Hey guys, I know its been a hot minute since my last update but honestly I had some serious writers block. I was having a hard time finding the right way to transition the story and I had baby so I've not had much time to write. I promise though that I will finish this story eventually. Also please excuse any grammar errors, I didn't do a lot of editing. Anyway here's the newest chapter, it's short but I still hope you enjoy it and the next chapter is most likely going to have a little smut and will hopefully not take so long to write. Enjoy!

Chapter 17: Winds of Change

It's been a long and eventful night, once those left on the ship made it to land many things happened and since there was so much to do they split up. One group went to check on the slayers and dragons and the other group went to check on the village.

The group checking on the villagers arrived to find them running around in hysterics like it was the end of days, so getting them to calm down was quite difficult - however they did finally calm down. Once they were calm they were brought to where the dragons are and now everyone is waiting for Igneel to explain what happened here all those years ago.

Lucy POV

It's almost dawn now and everyone is finally gathered around ready to hear the dragons' tale, though the villagers are huddled close together and look absolutely terrified. Natsu is sitting next to me holding my hand but his eyes are on Igneel as he settles into his place at the head of the crowd. Once settled he clears his throat -making many jump in surprise- and greets everyone with all the warmth and grace of a king.

"Hello everyone. It is nice to see so many new faces and to meet so many new friends. Though I see some of you are a bit uncomfortable, let me assure you though human is not on the menu tonight, so may you rest at ease." I wonder if he realizes that he implied humans could be on the menu another night, hehe, probably not. "Well, shall I tell our story now?" Everyone nods, and many cry out with a yes, causing the old dragon king to chuckle at their impatience. "Very well. Truth be told it isn't a very long tale but I'll give it nonetheless.

About one-thousand years ago a cult had formed and was seeking the power of dragons. At first we didn't take them too seriously but then they began attacking some of the families on the outskirts of the island. The five mages they had with them were very powerful but they weren't strong enough to take on a full grown dragon, which is why they decided to go after the hatchlings and the eggs when the adults were gone off to hunt. It didn't take long before I ordered all dragons to the center of the island where our largest force was, however, in doing so they were able to create some kind of barrier that trapped us in this area while they figured out how to detain us. We were trapped that way for about a month before they cast the spell that turned us to stone.

Once they had us trapped to where we couldn't fight back they began the experiments. They were extensive and painful to say the least. In their quest to extract our magic they killed many, both young and old. However, over time the cult gave up. The mages moved the spell to a binding stone and entrusted it to the village of scientists when they left. The scientist decided to stay here which is where our current villagers descended from.

Over time the truth about our imprisonment was lost and the village came to believe we tried to destroy their ancestors but they were able to seal us away with the help of the gods that created the stone.

So there you have it. I told you it wasn't a long tale."

With the story done we all sit in awe staring at Igneel trying to figure out how he can be so easy going about the whole thing. Eventually though the village priest steps forward. "If I might ask, why is it you do not seem angry?" Igneel cocks his head to the side as if to consider the question. "You're wrong, I am angry. My people lost one-thousand years. We were left to suffer our own minds, and I myself lost the chance to see my son grow. So yes I am angry, but there is nothing I can do to change what happened and I see no need to take it out on you. The current village had nothing to do with our curse, however, I will say that you staying here would not be wise. Many dragons never trusted humans to begin with and this did nothing to help their faith in them. I would not be able to guarantee your safety." With that said the villagers couldn't help but become even more uneasy, which is understandable. These people have nowhere to go and no understanding of the outside world; there has to be some way we can help them.

Just as that thought is crossing my mind, I hear one of the villagers sob out, "But where will go? This is all we know!" The distress in their voice was heart wrenching. I looked to Igneel to see his thoughts on the matter but for the briefest of moments I saw rage in his eyes. He composed himself quickly though so I doubt anyone else saw it. As he seemed to be contemplating their options Natsu reaches out to me through our mind link. Do you think they could go to Celeste for the time being? Between the guild and your parents we might be able to find them a permanent solution. He truly is a brilliant man.

"Might I offer a suggestion." I speak up, getting everyone's attention, to share Natsu's idea. "For the time being they could go to Celeste. It wouldn't be a permanent solution, the kingdom is too small, but it at least gives them a safe place to go while we look for a more permanent option. I know my parents wouldn't mind and the Fiore government is already there trying to find placement for the soldiers that got caught in our spell." Once I've finished speaking the villagers and Igneel both look to be contemplating my proposal with relief written across their features.

