Hi guys! Sry for the late chapter, it took me a long time to write this one cause I've been busy lately(again) and my personal life has been... Disastrous so I won't go into it too much, let's just say I've recently lost a friend and I'm having a hard time dealing with it. So chapters will be a little later than usual, I'll try to update as much as I can but I just need time to go over it a bit. No use writing when your upset anyway.

On to brighter news, I'm already plotting out a one-shot, it should be out as soon as I finished this story(I don't like working on two stories at that same time) Anyways, thank you guys for the support and I hope you enjoy c:

Chapter 25 (Electric Fire, Holy Blaze: Part 1)

Previously

Natsu got up from his stance on the platform, his body suddenly forgetting his motion sickness completely. His mind moved full time, refusing to stop until he could see Sting trembling beneath his gaze.

Natsu was convinced this would save everything, everything that had gone wrong that day, that week, that month, that year.

Without a second thought, he raised his right fist that was already alight with bright red flames and rushed towards Sting.

"FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!"

Normal POV

Sting knew he was coming, knew he was close behind him, fist ablaze, knew he could have dodged it, maybe even fire a counterattack.

But he didn't. He didn't even flinch.

Blood was pumping in Natsu's ears, his heart beating faster than ever and his vision spotted with blots of bright red. He wanted blood and he wanted it now.

There was nothing that was going to stop him.

Natsu's fist connected straight into Sting's jaw with an ugly cracking noise. Sting staggered at the impact but didn't fall, his hand shooting up to protect himself last minute, but it was too late.

The hit had connected.

At first, the pink-haired Dragon Slayer was shocked. His barely conscious mind knew full well that punch wasn't even aimed that well, he also knew that Sting could have dodged his fist as easily as he could if Sting was the one punching him.

But he didn't dodge it; instead he just stood there and took the hit.

He took the hit.

"Ouch." Sting whispered after a moment of dead silence between the two, his fingers gently caressed his bruised jaw. Suddenly, he turned around smiling slightly at Natsu. "That hurt, Natsu-san." Natsu scowled at Sting's apparent nickname for him. "Why didn't you stop me?" Natsu snapped.

Sting shrugged, his hand finally leaving his face only to reveal perfectly undamaged skin. Natsu's breath caught in his throat as his eyes scanned Sting's face.

He knew Dragon Slayers healed faster when it came to bruises and cuts, hell everyone knew that, he did it himself. But there wasn't even a mark there to prove his punch had even connected.

Absolutely nothing.

Something was telling Natsu that Sting wasn't exactly stable at the moment either, something had broken through his quiet control and now...

Now he was dangerous.

"You know Natsu-san, I usually don't activate Dragon Force this early into the Grand Magic Games. But I guess I'll make an exception..."

Sting met Natsu's narrowed eyes. "After all, this is..." He licked his lips. "Personal."

Natsu forced a small grin onto his face. Over the years without Lucy around, he had found out that he couldn't win every battle, not even when he drove his heart and soul into it.

Not even when he had pulled out every move he knew. Not even when he didn't just want it, he needed it.

Because without anything to protect, he found that fighting was meaningless and there was no point in winning.

But he wanted to win this time - he had something to protect this time. Or rather something to win.

The question was whether that was enough.

"It was personal, the moment Lucy walked into the arena, Saber." Natsu whispered. "That confident you'll defeat me, Natsu-san?" Sting laughed. "We'll see about that." The blonde added menacingly.

Natsu ignored Sting's threat and glanced towards the snow white scales that had appeared on the White Dragon Slayer's face, neck and arms.

Sting followed Natsu's gaze and smirked. "What do you think? Impressive isn't it?" Natsu looked up to meet Sting's churning blue gaze and smirked. "I think that you're scared. Why else would you use your best moves on me when the fight hasn't even started yet?"

Shock flitted through Sting's eyes as he realised what the Fire Dragon Slayer was saying but it quickly faded, replaced with another one of his arrogant grin. "What can I say, I've been itching for this day to happen. Of course I'll fight with all I've got."

