Okay, so just in case no one noticed, I decided to ret-con the idea of the 'purple streaks' in Natsu's magic container when looking around. Originally I was going to have it represent some kind of Spatial Dragon Slayer magic, but then I decided it wasn't really necessary. here's the disclaimer now.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail. I do not own these characters. I do not own the story idea, at least not entirely. Then again, someone else may have had the same ideas I did. Eh, how about I don't own anything in this story. Is that a good enough disclaimer?
Chapter 12.
Natsu's Magic
"You're sure he said you can't master your Fire Dragon Slayer magic without at least starting to learn the other magic that he can't tell you about?"
"Yes."
Natsu answered the question calmly. He was used to it by this point. Makarov hadn't been much help when he'd brought the topic up with him. Nor had his grandmother, Selene. So he resorted to using the communication Lacrima that the guild master had been asked to hand over to the dragon slayers to contact Elefseria. It was really bugging him that he couldn't master his Fire Dragon magic, without learning what the crimson color in his magic container represented.(A/N: Okay, so just in case no one read my note up above… I decided to ret-con the idea of the 'purple streaks' in Natsu's magic. Originally I was going to have it represent some kind of Spatial Dragon slayer magic, but then I decided it wasn't really necessary.)
The law dragon sighed before going silent for a few moments. Then he started to stroke his beard as he he thought.
"And you said you don't feel anything in particular when you focus on the crimson that represents this other Fire magic…. I can't help you there then."
Elefseria hummed in response as he stroked his beard. Not wanting to risk disrupting the man's train of thought Natsu said nothing. After all, even if he couldn't figure out, there was a chance the man would think of someone that could.
"Without making Igneel break his word, the only thing I can think to do is wait for this person to approach you about the topic."
Blowing out a breath on frustration Natsu only nodded at Elefseria's words.
"I'm sure I'll figure it out eventually. Thanks for the advice at least. Oh, and thanks for telling me that grandmother returned to Guiltina for now. She's probably collecting her hoard so she can join our dragons den."
"Still amazed to see her doing something that doesn't benefit her."
Elefseria muttered as he accepted the Fire Dragon Slayer's thanks. Natsu snorted before explaining his grandmother's reasoning.
"But it does. By joining my den and moving here, she gets to be closer to her family. Not to mention the fact it means she can spoil my adoptive daughter."
-XXxxXxXxxXX-
"Hmm… You've grown even stronger Natsu. But is it strong enough yet?"
A dark haired man wondered to himself as he stared at the ceiling above him, while his mind drifted back to when he watched the pink haired Fire Dragon Slayer near effortlessly slay a few wyverns. After a moment a somewhat cruel smirk came to the man's face.
With a snap of his fingers he summoned one of his subordinates.
"My lord, what is it you require of me?"
Came a raspy voice as the subordinate's body slowly emerged from the shadows in the corner of the room.
"Take a message to Mard Geer for me. Tell him, that I wish for him to test the strength of Natsu Dragneel. Make sure he understands I do not want Natsu dead, however. I just wish to gauge his strength."
"As you wish, my lord."
The voice was heard as the figure bowed before stepping back into the shadows once more.
"Let's see if you've finally grown strong enough to handle the truth Natsu."
-XXxxXxXxxXX-
"Natsu I need you in my office, now!"
Makarov's voice echoed through the guild hall. Given the time of day, he was sure Natsu would hear him, as the pink haired man and his mate had taken to spending the afternoons at the guild, making sure their adoptive daughter was used to everyone.
Standing up from his seat, Natsu shared a look with Cana.
"Whatever it is he wants, you be careful."
The brunette said, having heard the fear in their guild masters voice when he called for Natsu.
"It'll be fine. I'll finish whatever it is he needs and be back in no time. Trust me."
He replied, carefully keeping his voice clear of doubt, despite the fact his instincts had gone on alert.
Just like when he and the other slayers had been given a mission, he kissed Koharu gently on the forehead, wrapped his scarf around her, and told her to be a good girl while he was gone. Natsu quickly made the trudge up to the guild masters office. Closing the door behind him and coming to stand in front of Makarov's desk, he waited for the short elderly man to speak.
"Just like last time I called you up here, the council sent a request for you. This time however, it is only asking for you, and it is much more time sensitive."
