And Onto the Story
"Laxus!" Mira growled as she stepped in front of Natsu, making the pink haired boy narrow his eyes as he looked at the blonde man, muscles twitching as he waited for the slightest hint of aggression.
Laxus looked at the demon mage before scoffing and turning his gaze back to the boy, infuriating the demon even further.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Mira complained as she made to step closer, only for Natsu to gently tug her wrist, making the girl turn around, only to see the boy shake his head.
"Looks like someone has finally tamed the demon, you really are strange aren't you kid," Laxus commented with a smirk as he hopped across the stream, landing five feet infront of the two mages.
"What relation do you have to the old man?" Natsu commented, ignoring the blonde's taunts as he stepped in front of Mira, his hand quickly slipping down to her hand and giving it a light squeeze before pulling his hand away, missing the blush on her face as she stared at his wide back, scars glowing in the moonlight as he stood strong before the older mage.
"Damn he was right, you sure got a nose on you. You're talking about the man you put in the hospital? Right? He's my grandfather." Laxus commented with a smirk, reveling in the remorse that flickered across Natsu's face before he dropped into a bow, his torso perpendicular with the ground.
"I'm… I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt him." Natsu apologized, remaining in a perfect bow as he awaited the blonde's response.
"Yeah, the ol' man explained everything. He wanted me to track you down, but I guess someone else found you first," Laxus explained, with a sigh before looking Mira in the eye and smirking as she turned away in a pout.
"Why though?" Natsu asked confused as he looked back at Mira, hoping his new friend could provide him with answers.
"Honestly? Gramps told me and Gildarts a lot of shit about what happened. And to be frank? I'm scared shitless if it's true," Laxus commented as he ran his hand through his hair with a sigh, completely shocking Mira.
"Part of me thinks I should kill you on the spot, but if he's right I wouldn't even get close, no matter what I did… So we came to a sort of agreement." Laxus explained as he watched the kid for any signs of aggression, fear, or even boredom. He was impressed to see the boy's stance didn't waver for a second.
Mira, on the other hand was troubled. Laxus was the second strongest mage in the Guild, third if you included Makarov, and at sixteen years old he would probably grow to be three times as strong. So what about this kid scared Laxus so much? And why didn't the kid seem surprised.
"... Does he know what's happening to me? I…-" Natsu began to explain, his composure breaking and his shoulders almost reflexively curling curling as his confidence visibly dropped.
"Look kid, I don't think anyone will ever really understand what the fuck is going on. All I know, is that we gotta do whatever we can, to make sure this never fucking happens again. Because god forbid that he's right." Laxus explained, fear and aggravation sinking into his tone as he began to pace in front of them, actually making Mira take a step back from Natsu, wincing as he flinched.
"What do you mean? What the hell is going on! The kid's pretty strong, so what!" Mira exploded as she stomped over to Laxus, stopping right in his face as she looked up at the man.
"It'd be best if you never find out. C'mon, gramps wants to talk to you. Go home demon, you can play with your new boy toy tomorrow." Laxus said as he turned around, jumping over the stream and making his way back to the guild.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Natsu asked hesitantly as he approached the Majin, noticing a build up of magic pressure, before it was released in a sigh as she turned to look at Natsu.
"Oh yeah, you better not make me hunt ya down a second time alright?" MIra demanded with a smirk, ignoring the warmth in her chest as a smile appeared on the boy's face.
"You betcha!" Natsu replied as he hopped over the stream and disappeared into the trees.
Mirajane's PoV
"Do you think we'll get to see the Master today?" Lisanna asked happily as they began their morning trek to the guild, Elfman following silently behind as usual.
"I dunno Lis, we'll just have to wait and see." Mira replied, a small smile on her face as she remembered the night before, knowing full well there was a good chance today was going to at least be exciting.
"Ni-san, you look… happier today, did you have a good night's rest?" Lisanna asked curiously as she bounced around on the sidewalk, full of childlike joy.
"Yeah, you could say that. How about you? I don't remember the last time you were this happy." Mira asked with a smirk as she looked at her little sister, who simply giggled as she continued to dance around her siblings, even getting a smile on Elfman's face as he watched his sister happily bounce around.
"Of course! Master is getting better by the day! And soon everything will be back to normal again!" Lisanna replied cheerfully, missing the pause in Mira's step as she winced before continuing.
"Lisanna's right, with Master awake everyone should be happy again." Elfman proclaimed with a smile, feeding off of Lisanna's endless happiness and cheer.
"I'd be surprised otherwise, I just wonder how Red's takin it," Mira replied.
Erza's PoV
"What?! Master what are you saying?!" Erza screamed as she looked at the old man on the second floor, with Gildarts to his left, Natsu to his right, and Laxus sitting at a table behind them, watching over the guild with his headphones on.
"Erza, I'm not quite sure how to make myself more clear…" Makarov mused as he stroked his mustache, completely ignoring her temper tantrum as her magic began to run lose.
"Master this is completely unacceptable! That boy could have killed you, this is a... terrible precedent to set for the guild!" Erza raged as the rest of the guild began to hide, trembling in fear of the Knight behind the bar, and other assorted furniture, while Gildarts and Makarov just sweat dropped.
"Erza… It wasn't Natsu's fault," Makarov said as he jumped off the second floor balcony landing in front of the irritated knight, confused as to why Erza felt so strongly about this.
"Master,-" Erza began, only to be interrupted as the doors flew off their hinges, revealing the strauss siblings.
"Yo master, how are ya?" Mira greeted as she ignored the tense atmosphere, her siblings following behind her. Everyone began to come out of hiding and went back to their day. Macao and Wakaba returned to the bar. Levy made her way back to her chair, a huge book in her arms that shook the entire table.
Cana and Gray followed Levy over to her table, with a skipping Lisanna and bashful Elfman following dutifully in tow.
Mira went straight towards her rival and master, wanting to settle this here and now.
"Hey Natsu! Good to see you're not a total idiot," Mira called out as she waved up at the boy on the second floor, amused to see Gildarts give the boy a gentle nudge towards the stairs, confusing the child with a thumbs up.
Erza watched all this with a frown, before huffing and walking away, ignoring Makarov's hand on her shoulder as she brushed it off and left the guild.
"Damn stubborn brats, " Makarov cursed under his breath, unable to quell the pain in his chest at seeing his children turn him away, and brush him off.
"Gramps? Is it official yet or what?" Mira asked as she cocked her hip, looking down on the old man.
"Of course! Natsu! Come here and greet your new guild members!" Makarov cried cheerfully, watching as some of the younger brats came over.
"Hello Natsu! My name is Cana, nice to meet you!" A young brown haired girl asked as she walked up to the boy, followed by Lisanna, Levy and Elfman. Levy was noticeably hesitant, almost hiding behind the white haired boy, but her curiosity was too much for her.
Unfortunately, nobody else even paid Natsu any mind, ignoring the group of children entirely. Makarov turned around, approaching his office with a sigh, an ache growing in his heart as he heard only a couple more introductions, knowing that if only he had been more prepared, none of this would have ever happened.
'Natsu my boy, I pray that you find peace in your own heart, your journey will no doubt be long and arduous.' Makarov thought with a sigh as he trudged his way up to his office, no doubt having a mound or two of paperwork to fill out.
"C'mon kid, we gotta get you some proper clothes," Gildarts said with a laugh as he watched the boy converse with some of the kids his age, still just wearing his scarf and his tattered pants. He began to laugh even harder when he saw some of the girls blush in realization.
Natsu quickly paid his dues before following the crash mage through the door, unaware of where his life would bring him in the next few years, the relationships that would be tested and forged.
Lisanna's PoV
"Thank you for having me over… Umm, Gildarts said I should bring these?" Natsu asked, a nervous blush on his face as he practically shoved the flowers into the poor girls face, breaking her from her trance.
"Thanks! Come in!" Lisanna said, a matching blush on her face as she opened the door, letting the pink haired man enter. He was wearing a black button up shirt, the sleeves folded up to his elbows, and the top two buttons were left undone. He was wearing navy blue slacks, his scarf tied around his pants and brown loafers.
Natsu looked around in awe at their home. It wasn't anything fancy or large, perhaps spacious for three kids, but it was more than enough. There was a small three tiered rack at the front door for shoes. The top rack was coloured Green, the Middle rack Blue, and the bottom rack was a dark purple.
There was a staircase right in front of the door, the steps a dark red oak, matching the railing. The spools of the railing were a white birch. The walls were covered in a gentle gray paisley wallpaper, with white wainscoting covering the bottom of the walls. The walls were scattered with pictures of the young family.
