Her Champion
A/N: Hi everyone. Thank you for all the support in this story, you all make this Naza lover happy.
Reviews.
Etherious x: "The chapters are getting better as you progress keep up the good work."
Me: "Thank you. Glad your enjoying my story."
Erasenpai946: "I don`t think he is really fooling himself by thinking that Erza is really going to fufill her side of the deal, I`m pretty sure she won`t release him or sell him as a slave to the blue-haired princess(aka Jellal).
Me: "When that chapter arrives. The events in it might suprise you."
Guest: "amazing."
Me: "Thank you."
Marcel: "Awesome, I love your story please take care and give us another part soon."
Me: "Thank you for your support and take care aswell."
Okay, that`s all of them. I hope you guys like this one and I will see ya at the end of it.
Also, I don`t own anything that you might recognize in this chapter.
Enjoy.
Chapter 12.
One step closer
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" A loud cheering could be heard from the colosseum of Fiore kingdom. The crowd already at full force cheering and are hyped for the semi-finals. The king and the prince were already sitting on their chairs on the balcony.
Below the two on the other balcony set next to each other Princess Cana Alberona and Knightwalker. The two princesses waved at the crowd while smiling. The other two princesses were with their champions. Giving them last instructions and some advice before their match.
"They sure look excited," Gabriel said to his son while looking at the crowd.
"Indeed father," Jellal said over the cheers.
"So are you excited for the match?" Gabriel asked
"Yes, father. I can`t wait to see how princesses champions will do against each other." He said but his eyes fell towards the floor.
Gabriel saw this and placed his hand on his son's shoulder before saying in a concerned voice. "What`s the matter, my boy?"
Jellal looked at his father for a moment before looking towards the colosseum. "Oh, nothing father... It`s just that my mind has been wondering."
"Hmm... It has been doing that ever since you have to meet lady Belserion`s champion. Has it not?" His father asks to which Jellal only nods. The king puts his hand under his chin in thought.
"Don`t worry about it too much. I am sure that with the time you will remember." He said with a warm fatherly smile. Jellal smiled back but still looked kinda stressed.
After awhile Princess Ultear walked through the door with a smile as she set down on one of the empty chairs. She waved at the crowd making the cheers get even louder. Chuckling at the crowd's action, she crossed her legs and relaxed in her chair.
"Hmm... She sure looks, confidant. I wonder why." Cana thought as she looked at Ultear. She was awoken from her thoughts as the doors opened again and out of it walked Erza Belserion with a neutral look on her face.
She didn`t say anything to the other princesses, only gave them a nod, and set down on the chair that was on Cana`s right side. So the way that they set was Erza on Cana`s right, Knightwalker on Cana`s left and Ultear on Knightwalkers left side.
"What`s up with that look Belserion? Where is your look of confidence?" Knightwalker thought while looking at her Alvarez look alike. Erza paid no mind to the cheers and the looks she was receiving. Her mind was wandering back to yesterday's event. The words Natsu spoke to her about making her smile echoed in her mind ever since she woke up.
"Did you truly mean what you said Natsu..." She thought as her eyes narrowed and her hands clutched into fists. A light taps on her armor broke her train of thoughts as she faced towards the one who requested her attention.
"What got you so down?" Cana asked casually with a raised eyebrow.
Erza only blinked at her before narrowing her eyes and looking towards the arena. "You don`t need to worry about it."
Cana did not look satisfied with her answer but decided to not press on and turned her focus on the arena as well.
The first door of the dungeons opened and Natsu walked out. The crowd immediately cheered louder upon seeing the fire dragon slayer as they started to chant his name.
Natsu smiled and waved at the people of Fiore as he made it to the middle of the arena. He then looked at his opponent. It was another male who looked to be as old as him with spiky black-colored hair. He has dark blue eyes with a toned and muscular body. He was shitless with only a pair of black baggy pants and black boots. Around his neck was a chain necklace with what looks like a sword with a stone on it.
Natus`s eyes narrowed into a glare as the other man`s eyes did the same. They didn`t know why but both of them didn`t like each other's guts. For they felt like they are looking at someone they truly despise.
"What you're glaring at pinky?" The man said in an irritated voice.
"I could ask you the same thing," Natsu growled out as he got into his fighting stance. The man copied him as they both waited for the king's order.
