"Dialogue"

"Thoughts"

Magic

City of Era, Magic Council Main Branch; 3 Years Prior.

Running through the streets of Era, we see Natsu Dragneel, not all too dissimilar to how he looks in the modern day. He's smaller, a few inches shorter and without as much muscle as he has in the modern day, but still a rather impressive frame. His clothes would be not too dissimilar to what he currently wears, either. He still rocks a zipped up waistcoat, which transitions down into a pair of baggy pants and combat boots - with his signature scarf firmly wrapped around his neck, as his feet carried him across the paved streets faster than he's ever ran before. Though it would be obvious the pained condition the young dragon slayer was in. His clothes were ripped and tattered, numerous spots being stained with blood, as his body itself was cut up and bruised; as if he barely survived some fight.

"Shit shit shit… I need to go faster!" Natsu thought in anger, his head looking back so he could see the unconscious face of his dear friend Ophelia resting on her back, looking peaceful as could be; despite knowing the torment she was most certainly under. "Those council bastards…" Natsu growled internally.

Finally reaching the entrance to the main branch and base of operations for the council, Natsu wouldn't waste anytime in forcing his way past the large gates blocking the public from entering - even with the presence of guards in front of the gates.

"Young man! What business do you have here-!?" A random Rune Knight cried out, only to be met with a glare from Natsu.

"Out of my way!" Natsu shouted, rushing past the guards, maneuvering his body so as to not collide with any of the guards who made attempts at grappling and restraining him. Getting up to the large gate, Natsu firmly planted the sole of his foot against the large metal bars, as a magic circle appeared between his foot and the gate. With a mighty push, and a strong gout of flames, Natsu forced the now melting gate open, rushing through them and towards the council entrance, with haste.

"Contact the council! Let them know we've got an intruder!" One of the Rune Knights barked out, as another grabbed a communication Lacrima and would do just that.

Running through the relatively peaceful courtyard, Natsu would be on high alert. "This is the hard part… there's bound to be some form of blockade around here - but where!? It's far too quiet." Natsu rationalized in his head, only for his assumptions to be correct.

Walking out of the front gate to the courtyard, Natsu would see a tall, muscular man who looked to be around his mid thirties. His body was very much akin to a mountain, large and imposing. He had shaggy white hair, which transitioned into a light blue at the tips of his bangs. Though the most distinguishable thing about the man was the jacket he was wearing - representing his status as one of the 10 Wizard Saints.

Skidding to a halt, Natsu would grimace a little bit, looking at the man who gave him a mocking smile, from the doorway. "Fuck. There just had to be a Saint." Natsu internally bemoaned, as he felt the weight of Ophelia pressing down on his back.

"So, you're the punk intruder, huh? Man, today has been boring as fuck - who would've thought my report to the council would end with me getting to demolish a brat like you?" The man grinned, his eyes noticing every tense movement Natsu made. "You must be terrified, I can see it in your movements. And your body looks like shit - did those little Rune Knights hurt you that bad? Tch. Nevermind, this won't even be fun. Not if you're that weak." The man said, with a scoff. Taking a few steps back, magic would begin to waft from the man's body, likely in an attempt to frighten Natsu.

"I'm tense cause I don't want my friend to get hurt." Natsu responded, using his head to gesture to the girl on his back. "It's the council's fault she's like this. So it's going to be their job to fix it." Natsu said, as he walked off to the side of the main walkway, gently putting Ophelia down, before walking back to where he was originally standing. "Move aside! I have no intention to fight you." Natsu stated through gritted teeth, anger building up as his own magic began to emanate around him.

"Oh?" The Wizard Saint said, with a smirk. "Looks like the broken puppys got a little bark, to him. But I'm much more interested in that bitch, now that I've got a good look at her." The Saint said, a lecherous look to his eyes as he gazed over at Ophelia's unconscious body. "Tell ya what. I'll kick your ass, then I'll go ahead and take that lady there off your hands? I don't really give a rat's ass about this being the council's fault, or anything like that, to be honest." He said, a wicked grin forming on his face, as he clenched his right hand into a fist, a cold chill beginning to emit from his hand.

