So originally I had roughly 60% or so of this chapter written. But then I got really busy with work and when I came back to it, I found that I didn't like what I had down as much as when it was originally written. Meaning I scraped it. Luckily I'm fairly quick when it comes to typing, so it didn't set me back too much once I figured out what I wanted to do instead.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail. I do not own these characters. I do not own this 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 good enough for a disclaimer?

Chapter 19.

Earning new Epithets (Part 1)

Natsu and Cana burst back into the clearing that was their 'base' for the duration of the S-class trials.

"What's up?"

The pink haired man asked the others as they gathered around the guild master. It wasn't a verbal response that he received however. Instead of speaking, the older wizard just thrust a pair of binoculars into his hands and pointed out into the distance.

Knowing that they were enchanted to be able to see further than he could even with his enhanced eye sight, Natsu just sighed and took a look. The sight that greeted him was a surprise. Thanks to chatting with the dragons that he knew (Igneel, Tektari, Selene, and Elefseria) he was aware that there were other dragons that still existed.

Roughly 40 years after Igneel's deal with Zeref that sent the dragon slayers into the future, Acnologia had grown bored of hunting the species down and instead only started to kill them as he came across them in his wondering the world. So there were some that escaped as they learned to hide their presence even from another dragon. But according to his grandmother and to Elefseria, none of the remaining dragons lived on the continent of Ishgar because it was where Acnologia tended to stay.

Shaking off the surprise he looked closer to see if he could identify the dragon from stories he'd been told about other dragons.

It's body was rather sleek, as if it was built for speed even if it was swimming. Even it's limbs were slender. The tail ended in a dangerously sharp looking spade shape, and it's talons looked more like swords than claws with how sharp they were. It's head was more oval shaped than other dragons he'd seen, and the horns just looked like massive versions of those that were found on an ibex goat. It's scales were a deep velvety purple, with veins of bright electric yellow, wildly spreading out in a manner similar to the static that Laxus would produce.

"Oh shit."

His words and the one he conveyed them in worried the guild master.

"Should I upgrade the flare from the 'gather at base' alert to the 'get to the ship' alert?"

"No. Get everyone gathered here so you all can get to safety while Cana, Wendy, Gajeel and I handle it," Natsu suggested after a moment. Then he turned to Cana. "Koharu will be fine with Mira for a bit. But if I tell you to get back, or to run. Do it."

His mate nodded her head.

"Got it. I'm still learning the basics so I won't be much help, but at least I can get a bit of experience before leaving the rest to you. After all, this isn't going to go peacefully, is it?"

"No. No it isn't."

Natsu retorted. The dragon approaching them was one that Natsu knew well. Igneel had told him enough stories to recognize the beast. He'd also shared a few memories of his own fights with the dragon. Hence why the Fire Dragon Slayer knew there would be no peaceful option. Their only saving grace was that it was restraining it's power to avoid being found by Acnologia.

As the last of the stragglers filtered back into the camp, Natsu gestured for Wendy and Gajeel to stand with him while the master had everyone else start taking down the camp. Cana held Koharu close, staying near the slayers, but keeping an eye on the oldest Strauss sibling for a moment she could hand her daughter over.

"Hat einer von euch schon einmal vom Drachen Galvanduros gehört?"

Natsu questioned softly, so as to avoid drawing attention from the others. Both of his fellow slayers nodded slowly, before paling as they realized why he asked.

"Dieser Bastard ist auf dem Weg, nicht wahr?"

The Iron Dragon Slayer retorted as he started to glare at the sky. Natsu just nodded.

Once camp was packed up and the others were ready to go Gray realized that Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel hadn't moved.

"Gramps, why aren't those three doing anything?"

"Gray's right, I didn't see them help with anything."

Erza joined in.

"I shot up the flare because I noticed something approaching the island. Natsu confirmed my suspicions. It's a dragon. Those three are going to try diplomacy while we're evacuating the island just in case. Unlike them, you don't have the knowledge to avoid angering it accidentally."

