Hello all!
Here is the next chapter in this story and where we finally start to see the DxD universe. Fair warning, there will be a few alterations to the canon here and there as I go along and some Arcs will not be show at all while others will be drastically altered.
With that out of the way, let's begin.
Chapter Two: Beginnings of a Legend.
Dawn breaks as the sun just barely starts to rise over the horizon.
Inside the room of just a regular mundane house lies a singular child with spiky salmon colored hair gently snoring away.
Suddenly and quote violently the door to his room was flung open with a loud bang, scaring the sleeping child awake as he snapped his eyes open as jumped up in his bed covers.
Standing at the newly opened doorway is a young, brown hair colored boy who is wearing light blue pajamas while also having a large smile on his face.
"C'mon Natsu get up! Shidou is going to be over soon!" The boy happily yelled over to his hyperventilating older brother.
Natsu turned his obsidian black eyes over towards his younger brother with a glare that could melt a glacier and said in a ice old voice, "Issei, I am going to count to three. If you are not out of my room by then I will throw you out the window."
Issei quickly turned and ran from the room, slamming the door behind him as he ran. Whenever Natsu uses that tone of voice, it means he has lost what little patience he has and is about to go bezerk. He has only used that tone of voice when he is fighting bullies that are picking on Issei and Shidou, but Natsu is not above making Issei's life miserable if he pushes Natsu too much.
Natsu groaned as he leapt out of his bed and then yawned as he stretched his muscles. Once done, he gathered his clothes and headed for the bathroom to freshen up.
Once fully decked in his black shirt with dark green pants and black sneakers, Natsu descended down the stairs and saw his mother, father and annoying younger brother all waiting for him at the table where a large assortment of foods was awaiting for him.
Natsu grabbed his plate which was stacked high with pancakes, bacon, sausage and other foods. Natsu paused as he bowed his head, clasped his hands and gave a quick prayer.
The moment he was done he tore into the food with all the force and ferocity of a hurricane. The food simply disappeared in second as the human disposal unit named Natsu ate at lightning pace. The speed at which he ate would be impossible for normal men, but Natsu is simply not normal.
After a few seconds Natsu finished his breakfast. He gave a large belch as he patted his tummy while sighing in happiness.
Natsu then turned to Issei and said, "C'mon Issei."
Issei smiled wildly as he jumped out of his seat and ran for the front door, followed by Natsu.
"Be safe you two!" Their mother yelled out.
Natsu nodded and said, "We will!"
A second later, they were both out of the door, unaware of the horrible events that will soon happen.
From across the street, on the top floor of the house directly across from the Hyoudou household, there is three people shrouded in darkness as they watched the two boys leave their house.
"Are they the targets?" One of the them asked.
"Indeed. Our mission is to take them alive with no injuries. Simple magic to put them to sleep and then we take them back to HQ. Simple and easy." His partner said.
"What about the brats parents?" The other asked.
"They have no magic potentiel and they have chance of finding the boys once we have taken them. They are irrelevant and therefore they shall not be harmed. It would be a waste of time and energy." The leader said sternly, making sure to let his teammates understand the rules of this mission.
"Understood sir." The two of them responded back to their leader.
Back with Natsu and Issei, the two brothers were walking down the street when they saw someone running up towards them. It was a masculine looking child with brown hair like Issei with a smile on their face.
"Natsu! Issei!" The figure yelled out happily as "he" ran over to the two Hyoudou boys.
"Hey Shidou." Natsu replied with a smile.
"Shidou!" Issei was smiling ear to ear as he saw his best friend.
Shidou smiled and soon the group of three were playing in the park together for a while until eventually an man came and shouted, "Shidou! It's time to go!"
Shidou frowned and sighed and then said, "Coming dad!"
Shidou then turned back to Natsu and Issei and said, "Sorry guys. I have to get going."
"See you tomorrow Shidou!" Issei said.
"We'll be waiting for you." Natsu replied easily as he laced his hands together behind his head.
Shidou nodded and then quickly ran towards the man and soon left the park.
"Okay Issei, it's time we went home to. Mom will be angry with us if we stay out to long, again." Natsu said to his younger brother.
"Yeah I remember last time that happened." Issei said, causing an involuntary shiver through both boys spines as they remember how the matriarch of the Hyoudou family disciplined them. Never again they both swore.
The two boys then turned and started heading home, unaware the three mysterious figures were closing in.
Suddenly and without warning, a muscular hand snapped out of the shadows and wrapped around Natsu's face, while a slightly learner pair of hands clasped against Issei's face.
The two boys could barely register that they were being attacked before an azure glow knocked them unconscious.
