A/N: Hello! This is my first attempt at making a Fairy Tail Story... An AU, where the canon events will be different from the expected rewrites...
As such, this is the first chapter of the series, and hopefully you guys will enjoy it...

So please leave a review for me to improve, and let me know what you think of my story!

Chapter 1: Igneel and the Adopted Prince

A lone forest, in a continent, lush greenery grows as far as the eyes can see. Many could marvel at the sight, and many could also do some hunting, camping, or training here. But one of the many unexpected things for this forest is, that this forest is the home of one of the Great Dragon King…

Fire Dragon King, Igneel!

In a cave, where he resided his lone life of solitude, he bears his own weight. His scaly body, covered in deep red, with white underbelly, an unmistaken big cross scar over his snout, his sharp tipped nose, and the big claws and wings he possessed, can easily make a person faint. And that is just an understatement, knowing that this great creature can hold high amount of magical power, but just chose to hide it, fearing his life.

He is in a deep slumber, when he sensed a dread feeling, one that he never felt in a long time after his loss. The sense of death. Instinctively, he woke up, and sniffed for the scent. Soon, he came face to face with the perpetrator, and looking at it, he already knows who the person is.

"Are you the one they call Igneel?" the black-haired man asked, smiling in a neutral façade.

"THAT IS DRAGON KING IGNEEL FOR YOU!" said dragon, bellowed in ferocity, instantly scaring the shit out of the wildlife 15 km from his position. And that is coming from the cave that he resided himself in.

"My sincerest apologies, great king…" he replied in a tired tone, but held the respectful timbre.

"Why are you here, Zeref?" Igneel asked after a pause.

Zeref Dragneel, the Black Wizard, as the people would call him. He wore a black cloth with yellow lining astenuating his edges that resembles a whole bodily fit of it, with black pants to boot, as well as his boots, and a white draping robe across his chest to his stomach.

"I need a favor to ask of you, Great Dragon King…" the man replied in a sombre tone. This made Igneel raise his eyebrows, if he had any to boot. Among the any other thing the forest to hold as a surprise was the visit of the Black Wizard. He thought that surely there is nothing that will top that. So, he asked gruffly of the favor.

From the back of the man, an egg-shaped contraption, which seems to be remade to be a glassy or crystalloid chamber, is presented to the dragon. This is not what surprised the dragon, although it would be, if it weren't for the contents of it.

Inside the chamber, lies a child, no more than 4 years of age. He had a spiky pink hair, a docile face, and red pants to cover his genitalia. The chamber is filled with unknown water, so the dragon had appraised the chamber himself in deep thought, but more often than not, is the question that bugs him.

"This, is my brother, Natsu Dragneel…" he answered in a sombre tone, almost akin to a guilty tone.

"That chamber, and the person reeks of death…" the dragon pointed out, narrowing his eyes at the man and chamber.

.

.

.

"That… is because he is dead…" Zeref answered with his eyes covered, but when looked at, held a earnest sadness in them, "I brought him back to life an-"

"YOU DARE!? TAMPERING THE LAW OF LIFE AND DEATH?!" Igneel bellowed, rising from his position, and flapping his wing outward. He could not believe a human to tamper with the cycle of life. And yet here he is, with a revived dead brother, and a vile stench covering him.

"Yes… He is reborn rather as a…" Zeref tried to answer, but couldn't continue in his tone, just whispering the answer, which the dragon heard.

"A demon…" he rumbled weakly.

"Yes… But I feared, that if I stayed with him… He will die, because of my curse… The predator of life, this curse I bear, kills everything I cared for…" he answered looking neutral, or perhaps, emotionless as Igneel looked down to.

"I cared deeply for him, but as he was revived, other complications arise from him… A Demon Seed…"

"What are you going through this boy?" Igneel asked, seeing the things that is already going.

Zeref did not answered straight away, he looked down on the ground contemplating his choices. But his gaze returned, alive, full of hope and determination. "I want you to turn him into a Dragon Slayer!"

Igneel had his eyes widened. Dragon Slaying Magic. A magic derived, to give a human the physical traits of a Dragon, as well as the magic of element, and the senses of one. He knew that this magic is considered lost in time, due to the war that ravaged the humans, dragons, and dragon slayers. He also knew the consequences of using the technique to other people. Even the danger, they managed to change the process of which they gave and bestow their power onto them, yet the fear and danger of turning into one is still there.

He gazed back to the man looking at him in hope and determination. He could not help but think of his foolish decision.

