XX

Igneel's curiosity and slight excitement that had rubbed off from Natsu began to wane as he realized that, yet again, Natsu hadn't really thought this through. The job took place on an island and low and behold it hadn't even crossed his son's mind that they'd need a boat to get there.

Natsu often relied on the kindness of others to get him where he needed to go, whether literally or metaphorically. He had a rather likeable demeanor so usually people agreed to help him out, and in exchange, he thanked them and made their day with a smile. Natsu spread the bad reputation for Fairy Tail by destroying things, and spread the good one through his kindness. Although Igneel seriously doubted that Makarov considered a bright smile as payment enough for an obliterated building.

Although, this time was different. None of the sailors on the pier wanted to go anywhere near Galuna Island, which was where this particular S-Class quest took place. They all paled at the mention, scurrying off and telling them to find another boat. Igneel personally had never even heard of the island, although by the reaction it got, he figured perhaps maybe they should've done their research first.

Natsu jumped in surprise, successfully snapping Igneel out of his thoughts as an arm rested on his son's shoulders. All of the gusto Natsu had had suddenly deflated as he realized that the arm belonged to Gray. The fire of rivalry burned in Natsu's stomach as Gray explained he was there to take them back to the guild. There was no way in hell Natsu was going back now. He'd convinced Lucy to come and he'd actually successfully snuck up onto the upper floor of Fairy Tail. It was too late now.

As Natsu immediately launched an attack at Gray, Igneel spotting Lucy with her forehead in her hand, yet another voice joined their group. The fighting ceased as a very ominous-looking sailor hobbled over to them, and upon deducing they were mages, said that he would take them to Galuna Island.

Natsu's eyes flicked back over to Gray who was still distracted by the sailor, and promptly punched him right in the face, knocking him out cold. Igneel sighed, rubbing at one of his temples. At least Natsu was… resourceful? He had taken the moment of opportunity to knock out his obstacle that just happened to be Gray, and who was entirely meaning well in wanting to take them back to the guild.

Upon deducing that having Gray go back to Fairy Tail after he woke up wouldn't be a good thing for them, being as Erza would probably be sent next, Natsu promptly tied Gray up and they all set sail.

Through the blurry nausea of Natsu's motion sickness, Igneel was able to keep up somewhat with the conversation happening between Lucy and the sailor, and ultimately then Gray when he awoke. Apparently Galuna Island was considered cursed, and the sailor, whose name turned out to be Bobo, showed his arm to prove it. It was gnarled and inhuman, blue and unnatural. Lucy gasped in shock and Bobo threw his cloak back over his arm. She questioned him further, but before Bobo had the chance to answer and any of them knew what hit them –especially Natsu who was entirely out of it and simply trying to keep down his breakfast- a wave overtook their ship, coming out of nowhere and blasting them all into the ocean.

Everything went black for Igneel and a slight sort of fear gripped at him. He could still hear Natsu's breathing, his heartbeat, but everything had gone blank. It was similar to when Natsu had been knocked out before, and honestly it was quite boring from Igneel's perspective, but as he began to hear gurgles coming from his son's lungs it became a little frightening.

Luckily, before he could panic too much, Natsu's body was washed out of the water, and a while later Natsu's eyes opened to a bright island scene, sand and ocean foam as far as the eye could see. Lucy, Gray, and Happy were all with him, looking a little woozy and confused.

They regrouped quickly enough, Gray hastily agreeing to help them on the mission since they were already there as they trudged toward any sign of life.

A village on the horizon came soon enough, and in revealing their guild marks to the people inside, they were let into the barricaded town.

It didn't take long for Igneel to figure out why this was an S-Class quest, or to again shake his head and wonder exactly what Natsu had gotten himself into. First he meets Lucy, then teams up with Gray and Erza, and then his son's jobs seem to be getting a little more… dangerous. Whether a coincidence or not, he wasn't certain.

Igneel hoped this one wouldn't be as bad as Lullaby. After all, not much could compare to a Zeref Demon.

Although, if there was anything that could, it was the fact that these people were apparently part demon themselves, their bodies twisting and turning into monsters before their eyes as a purple moon appeared in the sky. Their mission? Destroy the moon that had put a curse on these people.

Because that was definitely an easy thing to do.

And thus begins the Galuna Island arc! And right at chapter 20 to top it off! :D I just love thinking of Igneel facepalming at everything Natsu and everyone else does. He seems like a rare voice of reason to me, lol!

Also just a quick note: this story (as said in the first chapter) will have spoilers up through chapter 416 of the manga, however there may be some mentions of things after that, all the way up through some of the current stuff. Just little hints, but nonetheless I thought I'd warn. ;3

Thanks again so so so much for the amazing reviews and keeping with me through this little story! You're all so awesome! :D

~Foxtail-chan