious conversation," Kurenai sighed as both she and Anko stood up with Hana following suit moments later.
"You should tend to Natsu it seems he is a restless one but Yugao keep us updated and let us know if he starts making advances on you," Hana said sharply as Yugao nodded slowly. "Alright then let's go get Anko filled up and get back to work."
The three Ice Queens left as Yugao went to the kitchen preparing a new damp cloth and made her way upstairs considering her current situation. Sliding the door open she smiled seeing Natsu actually asleep having taken her glare seriously.
Taking the old cloth off his head shuddering at how frigid it was she was about to place the new one on when she paused, a slight blush making its way to her cheeks.
"He is rather handsome up close … perhaps I could just …"
Leaning down she went and planted a kiss on his forehead however that was when everything suddenly began to shift for her. The entire room began to collapse in on itself and was reforming around her leaving her in a strange forested region.
"What is this!"
"Oi you shitty old man!"
Yugao froze as a child with the same coloured hair as Natsu with his fist on fire tried to attack and older looking man who had just walked into a clearing. The man simply grinned and with one wave of his arm flipped the kid onto his back placing a boot on his chest.
"Not today Natsu it's time for training or have you forgotten that?"
"No way I'd ever forget something like that Gildarts I promised you I'd take everything you could dish out!"
"Even the forced beatings to enhance your endurance?"
The child's smile faltered for a moment as his face became oddly serious for one so young as he looked the man in the eyes.
"I'll do anything to keep them safe Gildarts, I'll take all the pain so that they don't have to."
The man named Gildarts smiled as he ruffled young Natsu's hair as his face became serious.
"Alright then Natsu if you really are willing to go through with this then I want you to come at me with everything you have and I'm not gonna pull my punches even if you scream alright."
"You bet old timer!"
Natsu rushed the man again but this time instead of flipping him the old man kneed him in the face and hit him in the back with a powerful chop as young Natsu coughed up blood.
"Again."
Yugao could only watch in a mixture of shock and horror as the man practically beat a child half to death but what shocked her even more was that Natsu would constantly rise up again and again as if some otherworldly force was propelling him onward.
Eventually though the drive ran out and Natsu fell unconscious as the man sighed and picked up his body gently taking him to the river to clean his wounds. It baffled her how anyone could survive such powerful strikes at a young age yet Natsu was living proof.
The area shifted and Yugao was greeted by the sight of Natsu being tortured by several robed figures however it appeared that none of their methods were of any use as he simply took them all without complaint using powers she had never seen nor heard of.
"What the fuck is this kid made of he just eats everything up I'm runnin out of ideas," one of the figures said as Natsu began chuckling.
"You should prepare for death that's the only thing left for you …"
"What are you on about kid we've got magic restraints all around you there isn't a chance in hell you'll be doin anything!"
"I wasn't talking about me Dark Mage trash I was talking about my Master," he said with a feral grin with blood dripping down his face from all the cuts that had been made into his head.
The right hand wall was suddenly turned into cubes as Yugao felt a foreboding presence as the man from before simply walked through the wall with a pure white aura and dark red eyes. The moment his eyes locked onto the tortured Natsu he seemed to go ballistic as he slowly and brutally beat the men to death with his bare hands with the powers they used simply shattering against him.
After the last man was dead Gildarts walked over and unchained Natsu gently placing him into his arms and leaving the room as the world shifted again this time to a large throne room.
"And I do hereby dub thee Sir Natsu Dragneel of the Valaryian Coast," a beautiful looking woman said as a younger almost carbon copy of her launched from her throne and spear tackled him in a hug.
"You did it Natsu my brave Knight in shining armor I'm so proud!"
"Please excuse my darling daughter she can be a bit … well you know."
"Its fine Illy we understand," Natsu said as he slowly pried the now blushing Princess off of him.
"Illyandra we're grateful you knighted us and everything but you need to know Natsu and I must return to Fiore soon we have responsibilities there we can't avoid forever."
