"ALRIGHT BRATS. LISTEN UP", boomed the voice of Makarov Dreyar, guild master of Fairy Tail.

Everyone ceased their activities to pay attention.

"AHEM So here are the results of the recent S-Class trials... "

He took a pause before continuing, "Let's welcome our newest S-Class member, Gray Fullbuster."

Hearing his name, Gray let out a happy smirk and raised his hand in a victory pose. The guild Hall erupted in cheers for the new S-Class member. Other S-Class members came to congratulate him. Even Laxus, which was a surprise to most.

Meanwhile, Natsu was sitting at a table where he was just playing a game of cards with Izuku. He frowned and did not stop the look of disappointment and slight anger to show on his face.

Next to him was his fellow dragon slayer, Izuku Midoriya, who is also his childhood friend and big brother figure. He didn't even need to see to know that Natsu was upset about it all.

He knew better than anyone just how hard Natsu worked to get to the level he is today.

"OI, FLAME BRAIN?"

Natsu looked at Gray after being called by his nickname.

"What?"

"Guess what? I'm stronger than you now. Don't worry I'll still take you on S-Class missions though." Gray said. He wanted to see the look on his rival's face after being hit with the fact that he was stronger than him. Also, to have a good fight with him and defeat him for real.

Buuuut that didn't work on Natsu this time as it usually would.

"Nah. I'll pass. Congrats though", he said before leaving the guild. Much to the surprise of every single person present in the guild, except Izuku.

"Is... is the world ending right now? Did Natsu just congratulate Gray?" A random member just said suddenly.

"It would appear so." Said another random member.

But everyone just shrugged it off in the end. Because they were more excited for the...

"PARTY TIME BRATS"

There you go.

--

Natsu went to his house and just began punching a nearby tree. Venting out all of his frustrations.

Not until a few minutes later, Izuku arrived to see Natsu and confort him.

" *pant* *pant* *pant* "

"Here." Izuku tossed a water bottle to Natsu, who quickly turned around just in time to catch it. His expression remained the same. Angry and upset.

"What's on your mind?" Izuku asked, folding his arms.

"A lot of things. For one, I'm upset and frustrated that I'm not S-Class. Two, this is what I get for working my ass off for two fucking years" He said, not leaving anything behind.

"Okay"

"I don't get it. What am I missing? I know I'm strong enough to make the cut. So what does gramps see in me that he doesn't want me to be S-Class? "

"There are a number of reason, Natsu. Some of which I can explain to you. Are you willing to listen?"

"...go ahead" Natsu said, hesitantly.

"For starters, you're immature attitude. You're straightforward way of handling things. You're inability to read the mood. And last but not least, you're lack of intelligence."

Natsu just got angrier the more Izuku spoke. In that fit of rage, he punched the tree with a fire enhanced punch.

*SMASH*

"WHY DOES ALL THAT MATTER TO BEING S-CLASS? THAT'S JUST A WASTE OF TIME." Natsu yelled.

"Is it though?" Izuku asked, not even bothered by Natsu's shout.

Natsu opened his mouth to answer but found no words to speak. Deep down he knew what Izuku was speaking was the plain truth. Even if it hurt him in some way.

"It matters a lot, Natsu. Being S-Class doesn't just require raw strength or the will to fight. It requires the brains as well. I think this is why Master didn't promote you to S-Class. And I kinda agree with him."

"...How is Gray more qualified than I am? " Natsu asked.

"Because he has a more careful outlook on life. Unlike you, he thinks before he rushes into a fight. Also, he is way more mature than you. So its natural for Master to choose him to be S-Class. He may not be the smartest, but he isn't the dumbest either."

"...So what now? Should I train even more harder and harder, only to get rejected again?"

"Not only that. You need to train the right way. Think about it. What do you lack most?

Natsu thought for a while before answering, " I'm not smart enough. Is that it?"

"Exactly. You need to train your brain just as much as you train your body. Both need to be in sync. Look at Erza, Mira, Laxus and Gildarts. What do they all have in common?"

"They're naturally strong and have the smarts to back up their strength."

"Yes. But that doesn't apply to Erza. She brutally trained her body to reach its peak. Her natural strength is way more than yours. And you are a Dragon Slayer, with a strength that is already above an average human. She is the example you need to follow."

"You are an example too, you know?" Natsu said suddenly.

"Hmm?"

"Even though you're a Dragon Slayer just like me, you're the strongest member in the guild. You had no trouble fighting Laxus in a simple hand-to-hand."

