Chapter 4 - I'm Here To Save Her!
Master Makarov and his guild were gathered around the resting spot for FairyTail.
"I have decided the four contestants... well really three at this point." Master Makarov began, "will be allowed to start round two today. Be on your guard though of anything interesting you see. We do not know where the attacker came from or where they have gone that Natsu encountered yesterday." Hearing their comrade's name used made the guild sullen knowing that the dragon slayer would most likely not be becoming a S Class wizard this year.
"Speaking of Natsu..." Master Makarov added, "should the boy wake up during round two, I will tell him the info that I told you and he will be allowed to participate." That statement caused most of the guild to become cheerful again as they hoped their friend would wake up and continue on with the trials.
"Excuse me for asking, but what exactly is round two's objective, master?" Lucy asked.
"I'm glad you asked Lucy." Master Makarov said grinning. "Round two will be a hunting round. You are to find the first master's, Mavis Vermillion, grave."
"Alright Lu! We got a chance." Levy smiled at her friend and she returned it.
"Gihihi." Gajeel smirked as he munched on iron while Pantherlilly sat next to him sweat dropping at his antics.
"We got this little sis." Elfman told her and she smiled as well. "I will win this for Natsu because he's a real man!" He yelled.
"Lucy, Levy, Gajeel, Pantherlily, Elfman and Lisanna." Master Makarov looked at them adding, "be safe my children. You are competing against one another, but should you come into trouble you are to help each other. The first two teams who find the grave first will then do a duel in round three to determine the winner of the S Class Trials."
"Yes master." They all said in unison excited to start the second round.
"For those wondering here is the current leaderboard heading into the second round of the trials." Makarov showed them.
S Class Trials Leaderboard (Round 2)
Natsu Dragneel (Questionable) Suffered injuries fighting an intruder
Gajeel Redfox (Active)
Lucy Heartfilia (Active)
Wendy Marvell (Inactive) Beat by Gajeel Redfox
Elfman Strauss (Active)
Gray Fullbuster (Inactive) Defeated by Erza Scarlet
"Alrighty then." Master Makarov smiled, "Let round number two... BEGIN!" He shouted as the six wizards ran into the forest searching for the First Master's grave.
The white-haired oldest Strauss sister was currently overlooking a pink haired dragon slayer. Mira had walked back to the infirmary tent to checkup on Natsu after Erza stormed off to the unknown to battle with her inner problems. As Mira expected, Natsu had still yet to awaken. He most of taken more damage than w initially thought. Deciding she would sleep there for the night and watch over the pinkette to make sure nothing happens to him while he recovers, she set her clock for an hour and laid down on the bed opposite of her friend as she entered into wonderland.
"What was she thinking..." Mira mumbled the next morning after waking up consistently through the night to check on the dragon slayer. She was currently remembering Erza's last words before she took off. Why does she play so hard to get? The Take Over mage chuckled to herself.
"Thank you for saving me and my family Natsu." She whispered to him with a smile across her face pushing his bangs back to reveal his unconscious expression. He was a little bruised, but nothing to major and if he woke up, he might have a chance at S Class still. Sighing knowing that was not going to happen, she felt something grab her arm as she was raising up to go and grab something to eat. Turning around she was shocked when she saw the one and only fire dragon slayer holding onto her arm. Looking into his now opened onyx eyes she asked, "Natsu?"
A man with a white beard and an eye patch covering his right eye is seen sitting in a chair drinking a cup of coffee as a lone figure walks up to him.
"Master Hades." A voice calls out to him.
"Yes?" The man now identified as Master Hades, answered.
"We have located Tenrou Island." The voice told him.
"Good work, Ultear." Hades responded. "With any luck, Zeref should be here."
"There is a problem though." Ultear continuously went on before Hades could say anything else. "Zancrow was defeated."
"WHAT!" Master Hades yelled spitting his coffee out in shock.
