Chapter 17 Snakes vs Ravens

It's been over 2 years since Natsu had joined up Orochimaru, and he has grown considerably stronger, able to maintain the second phase curse mark much longer now.

Natsu finished another training session defeating more of Orochimaru's low-level thugs without any to say Natsu was bored, pairing him with such low-level fighters wasn't helping him, even if they had curse marks they were barely a challenge.

Natsu was walking through the hall of the facility he was stationed in, and in charge of as per the agreement, he had with the Snake man. As he walked through the facility he passed by a feminine-looking person with long dark hair, they carried an emotionless expression.

"Hmm," Natsu ignored the person though he felt them looking at him. "That must be another one of Orochimaru's subjects, I've only seen them a couple of times all I know is that they use ice-based magic,"

Natsu then passed by a large metal door, and he took notice of a large man in there slouching just looking at him, like the last person Natsu ignored them. Natsu walks inside a laboratory and sees Orochimaru working on an experiment.

"Ah, Natsu-kun you're here," Orochimaru smirked.

"What is it that you want," Natsu questioned the man.

"As always, you're straight to the point, I need you to deal with a certain problem I am having," Orochimaru requested.

"A problem?" Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"Yes something that relates to your past," Orochimaru explained "I need you to deal with Ivan Dreyar,"

"Ivan Dreyar, the old man's son," Natsu's eyes narrowed. "Why him?"

"Let's just say he owes me and still hasn't paid me back," Orochimaru responded.

"So you want me to be a messenger," Natsu's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, warn him to pay back what he owes or there will be consequences," Orochimaru said.

"Fine," Natsu simply answered.

"But you won't be going alone," Orochimaru continued "this will be a four-man mission, as you know Raven Tail is a large guild filled with hundreds maybe thousands of dark mages and allies, so you'll be taking a squad with you,"

"Fine," Natsu said again.

It was then three individuals entered the lab, two of which Natsu saw earlier, the young feminine person, the large man, and the final one a man with a mischievous face.

"Yo, so you're Natsu, Orochimaru-sama's new favorite," the mischievous one smirked. Natsu didn't respond to him.

The feminine-looking one, who was the smallest bowed to Natsu "it's an honor to meet you Natsu-san, my name is Hitomi"

"Hello," the large one bowed. "I'm Juzo"

"And I'm Sora, " he put his arm around Natsu "And be sure to stay out of my way I don't care if you are Orochimaru-sama's favorite I won't hesitate to kill you,"

"Hmmm," Natsu brushed him off "Do as you wish,"

Orochimaru handed Natsu a map, "You'll find the Raven Tail guild there, best of luck you three,"

Natsu was silent and walked out of the lab, with the other three following him. As the group of four walked through the forest, Natsu was the only one among the group wearing his hood covering his face. Sora wore a dark purple shirt and pants, he walked more lazily, Juzo wore a gray t-shirt and shorts, a cloak over his shoulders. Hitomi was dressed in a pin-striped outfit and a haori over it, their hair tied in a bun, they also wore a face mask with thin curved eyes, decorated with red spikes.

"So Natsu, what's your story?" Sora questioned, Natsu was silent at the question. "I mean you're a pretty famous mage, after all, the Great Salamander of Fairy Tail. Why such a noble person like yourself join up with Orochimaru-sama,"

"Why do you want to know?" Natsu simply asked.

"Just need to know why a hero mage who defeated the Oracion Seis ended up joining a dark guild," Sora said.

"My reasons are my own," Natsu responded. "It's something I wouldn't share with someone like you," his eyes narrowed.

"Don't pry him Sora," Juzo told him.

"He has own reasons for joining Orochimaru-sama, leave him be," Hitomi said.

"Fine, fine," Sora signed "Hey wouldn't have to be about…."

ROAR

The group stopped after hearing a loud roar. Natsu looked over and saw a large beast, and it was about to attack a girl.

"A kid," Juzo said, shocked.

Natsu then jumped in and easily killed the monster. "You okay,"

The girl just nodded still a little shaky "so strong,"

"Are you alright," Juzo asked.

The girl nodded "Yes I'm fine thanks, the beast caught me off guard"

"Hey you shouldn't be out here kid, it's dangerous," Sora lectured.

Natsu took notice of the girl's appearance; she looked close to Wendy's age, looking about 12-13 years old. She had long black hair, tied under a white head band in a small bow, and she was dressed in a white blazer. Natsu also felt something from this girl, something familiar.

"Why are you out here alone," Hitomi asked the girl.

"I'm searching for someone," the girl answered.

