250Edit 2024: God I wanna kms while I am redoing this lmao its so horrendous. Not really gonna bother editing the author notes incase I need to.
Chapter One - The Mask of Vengeance
Everything was a mess. No, not just a mess—it was completely fucked beyond repair. My mind was a storm of confusion, anger, and... emptiness. How had it come to this?
Zeref. Zeref had beaten me. The so-called "immortal black wizard" had crushed me like I was nothing, despite everything I threw at him. All the strength I had gained, all the fights I had survived—it didn't mean a damn thing to him. His magic was something I couldn't even wrap my head around. The battle? It wasn't a battle. It was a massacre, with me at the receiving end.
I could still hear his voice echoing in my mind, taunting me as he left me behind, mumbling something cryptic about meeting again soon. His words were like poison, slithering through my thoughts. It wasn't just the beating that stung. It was his confidence—like he knew something I didn't, like he had already planned my future without even asking for my damn permission.
Then, to add insult to injury, my scarf... my scarf. The one thing that connected me to Igneel, the one piece of my past I carried with me everywhere—it was messed up. Scorched, torn, like it had shared in the fight and lost, too. Thanks, asshole.
And just when I thought things couldn't get worse, we faced Grimoire Heart. Hades, the master of that dark guild, brought an army of destruction to our doorstep. The fight stretched out endlessly, my body screaming at me with each punch, each blast of fire. I barely survived. Barely. It took everything in me, every last drop of energy, to defeat him. But even then... it wasn't enough. There was no time to breathe, no time to celebrate.
Because then, Acnologia showed up.
The Dragon of the Apocalypse. The dragon whose roar shattered the heavens and whose very presence felt like the end of the world. It was almost funny in a twisted way. How many enemies could fate throw at us in one day? But none of it was funny. The screams of my comrades, the sight of their terror—it haunted me.
The ground had splintered beneath Acnologia's claws. The sky had turned black, the air thick with magic and death. We fought back—we tried to fight back—but it was useless. Acnologia wasn't something you fought. It was something you survived. And even that wasn't guaranteed.
I had always thought of myself as strong—strong enough to protect everyone, strong enough to fight for my friends and guild. But in that moment, staring into the eyes of that monster, I realized just how small I was.
And then… nothing. Nothing but darkness.
I thought we had died. Maybe we had. For a long time, I felt like I was floating in nothingness, my mind trying to piece together fragments of what had happened. Was this the afterlife? Was this my punishment for not being strong enough?
That's when I saw her.
The darkness around Natsu faded, giving way to a soft, ethereal glow. The first thing that caught his attention was the woman standing before him. She wasn't just beautiful—she was otherworldly. Her long, flowing silver hair shimmered, as if made of starlight, trailing to the ground like a waterfall of light. Her eyes, deep and ageless, seemed to look through him, like they could see every part of him, every secret, every fear.
She wore a regal kimono, adorned with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and move, the fabric alive with magic. Two horn-like protrusions jutted from her head, giving her an almost god-like presence. Her lips were painted a dark shade, as were her long, polished nails. She radiated power, the kind that felt ancient—far older than anything Natsu had ever encountered.
She didn't speak at first. She didn't need to. Her mere presence was enough to command silence. But Natsu, being Natsu, wasn't one to sit in silence for long.
He didn't know what to make of her. She was... stunning, sure, but more than that. She felt dangerous. He wasn't scared, but his gut was telling him he was standing in front of something—someone—who could end him with a single thought.
He couldn't help but stare for a moment. The way her silver hair caught the light, the way she stood like she owned the entire universe. Beautiful didn't even begin to cover it. Crap... is she reading my mind?
Her eyes flickered, and her cheeks flushed slightly. Natsu froze. Okay, she's definitely reading my mind. He tried—really tried—not to think of anything inappropriate, but the harder he tried, the worse it got. Stupid brain. No, don't think about—
"So," he blurted out, trying to save himself, "w-who are you!?"
The woman seemed amused by his awkwardness, the faintest smile pulling at her lips. She spoke, her voice soft yet filled with authority. "I am Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the Rabbit Goddess, as your people once called me."
"Rabbit Goddess? That's... uh, cool, I guess. So, what do you want with me?" Natsu's eyes narrowed slightly. "And where the hell are my friends!?"
Kaguya's expression remained impassive, but there was a hint of annoyance in her eyes. "I want nothing from you. It was you who disturbed my peace by coming here."