"That's bullshit! I don't care if their magic is supposed to let them slay dragons, we're just as tough as them. If a fight breaks out we should be here with them!"

Gray tried to argue. But before the guild master could answer, Natsu smashed his fist into the back of Gray's head.

"Gramps is right. You guys would just be in the way. Especially with that fucker."

Natsu swore, making all of them jump in surprise. Since he spent so much time with his adoptive daughter, he'd cut out his swearing for the most part, to the point they were stunned to hear it.

"Salamander's right. It ain't one of our parents, but they told us about other dragons. He recognized this one from his pop's stories, and just the name has me questioning how the hell we're gonna survive."

Gildarts had paled a bit as well.

"Please tell me it isn't the asshole that took my arm and leg?"

He inquired. When he noticed the confused looks on several people's faces he realized he hadn't been in the guild without his cloak, so only the master, Natsu, Cana, and Gajeel (as he could smell the metal prosthetics) knew about his injuries. So he brushed his cloak back over his shoulder, letting them see the metal arm and leg, and the massive claw mark like scars across his torso.

"No it's not the black dragon fortunately. Instead it's the dragon that started the Dragon Civil War."

Thanks to his power, Gildarts had been on many missions into ancient ruins and forgotten places. So he had a bit of knowledge on some history.

"Galvanduros, the Storm Dragon. He and Natsu's dad, Igneel, were rivals. Both had been offered to take a set of trials to determine which would be the new Dragon King. Igneel won, but Galvanduros was bitter over it, and took his anger out on humans at the time. He was a bit of a psychopath as he enjoyed it and started preaching that dragons should murder and slaughter as they pleased."

The Crash mage explained for the non dragon slayers.

"Correct. Now he's not as powerful or as insane as Acnologia, but Galvanduros is still powerful."

Wendy commented as her eyes began to track the dragon that had finally come close enough that the dragon slayers didn't need the magical binoculars to see it.

"This is going to suck. But I've got a plan. You guys will just be in our way. So go already."

Natsu growled towards his fellow Fairy Tail mages. As he spoke, Cana moved towards Mira.

"I've started learning some dragon slayer magic of my own, so I'm staying here with those three. I'm trusting you to keep her safe."

The brunette said, before handing over her daughter. Mira was shocked, but she nodded, knowing just how much trust was being placed on her. Offering her friend a smile, Cana stepped back to stand with the dragon slayers.

Trusting the four of them to know best in this situation, Makarov used his Gigantification magic to grab everything and everyone but the slayers and began to make his way to the boat.

"Gajeel, he's a lightning dragon. I hate to say this but you're the weak link in this fight."

"You ain't wrong."

Natsu snorted. But then he continued "But I do have a plan. Wendy boost his defense as much as you can."

Nodding her head the bluette cast her Ile Armor on Gajeel.

"That should be enough of a boost that if you keep yourself on the ground and anchored in the right way, you can act as a lightning rod and disperse most of his power into the ground without taking tons of damage. Cana can help with that, using her Cards magic to block and counter his attacks as well. That way you aren't taking every single one, and still have your own chances to attack. Unfortunately since she's still learning the basics, Cana isn't going to be much help in terms of damaging him, unless she aims for the weak-points, and even then..."

"In other words I get to play human shield for the most part. Fine. But you'll owe me one. Iron Dragons Scales."

The gruff mage replied, activating his defense boosting spell, so he'd be even more sturdy in the coming fight.

Natsu just nodded.

"Wendy your main focus will be keeping Gajeel in the battle so he can keep taking Galvanduros' attacks. The less damage you and I take, the better our chances are."

"Right. Gajeel's the tank, I'm the healer, Cana's the supporter, and you're the fighter."

The Sky Dragon Slayer replied.

"So uh, are we even gonna try to talk with the bastard? Or are we just gonna fight him?"

Gajeel wondered as they watched the dragon come closer.

"Well… We're just going to be reactionary and let him make the first move. He talks, then we can talk back. He attacks, then we counter attack."

Natsu decided.

The four of them didn't have to wait long to find out how things were going to play out, as the purple and yellow dragon opened it's maw and let loose a burst of lighting straight at them the moment it's eyes found them.

