Well, this is the last update for MOTR, before I switch to AMH. In fact, I've just written the chapter for AMH today and now, only need to proofread it and have already started on the next.

In other news, I graduated this week, so that is now out of the way.

However, the weather here is making it ridiculously hard to write. The average temperature is 35-40 degrees these days, which is torture, since I can barely do anything. (40 degrees (Celsius) is 104 degrees (Fahrenheit), or, if you are science minded 313 Kelvin).

That being said, I have been doing one thing and that would be watching a lot of The Batman, the animated series. In light of this and Arkham Knight, I find myself wanting to write a Batman fanfiction… I'm trying to restrain myself, since I already have so many… but would any of you be interested in me writing a Batman fanfic?

I have the whole story planned out, surprisingly, the pairing, the main villain, the supporting cast, a bunch of twists and basically the whole road map for the story… but I am really hesitant to start it…

Please let me know, if you would like for me to write a Batman fanfic.

Shifting focus back to this story though, you will see in this chapter, the changes I am going to implement. In this rendition, I quite like the idea of Natsu frequently interacting with the Council and plan to make them at least a semi-regular fixture.

That being said, there may be some of you worrying about the lack of Juvia so far… well, I don't consider it a lack, but she hasn't been a massive focus, yet.

The fact is, whenever I read a story, where the new girl instantly becomes everything the new MC lives, thinks and breathes for, makes me cringe. It is actually why I am quite weary of most NaLu and NaLi stories on this site, since those two tend to do that a lot. If not from Lucy joining the guild and suddenly snaring Natsu's being, it is when Lisanna comes back from Edolas and Natsu forgets about everyone else.

Rest assured, Juvia will have a huge focus in this story because she *small spoiler* is very intertwined with Natsu. I know some of you already know how, but some of you don't, so I won't spoil it yet, but have no fear, Juvia is going to have a lot of time dedicated to her, I'm just setting the stage first.

Well, that's all for now and enjoy the chapter.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.

Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Techniques

Chapter 6 – Image

The Fairy Tail guild hall was full of laughter and noise. Numerous mages were drinking and enjoying lively conversation, when suddenly, the doors were kicked in. Everyone looked to the door and saw three massive serpentine heads. A few mages actually recoiled at the sight, before hearing laughter, coming from behind one of the heads. After a moment, a familiar mop of hair was revealed.

'We're back!' Cheered Natsu, as he, Mira and Juvia, were all holding a severed head in front of them.

'What the hell is that?' Shouted Gray in shock.

'Hydra head.' Said Natsu simply.

'Where did you get a Hydra head from, Natsu?' Asked Lucy nervously.

'On our job. I got to fight a Hydra… well, a Hydra spirit actually, well, a water spirit taking the form of a Hydra… in any case, we all get a head for a souvenir.' Said Natsu quickly.

'Only someone as stupid as you, would want a severed head for a souvenir.' Scoffed Gray.

'Actually, Gray, I liked the idea as well. I can keep it in the guild hall now, as a reminder to people.' Said Mira, with a smile, while giving off an ominous aura, which caused a few people to gulp nervously.

No one had the courage to ask, exactly what the severed head was to serve as a reminder for, but, given the impression Mira had had on everyone before she left, no one was going to press the issue.

'Juvia also thinks it is nice to have a memory, of Juvia's first mission as a Fairy Tail mage.' Said Juvia shyly, only showing a little of her face from behind the Hydra head.

'Ah, that's right, this was Juvia's first mission as a Fairy Tail mage, this calls for a party!' Shouted Makarov, getting cheers from everyone, as beer was suddenly free flowing.

Natsu, Juvia and Mira all walked over to a table and sat down, placing their Hydra heads to the side and behind them, with Natsu's behind him, as he sat in the middle of the two, with Juvia and Mira placing their heads beside them. Shortly afterwards, Lucy tentatively walked over to the group and sat down with them.

'So did we miss anything?' Asked Natsu.

