Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto and Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima. Anything I write in this story is purely from my thoughts

Chapter 15

"Tell me again why the council is taking us away," Naruto asked as he sat in the carriage taking him to the magic council.

"Because your little conflict between your guild and Eisenwald has caused the Kingdom significant damage to property," A frog answered with a high-pitched voice

"Why did you have to take me as well?" Naruto followed up.

"Well, that is for the council to tell you," The frog said with finality.

"Just go with it, Naruto," Erza reassured the young man. "Nothing good comes from going against the council."

"Fine…" Naruto sulked as he sat in silence.

MAGIC COUNCIL: FIORE BRANCH

Erza and Naruto were led through the halls of the magic council by the frog who arrested after their fight. As they trudged through the walls, a silhouette of a man came into view.

It was a blue-haired man with a red tattoo under and above his right eye. He was dressed in an elegant yet simple robes; consisting of a long white frock-coat with black stripes across the edges and on the upper part of the arms, a decorated standing collar, large straps connected to decorated buckles closing the inducement on the front over a dark shirt, and matching pants and shoes. He also sported a ring on his right middle finger, a medallion hidden by his jacket's collar.

Upon seeing his face, the frog immediately dropped to a knee in reverence. "Master Siegrain," He said.

Erza tensed at the mention of the man's name. Naruto felt the anger that the S-class wizard was exuding as he glared at the council member.

"Long time no see, Erza…" He said. "And it's nice to finally meet the man behind the shadows. It is nice to meet you, I am Siegrain of the Magic Council."

Naruto tilted his head in confusion. "Why do I get the feeling that I've seen your face before?"

"I assure you, we haven't met yet," Siegrain said.

Naruto shrugged. "Oh, okay then."

Erza tensed further.

"Relax, Erza," Siegrain chuckled. "I'm not really here, you know."

To illustrate his point, his form flickered for a moment. "I am using a thought projection. I'm speaking to you from Era."

"What do you want?" Erza asked with hostility in her voice.

"Nothing, just hear to greet an old friend," Siegrain answered nonchalantly. "Besides, I wanted to meet your friend there."

"Don't bother," Erza answered still not amused with the man's presence.

"My, my, is that how you treat me after I always speak to the council on behalf of your guild," Siegrain said in a somewhat condescending tone

"Uhh…if what you're saying is true, why'd they arrest us?" Naruto chimed in.

"Oh no no no," Siegrain answered. "The geezers in there are scared that they'd be held responsible for the attacks, so they needed someone to take the blame. I'm sorry you had to be the scapegoat Erza."

"Shut up..." Erza grit her teeth.

"I just want to remind you that when you talk to the geezers, you won't forget about our little secret…" He began.

"Secret?" Naruto asked.

"Oh, it's nothing to concern yourself about," Siegrain answered. "Oh yeah, I didn't quite get your name."

"It's Naruto, Naruto Uzumaki," He said.

"It's nice to meet you, Naruto," Siegrain said with a hint of friendliness. "I promise we'll go easy on you and Erza."

He raised his hand to his head in a waving gesture. "I look forward to seeing you both inside as a member of the magic council."

Erza trembled in anger, still reeling from the encounter. Her hands balled into a fist and her teeth ground together.

Though, all of the anger washed away when he felt a comforting hand on her shoulder catching off guard. This was followed by a voice of concern, "Are you okay Erza-chan?"

"I-I'll be fine…" She answered.

The frog escorting them shakily rose to his feet and said, "Y-you know someone that important…"

"What's his deal anyway?" Naruto asked.

"All you have to know about him is he's evil…" Erza answered with finality.

"Eh?" Naruto and the frog escort were confused about the S-class Wizard's answer.

The blonde was about to ask further, but Erza turned to him with a smile on her face, "Shall we go in?"

WIZARD TRIAL

It turns out the trial for Erza was for show as Siegrain had earlier said. Considering Fairy Tail's track record, she was not given a punishment. She was just sentenced guilty, and that was it. The magic cuffs were removed afterwards. It was a just a slap on the wrist if you will.

Next, though was Naruto. He didn't know why he was called here. The earlier proceedings had no mention or even hint of his involvement. He deduced that he was here for something different.

"Naruto Uzumaki! Step Forward!"

