AN: SO it has been a while since I updated this, for which I apologize. I try to ensure I update as many of my stories as I can but sometimes I get distracted.
But here is the next chapter and I hope you all enjoy it. IT was certainly interesting to write it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson or Fairy Tail.
( - )
(Last Time)
"Yeah I know, but how am I ever going to get stronger if I only fight those I can beat." Natsu replied, gaining a look of faint surprise from Percy and Makarov. It was an unusually mature response from a usually immature young man.
"After that can I fight you Perseus?" Natsu suddenly asked as he looked over at Percy, finally deciding to ask what he had wanted to ask for a while now.
"Why would you want to do that?" Percy asked with a raised eyebrow.
"To show you how far I have come since we last fought and also to show you that I am serious about getting stronger." Natsu said fiercely as he ignored Gildarts arrival for now and instead focused in on Percy.
"I was planning on heading off on a quick mission." Percy responded carefully, watching Natsu closely to see his response.
"Well, will you fight me first, just so I can show you what I have got" Natsu said a slight frown on his face as he heard Percy response. "I just want to show you I am serious about getting stronger now… and maybe get a bit of help… if you are willing?"
Percy cocked an eyebrow at that, yet again surprised by what he had heard, je knew Natsu had wanted to ask something but he hadn't expected this, maybe Natsu had grown up a bit in the time Percy had been gone. Smiling slightly Percy nodded. "Tell you what, I will give you a little spar before I head off, maybe a few tips too if you are lucky."
"Great!" Natsu said a grin on his face as he gave Percy a thankful nod before he looked back to the doorway as Gildarts strode in. After he fought with Percy he would then challenge Gildarts, both of the men were very strong, but both of them also had very different fighting styles. If he wanted to become truly strong he knew he would have to try and learn what he could from both men.
( - )
Chapter 10
( - )
(With Percy, Fairy Tail Guild Hall)
A slow grin began to spread across Percy's face as he saw his old friend Gildarts stride through the front doors of the Guild, a large canvas bag slung over one of his shoulders and a slightly confused expression on his face.
Gildarts was a large man standing at six foot five inches tall, with a heavily muscled build. The man had quite tanned skin, with slicked back reddish hair, brown eyes and a scruffy, stubbly beard. Overall despite his somewhat scruffy and delinquent appearance he very much lived up to his reputation, as the presence he gave off screamed strong and indomitable.
Currently the man was wearing a long black travelling cloak that covered most of his body, save for his legs. He also wore black trousers, with heavy duty, brown leather boots.
Percy pushed himself up off of his bar stool, Makarov doing the same as they both watched one of Fairy Tail's strongest wizard entering the Guild after a two year absence. Gildarts having taken on a Hundred Year Quest, not long after Percy had departed on his Decade Quest.
As Gildarts entered the Guild Hall, the confused expression remained on his face as he looked around. No doubt trying to work out why the place looked different to how he remembered. The reason of course being that it was completely rebuilt just a few months ago. Gildarts might be a powerful wizard, unfortunately though he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.
Ignoring the shouting and cheering wizards around him, Gildarts instead turned to look at Mirajane. The confusion on his face growing, as the attractive, white haired barmaid approached him. A look of slight recognition in his eyes as he looked carefully at the pretty, young woman.
"Ermm excuse me Miss. I was wandering could you tell me where the Fairy Tail Guild Hall is?" Gildarts asked, his deep voice easily audible over the cheers of the surrounding wizards. Wizards who the man was currently ignoring for the moment as he instead focused on Mira.
As he heard Gildarts's question, Percy couldn't help but face palm. The man might be a talented wizard, but sometimes he was just so dense. By his side Percy could hear Makarov chuckling slightly as he heard Gildarts, the little old man shaking his head in amusement as both he and Percy went to greet him.
Glancing back at the bar, Percy could also see an amused look spreading across Erza's face. The red haired wizard, currently standing further along the bar, next to Lucy, Wendy and Cana. Cana however seemed to be frowning, an odd look passing across her face as she looked over at Gildarts.
