I made this chapter whilst listening to "Jujutsu Kaisen: Yuji's Rage Soundtrack". If you want to experience the same feeling I went through whilst making this chapter then put it on in the background whilst you read this chapter.
If not, you don't need to. Just want to be immersive. :)
"Don't you…" Mafia Natsu gritted his teeth so hard, his lips rose up to even show his gums."Look down on me…!" Mafia Natsu hunched his back up, raging red flames flared around him in an erratic manner.
"Mafie, wait-." Natsu exclaimed.
With all Mafia Natsu's strength and a giant push of magic energy, Mafia Natsu launched off his feet and charged towards EL DRAGÓN who noticed the rise in magic energy and turned around, but only fast enough to block his face. "Shi-!"
Mafia Natsu shoved both his fists into EL DRAGÓN's stomach, his abs crunching under the pressure, EL DRAGÓN held his breath but coughed out heavily, the impact sent him flying towards the building Afro and Cowboy Natsu stood on.
"Uh-oh." Afro Natsu propelled himself away from the incoming danger with his flames.
"Wo-Ho-Ho!" Cowboy Natsu took out his flaming whip and hooked the end of it on a pole in which he swung himself away from the flying Wrestler who slammed into the building.
EL DRAGÓN grunted as his body flew through the brick walls, his frail body gasping for air every time he smashed into a new building until he landed in a makeshift fountain/playground, slamming into the fountain as an exploding pillar debris rose above the buildings.
It was the only thing visible from where the main plaza was.
EL DRAGÓN lifted himself up before he heard the echoes of Mafia Natsu's rage from the plaza.
"F*ck you! You little bastard!" A glimmer of red light brightened in his line of sight as the ground rumbled and a giant pool of flames shot towards him, obliterating everything in its path and smashing into the building and rushing throughout the rest of the town like an unstoppable tidal wave.
"Oh shi-" EL DRAGÓN said before a twinkle of light burst into a giant flame ball, black smoke replacing the flames and rising to the sky from where EL DRAGÓN lay.
At the plaza, Mafia Natsu heaved and sighed heavily. "Try… posing after that…" Mafia Natsu grumbled as he tried to grasp for air, the remains of his flames billowing around him.
"We are here! What was that?!" Natsumi appeared upon a building in a large purple and black leopard-printed Garrick coat that dragged on the floor behind her, a bush of white fur sat on the collar of the coat as she held a golden cane in her right hand.
Mafia Natsu and Natsu glanced in the direction of Natsumi who hopped off the building and the crowd began to cheer.
"Looks like ¡EL DRAGÓN! is down for the count… and what's this? New contestants have entered the arena!" Cowboy Natsu squinted his eyes at Natsumi.
"Yow! Ain't she a hottie!" Afro Natsu clicked his fingers at the sight of Natsumi.
"Mmm~ New meat!" Murder Pink Natsu pressed his thumb against his bottom lip.
Natsumi, unaware of the crowd and the new set of Natsu's, swung her cane before coming to a complete stop.
"What are you wearing?" Natsu glanced up and down at Natsumi's attire.
"It's my boss outfit, it shows people that I lead the team!" Natsumi smiled from ear to ear.
Natsu comically raised his fist and and lightly conked Natsumi on the head. "I'm the leader of the team, Natsumi. I deserve that coat if anything!"
Natsumi shook her head and head-butted him in retaliation. "Get your own, jerk!"
"Can you two refrain from NOT getting in a scuffle right now?!" Mafia Natsu barked back at the two.
Shaking her head, Natsumi asked. "So, did you guys find the food yet-."
"We've been trying to find our way around, but then we ran into these fakers." Natsu pointed at alternate versions of himself on the other side of the ring. He glanced around. "Where's Rockie?"
Suddenly, a large cry followed by the sound of a fireball soaring through the sky came rocketing down behind Natsumi and landed between her and Natsu, in which Rockstar popped up with a strand of his hair that was on fire "Oof! Man, I need to get used to that."
"Oh, Rockie. How's it going?" Natsu glanced down at the teenager and raised a brow.