"If you wanna think of it that way, go ahead."

"But... Yeah, you're right. I really need to work on my brain a lot, huh?"

Even though it was the truth, it still stung Natsu a lot. He literally bled to be as strong as he is right now. With a saddened expression, he sat down on the ground.

Izuku just smiled and sat down with him.

"Don't feel bad about it, Natsu."

"It's hard not to." Natsu retorted.

Izuku just chucklex and just sat there in silence for a few minutes.

"I believe in you, Natsu. I believe you have what it takes to be stronger and smarter. I believe you can be S-Class. Maybe even something better but it all comes down to you in the end. Are you just gonna sit there and sulk all day thinking about how Gray gets the more dangerous missions than you?"

Suddenly Natsu rose up to his fight and yelled, "HELL NO. I'M NOT LETTING PRINCE STRIPS-A-LOT GET BETTER THAN ME. JUST YOU WATCH. I'LL BECOME S-CLASS BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN BLINK." It was as if his previous mood was flipped on a switch. No traces if it at all.

Seeing that he was fired up, Izuku smiled.

"Alright, I better roll out. Tomorrow's gonna be a great day. Goodnight Natsu."

"Goodnight Izuku. Thanks by the way. It means a lot."

"Don't mention it"

Izuku left Natsu alone. With newfound determination, Natsu began to plan for his new training routine.

--

Izuku was walking towards his home. He stopped in his tracks as he sniffed in the air, a familiar scent in his nose.

"You can come out now, Master."

From a nearby tree, Makaraov walked from behind and towards Izuku.

"What can I help you with?" Izuku asked, already knowing what was to come.

"I'm regret not making Natsu S-Class sooner."

"No. You did the right thing actually. It's what Natsu needed."

"That, and what you did to him earlier."

"...hmph. So you were eavesdropping on us."

"I came to make sure nothing bad happened." Makarov replied.

"...can I ask why? Why you didn't make Natsu S-Class before?"

"I was afraid he would get killed. You know how reckless he is. It's going to get him killed one day."

"...*sigh* makes sense actually. But the only weakness of Natsu is that he tends to be ruled by his emotions."

"That has been a fact ever since he joined the guild." Makarov chuckled at that. So did Izuku as they remembered the carefree and reckless Natsu way back when he was a kid.

"But the fact still stands. I was selfish and did not have enough faith in Natsu. I really hope he forgives me."

"He'll understand. He's not a child anymore." Izuku answered.

"Well, off you go then. See you in the morning, my boy."

"Goodnight, Master."

Izuku and Makarov parted ways to their own homes.

Once Izuku came home, he noticed Erza on his bed in pink plain pyjamas. He also noticed that she was sporting a worried expression.

"What's with that face?" Izuku asked, now in black pyjamas of his own.

"It's... It's nothing really. I'm just worried for Natsu. He looked really upset when he left the guild." Erza answered.

"He's just jealous that Gray got to be S-Class before him. I wonder what Gray's doing though."

"It's just that...that Natsu always dreamed of being S-Class. Even if he still isn't qualified enough yet, it still must've hurt him."

"Don't worry about it." Izuku said, which received a small glare from Erza.

"How can I not wo-MMM!!"

Erza was silenced by Izuku crashing his lips on hers. He instantly turned their kiss into a passionate make-out session. Erza just succumbed to him from the kiss. She couldn't fight back, even if she wanted to.

They broke apart after a few seconds with a trail of saliva. Erza's face nearly matched her hair color.

"Like I said. Don't worry about it. I've already talked it out with him. Now let's go to sleep, kay?"

"Can...can I get more kisses though?" Erza asked in a soft cute voice.

Izuku just giggled. "Anything for my badass of a girlfriend."

Izuku bent down to initiate another make-out session with his girlfriend, with the latter embracing him tightly. They continued to kiss and kiss till their brains fell into unconsciousness. Erza let her body lie on top of her hunk of a boyfriend as they both slept peacefully.

--

During the time that Izuku was chatting with Makarov, Mira went to Natsu's house to make sure he was fine. She also saw how upset he was when he left the guild.

Apart from Izuku, Mira secretly watched Natsu train and train himself to the bone. It hurt her to see her crush just train himself to death. So she also knew that Natsu would feel upset after working so hard, only to get nothing in return. She came to house in order to cheer him up. Not knowing that it had already been done.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

Natsu opened his door to see Mira, which surprised him a bit.