Percy frowned as he saw that, but chose not to say anything. After all if Cana had an issue with Gildarts then that was between them. Percy wasn't about to get involved not unless it became an issue that affect the Guild.
Unlike the other Mirajane was much more restrained with her amusement when she heard Gildarts's question. Stifling a slight giggle she instead gave him a kind smile and replied. "This is the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, Gildarts. And I am Mirajane remember…"
"Mirajane!" Gildarts shouted his eyes wide in surprise, as he tried to compare the rude and obnoxious teenage Mira from his memories with the polite and beautiful young woman before him. His mind clearly shutting down for a moment as he tried to reconcile the two of them. "Wow you've changed."
Mira giggled in reply, her amusement genuine as she saw Gildarts reaction.
"And you it appears have not." Percy said dryly, finally deciding to speak up as he walked forwards and approached Gildarts. The other Fairy Tail wizards making way for him, as they all continued to try and greet the returning wizard.
After all this was a big occasion, in the span of a week Fairy Tail's two most powerful wizards had returned. One might almost think it was the hand of fate.
An amused smirk spread across Gildarts face as he heard that, turning to look at the source and seeing a tall, black haired man, with distinctive glowing green eyes and a golden hilted sword sheathed at his hip. A man who could only be one person, one of Gildarts's closest friends Perseus Jackson, the God of Fairies, and the Ace of Fairy Tail
"And you it appears still look the same as ever Perseus." Gildarts replied in amusement. He had first me Perseus when he had joined Fairy Tail as a kid of about thirteen, that had been thirty years ago, despite that though Percy looked exactly the same as ever. In fact Percy had the bad manners to still look to be in his early twenties, whilst Gildarts was stuck looking like the middle aged man he was.
Percy grinned as he heard that, reaching out and clasping Gildarts hand as they both shook hands. The pair of them both attempting to crush the other's hands with their own for a few moments. It had become a common way of greeting each other, after all Percy had the Blessing of the Styx which made him all but invulnerable and Gildarts wielded a magic that could easily shatter mountains. They made quite a pair.
"Behave you two" Makarov called out as he also moved forwards, ignoring Percy for now as Gildarts turned to face him, releasing Percy's hand as he instead grinned down at the little Guild Master.
A large smile appearing on the old Guild Master's face as he looked up at Gildarts, happy that one of his surrogate children had returned. "It's good to have you back, my boy!"
"It's good to be back Master!" Gildarts replied smiling down at the small old man as he did so. Enjoying the feeling of being back at home after two long hard years on the road.
( - )
(A few minutes later)
A few minutes later after a round of greetings to the numerous wizards clamoring for his attention, Gildarts finally managed to extricate himself from the mass of well-wishers. Getting some space for himself as he and a number of others headed for the bar.
"So how did your mission go?" Mira asked, as she turned and headed back to the bar, heading over so that she could go and get Gildarts a draught of ale to welcome him home.
Gildarts chuckled at that, following after her as both Makarov, Perseus also headed for the bar. Giving out smiles, and nods of his head to those around him as he did so, acknowledging their greetings and returning them.
"That good eh?" Percy asked curiously as he once again took his seat at the bar. Gildarts sitting on his other side, with Makarov on the other side of him. The three of them all happily settling themselves as Mira set a large tankard of ale in front of each of them. The three most powerful members of Fairy Tail.
As the three of them settled themselves. Erza, Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Elfman and Cana also moved closer to them. Taking seats or leaning against the bar as they all moved closer, hoping to hear about Gildarts's mission.
"Oh no, I was completely destroy. I didn't stand a chance." Gildarts replied with dark amusement, a brief bark of laughter leaving his mouth.
This shocked most of the wizards listening in, many of them giving him incredulous expressions. Which was not surprising considering the fact that he was renowned for his strength as a wizard, just as much as he was for the destruction he left in his path.
"Wait a sec… you failed your mission?" Natsu said loudly, a look of shock on his face as he stared at Gildarts. The man had been a constant in Natsu's life, acting almost like a father figure as he helped the boy grow into the man he was today. To hear that he was beaten, no not just beaten, but destroyed. That was more shocking to Natsu than anything.
