Chapter 37...
In all of Natsu's travels, he had been in situations ranging from the tedious to the horrific. It was a rather simple matter because he had a certain mindset to deal with them one at a time. But the predicament he found himself in, he didn't know what category it fell in with. He was at a stand off with a young green haired woman who was supposedly a Lost Dragon Slayer. What he had hoped that would have made it a simple understanding, was apparently interpreted as a chance to prove himself.
He wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, but he was going to have to deal with her quick. He had to go save Grandeeny's student before she ended up dead.
"I await your move." Treya said in a monotone like voice.
"..." Natsu just narrowed his eye. "Crap...she doesn't have any openings. Guess i'll just have to make one." He thought. He took a step forward and then shot towards her in a burst of speed. Their respective weapons collided with one another and sparks were spitting out of their blade lock. Treya then brushed him back and she immediately began slashing at him with both her daggers. Natsu was keeping up, but she was going faster and faster with each strike. She then interlocked his sword with her daggers then spin kicked him away. He coughed from the sudden strike to his gut and looked up at her.
"Not bad." He said and sheathed his sword. "Reaction time is probably better than mine." He said as they circled each other. "Your faster than Callan, i'll give you that."
"Praising me will not get you-!" Treya began to say, but her eyes widened when he charged her again and drew his sword at blinding speed. She attempted to block it, but he knocked one of her daggers out of her hand from his sudden attack.
"HHAAGH!" He shouted defiantly and slammed his blade down on her. A blast of wind shot around them as the force of the blow made Treya's feet sink into the ground, trying to hold off his strike.
"Teh.." She scoffed. She then attempted to back flip kick him on his chin but he barely stepped back as her foot grazed his chin. Her dagger came falling down and she caught it. Natsu sheathed his sword and held it at the ready. The two eyed each other intensely as both respective combatants were trying to figure out how to outmaneuver one another.
"..." Natsu then made his sword disappear and then got into a fighting stance.
"You honestly think you stand a chance in unarmed combat?" She asked.
"Your about to find out." He said and waited for her.
"Your funeral." She said and rushed towards him. She sliced in several directions of Natsu and they all missed. Natsu sidestepped her and suddenly grabbed her arm which surprised her. Next thing she knew, his elbow had landed an explosive blow to her chest.
"Azure Dragon's Hack Jaw." He said cooly as she skidded away from him. He lowered his arms and watched her closely.
"..." She looked down and a part of her top was burned off. And a bruise was shown right above her cleavage. She scowled a little from getting hit. She looked up with and annoyed expression.
"Oh? She looks pissed." Natsu thought from the glare she gave him. She then sheathed her daggers to her sides. She then approached him while clenching her fists. She then extended a long smooth blade of crystal from her forearm and then raised it above her. It suddenly extended and expanded.
"Oh crap!" Natsu took a step back.
"Crystal Dragon's Sword." Natsu jumped back from her as she slammed it down to where he was. She destroyed the ground and then shattered the crystal sword instantly. She ran up to him and she kept striking at him. Natsu blocked and caught her fist and attempted to punch her but she caught his as well. They both gritted their teeth, trying to force the other back. Treya then suddenly kicked him in the crotch and Natsu cringed from the low blow and she took the opportunity to punch him across the face and then formed a spiked mace of crystal in her other hand. "Crystal Dragon's Diamond Mace." She declared. He was sent flying through five trees and skidded to a stop while still reeling in from the pain she inflicted on his lower half.
"Ahgghh...that really rung my bells..aagh shit." He moaned. "Huh?" He then looked up and she was right above him in the air.
"Crystal Dragon's Spear Crash." She was pointing her elbow at him and a crystal bladed arrowhead formed around her arm as she descended toward him. Natsu rolled out of the way as the entire area became engulfed in a cloud of dust. Treya stood up and looked around. He was no where to be seen.
"Azure Dragon's..."
"..!?" She then looked up and Natsu had breathed a torrent of fire at her.
"..Roar!" He bellowed.
