Chapter 4

A/N: I redid the last chapter so i'm happier with it if you don't want to read it the main differences are that Erza is more sad about her actions of trying to protect people from Natsu and Guildarts isn't at fairy tail. I'm happy with this chapter and i hope you enjoy let me know what you think cheers. Disc: dont own fairy tail

Two weeks have passed since Lucy and Erza last spoke on the matter of Fairy Tail's resident fire Dragonslayer and they haven't exchanged words since. Even so, the strong animosity in the guild has faded slowly the tension is still there everyone's waiting for the other shoe to drop, they've just taken their lives off hold while they wait. The guild has split right down the middle, half of them revel in the rowdiness that Natsu brings while the other half just keeps to itself talking drinking and occasionally glancing the way of the trio the pinkette is apart of, to which they pay no mind. Since things have settled for the moment Team Natsu-or what remains of it-have started taking missions again. Happy, Lucy and Natsu have been joined at the hip day and night the sleeping arrangements identical to the first night of Natsu's return, the exception being a lot more teasing and lighthearted bickering has been introduced. This hasn't gone unnoticed by the guild most are wary of the arrangement while a pair of white-haired sisters have a sparkle in their eyes at the sight of the two and are so excited that they can ship once again. As a train pulled into Magnolia Station everyday passengers were disembarking along with a cat carrying a green bag far too large for his body with ease as he floats along followed by A blonde Stellar mage dragging a "salmon" haired Dragonslayer. As they made their way to the guild and the pinkette recovers from his traumatic experience on the vehicle they start up a conversation that was in no way quite and in typical Natsu fashion, they made an entrance.

"I'm telling you Luce he's gotta have some kinda power we don't know about. I mean come on!" at the topic and Natsu's serious tone the guild tenses the entirety of them listening in to a potential threat to their family.

"*Sigh* Natsu not everyone has some special power, and I think he's fine the way he is" the blonde replies with a huff as she carries a blue exceed cradled to her chest as they walk towards the bar. the bag having been dropped off at the blondes residents on their way to the guild.

"Lily can do that get buff thing and Carla can talk to a guy named Clarence, so why can't Happy have a power." Hearing the fire mages sentence the entire guild sighs at both his idea and the butchering of clairvoyance. Lucy put a finger to her chin as if in thought then turns to her partner with an amused grin.

"Maybe he's fire retardant?" Lucy suggests with a leisurely grin, to which the Natsu's only response is looking at her as if she'd kicked all the puppies in Fiore off a cliff. "What Natsu?" she questions with a tilt of her head. The pinkette quickly snatches his little buddy away from the blonde as a look of confusion makes its way on to her face.

"Luce that was just mean I know the little guy aggravates ya but still that's just too far," he states sticking up for his unconscious feline friend, as most of the guild look on in confusion the others realizing what he's thinking can't help but express their disappointment in the son of Igneel. As Lucy looks at her Dragonslayer you can practically see the light bulb go off as she figures out what he thinks she meant.

"Natsu! I would never be that mean to him or anyone for that matter, that's just horrible. I can't believe you'd think I'd say that." she crosses her arms and turns away from the duo swiveling her stool in the opposite direction. The topic is dropped soon after Mira shows up to break their argument up as the pair order their lunch. After having their lunch and chatting with Mira, Lucy arises "Natsu I'm going to head to the market to grab some groceries, do you want to come with me?" gesturing towards the door for emphasis.

"Oh! If I get fish I'll come too Lushy!" Pipes up the little exceed with eagerness at the thought of fish. The blonde answers with an 'of course' an eye roll and scratching behind his ears affectionately.

"Foods involved no duh I'm in Luce!" the eager dragon adds in and they make way for the guild doors. As the trio near the exit happy tucked in Lucy's arms, Natsu picks up the smell of ozone in the air. "Luce look out!" the pinkette says pushing her and the exceed out of the way of a bolt of lightning that struck their previous position. "What the hell Laxus! That almost hit Luce and Happy!" shouts the son of Igneel as flames flicker across his body in agitation.

"Eh, it didn't so what's the big deal?" The lightning dragon asks with a shrug of indifference, the only response he receives is a growl from the fire dragon and the heat intensifying as flames engulf his entire form.

"Natsu he's not worth it, let's just get out of here," Lucy states as she stands up and reaches for Natsu only to be blocked by a wall of purple runes. "Rules of the enchantment. Rule one Lucy Heartfilia and Happy the Exceed may not exit this barrier until a winner of the battle of Laxus the Lightning Dragonslayer vs. Natsu the Fire Dragonslayer has been decided." she reads in monotone only to lash out, "Freed what the heck? Levy! Can you get me out of here?" the blonde shouts to her female best friend.

"On it Lu!" Levy responds from across the guild and stands up to run over only to be met with glowing eyes then being unable to move as her body is swiftly petrified.