He carefully removed his new shoes before taking gentle steps into the home, the scent of dinner hitting him in the face as he walked into the living room, a humble cloth couch and chairs placed around a mahogany coffee table that was placed in the centre of a plain, blue carpet.
Past the living room was the dining room, with a large window on the back wall covered in a clean white curtain, with a round wooden table set with six chairs.
'He looks in awe… Has he never seen a home before?' Lisanna wondered as she walked towards the boy, touching him gently on the shoulder before walking past him into the house.
"Elf nii-chan! Mira-nee, Natsu's here!" Lisanna declared, almost instantly hearing the sounds of pots and pans hitting the floor, startling the poor boy who burst into action, appearing at the entrance to the kitchen faster than Lisanna could blink.
She ran over, worried about her big sister, stopping beside Natsu in confusion. There were two pans, and a teapot cooking, as usual. But at the end near the pantry, a blushing Mira was buried under a pile of cans, jars and flour.
Natsu and Lisanna look each other in the eyes before smiling as they went to help a blushing Mira out of this mess.
Mirajane's PoV
'Thisis so awkward!' Mira screamed internally as she looked across the table at Natsu, who was sitting beside Lisanna. 'And why the fuck is Elf so nervous!' Mira raged as she kicked her brother under the table, making the boy wince as he looked at his sister, all the while Lisanna laughed awkwardly.
Natsu looked at his plate before sighing, looking toward the younger boy and then back to Mira.
"Do you-" "No!" The boy began only to be cut off by both Strauss girls, cut off by the strauss sisters, making both boys flinch. The girls looked each other in the eye before nodding in agreement.
"So… Natsu, where did you grow up?" Lisanna asked out of the blue after a minute of awkward silence, as everyone looked to their guest as they continued eating.
Mira had prepared a quick meal, A pork teriyaki stir fry with Red peppers, white onions and shitake mushrooms. There was a plate of fried rice, and a kettle of Chamomile tea in the middle of the table beside the flowers Natsu brought.
"Well, I grew up in a forest on the Northern part of the… continent?" Natsu commented curiously as he tilted his head, trying to make sure he used the proper words.
"Okay… What was your village called? Maybe we could tell you where it is?" Mira asked curiously as she looked at Natsu, kind of worried and very confused the boy didn't know where he lived.
"I didn't grow up in a village, I lived with my dad in a cave," Natsu commented in a confused tone as he tilted his head again.
"What type of man is your dad, to raise you in a cave?" Elfman spoke up curiously as he looked at the boy, beginning to realise that Natsu may be more sheltered than he realized. He was nervous to be eating with someone who was so clearly dangerous, but looking at him now he looked so… innocent.
"Oh, about that… Um, how about you?" Natsu asked nervously as he tried to change the subject, having been told by both Makarov and Gildarts that nobody would believe him.
The three siblings shared a look before nodding, understanding why someone wouldn't want to talk about their childhood.
"We grew up in a village West of Crocus, but we moved to come to Fairy Tail," Mira replied with a fake smile, making the boy nod in realization as they reached an impasse since neither wanted to elaborate about their childhood.
"What type of Fire magic do you use? Those flames must have been really strong," Elfman asked nervously as he looked at the boy, his meal already finished as he gently set his utensils down.
"These are not normal flames, these are the flames of a Dragon, taught to me by the king himself," Natsu replied with a small smile as he looked at the family before him.
"Wait, so you're a dragon slayer?!" Lisanna asked excitedly as she looked at the boy, surprising him with her response. Everyone turned to the young girl in shock, confused as to he she even knew about the lost magic.
" I… ummm. Yes, I am a Dragon Slayer…?" Natsu answered almost confusedly as he looked at the young family, before taking another bite.
"That's so awesome! That must mean your dad was a dragon! Was he big? Was he mean? Did he have a treasure trove-" Lisanna began to ramble excitedly, a smile beginning to grow on Natsu face, grateful that someone actually believed him.
"Lis, seriously, let the kid breathe huh?" Mira interrupted with a gentle hand, cutting her sister off who took a huge breathe of air to refill her lungs.
Natsu looked around the table, seeing a smile on the girls faces, an unknown feeling blooming in his chest as he realized that they actually believed him. Elfman, on the other hand… may need some more pushing.
