Kei-Kei Yuki: Sorry for the long, but I took a break from Fairy Tail for while, and just got caught back up with the show. Hope you like this chapter!
Natsu: Yay, another chapter!
Luke: I hope you all enjoy!
Levi: Have lovely day!
Gajeel: See ya later.
Story 38: The Flaming Dance Empress!
All I ever knew in my life was you Igneel, I will never forget the early years of my life that I had you as my guardian. They were the best memories in my life, but the day you disappeared, I didn't know how to accept your disappearance. My only family that I ever know have just left me. . . I was now left alone with no one.
Then I met them, my new family, they accepted with me with open arms, warmth and laughter, reminding me of the good old times I use to have with you, but never did a day go by that I ever stop looking for you, Igneel. I continued to search each day, while my family back at Fairy Tail begin to grow bigger, as soon I stumble upon him.
Luke Heartfilia, a 'weakling', and 'playboy', was the first thoughts that pop in my head, as the boy in some way reminded me of Loke, but as I started to spend more time with him, forming a team, going off into adventures, I begin to learn more about him, and begin to value him more than anything.
The feelings I felt for him, weren't the same I felt for the rest of my family in Fairy Tail, they were different, a feeling I can not describe. I would always wanted to know more about him, keep him safe, and make sure he always safe and happy, and. . . to always keep him by my side. It was than I remember that conversation I once had with you dealing with boys.
"Natsu, if ever a young man tries to approach you, with the intent to court you as his mate. . . burn him alive." Replied the serious large fire breathing dragon.
"Hai, Igneel! But what if I don't want roast him? What if I want to make friends with him?" Natsu asked cutely, with a tilt of her head, an aura of innocence shined around her. The dragon remain silent, staring his daughter in the eye.
"Natsu. . would you like to know a new move?"
"Hai!" The conversation was then left forgotten from the young girl mind.
I wonder what would your thoughts be on him. He's a sweet and funny guy, and for reason I want him around forever with me. No matter what ever happened between us, we always got each back, through the good times, . . .and the bad. . . . We both have lost someone close to us, and know the pain of how losing that person felt to us. We understand each other, even without using actual words.
I have a new family now, I'm happy now,. . . .Plus now I have Luke and Happy but. . . I will never forget you. . . .Papa!
"Papa look I dancing in the fire!" Laugh a young Natsu, dancing in the the flames that form around her beautifully.
"Never stop dancing in the passionate heat of the flames. . .my young daughter. . .as they express your fierce, yet loyal, and warm heart like no other. Embraced them. . . and live life forward like the never extinguish bright flame that you are." Igneel watch as young Natsu happily continuing dancing in the sea of flames, a smile brighter than the flames itself etch on her face.
"Oh, Flame-brain were you listening? What do you plan on doing for this year upcoming Fantasia Parade!" Looking annoyed was Grace, eyes on the pinkette who seem to have doze off into her own little world, as it was creeping her out at how quite Natsu been, not moving an inch in her seat that was beside Luke.
Grace wasn't the only one feeling a little put off by the silence that developed around the guild hyperactive, fighting maniac, favorite Fire-Dragon Slayer, catching all of their attention when she suddenly rose to her feet, bangs covering her eyes.
". . . .The Dancing Flame Empress. . . .She is making a comeback." Natsu announced caused everyone in the guild, except for Luke, Gajeel, Wendy, Charle, and Julian, to be frozen in time, calmly making her way out the guild doors, Luke looking worriedly after her, as he watch her leave, but also wonder why everyone was sudden frozen stiff.
"Oi, what's wrong with everybody?" Came the question from Lily.
"What's the Dancing Flame Empress?" asked Luke, not a soul have move after Natsu announcement.
"I c-c-can't believe it. . . . .S-She r-really is r-returning?" Stuttered a wide eyed shock Grace.
"Happy, would you mind explaining, please?" Seeing how everyone else was useless, Luke turn his attention towards the blue Exceed cat. Taken back by the shadowy-expression on his face.
"The Dancing Flame Empress, is a name Natsu was given a long while back. During the time she first participated in the Fantasia Parade. She was a big hit, everyone loved her performance. Heck half of us was shocked speechless. . .their a reason we don't bring it up." Happy replied remorsefully.
"What is that? And why are we just now hearing about it?'" These questions came from Gajeel, hands folded underneath her chest.
"It brings nothing but sadness and lost to Natsu. Reminding her of the disappearance of Igneel." Happy begin to explain to them, what happen the first time Natsu perform. Of how once the the parade came to a conclusion, and everyone was looking for a missing Natsu, it was Grace who found the go-happy-girl, broken down in tears, mumbling Igneel names.
"For Natsu instead of happiness, it brought forward sadness. After that year she never put on the dance again despite it's popularity, and demand, and we as a guild never brought it back up as well. Now that Igneel is gone, I'm shock to hear her bring it up again. . . I wonder will she be okay?" It was obvious how worriedly Happy felt for Natsu, as not only Happy was worried for the Natsu, so was the entire Fairy Tail Guild.
"Don't worry Happy she'll be fine." Luke place a comforting hand on top of the blue neko head.
"I hope you're right. . ." Grace will never admit it, but she never again want to see Natsu in that state. Yeah, they're rivals, and can't stand each other most of the time, but their friends, sisters if you think about it. She'd rather see Natsu acting rash and stupid, than in tears.
