A frown was on Juvia's face as she breathed heavily with her hands on her knees, she was in front of a small river, a little behind her was Natsu lying on top of the grass sleeping peacefully. The water mage grimaced before extending her hands towards the river causing the water to start bubbling and shivering.
Soon a little steam started to rise with a hiss, however it did not last long when it dispersed and the water returned to normal, making Juvia fall on her back before lying on her back taking her hands to her face and moaning in prison.
It was at this point that Natsu nodded, he looked around a little confused before his eyes landed on Juvia on the ground, with that he looked at the river in front of them and sighed before standing up and stretching. Suddenly its nose twitched at a scent approaching them, the dragon quickly looked towards the direction of the scent and saw a bear approaching them.
The animal was looking at the ground with its nose twitching until its eyes saw the water mage. The bear was about to attack when it froze and looked at the dragon who faced the animal.
They held each other's gaze for a few seconds when Natsu snorted making the bear run away, seeing this the dragon smiled proudly, puffing out its chest. It was at that moment that Juvia stopped her little attack before turning to the dragon seemingly proud of something.
Juvia stares at him in confusion before looking over to where the dragon was looking and saw nothing, causing her confusion only grow. The dragon just snorted in amusement before returning to its previous position and sleeping again.
Seeing this Juvia looks at him with an irritated pout with her arms crossed, with that she turned her head to the side.
"Lazy dragon..." Grumbles the blue one without noticing how the dragon's eyes opened with an amused gleam.
However, the two never noticed as Mavis peeked at them from atop a tree with a fond smile before disappearing.
(Some time later.)
"Juvia is sure that Juvia had some provisions of food to last for months!" Exclaims Juvia looking inside her bag for food, in addition to having her entire camp messed up.
Suddenly she froze raising her head remembering how before going to the forest to look for the "Vulcan" she saw some hungry children and gave them part of her food. A dark cloud appeared over Juvia's head causing her to fall to her knees pale with a blank expression.
It was at that moment that a gust of wind hit her, causing a weak smile to appear on her face making her turn to the big dragon approaching her flying.
He fell to the ground with a heavy thud making Juvia smile, after all, over the time they were together the water mage learned that the dragon really liked her attention to make noise especially.
A chuckle escaped her lips as she again compared her new friend, who she nicknamed 'Igneel' and her guild's former dragon slayer, Natsu Dragneel.
Turning her attention back to her giant friend she noticed that he was looking at her worriedly turning his face towards her camp before turning back to her.
"Hello Igneel-san, did you have a good hunt?" Asks Juvia gently making the dragon cheer up and throw the body of a slightly burnt Chorabash in front of her.
Juvia's eyes widen and her mouth opens as she stares at the monster in front of her dead, with that she raises her head to the dragon, however her expression turns to a nervous one when she sees Natsu eating another Chorabash that he kept in his hand.
The water mage glared at the dragon before turning back to the Chorabash with a blank expression, with that Juvia slowly turned back to her camp looking for something in her things. After a few seconds, she returns to the front of the Chorabash carrying a teardrop in her hands, she quickly activates the object, ignoring how the dragon lays down in front of her and approaches her curious face.
Suddenly the image of Mira appeared in the tear and as soon as the albino saw Juvia, an immense relief ran through her being.
"Juvia-chan! are you all right! we were worried about you and...What kind of face is this Juvia-chan?" Asks Mira confused at the end seeing Juvia's blank expression.
Juvia looked at Mira before turning to the Chorabash, then to the dragon and back to Mira, the water mage sighed rubbing her face, preparing herself for what was to come next.
"Mira-san, how can Juvia eat a Chorabash?" Asks Juvia a little uncertain making Mira blink.
"...One what?" Asks uncertain Mira.
"A Chorabash." Repeats Juvia making Mira nod slowly.
"I see...EHH?"
(In the evening)
Juvia was alone lying in front of the cave looking at the starry sky thinking about the past, her career in Phantom Lord, her entry into Fairy tail, her old passion for Gray and her death on Tenrou Island.
