…
A Lost Hero's Fairytale
Chapter 11: Cruisin' for a Bruisin'
…
Later that same night a wooden, blue-colored yacht sailed smoothly out of Hargeon's harbor cutting through the tranquil water with ease. The vessel was large and ornate with four visible levels and many windows that glowed with warm, ambient light. On the open decks the yacht exuded elegance decorated with white-clothed tables laden with food and drink. Laughter and the murmur of conversation filled the air as the well-dressed guests, mostly women in fancy evening gowns mingled under the soft glow of decorative lights.
In a lavishly decorated room inside the yacht, Lucy sat across from Salamander. Her fancy red dress hugged her hourglass figure complete with matching red heels. She wore a forced smile, trying to keep up a cheerful façade. This was after all her chance to join Fairy Tail. Yet, despite her efforts to appear composed, an unsettling feeling churned in her gut. Something about Salamander made her uncomfortable.
Salamander leaned back in his chair with a confident smirk plastered across his face. He held a glass of wine in one hand, swirling it lazily as he spoke with his eyes fixed on Lucy.
"Lucy, is it? That's such a beautiful name." he said, his voice dripping with charm.
Lucy forced a smile, responding politely, "Thank you." Her words were polite, but inwardly she couldn't shake the unease that had settled within her. The lavish decorations, the luxurious setting—it all felt too perfect, too rehearsed. And Salamander's smile held a kind of practiced ease that only deepened her distrust for him.
Salamander suddenly stood up, placing his glass down on the table as he reached for the bottle of wine resting in a silver ice bucket. He lifted the bottle and began pouring into Lucy's empty glass, his eyes never leaving her.
"Let's have a toast, shall we?" he suggested as his tone was casual.
Lucy blinked, looking confused. "Um... A toast? But what about the other guests?" she asked, her eyes darting to the doors that led to the rest of the party.
Salamander waved his hand dismissively, his gaze still locked onto her. "Never mind them." he said as his smile widened. "The only one I feel like drinking with is you."
Lucy felt her stomach twist a bit at his words. She tried to keep her composure with her lips curving into a stiff smile as Salamander snapped his fingers. Her eyes widened slightly as she watched droplets of wine rise from the glass, floating in the air in front of her.
"Just open those beautiful lips." Salamander said, his voice taking on a silky quality. "And allow these jewel drops of the fruit of the vine to dance upon your taste buds."
The floating droplets moved toward her, shimmering in the dim light and Lucy felt her skin crawl. Every instinct screamed at her to pull away, but she forced herself to stay still. "That's just creepy!" she screamed internally as her smile faltered. She could feel her heart pounding, her mind racing as she tried to motivate herself.
"Just go with the flow, Lucy. Go with the flow." she repeated silently. She needed to keep playing along—this was about getting into Fairy Tail, nothing else.
With a deep breath, Lucy slowly opened her mouth as her eyes focused on the droplets hovering before her. Just as they were about to enter, something felt wrong—a gut instinct, a sense of danger. Lucy's eyes narrowed and in a split-second decision, she stood up abruptly and her hand swatted the droplets away.
The droplets splattered to the ground, staining the lush carpet red. Salamander looked taken aback, his eyes widening slightly at her sudden movement.
"What are you doing?" Lucy demanded, her voice edged with anger as she glared at him. "Those were sedatives, weren't they?"
Salamander blinked at her before a flash of irritation crossing his face as he smiled while lowering his head. "You saw through it did you?" he said with his voice carrying a sinister undertone now.
Lucy stood her ground, her fists clenched at her sides. "Don't get the wrong idea," she said firmly. "I only want to get into Fairy Tail. I have no intention of dating you to do that."
Salamander lifted his head, his expression darkening as his eyes glinted maliciously. "You troublesome girl... If you had just allowed yourself to be drugged, this would've gone a lot easier."
Lucy's heart skipped a beat as two large crewmen stepped out of the shadows behind her. Before she could react, strong hands gripped her arms, yanking her backward. She struggled before her eyes widened in panic.
"HEY! What's going on here?!" she shouted as her voice became a mix of fear and fury as she tried to twist free, but the crewmen's grip held firm.
"We got ourselves a big haul this time boss." one of the crewmen sneered as his voice was dripping with malice.
"Who are you people?" Lucy demanded, her breath catching when Salamander grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him. His face was twisted in a malicious sneer as his dark eyes were now gleaming.
"Welcome aboard my slave ship, sweetheart. You'll want to behave until we arrive in Bosco." Salamander said as his tone dripped with smug satisfaction.
"Bosco?! What about Fairy Tail?!" Lucy's eyes widened further, the disbelief evident in her trembling voice.
Salamander waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. That was just a little bait to lure you in. You're valuable merchandise, after all."
Lucy felt her stomach drop. "You can't!" she protested, her eyes darting to the side. She spotted several other women unconscious, being carried by Salamander's men. Her horror deepened.
"You're going to kidnap all these girls?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Heh! That's our Salamander for ya!" one of the crewmen boasted proudly.
"Yeah! Girls fall under his Charm spell and bring themselves right to us to be our cargo! It's such an easy way to get what we need." another chimed in with a cruel laugh.
"But this one didn't take to the Charm, so we'll have to break her in the old-fashioned way." a third man sneered with his voice tinged with sadistic glee.
"No… This can't be happening!" Lucy's thoughts raced as she tried to keep her head down, her body trembling. She was sweating as her mind struggled to comprehend just how badly this situation had spiraled out of control. "I knew he was trouble but…this…"
Salamander's eyes caught sight of something on Lucy's thigh—a keyring attached to a leg band, just visible through the slit of her dress. He approached and Lucy felt his cold fingers brush against her skin as he pulled the keys off.
He held up the key ring, studying them for a moment before recognition flashed in his eyes. "Gate Keys… So, you're a Celestial Wizard huh?" he mused with his tone indifferent.
Salamander's cronies exchanged confused glances at hearing his words. "Celestial, boss? We don't know anything about magic like that." One said cluelessly.
Salamander gave a dismissive wave. "It's nothing to worry about. Only the mage contracted can use these keys, which makes them worthless to me." Without a second thought, he tossed the key ring through an open window, sending it into the dark waters below.
Lucy's heart shattered as she watched her keys disappear into the ocean. She bared her teeth, glaring at Salamander, her eyes brimming with tears of frustration and helpless rage.
"Is this… what a Fairy Tail wizard does?!" She thought to herself.
