Fairy tail Next Generation

50- Please Come Back

As the tension in the icy forest reached its peak, Natsu's eyes flashed with an otherworldly light. With a roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet, he lunged forward with inhuman speed. Liddan, Gideon, and Jude barely had time to react before Natsu's flaming fists connected, sending them flying backwards into the melting trees.

Nashi stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief as her father slowly turned towards her. The markings on his body pulsed with an eerie glow, distorting his familiar features into something almost unrecognizable.

"Dad, please..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

In a burst of golden light, Igneel suddenly transformed, his small form expanding into that of a full-sized dragon. He positioned himself protectively in front of Nashi, his wings spread wide.

"Natsu, my son," Igneel's voice rumbled, a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Don't make me fight you."

For a moment, everything was still. Then, to everyone's horror, something began to emerge from Natsu's back. With a sickening sound of tearing flesh and cracking bone, a pair of draconic wings unfurled, their membrane glowing with the same fiery intensity as the markings on his skin.

"Impossible..." Gideon gasped, struggling to his feet.

Before anyone could react, Natsu launched himself at Igneel with shocking speed. The two collided in mid-air, a tangle of claws, fangs, and flames.

"Everyone, run!" Igneel roared as he grappled with Natsu. "Get back to camp! Now!"

But they stood transfixed, unable to tear their eyes away from the horrifying spectacle. In that moment of hesitation, Natsu broke free from Igneel's grasp. With a speed that defied belief, he spun and delivered a devastating punch to the dragon's jaw.

The sound of the impact echoed through the forest like a thunderclap. Igneel's eyes rolled back, and in a flash of light, he reverted to his small form, plummeting towards the ground.

"Igneel!" Nashi screamed, snapping out of her shock.

Jude darted forward, catching the unconscious dragon before he hit the ground. Without a word, he turned and started sprinting back towards the camp, Liddan close on his heels.

Gideon's face was a mask of grim determination as he stepped between Natsu and Nashi. Ice began to form around his hands, growing into wickedly sharp claws.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Natsu," he said, his voice heavy with regret. "But I can't let you hurt anyone else."

He lunged forward, his ice magic clashing against Natsu's fiery fists in a explosion of steam. Using the momentary cover, Gideon reached back and grabbed Nashi's hand.

"We have to go," he said urgently, pulling her away from the fight. "Now!"

Nashi resisted for a moment, torn between the need to escape and the desire to save her father. But as Natsu emerged from the steam, his eyes devoid of any recognition, she knew they had no choice.

Hand in hand, Gideon and Nashi turned and ran, following the path Jude and Liddan had taken. Behind them, they could hear the sound of trees crashing down and Natsu's inhuman roars growing fainter.

As Jude, Liddan, Gideon, and Nashi burst into the camp, they were met with a scene of organized chaos. Guild members were hurriedly packing supplies and taking down tents, a sense of urgency permeating the air.

Jude, still carrying the unconscious Igneel, stumbled in his haste. He tripped over a discarded pack, and Igneel slipped from his grasp. As the small dragon hit the ground, there was a sudden flash of light. When it faded, Igneel lay in his full dragon form, angry red burns visible across his scales.