Hello, everyone.
For those who have been tirelessly waiting for the next chapter, let me shortly explain why it took so long:
The semester I just had was busier than usual. Half of my classes were fully consisted with big projects, while a third class had me watch many film noir movies. My schedule was VERY tight these last few months, so I had no time to continue writing here.
Now that the semester has ended, I can come back here and write more of my stories; at least until the end of January 2021 when the Spring semester begins.
Even then, I do apologize for the recent inactivity. That's college for you, folks.
Anyway, I talked too much.
Here is the next chapter of "Titan Slayer."
"...That is why me is here," Gareth concluded.
All that Lucy can do now was sit in silence; pondering over what her newfound friend just told her. To those who do not know her, Lucy is somewhat of a source-seeker. She gets intimidated whenever she reads or hears something that interests her or something that attracts her into knowing more.
This was the latter... on a whole new scale.
The Titans; giant monsters that once walked the earth. Beforehand, Lucy figured that Gods were the supreme beings of the world. She never believed there were lifeforms beyond them.
To that alone, the upbeat girl couldn't help but feel guilty for not learning sooner. But ultimately, she couldn't fully blame herself. From Gareth's passionate words and appealing attitude, Lucy found the existence of the Titans legit. Yet for her, it felt like this knowledge should've been known by everyone. So why wasn't she able to know about this until now?
Either way, it was extraordinary for Lucy to learn this, technically, new kind of species; especially considering that the person sitting right next to her was trained, and also raised, under one of them.
That part was the most surprising to her. But unlike with her reaction with learning about the Titans as a whole, she felt more sympathetic. She knew what it was like to lose someone; not to say she thought Gareth's father was dead, but she did feel there was some reminiscence.
"Do you really think your father's out there?" Lucy finally asked.
"Yes," Gareth answers without hesitation, "Searched everywhere at home when father first disappeared. No trace of him. Me believes father is out there somewhere. Most likely not in civilization. More likely outside of it."
"Not to sound negative, but this is still your very first time here. This is going to be very difficult for you," Lucy reminded.
"..Me am aware of that," Gareth sighed, slouching a bit in his seat. Truth be told, he already knew this was the case before he even arrived at Hargeon. He and his instincts felt civilization was more vast than his home, and that he was going to cover a lot more ground. Gareth also knew it would take a lot of time, but if it was worth finding his father, then he'll take it.
Even so, Lucy immediately felt bad for what she said. It was obvious to her that Gareth was going to be alone once he leaves Hargeon. She was thankful to help the young man in showing him what goes on around this town, and pretty much clarity of what mainly goes around in other towns he may come across, but she was overall uncertain of what he'll do.
That was when Lucy realized she could do more.
"I have an idea," Lucy began, making Gareth look at her, "How about you come with me to the guild I want to join? It's very likely the master there will help you in finding your father. In addition, if you decide to join as well, then perhaps you can gain information on the jobs you take."
It was now Gareth's turn to think on what Lucy just told him. He had heard before from her what guilds are capable of doing. His instincts had made him feel they were important to society, but from what he heard from the girl, he realized they were far more important than he originally thought. Gareth would admit that he did felt troubled on what his next course of action would be; now he felt a sense of relief.
Gareth also now felt a sense of curiosity. He wondered what will this guild's Master do and what people he may encounter. He then felt his instincts give him some skepticism; reminding him not to immediately presume what can happen in the future. Nevertheless, they did ultimately allow him to accept Lucy's proposal.
"Will do so. Thank you," Gareth smiles, "Me do have to ask, though. What guild are you willing to join?"
"Ufufufufu, I'm glad you ask," Lucy said, smiling back, "I'm looking to join the best guild in Fiore: Fairy Tail."
"So, you want to join Fairy Tail?"
Lucy suddenly jumps from her seat, as the voice of a familiar man popped out of the bushes next to duo. "Salamander!" the girl shouted shortly after.
"I was looking for you," said man followed up.
Miraculously, Gareth hold no such reaction to the man's sudden appearance. Unknown to Lucy, Gareth actually sensed the man's Ethernano for quite some time now; as to why he never told Lucy, his instincts pretty much told him doing so would be a very bad idea. Gareth wasn't exactly sure why the man was sitting in such a spot, but his instincts gave him a sense of uneasiness. To him, it felt like he and Lucy were being watched by a predator, waiting for the right time to strike. For most people, that comparison would be pretty extreme, but it was the only thing Gareth could think of.
Adding to the information Lucy gave him awhile back, as well as the unique scent the boy still smelled on the man, Gareth was overall cautious with the 'Salamander.'
But even still, Gareth's instincts told him it wouldn't be right to openly express these feelings, for it would cause unnecessary tension. The boy understood this dilemma and so, with him calling back to the days with his father, decided to do what was currently best: put on a façade.
"It is you," Gareth spoken, sounding a bit surprised.
The 'Salamander' looks over and, to Gareth's actual surprise, notice the boy's presence. "Oh, I recognize you. You were at my meet-and-greet earlier. Call me curious, but what are you doing here with a beautiful girl like her," the 'Salamander' grinned.
