A/N:: Hey guys, I've noticed lately that interest in this fic has been dwindling... it made me sad for a little while, but I got over it by simultaneously starting two more fics. I will still take this one to the bitter end, because like I've said before I'm writing it mostly for myself, and I love the way I've made these characters grow. Plus fight scenes are just to much fun, and I love writing them as much a I like fluff. But I can tell you this, It's not bad for the first multi book fic I've written. especially since the original was a one shot that I wrote in my note book and just decided to go crazy with it. Any way. I'm not really even half way through this, but I've decided to only update it once a week to give myself time to write the other two.

Chapter 8: Our Strength

"Can you repeat that please, I think that there may have been something in my ear." Natsu smacked the side of his head trying to force the none existent substance out.

"You heard me just fine the first time Master Natsu." Draco smiled brightly as he pointed to a stack of books. "I do not subject myself to trivial things such as fighting, so to acquire my powers you must pass a written exam." Natsu groaned loudly as he surveyed the titles of the massive volumes that had been placed in his personal space. He would rather face a vicious pack over grown wild animals who had fire resistant scales than read that many books, and be tested on them. Natsu was an action oriented person, and he knew that he would most likely never venture into the category of book smarts, not so long as he had an image to up hold at least. (Happy-go-lucky idiot)

"Can't I just take the test and be over with this? Is reading all this first really necessary?" Draco rolled his eyes as he watched Natsu let his pink haired head fall against the table with a loud thud.

"Natsu, you can't pass a test if you don't know the material." Lucy said with a slight scowl. "Besides I'm here to help!" Her scowl turned into a bright smile so fast it was nearly like the scowl had been in Natsu's imagination, as she set another stack of books on the table in front of her husband.

"You're kidding me, right?" Natsu's mouth hung open as he observed just how many volumes he would have to go through.

"I'll leave you to it then." Draco walked towards the door. "Lucy, dear don't forget that you have your own studies. Don't spend all your time helping with Master Natsu's or you will fall behind." Lucy nodded with a bright smile.

Natsu felt like he wanted to run away screaming as Lucy handed him the first large book. He had originally been happy to find out that they were taking their training up to Draco's home. It was a relief to sleep in a real bed after spending so much time out doors on the cold hard ground. His relief had been short lived though when they were summoned to the library for their training. Natsu could feel how amused the whole situation was making his book worm of a wife. He hated being confined like this, no matter the amount of time. Natsu's body was aching to destroy something just to relieve the feeling of being an animal trapped in a fairly large cage that smelled of musty old parchment and the stale metallic ink, it made him sick to his stomach. The only thing keeping him from demolishing the whole place at that point was the simple fact that Lucy would never forgive him for destroying such priceless books. 'Oh the things I put myself through for you.' Natsu thought bitterly,

Happy watched the exchange between his closest friends with a peaceful smile. It was nice to have some of the family back together again, even if it was only a portion of them. The feelings of impending doom that had been knotting his stomach for so long now loosened just a bit as he watched Lucy smack Natsu with a heavy looking leather bound book. The exceed giggled to himself as he watched Natsu whine at her for being mean to him, but Lucy only responded by scolding him about being a child.

Natsu was far from it, and Happy had watched as his dear friend had finally come to embrace that reality. It seemed like the seal that had been released held more than just memories and magic power back, it was almost as though a portion of Natsu's personality had completely changed. Happy had seen it from the very first battle that Igneel had force on Natsu during the training. He was deadlier in a primal way that had Happy actually fearing for his own safety, but Natsu never lost his head. Even when Happy was sure that Igneel's baiting calls of Natsu's short comings would push his friend over the edge the way it had so many times before. Natsu seemed to have gained control of those once unbridled emotions and powers, using them more wisely, and with near deadly precision.

The sheer amount of understanding and placid expressions during battle had been enough for Happy to make his own decision. His skills were limited when it came to actual fighting, Happy had often found himself being the brains behind Natsu's brawnm, but that role was no longer necessary. Now Happy found that his position in a fight would have to change as well, as his outward demeanor had over the course of events that had happened in such a short period of time. Every one in the family was working hard to push themselves to new heights, and Happy wasn't ready to allow himself to fall behind any further. In the months that Natsu had been busy with his masters, Happy had vowed to train himself to the extremes as well.

Igneel had been slightly shocked by the request from the small fragile looking animal, but after a serious conversation it was agreed that some course of action was in the best interest of every party involved.

"Edolas is something completely foreign to me. So I'm afraid that I don't have any information to help you train Happy." Igneel's mouth turned down in a harsh frown, but the small blue mage wasn't ready to give up.

