Redemption V

by Goshinzilla

After her defeat at the hands of Noelle, Vanica had believed that she had discovered what true friendship was. Rejected by Noelle and betrayed by her own devil, the journey of Vanica should have ended there. Instead, she finds herself in a new world. However, this is NOT Fiore as most know it. What awaits Vanica within the Fairy Tail guild? Friendship and salvation, or rejection?

3. A Bloody Burning Dance of Battle

Merry Christmas everyone, and welcome to another chapter of Redemption V! I honestly wasn't expecting to get another chapter of this out so soon, let alone in the same month, but I was just so EXCITED to write this battle that I simply had to. To be honest, I think it's one of my best yet.

However, that'll be all up to you guys to decide.

I'm really, really looking forward to your reviews on this chapter. I put a LOT of hard work and sweat into this, so feedback of any kind would be REALLY appreciated.

Anyways, let's move onto the battle!

Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander of Fairy Tail!

VS

Vanica Zogratis of the Spade Kingdom's Dark Triad!

---

One hour.

It hadn't even been one hour since Vanica Zogratis had joined Fairy Tail, and only about 6 or so since she had found herself in a new world.

And in that time, she had already met a young mage with untapped potential, a woman from another world much like herself, and a guild filled to the brim with Stage One or higher mages, challenged it's famed Titania, and had instead wound up in a presumably easy battle against one Natsu Dragneel.

Oh how wrong she had been.

Now, there she stood, her and Natsu staring at one another as she had emerged from a destroyed convenience store, and after a mad outburst of laughter, she was now itching for more in spite of the burns, cuts and bruises that she had just sustained.

"Alright, Dragon Slayer…" Vanica said with glee, her smile as wide as could be as she tried to contain her newfound excitement as best as she could. "Now, you've gotten my attention."

"W-wait a minute, are you sure about this!?" Levy asked worriedly over the microphone, mostly over Vanica's injuries, but she'd be lying if she didn't say the crazed laughter from earlier didn't also play a part. "You took some pretty nasty hits there."

"Oh, don't you worry your pretty little head about it," Vanica replied gleefully as she casually waved her right hand about. "Because injuries like these-" Her body began to enshroud itself with a dark red aura then…and her wounds began to heal. "Are just proof that the battle is worth fighting!"

"High speed regeneration?" Liltotto remarked with some degree of surprise. "I know that her magic felt somewhat similar to a hollow, but this is…"

"Yeah." Candice added. "That's…not normal, especially for magic."

"It's not like a hollow's. At least, not entirely."

The two quincy looked over towards Bambietta, staring intensely at Vanica. "I can definitely sense normal magic from her from her blood magic, but there's something…else to it. Like a weird taint. It kinda feels like Mirajane. Just…worse."

Candice raised an eyebrow at that. "Worse? How?"

Bambietta shook her head. "I can't really explain it," She said as her eyes narrowed. "Just…call it a hunch."

The other members of the guild were seemingly just as confused as their chatter filled the air.

"Wait, hold on a second. I thought that healing magic was lost magic," Droy asked his best friend. "Wendy should be the only one who can do that, right?"

"She should be, yeah," Jet answered.

Gajeel has to resist the urge to roll his eyes. "Well, clearly that's not the case for wherever she's from then, now is it?"

"Whatever the case is," Totomaru added, his interest in the battle much greater than it had been moments before. " I think we should stop taking this woman so lightly."

Back towards the street of the fake Karakura town, Natsu smirked at Vanica. "I had a feeling that you could keep going."

"Oh, did you now?" Vanica asked in a chipper tone. "Do tell."

Natsu chuckled. "Yeah, I've kinda gotten a good handle on whether or not people are really giving their all whenever they're fighting me or not over the years. So after I took a few hits I had a feeling that you had a lot more to give."

(Song of choice: Super Buu theme)

"How observational of you," Vanica said as her magical power continued to build up around her. "Though, you're not the only one who has that handy little skill, so I could say the same thing applies to you as well. You're actually not half bad. A potential stage 0. In fact, I think with you…"

Vanica began to chuckle then, as her body glowed with a red aura. The pavement beneath her feet began to crack then, the street beginning to shake as her expression suddenly turned manic with glee. "I think I can finally start having some real fun! 20%!"

Then, without any sort of warning, Vanica shot off from the ground like a missile, her bloodied claw already grasping itself over Natsu's face before they smashed through an entire building, then another, and another, and another before they burst out of the last building of the street.

"Ahahahahahaha!"

However, Vanica was far from finished, releasing Natsu from her grasp before she kneed him in the stomach and sent him hurtling through the air before he crashed into the 8th floor of one of the surrounding buildings.

Natsu groggily shook his head as he tried to get up to his feet. "Man, that was-

"Over here!""

Only for his eyes to widen as he heard Vanica directly above him as she swung her claw down, which fired off five large slashes of blood towards Natsu.

He leapt from the building just before the spell connected with the building, before it completely crumbled from the devastating attack. Yet, there was no chance for reprieve for the pink haired wizard, as he heard Vanica let out a shout of glee before she attempted to kick down at him. Natsu rolled out of the way just in the nick of time, as Vanica's foot embedded itself through the pavement of the road like a knife through hot butter.

"Nice, nice, you got good reflexes," Vanica complimented Natsu as the pages of her grimoire began to turn as her other hand also gained a massive bloody claw. "That'll just makes this all the more interesting-"

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Natsu lunged forward, trying to throw another flame enhanced punch towards Vanica's face. However, Vanica's bloody claw stopped the attack in its tracks, her smile only increasing. "W-what!?" Natsu said.

"Sorry," Vanica replied cheerfully as she cocked her other hand back. "But that kind of power just isn't gonna be good enough anymore!"

She brought her hand down, trying to slash Natsu across the chest. However, Natsu ducked underneath the strike before he slammed his head against Vanica's chin, forcing her to cry out and let go of his hand. Fire began to surround Natsu's hand once again, before he cried out. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" once again, and punched Vanica right in the face, sending her hurtling flying through another building.

However, almost instantly she burst out of the building, her glee having only grown before she tried to slash at Natsu with her left claw. Natsu narrowly dodged the first strike, then the second, only for the dragon slayer to find himself on the backfoot, as Vanica continued to slash away at him with reckless abandon.

"Come on!"

His head moved to the left.

"Come on! Come on!"

He blocked her next strike with his elbow, his body bleeding slightly as he skidded back, only for Vanica to get right back in his face as she struck him once again.

"Come on! Come on! Come on!"

Another strike, this one cutting him slightly in the chest, before he just barely dodged to the right, his cheek suffering a small cut.

"Come on, come on, come on, come on!"

Natsu tried to punch back at her, but Vanica somersaulted over the strike before she slashed at Natsu from behind, forcing him to stumble to the ground. As his knees hit the ground, he turned around just in time to stop Vanica's clawed hand from striking his face.

"Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on!"

"Fire Dragon Talon!"

Natsu struck out with his right foot, slamming it into Vanica's stomach as she was forced back. However, rather than let the attack deter her in anyways, she instead let out a gleeful cry and pointed her clawed hand at Natsu as an orb of blood formed at the palm of her hand.

"Blast of Red!"

A large orb of concentrated blood, about three times that of a basketball, fired towards Natsu at high speed. The soles of his feet ignited, allowing him to leapt over the attack and landed on the rooftop of one of the buildings in the artificial Karakura town. However, as Vanica's spell connected with one of the buildings, a great blast ensued, destroying it and all of the surrounding buildings, shaking the entire town.

"Woah!" Natsu said as he looked at the massive crater left in the wake of Vanica's spell. "That looked like it would have-"

The sound of an incoming projectile, however, grabbed Natsu's attention as a baseball sized orb of blood shot towards him. The dragon slayer leapt off the rooftop of the building and landed on the adjacent building, where he could witness the entire upper half of the building's utter destruction. However, there was no time to rest, as yet another projectile of blood shot towards him, forcing him to backflip onto yet another building.

"Hehehehehehehe! Ahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahaha! AH HA HA!"

Vanica, in the meanwhile, had remained stationary as she continued to bombard and blast Natsu with projectiles from her claws. The attacks weren't all that strong on their own, but that didn't matter. Right now, she was simply testing her new sparring partner, wanting to see just what sort of inner limits he possessed. Was he truly as worthy an opponent as Erza would have liked her to believe? A worthy rival?

There was only one way to find out.

"You can't run forever Dragon Slayer," Vanica replied cheerfully as she continued to try to blast him. "Sooner or later either I'll hit you, or you'll need to hit me! Come on, what's it gonna be!? I'm just dying to know!"

Bambietta felt a chill run down her spine. Jesus christ, this woman is INSANE!

As Natsu continued to dodge and weave through Vanica's strikes, he couldn't help but smile. He honestly wasn't expecting this new member to be pushing him as hard as she was. Sure, she may have been getting a bit more into the battle than even he was, but as far as he was concerned, as long as they were having a good time, it scarcely mattered.

She's right about one thing though, Natsu thought as he leapt down onto the street to dodge one of her blasts, then ducked underneath another, and leapt over a third. If we keep going at it like this, she's going to win. I need to get a hit in, and fast!

Fortunately for him, he had just the move needed to do that.

"Fire Dragon's Sword Horn!"

*FWOSH!*

Her eyes were only capable of barely tracking what had happened next as Natsu shot off from the ground at blitzing speed, his entire body engulfed in fire and allowing him to shoot through Vanica's barrage of blood before he slammed his head against her stomach. Spit fell from her mouth from the impact before her body was sent hurtling away, smashing through a replica of one of Karakura towns many buildings.

The reprieve, however, was short, as a burst of red magic shot out in a pillar through the building, before five slash marks traveled through the air towards Natsu.

He jumped out of the way of the attack, only for Vanica's bloody claw to grab onto Natsu's face and as she threw him through another building. Natsu was quick to retaliate, rocketing back towards her with his flames propelling him through the air, but Vanica dodged to the left and grabbed onto one of arms and swung him back towards the ground before she tried to strike at him once again.

"Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!"

Bloody claws clashed with flaming fist as all of the windows on the street they were fighting on shattered into pieces, the ground beneath cracking. However, Vanica simply let out a happy cry, while Natsu let out a defiant roar as they tried to overwhelm each other. However, Natsu's feet began to slowly skid against the ground before Vanica used her other hand to try to blast him with an orb of blood. However, just before her attack could strike, Natsu made the wise decision to disengage with his clash with Vanica as he leapt back, allowing Vanica's momentum to carry her to the ground, her claw striking through the earth.

Just like Natsu hoped it would.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Natsu tried to strike at Vanica's face as one of her claws remained trapped in the earth. However, just as his fist was about to connect, a spike of blood burst out from the street. He leapt back avoiding the spell…only for Vanica to let out a cheerful cry.

"Blood Magic: Stake of Ichor!"

The ground began to shake and shudder then, Natsu's eyes widening in surprise before he jumped up high into the air thanks to his flames just before a gigantic spike of blood burst out from the ground, destroying one of the nearby buildings in the process.

Vanica looked up at Natsu and grinned. "Nice, nice, nice! Your skills and instincts truly are incredible! But this isn't all you have to offer, is it?" She removed her hand from the ground as her magic began to build up around her once more. "Because I'm going to need a lot more than this to let loose! 25%!"

Then, before Natsu could give her an answer, she shot up into the air, blitzing right past him as she struck him with her claw, forcing him to cry out in pain. However, she was far from finished before she turned around in the air and used her blood magic to make a platform of blood in the air just above her and shot back down, and struck him in the back, sending Natsu crashing to the ground.

Vanica landed gracefully on her feet then, before she started at Natsu's prone form. "Come on now, stop holding out on me," She almost whined. "I haven't had this much fun while only using so little of my power before. So don't disappoint me and tell me it's already over?"

Natsu groaned as he got up to his feet, shaking his head free of any of the rubble that had gotten in his hair before he looked at Vanica. "Woah, I gotta say, you're actually pretty good. I can see now why you'd want to fight Erza."

Vanica smiled. "You're not so bad yourself, Dragon Slayer. At least in terms of battle prowess and instinct, I'd say you're already some of the best I fought. However-" Her eyes narrowed then, as her smile disappeared. "This isn't everything you've got, right? It would be such a waste to find such a decent fighter, only to find out that they can only dance at this level."

Natsu tilted his dance. "Dance? But we're fighting, right?"