"You realize the small thread you are walking boy. Not only you disrespected the brightness of life, you created an abomination that could potentially destroy the world! You also had the audacity to walk in here, just to turn him into a human once again!?" he bellowed, his words gaining strength as he got to the end.

"Yes, all of it… I realized the mistake of my deeds… Yet, I could not help it… I could not bear the solitude of living alone, where I could never join my family… I only wanted for him to come back to me, yet I created a monster." He replied with tears leaking out of his eyes. He gazed at the chamber, and saw his brother in stasis, before returning to the Dragon King.

"I know of the consequence of my actions! Anksheram may have forsaken me, but all I wanted was a chance for my brother to live once again, normally!" He shouted back, determination leaking out of his body and words, that impressed the great dragon. He almost wanted to test the man further, but the next words broke his thoughts quickly.

"Even if I could not be there, I could be at peace knowing you have him, and he is alive…"

Zeref, at this point, is crying at the pain. He wanted to be with Natsu, yet it was selfish for him to say that. But this is something he have to do… For Natsu… and for the World.

"I shall grant it!" Igneel roared, in acceptance of his request. He maybe a prideful creature, yet he knows, as his age as a wise one, the sacrifice the man is giving. Hell, he knew it since he could say the same for himself.

It may be selfish of him to know that his brother is alive, but the great sacrifice, is that he will never enjoy the feeling to be with his presence. And admittingly to the Dragon King, was more than enough to pass his test of pureness.

He also cannot explain it, but there is a strange tugging on his heart. As if the boy was calling out to him. It was only familiar, one that he could not explain how. It could be the presence of the dragon, but he has to wonder how did it come to that point, to call out to him.

Zeref smiled widely, hearing the answer of the Dragon King. He gave his deepest bow, showing his multitude of gratitude to the creature, "Thank you! Thank you very much!"

"In my honor, as the Great Fire Dragon King! I, Igneel, accept this boy, Natsu Dragneel, to be my predecessor to the Throne! Let this day forward, know the power and greatness of Natsu Dragneel, Son of Igneel, the Fire Dragon King, and the Fire Dragon Prince!" Igneel roared.

"As your request, Zeref Dragneel, I will carry out your wish! To protect him, nourish him, care for him, and to teach him my own magic, as well as our culture and turn him to a leader to be in the future! Upon this land, with my magic and blood. I SWEAR UPON THEE!" Igneel continued. He cut a bit of wound on his claws, and let it pour on the ground. A bit later, fire scorched the blood as it turned into a crimson glyph as it returned back to the earth.

"Natsu… I know you will not remember me, or perhaps will never… But know this in my heart, I did what I had to do for you to live… So live, and have a bright future that only you will create…" Zeref told the pink haired kid. For Natsu though, he heard it, and responded to open his eyes. His onyx orbs stared directly to his brother, to which he teared up while giving a smile, before he blinked, and closed his eyes.

"It is time that I start the process…" Igneel muttered, gaining the black-haired wizard's attention, "I have to take him back to my element, and start the Dragon Soul Shift Technique."

The dragon, with his claws, gingerly took the chamber, before glancing at the wizard. With a nod, he flapped his wings, and started to fly out of the whole above him, to a place where he could start the technique to merge with Natsu's body.

3 Years Later

"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

Young and feisty. That is how the once half demon, now part dragon child grows up. Natsu Dragneel, ever since waking up, has shown a significant liking to the foster parent that he had. That is none other than, Fire Dragon King Igneel himself. Now, Natsu has grown a bit in terms of height, but is still a 'hatchling' as Igneel will say. Just mere months, of constant bugging and annoyance to the great dragon, Igneel has started to teach him the Lost Magic: Fire Dragon Slayer Magic.

And when they are not training, Igneel will sometimes teach Natsu about the roles of a Dragon Prince, and the lineage that he possesses. At first, Natsu was ecstatic about the idea of being a Royal Dragon. All of that changed, when he heard the stories of brutality the old Kings of Fire, as Igneel would say, and the Dragon Civil War.

Since then, he changed the view about it. He is still the Crowned Prince, and he is still happy with the title, but way more lenient about it now. This was something that surprised Igneel so much. A mere brat in his eyes, respects the power he had more than he respects himself in trying to solve the problems Igneel gave him as a test to his intellect as a Prince.

As of now, he is training. A boulder, laid in front of him, did not shattered as Igneel would want. It just cracked, granted it was a great feat considering the size of the boulder is ten times bigger than Natsu is. They had been doing for a week, and the same result just happened.

