The Guild watched with Natsu from behind a rock. All of them observing what was happening, gaining an understanding of what Erza went through as a young child forced into a life of slavery.
Erza however couldn't take her eyes off of Natsu, she almost hated him... almost. He was just kneeling next to a rock, watching people fight and die when Natsu could probably end this with a wave of his hand. How? How can he watch so many people die?
Oh, I almost forgot. Acnologia spent every day making sure Natsu enjoys death. It's all that dragons fault. She reasoned mentally as she watched Natsu shift slightly and then curse "Fuckong moronic old man! How the fuck am I supposed to do this now?" Natsu said aloud when he watched the vessel that he was planning on pumping up with power when the time came.
The guild watched as Natsus eyes scanned the crowd and finally settled on Erza "She's got magic but it's weak, puny, pathetic. She won't do." He said before his eyes widened with an idea and a smirk crept onto his face. He sat watching Erzas body tremble with emotions. Her visible shaking made something in Natsus mind click
"Pain, anger, hate, fear, sadness, the lust of blood. That will drive her. I just have to give her magic to put all those emotions behind and I've got my new tool." Natsu said before letting magic flow into his hands.
Natsu clenched his eyes shut as he willed his magic into the filthy floor below him. His magic was almost un-noticable but if you had been watching Natsu create the stream of black magic that was now weaving through the floor towards Erzas body, you would have noticed it. Natsus stream of magic pooled around Erzas feet before being absorbed into her body and then she screamed.
A huge scarlet coloured magic cirlce appeared behind her and tools from the slaves began popping out of no where.
Natsu let out a ragged breath as he continued to feed Erza his powerful magic "Hurry up stupid cow! You don't need that many fucking weapons, idiot." Natsu whispered as he began to sweat from having to control his magic over such a long distance and finally Erza took out the guards that were blocking the path.
"What an idiot. I swear to god if I meet her ever again I'm gonna kick her ass for that" Natsu whispered before standing up from the rock and setting his hand on it to balance himself on it. He was still young and for that much magic to be used over such a long distance and a long period of time he was exhausted but at the same time he showed incredible control of his magic. A type of control not many wizards possess when they're late into their twenties.
"Ha, Erza I think Natsus going to kick your ass when we get out of here." Cana said with a grin
Erza let her menacing aura flow and she glared daggers at Cana "I'd like to see him try" She snarled
"You know, that's what Natsu needs." His Edolas self spoke out
"What do you mean by that? I'd be glad to kick his ass" Gildarts said before pounding his fist into his flat palm
"I'm saying that beating Natsu in hand to hand combat makes you his master and when your his master, you can give him back something that Acnologia made him lose." Edolas Natsu said with a smile
"What do you mean? What did he lose? Does he remember the last place he saw it?" Wendy asked him quickly
"It's not a literal object but it's his humanity. Natsu lost all sense of fogiveness and kindness because Acnologia made him. As his master you control every inch of him, including his 'soul' if that's what you want to call it. I might be able to bring up the memory for you guys to see exactly what happened when he gave the order but I don't think I have that much authority in his mind. Hold on and I'll try and recall the memory." The Edolas Natsu then clicked his fingers and ... nothing
"Guess I can't switch memory but basically, Acnologia made Natsus body abandon emotions like love, mercy, forgiveness, timidity. Almost everything that makes a human a human and Natsu is completely void of it. What replaced those emotions was a pure unadultarated addiction to killing because of how Acnologia made him view humans. I know Erza is aware of this but for those who aren't, Natsu was not only abused by Acnologia but he would also bring humans back with him and they would often be made to abuse Natsu in the worst ways possible. It's hidious but it's the truth, so if any of you are strong enough to beat him, please do. He needs it and if not then make him use his most powerful spell. It brings him to the brink of death just by casting it and then, once the spell has ceased, knock him with your bare fist and you've won the fight and become his master. It's a pretty cheap way around it but it's probably the best bet." Edolas Natsu finished
