Not much to say this chapter, just going to clear up a few queries from last chapter.

Everyone is canon age to start with. In the same way Goku went from looking like a kid, to looking like an adult in two years, so will Natsu. The reason Ultear looks mature already, is because girls go through puberty faster and appear older, earlier.

Not going to say who the note is from, but feel free to speculate, that being said, by the end of this chapter, some of you will be able to pick it up. This is a key plot point though, so I won't ever outright say it, until it is revealed in the story.

Those were the real major points from last chapter. If you want to ask anything, feel free, but if it is an important plot point, I won't say.

Enjoy the chapter.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.

Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Techniques

Chapter 4 – Solar Power

Natsu jolted up with a start, completely disoriented. The last thing he remembered, was meeting back up with Happy and that girl. Natsu scrunched his face up, trying to remember her name. Melody? Marie? Merry? No, that wasn't it. Natsu shook his head in annoyance, before sitting up and assessing his surroundings. It was a small cave. Actually, the cave was rather big, but the entrance to it was pretty small. A child would have been able to enter comfortably, but an adult would have to stoop quite low to get in, almost crawl, if they were too tall. Natsu could see the sun starting to rise, allowing soft orange light to enter the mouth of the cave, partially illuminating it.

The increased lighting helped Natsu notice two things. Firstly, the girl he had saved was actually right next to him, less than half an arm's length away. It would have no doubt been cold and Natsu naturally gave off heat, so that explained that. What Natsu was curious about, was why Happy was comfortably wrapped up in a hug by the girl, who was, for all intents and purposes: a complete stranger.

Natsu sat there in thought for a bit, before looking through his pockets for something. Natsu pulled out the letter he had gotten and quickly skimmed it again.

"Let's see, place that smelled like charcoal… check. A girl with pink hair named Meredy… oh, so that's her name I guess." Thought Natsu.

Natsu put his letter away, before pulling it back out in disbelief.

"What the hell, how could this thing know her name already?" Questioned Natsu in shock, before skimming it again.

Natsu looked at the letter suspiciously, before skipping down to the last line.

"If you follow what this letter says, you will find out the truth about Igneel and yourself." Natsu read once again, in his head.

"I don't get what I'd want to know about myself, I just want to know where Igneel is." Thought Natsu in confusion, before putting the letter away again.

The sound of shuffling alerted Natsu to the fact that Meredy, was waking up. Natsu shuffled back slightly, giving her ample space to stretch, as she woke up. She gave a small yawn and rubbed her eyes cutely, before looking at Natsu.

'Uh, hi again.' Said Natsu sheepishly.

'Hello.' Said Meredy shyly, looking down at Happy, now resting on her lap, before looking up again quickly.

'Oh, you're awake. Are you okay?' Asked Meredy, with a hint of worry in her tone.

'Yeah, I'm fine, a good rest was all I needed. What about you though?' Responded Natsu.

Meredy looked to the floor, as a small frown marred her features. Her town was gone, nothing but a pile of ash and crumbling wood. Meredy brought her arms to her body, hugging her arms lightly.

'It's all gone.' Muttered Meredy softly.

Natsu didn't say anything, letting Meredy come to grips with things on her own. Meredy continued to stare at the ground, in contemplation for a minute, before a soft yawn broke her out of her thoughts.

'Natsu, we need fish.' Mumbled Happy sleepily, before sitting up, rubbing his cheek with his paw, as he regained awareness.

'Natsu!' Cried Happy, who, upon spotting Natsu, leapt at him and tackled him into a hug.

'Hey buddy, morning, how're you feeling?' Asked Natsu cheerfully.

'Natsu, why are you asking me that, when you are the one who collapsed?' Questioned Happy in confusion.

'Well, I guess I was just worried, you didn't get to have dinner after all.' Said Natsu simply.

'Ah! You're right! Let's go fishing, Natsu. I saw a place on the way here.' Exclaimed Happy in excitement.

'Whoa, calm down, Happy. Besides, we have someone with us now. Don't you think it would be nice to ask her what she wants?' Asked Natsu.

Meredy blinked in surprise at this, before Happy walked over to her.

