Chapter 4

AN: to all my loyal fans that have stayed with me I thank you tremendously. As of late I have been busy, I know that it's not a good excuse or even a reason to stop writing for you but it's the only one I have. I have always promised myself that I would never abandon a story, so I only ask that everyone be patient with the really slow updates and take joy in the fact that it may take a while, but there will be an update until the story reaches its end. Enough of my rambling onto the story, but there will be another AN at the end of chapter that will explain poll results and other things.

After Ultear had regained enough strength to eat she began telling her story of how she thought she was abandoned and of all the tests that had been run on her, and by the end of her tale both Ur and Ultear where crying in each other's arms. Ur had then told Ultear how the people that were supposed to be helping Ultear with her magic problem had told her that Ultear died and that was why she was so sad most of the time.

Once nearly a month had passed since Ultear's arrival, she was fully recovered and able to participate in all the training with her mother and the boys. This new happy lifestyle that everyone was living continued for almost five months after Natsu's arrival when Igneel told everyone that it was time for Natsu to leave and continue his training elsewhere.

While all were greatly saddened Natsu promised that he would come back and see all of them again sometime soon when he was done with his new training. With their goodbyes out of the way Igneel and Natsu took off again to find a new mentor for Natsu.

Igneel had watched Natsu over the last couple of months training with Ur and everyone else, and he was quite surprised when Natsu had been able to incorporate what Ur had taught him into dragon magic on his own. Now that Natsu was able use Fire, Hell Fire, Iron, and Ice, Igneel decided it was time for him to dabble into the less destructive but more complex dragon magic's.

With his mind set and the scent located Igneel took off to find the only shadow dragon he knew, Skiadrum. When Igneel had been flying for over two days they had finally left the frozen tundra. One day after leaving the cold behind Igneel began to descend and Natsu got his first look at the shadow dragon that Igneel had been telling him about.

Skiadrum was a large dragon of about 90 feet, but what most amazed Natsu was the ever present shadowy darkness that seemed to leak off of Skiadrum. Next Natsu noticed a very tiny child that seemed to only be about two sitting next to Skiadrum trying to summon some shadows in his hand.

Skiadrum had smelt Igneel coming near his location nearly a day ago, but never did he think that he would actually come to his location. When Igneel landed not far off from him and began walking towards him and his adopted son Rouge he moved in front of Rouge and slightly tensed his muscles in case he had to fight. When Igneel was less than 10 feet away Skiadrum said, "King Igneel how may I help you?" in a tense voice.

"I mean no harm to you or the small child Skiadrum; I wish only to have a civil talk. Also to prove I mean no harm I shall step onto even ground with you." Igneel said before grabbing Natsu and putting him in front of himself and Skiadrum.

While Skiadrum did un-tense, he was no less ready to defend Rouge if he needed to. "What is it you have to say Igneel; it is rare for you to seek out those of use left after what happened 400 years ago." Skiadrum said. Igneel sighed at the comment but none the less relented and sat down on his back legs.

"I found this young one you see here before you and decided to take him in and care for him, but after growing fond of him and teaching him my magic I decided to teach him everything I could to prevent what happened 400 years ago from happening again. While it is true that I could teach him much like I told Metalicana, but I am merely a user of shadow I am not a master like you seeing as how you are a shadow dragon.

"What many of you, my fellow dragons, keep forgetting is that it is true I may be able to use all the elements, but none other than fire have I mastered. For those reasons alone I have decided to ask my fellow friends and remaining allies to help me in my cause." Igneel said.

When Igneel was done speaking Skiadrum was left truly speechless for the first time in his long life. "Very well old friend I accept your proposal." Skiadrum said at last. Igneel nodded in gratitude before sitting up and having Natsu introduce himself to Skiadrum and Rouge.

After nearly nine months Natsu was able to summon and use some of the basic shadow attacks that Skiadrum had taught him, while his fellow student Rouge who was six years his junior was already on to learning some secret arts. Natsu wished to stay longer, but Igneel said their time was almost up which made Skiadrum let out a silent sigh before once more the two were off for their next adventure.

Igneel deeming that Natsu once more needed a challenge set off to find the dragon whose magic is completely opposite that which Natsu just learned, yes Natsu would next meet Weisslogia. The flight took nearly a week before Natsu and Igneel were in front of the white dragon that used light and holy power to fight.

When they landed Weisslogia made the dragon version of a smile and said "Igneel my old friend what brings you to seek me out." The dragon said with a chuckle. Igneel like he had done with Skiadrum told the old dragon his cause and goal while asking the dragon to train Natsu.

Weisslogia let out another of his strange chuckles before agreeing to train Natsu and taking the two to meet his adopted son Sting.

Seven months later Natsu found himself lying face down in the dirt while panting hard trying to get his breath back. Even after all this time had passed Natsu had barely been able to summon some of most basic of white dragon slayer attacks that one could learn.