"Do you know where the First Master's grave is, Gajeel?" Pantherlily asked.
"No. I don't." Gajeel replied.
"Do you think you can sniff it out with your nose?" The cat questioned.
"Na, I don't think so. I can't sense an object, especially if it's been dead for a while." Gajeel replied.
"Alright then." He said, "Looks like we have some searching to do." Pantherlily and Gajeel took off into the woods searching for the grave.
"Alright." Gajeel said bored. "We have been searching forever now and still nothing."
"We haven't been searching for that long, but I agree this is getting boring." Pantherlily stated. All of a sudden, a sword came flying out of nowhere. Luckily Gajeel summoned his iron arm and blocked it. A chicken like figure and a samurai warrior stood before the two comrades.
"You know these guys Pantherlily?" Gajeel asked.
"No, I have never seen them before." Pantherlily replied.
Gajeel looked towards the warrior and said, "Names Gajeel from the FairyTail guild, what's yours?"
The warrior looked at the dragon slayer and smirked. "My name is Yomazu from the Grimoire Heart guild. He then pointed to the chicken and said, "His name is Kawazu."
"Gihihi." Gajeel chuckled at the two in front of him. "I've been itching for a fight all day, lucky me." Pantherlily had transformed into his human state and readied his sword.
"Ready?" Gajeel asked him not even turning around.
"You know it." Pantherlily replied. Then he looked confused. "Hmm Gajeel hold up for a second... Why is a dark guild even on this island?" He wondered.
Yomazu smirked and answered the cat. "We are here to hunt down all the fairies!"
SLASH! Yomazu shouted as he was the first to attack.
IRON DRAGON's ROAR! Gajeel roared back. The attacks collided, but Gajeel's roar was cut in half which caused it to be dismantled quickly.
Pantherlily was caught off guard by Kawazu as the chicken attacked him. He luckily brought his sword out at the right time to protect him. Thus, the two mages, a cat, and a chicken, began there duel while their partners attacked each other.
IRON DRAGON's SCALES!
IRON DRAGON's SWORD! Gajeel shouted as he was now covered in scales and his right arm was a iron sword.
SLICE! Yomazu yelled as he sent slicing parts at Gajeel. Gajeel missed the first few but was unlucky the next.
SLICE!
SLICE!
SLICE!
Gajeel now find his iron dragon scales being cut through. How the hell? Salamander was only able to break through with his fire. How is this man breaking though my iron scales with his sword?
PIERCE! Yomazu smirked as he watched the iron dragon slayer's right arm, which was the sword instantly break, reverting back to his own arm.
"You're a tough one." Gajeel said. "I will give you that."
"Thank you, but I have to take you dow-" Yomazu began.
"Shut up. I wasn't through." Gajeel interrupted him as he now began to chuckle. "You're tough, but not as tough as Salamander. I won't lose to you trash." Gajeel looked over to see Pantherlily had defeated Kawazu.
"I will not fall to a puny fairy like you!" Yomazu shouted as he rushed the iron dragon slayer.
IRON DRAGON's WING ATTACK! Gajeel yelled as it slammed into Yomazu head on.
As Yomazu tried to regain his senses and get back up, Gajeel finished him off with an IRON DRAGON's ROAR! Gajeel watched the warrior of Grimoire Heart's guild fall onto his face as he passed out instantly from the damage. He chuckled seeing he had won this battle as him and Pantherlily looked at the two downed dark guild members, wondering what to do with them.
Natsu Dragneel's brain hurt. The last thing he remembered was climbing out of the tunnel after beating that god slayer then falling to his knees and blacking out. As Natsu surged to regain his vision he heard muffled words. He finally was able to open his eyes as the person talking said, "Why does she play so hard to get." Natsu then looked at the mysterious person and grabbed their shoulder. His eyes met the stranger which now appeared to be Mirajane. Turning around she looked into his eyes and asked, "Natsu?"
"What's happening?" He asked.
