With Natsu running away and seeing as he had no intention to coming back, Gildarts told Gray and Elfman to bring the girls to the infirmary so that they could get some rest, while he went after the Dragon Slayer, Who even though had a good head start was easy to find due to all destruction that he left in his wake and after 10 minutes of constant running, Gildarts found the young boy on the shore of a small lake curved up like a ball while crying loudly.
Seeing the boy, that he come to think as his own son, like this hurt Gildarts, so he did like any father would do, he approached the crying boy slowly making sure not to startle him.
"Natsu, are you okay?" Gildarts asked softly trying to somewhat calm the Dragon Slayer who hearing his voice quickly turn towards him with his eyes wide in fear.
"G-G-Gildarts? What are you doing here? Are Mira and Erza okay? I-I didn't kill them, did I?" Natsu quickly asked in fear as he looked the man who approached him in complete and utter fear, not for his life, but for those 2 that he fought not even 10 minutes ago and unleashed his mid-tier Secret Art in rage.
"Don't worry about them Natsu, they are just knocked out and a bit burned, but they will recover soon, those girls are tough as nails. Though I'm surprised that you are worried about the 2 girls that tortured you, if you will. I thought that you would be happy now that you showed them that you are not to be messed with." Gildarts said in a calm manner as he took a seat beside Natsu while putting his hand on the shoulder of the Young Dragon Slayer bringing him closer to him.
"I'm never happy at hurting people Gildarts, hell my father Igneel even said that today's enemy could be your friend tomorrow, and he was right, there was a small drake that I would constantly fight but after a few fights we become friends, though I don't know what happened to him, since I can't sense him anywhere. But even when I tried to be nice to them both, I was still bullied and insulted. Even I have my breaking point and those 2 with that popsicle just pushed it over the edge. That is why I challenge them to a battle. Not to kill them, but to just let them know that they can have their way with me like with others. Even though my main objective was Gray, in the end, it may be better than it was those 2." Natsu told the Crush while still crying at the thought of almost killing the 2 if Gildarts didn't rush in to stop his attack.
"But why did you use your Secret Art then when Mira blasted you away?" Gildarts questioned as he wanted to know all the while making 2 fishing poles for them to fish and to pass the time, though if he was honest with himself, he would have done the same.
"Because she used her full force! I can take her easily on if I wanted to, or was forced, but she and Erza attacked me when I decreased my power and defense. Had it not been for my natural resilience and my harder skin I would have been dead Gildarts!" Natsu shouted as Gildarts eyes widen at hearing that. Before Natsu forcefully took the fishing pole from Gildarts and swing it towards the lake.
"B-but I thought that when you unsealed your seals your defense and offense were also increased? How could you have died?" Gildarts said a bit shaken by the news of his surrogate son possible death at the hands of two pissed girls.
"Easy, the seal for power is indeed to seal my true power but is more like a cloak to mask it so I don't have unwanted people after my power. When I unlocked it, I gain my full power back, but unlike some, I can still lower my power and that is what I did after I finished and started to walk away. When Mira was about to blast me, I put forth my defense to the max to survive the sudden point-blank blast and that pissed me off. So, I used one of my Secret Art attacks. I was so furious not because of the attack but because of the way they attacked me, with my back and power turned. And I was still holding back in our fight not to kill them." Natsu explained it getting a nod from the Ace of Fairy Tail. Who knew that Natsu still had a lot more power and spells to fight even himself?
"Well... enough of that! Since we are here why not fish and talk about something else...how about...that a certain white hair demon is in your thoughts more and more?" Gildarts said with a sly smirk as it grew when he saw a shocked Natsu. Though not a second later he was sent flying a bit by a sudden fire fist to his cheek courtesy of an embarrassed Pink haired Dragon Slayer.
"Hahaha... I knew it hahaha..." Gildarts laughed as he returned back with a small burn on his cheek which he ignored as it was nothing.
"H-how?" Was the only question that was on Natsu's mind as he looked at him.
