All rights to Hiro Mashima

Chapter 1: Mystic Quartz

An enhanced version of quartz that is said to heighten feelings and energy of the user also used to dispel negativity and provide protection against harmful atmospheres

Long ago, in a rich and prosperous but peaceful land called Fiore, laid a boy.

He was a spirited one, full of energy and spunk. Stubborn to a fault, loyal until the end, and loved every person he met equally unless they gave him a reason not to. On his head sat unruly pink locks and there was an ever-present sharp-toothed smile on his face. He caused a fair amount of trouble for his father, the Fire Dragon King Igneel and absolutely loved to pull pranks on his older, more stoic brother, Zeref.

But he was loved, by everyone – friends and family and citizens alike – in the Kingdom of Ignis. He was their little Fire Dragon Prince who made everything happier just by laughing and learning.

At the moment, the little boy, that happy child, laid in his four poster bed lounging with his father for his nightly bedtime story. His father had the most wonderful, gravelly soothing voice that usually put him right to sleep. However, tonight seemed…different. There was something in the air, or it could have been the ungodly amounts of sugar that he consumed after dinner, that was keeping him alert and attentive to Igneel's stories. After four separate tales about legends and such having to do with their great Kingdom, the exasperated – and quite frankly dead tired – King decided to call it a night and leave his crazy son to his own machinations. Hopefully, he would tire himself out and get some rest before the upcoming week, but Igneel held no hope. He knew Natsu. He was full to the brim with energy and life, he wouldn't sleep easily if the little boy felt that there was something more important to do.

"Come on Dad! Just one more! I know I'll go to sleep right away after this one! Please!?"

Growling softly at his fiery child, King Igneel relented. "Alright, Natsu. One last story. But then that's it! I have to go to sleep as well, there is much to do tomorrow before we go to the lands held by King Makarov. You know the Cherry Blossom Festival is coming up in a week."

And the young child knew exactly of this exciting festival. It was his favourite time of year after all. The food was delicious and so different than the delicacies served in this Kingdom. He got to make so many new friends and play within all the trees that changed colours at night. Natsu eyes lit up, how could he forget the most important part? That stupid stripper would be there as well. A good brawl was always at the forefront of his mind, especially if he could clash horns with Fullbuster.

He couldn't wait for the next week to come.

"Oi brat, stop you're squirming! Get comfortable, alright? This story is going to be a bit different than the ones you're used to, but I think you'll like it." Igneel closed his eyes, trying to remember the exact words that his own father had used when this story was told to him all those years ago. Natsu got comfortable, bundled up in his thin sheets as he awaited with baited breath for his father to start.

In a faraway Kingdom, lived a King and Queen, beloved by all. They were good and just, ruling with passion and love for their citizens. One day, the beautiful Queen found that she was with child, and the whole Kingdom rejoiced, for the royal line was secured, and everyone could dote on the new addition to the family. Nine long months passed, filled with prosperity and joy, and one day the Queen went into labour and later that same day a lovely little girl was born. The King and Queen fell deeply in love with their child and named her Stella, for her hair shone with all the brilliance of the Heavens.

For one year, the child flourished, becoming breathtakingly beautiful in every way. Stella's parents couldn't have been more proud of her, nor could they be happier. On her first birthday, the Spirit King stepped down from his thrown and gifted the power to call forth the stars to Stella. This mighty ruler could tell that this child would be a very powerful girl, as well as gorgeous. She needed a way to protect herself from those who would do her harm. The King and Queen thanked their old friend for the generous offer. All was well in their world.

However, how well we know that not all good things can last. When all the guests had left back to their homes, and the party had ended, another presence revealed themselves. An evil one. A dark wizard, who wanted to take the little girls gift for himself, no matter the consequences. He tried to take little Stella but was intercepted by a golden light that manifested itself into a lion. The literal personification of the constellation Leo itself. The stars had watched over Stella for all of her short life and loved her almost immediately. They wouldn't let anything happen to their new charge.

The dark wizard was driven back by the concentrated starlight that was Leo's power of Regulus. He left without another word, but everyone knew of the threat that lingered on. That evil man would be back for Stella, it was inevitable. The King and Queen were devastated by this turn of events but pleaded with Leo to find a way to help their child live a long and happy life. So Leo gave them the only option that he had. It was a hard choice, but the King and Queen would do anything for their daughter and agreed to Leo's idea.