And so, Naruto took Erza's place in front of the council.

"So, tell us young man," The chairman asked. "After all these years of avoiding us, why show yourself now?"

"That's what you called me her for?!" Naruto screamed like he wasn't talking to someone with authority. "Then, why'd you have to put in these hand cuffs?!" He separated his hands and pointed at them accusingly.

The guards in the room raised their weapons and pointed them at the blonde.

*Ahem* "Stand down boys," A short, old man cleared his throat. He raised his hands prompting the guards to lower their weapons.

Naruto glanced at him. He had thick light-brown eyebrows and a small toothbrush mustache that reaches halfway to his mouth. He wore a brown long sleeve shirt with black vertical stripes and a black three-spiked hat.

"I have to apologize, my boy," The kindly old man said, his tone reminded him of Master Makarov back at the Fairy Tail guild. "I do not like their means, but we had to make sure that you will come quietly."

Naruto rolled his eyes, "You could have just asked…"

The chairman huffed. "You still haven't answered our question, young man."

"Hmph…So you were the creepy guys who've been following me for years," Naruto mused to himself. "Geez, you guys are some creeps."

Naruto shuddered as Orochimaru's image entered his mind. He may have redeemed himself in the war, but he still looked creepy as heck.

"Forgive us for that one," Siegrain spoke. "When we detected massive discharges of Ethernano in that general direction we immediately became wary."

"I hope you understand us," Another council member said in a sultry voice. "After that first attack by the neighboring island, we had to be cautious.

Naruto almost had a nose bleed looking at her. She was a pale-skinned woman with dark purple hair and red eyes. She had a rather voluptuous figure covered by a long revealing dress, sporting a striped pattern that clung to her figure highlighting her curves.

"Perhaps you're a spy from Alakitasia!" Another short old man that reminded the blonde of a cat accused. "That must explain why you have suddenly appeared a few years back!"

"What are you talking about, old man?" Naruto said. "I may not be from here, but I'm not—"

CRASH!

Naruto was interrupted by a huge explosion that took down the hall's wall. The guards immediately returned to an offensive position ready to attack the culprit who was obscured by the dust.

"I am Erza! Come out you blokes and face me!" A voice that Erza and Naruto were sure of was Natsu came from inside the dust cloud.

"And I'm Naruto…" Another less enthusiastic voice followed after. "Tell me what I'm guilty of…"

To say that the council members were surprised was an understatement. They were shocked by the sudden turn of events. Only Siegrain and the voluptuous woman looked intrigued at what was happening.

"Come on there's got to be more oomph than that," The first voice whispered to his companion.

"This is stupid! Why did you have to drag me in your stupid ideas," The second voice whispered back.

"Because we have to save the both of them," The first voice reasoned. "Now act better!"

The dust began to settle revealing the attackers. The attacker was revealed to be Natsu. He was disguised as Erza, wearing an armor made of a barrel and surprisingly good accents on the armor. His companion was Gray. His hair was hastily dyed yellow and there were poorly drawn whisker marks on his cheeks. I don't know if he was supposed be wearing something similar to Naruto's clothes, but right now he was buck naked, with only his boxers covering him.

"I am the real Erza!" Natsu yelled.

"And I'm the real Naruto…" Gray followed half-heartedly.

Before Naruto could continue the mayhem, a massive amount of killer intent spiked from within the room causing Natsu and Gray to freeze in their tracks. They stiffened as a shadow appeared behind them with glowing red eyes and floating hair. Both wizards stiffly turned to take a look at who was behind them. Even Naruto had a shiver run up his spine somehow remembering the scene.

"What are you two dunderheads doing?" Erza asked coldly. He chopped the two wizards on the head causing them to break character and nurse their heads. "You are interrupting an important court proceeding!"

"Ow!" Natsu and Gray both screamed in pain.

The chairman sighed. "I suppose we can take this to a more private venue. Guards! Take the others to prison."

"Sir!" The guards saluted.

JAIL CELL

"I knew that was a bad idea," Gray grumbled to himself as they were thrown in prison.

"Tch, that was cause your acting was so sloppy!" Natsu berated the ice wizard.

"You don't get it, flame brain!" Gray retaliated. "That's obviously not the reason we were chucked in here!"

