Unknown Forest
A sudden shimmer of light tore through the otherwise peaceful silence of the forest.
A swirling blue portal expanded in the middle of a small clearing, light pulsing like a heartbeat, until—with a rush of displaced air—it deposited a rather large and diverse group onto the mossy forest floor.
Issei Hyoudou stepped out first, his travel boots crunching against soft grass and scattered leaves. His eyes scanned the treetops, wide with curiosity and alert caution.
Following him were Yuuka, clutching a small pack to her chest; Tamamo, her golden tails flicking lazily behind her; and Sakura, riding comfortably in her mama's arms, already pointing at butterflies.
Then came the rest in quick succession: Yashima, Miya, Uzume, Matsu, Akitsu, Misuki, Karasuba, and finally Gorou and Miki—the latter clutching a sunhat that nearly flew off by the wind.
The portal behind them spiraled shut with a low hum, leaving only the gentle whisper of wind and the scent of pine.
The group spread out cautiously, taking in their surroundings. Towering evergreens stood, sunlight spilling between their canopies. Strange vibrant flora dotted the forest floor—leaves in hues of blue and red, and flowers that opened and closed rhythmically like breathing lungs.
"…Well," Issei murmured, adjusting the strap of his backpack. "We're not dead. So that's a start."
Karasuba narrowed her eyes, already drawing the hilt of her sword. "Where are the monsters?"
"This is supposed to be a quiet vacation." Miya said coolly. "Not everything has to be about violence."
Karasuba grunted and leaned her blade against her shoulder. "Then it's a waste of time."
"Relax, Killer Queen," Uzume yawned, stretching her arms overhead. "Maybe we landed in a safe area."
Despite the beauty, the area seemed… quiet. Too quiet.
"Not even a goblin," Karasuba said again, now visibly sulking. "This is not the danger I was promised."
"Would you prefer we land in a warzone?" Misuki asked dryly, brushing a fallen leaf off her shoulder.
"No," Miki added, adjusting her hat. "We're on vacation."
"This could be a park," Issei muttered, scanning the area. "I mean… it's nice. No cars, no buildings, just—nature."
Matsu had already dropped to her knees, her scanner that she somehow brought out from nowhere was blinking in her hands as she examined the nearest glowing mushroom.
"Fascinating!" She squealed. "These plants are radiating a completely different energy signature. Feels kind of similar to magic!"
She soon walked around and crouched near a bush with purple-blue flowers shaped like stars, eyes sparkling behind her glasses.
"New flora!" She gasped, snapping photos with her tablet. "Possibly unique alkaloid structures. Maybe even magic-reactive chlorophyll!"
"The fuck does that mean?" Issei looked towards Gorou, who shrugged.
She plucked a small flower and sniffed it before sneezing violently. "Yup! Definitely not from Earth."
Tamamo closed her eyes and reached out with her senses, her golden tails flicking behind her as faint light pulsed at her fingertips. She inhaled slowly, drawing in the feeling of the land around her.
"There's an abundance of mana," she murmured, her voice calm and slightly reverent. "Like the world itself is saturated with magic but this place doesn't feel like Earth."
Yuuka crossed her arms, eyebrows furrowed. "So we're not on Earth. But how can you tell for sure?"
Tamamo opened her eyes. "Mostly from just how different it feels."
"Okay," Issei muttered, scanning the area again. "So, forest. Magic. Weird glowing mushrooms. Great. Let's just hope we didn't land in a monster's backyard."
As he finished speaking, a familiar voice came from his hand. (The fox is not wrong, Partner. This place... does feel different.)
Issei blinked, startled. "…Ddraig?"
(Yes. You called, partner? Or were you just planning to wander around like an idiot?)
Issei's eye twitched. "Nice to hear from you too, buddy. Where have you been? You went quiet after... well…"
There was an audible huff from the dragon. (I don't want to talk about it.)
Issei squinted. "Wait. You're sulking? Is this about Tamamo? Or Yuuka? Or—"
(I said I don't want to talk about it.)
Issei sighed aloud, not understanding what made him so angry.
Tamamo turned toward him. "Something wrong, darling?"
He shook his head. "Just Ddraig."
"Ah," Tamamo said with a mischievous smirk. "Still pouting, is he?"
(I can hear you, you know!)
"Good," she said sweetly, as if directly addressing the dragon. "Keep sulking. It suits you."
Issei groaned, rubbing his temple.
Meanwhile, Misuki stepped closer to a fallen log, inspecting the colorful mushrooms with interest. "I wonder if this could be useful for anything. Maybe cosmetics or medicine."
Miki stood beside her husband, adjusting her satchel. "Well, if it's safe, I'm not complaining. The air's clean. And the birds sound different."