"Is there anyone who could at least try to help me?" Happy stood as tall as he could make himself, filled with as much pride as any other mage of Fairy Tail. Though he had his chest puffed out proudly, Happy was surely not above groveling at the foot of a much greater creature if it meant he could gain some form of experience that could lead to his ability to help the others fight for their home. Igneel had nothing for him though, other than a suggested place to train in peace.

Happy had been sent off in search of his own awakening, since there had been no one who could help him. It didn't take long to find the area that Igneel had described, and he found that it was as comfortable as he was ever going to be while he was out here alone. Happy had watched Lucy and Natsu train with the others in the art of increasing their magical potential, he had always been right beside the two of them, and now it was his turn to train, he vowed to remain there no matter how long it took to make himself strong enough to make a difference this time. His pride rested on this, especially after everything they had all been through together. Some where deep inside he thought that Charle and Lily were thinking along the same lines, maybe they too were struggling with the idea of being the weak ones in the group, even though no one would ever saw that out loud. He refused to be a burden if he could make himself useful.

The weeks ticked by, and Natsu spent most of his time in Draco's library agonizing over the mountain of books that he had been given to study. It had been a great surprise when Gajeel had been brought to join them. Happy and Lily had taken the opportunity to disappear, going over the training they had done on their own.

"I'm glad to see you." Lucy was slightly shocked when Natsu held out his fist to Gajeel with a knowing smiling on his face. Gajeel observed Natsu for a short moment, before lifting his own fist to meet Natsu in a mutual understanding of what had happened.

"So I'm the first back?" Gajeel pulled up a chair to the table where Natsu was down to the last three book in his 'collection' of study materials.

"Aye" Natsu answered simply as he turned his attention back to the book. Gajeel turned his gaze toward the expansive wall of stained glass windows. The images of the ancient dragons in the glory of battle shined down at him. As a young child he, and he suspected Wendy and Natsu had all been told of the great dragon wars, it was a bed time story that Metalicana had often graced him with. The idea of fighting along side close comrades had always been a secret dream nurtured by those tales in Gajeel's youth. He never spoke of them aloud knowing that his foster father would view that as a weakness, and he would undoubtedly receive a harsh punishment for showing any sign of softness. As he thought back to joining Fairy Tail the realization that his childish dream was actually going to come true was some what over whelming.

"I beat him" Gajeel's voice ripped through the silent room, after around a half hour of the only sound bring the turning of pages.

"I knew you could." Natsu said without looking up.

"I killed him." Gajeel's eyes never left the image of the grand iron dragon that was one of the great ancient dragon's, a hero of the war that had taken over the whole world. It held it's head high with pride as it ripped at its enemy with it's razor sharp fangs and claws, red eyes burning with what Gajeel knew was the intent to kill his opponents.

"I know." Natsu closed the book and looked over at Gajeel with compassion. "How are you handling it?" Gajeel knew that acting tough around these two was absolutely ridiculous, because there was no lying when they could see your heart.

"I'm handling it the best I can." He leaned forward looking at his gloved hands for a long moment. "It was my only choice, Metalicana was ready to take my life if I couldn't take his. He nearly did, I was on the brink of death so many times, but I got so sick of running, and hiding. I didn't want to do it, I couldn't stand the monster he wanted to turn me into, not now that I have something to actually live for, but what else could I have done? I didn't want to die now that I have a real family." Gajeel pressed his fingers to the small mark on his chest allowing a faint smile to cross his lips.

"You did what was necessary, remember I told you that no one will judge you for what you had to do." Natsu punched Gajeel in the shoulder affectionately. "It is the way of the Iron Dragon to pass on their life to the next generation with a death match. It was a right of passage for you, no matter how brutal it may have been I'm sure your father died with pride." Gajeel listened as the self loathing he had been feeling melted away.

"Natsu is right." They turned to see Igneel standing in the door way. "And since you completed your right of passage, you will be Natsu's final tutor, because you are the only one left who used the Iron element." The room stayed silent as the information processed.

"You and I are both the last in our blood lines it seems." Draco ghosted over, giving Gajeel a sad but comforting smile. "Even though you are not a half breed like Natsu, you are still of a proud lineage, and you must up hold the honor of your family. This is the way things have been done for countless centuries. I'm rather jealous of Metallicana and Igneel honestly, because they have offspring to pass their legacies onto." Lucy was across the space before any of them could blink, wrapping her arms around the tall dragon.

