Hello again lovelies! Thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed, liked, or even just plain looked at my story. It means so much to me, and really gives me encouragement to write- it's amazing! I don't want too huge of an author's note, but I will be giving shout outs to my reviewers at the end 3
All rights to Hiro Mashima and, well, Disney
Chapter Two
Natsu & Igneel, circa 777
Fiore is a large land. Sustaining many a kingdom with ease, she is a leader in trade and commerce, known across the seas for being one of the most populated. What many do not know is that Fiore's wilds and the creatures within far outnumber its cities and people; with sometimes thousands of miles of thick, ancient wood spanning between kingdoms. It is in a wood such as this, hidden deep from the eyes of meddling humans, that a strange pair call home.
"It's time. We must make our move- soon she will see and the wheel of fate will begin to turn again."
The soft voice echoed within his skull, bringing with it an aching sense of loss Igneel had not experienced for centuries. He was King of the Fire Dragons, feared leader and warrior both, had seen thousands fall before him without batting an eye, yet the task he must do was one of the hardest he had ever done.
"Dad, look! I'm doing it! I told you I could!" The cry of joy came from a small human child currently dangling over fifty feet in the air from a branch that, though thick, swayed and danced in the breeze as the ape descendant clung to it. Wild pink hair, bright as a cherry blossom, stuck out from his head and contrasted greatly with his tanned skin. A grin so wide Igneel could see it from where he sat in the glade they called home stretched across his cherubish face.
"Very good, Natsu, but it's easy to get up. How do you plan to get down, hmm?" A low chuckle rumbled from his armored chest as he stood laboriously, muscles groaning in protest after laying down for so long. One long, lazy stretch later and the great Fire Dragon meandered over to the large pine tree his son hung from, towering at least three stories higher, and sat at the base to watch.
A slight hesitation came over Natsu at his father's words. Getting down had always been hard for him- he couldn't even count the amount of times Igneel had had to catch him as he tumbled. Mere seconds later steely resolve took its place and he curled hands and feet tightly into the rough wood, brow furrowing with determination as he used every muscle in his tiny body to swing himself upward.
Delight erupted inside him when he landed on his feet atop the branch, crouching low so he could once more anchor his hands. This time he swung himself downward diagonally to the next branch, landing in the same low crouch and gripping with both feet and hands. A light bulb went off in that small brain and he continued down in a similar fashion just as a monkey would, swinging and dropping until he found himself safely on the ground.
"Holy crap Igneel, I did it! I did it!" Whooping and hollering the young boy raced around the clearing like the wild thing he was, circling around until he came back to his father panting and giggling.
"You promised that we could go riding if I got better! Let's go!" Without waiting for permission Natus wiggled and climbed his way up between Igneel's shoulders, seated comfortably between the scaled ridges of his spine. Igneel let out a great put-upon huff, putting on a show for Natsu, when in reality his insides were twisted with dread. Could he really abandon this child? Leave him to fend for himself in a world that didn't give a damn about him?
'He will make a name for himself. I have taught him things that humans have not seen for millenia- someone will recognize his worth and take him in. He is strong and resilient, he will make it.' He repeated this to himself as he took off for the sky in a great burst of speed that had Natsu squealing with such joy it teased a fanged smile from the Fire Drake.
Two Days Later
"Dad?! Where are you?! Daaaaaaad!"
A small voice, weak with thirst and hunger and warbling from the tears its owner shed, rang out through the forest that was not his home. He did not recognize these smooth fluffy trees or the mountains in the distance and everything smelled weird, unfamiliar. Another heart-wrenching sob burst from him as a wave of exhaustion took small Natsu to his knees, skin streaked with dirt and blood from all the times he'd fallen in his desperation.
His small mind could not comprehend what had happened. One moment he and his Father were flying free, flying further than they ever had before, until Igneel said he had to land to get them some food. Natsu got comfortable on a boulder and watched him take off to find what they needed, something that was as familiar as breathing to him, and waited patiently for him to return. Dad always brought the tastiest food.
It had been so long since Igneel left that Natsu had seen the moon rise twice. He tried as hard as he could to wait, not wanting to break his Father's biggest rule, but his body's needs urged him to find food and water. Since then he had been wandering the strange forest, drinking from puddles and eating the occasional berry that only made his stomach tighten in protest. Now the young boy found that his endless reserves of energy were empty, and a grief that he was too young to even comprehend hurt his soul.
"What are you doing out here all alone, boy?"
