Natsu III

Natsu didn't know how long he had been running, but he didn't care, he was too excited. The possibility of dragons in this land was far too significant an opportunity to pass up. He remembered that Nelaryn and Faltius said that the dragons could be found in the "Dragonspine Mountains", and that those mountains were to the South of the city they had been in. Natsu had then made a mad dash into those mountains.

"Natsu, wait up!" Happy said, as he tried to keep up with Natsu.

"I got to go fast!" Natsu said, "If I go to slow, then I might miss the dragons!"

"Even if they're there," Happy responded, "they probably won't be going anywhere."

"I don't care!" Natsu said for what was probably the eighth time, to which Happy just sighed. The mountains they were moving through were jagged and rocky, reminding Natsu somewhat of teeth, or maybe a spine. So THAT'S why they call it that! he suddenly thought, as if coming to an epiphany.

The Dragon Slayer than started scaling the mountains. They were fairly steep, and occasionally, he had to get Happy to carry him some of the way. Eventually, after some climbing, the duo came upon a small cave on one of the caves, just large enough for Natsu to get through.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Happy asked, "What if the dragons don't want you to wake them up?"

"Don't worry," Natsu said, giving the thumbs up, "If that happens, I'll kick its ass!"

"You sure?"

"Absolutely!" Natsu answered with his trademark grin, "Have I ever steered you wrong?"

"You really want an answer?" Happy asked with a sweat drop. Natsu ignored his partner, before moving into the cave, Happy behind him. For light, he ignited his fist slightly, as Happy clung onto his back. After they got through the opening, the tunnel opened up very prominently, enough that Happy could fly freely if he wanted to. With that, they started walking down the tunnel.

"So what're you going to do if you find a dragon?" Happy asked.

"I'm going to ask him about Igneel," Natsu answered simply, "And if he doesn't know, I'm going to fight him." He noticed the way Happy balked at that, but he didn't care, he knew what he said. He opened his mouth to say that, but then they broke into a large open cavern, and that was when Natsu saw it.

The dragon was massive, about the same size as Igneel. With scales a deep blue with white streaks, it was truly a sight to behold. However the scales were coated with dust, and its colors had faded. It seemed like something that may have at one point been a truly majestic creature, but had since been worn down.

"I knew it!" Natsu said, jumping up and down in excitement, "I knew it!"

"It really is a dragon," Happy said, as he stared at the great serpent in awe.

"Hey, Mr. Dragon, wake up!" Natsu said, waving his hands in front of the dragon's face. However, the dragon didn't move.

"Come on! I wanna fight!"

"Are you crazy?" Happy cried out. Natsu ignored him, as he tensed at his impatience. He hand't come this far to be ignored. With that, he inhaled.

"I said… WAKE UP!" Natsu shouted, as he let loose his Fire Dragon's Roar at the dragon. The moment it made contact, a ripple of energy was sent out from Natsu, that blew Happy back slightly.

"What was that?" he asked. Natsu opened his mouth to say he didn't know, but that was when a resonating growl sounded out from the dragon. Meanwhile, the ripple resonated outward across the whole of Ulthuan.

(at the White Tower of Hoeth)

Teclis hummed calmly to himself, as he gathered pieces of a shattered gemstone under a magnifying glass. He was in his laboratory, with various flasks and artifacts assembled about. Teclis was sitting at his desk, with a quill beside him taking notes on its own.

"Now tell me your secrets," he said, as he adjusted his magnifying glass. However, as Teclis did that, he felt the ripple wash over him, as his concentration was shattered, and everything floating tumbled to the ground. The Mage Lord stood up from his seat.

"Could it be?" he whispered, as he walked out to the balcony, looking to the South.

(at Lothern)

Tyrion idly sharpened his sword as he always did, not really paying attention to anything else. Pausing to inspect it, he looked closely at the blade, before walking over, and placing it on the wall. He then removed his helmet, and started looking it over for details.

However, as he looked at the armor, the ripple washed over him. Tyrion looked out his window, into the distance, narrowing his eyes at the feeling.

"By Asuryan," he said, "They've woken up."

