บท 9: Punishment
After returning to the guild, Natsu and others faced their own form of punishment. And oh boy, the Master, Erza and Satoru really laid into them. Especially Natsu, who undoubtedly got the worst of it.
* Crash!
Satoru planted Natsu into the floor of the guild with one solid chop to his face. Satoru was angered beyond belief with Natsu.
" YOU FOOL!" Satoru shouted.
" Gah!" Natsu gasped. " Shi-ra..."
" Do you have any idea what you did Natsu?" Satoru asked the young man.
Natsu picked himself up off the ground only to get knocked back down again.
" I'm not done talking to you yet, kid. You're gonna stay down there until I'm finished." Satoru told the boy.
" But... I didn't think."
" That's the problem Natsu, you didn't think. You got an idea in your head, and you jumped the gun." Satoru exclaimed. " Listen and listen good Natsu, because you need to hear what I'm about to say, and I need you to really grasp this concept."
Natsu sat up on the ground holding his head. He was hurting. Badly.
" Natsu, do you know what it means to be S-Class?" Satoru asked the boy.
" Yeah, it means being the strongest." Natsu stated.
Satoru leaned down and plucked Natsu on his head. " Wrong." Satoru muttered. " Being S-Class isn't just about being strong. If that were all it too, you'd have been S-class already. Don't get me wrong, it's important to be strong Natsu, but that isn't all that's required. To be an S-Class, you need you to understand the responsibility behind it. For instance, who is the most important member of the guild?"
" Gramps." Natsu muttered.
" That's right, Natsu." Satoru said in agreement. " Master Makarov is without a doubt one of the most important members of the guild. He's our leader, though he's always tried treating all of us like his own children." Satoru explained. " We love and respect him. But there's one fact we all have to accept.... Someday Natsu... He's gonna be gone." Satoru told the young man and Natsu seemed to suddenly deflate, as if any fight within him was suddenly sucked out.
" But he's gramps, what could ever happen to him?" Natsu asked.
" Nothing is ever a given, Natsu. Nothing. You should know that." Satoru told the young man. " I hope it won't be anytime soon, but let's say the master were to fall ill right now, who would look after the guild?" Satoru asked.
" Mhm.. Hmmm." Natsu groaned.
" The job of protecting the guild falls to the S-Class wizards. You get it? One of the most important aspects of being an S-Class wizard is leadership. When things get bad, we turn to them for guidance and support. Strength, integrity, leadership, heart. Those are the most important things to remember Natsu. I know it might not seem that way, what with Laxus and Mystogan being around.... But think about it. Anytime Erza shows up, she commands the room. Everyone falls in line not just because they're scared of her, but because they respect her. When the master needs something done, she's always one of the first people he goes to for support." Satoru explained. " Do you know what truly makes things worse? You brought Lucy with you. Lucy hasn't been a member of the guild for very long Natsu, and while she has some skill, she isn't even close to your level. She has no business taking on a quest like that. You realize you could have killed her right?!"
He looked down at Natsu, and as the young man hung his head in shame.
" Look at me when I'm talking to you Natsu."
Natsu looked up and appeared as though he had just been slapped in the face.
" What would have happened if Erza and I didn't show up? You would never have finished the job, those people would likely still be stuck, and could have gotten Lucy killed. That is unforgivable, Natsu." Satoru told the boy. " You will never do something like this again, do you understand me? I'm talking to you now, because the master was nice enough to let me handle it. But let me clarify this again, it will not happen again. Because, if it does, I will beat you. I will beat you bad, Natsu." Satoru told the young man.
Satoru looked down at Natsu, and slowly his frown turned into a smile.
" Now, let me tell you something as a friend, Natsu. I know you're strong. Stronger than a lot of people give ya credit for. You're tenacious, stubborn, thick headed, a little dumb, but above all that, you got a good heart. You go out of your way to try and help everyone regardless of where they came from. You give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and that's what truly makes you special kid. I know for sure, you'll be an S-Class wizard someday, but for now, just try relaxing a bit. Get a little stronger, and then when you think you're ready for S-Class, come challenge me again." Satoru exclaimed.
He looked down at Natsu with a smile on his face.
" I'll fight you anytime."
Satoru held out his hand for Natsu and Natsu nodded.
" Yeah. You're on!" He exclaimed. He took Satoru's hand and jumped up to his feet.
......
Later.
Satoru was sitting at the bar drinking with the Master, Mirajane and Erza while Natsu and the others celebrated their return.
" You know, I must say, Shira, that was a wonderful thing you said earlier." Erza said to the man. " I never knew you had such words in you.
" I know, it was really special." Mira stated.
" Yes indeed." Makarov spoke as he drank his beer.
" Well, Natsu needed to hear it. Else he was liable to go run off and do something else crazy." Satoru told the group.
" Yes... Though that does make me wonder, Satoru.... With such a deep and true understanding of being an S-Class Wizard.... Why is it, you haven't taken the S-Class trials in years?" Makarov asked the young man.
Satoru placed his drink down and stared at it, while Erza and Mira also looked for an answer.
" Guess, I just haven't felt the need or want for it, since then." Satoru muttered.
* Flash!
' Hmmm.... Laxus.'
.....
Elsewhere.
" Hahahaha! It's about time we paid a visit to those fairies... They won't know what hit them. Gajeel my boy. Make sure you send our message loud and clear!"
" Heh!
* Doom!
The Black Steel descends on the unsuspecting Fairies.
Next time Phantom Strikes?!
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