Chapter 13: Fire and Iron Dragon!

"Wakey wakey cupcake." A strange voice woke Lucy up, her eyes fluttered open to reveal herself in a creepy room, exposed pipes, stripped brick walls, it was wet, and humid. Steam seeped out of the pipes, spurting out of leaks with a whistle sound, all the pipes connected to a large metallic cylinder with dials on it. She squirmed trying to stand up from her sitting position, but she didn't budge. That's when she noticed the heat on her back along with the achiness from her shoulders. She struggled to escape her bind. Sweat was dripping from every square inch of her body, her throat was dry, and almost every part of her was sore. Looking up she saw four men hovering over her, creepy grins were on their faces all of them held a crowbar, or a bat. One of them was kneeling down next to her, she made eye contact with him, and his grin grew, he reached up and caressed her cheek which caused her to attempt to scream, but it came out horse, and painful. Her throat was much too dry.

"There's no use struggling pretty, we've got you bound up real good. You're not going anywhere." He spoke in a voice that made the hair on Lucy's neck stand still. Struggling to escape again she flailed her limbs uselessly. He chuckled softly slapping her cheek tauntingly. The others laughed.

"You got some spunk girl...I like that." He leaned in and sniffed her hair, Lucy felt a shiver run up her spine. Why was this happening? Where was she? Are Natsu and Levy hurt? These thoughts flooded through her head as her body shook in fear.

"Look she's shaking in excitement boys." One of the men who was standing quipped leading the others to laugh creepily.

"Well it is impolite to keep a girl waiting…"

"Who should go first?"

"Oooh let me!" Lucy's eyes bulged as the one kneeling next to her leaned into the spot between her neck and shoulder, running his mouth across her skin, his lips slightly parted as he softly nibbled on her neck. Again she squirmed, and yelled out praying that someone heard her. A loud smack echoed throughout the room as Lucy's now red cheek throbbed in pain.

"Now now sweetie. Play nice." The man growled and wrapped his hand around Lucy's neck roughly. He pulled her face closer to his, and while choking her placed his chapped lips on hers attempting a chaste kiss, Lucy reacted immediately by biting down hard on his tongue as he tried slipping it into her mouth. He yelped in pain backing away. He growled and picked up his baseball bat. Slapping it against his palm he crept closer to her, his friends no longer laughing also circled around her. She whimpered bracing herself for the beating of a lifetime.

"You'll pay for that you bit-" The creep had been interrupted by the door exploding off its hinges and an immense heat filled the room as flames danced around the room. This drew Lucy, and the four men's attention, looking at the doorway where a lone figure stood in the shadows, clad in a hood and a scarf that left only his eyes uncovered, fire swelled around him as he waltzed into the room. His eyes were dark, and filled with a quiet rage, he came to a stop directly across from them his flames fading away. The figure clad in the black and gold hooded jacket with one sleeve stared them down. The four figures huddled around Lucy bagan laughing.

"Nice entrance buddy, but you're interrupting something so shoo!" The leader spoke up, meanwhile the man standing across from them stayed quiet, this put Lucy's nerves even more on edge. Just who was this guy? Apparently she wasn't the only nervous one in the room, because another one of the Phantom Lord cronies piped up.

"Just who the Hell are ya anyway?" He marched forward holding up his crowbar threateningly.

"Wait, look at his shoulder. He's with those Fairies." One of the guys piped up, the one walking forward didn't stop.

"Is that so? This should be fun then." The man grinned and rushed forward swinging his crowbar at the Natsu's head. Natsu caught it with one hand and yanked it out of his hand throwing it on the ground. This left everyone speechless, the goon got mad about that and attempted throwing a punch. Natsu caught his arm and twisted it harshly, an audible cracking noise made the onlookers flinch as Natsu's attacker screamed in agony. Natsu looked into his eyes darkly, and twisted it roughly in the opposite direction. More cracks and screams came from him. Natsu felt a low growl rumble through his throat. He pulled the man closer and lifted his free arm dropping it onto his enemies shoulder. He barely had time to register it dislocating before a strong punch to the face knocked him flat on the ground, he may have been out cold, but Natsu still stomped on his gut for good measure. Releasing his now limp arm Natsu looked at the remaining three Phantom Lord members who trampled in fear, holding up their weapons with shaky arms.

