Natsu V
Letting out a rather loud yawn, Natsu goose-stepped his way through the halls of the tower, Happy floating beside him. Despite the protests of some of the servants, Natsu was back in his regular clothes, with his scarf. Looking around, Natsu gazed at the various statues, images, and tapestries that hung through the halls of the palace. Frankly, the Dragon Slayer all found it rather jarring; there was way too much color and flare.
"This place is so big," Happy said.
"Too big," Natsu grumbled, "How can anyone find their way around it?"
"I hear elves live a long time," Happy said, "Maybe its so they can make their way through this stuff." Natsu chuckled, as he stepped out onto the balcony, as he looked over the expanse of Lothern. He couldn't deny, it was a truly spectacular city. It was at the very least twice the size of Crocus, and was a brilliant white, to such an extent that it hurt Natsu's eyes somewhat looking at it.
"How long are we going to be here?" Happy asked. Natsu was silent, as he sighed and rubbed the back of his head.
"I dunno," he finally said, "Until we can find our friends, I guess."
"Aye," Happy said.
"Lord Dragneel!" someone called. Natsu groaned out loud, as he and Happy turned to see another elf hurried forward.
"What is it?"
"His Majesty is holding court," the elf said.
"So?" The elf looked surprised by that.
"Well, as Dragon Seer, you are required to attend," the servant explained. When Natsu still made a face, the servant sighed.
"With all due respect, my lord," he said, "The Phoenix King himself requested your presence. You must come." Natsu glared before sighing slightly.
"Fine," he relented, as he started to walk, but when Happy started to follow.
"Either Happy goes, I don't," Natsu said bluntly. The servant, apparently not willing to make that big of an effort, agreed after some hesitation. With that, the pair went down the hall and stairs, into a large open room. Assembled through the room, aside from Finubar, Teclis, and Tyrion, were a few other elves dressed in elaborate armor. Natsu imagined they were generals or something. The room itself was dominated by a large map in the center, of what Natsu imagined was the world. By this point, Natsu had figured out that he and Happy weren't in Earthland anymore; it had been a rather frightening prospect.
"Ah, the Dragon Seer is here," Tyrion said. Natsu had heard enough sarcasm to know it, even if it was faint.
"Welcome, Lord Dragneel," Finubar said, "Please join us." Natsu actually did as instructed, as he stood next to Teclis, looking over the map, Happy on his shoulder. It was incredibly detailed, right down to the trees and water on the map.
"So, what's this about?" Natsu asked out loud.
"So some respect," Tyrion said, "Remember where you are, human." The Mage Lord put his hand on his brother's shoulder, who took a breath, and looked away. Natsu stuck his tongue out at Tyrion, who just ignored him.
"Actually, I have been wondering that myself, your Majesty," Teclis said, looking to the Phoenix King, "You still have not explained the reason for this assembly." Said monarch looked over the map slightly, before walking over it. However, it didn't break as he did.
"More word has come of more children being born," Finubar explained, "For all our bravado, it is true, our nation is returning to life." He stopped as he stood over Ulthuan, looking at it closely.
"I was awake the whole night, praying to Hoeth for wisdom as I considered the proper course of action. It took a long time, but eventually, the decision revealed itself to me." He then threw his knife straight into the center of Ulthuan.
"Our time has come again," Finubar said holding up his fist, "And we must act upon it." All the gathered looked at the Phoenix King.
"Your Majesty, are you suggesting…"
"The last time our empire entered an age of prosperity, it spanned entire oceans," Finubar continued, "Dragons will rise into the air, and soar Eastward, and towards the world of men." Murmurs of shock resonated across the hall, though Natsu still wasn't sure what Finubar meant, so with that…
"What the hell does this all mean?" he blurted out. Happy just sighed, putting his paw to his forehead, as the others stared at him.
"I mean to rebuild the empire that was lost millennia ago," Finubar said, thumping his chest, "With the dragons returned, and new generations being born, we have the means now."
"My King," Tyrion said stepping forward, "I am sure you do not need reminding, but nonetheless, consider the Druichi. A campaign of this scale would require tens, nay, hundreds of thousands of warriors. Who would be left to defend the homeland?"
"I will admit, this is merely an intention, not a plan," Finubar said, "Prince Tyrion is correct, but nonetheless, let us make proper preparations." He then gestured for a messenger to come over.
"Send word across the kingdoms," he said, "Instruct the princes to begin assembling their ships, and training their men. When the call comes, they must be ready."
"And when will that call be, your Majesty?" Teclis asked.
"I would discuss that with my court," Finubar answered, "I will also seek further wisdom from the Cadai. This assembly is adjourned for the time." Natsu was't sure what 'adjourned' meant exactly, but he did note that the elves were dispersing, so he decided to leave as well.
"Lord Dragneel!" he heard Teclis calling.
"What?" Natsu asked, as the Mage Lord came up to him.
"Walk with me," Teclis said, which Natsu did, Happy floating over them, "You're feline friend has confided in me about becoming stronger."
"Really?" Natsu asked, looking towards his partner, "Why?" Happy looked down at the floor for a moment.
"Carla and Lily can do all sorts of things I can't," he said, "When Wendy or Gajeel need help, they can help 'em."
"Ah, come on," Natsu said, pulling Happy onto his shoulder, "You help me all the time. I couldn't get anywhere without your help."
"But Carla and Lily can actually fight, all I can do is run and hide," Happy said.
"Happy…"
"I want to be stronger!" Happy declared, floating in front of Natsu, "I'll do anything."
