I know you guys are probably all wondering what happened to Natsu and you all are going to find out now! Please enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail... which saddens me

Chapter 4: Dragon's Nest

Slowly Natsu began to open his eyes. His head felt all fuzzy, what exactly had happened? Then it all came flooding back, Ella had brainwashed him and Gajeel. Not only that, but Levy had kicked his and Gajeel's butt. Guess she was the leader of the resistance for a reason. Hadn't Gajeel taken him back to the guild's infirmary though? If that was the case, why did the ground feel hard. Not only hard, but rocky too. Where was he?! Fighting through the pain he sat up to look around. It seemed he was in some sort of cave. Wherever this cave was it was HOT in it. Good thing heat didn't affect Natsu very much though. The cave reminded him of growing up with Igneel.

"Good, you're awake," came a painfully familiar voice. Natsu turned his head to see none other than Igneel. "Grandeeney was starting to worry," Igneel said walking toward where Natsu lay. How is Igneel here?! And did he just say Grandeeney? As in Wendy's dragon? Natsu wondered. The entire situation made his head hurt. He was terribly confused. What did this all mean? "You look confused," Igneel stated flatly.

"Yeah, I am. I mean, you're alive? I have spent years looking for you and now here you are, right in front of me. Just seems a little too good to be true, ya know?' Natsu explained to Igneel. Natsu had looked for Igneel for years and now here was, in front of him, like it was no big deal. For years he had imagined this moment of seeing him again, but never like this.

"I am sorry that I couldn't contact you sooner, but it wasn't the right time," Igneel tried to explain. Wasn't the right time? The right time for WHAT exactly?

"Right time for what exactly? Igneel, I don't really have time for this. The resistance is probably going to attack the council soon and I need to help with that. Not only that but Lucy is probably worried," Natsu said, a slight blush appearing his face at the mention of Lucy.

"Is this Lucy your human mate?" Igneel asked Natsu curiously. Skiadrum never mentioned Natsu having a girlfriend. Igneel had been having Skiadrum spying on Natsu for a while now, so he should have seen something. Hadn't he told Skiadrum over and over to report things like that?

"No! No it's nothing like that. I like her, but it wouldn't work. She doesn't like me, we're just friends," Natsu explained. By the time he was done explaining his face blend in with his hair. So Skiadrum just didn't pick up on a crush. Skiadrum was never good with human emotion, but he couldn't send Grandeeney because Wendy was there. No doubt the sky dragon would talk to the human child she claimed as her own. Even if she would have been a better choice. The human girl might endanger everything. "Now, can you please tell me what's going on? How did I even get here?" Natsu asked still very confused. Yes, he was ecstatic about finally seeing Igneel again, but Igneel couldn't have picked a worse time to drop by. With an impending war on the magic council and his deepening feelings with Lucy, things were just starting to get good! Natsu knew he NEEDED to be able to help the resistance or the war may not be won.

"I had Skiadrum take you from that guild you were in, Fairy Tail I think he said it was. He has been spying on you, and since he is a shadow dragon, it wasn't very hard for him to," Igneel explained. Skiadrum. Where have I heard that name before? Natsu wondered to himself. Then it hit him, that was Rogue's dragon's name! But how was that possible? Didn't Sting and Rogue say that they killed their dragons?

"Isn't Skiadrum dead? Rogue killed his dragon, didn't he?" Natsu said confused.

"No, he didn't. Skiadrum put false memories into Rogue so he wouldn't know that he had actually left. Grandeeney, Metalicana, and I couldn't bring ourselves to do that, so we just left. I am sorry for causing you such heart ache my son," Igneel told Natsu sadly.

"So you have been here this whole time. Where exactly is here though," Natsu said. It was then he decided to look around the cave. It wasn't where he grew up, he could tell by the smell. This cave was pretty dark, but he could see since his sight we so good. At the top of the cave was pointed rocks that dripped water every now and then. The entire area was damp from the dripping, damp and rocky. The only area that seemed dry was the area Natsu had just been laying down at previously.

"The island of Caelum," Igneel told him. Caelum? Natsu thought, The name asn't ringing any bells. He couldn't remember any placed called Caelum. Wasn't that the name of a celestial spirit? "I don't think you have heard of this. Skiadrum says your magic council has kept other countries under wraps from each other. This island is the most secure. Which is why we are here," Igneel explained to the confused Natsu.

