Chapter 4: Public Enemy Number One

Lucy was currently sitting in her final class of the day, creative writing, now normally Lucy would have no problem writing about whatever prompt the teacher assigned that day, but today was different. She stared at her laptop with nothing written down, her fingers laid on the keyboard, but they weren't typing. She just couldn't get the previous night out of her head, Natsu had left before the first period and Lucy couldn't blame him, but she was still worried.

"Five more minutes." The teacher called out from his desk.

"Great…." Lucy muttered under breath, looks like she had weekend homework. Five minutes passed and Lucy still had nothing written out, the bell rang and immediately the class all got up from their desks grabbing their items and left into the already crowded and noisy halls. Lucy was soon the last one in the room while packing up slower than normal.

"Lucy can I talk to you for a second?"

"Yeah of course, what's up?" Lucy walked over to the teacher's desk. He was a middle aged man with slicked back dark blue hair and a mustache, he was pretty tall and wore a white jacket over his suit. What completed his look was a necklace he wore every day that had a large 'S' and the end of it. On his desk a nameplate read Macao Conbolt.

"You're friends with that Natsu boy aren't you?" He asked sitting down in his chair and looking up at her from the other side of the desk. Lucy rubbed her arm with a sigh.

"I-I am, yes…"

"How is he doing?" Macao asked softly.

"Honestly, not well. He tried to come here today, but he left before the first bell."

"That's understandable, but at least he tried. Poor boy, when I heard the news I couldn't believe it myself. Igneel and I actually go back a bit." He fished a picture frame from off his desk and handed it to Lucy. In the picture were six boys all wearing similar outfits. A younger Macao and Igneel were in the center. To the left of Igneel stood a larger kid with dark black hair and piercings all over. As well as a lanky man with a pompadour, he had a pipe in his mouth. To the right of Macao a well built man with shoulder length orange hair and a stubble. Finally a young girl with white hair smiling brightly.

"That's Metalicana next to Igneel, and next to him is my best friend Wakaba. To my right is Gildarts Clive he was the captain of our team. Next to him was our coach, as well as medic. Grandeeney." Macao spoke as Lucy's eyes immediately looked at Igneel, he hadn't grown out a beard yet, it looked weird.

"Wait, team? You mean you did martial arts?"

"I did once upon a time. Don't get me wrong I was no Igneel, I was especially nowhere close to being like Gildarts, those two were in a league of their own. Probably why they got along so well." Macao smiled remembering the old days, Lucy gave the picture back to him.

"Thank you, anyway Lucy I wanted you to see that, so that you know if Natsu needs someone to talk to, you can always send him to me." Macao smiled at her, Lucy only nodded in reply.

"One more thing, I want you to give him this when you see him next…" Macao stood and picked up a red and gold briefcase. A dragon emblem encrusted on the front.

"Okay?" Lucy took it from, Macao smiled.

"It was his Dad's, I had to pull some strings to get it back from this place." Lucy smiled as she held the case.

"Thanks Mr. Conbolt." Lucy beamed grabbing her bag and throwing it over her shoulder, Macao smiled.

"Please, just call me Macao. It really is no big deal Lucy, I'm glad that Natsu has a friend like you."

"Thank you...I'll see you on Monday." Lucy smiled and waved as she walked out of the room, Macao just gave a small nod with his head. The second she walked out of the room she reached for her phone to check and see if she got any texts from Natsu, nothing. However, there was a notification from Sorcerer Weekly, the only reliable news source in her opinion. She opened the app and read the top headline.

The Salamander: Public Enemy Number One!

'Earlier today eyewitnesses reported a strange hooded and masked figure had walked into an alleyway where three men (Now in custody) were supposedly threatening two young boys. The young boys in question didn't want to give out their names, but stated the air grew hotter upon him walking up to them and soon his hands had erupted in fire, he proceeded to attack the three men, who all gave similar stories, one of them said he had horns, like a demon. Another said he had dragon-like scales. The final swore he saw lightning surrounding the strange man. If he can be called a man that is. Whether he is a demon, a dragon or something else entirely one thing is for certain, just after his attack on the three men, a police officer was attacked.

Captain Lahar of Custody Enforcement gave the following statement:

"Attacking one of our own, much less while unprovoked gives us reasonable assumption that this...Salamander is responsible for the murder of Mr. Dragneel that took place last night. Therefore I am launching an official manhunt for The Salamander, I urge you if you know anything that will help us, it is your duty to report it to us."

Strong words from the Captain, but are they true. Fear not as Sorcerer Weekly will keep you loyal subscribers up to date on this case as it unfolds.'

