Fairy Tail: x779
It's been one year since the shakeup of the team of Erza, Gray, and Law. Now the S-class trials of x779 have come around. After last year saw none of the candidates being declared worthy of the rank, the guild was full of more energy than any prior year.
A month prior, people were snatching up jobs just hoping this would be their year. That only increased the closer they got to the day Makarov would announce this year's candidates. Despite being on a team with Law and Erza, Natsu wasn't added to the list of candidates this year.
Gray also wasn't on this year, unlike with the x777 and x778 trials. He didn't seem too broken up about it and decided to dedicate this time to training. That also meant helping Mira train, which only ramped up given she'd been named one of the candidates this year.
Erza had made the cut as well; however, her decision on said topic was challenged by Natsu. "What do you mean you'll decline! Don't you know what you're missing!?"
"Aye!" Happy declared.
Happy, a blue cat who could sprout wings to fly, had hatched from an egg Natsu found not long after Law's first duel with Yujozen. It'd certainly been a shock to the guild, but he'd now been accepted as a member of the guild and functioned with the team of Law, Erza, and Natsu.
Erza heaved a sigh as this was important to her. "Believe me, I would take these Trials in a heartbeat, but you weren't nominated. While my big brother has already held such a rank for years now, I won't move ahead without you."
Natsu cocked his head to the side at that. "She would throw away her first chance at becoming S-class for me?" He scratched her head. "What do I have to do with it when you're clearly ready for the promotion?"
"When you think of S-Class, what comes to mind?" Erza asked.
"Awesome missions, tons of respect from your guildmates, the right to go to the second floor without gramps, and money?" Natsu responded.
"You really haven't been paying attention since we formed this team." Law commented. "While it's true S-class brings all that, it also comes with responsibility. I don't get to go on nearly enough missions with you two because I'm one of only three S-class Wizards we got.
"I can just barely stand the distance between my brother and I." Erza voiced. "If I were to become S-class, I'd be able to do more missions with him, but that'd sacrifice time with you in a situation this team hasn't already become accustomed to."
Natsu grew silent as these two informed him of this. He wouldn't lie, the last two years have been hell. Erza was intense and strict with him while not like that with her brother. Through all that, he could feel how strong he's become by sticking with these two.
They weren't just his teammates, they were friends. He'd even attempted to ask about their past. While Law was an open book, Erza wasn't forthcoming. Her brother backed her up on that because her past brought with it a lot of pain.
Clearly, keeping this team together meant a lot to her, just as it did him, Happy, and Law. Law and Erza even helped him build a better, more stable home than he'd have managed alone. Erza also, in a way, helped him hatch Happy's egg.
She'd said he was the best person to hatch an egg with his Fire Dragon Slayer abilities, and she vouched for him and Lisanna when they were absent from the Guild. Sure, it was a pain to ride transportation with her since she tended to knock him out.
Still, it stopped him from getting sick, and she never belittled him for his motion sickness. Law and Erza were the best teammates he could ask for. Thinking about it now, her concerns weren't irrational. They didn't get to go on missions nearly enough together.
"Alright." Natsu adopted a serious look. "I still think we'd be able to stick together even after you became S-class, but if you're that worried, all we got to do Is obtain that rank together."
Erza smiled wryly at the proposal. "That is what I wanted to do from the beginning. Even if I must force the Master to make an exception, we will be promoted together."
"If anyone can manage it, it'll be the two of you." Law smiled. "Once you two do reach S-class, our team will be taking a lot less missions apart."
"Aye!" Happy agreed, now munching on a fish.
x781
Law stood with Cana by the door to the guild as Gildart's stared outside it with his bag slung over his shoulder.
"A 100-year quest…" Gildarts voiced.
Cana was looking down at the ground of the guild only to firm up her expression and looked at her father firmly. "You're the ace of Fairy Tail, so there's no way some request like this will keep you away anywhere near that long."
"Yeah." Gildart grinned before finally looking her way. "Your old man will have this done in no time." He hugged his daughter. "In the meantime, I know this is your year. No doubt you'll get your shot at the S-class trials again, and this time it'll be yours."
"I'll definitely give it my best, should I be chosen." Cana hugged him back. "Even if I'm not, I'll still be a lot stronger by the time you return."
They parted with Gildarts looking Law's way. "With me gone, I'll be counting on you to keep an eye out for Cana." He grinned. "Just so you know, I wouldn't mind returning to the two of you together."
Both teens blushed at that.
"DAD!" Cana groaned.