"I guess Levy isn't crazy when she said she would go against the council," Natsu stated shrugging. I wonder how many countries there are, Natsu wondered to himself. "Speaking of Levy and the resistance, I really need to get back. Thank you for waking me up and looking after me dad, but I really do have to go. I have to help Levy. I have a feeling they are going to take on the council soon. When Ella was controlling Gajeel and me I heard her mention something about the resistance getting bolder. If they are going to attack soon then I need to be there to help," Natsu told Igneel bluntly. He really just wanted to get back so he could protect Lucy from any harm that may possibly come her way.

"I think you just want to protect your human mate, but I don't mind. Normally I would let you go, but I do need you here," Igneel told Natsu. Why does he need me now? What is going on here?! Natsu thought worriedly. This was rather worrisome For seven years he looked for Igneel and now all the sudden he just shows up, something wasn't right. "You are worried. I am going to guess it is probably about why I brought you here," Igneel said. Even though Igneel hadn't been with Natsu for a long time, he still was Natsu's foster dad and still could read him. Natsu hadn't changed much over the years.

"Look like you can still read me as well as ever," Natsu said with a small smile. He couldn't lie, he had missed Igneel so much. Still, Natsu couldn't help but wonder about Lucy. Chances were Lucy was worried sick about him being missing. She's probably looking for me like I looked for Igneel, Natsu thought sadly to himself. "You are dancing around the real problem. Why am I here dad?" Natsu asked. This entire thing was getting exhausting. Why was Igneel dancing around the truth anyway? What was the big deal?

Igneel sighed before saying, "Son the time has finally come to rise up and fulfill your role." That's not ominous at all, Natsu thought to himself.

"What role?! Dad what are you talking about?" Natsu said getting nervous. How did he have a role he didn't even know about? What had Igneel gotten him into? "Dad, please tell me," Natsu said, his voice slightly shaking. Had he gotten Lucy into danger by her knowing him? Was he somehow valuable?

"Over the past 400 years we have had different humans serve as a human dragon prince. These princes are typically people who use dragon slayer magic. The last dragon prince we had was about one hundred years ago, it is time for another one," Igneel explained.

"What does this have to do with me? You want me to help you find someone to be a dragon prince? If you want someone who is already a dragon slayer I would suggest Sting. He goes dragonforce willingly and is a guild master of the former strongest guild in Fiore," Natsu explained his choice. Sting really did sound like the perfect person to be with 'dragon prince' guy.

"You are not the quickest person in the world still I see," Igneel said with a slight chuckle. Natsu just gave him his normal confused look. Igneel smiled, he had missed the child so much since leaving him all those years ago. "Natsu, we want you to be the next dragon prince," Igneel finally said. The sudden news shocked Natsu. Him, a dragon prince?

"M-me? Why me? Why has it taken you so long to find the next dragon prince anyway?" Natsu asked getting distressed. This could possibly take him away from Lucy. Just when he was getting up the nerve to ask her out!

"We needed to make sure the person is right and we believe you are the right person," Igneel tried to explain the distressed Natsu. "Don't worry about your human mate, we just need to train you. A month, at most," Igneel said trying to calm his son.

"And the upcoming war? What about that dad?" the fire dragon slayer demanded. He doesn't even realize how much he loves this girl. Probably doesn't even realize just how much he cares about his partners either, Igneel thought fondly.

"Well, once you become our prince, we will do whatever it is that you wish us to," Igneel said. Wait, does that mean I could have them help with the rebellion?! If Levy had dragons on her side she would be sure to win against the council! Plus, Lucy would sure to be safe, Natsu thought excitedly. Though, he needed to check that he could lead the dragons into something like that.

"So, what you are saying, is that I could have the dragons do whatever I wanted. Including helping the resistance with the war against the council?" Natsu asked trying to hide his excitement. He may be able to help not only Lucy but Levy and her cause too. It wouldn't hurt to get revenge on Ella either.

"If that is what you wish then that is what we will do," Igneel said with a grin. I knew this would happen, Igneel thought smugly. Natsu was pretty easy to convince.

"Then I will do it," Natsu said with a sigh. What choice did he have? If he could help Levy and protect Lucy with this, then he couldn't let it get away. Igneel smiled at his son. Slowly Natsu walked over to his dad and hugged him tightly, tears falling. "I thought I lost you," Natsu said tearfully.