'Not much… oh, Loke is apparently actually Leo the Lion, the Celestial Spirit.' Said Lucy.

'Oh, that's cool… wait what?' Said Natsu calmly, before exclaiming in surprise towards the end.

'Yeah, it is a long story, but apparently, he couldn't go back to the Celestial Spirit world and it was slowly killing him, but…' Started Lucy, before Loke, suddenly appeared next to Lucy.

'Lucy's love saved me.' Declared Loke, causing Lucy to back off.

'Loke! Don't just suddenly pop out of nowhere like that, you scared me!' Cried Lucy in alarm, holding her hand over her chest.

'So, are you really a lion then?' Asked Natsu curiously.

'Aye, Loke is a grown up cat.' Said Happy happily, as he landed on the table.

'Oh, hey Happy, want some fish?' Offered Natsu, trying to cheer up his best friend for before.

Happy slowly looked over to Mira, who merely gave him a smile, causing him to shudder.

'N-no thanks, I had plenty already.' Said Happy nervously, causing Natsu to raise an eyebrow in surprise.

'Anyway, as I was saying…' Started Lucy, getting Natsu to look back at her.

'Loke gave us some tickets to a resort and since we haven't been able to go on any missions together recently, I thought it'd be nice for you to come too. Erza and Gray already got a ticket as well.' Said Lucy happily.

'Hehe, thanks Lucy. That sounds nice.' Said Natsu softly, causing Lucy to look at Natsu in surprise.

Mira also looked over to Natsu and gave a sad smile of her own, knowing why Natsu had reacted that way. Juvia, on the other hand, started to think it was because Lucy was her love rival, who had just gained some ground.

'I wouldn't mind coming as well. It would be nice to have a break.' Said Mira thoughtfully.

'Juvia wants to go too.' Said Juvia quickly.

'Well, I'm sure we can all go, we did all get one million jewels each, on that last job.' Said Natsu, causing Lucy to gape.

'One million jewels each!' Shouted Lucy in extreme shock.

'Yeah, the client was loaded, so she said if we did the mission fast, she'd triple the reward.' Explained Natsu.

Lucy suddenly clenched her fist and cried bitter tears.

'And I barely managed to even make my rent this month, after dozens of jobs with Erza and Gray… who destroy everything!' Cried Lucy unhappily.

'Ah, if it makes you feel better, I can treat you to whatever you want when we get there, since you're inviting me. I barely even use my money, since most of it just goes towards food for me and Happy. Plus, since I haven't gotten to destroy anything for ages, well, except that Hydra spirit thingy on the last job, I've got plenty to spare.' Offered Natsu cheerfully.

'You're the best Natsu!' Cried Lucy happily.

'Just a minute there Natsu.' Said Makarov, as he walked over to the group.

'What's up gramps?' Asked Natsu curiously.

'I'm afraid you won't be able to go to that resort immediately, as the Council has summoned you. You're finally going to get your Wizard Saint Medal my boy. Apparently, your client gave a rather beaming commendation of your skills, causing the Council to hasten things.' Said Makarov, standing at the head of the table.

'Oh… well, that's good I suppose, I can always catch up with you guys later.' Said Natsu, somewhat sadly, as he turned to Lucy.

'Well, we will be there for a few days, so maybe you can still come and join us later.' Said Lucy optimistically.

'Alright, that's sounds good. I'll get going right now then.' Declared Natsu excitedly, as he stood up.

'Aye.' Cheered Happy.

'Hmm, are you coming along with me this time, Happy?' Asked Natsu teasingly.

'Of course, I'm your partner, aren't I?' Said Happy.

'Hmm, I don't know, you did kind of leave me behind last time… maybe you should just go with the others and I can catch up with you there.' Said Natsu.

Happy took one nervous glance at Mira, before leaping onto Natsu's shoulder.

'I'll never leave you behind again.' Promised Happy.

