Before I start this chapter, I'd just like to take a moment to respond to a review I had received, as I still can't actually respond to reviews, for some reason.

Thank you for your kind words, about how I introduced Wendy! I wanted to do something a little different than have her simply remain as a supportive character, or suddenly as some form of intensive powerhouse, like other fanfictions tend to do at times. I figured it'd be a nice and short introduction to her character's strength, while also keeping up the feeling that she is still learning, and doesn't fully have the confidence to act outside of pure instincts.

As for Millianne - I'm not too sure, honestly. I've got nothing against her character, and actually do agree in the sense that she's a bit underrated, but I never quite thought about adding her in the story. Though I am willing to experiment with it a little bit, and might add her just to test the waters.

In regards to Wendy and Chelia's potential relationship possibilities with Natsu - who knows? While I don't intend for there to be any romantic tension between Wendy and Natsu, like there is with other characters, I suppose it is definitely a possibility as time goes on. However, I viewed their relationship much closer to teacher and student, like I mentioned before. While I believe Wendy would definitely harbor love and admiration for Natsu, I would relate it much closer to something like a childhood crush on a celebrity, or hero. Their relationship seems much more oriented around the fact that she is Natsu's apprentice, so to speak. As for Chelia, I can definitely see that being more likely to form a romantic relationship, but even still it's not something I'm too certain on, as of yet. While I feel it's obvious, Ultear is the only one who I have full Intentions of being in love with Natsu. Though Kagura is basically confirmed as well, and I'm sure Mira and Erza will have some form of romantic interactions with Natsu as well - though maybe not as much as they did in the original story, by Plasnix112.

For the final question of the comment, about Natsu teaching Wendy dual dragon slayer magic - it's an interesting thought. While I do think Natsu will probably develop the skill at some point in this story, it's hard to say how - as I don't think Laxus would be giving his power to Natsu, like in the anime. I've had some ideas on possible secondary attributes, but nothing I'm willing to share on the topic of, yet. Though I don't think he'd train Wendy in that type of magic - as, to me, it doesn't seem like a type of skill you just pass down. Natsu acquired it during a life or death fight with Hades, Gajeel during a very intense fight against a (possessed? I can't fully remember what was wrong with Rogue at the time) Rogue who was trying to kill him, and then Sting acquired it during a fight that was, once again, against a mage trying to kill him.

I hope my answers were satisfactory! I loved getting the questions, as it helped me with thinking about some stuff I myself was currently unsure of. If anyone else has any questions they'd like to ask, please do tell me! I'll do my best to address each question at the start of the newest chapter! Now onto the story.

"Dialogue"

"Thoughts"

Magic

Watching Natsu sulking after Chelia's chastising, Wendy continued to giggle, before a question popped into her mind. "Um, Natsu.." she asked softly, a nervous look on her face.

"Hmm? What's up, Wendy?" Natsu asked, having his curiosity peaked as he stopped his sulking behavior, and looked towards the blue-haired dragon slayer with a curious look.

"At the end of our fight… what - what was that?" She asked, almost with a hint of reluctance to her voice as she did. "That wasn't just your magic, right? I thought I saw a marking of some kind, on your cheek.." she finished.

Hearing this, Natsu would nod his head in understanding, as he sat down on the floor, cross legged. "Ah! I suppose it would make sense that you don't know what that was." Natsu stated, his hands on his knees. "It was my drive. All dragon slayer's have one." He stated.

"A drive?" Chelia chimed in, as she looked at Natsu confusedly.

"I'm also unfamiliar with that term.." Wendy muttered, a look of confusion on her face as well.

"It's a technique all dragon slayers can utilize - it's like a power-up." Natsu explained, with a smile. "A dragonslayer's physical attributes are usually boosted while using their drive, same with their magic output. Though how much your strength is boosted, depends on the added effect of the drive." Natsu said, casually.

"The added effect?" Wendy asked, tilting her head.

"Mhm! I learned about drives from the Twin Dragons of Sabertooth. The shadow and white dragon slayers. Rogue, the shadow dragonslayer - he gets a jump to his strength and speed, but not his durability, since he can make himself semi-intangible. Sting, the white dragon slayer, is able to incorporate holy magic into his attacks, with added effects like stunning his target - so while his physical stats increase, it's not as much of a jump as it would have otherwise been." Natsu explained.