"Huh...The Salamander that's a new one…" Lucy spoke as she got into the car with Caprico who was waiting outside the school for her. Caprico was a tall man with white hair and a white beard, he wore a tux, with white gloves and a pair of sunglasses. Natsu used to joke that he looked like a goat when they were kids, but he really didn't.

"What is it Miss Lucy?" He asked politely. Lucy just responded by showing him the article.

"Ah yes, it was actually your father who wished to launch the investigation into this guy."

"Somehow that doesn't surprise me...Hey Caprico, did Natsu go back to the house today?"

"Yes actually, Mr. Natsu fell asleep on the couch as I was leaving to come pick you up."

"I see. Well then what're we waiting for?" Lucy spoke and Caprico immediately put the car in gear and drove off. Once they pulled up to the house, Lucy gathered her stuff and walked into the house, sure enough Natsu was laying on his side on the white couch curled up with Happy the television was on playing reruns of Spongebob. Lucy had to smile at that. She walked over to the couch and placed the briefcase next to it before running a hand through Natsu's hair.

"Hey Caprico?"

"Yes Miss Lucy?"

"I have homework that I need to finish real quick, can you keep an eye on him. You can call me down if he wakes up…"

"Of course." He grabbed a book and walked over to a nearby chair. Lucy smiled at the butler and then to the pinkette.

"I'll be down as soon as I can Natsu." She spoke and walked towards the stairs to her bedroom. She entered the room and dumped her bag onto the bed and walked over to the closet. She threw off her top and pants leaving her in just her bra and underwear. She grabbed pink pajama pants with gold stars and a white tank top and threw them on. She took her hair out of her signature small pigtails letting it fall down. Stretching she walked over to her bed and jumped onto the queen sized bed. She grabbed her T.V. remote and clicked it on. A hallmark station was on, Lucy just shrugged and set the remote down. She just needed background noise while she did her work. Grabbing her laptop and opening it up she started with her creative writing work. The prompt was to write about an idol she looked up to.

"Let's see...Kemu Zaelon….Her mother?...Who do I look up to as an idol?" Lucy muttered, while she was brainstorming she hadn't even realized that she started writing. After finishing the paragraph she read it over to see what she had at the moment.

"An idol could be many things, a celebrity, a parent, an author, maybe even a fictional character, but for me it's none of those things. My idol, the person I look up to the most is also the strongest person I know. My best friend, Natsu Dragneel. I look up to him yes, but we are still equals, in fact he will be the one to argue that, but he is still my idol. At a young age Natsu was found in the woods by his adoptive father Igneel. Even though he had no idea who his real parents were, that didn't stop him from loving the family he was given. He has always been my anchor, when I lost my mother a few years ago, he never left my side. He had opened his house to me the year prior. He's my best friend, he makes me grow as a human and even makes me stronger, and he does it without asking for a thank you, he does it all with a smile. Nothing can stop him when he sets his mind to something, and for that he is the person I look up to most."

When Lucy finished reading what she wrote out loud her face turned the color of Erza's hair. She hid her face in her hands. A shower sounded nice...Yeah that's what she was going to do a nice hot shower that would burn off her flesh and make the rest of her skin just as red as her face. She marched over to her bathroom and turned on the shower. She stripped and hopped in. Only one thought was on her mind though.

"How can he be so strong no matter what?"

While she was showering the aforementioned pinkette had woken up.

"Ah good afternoon, Mr. Natsu." Caprico spoke as Natsu sat up and stretched.

"Good afternoon...how long was I out?"

"Only a couple of hours, are you hungry sir? I could make those spicy tacos you like so much?" Natsu's stomach rumbled and his face flushed.

"Y-yes please…" Caprico nodded and sat up walking over into the kitchen. Natsu glanced down when something caught his eye. A briefcase? It didn't look like Jude's. What was it? He reached down and grabbed it. His eyes tracing the intricate design of the gold dragon in the center. He snapped the locks open and flipped the case up. His breath hitch it was beautiful. Inside was a black jacket. He grabbed it. It only had one sleeve, it was a slick black jacket with gold trimming and a hood was attached to the back of it. There was also a pair of white pants and sandals inside. He knew these clothes, he had seen pictures of his father from when he was in High School, this was his dad's. He smiled and held it close. Happy meowed sniffing it, he probably could smell the traces of Igneel on it. He rushed over to the nearest bathroom and threw on the clothes, it fit him nicely, a nice snug tight fit that showed off how muscular he actually was. Still though something felt off, he looked down and saw the white scaled scarf that belonged to his father. He picked it up and wrapped it around his neck. Perfect. He quickly changed back into his normal clothes and stuffed the outfit and scarf back inside the briefcase. Walking out of the bathroom he saw a plate of tacos waiting for him, he smirked and walked over to grab the plate, he took a seat on the couch and grabbed the remote. He flipped through channels and settled on the local news channel.

