The Flaming Dragon Slayer
A/N: Team Natsu heads toward Fiery Mountain to investigate the situation of the fire-breathing monster. However, the monsters they see is not what they expected. Can Team Natsu escape from the clutches of these unknown monsters?
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Fairy Tail.
*SC* = Scene Change
"Talking"
'Thoughts'
Chapter 11: Monsters of Destruction
Natsu breathes in heavily as he and Lucy exit the inn. The first thing he notices is the lack of villagers. He looks around and he does find a few villagers, but it is almost an abandon town. Lucy notices the same emptiness as Natsu, but she decides not to say anything. Natsu and Lucy head towards Gray, who is at the edge of the town. North of the group is Fiery Mountain. Natsu cracks his knuckles ready to strike any monster in his way. Wendy, Carla, and Happy appear next to Lucy.
"Is everyone ready?" asked Lucy.
"Of course!" shouted Natsu with much enthusiasm.
For one hour, the group walks towards Fiery Mountain. So far, it has been uneventful, but they decide not to let their guards down. As usual, Natsu and Lucy walk next to each other. They walk in silence while enjoying each other's company. However, at the same time, Natsu continues to watch over Lucy. He has not felt safe since arriving at the village. Something is wrong and he will protect Lucy with his life if any danger comes near her. Nothing will harm her. Gray can feel the tension in the air. He looks at Natsu wondering why the pink-haired mage is quiet. In fact, all the tension seems to be coming from him.
Another forty minutes pass as Team Natsu finally reach the edge of Fiery Mountain. Lucy and Wendy begin rubbing their foreheads with their arms. Fiery Mountain is an extinct volcano, but for some reason, the heat in the area has been increasing. However, the most notable irony is the fact that trees and rivers surround the mountain despite its name. Regardless, the team begins to move.
"Is it me or is it hot?" asked Lucy.
"Is it?" questioned Natsu, who is unaffected by the increased heat.
"Must be in your mind," said Gray, who ice abilities keep him cool. "I guess it is a bit warmer, but it is not hot."
Team Natsu finds a path leading to the top of the mountain. They take the path walking at a decent pace. Natsu begins sniffing the area trying to find any trace of Igneel, but instead he picks up the smell of something similar to the monsters he fought before.
"Guys," started Natsu. "I smell those same monsters we fought before."
Immediately, Lucy and Gray become alert. If those monsters are here, then it means this area has something to do with Marek and his group. Lucy takes this time to look back at Wendy and Carla.
"Perhaps Wendy should not have come," said Lucy.
"You're right," replied Gray.
Natsu listens to their conversation. He knows Wendy can take care of herself, but she is young and not as a capable fighter. He knows one day Wendy will become stronger, but for now, she still has limited strength.
"Should we go back?" asked Happy to Natsu.
"No," replied Natsu.
Team Natsu continue their journey up the mountain and they eventually reach the summit. The temperature of the area becomes hotter to the point even Gray begins to sweat. Natsu is the only person unaffected by the heat, but he can tell his friends are not in good shape.
"I thought the volcano is inactive," said Lucy drinking some of the water in her container.
"It is inactive," said Gray. "Something else is creating the heat."
Team Natsu walk around the summit looking for anything out of the ordinary. However, everything seems fine, but their wait does not last much longer. A loud roar occurs catching the attention of the team.
"That sounds like a dragon," said Wendy.
"You're right, but it is not Igneel," replied Natsu.
Lucy begins to panic. She had a feeling it could be a dragon, but if it is not Igneel or Grandeeney, who is it. Another roar occurs, but instead it is much louder. Suddenly, a large black creature flies above Team Natsu causes Lucy, Wendy, Happy, and Carla to fall to the ground.
"Ouch," said Lucy to herself as she begins to stand.
Natsu looks up watching a familiar, yet unfamiliar creature fly above them.
"Is that a dragon?" asked Gray.
"Yes," replied Natsu as he narrows his eyes.