Gildart just laughed good naturedly as he walked out the guild. The two teens calmed down at his insinuation, they weren't certain what the two of them were to each other at this point, before managing smiles of their own.
"I certainly won't miss the way he tries to tease the two of us, but I will miss him." Cana noted.
Law put an arm around her. "It's like you said, Gildarts will be back before we realize it."
Fiore: x782
Law just finished an S-class mission and was heading back to the guild. He'd heard Mira was taking her siblings on an S-class job with her around the area, so he decided to see about meeting up with them.
It'd be nice to return to the guild with fellow guildmates. He eventually managed to find Mirra who was supporting Elfman. Both looked injured and Lisanna was nowhere to be seen. Upon hearing sobbing, the Duel Monster user rushed up to them.
"Mira, Elfman!" The siblings turned, and Law saw they were crying. "What happened? Where's Lisanna?" The sibling's expressions darkened. "W-What happened?"
"I-I killed her…" Elfman began to cry harder while Law was utterly stunned, and thunder resounded in the distance. "I tried to take over a monster that was way out of my league…and I-I lost control. I couldn't stop myself…"
"He tried to save me by taking over that monster, only to go wild." Mira voiced. "Lisanna tried to reason with him but then…"
"It's all my fault…" Elfman sobbed. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry."
"No, it's not your fault." Mira argued.
"She's right, it's not." Law sighed with a saddened expression. "Where's the body?"
"She just got taken by a light." Mira replied. "It took her to the sky, and she vanished."
"I see." Law voiced.
"What are you even doing here?" Mira asked.
"I finished a job and remembered hearing you three would be on a job in this area." Law voiced. "I thought it'd be nice to have company returning to the guild."
The Duel Monster user clenched his fist in frustration, but he knew this wasn't about him. He could grieve the loss of a guildmate later. Right now, that guildmate's siblings had every right to grieve without him adding to it.
Law took a deep breath. "Come on, I'm getting you two back to the guild.
Fairy Tail: Later…
When they reached the guild, everyone looked on in confusion, but that confusion turned to sadness as Mira and Elfman explained what happened. Everyone began to shed tears with Natsu rushing out the guild, and Erza immediately went after him.
Forest
Law had slipped out of the guild, attempting not to be seen, not long after they left. He ended up wandering into the forest and ended up at the place he and Cana utilized for training. There he clenched his fist as tears came to his eyes.
He knew Natsu and he were feeling the same way. Natsu had wanted to go with the Strauss siblings, but he eventually accepted Mira didn't want him to. Law had known they'd be on that mission and intended to meet up with them.
The tears fell. "If he'd just been faster, gotten done with my mission sooner…"
Suddenly, his thought process stopped as Cana arrived and put her arms around him. "Shh…Shh…It's alright." Cana continued to soothe the Duel Monster user until he could relax and stop crying. "I know it hurts, but she was our friend. She wouldn't want us dwelling on this."
"I was so close to the area of their job, closer than any other Fairy Tail Wizard had been." Law voiced. "If I'd just been quicker, then…"
"It's not your fault Law." Cana assured. "None of us could have predicted this. Besides, for all we know, you wouldn't have been enough to prevent this. It's okay to grieve, but no one in the guild would want you to fall apart over this."
"If you say so." Law answered, sounding unsure.
"I want you to promise me something Law."
"What?"
"I want you to promise you won't think about what ifs." Cana voiced. "Like any of us, take the time to grieve for Lisanna, but don't let it change you. Don't let the person I've fallen in love with fade away."
Law and Cana hadn't defined what was between them all this time. The latter certainly blushed around the former quite a bit, and he wasn't ignorant of what that could mean. Upon Cana saying those words, he realized it came about because of this situation.
Lisanna had been taken away from the guild, that was a risk that came with this life they led. With that risk prominent for all to see now, it clearly cemented the way Cana felt. Upon hearing it, Law realized it cemented how he felt to.
"You're right." Law voiced, holding her closer. "I can't let who I've been fade away because of this. If the person I have fallen for is always there to remind me, I can promise I won't give into any negative emotions, and that I'll do the same for you…"
Over Months…
The guild grieved before the time to do so passed. Things eventually returned to a semblance of normalcy. Natsu and Law managed to come out the other side as the people they've always been while Mira and Elfman, understandably, just couldn't.
Elfman could only change an arm now while Mira was no longer an active mage, preferring instead to be the guild's bartender. Her demeanor took a serious change from the little demon to someone sweeter. A way of honoring the person Lisanna was.
Fairy Tail
The time has come for the annual S-class trials. Mirajane became S-class in the x779 trials, Gray took the 780 trials by storm, and Cana earned her rank in the x781 trials. While by no means a sure thing, Erza was confident this would be her and Natsu's year.
