(A/N: I apologize for the long wait everyone. My AP chem class has just started reviewing for the AP exam in May so it might make me a tad bit hiatus but I'm not going to leave you all hanging with the stories, you can believe that. I worked all day on this chapter so hopefully it shouldn't sound rush. If you notice anything like that, I do apologize. Enjoy and remember to review ^_^ )

The low rumble of thunder caught the princess's attention, causing her to sigh. It had been raining, practically storming for over three days now. None of it made any sense to her but then again she couldn't predict the weather. She was just grateful that she didn't hear any rain tapping against the new balcony's door. She got to her feet and walked outside. The ground below had many mud spots and puddles created by her dragon protector. She knew she wouldn't be going down there any time soon.

Igneel, she sent. Are you around anywhere?

In response, the dragon raised its head out of the small pool of lava. Has it finally stopped raining? He whined.

Lucy giggled. For Igneel to be such a powerful fire dragon, he still couldn't stand water. For now but I heard thunder a little while ago.

Igneel snorted, climbing out of his hiding place. Why must it rain? There are enough rivers and oceans to go around! Where's there water, there's bound to be ice!

A frown appeared on the blonde's face. Are you still upset about your fight with Prince Gray?

Upset? Igneel swung his head towards her, blowing smoke from his nostrils. I don't know the meaning of the word! When he caught the faint laugh of the princess he growled and turned deliberately away. He was nothing but a stripper anyway….I don't know why but the thought of him just irritates me.

Lucy blinked, leaning over the balcony. "A jealous dragon," she whispered. Well she had never expected this to happen. Suddenly, another growl escaped Igneel; the fire dragon turned his attention to her, his voice coming in a commanding form.

Go back inside. I smell a rat.

Lucy scowled but followed his order, closing the door behind her. What's this of a rat? She questioned.

Her answer came as a familiar pressure began to compress into her mind. The blonde quickly sat down as her senses began to merge with Igneel's once again. She could feel his agitation as they stared off at an approaching figure. Lucy already knew it was a male as this was the only thing that would cause Igneel to become highly upset. The male began to make his way across the bridge; his blonde hair stuck out against his purple coat trimmed with fur. What caught the princess's attention most was the scar alongside his face. Igneel held his ground as the man approached, towering over him easily.

"So you're the dragon I have to slay?" the man boomed.

Perhaps, the dragon replied. What's the name of my opponent?

"Laxus Dreyar, the prince of Fairy Tail. I came at once when I heard of this woman's bosom."

Perv! Lucy spat. Igneel, get rid of him at once!

The fire dragon rolled his eyes. I'm afraid I can't let you see her as this is the end of your journey. Leave now before I attack.

"I'm afraid you're misunderstanding me, dragon," Laxus growled. "Lightning Eruption!" Suddenly, the ground began to rumble and a large lightning bolt ripped through the surface, striking Igneel in a single blow. When the lightning cleared the dragon was seen lying on his belly. Laxus scowled in annoyance. He was looking for a challenge not an easy walk in the park. When he saw a twitch of the dragon's wings, he smirked and walked towards Igneel, placing one of his muddy boots on the snout of the beast. "You see dragon, I am a dragon slayer. You'll have to work to defeat me."

Igneel open one of his eyes, staring at the boot before snorting it away. Well I'll be damned…He quickly took to the sky only to hover as a bolt of lightning struck near him. I have to fight you in this storm? You planned this!

Laxus only chuckled. "I'm afraid not, dragon; I just got lucky."

Igneel…Lucy whispered to the dragon. Do you think you'll be able to defeat him?

I…I don't know, he replied, gazing down at the man below him. I've never faced a dragon slayer before, but I won't let him win if you wish not to go with him.

The princess sighed. I really don't.

"Are you paying me any attention?"

Igneel froze, turning around to see Laxus beside him and received a punch to the face. The dragon recoiled, growling in rage. He was confused at how the man was able to float in the sky with him until he noticed the human was engulfed in lighting completely. It looks like aerial combat won't be a good use like I hoped for. He flew back towards the ground, landing with ease. Narrowing his eyes, Igneel opened his mouth sending out a large flame. Fire Dragon's Roar!

