I held my breath as everything went silent for a moment. My eyes widened as tears pooled in them. The only thing I could hear was the silent thumping of my heartbeat.

....When I am down, and, oh, my soul, so weary...

I watched in horror as Achologia slammed Igneel into the ground, the one I considered to be my father, smashed into the earth forming a crater in his wake.

"Igneel!" I called out as I watched the life leave my dragon as he was defeated by my enemy. No! I closed my eyes tight, hoping, praying that this was all some sort of terrible nightmare that I could wake up from.

....When troubles come, and my heart burdened be....

***

"Igneel!" I jumped upon the fire dragon's back, my smile as wide as it could possibly be. Though his was even wider as he let out a booming belly laugh.

"Show me what you got Natsu." He kindly demanded. I brought my tiny kid fists up in front of my mouth and inhaled. A red magic circle would soon appear in front of me.

"Roar of the fire dragon slayer!" My kid voice shouted as a blast of fierce fire erupted from the magic circle before me. The attack hit a rock and split it into two.

"Wonderful job my son!" Igneel grinned even wider.

***

I held onto my dragon's body, he was still warm. While smoke and flames began to surround us, I wept into his slowly cooling body.

***

"Igneel!" I called out, but no answer came. I walked through the forest alone and tired. I didn't understand where my dragon had gone to.

Walking into town, I found a building filled with people. "What is this place?" I thought to myself before a short old man approached me.

"Why hello there! Welcome to Fairy Tail!" He smiled warmly, "I'm the guild master, Master Makarov."

***

....I am strong when I am on your shoulders....

"Natsu!" I lifted my head to see my friends running towards me.

"Happy! Lucy! Erza! Wendy! Carla! And.... Gray..." I could tell that they were worried about me, it was written on all of their faces - even Gray's.

"Natsu!" My blue exceed flew to me and hugged my face. I could feel his tears soaking my salmon pink hair and dripping onto my cheeks.

"I'm sorry if I worried you buddy." I held Happy in my arms as a small smile crept onto my face.

***

The Scarlet haired female grabbed a slice of strawberry cake. I had the target locked and ready to set my foolishly stupid plan into motion.

"Erza!" Gray walked over to the female, I had to pay him all my jewels to distract her but it was worth it.

"What?" She sighed placing her cake down for a brief moment. Brief enough for my blue little exceed to swoop down and snatch the plate with the cake.

"Well I-" Gray began before she realized her cake was gone.

"Oi! Bring that back cat!" Erza snarled chasing after Happy. I laughed.

"Toss it to me!" I held out my hands as the blue flying cat released the plate. I jumped up and caught it.

"Natsu! Get back here!" The Scarlet chased after me, a sword appearing in her hand. I laughed as I ran from her.

"You have to catch me!" I yelled before accidentally running into Gray, the slice of cake sent flying into the air.

Splat.

The cake fell onto my head, I took a small taste before looking into the beast's eyes.

***

A smirk formed on my face before Gray smacked me.

"Oi! What's with that goofy smile flame brain!" Gray scuffed as I shot a glare at him.

"Just thinking!" I crossed my arms, my friends looked at me with surprised looks.

"Are you feeling okay Natsu?" The blonde haired female placed her soft palm against my forehead. Her hand felt chilled against my hot head.

***

"Hey! There they are!" A group of royal guards yelled as they charged towards us.

"Natsu! What did you do???" Lucy looked at me with a worried and surprised face. I grinned widely recalling the firery sign I left upon the palace.

"I gave a heads up so that our friends know we're looking for them!" I laughed as I grabbed her hand. Together we began running from the mob that chased us. My smile wide as it reminded me of the first time I met Lucy.

***

"I love you guys." I hugged my friends tightly, pulling them into a kind of a half circle huddle.

"Awe! We love you too Natsu!" Happy smiled, hugging me the most.

I smiled at my friends. Tears around the corners. "You raise me up, to more than I can be."

***

796 words.

Song is "You raise me up" by Josh Groban.

This is dedicated to: Soaring_Phoenix_15  ErzaFernands  ChristinaCrystal21  BellBell239  DJLatias2  deanoturner Nighthawk12078 Yuki_Kagami GamingGreninja2k RalphRachelLizNott and so much more not mentioned. You raised me up to more than I can be! And I am so greatful for having the chance to have met you! ❤️

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Here is the song ^^^.