"I know son, and I really am sorry. There are some people I think you should meet," Igneel told him. "Well, maybe not people, but dragons." Igneel commented.

"Dragons? Who?" Natsu asked. He had never met any other dragons and it was exciting to think of what powers they could have. Though he doubted that he could get any other form of dragon slayer magic since he already had some, but seeing other dragons is cool all in itself. Not to mention that, but if Igneel was here then maybe Grandeeney and Metalicana were here as well.

"I think you may know the children they raised," Igneel gave a knowing smirk. When they first left the children they had no idea that they would meet later in life. The fact that they did was very amusing- it was like the band was getting back together. After all, their dragons were pretty close.

"Grandeeney and Metalicana?!" Natsu asked excitedly. He had always hoped that he would meet them.

"That would be them. Chances are they are waiting for us at the volcano's mouth," Igneel explained getting ready to leave.

"Wait? There is a volcano here?" Natsu asked curiously. Not only would he meet more dragons, but he would get to see a real life volcano?! That was wicked cool to him.

"Yep, that is where you will be doing most of your training. It may seem cool now, but by the time we are done you will become tired of it," Igneel told him knowingly. How could he become tired of a volcano?! It was a volcano for crying out loud! Needless to say, Natsu was brimming to the top with excitement. "Climb onto my back son, it is time to fly to the top. Soon you will be climbing to the top, but I don't want to push you so far yet. This cave is actually at the base of the volcano," Igneel told Natsu. Nodding Natsu obeyed what the dragon said and got onto his back. Once they got outside Natsu saw that there was thick forest around them. If he listening closely he could hear the chirping of birds and the hum of insects, something you didn't hear much in the city. He greatly enjoyed it as he took in the fresh air. "Hold on tightly," Igneel instructed, opening up his huge wings. Natsu did as they told and they took off toward the top of the volcano. Said volcano looked to be 6 stories tall as it towered over the island. Even the volcano had trees on it. Climbing it would prove to be a challenge, but Natsu was ready for it. Landing at the top Natsu saw two other dragons, one a white ish blue and the other a shiny black. No doubt these two were Grandeeney and Metalicana.

"Oh, I see your boy is up. I was starting to think he may never wake," Grandeeney stated flatly. Seemed that both of them were a little upset that only Igneel got his foster child.

"I know you are upset Wendy and Gajeel couldn't come, but if Natsu becomes our prince I am sure that you two can see your kids again, right Natsu?" Igneel stated looking at Natsu.

"Of course! Wendy and Gajeel miss you two very much, even if Gajeel won't admit it. Besides, if Levy does take over the magic council like she wants, then I am sure she would let humans and dragons interact all around the world. She is just like that," Natsu said grinning. This news seemed to perk the other two dragons up.

"The magic council is getting overthrown?" Metalicana asked curiously. Skiadrum had never mentioned anything like this before. The whole reason they were forced to leave their children was because the magic council threatened to kill the children if they stayed. If the magic council was to be overthrown then they could return to them.

"If Levy gets her way, but I think she may need our help. Once I become prince I plan on helping Levy with her plan," Natsu explained.

"If overthrowing them means I get to see Wendy again then you have my support," Grandeeney said determinedly.

"And mine, seeing Gajeel would be a pleasure," Metalicana said with a toothy grin. Natsu now saw where Gajeel got his grin, though Gajeel would never admit it. "We'll also be helping some with your training, not sure if Igneel told you that," the iron dragon told the soon-to-be dragon prince.

"No, he didn't, but I am excited to work with other dragons!" Natsu said excitedly. His excitement caused the three dragons to laugh and smile. It was nice to finally have a human in the dragon's nest. A human who wasn't terrified of them at least.

"Your training will start tomorrow, till then, you should rest," Igneel told Natsu. Natsu looked into the volcano, seeing the red hot lava a good ways down the surface. This caused him to smile, the color of the lava reminded him of his own magic and Igneel's warmth. It was still hard to believe he would soon be a dragon prince, but it was exciting all the same. Please don't let this be a dream, Natsu thought to himself.

"Well I only have one thing to say," Natsu said grinning as his hands caught fire, "I'm all fired up now!"

Now that we know what happened to Natsu, let's check in with Lucy and the others. Will they be able to get to the volcano? Will anyone be willing to help them? Find all that out and more in the next chapter, Chapter 5: Caelum

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