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Time is the Path to Strength	By : Repiece Category: +. to F > Fairy Tail Views: 47111 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 4
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- 6
Chapter 5: Natsu, Gray And Erza

"Hmm, so many requests. I wonder which one I should take?" Lucy pondered her question as she looked up at the request board. There were so many requests that she couldn't just choose one. Some had rewards that went all the way up to 300,000 Jewels, but she knew such requests were going to be too hard for her to take on alone. However, she was part of a team now, so she could take on such a high reward request. Smiling, she turned around to see if Natsu was anywhere around the guild. However, she saw many of the guild members with confused expressions on their face. Even Mirajane had one as well. She looked in the same direction they all looked toward and her eyes widened.

Natsu and Happy were both sitting on one of the tables, their legs crossed and their knuckles/paws were touching against each other. He had his eyes closed and the only sign of him actually being alive was the movement of his chest. She blinked at the two before walking over to Mirajane. "Ne, Mira-san, what is Natsu and Happy doing?"

Mirajane looked at her and shook her head. "I'm not sure, but I think they are meditating." She answered.

"Meditating?" Lucy repeated, looking over at the two. "I never thought that he would be one to do such a thing."

"Normally you would be right." Mirajane told her. Lucy looked at the older woman. "I don't know what happened to Natsu during the two years he has been gone, but I could see a lot has changed about him and Happy too."

"Really?"

"I mean they still act somewhat the same being two goofballs and all, but it doesn't feel like they are the same at all." Mirajane explained. "But, even though they aren't the same as before, the new them seem more mature and stronger."

Lucy looked back to Natsu and Happy and they remained in the same position they were in. What Mirajane said was sort of true from the short time she knew him. Yes, both of them were the idiotic duo, but there was this strong mature aura emitting from the both of them. From what she could tell from the moments the others told her about, the two were like whole new different people.

"Oi Natsu!" Lucy turned her head toward Gray. "What the hell are you doing!" He shouted at him and marched over. He got no response from Natsu. This pissed off Gray. "Oi! I'm talking to you!" He reached forward to place his hand on his shoulder. When he an inch away from making contact, he quickly pulled his hand away and began shaking it. "What the hell! It burns!" Gray screamed from the slight burn he received. Natsu continued to stay silent. Gray was feeling annoyed. He then made a hand sign and ice started to cover both his hands. Lucy stared in shock at his magic.

"He uses ice magic." Lucy asked in surprise. Mirajane nodded.

"Mm. Some say that is the reason why he and Natsu always fight with each other." Lucy blinked at her before understanding.

"Oh, I get it. It's because Natsu uses fire and Gray uses Ice, they use elements that are the exact opposite of each other." Mirajane nodded again.

"Alright then, let's see you try to to melt this." Gray smirked confidently. He moved his frozen hands toward Natsu. Natsu still didn't move. Gray's plan made it's way toward Natsu's shoulder, but the heat that Natsu emitted from his entire body melted the ice away from Gray's hands and burning him once more. "What the hell!" Gray yelled in shock and anger as he waved both his hands and tried to cool them down, blowing on them using his icy type breath.

"Wow Gray! Your getting your ass kicked without Natsu even moving." Cana chuckled.

"Shut up!" Gray fired back at the insult.

"Gray your clothes..." Elfman told him as Gray looked down and his eyes popped out of his head.

"Not again!" Gray screamed, running toward the back in search of new clothing.

Lucy sweat dropped at Gray's antics before frowning at Natsu. She decided to at least try to get some sort of movement from him. "Natsu...what are you doing?" She asked, but Natsu didn't respond. Lucy pouted and put her hands on her waist. "Natsu..." She called his name with a little more force. He still didn't respond. She sighed and gave up. She knew from what see saw happen to Gray that if she got near him, she'll probably get burned as well. She looked over at Happy and decided to try talking to him. "Happy..." She called out to the feline, but she didn't get a response from him either. Her frown deepened. She was getting annoyed. "Happy!"

"I swear it wasn't me who took the fish out of the kitchen!" Happy blabbered out in surprise. He blinked and looked up at Lucy. "Oh, hi Lucy!"