"Easy, you forget that I know you very well and you talking about her in your sleep does help you, you know." Gildarts cheekily said as Natsu tended to regularly stay at his place until he finds his place to live and gets a grip with the civilization, of course, Gildarts was more than happy to have Natsu as a company since it gave them both a father-son relationship that both didn't have. Though before he could add a bit cheekier words, he was forced to dodge a Fire roar and a few spears of fire thrown his way.
"Wow someone is embarrassed huh. Well, I can't say I don't know the feeling, she is attractive even for a teen. Well if you don't want her, I can always wait a few more years to try my luck." Gildarts taunted as he saw Natsu getting red with anger and embarrassed.
"That is it! You are dead man Gildarts!" Natsu shouted as he charged at Gildarts who grinned and charged at Natsu. Which resulted in a huge explosion.
XXXX
Back at the Guild things were extremely quiet, which in Master Makarov opinion was very foreign. But he knew why, and honestly even he didn't expect the fight to be so one-sided, even with Mira and Erza going almost all out, but then again Natsu was also going serious and the result was clear. The utter destruction of 2 girls, who clearly pissed off the young slayer. But what confused him, was that even though the attack produced so much heat there weren't that much burn marks on the two. Which he decided to see what did Natsu do, but that line of thoughts was interrupted by a shaking of the ground and followed up by a huge explosion.
As soon as everyone felt and heard the explosion everyone rushed outside of the Guild to see what was happening only to see a huge firestorm emerging from the forest south of Magnolia and what made some members even more concerned was that it was in that direction that Natsu run off to and was followed by Gildarts, and boy did some paled at the thought of those 2 fighting.
Though before they could move, they heard a gasp and a loud shout going from the Guild's infirmary that made some sprint to see what happened only to see that both Erza and Mira were awake and all right, though slightly bruised and a bit confused.
"Dears, how are you?" Makarov asked in a soft and gentle tone as he approached the two girls.
"Uh what happened and why are we here?" Asked Erza as she tried to recall why was she in the infirmary and why do both she and Mirajane looked like they just got hit by a train.
"Yeah, Master I would also like to know." Mirajane added as she looked at the small Master who steadied himself for a bit.
"Well, you two fought Natsu and lost, though at the end you Mirajane took a bit too much pleasure at wanting a payback, that you almost killed him if he didn't quickly put up his defense. So, in his rage, he unleashed his attack that knocked both of you out." Makarov said and like he predicted both girls were first at disbelief before they got a deadly aura around them.
"He beat both of us!" The girls shrieked in rage at the thought of a little pink haired brat beating both S candidates.
"Yes, he did, and I expect you 2 to lower your bullying of him if you don't want another beating. Since this time, I don't think I can pressure him to lower his power again like when he joined the Guild. Oh and Gray that also is applied for you. Since I don't think that Natsu is going to have any trouble in kicking your ass." Makarov sternly said as he looked at the two before he directed his stern look towards the young Ice Maker mage who gulped a bit at the thought of what Natsu would do to him if he could beat 2 monsters, though Masters face soon paled as he heard another explosion going off, but this time way closer than before.
"What was that?" Erza asked as she slowly stood up from the bed still a bit weak from the fight.
"MASTER! WE HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM!" A boy in his pre-teen shouted as he zoomed past everyone and stopped in front of Master Makarov who looked confused.
"What is the problem Jet?" The Master asked and before the boy could answer everyone heard another explosion and someone zoomed past them all the while destroying the wall.
"One more word from you Gildarts and I will use Finishing Art on you!" Natsu roared as he blasted through the wall and followed Gildarts outside.
"When you admit it to me then I will stop!" Gildarts shouted as he regained balance and sent a devastating hit towards Natsu's face, who seeing the fist infused with crash magic approaching, moved towards left only to be kicked hard by Gildarts who expected Natsu to dodge by going to the side.
Seeing as Natsu was sent flying back from where he came, Gildarts took a quick breath. This fight was so much fun and pissed off Natsu was even more fun to fight, since he knew that Natsu was really going all out and hardly holding back. But the grin that he had on his face vanished as he realized that Natsu wasn't charging at him. So, as he returned to the shattered wall, he saw that Natsu now pinned between the wall and two extremely pissed off girls, who just happen to be Mirajane and Erza who recovered enough from the fight.
