Welcome, welcome to another story by yours truly. (Also, yes this is the same opening note for all of my Fairy Tail stories but the ending notes are different). Firstly, I just have to say Fairy Tail is absolutely awesome at creating strong heroines, I mean you look at most of the main shounen manga and they all have a multitude of weak female characters. In any case, there is a lot to like about Fairy Tail but one of my favourite parts is the E.N.D. plot twist. With that said, on with the story.
Even classics like Dragon Ball fell into this after a while, sure they have strong willed characters like Chi-Chi and Bulma, and #18 was a great fighter who had her moments, when she was the strongest during the Android Saga and broke Vegeta's arm for instance, but, eventually it all dissipated.
It is honestly a little sad, I'm no feminist or anything, but almost every female character in every manga is really weak and it is a little annoying.
Then you have Fairy Tail with the likes of Erza, Mirajane, Ultear, Kagura, Minerva, Mavis etc. It is really awesome, I mean if Kishimoto took some advice from Mashima maybe Sakura and Hinata wouldn't have been so damn annoying.
This is a warning for this and all of my other Fairy Tail stories, all of them will play off the knowledge of E.N.D. Some almost straight from the beginning and some halfway through the story, the point I'm trying to make is if you don't know who E.N.D. is and don't want to be spoiled, don't read my Fairy Tail stories until you do.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
*expression*
Flashback
'Dragon talking'
"Dragon thinking"
Techniques
Chapter 1 – Zeref Dragneel
'Igneel! Where are you?' Shouted a small pink haired boy, clad only in a pair of tan shorts.
The small child, who appeared to be about ten years of age, was currently running through a dense forest looking for his father.
Suddenly, a strong wind pressed down on Natsu, which caused him to look up in happiness.
'Igneel!' Shouted Natsu joyfully.
'What's with all the yelling Natsu, I told you I was just getting dinner?' Questioned the red scaled dragon, as he slowly descended in front of Natsu, being mindful to avoid knocking down any nearby trees, multiple beasts held within his right claw.'I got bored so I came looking for you.' Declared Natsu happily, as he rushed to his father who easily dwarfed him in size.
'Hmph, well come on then, let's head back, the sun is starting to set.' Said Igneel, as he lowered his head to allow Natsu to climb up on top of it.Natsu clambered atop the head of his father and raised his hands in excitement, as he started to rise in the air.
'Hey Igneel, are you sure you can't ever teach me how to fly?' Questioned Natsu, as they soared across the tree-line.
'Unless you suddenly grow wings out of your back, then yes.' Answered a bemused Igneel.'Aw man, just imagine how cool it would be.' Said Natsu dreamily.
'I don't need to imagine it, I can.' Guffawed Igneel in amusement.'Whatever, you'll see one day, I'll be able to fly.' Retorted Natsu childishly.
Igneel merely smiled at Natsu's behaviour, before a small frown took form on his face.
"Natsu, I truly hope you will be alright after tomorrow." Thought Igneel ominously, as the duo landed outside their cave.'Alright Igneel, let's do this, dinner time!' Shouted Natsu excitedly.
'Alright already, clam down.' Said Igneel, as he launched a stream of fire at the multitude of beasts he caught.As the fire slowly cooked them, Igneel noticed the flames were disappearing.
'Natsu! What have I told you about eating the flames we use for cooking?' Thundered Igneel.'Uh oops, wait until the food is cooked first.' Replied Natsu with a sheepish grin.
Igneel huffed in acceptance before breathing more fire, resuming the cooking of the beasts.
'Hmm Natsu, have you ever aspired to be something?' Questioned Igneel, getting a confused look from Natsu, who momentarily looked away from their slow cooking food.Igneel's deep rumbling laugh escaped his jaws before he rephrased his question.
'What do you want to be when you grow up, Natsu?' Reiterated Igneel.'I want to be really strong, like you Igneel!' Shouted Natsu cheerfully.
'What for? Is there a reason you want to be so strong Natsu?' Asked Igneel curiously, as he eyed their food momentarily, noticing it was almost ready.'Hmm, well, I guess I want to be strong because I want be like you. No one would dare try to fight a dragon and you're the strongest dragon I know.' Said Natsu thoughtfully.
'I'm also the only dragon you know.' Retorted Igneel bluntly.'What's with the weird questions Igneel and isn't the food ready yet?' Questioned Natsu as he started to drool.
Igneel laughed before nodding, which caused Natsu to cheer, as he sucked up the flames surrounding the beasts.
'Ah that was great, time to eat!' Cheered Natsu.
Igneel smiled fondly, as his adopted son started to tear into his food with gusto.
