Fairy Tail - Twilight Empire

Chapter 44 - Fire

Lyon's head was still lulled in a tired daze when Natsu, Gray, and Juvia found him. Kip leaned against a building, arms folded, keeping a watchful eye on the General. Gray slid to a halt in front of Lyon while Juvia eased to a halt.

Something tickled Natsu's nostrils. He balled his fists, an ember flickering away. Clouds moved over them as the sun hid behind some tall buildings.

"Jeez," Gray said. "Natsu really did a number on him, huh?"

"We need to get him moving," Kip said. He flicked his wrist and the earthy holds fell away. Gray caught Lyon, who sagged against Gray. "Or, at least, out of here."

"Yeah," Natsu said. He did a quick scan of the area. No enemies, yet, that prickling in his nose wasn't going away. "Get moving."

"You're not coming with?" Gray asked. "We should get outta the city, man."

Natsu hesitated. What was that feeling? Nothing was wrong around them, and nobody seemed to be around them at all, either.

"Hey, Natsu," Juvia said and pointed at Natsu. "Is your shadow—"

The Fire Dragon Slayer had maybe a half-second to react, and his body moved on instinct. His gut had been right. He stepped back as his shadow lurched up from in front of him, a talon ripping through the space between Natsu and Juvia. It still clipped his chin, but did not score the direct hit that would've knocked Natsu out.

Natsu flipped back and landed on the flat ground, bracing himself with an open palm. Fire roared in his hand.

The shadows broke apart as their assailant landed from his uppercut. Gray quickly threw up a wall of ice to brace himself, Juvia, and Lyon. Kip was long gone, having already stuck to the buildings to hide in case anyone from the Empire showed up.

"Finally," the shadow guy said. "I caught you, Natsu Dragneel."

"Am I supposed to know who you guys are?" Natsu asked.

"I am Rogue, Captain of the Dragon Division alongside Sting," Rogue said. "And as my brother has been tasked with defeating the rest of your guild, I have the privilege of killing you."

Natsu sneered. Rogue dropped into a fighting stance, reaching back for the small sword at his side.

"Bring it on then, shadow man," Natsu said. "But you missed your shot. You won't get one so easily again."

"I should think not," Rogue said. "But I have no intention of holding back against you, either, Natsu."

"Good."

Natsu swung his arm out, unleashing the plume of fire that'd been waiting there. Rogue vanished into the ground and reappeared next to Natsu, his outstretched arm almost hitting Natsu once more. Natsu dodged. Rogue kicked out with a leg basked in shadow that Natsu easily dodged.

"Shadow Dragon Roar!"

The black spell hit Natsu's shoulder. Natsu spun, but let his body keep moving, as Rogue likely expected him to stop. Fire whipped around him continuously until it formed an impenetrable vortex, giving Rogue only one way to hit Natsu: coming at him from beneath.

But of, course, he wouldn't do that. Natsu channeled more magic into his hands, then, unleashed the vortex in a massive explosion, lighting up the entire area in a great flash. Rogue stood stunned for a second, and in that second, Natsu darted.

He punched Rogue hard across the face but didn't let him get far.

"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!"

His two fists slammed into Rogue and sent him flying into a nearby wall. Rogue hit the wall but didn't let it get him down long. He roared, exploding with a black aura while his eyes also darkened.