"You… You use magic to hurt people, to take advantage of them and turn them into slaves?! You're the worst wizard alive!" Lucy shouted as her voice was cracking with fury and pain.
Salamander merely smirked unaffected by her words. "That's quite the exaggeration, my dear. You'll soon learn there are individuals out there much worse than little old me." He turned and picked up a branding iron with a glowing red-hot end with smoke wafting off it ominously. "Now, the first thing we do with our slaves is brand them!" He leered at her with his eyes alight with sadistic glee. "This might sting a bit so grit your teeth and try to bear through the pain."
Lucy's heart pounded in her chest, her breath hitching in fear. "How could I have been so stupid?! I should've just listened to Ben and stayed away from this guy!" Fury and self-reproach burned through her, tears streaming freely down her face.
Salamander's men cackled as they held her still, sinister excitement in their eyes as the branding iron was moved closer to her exposed thigh. The heat from the iron made her skin prickle in pain even before it touched her. Lucy's eyes widened in terror, her body trembling, her spirit overwhelmed by the impending agony.
By now, Lucy couldn't hold back her sobs. She struggled against the men's unyielding grip, desperate as her tears were mixing with her sweat. Her thoughts screamed, "Someone! Please… HELP ME!"
As if answering her desperate plea, the door to the cabin was suddenly smashed in with the wood splintering violently. In the next instant two crewmen were hurled inside crashing to the floor in a bruised and battered heap. Their uniforms were shredded with claw marks, and they groaned in pain, barely conscious.
"What's the heck's going on?!" Salamander exclaimed, instinctively pulling the branding iron back with his composure momentarily faltering.
Everyone inside turned their attention to the smashed doorway with their tension gripping the room. Emerging from the debris was a fearsome creature—a humanoid that resembled an anglerfish with grey scales covering its head, a broad chest and limbs. Its waist was dark, and it wore a triangular loincloth-like flap adorned with green stripes. The creature's four-fingered hands bore long yellow claws with webbing in between and green fins sprouted from its powerful forearms. The most striking features were its round grey eyes, a large row of jagged yellow teeth protruding from its gaping jaws and the phosphorescent lure atop its head swaying menacingly. On its chest, a black patch bore a distinctive green hourglass-shaped dial.
The creature glared around the room, its gaze landing on Salamander and his cronies. Its voice was a raspy and gurgling snarl. "Alright fellas," it growled, "party's over."
The room fell silent for a beat as everyone took in the sight of the monstrous intruder.
"W-W-what the hell is that?!" one of the crewmen stammered with his eyes wide with shock.
"Some kinda sea monster?!" another muttered.
The creature grinned while baring its sharp teeth. "No. Name's Ripjaws."
Salamander, regaining his composure, scowled at the intruder. "I don't care what you are!" he snapped. "Skewer this fish and then cook it over a fire, men!"
"Sir!" The cronies quickly obeyed, dropping the unconscious women they held and charging Ripjaws with some brandishing swords as they rushed forward.
Ripjaws' expression darkened. "That's not how you treat ladies' you guys." he growled, filled with disgust.
The first thug to reach Ripjaws was sent crashing through the wooden wall with a single powerful kick. Another came at him only to be slashed across the face by Ripjaws' razor-sharp claws, leaving deep cuts that would likely leave scars for life.
Despite their fallen comrades, more of Salamander's henchmen came at Ripjaws, brandishing their weapons. Ripjaws however, moved with ruthless precision. He dispatched several more with well-aimed punches, their bodies crumpling under his strength while others were tossed aside like ragdolls. The floor was soon littered with groaning men and Ripjaws barely seemed to have broken a sweat.
One particularly bold thug swung a sword at Ripjaws' head, but the creature caught the blade in his gaping jaws and bit down with such force that the steel shattered like glass. The man's shock was evident as Ripjaws delivered a bone-crunching punch to his gut sending him hurtling backward. The thug collided straight into Salamander, knocking them both to the floor in a heap.
The branding iron Salamander had been holding clattered to the ground well out of Lucy's reach. She fell to her knees with her body trembling as she stared at Ripjaws in shock and awe. Who was this creature? And how had it managed to defeat Salamander's men so easily?
Ripjaws turned his gaze toward Lucy, his sharp features softening slightly as he stepped toward her. Despite his attempt to look non-threatening, his monstrous appearance was anything but reassuring. Especially no doubt after the violent actions he just took, including showing how strong his teeth were. The poor girl was probably having frightening thoughts about what those same teeth could do to her.
Lucy's heart pounded in her chest, her instincts urging her to flee. "W-Who are you?! P-Please… don't hurt me…" she stammered, her fear evident in her shaky voice.
Ripjaws paused and a vivid memory flashed through his mind.
It was nighttime in the forest. Ben who was currently transformed as Jetray, had just been knocked back by what looked like a possessed carnival ride, covered in black-and-green circuitry patterns that resembled his Upgrade form. Though the impact stung, Jetray was unharmed. He shook himself off, his wings retracting slightly as he looked for the strange machine that had attacked him. It had vanished from sight. Jetray immediately took to the air, scanning the dark forest below, his senses alert for any sound.
Suddenly, he heard a desperate cry. "Let me go! Let me go!" a girl shouted.
Jetray's lips curled into a grin. "Gotcha!" he muttered. With incredible speed, he homed in on the direction of the voice, diving deeper into the woods. Before long, he found the machine standing in a small clearing, motionless as if it were aware of his presence above. Jetray hovered just above the treetops, his eyes and the tip of his tail glowing an ominous green. "What have you done with Julie?" he demanded.
The response came from an unexpected source. "I'm here," said a voice. The girl Julie stepped out from behind one of the machine's mechanical legs. She was a teenager around Ben's age, with short black hair, brown eyes and porcelain skin. She wore a simple pink hoodie over a black shirt with a white skirt. She gazed up at Jetray, confusion etched across her features. "But… how do you know my name?"
Jetray blinked, his glowing eyes returning to normal as he ceased his preparation to fire his neuroshocks. Hesitating briefly, he knew he had to answer her truthfully.
Jetray landed softly on the ground, about ten feet away from Julie, who backed away, her hesitation clear in her movements. "Julie, don't be scared. It's me." He lowered himself to his knees, trying to appear less intimidating. "It's…" He paused, realizing the weight of what he was about to reveal. "...Ben."
"Ben?" Julie gasped with her eyes wide in shock. She took a hesitant step closer. "You're a… monster?"
Jetray's expression turned awkward. "No. Well… yes." He rubbed the back of his head with a clawed hand as Julie started to step forward again. "Actually, I'm more like ten monsters."
