(A/N) CeruShimRu here and I present to you the chapter many of you have been waiting for :D and I'm sorry it be short but the story is almost done here but not exactly ;) I'll give you more details on that later on. I'm just excited I got 2 chapters up in 1 day. Anyways, happy reading and remember to send in reviews because this keeps this story alive!

The princess sat within her room; multiple emotions ran through her head as she constantly tried to connect her mind with Igneel's again. She couldn't dare herself to move from her bed and look outside towards the fight. Igneel's words to her still echoed within her head, the burdening truth hurting as much as it did the first time. At times she could hear the giant explosions that happened below but she did her best to cancel them out from her mind. Finally, there was silence.

Lucy began to cling to Leon in fear. Why was it so quiet? Had something happened to Loke? Igneel? She had to know something! Suddenly the jiggling of the doorknob caught her attention. Oh no…The princess looked around her room wildly, thinking of place to hide only for the door to open wide to reveal Loke. Lucy's eyes grew wide at his battered appearance but a smile was still upon the man's face.

"Loke," she breathed. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to fulfill your father's wishes, Princess," he replied taking a bow.

Lucy stared at Loke in shock, her arms holding on tightly to Leon. None of this could be happening. She was in denial; utter and complete denial. Loke wasn't a prince, at least the last time she checked he wasn't, so how could he have come to the tower now and challenge Igneel? Igneel...Igneel! The voiced echoed inside her head only to be answered in silence. Her arms clutched tighter around Leon. "What have you done to him?" she demanded.

Loke blinked in confusion, dropping his hand to his side. "I don't believe I understand you Princess."

"I'm talking about Igneel! Where is he? He isn't answering me." Suddenly realization hit her like a stone. The dragon wasn't answering her…if he was tired he would have already let her known. At once her eyes grew wide with fright as she stared at Loke. "You…you didn't."

"What you mean that dragon?" Loke questioned. "My last attack got him rather well but I don't-"

"You killed him!"

Before Loke could respond, Lucy pushed passed him. She heard him call her name after her, but she didn't care. She had to find Igneel. Racing down the stairs she began to call out for him mental, reaching with her mind for a sign of life; a sign of anything that would bring her hope. Slowing her pace, she began to take in her surroundings. She had never noticed just how big this area of the tower was. Igneel could easily fit in her which caught her by surprise. The tiny places where she could see scorch marks assured her the dragon had been in here during his battle with Loke. But where are you now?

Following down the path of the many marks, she began to follow the nose burning smell of sulfur and smoke. It was something that was unbearable but she was sure it had to lead her to Igneel. The dragon was able to use electricity after all. If anything the room would be hot and sweaty like the one she was in if the dragon was around because of his body heat…. "Igneel!" Lucy yelped as she spotted the dragon across the fray. He was lying on his side, his wings plastered to his side. She quickly made her way towards him, placing a hand on his scaly body. He was still warm which showed a sign of life, but his flanks were rising ever so slowly.

"Igneel," she whispered as she crossed over towards the dragon's face. She sat down; resting her hands now on his large snout and began to stroke it. The dragon was unresponsive. "Igneel…you-you can't." she stammered. The soft clatter of shoes caught her attention and she looked up, spotting Loke had followed her. She turned her gaze away from him. He wasn't important at this moment.

"Princess…" Loke whispered.

"Shut up!" she snapped, not looking away from the beast. She could feel tears brushing behind her eyes. She just had to hold them back a little bit longer. She knew he would come back. She was positive. A dragon couldn't die unless he fought a dragon slayer. But he used his lightning power and it weakens him….Oh, Igneel! She wrapped her arms around him, doing her best to hug him.

"Princess…I think-"

No! The next few words she had to choke out. "Igneel, you cannot die! I wish for that! Do you hear me?" Her vision suddenly became blurry from tears. Silently she rested her head on the dragon's nose, letting the sobs rake her body as she continued to hug him. You can't leave me! You're my friend! My protector! You're-

Why must you keep yelling….?

The princess froze. Igneel? She questioned, looking up.

Yes, weirdo, he responded. His eyes were still closed and his flanks were barely moving. Lucy could detect the weakness in his voice. I was to protect you until the rightful prince appeared. This one, he's a friend of yours and I cannot hurt someone who is a nakama to you. A true friend would be happy for your happiness and you love him.

I never said that I-

We're connected, remember? Isn't that what you wanted? To marry out of love, not force. Leave this place, as I shall instead die from my own happiness which would be brought from your own happiness. This boy promised not to slay me as long as he left with you.

Lucy looked up from the dragon, glancing back at Loke. "Lucy, what the dragon speaks is true. Come with me, and I promise for sure I will not hurt him."

"You've hurt him enough already," she muttered, hugging the dragon tighter.

"Honestly Princess, a dragon cannot hold the emotions that a human contains."

"But you heard what he said! How can you say he cannot have emotions after all he said?" She turned her attention away from Loke, staring at Igneel. "I'd rather stay my life here than leave a dying nakama behind."

"Nakama?"

"Yes! It's something Igneel taught me…and I'm thankful for him teaching me that."

"Princess I did not kill this animal!" Loke snapped. "I made a promise to him that I would not hurt him anymore as long as I took you away from here so you could follow your heart."He paused, before looking down at his feet. "I didn't leave him at this state, that I promise you. It's just…you sound like you're in love with him. Please Lucy, the dragon already made his dying wish."

"But – "

He speaks the truth, Princess, Igneel rumbled.

Lucy stared at Loke in surprise before turning her gaze back to Igneel whose eyes were beginning to close. She noticed the dying light from them. Tears began forming at her eyes again as she stared at her dying friend. She had to leave. That was the only way to make him happy. Alright…I'll leave, she whispered to him ever so softly. She couldn't bear to utter the words because she didn't want Loke to overhear them. She began to hug the dragon even tighter. I love you, Igneel, and never forget that. She felt a soft humming sound in her head and she knew the dragon was happy. She smiled.

Letting go of her hug, she got to her feet and wiped at her eyes. Loke placed a hand on her shoulder, ready to lead her away. Just as the two turned to go a bright light suddenly illuminate from Igneel. At once they turned back ground to stare in astonishment as the dragon glowed. Lucy stared on in puzzlement when she noticed something….his size; his shape….it was changing! Igneel began to grow smaller until he took on the size of a human. The two stared on in amazement as the glow began to die away, revealing the form of a teenage boy about their age with spiky pink hair.

"What…just happened?" Loke questioned.

Lucy broke free from his grasp, walking over towards the newly formed Igneel. She knelled beside him, placing his head in her lap. This boy was so….strange. He was dressed in foreign attire, but it reminded her of some of the clothing she had seen some of the princes in. He wore a white scarf around his neck. His tunic was of black and gold and his pants cream. The triangular shape of his eyes was mystifying, but not as much as the teeth he showed when he opened his mouth to yawn. That's what caught her attention the most. They were extremely pointy near the canines. The boy opened his coal colored eyes, blinking up at the girl. He grinned up at her widely.

"Well it's nice to finally hear you say that, Princess," he replied.

"Ig – Igneel?" Lucy stammered. She had an eerie feeling that wasn't the correct name to be calling him. In response, the boy reached up with one of his hands and placed it on her cheek.

"No, Natsu."