A/N: Had to go into a three day battle with my internet company because "I didn't pay them at all for three months" when I have been paying the whole fucking time, so they turned off the connection on me and I got lazy and didn't write when I couldn't upload, which is bad but I got the bills and proved that I am in fact a man of my word (In some aspects) So sorry for the lack of chapters this past week, I put the three chapters I missed in a hat and drew one, this is the story that gets a late update, sorry for missing a few days but there isn't much I can do about it! So without further delay here is the next chapter of this fiction!
Natsu stumbled slightly as he rounded the corner 'I wish Theta were here.' He mentally complained an accelerated healing factor would be great, he had almost no visibility out of the left eye and his face burned from the numerous splits from being pummeled in that room.
"Where do you think that Scar-faced bastard went?" Natsu asked
"He usually spends all his time in the Dojo, overseeing the new recruits training," Erza answered with a frown "Why?"
"This ends today," Natsu responded flatly "You are welcome to try and get out of here."
"Psh, without me holding your hand you would have died 5 times already," Erza taunted "Besides, you have no idea where you are going."
A steadily increasing thud was heard and Natsu crouched beside the corner and waited, a man rounded the corner and Natsu shot up, grabbing his arm and flipping him over, sending a hard roundhouse into his companion and giving him more room as the first target hit the ground Natsu stomped down on his head, knocking him out quickly before slamming into the one he had kicked with his left shoulder, the sword the second held clattered to the ground and Natsu stepped back and delivered two quick kicks to his chest and a third to the face.
"Follow me," Erza beckoned as she moved down the corridor, Natsu fell in behind her "We aren't that far away now, do you even have a plan?"
"Thought I'd improvise, it worked so well for you and all." Natsu retorted with a smirk
"Your hilarious," Erza rolled his eyes as she peered around the corner "Stay here a moment."
Erza straightened and rolled his shoulders and walked around the corner as if on patrol, she pretended to notice the three men in front of her for the first time and jogged up to them with a wave "You three seen anything?"
They shook their heads "No ma'am, nothing out of the ordinary this side of the base."
The PA system in the base crackled to life "Attention Noble soldiers of the Shinobi order, it seems your second in command miss Erza Scarlet has betrayed the order and is aiding the prisoner, eliminate her."
The three men placed their hands on their swords hilts, Erza rolled her eyes, with a flick the sword left her sheath and flew forward the hilt bounced of the quickest of the three and the impact slid his blade back into its sheath, Erza spun and went low as a blade flew over her head catching the sword as she brought it around her body with a spin, the three men stood stunned for a moment before their heads rolled of their shoulders, Erza flicked the blade free of blood and slid it back into the sheath. Turning around she noticed and equally stunned look on Natsu's face, she chuckled before gesturing for him to follow her again.
Natsu fell in behind her 'Probably better to not piss her off.' He mentally noted as he followed her, they emerged into an open room, the stood on a steel balcony overlooking a large square matted room, the Scar faced man leaned against the wall to the side of the room watching a set of around thirty go through simple sword forms and sparring, His eyes flittered over Natsu and you could see the smile in his eyes, he pushed of the wall and moved to the centre of the room, holding his arms out to the side drawing the attention of the trainee's, he pointed towards Natsu and Erza before speaking "The one who ends their miserably lives will be my new second in command." He announced loudly.
"Erza deal with the newbie's, I going to rip the other half of that Scar faced bastards face off." Natsu growled threateningly as he vaulted the balcony, landing on the matted floor with a soft thud another thud resounded around the room as Erza landed beside him, she drew her sword and darted forward effectively drawing the attention of most of the trainee's in the room, Natsu closed his fist tightly and the knuckle cracked as he moved towards the centre of the room, the few trainee's that didn't go after Erza darted towards him, a swords flew over his head as he ducked and slammed his fist into the boys chest, the kid flee backwards and slid along the floor, he did not attempt to get back to his feet, Natsu caught the wrist of the second and slammed an elbow into the boys chin as he stumbled Natsu pulled the sword from his stunned grasp and put the flat of the blade against his ankle before using it to flip the boy over, the last one stared at him for a moment before moving to attack him, Natsu blocked the three consecutive slashes without slowing his step before kicked the boy in the stomach, as the lurched forward Natsu delivered a straight kick to the side of his head, he rolled along the floor and stayed where he stopped.
"It seems your skills have not dulled," The scarred man announced flatly "But I have been training for this day for years!"
