Chapter 1: Natsu Dragneel

"Three years have passed since I was sealed into this world.

All I remember is going on a mission outside the Kingdom of Fiore with Lucy, Gray, and Erza, only to be dragged through a portal on a stormy mountain, alone and without them.

For the past few years, I've spent every moment trying, desperately, to find a way back to my world. Gradually, though, I've lost hope of returning.

Now, I have no choice but to distract myself while I wait for someone from the Fairy Tail guild to find me. I'm sure someone will.

That's why I'm here now, waiting for the bus that will take me to the place where I'll become a natural part of this society."

These were Natsu Dragneel's thoughts as he stood at the bus stop, waiting for the overdue vehicle. His spiky pink hair, dark eyes, and pale skin made him stand out, but what truly caught attention was the white scarf wrapped tightly around his neck. His clothes, slightly old-fashioned, seemed almost out of place. He scanned the bus stop, his gaze lingering on the occupied benches, hoping someone might offer him a seat.

Most people ignored his searching eyes—except for a boy sitting at the edge of the bench. The boy had wavy green hair and bright green eyes, and his expression grew tense when he noticed Natsu's stare.

The boy quickly stood and stammered, "Uh, sorry. You've been standing for a while. You can take my seat if you want."

Natsu's gaze remained steady, his expression unreadable, making the green-haired boy even more nervous. "Or, maybe not… I mean… do whatever you want," the boy added, his voice faltering.

Walking up to him, Natsu's calm movements made the other boy shift uncomfortably. His intense look gave off the impression of someone ready to fight—or perhaps someone who didn't know how to interact.

What is this? the boy thought, I was just trying to be nice, but why does he look like he's going to fight me?

When Natsu reached him, he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and smiled faintly. "What's wrong? You're a really kind guy."

The boy blinked in confusion, caught off guard by the sudden compliment. Although Natsu's words were genuine, his unreadable expression and awkward silence made him seem slightly intimidating.

Finally breaking the tension, Natsu introduced himself. "I'm Natsu. Natsu Dragneel. You look about my age. Judging by your bag and the stop, I'm guessing we're headed to the same place. What's your name?"

The boy hesitated before responding with a small, uncertain smile, "Midoriya Izuku. I'm heading to UA Academy for the entrance exam."

A grin spread across Natsu's face as he patted Midoriya's shoulder. "Just as I thought! We're fellow travelers. It's good to have someone to talk to on the way."

Before Midoriya could reply, the screech of bus brakes filled the air, and a figure with spiky white hair and an intense glare brushed past them. "Move, extras," the boy snarled as he shoved past without a glance.

"Huh?" Natsu muttered, frowning slightly, but the spiky-haired boy didn't stop. He climbed aboard the bus, taking the last available seat with complete indifference.

Midoriya's face tensed with unease. "That's Bakugo Katsuki. We grew up in the same neighborhood… You could say we're childhood friends. He's also taking the UA entrance exam."

Natsu glanced at the boy in question, then back at Midoriya, his brow furrowing. "A soft-spoken guy like you being childhood friends with an arrogant punk like that? That's… surprising. And you still call him a childhood friend after he insulted you just now?"

Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. "That's just how Kacchan is. It's his personality, not personal."

"Kacchan?" Natsu repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it's a nickname I've called him since we were kids. Come on, we should get on the bus before it leaves," Midoriya said, trying to change the subject.

Natsu hesitated before shuffling toward the bus, his steps slow and deliberate. Midoriya noticed his odd behavior and called out, "Where are you going? The door's this way."

Natsu froze for a moment, then chuckled nervously. "Oh, right! The door, of course. I knew that. I'll get on now."

Midoriya tilted his head, puzzled by Natsu's strange demeanor.

Ten minutes later, the two sat side by side on the bus. Midoriya, glancing at Natsu's pale face and trembling hands, couldn't suppress a small smile.

"So that's it," he said aloud. "You can't handle transportation, can you? That must be inconvenient these days."

Natsu groaned, barely holding himself together as waves of nausea overwhelmed him. "Ah.. Uh..." he muttered, clutching his scarf tightly and trying not to throw up.

[....]

UA Academy stood tall and proud, its towering structure a symbol of hope and excellence. Renowned across Japan, it was more than just a school—it was a dream factory. Despite the existence of other prestigious institutions, UA remained unmatched, having produced legendary heroes like All Might and Endeavor, whose names resonated not only in Japan but across the globe.

