The Pull, Chapter 1: In Which A Baby is Named
The Pull can only be described as a mystery - the force that makes a dragon choose a human child to raise as his or her own. The Pull affects all dragons, even the ones thought of as cold and emotionless - like Metalicana or Acnologia. The Pull is also known as 'The Red String of Fate', in that it is what binds two soulmates. Now, meet Lucina Decadere - a.k.a. Lucy.
Jude Heartfilia could be seen as an all-around good man.
Sure, he had his faults - who didn't? - but his good points outweighed the bad. One could ask anyone who had met him, or simply mention his name within earshot of the people whose town his estate was situated, and they would (figuratively) sing his praises. He was kind and caring, which, when added to his extreme wealth, led him to donate large amounts of money to orphanages. He was also the perfect husband to his charming, beautiful and equally kind wife, Layla, who was thought of by many to be akin to an angel. They were the picture-perfect couple that was adored Fiore-wide, so why wouldn't everyone celebrate when a rosy-cheeked Layla announced her pregnancy?
After all, any offspring of perfection would be perfect too, right? They were right, and yet, at the same time, so deliciously wrong.
"Mr. Heartfilia?" The nurse's voice rang loud and clear in the almost empty hallway. Said man practically leapt off his seat as he rushed into the ward. After nine long months, he would finally get to meet his daughter, his Layla's daughter. He felt a rush of love for his wife. So when a small bundle wrapped in a pink cloth was passed to him as he was gently but firmly pushed back, he couldn't understand - couldn't accept the doctor's words, "Your wife has passed away, Mr. Heartfilia. She... her body couldn't make it through the childbirth. Luckily, though, your daughter has truly been blessed, as she is perfectly healthy."
One look over the doctor's shoulder at his wife shook him into reality - Layla was dead. Even in death, she was beautiful, her pale skin glistening with perspiration and her hair of spun gold surrounding her like a wreath of sunlight. Layla, his beloved, beautiful Layla… His Layla was dead because of this child in his arms. Red-hot anger flowed like lava in his veins. He turned and ran out of the hospital, ignoring the loud exclamations of shock from the doctor. He entered his limo quickly, and barked out a harsh order to the chauffeur, and off the limo went, speeding towards the Heartfilia estate. No, no, not quite.
Towards the forest behind it.
He sat on the ground in the clearing he found. His breathing had slowed as he calmed don, and he was beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, what he was about to was horribly, horribly wrong. This was a life he was about to leave for dead. A baby that resulted from his and Layla's love. Could he really spit on the memory of his angel by essentially killing the last physical remnant of her? For the first time, he looked at his child.
And he cried out in sheer horror and grief.
She - no, it looked like Layla. The same golden hair, save that the baby only had the slightest wisp atop her head, the same chocolate brown eyes with the same shine, the same glint of intelligence and warmth. Everything was the same! He felt his blood come to a boil once again, and any thoughts of mercy for this thing were dashed to bits.
This little murderer did not deserve to look like Layla! Layla was an angel! And this thing was nothing more than a mere life-taking demon. How dare it! How dare this piece of shit even attempt to lay claim to Layla in any way!
Jude Heartfilia practically dropped the bundle of murderer on the ground, none too gently for that matter, and then stood up.
He walked to the Heartfilia estate, and the baby was left behind.
Acnologia relished in the sensation of flying, of feeling the wind slide across his pitch-black and blue scales, the freedom that the wide open sky brought. Often Mag'la, his personal guard and friend, joked that he was practically a sky dragon, with how much he loved flying. Acnologia scoffed at the thought.
And yet, despite his outward appearance of -dare I say it?- bliss, inwardly, the Decadere anything but. His mind swirled in endless circles, pondering the matter at hand, but never going anywhere.
Igneel of the Flame, hot-headed and idiotic; Metalicana of the Iron, gruff and competitive; Everfrost of the Ice, playful and carefree; Anahita of the Water, kind and mellow - even Iroquois of the Earth, whose stoicism and apathy was well-known - all of these dragon leaders had taken in a human child! Acnologia could barely fathom the thought. Humans were horrible creatures who lived for battle, murdering their own for sport, heartless and unkind. Acnologia would know better than them- he himself had once been a human, long ago, and had experienced it firsthand.
The dragon leaders that actually seemed to have sense were Celestia of the Stars, Selene of the Moon, Sol of the Sun, Skiadrum of the Shadow, Weisslogia of the Light, Plague of the Sick, Belladonna of the Poison, Storm of the Lightning, Grandine of the Sky, Arianna of the Holy, Equilibrium of Judgement, and himself, Acnologia of the Void.
