Hey everyone it's Natsu here.

Rest of the time until the dragon tournament will be taken up in this chapter. Probably Connor's gotta learn to use that power somehow or Laxus will kick his ass in the tournament.

"Then get started with the chapter already"

Back up Connor I brought you in this world and I'll take you out.

Anyway enjoy your chapter cookie. And I do not own Fairy Tail.

Ch 21: Irritatingly slow.

Connor had been practicing to control the apocalypse magic for nearly five days without a break and even though he had been at for so long it was not very productive. He couldn't get the two magics to work as one and the same and it frustrated him. And now with two days left until the tournament he was in a hurry to get it done. He would need this power If he was going to even stand a chance against Laxus. If he won he would be the one to face Alistair and Acnologia first and he refused to let anyone else do it. He had asked Natsu and Gajeel to his home to help him practice since they both had a mode that combined two forms of magic. Gajeel had been surprised at first when he had heard of Connor's apocalypse magic but he quickly brushed it off saying that Connor had never messed with him and it just meant he had another chance to prove he was the best. So far all it led to was bickering.

"You idiot! Stop telling him how to do it you're just messing him up!" Gajeel shouted.

"Shut up metal head you're the one messing him up!" Natsu shouted.

"Both of you shut up! Neither of you have told me anything!" Connor shouted "You've both just sat there arguing and watching me fail!"

They blinked at Connor "sorry" they said together. "Don't copy me!" They shouted at each other.

Connor sighed and held his head in his hands "why did I think this was a good idea?" Connor asked himself. "I'll just have to do this myself then" He groaned. He gathered a small fireball in his hands and attempted to mix it with the black and blue apocalypse energy. The two magics swirled and mixed each seeming to try and fight the other. Connor struggled to keep them together until finally they dispersed. "Damnit!" He shouted "will one of you just help me out with this!" He demanded of the other two dragon slayers.

"Yeah I'll show metal head that I'm the best teacher" Natsu said striding next to Connor "alright show me what you got" he said. Connor began to mix the two magics once again and he failed once again. "I uhh..."

"Out of the way salamander I'll show him!" Gajeel shouted shoving Natsu out of the way "alright show me" He said. Connor showed him his failing technique. "Okay I think I see the problem. You're just uhh... you see you're..."

"Neither of you know how to help me do you?" Connor asked.

"Nope" they said in unison.

Connor growled and held his head in his hands again "look just please go. I'll figure this out on my own."

"Sorry I couldn't help you Cus. I'm sure you'll get it" Natsu said patting Connor's shoulder as he left.

After they had left Connor took a deep breath and tried again. He tried over and over again each time ended in failure. "Damnit, damnit, damnit!" He shouted slamming his fist onto the ground. "Why can't I get this! Natsu and Gajeel were able to figure it out. Then again They had different circumstances. They just ate their second magic." He pondered this summoning another ball of mixed energy and sucking it down before it dispersed. Instantly he grabbed his stomach and wretched violently. "Idiot! That's a basic rule! You can't eat your own magic" he scolded himself.

"Having trouble?" Lucy asked from behind him. Connor turned to face her and saw she held a bag in her hands.

"That's all I've been having for the past five days. I tried to ask Gajeel and Natsu to help me out but all they did was argue" Connor replied.

"That was your first mistake. Those two aren't exactly made for teaching and especially not teaching together. And their situations are different from yours."

"You have a point."

"Well anyway I heard you were struggling so I brought you this" She said holding up the bag.

"What is it?"

Lucy reached into the bag and pulled out a pair of red leather gloves that looked like they were meant for climbing and oddly enough they were fingerless. "Tada!" She shouted handing him the gloves.

"Thanks Lucy but how do these help me?"

"They're magic enhancing gloves. They're meant to help a wizard balance out their magic so it's easier to control. It's mainly used for new wizards just learning their magic but I thought this might help a little."

"I'll give them a shot" He said slipping on the gloves. He formed another fireball and began to mix the apocalypse energy. It felt easier to keep it together but it eventually just disperse again. "This makes it a lot easier. Thanks a lot Lucy" He said gratefully.

"I'm glad I could help" she replied with a smile "I'd like to stay and help but I have to meet up with Mirajane to help her at the bar."

"Well thanks again. I'm sure I'll make a lot more progress."