Instead of the look of horror and disgust that he expected, Julie just studied him for a moment with her expression soon softening before a smile crossed her face. "Cool." she said simply.
Jetray blinked twice clearly taken aback. He tapped the Omnitrix dial on his chest, his form enveloped in a bright green flash as he returned to his human shape. As the light faded, Ben looked at her dumbfounded. Julie only smiled wider as her eyes brightened with fascination. "Cool?" Ben repeated clearly not expecting this kind of reaction. He had honestly been waiting for a more freaked out reaction with an eventual calming down hopefully.
As the memory faded, Ripjaws shut his eyes with a hint of confusion crossing his face. "Julie... So that was her name?" he thought to himself. "Why do I feel such a strong connection to her?"
However, upon noticing Lucy trembling in front of him the thought immediately slipped into the background. He knew that just like in the memory that honesty was the only way to handle this.
Ripjaws came to a stop in front of her, lowering himself down to one knee to seem less intimidating. His sharp features softened as he spoke while his raspy voice became as gentle as he could make it. "Lucy, it's alright."
Lucy blinked momentarily stunned. Her fear gave way to confusion. "You... you know my name?"
Ripjaws nodded with his yellow eyes meeting hers. "Lucy, it's me. Ben."
Her eyes widened and her mouth fell open in disbelief. "B-Ben?!" She shook her head, struggling to process what she was hearing. "You're... you're a monster?!"
"Wow… This really is playing out like that memory." Ripjaws chuckled with his teeth glinting. "Well actually I'm... sort of many monsters."
He then opened his left hand revealing her key ring lying in his palm. "Here, I think these are yours."
Lucy's eyes widened as a gasp escaped from her. "My Gate Keys!" Relief flooded her with a bright smile lighting up her face as she reached out for them.
Ripjaws handed over the keys with a grin. "I was following the boat underwater and spotted them sinking into the ocean. Good thing I was cause if not I might not have found them afterwards."
Lucy immediately reclaimed them clutching the keys to her chest. "Thank you." she whispered as her voice was shaky with gratitude. She glanced up at Ripjaws with her expression softening. "You…You're really Ben?"
Ripjaws gave her a nod, but his expression turned curious. "What are you doing here anyway Lucy?"
Lucy's face flushed in embarrassment with her tone getting flustered as she admitted her faultiness. "He tricked me! He said he'd help me get into Fairy Tail and I—"
"YOU!" Salamander's furious voice cut through her explanation. He had pulled himself to his feet and his face twisted in rage. He pointed a shaking finger at Ripjaws as he stared him down angrily. "You think you can stop me fish?! You're out of your element!"
He extended his arms a a red magical seal formed in front of him. "Prominence Typhoon!" he shouted and sent a swirling column of purple-tinted flames directly toward Ripjaws and Lucy.
Ripjaws didn't hesitate. He stepped protectively in front of Lucy, tapping the Ultimatrix dial on his pectoral.
A brilliant emerald light enveloped his body just as the spiraling flames struck him. The resulting explosion blew apart the cabin walls behind him leaving a gaping hole that led outside to the main deck. Flaming shards of wood scattered across the floor, some falling into the ocean below.
Salamander grinned smugly, confident in his victory. "Heh! No sea monster could hold up to fire. A pity we lost a valuable piece of merchandise in the process," he added with a careless shrug, referring to Lucy. "But that's how it goes sometimes, can't always make off with everything."
"You really are a piece of work aren't you?" a deep rumbling voice responded, cutting through the lingering smoke.
Salamander's grin disappeared with his eyes going wide in alarm.
As the smoke cleared it revealed not Ripjaws but a different figure standing in his place—a tall, muscular humanoid seemingly made entirely of earth and fire. Fire blazed around its head, oversized hands crackled with heat and two volcano-like vents sat on its shoulders each belching flames. On its chest the Ultimatrix dial was visibly glowing faintly.
Salamander took an instinctive step backward, his expression blanching in fear. "W-what is this?! What are you?!"
The magma being grinned, flames flickering as it cracked its knuckles. "Heh. A favorite of mine." The flames roared higher as it spoke. "Call me Heatblast."
Lucy was kneeling behind Heatblast, her heart pounding. Though she was close to him, she didn't feel the expected intense heat radiating from his flaming body. Unbeknownst to her, Heatblast was carefully suppressing his fiery temperature, focusing on keeping her safe.
The blonde girl stared at the magma creature with wide eyes and her jaw slack in shock. Everything had happened so fast—Heatblast had absorbed the brunt of Salamander's fire attack shielding her from harm. But her mind was not only on his heroic actions. No, it was the transformation itself that had left her stunned. Ben had turned from one creature into another… in an instant with a flash of green light.
Her breath hitched as something clicked. The article she'd read earlier that afternoon flashed through her thoughts. "Ben… are you—"
Heatblast cut her off with his focus fixed on the enemy before them. "I'll explain everything later Lucy. Right now, I need you to get this ship back to port. Leave this scumbag to me." His gaze remained locked on Salamander, the flames on his head flickering intensely.
Lucy swallowed hard with her legs feeling shaky as she forced herself to her feet. She looked at the back of Heatblast's flaming head with her brow furrowing. "Fine! But you owe me a full explanation, mister!" she huffed before turning and running through the gaping hole in the wall and out toward the deck.
Heatblast allowed himself a brief grin. "She's got some spirit."
Salamander however, had regained his footing and glared daggers at Heatblast. "Monster, do you really think you can defeat me?" His voice was full of venom, masking a hint of unease.
Heatblast ignored the taunt, his gaze shifting to the unconscious women scattered across the floor of the cabin. He had managed to absorb Salamander's fire to protect them and Lucy. But he knew that if the fight continued inside, these innocent women could be in grave danger.
Salamander extended his arm, summoning another red magical seal in front of him. "Prominence—"
"Not a chance." Heatblast thought before springing into action. Flames erupted from the soles of his feet and propelled him forward like a rocket. In a flash he barrelled into Salamander before the spell could be completed, interrupting the incantation. The force sent both of them crashing through the already broken cabin wall, out of the yacht, and toward the dark waters below.
Heatblast twisted in midair and used his fire to blast himself away from Salamander keeping himself aloft just above the ocean surface—much like an armored hero from another universe. The maneuver kept him steady while Salamander went tumbling across the waves, skipping like a stone until he managed to right himself.