They played hard, ate hard, slept hard, and trained hard these last four years. At the start of this year, Law even pushed the envelope in dedicating as much time as he could to aiding the pair in every respect. It seemed to pay off as their names came up when the candidates were announced.
As for the rules of this year's trial, they panned out as Erza hoped. There was a loophole that no one had exploited thus far. In fairness, they had no reason to. With the supposed maximum of one new S-class per year, why would the competitors partner up?
Of course, Erza had decided she and Natsu would be promoted together. As the rules every year prevented help from S-class mages, they weren't breaking rules. Erza had a feeling Makarov would see things her way since some of his precious erotic literature was at stake.
Makarov did see things her way, it's not like he had much of a choice. Some of those novels were limited edition or had autographs from authors that were long since dead. For the first time in Fairy Tail history, there would be two new S-class mages…should they pass all trials.
Fairy Tail, 1 Week Before the Trial…
Even though Erza felt her and Natsu would pass this trial, she found herself listlessly poking at an empty plate with a fork. She'd finished the strawberry cake her brother bought her an hour ago and had just been lost in thoughts for the rest of the time.
Natsu and Happy had invited her to go fishing, Law had declared they would rest this week, but Erza had turned them down. She just hadn't felt like it at the time but wished she'd agreed now. He was quite good at distracting her from thinking about it too much…
"Want to talk?" Law asked.
Erza looked up from her plate to see her elder brother taking a seat across from her.
"I didn't know I'd get this attached to him, big brother." She sighed. "I mean, he's Natsu. Thickheaded, rambunctious, carefree Natsu. His stomach knows no bounds, and he's a packrat… who cares for his friends and always knows what to say when it matters."
"Well, you're the one who brought him into our team." Law smiled. "Don't get it twisted. Natsu is a great guy, a fantastic friend, but you must've seen something more in him to do what you did."
"He has an indomitable spirit." Erza voiced. "Even after he saw what kind of training I had in store for him, he didn't run away. I've had to carry him back to his house so many times I might as well be living with him rather than you."
For as much as Law loved his sister, he couldn't deny knowing his sister wouldn't be home made spending nights with Cana easier. He covered his face with his hand as his cheeks flushed a bit. They hadn't done anything truly explicit yet, but what they had done was certainly enough.
"When did you get so passionate about Natsu?" Mira asked with a sad smile as she approached the pair. "I hope you weren't always out to crush Lisanna's hopes and dreams. She liked him too, you know."
"L-Lisanna…" Erza winced sympathetically. "I didn't always feel this way about Natsu. I've seen him as a friend and teammate for most of the time we've known each other, but I think it started around last year…"
Erza trailed off as she contemplated just when she fell for Natsu. At some point, there was fleeting thoughts that dating Natsu wouldn't be so bad. She spent most of her days with him as a teammate. She knew his quirks, dreams, and what he was like overall.
Natsu even set up two more hammocks. One was for her since she stayed the night often, and the second was for Law, who Natsu was always willing to accommodate. Of course, when that thought first occurred, Erza had done her utmost to squash it.
Even if Lisanna wasn't remotely interested in her pink-headed teammate, Erza wouldn't feel right taking away some future girl's happiness. Natsu was wonderful. Naturally, it wasn't easy to squash such thoughts.
It didn't help Natsu got worked up about her getting badly wounded on missions, nor did it help that he trusted her battle prowess implicitly. Both were endearing traits to Erza. He even had the gall to feel guilty about "holding her back" from joining her brother in S-class.
"Have you tried telling him?" Mira asked.
"I can confirm she hasn't." Law voiced.
Erza's cheeks pinkened at what was asked, her brother said, and the fact that her brother had clearly been observant, more than she'd thought.
"Erza, your problem is you've been far too subtle for Natsu." Law shook his head. "That never works with him. You got to be blunt."
"Law's right." Mira nodded in agreement. "I mean, what must Natsu be thinking with you teasing him like this?"
"I…I can't. Not yet." Erza shook her head. "It might jeopardize our teamwork during the trials."
"Well, you never know." Mira winked. "He might like you back." The blood rushed to Erza's face at such an insinuation, but the bar maiden patted her shoulder. "Just take a chance. I really don't think Natsu will reject you."
"Even if he doesn't reciprocate now, he might one day." Law added. "I'd certainly wager on it."
Erza grumbled at the pair; her face still flushed. She knew Natsu cared for her, but she didn't want to make things awkward between them. Erza liked how things were at present with her brother, Natsu, and her on one team.