Gorou held up a fishing rod and squinted toward the trees. "If there's a lake nearby, I say we find it."
Uzume turned back to the group. "So hubby… what now?"
Tamamo crossed her arms, her expression serious again. "First, we should check the immediate area, if this place has any form of civilization. If we can't find anything we should set up a camp later."
Matsu shot up from her kneeling position. "And collect samples! Lots and lots of samples!"
Karasuba walked around looking for any signs of excitement. "Let's just hope something does attack us. I'm getting restless."
Issei gave a half-laugh, half-sigh. "Alright, everyone. Let's spread out and scout—but no one goes too far. We don't know what kind of world we've landed in."
He looked around one last time at his oddball, wonderful family and friends. 'Wherever this is… I've got everyone with me. So I'll deal with whatever comes next.'
"Agreed," Tamamo nodded. "Even with this much ambient mana, staying too long in unfamiliar territory without knowledge of the land is dangerous."
"I say we look for anywhere that sells real food and has running water." Yuuka added.
"We just got here," Karasuba grumbled. "Can't we at least wait for something to jump out first?"
"Not everyone needs a morning brawl to feel alive," Misuki said dryly.
Uzume stretched and tilted her head. "If we want a vantage point, we need to go up."
"I can help," Yashima offered, already setting her hammer down and limbering up. "I've got a good jump."
"Might as well join you, there's nothing better to do." Karasuba said, cracking her neck.
With practiced ease, the three women—Uzume, Yashima, and Karasuba—shot upward, leaping and bounding off sturdy branches, scaling the towering trees of the forest. Within seconds, their figures vanished into the thick canopy.
Down below, the group waited. Sakura swung her arms as she balanced on a rock, humming softly.
"Do you think there'll be dragons here, Papa?" she asked excitedly.
"I hope not," Issei muttered under his breath, thinking about Ddraig's mood. One's enough.
A few minutes later, a voice called down from above.
"Smoke!" Yashima shouted. "Several plumes—rising from chimneys. Could be a town!"
"Which direction?" Tamamo called.
"Northwest!" Uzume's voice answered.
Karasuba dropped down moments later, landing with a soft thud beside Issei and adjusting her blade. "Let's move and hope there's something at least interesting in that direction."
Yashima and Uzume soon followed, and the group quickly reorganized, orienting themselves toward the northwest path.
"I'm gonna take the lead," Yashima said, confidence boosting from her contribution.
"Good," Issei nodded. "Everyone, keep your eyes and ears open. Stay together. We don't know if this forest has more than just pretty trees."
"I still want to take a few samples," Matsu muttered, kneeling beside a glowing purple flower. "This pigment shouldn't even be possible in the world."
"Not now," Miya interrupted, grabbing the back of Matsu's collar with practiced grace. "You're not lagging behind and getting eaten by the local flora."
"But it might be a new discovery!" Matsu argued, holding a root in one hand like it owed her an explanation.
"Walk," Miya ordered, dragging her like a stubborn cat.
"Betrayal!" Matsu cried as her boots scraped the dirt.
Tamamo walked beside Issei, checking the mana flow again. "The magical current is stronger in that direction. If there's civilization nearby, they're either consciously channeling it… or something powerful lives there."
"Let's hope for the first," Yuuka muttered, adjusting her bag.
With the party now on the move, they headed toward the promise of civilization, and maybe—if they were lucky—answers.
The forest slowly began to thin, the thick underbrush giving way to clearer paths. Strange birds called from the treetops, their cries melodic and unfamiliar. At one point, Sakura pointed at a floating blue butterfly the size of her hand, giggling as it flitted past.
"Papa, that butterfly sparkles!"
"I see it," Issei said, staring as it passed through a tree without even bending a leaf. "Remind me to not touch anything."
Meanwhile, Karasuba rolled her shoulders and muttered, "If this town has guards, I hope they're at least armed. I'm bored already."
"We're going to get kicked out of this town before we've even checked in," Yuuka sighed.
They moved in a relatively straight line, careful and alert but still in good spirits.
For now… things were quiet. But that wouldn't last.
—-----------------
Magnolia – Outside Fairy Tail Guild Hall
The midday sun beat down on the cobblestone street as Fairy Tail's entire guild gathered outside the iconic hall, buzzing with excitement. Members young and old, seasoned and novice, all had their attention fixed on the dirt clearing just beyond the front steps.
Today was the day.
Natsu Dragneel vs. Erza Scarlet.
The promise Erza had made after their mission to stop Eisenwald and the cursed Lullaby flute was finally coming due.