"Someone? Who?" Sora asked her.

"My brother, when we were children our village was attacked and he was kidnapped," the girl told them. "I managed to escape, and I have been searching for him since then,"

"And your brother, what was his name," Sora asked.

"Simon," She answered.

Natsu then went a little wide-eyed at the name of her brother. It was then the image of a large man with an eyepatch flashed in his mind.

Flashback

HEAVENLY BODY MAGIC ALTARIS

Jellal fired a giant black ball of magic at Natsu, Erza standing in front of him.

"Erza, get out of the way," Natsu shouted.

"No it's my fault, you're here the least I can do is protect you," Erza stood her ground.

"Fine you two can die together," Jellal laughed.

"ERZA!"

But it was then in the last moments, someone jumped in front of Erza, it was Simon.

"Simon," Erza uttered, seeing her old friend covered in fatal injuries.

Simon fell, and Erza kneeled to him "Why"

Simon weakly smiled "Please don't cry, it's okay. I'm happy to give up my life for you," he comforted her "You were the only one who made me smile in those dark days, Erza I've always loved you,"

Simon's arm then fell to the ground, him dying from his injuries. Both Natsu and Erza were shocked at what happened, Erza starting to break down.

"NOOOOOOOO!" she cried out in tears.

Flashback over

"She's that man's sister," Natsu thought.

"Hey Natsu, what's with that reaction sounds like you know that name," Sora took notice of Natsu's face.

The girl also noticed Natsu's reaction "Wait you know something what is it? Is it my brother? Did you know him?"

Natsu signed, but simply nodded "Yes, I knew him,"

The girl brightened up a little "Really, is he okay,"

Natsu was silent, "That man is dead," he said bluntly.

The girl was in shock and horror "What? He's?"

Natsu just nodded again "Your brother, Simon is dead,"

"Woah, really." Sora was shocked "Way to break the bad news man,"

"How do you know that he is dead," Hitomi asked.

"Because I was there," Natsu simply answered "At the tower of heaven, he took a blast meant for me and Erza but he shielded us from it,"

"Who did it," the girl questioned darkly.

"Huh," the group noticed the change in the girl's nature, she was fueled with anger.

"Who killed my brother," she said in anger.

Natsu kept his cool, he wasn't surprised by the girl's anger and thirst for vengeance "His name is Jellal,"

"Jellal, I see so he is the one who killed my brother," the girl clenched her fist in anger.

"Yes, but if you want to find him then you're too late he's already in jail," Natsu told her.

"I see," the girl clenched her fist "He's already facing justice, then if he ever escapes then I will kill him,"

"Hmmm," Natsu then turned around "Let's go, we have a mission,"

The others nodded and began to take their leave.

"Wait, can I go with you," the girl asked.

The group was a bit shocked by this. Natsu was silent at the girl's request.

"I feel if I go with you, I'll become stronger so please let me go with you," the girl requested.

"Do what you want," Natsu simply said, and he and the others continued their journey, with the girl following them.

It was now nighttime, and the group was sitting near a fire, with the girl who was following them sitting under a nearby tree.

"By the pace, we're going we'll be at Raven Tail in two days' time," Hitomi looked over the map.

Sora smirked "That's pretty good,"

"I doubt Ivan will be compliant Juzo said.

Natsu nodded "We will obviously face some resistance, he's very prideful and petty man but it'll be no problem,"

"Are you guys after a dark guild," the girl asked.

Natsu just nodded, the group continued to go over a plan.

GRUMBLE

Natsu and his team looked up and saw that the girl's stomach just growled, and she blushed in embarrassment.

"You hungry kid," Sora asked.

The girl blushed embarrassingly and nodded.

Juzo took out some food they carried and offered it to her "Here take some,"

The girl took it and bowed "Thank you," and she ate.

"So you just gonna follow us, now kid," Sora questioned. "I get it you wanna be strong but we are pretty dangerous guys,"

"I don't care who you are. All of you feel strong and I want to be strong too, if it means I get to avenge my brother,"

"Huh," Sora said.

"Leave it be, Sora. Fine, if you want to tag along then do. Just be sure to stay out of our way," Natsu told her.

Sora scoffed "Don't talk like your in charge,"

Natsu turned to the girl "Kid, what's your name,"

"Kagura, Kagura Mikazuchi," Kagura introduced.

The group joined by Kagura continued their journey to the Raven Tail guild, during their travels they witnessed Kagura's ability to fight, Natsu noted as of right now she is as strong as Erza was at that age.

After two more days of travel, they arrived on the outskirts of the Raven Tail guild in the dead of night. As his group slept Natsu slipped away.

