S.R: I've got nothing, so we're just gonna dive right into the chapter.


Even though her words weren't enough to convince everyone that things would be okay for Natsu and Gajeel, no one argued against Cana after she told Erza that they'd come back. Instead the guild was silent, most of them having lost the desire to have fun like they had been before the master told them what the two Dragon Slayers were doing. A few members were even leaving the guild. But when Erza tried to make her way towards the door as well she was stopped by the guild master.

"Why are you stopping me master?"

"Erza I know you brats well enough to tell, you were planning to search for them."

"Can you blame me for worrying about them? Yes their magic should help in dealing with a group of Wyverns, but even so just fighting a pair of them is labeled as an S-class job!"

The red head returned, and it was then that Makarov realized why she was acting this way. Erza had seen the lengths Natsu would go to for his adopted daughter, and she felt sorry for thinking the man wouldn't be able to handle the responsibility.

"You can't make up for you mistakes by getting in his way Erza."

"No but I can make sure he doesn't die because this job was too much."

She tried to argue. In his head Makarov was wondering just how much Natsu had rubbed off on his teammate. Erza was never this stubborn or headstrong before they had created Team Natsu after all.

"Given what I know Erza I can confidently tell you that neither of them will die. In fact the two of them will be coming back to the guild stronger than when they left."

This made the red headed knight pause. She looked towards the guild master curiously, hoping he would explain how he knew and why he sounded so confident.

"I gave my permission for them to fight with the intent to kill. So they won't be holding back like normal."

"But that doesn't explain why you sound so confident that they'll be stronger when they return."

Erza commented, her words drawing the attention of Cana and Gray since they were curious about the idea of the two Slayers being stronger.

"Dragon Slayers are considered to be one of the draconic races. According to Natsu, when a draconic being, no matter if it's an actual Dragon, Drake, Wyvern, or Slayer wins in a fight to the death against another draconic being it will become stronger. He wasn't able to explain exactly how it works, but my theory is that their magic reacts by absorbing the remaining magic from the loser. Which means that they increase the size of their magic containers, and quite possibly increase the potency of their magic."

The guild master explained, completely aware of the fact Erza was not the only one in the guild listening to him. He could tell that Gray was getting frustrated by the fact Natsu seemed to be leaving him in the dust ever since he returned from the mission with Cana. The brunette was also listening but he felt that she was just interested in learning more about Natsu.

"Besides, I'm making it an order that you are not allowed to leave Magnolia to help them."

The guild master told his argumentative S-class mage. He knew even after hearing that they'd be getting stronger in the process of dealing with the Wyverns she would still want to help. So he gave her his final words on the matter, because he knew she would never disobey him.

At that point Michiko was yawning in Cana's arms. Shaking her head with a smile, she stepped up to stand beside Erza.

"Everything will be fine."

With that she left the guild to head home and put her daughter to bed for the night. Since it was close to closing anyway Mira asked if someone else could take over cleaning up for the night and raced after the Card mage in order to be an extra set of hands while Natsu was gone.

Meanwhile

Natsu, Gajeel, and the council's man appeared on the crest of a hill overlooking Dawn City. Just on the outer edge of their senses the two Dragon Slayers could feel the presence of the Wyverns but they weren't able to figure out how many.

"So, is there anything you can tell us that they didn't tell gramps?"

Natsu asked as he turned to the man. He had already met Doranbolt a few times so he wasn't surprised to see that he was the one assigned to bring them to Dawn City with his Teleportation magic. After a moment Doranbolt replied.

"The only thing we were able to find out after appraising master Makarov of the situation is that there is infighting among a group of what seems to be a total of sixteen Wyverns."

Doranbolt was bewildered when he saw both Dragon Slayers stiffen at his words, even more so when Gajeel spoke up.

"Shit that's bad. Two nests are fighting for territory. Natsu we have to split up if we want any chance of preventing them from destroying the city."

But the tone of his voice told the other two men that were present how little he liked the idea of splitting up. It was a real shock to Doranbolt though since as far as he could tell from the reports the two were always bantering and insulting each other, never acting professional or calling each other by their actual names.

"I know. I don't like it either."

Natsu responded, though after a moment he continued.

"Don't hold back. If they talk try and make them back down. If not go for the kill since they won't hesitate to do the same."

"Right."

With that the two shot off at ridiculous speeds. Doranbolt wasn't even able to open his mouth to reject the idea of them separating before they had vanished from his sight. Sighing he pulled out a communication lacrima and informed the council that they had arrived and the two slayers went ahead to begin fighting the Wyverns.

With Gajeel

Since they could feel the Wyverns in two different directions after Doranbolt's explanation, the two slayers split up, with Gajeel heading towards the group that didn't feel like Natsu. Since it was already confirmed that the Wyverns used Fire and Earth based magic, it made sense for him to leave the group that felt like Fire magic users to Natsu. Though he did chuckle to himself about how things were a bit easier now that it was two nests of single element Wyverns instead of a nest of Volcaniverns who had access to two elements at the same time.

