Chapter 55

Levy sat down as Anima and her daughter were going over books he had gotten on the Creation Magic they shared.

She had already read most of his books on the subject.

She watched for a moment as Melina practiced a principle he had pointed out.

Her watching was thrown off as Aegis came to her and sat beside her.

"Your father working with Astatine?" She asked him.

He nodded.

"I'll go see how they're doing."

She stood up again and headed outside.

The yard was empty and she looked up to see a flash of silver.

Astatine's Dragon form was magnificent.

He was bigger than Metalicana, with spikes where he had piercings.

She watched as the sleek form of Metalicana shot over the trees as well.

Levy smiled at them.

Until she saw the slightly smaller Dragon follow.

The sight of her Mate in his Dragon form was still a shock.

He looked so much like Astatine, but instead of being silver, he was black with red accents.

She had expected him to be silver like the rest, but he had chosen to be different.

Gajeel caught sight of her and came to a smooth stop in the yard.

"Want to join us?" He asked with a low growl.

Levy nodded.

He took off and she frowned for a moment.

He wanted her to use her new Dragon form as well?

She took a steadying breath before touching the Dragon inside her.

It had been there all along, she just hadn't known it. Freed had an inner Dragon as well.

Her Dragon hummed awake and she felt her body go light.

Transformation always made a person feel light.

Something about the disconnect of solid form for even a moment.

Her human form vanished under a new, cat-like shape with wide wings. Her entire body was a shimmering mess of different rainbow colored scales like tiny plates over iridescent skin.

Metalicana and Astatine looked in awe of her.

She was tiny compared to them, maybe twice as big as their heads.

Small enough that as she struggled to work on her flying, Gajeel came up under her and she could settle between his shoulder blades where his wings were.

"Don't fret it Levy. You'll get the hang of flying eventually." Astatine rumbled.

She held her form as she curled claws around Gajeel's shoulders to hold on.

They flew in formation around the entire Haven.

Nearly every Dragon on the floating island gave a roar as they passed.

It was a show of respect.

They made two rounds before Gajeel landed in the yard again.

He shrank back down to his human form again before Levy could change back.

She tried not to land on him, but he pulled her down with him.

"Come on Levy, you're really not heavy." He said. "And you're beautiful. You should really do this to your hair. It would be amazing."

She sighed before changing back and laying on top of him on the grass.

"I'm just not used to becoming a Dragon. I mean, I know it is for the best and I do like it. I'm just not sure I'll ever be 'Dragon' material."

Astatine dropped beside them in his human form.

"Look at Anima. He's a pretty pathetic Dragon. I'll admit to that. But that doesn't matter. He might not care to be a Dragon in shape, but you, like him, are a Dragon in soul. Which is all that matters."

"But do I really make a good Dragon even in soul?" Levy asked.

He didn't answer as they watched the huge form of Acnologia slip through the archway.

Astatine tensed and Levy and Gajeel stood up.

xXx

Astatine watched as that monster of a Dragon came into Haven.

His fingers curled into claws, but before he could strike out, Levy stepped forward.

"Hey Ack." She spoke calmly and even a little cheerfully.

The Dragon became a human and he almost gaped at the blushing schoolchild attitude Acnologia seemed to have in front of Levy.

He looked and acted a little unsure of himself.

"How are you doing?" Gajeel asked.

Acnologia looked at him sharply.

"I'm fine."

Astatine clenched his fists.

"We're just concerned for you Acnologia. I don't want you to lose yourself again." Levy said softly.

Acnologia looked at the ground.

"I...I'm alright. It is hard to think of...her."

"But you have been trying, right?" Levy asked.

"It helps to look at her...so yes. I have found the old picture I had of her."

Levy smiled. "That's good. You have it with you?"

Acnologia reached into his shirt and pulled out a pendant.

It was hard to imagine the monster he remembered carrying around a woman's picture, but he was.

This was...the woman Acnologia had lost his mind over. The human who was slaughtered by one of Zeref's Demons.

Levy stepped closer and Acnologia put the pendant into her hand after slipping the chain off his neck.

"You said...she might be already brought back?" He asked as Levy looked at the picture and handed it back.

