Chapter 1: Natsu Dragneel

[All rights to the character of Natsu are reserved to Mr. Hiro mashima, and all rights to the My Hero Academia universe are reserved to Mr. Horikoshi Kōhei. This is just fan fiction.]

Chapter 1: Natsu Dragneel

Three years had passed since Natsu Dragneel had been sealed into this world, a world far removed from the Kingdom of Fiore and the warmth of his friends—Lucy, Gray, and Erza. The memory of that fateful mission, the stormy mountain, and the portal that had torn him away from them still lingered in his mind, a haunting reminder of the life he had left behind.

For years, he had fought tirelessly to find a way back, his determination unwavering. But as time slipped through his fingers like sand, hope began to fade, replaced by a resigned acceptance of his fate. Now, with no other choice, he had decided to immerse himself in this new world, to become a part of its society, and to wait for the day when someone from Fairy Tail would find him.

And so, here he stood, at a bus stop in a world that was not his own, waiting for the bus that would take him to the place where he would begin his new life.

The bus stop was a modest structure, a simple shelter with a bench and a sign that listed the bus routes. The sky was overcast, the clouds heavy with the promise of rain, and the air was filled with the hum of city life— the distant honk of a car, the chatter of pedestrians, the rustle of leaves in the wind. Natsu stood alone, his spiky pink hair catching the attention of those who passed by, though few lingered to look twice. His dark eyes scanned the area, taking in the sights and sounds of this unfamiliar world, his mind a whirl of thoughts and memories.

His clothes, though slightly old-fashioned, were clean and well-maintained, a testament to his resourcefulness and the kindness of those who had taken him in during his time here. But it was the white scarf wrapped tightly around his neck that drew the most attention— a reminder of the fire that burned within him, a fire that had kept him warm through the cold nights and the harsh realities of this world.

As he waited, his gaze fell upon a boy sitting on the bench, his green hair waving gently in the breeze. The boy was young, perhaps around Natsu's age, with bright green eyes that seemed to reflect the turmoil of his thoughts. He was fidgeting nervously, his eyes darting around as if searching for an escape.

Natsu's gaze lingered on the boy, a flicker of curiosity sparking within him. The boy seemed anxious, his body language tense and defensive, as if expecting some kind of threat. But there was something else in his eyes— a hint of kindness, of compassion, that caught Natsu's attention.

"Uh, sorry. You've been standing for a while. You can take my seat if you want," the boy stammered, his voice trembling slightly.

Natsu's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable as he studied the boy. There was something about him that intrigued Natsu, something that made him want to know more. But before he could respond, the boy continued, his voice faltering.

"Or, maybe not… I mean… do whatever you want."

Natsu's lips twitched into a faint smile, a rare show of emotion in this world that had taught him to keep his guard up. He walked over to the bench, his steps slow and deliberate, his eyes never leaving the boy's face.

"Thank you," Natsu said quietly, his voice smooth and calm, as he sat down beside the boy.

The boy flinched at the sound of Natsu's voice, his eyes widening in surprise. For a moment, there was an awkward silence, the tension between them palpable.

"I'm Natsu. Natsu Dragneel," Natsu said, breaking the silence with a faint smile. "You look about my age. Judging by your bag and the stop, I'm guessing we're headed to the same place. What's your name?"

The boy hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty, before he finally replied with a small, uncertain smile. "Midoriya Izuku. I'm heading to UA Academy for the entrance exam."

Natsu's smile widened, a genuine warmth lighting up his face. "Just as I thought! We're fellow travelers. It's good to have someone to talk to on the way."

Before Midoriya could respond, the screech of bus brakes echoed through the air, and a figure with spiky white hair and an intense glare brushed past them. "Move, extras," the boy snarled as he shoved past without a glance.

Natsu frowned, his eyes narrowing as he watched the boy climb aboard the bus, taking the last available seat with complete indifference.

"That's Bakugo Katsuki. We grew up in the same neighborhood… You could say we're childhood friends. He's also taking the UA entrance exam," Midoriya explained, his voice tinged with unease.

Natsu turned his gaze back to Midoriya, his brow furrowing in confusion. "A soft-spoken guy like you being childhood friends with an arrogant punk like that? That's… surprising. And you still call him a childhood friend after he insulted you just now?"

Midoriya rubbed the back of his neck, smiling awkwardly. "That's just how Kacchan is. It's his personality, not personal."

"Kacchan?" Natsu repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, it's a nickname I've called him since we were kids. Come on, we should get on the bus before it leaves," Midoriya said, trying to change the subject.

Natsu hesitated, his eyes lingering on the bus for a moment before he finally nodded and followed Midoriya aboard.

As they boarded the bus, Natsu's eyes scanned the interior, taking in the crowded seats, the hum of conversation, and the smell of exhaust fumes. The bus was old, its seats worn and stained, but it was clean enough, and the driver was focused on the road ahead, his eyes reflecting the weariness of a long day's work.

Midoriya led the way, his eyes scanning the seats until he found two empty ones near the back. Natsu followed, his steps slow and deliberate, his eyes never leaving Midoriya's back.

"Here we are," Midoriya said, pointing to the seats. "We'll have to share, I'm afraid."

Natsu nodded, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of the other passengers—students like themselves, all heading to the same place, all with their own hopes and fears.

As the bus pulled away from the stop, Natsu's stomach gave a lurch, and he felt a wave of nausea wash over him. He clutched his scarf tightly, his face pale as he struggled to control his breathing.

