A virtual cookie to the first person to spot the Pratchett reference.

Finally, there were five specks in the air, approaching Magnolia from all directions. Each one slowly resolved into a dragon as they approached. The inhabitants of Magnolia stared upward in shock. One dragon flying over their city was one thing. But then it had left, two more had come, and now it was returning with five others. It was a bit overwhelming, even for people who shared a city with the most rambunctious mage guild on the continent.

Each one carried a varying amount of people and gear. On most of the dragons, this was hasty, but the red ones both had neat packs.

Then, as the five met met over the lake behind the guildhall, chaos made an appearance. A furred, white dragon reared out of the water with a spray of water and a shriek that didn't mean anything in any language of words, even Draconic. The mages in the area froze as they were suddenly assailed by a giant mess of overlapping mental greetings. The power of the emotions, and also that it was spillover from a mind much more experienced in focused mental contact left them incapacitated.

The dragons bolted for the ground as one. A blue haired figure jumped from the back of the dragon with metal scales before he touched down letting out a wild cry of joy. She was caught safely in a cushion of air that set her gently down next to the caster of it's spell. Then the white furred dragon nuzzled her gently with her snout and made soothing noises. The girl broke down and sobbed into the warm fur of her mother.

The dragons landed carefully, but no amount of caution could have prevented the lake from breaking its banks. It spilled over to create an expanse of water that a black-haired man splashed through, cursing inventively all the while, to get to the metallic dragon. Once he got there, he punched one of the dragon's legs. Then, a tear leaked out of his left eye, and he punched again. It grew so that he was slamming his fists as hard as he could into the scales while openly sobbing and calling the dragon names that were alternately affectionate and angry. This continued until the dragon gently poked him with a talon. Then the man crumpled to his knees, and the dragon settled down next to his child.

A creature, about the three times the size of a large horse, barreled out of the woods at full speed. It streaked by everything so fast, they only caught a glimpse of black and gold. But it skidded to a halt when its belly fur brushed the water, and crooned a plea up at the darker of the red dragons. Now it could be seen that most of it was like an oversized cougar, but it had deep golden feathered wings, and a lizard tail with golden scales. Two ivory horns swept back from its head. The dragon lowered it's head to gently brush it's nose to that of its child. Then the dragon gently picked the creature up by the scruff like it was a kitten and carried it over to a dry spot, where the dragon settled down and began to wash its child with its tongue.

Then a certain rosette slid off of the distracted dragon's back, and walked over to his own father while the humans in the area finally began to function again, getting off the dragons and unpacking the stuff. All of the previous activity, from when the dragons were first sighted, had taken less than ten minutes.

The Fire Dragon Slayer flashed a toothy grin up at Igneel. "Hey, Dad."

But the the Fire Dragon was frowning as he looked around. "Where's Florina?"

The smile dropped. "She's dead. Bloody Healer ate her at her request because they didn't know how long they'd be waiting." He spoke quietly, and in Draconic, in an attempt not to ruin any of the reunions. But Altan heard, and let out a sad sigh.

"It was noble of her to make sure that Bloody Healer lived. I only wish that we had something to show Jasmine, if we find her."

"You have bigger worries than that, I assure you." A female voice made the three turn to see a dragon whose scales matched the color of the sunlit water that she slid out of. She was so small, she had been able to almost fully submerge herself, and the water had masked her scent.

Igneel knew her on sight, and inclined his head in respect. "Third Heir to the Rainbow Throne. Please enlighten us."

Natsu's eyes widened, and he tried to imitate the draconian gesture of respect as best as he could. The result was admittedly not as graceful as his father's, but was actually pretty good considering how much less neck he had to work with. Altan followed suit as well.

She smiled in acknowledgement. "Thank you. Let that be the end of formalities, for we have a serious matter on our hands. I would prefer if all dragons were listening, but I would like to explain the situation to you now and receive your opinion on a plan of action when I speak of it to all."

"They are all right here." Altan pointed out.

"No, they are currently all in little worlds that involve exactly two beings: Them and their Bond. I would prefer if there were no more interruptions."Altan dipped his head in chastened acknowledgement, and the female dragon switched topics. "One question. Do we need to send your child over to help his friends unpack?"

Natsu stiffened in irritation. His jaw tightened, but he knew better than to openly object. This was a dragon who could quite possibly end up as the Holder of the Rainbow Throne. She ranked* him.

However, Igneel, as current Holder of the Crown of Bloody Flames, ranked her. He narrowed his eyes at the Third Rainbow. "I somehow think that my son is capable of answering that question himself." He told her curtly.

She gave him a long look, then nodded. "Very well. What is your name of convenience?**"

"Heart of Light. I haven't enough titles to craft one of them. Father awarded me the name of convenience."

She nodded crisply. "Understood. Alright the situation is thus:

"I cannot make a portal to the the Dragon Realm. I do not know how I was stolen away and placed here. I need you and Iceborn to assist me in building it. Do you agree to help me get home before Mother begins to worry?" She tilted her head to the side. "I know that it will be hard, but it will be necessarily hard. After all, you must go home too, King of Guardians."

The Fire Dragon smiled. "I think that we can manage that. But for now, let us let the festivities continue . Portals can wait for another day. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

And the three settled down to watch the crying, laughing, hollering, cudding reunions go on, as Natsu moved to his father's side.

So everything turned out all right. Nobody got eaten, or even hurt. Though paying for Domus Flau is going to make Gramp's head explode.

I'll lend him a few of the scrolls in my hoard. With his magical skill, he should be able to use them to rebuild. The portal will be harder.

Well, nobody said that happy endings were easy.

Yes, they have. However, they were idiots, so I suppose that they don't count. Besides, you know what I say about endings.

Yeah. 'Every ending can also be a beginning if you handle it correctly.' Like you haven't pounded that into my head a thousand times, you burnt-out old log.

Sapling!

Ash heap!

Tiny meatbag!

Right back at you!

I'm not tiny, you silly child.

Love you too, Dad.

...

Love you too, my pyromaniac.

*Ranked is a shortening of outranked. Please get used to it, as I like it.

**Term meaning a shortened, but still formal name.

Well, that's the end!