Natsu blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"You were fighting that creature, Acnologia, were you not?" Kaguya asked, her tone sharp.
"Yeah, I was... Wait, how do you know that?"
"Your memories are an open book to me," Kaguya said, her gaze piercing through him. "The power of the Dragon and your own collided, disrupting the natural order. The clash of such forces tore a rift in time and space. You unconsciously summoned a portal to this dimension as a last resort. You were... drawn here."
Natsu's eyes widened, the weight of her words settling in. "Bullshit. If that's true, why am I the only one here? Where's my guild?"
Kaguya sighed, almost as if she pitied him. "From what I saw in your memories, I find it hard to believe you still care for them."
Natsu stiffened. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"They betrayed you," Kaguya said bluntly, her words hitting like a hammer. "They left you behind. You were nothing more than bait to them—something to throw at Acnologia while they saved themselves."
Natsu felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him. "No... that's not... that can't be true." His voice faltered, his mind racing, trying to deny the possibility. His hands clutched his head as fragmented memories of the battle flashed before his eyes.
"They abandoned you," Kaguya continued, her voice calm, almost soothing. "When the moment came, they chose their own lives over yours. And you? You were left to die."
Natsu's breath hitched. His chest tightened, the air in the room growing heavy. Could that really be what happened? No. No, there had to be more to it. Fairy Tail—his family—they wouldn't... would they?
But the more he thought about it, the more his memories began to shift. The looks of fear on their faces, the distance as Acnologia's roar echoed across the battlefield. Were they really... running away?
Kaguya's voice cut through his spiraling thoughts. "Rest. You need time to accept the truth." She raised her hand, and before Natsu could protest, his vision blurred, his body growing heavy as he fell into unconsciousness.
Kaguya watched him sleep, her expression unreadable. She had seen many like him before—warriors, chosen ones, and those burdened with powers they didn't understand. But there was something different about this boy.
Something that reminded her of her long-lost son, Hagoromo.
One Day Later
The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the cold. Not a physical cold, but the kind that seeps into your bones, leaving you feeling hollow and numb. It clung to the air, wrapping around me like a heavy fog, making it hard to think straight.
I blinked, sitting up slowly, the events from before rushing back to me like a bad dream. Zeref. Grimoire Heart. Acnologia. Kaguya...
"So... it wasn't a dream," I muttered, my voice hoarse as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
"No. It wasn't." Kaguya's voice was calm, cutting through the haze clouding my mind.
I turned to see her standing nearby, her expression as unreadable as ever. The glow around her felt unnatural—like she wasn't bound by the same reality I was in. I didn't know if I'd ever get used to that.
I slumped back down, staring at the ceiling. The weight of her earlier words pressed down on me like a mountain. My guild... betrayed me?
The idea gnawed at my insides like a poison. I wanted to deny it, to shout that it couldn't be true. But every time I tried, those last moments of the battle with Acnologia flashed in my mind. The way they looked at me—the fear, the distance. The way they... left.
"They really left me...?" I whispered, more to myself than to Kaguya. My voice cracked, the pain in my chest spreading like fire. My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms.
Kaguya moved closer, her eyes never leaving mine. "Yes. They abandoned you," she said softly, though her words carried a cold finality. "When Acnologia struck, they fled. They chose their own survival over yours."
The words slammed into me like a punch to the gut. My heart pounded against my ribcage, anger mixing with the overwhelming confusion that swirled in my head. "They wouldn't... they wouldn't do that."
"Wouldn't they?" Kaguya's voice was gentle but unyielding, as if she had seen this play out countless times before. "I looked into your memories, Natsu. You know, deep down, that they left you."
I shot up, glaring at her, the fire inside me rising. "You don't know them! They're my family!"
She didn't flinch. Didn't even blink. "Family, you say?" There was a sadness in her voice, like she had heard that word before, and it had only ever disappointed her.
I stood, my hands shaking with frustration. "Fairy Tail would never—!" But my words faltered, the image of my friends' faces flashing in my mind. The guilt in their eyes. The hesitation. The fear.
And then the silence.
The silence when Acnologia roared.
When I needed them the most.
"I..." My voice wavered, and my fists trembled at my sides, knuckles white. Could it really be true? Had they left me behind to save themselves?
"They ran," Kaguya said quietly, watching me closely. "Because they were afraid. Afraid of the power you and Acnologia unleashed. They could not win, so they chose to flee."
