Hey it's Natsu here.
I feel a streak of chapters coming on. So many ideas flowing. Most of the time I kinda just make this shit up as I go along. Well anyway enjoy your chapter cookie.
P.S. I don't own FT
Ch 18: Missing dragon.
The day after team Natsu had informed master Makarov of the situation of Connor's recently discovered abilities and their idea of The Dragon Tournament Makarov in turn had told the rest of the guild what had happened. He skipped Connor's situation and went onto the tournament instead.
"The tournament will take place in the next five days. So Fairy Tail dragon slayers fight with your all!" He shouted and the guild members cheered for their dragon slayers.
"Now for the rules" Erza said standing beside the master. "Each fight will be a one on one battle. If the dragon slayer possesses an exceed or some other form of animal such as Connor and Cerberus or Natsu and Happy, they may use them in the preliminaries but not in the semi-finals or the final match. If you lose you are out! If you do not arrive the day of the tournament you are disqualified! No exceptions!" She explained "and finally this rule applies to Fairy Tail wizards only. Put everything you have into this!"The crowd cheered once again "that is all. Dragon slayers begin training and everyone else support them anyway you can"
The crowd dispersed and resumed their usual routine. Team Natsu took their usual table.
Natsu was jumping in his seat anxious for the event "man I'm so fired up for this" He shouted slamming his fist on the table causing Gray 's drink to spill on his lap.
"Calm down flame brain! Don't you have training to do or something!" The ice wizard shouted.
"Shut up ice princess! Wendy and I worked our butts off yesterday!"
"Its true. My muscles are still sore..." Wendy said.
"Did Connor train with you guys yesterday?" Lucy asked.
"No. I think he went on his own." Wendy replied.
"He hasn't shown up today do you think he's alright?"
"I'll go see him. Come on happy" Natsu said rising from his seat and heading for the door.
"Aye sir!" Happy shouted.
Happy picked Natsu up into the air and they flew off toward Connor's house. When they landed they could see the door was left wide open and they walked right in."Connor! Ya in here Cus!?" Natsu shouted. He looked all around the cabin and Natsu could see no sign nor pick up any recent scent of the crimson dragon slayer. He went outside and walked over to the lake and there was no one there either. "This is weird where is he?"
"Maybe he went to that spot you two trained together" Happy suggested.
"Maybe"
They walked deep into the forest. Connor and Natsu had found a large clearing deep in the forest one day and they decided to make it their training ground when Natsu stayed over. It was a good spot with plenty of space and good room to fight. Connor would generally get an advantage but Natsu would win quite a few times as well. They had never fought for real which was one of the reasons Natsu was excited for the tournament because it meant the two of them could really go all out.
When Natsu and Happy had arrived no one had been there. There was no sign of Connor anywhere. So they decided to head back to the cabin and try to wait for him. Natsu walked into Connor's living room and took a nice spot on the couch which sat next to his bedroom door and began to wait.
Natsu waited and waited and waited some more before getting frustrated and standing up to look around. He went into Connor's bedroom and looked around a bit. He'd never really been in the room and though he would look around. He looked at the picture sitting on Connor's night and noticed something strange about it. Sticking out of the corner of the frame was what looked like a folded up piece of paper. Natsu plucked it out and unfolded it his eyes widened at what he saw and he rushed out the door.
"Come on Happy we've gotta get back to Fairy Tail and quick!" He shouted.
"Aye sir!" Happy picked up Natsu and shot across the forest and onto the guildhall.
When they arrived Natsu ran through the door and to the rest of team Natsu "guys! You gotta see this!"
"See what Natsu?" Erza asked and Natsu handed her the piece of paper. She looked it over and her face was plastered with a look of shock.
"What is it Erza?" Lucy asked.
"It's a letter from Connor" she replied.
"What does it say?" Asked Gray.
"It says: dear everyone. I'm sorry but I'm leaving. It's my fault that these terrible beasts are arriving in Fiore and that Acnologia may be arriving soon too. But it may not be too late. If I leave Fiore the monsters, my brother, and possibly Acnologia will follow me. So I'm going to Hargeon port to catch the earliest ferry to anywhere really. Please don't come after me, this is my choice. I will miss you all very much the time I've spent in Fairy Tail have been some of the best moments of my life. Goodbye Fairy Tail I wish you all good fortune and happy lives. P.S. good luck to you Natsu and Lucy."
"There's nothing between me and Natsu!" Lucy shouted.
"Thats what she's focusing on" the rest of them thought in unison.
"Connor is leaving!" Natsu shouted "we gotta catch him before its too late!"
"Natsu is right" Erza said "we must get to Hargeon before it's too late"
"Then we'd better take the train" Wendy said "it'll be the quickest way to Hargeon"
"Train..." Natsu whined.
"Not the time to be complaining flame brain let's go!" Gray shouted dashing out the door out the guildhall and toward the train station with the rest of the team not far behind.
