What's up guys, JellyBeanBubbles here with chapter 2, hope you like it. I think it turned out pretty good if I do say so myself.
Please leave a review for us guys, this is our first collab and feedback is essential for us to know what you think.
Anyway the next chapter will be done by my partner in crime RockinCass12, so please enjoy XD
One would think that a name such as 'Natsu Dragneel' would belong to a great strong warrior who was wise and powerful looking.
At least that's what Torafuzer pictured when he heard of the so-called dragon hunter; not some pink haired brat stuffing his face with chicken.
Needless to say he was not impressed.
"That is the so-called dragon hunter of the guild? We'd be better off sending a nameless knight than him" said Jackal with a dismissive tone.
"I wouldn't be so quick to judge him if I were you. He happens to be the strongest member of this guild and has slain numerous dragons to date" said Rogue with a glare.
"I wouldn't call him the strongest…" muttered Sting as he took a swig of his drink.
Rogue sent Sting a deadpanned look while Sting refused to make eye contact.
"Anyway, you want to hunt a dragon he's your guy. Otherwise you're on your own" said Rogue.
Torafuzer and Jackal sent uneasy looks towards each other. Considering that time was of the essence they didn't really have any other options.
"Very well then, we'll hire him" said Torafuzer with his arms crossed.
"Seriously?!" yelled Jackal in disbelief.
"Alright then. Oi Natsu! Quit stuffing your face and get over here!" yelled Sting cheerfully.
Natsu turned his head and sent a glare in Sting's direction, his cheeks filled to the brim like a hamster.
He swallowed loudly and let out a belch that literally shook the building and made his way over to Sting.
"Yeah waddya want, I was in the middle a' sumthin'" he said in annoyance as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Ya know, most guys would show some respect to their guild master?" said Sting in annoyance.
Natsu smirked and crossed his arms "Beat me in a fight and maybe I will someday".
Sting cringed in annoyance and was getting ready to punch Natsu in the face until Rogue cleared his throat to bring him back to reality.
"As much as I would love to knock your teeth in right now, you have a job request" grumbled Sting as he took a large swig of his drink.
Natsu's eyes widened in surprise, he hasn't been needed for a job in a while.
"These men here claim to need a dragon hunter" Rogue clarified while gesturing toward Torafuzer and Jackal.
Natsu's eyes suddenly burned with intensity and seriousness, a shocking contrast to the way he was while eating it made Torafuzer blink in surprise.
"Is that right? Ya sure it's not just a really big wyvern, coz that's what happened the last time I got a request. Some idiots just don't seem to know the difference anymore" said Natsu with a glare aimed at Torafuzer.
"You take me for some kind of idiot boy? Of course it's a damn dragon, if it were a wyvern we wouldn't need any help from a guild" he said with disgust.
Natsu's smirk turned feral at his tone and he walked up to Torafuzer until he was right in his face "I don't think I like your tone pal. If you're so sure of yourself maybe you don't need my help hunting a dragon?" he said threateningly.
"Calm down Natsu" said Rogue with a warning glare.
"I doubt you could even kill so much as a wyvern let alone a dragon brat" said Jackal with a scoff.
Natsu glared at Jackal, the gaze was so intense he actually flinched; he felt like he was being burned.
Natsu clicked his tongue in annoyance and stepped away from Torafuzer.
"Alright, so where is this so called dragon of yours then? And let me tell ya, I've travelled nearly every corner of the country searching for 'em, I'm pretty sure there aren't any left" he said while waving his hand nonchalantly.
"Before I divulge any information I would like to know if you have accepted the request. Don't take me for a fool boy" said Torafuzer, a vein throbbing in his head in anger.
Natsu and Torafuzer engaged in a glaring match, neither one willing to turn away.
"Oh just take the job Natsu, its not like you have anything better to do, plus last time I checked you could use the money; guild food ain't free ya know" said Sting.
Natsu glanced at Sting and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Just how much are ya willing to pay anyway?" asked Natsu with a raised brow.
Torafuzer sighed in annoyance and Jackal was coiled so tight he looked ready to snap at any moment.
"Our employer is willing to offer you any jewel from his treasury that is of course, as long as you live up to his expectations anyway" said Torafuzer with a look of condescension.
"That a challenge I hear?" said Natsu with a challenging grin.
"Take it however you like, are you willing to accept the job or not?"
Natsu eyed the men in front of him, they didn't look like trustworthy people in the least. On the other hand they may actually have information on the dragon he's looking for, plus he'd be getting paid in the process. What did he really have to lose?