'Ne, Meredy, you want fish, right?' Asked Happy cutely, raising his paw to his mouth.

'Why'd you two help me?' Asked Meredy, after a moment.

'That's just what we do. We aren't going to sit there when someone is in trouble, right Happy?' Answered Natsu.

'Aye sir!' Chimed Happy in agreement.

'But why?' Asked Meredy in confusion.

'Well, Igneel always told me it was better to help people, than to hurt people. Hurting people doesn't help you after all, it only makes others feel bad. Helping people on the other hand, helps that person and also makes you feel good.' Explained Natsu.

'That and a letter told us to go to that place.' Added Happy.

'A letter?' Meredy repeated in confusion.

'Yeah. You see, I'm looking for my dad, Igneel and I got a letter a few days ago, which told me that if I did everything in it, I'd find him. There was also something about the truth or something, but I don't really care about that.' Said Natsu, with a grin.

'…What are you supposed to do next?' Asked Meredy curiously.

'Hmm, I think it said something about a sun… yeah, that was it Sun Village.' Said Natsu thoughtfully, rubbing his chin in thought.

'Where's that?' Asked Meredy.

'Dunno, but the letter said it was somewhere east of here and would smell like fire.' Said Natsu.

Meredy shivered slightly at that. Fire. Fire had utterly devastated her town and almost led to her death… and it had led to the death of everyone she knew. Meredy could feel an unmistakable feeling of panic gripping her, as she flashed back to the charred and bleeding bodies she had seen. Buildings crushing bones, flames grilling flesh. Meredy could feel the beginnings of tears at the back of her eyes as panic started to drown her mind and soul, only for a warm hand on her shoulder to pull her right out of it.

'Are you okay?' Asked Natsu softly, a small frown on his face.

It was Natsu's right hand on her shoulder, which had pulled her out of her fear. Even though Meredy could sense flames within the boy opposite her, they didn't scare her like the ones that had destroyed her village, in fact, she felt soothed by them, warmed. Meredy paused for a moment, puzzling on this feeling she felt. How exactly did she feel fire from Natsu? Why could she feel reassuring warmth and concern from his form? Meredy blinked a few more times in confusion, before softly shaking her head.

'I'm fine.' Said Meredy softly.

'Oh, good. You had me worried there for a minute.' Said Natsu cheerfully.

Meredy didn't know what to say, she felt odd. It was a foreign feeling, but for some reason, she felt safe around Natsu. It might have been because he undoubtedly saved her life, but Meredy felt there was something else about it. An almost intrinsic ability of sorts.

'Well, we might as well get out there now and get some food. Those three are long gone, or at least, I can't smell them near here anymore.' Declared Natsu, standing up.

'Fish…' Drooled Happy in excitement.

'So, are you coming with us?' Asked Natsu curiously, a smile on his face.

Meredy stared at Natsu for a good minute. Looking back, she didn't know why she trusted Natsu. It might have been their similar hair colours, it might have been his infectious smile, or it could have been something as simple, as her liking his sunny disposition… despite this, Meredy felt there was a more intrinsic reason for it, magical almost. As if something was resonating, or sensing something within Natsu, which made her feel at ease.

'Okay.' Answered Meredy, a shy smile tugging at the sides of her lips.

-line break-

After a quick breakfast, which consisted of some freshly caught fish and a few berries Meredy knew were safe to eat, the newly formed trio had set off.

'So… you're just following what the letter says?' Asked Meredy curiously.

'Yup, I didn't really have any other clues, and this is the best lead I've gotten so far.' Said Natsu cheerfully.

'Aye, no one wanted to help us for a long time.' Added Happy, from atop Natsu's head.

'Don't you worry about who sent it? What if it is a trap?' Asked Meredy.

'Well, it's actually written in a special language that only Dragon Slayers can read.' Said Natsu, pulling out the letter and showing it to Meredy.

Meredy squinted at the funny characters in confusion.

'I don't understand any of it.' Admitted Meredy.

'Yeah, Happy and Hisui couldn't either.' Said Natsu.

'Aye.' Confirmed Happy.

