"Natsu," Lucy said quietly in a warning tone, her dark eyes flicking between her friend and Igneel. She knew right off the bat that he was searching for a fight. And not an argument, like he often did whenever Gray was in the guildhall, but a full-blown fight in which blood was drawn and only one person walked away. She eyed the demonic appearance he'd taken on, a little stunned. Deadly as he could be like this – and in general, she supposed – Natsu was rather stunning. When Zeref had designed him, he'd clearly been clever about it and had crafted a weapon for war with even looks designed to create fear.
Lucy immediately wanted to slap herself, scowling at the fact that she'd practically praised someone who'd caused Natsu so much pain.
Igneel didn't react outside of a hint of a frown upon his scaled face. Blinking down at Natsu calmly, he said, "You've not changed much in eighteen years. I had hoped a Marked One would soothe away the violent tendencies you've always had, but it appears that it has only encouraged them."
Lucy clenched her jaw, not liking the comment. Igneel…he'd not been a terrible mythic to speak to when she'd met him – the only time she'd spoken with him thus far. He was rather arrogant, although she was starting to think that was just a dragon trait.
Natsu didn't drop that grin. It only widened, as if he sought to annoy Igneel as much as he could until he could leave. "Good. It's fun."
"Natsu," Lucy tried again and this time, he glanced back at her. She ignored the icy fury that simmered in his gaze and lifted her chin, gesturing with one hand to Igneel. "What good is fighting going to do?" Natsu opened his mouth and she cut him off. "I know what he did to you." She moved closer to him, ignoring the way he suddenly tucked his hands behind his back and leaned away, as if he didn't want her near the claws and horns that marked him the monstrosity that he seemed to think Igneel wanted him to be.
Lucy leaned in close and murmured so only he could hear, her breath soft on his ear, "You promised me you'd help me stop the destruction of Old Crocus…what if he can help? Besides. He might know more about where the celestial spirits are and how to get Leo to like us."
If this was how they were interacting, Igneel would not tell Natsu what had happened. She didn't think he even fully remembered the day that Layla had died. And Lucy didn't like the idea of forcing him to remember for their sake.
Which only left Leo. And if Leo refused…there was nothing left to do.
They'd have to hope that whatever happened didn't happen a second time.
Natsu pressed his mouth into a hard line, dropping the smile. He had promised. And Lucy looked worried. For him, he realized. She was worried about him and what would happen to him if a fight really did break out in the middle of Igneel's hoard. Natsu marked how Igneel drew back to give them a little more privacy and ground his fangs in frustration.
"We don't need him," he said, "you have me."
"I do," agreed Lucy, running a hand fondly along his arm. He flinched as if she'd clawed him. "And believe me, I'm not disappointed. But…" Natsu was the one behind it all. He was the reason Crocus had to be rebuilt in under three years' time, and Igneel had been one of very, very few who could hold up against him from what she'd gathered in her time there among mythics.
If not the only one who could.
"We need all the help we can get, Natsu," she said quietly.
Natsu clenched his jaw, glaring at her, and she met his gaze evenly, not at all frightened by the lack of warmth she saw there. It was as if this appearance – the magic swelling from his skin at such strengths that even she felt it – had sucked all of the warmth from him.
After a few moments of staring, Natsu ripped his gaze away and narrowed it at Igneel. Igneel waited patiently for them to finish, and Lucy was grateful for it as he told the fire dragon coldly, "I'll tell you the same thing I've said since you betrayed me like Zeref did." Something about that phrase made Igneel flinch, much to his surprise. As if being compared to his brother was the last thing Igneel had expected, and for the first time in his long life, Natsu thought the Fire Dragon King to be rather naive.
"Natsu," Lucy protested a third time, but he ignored her as he stared the Fire Dragon King down and said, "I'll talk to you when you grovel at my feet and apologize for what you did."
The blonde threw her free hand in the air with a scowl of exasperation when the dragon reacted exactly as she expected him to.
Igneel's scarred maw parted, showing the nasty, large teeth that could bite them in half with little effort. A thunderous growl left his throat, deafening. "I will not grovel."
"Then I'm not listening," Natsu spat.
Lucy gently set Happy down so she could rub her hands down her face and then drop them. They slapped against her legs. She almost wished her mother was there. She'd not known her, but Layla surely had known how to deal with Igneel. She could deal with Natsu, but a dragon – a full-blooded dragon that towered above her – was entirely different.