Because of how dangerous it would be to confront an entire nest at once Gajeel moved slowly and paid careful attention to his surroundings, hoping that he could deal with them one at a time. Luckily for him his first encounter at least was just one Wyvern. It's scales were a deep brown in color.

"I know you're there."

It called out in an attempt to taunt him.

"I know it's no use hiding, but you'll pardon me for being careful."

"Oh? A human that isn't overestimating themselves? One that seems to clearly understand the situation they find themselves in? That's rare."

Normally Gajeel would agree, most humans tended to be arrogant when they were dealing with creatures that they didn't know or fully understand. But considering he had a job to do he didn't voice his opinion.

"Look, your nest and the other nest are causing problems. My alpha and I were asked to come handle the situation… I know I can't handle a whole nest of you bastards on my own just yet so I'd rather not fight if I can avoid it."

"Your alpha? Wait, this scent. You are a Dragon Slayer aren't you? No wonder you're handling things this way."

Gajeel just shook his head. Sure this Wyvern was at least being polite and talking with him, but he could tell from it's tone he would have to fight.

"You said nothing about my desire to avoid a fight, which tells me all I need to know."

He commented, jumping out from behind the large boulder he'd been standing behind. Natsu had told him not to hold back and to go for the kill so when he revealed himself Gajeel's right arm was transformed.

His 'Iron Dragon's Sword' already slashing through the air. A pleased smirk stretched across his face when he noticed the Wyvern wasn't expecting to be attacked so suddenly like that. The first blood of the fight was his, as his sword sliced through the scales of it's left arm. He knew the Wyvern would try it's damnedest to prevent him from drawing more blood though.

"You fucking coward! Attacking so suddenly like that. Fight with honor dammit!"

They Wyvern roared at him, before swiping it's right arm towards him, claws ready to slice him to pieces.

"Iron Dragon's Scales"

Gajeel cried out, hoping his increased defense would be enough since he was still partially in the air and unable to avoid the attack. 'Clang' was all they heard as the claws struck his iron body. Only one of it's claws hit him cleanly enough to get past his scales while the rest just bounced off harmlessly. The damage was minimal though, so he smiled when his feet finally touched the ground again.

"Iron Dragon's Roar!"

Point blank he aimed at the Wyvern's chest, not surprised when it leaned back and fired a roar of it's own to counter his. But Gajeel's roar was stronger and rather than push the Wyvern's roar back, it punched through it to slam into the Wyvern's upper body. Roaring in pain the Wyvern flailed about hoping to trample the Dragon Slayer as it tried to steady itself.

But Gajeel only just managed to avoid being stepped on. He did have to use both his arms to block the tail that tried to smash him into the ground however. Though because it didn't even try to pull it's tail back he took the chance to attack.

"Iron Dragon's Hard Fist"

With the scales still covering his body adding to his offensive power Gajeel lashed out, his fist shattering the scales on the Wyvern's tail and biting into it's flesh just a bit.

"I will fucking destroy you!"

The Wyvern cried out in rage as it clawed at him once more. Jumping sideways he avoided the attack, but was unable to correct his footing before the tail came for him once again. He was lifted off the ground and tossed into the air from the force of the tail impacting his ribs.

The Wyvern looked like it wanted to lung for him as he was falling but, both he and the Wyvern knew that wouldn't be a good idea. Instead it just glared at him with an intense hate. However Gajeel now had the perfect opportunity to finish the fight. Channeling his magic into his body, the Iron Dragon Slayer turned his legs into a massive drill.

The Wyvern tilted it's head in confusion as Gajeel called out "Iron Dragon's Secret Art Karma Demon: Iron Spiral!" But then he began to rotate his body at high speeds. Understanding what was about to happen the Wyvern tried to avoid the attack, but found that it moved a bit too sluggishly.

Gajeel's attack shredded the body when he landed on they Wyvern's back causing an immense and fatal amount of damage to it. As he stopped moving Gajeel started to pant lightly, not having expected to have to use a secret art to deal with just one Wyvern. But within moments of his landing on the ground he started to feel his magic replenishing itself at a much larger rate than it ever had before. Thanks to the boost, and the battle he had just finished the Iron Dragon Slayer was sure he could defeat the rest of the nest, so long as it was in groups of one or two at a time.

"Gehehehehe, that's one down at least."

With Natsu

"Why won't you just give up and die already!"

A Wyvern shouted as Natsu dodged it's claws once more. Like Gajeel he tried to talk with the Wyvern when he found it, but it completely ignored him. At least until he ate the fire it had launched at him. But all it would talk about was it's desire to kill him and prove that Natsu as a human was weaker no matter what kind of magic he used.

Natsu wasn't sure he wanted to even bother to make the Wyvern surrender when it began spewing threats about eating him and his nest though. So with his patience tested, he finally counter attacked. It was such a sudden and unexpected move that he got right up to the Wyvern's throat before it even thought about defending itself. But it was too late as Natsu's 'Fire Dragon's Pulverizing Fist' crushed it's windpipe.