As they fell unconscious, their bodies were held in place by their assailants, whose third member drove a snow white van up to his fellow members.
The two unconscious males were laid down in the back of the van as their kidnappers quickly got in the van. Once their objectives were completed, the van sped off.
Unknown amount of time later...
Natsu groaned as consciousness finally returned to him. As he slowly dragged his weary form off of the rock hard mattress, he immediately placed his right hand against his forehead to try and alleviate the splitting headache forming.
Slowly, shattered forms of memories started to make themselves apparent. Small bits of flashes of a metal ceiling, followed by a black blanket and a few other differing environments.
Natsu then turned his attention around the place he has found himself. It is a small room, smaller then his room at his house, cold unfeeling grey walls surrounding him, the small size and color making him feel as if he is being constricted.
The fact he has found himself in an unknown location, along with the fact he remembers a hand wrapping around his mouth, all points to a single, irrefutable fact: He has been kidnapped.
Natsu started to feel his skin start to sweat much more profusely as his breaths started to come out in short, ragged bursts as Natsu started to feel much, much more scared then how he was a few moments ago.
Suddenly, a section of his room opened up, showing that there is a door that blends perfectly into the wall so that it is almost impossible to be seen.
Out of the newly opened door came a young man with short dark green hair with stunningly golden eyes. He wore a large white coat with short fur at the edge of the coats collar, while wearing dark black suit with crimson red cuff and pants legs.
He looked at Natsu for a second before his face broke out into a wicked smile and said, "Well, I do hope you are more useful then the last subject we acquired. Take him to my laboratory."
Two large guards in matching steel grey uniforms entered into the cell and swiftly grabbed Natsu's arms and then slapped something against his neck before Natsu could say or do anything. The moment the thing struck his neck, Natsu went stiff and found himself unable to move or speak.
The mysterious stranger then left the cell and was followed by the guards who carried Natsu away from his cell and into the gunmetal hallways of wherever Natsu found himself.
After a few minutes of walking, Natsu was brought into a large open area where massive machinery as well as many people wearing lab coats went about their business, not even bothering to acknowledge the little boy who was scared beyond imagination due to his current circumstances.
Natsu was taken to a specific table where restraints for his arms and legs snapped over said limbs, preventing the bot from moving at all.
The mysterious figure went over to a console and then placed his hand on it, causing strange symbols appear before him along with a holographic 3D picture of Natsu himself.
"Fascinating. An unknown magical reading resides within you human. I have never seen anything like this before and I am sure, neither has anyone else. It isn't a Sacred Gear and this reading matches no other magics. In addition, there is a Dragon Slaying element within you as well. Both inert as of right now. However, we are going to change that little fact." The man muttered to himself and then he turned his attention back towards Natsu.
The most sinistar and terrifying smile that Natsu has ever seen appeared on the man's face as he then said, "Now, let's begin."
A large circular device maneuvered in front of Natsu. Azure light began to coalesce inside the dish until it reached sufficient charge and then, it shot forth.
Pain unlike anything Natsu has ever felt tore through his being. His nerves felt like they were on fire, his skin ignited in agony as a soundless scream echoed in his mind as a soul searing agony etched itself into Natsu's memories.
However, even through the pain, Natsu then began to feel something beginning to stir within him. A slight sense of warmth began to flow into his inner core.
Natsu suddenly began to feel very sleepy as the warmth continued to creep through his veins, the gentleness of this unknown warmth a very welcome change to the impossible agony he just experienced.
With a soft sigh, Natsu fell into blissful slumber as the unknown figure smiled an even greater sinister smile as he then said, "Now, the real work begins."
Natsu awoke with a groan, his obsidian eyes flickering open as he took in his surroundings.
Instead of a gunmetal gray facility, Natsu found himself on a tropical island surrounded by water. Natsu looked around and stopped when he saw what lay at the middle of the island.
It is an enormous tree, easily larger then any building Natsu has seen before in his life. The top of the tree seemed to reach into the sky while the roots were larger then most people Natsu has met in his life. The leaves from the tree were a shad of green Natsu thought could never exist. The entire appearance of the tree inspired a sense of peace, hope and awe inside of th young boy.
With a piqued curiosity, Natsu walked towards the giant tree, his only goal to find out more about the tree. As he made hi way towards the tree, he felt a almost familiarity about where he was, as if he has been here before. But that would be impossible, he has never before set foot on a island where a tree reached towards the sky and was larger then some buildings.
FInally he stood at the base of the tree, where he saw a strange symbol in the bark. It looked like a bird of some kind, only with a long tail at the end while a arrow looking structure attached to the bottom of the front.