The rough voice had Natsu snapping his head up to look at the smallest man he had ever seen. He had tufts of white hair stuck out from a large head and a rough looking face that seemed to have a permanent scowl etched into it, bushy brows furrowed as he glared at the dirty, half naked child curled in a ball.
"I… My Dad, he left to get...hasn't come back..not home...can't find." The small words were gasped out between hiccuping cries and caused Makarov's face to soften as much as it could. With a small sigh he kneeled before the child and put a hand on his skinny shoulder to grab his attention, locking gazes with the most unique eyes he had ever seen. The General thought they looked almost...reptilian.
"I hate to tell you this, boy, but if your father hasn't come back yet then he isn't going to," his words were soft, but firm, and even his toughened heart hurt at the look on the child's face when what he said registered.
"I know you want to look for him, and I will help you, but first you need to come with me. We can get you cleaned up, get some hot food in you, and you can search well rested. How does that sound?" As Makarov spoke he gripped the Child's other shoulder and stood him up, letting go only once his wobbly knees stabilized.
Natsu fought not to cry as the old man spoke, tempted to refuse his offer and demand they find Igneel right now. Yet the twisted emptiness of his stomach and dryness of his mouth whispered that maybe, just maybe, if he got himself stronger he had a better chance of finding his Dad. Decision made, the young boy looked back up and nodded in agreement.
"O..Okay, I-I come with you," the quiet words had Makarov smiling gently in encouragement.
"Excellent! You'll love our guild, Fairy tail, we even have a few kids around your age. What's your name, boy?" Before the child could protest Makarov swept him up piggy-back style onto his shoulders and began to walk, already knowing he was too weak to make the journey but too stubborn to admit it. The General hummed genially as they strode along, feeling the small body on his back gradually begin to relax into him.
"My name is Natsu Dragneel...What-What's a guild?"
Lucy Heartfilia, circa 780
Miles west of the Kingdom of Fiore, deep in a wood of maple, birch, and oak, stands a lone tower. Erupting out of the ground haphazardly, held together with rough cut stone and wood, it nearly reaches level with the trees that surrounded its small clearing. An opening had been cut into the limestone near to the roof, but no other doorways or windows existed, not even a stairwell. Pretty wooden lattice and ivy had been added, bringing a pleasing aesthetic, but no amount of decoration could disguise a prison.
In the dead of night, not daring to make a sound, a ten year old Lucy tip-toed across the wooden floor of her and her Mother's tower. The soft sound of snoring signaled that her Mother was unaware that she was breaking the rules, and a mischievous smile split her face as she quietly opened the one window in her home.
The hinges had been oiled previously that day, by her of course, in preparation for this exact moment. As she had hoped no sound emerged as the wooden slats whispered open and allowed a cool summer breeze to flow into the main room. Inhaling the fresh air greedily, the young girl clambered onto the windowsill without a second thought, dangling her feet into open air without a care.
Most people would be looking down with trepidation, worried about slipping and falling, but young Lucy had her head craned back to look at the night sky. Not a trace of cloud cover remained and the moon was dark this time of the month, allowing the stars to shine in all their celestial glory. A sense of rightness and energy filled her, as if her body was soaking up the starlight. Anybody looking would've seen an unearthly glow about the young girl, but she didn't seem to notice.
As she bathed in the starlight her greatest treasure, kept secret even from her mother, shimmered to life around her neck as it only did in moments like these. The smooth piece of leather held two golden keys, intricate and delicate, and they hung warmly against her skin. Only when alone in the starlight, with no moon or mother in sight, did they appear. She didn't know what they were exactly, but deep inside she knew that they were hers and nobody could know about them. They were secret.
Besides, she loved her mother, with her pretty black hair and porcelain skin, but sometimes she was scared of her too. Sometimes, when she thought Lucy wasn't looking, her eyes would take on a possessive gleam and she would fist her delicate fingers into Lucy's hair, holding on so tightly for a moment that her knuckles bleached of color.
"I know Mother says not to be selfish, even on my Birthday, but if you could somehow send me a friend that would be really awesome. I don't need anyone fancy, just somebody nice." Whispered words were directed at the night sky, the twinkling stars her only audience.
*Guest- My first review was by a guest, so I can't shout out by name, but thank you so much for saying you loved it and wanted more! Even just one person wanting more makes me want to give it to ya! You saying its well written made me cry happy tears!
*STAG98- THANK YOU SO MUCH OH MY GOD 3 I'm so happy you saw my inspiration from Tangled but also the original take I'm trying to provide, and I'm glad my writing style is to your liking!