It's been a long, long time.

I can't guarantee you that I'm back writing at full force.

I still only have use of a single hand. I've had a special keyboard made up so I'm a bit competent, as much as you want to believe that. I do apologize for any mistakes, I'm getting used to the keyboard still. Hopefully, in time, it'll get better.

As for the status of my other old stories, please check my profile page, I'll be putting a notice up there about them. It might take a while to update, I can't remember how long it is for it to do so.

For now, I'm going to be focusing on what I want to write, and that is this.

As you can imagine, my updates from here on out will be slow and I do apologize for that. I'll do my best.

Welcome to Dude932's newly created story: Venture of the Salamander!

For those of you who are back again, I re-wrote this entire chapter so it'll be very different from what you first read. It'll need a re-read for you to understand the future Chapter 2 when it is out, for good reason. So if you're here after the future 2nd Chapter's posting, you'll understand why everything has suddenly changed.

"Hey, Dad, where do Dragons go when they die?"

An old memory surfaced in the Dragon Slayer, weird that it would come up now of all times. But for some reason it soothed him, being able to drift back into a memory of when he was with Igneel. It seemed as the years went by, he was starting to lose some old memories and of course, he wasn't disappointed with his new memories of his new family in Fairy Tail, but even now he felt like he was missing a whole bunch of memories with Igneel that he had just forgotten about.

"Do I look dead to you!? How the hell would I know that!?"

Natsu could remember Igneel's Dragon Roar that day, having wanted to show off himself his measly flame had barely plumed off the side of the cliff where Igneel's had obliterated a mountain far off into the distance with ease and they had been watching the entire mountain burn late into the night when he had posed the question to his Father. It was that very same day when he wanted to become as strong as him, to be known as the son of the King of Fire Dragons and be proud of it.

"I may not know where we go when we die Natsu." Igneel spoke, his voice solemn as he looked up to the sky where the stars were shining brightly, now that night had fallen. "But wherever it may be, I'm sure there will be just as much to experience. If not more. So live a life you can be proud of and when you get there, keep on living no matter what. Speak of your future, and it shall become your will to live."

Natsu couldn't help but let a smile come to his face. He knew why that particular memory was coming to him now.

"NATSU!" Happy cried out as he flew down to his best friend to try and stop him from using all his speed boosting himself with his Aera utilizing Max Speed, but Natsu didn't listen despite his best friend pleading for him to not do this.

The Dragon Slayer's objective to end this war was in front of him, whether he believed Zeref's words or not, this would be the end. Zeref simply smiled as the increasing heat of Igneel's Will, Natsu's Fire King's Mode rendered his flesh with blisters, the pain was unbearable and he could feel his lungs compressing trying to intake air but the flames lit the air on fire in his lungs, flames spurted from his mouth as Natsu skidded forward, arm reared back determination to die in his eyes. Zeref saw the Exceed, but he was too far away, this would be the end.

Despite the pain and knowing his death was right before him, the immortal man smiled, the tears pricking his eyes dissolved into flames. With what energy he could he activated one last spell in his arsenal. A gift for his brother he had prepared should Natsu ever come to the point of killing him. A way for him to live past his death if only in a world that wasn't his own. The spell would separate Natsu's bond to the book of E.N.D and once Zeref was truly dead, Natsu would be sent to a world where he could live free of any burden.

Perhaps it was cruel to whisk Natsu away from those he called Family, but when Zeref had created the spell, it had just been after Natsu's reincarnation into an Etherious centuries before Fairy Tail ever existed, they hadn't been implemented into the decision. It was the only way for his little brother to survive. Perhaps he might find his way back to Earth Land someday. Time would only tell. He simply wanted the best life for his brother.

"Fire Dragon King's Purgatory!" Natsu's entire body was covered in a massive amount of fire as his fist connected with Zeref's jaw, the red flames of Igneel burnt Zeref's flesh, revealing his jaw bone before completely engulfing him burning the famed Dark Wizard into oblivion before igniting everything around them as the blast erupted into a spherical explosion engulfing both Dragneel brothers. This was the end of Zeref, he would finally rest now that his life ended.

"What a fitting name of an attack to finish me. Thank you, Natsu... everyone."

Happy within mere inches of reaching Natsu was blown back from the force of the explosion, unable to break through to try and pull Natsu back from the attack. Tears streamed down the Exceed's face as he hit the ground. All he could do was wait and hope that Natsu was alive and that Zeref was lying about what he had said.