"Damnit!" the young pink haired mage screeched in frustration. Igneel huffed only, not in disappointment, but rather annoyance to the tantrum fit of the brat.

"Alright that is enough Natsu!" Igneel bellowed to the mage. This quickly stopped him from ranting more and more. "Put your shirt on, and climb up." Igneel spoken this time softly, adjusting himself to allow Natsu to climb perfectly still after putting his red shirt.

"Where are we going?" he asked, while climbing on the wings of his father.

"Don't you remember?" the dragon asked with a wide grin, showing his sharp canines. Natsu tilted his head, for a brief moment, before he realized the day.

"Are we going to see Anna-sensei!?" Natsu excitedly asked. Igneel replied, by soaring quickly to the sky, smiling wide at the giggles he heard at the top of his head.

This is one of the planned meetings that he, and the other dragons had. Discussing their plans to stop Acnologia. This, of course, is not without help from a few humans. But most notably, is two that could see the majestic creatures. One is Zeref, the Black Wizard. The other, is the person that helps the Dragons teach more about the human culture to the Dragon Slayers.

There had been some talks, and constant teasing to Natsu in reprise to the idiot way of thinking he employs sometimes. As well as talking about the other childrens, and their progress. Natsu had a bit of bitterness in him when talking about one of them, but nonetheless held a great respect towards the others, even so to the little girl of their group.

A few flying moments later, they have arrived at what it makes to be a manor of some sort. A three-story house, to that which is colored in white and yellow on the pilars. Around the house, is assortments of plants, flowers, trees, and even herbs arranged in orderly fashion.

Igneel gracefully landed on the backyard, which the land shook a bit from the weight of the creature. Natsu, happy go lucky as he is hopped down from the head of Igneel, eager to find his friends and rival once again.

If he had been so keen of his senses, he could have already tell himself that someone was laying in an ambush for him. Igneel knew before he landed, but waited to see how his son would respond. After all, he is a father that enjoys seeing the life of youth before his eyes.

As soon as Natsu touches the ground, he had smelled the sweet scent in the air. One that is accentuated as fresh air, with soothing scent of plains and grass mixing.

"NATSU!" a small blue blur zoomed to him, and knocked him down in a tackle. Natsu grunted in pain, while Igneel chuckled with a rumble on his throat seeing the young man gets taken down by someone smaller and younger than him.

"Hey Wendy!" Natsu replied, offering a grin to the young girl, now named Wendy.

Wendy Marvel, is another Dragon Slayer, one that is being taught by the Sky Dragon Grandeeney. In age, she is 5 years old is a petite young girl that barely reached Natsu's shoulders, with a blue bob cut hair. She is wearing a blue sleeved top with green diamond shaped design, matched with white skirt, and a pair of sandals. Her face, is ladened with brown orbs for her eyes, and a cute smile as Natsu would call. Wendy, as of now is snuggling deep to Natsu's chest, much to his embarrassment to the matter.

"Uhh… Wendy? Could I get up now?" the fire dragon slayer asked meekly. Wendy on her part, realized their position and blushed at the close contact. She jolted up straight before she felt even more embarrassed.

"S-sor-rry Na-Natsu…" She stuttered on her words, looking interestingly at the ground.

"No worries! I'm sure that I will do the same if was excited like that." He replied, while he patted Wendy on her head. Wendy blushed at the contact, but returned her look to him with a huge smile on her face.

"HAHAHHAHAHAHH! You two certainly are very close to each other…" Igneel bellowed at the two, teasing with a hidden meaning behind his words. Wendy blushed, with practically steams on her ears. Natsu, unfortunately didn't get it and cocked his head to the side and replied, "Of course we are close! We are friends! Right, Wendy?"

Wendy deflated a bit, but remained nodding at the words of Natsu, as embarrassed as she is to him to learn about her 'adoration' to the Dragon Prince. Igneel laughed once again at the two, before another dragon arrived. This time, it was a white one, where the usual scales are changed into feathers. Other than the fact that this one is a female; it exudes great elegance. Her blue eyes gazed upon the two-human child, where the female one, run to her and hugged her legs.

"Momma!" Wendy cheered, seeing her adoptive dragon. Grandeeney on her part, patted the young girl's head with her claw, with care and love.

"Well Wendy, the others are waiting for you two inside." She goaded her daughter. Wendy remembered then, that they are all waiting for Natsu to arrive.