"Hi, what are you guys doing?" Happy looked at her and then at Natsu next to him, who wasn't fazed by Lucy's yelling. He then looked at Lucy with a blank expression.

"I was sleeping." Lucy and the others all dropped to the floor in shock, thinking he was going to say something more mature, but they shouldn't have expected much. Lucy was the first to recover as she struggled to get back up.

"R-Right...what about Natsu?" She pointed at him.

"Oh? He's thinking." Several spit takes were heard throughout the guild and shocked expressions were plastered on everyone's face.

"Oi, your kidding right?"

"Natsu thinking? Who ever thought that was possible?"

"That's because it is impossible, this is Natsu we are talking about."

"But Happy wouldn't lie would he?"

"Yeah he would..."

"I'm still here." Happy told them, his ears drooping in sadness. "He's not just thinking though, he's also building up his magic."

"Huh? Why?" Lucy asked.

"I don't know. He usually only does this when he's about to fight someone strong." Happy answered.

Lucy blinked at them in confusion. "Someone strong? Like from a request or something?"

"I don't think so. I didn't see him pick out a request." Happy shook his head.

"Alright, I'm back!" Gray announced, walking toward Lucy.

"Ah! Gray? Where did you go!" Happy asked, waving his tail back and forth.

"Happy?" He looked over at Natsu. "Why are you not doing what Natsu is?"

"Huh? I was copying Natsu? I was just sleeping." Happy answered innocently.

"Huh!" Gray was shocked.

"Apparently, Happy was just sleeping and didn't know that he was copying what Natsu is doing." Lucy told Gray.

"And what is Natsu doing?"

"Thinking."

"No, seriously."

"I am."

"...NANI!" Gray shouted in total shock.

"I know...sure is shocking." Lucy sweat dropped at his reaction.

"You do know he can still hear everything your saying right." Happy told them.

"Your kidding, right?" Lucy asked, chuckling nervously.

"Nope." Lucy began sweating nervously. She looked at the pink haired dragon slayer, who was still in the same meditating pose and she bowed.

"Sorry..." Natsu didn't do anything which only made her more nervous.

"Don't apologize to him." Lucy lifted her head to see Loke walking toward her. "He's nothing but an idiot. I heard you did pretty well on your last job so how about you and me making a love team. What do you say?" Lucy sweat dropped.

"N-No thanks, I already have a perverted stellar spirit and I don't need another pervert, especially one who is not a spirit." She told him. She looked over at Loke and he had a nervous expression on his face. "W-What?"

"Y-Your a Stellar Spirit Mage?" He asked pointing at her. Lucy nodded. "Y-you know what never mind about that whole pairing up to make a team. In fact, I have something to do at the moment so bye!" He ran off and out of the guild as Lucy looked at his retreating back in confusion.

"Hey, Natsu..." Lucy turned around to see Gray with a sinister look on his face. "...your weak!" Lucy flinched in fear for the ice mage. "Your a pathetic mage that can't do anything for himself." He continued and chuckled. "You smell like shit." Lucy was amazed at how calm Natsu still was, despite all these remarks Gray was piling on him. In fact, Natsu didn't even move.

"Natsu! Gray!" Loke yelled as he charged into the guild, panting.

"What is it?" Gray asked, slightly annoyed that he was interrupted at making fun of Natsu.

"Erza! She's back!" Lucy blinked at the news, not seeing what was so bad about a fellow Fairy Tail member returning. That was until she saw Gray's reaction and looked at him nervously.

"Crap!" Gray screamed in fear, roughing up his hair with his hands. "Oi, Natsu! Wake up! Erza is back! If she sees you, she'll kick your ass so bad for leaving the guild!"

"Wow Gray! Who knew you cared about Natsu this much." Mirajane smiled.

"Huh? Like I care about this asshole. If Natsu doesn't wake up then she'll hurt me as well just to get out her frustration!" Gray told her as Mirajane sweat dropped.

"I-I see..."

The bat wings door to the guild swung open and a red haired beauty entered the guild, carrying a large, decorated horn like thing. Lucy looked at her in amazement, while the others looked at her with the opposite reaction. 'She's here...'