Invel who stood before Zeref's army stood in horror, feeling the magic power surpassing that of the Emperor's was just insane. How did Ishgar have such a powerful Wizard that they had never heard of? Was this truly the end of the Spriggan Emperor? What did that mean for the attacking force of Alvarez? No, this had been a possible outcome, Zeref had already warned him of this. That if he were to die here today, then the War was over. Zeref's goal wasn't obtainable without the man himself controlling the Ravines of Time.

"Invel, if I perish on the battlefield." Zeref had spoken to him with a smile as if wishing for those very words to come true. "End the battle, prepare the entire force of Alvarez to fight Acnologia. Perhaps if Ishgar and Alakitasia stand together, you may have a chance."

As the dust began to settle, the magic power that had been built up had completely vanished. There wasn't a single trace of the two powers that had collided in a battle that would go down in history.

"He's truly gone." Invel didn't know whether to feel ashamed that he hadn't been able to do anything or glad that his Emperor had finally gotten what he had been waiting centuries for. Standing up straight, with one last glance at the flickering flames where only one silhouette remained. He watched as the small blue Exceed floated to the ground it was clear he was in shock. Invel turned to the soldiers of Alvarez before casting his hand out.

"Issue a full cease fire to all battalions! We are to prepare to engage Acnologia!" Shocked looks came from all that heard him. "NOW!" He ordered, this was the last order of their Emperor and if they didn't stand together with Ishgar now that Zeref had fallen, Acnologia would destroy them all. The soldiers began to move, magic communications were brought forth as the orders were issued to all the Álvarez battalions across the country. It wouldn't be an easy feat to convince the enemy, but once Acnologia arrived they would have little choice in the matter.

Happy didn't care for the retreating soldiers, his eyes only focused on the standing Natsu as the flames flickered weakly around him, the magic gone from them leaving the flames with only the fuel source of what was around them. It was too hot to even approach but that didn't stop the exceed, he did his best to push through the heat as Natsu collapsed to his knees, there was no sign of Zeref anywhere. Finally able to reach him, his fur burnt slightly but regardless he reached out for Natsu, his paw touching his arm and tears flooded the exceed's face.

The moment Happy touched Natsu's skin, it began to crumble to ash, his body breaking down.

"Natsu, no don't go!" Happy cried, trying to hold onto him, but the more he tried the more the Dragon Slayer broke away, the body no longer sustained with Zeref's magic, if Happy looked he would also see the book of E.N.D breaking away into ash. Covered in the ash of his best friend, the remains of Natsu finally came to an end, drifting off with the wind, the only thing remaining was the white scarf that Natsu was famous for only to crumble to ash as Happy grabbed at it, even the scaled scarf couldn't contend with the power of Igneel's Will.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Happy's cry filled the air as he bawled his eyes out, tears running down his face as he stood in his best friend's ashes.

Natsu was gone.

Onyx-colored eyes blinked open as Natsu stared up at the blue sky overhead, the scent of sea-water thick in the air. Blinking, once then twice he tilted his head in the water first to his left then to his right scanning the area around him, he was floating in the ocean. How'd he end up in the ocean of all places? The last thing he remembered was delivering the finishing blow to Zeref with the last of Igneel's power, so what happened after that? Frowning slightly, Zeref's words about him being E.N.D and his younger brother echoed in his mind.

"I guess the bastard was telling the truth." He muttered quietly to himself. Suddenly learning that Zeref was his brother, that he was E.N.D meaning that because Zeref was dead and the book of E.N.D was destroyed due to Zeref's death, didn't that mean he was dead? He recalled Happy's cry of his name, no doubt his best friend had tried to pull him back but hadn't managed to do so in time. "Sorry Happy." He hoped that Happy along with everyone else in Fairy tail was fine, hopefully now that Zeref was gone Alvarez wouldn't be too much to beat. With that, he only had a single regret. He never got to face off against Acnologia and avenge Igneel.

Raising his hand blocking out the sun, he gritted his teeth. The sea water stung at his newly formed cut on his cheek, no doubt it'd leave a decent scar on his face not that he minded about stuff like that all that much, he had plenty of scars, just the thought that it was a reminder of Zeref pissed him off. He growled feeling his anger and frustration begin to grow at his current predicament.

He'd spent all that time training, getting his strength to bring down Acnologia, how'd he know he would be connected to Zeref like that? That if Zeref was to die, he'd die too. If he knew that he would have gone after Acnologia first then Zeref! Letting out a low growl of frustration he clenched his outstretched hand into a fist before slamming it down into the water beside him causing a massive explosion of water to erupt around him from the impact. Now that he wasn't there, who was going to take on Acnologia now? It left a bad taste in his mouth that he could no longer be there to stand against the Black Dragon.

