AN: Hey there guys! First of all, thank you all for following this story! I'm astounded with the response this story has generated. More than 100 follows and fav's, and around forty reviews for only two short chaps. I'm very happy to say the least!
Secondly, I want to make things clear, this story will not be a harem. It's only Natsu/Ultear. As for Meredy, like to Ultear, will be Natsu's daughter figure.
Finally about Jellal; I'm not a fan of the guy so no Jerza in this story, sorry. I will not be bashing him though; he will have an important role when the time comes, so yeah.
This chapter is as long as the first two put together ;-) (For your information, I can write much longer chapters but for personal reasons, I'll go with the flow, so the lengths will vary.)
Hope you like it!
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Chapter 3: Allies
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"What?!" was the common cry of surprise. Natsu being the Master of Fairy Tail was one thing, but for him being a Wizard Saint was of a completely different level of news.
"When did you get that, Salamander?" Gajeel asked a frown appearing on his face. His rival Dragon Slayer had completely left him behind in terms of power, and he was more than anxious to test himself against the pink haired young man.
"It has only been a few years." Natsu replied with a grin. "What is it? Jealous?" he asked his grin widening.
And just as the Iron Slayer was going to reply, he was cut short.
"Hey flame breath! Fight me!" Gray exclaimed suddenly approaching his rival.
"How did you call me, stripper?" Dragneel replied, head-butting with the younger mage. The action brought back nostalgic feelings and many were warmly smiling at their antics. After a few seconds of a starring contest, Natsu finally continued. "Sorry, but I have to decline."
"What...?!" Gray was frozen speechless from that answer. Since when did Natsu let pass a fight? And he wasn't alone; the others were staring at the fourth Master with wonder in their eyes.
"Why the hell not?!"
"None of you are really in a condition to fight right now. If I'm going to fight, I want you in your best form." Natsu replied with a very serious aura around him. "For, what is the fun in fighting cripples..." he finished with a face splitting grin.
"What did you say, brat?!" Laxus stepped forward, lightning flashing around his arms.
"Exactly what you heard, brat." the pink haired young man replied with a devilish smile. "I'm older than you now, don't forget that."
Tightening his fists, the Lightning Dragon Slayer took another step toward the new Master. "A few years of training hasn't changed anything, I still can easily kick your ass, Salamander!"
A hand suddenly gripped his shoulder, and the young Dreyar stopped in his tracks. "Don't be so sure of yourself. Something is off with him."
"Gildarts?! What are you talking about?"
The said man frowned. He had known Natsu for as long as he remembered, and his magic should have been very familiar; yet, the aura that the Fire Dragon Slayer gave out, was very different. Something had changed in him, and the Crash Mage was embarrassed to admit, that it frightened him a bit. Which was a really difficult task to accomplish if you asked him...
As if knowing about his rummaging, Natsu grinned with a predatory smile. A smile that spelled trouble.
"Do as he said; rest and then fight with all you've got. I'm sure he isn't a Wizard Saint for nothing." the Crash Mage continued, his easygoing smile coming back.
"That goes for you as well, Gildarts." Natsu said suddenly. "I still want my rematch."
"Well, I can't say that I'm not interested in seeing where you stand by myself." the older man replied.
"Alright, now that's settled, Laki, Macao, please show everyone the new guild. As you've seen all, the building is quite large, and accommodations were made for everyone. Of course if you prefer to buy a house, that's your choice, but for now, get yourself comfortable." Natsu explained. "As for you, Gramps, we have many things to discuss. Ul-chan, would you kindly?"
With a nod, Makarov followed the Time Mage. Meredy and Gildarts were not far behind.
"He sure has grown..." Lucy whispered, following the fourth Master with her eyes.
"Oh, you have no idea." Macao said with a smile. "Let's go people, I'll show you around."
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The pink haired young man then walked toward the Blue Pegasus members with a smile. "Ichiya, thank you for this, and everything you and your guild have done for us during all those years. You can't imagine how happy I am that they survived and that you found them. Again, thank you."
"Don't worry, Natsu. What are friends for?" Ichiya replied in a suddenly serious voice.
"That's right, Natsu-sama! All the pleasure is ours. We are happy to help!" Jenny exclaimed with a beaming smile. "But, there is a way you can repay us!" she continued, a mischievous glint appearing in her eyes.
"Oh, here she goes at it again..." Ren muttered shaking his head.
"By taking the Miss Fiore to a date!" she exclaimed pointing a finger toward herself.