"Ugh, following Natsumi around is a pain. Now I know how Lucy and Erza feel when they are chasing me around." Rockstar rubbed the top of his head, putting out the flame. "And how are you doing? Find any food yet?"
"Nope!" Natsu grinned as he turned to the ring that Mafia Natsu stood on. "But we found this awesome challenge with these fakers, and if we win, we get a Key!"
"A key? Oh, right! To those new worlds, right?" Rockstar stood up out of his small crater with a giant grin, dusting himself off as he was now feeling fired up all of a sudden. He pulled at the strap that held his guitar case, shuffling it onto his back comfortably once more. "So, Mafie is taking the helm on this one?"
Natsu pounded his fists together. "Up until he taps out."
"I'm not tapping out." Mafia Natsu exclaimed from the ring, barely turning around to face them.
"This is awesome, guys!" Rockstar happily took a step forward. "If we beat these guys, we'll be making some good headway. Lucky is going to be happy to hear this!"
Natsumi pouted. "Soooo, no food then?"
Rockstar turned to her and comically karate-chopped the top of her head, smushing her head like a pancake. "Forget the food. The key is the important one, Natsumi."
Just then, a giant gust of wind parted the black smoke near the fountain. The booming sound reached those in the plaza as the rushing air above them descended sharply, and EL DRAGÓN landed on both feet in the ring once more. The mat erupted with a loud crash but somehow remained stable under the force of his impact.
Mafia Natsu grunted, glaring daggers, while Natsu's grin stretched from ear to ear. The crowd roared with excitement, chanting EL DRAGÓN's name over and over. Their stomping grew thunderous, echoing through the main plaza. Even Cowboy and Afro Natsu stood silent, watching intently from their new positions, which threw Mafia Natsu off just a little.
EL DRAGÓN, battered and bruised, was riddled with scratches, and his spandex outfit was torn in multiple places, the left shoulder hanging loosely. He spat a blotch of blood from his mouth, his fierce glare locked onto Mafia Natsu.
"No estás tan mal, amigo. Lo siento por asumir que eras débil," EL DRAGÓN said, even with his frail form, his voice was gravelly but resolute, forcing the others to perceive differently of him.
"Wha?" Natsumi and Rockstar tilted their heads at his words.
Natsu turned to Mafia Natsu. "What did he say this time?"
"He said he apologises for assuming I couldn't lay a hand on him." Mafia Natsu replied nonchalantly, his tone tinged with annoyance as he didn't even bother to face the others, just keeping his eyes on the Wrestler and his comrades outside of the ring.
"Wait, you understand Spanish?" Rockstar asked, tilting his head at Mafia Natsu with a raised brow.
"You don't?" Mafia Natsu turned slightly, raising a skeptical brow.
"What's a Spanish?" Natsu chimed in, scratching his head, his curiosity genuine.
Rockstar's jaw dropped. "You don't know what Spanish is?"
"Is it something you can eat?" Natsumi asked innocently, still rubbing the top of her head where Rockstar had hit her.
"It's a language!" Rockstar threw his hands up in slight frustration. "How do you guys not get this?"
"Ohhhhh." Natsu nodded, then leaned closer to Rockstar, whispering loudly. "Is it like that fancy talk Erza uses when she's mad?"
"No, that's just Erza being Erza," Rockstar groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Spanish is—"
"Who cares about Spatula?" Natsumi interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. "We're in the middle of a fight!"
"It's Spanish!" Rockstar barked back, his exasperation growing.
Mafia Natsu sighed and turned away. "Idiots. All of you."
"Hey, I'm not an idiot!" Natsu retorted with a pout. "I'm just—wait, is Spatula food too?!"
Rockstar facepalmed, dragging his hands across his face before yelling loudly from the two's silliness.
He didn't know whether they were incredibly oblivious or plain stupid.
Meanwhile, EL DRAGÓN cracked his knuckles, watching the bizarre exchange with a mix of confusion and amusement. "¿Qué clase de locura es esta…?" He grunted under his breath, shaking his head.
"Tell me about it, it's like running around with kids…" Mafia Natsu rolled his eyes, agreeing with EL DRAGÓN.
"Is that your way of coping with your old age, Mafie?" Rockstar smugly said.