"Damn it!" He cursed as the after drops of the watery explosion began to rain down atop him as he floated in the calm waters. Reaching across he grabbed at his muffler, pulling it up over the lower half of his face. Even to this day, he still felt comfort from the muffler as if he was right beside Igneel himself.

"I may not know where we go when we die Natsu." Natsu once more remembered Igneel's words from when he had been a child. "But wherever it may be, I'm sure there will be just as much to experience. If not more. So live a life you can be proud of and when you get there, keep on living no matter what. Speak of your future, and it shall become your will to live." It was almost as if Igneel knew that after Zeref's defeat Natsu would end up in this situation all along, giving him those words of encouragement.

But even so, Natsu couldn't help the memories of the faces he'd never see again, his family in Fairy Tail. He'd trained so hard to be able to stand against any foe that would think to threaten them, and he knew he'd do anything to protect them, even sacrifice himself as he had. But the thought he'd never see them again brought tears to his eyes.

He raised one hand to his right shoulder where his guild mark was as tears ran down either side of his face into the water. He wanted to go home, fight with the others, raise havoc and hell, and even get lectured by Erza. But now, instead, he was alone somewhere, he didn't even know where. Just what the hell was he supposed to do!

"Though our paths may have diverged, you must continue to live out your life with all your might, you must never consider your own life to be something insignificant, and you must never forget about your friends for as long as you live."

Natsu sniffled as the last rule of leaving the Fairy Tail guild echoed in his mind, Natsu had only heard it a few times since he joined Fairy Tail but it's one he'd never forget. While he didn't care much about rules and the like, this particular rule always stuck with him. In a sense, this was like him leaving Fairy Tail, even if only physically and not mentally. He would always be a Fairy Tail Wizard, until the day he died… or after in this case, he didn't feel dead after all. What did being dead feel like anyway? Right now he honestly didn't feel much different than usual.

Regardless, Both Igneel's will and the last rule of leaving Fairy Tail reverberated deep within him. He couldn't wallow in despair, letting his choice to defeat Zeref bring him down. He had to live on, regardless of his circumstance. If he didn't like it, tough luck, this was what his decisions had made for him. He wouldn't give up here, he'd go on living. He'd find some kind of purpose in this world, regardless of what or where it was. He had his magic and the bonds of Fairy Tail would always be in his heart. Nothing would change that.

"Gotta keep on living." He breathed out, wiping the tears from his eyes as he stared up at the blue sky, the sun shining brightly.

Hardening his gaze the pink-haired Dragon Slayer maneuvered about, he positioned himself upright in the surprisingly calm waters, there wasn't even a wave and certainly no current. It was kinda weird just how calm the waters were, it's like the ocean was as calm as the sky overhead, it was almost unnaturally calm. Just where was the closest land he couldn't very well be stuck out here forever? Using his arms and legs he began to tread water as he looked around, rotating on the spot. How the hell was he supposed to get out of here?

However before he could pick a direction on which way to go, something shifted the water around him causing him to look down. In what had been calm waters with no current he felt the shift of the water as if something was swimming around him. Dark shadows began to surround him causing the Dragon Slayer to narrow his eyes. Something was circling him.

The water began to swell causing him to float backward as the massive creature burst forth from the water. Natsu's eyes widened at the sheer size of it. It was a giant sea monster, he dare say that it was much larger than any Dragon he'd ever seen and it was still submerged in the water and it wasn't the only one. All around him similar sea creatures rose from the water. The one thing they had in common? All their attention was focused solely on him and they didn't seem to be friendly.

"Perfect timing." Natsu grinned, his magic began to swell inside of him the water around him beginning to steam just from the heat of his magic power alone. "Because I've got some frustration I've got to work out and I'm sure it's almost time for lunch and you guys look delicious. Happy would be jealous of the feast."

Standing on the deck of the Perfume Yuda, the dark-haired Kuja Pirate, Ran frowned as she looked up at the giant green snakes that pulled the ship of the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock. For a while now, ever since encountering this sudden blistering heat the poisonous snakes had been disagreeable, temperamental, agitated. Not so much that it had caused problems but the two were snapping at one each other, usually mostly docile to one another. Could it be the heat that was bothering them? She wasn't sure what it was.

"Something is bothering the Yuda." Ran stated aloud voicing her concern as she turned to the fuzzy-haired Kuja beside her.