"Yeah, I barely survived." Gildarts replied nonchalantly seemingly not bothered about the looks he was receiving as he instead took his drink from where Mira had put it on the bar in front of him and took a large gulp.
"Must have been pretty brutal." Percy said mildy, as he took his own drink from Mira. Noticing as he did that the barmaid had surprisingly kept her composure.
Gildarts snorted at that, ignoring the shocked looks of many of those looking at him as he met Percy's gaze levelly. Looking at him and seeing the well-hidden curiousity on his old friend face, Gildarts let out a sigh before he stood up and swept his cloak over his shoulder, ignoring the sharp intake of breaths around him as he did so.
"Brutal? That's an understatement! I lost my arm and leg and barely had a chance to fight back. The entre fight was over in under minute and I barely survived." Gildarts said a frown appearing on his face as he revealed that under his travelling cloak he now had a magical prosthetic arm and leg, along with a several large heavily bandaged wounds across his chest.
Gildarts sighed as he said that, flexing his prosthetic hand for a moment before allowing his cloak to once again cover him. Ignoring the horrified looks on the kids around him. Instead looking at the surprised expression on Percy's face and the look of sadness that swept over Makarov's.
Makarov sighed sadly as he saw Gildarts wound, but otherwise kept a relatively straight face. Instead focusing on the positive for the moment as he reached out and patted the larger man's arm. "You're alive, and you're home. That's all that matters now."
"Thanks Master." Gildarts replied with a slight smile.
"Sounds like it was quite a fight. What kind of beast did that to you?" Percy asked his gaze lazily resting on Gildarts. The man was powerful, Percy knew that much. For a wizard of Gildarts's caliber to be so badly wounded, and so quickly, it meant that he must have come across a truly powerful opponent.
Gildarts grunted at that understatement, not at all bothered by the question just as Percy knew he wouldn't be. Instead he just let out a sigh as he glanced at those listening in a thoughtful look passing across his face before glancing over at Natsu momentarily. Noting as he did that the kid looked both excited and apprehensive about what Gildarts was about to say.
"It was a dragon." Gildarts finally said, wincing a she heard the crash of Natsu's seat hitting the wooden floor as the boy jumped to his feet his eyes wide.
"A dragon!" Natsu shouted loudly as he stepped into Gildarts personal space, an eager expression on his face as he began to badger the man for more information. The rest of the group also looked surprised at Gildarts's statement, Wendy let out a faint gasp of surprise. Whilst Gray and Erza tensed slightly. Lucy just looking a bit nervous as she looked from Gildarts's hidden wounds to the excited Natsu.
As Percy watched Natsu badger Gildarts, pushing the older man to find out more information on the supposed dragon he had meet on his journey. Smiling at how excited the dragon slayer appeared despite the grim nature of the Gildarts's meeting, Percy glanced over to see how Wendy, the other dragon slayer was taking this revelation.
The girl Percy noted looked slightly overwhelmed. Looking both excited and perhaps a little scared as she processed the revelation of Gildarts meeting a dragon, whilst also realising the source of the man's horrific injuries. Wendy it appeared looked both hopeful to get a lead on where her dragon, Grandine, had gone. Yet at the same time she looked scared, having realised the enormity of what Gildarts was saying.
"And there I was thinking the dragons were extinct." Percy said slowly, his eyes narrowed as he looked carefully at Gildarts. Thinking back over his many years of live, and over the many of years that he had roamed Earthland. Over those years he had met dragons, but not for hundreds of years, the last ones being hunted down, hunted by one of their own. "Well, at least I thought they were all extinct except for one that is…?"
Gildarts paused as he heard this, his eyes narrowing as he looked over at Percy. By his side Makarov let out a slight sigh, the man already knew of just whom Percy spoke of.
"As big as a mountain, with scales as dark night?" Gildarts questioned cautiously, meeting Percy's gaze warily.