'Haha, that's more like it! Let's just go drop this head off at home, then we can head straight for the Council!' Exclaimed Natsu, before grabbing his souvenir and headed towards the door.

The group watched Natsu leave, before he suddenly paused and turned back to the group. Natsu quickly placed the serpentine head back on the ground and rummaged in his pants for something.

'Aha! Well, since you guys are going ahead, here's about fifty thousand jewels, Lucy, since I did say I'd treat you, hopefully that should cover you until I get there.' Said Natsu happily, tossing a small bag on the table towards Lucy, before picking up the head again and leaving.

Lucy grabbed the bag almost reverently.

'This is two and a half months rent… Natsu truly is a saint!' Said Lucy, crying tears of joy.

The group was yet again surprised, when Natsu came back once more.

'Wait, you mean because of Umi, they're now more interested in making me a Wizard Saint?' Asked Natsu.

'Well, considering she was a rather skilled treasure hunter, it isn't too surprising to think a good word from her, would sway the Council.' Said Mira thoughtfully, only to hear a heavy thud.

'You did a job for Treasure Queen Umi?' Asked Levy in shock, quickly approaching the group.

'Treasure Queen? I don't know about that, but she had a bunch of pictures of rare stuff… so probably.' Said Natsu thoughtfully.

'You don't understand! Umi is the most famous treasure hunter of the century! Entire guilds can't match her abilities.' Said Levy.

'Ah, well, that's great I suppose.' Said Natsu uncertainly.

'If you'd like, we could tell you about her and the job?' Offered Mira, only to get an almost instantaneous acceptance from Levy.

'Alright, I'll be off then, this time for sure.' Said Natsu, before leaving.

'Well, what are you all dawdling for, let's go.' Said Erza, suddenly appearing in front of the group, after Natsu had left.

'Oh, Erza, where did you happen to be?' Asked Mira sweetly, but everyone heard the warning undertone to it.

'I-I was preparing for the trip.' Stammered Erza quickly.

'I see and you come now, once Natsu has left, how sad.' Said Mira, in the same tone.

Erza looked down slightly at this. It didn't need to be said directly, but Erza was clearly avoiding Natsu and Mira knew this and didn't like how Natsu was being affected by it.

'In any case, we should leave now and Natsu can meet with us all soon.' Said Erza, before leaving.

'Sorry Levy, guess we need to go now, but we can tell you all about the job when we get back.' Said Mira kindly.

Levy gave a small pout at this, but nodded in acceptance.

'Well, guess we should be off as well then.' Said Mira, with Lucy and Juvia agreeing, before leaving.

Makarov sighed, as he watched his children leave.

"This issue needs to be resolved soon." Thought Makarov tiredly, before going to get a drink.

-line break-

The trip back to the Council headquarters was a rather quick one, taking only a few hours, as Natsu had decided to challenge Happy to a couple of races, with his flames. To Happy's credit, he did in fact win most of the races, but only when he went at his max speed.

'Well, if you don't want fish, what do you want to get after this?' Asked Natsu to Happy, who was on his shoulder, as they walked up to the building, they had been summoned to.

'Just… not fish… anything but fish.' Said Happy, giving a small shudder.

Natsu raised an eyebrow again, confused at Happy's actions, before shrugging it off for the moment, as they made their way to where Natsu had been told to go, by a Rune Knight.

'I wonder why they aren't in the main room they are always in… maybe because I'm not in trouble this time?' Wondered Natsu allowed.

'Maybe they keep the Wizard Saint stuff in a secret place.' Suggested Happy.

'Actually, it is because we are having an informal meeting of sorts currently.' Said Ultear, walking up to the pair.

'You don't smell like anything.' Said Natsu suspiciously.

'Ah, that is because I am only a thought projection, the meeting may be informal, but it is rather important and none of us could leave to get you.' Explained Ultear.

'Natsu, who is this person?' Asked Happy cutely.

'This is Ultear… does having Happy here count as not being private?' Started Natsu, before asking Ultear how he should address her.