The realization hit me hard. My breath hitched, and I found myself sinking to the ground, knees buckling under the weight of it all. My mind screamed at me to reject it, to fight against the very idea that my family had abandoned me. But the more I tried to deny it, the more the memories flooded back—the distance between us, the looks they shared, the hesitation.
Could they have...? Did they think they had no choice?
"They..." I swallowed, my throat dry. "They... left me."
A suffocating silence fell between us.
"They chose to live," Kaguya said, her voice softer now, almost... sympathetic. "But you, Natsu, are stronger than that. You do not need them."
For a moment, I wanted to argue. I wanted to scream at her, to tell her that she was wrong—that I did need them. But the words never came. My chest felt tight, my thoughts a whirlwind of betrayal and anger.
And something else.
Something darker.
"But why me?" I muttered, my voice barely audible. "Why am I here? Why did I survive? What... is all this?"
Kaguya studied me for a long moment, her expression softening ever so slightly. "You are here because of what you are."
I blinked, lifting my head slightly. "What I am?"
"Yes," she said, stepping closer, her gaze locking onto mine with an intensity that made my skin crawl. "There is a power within you, one that far surpasses even your Dragon Slayer magic. A power that transcends time and space. It is the reason you survived Acnologia's attack. The reason you were drawn to me."
"What are you talking about?" I asked, my mind racing. "What power?"
Kaguya's eyes glinted, and her voice grew quiet, almost reverent. "You are not just Natsu Dragneel, a simple mage of Fairy Tail. You are something far more. There is a piece of me within you, and it has been there all along."
Her words felt heavy, like they carried the weight of entire lifetimes. My mind raced to keep up with what she was saying, but none of it made sense. A part of her? Inside me? What did that even mean?
"You crossed dimensions, Natsu. That is not something a mere human can do, not even one as powerful as you. The energy within you... it is my power. The power of a god."
I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. "That's impossible... I don't—"
Kaguya's expression softened for the first time, and there was a hint of something... wistful in her eyes. "You are the reincarnation of my son, Hagoromo."
The air between us stilled, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe. "Reincarnation? Your... son?"
Kaguya nodded slowly. "Hagoromo was my firstborn, a man who carried the same divine power that you now hold. You... are him, reborn into this world."
I staggered back, the weight of her words crashing down on me like a tidal wave. Reincarnation? A god's son? None of this made any sense. "I... no. That can't be right. I'm just... I'm just Natsu."
Kaguya's gaze was unyielding. "You are Natsu Dragneel, yes. But you are also Hagoromo. His essence, his strength, it lives within you. And you have only just begun to scratch the surface of that power."
My mind spun, a storm of confusion and denial swirling inside me. It was too much. Too fast. The idea that I wasn't even... me. That I was something else, someone else, reborn with a destiny I didn't ask for.
"I don't... I don't understand," I whispered, my head pounding. "Why me? Why now?"
Kaguya stepped closer, her presence overwhelming, like a force of nature. "Because the world is on the brink of destruction. The forces at play—the powers that seek to destroy everything—they will not stop. You are the only one capable of stopping them, Natsu. You, with the power of my bloodline, are the only hope this world has."
I stared at her, my heart racing. The weight of her words pressed down on me, suffocating me. I had always fought to protect my friends, my guild, my family. But this... this was something far bigger than I had ever imagined.
The question burned in my mind: Could I really do this?
Kaguya reached out, her hand hovering just above my shoulder. "You do not have to face this alone, Natsu. I will train you. I will help you unlock the full potential of your power. Together, we can shape this world into something far greater than it is."
I looked up at her, the offer tempting, but the weight of the betrayal still lingered in my heart. My friends... the ones who had left me behind. The ones I had trusted more than anything.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly alone.
But maybe... maybe Kaguya was right. Maybe I didn't need them anymore.
"Fine," I muttered, my voice quiet but firm. "If I'm really this... reincarnation, then I'll learn. But after that... I'll make them regret ever leaving me behind."
Kaguya's smile widened, dark and knowing. "Good. Very good."
And so, my new journey began.
Five Years Later...
Time in Kaguya's dimension didn't follow the rules of the world Natsu once knew. Days became weeks, weeks stretched into months, and years passed in a blur. Here, time was bent to Kaguya's will—distorted, fractured, and manipulated. She had made it so five years would pass in Earth Land, while for them, decades had come and gone.
Natsu's body remained youthful, his aging slowed to a near standstill. But his mind, his spirit—those had matured far beyond anything he could have imagined. His once fiery and wild energy was now something different, refined and tempered by years of training.
