Magnolia... A city that's as big and wide as New York. It's had it's fair share of criminals and such, and that included supervillains. Of course, there's always someone to protect the city. One of the villains was Erigor, known as Reaper, who has the power to control the wind. He was in the middle of fighting his sworn enemy right now as he shot blasts of wind at him.

"This time, I'm going to skin you!" Reaper called as he kept unleashing his attacks, but his enemy kept avoiding the attacks.

"Seriously, Erigor? We've been going at it like this for about five years now. Aren't you tired of getting beaten?" His opponent said.

"Let's change it up where I crush you this time!" Reaper said as he gathered wind into his palms and unleash a powerful blast of wind only for his opponent to jump out of the way and come at him with a flaming fist and smashed it right against Erigor and hit him pretty good.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Too bad I can't say the same for your reputation."

"I hate you...Salamander." Reaper claimed before he passed out. He was just defeated by Magnolia's own local hero: Salamander. Once he heard sirens coming, he knew it was his time to leave.

"Beat another criminal and score some new photos for my boss." Salamander said as he got what he needed and took off.

Salamander has become the local hero around Magnolia, although some say he's some sort of menace. One of them would be the boss he sells his photos to so he could make some cash. In his normal life, his real name is Natsu Dragneel. He was just a regular guy that lived with his smarter older brother when they lost their parents until his life changed forever. Around five or so years ago, his body was affected by a lizard that was exposed to a mixture of radiation and heat. When the lizard made contact with his flesh, it completely affected his body. Not only is he stronger and more agile, but he can also crawl on walls and ignite fire around his hands and feet. Around the same time, he defeated two of his greatest adversaries: Black Dragon and End. With them gone, beating some of the enemies he's made up until now has been child's play.

"Don't worry, Zeref. I'm doing fine." Salamander said as he hung out on a rooftop and gave his brother a call. "Reaper's going behind bars again. Yeah, I know I need to focus on putting my own life together, but I've got responsibilities as Salamander. I learned I can't ignore them from you, Mom, and Dad. Hey, only parents can use that line, and I'm in my twenties now! Yeah, I'll see you for dinner." He ended the call and saw he was getting another from his girlfriend Lucy. "Hey, Luce. What's up? Got another A... So? You were always so smart. Wait, they really made you that offer?! No way! That does sound great! What's next for me?" That sounded like a good question. Natsu has been focused on his responsibilities as Salamander, but most people he went to high school with are in their final years of college and have moved on with their lives, but what about him? Suddenly, he got a surprise visit. He looked up and saw a large airship hovering right over his head with a light shining down on him. "Uh... I love you, but I think I need to go now. Someone looks like they're here for me." He ended his call and looked up at what he was looking at. He's never seen this before, but what could it be? Suddenly, a rope was thrown down and someone slid down from it so they could talk.

"Hello, Salamander. It's been a long time, but I bet you remember me." Salamander's vision improved from the light and he couldn't believe who just came out.

"No way... Jellal Fernandez?!" Salamander said as he couldn't believe it. He knew all about Jellal since he was real close with Erza. He was also the son of police chief. "What's going on? What is this?"

"I've been working on something for years, and I want you to be apart of it." Jellal said. It sounded like he was making an offer. This all looked too cool to pass anyway.

...

The Airship

Salamander was brought on the large airship that Jellal was brought in. From up there, Salamander could see everything. He also couldn't believe the inside. It looked like there was some advance technology. It was impressive that Jellal had something like this.

"You like it?" Jellal asked.

"I'm not sure like is the right word for this." Salamander said as it showed just how impressed he was. "What is this thing exactly?"

"It can be many things. A base, home in the sky, and more." Jellal said. "I managed to construct this thing myself."

"Seriously?!" Salamander said as he almost couldn't believe it. "Wait. I thought you wanted to become a police officer like your father. How did you manage to create something like this?"

"I have some connections." Jellal said.

"Stronger and bigger connections than I thought if you were able to create something like this." Salamander said as he couldn't believe it.

"And that's what I want to talk to you about." Jellal said. "I was planning to enter the same business as my father, become a police officer and serve this city to protect it. Then, I realized something over the years. There are a lot of powered villains out here. Sure, you were able to defeat the likes of Scarlet Despair, Hades, Black Dragon, and now they're all gone. The police didn't do that, but you could."

"Not to brag, but..." Salamander quipped.

"I love my father, and I do respect what he does, but...there were times I feel like what the police do isn't enough." Jellal said. "I've seen what you can do, Salamander. You've defeated villains that no ordinary police officer or man could defeat. There might those who see you as some sort of menace, like that bag of hot air newsman named Mailer, but I don't. I believe if we combine our resources, we can do great things for this city."