The Dark Dragon looked hopeful.

His Mate, alive.

Astatine finally felt it click.

This was why the monster had calmed down.

He used his link with Anima to sense the energy of the souls around him.

He stumbled back as the Bonds lit up in Anima's eyes.

He fell to his knees as he saw the tendril from his great granddaughter.

To the monster of his people.

"It can't be." Astatine mumbled.

"It'll take a while Acnologia, but I can promise that she will someday be ready for you again." Levy said.

She glanced at the house.

"You mean..." The Dragon watched her movements carefully.

Astatine watched him look at the window where Melina was standing on a chair at the desk Anima had claimed in the living room.

The little girl was the equivalent of six physically, maybe nine mentally.

No, she was smarter than that.

If they told her Acnologia was her Mate, she would understand it.

Levy reached up and touched Acnologia's chest as Gajeel moved to support her with his hand on her shoulder.

"Yes, but she needs to grow first."

xXx

Gajeel still couldn't believe it. Levy had only been learning for two weeks.

Yet she had already found Mates for quite a few lonely Dragons.

Including the once thought insane Monster Dragon.

Acnologia was his daughters Mate.

Or rather, Melina was his Mate reborn. Wendy had said that Mates could be reborn after a long enough period.

His mother just chose to stick with his father as a ghost. Which made it easier for Anima when he finally amassed the required energy to bring her back to life.

But it still bothered him that his baby was going to be Mate to this monster of a Dragon.

Acnologia scared even him a little.

Levy seemed to be the only fearless one.

Granted, Acnologia had seemed to worship her gentleness.

Maybe because of Melina?

At any rate, he watched the large Dragon drop to his knees.

"Thank you both. For bringing me back to myself. For giving me such trust. But mostly, for the chance to have my Mate again after all these years. I have waited so long to have my Mate again."

"It's alright. Just give her a few more years and hopefully Melina will be able to chose for herself." Levy said.

"I...I will do my best to be a Dragon better than I was before."

Gajeel nodded.

"Damn straight. Only one screw up allowed per generation and I think my father already took your chance." Gajeel said.

If he could be brought back from his insanity after hurting Levy, Acnologia could work to be better before he hurt his Mate.

xXx

Melina looked up from the book.

That Dragon was back.

The scary one everyone feared.

Well, everyone except herself and Mother.

Aegis had once bristled at him, but then calmed as the huge Dragon treated her so delicately.

But there was something so familiar about him.

As if she had known him in a past life.

She had read about the soul cycle and figured that she had been reborn again several times before.

Same as Aegis.

As everyone.

A flash of memory raced through her mind as her inner Dragon hummed.

She saw that Dragon, as a man, smiling at her from a higher angle as snow fell around them both.

He looked so at peace that it seemed strange.

The savage look his eyes held had been gone in that memory.

There was the kind of love her parents looked at each other with, and adoration, in his gaze.

He looked up from the yard and she met his eyes.

His cloak fluttered in the breeze and she caught sight of his left side.

What had done so much damage that it had taken his arm off?

Surely he could grow it back with enough time and Magic.

Melina looked back up at his face as he stood again.

He seemed fond of her parents, but Astatine bristled like Aegis used to as he moved.

She watched her mother motioned for the house and he nodded.

Melina closed the book as they headed inside.

She and Aegis and Anima faced the door and she watched Anima move to stand between her and the door as Acnologia followed her parents inside.

Her father came to pick her and Aegis up.

Aegis climbed to his back.

"May I?" Acnologia motioned.

"Sure. You've never hurt them before." Mother said. "We need to talk to Astatine and Anima, so please watch them."

xXx

Acnologia nodded as Lady Levy led the two Dragons who feared him into the kitchen and closed the door.

He looked down at Aegis and Melina.

He had played with them as toddlers, never knowing that this little girl was his Mate.

It showed the state he'd been in that he hadn't felt her.

He moved to sit as she tugged on his pant leg.

"You...will never fear me, right?" He asked.

Aegis growled a scoff, Melina gave him a frown.

She reached out and touched his right hand.

Her brother climbed onto the couch and watched as he found images running through his head.

Images of his past.

His relationship with his first Mate.

It proved she was his Mate reborn.