"Red Carpet!" Salamander yelled, snapping his fingers. Flames spiraled from his feet, forming a winding column of fire beneath him, lifting him into the air. He balanced atop it with an air of arrogance with his eyes filled with malice.
Salamander fixed Heatblast with a glare. "I don't know who or what you are, but I won't let you ruin my lucrative business! Not now, not ever!" His voice was dripping with greed.
"Your business?" Heatblast spat with the disgust evident in his tone. "You mean kidnapping innocent women and selling them into slavery? How can you live with yourself?"
Salamander simply shrugged, his lips twisting into a vile sneer. "Well, the money certainly helps me sleep at night." he said with his voice dripping with callous indifference.
Heatblast's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin. The rage within him boiled, mirroring the flames surrounding his head. He clenched his oversized fists, glaring at Salamander. "You know... I was just going to knock you out and drag your sorry self to the authorities…" His voice trailed off as the flames blazing around his body flared brighter with their heat intensifying to match his rising temper. "But I've changed my mind."
Salamander's arrogant demeanor wavered as his eyes widened at the sight of Heatblast's flames growing hotter and casting an eerie glow on the ocean around them.
Heatblast grinned roguishly. "I'm gonna roast your ass."
"YOU'LL WHAT?!" Salamander's voice cracked.
…
"I can't believe it!" Lucy thought in shock as she sprinted across the yacht's deck. "Ben is the Take-Over wizard from those stories I read in the magazine just this afternoon?!"
She darted around the scattered and unconscious bodies of goons who were beaten senseless and sprawled across the deck. Her eyes swept the surroundings, searching desperately for a ladder or stairway to reach the upper levels. There had to be a way to get to the bridge and turn this ship back toward port.
"Ben sure made quick work of them." she thought while the chaos of her surroundings briefly faded into the background. Her mind drifted to the articles she had read about Ben and his ability to effortlessly defeat criminals wherever he went.
But now wasn't the time to get lost in thoughts. Shaking her head to refocus Lucy pressed on running across the deck and checking every corner for a way up to the yacht's top level. "I guess the way upstairs must be inside." She was just about to head back into the cabin when she heard voices that made her freeze.
"What the?! What happened to the guys?!" one of the voices shouted in confusion.
"Hey, who's that over there?!" another voice called.
Lucy turned and saw several large men emerging from a hatchway that led below deck. They were burly, dangerous-looking, and not the kind of men she wanted to be dealing with right now. "Crap!" she thought before backing away until her back met the railing.
"She's one of the slaves! Get her!" shouted one of the men and they all began to advance the malice visibly etched into their features as they charged.
Lucy quickly glanced over her shoulder at the dark waters of the ocean. An idea sparked in her mind but the thought of it made her groan internally. "Aw crud! And I just bought this dress too." She took a deep breath realizing she had no other choice if she wanted out of this situation.
Before the men could grab her, she swung her legs over the railing and dove headfirst into the sea. The burly crew members skidded to a stop while staring wide-eyed at the spot where she had vanished.
"Ah dammit! The broad really chose to jump overboard?!" one of them exclaimed.
"What do we do now? Should we turn the ship around and—"
"Forget it!" another man interrupted while waving his hand dismissively. "We're far enough out to sea. She'll never make it back. Let's just figure out what the hell happened up here."
As the yacht continued its course Lucy's head popped out of the water gasping for air. "AAAHHH!" She took in a deep breath while coughing slightly as she treaded water and catching her breath.
Turning her gaze back toward the yacht she couldn't help but smirk. "Alright let's do this!" She reached for her belt, her fingers brushing against the familiar shape of her key ring. She grabbed one of the keys, a gold one and placed it into the water. "Open, Gate of the Water Bearer: Aquarius!" she shouted with her voice echoing over the waves.
There was a sound like a doorbell and in a flash a beautiful mermaid appeared. Aquarius had long blue hair, a shimmering blue fish-tail and wore a dark blue bikini top. Her eyes were a piercing blue without pupils, giving her an ethereal and almost intimidating aura. She held a large blue urn in her hands, her expression one of irritation.
"Listen up Aquarius!" Lucy pointed toward the yacht. "I need you to use your power to push that ship back to port. And be careful—there are innocent girls on board!"
Aquarius sighed with her annoyed glare focusing on Lucy. "Tch!" she clicked her tongue in irritation.
"Hey! You're supposed to help me, not give me attitude!" Lucy retorted, irked by the Spirit's uncooperative attitude.
Aquarius gave Lucy a cold stare. "Let's get one thing straight blondie: the next time you drop my key you're dead. Got it?" she said as her voice was dripping with disdain.
Lucy broke into a nervous sweat. "I-It won't happen again! I promise!"
With an annoyed sigh Aquarius turned her attention to the yacht. She began to gather water from all around, swirling it into her urn. "HYAAH!" she shouted while unleashing an enormous wave that surged forward and lifted the entire yacht.
"GYAAAHH!" the conscious crew members screamed as the ship lurched upward, caught in the force of the wave. "Why's the sea so angry all of a sudden?!"
But it wasn't just the yacht caught up in the wave—Lucy quickly realized that she too was caught in the torrent. "HEY! Don't wash me away along with it!" she screamed in frustration with her voice nearly drowned out by the roaring waters.
…
"Prominence Whip!" Salamander roared as he swung his right arm in an arched motion summoning multiple purple flames that erupted into independent fiery pillars. These beams snaked through the air toward Heatblast with each one twisting and writhing like serpents.
Heatblast swiftly spun through the air, twisting his body in tight maneuvers to dodge each incoming beam. He moved with precision with his fiery form leaving streaks of light against the dark night. Despite his skill, the fire whips eventually crisscrossed in his direction and a massive explosion erupted with a brilliant purple firework against the night sky.
"Ha! Just as I thought!" Salamander sneered, watching the explosion with a sinister smile. "All talk but in the end nothing but weak–HUH?!"
He was abruptly cut off when Heatblast burst from the cloud of smoke with sudden velocity. The Pyronite rammed directly into Salamander, sending him hurtling back with a pained cry.
"AAGHHH!" Salamander's scream echoed as he was flung backward, struggling against the unexpected impact.
"Was that supposed to hurt?" Heatblast taunted with a mocking grin spread across his molten face. "Because honestly, it just kind of tickled."
Suddenly, Heatblast's attention shifted as something caught his eye—a massive wave rising up in the distance. He watched, bewildered, as the wave lifted the yacht and began carrying it back towards the harbor. The movement was too controlled, too deliberate to be natural.