"With glowing blue markings covering his body, and eyes like blue fire" Percy said with a slight grimace, thinking back on the last time he had seen that beast, more than three centuries ago. "Yep that sounds like the one."
"Wait you mean you knew there was a dragon still around!" Natsu said loudly as he turned to glare at Percy, leaving off on his interrogation of Gildarts as he instead focused in on Fairy Tail's Ace. A betrayed look past across Natsu's face as he saw Percy give a brief nod of acknowledgement. The look turning into a resentful scowl as he let out an angry breath. "Why didn't you ever tell me?!"
Percy's green eyes narrowed as he looked over at Natsu, thinking as he did over what he should and should not tell the boy. "Because I knew you would look for it and drag your friends along for the ride. Just as I knew it would kill you, if you ever did find it. After all if it can beat Gildarts, what chance do you really think you have against it?"
It was a harsh statement, but at the same time what he said was not untrue. If Natsu had heard about this beasts existence, he would have tried to find it, and if that had happened the boy would have died.
Natsu froze as he heard what Percy said. A part of him wanting to shout that he didn't care, that he would willing risk his life if it meant getting even a small lead on where Igneel was. A greater part of himself however remembered how he had run after and attacked the Oración Seis in his latest mission.
Back then he hadn't thought things through then and both he and his friends had nearly died. If Perseus had told him about the dragon, he likely would have chased after it and possibly of gotten him and his friends, who undoubtedly would have insisted on coming, killed.
Percy gave Natsu a level look for a moment, surprised when the pink haired dragon slayer seemed to back down. In years past he would have gone on a rant, screaming and shouting, and just generally being a little shit. Now though he seemed to accept Percy's words, he obviously didn't like them, but he accepted them. Maybe Percy thought, maybe Natsu had grown up a bit.
"This dragon you are talking about, what is it?" Erza asked into the silence that followed, looking between Gildarts, Percy and the Makarov. Her brow furrowed as she saw the distinct reactions each of the men had, they clearly knew something about the dragon. Yet had never thought to mention it before, not even to her, an S-Class wizard.
Hearing Erza's question, Percy paused for a few seconds, his gaze moving over the group in front of him for a moment before he let out a sigh. He knew he would have to tell them something, enough to appease them at least. "Its name is Acnologia. Known by many as the King of Dragons, or the Dragon of the Apocalypse."
Those around him all looked at Percy cautiously as he said that, a slight shiver running through their bodies as they heard the name. They didn't know why, but a sense of foreboding and dread seemed to follow the name.
After Percy's statement, they all continued to look at him, hoping for more information. They were to be disappointed as Percy instead turned away.
"And that's all you need to know about it." Percy said not wanting to get into the history of that dragon, nor its origins. That conversation would be long, convoluted and tricky to explain. Especially with Wendy and Natsu being present. For now it would be best just to leave it, he had no intention of ever seeing that dragon again, and the last thing he had heard that dragon was living in self-imposed exile, not caring about the rest of the world.
Erza scowled as she heard that, not used to Percy not sharing things with her. Usually he answered most questions she had, as long as they were not too personal. The others all also began to frown at the lack of information they received. Not that they tried to demand more.
They all knew Percy well enough to know that if he did not want to share something, than he wouldn't. There was nothing they could do to convince him. Which only meant that they would have to look into this Acnologia on their own.
"So anyway what's been happening with the Guild Hall? Why's it changed so much?" Gildarts asked into the slight silence that followed, a curious look on his face as he looked around deliberately attempting to change the subject. Noting as he did to find out more about the dragon he had met form Makarov or Percy, the both of them seeming to know more than he did.
"It's a long story." Makarov replied dryly taking a sip of his beer, before he began to recount the events of the last few months for Gildarts benefit.
( - )
(A few hours later)
Percy let out a sigh as both he and Gildarts sat at the bar, the pair of them watching the rowdy antics of the Guild. It had been a few hours since Gildarts had returned and already things were returning to normal. Or at least as normal as things got in a Wizarding Guild like Fairy Tail.
"So you're going after Laxus?" Gildarts asked curiously, having just been given a brief rundown of how and why Laxus was expelled from the Guild, and how Percy was planning on bringing him back.