"Yeah, my dad was Igneel, King of the Dragons and fourth seat on the High Council." Natsu exclaimed proudly, confusing all present at the mention of the council.
"that… Would actually make sense…" Mira commented, wondering about his senses and magic power. "But what's this Council your talking about?" She queries as she wipes her mouth with a reusable napkin, noticing everyone had finished.
"The council of Myth, they reign over all magic beings on Earthland. There are eleven seats, each responsible for the strongest, or the appointed ruler of their race," Natsu explained with a smile as he stood up, quickly collecting his plates before beginning to clear the table as Gildarts instructed, having said it was customary for the guest to help clean up.
"Oh, I can't have you do that! Sit down and continue," Mira attempted with a slight glare as she stood up, attempting to take over Natsu job only to receive a wink in response, a blush growing on her cheeks as they finished cleaning the table.
"Honestly, I only know a couple of the other seats… The rest are a mystery to me," Natsu replied with a shrug as he followed Mira into the kitchen, hearing a disappointed sigh leave Lisanna and Elfman's mouth.
"So…" Mira prompted as she cleared the plates into the garbage, a smirk on her face as Natsu blushed.
"Well my dad is the fourth seat, King of the Dragons who is responsible for all dragonkin. The Sixth seat is for the Celestial Spirit King, and the ninth seat is for the Queen of the Fairies," Natsu explained as Mira pushed him out of the kitchen back to the dining room, where Lisanna was happily patting his seat.
"That's so cool! Do they have a secret hide out? How come we haven't heard of them?" Lisanna asked childishly as Natsu sat beside her, having everyone's unbridled attention.
"Most of them actually exist in a plane separate to our own, their power or abilities making them too strong to interact with our world. That's why my father can't…" Natsu answered, his smile turning upside down as he remembered his father leaving.
"Then how did he train you?" Elfman asked curiously, receiving a glare from Lisanna before she looked at the older boy.
"Each seat is allowed to choose and train their own emissary to carry out the council's requests on Earthland, this way the are influencing and not directly interfering." Natsu explained as he watched Mira expertly carry out four plates of cake, gently placing them at each setting before slipping into her seat.
Natsu looked at the treat in wonder, his nose assaulted by a wonderful mixture of scents, practically salivating onto the table cloth. Both girls stared at him until Elfman subtly coughed, breaking everyone out of their stupor as he ate a bite of cake.
Natsu hesitantly grabbed his fork before cutting a small piece of the cake off, unknowingly being watched as he gently placed the piece of desert in his mouth, instantly surprised by the flavours.
"Wow, this is amazing! Did you make this?" Natsu asked as he looked at the older girl, graciously devouring the entire slice in two bites before rubbing his stomach in glee.
"Yep, Lisanna helped me make it," Mira replied with a blush as she stared at her food, confused as to why she was struggling to tear her eyes off the boy the entire night, a sentiment easily shared by her younger sister.
'What is wrong with me? I'm not coming down with something am I? Why is my heart racing!' Mira griped as she began to eat her cake.
"So what type of magic do you guys use?" Natsu asked curiously after taking a drink of water.
"We are the takeover siblings!" Lisanna exclaimed as she shot up in her seat, standing on the chair in a heroic pose with her fist in the air, Elfman and Natsu breaking into laughter when Mira sent her a half hearted glare.
"Lis… how many times do I have to tell you not to say that?" Mira muttered under her breath, unable to hide the smirk as she turned around and brought the dirty dishes back to the kitchen.
"But Mira-nee, it's true. We are siblings that all use Take-over Magic," Lisanna replied in a confused tone as she winked at her older brother, making Natsu realize this is a common discussion.
"What's takeover magic?" Natsu asked curiously, making Both Elfman and Lisanna look at Natsu confused, while Mira exited the kitchen, wearing a gothic lolita style aprons as she dryed her hands off.
"It's a magic that lets us assimilate a creatures soul after we defeat it, and use its powers," Elfman surprisingly explained, becoming nervous when Natsu frowned at them.
"Isn't that mean? You have to let them pass naturally or they won't have peace!" Natsu questioned as he crossed his arms over his chest, making Mira sigh as she glared at her brother.