"How about a compromise?" Lucy suggested, forcing her voice to be firm rather than as weak as she worried it'd be when both ancient creatures turned furious looks on her. "Igneel apologizes in general, you listen. And if you're that desperate for someone to beg at your feet," she added sharply when Natsu opened his mouth, "then I'll do it. Because we need the help, Natsu, whether you like it or not."
Interest sparked in Igneel's gaze. "Help?" he rumbled, but Natsu snapped his teeth at him to warn him away from the subject.
He wasn't changing it. Not this time.
Lucy met Natsu's gaze again and this time, he felt like shrinking back at the look that resided there – the unsaid threat. He would agree, that look said, or suffer in some unimaginable way she'd not yet come up with. The look rather reminded him of his mother, when he'd had issues with lighting the curtains on fire as a child, though it was without the pain and disgust.
So, trying not to feel that his pride had been injured, Natsu nodded curtly. If Igneel apologized, Natsu would listen. "One condition," he said sharply, and Lucy inclined her head to show she'd hear it and tell him whether it was acceptable or not. "He apologizes to you, too." Lucy arched a brow, confused as to why, and Natsu said simply, "He insulted you, too."
Lucy furrowed her brow, still puzzled, but understanding dawned after a moment when she recalled words he'd said months ago, when describing the argument after they'd found Scorpio.
"Something about it being a mercy that I would never be able to force someone to endure Marks from me, because then they'd be stuck with someone who only knows death and how to bring it to them. Guess he's not wrong. Look at the Dullahan. He said that whoever would agree to it would deserve it though. That they were as much a disgrace to the world as I was."
For some reason, her lips quirked into a hint of a smile. Natsu hadn't had a single clue that he actually had a Marked One when Igneel had said such words. Yet he still took offense to it. Though, she supposed, Igneel had apparently known and had truly insulted her. She couldn't bring herself to care. "That's reasonable," she agreed despite the fact that she wasn't sure she needed it. But if it made Natsu feel better…
She turned her attention on Igneel, who inclined his head. The dragon didn't seem surprised. If anything, Igneel looked amused. He'd expected such a response. Lucy remembered how he'd mentioned there being a different reason than simple anger for the argument they'd had and hoped they got a decent explanation for it. Because if they didn't, Lucy was confident Natsu would burn the entirety of Tenrou to the ground just to make a point.
Natsu stared sharply at Igneel, waiting, and narrowed his eyes as Igneel dipped his head again, his gaze locked with Natsu's. Neither blinked as Igneel rumbled, "My regret for what I said is vast, and I ask that you both forgive me for my words – and allow me the chance to explain why it was necessary," he added. Such formal words. Lucy wondered if the dragons were always like that when it came to serious topics.
Natsu's face shifted with wary confusion, although he gave a curt nod, not outwardly saying he forgave him. Lucy smiled faintly and nodded as well. "You have my forgiveness," she said aloud, and Igneel's gaze sparked with delight and grief. As if her words reminded him of a woman long gone.
"Explain," said Natsu, not giving Igneel the chance to change his mind. Despite his response, he didn't look as if he truly forgave Igneel. Still, Lucy was grateful he was willing to listen.
Igneel lifted his head and settled himself a little more, massive body shifting. Natsu took notice of him, critically eyeing the dullness of scales and the dust that shook free when he rustled the wings at his back. How long had Igneel resided in the same spot, in the same position?
Before Igneel could begin, however, Lucy said quietly, "The other dragons didn't ask their children to leave just to go with Natsu, did they."
"No," Igneel murmured. "No, they did not. It is very likely they would all have been murdered had they not left." Natsu stilled, confused, and then gaped when Igneel moved again, the light within the cavern just barely revealed a massive scar that encircled his thick neck. "And I did not order our withdrawal because of Layla's death," he added, her name gently spoken.
Natsu was taken aback by the admittance. He slouched a little and this time barely noticed when Lucy slid her fingers along his arm until she'd taken an inky hand in hers, squeezing lightly. "What?" he breathed, not sure what to think of the revealed information.
Igneel continued. "I hear you intend to gather the celestial spirits, as Layla and I once did," Igneel said, and Natsu found himself tightening his hand when Lucy gasped, as if just remembering those precious keys. He had them; they were safe. He'd hand them over later. Even the spirits seemed okay with it, remaining quiet in his pocket. "As such, I will not tell you what happened when Layla left this world."
Natsu gnashed his teeth. "I need to remember –"
"Yes. But I will not be the one to tell you. You need to finish what you've started, and achieving the permission of Leo to become Guardian will ultimately help you. Especially if your identity somehow comes into light. Acquiring Leo's approval may very well save both of you from execution should it happen."