"That's the plan." Percy replied with a shrug. For all Laxus's faults the kid had a good heart. He had made a mistake, a huge one yes, but a mistake all the same. So although Percy believed he rightly should be punished, he didn't thinking kicking him out of the Guild was the answer.
No Percy was of the opinion that a prolonged punishment was necessary, for both him and his minions the Thunder Legion. One which would make them learn the error of his ways, but not see them kicked out of Fairy Tail. After all over the years Percy had learned to be pragmatic, Fairy Tail might be like a family, but it would only continue as long as they received missions. Having a strong reputation and powerful members, were an unfortunate requirement if they wanted to continue on as they were.
Gildarts nodded at that, not choosing to question Percy's reasoning. After all he had known the older man for decades, and even if he didn't understand everything Perseus did, he trusted him implicitly.
"When do you leave?" Gildarts asked instead, taking a sip of beer and smiling slightly as he saw the happy faces of the rest of the Fairy Tail Guild Members as they laughed and drank together. A fight looking between young Droy and Jet and another wizard, an unfamiliar one with metal piercings and shaggy black hair.
"Sometime today probably, I have been clued into Laxus's current whereabouts, better getting it over with now. So I can come back and relax a bit," Percy said, shrugging as he followed Gildarts's gaze, a frown on his face as he noticed Gajeel. The former member of Phantom Lord, someone Percy had yet to interact with.
"Erza and Mira will probably be pissed. You only just got back and already you are leaving." Gildarts replied, a smirk on his face as he gave Percy a sideways look a she mentioned two exceptionally pretty young women.
Percy just shrugged in response though ignoring Gildarts smug smirk. "I doubt I will be more than a couple of days, besides I was going to let Erza come along if she wanted too. As for Mira, she's happy behind the bar, I doubt she would want to come even if I asked her. Besides as I said it will only be for a few days."
"Just like back in the day eh? When you used to take Erza on some of your easier missions?" Gildarts grinned as he heard what Percy said, looking over at Erza, who was in the midst of talking with Natsu, Wendy, Lucy and Gray. "Though it looks like she grew up a LOT in the last two years."
Percy chuckled at that, shaking his head amused by how childish the forty odd year old man could act.
"You sly old dog!" Gildarts grinned, as he punched Percy lightly on the shoulder.
"You however don't seem to have grown up at all, you pent up old pervert." Percy replied dryly.
Gildarts let out a loud bark of laughter as he heard that, before he shrugged in reply. "Why would I want to, I am already pretty awesome?"
"I wouldn't call being a man child, being awesome." Percy replied in amusement, before he downed his drink and stood up.
"You heading off now?" Gildarts asked as he cocked an eyebrow, taking another sip of his drink as he did so.
"Yeah, will give Natsu a spar I promised him first though." Percy replied before he rolled his shoulders, and began to approach the group of wizards. His lips twitching slightly as he saw Happy attempting to woo Carla, only to fail epically. The others all laughing and talking together like areal team.
Watching Percy leave Gildarts shook his head in amusement. Downing his ale he then pushed himself to his feet and followed. "You're going to fight Natsu? What's the poor kid done to deserve that?"
"He challenged me and I accepted." Percy replied with a shrug, glancing over his shoulder as he did so.
Gildarts just shook his head in amusement. Looking forward to the curb stomping that was to come. It would be amusing for Gildarts to see Natsu trying to fight Perseus instead of him. The boy had never had the balls to try it before.
"Hey Erza!" Percy called out, getting the groups attention as he approached them. Wearing a simple red T-shirt, a pair of black jeans and some brown leather boots. His sword Backbiter sheathed on his right him, his hand idly resting on the hilt as he came to a stop.
"Oh hey Perseus." Erza replied, a slight smile on her face as she looked at him in curiousity. "What's the matter?"