Extending his arm to catch the attack, Gajeel grunted as he dug his feet into the ground and let the energy travel through his body and into the ground.

They all saw Galvanduros narrow his eyes before rearing his head back to unleash another breath attack.

"Bastard isn't even gonna give us the courtesy of coming down to the ground to fight it seems."

Gajeel muttered as he prepared to catch this attack as well. But Wendy shook her head.

"I've been working on a spell for situations like this. Give me a moment."

As she finished speaking, the wind picked up. It began racing around her in a swirl, causing the hair of all four slayers to dance wildly. Raising both of her arms into the air, while staring directly at the dragon, Wendy channeled her magic into her palms, before smashing them together. To the amazement of everyone that could see it, the moment her hands came together the winds swirled tightly, creating a massive hammer that she proceeded to swing downward.

"Sky Dragon's Cyclonic Hammer"

It slammed into Galvanduros briefly halting before driving the dragon down and into the ground before exploding, dispersing the dust cloud that was kicked up by the impact.

"Good job Wendy."

Natsu commented before dashing forward with an attack of his own.

"Fire Dragon's Scorching Iron Fist" he called out, punching the dragon's jaw and causing a loud popping sound to be heard.

- XXxxXxXxxXX-

"What the hell gramps?!"

Gray shouted as he was finally released from the grip of the older mage.

While most of the others were still trying to regain their breath, as Makarov had grabbed them all a little harshly, there were a few of them that were looking towards the guild master with the same look in their eyes as the Ice Make mage.

"I'm not letting you die because your foolish pride got the best of you. I saw the look on Natsu's face when he realized who that dragon was. It was the same damned look Gildarts gets when he knows a fight is coming that is going to be so brutal that he will HAVE to break the guilds rule about killing just to SURVIVE."

Erza and Mira, as the only other S-class aside from Gildarts nodded. Every time someone became an S-class Makarov would pull them into his office and explain. The guilds no killing rule did not apply to the S-class. S-class as well as SS-class and SSS-class jobs were unpredictable. They were often far, far more dangerous as well. Hence why the S-class trials weren't all about power.

It was testing to make sure that a wizard had the right mentality. It was testing to make sure they could handle whatever choices they were forced to make.

"Besides, Natsu wasn't kidding when he said we'd be in the way. I mean you do realize just how much the dragon slayers have to hold back to avoid accidentally killing everyone they fight, right?"

Gildarts commented, though his eyes were focused on the island still. He might not be able to see what was going on, but he could feel it.

"You're joking right? I mean yeah, sure, they have to hold back because they're pretty chaotic and destructive, but to hold back so much to avoid even accidentally killing us?"

Lucy wondered as she got her breath back. Despite the time she spent on a team with Natsu, she still didn't quite understand just how dangerous dragon slaying magic was.

He didn't even have to respond as a few seconds after she finished speaking they were all treated to the sight and sound of an explosion so large it nearly made their boat capsize. Luckily Makarov was capable of using water magic to control the ocean around them and carefully used said waters to propel the boat further away from the island and into a safer spot.

"Oh good you all made it out safe- wait, where's Natsu and the other dragon slayers?"

The voice of Hibiki from Blue Pegasus called out to the Fairy Tail wizards.

"Fighting a dragon while we get to safety."

The Crash mage nonchalantly replied, as the dirty blonde haired man landed on the ship with them.

"Well then. Give me a moment to link up with the Christina and we'll get a visual on the fight."

"What are you even doing here anyway?"

Gray wondered, curious as to why Blue Pegasus would now be involved.

"Since Natsu was promoted to be one of the 10 Wizard Saints, the public wants to know why. I mean they know he's strong, but really despite how often he's saved the day, he's never really come off as strong enough to be a Wizard Saint. So a lot of news companies sent reporters to try and get the scoop on your S-class trials. The magic council asked us to protect the reporters if you guys got too rowdy."