"W-What...t-the Hell are you?" The man who had been tormenting Lucy spoke up, Lucy watched on silently, she hoped that whoever this guy was, he was only going to hurt the members of Phantom Lord.

"Come and find out…" Natsu growled, he began to emanate steam. He was beyond livid at every single last person who bore the Phantom Lord ensignia. It hadn't even been a full hour since he had watched Sol murder one of his own guildmates while Natsu held him in his hands. Clenching his fists even tighter he looked over to Lucy. She looked rough. Her hair clung to her forehead, because of the sweat. Her cheek was bruised, a deep shade of purple. Blood stained her clothes, and ran down her arm where an open wound was placed on her shoulder. It made him all so furious, and he was going to make everyone pay.

"You're funeral! It's three against one!" Natsu stayed silent as the three enemies circled him. Natsu took a deep breath before erupting his arms in fire. The three seemed to hesitate, this gave Natsu an opening to strike. Delivering a quick series of strikes and the three enemies was writhing on the ground in agony. He clutched his now probably broken ribs, the smell of burning flesh filled the room. While Natsu's back was turned one of the remaining two rushed at him swinging an iron pipe that Natsu saw coming and ducked. Focusing the flames into his feet he hopped into the air twisting in the air, he backflipped into a fiery kick to the poor fool's head forcing him to the ground face first blacked out. Landing on his feet Natsu turned to face the final man who coincidentally had been the one who had tried to force himself onto Lucy. Natsu cracked his knuckles.

"You….you're not a fairy at all….You're a demon!" He fearfully announced, Natsu lit his entire body ablaze. Looking at the man dead in the eyes. He spoke in a growl.

"You have no idea how right you are." He began to slowly walk forward, The man backed away slowly. He took a shaky breath and flung himself at Natsu. Natsu blocked the strike of the baseball bat with his arm, causing it to shatter in thousands of wood splinters. Natsu winced in pain, but ignored it as the man continued his assault with a series of punches that Natsu easily dodged. Waiting for his moment to strike Natsu ignited his fist and sent a smouldering punch to the side of his face. He crashed into the wall out for the count. Natsu allowed himself to calm down and put out his fire before turning to the blonde.

"Are you alright?" He asked her. Lucy stayed quiet, still unsure of what to make of this guy, and then something went off in her head. He used fire as a weapon, similar to that guy who was on the news, the person suspected of killing Igneel. Could this be?

"Are you the Salamander?" She asked back ignoring his question. Natsu bowed his head.

"Yeah. That's me." Her face formed a scowl. This was confusing, if he was some kind of monster like the news made it seem then why was he here trying to help her. Maybe it was all a trap, she had to be careful with this guy, but for right now he was her best chance of escape and survival. Besides she didn't know why, but something inside her gut told her she could trust him. There was a strange familiar warmth that he emanated.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. Did they hurt you?" He spoke up when she hadn't said anything. Shaking her thoughts away Lucy looked at him.

"Just a little, It would have been a lot worse if you hadn't shown up when you had. So thanks I guess…." She muttered awkwardly. Natsu noticed her restraints and walked over to her. He stopped just in front of her. He was so tempted to remove his hood and mask and envelop her in a hug right then and there, but he knew he couldn't. He knew he couldn't let her know about his secret, it would just get her in more trouble like this. He'd be damned if he let her become some damsel in distress that he always needed to save, not that he wouldn't, he just couldn't bear to see her hurt.

"It's a good thing I have a flair for the dramatics then huh?" He joked smiling under his mask, and to his pleasure Lucy had a small smirk on her face as well. Reaching behind her he placed his hands over the duct tape that restrained her to the hot pipe. He carefully unwrapped it, Lucy winced as the silver tape was peeled from her arms. Once she was freed she rubbed the red marks on her wrists, looking up at the hooded figure she stood up with jelly legs.

"Thanks." She spoke frankly. Natsu just bowed his head.