Still a little shocked to see him awake, Mira failed to respond.
"Mira? You alright?" He asked again wondering what was wrong with the Take over mage. Realizing he was talking to her, she finally broke out of her trance and gave him a big smile before engulfing him in a big hug.
"Natsu! Welcome back to the land of the living!" She chuckled as they embraced. Natsu was a little confused by the odd affection but hugged her back none the less.
"How long was I out for?" He asked for the third time, this time going for something a little bit easier to answer.
"About a day." She answered.
"A DAY? OH NO THE TRIALS!" Natsu yelled worriedly as he tried to launch out of the bed only for Mira to stop him.
"Easy there tiger." She choked as she made him lay back down on his back. "The second round started not to long ago." She saw his eyes grow wide as he began to open his mouth.
"But Mir-" He didn't get anything else out as a finger pressed against his lips muting him.
"Hush Mister let me finish. Yes, the second round has already begun but Master Makarov said if you wake up and are fine then you can jump back in and compete. Let me check you for anymore injuries or concussions and if you're clear then you can leave immediately. I need to go grab something first, would you like for me to notify Happy to get ready?"
"Yeah sure." He replied as the gears in his mind started turning as he planned how he was going to win the competition.
"Alright, I'll be right back Natsu."
"Hey Mira." Natsu suddenly spoke as Mira reached the flap of the tent to exit before turning around to acknowledge him.
"Yes?"
"Even if I have more injuries or a concussion, or if I just snuck out of here while you were gone, you'd still let me go out there and compete wouldn't you." He asked grinningly hoping he could persuade her if luck seemed to be against him today. Well it didn't kill me yesterday so maybe it will help me win today. His hope evaporated though as he saw the menacing grin on her face.
"Nice try Natsu." With a boisterous laugh and a smile that promised pain if he even flinched from his bed position, Mira left to go get her supplies and alert Happy his best friend was awake. Why do you have to be so mean Mira… Natsu thought glumly as he rested waiting for the older Strauss sister to return.
"Natsu?" Happy questioned his partner as Natsu sat with a strange look on his face while they waited to see Master Makarov.
"Yeah buddy?" Natsu responded.
"Why do you look like your tummy is hurting?" The cat asked. "Are you not feeling okay? Should I go fetch Mira and have her do another check up on you?"
"DON'T YOU DARE CAT!" Natsu shouted ordering him to hush as he sank back down onto the bench while Happily laughed aloud.
Nastu grinned at the cat's antics after a little prodding from his feline friend. "I was just thinking."
"Thinking." Happy spoke surprised. "THINKING!" He yelled. "You never do that! Be careful Natsu you might hurt yourself!"
"I'll be fine, Happy." Natsu replied as he stood up from the bench and began walking.
What was Mira talking about? Natsu wondered in his mind about how he woke up and heard Mira speak about something. Suddenly, Natsu stopped in his tracks. His nose began to sniff all around the surrounding area.
"Natsu?" Happy asked, immediately alarmed by his best friend's actions. "What's wrong?"
"Dammit... not again. Who the hell are these guys?" Natsu gritted his teeth. He suddenly began to run off into a different location.
"Natsu!" Happy called and eventually caught him. "Where are we going?" He asked. "What about Master? Weren't we waiting to see him so you could re enter the trials?"
"Forget about Master and the trials Happy. It's Lucy." Natsu replied coldly, "Somethings wrong."
"Alright Lu." Levy cheered, "we just have to find the First Master's grave and then you are almost complete to becoming an S Class wizard!"
"Yeah, thanks Levy." Lucy smiled at her partner.
"You're welcome Lu, now come on. We got to beat the other two groups."
If I were the guilds founding master... where would I be buried? Lucy thought to herself as the two sat next to a tree on the forest grass.
"Anything coming to you, Lu?" Levy asked her.
"Not a clue. How are we even supposed to find this thing without any clues." Lucy said. "It's like this is impossible to solve."