'So where are we going now then?' Asked Meredy.

'To a nearby town, once we get there, I can ask them where east is and head in that direction.' Said Natsu.

'Well, east should be that way, since the sun is rising from over there.' Said Meredy, pointing towards the horizon.

'Really? How'd you know that?' Asked Natsu curiously.

'The sun always rises in the east.' Said Meredy simply.

'Huh, I didn't know that… alright then, east it is.' Said Natsu thoughtfully, changing direction slightly, so he was now heading towards the sun.

The trio trudged through the somewhat mountainous terrain for a while, in silence. Meredy was still trying to reconcile the past twenty-four hours, while Natsu was content to quietly make his way to their destination. Happy had dozed off in the meantime, snoring peacefully atop Natsu's head.

'So, what kind of magic do you use?' Asked Natsu, after an hour of silence.

'What do you mean? I don't use magic.' Answered Meredy in confusion.

'But I can feel it, you're full of magic. Even those three felt it, you're bursting with magic. What do you mean you don't use magic?' Questioned Natsu in surprise.

'I've never used magic before. No one… back there… could.' Said Meredy softly.

"That must have been why no one could put up a fight against one guy." Thought Natsu in contemplation.

'So, you've never felt strange before, like you could do, or see, or feel something, which others couldn't?' Queried Natsu.

'Not really… but I can sort of feel something from you… fire and warmth.' Said Meredy.

'Wow, that's amazing. I never told you I was a Fire Dragon Slayer.' Said Natsu in awe.

'Um, what is a Dragon Slayer exactly?' Asked Meredy cautiously.

'I'm a Dragon Slayer. I got taught how to use fire from my dad, Igneel, who is the Fire Dragon King.' Said Natsu proudly.

'Your dad… Igneel… he's a dragon?' Asked Meredy nervously.

'Yeah, but don't worry, he is really nice, he loves humans.' Said Natsu cheerfully.

'Okay.' Said Meredy timidly.

'But yeah, other than that, I can eat fire and I'm supposed to be immune to fire… but for some reason… that weird guys fire actually burned me, and I don't know why.' Said Natsu seriously.

'Was that the first time you got burned?' Asked Meredy.

'Yeah, ever since I could remember, fire could never hurt me… but that guy's fire wasn't normal either.' Said Natsu contemplatively.

Natsu suddenly stopped in place and gave a few quick sniffs.

'Hey, I think I found that scent. I can smell fire, but not smoke or anything else, like a massive flame is burning on its own.' Said Natsu in surprise.

'Are you sure this is the place you're looking for?' Asked Meredy curiously.

'Only one way to find out for sure. Let's go.' Said Natsu.

Natsu quickly led Meredy through an increasingly mountainous terrain. Lucky, there was a path through them all, but the sight of towering mountains on either side of them, unnerved Meredy.

Eventually, the two started to see a village in the distance and quickened their pace. The duo climbed over one last hill and saw the beauty of the village on the horizon. The village was made largely out of stone, with various buildings of varying size. Some buildings were exceedingly large, even in Natsu's childish eyes. There were a few wooden fixtures here and there, one of which was holding up a large bell on top of a stone building. There was also straw scattered around in a few locations, making the area feel like something out of the Middle Ages.

'Come on Meredy, let's check it out!' Exclaimed Natsu, before hopping off the small ledge they were on and making his way down. Meredy tentatively did the same, slowly creeping off the hillside, onto the few ledges scattered along the sheer wall. It was at least two metres down, so Meredy really didn't want to slip, but alas, she did.

'Ahh!' Screamed Meredy, as she lost her footing, plummeting to the ground.

Natsu quickly whirled around and Happy sleepily opened his eyes. As Meredy grew closer and closer to the ground, she closed her eyes with a wince, preparing for impact, only to feel herself suddenly stopped. Opening her eyes, she saw red rope of some sort, wrapped tightly around her waist. Meredy was gently lowered to the ground, before the rope started to retreat. Meredy quickly followed sight of the rope, only to briefly see a flash of red, before it disappeared as well.