"Oh! I see… then what type of boost would my drive be?" Wendy asked, curiously.

"No clue. It's dependent on the mage, and their fighting style. You'd have to unlock your drive, to find out." Natsu said, as he smiled. "Which will probably be your first bit of training, from me." He said with a smile.

"Wait - what does your drive do then, Natsu?" Chelia asked, before the topic was changed.

"My drive? Well, it's a fairly simple one. My magic power, strength, speed - it all increases by a decent bit, but the added effect I get is the real kicker. My flames grow sentient, in a way." Natsu said, with a smile, as he lit his right hand on fire.

"Sentient? Surely you aren't suggesting they come to life?" Carla asked skeptically, while looking at the pink-haired man.

"No, not quite like that." Natsu laughed, as he extinguished the fire in his hand. "Hmm… I guess it's like… they adapt. Over time, as I get a better understanding of my opponents magic, my flames adapt to counter them. Though it's reliant on me understanding what magic my opponent uses - so if I don't know, the effect doesn't work. At the same time, the more complex the magic, the longer it takes to adapt." Natsu explained, with a smile.

"So… you're saying you can burn magic? That's - incredible.." Chelia muttered, wide-eyed.

"Hah. I guess. But it's not permanent - if I left my drive, then re-entered it - my flames would still have to reanalyze the magic again. It would be quicker - but there would still be time involved. It also doesn't work on holder type magic - only caster." Natsu explained.

"That's still quite powerful, Natsu!" Wendy said, with admiration once more in her eyes. "No wonder you were able to beat Cobra!" Wendy exclaimed.

At this moment, however, Natsu's expression would darken a little - just enough to be barely noticeable, before he shook his head. "No, I developed my drive after that fight. Cobra was just arrogant and cocky - which led to his defeat. That's the thing with most dark mages - they're way too arrogant, for their own good." Natsu said, his downtrodden face picking back up, after a few moments. "Anyways! We'll rest up, for a little bit - then start work on unlocking your drive." Natsu said, with a smile.

Wendy nodded her head, having listened intently along with Natsu's words, before she shuddered at the thought of fighting the dragon slayer again. "O- okay! So long as you don't try to use your drive on me, Natsu" she fidgeted nervously.

"Hmm? Oh! No, we won't fight. Your drive is an inner manifestation of your magic and soul, brought out to physical form. It's a lot of meditation on who you are as a person." Natsu explained, casually. "That's why it took me a while to get the technique down. That sort of thing has never been my specialty." Natsu said, with a sheepish chuckle as he scratched the back of his head.

Her body relaxing, Wendy smiled at the revelation - glad that she wasn't going to have to fight Natsu once more. "That's a relief! You're way too strong for me." Wendy sighed, her body deflating.

Chelia chirped up at this moment. "I wouldn't say that! You had him on the ropes, for a minute!" She said with a smile, as she was shadow boxing with the air in front of her, to drive home her point.

"Chelia's right, dear." Carla said reassuringly, as she sat next to her dragonslayer. "You got a few good hits." Carla finished.

"They're right, y'know." Natsu followed up, with a small smile on his face. "You're just inexperienced, and not as well-trained for combat. Your magic power is quite insane, and your instincts are spot on. All you need is experience, and some more training in combat. After that - well, I'd probably stand a better chance at taking Erza and Kagura on simultaneously, than at taking you on." Natsu said, as he reached forward and placed his hand on Wendy's head, ruffling her hair up a bit.

Wendy would blush, her face heating up and matching Erza's hair in color, as she received all the compliments that she got; and Natsu putting her on the head like a kid didn't help to quell her embarrassment, either. "Natsuuu! I'm not a kiddd~!" Wendy whined, her cheeks pouting out as she tried to get the pink-haired man to stop ruffling her hair.

With a laugh, Natsu eventually would let go of the pouting girl, smiling at her overly adorable reaction, as he did so. "Fine fine, I'll stop." He said, with a small smile.

Suddenly, from off to the side, a voice would call out to the trio of mages, and Carla. "You know Natsu! I wouldn't mind if you touched me like that~!" The voice called out, in a flirtatious tone.