"I'm back." Erza Scarlet announced, placing the horn down on the floor with a slight thud. She then turned to Mirajane. "Is the Master here?" She asked.

"No...he's attending the regular meeting." Mirajane answered.

"I see..." Erza sighed in disappointment.

"But Erza guess what!" Erza raised an eyebrow at Mirajane. "You won't believe who's back."

"Hmm? Who? Laxus? Gildarts?" Erza asked. Mirajane shook her head.

"Nope!" Mirajane smiled widely. "I'll give you a hint! It's someone who was gone for two years." Erza raised an eyebrow before she realized who the former Demon was talking about. Her eyes widened.

"Your lying..." Erza said in disbelief. Mirajane shook her head and moved to the right a bit to reveal the pink haired dragon slayer, still in the same position on the desk. Erza couldn't believe that she was actually looking at Natsu. She hadn't seen him in two years and right when she left to do a job, Natsu returned to the guild. She missed him. She wouldn't admit out loud, but she did truly miss him. The guild actually felt a bit quiet and lonely without his rumbustious and crazy happy like attitude around. She started walking toward him. The atmosphere around the guild felt really tense. Erza finally stopped in front of Natsu and looked at him. He still didn't move. "Natsu..." She whispered his name. He didn't respond to her.

"Ummm...Erza...he's..." Gray tried to explain, but she gave him one look and shut his mouth immediately.

She looked back to Natsu. "Natsu..." She tried again, this time a bit louder. Still nothing. Erza started to get annoyed. "Natsu..." She growled. Nothing. "Tch!" Erza scoffed and frowned at him. She clenched her fist. "Find then...if you don't want to say anything then so be it." There was a pause. "I'll just knock your head around a bit for ignoring me." Lucy flinched in surprise.

'S-She's scary...'

Erza tightened her fist and threw her fist at him.

"Hold on a minute, Erza!" Mirajane called out to her, but it was too late. Erza couldn't stop her fist. Many of them thought that the fist would connect straight at Natsu's face, perhaps breaking a few bones in the process. However, none of them would have expected Natsu to raised his arm up and block Erza's fist with the palm of his hand. Erza's eyes widened. She was stunned. She couldn't believe Natsu blocked her attack so easily. Was this the same Natsu who challenged her once and got beaten so easily?

Natsu opened his eyes and made eye contact with Erza. He then grinned. "Yo! You're back, Erza?" He chuckled at her shocked expression. Erza was stunned. She lowered her arm and regained her composure.

"Mm. I'm back." She responded. The others watched the two nervously, wondering what was going to happen next between them. "How about you? When did you return?"

"A couple of days ago." Natsu replied, standing up. He hopped off the table and onto the floor next to Erza. "So, what's up?" Erza eyed him before smiling. Unexpectedly, she threw another punch at Natsu and he blocked it again. "W-Wait, what are you doing!" Natsu asked in surprise. Erza didn't answer and she continued throwing punches at him. He was bale to block each punch successfully, but why was she punching him. Did he do something wrong? No, he didn't do anything that bad that would cause her to do this. Then again, he wondered if she always punched him because she just wanted to.

They repeated the same movements as they traveled around the guild. Those who were in the way were either punched by one of Erza's wild swings or ran away from their path. Erza then stopped. Natsu hoped she was finished as he felt his hands get a little worn out from all the punches, but unfortunately for him, he was wrong. Instead of a punch, Erza tried a kick. Natsu was surprised by this and blocked it just barely. However, the kick was only distraction as Erza tried to uppercut him in the jaw and Natsu leaned his head back. Erza groaned at the fact that she missed. "Tch!" She scoffed and went back to throwing punches.

"Erza...stop this already..." Mirajane cried out. Erza didn't stop.

"You bastard..." Erza suddenly said and Natsu saw something that surprised him. He didn't know exactly what it was, but it did give him a hint as to why she was doing this. He frowned. As Erza threw a punch, he weaved his head to the side, grabbed her wrist and to her shock, pulled her toward him in a hug. Erza didn't know what to say or do at the sudden hug. The other guild members looked in shock as well as they thought Natsu was either crazy or stupid, or even both.