"Crystal Dragon's Mirror!" Treya crossed her hands and a thick screen of crystal spread out above her, shielding her. The flames collided with her screen, but something left her baffled. The crystal was MELTING from the contact of Natsu's flames. "What!? Flames have never burned through my crystal before! How are his-?!" Her mind was filled with questions as a massive explosion engulfed the area once more. Natsu landed and recomposed himself. He had a narrowed look as Treya approached him from behind. He caught her wrist and shoved her back. She then attempted to kick him with a jagged crystal encased foot, but he stopped it, mere inches from connecting. He released her leg and she took a step back. She clenched her fist and attempted to punch him again but he caught it and twisted it and twirled her around to her back and just kicked her back with his foot. She looked back at him after panting.
He just stood there with a stoic expression.
"Is he reading my moves? Impossible." She got up and then placed her hand on the ground. A tower of crystal came out behind Natsu.
"Crystal Dragon's Shrapnel." She said, and it exploded, sending shards in every direction. Natsu raised his hand and a wall of flames protected him from the shrapnel. It turned to liquid when it reached the wall and just dripped on the ground like rain. He turned and swiped his arm and the flames vanished. He just stared at Treya who just maintained her stoic look.
"..There was something I noticed when fighting Callan.." He began to say. "Your magics are similar, but his ice is not as susceptible to my flames as your crystal. Which means that your crystal isn't using much magic. Is this what you meant by saying your Dragon Slayer Magic isn't that strong?"
"I do not use my full power unless I am committed. I am not committed to beating you, I just wanted to see what you are capable of." She said, recomposing herself.
"And?" He asked while crossing his arms.
"It would appear that your element has a significant edge over mine. I have not come across fire magic or heat based magic that could melt through my crystal. You are the first." She rested her hands on her daggers. "Your fighting style...is somewhat strange." She said as she tilted her head.
"I mix it up. Normally I just let the other guy go first." He said.
"No, that's not what I meant." She shook her head.
"Hm?"
"Why are you holding out on magic usage? Dragon Slayer Magic is meant to be very destructive. Especially if your dragon's heritage is fire based."
"So you know about the Dragon Heritages. Well, looks like you are more than meets the eye." Natsu had to admit. "Thought I was the only one."
"Mm. The closer the element is to it's main branch, the more powerful it is." Treya nodded. "But lets not dawdle for long. I have yet to see what you are truly capable of." She said suddenly.
"Huh? What does that mean?" Natsu asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It means I have one last test for you." She said and suddenly she became enveloped in a dome of crystal.
"Test?" Natsu repeated. His eye suddenly widened when the crystal glowed. He felt a spike in her magic and instinctively took a step back. "...This feeling..Callan also was about to use it...is this Dragon Force as well?" He wondered. He watched and it glowed again and this time a vibration filled the air.
(Keep it together partner.) A voice in his head said.
"Huh?" Natsu's eye widened. "Who's there?" He asked aloud.
(Eyes up, her Dragon Force is almost activated.) The voice said.
"No, who the hell are you?!" Natsu demanded in thought.
(Think of me as a parting gift from Venigon.)
"...!?" Natsu was confused as ever.
(You can trust me you big dummy! Just listen to me!)
"Wait a minute...your voice is from when I fought Jose.." He realized.
(You need to use your Dragon Force if you're gonna stand a chance of beating her and rescuing that little girl!) She pointed out.
"Why would I need to beat her!? She's just testing me-?"
(She's seeing if you got the abilities that a Lost Dragon Slayer has! If you don't use Dragon Force, do you think she'll stop!?)
"...Good point." Natsu thought.
(I can give you enough power to tilt the odds in our favor, but you gotta finish it before long!) The voice warned. Suddenly the crystal dome cracked and a wave of magic pressure crept out. Natsu grunted and braced himself. Suddenly the crystal exploded and a geyser of bluish energy burst forth from Treya. The ground around her solidified into crystal and crept forth like roots from a tree. Her eyes were now a light violet color and strange markings were present on her neck and around her head. Her hair flailed around from the surge of power. She looked up with a blank but determined look.
"Well if you're gonna activate it, then hurry up and do it!" Natsu mentally demanded.
(You're gonna need to stall for time till I activate it!)
"What!?"
(Just a few minutes and i'll have this taken care of!)
"You are fucking useless! That's like an eternity!"
(Partner, she's looking at you!)
"Huh?" Natsu perked up and Treya was waiting.
"...Well?" She said as if she was expecting something from him.
"Well what?" Natsu asked as if it were no big deal, but he was trying to keep up a front.
"Are you not going to use Dragon Force?" She asked as she crossed her arms.