"Uhh, Mira? What are you doing here so late in the night?" He figured everyone would be asleep by now.

"I... I... I just wanted to see if you're okay." Mira replied nervously.

"Why wouldn't I be? I'm all fine."

Mira was surprised to see Natsu so calm. If she knew any better, she would expect him to just vent out his frustrations by punching something to nothingness.

Which was true. To an extent.

"You're not angry? About not making it to S-Class?" She asked.

Natsu frowned a bit before answering, "I'll admit. I am a tiny bit angry that I didn't make the cut. But that all changed when Izuku came and talked to me."

"Wait! Izuku talked to you?"

"Yeah. Told me what I was doing wrong and helped me see what I needed. That's all."

"..."

"You need anything?"

"N-nothing. It's fine. I forgot what I even came for." Mira lied and went back to her home. This confused Natsu before he just shrugged it off. He closed the door and went back to sleep.

On the way back to her home, Mira couldn't help but feel jealous about Izuku. He beat her to the punch. She wanted to be the one to fix what was keeping him down. She wanted to be the one to cheer him up.

Guess not.

With a defeated sigh, she made her way home. Hoping that one dat Natsy could feel happy being S-Class, happy in the fact that he got what he deserved.

And hopefully, she can confess her feelings to him. For being there for her in her tough times and for just being...him.

--

Several years later

The guild doors opened to reveal Gray. He looked around for his rival but couldn't find him.

"Has anyone seen Flamebrain?" He asked, eager to fight him and defeat him.

"No" Many members answered.

"He was called by the Council it seems." Answered Cana.

"How do you know?"

"Master told me. He said he'll be back within a few hours."

"Oh good then. I'll be waiting."

Gray just casually strolled to a table and sat there in utter boredom.

Izuku, on the other hand, was coming up with possible theories on what might actually happen.

'Could it be that-'

Before he could further think about, he was stopped by his girlfriend's voice.

"Izuku"

"Hmm? Yes, Erza?"

"Are you okay? You seem to be deep in thought. What are you thinking?" She asked as she ate her favorite strawberry cheesecake.

"Oh just thinking about what the council would call Natsu for that's all."

"Uh-huh"

"Seriously speaking here."

"*sighs* whatever." She shrugged and continued to devour her cake while Izuku watched his girlfriend in amusement.

--

A few hours later

"ARE. YOU. FUCKING. KIDDING MEEEEEE!?!?!?!?"

Everyone instantly snapped their heads to the second floor of the guild, where the screeching voice had come from.

Several minutes later, Makariv came out with a shocked yet happy look on his face.

"Master! What happened?!" Lisanna asked in concern.

Makarov just jumped onto the railing amd announced, "BRATS. IT'S PARTY TIME"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Just pure silence followed after that.

"What's wrong with you brats? Where's the cheers, the beers and the brawls?"

"Umm. For what exactly are we celebrating?" Gray asked.

"Natsu has been officially ranked as the 5th Wizard Saint." He proudly announced. Proud of Natsu's accomplishment.

"..."

Again with the silence.

"Sheeeeeesh. Tough crowd."

"HE'S WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!" Everyone practically blew their heads off.

"There we go"

"SINCE WHEN DID FLAMEBRAIN GET BETTER THAN ME?! WHEN HE COMES BACK-" Gray went on rambling on about how he was gonna beat Natsu and become Wizard Saint himself and more.

But, he couldn't stop the feeling of respect for his rival and best friend. Sure he was extremely jealous. But he was nonetheless happy for the pinkette.

"Was this the surprise you talked about years ago?" Erza asked her boyfriend to which he just nodded.

Mira couldn't stop the tears from flowing down her cheeks. She was in the kitchen alone by the way.

He had finally gotten what he deserved. Nothing more could make her happier than she was now. Well, maybe except not confessing to him.

The guild members partied all day for Natsu's achievement. He came back from the council that evening to join the party. Everyone congratulated him. Gray was being jealous.

Izuku, on the other hand, smiled.

--

A/N: This is just something I wanted to get out of my system before I forget. I may or may not make a story out of this. But if you guys can motivate me enough, I can try.

But guess what?

I'm on writing streak from now on. So expect my stories to get updated ASAP.

Alright then. Time for some fu-

*KNOCK* KNOCK* KNOCK*

"NALU AND JERZA FANS. OPEN UP."

"Uh-oh"