Vanica chuckled before she extended her pointer finger upwards.. "Ohh, so skilled yet so unaware. Battle is a dance, between two or more partners. The more skilled they are, the longer and better the 'dance' of battle is! I imagine if we just stayed like this, we could be at this for a while. A fun time, sure. But…"

Her expression turned manic before she cried out at him. "I want to have even more fun than that! So go on, show me what you can really do!"

It wasn't supposed to be like this. This man, this dragon slayer, was supposed to be nothing more than a mere appetizer for the day that would tide her over till the main course that was supposed to be Erza Scarlet the day after. Yet, here and now he was raising the bar, and her interest, considerably.

I only hope that this flame of yours isn't so easy to snuff out, Dragon Slayer.

Natsu chuckled before he gave Vanica another grin. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. Now that I see just how strong you are…" He slammed his fists together then, as Flames began to flow around him. "I'm all fired up now!"

Vanica could help but smile back. Well, if nothing else, it would appear as if I've found myself a kindred spirit. Her power increased silently then to 26%, curious to see if she would notice a worthwhile difference. Now the question simply was this. Would he be worth remembering? Did he have the potential to get stronger, like Noelle had?

Had she…actually found another friend?

The answer would be revealed in the next clash.

(Song of choice: Salamander, Fairy Tail OST)

The two wizards rushed towards one another, claws of blood and fists of flame at the ready. As the two blows struck one another, Nastu felt his knees bend, and for a moment, Vanica felt her disappointment begin to emerge. However, that disappointment quickly faded, as Natsu then let out a loud shout and actually began to push her back.

"Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!"

Vanica felt the dragon slayer's fist hit her under her chin yet again, the blow a good deal stronger than it had been the last time. However, the pain did absolutely nothing to deter her, as she went in and slashed at Natsu with her claw. He skidded back, but the damage was little more than a superficial cut before Natsu jumped up into the air as flames concentrated around his feet.

"Fire Dragon's Talon!"

Natsu plummeted downward, his flaming foot poised to strike at Vanica, but just as his blow was about to connect, a wall of blood formed around her, blocking the attack.

"Nice try, but I've already seen that technique before!" Vanica told him. "You won't catch me off guard with something like-"

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

The attack name was the only warning Vanica had before Natsu leapt over the shield and tried to punch down at her, forcing Vanica to leap back to avoid the strike. She landed gracefully on her right foot, before she reared back her left leg.

"Blood magic: Slashing Kick!"

A large slash of blood shot towards Natsu, the dragon slayer leaping over the attack as it sliced through several buildings before they fell to the ground and crumbled. The moment he landed on his feet, he ran towards her, ducking and dodging her subsequent slashes fired off from her leg…and approaching faster than she expected.

Is he…getting faster? Vanica couldn't help but think before she leapt over Natsu's strike as he attempted to punch at her. "Nice try!" Vancia said cheerfully. "But you'll have to try harder than-"

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"

Twin torrents of flame focused around Natsu's hands before he flung them towards Vanica. Descending midair as she was, there was simply now way for her to dodge and the flames struck true. However, Vanica burst out from the flames, her body covered in minor and first degree burns which were already beginning to heal before she struck at Natsu, only for his right hand to grab around her wrist before he spun around and tossed her away.

His reaction speed is also improving! Vanica realized before she increased her power yet again to 27% and shot off from the ground. Once again did she try strike at him with a fury of her claw strikes, and while Natsu did manage to dodge and block about half of them, the remaining half hit precisely where she had intended.

However, much to her ever growing shock and excitement, her attacks, while still cutting into him, were beginning to do less and less damage.

His defense as well!?

She went in for another strike, only for Natsu to side step her attack and promptly punched her across the face. Vance stepped back several feet, trying to regain some sort of composure, However, Natsu was relentless, as he quickly moved in and tried to land another flaming kick.

"Fire Dragon's Talon!"

The pages of Vanica's Grimoire began to turn in response however, her power going up to 28% as her blood shield emerged right before her as she let out a mad cackle. "Sorry, but that techniques not strong enough to break through my shield, rememb-"

*SMASH!*

Evidently, however, it was, as Natsu's flaming foot slammed right into Vanica's stomach, forcing her to cough out blood before she went tumbling away from the strike, her body quickly rolling across the pavement.

Power.

Speed.

Defense.

Reaction time.

Flame intensity.

Each of these properties were only getting more and more powerful the more the battle dragged on. Something was off. This wasn't like what she was used to when fighting other opponents. Typically after an initial encounter they used some sort of new spell or transformation or the like that indicated an increase of power. Yet with Natsu there seemed to be no such thing, his strength was simply beginning to slowly climb at its own rate.

Almost like she did.

And that…. just made her all the more excited!

"Yes, yes, that's it," Vancia said as she got up to her feet, absolutely beaming with joy. "This is the sort of fight I was looking for when I heard of this guild! 29%!"

She leapt up from the ground before she spun around in the air as she tried to strike at Natsu with her bloody claw. He blocked the attack, though his arm was cut as a result before she tried to rush in. For a moment or two, Natsu was on the back foot, each of her strikes pushing him back.

It was, however, only for a moment.

(Song of choice: Blazing Dance, Fairy Tail OST.)

Natsu threw a punch at Vanica, which she narrowly avoided by ducking underneath the strike, before she slashed at Natsu with her right claw, only for it to be blocked by his left arm. He tried to retaliate with another punch, only for Vanica to block with her left hand.

Back and forth the two went, striking and blocking each other's blow in a seemingly endless loop. As their feet moved about on the ground, dodging, weaving and blocking each other just in the nick of time, their rhythmic movements began to look less like that of two wizards brawling…but two partners engaged in a dance.

The dance of battle.

This was not lost on Vanica, no, not at all. This man, this wizard of Fairy Tail was making her body tingle with excitement. This was what she carved, what she lived for. It didn't matter if she was only just above a mere quarter of her strength, it didn't matter if he was starting to get more hits in than she did, it didn't even matter when he punched her so hard that it broke her nose.

This wizard had a unique ability that allowed him to grow stronger the longer he fought. How and why it worked she had no idea and currently, she couldn't have cared less.

But what I DO know is that he's going to just keep on getting stronger and stronger and stronger! Vanica thought cheerfully. Sure, he may not have been anywhere near her equal now, but this power of his was so far allowing him to keep pace with her despite her incremental increases in power. This wizard had just the kind of potential she was looking for. Someone who could theoretically keep up with her at all times.

A potentially perfect sparring partner!

She was keeping it at a slow pace for now, not wanting to spoil the battle by potentially ending it too quickly, but her expectations for this fight were climbing to an all time high. Whenever this power of his had a ceiling or not was simply something she'd find out eventually

But for now, it was time to turn up the heat, both metaphorically and literally.

"30%!"

Her power shooting up yet another percentage allowed her the strength needed to end the perpetual deadlock the two wizards had found themselves in, sending Natsu back with a slash before she aimed her claw at his hand, Natsu just barely grabbing it as his legs began to wobble.

"More!"

Another slash, this one cutting Natsu's cheek as he cried out and quickly retaliated with a punch, hitting her hard on the face, knocking her head back before she brought it forward, a wide smile making itself present on her face.

"More, more!"

Once again did Vanica begin to wail away at Natsu with her claw strikes, as Natsu tried to strike back at her as best he could. The two began to trade blows, though unlike the deadlock from before, Vancia had a clear lead, striking him four times for every punch he managed to land.

"More, more, more!"

Natsu slammed his forehead into her face, once again breaking her recently healed nose, only for her to let out a playful sequel as she slashed him down the chest in retaliation. She struck him again two, three more times and while the cuts were still rather shallow, they were damaging him nonetheless.

"More, more, more, more!"

However, as Vanica tried to slash at Natsu for the umpteenth time, Natsu's hand shot out and grasped around Vanica's wrist, breaking her out of her manic rampage before Nastu glared at her.

Fire Dragon's -"

Vanica braced herself for impact, knowing that either a Fire Dragon's Iron Fist or Crushing Fang was headed her way.

"Grip Strike!"

"Eh?"

Vanica would have blinked with surprise if she had the time, as the palm grasped against her face. Much to her surprise though, the grab, while certainly painful, wasn't anywhere near as bad as she had expected. However, before she could further process her confusion, the flames that surrounded Natsu's body began to travel off from his arm and instead flowed onto her head.

What!?

Then, before she realized it, the upper half of her body was covered in a burst of flames and a powerful explosion followed suit, forcing Vanica to let go of Natsu's arm as she let out a scream of pain as she was sent flying back.

"Gyyyaaaaaaaahhhh!"

The pain from the explosive attack was considerably more painful than the previous attacks she had been hit with, and her back slammed through a nearby telephone poll, snapping it in half like it was a twig. Most would have called it quits after an attack like that, while others would have needed a moment to compose themselves to adjust to the pain.

Vanica, however, was not most mages.

She instantly hopped back to her feet as the first degree burns that covered her body already began to heal. "Blood Magic:-" She began to say, reeling back her right leg before she swung it at Natsu as a large bloody slash traveled towards him. "Slashing Kick!"

Natsu jumped up from the attack, much like he had the last time, but this time Vanica had been expecting that, as she pointed her massive red claw at Natsu as an orb of red energy began to form around the plan of her hand.

"Blast of Red!"

The large orb of destructive blood magic hurtled towards Natsu. While the dragon slayer had an option to escape, he instead opted for another strategy entirely. "With the flames of my left hand and the flames of my right," He began to say as both of his hands ignited with fire.

"When you combine the flames together-"

He then slammed his hands together, creating a large ball of fire before he lifted it over his head, where it grew several times his own size before he tossed it down towards Vanica's own spell.

"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"

The two orbs of magic clashed, the energy emitted sending a shockwave that reached all the way towards the grandstand where the audience was left to watch in awe. For a moment, the two seemed evenly matched, but it quickly became apparent which spell was superior,.as Natsu's began to burn away at Vanica's until there was nothing left.

Eyes widening at the sheer power she sensed from the spell, Vanica couldn't help but look at the spell with awe.

Ohhhhhhh! It's so brilliant, it's so powerful, it's…proooobably something I should dodge.

Heeding her own advice, Vanica created wings made out of blood that formed on her back, before she took off high into the sky like a rocket. She flew above the buildings in just about three seconds, only for her body to be sent further up as a powerful shockwave slammed her from her behind. She spun out of control slightly as she turned around, only for eyes to widen at the sheer level of destruction that she saw before her eyes.

Right in the middle of the artificial town was a large, massive pillar of fire, shooting up towards the ceiling before it came to a complete stop. As the flames faded away, what was left in its wake was a large massive crater, which spanned over several city blocks.

That spell…

It wasn't the range of the destruction from the spell that had impressed her, no that was something she could have done without even trying. Rather, it had been the force behind the spell that she had sensed that had left a strong impression with her. There was absolutely no mistaking it, if that had hit her, in her current state…she would have taken considerable damage.

There's no doubt about it! Vanica thought as her smile grew from side to side. He's definitely a Stage 0 wizard!

"Woah! That was amazing!" Vanica proclaimed happily before her eyes fell upon Natsu, the dragon slayer standing still where he was. "That attack would have really hurt if it hit me! Unfortunately for you, however, you just managed to miss me. And now that I've seen your strongest spell…"

She hurtled down to the ground then, her wings granting her even greater speed than before. "I'm afraid this battle of ours is as good as over!"

"My strongest spell, huh?" Natsu thought with a chuckle as flames began to build up around him as both of his arms coated himself in fire. "Sorry, but that's not even close! Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus:-"

As Vanica rapidly approached, only a mere twenty feet above him in the sky, Natsu stretched out both of his arms to his front and back as torrents of flame focused around each of his arms before he began to spin them around, as a massive flaming vortex of fire unleashed itself towards Vanica.

"Exploding Flame Blade!"

Something's different about this one! Vanica realized as the attack hurtled towards her. The attack hadn't even connected, yet she could already tell that the heat was far more intense, more powerful than any of the other spells that her opponent had used up until now. She was too close now with absolutely no time to dodge. She was left with no choice but to take the brunt of this spell.

Then for the first time since this battle began, a possibility that she had initially thought impossible ran through her mind.

Am I…Going to lose?

The twin torrents of fire slammed into her again and again, her body repeatedly struck by the incredibly powerful flames. Each attack seemed to do more than the last, and Vanica could not help but scream as the attacks intensified more and more, until at long last, the attack ceased, and her body was sent careening away, covered in all sorts of burns.