After a few moments the village priest stands and looks at me. "We humbly accept your offer of assistance, and greatly thank you for your kindness." I smile at him, "It is not me you should be thanking, but instead the young dragon prince by my side. He is the one who thought of it, not I. However, I look forward to working with you." They all look to be surprised by my words. After a short moment the priest turns to Natsu and bows his head. "We thank you for your kindness, prince. You have our respect and we can't wait to see the king that you'll become."

As the talks come to a close everyone divides into teams to help the villagers prepare to leave, the dragon slayers and Lucy are the only ones who stay behind with the dragons.

With everyone else gone Igneel looks to the young slayers. "Now then, shall we discuss the fun part to come? Your training."

"Training? What training?" Sting is the first to shake his confusion and speak, his question however, makes Natsu realize the others didn't get the same information as we did before, causing him to speak up and explain.

"They have to complete our training. When we were sent to the future they couldn't be sure how we would adapt and adjust to our growing power so they sealed a good portion of it away on each of us. The training Dad is talking about is to help you slowly unseal your abilities at a safe rate so you can handle them properly. Though, I get a feeling my training is gonna be a little different."

When Natsu is done speaking he looks to others as if to say anymore questions, to which Gajeel responds. "Since when are you so smart and regal? This is really starting to freak me out. You're usually such a dimwitted moron."

Natsu narrows his eyes and before I know it he has Gajeel in the air by his throat. "You will not. speak. to me. like that. again." The growl coming from his chest could almost give a full grown dragon a run for their money, and his hand is blazing with a brilliant gold flame that is causing Gajeel's steel skin to melt and crack rather quickly. He actually looks a bit scared as the flame starts to touch his real skin. Seeing the panic in Gajeel's eyes I realize I need to try and stop Natsu before any real damage is done.

"Natsu! That's enough! You're going to really hurt him!" I rush to his side and place my hand on his heated skin but quickly pull back as the flesh on my palm blisters from the heat. "Ow! Hot!" As soon as Natsu hears my cry of pain he drops Gajeel, who has passed out from the pain, and looks at me with a worried expression.

"Luce! Are you okay? What happened?" He cocks his head to the side, concern all over his features. Before I can respond however, Igneel speaks up. "Natsu? Do you remember what just happened?" His question seems to confuse Natsu though because he cocks his head to the side again.

"What do you mean? I explained the reason for the training and was about to ask if they had any questions when Luce cried out because she hurt her hand, which still confuses me by the way." Igneel looks a bit concerned with his answer. "So you don't remember attacking Gajeel?"

"I'm pretty sure I would remember attacking that lug nut."

"Then how did he get his injuries?" Natsu looks to his left where he had last seen Gajeel but instead finds him unconscious on the ground with severe looking burns around his neck that looks to be mixed with melted metal, and a worried Wendy kneeling beside him preparing to heal him. His eyes go wide and he whips his head around in terror. With a quiver in his voice he asks "Please tell me I didn't do that… I would never really try and hurt him… would I?"

"I'm afraid you did, son. It seems your instincts are awakening already. He disrespected you openly and that triggered a primal response. You were warning him and the others that such behavior will not be tolerated. As the next King of Dragons you have to be strong and demand respect to ensure stability throughout the kingdom. Before you panic though, you will have complete control over time. However this is exactly why I warned you that you'd want to seal your mate bond soon. Both Gajeel and Princess Lucy's injuries could've been prevented with the bond in place. Lucy would have been able to stop you and she wouldn't have felt the fire under your skin, which caused her to burn. Without the bond it will be very difficult to train you and your powers might even consume you at this rate."

When Igneel was done speaking I looked over to Natsu and seeing his look of despair I wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head between his shoulder blades. "Just breathe Natsu. Gajeel and I will both be fine and you'll have control over your new abilities soon. I just know it." I then spare a glance down to Gajeel and Wendy and smile. "Look, Gajeel is already starting to heal."

Natsu takes a deep breath and looks back down at Gajeel to confirm my words and sure enough the metal had already absorbed back into his skin and the angry red mark was now a dull pink, thanks to little Wendy. After looking at him for a moment he softly whispers "Luce, I think we should go away for now."I can feel the worry and guilt through our bond so I give him a light squeeze around his waist and let go just long enough to take his hand. Without looking back he leads us to the trail for the old nesting grounds where we could find some solitude.

Hope you enjoyed this, please please please leave me a review. That's the whole reason I haven't given up on this story!