Kai sat cross-legged atop a rocky ledge, his eye of True Sight softly glowing as he watched the distant horizon. Lava flowed beneath him, a molten reminder of the power that now coursed through his body thanks to Ignarax. But today wasn't about training.
It was about answers.
"Ready?" Ignarax rumbled beside him, wings half-folded.
Kai nodded.
They soared through the skies until the familiar volcanic terrain gave way to a lush forest. The heat of Ignarax was soon replaced by a different kind of fire—warmer, more familiar.
Igneel awaited them.
The mighty Fire Dragon King stood tall, eyes narrowing at their approach. Natsu was nearby, training, but this meeting wasn't for him.
Ignarax greeted his brother briefly, then retreated to a nearby outcropping, giving Kai and Igneel privacy.
Kai didn't waste time.
"Igneel… That power inside Natsu… it's not just Dragon Slayer magic."
Igneel's eyes sharpened.
"You saw it?"
"Aura unlike yours or Ignarax's. Crimson and black, like flames twisted by hatred."
The dragon sighed. "You're sharper than most. I figured as much with that eye of yours. There's no hiding it from you."
Kai waited.
"Natsu," Igneel began slowly, "is not entirely human. He was created by Zeref. His brother. He's an Etherious... Natsu Dragneel. E.N.D."
Kai's brow furrowed. "Then that power I saw—"
"His curse. Not magic. A different kind of energy entirely. Drawn from negative emotions, rage, despair... hate."
"Why hasn't he used it?" Kai asked.
Igneel looked away. "He doesn't know. Zeref gave him to me when he was too young to remember. He believes he's human. I… never had the heart to tell him."
Silence lingered until Kai broke it.
"With all due respect, that power is his. Pretending it doesn't exist won't make it disappear. Dragon Slayer Magic isn't harmless either—it's not some carnival magic . It's a powerful ability. So is his curse. If you only ever fight with half your strength, you'll always lose to someone who doesn't hold back."
He tapped his eye. "If I ignored my True Sight just because it looked strange, I'd never have understood the depth of magma magic. I wouldn't be where I am now."
Igneel's tail flicked thoughtfully. "And you think he should just… embrace it?"
"No," Kai said calmly. "Just acknowledge it. Learn to control it. Maybe even use it in small doses—amplify his fire with a hint of that curse energy. Not to let it consume him, but to make him aware of his full self."
He smirked. "Not that it'll help him beat me."
Igneel chuckled—a deep, thoughtful sound. "You sound like your dragon."
Kai stood. "Heh. Maybe I do."
"Perhaps," Igneel murmured, "Natsu doesn't need to know the truth just yet… but there may be wisdom in letting him think that other power is just… a hidden talent. His own magic. Something to tap into when needed."
Kai nodded. "Good. Because I'd like to see him get strong. Even if he still won't win."
[ Nearby Valley, Later That Day]
Kai stood in a crater of scorched earth and cracked stone, shirt off, skin dusted with ash. His breath was steady, but his fists still trembled from the adrenaline of sparring with Natsu.
He wiped his brow and muttered, "I could've gone harder. Should've used more rotation in the stomp…"
A deep rumble echoed above. A flash of red and gold.
"Igneel?" Kai looked up as a massive form descended beside the rocky cliffside.
The Fire Dragon King landed with the grace of a flame flicker. "You've got potential, kid. That claw strike earlier—it was almost clean."
Kai grinned. "Almost?"
"You telegraphed it." Igneel's eyes narrowed. "Let me show you how a proper Fire Dragon's Talon lands."
He raised a clawed forelimb, coating it in spiraling flames, then brought it down with surgical precision, slicing through a massive boulder. It exploded into sparks.
Kai's eyes gleamed. "That's so much sharper than my version…"
"Your style's muddied," Igneel said. "Not a bad thing. You've got earth and magma in your blood now, thanks to him." He nodded toward the ledge above, where Ignarax had been watching.
The magma dragon let out a rough exhale and leapt down, landing with a heavier thud that cracked the ground.
"Teaching my son, brother?"
Igneel huffed a laugh. "He is my Nephew, technically."
Ignarax narrowed his lava-flecked eyes. "You can lend a talon, but don't forget—he's under my flame.."
"I'm not replacing you, brother," Igneel said with a hint of warmth. "Just making sure the boy doesn't miss out on sharper tools, you don't use pure Fire Dragon magic like I do "
Kai looked between them, smirking. "You two argue like old geezers."
"Silence, hatchling," both dragons said in unison.
Kai chuckled, then cracked his knuckles. "So… Fire Dragon's Talon, huh?"
"Try it," Igneel said. "Use more speed in your approach. Dig your magic into the tips of your limbs, not the base."
Ignarax muttered, "He can just learn magma dragon slayer magic from me no need to learn your tricks"
Kai grinned wide. "It isn't a bad idea to expand my arsenal though, right, Dad?".
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Moves Learned:
Eye of True Sight – Allows Kai to perceive the remaining magic reserves or curse energy of others, helping him analyze opponents and better understand complex magic techniques.
Fire Dragon's Iron Fist – A fiery punch imbued with dragon flame, perfect for close combat.
Earth Dragon's Stomp – A ground-crushing stomp that causes localized tremors and destabilizes enemy footing.
Magma Dragon's Claw – A fusion attack combining fire and earth, coating Kai's claws in molten magma for maximum destruction.
Fire Dragon's Talon
A fast, precise kick or claw attack, channeling fire magic into the extremities for slicing impact. Igneel-style.