Laxus easily maneuvered around the attack thanks to the use of his Lightning Body and landed a few feet away. Igneel stared in shocked at how his signature attacked had missed so easily. The Lightning Dragon Slayer only chuckled in amusement. "Nice try," Laxus replied. "But try this on for size. Thunder Bullets!" The blonde held up his arm outstretched, with both of the palms open, and create spheres of lighting around his forearm. Suddenly, lightning orbs began to fire away from them towards the dragon at high speed.

Igneel stared at the orbs as his claws began to glow with a fiery intensity. Fire Dragon's Claw! He raked his claws at each of the orbs catching them all within his single blow. The touch between fire and lightning caused a giant explosion causing the dragon to take flight back into the sky to save himself from the backfire. He saw the smoke beginning to clear and saw that it had damaged Laxus some. Igneel took this as the chance to strike while the man was still blinded. He flew backwards a bit before diving forward towards his enemy and began to engulf his entire body in flames. Fire Dragon's Sword Horn! He rammed into the blonde haired man, sending him flying into the sky. Igneel hovered once before landing on the ground, watching Laxus land a couple yards away.

The dragon let out a snort. And that's that. His tone became softer as he continued, releasing Lucy from the connection they had made earlier. What do you think of that, Princess?

Lucy rubbed hear head as her own senses returned. That was…..something, she replied. She got to her feet, ignoring the dragon as he began to rant on about every move he struck against Laxus. Rolling her eyes, the princess turned her attention back towards the window. Suddenly she caught sight of Laxus beginning to move; her eyes grew huge in shock. Igneel! Stop it!

The dragon stopped midsentence of his boasting. That's not very nice of you to be interrupting me, he snorted, turning his eyes towards the princess.

No that's not it! Look out behind you!

Behind….? Igneel followed the princess's orders only to find Laxus standing on his feet. The dragon let out a growl. So you're still up for fighting?

Laxus chuckled as he regained his balance, staring defiantly at the dragon before him. "Honestly, I've had enough of our little games. It's time that I'd finish this." He paused, glaring at the dragon once more and then took in a deep breath. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!" A destructive beam of lightning was released from his mouth and headed towards Igneel. Just as the dragon began flying out of harm's way, Laxus swung his head making the lightning move in a giant arc. Once it hit, Igneel came crashing back down onto the ground. Laxus finished his attack, staring at the dragon that now lay before him. "Go on and get up," he sneered. "I dare you to."

Igneel shifted his eyes towards his opponent only for them to grow wide in shock. He couldn't feel his legs or wings at all. What have you done to me? He demanded.

You're paralyzed! Lucy gasped in shock. She had stood and watched the scene from behind the door of her balcony. You have to try and fight it, before he attacks you.

That's easier said than done.

"It's a pity," Laxus said. "It's look like I'll have to finish you off already." He lifted his arm up into the air. "Don't worry; this will be quick and full of pain."

What is this that I'm getting from him? Lucy whispered to herself, ignoring the fact that Igneel could hear. It's like I feel a strong magical power coming off of him…but how?

"Resounding through the air…."

Igneel! You have to get out of there!

"The roar of thunder…."

I can't Princess, Igneel croaked. This might be the end…

"Plunge from the heavens and reap destruction!" the prince gave one final look at the dragon, before lifting his head towards the sky, the final words echoing in the valley. "Raging –"

"Stop!"

Laxus blinked watching as a giant bolt of lightning descended from the sky, racing towards Igneel only stopping a few feet short before vaporizing in midair. The dragon stared at the lost attack in shock before sighing in relief. The dragon slayer, however, was furious and turned towards the balcony to see the voice of his interrupter. "Ah, Princess," he growled. "You finally reveal yourself. If I knew attacking your dragon this much would bring you out I would have done this earlier."

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting," Lucy said. "But please, just leave him alone. After all, all you want is me, correct?"

Princess! What are you doing? Igneel demanded.

Hush! She chided. Just go with it and wait to regain your ability to move again.

"That you are right, Princess," Laxus replied. "But by the words of your father, the dragon must be killed before I take you away from this treacherous place. Then we can leave and marry off. I'm sure you'll be very well protected."

"The thing is….I do not believe in killing. Why don't you just come up here instead since you did paralyze the dragon, if I remember correctly?"