"Natsu, I hope that you find a goal worth striving for… after tonight, I hope you will do well... without me around." Thought Igneel sadly, before eating his share of food.Once Natsu finished his food, he dropped to the floor and fell asleep, causing Igneel to chuckle. Igneel picked up Natsu in his claw and carried him into their cave, before curling up around him. Natsu snuggled deeper into Igneel's chest, before sighing contently.
'Make me proud, Natsu.' Whispered Igneel as he closed his eyes, not knowing that tomorrow, Natsu's life would be changed forever.-line break-As Natsu awoke, he yawned deeply and stretched his arms up over his head. Natsu blearily rubbed his eyes and noticed a long, white scarf with a scale pattern, laid out on the floor next to him. Natsu picked up the scarf and examined it carefully, before wrapping it around his neck.
Natsu, upon exiting the cave, sniffed around hoping to find Igneel's scent, but found that the trail seemed to end back in the cave.
'Igneel! Where are you?' Shouted Natsu, before he started to wander around the area hoping to find his adoptive father.
After many hours of fruitless search, Natsu found his way back to the cave. Natsu crossed his legs as he sat down and planted his elbows on his knees, as his hands cradled his head.
'Where did Igneel go?' Muttered Natsu quietly with a frown.
Natsu heard some rustling to his left and eagerly jumped up in excitement, but instead of a dragon, he saw a man. The man appeared young and was clad in high-collared red and tan robes with gold trim, along with a large, flowing white toga, draped around his torso. He also had short black hair and dark eyes.
'N-Natsu?' Gasped the man.
'Huh, how do you know my name mister, did Igneel send you, do you know where he is?' Asked Natsu curiously, as he stepped closer to the man.
The man seemed to panic at this and took a step back, seemingly in fear.
'What's wrong mister, you look like you've seen a ghost?' Questioned Natsu in curiosity.
'Natsu what are you doing here?' Asked the man, regaining his bearings momentarily.
'What do you mean? This is where I train with Igneel all the time… where am I supposed to be?' Questioned Natsu in confusion.
'I need to go, it isn't time yet.' Said Zeref calmly, as he turned around.
'Wait, mister hold on!' Shouted Natsu, as he ran after him.
'No, wait, stop, stay back!' Cried the man in fear, as a wave of black energy surged around him.
Natsu, undeterred, continued on, even when a burst of black energy exploded from the person and enveloped him.
The man dropped to his knees in shock and gasped.
'No Natsu… what have I done?' Questioned the man, as he cradled his head in sadness.
'Huh what do you mean, you didn't do anything?' Questioned a childlike voice, surprising the man.
'N-Natsu, you're okay.' Intoned the man in awe, as he gazed upon the unharmed Natsu.
'Yeah why, was that supposed to do something?' Asked Natsu curiously.
The man glanced at the person before him. He was alive. He was unharmed. The man started to tear up slightly.
'Oi, oi mister what's wrong?' Questioned Natsu worriedly.
'It's nothing, I'm fine.' Said the man.
'Ok… say what's you name anyway, you know my name is Natsu, so what's yours?' Asked Natsu.
The man looked at Natsu and seemed to be thinking deeply upon something, before a small smile spread across his face.
'Zeref, my name, is Zeref.' Said the black haired man.
'Alright then, Mister Zeref, have you seen a big red dragon anywhere around here?' Asked Natsu eagerly.
'Just Zeref is fine, and no I haven't, sorry.' Said Zeref, noticing Natsu's downcast expression.
'I just don't know why Igneel left, was it something I said, didn't he like how I told him I want to be strong and learn how to fly… was it because I kept eating his cooking flames?' Questioned Natsu sadly.
Zeref smiled at this, before squatting down so he could look Natsu in the eye.
'I'm sure that wasn't it. You said he was a dragon, right? Maybe he had to go off and do special dragon stuff?' Suggested Zeref.
'Hmm maybe, although he could have at least told me, I mean when I woke up he wasn't even there, just this white… what the… what happened to my scarf, I was sure it was white in the morning but now it's black!' Exclaimed Natsu in shock.
Zeref stared at the scarf intensely.
"That must have been what stopped my magic, but will it work next time?" Thought Zeref ominously.
'Well I'm sure you'll find him someday, but I need to go now.' Said Zeref, as he stood up and turned to walk away.
'W-wait, can't you stay with me for a bit… Igneel never got around to telling me how to do things outside of the forest so I'm pretty lost.' Said Natsu timidly.
Zeref wanted to leave, very much so, but he couldn't leave Natsu alone to fend for himself. Zeref sighed before walking back to Natsu.