Kaguya had been a strict teacher, pushing him to the absolute limits of his abilities. But even in her harshness, there was something else... something that had grown over the years between them.
Natsu sat beneath a raging waterfall, the freezing water pounding relentlessly against his body. His bare chest glistened under the dim light of Kaguya's realm, his breathing slow and controlled. Meditation had become second nature to him, a way to keep the vast power inside him from spiraling out of control.
Around him, the air shimmered with magic. His flames flickered at his fingertips, their heat gentle and calm, unlike the destructive force they once were. These weren't just the flames of a Dragon Slayer anymore. They had become something else—something divine.
His Rinnegan, the godlike eyes he had inherited, remained closed behind his eyelids, but the power within them was palpable. The Sharingan, too, had become a part of him, giving him mastery over space and time. Where once he had feared these abilities, now they felt like extensions of himself.
And yet, despite everything he had learned, there was a lingering restlessness in him. A feeling that even with all the power he possessed, something was missing.
"Are you at peace, Natsu-kun?"
The familiar voice, soft yet commanding, drifted through the misty air, pulling him from his thoughts. Natsu opened his eyes, the Rinnegan flickering briefly before he closed them again. The waterfall ceased its relentless pounding as he stood, shaking the water from his hair.
Kaguya stood before him, her long, silver hair cascading behind her like a shimmering veil. Her presence was as regal as ever, her expression calm but with an undercurrent of something more—something deeper. Over the years, her gaze had softened when it fell upon him. It wasn't just the look of a teacher anymore.
"I've learned control, but peace?" Natsu chuckled softly, the sound dark and almost bitter. "I don't think that's in my nature."
Kaguya stepped closer, her ethereal beauty catching the faint glow of the realm around them. She was a goddess, ageless and immortal, yet the way she looked at Natsu was far more human than it had once been.
"You are different now," Kaguya said, her voice low, almost intimate. "You have grown far beyond the reckless child you once were."
Natsu met her gaze, the tension between them thickening as she drew nearer. Over the years, their interactions had changed. There had been moments—fleeting, unspoken—where the lines between mentor and student had blurred. And yet, neither of them had crossed that line fully. Not yet.
"I've changed," Natsu admitted, his voice quieter now. "But I'm still me."
Kaguya's lips curved slightly, a hint of a smile. "You are... something more, Natsu-kun. You are powerful. Divine." She raised her hand, fingers brushing lightly against his cheek, her touch sending a shiver through him. "But there is still a part of you that resists."
Natsu swallowed, his heart pounding in his chest. Kaguya's touch, soft and cold like moonlight, lingered longer than usual. Her eyes, normally so calculating and distant, held a warmth now—something he hadn't seen before.
He leaned into her touch, just slightly, before catching himself. "Resisting what?"
Kaguya's gaze darkened, her fingers trailing down to his jaw. "Your true nature. You are the reincarnation of my son, Hagoromo, but you fight that truth."
Natsu stiffened, his jaw tightening as the weight of her words settled on him. He had never fully accepted the idea of being someone else's reincarnation. Hagoromo—whoever he had been—was not him. He didn't want to be bound by someone else's destiny.
"I'm Natsu," he said firmly, stepping back from her touch, though the loss of contact left a strange emptiness. "Not Hagoromo. Not anyone else."
Kaguya's eyes flickered with something—disappointment? Or was it... something deeper? She took a slow breath, her expression returning to its usual serene composure. "You have always been defiant," she said softly, though there was a note of tenderness in her voice. "Perhaps that is why you have been able to harness such power."
For a long moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them unspoken but undeniable. Natsu's gaze lingered on her, his mind racing. She had always been distant, cold even, but over the years, there had been moments—glances, touches, words left unsaid.
And now... now he wasn't sure where they stood.
Flashback
The first time Natsu had noticed the change between them, it had been during one of his more grueling training sessions. Kaguya had pushed him to the brink of exhaustion, her voice cold and demanding as she forced him to master the power of the Sharingan.
He had collapsed, barely able to breathe, the weight of his failures pressing down on him. He had expected harsh words, a cold reprimand. But instead, Kaguya had knelt beside him, her fingers brushing the sweat from his brow.
"Natsu-kun," she had whispered, her voice soft, almost... tender. "You are stronger than this. I know you are."
Her touch had lingered, her breath warm against his skin. And for the first time, Natsu had felt something stir between them—something more than just the bond of teacher and student.