(also at Lothern)

Phoenix King Finubar rolled up his document, as he set it aside. He then pulled over another one, and promptly put his signature on it, sighing as he did. I could be sailing to Altdorf and beyond now he thought bitterly But of course all the paperwork remains. As he reached to dab his quill, that was when he felt the ripple, causing him to spill the ink. He looked up at the feeling of it.

"What was that?" he asked out loud, as he stood up, and opened his window. In the far distance, he could feel the energy radiating out.

"Its.. not possible," he murmured.

(somewhere)

Everqueen Alarielle was meditating passively, and when the energy ripple struck her, she didn't move at first, until her eyes slowly opened. She then looked from her floating pedestal in the direction that the ripple came from.

"So the great age begins anew," she said softly.

(back in the mountains)

Natsu and Happy were both knocked back as the massive dragon slowly pulled itself up, shaking the dust off its scales. Its glowing yellow eyes then opened.

"I am Suranos of the High Star," the dragon said, "Who would wake me?" The creature looked around, before finally apparently noticing Natsu, arching an eye crest.

"A human?"

"That's me," Natsu said with a grin, jerking his thumb at himself, "My name is Natsu Dragneel!" The dragon, Suranos, looked at him closely before looking around.

"Where is the Phoenix King?" he asked.

"The Phoenix King?" Happy asked.

"In the millennia I have slept, many have tried to rouse me from my slumber," Suranos said, "None have succeeded. Only the Phoenix King himself could have done it."

"I woke you up with my Dragon Slayer Magic," Natsu said proudly. Suranos was silent for a time, narrowing his eyes.

"Come again?"

"Dragon Slaying Magic, taught to me by my dad, Igneel!" Natsu declared. He thought the dragon would keep asking questions, but instead, he remained silent.

"You have the body of a human, and yet the aura of a dragon," Suranos said, bending down towards Natsu.

"That's because I'm a Dragon Slayer!" Natsu said, thumping his chest. Suranos narrowed his eyes, before looking up, and into space.

"I can sense it, the other dragons across Ulthuan are rising as well," he said, "You're actions have set into motions events that will lead to incomparable consequences. You will join this campaign."

"What?" Natsu asked, cocking his head.

"When the time comes, you will fight with us," Suranos said, "You have left an irreparable mark on the world. Will you take play the role you have destined yourself to?" Natsu was silent for a time, as Happy stared at him. The Dragon Slayer had no idea what to think about all this. Had he really left such a mark on his world with just one act? Was he really destined to do such things like what Suranos said? Natsu clenched his fists, closing his eyes. He then came to realize what he had to do.

"I will!" Natsu declared.

"Natsu," Happy said softly.

"Think of this like a job," Natsu said, "Besides, we at Fairy Tail finish what we start!"

"Then let us rise." Suddenly, Suranos grabbed Natsu in his claw, and dropped him onto his back. Happy was brought along for the ride as he held onto Natsu. With that, Suranos charged through the cave, breathing fire as he did. The small opening Natsu was blasted into one suiting Suranos, as he opened his wings, and leapt into the air.

All across the mountain side, there were explosions of rock, dust and fire. Out of those, crawled other dragons, shaking the dust of the ages off their scales. They looked up, at the sight of the massive dragon soaring over ahead.

"Come my kin!" Suranos roared, "Let our music fill the world once again!" Soon enough, the other dragons opened their wings, and sprung into the air after Suranos. Natsu and Happy watched in awe, as the sky was filled with the glittering scales of dragons.

And thus began the Resurgence…..

Note: This is what happens when you're on a plane for ten hours, with nothing really to do. Well, this and more Total War: Warhammer.

So Natsu's power hasn't just woken one dragon, he's woken them all. Some people may protest that this is in defiance of Warhammer lore, but two things: again, I'm using lore as a template, not a guideline, and second, we're bringing in some of Fairy Tail's rules as well, not just Warhammer's.

I wanted to advance Natsu's story sooner rather than later, since its not a spoiler to say much of the events of this story will hinge on his actions.

Be sure to review. Next chapter, we'll see Juvia in the "care" of Settra.