Natsu smirked knowingly and thumped his chest roughly with his fist, his eyes burning like coals. "It doesn't matter what you use against me Sting, I'll win this fight just as easy as I did the others. Because I am a Fairy Tail Mage." There was silence between the two before Sting answered.

"You mean it's not because of Lucy?" Sting whispered with a sly smile. Natsu's determined eyes fell blank, caught without an answer. Sting chuckled and faced Natsu completely.

"Fine, say whatever you want, Natsu-san. But we both know the real reason you're fighting. Don't worry - I'm fighting for her too, and to be honest, I've gotten tired of sharing."

Natsu looked at Sting confused. "Sharing...?" Sting's eyes widened as he laughed mockingly. At who, Natsu wasn't sure. "You don't even know, do you?" Natsu scowled at his laughing. "Know what?!" Sting shook his head as he smiled half-heartedly at Natsu.

"You don't even know... Damn. You." Sting whispered, sounding out the last two words separately, his smile turning into a scowl.

Natsu didn't even get enough time to ask what Sting was talking about again because Sting had already returned his earlier favour to him.

"White Dragon's Claw!" He yelled as a ball of light came hurtling towards Natsu's abdomen, hitting him so hard he fell onto his back.

The next thing Natsu knew was the racking pain that made him lay back down onto the rough wooden boards beneath him. Sting was above him, eyes narrowed, fist clenched, ready for another attack.

"Can't move now Natsu-san, that Stigma isn't going to let you." He smiled coldly and gestured gingerly towards the glowing white stamp on Natsu's chest. "Can you feel the pain?" He whispered, meeting Natsu's pained gaze directly.

"What... Did... You... Do?" Natsu muttered, trying desperately to sit up. "That 'attack' I just hit you with didn't just do damage; you see, that Stigma stops all movement the victim might make, which is... You. It makes defeating you just a little easier."

Natsu swore under his breath as he tried to sit up again, only to fall back onto the ground, crippled by the intense pain coursing through his chest. "Coward..." He muttered, panting harshly.

Sting crouched down next to Natsu's shaking body. "It's not too bad... You can always surrender. But that would take the fun away, don't you think Natsu-san?" Natsu scowled at Sting. "I'm not gonna let you win this easily. "

Sting rolled his eyes. "Prove it." He whispered. Natsu didn't answer him.

Suddenly, the smell of burning skin filled the air, making Sting look over to Natsu's chest only to find the Stigma being burnt away.

Sting didn't bother trying to hide his amazement this time as the Stigma he had printed on Natsu's body slowly began to fade away. "H-how are you doing that?" Natsu grinned slightly as he finally sat up, the pain still evident in his eyes.

Sting, realising that Natsu had somehow burnt away his Stigma-one of his stronger moves-began to back away from him. He couldn't believe he was seeing this. No one had been able to burn away his Stigma, not in the nineteen years he had been alive.

But then he hadn't fought any other First Generation Dragon Slayers either.

"I already told you, didn't I? I'm not gonna let you win this easily, not without a proper fight." Natsu chuckled, a single laugh that echoed in Sting's ears.

"So let's have some fun."

Before Sting could react Natsu was already rushing towards him, both hands making a cone shape in front of his face. "Fire Dragon Roar!"

A pillar of flames shot out from his hands and rushed straight at Sting, before exploding in front of the other Dragon Slayer, sending sparks of burning rubble into the sky. Smoke filled the air and for a long time Natsu couldn't even see his own handiwork.

He smiled to himself as he watched the left over flames waver and burn out beneath his feet. He didn't know why but he knew somehow that roar was more powerful than usual, a lot more powerful.

Maybe he finally gotten his old game back.

Suddenly, the sound of someone clapping wafted out behind the smoke and the ringing noise the explosion had made after making contact with its target.

"You can still put up a good fight, can't you Natsu-san? Colour me impressed."

Natsu's eyes widened as his brain registered that familiar voice.

Sting appeared not long after he spoke, a sinister smile gracing his features. Natsu took a shaking step back, this was getting stupid. Why didn't any of his attacks hit Sting or even affect him at all?

Come on?! It felt like fighting Midnight all over again.

