Chapter 1: The World's Strongest Mage

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail. Hiro Mashima does.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" roared Natsu as he charged Igneel with his flaming fist. Igneel easily swatted away Natsu like a rag doll. Natsu crashed into a boulder and landed on the ground with a thud. He got back up and prepared his next attack, but then stopped and looked at the ground in shame.

Igneel is startled saying, "What's the matter Natsu?"

Natsu spoke up, "Dad, am I really this weak?"

"What do you mean you're weak?" Igneel said.

"Dad, my aim is to surpass you and become the strongest wizard in the world, but how can I do that if I can't even touch you!?" Natsu said while looking up with tears in his eyes. Now Igneel was truly startled. Not only did Natsu just declare he, a human, would surpass him, a dragon, but he also declared that he would become the strongest wizard in the world, and Igneel easily knew who that was. Igneel was proud of his son.

"Well, I must say, I never thought I would see the day you cry Natsu!" Igneel said while laughing.

"HEY!" Natsu shouted, "I'm serious! If I'm going to be the strongest wizard in the world and surpass you, how can I do that if you're still able to smack me away like nothing!?"

"Natsu, just why do you want to become the strongest wizard in the world?" Igneel finally asked.

Natsu recoiled slightly then answered, "Because I know there are other people out there way stronger, and since I also want to make friends when I grow up, I want to be able to protect them! I'll be able to protect them if I'm the strongest wizard in the world, right?"

Igneel thought about that for a moment then replied, "That indeed is true, but it's not just strength that is required to become the strongest."

"It's not?" questioned the pink-haired dragon slayer.

"Nope," answered Igneel, "It's also the bonds of your comrades that makes you stronger." Natsu stared at the giant, red, scaly dragon he recognized as his father in awe. He broke into a smile when he realized that he was right. When you have friends by your side, you always want to fight your hardest.

"You're right Dad," exclaimed Natsu, "but before I go and acquire friends, I need to build up my own strength first. So can you train me harder from now on?"

"Very well, from now on, I will be strict with you and your training, think you can handle it?" said Igneel with a giant smirk on his face.

"Yes!" said the smiling dragon slayer oblivious to his upcoming torture and the smirk on Igneel's face.

"THEN STOP SMILING LIKE AN IDIOT AND PICK UP THAT BOULDER YOU CRASHED INTO!" screamed Igneel.

"Aye!" saluted the now scared dragon slayer who picked up the boulder with clear signs of struggle.

"Now, I want you to carry that boulder 1,000 steps in that direction and back without dropping it in the slightest, and to make sure you don't, I'm coming with you every step of the way. And no dinner until you finish," said the red dragon with an evil smile on his face.

"You're kidding..." said Natsu with a horrified look on his face.

"GET WALKING!" said the now infuriated Igneel.

"AYE SIR!"

*July 7 X777*

Natsu was crying into his scarf that was with him when he woke up this morning. He had been searching for Igneel high and low, even searched by smell, but still couldn't find Igneel. It then hit him that this is the chance he's had to go out, make friends, and become stronger.

"Igneel, I know you can't hear me, but I want you to know even though I'm finally heading out on my own, I'll still be hoping I'll see you again, but only when I become a strong wizard. Until then," said Natsu while wiping off his tears, clenching his fists, then looking to the sky, "I WILL TRAVEL ISHGAR, FIND FRIENDS, AND THEN BECOME THE STRONGEST WIZARD IN THE WORLD!" And with that, Natsu ran off into the world.

*3 weeks later*

Natsu has been traveling hills and plains for as long as he's been alone. He's been surviving by eating what big animal that was unfortunate enough to cross paths with him. Now he's stopped in another forest to gather his strength for another trek.

"Man, I can't believe the world has all this grand stuff," said Natsu with his classic toothy grin, "I've been only out for 3 weeks, yet I've seen so many different kinds of tasty monsters. Well time to get back to my hunt for friends."

When he was about to leave, he smelled not something, but someone coming near him. As he was turning around to see who was coming his way, he was met with a kid with spiky black hair, black shirt, and metal piercing walking woozily towards him.

"Oi, are you okay?" said the confused dragon slayer.

"Hungry..." moaned the miserable boy.

"Here have some meat." Natsu held up a meat on the bone the size of his arm and the black haired boy snatched it and devoured it with no manners.

"Thanks." he said.

"Geez, you eat like you were raised by wolves," laughed Natsu.