Mafia Natsu swerved around to glance at Rockstar this time. "Old? I'm only 34…"
"Only? That's old." Rockstar snickered.
"You're an old man, Mafie?" Natsu chimed in, also curious of Mafia Natsu's age.
"Where's your grey hair, you faker?!" Natsumi pointed at Mafia Natsu who was completely dumbfounded at this point.
"After all of this is done, I swear I'm going to bury you all before I leave…" Mafie Natsu turned back around and muttered.
"We heard that!" Natsu and Natsumi cheerfully said.
"Oh, screw you!" Mafia Natsu growled in response.
"TIME FOR ROUND 2! EL DRAGÓN, YOU READY! YEAH, YOU'RE READY!" The Hedgehog said with rage, turning to Mafia Natsu. "WHAT ABOUT YOU, OLD MAN! YEAH, YOU ARE! NOW, I WANT TO SEE BLOOD, AND MORE BLOOD, NOW FIGHT!"
On cue, Mafia Natsu and EL DRAGÓN clashed against one another, their fingers locking with each other as they battled for domination, pushing each other back as they struggled for control. EL DRAGÓN grinned, his body flaring with a golden glow.
"DRAGON-WRANGLER TECHNIQUE: WING STORM!" EL DRAGÓN took a solid step back, twisting his and Mafia Natsu's hands before he began to twirl and spin Mafia Natsu around. A flaring storm of fiery wind erupted around them before EL DRAGÓN let go and flung Mafia Natsu high into the air.
Mafia Natsu grunted as he spun around in the air, and once he got his bearings, he took a good look at Cowboy, Afro, and Murder Pink Natsu who were simply watching now whilst the crowd still cheered. Before Mafia Natsu could even ponder on it more, he was charged at by Wrestler Natsu who attacked first with a head-butt which sent Mafia Natsu higher with no way to control his flipping, he managed to figure himself out and face the Wrestler once more.
"Enough of this!" Mafia Natsu growled.
The two clashed, their fists moving like streaks of fire and lightning, each strike aimed squarely for the other's face. The crowd, both real and imaginary, roared with anticipation as every blow was met with a sharp block or an expert dodge. The sheer force of their punches created shockwaves, the ground beneath the ring trembling slightly with every impact.
"Go, Mafie!" Rockstar shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth for extra volume. He turned to Natsu and Natsumi, his grin faltering slightly as he noticed their expressions. "Mafie just might win this, huh?"
"No," Natsumi said, her usually cheerful tone replaced by one of quiet gravity. She crossed her arms, her gaze fixed on the ring.
Beside her, Natsu mirrored her stance, his brow furrowed. "Mafie's running low on magic…"
In the ring, Wrestler Natsu suddenly drove a vicious knee into Mafia Natsu's side, the impact landing with a sickening thud. Mafia Natsu staggered, a grunt of pain escaping him as he clenched his teeth, his ribs flaring with sharp agony.
"Sh*t!" Mafia Natsu hissed, his breath coming in short gasps as he felt the momentum from the last impact start to wear off. "That hurt more than the last one—damn it!"
Wrestler Natsu tightened his grip on Mafia Natsu as they began to hurtle toward the mat below.
The air roared around them, whipping wildly as the two spiraled in their steep descent. Mafia Natsu twisted his body and threw a desperate elbow, aiming to break free from their entanglement, but Wrestler Natsu anticipated the move and shifted his weight, maneuvering out of the way. With a predator's precision, Wrestler Natsu wrapped his thin arms around Mafia Natsu from behind, locking him in a crushing grip despite his thin form.
"He's got him now, folks!" Afro Natsu shouted, leaning forward in his seat, the tension electrifying.
Wrestler Natsu let out a guttural roar, the veins in his muscles bulging as his scaled arms locked tighter around his opponent. "You're not going anywhere!" He growled through his fanged grin.
As the two plummeted toward the mat, Cowboy Natsu sprang to life on the mic, his voice booming with excitement:
"LOOK OUT, Y'ALL! EL DRAGÓN IS GOIN' FOR HIS SIGNATURE MOVE! IT'S THE DRAGON-SPIRAL SUPLEX!"