"Now hold on a minute. Are you meaning to say that Natsu isn't like this. This is a false personality because of his ownership? If that is the case then I fail to see what anyone else owning him would do, care to enlighten us?" Makarov asked
"Becoming his master means you relinquish Acnologias control over him. Natsu would be owned by you, meaning you can let his body use the emotions Acnolgia locked away for years. He'd have a chance to be a human again. Like a fresh start with new friends, new opportunities, new home and... heck he'd maybe even find someone he loves. But it's only possible by becoming his master. It's a shame to think like that but it must be done. Now that he has a master, Natsu must have a master for the rest of his life. Otherwise... well I'm not sure. I only really know as much as Natsu does when I'm in this realm. Over in Edolas it's simpler, I only know what I know because the spell he uses : Soul Splitter, splits his body in two and creates an empty shell for me to occupy in this realm. Therefore I share his memories and knowledege, however I share nothing more." Edolas Natsu concluded the scenario that Natsu faced
Meanwhile Erzas mind was blowing up. He needs a master to be human, a proper human. If I can do that then I'd need to make sure I get it right because what if I mess up and make him do something horrible, yet at the same time I'd rather not trust anyone else to have total control over Natsus life. What if they let it go to their head. Everyone in fairy tail are my friends but some of the stronger ones could do some dreadful things with the power that Natsu holds. Laxus would rule Magnolia with an Iron Fist and a Chaos Dragon Slayer as his pet. What do I do? At the S-Class wizard tournament Natsu could use his most powerful spell and then after he does, I'd just hit him and it'd be over. Like the other Natsu said, it's a cheap trick but it's easy and increases my chance of beating him to 99%. I'll talk it over with Master when we return but until then I shall be trying to get more information about this ownership scenario. Erza finally managed to plan out her actions, several weeks in advance for that matter. It was clear in her eyes too that she was planning something, something that she herself wasn't very happy about.
"Listen I don't know how much Natsu intends to show you but I think he's about done. He only wanted to give you a glimpse of his actions and reasons behind it. I hope you people understand." Edolas Natsu said before once again snapping his fingers.
A huge doorway appeared in front of the guild members and Natsu pushed them open with a powerful shove and a grunt to match.
Inside the huge metal doorway Natsu was fighting... everyone? Every single member of Fairy Tail was throwing everything they had at Natsu and he was dodging, deflecting and straight up taking the attacks like they were nothing but childs play.
An almost blinding golden light appeared from a copy of Master Makarov and it collided with Natsu who simply flipped backwards and away from the attack
"What's going on here?" Erza asked as she witnessed herself lunge at Natsu with her Purgatory Armour equipped.
"He'll explain when were out of here but for now. HEY, DRAGON BOY! WE'RE ALL DONE HERE!" Edolas Natsu yelled at the Real Natsu who was still defending the attacks being sent his way
"Finally." Natsu breathed before taking in a huge breath
"CHAOS DRAGONS DEAFENING VOICE!" Natsu yelled at the top of his lungs and in an instant every memeber of Fairy tail was gone from the battlefield.
The guild members watched as Natsu used the attack, hit their duplicates and then... they were in the Guildhall
"What just happened?" Cana asked everyone as they sat up with a painful headache
"Did I dream that or did it actually happen?" Another member asked with loud groan
"Nope, I think we did actually see Natsus memories." Lucy said as she placed her hands against her temples
"It'll wear off in a few minutes." Natus said with a monotone as he walked on all fours past the members and towards the bar.
"Natsu, why are you still in that form?" Mira questioned
"I'm not staying like this on purpose. It lasts a certain time until I have total control over it. I still need to train this form to obey me." Natsu said with a small hiss from his tounge, similar to that you would expect from a snake.
"I see." Mira said quietly
Everyone in the guild froze when they seen Gray step up to Natsu.
"Gray don't. The other Natsu went over all of this, it wasn't his fault." Erza said, trying to calm the ice mage down.
"I know he asked me not to be mad but... it's the fact you just walked away and didn't look back! How can you possibly be okay with letting someone die?!" Gray yelled at Natsu
"Huh?"
"YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT?!" Gray yelled at Natsu who was still on all fours but despite that his size was huge.