"Fine.." Natsu grumbled then followed.
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Connor woke up late in the day. The hotel he had stayed in had wonderful beds and he fell asleep nearly instantly. Unfortunately for him when he had arrived in Hargeon there was no ferry available. He had been told there would be one earlier in the morning but it was too late for that now. He sighed and got ready then headed for the docks to see if there were any others left.
"Sorry kid. There's not gonna be any ferries for the next couple of days" said one of the sailors Connor had asked.
"Why the hell not?!" He asked.
"Well all of the ship's have already headed out. They were all pretty recent too. It might be only about three days or maybe a week." The man replied.
Connor sighed "damnit. Thanks anyway" He walked away into the city with Cerberus beside him. "What are we gonna do Cerberus? Alistair is getting closer and closer to Fiore everyday. Who knows how long we have." Cerberus barked in reply."I guess we'll just have to wait there's nothing else we can do."
As Connor returned to the hotel the train from Magnolia had just arrived along with team Natsu.
"I'm gonna be sick..." Natsu whined struggling to leave his seat.
"Come on Natsu you can do it" Happy said.
"Yeah hurry it up ashface we gotta find Connor" Gray said.
Natsu simply groaned holding back all the vomit in his stomach. Happy and Lucy dragged him off the train before he ended up left on the train again.
"Okay we should separate and search for Connor. From what I've heard there are many people from different magic countries coming for the tournament. Most of the ships have left to those countries so Connor should probably still be here." Erza said "Gray and Wendy check the eastside. Natsu and Lucy you head south. Carla, Happy you have the west. And I'll head north on my own."
They nodded and headed off in pursuit of their friend.
"Achoo!" Connor sneezed "someone must be talking about me" He began to think of his friends back at Fairy Tail. Cerberus whined sadly, the poor pooch was homesick. "I'm sorry boy you shouldn't have to do this with me you can go if you want to buddy" He said patting the dog's head. Cerberus whined again and brushed his massive head against his master's thigh clearly saying he planned to stick around. "Loyal to the end. I appreciate that big guy."
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"Excuse me miss have you seen this man?" Erza asked a hotel clerk holding up a picture of Connor.
"Actually yes" the clerk responded.
"Where?!" She demanded.
"He's staying in this hotel actually"
"Can I have the room key?"
"No you cannot. That's against the rules."
"He's a very good friend of mine please I need to see him."
"Oh" the female clerk said blushing "I suppose in that case you may take the key to the room if you wish ma'am." She handed over the spare key to Erza clearly confused of the situation.
"Th-thank you" Erza stuttered and walked down the hall to Connor's room.
"And ma'am" the clerk called.
"Yes?" Erza asked.
"He's a very lucky man" she replied smiling.
"Thank you miss." Erza walked off her face a brighter red than her scarlet hair."Connor..." She muttered and made a mental note to beat the boy later.
Connor stopped a moment and began to shudder where he stood. Cerberus looked at his master giving him a look of concern."it's okay boy just a little shaken up I suppose." He told Cerberus "that was weird it felt a lot like Erza."
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Gray and Wendy had searched all of the east side of Hargeon with no success. They had asked the locals, checked every hotel, even checked the back alleys and still no sign of the crimson dragon slayer. They decided to sit a minute then continue a little later.
"I wonder where he went.." Wendy said sadly.
"I'm not sure Wendy." Gray said.
"Why would he do this.."
"He said he was trying to save us"
"But we're all a family we could've just helped him,he didn't have to run off. Fairy Tail sticks together."
"That's probably why he left Wendy."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"We're his family and his friends. When it comes to the people you love you'll do crazy things to protect them. No matter what the cost." He explained.
"I guess that makes sense. You need to be willing to do anything to protect those you live even if it means not being with them."
"You got it. We should keep looking or Erza will probably kill me."
"Yeah we need to find Connor and bring him home" Wendy said rising and dashing off to continue searching for her friend with Gray not too far behind.
Meanwhile Connor and Cerberus still wandered the city unsure where to go when suddenly Connor's stomach began to growl "well I know where we're heading now" He said. Cerberus barked as his stomach growled as well "let's get something to eat then boy." The two of them headed off to satisfy their hunger.
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"Connor! Where are ya Cus?!" Natsu shouted across the Hargeon docks.
"Connor!" Lucy shouted as well "we're just here to help!"
Natsu and Lucy had been searching the docks for quite a while. They had asked the sailor Connor had spoken to earlier and he had said that yes Connor had been there. And before he could tell them he was no longer there Natsu rushed off to search for him dragging Lucy with him. Natsu of course had the idea to shout across the docks in the hopes Connor would come to them.
"Well that didn't work" Natsu said.
"What made you think it would work in the first place?" Lucy sweatdropped.
"Hey you went along with it"
Lucy simply mumbled to herself and kept walking around in search of Connor and Natsu followed with a smirk on his face.