"I'm sorry..." Erza made a noise in surprise at his apology.

"W-What?" Erza asked.

"I'm sorry for leaving for two years without telling you or anyone else. It's just that...I had to leave..." He told her. Erza frowned and closed her eyes.

"Fine...I accept your apology...you idiot." She told him and secretly smiled. Natsu pulled away from Erza and grinned at her.

"We should catch up later today." He told her and she nodded her head.

"Yeah, that would be nice." Natsu nodded.

"So, what's going?" He asked. Erza turned away from Natsu and toward Gray. He blinked in confusion as she looked at him.

"W-What?" He asked nervously.

"Well, I did have a favor to ask of you, but now that Natsu is here, I can ask both of you." She replied, looking back at Natsu.

"Oh? What kind of favor?" Natsu asked, despite knowing what it was.

"I heard some troubling news while I was at work. Usually I would consult Master about this, but it's quite urgent." She told them. "That's why I need your help. You will come with me, right?"

"EH!" Gray gawked in shock.

"Sure! Why not!" Natsu grinned, surprising both her and Gray. Erza was surprised that he wasn't making it such a big deal to work with her or Gray. Normally, he would cringe in fear at the thought of helping her or being around Gray, but he wasn't like that.

'It couldn't be...' Erza thought. '...could it be that he got more mature in the past two years? T-That's almost impossible.'

"W-What's going on? Why would Erza want to team up with Natsu and Gray? She never teamed up before." The guild began chatting amongst themselves.

"What could this job be?"

"Why is Natsu happy at the fact that he is teaming up with Erza and Gray?"

"Who is he and what happened to the real Natsu?"

Erza ignored the comments made by the other guild members and turned around to walk out of the guild. "We'll leave tomorrow. Make sure the two of you prepare yourself."

"Oi, wait a minute...I never said that I would go with yo-" Gray started, but she gave him one glare and he nervously nodded his head. "H-Hai..."

Erza smiled in satisfaction and left the guild. Lucy saw the exchange with interest and awe. She looked over at Mirajane and saw her shake. "Mira-san, what's wrong?"

"N-Nothing...it's just that...I never thought of this before, but Natsu, Gray and Erza together...it's possible that they are Fairy Tail's strongest team ever created." Lucy's eyes widened at this and looked over at the exit. She frowned and then looked back at Gray and Natsu. Natsu was grinning stupidly, while Gray was muttering to himself.

"Damn this...it's already annoying that you returned and now that I have to go on a job with both you and Erza..."

"And me!" Happy exclaimed.

"...is just impossible!"

"Oh?" Natsu smirked as he hid his eyes behind his pink hair. "I'm sorry that a pathetic mage like myself has to team up with you. I mean a weak mage who smells like shit would sound annoying wouldn't it." Gray cringe slightly as he repeated the insults he told him while he was meditating. "I can see why it would be impossible." Natsu then grinned. "Yeah right! Ya JACKASS!" Natsu shouted and started a fight with Gray. The both of them started a fight that made Lucy and the others sweat drop at their idiotic selves.

The sound of the door swinging back and forth was heard and Erza entered the guild again. "Oh...I almost forgot..." She looked up and saw both Gray and Natsu fighting again.

"Uh-oh...they're dead..." Happy exclaimed nervously.

"Eh?" Lucy questioned.

Erza gritted her teeth in anger. 'Mature...yeah right...' She walked toward them and it wasn't until she got close enough to the brawling duo that they noticed her and panicked. "Can't you two...GET ALONG!" She shouted and began pummeling them.

Lucy cringed at the sight of Erza Scarlet destroying the two mages like toothpicks. 'She's really scary...'

"So, what were you up to in the last two years?" Erza asked as she and Natsu sat on the bar seats in front of the bar. Mirajane cleaning glasses in front of them as she joined in their conversation.

"Looking for Igneel." He lied. He hated lying to either of them, but Makarov told him that he told them that he was looking for his father. Besides, there was no way she could tell them that he was from the future. Zeref warned him after all.

"For two years?" Erza questioned.

