Chapter 53

Natsu vs Gildarts

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Magic"

Flashback

Location / Date / Time Skip

Route D

In an old tunnel growing with vines, Juvia and Lisanna cried out before landing on the rocks sticking out of the ground. "I don't understand, has she always been this strong?" The bluenette asked.

"Ever since I can remember, yeah." Lisanna nodded.

"Is that all you can do, Juvia?" Erza asked as she stood in green armor resembling scales. "You'll never become an S-class wizard with that strength."

"Thats her Sea Empress Armor." Lisanna explained. "It weakens all water magic based attacks."

Juvia clenched her fist before looking at Erza. "I will not lose!" She turned into water and snaked her way to Erza before she was sliced. "Water Slicer!" Reforming herself, she spun in the air and tried to hit the redhead only for spell to be deflected by Erza's sword.

The water mage landed as Lisanna turned her arms into wings and divedbombed her. "My turn!" She declared, only for Erza to stab her sword into the ground, flip over it, pull it out, and kick Lisanna out of the air. "I'm not done!" She jumped forward and turned herself into her rabbit form, only for Erza to jump over her.

"I'll admit you've improved, but you still need to work on timing and choice of forms." Erza said as rabbit Lisanna turned around.

"Hey, I like bunnies." The snowette defended herself.

'Wait, if i time myself with Lisanna's attacks, I can take Erza down.' Juvia thought.

"Okay, how about this?" Lisanna asked as she went harpy, only for Erza to move out of the way.

"Water Whip!" Juvia shouted before cracking a line of water at the redhead. Her eyes went wide as the armored girl sliced it apart and kicked both of her opponents away.

"Juvis, you really need to work on your battle tactics." Erza said. "Attacking me while I fight Lisanna is the most obvious strategy there is. Not to mention it failed. When first we met, you had a fire inside of you that was fueled by determination. So where is that fire now?"

Erza swung her sword and sent them both crashing backwards. Juvia looked up from her rock and stared at the red head. 'So this is the power of Fairy Tails S-Class wizards...'

Route C

Lucy floated in the water with a smile on her face. "Now this is what I needed."

"Can't believe you're already over heating." Cana said from the shore.

"Not my fault it's so hot here." The blonde replied.

"You know, we should move." Cana said with a sigh.

"Five more minutes..." Lucy replied.

"Is Natsu's stupidity rubbing off on you as well?" Cana asked.

"That's just mean." The blonde said. "I just don't want to leave yet."

Route A

Elfman and Evergreen stood on the beach shaking in fear. "You have got to be kidding me..." Elfman said.

"Our luck sucks." The girl said as a segmented tail hovered over the beach.

"Just because we're family doesn't mean I'm holding back." Mirajane, in her Satan form, said. "Got it?"

Route E

"I'm no good at holding back, so this should be quick." Gildarts said.

"Bring it on." Natsu smirked before watching Happy drag his gear away. "What are you doing, little buddy?"

"Just getting ready to go home." The cat creature replied.

"Have some confidence in me." The Slayer said, cracking his knuckles. "I'm the one with something to lose. I'm not gonna let up until he says 'uncle'."

"Uncle." Gildarts spoke.

"That's not how this game is played!" Natsu shouted before charging his opponent. "Let's do this, old man."

"Natsu, calm down a minute." Gildarts said. "I'm not ready to fight yet. Let me get myself ready, okay?"

"Natsu, stay away from him!" Happy shouted. "He can crush his opponents into nothing!"

Natsu ignored both warnings and slammed his burning fist into his opponent. Gildarts caught it and the action created a massive explosion. Gildarts then let go of the fist and blasted his magic through this open palm. The magic then faded, showing a crushed ground under where Natsu once was. "I told you I stink at holding back."

"That didn't mean you had to vaporize him!" Happy said on the verge of tears.

"Yeah right!" Natsu shouted from above before slamming his flaming knee into Gildarts.

The ground under them shattered and Happy noticed where Gildarts hands where. 'He broke the ground and used it as a cushion from the impact.'

