The sky was a clear blue when he woke up. Most of his body hurt, especially his head. He wondered what had happened. He remembered the situation had called for him to once again eat Etherion ore, but everything else was a blank.
Natsu raised his right hand and looked at it as if it had just saved his life…
“Lucy, Erza, Gray, just go! I can take this guy.” Natsu said, stepping in front of his team to challenge the opponent alone. He was the Water Dragon Slayer, Riku ‘Poseidon’ Madarau. The others made no argument as they took the chance to split and get to safety.
Finding himself on the losing side, Natsu had little choice but to resort to extreme measures. The battle had taken place in an underwater Etherion mine. Natsu snapped a chunk of the glowing blue crystal off the wall and bit into it. It tasted foul to him, but his resolve forced him to keep it down. Before he began to choke on the multitude of elements that had entered his system, he used some of his new strength to gain the upper hand against Riku. The situation was short-lived as Natsu began the inevitable. Fighting to stop his body from shutting down…
‘Maybe that’s what happened?’ Natsu thought as he sat up. His body screamed in protest to the action, but he paid it no heed. He’d felt worse. Standing up, he took a look at his surroundings. All he could see in the immediate area was the clearing which he was in and a fence of tall trees surrounding him. He was in a forest. A strange sound groaned from beneath him and he looked down. Happy lay in a patch of flattened grass with the outline of his form, seemingly squished like a Lemon.
“Happy?! What are you doing here?” Natsu asked, kneeling down to help the flying blue cat up. Happy shook himself off and looked at Natsu.
“Natsu… where are we?” he asked. The dragon slayer blinked a few times before looking about once more.
“I don’t know, pal. But wherever we are, we can’t be far from the others. What happened, anyway? I remember trying that Etherion trick again, and then nothing.” Happy took to the air and came to Natsu’s eye level.
“I don't know. I remember I was running with the others to safety when this big blue light came rushing along after us. I got caught in it, but I think the others got to safety.” he replied. Natsu flattened his palm and pounded it with his fist as he got an idea.
“That’s it! We were teleported by the Etherion somewhere. Probably some unknown part of Fiore. Guess all we have to do is walk in a random direction and we’ll find out where we are, then head on back home from there.”
“Ay!” Happy commented.
Their planning was interrupted by a shrill shriek beyond the trees. Natsu caught where the sound had come from and rushed towards it without a moment’s hesitation or thought. He wasn’t as far into the forest as he thought. It had taken him a few minutes to reach the source of the scream. What he saw confused him beyond all reasoning. A small group of dragons were terrorising a town of sentient horses. There were no other people in the town as he could see, but what he took from the scene was that there were dragons.
“Alright, Happy! We found some dragons. Maybe they can lead us to Igneel.” he said.
“I dunno, Natsu. They don’t look like ordinary dragons to me. They look more like Lucy’s spirits than anything else.” the blue cat replied. Natsu took another look and deflated.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Damn it, I thought we had a solid lead. Maybe those horses will know. They seem to be very closely associated with dragons.” Natsu decided, walking casually into town. Happy held a look of total shock. ‘How can he not see that those horses are being attacked? Does he think they’re playing a game?’ “I guess with Natsu, that thought is very likely.” he spoke up. Happy flew after the clueless slayer and held his speed alongside his friend.
“Run!” Twilight called out to one of the ponies being tailed by one of the dragons. The stallion did as she commanded, but concluded to run towards her, essentially endangering her in the process. Twilight caught on very quickly and began to run away from both the dragons and the stallion looking to her for protection.
“Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap, crap!” she said with every step she took. She reached her library and hurried inside, holding the door open just long enough for the stallion to make it inside. Fire followed, but was cut off by the magically protected door. The two sat where they were, taking deep breaths. It wasn’t until she took a moment to look around that she noticed an amalgamation of ponies hiding within her home, having the same idea as the Stallion. As the closest expert on Dragon lore this side of Equestria, Twilight was the most logical choice to see for protection. That aside, she still found their desperation personally irritating. She’d taken down Nightmare Moon and Discord; called Chrysalis out on her plan and helped free the Crystal Empire of its bane, King Sombra. Surely other ponies could handle a few teenaged dragons? Then again, it was common knowledge that when it came to life threatening situations, all but herself, Spike, the girls and their immediate relatives, were clueless on how to protect themselves.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw said exceptions resting in the Library. She facehoofed as she realised that hypocrisy had taken over. The girls gathered near Twilight and huddled around her.
“So what’s the plan Twi. We can take em, but it would be best to have directions on how.” Rainbow Dash said. It became clear to Twilight that it wasn’t a matter of skill that prevented Ponyville from defending itself, but a matter of willpower and bravery.
“Well, taking into account that Fluttershy’s ability to guilt dragons into stopping is essentially useless until the rest of us are physically hurt, I still don’t think it would be a suitable option, given that these are teenage dragons, and I’m not sure how her experience is regarding teenage animals. And no offence, but the one dragon you did manage to stop was kind of... thick." she said. Fluttershy nodded in understanding, grateful to be left out of the important role in the plan. Assisting suited her just fine.
“So, I think a more direct approach would be recommended. For this I’ll need Applejack and Rainbow Dash to accompany me.” The two mares in question pumped their hooves inwardly, hissing the word ‘yes’ to themselves.
“Rarity, I’ll ask you to stay here with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Help around by dressing any wounds sustained.” Twilight added. Rarity smiled and nodded.
“It would be my pleasure, darling.” she replied.
“Oh, and Rarity, we’re looking for effectiveness, not stylishness, so don’t dress up the bandages, just set them.” Twilight added. Rarity looked hurt.
“The thought never crossed my mind, dear. And I promise I won’t do such an insensitive thing.” she said. She then proceeded to purse her lips. She was as bad at lying as Applejack; one of very few things those two had in common.
“Pinkie, when you’re done bandaging ponies, try to cheer up some of the younger ones, but don’t go overboard; moderate chuckle level. Be kind and reassuring.” Twilight said. Pinkie grinned and sped off to do her job, not waiting for the group to be dismissed.
“Fluttershy, see if you can get some of your animal friends to play with the younger ponies. While I’d rather not have my Library be a petting zoo, I’d rather that than… tear stained, sticky floors.” Fluttershy smiled as she found a use for her animal friends. The group was dismissed and the remaining party were the three ponies, Twilight, Rainbow Dash and Applejack.
“Let’s go girls.” Twilight said.
“Right!”
“Right!”
They both said together.
Natsu looked around the town. It had been deserted by the time he got there. Dragon fire blazed in the distance, as did the sounds of roaring and laughter.
“Hey Happy, maybe these horses are a race like the Exceeds.” Natsu suggested. Happy had no conclusion to give, so he just went along with it.
“I guess it’s possible, but I’ve never heard of such a species.” he replied.
“You’d never heard of your own species until Carla came into the picture.” Natsu teased. Happy grew upset at his friend.
“Hey, shut up! You’re mean Natsu, first you land on my face, then you mock my intelligence!” Happy flew ahead, dramatically crying. Fortunately enough, his tears flowed out in streams, putting out some of the stray fires along the roads.
“Happy, come back. I didn’t mean it like that! Happy? Aw man!” Natsu stopped his trek and kicked a stray stone on the ground. Moments later, he heard the unmistakable sound of Happy screaming in distress.
“Happy!!!” Natsu cried out, bolting out into a run towards his friend.
“Okay girls, on three; one, two, three!” Twilight said. Together, she Applejack and Rainbow Dash ran at the door and crashed through it, ready to face the dragons. They were surprised to see that said dragons had lost interest in them and had begun to chase around a flying blue…cat?