The imaginary crowd erupted in roaring cheers and gasps, the name of the move igniting the air with anticipation.
Afro Natsu slapped his forehead. "No way! If that lands, the self-proclaiming Mafie is done for!"
Murder Pink let out a dark chuckle. "Oh, this is gonna be fun."
Meanwhile, Mafia Natsu struggled against Wrestler Natsu's iron grip, his teeth gritting as his eyes darted around. He knew the stakes, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on him as much as Wrestler Natsu's arms.
"I'm not going down like this!" He thought, his flames flickering weakly as he tried to summon any remaining strength.
But Wrestler Natsu's movements were too precise, his grip too powerful. As they neared the mat, Wrestler Natsu twisted his body in mid-air, accelerating their descent and aligning Mafia Natsu's back perfectly with the canvas below.
"AND THERE IT IS!" Cowboy Natsu hollered. "THE DRAGON-SPIRAL SUPLEX IN FULL EFFECT! THAT MAT'S GONNA FEEL LIKE A VOLCANO ERUPTIN' UNDER THEM!"
The two slammed into the mat with an earth-shaking BOOM, the impact sending shockwaves through the ring. Etherion sparks crackled along the edges of the ropes, and the crowd's deafening roar seemed to shake the entire multiverse. Dust and debris shot into the air as Mafia Natsu's body crumpled under the force of the devastating move.
"MAFIE!" Natsumi let out a deafening cry as she ran towards the edge of the ring.
Natsu gritted his teeth.
Afro Natsu covered his mouth in shock. "Sweet Etherion... he might've snapped him in two!"
Rockstar Natsu clutched his head. "M-Mafie! Come on, get up!"
Natsu and Natsumi stood still, their faces grim as they watched Mafia Natsu's motionless form in the center of the ring.
Cowboy Natsu's voice lowered, dripping with faux concern for dramatic effect. "Well, folks, I reckon we just witnessed the power of EL DRAGÓN. But can Mafia Natsu rise from the ashes, or is this the end of the line for him?"
But he didn't falter for long.
With a growl of determination, Mafia Natsu rose to his feet once more, his eyes blank. He blinked and his pupils returned, he tiredly trudged towards Wrestler Natsu, gritting his teeth as he drew his fist back and ignited it with a dim, flickering flame.
"IT LOOKS LIKE MAFIE IS UP AGAIN, FOLKS!" Cowboy Natsu exclaimed, tightening his hand around his mic. The crowd lightly cheered, happy that the fight would continue one.
Mafia Natsu could feel himself nodding off, his head was buzzing, but too much was on the line. The light of his flames were faint, a clear sign of his diminishing reserves, but his resolve burned brightly. He rushed at the Wrestler, and thrust the flaming punch into Wrestler Natsu's stomach with all his strength.
Wrestler Natsu doubled over for a brief moment, a strangled gag escaping him, but instead of collapsing, he straightened up with a chilling grin.
Mafia Natsu, his thoughts clouding his mouth. "Sh*t, nothing. How have I run out of magic this fast…?
Wrestler Natsu's teeth gleamed menacingly as his lips curled into a smirk.
"DRAGON-WRANGLER TECHNIQUE…" Wrestler Natsu's voice boomed, resonating across the plaza as if the entire world had gone silent just to hear him.
Mafia Natsu's eyes narrowed, his brows furrowed in confusion and unease. "What the hell…?"
"… FORCE OF THE… FIRE DRAGON!" Wrestler Natsu roared, the final words carrying an almost primal intensity.
A deafening rumble shook the ring as Wrestler Natsu began to transform. His muscles swelled, his veins bulging and glowing with molten red energy. Mafia Natsu's fist was still embedded in his opponent's abdomen, but now it was being swallowed up by the growing mass of muscle and scale. With a growl, Wrestler Natsu's hair grew out, running down his back like a mane of flames, while his skin shifted and cracked, giving way to shimmering scales that glinted like embers. His teeth elongated into razor-sharp fangs, and his nails grew into deadly claws.
Above the ring, the sky darkened unnaturally, lightning crackling ominously as though the heavens themselves were reacting to this surge of power. A whirlwind of heat and raw energy spiralled around Wrestler Natsu, forcing everyone in the plaza to shield their faces from the intensity.
