Acnologia had returned much to the joys of his hatchlings. 

"You're back!" Wendy laughed nearly taking out Acnologia at the knees.

"Good thing too, Gajeel almost bawled his eyes out," Natsu grinned.

"Take that back you flame lizard!" Gajeel yelled tackling Natsu.

"I told you he'd be back," Laxus sighed from his room.

"Serena dropped by," Erik said pointing to a package on the counter, he didn't even bother to greet the dragon king anymore.

"Yeah, he told us a great story about a dragon and a human and an awesome fight!" Sting smiled running up to Acnologia.

"I'm sure he did," Acnologia nodded absentmindedly as he put the groceries he had bought on the counter - he then slapped the hand of Rogue who was cleverly trying to steal from the grocery bag. "That's for dinner," Acnologia growled.

"Can I have an early dinner?" Rogue asked.

"No."

"So, where'd you go?" Sting asked looking up at Uncle from over the counter.

"None of your business," Acnologia retorted as he pulled vegetables out of the paper bag.

"Aww," Sting slouched knowing all to well that Acnologia wouldn't say anymore.

Dinner went by with as many hitches as could be expected when you're feeding seven dragon slayers. Bedtime went by with even more difficulties. Finally, Acnologia collapsed on his couch absolutely exhausted. He had promised to get himself a bed, a promise that hadn't been kept. Quickly he fell into a deep sleep.

Then, he was plagued by memories in the form of dreams.

He was calling out for a woman he no longer knew. The woman he knew as Mother, but that name was empty now. The flames licked the sky as they engulfed the buildings of his village. There was a roar as a great beast flew low to the ground sending a great wind that knocked buildings down.

He was too young to know to run, he was too scared to figure it out. The buildings collapsed, and he was trapped under them crying, begging for a woman whose face he'd never see again, and a face he would later forget.

The screams died away as his tears and wails turned into exhaustion. 

The rubble he was trapped under began to shift and he cried out again holding his ears and shutting his eyes as a great toothed snout emerged from above him.

The dragon was long, green, and snakelike, he knocked the rubble away with great ferocity.

"Hello little one," the dragon hissed. He attempted to snap at the boy but a large blue dragon with a large wingspan charged into him.

"YOU HAD YOUR FILL!" the dragon roared.

"You gluttons!" a silver dragon with multiple black spikes growled, "I only got twenty! and half of those were children! Hardly enough! If anyone deserves it, it's me!"

"I want it!" the blue dragon snarled.

"I found the meat first!" the green dragon objected, he was silenced by the claws of the blue dragonelle which raked his snout. He roared in pain and writhed before wiggling from her clutches.

"I'll eat it!" the blue dragon threatened, "unless you want to fight me for it!" she roared her head turning to the silver dragon who hissed but remained silent.

The blue dragon huffed releasing a puff of steam before turning to him and snarling.

"Come here little one, scream and make it fun!" she hissed. Then she roared in pain, the green dragon was atop her clawing away at her back.

"I'll teach you to try and best me!" he roared.

"YOU COWARD!" she roared rolling on her back trying to crush the other. The silver dragon saw his chance and began stalking towards Acnologia. The boy cried and tried to push himself back into the rubble. 

The silver dragon jumped away as a column of boiling water separated the dragon from the boy.

"THAT'S MY MEAT!" the blue dragon roared as the green dragon struggled under her claws.

"ENOUGH" a fourth voice roared shaking the earth.

The three dragons immediately separated and shrunk away as a vast black dragon with silver wings landed on the outskirts of the wrecked town.

"Master," the silver one bowed.

"Stow your tongue Mercury," the black dragon hissed. The silver dragon clamped his jaws shut.

"She started it, master, I found that meat first!" the green dragon objected.

"You are HATCHLINGS!" the black dragon roared sending all three dragons quivering, "fighting over a piece of meat that hardly suffices as a toothpick!"

The three dragons bent their heads in shame.

"If you must eat something, take these more substantial meals," the black dragon hissed flinging three bodies a few feet away from the rubble that Acnologia was under. He cried out seeing the mutilated bodies and began to weep. The dragons descended each one ripping bodies apart and swallowing them happily. It was too much for him, the boys shivered and cried louder.