Natsu was instantly drawn towards the symbol, feeling an almost longing for it, as if the symbol itself meant more then the world itself to him.
Natsu placed his hand on the symbol and nearly jumped back when the symbol ignited, glowing a fierce and almost blinding golden hue.
Natsu watched on in awe as the symbol sent the golden energy all throughout the tree, the golden energy glowing through the cracks and crevices of the massive tree creating almost vein like inside the tree itself. The veins reached out to the very ends of the branches, encompassing the entire tree.
From the symbol itself, a sphere of golden energy floated out. The sphere was around the size of a basketball and pulsated every few seconds, sounding almost like a heart beat.
A second later, the energy began to morph and change, growing into a humanoid shape until after a few seconds the energy changed into a young looking petite girl. She had knee length golden wavy hair that flowed like water in the wind with emerald green eyes that looked on at Natsu with kindness and gentleness. She wore a simple white dress that went down beyond her knee that had sky blue diamond shapes going around the dress mid section, with pink accents around the diamonds and simply pink bow around the girls neck.
The moment Natsu saw her, he felt a rush of relief and joy, as if he finally has seen a long lost friend, and yet he has never met this girl before even once.
"Who are you?" Natsu asked, confused and slightly scared.
The girl smiled kindly at Natsu and said, "I am Mavis, the voice for very special power that lies within you."
"Huh?" Natsu asked, very confused.
The girl walked forwards and then gently laid her hand onto Natsu's chest, causing a golden glow to start to shine from the middle of his chest.
"What is that?" Natsu asked, about three seconds from a mental breakdown.
"That is the very special power you were born with. It is your light, the truest and purest expression of your heart. It is called many different names, but it's oldest and truest name, is the Lumen Histoire, the Fairy Heart." The girl said with a soft smile as a gentle breeze caressed against Natsu's face.
"The Fairy Heart?" Natsu asked, looking at the glow coming from his chest which was starting to dim a bit.
The girl nodded and continued by saying, "The Fairy Heart is a difficult thing to understand, but the best way for me to describe it to you is by simply saying it is an object of incredible power that allows you to use magic."
Natsu's eyes widened and asked in a tone almost reaching into revenant, "Magic?"
The girl smiled as she cupped her hands in front of her chest in the shape of a circle as a sphere of golden energy collected inside her hands, small flakes of gold flying away from the sphere and around Natsu as they continued onwards up into the sky.
Natsu gently grasped one of the flakes of gold in his right hand and held it up so he could better inspect the strange item.
The golden flake was warm, but not uncomfortably so. It sat there in Natsu's palm with the stillness of a star and it shined bright even in the right sunlight and yet it did not hurt to look upon.
Natsu gazed upon the incredible golden flake for a few minutes and then the girl drew his attention back to her by saying, "Natsu."
Natsu turned his attention back towards the unknown girl who now sported a serious gaze in her eyes as she said, "Natsu, I took you here for a reason. There are people who are attempting to take the Lumen Histoire for their own purposes. You cannot allow them to do so."
"Why not?' Nataus asked.
"Because, the Lumen Histoire has been inside of you for so long that your soul has grown to accommodate it. If the Lumen Histoire is removed, your soul has a high possibility of being destroyed, and you will die."
Natsu's eyes widened as his jaw dropped as he heard the high ramifications for allowing the Lumen Histoire to be removed.
"How can I stop them? I am just a 13 year old. I have no magic I can use." Natsu said.
"That is where you are wrong. Besides the Lumen Histoire, you have another power you can draw from. One that might be weaker, but is still immensely powerful, for it allows someone to stand against some of the mightiest beings to have ever existed." The girl said.
"What?" Natsu asked, unable to understand what this girl is talking about.
Mavis then pressed her hand against Natsu's chest once more, but instead of a peaceful golden glow, giant orange roaring flames erupted from his hands.
Natsu panicked and was about to try and put the fire out when he noticed the flames didn't hurt him at all. Instead, when Natsu looked at the flames he flt nostalgic as if he was once again meeting an old friend he hasn't seen in a long time.
"These are no ordinary magical flames Natsu. These are flames whose power and majesty managed to change the course of history more times then can be counted. These are flames of a Fire Dragon Slayer." The girl proudly proclaimed in a mighty and powerful voice.
"Fire Dragon Slayer?" Natsu asked.
"As the name suggests, the fire currently coming from your hands holds the power to kill a Dragon. As a Fire Dragon Slayer, you will have dragon lungs to eat fire, dragon scales to dissolve fire, as well as enhanced strength, speed, stamina, toughness, senses and much more. All you have to do is awaken the power within you." The girl said.
