The Salamander

by ScarletWebWarrior06

There a group of people who are not like average humans. They were born with extraordinary abilities, Natsu Dragneel is one of these people born with powers. After tragedy strikes one fateful night he learns to control his powers so that he may become Magnolia's own vigilante: The Salamander.

42. Fairy Tail vs Sabertooth Part Three!

Chapter 42: Fairy Tail vs Sabertooth Part Three: Duel of Queens!

"Hey that was a jerk move! This is between me and that guy!" Orga whined as he emerged from the pile of rubble that he had been thrown into by Laxus' sudden appearance. He pointed straight at Gajeel who struggled to stay on his feet, he was wobbling back and forth, but despite his injuries he stood tall next to the blonde male who was staring Orga down.

"I'm afraid that's where you are wrong...this is between Fairy Tail, and Sabertooth….and you chose the wrong side." Laxus cracked his neck and threw his jacket that was draped around his shoulders onto the floor. He unbuttoned the cuffs of his purple button up shirt and rolled up his sleeves.

"Pfft, you got no idea what you're talking about. You losers are on the wrong side! Sabertooth shall be standing victoriously by the end of the night!" Orga announced proudly with his arms outstretched.

"Enough talking. Let's get this thing started!" Gajeel snapped.

"I second that." Laxus agreed and without a second passing from when the words left his mouth he sped over to Orga. Moving so fast his body itself seemed to have transformed into a bolt of lightning. Orga backed up in shock as Laxus reappeared directly in front of him and delivered a strong knee to his gut. Orga backed up nursing his midsection as Gajeel wasted no time going for the follow-up attack. His hand morphed into a metal boxing glove as he leapt into the air and delivered a strong uppercut to the chin of Orga. Orga groaned and was lifted off his feet Laxus seized the opportunity of Orga being airborn to grab the Sabertooth meathead by the face and spike him hard onto the metal flooring. Lifting his large fist with electricity swarming around it Laxus punched downwards making contact with Orga's face.

"Alright bucket head, let's wrap this up…" Laxus muttered and picked up the large man who was dazed. Gajeel nodded and transformed his fist into a large baseball bat. Laxus shoved Orga forward as Gajeel swung the large weapon and smoked Orga sending him crashing into a wall out cold.

"Looks like a home run to me….gihee!" A cocky grin was plastered on Gajeel's face, Laxus just sighed and ran his hand through his spikey blonde hair.

"Lame." The lightning dragon yawned, Gajeel just glared at him as the larger man began to walk away.

"HEY! GET BACK HERE! THAT WAS GOLD!" Gajeel chased Laxus leaving the knocked out Orga behind and unlikely to be waking up anytime soon. So far two members of Sabertooth had been taken out, but while Rufus and Orga had been taken out Sabertooth still had their aces still waiting in the wings. So while Gray, and the Thunder Legion were searching for the guildhall soon to be joined by Laxus as well as Gajeel. Two of their fellow Fairies found themselves with their hands full. For starters the redheaded armored swordswoman found herself in the dead center in a large courtyard.

"Natsu! Gray! Where are you two?!" She called out into the quiet night sky. There was no response, but a strong gust of wind that caused her long hair to wave through the air. Erza grew uneasy, glancing to her left she saw a large empty park letting out a sigh. She turned on her heels and began walking down the path leading to the large park, the sidewalk barely illuminated by the tall lamps that circled a pond in the center of the park. She was about to walk through a break in the trees that the path tore through. As she was growing increasingly closer to the pond her uneasiness began to grow. The metallic clanging of her armor rattling with every step she took. Her iron boots made loud noises as they came in contact with the sidewalk beneath them. A loud crack of thunder rumbled in the night sky followed by another strong gust of wind that blew her bangs off her face. A few droplets of rain bounced off her head.

"Where exactly am I?...How did I end up here?" Erza questioned out loud as her eyes alertedly flickered in every direction, always prepared to take any action if she saw something she viewed as a threat. Her hand tightened into a ball ready to summon one of her swords at a moment's notice. Suddenly the sound of a stick cracking caused her to stop in her tracks and look over her shoulder into the cluster of trees next to the trail she was following. A blinding white light flashed by her hand and in a second she was clutching a one-handed sword tightly.