"Could I go on with these suppressed feelings?" Erza wondered.
Forest: River
Natsu ran his hands through his hair agitatedly as he sat by the river with a fishing rod in his lap. The fish weren't biting much today, so Happy, the little traitor, was taking a catnap while he attempted to catch something.
Natsu would probably be doing the same if it weren't for the fact he could not sleep. The S-class trials would be in one week, and that had him all fired up. Even if they weren't keeping him up, his brain was also stuck on why Erza had been acting so weird recently.
Not wearing her Heart Kreuz Armor around him and nice hugs. Natsu could handle that, it was in line with things she did to Law. Then came the stuff she wouldn't do to her adoptive brother yet did do with him. She'd stutter and get red in the face when he tried asking if she was alright.
Natsu went to Law, all he'd tell him is they needed to sort this out. He'd ask gramps, and the old man would laugh. Laxus happened to overhear and sent Natsu incredulous looks with what might be a modicum of respect. The older slayer was growing distant, so it was hard to tell.
"Flamebrain!" Natsu looked up to see Gray on the other side of the river…stripped down to his boxers yet again. "So, this is where you went off to. Why don't you put down the rod and come fight me? I could use the warmup before being the one who ensures you don't pass the trials!"
Natsu grumbled at the challenge. "Not now, Stripper! Can't you see I'm trying to work something out?"
Gray smirked. "Like how to use your brain?"
A vein popped on Natsu's forehead. "I use my brain a bunch, unlike you, Ice Prick! Erza's just being weird, and I can't figure her out!"
Gray adopted a similar tick mark on his head as he raised a fist to his rival. "You want to…" He paused as he considered the latter part of what Natsu said. "What do you mean by weird?"
"She gets red in the face lot, has been complimenting me way more, and I'm getting hugs every day!" Natsu exclaimed frustrated. "Do you think she's sick or dying?"
"How is he that oblivious!?" Gray took a deep breath. "Natsu, tell me about Erza. Describe her. Ignore how weird she's acting and just focus on the kind of person she is."
Natsu scowled at the request before deciding to humor the prick and put some thought into it. "She's one of my teammates, probably my best friend. She's stern yet compassionate. She also makes me clean my house weekly, so she's bossy. Demanding with that strawberry cake stuff to.
She's got a mean competitive streak in her, but I kind of like that. The armors she's got are cool and she keeps making more. I can also fight her and Law any time I want, due to her bringing me into their team. Yeah, Erza's awesome."
Gray's face was blank while Natsu was grinning like a monkey. The Ice Make Mage really wasn't sure what to make of all Natsu's ramblings. It was easy to tell the guy admired and respected Erza, but he was objective by mentioning stuff that annoyed him.
Honestly, part of Gray wanted the Flamebrain to hook up with the scarlet knight so he could laugh from the sidelines and call him whipped. The only guy who could truly stand up to Erza would be Law after all.
On the other hand, Gray wasn't sure Natsu had a romantic bone in his body. A lot of that stuff could just be taken as praise for a best friend, like he said in the beginning. Did Natsu even know the terms 'boyfriend and girlfriend'?
"Ah, that's where you were going with it." Natsu suddenly stated. "Of course, I know what a girlfriend is, Ice Prick." Gray was utterly stunned to hear that while the dragon slayer rolled his eyes. "You asked that out loud, so don't look at me like that."
Gray was suddenly white as a sheet since he'd just breached a topic Erza probably intended to talk over with Natsu at some point. "I am so dead."
"I don't see what the big deal is about any of this." Natsu muttered as he placed his arms behind his head and looked at the sky. "I'm not really looking for a girlfriend right now because finding Igneel is my priority. Besides, all I do is hold her back and corrupt her."
"The human heart doesn't work that way, idiot." Gray deadpanned. "It doesn't care when you think you're ready. Fact is, you need to sort out your feelings for Erza and work out what she means to you. After all, Erza will come to you someday, and she'll want to know how you feel."
Natsu twitched at being told what to do, but knew Gray had a point.
Personally, the slayer didn't want to go making assumptions. "What if it is just some teenage crush? Besides, it's weird to think Erza has any kind of feelings for me beyond friendship. Even then, I need to work out whether I got feelings for her."
Fiore: 1 Week Later…
Makarov took the eight S-class potentials outside the city for the x782 S-class trials. "Alright, settle down!"
The master brought the trial takers to eight adjacent tunnels which made up a labyrinth inside a mountain. Due to Gildarts being on that 100-year quest, Mira's present status, and Law's involvement with two of the trial takes, he opted for the use of the only three S-classes he could.
