Chapter 24: Dragon Armor
Natsu awoke in the middle of the night. He felt a strange presence in his mind, but then recalled what had happened earlier in the day.
So, it wasn't just a dream, huh?
He wasn't sure if he was glad or disappointed by that. Yeah, Lucy had guts and she had definitely proven that she could be his partner, but…
"Can I come in?"
Natsu lifted his head and saw Lucy standing in the entrance to his cave with a smile on her face. Speak of the devil.
His wings ruffled, "Sure."
Lucy walked in and took a seat on the floor by the dragon's side. She set a hand on his scaly flank, feeling every deep breath that went through him. She frowned and glanced at his face, "You okay? You're restless."
"Should I be relaxed?"
She shrugged, "Well, I guess not, but…you don't have to just stay in here on your own. Wouldn't you feel better around the other dragons?"
Natsu's tail twitched a little, "They're just as tense as I am."
"But when you're with others, the tension divides. It gets easier."
"You didn't just come here to tell me something I already know, did you?"
Lucy blinked, "Why stay here, then?"
He shook his head, "Can't you read my mind?"
"Not without your permission. Can't you just tell me?"
Natsu was silent for a while. (What's it like being human, Lucy?)
Lucy traced one of the scales on the dragon's body with her finger, then set her head against his flank. (It's…well, when you ask me that…I think it's good. We seek out other people just for the closeness. That's something any human- any living thing- wants instinctively, I think. To be close to others we care about.)
(Our lives are kind of short compared to dragons…we only live for about a century if we're lucky. You and the others can go on for what…a millennia? Two millennia? Much longer than any human can. But..even if our lives are so short compared to a dragon's, humans live to the fullest of our abilities. We laugh, we cry, and we can love or hate so intensely. Maybe we can feel even more than dragons because we know our lives will end much sooner than theirs. But if that's not true..maybe it's a weakness of ours that we can't live as long. After a long time passes, I guess dragons learn to control how they feel. We never manage to do that in our short lifespans. Not really.)
When Natsu didn't respond after a time, Lucy tried again. (So what's it like to be a dragon?)
His head came down and rested on the floor, curving around so he could stare at her with one large, dark eye. (It's not the wonder you make it out to be, that's for sure.)
(What do you mean?) she asked.
Natsu closed his eyes. (Think about it. We're huge, for one. If there were the same number of dragons as there were humans on this planet, there would be no room for anything else. We'd consume the world. But because there's not as many dragons, it's that much harder to find another that matches us perfectly. We never manage to get along as well as humans do, either. If two drakes even see each other, the first thing that goes through our head is the best way to tear out the other's throat.)
(We were never made to be gentle or caring with anything other than another dragon. Everything about us was made to be the ultimate monsters. Claws, fangs, tails, wings…as if we weren't already big and lethal enough…and then our scales are tougher than armor, we can use our breath as a weapon, and live for so long…Dragons are the worst nightmare for any living thing to meet.)
Lucy watched him calmly. (You aren't monsters.)
He opened one eye and stared back.
(I know that dragons have good in them. I've seen it with my own eyes. My best friends are dragons. Maybe you guys are impossibly huge and can live for what seems like forever to us humans, but…that doesn't make you more monstrous than people. Both of our species are capable of great violence or great compassion.)
Natsu thought about that for a good while. (I guess so.)
"Natsu, Lucy?"
The two cut their psychic conversation and glanced at the cave entrance as Erza peered in with a serious look, "We're having a meeting to discuss the battle. Come join us."
/
Most of the dragons were gathered in the hall, except for Makarov, who was still with Porlysuca on her order. The old drake was strong, but she didn't want him straining the wound he'd sustained. Lisanna and Wendy were allowed to attend, though, and Layla was awaiting all the dragons with Dragion.
Natsu blinked at his human look alike, "What's he doing here?"
"Dragion has been working on something for me for quite some time now." Layla answered, "We'll need it to help even the odds against Jose."
"Oh, goody." the Flame Drake muttered dryly.
Mira cleared her throat, "Since Master is unable to fight, it'll be up to us. We should divide out forces to combat Jose's four elemental dragons, as well as send in our strongest to defeat Gajeel."