'Are you okay, Meredy?' Asked Natsu worriedly, as he rushed over to the girl.

'I'm okay.' Said Meredy slowly, trying to reconcile what had just happened.

'Okay, but stick close to me and if I go to fast, tell me to slow down, I don't want you to get hurt.' Said Natsu sternly.

'Okay.' Said Meredy bashfully.

"What was that which caught me though?" Wondered Meredy, glancing over to where she had last spotted, the flash of red.

'Well, we might as well keep going and see what we can find in this village.' Said Natsu.

'Aye sir!' Exclaimed the now wide awake Happy.

The trio made their way into the village, expecting to be greeted with lots of people milling around, but the place was completely empty.

'This isn't exactly what I was expecting.' Muttered Natsu, sniffing around to try and find any scents.

'Well, I smell that weird fire over there, let's go check it out.' Said Natsu thoughtfully.

Meredy absentmindedly nodded, as she was feeling… something again. It was like that eerie feeling a person got when they felt that someone was watching them, only it felt ten times stronger to Meredy. Meredy squinted her eyes a little, unknowingly focusing her magical power. Suddenly snapping her gaze to the right, she saw a flash of red retreat behind a few buildings.

'Meredy, what is it?' Asked Natsu curiously.

Meredy blinked, realising Natsu had already made his way away from her, before quickly jogging over to him.

'It's nothing.' Said Meredy, before matching Natsu's pace.

As the trio continued to make their way through the village, Natsu was genuinely confused as to why there was no one else around.

Continuing to follow his nose, Natsu turned the corner of a building and stopped suddenly, causing Meredy to walk into him.

'Why did you stop?' Asked Meredy, rubbing her face, as she stepped out beside Natsu, only to look in the same direction Natsu was, in shock. There, in front of them, was a towering flame. The flame was hundreds of metres high and reached high into the sky.

'That's… a big flame.' Muttered Natsu in awe.

Natsu carefully made his way over to the flame, in wonder. Natsu had seen his fair share of fiery conflagrations. That being said, he had never seen anything like this.

Natsu's nose suddenly twitched though, as he smelt something from the flame.

"Dragon." Thought Natsu in shock, rushing closer to the fire.

Natsu stopped only a few steps away from the fire, gazing at it searchingly.

'What is it Natsu?' Asked Meredy, walking up to Natsu's left.

'This flame… it feels like a dragon.' Said Natsu slowly.

'I-it's the Eternal Flame.' Said a shy voice, causing both Natsu and Meredy to look to the right.

A shy looking red-haired girl was standing there, her arms held protectively in front of her body, as she eyed the two nervously.

'Who are you?' Asked Natsu curiously.

'I'm Flare.' Said the red eyed girl, clad only in a simple, purple dress.

'Flare… wait a minute.' Said Natsu thoughtfully, before rummaging through his pockets.

'Hi, I'm Meredy.' Said Meredy, giving a smile to the nervous girl.

'I'm Happy!' Exclaimed Happy, jumping off Natsu's head, surprising Flare.

'He's Natsu.' Added Happy, as he landed beside Natsu and pointed his chubby fist in Natsu's direction.

Natsu had finally pulled out the letter from his pocket and quickly started to scan it.

'Were you the one who saved me?' Asked Meredy curiously.

Flare shyly nodded.

'Aha! Flare, that's your name!' Exclaimed Natsu suddenly, startling Flare.

'Natsu, obviously that's her name, she just told us.' Said Happy childishly.

'No, Flare was the name in the letter. I thought it was referring to a real fire, but it must have been Flare.' Said Natsu.

'A letter?' Asked Flare curiously.

'Yeah, it is a letter I got a few days ago, that will help me find my dad. That's also how I found Meredy.' Explained Natsu.

'Flare, why are you alone here?' Asked Meredy shyly.

'I'm not… alone…' Started Flare, before trailing off and looking to the ground.

Happy walked over to Flare, before looking up at her.

'Ne, Flare, do you want to come with us?' Asked Happy cutely.

Flare was slightly startled by the blue creature and her hair rose up quickly. Happy blinked in surprise, while Natsu made a sound of excitement.