Hearing what the man said, caused Natsu to stop moving for a moment, his eyes being overshadowed and hidden by his hair, as he looked down at his feet. He could feel the anger bubbling up within him, the resentment towards this man, towards the council, building up into a condensed ball of rage, just waiting to be popped. "Fine. You want a fight?" Natsu muttered, his words laced with seething anger, as he looked up at the unnamed Wizard Saint. "I'll give you one." He said, with an ominous look in his eyes.

"Good! I like that look in your eyes, let's do th-!" The man was cut off, a pained gasp leaving his lips alongside a torrent of saliva, and even some blood, as he felt a fist firmly lodged into his stomach; his body being kicked up into the air, as a result of the force behind the punch. "You little shi-" he choked out, as he prepared to counterattack. Raising both his fists above his head, he'd clutch them together, cold energy forming into the shape of a mallet, as he swung them downwards onto his opponent.

Much to his surprise, the pink-haired boy would simply raise his left hand, catching the freezing mallet with ease, as flames began to engulf his left hand, melting through his ice magic in moments. Before he could think to try another counter attack, he'd feel the boys fist removing itself from his stomach, only to be replaced by a rapid kick, sending him flying backwards and skidding to a halt.

"You little shit! I'll fucking kill you!" The Wizard Saint shouted, as he got into position, his legs spreading to even his balance, as large amounts of ice began to spread around his body, covering his hands and feet in gauntlets of the material, while his chest was given icy armor. Let's see how you like my Armor of Agathys, you little shit!" The Wizard Saint shouted, with unearned confidence.

"Armor is only useful if I hit it." Natsu muttered, with that same ominous look as before. Vanishing in a burst of flames, Natsu quickly reappeared above the man, as his left hand outstretched and grabbed the Wizard Saint by the face, one part of his body that was left unprotected. Using the moment of his fast movement, Natsu quickly pushed the back off his feet, despite his solid stance, and smashed him into the concrete, head first, causing a large crater to form under his collapsed body.

Not wasting any time, the Wizard Saint held up one of his gauntleted hands, as a blade of ice shot out of the side of his ice gauntlet, piercing Natsu's stomach, adding another wound to the already injured boy. Following this up with a shove with his other hand, he'd get Natsu off of himself, quickly getting up and out of the mini crater, as he stared at the pink-haired boy, with his back to the entrance of the magic council. "Tch. This isn't over, you bra-!?" He was cut off, watching as Natsu's body engulfed in fire, cauterizing his newly acquired wound instantly.

"Fine. If you want to play like that, we can." Natsu stated, with a grimace. He would lower his stance, holding his right hand balled up into a fist at his side, as it began to ignite with densely packed orangish-red fire. "Shit… I think he opened up a wound from earlier. I've got to end this." Natsu thought to himself, feeling his left leg shaking particularly violently. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Supernova!" Natsu chanted, before shooting forwards in a burst of speed, his fist finding it's home right back against the Wizards Saint stomach, just like before. As his fist collided with the Wizard Saints stomach, the flames would shoot outwards in the shape of a miniature sphere, forcing the Wizard Saint to fly along the same trajectory, as the ball of fire stayed firmly lodged against his chest. After reaching the doorstep of the council, the condensed fire would suddenly stop moving, fluctuating rapidly as if it were to burst at any moment. "...Sorry if you die from this, pal." Natsu muttered softly, as he turned around and walked back towards Ophelia. Just as he did so, the ball of flames exploded outwards in a violent explosion of multicolored fire, slightly resembling the shape of a star for a few moments, before dying down - the sound of the Wizards Saint body thudding against the floor being picked up audibly by Natsu.

Crouching down, he'd pick Ophelia up again, positioning her onto his back, once more, as he started his run again, going past the new crater with the, hopefully unconscious, Wizard Saint in the middle. As he entered the council building, Natsu looked around rapidly, noting the many Rune Knights who stood at the ready, waiting to engage him in a fight if they must.