"That you do, but the time only lasts for a few, so I must kill him."

Lucy shifted her gaze over towards Igneel who was beginning to stir in his position. She could tell he just needed a little more time. "Well then, if you kill the dragon then you cannot have me." She turned her head away, pretending to pout.

"Come now Princess," Laxus coaxed. "Don't be so hard on me. Say, let's make a deal. If I don't kill the dragon will you let me have something in return as I'm already breaking your father's wishes?"

The princess raised an eyebrow, turning her attention back towards him. "And what could that possibly be?"

"If I don't kill the dragon, let me get an early look at that rack of yours."

Ack! Gross, this guy is worse than an old perv…Igneel! "S-sure," she said, forcefully. "Just make your way towards the door down there."

"That I will."

Suddenly a growl began to echo through the valley. Laxus turned around seeing Igneel standing back on his feet, but now the dragon's body had now taken on an eerie red glow. The Lightning Dragon Slayer took a step back, recognizing the intensified power coming off of the dragon.

"Dragon Force," Laxus gasped. "But you should be weakened!"

I'm not going to let you have the Princess that easily! Igneel snarled.

"I guess I'm going to have to kill you in another way! Lightning Dragon's Heavenward Halberd!"

Laxus began forming lightning between his hands and then wielded it into a large spear out. He then threw it towards Igneel at a great force as it traveled at a high speed. The dragon held his ground, opening his mouth to take in the giant attack and swallowed it whole instantly. This caused him to move back a couple of yards, before shaking his head. He let out a small cough before smiling.

Well, that sure filled me up. Thanks for the meal.

"How in- you're not supposed to be able to eat that!"

Igneel chuckled. I'm not the type that follows the rules. Suddenly, then dragon began to be engulfed in fire and lightning combined in an intensive glow. Igneel studied this for a moment before grinning; he caught Laxus beginning to back away cautiously. Odd, normally I feel all fired up but I guess this means something completely different. He narrowed his eyes at the opponent. This is the end, Laxus. Lightning Flame Dragon's Brilliant Flame!

Igneel opened his mouth to release a flame which was surrounded by lightning. Suddenly the two combined in midair and began to surround Laxus in a giant circle. The blonde stared in shock as the attacked suddenly closed in on him and exploded. Laxus was sent flying a few feet back landing on his side. The man began to struggle back to his feet. "I'm not going down this easily!" he snapped. "Lightning Dragon's Roar!"

Lightning Flame Dragon's Roar! Igneel released the large destructive beam from his mouth. The flaming sparking blast hurdled towards Laxus at a great speed and began to produce a powerful bright light as it struck forward. When it contacted with Laxus's attack, it caused a huge explosion. The man was propelled forward into the sky and disappeared from sight. The place where he once stood was scorched and seared from fire and lightning. The dragon lifted his head, letting out a roar of triumph before falling onto his side.

"Igneel!" Lucy yelled. Without even thinking, she raced down the stairs of the tower, throwing the door aside and fell to her knees beside him on the lawn. She placed her hands on the dragon's cheek, rocking it slightly to gain his attention. "Igneel! Igneel, are you alright?" Tears began to develop in her eyes when he didn't reply. Damn it Igneel you can't die! I just need you to answer me!

Why must you yell…?

The princess gasped. Igneel! You're alive!

Of course I am you weirdo! I'm just – he paused, noticing the tears streaming down her face. Why are you crying, Princess?

Huh? Oh…she stopped to wipe her eyes with her hand. It's nothing, I'm just glad you're safe. So what's wrong with you?

Igneel rolled his eyes. Humans are so emotional….I'm just tired, that's all. And I need rest...lots and lots of rest. He didn't wait for a reply and quickly closed his eyes.

Lucy smiled, rubbing his cheek with her hand. Rest up well, Igneel and thank you. She got to her feet and began making her way back towards the tower. "I'm so happy that you're alive," she whispered to herself. She paused, feeling a soft nudge against her mind and she knew it was Igneel's way of reassuring her he was fine and returning her thanks.

And thank you Princess, the dragon whispered.

His presences faded from her mind. Lucy turned back around only to find the dragon had already fallen into a deep slumber. She smiled softly before heading back into the tower.