"We are all family now." She gave him a watery smile as he unwillingly submitted to her outburst, wrapping his arms around her back.

"I suppose you are right." He said in a much softer voice.

"There is no need to feel lonely anymore." She gave him a devastating smile, that would have melted any man, dragon's were no exception. Igneel found himself smiling at a memory of a conversation with his old friend Makarov.

"Your grand father was right about you." He said teasingly. Lucy released her hold and made her way over to Natsu's grand father with a questioning glare. She placed her balled fists on either side of her hips.

"Grampa was right about what?" Her grandfather had always been known as a wise man, but the way Igneel was so amused she was nearly certain that it didn't have anything to do with her abilities.

"He predicted that if you got your mother's looks that you'd become a massive heart breaker. Shame on you for toying with an old dragon's heart strings like that." Lucy's cheeks turned crimson as she sputtered trying to respond with some form of coherency.

"I didn't mean it like THAT Igneel!" She huffed. Natsu and Gajeel couldn't help but laugh at the interaction between the two, as if they were old friends. After arguing for a long time with her elder about how completely off base he was Lucy sank back into her seat with an exasperated huff. "Oi, Natsu give me my crystal key please?" She turned to her husband and watched as he pulled out the chain from his shirt that held her key.

Lucy took the key in hand and walked over to the massive wooden doors she held out the key muttering to herself as she traced the lines which glowed with a bright golden light. When she had finished the out line she pushed forward. With in a few seconds the room was filled with with loud high pitched squeals and Lucy found herself on the ground being hugged to death by half of her personal guard.

"LUCY-NEE!" Lupus cried her thick black tail whipping wildly behind her. "We've missed you so much!" Lucy sat up rubbing the back of her head with a pained smile.

"I've missed you all too." She watched Loke make his way over to Natsu and Gajeel so he could catch up on the events that had they had missed over the time that had passed. The rift between these two worlds seemed to have a different time shift, and they had been gone for more than six months for the celestial beings.

"I've been going crazy worrying about you!" Vulpi cried out, his bright blue eyes filling with dramatic tears. Lucy couldn't help but giggle as she playfully messed up his shaggy blonde locks.

"Who's up for a sparring match?" Lucy asked the whole group. They all turned to her with curiosity. "What, I've been couped up studying for weeks, if I don't get some practice in I'll get rusty again." Natsu was the first to rush over excited to get out of his personal hell that was known to everyone else as a library. "I'm going to need my swords." Lucy looked at Vulpi who cringed slightly. "I swear I will never let myself get that far out of control again." She whispered calming her friend's deep rooted fear of her weapons.

"Swords?" Gajeel asked slightly confused.

"Oh, I didn't tell you all that I can duel wield did I?" She asked with an impish grin on her face.

"I think I'll join you." They all turned to see a tall blonde leaning against the door frame.

"LAXUS!" Lucy shrieked happily running over and throwing herself at her cousin. "I wasn't expecting you to get back just yet!" She admitted looking him over with a critical eye.

"What so now you're the only person who can do intensive training like it's nothing? I have been gone a whole YEAR you know." Laxus scowled at his cousin who only gave him a bight smile in return. She turned to the tall golden god like dragon with a pout and big round puppy eyes.

"Can I have a break PLEASE?" The two dragons laughed at the sight, and Draco agreed. It didn't take long for Vulpi to return with Lucy's twin swords, and once he had, they all made their way out into Draco's garden court yard. Natsu stretched himself out on the grass as Lucy and Laxus decided the terms of their match.

"How do you want to do this?" Lucy asked as she attached the sheaths of her swords to the special attachments on either side of her belt.

"Lu, do you remember the first time we fought with real swords?" Laxus' face was stoney and unreadable as he looked his cousin over.

"I see you've learned to block me, and yes I remember how I beat you." Lucy smiled. The others watched the exchange with growing anticipation.

"Do you want to see if you can still take me out with out using any magic?" Laxus was baiting her, knowing that she had the Dreyer streak of pride that she would defend until the death. Lucy growled at the implications.

"Same rules?" She asked coldly.

"I have one exception, you can infuse magic into your weapon, because I have a new toy myself." Lucy raised an eyebrow to her cousin.

"Are you aware of my swords' power dear cousin?" 'two can play this game' she rested her hands on the hilt of each sword, ready for any move that Laxus might make.

"It can cut though anything, I am well aware, Lu." The condescending smirk on her cousin's face made her want to kick him in the groin, just to bring his thick head back down to earth. "But dear cousin, I'm stronger than the last time we fought. You see I'm like the others now." Natsu and Gajeel exchanged an amused grunt as they listened.