Gildarts smirked as Natsu ignited his fists and started swinging them. Gildarts blocked before delivering an elbow to the jaw before backfisting Natsu and punching him in the head, sending him to the ground. Natsu spinaroonnied himself up before delivering a flaming kick, only for Gildarts to catch that.

'Natsu's so serious...' Happy thought as he watched Gildarts swing Natsu over his head in a circle. 'His face tells you that, but he's also smiling.'

Gildarts threw Natsu away from him as the pinkette opened his mouth. "Fire Dragon Roar!" Flames shout out of his mouth aimed at Gildarts.

He really has improved.' Gildarts thought as he held out his hand. 'You've done good Natsu, son of the dragon.' The flames broke apart into cubes before the grid pattern covered Natsu too. "Crap!" Natsu turned into dust leaving nothing behind. "Not again."

"How could you..." Happy asked crying. "You weren't supposed to kill him!"

"Calm down, he's not dead." Gildarts told the teary eyed tomcat. "It's not that kinda magic. Just look up." Happy did just that and found a torrent of chibi Natsu's falling from the sky. "Disassembly magic turns targets into smaller versions of themselves."

"There's so many of them!" Happy cried out as the little Natsu's started piling around him.

"He'll return to normal soon." Gildarts said. "But it looks like you failed your test. Time for you to turn around."

"Not so fast, Gildarts!" The little Natsu's shouted all out once before arguing amongst themselves.

"Make it stop!" Happy shouted terrified.

One suggested they all fight Gildarts and the mob agreed, making Gildarts chuckle. 'Well, this is a new one.'

Years Ago

Magnolia

Gildarts, still with all is body parts, walked through town before reaching his home. He dropped his bag and rolled h shoulder, unaware of the tiny danger above him. "I got you now!" The younger Natsu said as he dropped down. "Fire Dragon Sword Horn!" He landed a flaming headbut on Gildarts before landing.

"Not again." Gildarts complained, unfazed by the attack.

"I'm not letting you off the hook." Natsu said. "No just take your beating like a man."

"You're done for." The little baby Happy added.

"Kid, I just got home." The ace said. "Just give me some time to rest."

"Not happening!" Natsu shouted before jumping up. "Fire Dragon-" Gildarts beat him to the punch, literally, and knocked clean out of his house.

"Natsu!" Happy cried out as he flew after him.

"Did you attempt to knuckle battle Gildarts again?" Laki asked as she helped Natsu up, a huge lump on his head.

"You mean fight him?" Natsu asked, earning a nod. "Yeah... that guy is some kinda monster."

"You're gonna be fine, right?" Happy asked.

"Don't worry, I'm not done yet!" The pinkette declared.

Fairy Tail Guildhall

"Gildarts!" Natsu shouted as he marched over to the ace as he talked with Lisanna. "I'm not done with you!"

"Natsu, how are you?" Lisanna asked. Natsu ignored her and tried to punch Gildarts, only to get knocked through the floor.

"One-Hit K.O.!/ Instanttanius victory!" She and Happy said while Laki gave her own version of events.

"Don't you know to always say hello first?" The ace asked.

"H-hello." The Dragon Slayer mumbled.

"He's at it again, huh?" Elfman asked. "I thought he would have learned by now."

"Please, like he'll learn anything." Mirajane chuckled.

"He might not be the brightest bulb, but I think he's pretty brave." Erza said.

"You would think that about a loser, fire crotch." Mira said back, scaring Elfman.

"Say that again, you white haired hussy." Erza replied as the two butted heads.

"Stop think you're better than me or you'll be the youngest person with dentures." The goth girl growled back.

"So here's what happens after hello." Natsu chuckled before jumping. "Fire Dragon Talon On The Head!"

The attack landed and Gildarts spilled his drink. "Sneak attack!/Hit when he leasts expects it!" Lisanna and Laki respectively called out. Gildarts glanced at Natsu, anger in his eyes. "Scary!" All three shouted.

He then flicked his fingers and launched Natsu out of the hall. "Alright, let's take this outside." The ace chuckled as he stood up.

