A/N: I recommend listening to some Fairy Tail battle music at the duel part. While rereading I found out it was much better with some of the hype music. :P My recommendation is to listen to 'Kurogane' while reading through the fight cus I found out that that song fits best.
Now then, enjoy the chapter.
Chapter Nine
Anora vs Natsu
After we defeated Lullaby we prepared to go home. One problem… The magical car was kinda in pieces… We had to walk all the way back to the guild.
For some unknown, even to God reason, we let Happy lead the way. Yeah that was a good idea… The first day we got lost in the woods and decided to camp it out for the night. After we woke up we didn't lose any sunshine and we marched towards the guild. About an hour and a half later, Happy had somehow led us to a barren wasteland that contained only rocks… and more rocks. We were lost again. Best part – everyone was starving. We hadn't eaten since last day and that was seriously affecting us.
As if the Lord himself heard our pleas, we stumbled on some flying fish. Yes! Flying fish. I didn't care, I would eat anything edible in this state. It seemed everyone thought as I did because not a few seconds after and we were already fishing for some.
One eternity latur! A voice from the past rang in my mind.
We caught one fish. ONE!? And we decided to give it to Happy since if everyone took a bite, it would only make us want more. We all watched, Happy chewing well… happily on the fish, with a death stare. Envy plastered on most of our faces. That was until he spat it all on the ground and threw the rest off a cliff. I died a bit inside at the sight of that. I don't care how it tasted, it was food for crying out loud!
After that little stop, we were even more hungry and what do ya see? A village! A village without people and food everywhere. This was like a dream. Too good to be true in fact… Something was really off about the place. Even though I was drooling at the sight of precious food. My tongue and stomach were desperately trying to seduce my mind but I knew better. The food was just cooked and no one was around. That begged the question – what happened here?
Erza decided it's best to investigate first before we stuff ourselves with food. As much as I wanted to eat everything with the table I couldn't deny the logic in her words. So she sent me, Natsu, Gray, Lucy and Happy to hunt for some mushrooms while she and the Master stayed in town.
We got into a nearby forest and lo and behold – mushrooms of all kinds. From purple with blue dots to pink with green horns. Seriously in all my new life in the world of Fairy Tail I had never seen mushrooms like these. And if I had learned something about them in my old life – Don't touch the colorful ones.
Just as I was about to open my mouth to speak I actually opened it rather in shock… Natsu and Gray had already stuffed their mouths with all kinds of different shrooms. And oh look, now they were growing out of their heads… Well at least Lucy shared my initial shock with the boys stupidity. And after that, of course, Happy had to eat one himself. And then it grew on his head. And then he cried. And then I had to chase him and comfort him…
Thank god at least the effect of the mushrooms didn't last as the ones on the heads of the boys were growing and growing, until they fell off. Happy's was still up though.
At that point we heard a growling noise. It shook the whole place and the worst part – it was coming from the village in which we left Master Makarov and Erza. We ran towards their direction and we entered the town. As I said, that was the worst part. The best part? I had no clue what was going to happen. This was out of my memory of the series and I had absolutely no clue what was going to happen. I tried to remember really hard but I failed miserably in the end.
I was brought out of my thoughts when Erza and the Master came running to us as small cracks in the ground started glowing red and not long after the buildings around us started glowing in the same crimson light. Everyone prepared for battle but Makarov said that we need to go to higher ground and fast.
We obliged and we went to a nearby cliff, just near the village. By the time we climbed to the top every building in the vicinity had turned into a monster. The Master explained that this was some sort of a long forbidden black magic known as Alive.
We were a bit nervous to say the least. But… that quickly changed when we heard yet another growl from Erza's tummy and the Master telling us that this was a great opportunity to get food. Yes, Erza's stomach was actually like a lion, roaring to scare others from it's food.
Everyone cheered and we lept into combat. Natsu barbequing, Gray turning stuff into popsicles and Erza, me and Lucy just chopped every monster that came close to us. When the monsteres were defeated, Erza of course, tried to make Lucy and me go at it first and try the 'delicacy of the day'. Yeah like that worked. Sighing in defeat she tried it and kept the best poker face I've ever seen. Why poker face? Because since I saw her eat it without squirming in agony that was a green light for me and I just jumped in the pile of neatly chopped sticks that were the monsters not a few seconds ago. Hey! Don't judge me! I had a Dragon Slayer stomach to fill and that ain't an easy feat!