"Nothing is impossible Lu." Levy smiled. "We can do it!"
"First round tested strength. This round must test intellect. So... maybe it's a riddle?" Lucy asked. "What if master told us the answer while he was explaining the rules." Lucy added after a quick thought came to mind.
"I'm not following..." Levy said a little confused.
"Like uh... like the word, break." Lucy told her. "We think it means like a resting symbol, a hole in the ground, or a tombstone, but it could also be used as an imagery or a life ending word."
Levy saw a creature coming toward her and smacked it away. "Think you can speed up the brainstorming a bit? This place is making me a little paranoid Lu." She said while kicking the creature back into the woods where it came from. This forest has so much life.
"Wait... I got it!" Lucy cheered as she suddenly rose up grinning like a champion.
"Okay, let's go then!" Levy cheered as they ran off. Shortly after jumping down a path block, they saw someone standing there looking at them.
"Who is that?" Lucy asked.
"Maybe it's one of the other contestants?" Levy questioned unable to get a good look at the figure.
Suddenly the mysterious person began to cry out in pain. "Aghh!" They yelled sounding like they were in pain.
A man dressed in a black coat with golden outlines and a white robe wrapped around him was now seen as he began to give off black particles. The leaves and trees around him were snapped out of thin air and wilted to death. "Aghhh!" The man shouted in agony as a spell of black magic came rushing toward Lucy and Levy. I'm too late! They both thought as they watched the magic race towards them.
"Get down!" A voice from behind them said as it jumped on top of the two girls and pushed them to the ground avoiding the attack.
Lucy and Levy regained their senses and looked up to see a pink haired man with a white scarf on top of them. "Natsu!" They smiled together glancing at their savior.
The black robed man began to cry and said, "Natsu" as tears ran down his face happily.
"Who are you?" Natsu yelled, but he got no response. "You better answer me!" Natsu shouted gritting his teeth.
"Master Hades." Zancrow kneeled in front of his guild master regretfully.
"Who defeated you Zancrow?" Hades asked him still somewhat shocked that one of his elite members had been beaten.
"It was one of those puny fairies." He answered disgustedly.
"If they were puny why did you get defeated?" Hades grinned while laughing. Zancrow decided it was best not to lash out and get himself killed so he did not reply.
The two dark guild wizards watched one another for a little while before Hades finally asked, "What was this person's name?"
"I didn't ask him his name." Zancrow answered untruthfully. I sure wouldn't tell you either he's mine to kill...Natsu Dragneel
"Did you get a good look at his appearance?" Hades questioned after seeing the glint in his eye moments ago. He definitely knows his name.
"Yes, he had pink hair, a white scarf, black and orange vest, and said he was a dragon slayer. The fire dragon slayer."
"Ah. I know who that is." Ultear smirked.
"And who would that be?" Master Hades asked her.
"That boy is Natsu Dragneel of the FairyTail guild. He and his guild friends took down Nirvana." She answered.
"Ah, so this is one of Makarov's children huh?" He smiled darkly.
"The Seven Kin of Purgatory." Master Hades called upon the people in front of him. "Well make that six because, Zancrow will not participate." Zancrow glared at him when he wasn't looking.
"Kain Hikaru, Meredy, Azuma, Capricorn, Ultear, Rusty Rose. You six will storm the island and search for Zeref. If you come across any FairyTail mages... take them out with whatever means necessary." He ordered smirking as he sipped his coffee.
"Yes master." They all replied to him and set off to get ready for their trip.
"Makarov." Master Hades questioned, "I wonder... will you and your children be able to survive this destruction?"
"Natsu!" A blue flying cat appeared into view as he saw Natsu, Lucy, Levy, and a strange man he had never seen before.
"Hello Happy." Levy said as she waved towards the blue cat.
"Hi Levy." He responded happily seeing they were okay. Lucy stood gaping in shock as she almost just lost her life.