"That works for Natsu, since he's there's already." Happy pointed out.

"I call a temporary truce." Mirajane said as she and Erza kept fishhooking each other. "Their fight is gonna be way better than ours."

"No kidding, I have to see this." Erza nodded as the two raced outside.

"Everyone sure is excited about this." Gray chuckled.

"So you aren't going to watch?" Elfman asked.

"I didn't say that." He replied before looking over. "Yo, Cana. Wanna see this?"

"Nah, I'm good." The future drinker replied.

"Gray, put on some garments against the elements!" Laki shouted.

Outside the guild hall, Natsu repeatedly charged Gildarts only to get batted to the ground. Erza, Mirajane, Gray, and Elfman watched as Lisanna and Laki could only worry. "You haven't hit him once!" Happy said.

"I know that, Happy." He replied from the sand.

"Is that all you've got?" Gildarts asked.

"No, it's not." Natsu replied, standing up on spaghetti legs. "I know you're the strongest in the guild. But that's why I have to beat you. It'll happen..." He fell over, and the fight ended. "Someday."

"Fine, but don't expect me to hold back." The ace chuckled.

Present

Tenrou Island, Route E

The memory brought a smile to the aces face as the mob charged him. "Here we come, Gildarts!" They all shouted.

"The army of the Natsu's!" Happy shouted in a panic.

"Time for another round." Gildarts chuckled as he gripped his cape and repeatedly knocked the swarm back. Some jumped him from behind and managed to land on his face, pulling on his hair and mouth.

"Fire Dragon Roar!" The mob shouted before they blasted him with fire, adding up to a normal sized breath attack.

"Okay, this is annoying!" Gildarts shouted, knocking the chibis off him. "Let's get you back to normal!" He waved his hand and a vortex pulled the tiny Slayers off him. In a puff of smoke, Natsu reappeared his normal size.

"I got you now!" He cried out as he ignited his fists. "Dragon Slayer Secret Art -"

"Crap, he's close!" Gildarts mumbled.

"Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!" Natsu spun around and whipped flames around until they exploded in front of Gildarts. Happy was holding onto a rock for life as the air wave tried to blast him backwards.

The dust settled as Natsu panted to show Gildarts pushed back, his cape destroyed. "No!" Happy cried out. "That was your full power and you couldn't even scratch him! Nothing happened!"

"What do you mean 'nothing happened!'?" Natsu asked back. "Look closer. Old Gildarts tried to stand his ground, but my power pushed him backwards. Plus it ruined his cape!"

'He actually moved Gildarts?' Happyasked before replaying the fight. ' He's right. Gildarts didn't move an inch when the two got up close. Wait, Gildarts was beating him without moving!?'

Natsu chuckled as his legs started to give out under him. "Nice work, Natsu." Gildarts said. "Now I know just how strong you are. You might nit have beaten me, but I think you can move on to the next round."

"Not happening!" The pinkette shouted back. "If I can't beat you, then what's the point of becoming an S-Class!?"

"...Should have know you'd say something like that." Gildarts replied as the ground started shaking. "But let's hesr that again after I've gone all out." Natsu gasped as the magic he felt as Gildarts started to glow. "When your walk the path of magic, you must learn something to reach the top of it."

Pure white magic erupted out of the ground and encased Gildarts. "Allow me to show you." Natsu gasped in horror as the light burst out of the cave.

Route C

The whole island started shaking as Lucy and Cana changed out of their swimsuits. "What is that?" Lucy asked.

"Magic power, and a whole lot of it." The brunette replied.

Route E

Natsu started at the massive power befre steeling his nerves and charging forward. Gildarts merely flinched his eyes and Natsu stopped in his tracks, shaking in fear. He stepped back in a panic before dropping to his knees. Gildarts cut the power as tears started sweating in fear. "I... yield." He said

Gildarts smirked at the statement. "Excellent." He said. "I won't fault you for trying to stand up to me, but the ones who know when to step down are the bravest of all. Being afraid isn't evil, it just telling you your weaknesses. That way, you can become stronger and gentler. That is what it means to be an S-Class wizard. And now that you know, you pass."