"I forgot! Natsu let's go and meet the other!" she exclaimed enthusiastically to her fire counterpart and started to pull him towards the manor.

"See you Igneel! Great to see you too Grandeeney!" Natsu exclaimed as he faded to the confines of the manor. The two dragons chuckled deeply seeing the overexcited youth.

"They have grown so fast haven't they Igneel…" the Sky Dragon said.

"That they have."

"They are the future our kind, and the humans have waited for. A hundred year of bloody war, and all along came the saviors that will end the one that slaughtered our kind as a thirst for power and revenge. I hope that nothing bad, ever happen to these kids. They have lost so much already, and they will lost something more in few years coming…" Igneel finished with a somber tone.

"Regardless of it, you know that this is the prophecy that you all have waited for. The moment Natsu and the others arrived at you." Another female voice came. The two dragons know the lady is, perhaps due to who she is.

"I have a request for you all if you don't mind…"

For Natsu and Wendy, both of them ventured into the Manor. They had some talks here and there, but Wendy for the most part is much enthusiastic at her learning of the Healing Magic that her Dragon Slaying Magic allows her to do.

Natsu was impressed by this, due to the fact that she was the youngest one to start learning the magic, being half a year late than the other two. They are about to enter a room, when Natsu suddenly caught the sense of attack coming for him. Instinctively, he shoved Wendy to the side to defend himself from what it looks to be a metal pole.

"Good to see you too Gajeel!" Nastu grinned, seeing his rival.

Gajeel Redfox, the Iron Dragon Slayer. He wore an orange V-necked shirt, as well as his black shorts. His eyes are bloodshot-red, one could think of him as a vampire in this time, with his black hair that is as wild as the night is. He is the adopted son of Metalicana, the Iron Dragon, said to be a sub-type of Earth Variant, one much stronger in defense rather hard offense.

Upon seeing his attacked blocked, Gajeel retracted his arms back to him, and crossed his arms in his chest laughing in a weird 'Gi hi'. Behind him are two other kid, one with blonde, and the other black.

The blonde, is the White Dragon Slayer, Sting Eucliffe, and son of the White Dragon Weisslogia. He wears an orange long-sleeve with white open vest, and darker white pants. Additionaly, his eyes are deep blue that naturally gives him a much nicer complementary blend to his coloring.

The black-haired kid other than Gajeel, is the Shadow Dragon Slayer, Rouge Cheney, and the son of the Shadow Dragon Skiadrum. Much like Gajeel, his eyes are blood red, and his hair is black. His clothing consists of brown sweater and black pants.

"Great to see you ain't being a slouch." Gajeel taunted his rival. The other two dragon slayers started to sweat, at the prospect of a duel erupting inside the Manor.

"Natsu-san, Gajeel-san, please don't make Anna-sensei mad at us…" Sting asked politely his idol and his rival. Rouge just had an uneasy glance at the two. He had been the calmest, yet under that stoic and hidden expression of his is worry about the duel too.

Natsu and Gajeel stared at each other longer than they think of, before the two grinned and crossed their arms at each other like a form of greeting. This diffused the thick tension at the room, before the other pair looked at each other. Sting offered a huge grin, while Rouge just smirked on his face. Wendy has a very bright smile on her face.

As of now, the room is flowing with the aura of the 5 Dragon Slayers. All of their personalities being shown in the current display. If one of the personnel of the room would see, it is as if a manifestation of 5 dragons also showed behind them, but for Natsu was more of a humanoid shape. But that peace was broken eventually…

"Your hit is weak as always, Metal face." Natsu taunted his rival after the peace.
"Da hell you are talking about, Ash breath?!" Gajeel replied in gritted frustration.
"What did you call me, Metal prick?!"
"Fire brain!"
"Metal asshole!"
"Ashen shit!"

At this time, the other three had a myriad of sweat-drop at the sight of the other two rolling on the ground and wrestling their way around each other.

"Ara, you two certainly are excited!" A young but very beautiful woman entered the room. Her long blonde hair was swishing on the sides at her entrance, with her soft brown eyes gazing lovingly at the five mages of the room. She is wearing a green long-sleeved top that resembles a sage, with white long skirt reaching her ankle hiding her boots, with white crop top, and a high collared blue cloak. This is Anna Heartfilia, the Celestial Wizard that is supposed to help them.

"ANNA-SENSEI!" every occupant of the room exclaimed altogether, with Wendy taking claim of her legs as she held it in her hug showing her affection to the lady. Soon the others followed, with Gajeel and Rogue standing behind the other three as there is no more room to cling on.