Yes, those who hadn't adopted a human child were the majority of the Council of Dragons, being twelve of the seventeen dragon leaders, but still. None of the dragon leaders should associate with those humans, and that was without mentioned the many other dragons that took in human children.
Acnologia was flying over a forest now, and then he felt it. It was indescribable, tugging at the few, tattered remains of his heartstrings, compelling him to descend into the forest below, like a moth drawn to flame. The force known only as The Pull - Igneel had described it to him a year ago, when he adopted his kid, when Acnologia had asked him in bafflement just why he would do such a thing. After an inner debate, he decided to follow the the Pull on a whim, telling himself he'd just see whom it drawn him to out of curiosity, then he'd kill them to rid himself of the troublesome urge. As he descended, he morphed into his partially-human form, having a generally humanoid appearance save for his wings, tail, claws, the four plates that extended from his head, and a few, random spatterings of scales on his human skin. While freefalling from the heavens, he would occasionally use his wings to ride the winds, guiding himself to where the Pull wanted him.
The Pull had brought him to a clearing, where a small bundle wrapped in pink cloth lay, emitting soft whimpers pathetically. He rolled his eyes at it's display of weakness, then picked it up, and saw the child that he had been led to.
She seemed newly born, with a tuft of gold hair, chocolate eyes and pale skin, so different from his human form's long, rather spiky silvery-white hair, eyes the same shade of blue as his scales' accents, and tan skin. The infant, whom he noticed also seemed to have a few scrapes, seemed to stare right back at him, matching his gaze, before giggling softly, her small, pudgy face splitting into a large happy grin. She reached out a hand, then roughly tugged one of the locks of hair framing his face, eliciting a growl from him which she was in no way fazed by. I could smite this child right now, Acnologia mused. Just throw her against a tree and splatter her everywhere, or just leave her here to die slowly.
And yet, despite his dark thoughts, he gently tugged his hair out of the infant's grip, and when she instead caught his finger and began suckling it, he didn't pull away. He just- stood there, looking at the small, innocent life he cradled in his arms. Despite his hatred for humans, he felt his heart warm, and a smile - not one of malice, madness or bloodlust, but a gentle, and -dare he say it?- loving smile tugged on his lips against his will. He hated the fact that he loved that warm feeling, that he, despite every circumstance that should make him hate this child in his arms, loved this infant in his arms.
It felt strange - to care for a living being other than himself and the many residents of the Void that he ruled over, and the child was an awkward weight on his arms. But it felt right. And now, Acnologia understood why all those dragons had taken in the children that they did.
A thought came into his mind - a name. The child needed a name. Everfrost's daughter was Yuki Everlast, Iroquois' son was Drake Forrest, Igneel's son was Natsu Dragneel, Metalicana's son was Gajeel Redfox, and Anahita's son was Reiner von Brandt.
Lucina was the first name that came to mind. It was certainly regal enough for the daughter of the King of the Void Dragons. A surname... Decadere - another name for Void dragons were Decaderes. "Lucina Decadere," he murmured, and the name rolled off his tongue beautifully, perfectly, and it had a nice ring to it. As if in agreement, the baby gurgled happily. Acnologia decided.
He took flight, bringing newly christened Lucina with him to the Realm of Dragons.
Emerging from the rift he created, he landed in a plain, and as he got to his feet he felt the rift to the human realm close behind him.
He sensed people coming his way, and sure enough, a trio of dragons in their humanoid forms were soon before him.
The first was a rather well-endowed woman, wearing a dress identical to the clear night sky, with seemingly entire galaxies captured within the fabric, the dress' hem brushing against the floor and swishing about her feet with every step she took. Said dress was basically her scales when she was a dragon - true to her element, Celestia's dress and scales both bore the constellations and stars as though looking at a starry night. Her feet were protected by dainty, gold ballet slippers that matched the stars woven into her dress. She also donned a long gold hooded cloak that dragged against the floor, with the hood pulled down to cover her eyes, which Acnologia knew were a greenish-white; a symbol of her power, as stars of such a colour were the largest and most hot, which contrasted greatly with her dark grey skin, and long, flowing jet-black hair.
The second woman wore a strapless, bikini-like black top that dipped low, revealing her decolletage, choosing to cover her shoulders with a long swathe of translucent, softly glowing silver cloth, seemingly woven with solidified moonlight. Her silver locks curled just the slightest bit and ended at the middle of her back. Hanging low on her hips were loose, poofy silver pants, and where they ended at her ankles, secured by elastic bands that hugged her ankles, anklets with charms of crescent moons jingled with the slightest movement. She had tied a length of translucent black cloth at her hips, and each end was attached to a bangle worn on her wrist that was identical to her anklets. She was bare-foot. Selene was a sight to behold, like an exotic dancer.
Her brother, and the only male in the trio, was practically her polar opposite.