Wagers had been whispering between tables, most bets discreetly leaning toward Erza without hesitation. Even so, the crowd was hyped—not for the outcome, but the sheer spectacle of destruction that was sure to follow.
"Don't die, Natsu!" Macao called out with a grin, arms crossed.
"I give him five seconds," Wakaba muttered through his pipe.
"She's gonna flatten him," Gray added confidently from the sidelines, though he couldn't hide a slight smirk of anticipation.
Lucy, standing beside Happy, looked more worried than amused. "Is he seriously doing this? Against Erza? Has he finally lost it?"
Happy clutched his little fish snack tightly. "Aye... I believe in him… but I'm scared for him."
Erza, calm and composed, stood in her full armor with her usual quiet intensity. She was focused—emotionless, almost. This was a good moment to find out just how Natsu improved.
Natsu, however, looked as ready as ever—grinning like a madman, fire practically erupting from his fists.
He lowered himself slightly, preparing to charge forward with his signature reckless abandon.
And then…
He stopped. Just as the crowd collectively held its breath, waiting for the impact.
Natsu froze.
His nostrils flared. His wide eyes snapped to the southeast, beyond the town, beyond the hills. The flames in his hands sputtered out.
"…What the?" Gray blinked.
"Why did he stop?" Lucy asked, stepping forward.
"Is he... sniffing?" Macao frowned.
Erza narrowed her eyes, watching him closely. "Natsu?"
But the Fire Dragon Slayer didn't answer.
Instead he turned his head around to look towards the Southeast, a low growl vibrated from his throat. His eyes—normally wild and carefree—suddenly burned with something deeper.
Anger. Longing. Shock.
'That scent…' Natsu's mind raced. 'No… it can't be—'
His fists clenched, his jaw tight. 'I've only ever known one person with a scent like that…'
"Igneel." The name escaped his lips like a whisper... and then a scream. "Igneel!!!"
Before anyone could react—before Erza could ask what was going on—Natsu turned and sprinted with all the speed his muscles could muster.
Dust kicked up violently as he dashed southeast, roaring like a beast unleashed.
"Wait—! Natsu!!" Lucy cried out, eyes wide.
"What's gotten into him?!" Gray shouted.
Erza took one sharp breath and immediately turned to follow. "Something's wrong."
Happy launched into the air after his best friend with panic in his voice. "Natsu! Where are you going?!"
Behind them, the rest of the guild stirred into chaos—dozens leaping into action to chase after the pink-haired tornado tearing through Magnolia.
"Did he say… Igneel?" Macao muttered, stunned.
"Isn't that his—" Wakaba started.
"His foster father," Makarov said quietly from the steps of the guild, his expression now serious.
Just then, a knight from the Magic Council—flanked by armored guards—arrived on the street outside, holding a sealed scroll in one hand.
"I have a formal notice for Fairy Tail regarding—"
He was immediately ignored as the entire guild, including the S-Class wizard he was supposed to address, stormed away in the opposite direction after Natsu.
"…What the hell just happened?" the knight muttered, blinking.
—------------------------
The dense woods had begun to thin into wider paths now, sunlight cutting through the trees in long golden beams. The group trudged along the uneven terrain, following the smoke and the hint of rooftops in the distance.
Issei wiped sweat from his brow, exhaling. "At least we're almost out…"
Yuuka pulled her shirt to cool her skin. "Whatever this place is, I just hope they speak something we can understand."
Sakura skipped ahead with her usual energy, pointing out glowing mushrooms and weird bugs. "Papa, look! That flower looks weird!"
"Don't touch it," Miya and Tamamo said at the same time.
Karasuba walked at the edge of the group, one hand resting on her sword hilt, eyes scanning the treetops. She looked relaxed—but her senses were razor-sharp.
Matsu took another soil sample, holding it up to the light. "I wonder if even the ground has magic." She was about to launch into a theory when—
A sudden flare of red light erupted on Issei's left arm.
"Wh—what?!" Issei yelped, stopping in his tracks.
The familiar red gauntlet materialized over his forearm.
Everyone froze.
Yuuka immediately stepped closer to Issei. "Issei?"
"I—I don't know!" He stammered. "It just activated on its own!"
Tamamo's ears perked, her gaze sharpening. "Something's coming."
(Partner!) Came Ddraig's booming voice from the Boosted Gear. (There's something heading our way. It feels weird… but it's definitely a dragon.)
Issei paled. "Did you just say dragon?!"
"WhT?!" Yuuka groaned, already bracing herself. "Why does it have to be a dragon?!"
Sakura blinked innocently. "Are we gonna see a real dragon, Papa?"
"I hope not!" Issei shouted.
Matsu stumbled back, eyes wide. "Dra—dragon?! Like the giant, people-eating, gold-hoarding kind?!"