"It's not always like that, Lisanna, for example, has souls that animals willingly give to her. I collect demon souls, and Elf has Beast souls. We only take souls of dangerous monsters that we can use to protect others, ones that are truly evil. We refuse to just hunt down souls." Mira explained cautiously with Natsu's dark beady eyes staring her down.
"That makes sense… Sorry for overreacting…" Natsu apologizes as he calms down, a smile returning to his face while the strauss' nodded in acceptance, only to be cut off by a bell echoing through the home, prompting Lisanna to groan while she an Elfman made their way upstairs to get ready for bed.
"It's getting late, do you have somewhere to stay? Mira asked nervously as she was left alone with a boy she was at the very least attracted to, as they made their way to the living room, still in her apron, everything already cleaned and put away.
"No, I was planning on heading to the forest and finding a tree-" Natsu began to explain only to be cut off when the platinum blonde smacked him over the head.
"You can take the couch, I'll grab you a blanket," Mira responded as she turned around, the back of her neck turning red as she freaked out.
'Why did I do that? Fuck, now he's going to think I'm abusive or something,' Mira panicked, squealing when she felt a hand gently wrap around her wrist and spinning her around.
"Thank you," Natsu responded as he pulled her into a hug, the girl becoming stock still as he gently placed a chaste kiss on his cheek, just like Gildarts instructed.
"N-Natsu? W-why did you do that?" The girl stuttered as she hugged him back before shakily taking a step back, watching as the boy tilted his head in confusion, her heart soaring even higher as her face burned brighter than the sun.
"I'm sorry? Gildarts said it was customary to do that to a girl?" Natsu asked as he looked at the girl, his eyes widening when her magic power exploded around her, her embarrassment turning to anger.
"Gildarts! You filthy old man!" Mira raged, her screams disappearing into the night sky.
Cana's PoV
`I can't wait to get details from Mira… that kid is way too mysterious,' Cana thought as she took a sip of her juice, eating her breakfast at a table with Levy, Gray was doing his usual training outside with Loki, Erza was eating a slice of cheesecake at the bar, and Jet and Droy were still asleep.
Laxus was hanging out on the top floor, having probably been held back by the Master, evident by the frown on his face.
Gildarts was at the bar with Macao, Wakaba and Master, telling them about his latest quest, a huge grin on his face as he drank out of his mug.
'I'll never be able to tell him… he looks so happy, he probably never wanted a kid anyway…' Cana thought with a sigh as she took another bite of her pancake, receiving an elbow to the ribs.
"Hey, you curious about this new kid too, huh? I wonder what type of magic he has. I would have thought he was like Jet if it wasn't for that fire," Levy rambled excitedly, a smile on her face reflecting on Cana's, falling for her friends ploy.
"Honestly yeah, it's not everyday someone can keep up with both Erza and Mi-" Cana began, only to drop into a cold sweat at the demonic glare being sent her way.
Luckily the Knight was distracted when the doors to the guild slammed open, an upset look on Mira's face as she looked for the ace, cracking her knuckles in anticipation.
"You!" Mira growled as she stomped her way towards the cloaked man, all conversation in the guild stopping as they waited in anticipation.
"Hey kiddo, how was dinner?" Gildarts asked with a wink, a smirk growing on Makarovs face when the girl growled in anger, her magic spiking as she looked at the older man for a few seconds, the smile never leaving his face as she spun on her heel and stomped towards Cana's table and slumping down, almost cracking the bench.
"Someo-" Cana began, a smile on her face only to Blanche when Mira turned her glare to the brunette.
"Okay, what's wrong?" The brunette, asked, her eyes narrowing in the young boy, assuming the obvious.
"No! It's not ...entirely his fault…" Mira mumbled as she watched the pink haired boy walk towards the Scarlet Knight, only for her to scoff and get up, exiting through the back of the guild.
"C'mon! What happened, we're dying over here!" Cana moaned making Mira sigh, before explaining what happened the night before, making sure Lisanna was still at the job board with Elfman.
"Oh…" the girls chorused when Mira finished, understanding Mira's plight as she watched the boy talk to the Master and Gildarts at the bar, their faces shifting to Laxus every few minutes.
"I get what you mean, he just asked how to act properly, and simply didn't know that Gildarts is… is a pervert," Levy finished, her voice dropping conspiratorially as she blushed, as if speaking the word itself was a sin.
