Hey everybody! I'm back with another chapter! While this probably won't be that long, I will say there won't be any actual multiversal travel in this one. Basically just a random Earthland I thought of.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 38: Fire Fighter
Universe 839-FYR-03
Year 786, May 23rd Magnolia
An oppressive early summer heat blanketed the city, the hum of air conditioning units mixing in with the sounds of traffic, pedestrians going about their business, and the thumping of a few local helicopters hovering in the sky.
Home to nearly eighty thousand, Magnolia was bisected through its built up urban downtown by the local river, the properties along the ribbon of blue expensive and high end for the more wealthy citizens. Several mid-level skyscrapers stood among the shimmering skyline, their glass surfaces reflecting the blazing sun. Wide avenues filled with ethernano powered vehicles pushed and crawled, the traffic ever present to the inhabitants.
Several prominent landmarks were easily identified such as the sprawling biome of Magnolia Central Park, home to an amphitheater, a sprawling lake, local beach and heavy forest with bike and walking trails. To the West was the centuries old Kardia Cathedral, its gothic spires familiar and a well known tourist destination.
Finally, among the northern portions of the city was Magnolia City College. While nowhere near as prestigious as Oaktown University, it was far more affordable to working class families and young adults seeking a decent education.
But, with the looming end of the school year at the start of June, many of the students were already searching for summer jobs or planning on returning home for the summer season.
Unfortunately, accidents do happen. And in this case, a second hand appliance in one of the women's dorm rooms faulted, the wiring simply defeated by a surge of electricity from the tiny lacrima core. Having left for a quick meal down the road, Juvia Lockser had no idea her dorm and belongings were burning as the cries of alarm quickly rang out among the other females in the four story building resting upon the low hill.
Magnolia Fire House Number Three
Natsu leaned back in the chair, his gaze falling upon the large fire truck sitting in the bay. A glossy red of crimson and polished wax, he had spent most of the day with Gray Fullbuster and Laxus Dreyar scrubbing and cleaning the vehicle, then going over the inventory of emergency supplies stored in the side compartments. The ladder and hoses all checked out, ready for action and to fight the inevitable conflagration.
"Thank god for the air-conditioning. Today is damn hot" Gray lightly commented as he came from the break room, his broad shoulders and muscular frame hugged by the blue shirt proclaiming their firehouse.
"No argument's here. This is supposed to be July weather and it's not even June yet" Laxus added, his spiked blonde hair standing straight. Leaning against a nearby supporting beam that held up the cavernous bay of the firehouse, he too was a muscular specimen as strength rippled from beneath his own shirt.
"I happen to like the heat. Nothing better than a hot day" Natsu grinned while still leaning back. Arms crossed behind his head, it was apparent that this young man was muscularly toned, fit and ready to fight fires.
"You would. I swear, you'd probably be some fire mage from the old stories, burning down buildings and causing havoc" Gray teased with light humor.
"And you'd probably hide in some ice box or something" Natsu shot back quickly in good humor, both men sharing a small chuckle.
Laxus was about to add something, but the blaring fire alarm rang, the shrill clanging bell reverberating through the entire firehouse.
"Looks like we got one!" Gray exclaimed as the three men hastily sprinted toward their lockers across the bay. Reaching the lockers, the trio was joined by Gajeel, Gildarts and Elfman Strauss sliding down the pole from the second level.
"Hot damn! Finally some action!" Gajeel grinned, despite knowing deep down how badly fires can go. Endless drills and training had all six men in their gear and loaded up in the fire engine, the door already rolling upwards as the churning siren blared and blazed.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Natsu tilted the fireman's helmet, the face protection already in place. His fire retardant coat and pants were lined with reflective material and colored a bright yellow, indicating their place as emergency crews of the city.
The radio crackled, Gildarts grabbing the handheld speaker. "This is Station Three ready to roll out, dispatch"
"Station Three. A fire has been reported at the M.C.C. Women's Dorms. It's spreading quickly"
"We got a fire at Magnolia City College! Female Dorms! Be prepared for search and rescue!" Gildarts yelled over the blaring siren as they pulled onto the street, the civilian traffic pulling to the side in haste.
"Hey, think we get to save some cute girls?" Gajeel grinned, the firefighter sitting in the back with Laxus and Gray.