Nodding, the Fire mage gestured for the explanation to continue.
"Apparently, a rogue Fire mage has taken over the town of Freesia. He's threatening to burn the whole city down, and murder the civilians if you don't show up. According to the council reports, the man claims he wants to show the world who the most powerful Fire mage truly is."
Natsu's eyes became draconian slits as he listened and rage poured through him. He'd dealt with posers before; people who thought they were better Fire mages than him never truly matched up to him in a fair fight. But this was the first time someone had threatened innocent lives in order to challenge him.
He wanted to growl that he'd curb-stomp the bastard into the ground. But his instincts were warning him that something was off about the whole thing. Instead he nodded to the guild master before leaving the office. Rather than walk down the steps, he jumped over the railing. Happy floated over to him, ready to go, like he normally would.
"Just me this time buddy."
Natsu told the exceed before looking towards Gray. He made sure to maintain eye contact with the Ice Make mage as he spoke.
"I've got a bad feeling that something's not what it seems. Keep an eye on Cana and Koharu for me will ya?"
Having been around Natsu long enough to know that his instincts were normally correct, Gray moved closer to the Cards mage and nodded once.
"Thanks."
Then with that, he was gone. A few hours later when Gajeel returned from his own job, he plopped down in the seat beside Gray.
"Salamander have you guarding them?"
"Yeah. Said he had a feeling something isn't what it seems."
Gray responded, having learned Gajeel was similar to Natsu with gut feelings. Gajeel grunted an agreement.
"He's not the only one. Don't let those two out of your sight unless you're in a fight."
By that point Makarov had finished with the days paperwork and was sitting at the bar enjoying a few drinks. But having heard Gajeel's words, and having his own feeling that things weren't quite adding up, he frowned.
"Cana, I want you to stay here tonight just in case. You and Koharu can stay in the infirmary. Mira, stay and help her with the little one. Gajeel, Gray, I'd appreciate it if you stayed here to watch over them."
A bit confused, but knowing better than to talk back Gray nodded. Gajeel nodded as well but he did speak up.
"Good call. I'm not sure what it is that's off, by my instincts are practically screaming at me to look after the two of them."
-XXxxXxXxxXX-
"Huh. Either he's too stupid to realize he's walking into a trap, or he knows and he's got the balls to think he'll come out on top."
"Must you be so crude Jackal?"
Two figures watched as Natsu approached the town. They'd been ordered to watch over the fight between Natsu and one of the weak demons that used fire. Then depending on how the fight went they would step in and fight as well. Of course Mard Geer had told them that they weren't allowed to kill the dragon slayer, but he did say that accidents happen. Silver had to wonder if the two of them were the best choice for what seemed like a simple test. Jackal had trouble holding back, and unless this Natsu Dragneel could curb-stomp his fellow demon, Jackal would kill the pink haired man. Silver on the other hand… His magic would easily overpower the dragon slayer and if he wasn't careful the pink haired man would die.
"I didn't think you'd actually show. I thought you'd be too much of a coward to face a real master of fire."
The demon that had issued the challenge to Natsu called out when he reached the center plaza of the town. Natsu's sense of smell already told him that the townsfolk were all dead, causing his eyes to narrow in anger as he stared at the man. Truthfully he knew it wasn't a human mage like he'd been lead to believe. The man was tall. About four or five inches taller than even Gajeel and Laxus. His body was covered in tattoos of fire.
"You ain't fooling me pal."
Natsu shot back as he glared at the demon in question.
"Oh? And what do you mean by that?"
"This isn't the first time I've come face to face with a demon of Zeref's. I know what you guys smell like. Not to mention you can't hide from me. So what's the deal here. It looks like I'm winning and the other two jump out and save you? Or are you going to fight one at a time in the hopes that by the third one I'm too worn out to put up a fight?"
As he spoke, Natsu rolled his neck feeling a bit eager to start fighting already.
"We may have underestimated your senses, but I'm sure we didn't underestimate your power."
The demon called back as flames burst into life between them.
For his part Natsu ignored them. Instead he charged forward with a fist cocked back.
"Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow!" He called out, igniting his elbow just as he started to throw his arm forward to punch the red headed demon in front of him. Thanks to his training with Gildarts and Selene, it was far more devastating an attack than it used to be.