"Anytime. I'll see you later" she said waving goodbye and heading back to town.

"See you later!" Connor called after her. He looked down at his gloved hands "okay let's put these to good use" he said. He formed another ball of fire and energy. This time it seemed to stay in tact swirling together in unison before it finally broke apart and dispersed again. "Damnit. Well I'm getting there. Let's try again" He sighed.

A few hours later Connor still kept working at mastering both magics. Connor had made progress but not much. His gloves helped greatly but could only do so much. He pondered different ways on how he could do this when he heard footsteps coming from the forest.

"Hey there Connor. I heard from Lucy that you might need a little help" Gray said.

"Yeah that would be appreciated... Gray? Where are your clothes?" Connor asked.

"What!? How!?" Gray shouted looking for

"Take your time" Connor said keeping his eyes shut and covered.

"Alright I think I'm good."

Connor uncovered his eyes slowly "much better."

"So how can I help you out?" Gray asked.

"Well I'm struggling to figure out how to keep my two magics together."

"Let me see."

Connor showed him what progress he had made and Gray watched carefully.

"Alright I think I see the problem. You're trying too hard. Here watch me" Gray said "ice make lance!" He shouted slamming his fist into his open palm and releasing his ice lances. "Magic is an expression of the person using it. For me I need to be creative and let my mind flow to create my ice makes. Each wizard has their own style that's what my teacher Ur taught me."

"So I need to find my own style?" Connor asked.

"Exactly. You fight ferociously and without a lot of control a lot like flame brain" Gray replied "with that fireball you're making you're trying too hard to control the magic. Go with your style and let loose" he advised.

Little did the two of them know that the rain woman, Juvia Lockser, had been watching them carefully "oh my beloved Gray" she cooed "you are such an amazing teacher. I can't wait for our children to learn from you."

Connor created a quick fireball and began to mix the magics again this time letting it go free and flourish in his palm. The two magics swirled and flowed beautifully as if they were dancing. But the two forces seemed to fight and struggle for dominance and then they dissipated once again. "Wow that's probably the most progress I've made in days" Connor said happily "thanks a lot Gray."

"No problem just remember to do this your way and you'll get better quicker" Gray said.

"Oh Gray you're so amazing I can't take it anymore!" Juvia shouted running from her hiding place and firmly attaching herself to Gray's arm.

"Juvia!? Why are you here!?" Gray shouted in surprise.

"I couldn't stand to be away from any longer my love."

"So are you two together?" Connor asked "I had no idea."

"No! We aren't!" Gray shouted quickly.

"But my love what about that wonderful evening at your apartment?" Juvia asked sweetly.

Connor was bright red at what Juvia may have been implying.

Gray was redder than a lobster so out of impulse he grabbed Juvia's arm and ran shouting behind him "good luck Connor!"

Connor still stood silently blushing redder than his mother's scales would've been. And after about a minute he shook out of it and smiled "well at least they found each other" he said.

Later on Connor had been practicing and with the help of Lucy's gloves and Gray's advice he made great progress. He was able to hold it longer and the two magics held together stronger than ever. But each time he thought he got it the magic would simply dissipate again and it ended the same way, with the magic seeming to conflict each other. Although he had made great progress Connor was still incredibly frustrated and felt exhausted. Suddenly he heard tiny footsteps approaching him.

"Hi Connor" Wendy's voice called.

"Oh hi Wendy" Connor said as he panted and leaned with his hands on his knees.

"Have you been at this all day?" She asked.

"Well technically for five days don't worry though I'm fine"

"You should rest. Have you even eaten today? Or drank anything?"

"I haven't been hungry. All I've had is water"

"You really need to take a break."

"No really I'm fine..." he said as he fell over onto his side.

"Connor!" Wendy shouted as she ran to his side. "Just hold on you'll be better in no time" she said as she put her hands over him and began to heal him.

A few hours passed and Connor awoke in his bed a little dazed "Ugh... what happened?" He groaned.

"You passed out and I brought you inside. Well Cerberus did" Wendy's voice replied.

Connor sat up tiredly holding his head "man my head hurts"

"You should probably get some sleep it's really late. Then tomorrow you should eat a good breakfast before you train again"

"What time is it?"

"It's maybe about ten o'clock."

