A/N: Chapter update! This is Natsu's POV. I hope I'm not rushing.. So please tell me how you feel about the story! Reviews please! :D criticisms are welcomed!

Chapter 21: The Sacrifice (Natsu)

The ground below my feet is red and glowing red hot coals surrounds me. I look around me and I see ponds of boiling water. This place can bake a normal human but, as a Fire Dragon Slayer, this is the perfect dwelling for the likes of me. It reminds me of home and of my father, Igneel, the Fire Dragon.

"You have grown to be a fine young man, Natsu." A familiar voice said, deep and thunderous.

I felt his breath brushing my hair from above. I recognized the voice. My heart stopped. I feel a burst of comfort and security. I held on my scarf hoping that when I turn around, I would finally see Igneel.

I slowly turned around and I froze. His eyes were blazing red, like fire. I can't believe what I'm seeing. It really is Igneel! He is standing right in front of me!

"Dad?" I said, my voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Natsu, my boy." He smiles, "It has been almost

like an eternity since we last met."

The moment he said that, I felt my chest tighten and my throat dry. I don't know whether I should feel happy, sad or angry. He abandoned me but the joy and pain of seeing him again was overwhelming. No words could explain it. I wanted to say something to him but only air escaped my open mouth.

"I know what you're thinking of, Natsu." My father pauses. "I am deeply sorry for leaving you, my son. I truly am."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I forced myself to say, my voice barely louder than a whisper. "Why didn't you tell me that you were leaving me? Why didn't you?"

"I just couldn't, Natsu." He replies, his voice is low as if he is in pain. "It pains me to say goodbye to my son."

"You left me alone! You abondoned me! You left without saying a word. I suffered long and hard without your presence! Dad, I missed you to the point where I didn't know what to do!" I cry as tears roll down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Natsu." Igneel replies, "I am deeply sorry for what I have done. I would give anything just to be with you. We dragons can't stay for too long in your world if not, we will perish."

"Then, why did you even bother coming into our world, Igneel?" I hiss.

"It is because I owe you a dept." Igneel pauses, "You, along with all the other Dragon Slayers, saved our race. We owe you, your bloodline, our lives."

"What do you mean?"

"You, as well as the other Dragon Slayers, share the same blood as your ancestors who saved us from extinction. In other words, I have been serving your family for a very long time."

"Are you trying to say that you know my biological parents?" I questioned him.

"Yes."

My legs became weak all of a sudden and I fell on my knees. My eyes could not blink. My mind is completely blank. I have never thought of my biological parents. Never.

"Where are they now, Igneel?" I ask, feeling confused.

"They died protecting Layla Heartfilia along with the other Dragon Slayers."

"What?"

"The night when I disappear was the same night your parents, as well as Layla-sama, died. It was the night of the Red Moon."

"I still don't understand you." I reply, feeling uncomfortable.

"Natsu, it won't be long before the Angel is sacrificed!" He roared his voice sounding almost thunder-like. "Lucy might suffer the same faith as her mother! The same person who killed your parents will kill Lucy!"

"Kill Lucy?"

"On the night of the Red Moon, when the stars form a straight line, the gates separating the realm of the Dragons, Celestial Spirits World, Edolas and Earthland will open, eight angels will be sacrificed to force the gates open for eternity!" Igneel roared louder, "Lucy will be the eighth!"

...

BOOOM! The thunder jolts my body awake, gaspingly. I was asleep. It feels like I have been deprived of oxygen for a long while. I look up and the dark sky greets me. It is going to rain. I rub my eyes and scan my surroundings. Where is Lucy? In my panic, I stand up.

"LUCY!" I call out her name frantically, "Where are you?"

No reply. I turn around to wake Happy up and just as I saw the message on the tree, lightning flashed behind my back. Fearful of what is about to happen, I slowly take a step back and I fall over a rock. I look at the ground that I fell on and without shifting my gaze at it, I stand up.

Lucy is going to sacrifice herself! Igneel was right. Just who are these people I'm going to be fighting against? What are they going to do once they kill Lucy and open the gates to the different realms? As of now, I have no idea what is the real objective of these people. Whatever it is, Lucy, the Dragons, my parents and this world is involved. I clench my fists and fire bursts out, surrounding my body. Just like Lucy, I too have lost many people I have loved. I will not allow her to die. Not now. NOT EVER.

"Happy!" I shout.

"Aye!" He replies, half-awake.

"Prepare to fly to Crocus, Happy!" I growl, "I'm getting all fired up!"

"Aye, Sir!" He replies, realizing what had just happened.

A/N: Natsu is going to Crocus to rescue Lucy from her death! Just what are the bad guys up to and who are they? Find out in the next chapter.. Chapter 22: Crocus

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