"Alright, you got yourselves a dragon hunter boys. I take it your 'employer' wants to see me and explain the job right?" asked Natsu with his arms crossed.
"In a manner of speaking yes. Meet us at the port once you've collected your tools and we shall take you to him. And do hurry, he is not a man who likes to be kept waiting" said Torafuzer as he walked out the guild with Jackal right behind him.
"Tch, he could be the friggen king for all I care, I'll be ready when I'll be ready, bastards" said Natsu in irritation.
That was the last straw for Jackal. He turned on his heel and grabbed Natsu by the collar of his shirt, his fist raised just waiting to hit him in the face.
"Cocky punk, ya wanna die? I'd be more than happy to oblige" said Jackal with a deadly glare while Natsu just stared at him with a bored expression.
"Jackal! That's enough, we've got what we came here for, don't stray from our plans" said Torafuzer with warning.
"But this punk's been begging for a beating since we got here!" yelled Jackal angrily.
"Think you can take me blondie? Gimme your best shot" said Natsu with a 'bring it on' gesture.
"Why you-!"
Torafuzer had run out of patience at this point and knocked Jackal out with a single chop to the back of his neck.
"Gah!"
Jackal slumped down onto the floor unceremoniously landing on his face.
"Incompetent simpleton" said Torafuzer as he picked Jackal up and slung him over his shoulder like a bag of rice.
"Meet us at the port within the hour, or we'll find someone else Natsu Dragneel" he said as he walked out the doors of the guild.
For a while the guild was silent, but then they slowly went back to what they were doing.
"Wow, I haven't seen a guy that grumpy since I first met Rogue" said Sting with a smirk.
Rogue glared at Sting with an unimpressed look.
Natsu chuckled at them and heaved out a sigh "Whelp, better get my stuff. I just hope this isn't a colossal waste of my time" he said as he walked out the guild to head towards his home.
Sting and Rogue watched him leave silently, each giving the other a look of apprehension.
"You think it might actually be a dragon?" asked Sting seriously.
"Can't say, those men didn't look like they'd confuse one with a wyvern. But if it is, it might be the one Natsu has been searching for. The last dragon alive" said Rogue.
"Acnologia… I've heard rumours that his roar alone can destroy a village, ya think Natsu can take him?" asked Sting in a worried tone.
Rogue sat silently and thought for a moment "I can't imagine Natsu losing a fight, so I guess we just have to have faith in him and his abilities right?" he said with a smile of reassurance.
Sting smirked at his friend "Brother… since when did you get all sappy?" he said with a chuckle.
"Shut up you idiot" said Rogue with an embarrassed look.
"Aw look you've gone all shy on me! That's so adorable!" yelled Sting while clutching his stomach from laughing.
"Ok that's it!" said Rogue as he lunged for Sting and began yet another bar brawl.
"Oooh look Kinana, Sting and Rogue are fighting again!" yelled a lilac haired girl with glasses; she was blushing a deep red while watching the boys hit each other.
"I see Laki! I love it when I see them like this" squealed a dark purple haired girl.
"It's so hot!" they squealed as they clutched each other's hands in some weird fangirl mode.
"What's got them all hot and bothered?"
"Sting and Rogue again, I swear those girls read too much into things"
"I don't get why it appeals to them so much"
"Typical male response" said a white haired barmaid with a sweet smile.
"Do you get it Mira?"
"Well… I can sort of see the appeal but…"
"But?"
"I refuse to believe that Sting can love anyone other than sweet Yukino! I simply will not allow it!" she yelled suddenly in a fit of rage, her personality changing in a complete 180.
"Big sis, you're letting your demon side out ya know" said a younger shorter haired version of Mira.
"Oh dear, my bad Lisanna" she said suddenly becoming sweet again, mildly embarrassed at her own outburst.
"Mira can be so scary sometimes hey Macao?"
"No need to remind me Wakaba"
Torafuzer was waiting at the port with Jackal still knocked out at his feet. He was not a very patient man, he always preferred things done quickly and without hesitation, so waiting around was starting to make him irritable.
"Ugh, what happened?" asked Jackal as he woke up rubbing the back of his sore neck.
"You were being a nuisance so I shut you up" explained Torafuzer with his arms crossed.
"Me?! That Dragneel brat was the one giving us attitude and you call me the nuisance?!" yelled Jackal in disbelief.
"You should learn not to let your anger control you, you might get yourself killed by it one day" said Torafuzer with a warning glare.
Jackal scoffed in annoyance and stood up from the ground.
