(3rd Person)

After defeating Aki and earning scoldings from Natsu, Happy and Erza, (Y/N) was more than ready to continue his adventure. Currently, the now split up groups had gone on their own paths with Athena leading Lucy and Cana through the many different methods of transport ranging from the train to a horse carriage, it seemed as though Athena had no way to decide considering she's used to walking to her locations.

As for (Y/N)'s group, they were on their way to the next location which was the town of Marigold which was quite a few days travel if you either on foot like (Y/N)'s group... or just had a really indecisive leader like Athena. Either way, they were both determined to make it as Natsu sighed, placing a hand on his stomach.

Natsu: Man... I went without food for so long...

(Y/N): Once a glutton, always a glutton.

Natsu: The hell did you say!

Erza: Knock it off you two, this isn't the time for arguing, and Natsu, please control yourself, we can go longer without...

Her own stomach interrupted her sentence as Erza kept her composure... but slowly her face began to grow red from embarrassment, and then she fell over, a dazed look on her face while clutching her stomach, Natsu soon followed.

Erza: Is there any chance, a nearby place that sells food that isn't back in that city?

(Y/N): Not that I know, seriously though, how can you two be hungry? Didn't you basically eat the whole guild's supply back at Mermaid Heel?

Happy: If there's one thing you should never think you know, it's Natsu's stomach.

Gwen: Or your level of cockiness.

(Y/N): Confidence!

Gwen: I'm not having this argument again...

(Y/N): Just need to admit it's confidence and not cockiness so we never have to argue about it ever again Gwenwyn!

Gwen: And stop using my full name!

Erza: When you're done... shouting at your belt, could you... help us... find a place... to eat?

Natsu: Yes... please... Prince of Fiore...

(Y/N): Ah geez, they've gotten so hungry they're starting to call me by my title.

The royal sighed, stepping forward to pick both of them up, though he struggled slightly at Erza considering she was wearing armour as well on top of her body weight, once he got both on his shoulders, (Y/N) moved forward... albeit slower than normal, Happy walked alongside him with a smile still plastered on his face.

Happy: Hey, hey, when we get to Marigold, what then?

(Y/N): Hmm... we just head straight to the palace, then we can either knock some sense into my old man, or kick his ass enough to make sure he gets the message that I don't want to go anywhere near the throne.

Happy: You said you had a sister too, right?

(Y/N): Hisui? Yeah, she's my sis... though, I guess you could say half sis?

Happy: Huh?

(Y/N): It means my old man couldn't keep it in his pants, see, he originally married a woman named Vanessa, that's Hisui's mom who died a few years ago from an incurable disease. But... back when they were set to get married, literally the night before they became king and queen, my old man hooked up with someone, they never even got her name. She was just a one night fling, imagine both my old man and Vanessa's surprise when she turned up on the doorstep about the same time Vanessa got pregnant and holding cute little me in her arms.

Happy: Waaaah!? The king had an affair!?

(Y/N): Yep, he was quite the lively guy back in his early days...

Happy: Wait... so, if this is true, why is he trying to make you the king? Shouldn't that belong to Hisui since both her parents are royals, unlike you?

(Y/N): I dunno cat, he just up and decided one day that I'd be the king... though... I guess it's because Vanessa died.

Happy: Huh?

(Y/N): Nevermind that cat, now we gotta focus on the road ahead! Don't you want food after all?

Erza: Yes please!

Natsu: Just point the food out and I'll devour it...

(Y/N): Your stomach's gonna explode, bout time it caught up to your brain's state.

Natsu: That it needs fuel?

(Y/N): That it'll explode, making you even stupider than normal.

Natsu instantly perked up, fires in his eyes while his teeth turned sharp in anger at seeing (Y/N)'s smirk directed at him, but... he quickly fell the floor after his stomach gave out once more making (Y/N) chuckle in amusement.

