Chapter 6: Joining Fairy Tail

'I'm finally here. Magnolia is a really lively town.' thought Natsu as they arrived at Magnolia.

Magnolia is a merchant city that has been prosperous in Magic since the ancient era. Magnolia possesses a large built-up area, extending over a large, rectangular surface to the shores of Sciliora. Splitting the town vertically and horizontally is a series of large roads. The whole place is western in style, with its buildings being mildly reminiscent of neat Medieval ones.

Natsu and Makarov soon arrived at the Fairy Tail guild building. It is a large, two-story high building built in Pagoda-style.

"This is Fairy Tail. From now on this will be your home as well," said Makarov while opening the door.

As soon as he opened the door, they were greeted with a sight of a rowdy bunch. He quickly noticed a young and timid Cana, Gray wearing only his boxers, Erza sitting in the corner alone with a stoic expression, Macao and Wakaba drinking and Nab staring at the request board.

As soon as Makarov entered the guild, he got everyone's attention.

"Listen up brats! I've brought a new member of our guild. So, be nice to him. Now, Natsu please introduce yourself." shouted Makarov and called Natsu over. He quickly went over toward Makarov.

"Hello. I'm Natsu Dragneel and I'm going to be the strongest mage ever. I hope to be friends with everyone!" introduced Natsu. Everyone was surprised by his sudden declaration but cheered nonetheless.

'I guess being the strongest mage is acceptable than finding a dragon for them. I'm not going to tell them about Igneel unless they ask themselves.' Natsu thought. In the anime everyone doubted him being raised by Igneel.

Soon everyone started introducing themselves to Natsu asking him different questions which he readily answered. Natsu even got his guild mark on the same place as anime. When they were talking Gray came near Natsu and said.

"Hey what's with your hair? Do you need to dye your hair pink to gain attention?" asked Gray with a mocking expression.

'I guess Natsu and Gray were fated to be rivals. I haven't arrived here for a single day and he's making an enemy out of me.' thought Natsu while maintaining the same expression. He quickly faced Gray and said in a loud voice.

"I didn't dye my hair. It's natural. And what's with you Stripper? Are you practicing to be a host in the strip club?" Natsu said mockingly. Everyone laughed at his joke.

"What do you mean?" said Gray quickly realizing his mistake running off to find some clothes to wear.

"I will remember you bastard!" said Gray running off.

Natsu talked a bit with everyone. Then, he approached Erza and took a seat next to her.

"Hello, I'm Natsu Dragneel. I've introduced myself to everyone here. You're the only one left." gently asked Natsu but all got was an awkward silence. Erza just ignored him and eat her strawberry cake. Erza still has her eye patch.

'I guess Porlyusica hasn't made her artificial eye yet.' thought Natsu.

They just sat there in silence. Natsu just kept staring at her and Erza kept ignoring him while eating her cake.

After a bit of awkward silence, Erza finally couldn't handle his stare.

"Can you please stop staring at me. I'm trying to eat here," said Erza in a stoic expression.

"Then can you introduce yourself. I'm waiting for your introduction." Natsu replied to her with his carefree smile.

"I'm not interested in making friends. So, I don't need to give you an introduction," replied Erza.

"Then I'll just keep bothering you till you give me your introduction," Natsu said with a cheeky smile. Seeing that cheeky smile irritated Erza.

"Then be my guest. I'll just keep ignoring you," replied Erza and started ignoring him. She quickly turned her attention to the cake.

Natsu just sat there staring at her with a smile. After a while, Erza finally couldn't take it anymore, so she just said in a low voice.

"Erza Scarlet"

"What? Sorry, can you repeat what you said? It was so small that I couldn't hear you." said Natsu facing her with his smile. Erza felt quite irritated by his smile.

"My name is Erza Scarlet. So, can you please leave me alone now?" said Erza with a sigh. It was really hard for her to make new friends after getting betrayed by her best friend.

"Nice to meet you. I hope to become friends with you. See that wasn't so hard to do, was it?" said Natsu with his trademark grin. Erza couldn't help but feel happy inside her heart watching his expression.

When they were going to start talking again, a wild Gray appeared to disrupt them.

"Hey Pinkie! Let me pay you back for embarrassing me. Let's have a match to see who's stronger. What do you say?" said Gray in a loud voice. This got everyone's attention in the guild including Erza.

"Sure stripper! Prepare to walk naked after I beat you." Natsu replied with a mocking smile.

'I'll beat him for disturbing my talk with Erza. At my current strength, I can even beat Gildarts with a bit effort.' thought Natsu chuckling inwardly.