Recognition dawned on him. "Must be Lucy's doing. One of her Celestial Spirits maybe?" He smirked slightly. "Well, that's one way to dock a boat I guess."
Before he could fully process the scene, he heard an enraged shout. "HRAGH!"
Heatblast turned back in time to see Salamander ascending through the air using his Red-Carpet spell while his column of flames was swirling beneath him. The fire wizard was soaked, his clothes dripping wet and his expression twisted in furious determination.
"You... MONSTER!" Salamander seethed as his teeth gritted with rage. A red magic seal formed in front of him, glowing with malevolent energy as he gathered it in his hands. "Hell Prominence!"
With a roar Salamander unleashed a massive purple beam of destructive magic, the energy surging towards Heatblast like a blazing laser.
Reacting instantly, Heatblast thrust out flames from his right hand, propelling himself to the side to dodge the oncoming attack. The powerful beam carved through the ocean below, splitting a fiery line across the surface. It generated a series of violent explosions before being extinguished by the turbulent waves, releasing a hiss of steam into the air.
Not wasting a moment, Heatblast ignited the flames beneath his feet, launching himself toward Salamander. He closed the distance in an instant, unleashing a flurry of punches with each one blazing with searing heat and striking Salamander's face and gut in rapid succession.
Pivoting in mid-air, Heatblast spun around before delivering a fiery roundhouse kick into Salamander's torso. Flames burst from the soles of his feet, adding an extra burst of force to the blow.
WHAM!
"AAAAAHHHH!" Salamander screamed in agony as the force of the kick sent him flying, his body hurtling through the air. He sailed across the sky in a helpless arc, his form crashing toward the distant marina with bone-rattling speed
…
The tsunami had crashed over Hargeon's marina and docks, leaving considerable damage in its wake. The yacht was now beached on a rocky shoreline nearby, resting on its keel. Townspeople emerged from their homes bewildered by the scene unfolding before them.
"What's going on?! Was there a tsunami?"
"Look! A ship just washed up on the harbor shore!"
Meanwhile, Lucy was clutching onto the yacht's railing, clearly not pleased. "What's the big idea?!" she shouted up at Aquarius, her voice carrying a mix of anger and disbelief. She was soaking wet and still on the ship's deck. "Did you have to wash me away with the ship?!"
Aquarius sighed in annoyance with her palm coming up to her forehead. "It was carelessness. The ship got in the way and was washed away with you too."
Lucy fumed as she registered her spirits words, and the blonde's voice became dripping with frustration. "You mean you were aiming for me?!"
Aquarius shot her a haughty and smug smile. "Don't call me for a while. I'm going on vacation with my boyfriend... and just so you know, he's hot!" she emphasized the last part, clearly relishing Lucy's jealousy before disappearing in a flash of light.
"You don't have to rub it in!" Lucy muttered, grinding her teeth in irritation. She wouldn't say it aloud, but she did feel a pang of jealousy. Taking a deep breath, she tried to shake off her frustration.
A sudden commotion down by the shoreline caught her attention. She peered over the side of the yacht to see a crowd of townspeople gathering, buzzing with chatter.
"But I did it!" Lucy thought, her expression brightening as she surveyed the chaos below. "With all this fuss the army is bound to show up soon. All those girls are going to be saved!"
Lucy allowed herself a satisfied smile. "I'm such a kind, considerate woman!" she said with a touch of self-praise, nodding in contentment.
Her musings were interrupted by a loud girlish scream. Lucy's head snapped up in alarm. It came from somewhere on the boat. Had one of the women been injured?
She didn't have time to ponder it as a figure suddenly came crashing down through the yacht's ceiling, smashing violently into the floor of the cabin. It was Salamander who landed amidst the already defeated and unconscious goons scattered around the cabin.
One of Bora's crewmen, bruised and battered, weakly lifted his head, his eyes widening in shock as he recognized his boss. Salamander struggled to push himself onto his hands and knees, coughing up blood. His once-flashy attire was tattered, and burns and bruises marred his face. He had never seen his boss in such a beaten state.
Heatblast appeared above the broken cabin roof, hovering with fire emitting from his feet. "Ready for another round, Salamander? Or are you done already?" His tone was mocking while his eyes were narrowing. "Please tell me you wanna keep going—I could really use the stress relief."
"Ben!" Lucy called out while running along the deck towards the scene, her eyes filled with relief.
Heatblast glanced her way, his expression softening. "Glad you're okay Lucy. I'm guessing that wave which brought the ship back to port was your doing?"
"Y-Yeah! One of my Zodiac Spirits actually." she replied, catching her breath.
"That's pretty cool." Heatblast then turned his gaze to the marina, wincing as he saw the extent of the damage caused by the tsunami. "Though, you might have gone a little overboard…"
"Heh-heh…" Lucy laughed nervously while rubbing the back of her head awkwardly. Now that she was looking at the place, she couldn't deny that. It's all Aquarius's fault, that darn woman doesn't know the meaning of the word restraint. It's always tsunamis, tidal waves, maelstroms and floods with that mermaid and the blonde practically always ends up getting caught in those attacks.
One of the crewmen, staring at Heatblast, squinted at the green hourglass symbol on his chest. His eyes widened, realization dawning upon him. "B-Boss…" he stuttered as his voice was trembling now. "I think I know who this guy is… The symbol on his chest, the way he transformed… It's him! H-He's that rogue Take-Over wizard from the papers! He's the real deal Bora!"
Salamander—or rather Bora—was visibly irate and shouted in frustration with his voice cracking as he turned to the one who had spoken up. "Don't call me that you fool!"
Heatblast perked up, his eyes narrowing in recognition. "Bora?"
Bora turned to face the Pyronite, an expression of confusion momentarily flickering across his face. "Eh?"
"Are you Bora of Prominence?" Heatblast pressed, his tone dark.
A smirk spread across Bora's face as he used his Red-Carpet spell to hoist himself a few meters into the air, putting some distance between himself and Heatblast. "Oh? So, you've heard of me." He flashed a confident smile. "I was a big deal a couple of years ago, back before I left my guild."
Lucy, who still watching the confrontation unfold, gasped as her expression shifted from confusion to realization. "So, wait… That guy isn't the real Salamander?" she muttered to herself. Her brows furrowed as the truth settled in. "That means he isn't a Fairy Tail wizard at all!"
Heatblast ignored Lucy for now as he kept his gaze locked on Bora. "Do you remember a wizard by the name of Juvia Lockser?" he asked curtly.
Bora tilted his head to the side, his expression growing bemused. "Eh? That gloomy rain chick from Phantom Lord? What about her?" he replied dismissively.