"What did you say, ice stripper?" Natsu yelled back slamming his head onto Grey's.

"That's enough!" Erza scolded slapping the two wizards at the back of their heads.

"Yes, Erza," Both boys said meekly.

"Honestly, I don't know where to begin with the both of you," Erza sighed. "And you Gray, I expected more from you. I understand Natsu being here, but why you?"

"It's not like I wanted to be here," Gray explained. "If it not for flame brain here catching me off guard, I would have stayed behind."

Natsu looked to the side feigning innocence as he whistled like he didn't do anything wrong.

"You do know that this trial was only for formality, right?" Erza asked.

"For show?" Natsu turned to the red-head.

"Yes, they were going to charge me, but let me go in the end," She explained.

"If it's for show, then why are we in jail?" Natsu asked.

Gray elbowed him, "Duh, cause you caused a scene. Is that brain of yours even working? It got me thinking though, where's Naruto?"

"I honestly don't know," Erza shrugged. She had a worried expression on her face as she stared at the door waiting for any word from the blonde. 'What are you hiding, Naruto?'

"What's wrong, Erza?" Gray asked sensing the mood.

"Oh, nothing," She lied. "I was just thinking how sweet it is for you guys to come all the way out here."

"Well, that's what your family is for," Gray answered.

Natsu gave her a toothy grin, "We'll always be there for you Erza!"

Erza returned with a bitter smile. 'Thought, there are some things I can't involve you in…'

THE NEXT DAY

"YEAAAAAH! I'M NEVER TAKING THE AIR OUTSIDE FOR GRANTED EVER AGAIN!" Natsu declared as he ran around the guild. "THE AIR OUTSIDE IS THE BEST! FREEDOOOOOM!"

"Will you shut up and eat quietly?" Jett from Team Shadow Gear scolded the pink-haired dragon slayer.

"People are trying to eat here!" Droy added pumping his fists in the air.

"Sheesh, Natsu, calm down," Naruto said as he slurped on—Yep! You guessed it! —more ramen. "What's gotten in to him?"

"Well, we did have to spend the night in jail," Gray said.

"Oh, so that's where you went!" Lucy said. "We were all wondering what happened to you?"

"Say, how did Natsu convince you to go with him?" Naruto asked.

Gray looked away saying, "I-I don't want to talk about it…"

"What?" Naruto pouted. "Why not?"

Elfman chuckled from his table, "He's just embarrassed at how unmanly he was to be overpowered by Natsu."

"H-hey! He just caught me off guard that's all!" The Ice-Make Wizard stood up in protest and pointed a finger to the younger Strauss.

"Gray, your clothes!" Cana reminded him as the raven-haired teen's boxers were flaunted to the world.

"Damn it!" Gray said looking down in surprise. "I was sure I had them on!"

As Grey scooted out of the table to go look for his clothes, Lucy watched Naruto busy stuffing his face full of food and said, "I was worried about you though. Who know what the Magic Council could have done to you?"

Happy snickered from a nearby table, "She loooooves youuu~~"

"Shut it, cat!" Lucy snapped at the cat throwing a mug at his face.

Calming herself down, she continued, "What did they do to you anyway?"

A chill ran up Naruto's spine as Lucy asked the question. Naruto got up close and personal with his partner causing the latter to blush. Despite her flustered state though, he noticed that the color drained from his face.

"It was horrible!" Naruto wailed. "They asked so many questions."

"L-like what?" She managed.

"Don't remind me!" Naruto continued wailing on Lucy's table. "Those papers!"

"Awww, were they mean to you?" Lucy giggled playfully as she stoked her partner's head. It wasn't everyday you see someone so strong act like this.

With that, Natsu suddenly stopped running like he just remembered something important.

"Ah! I almost forgot!" He eyed a certain Knight with a hungry look on him face. "Erza! Let's pick up where we left off!"

"I'm sorry Natsu. Some other time perhaps," The said red-head apologized. "I'm tired right now."

"HERE I COME!" Natsu roared as he charged the S-class wizard.

Erza sighed and stood up in anticipation for the attack. As soon as Natsu lunged for her, she easily swatted her away with the flat of her sword causing the pinkette to fly to the other side of the guild and to plow through a bunch of tables and chairs on impact. Naruto nonchalantly raised his bowl from the table to protect his sacred food from the roughhousing.