"Me new around here. Lucy showed me the way around," Gareth shortly answered, all the while wondering why the man sported such a reaction toward him. Was he only looking at Lucy?, the boy thought, his cautiousness slowly growing.
"Stop right there, Salamander!" said girl butted in, while pointing her finger menacingly at the man, "I know what you're trying to do! Your tricks won't work on me this time!"
Despite the swift interjection, the 'Salamander' overall didn't appear insulted by her words. Instead, he closes his eyes and shrugs, "I expected this would happen. It would be stupid of me to use such magic on someone adorable as you, especially since you are a wizard," he then opens his eyes and looks back directly at them, "But enough about that. All I came here to do is ask you to come to my party tonight."
Without hesitation, Lucy turns away from the man and huffs, "As if! Like I would spend the night on a yacht with a creep like you."
Now this time, Gareth notice the twitch in the 'Salamander's' body. "A 'creep'; you say? Well, that's rude," the man then said, seemingly a bit downfallen.
As much as Gareth would like to talk to the man more, he felt like Lucy had the situation under control at the moment. But it did not stop him from closely watching the two exchange words.
"Look, I don't understand what's your deal with me or any of the girls from earlier, but me and Gareth got someplace to be. So if you don't mind, we gotta go," Lucy begrudgingly said, as she began walking away, with Gareth following behind.
"Now, wait a moment. You said you wanted to join Fairy Tail, right?" the 'Salamander' called out.
Those words made Lucy stop in her tracks and turn her head back towards the man with wide eyes. Gareth only took a few steps before he followed.
"Would you be surprised if I said my name is more than a title?" the 'Salamander' grin again, as he pointed his thumb at himself.
Now, this made the upbeat girl fully turn her body around and gasp, "Wait; are you saying you're the Salamander of Fairy Tail!?"
The 'Salamander' then proudly put his hands on his hips, as he proclaims, "Yes; I am. And if you come to my party, I'll put in a good word of your wishes to the master."
It was here that Gareth's instincts spiked. The way the man spoke sent the boy's uneasiness to new levels, all the while trying his best to not physically show it. Feels like... he is lying, Gareth thought. He also knew this statement wasn't directed toward him, but he nevertheless sent a quick look of concern toward Lucy.
His concern only rose when Lucy scurried over gleefully toward the 'Salamander.' "Well, of course I will! Thank you for this opportunity!" she cheered.
Her advances somewhat made the man squirm a bit, "Alright, alright; there's no need to be this forward."
"Can me come too?" Gareth came forth, making the 'Salamander' look at him again, "Would also like to speak with the master. See; me looking for someone. Lucy believes the master can help me find them."
Gareth can clearly see the 'Salamander' starting to open his mouth, before closing it and humming in thought. That all made things even more suspicious toward the boy. He wasn't fully certain what it was, but Gareth now knew this man has something planned for Lucy, and he wasn't willing to let these plans fully play out.
After a few moments of silence, the 'Salamander' finally responds, "Aw, what the heck? You can come along, too."
Gareth, in return, form a small smile, "Thank you."
"Well, I'm off," the 'Salamander' shortly after stated. He then perform the same trick by snapping his fingers; a purple fire bursting at the bottom of his feet and hoisting him into the air. "See you both tonight!"
"Thank you again!" Lucy shouts back, as the 'Salamander's' magic carries him over the trees and back towards the dock. When the man was finally out of sight, Lucy's big smile quickly morphs into a frown. She groans, "Damnit, he got me again."
Gareth's small smile morphs into a frown as well, but for different reasons. "Lucy..."
The girl was about to cheer and jump for joy when she heard the boy's sudden urgent voice. She looks towards him and responds, "Yes?"
"Do you believe every word he said?" Gareth asked.
Lucy raised an eyebrow, taken aback by her friend's change in attitude. She nevertheless answered, "I... think so. Why do you ask?"
Gareth's eyebrows lowered, as he moves his head away from the sky. "Me do not," he replies.
Lucy gave him a look of concern. "Does this have to do with the magic he uses?" she guessed. To her, it was obvious her friend was thinking on that; she wouldn't call herself smart if she quickly forgotten herself.
Turns out, she guessed right, as Gareth looks back at her, "It does. You said it yourself the type of Ethernano he uses is illegal. Who is to say he may try something else?"
Lucy began thinking to herself on Gareth's newfound theory. She found it simple to believe such a case; to witness someone use an illegal kind of magic, it would be likely for them to do something else illegal. Still, she did also found herself disappointed and dumbfounded for believing the man's promise so easily. Shit, why didn't I think of that? she thought.
Lucy even found herself confused to the fact that Gareth would think of something up so easily too. She thought there was a small chance that he was being paranoid, but her more conscious side pushed her to think that there something else about the boy she didn't know of; he did revealed her the reason he was here and much of his origins only minutes ago. "You do have a point," she finally replied, while crossing her arms, "But no offense, how can you be so certain so quickly?"