"SHRIMP!" Roars the Iron Dragonslayer as he gets ready for a fight.

"Ah ah ahh! Wouldn't do that if I were you lover-boy, that is if you want tiny here-gesturing the newly statued Levy-to stay in one piece. That goes for your brother too she-devil!" She shouts toward the bar at the Strauss siblings. Not far from her fellow Dragonslayer Wendy gets up along with Romeo ready to help.

"I wouldn't do that kidos, I don't wanna hurt ya but I will if I have ta." comes a voice above the young teens. "Hurt ya" "Have ta" follows the first in a squeakier manner. Ready to fight for their friends before a wall of the purple script appears around their table in rune script it reads the same rules lucy spoke of.

"I'm sorry everyone but this must be done. We are just trying to ensure your safety this will be over quickly, and if you cooperate no one will be harmed." replies a calm voice trying to reassure his guild of their actions.

"What's next you going to hold the town hostage again!" spits the magically caged blonde her words laced with venom that causes more than one of their captors to flinch at the memory she references.

"Relax blondie we just want to see if E.N.D. is all worth all the chips Tartaros bet on him," Laxus tells a caged Lucy with a bored tone in his voice, Meanwhile Laxus eyes never straying off of the accused demon pinkette.

"Oh, you want a fight Laxus! Why didn't you just say so?!" Roars Natsu with more rage than enthusiasm in his voice as he lunges for the s-class mage with a 'Fire Dragon Iron Fist'. In a flash the Elder mage dodged the younger slayers blow with ease and slams a lightning covered fist into his back air leaving his lungs in a sputter quickly hitting the floor and splintering the wood floor with his body, Laxus goes to strike again but has a flaming kick slammed into his midriff sending him sliding across the floor as he holds his stance. Both Dragon Slayers lock eyes glares full force for the duo as they intake a large amount of air.

"Lightning Dragon-"

"Fire Dragon-"

"ROAR!" as massive torrents of each element launch towards each other leveling all in their paths and causing a massive dust cloud to form across the guild.

"That all ya got Laxus, I actually thought that might hurt, I'm disappointed," Natsu responded his body and close singed as lightning sparked around him with small voltage burns on his arms and torso in the aftershock of the blow of the roars. There was no response from the second generation slayer leading most of the guild to think Natsu's roar did major damage to the s-class mage. As the smoke cleared they made out the towering figure of Laxus a few feet away from the path of destruction Natsu's roar left, without a scratch and the singed remainder of laxus cloak floating to the ground a few small flames still left feeding on the fabric.

"Guess I have to take you seriously now." Were the only words that left the 'Thunder God' as in a flash and a loud crash Natsu was buried into the floor again only much deeper than the last time signifying the much greater force used by the grandson of Makarov. Scanning the guild for Laxus only to find he hasn't moved from his spot that they could see. "Tsk. and here I thought you'd be a threat." Laxus sneers as he turns to walk away from the new crater in the center of the Guildhall.

"You want to see a threat!" comes a dark voice from Natsu's creator making most of the guild flinch one of the exceptions being Laxus who merely turn to look over his shoulder. "Lightning Flame Dragon Mode!" as bolts of lightning emerge from the creator to reveal the Dual elements of the pinkette. Most are in awe of his abilities, Laxus only scoffs

"Think you can beat me with my own lightning? Good luck." Sneers the young Dryer charging a Large attack of his own preparing to blast the would be threat to end the fight he started.

"Lightning Flame Dragon-" Natsu is about to unleash the raging attack only to see his guildmates cowering behind the thrown about furniture because of him. It strikes Natsu then, he's not supposed to hurt his friends or make them scared of him, as his self deprecating thoughts continue the fire and lightning around him being to fizzle out to mear sparks as Laxus attack only gets stronger. He looks to see his comrades watching him lower his guard and the fear leaves them replacing with relief and concern. When his Eyes settle on Lucy and Happy the looks on their faces are telling him to fight but he can't find it in him to put his guard back up he smiles at them and turns back to Laxus as he lets loose his attack.

"Lightning Dragon Heaven's Halberd!" Shouts the blonde slayer as he releases it Towards the pinkette. It connects instantly and Natsu crashes into the floor as he slides back destroying the guild floor as he barrels towards the wall while embedded in the floor no longer conscious.