'Oh, is that your magic?' Asked Natsu excitedly.

'Uh, yes, it was gifted to me by the Eternal Flame.' Explained Flare uncomfortably, as her hair settled down.

'Hey, want to see mine.' Said Natsu, before walking over to the flame and taking a bite out of it.

Flare gasped in shock, at Natsu's actions, before Natsu launched a breath of fire into the air.

'I'm a Fire Dragon Slayer!' Cheered Natsu in excitement.

'Hmm, is that you Igneel?' Boomed a deep voice, shocking the four.

The four looked around in surprise for a moment, before Natsu spoke up.

'Hey! Who are you and how do you know Igneel?' Shouted Natsu.

'Me? I'm the dragon someone just took a bite out of.' Boomed the voice, causing Natsu to look at the flames.

The flames morphed, growing in size, before forming what appeared to be a fiery face.

'Whoa, that's so cool… hey, big fire thingy, are you a dragon?' Asked Natsu.

'Hmm, you're not Igneel, but you do smell awfully like him.' Said the fire, appearing to stare down at Natsu.

'Igneel's my dad after all. I'm looking for him, do you know where he is?' Asked Natsu in excitement.

'Hmm, no, I can't say that I do. I have perished long ago, only an echo of my soul remains, that which you see before you now. Igneel was a close friend of mine though… you do smell like him though and if you are truly his son, then it is only right I introduce myself. I am Atlas Flame, the creator of this village.' Said the fire.

'Eternal Flame?' Said Flare questioningly.

'Hmm, I feel some of my power within you… I see, I unconsciously blessed you in my rest. Who are you human?' Asked Atlas.

'I-I'm Flare. Flare Corona.' Said Flare shyly.

'I see.' Said Atlas thoughtfully, before Natsu spoke up again.

'So you don't know where Igneel is?' Asked Natsu despondently.

'No, sorry young Dragon Slayer, I do not. I do know Igneel though and he is far too prideful to have perished silently, especially if you are his son… I cannot say where he might be, but you should be able to find him, all you will need to do, is look within yourself.' Said Atlas.

'How'd you know I was a Dragon Slayer?' Asked Natsu.

'Only Igneel has ever been able to consume my flames, as you did. Being his son, you must have been trained by him, it is only natural.' Answered Atlas.

'You, young girl. I sense a longing in you to explore. If you wish to see new things, I can guarantee you will be safe with the son of Igneel.' Said Atlas, turning to Flare.

Flare looked surprised for a minute, before looking shyly to Natsu.

'As for you, young Dragon Slayer, let me help you. I sense an unstable flame within you. I will stabilise it and allow you to use it as you see fit. Consider it a gift from your uncle… hopefully it will help you find Igneel.' Said Atlas, before a wisp of fire slithered off the main body of fire and wrapped around Natsu, before sinking into his very being.

'Now, I'm afraid I must rest. Good luck on your journeys, young Dragon Slayer.' Said Atlas, before the face in the flames vanished and the flames shrunk slightly, looking as they had before Natsu had consumed a chunk of them.

'Well, Flare, welcome aboard!' Cheered Natsu.

Flare was very confused. Why had the flame told her to go with this boy and why was he so receptive to her? It confused Flare and made her a bit nervous.

'It's okay, I only met Natsu yesterday when he saved me… but he is a good person.' Said Meredy.

'Aye! Natsu raised me from an egg and has always made sure I got plenty of fish.' Added Happy, causing Flare to look at him, before glancing to Natsu.

'Would it be okay?' Asked Flare shyly.

'Of course, the more the merrier.' Said Natsu happily.

'Thank you, cherry head.' Said Flare shyly.

'Eh? Cherry head? That's a name I've never been called…' Said Natsu thoughtfully, causing Flare to be a little apprehensive of if Natsu would get upset with her.

'Whatever, I like it I suppose. Well, let's head off then.' Said Natsu cheerfully.

As the newly formed quartet left Sun Village, numerous sets of large eyes watched them leave from a distance.

"Good luck daughter." Thought the figures, as they watched the group travel further and further from the village, off towards a new journey.