The man whispered, "You've grown... so much."
"Huh?" Natsu asked now confused.
"I've missed you." The mysterious man added. "Natsu."
"Gah!" Natsu shouted as he rushed forward and hit the mysterious man in the face pushing him back. "Tell me who you are, or I'll hit harder!"
"Geez Natsu!" Lucy shouted as she regained her senses only to see Natsu punch someone out of the blue.
"Cheap shot." Levy added.
"That's how he does things." Happy laughed.
Natsu looked at the mysterious person. "You better tell me who you are bub. I won't ask again." Natsu spoke through gritted teeth his patience running thin.
"Why won't this destruction end... I don't want to kill anyone." The man whispered. Black particles began to erupt from him as Natsu stepped back uncertainty in his eyes.
"Run! Now!" The man added clutching his head. Natsu stepped back more. Suddenly, the black wave from the man appeared again.
"That's the same wave we saw earlier! It destroys anything it touches." Levy shouted.
"Natsu!" Happy called trying to get his friend's attention.
Turning around, "Get out of here right now!" Natsu yelled to his comrades. The mysterious man clutched his head in agony as he lost control of the black wave and it spread taking Natsu along with it who was unable to get away in time.
"Is everyone alright?" Lucy asked as the dust cleared. A tree had fallen down while Natsu got up.
"Well that sucks." He said gloomily looking around at the destroyed forest which appeared to be dead.
"Natsu!" Happy shouted to his partner, "your scarf!"
Looking down, Natsu realized his scarf had turned black.
That's the scarf that Igneel gave Natsu. It must have absorbed the black magic turning it black. Happy thought.
"Grr! My scarf! Next time I see that punk he is getting a fiery fist to the face!" Natsu yelled in anger after realizing his scarf was no longer its checkered white color but now fully dark black.
"He disappeared." Levy spoke.
"Natsu, make up your mind." Happy called out to him. "What are we gonna do?"
"I already have. We are gonna search for that crying guy to return my scarf to its normal color, but also look for the grave." Natsu said as if it was obvious.
"I don't think it works that way..." Happy didn't seem to enthusiastic.
"It will. Well... at least for me." Natsu chuckled as the blue cat formed a smile on his face.
The black and golden outlined coat with a white robe man is seen laying against a tree. He lifted his finger up to the sky and questioned, "How much longer will this world continue to keep on rejecting me?"
"Where are they?" Erza had been in the forest for now nearly three hours. She was currently looking for the sky dragon slayer and her exceed. "They have to be around here somewhere." She muttered. Stepping over a fallen log, her mind wondered back to the pink haired dragon slayer. She said she was going to part from him now, but she felt saddened by her choice. Erza was not sure if Natsu was back in the trial hunt or if he was still in the infirmary, but she wished him luck wherever he currently was. As her thoughts continued to go back to Natsu she suddenly came across a girl and her cat. It was Wendy and Carla! They were asleep laying against a tree in the middle of the woods.
"Wendy." Erza asked the dragon slayer quietly tapping on her shoulder.
Suddenly, she woke up. "Huh?" Wendy woke up startled by a figure's presence.
"It is okay Wendy." Erza patted her head. "It's me, Erza."
"Hi Erza." Wendy answered in a tired tone.
"What were you and Carla doing out here?" Erza asked.
"After Gajeel defeated me, we decided to rest for a few minutes. How long has passed?" Wendy questioned.
"Almost a day." Erza stated.
"Oh!" Wendy yelled in a surprised tone as she stood up and bowed, "I am sorry for not returning sooner!" She said scared of what the knight would do to her.
"It's fine Wendy. I am just glad to see that you are alright." After Wendy woke up Carla the three mages begin the walk back to the FairyTail HQ, however on the way back, a tree came to life and attempted to strike Erza.
