Hey Guys!

The sole reason I wrote this story is because there isn't any good master Natsu story in this website, and that annoy me to no end. So then I started thinking why not create a story that pleases me?

Hence this author note is written, I must explicitly say that this is my very first attempt at writing a fanfiction story, and with that said please any critique or suggestion are highly welcome!

Disclaimer: All rights goes to it's rightful owner Hiro Mashima.


Chapter 1: A Different Beginning

Magnolia, a bustling city that is well known throughout fiore as a merchant city that has been prosperous since the ancient times. Known for their people hospitality and kindness, no one that ever-set foot in this town ever experienced any sort of discomfort. People will go around doing their usual daily routines, children will go playing with each other gleefully, merchant will greet any upcoming people with a generous smile, couples will walk around holding hands and be lovingly engrossed with each other. The atmosphere is this town will always be merry and fun, a positive vibe indeed.

But more so the town is famous or could be say infamous for one of two things; first Fairy Tail, a magic guild located in Magnolia. second, their rowdiness which is self-explanatory considering anyone who have ever heard of the mages of Fairy Tail.

But unfortunately, this time the rowdiness quite been increased by tenfold...

"Work work!" Natsu shouted while running out of the guild carrying a backpack, with Happy following suit shouting "aye!"

"If you're going to work, I'll come..." Lucy which is currently seated in the bar started saying to the retreating fire mage.

While still running Natsu replied "Sorry Luce! I'll be going alone this time!" without even taking a glance towards Lucy.

Not after Natsu left Gray entered the guild hall, looking bare and quite worn-out. "I'm back!" shouted Gray while running frantically towards the job board.

"Welcome back Gray, where's your clothes?" Mirajane responded kindly from the barstool.

Running pass them Gray shouted, "there's no time for that! I need to get back to work"

"Work work!"

"Uohhhhhh."

"Hey, you bastard I was the one that saw that job request first!"

"There's no such thing as seeing it first asshole!"

"Get out of my way!"

"It's not manly to sneak in the line!'

"Shut up! I'm on a rush here!"

This was the many things that Mirajane heard from the people that is currently all cramped up in front of her in the bar. "Alright alright you all, be nice okay? I'll note it down one by one. It'll be quick if you all be so kindly to form a line." said Mira.

Meanwhile Lucy who earlier seated in front of Mira is now currenly on the ground; push off by the swirling mass of people waiting to get their job request noted and approved by Mirajane. "W-w-w-what is going on around here?" questioned Lucy, herself wondering what this commotion has been all about.

"Well it's that time of the year already! How exciting." said Lisanna clasping her hand together with barely uncontain excitement and seemingly appeared out of nowhere beside Lucy.

"what time of the year?" Lucy asked Lisanna albeit a little bit startled by her out of nowhere appearance.

"Well you're gonna know it sooner or later Lucy" Mira chirped while tidying up the mass of job request handed to her earlier.

Lisanna the ever-caring girl offered her hand to Lucy, which the latter accept gratefully. Now that most of the people had already left the guild to take their job request, the guild achieved some sort of quiet and peacefulness, though there's a blonde-haired mage grumbling to herself about their current predicament.

"But still they don't have to create a ruckus out of it!" said Lucy to the two silver haired mages in front of her.

Hearing this Mira and Lisanna couldn't help themselves but to giggle, eager to see their friend reaction about this whole ordeal tomorrow.


The very next day, inside the Fairy Tail guild hall almost every member that has done their job the previous day had gathered around the guild hall, with the main stage covered in curtain, preventing it from prying eyes. There's a thick eagerness on the atmosphere, everybody is talking among themselves, wondering about the announcement that will happen shortly.

But the most eager of them all in none other than Natsu Dragneel. He keeps looking up into the covered up main stage and around the guild hall, restlessness heavy on him, but nonetheless an eager grin forming on his lips.

Happy looking his partner tense like that said, "Relax Natsu relax" the blue exceed tried to assure Natsu.

"I can't Happy I'm all fired up!" Natsu said clenching his fist and punching it to his palm, then continuing said, "I have a feeling I'm gonna make it this year!" excitement clearly evident in the young dragon slayer.

"You said that every year Natsu, yet you never get selected for the trial" Happy said while raising his hand up in the air.

Feeling that Happy don't believe in him Natsu responded, "Oh yeah? Well this year it's gonna be different! I'm all stronger now!" Natsu said with a high degree of confident of himself, which is a nice thing.

"Aye aye I'll hold into your words Natsu"

"You better will Happy." He crosses his arm and continue to look into the covered stage.

Truth be told with all of the things happening this year already, the enemies that he has fought and the strength he had gained from all of his journey, Natsu was quite sure he would totally become an S-Class this year. From then he would be already one step closer to finding Igneel. This is one of the reasons that keeps him motivated to become an S-Class mage.