Wendy's wings ruffled, "I should fight the Air Dragon. I'm the only one who can do any sort of real damage to him."
"I'll help you against him." Erza growled, "He'll pay for hurting you, Lisanna, and Master."
Gray kneaded his paws on the ground, "Then I'll get Juvia. She's not in control of herself and we can't let them hurt her anymore. I'll immobilize her water body with my ice."
"That leaves the Earth Dragon, the Blazing Dragon, and Gajeel." Mira surmised, "Elfman and I will handle the earth one."
Lisanna frowned, "I can help too, y'know."
"Not this time." Her sister fixed Lisanna with an unwavering stare, "I know you're tough, but you still haven't fully recovered. Help Levy and the others fight the shades. Leave the difficult battle to us."
She didn't look happy about that, but Lisanna gave in and sighed reluctantly, "Fine. So that leaves just two more of Jose's dragons."
"Leave Gajeel and that Blazing Dragon to me."
Everyone stared at Natsu, who looked icily calm.
Erza shook her head, "That's crazy. All of these dragons are really powerful. You can't take down two of them on your own, Natsu."
"One thing you'd better learn about me…" he growled, "Is that I tend to defy people when they say I can't do something."
The Hall was silent for a while.
"I'm glad you're up to the challenge."
All eyes went to Layla. There was something about how confident her smile was that made the dragons curious.
"This gives us a good chance to test out Dragion's work. We'll send Natsu in with it."
"With what?" Natsu asked.
"Well, Dragon Armor, or course."
Natsu stared at her, "Dragon Armor? What?"
"That's what I've been working on all the time in the mechanical warehouses." Dragion explained, as his usually timid expression was replaced with a sudden, confident grin, "I've spent a while trying to build up armor sets for dragons because Mrs. Layla and Master Makarov asked me to. The problem is, you guys never really stop growing, even if your growth does slow down a lot. And almost every one of you is unique, so I followed a standard plan at first that fits dragons with Natsu's body type- Powerful, long, and lightweight. I might have to modify it a little because of those spikes on your back, but it should fit."
Natsu raised a scaly eyebrow, "And I would need armor…why? Hello? I kind of have these extra-tough scales. What could I possibly need more defense for? It'll just slow me down."
Dragion shook his head, "We used magic on the armor to make it really light. Even I can pick up one of the big pieces easily. It won't affect your speed at all. And I think you'll need it because without it, Gajeel can probably just shred right through your scales, right?"
"What was that?!" the Fire Drake snarled, taking the boy's words for an insult.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Dragion went back to chicken mode.
Layla sighed, "Natsu, what he means is that while Gajeel will probably hurt you with or without this armor, it'll be difficult for him to mortally wound you. He's strong, but Dragion tested the armor when Gajeel was working with him in the ironworks. Even his iron claws could only scratch the armor."
Natsu snorted, "Fine. I'll wear the stupid stuff. But if it looks stupid, it comes right off."
Lucy sweat dropped, "You care about appearances?"
The Flame Drake looked mildly offended and ruffled his wings, "Of course I do. I'd look pathetic if that nasty silver metal made my red scales look all dull. That would suck."
The blonde girl just stared at him, "Natsu, your occasional simple personality never ceases to amaze me."
"What a blockhead." Gray muttered.
"Come again, ice princess?!" Natsu growled as he stood up.
"You wanna fight, flame brain?!" Gray mirrored him with a shout.
Erza roared, "SHUT UP!"
The two drakes actually flinched at her ferocity and sat down without thinking.
"The last thing we need right now is infighting." Erza continued sternly, "Natsu, go with Lucy and Dragion to get that armor fitted on yourself. I don't suppose there's another set ready for use, is there?"
Dragion frowned, "None that are close to halfway done. I only managed to complete the first set to about 80% because Gajeel helped me out. He's really good with iron and steel."
"He is an Iron Dragon, after all. A man!" Elfman remarked.
"Right now, he's an opponent we must beat." Erza murmured, "And only Natsu and I have defense enough to not get immediately shredded by his iron blade breath attack. My scales are also made of steel, so they should withstand Gajeel's offense if I need to confront him."
Lucy nodded, "Then let's hurry. They might be on their way back here now."