"You're particularly beautiful today, Jenny-chan." Natsu said with a charming smile.
"B-B-Beautiful..." the young blonde whispered with a silly smile and glazing eyes, her face taking on a crimson tint.
"You're really irrecoverable..." Eve said with a grin. That remark shaking her from her daze, her eyes widened and she looked around; there was no sign of Natsu.
"It's funny; you're Miss Fiore and one of the most sought out women in the country, you receive prize and admiration whenever you go and take it in stride, yet, a small compliment from him and you fall head over hills. That's beyond me." Ren explained with another shake of his head.
"Shut up! You're just jealous!"
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As Gildarts closed the door behind him, Natsu sat down behind his desk and turned toward them. The Master office was really large and many sofas littered the ground around the table. After everyone was seated, Natsu produced an exhausted sigh, causing the two older wizards to raise their brows.
"As you surely know, many things have changed in those years. There is much to tell." he began.
"First of all, Natsu, tell us what happened directly after Tenrou, and then we'll go from there." Makarov proposed. The young man sighed again and as if knowing what was transpiring in his mind, the two girls stood up.
"Na-chan..." After a nod from her mother figure, Meredy approached the young Master and sitting beside him, engulfed him in a hug. A smile replacing his previous frown, he ruffled her hair and turned toward his guild mates, his mind now ate ease.
"Um, Natsu... Isn't she a little too young even for you?" Gildarts asked with an awkward smile. The Crash Mage was a known womanizer himself, but seeing the two pink haired mages together like that… Just as he finished that sentence, the temperature in the room literally skyrocketed and a dark aura appeared around the pink haired young man.
" She-Is-My-Daughter!" he whispered, but despite that, his voice resonated as if he was shouting. The eyes of the two older wizards widened in shock. Meredy was smilingly looking up to the Dragon Slayer with adoration in her eyes. There was love in those eyes, but it wasn't what Gildarts firstly thought it was. For reasons unknown to him, his mind was put at ease.
Then as suddenly as it appeared, the heavy atmosphere disappeared, making them release the breaths they didn't know they were holding.
"Hehe...Well, isn't that wonderful?" Gildarts continued with a grin. "And who is the mother?"
As if to answer his question, a beaming smile appeared on the Dragon Slayer's face, and his eyes glanced to the right. Following his gaze they came upon a blushing Ultear, desperately trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Well, isn't all this very interesting?" Makarov stated with a perverted grin.
"Not as wonderful as a Fairytale..."
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Slowly, he opened his eyelids and groaned in pain. His whole body was still hurting. Still…? His eyes suddenly widened as the memories flashed in his head. Tenrou, Zeref, Achnologia… Moving his right arm he tried to use it as leverage but upon putting a little force on them, he let escape a scream of pain and fell back to the bed. Clutching his sore limb he clenched his teeth in frustration. That damn dragon had really gone all out on his ass.
Suddenly the doors were opened and two people rushed in. He recognized them; his enemies from Grimoire Heart. "Natsu, don't move, you're still hurt. You'll reopen all the stitches." The older of the two said in a calm voice.
"What are you doing here?! Where are my friends?" Natsu exclaimed with a frown.
"We…don't you remember? We healed you after your fight with Achnologia. Well, you weren't completely conscious at the time but-…"
"Where are my friends and what are you doing here?!" the young man repeated stubbornly.
"Hey! Don't talk to Ultear like that! She saved your life!" the pink haired girl butted in. She got a deathly glare in return from the Dragon Slayer, making her cower a bit.
"Meredy, that's enough." Her mother figure continued still in a calm voice. "But like I said, we're here because we healed you. As for your friends, I'm sorry, but they're gone."
"Gone where?! They wouldn't leave me alone like that!"
"Dead…" Natsu's eyes widened for the second time but they narrowed after only a second.
"Bullshit! They aren't dead! Mavis protected them! She said she would! So I ask you for the last time; where are my friends?"
"I already said it, your friends are dead. Achnologia's last attack completely destroyed Tenrou Island. That place no longer exists. I don't know how you survived that, but we fetched you in the water." The Time Mage explained with a sad expression. With every passing second of her tale, Natsu's face would contort in anger. And just as she finished he rose from the bed and stood up. Despite his stumbling he maintained a serious face.
"I don't believe you. You're from Grimoire Heart; that damned Guild that started all of this mess! Leave me alone and don't come in my way, or you'll regret it!" He said with fury and stormed from the room, breaking down the door on his way.