Erza immediately jumped back and countered the attack reequipping into her HEAVENS WHEEL armor. Wendy and Carla open wide eyes as Wendy sniffs the area with her nose trying to detect a scent.
BLEVE! A voice shouted as a hand shot forward, and the area directly in front of them was engulfed in an explosion blasting Wendy backwards and smacking into a tree.
"Wendy!" Carla and Erza rushed to her aid.
"Are you okay?" Erza asked her.
"Yes, I am fine." She replied.
"Good, now keep your guard up." Erza stated as she turned back to the forest, "Reveal yourself!" She shouted as a figure emerged from a tree smirking.
"Hello, Titania. Queen of the Fairies." The figure smiled.
"And you are?" Erza asked with her sword pointed straight.
"I am Azuma. Part of the Seven Kin of Purgatory in the Grimoire Heart guild." The figure now named, Azuma answered.
"Grimoire Heart?" Erza asked. "What is a dark guild doing on this island?"
"I am sorry, Titania. That information is classified." Azuma smirked.
"You would be wise to depart immediately." Erza glared him down. "This is FairyTail's most sacred grounds."
"Alright, I'll tell you." Azuma said after seeing her expression. "We are searching for the black wizard, Zeref."
"Zeref?" Erza questions. "Why would the dark wizard be on this island?" She asked as if they were crazy.
"I cannot say, Titania." He disregarded her question. "Let us fight now."
"Gladly." Erza answered as the two mages examined each other before releasing attacks.
TOWER BURST! Azuma called out as he extended both his arms out to the side summoning forth an enormous tower of explosive flames.
FLAME EMPRESS ARMOR! Erza reequipped into a new armor better for fighting against his powers.
"Ah, Titania." Azuma smiled. "I forgot you have that armor. This will weaken some of my attacks now. Nonetheless, I will just have to break it."
"Wendy." Erza called to the sky dragon slayer.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Take this flare and light it when you get back to FairyTail headquarters. I have no doubt now that some of the other members are currently in combat with Grimoire Heart members."
"Alright, I will!" Wendy said determined as she and her exceed began to rush through the forest back to FairyTail.
"That was smart of you." Azuma smirked. "Won't matter though, because after I have finished you, I will come and collect them too."
"Well too bad you won't be collecting them because you sure as hell won't be collecting me." She challenged.
"We'll see about that." He laughed evilly before shouting LINEAR EXPLOSIONS! Azuma released a thin shockwave in a straight line towards Erza. The attack shattered parts of the ground. A moment later, the entire length of the created line became engulfed with devastating explosions. Erza barely dodged it.
"You will need to do better to beat me." Erza said even though she knew she had gotten lucky not taking any damage from that explosion.
"Ah, Titania... You try to make this too easy for me." He chuckled. "Remember, you are in my playground."
"I swear man, that jerk is gonna pay for ruining my scarf!" Natsu whined as he wasn't very pleased with the mysterious man from earlier who ruined his scarf, a special gift from his foster father Igneel the fire dragon king.
"I know Natsu." Happy said sadly. "We will find him. At least, I believe so." He added. Natsu's nose began to sniff when he smelled a comrade nearby.
Oh no... Happy saw what Natsu was doing. "What is it this time Natsu?"
"It's Erza!" Natsu shouted as he sprinted off to the left as Happy chased him down.
He chuckled. "Remember, you are in my playground."
"This forest." Azuma added. "Has everything I need to beat you."
CHAIN! Azuma casted as tree limbs shot out at Erza. She dodged a majority, but she was unable to dodge them all as a couple struck her shocking her ending her defensive posture. Lightning rings and electricity sparks formed in the tree limbs and harshly electrocuted the Queen of the Fairies. Erza Scarlet hung in the air as her arms and legs were wrapped around in tree limbs being carried toward Azuma.
"Mhmph..." Erza tried to speak weakly still fighting as a limb covered her mouth acting like a gag making her unable able to speak.