Natsu would grit his teeth in annoyance, not seeing any way past the group of guards without fighting - something he didn't want to do. "Listen - we don't have to fight! All I need is to speak with the council, and I'd rather do it peacefully. Otherwise I have no qualms leaving you guys in a ditch, like I did with the Wizard Saint out there." Natsu growled, making unwavering eye contact with each of the Rune Knights that he could, for a few moments.

"He bested the 10th Saint!?"

"We'd be mincemeat for him.."

"He was barely even scratched by the Saint, I saw it myself!"

The Rune Knights shouted, shaking in fear, yet still holding their ground - something Natsu did respect, at the very least. Though the chattering amongst the guards was suddenly cut off, as a slightly older man walked forth, wearing more regal garments, still very much similar to that of a Rune Knights, however. He also had long tied up black hair, and a pair of glasses resting on top of his nose. "Everyone, quiet!" He shouted, making his way to the front, and looking at Natsu as he did. "Gran Doma has sent me to inform you that he's willing to hear you out, with whatever it is you have to say. However, it will only be you, his thought projection, myself, and a steward to record the proceedings. Are these terms satisfactory? Good." The man finished, not giving Natsu and time to respond, as he turned around and began walking back the way he came.

"Gran Doma? Good." Natsu thought to himself, as he began to follow the man in front of him, walking past the crowd of Rune Knights, who all still clearly feared him. "I'm sorry, Ophelia… I've made quite the ruckus this time, didn't I?" He thought to himself, with a sad smile, while walking down the stretch of hallway leading towards the council chamber.

Upon entering the room, he'd be met with a thin walkway leading to the center of the room, which was surrounded by 9 large pedestal like towars, the largest and most prominent being the one housing Gran Doma - or his thought projection, that was. "In the center." Lahar stated, which Natsu obliged. Walking into the center of the large circle, he'd notice who he assumed to be the scribe, holding a recording of Lacrima and ready to write physical copies of what all he heard. Behind him, blocking the entrance, was Lahar.

"What is your name?" Gran Doma booked from above, as he stared down at Natsu.

"Natsu Dragneel." Natsu replied, knowing from stories how these sorts of procedures usually go.

"Age?" Gran Doma boomed again.

"15." Natsu replied.

"Guild Affiliation?" Gran Doma asked.

"None. Independent mage." Natsu responded.

"Interesting…" Gran Doma stated, as he rubbed his large silver beard. "How is it that a 15 year old boy bested the 10th Wizard Saint, with next to no difficulty?" He asked, curiously.

"He was arrogant. Not only that, he threatened my friend - who, as you can see, is in no state to defend herself. I did what any good friend would do." Natsu responded, through gritted teeth.

"Yes, I see. Why is it that you're here? What has brought you barging into the council with an unconscious young lady?" Gran Doma asked.

"The Magic Council, is why." Natsu seethed, venomously. "Her and I, alongside two other friends, took an extermination quest of giant spiders in the Nyvalla woods, that was sent out by the council. What the request didn't state was that the woods was home to an incredibly powerful dark mage, who had an agreement WITH the council to let her do her work out in the woods, without disturbance from the council." Natsu growled, his anger rising again.

Hearing this, Gran Doma's eyes widened in disbelief, not having expected for this to be the reason why the young man barged in. Though he quickly hid his surprise, with resigned features. "I see. Have you told anyone about this?" He asked, with an edge.

"No. The only others who knew died at her hands. She tried to get me, but my friend blocked it, and I only got hit with the remnants of the blast. She's alive, but comatose." Natsu explained, with a pointed glare.

"I see." Gran Doma said. "Stop the recording Lacrima." He ordered, which the scribe complied with.

Hearing this, Natsu was instantly worried, getting ready to run in case the old man tried anything.