"Hey! Wait you-…"
"Leave him be, for now, Meredy." Ultear said putting her hand on the younger girl's shoulder. "I haven't thought that helping someone would be so difficult." She continued with a sigh. "I have still so much to learn…"
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Stumbling through the streets, the bandaged Natsu approached the harbor. People were looking at him with curious eyes, some recognizing him, some with indifference. Finally the Dragon Slayer approached a man that was calmly washing his small boat.
"Hey you!" he said with force, clutching his aching arm.
"W-what?! Oh! What can I do for you?" the old man asked with a smile, despite being startled just a moment ago.
"Bring me to Tenrou Island!"
"What…? I...I don't think it's wise to go there after, you know, what happened there…"
"I said bring me there!" the pink haired young man exclaimed taking a hold of the man's collar. "My friends were on that island!"
"Mr.…?"
"Natsu Dragneel. I'm from Fairy Tail!"
"Mr. Dragneel-…"
"I said now!" Natsu cried out a little fire escaping from his body, and frightening a few bystanders. The old man nodded vigorously and detached the boat.
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He couldn't believe his eyes. Nothing remained from Tenrou Island but only pieces of earth floating in the water. The Dragon of the Apocalypse had really destroyed the sanctuary and his friends were…they were no more. Tears flowed from his eyes as he cried in rage and anguish. Why had something like this happened? Mavis Vermillion had promised to save them! She had used their power; he had even sacrificed himself to buy them time. But all that was for nothing…
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Ultear winced as she saw Natsu stumble from the boat and nearly crumble to the ground. It was no longer his injuries that crushed him, no, this time it was his grief. She could see it; she could feel it seeping from him like a wave of death, not unlike the Dark Mage Zeref. He was in pain yes, but the anger was overflowing, making her uneasy. Maybe it wasn't that good of an idea to come here now…
As if feeling her stare, his gaze met hers. The fury inside him suddenly intensified and he pointed his hand toward her. "YOU! All of this is your fault! You and your dark guild!"
"Natsu…"
"Don't speak to me like we're friends! You're my enemy and maybe if I had fought your guild like I should have, none of this would have happened!"
"What are you-…?"
"Shut up! I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you! And then I'll find that Zeref guy and kill him too!" Natsu cried out with rage, his eyes were wide and his breath was ragged. Fire was slowly starting to sip out of him.
Ultear's eyes narrowed with this new prospect on things. He had threatened her and Meredy, and she would never let him do anything to her daughter, even if she had to kill him herself. So much for trying to help the Dragon Slayer…
Suddenly Natsu cried out in rage and bounced toward her. The speed with which he arrived upon her surprised her, and she barely had the time to jump to the side to escape his vicious strike. The explosion of fire that followed produced screams of terror from the bystanders as they fled for their lives. With a wave of her hand her time sphere appeared and deflected the jet of fire that intended to burn her alive. Narrowing her eyes she again jumped backward and escaped the Dragon Slayer's crushing blow that cracked the ground on its impact. When he suddenly started to inhale big portions of air, her eyes widened and she raised both of her hands and concentrated on her Arc of Time magic. Just as she imagined the dragon roar attack arrived upon her within seconds but her defense magic absorbed the fire. She wasn't the leader of the Seven Kin of Purgatory for nothing; she could handle a Dragon Slayer.
As if frustrated by his unsuccessful attacks this fury she felt from the pink haired young man doubled in intensity and he started to fight with even more ferocity. Each of his attacks were getting stronger, and were coming dangerously closer of reaching her. What surprised her even more was that he wasn't even using any incantations before launching his spells. It wasn't something impossible but still extremely difficult; at least Master level of control over one's magic.
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Absorbing Natsu's Dragon wing attack, she launched one of her own, finally starting to counterattack. The sphere traveled the distance between them in the blink of an eye and hurled her enemy toward one of the many houses on the street. The force behind the attack was so great that he literately went through the walls before crumbling to the ground. Not letting him get a second of respite, she struck again pummeling him with a dozen of her spheres before finally sending him flying in the distance. Just as he fell to the ground, she was again upon him, methodically delivering punches and hits on his already bruised body. As he finally crumbled from the onslaught she breathed a sigh of relief.