*CRACK!*

Her back impacted against the pavement several times before her body stopped bouncing off of the ground and instead rolled over several times before she finally came to a complete stop. Steam came off of her body, where she remained completely unmoving, her back laid firmly against the ground.

Silent.

The gathered members of the Fairy Tail guild could only watch on in awed silence. What had been expected to have been nothing more than a slightly glorified sparring match had turned into a far more epic and dragged out affair, untill Natsu finally managed to an abrupt halt.

"Man, that was…not what I was expecting at all," Laki said, her eyes wide.

"Y-yeah…" Macao had to agree.

Lisanna, however, smiled. "I had a feeling she was tough. Call it instinct, ya know? I'm just glad the two of them got to have some real fun."

Wendy nodded. "Yeah! I know she was really disappointed with the dark mages she beat, but I think this is just what she was looking for."

The woman is insane, Carla thought as she looked down at her prone form. But at least she ought to calm down after a fight like that.

"It was a magnificent fight," Juvia said. "But I know that you could have beaten her much faster. Isn't that right, my beloved."

"Yeah, totally." Gray said with a smile. "Though, not going to lie…She's not bad for a newbie."

Gajeel crossed his arms. "I can't believe that Salamander was actually forced to use one of his secret arts."

"I think he needs to keep on training if someone like this pushes him so far," Totomaru added, trying his best to keep his cool, but failing, his surprise evident in his voice.

"There's no need to admonish him for it," Rukia said. "There's no doubt about it, she's strong."

Momo nodded with agreement. "Most certainly. I don't think any of us expected Miss Zogratis to be this powerful."

"I'll admit, she certainly has potential," Freed chipped in. "I have no doubt she'll be taking the S class trial soon enough."

Evergreen mad her displeasure known immediately. "Oh to hell with that. I don't want to be anywhere near her."

Erza gave her a cross look. "Evergreen, that's no way to speak of a new member."

Evergreen scoffed. "Normally perhaps, but that woman is a certified lunatic! I don't trust her!"

"She certainly is rather…spirited when it comes to enjoying her battles," Erza admitted. "However, I don't necessarily believe that it'll bring any harm to the guild. Natsu and Bambietta are much the same."

"Not like that," Evergreen made clear. "Natsu and Bambietta can get into it, sure, but this one…"

Lucy decided to speak up in Vanica's defense. "I don't think that's really fair to say though. She's only just joined and you're already jumping to a rash conclusion. Ok, maybe she is a little crazy, but let's not act like we're all sane here either."

"What are you talking about?" Gray asked, his clothes having suddenly vanished. "I think we're all pretty sane here."

"Yeah, we're a bunch of real men," Elfman added. "We're all totally normal."

Lucy sighed, not wanting to even bother to correct them.

"I mean, Bambi did come back with a decapitated Cyclops head," Levy reminded everyone. "I'd say this is sane by comparison."

Cana looked towards Evergreen. "She's kinda got you there, ya know."

Evergreen simply huffed, before Levy looked back towards Bambietta. "Sorry for bringing that up again, Bambi, but you gotta admit, it's -"

The bookworm stopped then once she got a better look at Bambietta's face, the Quincy stared at the prone Vanica intently. "Bambi?"

Hearing her name spoken for another time, Bambietta turned around to face Levy. "Sorry, Levy. I was just…distracted."

"You alright?" Levy asked with some concern. "You haven't been quite yourself today."

Bambietta nodded. "Yeah, I'm…I'm alright," Bambietta said as she looked back at Vanica. "I'm just glad Natsu managed to win is all."

Candice rolled her eyes. "Of course, he did! Why were you even worried in the first place, he still had that up his sleeve, remember?"

"No, Bambi was right to be worried," Liltotto said as she looked at Vanica for a moment before she turned her attention towards Natsu. "If we're taking those percentages she was using literally…"

Now it was Candice's turn to scoff. "There's no way those are literal. If they're were that would mean she's -"

"Stronger than almost everyone we've fought until now?" Bambietta interrupted. "Yeah…That's what I'm worried about."

But, at least for now, it didn't matter. The battle was over. At least now she knew that Vancia could be properly dealt with if she decided to play with her food. Something that seemed to be a habit of hers.

Whether or not that would be something she'd simply pocket away as mere information to use later during a match during the next S class trial, or something she'd have to use in the future, however, had yet to be seen.

Natsu panted for a moment, staring at where the newest member of the guild had just crashed before he whipped sweat from his brow. That had certainly been far more of a workout than he had expected. Still, the surprise was a pleasant one, as he began to smile towards her.

"That was really fun, Vanica. We should do it again sometime."

He turned around as he looked back towards the Grandstand. "Hey, Wendy, you should come over here quick! I banged her up pretty badly, so she probably -"

(Song of choice: Scary Buu, Dragonball Z OST)

*Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!*

Natsu's eyes widened as the sound of a slow clap rang throughout the silence that was the artificial construct of Karakura Town. However, it wasn't the clapping itself that was concerning…but the direction and how close it was.

"Ehehehehehehehe!"

The creepy laughter certainly wasn't helping things here either.

"Hehehehehehehehehehehe!"

He turned back around, as Vanica Zogratis sat up, the woman continuing to clap as her laughter only increased.

"Hahahahahaha!" She continued before she slowly rose up to her feet. She looked positively thrilled, no, ecstatic at her opponent, before both her laughter and her clapping ceased.

"Amazing! That was absolutely amazing!" Vanica praised the Fairy Tail wizard, her eyes filled with excitement. "Tell me, what was your name again?"

Everyone, even Nastu, was taken aback by how glowing Vanica seemed in spite of the beating she had just received. For many of the onlookers, the word masochist ran through their minds.

For Natsu, however, the shock and surprise of it all quickly faded as he smiled. "My name's Natsu. Natsu Dragneel!"

"Natsu Dragneel…" Vanica all but cooed as she said her name, much to the irritation of one in the audience. "Yes, yes, I'll be sure to remember it. It's clear now that you're truly an exceptional wizard! This has been one of the best fights I've ever had!"

Natsu chuckled right back. "Yeah, same here! You're pretty strong!"

"The same goes to you," Vanica said. "Well, not as you are now, but I can see that you can keep growing more and more! And that's what makes this interesting!"

"Yeah, I guess it kinda does," Natsu admitted as he rubbed the back of his head. "When we fight again next time, I-"

"Next time?" Vanica asked as she slowly began to make her way towards Natsu. "What do you mean by 'next time'? The fights still not over," Her smile grew ever wider, her expression more crazed as her hands encased themselves in bloody claws yet again.

(Song of choice: Buu is fighting, Dragonball Z Bruce Falconer OST)

"It can't be over. No, no, no! Not yet. Not until one of us is lying on the ground. After all, how could it possibly be over-" As the pages of her Grimoire began to turn, two large bat-like wings made of blood emerged from her back and the wounds covering her body began to heal once more.

"When we're still having so much fun!? 35%!"

Before Natsu realized it, Vancia had flown across the street and began to slash at him over and over and over again. Natsu tried to block as best as he could, but Vanica's strikes were simply too fast, and powerful to properly block.

"Come on!" Vanica shouted as she continued to strike at him again and again. "Get stronger, get stronger! We still have so much more fighting we have to do before I can be truly satisfied! Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry!"

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Finding an opening during Vanica's barrage, Natsu threw his fist towards Vanica's face. The attack struck true, knocking her head back, before she soon brought it forward, her smile in full force.

"Nuh uh uh! That's not gonna cut it anymore!"

She slashed at him one last time, before Natsu let out a loud shout and tried to kick at her with a flaming kick as he proclaimed the technique's name. "Fire Dragon's Talon!"

However, Vanica dodged the attack and simply grabbed a hold of Natsu's ankle and promptly swung him to the ground, cracking the road before as Natsu let out a shout of pain. Laughing with glee, Vanica began to spin around three times before she flung Natsu as hard as she could, sending him into a building.

Flame burst out from the rooftop then as Natsu came bursting out with fire, taking off like a rocket."Fire Dragon's Sword-"

Only for one of Vanica's bloody claws to grab onto his face, slamming the back of his head into the concrete before she continued to fly, dragging his head through the ground.

"Errrraaaggghhh!"

Natsu cried out pain as he felt his head being forced through the earth. With his right hand, he tried to remove Vanica's claw, while he began to repeatedly punch the left side of Vanica's face with the other. However, it was as if his attacks were only tickling her, as the only sound that came from Vanica's lips was a wicked giggle.

Soon, his head was freed from the ground, Vanica releasing the grip on his head, only to spin around and kick him high into the air.

"Tch, darn it!" Natsu said before he ignited the soles of his feet and shot down towards her. He reeled his fist back ready to strike at her face, only for Vanica to vanish from sight and slash at him behind his back. Natsu let out a cry of pain as he descended, only to spin around and use the flames on the sole of his feet to shoot towards her yet again, only for Vanica to vanish once again, before he felt a sharp pain across his chest, forcing him to cry out once again, before Vanica landed an upwards slash, crashing him to the ground.

"Sorry, but that speed is too slow for me now," Vanica teased him. "You better start getting really serious if you still want to win!"

Growling with anger, Natsu leapt up into the air as both of his hands engulfed themselves in fire as he placed his hands above his head, and a massive orb of fire formed over his head.

"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"

The large blast of fire hurtled towards Vanica, and despite her current advantage, this was an attack that was still capable of hurting her even with her current edge in strength.

Fortunately, she had just the spell in mind for the job as her Grimoire turned several pages.

"Blood Magic: Red Beast!"

Blood burst out from her back and shoulders then, forming into a massive red beast two great claws and a faceless elongated head, save for the razor-sharp teeth made of blood that ran down the middle of its face. It wasn't floating behind her, however. Rather, it seemed to be attached to her body like a puppet on the marionette that was Vanica. The beast reached out towards the orb of fire, grasping it within its claw before crushing the flame.

"What!?" Natsu shouted as he landed on his feet, looking on in shock as Vanica let out a cackle.

"Come on now, Natsu? What was that? A firecracker? I know you can do better than this!" Vanica shouted before she rushed towards Natsu, the beast cocking back its claw just like Vanica did before she swung it down, sending Natsu back a dozen feet.

"Rrrraaaagggggghhhhhh!"

The flames around Natsu built up then before he took off, punching Vanica hard across the cheek as the strength of both his punch, and his flames, began to increase once more. A hook to the right, then to the left, Natsu wailed away at Vanica as best he could, the woman having little to no choice but to take a step back from each punch.

"Fire Dragon Crushing Fang!" Natsu shouted as he uppercut Vanica into the air before he leapt over her, his left foot slamming down at her stomach. "Fire Dragon's Talon!"

She crashed to the ground and quickly recovered to her feet, only for her eyes to widen as Natsu flung two torrents of flame just as she stood up. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"

The Red Beast stopped the attack, but Natsu wasn't finished. Instead, he concentrated the flames around his right arm and punched as hard as he could, sending both it, and Vanica back. The beast swung one of its claws at Natsu, the dragon slayer's knees bending from the sheer force of the strike before he was lifted up in the air and slammed into the ground and cried out in pain. The construct of blood was quick to pick him up, only to simply slam him into the ground again, and again, and again, before it finally tossed Natsu up high into the air where it slashed him hard across the chest, forcing him to tumble across the ground.

"You're going to have to get stronger than that, Natsu!" Vanica encouraged him. "My Red Beast is pretty strong!"

Yet, Natsu was not down for long, as he came running back in and proceeded to punch and kick at the red beast that Vanica had summoned with reckless abandon. At first, it seemed as if the attacks had done little to no damage. However, as each punch continued to connect with the creature of blood, Natsu began to dodge through its own strikes, the blood that made up the creature slowly began to boil.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

The flames focused on his right hand, this time building up to a greater size than before as it slammed into the head of Vanica's Red Beast, forcing it to burst into a shower of blood, littering the street with the red liquid before he then followed up with a punch right across Vanica's face.

Much to her jubilation.

"Yes, yes, that's it! Keep on climbing!" Vanica cheered only for her wings to take shape once more as she flew towards Natsu and slashed at him with her claw. "Keep on improving! Keep on getting stronger so we can get better together!"

Yet again did Natsu find himself on the back foot, Vanica's strikes were simply far too fast and unpredictable for him to stop. However, as Vanica went in for one more strike, Natsu grabbed at her wrist with his left hand, while the right began to concentrate with fire. No, it wasn't just his right hand, his entire body began to wreath itself in fire before it concentrated into both of Natsu's hands!