And the look from the Master that he received was enough for even Gildarts to pale slightly. But his attention was quickly brought back towards his 'son' and the two girls as he saw Natsu starting to sweat a bit at the glares he received and the magic that the 2 girls produced.
"H-hey M-Mira, E-Erza, you are all right?" Natsu questioned in a scared tone as the look in both girls' eyes was enough for him to know that he was going to pay for what he did, and the smile he received from Mirajane and a harsh glare from Erza made it even more positive.
"Oh, Pinky I'm all right now, though soon I will be even better." Mirajane answered as she smiled sweetly, way to sweetly in Natsu's opinion as Mirajane's power radiated doom for him.
"Oh, we are fine, but it can't be said the same for you." Erza said in a harsh and threatening tone.
"U-um...why?" Natsu scarily said and before he knew it, both Mirajane and Erza turned to each other and nodded.
And before he could question what they were planning he felt 2 fists hit him with a lot of force, knocking him out instantly, which prompted a few to laugh, though before they could continue to laugh, everyone felt Masters power grow before they saw him holding Gildarts with a pissed of look in his gigantic hand.
"Now, since Natsu was dealt with, it's time for you Gildarts to tell me, why the hell did you two fight for, and why the hell did you two end up here, when you were in the god damn forest." Makarov growls before he then just remembered what he said, and started to pale before he quickly made his way to the front entrance of the guild to look what was left of Magnolia all the while praying that the damage was minimal all the while still holding Gildarts who as soon as he saw where Makarov was heading started to sweat and pale even more in fear.
And his fear was justified as, as soon as Makarov exited the guild his eyes went wide and white with all the damage, in short, there were only a few building left standing and those that were still standing looked like that even a slight breeze would be enough to topple them down.
"GILDARTS!" Makarov shouted as he squeezed the crash mage tightly making him squeal in fright.
"Y-y-yes master?" Gildarts shakenly asked as Makarov glared at him with so much fury that if looks could kill Gildarts knew that he would be dead 10x by now.
"You and that brat when he wakes up are going to first receive THAT, but this time it will be a lot more worse than ever before and it will be way longer! Then both of you will start doing jobs to pay for damage you caused! IS THAT CLEAR!" Makarov roared at the crash mage who could only nod in fear. While everyone that heard covered away in fear from the enraged Master.
"Good, now, onto why you two fought!?" Makarov shouted as he again glared at his Ace. Who even though was scared shitless, managed to gather enough courage to look in the master's eyes.
"Well, honestly hehe, I did provoke him into it, by telling him that he should go for the girl he likes before I make a move, hehe...ouch!" Gildarts said with a smug grin only to receive a hard toss into the wall of the building that was still barely standing effectively bringing it down.
"YOU IDIOT, WHY DID YOU DO THAT!...Wait, he likes someone? Who?" Makarov shouted again only to blink a few times before he understood the second part.
And before Gildarts could answer that question to the now crowded front of Fairy Tail Guildhall who all wanted to find out on who the Dragon Slayer had a crush o. He was again blasted away only this time by Fire. Making everyone turn to see Natsu standing at the new wall section that he broke through.
"Gildarts you say another word and you are going to receive my strongest attack!" Natsu threatened as he started to generate even more power than during his fight with the girls.
"Ouch, damn it Natsu that hurt." Gildarts said as he emerged from the ruble a bit worse for wear but not too much hurt.
"I'm warning you Gildarts!" Natsu shouted as he ignited his body on fire.
"Aww come one Pinky it can't be that bad can it?" Mirajane asked as she ignored the fire that was swirling around Natsu to bring her face right in front of his. Which prompted Natsu to step back a bit, his magic lowering just a bit not to hurt her. Which was only detected by Gildarts and Makarov, who while one grinned the other raised his eyebrow a bit at this.