"I know Gildarts but can you not stay and fight the Alvarez menace a little longer more and more soldiers wash ashore each passing day bringing with them new and frightening ways to subjugate my people?"
"We will stay as long as we can but it is inevitable we will have to leave."
The area shifted as Yugao found herself on a battlefield and saw a version of Natsu that looked like the one she knew however he looked quite different. He had long white hair instead of pink with one Pure White and Pitch Black eye with stars in the black one. His clothing was almost identical to the ones he returned wearing however even they seemed full of power compared to the ones he now possessed.
"What is this place …"
The amount of killing going on around her was evident as the signs of full blown war could be heard almost to a deafening scale. Looking back to Natsu she saw a man turn into a massive Black Dragon with blue markings which wounded Natsu easily as the area shifted once again.
Natsu was lying on the battlefield clearly dying as his wounds bled profusely as he gazed up into the sky almost in some kind of trance mumbling something incoherent when a shout could be heard and a group arrived.
Several other Dragons seemed to form a defensive wall in front of Natsu with several humans coming to his aid as the Dragons flew off to do battle elsewhere.
"My God Natsu what have you done to yourself," the man named Gildarts said clearly in shock as a blue haired young woman and a woman with long braided scarlet hair moved the others out of the way.
"We need to fix this wound immediately if we want any chance of him surviving at all let alone getting back on the battlefield. You are a master of healing you can take all the magic you need from me," the scarlet haired woman said sharply as the blue haired one got to work.
It was then that Yugao nearly vomited seeing Natsu's own guts spilled out on the ground all around him, she wanted to cry she wanted out of this nightmare but she didn't even know how she got here.
"What he said had some truth …"
"What was that Natsu," the blue haired girl asked softly as Natsu spoke up again.
"Achnologia was right about the last point he made I was being told by everyone I could beat him and yet even with all of Ahnkseram's power on top of my own he swatted me away like nothing."
"Natsu you can't be serious," the scarlet haired woman said almost desperately. "You are the best hope we have of defeating him even the Dragons know this they told us to aid you to get you back in the fight!"
"Even if you fix my body to working order I'm no real match the moment he went into that Dragon form it was over I don't stand a chance against him. I'd resigned myself to die in this battle and yet even using techniques that could backfire and kill me it didn't matter."
It was then that the other scarlet haired woman stepped up visibly shaking with both her armor clad fists clenched.
"Did I just hear that right you were resolved to die?"
"Yes Erza I said exactly that and don't go stamping your feet up and down about it because this is the life we live as mages each and every day. The risk that any one of us could be killed on a job or be assassinated is high despite what lies we tell ourselves in our little fantasies. I promised you I would return because saying goodbye almost seals the deal and in many ways that was my false hope of actually winning this thing."
The woman named Erza slapped Natsu across the face as several people pulled her back.
"What the hell is wrong with you Natsu Dragneel this is not the man I fell for th Natsu I know would simply get up and beat the everlasting crap out of anything and everything that stood in his way! Remember when Jellal had me kidnapped you tore apart Demons and took a blast from Etherion for me! Remember when Cobra poisoned me and you tore apart their guild even going so far as to fight a God! Remember when you demolished a Wizard Saint because he harmed Fairy Tail where has all that confidence and pride gone!"
Before the conversation could continue the area began to shift to Natsu sitting in a strange realm with another man who had a wild appearance to him. He seemed younger in this and the man across from him seemed quite angry at him.
"This place is called the Ravine of Time a place where Time crashes into itself chaotically. Supposedly we'll be dying here though I'm sad that Seilah decided to join me in this fate."
The entire place seemed to physically stutter as the place shook violently and suddenly Natsu was a kid before it went back to what had just been occurring. Before Yugao even had a chance to say a word the entire area collapsed and she found herself standing on a grassy plain with almost nothing in sight save for a strange tower in the distance.
