Natsu vs Smaug: Part I

Laxus set Lucy down beside Natsu, after which the Celestial Spirit mage scurried back over to Natsu to check on him. Laxus then looked towards Hades.

"I never thought I'd be so happy to see Laxus," Gray said, as he pulled himself up, holding his side.

"Isn't he the Master's grandson?" Wendy asked. Erza just smiled slightly in relief at the sight of Laxus.

"So what the hell's up with Natsu?" Laxus asked, glancing back, "He looks like crap."

"Its.. a long story," Lucy said, as she held Natsu close. Laxus snorted, before turning back towards Hades.

"The old man never liked talking about the time before him," he said, cracking his neck, "If a bastard like you was in Fairy Tail back then, I can't blame him."

"So you're Makarov's grandson?" Hades said, narrowing his eye, "I've heard of you." The resemblance to Yuri is downright uncanny he thought to himself. Thinking about that brought back memories, good memories, which he certainly didn't want at this point.

"If that's the case," Laxus said, "Then you should know just who's buried on this island."

"More than you would."

"So you're twisted enough to desecrate this land?" Laxus demanded, as he removed his cloak, and electricity started crackling around him, "You deserve a serious thrashing for this." Lightning Magic Hades thought As if there weren't already enough similarities.

"Very well then, boy," Hades said, "Then let's see what you can do." Laxus, as it turned out, didn't need the invitation. In a literal flash, he was upon Hades, bring his fist up, which Hades managed to parry. He then held up his hand, creating a chain out of it, though Laxus also managed to parry it as well. The two combatants then both fell back.

"Lightning Dragon's Roar!" The Dragon's Roar was deflected by Hades.

"Artificial Dragon Slayer Magic," the dark mage noted, "Not a common ability in this day."

"So what?" Laxus said, "It gets the job done!" With that, he held up his arm.

"Raging Bolt!" A massive bolt of lighting crashed down from the sky, through the ceiling, and struck Hades.

(with the Exceed squad)

The Exceed squad wasn't making much progress. The hope had been to find some kind of power source so they could disable the ship. That was then the lightning struck the ship, causing Pantherlily to flinch rather visibly.

"You sure you okay, Lily?" Happy said.

"Completely!" Lily snapped, "Why would you even ask?!"

"We're still not making any progress," Carla said, "Perhaps we should split up."

"We do that," Lily all but stuttered, "We would be vulnerable. Especially considering all the…"

"Get those cats!"

"…enemies." The Exceeds saw several Grimoire Heart mages charging at them.

"How'd they find us?" Happy asked.

"It doesn't matter," Lily said as he assumed his battle form, "All of you stay behind me!"

"No way!" Happy said, as he held up Mr. Cursey, which he had kept with him, "I'm not hiding anymore!"

"Happy!" Lily shouted, as he booted an enemy away, "Get out of there!" However, Happy just flew by Lily, and one of the dark mages. At first it didn't seem like anything happened. However, suddenly, the thug literally lifted up, and was slammed into another person.

"What the hell are you doing?" one of the thug's asked, before he was knocked away by the same guy.

"My body's moving on its own!" Both Lily and Carla were quite surprised, until they noticed that Happy was manipulating the doll, and the guy was following his movements.

"What's that doll?" Carla asked.

"I got it from one of those Seven Kin guys," Happy answered, "His name's Mr. Cursey!" He then held it up proudly, as the punk followed him.

"Now that I've go this," Happy declared, "I can actually fight!" He then slammed the guy into the ground.

"Such actions seriously straddle the line between 'fighting' and 'playing'," Carla said with a sweat drop.

(with Team Natsu)

Laxus continued to duel Hades, as his guild mates tried to stay in the fight. Erza and Gray would occasionally leap at Hades with the Ten Commandments and ice respectively, but got deflected, while Wendy tried to boost Lauds, but her magic wasn't strong enough to make a real difference. However, despite the battle that waged outside, even it was dwarfed by the battle that raged within Natsu as Lucy continued to hold him.