Heatblast clenched his fists tightly, the fire emanating from his body growing more intense. "She was your girlfriend, wasn't she?" he demanded. "Were you involved in all of this while you were dating her?"
Bora clicked his tongue in irritation, the smirk fading slightly from his face. "Tch! I don't see how that concerns you."
Heatblast's eyes narrowed with his fiery gaze becoming even more piercing. "She's my friend," he stated coldly. "So, tell me… Were you planning on selling her, just like you planned to sell these other girls?"
A wicked grin spread across Bora's face, his eyes glinting with malicious delight. "Heh… You're a sharp one." He paused before shrugging casually. "Alright, I'll admit it… That was my original intention. A female wizard of her caliber would've fetched a pretty penny." He sneered, a dark chuckle escaping his lips. "But I soon realized she was far too gloomy for any of the big buyers to enjoy. So, I broke it off with her. Good riddance if you ask me."
Heatblast's expression darkened, a memory flashing through his mind.
"...But he was the first man to show interest in Juvia… but Bora of Prominence thought Juvia was too gloomy… just like everyone else." Juvia had said, her voice tinged with sadness.
Her beautiful blue eyes filled with sorrow filled Heatblast's mind, her words laced with heartbreak. His flames suddenly surged in brightness and intensity, the heat radiating off him growing fiercer with each passing second.
"You know what, I'm actually glad I crossed paths with you." Heatblast suddenly said, earning a confused look from both Bora and even Lucy.
"Yeah, well I certainly can't say the same thing, you've been nothing but a pain in my ass." Bora rebuked with disdain. "But I'll humor you, so tell me why that is?"
"Because now I've learned that everything I believed from the start about you is true. When I first heard how you broke up with her cause of her lack of control over her own magic, I thought you might've just been a jerk. Maybe an inconsiderate punk who didn't have the patience to try and make things work. Now however I've learned the truth about you." Heatblast said as he glared at Bora. "That you're someone who was never worthy of Juvia's time and affection, let alone her heart. The only thing that's a shame is that she wasn't the one who dumped you." He growled while his tone became seething with fury. "She's better off without you and I'm going to do her and all other women justice…"
Bora's eyes widened, his smirk faltering as he felt the sudden, scorching heat rolling off the Pyronite. "Eh?!" he exclaimed in confusion at the last remark, instinctively tensing up as a bead of sweat was forming on his brow. Heatblast's gaze burned with a rage that rivaled the intensity of the sun itself. His fire blazed even higher, illuminating the night sky.
"...By burning you to a crisp!" Heatblast roared with his voice reverberating the full force of his wrath.
…
Meanwhile, in a small hut nestled deep in the East Forest just outside Magnolia, Natsu lay in his hammock with his mouth slightly open as he snored. Suddenly he let out a loud sneeze startling himself.
"Urk! …Dumb… rogue wizard… Gonna… kick your butt…" he muttered groggily, turning over in his sleep as his fist twitched as if dreaming of a fight. "You too… stupid Gray…"
Not far from Natsu, Happy was snuggled in his own smaller hammock, his tail flicking contently. He mumbled in his sleep, a delighted smile on his face. "Fish… So tasty… all mine… so yummy…" The blue cat sighed in happiness, clearly enjoying his dream.
The two of them continued to sleep peacefully, unaware of the chaos unfolding miles away in Hargeon.
…
"You stay away from me, you damn monster!" Bora screamed, panic clear in his voice as he hastily summoned another magic seal. "Red Shower!"
An onslaught of purple fireballs erupted from Bora, scattering in all directions as they closed in on Heatblast. The Pyronite propelled himself forward, flames roaring from his hands and feet while weaving expertly between the attacks. The few that struck him did little more than fizzle on impact, leaving him entirely unfazed.
"The only monster I see here is you!" Heatblast growled as his voice was carrying the weight of his fury. He shot forward with his fist glowing white-hot and drove a powerful punch straight into Bora's gut. Bora's breath left him in a pained gasp as he was sent flying back, his body crashing into the top of a distant building.
On the shoreline, Lucy and the gathered bystanders watched the spectacle in awe. Their eyes followed the blazing creature as he dominated the sky, each move fierce and precise.
"First he was a fish monster and now he's turned into some kind of fire creature," Lucy thought, her mind racing. "And the reports say he can transform into even more things. How… How can he change into so many forms?"
"HYAAAH!" Bora's desperate cry cut through the chaos. His expression twisted in both rage and fear as he conjured up a large pulsating sphere of purplish-red flames above his head. "RED SKULL!" With all his remaining strength, Bora hurled the massive attack straight at Heatblast.
Heatblast didn't flinch. He extended his arms, catching the blazing projectile with his hands. The intense heat surged through him, and he absorbed it effortlessly, the flames surrounding his body growing even hotter and brighter. Heatblast smirked. "Let me show you some real firepower."
With a sudden burst of energy, Heatblast rocketed forward like a fiery missile, his fist cocked back and blazing like the sun. Bora's face twisted in sheer terror.
"No, no, no, no!" Bora's voice cracked as his panic was rising.
"This is for all those girls! For Lucy! For Juvia!" Heatblast roared with his voice filled with righteous fury as he unleashed a brutal, flame-fueled right hook directly into Bora's face. The impact was followed by an explosion so bright it briefly turned night into day, illuminating the entire sky.
Bora's agonized scream was drowned out by the deafening roar of the blast. His body hurtled back across town, smashing through the bow of his own yacht, tearing through several decks before finally embedding into the wooden hull. As the dust and smoke settled, Bora lay amidst the shattered remnants of wood and debris, his clothing burned to tatters, his body covered in severe burns and bruises.
The defeated slave trader let out a weak groan before succumbing to the pain, his consciousness slipping away. Bora of Prominence had been utterly defeated.
Heatblast descended gracefully, landing on the rim of the gaping hole Bora had created. He looked down at the unconscious man with disdain etched across his flaming features. "I was right about you," he muttered in contempt. "You're even lamer in person."
…
It didn't take long for a platoon of Fiore Army soldiers, stationed just outside the city, to arrive at the scene. The women aboard Bora's yacht were freed from the effects of the Charm spells used on them. Each of them gave testimonies before being released, their relief palpable. Thankfully none of them had sustained serious injuries.
On the other hand, Bora and his slave-trading crew were in considerably worse shape. They were bruised, slashed, and burned from the beatings they received from Ripjaws and Heatblast, respectively. The soldiers put them in chains, leading them to the prison wagons one by one.
