XVI

Natsu, immediately upon hearing Eisenwald's plan for Lullaby, had a gut reaction to sprint to Clover and either warn the guild masters that their lives were in danger, or stop Erigor's plan in its tracks. However, that headstrong and rather vague plan was put to rest as Natsu and his team ran outside to find that they were now trapped, a whirling wind barrier sealing them inside the station.

So what did Natsu do? He ran headfirst into the barrier, determined to break it. Igneel groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose and taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. He knew he couldn't do anything from the inside, especially stop Natsu from nearly killing himself because of his thoughtless antics, but it was still frustrating.

The others, however, as Natsu continued trying to break the barrier and nearly his skull with it, discussed possible ways to escape. Igneel had figured Erza would be the one in the end to propose the idea that would work, however he was surprised to find that when Happy handed Lucy a key –Virgo's key from her past mission with Natsu, to be exact- that she was the one to get them out of their sticky situation.

Virgo easily tunneled them out from the barrier, and before Igneel even had time to address how surprisingly impressed he was by Lucy's resourcefulness, Natsu had sprinted off in search of Erigor, without a backwards glance.

Happy followed Natsu, helping his partner out and flying him in search of Lullaby and Erigor, who was the only thing on Natsu's mind. Whenever Natsu got a wild hair to beat someone, he suddenly gained a sort of tunnel vision until that person was the only thing he could think about, Igneel had found. Natsu was a simple creature, driven by his heart and desire to protect those around him, only hindered by his lack of consideration of factors other than fighting and his 'act first, think later' attitude. Although, Igneel still held out hope that some of Lucy and Erza's intelligence and wildly different approach to jobs would rub off on Natsu… although it was beginning to seem like a long shot.

The flight was a quick one before Natsu ran into Erigor. Without much, if any, hesitation, Natsu engaged him in battle, Happy still carrying him and able to help keep him on the same level as Erigor, who could levitate at will due to his magic.

While Igneel didn't want Natsu to get hurt by any means, he was a little glad when his son found that this battle wasn't going to be as easy as he'd originally thought. Natsu always had undying faith that he could beat anyone, so sometimes it was kind of nice when he was presented with a challenge. Challenges were what shaped mages, and Igneel was certain the more Natsu faced, the more not only would he grow, but begin to understand that he wasn't the strongest out there, and pure strength wouldn't win all fights.

Wind was a bad match for fire. Igneel had assumed so in the first place. Soon enough it almost seemed as if there wasn't any way for Natsu to win, Happy knocked to the side and his flames snuffed out before he could fire any attacks.

And with one specifically powerful and perfectly-timed attack, Erigor had blown Natsu right off the railroad track they were fighting upon, Natsu's stomach flying into his throat as he fell, hurdling downward and toward the canyon floor below.

Igneel raised an eyebrow, curiosity taking hold. What would Natsu do now? This was arguably a dire situation, and also arguably one of the worst his son had faced on jobs so far. What would he do when faced with a challenge such as this one?

Igneel had a few guesses as to how Natsu would get out of it. However, he was taken by complete surprise as a specific memory flashed across Natsu's mind.

Macao.

Macao's voice echoed in Natsu's head, an image of purple flames manipulated by his hand taking hold of his mind's eye. Macao had once or twice mentioned to Natsu that flames were dynamic. They didn't just burn or shoot straight out, but with great concentration and control, could move as if they were alive. They could bend to the caster's will and become limitless. They could do anything.

It was the very first time Natsu had thought of anyone other than Igneel in desperate times such as this one. Whenever he was faced with a challenge, inevitably Igneel would hear his own voice echoing in his son's head, something he'd said during their days together reminding Natsu of what to do. However, this time it'd been someone different.

It was a bittersweet kind of pride that overtook Igneel as a determined smile stretched across his son's face. It was a little sad in a way Igneel couldn't quite place to see someone else's teachings help his son in his time of need, and yet he was so undeniably proud that Natsu had made such a quick connection, and had apparently learned something very valuable from one of his fellow guildmates, it made him want to smile.

Because challenges shaped and created a great mage, but creating different strategies, taking tips from others, and applying them to current situations was what presented the potential to be beyond great.

I have always liked that one little flashback Natsu had of Macao. To me it just shows how many father figures he has and how he's learned different things from all of them.
I also looked a lot like Igneel (facepalming) over Natsu just running right into the barrier. I feel the need to say, "good lord, child" whenever Natsu just runs ahead and does something stupid, lol!

Anyway, I hope this one was enjoyable! And thank you for the amazing reviews and whatnot! We're slowly nearing the end of the Lullaby arc! :D

~Foxtail-chan