"W-What the hell is happening?" Rockstar yelped, stumbling backward and landing on his rear as the overwhelming force of Wrestler Natsu's transformation pressed down on him like a weight.
"Hold on, folks!" Cowboy Natsu's voice broke through the chaos, though it wavered slightly. "Looks like EL DRAGÓN is… uh, turning into something… or something…" His confusion was evident, and the microphone barely masked the nervous tremor in his tone.
Afro Natsu stood rooted to the spot, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Damn," He muttered under his breath, his usually calm demeanour giving way to visible shock.
Murder Pink Natsu and Hedgehog Natsu, on the other hand, exchanged knowing smirks, clearly unshaken by the display. Their eyes glimmered with amusement, as if this spectacle was nothing more than a warm-up for what they've seen in their own universes.
Main Natsu's group, however, reacted differently. Natsumi's lips parted slightly, her gaze locked on the scene before her. "Dragon Force," She whispered, her voice almost lost in the moment of the roaring winds and cheering spectators.
"Dragon what?" Rockstar stammered, glancing up at her. His voice trembled slightly, betraying the fear creeping into his usually cheerful demeanour.
"Dragon Force," Natsu repeated, his voice steadier this time but tinged with uneasiness. "It's the pinnacle of Dragon Slayer magic. A form to tap into the full capabilities of a Dragon."
Rockstar's eyes widened further, his fear now fully evident. "And… Mafie's going up against that?! He just learned how to use magic?!"
In the ring, Mafia Natsu stood his ground, though his jaw was clenched tightly, and his fists trembled. The sheer magic energy radiating from Wrestler Natsu was like nothing he'd ever faced before. His mind raced as he calculated his next move, but deep down, he knew this fight had just taken a perilous turn.
"Mafie," Natsu muttered under his breath, his usual carefree tone replaced by one of genuine concern. He ignited his fists and proceeded to take a step forward but Murder Pink jumped in front of the male Dragon Slayer and was locked in a stare down with Natsu.
"Now, now sweetie~ I'm sure you are a respecter of a 1-on-1 battle," Murder Pink blinked one eye at Natsu who stared up at the large man.
The crowd's chant of "EL DRAGÓN!" rose to a deafening cry, drowning out all other sounds. Wrestler Natsu, now fully transformed, let out a thunderous roar, his fiery aura surging outward in a wave that shook the ring to its very core.
Mafia Natsu took a deep breath, sweat forming on his brow and forcing a smirk onto his face. Even though he wasn't very familiar with all this magic stuff, he knew from the little that he has learned that it is a powerful tool - a tool that many have had the pleasure of knowing before him.
"Heh… I can't stop shaking…" Mafia Natsu thought as his body shuddered beneath the massive Wrestler and his enormous power. He gritted his teeth. "… Not now though, I can't. Just because they have magic, doesn't mean I'm going to stop fighting…"
He's handled many adversaries before Wrestler Natsu, some even having hands as big as his head, yet he stood up.
"I'm…" Mafia Natsu thought more as he forced himself to look into the eyes of the newly transformed Wrestler. "…Natsu Dragneel, an Underworld General second… and a father and husband firstly…"
"So what?" He grinned to himself, tightening his fists. "Because you've gotten bigger, you think I can't knock you down a peg! I'm not going home without my princess…!"
Mafia Natsu ignited his fist once more, a heavy breath of steam leaving his mouth. "Without MY DAUGHTER?!"
Mafia Natsu threw another ignited fist which Wrestler Natsu caught his fist of slight fury and smirked. "Hablar es barato, amigo."
Mafia Natsu grit his teeth, an undeniable form of frustration grew on his face as if he was about to explode with tears. "Why do you all feel…. like… you can LOOK DOWN ON-" Before Mafia Natsu could finish, he was met with a deafening punch which seemed like nothing but felt like a thousand speed cars hitting him at once. Mafia Natsu's jaw shifted, vibrating his entire skull with a thundering boom before he went flying from the impact. A sonic boom was heard as rushing air dispersed from the attack, sending a cry of wind through everyone in the plaza's ears.