A soft, almost adult voice echoed in his head.

'I can never fear you.'

He sighed.

'But...you will have to wait for me.'

He smiled gently.

"As long as it takes. I won't let you go again."

She smiled.

It was strange, seeing such a tiny form, knowing she was his Mate.

Yet not being able to do anything that a normal Mate could.

He settled for letting her show him images.

The things she was learning, that Aegis was working on, and the secret they hid from everyone.

So their knowledge to exceed their growth rate was at a high cost.

He glanced at Aegis and the boy kicked his foot out to touch Acnologia on the shoulder.

'I'm not upset. I'm glad she has a Mate. I'll find my own eventually.'

"I...hear your mother is working on using her Magic to help Dragons find Mates. Maybe..."

'Maybe.' Aegis shrugged.

'We will wait until we are older and I can protect myself before he focuses on his own Mate.' Melina said.

Acnologia sighed as he nodded.

"Makes sense I suppose." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "But you know I will never let harm come to you so long as I can help it."

She smiled. 'I know. Biggest and best guard dog ever.'

He laughed and pulled her to his lap.

She settled in against him as he used his Lost Magic to show them images of places he'd been to during his years of roaming. He told them stories of the locations he had travelled.

He wouldn't trade this moment for anything.

xXx

Levy looked back as she headed for the stairs.

Acnologia had used enough of his magic showing stories to her children and shocking Astatine and Anima that he had fallen asleep on the couch with Aegis and Melina.

Gajeel and Metalicana had carried them up to their rooms and he had only grumbled as he started to get up.

She had thrown a blanket over him and told him to get some sleep.

He didn't argue.

She went up and met Gajeel on the second floor where he was coming down for her.

It had taken a lot of convincing to get Astatine to not look at Acnologia like a monster.

She understood he was a Slayer before, turned and gone mad.

But he had changed now.

She believed he had good in him and it would keep surfacing if others were kinder to him instead of fearing him.

Even the worst fighting dog could become a good guard dog if properly treated.

And she couldn't ask for a better guard dog for Melina and Aegis.

"Come on baby. Those stories got to us all. Hell even Grandfather was laughing by the end of the night."

She nodded.

"It was nice to see Astatine laughing at his stories and even adding his own in places he'd been too." Levy said.

Gajeel scooped her up and headed upstairs.

She leaned against him as he carried her to their room.

Just a couple more months and it would be a full year since the Master left.

She wanted Fairy Tail back, that was still a given, but she had come to love this life.

Doing research and small jobs for the Council in preparation of their much larger mission.

It was satisfying.

He laid her on the bed and headed for the bathroom.

Levy was so tired she didn't feel like moving anymore.

She listened as Gajeel washed his face from the training he had done earlier and she turned to see him come out of the bathroom again.

He had pulled his shirt off and he threw it in the basket.

He went to the dresser and pulled the pair of cotton pants he usually slept in off the top.

She watched him change and he reached up to pull off the headband keeping his hair somewhat tamed.

Gajeel came back to the bed carrying her nightshirt.

He was gentle as he stripped her and pulled his old shirt on her.

As he laid down, she snuggled against him.

"I love you Gajeel."

"I love you too baby."

She closed her eyes.

What would they do if Fairy Tail never came back together?

xXx

Metalicana watched as his father played with Aegis.

He felt someone sit beside him and turned to face them.

It was Acnologia.

He was a bit startled, having not even known the man was in Haven again.

It had been a month since his father had allowed the notion that the Dark Dragon was alright.

His Lost Magic was similar to Anima's Creation but not the same. Anima claimed the Lost Magic that he carried was more the ancient art that had come after. It was Human derived because they couldn't use Creation Magic. Hence why Levy hadn't until she became a Dragon.

"You still fear me, don't you?"

Metalicana sighed. "No. I don't fear you Acnologia. I fear you losing yourself again. Honestly, the only one here who outranks you in strength is Anima. But physically he's weak, which is your advantage over him. I'm just worried that you'll get lost again and I don't want that to happen."

Acnologia looked down and Metalicana reached over to ruffle his hair.

"But relax, I know you're getting better all the time being around Melina. It's showing quite well. You used to not even take Human form. Now it's become second nature again."