"Natsu?" Lucy asked.
"Yeah Luce?"
"What do you think Connor meant when he said good luck to us in his letter?"
Natsu stopped "what?"
"Nothing never mind" she replied starting to storm off before Natsu calmly grabbed her shoulder and she held her breath.
"Lucy... I.." Natsu began before his eyes widened and he shouted "Connor!" A little further ahead of them was Natsu's technical cousin and his hellhound dog. "Come on Luce let's get going!" He shouted again heading after Connor and Cerberus.
Lucy could breath again and she chased after Natsu.
"Well that was a pretty good meal." Connor said as he walked out of the seafood restaurant where he ate his dinner. "the service sucked though" Cerberus barked in agreement.
"Hey Cus!" Natsu shouted drawing Connor's attention.
"Natsu? Oh crap. Cerberus they can't find us or else the plan is out the window" Connor said in a panic hopping on Cerberus' back "I know where to go. Let's move boy!" Cerberus bounded off past Natsu and Lucy then ran through the docks under his master's command.
"What the hell? Why doesn't he want to see us?" Natsu asked in confusion.
"He doesn't want us to take him back" Lucy replied.
"He ain't got a choice. Let's go after him Lucy."
"Right let's get going."
Connor patted Cerberus' side "good job boy. Think you can reach the lighthouse out there?" he said pointing at the large lighthouse in the bay. Cerberus barked and jumped out into the bay and swam toward the lighthouse.
Natsu and Lucy stopped and watched the hellhound swim through the bay.
"That's a pretty good doggy paddle" Natsu said.
"We have to get over there Natsu" Lucy said urgently.
"Then let's get swimming!" Natsu shouted diving into the water.
"Natsu!" Lucy shouted, then sighed "you left me behind."
Soon enough Connor and Cerberus had arrived at the lighthouse "good boy Cerberus you did well but I'm gonna need you to be a guard dog for a little while okay?" Cerberus simply barked and sat in place. "Thanks boy. Crimson dragon booster" He ignited his feet and jumped into the air then landed on top of the lighthouse.
Natsu had just arrived climbing onto the lighthouse dock panting tiredly "man that was tiring on an empty stomach" He said as his stomach growled"
Lucy came riding in on a boat driven by an older man who had hearts in his eyes "thanks a lot" she said to the man as she stood on the dock.
"Anytime miss Lucy!" The love struck man said as he returned to the mainland.
"You okay there Natsu?" She asked the pink haired man.
"Just really hungry" Natsu whined gripping his stomach.
"I'll treat you to a meal later right now we gotta get to Connor."
"Right let's get moving."
They ran up the docks to where Cerberus sat waiting for them. He stared them down and got into a position to pounce either one of them. He looked at Lucy sadly like he was asking for her to help Connor.
"Ok then pooch. I'm sorry to do this but we gotta get past ya" Natsu said igniting his fists. "Psst Lucy I'll distract Cerberus and you run past him alright and get Connor to come back home. Alright?"
"Yeah I read you loud and clear. Ready?"
"Yeah. Fire dragon iron fist!" with his fists ablaze Natsu charged Cerberus and Cerberus charged at him.
Lucy quickly ran past while the two fought and ran to the lighthouse. She climbed the flight of stairs as quick as she could and reached the top of the lighthouse. It was late out so the lighthouse was on. It was a bright full moon and Connor stood at the railing once again staring at the moon.
"I caught you staring at the moon again" Lucy said.
Connor jumped and looked behind him "oh Lucy it's you."
"Yes it's me. I'm here to take you home." She said.
Connor simply turned away from her and looked back at the moon. "Sorry to disappoint you Lucy but I'm not going back."
"Why not?"
"Because this is the only way to keep Fiore safe. When I leave Alistair will follow me."
"That can't be it Connor. There's more than that, I can tell." Connor went silent gripping the handrail refusing to speak. "Just tell me what it is. We're family I want to help and I want to help."
"I don't want to see anyone else die Lucy. I've seen all the people I care about die in front of me. My mother, my father, Ridrica." He looked directly into the moon "I can't keep watching it happen. If I don't leave and get Alistair away from here I'll see it happen all over again" tears streamed down his face "Fairy Tail is all I have left and I refuse to see all the people I love there die in front of me. I have to try to protect you all. Not just from Alistair but from me as well."
Lucy frowned and stood next to Connor "what do you mean by protect us from you?" She asked.
"I think it may be time you heard the rest of that story maybe then you'll understand." He responded solemnly.
"Then go ahead and tell me."
Connor took a deep breath and wiped away his tears."okay then let's begin."
Hey it's Natsu here.
So when I said I have ideas it doesn't mean I can execute them very well. I don't know what it is but this chapter felt very forced when I wrote it especially near the end. Oh well shit happens right? Have a nice day.