"Awaken the power? But isn't on right now?" Natsu asked, holding his ignited fist up.
"No, your powers are only barely activated, the vast majority of your Dragon Slayer abilities are still locked away. For them to be activated, you must embrace your inner Dragon. You must accept all of it, the good and the bad. The darker, more primal instincts that Dragon Slayers are subject to." The girl explained to the young man.
Natsu didn't like not understand what she was asking of him or what she meant. It sounded terrifying.
"It's okay Natsu. It will be alright. Just close your eyes and listen to my voice." The girl said.
Natsu, despite his reluctance and misgivings, obeyed her and shut his eyes closed.
"Now, reach deep inside yourself. Concentrate on how your flames feel and search for that feeling." The girl said, her voice echoing inside of Natsu's head.
Natsu did as she said. He thought about the emotions he felt when his flames first activated. The adrenaline he felt as the power rushed through his veins, the incredible heat, but most of all, he remembered the burning rage that ignited in his soul as the flames burned against his skin.
Natsu then felt something welling up inside of him. He felt something starting to stir. Something powerful. Something primordial. Something dragonic.
Natsu felt a flash of heat against his face and when he opened his eyes, he found himself somewhere different from the tropical island.
He was in a literal sea of fire, giant goats of orange, black and red flames as far as the eye could see in all directions.
He then heard heavy breathing from behind him. Natsu twisted around to see what it was and immediately stopped in shock and fear of what was behind him.
It was a massive shape, obscured by darkness, but the bright crimson eyes staring at him were easily able to be seen from the darkness. Giant clouds of hot breath was shot out from the shape, the cloud nearly knocking Natsu over.
Natsu couldn't move, he couldn't think, he could barely even breathe as he stared up in fright up at the massive shape before him.
After a few moments, the massive shape then said, "Natsu, although you do not remember me know this. You are a Dragon Slayer and you must never forget the pride that comes with that title. Now, stand tall and show the world the depths of your power."
Although the voice was loud, rippling with raw power and demanding respect from everyone, Natsu couldn't help but be comforted by the sound of that voice. But before he could say anything the shape opened its jaws and from the massive mouth came a jet of fire hotter than anything Natsu has ever felt before.
Natsu screamed out as he felt the fire scorch his skin, but at the same time he felt a change occurring within himself. Muscles tightening as his eyes seemed to erupt in gouts of pain with his lungs being incapable of drawing breath anymore.
This went on for an agonizing thirty seconds before the flames ceased and then Natsu started to fall the ground.
Before he fell unconscious, Natsu heard the voice say, "No matter where you go, remember that I am with you."
Natsu then fell into merciful sleep.
Once again, Natsu awoke with a groan and found himself back on the tropical island once more. Natsu pushed himself up with a grunt and then h started to notice a few differences.
For one, he could see a lot better now, being able to see things from far away as well as seeing minute details he would have normally missed. He could also hear a lot better as he could hear the small chirps of birds as well as the slight moving of leaves in the wind. Additionally, he could also smell a lot better, being able to detect different odors with absolute ease.
Natsu started running for the tree when he noticed he was running a lot faster now as well.
Natsu jumped off a large rock and was laughing as he soared through the air, the breeze brushing against his face as he continued towards the sky tall tree.
Natsu landed with a grunt and then continued onwards towards the tree, the incredible joy of his new found powers going directly to his head.
After a few minutes, Natsu finally arrived back at the base of the massive tree, where the mysterious girl was standing, waiting for him to come back.
"Excellent work Natsu. You managed to activate your Fire Dragon Slayer magic. However, you have only barely scratched the surface of what you are capable of. You need to train yourself and your body if you wish to gain the strength necessary to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. I can aid you in your training with both your magic and physical abilities. However, our time together is about to end. Your real body is waking up." The girl said as the entire world surrounding the island began to disappear in a slowly approaching wall of light.
"How can I talk to you again?" Natsu asked.
"I will alway be watching over you. When you call upon my name, I shall offer any assistance I can and when you dream, you shall return to this island." The girl said as the light started racing over the island.
"Before I go, what is your name?" Natsu asked.
The girl smiled as she spoke a single word before she disappeared, "Mavis."
The moment that word was uttered, Natsu was enveloped in the blinding light and his vision turned to white. Natsu then felt as if he was free falling downwards, no hard surface for him to stand on anymore as he went back to consciousness.
Natsu once again awoke with a groan and found himself in his small cell once more. His body felt stiff and swimming in agony as he started moving his limbs around.
