A/N: Heya guys. wiErD here. As promised on the poll, the standalone story about Natsu and his demons is finally here!
Hope you like it ^^
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Mashima owns them all except my plots.
- 400 Years -
...
I'm entrusting you to him.
...
The words of Zeref entered his ears as he stood in front of him, heeding his request.
"Do I even have the right? This boy is your little brother. It would be best if he were to be right by your side."
A flicker of doubt entered Zeref's mind, shaking his head sideways as a sign of refusal to his response. "My influence on death will only affect him. I do not wish to see any more harm to him or anyone else."
The man went silent. He could see the pained expression on the Black Mage's face despite not having to show any ounce of feeling, fearing that the wave of death might come swirling down on at him at any moment.
Even as someone inhuman as him, the power of the god is not something to be tested with. How could such a person like him be punished with such a blasphemous curse? Is it natural for a family to save another of its kindred? He didn't know. He wasn't versed in the knowledge of human feelings. The laws of life and death pertain certain rules of tampering its concept. The methods, however, is not all accepted in the eyes of God.
He stared at Zeref, specifically at his hands curled together, carrying a sleeping child. His eyes grew curious at its antics as the child accidentally sneezed in its sleep.
"This child has not been given a choice to live. Even with all my research, he could not be called human anymore." The Black Mage paused. "As one of my wishes, I simply want him to thrive normally until the day of the prophecy. At the very least, he would be able to live normally at your hands."
Zeref slowly carried the child in his arms to the man. The man showed slight hesitations but was able to accept it as the child finally lands on his own arms. The slight movement caused it to cry, much to his shock. Although, it ended as soon as Zeref lifted his hand next to its cheek, rubbing them softly as the child somehow managed to calm down towards to this response.
Although the man has not noticed it, a tiny smile took over the Black Mage's face as he let a little of his emotion to run through his lips. The man slightly panicked but Zeref reassured him as he quickly withdrawn his hand away from the child after it had finally gone back to sleep. His expression also drew back to its usual blank state to prevent any more of the deathly magic to run rampant.
"Igneel has given him the instructions needed for his development as a dragonslayer. From here on out, it will be on your own terms. As my last and final creation, he'll be able to erase all my mistakes or perhaps even my curse." He said, pausing midway before handing out a piece of cloth next to the child. "A parting gift from the red dragon. It may not be grand but it's worth giving from a dragon such as Igneel himself."
It's a white scaly scarf, made with such fine precision and delicacy. A cloth made from the scales of the red dragon carved off from its body. The color it once had vanished, turning it to a white color.
"And his memories?" The man asked.
"Wiped clean. Igneel had given him a spell where he can learn all his powers from the dragon side by instinct but all of his other memories will be erased from the time when he was with his family. It is better for him to not remember, lest it would provoke Acnologia."
"I understand."
Zeref nodded in affirmation to his response as he slowly turned his gaze away for a moment. "There's not much time. I'm afraid time is not our side. Do whatever it takes to protect him. Nurture him alongside with the others. This is my first and last order of you, Mard Geer Tartaros."
"Yes, Lord Zeref!"
And with that, a new day begins.
...
The regions of an untouched forest lies a vast pasture for animals to thrive on. Trees grow undisturbed by the flames of war and animals of different kinds lived peacefully in a stable environment. A refreshing breeze sweep across the landscape, giving off a serene atmosphere for dwellers roaming below. Small water creaks served as a place of junction for both animals looking to sate their thirst and the mountains served as natural barriers against the outside world.
Mard Geer walked through the empty halls of his guild. The flying fortress, Plutogrim, sails through the landscape with moderate speed. A large shadow is cast down with its cuboidal shape as the giant demon soar across the blue sky. It acted as some sort of a miniature earth, except that it is shaped like a cube and has its own gravity―kinda similar to a planet but tiny in terms of astronomical scale.
It could even house a stable ecosystem due to the islands seen around it, surrounded by water as well.
The Underworld King carried the still sleeping child in his arms as he led down to a huge room. A series of furniture and other necessities are provided inside to accommodate the child. It was his idea to take a few observations on the human civilization in terms of lodging.
It may sound unlike for an Etherious but Mard Geer cared less of appearance of his race. The priority to raise his young master was his one and foremost goal; of course, the unification of other Etherious as well. Regardless, such concerns would not hinder him from raising the child.
He moved to a large bed, befitting royalty, disregarding the demon-like aspect. It's not surprising to set his young master this kind of furniture as he is to be the Master of this guild. Anything grand he will offer to him as if his loyalty depends on it.