Laxus, Gray, and Cana would make navigating the labyrinth more interesting. Though, with Erza and Natsu cheating the system, they wouldn't be using all the entrance tunnels for the first Trial. Ultimately, that didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.
"For your first trial, you'll need to pick one of the paths in front of you and get through the labyrinth within two hours." Makarov declared. "Don't worry, Laxus had Fried flood the labyrinth with enchantments.
You'll be able to tell how much time you have left. Now, I should warn you beforehand that there are two ways to pass. The first is if you successfully reach the center, which will be the site for the second trial. You'll know when you've reached it."
He then unfurled a 'map' of the labyrinth, which was largely blank. The entrance, which was to the South, was easy to distinguish, but there were also three squares to the West, East, and North. Cana was in the square room to the West, Gray was to the East, and Laxus was to the North.
"The second way, should you run into any of the three S-class mages within this maze, will be to pass their test. Once a team has entered an S-class' domain, an enchantment will block off the room for the duration of the trial.
No other team can go in, and the team that enters must go through with challenging that S-Class Wizard. They either pass the test or fail. Tread carefully but be swift. Your paths are many, and there is a good chance you will come across one another.
No rules prohibit fighting, but keep in mind the time limit. You automatically fail if you do not find the center or pass the test of an S-Class Wizard within two hours. Now, with all that said, each team pick a tunnel. Then, we can get started!"
As Erza picked the tunnel, Natsu took one last look at the other competitors. None of the other six S-class potentials had paired up like he and Erza. Mystogan had apparently caught wind of Fried's hand in flooding the labyrinth with enchantments and chose Levy.
Macao already took on missions with Wakaba, so it was a no brainer decision for this trial. Yujozen got Loke, Alzack went with Bisca, Warren chose Laki, and Elfman went with Reedus. Fried would have been a competitor, but he, Laxus, and Makarov agreed he was better as proctor.
His skill with enchantments, and the setting for that year's trials, made him an invaluable asset. As for Bickslow and Evergreen, they weren't about to partner up with anybody while Laxus was one of the proctors. Not that either of them felt a particular attachment to any of the competitors.
As Natsu turned back to Erza, he noticed she seemed a bit distracted, and hadn't made any comment on which tunnel they should pick. The other pairs were at least talking about it with some of them having already made their selection.
"Hey, are you okay?" Natsu gently probed in concern.
At first, Erza didn't seem to hear Natsu, but she eventually gave her undivided attention. "I'm fine Natsu. Which path did you want to take?"
Natsu frowned but decided not to press the issue. He instead went about suggesting the seventh route; half-jokingly because it was a lucky number. The redhead didn't object, so now they found themselves standing outside the seventh route patiently waiting for Makarov to start.
Mountain Labyrinth: Later…
Natsu was more than a little annoyed. Gramps hadn't been kidding when he said there were many paths. It was like a whole other world in this mountain, except it was a world of torch-lit passageways. No matter how many marks they made, the pair couldn't get a clear picture.
Obviously, other teams were using similar methods to keep track of their surroundings, but others were likely sabotaging markings. It just aggravated Natsu that their progress was practically nonexistent.
"Maybe we're going about this the wrong way." Erza finally spoke as they reached another three-way crossroads. "We're wandering aimlessly at this point because other teams are using my same method of punching the walls at each juncture.
As such, it's impossible to tell if we really have been somewhere before. I suggest we use your nose to hunt one of the S-class mages. It's better than trying to find the center, even if it would mean no conflict."
"Now you're talking!" Natsu grinned as he punched his palm enthusiastically. "Almost all month, Gray has been insistent on his rank, so let's go kick his ass!"
Aside from that talk at the river, Gray has just been picking at Natsu with the fact he got his rank two years ago now. In the Dragon Slayer's mind, it was time to get some payback.
Erza offered a small smile at his enthusiasm. "You probably know his scent best out of the three of them, so it should be easiest to find."
Natsu immediately got to work sniffing out Gray's scent, but Erza got quiet again which made him concerned. The vacation Law had forced on them the week before the trials had been awesome. He got to hang with Law, Happy, and Erza.
When it was just him and Erza, he got the distinct impression she'd wanted to say something. It must have been something difficult because Erza never struggled with speaking her mind. Even then, he had a sneaking suspicion just what she wanted to say.
"Damn Ice Prick for planting that idea in my head. If that's what Erza wants to talk about, I'm screwed because I haven't thought about my feelings at all." As they walked, he couldn't ignore how Erza was fighting herself like this.