He was completely bare-chested, proudly displaying his muscles, save for a single, gold sun pendant that hung from a chain around his neck. His molten-gold eyes sparkled with mischief and warmth, and his equally gold locks that flowed like rays of sunlight to his feet was silky and tied in a loose ponytail with a single, red ribbon. He'd coiled a swathe of cloth that slowly blended from fire-red to a soft, sunset orange around his lower body, the ends wrapping around his legs as make-shift pants all the way to his ankles, where they were connected to anklets with sun charms on them. Similar armlets were displayed on his forearms, and in his hands was a spear with a long red shaft and a gold blade with a red jewel in the middle. The blade was sun-shaped. Sol was as exotic and self-confident as ever, practically radiating heat.
"So, Ac-no-lo-gi-ahhh, what's that, my friend?" Sol leaned on his spear, his orange wings unfolded and flapping slightly. His voice was smooth as silk, and teasingly sarcastic. "I don't know. Why don't you tell me, genius?" Acnologia replied coolly, brushing past the trio, his voice coated in triple layers of sarcasm and topped with a bored tone. "...I never thought I'd see the day you touched a human without intention of killing them. What happened to 'I hate all humans they should all die graawr' Acnologia? Are you an imposter?!" Sol jokingly got into a battle stance, poking Acnologia's side with his spear.
"... May I see her?" Celestia's voice was soft, and clear as a mountain stream. Acnologia hesitated, then gently handed Lucina to the Star dragon, who examined her, then murmured, "She has the feel of Celestial Spirit magic on her. Perhaps one of her parents was a Celestial Spirit mage..." She stopped her appraisal of Lucina, locking eyes with him, gaze questioning, and he merely stated, "I found her in a forest clearing. No parents anywhere nearby. She was likely abandoned." The Star dragon's eyes widened, and she gasped, before looking back to the now-awake Lucina, murmuring apologies for the atrocity she didn't commit.
"Let me see the babe as well, Lestie. Don't hog her to yourself!" Selene said, sounding irritated. Celestia gently passed the small bundle to her. Selene, too, examined the baby girl, who was curiously staring back. "She'd look good with your hair and eyes. Hopefully not as much grouch and gloom, though. We have enough of that from you," she finally said, concluding, "She is extremely cute… and pudgy. But still cute."
"What's her name?" Sol, apparently forgotten, drawled. He gently pried the girl from Selene's hands to take a look at her. "Lucina Decadere," Acnologia answered.
"Well then, Lucy-chan," Sol said with a grin, "You'll definitely grow up to be a looker! For the first time in forever, stupid Selly was right! You're so cute I could just gobble you up!" He guffawed as Selene and Acnologia growled, for different reasons. "Woah, Mama Bear, easy there. I was joking about the 'eating-her' part."
Acnologia still took Lucina from him. Sol's jab at Selene would likely result in another quarrel between the siblings, and Acnologia would not risk Lucina getting harmed in the process. Already, the fraternal twins were glaring at one another, eyebrows twitching and vein throbbing in their foreheads.
"So, where are you going now?" Celestia questioned. "The Void," was his curt answer. The Void was home to all Void Dragons, and naturally, home to Acnologia - and soon, home to Lucina. Celestia and Selene nodded, while Sol broke away from his glaring contest to whine, grumbling about 'taking away cute Lucy-chan'. They transformed to their original dragon forms and took flight.
Acnologia held out a clawed hand, then viciously ripped the reality itself. A Gateway to the Void now open, he stepped inside. It closed behind him.
Mag'la sensed it as soon as Acnologia returned to the Void. He also felt a human presence with him, and felt his curiosity get aroused. Thanking the Void Mother for his King's safe return, as he always did whenever Acnologia returned from his flights, Mag'la went to his King, and his friend.
"King Acnologia," he said in an exaggerated tone as soon as he found him right outside Ynuungaap, mockingly bowing low and he knew his friend was rolling his eyes. The Void Dragon and Guard of the Royal waited.
"...Announce to the rest of our kind," his King began, "Tell them we have a Princess." Mag'la could have shouted in delight, but instead raised his head, questioning, "...Why a human?" Mag'la had nothing against humans, but he was extremely aware of his friend's hatred for mankind. Mag'la knew better than to believe his hatred was gone, having known Acnologia long enough to know how deep-seated his resentment was.
"That idiot Igneel had not been lying when he said the Pull was… hard to resist," the Void dragon admitted, continuing, "I will bring Lucina to the Core of the Void. The Void Mother will want to know my daughter. She will bind us through the Blood and Soul Bond, so that none can say she isn't a true heir to my throne, and a daughter of the Void Mother."