“NATSU, HELP ME!!!!” the cat wailed, flying in circles with the dragons mere inches from its tail. The ponies’ jaws dropped. The cat had spoken.
“Fluttershy would have a field day with him.” Dash commented, watching as the cat and the dragons just flew in large circles. The cat suddenly changed his approach and started flying towards the ponies. Before they could react, the blue feline had smacked himself right into Dash’s face, disabling one of the mares.
“Get em!” one of the dragons shouted to his comrades. Twilight recognised the dragons as the teenagers that had tried to indoctrinate Spike into their little gang. The one that had spoken was Garble.
“Oh dear.” Twilight muttered as she recognised him. Garble seemed to recognise her also. He smiled as he and his friends closed in on them.
Suddenly, there was a voice from above.
“Leave Happy ALONE!!!” the voice called out. In the blink of an eye, Garble had gone from inches away from Twilight’s face, to inches deep in the ground at her hooves. In his place, just barely an inch from her face, was the strangest figure she’d had the pleasure of seeing. Though he looked angry, Twilight observed his features with great curiosity. He was tall, and essentially furless, save a pink mane and eyebrows. His skin was tougher than a pony’s, but not as indestructible as a dragon’s it seemed. He wore the strangest clothes, ranging from a black vest and waist cape with a golden outline, to white leggings and a white checkered scarf.
The other two dragons halted their approach, and observed the newcomer from a safe distance. The creature jumped off of Garble and landed next to Rainbow Dash, peeling the talking, flying cat from her face. The cat took a moment to settle down before he noticed the creature.
“Natsu!” the cat cried, leaping towards his saviour and grabbed him in a big hug. The stranger now known as Natsu, seemed to lighten up and even went so far as to chuckle in delight at having managed to save his friend unharmed.
The moment was short lived however as Garble rose from the ground, spitting dirt out of his mouth. He took a look at Natsu and challenged him in a low menacing growl.
“Who are you?!” the Garble demanded. Natsu’s demeanour changed instantly, returning to his angry look. He released the flying cat, placing him on Rainbow Dash’s back. He then took a step forward and answered with pride:
“My name is Natsu, and I’m a Fairy Tail Wizard!” he declared. Twilight seemed to take interest in the last word. ‘Wizard, like Starswirl?’
“Fairy Tail Wizard? What is that, some sort of gang?” Garble asked. Natsu pointed one of his appendages at his shoulder, pointing out the marking.
“It’s a guild, pal. Fairy Tail is the greatest guild in the world, because we’re more than that, we’re a family.” Twilight found the concept of a familial organisation to be almost romantic in nature. She drank the words Natsu had said, until he took on a darker tone.
“And Fairy Tail protects its members. You tried to hurt Happy; I’m not going to forgive you so easily.” Natsu took another step forward. Garble had had enough of the Wizard. His friends had made it to his side and together, the three of them let loose on him, a colossal fire that almost burned Rainbow Dash as it neared. Fortunately, she was fast enough to move away before it could have any long lasting effects. The three of them, plus the cat named Happy, hurried away from the battlefield. They took refuge across from the Library at a picnic spot.
“Well, that was a short battle.” Rainbow Dash commented. Twilight looked to Happy for any signs, but the cat seemed as if nothing had happened yet.
“I don’t think it’s over girls.” Twilight commented. The other two looked at her in doubt. It was then that Happy decided to speak up.
“Fire doesn’t hurt Natsu. He’s trained in the Ancient Dragon Slayer magic.” he stated calmly. Twilight could have sworn she saw a glint of white in his pupils as he said it.
“Dragon Slayer magic? What does that mean?” Applejack asked.
“Just watch.” Happy replied. The three mares shut up and observed the flaming area where Natsu was. The dragons were praising each other, each high fiving the other as they thought they’d won.