"I will. You're too scary looking though. Probably make them scream in fright" Natsu quipped, earning a playful 'fuck you' from the black haired man in back. Leaning heavily against the door as Gildarts took a hard left turn onto Canal Avenue, Natsu tried to prepare himself mentally for the coming rescue while the sirens blared and screamed.
They arrived within minutes, Gildarts pulling up to the curb of the dorm. Already blazing across four rooms along the upper floor, it was already apparent that the flames were spreading quickly.
Jumping out, the men sized up the blaze as several college women watched from the nearby lawn.
"Please help! One of my friends is trapped inside!" A blue haired woman cried out, her finger pointing to the engulfed building.
"That's what we're here for, miss. Now please stand back and let us do our jobs" Approaching the front doors of the dorm, the six men could feel some heat coming from above.
"Alright men! You know what to do!"
"Hell yeah! Let's kick this fire's ass!" Natsu exclaimed as he shed his coat, helmet and shirt beneath. Following his example, the group of men soon stood shirtless, their rippling muscles and abs taking on a reflection of the pulsating light.
"OH MY GOD THEIR SO HOT!" a college aged woman screamed from the perimeter, adding to the hoots and whistles.
"Let's go! Remember! We do this for the ladies!" Rushing into the building, the fire-fighters quickly climbed the stairs as smoke and embers floated in the air. Coming into the hallway, fire danced around them on both sides, eating at the walls.
"Natsu! Laxus! Elfman! Go right! We'll take the left!" Gildarts shouted over the roar.
"You got it!" Running up to the first large flame, Natsu flexed his muscles…then squarely punched the rampant fire.
*BIFF!*
"Ahhh! Firefighters! Nooo!" hissing, the fire tried to dance, but Laxus came up, his own arm flexing with firefighting power.
"Take this you damn fire!"
*MINT!*
"A REAL MAN FIGHTS FIRE WITH HIS FISTS!" Punching as hard as he could, Elfman socked the dancing flame center mass, causing a hissing scream. Trying to climb up the wall in a fresh flare of flame, the fire was grabbed by Elfman, his large arms restraining the flame.
"Hold it down!" Laxus commanded as he punched the now held struggling blaze.
*BLORT!*
Natsu tackled part of the searing heat, the tendrils of fire flickering upwards like tentacles as it tried to continue spreading across the hallway. "Let me goooo! I mussst burnnnn!"
"Not a chance!" Rearing back his right arm, Natsu planted a solid punch to the struggling fire belching defensive smoke.
*TWACK!*
"Ahhh! My inner blaze!" struggling out of Elfman's manly grasp as smoke and soot started to coat the walls of the dorm's hallway, the flame started to recede.
"GET HIM AND KICK HIS ASS!"
"Manly!"
"Think you can burn the home of women! We'll destroy you!" Launching himself in a tackle, Laxus managed to drag part of the crawling wall flame toward the floor as his rippling muscles sheened with sweat. Immediately running up, Elfman and Natsu started to kick and curb stomp the roiling, struggling fire as it screamed.
"NNNOOO! Let me buuurrnnnn! I mussst consssume!"
"Not a chance!" Natsu replied while delivering a heavy kick.
*CLOWN!*
A desperate tendril of heat managed to slide across Natsu's bare chest and abdominals, leaving a trail of ash and soot. Grabbing the tendril, Natsu yanked it free with a sickening rip of sound. Throwing it on the singed carpeting, he stomped the fire out with a glee.
"My armmmm! My arrmmm!"
"Curb stomp this bitch!" Laxus shouted before the trio of men did just that, literally stomping the fire into nothingness.
Giving one last scream of defiance, the hallway conflagration died in a puff of smoke.
"Hurry! That dorm room is still burning!" Elfman shouted as the distant shouts and punches of their fellow firefighters echoed through the building.
Running down the hallway to the room, the door was a heated mess as more flames licked from underneath the gap.
"Damn! We forgot our axes when we stripped to show off our glorious physique!" Laxus yelled out, his throat holding a slight rawness.
Natsu scoffed, waving a hand than flexing his toned biceps and abs now coated with a sheen of sweat. "Like we need all that fancy equipment. We're firefighters, not some candy ass cops with guns! My arms are axes!" Swinging in a karate chop, Natsu knocked down the door with one blow. Wood cracked and splintered, falling away as smoke, ash and fresh fire billowed.