Metalicana looked out at his father again.

Aegis was getting quite strong. And so was Melina.

Speaking of, the girl got up from where she was sitting closer to where her brother was play fighting.

They both watched her come to them.

Metalicana sighed as she climbed up between them on the bench.

She leaned against Acnologia and it made the Dragon soften.

"See, you're not a monster anymore. I understand you went crazy because you lost your Mate to a Demon, I really get that. And I'm really glad that you have a Mate again. Even if she is my granddaughter."

Acnologia made a low laugh.

"Yeah. I won't go insane again."

They both glanced down as Melina played with the fingers of his right hand.

It was strange to know such a child was Mated to the Monster of their people. But he had yet to act on either instinct. Destruction or claiming.

She traced a finger over the swirling tattoos on his arm.

He smiled until she hit a bruise on his forearm.

Metalicana saw him wince and she pulled away.

She started to tuck into herself, knowing she hurt him.

But Acnologia took her hands again and very carefully held them.

"You know when she gets older she'll be added to the list of people who can kick your ass right?"

Acnologia laughed. "She can already and she knows it. You all might not want to see it, but for her, I'm putty. Lady Levy will be a grand Queen of Dragons. I have a lot of respect for the girl who knows how powerful I am and yet still doesn't fear me. Better, forgave me for my actions against her Guild."

"Yes, you said you scented Zeref and Natsu confirmed it for us. I do forgive you, I was just angry because...I thought I lost Gajeel forever. Had you really killed him that day, you wouldn't be sitting here now. I might not be able to kill you, but as Igneel proved, you can be hurt."

Acnologia glanced at his left side where he was missing his arm. "True enough. But I can get it back. Melina is working on it with her studies."

Metalicana nodded. "I figured. But I think it's good for you right now."

They both turned to watch Astatine play with Aegis.

"Lots of 'A' names in your family you know. Astatine, Anima, Aegis."

Metalicana smiled. "Acnologia. Yeah, we have a few."

"You..."

"Might as well start thinking of you as family now. Given that you'll be joining it eventually. King of the Dark Dragons, married to the granddaughter of the Metal Dragon King. What a screwed up lineage."

They laughed. "So who's throne do the kids take over?"

Metalicana laughed before frowning to actually think it over. "Huh, yours I guess. Since Aegis would have mine after Gajeel. Looks like Melina would be considered Queen before her mother. Since I'm sure Gajeel ain't ready yet. Even if Levy is."

"Speaking of which, Melina and I were wondering...while she isn't old enough physically...will you..."

Metalicana frowned at him.

He looked nervous until Melina ran her hand down his arm again, avoiding the bruise.

"Will you guide us in Bonding?"

"I..." Melina reached over to touch his arm.

'It is what I want. I want him to be stable and I want him to have family again.'

Metalicana sighed. "I suppose. But not today. Let me...let this sink in. You're still young, even mentally."

She nodded, but he could tell she didn't think of herself as young mentally.

Hell, she had been as smart as her father before six months. Nearly as smart as her mother now after ten.

This might take at least the rest of the day to mull over. Bonding was permanent. It would have solved his insanity before because chances were high that he would have killed himself instead of going insane.

It was playing roulette with your life to lose a Mate. Metalicana knew from experience. Had Gajeel not found him, he might have gone off the deep end a good while back. Luckily his son had kept him together for those short years.

He would help them, next week.

For now, he needed to talk to his son.

Fairy Tail needed to come back too.

So many things to fix.

xXx

Acnologia stood in the doorway of the kitchen.

Levy was adorable running around, collecting things for her mission with the Council.

Gajeel came downstairs.

"Come on Shrimp, we don't have all day. Lily is waiting with the Council."

"I know, it's just..."

Acnologia reached down where Melina stood at his side.

"Don't worry Lady Levy. I think I can handle a couple kids. Between myself and Anima and Astatine, we should have it covered."

Levy looked at him.

"You're totally sure? We'll be out of contact for a week...oh this was a bad idea."

Her Mate came up behind her.