"Crimson Lotus: Fire Dragon's Fist!"

Natsu's fist slammed into Vanica's face, his other hand soon releasing her wrist, only to then quickly join as he began to unleash a series of rapid, yet extremely powerful punches that began to overwhelm Vanica. However, her excitement only grew as he began to beat her down, as she powered up once more as she began to counter with strikes of her own.

"36%!"

Claw met with fist, but it wasn't enough, as Natsu's attacks were simply too strong, Vanica's own strikes failing to match up to his own.

"37%!"

Her performance improved, some of her strikes getting through Natsu's own. However, for each strike she had managed to land, about five more of Natsu's struck her instead…and the number was only beginning to increase as his flames outpaced her own improvements.

"38%! Blood Magic: Red Beast!"

However, what had started and remained as a clash in which Natsu Dragneel had dominated quickly turned the other way, as both Vanica and her construct of blood struck at Natsu in tandem. It was simply too much of an increase, and with one last powerful claw strike from the Red Beast did Natsu's relentless barrage of blows finally ceased.

But Vanica was far from finished. "39%!"

Her claws continued to strike at him, and Natsu, for all his determination, was simply unable to counterattack. Her attacks were too strong, too fast. She was simply out pacing him far too much. Vanica…was simply too much for him.

Natsu felt himself being thrown through another building, then another, before he finally landed firmly on his feet, his eyes narrowing in on Vanica. This was nothing more than a sparring match. He knew that. Regardless of who emerged the victor, it wouldn't matter in the grand scheme of things. But even so, even despite all of that…

Natsu hated to lose.

"Rrragghhhh!"

As Vanica went in for one last strike, Natsu let out a defiant shout and punched the incoming Red Beast's claw, forcing Vanica's feet to skid across the ground. Another punch, then another, Natsu proceeded to push her back more and more.

"Yes!" Vanica all but moaned, as her claws struck against Natsu's fist, the ground beneath them shattering to pieces. "You're getting stronger again! Just like I knew that you would! But it's not enough! It's still not enough! 40%!"

The gap, one that Natsu was only just beginning to close, had once again widened. The beast grabbed Natsu's next punch, allowing for Vanica to kick Natsu hard on the stomach. The dragon slayer cried out, but Vanica was relentless, as she continued to kick at him again and again.

"Come on, get stronger! I know that you can do better than this!" Vanica cheered him on. The beast then slammed Natsu down hard to the ground, creating a man-sized hole.

Natsu tried to pry the claw off of him, grunting with effort as his hands pushed against the massive claw that held him down. Unfortunately, it was no use, as his hands and flames could do nothing to lessen the pressure it was applying to him.

"Grrrrggh! Darn it!" Natsu said as he continued to try to free himself to no avail.

Vanica's smile began to slowly fade then as she watched him struggle. So, it appeared that there was a limit to how much stronger he could get. Disappointment washed over her as she watched Natsu continue to futility struggle against her creations' claws.

I guess it really was too good to be true, Vanica thought. For a moment, she had thought that perhaps Natsu would have been strong enough to have forced her to use at least 50% of her power, a feat that only two wizards aside from her brothers had ever managed to achieve.

It's too bad, Vanica thought as she looked down at Natsu impassively. For a moment there…I almost thought I had found a new friend.

Still, it wasn't a complete disappointment. She still had gotten more than her fill, the battle still being one of the best fights she ever had in recent memory, certainly in her top five. At the very least, this Natsu Dragneel would make for an amazing sparring partner for the future.

And who knows? Maybe someday he will get me to fight seriously? I guess I'll just have to be a little patient with this dish.

"Well Natsu, it was a good time," Vanica told him. "But it looks like our little game is about to come to an end."

Natsu, however, disagreed. "You think it's over!? No way!" He shouted as he continued to try to pry the claw off of him, as the beast continued to pressure Natsu into submission. "I still have plenty of fight left in me!"

Vanica chuckled at Natsu's bravado. "That fighting spirit of yours is certainly commendable. I like that about you. But while the spirit is willing, I can already tell that your body and magic are just about to give out. Just a bit more pressure and it's nighty night for you!"

"I…I'm not done!" Natsu insisted as he began to build up flames around his body. However, Vanica simply made her blood beast force Natsu even further into the ground, forcing him to cry out.

"Yes, you are," Vanica insisted, as her blood red eyes narrowed at Natsu. "Just give up, so you can save face in front of your guild."

(Song of choice: Dragon Slayer, Fairy Tail OST)

"I…said…" Natsu grunted before his arms began to shake with effort as he then began to slowly lift the claw off of him. "I'm…not…DONE! EEERRRRAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH!"

Natsu's defiant cry rang out throughout the street of the fake Karakura Town, as he began to slowly lift up the claw that had him pinned down helplessly to the ground. However, as his shout continued, both in length and in intensity, something strange began to happen. The loud yelling…transformed into something else entirely.

"GRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"

All of the surrounding windows shattered as the sound tracked throughout the air. It was loud. Too loud! Enough so that Vanica couldn't help but hold her ears as the sound rang from the sheer intensity of the noise.

What?! What is this!? She couldn't help but wonder, as she too began to let out a cry of her own, one of immense discomfort, one she could scarcely hear over the noise.

This was no mere cry of defiance, nor a screaming power up, or even a yell of anger.

This…was the roar of a dragon.

Finally, it simply became too much for Vanica, the woman unable to focus on her hold of her dragon slayer any longer as she released him from the beast's claw, the creature of blood, along with her claws and wings, vanishing along with her concentration. She took several steps back as she desperately tried to reorientate herself and deal with the overwhelming noise.

"My…ears!" She cried out, stumbling back several more feet as she felt her ear canales begin to bleed. This wasn't the kind of pain she was used to, no, this was a new pain, and one she was having a hard time adjusting to as a result.

Then, suddenly…it stopped, leaving a deafening silence in its wake.

Vanica shook her head as she recomposed herself, only to get a better look at her surroundings. "It's…over?" She couldn't help but ask herself. "What…what was tha-"

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Her surprise was brief, however, before she smiled and kicked him back several feet as her other hand encased itself in blood and her wings emerged once more.

"I don't know what that was all about earlier, but it was a nice try," Vanica praised him. "You might have actually beat me if you landed that hit with how out of it I was," She smirked. "Unfortunately for you, however, you just blew your last chance!"

"Yeah…I was really hoping that would have done the trick," Natsu panted, though he didn't mention that the roar wasn't actually part of his plan and mere happenstance. "You really are pretty tough!"

Vanica giggled. "Well, I was among the top three strongest wizards in my old Kingdom."

"Really!?" Natsu exclaimed with excitement. "Man, that's really cool! No wonder I was losing!'

She smiled. "Well, don't go selling too short. I'd say with the exception of myself and my brothers, you're stronger than everyone else was back in Spade. Why, I don't think any of my dark disciples could hope to hold a candle next to you!"

Natsu tilted his head in confusion. "Dark Disciples? What are those?"

Realizing that she let out a detail that was probably best left unsaid for now, Vanica simply placed a finger over her lips. "Oh, never mind that. Just a slip of the tongue and nothing more." She then turned around as she turned back on Natsu, her blood returning whence it came.

"Anyways, that was really fun. That'll more than keep me satisfied till my fight with Erza tomorrow! Make sure you heal up nice though and train up! I'm hoping next time you'll be-"

"What do you mean by 'Next time?'"

Vanica stopped before she turned her head back towards Natsu, his face still filled with as much determination as it had when the fight first began. "What was it that you said earlier? This fight isn't over until one of us is lying on the ground!"

Vanica turned her head around as she let out a short laugh. I suppose I really did find a kindred spirit in this one now, haven't I? She thought before she frowned. It's just too bad he's not strong enough.

Still, it would be best if she let him down gently, especially if she wanted to stay in this guild.

"Listen, Natsu. I said that I had a lot of fun during our fight, but don't get that twisted for you to believe that I am using anywhere near my full strength. In case you can't understand percentages, I wasn't even using half," Her eyes narrowed at Natsu as she continued. "It was entertaining while it lasted, but the outcome is clear. You're just barely standing, while I've fully healed myself, with plenty of magic to spare. Sorry, but the power differential is simply too vast for me to keep my interest."

She turned her head back before she began to make her way towards the grandstand, her heels clacking against the ground. "As things stand right now, I don't need 45%...No, even 42% to put you down in the ground permanently. So save yourself the embarrassment and-"

"I don't remember saying I was going all out yet."

Vanica stopped in place, her eyes wide with surprise. For several seconds she remained perfectly still, silence filling the air before she spoke once more. "If that's true…"She asked in a low tone. "Then why didn't you use it earlier when I was beating you into the ground?"

Natsu let out a groan. "It's not exactly something I have full control over, at least in terms of how much magic I put out. It's not exactly a power I use unless I have to. To be honest, I wasn't sure you could handle it." Natsu grinned. "But after all that, now I'm pretty sure you can take it!"

Contrary to what one would have expected, however, Vanica was quite…conflicted with this news. On the one hand, if this was a considerable power up as Natsu was implying, then she really truly had found someone special, someone she could truly consider a friend. Someone who could help fill in the hole left in her heart.

On the other hand, however, it was the very real possibility of disappointment. What was considered a huge power up to some, were often of little consequence to her. Was it comparable to a 5% increase of her power? Perhaps even 10%? Respectable in the grand scheme of things, certainly, but nothing that she wanted to get her hopes for.

It was best that she ended things now, on a high note. At least that way the excitement of the battle that she had this far wouldn't be marred with disappointment. A rare example of one of the few pleasant memories she could look back on.

Yet, even so…her curiosity simply got the better of her as she turned around fully to face him, her expression surprisingly stern.

"Show me."

Natsu smiled, his eyes closed as he took a deep breath as flames began to build up around him. And then….something unexpected happened, something that completely defied the laws of magic as far as Vanica knew it.

"Lightning Flame Dragon Mode!"

A second element.

A.

Second.

Element.

The fire wreathed itself around Natsu's body, as lightning began to spark all around him. It was a feat that was all but impossible back where she had originated with the sole exceptions of the experiments performed by the Diamond Kingdom and extraordinary Magic that could take upon the shape of its masters will. She wouldn't have believed it if it wasn't right before her eyes, her jaw dropped.

Yet, here it was plain as day and clear to see for all.

"H-how?" She asked with uncharacteristic shock, her pupils wavering.

Natsu smirked. "I got this power from a good friend of mine. So, do you still wanna call it quits, or do you want to see who's actually stronger?"

(Song of choice: Lightning Flame Dragon's Firing Hammer, Fairy Tail OST)

Vanica stared at Natsu, completely dumbfounded by the most recent turn of events. However, not soon after, her smile grew from side to side and that crazed, euphoric look returned to her once more.

"YES!" Vanica screamed with absolute joy, her claws and wings of blood returning once more as she took off flying towards Natsu. "45%!"

*BAM!*

A fist wrapped in flame and lightning slammed into her face, forcing her through several buildings. Almost instantly did she burst out of the roof of one of them, her large claw raised up high above her head as she smiled. She swung it down, sending five slashes of blood lancing down upon Natsu.

*FWOSH!*

His power now greater than ever, and with an extra element now coating his body, Natsu soared through the air and dodged the attack, as several city blocks were completely devastated by Vanica's strike. Another slash was sent his way, but this time, rather than attempting to dodge it at all, Natsu flew through the attack, before he landed cocked back his right hand.

*BAM!*

Once more Vanica was sent flying through the air, her body spiraling out of control as she tried her best to right herself midair. She almost couldn't believe the sheer amount of pain her body was in after that last attack, as her wounds began to heal once more. This was in a completely different league compared to what she had experienced during their bout before, a whole new tier of power…

And she couldn't have been any happier!

"Yes, yes, yes, give me more!" Vanica cried out as she flew towards Natsu again, slashing at him with reckless abandon, Natsu dodging and weaving through her strikes until he ducked underneath one of her strikes and punched her under her chin, sending her high into the sky, with Natsu following in hot pursuit.

"Ehehehehehe! Nice, Nice!" Vanica proclaimed as she finally righted herself in the air. "Let's see what this new power of yours can really do! 46%!"