"That was pretty manly! Now let's get in there!" Rushing first, Elfman swung a haymaker, striking a crawling wall flame.
*TONKA!*
"You killed my brother you firemennn! Dieeee!"
Surging toward the trio, the sentient flames belched ash and heat, trying to burn and kill with a constant desire to consume.
"Hah! We're firemen! Our muscles can't be hurt by such pathetic flames!" Taking the blow like a man, heat slid of his slick musculature, dying in the hardened crevices of his abs. Laughing at the feeble attempt, Laxus grabbed the tendril, ripping it away.
"Time to get serious! Manly fireman punch!" Elfman roared, his arm flexing with power and rippling muscle. Hitting the center mass of the largest flame, it staggered and shrank with a hellish scream.
Coughing emerged from the nearby bedroom, raw and full of fear as a voice croaked for help.
"Natsu! Check for survivors! We got this!" Bringing the fire into a chokehold, Laxus held it firm as Elfman pummeled the roiling heat and tinted orange flames.
Natsu sprinted past his two comrades, several licks of fire trying to grab him in an attempt. Some slid off his toned arms and abs, unable to make a connection.
*TRUNK!*
Natsu slapped the orange flames away, the mass flying into the kitchenette. "Outta my way!" Rushing into the bedroom, the smoke and heat became horrifically intense as flames danced along the walls, rising upward like some reversed, hellish waterfall.
Hoisted above the bed now engulfed in fire, a beautiful, stunning redhead was hoisted aloft by the roiling, dancing fire. Tendrils coiled around her stomach, arms and legs, holding her restrained as a look of fear crossed her soot covered features.
"H…help me…"
"Let her go, you fiend!" Flexing his arms and abs, power rippled through Natsu as the fire shifted.
"Nooo…! Redheads make for the besssst…fuellll! I will consssume all!" Hissing the words, a mangled face appeared in the center of the flame, its distortion a horror for most. Intensifying the heat, the woman struggled as some of her clothes started to burn away.
"I'll never let you burn a woman! Your dead!" Rushing forward, Natsu dodged several stabbing tendrils, his training more than enough to avoid the hellish lances. Sweat dripping down his god-like body, Natsu's honed reflexes instantly grasped one of those burning attacks. Gripping tightly, he planted his feet among the burned carpet and pulled with all his might.
A ripping sound erupted from the pull, the separation of fire spurting ash and heat.
"My…MY ARMMMM! YOU WILL DIE!"
"Not fucking likely! DAMSEL SAVING FIREMAN PUNCH!" Jumping into the air, Natsu landed the most powerful blow he could muster, striking the sentient inferno in the blazing face.
Shrieking in pain as its mass shrunk, the blow was powerful enough to let the woman drop. Catching her in a manly flip and landing, Natsu turned to see the blaze rearing up, its size quickly doubling above the bed. Connecting tendrils latched onto the walls, burning and eating all as paint curled.
"Mine…MINE! MINNNNNE!"
Backing up toward the window, the fireman held the female close, her eyes closed to the unfolding nightmare. Taking a rapid glance outside, Natsu knew he had already won.
"Sorry…she belongs to no one, especially a pathetic spark like you!" Jumping through the window like Hercules, glass rained down as the bare chested fireman landed on his feet below.
"Now Fullbuster!" Natsu roared out as he sprinted across the lawn with the woman clutched tight.
Gray rushed up with the snaking hose, his bare skin and rippling muscles showing off for many of the watching college women.
"Time to get soaked!" Cheering out with a laugh, Gray opened up the hose, unleashing a stream of jet water into the second floor dorm.
Attempting to crawl out of the bedroom with a banshee like howl, licking flames of the sentient inferno were met with a jet blast of water.
"NOOOOOO! My…my heeeattt!" Hissing as steam erupted, Gray laughed as the water quicky doused the inferno in a high powered soaking.
"Did you get that!?" Lucy shouted at the camera man, her trim figure adorned in a yellow blazer and slender white skirt. Obviously showing off some cleavage for the viewers at home, the busty reporter knew her attractiveness drew considerable attention.
