Deb- LOL TY! Glad to be back and missed! Yeh I laughed when I thought of it LOL Just seemed right... To answer you... I can't :P I don't wanna give away anything LOL

Stella- LOL Glad to not disappoint! But keep wondering ;)

Writer- My imagination is an insane place... That's how I come up with this stuff LOL As for your story well you got my pm's LOL And TY once again for enjoying so much!

Midnight9876-TY TY TY! Yeh I have a feeling farther into the story line of the manga she will have a major role and get much of the credit she deserves! At least I'm hoping so! LOL

Azia- LOL It happens cause ppl get excited about a story or chapter and let what's goin on slip LOL Anyway Yes he truly is a troll among trolls! He's my hero! *blush* (deff punn there) LOL

tit- OMFG LMFAO! Like I was sayin to Midnight I really think somewhere in the story line he's gonna give Lucy something EPIC. He seems to be following along the RAVE path and if that's the case she will have a MAJOR role. I think it plays more on Lucy's thoughts on herself... She feels like she can't compete so she down plays everything... I had a thought once... What if this is Lucy's story? What if everything happening is Lucy re-telling it? If that's the case then wouldn't it be totally down played? She is a writer after all and when they came back from the 7 year sleep she was the narrator. Levi was the narrator during the Eclipse arch but still. Most the time it seems like Lucy could be re-telling a story. It's a thought at least. Anyway... LMFAO you dirty dirty perv you! Suck it up butter cup cause it's not changing. Don't worry the drama will come! It so will come! And possibly not in the way you all think :P

rxp- :P You should know by now that every thing gets settled LOL I'm not one to leave things unspoken LOL But TY TY! I'm really enjoying this one so far!

Lucy had fallen to the ground in a heap. The pain was immense. In all the fights, all the abuse she's taken, in all her life she never felt such searing pain. She shuttered as she attempted breathing but even that hurt. It felt like every ounce of magic in her had been drained and then someone took the opportunity to break every bone and try to force them back together while burning her from the inside. Her head reeled and her vision blurred. She fought it though. She fought through the pain. Now was not the time to pass out.

"I… can… do… THIS!" She huffed to herself between breaths. Slowly, very slowly she made her way to her hands and knees hissing further when her right hand made contact with the ground. It had taken several minutes that felt like hours before she was able to catch her breath and lean back onto her knees. Looking to her palm she was surprised. The cut she had made was seared shut. She had to wonder if this was due to just whose seal she had taken on. She took in a long shaky breath once again. Closing her eyes Lucy tried to meditate enough to force the pain to tolerable levels. So immersed in what she had been doing she momentarily forgot who was with her until his voice broke her concentration.

"The scent is weak. Why is that brat not here?"

Frowning Lucy had to try and think about what was happening around her. The pain she had been experiencing had totally taken over her brain. "I didn't…" she attempted talking but found the task difficult. She was determined though. She hadn't come this far to let some physical pain get in her way. "I didn't... bring… him with… me." She said between pants.

Igneel looked at her surprised for a moment but then brushed it off. It seemed they had arrived at different times. Possibly he was attempting to follow her. He had to shake his head at the pompous nature of this girl though. "You intend to hold the seal alone?"

She forced a smile and the look of determination was unmistakable as she made eye contact with the dragon. "I do."

Internally Igneel smiled. His son's choice made even more sense now looking at her. There was a fire inside this child that spoke of hope, faith, and willpower. "So be it."They stayed in silence for a short time more before Lucy was finally able to get on shaky legs. Eventually she noticed the time of day. It looked like high noon. She was sure that she hadn't taken that much time. As if reading her thoughts Igneel answered her unspoken question. "Time moves differently in the Draconous Realm. For every hour there, it is about a week's passing here."

Lucy nodded being familiar with the idea. She didn't know if it would be like the Celestial Realm or not. The news that they were similar in this aspect didn't come as a shock. She had guessed as much. Lucy sighed heavily at the thought of more lost time though, but quickly shook the idea. She hadn't been gone long. Possibly a month? Deciding to no longer dwell on it she set to the next task ahead. "Magnolia is about four days walk from here. We obviously won't be taking the train so it will take longer to get home then it did for me to get here."

At that Igneel laughed startling her. "You expect me to walk? Child you do realize dragons are the fastest in the skies, ne?"

Lucy frowned. "Fine then I suppose I'll catch up in a few days."

The dragon merely smirked, "So tell me then child, do you expect him to just find me? Or would you like for me to land in the middle of this Magnolia and cause a scene? To this world my kind is but a legend."

Lucy snorted at that. "That's what you think." She grumbled. Shaking the memories away she huffed, "Well then oh wise dragon, what do you propose we do?" she asked sarcastically.

He glared at her. Growling he rumbled out, "I could eat you for your insolence you realize."

Lucy was already finding what little strength she had mustered failing her. Hissing in pain and clutching her side she glared back. "You'd break the seal dumb ass." She ground out.

Once again Igneel laughed. She was feisty. Even in pain she could call on her wits. Taking in his surrounds he noticed that not much had changed. He had only been gone a decade? Possible slightly longer? He was unsure but from the growth of the trees he had known so well, that seemed right. He was gone far less time than he was meant to be that he was sure of. Eyeing the girl still struggling with the shock to her body after performing the blood bond, he headed for the cave only to emerge shortly after dragging something with him.

Lucy had finally caught her breath again when she noticed the dragon emerging from the cave. "What's with the net?" she asked curiously.