The cell door opened again and a guard came in with a small bowl of soup along with a small cup of water and set them down on the floor. The guard then turned and left without saying a word to Natsu.
The young boy walked over to the sustenance and after sniffing it a few times, started eating. The soup was cold and the water tasted disgusting, but they are the only sustenance Natsu has had in who knows how long? He will take anything given to him.
After his meal was finished, a new pair of guards entered into his cell and forcibly took him out.
Through a winding maze of halls and pathways, the guards led Natsu to a massive arena looking structure, where a familiar face was waiting for him.
"Issei!" Natsu yelled out as he ran over to his younger brother.
"Natsu!" Issei exclaimed in return as he to charged to meet his elder brother.
The two smashed into each other, the brothers wrapping their arms around one another as they held each other.
They stood locked in each others arms for an unknown amount of time when loud clicking was heard around them.
From the walls of the arena came a swarm of small imp looking creatures. Standing only 3 feet tall with green skin, they are an ugly group of creatures and combined with their lanky build, they individually look very weak. However, there is around a 150 of them against Natsu and Issei who are now back to back facing the hoard.
"Issei Hyoudou and Natsu Hyoudou. Here is what you are going to do: You are going to fight against this hoard of imps. Should you survive, you will be given medical treatment and food. However, we will not aid you at all during the fight, so the threat of death is the penalty for failure. Good luck." The head scientist said.
Natsu looked at the hoard and felt a massive amount of fear running through his veins, but then he felt his brother shivering in fright behind him. Natsu would not allow a single Imp to lay a hand against Issei.
Natsu called upon his Fire Dragon Slayer magic, praying that it wasn't all a dream and he really did have a means of keeping Issei safe.
With a loud roar, the orange flames erupted around Natsu's hands, causing the salmon haired boy to sport a fanged grin as he knew he had a means of fighting back.
Natsu stared at the Imps who were starting to look scared about going u against a magic wielder and Natsu said, "You all ready? 'Cause I'm all fired up!"
Natsu smashed his flaming fists together, causing an eruption of sparks as a orange glowing symbol appeared in front of him with a dragon head in the center.
Natsu bent his knees and focused his flames against the sole of his foot and with a giant explosion, he erupted towards the scared hoard of Imps.
The Imps had almost no time to scram before Natsu landed amongst them, a massive explosion erupting outwards as Natsu smashed his fist against the ground. Imps when flying outwards as stones hot outwards, impaling and killing a few Imps.
Natsu then turned and smashed his right fist into the face of another Imp, causing another large explosion that soon disappeared and revealed a charred corpse of the Imp.
Natsu then spun around, giant ribbons of fire leaping off of his hands and smashing apart a large group of Imps.
Natsu didn't know what was happening to him. It was like he was learning more about these powers the more he used them. It was weird, while he was fighting he was basically just following his gut, preforming actions or mental calls in his mind that translated into attacks using his fire. His body moved, ducked and weived like an experienced fighter, not a single wasted movement as he tore apart the Imps.
However, Natsu was not perfect and the Imps were fighting back. Already Natsu had suffered a large slash across his back along with a few other cuts on his legs and arms that were slowly draining him of his ability to fight. Natsu might be fit for a kid of his age but he cannot fight forever and already he is starting to tire.
However, a sudden explosion of crimson energy erupted outwards and from it, Natsu saw his little brother Issei smashing his left fist into the gut of an Imp, however there is something on Issei's left arm.
It was a gauntlet, crimson in color with a large emerald gem on the top of the hand. The gauntlet had five armored fingers in the shape of claws with segmented and pointed armor plating going up Issei's forearm, ending in two large golden spikes at the back with an arrow head shaped metal point in between the golden spikes.
"BOOST!" A loud voice cried out as the emerald gem shined brightly for a second and suddenly Issei smashed his other fist into the face of another Imp, smashing and cracking the teeth of the Imp.
Natsu was shocked by Issei's sudden battle prowess, but he quickly got over it and went back to fighting.
The two brothers fought against the Imps, Natsu's flames blowing up massive groups of Imps with ease as Issei stole an Imp's sword and used it to carve into the Imps along with his crimson gauntlet.
After a long period of time, the two brothers found themselves covered in blood, tired and panting as they stood tall amongst the sea of bodies that was the once imposing hoard of Imps.
Issei dropped his bloody and broken sword to the ground as he fell to his knees, the brutal and terrify revelation that he killed other living beings starting to catch up with him.
Natsu himself was trying to keep himself from throwing up what little remained in his stomach at the sight of all the dead Imps he helped kill as he moved slowly and stiffly over to where Issei was.
