AN: Thank you AliceCullen3, NinjaFang1331, Kriim-Sauce786, Goku275, Wadeparker, Farzalou, Mythical Dragons, SkyAlpha, and QueerEpileptic.
I feel I should mention right now that Flare Corona does not appear in this chapter. She will appear later on, though I do not plan for her role to be especially big nor for her to be a Hell Flame Dragon Slayer trained by Atlas Flame (thanks again, SkyAlpha. It was interesting to find out that some people use this idea).
Also, I keep forgetting to mention this, but I added a story idea to my profile page. Anybody can use it, as I have no plans to write a story about it myself (though I would be glad if anyone told me about any existing stories with the same concept). Put simply, the idea is "what if Erza's mother came back for her only to find the ruined village, then tracked Erza to the Tower of Heaven, destroyed it to rescue her, and raised Erza (and possibly others)." I also included several ideas for the story.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter.
"Here it is," Natsu told his wife, children, and partner (Happy). "Sun Village, home of the Eternal Flame."
"Wow," said Millianna, awed. "everything's so huge."
"It is a village of giants, after all," commented Happy, a Musica Sword strapped to his back.
"Daddy, can I fight a giant, mya?" asked Blaze, excited.
"Not until you're fifteen," replied Natsu.
"Aww."
"Gwiant!" exclaimed Iggy from Millianna's arms, pointing forward. Everyone turned their heads and saw, just as the youngest Dragneel said, a giant.
"A family of humans and their pet cat?" spoke the giant. "Are you tiny people lost, or have you come to Sun Village for a reason?"
"We came here to see the Eternal Flame," explained Natsu, causing the giant to raise one of his eyebrows. "I'm looking for the dragon that raised me, and I heard that your village's fire takes on the form of a dragon. It might be able to give me a clue to finding Igneel."
"I see," responded the giant. "Our Eternal Flame has protected this village for centuries, since the time when dragons were plentiful, so it could very well help you. Go right ahead!"
"Thanks!" said Natsu, pleased that the giant was so friendly.
The dragon slayer and his family began walking toward the Eternal Flame, which burned brightly in the center of the town. Natsu and Happy stood in front, while Millianna gripped Blaze's hand tightly to prevent her from rushing ahead.
As they approached the Eternal Flame, it started to morph into a quadrupedal form and let out an unusual noise.
"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…"
"Is the dragon stretching, mya?" asked Blaze.
"It is a couple hundred years old," answered Happy.
"Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn…" continued the Eternal Flame, coalescing into a decidedly draconian appearance.
"A real life dragon, mya," said an amazed Millianna as the five of them reached the flaming dragon. "You must be over the moon, Fireball."
"You bet, Milly," replied Natsu. "After all these years, I might actually have a way to find Igneel. I'm all fired up!"
"Dddddddddddddddddddd!" roared the Eternal Flame, its voice becoming enraged. "I am Atlas Flame, the guardian of this village! Diiiiiiiiiie!"
"Crap," uttered Natsu and Happy as the duo shifted into fighting stances. Natsu activated the Dragon Force, while Happy transformed into his humanoid form.
"Nekōsoku Tube!" shouted Blaze, firing her spell at Atlas Flame. However, it was incinerated by the dragon's fire before even touching its scales.
"I'll keep the kids safe!" Millianna told Natsu and Happy. "You kick that guy's ass until he tells you what you want to know!"
"We will!"
"Aye!"
Happy flew Natsu toward the burning dragon as his partner prepared a spell.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
However, Atlas Flame simply grabbed Natsu and Happy in his claw (Natsu using his body to guard Happy from the heat) and flew forward. He continued flying until the three of them were a distance from Sun Village, then threw Natsu and Happy into the ground.
"Take this, E.N.D.!" bellowed Atlas Flame, as his body turned into a tornado of flames. "Fire Spin!"
"I don't think so!" retorted Natsu, Happy flying them into the inferno. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art: Crimson Lotus: Exploding Flame Blade!"
The two fire spells slammed into one another like two wolves fighting for dominance. Eventually the flames died out, leaving both sides unscathed. The same could not be said of the terrain, though, which was now a field of scorched earth.
"I can see how Igneel failed to kill you," acknowledged Atlas Flame. "But that will not stop me from trying. Hell Flame Dragon's Roar!"
"So you do know about Igneel," replied Natsu, grinning as the hellish blaze approached. When it reached him, the Fire Dragon Slayer began sucking up his opponent's spell.