"Nah, call me crazy, but I was raised by a dragon."

Natsu dropped his jaw in shock, "You were raised by a dragon too!?"

The other boy looked back in equal shock, "You too!?"

"Yeah, I was! I was raised by Igneel, the Fire Dragon. Who were you raised by?"

"The Iron Dragon, Metalicana."

"Cool. Say, I'm looking for people to help me become stronger so I can become the world's strongest wizard. Do you wanna travel with me?" said Natsu.

"Hmm, sure, why not, I owe you for the meat, and why don't we try to look for a way to join up with society?" said the iron dragon slayer.

"Join up with society?" said Natsu.

"Yeah, after all, they have more people there."

"Okay let's go, my name is Natsu Dragneel by the way."

"Gajeel Redfox, but how about I call you Salamander?" Gajeel asked.

"Salamander?"

"Yeah, it's like a flaming lizard." Gajeel explained.

"Oh! I get it now! Then I'll call you... Kurogane!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Kurogane?"

"Yeah! It means 'Black Steel'! Sounds cool, huh?" Natsu explained.

"Yeah!"

"Alright Kurogane, let's go to the human society! I'm all fired up!" said Natsu with a toothy grin.

"Gee hee, let's go, Salamander!" said Gajeel as the two raced off to the direction of a near by city.

*1 month later*

Well things have not been looking up for the two dragon slayers. They got scolded at by a food stand owner for eating his food without paying. They didn't know what he was so angry for, but they didn't care as they started walking away without a care in the world. As a result, he called the Rune Knights on them for stealing. At first, the two Rune Knights that showed up were trying to be nice, until they punched them. They called more Rune Knights on Natsu and Gajeel, and after 1 hour of fighting waves of Rune Knights, the council took them in and filled them in on money, public life, and even wizard guilds, because they figured the should join one if they want to make money. Afterwards, they were given 100,000 jewels so this doesn't happen again, and they went off into the world again. While traveling, They made it to a Town called Hargeon, where they heard of a guild called Fairy Tail being the strongest guild in the country, so they ask the people who said that how to get there and they answer to the east in a town called Magnolia and to take a train there to make it there fastest. They take the train only for Natsu to fall ill in less than 10 seconds due to motion sickness. 'This guy is going to be the strongest wizard in the world?' thought Gajeel while sweat dropping. As they made it to Magnolia, they are asked by the train conductor for they're tickets. Gajeel was immediately sweating bullets because he remembered that they suck in to avoid paying because they didn't have enough money due to them enjoying public food to much. Then he grabbed Natsu as he jumped off the train and started running for the guild called Fairy Tail. Let's see how they are right now.

"Dammit Salamander, why do suck so bad on moving vehicles!?" said Gajeel as he was carrying Natsu while running from the military yet again.

"You're not really helping me by carrying me right now so can you set me down?" groaned Natsu as he was now getting motion sickness by riding Gajeel's back.

"Too late for that! As soon as we make it to Fairy Tail, then I'll drop you!" shouted Gajeel.

After an hour, the duo finally lose the military and they were at the doors of Fairy Tail. Gajeel knocked on the door (A/N: Natsu is still down due to motion sickness by riding on Gajeel's back and Gajeel is tired from running while carrying Natsu) and the door opened to reveal a girl in armor with long red hair.

"Can I help you?" said the girl.

"W-We want t-to join the guild." said Gajeel while walking inside and falling down, therefore dropping Nastu.

"Master Makarov," shouted the girl, "these two exhausted kids want to join the guild."

"Very well," said Makarov, "Erza, when they get their strength up, have them put the guild mark on themselves."

"Yes, Master," said Erza.

"Are you sure these guys can even be useful? They look pretty weak to me," said a raven haired boy in just boxers, also earning a tick mark from Natsu and Gajeel because of what he said.

"Gray, your clothes!" said a girl with long brown hair.

"WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN!?" said Gray. The brown haired girl, named Cana, sighed.

'And he calls us useless?' thought the two dragon slayers. As our dragon slayers crawled their way to a nearby table to rest under, the guild doors suddenly flew open revealing 50 Rune Knights. The guild was shocked, mainly because they haven't done anything yet, but nonetheless, got ready for a fight. Natsu and Gajeel started hiding underneath chairs as they knew what they would do if they found them.

"We're looking for two boys, one with pink hair and one with spiky black hair." said the leader. Gajeel were shocked and wondering how the Rune Knights even knew they were here. Natsu on the other hand was POed at the leader for calling his hair pink.