However, before he could several guards entered into the arena and quickly restrained both Natsu and Issei and took them away in opposite directions from one another. The two boys tried to reach out for each other, but it was for naught as they were not strong enough to resist and so they were taken away from one another once more.
Up in the main observation deck, the green haired man smiled maliciously as he looked over the data they gathered from the fight.
"Issei has a Longinus class Sacred Gear, the Boosted Gear. Natsu on the other hand has that unknown Dragon Slayer magic as well as that unknown magical item. Between the two of them, Natsu has greater combat aptitude as well as greater overall power. I wonder how powerful Natsu could be if he had the power of the Boosted Gear as well." The man said to himself.
He then turned to his assistant and said, "Prepare for Sacred Gear Removal as well as Sacred Gear implantation."
His assistant noded and scurried away as quickly as he could, not wanting to upset his master.
The man then went back to watching the combat footage and smiled as he drank some wine as he said, "I wonder just how powerful of a tool I can make you, Natsu Hyoudou? Perhaps it is time I looked into that failed project of mine. What did I call it? Ah yes, Project: Ultimate Evil Piece."
Back with Natsu, he was numb as several men were healing him with magical circles of differing colors, however the process was most very fast.
Natsu's strength had all been spent fighting the Imps and so he could do nothing as he was dragged away, much to his anger.
However, he would not be able to think about how he would very much like to destroy everyone in this facility as after a little bit, Natsu was once again dragged off of the table and taken to another lab in the facility, this one with a pair of large tables where large clamps were where a persons limbs might be placed.
Natsu was taken to one of the tables and strapped in, the large serpentine shaped clamps slamming over his limbs, preventing him from moving.
After being strapped down, Natsu saw Issei being strapped down on the opposing table as well.
The mysterious man then came into the room and said, "Comfortable?"
Natsu narrowed his eyes and said, "Who are you?"
The man smiled and said, "I am Diodora Astaroth. Not that my name will mean anything to you. All you need to know is that you are now my property and will do as I say."
"Why would I that?" Natsu asked, anger at the gale of this man.
The man smiled sinisterly and said, "Because, I am not above ordering the deaths of your parents in order to ensure your cooperation."
natsu's eyes widened and then he began to thrash against his bindings as he yelled, "You piece of shit! You touch my parents and I'll rip your spine out!"
Astaroth smiled even wider and said, "I like your ferocity. You will make an excellent servant. However, you need something. I will get to that in a little bit. However, we are here to see if you will grow even stronger once you have the Boosted Gear."
"Boosted Gear?" Natsu asked, completely confused by this man.
"The red gauntlet that appeared on your brothers arm. it is called the Boosted Gear. It is a powerful tool called a Sacred Gear, powerful objects blessed by the god of the Bible. The Sacred Gear is apart of a special group of Sacred Gears called Longinus class that once fully mastered allows the user to kill a god." astaroth explained, shocking both Natsu and Issei.
"The Boosted Gear is capable of doubling the users abilities every ten seconds, a power ability to be sure. However, I think the Boosted Gear is wasted on Issei. He has almost no magical capabilities, has lower physical abilities and almost no combat aptitude. However, you Natsu have shown incredible magical talent despite your age and the short amount of time with your magic, as well as high physical abilities for a person your age as well as good combat aptitude. Therefore, we are going to take the Boosted Gear from your brother and implanet it into you, giving you the abilities of the Boosted Gear as well as your Dragon Slayer magic." Astaroth said as he took out a strange looking machine.
It was a square shaped device, being around the size of a bread box with four claw shaped talons on the bottom as well as a dark purple circle in the middle of the claws.
"What will that do to Issei?" Natsu asked, very afraid of the answer.
"Oh, he will most certainly die. A Sacred Gear is tied to the users soul, so the removal of a Sacred Gear destroys the soul and kills the user." Astaroth said easily as he examined the device, making sure it was good to go.
Natsu's eyes widened as well as Issei's as Natsu yelled, "Don't do this! Please! I'll do anything! Just don't kill Issei!"
Astaroth looked back at Natsu and said, "Look, you are already learning your place. Beneath my boot. But don;t worry, your brother will die quickly so he won't be in horrible agony for that long."
staroth then took up the device and approached Issei, the boy thrashing in his restraints as he tried desperately to get away.
"No! No! No! Issei! Please, no I'm begging you! Issei!" Natsu screamed out as his restraints started bending and cracking causing the security guards to come over and push him down with their weight.