She dove down towards him, preparing to strike at him once again…Only for Natsu to quickly retaliate with a powerful right-hand hook, sending her flying back once again. He prepared to kick at her, which Vanica just narrowly avoided at the last second before she tried to slash at him with her claw. However, Natsu spun around midair and countered with a punch, ravaging Vanica's body with the twin elements once again.

"Blood Magic: Slashing Kick!"

She kicked at the dragon slayer as a large slash propelled towards him. However, rather than run from this attack, Natsu reeled his fist back and instead opted to punch the spell, evaporating her blood once it made contact.

*FWOSH!*

Once again Natsu rocketed towards her, Vanica raising up both of her hands to defend as a shield of blood formed around her. It scarcely mattered, as Natsu's fist punched through it with no resistance and sent her hurtling away. Vanica tried to soar back, but as she did, Natsu had flown under her and punched her up high in the sky yet again.

Her excitement reaching new heights, Vanica soared through the sky as she tried to slash at Natsu once more. Natsu used the flames on the bottom of his feet to rocket himself out of the way, only for Vanica to try to land a powerful slash against his chest.

Try being the key word.

The moment the blow was about to be struck, Natsu instead spun around in the air and punched her hard across the face, sending her flying through the air as her body was further ravaged by the twin elements. She smashed through an entire building, the soles of her feet touching against the surface of another before she leapt from it, trying once again to engage in close quarters combat with Natsu.

"47%!"

Increasing her speed, Vanica managed to rocket towards Natsu as she once again attempted to slash at him. Natsu placed both of his arms in an X position, however, and stopped the attack dead in its tracks, not taking even a hint of damage. Vanica let out a crazed giggle as she attempted to slash at Natsu's face, only for him to spin around midair and throw a punch on the back of her head, sending her hurtling back down towards the ground and through yet another building.

"More!"

A series of slashes flew up towards Natsu, but the dragon slayer wasn't intimidated. Instead, he simply coated himself with the two elements before he shot downwards through the attacks, before he threw a punch where Vanica was, only for her to fly out of the way as she looked down at Natsu and went in for another slash. Natsu dodged to the left, then the right, with each and every single one of her attacks missing their mark completely.

"More, More!"

Her power and speed increasing yet again, Vanica began to blitz around Natsu trying to find some sort of opening. However, her increase wasn't enough, as Natsu simply out sped her and rocketed above her next strike, only to land a powerful flaming kick to the top of her head, sending her hurtling towards the ground and leaving a large hole in its wake.

Vanica weakly began to get up to her feet, smiling. "Yes, now this is more like-" Vanica began to say as she got herself out of the hole, only for her to suddenly be struck by a powerful bolt of lightning from above, sending an immense electric shock throughout her body.

"Gyyyyaaaaaahahahahahahahahaha!" Vanica screamed out in a mixture of laughter and pain, the attack damaging her far more than the prior ones had. Finally, the electric shock ceased, leaving her panting where she stood.

"You little...scamp..." Vanica gasped. "Not just...combining elements but wielding them on their own...basis...too?"

"I've got some tricks up my sleeve!" Natsu said, landing by Vanica. "Well, not that I'm wearing sleeves, but-"

"I've still got some too!" Vanica shouted, getting up and slamming a foot into the ground. "Blood Magic: Impaling Spikes of Avernus!""

The entirety of the Fake Karakura town began to shake then, before half of it erupted with hundreds of large bloody spikes, devastating wherever they emerged. Sensing the danger as the ever growing field of spikes approached him, Natsu jumped into the air before he looked down at his enemy.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Talon!"

With fire and lightning now wrapped around his leg, Natsu shot downwards towards Vanica, destroying all of the massive spikes that came into contact with his strike..

Her eyes widening at the increase of power he displayed, Vanica was only just barely able to avoid the incoming kick as she flew above his attack. Now above him in the air, she swung her claws at him from a distance, as slash after slash attempted to cut Natsu. He moved to the left, then back flipped from another, before he began to run towards her, punching the incoming slashes until he was right in front of Vanica.

A punch to the left, a fist to her chest, knee to her stomach, Natsu proceeded to wail away on Vanica, as he simply overwhelmed her with his newfound might. As things stood right now, she was no match for him.

Was he actually good enough? To force her to use half of her full power? Perhaps even more? This was a possibility she would have considered outright impossible a mere twenty minutes ago, yet now…yet now…

She may have found what she had been looking for in this Dragon Slayer all along.

(Song of choice: Three Dragon Slayers. Fairy Tail OST)

"48%! Blood Magic: Red Beast!"

Once more did the large creature emerge from her body, its blow actually sending Natsu back. Laughing maniacally, she went on the offensive, as both she and the blood beast continued to push Natsu back. For a moment, and to the uninformed, it had seemed as if Vanica had once again gained the upper lead, with Natsu falling back further and further with each strike.

That, however, couldn't be further from the truth.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Iron Fist!"

As flames and lightning concentrated themselves around Natsu's fist, he struck forward at Vanica's creation, destroying it in a single blow. Her eyes wide with surprise, she summoned her companion from her back once again as she went in for another strike, only for Natsu to land the attack first, his foot slamming into her gut before she was sent hurtling backwards. Her blood beast stretched out its claws then, stopping her descent.

Vanica smiled, before pointing her hand at the dragon slayer.

"Blood Magic: Blast of Red!"

A large orb of blood began to form around her hands then, only for it to burst as a torrent of red energy made its way towards Natsu. However, as the blast hurtled towards him, two torrents of fire and lightning began to coat both of his arms.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Wing Attack!"

Vanica watched the dual attack tear through her own barrage, wiping them away...and come right at her.

Uh oh!

She dodged to the left, allowing her to witness as the flame and electricity devastated the entire street, and the city block right next to it in mere seconds, leaving not even a trace of what was behind.

"Incredible. Simply incredible Natsu!" Vanica screamed with glee, the woman blushing from all the excitement she was feeling. "But let's see how you handle this!?"

The blood that made up Vanica's Red Beast began to transform then, as more and more blood soon began to join it. The massive red mass continued to grow and grow, until at long last, it transformed into a long, razor thin disk of blood. It began to rotate then, as it emitted a high pitched sound.

"Be careful now, this one isn't like the others!" Vanica warned him. "Blood Magic: Lacerating Disk!"

She threw the disk forward and it soared through the air where it continued to expand more and more until it reached 100 feet in length, slicing through anything unfortunate enough to get in its path.

"Natsu, look out!" Liltotto screamed from the grandstand. "It's cutting power is-"

"I know!" Natsu reassured Liltotto as the fire and lightning intensified around him, before it concentrated into his right hand. He reeled it back, the elements intensifying and growing more and more in length before he finally threw his fist forward at the incoming attack.

"Lighting Flame Dragon's Firing Hammer!"

The thin disk of destructive blood clashed with Natsu's fist, rocking the entire underground basement, the artificial city shaking like it was in an actual earthquake. However, the disk's rotation began to slow, and a large crack ran along its surface, before it finally burst into several pieces of floating blood that surrounded Natsu.

Just as she hoped it would.

"Oh, it's not over yet!" Vanica exclaimed with glee as she stretched her arms out, her fingers flexing about until the blood solidified into multiple smaller, human sized disks of blood that closed in on Natsu. They grew closer and closer, each one of the razor sharp disks only a few feet from slicing Natsu into pieces.

However, just before the moment of impact, the fire and lightning that surrounded Natsu's body began to expand and intensify, stopping the multiple blades in place. Natsu was gritting his teeth, doing his utmost to intensify the two elements at his command, until he let out a mighty roar…and the distinct, though not as intense sound, of a dragon.

"GGGGGGRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The disks of blood began to disintegrate then, as a large, bipedal dragon made of flame and wreathed in lightning appeared behind him, as both he and Natsu seemed to roar unison, and a powerful shockwave of some sort followed in its wake. Vanica could feel herself moving back several feet from the shout before she looked back at Natsu.

The Dragon of Fire and Lightning was still there, as Natsu glared back at her, his gaze intense and unwavering. His eyes, which had normally been filled with grit and determination, now seemed…different somehow, like the slits of his eyes had sharpened into something inhuman.

Her body began to erupt into a cold sweat then, her eyes dilating as she felt herself begin to shake.This…this isn't like fighting a normal wizard…Vanica realized as she took a step back. No, more than that. That roar, those attacks. He could hardly even be considered human! Her arms went slack then, the dragon behind Natsu intensifying in the confines of her own mind.

And for the first time in her life…Vanica experienced an emotion she had never felt in the midst of battle.

Fear.

What…just what…. JUST WHAT ARE DRAGON SLAYERS!?

Her body's shaking stopped then, the cold sweat coming to an abrupt halt as her lips began to curl upward. I don't know what they are, but what I do know... What I do know is-

The fear began to melt away, the victim of the metaphorical flame that had come alive within Vanica in light of Natsu's own.

"...It's amazing!"

(Song of Choice: Lightning Flame Dragon's Roaring. Fairy Tail OST)

Vanica saw Natsu lunging right for her, fire and lightning enveloping his very being! She met him head on then, laughing wildly, bloody claws forming around her hands

"49%!" Vanica howled, the mage trading blow for blow with Natsu. Yet, even as the level of her power jumped, she felt his blows hitting harder than hers seemed to be hitting him. Each blow damaged her arms and hands, rattled her bones and muscles, but it didn't matter. The pain didn't matter, it never mattered. All that mattered, that ever mattered, was the battle in the here and now! "Natsu! Natsu, Natsu, Natsu, you're going to make me hit... Oh, YES!"

The bloody weapons around her hands let loose, growing up her forearms and then past her elbows to her shoulders. The claws enlarged and sharpened, twice their usual size, and she laughed wildly as she smashed her new right hand into Natsu.

And yet...it still wasn't enough, as lightning traveled from Natsu's body and over Vanica's.

"Aaaaaaahhhh!" Vanica fell back, shouting in pain from the sudden assault, her grip on Natsu let go. And yet, even as she lost ground, she looked down the length of her body at Natsu...and grinned.

"More! Give me more, you silly Dragon Slayer! This is too much fun!"

"Boy, you're really into this, huh?" Natsu asked, losing his grin for a moment. However, it was not for long, his own smile of complete honesty returning.

"Of course I am!" Vanica shouted, joy dripping off her every word. "This is the sort of thing I live for, Little Natsu!"

Vanica struck Natsu with a closed fist of blood then, sending him back several feet. She gave chase, the force of wings sending a shockwave off from her position.

"Hey, I'm not little! That's my buddy Happy!" Natsu retorted before his descent came to a sudden halt. "Lightning Flame Dragon's Iron Fist!"

"My bad, I- OW!" Vanica felt Natsu come down on her, his fiery and electrified fist smashing into the side of her face. She went into a spin in midair then before she landed on her feet, shaking her head. "My bad. I guess that's just a little force of habit. You're a big strapping Dragon Slayer after all! So come on..."

Vanica motioned for Natsu to come after her with a taloned hand.

"...show me what you've got!"

"Hey, that's my taunt!" Natsu remained in the air, one hand up and the flames arcing off his fingertips spelling out 'Bring it on!'

"Ohhhhhh, Mana words, huh!?" Vanica said with excitement. "I didn't know you guys knew how to do that!"

"Mana what-" Natsu tried to ask, only for Vanica to strike Natsu hard across the face, where she proceeded to slash at him again and again. She was relentless, not wanting to give him even an opportunity to strike back. Cuts began to litter his body once more, though they were far from anything serious.

She attempted to slash at his face, but Natsu dodged back before slamming his fist right across her face. She skidded back, before trying to slash at him three more times. Natsu proceeded to dodge from side to side, each slash countered with a punch right to her head. A knee to her stomach forced her to bend over, only for his elbow to slam her to the ground.

Vanica's head hit the ground hard, but she simply laughed before she jumped back and slashed her claws towards Natsu, each of the sharp projectiles hurtling towards Natsu. However, rather than block or retreat, Natsu simply crouched down, his entire body engulfed with fire and lightning before he took off like a rocket.

"Lightning Flame Dragon's Sword Horn!"

*BAM!*

Blood erupted from Vanicas mouth as she went flying through the air, unable to stop her momentum even with her wings, her back crashing right through several buildings and bursting right through them until she finally came to a complete stop on the opposite side of the city.

"Hehehehe…That was incredible," She muttered as she tried to get up…only to find that her body was still in the midst of recovering. She could feel it then, a massive pain in her chest. That last attack had done more than simply thrown her across the city, oh no. Her ribs had been completely shattered.