"Calm down Levy. I'm sure my grandparents and Melina's Mate can take care of them. I mean, who would honestly hurt either of them with the known strongest Metal Dragon, the Creation Dragon, and the Monster of Dragons around?"

Acnologia didn't even feel a twinge at being called that.

Maybe because Gajeel meant it respectfully.

It had been just over eleven months since Fairy Tail disbanded.

Partly because of him.

He had heard the rumors that Alvarez was going to go to war with them.

Hell if he'd let that happen to Fiore.

Melina called it home, so he'd protect her land of die trying.

And all things considered, Zeref was wrong.

That man might be a Death Mage, but he was a real Monster when he wanted to be.

The Dragons would make a miraculous reappearance before Fiore burned under Alvarez.

Even Igneel was healing up nicely.

He'd returned just last week, and under Melina's request and supervision, Acnologia had gotten on his knees in front of the Fire Dragon King to beg forgiveness.

He deserved the still healing burns.

But Igneel also deserved the additional broken arm.

His fire had nearly gotten Melina.

When Astatine stepped between them, Acnologia had been ready to tear Igneel's head off.

Again.

Luckily Melina had calmed him.

Even Igneel had to admit fear at seeing him go partially over the edge again.

Had his child Mate not been able to touch bare skin, he might not have stopped.

He could still feel her tiny hands on his chest, ice cold from her fear.

He watched Gajeel and Levy collect their bags.

"If you really need to get a hold of us, Anima might be able to using an amplified frequency on the communicators Laxus left us." Levy said.

Acnologia waved them off.

"We'll be fine. I can take care of Melina and Aegis."

Levy moved to hug both her children.

"You will keep each other out of trouble right? And Ack too?"

He scoffed, but Melina nodded.

She knew he needed it.

Levy hugged him as well and Acnologia softened as he returned the hug.

She put a lot of trust in him and he didn't want to break it.

He watched her parents head for the gate after Gajeel said goodbye as well.

Even Gajeel had given him a solid pat on the shoulder. Not a hug, but just as good.

They'd all be fine.

xXx

Melina looked up at the sound of the roar.

Anima was at the door in front of her before she could think again.

That roar was a pained one.

And it was Acnologia.

She raced past Anima out the front door and slipped on the stone in front of the house.

The crash of black and red scales almost blew her off her feet.

"Igneel!" Anima shouted.

He moved to step between the two fighting Dragons.

Melina raised her hands as her Magic flared.

Nothing to hurt them, she repeated that like a mantra in her head as Aegis fed her his power as well through their twin link.

She yanked hard on the Magic she shared with Acnologia and he paused.

Long enough for her to put up the barriers.

Igneel slammed into his sphere wall, but it held.

She anchored his to Aegis as he brother came from where he'd been protecting Astatine's unconscious form across the clearing.

Aegis flinched as he took hold of the bonds on Igneel.

"Anima, you let me out right now. I'm going to tear his god damn head off if it's the last thing I do."

"It will be." Anima shouted as he started to head for his own Mate.

Melina glared at both Dragons, her glare softening on the mindless white eyes of her Mate.

He had only paused because she had pulled on his magic and he'd never had anyone do that to him in that state.

His Dragon was learning the hard way that she was stronger than him. Already.

"Anima doesn't have you pinned." Melina shouted at Igneel. "I do."

She lowered Acnologia's barrier to the ground.

He thrashed the moment his feet touched the ground, but her barrier held.

It was being fed by him, so the more he expelled Magic, the stronger it was.

Igneel went still as the rest did.

"Stay away from that monster." He shouted as she moved closer to Acnologia.

Those blank white eyes turned on her as she touched the barrier.

He snarled at her.

"It's me." She said softly.

His snarls turned to growls.

"Shh Logia. It'll be alright."

Anima called out to her as she stepped into the barrier with the Monster of Dragons.

She clouded over the barrier.

The rapid aging magic on her and her brother had just about stopped, leaving her physically at about twelve. She averaged it out to a year per month roughly. She just hoped her Magic had kept up with her body or mind.

Melina knew it hurt her mother to think that her daughter was already fully grown and mentally as mature as herself, but as she stared up at Acnologia, she couldn't deny that how she felt would have been abhorrent in a tiny child.