'Okay, I'll stay with you for now, until you are ready, however, there will come a time when I need to leave, is that okay with you?' Questioned Zeref.
'Sure no problem, big brother Zeref.' Said Natsu cheerily, shocking Zeref.
'B-big b-brother.' Gasped Zeref in shock.
'Well yeah, I mean, you aren't old like Igneel so I can't call you dad, besides you look just like me, we even have the same teeth, see, that makes you my brother, isn't that okay?' Questioned Natsu happily, as he gestured to his smile.
Zeref smiled softly, before walking over to Natsu.
'I see. In that case you're my little brother, Natsu Dragneel.' Said Zeref with a smile, showing of his fangs.
'Whoa, how did you know my last name as well?' Asked Natsu in awe.
'Well if we are brothers, then it is only right we have the same last name right, you are Natsu Dragneel, brother of Zeref Dragneel. Is that okay?' Questioned Zeref, only to have Natsu tackle him with a hug, his arms encircling Zeref's waist, as his head slammed into Zeref's stomach.
'That's awesome, you're the best big brother.' Cried Natsu, as he hugged Zeref and shed tears of joy.
'Alright, if that's the case, I'll help you get stronger and maybe, teach you how to fly if I can.' Said Zeref, as he gently patted Natsu on the back of his head.
'No way! Can you really teach me how?' Asked Natsu with stars in his eyes.
'In time, we have to build up to that first.' Said Zeref with a smile at Natsu's exuberance.
'All right then, let's get started.' Shouted Natsu, as he broke the hug and jumped back, before pumping a fist in the air.
-line break-Zeref and Natsu spent a great deal of time together in the following days. Zeref was initially fearful, but after a second explosion of energy, once again, failed to cause any harm to Natsu, he became much friendlier, even carrying Natsu on his shoulders sometimes. Natsu was excited to show Zeref all of his attacks and lamented how his attacks weren't as big as Igneel's, however, after Zeref promised to teach Natsu some new and powerful magic Natsu got over it quickly.
'Now Natsu, what I'm about to teach you about isn't really magic.' Begun Zeref.
'Aw why not, you said you'd teach me something really cool and powerful?' Whined Natsu.
'It is, as I was saying it isn't really magic, but it is like it, it is called Curse.' Explained Zeref.
'That doesn't sound like a good thing.' Commented Natsu with a frown.
'Oh and Dragon Slaying magic sounds good? Do you kill dragons?' Teased Zeref.
'But that's different.' Replied Natsu, getting Zeref to smile.
'If you say so, Natsu.' Said Zeref amicably.
'But why call it a Curse, why not a Blessing or something?' Questioned Natsu curiously.
'Well, someone once told me that they are called Curses because anyone who becomes an enemy of the user, will be cursed if they face them.' Said Zeref fondly, as he gazed at Natsu.
'Wow that sounds so cool, who told you that?' Said Natsu in awe.
'Oh, don't worry about that, it was just a friend of mine, you would have liked him; he was a lot like you.' Said Zeref with a smile.
'Was?' Queried Natsu hesitantly.
'Hmm, yes. Some things happened to him and he changed a lot, sometimes I wonder if I will ever see him again, I hope that one day I will.' Said Zeref sadly.
'Who was he?' Asked Natsu in a subdued manner.
'My brother.' Replied Zeref with a sad smile.
Natsu frowned at this and lowered his head.
'Ne, Zeref, is it alright for you to call me your little brother if you already have one? I mean I wouldn't want to call someone else dad, even if Igneel isn't here anymore.' Asked Natsu sadly.
'*sigh* I see… don't worry about that Natsu. My brother would have loved you, in fact he is so much like you it is scary, but I know… I know, that he would want this.' Said Zeref with a small smile.
'He sounds like a great person.' Said Natsu happily.
"He is." Thought Zeref, as he merely nodded to Natsu's comment.
-line break-After months of training, Natsu had gained a solid foundation in the usage of Curses and gained a good understanding on various types of magic, as well as heard lots of stories of Zeref's past, the good ones at least. Before either of the two knew it, it was a new year: X778.
'*sigh* Natsu, I'm afraid I need to leave now.' Said Zeref sadly, as he gazed upon the figure of his companion.
Natsu was now garbed in a red, long sleeve shirt with black trim and dark yellow shorts with brown trim and simple brown shoes.
'Aw really, can't you stay a bit longer?' Complained Natsu. Natsu had now grown so that he could stand comfortably next to Zeref, his head now reaching the tips of Zeref's floating ribs.