"Are both champions ready?" The king called out while looking at the two. They didn`t as much a glanced away from the other's eyes, both of their fists tightening in expectation. The kind raised his hand in the air as the crowd has become silent.
All eyes were on the two combinations in the arena as they waited for the king to utter the words.
"BEGIN!" King's hand came down in a chopping motion. As soon as it ended the two rushed each other.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
"BOOM" Two fists collided with each other making a shock wave of air rush through the colosseum. Some of the people in the crowd had to put their arms in front of them to stop the wind pressure from blowing in their face while their hair was getting carried by the wind.
The kind, prince, and the princesses were unaffected by it and only continued watching. Ultear was still smiling while Erza watched on with narrowed eyes.
Natsu pulled his left fist back and let it fly towards the other man only for it to meet his opponent's right fist. He then attacked with his right which meets the other man`s left fist. They continued on like this until their arms were but a blur of fists.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA ORA!"
"DORA DORA DORA DORA"
They then took a giant lean back with their fists and both went for a mean right hook.
"ORA!"
"DORA!"
They both connected and set the other flying back a few feet away from each other. Both landing on their backs and then using the momentum of their knockback to backflip onto their feet and into their fighting stances.
...
...
"MORE! WE WANT MORE!" Someone in the crowd shouted out as another roar of cheers went through the colosseum. The prince and king clapped at the equal display of power and skill, showing respect for the fighters.
Cana and Knightwalker clapped as well while both Erza and Ultear smiled at their champions.
"I knew that he will be able to match strength with him. My mother sure knows how to pick 'em." Ultear thought as her smile grew.
"It`s a truly remarkable display. However..." Erza`s eyes looked over at the black-haired man, her eyebrows lowered at her gaze. "This man can keep up with Natsu`s enchanted strength. I`m not sure if he can overpower him."
Both Natsu and his opponent were taking light breaths, both looking at the other with watchful eyes looking for any sort of opening.
"Hehe... You`re pretty strong." Natsu said with a smirk
"Your not a bag of crap yourself." The man replied with a smirk of his own.
Natsu then rared his fist back and poured magic into it, making it go ablaze. The other man`s eyes widen at that and was about to step back but Natsu already charged at him.
"This will finish it." Natsu thought as he let his fist fly towards the man`s face. "FIRE DRAGON`S IRON FIST!"
"That is it." Erza thought with a smirk as she watched Natsu about to knock out his opponent
"ICE-MAKE: WALL!"
"WHAT?" Both Erza and Natsu thought as a wall of ice appeared in front of the man and blocked Natsu`s fist from reaching his target. Natsu quickly steps back from the ice wall.
He looked on with surprised expression as the wall lovered and revealed his opponent who was on one knee with his left hand touching the sand floor of the arena.
"Ice magic..." Natsu said while narrowing his eyes at the man who glared back.
"Yeah. And you are a fire mage huh... I knew that it was weird that something about you was pissing me off... And now I know why."
"Same here ice boy," Natsu said as his fist was set on fire again.
The crowd watched in silence as they watched in anticipation of what the two champions will do next.
Erza who was stunned for a few seconds at the display of ice mages magic. Turned her head to look at the Ultear with a glare. Ultear only looked back at her with a confidant smirk.
"What? You didn`t really think that this was going to be easy did you?" She said in a mocking voice, making Erza angry before turning her attention towards the battle.
Erza did the same after giving Ultear one of her death glares.
The two royalties that were sitting above them looked down at the two champions with interest.
"A fire versus ice huh... This will be an interesting match." Gabriel said to which Jellal only nodded not taking his eyes off the fight.
Natsu once again charged at the ice-mage with a battle cry.
"ICE-MAKE: LANCE" A curved ice lances appeared in front of the ice mage as he sends them towards Natsu who dodged each one and swung at the mage with his flaming fist.
"ICE-MAKE: WALL" Another wall of ice appeared, blocking Natsu`s punch again. But this time Natsu was prepared for it for he continued his assault. Sending punch after punch into the ice wall.
"ORA ORA ORA ORA!" The wall begins to crack from the force it was taking as it soon broke. Leaving the ice-mage behind it opened for an attack.
"And now." Natsu begins to say as his entire body becomes ablaze."FIRE DRAGON`S SWORD HORN" He uses the momentum after his last punch and headbutts the ice-mage who did not react fast enough.
The mage went flying back as his body rolled around in the sand creating large dust of sand to appear. Natsu smirked in satisfaction while the crowd cheered his name.