Stella was moved into another castle, one far away from her family. Her room was situated in the highest room in the tallest tower, and she was looked over by her Celestial Spirit family until it was time for her to come back into civilisation. She was also given only one other person to converse with, a small boy – who was also a dragon – who would guard her castle until a worthy knight would come along and defeat the dragon, or Stella's eighteenth birthday came to pass. If the dragon wasn't killed within that time, then Stella would come home, and they would reevaluate everything. The King and Queen reasoned that if anyone could defeat a dragon, then they could protect the princess from the evil wizard.

The young dragon and the little princess grew up together, becoming best friends, in their early years, and something more in their later years. The dragon and princess loved each other before too long and knew that they wouldn't want anyone else. To the dragon, Stella was the light of his life, and he loved her fiercely. He wouldn't let anyone take her away from him. To Stella, her dragon was the most loyal and amazing man she could ever meet. She knew without a doubt that she didn't need a stupid prince when she had something as amazing as a dragon to protect her.

The dragon fought hard for his love, day in and day out, defeating the knights and noblemen that would come to claim Stella for their own. But not one could cut him down, he was driven by pure love and wouldn't fall to anyone. The spell that bound Stella to the castle was strong but would be broken when she turned eighteen. A day which she couldn't wait for. It was the day she would get out of this lonely castle and take her dragon far away to meet her parents for the first time that she could remember.

On the eve of that momentous day, the evil wizard finally found Stella's hiding place, breaching the spell easily and stealing inside to finally claim the power of the stars for himself. He didn't anticipate the dragon that fought him off, though. The dragon knew that he might not make it out of this battle alive and yelled at Stella to run, to hide, to get away from the man who would take her out of this place without him.

Stella refused, and for the first time, she called on her powers and the Celestial Spirits to help her dragon fight off this evil wizard, to drive him out of this castle. With the help of her friends and the dragon, their combined power was more than enough to reduce their opponent to dust and ashes.

The princess turned eighteen, and the spell broke, letting her step outside into the world for the first time, with her dragon by her side and the Zodiac keys on her hip. The dragon didn't come out of the fight unscathed, though, and neither did she. His hide was marred by new scars, and she gained a white starburst mark on the back of her right hand, to show that she had indeed used the power of the stars.

The princess and the dragon made their way back to her parent's castle, and the whole kingdom rejoiced, for their royal family was whole once more. Stella became a wonderful queen and her dragon ruled by her side for many years. When their lives were coming to a close, the Spirit King took their souls and flung them up into the heavens, where they became one with the stars that Stella had loved so much, and ruled together for all eternity.

Igneel watched as his six-year-old son snored like a grown man, drooling all the while as he finished the story. The King loved Natsu and Zeref as if they were his own flesh and blood, and thanked the deities that he had found those two starving orphans that fateful day. He had asked them both if they would like to learn the special magic that was passed down through the generations in the royal family. Natsu had been ecstatic to learn something that would allow him to be just like his father, but Zeref had refused, stating that he was too old for trivial things of that nature and decided to pursue things of a more academic nature. Igneel had been slightly disappointed but had let well enough alone. He had started to teach Natsu Fire Dragon Slaying magic right away, and the boy took to it like a fish to water. The old King couldn't be more proud.

Finally able to turn in for the night, Igneel sucked up the flames from the raging fire in the stone fireplace, careful to leave some embers to keep the room warm for his son. With a last long look, the King of Ignis left Natsu to his dreams, shutting the door quietly.

Little did Igneel know that his story of the dragon and princess would spark something so profound in his young son's life, that it would shift the balance of power and peacefulness within Ignis and the surrounding nations of Fiore.

-ooo-

Months pass for the little Dragon Prince. His life carries on as usual, but with one exception. For the first time in his life, he feels like he is missing something, something important.

As a six-year-old, he isn't quite old enough to verbally say what he is thinking, but his heart is mature enough to know that it's lacking.

That story, the one with the dragon and the princess that lived together and had fun for eternity and went on amazing adventures, sat in his mind for a long time, sometimes manifesting as fantastically real dreams. Natsu realised after thinking deeply about it that he wanted that. He wanted a friend that he could protect from the world, to drag into his crazy pranks with him, to laugh until they cried together.

He knew that he had his father Igneel, whom he loved with his whole heart, and Zeref too, whom he loved as well. He had the servants in the castle to pester and talk to, and the Ice Princess to brawl with every once in a while, but it wasn't enough. He wanted something else. Something more.

Natsu tried to talk to Zeref about his need, but his older brother was ensconced in his magical exploits and his internship at the local university to pay much mind to his young brother's words. So Natsu went to his father and also tried to voice his concerns, but it was the same with Igneel. He had a Kingdom to run and wasn't always available for his son.