Then suddenly the curtain opened up to the sides with a loud noise, attracting the all eager eyes directly onto the stage. Master Makarov, Erza, Mirajane, and Gildarts are all currently standing on with a serious face.

Instantly everybody started shouting towards the master, wanting to know about the announcement and "who" will be the one this year.

"Ehem... now then..." Makarov started by clearing his throat then continuing, "The one that you all have been waiting for...the announcement of the S-Class mage promotion trial!"

What comes next after that very sentence was an uproar, everybody raising their hands with excitement clearly shown all throughout the guild hall. This announcement of course sent the guild into a frenzy of excitement and cheers.

"This year trial will be conducted at Tenrou island, the holy island of our guild." Makarov said with everybody gasping at the revelation.

Lucy who has been bewildered from the very start ask one of the guildmates, "What happen in the trial?"

"It varies from year to year, but nonetheless one will come out as the better of them all and become an S-Class wizard." What was said guildmates answer.

"I'm all fired up!" Natsu shouted to no one in particular. He has been waiting for this moment the whole year, and surely he'll be damned if he don't pay attention to every single thing that comes out of Master Makarov mouth.

Makarov ignoring all the ruckus and shouted excitement started talking again, "Strenght, valor of heart and soul, I've seen it every single year. With all been said there will be 8 person that will going through the test."

Everybody tensed up silently dreading what will come out of the guildmaster next, but none more so than Natsu Dragneel. Time seems to have slowed and all that he could see was the master and his lips slowly moving, as if testing what his name would feel be spoken out loud. Time could not have been moving faster as the master seemingly teasing him by testing his patience, rolling out the words so that Natsu became fully engrossed in the master next couple of words, that he fails to prepare himself for the words to actually make sense.

"Gray Fullbuster!"

"Juvia Lockser!"

"Elfman!"

"Cana Alberona!"

"Freed Justine!"

"Levy McGarden!"

"and last but not least Mest Gryder!"

As if previously time had been slowed, this time it was completely stopped. Once the words have been processed by Natsu he couldn't believe what his ears have told him. That can't be true Natsu thought, gramps has told all of the S-Class trial participant. His first instinct was to shout out to himself, congratulate the others participant, and insulting Gray. But first he must realize, where is his name in the participant list? Surely the master must have skipped his name. Maybe he doesn't see it? Or maybe he purposely skipped his name so then he could shout out "Just kidding Natsu It's a prank you brat! You're on the list." But none of that came true.

The S-Class participant was talking to the themselves after the announcement and their friends had congratulated them. Meanwhile Natsu was standing dumbfounded by his recent train of thoughts, so shocked that he even did not register that Gray had talked to and insulted him.

"Guess what flame-brain, you ready to start asking me to go on a S-Class mission with you?" smug was written all over Gray's face, he let out a laugh while still thinking about all the scenarios Natsu would beg him to go on a S-Class mission.

Happy realizing what just happened to Natsu could only said "Uh oh" then looking at Natsu worriedly.

Natsu by now had already snapped out of his shocked trance, look up to Master Makarov then started shouting, "Hey Gramps!"

"what is it Natsu my boy." Replied Makarov.

Clenching his fist and gritting his teeth Natsu shouted to Makarov, "why in the name of every single living things on Earthland that I'm not on that S-Class trial participant list?!"

"well the answer is quite simple you see"

Choosing to only glare menacingly without saying a word of fear it would enrage the powerful master, Natsu waited for the master to elaborate his reasoning.

Sensing no reply would come of the pink haired boy Makarov continue, "Haven't you realized something recently Natsu?"

Patience was running thin for Natsu, the moment he has waited his all life just vanished like that. Vanished. Just like Igneel he thought. Unable to contain his rage anymore Natsu if able clench his fist harder. "Yeah I've realized something alright. I've became stronger, much stronger than I'll ever be since a long time, since I joined this guild and get my ass handed everyday by Erza, Mira, Gildarts and practically everybody above and stronger than me. I worked my ass off training every single fucking day, waiting for this moment to come. Then guess what? As fast as that moment came it vanished faster than I could have imagined." Natsu practically shouted to the whole guild. "Vanished...just like Igneel" he added in a murmur and lowering his head slightly so that his bangs covered up his eyes.

Everybody was shocked at what the pink haired dragon slayer had said, but more so the people that he had mentioned.

Erza was feeling bad for herself, she hadn't meant to beat him up all the time. Even though Natsu could be infuriating, his destructive nature and brawl tendencies could not be left alone. She should've known better not to handed to him all the time. She is a woman of honor and respect and she is bound to wanted people to show that to her. She knows that respect is earned, not by beating it up to somebody. She would've let Natsu punish her later.