"..." Natsu was silent as he watched her with a blank expression, but inside his head he was sweating bullets. "Crap, I gotta bluff before she gets wind of it...wait! I got it." He came up with an idea. "I only activate that as a last resort. But if you need Dragon Force to take me on, you more than welcome too." He mocked.
"...Do not make light of me." She hissed.
"Huh-?Uh-oh!" He just barely blocked a punch that smacked him at jet-like speed and he was sent flying back. He crashed into tree and coughed up saliva. He dropped to his knees and panted slightly. His eye widened in surprise. "...I think I might be in trouble. She's hitting about as hard as a Dragon's Fist!" He stood up and looked up and Treya had vanished. He then looked up and she was above him.
"Crystal Dragon's Diamond Press." She put her hands forward and a massive crystal ball formed below her and went falling down toward Natsu.
"WHAT THE-?!" Natsu shot away in a burst of speed and narrowly escaped being crushed. It hit the ground and a large crashing sound echoed throughout the forest. He slid to a stop and Treya came down upon him. He crossed his arms to block her and when her strike hit, the ground below him cratered. He gritted his teeth. He lit his foot aflame and back flipped kicked her on her chin and she was sent flying in the air. "Whoo, finally got a hit in-Oof!" He was sure he would have at least staggered her at the most, but she immediately was already on him in mere seconds. She slammed her elbow into his stomach and then upper-cutted him to launch him in the air, then finished with a fist encased in crystal after jumping up to his level, then striking him on his chest. He crashed into the ground and he coughed up some blood. She then formed a large blade of crystal above her and swung both her arms down.
"Crystal Dragon's Sword!" She crashed her large blade into the ground on Natsu and a large dust cloud enveloped the area.
Elsewhere...
"Hm?" Brain and some members of the Oracion Seis looked out and saw the cloud from a distance. "A dragon for a dragon is it?" He smirked.
"Looks like she's whooping his ass." Cobra said as he smirked. "Hey brat, you done yet?" He looked over to Wendy and she was tearing up while using greenish magic that was healing an unconscious Jellal.
"N-no..he's been hurt badly from the lacrima, so I need some more time." She responded nervously.
"Well step on it. We don't have time to lose." Cobra urged..
"The sooner he wakes up the sooner we'll know where Nirvana is." Brain stated. "Then we'll bring this alliance-no, ALL of Fiore to it's knees." He darkly smiled.
Forest...
The dust was settling from the attack Treya had launched. She looked around slowly for her opponent. She was not convinced he was dead yet, until she saw his corpse. She then whipped around and caught his fist. The pressure from his fist was powerful enough to engulf them in another explosion. It cleared out after a moment and it was shown that Treya was holding his fist, with little effort. Natsu was sporting an irritated look.
"Tch, kudos to you. You actually know how to fight." Natsu had to admit.
"Of course. It is what I am best at." She said with a stern look.
"...Can I ask you a question?" Natsu suddenly asked.
"..What?" She asked curiously, not letting his fist go.
"How the hell do you get tangled up with a chump dark guild like Oracion Seis?" He was curious.
"It doesn't matter the client. As long as I am compensated." She said tightening her grip.
"Mercenary...young, beautiful woman..green hair like a sheen of spring grass...jewel...jewel...Wait a minute." He suddenly narrowed his eye. "I know you. You're that 'Bloody Jewel' Treya that all those wimps down south talk about. " Natsu recognized her by her reputation.
"So you do know me." Treya then attempted to pull him in, but he landed a knee strike on her abdomen which surprised her. He then upper-cutted her and then clapped his hands together.
"Azure Dragon's Blast Wave!" He clapped his hands and a flaming shock wave erupted from his body and Treya was skidding back from the explosion. She stopped and looked up.
"Not bad, but it will take more than that to beat me." She said as she encased her fist in crystal and walked slowly toward him. She then shot forward and landed a punch on his stomach and they crashed through a dirt mound, a boulder, and then a tree till they slammed into a cliff side. Debris was sent flying everywhere. Treya emerged unscathed and landed away from where Natsu was. Natsu's body was pressed into the mountain and he coughed and then spit some blood out of his mouth.
"When did you get so enthusiastic?..ehehehe..(Cough)." Natsu detached himself. "It's been six minutes! Are you done yet!?" Natsu mentally shouted.
(Geesh, chill out burnout, i'm done.) The voice said. (But you are going to need to learn how to activate this on your own at some point.) The voice sounded annoyed at his tone.