As I stuffed my mouth with the meat my nose wrinkled in disgust, my mouth opened wide and my tongue was out before my mind could even process what was happening. It was like a put a wet sock in my mouth. That was wet because it was under someone's armpit. In the summer. On a smelly dude. Ok you get the point…
Of course I had not time to get the taste out of my mouth because, hooray, more monsters appeared. This time they were much more though and we were surrounded. In the blink of an eye, the cliff we were standing on crumbed and we were now falling towards a huge magical circle that was just screaming 'happy-fun-time'.
I don't know what happened then. A huge white light engulfed us and we were standing near a ruined town with a bunch of people in front us. They were the villagers and it turns out they were the ones that made the magical circle around the village. The Master made them a deal not to do such stupid things and in return he wouldn't tell the Magic Council about this incident.
After that we were on our way again. A little confused at what had happened. Of course we nagged the Master for answers but he was very vague with his answer. So we let him be for the rest of the journey. Did I mention our feet were killing us? And that the people didn't even get us provisions for the fact that we saved them? And that we had to walk six more hours till we got back to the guild?! Yeah I was cranky! Sue me, I was starving and my feet were killing me.
Six agonizing hours later, we all collapsed in front of the guild. We got ourselves fed and rested a bit before everyone headed for their home. I have never been more glad to see my bed. It was like it was whispering seductively in my ear the moment I laid my eyes upon it. I just plopped on it, face first, not even bothering to change and I fell asleep for the night.
That's what happened yesterday. Today was much better. Although my stomach was making strange noises from time to time… Weird.
I was currently just outside the guild. As was every other member. We were all gathered in a big circle around two people. Them being – Erza and Natsu. We did promise him a fight after we got back from the mission after all. Me and Erza drew sticks to see who goes first. I wasn't happy with the second place, that was for sure… I didn't want to fight a cripple, if you get what I mean... So right now everyone was watching the two duking it out in the middle. The were even bets going on around. I bet on Erza, of course. That was easy money.
Erza got in her 'Flame Empress Armor' and Natsu was just throwing fire everywhere like usual until a humanoid frog stopped our fun and took away Erza on behalf of the Magic Council. It was a bummer to say the least. I knew what would happen so I wasn't worried. That couldn't have been said for the rest of the lot here. After Erza went with the frog person everyone got back to the guild and started to throw random theories on what might happen. Natsu was turned into a real salamander and put under a cup so he wouldn't escape and make something that everyone was going to regret.
And what happened? After a while Master caught on to the scheme and realized that the salamander we had was not the one we wanted. It turns out the one we had was Macao who had a favour to give to Natsu. Everyone had a mixture of shock and anger on their faces so I tried calm them down.
"What's the worst that can happen? I mean it's not like as if Natsu is going to storm right into the meeting, while Erza is on a trial, with a stupid costume, claiming he is the red headed warrior, right?"
At my words everyone looked at me and Master Makarov promptly fell unconscious. I snickered. Deep down everyone knew that he would do exactly that or something even more stupid.
The next day he came back with Erza, explaining how both of them stayed in jail for his action, which were actually the exact scenario I had predicted. I wonder how I did that? Natsu was quite ecstatic to be away from jail. He was jumping and breathing fire everywhere and annoying everyone, as per usual.
But then, Elfman suggested that he and Erza continue their match. He agreed but Erza was not in the mood. As he charged at her with a flaming fist I just knew that he was going to regret doing that, the moment he got near her. So to save him some embarrassment and to give myself a chance to fight someone that wasn't pounded to the ground, I caught his hand before he reached the red haired woman and pulled him to a stop.
"Hey, what's that about, Anora?" He pouted.
"Erza said she is not in the mood and besides you didn't challenge only her." As my wods left my mouth I looked him right in the eye, a spark of challenge flickering in mine. He quickly caught on what I was implying and agreed. Erza was sending me a quiet 'Thank you' from the side.
"Ok then, I'm all fired up for our match Anora!" He said, escaping my clutches.
Before we could continue, though, I started to feel dizzy and quite sleepy there. Everyone around me was dropping to the ground like dead birds.
'Dang it Mystogan, you really ought to stop doing that.' That was the last thing I remember before darkness fell upon me.
I woke up rubbing my head that was throbbing with a mild headache at the moment. Everyone else in the guild was also just now waking up and moaning about Mystogan visiting.