The girl sighed with a thoughtful face before feeling a stone tremor and hearing a grunt making her sit up and smile as she saw the dragon approaching her. He quickly lay down beside her, lowered his head letting out a low growl making Juvia giggle, and rub her muzzle.
With that, Juvia lay down again to look at the sky, something that the dragon copied. They stayed in a comfortable silence just listening to their breathing and the sounds of the forests, it lasted a few moments when the dragon turned its head fully towards Juvia and started making noises in its throat while opening its mouth letting out strange roars and grunts.
Hearing what the Dragon was doing, Juvia sat up again and faced the beast, completely confused, curious and a little worried about her friend.
"Is he choking?" Thinks Juvia worried about the dragon.
"Tu..."The dragon grumbles in a dry and broken voice making Juvia widen her eyes before standing up completely.
"Are you trying to talk?" exclaims Juvia surprised and excited before clenching her fists and approaching the big dragon who kept trying to talk. "Come on Igneel-san, you will make it! Come on!"
"TUBIA!" Exclaims the dragon forcefully making Juvia widen her eyes in surprise and confusion.
"...Tubia?" Repeats Juvia confused when the dragon gets excited and approaches his head to her making the girl hold him to n push her before her eyes widen in understanding.
"Tubia... is it Juvia?" Asks the girl pointing to herself before the dragon faces her with joy and lifts her head waving at her.
Slowly a smile appeared on Juvia's face as small tears fell from her eyes before she stared at the dragon with pride. Seeing this, the dragon leaped to its feet, putting its weight on its hind legs as it spread its wings and let out a roar.
At the same time, Juvia wiped away her tears as the dragon fell back to the ground and the girl ran towards it before jumping on it giving a hug around its neck. With that, the dragon began to repeat 'Tubia' several times in an animated way.
While this was happening, Mavis watched from afar sitting on the branch of a tree watching the two happily celebrating before frowning and looking at the dragon's shoulder. The mark was still not visible, although the first master could still feel it, it was very faint, but it was there, it still needed a little push.
Unbeknownst to Mavis, Juvia pulled away from the dragon and smiled affectionately at him making Natsu glare at her.
"Well done Igneel-san, congratulations!" Praises the girl making the dragon smile.
However, soon the dragon's eyes widened, feeling a sudden surge of magic in his shoulder and an intense headache.
(Flashback.)
A sound of small footsteps echoed in Natsu's ears as he walked into a dark cave, the boy soon turned around looking around when his hand caught something scaly, causing him to turn around confused when he heard a growl.
Behind him was a red dragon that snarled as it raised its head and let out a blast of fire at the ceiling of the cave making Natsu look impressed at the dragon. This action lasted for a few seconds before the dragon lowered its head and smiled at Natsu.
"That was awesome Igneel!" Exclaims Natsu excitedly with a smile.
(…)
"IGNEEL!" Exclaims Natsu jumping on Igneel's snout with a smile giving the dragon a hug while the two laugh.
(End of flashback.)
At that moment the dragon backs away screaming in pain causing Juvia's expression to completely change to horror and concern as she steps in front of the dragon.
"Igneel-san! What happening!?"Asks Juvia worriedly before freezing when a bright light comes out of the dragon's shoulder.
Suddenly Natsu starts coughing several times making the girl even more worried about him, it was at that moment that the light on his shoulder disappeared revealing a black line that showed a very familiar symbol for Juvia, and it was the symbol of Fairy tail.
"What?... Fairy tail's mark?" Asks the surprised girl before the dragon lets out another cry of pain.
The girl's eyes met the dragon's, however this time they were different from before, now instead of being yellow, their eyes were onyx black with white sclera, a color she had seen before, as well as that mark on the dragon's shoulder. Dragon.
"What?... You?... But... Impossible..." Murmurs Juvia incredulously when the dragon raised its head to the heavens.