The scarred man charged forward, Natsu paused and lifted the sword slightly as the man neared him, Natsu blocked the first attack but did not expect the power behind it and his guard broke and he stumbled back, he gritted his teeth as he felt a burning in the top of his left arm, he fell to his knee and placed a hand over the bleeding wound before standing up again, his opponent stared at him with what seemed like a twinkle in his eye. Natsu spat and wiped his mouth as he focused on the white haired man in front of him, the man raised his weapon and charged Natsu again, Natsu dodged the first attack, locking his guard against the second the man was surprised Natsu didn't flinch from the force of the blow, Natsu delivered a quick kick to the inside of the scared mans knee and brought his sword straight along his body towards his face, the scarred man jerked his head back and a small cut opened on his cheek as he stumbled back away from Natsu, he brushed the wound with his thumb "Yes, your skills certainly have not dulled!" He announced excitedly.
Natsu let out a disapproving "Ch" and charged him, the white haired man kept on par with Natsu but seemed to be cockier than before, Natsu halted his movement and jumped back, glaring at the man in question, he tried to analyze the situation, then it hit him like a wave, his head san and he fell onto his knee, his eyes widened as he looked at the back of his hand and the edges blurred into three before fading in and out of the original.
"Looks like the poison has finally taken effect," The white haired man announced cockily "Don't worry, it isn't lethal that would take away all the fun, but it will incapacitate you for a while, long enough for me to kill that troublesome girl and come back for you."
Natsu gritted his teeth and got shakily to his feet, pulling the blade straight against his nose as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath "Your opponent is me!" He growled as his eyes opened and he growled at the man in front of him, in truth he was putting on a front there were 5 men in front of him and his head swam and his arms felt heavier than they should.
The white haired man sighed before charging, Natsu could only raise his weapon defensively and rather uselessly considering his condition, another burning sensation lit from his upper right arm and he stumbled and kept himself upright with his hand as he fell to his knee again.
"Why not just give up? It would be so much easier, I won't kill her if you join us." The white haired man offered.
Natsu gritted his teeth, if he could use his fire he could boil the poison out of his bloodstream, but at the moment all he could manage was a spark, he stared at the ground and then looked towards where Erza was fighting off the large group of trainee's, he pursed his lips together and took a deep breath, focusing his mind again he tried to heat the air around him, a few meager embers appeared before flittering out of existence.
"You burned yourself out on that refinery, just give up, there is no reason to die here." The white haired man offered again.
"No." Natsu growled drawing the attention of the scared man, who scowled as he walked towards Natsu, pulling his blade up as he walked.
"I tire of this, last chance, give up and join our order, and live!" The man growled as he approached Natsu.
"I won't give up! I REFUSE!" Natsu roared as he threw the sword away from him and focused again, the sparks appeared around him and Natsu let out a loud roar as he lowered his weight and clenched his fists, the air grew hotter before an explosion rocked the ground, flame whipped around Natsu pulling his hair in every direction, it turned the ground black and the steel walls melted slightly as he glared at the white haired man in front of him, the scarred man held Natsu stare flatly, Natsu took a deep breath and closed his eyes, he felt the dizziness leave and his arms no longer felt heavy, he opened them again and glared at the now lone opponent, Natsu rolled his neck as he walked forward, the white haired man paused and his eyes darted around.
"You have nowhere to run," Natsu growled darkly "It's over, your finished!"
The man staggered back as Natsu eyes changed, the pupils turning to slits as he lowered himself and charged, the white haired man just froze in place as Natsu slammed a flaming fist into the man's chest with bone breaking force, the man coughed and blood spewed from his mouth before he went slack around Natsu's forearm. Natsu pulled his hand out of the man's chest and flicked his wrist as the fire died down around him, the blood splattered on the ground and Natsu sighed as he looked at his arm, it was still coated in blood.
"What took you so long, it was one guy," Erza taunted from the wall opposite him "Are you really some great soldier?"
Natsu chuckled "I'm not anymore, I am just a normal teenager and I am tired."
"Yeah, yeah, well let my take you home, wouldn't want to collapsing in the street would we." Erza replied as she stood up.
"What about the great Shinobi order?" Natsu asked as he limped towards her.
"Who cares, that explosion tore a big hole in the roof, I assume the police will arrest anyone else." Erza noted as they walked.
"Yeah, I guess." Natsu nodded.
"Could you walk a little faster? What are you an old man?" Erza taunted.
"This old man is giving you a room to stay in," Natsu retorted "Show a little gratitude."
"Whatever," Erza responded, she slowed down slightly and stood beside Natsu, before pulling his arm over her shoulder, he raised an eyebrow at her as she took some of his weight "Not a word." She warned with a glare.
Natsu just smiled innocently and nodded.
A/N: Love it? Hate it? Tell me your thoughts, I hope you all enjoyed the read and I will see you all tommorow!