"Dragon Slayers," the blue one hissed in delight as she swallowed another.

"Master, where is Quicktooth?" the green dragon asked between bites.

"Dead, slain by these... pests, before you," the black dragon hissed.

"These bugs slaughtered Quicktooth!?" the blue dragon roared in shock.

"He was always too arrogant, serves him right for following the survivors," Mercury hissed swallowing a body whole.

"Dragon Slayers," the green dragon hissed in anger, "THEY DON'T DESERVE TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH OUR KIND!"

"The anger you hold in foolish," the black dragon hissed, "They are strong and we are fools if we do not recognize that."

"They are not stronger than you," the blue dragon said pridefully.

"These were not, but one day... a dragon slayer will surpass me, I would be an imbecile to think otherwise."

Acnologia wept harder as terrible sounds of the blue dragon eating reached his ears. This made the silver dragon turn towards him.

"And for dessert," the silver dragon smiled. The black dragon moved quickly stepping forward and whipping his long tipped tail. The tip slashed the silver dragon across the snout spraying blood on Acnologia who cried out harder.

"You are gluttonous!" The black dragon roared leaping forward and landing aside the silver dragon sending dust flying. He greatly overshadowed the silver dragon who quivered in fear.

"I'm-I'msorrymaster, I-I didn't... I didn'tmeananythingbyit!" he quivered slurring his words together. The black dragon was no longer interested in him, his silver eyes were on Acnologia. He brought he giant tail up and dropped it making a cloud of dust fly towards the boy. Acnologia covered himself and cried for his mother as the dust engulfed him. The dust cleared and the black dragon leaned closer.

"Master?" the blue dragon asked.

"Fascinating," the black dragon wondered aloud tilting his head.

"What?" the green dragon asked.

"You may have him, master, I don't want him," the silver dragon cried.

"I don't want to eat him you idiots!" the black dragon growled, "surely even you can see what I see in this boy!"

"What?" the green dragon asked.

"Watch," the black dragon sighed. He sent the dust flying once more and now the dragon saw. The dust avoided the boy as if there was some shield before him.

"What is he?" the green dragon asked.

"Just a boy... but his magic potential is awe-inspiring," the black dragon grinned.

"He may grow into a strong wizard, we should eat him now!" the blue dragon hissed.

"FOOL!" the black dragon roared turning to the now quivering blue dragon. "It is foolish lizards like yourselves who doom our kind! Do you know why our kind is weakening!? Do you?"

The dragons all muttered something different.

"It's because you are stubborn, and foolish, and arrogant, and overall idiots!" the dragon roared lashing out with his claws and striking the ground making the three dragons jump. "The dragon slayers, no matter how weak you think them, kill more of us every day. Our brethren who foolishly fear them and stand behind them know they will kill us and yet here you are feeding off their corpses and relishing in a victory that isn't yours!"

"They are going to beat us if you do not evolve! You cannot ignore them and dismiss them as a pest! I can do that because I am the king of all dragons! NO DRAGON OR DRAGON SLAYER STANDS AGAINST ME!"

The dragons shivered and shrunk before the fierce force before them.

"So... what shall you do with the boy?" the green one asked after the wave of fear had passed.

The black dragon looked back to Acnologia and narrowed his reptilian eyes, "I shall make him my weapon."

"You cannot be serious! Raise a dragon slayer! You? He'll have the capability to kill us all!" the blue dragon cried rebelliously.

"Yes, but he'll have the fear to obey my every word," the black dragon smiled.

"You are serious master?" the silver dragon shivered.

"Do you all feel strong enough to question me?" the black dragon hissed dangerously.

"No," the blue dragon said quickly shaking her head.

"Good. This child is mine, his magic potential exceeds all the dragons slayers you've just fed on put together. If those dragon slayers could kill Quicktooth, just imagine what this boy could do."

The three dragons looked to Acnologia, their gazes no longer filled with pleasure, now they looked at him in fear.