"So is that brat coming or what?" asked Jackal with his arms crossed.
"Ya know, I don't know why you keep callin' me a brat. I'm 22 I'll have you know" said Natsu as he suddenly appeared behind the two men, shocking them in the process.
Torafuzer was staring at him in surprise, he hadn't picked up his presence at all. There were very few who could sneak up on him, but those who did were Mard Geers' servants now.
Jackal was also surprised at his sudden appearance but chose to overlook it when he registered what Natsu said.
"I don't care how old you are, a brat's a brat" said Jackal in disgust.
"So what does that make you then?" asked Natsu with a raised brow and challenging smirk.
Jackal grit his teeth and growled at Natsu angrily; he was at his wits end with this punk and would love to bash his brains on the pavement.
"If you don't watch your mouth cherry head, I'll decorate the floor with your insides" warned Jackal with a feral grin and his fist raised.
"Ooh~ Scary, I bet the ladies just line up for you don't they?" said Natsu with a sneer.
Jackal was about ready to pounce when Torafuzers strong grip on his neck stopped him dead in his tracks.
"As entertaining as this is, we are short of time. Please come this way Mr Dragneel, our employer is waiting for you" said Torafuzer while dragging Jackal away.
As soon as they were a good enough distance away from him Torafuzer muttered something to Jackal.
"Keep calm, once he's done his job I don't care what you do to him, and neither will his Majesty. Be patient until then" he said with a strict tone.
Once Jackal heard this he calmed down significantly, in his mind he pictured the many ways he could make Dragneel suffer at his hands which would be bathed in his blood, a creepy grin worked its way on his face.
"Sounds good, that is if the dragon doesn't kill him first" he said dusting off his pants.
Torafuzer smirked, his sadistic side coming out "Well, yes, there is that"
Little did they know, Natsu's hearing was ten times better than the average human, so he could hear everything they had been saying.
He kept his gaze on his surroundings as he followed them, feigning ignorance the whole time; he wouldn't want them knowing that he could hear anything they said whenever he wanted.
While he did want to find the last dragon, he wasn't so sure about his so-called employer. They referred to the guy as 'His Majesty'; he wondered what they meant by that. Was he some sort of big shot business man or something? And what use did he have for a dead dragon, he wondered.
Natsu glanced at the Blonde haired man who seemed to have a beef with him as he continued to have a 'private' discussion with the larger man. Natsu didn't know what it was, but he seriously disliked that guy. Everything about him screamed evil, he looked like he took pleasure in other people's misery.
Now Natsu was not one to judge a person based on appearances, but when his instincts told him a guy was rotten he believed them. They said the same thing about the larger man, but he decided he personally disliked the blonde more.
"So where is this 'employer' of yours anyway?" he asked with his arms folded behind his head in a bored manner.
Torafuzer glanced at Natsu over his shoulder, a scowl on his face "Crocus" he answered uncaring.
Natsu's eyes widened in shock "Crocus?! That's like a ten hour carriage ride!" he said paling slightly.
Torafuzer raised a brow at Natsu's odd behaviour, why did he suddenly seem very afraid of something?
"Is that a problem? You accepted the job right?" he asked facing Natsu with his arms crossed.
"W-well yeah, but ya never told me the guy was that far away. I mean do I really have ta meet him?" said Natsu with a hint of nervousness.
"Listen you little punk, you either meet our boss or we give the job to someone else. Personally I would love to leave without you, so what's it gonna be?" asked Jackal with an annoyed glare.
Natsu scowled at Jackal fiercely; he REALLY didn't want this guy to get the better of him, but if he went on a carriage he risked exposing something he really didn't want other people to know about.
Like he was caught between a rock and… an even bigger rock? How did that saying go again? He forgot.
Maybe he could find a way of getting to Crocus without taking a carriage? But ho-
"Aha!" he exclaimed suddenly.
The two men stared at him in annoyance and confusion, they were starting to question the man's sanity at this point.
"Look guys, I don't go on any jobs without my buddy Happy, so taking a carriage won't be possible for me right now" said Natsu smugly.
"What the hell is a 'Happy'?" questioned Jackal with a raised brow.
"He's not a 'what' he's a 'who', and he happens to be my best friend and the fastest horse in the country" said Natsu with pride.
"You mean to tell me you won't take a carriage; which is several times more comfortable than a horse, because the horse is your fucking friend?!" exclaimed Jackal in annoyance.
"Comfort is for the weak I say, not to mention my journey will be several times faster when it comes to Happy." said Natsu, not picking up on the cockiness used.