"Yeah, it took me, like, thirty minutes to explain what a "kiss" even meant," Mira said with a sigh, a blush on her face as she collapsed onto the table, her head buried in her arms as the other two girls laughed lightly.
"Mira-nee! We found one!" Lisanna exclaimed as she skipped towards her older sister clutching a paper in her hand with a smile on her face, completely oblivious to the mood.
"Oh, finally getting back out there huh," Cana commented as she took the sheet out of the excited girls hand, and began reading the mission aloud.
"There has been a monster terrorizing Shirotsume Town, hunt and exterminate it in the forest, reward of two hundred thousand jewels." Cana read with an approving nod, knowing between the siblings they could easily handle it. Lisanna could ask the animals for a general location and Mira would blast it into oblivion.
"Right? Natsu's going to be so excited! I can't wait!" Lisanna exclaimed as she bounced around the table, making everyone smile as she glomped her sister in a hug.
"Say what now?" Cana asked, her eyes narrowing on the boy when his head twitched at the mention of his name. 'What the? She wasn't even loud,' Cana pondered as she turned her attention to the older Strauss sibling.
"Lisanna wants us to take Natsu on his first mission, she wants to 'see his magic in action!'" Mira explained, her fingers used as air quotes while Lisanna pouted, now sitting beside the reading bluenette.
"Like you don't want to either Mira-nee!" Lisanna pouted as she crossed her arms, a smile growing on her sisters face as she begrudgingly nodged.
"Honestly, same here… I wonder…" Cana mentioned as she looked over at the three at the bar.
"How about you go ask him, okay?" Mira asked as she looked at Lisanna, who quickly grabbed the request from Cana before bounding over to the bar.
"Natsu! Natsuuu! Want to come with us on a quest?" Lisanna asked excitedly, shocking everyone, even Loki and Gray who were making their way out of the guild change rooms near the back door, towels around their necks.
"Let me see dear," Makarovs asked kindly as he took the request from the young girl, who quickly clambered onto the seat beside the Pink haired boy.
"Don't you think that's a little too easy for him?" Gildarts asked as he looked over the Masters shoulder, the elderly man humming in agreement, shocking Cana.
"Hey, what's up?" Levy whispered as she gently tapped the brunette, leaning over the table.
"That's an A-Class Quest," Cana said a little louder than planned, her voice echoing through the guild.
"What?! C'mon Gramps, he's not even an A Class Mage. Isn't that against the rules?" Gray moaned as he and Loki walked towards their own table, Elfman joining nervously as he sat with the two boys.
"Uhh, you did see him fight Mira and Erza… right?" Cana drawled out, internally cursing herself for talking too loud.
"Yeah, but everyone knows those two can't do anything together. I bet you me and Loki could beat his ass!" Gray challenged as he slammed his hands on the table, glaring at the pink haired boy, too fired up to think about the demon in the room.
"Your funeral," Laxus chimed in from the second floor shocking everyone present as he walked towards the railing, ignoring Makarov's glare.
"Yeah, well you weren't there, me and Loki have been training really hard too!" Gray rebutted childishly making Laxus roll his eyes.
"So you're saying you can beat someone who put Gramps in a coma for three days?" Laxus retorted, aiming to start a fight and get a read on how strong this kid actually was. The boy had no magical presence whatsoever, if it wasn't for his nose he wouldn't even be able to tell he was a mage.
Gray growleded before storming towards the pink haired boy in anger, jamming his right index finger into his face while Loki internally groaned, knowing Gray was going to get them in trouble.
"In fact, I challenge you on your honor as a mage! If I beat you, you have to leave Fairy Tail and never come back!" Gray declared proudly, everyone's eyes widening as they looked at the children.
Natsu ignored Gray, his eyes seeking out Mira, making her smirk as she nodded his head, internally furious that Gray would stoop so low, but even she could understand the influence a rivalry could have on you… even if in this case it was totally one sided.
She just hoped the two boys didn't get too injured.
"On my honour as mage, I accept" Natsu declared strongly as he looked to Makarov for instruction.
"Very well, at noon, Natsu shall duel Gray and Loke." Makarov sighed as he looked up to his grandson, frustrated by the smirk on his face as he grabbed his mug of beer and took a sip, only praying the boy doesn't lose control again.
"Bets! Make your Bets!" Cana called out from the bar, now standing beside a black board with a piece of chalk in her hand. One side of the board was labeled Natsu, the other… "Team Idiot".