So Natsu decided to try and figure out his new feelings all by himself.

It took a while, but his simple mind finally supplied the words for the emotions he was embroiled in.

He was lonely.

Natsu wanted companionship, he wanted a best friend, someone who he could tell all his secrets to, and someone who would stay up with him late at night and try to catch frogs down by the pond by the light of a full moon. Someone that would cheer him up when he was sad, someone that would know just what to say in every situation, or not say if silence is what was needed.

But how would he fill this new hole in his young heart? Natsu didn't really have any friends, and Fullbuster didn't count as one. He was more like a rival if he was completely honest with himself. Natsu knew he was loved, his father always told him that, and tried to make time for fishing trips and sparring sessions, as well as magic lessons. But it just wasn't the same, Natsu wanted someone who would have time for him unconditionally, whom would always be there for him and vice versa. So the little prince dreamed of the day that he would find that person, and he would wait even if it took years.

-ooo-

Natsu was almost eight years old, two years after Igneel told him that wonderfully enlightening story when he decided to talk to someone about it. He and his family, including Zeref which was a rarity nowadays, were seated down for a lovely dinner in the great hall. Igneel and Natsu shared much laughter and jokes, instigating a small food fight with the dinner rolls, while Zeref looked on with a small smile.

Igneel had noticed for a while that Natsu's smile didn't quite reach his eyes, and there was more melancholy in his onyx eyes than the King could ever remember. There was something…different in his son that he couldn't quite place. So he resolved himself to wait until Natsu was ready to talk about it.

He didn't have to wait long as it were.

"Dad…do you have a best friend?"

The King was taken aback by his son's innocent question but smiled at the heartfelt nature of it. "I do Natsu, I, in fact, have four. You have never met them before, but I have known them almost my whole life. We were inseparable as children, they are like me, full dragons. I haven't seen them for many years, as they have their own children that they take care of and lives to live, but we stay in contact, and I know that we will see each other soon. Particularly at the Dragon King Festival coming up next year. You'll be able to meet their children then."

Natsu's face was thoughtful for a time, and then he addressed his older brother. "What about you Zeref?"

Red eyes flashed in the dimming light. "I have only one Natsu. She is a few years younger than me but has a wonderful mind. She challenges me in ways that I have never thought of. She keeps me on my toes. Her name is Mavis Vermillion."

Igneel smiled, glad that his more introverted son was finally branching out. He knew that glint in Zeref's eyes while he talked about his friend. He had seen it on his own when he looked in a mirror thinking about Grandeeney. Love would bloom soon between Zeref and this…Mavis. Pride flowed through the ageing King. His line would possibly be secure soon, if there were a God in this world, he would have grandchildren soon.

"Dad, what are your friend's names?"

"Metalicana, Grandeeney, Weisslogia, and Skiadrum." They are all lords and ladies of Ignis and hold land and manors, they each adopted a child around the same time that I took in you and your brother. Don't worry young one, you will have friends soon enough. I know that you may feel separated from all the other children at the moment, but that is just until your magic training is done."

Natsu nodded to his father. He knew that he would have friends soon, it was inevitable, and especially if they were as amazing as his father said they were. However, what he wanted was a best friend. He kept this from his father and brother, though. He had more thinking to do.

-ooo-

The young prince rested fitfully that night, tossing and turning while going over his conversation with his family that night in his mind. Snippets of that story that his father told him years ago brushed through his thoughts as well.

He huffed and threw off his blankets while jumping out of his bed. His room felt too stuffy, the air too thick, so he stole out onto his balcony and watched the darkened world outside for a time, breathing in the smell of the evening. The grounds around the castle were still and muted, but he could still hear the calls of the fauna that hid in the bushes and trees.

Natsu glanced up at the sky and witnessed the grand nature of the stars turning and twinkling above him. He felt calm for the first time in years and his resolved hardened. If he couldn't make a best friend for another year because they didn't come to the castle as everyone was too busy, then he would find a way around that.

He transformed his body into his half form, not quite a full dragon, but not fully human anymore. Gleaming white horns twisted out of his cherry blossom hair, a muscular tail used like a rudder of a boat while in the air twitched behind him, and dark red wings stretched out powerful and strong into the night air. He pushed off his balcony, his claws clacking on the stone, as a lazy breeze ruffled his unruly locks.

A sharp toothed grin made its way onto his young face, a real smile that hadn't graced his features in months.

If a best friend wouldn't come to him, then he would just have to steal one.