(No… It's more complicated than that.) Ddraig rumbled. (This one… does feel like one, but not at the same time.)
"This could be bad!" Yashima whimpered, grabbing her hammer.
Akitsu silently stepped between Sakura and the forest, her hands already generating a subtle cold mist. Miya moved to shield Misuki, who looked both fascinated and annoyed.
Then came a low rumble—distant at first, as a tree fell down in the distance. But it was getting closer.
Leaves rustled violently. Branches cracked and snapped.
And suddenly, the earth itself seemed to tremble.
Issei's legs trembled beneath him. "H-How close do you think it is?!"
(Hmmm. About a minute.)
"Great!" Karasuba's eyes gleamed. A wild, savage grin spread across her face. "Finally." She unsheathed her sword in a single elegant motion, the steel gleaming in the sunlight. "This world might be worth my time after all."
"Karasuba, no!" Issei shouted. "We don't even know what it is!"
"I'll find out," She replied darkly, stepping ahead, her bloodlust practically leaking off her in waves. She quickly went to meet her newest victim head on. Leaving the group.
Tamamo placed a hand on Issei's shoulder, calmly watching the treeline.
"I'll cover Sakura. You handle Karasuba before she kills the first local she sees."
Issei's eye twitched. "I miss my bed," He muttered.
—-----------------
A shockwave of flames exploded from the underbrush as Natsu Dragneel burst into a clearing like a human cannonball, fire swirling around him in raw, untamed arcs of orange and red.
His eyes, wild and burning, locking onto the source of the scent. "Igneel!" Natsu roared, his feet barely touching the ground as he lunged forward to get closer.
But instead of answers—he got a heel smashing into him with unnatural strength and sending the flaming hothead spinning backward to the ground. But he flipped through the air and skidded across the grass, as he crashed into the base of a tree.
"What the hell?!" He groaned, wiping the pain away and spitting out leaves.
Across the clearing, Karasuba landed lightly, one hand on her sword, the other resting on her hip. Her cold grey eyes lit up with savage joy. "So you're my opponent?"
Natsu staggered back up, flames licking across his shoulders. He locked eyes with her and blinked in confusion.
A woman. In all black. Sword drawn. Pale skin. Silver hair tied back. An intense aura of death surrounding her.
But that scent. It was faint—but there. Not exactly the same, not like Igneel's… but similar. And it infuriated him.
"WHERE IS IGNEEL?!" He shouted again, taking a step forward. "You better tell me where he is, lady! I'm not playing around!"
Karasuba cocked her head, sword lazily dragging through the grass. Her eyes narrowed—not out of recognition, but confusion.
Karasuba blinked and muttered. "…What the hell are you yelling about?" She tilted her head slightly, sword still poised. "Tch. Great. He must not even speak Japanese…"
At that moment, after not getting a response he wants or understands. Natsu charged, fist alight, fire roaring from his body.
"Oh?" Karasuba's grin widened at seeing her opponent control fire. She didn't understand a single word. But she understood the challenge. "That's more like it."
The clash was immediate. Her blade flashed in the sunlight, and in a burst of movement, she lunged forward.
The sword came down fast—too fast for a normal human. But Natsu, through sheer reflex honed from countless battles, threw himself to the side, the blade grazing his arm and slicing through his vest, leaving a shallow cut.
"Tch!" He hissed. But his counter came fast. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" His burning fist shot toward her ribs like a comet.
Karasuba twisted, just barely avoiding the blow—but the shockwave of heat pushed her back, her coat flapping as fire licked at her heels.
A thin burn appeared along her thigh, where the flames had kissed her exposed skin.
Her eyes lit up in excitement. "Ohhh… good reflexes." She lunged again, this time with a wide arc of her blade. Natsu ducked low, rolling beneath it and swinging a flaming leg up toward her face.
She blocked it with her forearm—but skidded back several feet, smoke rising from her sleeve.
Natsu landed in a crouch. "You're strong…"
Karasuba twirled her sword, eyes gleaming. "You're fast. This is fun."
Natsu's flaming fist swung in from the right, and Karasuba sidestepped, her sword flashing with a high arc. Sparks flew as the edge barely nicked across Natsu's forearm—too shallow to do real damage, but enough to sting.
Natsu rolled to the side and retaliated, spitting a small fireball that Karasuba cut through mid-air. The explosion forced her back, boots skidding across the dirt. She then ducked under a punch, slashed horizontally—Natsu leaned back just in time, the blade cutting a line through his chest.
"Gah! Lady, what the hell?!" He shouted.
"Your fault for not dodging better." Karasuba smirked.
