The Dragon King

Life's Lesson Part 1

11 years had passed and Natsu had grown into a strong, healthy, and very active dragon. Like his father, he was a natural born Fire Dragon. Just six years after his birth, his mother gave birth to a small, white, long dark blue haired, female dragon. Her name is Wendy, and she was Natsu's little sister and she was a Sky Dragon like her mother.

One morning, Natsu got up earlier than usual. His father had promised him a tour of the lands that surrounded Dragon Rock. Natsu always loved spending time with Igneel, and although he had seen the lands surrounding Dragon Rock, he hadn't seen the lands beyond their borders. Natsu was so excited that he was up before the sun peaked over the horizon. He ran up the edge of Dragon Rock, looking on in anticipation, before he rushed down into the cave where other dragons of different types were sleeping. "Dad!" Natsu shouted. "C'mon, Dad! We gotta go! Wake up!" By accident, he bumped into a White Dragon named Weisslogia, who grunted, "Oof!" Natsu chuckled apologetically, "Sorry." The young red dragon arrived at the high center of the cave, where Igneel and Grandeeney with little Wendy snuggled up. "Dad? Come on, get up," Natsu whispered. "Dad? Dad! Dad! Dad! Dad!" He kept repeating the same thing, which woke up Wendy briefly, before she groaned and covered her ears, trying to go back to sleep. "Could you please be quiet?" Wendy groaned. "I'm trying to sleep..." On the other hand, Grandeeney slowly stirred awake and mumbled to Igneel, "Your son is awake." Igneel, still trying to sleep, mumbled back, "Before sunrise, he's your son." "Dad? Dad!" Natsu pestered as he tugged on Igneel's ear, but lost his grip and fell over. Getting frustrated, he rammed his head onto Igneel's head which finally got him to wake up. "You promised!" Seeing the impatient look, "Okay, okay. I'm up, I'm up." Igneel complied. "Alright!" Natsu says excitedly as he headed out of the cave. Igneel yawned loudly and stretched his body, with Grandeeney just stretching. "Our son sure can be persuasive when he wants to be." Grandeeney remarked. "YOUR son, remember." Igneel stated. "Not anymore," Grandeeney replied, looking outside the cave as the sun rose in the distance. "We'd best be on our way as well." She turned to the sleeping baby dragon, "Wake up, Wendy." In response, Wendy stretched her body and gave a small yawn.

The four gathered outside the cave as Natsu was eagerly awaiting his tour of the Dragon Lands. "Now, be careful out there," said Grandeeney, nuzzling Natsu. "Stay with your father and listen to everything he says. And don't forget to wash your scales at the river when you're done." "Sure, Mom," Natsu complied. Grandeeney smiled and watched proudly as Natsu followed Igneel to the top of Dragon Rock, with Wendy beside her. "Will I get to go around the Dragon Lands too, Mom?" Wendy asked. Grandeeney smiled, "Someday when you're old enough, you'll get to explore the lands by yourself." Wendy's only reply was a little giggle.

Natsu and Igneel were on top of the rock, their eyes giving a perfect view of the surrounding lands being brightened by the sunrise. Although Natsu had seen the land from Dragon Rock before, it always amazed him how big and wide it is. "Look, Natsu," Igneel said, looking beyond the land. "Everything you see that light touches, is our kingdom." "Wow." Natsu says in amazement. "A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun," Igneel went on. "One day, Natsu, the sun will set on my time, and will rise with you as the new king." "And this will all be mine?" Natsu asked. "Everything. From the smallest winding river to the tallest mountain. The animals of the Dragon Lands are the kingdom's most precious assets. They will treat you with the same respect and kindness you give them." Igneel explained with a smile. "Everything the light touches..." Natsu said in awe, looking at the landscape once more, until he noticed a shadowy area on the edge of the lands. "What about that shadowy place?" Igneel walked over to Natsu. Laying eyes on the dark place, "That is the region of Tartaros, and beyond our borders. You must never go there Natsu." Igneel sternly explained. "But I thought a king can do whatever he wants." Natsu asked puzzled. "There's more to being a king than getting your way." Igneel explained while Natsu's eyes widened in excitement, "There's more?" Igneel chuckled while they started to walk off somewhere else.