'You can call me Ultear. It's fine. Aside from anything official, you don't need to refer to me as anything formal.' Said Ultear, with a smile.

'Ah, okay then. Well, this is Ultear, she's pretty smart and likes to cross-dress.' Said Natsu, in his usual manner, but Ultear noticed his eyes dancing with amusement.

'D-do you like fish?' Asked Happy nervously.

'I don't dislike them.' Said Ultear, with a hint of confusion, when Happy released a sigh.

'Okay then Natsu, we can get fish after this!' Said Happy triumphantly, confusing Natsu.

'Alright… so are you going to lead us to where I need to go then?' Asked Natsu curiously.

'Of course, follow me.' Said Ultear, before turning on her heel and leaving, with Natsu and Happy following.

'Ne, Natsu, if this person is important, do you think she can ban… Winged Fish?' Asked Happy nervously.

'What? What are you talking about Happy?' Asked Natsu, with a bewildered expression, which only increased, when Happy started sniffling.

'The demon came back and made me eat so many Winged Fish…*sniff* it was cruel and unusual punishment and all I did was let people have as much beer as they wanted.' Said Happy sadly.

'The demon? Mira?' Said Natsu questioningly.

'Really? You call your girlfriend the demon?' Said Ultear mirthfully.

'I've already said it before, Mira isn't my girlfriend.' Retorted Natsu dryly.

'Natsu! I figured something out! This lady should be your girlfriend, then she can protect me from Winged Fish!' Exclaimed Happy in excitement.

'Firstly… how the hell do you get to the point of Ultear being my girlfriend? Secondly, how is she going to protect you from Winged Fish? They can't even hurt you.' Questioned Natsu in astonishment, as Ultear gave a small laugh.

'Well, if she keeps teasing you with… Mira… being your girlfriend, it means she is checking that you still don't have one yet. This can only mean she wants to be your girlfriend. Secondly, she can protect me from Winged Fish, by banning them from being sold, so… Mira… can't force me to eat them again.' Explained Happy, in a lecturing manner, nodding his head as he spoke, but shuddering every time he said Mira's name.

'… Happy… I love you, but there is something very wrong with your brain.' Said Natsu flatly, causing Happy to gasp.

'Oh, does that mean you would not want me for a girlfriend? I'll have you know, most people would find me rather attractive.' Said Ultear, faking being hurt.

'Firstly, I'm not even looking for a girlfriend right now, Happy just likes to oversell and exaggerate things. In the past few days alone, he has accused me of betraying Lucy, drinking Juvia's fluids and now this, and this is only within the space of a few days. Secondly, I said nothing about your attractiveness and if you already have a bunch of other people thinking you are attractive, why do you care what I think? Thirdly, Happy's reasoning for it has to do with Winged Fish, which still makes little sense to me.' Retorted Natsu.

'Well, in that case, firstly, everyone wants someone special in their life, is it so hard to think you might too? Secondly, just because the masses have a certain point of view… while that is important for the Council, I'd rather know what a select few people, who interest me think. Thirdly, you clearly aren't listening, since your girlfriend, force-fed your little friend Winged Fish, which, I'm told, taste horrible.' Countered Ultear.

Natsu merely huffed at this, but didn't reply.

'In any case, we are here now and will be waiting for you inside.' Said Ultear, after a minute, stopping outside a door.

'Fine, let's get this over with.' Yawned Natsu, still rather tired, from the past two days he had been put through.

It was only when Ultear faded away and Natsu walked closer to the door, that he started to pick up what was being said inside the room, he listened for a moment in interest, before his expression hardened, as he heard what was being said. As he knocked, the chatter stopped, before a gruff voice told him to enter.

Natsu entered and saw the Council convened, but, they were lacking the Chairman.

'Hmm, what are you doing here?' Grunted Michello.

'Well, we did order him to come and receive his Wizard Saint medallion.' Quipped Ultear.