"Well, when I heard about the rumor, me and Happy went to see if it was true. However, then there was another rumor, then another and the next thing I knew, two years have gone by." Natsu told them.

"But you should have at least stopped by." Mirajane said, frowning.

"I tried, believe me I did." He lied again. He hated lying to his friends. However, it was for their safety. He needed to protect them. If he didn't then, everything he worked hard for would be meaningless. He went to train to protect them and there was no way that he was going to see those same horrible images of them dying because he was too weak again. "But each rumor made me go farther and farther away from the guild."

"I see. So, what happened?" Erza asked. "Were any of the rumors true?"

"No..." Natsu frowned. Granted he was training for two years, but he still wished that he could find Igneel along the way. Alas, it didn't happen. "But...I'm sure I'll find him someday." Erza and Mirajane smiled warmly at the dragon slayer. They both knew very well what Natsu was feeling. "What about you two?"

"Well, I became an S-Class Mage." Erza told him as Natsu faked his surprised reaction.

"R-Really! Damn it! I'm falling behind!" Natsu groaned.

"I'm sure you'll become an S-Class Mage soon, Natsu." Mirajane smiled at him. Natsu grinned back.

"Mm. Arigatou, Mira-chan." Mirajane didn't know why, but she had this weird feeling in the pit of her stomach at the grin Natsu was showing her. It only intensified when he thanked her. She didn't know what this feeling was, but she did find it somewhat familiar.

"But I am impressed with you, Natsu." Erza spoke and he looked at her.

"Huh? Why?" He asked confused.

"You seem to have gotten a lot stronger. If I recall correctly, the first time you challenged me to a fight, I pummeled you." Natsu pouted at her as she showed him a confident smirk.

"I was a child back then." He defended himself.

"Oh, and you are what now? An adult?" Erza mocked.

"Hell no! Being an adult is stupid. I rather just be myself." He answered, still pouting. Erza smiled at him. She knew someone around Natsu's age should become more mature and act like a proper adult, but it just didn't fit him. She was glad. She really didn't want Natsu to change.

"I see." Erza spoke softly.

"You say something?" Natsu asked, hearing her say something due to his developed hearing, but it was still to low for him to hear. Erza shook her head.

"It's nothing." She picked up her drink that Mirajane prepared for her and took a sip. Natsu stared at her. The image of her body covered in a pool of blood entered his mind and he suddenly dug his fingers into the wood of the bar. Erza stopped drinking and both she and Mirajane looked at Natsu in surprise and confusion. Natsu had his head lowered, his eyes hiding in the shadows produced by his hair. "Natsu, what's wrong?"

When he heard her, he raised his hand and lifted his head. He grinned at her. "It's nothing."

"Stop lying, what's wrong?" Erza demanded an answer and Natsu knew very well what not answering her truthfully was going to get him. However, he couldn't tell her. He had to think of something else.

"I said it's nothing, Erza. I'm just mad that I...I'm not an S-Class Mage yet." He gave her an excuse and Natsu hoped both she and Mirajane bought it. He was relieved when they did.

"It's nothing to worry about Natsu. I'm sure one day you'll be able to." Erza reassured him.

"Erza's right, Natsu. I'm sure you'll become one too." Mirajane added.

"Arigatou. Really..." He whispered the last part and it didn't seem like the both of them heard him as Erza and Mirajane talked to one another. He was going to protect the both of them. He was going to protect everyone. Even if it meant he had to take his own life to do it.

Magnolia Station

"Why the hell does Erza need our help?" Gray asked as Natsu yawned.

"We'll find out." Natsu answered. "So shut up and wait."

"Aye!" Happy agreed with Natsu.

"What did you say! Why the hell does Erza need your help anyway? I am more than enough to handle this." Gray argued back.

"Big talk for someone who makes girly ice sculptures." Natsu mocked.

"What was that you asshole!" Gray gritted his teeth.

"You heard me!" Natsu yelled as the two rammed their foreheads together and growled at each other.

"WOULD YOU TWO JUST CUT IT OUT!" Lucy screamed in annoyance as they stopped and she sighed. "Seriously, why can't you two just get along like everybody else does."