"Who's there?!" She called out, another rumble of thunder was the only reply she received. Despite her growing nerves she remained calm, gripping the hilt of her sword tighter she slowly stepped towards the trees.

"I wouldn't waste my time looking in there sweetie, it was probably some rodent….the real threat is right behind you…" A smooth femine voice came in the direction of the pond. Erza whipped her head to face the direction the voice had come from. She found herself staring at a woman in a blue cheongsam with a leg slit that revealed her left thigh. She had makeup on her face that really only consisted of dark purple lipstick, and blue eyeshadow. Her long silky black hair was laid flat down with two buns on either side of the top of her head. She sat cross legged on a picnic table's bench smiling darkly at Erza.

"And who exactly are you?!" Erza snapped and pointed her sword at the woman's direction. The woman hid her mouth behind her hand as a chuckle escaped her lips. She carried herself like royalty, that much was obvious just by her posture and demeanor alone.

"If you must know, my name is Minerva Orland, daughter of Jiemma, Orland master of Sabertooth so I suppose that makes me the Queen of Tigers….and you are the famous Titania...Queen of the Fairies. Please take a seat." She motioned her hand towards the opposite bench on the other side of the picnic table she was sitting at, looking closer the redhead saw a chessboard set up on the table.. Erza glared at the woman who was grinning back at her, not moving an inch.

"If you are with Sabertooth, that makes you my enemy. I intend to get my vengeance for what your guild did to my comrades." Erza deadpanned and prepared herself to pounce. She pointed the tip of her blade towards Minerva who wasn't phased in the slightest. Minerva chuckled and snapped her fingers as Erza began to move towards her. In an instant four shadowy figures emerged from the woods that surrounded them. Erza stopped in her tracks and looked in every direction as the four men began to walk closer to her, she was surrounded.

"Oh dear, I suppose it wasn't a rodent after all….now Titana, I do believe I asked you to take a seat, it would be upsetting if you don't join me…" A dark smirk flashed on Minerva's face that told Erza that she was someone who she didn't want to upset. Letting out a sigh and glancing at the four men surrounding her briefly, Erza decided to lower her sword before it vanished in a bright white flash. Carefully and all too aware of the eyes of Minerva's back up watching her every move, the redhead approached the self titled Queen of Tigers who tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and grinned maliciously at her. Erza uneasily sat on the opposing side of the table across from Minerva as she sat the four bodyguards slowly stalked over to the table, but halted upon the hand of Minerva being lifted into the air.

"I won't be needing you anymore, scram." She snapped her fingers a few times causing the men to look at each other.

"M'lady are you sure?"

"Yeah, we can stay, it won't be a problem!" Two of them protested, causing Minerva to roll her eyes.

"I said….scram." Minerva spoke calmly, but the dark expression on her face almost dared the men to talk back to her. Swallowing the lump in their throats they all bowed their heads in unison.

"Yes ma'am."

"Understood." They soon turned and walked back into the woods where they had come from. Once they were out of sight Minerva sighed before smirking.

"That's better, now that we are alone can I interest you in some tea?" Minerva offered Erza a small glass of steaming liquid. Erza held her hand in front of her and shook her head in rejection. Minerva frowned and simply dumped out the contents of the drink.

"No thanks, I don't really like tea….I'm curious though...who were those men?"

"Huh?" Minerva quirked an eyebrow at Erza as she lowered the glass that she had been sipping from.

"Oh them? Nobody important….I don't even know their names, they are just some chumps that are in my guild." Minerva replied nonchalantly. Erza's expression darkened, as she studied Minerva's movements carefully. The woman reached her slender arm forward and grabbed a pawn from her side of the chessboard and moved it.

"Your move…" Minerva winked, but Erza just glared at the woman.

"You don't know the names of people in your own guild? And you call yourself a Queen?" Erza scoffed, after a second of silence she glanced at the chessboard and moved one of her own pawns.

"Oh please, like you know the names of every single person in your own pitiful guild." Minerva rolled her eyes and moved another chess piece.

"As a matter of fact, it is something I pride myself on." Erza shot back as she moved another one of her pawns into position, Minerva stifled a chuckle.

"How naive….do you want to know why I brought you here dear Titana?..." The question left her mouth the second she placed another one of her wooden pawns where she wanted it.