The guild quickly rushed towards the board, all yelling their own predictions as they waved their jewels in the air, making MIra smile and shake her head as she stood up, walking towards the pink haired boy with Lisanna following happily in tow.
"Sorry, looks like we won't be able to go on that mission today," Natsu said with a small smile as he looked the youngest strauss in the eyes, already unable to be upset around her.
"That's okay! It will be awesome to see what your magic can do!" Lisanna exclaimed as she started doing her own ninja poses, making noises while everyone burst into laughter, truly loving how Lisanna was becoming the happiness and heart of the guild.
"Natsu, You are not allowed to use offensive magic in the duel," Makarov decided after he stopped laughing, making Natsu nod in acceptance, not planning on using it unless necessary, understanding that he must have been stepping on the boy's toes, and unknowingly challenging him.
"Gramps, that's not really fai-" Mira began only to cut off when Gildarts turned around.
"Trust me kiddo, we're doing them a favour," Gildarts explained seriously, making Mira remember what Laxus said a couple nights before, paling slightly before nodding.
"Well, there's a couple hours until this duel, I need to go stretch," Natsu said, breaking the silence as he thanked the bartender for the glass of water before walking towards the front of the guild, smiling slightly when he heard footsteps following him outside the guild.
Natsu's PoV
"What are we doing all the way out here?" Mira asked curiously as she followed the younger boy to the outskirts of town, now approaching the forest that surrounds the city, with Lisanna and Cana walking in tow.
"I'm used to training in a forest, using trees and rocks, plus, I don't want to damage anything," Natsu said sheepishly as he lead them into the trees, the girls behind him shrugging before following him.
It was a beautiful autumn day, the birds were singing, insects chirping as they made their way towards a clearing, confusing the girls as they thought this was the boys first time in Magnolia.
"Alright, this should do it," Natsu said as he started unbuttoning his shirt, making the girls blush as he turned to them.
"Lisanna, do you mind holding this for me? I already ruined one set of clothes, I don't want to ruin another," Natsu asked as he rubbed the back of his neck, showing the girls just how developed he was for his age, something they didn't pay attention to earlier. His chest and ab muscles were already as developed as a man twice his age, his muscles flexing in the sunlight.
"Um, sure!" Lisanna squeaked as she took the shirt from his hands, taking his nod of appreciation as he bent over, gently removing his shoes and socks before Cana quickly nabbed them, earning a glare from Mira as he walked towards an old oak, that must have been more than a foot wide, and putting his entire fist through the tree, knocking it over before before grabbing it in his hands, laying on the ground and beginning to bench the entire tree!
'Oh mama…' the girls unconsciously drooled as they watched watched the boy work out for the next two hours.
Laxus' PoV
"Alright, Are the challengers ready?" Makarov asked as he looked at the boys standing twenty feet apart from each other, ready for battle. Everyone was present, standing at the side lines, carefully watching. Gildarts was standing behind Erza, whose arms were crossed over her chest in anger, eyes narrowed at the pink haired boy.
Lisanna, was jumping up and down, waving a hastily crafted flag saying "GO Natsu!".
Reedus was standing by, waiting for the perfect moment to capture for the rest of eternity. For once VIjateer was not dancing, standing beside Nab. Bisca and Alzack were standing with Levy, Jet and Droy in the front row, all curiously awaiting the results of the fight.
Even Laxus was standing by, headphones on as he stood by Cana at the bet board, who was carefully going everyone's predictions, tallying them and calculating everyone's earnings based on their predictions.
Surprisingly, the board was fairly empty, Most of the names were on Gray and Loki's side, both of which were on their way to becoming great mages. They often took team missions at the A-Class Level, having some of the best team work in the guild, besides Jet and Droy.
The only ones who bet on Natsu were Cana, Lisanna, Mira, and Laxus. Both Gildarts and Makarov decided to withhold their bets, having a very unfair advantage.
"Alright, you will stop when the other side can no longer fight! Any Killing blows will get you instantly disqualified! I want a nice clean fight." Makarov explained, as they fell into their fighting stances, Loki's ring glowing in the sunlight while Gray stood there, prepared to activate his magic. Natsu, however, was standing there, not wanting to choose his style until he started the fight.
"OK… On 3, One… Two… Three… Let the fight begin!" Makarov bellowed.