"Tell me and then I will know." Natsu said simply
"Back with Deliora. The woman you left there died." Gray said with a slightly calmer voice but what Natsu said next tipped him over the edge
"So?"
Something inside Gray really snapped at that last remark. His mentor, the woman he treated like a mother died because he wanted all the glory and he says so? That's what pushed Gray to do what happened next"ICE MAGE: LANCE!" Gray yelled without hesitation
Natsu leapt to the side with incredible speed and stopped when his back collided with the wall.
"ICE MAKE: HAMM-" Gray prepared yet again but was stopped when Natsus tail whipped around from the back of his body with increadible speed and struck his head with the blunt end of the large spike on the end of his tail, knocking Gray back several feet into one of the many support beams around the hall.
"Let me remind you of something. When like this I am more dragon than human. Have you ever fought a dragon?" Natsu asked him with a glare from his bright green eyes
"..."
"Would you like to? Because Dragons fight to kill. Challenging a Dragon is something that only has 1 victor. You attack me in this form again, and that's declared an official challenge to my power and in which case I shall have to answer said challenge... am I clear?" Natsu asked whilst letting out a feral growl and giving Gray a glimpse of his sharpened teeth.
Erza stepped forward and placed her hand on Natsus snout, closing his mouth. "Enough Gray. We all seen what he could do as a young boy. You're outmatched and if you're willing to risk your life to try and prove that then so be it. Here at Fairy tail we are about tradition and if it is traditional of Natsu to answer challenges to his power then we are to respect that." Erza said as she stood between the two
Natsu let the black slits of his eyes focus on Erza for a moment and he spotted a small smile on her lips and a glint in her eyes.
"Natsu... thank you." Erza said directly to Natsu
"Why are you thanking me? I didn't do anything." Natsu said in return. What is with these people and their constant thanking and stuff? Natsu said in his head
"In the tower. You're responsible for my freedom. And in turn, you're the reason I have a home and a family here in fairy tail. I'm a bit insulted you don't recognize me however." Erza smiled slightly at her last comment
"The Tower of Heaven? I didn't show you that memory. Any memories that were linked to those in my mind must have been displayed. I'll have to keep a note of that." Natsu said with a drone
"May I ask what was happening when we found you, Natsu?" Erza asked his as she finally removed her hand from Natsus large scaled snout.
"When you enter my minds, the only way out is through combat. I was holding your minds inside of my mind whilst you explored the contents of my memories. Is that understandable? And if the next thing your going to ask is how I managed that then the answer is simple, It's my mind and I make the rules. If I decide to have the power of every mage in existance then I do. At least inside of my mind I do?" Natsu said before laying himself down and curling his large wings into his body, giving him a shape that more resembled that of a large lizard than a Dragon.
"I see. I don't feel as weak now."
"Are you people bothered?" Natsu asked out of the blue
"Bothered about what my boy?" Makarov asked as he couldn't resist feeling Natsus scales
"If you seen the Tower of Heaven then you also seen me kill the two guards. Are you not bothered by the fact that I had fun whilst doing so?" Natsu asked
"You did what you did for the right reasons. Those men were responsible for the suffering of many innocent children and for that, they deserve a punishment as such. However I feel as though you are not to blame for the enjoyment you found in killing those men" Makarov said
Natsu took a few large steps away, his tail swishing along the ground as his 4 legs took him to where the Relic was now lying "What do you mean by that?"
"You're Edolas self explained about what Acnologia did. Taking away some of your emotions. To be honest it's unlike any magic I've ever seen but it appears to have happened and we are willing to do anything to help." Makarov said with his words representing the words of all of Fairy Tail
"To help me, that does mean becoming my Master. He isn't aware of what it is truely like to have a master but... becoming my Master also means you become responsible for other things. Things rather personal to someone. The condition that comes with becoming my master means, at some point... becoming my mate, no matter the gender. It's messed up but it's the rules" Natsu finished and all of a sudden... for whatever reason the members began to feel less inclined to help him. Well all girls bar one. Erza. She'd been having feelings for him for almost a week and she couldn't help but feel more inclined to relieve Natsu of Acnologias dominance over him.
