Christmas break is here which allows me more time to write for you guys ^_^ thank you for all the reviews everyone and keep them coming! As for all of you asking for Natsu just keep waiting ;) your first prince has just arrived.

A few days had passed since Lucy had gotten to know Igneel. The dragon proved to be worthy enough of keeping her company and offering protection. Though, she wouldn't have minded if the prince would show his face and fight for her. Sighing, she rolled over in her bed, concealing herself in the covers. She thought her life back in the palace had been lazy but now she could lie in bed all day if she wanted to. This was a better life living on her own.

She had just begun to sink into a slumber when a deafening roar echoed through her head causing her to tumble from her bed, crashing onto the floor in a frenzy of sheets. Lucy sat up, rubbing the side of her head in annoyance. Okay, perhaps a dragon being able to talk in her head wasn't a part of the good life.

What's the big idea Igneel? she demanded.

I've been trying to get your attention for who knows how long, the dragon replied. There was an edge to his voice that the princess had never heard before. She listened intently as he continued with a softer tone. I must admit, you're getting a bit better with your barrier.

Why thank you. But why did you need my attention?

Igneel hesitated before responding. I've caught scent of a human boy, he said at last. I wanted you to know about it first before I decided on doing anything.

Lucy blinked in surprised. Her prince had come already? She didn't think a boy would appear this soon. Okay, then again she had just been wishing for one to come but she was just beginning to accept the lazy life. She didn't want to be bothered with this right now when she was still in pajamas.

"I can't have the prince seeing me like this!" she yelped. She bolted towards her closet, pulling on a burgundy tank top and mini shorts. She then made her way over to her mirror, looking everything over. "I may not be in the palace but I still have respect towards my appearance."

Quit shutting me out...

The princess giggled, detecting the whine in the dragon's voice. Sorry Igneel, but I didn't want a human to see me this way if he defeats you.

The dragon snorted. The only person who can truly defeat a dragon is a dragon slayer.

Isn't every prince trained to slay a dragon?

Perhaps, but that's not what I mean...I'll explain it to you some other time.

Lucy rolled her eyes in annoyance and made her way towards her window. She could see Igneel sitting below it, gazing protectively at the horizon. Resting her head on the pane she gazed down at him only for the dragon to turn his eyes towards her. The princess stared back for a few heartbeats only to pull her gaze away and stare off at the horizon.

The human, Igneel whispered. He approaches.

"How can you already see him?" Lucy questioned, straining her eyes to see in the far off distance. All she could make out was the sun and she was pretty sure that wasn't a person at all. Suddenly she felt a pressure inside her head. "Igneel what are you doing?"

Just relax...you want to see the Prince, right?

Lucy didn't reply, confused in the whole matter. She took a deep breath to calm herself as the pressure increased inside her head. Suddenly her vision began to blur and she began to blink to try and clear her senses. As they began to clear, the princess began to make out what was in front of her. She gasped, realizing she was seeing outside of the tower. A sound caught her ear and her gaze turned to an approaching figure on the horizon. She then concluded the sound was coming from the figure...or person? What's going on?

I've merged your senses with mine for the time being, Igneel replied. That person there is the prince...I can feel it.

Igneel turned their gaze back at the boy as he had now come to the bridge. When their entwined senses, Lucy was able to get a better perspective of the boy than she would while in the tower. She had already noticed that her vision was more powerful now that it was working alongside Igneel's. They both watched curiously as the boy made his way across the bridge.

Aren't you going to do anything? Lucy questioned the dragon.

Not yet. I want to sum him up first.

The princess blinked in confusion. Sum him up? She turned to look at the boy trying to figure out what summing could Igneel possibly do. She easily guessed by his appearance that he was near her age. He had spiky black-colored hair that went along with his dark blue eyes. He wore a blue tunic which had an odd yellow pattern across it. For some strange reason, he wore a light-blue jacket over it where the sleeves became a dark blue-green with stripes. White gloves covered his hands which were rimmed in a darker blue where it connected with the jacket. His pants were white...at least she believed them to be pants as they could have easily been tights. On his feet was a darker blue pair of boots. Around his neck was a flowing blue cape.