"That's it, I'm killing him" said Jackal as he marched towards Natsu with his arms raised to strangle him.
However he was stopped by Torafuzer placing a vice grip on his shoulder.
"I don't really care how you get there as long as you arrive by tomorrow morning the latest. Think you can handle that?" questioned Torafuzer with a raised brow.
"No problem!" said Natsu with a thumbs up gesture.
Jackal rolled his eyes at this and turned away to continue to the train station.
"Think happy thoughts Jackal, like his blood on the pavement, or being reduced to a walking carpet…" he muttered to himself.
"Very well then Dragneel, when you arrive in Crocus be sure to meet us at the HoneyBone inn, we shall take you to our employer from there" said Torafuzer as he turned away and walked with Jackal following right behind him.
"HoneyBone inn, got it" said Natsu with a curt nod.
Natsu watched them walk off, as soon as they were out of sight he let out a breath of relief.
At least he didn't have to worry about them finding out that he had extreme motion sickness now. He just needed to make sure that Happy was all prepped up for the journey to Crocus, and that there were enough fish flavoured biscuits to keep him motivated. Seriously, what kind of horse likes fish flavoured biscuits?
Natsu sighed to himself and made his way back to his home, where Happy was surely waiting for him in his stable.
"Shoulda asked where it was before I agreed to do the damned job" he said while scratching the back of his head.
Meanwhile, lurking somewhere in the shadows a figure had been observing the three men since they left the guild, keeping careful watch on their movements and conversations.
This person pulled out a small handheld magic crystal, known as a lacrima, carefully concealing it for it was an illegal practice to own or use such things. The person checked their surroundings and moved in close to the object to speak.
"Hello, Thunder dragon come in, this is the She-devil, come in Thunder dragon" said the voice, sounding soft and feminine.
Suddenly a buzzing sound was coming from the lacrima and a hooded figure appeared inside the clear crystal.
"…bzzt…This is Thunder dragon, what Intel do ya got for me She-devil…bzzt…" said a deep manly voice from the lacrima.
"I have confirmed that two demon gates requested assistance from the hunter's guild this morning. They asked if there was a person who could kill a dragon" said the voice sternly.
"…bzzt… A dragon ya say? So they recruited the Salamander then? …bzzt…" said the man's voice curiously.
"Right, and it appears to be a personal request from the Underworld king himself" they said with worry.
"…bzzt… Hmmm, I don't like this. Why would that bastard need to go as far as request guild assistance to kill a dragon? More importantly why does he need a dead dragon in the first place? …bzzt…"
"I'm really worried, what if it's some kind of trap? You know how he gets when it comes to dragons"
"…bzzt…Don't worry Mi-ahem, She-devil, he doesn't know about our involvement so this can't be about that. But now that he's been noticed by the Underworld king himself the Old man's gonna want him in the loop, this might actually work out for us, we can be one step ahead of that bastard this way…bzzt…" said the voice angrily.
"I hope you're right. By the way, will you be coming home tonight?" they asked with worry and a hint of hope.
"…bzzt… I think it would be safer if I didn't, those so-called royal guards are looking around this area more frequently. I don't wanna risk compromising your position…bzzt…" said the voice tenderly.
"Oh, I see. I understand. Well that's all I have for now, She-devil signing out" said the voice in a disappointed tone.
"…bzzt… Hey come on now, don't be sad, if it try I can make it tomorrow, please don't be sad beloved…bzzt…" said the man's voice desperately pleading.
A small giggle erupted from the person at his pleading "I'm sorry, I just miss you is all. As long as you try to show up soon it's fine. Anyway, stay safe my Thunder dragon" they said softly.
The voice in the lacrima sighed in relief "…bzzt… I miss you too demon, I'll do my best to come tomorrow. In the meantime, stay safe love…bzzt…" said the voice softly, and the lacrima's glow faded into its normal colour.
The hooded figure sighed sadly and hid the lacrima away in their cloak. They glanced cautiously around before taking off down the alley. A breeze blew buy, exposing a single strand of silver hair from the cloak before they disappeared in the darkness.
"I hope one day we can walk around together without fear again"
JBB: Wow, so many feels writing this part. And yes I ship Miraxus, they are perfect for each other!
Don't forget to leave a review guys!
RC12: I love Miraxus too… sigh. Thank you everyone for the amazing support for the first chapter. Let's share the same enthusiasm for chapter two. It was done brilliantly!
JBB: Naaw thanks twin XD