"Oh fuck." Natsu thought, his head slowly turning just to see Ultear, making her way towards them. As he recognized the woman, sweat began to drip down his forehead. "Oh fuck. Here I was, hoping for a simple day." Natsu deadpanned, quietly, much to the amusement of Chelia and Wendy.

As she finished making her way towards the sitting trio of mages, and Carla, Ultear would smile down at the group, before plopping herself right down - coincidentally on Natsu's lap, causing the pink-haired man to stiffen uncomfortably, as his arms rested far off to his sides, trying to not give the woman any leverage in the slightest.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure, Ultear?" Natsu remarked, his voice filled with mock annoyance, as he sat under Ultear.

"Why, that's what I was wondering! After our hasty goodbye last night, I worried we wouldn't see each other again for who knows how long!" Ultear exclaimed dramatically, a glint in her eyes. "If I had known you would return to my arms so soon, I wouldn't have fret even the slightest." She finished, as she turned around in the man's lap, going in for a hug.

Seeing this, Natsu simply sighed aloud, not wanting to reciprocate the hug in the slightest, as he felt the woman's arms wrap around him; an unamused expression present on his face. "You're lucky we share a present company. Or else I'd beat you unconscious." Natsu grumbled, though he couldn't hide the hints of pink dusting his cheeks.

Watching this display, Wendy covered her face, embarrassedly, as she leaned over to Chelia. "Are master Ultear and Natsu… together?" She whispered into her friend's ear.

"It's hard to tell. She always treats him like this, and he always acts like he hates her." Chelia whispered back, with a bit less embarrassment evident on her face.

Ultear giggled, as she nuzzled into Natsu a bit, with a smile. "Oh you're so mean~!" Ultear purred, only for her sounds of contentment be turned into a sound of surprise, as she felt her body fall against the floor - as Natsu stood up, from his seat on the floor.

Dusting off his clothes, Natsu would shake his head, as he looked down at the group before him; a small smile finding itself on his face. "Now then. I think that's enough of that, for today." Natsu said, as he gave Ultear a little tsk. "Anyways! Wendy - just focus and meditate. I know it's vague - but you'll understand what to do, once you try it. Though I do want to say, before I leave - you're fighting style feels weird." Natsu stated, bluntly.

"W-weird? What do you mean?" Wendy asked anxiously, standing up as well.

"You fight too much like me. You're too willing to get hit, or try to block hits - your frame doesn't compliment that fighting style. Sky Dragons are agile fliers, they're nimble - try dodging more, rather than fighting head on. Your consumption of air helps you quite a bit, I know, but it can only do so much - right?" Natsu remarked, as he pondered for a moment. "At least - that's what I think." He finished, with a smile.

Wendy would nod her head, resolve once again burning in her eyes as she listened to Natsu's words, with a determined smile. "R-right! I'll try that, Natsu!" She said, excitedly.

"... Did I miss something?" Ultear asked, after looking back and forth between Natsu and Wendy.

"That ruffian and Wendy have fought." Carla simply replied, with a huff.

"Oh. Wait wha-!? Natsu!" Ultear suddenly shouted, realizing the full weight of her words as she turned towards the pink-haired man. "First Erza and Kagura - and now sweet Wendy!?" She shouted, exasperatedly.

"It's not like that!" Natsu defended himself, trying to hold his ground against the clearly angered mage before him. "The little hairball didn't give the full story! Wendy asked me to train her!" Natsu exclaimed, holding his hands up to try and stave the woman off from attacking him.

"Wait - what? I'm so confused." Ultear groaned, as she rubbed her forehead.

"Natsu is telling the truth, Master!" Wendy stated, as she bowed slightly. "I asked him to help train me, with my magic - and Natsu agreed to take me on, as his apprentice. Only when he's in the area, though." Wendy explained, with a small thankful nod towards Natsu.

"I see…" Ultear said simply, as she gave a small curt nod of understanding. "I don't think I've seen Wendy be so motivated as she was after what Natsu said." Ultear thought, a smile forming on her face. "Very well. That makes sense." Ultear said. "Sorry for the shouting, Natsu~!" She giggled, sheepishly.

"Tch. Yeah yeah." Natsu grumbled, as he shook his head. "Honestly? I'm surprised you didn't sense the magic during our fight." He said, realization drawing on him that they probably should've.

