Natsu Dragneel, the Fire Demon, also known as Etherious Natsu Dragneel, a.k.a., E.N.D. was walking around the forest, his one hand holding his head as he felt a massive headache building up. He brought his other hand up as he stared how tiny it was. This puzzled the young demon a lot. For he was sure that he was eighteen years old just yesterday. Cursing, he continued to travel in the forest searching for anything that might give him a clue of what had happened to him. He skidded to a stop as he stared at the mighty red dragon that was sleeping in front of him. Cursing more, he lifted his hand and tried to do the curses he was taught by his fellow demons and guild members. When nothing happened, he screamed in frustration, stomping his foot like a little child.

Hearing the scream, Igneel, the King of Fire Dragons woke up from his slumber and looked down at the little brat in front of him.

"So you are finally here, eh?" He questioned as he surveyed the child, feeling immense magical power radiating from him.

"What do you mean by 'I'm finally here?'. Were you expecting me, you big, overgrown lizard?!" Natsu huffed as he glared at the dragon, his hands crossed over his chest.

"Talk to me with respect, you insolent child! I am Igneel, the king of the Fire Dragons!" Igneel thundered, "I was promised to meet a child here who I can teach my magic" Igneel tilted his head as he looked at the brat, thoroughly amused.

"Why the hell would I need to learn magic?! I'm a demon! I use curses." Natsu clicked his tongue at the thought of using magic instead of his curses.

Igneel looked at the child with an interest, "He didn't erase your memories then, eh? Very well. You don't use magic, eh brat? Show me the power of your curses then."

"Ne, were you by any chance told by Zeref that I will meet you here?"

"That's right. Us dragons have a problem at hand and want to get rid of it. We are thus teaching Dragon Slayer magic to a set of children to achieve it"

"Baka-nii" Natsu huffed as he remembered his argument with his brother about how he was never going to kill him. "I, for some unknown reasons, am unable to use my curses at the moment. I can't pretty well last like this. Let's make a deal, shall we, Fire Dragon King, Igneel? I will help you with whatever problem you dragons have if you teach me all you know. Not just Fire Dagon Slayer magic but everything else too. I know for a fact there is much more than the Slayer magic you could teach" Natsu smirked up at Igneel.

"Fine, I will teach you. We shall start with the maker magic and then move on to the Dragon Glyph. That will come in handy if you are ever in a bind and can't use your general maker or slayer magic. Once that's done, I will teach you Fire Dragon Slayer, Fire King Dragon Slayer, and Crimson Dragon Slayer magic. Will that be enough for you, brat?"

"Mmm... that will be good. Say, what is the problem you need help with?" Natsu questioned.

"I shall tell you about it later. Rest for tonight. We shall start the training tomorrow."

Natsu and Igneel grew closer over time. So much that Natsu started to call the dragon "Tou-chan" (Father). Day after day, Igneel puts Natsu through tough training, teaching him the ways of dragons. It did not take Natsu much time to master the maker magic. The Dragon Glyph was very boring for him to learn and hard too. Learning dragon characters and how to use them in day-to-day life took much longer for him to learn than maker magic. The Slayer magic came naturally to him and he absorbed it all like a sponge absorbs water.

It was July 6th and Natsu was sitting snuggled beside Igneel, relaxed.

"You leave tomorrow" Natsu spoke quietly.

"You know I can't very much avoid it, Natsu"

Natsu sighed as he stared up at the dragon he had come to call his father, "I know, I know. If you won't enter my body then I will turn into a dragon too! I know. But..." Natsu trailed off as he looked down at his hands on his lap.

Igneel bends his head down, his snout proking Natsu's head slowly "Come now, Natsu. You will never be without me. I shall always be with you"

"Does not mean I like it though."

"You will have people to support you, Natsu. Now, tell me again what you are going to do from tomorrow onwards." Igneel questioned.

"I shall hide my full potential so as to not draw attention towards myself. I will search around for the other Dragon Slayers and shall commence on the journey to get rid of the Dragon King, Acnologia. I shall also join a guild and downplay myself a bit, not letting them know the title you and other dragons have bestowed upon me." Natsu finished.

"Good. Rest now, Natsu. Tomorrow is a big day"

Natsu cuddled against the Fire Dragon King and went to sleep. Igneel smiled at the boy and began to chant slowly, starting the ritual. Soon, his body disappeared and a small orb of red fire entered Natsu's body. His body was then engulfed in golden light as he disappeared from his spot, only to reappear in the forest near Magnolia on July 7, year X777.

Natsu woke up the next day and looked around himself. Sighing, he stood up and dusted his pants. His hand then went to rest on the fire sword Igneel has given him, imbued with Igneel's magic itself. Taking the scarf laying on the ground, made from Igneel's scales, he wrapped it around his neck and stared at the sky. He saw three balls of golden light moving in different directions.

"So it has begun" He whispered.