"I just finished talking to you parents about some things." She started earning the full attention of the people on the room, ", and if all of you are good kids. Then you can stay for three weeks here!" she ended enthusiastically. The Slayers beamed widely at this, even Wendy to the point of squealing in delight.

"So, if you are all good kids, let us start with our lessons for today. Oh, Natsu and Gajeel?" Anna called out the two, which visibly paled at the sweet smile that she given them. "If you two behave and listened for me for the next three days, then I will allow it for you two to spar sometimes." She spoke.

"Gi hi! / I'm all fired up!" the two gave their grunted approval, granted for Natsu was with flames coming out of his mouth.

Following days were alright for everybody. It was a simple teaching about human culture, proper etiquette, as well as learning how to write and read. This is easier said than done however for the two head strong Dragon Slayers, but with the spar on the line, kept them in check to the point they both read 5 paragraphs of passage finely.

The nights at the manor were different to say the least for Natsu and Wendy. It appears the Sky Dragon Slayer's miniscule 'adoration' yearns attention every night for him.

[FLASHBACK]

Everybody is in bed by now. The whole group, sans Anna, is on a single room. Each had their own beds, as well as their own-colored blankets. This is one of the reasons that they always look forward to the night at the Manor. But this was more evident at the young Sky Dragon Slayer, to her own desires to attention.

She was woken up at the middle of the night, unease being far from her mother. Granted that she knows that she could still feel safe with them, she is rather still a bit young for her to be very far from her foster mother. She hobbled to the bed, where the Dragon Prince was sleeping. Gently, she shook him while calling out to him quietly to keep the others from waking up. He stirred after the 4th try, rubbing his eyes and focusing at the image of the sleepy blue haired girl.

"Wendy?"

"Can I sleep with you again tonight?" she meekly asked, her face blushing the whole time. Natsu just weakly smiled before he opened his blanket and allowed the young girl to climb inside. She scurried herself up the bed, and tried to nestle inside the warm confines. Natsu wrapped the cloth around them, when he snapped his eyes closed.

He then felt a sudden shift and found himself being hugged by Wendy. Her face is buried on his chest as he heard the soft snoring, possibly a lowly rumble on her throat, akin to what seems to be purring. His sleep took him from his thoughts with a smile as he resumed snoring. Wendy though had a big smile on her face, burying further to his chest as she could feel the warmth from it.

'So… Warm…'

[FLASHBACK ENDS]

Right now, it is the last day of training day for them. Tomorrow will be their relaxation day, and in the afternoon will be the time that they will separate for some time before they meet again. The Dragon Slayers are training upon expanding their magical container.

Wendy and Rouge had been successful so far, other than some mishaps in controlling the flow of Magic in their body. Natsu, Gajeel, and Sting had been struggling, due to perhaps their rash nature. The trio cannot just sit still, that it took Capricorn and Leo to keep the three down. Eventually, all five managed, and to her astoundment did very great.

When Anna announced that they are done for the afternoon, all five of them finally succumbed to their tiredness. Anna went back to the manor to get some water for the five, while Natsu and the others wobbled to side of the wall.

"That is so harddd…." Natsu moaned in tiredness as he flopped down, with his back against the wall. He was panting hard, yet they all are. Soon, the others rounded around him, with Wendy being wobblier on her steps.

"So… Tired…" she flopped down on the nearest space she could, right into Natsu's waiting arms. Natsu was startled when she started to fall, but noticed her trajectory into him. So patiently he waited for her to reach his arms and adjusted her to a better position. Her head is now on his chest, and she is sitting on his lap with her tiny legs on the side. When she felt the comfortable heat, she snuggled much deeper to the source.

"So warm…" Wendy mumbled unconsciously, as Natsu's natural heat claimed her to the dream realm. The others were startled by this, and flocked around the duo. Sting, being the fanatic to his idol, is the first to come much closer. He reached out and touched his shoulders and found out what did Wendy meant.

"Ahhh… Soo….. Good…." Sting mumbled before he sat-up to his side where he leaned to his shoulders. Natsu didn't complained, but rather smiled weakly before he took his sleep. He didn't notice Gajeel leaning on his left side with a satisfied sigh. Rouge shrugged his shoulders and joined his brothers and sister on the pile, his position on the middle of Gajeel and Natsu, as to become a bit of a wall for when Wendy shifts.