The black dragon lands on the ground before Team Natsu. Its red eyes glow while staring at the team. It also has red lines throughout its body causing Team Natsu to back away from it.
"Is it one of those creatures?" asked Lucy.
"I think it is," replied Gray.
"It doesn't matter," said Natsu. "We will beat it!"
The dragon roars at Team Natsu as it suddenly breathes fire. Immediately, Natsu eats the fire causing the dragon to stare at Natsu in confusion. Suddenly, the dragon begins to laugh.
"Interesting," said the dragon. "You must be a dragon slayer. I thought dragon slayers were extinct, but it seems like this planet still has a few."
"Planet?" questioned Gray.
Suddenly, another dragon roar occurs as another dragon lands to the right of Team Natsu. Another roar occurs as another dragon lands to their left followed by another behind them.
"Um, this does not look good," said Gray.
Lucy, Happy, and Carla begin to shake in fear. The last dragon they came across sent them to a seven-year disappearance. Natsu and Gray prepare to fight, but they know the situation seems dim. If only they can find a way out of here.
"Natsu, we don't stand a chance," said Gray. "We need to escape."
Natsu wants to decline the retreat. However, the moment he glances at Lucy, a feeling of protection washes over him. He wants to protect her and the current situation puts her in danger. It is like an instinct to protect her. For some reason, he has to protect her more than before.
"Okay," replied Natsu surprising Gray.
The only issue is they need to find an escape. Regardless, powerful monsters surround them and they need to find a way out of it. The dragons roar as they unleash numerous attacks. Natsu prepares to defend himself, but he realizes only the first dragon is a fire type. The second dragon unleashes lightning. The third dragon unleashes wind. The fourth dragon unleashes earth.
The earth spikes soar towards Team Natsu, but Gray creates a wall of ice protecting the team from sudden death. However, the ice does not last long at the dragons break through it. Fortunately, Team Natsu is able to escape under the dragons due to the explosion of the attacks.
"Run!" shouted Gray as he and his friends run as fast as they can.
They do not know the strength of these dragons and none of them would want to know. The dragons turn their attention to the four running mages and the two flying Exceeds. The earth dragon raises its claw and swings down on Team Natsu with tremendous force. Gray creates another wall of ice temporarily stopping the claw. Natsu jumps above the ice wall and waves his hands around.
"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" shouted Natsu.
Natsu slams his whips straight into the earth dragon causing it to backtrack.
"Argh, damn human!" shouted the earth dragon.
"Open Gate of the Lion! Loke!" shouted Lucy summoning her strongest celestial spirit.
Loke appears after a flash of bright light. He appears in front of Lucy ready for combat.
"First I must say, dragons really?" asked Loke. "Anyhow, my dear Lucy. This knight in shining armor shall protect you!"
Loke turns his attention towards the lightning dragon and cracks his knuckles.
"I swore to protect Lucy and I will do what I can! I don't care if I have to fight a dragon!" shouted Loke.
"Regulus Punch!" shouted Loke slamming his fist into the lightning dragon.
However, to Loke's surprise the dragon counters and slams its tail against Loke. The attack sends Loke soaring towards the ground creating a small crater.
"Loke!" shouted Lucy.
Before Lucy has the chance to aid Loke, the wind dragon appears in front of her.
"Human, you will not live to see another day!" shouted the wind dragon.
The wind dragon unleashes a powerful wind attack only for the wind to disappear.
"What the…?" asked the wind dragon.
The wind dragon turns its attention to a young blue-haired girl.
"A sky dragon slayer," said the dragon to itself. "Little girl, you are a nuisance. Today you die."
The wind dragon roars as it swings its claws towards Wendy. However, Loke unleashes a powerful kick on the dragon's head, but the dragon remains unfazed.
"It hurts, but it will do you no good," said the wind dragon.
Soon, the lightning dragon appears next to the wind dragon as the two dragons begin approaching the mages. Meanwhile, Natsu slams into the ground as the earth dragon appears above him. Natsu tries to move, but finds his body unresponsive. Luckily, Happy swoops in and grabs onto Natsu flying him away from another possible attack from the earth dragon.