"I got it! I got it!" The man yelled frantically, the camera pointed toward Natsu as he carried the woman across the manicured lawn.
Rushing up, Lucy gripped the microphone tight before pressing it toward Natsu. "Lucy Heartfilia from Magnolia Channel five news. Can I ask you how you managed to get this rampant fire under control despite the danger present?"
Natsu grinned, a look of smugness overtaking his facial features despite the unconscious woman being carried like a bride. "Obviously through my strength, god-like muscles and the fact this was a mere level two blaze. Hardly a threat"
"Well, your muscles are god-like. For all the women watching, are you single?"
"Unfortunately! My time is precious and training is intense. Only the most worthy woman will gain my affections! Now if you'll excuse me, this college student is nearly naked from that fire burning away her clothes. She must be treated"
"Of course" Smiling, Lucy quickly moved onto Gray, the man still dousing the upper floors with a powerful stream of water. "Fullbuster! What do you think of today's blaze?"
"Pfft! Hardly worth our effort. My muscles barely got singed and my captain found it so boring we left Gajeel to take care of the left wing of the dorm" Continuing to spray, several droplets of water flew onto Fullbusters chest, sliding between the toned crevices as Lucy gulped, her eyes wandering before turning away.
"Let's get some more interviews from the crew…uh…Laxus! Want to answer some questions?"
Holding an ax over his broad shoulders, sweat and grime made him even more attractive to the female population. Lightly flexing his pecs, the man smiled as Lucy came over to start an interview.
Finding the fire finally doused as pillars of wet smoke rose from the windows, Gray found himself bored. Dropping the hose, he walked over to the barricade, leaning an elbow on the wooden beam as several women cheered.
"Hey, you ladies check me out? Fought that blaze pretty damn well if I do say so myself"
"Marry me…" Juvia Lockser whispered, the plight of her friend completely forgotten. Sidling up to the man, she ran her hands over the bare forearm, the woman admiring the underlaying strength. "Such strong…manly arms…"
"And what's your name, beautiful?" Smiling his biggest grin, Juvia almost melted as the blunette swooned.
"JUVIA! JUVIA LOCKSER AND I STUDY WATER CONSERVATION!" Yelling loudly, the woman was far too excited by the fireman standing right before her.
"Smart and stunning…the perfect combination" Continuing to talk with Juvia and several of the nearby women, Gray was in the zone.
Erza felt herself being carried, her body feeling light and warm. A slight disturbance of being set down roused her, making her throat feel raw. Coughing, she slowly opened her eyes.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Broad shoulders, a muscularly toned chest and bare abs covered in sweat, soot and dust stood above her. The messy salmon hair was a frock of messy tangles, framing the face of the most handsome man Erza had ever seen.
"So…handsome…"
Finally realizing she had been staring with a warm dusting of her cheeks, she shook her head as nearby strobe lights flashed. "I..I think so?" Realizing she was laying on a stretcher, a paramedic was taking an assessment.
"A little smoke inhalation and dehydration. She'll be fine, but I would recommend an overnight stay at the hospital" The paramedic informed, the professional quickly grabbing a bottle of water for the fire victim.
Taking it, Erza greedily drank, her eyes constantly tracing each and every muscular line of the firefighter before her.
"He rescued me…held me in those…strong arms…" blushing again, Natsu had turned to watch the last embers of the blaze die, its pathetic attempts at spreading once more thwarted.
"Thank you…for saving me"
Smiling, the man simply gave a grin. "All in a day's work miss"
"Hey Natsu! Lucy from channel five wants a shot of us! Get your ass over here!" Gildarts waved.
"Get some rest, miss. Duty calls" Running over to the group, Erza watched with an intense gaze. Absentmindedly licking her lips, she could only image the strength that man could bring to…other activities.
"Alright men! Show the people of Magnolia that while station three is on the job, they're safe from all the diabolical flames that want to consume our world!" Flexing and taking a superman pose, Gildarts took center stage as the other five took random positions, each showing off god-like physiques.
"MARRY ME GRAY!"
"I'll rock your world, Laxus!"
"Elfman is the manliest!"
"Gajeel's piercings are so sexy!"
"Natsu! Stop by my bar! Free drinks all night!" A certain brunette yelled despite her father being within earshot.