"Natsu!" screams the celestial wizard as tears roll down her face. The run wall fades to the win and Lucy sprints Towards her Dragonslayer, her only thoughts being 'please be alive'. As the rest of the guild doesn't move, some don't even breath in the wake of the attack. The former statues back to themselves, Levy buried in Gajeel's chest sobbing for her friend, and Elfman comforting his crying sisters with eyes holding their own tears. The Thunder Legion joins their leader and makes their way away from the catastrophe they created. "You monsters!" sobbed Lucy as she cradled Natsu's top half to her chest, his breathing shallow but there so she knew he was alive as sparks still emit in the aftershock but she pays them no mind lost in concern for Natsu. The Thunder Legion never looked back unable to face the guilds scrutinizing eyes but not wavering in their decision as they did with Fantasia. Emerging out of the far corner of the guild, an Ice mage rose From his seat a venomous smirk on his face as he makes his way towards the 'crash site' of the fire mage. Ignoring the bluenette questioning his action. As he is halfway there a jerk on his arm turns him around. Ready to lash out he stops when he is met with the ocean blue eyes of juvia.

"Gray darling, Juvia thinks that we should let them be, for now, Love-rival is in enough pain, Juvia doesn't want to cause her more." she looks at the object of her affection with a pleading gaze hoping he will understand. The man raises his hand up pushing a stray lock behind her ear and pulling back to softly touch Juvia's cheek and caresses it in a soothing manner.

"I have to do this Juvia, you know that if she sides with the demon that doesn't make her any better than the monster," he states in a calm voice no anger or rage directed at her just stating simple cause and effect for the situation. Juvia lowers her head knowing she can't stop him from doing what he needs to and simply nods. Gray withdrawal his hands and turns to continue back to the creator. When he's within talking distance he speaks to the blonde holding his quarry. "Get away from him Lucy and you won't get hurt." He's slightly taken aback that she responds with a growl towards him but doesn't show it as a cold fog begins to roll off of him in waves. "If you won't move I'll just have to move you," With an exasperated sigh as he raises his arm to cast a spell he's immediately knocked back by a bright flash of light and a man advancing towards his prone form until it's towering above him.

"How about you back off Gray and leave Lucy alone!" the lion growls at his former friend.

"You can't seriously be okay with Lucy being near that monster Loke!" The Demon Slayer barks at the spirit.

"That 'monster' as you put it makes Lucy happy and will protect her with his life, so I don't see a problem." Loke retorts with venom at the man seriously pissed he would raise a hand to his mage. As Gray goes to retort an armored hand lands on his shoulder silencing any response he would have thrown out.

"Come Gray we will leave them be, there is no merit in defeating an incapacitated foe." States the stern Titania with a gleam of worry for her blonde friend in her eye. At her remark gray 'tsks' as he shrugs off her shoulder and leaves the guild followed by Juvia and the still concerned Erza. Noticing the scene is over the Sky Dragonslayer makes her way to the site to assist her friends.

"Lucy here let me-" she's cut off by the gruff voice of the Iron Dragon.

"Stop kid! Stay back! It's not safe." All parties send confused looks towards the Iron Dragonslayer and the script mage on his tail. Noticing the questioning stares Gajeel decides to explain "Salamanders hurt, so Bunny Girl will be hostile towards anyone that goes near em, even a healer. He finishing looking towards Wendy putting a hand on her head to reassure her.

"But he needs to be healed, what do we do?" she turns her questioning and concerned eyes on her senior slayer.

"I might be able to help you" chimes in the lion spirit Cheerfully. "I'm a manifestation of her magic so if you're near me it's kinda like being at gunpoint, a silent threat which should calm her down a bit at least enough to let you help him." ignoring everyone's shock at the lions 180 in attitude the Sky Maiden agrees and follows Loke towards his keyholder and Natsu. "Hey Lucy I brought Wendy she wants to heal Natsu is that okay?" The zodiac asks as if addressing a wounded animal and in a way he is, the blonde growls and looks towards Wendy sniffing the air and looking into her eyes as if searching for something. After a minute of breath holding for the audience, it seems Lucy found it cuz her growling stops and she nods towards the young girl never removing her eyes from Wendy as the younger mage uses her magic to heal Natsu.

"Well Throw me in a scrap yard! That actually worked." Gajeel states in disbelief at the accepting stellar mage, as the group, look on as the blue light engulfs the Fire Dragonslayer and his breathing becomes gradually more stable.

"Well it is Lu Gajeel, instincts or not she's trusting and add helping Natsu almost no contest," Levy pipes up folding her arms behind her back looking towards Gajeel. Levy's remark gets a 'gihi' from The large Dragonslayer as silence falls on the group again as they divert their eyes towards the Dragonslayers and Stellar mage.

Wendy wipes her brow and looks towards Lucy. "his major injuries are healed he should be okay to move, I'm guessing you want to take him home?" Lucy nods at Wendy, taking that as an answer she continues. "Just send happy if anything comes up alright?" Wendy flashes a bright smile and stands up and backs away to show she means no harm. Lucy turns to Loke and nods like it was some kinda mental communication the spirit takes Natsu in his arms and the exit the guild happy hovering over Natsu in Loke's arms as they exit the Guildhall leaving the rest of the guild to stare at the door frazzled about the abrupt end.