"I'm assuming it wasn't just for a cup of tea and a game of chess." Erza muttered while moving her knight into play. A move that Minerva watched carefully.

"You would be correct, in all honesty it's because I have heard all about you. Over the past few months we have been gathering intel on potential threats to our guild, your guild never really came onto our radar as a threat. There was never anyone we viewed as strong enough so we merely brushed you under the rug. With the exception of a few others there were only two people who stood out that we remained cautious about, Laxus Dreyer before he vanished off the face of the Earth, and of course you." Setting a piece down onto the board she looked up at Erza with a smile that Erza was put in a state of unease by.

"Stood out in what way?" Erza questioned not bothering to make a move in the game in front of her, instead her eyes remained locked on Minerva.

"I'm sure you know by now your reputation precedes you, even here in the capital city the tales of Titana are common knowledge. My personal favorite was when you saved that entire city from some sort of trick that made them think they were monsters."

"What's your point?" Erza snapped.

"My point is that it is my job to make sure my guild is as strong as it possibly can be. With the exception of Sting and Rogue who were at the guild before I arrived, I have been responsible for bringing in promising recruits. Some make the cut, some don't. I would be a fool if I didn't see the potential in having you as an ally…..it's your turn by the way." Minerva directed her head down at the chessboard. Erza just sat there stunned.

"You mean to tell me….after you and your guild attacked my friends….my family! You expect me to willingly join you? Sorry to disappoint, but I would rather drop dead." Erza harshly clapped back as she moved another one of her pawns on the board. Minerva's smile slowly fell into a frown.

"How disappointing….check." Minerva muttered as she moved her rook into a position that could end their game.

"You know for someone who calls themself a Queen….you sure don't act like it." Erza stated as she moved her queen piece to take out the rook. Minerva scoffed.

"Oh please, spare me the lecture….like you are one to talk anyway, instead of sending your pawns to do the fighting you would rather risk your own life for no good reason...what would happen to your kingdom without their Queen? That is the very reason I let the weaker member of my guild do my bidding...I only take action when I intend to set an example...like I did with that pathetic blonde with no powers that your guild had." Erza's blood curdled at the mention of Lucy.

"I prefer to lead my guild through my actions, after all we are a guild...not a kingdom, the purpose of the guild is to grow stronger through the shared bonds. No matter if they have powers or not, anyone in the guild can be strong in their own way. The so-called pathetic blonde you blindsided is stronger than you could even imagine." Erza glared at Minerva, their game left forgotten as the two women just darkly stared at the other.

"And that's why your guild is weak….you take in literal trash off the streets, what good would some frail girl do in a real battle, you may think strength is found in hard work, and love, and all of that garbage your friend who attacked my father was spewing, but in reality nothing beats natural talent and true leadership. I rule my guild like my father, with an iron fist, if you cannot prove yourself worthy then you have no use in my presence and that is why we have total control of this city while you are hiding in the shadows….the citizens of Crocus know not to mess with Sabertooth, and if they owe us anything they know they need to pay up….that's what true strength gets you. We rule over this city with an iron fist, and it is my father's goal to soon rule over all of Fiore one day…" Minerva moved another chess piece into a position to put Erza's king in check.

"Fear. That's all it is, the people of this city only fear you, but the thing about fear is it is easily overcome. The reason the people who live in Magnolia don't fear Fairy Tail is, because we don't want them to. The whole purpose of our guild is to make the citizens of Magnolia feel safe, whether or not they know who we are. We don't believe that because we were born different we have a right to lord over those without powers. That's why I don't sit behind nameless soldiers, because everyone in my guild has a name, and I care about them. I care about my city, and I will help them through action that will be mirrored by the rest of my friends." Erza retorted and slid her queen piece across the board.

"Checkmate." Erza stated bluntly, causing a low rumble to escape Minerva's throat. Her fists tightened briefly before she took a deep breath and smiled fakely.

"It's a shame we disagree, together we would have been unbeatable…..but I see you are too steadfast in your beliefs to see reality, true strength lies in unfathomable power….perhaps you simply need a demonstration of how wrong your views are…." Erza raised an eyebrow as Minerva slowly raised her hand and snapped her fingers. The very second the clicking sound echoed in the night sky, the four men from before emerged from the woods in a hurry. Erza rose to her feet as they soon circled around the table.