"Thanks Happy," said Natsu as he tries to shake off the pain.
Natsu looks at the dragon before turning his attention to Lucy. The urge to protect her runs through his body, but he knows she can take care of herself. For now, he has to figure out a way to beat the dragon in front of him. The fire dragon targets Gray, who tries to battle against the flames, but the dragon's fire is too great for Gray to fight.
"Ice-Make: Ice Cannon!" shouted Gray.
Gray unleashes numerous cannonballs, but the fire dragon unleashes a wave of flames causing the ice to melt under the heat. The fire dragon charges at Gray, as the ice mage creates a wall of ice. However, the dragon easily breaks through as it breathes fire. Gray barely manages to dodge the attack, but he can feel the heat from the flames.
"All right, time to get serious," said Gray as he removes his clothes on his upper body.
The fire dragon unleashes another wave of fire from its mouth only for Gray to dodge the attack.
"Ice Make: Geyser!" shouted Gray successfully catching the fire dragon.
The fire dragon roars as flames erupt from its body. Gray slams his hands together preparing for his next attack.
"Ice Make: Super Freeze Arrow!" exclaimed unleashing a powerful arrow attack with the help of gravity.
The dragon roars in pain as the arrow pierces its skin, but it melts away a few seconds later. As Gray prepares his next attack, he hears numerous screams drawing his attention to the source. Lucy, Wendy, and Carla begin to run as the wind and lightning dragons unleash their attacks. Loke does his best to help them, but the two dragons easily overpower him.
'Damn it, we don't stand a chance,' thought Gray.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!" shouted Natsu.
The earth dragon slams its tail on the ground creating a wall of earth protecting itself from the flames. Natsu grunts in annoyance, as he tries to think of another way to battle the dragon. However, Lucy's scream reaches his ears causing him to turn around. He notices Lucy trying to protect Wendy.
'No!' thought Natsu as he slams his fists together.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!" shouted Natsu.
The fire hits the earth dragon, but it does little damage.
"Foolish human, we shadow dragons are beyond the strength of regular shadow monsters!" shouted the earth dragon.
However, the earth dragon does not find Natsu anywhere.
"What the…?" asked the earth dragon.
Lucy takes out her whip, but she knows she will be unable to do anything.
"Sky Dragon's Roar!" shouted Wendy unleashing a powerful wind attack, but the wind dragon blocks attack with ease.
"Foolish girl, you will never harm me," said the wind dragon.
Loke lands on the ground next to Lucy and Wendy with a frown on his face while he lies on his back.
"F-Forgive me Lucy," said Loke.
Lucy notices the claw marks on his stomach. She tries to running to him, but a bolt of lightning stops her. Loke disappears in a flash of light. The blonde mage knows Loke has returned to the celestial world as she takes out another key. The wind dragon swings its claw at Lucy, who tries to dodge, but she is too slow.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" shouted Natsu as he slams his fist into the face of the wind dragon.
The wind dragon loses balance as it falls onto its side. Natsu lands next to Lucy checking to see if anything is wrong with her.
"Are you okay?" asked Natsu.
"Yeah," replied Lucy.
"We need to leave!" exclaimed Gray.
"Open Gate of the Ram! Aries!" shouted Lucy.
Aries, the pink-haired celestial spirit with horns, appears in front of Lucy. The celestial spirit stares at her master and then turns her attention to the dragons.
"Aries form a wall!" shouted Lucy as Gray, Natsu, Wendy, Happy, and Carla gather around her.
Aries raises her hands forward preparing to defend her master.
"Wool Wall!" exclaimed Aries.
Aries creates a wall of wool large enough to block the views of the dragons.
"Do you think that will stop us?" asked the fire dragon.
"They are gone," said the earth dragon.
"Really? We didn't notice," replied the fire dragon in a sarcastic tone. "Well, find them!"