Back to Present
Those moments had been few and far between, but they had never gone away. And now, standing here, with Kaguya's gaze locked on him, Natsu felt that pull again—that strange, unspoken connection that neither of them had fully acknowledged.
Kaguya stepped forward again, closing the distance between them. "Natsu-kun... do you truly believe you can deny who you are? Do you think you can live without embracing the power within you?"
Natsu's breath hitched as her fingers brushed his chest, tracing the lines of muscle there. Her touch was gentle, but there was an intensity behind it, a need that she had never shown before. His heart pounded, the heat between them rising.
"I... I don't know," Natsu admitted, his voice hoarse. "I don't know who I am anymore."
Kaguya's hand slid up to cup his face, her thumb brushing his cheek. "You are more than you realize. You are powerful, Natsu-kun. But you are also... important to me."
Natsu's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. This... this wasn't like her. The cold, distant goddess he had known for so long was gone, replaced by someone more vulnerable, more... human.
"Kaguya..." he whispered, his hand lifting to cover hers, the contact sending a spark through him.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The space between them felt charged, the tension thick enough to suffocate. Natsu could feel the weight of her emotions pressing against him, emotions that she had hidden for so long.
But before anything more could happen, Kaguya pulled back, her composure returning in an instant. "It is time," she said, her voice back to its usual calm.
Natsu blinked, the moment shattered as quickly as it had appeared. "Time for what?"
Kaguya turned, her long hair flowing behind her like a veil of silver. "Time for you to return."
The word hit Natsu like a punch to the gut. Return.
The idea of going back to Earth Land, back to the world that had left him behind, filled him with a strange mix of dread and anticipation. He wasn't the same person he had been five years ago. Heck, he wasn't even sure if he was still Natsu.
"You're sending me back?" he asked, his voice quieter than he intended.
Kaguya nodded, though her eyes didn't meet his. "Yes. You do not belong here, Natsu. This world will soon reject you. I have prolonged your time here, but the dimension can no longer hold you."
The air felt heavier, like the weight of everything left unsaid was pressing down on him. He had trained here for so long, pushed himself beyond anything he thought possible. But in doing so, he had formed a bond with Kaguya—one that went beyond simple teacher and student.
And now... she was sending him away.
"What happens when I go back?" he asked, his heart pounding. "What do I do then?"
Kaguya turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "You will have a choice. You can use the power I have given you to reshape the world... or to destroy those who betrayed you."
His breath hitched. Fairy Tail.
The name still tasted bitter on his tongue. The betrayal, the anger—it was all still there, festering beneath the surface. But now... now he had the power to make them pay.
"You don't have to decide now," Kaguya said softly, stepping closer once more. "But when the time comes, you will know what to do."
He swallowed hard, his mind racing. Could he really go back? Could he really face them again?
Kaguya's fingers brushed his cheek, her touch soft and lingering. "Whatever choice you make, Natsu... remember this. You are not the same boy who left them behind. You are powerful. You are mine."
Her words sent a shiver down his spine, the possessiveness in her voice clear. For a moment, he almost gave in, almost leaned into the warmth of her touch. But then he remembered the faces of his guild—the betrayal, the pain—and he stepped back.
"I'll make them regret what they did," he said, his voice hardening.
Kaguya smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Good."
With a flick of his wrist, he opened a portal, the swirling energy of the Rinnegan crackling in the air. He took one last look at Kaguya, the unspoken tension still lingering between them.
"Goodbye, Kaguya..."
Her smile widened slightly, but there was something broken in her gaze. "Goodbye, Natsu-kun." she turned around before a teardrop fell which Natsu did not catch.
And with that, he stepped through the portal, leaving behind the only person who had ever truly understood him.
The air was different the moment he emerged. It felt heavier, more real. After years spent in Kaguya's realm—where time itself bent to her will—the weight of Earth Land hit him like a cold slap to the face.
He took a deep breath, the familiar scent of pine and distant city life filling his lungs. He was standing high above Crocus, the capital city, his vantage point offering a perfect view of the sprawling landscape. The soft lights of the town glimmered in the fading dusk, a sight that once might have filled him with warmth.
But now?
Now it just reminded him of what he had left behind. Of the people who had abandoned him.
The thought of them brought a bitter taste to his mouth. They had been everything to him—his family, his friends, his home. But they had left him to die when it mattered most. Kaguya had been right about them, and the thought made his blood boil.
He wasn't the same person he had been when he left. Not even close.