It took about 20 minutes for Anna to came out of the Manor, where she was greeted by the most heartwarming sight in her whole life, even though she has her own daughter. Natsu was holding firm onto Wendy's waist, with her leaning backward and holding close to the personal heater they have. Gajeel and Sting on his shoulders, leaning towards to each other with Gajeel side-to-side with Natsu, and Rouge in between them. All five of them have a satisfied smile on their lips.

Anna shook her head on amusement, before she decided to do something. First is she got a lacrima recorder, and took a snap of the photo there. The setting sun gave a very great view, with the yellowish hue giving off a vibrant setting for them, simple as that. A flash of light behind her startled her, but didn't turned around as she knew who it was.

"They are so cute altogether…" Leo, the celestial spirit, and leader of the Zodaic Signs, commented with small smile.

"Indeed, they are, Madam…" Capricorn, her assistant in most of her endeavors, spoken with a rare smile, one that shows impressiveness.

"They are just brats right now. But it is a good sight for a change…" Aquarius, one of her most powerful spirit, added.

…

"Soon, they will all separate, and enter a harsh world of reality… In my hopes to the stars, that may never change what they had today."

July 7, x777; Early Midnight

Almost everybody is asleep at this moment. That is the time where most people are in deep slumber, but not for some. A young blonde woman, identical to Anna Heartfilia, is standing in what it looks to be a huge gate with an emblazoned sun on the center, and on top a three pieces jewel. This is Layla Heartfilia, one of the known users of Celestial Spirits. Beside her is the King of Fiore, Toma E. Hisui. Beside him also is his trusted General, Arcadios. She had felt the time to open the gate, one where it connects the past to the present in her time.

The Eclipse Gate…

It has been their family greatest mission, to await the gate to be opened, and for the arrival of their hope. As Layla focused more of her magical power, one could see the strain of her holding the gate to be opened. In order for the gate to be opened, one must perform a spell in order to direct the magic power of the gate to open. This required the 12 Zodiac Keys, in order to safely open the gate without any problem. But for her, it seems like it was an impossibility.

Layla had 11 of the 12 Zodiac Key, as the missing key in front of her, The Key of the Water Bearer, is across the sea with her old servant. In order to open the gate then and there, she substituted the required magical power, with her own life force.

In the end, she successfully opened the gate widely, at the cost of her magical power to the brink of exhaustion. From the gate, 5 streaked light of Red, Blue, White, Green, and Grey shot through the sky. On the ground though, is someone from the past that Layla bore her resemblance with.

On the castle balcony, a young lady with emerald hair is seating a little girl on her lap that is the same as her mother. Her short emerald hair is tied to a ponytail, with her pajama on makes a cute little appearance.

"Look, Mama!" She pointed out to the 5 streaks of light, where she held a great fascination to the red one. "What are those things, Mama?" she asked tilting her head to her mother. Said mother, shook her head in amusement to how bright her Princess could be one day.

On some other place, in a town, a lone girl is awake on her room. She had a white har, and is looking out to the stars. As she is gazing the numerous ones, she suddenly saw a lone red streak travelling. Instinctively, she clasped her hands and handed out her wish, as a little child would do. After so, she then remembered how beautiful the red streak is, and how warm and fuzzy she felt from it. As she yawned, she hopped back to her bed, and took it her cue to get some sleep.

Natsu woke up, feeling the unnatural loss of his warm sensation on his back. Sunrays and the chirping of the birds managed to wake him from his slumber and looked around. He quickly noticed an unusual thing about his place.

Igneel is nowhere to be found.

"IGNEEL!?"

"IGNEEL!"

"HEY WHERE ARE YOU IGNEEL?!"

He called out to the heavens, but he received no reply. He waited for his father to return, believing that he is hunting food for them to eat. The entire day had passed, where Natsu had nothing to eat, not that he is too hungry. He was more worried that his father is nowhere to be found. He woke up the next day crying his heart out. As he wailed and clutched tightly to his only possession to remind him of his father.

A scarf, long and scaly to the touch, where it radiated the same warmth his father had, except it was bright white.

"IGNEEL!" he bellowed once again for how many times that morning. He still didn't notice the small pack that he had, where a sleeping bag, and small backpack is with some goods are placed. His loud wails soon died out, and in turn changed into soft sobbing. A few moments had passed, his tears are the only things that is left for him that moment.

"No… Igneel wouldn't want me to just sit here and cry…" he stood shakily; his legs still weak from crying, eyes red and puffy from crying, and his body empty of any nourishment.

