Natsu IV

Suranos eventually brought Natsu and Happy to a city he called Lothern. It was a city filled with white towers and spires, which both the Dragon Slayer and exceed were thoroughly impressed by. The dragon, however, seemed to be flying towards one particularly massive spire, that had a prominent platform on it (Natsu imagined it had been made with dragons in mind). Suranos landed on the platform, allowing Natsu to slide off, Happy still holding onto him.

When Natsu looked around, he noticed three elves approaching him. The one at head was wearing golden armor with red details, that reminded Natsu of phoenixes and flames. He wore a massive helmet with golden wings, and a red plume. Beside him, was another elf in blue and gold armor wearing a helmet with a crescent, and an elf in red and white armor.

"I am Suranos of the High Star," the dragon introduced, "Am I speaking with the Phoenix King?"

"I am Finubar the Seafarer, Prince of Eataine, and Phoenix King of all Ulthuan," the elf introduced, "This is Prince Tyrion, and Lord Teclis." The two elves behind him both nodded in respect.

"We are truly honored, Lord Suranos," the elf in red armor, Tyrion, said, "My twin and I heard stories told of you when we were children."

"To think we would live to see the day that dragons filled the skies of Ulthuan again," the elf in blue, Teclis, said. Suranos nodded, before looking towards Natsu, who casually strolled forward.

"This is Natsu Dragneel," the dragon said, "It was through his power that we were stirred."

"Yo!" Natsu said, waving at the king and his aides with a big grin. Happy just waved also. Finubar was silent for a time, as he looked over Natsu.

"A human?" he asked, "A human was the one who gave off that strange power?"

"Yep, that was me!" Natsu said, jerking his thumb at himself. The elves stared at him in surprise.

"If you are to doubt his word, then you would also have to doubt mine," Suranos said plainly.

"Do not mistake our silence for doubt, Lord Suranos," Tyrion said, "We are merely surprised that a human of all creatures managed to awake one dragon, let alone them all. It seems so strange."

"Does it now, my brother?" Teclis said, as he approached Natsu, "Feel his aura. It is quite akin to that of a dragon."

"That's because I'm a Dragon Slayer! I was raised by a dragon!"

"Now that I do doubt," Teclis said, "But regardless, we should celebrate this accomplishment, which we do apparently owe to this… Natsu."

"Don't forget about me!" Happy said, "I carried him up the mountains."

"What in Asuryan's name is that thing?" Finubar said, as he frowned.

"This is Happy, my partner." Teclis, intrigued, came up to Happy, rubbing his chin.

"A cat that flies? Even I have never seen this."

"I am not actually a cat," Happy admitted, "I'm an exceed."

"How interesting, I have never head of an 'exceed'," Teclis answered, "I would study you if you were to allow me." Happy seemed to think about that actually for a time.

"Throw in some fish and you've got a deal!"

"Come, let us go inside, so we may discuss this further," Finubar gestured. He lead the group into the tower, to where there was a table ringed by chairs. Suranos simply moved his position on the tower, and stuck his head in through a window. Finubar took his seat at the head of the table, while the others took their seats. Happy just stood on the table.

"So, tell me what happened," Finubar said to Natsu.

"Well," Natsu said, rubbing his head, "I was told there were dragons in this kingdom, and I decided to go looking for them. So I went into the mountains with Happy, where we found Suranos sleeping. After I tried waking him up, I used my Dragon Slaying Magic. That set out some kind of wave."

"No doubt the wave we felt here," Teclis said.

"Next thing I know, I'm flying over the land on Suranos' back." Finubar was silent, as he tapped a finger on his arm rest.

"Throughout the ages, many have tried to stir the dragons from their hibernation, and very few have succeeded in full," he said, before looking to Teclis, "Lord Teclis, have you heard of such magic?"

"Never, my king. All I can surmise, is that it allows a human to harness the power of a dragon."

"That would truly be a great ability," Tyrion said, folding his arms, "And you say a dragon taught you this magic?"

"Yep."

"It seems somewhat odd that a dragon would teach someone the means by which to slay them." Natsu opened his mouth to answer, but remembered what little Igneel had told him about his plan.

"Its a long story," he eventually said.

"Of that I don't doubt," Tyrion said.