"But this is how everybody else does it at Fairy Tail." Natsu told her as Happy and Gray agreed with Natsu. Lucy sweat dropped.

"R-Right..."

"By the way, why are you here?" Gray asked.

"It's because Mira-san asked me too. She was worried that because the three of you don't get along I need to be the mediator for the three of you." Lucy explained.

"But you really wanted to come along didn't you?" Happy said.

"No way!" Lucy retorted. "Wait a minute." Lucy had a thought. "Why do I have to be the mediator for these three? Why couldn't it be you. Wait a minute, don't tell me Mira-san forgot about you." Lucy snickered.

"Probably not, I normally let them do what they want." Happy told her.

"What the hell!" Lucy screamed in disbelief.

"You smell." Lucy flinched as the two idiots started insulting each other again.

"Says the idiot who doesn't bathe." Gray countered.

"What was that!" Natsu gritted his teeth.

'This is so troublesome...' Lucy sighed. She then had an idea. She grinned. "Oh, Erza! We're over here!"

Gray froze in fear while Natsu didn't. "Please, your just trying to trick us." He accused Lucy.

"Who's trying to trick who, Natsu?" Natsu began sweating and shaking in fear as he heard the voice of the Scarlet Knight behind him.

"N-Nothing...Erza..." He stuttered as she placed a hand on his shoulder and clenched it tightly. Natsu refused to show signs that she was hurting her and held in his voice.

"Okay then." Erza let go of his shoulder and he sighed in relief. "I'm sorry I made you wait." She told them as she dragged a large cart full of luggage. Lucy gawked at how much luggage she had. It was then that Erza saw Lucy.

"Oh? You were in the guild yesterday." Erza said as Lucy bowed her head.

"H-Hai...my name is Lucy. I am new to Fairy Tail and was asked by Mira-san to accompany you on this job." Lucy told her. Erza smiled.

"I see. Nice to meet you Lucy. My name is Erza." Erza leaned forward. "So, you are the person everyone has been talking about back in the guild. I heard you were able to defeat a mercenary gorilla. I'm impressed." Lucy sweat dropped.

"That was all Natsu." She pouted. "I think the others are exaggerating too much."

Erza smiled. "This job might be a too risky for someone new like you, but seeing how well you did on your last job I think you'll be fine."

"Eh! Risky!" Lucy cringed in fear.

"Say Erza." The red haired Knight looked over at Natsu. "When we finish this job, I want to fight you." Erza smirked.

"Oh?" Gray placed a hand Natsu head and tried to lower it.

"Are you an idiot! Don;t say something like that! I mean if it's for Erza then I would do it for free." He grinned at her.

"Kiss up..." Natsu muttered as Gray tightened his hold on Natsu's head.

"I'm saving your life so appreciate it." Gray whispered, keeping a crooked smile on.

'Like I need you to save me...' Natsu thought.

"I see. Well, you have grown since the last time we fought, so why not. It would be a pleasure to kick your ass again." Erza smirked.

'We'll see about that...' Natsu grinned.

"What about you, Gray? Do you want to fight me too?" She asked him and he quickly shook his head.

"Yosh! I'm fired up!" He literally meant it as his face erupted into flames. "Let's do this!"

"Ugh..." Natsu groaned, taking in deep breaths.

"You're so hopeless, Natsu..." Gray sighed. "Go sit somewhere else you idiot!" Gray tried to push him off. Natsu groaned as his motion sickness worsened. "Hell, if you don't like trains this much then follow the train on foot!"

Lucy sweat dropped. "I know it happens all the time, but it still looks painful." Lucy felt nauseous.

Erza sighed. "I guess there's no choice then." She patted the seat next to her. "Come sit here, Natsu." Natsu looked at her and he knew very well what she was going to do to him. However, it did kind of helped him settle his stomach. He sat next to Erza. She smiled warmly at him before karate chopping at his stomach. Natsu groaned in pain, along with his motion sickness and his head landed on Erza's lap. Gray, Happy and Lucy gawked at what she did to poor Natsu. "That should ease him a little." She said and placed a hand in his hair and began soothing him.

"So, what kind of magic do you use, Erza-san?" Lucy asked.

"Please, call me Erza." Erza replied.