Before a battered and burned Bora was taken away, Ben approached. "Hold up!" he called out, stopping the soldiers escorting him. He was carrying a wooden board with rope tied to either end.
The soldier gave him a questioning look, but Ben ignored it and stepped up to Bora, securing the board around his neck. Ben crossed his arms over his chest and nodded in approval. "I think it suits you."
Bora blinked twice, his gaze shifting down. He realized that it was the autographed "Salamander" board he had given to Ben earlier that day. The disgraced fire wizard dropped his head and let out a pitiful groan, the ultimate insult added to his injuries.
Nearby, Lucy, who had just finished giving her testimony to an army official, watched the scene unfold. She couldn't stop an amused smile from spreading across her face. "That was super cool!" she thought with an excited grin barely restrained on her face.
After that, Ben and Lucy began walking away from the marina side by side. Ben had his bag strapped across his back while Lucy who was still in her red dress had her purse slung over her shoulder. Though there were a few curious onlookers heading to investigate the commotion at the marina, the two were mostly alone trekking down the quiet street in a heavy silence.
"She wanted me to explain everything…" Ben mused while casting a sideways glance at Lucy. "But is she waiting for me to start talking or…"
"Hey," Lucy finally broke the silence as her voice was subdued and unsure, "I know it's late, but do you want to stop by a café? I think there's one nearby that's still open."
Ben noticed the timidness in her voice, how she wouldn't quite look at him. "Sure." he replied gently while offering her a reassuring smile. "As long as you're comfortable with it."
Lucy nodded but her eyes were still downcast and frowning slightly as if she had a lot on her mind.
Later, Ben and Lucy were seated outside a quaint café at a small table under the gentle glow of nearby lampposts. Lucy had a cup of herbal tea in front of her while Ben was sipping on a fruity iced beverage. It wasn't a smoothie, but it was okay.
But he was less concerned with his drink and more so for the despondent blonde sitting across from him.
Lucy was hunched forward slightly with her arms resting in her lap, her head down and eyes fixed on the tea in front of her. Her red dress was damp and ruined from being drenched by the ocean and much to Ben's embarrassment, the outline of her underwear was visible. He made a concerted effort to avert his gaze, especially considering Lucy's current emotional state.
He was quiet as he continued to take small sips from his drink, not wanting to push her into talking before she was ready. He knew she had been seconds away from something truly terrifying, and she was likely still processing it all. He couldn't imagine how traumatic it must have been.
Lucy finally exhaled deeply, breaking the silence as she lifted her head to meet his eyes. "First of all… I need to thank you Ben. You really saved me this time."
"You don't have to thank me, Lucy. Honestly, it's fine—" Ben began but Lucy shook her head vehemently.
"No, no, it's not fine." she interrupted, her voice quivering. "I... I was almost branded Ben. If you hadn't shown up then me and those other girls would have… we would have…" Her voice broke, tears brimming in her eyes as she finally let herself feel the full weight of what had happened. She began sobbing with her emotions spilling over.
Ben's instincts kicked in and he reached across the table, gently taking her hands in his. "Hey, you're safe now. Those girls are safe." he said softly, his thumbs brushing over the backs of her hands. "And those scumbags are locked up and headed to prison. It's going to be okay, Lucy. You're okay."
Lucy's sobs continued but she didn't pull away, allowing Ben to hold her hands. He sat quietly with her, providing comfort in the only way he knew how. After a while her tears began to subside, and she slowly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "T-Thank you…" she said as her voice was still shaky.
"Anytime." Ben gave her a reassuring smile. "Do you feel a little better?"
Lucy managed a small smile, her lips trembling slightly. "Yeah… a little." She took a deep breath, looking up at him. "So… you're him, aren't you? The Take-Over Master?"
Ben blinked, clueless. "The what now?"
Lucy blinked, twice surprised. "You haven't read the latest issue of Sorcerer Weekly? You were the top story. You've been helping people all over and word's gotten around. You're becoming popular Ben. I wouldn't be surprised if you get an epithet soon."
"An epithet?" Ben tilted his head, puzzled.
Lucy chuckled a little despite herself. "You know, like a nickname or moniker. A title that describes you."
"Oh, I get it… like Titania or Salamander. The real Salamander, I mean," Ben quickly added while recalling their earlier encounter with the despicable imposter.
"That's right." Lucy smiled but it faded as she looked at him closely. "On that note… who are you really Ben?"
Ben felt his stomach drop. He had been hoping to delay this conversation but there was no getting around it now. He took a few more sips from his drink, trying to collect his thoughts, and then sighed deeply. "I really wish I could give you a proper answer Lucy." He absentmindedly twirled the straw in his glass.
Lucy frowned and her expression showing a hint of hurt. "Why can't you? Don't you trust me?"
Ben immediately shook his head. "No, no, it's not that Lucy. It's not about trust which I can say you have mine. It's because I literally can't answer that."
"Huh?" Lucy looked confused.
Ben leaned back, letting out another sigh. "I have amnesia, Lucy. I don't remember much of anything about myself."
Lucy's eyes widened with her mouth dropping open. "S-Seriously?" She was stunned, not expecting that revelation.
Ben nodded as his expression turned serious. "Yeah. It started about three weeks ago…"
The Ultimatrix bearer spent over half an hour recounting everything that had happened to him since waking up in the Worth Woodsea: his time spent at Cait Shelter, his journey with the merchantman and his various encounters helping people and defeating criminals along the way.
"Whoa…" Lucy breathed as she took it all in. "So, you came to Hargeon hoping to find a way back home. But the country you say you're from… it wasn't on the map?"
Ben nodded in confirmation. He then reached into his bag, pulled out his wallet, and handed his driver's license card to Lucy. "This was in the jacket I woke up wearing."
Lucy studied the card closely. "Driver's license? Is this like a permit to drive a magic-mobile?" she asked as her brow furrowed. She didn't know people actually needed something like that to drive.
"Uh… I guess?" Ben said, sounding unsure. "What's a magic-mobile?"
Lucy raised an eyebrow. "It's basically a horseless carriage powered by a wizard's magic. Because of that only wizards can use them since they don't run on anything else."
Suddenly, Ben's head was flooded with flashes of images: a white motorhome with red and blue stripes, a green muscle car with black racing stripes, and a mostly black sports car with green highlights—all of them equipped with advanced technology.
Ben shook his head, blinking to clear his thoughts. "Huh… so they're like automobiles."
