Chapter 21: Fiery Reunion
Lucy couldn't hold her tears anymore since she saw Natsu reunited with his dragon. Of course, the last time they were together was not a pleasant one at the least. It was Igneel and the other dragon escaped their foster children's body, for the sole purpose to prevent Face from wiping out the magic. Natsu's body was buring up unlike anything he felt before. It was Igneel's soul who came out of his body to fight Acnologia. Seeing Igneel in such a long time was completely unexpected for Natsu. Before Igneel passed away when he was killed by Acnologia, he explained his and the other dragons' disappearances. The first one was that they don't want to turn into Dragons like Acnologia. The second reason was because the dragons wanted to wait until the time was right to defeat the Black Dragon. Unfortunately, Acnologia was proven too powerful for Igneel who is the King of the fire dragons.
But for now, it's time for Lucy to leave Natsu and Happy alone so they can rescinence with Igneel. She turns around to walk away. That is until a dragon stomped in front of her, scaring her half to death. "There's no need for you to leave so soon." The fire lit dragon tells her calmly. She turns around to see Atlas Flame coming towards her. Lucy can feel the intense heat coming for over the dragon's body. "I'm going to be crispy." She shutters. "Relax. My flames aren't going to burn you." Atlas Flame calms her down as he lowers his head to her level. "Okay. I thought it'd be best to leave them alone. After all, Natsu's been though, I think he has every right to be Ignell." Lucy states as she calms herself a bit more. Atlas Flame can see have serious her brown eyes are saying instead of her own voice. "Even though my body is covered in flames, I'm afraid it won't be enough to heal Igneel. Only Grandeeney can do that." Atlas Flame said in a disappointed tone in his own deep voice.
Lucy understands that one clearly. Natsu eats flames in order to improve his fire magic. But it's ironic that Altlas Flame's own fire can't help with Igneel's wounded state. "I'll take you to a cave closeby." Altas Flame tells her. Lucy hesitate a little bit. As she steps a bit closer the flames are not as hot as they were when she spotted him. In fact, they're at the right temperature for Lucy to tolerate. She hops onto his head, and they flew away.
Wendy is full of happiness in her brown eyes. The last time she saw her foster dragon mother, Grandeeney, it was a sorrow one. But this time, that sorrow has evaporated. "Grandeeney…" Wendy shakes her fists with tears spilling out her closes. Grandeeney can sense the many mixed emotions. "Wendy, my child." Grandeeney speaks softly and she lowers her head to Wendy's level. Grandeeney gestures her head to let Wendy get onto her back. "It's best that we let Igneel and Natsu colidence." She tells Wendy and Carla just when the leave the scene.
All that's left is Natsu and Igneel. Natsu couldn't stop the feeling of Igneel's warmth. "Igneel, how are you feeling?" Natsu asks the fire dragon. Igneel hmm weakly. "I'm doing okay, thanks to Grandeeney. But I'm still out of commition." Natsu opens his right hand to ignite a flame. "What do you think?" He asks curiously. Igneel growls improvingly. "You've gotten stronger." Natsu couldn't be any more prouder from his foster dragon's comment. "Even though I'm weak now, I'm counting on your fire magic to help me get better faster." Igneel tells Natsu in a fatherly tone.
Natsu stands up and walks towards the injuries where Acnologia injured the dragon. Natsu widens his eyes like saucers. The wing is badly damaged, the side the connects the wing joint has a bad scar as well. "Dad, I'm sorry I distracted you back there." Natsu apologizes in a guilty expression. "Natsu. You have nothing to be sorry about. I'm just glad you're here. Along with the other Dragons Slayers." Igneel assures Natsu as he turns his head where Natsu walked towards his injured side. "Grandeeney told me she did everything she can to heal my physically body, but she couldn't heal my power." Igneel informs Natsu calmly.
Happy walks up to Igneel's paw. "What do you mean?" He asks the big red dragon. Igneel looks towards the little blue cat, "Grandeeney is the only dragon who has the lost magic of Sky Dragon Slayer magic, in which she passed down to Wendy. Sky Dragon Slayer magic is meant for healing and support. However, it turns out that fire can help heal my body…"
Flashback
"…A weeks ago, Grandeeney has been at my side healing my body, little by little." Igneel starts his explamation. Grandeeney stops her glowing. "Igneel, I'm doing my best to heal you as fast as I can, but my Sky Dragon Magic isn't enough to completely heal your injuries." She tells him sadly in disappointment. The red dragon groans, "So I'm a goner?" He asks in a conxerned tone, not likely what The White dragon is going to say next. "It's just that sky magic can't go well with your fire magic. That's why it's hard for my healing power to take little effect. But there's a bright side." She smiles in the end. Igneel looks up to her with interest. "How?" He asks, trying to find someway to get better faster.
Soon enough Atlas Flame landed back to the duo. "Igneel, how are you doing my friend?" Atlas Flames asks the King of Fire Dragons. Igneel chuckles. "Not too well." He responds with a frown. Atlas nods with an understanding look. "I see. Grandeeney, please tell me that you're doing everything you can to heal him." Altlas Flame begs her desperately. Grandeeney sighs, "I've been doing everything in my magic to heal him, but I just found out that my sky magic isn't working with his fire magic." She explains the situation. "Is there any other source that can heal Igneel?" Altlas Flames asks her. Grandeeney nods, which made the lit flamed dragon smile. "It turns out that it has to be fire to heal Igneel." She gives the answer full of hope.
Atlas Flame looks down to Igneel. "So it has to fire to heal him?" He asks the white dragon. Grandeeney frowns back. "Not just any fire. As in yours, or any other fire. It has to be his own fire to do it. But since Igneel is too weak to heal himself, there's one person who can do it." Grandeeney tells Atlas Flame seriously. Atlas Flames realizes now who exactly she's talking about. "You're talking about the Fire Dragon Slayer wizard, Natsu Dragneel." Grandeeney nods back. "But we're in a race against time. We cannot go to Earthland to get him. There's only one dragon who is capable to go there and wait until Natsu Dragneel draws near." Grandeeney explains the solution.
Atlas Flame knows what to do. "Well, the sooner we get Natsu here, the sooner Igneel can get better." He doesn't waste another second to take flight and soar towards the Jade Dragon, Zirconis.
End of Flashback
Natsu and Happy widen their eyes. "So Natsu is your only hope?" Happy asks Igneel in amaze. Igneel nods back. "Yes, but Natsu must know on how to use his Fire magic as a healing remedy. Are you sure you can do it, my son?" Igneel asks his foster child. Natsu nods, "Yeah. I'll do whatever it takes to get you back onto your four feet." He replies.
Dear readers,
Sorry it took me awhile to write this chapter. Apparently, I got this email from someone who happens to be a guest on the website, so I cannot reply to it. By far it wrote to me was unacceptable as well hurtful. Itonce said "That I would wait til the last minute to come up to write the next chapter. He/she should know better not to be harsh on someone's fanfiction stories due to the way it's written, even if that person doesn't really know how I write my stories. I hope you enjoyed the story so far.