"Is it just me or is it getting really hot." Daisy huffed, ignoring what Ran had said. She like Ran was sweating profusely as she fanned herself with her hand, she couldn't even bring herself to laugh at the moment as per her usual attitude towards anything.

Ran was the same although dealing with the heat better, despite the Kuja wearing very little in the way of clothing the heat was stifling, it had been drastically increasing and it seemed to come in wave after wave. It was odd, the Calm Belt was known for its calm weather, it didn't suffer the same changes as the Grand Line, and it didn't even have storms so for something like this to happen was concerning to the Kuja pirate.

"How far are we from Amazon Lily?" Ran questioned only getting a shrug from Daisy, the bushy-haired Amazon groaning as the heat was only getting worse. "Go get Lady Sandersonia or Lady Marigold, I think they should know what's happening." Ran stated knowing such a lowly subject shouldn't be brought to the Empress' attention, but instead to the two commanders. Daisy nodded before sluggishly walking off, letting her shoulders drop.

Ran wiped the sweat from her brow, eyes focusing out on where the heat was coming from, where ever it was coming from, it was a cause for concern.

Ran cast her gaze over the ship, a frown on her face as she saw the other members of the Kuja Pirates in much the same state as Daisy, although doing their best to push through unlike the bushy-haired Kuja who had been constantly complaining of the heat since it had first started. If this kept up and something happened they might not be able to react in time.

Another wave of heat hit her causing her to grit her teeth, that was a stronger wave, were they getting closer to the source? Her skin bristled with the heat, and she was just breathing in hot air, she felt like her lungs would burst into flames.

Ran heard the heavy footsteps of one of the second in command of the Kuja Pirates, turning, she saw the green-haired beauty that was Boa Sandersonia walking toward where she was at the bow of the ship. Just like the other members of the Kuja she seemed to be affected by the heat as well but was dealing with it far better than the others of the crew, even more so than herself. Her attention was immediately on the two Yuda, concern clear on her face at the state they were in.

Sandersonia frowned, having been called to the bow of the ship. At first, she thought there was something wrong with the Yuda after Daisy's meager explanation, and she'd been right in assuming so as she now saw the distress of the two beasts, but it's what had the Yuda in such a state that worried her. The two gigantic snakes were the reason they could so easily traverse the Calm Belt without worrying so much about Sea Kings. If there was something wrong with them, then the journey home was about to become much more difficult if they could even make it back to Amazon Lily.

As she observed the two serpents it was clear to her that it wasn't just the heat that was affecting the two Yuda, they followed their orders but clearly, they were nervous. Whatever was happening was causing the two deadly serpents to be afraid, it was their instinct. What could the two Yuda that didn't even need to fear Sea Kings, be afraid of?

"Ah!" A blast of heat washed over the ship once more, Ran, shielded herself from the blast as the Yuda grew more and more agitated. However, just for a moment, Sandersonia's eyes picked up something off in the distance. It almost looked like a flash of fire. The source of the heat.

"Get the crew ready for battle!" Sandersonia ordered shocking Ran as she looked up to the tall Kuja. "Something's out there." She stated only getting a nod from Ran as she quickly rushed to issue the orders to the rest of the crew. Sandersonia frowned, as she saw ripples in the water off to the side of the ship before the clear shadowy visage of a Sea King, no not just one, dozens were rushing past the Perfume Yuda heading straight for where she had seen the flash of flame from, something had disturbed the sea creatures and now there was a mass gathering of the beasts.

"Rindo!" Sandersonia called out, the Kuja in question rushing to her side. "What do you see out there?" Being the best sniper of the Kuja Tribe of Amazon Lily she was given the titled sniper position among the Kuja Pirates, her eyes were incredible, and could see a great distance the normal eye couldn't. Rindo flicked the cigarette from her mouth over the side of the ship as she focused her gaze on where Sandersonia was suggesting she look among the Sea Kings.

"It looks like the Sea Kings are feasting on something…" Rindo began seeing several enormous Sea Kings gathered and were seemingly on the offensive jumping over themselves to get at what had caught their attention before her eyes narrowed as she tried to make sense of the frenzy she was witnessing. "No, they're being attacked. It looks like they're all going after the same thing." She stated only for her eyes to widen, seeing a solitary figure using the bodies of the Sea King to maneuver himself, blasting out flames from his fists completely incinerating Sea King after Sea King. Even with her eyesight, she couldn't make out the figure of the person, the distance was still too far even for her eyes.

"Sister, what is happening out here?" Marigold called over to where Sandersonia was, the large Kuja having come to see what all the commotion was, having been told the crew was preparing for battle at her sisters' order.