"There's a field around the training grounds. It helps to restrain the magic power released - making it hard to sense from outside of the boundaries of the training grounds. It got far too nauseous when Mira and Erza would go all out against one another, on a daily basis, before the field was put up." Ultear explained, as she pointed out a few runes etched along the outskirts of the training grounds.

"That makes sense." Natsu casually said, as he looked over the runes from a distance. "I'm not great at reading runes - but they seem pretty well made. Rune writers usually charge a fortune, don't they?" Natsu asked curiously, recalling the last time he saw prices of rune writers and their service - causing him to pale at the memory.

"Yeaaaah- it wasn't cheap." Ultear said, dejectedly, as he body deflated comically. "But we got a small discount, at least!" She said, with a forced smile.

"Must've been a good deal." Natsu responded playfully, as he played along. "Anyways! Wendy - you should probably get to work. I have no doubt you'll get your drive down quicker than I did - but it'll still take time." Natsu said, with a small smile.

"Yes Natsu!" Wendy said excitedly, as she sat back down on the floor, getting ready to meditate immediately.

"Ah! I probably should've said - it'll help if it's somewhere important to you. I meditated at the cave where I was last with Igneel, personally. Though anywhere that resonates with you will work fine - such as your house, I'm sure." Natsu explained, a fond smile presenting itself on his face.

Widening her eyes in realization, Wendy nodded her head quickly. "Come on, Carla!" She said excitedly, before quickly running past everyone, and around the guild hall. "Thank you, Natsu!" She called out, as she was leaving.

Natsu simply watched as Wendy ran off, practically dragging her cat friend, as he sighed, with a smile. "Man, the youth these days - am I right?" He joked, turning towards Ultear, who raised an eyebrow at his remark.

"The youth? You're only 18, Mister Dragneel. I don't think you've quite earned the right to remark about those younger than you. Besides, she and Chelia are only a year your junior." Ultear teased, as she playfully wacked Natsu across the back of his head.

Grumbling, Natsu would rub the back of his head, only for his eyes to briefly narrow, momentarily. "Is that so? I wasn't aware. Could've fooled me, honestly. I thought Wendy was only fifteen or so." Natsu said, with a laugh.

Chelia giggled at this, speaking up for the first time in a minute. "Nope! She and I are both seventeen! Though I'm the older one, by a few months. In fact - my 18th birthday is only five months from now!" Chelia said, with a bubbly smile.

Hearing this, Natsu turned towards the amaranth-haired woman, as a sly smile spread across his face. "Really? That's crazy. You're so clumsy, I figured you were fourteen." He teased, only to be met with a very pouty Chelia.

"Natsuuuu~! That's not nice, not nice at all!" Chelia whined, as she started to pound her fist against Natsu's back, playfully. "Take it back, take it back!" She continued to pout and whine.

Watching as her guild member would beat down on Natsu, Ultear let out a laugh, catching both Natsu and Chelia off-guard. "You're such an interesting guy, Natsu. I'm so happy you've come around, these parts~!" She giggled mischievously, as she eyes Natsu with a look that made him shudder.

"Right… well - uh… anyways!" Natsu stammered out, unsure what to say. "I'm sorry for being a big meanie, Chelia." He said with a playful smile. "I hope you can find it in your oh so very generous heart to forgive me." He finished with a playful bow.

"Hmph! I suppose I can, just this once… only cause you're such a good person to Wendy, though!" Chelia said, as she crossed her arms and puffed out her cheeks indignantly, only for her act to break down as she began to laugh out loud.

Natsu simply rolled his eyes playfully, as he listened to Chelia's endearing laughter. "Anyways, Chelia - do you think you can do me a favor? Can you keep an eye on Wendy? She seems like the studious type - the last thing I want is for her to neglect her own bodily requirements, such as eating, to try and unlock her drive." Natsu said, with a small frown and look of concern.

Nodding her head quickly, Chelia would begin to run off after her dear friend, taking the same route around the building, as she rushed to her home. "Of course, Natsu! I can't believe I didn't even think of that!" She shouted back, before vanishing around the guild, leaving Natsu and Ultear alone.