"My instincts never lie to me," Gareth answered.
There it is again. His instincts, Lucy was now wondering he kept saying those words. As stated before, it almost felt foreign to her; like it was something that was only a part of him, and yet it kinda was something that she could recognize. It probably has to do with his feelings.
The girl was about to ask about it when Gareth said, "We should still go."
Lucy was now taken aback by this statement. "Why?" she blinked.
Gareth looks back at the direction the 'Salamander' just flown off to, "If we do not, then he may know something is wrong. And if he does not do that, then we will still not be able to prevent what he really has planned for tonight... Either way, it would not feel right if we do nothing," he then looks back at Lucy, "Be careful."
Even though his way of speaking was still odd to hear, Lucy understood what he meant. However, there was one more thing she was still concerned about, "What about you? Will you be okay?"
Noticing her tone, Gareth gave Lucy a reassuring smile, "Do not worry. Will manage."
Good that he accepted my request. Would have made things hard if he said no, Gareth thought, as he once again turn from his friend, Still, will have to keep an eye on Lucy and this man... and whatever else may happen tonight.
At Night...
Meanwhile...
Several hours have passed since Gareth and Lucy decided to attend the party the 'Salamander' was hosting on his yacht. Right now, they were in the middle of said occasion; but as they were, in the meantime near the high-side of Hargeon's port, there was one other person who had been thinking about Gareth ever since he first met the boy.
Laying his arms on top of the wooden bars was Natsu Dragneel, with his best pal Happy sitting right next to him. Normally, they would be talking about all the delicious food they had been given to by Lucy earlier today. Instead though, Happy notice the unusual quietness coming from his friend. Surprisingly, this didn't create any concern from the blue cat, because he didn't sense anything wrong with his friend's current state. But it did attract him, nonetheless.
Now, Happy believed it was time to finally bring this up.
"You've been quiet lately, Natsu. Is there something on your mind?" Happy said.
It didn't take long for the pink-haired boy to sigh in response, "I just can't stop thinking about that guy we met today."
"You mean Gareth?" Happy questioned, "Well~, he really did stood out of all the other people we met today, even more so than that Salamander guy in my opinion."
"It's not just that," Natsu stated, his eyebrows lowering a bit, "It's the way he spoke about Igneel." Happy was silent as he looked on at his friend, who took the chance to continue, "I only mentioned to Gareth and Luigi that I'm looking for Igneel, and that he was a dragon; and yet he still figured out that I was raised by him."
"That's because he learned all this from his fa...ther...," as Happy finished his sentence, it suddenly dawn on him on what Natsu was probably thinking about. Happy then instantly remembered something else Gareth said. "But Natsu, Gareth's not a dragon slayer. He said so himself that he's never met a dragon before."
"I'm definitely aware of that, Happy," Natsu responds. However, that did not clear anything up. "But... for some strange reason, he felt familiar-Okay, I wouldn't say he felt familiar. It was more like... his scent felt familiar."
"...Now that you mentioned it, I did smell something strong from Gareth," Happy called back. This made Natsu turn his head toward his buddy. Happy then went on to explain, "Despite his appearance, he smelled very clean. He also smelled fresh, almost like fresh air and water, but with a mixture of something that I'm not entirely sure. The closest thing I can think of is a fire, but a fire that is very, very, VERY hot." Happy momentarily pauses, before finishing, "Kinda reminds me of you, honestly."
Natsu grins, while letting out a few chuckles, "Thanks Happy." His grin then disappears, as he thinks back to Gareth, "Though, even as you say that, that still doesn't mean Gareth is a dragon slayer."
"If we see him again, think we should ask him who he really is?" Happy proposed.
As how it started, it didn't take long for Natsu to say, "Absolutely."
Their conversation at an end, the two turn their heads back toward the harbor and silently continued looking at the sea below.
...That is until Happy notice something familiar.
Back to it...
That something was the yacht sailing away from the harbor of Hargeon, and standing near the edge of the ship's deck was none other than Gareth. So this is what it is like to be on a boat, the boy momentarily thought, as the party happily continued behind him, Not normal for me. But could get used to it.
Ever since he and Lucy decided to go to the 'Salamander's' party, they both shortly after decided to go their separate ways to prepare and meet up at the docks shortly before the party began. In his situation, Gareth really didn't had anything to do up to this point, so all he did do was head straight to the docks and wait patiently for night to arrive.
When Gareth and Lucy did meet up again, the boy notice the girl was in another set of wear. Gareth wasn't sure why the change, but he did witnessed Lucy give him a flabbergasted look, even going on saying "Are you gonna go in like that?"
The boy casually said 'yes' to her question. Gareth had then witnessed Lucy start to ask another question, but that ultimately never came to be when he saw her close her mouth.
Gareth overall was confused by those recent set of events and wondered for a while about it. But as time went on, the boy pushed those thoughts aside and began focusing on the matter at hand.
Lucy is inside meeting with the 'Salamander' now. Wonder why he wants to talk to her again?, Gareth thought. You would think he would've been able to see her be send off to his chambers.