Hibiki answered just as a screen appeared in the air in front of him. But it wasn't just a simple projection from Blue Pegasus' magical bomber, no. It was a live recording from one of the news reporters that was on the Christina. From what they could see Natsu was attacking with a hit and run strategy, while Gajeel used his transformation abilities to essentially be a lighting rod. Cana and Wendy were supporting Natsu as best they could, while also intercepting attacks so Gajeel wouldn't take too much damage being a shield for their group. It was really the first time any of them had seen the Sky Dragon Slayer fighting so seriously, and they were impressed.

While she wasn't attacking as often or as viciously as Natsu, her attacks clearly had power behind them. Not to mention the fact they could see the glow of Wendy's enchantments active on their fellow Fairy Tail wizards, boosting their attack, defense, and speed.

"For years now, we the public have ridiculed Fairy Tail's Natsu Dragneel, for his claims of being raised by a dragon. But as you can see here, the dragon slayers of Fairy Tail are fighting an actual dragon. Some of you may be thinking 'don't you mean drake?' but no, I do not. As a former guild wizard, I've seen wyverns, and drakes. The beast in front of those Fairy Tail wizards is much, much more powerful. It's also far larger than even the largest recorded drake in history."

The reporter was saying, as they saw Natsu jump back to avoid being torn to shreds by the dragon's talons.

"Fire Dragon's Blazing Roar!"

They were able to hear Natsu shout before unleashing a torrent of fire that had them stunned. After all they were white hot flames. Not only that, outside of Erza, none of them had ever seen his roar unleash that much fire.

"Is he in Dragon Force?!"

The redhead cried out, worried for her friend. After all if he was already in Dragon Force, then the fight was far, far more fierce than she would have expected.

"Better question, is that Cana backing them up? What the hell is she doing there?"

Bickslow wondered when he saw the brunette throwing some of her cards to create a fireball that forced one of the dragons lighting attacks to explode before it could reach any of them.

"Moon Dragon's Moonlight Blade"

Cana's voice called out as she swiped her arm, unleashing a crescent blade made of moonlight.

The sight of the Cards mage using a dragon slaying spell from an element none of them had known about caused all Fairy Tail wizards aside from Gildarts to turn to the guild master. They didn't even have to say anything, as from the looks on their faces, Makarov knew exactly what they wanted to ask.

"Yes, Cana is in training as a dragon slayer. No, I will not tell you any more than that."

Unfortunately though, when they turned to watch the fight once more, they saw that Cana's attack was the equivalent of a paper cut to the dragon, who had retaliated with a roar of it's own. Unlike previously, her Cards magic wasn't able to counter enough of the spell. Luckily for her though, Gajeel managed to jump in front of her in time to tank the attack himself.

"Gah.. That almost got through my Iron Dragon's Scales. Unless you've got more tricks up your sleeve you might want to back out now."

He warned the brunette before turning his right arm into a sword and blocking the tail that had come sweeping towards them.

"Umm… I'm not sure. I've only learned three attacks so far."

Cana retorted before throwing a few of her cards towards the dragons eye, crying out "Wind Edge".

Seeing a chance to possibly end the fight by making Galvanduros back off, Wendy unleashed a follow up attack right behind Cana's.

"Sky Dragon's Razor Fangs!"

But Galvanduros tilted his head, causing both attacks to connect with his horn instead. Though given the fact that the two spells left gouge marks in the horn, Makarov and Gildarts were impressed with the two. Of the four fighting the dragon, Wendy and Cana were the weakest in terms of both raw physical power and raw magical force.

It was only because this was a bad match-up element wise that Gajeel was stuck fighting defensively, as both wizards were sure that the Iron Dragon Slayer could easily slice through the dragon's horns and scales otherwise.

And Natsu well… He was a monster compared to his fellow slayers, as evidenced by what they saw next.

The Lightning Dragon turned to glare at the two girls, snapping towards them with its maw open and revealing the jagged fangs and teeth. But it was stopped in it's tracks by Natsu.

"Earth Dragon's Crushing Talon!"