Natsu stealthed his way towards the guildhall. He managed to sneak in with relative ease. Natsu found his way to the guild master quarters, he silently entered and sat on the headboard looking over the sleeping Ivan. Natsu took out his sword and held the tip of the blade in Ivan's face. Natsu knocked on the headboard awakening, Ivan.

Ivan's eyes widened in shock and horror. "What the,"

"Ivan Dreyar," Natsu said.

"Wait aren't you.." Ivan recognized Natsu seeing him once in Fairy Tail.

"Quite, one wrong move and you're dead," Natsu pushed the blade closer to Ivan's face, and the man nodded in fear.

"I was sent by Orochimaru, you owe him. And If you don't pay up then it's your life. I don't care what you owe him, come morning a group of mages will attack your base, be sure to gather your best men," Natsu then vanished.

Next Morning

Come Morning, the group was awaiting Ivan to give what he owed, but were only greeted by a large army of mages on horses.

"Ahle," Sora said. "Looks like he knew we were coming, he sent a welcome party,"

"It seems we have to fight our way through," Hitomi said, taking out two kunai.

Juzo nodded and prepared himself.

Natsu took out a katana and handed it to Kagura "If you want to prove yourself, then show it here in this fight,"

Kagura took the sword and looked at the incoming army and nodded.

Natsu was the first one to approach standing in the way of the horsemen. One of them with a spear confronted Natsu.

"So you're one of the attackers, die," the man thrust his spear, but Natsu dodged it and kicked the man in the face, knocking him off his horse. The horse freaked out, and started to run around, Natsu landing on top of its sandals perfectly keeping his balance. Natsu took out his blade and easily defeated the group of dark wizards.

Sora was also having little trouble during his fight, Natsu observed as Sora easily dispatched many of the soldiers with a few punches. He then smirked seeing another group heading towards him. Sora then took a deep breath.

Natsu's eyes narrowed "that,"

SKY DEVIL RAGE

"Slayer Magic,"

Sora fired a powerful pink breath attack at the group of charging men, knocking them all down. Sora mockingly smirked "see that Natsu, as you see I'm a Sky Devil Slayer,"

Hitomi was also easily defeating a group of soldiers, Hitomi dodged with grace and threw kunai and needles at each soldier, all of them falling. Haku then constructed several ice spears and threw them at the group, all of them defeated.

Juzo was just throwing around the men like ragdolls, the man was like a tank taking hits and dishing them out even harder.

Natsu's eyes then turned to Kagura, who like the others was not having much trouble, she blocked and deflected each strike coming at her. Her skills with a blade impressed Natsu, "Maybe she can be useful,"

Kagura finished off the last of the soldiers breathing heavily, being the one who put the most effort in her fight.

It was then out of the guildhall appeared a group of five mages, one being Ivan dressed in gold armor, another short purple spiky man, a creeper looking man in black, the sole woman with red hair and dress, and lastly a large puppet looking, man.

"So Orochimaru sends children to fight me fine," Ivan shouted "Me and m elite squad will kill you,"

The group all smirked with confidence.

"Oh, these are the big guns huh," Sora smirked.

"It seems so," Hitomi nodded.

"Let's finish this quickly," Natsu ordered.

Kagura and Juzo nodded.

Ivan glared at them "Obra seal their magic,"

But the puppet man didn't get to do anything as Natsu cut him down no problem. The other Ravens were shocked at this.

Nullpudding jumped at Natsu and prepared to attack

NEEDLE BLAST

Nullpudding didn't get to finish the attack however as he was suddenly impaled by an ice spear, Shocking the Ravens, and they all turned and saw the attacker was Hitomi. Kurohebi glared at the ice user and charged at them only to be stopped by Juzo, whose arm transformed to that of like demon armor, he grabbed Kurohebi by the face, Kurohebi struggled and tried to use his sand on Juzo, but Juzo simply crushed his head. Ivan was shivering; three of his elite squad were just killed.

"FLARE DO SOMETHING," Ivan shouted, but Flare was shivering,

Natsu noticed that Flare was rather young, around the same age as Kagura, and he sees she is afraid.

"It seems you don't want to be here, so this is your chance to fight and die or run," Natsu told the redhead with a cold stare. Flare shivered at Natsu's cold stare, and she fled out of fear.

"Wait, don't run, coward," Ivan yelled.