'Sorry Natsu, but I really can't stay anymore, however, I have a gift for you.' Said Zeref, as a black wave of energy appeared around his hands, before beginning to take shape.
Once the energy had solidified, Natsu gasped at what was revealed: an ominous looking katana. The blade was covered by a completely black sheath and the handle and guard themselves were also a solid black, with only three red diamonds decorating the hilt. The guard was an odd twelve pointed star and each tip seemed to glow with energy. Natsu could not see the blade however, as Zeref had not unsheathed it.
'Now Natsu this blade, is my gift to you… it was my brother's… but I know he would want you to have it, however, there is a rule that comes with this blade.' Said Zeref sternly, as he held the sword out for Natsu to take.
Natsu grasped the weapon, however Zeref didn't let go of the blade.
'You must only draw this sword in two scenarios, you must not draw it at any other time. The first scenario, is when someone is completely irredeemable, when a person has lost all that they once knew to be good and acts only in evil. The second scenario will usually be met along with the first, usually, however, the second scenario, is when someone has single-mindedly decided that they will try to hurt, destroy, or kill that which is close to you. If either of these two scenarios is met, you may draw this blade and strike them down, however, know that once a life has been taken, it… can't be undone, for this reason, use this blade only when you are sure that there is no other option.' Said Zeref, before letting Natsu take the sword.
Natsu gazed at the blade in reverence for a moment, before looking up at Zeref's expectant gaze.
'I promise.' Said Natsu firmly.
Zeref smiled at this, before walking away from Natsu.
'I'll make you proud big brother Zeref!' Shouted Natsu to Zeref's retreating form.
Zeref continued walking, but Natsu knew he had heard him.
'One last thing Natsu.' Said Zeref, as he continued walking away.
'It would make me happy if you could make some friends, they don't have to be plentiful, but make sure they are true friends, friends you can count on. I believe that if you find the guild named Fairy Tail, you will be able to make lots of friends.' Said Zeref, before his form started to fade away into the woods.
'Fairy Tail? Little Mavis' guild? Okay then.' Said Natsu, before heading off in the opposite direction of Zeref's now barely visible form.
"Make me proud, E.N.D., no, rather, make me proud Natsu Dragneel, my little brother." Thought Zeref with a smile.
-line break-After separating from Zeref, Natsu had started to trudge east, using his nose to sniff out the nearest human scents he could locate. After walking for what felt like ages to Natsu, but was really only an hour, Natsu picked up on a scent.
'Finally.' Whispered Natsu to himself.
As he neared the scent though, Natsu smelt two new scents. Natsu found it slightly odd that one scent would be so far removed from, what Natsu was guessing, were possible friends or family, but a sharp, shrill scream of fear, caused Natsu to rush towards the first scent he picked up on.
'Come on now girlie, just give us everything you've got and no one needs to get hurt.' Said a scruffy, well-built man, wearing a long and ragged black robe.
'I'd do what he says, he gets pretty violent when people refuse him.' Commented the man's partner with a sneer, as he carelessly waved a large axe around.
The two men were harassing a little girl, holding a small basket of various fruits. The basket itself was worn, as was the clothing worn by the girl. Her frightened hazel eyes darted around her anxiously.
'Pathetic.' Said a new voice, causing the three to look around for the new voice.
'Who said that, show yourself?' Demanded the axe wielding bandit.
'You two, are simply pathetic.' Said Natsu, as he exited the tree line and entered the small clearing, where the mugging was taking place.
'Heh, you've got guts kid, too bad I'm going to have to cut them out of you.' Said the axe wielding bandit.
'Although, if you leave that sword behind, we may just let you get away with only a missing arm.' Added the other bandit.
The dark haired girl merely looked on in fear at the confrontation, as the boy grasped the sword he had crudely fastened to his waist with some vines.
'This sword… you dare make light of the blade my brother gave me. The blade that his brother once wielded.' Said Natsu darkly.
'Well kid, you either give us the sword or we will take it from you.' Said the axe wielding bandit.
'Before that, let me ask you, are you doing this out of poverty? Do you need food or money so desperately that you would bully a little child?' Asked Natsu calmly.
'Feh, he thinks we are poor. HAHAHA you crack me up kid, we are bandits, part of the most bloodthirsty group around this area.' Begun the unarmed bandit before Natsu cut him off.
'So you do this because you can? Try to intimidate and steal from innocent people. Have no remorse for human life… yes, if that is the case, then I will draw this sword. I would not draw this if you were merely poor, but you two, are too far gone at this stage.' Spoke Natsu quietly.