"Don't mention it. Now come on, let's get ya out here." Natsu turned, grasping her hand, but Lucy didn't budge. Confused he turned to look at her face. She was frozen in place and she was staring at something by the door to the room. Natsu didn't get a chance to see what she was staring at, because he got thrown into the wall of pipes.

"I step out for less than a minute and this happens, what a bother." Natsu struggled to get back up but a pipe had fallen onto his leg pinning him on the ground, looking towards the doorway to see that man he had a confrontation with at the Phantom Lord building. Black Steel Gajeel if memory serves him right. He stood there snarling his arm reverting back into normal. Lucy stayed motionless staring at him, she shivered a little. Fear running through every bit of her body. He began walking over to the stationary Lucy, growling.

"You are such a pain in my ass!" He raised his arm, Natsu and Lucy's eyes widened as his arm took the shape of a large baseball bat and swung it down at Lucy's head. She threw her hands up to protect her head.

"LUCY!" Natsu screamed trying to pull his leg free. Finally he succeeded in breaking free, but it was too late. The sound of Gajeel's metallic bat arm colliding with Lucy echoed in the boiler room. She fell to the ground with a thud, Natsu froze in his tracks as he looked down at her. Then he looked over to Gajeel who smirked.

"That should keep you down for a little longer." Natsu growled and rushed forward igniting his fist. He thrust his punch towards Gajeel, who stumbled back fumbling to stay on his feet. Natsu stood protectively in front of Lucy, his hood and scarf fell down. Gajeel grunted and cracked his neck.

"You again huh? What a bother." Gajeel muttered, Natsu stood his ground allowing his body to grow hotter, his fire dancing around his arm. He clenched his jaw and fists tighter.

"You're gonna pay for what you did to her." Natsu snapped before charging at Gajeel who barely had time to react to Natsu's flaming fist slamming into his face. Stumbling back Gajeel winced, glaring at Natsu he willed his arm to form into a metal spear head. He stabbed Natsu who sidestepped the attack. Commanding his fire to form around his leg, hopping up over Gajeel's head he swung his leg down. Gajeel rolled out of the way as Natsu kicked the ground leaving a small hole. Gajeel held out his arm and it extended, transforming into a pillar that smoked him right in the midsection, he crashed through the wall leaving a hole as Natsu flipped in the air to land on his feet. He struggled to catch his breath after Gajeel's attack had winded him.

"I'll admit it, you got heart, but that won't be enough to beat me. What you've seen so far has been merely a small taste of what I am capable of. Gihee.." Gajeel taunted as he stepped out to join Natsu in the hallway. Natsu glared at the figure, he was panting and struggling to stand, he still hadn't fully recovered his strength, he had been put through a ringer tonight. Looking through the hole in the wall he saw the blonde figure lying motionless on the cold, damp ground. That fueled his inner fire, he stood tall and reignited his fists.

"It's funny you said that, cause I was thinking the same thing. I'm just getting warmed up." Gajeel's sly smirk fell into a frown.

"Then what are we waiting for... let's crank things up a notch. I want to get this over with as fast as possible anyway." Gajeel cracked his knuckles and turned both his arms into blades, he charged at Natsu who tried to step aside the attack, but the hallway was too tight for him to completely dodge Gajeel's swings. He hissed as the swords sliced him tearing his jacket open revealing a nasty cut on his chest, his sleeve also ripped and some blood dripped down his arm. Stumbling backwards he was left defenseless as Gajeel leapt into the air slapping his arms together, they formed a large bat that towered over Natsu, he brought it down onto Natsu who fell to his chest pinned down by the heavy weight. He coughed out blood, puffing his cheeks and feeling the warmth build up in his body, Natsu exhaled a stream of fire from his mouth, Gajeel's eyes widened as the flames hit him from point blank shooting him back. Natsu no longer encumbered by Gajeel's attack stood to his feet.