Both Natsu and Happy gasped in shock. "But... but I lost." Natsu mumbled.

"So what?" Gildarts replied. "If I saw you pass, then you pass. Just know that things are gonna get a lot harder from now on. You know how the master can be. Have confidence in yourself. I'm talking to you as a friend and nit an adviser. Powerful magic isn't all that matters in this world. But I can respect your drive to win.

"That is something that's universal. It's a burning desire for victory, something that I share with you. I don't like losing. I'll face you again whenever you want. Now get out of here and turn S-Class." Natsu stayed on his hands and knees, crying as Happy walked over.

Off Tenrou Coast

Carla, Pantherlily, and Rose flew towards the massive island, a map in the hand of the first cat. "According to the map, that's Tenrou Island." The white cat said.

"Are you sure this is a good idea, Carla?" Rose asked, flying behind Pantherlily. "What if the master finds us?"

"All we're doing is looking around." She replied.

"Because you're concerned about Wendy." Pantherlily pointed out.

Carla growled at the statement. "I told her this was a bad idea, but she just ignored me and did it anyway!" Pantherlily shrugged as the white cat turned back to Rose. "I blame you for this. Your head strong nature is rubbing off on her."

One Week Ago

'The name is Mest Gryder." He said. "Mystogan taught me."

"No way, really?" Wendy asked, only for Mest to shot his head up.

"Mystogan would always talk to me about you." He said, his mouth open.

"What are you doing?" The bluenette asked.

"Finding out what fresh snow tastes like." He answered, moving his tongue around.

"My, aren't you quirky?" Carla asked.

"What do you say, will you help me?" He asked.

"Look at someone when you talk to them!" Carla shouted.

"Sorry." He said, snapping his head towards Wendy. "I kinda get lost when I learn something new. Please Wendy. With your powers, I know I can become an S-Class Wizard, like my teacher. Will you help me?"

"But I, I..." She mumbled.

"I can answer for her, no!" Carla shouted.

Mest stayed in silence before plopping into the river. "So this is what it's like to be in a river in the winter."

"This man is a lunatic! You cannot go with him!" Carla shouted.

"He doesn't seem like a bad person." Wendy replied. "And... if he really was Mystogan's student, I feel like I owe him this."

"Saving Edolas more than makes up for everything he did!" Carla shouted back.

"But everyone else helped too." The petite girl replied. "This is the only way I can pay him off."

"I said no!" Carla shouted.

Present

"Hey, maybe if you didn't coddle her, she wouldn't have felt the need to prove herself!" Rose shouted. "Besides, she felt like this was the right thing to do!"

"That is why you two haven't spoken in a week?" Pantherlily asked.

"Like I said, Rose is rubbing off on her." Carla replied. "But to be honest, I couldn't care who she teamed up with. I more concerned with the trial itself."

"Anither vision?" Rose asked.

"It's hard to tell. It's all chopped together." Carla answered.

"Personally, I think we need to focus on Mest." Pantherlily said, catching the female cats off guard. "He said he studied under Mystogan, but something about that seems off."

Combat Route

"Do you two deserve that confidence?" Mest asked Gray and Loke.

"They're coming." Wendy said as Loke charged them. Swinging his fist, he forced Mest and Wendy back.

"Sorry that I have to hurt you Wendy." Loke said.

"I'm not." Gray said before bringing his hands together. "Ice-Make: Hammer!" A mallet shot out and missed as Mest appeared behind Gray. Gray blocked it and punched him back.

"Sky Dragon Roar!" Wendy shouted before breathing out a tornado of wind. Loke countered by blasting a stream of light at it.

"Ice-Make: Floor!" Gray chanted as he froze the floor, making Wendy trip. Mest tried to kick him only to get nocked back. Loke launched forward to punch, only to crush the stalagmite behind the scarred man instead. Mest tried to attack from behind, only to get blinded by Loke and then shot by Gray's magic.

Wendy stood up to see Mest knocked out. "I told, I'm not sorry about this." Gray said.