"Fine," She said opening her eyes. "If you're so insistent, then I shall indulge you."

After saying that, something changed in the air. One by one, each of the Fairy Tail Wizards dropped to their ground and to their table as they slept. Naruto felt this and immediately went on guard.

"Be careful, Naruto," Gyuki warned. "I sense something akin to genjutsu in the air."

"I do not sense malice in this, but it's best that you be on your guard," Kurama added.

"I know. Thanks," Naruto mentally answered raising his hands into a ram seal.

"Kai!" He chanted disrupting his flow of chakra freeing himself from the spell.

The drowsiness now left his body. Makarov watched Naruto perform this with intrigue. 'This boy certainly is different from the others.'

Naruto and a drowsy Makarov watched as the caster walked inside the guild. It was a wizard wearing a dark blue cloak and bandages covering his hands and feet. dark blue bandana with a silver forehead protector and a green mask that obscured the lower half of his face. On his back, there were several staves secured by a dark green strap going across his main body.

He stood up to meet the newcomer, "Th-that forehead protector… A-are you from the Elemental Nations?"

"So, you're the latest addition of the guild," The masked man said. "You're not from this world, are you?"

"H-how did you know?" Naruto's eyes widened at the question.

"He's not from this world as well, Naruto, the same as you," Makarov explained groggily.

The masked man in front of him nodded, "Master is right. I am not from here, but I must apologize. I do not know of this Elemental Nations you speak of."

Naruto drooped at the man's answer. "I suppose it was too good to be true."

"I am sorry if I got your hopes up, Naruto. This forehead protector is just part of my outfit," He said. "By the way, my name is Mystogan. It was nice to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, Mystogan!" Naruto said. "Why don't I see around much in the guild?"

"He has a complicated situation of his own," It was the Master who answered his question. "I hope you understand."

"Well, I guess that's okay…" Naruto relented. He wasn't one to judge. He has a secret he was holding to as well. He understood if the man had secrets to keep to himself.

"I should be taking my leave then," Mystogan bowed. "It was nice to see you, Naruto."

He turned to the request board to get a job, ready to leave.

"Don't forget the sleep spell!" Makarov called out.

"Wait!" Naruto suddenly blurted out. He now had a mischievous gleam in his eyes, something that the masked wizard did not miss. "I'll just be quick." He said raising his hands into the hand sign of his favorite jutsu.

A few minutes later, the blonde dispelled the clones and gave Mystogan a thumbs up. The latter shook his head at the former shinobi's antics and started his countdown for the sleep spell to wear off as he left.

Five

Four

Three

Two

One

Soon enough, everyone stirred from their sleep, while others shot their eyes open.

"Damn it, Mystogan!" A random member of the guild complained. "Why do I always fall asleep in the most random positions when you come here!"

"You owe me some ale, Mystogan!" Cana pumped her fist in anger. "You made me drop my barrel!"

"Hey! Wait a minute!" Loki looked in the mirror, checking if his looks were okay after the momentary nap. "What happened to my face?"

"It's the same ugly mug as usual man," Gray said.

"I could say the same for you, Gray!" The ring wizard shot back.

Pretty much soon, the whole guild had noticed Naruto's handiwork. Fingers were pointed and blame was thrown around the guild hall as every wizard accused each other of the prank. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle in the corner as he admired his "artwork" on the faces of his guildmates. The drawings ranged from monocles, mustaches, moles—you name it! Eventually, everything turned into a full-blown brawl as they tried to find out who the culprit is.

"How did you get all the way over there?" Erza asked noticing that the blonde had changed positions from where she last saw him.

Naruto had to stifle his laughter as he saw how Erza looked with the markings on her face.

"What's the matter, is there something on my face?" The knight asked.

"Actually," Lucy said cupping her face to get a better look. "There is! Is there some on mine too?"

Erza nodded and sent a glare straight to the blonde. "Naruto? Did you do this?"

"What are you talking about?" Naruto struggled to hold in his laughter. "I just got here."

Lucy sighed. "You're too obvious Naruto…"

Erza stood from her chair and made his way to the blonde who was in the middle of his fits of laughter.

