Chapter 9 - Enter Erik, the poison dragon slayer -

It's been 2 months now since igneels incident, of course natsu had to tell her eventually so he made sure to break the news when Igneel wasn't home. Lucy was furious at how Igneel was not capable to control himself to get out of that situation. Sure he probably could have chosen to not have that one night stand if he just made up his mind and hightailed it out of their, like how natsu would control himself when Lucy was with him in his rut.

But natsu explained it to Lucy it was impossible to Igneel to have that much patience and control during his first rut. Hell, natsu had to send Lucy away with the help of laxus to not straight up take her by force. It took lucy a long time to forgive Igneel as she told him too later on that if he gets a baby in a basket in the next 9 months, he would have to take responsibility for it. Igneel nodded in shame as he understood what he did wasn't ok. Especially at the age of 17 no less. Natsu and lucy had Nashi when they were 20 and 21 so their rule was nobody was gonna get a girlfriend or boyfriend till they are 19.

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Lucy and natsu decided to go on a trip with the whole family of 7 to the place Igneel had his affair as both to taunt him with teasing jokes. And to look for the girl if she was still around, Igneel sighed as he wanted to see her again too.. but didn't want to live his life with someone who didn't even seem reliable to fall in love with.

Lucy and natsu went sight seeing nearby in the town of wessilland, where this all took place. As Igneel was going to be babysat by his 3 sisters and 1 brother. His siblings were already looking forward to tease him while they walked around town looking for his 'midnight scandal' is what they decided to call his mate.

"So, how does she look? Is she older then us?"

*leia asked as she smirked and raised an eyebrow.*

"Nope.. she looked around our age…"

"Oo Oo Oo! Was she pretty? I bet that's why you were seduced!"

*Jue joined in as he wrapped a arm around his brother. Igneel rolled his eyes as he felt it was 3 blondes vs. 1 red head.*

"Yes, she was very pretty… I'm pretty sure she's out of your league though jue.."

*Igneel smirked as he flicked off his brothers arm.*

"Then tell us how she looks, I'm pretty sure we can find someone like her again if you just tell us.."

*luxe urged as she and lina gave him their puppy eyes. He sighed as he looked for someone similar to how she looked. He spotted a girl standing behind a wall who looked just like how he had met her that night.*

"Look over there… see her? She looked exactly like her but she had gorgeous black eyes,.. burgundy with a hint of purple like that girl… and wore something similar like her…"

*Igneel kept staring at the stranger who had her back turned to him almost looking like she was hiding from someone..*

"Ha! I bet that's her! But then again it might not be.. who knows.."

*jue got infront of Igneel to block his sight as Igneel blinked and looked away.*

"No, we won't see her out here… if we really want to see her she told me to ask for Ethe, at the Crime Sorcière guild."

*Igneel went back to his tough guy act as his sister's began tugging at his sleeve.*

"Hey, Igneel? Why is that girl running twords us?"

*lina being the more timid one pulled his sleeve as he turned to look at his sister.*

"I don't know… where? I bet she is just running by-"

*suddenly Igneel got tackled by the strange girl he had pointed earlier as he came crashing down to the floor leaving his siblings speechless.*

"Oh boy! How happy I am to see you! If your going anywhere, take me with you right now! I'll explain later.."

*Ethe got up as Igneel rubbed his head where he hit it on the pavement.*

"What the?! And why should I take you! You left me at the motel room alone!"

*igneel acted childishly as his siblings never seen their brother act like this, not even when they annoyed him.*

"Are you going to really do that now?! Look if you don't want to die, let's get out of here now before-"

*BOOM*

A loud explosion was heard as a pair of glowing white eyes seeped through the smoke.

"Ethe~ you know your old man still has magic right? That means I can hear where you are~ come out, come out where ever you are~"

Everyone felt chills as lina was the first to run, the. Luxe, leia and finally Igneel tsk as he pulled his brother jue to run and scooped up Ethe. They all ran as fast as they can to the cottage like motel on the far end of the town where they were all staying at.