The demon only had time to blink before it was launched into a nearby wall by the hit.
"I'm warning you now, I won't be playing around. You'd better give me your best shot!"
Natsu growled out, but he made sure to be loud enough that the two demons watching over the fight had heard as well.
"Flame Serpent."
The demon calmly incanted as it pulled itself from the rubble of the wall it had been knocked into. Meanwhile the flames he had summoned at the start of the fight twisted and shrank until they were in the shape of a snake. It was just big enough to wrap itself around Natsu's body before condensing inward and getting even hotter.
With a breath Natsu tried to eat the creature attacking him, but found his mouth being burned. 'The hell?! I'm supposed to be immune to fire damage!' he thought to himself before bending his knees and jumping backwards just in time. The snake had condensed until it couldn't and then blew up in an attempt to kill him.
"Maybe you do actually have a bit of potential. No matter. Silver, Jackal. I've got this so stay out of it!"
The demon yelled before swiping it's right arm towards Natsu and creating another torrent of flames.
Jumping over the demon's fire, Natsu snapped his arms forward, palms crashing against it's chest.
"Fire Dragon's Volcanic Impact!"
This time he was ready to chase after the demon, and when it's back slammed into another wall, he unleashed another attack.
"Fire Dragon's Secret Art, Crimson Lotus: Blazing Rampage!"
Again and again his fists connected with the demon, who was somehow withstanding the sledgehammer like blows with a body that was sturdier than a wyverns. Grinning the demon counter attacked with a fist coated in flames that were far more wild than the ones Natsu had used.
"Yes! Cut loose and let go. Give me a fight without worrying about the surroundings. Everyone in this city is dead anyway."
It cried out as it pushed Natsu back before Natsu was was smashed into from behind. Because he was more focused on ending the fight quickly, he hadn't noticed that the fire he'd jumped over had been formed into a bull that crashed into him from behind once he was thrown back.
It was a strange feeling for Natsu, as he was used to being immune to fire, yet he couldn't help but grunt in pain as it seared his skin as it trampled over him. But he ignored it as his anger mounted. Dragon's valued life after all, so to hear that the demons had slaughtered the town anyway was enough to increase his firepower.
"It's been a while since I've killed someone with the Flames of Emotion. I'm looking forward to showing you just how outclassed you really are."
Standing up and glaring at the demon Natsu focused his magic even more. 'I hope gramps doesn't mind I had to kill some demons.' He thought to himself as his the heat pouring off of him increased even further. The fire around his hands became white as they charged each other.
"Fire Dragon's Secret Art, Crimson Lotus: Incandescent Cross!"
At the last second he slashed his arms through the air between them, his fire burning through the demon and cleaving it in two. But he wasn't done moving yet, turning and crossing his arms defensively as another being smashed it's leg against them in an axel kick.
"I told you not to underestimate him Vestra."
Natsu heard from a tall dark haired figure as he slid back from the blonde figure that had kicked at him.
"Yeah, yeah. I didn't think he'd actually be able to do something like this. Not that it really matters."
The now named Vestra commented before it's body burst into flames before reforming and showing that Natsu's attack hadn't really done much.
"Three on one now? That's more like it."
Natsu commented as he harshly stamped his foot down, silently casting his 'Earth Dragon's Quaking Stomp!' The jagged spikes of earth ripped up by his magic startling the three demons as Natsu's battle grin turned feral. The three did exactly what he wanted them to and grouped up.
"Earth Dragon's Roar!"
Focusing his roar at the three of them, Natsu felt unrestrained glee when he saw their jaws drop. Though he knew it meant once they recovered from the shock him having a second element that they'd be much more dangerous.
"Well, this wasn't in the information we were given about him."
Natsu heard before he had to jump away as his roar was being frozen solid.
"Fire Lion."
Vesta called out as he formed his flames. Natsu readied himself to jump over the animated fire attack and get in close when he felt an explosion at his back. Then the pain of the lion made of fire clawing at him struck, causing him to cry out.
Once again he tried to eat the fire only to find he couldn't. Concerned and knowing he would have to be careful until he could properly counter the demon's flames, Natsu let out a sigh as he focused his magic around himself.