"Erza's magic is beautiful!" Happy told Lucy as he waved his paws up and down in excitement. "It usually ends up with blood being splattered! Mostly her opponent's blood." Lucy sweat dropped.

"How is that beautiful?" Lucy questioned.

"It's not much." Erza told her. 'But I think Gray's magic is more beautiful." Gray opened an eye at her compliment.

"That's right, you use ice magic, right?" Lucy exclaimed. He nodded and pounded a fist onto his palm and Lucy watched in awe as the solid form of Fairy Tail's mark appeared on his hand. "Wow! That's pretty!"

"Told you." Erza said with a knowing smile as she looked down at Natsu.

"See...he does...ugh..make girly sculptures..." Natsu managed to say as Gray closed his hand into a fist, shattering the magic he performed.

"What was that!" Gray growled at him.

"Settle down, Gray. You too, Natsu." Erza said, pulling on Natsu's ear. Natsu screamed in pain and then groaned as his motion sickness got worse.

"So, what is this job?" Lucy asked, curiously.

"Right...let me explain. While I was on last job, I stopped by a bar and overheard a group of hoodlums talking. I don't know what they were talking about exactly, but I did overhear a name." Erza explained.

"A name? Who?" Gray raised an eyebrow.

"Eligor." Erza said, staring at them seriously.

"Eligor?" Lucy asked, never hearing about him.

"The Ace Mage of the Magic Guild, Eisenwald, Shinigami Eligor." She answered.

"S-Shinigami..." Happy and Lucy repeated with a bit of fear in their voice. Erza nodded.

"It's a name that was given to him because he always took on Assassination jobs. The Magic Council prohibits mages to take on such jobs, but Eligor chose money instead." Erza explained as the train came to a stop.

Erza, Gray, Lucy and Happy all got off board and waited for Erza to get their belongings. "Anyway, because of that, the guild was ousted by the Council and now it is categorized as a Dark Guild."

"A D-D-Dark Guild!" Lucy stuttered in fear.

"Lucy, you making juice." Happy told her.

"It's sweat!" She yelled back. She then turned to Erza. "But wait, if the guild is ousted than didn't they get punished?"

"Their Master was arrested and the members were ordered to disband, but it appears that some didn't take the news too their liking. Even so, Dark Guilds usually work under the rule that there are no rules for them to follow. It was my fault." Erza lowered her head in shame. "If only I remembered the name Eligor, then I would have put them all in a blood offering!" Erza growled and glared in front of her. Lucy felt the death aura that she emitted and screamed slightly in fear.

"You are right. If it was just a few of them, you could handle this job on your own, but an entire guild. I see why you need our help." Gray concluded. Erza nodded.

"They also seemed to have gotten their hands on a magic called 'Lullaby'. I don't what it is exactly, but we can't overlook this matter." Erza told them as they nodded. "Here is the plan...we march into Eisenwald!"

"Huh!" Lucy screamed in surprise.

"Oh? Sounds interesting." Gray smirked.

"I probably should have stayed behind." Lucy muttered.

"Ah! Your making juice again, Lucy." Happy exclaimed.

"It's sweat damn it!" Lucy yelled back.

"Erza? Do you know where this Dark Guild is?" Gray asked.

"Not yet. That's why were are in this town." Erza answered.

"Umm...guys..." The two stopped walking and turned around to look at the blond haired stellar spirit mage.

"What is it?" They both asked.

"Natsu...he's not here..."

"Eh?"

"Ugh..." Natsu groaned as he clutched his stomach in pain. He knew he should have gotten off with the others, but then meeting that man wouldn't have happened. If it was in order to keep the time line in check, he had to handle the motion sickness, no matter how much he hated it.

"Umm...excuse me sir? Is this seat taken?" Natsu looked up slightly and saw that man that he was expecting.

'Got ya!' He felt like grinning, but instead, he groaned.

"My, your a mage of Fairy Tail..." The man said. "Your really lucky, you know that." He smiled at him.

'Damn that smile is creeping me out...I can't wait to kick this guy's ass.'

To Be Continued...
- 4
- 5
- 6
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Time is the Path to Strength