Today, the academy buzzed with life, its grounds alive with the excitement of Entrance Exam Day. Aspiring students from all corners of Japan had gathered, their faces a mix of determination and nervous energy. Some carried hefty luggage, others traveled light, but all shared the same goal—to earn a place in UA's hallowed halls. For city dwellers, reaching the campus was straightforward, but many had traveled from distant towns and cities, some even arriving the day before to ensure they wouldn't miss this opportunity.

The pathways leading to the auditorium were packed with students, their unique styles and quirks on full display. The air was electric with anticipation. Yet amidst the sea of confident candidates, two figures drew attention—a boy with pink hair, pale and nearly lifeless, leaning heavily on a green-haired boy who supported him with surprising strength.

"Come on, Natsu-san," Midoriya muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of concern and urgency. "At this rate, we're going to be late."

Natsu's face was a pale shade of blue, a victim of motion sickness from an arduous bus ride. His legs wobbled with every step, and he leaned heavily on Midoriya, who struggled to keep them both moving. "Sorry… and thanks for everything," Natsu murmured weakly.

Midoriya sighed but pressed on, dragging the exhausted boy toward the grand auditorium. The towering doors loomed ahead, and the muffled sound of an enthusiastic voice hinted that the presentation had already started. They slipped inside quietly, the dimmed lights shielding them from most prying eyes.

They found seats at the very back of the expansive lecture hall, where the stage below was brightly lit. Natsu slumped into his chair, finally lifting his head. "Finally, some rest. I think I'm starting to feel better now," he whispered, his voice regaining some strength.

Midoriya, however, wasn't as relaxed. His sharp eyes locked onto the stage, where a man with wild yellow hair and sunglasses commanded the room with an electrifying presence. Present Mic, one of UA's most energetic teachers, stood before the crowd, his voice booming as he explained the exam rules.

"In each training ground, there are four types of robots!" Present Mic's voice echoed through the hall, amplified by his quirk. "One-point robots! Two-point robots! Three-point robots! The stronger the robot, the more points it's worth! But beware of the zero-point robots—they're massive, dangerous, and completely pointless!"

Natsu blinked at the spectacle, his expression blank as he tried to process the information. Beside him, Midoriya was already scribbling notes furiously into a notebook, his hand moving with practiced speed.

"Hey," Natsu whispered, leaning closer. "Is this something you actually need to write down?"

Without lifting his eyes from the page, Midoriya replied, "The explanation might seem simple, but it's better to be prepared."

Natsu tilted his head, a faint grin spreading across his face. "Oh yeah, real simple…"

Midoriya stopped writing, turning to him with a skeptical glance. "Just to be safe, let me ask—do you actually understand the rules?"

Natsu's grin widened. "All I gotta do is smash those stupid robots, right?"

Midoriya let out a heavy sigh. "That's the level of intelligence we're working with here, huh... But fine. Too much info will just confuse you. Just focus on smashing whatever you see, and you'll probably do fine."

Before Natsu could respond, a sharp voice interrupted them. "First, you arrive late, and now you're disrupting the rest of us with your chatter."

Both boys turned to see a tall figure with neatly combed blue hair and rectangular glasses. The boy's tone was authoritative, his posture rigid. This was Tenya Iida, and his disapproving glare was as sharp as his words.

Midoriya bowed his head quickly. "I'm really sorry!" he stammered.

But Natsu, unfazed, leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Why're you apologizing? If this glasses-wearing nerd loves studying so much, why's he sitting in the second-to-last row?"

Iida's expression didn't waver. "What do you mean by that? Was anything I said incorrect?"

"Not exactly," Natsu replied nonchalantly. "But your 'rules' don't apply back here. If you wanted better focus, you should've sat up front. Back here, it's just idiots like me."

Adjusting his glasses, Iida replied curtly, "In that case, I'd better keep my distance before I catch any of your idiocy." He turned sharply on his heel and walked away, leaving Midoriya to bury his face in his hands.

Natsu watched him go, his smirk unwavering. "Can I smash him during the exam?"

"Of course not!" Midoriya hissed, horrified.

The lights brightened as the presentation ended, and the candidates began filing out of the auditorium. Midoriya and Natsu joined the stream of students heading toward the locker rooms to prepare for the exam.

At the entrance to Battle Center B, Natsu stood among the crowd, his pink hair and casual posture making him stand out. Around him, other examinees adjusted their gear, their eyes scanning the massive gate ahead. Among them were familiar faces: the cheerful Ochaco Uraraka, the flamboyant Yuga Aoyama, the ever-serious Iida, and, of course, Midoriya.

As the tension grew, the gates began to rumble, signaling the start of the most important test of their lives.