"Well Titania. I thought you were gonna be more challenging than that...I mean that was just pathetic." He said disappointed. "I don't want to kill you right now, however. Especially in your position." He added with a creepy smirk. "So what should I do with you?" He questioned but answered himself before she could even whimper. "How about I torture you?" He concluded.
Azuma revealed his answer while Erza yelled into her tree limb gag, but he did not acknowledge her, not caring one bit about what she thought. He began to get closer and closer toward the scarlet haired knight who was struggling as if her life depended on it, which it was, when all of a suddenly the atmosphere around him rose to scorching temperatures and a FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST sent him careening hard into the tree across from his prisoner.
She watched as he added, "So what should I do with you?" He questioned aloud. "How about I torture you?" He said. What! Erza thought frightened. Torture? No! Erza tried screaming into her gag, but to no advantage he began to stalk toward her with a predatory grin on his face. When all hopes seemed lost, and she was ashamed she had been beaten a faint voice shouted FIRE DRAGON's IRON FIST and a bright orange light came from the left of the forest slamming right into Azuma knocking him into the dirt hard. Erza's eyes grew wide at who was standing before her. Pink locks, an orange and black vest, a black scarf…wait what? A black scarf?
"What the hell..."Azuma said as he got up quick not sure who had intervened with his torture show.
"Natsu!" A voice called as the voice soon revealed to be Happy. "Oh wow. You were right, she is in danger." Happy called to him as he looked up to see Erza.
"Who the hell are you?" Azuma asked.
"Natsu Dragneel." He pointed his thumb at his right shoulder. "From the FairyTail guild."
Natsu Dragneel! Azuma thought. This is the guy that Zancrow was defeated by...
"What are you doing here?" Azuma asked the pinkette.
"What do you think I'm here for moron...I'm here to save her!" Natsu shouted while looking up at Erza as he used a breath attack near her charring the branches immediately breaking them off that were around her. He caught her as she fell into his arms and laid her against a tree.
"Rest here for now." He grinned at her. "I'll finish what you started." Erza looked into his fiery eyes and could only nod too weak to reply as electricity still sparked off her.
"Ah... so, you're here to save Titania." Azuma smirked.
"I just did pal." Natsu stated wondering if his opponent didn't just see him rescue Erza.
"You might've rescued her from that, but once I defeat you, I will do oh so much worse things to her now that you have intervened." He glanced up grinning expecting to see a raging Natsu however what he saw put a little fear into the dark mage. He saw no sudden rage or attack from the boy; however he saw a hint of red flash through the fire dragon slayer's dark onyx eyes before quickly disappearing. What the hell was that?
BURST CLAW! Azuma called out as the attack went straight for Natsu who went straight through it.
FIRE DRAGON's WING ATTACK! Natsu yelled as the explosions went right by him as he forced Azuma to go flying backwards.
He has gotten so much stronger. Erza thought as she watched the dragon slayer beat down on the Grimoire Heart mage.
"How?" Azuma asked now highly interested. "That attack should have blown you to pieces!"
"Fire and explosion attacks don't work on me pal. I'm the fire dragon slayer for a reason." He boasted.
FIRE DRAGON's ROAR!
FIRE DRAGON's BRILLIANT FLAME! Natsu shouted as he watched Azuma's defenses get bombarded by those attacks.
"Ah Dragneel...you are still holding back and that will not do against a wizard like me. Time to go full power little boy. And to make sure you go as well."
180-SECOND: TIME BOMB! Azuma said. Several roots emerged from the ground and entangled Erza tightly, preventing her from moving and keeping her in place. A clock appeared above Erza. "You have 3 minutes to defeat me dragon slayer, otherwise Titania here goes BOOM!" He laughed darkly.
"Erza! I can't get these off you!" Happy shouted frustratingly as he tried pulling on the roots ensnarling her. Erza continued to struggle but couldn't move a muscle as the limbs continued to engulf her until she was immobilized completely, it didn't help that she was still dazed from being electrocuted earlier.