Well, what Lucy was getting from this guy was that he really loved the color blue. She doubted that was what Igneel was looking for however. She wondered what kingdom that the possibly came from. If she remembered correctly, her father always stated you could tell what kingdom a prince or princess came from by the predominant color of the hair and eyes. Lucy never understood by looking this prince made her want to guess he came from a kingdom that was near a sea...or possibly a cold environment. Suddenly, a grunt from Igneel caught her attention. The boy had now made his way across the bridge and was staring at Igneel intensely.

"So," the boy stated, placing his hands on his waist. "You're the dragon protector, huh?"

And you're the rescuing prince? Igneel retorted, folding his wings behind his back.

Igneel...Lucy whispered. Don't be so mean.

The dragon snorted, ignoring her completely. He got to his paws, looming over the prince. If you want the princess you will have to go through me.

"I know the rules," the boy scoffed. Suddenly, he pulled off his jacket and shirt and tossed them aside, revealing a six pack. "And I'm not going to give up so easily. I Gray Fullbuster, challenges you, Dragon."

Challenge accepted.

Wait...what? Everything was happening so fast before her. Without any warning Igneel lunged for the prince only for him to dodge the attack. Lucy stared in confusion. Why in the world was this boy half naked? Just as the thought crossed her mind, the boy disposed of his boots and cape. He then pulled his hands together, a light blue energy developing in his hands. What is he doing?

"Ice-Make, Geyser!" Gray yelled, slamming his hands against the ground in front of him. Suddenly the ground began to freeze at a rapid speed, stretching out towards Igneel. He watched as the dragon quickly took to the sky, dodging the tower of ice spikes that broke through the surface. He grimaced at his failed attack.

What just happened? Lucy demanded from Igneel. And don't ignore me!

He's a mage! Igneel snapped. Isn't it obvious? An ice mage at that.

Lucy wanted to flinch under his tone. Of course! The boy would be a mage, having a better chance at defeating Igneel than an average prince with no magic. Unfortunately she didn't know too much on the subject. I wasn't around mages...She replied half-heartily. Father outlawed magic from our kingdom.

Outlawed? The dragon suddenly rolled to the side, dodging the many ice arrows that struck through the air. He continued to barrel roll out of harm's way as a growl began to develop deep in his throat. I've had enough of this. Fire Dragon's Roar! Igneel opened his mouth and released a brilliant stream of fire from his mouth striking down upon where Gray stood. He watched in anger as the mage unleashed a giant shield of ice in front of him for protection. The dragon hovered in the air for a moment before landing in front of the mage, sending him a menacing glare. Not bad...for a cold-hearted man.

"Cold-hearted?" Gray echoed, putting his hands behind his back. "Really, I haven't said any insults to you during this entire thing." He took a step forward only to stop as Igneel let out a growl. A smirk appeared on his face. "But if you insist, Ice-Make Prison!" Pulling his glowing hands out from behind him, the ice mage leaped into the air above Igneel and placed his hands out in front of them. Blue energy escaped from them and a large square cage began to developed high over the dragon's head reaching down all the way to the ground which captured him completely. Gray balanced on top of the cage for a moment before jumping down onto the ground to stare at the dragon.

"I don't want to kill you, lizard," Gray said calmly. He backed away as Igneel blew smoke from his nose. Doing his best to avoid walking near the cage, he headed towards the tower. "I'll be back once I bring the Princess out of there. Then I'll release you." He threw his hand up in farewell.

Lucy let out a gasp. Igneel, you can't let him get away so easily. Suddenly, she froze remembering that he was looking for her. She couldn't be found if she was stuck talking with Igneel. She could only imagine what he would find, an unconscious princess... He can't see me in this state if I'm still with you! she yelled. I can wind up being raped!