She loved him, really loved him. Like her parents loved each other.

And she knew Acnologia loved her in return.

She'd tame his Dragon and settle it down eventually.

His breathing was rough as his head lowered to her.

She reached up, slowly and calmly.

xXx

Acnologia could see from his eyes, like watching a faded screen.

His Dragon was snapping and snarling still inside until Melina spoke so calmly.

God he prayed his Dragon wouldn't hurt her.

He'd kill himself.

His Dragon jolted as her tiny hand touched his jaw.

"Shh. I'm here. You're safe with me."

He tried to pull control back and his Dragon snapped at him.

No, this was not going to turn into her funeral.

He glared at his Dragon, distracting it from the outside world.

It was just them.

Inside their head.

The snarling creature facing him seemed to shrink for once as he felt less fear of it.

He gritted himself.

He was never going to let the beast control him again.

His Lost Magic had fed it for far too long.

He shut all his Magic down and he could hear Melina's worry as his body suddenly collapsed.

"Acnologia!"

"See that? She is worried about us. She cares."

The Dragon was barely the size of Levy in Dragon form now.

As he showed less fear and cut off its supply of Magic, it had gotten smaller.

He reached out to grab his Dragon by the head.

"I will not let you feed from me again. Not until you learn to control yourself." He growled. "Melina needs both our forms, but she doesn't need your personality too."

It whined under his hands as it shrank more.

"I don't ever want you controlling me again."

When it was almost as small as a new kitten, he cradled his Dragon.

"I don't hate you. Melina doesn't hate you. But Elva is long dead and it is time you accepted that. We have a new Mate now. And while she is tiny like her mother, she has a heart just as big. I'm sure she can come to love you too if you just give her a chance. Don't you remember those days we used to laugh? She brings me back there and I know there is room for you."

He felt his Dragon curl into a ball.

"I'll give you a tiny bit every day until you can bring yourself under control, but I will never allow you to take the reins again. You'll understand it someday."

Acnologia laid his Dragon down, seeing how fragile it looked.

Not being feared did a number on him after so long.

He had truly loved Elva.

But Acnologia wanted him to love Melina just as much.

He moved to take control of his own body again.

xXx

Melina watched as the Dragon form shrunk away until Acnologia stood in front of her again.

She tried to stop him as he fell to the floor of her barrier.

Without his Dragon size, it shrank down to their size.

He laid on the floor of the sphere.

She leaned over him from his left side.

He opened his eyes as she brushed his hair from his face.

"I'm sorry I scared you." He said.

She shook her head.

"I've never feared you."

He was weak from something and she wanted to ask him.

Instead, she leaned down and kissed his lips.

He reacted with a little shock.

"I...you are still young." He turned away.

She sighed.

Her hands cupped his face as she forced him to look at her again.

"Not that young."

"But...you still aren't old enough to claim."

"Says who? I know more about Dragons than most Dragons. Anima is a great teacher."

She kissed him again.

He gave in this time.

"It is only since interacting with humans that being over sixteen is considered normal." She said. "But if we wait that long, I'll go insane."

He looked worried.

"I'm not asking for more than this, I just don't want you to keep pushing me away thinking I'm still a child."

He sighed and she helped him sit up.

"I...I just don't want to face your parents."

"You? Afraid of my father?" She smirked.

"No, your mother. Lady Levy scares the shit out of me and my Dragon. She's a 'take no prisoners' kind of Queen and I honestly respect that. You take after her so much it isn't funny."

Melina smiled.

"My parents care for you, really. If you claimed me, they'd be annoyed for a while, but my mother understands love. And father...well he's as hard headed as they come. But se can pull him around too."

Acnologia sighed again.

"Lets wait to talk to your parents about me claiming you then. Please?"

She nodded.

"And maybe wait until you are older physically."

"Sorry darling, this is where I stop growing."

He looked her over.

"Damn." He reached to rub his head.

"What's wrong?"

"My Dragon is throwing a tantrum already." He said.

She leaned into him and kissed his temple.

xXx

Acnologia felt the pain lessen down gradually to nothing at her action.

His Dragon was shocked into silence.

He felt her lean on his left shoulder.

For a tiny scrap of a girl, she was starting to fill out.