"Earth Dragon's Armor!" He called, creating a protective stone barrier around himself. While it wasn't perfect, it did give him some breathing room in regards to not feeling the attacking flames. Just as he finally recovered he had to swiftly dodge to the side to avoid a fist.
"Let's see just how good you really are."
He heard the blonde demon taunt before once again blocking a kick. Except unlike the last time it wasn't a simple kick as an explosion went off, destroying the arm guards of his armor before it's leg made contact with his arms.
With a growl Natsu flicked his arms out, forcing the demon back, before darting towards Vesta once more.
"Earth Dragon's Pulverizing Fist!"
A loud crack rang out as he made contact, signaling that he managed to break at least one of the demon's ribs. But it didn't seem to really matter as Vesta brought his hands down on Natsu's back in a hammer blow. Then he felt cold. His immunity to the cold not working at all as a purplish colored ice crept towards him along the ground.
"The hell?"
Natsu muttered before he found himself being thrown into the air.
"Explosion Wave!"
Jackal called out before Natsu was completely enveloped by a massive explosion. Rotating his body as he fell, Natsu aimed his head towards Jackal before unleashing a massive "Fire Dragon's Roar!"
For a moment it looked as if the demon was going to tank the hit, but then the dark haired one moved between them and let loose a breath attack of his own.
"Okay what the fuck?! A demon capable of actually freezing my fire, and one that's capable of harming me with fire. Neither of those should be possible!"
Natsu actually screamed in confused anger as he saw what happened. The three demons just shrugged at him in return however. Developing a twitch in his eye as he stared them down, Natsu surrounded himself with a pillar of flames. Before making them explode outward as large chunks of earth were torn up from the ground and thrown towards the demons as he called out "Volcanic Dragon's Wrath!"
Vesta was nearly crushed by one of the massive boulders that had been tossed at him, but just as before, he burst into flames before reforming his body without a scratch. Jackal was cackling madly as he punched the boulders coming his way and made them explode. Silver meanwhile just sighed as he dodged between them debris.
"So he can still keep up even against three of us eh? I wonder how long he can hold out for though."
Vesta pondered to his fellow demons even as he raised a hand and manipulated the fire in his surroundings into forming several animated lions. Silver shook his head as if it didn't matter while Jackal jumped in front of the now charging pack of lions, intent on having fun bashing the hell out of his target.
'These bastards are pretty damn strong. I might actually have to use Dragon Force to win.' Natsu thought to himself as he charged forward, igniting the air beneath his feet to throw him head first into Jackals stomach and push them through Vesta's fire monsters.
Thinking it would be best to end the fight now before Jackal or Vesta could get more carried away, Silver stepped towards the pink haired man, who was in the middle of a punch fest with Jackal while dodging the flaming lions.
"Ice Devil's Shiver."
A pillar of ice appeared in front of him before shattering apart with it's shards racing towards Natsu and Jackal. He didn't mind if there was a bit of friendly fire, Demons were extremely sturdy. Not to mention so long as Mard Geer held their tomes they could be reborn without an issue. Of course there was also the not so secret fact that he hated his fellow demons.
But what he didn't expect was the pulse of magic that shot out from the Fire Dragon Slayer after his attack shredded the mans back. The air around Natsu distorted as the temperature shot up, and the ground shook as if he had summoned an earthquake.
"You three are really starting to piss me off."
Natsu said as he performed a flip kick, launching Jackal into the air before lunging sideways to smash a rock covered fist into Vesta's side.
"Ice Devil's Laughter."
Silver countered, jumping up into the air and launching hundreds of darts of ice at Natsu who had grabbed onto Vesta's collar and thrown him towards where Silver had been standing moments before.
Raising his arms to ward off the incoming ice attack, Natsu bit back a groan of anger when Jackal appeared in front of him and gave him a fist to the solar plexus, causing another explosion as he did. Of course just as the explosion died down Natsu was treated to the sound of Silver's voice saying "Ice Devil's Rage" before a cone of ice encased him.
Unaware of the fact his mounting frustration with the three demons was causing him to be more dragon-like than normal, Natsu lashed out with a fist.
"Fire Dragon's Scorching Iron Fist!"
While the heat from his attack did nothing to the encroaching ice, the force behind his attack did. Exploding into a flurry of powder, the icy prison he'd been in vanished.