"We're unsure." Sandersonia stated. "Something has the Sea King's riled up and is making the Yuda nervous."

"There is a single figure fighting a whole mass of Sea Kings." Rindo explained, turning to Sandersonia. "They seem to be using fire, possibly that of a Devil Fruit, but there is no sign of a ship anywhere nearby. They're using the Sea Kings themselves as platforms to stay out of the water and fight." She informed.

"Should we just leave them to their fate then?" Marigold questioned having approached the two. "The Sea Kings will eventually claim their prize." She stated, all too familiar with how ferocious Sea Kings could be.

"I don't think that's the case." Rindo stated bringing the attention of both Gorgon sisters to her. "The person seems to be having no trouble in dealing with the Sea Kings, they're falling in mass." She explained shocking the two sisters as Rindo turned her attention back to the ongoing Sea King frenzy. Dozens of the sea monsters lay dead in the water, their massive burnt bodies only serving to anger others while some of the younger creatures took the offered meal and dragged some of the burnt corpses below into the depths to feed.

"What is that!?" Marigold cried out as Rindo took a step back in shock having witnessed it herself as the Kuja Pirates stared up at the blazing ball of flames in the sky, it looked like a second sun bearing down on them considering the sheer size of it as the sea surrounding the Perfume Yuda began to steam and bubble at the extreme heat exuded from the ball of flames before it was sent hurtling down into the frenzy of Sea Kings. Even from such a distance, they felt the impact on the water. The calm waters were suddenly rough and uncontrolled. The spray of the water from the waves that crashed against the hull burned as it hit the skin having been boiled by the flames.

Rindo focused her eyes once more, now even more Sea Kings lay dead in the water as she saw the figure fall from the sky and land atop one of the defeated monsters before promptly taking a seat upon its massive frame now that the fight was over.

"Just what is going on out here?" The annoyed voice of the Snake Princess startled everyone as they turned to face her as she walked out onto the deck. Her eyes scanned several of her crew members, some now harboring burns from the sea water that had sprayed down upon them. Turning her attention to her two younger sisters, she frowned they seemed serious about whatever was going on. "Is it the Marines again?" She scowled walking towards her sisters.

"No Sister, we believe that it is something else." Sandersonia stated as they were slowly approaching the dead creatures that littered the waters. The Yuda, despite their animal instincts telling them to flee, knew better than to disregard their given orders of the Kuja and none had been given for them to stop. Hancock frowned as she stepped forward to see what was ahead. As they continued their approach they soon made out the figure sitting upon a defeated Sea King, seemingly eating the meat from its charred body.

"It's a man." Rindo confirmed eyes narrowed as now that they were closer she could make out the details of the pink-haired young man.

"How did he get out here?" Marigold questioned aloud, aware, unlike most Kuja that the power the man displayed was clearly the result of a Devil Fruit. While her own and her sister's abilities were not known as such instead believed to be the curse of the Gorgon believing the lies that the Gorgon Sisters told. Those that sailed aboard the Perfume Yuda, the Kuja Pirates were aware of the cursed fruits of the sea having sailed the Grand Line as pirates coming across several who held such strange powers, although the truth behind the Gorgon Sisters was still secret even to them.

"Is it Fire Fist?" Sandersonia questioned, having witnessed such a grand ball of fire in the sky, it only reasoned to believe that it was the infamous 2nd Division Commander of White Beard's Crew, Fire Fist Ace, but why would he be out here in the Calm Belt?

"Perhaps he was stranded out here?" Marigold suggested there was no sign of anyone nearby unless the ship he'd been on had been attacked and sunk by the Sea Kings. Although why would a Commander of White Beard sail into the Calm Belt? It didn't make any sense. A frown came to Rindo's face as she began to make out distinct traits that didn't match those of Portgas D. Ace. No, this man had pink hair, clearly not who they were thinking it to be.

"No, it's not Fire Fist." Rindo stated as a member of the elite aboard the Perfume Yuda it was required she know any potential threats meaning she was quite aware of the high bounties of other pirates.

"Regardless of his circumstances or who he is." Hancock started casting her arm out. "He's a man and we show no mercy to men." She turned to face the gathered crew, all of who were at the ready for any order that the Pirate Empress issued. "Prepare to hail down a volley of arrows, block out the sun!"

"Yes, Snake Princess!" The chorus of cheers went as the entirety of the all-female crew lined up on deck, snakes at the ready as each Kuja knocked an arrow waiting for the order to fire. Hancock walked towards the very bow of the ship, both Yuda straightening up at her presence as she cast her gaze out at the lone man sitting on the defeated Sea King, now eating from it ignoring their ship, they were close enough now to make out the man and he them.