"Well... that certainly makes it awkward. Even still if we have to assist you in finding someone willing to make the choice then we shall. We're all members of Fairy Tail and as a result we never abandon a guild member in need. You're part of out family Natsu, we'll help you find someone who can become your... master." Makarov finished. He was slightly hesitant in using the word Master because saying it in those terms generally meant Natsu was a slave to his Master.
"Thanks, good luck though. People are never too willing to agree to that sort of thing so you'll have a tough time." Natsu began to walk out of the guild
"I'll be in the river destroying this thing. If anyone needs me they know where to find me." Natsu finished before closing the doors behind him
"Are you all willing to assist Natsu in finding a new master? I'm not asking anyone in specific to be his master but if we can find a woman strong enough to beat him that is also willing to ,likely, marry him." Makarov reassured the worried members
"Phew" Came from most of the guild
"I shall attempt to gather more information on this subject before we make any decisions. Hopefully I will be able to catch up to him before he begins his meditation." Erza said as she made for the doors, hiding her face from the rest of the guild so as to make sure they didn't see the large blush tinting her cheeks
Erza began walking through a forest where the river passed through, searching the banks for Natsu.
"He wasn't joking when he said in the river." Erza said, surprised to find Natsu literally sitting inside the flow of the water attepmting to achive the Lotus Position in his 'true' form
"Natsu, why not change back in order to meditate?" Erza asked him as she stood at the bank next to where Natsu was sitting
"I can't. I don't have total control over this form. It's taken a long time for me to even talk inside this form. As for changing back I should be return to human in 2 or 3 days. This form can only maintain itself for a certain period of time." Natsu said as he climbed out of the river, realizing he wouldn't be able to succeed in meditating with his prefered methods.
"I see. Natsu, would you really have fought Gray to the death back there? I understand it's how this 'true form' works but it seems a bit far fetched don't you think?" Erza asked him
"Truthfully. I wouldn't have seen Gray as challenging my power. I can fight inside this form and not have to kill anyone who chooses to face me in combat but at the same time I can take the challenge seriously." Natsu replied
Erzas cheeks turned red as she prepared to ask her next question. Seeing as Natsu is literally incapable of loving, Erza figured she'd have to make the first move to advance on her feelings. "Natsu... i-If I became yo-your Master. Would you be pl-pl-pleased with me being your m-ma-mate?" She stuttered out
"Yes, I would. At least... I think I would. Like my Edolas self explained, I am incapable of feeling love but I'm afraid that was because I asked for that, not realizing the affect it would have." Natsu said truthfully
He thinks he would? Is that a yes or a no? I'll take it as a yes Erza concluded before proceeding to ask about the second half of his words. "You asked to have love removed? Why in Earthland would you do that?" Erza asked him, curious as to why he would ask such a thing
"One time, I was sent to a town by Acnologia and I met a girl. It was 2 or 3 years ago but I met her and... I wanted to save her. I don't know why but I did. When I looked at her part of me refused to let her face whatever was going to happen in her life and so, I asked her to accompany me to safety. I could've protected her if she had joined me but when she refused to follow a monster like me, I simply didn't want to feel like that again. I've had people insult me before, hell I've had all sorts of shit said to me but for some reason her words hurt more than anyone elses. When I returned to Acnologia I asked him to remove love from my life. That way I would never feel that same hurt again. It's pathetic I know, to run from something like love but it's not something I can turn round and punch in the face, you know. But anyway that's why I asked him to remove love." Natsus Dragon voice monotonely expalined the reasoning to Erza.
"Natsu, what if I told you I loved you?" Erza asked him softly, her words almost getting carried away in the wind if not for Natsus sensitive hearing
"I'd ask how you could love a monster such as myself." Natsu said equaly as soft.
"I love you Natsu"
"How could you love a monster such as my self?"
A/: Hello my fricken amazing people! How's everyone been? I'm sorry I didn't update yesterday but schools a bitch -_-. I'm trying to keep up with the 1 chapeter every two days but if you don't want to wait that long then check out my other story : The Fraternity and you may like it. If anyone wishes to have anything about the story explained then leave a REVIEW or send me a PM
