The Dragon King

The Circle Of Life

It was a warm summer morning in the great Dragon Lands, and the birds were chirping freely as they flew across the large vast plains. Soon, the orange sun rose slowly over the horizon, signifying the dawn of a new day. Every animal, big and small, raised their heads and heard the great call that stretched over the winds. Immediately, the animals prepared themselves and made a very important trek over to the very center of the Dragon Lands, the great Dragon Rock. News has spread that the king and queen has given birth to a baby dragon, and a large ceremony is being held to honor the new prince.

By mild morning, the animals have gathered at Dragon Rock, the enormous rock formation located at the center of the vast Dragon Lands. They averted their attentions towards the pointed peak at the top, eagerly waiting to see their king, as well as the new prince. Soon, the King of Dragon Rock, Igneel, emerged from the cave and looked down towards the animals below, who erupted into cheers. Looking up, Igneel watched as a flock of birds lead by a hawk with scarlet feathers flew towards the top peak at great speed and landed before the Dragon King. The birds bowed respectfully towards Igneel, in which he replied with a gentle smile. The leading hawk's name was Erza Scarlet, the king's adviser.

Just then, some animals moved aside, allowing someone through. Walking slowly towards the top was the shaman of the Dragon Lands, Makarov Dreyar, a wise old mandrill with a thick white mustache, and on two feet, holding a stick with rattling coconuts. He had come to give his blessing to Igneel's new born son. Once Makarov climbed Dragon Rock and was in front of Igneel, they both hugged, glad to see two old friends together on such a good occasion. Igneel then led Makarov over to his mate, a female dragon with white scales covered in white fur. Her name was Grandeeney, queen of Dragon Rock. The white dragon pulled back her arms slightly, revealing a small red baby dragon with pink spiked hair, the newborn son, Natsu. With a warm smile, Makarov shook his staff, rattling the coconuts near the baby dragon, who tried to catch them with his claws. The wise mandrill then took one of his coconuts and split it in half, dipping his fingers into it and then placing the Dragon Rock crest on Natsu's right shoulder, a mark of courage. Igneel and Grandeeney smiled.

Makarov picked up the baby dragon and walked towards the point of Dragon Rock with Igneel and Grandeeney following. Once he reached the point, he held up Natsu towards the sky as a breeze blew down upon them. The animals below erupted into cheers and applause as they beheld Dragon Rock's future king for the first time. As Makarov held Natsu high for all to see, the winds parted the clouds to reveal the bright rays of the sun. Sunlight shone brightly down upon the young prince and mandrill as Igneel and Grandeeney stood beside them. Below, all of the animals bowed respectfully before the new born Dragon Prince. It was a special day indeed, in the future, Igneel's son will one day rise as the new king of Dragon Rock. However, Not everyone was happy for the celebration.

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Meanwhile in a cave near Dragon Rock, a grey mouse emerged from a hole and began scouting the area for food. As if by instinct, she paused, sniffed the air, and sensed something coming, before she could flee, a black claw swooped down and grabbed her. Lifting the claw up, the owner was a dragon black as midnight, decorated by spiraling blue markings. This dragon is Igneel's younger brother, his name is Acnologia. Unlike everyone else in the Dragon Lands, Acnologia was the only one not celebrating the birth of the new prince. Instead, he isolated himself inside his private cave, and right now, he was looking at the mouse he had in his claws. "Life's not fair, is it?" Acnologia asked the mouse. "You see I... Well, I shall never be king." He allowed the mouse to run all over his claw and tried to jump away, but he grabbed her tail and continued. "And you shall never see the light of another day." He snickered evilly.

Just as he began to lift the mouse towards his mouth when stern female voice interrupted him, "Didn't your mother ever told you not to play with your food?" That voice belonged to the scarlet hawk, Erza, the king's adviser who placed her wings on her hips with a displeased look. Placing his claw down with the mouse trapped, "What do you want?" He sighed heavily annoyed. "I'm here to tell you, that King Igneel is on his way," Ezra answered, before she added sternly, "So you better have a good excuse for missing the ceremony this morning." Acnologia was so annoyed; he failed to keep his hold on the mouse, who successfully gotten free. "Now look Erza, you made me lose my lunch."  Acnologia complained. "You'll lose more than that when the king is through with you. He's madder than a lion who lost his meat." Erza replied with her wings crossed. "Ooh...I quiver with fear!" Acnolgia  said sarcastically, as he grinned sinisterly and bared his sharp teeth at Erza, making her nervous. N-N-Now Acnologia," Erza slowly backed away. "D-Don't look at me that way." She then screamed, "HEEEEELLLLLP!" She attempted to fly away, but Acnologia snapped his jaws in front of the scarlet hawk, trapping her in his mouth. He was almost about to eat the poor defenseless bird, untill...

"Acnologia!" a male voice boomed. Acnologia turned to see Igneel standing at the cave entrance, looking stern. "Drop her." He ordered. "Impeccable timing, Your Majesty." Erza piped up from Acnologia's mouth. After Acnologia spat Erza out, the scarlet bird was covered in saliva. "Why, if it isn't my big brother, descending from on high to mingle with the commoners," Acnologia says sarcastically with a smile. "So what brings you here?" Acnologia asked. "Grandeeney and I didn't see you at the presentation of Natsu." Igneel answered sternly. "That was today?" Acnologia asked with a faked surprised look. "Oh, I feel simply awful!" His claws made a loud screeching sound on the wall as he on 'awful' causing Erza to hold her head. "Must have slipped my mind." He said with a smirk. "Yes, well, as slippery your mind is, as the king's brother, you should've been first in line!" Erza snapped at Acnologia, flying near his face. "Well I was first in line, until the little runt was born!" Acnologia growled. "That 'runt' is my son," Igneel clarified. "And your future king." Acnologia then says sarcastically, "Oh I should practice my curtsy." Just as he turned to leave the cave. "Don't turn your back on me, Acnologia!" Igneel warned. Acnologia turned back and said snidely, Oh, no, Igneel. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me." Insulted, Igneel gave a loud roar and jumped in front of Acnologia, breathing fire from his mouth. "Is that a challenge?!" He asked threateningly. Acnologia didn't flinch at Igneel's rage for a second, "Temper, temper. I wouldn't dream of challenging you,"  he said as he maintained his cool. "Pity, why not?" Erza said spitefully. "Well, as far as the brains go, I got the dragon's share, Acnologia told Erza. "But when it comes to brute strength..." He looked at Igneel, before he added with a shrug, "I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool." Then he walked off.

"*Sigh* There's one in every family, two in mind actually," Erza flew up and perched herself on Igneel's shoulder, "And they always manage to ruin special occasions." With a sigh, "What am I going to do with him?" Igneel wondered. "He'd make a handsome throw rug." Erza replied. "Erza!" Igneel replied in an amused tone. "Really, I'm serious," Erza smiled back. "Just think, whenever he gets dirty, you could take him out and beat him." The two laughed as they proceeded out of the cave.

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That night in a huge tree, Makarov was holding a bowl of red coconut juice. On his walls were paintings of the kings and queens of the past, Makarov was adding another to the wall using his thump. "Natsu." Makarov said, adding a small chuckle.