"Get her." Minerva commanded as she sipped on her tea. Erza's eyes narrowed and instantly the four men closed their circle in. They all shielded their eyes as Erza's entire body was encased in the familiar blinding light. When it faded she was standing in the middle of them wearing her samurai like armor while dual-wielding katanas. A loud crack of thunder rumbled in the air and rain began to fall on them. Nobody made a move with the exception of Minerva who sat cross-legged sipping on her tea. Erza slid her bare feet across the damp park grass as the men around her began to step closer to her.

"So, you'd rather sit by and watch your own guildmates get hurt than show me your unfathomable power yourself….now I know for sure we would not have been a good fit, I despise the way your guild works…." Erza muttered, ignoring the henchmen closing in on her and staying focused on Minerva as she sat watching on with a smile on her face.

"Don't talk to her like that!" One of the men snapped at Erza and held out his arm in an instant his arm transformed into a large lobster claw. He rushed towards Erza and attempted to try and pinch Erza in half. She flipped out of the way, landing on her feet behind the man she attempted to speed at him, but another of the men teleported from where he had been standing right in front of Erza who backed off to avoid his punch.

"I got this!" A third man shouted and flexed his fingers causing his nails to grow into large sharp claws. He surged at Erza who used her swords to parry a wild slash of his claws. While she was busy blocking she missed the fourth and final man whose body seemed to be made out of rubber stretch his arms to wrap around her torso.

"What the?!" Erza exclaimed as the rubber man stretched his arms to an unbelievably long length as he rose her into the rainy night air. Once he had her up to the height of a skyscraper he unwrapped his arms around her causing her to plummet down to the ground below.

"Grrr, nice tricks….my turn!" Erza snapped as she was falling, her body once again flashed in a bright white light and a mere second later she was in her Heaven's Wheel armor instantly she stopped falling thanks to the metal wings of the armor. Instead of the katanas two normal swords with wings as the cross guards were in both of her hands. She flew down to the ground gracefully and just before reaching the ground she transformed her armor again into her cheetah armor. The teleporting henchman attempted to catch her off guard but thanks to the speed her armor gave her she was able to incapacitate the man just as he appeared behind her with a swift smack of the hilt of her sword.

"Not so fast! We still have some more tricks up our sleeves as well!" The man with the lobster claw shouted at her. He crouched down on all fours causing his lobster claw to change, as did the rest of his body. A howl escaped his lips as he transformed into a wolf before Erza's eyes. While she was focused on the man transforming she failed to spot the man with claws charging at her from behind, she let out a pain filled grunt as his razor sharp claws pierced her back. She fell to a knee, allowing the rubber man to morph his hand into a large mallet he hit her with such a force that Erza was sent flying across the park and crashed into the gross, fish-filled pond in the center of the park. Minerva chuckled at that sight before continuing to sip on her tea.

"Get her fido." She commanded the shape-shifter who nodded his head, before he sped towards the pond. The wolf ran on all fours at a blistering speed before leaping high in the air, and transforming into a great white shark as he entered the pond. Erza was struggling for air when she saw the shark swimming towards her quickly. She gripped her sword tightly, and as the shape-shifter grew nearer to her. His large shark jaw unhinged widely allowing Erza to get a glimpse of the several rows of pointy teeth. Her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her mouth causing air bubbles to escape and fill her throat with water, despite gagging due to her lack of oxygen she was still able to keep her attention fixed on the shark swimming hastily at her. Attempting to maneuver herself out of his way she found it nearly impossible to swim fast enough to avoid him. Closing her eyes tightly the pond was filled with a white flash of light leaving Erza in yet another suit of armor, it was primarily green scales that left a ton of her skin exposed, a crown with fish fins was placed on top of her head. Thanks to her newly equipped sea empress armor, she was able to dodge the shape-shifter as the loud clamping noise of his jaw closing echoed through the water.

"Nice try, but I'll get you this time!" The shape-shifter growled but Erza smirked and hovered in place as the shark made a U-turn and darted straight at her, Erza summoned her wind god sword and waited until the shark was right in front of her with his jaw wide open. Erza swung the sword causing a large gust of wind to blow the shark back with enough force that he was actually launched out of the water, crashing into a nearby tree which collapsed upon contact, he reverted into his normal human state knocked totally out cold.