The old Natsu Dragneel would have rushed headlong into Magnolia, eager to prove himself, eager to see his friends again. But the person he had become—no, the person Kaguya had shaped him into—had learned to be patient. Calculated. He wasn't here to reclaim old bonds or relive past glories.
He was here to take control.
Standing on the cliff edge, Natsu's transformation was undeniable. Clad in a long, dark cloak, his body radiated an aura of restrained power. The swirling white mask that covered his face added an air of mystery and menace. The spiral design, focusing on his right eye, concealed the Rinnegan—a power few could even comprehend. His hood obscured his trademark pink hair, giving him an almost spectral presence in the growing twilight.
His lips curled into a smirk beneath the mask as he surveyed the town below.
"Time to have some fun," he muttered, his voice low, carrying the edge of something darker—something far removed from the lighthearted, reckless Natsu of old.
Two Days Later – Sabertooth Guildhall
The Sabertooth guild was as grand as ever, their reputation now cemented as one of Fiore's most feared guilds. Sabertooth had risen to new heights, though it wasn't without its conflicts. They were ruthless, proud, and always hunting for ways to maintain their power.
Inside the guildhall, tension buzzed in the air. Minerva Orland stood at the bar, her sharp eyes scanning the room, always calculating, always watching. She was the daughter of Sabertooth's guild master, but her role in the guild extended far beyond mere lineage. She was cunning, brutal, and utterly determined.
The last two days had been strange, though. Rumors circulated about a new recruit—an enigma who called himself Tobi. No one knew much about him, but the whispers around the guild said he was something else—powerful in ways that Sabertooth hadn't seen before. His arrival had shaken the hierarchy in ways that no one could quite understand.
Minerva narrowed her eyes. She had her suspicions about this so-called Tobi, and she wasn't about to let some masked man walk into her guild without knowing exactly who—or what—he was.
As if on cue, the doors to the guildhall creaked open, and the air in the room seemed to shift. The conversations fell to a murmur as the masked man strode in, his presence demanding attention without so much as a word.
"Tobi," Minerva called out, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Care to explain where you've been? Or why you've been skulking around the city like a shadow?"
The man—Tobi—tilted his head slightly, as though amused by her tone. "Tobi was just having fun~," he said in that playful, almost childlike voice of his. "You wouldn't want Tobi to get bored, would you?"
Minerva's eyes flashed with annoyance, though she masked it well. There was something unnerving about him, something that put her on edge. His playful demeanor felt like a façade, hiding something far more dangerous beneath the surface.
"Fun?" she repeated, her voice sharp. "Sabertooth isn't a playground for you to amuse yourself. If you want to stay here, you'll follow the rules. No more wandering off without explanation."
Tobi's masked face turned toward her, and though she couldn't see his eyes, she could feel his gaze boring into her. He didn't respond for a long moment, the silence stretching out uncomfortably.
Then, he laughed.
It was a soft, almost mocking sound, and it sent a shiver down Minerva's spine.
"Tobi is a good boy~," he said, his tone teasing. "But Sabertooth's rules are so boring. Where's the fun in that?"
Minerva's patience was wearing thin. "We'll see how much fun you find it when Father decides you're more trouble than you're worth," she said coldly. "Sabertooth doesn't tolerate disobedience, no matter how powerful you think you are."
Tobi tilted his head again, considering her words. Then, he stepped forward, his movements fluid and deliberate. Minerva tensed, her hand instinctively reaching for the magic stored within her, ready to defend herself if necessary.
But Tobi didn't attack. Instead, he stopped just inches from her, his masked face level with hers.
"You think I'm powerful, Minerva?" he asked softly, the playful tone gone from his voice. In its place was something darker, something more serious. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."
Minerva swallowed, her heart racing in her chest. She was no stranger to power—she had grown up surrounded by it, wielded it herself in countless battles. But this... this felt different. It was as if she were standing in front of something far beyond anything she had ever faced before.
"I'll show you," Tobi whispered, his voice barely audible. "Soon."
Then, as quickly as the tension had risen, Tobi stepped back, his playful demeanor snapping back into place like a mask. He clapped his hands together, the sound breaking the tension in the room. "But not today~! Tobi is tired now. Maybe tomorrow~."
With that, he turned and strolled away, leaving Minerva standing there, her heart pounding in her chest and her mind racing with questions.
Later That Night – Minerva's Quarters
Minerva sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers brushing absently over the polished surface of her desk. The encounter with Tobi earlier in the day still weighed heavily on her mind. She had faced powerful mages before, but something about him was... different.