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Natsu was having a decent time with luce as they walked through the homey town. They over heard a loud explosion go off but didn't mind it since they over heard people mention it was the guild that had established itself there rampage again. But all peace couldn't last as a flying peace of stone came flying twords lucy and as always natsu blocked it with his arm engulfed in fire. It stung him a bit but that was normal since he was older now, he didn't have the same durability he had before.

"Oi! You almost hit my wife jerk-quad!"

*natsu yelled twords the man who was in the smoke who turned around to see natsu and Lucy.*

"Is that?… Natsu Dragneel??"

*Erik appeared out from the smoke as he walked closer to them. Natsu smiled now as he hadn't seen cobra in a long time but still wanted to keep things calm and not pick fights like old times.*

"Well, well, well, if it isnt poison-breath? How are ya cobra!"

*natsu chuckled a bit as they both shook hands, Erik bowed in a apologetic twords lucy as she only waved at him that it was an accident.*

"So.. what brings you two to wessilland?"

"Ahh.. we came for a family matter but other then that right now I'm taking luce out on a date.."

*natsu chuckled smuggly as lucy pat his arm almost in a way telling him to stop teasing her.*

"Ahh I see, well I'm sorry for the abrupt goodbyes but I'm chasing my kid down right now… she escaped the house arrest we put her in and is making a fool out of her poor dad.."

*erik sighed as he punched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, lucy felt pity so she offered some help now.*

"What's her name I'm pretty sure we can find her for you, me and natsu aren't that busy at the moment right?"

*lucy looked at natsu, who only looked away and put his hands behind his head.*

"Oh.. that would be great… I'm pretty sure she went running twords the end of town where there's a small motel cottage at. Her name is Ethe.."

Natsu's ears pinged at the name as he lowered his arms and looked at Erik… no way, it couldn't be…

"Hey cobra, does your daughter have burgundy hair, deal with antidote/poison dragon slayer magic, and has a really rebel like personality?"

*natsu asked Erik as he looked around his surroundings thinking natsu had seen her.*

"Yes! Do you see her?! Where is she that little punk!"

"No I don't see her.. but I do know who she is probably with right now, if I'm not wrong.."

*natsu felt tension built as he can see Erik's frustration and rage grow… so he already knows that she spent the night with a boy… from the look of things Erik still doesn't know it's his son Igneel..*

"Oh! That little! If I see her with that boy again, I'll kill him for sure this time!"

*erik was angry, he had smelled off his daughter a putrid scent of the bastard that layed hands on his daughter.. and from the smell of it, it was another dragon slayer punk. He had warned his daughter many times of male dragon slayers 'ruts' so she can avoid situations where she's cornered by one. But instead she used that knowledge to find a dragon slayer male in rut, he didn't care if his daughter had pesky human boyfriends but nobody was gonna knock up his kid and leave her alone with a child unwanted.*

"Hey… Erik calm down, that punk you speak of is my son… that's the whole reason me and luce came down here, to make him bare responsibility for what he did and bid for your forgiveness."

*natsu placed himself infront of lucy not knowing how Erik would react to this but was surprised at how calm he remained after hearing the mystery boy was natsu's son.*

"Ha! What a sick joke! Doesn't your boy Liddan already know about how these ruts work? Why didn't he run out the window with my daughter coming onto him strongly?"

*erik still was fierce but waited for natsu's answer*

"Because it wasn't Liddan, it was my other son. Igneel, he's not a full dragon slayer since he only deals with demon magic from my side. But something changed in him once he was exposed to dragon slayer magic that your daughter Ethe used on his injury to heal him. I also wanted to thank your daughter for saving my stubborn son but also it was my fault for not educating him on the possibilities of him going into rut."