Astaroth got in front of Issei and then placed the device in front of Issei's left arm, the claws expanding and then starting to glow an ominous and malicious dark purple with crimson bolts. The restraint on Issei's arm unlocked as a guard went and grabbed the boy before he could do anything.
The Boosted Gear suddenly appear on Issei's arm in response to the boy's desperate attempts of escape and survival. The device activated as well, the claws digging into the Boosted Gear as it sent the dark energy into Issei.
Issei's screams were able to be heard all throughout the facility, the pure agony and pain the boy was going through was beyond the minds ability to understand.
Natsu saw red when he heard his brothers screams and ignited into a whirlwind of fire, burning the guards holding him down and melting the bindings with ease.
However, before he could reach Issei gravity suddenly increased around Natsu, pinning him to the ground as a large man with a black facemask as well as a skintight black suit appeared with a dark purple magical circle on front of his right hand.
"Know your place, worm." The man said in a deep, dark voice that held incredible amount of hatred and malicious intent.
Natsu tried to fight the oppressive weight bearing down on his body, but just couldn't move and so could only watch as Issei continued to scream as the Boosted Gear was slowly ripped out of him.
Eventually, the Boosted Gear was torn off of Issei's left arm as the light disappeared from Issei's eyes while his body fell limp.
Natsu could only stare in mute horror as he gazed upon Issei's dead form.
Acting upon this, several security guards grabbed Natsu and threw him on his back and then slapped a circular item against his neck, preventing him from moving anymore.
"I told you to not use the Inhibitor disks because it prevents the transfer of Sacred Gears." Astaroth growled out, causing the security guards to flinch.
"Sorry sir. We will get rid of it right now." The middle one said as he tore the device from Natsu's neck, freeing him, but before he could do anything gravity increased once more.
"Thank you Umbra. At least one person here has a pair of working brain cells." Astaroth said.
Umbra remained silent as he continued to hold Natsu in place.
"Please move Natsu over to the other table. We do need to implant this in him." Astaroth requested.
"Umbra said nothing as he levitated Natsu in the air and then moved him over to the second table where Issei's body had already been removed.
"Alright Natsu. Let's do this." Astaroth said as he took the Boosted Gear and then placed it against his chest.
The Boosted Gear turned into crimson energy as it struck Natsu's chest, burrowing into the 13 year old.
Natsu gasped in pain as the Boosted Gear took up residence inside his soul, the crimson gauntlet appearing on his left hand.
"Okay. Take Natsu to his cell and begin observation. I want to know the moment if something changes about him." Astaroth said as he left the room.
Natsu was hoisted up by Umbra and taken back to his cell, where Umbra threw him into the room and then closed the door.
Natsu picked himself up off of the floor as he looked at the still visible crimson gauntlet. The horrible images of Issei's dead body filled his mind as tear began to flow down his face.
"Issei, I am so sorry!" Natsu croaked out as he then let loose a piercing scream that was heard all throughout the facility.
Natsu continued to cry until he had no more tears left to shed and he then drifted off to sleep, his body crashing after all the abuse it has gone through today.
When Natsu opened his eyes, he found himself in a familiar field of fire.
However, he then heard a familiar voice say, "So, you are my new host."
Natsu turned around and saw a massive crimson dragon standing thirty feet from him gazing down upon him with curious eyes.
Natsu was silent for a few moments and then asked, "Who are you?"
"I am Ddraig, the Crimson Dragon Emperor and the power behind the Boosted Gear." Ddraig answered simply.
"What?" Natsu asked.
"The Boosted Gear is my prison that was created from my flesh after I was defeated by the combined forces of Angels, Fallen Angels and Devils in the Great War. My spirit is forever bound to the Boosted Gear, lending my power to the hosts that inherit the Gear and now, you are my latest host." Ddraig explained to the young boy.
Natsu then once again remembered Issei as tears began to fall once more.
"You are a Dragon boy and I will not have my host crying like a scared little pup! If you wish to take vengeance against those that tore your brother away from you, then master the power of the Boosted Gear as well as your Dragon Slayer abilities! Together, they will make you nearly unstoppable!" Ddraig roared out.
Natsu looked up at the Dragon with tear filled eyes and said, "Teach me."
Ddraig nodded and said, "I am not saying your tears are unwarranted, but if you truly wish to avenge your brothers death, then train yourself and once those that are responsible are dead, then you can grieve."
Ddraig then said, "Go and rest. Your mind, body and soul all need a chance to rest after what you have gone through today. Tomorrow we begin your training. Be warned, I will hold nothing back."
Natsu stared up at Ddraig with eyes blazing and said, "I don't care. Just give me the strength to kill those who murdered my brother."