He couldn't understand her words, but he sure as hell understood her tone.
They leapt apart, eyes locked, circling each other.
Natsu's fists flared again, the ground beneath his feet turning black with soot."Fine," he growled. "If you wanna fight—you got it!"
Natsu charged ahead igniting his fists in fire but Karasuba's blade gleamed in the sunlight as it sliced through the air in precise arcs, forcing Natsu into a rhythm of dodging and counter-blasting with swirls of searing flame. His fire surged with instinctive fury, but it was clear he was struggling.
Karasuba's movements were graceful but lethal—her steps precise, her slashes fast enough to whistle through the air. Each motion was designed to kill, and only Natsu's heightened instincts as a Dragon Slayer kept him one slip away from disaster.
"Gah!" Natsu yelped, narrowly ducking as Karasuba's katana cleaved through a tree behind him like butter.
He leapt back, launching a stream of flame toward her midsection.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
The blast screamed forward, but Karasuba was already twisting sideways in a blurring motion, her cloak fluttering like a shadow behind her. The inferno grazed past her—but never touched her.
She landed without a sound, a small, delighted smile on her lips.
"You're strong," She murmured, although Natsu couldn't understand a word. "But reckless."
Her blade lashed forward again—this time with intent to finish. From a single, lightning-fast step, she closed the distance. Her katana gleamed with light, wind pressure trailing behind the swing.
Natsu's eyes widened. "Crap—!"
Then—
CLANG!
A shining scarlet sword intercepted Karasuba's blade mid-swing, the clang of steel on steel echoing across the forest.
Karasuba leapt backward instinctively, eyes narrowing at the sudden interloper.
Erza Scarlet stood tall where the sword had come from, her arm extended from the throw. In a flash of light, armor bloomed around her as she re-equipped in her Heaven's Wheel Armor.
"Natsu!" She ordered. "Are you hurt?"
He grinned, clutching his injuries. "Tch. Was just getting warmed up."
Karasuba blinked as the new figure moved beside the fire-wielding one. An armored knight that had various swords flying around her? This one radiated a different kind of pressure—disciplined, composed, but no less dangerous.
More words she didn't understand were exchanged between the two… but the tone needed no translation. They were allies. They were going to fight her. Together.
Karasuba's lips curled into a savage smile. "Now this…" She said softly, raising her sword into a two-handed grip, "Is fun." With no hesitation, she lunged.
Erza moved immediately to meet her, various swords clashing with Karasuba's single katana in a flurry of sparks. The sheer force of the exchange sent a shockwave across the field, kicking up dust and knocking back leaves from the trees.
Natsu surged in behind, flames bursting from his fists.
Karasuba ducked low, letting Erza's blade slice above her shoulder, and spun into a sharp horizontal strike aimed for Natsu—who blocked it with a flaming forearm, grunting at the impact.
"Damn, you swing hard!"
Erza's blades came down from above in a perfect cross slash. Karasuba twisted at the last second, catching the blades with the flat of her own sword and using the recoil to flip backward, narrowly avoiding a burst of fire from Natsu that singed the ground where she had just stood.
Karasuba moved like a shadow, her blade arcing in deadly patterns. But despite her skill, Erza and Natsu were proving too much. Where one attacked, the other defended. Where she struck, they countered—again and again with growing precision.
Flames exploded across the clearing as Natsu launched a Fire Dragon's Talon, spinning in midair with a flaming kick. Karasuba blocked, heels skidding across the dirt, only for Erza to appear on her flank with dual swords blazing with enchanted energy.
'Damn them,' Karasuba thought with a grin. 'They're good. Too good.'
She ducked under a spinning slash—but her breath was hitching. Even she had to admit, this fight was getting dangerous.
Then—
A piercing beam of red light blasted between them, crashing into the earth with a thunderous impact. A shockwave of heat rippled outward, forcing Erza and Natsu to leap back instinctively.
Karasuba halted mid-strike, blade raised.
The blast left a smoking crater between them.
"Enough!" a familiar voice shouted.
Issei, the Boosted Gear glowing on his arm, stepped forward from the edge of the treeline. His arm still steamed from the Dragon Shot he had just fired, smoke rising from the gauntlet.
The two Fairy Tail mages tense up at the sight of reinforcement, but Issei raised both hands, trying to play peacemaker and addressed the two mages.
"Universal translation protocol active." Sherri voice came out but Issei ignored it in favor of trying to stop the fight.
"Let's all calm down, friends!" He called out quickly, forcing his voice to stay calm. "I apologize for anything Karasuba did. She tends to attack first."
Both Erza and Natsu froze mid-motion, eyes narrowing in suspicion as they understood him but wondered who he was.