A brief pause, then, "Your child… returned to the Void Mother, correct?" A nod, then Mag'la murmured, "My mate is still recovering from our first hatchling's passing." "Hn," Acnologia said, "Pity. I wouldn't have minded appointing him as Lucina's Royal Guard." Mag'la couldn't help but feel honoured, for his now-passed child to have been his close friend's first consideration for such a meritable position. Mag'la watched as Acnologia took to the currents of the Void to make his way to the Core, then Mag'la, too, took to the air, flying over the capitol and announcing to all its residents the good news.
"All hail! Our new Princess of the Void, King Acnologia's daughter; Lucina!" The Void's residents took up the cry, their words reverberating in the Void.
"All hail Princess Lucina! All hail!" Already, some fo the more zealous dragons were preparing for a festival.
Soon, the Festival of Royals would begin to welcome the new Princess.
Acnologia stood next to the Void Mother, the very core of the Void itself. She had a name, of course, other than Void Mother -that was just a title, she claimed- and it was Seraphimaria, though she insisted Acnologia call her Sera or, at the very least, Seraphim or Maria or just Aria or something that's not her entire name what had Equilibrium-chan been thinking did he always have a horrible skill at naming others? She spoke in his mind, 'Aah, a new child for me? You're too kind, Gia-kun... SHE IS SO CUTE~~' She ended in a (rather loud) coo. (read: fangirl-ish squeal)
"I wish to do the Blood and Soul Bond with her, Void Mother." As usual, when speaking with the Void Mother, he was brief and full of respect. Despite her rather... informal and -dare he say it?- childish attitude.
'Your souls are already bonded by the Pull,' she said with a slight pout at his formality, 'Now, to make her a true Void Dragon, we merely need to do a Blood Bond.' The second she said this, Acnologia was already piercing the fingers on both his hands with his claws, then gently pricked Lucina's, who whimpered slightly. He quickly covered her cuts with his own, then felt as his blood mixed with hers, turning her cells into that of a dragon.
Once the process was done, he hastily pulled away, gently licking Lucina's cuts clean before doing the same for his own. He examined her, and saw that her hair had gone from gold to a shade of black that was dark as pitch, save for a few strands that seemed to match his own, oddly. Her eyes were completely different from his own; the white of her eyes were, conversely, black, and her irises were deep purple, two bright magenta circles, one within the other, taking the place of her pupils. Her rounded ears had become pointed at the end, and her previously normal human nails had become claws. There was a slight bulge at her back and above her butt where a pair of wings and a tail had grown. Though she didn't have teeth yet, he was sure that they would be sharper and a bit longer than that of a human.
When Lucina nuzzled into his chest, she automatically inhaled deeply, memorizing her father's scent, and a soft rumble came from her chest as she thrummed in delight, as a dragon hatchling would. He smiled. 'Aah... The love if a father... How cute! Heheheh...' Seraphimaria's voice echoed through his mind, and evidently Lucina's as well when she looked for the voice's speaker.
'Hmmm? Aah, Acnologia, seems that some people are here to see dear Lucy~' Already? Very well. Excusing himself, Acnologia exited the Void to where his visitors waited.
Aaaaaand that's that for now! Who wants to see Lu-chan, I wonder~~~ 3
Also, a warning in advance - I'm still in school, so I can't update as much as I'd like to.
But anyway, thanks for reading and please review for a fatherly Acnologia! :3
EDIT: 2 October 2014
So. I removed Drakath 'cause I kinda sorta can'tfithimintotheplotatall. *ahem* Also, Sera! Seraphim! Maria! Aria! Seraphimaria! How do you want me to call her outside of dialogue? Please tell me! *hearts*
Thank you to all who have followed, favourited and reviewed! Here's a caramel choco-latte! Yum yum!
NOW REVIEW OR I'MMA KILL YOU WITH SUGAR MUAHAHAHAHA
EDIT: 1 December 2015
'Sup guys! I edited the chapter so it would fit more with Acnologia's canon appearance for his human form, and added in Weisslogia, Skiadrum, Anahita and Storm. I cannot believe I am stupid enough to forget two canon characters. Please murder me as you please. Actually, please don't.
Thanks for all the support thus far, guys! *muax*
Review for uninspired names! (Storm the Storm dragon… *cries*)
EDIT: 5 March 2017
Holy shitballs guys, this fic is like 3 years old now. Anyways, this is just an edit to make it look better, since my almighty linebreak are apparently very annoying. To that one reviewer… hope you're happy now? If you're not you can go shove a fist up your ass honestly
Other than that, I seriously love you guys to death. This have over 10 thousand view, like how wild is that? I never imagined this would become so popular.
Lastly, I'll be cross-posting this on AO3 under the same username. Yay ^.^
- D. NatKiasu