'In light of the situation, surely this was not the best time for this.' Said Org

'On the contrary, this has been overdue for days now. A Wizard Saint has never had the symbol of their status withheld before.' Countered Yajima.

'In any case, what were you saying, about some tower?' Asked Natsu seriously.

'It is rather rude to eavesdrop.' Commented Leiji, a hooded Councillor.

'Well, I heard you were going to risk innocent bystanders and I can't let that happen. I might have been destructive in the past, but I never hurt anyone.' Growled Natsu.

'You should mind your tone. It is all well and good to be passionate, but do remember who you are speaking to.' Said Belno.

'How about we cut the crap for a minute here then?' Snapped Natsu, surprising everyone, even Happy and Ultear, for different reasons.

'I know why I'm being made a Wizard Saint: to make the public approve of you. Well, I can say this, hurting innocent people will not be anything I ever support.' Growled Natsu.

'If you don't like what I have to say right now, you can drop this whole Wizard Saint rubbish and kick me to the side again, but you will listen to me.' Continued Natsu angrily.

'You are all about your image, only caring about how others see you, but if you actually cared about everyone, like I do, the world would love you just the same. You talk about the balance between guilds, but if Jose had fired his Jupiter Cannon, Magnolia would have been completely devastated and thousands would have died. Your rules are supposed to protect guilds, but they do absolutely nothing. Dark Guilds spring up just as much as Light Guilds and you never do anything to stop them.' Ranted Natsu, before taking a deep breath and calming himself down.

'Even now, you consider putting other people at risk. Where do you get off, deciding who deserves to be sacrificed or not? You guys are all human, just like everyone else out there. I can tell the Chairman isn't here, since I can't smell him, but I'll tell you exactly what he would say right now. Without me on your side, if this thing goes south, you are all going to lose your jobs. There will be no way to recover from this, so I'll make things easy for you all. I will do exactly what you all want from me and that is, to protect everyone, just like I always do, making you look good in the process. To add to that, I'll do what I'm practically famous for and destroy. Destroy this tower, which apparently, scares most of you enough, to consider sacrificing others like nothing. Then, when I succeed, not if, you can twist this however you want, so you don't all look like snivelling cowards, hell, even take all the credit for it and say you were the ones who sent me, but, at the end of the day, I will do what is right and you can all keep being spineless pencil pushers. Let's go Happy.' Finished Natsu calmly, before turning on his heel and leaving, leaving behind a stupefied Council.

There was pin drop silence in the room, following Natsu's outburst.

'H-how contemptuous… where does that boy get off, speaking to us like that.' Grumbled Org.

'Well, to discuss Etherion so casually, Natsu is correct in saying that there are lives at stake here and that we should not consider them so casually. That is why I am telling all of you to reconsider this course of action.' Said Yajima.

"How curious, Natsu… I'm honestly intrigued about how things will pan out from this point on… perhaps it may be more amusing for me to remain part of the Council, for just a little bit longer… to see what you will do next." Thought Ultear in fascination.

'I believe, in light of the truth in Salamander's words, I will change my vote, to vote against the firing of Etherion.' Said Ultear.

Everyone was surprised at this, especially considering Ultear was the first to vote in favour for firing the Etherion, after Siegrain had proposed it. That being said, none were more shocked than Siegrain himself.

"What on earth is Ultear doing?" Shouted Siegrain internally.

-line break-

'Happy, let's do this, my flames and your max speed.' Said Natsu firmly.

'Okay, but why did you explode like that back there?' Asked Happy, as he picked Natsu up.

'I heard them say where that tower was… it is near where Lucy, Mira, Erza, Juvia and Gray are going and I'm not going to let them become casualties, just because the Council is scared.' Said Natsu steadfastly.

'Aye sir, Max Speed!' Shouted Happy, as Natsu's legs caught fire and the duo exploded through the sky.

"Just hang on everyone, I'm coming." Thought Natsu.