"I'm not sure if I even have much to offer. I've been winging everything on my own." Salamander said.

"The fact that you have these powers in the first place is more than enough." Jellal said. "I've seen what you can do, and it inspired me. I believe our city needs more like you out there. That's what brings me to another project." He said as he showed some data on a computer of what he has researched. "A way to give others powers and make new heroes."

"You want to give people superpowers?" Salamander said as he didn't like this. "Hold on a second! I got my powers by an accident, but I chose to do what I do with them? I could have easily went the other way. You can't force something like this on others."

"And I'm not, just like I'm not going to force you to do this." Jellal said. "It's still your choice as much as anyone else's. I would like for you to be a part of it, but I can find others that are willing. All I want is to do something great for this city. I want to give it protection the likes of which we never had before. I want to build an elite team, and I want you to be a part of it."

"I don't know... I never really worked with a team before." Salamander said.

"Understandable, but maybe try it out. After you do, you can give me a definite answer." Jellal said. "You want to protect this city, and you've done a great job of that. I just thought this could make things easier. I may not know what you're like when you're not Salamander, but this could help you out in many ways." Salamander thought about it and maybe it could. He could be with his loved ones more, and working with a team will give him more free time. He was just wondering what his next step in life should be. Maybe this is it. As he thought about it, he came to realize something that mattered.

"Wait a minute." Salamander said. "Giving people powers is what Scarlet Despair did. How did you get that kind of tech?" He figured it was because Jellal is dating Erza and Erza's mother was Scarlet Despair, one of Salamnder's former monster dangerous enemies, that she's one of those connections.

"You don't have to beat around the bush. I know Irene Belserion was once Scarlet Despair, and I might be with her daughter, but she's not that person anymore." Jellal admitted.

"You don't have to tell me." Salamander said. "I was there when she gave up being Scarlet Despair. She wanted power and control over the city considering what happened to her husband was really hard on her. In her twisted mind, it was all for her daughter. After she gave it up, she's been on the straight and narrow."

"Yes, but her technology can be used for good just as much as it was used for evil." Jellal said. "By doing this, she feels like she's being redeemed. I intend to carry this out with or without you, Salamander, but I do believe it might be better for all of us."

"Sounds like you really put some thought into this." Salamander said. He was impressed that Jellal was able to pull something like this off. "Is your father okay with this? With him being a police officer, this probably places him in the middle between his responsibilities as an officer and a father."

"Whether he likes or not, I intend to go through with this." Jellal said. "I just want to know if you're in or out." Salamander had to think about this. When he decided to take the identity of Salamander, Natsu knew he had to get serious. He's helped out a lot of people when he first became Salamander, even if others didn't like it. Despite the setbacks he had, he put the safety of the city first. He's had some ups and downs in his life, but that could be because he's been handling all of this alone. Sure, a few people know about his identity and he's had some help, but this could be something different. Maybe it's time he makes some sort of change in his life.

"If this could really help Magnolia, I guess I'm willing to give it a try." Salamander said and Jellal was glad to hear that. "So, where's the rest of this team?"

"That's the thing... You're really the only person I recruited. I thought it would do some good to get someone with experience." Jellal said.

"Makes sense. So, where do we start? Do we put out ads or job applications for people willing to be superheroes?" Salamander questioned.

"I'm sure we'll find the right people in time." Jellal said. "In fact, I already have something in mind. We're getting to work right away."

"Wait. You mean we're starting right now?" Salamander questioned as he didn't expect that.

"That's right." Jellal said as he pulled out paperwork. "Are you familiar with Jose Porla?"

"Yeah, I remember him. He tried framing an innocent student named Gajeel Redfox to try and get him back in his little gang." Salamander said. "What about him?"

"I got a tip that he's up to no good again." Jellal said. "Speaking of Gajeel, I'm thinking recruiting him and giving him powers."

"You are?!" Salamander said.

"I know him. I think he would make a fine addition." Jellal said.

"But there's something you need to understand, Jellal." Salamander tried to explain. "These powers come with a great responsibility. If he does this, things will never be the same for Gajeel. They're not just something you can hand out."

"I'm well aware of that. It will be Gajeel's choice whether he wants to do this or not." Jellal said. "I'm not going to force anyone to do something they don't want to do. Salamander, I believe we can do much for this city, but we need help to do that. I trust you; I'm asking for you to trust me." Jellal might not be aware of who Salamander really is, but Natsu does know Jellal. Erza trusts Jellal more than anyone, and Natsu trusted Erza with all his heart. That's why he'll trust Jellal.

"In that case, let's get started." Salamander said. This sounds like it could be interesting. A new chapter in Salamander's life is about to begin.