A loud almost cursed sounding shriek could be heard followed by a strange deformed and naked human bolted out of the tall grass sprinting right toward her position. Yugao tried to run but the strange humanoid creature was using its arms in addition to its legs somehow gaining speed.
Before the nightmarish creature could catch her another one launched out of the nearby grass and bit the neck of the first one as the two got into a rather violent fight quite literally tearing each other to pieces before her very eyes.
She turned around but screamed immediately as a version of her that was missing her eyes and had part of her jaw torn off was within an inch of her face. Yugao simply broke down and curled into a ball as she began to cry for this nightmare to be over.
The sound of the nightmarish version of herself pulling out her signature blade could be heard but before it could attack a loud roar shook the entire plain followed by the sound of something landing.
Using the fact she wasn't dead yet as false courage Yugao decided to see what had happened and slowly uncurled from the ball only to freeze on the spot. There in front of her was the same Black Dragon that had almost killed Natsu and it was looking right at her.
"You should not be here."
Yugao was momentarily stunned before the shock set in, the Dragon was speaking to her which meant this was all real!
"D-do you know where we are, how did I get here I just want to leave," she sobbed as the Dragon nodded slowly.
"Father is in his first deep sleep in years and the Aura performs strangely. You ended up her by accident … dangerous place to be."
"Father …?"
"Natsu he is all I know and memories tell me he is father though I was born before something much darker … happy here now though."
"D-do you have a name?"
"Aava," the Dragon said proudly. "Your name?"
"My name is Yugao."
"Yuu gow … better than purple hair."
"Purple hair?"
"My name for you before … yours much better."
"So Aava what were those horrible creatures I just saw how are they in Natsu's mind?"
"Those creatures are bad memories, dead humans father could not save coming to haunt him. Usually locked inside chamber but escaped when he fell into deep sleep."
"And what about the one that was me does that mean I-!"
"Shapeshifter trying to lure prey, you prey, you not like everything here."
"Wait so what are you then?"
"I am Aava I was sealed in here as newborn … my power corrupts this place, makes unsafe."
"Your power?"
"Yes my power unsafe for all, usually contained, need father."
"Do you know where he is around here?"
"Place of new dreams, remembering things, imagining what could be and what could have been."
"Uh so where is that exactly and how do we get there?"
"We fly, you hop on, avoid corrupt memories."
"Hang on won't I become corrupt if I touch you?"
"You real, they are not. You unable to be turned into that, safe."
"Now that I think about it why don't they attack you is it because technically you made them?"
"Yes they not attack in fear of non existence."
"Alright let's go find Natsu then and fix this mess."
"One thing beware of Black Knights, scary Knights with glowing eyes. Call me Lady Achnologia, possibly harm should you encounter."
"Alright … thanks for the warning," Yugao said still terrified but glad this massive Dragon was here and on her side as the two took to the skies.
"Father's power counters mine, prevents the spread of sadness and insanity."
"Do you know what Natsu is Aava is he really a human?"
"Father was human … died and reborn like me."
"Oh … but he looks human though?"
"Is barely a percent human, made into weapon of mass destruction by own brother, chose to love instead."
Yugao nodded thinking back to how Naruto was turned into a Jinchuuriki which was basically a human weapon and couldn't help but feel sorry for him as they reached the massive tower.
"This father's brain, come here to learn language … not very good."
"Hey you aren't too bad at speaking I can understand you even if you jumble words a little."
Aava seemed happy with the praise as she pushed the door open with her snout and the two went inside quickly sealing the door just as the screams of the strange creatures began to cry out once again.
"So this is his mind which means his memories would be stored here right?"
"All father has ever experienced lies here, please do not touch."
"I won't I was just curious," Yugao replied as she looked at all the books on the vast amount of shelves.
"Memory takes form of library because father is old, around 837 years old."
"He's how old!"
"Please follow or you may get lost."