"It cannot be overstated what this could potentially mean," Finubar said, "The dragons have returned to Ulthuan. This could very easily be the start of something."

"And what sort of thing would that be?" Suranos asked, arching an eye crest. Finubar was about to answer, when the door opened, and a servant made his way in (after briefly stopping and gawking at the dragon).

"My king!"

"This better be important," Finubar said, glaring at the servant, who fell to one knee.

"Word has just come from the city," the servant said, "A child has just been born!" To Natsu, that didn't sound that amazing, but the way the elves reacted, it must've been something amazing. Even Suranos seemed somewhat surprised by that, the way his eyes widened ever so slightly.

"There hasn't been a child born in this city for hundreds of years!" Tyrion said.

"I saw no omen of this!" Teclis said, standing up. Natsu looked at Finubar, who seemed to be unable to find his words.

"What exactly's going on?" he asked, "There are babies everywhere in the town I'm from."

"Do you not understand what this means?" Finubar said looking at Natsu, "The dragons have returned, children are being born… life is returning to Ulthuan! Because of your actions!"

"Wait, I still don't really know what I did," Natsu said, "Don't tell me…"

"Gather the people in the city!" Finubar ordered, "I have to make a proclamation!" The servant affirmed the order, as the king, the warrior, and the mage all left, while Suranos flew away, leaving Natsu and Happy alone.

"What's going on, Natsu?" Happy asked.

"Hell if I know." They would soon find out, as they were pulled out by servants, where Natsu was dragged into the room, and redressed. He was soon wearing an outfit that consisted of a red shirt and trousers, as well as a red cape. They all had orange flame patterns on them. When Natsu questioned it, he was told he had to look presentable. At least they had let him keep his scarf. They then pulled him to another part of the tower, where the was a balcony, where Finubar was waiting for him. When he got out to the balcony, he looked down to see a vast crowd looking up at him.

"My people!" Finubar said, spreading his arms, "I have the most glorious news to announce! Light has returned to Ulthuan! Dragons soar the skies, and the laughter of children fill the streets! Let it now be said, the Ten Kingdoms have new life within them!" The people cheered. Seeing them made Natsu think of Nelaryn and Faltius.

"And it is because of this one!" Finubar said, pushed Natsu forward, "It was through his magic that the country breathes again!"

"What?" was all Natsu could say.

"To that end, I, Finubar, 11th King of Ulthuan, hereby make this decree!" Finubar said, "I declare Natsu Dragneel of Fiore, Dragon Seer of Ulthuan! He will take his place at my hand, in the Royal Court!" Cheering resonated throughout the crowds, though Natsu wasn't paying attention this time.

"Wait!" he said, "What's going on here? I don't…." He wanted to continue protesting, only for someone to grab his shoulder. It was Tyrion.

"Do not refuse this honor, human," he said, "You are only here by the grace of the king." Natsu scowled at him.

"What's your problem?" he asked, shaking off the hand.

"I do not know you," Tyrion said plainly, looking Natsu straight in the eye, "You are an outsider, and you use an alien magic. I will be watching you, and the moment you present a threat to Ulthuan, I will cut you to ribbons."

"Go ahead and try," Natsu dared, "I'll cook you well done." The two stared each other down for a time, before Tyrion snorted, and departed, as Natsu found himself pushed back to Finubar's side, where he gave a nervous wave. Teclis and Happy watched from behind.

"Forgive my brother," Teclis said, "He truly loves his country, to a rather, obsessive extent."

"Aye sir," Happy said softly. Teclis looked down to see the exceed staring at the ground.

"What is the problem my feline friend?" he asked.

"I want to be stronger," Happy said eventually some time of silence, "Natsu can do all these amazing things. Everyone in our guild can do amazing things, but even here, I'm just a normal flying cat." Teclis looked down at Happy.

"Perhaps I can assist you with that," he said.

Note: So now Natsu even has his own title. Things seem to be going pretty good for him.

Based on lore I've read, the High Elves were steadily dying, as little to no new children were being born. But the magic Natsu released over it seemed to do more than resuscitate the dragons. Also, for what its worth, in case it wasn't clear, Natsu's ripple only resonated across Ulthuan, not the whole world.

Please review. One more chapter until the end of Part I.