She wasn't the type to be easily unnerved, but the way he spoke, the way he moved—it had sent a chill down her spine. He wasn't just strong. He was dangerous.
And yet, despite the fear that had crept into her thoughts, there was also... curiosity. Who was this masked man? What was he hiding beneath that playful façade?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Minerva frowned, not expecting anyone at this hour.
"Enter," she called out, her voice cool and composed.
The door creaked open, and Tobi stepped into the room, his hood pulled low, but his mask still unmistakable.
"Tobi?" Minerva narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
Tobi stepped into the dimly lit room, his presence filling the space with a strange energy. "Tobi was bored," he said, his voice playful as ever. "And Tobi thought Minerva-chan might want some company~."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. "Company? You think you can just wander into my room whenever you like?"
Tobi shrugged, unbothered by her tone. "Tobi thought we had a moment earlier. Maybe Minerva-chan was curious about Tobi too."
Minerva's eyes flashed, a mixture of annoyance and intrigue. "Curiosity and recklessness are different things, Tobi. You're walking a dangerous line."
Tobi chuckled softly, stepping closer to her. "Tobi likes danger~."
He stopped just a few inches from her, his height casting a shadow over her as he leaned in slightly. Minerva could feel her pulse quickening, though she'd never admit it.
"And maybe," Tobi whispered, his voice lower now, more intimate, "you like it too."
Minerva stiffened, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone. She opened her mouth to respond, to shut him down, but the words caught in her throat.
Tobi's presence was overwhelming, and for a brief moment, she found herself drawn into the intensity of his gaze—despite the mask that separated them. There was something magnetic about him, something that pulled her in despite her better judgment.
But before she could fully process what was happening, Tobi stepped back, his playful smile returning.
"Don't worry, Minerva-chan~," he said, his tone light once more. "Tobi won't bite."
With a soft chuckle, he turned and left the room, leaving Minerva standing there, her heart racing and her mind spinning with questions she wasn't sure she wanted the answers to.
As Natsu left Minerva's room, he couldn't help but smirk beneath his mask. Sabertooth was a means to an end, nothing more. But it didn't hurt to play with them a little. Minerva was strong—arrogant, even—but like everyone else, she was vulnerable to curiosity.
And curiosity was a powerful tool.
He had learned that from Kaguya. Manipulation, subtlety, and control. These were things the old Natsu wouldn't have bothered with. But now? Now he understood their value.
Fairy Tail... you're next.
Two years later...
Two years had passed since Natsu first stepped into Sabertooth's guildhall. Two years of careful planning, of biding his time, of learning the intricacies of this powerful guild. Sabertooth had risen through the ranks, becoming one of the strongest guilds in Fiore, and he had slowly woven himself into their structure.
In the eyes of everyone there, he was just Tobi—the playful, slightly reckless, but undeniably powerful mage. No one questioned his origins. No one pressed him for answers.
Except for Minerva.
She was always watching, always searching for cracks in the mask he wore. But that was fine. Let her dig. The more she pushed, the more he could use her curiosity to his advantage.
His eyes drifted over to where she stood across the hall, giving orders to some of the lower-ranked guild members. She carried herself like royalty, her sharp gaze constantly assessing those around her. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips beneath the mask. Minerva Orland had power, no doubt about that. But there were still things she didn't understand—things about herself, about him.
And he intended to show her.
The Grand Magic Games were only a few days away, and the atmosphere in the Sabertooth guild was buzzing with anticipation. This year's tournament promised to be the fiercest yet, with Fairy Tail once again stepping into the fray. But this time, there was a new tension in the air.
Natsu—hidden behind his Tobi persona—felt that tension deep in his bones. He sensed it every time Sabertooth's members mentioned Fairy Tail. His old family had reclaimed their place as Fiore's top guild after not taking part in the games for a few years, their reputation shining once again. The thought made his blood boil.
They didn't deserve it. Not after what they had done. Not after they had left him behind to die.
But soon... soon they would realize the mistake they had made. The Grand Magic Games would be the perfect stage. He would face them. And he would show them just how much he had changed.
Sabertooth Guildhall
Minerva sat in one of the luxurious armchairs in the corner of the guildhall, her sharp eyes following Tobi as he moved through the room. There was something about him that constantly nagged at her. Something she couldn't quite place.