"Holy crap!" The rubber man exclaimed while staring wide eyed at his guildmate who had been shot out of the water like a rocket. His head spun around like an owl's as he heard Erza leap out of the water, no longer clad in her sea empress armor, instead she was wearing her samurai outfit once again wielding dual katanas.

"Come on, she can't take us both at once!" The man with claws shouted and surged at her.

"Right!" The rubber guy seconded and sprinted towards Erza who stood still despite the two men closing in on either side of her. Gripping her katanas tightly she waited patiently for the men to be in striking distance.

"Oh no you don't." Erza snapped and blocked a slash from the claws of the man who had reached her first, the man struggled to gain dominance in their lock-up. While this was happening the rubber man attempted to attack Erza from behind, but she was ready for it. He grew his fist to the size of a small car, he attempted to strike Erza with the large fist, but she saw it coming and flipped out of the way. Instead of punching Erza, the rubber man sent his friend flying through the air and landing through a picnic table.

"SHIT! SORRY BRO!" The man shrieked placing his hands on the top of his head. Erza grinned and used his distraction to slash at his back with her katana. He yelped at the large cut that formed on his back and fell to his knees. Erza quickly smacked him with the hilt of her sword knocking him too out cold. He fell face first into the muddy ground as another loud roar of thunder sounded in the night's sky. Rain was pouring down onto her as she slowly turned to look at Minerva who was still sitting at her picnic table. She was clapping smugly and slowly rose from her searing position.

"Impressive….perhaps you are even better than I had thought….but..." In a second Minerva had vanished and reappeared behind Erza.

"Still not good enough…" She muttered in Erza's ear. The redhead began turning around, but Minerva's hand began to glow the colors of the rainbow. A cocky smirk formed on her lips as a strange purple aura flickered around Erza who looked down at her arms hesitantly. She attempted to swing her sword at Minerva, but found she was unable to move her body at all.

"What's going on?" Erza groaned while struggling to move her arms forward.

"My powers grant me the ability to control space itself….including people, how do you think you got here….I simply willed it that way….now, would you like a demonstration of what I can really do?" Minerva grinned and slowly closed her hand into a tight ball causing the purple glowing force that was preventing Erza from moving to squeeze her tightly. A groan escaped Erza's mouth as the tightness squeezing her body was preventing her from even breathing. Minerva then haphazardly flung her arm in a direction that caused Erza to be sent flying across the park. Erza flew right into a large oak tree that exploded and fell. Erza winced in pain as she crashed into the ground. Struggling to get up she found herself staring down at the blue high heels that Minerva was wearing, slowly looking up she found Minerva grinning wickedly down at her. Raising her leg above Erza's back she stomped down on Erza's spine who was seriously regretting not wearing one of her armors instead of the bandage wrapping, as Minerva had used enough force that the pointy heel of her shoe pierced Erza's back impaling her and drawing blood that trickled down her back.

"ACK!" Erza cried out as Minerva lifted her leg and once again stomped down onto her spine once again hard enough that it stabbed through Erza's skin. Minerva cackled wickedly.

"I seriously thought you were worthy of joining Sabertooth?!...God it's so sad that you are your guild's strongest….you are all so pathetic, why did I bother wasting my time with any of you?!" Minerva laughed as she noticed one of Erza's katanas that had been launched out of her hands as she crashed into the large tree that was now collapsed on the ground. Holding out her hand the sword suddenly appeared in her hand. Erza struggled to get back up to her feet groaning, but Minerva simply pressed down onto her back harder causing her heel to go deeper into Erza's back. The redhead cried out and fell back down onto the muddy ground. Minerva studied the blade carefully before hovering the sharp point above Erza's leg.

"Let's hear those cries…." Minerva muttered maliciously before lowering the katana down piercing Erza's leg causing the woman to scream out in pain leading to more wicked laughs coming from the Queen of Tigers. She pulled the blade out of Erza's leg agonizingly slowly while laughing the whole time.

"Pathetic, I can't believe that you of all people are Fairy Tail's ace!" She quipped and hovered the sword of Erza's other leg, but as she was about to lower it Erza began chuckling causing Minerva to stop in her tracks.