In actuality, that never happen. So why was he able to know where Lucy is?
This calls back to the training he had with his father. One of the things Gareth learned and mastered was the ability to sense the Ethernano within one's body, mainly the size and state of it. Almost everyone he felt on the ship was small and extremely vulnerable. But when it came down to Lucy and the 'Salamander', both's Ethernano had a more moderate size, while the former had a more energetic state, the latter was more experienced.
It felt a bit amusing for Gareth to sense Ethernano within other humans. Beforehand, he would usually sense it within animals, and at some points his own father. Though ultimately, there wasn't that much of a difference so Gareth really didn't have much to think about.
Besides that though, nothing else has happen yet, Gareth continued his thoughts, while breathing out all the tension in his body, Me certain this will not delay my search. Think of it as a... way of showing who me is.
You may also be wondering as to why Gareth was allowing himself to attend the 'Salamander's' party.
Well, this also has to do with his time back home. There were moments in his childhood where he witness animals show weakness toward others, and when those moments happen, the boy would mainly see them cower in fear, fume in anger, or be ignorant to the incoming danger. Gareth always remembered his father say that letting negative emotions control oneself makes those weak.
Gareth was certain that most people on the ship felt the same negative feeling: Greed. Because of that, he did consider those people weak. But even as he did so, Gareth's instincts told him it was unwise to let them suffer. It was rare for the boy to question his instincts, but he did just that. He did remember his father say something along the lines, but it was never at this scale. However, at the same time, he never felt any negative intent with his instincts.
Gareth realized then and there that his instinct's strange reactions had to do with his presence in a new environment. As stated many times before, this was his first time witnessing civilization, and with all the information Lucy gave him throughout the day, Gareth discovered that the natural order didn't work the same way as it does back home. Sure; he can act the same way as did throughout his years of living, but it was clear to him that some of those actions would result in different consequences.
It was overall strange to him and, if he were honest, also made him feel a bit uncomfortable. But in situations like this, Gareth did the best thing possible: Adapt.
This was all before the party began.
Now he was waiting for the inevitable.
Still do not know what the 'Salamander' has planned, Gareth began thinking again, Lucy did say he was using an Ethernano called Charm on the girls earlier today. And now they are here. So what does he want wi-
Gareth's thoughts suddenly stopped when he sensed one of the girl's Ethernano instantly vanish.
And then another.
And another.
And another.
To him, it felt as if flies were being dropped one by one, and not in a good way. The boy knew something was wrong, and the tension in his body only grew when more Ethernanos vanish...
...especially when one Ethernano was drawing closer to him.
"What are you doing?" Gareth said, making his voice loud and clear. He then sense the specific Ethernano stop behind him; due to the sudden low hitch, Gareth was certain this person was a man and that he was surprised by the boy's words. "Can sense the Ethernano inside many vanish. They are not dead, but they are not well either. What. Are. You doing?"
The unknown male behind him just stood silently, as Gareth's words now resonated throughout the deck.
Though it didn't take long for him to sense the male moving forward quickly.
In an instant, Gareth twists his body and lurch his right hand onto the man's left arm, whose hand was holding a knife meant to lodge into Gareth's neck. The boy then use his left hand to send a backhand to the guy's face, followed by off a punch, a head-butt, and finished off with kicking his two feet into the man's stomach. All of this sends the man off his feet and towards the floorboards away from Gareth, who let go of his arm with the knife slipping from his fingers.
As Gareth did so, he notice the situation that was happening behind him. All the girls who were once covering the deck were now lying on the floorboards unconscious. There were also five other men on board, with a couple beginning to pick up a girl or two; that was what they were doing until they saw one of their partners get easily knocked out by a kid.
Even though he wasn't exactly sure what exactly was going on, the scene before Gareth angered him, just as he sent a deep glare toward the men. Lucy's Ethernano is still active. Need to get to her, he then thought, First got to get through these humans.
"Get him!" one of the men shouted.
Gareth watched as all men charged towards him. In return, he just walked forward.
When the nearest guy threw the first punch, Gareth ducked under. The second guy wasn't far behind, who from Gareth's eyesight is preparing to kick the boy's stomach. With the first man's arm still above him, Gareth grab hold of it in one arm and then grab the second man's outgoing leg with the other. The boy then shifts his body to his right, as he pulls the second man's leg and pulls the first man's arm over his left shoulder. This all results in both men slamming into each other and landing hard on the ground; they are then knocked out when Gareth pulls a hard stomp on the top man's stomach.
Gareth then quickly follows by attacking the remaining three; he shifts to throw a punch to the man's face on his left, followed by a back head-butt to the man on his right and a side kick to the center man's stomach.
He then returns to the man on his left by head-locking the man's neck and throwing two punches to the man's gut. Gareth continues by easily picking up the man's body and throwing him toward the man on his right, which simultaneously knocks them out.
Gareth then turns to the last man standing, who was more like trying to stand back on his two feet. Using the heated momentum and physical energy he has released during this fight, Gareth charges, rams his body into the man, carries him across the deck, and slams him through the doors leading to where the 'Salamander' and Lucy's meeting was held.
