Natsu was drifting. Igneel 's voice seemed to be getting further away from him. His body shivered and ached.

"Fight it." The dragon instructed,the voice was just above a whisper.

"I -can't, I'm not strong enough." The wizard replied.

"You have to fight through it. You can do this,you must do this. "Natsu felt himself losing consciousness,being pulled deeper into the quiet stillness.

Suddenly,he felt a strong nudge and heard a soft growl at his ear.

" Natsu! " another sharp nudge forced Natsu back into awareness.

"Hmm." Natsu moaned softly .

" Do not give in. Where is that determination? "

"I don't have anything left to fight with. I'm sorry,Dad."

" You have it,you just need to find it. But you're never going to with an attitude like that. " the dragon growled. "If you're going to be stubborn,put it to good use."

" I can't. Can't I just -"

"You can and you will! " Igneel roared. "Do you really think I want this for you,as your father,what I want most is for you to be strong and have a lot more to do."

" Dad? "

"Hm?"

" are you really even here, or is this some kind-"

"You tell me. Did you feel me nudging you?"

" Yeah,but I -"

"Then what about this?" The dragon laid down next to Natsu,carefully pulling him close " Natsu felt a familiar sense of security come over him.

"Open your eyes and look at me."

" Can't. If this is one of those dreams,if you're not -"the dragon nuzzled him affectionately.

"I love you, you remember me doing this to comfort you when you were small and not feeling well?"

" Yeah. That's the way dragons show love to their kids,that's what you told me. Wh- "

"There was another reason,I was afraid I might lose my son. If you responded,I knew you were all right."

"I didn't think you were scared of anything."

" Everyone is afraid of something, dragons are not completely fearless. " after several minutes of struggling, the mage finally looked up. The massive red dragon gazed down at him, instantly Natsu's eyes filled with tears,reaching toward him. Igneel lowered his head to meet his son's touch.

"Tell me,an I real?"

" Y-yeah. I miss you so much. "

"It's all right now. You can always find me in your heart. I will never really leave you."

" Dad,can't I stay,I still have so -"

" I need you to live. Your friends need you. "

"What good am I to them like this,I'm not strong enough to -"

" If you promise me you'll try,you can rest here until you get some of your strength back. "

"You'll stay?"

" Yes,Natsu. I'll be right here. Rest now,you'll need it. "

Wendy didn't know how long she'd been running,but was glad to see the town straight ahead. Stopping briefly to catch her breath,the young girl had no choice but to press on.

The streets were empty, and an eerie silence filled the air. The buildings seemed to be intact, nothing seemed out of place aside from the missing villagers. She looked around frantically for someone to help her, sprinting through the town shouting as loud as she could.

"Someone,please help!" She cried, receiving no reply. Her heart sank.

Something isn't right. She thought.

"Help, is there anyone -"

"Over here, girl." A male voice hissed. She turned to see an elderly man hiding behind the bushes. She rushed over to him.

"Please, you have to -"

" Shh,not here. Come with me,it's not safe out here in the streets. " He led her to a stone building, ushering her inside quickly.

The inside was as dark as night, forbidding the young girl from seeing anything around her.

"Where-"

"One moment,young lady." The old man said,he began to speak in a hushed tone,words that Wendy didn't understand,which only increased her nervousness. Moments later, a light appeared in the man's hand.

"Come along, it's best not to linger here."

" Please,my friends are hurt,can you -"

"How badly,child?"

" One won't wake up and -"

"We'd better visit Kimi then,she'll be able to have a look at them." They traveled down the narrow halls slowly.

"What happened to everyone?" Wendy asked as they came to a large,heavy door.

"Long story, if you want help for your friends,it'll have to wait. What's your name, girl?"

" W-Wendy. Where are you taking m-"

"Well, Miss Wendy, my name's Jack. We don't get many people coming through here anymore. I'm surprised you found us at all." There was a long pause before Wendy heard the door creak open and soft voices on the other side.

"Best we move inside. Let me be the first to say Welcome, to Ravens Fair. "