Route A

Elfman and Evergreen stared at Mirajane before the brunette took off her glasses. "Try fighting as a stone statur!" She said, activating her stone eyes.

"That spell only works if I look at you." Mirajane said, taking to the sky.

"Good thing that's only one of my spells." Evergreen said, summoning her wings. "Fairy Machine Gun: Leprechaun!" She's launched a volley of dust balls at her opponent, only for Mirajane to throw a single dark bomb at her, sending Evergreen tumbling backwards.

"Evergreen!" Elfman called out as he turned to his sister. The two stared at each other before Elfman triggered his magic. "Full Body Take-Over: Beast Soul!" He charged his sister and threw a punch that she caught.

She then pushed it to the side and kicked him backwards. "It's over." She said, holding out her hand as a ball of darkness magic appeared.

"Wait." Evergreen said, scrambling in front of Elfman.

"That won't stop me, I'll just take you both down." The she-devil said.

"Fine, but first, there's something you should know." The bespecled girl said, confusing Mirajane.

Combat Route

Mest woke up to find Wendy in front of him. "You're okay, right?" She asked.

"Yeah... no wonder those two were cocky." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "But I'm not done. I will honor Mystogan's teachings, no matter what! Get out here and fight!" He stood and shouted, only for no one to respond.

"Sorry... we lost." Wendy said.

"Seriously!?" He shouted.

"They beat us and went on while you were knocked out." Wendy said, shaking her head.

"I can't believe I failed this again..." Mest complained.

"It's all because I couldn't be more useful." Wendy said, crying. "I tried my best, but it wasn't enough."

"Hey, you're no more to blame than I am." Mest said. "So no crying, understand?"

Further ahead, Gray and Loke were walking through the cave. "Now that's what I'm talking about. The first round is done!" Gray cheered.

"Now all we need is Natsu and Freed knocked out and this will be a piece of cake." Loke said.

"Like the path to become S-Class was ever gonna be easy." Gray said as the two walked forward.

"Still, I'm actually impressed we could be Mest like that." Loke said.

"Yeah... was he always like that?" Gray asked. "I know he had Wendy holding him back, but he should have been much stronger than that."

"Guess that means you've gotten stronger." Loke chuckled.

"Huh, hey, do you remember if I fought him before?" Gray asked. "Think I would remember that."

"You sure he didn't beat you so bad you're choicing to forget it?" Loke asked.

"Mest got pretty far last year..." Gray mumbled before turning to hos partner. "You remember his partner?"

"...No." Loke answered.

"It's like my memory fogs up whenever I start thinking about it." Gray said.

"I know what you mean, it's like I'm hitting a wall." Loke added. The two kept walking before covering their eyes from the sun.

"Gray! Loke!" Lucy said. "Seems like you guys did pass after all."

"Congrats, boys." Cana added.

"I'm so lucky we got the serenity path." Levy told Gajeel.

"Lucky!? I wanted to punch someone!" Gajeel complained.

"We're the only ones that made it through round one?" Gray asked before looking. "Where's Natsu?"

"Over there." Happy pointed.

"Seems like everyone is here." Makarov said as he walked forward. "Here are the results. Cana and Lucy beat Freed and Bickslow in the Combat Route." Grays jaw dropped open. "Natsu and happy overcame Gildarts in the intense combat Route." Grays jaw hit the floor. "Levy and Gajeel picked the serenity Route. Nice luck, you two."

"How was that lucky!?" Gajeel complained.

"Gray and Loke defeated Mest and Wendy in combat." Makarov continued.

"Where's Juvia?" Gray asked, making Makarov gasp. "What the-"

"Juvia and Lisanna ran into the knight who knows no mercy." Makarov gasped before Gray realized what he meant.

"Hey, where are Elfman and Evergreen?" Lucy asked.

"By process of elimination, the only route lead to..." Cana started before both gasped in fear. "Mirajane..."

"Those two never had a chance." Gajeel chuckled.

"Say that again, I dare ya!" Everyone turned to see Elfman and Evergren walk out of the forest. "Didn't think we could take her, Did ya?"