The boy then finishes him off by slamming him into the ground and landing two blunt blows to the head.
With his fight seemingly over, Gareth looks over toward Lucy and the 'Salamander.' Unfortunately, that was not the only thing he found.
The sound of smashed wood bursting from the doors startled Lucy, 'Salamander', and every other henchmen (at least over a dozen) that was in room. Gareth also noticed the many unconscious girls being carried, the shocked look on the 'Salamander's' face, as well as the recent tears on Lucy's face.
Something did happen here, Gareth mentally confirmed, as he stood back up.
"Gareth!" Lucy shouted with a relieving smile, easing a bit of said boy's worries.
"How are you still alive!?" the 'Salamander' angrily shouted.
The male wizard instantly regrets saying those words when Gareth sent him a deep, chilling glare. Ever since he saw the knife on the first man he knocked out, Gareth's instincts gave him a sense of dread; suspicion toward a possible plot where he was permanently out of the picture. The 'Salamander's' words just confirm that.
Gareth can feel his anger rising, but before it could cloud his mind, he released some of that anger through a deep growl.
That growl in particular sent shivers down everyone's spines, including Lucy's. By their reactions, it was clear to everyone that they never heard such a sound before.
For Lucy though, it also astonished her even more to learn something else from her friend on the same day they met. The growl felt foreign... and almost alien. The closest thing she can compare it with, even though she would admit it wasn't even close to similarity, was the growl of a wolf. Wait, is that steam coming out of his nostrils!?, Lucy mentally shouted.
"You want me to die?" Gareth said, his forceful tone unnerving the 'Salamander' even more, "Thought you were a wizard. Is it stupid for you to underestimate your enemies?"
BAM!
Before the 'Salamander' could retort to Gareth's claim, another wood snapping blast came from the ceiling. All individuals turn their heads to the source of this new abrupt entrance, where they found crouching on the floor was a familiar pink-haired boy.
"Natsu!" Lucy called out once more.
"Huh... So, we meet again," Gareth said, actually surprised by his appearance. He looks serious. Things may get easier for us, Gareth then thought.
However, it was at that moment when nature called. Everyone on board felt the ship rock a bit from the waves below, and in the most present case was Natsu, who suddenly felt his stomach jerk a bit. This, as a result, caused him to lower himself down more and put a hand over his mouth, which led everyone else feel dumbfounded.
"I know I should have planned ahead," Natsu grunts, now desperately trying not to throw up.
"Are you serious, right now!?" Lucy gawks.
"...okay then," as for Gareth, he wasn't sure how to react to this. Perhaps me thought too soon, he then thought.
"Aw geez; I knew this would happen."
Everyone now heard another voice in the fray. They turn their heads up toward the hole in the ceiling, where they found Natsu's best friend who had two white wings flapping on his back.
"You have wings!?" Gareth was the first to speak, which based on his tone caused everyone, except him and Lucy, to facefault.
"Hi Gareth! Hi Lucy!" Happy cheerfully waved.
"What are you and Natsu doing here?" Lucy asked, who meanwhile decided to ignore her friend's sudden comment.
"We both saw the 'Salamander's' boat and overheard a few rumors about it. So, we decided to check it out to see if they were true," Happy explained.
What rumors?, Gareth questioned for a moment, before shaking his head and slapping his cheeks. He would admit that he found these sudden turn of events confusing, and as much as he wanted more of an explanation, Gareth needed to finish what he started.
The black haired boy then turn toward Lucy and asked, "Lucy; can you fight?"
The girl jumped a bit by her friend's sudden question, but she nevertheless faced Gareth and said, "I can; but what I had was thrown out at sea by that jerk over there." Lucy added with a quick glare over toward the 'Salamander,' who and the rest of his henchmen were getting back up.
Looks like it is good that Natsu and Happy came along, Gareth thought, before turning toward the said flying blue cat. "Happy; can you help Lucy find what she needs? Me can handle this, but it will help if you two lend me your aid." He then momentarily looks down at the seasick Natsu. "Me will protect Natsu, as well."
"Aye sir!" having a good sense of what Gareth was planning, Happy complied by grabbing Lucy's arms and pulling her to the sky and away from the yacht.
"I won't let you get away that easily!" the 'Salamander' calls out, as he and his men began racing toward the group.
They didn't get far, when suddenly a blue ripple-like wave burst from Gareth's body. Everyone now looked on at the black-haired boy, as they notice his eyes, veins, and multiple strands of his long hair began glowing a dark blue. Additionally, they can feel an immense heat from Gareth's body.
Even in his sicken state, Natsu was amazed by the boy's potentially powerful magic; at the same time though, it left him with even more questions than answers.
"Do not think so," Gareth called back.
It took a few moments for the 'Salamander' to recompose himself and grit his teeth in fierce anger, "Men; deal with him!"
The 'Salamander's' henchmen begin charging toward Gareth once more, some unleashing a rallying cry. Said boy only sighed, as he tighten his fists to prepare for the incoming outnumbered fight ahead.