"Last I heard Laxus is in Clover Town, so I am about to head off on a short trip so I can track him down and beat some sense into him then drag him back to the Guild." Percy said bluntly, a slight smile on his face as he saw the dumb expressions that crossed Natsu and gray's faces at his words. The both of them had likely heard about what he was going to do, but had not expected him to speak so bluntly about the powerful Lightning Dragon Slayer.
"Yes I heard you were going to do that." Erza replied with a nod of her head, having been told prior by Master Makarov about what Percy was planning. Just before he had put a vote to the rest of the Guild about whether to let Laxus back in on probation. Something the Guild surprisingly agreed to almost unanimously, even now the forgiving nature of her Guild still surprised her.
"You want to come along?" Percy asked, a slight grin on his face as he saw a flash of surprise cross her face.
"Of course!" Erza replied quickly a slight smile on her face. It had been over two years since she had been on a mission with just the two of them, and she had to say she missed it. For all she enjoyed being on a team with Natsu, Gray and Lucy it was a lot of hard work, and required a great deal of patience. Going out with Percy however was just fun.
"Great." Percy said as he me met Erza gaze, a crooked grin on his face as he did so. "Looks like it is just me and you then Red."
Erza's cheeks went a bit pink at that, before she nodded her head. "It seems so. So when do you want to leave?"
"Sometime today, sooner rather than later." Percy shrugged, before he glanced over at Natsu. "But first off I need to give Natsu that spar I promised him."
Natsu's face lit up as he heard that. A large grin spreading across his face and a challenging gleam appearing in his eyes as he slammed his fists together in front of him before he pointed vehemently at Percy. "Bring it on. I am going to beat you down old man!"
A slight smile crossed Percy's face as he heard the boy's confidence, in some ways Natsu might have grown up a lot, but Percy was glad to see his confidence and his other more endearing qualities remained. Ignoring how the rest of the Guild quietened down as they heard Natsu's loud exclamation, Percy instead gave Natsu a challenging grin. "I'll see you outside in five minutes Natsu, I hope you put up a good fight."
Natsu grinned at that, before he gave Percy a nod and then ran out of the Guild. Calling for Happy to follow him as he did so. Lucy was quick to follow after the two of them shouting for them to slow down and wait. Gray ran after them to, though not before he gave Percy a long speculative look. Getting Percy's attention as he cocked an eyebrow, only for Gray to shake his head and run after Natsu.
The majority of the other Fairy Tail wizards followed soon after that, a buzz of excitement falling upon the Guild as the news of the upcoming spar was passed on. People already shouting out how they thought it would end.
Percy meanwhile ignored this instead giving Erza a slight grin as he saw the frown cross her face. "Don't worry, it's just going to be a spar. Natsu challenged me before, the kid wanted to show he had become stronger. I think he also wants to learn a few tricks form me too."
The frown didn't leave Erza's face as he said that, though she did nod her head slowly. "I can see him doing that. So are you going to teach him anything?"
Percy shrugged at that, not sure himself. After all he only bothered teaching people, when they showed they were both willing and ready to learn from him. "We'll see."
Erza nodded at that. "Don't be too hard on him."
"Don't' worry, I won't. Now come on we don't want to keep him waiting." Percy replied, with a slight grin. Giving both Gildarts, Makarov and Mira a nod as he began to leave the Guild. All of them following Percy and Erza, curious as they were about how well Natsu would do against Perseus.
( - )
(A few minutes later outside the Guild Hall)
A slight smile spread across Percy's face as he saw a large semicircle form around where he was to face off against Natsu. The group of Fairy Tail mages were all standing out on the beach just behind the main Guild Hall. Already drawing in some of the townsfolk as a small crowd began to gather.
Glancing around Percy could see that everyone was chattering about excitedly, some of them calling out encouragement to Natsu, whilst others were betting on how long the dragon slayer would last. Cana ever the opportunist seemed to have started a betting pool.
Giving out odds on how long Natsu would last, and how many hits he could take before he was finished. It was harsh Percy thought, that no one in the Guild seemed to rate Natsu's chances against him. But then again he had many years of experience on Natsu and somewhat of a reputation. Still though this was just a spar so he was going to give Natsu a chance to fight back.
