Chapter 7

This is the start of the second section of the story. There are no fights quite yet but i'm setting up for some. This section also goes into quite a bit of detail on the age of dragons. I'm hoping that i managed to explain all in a way you guys understand. It should be noted that in the age of dragons all the lore from fairy tail still applies so Zeref still cursed acnologia and dragon slayer magic was created to combat the dragons. I have just added a bit of back story.

please review (it really does help me know what to do with the story), follow and favourite and enjoy the next chapter.


Levy frowned "Unfortunately Natsu, not Igneel. But it could be a good lead. The dragon in question is Igneel's earliest ancestor. Igneel was not the first fire dragon."

"But he was the strongest." Natsu defended "he wouldn't die so easy."

"The other issue is it only says sacred flame it may not be the flame you're looking for." Levy continued.

"Yes, but it's the best lead we've got." Erza replied.

"So where can we find this dragon?" Natsu asked he looked far too serious.

"The answer is in a book called 'the Apocrypha of Dragons'. It is a very rare book that is said to detail the beginning of the dragon era. This is the only copy we have ever seen." Lucy said

"It essentially says that the age of dragons started in a huge war between the forces of evil and good. Eventually the good were overwhelmed and evil took over. In one last stand the guardian dragons were called in and fought the evil but many dragons died including the original fire dragon. The whole world was then cleansed by the remaining enraged dragons who were grieving at thier losses causing the evil forces to fade into the darkness, humanity clung on by a thread. Eventually the world was healed and the age of dragons came to an end creating this age. In the book it has recorded all known dragons and guardian dragons. It says the first fire dragon died in the capital of the old world. I'm not certain but I believe it is referring to a city called Castelia."

"So that's where we're headed?" Natsu asked. Link looked slightly shocked, the old world, does she mean Hyrule? Link shook his head and rejoined the conversation.

"It seems that way. Come on then, Castelia is two weeks east by carriage." Erza stated

"aww, do we have to go by carriage." Natsu complained.

"Actually, no we don't." Link announced.

(...)

"Wooo, this is awesome Link!" Natsu yelled, his travel sickness not taking effect. Link, Erza, Natsu and Lucy were all soaring above the clouds on the back of Link's loftwing Airya. Airya squawked loudly as she went in for a dive. Happy was flying along side the bird cartwheeling and performing his own little air stunts. Link smiled, this would significantly reduce the time it would take to get to Castelia. Looking at the maps, it was in the east and would only take a single days flight even with all the passengers. Whilst preparing for the adventure, Link had taken the liberty of using the guild archives, he needed to find more detail on the events that had transpired in Castelia. He was worried for the fire dragon Eldin, who had helped him many years in the past. Eldin was immortal but that did not mean he was invincible, if he was the original fire dragon that meant he was truly dead along with the kingdom he had helped to create. It seemed rather obscure that Link had only seen the very beginnings of the kingdom of Hyrule and now was going to visit it's ruins. That is if this was the capital of Hyrule.

It was getting close to dusk as they were approaching Castelia. Link looked down to see the blackened and charred landscape. The age of dragons was over 400 years ago and still the land here had not recovered. Ahead of them the city came into view. It was obviously once a sprawling metropolis filled with fancy stone buildings and walls. The castle for which Castelia was named stood behind the town. Still reaching into the heavens but now a smouldering ruin. Airya set down at the main gate. Everyone dismounted.

"You did good girl, get a good rest." Link said patting his companion. She was not used to carrying four people and it had taken it's toll. Link turned to face the front entrance. As he had suspected over the gate lay the insignia of Hyrule, a loftwing underneath a triforce. Links suspicions had been confirmed. This is what remained of the capital city of Hyrule.

Lucy looked extremely nervous, even Natsu seemed on edge. This place was dangerous, the air felt tense and empty. Link strode forward leading the group silently and they entered the city. The wind howled through the empty streets, remnants of old carts and market stalls lined the streets, torn, battered and burned. The houses were crumbling, all the stonework was cracked and any embellishments had totally eroded away. Occasionally they would come across buildings that seemed to have been melted into a lump, could dragon fire be strong enough to melt stone like this? Link thought The whole group was incredibly wary, Lucy kept her fingers on her keys, Link and Erza were twitching preparing for any attack, Natsu gazed in fear at what dragons could do. He had heard tales but seeing their destruction truthfully terrified him, especially after the events at the grand magic games.

After half an hour the group reached the centre of the town, a low fountain was in the centre totally dried up and the statue that once resided their had crumbled completely.