'It's salmon, you bastard!' he whispered.

"Why are you looking for them?" asked Erza.

"They rode a train from the east of Fiore all the way here to Magnolia and didn't pay," explained the leader, "Normally, we would just ignore this, but we've had a issue with these two about money before, and warned them if they have another issue with money, we will arrest them."

"What makes you think they're here?" said Cana trying to defend them.

"The boy in spiky black hair yelled that they were coming to this guild a bit too loud." said the leader. Natsu glared at Gajeel while he sweat dropped.

"Well, they're about to join our guild, so can't you just let it slide?" said Makarov.

"They're JOINING you're guild!?" said the leader now in shock, "Now we really can't let them slide! Soldiers, find those two!" The soldiers were about to charge in inside until two chairs were suddenly knocked into the air by a stream of fire and a pillar of iron. Natsu and Gajeel revealed themselves and started waking towards the knights. The two walked in front of Erza and stood 10 yards away from the leader and his soldiers.

"Well, looks like the two troublemakers have decided to turn themselves in, how cute," he said with a twisted smile on his face, "GET THEM!" The soldiers quickly rushed Natsu and Gajeel.

"Fire Dragon's.../Iron Dragon's..." said Natsu and Gajeel as they're cheeks puffed up.

"ROAR!" they both screamed as tornado of fire came from Natsu's mouth and a tornado of grey filled with shards of iron came from Gajeel's mouth. Half of the soldiers were knocked unconscious and the other half were just looking back at them in anger.

"You brats!"

"You're gonna pay for this!" Natsu and Gajeel just showed their long fangs at them with sinister smiles spread across their faces.

"Bring it," they challenged as they charged the Rune Knights into battle.

"Iron Dragon's Lance: Demon Logs!" yelled Gajeel as he took out 5 more Rune Knights. "Iron Dragon's Club!" Gajeel used this technique on his leg to leg sweep 7 guards.

"Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!" Natsu swept through 8 more guards with flames spread across his arms in a wing like shape. 10 more guards appeared around Natsu and as they launched magic bullets at him, he jumped in the air and brought his hands together above his head and as he was falling down, his hands lit on fire. "Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!" An explosion had formed from Natsu's hands as he slammed them down on the ground. The mere force from the explosion was enough to knock out the guards.

The two dragon slayers now had their backs to each other as the remaining 20 Rune Knights surrounded them. Fairy Tail contemplated on going out to help them, but when they registered the smiles on the faces of the two dragon slayers, they wanted to keep waiting to see how this ends. As the Rune Knights charged their magic, Natsu and Gajeel use their magic to launch themselves in the air from their feet. The Rune Knights shot their magic at them and the two boys used their own magic.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!/Iron Dragon's Roar!" Their two breath attacks combined and overpowered the Rune Knights magic and knocked them unconscious.

The guild looked at the two boys in awe. They've never seen magic like that before. "Who are you guys!?" said Erza still in shock.

"I'm Natsu Dragneel the Salamander, and I'm gonna be the strongest wizard in the world!" declared Natsu with his classic toothy grin.

"I'm Gajeel Redfox, or Kurogane," said Gajeel.

"Nice to have you guys on board!" said Makarov with a smile on his face, "Go and get your guild mark from Mirajane. She's the girl over there with the long silver hair."

"Thanks!" said Natsu with his classic toothy grin still there as he walked over to Mirajane. The guild went back to they're usual rowdy self while talking about they're two new members. As he was walking over to Mirajane, he noticed a smaller girl with short silver hair standing next to her. He believed she was Mirajane's little sister. But he also saw that she was blushing.

"So, where do want your mark and what color?" asked Mirajane.

"On my right shoulder, and make it red," said Natsu.

"On my left shoulder, and make it black," said Gajeel.

After they got they got their guild marks, the younger girl stepped up to Natsu. "Hi, my name is Lisanna!" said the young girl with a cute smile.

Natsu slightly blushed, "Hi, I'm Natsu." Gray had walked over to them.

"Well, I must say I vastly underestimated you guys," said Gray. "So, who taught you guys that magic?"

"Our fathers did," answered Natsu. "Our magic is unique. It'll be damn near impossible that anyone could teach you now, since our father's are gone, and there are very slim chances you'll find anyone else with our magic."

While they were engaging in more conversation, Gajeel had wandered off into another area. While he was walking, he accidentally walked into a girl carrying lots of books. The books fell and so did the girl.

"Sorry about that!" said Gajeel. "No, it's my fault, I wasn't looking where I was going." said the bluenette. The two were about to pick up the last book until both their hands touched. The two blushed because of it. "U-Uh sorry!" they both said in unison.

The girl snapped back to reality first. "S-So, that was pretty impressive, what you two did back there."

"Y-Yeah, my name is Gajeel."

"My name is Levy! Nice to meet you!"

"Do you need help carrying those?" asked Gajeel with a smile on his face.

"Sure, thank you!" said Levy. The two left to the library to return some of the books.

"Natsu!" Makarov called.

"Yeah gramps?" said Natsu.

"You can sleep here if you don't have a place to stay." Makarov suggested while gulping down a beer.

"Thanks, but I'll be fine." Natsu said.

"I know, you could sleep at our place!" said Lisanna.

"Are you sure?" said Natsu.

"NO!" screamed Mira as she slammed her hand on the table.

"I seriously don't care, I'll be fine." Natsu insisted.

"Please Mira? Just for a week!" Lisanna said this while looking at Mirajane's demon eyes with cute puppy dog eyes. Mirajane was breaking down fast.

"Ugh, fine. But ONLY for a week!" exclaimed Mira. "Until then, YOU!" she said to Natsu. "You will wash the dishes, water the front lawn every day, and DON'T sleep with my sister! Understand!?"

"AYE!" saluted Natsu.

"Good. Now let's go home, it's getting late," suggested Mira.

"Go on without me, I got to take care of something!" said Natsu as he ran off.

"You don't know where we live!" said Lisanna while sweat dropping.

"It doesn't matter, I'll find you!" said Natsu as he ran off to find Gajeel.

"Kurogane!" He ran into the library and found Gajeel and Levy sleeping with their hands interlocking with one another.

'Oh this is just too good!' thought Natsu with a shit-eating grin as he ran off again to find someone who can draw.

"Hey you!" Natsu yelled at a guy in a wizard hat and had a sketchbook.

"Hey, my name is Reedus. What do you want, newcomer?" he said.

"Get over here!" Natsu grabbed Reedus by the wrist and started pulling into the library and towards Gajeel and Levy. "Listen Reedus, can you draw those two?"

"Alright."

*Later that day... At the Home of the Strauss' Family*

*Knock Knock Knock*

The door opened revealing Mirajane.

"How do you know where we live?" she questioned with a suspicious look on her face.

"I don't, I just smelled you here." said Natsu nonchalantly.

"You smelled us here?" Mira said doubtfully.

"Yeah, when I met you and your little sister the first time, I was able to get a hint of your smells. I just followed it to your house." Natsu explained while walking inside.

"What are you, some kind of bloodhound?" said Mira. "Or... ARE YOU A STALKER!?" screamed Mira with a death glare and dark aura cascading her. Then Lisanna made her appearance.

"Natsu would never do that!" said Lisanna.

"She's right." Natsu added. "I don't even know what that means."

"What?" deadpanned Mira. "You know what, I don't care. Just hurry up and wash the dishes!"

After Natsu washed the dishes, Mira was waiting for him on the couch.

"You're sleeping on the couch because there are no extra rooms. Nor do we have any extra pillows or blankets." said Mira with a deadly glare.

"Yes!" said Natsu. "I'm finally gonna sleep on something other than tree branches! So can you get up now?"

"You sure you won't freeze? It gets cold at night here."

"Thanks for the concern, but I can handle the cold. See?" Natsu grabbed Mira's hand and she felt the heat inside it.

Mira suddenly blushed and punched Natsu in the face. "W-What are you talking about!? I'm not concerned about you!" Mira ran up to her room.

'What is this feeling I'm having?' Mira put her hand to her chest. 'Why is my heart beating so fast? Damn that guy!'

Mira screamed into her pillow so no one could hear her. Then she had a blush spread across her face and sighed.

'He's so warm...'

*Meanwhile on the couch*

"W-What was that for?" groaned Natsu.

Natsu fell unconcious.

*Back to Gajeel*

Gajeel opened his eyes to see a note in front of him.

You go Kurogane! I'm rooting for ya!

"What?" He then looked to see he was still holding hands with Levy.

Gajeel's whole face blushed bright red and saw Levy shrug in the cold breeze. He covered with a blanket he found then ran off.

'Where are you, Salamander!?'

Levy smiled as she was sleeping.

Re-uploaded on 11/25/2015