Erza smirked as well at the scene in front of her. Although she did not like the way that Natsu just blindly went at the offense. She was glad that his brute strength allowed him to advance forward in this fight.
Ultear was not smiling anymore. She had a neutral expression on her face as she watched the cloud of sand. Knowing that her champion was not out of the fight just yet.
Natsu was about to say something when a giant greatsword made of ice came towards him through the cloud and cut him on his side.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH" He yelled out in pain as he quickly stepped back only to be hit with an Ice hammer that was tossed out from the cloud. He was hit right in the face which made him fall onto his back and clunch his hurting head.
Erza was surprised at this sudden retaliation from Ultear`s champion while Ultear`s smile came back onto her face. The cloud cleared and there stood the man holding an ice-made greatsword and another hammer in his hands all while a burn mark on his forehead where Natsu hit him was still steaming.
"HEY! WERE ARE YOUR PANTS?" Someone in the crowd shouted towards him making him look down at himself only to see that he was only in boxers.
"WHAT THE HELL WHERE ARE MY PANTS?" He shouted out and then looked around, trying to find them. The crowd had a mixed reaction to this sudden turn of events. Mostly girls were blushing in embarrassment while most of the males were laughing at the poor ice-mage.
"Of all the times for your habit to take effect. It had to be now..." Ultear thought with her cheeks red as she covered her face with her hands. Trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Don`t ask." She simply said to the other princesses who were looking at her for an explanation. Erza didn`t really pay attention to the ice-mages sudden lost of pants, she was looking at Natsu who was still at the ground clutching his face in pain. The cut on his left side was a shallow cut but it was still bleeding, meaning that Natsu will become weaker from blood loss as this match goes on. And who knows what kind of damage that hammer did to him.
She was starting to get worried. Her grip on her armrests tightens even more in worry.
The king and prince sweatdropped at the man`s sudden lack of clothing but ignored it and let the match proceed.
"Thc... Don`t have time for this. I need to finish this guy off." The man said as he dispelled his greatsword but kept the hammer in his right hand. He slowly walked over to still laying Natsu and raised his hammer above his head.
"Yes... Finish it." Ultear thought with a wide smile
"COME ON! GET UP NATSU!" Erza mentally yelled in her mind as the ice mage readied himself to deliver the final blow.
"ICE-MAKE: ICE IM-"
"ROAR!" Natsu moved his hands from his face as a blast of flames came out from his mouth hitting the unprepared ice-mage in the chest. The wave of fire sent him back good ten feet away as he fell down while yelling in pain.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH" The mage yelled out as his entire upper body was covered in burn marks. The smell of burned flesh reached Natsu`s nose who has gotten up and was holding his left side.
He looked down at it and saw that it was bleeding. He cursed at himself for letting his guard down, after every warning that Erza gave him about not getting too cocky. He still got confident enough to make a mistake. Maybe he should start listening to her advice.
By this time the mage made it to his feet but was doing it slowly in order to not make his burns hurt too much. He knew that even tho his body was cold, they will still hurt and wear him down as this match goes on.
They both stood glaring at each other. Wondering what their next move will be.
"Had enough stripper?" Natsu taunted with a toothy grin.
"Not even close flame-brain. I`m just warming up." The man taunted back.
In the blink of an eye, the two were back at each other's throats. Using an attack after attack in an attempt to knock each other out.
"FIRE DRAGON`S ROAR"
"ICE-MAKE: SHIELD"
"ICE-MAKE: SWORD"
"FIRE DRAGON`S IRON FIST"
"FIRE DRAGON`S FLAME ELBOW"
"ICE-MAKE: ICE HAMMER"
They went back and forth. Each attack countering the other. Before they knew it, they were back in the middle of the arena. Both breathing heavily from their mouths as the crowd cheered them on.
"This is truly a marvelous fight." Gabriel thought with a smile on his face."To think that I will be witnessing such a spectacle in my kingdom. These ladies really want to win."
Jellal`s mind, however, has wondered away again ever since Natsu used his roar. A flash of images and events ran through his head at a very fast pace as he heard voices in his head.
FLASHBACK:
It was night time in the forest near Fiore. A lone boy that appeared to be no older than eight. Was seen slowly walking through it while calling out for help.
"HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!" A child's voice echoed in his mind as a shadowy figure approached the boy with a dagger in hand.