Ddraig nodded and then said, "I will. Now go."
Natsu nodded and then disappeared from the sea of flames as he went to rest.
Ddraig then turned towards the golden sphere that just appeared next to him and said, "What do you want Mavis?"
Mavis turned back into her regular human form and glared up at Ddraig and said, "I do not approve of you training Natsu. He needs time right no, he is grieving."
"The boy will have a chance to grieve, right now we need to train him up. He is not even close to a Low class Devil at this point. If he runs into anyone at even that level, he will die quickly. I do not know about you, but I would rather not have to go searching for a new host so soon after losing my previous one." Ddraig said back to Mavis.
"Natsu is a barely a teenager. He only just activated his powers recently. He will not be able to handle your training." Mavis argued.
"Revenge is an excellent motivator. He will push himself beyond the breaking point if it means getting his vengeance. I have no doubt in my mind he will be able to handle my training. He needs to be ready when the White One appears." Ddraig said back.
"Don't you have a heart? The boy just lost his brother and all you doing in manipulating him in order to beat your rival." Mavis said, her eyes absolutely murderous.
"I wouldn't have to push him so hard nor manipulate him if you had bothered to train him when he was younger. If he had been training for even a year or so, he would have been able to knock out those three sent to kidnap him with ease. But instead, you decided to try and give him a normal life and look at where that has lead him to. Powerless, defenceless, weak and useless as his brother was killed in front of him. Your way has failed Mavis, so now we are gonna do this my way." Ddraig said.
Mavis flinched at that remark and said, "Natsu deserved a normal life, free from the pain and misery of the magical world."
"And look, he has been dragged into the machinations of the supernatural, only now he is too weak to keep himself safe. Real good job there Mavis. All you did was hinder him and prevent him from gaining the strength to keep himself as his loved ones safe." Ddraig said with a scoff.
Mavis glared up at the crimson dragon and said, "Don't even pretend you care about Natsu. All you wish to do is beat the White One, damn anyone who gets in your way. You couldn't care less about Natsu and what happens to him, all you care about is Albion and his current host."
Ddraig glared back at Mavis and said, "Don't get sanctimonious with me, ghost. I saw Natsu's memories, I have seen the power of the Fairy Heart. How could Natsu react if he found out you had the power to save Issei's life, but instead chose to let the boy die?"
Mavis's eyes flashed golden as she roared out, "I had no choice! Any ability with the power to save Issei in that situation would have resulted in Natsu's death! There was nothing I could do!"
"Natsu would have gladly traded his life for Issei's. Instead, you made that choice for him and allowed his brother to die, all while pretending to care about Natsu and his feelings. You are just as manipulative and deceitful as I am, the only difference is that I am at least attempting to get Natsu ready for the challenges he will face. The boy needs harsh and tough training, not codelling and hand if he is to survive. As a blacksmith hammers out the imperfections in his work, so shall I hammer out the weakness in Natsu Hyoudou." Ddraig said back, completely unafraid of Mavis.
Mavis stared up at Ddraig for a few moments and then said, "I will be watching you Dragon. Attempt to do anything that will be harmful to Natsu and his being and I will end you myself."
Mavis then disappeared in a golden flash, leaving Ddraig all by himself in the sea of flames.
Ddraig scoffed and said, "Beings far stronger than you have tried and failed. You are nothing but a ghost, a remnant of a girl long since turned to dust. You are nothing to the Crimson Dragon Emperor."
Ddraig then curled up and basked in the warmth of the flames, resting himself and preparing for Natsu's training.
Events are now in motion that cannot be stopped. The Fairy Heart has awakened as Natsu unlocks his Dragon Slayer abilities while being forced to bear the burden of also holding the Boosted Gear. The fates of many are now being decided by the actions of what will take place in this facility.
And that is the end of the second chapter!
Boy oh boy did it take me forever to get this chapter typed. I mean, I had that poll up around January and only now am I finally getting this chapter typed and posted. Sorry about that.
So yeah, a lot happened in this chapter. I hope I didn't put too much in here.
Like I said, there is going to be different events from the cannon in this story, I will have some familiar characters, and others I will have been very different from how they are shown in the show.
Little announcement: Updates are going to get sporadic as I try to type Stargate Atlantis: Robotech War, Humanity's Resurgence as well as this story, so updates are not going to be consistent for any of said stories.
With that out of the way, if you have any comments, criticisms, or concerns, leave a review or send me a P.M., always appreciated.
Until next time, this is StrikeFreedom10, signing off.
Farewell for now!
PLUS ULTRA!