Erza lowered her swords slightly, but her eyes remained sharp. "Who are you people? From your clothes you're clearly not from this land."
"I promise, we don't want any trouble." Issei said, stepping forward with open hands. "We're travelers and were on our way to the town. We didn't mean to cause a fight. Karasuba's just… reacts to strong presences."
Natsu, however, wasn't listening. His nostrils flared. His eyes locked onto Issei—and only Issei. That scent. "That smell…" Natsu growled.
Issei blinked, sensing the shift in atmosphere. "What—?"
"You…" Natsu's eyes went wide with fury, and flames erupted from his body. "You smell like… Igneel! Where is he?! What did you do?!"
Before anyone could stop him, Natsu charged, fire bursting from his feet as he closed the distance in a blink.
"Whoa—wait—!" Issei raised the Boosted Gear, blocking instinctively.
CLANG!
Natsu's fiery punch collided with the gauntlet, sending Issei flying back several feet, skidding into a nearby tree with a thud.
Karasuba seeing the moment her Ashikabi was attacked, her demeanor shifted instantly. From gleeful swordswoman to silent, lethal protector.
She was about to strike at Natsu with a single step, but Erza got in the way of helping her Ashikabi.
"Wrong move," Karasuba whispered.
Without another word, she launched herself at Erza with renewed ferocity, her blade gleaming with deadly focus.
"Damn it," Erza growled, blocking the first strike just in time. "She's faster now…"
From the sidelines, Issei coughed, pushing himself upright as flames licked along Natsu's shoulders.
"I don't know who Igneel is?" He gasped, "But can we not punch first and ask questions never?!"
But Natsu wasn't listening. He stood at the edge of fury and confusion, caught between desperation and instinct.
(Partner!) Ddraig spoke grimly, this one is ruled by emotion. (I believe this boy was the presence I was feeling.)
"Well glad we figured that out." Issei muttered. He then looks to the fire mage. "Listen I don't know why you're angry but I'm sure if we stop and calmly talk it through, we can realize this was a simple mistake.
But Natsu was no longer listening. Driven by the scent he could not understand but refused to ignore, the Dragon Slayer barreled toward Issei, his fists wreathed in flame, eyes burning with a desperate intensity.
BOOOOST!
The call of the Boosted Gear echoed as Issei braced himself, the red gauntlet glowing brightly. He could barely believe what was happening—he was fighting a pink-haired teenager who breathed fire like a flamethrower and moved like a damn hurricane.
"Stop—wait! I'm telling you I don't know anyone named Igneel!"
But Natsu wasn't hearing reason.
Ddraig's voice growled in his mind, suddenly more serious than usual. (That flame… It's dangerous. Not just because of its power—it carries something else. Something I haven't sensed in a while.)
'What?!'
(It carries the presence of Dragon Slayer. That fire could kill even a true dragon. Just look at the Boosted Gear.)
Issei's eyes widened in horror as he finally saw the cracks in the gauntlet just from him blocking two attacks from the boy. The unbreakable gauntlet that fought many battles was finally damaged. 'So if that hits me—?!'
(I will fix the damage but you must not get hit once. Dodge. Now.)
"Thanks for the warning—could've led with that!"
Natsu lunged, fist alight in spiraling flame.
Issei ducked low, his instincts flaring. The flame roared past his ear, burning the ends of his hair. He kicked backward, boosting with the gauntlet and reinforced magic, trying to create distance.
But Natsu was relentless.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Issei raised his gauntlet in time—BOOM—the impact sent him flying through a tree, cracking its trunk in half. The armor of the Boosted Gear continues to crack.
Issei coughed. "This guy… he's insane!" He rolled back up, sparks of red energy coiling around his body as he activated his second Boost.
BOOOOST!
Power surged through his limbs. Magic and Ki gathered in his fists.
'I don't want to hurt him… but if I don't fight back, I'm toast.'
He shot forward, clashing with Natsu midair—fist to fist, flame against gauntlet. Explosions of kinetic force and heat burst around them, sending shockwaves through the clearing.
—-----------------------
Meanwhile…
A few dozen feet away, the clash between Karasuba and Erza Scarlet had become something far more brutal.
Erza's armor shimmered with light as she shifted through forms like a blur—speed armor, flight armor, heavy defense—each adaptation used to counter Karasuba's vicious strikes.
"Requip! Black Wing Armor!"
Erza dashed forward, sword in each hand, wings flaring with black energy.
Karasuba met her head-on, her blade a seamless arc of steel. CLANG!
Steel shrieked against steel as they crossed blades again, Erza's twin swords locking with Karasuba's single katana.
"You're good," Erza admitted, straining.