Mard Geer settled Natsu down who seemed to be enjoying his sleep. No matter how peaceful it is, his memories will be like a clean slate. What happens from here on out will be the start of his life as the future master of the whole Etherious race.
A moment of silence went on as the Absolute demon stared at the sleeping child with careful eyes. How could such a small child like him have to suffer from the horrors of misfortune? He had heard of his history with Lord Zeref and how his untimely death caused him to go down and break the laws of life just to revive him.
A being so precious that he had to defy a god and suffer from his curse just to give him the life that he deserved.
Mard Geer pondered at the actions of his creator. Did Zeref think about the consequences that would come after him when pursuing down this path? Did he ever think about his own wellbeing when he created him and the other Etherious? The same thing he would've wanted to ask for the Fire Dragon King himself for raising him as his adopted son despite how short it is.
The demon didn't know but one thing's for certain... He'll be an important person in the future and it is his job to guide him towards that path as his caretaker.
A fine goal worthy of his contribution to his young master. Mard Geer thought as he let out his confidence for a bit.
'However, with all these hollow halls inside our guild. It has to be brim with life.' He echoed his mind, turning towards the door leading outside. If he would have to create a guild for his young master, it would have to comprise with other people albeit, some fellow Etherious that he could talk to, however...
How is he gonna band the other Etherious under his master's banner? From what he remembered, Lord Zeref had scattered all his other creations during his research with the tampering of Ethernano. It's expected that some of the Etherious are out there, worrying their own petty matters. It'd be a waste to leave them be and run rampant around the continent.
Mard Geer placed a finger under his chin, posing a pondering posture as he decided on his first course of action. However, his thoughts were cut short as his eyes noticed the slight turn from the child. It looks like he had enough sleep and is about to wake up any moment.
A slight panic went over his system. Should he hide first? Or should he introduce himself without the need to conceal his presence?
The child flickered his eyes open, rubbing them softly to stave off the sleepiness lingering within. His first attention caught the dark room coupled with candles placed all over the walls. The lighting of the room seemed able enough to wander without the aid of a light source but still, the environment caused him to look confused.
"Where am I?" His first words hung in the air in silence.
At first, he thought there was no one around the room until his eyes caught a silhouette from the corner of the room, seemingly in waiting.
"Is someone there? I know you're there. Show yourself." The silhouette seemed to react enough to be noticed by the child as soon as it heard his orders.
After a moment of hesitation, the figure relented and slowly walked closer to be seen by the light. The child waited in the anticipation before his eyes caught sight of a tall young man. He wore a long, black jacket trimmed with light colored flame patterns reaching down to his feet. Inside it was a black v-necked shirt, lined in lighter color along with its light-colored pants that lay lazily over the top of a pair of black boots.
One noticeable feature was his dark purple hair tied in a very large pony-tail. Instead of being silky, it had a rather wavy and messy pattern. Additionally, his messy bangs slightly obscure his rather dark-slanted eyes as it stared at him carefully.
The child felt alarmed for a bit due to the heavy pressure emanating from him as a sign of defense mechanism but dissipated soon after as the man knelt right in front of him as if he was king.
"I am Mard Geer Tartaros. I'm sure you have a lot of question of why you're here but rest assured. Today, I'll be your caretaker and your right-hand man. Anything you might ask of me, I'll abide by it with the fullest extent of my abilities." He said so formally which took the child by surprise.
"I-I see... Well then, Mard Geer. Is it alright for me to call you like that?" He asked.
"As many time as you want, my master."
Disregarding his last remark, the child looked around. "Where are we?"
"You're in Plutogrim. Your home and your guild."
"My home..." He muttered as if lost in thought. Mard Geer kept his head facing the floor but gave a slight peek, noticing the confusion built around his young master's mind, as if lost in the conversation or perhaps at anything at all.
"It seems you haven't recalled your memories, young master. But I assure you that you have nothing to fear. You may ask me any inquiries you find wanting."
The child perked into attention as he turned his gaze towards his supposed caretaker.
"Then, who am I? What is my name?"
"Your name is Natsu Dragneel."
A/N: And there you go. For those of you asking about the plot, it will be different so expect some changes. Also, regarding time-travel, Natsu didn't follow the procedures of the dragon's plan so basically, he still lives 400 years before present day Earthland. Don't worry about his age, he can still live as a teenager even after 400 years since he is demon to begin with. Age is non-existent to them as far as I remember.
See you guys in the next chapter. ^^
- The wiErDos send their regards...