"Hey, Erza?" The red head met his gaze. "I don't what you've been thinking about lately, but I can tell it's eating you up. Maybe it's not my place to pry, but I wanted to let you know I'd listen if you ever wanted to talk about it."
Erza didn't speak for several moments after, but Natsu was able to tell his words had a positive effect on her. "Thanks, Natsu." She softly shook her head. "Now's not really the time for it. Perhaps after the Trials…"
Natsu kept a calm and composed exterior, but he was inwardly kicking himself. Chances were Gray had been right which meant he would have to multitask, learn what to say if he didn't want to wind up hurting Erza.
Later…
Natsu was able to track down where Gray likely was, but there was a wall of magical energy in the way which implied someone was already in there squaring off with the Ice Make Mage.
"Dang it!" Natsu raged. "I wanted to pound Gray into the ground!"
"First come, first serve." Erza reminded before crossing her arms and pondering their next move. "This leaves us with three routes. Cana, Laxus, or finding the center of the labyrinth." She uncrossed her arms. "What about Laxus? Can you find him?"
Despite Law spending time with Cana, thusly seeing Natsu in her presence more, she liked Natsu's odds of finding the Lightning Dragon Slayer over the Card Mage. Natsu ceased his tantrum and sagged at losing the chance to fight his rival.
"Yeah, I actually managed to catch a whiff of him the moment we approached this tunnel." Natsu voiced. "He's this way."
Later…
In the end, Erza and Natsu were in luck since no one beat them to Laxus.
"Well, I'm surprised you are here." Laxus smiled at the pair. "Between the two of you, I'd assumed you'd find your way to the center or seek out Gray before me."
"We tried to find our way through." Erza voiced. "There were too many markers, and it seems people were messing with those already placed."
"We then tried to get to Gray, but his path was already closed off." Natsu informed.
"So, you view me as third place." Laxus chuckled. "Can't decide if I'm flattered you think I'm strong enough not to mess with or weak enough to the point I wasn't worth your time. Guess I either affirm the first or dissuade the second. Regardless, battling me is your only path forward."
At the mention of that, Natsu and Erza got into battle stances; however, Laxus simply extended an arm to fire off some lightning. This saw the pair scattering to either side of the cave. Natsu was the first to move in as he rushed Laxus.
The Lgightning Dragon Slayer extended his hand again and fired off more lighting; however, Natsu avoided it while his leg was coated in fire. "Fire Dragon's Talon!"
He attempted to send the fire cloaked leg at Laxus, but the older slayer blocked it with his forearm. He then pushed the younger slayer at Erza, who managed to side step her partner's body and lunge at the S-class. He surged forward with a lightning cloaked kick himself.
As Erza swung her blade, Laxus got within her guard and connected his leg with her arm. Erza cried out in pain as she was pushed away. The Lightning Dragon Slayer then shoved out his arm again, sending lightning to further the damage and take Erza out of commission for the moment.
"That's enough!" Natsu roared.
He charged Laxus while Erza was struggling to stand. "Natsu…"
Laxus avoided Natsu's flaming fists before grabbing one of his wrists and proceeding to slam home several electrified blows. Eventually, Natsu utilized that same hand to grip Laxus' arm before managing to nail the Lightning Dragon Slayer in the gut with a flaming fist.
Before the Fire Dragon Slayer could capitalize, Laxus sent a shock through the still gripped wrist and proceeded to gut check Natsu. "If you want to play that game, make sure you actually wind your opponent."
As Natsu slumped forward, Laxus lept up and planted and electrified foot into his head. As the younger slayer's head met the ground, a smaller crater was formed by it. He shifted his gaze from Natsu to Erza as she'd recovered and came flying in with her Black Wing Armor.
As she swung her sword, Laxus blocked her with an electrified fist. "You'll have to try a little harder than that."
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Natsu declared, putting some oomph in as he rose and attempted to nail their opponent.
Laxus utilized Lightning Body to get back, and the pair took this opportunity to stand side by side.
"He's right Natsu." Erza requipped into her Lightning Empress Armor. "If we want to pass, we'll need to step things up."
"Right!" Natsu took in a deep breath. "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Laxus took a deep breath of his own. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
The two attacks collided with Natsu's fire roar managing to stalemate Laxus' lightning roar…for a moment. As it became clear this wouldn't be enough, Natsu ceased his roar and Erza quickly maneuvered in front of him to utilize a shield.
While this did prevent the electricity from hurting her, the force was enough to move Erza and threaten to see her unable to hold. Fortunately, she was pushed back into Natsu who placed his hands on her back and acted as a wall that kept her stationary until the attack passed.