He had been with the guild for two years now, and yet she felt like she barely knew him. Despite his playful, carefree attitude, she knew there was more to him than he let on. His power was undeniable—no one in Sabertooth could match him when he chose to show it—but his motives were a mystery.
And Minerva didn't like mysteries.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched him interact with some of the lower-ranking members, his laughter echoing through the hall. There was a darkness lurking beneath that laugh—she could feel it, even if no one else could.
She had always prided herself on being able to read people, to see beyond the masks they wore. But with Tobi, it was like staring into a void. No matter how much she tried to piece together, there was always something missing, something just beyond her reach.
And that only made her more determined.
Minerva's Quarters
Minerva's room was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the room. She stood by the window, gazing out at the darkened city below. The anticipation of the upcoming Grand Magic Games weighed heavily on her mind, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Tobi.
There was a knock at her door, soft but deliberate.
Minerva didn't need to ask who it was.
"Enter," she called, her voice smooth and controlled.
The door creaked open, and Tobi stepped inside, his dark cloak brushing against the floor as he moved. His mask was in place, as always, hiding the face beneath. But Minerva had long since grown accustomed to his concealed expressions.
"Minerva-chan," Tobi's playful voice greeted her as he stepped further into the room. "You didn't come to play today~."
Minerva turned to face him, arms crossed over her chest. "Some of us have more important things to do than 'play,' Tobi."
Tobi tilted his head slightly, the spiral of his mask catching the flickering candlelight. "Oh? Minerva-chan has been busy~. But Tobi thinks you've been avoiding him."
Minerva raised an eyebrow, though her pulse quickened slightly at the accusation. She hadn't been avoiding him, not exactly. She had just been... cautious. Tobi's presence had become more overwhelming lately, his power more intense. And there was something about the way he spoke to her—like he was always one step ahead, like he knew more than she did.
But Minerva wasn't the type to let someone get the upper hand on her.
"Why would I avoid you, Tobi?" she asked smoothly, stepping closer to him. Her gaze was sharp, cutting. "Unless you think you're a threat to me."
Tobi chuckled, the sound low and dark. "Oh no~. Tobi is no threat to Minerva-chan. Not unless you want him to be."
There was a flicker of something dangerous in his voice, and Minerva's heart skipped a beat. She had faced countless powerful mages before—her father included—but this... this felt different. There was something about Tobi that unnerved her in a way she couldn't explain.
And yet, she was drawn to him.
"Careful, Tobi," Minerva said, her voice quieter now, more intimate. "You're starting to sound like you're testing me."
Tobi tilted his head again, his playful tone returning. "Maybe Tobi is testing you~. Or maybe he's just curious about Minerva-chan."
Minerva's eyes narrowed. "Curious?"
Tobi stepped closer, his presence filling the room with a quiet intensity. "You're always watching Tobi, Minerva-chan. Always thinking, always calculating. But what are you looking for?"
Minerva's breath caught in her throat, her body tensing as he moved closer still, his masked face only inches from hers. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the raw power that simmered just beneath the surface. It was intoxicating. Overwhelming.
"What are you hiding?" she whispered, her voice barely audible, the words slipping out before she could stop them.
Tobi chuckled softly, leaning in even closer. "Wouldn't you like to know~?"
For a moment, time seemed to stop. The tension between them was thick, electric. Minerva could feel her pulse racing, the heat between them rising. She had always been in control, always the one with the upper hand. But with Tobi, that control was slipping.
She hated it.
And yet... she wanted more.
Before she could respond, Tobi stepped back, his playful demeanor snapping back into place. "But that's for another time, Minerva-chan. Tobi has plans~."
Minerva frowned, the sudden shift leaving her off-balance. "Plans? What kind of plans?"
Tobi's masked face tilted slightly, and though she couldn't see his eyes, she knew he was smiling beneath it. "Tobi plans to show everyone how strong he really is. Soon~."
And with that cryptic remark, he turned and slipped out of the room, leaving Minerva standing there, her heart racing and her mind filled with questions.
well this is about it for this chapter! Tell me how you feel and well...stuff by reviewing! XD and also should i continue or not? I may have forgot to say this but this is a try fic...basically im just trying this idea and see how it goes ;)
And oh yehh tell me the pairings..Minerva is already in it so yeah..
1: Mirajane
2: Erza
3: Ultear
4: Kagura
These are currently in the harem so yeh... Cya!
Edit: well not much was edited except the grammar and spelling mistakes. see ja in the next chapter~
Edit 2024: complete rewrite.