So Percy wasn't going to go all out, instead he just wanted to test Natsu, to see how far he had come in the last two years. To see how he fought and how he adapted when faced with a stronger opponent. He hadn't seen the boy properly in two years, and the last time he had he hadn't been impressed, the boy had no real strategy. Instead he just attempted to overpower any obstacle eh came across, it would be interesting to see how he would fare against someone he couldn't just overpower.
In the end Natsu had a good heart and he had a lot of confidence, and a love of fighting all of which was admirable. Unfortunately though he didn't think things through, he was rash and hot headed and often made mistakes. Which in itself is not a bad thing, but only if you learn from those mistakes.
Now though, Percy wasn't sure what to make of the pink haired dragon slayer. He was different that Percy remembered. More so now than when Percy had first reunited with him before the Oración Seis mission.
Narrowing his eyes slightly Percy nodded his head, having come to a sudden decision.
"Erza?" Percy called out as he turned to look over at the crimson haired mage, who like the rest of the Guild was in the crowd preparing to watch the spar.
Erza cocked an eyebrow as she heard Percy's call, giving him a questioning look. "What is it Perseus?"
"Can I borrow a sword?" Percy asked a slight grin on his face.
Hearing his request Erza's brow furrowed in confusion. Before she slowly nodded, extending her arm and using her 'Re-Equip Magic' to summon a simple four foot long blade, with a simple unadorned cross guard into her hand. "Like this one?"
"That'd be perfect." Percy replied with a grin as he reached over and took the sword from Erza. Going through a few practice swings as he got used to the blades length and weight.
Twirling the blade in his hand, Percy then turned to face Natsu. Rolling his shoulders as he did so, his grip on his sword tightening, and his feet shifting into a fighting stance. Looking over at Natsu, a grin crept across his face as he saw the dragon slayer's confused look. "Well, if you are ready we can begin."
"What's with using one of Erza's swords?" Natsu asked, his brow furrowed in confusion. After all Percy had his own sword, the one that was constantly belted to his hip. The God of Fairies also usually used his water and occasionally the other elements he had mastered.
"This is just a spar isn't it?" Percy answered simply, after all using Backbiter was a bit overkill for a friendly match. If it was a life and death battle, then that was a different thing. But that wasn't the case here.
Natsu shrugged off his confusion as he heard that. Instead just focusing on the fight to come, tuning out the shouts of encouragement from the crowd as he instead focused on Percy, already planning out how he was going to go about fighting him.
"Are you ready, Natsu?" Percy asked, a slight smile on his face as he held the sword one handed in front of him, the tip pointed at the floor. His sea green eyes twinkling, as he carefully watched Natsu, waiting for him to begin.
The dragon slayer nodded as he heard this. Immediately adopting a serious expression. Drawing on his magic as he slammed his flaming fist together.
Grinning slightly, Percy swept his sword up so the blade was just in front of his face before he swept it down again to his side. "Well come at me then Natsu, with everything you've got."
The crowd began to cheer, causing Percy's grin to grow larger. This maybe just a spar but he was really getting into it now. He always did love a good fight, it got the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing. Sweeping his sword up, Percy shifted his feet taking a slightly wider stance as he prepared for Natsu's first attack.
Natsu wasted no time, the minute Percy laid his challenge Natsu let loose a roar before he charged at Percy, a flame surrounding each of his fists. His body low to the ground as he shot forward, his eyes fixed on Percy as he tried to read his movements, so he could react accordingly.
Percy waited until Natsu was almost on top of him, a slight smile playing around his lips as he evaluated the boy's speed and the intensity of his fire. Grinning Percy waited until the last second before he sidestepped, Natsu's swing completely missing him, and the younger man tumbling forward a few steps before regaining his bearings. Before following through with a barrage of swift and accurate fire infused strike, getting in close to try and limit Percy's use of his long sword, whilst also keeping him on defense.