"If you two are about to step things up, I suppose I can oblige as well!" Both were stunned to see that Laxus had already risen both his arms up and formed a halberd of lightning between them. "Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!"
He flung it at the two S-class hopefuls with an insane level of speed to the point all Erza could do was kick back at Natsu with enough force to get him outside the range of the magic. This resulted in only her taking the blow, and the Lightning Empress Armor did its job.
Still, it couldn't mitigate all the damage, and what it could resist ate away at a rather large chunk of her reserves. Erza ended up falling to one knee as Natsu took this opportunity to come out from around her, more than ready to delve into his stronger magic.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!" Natsu roared.
If Natsu wanted to play it that way, Laxus would follow suit. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!"
Both of Natsu's fists were alight with flames. "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Fist!"
One of Laxus' fist was coated in wild lighting. "Roaring Thunder!"
Laxus collided his fist with the first fist Natsu threw. The massive amount of lightning not only blocked the intense fire from the younger slayer, but it also reached Natsu who cried out in pain as he was sent hurtling past Erza.
Upon seeing this, knowing that attacking with her armors lightning would not be wise, Erza requipped to her Blackwing Armor and rushed Laxus. He, in turn, charged a massive amount of lighting to his arm and struck as Erza flew past him.
"Moon Flash!"
"Lightning Dragon's Iron Fist!"
It was a one stroke duel as neither was concerned with blocking the other. As Erza ended up stopping behind Laxus, the Lightning Dragon Slayer fell to one knee. Not a moment later, Erza collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Natsu had seen this, from all fours, and he was not happy. "ERZA!"
"Here I thought that last clash would have done you in." Laxus rose back to his feet. "Guess I can end it now though." He took a deep breath as a weakened Natsu was slowly rising back to his feet. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
The concentrated, destructive blast of lightning engulfed Natsu to the point Laxus couldn't see him, yet he heard the agony which followed. Just when Laxus thought this was the end, his eyes widened as his roar was being eaten.
"He's trying to eat my lightning again!?" Laxus thought, stunned.
Eventually, the attack was gone as lightning now surged around a panting, hunched over Natsu. "I got a fire in my belly, and I will use it to make you pay for what you did to Erza!" His fire sprung up around him, joining the lightning. "THAT'S A PROMISE!"
"A fusion of fire and lightning." Laxus' own lightning began sparking around him. "A Lightning Fire Dragon, who would have thought Natsu had it in him."
Natsu growled at Laxus before roaring as he was overcome with raw power. The Lightning Fire Dragon Slayer suddenly lunged at Laxus with more speed than he's ever had before, catching the S-class off guard.
He landed a nasty, light and fire infused haymaker across his face which hurled Laxus all the way across the cavern until he slammed back first into the wall of the cavernous room. Laxus wasn't going to falter like that.
Natsu took in a deep breath. "Lightning Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Seeing this, as Laxus landed and stood, he took in his own breath. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!"
The former's destructive, sparking blast collided with Laxus' own destructive blast and resulted in one explosion which kicked up debris.
"Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!" Natsu roared.
Laxus' eyes widened as the younger slayer came running out of the debris swinging his arms, one coated in lightning and the other fire. This next move was going to be large to the point the Lightning Dragon Slayer knew he couldn't avoid it. Trying would see him absolutely defeated.
"I won't lose here again!" Laxus clenched his fists and held them out as his whole body was cloaked in lighting. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art!"
"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade!"
"Rising Thunder Axe!"
Natsu generated an absolutely devastating vortex of fire and lightning while the lightning around Laxus collected at his torso and fired off as a condensed crescent wave of lighting. As the moves collided, there was a massive explosion that shook the very room.
Natsu's fire and lighting left him as he was sent tumbling along the ground painfully before stopping flat on his stomach unconscious. Laxus was pushed up against the wall behind him, rendered unconscious, to the point a crater was formed before he then fell onto the ground.
Later…
Erza woke and began to rise, sending pieces of debris tumbling off her. The cave was an absolute war zone with Laxus and Natsu both injured and laid out.
Erza immediately moved to the younger slayer's side and picked his upper body up. "Natsu!"
Natsu groaned and awoke. "Erza…" He noted the curiosity in her eyes. "Crazy fight. Laxus is strong." He shook his head and sat up, just as Laxus was coming too. "I was enraged yet too weak to rush him. He utilized a roar which I couldn't evade.