Before we could proceed with the plan I had, which consisted of kicking Natsu's butt for fun, yet another interruption. I groaned innerly. Just as Elfman and Gray were explaining to Lucy what just happened to us Laxus decided to show his smug face from the second floor. He started blabbering about something about him being the strongest or something. I didn't really listen to him that much. After he became an S-class wizard I hardly looked at him. He became so full of himself.
Natsu… being Natsu decided it was good to challenge him too. So he charged at him on the second floor before he could reach his target, gramps slammed him to the ground with his huge, just now enlarged, fist. After the incident with Lisanna people without an S rank weren't allowed on the second floor that had S-classed quests. Before, even if you didn't pass the trials, as long as you were with an S rank member you could go to the second floor and on a mission, rated S, with them. Not to say that after what happened, the Master forbid it being so.
After a few moments everyone quieted down and Laxus left to do whatever he did in his spare time. Everyone wasn't in a mood after the encounter with Makarov's grandson.
'Oh no, I'm having my fight right now! I'm too bored not to get it now and all these interruptions are just making me want to go at it even more!'
"Come on everybody! Did you forget! Everyone out, right now! Me and Natsu are going to duke it out." I said, practically shoving Natsu out the door. Everyone followed with a cheer. They started the bets again and everyone formed a circle around us but still gave us enough space for the fight.
We now stood in front of each other, both at the ready. Everyone was cheering, whistling and commentating with one another around us but I was just focused on the one in front of me.
"It's been a while since you asked me to a friendly fight, Natsu. I thought that you forgot about, dear old me after last year." I said with a smirk.
"Today's gonna be different, Anora! Cus I'm taking you down!" He exclaimed boldly forming fists in his hands and giving me a wide grin.
"That so?" I said, a violet and blue light forming at my hand, ready for my command. "Just know that I don't intend to go easy on ya Natsu." I said sticking my tongue out as if I was a kid.
He smirked at me. "I don't intend to hold back, either."
Master Makarov came near us with his staff thingy, held it up in the air and announced loudly. "Fight!"
In an instant we both shot towards each other, our friends spectating us all around. He tried to hit me with a flaming fist but I easily dodged and used a counter attack.
"Arcane Dragon Wing Attack." I yelled, as the twin swords of ethereal matter formed around my hands and I tightened my grip on them. I attacked Natsu with a swirling motion but he dodged and tried an uppercut. I leaned to the side and he tried to follow up with a kick but I jumped away from him gaining some distance.
"Fire Dragon Roar" He bellowed and cone of fire was thrown at me. I acted on instinct.
"Arcane Dragon Shelter" I held my hands to the side to support the purplish shield that was now around my form, protecting me from Natsu's flames. He stopped after a while and I dropped the shield. The moment I did that he charged at me, while setting himself ablaze.
"Fire Dragon Sword Horn." He yelled as he got closer and closer.
'Blink' Was my only thought as I envisioned the place behind him and just as he was about to hit me I vanished into thin air and materialized a few feet way from him, where he was standing before he charged at me. Everyone was cheering so loudly now. I could even see Cana setting the bets at the side.
"That's cheap Anora!" Natsu looked at me, pouting. "Awwww, don't be like that. That's not a cheap trick. You're just mad you can't hit me." I said with a wink.
"We'll see about that." He said as he lunged towards me so fast I was almost too late to dodge.
"Fire Dragon Iron Fist." He said, setting his hands aflame and trying to strike at me with them. From his speed and my surprise it almost hit me square in the face but at the last second I dodged to the side inhaling strongly before yelling at him.
"Arcane Dragon Roar" As the words left my mouth the violet and blue particles with a white hue shot towards him in a cone fashion.
He saw that from a mile away though and dodged with ease, getting some distance between us.
"Come now, Anora. Is that really the best you got? I thought you said you weren't going to hold back? Do you think I won't be able to take it?" He taunted. Well he was right I wasn't fighting fully just because I knew this wasn't a real fight and as much as I loved fighting I couldn't bring myself to hurt a friend badly. But… he just hurt my pride, so… Pride. Natsu. Pride. Natsu. Pride…
'Yep, I'm going to kick his butt now.'
"You asked for it!" I said with a coy smile as I put my hands in an 'X' I did so, around forty violet-bluish arrow like lights, formed in the air around him. He was now observing every single one of them looking mildly shocked. My grin grew wider.