He would wait for a while yet though, just to make sure that freakish Time Magic had run its course with her body.

Aegis was far more filled out than she was.

He could pass physically as fifteen easily. Mentally he estimated them both to be adults already.

Whatever knowledge they had tapped into in exchange for the ability to speak had been worth it.

He was just glad there was an out clause for them.

He'd search high and low for Aegis to find the boy his Mate.

No young Dragon deserved that kind of thing.

Melina settled in next to him.

"Are you calmed down now?" She asked.

"Yeah. Ready to face Igneel, probably never. That ornery old bastard never liked me. All I wanted was an apology for him calling you and Aegis a couple freak halflings."

He felt her bristle and the barrier dropped.

He pushed to his feet as she stood up.

She faced the old Fire Dragon.

"Why did you two start fighting?" She glared at him.

"That little shit didn't like the truth."

"What did you do?" She took the barrier back from Aegis and started to forcibly shrink it.

He held his ground until she crushed him in against himself and the barrier began to shock him before it would let bits of him slip free.

"You and your brother are little monsters. Half Dragon children shouldn't exist." Igneel snapped.

Melina glared.

"And your father was no better. The high and mighty King of Dragon knocked up a human and disgraced us all."

How had he hid this information from everyone for so long? His hatred of half Dragons should have been evident a long time ago.

No, it had been, he just began hiding it when he had found Natsu.

Did he think Natsu would turn out better than Acnologia had?

That Natsu wouldn't go mad because the boy was different?

He reached to touch Melina's shoulder as she shook.

Astatine struggled to his feet with help from his Mate.

Acnologia watched the man stumble under the weight of the metal in his partners body.

He moved to help him support Astatine.

"I think I was wrong to save you." Metalicana said from beside Aegis. "You've never cared for humans, I knew that. But I thought you changed when you found Natsu."

Igneel laughed.

"Who the hell said Natsu was a human? That kid is just as much a monster as Acnologia. Maybe worse. But at least he doesn't fight with himself."

Acnologia saw Melina's hand clench.

"Don't." He shouted at her.

Her hand unclenched as the barrier started to crush Igneel.

Metalicana rushed to switch places with him as Acnologia went to his Mate.

"Don't kill him just for hating you."

"You were going to." She looked down.

He knelt in front of her.

"No. I lost control of myself and my Dragon was going to kill him for showing you and Aegis disrespect like that."

He still wanted to kill the old Dragon.

"Seal him in human form. It is a much worse punishment for him than death." He said quietly.

She looked up at him.

He saw the shimmer of tears in her eyes.

No one had ever shown her hate before.

She nodded and he rubbed the tears away as they slipped free.

He stood behind her and watched her focus her Creation Magic.

Igneel roared in pain, it turning to a human scream as his body forcibly changed.

Melina drew up a Rune with one hand and stepped forward to shove it onto his head.

Acnologia almost laughed at it.

'Human in body until Human at heart.'

Worst curse ever.

And there were three people in the world who could remove it.

Anima, Levy, and Melina.

It sank into his body to mix into all his cells.

She stepped back and he caught her as she stumbled.

"What the hell did you do to me?" Igneel growled.

"Made you Human in body. But don't worry I'm sure she left you immortal to live out your punishment for your hatred." Acnologia said.

Metalicana laughed and his parents joined in until Astatine coughed.

Acnologia let Aegis take hold of his sister before moving to take Anima's place.

They left Igneel in the field and took the injured Dragon inside Gajeel's house.

Acnologia laid Astatine on the couch.

"Did I..."

"No, it was Igneel who threw me in this form." He shook his head.

That relieved him.

"You just didn't help when you hit me with that blast wave recoil either.

Acnologia winced.

"It's fine. You were aiming for Igneel."

"How can he hate us?" Melina spoke quietly.

xXx

Aegis moved as Acnologia sat in dad's chair and pulled her against him.

She curled up and cried.

No one had ever hated her before.

Mother was so nice to everyone and she took after their mother, so it was hard to imagine.

He watched Acnologia brush his fingers through Melina's hair.

He faced his grandfather and Astatine and Anima.

They looked sad as they watched the two.