"...Teh." Natsu scoffed and shook his head. "..Never a dull moment." He said aloud while slowly standing back up. He felt like she broke ribs 1 through 4.
"I would suggest you activate your Dragon Force if you don't want to die. Because I tire of holding out on opponents." She suggested.
"...(Sigh), fine Treya Duella. But I can't stick around forever because I got somewhere I need to be. So i'll give you a quick taste of oblivion if that is what it takes." He said in a frustrated tone. He removed his eye patch and re-quipped it into his magic space.
"..Humor me, Natsu Dranigon." She replied while crossing her arms.
"I'll say this again, I don't want to fight you. But if that's the way it's gonna be, that's the way it's gonna be." He said as he crossed his arms over his face. Suddenly his body pulsed. It pulsed again and again and then suddenly scale like skin was encroaching over his eye and around his forehead. "HAAAAAHHHHHHH!" He then shouted defiantly and a geyser of flames erupted around him and above the trees.
Elsewhere...
High on the mountain side, Brain and everyone else looked out in the distance.
"Nani!?" Brain exclaimed.
"The hell?!" Cobra looked out down where they were, and the sheer amount of magic power could be felt from Natsu's and Treya's Dragon Force.
"Is that...Natsu Dranigon?" Wendy was distracted as she looked in awe of the power that was emitting from the forest.
"S-such magic power!" Carla exclaimed. Little did everyone know that Jellal had just woken up as his eye slowly opened.
Forest...
Treya was shielding her face from the heat he was generating. A lot of the trees his flames touched were nearly instantly incinerated. In the center of the inferno was Natsu. His other eye that his eye patch covered was shown and it glowed red with a reptilian slit. Treya was surprised but she stood her ground.
"Incredible." She thought.
"...This is going to take some getting use too." Natsu flexed his hand. The power flowed throughout his body and he felt like something had been released inside him that was caged for years on end.
(Heheh~! How do you like it partner?) The voice sounded pleased with itself.
"Same as I did when I smoked Jose. Like my power is finally released." He responded in his head.
(You think this is sick? Wait till you unlock your final power~!)
"Huh?" Natsu said aloud.
(Oh forget it, just focus on this girl in front of you.)
"You and I are going to have a long conversation when this is all over.) Natsu warned.
(Yeah, yeah, now go kick some ass!) The voice egged him on. Natsu looked up at Treya and she suddenly shot towards him. He caught her fist with little effort which surprised her.
"Sorry but that's not gonna work a second time!" Natsu suddenly punched her hard in her stomach which made her cough up saliva. She was sent flying and crashing into a dirt mound. Natsu looked at his hand and furrowed his look. "I..can see again. It's kinda strange but...so this is my Dragon Force?" He was a bit impressed with his new power. To be honest it felt liberating. He wondered why Venigon never taught him it. If he had this power, he probably could take on the dragon that killed his father...maybe he wouldn't have to use 'that'.
Maybe he wouldn't need to die.
"Urgh!" His thoughts vanished when he looked and saw Treya get up with narrowed expression. "I admit..urk..I did not expect you to be this powerful." She said as she leaned forward.
"When are you going to call it? I proved myself by now haven't I?" He asked as he put a hand to his hip.
"You have...but.."
"But what?" He asked curiously.
"..I do not like to lose." She said as she took her kimono off and tossed it aside. "Come!" She shouted and the two dashed toward each other. They were punching and brushing each others attacks off at blinding speed, it looked like their limbs had multiplied. Natsu then spotted an opening. He punched her in the gut once, he then upper-cutted her, jumped and kneed her in the stomach, then struck her back to earth with his elbow. She was sent crashing into the ground.
"Crystal Dragon's Roar!" A blue beam shot out of the dust cloud and it hit Natsu, encasing him in crystal. But it then began melting off his body and a blast wave from his body erupted and the crystal was disintegrated. Treya jumped up towards him and drew her daggers.
Natsu re-quipped his sword and he blocked her attack. They were in a clash in mid air as they zipped around in the sky. It was like a dark blue streak was colliding with a light blue streak. They both then landed on the ground and then shot towards each other. The pressure from there blades colliding was blasting air around them and slicing trees clean in half. They were in a power struggle as they kept forcing one another back. Natsu however had a considerable edge over her though. In terms of magic power and strength, he had the better of the two.