"Which it won't," said Natsu sharply. Only a few knew, and those who did wouldn't rat him out. He knew that.
Igneel leveled him with a glare that silenced him. "It could. Secrets, no matter how precious, do not remain secrets forever, boy. Do not forget that." His voice calmed as he focused back on what he'd been saying. "I was the one to erase the memories you have of that day, Natsu, and I will not apologize for it." Natsu began to bristle, flames gathering at the corners of his mouth. Lucy took one look at the darkness of them – the black flames hotter than hellfire – and squeezed his hand pointedly. He settled reluctantly. "Had I not, none of us would still be standing. Leo will likely tell you why."
"Great," muttered Lucy. "No pressure."
"After what happened," Igneel said quietly, "many of the dragons turned their heads in favor of another, who they thought would be a better king than I to the dragons. One who would eliminate END without so much as a second thought, simply because he could." Natsu furrowed his brow, not remembering such a thing. "I chose to order the dragons to withdraw for two reasons. One was so that the damage would be limited. A war among dragons would wreck every inch of the world unless it were secluded here, where magic protects us – and controls our actions.
"Most of our kind didn't appreciate it. Almost immediately, there were utterings of rebellion. As you are aware, Natsu, the majority of the nest detested your presence here. So I decided it would be best if you left. Not because of what you are," he added when Natsu scowled, "but because of who you are. The second reason I ordered the dragons here was to ensure that you would leave and not have to endure what lingered here, the hatred that remained after centuries of festering. I…admittedly did not intend for what happened between you and I to occur. Within days, we'd sent Wendy, Sting, and Rogue away as well. Only Gajeel refused to leave – but he eventually left on his own terms. I hear that he has since settled nicely as Guardian of the Archives."
"He has," Lucy supplied. She'd had a word with Metalicana in the three weeks she'd been there, when he'd surprised her with a gentle approach and request to hear about his son. In fact, each dragon had come and requested to know how their children were, and Lucy regretted that all had made her promise not to tell them.
Ignoring her comment, Igneel pushed on. "The remaining dragons grew more aggressive. We had put down the majority within the first year and the last the second. Had it not been for Grandeeney's loyalty and ability to persevere through pain, Zirconis would have killed me. He managed to surprise me." Igneel looked annoyed by it. "He was always stealthy."
Natsu's mouth went dry. "Grandeeney…Grandeeney killed Zirconis?" Igneel gave a nod, and Natsu let out a gust of air, impressed with the sky dragon. When he caught sight of Lucy's confusion, he said quietly, "Zirconis Marked Grandeeney and she Marked him centuries back, just after I came here."
Lucy's lips parted in shock, and she remembered the beautiful green scales she'd seen dotting a section of Grandeeney's feathered hide. "Oh," she breathed.
Natsu thought that Grandeeney's viciousness over getting him there made perfect sense in that moment. His stomach churned as he considered what Igneel had told him, his hand still clasped in Lucy's to help keep him there. Her hand was soft and warm, and he was grateful for the comfort it provided, although he didn't like that he needed it.
Clearly finished with his story, Igneel settled back to wait and see how Natsu responded. It took Natsu a few moments to formulate a still semi-irritated response. "You said what you did because you didn't think I could hold up against a few dragons?"
Igneel answered quietly, "I will not lie to you and say that all of my words were said for that reason. I admit that I was angry and my Marked One had perished. The events that took place occurred at a time in which I was not, perhaps, in my right mind. It is not an excuse," he added when Natsu scowled. "Merely an explanation. It was a bad time for me to deal with such matters. However, it was the only time in which I could. The first fights came mere days after you left."
Natsu looked uncertain now, wanting to continue being angry with Igneel but finding that he was simply tired of it. Tired of the anger that had fueled him for almost two decades. Tired of it in a way that reminded him of the last few years of the Demonic Wars, when he'd first began to question whether Igneel was as bad as Zeref said.
Igneel's harsh words were not something he'd ever forget – nor did he think he'd ever fully forgive him. But he had other things to worry about now, and Lucy was right even though he loathed the idea of working with the Fire Dragon King.
If something really was coming to destroy Crocus and the Eclipse Gate…it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a dragon on their side.
A thought suddenly occurred to him and Natsu narrowed his eyes. He focused on Igneel again and said sharply, "You said that the dragons wanted someone else as king. Who? Who did they think would be a better king?"