"I've never heard them called that," Lucy said while turning her attention back to the card. "But I guess so…" She looked at the details more closely. "Bellwood… New York… United States of America…?" Lucy met Ben's gaze, confusion etched across her face. "Ben, none of these places are real."
His eyes widened. "Are you sure?" He couldn't hide the shock in his voice.
Lucy nodded. "I'm positive. Not to brag or anything but I got a pretty solid education growing up. I know my geography well. And… these places just don't exist in our world. I'm sorry."
Ben slumped his shoulders, letting his head drop onto the table. "But… I remember them. At least, I think I do." He pulled at his hair, his voice cracking in frustration. "Gah! Why can't I remember anything?!"
Lucy's heart went out to him as she watched him struggle. She couldn't imagine what it felt like to be in his position. But she felt the strong urge to help him, to ease his pain in any way she could.
The storm in Ben's mind seemed unbearable—until something soft grasped his hand, a comforting warmth breaking through his frustration. He looked up to see Lucy giving him a gentle, sincere smile as she held his hand in her own as her fingers tightened a bit.
"I may not know exactly what you're going through but I do care." Lucy said, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "I'll help you however I can Ben. I promise."
Ben blinked, feeling his worries melt away. And to his surprise his heart skipped a beat too. His face felt hot. "Pretty girls really have that effect on guys, huh?" he mused to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Taking a deep breath, he returned her smile. "Thank you, Lucy."
She smiled back, squeezing his hand. "Anytime." Her voice had regained some of its usual cheer. "So… do you have any idea what you're going to do next?"
Ben sighed. "I thought about maybe finding some kind of magic that could help restore my memories. I asked the guy at the magic shop, but he didn't know of any."
Lucy's expression turned sardonic. "There's a shock." she muttered to herself.
Ben continued, "He did suggest asking a wizard guild. There are so many guilds out there—surely one of them could help. I just need to figure out which one to go to."
Lucy paused, her eyes widening as an idea struck her like a bolt of lightning. She jumped up from her seat, her face lighting up. "I've got it!"
Ben looked up, startled. "Got what?"
Lucy smiled, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. "Fairy Tail! You and me, we should go to Fairy Tail!"
"Fairy Tail?" Ben echoed, still confused.
"Yeah!" Lucy said, her excitement building. "They're the best guild in the whole world! If any guild can help with your amnesia, it has to be them, right?"
Ben paused, mulling over her words. He had to admit, she had a point. "Yeah… that's true," he said. "At the very least, maybe they could point me in the right direction. And I already know someone from Fairy Tail, so that could help."
Lucy blinked in surprise. "Wait, really?!"
Ben nodded. "Yeah, back in Clover I ran into this girl named Cana. She's from Fairy Tail. We played poker, fought some bandits and shared a drink together and she actually suggested that I could join the guild." He chuckled at the memory. "I didn't think much of it at the time, but now... maybe she could help us both out."
Lucy's jaw dropped. "Seriously?!" Her voice was a mix of awe and disbelief. "She offered to let you join just like that?!" And to think she'd been worried about how hard getting into the guild would be. But if a girl he just met easily offered him the chance to join then how hard could it even be if it was at all.
Ben scratched the back of his head, looking slightly sheepish. "Uh, yeah. She said it'd be a good fit."
Lucy stared at him for a moment with her eyes wide. Then suddenly her face lit up with determination. "That settles it! We're going to Fairy Tail! Not only can they help you but with Cana vouching for you, it'll be even better!"
Ben smiled at her enthusiasm, feeling a surge of warmth. "You're really set on joining them huh?"
"You bet I am." Lucy said with her smile softening into something more determined. "You were right earlier today. If I want to join Fairy Tail then I need to go for it and apply myself. I shouldn't have tried to rely on someone else to get me in, like I did with that fake Salamander sleazebag." She clenched her fist, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'll join Fairy Tail on my own terms."
Ben nodded, smiling in admiration of her resolve. "That's the spirit."
Lucy took a deep breath, her eyes shining. "So… what do you say? Will you come with me?"
Ben lowered his gaze, thinking about his options. There wasn't much else to consider—Lucy's plan made sense and Cana's offer might just be the key. Something inside him told him that he could trust Lucy, that this was the right path. He looked up, nodding. "Yeah. Let's do it."
Lucy beamed, her face lighting up with pure joy. Without a second thought, she grabbed Ben's hand, pulling him to his feet. "ALRIGHT! LET'S GO!" she shouted, laughing happily.
Ben couldn't help but smile too, even as he tried to keep his balance. And much to his embarrassment—and perhaps a bit of delight—Lucy was still tightly holding his hand as they ran down the street, her energy infectious.
…
A/N: And cut! We did it! We made it past the pilot! Cue Fairy Tail's Ending Song #1!
Credit to Masamune X23 for beta-reading and to Insane Dominator for offering a few suggestions that I took.
Several things I need to point out.
One, the version of Ripjaws used here is the one from the Original Series. Same voice actor too. UAF Ripjaws was lame in comparison. Omniverse's Ripjaws wasn't bad, but I do lean more toward the OS design and voice.
Second, the version of Heatblast used here is the Ben 10k Adult Pyronite form. Though, since Ben is still growing, he's not quite as robust yet. But he has reached the state of maturity to develop the "volcanic vents" on his shoulders. As for his voice, Steve Blum, of course! The best voice for Heatblast of all time. Period. Nuff said.
Third, Natsu and Happy made another appearance, but didn't stick around for very long once Ben revealed there was no dragon in town. I went this route for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to avoid the route that nearly every writer takes when they're introducing their OC or Crossover Character into the Fairy Tail pilot where they're essentially tacked on. Secondly, it makes things easier from a writing perspective without having to worry about what Natsu and Happy are doing over the course of the chapter.
Fourth, Ben was still holding back in his battle with Bora; otherwise, the firepower he produced would've incinerated him. So don't start claiming I'm nerfing Ben here. Bora is a scumbag, but I don't believe Ben would need to cross the line here; especially when the antagonist is an entry-level baddie.
With that, Lucy Heartfilia makes her debut! And she is determined to help her shape-shifting hero in any way she can. More on that in future updates!
Next update will be Ben and Lucy's arrival to Fairy Tail. While the latter is excited about joining, the former isn't so sure about that. Also, Makarov senses something amiss about Ben while two certain ladies take an interest in him. Meanwhile, Natsu will be Natsu.
As always, I appreciate the support and feedback I've received so far!
Please leave any comments, critique, and suggestions in the review box. Until next time!