"MAFIE!?" Natsu, Natsumi, and Rockstar cried out as Mafia Natsu tumbled across the roof of buildings and crashed through Etherion pillars like they were wooden barriers.
"HOLY SMOKES, FOLKS! EL DRAGÓN'S PUNCH SENT MAFIE FLYIN' INTO THE STRATOSPHERE! I AIN'T NEVER SEEN A POOR LAD GO THAT FAR!" Cowboy Natsu cried into his mic, laughter echoing in his voice as the crowd continued to cheer and cry out EL DRAGÓN'S name.
As Mafia Natsu's body bounced and crumbled across the ground, the world went blank and white around him for a while.
His thoughts wondering, his moments with his family drifting and running across his empty eyes, his beautiful wife's smile, the confirmation she said when he asked her to marry him. And then the face of his greatest joy…
Nashi. Her birth made all that Natsu did, worth it. His memory brought up her tearful face when the Deviant attacked and he couldn't help but grit his teeth in anger and…
Sadness.
"Nashi…" Mafia Natsu thought to himself, his hand reaching up to touch her, to hold her once more. "My sweet… little girl. Don't cry… please just wait for me… Wait for Daddy…"
"I.. I will save you- I promise…" Mafia Natsu's body flung through the air like a forgotten doll, the world going white around him as his eyes rolled to the back of his head and darkness enveloped him.
Meanwhile, during his inevitable flight, the area where he would land, was near where Hitman Natsu and Lucky were, the two making their way to the ring to meet up with the others.
"We should be close, but we must hurry if we want to aid the others!" Lucky said as they ran ahead with Hitman Natsu in tow.
"No need for us to rush now. Weren't you the one who was telling us all that the Main Natsu is the strongest?" Hitman Natsu ran behind Lucky, a grin present on his face.
"That does not mean that we won't run into complicated versions of yourselves, we are not sure of the kind of dangers that lurk in this Event." Lucky continued to run ahead.
"Yourselves?" Hitman Natsu repeated, hoping for Lucky to repeat.
Lucky remained silent before the rush of air came from ahead of them, they looked to the sky to see a figure rushing above them and crashing down into an Etherion Pillar near the entrance where they all came from. Clouds of dust bursting out along with rushing debris enveloped the two as they came to inspect the area.
"Was that a rocket?!" Hitman Natsu swiped at the collection of dust that ran from where the crash site was.
Lucky glanced in the direction of where the projectile came from."Whatever it was, came from where Mafie and Natsu went."
"You remembered where they went, huh? Glad we have someone who is thinking on this team." The two approached the landing site to see nothing but dust and rubble, Hitman Natsu grunted at it all. "God, whatever that was, really tore up this place badly."
Lucky went deeper and gasped a little, in which Hitman Natsu joined their side, raising his brows at the scene before them.
Mafia Natsu lay broken, destroyed, and unconscious. His white shirt was torn to smithereens, along with his dark blue trousers and his eyes opened wide, welcoming his blank irises and blood running down from his head.
"What a shame. Someone got to him before I did." Hitman Natsu smirked.
"Stop." Lucky casually said before bending down to feel Mafia Natsu's pulse. They remained still for a moment before helping to shift Mafia Natsu's body into a more comfortable position. "Faint… but his injuries are dire. Please. Hurry towards the plaza to check on Natsu and the others."
"And you?" Hitman Natsu turned around, already making his way.
"I will remain with Mafie, I want to make sure Natsu can get all the help he needs. If our enemies are this strong, we are unsure of whether Natsu can handle them or not." Lucky said with certainty. Lucky's words hung heavy in the air as Hitman Natsu shot a glance back, his brows furrowed in thought for only a moment before he nodded. Without a word, he sped off towards the plaza, leaving Lucky alone to tend to Mafia Natsu.
Meanwhile at the ring, chaos erupted, half of the crowd erupted into mocking laughter and jeers at Mafia Natsu's defeated state, their voices merging into a cacophony of ridicule that filled the air.
The other half jeered loudly, their disdain cutting through any semblance of sympathy.
