"You are now Natsu Dragneel, the Prince of Fire Dragons"
With that, Natsu and his new father left the bloodied battlefield.
FIRE DRAGON'S BRILLIANT FLAME! Natsu had been living with Igneel for almost an entire year now. Under the Red Dragon's supervision each day, Natsu's skill in the Fire Dragon Slaying Art had improved exponentially. FIRE DRAGON SECRET ART: EXPLODING LOTUS CRIMSON FLAME! A large red portal stretched open in front of Natsu. Thousands of tiny fire pellets shot out of it at an insane speed. Upon contact, they all combusted into flares, leading tiny bits of fire and debris scattered around what used to be the training area. "That's enough for today, Natsu!" a deep and gentle voice called out.
Natsu looked up at the Fire Dragon King. "Are you proud of me?" he asked his father while beaming proudly. "Yes, you have become much more powerful since 11 months ago, son". In fact, after Igneel decided to teach Natsu Fire Dragon Magic, he had invented one of the strongest spells that Fiore has yet to see. As the first Dragon Slayer to acquire all of the elemental Slayer Magics of destruction, Natsu was able to combine them all into a power-move. SWIRL OF ELEMENTS– Combine the Elements of Light and Darkness, Lightning and Water, Ice and Fire, Earth and Sky, Chaos and Unity – Lend me your power, Dragon of Destruction– Roar of Purgatory! Natsu let out a swirl of Sparkling Black, and cleared a lane of ground, leaving an entire line of scorched earth. "Clean this up, and then come to the cavern for food, okay?" Natsu nodded, and bid Igneel farewell. "Unity Dragon Secret Art – RESTORE CREATION!" Natsu chanted. The place reverted to the way it was before he trashed it.
"Mphh, this is one of the best pieces of –mrph- meat I've tasted in a while! You cooked it just right, Igneel!" Natsu complimented the dragon's cooking as he stuffed food down his mouth. Natsu thought back to the first time they shared a meal.
*FLASHBACK*
"Hey Igneel, why did you agree to adopt me?"
"You have potential, my boy. You may be one of the most dangerous threats to the world, and you may also be one of its greatest protectors. I want to guide you on the right path, my son. Fight for those you love, and want to protect. Don't fight to kill or harm."
Natsu blinked in response. "You think I can be a good person? After all I've done?"
"Yes. Everyone has made mistakes in the past. It is recognizing your mistakes and starting a new life that truly allows us to grow stronger."
Thinking about what his father said, Natsu smiled to himself. I guess there are some good souls in this world, ones who are willing to give me a second chance.
"For you, Igneel, I will try to become the best I can be," Natsu announced as he snuggled under his father's massive wing.
*END FLASHBACK*
Natsu's chewing had slowed down. He swallowed and looked at the chicken leg in his hand.
"Is something wrong?" Igneel asked with a look of genuine concern on his face.
"Nah, it's just... Igneel, do you ever regret adopting me? What if I turn into a killer again, and kill you?"
"No, Natsu, I believe that you will always be able to make the right decisions. Within your heart, I can see a pure soul. Natsu Dragneel, you are my son, and I know you will become one of the most famous protectors of Earthland. You will achieve great things, son."
Suddenly, a large blast forced its way through the cavern. "YOU INCOMPETENT WEAKLING! Why haven't you killed ended his life yet?" Natsu turned towards Acnologia. "You can't tell me what to do. I no longer take orders from you." Acnologia thundered, "You dare to refuse a direct order form me? Then, to hell with you! I have no use for an insolent brat who thinks he can defy me!" Picking up his claw, Acnologia took a swing at Natsu. Before it was able to make contact with his body, a large red claw of equal force intervened and knocked back the attack.
"No one touches my son; that includes you, Acnologia." Igneel threatened, his eyes narrowing into two yellow slits. Igneel launched a strike at Acnologia. FIRE DRAGON'S ROAR! Acnologia swiftly deflected the attack with his wings. "Hahaha, Natsu, you've taken this FOOL as your companion. Come with me, I'm your father." Natsu clenched his fists together. "Don't insult Igneel like that! You're not my father! IGNEEL IS MY FATHER!" Taken aback by this bold statement, Acnologia smirked. "If it's war you want, its war you get, boy. You've chosen the wrong ally and the wrong enemy! I'm going to KILL Igneel!
SWIRL OF ELEMENTS– Combine the Elements of Light and Darkness, Lightning and Water, Ice and Fire, Earth and Sky – Lend me your power, Dragon of Destruction– Roar of Purgatory! Natsu let out an intense ray of energy at the black dragon. Acnologia suffered a great hit and paced backward. "This doesn't concern you!" Acnologia charged a hyper beam and blasted Natsu far into the ground. "NATSU!" Igneel cried. "You'll pay for that, you piece of vermin!" Acnologia smiled menacingly. "We'll have to see about that!"