(within Natsu's mind)

With a cry, Natsu sprung at Smaug, who launched himself at Natsu. Managing to avoid the dragon's jaws, Natsu held back his fist, and slammed it into the side of Smaug's head. However, the serpent pushed back, pushing Natsu away. He then held up his claws, and slashed at Natsu, who managed to avoid it. As he fell back, Smaug roared, as he advanced over the burning rocks.

"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!" He launched himself at Smaug, only for the dragon to knock him away with his tail.

"Is that really all you have, little one?" Smaug sneered, as he loomed over Natsu.

"Far from it, you overgrown earthworm!" Natsu said. He then inhaled as his chest lit up..

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Smaug held up his wing, as he blocked the worst of the fire, and with a wave, sent the fire back at Natsu. The force sent Natsu careening back, and he only had just enough time to avoid Smaug's talons reaping across the stone. As he fell back, Natsu looked at the fire near him, and promptly started grabbing at him. However, when he tried to swallow, nothing happened.

"What? Why can't I eat this fire?" Natsu demanded out loud.

"You should know the reason why," Igneel said. Natsu paused to think.

"Wait!" he said, "You mean this all counts as my fire?"

"This is within you," Smaug said as he slithered down, "Why is that a surprise?" As he was talking, Natsu sprung at him again, his fist ignited again. Smaug was off guard just enough for him to be nailed in the snout. This through him off balance enough that Natsu grabbed one of the dragon's horns, and yanked him down. The force send the serpent down, and he was slammed head first into the ground.

"How about that?" Natsu said with a grin.

"Not bad little hatchling," Smaug growled as he pulled his head out of the rubble, shaking it slightly. Steam leaked out of his mouth, as his chest ignited.

"But you are not nearly ready to face something like me." With that, he breathed a curtain of fire at Natsu, who leapt out of the way just in time.

"You call that fire?" he said, "I'll show you really fire!" He then ignited both fists, and as he dove towards Smaug.

"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" The burst of fire briefly hid Smaug from Natsu's glance, but a three clawed hand reached up, and grabbed him. Natsu barely even had time to react before he was thrown. He slammed through several rocks, and when he emerged, he saw Smaug soaring towards him.

"Fire Dragon's Sniper!" Natsu said, firing a blast of fire from his finger tip, aiming for Smaug's eye. While it missed the eye, it struck Smaug on the brow, causing him to briefly lose his focus, and send him soaring down into the rocks. This gave Natsu a moment to catch his breath, and as he did, Igneel landed on a nearby rock.

"You are doing well, Natsu," he said, "But well won't be enough as it is. You need to pour ever last aspect of your being into this fight if you wish to triumph."

"C'mon," Natsu said, as he wiped the side of his mouth, "Don't I always?" Igneel would've laughed, if not for the fact that Natsu was't winning the battle yet.

"Be careful Natsu," Igneel said, narrowing his eyes, "Stronger men then you have tried, and failed." Natsu looked at his father, before looking as Smaug pulled himself out of the dust.

"Well I ain't them," Natsu said, cracking his neck, "I'm going to win this fight!" With that, he leapt back into battle.

(in the real world)

Lucy wasn't sure where to look at this point. While she wanted to watch what was happening with Laxus and Hades, she also had to keep an eye on Natsu. His scales continued to advance over his face, as Lucy noticed what looked like the makings of a tail at the base of his spine.

"Whatever's happening in there," she whispered, "You sure as hell better not lose!"

Note: I wasn't going to show the whole fight between Natsu and Smaug in one chapter. There is a lot to cover.

Sorry for the wait, but a combination of real life factors that I don't feel like sharing kept me up. We're getting closer and closer to Fairy Tail's conclusion. Its a shame, because its one of the few manga I seriously follow. I guess I'll just do what I do whenever I finish reading Rave Master: start from the beginning. Besides, its not like the conclusion of a series has stopped people from writing fan fiction.

Now I think is an appropriate point to describe just what exactly Smaug is in relation to Natsu. Simply put, Smaug is a manifestation of Natsu's Dragon Slayer Magic; he's not necessarily a separate being that exists within him like Igneel, so much as he's a piece of Natsu's being. In some respects, he represents the uncontrolled, more monstrous aspect of Natsu and his magic. By fighting him, Natsu was symbolically defeating that aspect of himself, and gaining control over its power.

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