Fairy Tail: Strongest Creature

"Great!!" Several people in Fairy Tail cheered when they saw Su Yan destroy all the thunder-laced magic crystals in the sky.

"Is Su Yan okay?" Levy asked worriedly.

Lucy nodded. "Don't worry! That guy Su Yan's a monster—he'll be fine."

Mira and the others felt the same; if it was Su Yan, there was no need to worry.

[Thunder Palace function terminated]

Laxus's expression turned ugly when he realized what had happened.

"Su Yan!!! How long are you going to keep messing with me?!"

Just then, footsteps echoed nearby. Laxus turned to see someone approaching.

"Heh! The city's full of all sorts of scents today, but I finally found you."

"Natsu…" Laxus muttered.

It was indeed Natsu, who had been wandering around town with Happy while the Miss Fairy contest took place. He found out about Laxus starting the Fairy Tail melee and decided to join the fun—he'd been searching for Laxus since.

"Fight me!!" Natsu charged at him, fist blazing with flames.

"Scram!! You little brat!!" Laxus retorted, raising his hand. Golden lightning sparked forward, but Natsu ignited flames under his feet and dodged, flipping around and aiming a kick at Laxus's head.

"Fire Dragon's Claw!!"

Laxus raised an arm to block, channeling lightning into Natsu and knocking him away. Then Laxus flashed behind him and kicked Natsu square in the face.

Natsu lost his balance and fell, only for Laxus to grab his wrist mid-fall.

"I didn't want to dirty my hands with a whelp like you, but you showed up right when I was pissed off. You and Su Yan are pretty tight, huh? Let me take out my anger on you!"

He swung his free fist repeatedly at Natsu's face.

"Gah!" Natsu grabbed Laxus's other wrist. "Who's running away? This is my chance to become number one!"

Natsu's own fist flared with flames and slammed against Laxus's face.

"Hyaaaaa!"

Then the two traded blows in earnest. Unfortunately for Natsu, Laxus had the advantage in reach and power. When Natsu tried to pull back, Laxus yanked him off balance. Forced to support himself on one hand, Natsu spun his legs in a fiery arc. Laxus jumped up easily, sending another bolt of lightning crashing onto Natsu's back.

"Waaah!!"

Grabbing Natsu by the shirt, Laxus hauled him upright and unleashed another jolt of lightning. Natsu crashed to the floor, scarred and panting.

"You see the gulf between us, kid? If you don't want to die, get lost. Su Yan's the only one I'm after!"

Natsu gritted his teeth, struggling to stand. Then he inhaled deeply, magical energy pooling in his lungs.

"Fire Dragon's… ROAR!!!"

A torrent of fire burst from his mouth. Laxus dodged quickly, letting the flames smash into the pillar behind him and reduce it to rubble.

"You…!"

Natsu smirked. "Tch—don't go fixating on Su Yan! I'm also aiming for the top spot in Fairy Tail!"

"You, of all people?!" Laxus's voice grew colder.

"That's right, me!!" Natsu launched himself at Laxus, fists blazing.

"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!!"

He drove a flaming punch at Laxus's side. Laxus barely budged, letting the blow land. Natsu froze, seeing the strike hadn't even moved him.

"That's it? That's all you've got, yet you talk about beating me? You're just a brat! You think you're Su Yan or something? Don't make me laugh!!"

Lightning flared in Laxus's hand, striking Natsu and blowing him back.

"Waaaaah!!"

Natsu tumbled across the stone floor. Laxus rushed him before he could recover and pounded him relentlessly.

"Where's your cocky attitude now?! You were so smug a second ago! You're just a kid! You're no Su Yan, so don't act like you could ever beat me!" Laxus yelled, furious at the memories of losing to Su Yan when they were younger.

"Get out of here!!"

Boom!!!

A fierce burst of lightning flung Natsu into a pillar, which crumbled under the impact. He collapsed to the ground, battered and breathing heavily.

He managed to lift his head. "Huh… no… surprise…"

"Cough… cough…" He spat out some dust.

Laxus stood atop the fallen pillar, magical energy crackling around his clenched fist. "Hear the roar that summons lightning from the skies, turning all to ash!"

Clouds of electricity gathered overhead, flickering ominously above the prone Natsu.

"This is bad…" Natsu wanted to move, but his body was stiff and numb from previous lightning strikes.

"Lightning Dragon's Rage!!!"

Crack—!!

A massive orb of lightning converged in midair, then dropped straight toward Natsu.

"Boom—!!!"