"I swear upon it Igneel! I will find you no matter where you are! I will carry your teachings with me, as well as the pride of a Fire Dragon! I am Natsu Dragneel! Son of the Fire Dragon King Igneel, and the Fire Dragon Prince!" he screamed out to the heavens, where for the first time, he roared and the earth shook with his ferocity.

In a volcanic wasteland, Igneel was roused up from his sleep. He knows what it is, and he can only hope that from there, Natsu will live his life to the fullest.

'I am sorry, my son… But you have to live on without me… Know that I will watch you always, as well as 'Her' to be with you too…'

He thought, before he frowned, and settled upon on sleeping once again.

Natsu had been traveling for a week now. After the disappearance of his Dragon and father, the only company he had is himself and the things left for him… Well, at least that is physically true. He had one more, but can only be called out in his sleep. Igneel knows who it is, and he was not surprised about it.

He already went down past a mountain, where he presumed was the one that separates their forest from the other humans. He will occasionally stick to the river so he could always grab some lunch or dinner for his liking, but more often is that he will hunt in the forest.

Natsu had just finished his lunch is now clearing out his spot as it was one of the things that Igneel taught him, and that is to respect the environment even if he destroys it sometimes. As he stood up from the log, he smelled the presence of 3 humans. He also felt off from the scent that the three had, almost like it was unnatural. He heard the bushes rattle from his back, and instinctively he backed up.

'This isn't good…' Natsu thought, upon sensing some negativity from the said person. Then, the people showed themselves. They are cloaked people, but he could see that they have normal human features. Other than that, he could not discern any other features, other than their smell.

"Target located…" the three men all said together. Natsu was baffled by three things. One; they speak like robots, two; It's as if someone knew who and where he was, and three; he was targeted.

"Who are you?!" Natsu yelled out, his magic starting to show in his hands, where his flames are prepared to burn them.

"Resistance is futile…" the three men continued as they started to walk towards Natsu. He didn't flinch, but rather, Natsu just ran towards the three men and attacked them.

"Fire Dragon Iron Fist!"

His fist slammed on the head of the man in the middle, strong winds razed the area with some of his embers razing the area. He then drew back to his spot with a grin, expecting the move to do a lot of damage. But he suddenly got scared, when the dust cleared up and shows the man he struck was fine. There was no damage, he didn't even move from his spot, hell he didn't even lost his cloak to the fire.

"W-what is this!?" Natsu at this point is trembling in fear from the people. One of his strongest moves is just a mere pinch to the people. He knew that this fight is already lost, since he couldn't use his 'Strongest Form', so he had one plan: Run!

"Fire Dragon Roar!"

For three days, Natsu had been on the evasive of the 3 men. He doesn't know how he was being tracked by the three, but he knows that he has a target on his back. He already passed two village, but he couldn't care less about stopping there, except when some thugs tried to extort him, and when a lady was robbed.

Now, Natsu was on the boarder of another village. He had been running on the fumes of his magic. Exhausted, famished, and scraped a bit, he didn't stop for more than 4 hours. But, now is the time he really needed to rest. He can't eat any fire that he made, sans if he makes it by his unassisted hand, due to he cannot take it as a source of magic power. He was on the verge of a small nap, when suddenly an explosion happened near him. He managed to get his guard up, but minimal damage was done. He was panting hard, and the cloaked men are circling him now, with no chance to escape.

"Surrender now…" The one in the middle said, "Or be forcefully taken…" then the other two added.

"Never!" Natsu snarled at the three, his fangs ready to bare upon them if it is the last thing he will do. As soon as he said those words, a gigantic fist slammed on the two flanking the sides, with a gigantic palm smashing the one on the middle. Surprisingly, he looked at his perhaps savior.

A man, at the height of perhaps a toddler, had an extended hand. His age at his estimation might probably be of a senior. His clothes adorn the white tunic with a symbol on the left collar, and black pants, all in which was covered by a formal white coat with white fur around the edges and with different emblazoned symbol on the back.

He just finished slapping the three men to kingdom come. When he turned his attention to the scrapped boy. Natsu, took a defensive pose, seeing and sensing the strong magic from the small elder.

"Relax my child, I mean you no harm." The old man cautiously walked to the scared boy. His tone held a degree of sincerity. "May I ask what brought those three to attack you?"

"I don't know… They never mentioned why is that, but I know they wanted to capture me." He answered without dropping his stance, although he is starting to lower his magic power. Makarov hummed in reply to the answer and cupped his chin in his hands in a thinking matter. He appraised the boy and looked at his sincere eyes. But what he also sensed is strong magical presence, that even most of his age group is unable to attain easily.