The Wyvern wasn't finished however and tried one last time to skewer him with it's claws. Having known it wouldn't give up and would fight until it's last breath, Natsu was ready and managed to avoid the attack in time.

"Just know that I take no joy in doing this."

Natsu told the Wyvern before jumping up onto it's back. Before the Wyvern could even process his words Natsu had used his 'Fire Dragon's Piercing Claw' to make a hole in it's skull and smash it's brain with a kick.

A not too distant roar was heard the moment he felt the Wyvern breathe it's last. But Natsu was confident he could handle a one on one fight with another Wyvern easily now. Though he somehow knew the one he'd just killed was the weakest in the nest. 'I can't afford to let my emotions get in the way.' He thought to himself, completely aware of the fact that his regret and remorse for having to kill these Wyvern's could be his doom. So he pushed aside his morals for the sake of making sure he survived to the end of his mission.

"I'm ready for whatever you throw at me!"

He shouted to the sky in an effort to psych himself back up, so that he could fight at his best. Again he heard a roar of anger from another Wyvern. Smiling he taunted "At least give me a good fight that can get me all fired up!" When the Wyvern made its appearance he just grinned, even as it tried to intimidate him with it's roar.

"My Mate! You insignificant worm, how dare you! I will utter crush you!"

The Wyvern screamed at him as it landed beside the body of its now dead mate. From the tone Natsu knew it was a female, and by her size he was certain the two Wyverns were busy already. In fact if he had to guess Natsu would say she was just a few days away from laying her egg.

'I can't talk her down either. Since her mate is gone she can do nothing but see red… I really don't like this but I'll have to put both her and the unhatched egg down. Hard.' Natsu thought to himself with a frown while she shouted in anger.

Jumping he dodged her claws as the female Wyvern attempted to shred him to pieces. But her tail was already cutting through the air as it came towards him, showing that she had expected him to dodge her claws. With a huff, Natsu channeled his magic towards his feet, as small gouts of flame appeared and gave him a speed boost, just in time to dodge the tail as well.

"I'm sorry, I'll try to make this as painless as possible."

Natsu told the Wyvern and the unhatched egg as he adjusted himself in the air before increasing the flames at his feet, which sent him rocketing towards her.

"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"

He cried out before the impact. His head smashing into her stomach harshly. The force behind his attack was far more than she seemed to have been expecting as he managed to cause her to slide along the ground for a few dozen feet. But it had enough power that Natsu was able to hear the sound of something cracking. Since he hit her stomach, he figured the sound was that of the egg being broken, which the female Wyvern clearly heard as well.

"You bastard! Die! Die! Die!"

She screeched, over and over as she attempted to kill him in a mindless rage. It was so sloppy that Natsu was easily able to avoid her claws and her tails as he waited for an opening. Finally she snapped and lunged towards him with the intent to pulverize him with her teeth.

"Fire Dragon's Pulverizing Iron Fist!"

Natsu attacked, his right arm held up in front as her mouth surrounded him. His fist punched through the roof of her mouth and into her skull, similar to how he had killed the last Drake back when he rescued Cana, Happy, and Michiko when they were on that mission. Except this time he was inside the Wyverns mouth, rather than beside it.

He could feel her entire body twitching as she desperately tried to through him around inside her mouth and cut him up with her sharp teeth and fangs. But there was very little force behind her movement, so he managed to keep his footing and avoid going near her sharp teeth as the life slowly left her body.

"Even with permission from gramps I still don't feel right killing them."

Natsu muttered to himself as he carefully lifted the female Wyvern's jaw up so he could climb out of her mouth. By the time he managed to reach the ground again he could feel the boost from killing her, his magic container refilled and expanded thanks to the power he was receiving from her. At this point Natsu glanced towards where he could feel Gajeel was. It was very faint, but somehow he knew what was about to happen. After a moment of looking off to the east he could feel the increase in Gajeel's power.

"So he's dealt with at least one over there."


S.R: Yeah this chapter is shorter than the others. That's because I didn't want to make the fights seem really long or overly complicated since, well, we still have the rest of the nests to deal with. Plus the last Wyverns of each nest are going to be different. Mostly because in Gajeel's case I don't really like how his second element is Shadow. But I don't feel right giving him a secondary element and not Natsu as well right now so they're both getting one. I also don't feel right giving Natsu Lightning in this situation since he's dealing with Wyverns that specialize in Fire.

Natsu: Well I wouldn't be able to get Lightning from Laxus anyway since I won't be at Tenrou island. So I guess that makes sense.

S.R: True but that doesn't mean you wouldn't be able to get it eventually. I'm actually on the fence about if I should still give you Lightning as a third element. I mean I do think I'm going to eventually have you face off against Serena so giving you more magic to use against him would probably be a good idea…. Eh, we're rambling again. Anyway I'll see you loyal readers next time!