The nearest guy came in front of Gareth, attempting to lay a punch on his face. Gareth evades by crouching down and landing his own punch to the man's stomach.
Now beforehand, those who have felt Gareth's normal blows had met with a decent amount of pain. But in the transformative state he was in, this man was immediately knocked out and sent back tumbling through a few other grunts; the 'Salamander' narrowly avoided this.
Gareth follows by standing up, twirling his body, and striking the guy to his right out with a blow to the forehead.
He then slams his elbow into the face of the man on his left.
Gareth's stretch out left arm also blocks a swinging dagger from the man next to the one knocked out, which due to his body's enhanced state shatters on impact and shocking the wielder. Gareth then pushes the wielder through the wall outside, knocking him out as well.
Quickly, Gareth uses his right arm to grab the next guy closest to him and brings the guy into a strong head-butt. Though this knocks him out, the man is then punched in the stomach, which sends him back to slam into another henchman right behind him.
"RED SHOWER!"
Gareth's instincts immediately spike, as he sensed incoming projectiles rushing toward him. Doing what was currently available to him, Gareth criss-crosses his arms to block the multiple small purple fireballs. The impact causes a decent sized shockwave that sweeps the debris across the room.
However, just as people started to predict the black-haired boy getting hurt, what happened next shocked those remaining conscious in the room, including Gareth to a degree.
The magic that impacted Gareth's body began to morph itself into the Ethernano that was sticking onto Gareth's enhanced arms. When it was done, Gareth uncross his arms and looks at his shimmering hands. ...Feels like me have not used any Ethernano at all... Perhaps this is the same effect of my training. Father taught me well, Gareth slowly figures out, a small smile forming on his face.
"You... absorbed my magic?" the 'Salamander' gawked, making Gareth look up at him and frown.
"It seems it did," Gareth vocally surmised, while dropping his hands back, "You can thank my father for that."
The 'Salamander' grits his teeth again, "You really fooled me, kid. Do you have any idea how much this means to me?"
"No, and me do not want to know, nor do me cares what you plan on doing," Gareth answered, before continuing, "What is enough that angers me are your intentions."
The 'Salamander' sends back a glare of his own. Then, just as he was about to retort, Gareth noticed the look on the 'Salamander's' face suddenly shift from anger to pure fright, along with everyone else from his perspective. The black-haired boy at first found it odd, before his instincts pick up the sound of rushing water behind him. Tempt to see what was behind him, Gareth turned around.
That was when he noticed the huge tidal wave nearing towards the yacht.
Huh..., thanks Lucy, Gareth thought momentarily, even as his instincts began to spike once again.
Not wanting to caught in the huge mess that was about to be created, Gareth took quick action by grabbing Natsu and carry him over his shoulder, running off to the port side of the yacht, and jumping down into the sea below.
"Hold your breath, Natsu!"
A Few Moments Later...
With years of experience under his poncho, it didn't take long for Gareth to swim back to shore, and with the help of his abilities, it also didn't take long for him to reunite with Lucy and Happy.
Once he did, Gareth deactivated his enhanced state and turn toward where Lucy and Happy were located. As he did so, not only notice his two friends dripping wet, but also a half-human, half-fish creature floating next to them. What are you suppose to be? Gareth thought, somewhat mesmerized by the being's sight.
It didn't last long when Gareth shook his head; deciding to himself that he would ask Lucy later.
He then places Natsu back on his feet, who at first stumbled a bit before steadying himself. "Are you okay?" Gareth asked.
Natsu responds by clearing his throat and saying, "Yah; thanks Gareth."
"You are welcome," Gareth nods, before turning towards what was left of the 'Salamander's' yacht. It was certainly a mess; the side that was directly hit by the tidal wave had the most damage, with many bits and pieces of wood being torn off. Other than that, the entire yacht was laid on its side.
Even with its current state, the girls on the boat do not seem to be hurt, Gareth thought, while also being thankful for the results.
"Hey; you guys made it out okay!" Gareth turns back toward Lucy and Happy, the former calling out in great relief. He then notice the hybrid being was now gone; he momentarily wondered where the being went, before focusing back on the duo before him.
"Thank you for the aid Lucy and Happy," Gareth greets them.
In return, Happy casually gave him an 'Aye!', while Lucy gave the boy a somewhat awkward smile, "N-No.. problem."
Why did she respond like that?, Gareth sweatdrop a bit, before shaking his head once more. With all his remedies now solved, Gareth turn back towards the wrecked ship and as he did, the boy saw off in the distance that the 'Salamander' and several of his men were recuperating from the crash.
"Gareth," said boy turns to Natsu, noticing that he too was looking over toward the 'Salamander'; with a more serious look. "Let me take him."
Gareth lowers his eyebrows in response. While he wasn't surprised by the pink-haired boy's statement, Gareth did feel a bit concern for him. It wasn't long ago when he witnessed Natsu barely holding on to his lunch. "Are you sure? You did not feel good a few moments before," Gareth then asked.