"Yeah, Flame brain, you can tell us. I mean come on! Do you even know what in love is?" Gray asked in a smug voice as he grinned at Natsu who growled a bit.
"Yeah, Natsu we are all here family so you can tell us." Erza stated which prompted a few to agree on that one with her.
Seeing as they are slowly starting to push even more pressure on him to tell, and Mirajane still right in front of him giving his that way to sweet smile, made him a bit nervous and it didn't help that Gildarts had that smug look and grin which oh how much he liked to wipe it off. But he swallowed the lump that formed in his thought and calmed a bit down by closing his eyes.
"Well, I could tell you, but, where would be fun in that now? Though if you want to know, you need to beat me in a fight." Natsu smirked at that did deter a lot of them, though his hopes to deter the one she hoped the most was in wain as she only pressed closer to Natsu. Bringing her lips to his ear.
"Well, you can tell me Pinky, I can even help you with that, but I doubt you have enough courage to go and ask her out huh?" Mirajane whispered into his ear before she lightly bit his ear in a way that no one saw and backed away from him, loving the look that he now had, at the was his face rivaling Erza's hair, eyes wide and a completely shocked expression. Hell, she even blushed at the way he looked at it was just way too cute for her, but she hid it well. His reactions and his persona was something that she found very attractive and she was using everything in her power to see it more, though as more and more she abuse him and forced him to show his embarrassing side the more she was slowly falling for him. But she would be rather dead than admit that to anyone or even worst to him.
"Uh...Well...I..." Natsu stuttered as he backed slowly away from Mirajane who now was starting to get closer and closer towards him like a predator was about to pounce on his prey.
"Oh, Natsuuu...you can tell little old me now could you..." Mirajane sing-sounded as her eyes were filled with mischief that Natsu knew better than anyone that it spelled trouble for him. Which was quite ironic as not a few hours earlier it was the other way around.
While this was going on between the Dragon and the Demon, everyone watched with amused expressions at what would happen next, some even thought that they looked really cute together, while some were a bit concerned about their interaction.
"Big sis, leave Natsu alone, can't you see that he is uncomfortable?" Lisanna said with a pout which made her sister chuckled a bit before she backed away from the Dragon Slayer, who sigh in relief that he was given some space.
"Fine Lis, I will let go, can't have your little boyfriend suffer, now can we?" Mirajane said with a small smirk as her sister blushed a bit at what was said. While Natsu felt a bit uneasy at what he heard but he didn't show it.
"Well if that is the case I should get going, see...wow!" Natsu said before he was forced to dodge a gigantic hand that was going for him.
"What's the deal, Gramps? Why are you trying to squish me?" Natsu asked a bit irritated since he was forced to dodge a few more times.
"What's the deal? What's the deal? YOU AND THAT BUFFON DESTROYED THE WHOLE MAGNOLIA IN YOUR FIGHT!" Makarov once again roared as he looked at Gildarts and then at Natsu who looked around at what was left after his brawl with Gildarts and whistled in admiration at the damaged he and his 'father' managed to do. Which irked the old master even more.
"Damn, and we didn't even go all out." Natsu casually said making some members to drop their jaws at his casual comment while some paled at the thought of those 2 monsters going all out if this was just them going over 50%.
"Y-you what?" The members yelled all at once, making Natsu look at them which distracted him enough for Makarov to grab Natsu and get him closer to him all the while bringing Gildarts who was chuckling at the comment Natsu made.
"Well my boy, since you have a lot more fuel in your tank and from the looks of things you are more resilient then I thought, both you and Gildarts will need it since both of you are going to work your butts off to pay for all the damage you caused." Makarov calmly said making Natsu look excited at the possibility of doing some 'harder jobs' that will pay more since he still didn't want to spend the money that Igneel gave him.
"Hell yeah, that means, I am going to do a lot better missions than that stupid B-Class." Natsu cheered though that was short lived as he saw a huge smirk on Makarov's face.
"Well, you proved you can stand and hold your own, so I will allow you to do some S-Class jobs that I will personally pick for you." Makarov said, shocking both Natsu and the crowd.