/\/\/\/\/\
Lucy was right. Jose and his five dragons were approaching Magnolia, but at the moment, the city was only a small figure to them. It would take a while for them to arrive.
"Kehehehe…Makarov can't fight us in his current condition. I imagine Layla has probably exhausted her powers, too…and it seems Laxus and his crew have flown the coop!" Jose cackled, "How lucky for me! I can wipe them out in one fell swoop with these dragons! Make haste now! I want them all as slaves at my feet by nightfall!"
The dragons under his influence increased their pace. They obeyed the will of their evil master because they had no other choice. It was that simple.
/\/\/\/\/\
"Is that all of it?"
Lucy stepped back with Dragion and surveyed their work before nodding, "Yep, that looks like all of it."
Natsu now wore massive pieces of Dragon Armor, which was made of the hardest steel and shaped in triangular molds. The biggest steel plates covered his chest, back, and shoulders, the latter of which now had small holes along his spine to accommodate Natsu's black spikes. Smaller, more flexible pieces worked down to his tail so it could still lash out with lightning speed.
His neck was also plated in the triangular armor pieces, and the top half of his head was guarded by one large piece that resembled a dragon skull. Natsu had no protection on his belly, legs, or throat, for the armor was a prototype and not a totally complete set.
He shifted on his paws, testing his movement. Not much different- the armor really was very light thanks to the magic enchantment. Natsu guessed this was probably what a turtle felt like.
"Okay, this doesn't look totally ridiculous on me, right?" he muttered.
Lucy shook her head, "Not at all. You actually look kind of…scary."
That seemed to please him. Natsu stood up a little taller.
Dragion grinned happily, "That really does look great. I impress myself."
"It's fine that it looks good." Natsu grunted, "But let's test it out before you get bragging rights."
"Are you guys ready?"
Mira poked her head into the massive warehouse, eyes widening at the armor-covered drake, "Wow, so that's Dragon Armor? Not really my thing, but it definitely looks useful. Nice. Look, we should head up to the Thunder Hall. Gray said he spotted five shapes coming towards Magnolia."
Natsu growled, "Then let's move."
/
Most of the dragons were impressed with Dragion's work. Natsu could tell that the Dragon Armor made them curious; only Erza or Gajeel knew what it felt like to be covered in steel, and that was only because it was a part of their bodies.
Though he knew he was being watched, Natsu just sat down at the edge of the cavern and fixed his glare on the horizon; Now he too could see the five shapes approaching them.
Jose was close. The familiar black hole opened up in the sky and shades began to emerge.
Erza growled, "Remember the plan! Keep the fighting away from the city and protect the civilians from the shades! Natsu, Mira, Elfman, Gray, Wendy! We have to take down those dragons!"
"Dragion and I will help Porlysuca with anyone who gets injured." Layla informed them.
Natsu snarled as the five dragons broke away from each other. Jose, riding Gajeel, headed up above the city. The other four dragons spread out, charging in from different directions.
"He's just going to sit back and watch?" the Flame Drake hissed.
"I guess Jose is trying to conserve his power." Lucy muttered.
Gray sneered, "Won't do him any good. Once Juvia is out of his reach, I'll help you guys crush him."
"No."
Erza's snap made them all pause, "You must leave Jose to Natsu and Lucy. I know most of us can use mental defenses, but I fear they aren't enough to combat that man. Lucy can use their Soul Link to reinforce Natsu's defenses enough to keep Jose out while they defeat Gajeel."
"Guess I'm riding with you." she told Natsu.
But he shook his head, "Not right now. It's going to get really hot when I fight that Blazing Dragon. Let me tackle him first, then I'll pick you up to take down Jose and Gajeel."
"No more talk." Erza growled, "Charge!"
The dragons lunged out of the Thunder Hall, pouring into the sky with furious roars.
While most of them went for the shades that were trying to swoop down on the city, Erza and Wendy confronted the Air Drake, Mira and Elfman the Earth Drake, Gray faced Juvia, and Natsu went straight for the Blazing Drake.
The fiery beast screeched at him in angry recognition. Natsu bared his fangs in a delighted grin. He loved the thrill of battle, and this was definitely going to be a fight to remember.
"Come on, then." he hissed in anticipation.