"I was actually nervous a minute ago, but if that's really your best... Then I'm sorry, Natsu-san."

Natsu clenched his teeth as he glanced at Sting's smug grin. "How long ago was your last serious fight? Huh, Natsu-san?" Natsu's clenched fists tightened, it wasn't a bad question though.

How long ago was his last serious fight?

It doesn't matter how long ago it was. It doesn't fucking matter.

Sick of Sting's bullshit, Natsu ran at Sting mindlessly, his fist raised yet again high above his head. "I'm going to kill you, y-you bastard!"

Sting couldn't help but smile at Natsu's fury.

"DRAGON SLAYER SECRET ART, CRIMSON LOTUS: FIRE DRAGON'S FIST!"

Lucy's POV

I couldn't help but look away from the screen as Natsu rushed at Sting, fist raised high above his head, knowing damn well how strong that attack was.

What do you think you're doing, Natsu?!

"Who are you worried about, Sting or that Fairy?" A voice whispered breaking me out of my thoughts, as a rough hand placed itself on my shoulder. "You know I can't answer that, Rogue." I answered without even turning around, as I glanced quickly at the other Dragon Slayer's hand.

He crossed his arms across his chest as he snuck a glance towards the Lacrima Screen, Chapati's commentating getting louder and louder as the minutes ticked by.

Irritated with his silence, I looked back to him again, trying my best to avoid looking at the screen at all, even though the sound of the fight was practically the only thing we could hear right now next to Chapati's yelling.

"Why isn't anyone stopping them?! They might kill each other." I snapped worriedly, rapidly clenching and unclenching my fist. Rogue chuckled bitterly. "It's entertaining, they'll let anything happen if enough people want to see it."

I scowled. "That's..." "Unreasonable? Unfair? We know, but we can't do anything about it." I sighed. "That's not helping me." He shrugged. "I'm not good at making people feel better."

I nodded. "Well, thanks for trying." He sighed and sat down next to me. "Stop looking away, it's not doing anything to help, anyway." He muttered before grabbing me by the shoulders and made me face the Lacrima Screen.

I didn't even get enough time to struggle before I was facing the giant TV screen again.

My heart was beating harshly against my chest, my uneven breathing quickened as I realised what was happening on the screen.

Natsu was still running, only the camera was closer this time, displaying only half of his body. His skin was already purple with bruises and cuts from Sting's previous attack. His usually bright pink hair was blackened with dust and rubble from his own attack but it was still him, he was still Natsu Dragneel.

My heart skipped a beat as my mind realised with another jolt how handsome Natsu really was. It always felt like this. Every time I see him, it feels like the first time. It didn't matter how many times I've seen him.

It always comes back, like a slap in the face.

The camera panned out again, revealing Sting who was standing a little way away from Natsu, his face twisted in a cold smile. I felt Rogue stiffen next to me as his eyes landed on Sting's face.

He feels it too, doesn't he?

I shivered as I glanced at his smile again; it looked so alien on Sting's face. He was usually so warm, so full of life. It was one of the reasons he reminded me so much of Natsu. Yet his blue eyes looked icy now, filled with something that reminded me of cold revenge.

I hated it.

It was true I didn't feel the same way about him like I felt about Natsu but he was still my friend, one of my closer friends too. Seeing him look so menacing made me want to run out there and slap some sense into him.

I wanted my friend back.

I looked over at Rogue who was sitting tensely next to me, his mouth muttering something I could barely make out.

"Sting, stop it."

Just when I was about to comfort him though the crowds went silent, making me look up at the screen again.

Only this time, things had gotten worse.

Natsu was closer to Sting now, his arm still raised, ready to lash out at anyone that got in his way. But I recognised the way Sting was standing as well, the way his arm was twitching ever so slightly.

He was going to try and block Natsu.

And then use Holy Ray for a counterattack.

My breath caught in my throat as I thought about what that would mean.

They could both die.

But it was too late. I closed my eye, looked away and waited for the explosion that was soon to follow.

Cliffhanger, I know XD Don't kill me please. I hope you guys liked it, like I said I'll try to get the new chapter out as soon as possible I can't guarantee it though. Read and review!