The Pursuit of Family

Chapter 5

Natsu vs. Gajeel

Note: Happy birthday and beware the ides of March.

"Gajeel!" Levy screamed out his name and he dropped from the balcony.

"What are you doing here?" Natsu took another step forward.

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"Taking care of some business. I can see that the whole guild is here. What's going on?"

"I don't think you need to know that at this point in time. What kind of business are you talking about?"

"Jeez, calm down. I was just tying up some loose ends."

"Loose ends?!" Natsu clenched his fists and was about to lunge right at Gajeel when all of a sudden, the Raven Tail building collapsed. The whole thing turned to rubble in seconds and everyone was completely speechless. Even Natsu didn't really know what to say.

"Yeah, they've been causing a lot of trouble lately so I decided to help Master out by destroying them."

"So you're still loyal to Gramps?"

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Natsu didn't respond.

"It's just that everyone went their separate ways when Master disbanded the guild. When we found out your location, we were worried that you might have turned." He looked at Levy who still had quite the worried look on her face.

"Gehe. There's nothing to worry about. I still believe in Fairy Tail. See?" He showed the group is right shoulder and they all saw his crest. "I thought I made it clear that I'm one of you guys."

"We just needed to make sure."

"Uh huh. And why are you here?"

"If what you say is true, you'll understand why I'm bringing the guild back together."

"Gehe. How many more are left? Four… just the big names left."

"Perfect. We're that much closer."

"So come on. We're on a tight schedule." The group turned around and to head on to the next target when another voice came around.

"Gajeel, are we done here?" Natsu turned around to see Lily with them.

"Oi, Salamander. Rumors been going around that you're now the strongest being on the continent." Natsu was confused. He's never heard of that rumor once. All that time he spent wandering the world, nothing was heard about that. "Is that true?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"It's been on my mind lately. We haven't decided which one of us is stronger. I think now would be a good time to find out." Gajeel, all of a sudden, lowered his body and had a huge smile on his face. "How about it? Let's see who the strongest Dragon is now?" Natsu bowed his head and turned slightly.

"Gajeel, I didn't come for that. I came for you. The guild needs you. We're almost done at bringing everyone back together. Don't slow us down because of something involving the past. We've all moved on. I think it's time for you to do the same. Let's go." He turned around and headed out. However, Gajeel didn't budge. He simply grinned as Natsu's attention was no longer on him.

"Tetsuryuukon!" He launched his pole right at Natsu. The group heard his voice increase in volume which made them turn around to see him attacking Natsu.

"Natsu, watch out!" In the blink of an eye, Natsu turned around and redirected his attack to the side. No one spoke. He managed to deflect his attack with such speed, and he didn't even use his flames to do it.

"Gajeel, enough playing around. We need to get this done."

"Not until we decide who's the strongest."

"Gajeel, please! We need you. Don't be so childish!"

"Gehe. Is it childish to walk away from a destined fight?" Natsu stuck out his arm in front of Levy. "That's right. Let's finish our long-awaited fight."

"Natsu."

"Don't make me do this, Gajeel."

"Gehe, I've waited so long for this moment." Without saying any more, Gajeel's body turned to iron as that smirk was still on his face as if he was joking the entire time. "Tetsuryuu no Houko!" the roar of iron came right at Natsu. Without moving from where he stood, he stuck out his arms into the breath attack. Then, he spread his arms outwards, dispersing his attack into nothingness. "Hm, not bad. I guess it's time to get serious." Gajeel came charging at Natsu with his arm in the shape of a sword. "Here I come, Salamander!"

Gajeel swung at his head and then at his feet, but Natsu was fast enough to avoid each of his strikes. For those who were watching, they couldn't believe what was happening. To them, it seemed like Natsu was trying to avoid fighting. He wasn't summoning any flames or attempting to go on the offensive. He simply avoided Gajeel's attacks.

"Tetsuryuusou: Kishin!" Multiple spears came launching right at Natsu. Again, he refused to move. However, this time, it was different. He managed to block every single one of Gajeel's attacks without suffering even a scratch. Gajeel retracted his spears and saw Natsu completely out of it. He gritted his teeth and called him out. "What the hell is wrong with you?! You've always been the one to fight. If you don't want to fight, I'll just have to make you." Everyone gasped as Gajeel started to transform in the Shadow Iron Dragon.

"Gajeel, are you crazy?! You don't need to do this. Please stop!"

"No. The time to decide which of us is stronger is now. And if the Salamander doesn't want to fight, it's his loss." Once his transformation was over, he disappeared into the shadows. The ones who were watching tried their best to track down where he was, but it was worthless. When he was in his shadow form, there was no telling where he might be. They looked back at Natsu who was still standing still.

Out of nowhere, a black slash came from below him, but Natsu dodged it with ease. Another came for his head and then back down towards his feet, but Natsu was too quick. By now, everyone was wondering if Natsu was even going to fight. Attack after attack, nothing was able to hit Natsu and Gajeel was growing angrier and angrier. Finally, he regained his form and stood right in front of Natsu.

"Try to withstand this. Tetsueuiryuu no Houko!" The huge flash of iron and shadow came plummeting right at Natsu.

After seeing what happening when he used this during the Grand Magic Games, everyone was wary about it. They started to shake as it grew closer and closer towards Natsu. As it was right within reach, Natsu lit his body on fire and flew right into the breath. Immediately, the light from his flames were engulfed by Gajeel's breath attack which made everyone started to worry. After a few seconds, another surprise came about. Natsu emerged right in front of Gajeel, completely unscathed by his breath attack.

"Impossible."

"Karyuu no Tekken!" He punched Gajeel right in the gut, sending him rolling into the debris of Raven Tail. As they watched him crash, Natsu's body returned to normal. They then looked over at Gajeel who was struggling to get back up. His hand was on his stomach for it did much more damage than he anticipated. "Shatter."

"Huh?" Gajeel looked down and saw his iron scales start to crack.

"That's impossible." At that same instance, the iron scales shattered and caused Gajeel to fall backwards in pain. "Aaaahhhhhh!" Natsu turned his head to avoid seeing his defeat. Levy was the first one to run to Gajeel's aid. After a few seconds, everyone made their ways to Nastu and Gajeel as the fight was officially over.

"Gajeel, are you okay?" He looked at Levy who was holding his hand. He then saw Nastu peek out from behind her. It was strange. Gajeel appreciated the way Natsu looked at him. It was a look of care and sincerity. There was no sign of happiness or victorious stature. He simply stuck out his hand.

"You ready to bring this guild back together." Gajeel did his best to sit up. He then looked up at Natsu and gave him a smirk.

"If it's under you, I'd be more than willing to do so." He took his hand and pulled him off the ground.

"It's good to see you again."

"Natsu!" He turned around to see two people running at them. He squinted his eyes and slowly started to realize who they were.

"Lisanna?"

End of Chapter 6