"Where is Natsu?" Makarov Dreyar, the third master of Fairy Tail looked at the members who will be undergoing the S-class trials, and noticed the lack of a certain pink-haired dragon slayer.
"He probably chicken out," said Gray Fullbuster, the ice-make mage.
"No way, it's Salamander we're talking about." Said Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer. "He might be an idiot, but he's no coward."
"Um," Lucy Heartfilia, the celestial spirit mage, raised her hand, "I think I heard Happy that they wanted to go to Mount Hakobe to train."
"But it's been a week already," said Lisanna Straus, childhood sweetheart of Natsu, "do you think he's okay?"
"Mah," Gildarts Clive, the ace of Fairy Tail, smiled to reassure them, "He probably got engrossed in training and he forgot the time."
"Indeed," Erza Scarlet, the strongest female of Fairy Tail, nodded at Gildarts, "Being on time is also a quality of a S-class mage should have."
"Oh no, and Natsu's probably the most excited for this exam. If he knew he missed it, he would probably cry." said Mirajane Strauss, known as Fairy Tail's Demon, "on second thought, it's been awhile since I've seen him cry; he's too cute when he cries, I want to see it again."
"Mira-nee," Lisanna stared at her sister, exasperated, "You really haven't changed."
"What? I like seeing him cry okay." Mira defended herself. "Though, he is also cute when he smiles, fufufu."
Lisanna and Lucy narrowed their eyes at her.
"Alright brats," Makarov called out, "Head to the boat, we will depart shortly. If Natsu still doesn't arrive by the time we leave, then he is out of the test."
The examinees and their partners nodded at the master as they board their boat.
Wendy Marvell, the Sky Dragon Slayer just looked at the direction of Mount Hakobe, and couldn't help worry, 'Natsu-nii, please be safe.'
...…
...
…
"Aaargggh!!" Natsu, who was now looking like a dried corpse was still writhing on the ground in agony.
"Natsu, here, drink." Happy, who was carrying a stainless water bottle helped Natsu drink from it.
Happy was battered, full of burns and bruises, looking like he was about to fall down from exhaustion, yet never did he took a rest and remained awake to take care of his partner.
He was electrocuted by the piranhas from the river countless times, almost losing his life several times, yet he returned again and again just to get some water for Natsu.
This has continued for several days already, maybe even weeks. Happy lost a sense of time in this labyrinth.
But he knew that Natsu has been suffering like this for a long time already.
He couldn't help but blame himself.
"Please get better," his eyes teared up looking at the state of the dragon slayer.
Never before have Happy saw Natsu being so weak and feeble. Even when he was fighting powerful opponents, he would still stand strong and never show any sign of weakness.
He swore, after they got out of here, he will go to the guild's library to learn even the most basic of magic, a simple healing magic will do, or any support type magic, really.
So that at least he can help his friend even if it's only by little.
"Ha, ha, ha," Natsu was breathing heavily, but from what Happy can see it seems like he was no longer in pain.
Happy stood up, "Need more water, some fish too. Natsu will surely be hungry after he recovers."
...…
...
…
Natsu groggily opened his eyes, he was feeling weak and his whole body was aching. Not to mention his throat feels like a desert on bright sunny day.
He tried to stand up, but he couldn't muster any strength and resigned himself into laying on the floor.
"Natsu?"
Natsu tilted his head, and he saw Happy carrying a water bottle and looking at him in shock. He tried to grin, "Yo …Hap,—py."
His throat feels like they were burning. It hurts just to speak, heck even breathing was getting difficult.
He shouldn't have ate that freaking flame.
"No, don't speak for now," Happy hurried towards him and brought the bottle to his lips, "Here, drink. I also caught some fish, once you have enough strength you can start eating."
Natsu just stared at Happy; he was full of bruises and burns, Natsu even spotted some bite marks on his tiny body.
"What …happened?"
"Drink." Happy insisted, and Natsu can only obey as he drank the water, "You've been out for awhile Natsu, we probably missed trials."
Natsu narrowed his eyes at that, but then relaxed as he finished the whole bottle. Well, it's fine if he missed it, he can still take the test next year.
"I think we should stay here until you fully recover," suggested Happy, "you're too thin right now, and your magic power has yet to recover, you are in no condition to withstand the cold nor fight even Vulkans in that state."
"I get it." Natsu sighed, "still, it sucks. I wish Gray didn't pass …I'm rooting for Cana, she's really obsessed with it. Don't know why she can't just tell to Gildarts that she's his daughter."
Oh, he knew Cana was Gildarts' daughter. They practically shared the same scent, and no it wasn't alcohol.
When they were kids, he confronted Cana about it, noticing the similar scents between the then young Cana and Gildarts.
Perhaps due to a moment of weakness, Cana ended up revealing everything. And Natsu couldn't help but punch the girl on the head back then.
Her father is already in front of her, yet she's not doing anything!? Natsu has been looking for Igneel, and he couldn't find a clue! Yet this girl was just keeping quiet about it?
He punched her for her stupidity. If it was him, he would immediately hug the man.
They actually fought the whole day after that, though after awhile Natsu did accept Cana's reason and it became their little secret.
"It's fine." Said Happy, "she got Lucy with her."
Natsu smiled at that, "Right?"
Happy smiled before his eyes lit up as if remembering something as he searched his bag. This isn't an ordinary bag, but a bag enchanted by magic that allows it to hold a miniature spatial storage.
It was gift he received from Erza after his first birthday.
Happy took out three fish—piranhas—and put them on the ground, "I caught some fish for you Natsu. I also have a salt here, we can cook it."
"That's—" Natsu's eyes widened, remembering these piranhas as the one that shoots with lightning they found awhile back.
Now it made sense how Happy got those injuries.
"You—, what would I do without you." Natsu knew better to get mad at the efforts of his partner. So he just settled with smiling and rubbing his head.
"Aye!"
"Well, let me cook it." Natsu raised his hand and engulfed it with flames …not.
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
What appeared on Natsu's hand was a small figure—the size of Happy—of the beast made of flames that Natsu fought before.
In shock, Natsu tried to use his magic to "burn" the beast, but this time the Beast just grew in size, dwarfing even its size when it fought Natsu.
"Aaaahhhh!!!"
"Whaaaaa!!!"
The two screamed in fright as they stared at the beast, thinking that they will be eaten alive …only for them to realize that the beast just stood there.
Silently.
Happy blinked, and came into conclusion, "Natsu, order it to sit?"
"What?" Natsu looked at Happy like an idiot, but followed his words nonetheless, "Sit?"
To their surprise, the beast did sat down.
"What!?"
"As expected," Happy nodded to himself, "Natsu, the flames you have eaten might have given you the ability to shape your flames into this beast."
"Really? That's soo cool!" Natsu looked at the beast in awe. "Hahaha! Even though I probably missed the trials, it's all worth it! I obtained a new power!"
"Natsu, hurry up and cook these, then eat." Said Happy while pointing at the fish.
"Oh right." Natsu turned towards the beast, "Cook these for me, then wake me up after you're done."
The beast obeyed as it uses its flaming body to slowly roast the fish.
Natsu yawned, "Happy, Imma take a nap first. I'm exhausted …you should rest too buddy."
"Aye!"