That relief was short-lived though, as a tremor suddenly went through the pink haired young man. Not knowing what was happening she jumped a safe distance away and glanced toward Meredy that was watching their fight as per her orders. Slowly, Natsu stood up without any struggle, as if not feeling his injuries and raising his head toward the sky screamed in a powerful beast-like voice. Just as she was thinking about what to do, the Dragon Slayer's body was engulfed in ragging flames and she could literally feel the heat even from that distance. His pupils were gone and only a white sclera could be seen, his muscles were bulging from the strain and scale like protrusions started to cover his body. Great quantities of magic seeped from him in waves making her eyes widen in surprise. How could he produce so much magic, without even speaking about his ability to stand in his current state? What was going on?
Just as she thought that, Natsu blurred from sight and not a second later an incredibly powerful punch to her abdomen sent her flying through a few houses. Without leaving her time to take a breath, a kick to her face propelled her even further, creating even greater wreckage. After wiping the blood from her face she pointed her hands toward the approaching Dragon Slayer and used Arc of Time on him; her eyes widened when his form only slowed under her spell, and when he was just a few yards, his extended fist exploded and a giant fire Dragon propelled itself toward her, razing everything on its path.
"Ice Make: Dahlias!" she cried out and a gigantic rose made from pink colored ice formed before her like a shield. The fire attack slammed on her strongest defensive magic like the beast it represented and she slid a few dozen yards from the force. Her rose cracked and crumbled to the ground, but it had done its job, it had protected her from harm.
Snarling in frustration herself, she pointed her hands toward the now standing still Dragon Slayer and exclaimed: "Ice Make: Bloom!" The ground of the battlefield was torn apart when giant rose roots exploded all around her. As the deadly attack approached the Fairy Tail mage, he stayed there, unmoving. And just before he was engulfed in ice, a great shockwave of fire escaped from him evaporating the spell.
All of a sudden, the fire around his right hand intensified and its color started to pass from orange to white. Even at the distance she was from the pink haired young man, she could feel the heat burning her skin. Just as he propelled himself toward her, creating a large crater on his wake, she launched the strongest spell in her arsenal: Ice Make: Rosen Krone! But Natsu laterally tore through her ice roots as if they weren't even there and with a beast-like roar caught her by the neck.
The heat coming from his now burning in white flames hand was rapidly burning her skin away, her clothes were melting just from the heat and his grip on her throat was swiftly squeezing the life from her. His furious expression was still present as he slowly strangled her to death. She couldn't struggle, she couldn't fight. The pain was unbearable. This was the end…
And just as she though that she was going to die and leave Meredy alone, again, the now beast-like man before her cried out in pain, and released her from his clutches. Stumbling back a few steps, he clutched his head and roared again, his magic intensifying the sound and breaking the remaining windows. He trashed and waved his hands around, creating destructive flames on their wake.
Trying to regain her breathing despite her damaged throat, she coughed blood on her hand and a gleam caught her attention. As she turned her hand around she saw a familiar mark on it: The Maguilty Sense. Her eyes widening she raised her head and glanced toward the Dragon Slayer from her position on the ground and saw the same mark on his forehead…
"Meredy…" she whispered with a sad smile before losing consciousness.
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"I don't like it. I don't like it one bit."
"What is it, Macao?" Wakaba asked with a frown to his restless friend.
"They should be back from Tenrou by now. Why is it taking so much time? I'm starting to feel a little uneasy."
"Don't worry; with all the strongest from the guild, what could possibly happen to them?"
"Yeah, you're right. But still-…" suddenly the doors were opened, cutting the Purple Flame mage in his musings. "Ah! Finally you're bac-…"
But the people that entered weren't his guild-mates. Two persons engulfed in long black cloaks entered the guild, and slowly levitating behind them was…
"Natsu!?" Macao cried out rushing toward the unconscious Dragon Slayer. "What happened to him?!" he asked turning toward the two strangers.
"Who are you?" Wakaba continued, getting in a fighting stance. The atmosphere suddenly felt heavier.
"We're fri-….allies." one of the strangers said. Despite the creaking voice, it sounded female.
"If you're allies, why the hell is he in this state?!" Macao exclaimed pointing toward Natsu.
"We saved and healed him. He is the only one that survived the attack that destroyed Tenrou Island." The woman continued.
"What!? D-Destroyed?! Survived? What bullshit are you saying?!" Wakaba said his eyes wide. Their interaction having attracted attention, a few other members from the Guild were approaching them with curious eyes.