"IGNEEL!" Shouts the dragon confirming Juvia's thoughts, making her widen her eyes and cover her mouth with her hands.
"Natsu-san?" Asks the girl in a low voice, shocked.
At that moment the dragon blinks making its eyes go back to what they were before, the creature looks around as its eyes fall on Juvia, making Natsu relax before falling to the ground in a faint.
- Well... at least half the problem is solved now... - Mavis comments with a nervous laugh while scratching the back of her neck.
(Some time later.)
A wide-eyed Juvia was sitting on top of a rock in front of the fire; clearly, she was still shocked trying to comprehend what she would discover earlier.
It was no wonder, after all Juvia discovered that her companion considered dead for 7 years was alive and well, living in the body of a DRAGON! Since Juvia returned from Tenrou, she and the others have had several nightmares involving Natsu thrown by the dragon and his death.
Juvia had never been so scared as she was that day, she hoped that Natsu had survived and returned to the guild, so when they all came back from their sleep in Tenrou they found that 7 years had passed and that...Natsu had died.
The water mage shook her head closing her eyes tightly before bringing her legs to her chest, so this is how the members who remained in the guild felt. It was not pleasant...
She remembered the color of his eyes and his voice, how different she sounded, how deep, as if he had not been talking to anyone in all this time. It was at that moment that the pain left his chest and in its place came anger.
He was alive all this time, 7 years, he stayed here as a dragon, while his guildmates suffered constantly and Natsu never came to help them, he abandoned Fairy tail! At this Juvia gets up angrily and starts heading towards the interior of the cave, ready to say some choice words to the dragon.
However, just as she was about to get out of sight of her camp, Juvia stopped completely and looked down, remembering how she met, or rather, re-encountered Natsu. He did not act as he used to, it was as if he was an animal instead of a human being, he could not even speak anymore.
It did not really seem to be his fault, it was as if he did not even remember who he was before, if that was the case...
At that moment a look of determination appeared on Juvia's face as she clenched her fist, she was going to bring the Natsu everyone knew back to the guild, no matter what, she needed to succeed in this.
"Ah, I see you've finally figured it out, haven't you?" Asks Mavis's voice making Juvia widen her eyes and turn to see the first master sitting on one of the stones in front of the fire while facing the water mage.
"Mavis-san?" Asks Juvia confused when Mavis smiled at her in a kind way.
"Yes, I see you made some progress with Natsu-chan, I am happy with that Juvia-chan." The first master smiled happily making Juvia wave uncertainly before the blue one narrowed her eyes looking at Mavis.
"Did you know that?" Asks Juvia calmly closing her fists.
"What do you mean Juvia-chan?" Questions Mavis turning to the bonfire with a slightly bored tone making the bluish growl and advance towards the ghost.
"Don't play with Juvia, did you knew!?" Exclaims Juvia making Mavis turn around and face the blue one. "Did you know who the dragon is!? That he was Natsu!"
"Yes." Answers Mavis freezing Juvia in place.
The two were silent for a while with Mavis staring at Juvia calmly, while the blue one had her eyes wide in shock and started to shake.
It was at that moment that the sound appeared in Mavis' ears making the blonde turn around and see that a strong storm was falling outside, with the sky lighting up from time to time with the falling rays.
"Juvia-chan?" Calls Mavis confused before Juvia slaps her, making the blonde-haired woman's head turn to the side as she widens her eyes in shock.
"You knew all this time and you never came to help him!? You left him here alone for 7 years!" Exclaims Juvia angrily staring at Mavis, making the little master stay silent while looking at the furious eyes of the blue one.
"FOR 7 YEARS HE STAYED HERE LIKE A DRAGON, LIKE AN ANIMAL! HE DOES NOT EVEN REMEMBER US FROM FAIRY TAIL, HIS FAMILY! SO TELL ME MAVIS-CHAN, WHY DID YOU LEAVE HIM?" Asks Juvia angrily before Mavis sighs tiredly.