The scene changed, Acnologia was a boy now, a scrawny eight-year-old.

"Apocalypse dragon ROAR!" young Acnologia yelled.

"Weak, do it again," the large black dragon growled not even opening his eyes.

"Well if you would tell me what I'm doing wrong, then maybe I could do it right!' Acnologia objected.

The tail came too quick for Acnologia to dodge; the large black tail smacked him across the face and sent him sprawling on the ground.

"Don't talk back," the dragon growled his eyes open now and staring Acnologia down.

Acnologia rubbed his face and obediently got up and prepared to roar again.

"You're too weak, work on it and come back tomorrow," the dragon grumbled before Acnologia could even try.

"Can you at least give me something to eat?" Acnologia pleaded.

"If you can't provide for yourself, feel free to leave," the dragon growled.

"You'll never let me leave," Acnologia snarled.

This time the dragon back clawed Acnologia, Acnologia flew into a rock, some snow was disturbed and fell on him.

"You talk in that tone again, you may just lose a limb," the dragon snarled settling back down to resume his nap.

Acnologia got to his feet, shivering and aching. He began to walk away.

"Human," the dragon growled, Acnologia looked back hopefully wanting a kind word, even a piece of food, "This is for being disobedient," the black dragon snarled.

A burning sensation seared Acnologia's left upper arm, a new blue tattoo appeared. Acnologia gritted his teeth, he would not scream... he wouldn't give him that compensation.

"Leave me," the dragon growled.

Acnologia stumbled back down the mountain. He had no shoes, wore patched jeans and a pitiful shirt. By the time he had reached the valley, he was shivering all over.

A quaint village sat in the valley. Acnologia walked down the paths and couldn't help but notice the parents ushering their children into the house as he approached. The doors were all locked when he walked by and the shutters were sealed.

Acnologia studied his still burning tattoo, the scars of his disobedience covered him head to foot, reminding everyone whose apprentice he was. He heard a snarl behind him, he turned around and suddenly he was an adult. The black dragon was bearing his teeth.

"Again," he growled.

"I've done the same move throughout the day, all day; tell me what I'm doing wrong!" a now-adult Acnologia growled.

The black dragon was on him in seconds, claws digging into his skin.

"Ungrateful human, I teach you, I make you stronger, and you can only be disrespectful," the dragon snarled.

Acnologia roared in insurrection and threw the ginormous dragon off him.

"You need to learn discipline," the dragon snarled landing on his claws. He showed his teeth and lunged.

Acnologia put up his arms trying to defend himself but suddenly he was a child again and was defending himself from the stones that the village kids threw.

"Get out killer," an older boy yelled throwing a rock towards young Acnologia. The rocks hurt, but the words stung much more than the rocks.

"I didn't do anything," he cried, he was thirteen and much stronger than any of the children there. But retaliating wouldn't help, in fact, it would make the adults step in... and they were never on his side.

"You're being raised by a dragon, and dragons are killers," another younger girl yelled.

"Didn't a dragon eat your family?" a boy asked, he didn't throw stones, he was too young

"Then he went running to one so that he wasn't alone," a kid snarled.

More rocks and sticks flew, but the words... Acnologia ran not because of the bruises, Tyregenium gave him plenty of beatings, he ran because of the words.

Tyregenium, even in his dream Acnologia shivered, he hadn't thought of that dragon's name in years.

Acnologia ran because they were right. He had watched his family be murdered by dragons... by Tyregenium's loyal dragons. But Tyregenium had spared him, not because he was a pitiful three-year-old, but because of his potential. He had taken him home, forced him to provide for himself, and taught him mercilessly.

These kids did it all the time, whenever they could find him; they hit him with rocks... and the truth. The truth Acnologia knew too well.

Acnologia closed his eyes as he fled from the crowd, and when he opened them, Acnologia found himself hiding under a cherry tree in bloom. He was older, maybe fifteen and looking at the sea. Acnologia didn't enjoy the scenery, he was too busy crying. He wanted his mom, his dad, but more than anything, he wanted someone who cared. Someone who would look at him, and actually care about him. Tyregenium had nearly killed him today, the children had chased him from the village, and on top of it all, he hadn't eaten in days.