Before things could escalate though, a condescending voice spoke from the second floor. "My, I expected much from you, new guy," He said. "After all I've heard about you, it's discouraging to think that behind all those high praises is a childish prankster."

"What's it to you?" Naruto asked challengingly

He glared at the arrogant wizard. He saw that was a very tall and muscular young man with blue and slicked-slicked back blond hair—its numerous spiky strands pointing backwards. There was a distinct lightning bolt-shaped scar on his right eye. Both of his eyes had dark circles around them, much like Makarov, and each of them possesses a single, prominent eyelash jutting outwards. Around his ears were a pair of Sound Pod Model Magic Headphones.

He donned a leopard-print, orange tunic with dark-lined sleeves reaching down below his elbows, and fur on the lower edges. He sported a bright red cape, tied on the front with a garish knot, which bore a large, lighter Fairy Tail symbol on the back, and loose, baggy dark pants tucked inside light metal greaves. Around his waist was a simple belt to which he attached the device linked to his Magic Headphones. He also had a small chain tied around his right wrist.

"Who's that?" Lucy asked.

"It's Laxus," it was Gray who answered. "He is Master's grandson and actually one of the candidates for the strongest wizard in Fairy Tail."

"I can sense all that power inside you, but you don't look that much," Laxus continued. "Perhaps those rumors about you were just that…rumors."

"Why don—"

"LAXUS! FIGHT ME!" Natsu screamed challengingly at the wizard.

"You got knocked out in one-shot by Erza," One of the random wizards said matter-of-factly.

"Mr. Nobody is right," Laxus nodded. "If you don't stand a chance against Erza, then you won't hold a candle against me."

Erza clenched her fist and raised her magical power at what the blond in the second floor was insinuating. "If you have something to say Laxus, spit it out!"

"Hey, hey, calm down," The wizard from earlier said. "We don't want to wreck the guild."

"Don't get me wrong," Laxus spread his hands out and declared. "I AM the strongest wizard this guild has."

"Erza just caught me off guard!" Natsu roared. "Come down here so I can knock your teeth in."

"Why don't you come up here, if you dare?" Laxus shrugged.

"With pleasure," The pink-haired dragon slayer charged only to be squashed by the master's blown-up hand.

"Idiot! You're not allowed to go to the second floor," Makarov scolded. "Not yet anyway…"

"You just got scolded," Laxus roared in laughter.

"You too, Laxus. Stop it," Makarov added. "Leave everyone be."

"Why? I'm not causing anyone trouble here," The cocky wizard countered.

"Tch," Naruto clicked his tongue as he readied to dig in on another bowl of ramen that Mira had served sometime during the exchange. "Can't a man enjoy his food in peace?"

Laxus frowned at the fellow blonde who was ignoring him. He considered himself a hotshot in this guild. He expected those beneath him to respect him and listen to him when he does one of his monologues.

SLURP

That was it. In a flash of lightning, he disappeared from the second floor and reappeared in front of Naruto who was happily enjoying his ramen. He slammed his hand on the table and demanded the boy to pay attention to him.

Finally, he opened his eyes and stared back at the blue orbs that bore deep into him. "I'm sorry. Did you say something?"

Laxus roared at the audacity this newbie was showing him. He couldn't take it anymore. He slapped the bowl out of Naruto's hands spilling the contents all over the floor. Naruto's mouth hung open as he watched his favorite food go to waste. He briefly mourned the food of the gods and stood up.

"Now do I have your attention?" Laxus calmly said.

The said newbie walked over to the self-proclaimed strongest wizard in the guild and exhaled; white mist followed after his breath. He opened his eyes and sent the Laxus a death glare.

Laxus challenged by raising his magic power. "You know I am getting curious if the rumors about you were true."

"I will make you regret ever disrespecting the food of the gods," Naruto exerted his pressure over the whole area. The other wizards could swear that the temperature in the room dropped several degrees. Even Gray shivered at the weird drop in temperature. None of them could even sweatdropped at how Naruto was making a mountain out of this molehill.

"So, how about it," Laxus smirked. "Wanna go a round?"

A/N: Just one question, do you think Naruto would go overboard over some spilled ramen? I do think so that's what I went with. Well, there you have it. Hope everyone keeps safe. Thank you for the support