"I did not abandon him, it is not that I did not want to interact with him; it is because I could not." Explains Mavis simply staring at Juvia calmly.
"And why couldn't you? Are you allergic to dragons?" Asks Juvia irritated, making Mavis sigh.
"He didn't have his Fairy tail mark active, I couldn't interact with him, I can only interact with Fairy tail members." Mavis declares calmly before sitting on top of a rock and looking at Juvia. "If I could have approached him at the first opportunity, do you think it didn't hurt me? I saw you all suffering for him and I saw him like this, I saw him transform, when he killed Acnologia with his rage..."
"Wait... Natsu killed acnologia?" Asks Juvia surprised making Mavis nod.
"Yes, it was right after his roar that somehow made Natsu-chan transform into what he is today and kill Acnologia hit you... Natsu-chan needs help, I want to help him, but it doesn't seem like my help is needed here." Declares Mavis with a proud smile to Juvia making the blue one widen her eyes.
"What?" Asks the blue one making Mavis laugh.
"It is you Juvia-chan, you're the one who can help him, you're the one who has a bond with him now, Natsu-chan trusts you Juvia and even knew you in the past. You are the only one who can save him, so I ask you on behalf of the guild..." With that, Mavis got up from her stone before making a complete bow to the bluish one, with her forehead touching the ground.
"Please save our Natsu and bring him back!" Exclaims Mavis, however Juvia doesn't say anything before lifting the first master.
"Mavis-san, you do not need to beg Juvia to help Natsu, he..." At that moment Juvia's eyes become nostalgic and a smile appears on her face. "He is important to Juvia; Juvia would help him even if he didn't ask Juvia."
"Thank you Juvia-chan, I leave the rest to you." Declares Mavis before disappearing leaving Juvia alone in her camp, at the same time that the rain disappeared.
Juvia sighed before sitting on one of the stones in front of the fire and looking at the fire, however a hot wind hit her back giving a shiver in the blue. With that she turned around and saw Natsu staring at her worriedly, Juvia smiled seeing this before the dragon looked at the cave entrance with a raised eyebrow.
With that Natsu laid down in front of her with his body blocking the entrance, the beast gave Juvia one last look before lowering his head and closing his eyes.
Juvia stared at the dragon for some time before looking back at her small tent and looking back at Natsu when a thought popped into her head.
"What is Juvia thinking? That…that sure isn't anything special…it's just because it's cold and he's…warmer than Juvia's tent…YES THAT'S IT!" Juvia thinks before shyly taking her sleeping bag from her tent and going over to the sleeping Natsu.
She slowly lays down on the dragon's side before leaning against him and closing her eyes. However, unbeknownst to both of them, Natsu's wing slowly lowered to cover Juvia like a blanket.
[…]
A scream came out of Juvia's throat as she dropped to her knees in front of the river; she wore a lighter outfit while covered in sweat. Behind her was the dragon watching her struggle in trying to use the steam from the water, the creature narrowed her eyes watching Juvia get up and try again.
After a few minutes of watching Juvia train, Natsu got up and walked towards the river while she continued training.
Juvia's concentration on her training was interrupted when Natsu slammed his paw into the river making the water sway and knocked the water mage over, drenching her. Juvia groaned before turning to the dragon who was staring at her, as soon as their eyes met at first Juvia was upset with the scare, but soon his gaze confused her.
"Natsu-san?" Asks Juvia confused before the dragon turns its head to the river and goes back to hitting the water quickly.
"...What are you doing Natsu-san?" Asks Juvia confused before noticing a familiar hiss, with that she looked at the water and noticed steam coming out of the water.
With that, the dragon raised its paw fully before closing it into a fist and punching the river causing a large amount of steam to come out of the water surprising Juvia.
"He made steam…but how? Juvia has been trying this for a long time and..." It was at that moment that Juvia remembers what Natsu did before creating the steam; he made the water move a lot.
With that, Juvia stood up with an excited and determined look.