The boy let out a fearfully scream as it noticed the figure approaching him. He backed away from it until his back hit the tree. He looked around for a way to escape but a man grabbed him by the neck and slowly lifted him off the ground.
"Hehehe. Where are you off to kiddo?"The deep, raspy voice asked conforming it to be a man. The man brought the boy closer to himself as he leans in to whisper into the boy's ear. "Why don`t you come with me. A cute brat like yourself could serve me well. Oh yes... So well."
Boy was so terrified to even speak, he couldn`t move as his body helplessly hanged from the man`s hand. The man was about to turn and walk away with him but stopped when he heard something. It sounded like a fire...
Before he knew it, the man was hit with a large wave of fire. The impact and the pain made him release the boy as he was set flying through the woods disappearing from the sight.
A few seconds later. The boy saw a teenager walk into his line of sight. He guessed that it was a teenager because of his hight and the way he held himself. The boy couldn`t see much of the teen`s appearance for he too was covered in shadows.
The teen walked over to the boy before kneeling in front of him. The boy gazed into the pair of onyx orbs as his savior asked him.
"You okay kid?"
END OF FLASHBACK:
Jellal came back to reality when he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He looked over to his father and saw him look at him in concern.
"Son. Are you okay?" He asked.
"Y-yes... I am fine." He cursed himself for stuttering.
"Are you sure? Your face is pale and your sweating. Do you want something to eat?" Gabrial asked his son in a worried tone.
"Some wine would be nice," Jellal said as he looked down at the two fighters who still have not moved from their spots.
Gabriel nodded and ordered one of the servants to bring him wine. Meanwhile, on the princess's balcony, all four of them were watching the fighters with anticipation. Wondering who will make the next move.
"Hmm... This is really intense. There is no telling what could happen next. But no matter whoever wins I know that my champion will crush them. Just like it will do so to miss Knightwalker over here." Cana thought as her eyes briefly went onto Knightwalker before sighing. "Man... All this intensity is making me thirsty. I need a drink."
"Natsu... Your power is truly amazing. Show me more of it." Knightwalker thought with a smile as she looked down at the fire dragon slayer.
"They are evenly matched... At the rate things are going, it will all come down to one big move from both of them. Then the last man standing will win." Ultear thought while her hand was holding her chin.
Erza was seen leaning forward in her chair slightly with her hands clutched together on her lap. She did not expect for someone to match Natsu`s 40% power this well, especially ice-mage. And the way things are going she will be forced to give Natsu more of his power back.
"No... It`s too early to decide." Erza said as she watched her champion breathe heavily. Cuts and bruises on his body definitely were wearing off on his body. As his legs shook in pain from standing. The ice-mage was no different from his own set of wounds. The burn marks now covered most of his body as it shook in pain.
She saw them both raised their heads and glared at each other. A spark flashed in their eyes.
"This will decide it." Both thought as they got into their stances and prepared their spells.
"DRAGON SLAYER`S SECRET ART..." Natsu`s flames begin to circle around him as he spread his arms out.
"ICE-MAKE UNLIMITED..." a large number of blades were created around the mage. They all turned towards Natsu`s direction as his flames circled faster around him.
"CRIMSON LOTUS: EXPLODING FLAME BLADE!" Natsu swung his arms in circular fashion creating a powerful torrent of flames.
"ONE-SIDED CHAOTIC DANCE!" the blades went towards Natsu as bot released their attack at the same time.
The two attacks were flying towards each other with everyone watching while holding in their breath. When the two attacks clashed the fire ate through the ice blades and melted every single one of them.
"WHAT THE?" The ice-mage said in shock and pretty soon that shock turned to despair as the torrent of fire hit him head-on.
Ultear watched in shock and dread as the torrent of flames consumed her champion. A few seconds after that the area were he stood exploded shaking the whole colosseum and making people take cover.
The wind pressure it created forced everyone on the two balconies to shield their eyes. When it all died down and the smoke cleared, they saw Ultear`s champion laying on his back, his arms and legs spread with multiple new burn marks on his body. Thankfully his boxers survived somehow.
"Oh thank god he is alive." Ultear thought as she let out a breath that she was holding and placed a hand on her fast-beating heart.
"Damn it... I was able to block some of the damage with my shield. But It took more out of me then I thought... I can`t even move." The mage thought as he lay there and was looking up in the sky. "I am sorry Ultear... I failed you."