But pain was an old friend of hers. One she had long since adjusted to. This time would be no different.

"When was the last time I've ever had this much fun?" Vanica asked herself. "Besides my darling Noelle and Acier….Nobody's ever been this good. Not even Lorpopechika." A smile returning to her face once more, she slowly rose up back to her feet. "Well, now, I guess he really is worthy of it. I'll use 50% and ask for Magicula to-"

---

"I've been with Vanica for a long time, so I do…sympathize. However, once Vanica and Lolopechka die, my manifestation will be complete."

---

(Song of choice: Pain. Godzilla Minus One)

*gasp*

She took a sharp intake of breath, and her body began to shake. Right. Using 50% of the devil's power would slowly begin to change her body. That in of itself wasn't a concern, however. No, what was the concern was the possible risk of them showing themselves.

To hear their voice.

The possibility of losing control.

For them to hurt her once again.

To betray her yet again.

She began to take in quick breaths, almost hyperventilating at the thought of going through such a thing ever again. Never in her life had she felt so hurt, so…helpless. To just be used like a puppet until her use had come to an end…and eventually her life.

All from the person she had been closest to of all.

The one who had always been by her side.

The only one who had liked her apart from her family.

Her partner.

Her…friend?

She shook her head. No, no they had never been friends. Nor partners. That was obvious now.

She had used them for power and they in return used her. She had simply outlived her usefulness, and was discarded, like a worthless toy.

Just like she had with her own dark disciples.

There it was again. The pain. Not the pain she had come to love and enjoy from battle. Not the pain that reminded her that she was alive. No…this was the sort of pain she despised. She one she had tried to repress for most of her life.

The pain of loss.

The pain of betrayal.

The pain of rejection.

"No…No, I don't need them," Vanica muttered as she tried to get up to her feet. "I don't. I'm strong."

---

Freak!

---

"I'm strong!"

---

Monster! That girl is a monster!

---

"I'm strong!"

---

Isn't that the girl with the blood magic? Stay away from her honey, it's a bad omen.

---

"I'm strong!"

---

Did you hear that? That girl managed to join the Magic defense squad when she was just thirteen! She doesn't even have her grimoire yet!

Yeah, it was the same for her big brother too!

Well, what do you expect…from a family of freaks?

---

"I'M STRONG!"

---

I suppose we may as well make use of her. Send her to sector 37 to wipe out those bandits.

But sir, isn't that close to the Strong Magic region? She could die!

So what if she does? If she survives, it'll prove she's a useful asset to the kingdom, and if she dies…well, nobody will ever miss someone like that.

---

Her body continued to shake then, as bitter memory after bitter memory flowed into her mind, before it finally ceased, and her eyes lost all of their luster.

"I've always been strong! Stronger than anyone else! I don't need Megicula! I don't need anyone!" She said as she stood up with anger, growling. She took several quick breaths, her fists clenched as they shook.

Soon, however, a wicked smile made its way across her face, the anger fading as her lust for the battle before her returned.

"Now now, no need to let bad memories ruin a good time," She chastised herself. " It's in the past, and the past is irrelevant. It doesn't matter anymore."

As far as she was concerned, nothing in the past ever had. Memories were just that. Memories. Echoes of time gone by. They only brought the pain of old, with exceptions being few and far between.

Like Noelle.

(Stop track)

However, as she began to chuckle, her smile increased more and more as Natsu came into view once more. "Then again…this is a fight that's actually well worth remembering!"

Still, as things stood, she was going to lose if she didn't use 50% of her power. In fact, she probably needed a good deal more than that with how poorly things had been going. Fortunately for her, however, she did possess one such spell that multiplied its power to almost double her own! If she were to use it now…it would be akin to using 70% of Megicula's power!

She hadn't had a chance to use this one against Noelle, the Saint Stage having managed to beat her down and was simply too quick for Vanica to have ever considered a proper tactic. However, it was perfect for what she needed in the here and now.

Sure, the collateral damage was going to be through the roof. Why, she was certain that the entire artificial town, and possibly a good chunk of the underground dwelling was about to go all sky high, but that was future Vanica's problem. At the very least, if Erza and others like her were every bit as strong as she hoped, she and the others would be more than capable of protecting the trash that was spectating the fight. It was ground zero where the most devastation would take place after all.

As for Natsu…Well, she wasn't exactly thinking with a clear head right now.

"It's been fun…But now…Now, I'm going to win. Heh. Hehehehehe! Hahahahahaha!"

Vanica began to cackle wildly then, her wings extending slightly before she took off high into the air, flying far above the city and its various tall buildings before she looked down upon her opponent. "Oh, Natsu," She moaned. "You've easily been the greatest highlight of my time here so far. You reminded me just what it means to be alive. The thrill of the fight. That I can still find others who can excite me! That this world has so much more to offer! I never thought that our battle would be this much fun!"

The pages of her grimoire turned then, as a massive red beast emerged behind her before both it and Vanica extended both of their hands outwards. "No, not just in this world, this has easily been one of the best fights I've ever had! And for that, I'll be sure to make this one of the few memories that I actually cherish!"

Blood began to swirl around Vanica like a vortex, with the spell only continuing to grow more and more as it began to dwarf both her and the blood beast in size before it too joined the construct.. "However, this is where it ends! This is my trump card, my ultimate spell!"

The blood she had conjured had finally ceased gathering, taking the shape of a massive orb, of blood about 200 feet in diameter with several saw-like appendages lining around its surface before they began to spin then, akin to a chainsaw.

(Song of Choice: One Hit to Victory, Dragonball Kai)

"Blood Magic: Ichor Sphere of Destruction!"

Natsu's eyes widened at the spell. "Oh, that doesn't look good."

He broke into a mild cold sweat then, before his shocked expression transformed once more into something much more serious. His eyes narrowed in on Vanica, before he shot off from the ground, the soles of his feet blasting with fire allowing him to take off like a middle.

Levy's eyes shrank at the massive spell. "Bambi, that's…"

"Yeah, " The quincy said before she nodded. "It's pretty similar to one of my moves, and if that's the case…" Her eyes widened then before she quickly turned towards Momo, Rukia, Liltotto. "Defensive maneuvers, now!"

"Right!"

Using Hirenkyaku and flash step respectively, the three short women appeared before the grandstand before each took their own protective measures.

Rukia was first, holding up a hand above her head before she cast her kido. "Bakudō #73. Tōzanshō!"

An inverted pyramid of blue light surrounded the grandstand, encasing them all in the protective barrier. However, this was but the first step in ensuring everyone's safety, as Liltotto placed both of her hands on the ground.

"Heilige Kuppel des Schutzes!" (Holy Dome of Protection)

Four large crosses of light burst from the ground, forming a smaller, yet more powerful dome of light around the grandstand. However, even this was not considered good enough, as Momo Hinamori finished her incantation.

"Bakudō #81. Dankū!"

A large rectangular, transparent wall formed in front of the grandstand within the double layer defense. While incredibly simple in appearance, its defensive power was even greater than those that came before it. Nothing, short of an attack from one of Fairy Tail's Strongest, had any chance of penetrating it.

They just hoped it would be enough.

Vanica let out a wild laugh, before she swung her hand down, as the massive, slicing sphere of blood hurtled down towards Natsu. "Now, let's see how you handle this, Natsu Dragneel!"

"Graaaaaaaaaggghhhhhh! Lightning Flame Dragon's Firing Hammer!"

A massive concentration of fire and lightning concentrated around Natsu's hand then before he flung it forward, hoping to either make the attack bursting mid air or send it back flying towards Vanica. However, his spell did no such thing, and Vanica's simply continued its descent, all the while Natsu remained pinned down by the spell's massive magnitude.

"Ahahahahahahahahaha!"

Vanica let out another laugh as she watched her spell decent, the taller buildings that made up the artificial Karakura Town already amidst the process of being destroyed. "Nu uh uh! Sorry, but a spell like that isn't going to cover it! You're going to need to hit it with something a lot stronger than that if you're going to want to win!"

Could he even do it? Those 'Crimson Lotus spells certainly packed a punch when he used them earlier. As a matter of fact, he hadn't used a single one once he had cladded himself with lightning. Could he simply not use those spells while he was in this mode? Was he too worried about her own safety to use them in conjunction? Or perhaps they simply used up too much magic and it would take up his remaining manna reservoir? Maybe it was even a combination of the last two?

Well, whatever it is, it doesn't seem to matter, Vanica thought as Natsu and her spell of destruction continued to descend as more and more of the city began to get destroyed from the sheer power of her magic. It looks like I've FINALLY managed to find your limit, Natsu Dragneel!

"Grrrrggh! Grrrrrrrrggggghhhh! Damn it!" Natsu swore, the dragon slayer simply unable to push the spell back as he desired. "It's…too …much!"

Vanica chuckled lightly. "You can struggle all you want, my dear Natsu, but it's over! Only one person has ever been able to defeat me when I've used this kinda power, and you're not Noel-"

"No!" Natsu shouted as his feet touched the ground. The earth shattered and shook, his feet sinking further and further into the ground, his knees bending from the strike…but he didn't falter. "I'm not done!"

Vanica beamed at his defiance as she clasped her hands together. "I just love that determination of yours!"

His right knee touched the ground then.

"But determination can only carry you so far."

His other knee followed suit.

"Unfortunately, at this point, the difference in strength between us is just too great. You put up an amazing fight, and for that, I really can't thank you enough! So why don't you simply give up and-"

"No…I…I….Arrraaagghhhhh!"

Natsu let out one last cry, until his back hit the ground, as her attack continued to barrow down into the earth.

"And that's that," Vanica said with a smile as she watched her attack continue to crash more into the ground. "Ahhhhh, now that was a good time. I can't wait to do that again!" Her smile increased then, as a sudden thought ran through her mind.

"And I get to fight Erza tomorrow! Oh that'll be so grand I-"

(Song of choice: Fairy Tail theme slow version)

"NATSU!"

Vanica turned her attention towards the loud scream, only for her to notice the flying blue cat from before screaming from the attack. "Come on Natsu, come on! You can't lose!"

"You can do it, Natsu!" Lisanna cheered along with him. "If anyone can, I know it's you!"

"Yeah, it'll take a lot more than that to beat you!" Lucy added.

Vanica shook her head at the pointless cheering. "You can shout his name all you want, it won't make a damn bit of difference. I'm just stronger than he is. It's as simple as that."

She had seen this time and time again, when one's friends and familys cheers would invigorate ones spirit. But it was something that seldom made a difference. At most, it had allowed for one last burst of adrenaline before she ultimately killed them.

Killed them.

Killed…them?

She looked back towards the spell then, and her smile began to wane. That…was a particularly powerful spell. One she had hardly ever needed to use. Not even Dante or Zenon had been foolish enough to simply take it head on.

In fact, had anyone ever survived it?

No…they hadn't.

She felt something strange then, a small pit-like feeling in her stomach as she stared at the attack. Had…had she gone too far? This wasn't some ordinary spell, it was her strongest. This wasn't an attack just meant for finishing a fight.

It was a technique meant for killing her opponent.

"...No." She muttered softly as her eyes began to waver. No…No, no, no, no, I didn't mean to! I finally found some here in this world worthy enough to call my friend! Someone who can become almost as strong as I am! I can't…I don't want to lose him already!

"I'm…not…DONE!"

Vanica blinked, taken aback by Natsu's sudden outcry. "Natsu?" He was alive! She hadn't gone too far! There was still a chance for her to-

"Difference…in strength?! Who gives a damn about any of that!?" Natsu shouted as he continued to struggle against the massive spell. "I…said I'm not done! I'm going to keep on fighting now matter what! Because that's part of what being a Fairy Tail wizard is all about!"

Vanica gasped then, her eyes wide as her mind went to the past.

Back to her darling Noelle.

---

""I'm not done!" The royal who now called the Black Bulls her home declared as she charged through Vanica's barrage of blood.

"Power differentials have nothing to do with it! What you're doing can never be forgiven!"

---

(Song of choice Fairy Tail Theme: Tenrou Island Version, Fairy Tail OST)

"You're…You're just like…" Vanica began to mutter before something began to happen right before her eyes. Slowly yet surely, the spell began to lift off of the ground, as Natsu slowly began to push it back.

"Unbelievable…" Vanica whispered. Never could she have imagined someone being strong enough to struggle against her strongest spell, and with their bare hands no less! However, Natsu's knee's began to shake once more, before he was brought back down to one knee.