"Earth Dragon's Rampage!"
This time Natsu slammed his fists into the ground. As they impacted the land under him, everything around the battlefield shook. Cracks formed and raced along the ground as sections of it were torn upward and tossed into the air, while jagged blades of dirt forced themselves up in a defensive barrier around him. Jackal and Vesta both found themselves having to jump back to avoid being impaled.
But Natsu had been waiting for that. Lunging towards the fire demon, he brought his foot down harshly while saying "Earth Dragon's Crashing Talon!" As they were in the air, Vesta had nothing to help him brace against the attack and was shot down to the ground like a bullet.
When he landed Natsu ducked under Jackal's punch, dropping low and kicking the demon's legs out from under him before springing up to avoid another ice blast from Silver. Swinging his arms diagonally towards each other Natsu launched a counter attack at the Ice Devil calling out "Volcanic Dragon's Crushing Maw!" as he did.
-XXxxXxXxxXX-
"Shit, what the hell is up with this guy?!"
Gray cried out as he watched his enemy shrug off attack after attack. He and Gajeel had managed to push the guy back so that they weren't wrecking the guild hall and risking it coming down on top of Cana and Koharu, but it was only just barely.
"He ain't human. that's for sure."
Gajeel muttered as he once again planted his legs and extended his arm as a pillar of metal to conduct a blast of electricity that would have severely damaged Gray if not outright killed him.
The entire time they'd been fighting, their opponent had said nothing to them. He'd launched lighting at them, turned the ground into quicksand under them, tossed them around like rag-dolls caught in a tornado; but not a single word had been spoken.
Cana and Mira would have been fighting alongside them, but they was more worried with preventing the debris being thrown around by their chaotic fight from harming little Koharu who was wailing in fear and confusion over what was happening.
"This absolutely has something to do with the job master sent Natsu on."
The brunette commented with a frown, worry for her pink haired mate evident in her tone. Mira nodded having already come to the same conclusion. Gray frowned, wondering if the mission Natsu had been sent on was a trap. Gajeel only grunted in agreement.
"There ain't much we can do about it right now."
He and Gray both prepared to leap at the monster they were fighting when it cocked it's head to the side as if listening for something. After a moment it gave a slow nod and stepped back. It wasn't fast enough to avoid the massive fist coming from behind though. Makarov had arrived to join the battle. The force from the guild master's punch threw the large bulky figure towards the two waiting Fairy Tail men.
"Ice Make: Ice Impact!"
Gray called out as he jumped up making a massive hammer of ice in his hands before slamming it down on the figure's head, forcing it into the ground and making a massive crater. Grinning malevolently Gajeel raised his arms above his head, his hands held together and molding themselves into a large iron spike.
"Iron Dragon's Crucifixion!"
As he brought his hands down onto the downed target rapidly, he launched several iron rods out of them to impale the inhuman entity, and pin it down so they could find out what was going on. It was a testament to the situation that no one raised a fuss about the slightly brutal way of imprisoning the creature that they'd fought off.
As they were sure it wasn't going to break free, they all let out a relieved breath. Mira scooted closer, though just in case she gestured for Cana to keep back with Koharu. But when Makarov removed the beings hood and flinched, she stepped back as well. Anything that worried the guild master was troublesome indeed.
"You're one of Tartaros' 'Nine Demon Gates' aren't you."
But the beastly figure didn't respond. He hated himself for doing it, but Gajeel stepped forward, his hands already blurring into a new form so he could force the demon to respond.
"No need for that Gajeel."
Makarov commented as he raised a hand towards the demon on the ground. There was a brief flash as he forced his magic to affect the demon.
"What are you doing here in Magnolia?"
This time the demon responded, eyes wide, showing them all that it was shocked that Makarov could force it to answer.
"I was sent to kidnap Natsu Dragneel's potential mate and adoptive child. We were to hold them hostage to see exactly what he is capable of when he gets serious and fights without restraint."
Gray and Gajeel both cursed at that, making Cana frown, though she didn't say anything as she was more concerned with Natsu's well-being. Of course she was also busy trying to calm Koharu as well, so she couldn't glare at them.
"Why?"
"Our master received orders to test Natsu Dragneel. Strangely we were ordered not to kill him however."