"I see… What is your name?"

"I will only say my name, if you introduce yourself Gramps." Natsu defensively said, not trusting the old man a bit.

"Very well… My name is Makarov Dreyar, 3rd Guild Master of Fairy Tail, and one of the 10 Wizard Saints."

Natsu dropped his arms, now knowing who the man is and relaxed.

"My name is Natsu Dragneel!" he proudly declared at them, gaining him a chuckle.

"Well then my child, how about we get you some clothes. It seems that those clothes of yours are dirty enough to be used." Makarov offered to the young Natsu. Then, his stomach made itself an appearance letting him know his hunger. Natsu sheepishly scratched his head, unable to speak in embarrassment.

"HAHAHHAHHA! Of course, we can also get some food." he laughed.

Natsu and Makarov soon entered a restaurant, and as soon as Natsu got his food, which is half of the menu there is. He devoured it quickly, that Makarov almost cried upon, if it weren't for the fact that Natsu could have been very hungry for the past 3 days. While eating, Natsu had asked about what is a guild and what Fairy Tail is upon hearing earlier about it. Makarov for his part, answered both of the question in his capabilities.

"What magic do you use my boy?" Makarov asked, seeing the young boy finished eating his lunch, breakfast, and perhaps dinner if gods will bid it.

"I use Fire Dragon Slayer Magic!" he exclaimed igniting his left hands for Makarov to see.

"Hmm… What a rare magic… Who taught you this magic Natsu?" Makarov inquired raising his eyebrow at the now known mage.

"Igneel taught me everything about Dragon Slayer's Magic, as well as Dragon Culture!"

"What a strange name for a man…" Makarov mused rubbing his chin.

"Igneel isn't a man." Natsu started getting the attention of the guild master, "He is a dragon!"

Makarov looked shock to hear the kid was taught by a dragon no less. He eyed the kid suspiciously trying to look for some look of deceit. He found none, but rather found a huge pool of sadness in the eyes of the kid.

"What happened to Igneel?" he asked carefully.

"Igneel disappeared about a week ago. July 7 x777, according to some people I asked for the day. I've been trying to found him up until now." He finished sniffling. Makarov once again thought deeply. He knew the kid is not lying, and judging from the looks of it, is hiding more to what he appears to be.

"Natsu, how would you like to join Fairy Tail?" he asked the kid, with an inviting smile.

"How would that help me Gramps?" he asked skeptically.

"I believe you when you said that you are raised by a dragon, even though they haven't been seen for the past 400 years," Natsu smile from knowing that someone believed him faded in a shock as he learnt that Dragons are not seen that long, "and I also know that you are hiding something from me…" Natsu flinched seeing the serious and calculative eyes of Makarov. But it soon turned into a smile once again.

"But I know when the time comes you would be willing to tell me. Perhaps when you fully trust me, is the time will you tell me about it. I am willing to extend to you a hand, as well as protection from the man earlier upon my guild!"

It took a whole day for the duo to reach the town where Fairy Tail is located. Upon hearing the offer of Makarov, Natsu agreed to join them. He was delighted to persuade the man to join them, as he sensed that this kid is important. It is also because of the order of someone, that is rooted to the Guild itself. Nonetheless, he was more than delighted of how it turned out. He also found out that Natsu was pretty much sheltered out from the society, as it had been his 'first time' seeing the things like the buildings, houses, and even some stuff.

Arriving at Magnolia, Natsu was practically enjoying the sights he had, like a kid that is out of his shell for the first time. Makarov would chuckle every time Natsu would see something new. The people would sometimes look at them curiously, especially at Natsu that is excited. If it weren't for Makarov, many would assume that the kid is lost. They soon arrived at a building with an insignia similar to what he saw from Makarov before, as well as on his shirt today.

"This is it my child." Makarov opened the door soon revealing the people there is inside.

He already saw some people inside were talking as teens or adults. Then he saw some bits of kids around his age. There is a boy that is half naked to his boxers, a redhead with some sword on her hips, three white haired kids which one had a long one and a bob cut for a female, and a male that looks timid, a brunette in an orange sundress, a blue haired girl with an eyeglass and a book. All of the people inside turned to look at the door, seeing their master with a kid in the center. Natsu particularly is looking at the white short hair girl that is smiling.

"My boy… Welcome to Fairy Tail!"