Much like before Igneel told Natsu that it was time for them to go, but he also said that the next dragon Natsu met would be the last one he learned anything from. When Natsu questioned him on this Igneel said that he would tell Natsu everything he needed to know in due time.

When Natsu awoke from the nap he had been taking he discovered that he and Igneel were located in the middle of an extremely large canyon. When he tried to sit up though he nearly got blown away by a large gust of air.

Once Natsu regained his balance he was able to see in the distance a white dragon lying down while talking to a small blue haired girl who seemed to be the same age as both Sting and Rouge. When Igneel landed the dragon decided to greet him by telling him that he was an oversized brute that nearly destroyed her child's house.

Hearing how the dragon talked so easily to Igneel and that she had no fear Natsu sweat dropped while Igneel let out a tired sigh and greeted Grandeeney in return.

Eleven months later saw Natsu playing tag with Wendy while the two laughed and had a great time together. Unknown to the two though both Igneel and Grandeeney were having a very serious conversation.

"Our time is almost completely out Igneel what will you do when it comes time for you to leave the boy? I haven't been with Wendy nearly as long as you have with Natsu and I know it will be the hardest thing I've ever have to do when I leave." Grandeeney said.

Igneel let out a large breath of air that toppled a few trees. "Over the past ten years that I have known Natsu I have been slowly feeding him some of HIS magic with antibodies mixed in so that I will not have to leave Natsu alone, but I'm not sure if it is enough or not.

"That is another reason I took Natsu to meet the others, I hope I don't have to leave him but in the case that I do I feel reassured knowing that he will be able to track the others down and not have to be left alone." Igneel sad with a large amount of sadness in his voice.

Grandeeney only nodded her head to Igneel's response before she got up and went over to Natsu and Wendy with Igneel following behind her. When the two arrived next to their children Igneel was the one who spoke to the two children.

"Natsu, it is time for us to return home it is time for me to teach you the final steps required for you to be able to start truly mastering fire." Igneel said. Natsu complained heavily, but in the ended relented to Igneel and Thanked Grandeeney while telling her and Wendy goodbye.

Three days after they had left Natsu was lying on Igneel's back waiting until they stopped for food or arrived home. Due to being so relaxed though Natsu was listening to all the noise around them when he heard something that he had never heard before. "Hey Tou-chan what's that noise?" Natsu asked.

Igneel focusing on his ears listened for whatever it was that Natsu heard when he located it. "Not all humans like the ones you have met are kind Natsu, some enjoy hurting others and start battles or wars to do just that, the noise you hear is that of humans fighting one another." Igneel replied.

"Well shouldn't we help them then, I know not all humans are nice, but all should fight for the right cause right?" He half asked/said. Igneel sighed, "Very well we shall see what these humans are fighting over Natsu." Igneel said.

After ten minutes of flight Igneel came upon a sight he was not expecting to see. He had intended to see humans fighting one another over some silly cause like he had seen many times before, but instead he saw a large tower where humans that had been imprisoned were fighting against those that oppressed them.

Igneel agreeing with Natsu's previous statement decided to help those he saw fighting and quickly charged into the tower and knocked a whole level out with one attack. All those who had been fighting looked into the sky in utter horror as they saw all their nightmares come true as a dragon large enough to block out the sun charged an attack at them.

Igneel took in a large breath before releasing it with the exclamation of, "White Dragons Roar!" Immediately the blast engulfed all those in the tower and wiped out those with a heart of darkness. Igneel then circled the tower before beginning to take off he had to stop though when Natsu shouted at him to turn around.

Natsu then guided Igneel to a small part of the tower outside where a boy slightly older than Natsu was lying on the ground injured and nearly dead. Natsu tried to move the boy but he wouldn't go anywhere until he found his snake. Natsu saw the snake slightly to the side bleeding and grabbed both of them and put them on Igneel's back and then had Igneel take off for home.

During the flight Natsu applied the little amount of healing magic that he had learned from Grandeeney on the two. After almost an hour later when Igneel was nearly back to his and Natsu's home the boy opened his eyes. Natsu glad to see the boy was alive said "What is your name?" the boy barely managed to get out "Eric" before be he passed out from the strain of talking.

AN: And there's the chapter, I hope none of you are made at me. But on another note I will be putting the revised list of pairs down below if you have any questions or suggestions either PM me or leave a review, and again sorry for the wait for the chapter I hope you enjoyed it.

Natsu x Erza x Mirajane x Kagura x Juvia

Gray x Ultear

Happy x Carla

Gajeel x Levy

Laxus x Ur

Elfman x Evergreen

Freed x Meredy

Bickslow x Millianna

Alzack x Bisca

Wakaba x Unnamed wife

Romeo x Wendy

Jellal x Lucy

Mystogan x Cana

Gildarts x Cornelia

Jura x

Lyon x

Hibiki x Jenny

Eve x Laki

Ren x Sherry

Bacchus x

Sting x Lisanna

Rogue x Yukino

Rufus x Flare

Orga x Angel/Sorano

Cobra/Eric x Kinana

Zeref x Mavis