After he hurt you, I had to keep fighting, and ended up eating his lightning. It was painful in the beginning, but my body adjusted to the element. Even then, it still ached as I caught him. I think we gave it everything we had on the last attack and rendered one another unconscious."
"You're really something else, ya moron." Laxus called out, now sitting where he'd been laid out. "Crimson Lotus: Exploding Lightning Blade… Not only had Natsu utilized fire and lightning, but he also revised his secret art too boot."
None of that should have been possible, yet Natsu achieved it.
"Erza…I think that fight made some stuff clear for me." Natsu voiced. "If it were Gray or anyone else Laxus had clobbered, maybe I would've pulled off the same miracle. I'll do anything to protect my friends, but I'm not sure. It just really upset me to see you get hurt like that. You can't be just a friend to me after going through all that. I've never been so pissed."
As if sensing Erza's confusion, Laxus spoke up. "He went through all that for you Erza, all because I hurt you to the point you blacked out. Even though he may not have beat me, a tie is good enough to pass."
"N-Natsu…" Erza looked at the pink-headed teen with wide, shocked eyes.
The only other person Laxus had ever praised was her brother. Natsu ran a hand through his hair at Erza being in awe at what he accomplished. He couldn't take all the credit.
"It's our victory, not just mine." Natsu shook his head. "You wore him down, and you're the reason I achieved what I did. This wouldn't have been possible without you." He then took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to say. "I love you, more than a friend or a best friend. You've done so much for me that it's hard not to. I just wasn't sure until now."
To say Natsu jolted at Erza's arms suddenly being wrapped around his neck, while her lips met his own, would be an understatement. He really wasn't expecting it, but the shock eventually slipped away.
Natsu tentatively returned her kiss, afraid if he got to into it, he'd wake up and possibly discover Laxus had won. Soon, Erza's face pulled away, though she kept hugging him tightly. Despite his current state, Natsu reciprocated by hugging her back.
"I love you too." Erza whispered in his ear.
Laxus had risen to his feet and watched the pair smugly. He would be dishing out payback later for this draw, but he'd enjoy the show for now before reporting back to grandpa about this latest development. No doubt he and Law would be irritated they weren't here to see this.
"Still though, the potential for a Slayer to mix two elements…" Laxus pondered on that point. "Is that even something a second-generation slayer like me can accomplish?"
The Lightning Dragon Slayer had no idea if it was possible, but he'd investigate it. Even if it proved impossible, he'd find some way to advance his strength. He would not lose that rematch to Natsu or Law without having done his best to prepare.
S-class Wizards:
x? - Gildarts Clive
x776 - Law Pharos
x777 - Laxus Dreyar
x778 - N/A
x779 - Mirajane Strauss
x780 - Gray Fullbuster
x781 - Cana Alberona
x782 - Erza Scarlet & Natsu Dragneel
x783 - Mystogen
I think there is something poetic to be said of all the content I wanted to cover, before getting into the story proper, taking 7 chapter. After all, Fairy Tail does have a lot to do with the number 7. Now, let's chat about this chapter. Due to Law's existence, Fairy Tail only goes/will go 1 year between x776 and x783 without declaring an S-class mage. To chat about placements, Law took the x776 trials. That then pushed Laxus to get the rank one year earlier than canon due to his loss in x776.
x778 goes without an S-class being named, but it is also the year Erza and Mira take Natsu and Gray into their respective teams. This then causes Mira and Erza, to receive their nominations one year earlier than canon. Erza has the incentive to grow more due to Law and training with Natsu while Mira has the addition of Gray to train with. Erza bows out as she wants to obtain the rank with Natsu, so it goes to Mira. Gray then gets the x780 rank since Natsu wants to achieve the rank with Erza.
Gray has also been training with Mira for two years at this point and has prior years' worth of missions with Law an Erza to boot. Cana then gets the x781 ranking due to her taking missions with Gildarts, him helping her get somethings special to strengthen herself, and training with Law. x782 sees Erza and Natsu both being nominated, and they beat out Mystogen's canon placement leading to him garnering the rank one year later in x783.
As for me going with the Natza ship as opposed to Nalu, Lucy doesn't join the guild until x784, and this felt like a natural outcome of the changes I've established. This does mean Lucy and Jellal don't have their main ship any longer, so you're free to suggest ones for them. Also, I'm not locking in the GrayMi ship since I think one ship from that situation is enough.
Just in case it's not clear, next chapter will be getting into the start of Fairy Tail proper.
kuroshiragami0: Thank you.
alwynonlinereading: Don't sweat it. As I said, I was just reiterating that point we discussed in pms because I felt everyone should be made aware of it.