'Hey punk, give us the sword now before we mess your ugly face up.' Said the unarmed bandit, as he marched over to Natsu and went to punch him in the face, only to cry out in pain as his arm was suddenly severed from his body, shocking both the little girl and the bandit's partner.
The now one armed bandit only had a moment to cry out in agony, before his head dropped from his shoulders.
'Truly pathetic, I don't even know the first thing about using a sword, but he was too slow to dodge even basic slashes. Pitiful.' Said Natsu, as he flicked the blood on his blade to the ground.
The remaining bandit looked at Natsu in fear, before roughly grabbing the girl near him and holding the axe near her face.
'Stay there kid, or the girl gets it!' Shouted the bandit, clearly panicking.
'You would take an innocent hostage to try and save your wretched life? You are even more irredeemable than I thought, Macro.' Said Natsu, as the bandit suddenly stiffened.
'Now gently place the girl down and walk over to your downed comrade, then, take your head off with you own weapon.' Said Natsu, as he walked towards the duo.
The bandit dropped the frightened girl who froze, unsure whether to run away or stay. True the bandits were scary, but this boy was just as scary, to kill someone so easily and somehow control another person was frightening. As the bandit walked towards his fellow bandit, Natsu himself stood in-between the girl and the controlled bandit.
Natsu squatted down in front of the girl and gave her a small smile.
'I'm sorry you had to see that.' Said Natsu, as he blocked the girl from seeing the other bandit kill himself.
'Y-you killed him, and made the other one kill himself.' Stuttered the girl nervously.
'I'm sorry, this was the first time I killed someone and I didn't enjoy it, but I couldn't let them hurt someone innocent like you, especially when those two had lost all respect for life.' Explained Natsu.
'B-but you killed them.' Said the girl still in shock.
'And now they won't be able to kill you, or anyone else, ever again. I didn't want to kill them you know, I'm not evil. I even promised my brother that I wouldn't unsheathe this blade, unless at least one, of either two conditions were met.' Said Natsu.
'What c-conditions?' Asked the girl, trying to distract herself from what she had just witnessed.
'The first is when someone is completely irredeemable, when a person has lost all that they once knew to be good and acts only in evil. The second is when someone has single-mindedly decided that they will try to hurt, destroy or kill that which is important to me. Those two were completely irredeemable, if they were simply poor or hungry, I would have only knocked them out… but to pick on innocent people for enjoyment; that warrants their death.' Answered Natsu honestly.
The girl took a deep breath before steadying herself.
'Thank you.' Said the girl, as she stood up and picked up her basket again.
'It is alright, you didn't deserve that anyway, I'm just glad I got here in time.' Said Natsu, as he stood up next to the girl, who was only slightly shorter than him.
'Would you like me to accompany you to wherever it is you are going? I mean I know we just met and everything, but I'd like to make sure you're safe before I head off again.' Offered Natsu.
'Thank you, I would appreciate that Mr…' Said the girl before trailing off, as she didn't know the name of her saviour.
'Oh I'm sorry, I guess I never introduced myself, I'm Natsu Dragneel.' Said Natsu with a toothy grin.
'Then thank you Mr. Natsu.' Said the girl before Natsu cut her off.
'Mr. really? I'm probably only a year or two older than you, just call me Natsu.' Said Natsu.
'Ok then, Natsu.' Said the girl with a small smile.
'What about you, what's your name?' Asked Natsu curiously.
'I'm Kagura Mikazuchi, nice to meet you Natsu.' Said the newly revealed Kagura.
'Nice to meet you too, Kagura.' Said Natsu with a grin.
In a similar manner as I have with my other stories I will explain about the pairing. This story is unique however, in that it will be a multi-pairing story from the beginning, however, I have already decided who will be in it without exception. As you can see from the tag, this story will be Natsu/Erza/Kagura/Ikaruga. This is non-negotiable and will be the, Alpha and the Omega, or, in other words, the be-all, and end-all as far as the pairing is concerned…however… I may, just may, be swayed to add Ultear as well if enough people ask for it… but only her. This is only because my plans for Natsu could incorporate Ultear as well, but only her. This is Natsu/Erza/Ikaruga/Kagura and possibly Ultear if a lot of you ask for it and that is final.
If you are curious, yes Erza is the main… technically… well I suppose you could consider it a co-main along with Kagura since both will be fairly prominent. I say Erza would technically be the main because Natsu will be involved with Fairy Tail more as the story goes on, however if you've read any of my other harem stories you will see that every member of the harem gets an equal amount of plot, character development and "screen time". That being said though, most of the start will revolve around Natsu/Erza and Natsu/Kagura for a while until I get to expand and bring Ikaruga in.