"I'll make you a deal, Natsu Dragneel. You tell no one of this. Not a soul. In kind, I'll drop any charges for destruction or damages you've caused here, and everything will be off the record. I'll also see to it that your friend receives the best treatment she can get, until she is awakened from her current state. I'll also put a bag on the Nyvalla woods, so anyone entering must be of S-Class or higher." Gran Doma stated, as he looked down at the mage.

"How political.." Natsu muttered, as he thought for a moment. "Fuck. I've really got no choice, do I?" He internally groaned, before nodding his head. "Fine. I accept your terms. But tell me - what's stopping me from telling the public, after my friend is back to good health?" Natsu agreed, before quickly asking a question before the chairman could leave.

Gran Doma would eye Natsu harshly, his eyes furrowed and pointed, like he was ready to attack. "If that were to happen… it would've been a waste of council resources and time, is all." He said crossedly.

"You fu-" Natsu bit back his tongue, before he lashed out. While he knew a threat when he heard one - he did have the chairman's word, as of now. "...I see." Natsu finally muttered, as he glared at Gran Doma's visage.

"Good. Now Lahar will escort you out. You best check on your wounds - they look harsh." Gran Doma said, his projection vanishing as an effective way to end the meeting.

Present day, Ultear's office.

"And that's that. Though the bastard's bar on the Nyvalla Woods was only for two years." Natsu scoffed, while he leaned up against the wall, next to the entrance to the office, with his arms crossed.

"That does explain a lot…" Ultear muttered, as she her her fingers interlocked, with her elbows on her desk. "How surprising, though. Whoever this dark mage is… Gran Doma wanted the council's knowledge of them hidden to an extreme." Ultear muttered to herself, seemingly lost in her own world.

"Yeah, about that.." Natsu said suddenly, grabbing Ultear's attention again. "You were apart of the council. Shouldn't you know all about her?" Natsu asked, as he raised an eyebrow.

Seeing where Natsu was coming from, Ultear would simply let out a sigh. "You'd think. Normally I would - but seeing as I wasn't informed, it means whatever deal was worked out - it was before I joined the council." Ultear explained, with a shake of her head. "No wonder the Nyvalla woods are so dangerous nowadays… I've just assumed there's been a large influx in Giant Spiders." Ultear murmured.

"I wish. But nothing is ever that simple - now is it?" Natsu said with a snicker, as he stopped leaning against the wall, standing up straight. "Anyways - I should probably head out. I've got to check up on that lead that I've mentioned." Natsu stated, as he turned and went towards the door.

"Wait, Natsu!" Ultear called out, catching the pink-haired mage's attention.

"I swear to all that is holy if you're just trying to flirt with me I'll-" Natsu paused mid-sentence, just as he turned away from the door and saw Ultear, who had a genuine worried expression on her face. "Yeah, Ultear?" He suddenly asked, his voice more gentle than usual with the black-haired woman.

"Sorry - it's just… are you sure you don't want help on this lead? You've been running yourself ragged." First you got hurt here, then immediately left to aid one of my mages - then immediately hunted down another Amalgamation, right after waking up from being injured by another - just to come here and hunt another?" She asked, with worry in her eyes.

"It's not like it was all done in one day, Ultear. There were breaks and such, while I was traveling and resting." Natsu argued, though his tone was still gentle.

"And on those resting days you trained until you fell unconscious, didn't you?" Ultear asked, a bit more firmly.

"Er- Well- uh-" Natsu stammered, scratching the back of his head sheepishly as he did so, not really being able to reply to that.

Ultear let out a sigh, as she hung her head low and shook her head, slightly. "What am I gonna do with you…" she said softly, before looking up with a smile. "Mira will be accompanying you, Natsu. I would send Kagura - but her and Erza are heading out for a different mission soon." Ultear said, with a smile.

"Ultear, I'm fine! You don't have to-" Before Natsu could finish his sentence, he'd see an ominous aura surrounding Ultear, as the room seemed to chill considerably.

"What was that, Natsu?" She asked sweetly - dangerously sweet, to be precise.