The dragons took it to the skies; colorful beams of fire and chaos were fired in multiple directions. The two dragons were on par with each other. Acnologia got a hold of Igneel and sank his canines into the Fire Dragon's neck. With this perfect opportunity, Igneel allowed his claws to glow a fiery orange. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He rushed his flaming claw towards Acnologia's belly. The black dragon went crashing towards a mountain range. "CHAOS DRAGON'S HORNS OF DISEMBODIMENT!" Acnologia tilted his head forward, allowing magical energy to build up in his horns. Quickly, he charged at Igneel, who lashed back at him with a large stream of fire.
Natsu watched as the two dragons; one the king of all dragons, and the other his father, an undying flame that had the courage to challenge Acnologia. His eyes grew wide in shock as he realized which dragon was clearly gaining the upper hand. Acnologia had grabbed Igneel and was pushing him down at full speed. "CHAOS DRAGON SECRET ART: ABYSS OF DARKNESS!" "Oh no, Igneel…"
A great portal had appeared on the ground, and as Acnologia slammed the red dragon into the ground, both of them disappeared. No, no, no! Igneel! Acnologia is going to unleash full hell on him! I've got to help him somehow!
Another large portal opened up in the sky, and Acnologia appeared with a much more bruised Igneel. They crashed into the floor and tumbled a couple hundred meters. Igneel still had the will to fight, and his eyes shined a dangerous red. FIRE DRAGON SECRET ART: FROM THE FIERY DEPTHS OF HELL, CEREBRUS' FLAMES! Igneel surrounded himself in flames of blood-red. He charged full force at Acnologia and had developed a fire in his mouth. FIRE DRAGON'S GREATEST DESTRUCTION – WRATH OF THE SATAN! The Fire Dragon King bit into Acnologia's neck, and unleashed a fury of flames onto the black dragon's body. So Igneel has only shown me a small portion of his power. This is what he's capable of. Natsu cheered his father on, confident that he could defeat Acnologia. The Dragon King collapsed onto the ground. "Igneel- "he faintly muttered. "Come closer – I have something to tell you. It's about Natsu. He's actually a-" the black dragon wheezed for air.
The Fire Dragon leaned in to hear what Acnologia had to say. "DID YOU FORGET WHAT MY POWER IS?!" the king laughed maniacally. CHAOS DRAGON SECRET ART – ARTEMIS' AXE OF BLACK EXECUTION –CURSE OF ETERNAL SUFFERING! Igneel was knocked back into the ground. The large axe had appeared over him. "NOW FINISH HIM OFF!" The axe crushed Igneel's head into the rock-solid floor. "Looks like my job here is done," Acnologia chuckled. "Next time I see you, son, I hope you're strong enough to be worthy of my name!" He spread his large wings and took off towards the skies.
Igneel lay on the ground, motionless. "DAD! IGNEEL!" Natsu cried out, tears rolling down his pale cheeks. "You can't leave, Igneel, I have no one left!" The red dragon eyed his son before taking a weak breath. "Natsu, I'm afraid I don't have much time left. Curse of Eternal Suffering is a spell that puts its victim into a painful death. I'm going to have to leave you, Natsu. Make sure to take care of yourself."
"BUT IGNEEL!" Natsu was unable to contain his sorrow. "Acnologia, I'm going to KILL THAT BASTARD!"
"No, Natsu, remember what I taught you. I brought you up to protect those you love, not to inflict harm upon those you hate. Fight for what you value, not to seek revenge. I have one request for you, son."
"WHAT IS IT? I'LL DO ANYTHING AS LONG AS YOU STAY!"
"The best you can do for me, as well as your future friends, is to live for them. Live for us Natsu; live your life to the fullest. Enjoy what it has to offer. I want you to live each and every day to the fullest, for me, ok? Promise me you'll do that."
"NO IGNEEL, YOU CAN'T LEAVE!"
"PROMISE ME!" Igneel choked out, with his last bit of strength.
"OK! I promise you" Natsu spoke softly.
The Fire Dragon King's body flashed once, then twice, before it began to glow.
"Igneel, what's happening? IGNEEL?!"
There was no response from the red dragon. With a smile on his face, his body began to tear apart, bit by bit. His lower body became consumed in the light, and turned into chunks of yellow dust particles. Slowly, his entire body was fading. Igneel was dying.
"IGNEEL!" Natsu echoed to the world as the Fire Dragon dissolved into the air.
Goodbye Natsu, make sure you keep the promise you made to me today. The Fire Dragon King was no more.
Natsu scoured around the forest. "Igneel? Where are you? This is just too cruel; come out, and stop hiding from me, will ya? I'm hungry. Let's go home. Igneel? Igneel?" The boy had been aimlessly wandering around the forest for 3 days, calling out the name of his once beloved father, the King of Fire Dragons.
He arrived atop of a hill, and glanced down towards a large city. However, one building stood out to him the most. It was a dome-like shape, and had multiple flags attached over it. The most noticeable and remarkable feature of the building was its large symbol in the middle of it. It looked like a simple ink-blotch in the shape of a dragon. Could this be where Igneel is hiding? Below the mark were the words, "Fairy Tail."