It was like he hadn't even noticed her beauty from such a distance, such an offense would not be taken lightly. Gracefully she raised her arm above her head, the Kuja Pirates behind her all drawing back on their snake bows, aiming for the sky.

"Fire!" Bringing her hand down as she gave the order, the reaction was immediate. The Kuja Pirates released the volley of arrows before following again, this time without direction knocking another arrow before taking aim and firing once more. Hancock watched as the sky was soon filled with hundreds of arrows, all imbued with the Haki of her crew, the arrows arching high in the air before beginning the inevitable fall towards the target.

Hancock's eyes shot to the lone man and smirked to herself, flicking her hair out wide as she turned her back to him, beginning to walk away now that the situation was dealt with only for an incredible heat to wash over the entire ship. Hancock turned back her eyes wide as she witnessed a massive plume of fire spread out into the sky from the man, engulfing the arrows and incinerating all of them into nothing but ash.

The Dragon Slayer scowled as he stood up on the sea monster, wiping at his mouth with the back of his sleeve. The monster meat was extremely juicy and more delicious than any other fish he'd eaten before. Then the interruption came, he would have liked to finish his meal. But it seemed it'd be a bother with whoever was aboard the approaching ship. He had noticed them when he had been fighting but had disregarded them, they were far enough away not to be affected by his fire and until shooting at him, he did not need to go anywhere near that death trap. He'd figure he'd just beat one of these sea monsters and ride it to land once he was ready after blowing off some steam.

But now, his meal would have to wait and if his experience with these monsters was anything to go by, there was plenty of them to eat. They had just kept coming, he doubted it'd be difficult to find another one. But now was time for his after-meal workout. If they wanted to attack him without hesitation he'd do the same. Stretching his legs out as he kept an eye on the snake pulled ship, noticing three particular women on deck. Was it just him or were they two of the three tall? Like really tall, giants maybe? No not that tall. Hell, it even looked like the one standing in the middle was taller than him.

Feeling limbered up a bit he crouched, bracing himself as flames spewed out from below his feet, searing the already cooked sea monster under foot as the power boosted, he launched himself into the air from the propulsive force of the flames, shooting him high into the sky while leaving a trail of flames in his wake heading towards where the ship was approaching. He couldn't land on the ship, that'd be stupid, but there were two landing pads just for him.

Natsu saw the arrows coming at him with great speed, raising his arm out he shot a burst of flame to his right sending him rolling out of the way, kicking out with his legs to divert his direction once more, aiming for the head of one of the giant green snakes. Another volley of arrows was already coming at him, Natsu growling in irritation as the women had already taken aim, despite having just fired. Natsu felt the flames well up in his mouth as he flipped in the air, bringing his feet forward to stabilize him and slowing his forward thrust, he craned his head back, opening his maw as the flames gathered, bringing his hands up to his mouth to funnel the flames through.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" The flames shot through Natsu's hands, tunneling outward in a jet stream, the arrows turned to cinders just coming close to the flames they were that hot. The flames tunneled between the two giant snakes, the two creatures trying to pull away but were harnessed into the ship. The stream shot between the two before expanding outward. Screams erupted from the women as the heat blasted over them, Natsu not having aimed directly at them only wanting to stop their next volley of arrows.

Natsu's target had been the massive pink mansion on the ship itself that was built under the main mast and sails. The blast incinerated the first sections of the mansion before exploding the structure from its center. Walls splintered as the main mast of the ship crumbled and fell to the side, and the red sails ignited from the flames. The entire ship was rocked by the explosion as the housing structure blew, blowing chunks of wood across the water leaving the mansion in flaming ruins aboard the ship.

Natsu flipped forward going in for the landing, the wood of the deck cracked upon his heavy landing and instantly Natsu realized his mistake. At least when if he had landed atop the giant green snake's head like he had been intending then he wasn't on the ship! But now! It was all over for him, the Dragon Slayer collapsed to his knees, raising one hand to his stomach, the other to his mouth preparing himself for the sickness, that didn't come? Natsu had to blink... he felt the motion, the gentle sway... yet he didn't feel sick in the slightest.

"I'm alive!" He cheered, back on his feet thrusting his arms up above his head in victory, only to see a massive force of scantily clad women that had recovered during his breakdown, all aiming more arrows at him before they fired without hesitation. He didn't have time to figure out why he wasn't getting motion sickness right now!