"My my Natsu… are you so eager for alone time, once again~?" Ultear asked flirtatiously, as she crossed her arms under her chest, pushing her bosom up a bit in response.

"Actually, for matter of fact, I was." Natsu responded, as he turned around and made eye contact with Ultear.

"wait - huh!?" Ultear stammered out, not expecting him to say yes, as her face flustered and she instantly stopped what she was doing, growing bashful at his admittance. "I wasn't expecting him to say yes.. what do I do!?" Ultear screamed internally, only for her to actually notice the look on Natsu's face - a much more serious expression.

Natsu stared at Ultear's flushed face, with hidden curiosity. "Really? She gets flustered that easily, despite throwing herself at me? So weird.." he thought, with a sigh. "Anyways - now that I have your attention… how do you know my age?" Natsu asked, his eyes narrowing.

Hearing this, Ultear would release her bated breath, worried that the look on his face was for something much more serious than what he asked. "Oh- that? Same reason why I knew your last name - I was part of the council, remember?" Ultear asked, with a smile, which looked just a little too rehearsed.

"Yeah.. except my age was never brought up, when I dealt with the council." Natsu said coolly. "While I wouldn't be surprised if the council looked into me like that, I can't help but wonder why they would." Natsu crossed his arms, holding Ultear's gaze.

Ultear would feel a bead of sweat dripping down her forehead, as she was locked under Natsu's intense gaze - something she wasn't too fond of. "Oh Natsu… " Ultear sighed, as she looked away from the dragon slayer, her own face bearing a serious expression. "The council did look into you - but your age never came up." She admitted, with a sigh.

Hearing this, Natsu would keep his eyes on the woman, not uncrossing his arms or moving so far as an inch from where he stood. "Then may I ask why you took it upon yourself to find out my information?" Natsu asked, with that same sharp look.

Ultear sighed once again, as a smile spread across her face - a sad one. "It was last night. I remembered hearing of an incident happening In the Nyvalla Woods, a few years back, and of a young boy who stormed the council in a fit of rage. I was only reminded of it, when you told me the brief story of what happened to you and Miss Ophelia, as well as your other friends." Ultear admitted, with a sad smile.

Hearing this, Natsu would scoff, finally turning his gaze away from Ultear, as he stared almost absentmindedly off into the distance, instead. "Well. Better than what I thought. Knowing my luck, I figured you were some dark mage in disguise." Natsu laughed, as he posture seemed to relax a little, though it was still evidently tense. "Why did you look into the case?" He asked simply, without looking towards her.

Ultear would look off into the distance still, her right hand absentmindedly fiddling with her left. "Like I said, your story reminded me of it. I wanted to know if you were the same guy who stormed the council that day. I wasn't there when it happened, and since no official trial was ever held, I never got the chance to see you. I had to contact a close friend who still works in the council, and they weren't thrilled to be woken up so late for me to ask for the only report made on the situation." Ultear said, as she let out a small giggle.

Hearing this, Natsu would only tense up further, as he recalled the events she was talking about, something he wasn't quite fond about, in the slightest. "And I'm assuming you got access to the reports, Ultear?" Natsu asked, with an edge to his voice.

Ultear nodded her head, in response. "I did. Though it was vague - it did specifically state that you were the one who stormed the council, as well as your age. A fifteen year old boy, who was bloodied, bruised, and escorting a comatose young lady… Well, that doesn't go unmentioned, even in a top secret report. Especially when said fifteen year old boy, still bruised and bloodied, left the previous 10th Wizard Saint crumpled on the floor, after only a few moments." Ultear said, as she gave Natsu a sad smile. "Why did you storm the council that day, Natsu? I won't think any differently of you, regardless of your answer. You've already proven yourself to me, that you're a friend of my guild, and myself." Ultear said, with a warm and kind smile.

Natsu listened to Ultear, hating just how thorough she was, in such a short span of time, with her research. "Well - I'd rather her fawning over me, then wanting me dead." Natsu thought to himself. Finally, Natsu would run his hand through his hair, as he slime up. "Got anything to drink, Ultear? It's not exactly a short story." Natsu said, with a sigh.

I just wanted to say thank you, and I appreciate each and every person who has read and supported the story, so far. I really do appreciate it, a lot! I hope you've enjoyed the chapter; until next time!