Hello, this is my first story and I would appreciate it if you could leave a review on it with some helpful criticism if need be. I know it isn't perfect and would like to improve on it if I can. This story will more than likely go the Harem route, so if that isn't your cup of tea, I thought I would warn you. Thanks, and hopefully you enjoy the story!
Unknown Forest
As the sun rose on a new day the forest seemed to come alive with it. Fish could be seen jumping in a river that ran into a small lake, deer were leaving their reed beds, birds were beginning to sing in the new day, and even a wild pig was seen burrowing around for food. It was the picture of peace and tranquility.
Fire dragon's iron fist!
This picturesque moment was quickly broken by a young spikey, pink haired boy who could not have been older than five years old. Said pinkette was leaping through the air with a fire covered right fist towards the unsuspecting wild pig. Before it could even look up, it was hit with the boy's fiery fist.
"Oh yeah, take that Igneel! Making me get my own food. Pssh. I'll show that overgrown gecko that I'm all grown up and can take care of myself", said the boy.
"Now that I'm an adult, he'll have no choice but to show me all of the advanced Secret Arts".
"Natsu! Where are you, you little brat?" thundered a voice throughout the forest.
"Oh crap, I forgot to tell Igneel I was leaving!", the now named Natsu gulped out. "Maybe if I get back super-fast, I can say I just left".
With that being said the five-year-old threw the large pig over his shoulder, making it look effortless in the process, and raced off to where the voice had yelled from.
Flying through the forest, Natsu found himself in front of a cave.
"Dad, I'm here so quit your yelling. If I weren't such a responsible adult and already gotten my breakfast, you would have scared it away" said Natsu puffing up his chest with pride.
"Responsible adult? You're still nothing but a hatchling" said Igneel lumbering out of the cave looking down at his son.
"I'm not a hatchling! Look I even caught my own food" said Natsu.
"You probably got it when it wasn't even looking" deadpanned his father.
"I don't see what that has to do with anything" huffed out a disgruntled Natsu.
At this Igneel began a ground shaking laugh and made his way to lay down in front of Natsu, swatting him with his tail in the process.
You see Igneel was not Natsu's actual father. Looking at the both of them it was fairly plain to see. One was a small, surprisingly muscular pink haired boy and the other was a large, red dragon the size of a house. If one were to ask Natsu though, they have the same eyes but Igneel just doesn't see it.
As far back as Natsu could remember he had always been with Igneel. He had lived with him in their cave where he had been taught magic by Igneel. Not just any magic, but dragon slaying magic. Like the name of the magic suggests, it was designed to slay dragons, but Natsu didn't know any dragons besides Igneel and why would he want to kill his own dad?
"Even if you are still only a hatchling, it is good to see you try to be responsible" said Igneel. "It's much better than when you're being a stupid, annoying brat".
"Hey, I am not a stupid brat! Also, now you have to teach me some of the Secret Arts", chirped Natsu happily.
"Why do you think I would do that? Why do you even want to learn them?"
"If I learn the Secret Arts, I'll be strong enough to beat you up, and that means that I'll get to be in charge and protect you.", exclaimed Natsu proudly with his fist held up in the air.
After hearing that, Igneel let a proud smile come to his face, showing off his rows of razor-sharp teeth.
"You are still too young to learn the Secret Arts my son."
"Hey!"
"Let me finish, it's not that you would not be able to do them. It would just be worthless if after using them only once, your body collapsed because you're too weak."
"Then train me harder so I can learn. After I get stronger, we can fight all the time and go exploring!" Yelled out Natsu passionately.
"If I do this, it will make your current training look like it was designed for a baby. I will put you through Hell."
At hearing this Natsu gulped but then shook his head. "If I can't complete this training, then how can I call myself the son of the Fire Dragon King?"
"I know you will make me proud my son, you will become a fine prince. After all, how can you not after being taught by the great Igneel?"
Shaking his head at his smugness, Natsu went back to eating his food.