"I may be Lucy's mom, but damn Gildarts needs a fine milf to tame those fires!" A busty blonde woman yelled from the barricade.
"Mom! Shut up! I'm trying to work!" Lucy snapped as her camera crew rolled, taking in the whole scene as she approached the statue like men.
"Once again, our city has been protected from the vile curse of sentient fire, this time at the women's dorms of our beloved city's college. Anything you would like to add, Captain?"
Laughing smugly as his chest muscles rippled, Gildarts brushed a hand through his orangish hair. "Only that no matter the cause, we'll go and save any of our beautiful citizens from doom and flame!" Laughing in unison, the six men rippled with joy and mirth, a job well done as dozens of college women cheered with swooning lust.
The radio crackled from the fire-truck, joining the citywide alarm as a fresh blaze sprung up. Rushing over as the camera crew watched, Gildarts took in the information. Nodding fervently, his face scrunched up before turning and shouting.
"We got a fire at "Ichiya's Parfume Shop! We know what to do, right men!?"
"That's right!"
"Hell yeah!"
"Manly!"
"Back to the station!"
"If there's no women to rescue, what's the point?"
"Any man that wears perfume is no man at all! Let it burn!"
Flexing their manly muscles as they threw their unused equipment into the truck, the fire crew sped off to return to the station as the civilians continued to cheer.
Ichiya's Parfume Shop would burn to the ground in one hour, leaving the mess to the crew of Station Five.
One week later…
Erza walked nervously into the open vehicle bay, her hands clutching a wicker basket. Dressed in a light, summer dress of deep maroon, more than ample cleavage was shown, highlighting her curves. "Hello?"
Hearing the sound of water spraying, Erza walked around the large firetruck to find Natsu spraying down the vehicle.
Turning, the man smiled, recognizing the woman. "I see your up and about. How are you feeling?"
"Very well, thank you" Holding up the basket, the redhead was visibly nervous. "I ah…would…would you like to have lunch?"
"Sure, I could eat" Grinning back as he hung up the hose upon the wall hook, Natsu was unaware of Erza watching him like a stalking lioness, her desires almost transparent. Turning around to face her again, Natsu was all smiles and herculean physique. "We can eat in the breakroom or the small plaza across the street"
"Plaza sounds nice" Turning, both started to leave the station when frantic screaming and yelling emerged. A short man in a tattered pantsuit stood in the bay, a tank and nozzle weighing down his short stature while orange hair framed his squarish head.
"MY PARFUME! I LOST ALL MY PARFUME! YOU FIREMEN WILL PAY!" Ichiya yelled as he squeezed down on the trigger, unleashing the first spurts of napalm from the flamethrower.
"Fire! In the firehouse!? I don't think so!" Running up while ripping off his blue shirt in a tearing of fabric, tanned muscles, abs and glistened flesh reflected the summer light and coming wave of flame. Rearing back his fist as tendons flexed and pulsed with strength, Natsu unleashed his attack.
"FIREHOUSE…PUUUNNNCHHH!" His coiled fist slammed into the ball of flame, rocking it backward up the nozzle to retreat into the weapon. An instant inferno cascaded across Ichiya, the short man now screaming as the dancing conflagration began to eat at his clothes, skin and hair.
*DOOR!*
Natsu punched the short man in the face, halting the spread of fire.
"Ahh! It hurts!"
"Hold still and let me punch you!" Attacking again and again, the enflamed man was soon extinguished, leaving a pathetic pile of nude skin and embarrassment upon the garage floor.
Erza rested a hand upon her bosom, the large assets heaving as her gaze became enamored. "Wow…just…wow! You extinguished that fire and madman with barely any effort. You really are…wow…" swooning heavily, Erza dropped the basket and ran up to Natsu. Wrapping the man in a deep embrace, she kissed him deeply. Pulling back from the liplock, Erza's gaze was locked with the fireman. "Forget lunch. How about sex with a red head instead?"
"Heh. Obviously. I am a firefighter after all. Wouldn't be much point without the ladies" Smirking again, Natsu quickly picked up the woman in a bridal carry in a hasty retreat to the firehouse.
Hey, hope you all enjoy this little chapter! I know its not that long but I thought it would be kinda fun to write anyway. No multiverse travel or anything, just an odd Earthland.
So read, review and enjoy!
The Happy