"Looks like we're moving on to round two." Evergreen teased.

"You beat her?" Makarov asked in shock.

"How?" Happy asked, making them gasp.

"Men don't brag about beating their sister." Elfman said.

"We caught her off guard and let's just leave it at that." Evergreen added.

Makarov cleared his throat and captured everyone's attention. "Now, there are five teams that passed. Natsu and Happy, Gray and Loke, Levy and Gajeel, Cana and Lucy, Elfman and Evergreen. Congratulations on beating round one, now it's time for the second round."

"Natsu, are you sure you're okay?" Happy asked.

"Yeah, just doing a little thinking." Natsu said. 'I'll face you again whenever you want. Now go and become S-Class." Natsu smirked before standing up. "Gray! Cana! Levy! Elfman! I'm the one who's gonna become S-Class here today!"

"Not happening." Gray said.

"He's right." Levy nodded.

"I accept that challenge as a man!" Elfman said.

"Will you all listen well?" Makarov said. "Here are the directions for round two of the trial. The second trial requires that you find the grave of our first master, Mavis Vermillion."

"Finding a grave? That's too easy." Natsu said.

"You have six hours to find it, or you fail." The master said. "And your time begins now. I'll be waiting there."

Combat Route

"How long are you gonna keep making that face?" Mest asked the still crying girl.

"I, I..." She mumbled.

"Hey, Wendy, do you know why this place is sacred. Any idea why?" He asked.

"Isn't it because this is where our first master is buried?" Wendy asked, wiping away her tears.

"True, but that can't be all." The scarred man replied. "This Island is guarded by a magical barrier. It can't be found, no matter what magic someone might use. And that's not just because of the first masters grave. There's some big secret about the guild that's on this island."

"Do you know what it is?" Wendy asked.

"Not a clue." He replied standing up. "So, you feel like exploring?" Wendy smiled and nodded before standing up herself.

Tenrou Shore

"Mystogan kept to himself as he stayed in this world." Pantherlily said as the three Exceeds walked along the shore.

"Yeah, from what Laki told me, he would put everyone to sleep so they wouldn't see his face." Rose said.

"And that's what makes this 'disciple' thing hard to believe." The black cat said as the came to a stop. "It's nothing but a guess, but is Mest really a member of the guild?"

Island Mainland

"Please don't eat me!" Lucy begged as she and Cana raced from a giant lizard.

"Less talking, more running!" Cana replied as the reptile opened its mouth. Lucy screamed and jumped forward, barely avoiding the jaw.

"I'm too pretty to die!" She cried out as they kept racing.

In another part of the island, Gajeel and Levy were hiding from as massive beast that was marching about. "God, this place sucks." The Dragon Slayer complained.

"I think I might die." She mumbled.

"Like I'm letting this stop me!" Gray said as he and Loke ran away from a flock of birds chasing them.

"Say that when you're not running from pigeons!" Loke replied.

"Follow me to safety!" Elfman shouted as he and Evergreen ran from a massive boar.

"Just shut up and run! She shouted.

"I'm not letting you get in my way!" Natsu said with a blazing fist. The weird looking beast merely waved its head and moved forward. "Get lost!" He punched the beast and it fell backwards.

"Natsu doesn't like being held up when he wants something." Happy said. "So let's move on, Natsu."

"One second, Happy." Natsu said before grabbing the beasts flesh. "Tell me where the first masters grave is right now!"

"Natsu, have you gone insane!?" Happy asked.

"Don't... know..." The creature groaned out.

"Okay." Natsu said, letting go.

"It answered back!?" The cat asked in shock before catching up to Natsu as he walked away.

"How are we supposed to find a grave here without any kind of clue?" The pinkette asked.

"Yeah, this part might be kind of tough." Happy replied.

"Huh... now that you mention it, this island is shaped weird, isn't it?" Natsu asked.

"What are you getting at?" Happy asked.

"I'm saying let's go check out the top!" Natsu replied, making Happy agree. "Good thing I paired up with you, little buddy! Let's get up there!"