"Natsu, what are your goals in life?"
"I already told you, I want to be the strongest there is and then you and I will travel the world beating everyone else up."
At hearing his son's goals, Igneel sweat dropped.
"You know Natsu, I won't be able to be with you all of the time" said Igneel.
"Yeah I know that I'm not stupid." Said Natsu. "You aren't always with me, like when I go to the bathroom. Wait, do you watch me when I go to the bathroom?" yelled Natsu angrily. "You're just a big, fat pervert dragon!"
"No, I don't watch you when you go to the bathroom!" thundered an annoyed Igneel. "How do you even know that that word means?"
"I don't know, but I know that it's what you are!" said Natsu.
Releasing a large blast of steam at Natsu, Igneel continued, "Moving on, Natsu at some point in time, I will have to leave you and you will have to make your own path in the world."
"I don't want you to leave, we can just stay together forever and just beat up anyone who tries to make you leave."
"Do not worry my son, it will not be for a few years, but I will have to leave you for important reasons. That does not mean that I do not love you. In fact, quite the opposite."
"That doesn't make any sense, if you love me why would you leave me?"
"You are too young to understand but know this your goal of being the strongest is both correct and wrong at the same time. Do not try to be strong for the sake of being strong but become strong to protect all those you care for. Go out and explore the world, make many friends, and become stronger so you can protect all of the mates you will have" stated Igneel
"Again, with this mates crap", said Natsu, "that's gross."
"You are the son of the Fire Dragon King and a prince. It is your duty to continue on the line. In fact, when I was younger, I was sought after by many young dragonesses" said Igneel dreamily.
"Ok, barf", said Natsu looking pale and like he was about to throw up.
"Actually, why don't you have a mate yet?", Said Igneel eyeing up Natsu
"What I'm a little kid! I'm not ready for that kind of stuff yet!" exclaimed a red faced Natsu
Natsu had been taught by Igneel the details of what mating entailed and even now thinking back on it caused him to shudder.
"Also, you're the only person out here, what do you want me to mate with you?" After saying this Natsu gasped, "You really are a pervert!"
Angry at what his son was implying, Igneel swatted him towards the wall of the cave indenting him into the rock until he fell down to the ground.
"Enough, all I wish for you is to have many beautiful mates and to give me lots and lots of grandchildren. Is that too much to ask for?".
Picking himself up off the ground Natsu huffed, "Fine I'll do it but I'm not doing it because you want me too you pervert".
"That is it, I've had enough of you! You want to get stronger than we'll start with your training right now and it's going to be hell!" yelled out Igneel who was angry that his five year old son kept calling him a pervert which he most certainly was not.
"Come let me show you what it really means to become a fire dragon king slayer".
Seeing the dark and dangerous look on his father's face Natsu gulped, "Relax it was just a joke dad, this isn't going to really be that bad right? Dad, why aren't you saying anything?"
Noticing his father start to smirk, Natsu gulped once again. What had he gotten himself into?
-7 Years Later-
Looking down fondly at his sleeping son, Igneel could not have been prouder. Natsu had taken to his brutal and hellish training like a fish to water, not only mastering his fire dragon and fire dragon king slayer magic but a few other magics as well. He had made considerable jumps in his training both physically and magically. Natsu could even enter dragon force at will, granted it was only for about five minutes, but he knew for a fact Metallicana's brat couldn't do that.
'Yes,' Igneel thought to himself, 'Natsu will become a strong and powerful mage. He is my son after all!' He smirked to himself.
Igneel then sighed and placed a scaly, white scarf next to where his son slept. He knew that when Natsu woke up he would be angry, but he hoped he would continue on with his life and find something that would make him happy.
'Just remember son, I will always love you. You are my son and the Fire Dragon Prince. You will make me proud and lots of grandbabies', Igneel thought with a soft chuckle.
As the sun rose on the new day, it would also usher in a new chapter of Natsu's life.