"Well, well, that was pathetic!" Cowboy Natsu drawled, tipping his hat back as he leaned against the ropes of the ring with an exaggerated grin plastered across his face. "The big, bad Mafia boss didn't even land a proper punch. Looked more like a sack of potatoes than a fighter out there." He chuckled, his voice dripping with scorn.
Afro Natsu, standing nearby, laughed along, slapping his knee as though the entire scene were a comedic spectacle. "For real! Did you see how he went down? That little tantrum he threw about his daughter? What a waste! El Dragón didn't even sweat putting him in his place." Afro Natsu turned to Cowboy Natsu with a grin. "Bet he thought he was gonna be the hero. What was it again? 'I'm not going home without my princess!'" His tone was mocking, and the crowd roared with laughter, feeding off his words.
Cowboy Natsu barked another laugh and adjusted his hat, pointing toward where Mafia Natsu had been flung. "Guess what, partner? Home ain't lookin' too likely for him! Maybe next time he'll stick to pickin' fights with folks his own size—if he can even find 'em, that is!"
The crowd's roars grew louder, taking on a taunting, almost cruel edge. Every shout and jeer felt like a nail being driven into the collective pride of Natsu, Natsumi, and Rockstar Natsu, who all stood motionless in the ring.
Rockstar Natsu glanced nervously between the mocking crowd and the two laughing versions of themselves. His knees felt weak, and his hands trembled as he gripped the neck of his guitar like a lifeline. "This isn't good," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible amidst the raucous crowd. "We've already lost Mafie, and now it's just us three. How are we supposed to… to win against that monster?"
Natsumi stood silent, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Her body trembled, not from fear, but from the sheer effort it took to keep herself in check. Her jaw tightened, her fiery gaze fixed firmly on Cowboy and Afro Natsu, though she said nothing.
Natsu, however, was deathly still. His fists hung at his sides, his knuckles turning white as his nails bit into his palms. His head was bowed, strands of his pink hair casting shadows over his face, hiding the expression that was slowly contorting with rage.
The mocking voices of Cowboy and Afro Natsu continued to roll through the air like thunderclouds, each word fueling the inferno building within him.
"Did'ja see how he went flyin'? Like a ragdoll caught in a tornado!" Cowboy Natsu wheezed between laughs, slapping the turnbuckle. "If that's the best the Firebrand team's got, y'all might as well pack it up now!"
Afro Natsu grinned wide, feeding off the energy of the jeering crowd. "Right? Might as well throw in the towel and save yourself the embarrassment, 'cause El Dragón's just getting started!"
Without warning, a wave of intense heat surged through the ring, silencing the crowd for a brief, stunned moment. All eyes turned to Main Natsu, who slowly raised his head. His onyx eyes were no longer warm or playful; they were darkened with an unbridled fury that burned hotter than the sun itself. Flames licked at his feet, curling around his body and intensifying with every passing second.
Cowboy Natsu's grin faltered, and he stepped back slightly, though he quickly tried to mask his unease. "Well now, looks like someone's mad. What's the matter, buckaroo? Can't take a joke?"
Natsu didn't reply. His silence was deafening, his rage unfiltered. The flames around him erupted, spiraling upward in a roaring column of fire that cast a blazing glow across the arena. The heat was suffocating, forcing Cowboy Natsu and Afro Natsu to shield their faces as sweat dripped down their brows.
Murder Pink and Hedgehog Natsu took an instinctive step back, not even meaning to do so whilst Wrestler Natsu
Natsumi took a cautious step closer to Natsu, her voice low and firm. "Natsu...?"
But Natsu didn't seem to hear her. His gaze was locked on Cowboy Natsu, his eyes filled with a fiery promise of retribution. The air itself seemed to tremble under the weight of his anger, and even the crowd, emboldened moments ago, began to quiet down, sensing the shift in the atmosphere.
For the first time since the fight began, Cowboy Natsu looked uneasy. "Well now, partner," he drawled, his voice strained as he adjusted his hat, "no need to get all fired up over a little fun. We were just messin' around, y'know?"
Natsu's response came not in words, but in action.
The flames around him surged once more, and with a thunderous roar, he took a step forward, his entire being radiating raw, unyielding power. The mocking laughter that had filled the air moments ago was gone, replaced by an oppressive silence as the Firebrand's fury began to blaze unchecked.