Charging forward he lit his entire body on fire like he had against Erigor, leaping into the air he shot through the air like a rocket, Gajeel threw his arms out in front of him to try and block Natsu's fiery assault. Natsu crashed into him forcing the two to crash through several walls in the process before Natsu grabbed him by the arm and whipped him onto the ground. The building shook, as the floor cracked under the impact of Gajeel. He struggled to get back up, but the second he was back on his feet a fiery fist slammed into his jaw, followed by another. Gajeel ducked the third one and delivered a hefty uppercut to the underside of Natsu's chin. Natsu twisted in the air to land on his feet, but still fell to his knees. Gajeel took advantage and coated his leg with metal, he kicked Natsu's shoulder causing him to cry out a fall to the ground. Natsu ignited his legs and spun around on the ground creating a fire vortex that made Gajeel jump backwards to avoid getting burnt to a crisp. Natsu kipped up to his feet as the flames vanished leaving the two in a staredown at the same time the two ran at the other throwing a punch. Natsu's flaming fist colliding into Gajeel's metal arm. Natsu once more puffed his cheeks out, but Gajeel mirrored his move.

"W-what…"

"Anything you can do… I can do gihee!" The two released their attacks from their mouths, they collided and created a mini explosion that sent the two backwards. Natsu's sleeve was caught on fire so he ripped it off as he stood back up. Looking down at his bandage wrapped arm he wondered if maybe he should let out a little bit of Igneel's power. Shaking the thought he glanced over to Gajeel's direction, Gajeel stood there his shirt had torn off leaving him bare chest, and silver? Lowering his arms that were raised to block his face from the explosion revealed that he had coated his entire body in metal. Natsu gulped as Gajeel's cocky grin returned.

"Consider yourself lucky, I don't bring this technique out very often, but I"m feeling generous today."

"I'm not sure I want to see your generosity…" Natsu quipped, but Gajeel just shot at him without warning. Natsu braced himself as Gajeel thrusted his fist at Natsu, Natsu felt something in his arm snap as he attempted to block. He winced, and Gajeel kneed him harshly in the abdomen, Natsu coughed out as he struggled to breath. Falling to his hands and knees, Gajeel was merciless and kicked Natsu's face, making him stand back up. Gajeel punched him repeatedly, Natsu struggled to stay on his feet as Gajeel beat him senseless, the metallic clanging noise echoed through the halls with each punch, Natsu was soon bruised and bloody. Gajeel chuckled as he ceased his punches allowing Natsu to fall to the ground again. He struggled back to his feet, his legs shaky, he lit his own fist on fire and attempted to punch Gajeel's chest, but to no avail, his fist just bounced off without even phasing the Phantom Lord ace. His flames died even before he had even made contact, he just had no more strength left. Gajeel cracked up as Natsu's flames failed him.

"Looks like you have no more energy. That's fine with me gihee…." Flashing an evil grin, he transformed his arm into a large hammer and swung it down onto Natsu, the blow sent him tumbling to the ground yet again. His vision was blurry, but he couldn't give up. He needed to get Lucy out of here, so for her he wouldn't give up. With unsteady legs he stood yet again and got into a fighting pose. He wobbled back and forth.

"You just don't know when to give up, do ya?" Natsu spat out a mouthful of blood, his head was spinning, but he mustered the strength needed to stay on his feet. Natsu attempted to ignite his hands, but he just couldn't muster the strength. Gajeel walked forward and morphed his hand into a metal paddle, he slapped Natsu through a wall and he landed back inside the boiler room they started. Natsu pulled himself into a sitting position leaning his back against the large water boiler. Gajeel walked into the room through the hole he created by throwing Natsu into the wall. Natsu reached up and used the water boiler to pull himself up as Gajell came closer. He raised his arm and turned into a sharp spear head once more, Natsu watched as he thrust it at his chest, unable to move out of the way. A loud cry left his mouth as the spear impaled his abdomen. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Lucy slowly stirring, and Natsu's body heat began to rise. He had to protect her, no matter what. His hand rested against the boiler, and an idea came to mind, remembering his encounter with Totomaru and how he was able to absorb fire, maybe he could do the same. He willed what little power he could muster to heat up the tank. A few seconds later. It exploded, Gajeel let out a yell as he got sent backwards, Natsu also got flung across the room, but that didn't bother him. He could feel his strength returning somehow. Looking down at his now glowing arms he saw the flames from the explosion were being absorbed as he regained strength. His plan worked! Landing on his feet, he held out his hands and continued to absorb as much of the explosion as he could, the room grew hotter, but it didn't phase him. Soon the explosion had been completely absorbed and Natsu felt good as new. He looked over to Lucy's figure who was now sitting up, her eyes wide with shock, he smiled at her from under his mask….wait a second. His mask was no longer covering his face.