"Well they're nothing we can do about it now, but be their for her, when things look like they take a turn for the worse. . .So let's get back to organizing the event. Grace and Julian you will be doing your Sea King and Ice Princess act." Clapping his hands, getting everyone back on track was Marco.
"Julian will be participating with Grace-hime as his princess. I'm so lucky~!" Julian cried tears of joy.
"Oi, what the heck the matter with with you?" Mumbled Grace.
"Levi and Gajeel, you all will be doing your Beauty and the Beast act."
"Ah, I wonder who will be playing the beast?" Happy asked innocently.
"Gajeel." Answer Lily, shocking Happy and a few others.
"Erzo-"
"We have our act!" Before Marco could even finish, Erzo spook up, holding a blushing Jella in his arms, who looked reluctant to be here.
"How did I even end up here?" Jella asked herself. One minute she was with her group, the next she was tied up and dragged here.
"Lexis-chan, don't forget you promise to participate as well this time!" Marco called out merrily, a smile on his face.
Lexis took a sip of wine, before answering."I heard you the first time, and don't add those girly suffixes to my name!"
"Wendy, Cana, and Lisanna you will be doing the Fantasia Dance, am I right?"
"Hai Nii-san!" Confirmed Lisanna. Putting a check mark by the girls names, Marco continue to check off other acts that were on the list. The guild was busy that evening, still paring for the Harvest Fest, Luke even though he looked fine, helping out his fellow guild members, was still greatly concern about Natsu, wanting nothing more but to go see if she was alright, but busy here with the preparations.
"I hope Natsu is alright." said Luke, before hearing Levi called out his name.
"Luke, we need your help over here!"
"Coming!"
"Alight have anyone seen the flame-brain? She been missing the rest of the week, and no one have seen her today!" The guild was in a frantic, seeing how no one have seen Natsu since the day she made her announcement, and none on today of the Harvest, making everyone worried, as the Fantasia Parade were about to start soon, and their main star was missing.
"Natsu. . ." Happy was feeling worried, missing his partner and best-friend.
"We don't have all day to be looking for her. Where the heck could she disappeared too?" asked Gajeel, dressed in some revealing sexy type outfit, that made her look part beast.
"Natsu will appear." Speaking up was Luke, dressed in Prince costume, looking the part to a tea.
"Luke's right. Natsu will appear. So let's all get in places." Erzo dressed up like some exotic prince, with Jella wearing some exotic, revealing, dancing arabian wardrobe. Listening to what Erzo said, everyone got place.
Once the Fantasia Parade begin, the crowd fell in love with all the difference floats and performance the guild members of Fairy Tail put on. Levi and Gajeel, with their re-spin take of Beauty and the Beasts, a spell magic transforming Gajeel into a beautiful princess, was a shock to those who witness her new princess look. Erzo was performing with his swords, his fangirls calling out to him, but he only had eyes on the beautiful dancing beside him, putting on a spectacular performing, combining her dancing with rainbow stars.
Julian was dressed like a King of the Ocean, happy to have his lovely Ice Queen, Grace, standing by his side, putting on a show of their own, that show out off their magic. Dressed like pair of gods, was Marco, and his goddess Lexis, throwing out candy and sweets to the crowd, also putting on a display of their magic. Wendy, Cana, and Lisanna, was doing a great job as well, even Happy, Charle, and Lily had a float of their own.
It was to be expected that Luke would get ton of girls gushing after him and his Prince costume, putting his playboy skills to work, as they got the girls blushing and squealing, screaming out his names, with pink hearts for eyes. It was then out of nowhere a fire theme float appear before him, his widen when he saw the familiar pink haired figure standing on top of it.
Wearing an outfit similar to the one Jella was wearing, but red and gold, decorated in beautiful ruby gems, a matching beautiful ruby gem and gold mask covered the top portion of her face, deck out in gold ruby accessories from head to toe.
"B-Beautiful. . ." Luke found himself saying, eyes glued to the stunning beauty before him, so was the crowd, all wondering who could she be, while others just from looking at her surprisingly tamed rosy pink hair, could tell who she was, but nobody could say nothing, when the figure started to dance.
Her body moving in perfect motion of the music, a swirl of burning fire dance around, moving alongside each of her moments, no eyes could leave from girl on fire, who was dancing brightly, shining even brighter than the flames themselves. If was as if the crowd, and all those who were watching, were put under some type of hypnotism. The flames and her heart becoming as one, burning at such an intense degree, she was brighten up the night sky.
'I am dancing once again, Igneel. I hope you watching from high above,. . .Papa!' Natsu continued to dance, a swirl of flames look as if they broke the sky in half, before spelling Fairy Tail in bright burning flames, ending her dance, ripping a applause and a cheer from the audience. When the Fantasia Parade was over with, Natsu was outside standing by the lake, when she felt Luke come up next to her.
"You're performance was really amazing Natsu." Smiled Luke, caught off guard when Natsu suddenly hug him tightly. Doing nothing but smiling softly, returning the hug, a hand patting her head softly. The two remained that way for the rest of the night, not a sound spoken between them, reading each other silence, content just having the other in their arms.
End of Story 38:The Flaming Dance Empress!
Hope you enjoy!