Aava led Yugao to a different room that seemed so alien she couldn't fathom its purpose. Aava picked her up and placed her on her head once again and stepped onto the central platform as they two suddenly found themselves flying past windows.
"Aava where are we now!"
"This father's subconscious, father behind one of the panels."
"Would he happen to be behind the one being guarded by the four Black Knights you were telling me about?"
At the end of the strange tunnel was a narrow pathway with four knights one of which was sitting on a horse that was nothing but a skeleton with a black cloth and saddle strapped to it. Aava growled as the two came in for a hard landing.
"I hold them here as you wake father, he destroy all darkness!"
"But Aava-!"
"You go as I handle bad Knights!" Aava grabbed Yugao and threw her at the gap before charging forward and attacking the knights by clawing and biting at them.
"Lady Achnologia we will have you free shortly and the spell Dragneel has placed upon you shall be broken, his will be done!"
Aava arched her neck and fired a massive blue light from her maw that set off a massive explosion and reminded Yugao she should really get going. Sprinting away as fast as she could she clenched her fists as she heard Aava let loose a pained squealing sound but did not look back.
A single wooden door lay at the end of the tunnel and Yugao simply kicked it down as it lead to a room. In the room was nothing unusual it was just Natsu staring out at a beautiful city as the sudden cries of a child could be heard followed by a woman who seemed to be consoling it.
A lone tear ran down Natsu's cheek as he leaned against the railing of the house before sensing Yugao's presence and nearly having a heart attack.
"How the hell are you here!"
"Natsu you've got to wake up Aava is fighting for her life!"
"Aava! Wait how do you know Aava?"
"There isn't any time there are strange demon like humans eating and killing each other, four Black Knights fighting Aava and a weird version of me-!"
"Come with me," Natsu said as he took her hand and ran out the door she had kicked in.
The sounds of battle could be heard as they came to see a heavily wounded Aava in the corner fighting like a cornered animal and the Four Knights closing in.
"That's enough Harbingers back to your cage!"
A sudden burst of bright white light sent the knights flying away and the entire room to light up once more. Natsu rushed towards Aava who collapsed to the ground placing a hand on her nose.
"What happened little one?"
"You fell asleep, my power corrupted, knights emerged …"
"I see … I'll have to fix you right up you did a good job Aava bringing Yugao here to help," Natsu said with a warm smile as her wounds seemed to vanish leaving behind smalls scars not that she would care about those as she was a Dragon.
"Aava didn't bring me here Natsu I accidently ended up inside your mind after we made contact."
"That's strange are you ok?"
"I'll feel better once I've left," Yugao said honestly as Natsu nodded grimly.
"It sounds like you didn't have a very good time here but it goes to show why I don't sleep and choose to powernap when possible. We'll leave in a minute a just need to set things right first. Aava can you take us back outside?"
"Yes … father."
"F-father!"
Aava didn't comment as she silently picked up both Natsu and Yugao with the two making their way back outside. Arriving outside Natsu cringed at the disgusting state of his mind seeing the once human memories reduced to mindless beasts tearing each other apart and eating the remains.
With a sudden pulse of power the entire mindscape began to shift as the beasts were replaced by regular people who were going about whatever task they had been doing before they had been turned.
"That was unpleasant … anyway Aava thanks for your help I have to take Yugao back to her own mind now."
"I know goodbye Yugao I hope we can be friends!"
"You saved me from those things so it would be an honour to be your friend," Yugao said with a warm smile as the Dragon wriggled in happiness underneath them as both Natsu and Yugao emerged back in the room.
"That was all real wasn't it," Yugao asked as Natsu slowly sat up nodding.
"I'm sorry you had to see all that dark stuff but thankfully Aava knew you were a friendly, so did you see anything else while you were in there?"
And so Yugao proceeded to tell Natsu all about the memories she had witnessed which gave Natsu a headache that would surely last the rest of the day.
So it was a little different but I hope you all enjoyed it regardless and I'll see you in the next one!