Igneel snorted angrily, smoke and flames shooting from his maw and nostrils. The change made Lucy jump, even as Natsu merely shifted his weight. "You know precisely who has challenged me and will continue to challenge me until the day I can rip his throat out with my teeth. You met him only once, in the last battle of the Demonic Wars."
Lucy was confused when Natsu, who seemed indestructible and ready for every fight thrown his way on a good day, stared at Igneel in horror, nearly crushing Lucy's hand by accident. "You can't be serious. No way in hell. There's no way he's come out of the woodwork. He's not been seen in centuries."
Something flickered in Igneel's gaze that told Lucy that wasn't entirely true, but she kept quiet. Gently prying her hand away, "Who are you talking about?"
"Acnologia," Natsu said hoarsely. "He's as bad as I was, just didn't have the popularity to stay in the stories like I did." He ran his fingers through his hair in distress, catching sharp talons on the horns that still lingered on his head. "Worse. He ate people."
"I'm glad to hear that you didn't," muttered Lucy, "but what made him suddenly become a problem during that battle? You've never mentioned him before, and no one in the history books I read mentioned him. Was he on the good side?"
"He was on his own side, which was allied with Zeref," admitted Natsu. He grimaced. "Something had happened, and I don't know what it was, but…" He shrugged. "I only met him once. He was horrible, and even I had issues fighting him. He just liked to destroy."
"And still does." Igneel sighed heavily, the sound loud in their ears. "Gajeel sent word to Fairy Tail's guildmaster, who got the information out to everyone else. Northern Enca has been turned into dust with no explanation. He believes it to be Acnologia's work."
"So stop him like you did the others," Lucy said firmly. "Surely you can do it. Or talk to him. Even the worst people can be talked to if you try hard enough."
"You are but a child," Igneel told her almost gently. "You would not understand without meeting Acnologia. There is no discussing anything with a dragon like that. And I did try to kill him in the last fight of the Demonic Wars. I failed."
"After tearing his arm off," Natsu muttered.
But Igneel shook his head. "I did more than that, but it is nothing that would weaken him. Likely, it made him stronger." He suddenly lowered his head to the ground, resting it there. "I have explained myself. I do not expect more than you will give. I have known you longer than anyone else who lives, and I know that you are not a forgiving person, regardless of the block in your mind. It is enough to know that are aware of my reasons. We will not leave this nest even now, but we will not isolate ourselves any longer. You have my encouragement to call upon us should you need information that you cannot achieve yourselves. We will help you where we can."
"But you still won't leave," muttered Natsu, not finding the help Igneel was offering to be all that fantastic. Scowling, he turned away, ready to leave, but paused when Lucy said softly, "Thank you, Igneel. For the safety you granted me after Grimoire Heart. I am grateful." Natsu paused to look back in time to see her bow gratefully to the Fire Dragon King, who snorted affectionately at her.
"The only request I have for you, Lucy Heartfilia, is to refrain from losing the last item that Layla carried upon her person."
"Something easily done," Lucy said, patting the armband. She smiled one last time, and then trailed after Natsu, calling over her shoulder as he stalked out, Happy at his heels, "Goodbye, Igneel! I hope we meet again!"
Natsu rolled his eyes, but let Lucy take his hand again.
Igneel murmured a farewell in turn, and Natsu began the process of shoving down that dark magic he'd let loose. It was hard to leash again, after so long of being locked up. It didn't help that the book hidden here on this island was yanking at him desperately, calling for him. But the hand he kept in his helped. Lucy squeezed his fingers again as those horns shoved themselves painfully into his skull, as the inky stains faded from his skin.
Eventually, it was just Natsu walking, not END, and he stopped suddenly when they reached the main cavern, turning to look down a specific one. He hesitated. "Natsu?" Lucy said softly.
Natsu lifted his chin. "I want to stop and grab something I left. Can you wait here?" He looked anxiously at her, suddenly worried she'd disappear if he left for too long.
Lucy merely smiled widely to show her agreement, scooping up Happy. Reassured, Natsu disappeared down a tunnel.
To all those who wanted to know about Grandeeney's Marked One. ;)
Thank you for 900 reviews by the way! I'm eternally grateful and can't wait for what this year will bring in ODAS. I think you'll all be on pins and needles at some point. ;)
Thanks to reviewers (Meow Orbit, Kinaseptiana, stranger1999, Sydneste, AnimusLunari777, Lodemai04, Shannyrox101, itsxoi, Uchida Akira, LePengwen, Eyriegirl, FairyTailxFanGirl, Lovetoreadff, ThirdGreed, CodenameMise, and Lissuin!) as well as those who favorited and followed!