*natsu bowed his head in a apologetic manner as Erik calmed all the way down and just scratched his head fiercely.*

"Nah.. I understand now natsu… you don't need to apologize, your son is probably better mannered then my bratty daughter. If anything I should apologize for having a ill mannered daughter who probably seduced your son.."

The both men looked at each other then boasted laughing at how funny it was that it wasn't natsu's son who took advantage of Erik's girl but the opposite… both men began walking in their way to the cottage talking about old times forgetting all about Lucy..

"Hm! Men…"

*lucy walked right behind them as she glared at her husband burning holes into his head.*

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-At the Cottage-

All the Dragneel kids panted as they all ran wee wee all the way back home as igneel collapsed as he had to carry extra weight as to not leave a scent of Ethe behind.

"Do you think we…*pant pant* lost him?"

*jue catched his breath as the other three sisters turned to each other not knowing if they did or not.*

"Just relax and lay down on the grass everyone, if we didn't lose him then I'll just have to fight him.."

*igneel breathed out as Ethe began to laugh at his comment*

"What? What's so funny Miss. 'Save me, from that big scary man'?"

*igneel was still irritated by how reckless she was.. she lived with a carefree attitude and was all bubbly like if she didn't just get chased down by a furious monster.*

"Hahaha.. it's nothing, just.. your going to fight my father? That seemed a bit far fetched, pretty sure he did mop the floor with you."

*Ethe kept laughing as all five siblings gawked at her comment.*

"THAT WAS YOUR DAD?!?!"

And with that another loud explosion was heard near them as they all got up in a fighting stance as igneel took front jue backed him up with leia on his right. Luxe and lina got ready with their spirit keys they both shared as they stood on both sides of Ethe.

The same man from before came walking towards them as he let a small flow of poison gas to intimidate the children. He showed his fangs as he eyes the boy natsu had described to him as 'igneel'.

"Huh? You really look gutsy and manly for a 17 year old… so what's your name son?"

*Erik asked igneel who didn't break his stare off him as he replied back.*

"My name is Igneel, Igneel Dragneel… and can I ask who are you?"

*Erik was pretty impressed already, all of his daughters boyfriend would coward away when he was far away but in view distance, right now he was asserting his dragon dominance on igneel who like his brother jue, would be kneeling on the floor of the tense atmosphere he displayed. But igneel seemed different, he showed to Erik he was already aware of who he was, but his question of asking him personally who he was like a display showing*

'I'm not scared of you, but I respect you and I can't let you hurt my family if I'm in your way..'

*erik smirked as he for once was proud his daughter had smuggled this strong brat, at least he knew his daughter would be respected and well taken care of if they decided to stay together or if she got pregnant.*

"I'm sure you know who I am boy, so let's cut to the chase… let me pass to retrieve my daughter unless you have any buisness with me.."

*Erik was setting the last test now, if igneel let him pass to take his daughter back. It would prove to him that he was a wimp when it came to accepting his punishments, but if he chooses to reveal his relationship with his daughter as the guy who had a one night stand with her. He would be satisfied with it.*

'Come on Dragneel, tell me who you are to my daughter.. let's see if the faith your father has in you is worth a lot or nothing.'

Igneel didn't move but only began to speak in a softer tone but his words carried out a strong aura to them as he spoke out to Erik, The Poison Dragon Slayer of the Guild Crime Sorcière.

"Yes Sir Cobra… I know who you are to Ethe, but I can't let you have her until I apologize for the night I spent with her.. even though she was the one who urged me to sleep with her.. I should have been the better man that night like my mother said and jumped out the window or ran as far away possible..so I accept any punishments you wish to give me for sleeping with her, and also will take full responsibility if she is found with my child.."