He didn't dare wander, Tyregenium, although he said otherwise, would hunt him down, and kill anyone who stood between him and his apprentice. Sometimes, Acnologia feared that he would get tired and kill him as well.

He had seen Tyregenium kill countless humans and dragons. He didn't doubt his strength... he feared him, but he also hated him.

"Hello?" a young girl's voice called out.

Acnologia shrunk further behind the tree.

"Are you sure he went this way Sirius?" the girl asked someone.

"It's Canis mam'. The star is Sirius, my name is Canis," a male voice sighed.

"Sorry, but are you sure he's here?"

"He's behind the cherry tree," the male voice sighed.

"You can come out, I won't hurt you," the girl yelled.

Acnologia wanted to hide, but whoever the boy was would probably find him again. It was a tracker mage most likely.

"I just want to make sure you're alright. I saw what those kids did to you, are you hurt?" the girl asked.

Acnologia didn't answer.

"If you don't come out I'll send Canis Major in," the girl threatened.

Acnologia wasn't sure who Canis Major was, but he didn't want to find out the hard way. He reluctantly walked out. There was a girl, her long blonde hair was pulled back and the soft brown eyes looked at Acnologia with an emotion that he was unfamiliar with; concern. She wore fancy clothes, so it was safe to assume she was rich, and at her side was a large dog with stars in his fur.

"There you are," the girl sighed in relief she put down a box she was carrying and opened it, and then she looked to Canis. "Thanks for the help Canis, send my regards to Lepus, I'll thank grandmother for lending you to me," she smiled.

"With pleasure miss," the dog responded, "You may borrow my key anytime," and with that, he shimmered away.

The girl continued digging through the box. Acnologia watched skeptically. Finally, she pulled out ointment and bandages. She was maybe  Acnologia's age, or so Acnologia believed.

"Come over here, I'll help," she smiled.

Acnologia cautiously approached.

She sat him down and grabbed his arm; she studied a cut and began to treat it. They sat in silence for a while.

"So, what's your name?" the girl asked.

"Acnologia."

"Last name?"

"Don't have one."

"Where do you live?"

"...Is this some kind of test?"

She laughed at his comment, "well if you would help me make conversation, this would be easier."

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Anna... Anna Heartfillia," she smiled.

"And, your dog... Canis right?"

She giggled, "He's not just a dog, he's a celestial spirit, he's from the constellation Canis Major, the great dog, but he prefers Canis. He's my grandmother's spirit but she's letting me borrow a few of her keys so I can learn the magic."

Acnologia nodded, Tyregenium had taught him a little bit about celestial magic. He hadn't been the best student that chosen day, but Tyregenium was never a good teacher.

Anna leaned in and bumped a sore spot on Acnologia's side put there by Tyregenium's tail. Acnologia inhaled sharply and winced.

"Lift up your shirt please," she ordered.

"Uh-Uh-we just met..." Acnologia stuttered.

"NOT LIKE THAT!" Anna cried a blush spreading across her face.

They both sat there for a moment, both of their faces shades of scarlet.

"You've been wounded, I... I can treat it," she said. Even through her fingers, you could make out her blush.

Acnologia pulled up his shirt exposing a large black bruise.

"Oh my gosh," Anna cried.

"It's okay," Acnologia said quickly.

"That's horrible," Anna cried, "did they do that to you?"

"No... the dragon I train with did."

"That's serious; it could be a broken rib! You need rest, come, I can take you home."

"Seriously... we just met."

"NOT LIKE THAT!" she yelled, another blush spreading over her face.

"Uncle.Uncle.Uncle.Uncle." Sting nagged awakening Acnologia who woke up with a jerk. Everything in his head, heart, and soul cried out in pain but Acnologia clamped his jaws shut and refrained from yelling at the young dragon slayer.

"Sting? What's wrong?" he asked puzzled.

"Erik sucks at making breakfast," Sting said pointing behind Acnologia. It was then that Acnologia smelled smoked.

"ERIK!" he roared.