"...Fine." Natsu groaned, as he ran a hand through his hair. "Are you going to tell her, or will I?" Natsu asked.

"She already knows. I informed her this morning, before we even talked." Ultear said, with a chipper smile.

"Wha- you witch." Natsu muttered.

"Thank you! Now then, she'll be waiting downstairs, by the doors." Ultear said, as she stood up as well, stretching for a moment. "Once your back… let's head on a nice date, M'kay?" Ultear said with a giggle, as she walked around the desk and towards Natsu, giving a little peck on his cheek, as she pushed him out of the office, and shut the door.

Hearing this, Natsu would blush lightly, freezing in his tracks for just long enough to allow Ultear to do what she did, before he was outside the office. "Hey wait what!?" He shouted, as the door shut on him, causing the pink-haired man to groan. "Never a dull moment.." he said dejectedly, before turning around and walking back towards the entrance of the guild hall.

Natsu walked down the staircase from the second floor, seemingly deep in thought, before suddenly speaking out loud to himself. "... Man, what does she get out of teasing me so much?" He'd be lost in thought, unsure of what he was going to say when he saw Mira, next. "I think her and I hit it off fine… I hope so, at least. Last thing I need is to hunt an amalgamation with someone who hates me." Natsu groaned, as he got to the bottom of the stairs.

"There you are!"

A woman shouted, catching Natsu's attention. Looking up from his feet, he'd see Mira standing twenty or so feet away from him, with her left hand on her hips, and her right hand outstretched, pointing at him. She was wearing the same outfit as he last saw her in, a pair of short shorts, black thigh highs, and a dark purple crop top that had "Demon" on it.

"Kept me waiting long enough!" Mira huffed, as she crossed her arms and turned her head off to the side, her face sticking upwards with haughtiness.

Natsu just stared at her, his eyes unblinking as he looked towards Mira with a blank expression.

After not receiving a response from Natsu, she'd open her eyes, looking back towards him, only to notice the blank look on his face, as if he wasn't even acknowledging what she said. Something about how he eyed her down so intensely made Mira feel flustered, something that surprised her - seeing as people usually stare her down on a daily basis, due to her side gig. "H-hey! What's the deal-!?" Mira stammered out, as she tried to prevent herself from looking or getting embarrassed.

"Oh, sorry." Natsu said softly, as he scratched his cheek. "Your hair. I didn't realize last time I saw you - but it's really pretty." Natsu said, with no hint of embarrassment or bashfulness.

Upon hearing Natsu's compliment, Mira had to quickly turn around, and look away from Natsu in hopes of hiding the blush that crept up to her face. "Really Mira!? Men swoon over you every day - and yet him calling my HAIR pretty is too much!?" Mira internally screamed, as she heard Natsu speak from behind her.

"I'm sorry - is everything okay? How come you turned around?" Natsu asked, confusedly.

"He's so oblivious it's cute! Wait - did I just call him cute!?" Mira continued to scream internally, as she tried her best to calm down. Turning around, her face would only have the remnants of a blush still, as she swatted her hand around, trying to play it off. "Yeah, everything's fine! Just thought I was going to… ah.. Sneeze! yeah.. didn't want to accidentally sneeze on you. Hehe.." Mira trailed off lamely. "Sneeze? SNEEZE? I'm so pathetic." She groaned inwardly again.

"Huh. Makes sense." Natsu replied, with a shrug of his shoulders.

"HE BOUGHT IT!?" Mira thought.

"Anyways, sorry about keeping you waiting. Ultear didn't tell me you were going to be joining me, until a minute or two ago." Natsu said, with a sheepish smile, as he walked towards Mira. "Are you ready to head out?" He finally asked.

Nodding her head, Mira would turn back around - being the first one to open up the guild's doors, and walk out into the sunlight. "Don't worry about it. It makes sense - Ultear sorta dropped this on me last minute, as well." Mira said, as she began to walk down the front steps of the guild, only to stop in her tracks. "I guess I should let you lead, seeing as I don't know where I'm going… heh." Mira said, with a somewhat embarrassed smile.