"Shit...uhhhh hey Luce?" He tried. She blinked a few times.

"N-Natsu?" Well that explained that familiar warmth she felt.

"Yep…"

"You're the Salamander?"

"Yep…" She stood up, her shock fading and she marched over to him looking up into his eyes with a scowl, before she raised her hand and slapped his cheek.

"Owwww, Luce! What was that for?!"

"That was for not telling me sooner! And this!" She raised her other hand and slapped his other cheek. Both sides of his face now stung as he blinked a few times looking at her speechless.

"And that is for putting yourself in danger! I mean honestly Natsu…." She flung herself at him wrapping her arms around his neck tightly, not caring that his blood got one her clothes. Natsu backed up alarmed before he squeezed her back.

"I have been so worried about you, I had no idea where you were going, you came home with bruises and I didn't know who gave them to you. You could have been killed, this whole time all I've been able to think about is you, and Levy…." She wept into his bare chest.

"I'm sorry Luce, everything just happened so quickly. I wanted to tell you I really did, I just could never find the words. I didn't mean to make you worry." She sniffed a few times. Squeezing him tighter it seemed like all the horrors she had been put through in the past few hours faded away. Unfortunately he pulled away a little too soon for her liking. He looked her up and down, his eyes lingering on every little scrape and cut.

"Are you okay? He asked her, gently tracing his hand over the knife wound on her shoulder. She flinched a little as it stung. She smiled up at him.

"Yeah I'm okay, you however…look like shit." He chuckled a little at her.

"I feel like it too, but it was worth it to keep ya safe." Lucy blushed.

"Awww, but seriously we need to get you out of here, preferably before you bleed out."

"Not so fast….I'm not done with you twerps." Gajeel's voice came from the other side of the room. Natsu leapt in front of Lucy, he lit his fists on fire thankful that his power had returned thanks to his mini explosion he created.

"Luce….run….get upstairs and look for someone with this mark…" He turned to show her his Fairy Tail emblem.

"I'm not leaving you alone with him!"

"Just do what I say please!"

"NO!" Gajeel grew tired of their arguing and stalked toward them, his arms turning into duel swords again. The two of them gulped.

"Lucy…"

"Yep, just be careful okay?!"

"No promises." Natsu muttered as Lucy turned and sprinted out of the door, leaving Natsu and Gajeel alone once more.

"You are so dead Salamander, the legendary iron dragon Metalicana's blood runs through my veins." Natsu's eyes widened. He remembered his dream where Igneel told him about the legendary eight dragon warriors. He placed his hand over the bandages that hid his black dragon seal that gave him Igneel's power.

"Yeah that maybe so, but you hurt Lucy…" Gajeel charged at him, Natsu took a breath allowing his fist to grow hotter than ever as the flames danced around his fist. He waited as Gajeel grew closer and closer, until the perfect moment showed itself. Ducking the slash of Gajeel's arms, he delivered one strong, fiery punch to Gajeel's chest. His metal exterior shattered as he was blasted into a wall. Natsu breathed heavily as his flames faded away for good, he had officially drained himself with that final punch. Looking down at Gajeel's motionless figure he frowned.

"Metalicana. The iron dragon huh? Looks like I'm not the only one. It's a shame you were such a jerk, maybe we could've been friends like our fathers…I'll see ya around sometime Black Steel…." Natsu turned and walked in the direction Lucy had run off to. Leaving Gajeel laying flat on his back beaten, burnt and broken. He blinked his eyes as his vision blurred.

"We'll meet again...Salamander." He muttered before falling into unconsciousness.

Chapter 14: Fairy Law!

A/N: So sorry for the lengthy delay of this chapter! I was just on vacation for a bit and left my laptop at home. Nonetheless please leave me some feedback, it's been awhile so I don't think this chapter was as good as the others, so sorry for that as well.