Natsumi turned away from Natsu, almost as if the two shared a knowing glance through Natsu's anger alone and glared ahead at the two announcers who slightly shivered. "I want the Cowboy and stupid hair guy."
"Hey! It ain't stupid!" Afro Natsu barked in defence as he backed away and patted his giant afro. "I-I mean…"
Rockstar stared at the two with confusion and slight fear at the rise of magic energy around them especially from Natsu who he glanced up at. "Natsu…"
"Just hang back, Rockie." Natsu said solemnly, speaking no more as he walked up to the center of the ring, each step heavy with intent. The ground beneath him cracked faintly, the sheer heat radiating from his body causing the very air to shimmer and distort around him. His eyes were fixed ahead, not on Cowboy Natsu or Afro Natsu, but on Wrestler Natsu—the one who had harmed and laughed at Mafia Natsu.
The roaring flames surrounding Natsu danced higher, their orange and gold hues, tearing at the Etherion ropes of the ring, the sound of them snapping and echoing throughout the plaza, an intensity that made even the mocking crowd silent.
Cowboy Natsu adjusted his hat nervously, trying to recover his swagger. "Well, shoot. Ain't this a pretty picture," He muttered, though his voice betrayed his unease. "But you're barkin' up the wrong tree if you think you're takin' on all of us."
Natsu didn't even spare him a glance.
His fury was no longer focused on their taunts but on the hunking figure that had fooled them with his slim figure earlier. Wrestler Natsu, still basking in the afterglow of his triumph, rolled his massive shoulders and cracked his knuckles, a smirk creeping across his face as he met Natsu's fiery gaze.
Wrestler Natsu flexed his enormous arms, the veins bulging against his skin, as if to remind everyone of the sheer physicality he brought to the fight. "Let's see if you can last longer than your little Mafia friend."
Rockstar Natsu winced at the mention of Mafia Natsu, glancing back toward the direction where their teammate had been flung. His hands gripped the neck of his guitar tightly, his fear evident in the way his knees trembled. "This isn't a fight we can win," He whispered, more to himself than anyone else. "We're outnumbered, outmatched… If Natsu, and if Natsumi goes down, that's it! We're done! I'm done!"
Natsumi, standing at the edge of the ring, didn't reply. Her sharp glare remained on Cowboy and Afro Natsu, but there was a quiet determination in her stance that Rockstar Natsu couldn't help but notice. "Just believe in us…" She said simply, not taking her eyes off the self-proclaimed announcers.
Natsu continued his deliberate march toward Wrestler Natsu, the heat intensifying with every step. His fiery aura flared again, sending a wave of blistering heat through the arena that made Wrestler Natsu's smirk widen ever so slightly. The mocking energy of the crowd had all but gone, replaced with a tense anticipation. Even Cowboy and Afro Natsu had fallen silent, retreating toward the edge of the ring, unwilling to be caught in the inevitable explosion of power.
As Natsu reached the center of the ring, he stopped, the flames around him swirling violently. For a long moment, he and Wrestler Natsu simply stared at one another, the weight of their gazes speaking louder than any words. Wrestler Natsu's grin returned, though it was tinged with unease, as he raised one hand and beckoned Natsu forward. "Come on, boy. Let's see what you've got."
Natsu didn't move, his fists clenched tightly at his sides as his flames roared higher, the fiery inferno reflecting in his darkened eyes. The entire arena seemed to hold its breath, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade.
Rockstar Natsu couldn't tear his eyes away from the scene. Despite his fear, he felt a strange sense of awe watching Natsu. The intensity of his presence, the determination etched into every line of his face—it was unlike anything Rockstar had ever seen. "Natsu…" He whispered again, this time with a hint of admiration.
Natsu's flames flared one last time, brighter and hotter than before, as he took another step forward. Wrestler Natsu matched him, stepping into the center of the ring. The two titans now stood face to face, their contrasting energies crackling in the air between them.
And as the crowd watched in stunned silence, it became clear that this wasn't just a fight. It was a clash of wills, a battle of raw determination against overwhelming strength.
TO BE CONTINUED