"If I may interrupt, I just might have a remedy to that," Teclis said, "If you are willing to do it."
"Aye sir!" Happy said immediately.
"Wait a minute," Natsu said, putting his hand on Happy's head, "What is it?" Teclis gestured for them to follow, leading them into his room. He went over to his desk, and rooted through some papers, before pulling out one in particular.
"There's a very old and ancient spell, once used during the Sundering as a last resort," Teclis explained, "I have read about it in the old scrolls, but the lack of dragons made it impossible to achieve. But with you and Natsu here, it might not be impossible anymore."
"Just what the hell is it?" Natsu all but demanded.
"By channeling the power of dragons, I can conceivably transform you into a dragon," Teclis said simply. There was a thick silence, as Happy and Natsu stared at the Mage Lord.
"Come again?" Natsu eventually said.
"I will admit, it is still an untested, unknown spell," Teclis said, "There are no assured consequences concerning it."
"No way!" Natsu said, "That sounds way too dangerous. Right, Happy?" He looked at the Exceed, who was staring at the ground.
"Wait…," Natsu said.
"I want to do it!" Happy suddenly declared.
"What?!"
"I'm tired of just being a cat!" Happy said, "Carla can turn into a human!"
"That's not the same! You'll be completely turned into a giant dragon!"
"It stands to reason that the spell may or not be reversible," Teclis said, "Again, this is an untested magic. But if it succeeds, you will be among the unstoppable forces that command the skies." Natsu knew, that no matter how much he protested, this was ultimately Happy's decision.
"Is this really what you want Happy?" he asked. Happy was silent for a time, as he clenched his paws.
"I don't know," he admitted, "But I want to be able to do something, and I can still eat fish right? Let's do it!" Natsu took a deep breath, before nodding in agreement.
"Very well," Teclis said, "I will prepare the ritual. In one and a half hours, come to the top of the tower." With that he pointed to the partners to the door.
Natsu and Happy did as told, eventually coming to the top of the tower. Assembled there were a circle of elves dressed in similar styles to Teclis. Teclis himself stood in the center of the circle. A couple of dragons were along the edges of the tower. Even Natsu could tell that this was a magic circle.
"Stand here," he instructed to Happy, pointing at the center, before gesturing to Natsu, "And you, stand there." He pointed to a spot in the circle with the other elves. After a moment of hesitation, Natsu took the place. Teclis took a breath, as he took a step back, and held up his staff, as the top caught fire. The elves held up their staffs, as they also ignited.
"In the name of Addaioth, Bringer of Wrath and Fire, we commence this spell," Teclis said.
"Hail Addaioth!" the elves resonated. With that, they all drove their staffs into the ground. The circles they stood in lit up red, creating orbs of energy over them, creating a perfect ring of spheres over the magic circle. The dragons opened their wings, as a glow surrounded them, as it did Natsu. The dragons then all breathed fire, and taking the queue, Natsu inhaled and released his own fire. The fire then drew into the orbs as well. The circle Happy stood in also started to glow red.
"Addaioth," Teclis said, spreading his arms, "We give you this being to you. Take him into your hold, and mold him into a being of wrath and fire!"
"Hail Addaioth!" the elves repeated.
"Addaioth. Turn his limbs into claws, and his skin to scales. Turn his breath to fire, and set his soul ablaze."
"Hail Addaioth!"
"Addaioth. Turn this small creature, into a lord of sky and fire. Make him as a dragon of old! Hail Addaioth!"
"Hail Addaioth!" With that, the orbs descended upon the small, blue Exceed. The orbs then turned into a beam of light, and Happy let out a cry as said light consumed him.
"Happy!" Natsu cried.
"Don't break the circle!" Teclis ordered, pointing at Natsu.
"What's happening?"
"Addaioth is bringing him up," Teclis explained, "We must see what he will do with Happy."
"So you didn't know if this would work?!" Natsu demanded, as he started to move towards the Mage Lord.
"If you break the circle, it will definitely NOT work!" With that, Natsu could only grind his teeth, and hold his position, as the light shot into the sky.
It seemed to hold like that for forever, before the burning light collapsed, and was replaced by smoke. Teclis slouched slightly, panting, which Natsu took as an indication that the ritual was complete. Natsu stood before the smoke, as a pair of glowing eyes burned through the haze. The smoke parted, revealing a dragon as it opened its wings, and roared to the sky. It had brilliant blue scales, and brilliant white wings.
"Ha… Happy?" Natsu asked. The dragon looked down at Natsu. It was still for a second, as the glow from its eyes faded, revealing yellow eyes. The eyes blinked slightly, as the dragon shook its head. It then looked at Natsu.
"Natsu?" The voice was slightly deeper, and slightly more resonating, but Natsu would recognize that voice, and those eyes, anywhere.
"Well," Natsu said, with a grin, "Can't wait to show you off to Gajeel and Wendy!"
Note: So it seems Finubar is planning a new campaign for Ulthuan. And Happy has been transformed into a dragon.
Turning Happy into a dragon was a decision that I made since I put Natsu with the High Elves. In fact, I'd dare any fanfic writer to take Happy (especially post-Tartaros Happy), and actually do something with him, beyond just a punch line. I wanted to give him a real power boost, not just some magical items.
The spell I made up completely. There are spells that exist in lore that gives some particularly high spell casters power to cast high rank powers. The Dread Thirteenth Spell of the Skaven turns their enemies all into Skaven themselves. Considering that Teclis is one of the greatest spell casters period, with the right spell, he could've turned someone, including Happy, into a dragon.
Please review. Won't tell you the next chapter.