Flaming Stars

"It seems like the Mages of Fairy Tail think that they're the strongest or something," the bald mercenary commented coolly, still holding his oversized frying pan calmly.

"It is true that we do hear a lot about you," the large one noted, his arms folded. "So we'll approve its status as a top Mage Guild."

Natsu didn't respond. His hand was still flaming as he glared at both the Vanish Brothers.

"…But a Mage is a Mage," the bald one finished. "You are just no match for professional fighters, mercenary soldiers."

That comment caused Natsu to grin. "Then why don't you come and get me?" He said arrogantly, weaving the fire around his fingers until it spelt out the words 'COME ON'. "Both of you at the same time is just fine."

They attacked with furious speed and practiced coordination. The bald one charged first, slamming his frying pan downwards with enough force it cracked the ground. Natsu barely had time to dodge, yet the big mercenary leapt on to grab Natsu, wrapping a huge hand around his overcoat before slamming Natsu into the wall like a ragdoll.

The stone crumbled as Natsu went flying straight through it a cloud of rubble and dust, soaring over the balcony and down to the level below, but the Vanish Brothers were relentless. The short one swung the frying pan like a club, cracking the balcony with an earth shattering impact.

Natsu cartwheeled in the air and landed on the ground, but the Vanish Brothers were already leaping downwards with experienced grace.

"Let's finish this quickly," the bald one muttered. His pose was perfect, while he wielded his oversized frying pan with all the power of a sledgehammer and the dexterity of a dagger.

The earth cracked under a lightning swipe that Natsu barely managed to dodge. The big one was there in less than a second, slamming his fist down before following up with a huge kick. Natsu tried to retaliate, but between their perfect coordination he was forced backwards, nimbly dodging the flurry of attacks.

"You no match for us in neither speed nor power," the bald one said coolly, not pausing his assault for a second. "We train our bodies day and night. Mages don't stand a chance."

They both lashed out with a dual strike that Natsu had to cartwheel to avoid. Still he brushed the dust off and stuck out his tongue mockingly. "Yeah?" He said sarcastically, his arms wide. He was completely unharmed. "Then why are none of your attacks hitting me?"

They paused, analysing his movements critically. "Your speed does seem to be good," the bald one conceded unwillingly. "You have trained yourself, uncommonly for a Mage."

"Brother…" The other muttered, cracking his knuckles. "He wouldn't be able to avoid that attack."

They moved quickly. The big one cartwheeled into the air, just as the bald mercenary used his frying pan to catch him. "I'll tell you why we're called the 'Vanish Brothers'!" The large one roared, bouncing upwards like a gymnast.

"We vanish," the other continued, easily throwing his large brother into the air with one hand, as if flipping a pancake. "And we make others vanish, too."

"Heaven and Earth Extinct Slaying Attack!" They roared, just as they both attacked together.

The speed and coordination was flawless. In an instant, the large one shot up to the air while the frying pan swiped out in a furious arc. Natsu tried to dodge, but it was over in a second. Just as he jumped to avoid the frying pan, the other mercenary dropped down on his with the force of a ton of bricks, slamming Natsu head straight through the ground. The earth cracked and shattered into dust.

A flash of pride flickered through their faces. The solid ground crumbled into rubble under their blow. "That was Vanish Brothers's United Attack!" The mercenary declared triumphantly. "Heaven and Earth—"

Natsu groaned slightly as he pulled himself up, glaring at them irritably. His head was spinning from the blow, but he was more annoyed then anything. "I'm sick of this now," He muttered. Their eyes bulged with shock as he brushed himself down. Natsu slowly took a deep breath. "Just get blown away already!"

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu screamed, as the flames burst out of his lungs and tore through his throat like an inferno of heat and power.

The Vanish Brothers recovered quickly, darting to the side while the shorter mercenary held up his frying pan like a shield. "Fire Magic, as if!" He smirked. "This is Anti-Flame Magic! Flame Cooking!"

The pan absorbed the inferno, just as the mercenary twisted around on the spot. Natsu could feel his own fire being absorbed, and he barely had time to react before the explosion of flames burst out of the frying pan straight towards him. The fire was so hot that even the solid stone underfoot started to sizzle.

"A roasted fairy!" The large mercenary laughed triumphantly. "Perfect for starving wolves!"

Natsu's grin was predatory as he jumped out of the fire. The scorching flames surrounding felt like a warm bath to him. The Vanish Brothers never even had time to be surprised as Natsu charged towards them.

"Didn't you hear me?" Natsu smirked, just as his arms exploded in fire. "Just get blown away!"

His burning hands grabbed the pair by their faces, clutching tightly just as he before he threw both of them behind him with ease. The air exploded into burning flames. "Fire Dragon's Wing Attack!"

Natsu was already walking away just as they crashed to the floor in a smouldering pile of flames. He sighed, recovering his breath as he felt the Magic drain, but he was still ready to move. The Vanish Brothers were muttering incoherently as Natsu casually strolled away. There was a light chuckle from the corner of the corridor.

"Well, you look like you're having fun," Haruka noted, leaning up against a pillar. She was bleeding slightly from the forehead, but otherwise seemed dirty but uninjured.

He stared. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." Haruka shrugged. "I didn't want to disturb you."

"Oh," he muttered, staring around at the devastated mansion. "So are we done here?"

"Nearly," Haruka pulled herself up, indicating for him to follow. "Just one thing we've got to do first."

He followed her for a few steps before she glanced backwards. "Also, I was finished with my fight first," she said teasingly. "That's proof that I'm stronger."

Natsu's mouth dropped open. "I was against two of them!" He protested. "Two big mercenaries! You just had one old pervert!"

She shook her head. "That sounds like an excuse to me."

"Aye!" Happy chipped in, walking closely to Haruka.

"Who's side are you on?!" Natsu demanded at the cat.

The argument lasted all the while they ransacked the duke's mansion. They were laughing all the while.