"DIE!"

Natsu jumped to the side, placing his hand down and springing off it flipping in the air before landing on the rail of the ship as the hail of arrows crashed down into the deck of the ship where he had been standing, he had to blink at the destruction that they had caused. They didn't just impact the wood, the entire foredeck of the ship had been obliterated by the force of impact, were arrows always that powerful? What the dragon Slayer found even more confusing was that these women were using snakes as bows!? Kinda cool, he wanted one.

A roar from his side made him look up to see that one of the giant green snakes that had been harnessed to the ship was now free after the destruction of the foredeck. It narrowed its eyes before diving at him, fangs bared and Natsu grimaced at the scent they let off, definitely poison. He waited until the snake was almost upon him before jumping at the last moment, before throwing his fist back and punching down on the snake's head sending it crashing down onto the deck. Natsu landed atop of it, it wasn't dead but it was out cold. He shot a glance at the other snake but it was still in its harness.

"Marigold! Sandersonia!" A voice called out causing Natsu to turn to the two approaching large women, one with fiery orange hair holding a large polearm with a blade and the other woman had bright green hair. "Kill him!" Natsu's shot his gaze to the one that gave the order, the woman with black hair who seemed absolutely infuriated her ship was getting destroyed. Well, he was known for destruction. It seemed the larger women both had no interest in denying the order.

Natsu frowned as he moved from the snake's head as he stood before the two who were glaring down at him. However, Natsu suddenly began to notice a change in the two, their bodies were shifting. What he found strange about it was that he didn't feel any magic but it had to be a transformation spell... or something similar but no magic was involved? Weird.

"Go get him, Marigold!"

"You too Sandersonia!"

The cheers erupted from the watching women causing Natsu to scowl, why were there only women on this boat, it was confusing him.

"You took us by surprise, little man." Marigold hissed at him as she spun her polearm above her head before aiming it at him, her body had grown reptilian, her legs having formed into a tail and she resembled a giant cobra. Just like her, Sandersonia had morphed into a reptilian snake-woman as well, with the likeness of an anaconda.

"But enough is enough." Sandersonia hissed as she circled the Dragon Slayer, both Marigold's and Sandersonia's tails had seemingly formed a ring around him. "For what you've done, death is all you deserve."

"You jerks shot at me first!" Natsu growled, with one behind and the other in front he grinned. "But bring it on! I'm ready for a fight!" Marigold struck first, recoiling her upper body before springing towards him, thrusting her bladed polearm which Natsu dodged. Side stepping the first thrust he threw himself forward rearing back his fist enflaming it as Marigold smirked dropping her grip on her polearm she raised both hands to block the strike.

"Fire Dragon's Iron fist!" Natsu roared throwing the flaming punch, hitting Marigold's palm directly the flames exploding outward. What the transformed Kuja wasn't expecting was the sheer power behind the blow, her Haki hadn't been able to block it as her hands slammed back into her chest as fire engulfed her, before she was thrown back across the ship from the force of the attack. She flew past Hancock slamming into the railing luckily it held strong and she didn't end up in the ocean.

Sandersonia stared on stunned as she watched her sister fly back from the impact, acting Quickly she slammed her hands down onto the deck rotating her hips to whip her tail at the Dragon Slayer, but he seemed to have seen it coming as he flipped over it and back.

Sandersonia watched him warily as he stared back at her, was he using Haki to read her movements? No, as she watched him with her own Haki to read him, he wasn't using Haki at all, his sheer strength had overcome Marigold's Armament Haki and she didn't think he was using Observation Haki to read her. He was relying on his normal senses alone. Just what kind of monster was he? She cast a look to Hancock who seemed to be enraged at what was going on. Marigold was getting up, but she was severely burned, even his flames were strong enough to break through her Haki.

"Fine." Natsu started walking toward her, his sandals tapping on the wood of the deck. "If you won't come to me..." Sandersonia backed away, she couldn't find an opening, anything her Haki gave her only left more openings for him! It was overwhelming her! "I'll come to you!"

"Sister!" Marigold cried as she shot across the deck with speed not befitting one of her size, Natsu grinned as both snake-women were within range, he increased his magic, the heat overwhelming all.

"Time to end this." Natsu, despite enjoying his fight so far knew that he couldn't just go on fighting. He had to figure out what to do next, plus if there were people with weird powers in this world, he'd get plenty of chances to fight. Hopefully, he could have some fun too. He also didn't know if his motion sickness was going to kick back in or not so he wanted to end this before that possibility. "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu ignited his arms as he spun his body, generating massive torrents of flames that made it hard to breathe. Twisting his body back, swinging his arms the flames spiraled around him before colliding causing a powerful, burning explosion that engulfed both Marigold and Sandersonia.

