A/N: Hey everyone! I know I have been lacking in my updates but I hope you can forgive me and continue to support my story. Anyways before I go enjoy my weekends, here's the next chapter. The battle you all have been waiting for.^^

The Princess and The Dragon Slayer

Chapter 20

The day finally arrived for the battle between Mystogan and myself. I was currently in a waiting room as I wait for them to announce my name. Capricorn informed me how such battles goes so at least I wouldn't feel lost at all. I was supposed to wait in a room and let everyone get settled in before the announcer kick the thing off. Mystogan is also doing the same but at the other side of the room instead.

I sat nervously on one of the benches as I kept shaking my legs as I placed my elbows on my thighs and held my face with my hands for support. I decided to take a glance at myself in the mirror that happened to be in front of me and I still couldn't believe that I would picture this day to come true.

Wearing the knight's uniform and working for the castle, this will never happened if I wasn't running away from the castle guards in the forest that day. That was the day I bumped into Lucy and she took me in when I got injured after pulling her together with me to jump into the river. That was also the day that I got to find out that she was the princess but that didn't stop me from starting to fall in love with the her bit by bit.

I couldn't help but to smile to myself when I thought about all this as I waited patiently but my thoughts got disturbed when I heard someone rattling the door. I looked up and saw it was Loki and Capricorn.

"Hey guys, where's Aquarius and Scorpio?"

"They're already out there. They'll be the ones to commence the fight." Capricorn answered me.

"But don't worry, they'll be cheering you on discreetly." Loki added in as he leaned against the door frame. "But that's not the issue now." I didn't quite understand what Loki was trying saying but as he pushed the door slightly open, some hooded person came strolling in followed by Virgo.

I stood up as I recognized this scent all too familiar. She removed her hood when she stood in front of me.

"Lucy?" I was confused because I was aware she couldn't see me before the fight. She was supposed to be out there together with her father as they await for the battle to start. Actually to be frank, I haven't got the chance to meet her the whole week. Capricorn and Loki told me it was best not to since the king will be on high alert regarding my presence in this castle now.

"Hey Natsu, I just wanted to see you before the battle." Lucy paused before continuing. "I heard you're going to use your powers but you're going to make it seem that you're a fire mage instead?" I just nodded in reply which in return, I earned a slight chuckled from her.

"Well then, good luck Natsu." Lucy ended it with that gorgeous smile of hers but I know that behind that smile, she was sad.

"I missed you." I couldn't help but to bring her in for a hug. She immediately hugged me back and we stayed in that position in silence for a while until we know it's time to part.

"I got to go now Natsu, I'll be routing for you." With that, she put her hood back on and left the room, Virgo following her in pursuit.

Three of us stood in silence after both of them left but then the sudden roaring from outside brought our attention as we knew it was almost time.

"You ready Natsu?" Capricorn asked as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I nodded in response before I walked to the bench to grab my sword. We left the room, Capricorn and Loki walked by my side as we proceeded to the battle arena.

I could see Mystogan was already out on the ring so my name was called next. I inhaled before I walked out with dignity. I heard claps and shouting all around. There was a crowd. The king invited people all over to watch the battle for his daughter and soon to be his son-in-law.

Mystogan still had his face covered up by a mask and bandanna. I decided to take out my sword as I positioned myself at a safe distance in front of him.

"You ready kid?" I could still hear him though his voice was muffled through his mask. He grabbed one of his staff that hung behind his back before charging towards me.

"You'll regret ever calling me one!" I shouted back in reply and charged towards him as well.

We were physically attacking each other on full force. No magic has been involved yet because I remembered Capricorn said to only start using magic when the opponent start first or there's a signal so basically I was using all the sword skills I learned from Scorpio and Aquarius to hit Mystogan.

Mystogan was using his staff like a sword and I got to admit, he was good but that wasn't enough to bring down my determination. He used his staff to aim my right shoulder but I managed to dodge that move and gave him an uppercut in the stomach but before I could give him a kick, he quickly backed away.

After backing away, he bent slightly as he held his stomach. I decided sword wasn't going to be cut out in this battle because just by using my physical strength, I managed to hit him at least. I put my sword back to my side and I think that got him questioning.

"Well, well it seems you finally realized that the sword is useless. That was a nice move that I wasn't able to dodge in time." Mystogan paused before standing up straight again. "But show's time over, I'm going to give my actual full force now." Mystogan pointed his staff at me where a bright light started to surround.

"Bring it on!" I shouted before punching both of my knuckles together because I was super fired up that finally we are bringing magic into the game.

A bright light came out of the staff and made its way towards me but I didn't dodge it.

"NATSU!" I heard Lucy screamed my name and I think that got everyone attention. The light that crashed onto me created a large thick smoke that I could hear the crowd coughed against it. After the while, the smoke disappeared and I could have laughed upon seeing Mystogan's shocked expression. I just smirked as I stood there, fire engulfed my hands instead.

"You think you're the only one with magic?" I said before lunging at him giving him a fire punch in his face, sending him flying backwards.

I heard the crowd and especially Lucy cheered for me after I made my comeback blow to him. I couldn't help but to look at her and she immediately waved and smiled at me. In reply, I just rubbed my nose to tell her that didn't even break a sweat.

I heard Mystogan chuckled as he stood up, dusting himself before looking at me.

"Well, well. I didn't expect to see a fire mage living in this castle." He said before he tore the mask and bandanna that has been obviously been burnt up by my flames.

Due to my sensitive hearing, I could hear the gasps and comments that were coming from the crowd upon finally seeing the true face of the prince of Edolas kingdom. Comments like is that really the prince of Edolas, why does he have a tattoo on his face and no wondered he always never showed his face.

"It looks like you got the attention of the crowd Mystogan." I said as I ball my hands into fists with my flames engulfing them. Mystogan just smirked before he grabbed another staff from his back to switch from the previous one.

He jumped into the air before creating some sort of magic circle. I was actually a bit stunned because I never thought I would see such insane magic before my eyes. The magic circle was directed at me and bam! I was hit but it wasn't enough to bring me down.

"Natsu!" I heard Lucy shouted my name again. I was kneeling on one leg as I held my gut to catch my breath. I was covered in smoke so I had to use this chance to turn the tables around. I ignited flames on my feet so that I can lunge in the air like a rocket roaring loudly as I soar straight up before giving him a kick to send him back to the ground.

We were attacking each other continuously with our magic powers but I was trying my best to control and sustain it because I could feel my flames were trying to emerge out from my body. We soon came to a point where both of us were holding each other hands as we tried to push each other back.

"I won't give up Lucy to you that easily." I said through my teeth as I gave him the deadly look.

"I don't think so that's quite possible." Mystogan paused before he leaned closer to my ear. "Afterall if the king found out you're a dragon slayer, am I right Natsu?"

A/N: OMG. What's going on? Did Mystogan knew that Natsu was a dragon slayer from the start? Or was Natsu been discovered during the fight? Make your guesses and comments on this chapter people by leaving me a review. Will really appreciate it thanks!(: