Fairy Tail: Shining Embers Of Destiny

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. Ever.

A/N: See below. Beware of slight spoilers from the manga.

Re-edited on 8/7/2016: I added an extra scene and corrected several words.

Chapter 1: The Nostalgic Fairy Tail, Part 1

"Are you truly prepared for the consequences?"

"Yes."

"There's no turning back."

"I know. I've made my wish."

"I see then... May you have the best of luck."

"Thanks. I'm going to need a lot of it."

"He…Nat…re…ou….kay!?""

The salmon-haired boy could only groan as his eyes are slowly opened up.

'Why is the sky so blue?'

The dragon slayer slowly rose up from the ground and made eye contact with a familiar blue exceed who is watching him with a worried expression.

The fire mage's only reaction was to jump back in shock.

"Woah, Natsu! What's with you?'' Happy shouted in shock, surprised at his best friend's reaction.

Said boy stared back at the flying cat in disbelieve, breathing heavily as he did so before looking around in wonder. From what Natsu could see, both he and Happy seemed to be at some short of alley. Happy continued to stare at Natsu worriedly when he notices the awed expression on his face, wondering if the dragonslayer's motion sickness must have affected him more than usual.

Soon, Natsu stared back at Happy again with a strange expression the blue cat could not identify. Happy just managed to bring Natsu back to Hargeon's train station after the fire mage got stuck in the train twice thanks to his motion sickness. However, as soon as they entered one of the town's alleyways, Natsu immediately collapsed on the pavement and Happy panicked. Unfortunately, there were no people around so Happy couldn't call for help.

After a few moments of silence, Natsu spoked,"…Happy?''

"Natsu,'' said blue cat replied slowly, ''Are you okay?''

Natsu opened his mouth before closing it, instead choosing to shake his head and gave Happy the widest grin the exceed has ever seen. Happy has never seen his foster father this happy ever since… Lissana's death. And wait, are those tears?

''Happy, can I hug you?'' Natsu asked suddenly.

"Huh?'' was Happy's only intelligent reply.

As soon as Happy said that, the blue cat got caught in a bear hug so strong it could rival Erza's hugs.

''Gah! Natsu….can't…. breathe!''

''Opps, sorry Happy!''

As soon as Natsu let go of Happy, the exceed immediately gasped for air before watching his salmon-haired friend wearily. Happy realised something was wrong with Natsu because he knew that Natsu is not the touchy-feely type of guy, much less asking for a hug out of nowhere. Even now, Natsu is smiling at him while wiping away some bits of stray tears and it's starting to creep him out.

'Wait a minute, since when did Natsu have green eyes? I thought his eyes were black!' Happy thought to himself.

"Hey, Happy. What date is it today?'' Natsu asked again.

"Huh?'' is, once again, Happy's only reply as the blue cat is utterly mystified by his friend's question

As if fate answered his question, a random newspaper flown over their heads and Natsu immediately grabbed it and read the date on it.

2 July, X784

It's the day he first met Lucy Heartfillia, his precious nakama and best friend, other than Happy, who sacrificed so much for him during… the war with Zeref.

''….Natsu?''

Said boy looked up to his companion's face and could see Happy's expression of concern that is underlined with a tinge of fear. Natsu sighed before giving a slightly somber, albeit still happy expression (pardon the pun) on his face. He knew that his actions are probably confusing his best friend.

''Sorry about that, Happy. I….''

What is Natsu supposed to say? That he came from a future where humanity almost went extinct and all of their beloved nakama, Happy himself, have been murdered by Zeref and his army of demons? That he just saw his best friend died in his hands after being struck down by Zeref's magic and yet said cat is still alive because of time travel? That he's actually the younger brother of Zeref Dragneel and the infamous E.N.D?

''…I think I ate too much food.''

Happy gave him the most brilliant deadpan expression that Natsu has ever seen and the fire dragonslayer could not help but laugh boisterously at the poor cat. Oh thank Mavis that the war have not tarnished his sense of humour. It's pretty obvious from the get-go that Happy clearly did not believe in such a far-fetched lie that even Natsu himself thinks it's not possible at all, considering his endless appetite for food. If he could remember clearly, he and Happy are supposed to be very hungry by now.

Before anymore could be said, multiple excited female voices are heard.

''I can't believe he's here!''

''He's so dreamy!''

''Isn't the Salamander so handsome!''

Oh great, he forgot. In his excitement over the successful trip back in time, Natsu has entirely forgotten the reason why he and Happy are Hargeon in the first place. He has to face that faker, Bora the Prominence in order to meet Lucy again and he knew enough about time travel that he has to follow the timeline or else his knowledge of the future would be made redundant.

The problem is whether or not he could control himself from attacking the man whom he honestly taught was Igneel. Sudden memories of his foster father's death came in and he pushed them away just as quickly. He has no time for grief since it's time to reunite with the girl with golden hair and warm, brown eyes. Even if she's not the same as his Lucy, all he cares about is that she's alive and happy and he would be damned if he loses her again. Not after her sacrifice to protect him….

"C'mon, Happy! Let's go see the Salamander!''

''Oi, wait up!''

Once Natsu and Happy arrive at the town square, there were many fangirls gathering around Bora and from the corner of his emerald eyes, he could see Lucy in the crowd with hearts in her brown eyes.

Natsu could feel his breath get caught in his throat. It's been so long since he last saw her, her body no longer marred by scars of war and still as innocent as ever.

However, that feeling of elation is soon replaced by rage the moment he set his eyes on Bora. How dare this man mock his guild-no, his family and prance around cursing girls with his charm magic while acting like a member of Fairy Tail. The fact that he even got Lucy stuck under that spell made his blood boil, almost literally.

Happy could feel the temperature around him rising and immediately realised that Natsu is extremely pissed off and somehow the 'Salamander' in front of them is responsible for his anger.

''Natsu…'' Happy asked wearily. Something definitely changed in Natsu when he collapsed just then and Happy has to be careful.

''Happy, that is not Igneel,'' Natsu replied, his jaw clenched, ''That faker was pretending to be 'Salamander'. But since he's enjoying his 'time', let's humour him.''

Happy has never seen Natsu this livid before. Sure, there are times where Natsu get angry in his constant brawls with Gray but he has never seen the fire mage seething with fierce hatred in his sharp green eyes nor has he seen speak so calmly in such an emotional state. Honestly, it scares him.

''Hey, Salamander! Long-time no see!'' Natsu called out to Bora.

Suddenly, all attention goes to him and Natsu could see the hearts in Lucy's eyes shattered apart, finally free of the charm spell. Natsu could not help but smirk as he saw her awed expression turned into realisation when she just found out she fell victim to the charm spell.

''Hmm. Do I know you?'' Bora asked, confusion etched in his face.

''Have you really forgot about me? We're friends, remember?'' Natsu replied, getting closer to Bora until he gave him a side-hug, albeit a very painful one.

Natsu leaned closer to Bora's ears and hissed, "Leave this place now or I will tell your real name to those girls, Bora of Prominence.''

Natsu immediately let go of Bora, feeling satisfied when he saw the fearful expression on Bora's face. He could feel Lucy staring at him suspiciously, as though she knew what he just said to Bora.

''O-oh, ye-ah! Lo-ong time no see! Um I think I need to go now, let's meet up again tonight! I got a tight schedule and all.'' Bora stuttered before giving a nervous laugh.

'Oi! Give me your autograph first!'' Natsu demanded, not willing to lose one of his future treasured possessions in the new timeline no matter ridiculous it seems.

After making a quick signature on paper, Bora than left in a dramatic fashion by using his purple flames to fly away, leaving behind many heartbroken fangirls wailing in his wake.

Natsu let out a satisfied smirk after stuffing the autograph in his bag. Usually, he would just straight out attack Bora right here and then. However, he does not fancy getting attack by a pack of rabid fangirls and probably does not earn him points in Lucy's first impression of him. Nevertheless, it feels nice to take a peg down on arrogant jerks.

''Well, I guess it's not him after all.'' Happy lamented.

''Definitely not him at all.'' Natsu replied somberly and crossed his arms, once again pushing away memories of Igneel's death from his mind.

''Hey…''

Natsu immediately tensed and turned behind to see his future nakama walking towards him with a grateful expression on her face.

"Thanks for your help. He was a real creep.'' Lucy said with clear gratitude in her voice.

Natsu could feel his breath get caught in his throat when he heard her beautiful voice after so long. With the haunting image of Lucy's dead body after her sacrifice accompanying his mind, Natsu is so grateful that her brown eyes no longer held that same dead look the last time he saw her.

''Uh...Hello?'' Lucy asked, uncertain.

Oh crap, he stared at her too long.

"O-oh, uh…Sorry? An-nd uh…Yo-you're welcome?'' Natsu stuttered with an internal grimace.

Lucy just shook her head, amused at the boy's behaviour. It's pretty obvious that he was admiring her feminine wiles and she was used to such looks of admiration, especially after surviving dates with those so-called 'men' her father set her up with in the past. At least this cute boy with his strangely coloured hair, weird-looking scarf and forest green eyes seemed apologetic.

'…Wait a minute, did I just called him cute?'

Happy, for the first time in his entire life, watched flabbergasted when he saw Natsu, the true Salamander and most destructive fire dragon slayer in history, stuttered in front of a girl they never met before. Everything happened so fast it seems almost surreal and Happy could count a number of things that Natsu did things that are out of character.

For one, Natsu just won a fight against the false Salamander without actually fighting at all and with subtlety too! And with how angry Natsu was just then, to say that Happy was surprised is an understatement when not a single fight erupted at all during their encounter with that faker.

Not to mention that Natsu's eyes also changed colours. How could onyx black eyes changed into vivid green in a few seconds? That does not make sense!

Happy gave an internal sigh. Once everything is over, he definitely going to ask Natsu what his problem is… and he's not accepting stupid excuses. For now, he'll tolerate this new side of his best friend.

"Hey, I owe you guys lunch. It's the least I could do for you two after helping me out.'' Lucy offered with a smile on her face.

Natsu's and Happy's stomachs growled at the same time and said duo gave each other a look before giving Lucy sheepish grins.

''Sure, why not!'' Natsu replied excitedly.

'"Aye, sir!'' Happy exclaimed just as gleefully.

'There goes all my money…'

Lucy watched in exasperation as Natsu wolfed down his food with utter savagery while Happy happily nibbled his fish, causing food to fly everywhere. Has this boy ever learnt table manners?

Natsu has not eaten this much food since… ever. Wow, Zeref really made him feel like 400 years old. He ordered way more food than he supposed to, even by his standards. He can't help it though. Weeks of senseless fighting against Zeref's army have made him missed food so much that he willingly ate those rubbish others called 'rations' just to appease his hunger and even then he's always never full.

Still, he can't help but feel slightly guilty for making Lucy buying all of their orders. For all he knows, he could've made her bankrupt.

''…if I could actually convince them to let me in, I think I could just about to die!'' Lucy exclaimed in her fangirl mode.

Oh crud. He's brooding too much just like ice princess that he absolutely did not notice her talking at all. What kind of nakama is he to just ignore his best friend!? Especially after everything she done for him, both original and new timelines included. After slurping the last few of his ramen, the words suddenly blurted out of his mouth.

"Why don't you join Fairy Tail?''

That one sentence caused Lucy to stop her chatter mouth and Happy gave Natsu a hidden look of appreciation. In the blue cat's opinion, Lucy talk too much.

''Huh?'' came Lucy's stupefied reply.

"I mean, you're a weirdo. I'm sure you fit in right with them.''

'"What did you just called me?!'' Lucy shouted in outrage, threatening to hit him.

''Weirdo,'' Natsu repeated, smirking as he did so, "And I mean it in a good way. The guys from Fairy Tail has always been, uh what was that word? Oh! Eccentric! I'm sure they love to be friends with you, myself included.''

Lucy gave a huff of irritation, still not amused by Natsu's choice of word in describing her. Inwardly though, she actually felt touched that Natsu considers her a friend. If anything, Natsu could possibly be her first friend she made ever since she ran away, other than Happy of course. Nevertheless, she set herself forward to answer Natsu's question.

"Sure, why not? To be honest, Fairy Tail is actually my favourite guild out of all of them. I guess one of the main reasons why I like them so much because they're selfless heroes. One of them actually saved me when I was a child.''

Natsu eyebrows went up. Why does that sound so…Oh, right! The 'Memory Days' incident. His Lucy did mention that she saved her past self during that time although she did not specify how exactly. Speaking of that book, he will definitely make sure to avoid it. The war has too much unpleasant memories and he does not want he and his friends to go through such an ordeal.

But if that was the case, then how exactly is he going to imitate the 'Memory Days' incident again? He knows he has to follow the timeline without changing too much until a certain date and his memories of the future might as well be considered the past. Wow, time travelling is so confusing.

"What happened exactly?'' Natsu questioned, honest curiosity in his tone. He never asked what Lucy's experience was like in the past. Mainly because he's too glad that he and the others managed to return to their timeline safe and sound. Maybe the Lucy from the past might know what happened.

Lucy's face blushed, much to Natsu's surprise.

"Well actually… I tried to ride a carriage with horses alone once without anyone else to help and uh…well… It didn't go so well.''

Happy, who has been silently observing Natsu's and Lucy's conversation, decides to comment, "Wow, that's really stupid of you.''

Lucy than proceeded to slap the exceed on his head, resulting in a yelp from the blue cat.

"Shut up, you stupid cat!" Lucy exclaimed angrily before she stutters out her argument, blushing as she did so, ''I was ju-just a kid back then, okay! I-I… wa-was ve-very curious…''

Natsu knew she was lying about her reasons but he chose not to press on it. This is something personal about Lucy that as of now, he has no right to know yet. Instead, he chose another question.

"Are you lonely?''

'"Huh?'' Lucy replied back in shock, confused once more.

Happy chuckled to himself. Out of everything that has happened, the one thing he liked about the changes (or whatever they are) is that Natsu seemed to have a new habit of shocking people with random questions and this won't the last time either.

''I'll say it again. Are you lonely? You seem to have this sad look in your eyes and you didn't talk much about friends.''

Lucy was speechless. Was she that obvious? No way. Years of neglect by her father and endless dates with those suitors taught her to cover her emotions well. And yet, Natsu, someone she just met (and be friends with), could see through her.

When she saw that Natsu is serious-'that expression does not fit on his face. He needs to smile more often'- she sigh and readied herself to admit the truth. Not that she's going to tell him everything! Just that she really is lonely. It has been an insecurity of hers ever since her mother's death. Sure, she has a good relationship with the servants back home but they're all older than her and she does not have friends who are the same age as her. Common sense told her that she shouldn't divulge any personal details about herself to people you barely know and yet… Natsu made her feel safe, like she could trust him with her secrets.

"Yeah, you could say that,'' Lucy answered truthfully, her brown eyes downcast, ''I… don't really have a lot of friends. I've always been lonely since I was young.''

Natsu frowned for a moment before grinning brightly, leading Lucy to blink several times at the sudden mood lash. 'Wow, his canines are really sharp'.

''That's it! Lucy, follow me outside! I got something to show you. You too, Happy!''

Confused at the sudden turn of events, she put down all of her savings-'Natsu brought so much food, damn it!'- and decides to follow the pink-haired boy and his flying blue cat out of the restaurant. She does not why at all but her gut feeling is telling her that whatever Natsu is about show her, she completely trusts him.

The trio of dragon slayer, celestial mage and blue exceed are standing in front of a fairly decent sized boulder in a plain field somewhere outside Hargeon. Lucy has no idea how she managed to walk this far away from town and she is now getting very impatient.

''So….Are you going show me something or what?'' Lucy retorted, crossing her arms.

"Of course,'' Natsu replied with an infuriating smirk on his face, "Lucy, catch!''

Lucy could only blinked before having the Natsu's maroon jacket thrown to her face.

''He-hey! What the he-!'' Lucy spluttered before being struck speechless once again. Happy laughed at her flabbergasted expression.

It's not because of his lean, yet muscular body covered under his black sleeveless vest nor how handsome his face looked under the light of the shining sun with those emerald green eyes and salmon-coloured hair. No, those are not the reasons why Lucy is shocked speechless. The actual reason why was the fact that he has a mark on his lower right shoulder and it's not just any random mark.

It's the mark of Fairy Tail.

That, and the temperature seems to be rising a lot.

"Huh?!'' came Lucy's only response. Wow, Natsu has been giving her lots of shock lately.

Natsu ignores her, instead completely focused his attention on the boulder in front of them. Natsu knew that in the body of his younger self, he's not as strong as he used to be in the future but he can worry about that later. Once he, Lucy and Happy are back in Magnolia and finished certain events that are supposed to happen in the original timeline, he can train as much as possible afterwards to reach that level of power again.

Natsu started to inhale, gathering fire in his mouth. Once he gathered enough, he let go a blazing torrent of flames at the large boulder, causing it to explode upon impact.

"Fire Dragon's Roar!''

Happy watched amusingly at Lucy closing and opening her mouth repeatedly until realisation filled her face, her brown eyes completely wide. If his foster father is planning to impress their blonde friend, he sure as hell did a very good job.

Lucy pointed her finger in disbelief at Natsu, unable to believe that she saw Natsu breath fire and decimated a large rock with almost no effort at all.

"You're…You're… You're a member of Fairy Tail?!" Lucy exclaimed, struggling to accept the fact that Natsu is indeed, a member of the Fairy Tail. His mark proves it.

"Hey! Don't forget about me!" cried out Happy.

Natsu watched in satisfaction at the half melted bits of the once large bolder. At the very least, he's not too underpowered by time.

Another bout of realisation hit Lucy. The unusual pink hair and the scaly looking scarf, the ability to create and manipulate fire in ways that nobody else can.

'Oh my gosh, he's the real Salamander!'

The boy and cat duo watched in amusement at Lucy in which said blonde mage was spluttering incorrigible words over her recently discovered revelation. Natsu was slightly surprised though at Lucy's reaction. She wasn't this shock the first time she found out when he was giving Bora a curb-stomp battle in the original timeline. Maybe that time has something to do with how dangerous the situation has become and that might've distracted Lucy enough from the shock. This time though, there is nothing else for Lucy to focus on.

"That's…. I never seen magic like that before.'' Lucy admitted lamely, now that most of the shock has left her body.

"That's called dragon slayer magic!'' Happy happily explained.

Natsu is more than glad to let Happy explain the basic aspects of dragon slayer magic to Lucy. However, Lucy brought up something that surprised both him and Happy.

"Why would a dragon teach a human dragon slayer magic!? That's like trying to give someone the power to slaughter your own species! And how did you actually convince a dragon to teach you such magic?'' Lucy exclaimed incredulously.

Natsu frowned. Of course he knew the real reason behind Igneel's lessons of teaching him dragon slayer magic and he'd be more than willing to kill his beloved father's murderer, Acnologia with or without the 400 year plan. Lucy does not know that however, so it's easy to forgive her. Nevertheless, it's not easy to control the bitter tone in his words when the image of Igneel's partially destroyed body filled his mind.

"It was Igneel who taught me." Natsu answered, his voice low and unamused.

"Huh? Igneel?'' Lucy asked, surprised from how angry he sounded.

"Yeah, Igneel. He's the dragon who not just taught me magic but also raised me like a father since I was young. Why would I want to slaughter my own father?'' Natsu could not help but growl after speaking the last sentence, resulting in Lucy to flinch and Happy stared at him in shock.

Lucy stared down at her shoes, unable to look at Natsu's cold green eyes. Her hands clenched around the rims of her blue skirt as she bit her lips, wondering what she would say to break the tension.

No matter how ridiculous Natsu's claim of his upbringing, Lucy knew that she just offended her new found friend by bringing up such implications of the use of dragon slayer magic and she felt extremely guilty for that. She was just pointing out the information that does not make sense to her but she didn't know that he would react so strongly to her question if his offended scowl on his face and him crossing his arms is indication enough.

Nevertheless, she still felt guilty for offending Natsu even if it was unintentional. She doesn't want her first friend to be angry at her.

'I already have my father to hate me enough as it is…' Lucy thought gloomily to herself.

Happy watched nervously back and forth between Natsu's glaring at Lucy and said girl's guilt-stricken face. Even though the blue exceed never met the fire dragon, he knew just how much Natsu loved his father with the way his best friend talk about him with clear admiration in his voice. Happy would say in the same tone too whenever he praised his own foster father. As matter of fact, Igneel is the main reason why he and Natsu are in Hargeon in the first place.

Happy knew that Natsu would never hurt Lucy. In fact, he would never hurt an innocent person. However, that does not mean that Natsu won't act antagonistic to someone he doesn't like yet he could not fight due to obvious reasons. Happy is very fond of Lucy and her 'weird' behaviour even though he and Natsu only met her an hour ago. He does not want Natsu's recent friendship with Lucy to crumble over a misunderstanding.

Natsu knew he shouldn't be angry at Lucy at all. The present Lucy didn't know after all. Igneel's death hit him pretty hard but now that he's alive and inside his body (he still can't believe that his father has been inside him the entire time until the war with Tartarus), the thought excites him but he'll dwell on that later. Now, he has to focus on the present.

Natsu gave a sigh before giving a wistful smile at Lucy, making said blonde to blink at the unexpected action while Happy tilted his head curiously at the change in Natsu's emotional behaviour.

"Sorry about that. You just hit a sore spot in me without knowing, that's all. No harm done.'' Natsu said. The grin on face, though slightly melancholic, is shining with forgiveness.

"Wha-what are talking about?! I'm the one who should sorry! I didn't mean to-''

But before Lucy could continue, her lips were covered by Natsu's calloused hand.

'"Sheesh, Luce. You're loud.'' Natsu jested with a smirk.

A tick of irritation appeared on Lucy's forehead. How dare that boy called her loud while she was trying to apologise him. And that name too! Why she oughta-

"Why you-!? I was apologising to you!'' She cried in outrage. Then she slap him on the head, "And the name's Lucy!"

Soon after that, she suddenly remembered the situation and becomes horrified of her actions.

"Wah! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-''

"For the last time Luce, it's okay. If it makes you feel better, I forgive you.'' Natsu said while looking away in the other direction, his cheeks blushed in the same colour as his hair since he's not used to saying such words.

Lucy gave a slight huff of irritation at Natsu's nickname for her before closing her eyes and sigh in relief. Natsu was so quick to forgive her and she never felt so glad that her friend is no longer angry at her.

"Lucy!?'' she could hear Natsu's surprised gasp and suddenly she could feel something wet on her cheeks.

'Am I crying?!'

Lucy quickly wiped away the traitorous tears out of her face, embarrassed that Natsu and Happy got to see in her such a state. When since did she get so emotional anyway? She survived growing up without friends and she certainly did not let her loneliness affect her too obviously. So why was she crying?

Natsu and Happy are the first friends she ever made and she doesn't want to lose them.

Wow, she just met them more than an hour ago and she considers them her close friends. She must be much lonelier than she cared to admit. Even her celestial spirits could not completely fill the hole in her heart that is called friendship.

Natsu than stepped closer to Lucy and used his used his hand to wipe away her tears, much to her shock.

"Don't be sad. I don't hate you. You're actually nice even if you're weird, you know that?'' Natsu complimented her, his cheeks slightly pink.

Lucy could not help but smile shyly at Natsu's words, blushing as she stared back at his emerald green eyes. It's been so long since someone cared that much for her, not since her mother's death. Even if Natsu chose a very bold way of comforting her, he still cared for her and she felt so happy.

Natsu thought back to his Lucy from the original timeline and the sacrifice she has made for him….

"Please… Stop Zeref….''

"No! Lucy, please don't-!''

"I've… always… believe… in you… ever since… we first met… Natsu…''

"Lu-Lucy, I... I...!''

"I….I...lo-''

''LUCYYYYYYYYYYYY!''

Natsu would rather be damned than to lose Lucy and everyone else to death again. Fairy Tail is his nakama and Lucy is no exception, even if she not technically a member of Fairy Tail yet as of now. Seeing future Lucy during the GMG murdered by future Rouge is bad enough, but seeing his Lucy from the original timeline sacrifice herself for him?

He's not going to let present Lucy die. He will protect her and all of his nakama. He's going to change the future for the better and see that his family will live through peaceful times. And seeing that beautiful smile on her face is totally worth it.

It is unfortunate that Happy would be the one break the tension with the most embarrassing method: teasing.

"Wow, you two are totally in love!'' Happy exclaimed.

Those few words are enough to break the spell that was holding on both dragon slayer and celestial mage. As a result, Happy laughed at the priceless expressions on his friends' faces whose only reactions were to splutter incorrigible words.

If one was witnessing this scene, he/she would say that he/she saw two angry people in their late teens swearing at a flying blue cat who was laughing his face off.

After a certain while, Natsu looked at Lucy again after the latter had caught Happy and covered his mouth.

"Hey, Lucy. Enough about the drama. I got something to tell you.''

''Eh? What you mean?'' Lucy asked, though she definitely agreed on the drama part. Things has escalated way too emotionally for both sides.

"I'm offering you the chance to join Fairy Tail.'' Natsu answered, still smiling as ever.

Lucy gasped for a moment before squealing as loud as possible like the excited fangirl she is. Is she really going to join Fairy Tail? Oh imagine all the adventures she's going to have and all the money she's going to earn on quests.

"Yes! Definitely yes!'' Lucy exclaimed happily.

"Too bad, Luce," Natsu smirked, "You have to go through a test first."

"EHHHHHHHH!'' Lucy screamed at the top of her lungs, making Natsu and Happy to cover their ears.

Test?! What test?! She doesn't remember any of the Weekly Sorcerer magazines saying anything about a test when it comes to applying for membership in Fairy Tail.

