A month had passed since the earth-breaking news of Tenrou Island's disappearance. Fairy Tail's reputation were both notorious and loved at the same time. Many had complicated feelings for the guild that shook the Kingdom of Fiore with their antics and deeds.
Unfortunately, that meant everybody knew they were at a currently weakened state. This fact was glaring to those guilds with ambitions, for it signified brutal conflicts for the title of strongest.
But that also meant past enemies might come for vengeance, courtesy of all the quests they took throughout the years. Luckily, there was one wizard that responded with fierce retaliation, deterring all that wanted to try.
It was someone who was popular due to his strength and destructive tendencies. A young man that blazes through everything with naught but a single thought.
Fairy Tail's Salamander.
When Natsu makes a promise with pure desire to act on it, you can bet that he'll overcome anything. He's already did a few notable things that stabilized the guild's adjustment.
Due to the completion of quests that he did non-stop, the quest board fortunately didn't become an empty husk. Most clients had heard of his infamous exploits, yet his efficiency can't be deniable. This actually helped the guild's financial situation stay afloat, as the others can pick jobs without worry.
Another thing was obviously the infuriating troublemakers who wanted to take advantage of the guild's vulnerable situation. The most prominent one was from Twilight Ogre, who were stationed in Magnolia Town like them.
They strutted inside with confidence, attempting to exploit their finance in exchange for protection. A burning fist was the answer as they were beaten until they begged for mercy, running with shame and humiliation.
They wouldn't dare to do it again, unless they wanted the taste of a dragon slayer's fury. After that soundless declaration, even those from the Magic Council took a step back, not daring to try poke into their business. A cornered beast is the most dangerous, and will definitely bite back with unstoppable force.
As such, Fairy Tail was here to stay, much to the joy of the members.
"Another search party is ready to be deployed. Shall we prepare our assigned people to accompany Blue Pegasus, Fourth Master?" Wakaba passed on the message to a purple fire mage with a teasing expression.
Macao rolled his eyes as he sighed. "Stop calling me that, will you? It's just weird to hear the title." He went up the second floor with his long-time friend, walking towards the office he currently now owned.
"Che! One month should be enough for you to adapt. In fact, we should consider ourselves lucky to have the luxury to decide the Guild Master, no?" Wakaba put both of his hands behind his head as he puffed smoke.
"You're right about that… Natsu's going above and beyond to hold the fort. He really is something else." Macao could only smile in gratitude. The dragon slayer was busy during this past month, not letting the guild's influence go through the mud.
After the pink-haired young man declined the offer, he surprisingly suggested him to take the mantle of Fourth Master. Macao was speechless when he heard his name being called, and without having the opportunity to protest, the others agreed to it, making his jaw drop in silence.
The majority wins, so he accepted in assuming the important role… reluctantly. The first weeks were indeed stressful, talks with representatives of the council, endless paperwork, negotiating with various clients and even handling the guild's finances. But he never forgot the main reason for all of this, to revitalize the name of the guild to an acceptable degree.
Natsu also did his part, very energetically if he said so himself. The dragon slayer's determination was so strong it affected the rest in a positive light. Everybody who were in the right condition took quests to relive their new ace's burden.
Heck, he also frequently reminded them to take a breather, since they managed to successfully stabilize the guild's situation in record time. All the doubts, sneers and insults were silenced so quickly that one wouldn't even notice they were there in the first place.
"Where's Natsu? I didn't see him in the hall." Macao asked curiously. He opened the door to his office, sitting down as he scanned today's documents. Wakaba volunteered to be his secretary, because a different perspective other than his own helps a lot.
"He took another quest. Something about a dark guild sighting in Freesia Town."
"Hm? Isn't that where he destroyed an old church that seemed to be considered as a cherished relic?" Macao chuckled.
"Yep. I wonder if the mayor would hold a grudge over it." Wakaba remarked in amusement, as he took a portion of stacked documents. Also sitting down at the additional desk they included.
The new Master shook his head as he smiled. Although it was wiped off due to the rising issue he remembered in relation to it. "Dark guilds are getting even more active these days… I can't help but feel it will just become even a bigger problem."
"I hear ya. The news of Grimoire Heart's fall was also a big shock. Those criminals will never miss a chance like this. Who knows how many psychos would boldly show themselves? Let's just hope that stupid council formed counter measures for such a possibility." The new secretary puffed another smoke, having a solemn expression.