Her smile faded, if only so slightly. Sorry, Natsu, but you-

"Lightning…Flame…Dragons-"

Natsu began to lean back then, as a stream of fire and lightning began to flow into his mouth, the ground beneath him began to melt then, before at long last he forced himself back into place.

"ROAR!"

Before Vanica knew it, the massive orb of power she had sent down towards Natsu, her ace in the hole, was completely enveloped and destroyed, as a gargantuan torrent of flame and lightning burst towards her.

For most of the members of Fairy Tail, they could only watch on in awe as the massive blast of lightning and flame shot towards Vanica.

To the newest member of the guild,. however, her eyes could only widen in shock at the attack. However, the gargantuan spell, which should have appeared as fire and lightning combined into a destructive attack, began to change shape in her vision, replaced by something else entirely. Both in sound, appearance and name.

A massive dragon made entirely of water.

---

"SEA DRAGON'S ROAR!"

---

"No…elle?" Vanica muttered softly. Was her eyes playing tricks on her? Her ears as well? It had to have been! There was no conceivable way that Noelle could be here!

She was…She was-

Reality suddenly returned to her then, the massive dragon of water replaced with the blast of fire and lightning only a mere fifty feet away from hitting her.

"Eep!"

She flew to the right, blushing a little as she realized she had made such a noise during her dodge. She could only watch in awe then, as the devastating attack of fire and lightning blasted through the air and collided with the ceiling of the underground arena, only for it to continue to blast outward and high into the skyline behind Lake Sciliora.

"... Incredible." She whispered with awe. With the sole exception of Loropechkas's Ludic Sanctuary, she had never seen an attack of such magnitude. It completely dwarfed her own spell, and while size didn't always equate to strength, this spell absolutely had.

If that had hit me…Vanica thought before she snickered, before letting out a crazed laugh. "Superb! You're truly something else, Natsu Dragneel!" Vanica declared before she spun around, her expression one of pure delight. "That attack of yours, I'll acknowledge it! I, Vanica Zogratis of the Dark Triad, hereby declare you the strongest fire wiza-"

"Crimson Lotus:-"

Vanica's attention was grabbed once again, as Natsu's entire body began to swirl with flames and a large red magical circle forming underneath his feet, the lightning now strangely absent. However, despite this difference, Vanica could feel the heat even from this distance…and she could swear she saw what looked like red patches of scales all over his body.

"What on earth is that-"

"Phoenix Blade!"

Then, without any warning, Natsu shot up through the air, his speed almost impossible for Vanica to track in her current state. She wouldn't run, however. No, she was going to win this battle, all on her own! All she needed to do was simply slow his momentum and leave him open for a counterattack!

"Blood Magic: Ichor Rampart Fortification!"

Dozens of ornately designed walls of blood formed in front of her, each about half the size of an actual castle wall. She didn't expect her defense to hold, but it would allow for more than enough time to prepare for a strong enough-

*Crash!* *Crash!* *Crash!* *Crash!* *Crash!* *Crash!* *Crash!* *Crash!*

Vanica's, eyes widened then, as Natsu proceeded to smash through each and every one of her defensive walls with utterly no resistance. There simply wasn't going to be enough time for her to prepare for anything truly powerful. He was simply too strong.

Well, nothing for it then.

"Blood Magic: Red Beast!"

The red beast formed behind her, his claws striking forward as Natsu burst through the last and final barrier! The claw was mere inches from Natsu's face, preparing to cut him down!

…Only for Natsu's head to burst through it and slammed into Vanica's stomach.

"Gyyyyuuuuuuaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"

Vanica let out a howl of anguish the impact of Natsu's headbutt and his hotter than ever flames sending the pain throughout her entire body like he never had before, sending her spiraling out of control, her wings disintegrating from the sheer heat of the flames before she felt her body smash hard against ceilings surface.

"Ah…agh…ah…"

She weakly glanced down at Natsu, his determined gaze meeting her own before she felt her back leave the impeded earth before she hurtled towards the ground in an uncontrollable fall.

*CRASH!*

The landing had not been a pleasant one, Vanica having just barely mustered enough strength to turn around on her back midair before she had hit the ground. Nevertheless, the pain she felt was excruciating. Only her darling Noelle had ever left her this damaged.

She could see him then, Natsu, landing about a hundred feet away as he slowly approached her.

Yet, despite this, Vanica could only giggle.

"Heh. Hehehehehe. That…that was amazing, Natsu!" She actually moaned out. Truly, he was a wizard worthy to be called her friend. "You…really are something else. It's just unfortunate then…that you'll still lose."

Had she been a mere human, the battle would have ended here, if not long ago. The damage she had sustained was just too much. But Vanica was anything but normal. While she had refused to use more than 50% Magiculas power, she still had one ability from her devil that she still used without any inhibition.

High speed regeneration and nigh immortality.

"Sorry, Natsu," Vanica said as she attempted to raise herself off of the ground. "But unfortunately for you, you just can't win this fight. It's not because you're weak, no, far from it. You just don't have the right magic for the job."

As he was now, Natsu's magical output was at an all time low,. equivalent to a stage 8. Certainly, she had lost a good chunk of magic herself, but it was nothing she couldn't handle.

It hurt, trying to lift herself up like this, but that was fine, the pain never bothered her anyways. It would not last long either. In just a few seconds, her wounds would be completely healed, and she could continue on fighting.

Soon.

…Soon.

…Soon?

It wasn't going away, neither her pain nor injuries. Her muscles gave in then, her arms shaking until she felt the back of her head hit the ground. She groaned then, as she futilely tried to pick herself up.

"I…I don't understand…Why?" Vanica asked as Natsu continued to make his slow approach. "My wounds…should be healed by now, or at least almost so why am I -"

She gasped then, the answer hitting her like a metaphorical sledgehammer.

He's not just a stage zero…Vanica realized as her pupils shrunk in at the approaching Dragon Slayer. He's an arcane stage!

This guild wasn't just some special place where strong wizards just so happened to show up to their doorstep. It was a goldmine of strength.

And to think that this man, the one who had completely, totally, and utterly beaten her, at about 80% of her power, wasn't even considered their strongest!

Vanica practically beamed at the news. "Oh, I just knew that this place was something special when Wendy told me about it! Oh, Natsu, Natsu! You're just what I…wanted?"

Something…wasn't right. Natsu wasn't looking at her with his usual cheer or smile. As a matter of fact, she couldn't even see his eyes at all as he slowly approached.

"N-natsu?" She asked weakly.

No response.

"Natsu?"

Still nothing, as the dragon slayer just continued single mindedly towards her.

Vanica's eyes widened then, as fear began to seize her heart. "...No."

It was obvious what the problem was. She had gone too far with her enjoyment. She had cut him, beat him, and unintentionally almost killed him towards the end of their battle.

"I…I…I…" She sputtered.

Nothing.

"I…I…I didn't mean to…". Vanica continued muttering as her fear slowly grew, her eyes shaking.

Finally, finally she had truly found someone worthy to be considered a friend. Someone who could always give her what she wanted. Someone who understood the pleasure of combat. Someone who understood her. A dance partner who could keep up with her step. Someone she could actually consider a near peer, just like Noelle.

But now she went too far.

Now she was about to lose him.

Just like Noelle.

(Song of choice: Sadness and Sorrow, Naruto OST)

Vanica's lips began to quiver then, as tears trickled around her eyes. She may not have lost him in the midst of battle like she feared earlier, but she had lost him nonetheless. "I'm…I'm sorry. I didn't…I didn't want to…I never meant to-"

Then it began to happen, as memories of her unpleasant past began to emerge in the forefront of her mind.

The past she spent most of her life repressing. The past despised so much.

"No…" She whimpered.

---

You stupid riff rats again!? Get out of here! I don't have a place in my restaurant for people like you!

---

"No… please."

---

You see that? She killed that beast like it was nothing! That girl's a monster!

---

"Don't…reject me."

---

Join us? Please, like I'd ever let a freak like you on my squad!

---

"Not…not again."

---

What? You want us to play with you? As if! Even if you weren't commoner trash, I'd never want to be associated with magic that's as disgusting as yours!

---

"Please…accept me."

---

What, no, don't hang out with her! She's one of those weird Zogratis siblings! Nothing good could ever come from associating with people like her!

---

"Please…"

---

Stay the hell away from my children, you monster!

---

"I beg of you…"

---

As if. There's no way you being arbitrarily satisfied is enough to settle this. I'm ending you here and now, Vanica!

---

"Someone just…please…be my… friend."

---

For far too long, this world has rejected us. All because of our family's past association with the devils. For years, we've all had to suffer from their baseless fear and hatred. And why is that? It's because people fear things which they cannot understand! Our magic, no, our very existence, is something they simply cannot accept. Well, no more. If monsters are what they want…then monsters are what they shall have. Dante. Vanica, Zenon…we're going to remake this rotten world into our own image.

---

She was all alone now. No family, no friends, no dark disciples, not even that treacherous Megicula. Nothing. She had not a single damn person here who actually cared about her. Here, in this world, all she had, all she ever could have…was the thrill of battle.

He was standing right over her now, his fists clenched as he breathed heavily. This was it, he was going to reject her, just like Noelle did. Like everyone who wasn't her siblings had.

No, not just reject was about to beat her death, and there was nothing she could do to defend herself.

Just like Noelle.

This is it…isn't it? Vanica thought before she closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable pain of her heart once more. Well, at least I got to have one last amazing fight before I died. Natsu… She smiled then, as her tears trickled down her eyes.

Thank you.

…But it never came.

Instead, what happened next was a cheerful voice reaching her ears.

"Almost had me there!"

Her eyes fluttered open, as one Natsu Dragneel, hands on his hips and eyes closed as he gave her a warm smile. "That was actually pretty fun! We should do it again sometime!"

Was…was he being serious?

He…wasn't going to reject her?

Even after all that?

Was he…actually going to accept her?

"Do…you really mean it?" She asked weakly.

Natsu nodded. "Heck yeah I do! That was one of the best fights I've ever had!"

He reached out towards her then, hand extended, his grin not lessening in the slightest as he awaited her grasp.

This…this is real? She asked herself. After all these years…Can I finally have someone in my life who actually understands me?

Vanica said nothing, only staring into the young man's eyes before she grasped his hand. He pulled her up then, before she chuckled slightly. "Yeah, it sure was…" She said with a smile. "We'll absolutely do this again sometime." She extended her hand towards him then, and closed it into a fist. "But just so you know, I'll be stronger next time."

Natsu chuckled before he bumped it with his own. "I look forward to it.."

"Natsu!"

The two turned around then, as many of the Fairy Tail Wizards, Wendy Marvell, Lisanna and Happy among them began to run towards them.

"Looks like we had them kinda worried, huh?" Natsu said as placed his hands behind his back and chuckled…only to almost immediately groan out in pain. "Ow, ow, ow it hurts to do that!"

He blinked then, surprised by Vanica's silence. "Hey, what about you? You're hurt way worse than I am?"

Vanica glanced over towards him. "Oh, that? I'm used to pain. I've…actually kinda grown to like it. Means that you're alive. That what you're fighting for is actually something worth beating…Ya know?"

Natsu blinked. "I…I think I do." He finally responded. "Either way, we should probably have Wendy heal you up first."

"I thought you didn't like the pain?" Vanica asked. "I mean, I really don't mind it so-"

Natsu just smiled back at her. "No, it's fine. After all…that's what friends do, right?"

(Song of choice: Fiore Oukoku, Fairy Tail OST)

"F-friends?"

She could feel it then, tears falling from her eyes as she stared at Natsu. Her lips slowly curled upward then as she smiled, the first real, genuine one she had in years.

He really was accepting her.

"Yeah," She said as the other members of the guild began to surround them. "I guess they do."

Lisanna was the first to reach them, as she gave the two of them a huge smile. "Wow, that was amazing you two! I was left on the edge of my seat the whole time!"

She then gave Natsu a playful wink. "Even if I never thought you'd lose for a second."

Natsu chuckled at that. "Hehe. Yeah, well, I'll admit, she really gave me a run for my money!"

Lisanna nodded before she looked back towards Vanica. "I knew you were strong, given you managed to take down all of Eisenwald all by yourself, but I never imagined you'd be that strong! You were incredible!"