"Huh?" Natsu muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as he fought to keep his breakfast down.

Midoriya turned to him, concern evident in his eyes. "So that's it," he said aloud. "You can't handle transportation, can you? That must be inconvenient these days."

Natsu groaned, his face turning a sickly shade of green as the bus jostled over the bumps in the road. "Ah.. Uh..." he muttered, his voice weak as he tried to hold back the wave of nausea.

Midoriya sighed, his eyes filled with sympathy as he watched Natsu struggle. "Come on, Natsu-san," he muttered under his breath. "At this rate, we're going to be late."

Natsu slumped in his seat, his eyes closed as he fought to regain control of his stomach. "Sorry… and thanks for everything," he murmured weakly.

Midoriya shook his head, his expression softening as he reached out to place a hand on Natsu's shoulder. "Don't worry about it. We'll make it."

The bus continued on its way, the cityscape flashing by in a blur of lights and colors as they approached their destination—UA Academy, a place that held the promise of a new beginning for both of them.

UA Academy stood tall and proud, its towering structure a symbol of hope and excellence. Renowned across Japan, it was more than just a school—it was a dream factory. The academy had produced legendary heroes like All Might and Endeavor, whose names resonated not only in Japan but across the globe.

Today, the academy buzzed with life, its grounds alive with the excitement of Entrance Exam Day. Aspiring students from all corners of Japan had gathered, their faces a mix of determination and nervous energy. Some carried hefty luggage, others traveled light, but all shared the same goal—to earn a place in UA's hallowed halls.

The pathways leading to the auditorium were packed with students, their unique styles and quirks on full display. The air was electric with anticipation, the excitement of the moment palpable as they prepared for the challenge ahead.

Yet amidst the sea of confident candidates, two figures drew attention—a boy with pink hair, pale and nearly lifeless, leaning heavily on a green-haired boy who supported him with surprising strength.

"Come on, Natsu-san," Midoriya muttered under his breath, his tone a mix of concern and urgency. "At this rate, we're going to be late."

Natsu's face was a pale shade of blue, a victim of motion sickness from an arduous bus ride. His legs wobbled with every step, and he leaned heavily on Midoriya, who struggled to keep them both moving.

Finally, they reached the grand auditorium, its towering doors looming ahead, the muffled sound of an enthusiastic voice hinting that the presentation had already started. They slipped inside quietly, the dimmed lights shielding them from most prying eyes.

They found seats at the very back of the expansive lecture hall, where the stage below was brightly lit. Natsu slumped into his chair, finally lifting his head. "Finally, some rest. I think I'm starting to feel better now," he whispered, his voice regaining some strength.

Midoriya, however, wasn't as relaxed. His sharp eyes locked onto the stage, where a man with wild yellow hair and sunglasses commanded the room with an electrifying presence. Present Mic, one of UA's most energetic teachers, stood before the crowd, his voice booming as he explained the exam rules.

"In each training ground, there are four types of robots!" Present Mic's voice echoed through the hall, amplified by his quirk. "One-point robots! Two-point robots! Three-point robots! The stronger the robot, the more points it's worth! But beware of the zero-point robots—they're massive, dangerous, and completely pointless!"

Natsu blinked at the spectacle, his expression blank as he tried to process the information. Beside him, Midoriya was already scribbling notes furiously into a notebook, his hand moving with practiced speed.

"Hey," Natsu whispered, leaning closer. "Is this something you actually need to write down?"

Without lifting his eyes from the page, Midoriya replied, "The explanation might seem simple, but it's better to be prepared."

Natsu tilted his head, a faint grin spreading across his face. "Oh yeah, real simple…"

Midoriya let out a heavy sigh. "That's the level of intelligence we're working with here, huh... But fine. Too much info will just confuse you. Just focus on smashing whatever you see, and you'll probably do fine."

Before Natsu could respond, a sharp voice interrupted them. "First, you arrive late, and now you're disrupting the rest of us with your chatter."

Both boys turned to see a tall figure with neatly combed blue hair and rectangular glasses. The boy's tone was authoritative, his posture rigid. This was Tenya Iida, and his disapproving glare was as sharp as his words.

Midoriya bowed his head quickly. "I'm really sorry!" he stammered.

But Natsu, unfazed, leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Why're you apologizing? If this glasses-wearing nerd loves studying so much, why's he sitting in the second-to-last row?"

Iida's expression didn't waver. "What do you mean by that? Was anything I said incorrect?"

"Not exactly," Natsu replied nonchalantly. "But your 'rules' don't apply back here. If you wanted better focus, you should've sat up front. Back here, it's just idiots like me."

Adjusting his glasses, Iida replied curtly, "In that case, I'd better keep my distance before I catch any of your idiocy." He turned sharply on his heel and walked away, leaving Midoriya to bury his face in his hands.

Natsu watched him go, his smirk unwavering. "Can I smash him during the exam?"

"Of course not!" Midoriya hissed, horrified.

The lights brightened as the presentation ended, and the candidates began filing out of the auditorium. Midoriya and Natsu joined the stream of students heading toward the locker rooms to prepare for the exam.

At the entrance to Battle Center B, Natsu stood among the crowd, his pink hair and casual posture making him stand out. Around him, other examinees adjusted their gear, their eyes scanning the massive gate ahead. Among them were familiar faces: the cheerful Ochaco Uraraka, the flamboyant Yuga Aoyama, the ever-serious Iida, and, of course, Midoriya.

As the tension grew, the gates began to rumble, signaling the start of the most important test of their lives.