*SC*
Team Natsu run towards the few trees in the top of the mountain. Aries created a temporary escape, but it is only a matter of time before the dragons catch up to them. As the team reaches the edge of the mountain, they begin to look around hoping to find a way out of the situation. They notice the river nearby as well as a cliff.
"Which is it?" asked Natsu.
"You've got to be kidding me!" said Lucy. "That's too dangerous!"
Suddenly, the wind dragon appears and unleashes numerous wind attacks. Wendy attempts to eat the attacks, but Gray pushes her to help avoid an attack from the earth dragon.
"They found us!" shouted Happy as he flies around.
Team Natsu begin to backtrack trying to find another way out, but behind them is a cliff and to their left is a waterfall.
"Kill them all!" shouted the fire dragon.
All of the shadow dragons appear and unleash powerful attacks towards Team Natsu. Natsu runs towards Lucy and grabs onto her. He manages to pull her away from the attacks, but his own momentum sends both of them straight into the river.
"Natsu! Lucy!" shouted Gray as he tries to run after them.
However, another set of explosions push him and Wendy over the cliff sending them down the mountain. Happy and Carla fly down the cliff with Happy catching Gray and Carla catching Wendy. Happy turns his attention to the waterfall with tears in his eyes.
"Natsu," said Happy in a sad tone.
"Don't worry, I'm sure they're fine," said Gray. "Move us out of sight."
Meanwhile, the dragons are about to search for the mages when they suddenly stop.
"He's calling us," said the fire dragon. "We should get going."
"Damn mortals," said the earth dragon. "Calling us when we were having fun."
Soon, all of the shadow dragons begin to fly away from Fiery Mountain heading towards their new destination. Gray, Wendy, Happy, and Carla see the dragons leave as they sigh in relief. For whatever reason, the dragons left. This gives them the chance to escape.
"Fly us over the river," said Gray pointing towards the river at the bottom of the mountain.
Happy and Carla fly Gray and Wendy down to the river as they begin looking for Natsu and Lucy. However, the four members of the team see neither mage.
*SC*
Gray, Wendy, Happy, and Carla return to the nearby village in failure. They were unable to find any of their friends. Gray slams her fist onto a nearby wall. What is he supposed to do? They spent hours looking for Natsu and Lucy, but the search ended up a failure.
'Where are you guys?' wondered Gray.
Wendy holds onto Happy as she begins crying. Carla attempts to comfort both, but she remains silent. Her previous vision indicates they are not dead yet. However, it is a dark vision and it is something she hopes does not happen. If only they were able to provide better help. If only they were stronger.
Gray turns his attention to the three younger members of his team. He cannot do anything for them currently. However, he knows report this event to the master. The ice mage turns back to the mountain with a serious expression.
'I believe in both of you,' thought Gray. 'I know you two are alive somewhere. There is no way either of you will die that easily.'
*SC*
Near a river, two bodies lay on the sandy riverbank. From a distance, it will seem that the two bodies are dead. However, up close it is noticeable that they are alive. Their legs remain in the water while their upper bodies are on dry land. They also hold each other in a tight grip, but the grip has loosened a bit. Suddenly, sounds of footsteps occur as a man wearing a brown coat approaches the two unconscious people. The man has white-gray hair, but the brown coat covers the rest of his body. He stands near the two people and begins to pick one of them up.
"So, this is Natsu Dragneel," said the man. "It looks like he still has some development to do."
Once the man drags Natsu out of the water, he turns his attention to the blonde woman.
"I'm sure Natsu will be angry if I leave her there," said the man. "She must be Lucy Heartfilia."
The coated man picks up Lucy and places her next to Natsu. He takes out a scroll and summons two white clouds. He places Natsu on one cloud and Lucy on the other. Soon, the man begins to walk with the clouds following him.
'It is time for me to make my move,' thought the man.
*SC*
A/N: Another chapter completed. It took me a while to complete this chapter because I was creating multiple one-shots during this chapter. Nevertheless, I hope that everyone enjoyed the chapter and please review.