Natsu would frown lightly, as he listened to Mira - feeling bad that she was just sorta forced into this situation. Though he would take the lead, walking just a few steps ahead of Mira, as he turned towards the left of the guild hall, walking down the street towards one of the city exists. "Ahhh- I'm sorry. You don't have to come if you don't want to." Natsu said, with an understanding smile.

"NO! Erm - I mean, it's okay! My brother and sister are out, so I don't have anything to do right now anyways." Mira caught herself, not actually wanting to leave the dragonslayers company.

"Ahhh that makes sense, I guess." Natsu replied, as they kept walking in an awkward silence.

Seconds turned to minutes, as the duo walked through the streets of Gracia. As each one passed, Mira couldn't help but feel more and more awkward - unsure of what to say or do, as she journeyed alongside the pink-haired man. "This is so awkward… What can I even say?" Mira thought to herself, until her eyes widened as she realized what to say.

"Hey, Natsu - you're a dragon slayer, so I'm assuming you're like Wendy, and was raised by a dragon… what were they like?" She asked, trying her best to remain casual.

At the mention of his dragon, Natsu seemingly perked right up - his head turning back towards Mira, as he kept walking forward. "My dragon? His name was Igneel! The Fire Dragon King - he was. Quite proud of it, too." Natsu laughed, as he looked back towards the road, and walked. "He was… a weirdo. At times he was a stubborn old man, the type who would scold kids for being too loud. The next - he was a profound philosopher, always imparting wisdom. Then at times he was really scary - mainly when we were training, though." Natsu said, with a fond smile. "He's who gave me this scarf. It's the only thing I have to remember him by, ever since he vanished. Well - one of the only things. I have my magic to remember him, bye, of course." Natsu said, with a smile.

Mira smiled softly at this, enjoying how the awkwardness melted almost instantly, as soon as she brought up his dragon. "Fire Dragon King? Does that make you the prince, then?" She asked, with a little laugh.

"Mm? Yeah. Though it's mostly a title, more than anything else." Natsu replied, with a smile. "Technically I would be royalty to other dragon slayers - but that's irrelevant. As far as I'm concerned, titles mean nothing." Natsu laughed, as they walked.

"What does that mean?" Mira asked, curiously.

"Hmm… how would the old man put it…" Natsu pondered, with one hand on his chin. "Are you Mirajane Strauss because you're The Demon of Mermaid Heel? Or are you The Demon of Mermaid Heel because you're Mirajane Strauss?" Natsu asked, cryptically.

Mira would just ponder for a moment, before responding. "You've lost me." She said, with an embarrassed laugh.

"Don't worry, I've lost myself too. Igneel would say something like that to me when I was younger - never fully understood it though, hah." Natsu laughed, as they kept walking. "Titles are just nicknames, really. Prince, King, Queen, it's all just words. Actions - that's what matters to me." Natsu said, with a smile.

Mira would smile at this, as she nodded her head. "I can agree to that, Natsu." She said, with a soft smile. "Oh! So - where exactly are we going, Natsu?" Mira finally asked, with an embarrassed smile.

"There's a village not far from here, called Twin Rock. I'm assuming you've heard of it?" Natsu asked.

"Oh, yeah. We do jobs there, not too infrequently." Mira responded.

"Right. I've heard rumors about an Amalgamation being spotted around the area - so I figured I'd stop by the village, and ask the locals." Natsu said, with a smile.

"Right, makes sense. It's been a while since I've personally been there - I wonder if Old Man Earl is still in charge." Mira pondered, with a smile.

"Old Man Earl?" Natsu responded, with a curious quirk of his eyebrow.

"He's an interesting guy - a bit of a disgusting old man, but he's kinda funny at least." Mira said with a sheepish smile, as the two walked out of Gracia Proper.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter! Thanks for all the continued support - until next time!