Karasuba's grin widened. "Better." But somewhere in her mind she was worried for Issei but didnt act on it as she knew he could handle it.
With a twist, Karasuba knocked one of Erza's swords free and followed up with a savage knee to her gut, sending the knight skidding backward through the dirt.
But Erza wasn't done yet.
She flipped mid-air, landed in a crouch, and called out again:
"Requip! Heaven's Wheel Armor!"
In a burst of light, dozens of ethereal swords surrounded her again. They spun in midair like an iron storm.
Karasuba's eyes gleamed with thrill. "Oh… pretty."
Then the swords came crashing down.
Karasuba weaved between them, slicing those closest, ducking under a spiral blade, flipping past another. She moved like wind through steel—evasive, sharp, unrelenting.
A dozen cuts marked her cloak, but none touched skin.
Erza narrowed her eyes. "You're faster than anyone I've fought with a blade…"
Karasuba tilted her head in confusion but understood the feeling of what she said. "You're keeping up. Barely."
They clashed again, this time sword to sword in a high-speed flurry—sword edges sparking, trees splitting, earth cracking beneath their feet.
—------------------------
Back to Issei and Natsu…
Issei threw up his left hand. A crimson glow gathered at his palm.
"Dragon Shot—" He chanted, trying to aim beside Natsu instead of at him.
But Natsu was faster. "Fire Dragon's Roar!!"
A torrent of flame blasted forward like a firestorm. Issei barely rolled to the side—his jacket catching fire at the edge.
He smacked it out, sweat running down his face. "Okay this is hard."
BOOOOST!
Three stacks now.
Issei grit his teeth. "That's it. I'm not losing to a firecracker with spiky hair."
He rocketed forward with a punch charged in red aura.
Natsu's eyes widened as Issei's fist slammed into his gut.
WHAM!
The Dragon Slayer skidded back several meters, the breath knocked from his lungs. He staggered—but grinned. "…Not bad."
Issei's eyes narrowed. "Please. I'm asking you one last time. Stop."
But Natsu's eyes were still clouded.
—------------------------
The battlefield was chaos.
Flames clashed with fists. Steel flashed and rang out in the deadly dance of swords. The very air trembled with the fury of combat.
From the sidelines, the rest of Issei's group had finally caught up—breathless, wide-eyed, and stunned into silence at the spectacle before them.
Yuuka stepped forward, shielding her eyes from the heat waves rippling off Natsu. "Who the hell are they?!"
"It looks like the residents of this world are quite in tune with their magic." Matsu muttered, adjusting her glasses with a shaky hand as she scanned the battleground. "Those energy signatures are… bizarre."
"The red haired girl is actually keeping up with Karasuba." Uzume states in disbelief as she knew how difficult it was to fight her.
"Is Issei okay?" Yashima asks.
Sakura peeked from behind Akitsu, her small hands clutched in front of her chest, eyes full of wonder and fear. "Mama… is that man on fire?"
Tamamo narrowed her golden eyes, lips tight. "He looks human, but he feels… off."
Miya, arms crossed, glared toward the destruction. Scorched trees. Cracked earth. Wild magic swirling like a storm. "I believe this more than enough." She said coldly. She turned to Akitsu. "Can you stop this madness? We need a wall. Big. Now."
Akitsu nodded without hesitation.
She turned, gently handing Sakura to Miki and Gorou, who both stood frozen, eyes locked on the battlefield. They had never seen anything like this. Not in stories. Issei—their son—was locked in a life-or-death clash against a human inferno.
It took them a second too long to blink out of it.
Gorou swallowed hard and stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Sakura's back as Miki pulled her in close. But their eyes never left the sight of their son.
Akitsu exhaled.
Frost gathered around her feet, spreading like veins through the soil. The temperature plummeted in a ten-meter radius as frost crackled over tree bark and breath misted in the air.
She raised one hand.
And with a simple wordless gesture—
A towering wall of glacial blue ice erupted between the fighters.
The sound of frost forming was like shattered glass being forged backward. The wall rose instantly, tall as a house and thick as a fortress, dividing the combatants in a solid line of freezing magic.
Natsu's punch collided with it too late, his flames fizzling as the wall stopped his advance cold.
Issei hit the brakes, his gauntlet raised, eyes wide.
Karasuba, mid-slash, halted an inch from cleaving into Erza. She grunted in irritation and took a quick backstep.
Erza lowered her sword, sweat dotting her brow as she eyed the sudden barrier.
Silence.
And then—
A second wall of ice rose from the ground behind them, perpendicular to the first.
Everyone stared.
Tamamo turned sharply toward Akitsu. "Did you…?"
Akitsu's blank face twitched in confusion. "No."