Makeshift Base

In the small temporary home of the failed candidates and examiners, Erza stared away from the cooking pot and at Mirajane in shock. "Elfman and Evergreen are getting married!?"

"Yeah, it caught me off guard, too." The older Strauss replied. "And that gave them the chance to take me out."

"Hold on a moment!" Erza declared, pointing the ladle at her once rival. "This means they've done been dating all this time and you never told me!"

"No... Im pretty sure that was just something they said to distract me." The model replied. "Guess I'm not done learning."

"And what if it wasn't a distraction?" Erza asked.

"This is my brother were talking about, not to mention Evergreen." Mirajane replied. "I mean, the idea of those two having a life together with kids and everything..." Her mind traveled and created the ugliest baby ever, making her cry.

"Don't cry, Mira." Erza said. "I think it's beautiful... depending on how you look at it."

"Now that I think about it... they'd actually go pretty well together." Lisanna said.

"Life with kids..." Juvia thought, instantly replacing Elfman and Evergreen with Gray and herself.

"Wait, where are Freed and Bickslow?" The youngest sibling asked.

"They, along with Gildarts, went back to the guild." Erza answered.

"They could have stayed and cheered someone on like the rest of us." Lisanna huffed.

"I'm more worried about Mest and Wendy." The redhead replied.

"Yeah, they should have been here by now." Mirajane nodded.

"Maybe they forgot where we're all supposed to meet up." Lisanna suggested. "Hey, I don't know a whole lot about Mest. Didn't really see his counterpart in Edolas. Did he join the guild while I was there?"

"Good question." Mirajane mumbled.

"Feels like he's always been a member." Erza said. "Guess he just doesn't make himself known like the rest of us."

Juvia, her face a normal color now, stood up. "I don't mind going to look for them."

"Good idea, I'll come with you." Erza said, taking off her apron. "You two stay here and watch the tent."

'I just wanted to go cheer on my beloved in battle!' The rain woman thought.

With Elfman and Evergreen

"Real men shouldn't run from an enemy!" Elfman screamed as the two kept running from the massive pig.

"Shut up with this real men talk and run!" Evergreen shouted.

The pig raised its hoof and Elfman noticed as it brought it down. "Evergreen!" He grabbed the girl and yanked her to the side, making them tumble down a cave as the pig reached for them.

The two crashed on the other side of the tunnel, and Evergreen found herself in Elfman's embrace. "Get off me!" She shouted, pushing him off. "Don't start think that I actually like you! That was just a stupid plan to beat your sister, go it?"

"Okay..." Elfman mumbled. "Still, that was a pretty smart move. Never thought you're come up with something like that."

"Are you calling me stupid?" Evergreen asked.

Rustling leaves caught their attention and they turned to see a man walk out of the forest. "People... what are people doing here? I thought I would be alone."

"Who the hell are you?" Elfman asked.

"This island is property of our guild." Evergreen added. "Only members can enter!"

"I didn't kniw a guild was in command of this island." The man said.

"Yeah, it's ours!" Elfman shouted

"Stay away!" The man shouted, holding out his hand. "Please, just stay away from me."

"Why should we listen to you?" Elfman asked.

"I'll leave the island. Just don't come any closer." The man said.

"There's something wrong with this guy." Evergreen mumbled.

"Can we really just let him off the hook?" Elfman asked.

The man gasped in pain before grabbing his head. "No... not again..." He mumbled, confusing the two fairy tail wizards. "The predatory death... I can't control it!" A dome of black magic exploded around him, making everything wither and die. The energy headed straight for the two wizards, who stood in a mix of fear and confusion

"Duck!" Natsu shouted before forcing the two tow the ground, making the wave pass over them. Natsu pushed himself up and stared at the man.

The mysterious stranger gasped before tears started flowing down his face. "Natsu..."

"Who the hell are you!?" Natsu asked. "Tell me right now!"

And as you can see, things are getting interesting. Decided to make Laki's speaking pattern a childhood thing, but that won't be the last time you see it. See you guys next time.

Beta read by JBallinR12.