Chapter 4 S-Class Trials Begin

It's been about a few days since Natsu was given the offer by Orochimaru's underlings. Natsu never mentioned it to anyone. Natsu kept the offer on his mind still contemplating if he should take it or not. Natsu's change in behavior did not go unnoticed by the guild, they were all worried about him.

It was now the day of S-Class trials, and the candidates this year were Natsu, Gray, Elfman, Juvia, Cana, Mest, Levy, and Freed. Each of them were granted to select a Fairy Tail member as a partner, Natsu of course went with Happy, Gray with Loke much to Lucy's shock, Cana and Lucy, Elfman and Evergreen, Freed and Bickslow, Levy and Gajeel, and Mest and Wendy, and Juvia and Lisanna.

All of them had a determined look on their face except for Natsu, who just stared out at the ocean, and much to their shock he was not feeling motion sick.

"Hey Natsu, are you okay," Lucy asked "You're not sick aren't you,"

"I'm fine Lucy, just focus on helping Cana," Natsu responded.

Lucy was a bit shocked, Natsu was never that cold towards her before, but she shrugged it off a little since he had a focused look on his eyes.

"That's rare for Natsu to act like that," Evergreen said.

"He's just super focused, he's a real man," Elfman smirked.

"Alright that's enough brats," Makarov said "We will be approaching Tenroujima soon," he then displayed a map with eight different paths, four battle routes, three intense battle routes, and one serenity route. "Now once we arrive there will be eight different paths each team will pick one, now there are three different types of routes: battle, intense battle, and serenity, and they are exactly what they sound like," Makarov continued to explain the rules.

"So in this exam only 4 teams get to advance and if lucky 7 if the three teams can defeat Gildarts, Erza, and Mira," Gray said.

Makarov nodded "and once you complete those trials, I will explain the second one,"

Natsu listened as he stared out aimlessly at the ocean, something Makarov noticed that there was growing darkness in Natsu's eyes.

"Natsu, my boy, I hope my premonition does not become a reality," Makarov thought.

Flashback

"Master, are you sure it's wise to let Natsu participate despite the risk," Erza asked.

Makarov nodded "He was already considered a candidate even before getting the Curse Mark, but this is for the best, it's the only way to keep an eye on him,"

"What do you mean, Master," Mira asked.

"As Porlyusica said, whoever gave Natsu the curse mark for a reason, more than likely to control him. This way we can be there if anything were to happen to him," Makarov explained.

"I see," Erza said.

"If this is the only way to keep him safe," Mira said.

"Thank you for supporting my decision," Makarov bowed.

Flashback over

"All right brats, the exam will begin, now," Makarov shouted.

All the participants blinked for a minute not understanding.

"I said begin," Makarov coughed.

"EH!, Now," they all shouted.

It was then Freed and Bickslow flew off sealing the others on the ship with an enchantment. It took 5 minutes but the enchantment was finally broken and the others headed off.

"Come on, Natsu," Happy carried Natsu to the island.

Natsu just nodded and the two flew off after others, and after some time they landed on the island and the two were met with 8 different paths.

"Which one should we take, Natsu," Happy asked.

Natsu looked and saw that at least half of the paths were taken. "Which one should we take," Natsu thought. After a minute or two Natsu came to a decision,and he walked off into the path he chose.

"Natsu, wait," Happy flew after him. "What made you pick this path,"

"Just a gut feeling," Natsu responded.

"I guess that's you," Happy signed. "So who do you think you have to fight for this,"

"I don't know," Natsu said. "But it doesn't matter I will win,"

"Wow, Natsu sounds so confident," Happy thought.

Natsu and Happy continued to walk, Natsu was silent still thinking about what happened days ago.

Night Before Exam

Natsu finished his solo training, and as he was doing it he heard the same thing over again in his head.

"Staying in this guild will keep you weak,"

Natsu questioned " are they right, is staying in Fairy Tail keeping me weak. I took down strong opponents, but I never felt that stronger. Even after he beat someone extremely powerful, I always lost to other stronger members of the guild, Gildarts, Mira, Makarov and Erza."

Natsu then felt a flare of anger go through him when he thought of Erza, and with that he knocked down a tree. "Eh, why did I feel angered when I thought of Erza," Natsu never felt that kind of feeling towards her before. It was then memories of his fights with Erza went through his mind. "I know I lost to her plenty of times, but I never felt this mad over losing to her, but now whenever it comes to mind I'm so angry,"

Natsu sat down on the ground, his back against a tree and looked up at the sky, and in his mind he saw Erza towering over him, the gap in strength growing. "How much wider is the gap getting between me and her," Natsu clenched his fist in frustration.

Natsu looked up back at the sky " I remember my mission to kill Zeref, and yet what I have been doing this whole time, my brother never once crossed my mind. He just vanished from my memories Igneel, what am I supposed to do,"

"Cut your ties with this guild, and become more powerful than you can imagine,"

The words echoed in his mind abandon Fairy Tail and its ideals and join with Orochimaru to gain power. Natsu walked inside his house, and he saw Happy sleeping on the couch with a fish in his mouth. Natsu softly smiled and pet the Exceed's head and placed blankets over him.

Natsu looked around his home and saw the mementos from all his adventures and his gaze was fixated on a picture of him and the rest of the guild. All of them were smiling happily in it, Natsu just gazed at it and placed the photo face down.