"That is it! Juvia knows what to do now!" Exclaims Juvia making Natsu smile excitedly at her before he sits on his hind legs and looks at Juvia who is in front of the river.
"Juvia has to heat the water quickly, meaning movement, a lot of rapid movement…" With that, the water mage held her hands out to the river and closed her eyes in concentration.
Slowly the water in the river began to shiver again, but this time it was moving wildly in all directions. Juvia started to sweat as she raised her magic power, at that moment she stared at the water blankly as a hiss began to echo.
"As a water mage Juvia controls water molecules, it is easier to do this in the liquid state they are vibrating spread out, since in the gaseous state they vibrate even more and are in complete movement..." Juvia thinks before the steam starts to rise. Leave from various locations on the river. "So Juvia just has to increase her control with these vibrations, learn to feel them, use them... and then..."
At that moment, Juvia raises both her arms causing a pillar of steam to rise towards the sky, making the mage laugh with the result while Natsu roared in excitement.
"Juvia did it... Juvia did it..." Juvia thinks before abandoning her control of the steam making it disappear and she falls to her knees breathing heavily, but happy.
It was at that moment that she felt Natsu's snout nudging her and giving her a worried look, Juvia smiled before placing her hand on top of him and gently rubbing the dragon's scales.
"It's okay Natsu-san, Juvia is fine..." Thanks Juvia with a loving smile looking at the dragon.
(Some time later in the cave chamber.)
Natsu lying calmly on top of the rubies looking at the rubies and tears that flooded his chamber, he was thoughtful. Ever since he had that headache, Natsu had flashes of memory remembering that he had another body, something more like the human female that camped outside his door.
He never saw the point in interacting with humans, Natsu was fine with staying asleep, hunting and protecting his treasure, but now he did not know. The arrival of this woman changed everything for him, more and more the dragon found himself wanting to be more like her, or in this case, to go back to what he was.
At that moment, Natsu stands up and looks at his body, at his scales, wings, tail, he looked at every detail of his body, in addition to his own superior size. A low growl came out of his throat as Natsu closed his eyes and began to focus on his magic core.
Slowly his red scales started to glow crimson with an orange tinge, fire started to cover him, but soon his eyes opened wide but they were not draconian anymore, they were Natsu Dragneel's eyes.
A roar of pain escaped his throat before the dragon exploded in smoke.
Juvia was calmly in her camp adjusting her lunch before hearing Natsu's roar of pain causing her to quickly abandon her food and run to the cave worriedly.
"NATSU-SAN!" Calls Juvia when she enters the cave chamber; however, everything was covered in smoke.
The girl quickly entered the area of rubies and tears looking around before hearing a moan, however it was different, it was not bestial or profound it was...human.
Juvia's eyes then widened in fear as a frightening scenario entered her mind.
"No, no, no... JUVIA WILL NOT ALLOW THIS NATSU-SAN WILL NOT MAKE THIS MISTAKE!" With that Juvia starts to run quickly before seeing a human silhouette getting up, she quickly jumps on the figure and knocks it to the ground.
"Be quiet and don't say anything, Juvia will take care of the dragon, he's not dangerous ok..." Juvia declares looking around without looking at the person she knocked to the ground.
"Tubia?" Calls Natsu freezing her.
Not why she was afraid, but where it was coming from, underneath her. Slowly Juvia turned her face to see the person she knocked down and to her surprise, she saw Natsu Dragneel's face with some scales on the sides of his head, below his eyes and forehead, he still had his pink hair longer and his ears were sharp.
Juvia blinked a few times looking at what must have been a dragon before her face slowly turned red realizing the shape they were in.
"Na-Na-Natsu-san?" Juvia stammers incredulously before Natsu opens a smile and hugs Juvia, earning her a shout.
"TUBIA!" Exclaims Natsu happily.
Meanwhile at the entrance to the cave Mavis was watching everything with wide eyes.
"...I knew it would work, but that was too much... Oh, apparently I'm no longer needed here..." With that Mavis disappears, leaving the two alone in the cave.