"Can Din's fire really be hidden here?" Erza asked.

"I'm sure of it, this city is what is left of the capital of the kingdom I created three thousand years ago. And who better to guard Din's fire than a fire dragon." Link replied

Natsu and Lucy looked confused. "Wait Link your three thousand years old?" Lucy asked.

"Ha that makes you even older than gramps."

"No I'm nineteen, two years older than you. Idiot." Link defended

"Sure sure, gramps, just make sure you don't hold us up old timer." Natsu joked

Erza stood on a rock commanding the attention of her team. "Right we need to start searching, I suggest we split up into pairs, Natsu, Lucy, Happy, you search the city."

"Aye sir."

"Me and Link will head to the castle, if there is an issue send Happy to find us. We will meet back here in two hours okay." Erza instructed.

"Right." The others said.

Lucy, Natsu and Happy set off down the main street. The sky was turning black, the clouds were lined with a disgusting blood red colour. The whole place was pretty creepy.

"Where do we even start to look for a dragon skeleton." Lucy asked

"Well Natsu's massive nose could probably find it." Happy teased.

"Hey Happy, that's a great idea, I'll start sniffing." Natsu announced oblivious to Happy's comment. Natsu took a great whiff of air and started sprinting away in the direction his nose pointed. Happy and Lucy struggled to keep up as they meandered through the streets and alleys. Turning a final corner into a small alleyway, they saw Natsu had his back to them. He suddenly turned around and presented a sandwich, holding it up like a trophy.

"Hell yes, I was just getting hungry." Natsu gobbled up the sandwich without a second thought. "Wait Natsu how long do you think that's been their? That's disgusting."

"I dunno but it tasted great so it cant have been that long."

"That's what I was afraid of." Lucy sighed.

Suddenly there was a scampering noise from the end off the alley.

"Natsu what was that." Lucy asked backing up to him.

"You know, it was probably a great big, spider." Happy whispered in Lucy's ear.

"Not funny cat." Lucy threatened. Happy giggled.

The scampering got closer and louder, it seemed their was more than one. Lucy got more and more freaked out, Natsu set his hand on fire preparing for an ambush. Then suddenly in one huge wave an army of huge grey rats flooded the alley, "RATS." Lucy screamed and jumped into Natsu's arms.

"Well at least their not spiders." Happy teased.

The rats crept forward cornering Lucy and Natsu, Natsu couldn't do anything because Lucy was in his arms.

Suddenly the rats split down the middle, creating a parade. An old balding rat paraded down the centre of the rat corridor. Stopping just in front of the trio of wizards. The rat stood up on its hind legs and cleared it's throat. In a rather regal voice the rat spoke.

"Are you by any chance wizards?"

"Natsu did that rat just talk?" Lucy whispered.

"I think so, should we answer it?" Natsu replied also whispering. Talking rats were a new one on him.

"Go on then, say something." Lucy replied still in a hushed tone. The rat was getting impatient.

"Yes we are mages of Fairy Tail." Natsu said.

"Ah really, that is most fortunate, we watched your final match in the grand magic games it was truly something to behold."

"Ah thanks man, hey, your not so bad!" Natsu dropped Lucy and bent down and held out his hand. "The names Natsu, it's always good to meet a fan."

"Yes quite, I am lord Harkon Lovelace. Mayor of this town." Shaking his hand with a small paw.

"It's not much of a town really." Happy stated rudely.

"Yes but we were going to rebuild it but we ran into some… Interference."

"What do you mean?" Natsu questioned.

"Well when we arrived here to settle, we didn't know about the dark mage who lives in the castle. For intruding on his land he cursed us and now we are all rats. We put up a good fight but that mage is incredibly powerful he told us that the next person to enter his castle would perish by fire."

"Wait what, that's where Erza and Link went." Lucy panicked

"We gotta go warn them." Natsu stated.

"I'm afraid I cant let you do that, you are mages you can lift this curse for us." Harkon said.

"we'll give it a go but we can't turn you back ourselves." Lucy told him.

"Hm, that's where your wrong, guards seize them!" Harkon ordered.

Natsu and Lucy were instantly swarmed by rats, they were tied up carried off before either of them could even react.

"Happy go warn Erza and Link. Tell them we'll be fine." Natsu yelled struggling against his bonds.

"Aye sir" happy yelled as he flew off avoiding the rats that sprang up to catch him.

"After that cat." Harkon screamed. A detachment of rats ran off to follow the flying cat.