"Like I said, your guild-mates are dead. The Dragon of the Apocalypse Achnologia attacked the island and after fighting him, Natsu Dragneel was the only one to survive the confrontation." The woman replied. "You should treat him rapidly. We did all we could, but a few…complications arose and now he is in a coma like state."
"I…I don't believe you! You're lying!" Macao was panicking. Now their absence made sense. If they were-….NO! All this was a lie!
Feeling the now dangerous atmosphere, the two strangers slowly stepped back, getting ready in case of attack. "We're allies! There is no need to fight!"
Suddenly, the doors were opened for the second time and a battalion of Rune Knights lead by two men entered the guild hall.
"Greetings, Fairy Tail mages. I'm Lahar and this Doranbolt, and we're Rune Knights. This is our contingent."
"Hey! I know you!" Macao exclaimed pointing his finger toward Doranbolt. "You're supposed to be a member of this guild! What the hell does that mean?!"
"You're right. I'm sorry for deceiving you but it was my mission from the Magic Council, to infiltrate Fairy Tail and participate in the S-Class Mage Promotion Trial." The man said with a sad smile. A smile that left a sour taste in the Purple Flame Mage's heart.
"The matter at hand is that during that Trial, Tenrou Island as well as all the Fairy Tail members present at the time were attacked by the Dragon of the Apocalypse, Achnologia. Sadly, none of them sur-…"
"Dragneel?!" Doranbolt exclaimed pointing toward the pink haired man, floating behind the two cloaked strangers. "How is this possible!? He survived the last attack?!" he couldn't believe his eyes. Achnologia had annihilated everything and everyone; then how was he alive, and most of all, here, back in the guild?
"So…you were telling the truth…" Macao whispered, tears forming in his eyes. "I, thank you." He finished, bowing toward the woman.
"What is going on?" Lahar asked completely at a loss of words.
"They came just before you and informed us of the same. They said that they saved and healed Natsu before bringing him back." Wakaba replied.
"Who are you?" Doranbolt asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Allies." Was the stranger's simple answer. "We've done what we could, and now we will leave you." She continued with her raspy voice; a voice that Lahar recognized easily despite everything.
"You!" he exclaimed, a magic circle appearing before him. The two strangers jumped back and the taller of them pointed her hand toward the Rune Knight and the magic circle crumbled before everyone's eyes. As the attack failed everybody got into fighting stances and the tension escaladed at an alarming rate.
"You should be in prison with your little friend, Ultear Milkovich!" Lahar continued with a furious face. "Coming here in the open was a grave mistake!"
"I'm not here to fight, but neither will I let you capture me." The said woman replied, taking her hood off and revealing her battered state. Bandages covered her neck and bruises marred her normally unscathed beautiful face. Her state momentary surprised the assembly but they quickly readied themselves. After all, the woman before them was a once respected member of the Council, and her legendary prowess was a known fact.
"Enough…" a voice suddenly interjected. Slowly, Natsu stood up from his now lying position on the ground between the two parties.
"Natsu!" Macao exclaimed his eyes widening. But without listening to his friend, the pink haired young man turned toward the Rune Knights.
"You can leave now. You've done your job." He said in an uncharacteristically emotionless voice.
"But…! We have to stop-…"
"I said leave! You're on Fairy Tail soil, and what happens here is none of your business.
"That may be true, but she…"
"Don't make me repeat myself." Natsu whispered and the deathly aura he exuded was enough to make everyone cower in fear.
"Dragneel…"
"That's enough, Lahar. We'll leave her to them. And if something happens, it will be on their heads." Doranbolt said, putting a hand on his friends shoulder.
"Alright. We're leaving." The Rune Knight said and turning around left the building, closely followed by his contingent.
"Natsu…I…everyone…" Macao was openly crying, finally completely breaking down.
Ultear met the Dragon Slayer's cold eyes without flinching. She could feel his gaze penetrating her being, as if searching her soul for something. After a while, he sighed and his cold eyes were replaced by exhausted pain filled ones. He turned around and started to walk away, stumbling on the way.
"You'll stay in the guild, for now." He said his back still turned to them. "And no one is to touch them."
She didn't miss the order in his words, but complied nonetheless; at least for now. After a nod from her mother figure, Meredy relaxed her stance and released the breath she was holding. All this was a real mess and she didn't know what to think, but at least it was a beginning, a new beginning.
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AN: I hope you liked this chapter! So please review and say what you thought about it.
In the next one you'll see the rest of things that happened in those seven years.
Until next time,
Zegeth