"Target acquired." I said as my grin reached my ears. I always wanted to say that!
"Arcane Dragon Spectacle" I yelled as I threw my hands at the sides and the arrows started flying in his general direction. He dodged most but a few hit em. The tiny explosions of violet particles leaving him on the ground. But he got up rather quickly.
"Not bad." He smirked, as he stood up fully. "My turn now!"
"Fire Dragon Wing Attack" He yelled as he tried to grab me but I evade his attack. Leaning to the side I tried an uppercut but he dodged it swiftly and countered with a flaming fist that sent me flying to the ground.
"Not bad, Natsu. You really did get much stronger in a year." I smiled gently as I stood from the ground and wiped my face of the dirt. I really did mean it. He wasn't nearly as strong as this before the end of last year.
He grinned a toothy grin at me. "Told ya so!" I could hear everyone cheering from the sides, even though some cheers were actually yells at Natsu to be careful with his fire and me with my arrows. It was quite a fight alright. I saw Lucy's dumbfounded expression. I think she thought that we were trying to kill each other. I concentrated on the battle. Once again we had a distance between us and it was a perfect time for a long range attack.
With one quick swipe of my hand at his general direction I screamed.
"Arcane Dragon Ethereal Chains."
Purplish see-through chains started bursting out of the ground and trying to engulf Natsu but he either dodged them or burned them. Even if the attack was a fail it gave me enough of a distraction to follow up.
I extended both my hands, pointing at his form as he was busy setting my chains aflame.
"Arcane Dragon Grand Impact"
As I yelled he noticed the azure magical circle that was created beneath him and he jumped to the side before the ground that he was standing a second ago exploded in blue and violet particles with a hint of white.
"Whew." He sighed, closing his eyes as he was kneeling. He did a tumble to escape in time. "That was a close one." He smiled as he stood up, opening his eyes looking at me with a fiery expression. "I'm all fired up!" He said standing tall, still a few feet away from me.
After that he jumped in the air and I just observed his next move.
"The flames of my right hand…" He said, extending it to the side and setting it aflame. "…And the flames from my left one." He continued mirroring his right one with his left hand. " Put them together and you get…" He raised both of his hands just on top of his head.
"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame" He yelled as a huge fireball formed in his two hands and threw it at me. It was too big, I couldn't evade that attack so I did the only thing I could. I braced myself for impact and faced it head on.
"Arcane Dragon Shelter" I screamed as I used my hands for support for the shield around me.
The fireball made contact with the shield and unlike his 'Fire Breath', the strength behind this attack was too strong and the shield gave in and started to crack. Until it burst into millions of purplish particles that flew all around me and I landed on my butt. I stood up rubbing my behind from the fall. He had already taken his position after his attack. A smug smile plastered on his face showing his sharp canines. He stood there with crossed hands looking at me.
I grinned at him, showing my own pair of sharp teeth. I was a Dragon Slayer too.
"So we are taking out the big guns, huh?" I asked, rhetorically with a huge grin.
For a moment there I think I saw a sweat drop form on his features only to dissipate from the sheer heat he was radiating. He sure was 'fired up' for this battle, but I wasn't going to let him win just like that. We have been fighting long enough now and I can already feel the arcania in the air. The fight dragged out long enough, now I had the upper hand in power. I started to inhale the air and he just observed me.
"No fair! I don't have fire around here." He said as he charged at me.
I stopped my power up and I faced him. I extended both of my hands towards him and yelled the name of the spell.
"Arcane Dragon Twin Blast" His eyes widened, he knew what I was about to do.
He quickly started getting out of the way but I continued my combo. In a swift motion I parted my hands to the sides and continued.
"Arcane Dragon Amplification Circle."
The magical circle formed between him and the twin blast and even though the projectile grew in size as well as power Natsu was able to get out of the way fast enough... little did he know I had another trick up my sleeve. Before my projectile dissipated I pointed with the palm of my right hand towards it and I could see Natsu raising an eyebrow as my voice was heard throughout the crowd.
"Swift Strike."
As I did so the empowered 'Twin Blast' disappeared in a flash of white light and then reappeared behind Natsu.
He quickly turned and his eyes widened. He didn't expect the projectile to be behind him and he couldn't dodge in time, sending him flying right towards my direction. While he was still in air I charged at him.
