The Dragon Parents

Chapter 21 - I am so Proud

The world never felt so light on Natsu's shoulders as it had at that moment, as he gazed up in wonder at his guardian and mentor who hadn't seemed to change at all despite his death. Perhaps Acnologia's eyes were a bit brighter, maybe his smile a bit softer, and then there was the fact that he looked like an ethereal ghost with wisps of light fading in and out of his transparent figure. Suddenly, all of Natsu's worries and cares flew off his shoulders in a massive breath of relief and awe.

He wouldn't have to fight Acnologia or try to stop an apocalypse. He wouldn't have to exchange blows with a man who practically raised him. And then... there was the fact that Acnologia was there, physically before Natsu with his aura of power and strength.

"You look good," Acnologia stated as he regarded Natsu with a hint of pride in his voice. Natsu took a moment to take that in, recognize that he had changed through the years. He was broader, taller even, with a plethora of scars from battles gone by and a glint in his eye that held a likeness to Acnologia himself.

"You... too?" Natsu supposed.

Acnologia threw his head back and laughed, running his hand through his mess of hair and smiling, exposing his large canines.

"Well, there's not much to change you when you're dead," Acnologia supposed with a smile, his eyes shifting over to Nashi who was staring at him in utter disbelief.

Sure, Acnologia had been described to her, Reedus had even painted the man several times, but nothing seemed to be able to capture the sheer power that this man could radiate. Everything in Nashi's being was drawn up tight like a bowstring, he draconic instincts screaming 'danger'. Her knees wanted to buckle under the power that this singular man held.

This was Acnologia. The last singular dragon king. The longest-ruling, strongest, most terrifying dragon to ever inhabit Earthland. His hands had slain thousands of dragons in both lives and had earned the title dragon king based on his absolute strength and unquestionable magic prowess. He was beyond intimidating.

Apparently, Rikki was having a similar epiphany.

"Y-you are to serve me!" Rikki managed to demand, his voice a frail thing in the air in the presence of the deceased Dragon King.

Acnologia's gaze flickered over to Rikki momentarily but didn't even bother acknowledging his existence as he instead took a step forward and crouched down to stare Nashi in the eyes.

Nashi could feel her lungs starting to rebel as fear clutched her chest.

"You've a bright future, Kaida, but I would maybe stop this whole 'going on your lonesome'," Acnologia recommended warmly.

Nashi nodded her head stiffly, her eyes still wide. Acnologia then stood up and walked over to Natsu, a grin on his face.

"So... you're kids are just like you... karma's a little *input word* isn't she?" Acnologia laughed. In response, Natsu laughed and nearly tackled Acnologia in a bear hug, one which Acnologia happily returned.

He wasn't solid per-see, Natsu could feel some strange force keeping Acnologia as something tangible.

"Are you... are you... still dead?" Natsu asked as he just took the moment to take in his mentor's scent and all of the calming memories it brought.

"Well..." Acnologia responded.

"Yes," a much colder voice snapped as everyone suddenly noticed a fifth figure in the room.

They were a cloaked figure, dressed in dark garb that fell around them like shadows. They had no scent and had they not spoken, Natsu, Nashi, and Riki had a sneaking suspicion that they would never have even noticed the figure was there.