"RRgh!" Treya gritted her teeth while her footing slowly was giving away. "Such ferocity!...He must truly be...!" Actions had always spoke louder than words, and Natsu was very convincing with his actions. She thought maybe he was telling the truth after all.
HYAA!" Natsu then brushed her daggers aside and she stumbled back. He then jumped forward and spin kicked her in the stomach and sent her once again crashing into a pile of rubble.
"AAAGH!" Treya yelped in pain.
"Azure Dragon's.." Natsu then formed a large fireball in his hand and then punched it out at Treya. "...Firebomb!"When he cast it, it jetted toward where Treya was and it blasted her out the other end of the rubble, and then exploded in mid-air.
"AAgh!" She spit out some blood as she fell. Her Dragon Force had come undone and her clothing was nearly incinerated.
"Oh shit! I went overboard!" Natsu's eyes widened and then he stopped attacking and he caught her in mid air and they both landed harmlessly on the ground. She then shoved him away from her.
"Unhand me!" She barked. She winced as she gripped her back as crystal shards fell off her body.. "...How!?" She suddenly exclaimed.
"Hm?" Natsu raised his eyebrow.
"How...are you..so strong?" She demanded to know.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"You are no older than I, yet...how did you get so strong?!" She awkwardly stood up and gripped her stomach. "Is my strength...inadequate?
"Wait a minute...what do you mean?" Natsu was confused as ever as he recomposed himself.
"...No...nothing. I've just...(cough), (cough)...never lost a fight before." She recomposed herself as she gripped her side.
"So then you believe me?" He asked for confirmation.
"I do. However, I still am under contract." She said as her eyes were still hostile.
"...Contract?" Natsu slowly said. He then widened his eye and had an idea. "...How much are they gonna pay you?" His Dragon Force suddenly came undone and his eye had turned back to it's normal greyish color.
"500,000 alive, 1,000,000 dead." She answered.
"A MILLION DEAD?! Geesh, they must really hate me." Natsu exclaimed. He then looked away from her and narrowed his eye. "A million huh? I can top that...but then I'll be broke...AGH, SHIT! Am I never gonna be able to just kick back?! ...Ughh.." He slowly face palmed. He then looked at her and decided. "If I gave you roughly 2,300,000, would you be willing to let me pass?" He offered.
"...You don't look like you have that kind of money." She blinked.
"I promise you. I can give you the money, but only in a couple days. If not, I will do whatever you want, charge free. Sound okay?" He offered his hand as she eyed him blankly.
"How do I know this isn't some kind of trick?" She asked.
"I can only give my word. But I promise I will, if you let me pass." He said as he awaited her response. She lowered her eyes and was debating in her mind how to proceed.
"..."
"..."
"...You said you did not want to fight me." She began to say. "Why?"
"I want to understand why we were all on that list. I only understand a fraction of what Lost Dragon Slayers are, even though I am one of them. I've only been searching for a dragon, but the thought of there being dragon slayers out there that are the same as me? I wouldn't mind taking a detour from my present goal." He simply explained.
"...In my eyes, you are a legitimate Lost Dragon Slayer. Very well Natsu Dranigon. I shall let you proceed to retrieve the little one." She sighed. "However if you are lying to me..I will make it a priority to kill every member of Fairy Tail down to the last member.." She threatened.
"Come by the guild hall in two days. I'll have it waiting for you." Natsu said, ignoring her threat. He was about to walk past her but she gripped his shoulder. "Hm?" He turned his head to her.
"Do not underestimate Oracion Seis. Especially Brain." She warned him. "He's hiding it well, but he has quite an amount of magic swelling inside of him."
"Thanks for the tip." He nodded.
"You really intend on fighting them?" She asked.
"Fighting?" He suddenly stopped. He then turned back with a furrowed look. "I think you misunderstood me. I am going to send them all straight to oblivion. Along with anyone who stands in my way." He had a slight dark look for a moment and just walked away. "See you in a couple days, Treya Duella." He waved and proceeded towards Wendy and her captors. Treya just watched his retreating back and a thought entered her mind.
"Black jacket, a snow white scarf, and salmon colored hair..One-Eyed Dragon..huh?"
She proceeded in the opposite direction of him fading into the shadows of the trees.
Hope it was okay! Read/Review/Rate!
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