Or at least that was his plan. As Percy instead dodged and weaved through Natsu's punches and kicks. Before using the flat of his blade to knock one of Natsu's strikes away, adding on momentum that knocked the dragon slayer off guard for a single moment. Which Percy used as eh delivered a heavy kick to Natsu's gut, a blow which would have shattered a normal civilians body, but did little more than wind the hardened dragon slayer as it knocked him back a few steps.
Giving the boy a few moments to regain his bearings Percy then lifted his sword and pointed it at Natsu, moving his feet as he began to encircle the dragon slayer. His sea green eyes locked on the dragon slayer as he shifted trying to keep Percy within his sights. "A fast attack Natsu but ill thought out. Don't always assume you can just overwhelm your opponent. Getting in close was clever it stopped me from using my blade to its fullest ability, but at the same time it stopped you from using some of your more impressive and explosive attacks."
Natsu narrowed his eyes as he heard that. His fists still covered in fire before with a shout he lunged forward. A great gout of fire exploding from his mouth and heading for Percy, a wave of powerful magical dragon fire. Natsu using the fire as cover as he ran through it hoping to close in on Percy as his fire proof skin weathered the blast of fire.
Percy cocked an eyebrow at this before, with a sigh he slashed his blade forward calling forth a shield of condensed water. His eyebrow raised as he saw the fire connect with his shield creating a large blast of steam that covered the small area.
From out of the steam Natsu then appeared, his fiery fists raised as he went to strike Percy in the face. Only to get the breath knocked out of him and sent tumbling to the floor. As with barely a though Percy manipulated the steam, crafting a hand out of it with which he slapped Natsu down.
"Good, a clever tactic but poorly executed." Percy said before he clicked his fingers, causing the steam to dissipate. "Use what you know about your opponent to your advantage. I primarily use water based magic, so when confronted with an attack like that it is likely that I would try to shield against it. When fire meets water steam is produced, and as you just found out steam has a lot of moisture in it and is easily malleable. You must always be aware of your environment and of how you can use it to your advantage, yet also how your opponent could use it."
Not skipping a beat Natsu rolled back to his feet, his eyes narrowed before he rushed in again, using blasts of fire from his hands to propel him forward. Twisting in midair as he did so, before attempting to kick Percy with a flame cloaked foot.
Percy however sighed before he moved in close, his clenched fist connecting with Natsu's gut, even as the flat of his blade slapped the dragon slayer's leg. "Don't let your frustration get the best of you Natsu. Rushing in will just get you hurt."
Natsu growled at that, before he leapt back sending a blast of fire at the sand, shrouding the area in sand. Not skipping a beat Natsu attack Percy again, his fist covered on fire as he used his enhanced senses to track Percy in the cloud of sand.
"Clever." Percy said as he dodged Natsu's attacks. Moving easily through the sand despite not being able to see. Whipping his sword around Natsu then drove the hilt into Natsu's gut, grabbing his right wrist as he did so before he twisted it.
With a grunt Natsu collapsed backward, his eyes wide as he suddenly felt a boot land on his chest followed by a sword being pointed at his neck. Natsu let out a sigh at that, even as the cloud of sand dissipated and the sounds of the cheering crowd grew louder.
"I lost." Natsu muttered looking down as he did so.
"You did." Percy acknowledged glad Natsu was able to accept his defeat gracefully. "But you put up a good fight."
"It wasn't good enough though." Natsu replied, his voice low and a note of disappointment in it as he looked away from Percy.
Percy smiled softly at that. "You're young Natsu. Give it time. And if you ever need any help, feel free to ask."
Natsu looked up in surprise at that, having thought he had failed whatever test Percy had set for him. Only to see Percy's hand outstretched, offering him a hand up.
( - )
AN: And the end of the chapter what did you all think? I didn't want to draw out the fight as I don't like fights that take up entire chapters, yet at the same time I wanted to show some progress on Natsu's part. What did you reckon?
The next chapter will feature an Erza and Percy mission. Though the Edolas arc is about to begin so you have that to look forward to.
Also I have decide dot change something about Acnologia as I never liked how they handled him in canon so expect some differences.
Other than that I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and l leave a review.
Thanks a lot for reading and I will see you later.
Seagate.