"We go to Jason with eyewitnesses." The broadcaster stated before the camera cut to show a man with a terrible blonde hairstyle and a purple t-shirt on, he was holding a microphone and was standing next to a small group of people.

"That's right Chapati, I am standing here with several people who have seen The Salamander, excuse me miss you said you know what he looks like?"

"Yeah that's right I saw him with my own eyes! He was tall! Like nine feet tall! And muscular like as wide as an ambulance! He also had spikes on top of his head!" As she finished another member from the crowd grabbed Jason's arm holding the microphone and pulled it close to them.

Natsu chuckled running a hand through his hair, it was kind of noticeable.

"Yeah! He also had wings that were made completely out of fire!"

"And a tail!"

"He also wore a cape made of bones!"

"As you can see the man in question is in fact no man at all, perhaps he is a demon? Or something else entirely...Back to you in the studio."

"...Yes….well, we were able to get this sketch of The Salamander based on the witnesses description so if you see someone who fits the description please don't confront him and report it to the proper authorities." A picture appeared next to the news anchor and Natsu immediately placed his face in his hands with a groan. The picture consisted of a large beefy monster looking man with several spikes popping from the top of his head, fiery wings a tail similar to a devil's and a cape made completely out of bones.

"My name is Chapati Lola...stay safe and good night."

"Oh, my sweet baby Mavis…." Natsu groaned out into his palms, Happy made himself at home on his lap. He wanted to laugh, but he just couldn't. He was technically the Salamander after all, and he was being viewed as a monster. He looked down at his hands, who was he kidding. He wasn't being viewed as a monster, he was one. He's watched Gray play hockey for years, but when he gets upset his body doesn't get consumed with flames. How could he not be a monster, or a demon. His hands began to shake and his body grew warm. He quickly shot his eyes.

"Stay calm...Stay calm…" Natsu muttered to himself as the shaking intensified, it felt like he was going to break open, he took shaky breaths, squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his fists. He focused as hard as he could to try and control the shaking, he kept taking deep breaths and soon enough the shaking stopped, but the heat didn't vanish. He slowly opened his eyes and saw his hands were engulfed in fire.

"Shit!" He yelped, shaking his hands and the flames soon vanished. He looked down at his hands, it wasn't fair Laxus never had troubles with his powers as much as he knew. Natsu sighed. He needed to learn how to control it, as far as he knew the fire only started when his adrenaline started building up and he got excited. It happened a few times in a movie theater. It also happens when he gets sad. Basically when he has an emotion that can be viewed as extreme either positive or negative, the fire pours out from him. Natsu stood up and walked outside stuffing his hands in his pockets. The second he stepped on the snowy ground he heard a sizzling noise and steam coming from below him, the snow under his feet was melting. Natsu gulped. What was happening? Usually the heat stopped after a few seconds. He broke out into a run melting the snow wherever he walked, his heart beating faster and faster out of fear.

"Come on Natsu get a grip…" He continued to run afraid of setting something valuable on fire. Natsu's body continued to grow hotter. This had never happened before, he had never felt like he was going to blow up like Mount Saint Helens. Usually he just burned up a little but it was gone quickly.

"HEY KID STOP RIGHT THERE!" A loud voice boomed and Natsu's eyes widened as he turned to face the source of it, a man stood there wearing a black hoodie and holding a knife. Natsu felt adrenaline start pumping in his veins.

"Please...you need to get away from me!" Natsu pleaded with the man, he couldn't control it any longer he was going to erupt.

"Not until you give me everything you…" He didn't finish once Natsu had thrown his wallet at the man's chest.

"THERE NOW GET OUT OF HERE!" Natsu yelled. The man looked taken aback, but didn't lower his knife.

"Do you have anything else?" The man growled picking up the wallet and trudging towards Natsu, meanwhile all the snow in the vicinity had melted into water and slush. Natsu's body began to shake uncontrollably.

"No...please just LEAVE!" Natsu threw his hands onto his head, a searing migraine had begun.

"I'm not going anywhere!" The man raised his knife and something inside Natsu had snapped, his fist engulfed with fire and he sent a strong punch to the man's jaw knocking him down and leaving a burn on his cheek. Natsu instantly realized what had happened and rushed over picking up his wallet. He looked down at the man.

"Oh no, oh no, ohnononono!" He crouched down his body starting to cool down. The man looked up at him in fear.

"Y-you're….S-S-Sal-Salamander!" He shot up to his feet pushing Natsu down.

"I'm going to make you pay for what you did to my buddies from Eisenwald!" He got into a fighting position, Natsu slid backwards on his rump holding his hands in front of him. He pulled down his hood revealing his jet black hair tied in a ponytail.