Macao rubbed his head as he listened to his friend, turning to look at the peaceful Magnolia outside his window.
"Be careful, Natsu. I hope your actions wouldn't make you a huge target." He muttered in concern.
…
Freesia Town.
BOOM!
A sudden explosion caught most of the residents off-guard. Glancing at a building that looked like it was still in its early phases. The construction workers might cry tears of blood if they saw this happening…
"What's going on!?"
"Isn't that where our new inn will be added? Are they gonna start from scratch?"
"Look! There are outlines of people within the smoke!"
Debris and ladders were scattered all around, as the smoke slowly cleared. Flames were also within the vicinity, originating from a certain dragon slayer who smiled at the dark wizards who were laid on the ground.
"I controlled my fire better this time! Using my golden flames would have been bad." Natsu nodded his head proudly. This was a great personal achievement to him at least.
The Exceed analyzed the destruction that surrounded them, sweatdropping at his partner's statement. "You consider this a good result? I don't see any first or second floor anymore. I wonder if the company in charge of this building will demand compensation." He patted the young man's shoulder in pity.
Natsu coughed in embarrassment, brushing off Happy's comment. "Err… Macao will take care of it." He shamelessly said, which will probably annoy the new Master again.
Happy deadpanned as he glanced back, expecting such a response. The feline understood his friend's nature too well. Then, a vivid image suddenly flashed in his mind, making him giggle.
"Imagine the stress you'd give him. Wouldn't he look ridiculous if he lost his hair at the center of his head." He covered his mouth in laughter as his tail swayed.
"Ah." Natsu paused, forming the thought after hearing it. He also laughed loudly afterwards. "B-bald spot! I-I can't… He'll look funny with it!" Their conversation made them lose focus for a moment, not noticing one was not knocked out.
The conscious dark wizard tried to move away quietly, clutching his stomach in pain due to a direct punch by the pink-haired young man. Damn you, Salamander! He's a monster like the rumors suggested. I need to inform the leader quickly!
Once the pain subsided a little bit, he stood up as he growled at the residents to intimidate them. It naturally worked because of his scary expression, but it wasn't really a smart thing to do.
"One is trying to get away, Natsu!" The blue cat shouted in alarm, hastening in his escape. He tried to activate his magic, but before he could even circulate it, he felt a hand grasp his head, smashing him down to the pavement.
The dark wizard groaned in pain as he tried to move. Unfortunately, he was too weak and injured to act on the thought. He finally felt fear, letting go of the Communications Lacrima on his hand.
"Hm?" Natsu grabbed the lacrima as he gazed at it. "This guy was trying to request for some help! Good thing you saw him in time, buddy." He made sure to subdue the man with no openings, while trying to use the item.
"I don't think that's the case, Natsu. They mentioned it while you were fighting, that their Guild Master wasn't here." Happy floated beside him, remembering crucial information when needed.
Natsu scratched his hair sheepishly. "Then, I'll locate him using this lacrima. I could track him if his scent is here." He used his nosed with enhanced dragon senses, a boon for using Dragon Slayer Magic.
After a while, he threw the lacrima nonchalantly, breaking it in the process. "Let's go, Happy! I've got a path now, you just need to carry me there." He urged his partner so the target wouldn't run that far from the town.
"Aye sir!"
Happy flew with speed as Natsu directed him towards the remaining dark wizard. They went past the town as they saw two individuals on a dirt road near it. They were both curious since the young man told the cat that their target was the man sprawled on the ground.
Once they arrived, Natsu quickly closed in on the two. He observed the other person who had their unsheathed sword pointed towards the Dark Guild Master. He glanced at Happy, then back at the individual.
It was a woman with an ice-cold expression, wearing a white blazer along with a matching ribbon on her head.
"Hey there! Are you the one who stopped him? Thanks for the help, it actually saved us the trouble! Uh… what's your name?" Natsu curiously observed her, who showcased a familiar demeanor of a certain scarlet-haired wizard.
Surprisingly, the brown-haired woman smiled at him. A smile that displayed gratefulness and relief. This obviously baffled him, since this was definitely their first meeting. But her scent was somehow familiar, making it even more mysterious.
"Kagura… You may call me Kagura, Natsu-san."