"MASTER YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS; HE ISN'T EVEN A-CLASS!" Gray shouted in disbelief at what he heard.
"Master I agree with the striper; he isn't qualified for it." Mirajane said clearly pissed since Natsu can go on an S-Class while she an S-Class material can't.
"Master I agree with both Gray and White haired slut." Erza said making Mirajane glare at her at the jab that her rival trough.
And others agreed at that, which made Natsu a bit angry but he took a deep breath to calm himself down a bit.
"Well, that would be the case if he was to go alone on them, but...he ain't going alone. He would have a company with him." Makarov said with a huge smirk.
"And with who am I going?" Natsu asked with a bit of dread while praying to Igneel that it won't be Mirajane.
"Well, I will keep that as a secret for now, though, now it's time for you 2 to receive THAT." Makarov answer with a huge grin making Natsu sweat as he saw that Gildarts stated to pale cry at hearing THAT.
"Umm...Gramps...what is THAT?" Natsu carefully asked which only made Makarov laugh a bit too sadistic for Natsu's liking but he didn't receive any answer making him very nervous.
XXXX
The next day, both Natsu and Gildarts returned to the guild a bit paler than usual and in a complete sweat as they both were shaking after they both received THAT which made a few of the members laugh, mainly Gray and a few other at that 2 misfortune. As the duo made their way to the seats at the bar and ordered some food to eat Makarov appeared in front of them making them yelp and fell from their seats which prompted the whole Guild to start laughing even harder.
"G-Gramps!" Natsu started as he slowly backed away from Makarov who was laughing now with the rest of the Guild as 2 of the most powerful warriors they had were now like kittens.
"Calm down, boy I just got the missions for the 2 of you." Makarov said while giving 2 envelopes to Gildarts and Natsu, who took a deep breath relieved that they wouldn't suffer more of THAT.
"Alright, now we are talking, so what is the mission Gramps!" Natsu shouted in excitement that made some people struck at how fast he went from cowardly to the excitement in a blink of an eye.
"Well for you Gildarts it's SS-Mission that will pay extremely good even with destruction as for you Natsu. It's an S-Class that was collecting dust for a few years now. It's about some fire monster in the Yokohama area, near the Old Mountains range." Makarov said making some choke on their drinks while some out right shouted in disbelief.
"But Master, he isn't qualified to go on that mission!" Some shouted which Makarov ignored them completely.
"Finally, something good! I can't wait to bash some heads." Natsu shouted as his whole-body turned-onfire.
"Well I'm glad that you are excited for it, though you should know that until both of you pay for the damage you are only getting 10% of the reward." Makarov said with a smile which made both Natsu and Gildarts anime fall.
"H-how much do we owe?" Gildarts asked in a shaken voice praying that they will able to pay with those 2 missions.
"About 20 million jewels. But I will cut it down in half if you managed to do this and the next 2 ones with minimal damage." Makarov said as he saw 2 ghosts coming from Natsu's and Gildarts mouths before they quickly returned as they heard they will pay less soon.
"Awesome, well see ya all need to get going." Gildarts shouted as he sprinted off all the while destroying the wall and other things in his path which made Makarov shout at him but was a moody point.
"Well, I'm off also, see you guys in a month." Natsu said as he started to go but was stopped by Makarov.
"OH Natsu, if you complete this mission without destroying anything of importance, I will give you an S-Class rank." Makarov said with a grin making everyone go wide eyes.
"Like hell MASTER! I'm way stronger than that Flame Brain!" Gray shouted in rage.
"Yeah! What is the big idea of giving him the S rank?" Mirajane shouted.
"I agree, he isn't ready for it Master!" Erza stated making Natsu look at them before smirking a bit.
"Well, if I can take down 2 S-class candidates and tie in a fight with the Guilds Ace I think I'm more then suited to become an S-Class." Natsu smugly said before raising his hand in front of him just in time to deflect a blast of dark magic and to melt a sword and Ice attack sent his way. "Well see ya soon." Natsu said as he walked away leaving a pissed off trio behind him.
Done.