Jumping into the air above Galvanduros, Natsu flipped so that when he started falling it was leg first, so he could bring down his heel square on the beasts head, right between the eyes. The impact was strong enough that even on the boat, they were able to feel the shock-waves, as Galvanduros was forced to the ground, cratering it around him.

Seeing a chance to score at least a semi-heavy wound on the dragon, Gajeel lunged forward.

Snarling as he collided with Galvanduros' wing joint Gajeel unleashed a technique he called "Iron Dragon's Serrated Blade", cutting through the scales and flesh, leaving a massive slash wound. Though it wasn't quite big enough or deep enough to remove the wing, or even prevent the dragon from flying. It was still a very painful injury however.

Twisting it's head the dragon opened it's maw to let out a small blast of lighting at the Iron Dragon Slayer.

"Fire Dragon's Demolishing Talon!"

Natsu's heel smashed into Galvanduros' skull directly between the eyes, before the impact forced the dragon's head down so that it's breath attack hit the ground and was dispersed. But of course the Fire Dragon Slayer wasn't done with his assault.

Pushing off from the Lighting Dragon's head, he jumped into the air just enough to get his feet under him again before landing so that he could run down the monster's spine. The dragon had yet to really try and use it's tail to strike at them, and he wasn't real keen on letting it. So once he got to the base of the tail he kneeled down, flames as white hot as he could make them.

"Fire Dragon's Twin Piercing Flare!"

He shouted, gouging through deep enough that both of his arms were buried into Galvanduros' body up past his elbows.

"Sky Dragon's Raging Updraft" Wendy cried out, creating a massive storm to pull Natsu free and toss him into the air so he could avoid being crushed as the Lighting Dragon tried to roll over and crush him with it's body.

"Thanks for the save Wendy!" The pink haired man spoke up as he began to plummet back towards the ground. Then he gathered his magic around his right arm, encasing it in stone.

"Earth Dragon's Crashing Fist"

Yet again, Galvanduros was flatted against the ground beneath him, cratering it to an absurd degree.

"Iron Dragon's Binding Chains"

Gajeel called out, daring to move to the edge of the crater so he could imprison the dragon. But it was not to be as just as the chains started forming Galvanduros leapt into the sky, twisting his body so as to throw Natsu off.

"Du Ungeziefer fängst an, mich zu verärgern."

The Fairy Tail wizards all flinched as the dragon spoke to the dragon slayers. Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy tended to speak softly whenever they spoke using Dracolith, so it was seldom heard by the non dragon slayers.

It was rough and guttural sounding.

"Und du musst schon sterben, du heruntergekommener alter Narr!"

They heard Natsu retort, though none of them could understand him.

"Well it seems like round 2 is about to start."

Gildarts chuckled, as he relaxed a bit. Thanks to his magical senses being as developed as they were, he knew things were only getting started. But he also knew that a new player was about to enter the fray.

Originally, I was going to have the dragon be Acnologia, and Natsu face him one one one and get his ass kicked. But after writing that out, and then coming back to it, I found that to be a rather poor idea in regards to this story. Firstly because while losing to him once and then winning the next time they fight would be a great idea, I do still have a few things I want to do with Natsu before he fights Acnologia at all. Secondly, his last fight was either a draw or outright loss depending on how you look at it, and I don't want two fights like that, back to back. So as I said before I scrapped that idea.

Instead I decided to make it a team fight, so I can show that while they aren't the focus of this story, the other slayers are still improving too. It also works as a way for me to give them new epithets, and to bring Laxus back into the story, since I'm moving the fight with Grimoire Heart to a later point in the story. So yeah.

As always, every time I use 'Dracolith' AKA German, I'll put the translation here.

German:

1. Hat einer von euch schon einmal vom Drachen Galvanduros gehört?

2. Dieser Bastard ist auf dem Weg, nicht wahr?

3. Du Ungeziefer fängst an, mich zu verärgern.

4. Und du musst schon sterben, du heruntergekommener alter Narr!

English:

1. Have either of you ever heard of the dragon Galvanduros?

2. That bastard is on his way, isn't he?

3. You vermin are starting to piss me off.

4. And you need to die already you decrepit old fool!