He grinned. "That lake," he said pointing to the lake that was in the valley below, "holds some of the best fish in the area." When he saw her raise a confused brow he shook his head and continued, "That Happy, he enjoys fish, ne? And he is sure to also be in this Magnolia. Besides, would you begrudge a dragon something to eat?" He asked while pouting and teary eyed.

Lucy laughed slightly and rolled her eyes. Oh yes she could see where Natsu got it from. "From the lake head South-West. Magnolia is the city with many tall stone buildings. Natsu's home is on the Northern ridge. You'll find him there eventually. It's outside of town and shouldn't cause a ruckus." Taking a wobbled step to lean on a tree she sighed. The amount of energy the seal was pulling from her was exhausting. "I'll rest for a bit then head down the mountain. It may take me four or five days time. I'll take the train, but I don't know how long my energy will last at once." She frowned admitting her weakness.

Igneel eyed her for a moment before nodding to himself. Spreading his wings he dropped off the mountain's side to glide himself down to the lake, he had missed the taste of fresh fish. Lucy sighed and smiled slightly as she let her legs give out. Leaning against the tree she relaxed. She had been hoping to see Natsu's face when he got to meet up with his long lost father again but it seemed fate and her own weakness were both against her. At least she was able to have done this for him. Her eyes had almost slipped closed when the ground shook causing them to pop open and her to reach for her keys instinctually. She had not been expecting the sight before her however.

Igneel stood in front of Lucy looking at her expectantly with a net the size of her apartment building filled with fish and other random creatures. "Did you clear out every bit of sea life in that lake!?" She screeched indignantly.

The dragon looked to his catch and scratched his chin. "Should I of?"

Her jaw dropped at that. Sweat-dropping she just shook her head. "No… I uhh… I think that'll be enough for you three gluttons." She said in mild shock still. Sighing once more she couldn't help but to laugh. Igneel smiled brightly at that causing Lucy to stare in wonder. If it wasn't for the fact that one was human, or at least seemed like it most days, and the other was a living breathing fire dragon, she'd swear Natsu and Igneel really were father and son. Continuing to chuckle at her thought she once more leaned her head against the tree supporting her back. Waving her hand weakly in a dismissive manner she said, "I'll see you guys in a few days after I rest."

"I find that unacceptable." He growled lightly. "I could not hold my pride if I were to leave that foolish boy's mate behind in a weakened state."

Without opening her eyes Lucy raised a brow. "What does the fact we're teammates have to do with anything?"

Once more Igneel laughed loudly, the sound replicating an explosion and echoing everywhere. Lying down as low to the ground as he could manage he ignored her question and said, "Let us leave now. The trip will be short. With my speed we should make it before the sun is a quarter of the way above the horizon."

That caused Lucy's eyes to snap open. "You're insane if you think I'm riding on a dragon!"

"Child do not test my patients."

"I have a NAME!"

"Lucy then! Get off your ass and let's go!"

With that the pair glared at each other neither backing down. After several moments Igneel straightened to his full height and smiled evilly. "I suppose it can't be helped." He stated before grabbing her in one claw and the net in another and taking flight.

"KAAAAAAAAA! YOU OVER GROWN LIZARD! THIS IS NOT FUNNY!" Lucy bellowed as she closed her eyes tightly in fear. Using the adrenaline rush she held on tightly to the dragon's claws that were snuggly wrapped around her. And for a brief moment she felt like a princess in her stories. She had just been taken by a dragon against her will. The thought strangely relaxed her enough to open her eyes. She had to squint against the wind that was rushing past but the sight was something from dreams. At that altitude the world below looked so distant, so small and vulnerable. Slowly she let her death grip go and she smiled.

Maybe Natsu and Happy were right and she really was a weirdo? Because what normal and sane person could find joy in being deathly high in the sky with the only protection from falling being a dragon's grip? "Let me go," she yelled happily above the roar of the wind. She had meant to let her ride rather than be clutched. However Igneel smirked and did exactly what she asked.

Once more she was screaming in fright as tears fell from her eyes. This was it! She was going to meet her demise because of a miscommunication. As she fell she braced herself for the end. Regret for not saying her good-byes as well as missed opportunities and the adventures she will miss out on. That was until her back met harshly with that of Igneel's. Groaning in pain she eventually got her bearings. With the realization that she was indeed still part of the living her anger flared.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?"

Igneel just laughed. This girl's ire was easy to raise and thus fun to tease. "You must not think highly of me if you presumed I would let you meet your end. If I wanted your death I would have had it when you first opened my gate."

Lucy's agitation suddenly dissipated. She groaned. She has a hard enough time dealing with Natsu and Happy teasing her and pranking her. Now add in Igneel and she was going to die young from heart failure for sure. "Stupid fire breathing lizard!" she chastised.

"Sleep child. You need your rest." Was all he said.

Lucy sighed as her latest adrenaline rush subsided. He was right. Since it seemed he was no longer going to mess with her she laid on her back staring at the wisps of clouds that were above her before exhaustion finally won.

Bummm Bummmmm BUMMMMMMMMMM! Ok so I HAD to make Igneel a pranker and teaser! I had to! My vision of him is this regal dragon that also has a wicked streak. I mean Natsu is a generic nice guy but he's all about teasing and messin with ppl so he's gotta get it from somewhere right?

I can not thank everyone enough though! This story is much more well received then I thought it would be! I'm so happy it's insane! My plot bunny and muse however are off doing terrible un-namely things again. *facepalm* Idk what I'm gonna do about those two... Some one mentioned a whip and well... The muse got excited and ran off with my plot bunny again. Poor guy will be hiding out for a while when they get back.

Anyway...

Keep readin and reviewin

~Gemi