The dragon chortled in amusement. Have no fear, Princess. He felt the Princess's confusion settle in and he began to tilt his head back, mouth a gape. A fireball began to develop within it, becoming bigger in mere seconds. Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame! He quickly released the attack; it fired in a giant explosion and melted the cage with ease. The sound caught the attention of Gray. Igneel stood before him snarling menacingly. Thought you could capture me in that puny fortress?

Gray chuckled, putting his hands together in preparation of another spell. "I must admit," he replied. "But I'm not giving up so easily. Ice-Make Cannon!"

A large bazooka like structure developed in his hands similar to a handheld cannon. He pulled the trigger and a giant cannonball made of ice hurtled towards the dragon. Igneel held his ground as the giant ball of ice headed towards him. As he watched, his fangs began to glow with a fiery glow. Fire Dragon's Crushing Fang!

Timing the attack, he lashed out at it with a powerful bite. The ice cracked at the touch of his fangs and broke into a million shards. Gray stared in dismay. Now it's my turn for tricks! Fire Dragon's Wing Attack. Igneel flew towards the mage, his wings engulfing in flames and quickly attacked, causing Gray to fall back near the lava. Gray struggled to get to his feet only for Igneel to quickly trap him beneath his claws. Now I'll finish you off. Fire Dragon's -

Igneel stop!

The dragon hesitated in mid attack, keeping a firm grip on his opponent. His eyes narrowed in annoyance. Princess, I must finish this!

You don't have to kill him, she wailed. The princess had watched enough of this; the battle going on for so long. At times she wasn't sure who was going to have the upper hand, but she could clearly see now how powerful Igneel truly was. Just let him go...I can't stand to watch another death.

Igneel let out a sigh. If that is what you wish. He turned his attention back to Gray, baring his fangs to make sure he got his message across. Listen to me and listen to me well. You will leave this place and never return in exchange for me letting you go with your life. Do you understand?

Gray blinked in surprise. "You're letting me go?" he asked astonished.

Just answer the damn question!

"Fine, dragon. I will leave. Is there any other request?"

Igneel let out a snort, lifting his claws. Yes, now get out! He let out a growl, watching the man get up and made his way across the bridge. Once he was gone he snorted with contempt. Honestly Princess, you can't meddle with all the fights.

I know, she whispered. I just have one request Igneel. Please, don't kill any of the princes that come to rescue me. I beg of you.

If that is what you wish Princess.

Suddenly the pressure within Lucy's head began to happen again. She realized that Igneel was releasing her from their merge from earlier. As her vision began to take on what was inside of her room, her head began to spin. The princess found herself on her feet and slumped to the floor, holding her head until everything stopped spinning. Was every battle going to be this way? She certainly hoped not as she had kept quiet through the entire thing but she worried about the outcome of each battle. It was an experience she could have never imagined but seeing Gray held beneath Igneel's clutches hurt her to see.

Princess?

She looked up, seeing Igneel staring her through her window. She rolled her eyes as she walked towards the window. Stalker dragon.

I am not, he replied. Are you alright?

Just a bit shaken from the battle...that's all.

More like you were hurt. I will never let you go through that again.

"No!" she shouted aloud. From the dragon's expression she could tell he got that without her even having to think it. No, you don't have to do that. It was...a wondrous experience. I'd love to do it again as long as you don't kill anyone.

Why is this killing bothering you so much?

Lucy sighed and turned away from the dragon. It's nothing. Look, I'm tired from the experience and I'd like to go to bed if that's alright.Igneel stared at her for another moment before disappearing from the window. She knew he would tell her goodnight later on when she was beginning to fall asleep. For some strange reason the dragon had a good sense for how she was feeling. Sighing she made her way towards the bathroom. "Perhaps I'll tell him another time."