Natsu shifts his head toward his newfound friend and forms a grin, "Don't you worry. That alone is not enough to take me down."
Gareth can now see the rising confidence in Natsu. Adding to the fact there were no hints of fatigue and discomfort on his facial features, Gareth begins to consider that Natsu was fit for combat. Well, he is looking much better now. Perhaps he does not fit well with moving objects, Gareth thought.
"Okay," Gareth nods.
Natsu nods back in return, and heads over to the 'Salamander's' remaining crew.
"Uh... Gareth?" said boy now turn over to Lucy, who look confused, "Why are you letting Natsu go over there?"
"He wants to fight," Gareth simply answered.
"But aren't you worried about him?" Lucy then asked.
"Have some confidence, Lucy," Happy join in, who to both Gareth and Lucy's realization was now sitting on the latter's shoulder eating a fish, "I should've told you both this earlier, but Natsu's actually a wizard."
"Wait, what!?" Lucy shouted.
Thought so, Gareth figured, Natsu's Ethernano is larger than most humans me saw today.
"Hey!" Natsu shouts over to the 'Salamander' and his remaining men, catching their attention, "Are you a Fairy Tail wizard?"
This recent statement also caught Gareth and Lucy's attention. Fairy Tail? Is not that the guild Lucy wants to join? Gareth thought.
The 'Salamander' scoffs at Natsu's words, "What's it to you? Get 'em, boys!"
Two men took the order and began charging toward Natsu, but as they got close, Natsu swipes them away with a strong backhand. This was all done with a fierce glare on the pink-haired boy's face, "Listen up! My name is Natsu Dragneel from the Fairy Tail guild, and I have never seen the likes of you!"
Adding onto what Natsu just said, Gareth's instincts caught a contrast between him and the 'Salamander'. Unlike the latter, Gareth's instincts notice Natsu was actually telling the truth. There was no sarcasm and deceit in Natsu's tone; all that Gareth can sense from him was pure honesty. He then looks back at Lucy, noticing her awed expression. Well... know what we are doing next, Gareth figured.
"I don't care who you are or what you are doing here. But I want to make something clear; you have no right to use Fairy Tail's name!" Natsu continued, all while walking closer toward the 'Salamander.'
Said man only smug; not budging at anything Natsu was throwing at him, "You think your little speech is gonna make me squirm!? Don't make me laugh, kid! PROMINENCE TYPHOON!"
Why does he scream words when he releases his Ethernano?, Gareth lowers his eyebrows in confusion, even as the magic directly hits Natsu, causing a huge explosion.
"Natsu!" Lucy screams in terror. She then attempts to run over toward the suspected injured boy, but Happy blocks her way forward. She would've immediately object to what the blue cat was doing, but before she could, all in the area heard a slurping sound within the flames.
"Are you sure this is your fire magic? Because this is one of the worst kinds of flames I ever tasted," Natsu said, sounding completely unharmed.
This set off a chain of reactions.
With the exception of Gareth and Happy, everyone was left flabbergasted by what the pink-haired boy was doing.
Gareth was just speechless. Natsu is... eating fire, he slowly came to terms, He is eating fire. It is safe to say that Gareth just witness one of the most strange things he ever saw in his life. However, at the same time, it left the boy with so many new questions. There is still so much me does not know.
A few more moments followed until Natsu finished up eating the 'Salamander's' magic. "Thanks for the meal," Natsu grins, while wiping his lips, "Now it's my turn." Holding true to his words, the pink-haired boy puffs out his cheeks and brings his fists towards his mouth.
"FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR!"
Natsu screams words when he releases his Ethernano too?, Gareth thought, as he watch Natsu release a stream of his own fire out of his mouth and towards the men before him, thus causing another huge explosion, It is impressive, but also confusing.
Curiosity finally getting the best of him, Gareth turns toward Lucy, "Question; Lucy."
"Hmm?" Lucy turn to Gareth, while snapping out of her awed state.
"Do all wizards shout when they release their Ethernano?" Gareth asked.
"...Uh... what do you mean?" for some reason, Gareth notice Lucy cringe a little.
"Well so far, me saw the 'Salamander' shout out words to perform his Ethernano. Now, me sees Natsu do the same thing. What is the meaning of that?" Gareth attempts to explain more.
"I can answer that question," Happy opens up, making Gareth shift to the cat, "There are times where wizards have to perform specific spells against their foes. While they know the process in how to perform it, they also have to shout out the name of their spells to fully synchronize the process. The reason why they do this is because it allows them to create a powerful effect on their foes; invoking them that the spells they perform are not to be underestimated."
Gareth was a bit amazed by the information Happy just gave him, as he then looks back at the aftermath of Natsu's spell. What he saw supported the cat's claim; all the 'Salamander's' men were left down for the count, with many unconscious and several suffering some burn marks. The only person left standing, or flying in his current predicament, was the 'Salamander' himself.
"..Y-You gotta me shitting me. That powerful fire magic, the pink hair, that familiar white scarf," one of the men uttered out, as Natsu stands tall, "It's gotta be him! He's the real deal, Bora!"