Yashima blinked, his heart still hammering. "Okay… so… if you didn't do that…"
"Then someone else did," Miya said grimly, eyes narrowing.
The second ice wall stood nearly identical to the first—thick, gleaming, and exuding powerful magic… but not quite the same feel.
Tamamo sniffed the air lightly. "…The second wall was made by magic. It has a different… feeling."
Karasuba's grin returned, tilting her head as her sword lowered. "Guess it's another opponent?"
"Who?" Issei asked.
But before anyone could answer—
A low voice echoed from deeper in the forest, smooth and tinged with annoyance. "If you're going to destroy the forest… at least have the decency to explain why."
Various footsteps and the sound of shouting echoed through the trees.
From between the trunks of the forest, a massive group emerged. The Fairy Tail Guild had arrived.
Lucy, Gray, Happy, Levy, Cana, and at least a dozen other familiar faces surged onto the scene in various states of confusion and alarm. In front of them all was a short, elderly figure who radiated an aura so vast and controlled it turned the air heavy.
Makarov Dreyar, Guild Master of Fairy Tail. "Everyone stand down!" Makarov barked.
But his voice, though full of authority, didn't reach Natsu, who was trembling with barely restrained fire, his narrowed eyes still locked on Issei with primal focus.
"Why won't you answer me?!" Natsu growled. "Where is he?! Where's Igneel?!"
Lucy sprinted up to him, worry in every step. "Natsu! What are you doing?! You just ran off like a lunatic!"
But he didn't hear her.
Gray stepped up beside Lucy, gaze flicking from the ruined field to the two massive walls of ice.
His brow furrowed. "…That one's mine," he said, pointing to the second. "But the first one? That wasn't me."
"What?" Lucy blinked. "Then who—?"
Before she could finish, Natsu flared again—flames bursting around him.
He prepared to leap—
Until the air shimmered, and a titanic golden glow surged forward. Makarov's eyes narrowed, his short frame swelling with power as a massive, magical aura engulfed him. In a blink, his body expanded upward and outward like a mountain rising from the ground.
"Giant Magic – Titan Form!"
From the treetops, birds scattered into the sky as the earth trembled beneath the weight of the spell.
A colossal hand—easily the size of a house—came sweeping down from the air and grabbed Natsu mid-lunge, clenching gently but firmly around the boy's flaming body.
Surprising Issei's group at how the small elderly man's hand grew giant.
Matsu was simply excited at learning new forms of magic.
"Enough, Natsu," Makarov's voice boomed, deep and godlike. "You will not strike again until we understand what's happening."
Natsu thrashed, eyes burning with confusion and desperation—but couldn't break free.
From the other side of the battlefield, Issei stood tense, panting, the Boosted Gear glowing at his side. He quickly grab Karasuba's arm and went to his group. Where he was showered with calls of worry at seeing his burned clothes.
Tamamo, Yuuka, Uzume, Akitsu, and the rest gathered protectively around Sakura, Yuuka, Misuki and Issei's parents. All were stunned by the sheer number of newcomers who had flooded the clearing.
And then there was the giant.
"Okay," Issei muttered. "Hopefully things start to calm down."
"He's different…" Tamamo murmured, golden eyes sharp as she looked to the old man. "That one's stronger than anyone else here. He's… in control."
Matsu's eyes scanned the crowd and her pupils dilated. "This is insane… It's an entire combat unit. Is he their leader?"
"Are you alright dear!" Miya says looking over at Issei.
The group remained still, watching as the dust settled.
But no one spoke.
Because even though Issei's group could hear the others, they couldn't understand them.
And likewise, the Fairy Tail members couldn't decipher a word of the strange language coming from this new, beautiful, bizarre group of interdimensional strangers.
Makarov lowered his giant head, frowning as he scanned the unfamiliar group—most of them women, a few of them seemingly normal… and the brown-haired boy, Natsu had tried to incinerate.
They were speaking—clearly. Gesturing. Confused. Defensive. But he couldn't make out a single word.
"Levy," He muttered. "What language is that?"
Levy looks confused. "I don't know Master. They don't sound like anything I've heard."
Lucy, still watching Natsu, turned to Erza. "What happened? Who are these people?"
Erza shook her head slowly. "They're not from here. That much is certain. The one I fought—she was strong. Too strong to be some wandering mercenary. "
Gray finally stepped between the ice walls and stared across at the other group.
"You think they are enemies?"
Erza glanced toward the massive man still holding Natsu.
"I don't know, the silver haired woman in black was about to kill Natsu. But the brown haired boy says that they didn't come to start trouble."
Makarov turned to the group, frowning. Then raised one hand. "…We simply wish to talk."