Natsu then fell down on one knee as he was breathing heavily. His head felt dizzy from the loss of blood but he still was able to think and not blackout. He didn`t feel his arms and hands tho and his legs hurt like hell.
"It will be an intense sore morning." He thought to himself with a small chuckle
The king walked over to the edge of the balcony and looked at now bloodied and hurt fighters. He then raised his hand in order to get everyone's attention. When he received it he pointed towards the arena and on Natsu.
"The winner is the champion of Princess Belserion and the first finalist in the tournament." After that, everyone in the colosseum exploded in a loud, powerful, roar of cheers.
"NATSU! NATSU! NATSU!" They chanted as Natsu weakly raised his fist in a show of appreciation.
The prince, the king, and the princesses all clapped at Natsu`s performance. Erza had a small smile on her face, proud of Natsu for being able to win this hard-earned victory. However, she was also glad that no one noticed that her right shoulder and Natsu`s collar were glowing red.
However, one person did see it.
"So that`s how she does it." Erza Knightwalker thought as she continued to clap her hands.
Natsu slowly got back to his feet and very gingerly walked towards the downed ice-mage. When he reached him he kneeled by his head and got in his line of vision.
"What do you want pinky..." Came from the ice-mage whose voice sounded raspy and in pain. "Came to rub in your victory?"
Natsu didn`t say anything as he slowly slipped his arms below the ice mages body and very carefully lifted him up in a bride style carry. The crowd went silent as they watched Natsu carry his defeated opponent towards the ice-mages side of the arena.
"What are you doing?" He weakly said as he looked up at Natsu.
"Someone has to get your ass to the healers so I am doing it," Natsu told him without looking down at him.
"But why?"
"Because you gave me one of the best fights of my life."After that Natsu arrived in front of the dungeon doors where the guards took the ice-mage from his arms and told him that they will make sure he gets help.
"Hey. What`s your name?" Natsu asked as the guards carefully swung each of ice mages arms over their shoulders.
"Gray... Gray Fullbuster." He answered him
"I am Natsu Dragneel. I hope that one day we get to fight again." He said while giving Gray his signature toothy smirk.
"You bet we will... And next time. You won`t beat me." Natsu said as he glared at Natsu.
"Yeah, sure whatever you say stripper." after that Natsu turned and slowly walked away. He knew that Gray wanted to say something back at him. But probably thought better of it since he is in so much pain.
The crowd cheered in the show of respect for Natsu`s good deed as Natsu slowly made his way towards his side of the arena. When he finally made it there, the two guards that were standing there swung his arms over their shoulders and carried him away from the colosseum.
When he was out of sight. Erza stood up with a mission to see how bad he is hurt. But just as she was about to open the door Ultear stepped in her way. The two women stared each other down as if there are bitter rivals before Ultear extended her hand towards Erza.
"Congratulations to you Belserion... You have a very powerful and good-hearted champion." Ultear spoke with honesty and respect. Erza looked at her face then down to her hand before firmly grasping her hand in a handshake.
"Thank you, princess Milkovich. Your champion did well also." With that Ultear stepped aside to let Erza pass. Erza walked through the doors and towards her champion`s cell. Ultear following afterward towards her own.
Leaving Cana and Knightwalker to wait for their own champions match. The king and the prince both had a satisfied smile on their faces as Gabriel took a sip from his glass of wine.
"Ahh... Did you see that Jellal? The power to slay a dragon... It was beautiful." Gabriel said to his son who nodded."Now all that is left for him to do is-."
"Father with your permission I would like to have another lunch with princess Belserion," Jellal said suddenly after finishing his third glass of wine.
"Oh? You don`t want to see the last match of semi-finals?" Gabriel asked his son with a raised eyebrow.
"I would like to get to know my possible future wife better. So I beg you, father... Allow me to do this." Jellal asked in a hopeful voice.
Gabriel took a moment to think about it but ultimately told him to go ahead. But that he will also have to do the same with the winner of the last match.
Jellal bowed his head at his father and give him a quick thank you before walking away from the balcony. Gabriel snapped his finger towards the servent and hold out his glass for a refill. When his glass was full he took a sip of it and looked around the colosseum at the still hyped crowd.
"You finally remembered, haven`t you Jellal." The king took a big sip from his glass.
A/N: Wooooooooo! Done.
I hope you enjoyed and that you don`t mind a few hiccups here and there.
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