They all relaxed slightly at that. It was still dangerous, but if they could move quick enough, Natsu would be alright. Then Gajeel noticed the demon's grin. Jumping towards Cana and Koharu he just barely managed to shield them in time from the shock-waves of the demons body becoming a windstorm and vanishing.
"I know you're worried Cana, but you need to stay here with Koharu. In fact I'll be here with you in case they make another try for the two of you. Gajeel, Gray, Mira. Head over to Freesia and back Natsu up!"
Makarov barked out, furious at what Tartaros had tried to do and was doing. Considering the tone of his voice, none of them were willing to question him about it, and set about doing exactly as he commanded. After all if the guild master grew angry enough to order them around like that, then he had good reason and they were better off obeying.
As the three he'd decided to send to aid Natsu left them behind, he deflated slightly.
"Come on Cana, let's go up to my office so I can send off an emergency report to the council and then we can see about getting Koharu to settle down and go back to sleep."
-XXxxXxXxxXX-
"Hm… Oh, no he's still managing to fight us off. Of course I'm holding back so as to follow your orders not to kill him, but still. His magic reserves must be immense."
Silver commented back as he heard the telepathic question from Tartaros' guild master Mard Geer about how the test was going.
"Vesta might be wearing down now, but Jackal still hasn't resorted to using his Etherious form yet. Of course that could change depending on if Dragneel has another trick up his sleeve."
He answered the question on how much effort they were expending to fight the dragon slayer before taking the chance to launch his Ice Devil's Shiver at the dragon slayer's back.
"Oh really?"
He wondered after hearing that they would have to do their best to enrage Natsu into fighting without restraint. Aside from the slight widening of his eyes as he sidestepped another attack being thrown at him, Silver showed no reaction to the news that Tempester failed to kidnap their targets.
Meanwhile Natsu was stuck trying to overpower Vesta as Jackal pulled himself out of the rubble of a collapsed house.
"Damn am I glad I've been training so much lately."
He muttered when he gained the advantage and savagely delivered an uppercut that sent the demon spiraling upward. Of course he didn't have long to be happy on the matter as Jackal's fist caught his jaw causing an explosion once again.
"I'm starting to think you're a one trick pony." Natsu taunted the blonde demon after he recovered as he forced the demon back with a pillar of fire erupting from the ground underneath him.
Silver just watched the chaotic battle with a frown. He really wasn't sure they could ramp up the fight and force Natsu to go all out without killing him, which they had been ordered not to. But they also hadn't seen enough of him to know for sure what he was really capable of. Jackal and Vesta weren't able to sense it, as they were demons and using curses instead of actual magic. But as a human revived and turned into a devil, Silver could. The dragon slayer was still holding back.
Orders were orders however, so with a sigh he slid in between the dragon slayer and Vesta who was recovering from a rather nasty blow to the head.
"Vesta you better be going all out now. Jackal, Mard Geer says to go Etherious now. Tempester failed to kidnap the woman and child so we've got to force him to go all out in order to survive."
Everyone stopped as they took in Silver's words. Vesta frowned, as he was already starting to be pushed to his limits. Jackal grinned evilly as his body started to twitch and shake as he transformed into his Etherious form. Silver merely stared into Natsu's eyes, willing him to be strong enough to fight them off. After all if they killed him, even if accidentally, they would be punished.
Natsu on the other hand pulled his magic back, almost as if he had cut it off entirely. But the glare he was leveling on the three of them showed he wasn't out of the fight just yet.
"You bastards dare go after my family?! You dare treat this as if it's some experiment or test for me?! I've had enough of this shit. I'm going to tear you to pieces for this insult!"
Natsu roared at them as his magic exploded outward once more, bright enough and hot enough that all three demons had to shield their eyes. While Vesta and Jackal were surprised by the fact that the Fire Dragon Slayer could not only keep going, but could step it up and be even stronger, Silver was flat out stunned by the spike in magical power that he sensed their target releasing.
The Ice Devil couldn't help but shiver at the sound when he heard Natsu Dragneel's voice once more.
"Dragon Force."
Now, I could have kept the fight going, but I kinda want the brutal aspect of the fight to be it's own separate chapter. Anyway, we'll leave it here for now. See you all next time.