Meanwhile Mirajane was downright feeling guilty. Yes, she did did those things quite a long time ago, and yes she has changed into the lovable person she is right now. But that doesn't justify her action that she did to him in the past. She usually teased Natsu that led to a beating because he said words to rebut her teasing but ended up infuriate her, he always put up a a fight but rarely than most it was a one-sided beating. Though she never admits it at first, she teased Natsu because he had a cute blushing response to her teasing. She would've apologized to him later.

"Natsu-san..." Wendy said to herself, hearing that last part of Natsu rant because of her advanced hearing. Herself knowing how hard it is for your parent figure just up about and leave, vanishing into thin air

Gajeel who also heard it shared the same sentiment though he doesn't show it upright, opting to just clicking his tongue and grumbling about stupid dragons and their vanishing act.

Hearing what have just Natsu said Makarov try to reply, "Natsu that is not the reason..."

But was cut off by Natsu looking up to him. His eyes were different he noticed, usually his eyes were full of happiness and it would be cheery, the very definition of Natsu. But now, not in all of his life would he ever imagined Natsu with this kind of eyes. This are the eyes of the one who have experienced betrayal, this was the look of pain. He has screwed up big times hasn't he.

"This is a chance to prove myself, that I am worthy to be in this guild, worthy enough to be in Fairy Tail, worthy enough to call all of them my guildmates..." he flail his arm to the people around him, "...to wear it's emblem proudly on my shoulder..." he pointed out to his shoulder, "I have waited for this moment my whole life, I've been getting stronger and stronger, defeating many enemies far above my league and coming out victorious! Why please tell me that I'm not in that damn list" Natsu said with practically uncontain wrath.

Sighing and closing his eyes Makarov said, "Your body is unstable Natsu."

With a raised brow Natsu ask, "What do you mean unstable?"

"You have noticed it haven't you", Makarov said opening his eyes "Your magic has been rising highly, seemingly normal at first but then it gets to the point where you couldn't stand it anymore."

Natsu did in fact had been experiencing his magic raising unusually high, that led to his body heating up so hot. The worst part was that he felt like his insides is burning, which is a testament itself considering Natsu is a fire dragon slayer that is immune to fire. At first the heat was bearable, but things had escalated since last week.

Last week as usual Natsu was taking a break from the job hunting for the S-Class trial, so that he could train. Considering it was nearing the S-Class trial, getting stronger is all that mattered to him.

Halfway through his training the strange occurrence happened again, but this time it's stronger than before. Natsu could feel his magic slowly raising, then comes the heat. It was so bad that he felt like his body had been dipped into molten lava, excruciating heat had built up in his body. Previous experience showed his magic would drop to normal again and the heat will dissipate after a while, but this time it was different. Natsu could felt his heartbeat pulsing and with each pulse the heat was getting hotter and hotter. It was to the point that Natsu had fallen to his knee and was writhing in pain, clutching his stomach like it was an anchor to keep him conscious. If possible, the pulse had become quicker. What first was a steady beat had become erratic and wild. Natsu could feel that something was clawing inside his body, trying to get out. Natsu tried to hold that feeling inside his body. But the word is tried, and he failed miserably at it. Unable to contain it no more he felt the dam had been broken and a huge surge of magic had been expelled out of his body. Whatever that has been wanting to get out is finally free, and with that what little of his consciousness had left him.

He then had been awoken hours later by a concern Happy, it had already been dark at then. But he couldn't miss at what that magic surge had done to his surrounding, everything around him has been burnt to ashes; trees, rocks, and plant alike is now just mere nothingness. The trees that is lucky enough to be quite far away from him had also been reduced to a battered and tattered bark that even a slight wind could knock it down. The land beneath him is charred and blackened that one could assume that a forest fire had been started from where he's currently standing.

Snapping out of his musing, Natsu realized that every pair of eyes is on him, the silent question hanging in the air.

Without himself knowing what happened to his own body, Natsu did not have an answer to their staring. So, he decided to ask the obvious question to the old Master.

"How do you know that?" a bewildered Natsu asked in a low tone, but everybody could hear it just fine since the guild has become uncharacteristically quiet.

Then everybody was in shock because Natsu had just confirm their Master words.

"I can feel an abnormally high amount of magic concentration skyrocketed Natsu, then news came of the townspeople reporting an extreme heat radiating off of the forest. It's not hard to put two and two together once I recognized it as your magic Natsu." The old man gaze towards the pink haired man.

Despite gaining his needed answer Natsu remains stoic. Lowering his head looking to the ground not meeting the master eyes.