*Igneel finished as he still kept his stance ready to block a blow any time. Erik stood there stunned at how brazen he was to accept the full responsibility of not stopping things from the start to the point of already assuming he had gotten her pregnant. He relaxed as he turned down his dragon dominance levels as he huffed a sigh.*

"You really are natsu's and Lucy's child, I got to say I'm impressed.. HEY NATSU!!! LET ME HAVE YOUR BELOVED SON AND ILL GIVE YOU MY BRATTY DAUGHTER HUH?"

*Igneel was confused at the sudden mentioning of his fathers name but soon heard his father from a distance call out back to Erik, who laughed at his response.*

"LIKE HELL!! HES ONLY ONE OF THE MY THREE SONS IM PROUD OF. INCLUDING MY OTHER FOUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTERS!!"

*natsu breathed a big fire ball into the air earning some awws from his daughters and son jue. Ethe watched as how her father joked around with natsu and was like watching to puppy's play with each other.. she wondered where her strict father had gone?*

"Igneel I'm proud of you standing up for your siblings and girlfriend but, don't ever do something stupid like this again!"

*lucy hugged Igneel then smacked him in the head as he nodded at his mother. Ethe and Lucy's eyes met together as Lucy smiled at Ethe, and Ethe waved back at lucy.*

"Come on Ethe, your mother is worried about you! And what's this about 'eloping' suddenly?!"

*Erik nagged his daughter as he pinched her ear who only fuzzed around at how she didn't need him to lecture her on these things.*

"I'm eloping dad! I'm going to live on my own now so don't worry about me!"

"Like hell will I ever let you live on your own!!! You are coming back home young lady and apologizing to your mother for worrying her so much!"

*erik began to drag Ethe back by her ear as she begged her father to let go already.*

The two disappeared into the sunset as natsu patted his son igneels back.

"I'm proud of you today son… you stood up to someone who would have probably used you to mop the floor.."

*natsu chuckled as Igneel gave him a blank serious stare*

"Come on dad, not you too… How do you not know I would have won? Hm?"

"Believe me son, I fought Erik before… I serious fight to the death once.. I only managed to beat him because of my intelligence and quick thinking. If I hadn't thought of a clever way to defeat him I would have been a goner."

*natsu sighed as lucy and the other kids left their father and Igneel alone to talk*

"Dad…"

"Yes?"

"I don't like Ethe.."

*Igneel finally began to voice out his feelings as natsu raised an eyebrow to him.*

"And why is that?.."

"She's someone who seems unreliable and if she were the man and I was the woman… pretty sure she would have left me with the child alone to raise.."

*Igneel sounded gloomy as natsu kept looking at his son..*

"Dad… if she is pregnant.. I want to take full custody of my kid and not tie the knot with her… I feel like I can find someone better who won't be so reckless like her.."

*Igneel clenched his fist in anger towards himself as he let this immature and un responsible girl tie him down to the possibility of have a child with her. Natsu placed his hand on his sons tight fist as he gave him some words of encouragement.*

"Well that's in the future son, what if she changed? What if she's not pregnant with your child at the end of it? What if you don't find someone better then her? See son? There's lots of 'what if's' but never enough positive outlook on things.. when I met your mother, I was just like that girl Ethe. I was a trouble maker, a destructive tornado, and most of all a reckless teenager. But guess what? I met someone as responsible, smart, kind, and brave. She showed me to become a better person not just for myself, but for her, my friends, family and finally my kids she had given me… see Igneel, anything can happen.. but I don't want you to cut ties so soon if you don't know what the road would look like ahead. So keep going and don't give up on her yet.. give this a chance"

*natsu placed his fingers twords igneels heart motioning to try giving love a try. Igneel smiled at his father and nodded in agreement.*

"Yes father, I'll give love a try then.."

*igneel hugged his father who embraced him in a big bear hug as he faked a groan*

"Man… that means I'm going to be a grandpa already to two of my kids… oh well the more the marrier"

They both laughed as they got up from their seats to go inside the cottage now. There waited lucy with the rest of the kids waiting to eat dinner with their father and brother Igneel.