"Boundaries?" Lucy prompted, Laxus smiled as he materialized a tall staff and ran it along the ground.

"Same as that first time, lets see if you'll get Lucky now." Igneel smiled to himself, he had always wondered how a rematch would turn out when the two had reached their potential.

"Fine by me, is that is your weapon of choice then?" Lucy nodded to his lightning staff. Laxus merely nodded as he took his stance in the center of the circle.

"First out loses, and no dirty tricks like your stupid spirit boxes, and if anyone interferes we will call it a drawl automatically." Lucy nodded as she took her mark, unsheathing both swords. The ring was fairly larger than she had expected, but in all honestly that would most likely work in her favor. They faced each

Without warning Laxus struck out with his staff colliding with Lucy's crossed blades. She pushed him back with measured force so she wouldn't tire herself to quickly. Laxus twisted his staff in a circular pattern striking from every angle as he pushed Lucy back towards the edged of their boundary. She met every strike with a well placed block only backing up a few paces each time. The dangerously serious air around the two blondes was nearly suffocating. No one had ever seen a battle this intense between the cousins, it bordered on a true intent to pound the other into the ground. With each new strike it seemed that Lucy was more and more on the defensive side of the battle, allowing Laxus to control the flow of battle.

Laxus finally found an opening which was close enough to the boundary that he could knock her out with one more blow. Laxus made a wide sweeping motion he brought the staff low to the ground trying to knock his cousin off balance, but Lucy jumped out of the line of fire, twisting in mid air as she landed behind his cousin. Lucy kept her swords at her sides ready for his next movement, eyes narrowed dangerously as she listened for any signs of her cousin's next move.

"It's a shame we aren't using the first blood rule, because I would have already won." She taunted, Laxus felt the hot wet blood drip down his cheek. 'When did she get that close?' Laxus turned just in time to catch her right blade with his staff, and dodged her left by barely an inch, a sharp pain ripped through his right shoulder as blood cascaded down to his finger tips.

"That is impossible, I dodged that!" Laxus blurted out with wide eyes. Lucy took advantage of his momentary loss of concentration and kicked him square in the gut. Laxus flew back a few feet landing half way across the line he had drawn, his face scrunched up in embarrassment as well as pain. Lucy sheathed her swords, sticking her tongue out at her cousin in triumph.

"Looks like I'm still Lucky." She teased playfully.

"Somethings never change." Igneel surprised the others with a deep throaty laugh. "I was expecting you to bruise his ego more by using the same move as last time, but this seems to have work rather well." Igneel walked over and patted Lucy on the head affectionately.

"He would have seen through that to easily, and with his recently required ability to block out my reading it was actually a little difficult to figure out how to handle him improved speed and upper body strength. Plus, beating my dear cousin bruises his ego enough to satisfy me." Lucy smirked with evil intents, which made the others gulp in fear.

"Did I miss something?" Gajeel was lost as to why Natsu's grandfather was treating Lucy as though she were the one he had raised.

"Igneel has been friends with my family for several generations." Lucy explained. "You know its' funny when I think about it, Igneel actually got to hold me before my father or even Grampa did." Lucy smiled brightly with pride.

"You were a noise little runt then too." Igneel said playfully.

"And your still mean, but at least this time I've finally managed to catch up to Natsu a little." Lucy beamed with pride, as she looked over at her husband.

"You're such a brat Lu. I want a full out rematch!" Laxus demanded, Lucy snickered as she hide behind Igneel, peeking out only to stick her tongue out once more.

"Lucy you and Laxus should head out to a more open area if you're going to fight with magic." Draco said running his long delicate fingers through his hair. Lucy giggled nervously.

"Uh, yeah. I don't want to destroy your house any more than I already did." The dragon slayers smirked in Lucy direction. "You guys up for a little hike?" She was instantly surrounded by her spirits who were more than happy to accompany her. Laxus on the other hand was going over the battle frame by frame in his mind trying to figure out exactly how she was able to cut him, and twice at that.

"I know I dodged that strike." Laxus ran his hands through his hair, as he followed after the gang.

"Are you going to go watch them?" Draco asked Igneel with amusement in his tone.

"No, it's time for them to test the strengths and weaknesses of their own family. I'm going to sit this one out." Igneel turned back towards the house and vanished inside.

"Those kids are more powerful than even you imagined." Draco whispered to the wind.

Lucy kicked Laxus's butt even after he got his power up! Major dent to his pride! lol