(Y/N): See? This is exactly why I didn't want to do it alone! If I'd be alone, I would've kicked all four of the Elite Four's asses and got the kingdom, but, having people along just makes it a lot more challenging, which in turn makes it a lot more fun!

Gwen: You sure you just didn't want to be alone?

(Y/N): Gwen, I'm a beast when it comes to just you and I! Trust me, I didn't want this to be a boring trip so I took more along!

Natsu and Erza: Just shut up and find food!!!

(Y/N): Alright, alright, no need to shout little ones! If you're really that desperate we do have this nice grass beneath our feet, like our mothers always say: it's important to eat your greens!

Natsu: We really don't have time for your stupid comments and making fun of us!

(Y/N) simply chuckled, picking Natsu back up and carrying the both of them across the fields, he looked back to see that even if he turned back to the city for some food, the most likely scenario would be a repeat of what just happened. So, with another chuckle, (Y/N) turned back around, only to raise an eyebrow at seeing a small shack with smoke coming out of it.

(Y/N): Smoke? Where's there's smoke, there's...

Natsu: Food!!!

(Y/N): I was going to say people, but that works too.

Erza: We must enter at once! Come on (Y/N)!

With a smirk, (Y/N) allowed himself to be dragged away by Erza as Happy rolled his eyes, running to catch up with them as they continued to head for the small shack with smoke coming from it. Finding it somewhat suspicious, (Y/N) couldn't help but grab his bo staff, ready for a battle. However, it seems Natsu was not as hesitant as he burst through the door, flames already pouring out his mouth as he shouts.

Natsu: Where's the food!?

What they failed to expect, was a man in his twenties, short black hair that was tied into a bun sitting at a table with his utensils in his hand, eyes wide and blinking at the sudden intrusion, but then... he slowly put said utensils down while clearing his throat. He then stood up, revealing the man has a katana on the side of his kimono while also wearing socks and sandals...

Natsu: Woah... who let the old samurai in?

???: You must excuse the state of the house, I wasn't expecting guests all the way out here, may I ask for introductions?

Natsu: Uh, sure... I'm Natsu, this is Erza, that's Happy and the guy being dragged is (Y/N).

Erza: A samurai? All the way out here?

???: Ah, I see, Erza Scarlet and Natsu Dragneel from Fairy Tail. Might I ask what are two very important people doing out here?

(Y/N): Hey, that's three important people!!!

???: Hmm...?

As soon as the two locked eyes, (Y/N) went wide-eyed, grabbing his bo staff and getting into a combat stance much to everyone's confusion.

(Y/N): Heh, are you really living out here these days? Or, were you just waiting for me? Zeke?

Zeke: No need to alarm yourself Prince, I haven't come here to battle you just yet, you know my pride doesn't allow that.

Erza: (Y/N), is he?

(Y/N): Yep... the second of the Elite Four, his name's Zeke and he's one of the more troublesome ones...

Zeke: Troublesome is a good term, however, may I remind you that word only describes the three of the Elite Four?

Natsu: Three?

Happy: Right! I remember (Y/N) saying about it before: out of the four members, only three of them are fighters.

Erza: Only three? In other words: if we defeat this man here and now, we only have one more to worry about.

At that, both (Y/N) and Zeke turned towards Erza, amused smiles on their faces while Erza simply stared at them in confusion.

(Y/N): Oh, Beautiful... you're strong, but sometimes I think you and Natsu share the same intelligence.

Zeke: One should never underestimate even a single member of the Elite Four.

Natsu: Enough! If you're someone from this Elite Four that's tracking us down, why aren't you attacking us yet? Cause I sure as well want to pummel someone like you! Guys who think they're all that, think they have everything under control, someone like (Y/N)!!!

(Y/N): At least I have the ability to back up my words...

Natsu: Shut it!

To almost everyone's surprise, when Natsu went to light his fist on fire, he found a katana resting on his throat, Zeke chuckled, pulling out a cigarette before placing it inside his mouth, leaning his face closer to Natsu's so it would light the cigarette letting him puff out some smoke.