With the lack of response Makarov continue "This is the only main reason you're not selected to the trial Natsu. Your magic outburst could harm you in many unimaginable ways, and most importantly it could potentially hurt your guildmates in the process..." This was all Natsu hear before going into deep thoughts, not paying attention to any other explanation master was providing at the moment.

Damn it why must his magic have to go wild at a time like this, a very crucial time where he was about to be selected to the S-Class trial. It's all felt like the whole universe doesn't want him to go to these trials, to become an S-Class mage, to become stronger so that he can find Igneel. Just my damn luck heh Natsu thought with sarcasm clearly evident. Suddenly feeling he was being watched by a lot of people, he looks up to see the eyes of not just master Makarov, but also the whole guild all looking at him.

Makarov stopped halfway through his explanation to see how would Natsu react to this whole predicament, he was expecting anger and shouting to came out of the pink haired boy, silence and thoughtful expression as if deep in thoughts was not he expected to see out of him. But then it was not quite compared to seeing Natsu looked up to him with a pained and sad eye. In that very moment Makarov feel extremely guilty, knowing very well that becoming S-Class was a dream the boy had since he can spew fire out of his mouth.

"Natsu my boy, are you alright?" Makarov said with concern.

Natsu on the other hand for the first time in his life is feeling quite uncomfortable with the stares of his guildmates, especially one of his Master Makarov. From the look of Makarov eyes, one that conveys guilt, he knew very well if not for his magic outburst that his name would be very well on the S-Class participant list. He just knew very well that the master is doing this because it is not a matter that even he cannot apprehend, and that he is doing this for the safety of his children, that including him. He is doing this just to look out for me Natsu thought.

Then it came back to him that just earlier he was shouting to the master, thinking that not putting him on the trials was master making his life miserable. That was what he thought before, now he was feeling ashamed of himself.

With a steel gaze, ridding his emotion he said firmly "Thank you master" before straightening his back and turn around, walking out of the guild.

All the guildmates gave him some space and clear some space for Natsu to walk through, and without a second glace he was already out of the guild hall.

What ensued after Natsu just abruptly walked out on them was total and utter silence, one might think that the rowdy and rambunctious Fairy Tail guild could never have silence in their guild hall, and yet this was what happen at this very moment.

If not for Gajeel suddenly said something all of them would still be trapped in a trance.

"Hey I'm probably the last person that could say this but, I feel bad for the salamander" he said with little barely unconcealable concern towards said salamander.

As if the spell has been lifted the Fairy Tail guild member started talking among themselves, mainly about their pink haired member and the event that had just transpired.

"Shit that was intense, I didn't know the flame brain is feeling that this whole time" said Gray feeling Sympathetic towards his longtime rival.

"I know right Gray" Cana said whilst having a thoughtful expression "I always knew that there is something not quite right about Natsu since he is always cheerful"

"I guess this whole deal just hit the spot and he just blew up?" Levy give a piece of her mind.

Amidst the talking everyone was suddenly brought to their attention by the voice of none other than Master Makarov.

"That's enough my children, with all being said and done then the announcement ceremony is done. To all the S-Class participant you are to be at the Hargeon Port at 8 in the morning where the ship that will transport us to Tenrou island will be awaiting. It should be said that if any of you are late then the ship will be sailing without you" at hearing this all of the S-Class participant started to sweat and feeling anxious, "Well then that is all for today, thank you for your time and have a great evening, have a plentiful of rest especially you S-class participant lot" with that last word the member of Fairy Tail stared going about their own way, some still lingering around in the guild or going back home for a night's rest.

At his words also the S-Class mage started coming down from the stage, then Makarov looked towards the guild hall searching for a certain flying blue cat. After spotting said cat he started to call.

"Happy my child would you come here for a moment" Makarov said suddenly to the blue exceed who not quite surprisingly is still worried about his partner, but nonetheless he still abides to his master call.

"What it is master?" Happy asked once he descended toward the old master.

"I have a small request to you Happy" said Makarov with a soft face looking down towards Happy who is tilting his head to the sight out of confusion, seeing this Makarov continued "Could you help me and make sure that Natsu are all right?"

Happy who is beaming at his master because now he knows what's up, raise his hand and said cheerfully.

"Aye sir consider it done, considering that was what I going to do before you call me"

Makarov just smile a fatherly smile towards Happy, glad that the blue exceed does not harbor any hard feeling because of the way of his partner is treated by him.

"I knew that I could count on you Happy, now please go home and have a rest" said the old master to the blue exceed

Without saying any word, the blue cat just raises his hand and use his wings to fly out of the guild hall, whilst Makarov just look at his departure with a fond smile.

Unbeknown to both of them a certain white-haired mage is still at the stage and listened to their whole conversation, her face going more and more concern towards the object of said conversation, especially after what he had just said earlier about her.