"I don't wanna separate," Natsu murmured softly, face buried in his scarf. His arms were crossed over his chest, the nine year old glaring at the ground. Though, he didn't look all that threatening with a blue Exceed resting on his head.
"I liked everything how it was- And I don't wanna lose you guys," The salmon haired boy looked up from the ground to look at his siblings.
Seven of them- seven slayers for seven dragons. A family.
A pride.
Each one had been abandoned or on the run or left for dead. Their dragons- parents- took them in.
Lenori, Immerra, Metalicana, Igneel, Grandeeney, Weisslogia, Skiadrum. Storm, Poison, Iron, Fire, Wind, Light, and Shadow.
They'd been raised and cared for- they were siblings in every way that mattered.
But their dragons were gone, and now they had to make a choice.
"I want to see the world," Erik, the second eldest at 15, told them, Cubellios coiled around his arm. "I know humanity is weird, and the world's a messed up place, but I want to do stuff on my own,"
"I want to see the world too," Gajeel, only 12, said. "I want to know what life's like outside the nest,"
The four eldest looked to their younger siblings- the triplets, as they were called.
Wendy, Sting, and Rogue. They were all the same age, 7, but didn't know their birthdays, so they decided to share one.
Wendy, the eldest, chewed her lip, holding Charla to her. "I- I wanna go out on my own. I wanna get stronger- Strong like Mama! I can't always rely on my brothers,"
"But…" Sting frowned, his Exceed, Lector, in his arms.
"Let her go," Laxus nodded, arms crossed. "Okay. Natsu, Sting, Rogue, Happy, Frosch, and Lector, you guys come to Fairy Tail with me. Erik, Gajeel, and Wendy and Charla will go their own way- at least stay together until you have money to go places," The eldest- the leader- snapped, glaring at the trio and baring his fangs.
"Okay," Rogue smiled without showing his teeth, but hugged his sister tightly, as did Sting.
"It's okay Sting! Wendy's strong- she'll be okay!" Lector exclaimed. Frosch, a green Exceed in Rogue's arms, nodded.
"Fro thinks so too!" It agreed.
"If anything happens," Laxus looked each of his siblings in the eye. "You know what to do," The group exchanged identical smiles.
"Hug?" Wendy asked, but Natsu was already pulling them all in.
"Will we get together again?" Rogue asked softly, standing beside Laxus as the four of them watched their other three siblings walk away.
"Course we will!" Natsu burst out. "Dragons make life long bonds together!"
"One last roar? For good luck?" Sting begged, pulling on the 18 year old's jeans.
Laxus grinned before sucking in a deep breath. Scale-like patterns appeared across his body, and lightning crackled around him.
He opened his mouth and the trees around them shook, birds flying from their perches in fright.
Together, six others responded to the call, roaring with all their might.
No matter where they were, they would always be family. The Code of the Pride is something they live by;
A dragon protects their own.