"Happy!!" x2
Watching Happy dissipate into motes of light within the magic circle, both Natsus shouted.
Though they knew it was a safe retreat with no danger, losing their partners in an instant still ignited their anger.
It also snapped them back to reality. This wasn't wild flame—it was a dragon with overwhelmingly powerful fire attributes!
"To remain unharmed under my scorching aura—so this is what human mages from a magic-rich era are like..."
Atlas Flame muttered, a flicker of surprise crossing its fiery face.
Normally, when facing ants like these humans, it couldn't help but toy with them, letting them experience hell bit by bit.
But this time, with Slifer and Chase preceding them, the aura storm it had unleashed was meant to one-shot them. And all it had done was "burn" two cats?
And what was that strange magic circle that had suddenly appeared?
As it pondered, bursts of magic power interrupted Atlas Flame's thoughts, drawing its attention back to the two humans with scarves around their necks.
"Lightning Fire Dragon Mode!"
"Destruction Fire Dragon Mode!"
Deep within the overwhelming dragon flames, golden lightning erupted and destruction rays flowed.
Realizing they were facing a dragon, both Natsus held nothing back, activating their strongest forms!
Atlas Flame narrowed its eyes. From those flames imbued with other attributes, it caught a strangely familiar scent.
Before it could figure out the source of that familiarity, Future Natsu shot forward, his lightning-wreathed fire fist aimed at Atlas Flame's chest.
Attacking me, the Hellfire Dragon, with fire? Ridiculous!
Atlas Flame couldn't help but scoff. It stood tall, neither dodging nor blocking.
"Lightning Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!!"
The blazing fire fist slammed into its chest, unleashing a storm of lightning that made the fire dragon's flames shudder violently!
Staggering back two steps, Atlas Flame's expression shifted dramatically. All contempt vanished from its eyes, replaced by sheer disbelief.
The pain in its chest was real. A human mage's fire fist had actually harmed it, a Fire Dragon?!
Was it the lightning attribute mixed in?
No, even a Lightning Dragon couldn't achieve this. These brats' attacks contained some terrifying energy never before seen in humans!
In its shock, a crimson fireball, like a miniature sun, filled Atlas Flame's vision, blotting out half the sky.
Natsu leaped high, pressing and merging two blazing flames in his hands. "Destruction Fire Dragon's..."
"Blazing Flame!!"
He hurled the orb directly at Atlas Flame's head.
BOOM BOOM BOOM!
The fire wave exploded, engulfing the dragon's massive body. The destruction energy within was released, triggering a chain of explosions!
"Roooar—"
Atlas Flame felt pain once again from familiar flames and let out a low growl.
Just then, cherry-colored hair tearing through the destruction flames. Future Natsu, in a wide stance, gathered lightning and flames into his arms and struck Atlas Flame at point-blank range.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Lotus Exploding Thunder Blade!!"
The nearly zero-distance lightning-fire explosion was devastating. Even the residual shockwave burned the surrounding ground to cinders!
Caught off guard by this ultimate move, Atlas Flame lost its balance and was sent flying dozens of meters.
Its massive body crashed into the ground, melting rock and soil alike.
Scorching heat waves rippled outward. Atlas Flame flipped to its feet. The relentless assault had enraged it. Just as it was about to show what real dragon fire could do, the melted ground beneath it lit up with crimson pillars of energy.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Destruction Dragon Flame Burst!"
Natsu shouted, his body shining with destruction rays like Gandora's.
This was his original Secret Art, developed by studying Gandora's abilities. Its power was terrifying—it blew away the earth for hundreds of meters, turning it into scorched wasteland!
With residual flames and lightning, the explosion's shockwave ravaged the battlefield.
Against a dragon, neither Natsu dared to use their usual "get beaten first, then strike back" approach. They went all out from the start, unleashing their strongest moves!
But to their surprise, deep within the rolling smoke, a massive shape stirred. Then a terrifying magic power howled outward, erupting as surging hellfire.
The Fire Dragon, having taken two Secret Arts head-on, rose again. Its flame wings spread, casting vast shadows!
"How is this possible?! Completely... unharmed?!" Future Natsu's eyes widened in disbelief.
That was his strongest magic, enhanced with the "true damage" from the God Slayer Seal!
"No, it did have an effect!"
Natsu's eyes lit up as he pointed at Atlas Flame triumphantly. "Its flames got smaller!"
Future Natsu looked up and noticed the subtle change. His confidence surged. "So if we beat it until it can't burn anymore, we win!"
"Beat me until I can't burn? Don't get too cocky, you human brats!" Atlas Flame said coldly.
The flickering flames in its eyes betrayed its inner turmoil.
On one hand, it was shocked and enraged that a human had wounded it.
On the other, from the Crimson Lotus Exploding Thunder Blade and Destruction Dragon Flame Burst, it had guessed the source of that familiar feeling.
But if it was connected to its old friend Igneel, shouldn't it be that rebellious brat Ignia?
To verify its suspicion, Atlas Flame slammed its forelimbs down and lowered its head into a crouch.
The flames in its chest condensed rapidly. Deep within its open maw, crimson light gathered.
If they're that guy's children, they shouldn't die from this attack. If they're just ordinary humans, then die.
With that resolve, Atlas Flame held nothing back. It aimed its compressed breath at both Natsus.
"Hellfire Dragon's Roar!!"
In the explosive gale and scorching heat, a colossal energy beam shot forth, covering an enormous area impossible to evade.
BOOM!!!
The terrifying flames burst like a tidal wave, mercilessly consuming everything around them, as if even space itself would be burned away!
Atlas Flame watched the heart of the inferno intently, but no figures emerged.
Was I overthinking it? They're just weak ants after all...
Just as it sighed in disappointment and began to beat its flame wings to hunt other humans, it suddenly stopped.
"Hey, your flames are pretty tasty~"
"Of all the flames I've eaten, yours rank in the top three!"
The two Natsus stood within the fire curtain, grabbing handfuls of burning flames and shoving them into their mouths. Finally, they opened wide and inhaled the entire sea of fire in one breath.
"Eat it, and the power surges out!"
They wiped their grinning mouths, clashed their fists together, and said the iconic line in unison.
Seeing this, Atlas Flame grew visibly excited. Images of being dominated by Igneel surged to the forefront of its mind.
"This feeling—there's no mistake!"
"Brats! What's your relationship with Igneel?!"
***
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