"Arcane Dragon Wing Attack."
The purplish twin blades formed around my two hands once more as I attacked with both of them in a swirling motion. Natsu hit the ground, hard.
Master then came in the middle and raised his staff. "K.O. Anora wins." And with that everyone exploded into a cheer, well those that won money from their betting anyways. Everyone started going inside the guild now that everything was over, only Gray, Lucy, Erza and Happy waited for us. Natsu sat, rubbing his head with one hand, with closed eyes and I neared him and extended him a hand with a grin.
He took it and smiled at me as well. I helped him get up as the others neared us. He was patting the back of his head with one hand.
"Dang I thought I could beat ya this time." He said, pouting a little.
"Come on Natsu." I said, smiling at him. "It was fun. I got to use my new move and maybe next time you can beat me, who knows." He looked joyfully at my words.
"Ya betcha. Next time I ain't gonna lose Anora." He said with an ear to ear grin.
"We'll see." I laughed lightly.
"A fine match." Erza patted us both.
"It was kinda lame." Gray commented.
"No one asked you, Ice popsicle." Natsu got in his face.
"I don't need you permission to get bored from you, Flame Brain." They were now headbutting themselves and giving each the stink eye.
One death glare from Erza later and they were both back at being besties, of course…
"Well I guess if we get past the beating up, it was kinda fun." Lucy joined in the conversation.
"Glad you finally got into the spirit of things Lucy." I smiled looking at her.
"Yeah, well I guess I gotta get used to this." She sighed, but then smiled.
"Indeed. But I must ask," Erza turned towards me as she contenued. "how did you redirect your attack?" She asked, curious. "Yeah, how did you do that sneaky trick, Anora?" Natsu also joined in, curious.
"Well, I figured that if i can 'blink' by moving my own Ethernanos, I thought, maybe I can do the same with my abilities. I've been practicing it for a while now but never really got the chance to use it. It's actually a lot harder than 'blinking' myself and that itself is quite hard. I can only do it if I've consumed enough arcania to give me a boost, because it really drains me. "
They all continued to comment in amazement and confusion, in Natsu's case, until Erza suggested.
"Let's get back into the guild. I think you two need some rest"
"Aye!" Happy perked near Lucy.
They all headed towards the guild but I stayed behind. Erza turned towards me while the others entered the guild.
"Aren't you coming Anora?" She asked.
"Nah, amma go home. I like fighting but I'm tired to the core right now. I'm gonna go get some rest." It was getting pretty late anyways.
"Ok. If you're sure." She said with a wave. "See you tomorrow." She continued as she entered the building herself. "See ya." I waved back at her before she go inside. I turned around and went to my apartment afterwards.
I went and took a bath. Nothing better for the muscles as some hot water! After I got out and put on my night T-shirt I was about to go write in my diary for the day when my stomach growled intensely.
"What!? But we ate so much just a few hours ago. How can you still want more?!" I said, patting my stomach. The growling didn't stop as I sighed in defeat. "Fine." I went to the fridge and ate some leftovers.
After that I went with my original plan and wrote down new things that I remembered from my old past, which for today were zero and in the second section I wrote of what happened today, ending with a sweet little note that wrote:
And Future Me, don't forget to buy the promised cake for Erza tomorrow or she will have your head. With love, Past Anora.
I laughed quietly at my own joke as I closed the violet book with the incantation and left it in the drawer of my desk. I got ready for bed as it was pretty late now. I went under the covers, nested myself comfortably and closed my eyes.
GRWRWRW
I shot open my eyes.
'Stomach! You better have an explanation for this!' Before I could even finish my thought, I bolted into a sitting position, intense coughing started and I could feel my throat getting sore.
'Oh, no…' I sighed mentally, falling back on the bed. This wasn't happening. I wasn't going to be sick was I? I hated when that happened. And with those thoughts lingering in my mind, I whined a bit, praying not to be really sick and then drifted off to sleep.
Reply to a Guest: FT Fan Girl: Yes, Anora does know Gildarts. She joined the guild one day after Natsu, so that means they have seen each other a few times. As of how will they interact you will just have to wait and see. :P
A/N: Anora? Sick? *le gasp* Is it true? We'll just have to find out in the next chapter now won't we…
Anyways, sorry for the short delay, school just slapped me in the face the last couple of days. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It was quite fun writing a duel between these two.
See ya all in the next chapter!