"Impossible!" roared Atlas Flame. "No demon, not even an Etherious, should be able to swallow my hell flames!"
"Yeah, well I'm not a demon!" Natsu retorted. "I'm Natsu Dragneel! Son of Igneel, the Fire Dragon King!"
As he spoke, fire started radiating from Natsu's body. It was more potent than anything he'd ever produced before, as if the draconian fire he'd eaten had combined with his own to produce an ever greater power. It felt… it felt like his father's fire, which gave Natsu the perfect idea of what to call it.
"Fire Dragon King Mode!" declared the Fairy Tail Mage. "Fire Dragon King's Roar!"
An unbelievable inferno burst forth from Natsu, devouring Atlas Flame whole. Once the Fire Dragon Slayer finished his attack, he collapsed to the ground, panting heavily. Atlas Flame emerged from the fire, although his flames appeared dimmer.
"Most impressive, son of Igneel," conceded the dragon. "Had I been anything other than a fire dragon, that would have seriously injured me. The fact that it harmed me at all is a testament to your abilities, and I marvel at what you will be capable of in the future."
"Are you *huff* done?" said Natsu between breaths. After unleashing Fire Dragon King's Roar, Natsu felt the hostility fade from his opponent.
"Indeed, and I must apologize for my transgression," answered Atlas Flame, bowing to the Fire Dragon Slayer. "The years have caught up to me and my mind is not what it once was. When I sensed your Magic Power, I somehow mistook you for E.N.D., Zeref's most powerful demon. Igneel was a close friend of mine, and it shames me that I attacked his son. What can I do to atone for this transgression?"
"It's no big deal," replied Natsu, waving off Atlas Flame's actions. "Not like I've never mistaken someone for another person and attacked them. But, if you really want to help me, I do have a few questions about Igneel…
Sadly, Atlas Flame knew nothing about Igneel's current whereabouts. He was able to provide a few anecdotes, which put a smile on Natsu's face. The two of them (and Happy) returned to Sun Village, where the giant were stunned by their sudden shift from fighting to friendship. Millianna, Blaze, and Iggy just accepted it, though. Natsu is Natsu, after all.
When the trio arrived back in the village, Natsu and Happy explained what had happened. The giants thanked Atlas Flame for continuing to look after them, while the Dragneels marveled over him. All of them talked for a while, before Atlas Flame revealed something upsetting.
"I am a spirit," stated the Hell Flame Dragon. "My body died long ago, leaving only my fire and a piece of my soul. Today's events have exhausted my remaining Magic Power, so even this vestige of myself shall fade soon. Farewell."
The inferno that usually surrounded Atlas Flame began to dim as he released his grip on life. Everyone looked on with sad acceptance, understanding that it was the Eternal Flame had made peace with the fact that it was his time. All except one, that is.
"Wait!" cried Blaze. "Before you go… please teach me your magic, Uncle Atlas, mya!"
The Hell Flame Dragon paused, his fire no longer fading.
"Very well," replied Atlas Flame, a smile on his face. "What sort of dragon would I be if I died before honoring the request of Igneel's granddaughter? If it's for such an adorable little girl, I can hold on for a few more days!"
"In that case, can you teach me too?" asked Natsu. "I could use some help mastering Fire Dragon King Mode."
"I will assist you the best I can," responded Atlas Flame. A new fire was lit in the Hell Flame Dragon, and, while it wouldn't burn long, it would definitely burn bright!
For the next week, Natsu and Blaze trained with Atlas Flame. It was intense, but they both progressed greatly. By the time Atlas Flame passed away, Natsu could maintain Fire Dragon King Mode for several minutes and Blaze was a Hell Flame Dragon Slayer.
"Happy!" shouted Blaze. "Fight me, mya!"
The Dragneels were on their way back from Sun Village. Currently, they were waiting in a train station. Happy was watching over Blaze while Millianna helped Natsu deal with his dread towards going on a moving vehicle.
"Alright, but I'm not going to use my Musica Sword," replied Happy. The Exceed had spent enough years with Natsu to know that Blaze would not stop until she fought him. Agreeing and defeating her gently was the only way to stop her, albeit temporarily. Besides, even though she would lose, Blaze could use the opportunity to practice her new magic.
"I'll just make you use it!" declared Blaze. "Flame Form!"
Hell flames engulfed Blaze, making her look like a humanoid fire monster. Happy responded by undergoing his own transformation, becoming a cat boy with Aera wings.