Zeke: I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to touch me, fire dragon slayer...

Natsu growled, pushing the katana off him and reared his fist back.

Natsu: Fire Dragon Iron Fist!!!

Only to grow a surprised look when all he did was throw a normal fist, not one covered in flames like normal, Zeke chuckled in amusement, easily catching and pushing away the weak attack while pointing his katana at Natsu's neck once again.

Zeke: I have no desire to fight any of you, not yet at least. You're all in a state of weakness: Natsu and Erza have gone a long time without food, and (Y/N) has already fought Aki which would mean none of you are at your best currently, I shall wait patiently for the time when you are all able to strike me with your strongest attack.

Erza: Aren't you a confident one?

(Y/N): He has a right to be, like me Beautiful!

Erza: Oh? And why is that?

(Y/N): Didn't you notice Natsu's attack was a regular one? Not the flaming kind he'd usually pull? Almost as if... his ability was disabled...

Natsu: Wait... this guy can...!?

(Y/N): Zeke here is a strong Elite Four member both for his skills with the sword and his magic, his codename in the group is Barrier, simply because he's the only member with zero losses in the group and can take anyone who attacks him head on. Reason being, his magic allows him to disable the ability or magic of anyone he touches.

Natsu: What!? Don't tell me I can't use my fire anymore! Tell me it's not true!!!

(Y/N): Sorry Natsu, guess we're gonna have to find a better nickname than flamebrain now, right?

Zeke: Do you always torment your allies like this?

Erza: So, that means your magic is not permanent?

Zeke: Of course not, the effect lasts up to a grand total of two minutes.

(Y/N): And even if you don't get hit by his magic touch...

Natsu and Erza shudder at the way (Y/N) phrased that causing him to chuckle in amusement from their reactions.

(Y/N): He can always strike you down with his sword, thing is: it's just a regular katana, no magical properties and no rare metal made to create it.

Erza: Why is he allowing you to reveal all this information?

Zeke: Because, Miss Scarlet, I may be tasked with bringing (Y/N) back to the palace, but my honour and pride come first, I won't be satisfied with a fight from an opponent who can barely attack me... I cannot guarantee that for the other members however, I seek only a great battle from my opponents, if I'm denied that, I will not follow the orders.

(Y/N): In other words: we won't have to worry about dealing with Mr Barrier here as long as we keep running into the others since no doubt we'll be injured.

Zeke: Yes, however...

(Y/N) didn't even flinch, keeping his cocky smile on his face as Zeke placed his sword just short of (Y/N)'s eyes.

Zeke: The moment you are fully prepared for a fight, the moment you show me you are ready for our duel is the time I'll strike... but for now, I believe I heard your friend say something about food? Just for now, while I feel as though none of you are ready, you may eat with me.

(Y/N): Oh boy... you shouldn't have said that...

Natsu and Happy: Food!!!!

They both strike, jumping onto the table filled with food and scoffing it down, Erza just walked past the two with her usual grace and manners, silently picking up some food and retreating to another room making the two chuckle.

Zeke: I should inform you... since I heard of your intentions of heading to Marigold... Remy will be waiting in the casinos for you all.

At that, (Y/N)'s eyes went extremely wide, for once dropping his smirk as he looked towards Zeke.

(Y/N): You're kidding me, I would've expected to face her last, or at least, waiting somewhere else...

Zeke: Yes, it seems she's confident that she'll defeat you that she informed me to relay this message to you 'Are you gonna go all in, or fold?'.

To be continued...

(A/N): Awww... isn't Zeke nice? He'll wait until everyone's ready to die to fight him!!! Also, I know this book has had slower updates than others, and that's simply because of University... blame it not me!!!! Anyways, thank you guys and gals so much for the continued support and as always: eat one or more brownies every day!!!!