When the smoke died down, both sisters hit the ground burned by the flames. Natsu grinned as he dusted his hands off, a job well done. Hearing the clicking of heels he glanced up to see the black-haired woman approaching.

"Pathetic." She spat, eyes landing on the two large women. "Losing to a man, you'll be punished once we return." She growled down at them causing Natsu to grow angry at the disrespect she was showing them, they were a crew weren't they, allies? She hadn't lifted a single hand to help either of them, just barking orders. Glancing around he saw the other women aboard stunned at the power he had displayed, it seemed that they didn't want to fight anymore either. "Truly, you call yourselves the strongest among the Kuja, this is the best you have to offer!" Hancock shouted, now addressing everyone aboard. "You disgrace me, your captain with your weakness!"

"Shut up." Natsu let out a low growl, what he hated most was when allies didn't stand together. "At least they had the guts to fight." Hancock's glare landed on him. "They fought for you and you look down on them!?" He raised his hand, making a 'bring it on' motion with his fingers. "I'll take you down."

"How barbaric." Hancock sighed as she walked forward, only getting girlish cries of glee from the women as she flicked her hair back. Natsu had to wonder why they were all acting like that. "You see, whether I berate my crew, kick a kitten, tear off your ears, even slaughter innocent people the world will never cease to forgive my actions! Why do you ask? That's right, it is because I am... Beautiful!" She announced casting her arms out wide which only got more fangirling screams. "Now, turn to stone and die." She brought her hands back to her front, placing her fingers in a way it resembled a heart. "Love-Love Beam!" Natsu raised an eyebrow as from her hands a pink heart-shaped beam shot at him, striking the Dragon Slayer right in the chest.

...

...

For a few moments, Natsu and Hancock stared at one another. Natsu glanced down at his chest, raising a hand he felt for any damage but there was nothing. Hancock could only blink as she stared at Natsu before turning to her hands, had she somehow misplaced her fingers? Righting them again she focused.

"Love-Love Beam!" She called out as another pink heart beam shot at Natsu, hitting him once again but still nothing. "T-That's impossible!" She cried out, stepping back in shock at what it meant for her powers to be rejected like that. The cracking of knuckles brought her attention back to Natsu who was now walking toward her. The Dragon Slayer didn't know why her attack didn't work but didn't care. Heat began to swell around him as he glared at her, he was fine ending the fight with them two snake ladies but this chick had pissed him off.

"If you think you're so beautiful." Natsu growled, his eyes glowing like the fire within him as his magic swelled. "I'll bring you down a peg!" Crimson fire encased his right hand, but it wasn't the same as before. Hancock knew from the temperature that if that hit her, it'd burn away her flesh even her Haki which was stronger than Marigold's wouldn't protect her. "Let me see you grit those teeth! Fire Dragon King's Destruction Fist!"

Hancock retreated a step at the roar of the man, his fury seemed to resonate within his fire. For the first time in years, she saw the full rage of a man who intended on hurting her. Fear welled up inside of her, memories of her horrible past. The scarred brand on her back throbbed in pain tears welling in her eyes as the nightmare returned and she realized she was the same helpless girl as back then.

"NO!" The cry of both Marigold and Sandersonia having seen their sister's fear moved to block their elder sister from the blow that could potentially kill her, up until now the man had shown no sign of actual killing intent, the sisters would die for her if it meant protecting her. Both sisters clenched their eyes shut, but the blow never came. Sandersonia and Marigold felt the heat dissipate, all of it bar the flames burning on the ship itself. The heat that had been growing since before they had ever encountered the strange man fighting the Sea Kings, was all gone. Marigold opened her eyes, she saw the pink-haired teen had stopped his punch from reaching either her or her sister. Why had he suddenly stopped?

"Man." Natsu growled as he pulled his fist back, scratching at the back of his head as he looked away sheepishly. "Probably overdid it there." He shrugged. "But I just can't stand when comrades look down on one another, ya know." Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged a glance with one another before parting and looking back to Hancock who had tears streaming down her face as she bit her lip, looking like she was about to bawl like a baby.

"W-Who... are you?" Marigold questioned as she turned back to the unknown man, Sandersonia moving to comfort her elder sister returning to her human form. Natsu blinked as he looked up at her before he grinned from ear to ear.

"I'm Natsu Dragneel, a Fairy Tail Wizard."