Archive of Our Own ^beta

Team Natsu was returning home from a mission when they disappeared in a red flash of light.

“Where are we?” Natsu demanded. The room they were in was a simple theatre with a four person couch of dark red linen, in a room of dim light the 45 foot with theatre tv screen was one of the few sources of light accompanied by the dim glow of the roof above. 

“It's simple Natsu you are in a screening room of my design, You will be watching clips of alternate universes of yourself focused on you teammates and yourself.’’ a young man's voice rang out from the ceiling above, answering Natsu's demand.

“What is your purpose for bringing us here?” Erza asked forcefully, confident she would get a reply.

“I wish to show you what could have been, to broaden your understanding of yourself and your teammates. That is all.” the voice replied honesty rang true in his voice.

I think we should go with it, there's a possibility we could break out but this is interesting and I have a feeling we should see it through” Lucy broke through a statement driven by curiosity and a wish to know more about the people she cared for so much.

“ I agree we should get on with it so we can go back home as soon as possible. ”Gray replied, voicing his own opinion honestly and without any hidden intentions. So they all took a seat on the red as blood couch. The floors glow turned off leaving the only light in the room the tv as it faded into the first au.

On the screen was a child natsu curled up in a cave no one could be seen for miles every direction completely isolated. Natsu slowly sat up as he was shortly. You could see his binde, ribs sticking out from his chest. 

“When is he coming home? You were so vague,” Natsu complained. “ Hush child, he should be here soon. A voice with no face replied.  
“But I can't wait here forever. I'll starve, I must leave, I need food and I won't get that hanging around here.” he said replying to the voice. “ Who is he talking to?” Lucy thoroughly confused the question hoping the voice would interrupt and clarify. 

“ In this natsu the demon E.N.D is another personality that can speak to their head.” The voice clarified “ Now continue watching and limit the question to once per universe. Feel welcome to talk among yourselves though.”

 Clutching his head he slowly stood up and started to walk out of the cave. Blinking at the sudden increase of sunlight  he continued forward until he stumbled upon a berry bush, bursting with blueberries he crushed one with his fingers. The insides were green and the juice was red. He deemed it safe to eat and picked a small pie of them and got a good handful of leaves. Wrapping two to three berries in a leaf he began to eat. 

“ Be quiet. I know it isn’t what you want but we cant hunt a Vulcan yet we aren’t strong enough yet so shut up.” Natsu said more forcefully than last time. ”

“ Natsu, do you have any idea what could be happening and why he’s alone?” Erza questioned in rapid fashion.

“ Well if his life is similar to mine. This would be when Igneel abandoned me. I don't know for sure though I'm sure the voice will explain at the end though.’’ Natsu guessed.

After Natsu finished his food he stood up and started to walk in a random direction.

“ What are you doing! We need to go back and wait for Igneel to return. As you said we can't defend ourselves against the monsters here with the power we have access to.” E.N.D questioned the panic inflected in their voice.

“ Well we can't stay here and starve now can we. We need a steady source of food and water plus if he does come back he can follow my scent to where I am. Or did you forget he’s a fucking dragon. He's good enough to track a child through his territory.” Natsu replied annoyed that E.N.D would rather them starve than leave. They walk through the woods quickly but quietly, not a crackle from their trek regardless of the twigs and dead leaves surrounding them.

“ Hide someone is coming and they’re stronger than we can handle.” E.N.D exclaimed.  As soon as Natsu hid in a rose bush did Gildarts walk by. Gildarts turned around “ What are you doing out here kid.” Natsu stayed where he was praying that the man would just leave so he could.

“I won't hurt you kid. So come out and I can take you somewhere safe.” Gildarts said thinking that he was dealing with a run away. 

Natsu came out of the bush bloody from scratching himself on the thorns. “ Do you have somewhere safe?”

“Yes, how about you come with me and I'll take you to my guild where we can give you what you need?” Gildarts said hope clearly in his voice.

“Ok’ Natsu said and they began walking to the guild in a comfortable silence.