Black Clover: The Son of Fire Dragon Igneel

"Gajeel"

Phantom Lord was one of Fiore's top mage guilds, even rivaling Fairy Tail on paper.

Phantom Lord's master, Jose, and Fairy Tail's Makarov were long-time rivals, competing for the title of Fiore's strongest guild.

Six years prior, at a council meeting, Jose directly challenged Makarov, resulting in a severe beating.

Jose's confidence stemmed from Phantom Lord's strength.

Jose, like Makarov, was a Saint Ten. Phantom Lord also had four powerful executives, the Four Elements, each equivalent to an S-class mage.

Beyond the Four Elements, Phantom Lord had another formidable member.

He was an Iron Dragon Slayer, Gajeel, similar to Natsu. He was the one who attacked Fairy Tail.

Gajeel was also an acquaintance of Drake's. Drake knew this Fairy Tail attack was just the beginning.

Makarov trusted Drake's abilities, so Erza had undertaken a separate mission instead of going to Galuna Island.

Erza returned to the guild on the same afternoon as Drake and the others.

Natsu, Gray, and Erza all went to Lucy's place. This was Mirajane's suggestion, mirroring Drake's own thoughts.

To prevent members from being attacked alone, everyone should stay together. Lucy's apartment was chosen as the meeting place.

Poor Lucy; her apartment, always invaded by Natsu, was now a gathering spot.

Happy, the mischievous cat, was worse than a husky; hopefully Lucy was resilient!

Drake didn't join them; he followed Levy and her team.

Levy, a small girl with blue hair, was optimistic and knowledgeable, a rare intellectual in the guild.

She and her two childhood friends, Sru and Dore, formed the Engine team.

In Fairy Tail, Levy was Lucy's closest female friend, perhaps because Levy's magic involved words and she loved reading, mirroring Lucy's dream of becoming a novelist.

Drake followed Levy because, in the original story, Gajeel attacked her, prompting Makarov's declaration of war on Phantom Lord.

Drake wouldn't let Levy's team be captured and used as a show of force by Phantom Lord.

As the three walked, a figure jumped from a rooftop, attacking them.

Levy's team, while known mages, weren't strong fighters. They were caught off guard.

As the figure's arm stretched towards Levy, Sru and Dore prepared to shield her.

They didn't feel the impact. They saw Drake blocking the attack.

Drake held Gajeel's iron arm. "I'll handle this. You go!"

Levy said, "I remember! He's Phantom Lord's Iron Dragon Slayer, Gajeel. I'll get help!"

Drake shook his head. "No need. I can handle him. We're old acquaintances; let's catch up! Go home!"

Levy had seen Drake defeat Laxus; she trusted him. They left after glancing at Gajeel.

Gajeel retracted his arm, glaring at Drake. "You're Fairy Tail trash, some nobody! I don't know you. Trying to get me to spare you?"

Drake sighed. Igneel and the other dragons had used Soul Dragon techniques to enter their Dragon Slayers, somehow affecting their memories.

Natsu, Gajeel, and Wendy remembered living with dragons and learning Dragon Slayer Magic, but forgot their shared time learning with Anna.

Sting and Rogue retained that memory, but their memories of their dragons were flawed.

While the dragons claimed to have modified their memories, Drake suspected it was a Soul Dragon technique side effect.

Drake had been like a big brother to them all; Gajeel had followed him. Now he dared to speak so disrespectfully!

Drake stepped forward. "You've forgotten everything! Let's see if your body remembers!"

Gajeel's eyes widened. Drake was suddenly close, slapping him.

Drake grabbed Gajeel's head and slammed him to the ground.

Gajeel felt dizzy. When he woke up, he was flying with Drake.

"Fighting in town is too noisy; let's find a quieter place."

Gajeel wasn't obedient; his arm turned to iron, striking Drake.

Drake sighed at his disobedient junior, and threw Gajeel down.

Gajeel crashed into the ground, creating a crater.

Crawling out, Gajeel saw Drake. It felt familiar; he'd seen this person from below before.

Getting up, Gajeel said, "Who are you?"

Drake looked at Gajeel's fierce expression. "I told you, acting like a thug gets you in trouble!"

Gajeel frowned; he felt a sense of familiarity. He'd heard those words before!

"Answer me, damn it!"

Gajeel's confused memories made him angry. His arm became an iron club, attacking Drake!

Iron Dragon Slayer Magic, unlike Fire Dragon Slayer Magic, couldn't add elemental attacks, but its physical strength was immense.

The iron club was powerful, but insufficient for Drake.

Drake dodged the club; spikes appeared on the club, then numerous smaller iron rods emerged, surrounding Drake.

Drake stepped back, avoiding the densest area.

Gajeel smirked. "You can't escape!"

The iron rods extended quickly; Drake was trapped.

Drake wasn't panicked; he laughed. "Looks like you need more stimulation to remember!"

Flames erupted from Drake; the iron rods glowed red, then melted.

The molten iron fell, scorching the ground, as Drake walked towards Gajeel.

Gajeel felt a pang of fear and took a step back.

"What? I'm… afraid?!"

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