"Take this!" yelled Blaze, charging at Happy.
She tried to punch him, but the Exceed sailed over her with a flap of his wings. Her target gone, Blaze's momentum carried her forward and brought the girl to the ground. As she got up, Blaze noticed Happy giving her a beckoning wave.
"Hell Flame Dragon's Roar!" shouted Blaze, breathing fire both literally and figuratively.
"You'll have to try harder than that," taunted Happy as he did a loop around her spell.
"That's it!" screamed Blaze, sick of being toyed with. "Dragon Slayer's Secret Art…"
The hell flames surrounding Blaze intensified for a moment, then disappeared. She fell to her hands and knees, panting heavily.
"Phew," sighed Happy, landing next to Blaze. "Your Magic Power must've run dry. Good thing it did; a Dragon Slayer's Secret Art could've destroyed the station."
"I'll *huff* beat you *puff* next time," wheezed Blaze.
"Already thinking about a rematch," mumbled Happy. "Like father, like daughter."
"Thank *huff* you."
"That wasn't a compliment," responded Happy, mentally noting that he would have to remember that Blaze now had a dragon's senses. "But this is: one day, you'll be just as strong as Natsu, if not stronger."
Blaze beamed.
'Like father, like daughter,' indeed.
"…so according to Master Ivan," said Obra, sneering as he uttered the word 'master.' "Tenrou Island will return in 9 months! Kee-kee!"
Zeref listened patiently to his spy's report. Since meeting Atlas Flame four months ago, his brother had progressed greatly. Zeref would still rank Natsu as weaker than any of the Spriggan 12, though.
"Good job," Zeref told Obra. "Return to Raven Tail and continue your work at once."
"As you wish. Kee-kee."
With a bow, Obra left.
"He's still not strong enough," thought Zeref aloud. "Only E.N.D. has the power to realize my desire. But, E.N.D. may not emerge once Tenrou Island returns, not with the upper ranks of Fairy Tail around to prevent it."
Zeref sighed. He took out a pen and paper, and the Ankhseram-cursed man began writing a brief letter.
"I would have preferred to avoid contacting them, but it appears I have no other option."
Mard Geer Tartaros gazed at the letter he was holding. It was short, but the information contained within it changed everything.
A chuckle erupted from his mouth. It was followed by several more, before growing into full-on laughter.
The Nine Demon Gates stared at Mard Geer in shock. What could possibly cause their interim leader to react like this?
Seilah walked up to him, holding out her hand. Mard Geer handed the letter over while continuing to laugh.
She read through it, her eyes widening as she gasped. She reread the letter twice before finally accepting that she understood it properly.
I want to meet with Etherious Natsu Dragneel. Awaken him before the second month of X791.
-Zeref
The identity of their true leader. His imminent return. And, most of all, an opportunity to fulfill the ultimate desire of every Etherious.
Once E.N.D. returned, they would meet their creator.
Omake
Blaze tiptoed forward.
Her parents had left her and Iggy in the Guild Hall, where Minerva would watch over them. Said babysitter was currently dealing with Iggy, giving Blaze an opportunity to do something her parents had forbidden.
"The S-Class Job Board, mya," whispered Blaze jubilantly. If she could complete an S-Class Job, it would show everyone just how strong she had become!
"Now which one should I—"
Blaze found herself slamming into an invisible wall. Purple text appeared, revealing a Jutsu Shiki barrier. The Hell Flame Dragon Slayer could not read any of it, aside from one line.
"Only S-Class Mages and those with the permission of the guild master or one of his advisors may enter this area."
Natsu had hired a mage to cast a Jutsu Shiki around the S-Class Job Board, one sustained by a Lacrima he recharged from time to time. He knew that, one day, at least one of his kids would attempt to follow in his footsteps and repeat the Galuna Island Incident.
'Like father, like daughter,' after all.
AN: In case it was not clear, Zeref wrote the letter months after the meeting with Atlas Flame, then personally put it on Mard Geer's throne while the Etherious was away. It is my understanding that, in canon, Zeref was able to move through Cube/Plutogrim undetected.
The stage has been set for the Tartaros arc. I will say now that, although several parts remain similar to canon, I do intend for there to be multiple differences. The ending will not be the same as canon. Also, I have no clue how many chapters this arc will last, since it cannot be as easily divided up as the 1st GMG/Sabertooth Guild War arc was.
That's all for now. Goodbye!