Even Happy is curious too. Why would Natsu set up a test of all things for Lucy? He's always eager to accept new friends who are willing to join their nakama.

After Lucy has calm down, she anxiously waited for Natsu to reply. The fire mage took a deep breath and his face grew serious, much to the anticipation of Lucy and Happy.

"Lucy, your test is to take down Bora of Prominence.''

This cause Lucy to raise her eyebrows. Who the heck is Bora? Happy, who had finally caught on to Natsu plan, help his best friend explain to Lucy who Bora really is.

"So you're saying that creep is not only impersonating you as a member of the Fairy Tail guild but he also has been kidnapping girls with his charm magic as well!?'' She retorted in disgust, anger filling up her shaking body as she clenched her hands into fists.

She knew that Bora was already suspicious enough with the way he uses illegal charm magic but to think that he'd actually go as far as to take advantage of the girls' forced infatuation with him and kidnap them? She never knew someone so…so… despicable.

Natsu watched wistfully at Lucy. It's sad to think that once she joined Fairy Tail, she's going to encounter people way more worse than Bora.

"Well, we don't know exactly if he's actually kidnapping girls but Natsu and I can tell you this, Lucy. That guy is totally not trustworthy." Happy warned Lucy.

"I see….'' replied Lucy.

After a few moments of silence, Natsu spoked out.

"Hey, me and Happy are going to help you in this test."

"Huh, really?'' Lucy was surprised once again.

"We are?'' asked Happy, confused.

"Yep!'' Natsu smiled brightly, "There's no way we're leaving you to fight Bora alone. Even if you're not member of Fairy Tail yet, you are our new nakama and we will always be on your side. That's what Fairy Tail's for. We're family who looks out for one another.''

''Natsu…''

Lucy is incredibly touched by Natsu's words. He doesn't consider her as a friend. He considers her as a nakama, his family. The thought of family nearly brought on the waterworks but she pushed away the sadness. No, she will be happy and she not fail this test! She will join Fairy Tail and with Natsu's and Happy's help, that dream isn't too far away.

"Alright, but first,'' She pointed back at the port of town of Hageon, "Let's get back to Hargeon. I don't fancy talking our plans this far from town.''

Natsu look around at the plain fields around them and agreed with Lucy's idea. Even though Hargeon is relatively safe place, the countryside can be infested with monsters and it would probably get more dangerous at night.

Natsu grunted his agreement before a sudden jolt of realisation hits him and stared at Happy in horror.

"Natsu, what's wrong?'' Happy asked in concern.

"We forgot to thank Lucy for buying us lunch!"

''EHH!''

By the time Lucy realised what was going on, a pink-haired dragon slayer and his talking blue cat are bowing down to her like a goddess while chanting their thanks in reverence. Needless to say, Lucy was not amused.

"CUT IT OUT! You're embarrassing me!'' Lucy screamed in what seems to be a mix of horror, revulsion and embarrassment even though there was no one else around to see them. Well…except maybe one.

A mysterious entity floats over to a veil that is currently depicting Natsu, Lucy and Happy walking the way back to Hargeon, all of them chatting animatedly.

The figure frowned, hoping that he would not regret his decision to help the fire dragon slayer. After all, Natsu Dragneel has already changed the course of time the moment he chose to act on his own instead of acting like he was supposed to do in the original timeline.

The wings of a butterfly may create a weak flap of wind but in a few days, a hurricane will form.

Let's hope you can truly change the future because your true enemy isn't Zeref. It's Destiny and it will always try to find a way to make you fail and accept your loss.

The entity smiled.

Let's see if you can face the consequences of your alteration of time, Etherious Natsu Dragneel….

A/N: Whoa! I finally finished the first chapter after writing it for three days. Writing 5k plus words is totally a good achievement for me. This is actually my first time writing fanfiction and I won't mind any criticism of my work because I know it's not perfect. But please, no flames allowed. The future from where Natsu come from takes place somewhere in the Alvarez Empire arc but with a few changes that will later be explained as the story goes on.

I don't know if I make Natsu, Lucy and Happy too OOC or not so please review and let me read what are your opinions of my interpretations of them. And don't worry about Natsu being a Gary Stu. Even he doesn't know which direction the future will go and he'll always ends up struggling just like the others.

Due to my hectic schedule, I probably won't be able to update until next month so any readers who like this fic would have to wait for the next chapter for a very long time. See yah!