Vanica nodded slightly. "Yeah, well I am pretty strong," She looked back at Natsu then, smiling slightly before turning her head back towards Lisanna. "To be honest, I didn't take your words about him seriously enough at the beginning. But now…" Her smile grew ever so slightly. "Now I know just how powerful he really is."

Wendy, however, was in the middle of giving the Thunder Legion a wide smile. "See? I told you she was strong!"

And a complete lunatic. Carla thought, though she decided to keep that thought to herself.

Freed nodded his head. "Yes, I can clearly see that now. It looks like this year's S class trial will be rather arduous if she's nominated."

"If?" Bickslow spoke aghast. "Buddy, it's not an if she'll be nominated for S class this year, it's when!"

Evergreen huffed, simply choosing not to say anything negative with the Blood mage so close by. The last thing she wanted was to get in Vanica's bad side after seeing all of that.

Wendy then made her way over towards Vanica before she stopped short a few feet.

"Did you have fun?" Wendy asked, as she looked up towards her hopefully.

Vanica nodded. "Absolutely! Why, it's probably the second most fun I've ever had in a fight!"

"Second most?" Natsu asked before he looked at her confused. "Who the heck is number one then?"

Vanica shook her head. "Sorry, but that's something I'd rather keep to myself for now."

"Boy, sure hope wherever that was, it wasn't near a populated area," Cana said as she took a swig of her beer before she smirked. "Still, you're not half bad newbie. How's about I get you a drink later. It'll be on the house."

"Now hold up a minute," Maco spoke up as he stepped forward. "I wanted to treat her to a drink first."

"Oh please," Wacaba added as he smoked from his pipe. "We both know that there's no way she'd ever be interested in sleeping with you."

Maco scowled. "The same goes for you, buddy."

"That was a splendid battle you two had."

Vanica turned her head then at an approaching Erza Scarlet, giving her a small smile. "It was truly worthy of the Fairy Tail name."

Vanica, in a rare show of embarrassment, rubbed the back of her head. "Yeah, it sure was…"

However, a sudden realization hit Vanica, her head hung low and her shoulders slumped. "Aw, phooey. I just totally lost my chance to fight you tomorrow, didn't I?"

Erza nodded. "A promise is a promise. I'm a woman of my word. Now the question is, are you?"

Vanica slowly raised her head back up to look at Erza before she shook her head. "Erza, I'm many things. But a liar isn't one of them."

Admittedly, she was certainly withholding information, and absolutely something she would lie about if she had to, if only to keep close to her new found friend.

Erza nodded in approval. "Good. Now that you're a mage of Fairy Tail, your actions won't just reflect on yourself, but also the guild as a whole. And if you ever break those rules…"

Vanica's eyes lit up with life then at the sudden implication, mouth wide as she let out a nearly silent squee as she fought of the epic battle to come. So, all I have to do to get a fight with Erza is just break a few rules and damage the guilds reputation a little!? That'll be easy as pie! I'll just wait till tomorrow and-

"Then I will absolutely never do battle with you."

Just like that, her enthusiasm was completely sucked out of her, as the image of her and Erza engaging in an epic battle shattered in in her mindscape like metaphorical glass, with an appropriate sound effect echoing through her mind before she shook her head quickly.

"Absolutely won't happen, promise! The guilds reputation is my reputation after all!"

Something told Erza that Vanica couldn't have cared less about her own reputation, but the desired goal was fulfilled nonetheless. Still, there was one last matter at hand she absolutely needed an answer to.

"One more thing," Erza spoke, breaking Vanica out of her reassurances. "Before Natsu decided to challenge you instead, you said that you would give me no other choice but to fight. What did you mean by that?"

Vanica thought her breath caught in her throat then, before she let out a nervous chuckle. Awwwww crap! Here I was hoping she would have forgotten about that after all that nonsense! Ugh, she's probably the type who's really good at susing out a lie. Damn it…I guess I better come clean.

"You…remember that, huh?" Vanica said worriedly. "Fine, I'll tell you. Just have to promise that you won't get mad."

Erza narrowed her eyes. "That depends entirely on your answer. Now speak, and truthfully."

Vanica let out an annoyed sigh. Welp, nothing for it. Time to spill the beans. "Alright, fine. I was going to destroy something very important to you. It was obvious as soon as I saw you for the first time."

Erza narrowed her eyes. "You fiend…"

Everyone began to lean on them, curious and looking at their newest member with apprehension.

Vanica continued. "That's right Erza…I was going to destroy your cake to get that fight!"

Everyone gathered, minus Erza and Vanica, face vaulted to the ground.

"So, that's what you meant…" Erza growled. "How devious of you. However, I possess many strawberry cakes back at Fairy Hills. Your plan would have amounted to nothing more than a single punch before you would be forever denied our battle."

Vanica chuckled nervously. "Well, it's a good thing then that I didn't go through with it after all now, huh?"

"Indeed." Erza agreed with a nod.

Levy, however, couldn't help but just look on in bafflement at the two of them. How is it that me, Lucy and Wendy are the only normal ones in this guild?

She shook her head then before she approached the member of the Dark Triad, through her eyes weren't transfixed so much on Vanica than on her grimoire, which floated by her side. "I'm really interested in how that Grimoire of yours works. Could I take a look at it later? I'm a huge book lover, so it would really be a worthwhile experience."

Vanica blinked at that question. A grimoire was almost practically a part of their chosen mage. To part with it, even for a moment, was…not pleasant. Besides, she just a stage 2 mage, not anywhere worthy enough to-

"I think you should give her a chance to rest first," Rukia spoke up next. "She's probably really exhausted after all that."

Momo chipped in next. "Honestly, she would have been right at home in squad 11," She smiled. "But I'm all for having her here too."

Sure, she had been, perhaps, a wee bit unhinged, but the Gotie thirteen, as she and her fellow Reigai had come to find out, had been home to some truly unsavory individuals. Who were they to reject someone who had an obsession for battle when they had previously worked alongside Kenpachi Zaraki?

"Just don't try to take all of the high paying jobs for yourself, alright?" Gray teased. "The rest of us gotta make some money too, ya know?"

Juvia placed a hand over one of his, grasping it gently. "I doubt she'll be taking job requests any time soon. She'll need plenty of rest after something like that." She then gave her a smile. "Still, it's nice to have someone like you in the guild."

Vanica was once again taken aback. She hadn't given it too much thought, but no one so far seemed to have been bothered by the nature of her magic. It had happened so much back in Spade until she and her siblings finally proved their worth to the kingdom. Here though…she had been accepted without so much as a second thought. Not even little Wendy had been all that bothered by it.

Vanica gave Juvia an odd look, trying to see if she could detect some sort of lie from her…only to find none.

She might only be stage one, but…Vanica's thoughts drifted before she decided to voice her concern. "I'm... surprised. Aren't any of you bothered by my magic?"

"Ha!" Bickslow laughed. "You're not the only one here who's got some strange and looked down on magic. Isn't that right, Babies!?"

Several wooden dolls floated around Bickslow, as each of them spoke in unison.

" Right! Right!"

"Ditto," Liltotto added, her jaw extended somewhat before it snapped shut over her lollipop. "We're no strangers to weird powers here."

Lucy spoke up next. "Sure, it's a little creepy, not going to lie," She then shot Vanica a smile. "But it's what you do with the magic that matters. Not what it is."

"Besides," Candice added with a grin. "It'll be just what we need for the haunted house we planned on making this year for the spookiest time of the year!"

So it was true. These people didn't care about her magic, they just seemed…happy to have her here.

Were all of them strong enough to be her friend? No, not even close. Most of their members were absolute trash when it came to strength. She'd doubt she'd ever even engage in willing conversation or small talk with the vast majority of them. Only the Stage Ones and above were truly worthy of her time, or perhaps a Stage 2 if they just so happened to be close to one of the Stage 0s, like Levy seemed to be.

But…even so…even so…

Vanica smiled, just a tad. I guess…being low stage trash isn't so bad…when they're like this.

---

Meanwhile, while the rest of the guild had congregated around Natsu and Vanica to celebrate their battle, there was one person in particular who couldn't join in on the festivities.

Bambietta Basterbine.

For most, they had seen the battle as little more as a way of entertainment. For others, it was to see just what kind of magic this visitor from another world had.

For Bambietta, however, it has been a threat assessment.

And in her mind, Vanica Zogratis was absolutely a threat.

If that was really just fifty percent, Bambietta thought as her eyes bore into the back of Vanica's head. Then she's absolutley one of the strongest people we've ever run into. The Seven Kin? Zero? The Dorma Anim? They're not even close.

Right now, there were only three beings she could think of that were probably stronger than her.

The Former second Guild Master of Fairy Tail, and Grimoire Heart. Precht, or more commonly known as Hades.

The Quincy Emperor, Yhwach. No further explanation needed there.

And the being that had almost killed them all, the one who currently struck the most fear in her heart, the one she truly dreaded meeting ever again…Acnologia, the Black Dragon.

It's hard to say if she's as strong as Hades or not, the Quincy thought. She might actually be stronger for all I know. I've always been shit at calculating percentages on the fly like this!

But that ultimately wasn't what was important. What was important was the decision that she had finally decided on.

Vanica Zogratis could not be allowed in Fairy Tail for even a second longer.

It was wrong, and it would go against the wishes of Master, Erza, and probably even Wendy and Lucy, but she didn't care. Vanica was far too dangerous to let loose in the guild, especially without the presence of any of their S class. Because with the sole exception of Natsu, if she went on a rampage…No one below their S class stood a chance at stopping her.

I'll just have to wait till she leaves the guild hall tonight, Bambietta thought as she clenched her fists. Get her all alone in some back alleyway, and then…. I'll kill her-"

Before Bambietta could finish her train of thought, however, she felt her body stiffen, as a bright white light began to enforce its will upon the Quincy. It was not a feeling she had experienced for well over a year, but it was one she could not soon forget, as a soothing warmness did away with her most recent dark desire.

In its place, however, was overwhelming confusion…and rage.

I knew it!

She turned around on a dime then and began to storm off, quickly making her way out of the massive underground dwelling and out into Magnolia itself before she angrily made her way towards its outskirts as she moved through the air.

Never in her entire life did Bambietta think she'd ever feel anger towards this individual. She who had been responsible for all that she had. A new world, a warm comfy home, friends, close friends like Erza and Levy, making amends with friends of old, the joy in her life that Wendy had brought, Lucy, her beloved.

She owed them all to her.

Bambietta angrily made her way deep into the East Forest then, not paying the wildlife any mind as she continued on her trek. A Vulcan, eager for an easy target tried to rush her, but the quincy paid it no mind as it charged towards her, and simply cut it in half with ease without so much as offering it a second glance as she went on her way.

The one responsible for Vanica was like a second mother to her. One she had come to respect and heed her wisdom on whenever they spoke. She, who had even brought back her precious possessions from her former world.

She owed her everything.

And yet that just made both her confusion, and anger, all the more potent.

She stopped then, finding herself in the middle of a clearing where no one could be presumably listening in, until she placed a small crystal, only twice the size, of the length and width of a pencil before she pressed it into the ground. There, a holographic light began to shine up. Into the heavens…and a woman with long purple hair and green eyes, ornate shoulder pauldrons, white tights and purple tunic appeared before her.

"Sylphia…" Bambietta uttered with barely concealed anger. "We need to talk."

---

Phew! That sure was a lot huh? I thought that this would make for a great opportunity to show just how strong Natsu will become in AQFT post Tenrou. I know that he's had a slight losing streak in AQFT proper, but that honestly was just bad happenstance. Rest assured that I plan on giving him more wins and more time to shine as the story goes on.

That said, However, Vanica is an absolute beast in the world of Fairy Tail. How strong is she exactly? Well, I won't give specifics, just know that the likes of Zero, Faust with the Dorma Anim, and any of the Seven Kin of Purgatory just…don't stand a chance against her.

That said, it seems like she's rather reluctant to use more than 50% of her power at the moment. Trust issues am I right?

But honestly, show casing that and her past (vaguely as it was) were part of my favorite stuff while writing this chapter. Canon itself has given us little in terms of the Zogratis siblings backstory, with the exception of Zenon. So…I decided to take liberties that mesh up with what little we have seen.

Maybe this will be made inaccurate down the line if Yuki Tabata decides to show us more, but for now, I'll simply go my own route with it.

Anyways, that's enough of that. I'm eagerly looking forward to your reviews and seeing what you all thought of the fight. Like I said before, I worked REALLY hard on this, so it would mean alot.