"What's so funny?" She hissed, Erza just looked up at her with a smirk.

"It's funny that you think that I am the strongest person in Fairy Tail….I think you should have done a little more time in your research before you started a war with us….because I am nowhere near the strongest…." Erza smirked despite her pain. Minerva just scoffed.

"I was wrong about you….to think I saw you as a Queen when it's obvious you are a pathetic pawn just like the rest of your guild!" Minerva snapped and brought the blade down onto Erza's other leg, but instead of a cry the only thing that left Erza's mouth was another chuckle.

"My guild is not pathetic….far from it…..in fact dare I say we are stronger than you could ever imagine….there are more than two people you should have been interested in….for starters there is Gray Fullbuster, Mirajane Strauss, Juvia Lockser , Gajeel Redfox. All three of them I see as near equals….then there is Laxus who you mentioned earlier…." While she was talking she slowly began to rise back up to her feet which left Minerva stunned.

"Laxus is without a doubt one of our more capable members, but he too isn't the strongest…..another name that comes to mind is a dear friend of mine. Natsu, the very same person who attacked your father without hesitation. Sure he may not be the strongest, but I can guarantee you one thing…..if you upset him in any way he will not back down until you are defeated…..you see I've seen him overcome adversity over adversity….he draws power from his enemies like a bottomless well….increasing his strength throughout the entirety of the fight….and you made the mistake of putting the person he loved in a hospital bed…..I don't envy whoever he is up against…." Minerva scoffed as Erza was able to push her off and stand up completely, the katana that was impaled in her leg flashed white and vanished.

"So what? None of them hold a candle to me, or my entire guild! You are all weak!" Minerva snapped and held out her fists causing glowing balls of rainbow colored energy to form around them. Erza just smirked.

"Wrong again. I simply told you that as a warning…like I said before you think of the members of your guild as instruments to use at your will, but that is what makes you weak. I view everyone in my guild as an equal, our bond makes us stronger….strong enough to get up despite our pain! Strong enough to fight when our back is against the wall, and strong enough to beat whoever stands against us!" One last time Erza's beaten up and bloodied body was covered by a bright flash of light and soon she was standing across from Minerva in her nakagami armor. Clutching her halberd tightly glaring at Minerva who stood there in shock before holding out her hands and sending a large blast at Erza who made no effort to avoid the attack. Instead she took it head on causing a large explosion that echoed throughout the rainy night's sky. When the smoke cleared Minerva's eyes widened as Erza was standing there completely unfazed by the attack.

"It's time we end this." Erza muttered darkly and sped forward slashing the halberd at Minerva who rose her arms to block the attack.

"NAKAGAMI…..STARLIGHT!" Erza shouted as she slashed the weapon creating a large, devastating blast that sent Minerva spiraling through the air, her clothes shredding and cracking the ground upon impact with it. Minerva groaned and spat out blood, struggling to move, but it was no use. She had lost.

"No….this…..is…..impossible….." She coughed out as she attempted to get up. Tears soon flooded her eyes partially out of pain and partly out of shame.

"I am a Queen….how could I lose…" Minerva cried out, tears ran down her face smudging her makeup. Erza just glared down at her.

"It's simple really, you messed with the wrong guild….I may not be the strongest of my guild….but like Natsu, I refuse to lose to people who have done wrong against those I care about….." Erza requipped into her standard armor as she was talking and looked into the night sky. Minerva's sobs filled the air between them, before Erza spoke up again.

"One more thing….I'm not Fairy Tail's ace…..that title belongs to someone else….someone who even I am afraid of….and I'm sure once he finds out what happened, he too will be coming to settle the score…."

Erza looked down sympathetically at the daughter of Sabertooth's master before sighing and walking away from her. Sure enough a figure was now arriving in the city of Crocus. His raggedy coat flapped in the wind as he stepped off a bus. Running a hand through his slicked back orange hair a sigh escaped his lips.

Chapter 43: Fairy Tail vs Sabertooth Part Four: Three Dragons, Reprise!

SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT ON THIS CHAPTER! I'LL TRY TO HAVE THE NEXT ONE UP SOON! LOVE Y'ALL!

Q: Uh-oh! It's raining….will Natsu be alright in his upcoming fight?