"Damn you bastard..." Natsu grit his teeth as flames summoned around his entire body.
"Can you beat me in time to save your little friend great dragon wizard?" Azuma asked. "Or will she be blown to pieces just like this island once were through with it? Only time will tell!" Adding as he glanced over at Erza who look terrified.
"Don't you worry Erza, I'm not gonna lose!" Natsu shouted as he launched himself at Azuma.
CRIMSON LOTUS: FIRE DRAGON's FIST! The fire dragon slayer yelled flying up to Azuma and began to continuously slam his ignited fists into the man's face.
"Get off me brat!" Azuma said as he then too released a spell.
LINEAR EXPLOSIONS! The Grimoire Heart mage shouted once again as the ground beneath the dragon slayer exploded similar to what happen to Erza.
Phew that was close. Natsu thought as he barely avoided the attack.
"Alright. Now we are getting started!" Natsu grinned.
FIRE DRAGON's WING ATTACK!
FIRE DRAGON's ROAR!
Natsu's power was able to surpass Azuma and knock him roughly to the ground. As Natsu looked it said thirty seconds remained over Titania as she began to struggle, her eyes wide with fear. Dammit. Natsu thought. I gotta hurry, otherwise Erza is gonna kill ME!
"What's wrong, dragon slayer?" Azuma asked smirking as he knew Titania's life was over.
"Get the hell out my way!" Natsu shouted as he lit himself ablaze. I have got to finish him before it's too late!
Natsu swiped his arm in a circular fashion, creating a powerful, and highly destructive, torrent of flames that went straight for Azuma. CRIMSON LOTUS: EXPLODING FLAME BLADE! The fire dragon slayer shouted as his spell engulfed the tree mage and blew him high into the sky, completely disappearing from the battlefield.
Just then, the timer above Erza as well as the roots and tree limbs binding her together holding her in place, dispersed as she fell to the ground looking at the pinkette with wide eyes. Azuma was nowhere to be seen and she was still alive.
"Damn why do they always get away..." Natsu annoyedly muttered. He turned around after seeing that Azuma vanished and looked over at his friend.
"I told you, I wasn't gonna lose." He gave his signature grin as his eyes slowly shut before closing as he fell to the ground. Before he impacted with the earth, however Erza sprinted towards him and caught him in her arms. She looked at his unconscious face as it was bloody, bruised and beaten. The last explosion had caught his right eye causing it to bleed just a little bit as she held her hand against the wound putting pressure on it until it stopped oozing out.
"Thank you... Natsu." She placed her forehead on his as she silently cried in the forest. She had almost lost her life because she was reckless and careless. Ironic I get onto Natsu and Gray all the time for being reckless and then I go and do that... Erza carried him on her back out of the battle zone as she tried to figure her way back to FairyTail's resting point hoping Wendy and Carla had gotten back safely and alerted the rest of the guild of the upcoming danger.
A/N: I stayed true to my word and got this one out as fast as possible. Two in the same day, hopefully that makes up for my forgetfulness! The story is beginning to turn away from the real original FT road and head down my own, so if your unwilling to go down that then this is the time to turn around and head back to where you came from. If you're enjoying the story and want to see more then I welcome you on this great journey that our favorite characters are beginning to enter! I am not sure when the next update will be, hopefully it'll be soon though. Hope you enjoyed, don't forget to review if you have any ideas or questions you'd like for me to answer. Anyways, heres a sneak peak of Ch. 5
"Hehe. I want a rematch dragon boy. I will win this time." He gloated.
"Bring it. You won't make it out of here alive." Natsu smirked summoning his flames.
SKY DRAGON's ROAR! Wendy shouted at the Grimoire Heart mage.
"Oh? Two dragon slayers? This should be fun!" He said licking his lips.
"Be careful Wendy. This guy is crazy." Natsu glanced her way as she nodded.