Present

Natsu and Happy arrived in an open field arena.

"So who do you think is here," Happy asked.

Natsu was silent, and it was then he and Happy heard loud metal footsteps coming from the other side.

"Wait is that," Happy said.

Natsu kept a cold emotionless, as he heard the footsteps getting closer. Out of the shadows emerged Erza Scarlet.

Erza smiled "You've done well to make it this far, Natsu,"

"Erza," Natsu said.

"Oh no, Natsu what are you going to do," Happy shouted.

Natsu didn't answer him, his eyes focused on Erza and when he looked at her he felt a flare of anger "Happy, make sure to stay out of the way,"

Happy was a bit shocked by the coldness in his voice, but he nodded and grabbed the bags, and went for the cover.

"Natsu, prepare yourself, becoming S-Class isn't a walk in the park," Erza told him. "That's why you need to get past me first," Natsu just gave her a cold and serious glare.

Erza was shocked by this look, she has never seen such an ice-cold glare before from him "What's with that look Natsu,"

"It doesn't matter, Just fight me right now," Natsu said coldly.

Erza's eyes widened, she never heard something so cold from Natsu. This is unlike all his other challenges to her. In the past, he always approached with a kind, cocky, goofy grin, but this. This look was cold, angered. "What is wrong Natsu, you've been acting differently lately,"

"Just shut up and fight me," Natsu shouted, his Sharingan activating.

Erza gulped at this, "the Sharingan," this is the first time she ever felt fearful of Natsu.

"Natsu," Happy thought.

"I don't care if you guys say, I've been acting differently, you should mind your own damn business," Natsu said coldly. "You said you're the opponent I have to beat to become S-Class right, then forget the talk and let's go,"

Erza's shock grew at what Natsu was saying, and for some reason, she felt something strange "What is this feeling in me, this kind of challenge from Natsu, he sounds more serious than before? It feels different from others. I feel he's much stronger than before. And this is the first time I felt," Erza smiled at Natsu.

"What are you smiling at," Natsu glared.

"Nothing, it's just the first time I felt this excited fighting you," Erza smiled. "I know you've gotten stronger, and I can't wait to see it,"

Natsu's eyes narrowed "You, you have no right to act so high and mighty just because you're S-class,"

"I've never seen you get so angry about a rank, so unlike you," Erza said. "You never let a rank bother you about strength before,"

"Just shut up and fight already," Natsu demanded.

"This is different from our previous bouts, now we must fight as true equals of the same guild," Erza told him.

"Saying things like that proves you act high and mighty," Natsu said coldly. "Don't think we're equals,"

"Yes, I do. I never once thought you were beneath me," Erza said.

"You're really pissing me off," Natsu angrily said to her.

"If you keep thinking like that, you'll stay weak," Erza shouted.

"ERZA!" Natsu charged

"NATSU!" Erza shouted.

The two charged at each other, Natsu throwing the first punch, but Erza blocked and grabbed his fist. Erza tried to punch Natsu with her free arm, but Natsu grabbed her punch as well. Natsu then attempted to kick Erza but she managed to grab his leg.

Natsu growled and while Erza was spinning him, Natsu spun himself, put his hands on the ground to stop Erza and then kicked her in the air. Erza quickly regained her composure and requipped a sword and dived at Natsu prepared to attack. Once Erza slashed her sword down, Natsu caught and threw Erza over his shoulder.

Natsu then charged at Erza unleashing a barrage of punches, Erza managed to block a few of them, but she was then punched directly in the face sending her flying. Into the forest, Natsu chased after her but found she was gone. Natsu used his Sharingan to check his surroundings and once he heard rustling from a nearby bush he jumped in the air.

Natsu then felt a presence above him and looked up and saw Erza standing on a tree above him, and due to standing in front of the sun Natsu was blinded. Erza requipped into her Black Wing Armor and jumped down at Natsu hitting him with a powerful sword slash.

Natsu backflipped and quickly regained his footing "Don't get ahead of yourself," Natsu jumped at Erza igniting his fist.

FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST

Erza was sent flying again but she as well regained her footing and launched herself at a tree at Natsu. Erza continued to slash at Natsu with her blade but he dodged each strike. Natsu then kicked Erza into a tree and began to punch her continuously.

"Natsu, Erza," Happy cowered a bit behind a tree, the Exceed never seen Natsu fight Erza so seriously before.

Natsu continually beat Erza against the tree, Erza threw a punch at him "Enough already,"

The two jumped and continued to fight in mid-air, each landing blows at each other. Natsu then ignited his foot in flames.

FIRE DRAGON TALON

Natsu then ax kicked Erza to the ground. Erza's back hit the ground hard making her cough in pain. In that moment Natsu took a big deep breath.

FIRE DRAGON ROAR

Natsu unleashed his powerful breath attack at Erza, setting the entire field in flames.

"Erza," Happy shouted "Natsu I think you went too far,"

It was then flames were slashed away revealing Erza in her Flame Empress Armor, equipped with her Sea Empress sword,

"Damn it," Natsu glared, he then engulfed his fist in flames.

Erza requipped another sword, Natsu dived down at her, and Erza jumped at him prepared her

"ERZA!"

"NATSU!"

AN Here is chapter 4 everyone, what do you all think, I had a difficult time writing this chapter but did my best, be sure to tell me what you like and dislike and that will be all be sure to review and I will see you next time.