"It really is late. Why don't you stay here for the night I have a guestroom for that reason."

"I-I don't know I wouldn't want to be any trouble" she said timidly.

"It's not an issue I promise I wouldn't want you to be wandering the forest this late at night."

"If you're sure it's okay."

"Definitely. It's the least I can do to pay you back for helping me out."

"Okay. Then I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight Connor" She said as she walked to the guestroom.

"Goodnight and thanks again" he said with a smile.

Once the morning had come Wendy made a final check on Connor's condition and returned to Fairy Hills, incredibly anxious of the scolding she was sure to receive from Carla. Connor wished her luck and then continued his training.

"Okay remember what Gray said. Use your style" he said to himself equipping his gloves from Lucy. "Everyone is trying to help you. Don't let them down." He formed another mixed ball of energy and let it flourish again. This time it held for much longer and seemed to flow together easier. Then frustratingly enough the two magics seemed to conflict again and dissipate. "What's the problem? I'm doing it right aren't I?" Connor asked himself. He went again and again but seemed to reach a peak. The two magics seemed to go well together then conflict and destroy each other. Connor found some comfort in that, knowing that even though the darkness was rising his flames could still burn bright and extinguish the darkness for now at least.

The dragon tournament began tomorrow and Connor was panicking. If he faced Laxus in the first round he was doomed unless he figured this out. He didn't want his friends to have to fight off Alistair and possibly end up hurt or worse. That was his fight and he refused to let anyone else fight for him. And after days of this without even mastering a simple fireball he was frustrated at the fact he had made so little progress. So in his frustration he ignited his fists and burned some scorch marks in the grass.

"A little frustrated my boy?" Makarovs voice asked beside him.

"Master Makarov?!" Connor shouted "how long have you been here?"

"Oh long enough to see your little tantrum."

"Oh you saw that. Sorry for not noticing you earlier master I've just been focused on this."

"It's quite alright my boy I admire your determination. Lucy tells me that you're struggling to master these abilities and I certainly see it now."

"Yeah for some reason my magic doesn't want to mix. I've made progress but they just cancel each other out when I try to mix them together."

"Please let me see."

Connor showed him what progress He had made. Makarov watched carefully as the magics conflicted and dissipated once again.

"See they just seem to cancel each other out. I just must not be doing it right" Connor said.

"It makes perfect sense that these magics would conflict Connor it is not your fault" Makarov said kindly "Acnologia is darkness and evil. He destroys all that he comes across. While your mother's fire magic is bright and brilliant and brings light. It is only natural that these two things conflict."

"So will I ever master this?"

"In time maybe. But it will take an incredibly long time. You won't master it in days just remember one thing Connor."

"What's that master?"

"Fairy Tail will always be by your side my boy. Now if you'll excuse me I must make final preparations for tomorrow's tournament" Makarov replied as he began his return to the guildhall.

"Master I have a question" Connor called.

"What's that my boy?"

"What you said about my fire being light. What about Natsu? He's a fire dragon slayer as well."

"Natsu is a different case Connor. He has extinguished so much evil that I believe his light is more powerful than we can imagine. I see the two of you accomplishing great feats together so long as you fight as brethren" Makarov replied "now please continue your training."

A few minutes later the elder man was gone leaving Connor lost in thought. He summoned a small fireball and stared deeply into the wild flames. "I have light in this fire. If my light is to shine brighter I must master this darkness and make it mine" he said to himself. He gathered his apocalypse energy and fused them together once again. The flames danced around the swirling black and blue energy seeming to force it into submission. Then something amazing occurred the magics held stronger than ever as the flames and apocalypse energy flowed together in unison. Connor smiled to himself "I did it!" He shouted happily as he stared at the event that transpired before him. He had a long way to go but this was an incredible first step.

Hey everyone Natsu here.

All I can say for this is I hope you enjoyed. I kinda wanted to do more but I didn't want to push it especially since school is keeping me pretty busy. Dragon Tournament begins next chapter. Hopefully it goes off without a hitch with you readers. But there's one more thing I wanted to address. I have been playing the fairly new game Destiny like a freaking madman and I've had a few ideas for a fanfiction in that universe and I'd like a little feedback on that thanks. Well have a nice day/evening/morning whatever time it is you're reading this.

Until next time my friends.