"I can only say that I think it is time to find a new King for the Fire Dragons." Astatine said from his laid out position.

Anima had lifted him enough to slip in behind his head.

"What about Flint?" Grandfather asked.

"He isn't as strong as Igneel, but he does at least hold a peace with Humans." Astatine said.

"Or there is Fury. He had a Human Mate before he turned her, so he would definitely understand." Anima said.

Aegis preferred Fury.

"Yeah. Plus, his talent with extreme heat does put him on the playing field with Igneel in strength." Astatine said. He looked at grandfather. "Go find him."

Grandfather nodded. "Come on Ag."

Aegis hurried after him, wanting to meet the future King.

So much trouble and his parents had been gone two days...what a week so far.

They headed for the Artisans Corner where Uncle Morte had moved his family.

Grandfather kept up a quick pace as he headed into the Forge.

"Hey, Opal, have you seen Fury?"

A small head popped up from the dust. Her bright, shining eyes looked thoughtful for a moment.

"In the back, working on a new Lacrima engine for Lord Gajeel."

Aegis watched as she flipped over the railing to land beside them.

She was quite pretty, covered in black smudges.

"Ah, Opal, my grandson Aegis."

"Ah, so you're the prodigy we've heard about. Everyone was talking about how King Astatine was the last real Metal prodigy."

Aegis blinked.

"Yeah, father is quite talented."

Aegis followed as she led the way to the back of the Forge.

"Opal here is a prodigy herself. Quite masterful in the Gem field. Maybe the first Dragon to really set them as a branch of their own under the Earth tree instead of a fluke."

"Oh no, Miss Shuri should be that one, not me." Opal blushed.

She turned slightly to wave his compliment off and tripped.

Aegis acted before he could think and snagged her arm.

She stumbled into him instead and grandfather kept going.

He looked up as his grandfather rounded the last corner to see the King give him a thumbs up and a wink.

Had he set him up?

Opal pushed away, blushing.

"Sorry, sometimes I get a bit tangled up." She said. "Um...you don't talk much, do you?"

He reached to hold her hand.

'I'm a telepath. My sister can speak now, but I'm still trying to work on it.'

"Wow, that was...in my head. That is cool. Can you do it with anyone?"

He nodded. He looked down and dropped her hand.

"Do you have to touch people first?"

He shook his head and focused on her. 'It just helps.'

She took his hand and started to lead him on to where Fury was waiting.

"Well, that's still awesome. Come on, if King Metalicana has need of dad, then it must be important."

Great, her father was going to be the new king.

Just when he thought he might stand a chance.

That spark when he'd caught her had given him a bit of hope that they might be friends.

No, he searched with his Creation vision.

Her energy matched his own.

This was his Mate.

Grandfather must have gotten Anima to search while mother was distracted with other problems.

He was so lovestruck with the prospect of having his own Mate back that he was getting Anima to use a tiny fraction of his power to help find his Mate too.

Anima had more to worry about than him. Grandfather deserved to have his Mate back first.

They came around to where a flash of almost white hair made him pause.

Opal had white blond hair. White with a hint of purple and pink in it, like the stone she was named for.

The man in front of his grandfather was big, at least as big as his father.

His white hair was streaked with red and the red was very carefully braided and all of it pulled back.

His shirt was hanging open and the pants were loose, but this man already stood like a King in front of his grandfather.

"You mean King Igneel..."

"Has lost his ever loving marbles and we're deposing him. Yes." Grandfather said.

Fury laughed deep and hard.

"I was wondering when that would happen after all this." He leaned against the table beside him.

Aegis frowned.

"I mean, he hates Humans and we currently have to shed our Dragon skins for a long while. He wasn't going to ever blend in for long."

"So will you become the new Fire Dragon King?" Grandfather asked.

Fury took a deep breath.

Aegis was a little nervous.

That display of Melina's had been terrifying.

Knowing that the Dragon the world considered a monster cared more about them was honestly scary.

Fury held his hand out to grandfather.

"If you believe I'm suited for the job, then how can I really refuse you Metalicana?"

Aegis let out a breath and Opal hugged him.

It wasn't the ideal solution, but it was much better than the problem they were dealing with.