"Don't call me that, you idiot!" the fake 'Salamander', now revealed with his true name, shouted out.
"So that is his real name," Gareth said aloud, "Me sort of figure the word 'Salamander' was a bit odd for a name." He then momentarily turns back to Lucy and Happy, "Me curious. Does the word 'Bora' have any meaning?"
"Let's just say he doesn't have a good history," Happy answered, as he frown while crossing his arms.
"I'm just getting started," Natsu said, responding to what the random henchman said, "Hope you're ready for what's coming, faker! Because this is what a Fairy Tail mage can do!" He then lights a fire in both of his hands and feet and heads up towards Bora, "HERE I COME!"
And with that, began the fight between fire and fire.
Gareth watch closely at the battle before him and his friends, and it instantly astonish him. The way both use their Ethernano against each other was captivating and it amazed him in how both were able to handle each other's magic, more so for Natsu than Bora.
Though, for some reason, his instincts did give him a sense of great concern of how much destruction the two were causing.
"You're likely wondering what kind of magic Natsu is using, huh?" Gareth looks over to Happy, who was looking back at him.
"Not really. Me am certain Natsu's Ethernano is based on the element of fire," Gareth answered.
However, his answer only made Happy smile, "Natsu's magic is not just any fire magic." Gareth raised an eyebrow, which made Happy continue, "His magic consists all the qualities of his father Igneel; the flames of a dragon, the smell of a dragon, the hearing of a dragon, the sight of a dragon, and the touch of a dragon. All of this is part of a lost type of magic that only Natsu can use; Dragon Slayer Magic."
Gareth did not need to hear the rest of Happy's explanation, because the cat's first words alone made the boy widen his eyes in realization. "He is a Slayer of that of a Dragon," Gareth breathed out.
Despite everything that was said, Gareth's labeling of Natsu gave him weird looks from Lucy and Happy. "Why did you say it like that?" the former asked.
Gareth looks back at the fight that was now being played out in the middle of Hargeon, "Do you remember when me said about my father telling me stories of Dragons raising humans as their kin? Father also told me about the Slayers; humans not only raised by Dragons and other creatures, but also trained under them."
"Just like you and your father!" Lucy shouted in realization. This only made Happy even more confused and shocked.
"Yes; but me was not sure before if Natsu was a Slayer. This fight and your answer Happy proves it," Gareth explains more.
It was now Happy's turn to be left speechless. Earlier, he and Natsu were susceptible into who Gareth was; this explanation from said boy drew the cat closer to this answer. He revealed that he was raised by some beast, and that he, in his own words, was considered a 'Slayer.' But what kind though?, Happy thought.
"FIRE DRAGON'S IRON FIST!"
The cat's thoughts were interrupted when all three notice Natsu unleash a powerful inflame punch at Bora, sending him through multiple buildings and all the way into a bell tower.
This attack knocked Bora out, thus ending the fight and labeling Natsu as the victor.
"He won," Gareth said, "Though... me not sure how to feel about this."
The 'this' he was referring to was the absolute destruction and burning of much of Hargeon's harbor and some of the main town.
"Yah..., me too, Gareth," Lucy sweat drops.
"Me three!" Happy shouts.. happily.
"Oh shut it, cat!" Lucy shouts.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Suddenly, everyone heard the sound of metal shaking hazardly. Anonymous to the sound, Gareth turn to where the source came from and notice a familiar sight. "Oh, it is those knights," Gareth casually said.
"Oh shit! We gotta get out of here!" Gareth quickly looks back and notice Natsu already reuniting with him and the others, and also grabbing his right hand.
The black-haired boy suddenly felt his whole body jerk back, as Natsu began pulling him and Lucy away from the Knights. Not that he was feeling pain, but it did startle Gareth to be in this position, watching the sight of the knights shrink upon view and have his poncho scrap the cobblestone below.
"Should we tell Knights what just happen?" Gareth asked.
"They may mistake us for working with Bora!" Happy answered, as he flying above the others.
"Where are you taking us, anyway!?" Lucy shouts back.
"You said you want to join Fairy Tail, right!? So, let's go!" Natsu starts. Gareth notice the look of realization forming on Lucy's face, before her lips form a huge, bright smile.
He knew he wasn't the one smiling, but seeing Lucy's smile gave Gareth a sense of relief and clearance; knowing that this is what his friend wanted all along all day. But even as he and the people he had just met ran away from Hargeon, one question refuse to leave his mind.
How did Natsu knew Lucy wants to join Fairy Tail?, Gareth thought.
Finally got the next chapter out, as well as the Hargeon arc out of the way!
Got more of Gareth's backstory out, as well as how he fights; let me know what you think on that.
Again; I do apologize for the long wait, but I hope the wait for the third chapter won't be as long as this one.
However, I will admit, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get another update done on this story, or any other story, before the end of the year. If I don't, then I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Goodbye 2020! ...and good riddance. :(
Stay safe, everyone.