"P-please I don't wanna fight!"

"Too bad, I do! SO GET UP!" He yelled Natsu and gulped his hands and body shaking as he stood.

"Good….Now let's go!" The man charged, throwing a punch, Natsu ducked it and attempted one of his own. The bandit sidestepped. Natsu grunted upon getting kicked in the side. He fell into the snow that melted instantaneously.

"Now listen here Salamander!" The man charged as Natsu stood just in time to block a punch directed at his face. Natsu backpedaled.

"Eisenwald will overthrow the Balam! ERIGOR IS THE GREATEST BOSS IN MAGNOLIA!" Another punch was sent at Natsu, Natsu skidded back almost losing his balance, this wasn't good, the guy actually had some skill when it came to fighting. Natsu didn't have much.

"YOU SHALL PAY FOR MAKING US LOOK LIKE FOOLS! WE ARE THE GREATEST GANG AND WE SHALL PAINT THE CITY WITH YOUR BLOOD!" Natsu blinked for a split second and the man was gone. He quickly looked around. He couldn't find him anywhere.

"BEHIND YOU!" The man yelled, popping out of the ground and wrapping his arms around Natsu's neck and putting him in a chokehold. Natsu coughed. What just happened?

"I forgot to introduce myself. My Name is Kageyama! I possess the power to turn into a shadow!" He kicked the back of Natsu's knees out causing him to fall to the ground. He panted his body growing warmer once more.

"Take this!" He melted into the ground again and Natsu looked around his breathing shaky. He closed his eyes.

"Come on Natsu...you can control it...just focus…For once in your life focus…" He heard something behind him and turned, connecting a flaming fist to Kageyama's face. He stumbled back.

"What the hell?!" He groaned out holding his jaw. Natsu looked down and smiled. It worked. His fist had ignited, does that mean he could control it now? Only way to find out. He focused his mind and he soon felt the warmth spread to his feet as he rushed forward and sent a strong kick to Kageyama's stomach. Kageyama fell back clutching his chest coughing. Natsu smirked. He rushed forward and the heat once more flowed into his fists. Fiery fist connecting with his head. Now feet again, a kick to Kageyama's side. He fell onto his back bruised and burnt.

"Insect!" Kageyama shot up and rushed forward, but Natsu was prepared, he took a deep breath.

"Please work…" He spoke to himself focusing all the heat into his chest puffing up. He closed his eyes as Kageyama ran at him. Natsu's eyes shot open and he let out a scream, a large wave of fire shot out from his mouth. Natsu could feel the warmth coursing from his chest, to his throat and mouth. Kageyama's eyes widened in fear, throwing his arms up to protect him, but there was no avoiding the flamethrower from Natsu. It flung him backwards, as Natsu closed his mouth. Kageyama's clothes were smoldered and his skin turned black and ashy. He laid on the ground beaten, his arms and legs spread out. Natsu took a deep breath and felt the heat vanish from his body.

"...You'll….pay….for…...this….Salamander….." Kageyama coughed out and soon vanished into the ground. Natsu took a few slow calming breaths.

"So….that just happened…" One thing was for sure, a gang named Eisenwald was going to be gunning for him, and they didn't care about hurting innocents or destroying the city in the process. Natsu looked up to the sky.

"I gotta stop them from hurting innocent people…I'm not a monster or a demon….I'm the Salamander…" Natsu smirked looking down at his fist, he focused and felt a warmth engulf it and soon his hand was lit up in flames. He opened his fist and instantly the flames disappeared. He beamed, he could control his ability for the first time in his life. Smiling he walked back towards Lucy's house as the sun began to set.

"Kageyama….what is the meaning of this?!" A low, whispery like voice spoke as Kageyama limped into the small study.

"Sir….we have a problem…." Kageyama grunted in pain. The owner of the voice turned around in his office chair. He had spiky white hair, tattoos under his eyes and along his bare chest and arms. He wore a tattered cape. He let out a sigh.

"What is it?" The man whispered, grabbing his glass of vodka from his desk and took a sip.

"I just had a run in….with that Salamander guy….He's strong….Like really strong, I couldn't beat him boss." Kageyama flinched as a drinking glass shattered right next to his head.

"God….damnit…..Do you realize what we are trying to accomplish?! How are we supposed to overthrow that bastard Zeref if we are getting the shit kicked out of us by one man?!"

"I'm sorry Lord Erigor…." Kageyama bowed his head, Erigor just sighed and stood to his feet. He walked over to the wall and grabbed something that was hanging up on it. He turned around, throwing a scythe over his shoulders.

"No matter….I'll deal with this pest myself…"

Chapter 5: The God of Death, Erigor!