“You know, I never get tired of the looks people give me when they realise what happens when they try to light me up like a Christmas tree.” Natsu’s voice came casually from inside the fire. The dragons and the ponies alike leaned towards the fire, trying to figure out how he’d managed to survive. Upon closer inspection, the fire was dying down and as Natsu’s form became as clear as daylight, everyone could see him consuming the fire as if he were inhaling a massive amount of air. The jaws on every observer dropped, some going so far as to scream in shock as Natsu remained unharmed. Even his clothes were in peak condition. Garble was full of questions, but the one that stood out came bursting forth like his flame.
“How in the wide world of Equestria did you do that?!” he cried. Happy answered gladly, that dazed and evil look in his eyes returning.
“Natsu has Dragon scales to disolve fire, Dragon Lungs so he can breathe fire and dragon claws so he can attack with fire. His brand of fire magic is one that allows him to take on all the qualities of a dragon.” Twilight and the others were entirely shocked by this knowledge.
“So what’s with the eating fire thing?” Dash asked.
“Fire of any kind, whether regular, magic or Dragon fire can be consumed and used as a boost to his power. Natsu can live off of fire if he wanted, and that’s usually the case at banquets. Master Makarov said that Natsu’s eating habits saved a lot on food bills.”
“We’re getting off topic. How did Natsu learn this sort of magic?” Twilight asked. Happy looked at her with a rather dulled expression, as if the answer should have been obvious.
“Igneel taught him. Natsu was found and raised by Igneel; he was like a father to him. That scarf is the one thing Natsu holds most dear, aside from his friends, of course. It was the last thing Igneel gave him before he disappeared.”
“Wait, wait, wait, wait; who’s Igneel?” Dash asked.
“Igneel’s a Fire Dragon.” Happy said, turning back to the fight. The ponies all had the same shocked into disbelief expression on their faces.
Natsu wiped his mouth as the last licks of flame passed his lips. He’d enjoyed that meal. To him, there was nothing quite like dragon fire. It had a unique taste to it.
“Thanks for that, I was getting’ kinda hungry. Now I’m all fired up!” Natsu slammed his fists together and his Dragon Slayer glyph burst forth for an instant. he reared back, filling his lungs with Dragon fire.
“Karyū no... Hōkō” Using his fists as a barrel, the fire in his lungs shot forth and flew towards the trio like a flaming tidal wave. The three dragons cried out, only two of them managing to think fast enough to dodge. One dragon was burned by the magical properties of the fire, his scales doing nothing to protect him. Garble distanced himself from the Dragon Slayer, trying to find an opening. Even at a distance, Natsu was prepared to attack.
“Guren... Bakuen Jin!!!” He swung his arms around in a circular motion. Fire arced around into a massive torrent, reaching toward Garble and beyond into the sky. The fire ate away at Garble’s scales as Natsu’s determination to punish the three for trying to harm Happy filled his mind.
The fire died down and Garble fell to the ground, unmoving. Natsu’s gaze fell on the remaining dragon. The dragon seemed utterly terrified.
“Hey,” Natsu addressed him. He began shaking, waving his hands from side to side as if to beg Natsu not to do what he’d done to his comrades. “You know a dragon called Igneel?” he asked. The teenager shook his head.
With a dejected sigh, Natsu dropped his fighting stance, all fires on his person going out instantly afterward.
“Take your friends and get the hell outta here. I don’t wanna see you again, got it?” he added a dark stare as he threatened the dragon. He seemed to get the message as he nodded furiously and went to grab his friends. With a powerful flap of his wings, the dragon lifted himself and his friends into the air and flew off into the distance.
Twilight was gobsmacked. With two of the most powerful magic attacks she’d ever had the pleasure of seeing, three dragons were sent packing for the hills, never to return.
“Natsu’s type of magic is suited particularly for dealing with dragons, but it can be used like any other form of magic, and is actually one of the most powerful forms among the world of magic itself.” Happy stated. Twilight then understood how she sounded when she droned on about topics that she thought was common knowledge. She looked up at Natsu as he stopped right in front of her.
“So… where are we?” he asked.