"Now that your elite squad is mostly dead, what will you do now," Sora smirked. "You pay back Orochimaru-sama or die,"

Ivan was shaking but he glared at them "You will pay for this," Ivan then created a large dark paper doll bomb "I will kill all of you,"

Kagura tensed up and somehow out of pure instinct held her hand out and two magics appeared above and below Ivan, and he suddenly felt himself getting heavier.

The group was rather surprised by Kagura's action.

"You can use Gravity Magic," Natsu asked.

"It seems so," Kagura nodded.

Natsu then turned to Ivan "Now what will you Ivan," Natsu watched as the force of gravity forced Ivan to the ground, the man unable to get up.

Ivan's eyes widened finally recognizing Natsu "I remember you your that little brat Natsu, the one who boasts about being raised by a dragon,"

"Hmm," Natsu was silent at the remark.

"I see so you left Fairy Tail too, listen if you let me go I'll pay you all handsomely," Ivan tried to bargain. "Just let me go," he begged.

Natsu signed "As always you're pathetic," Natsu then signaled Kagura to let him go, and she did as she was told. "Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not letting you go out of pity. This was merely a warning,"

"Eh," Ivan shook.

Sora snickered "That's right, you ever go behind Orochimaru-sama's back this will happen,"

Natsu and his team then started to walk away, Ivan shivering in fear. It was then that a battalion of Rune Knights was approaching.

"Rune knights," Ivan shook.

"I leaked that you'd be here, you are a wanted man after all," Natsu said, and he and his group vanished in the shadows.

"What the hell happened here," a rune knight seeing the carnage.

"All of Raven Tail has been wiped out," Lahar shook. "And only their Master lives,"

"Who could have done this," Doranbolt shivered.

…

"So what do you think Orochimaru-sama is going to do once we get back, I mean we didn't get back what Ivan owed," Sora signed.

"Don't worry, he didn't owe Orochimaru anything," Natsu told him.

"Eh," Sora blinked.

"This was merely a test of what we are able to do," Natsu simply explained.

"That explains why he sent us as a group," Juzo asked, and Natsu nodded.

"I see, it's to see if we can work well under Natsu-san," Hitomi said.

"He wanted me to see what all of you are capable of, and of any use to me," Natsu finished "Suffice to say I'm impressed,"

"And what about the kid," Sora asked as he eyed Kagura.

"We'll bring her to Orochimaru, see if he can find a use for her, but she's proven she can help me," Natsu said.

Kagura smiled at that final part, "I'll be sure to prove myself," she bowed.

"So you're a Sky Devil Slayer," Natsu asked Sora.

Sora smirked "That's right, way stronger than your Dragon Slaying magic,"

"Hmm," Natsu responded.

"And you, Ice," Natsu turned to Hitomi.

Hitomi nodded "Yes I was born with the ability to create and manipulate ice,"

"Kekkei Genkai huh," Natsu's eyes narrowed.

"Juzo what about you, I assume curse mark," Natsu turned to the large man.

Juzo nodded "Yes, Orochimaru-sama told me I'm descended from a clan where the curse mark gene originates from,"

"It seems Orochimaru collected quite a few monsters, good they'll be of use to me," Natsu thought as they headed to Orochimaru's hideout.

"I take it most of you don't like Orochimaru very much," Natsu asked them, and he got nods from them.

"I mean yeah, grateful he saved me and all but hate being treated as an experiment," Sora shrugged.

Hitomi nodded in agreement. "Yes, he is a mad man but I will follow him

Juzo looked down "He keeps harvesting my DNA injecting it in people like you"

"I see," Natsu said. "Don't worry once he gives me what I need I will take care of him, and when I defeat him will you follow me,"

The three were surprised by Natsu's statement.

Sora snickered "If you manage to do that, then sure I'll stick with you,"

Hitomi nodded "if you prove that then yes I will follow your lead,"

Juzo also nodded "as long as you get rid of him I'll be happy,"

"I will follow Natsu-san no matter what," Kagura said.

In Orochimaru's lab, he had just heard the news of Natsu and his team defeating Raven Tail and then bringing Kagura.

"Impressive, they are quite strong and able to wipe out Raven Tail like that, and Natsu-Kun made a new friend. I hope to see more of his development soon,"

AN here we are another fast update this time a chapter focused on Natsu and his team Taka what do you think. Couldn't think of good names just came up with ones that came to my mind. And Kagura joins up with them did you see that coming. Anyway, this chapter also served as a way to get rid of Raven Tail. and yes all of them except Ivan and Flare are alive. Anyway, do you think this chapter is a bit too early? Be sure to review and let me know what you all think, Next chapter will be the final filler training arc focusing on Erza, Anyway, thanks for reading and I will see you next time.