"Natsu, who is that guy?"
Igniel watched Caesar and the others leave, then looked down at Natsu.
The two dragons, Grandine and Medalicana, also looked at Wendy and Gajeel.
"Don't tell me yet!"
Natsu shouted angrily. "Dad, where have you been all these years?!"
Igniel glanced at Grandine and Medalicana, then at Natsu, who was furious and desperate for answers.
Grandine nodded. "Tell the children the situation is very different from what we expected."
"Alright."
Igniel looked at Natsu. "We have always been inside your bodies. Sealed by a Dragon Soul Secret Technique."
"It is also because of us that the dragon seed in your bodies was controlled, so you won't slowly turn into dragons from the side effects of dragon-slaying magic."
Grandine said gently, "This…"
"We know that."
Wendy spoke quickly. "Last time, Caesar brought back Erza's mother, Ms. Irene. She created Dragon Slayer Magic and told us some things about it."
"Eileen…"
The three dragons exchanged glances. They wondered why their children had learned something so profound.
"Since you've been in contact with Eileen, it makes sense you know these things."
Medalicana sighed. "His eyes are fierce. They haven't softened even as he grew up."
"Hey! You have no right to talk to me like that!"
Gajeel growled. How could anyone comment on their son like that?!
"Four hundred years ago, a black dragon was born. He slaughtered dragons and became Wings of the End."
Igniel sighed. "To defeat him, we pinned our hopes on the future, selected five children, taught them dragon-slaying magic, and sent them four hundred years forward through the Eclipse Gate. We are also a trump card against Acnologia."
"Originally, once we left your bodies, we would exert our power for a while and then completely vanish from this world."
Grandine comforted Wendy. "But that human, I never expected, gave us new bodies. Now we are reborn in this world again."
"But Acnologia is dangerous. He's playing with fire!"
Igunir snorted.
"Dad, I trust Caesar."
Natsu looked at Igniel. "Caesar is very strong. Back on Tenrou Island, he defeated Acnologia. Now he has controlled him. With Caesar around, he can't cause trouble."
Lance, who had just finished imprinting the emblem, let out a heavy snort.
Then Caesar slapped Lance on the back of the head.
"You!"
Lance was furious and wanted to act.
"Brother Lance!"
Betty crossed her arms, puffed her cheeks, and said, "No fighting!"
Lance instantly relaxed and smiled at Betty.
The guild members tried not to laugh.
Natsu was wrong about one thing. It wasn't Caesar controlling Lance. It was Betty.
As long as Betty was around, Lance wouldn't cause trouble.
But if Betty got hurt…
No one wanted to imagine that scene.
Igniel looked at Natsu. "Maybe. But judging from the situation, they don't need us anymore."
"That's best. Dad, don't leave. We have a home and a job. Let's continue living together."
Natsu, Wendy, and Gajeel all invited their dragons to stay.
Igunir and the others exchanged glances, confused.
They had survived solely to defeat Acnologia. Now that goal was gone.
"Grandine, maybe you could join Fairy Tail and integrate into human life."
Wendy's eyes glimmered. Their relatives were long gone. These dragons were the only family left.
Grandine's eyes softened. She looked at Igunir and Medalicana.
The other two sighed, then nodded.
Old goals were gone. But a new one remained.
The three dragons emitted a bright light. Their bodies shrank.
When the light faded, three middle-aged men and women appeared.
Igniel was shirtless, muscles defined, face slightly weathered with stubble. A true ladies' man.
Grandine was gentle, eyes full of love for Wendy, intelligent and elegant.
Medalicana looked fierce, with slicked-back hair and black chains. Gajeel was intimidated.
Natsu and the others brought the dragons back to the guild. All eavesdroppers had put away their devices.
Caesar waited at the counter with Lance and Betty.
"You must have killed quite a few dragons by now."
Igunir sniffed. "The dragon power on his body is extreme. He should have already transformed into a dragon."
"Call me Chairman from now on."
Caesar rolled his eyes. "I haven't transformed. I still have a human body. But I can transform into a giant dragon whenever I want."
"Really? Amazing. You countered the side effects."
Grandine bowed slightly. "Thank you for taking care of Wendy."
"She's a guild member. Naturally, I should."
Caesar picked up the guild emblem. "Where should we stamp it?"
The dragons smiled wryly and pointed.
Caesar stamped their seals. Fairy Tail gained three more dragons.
Caesar smiled. "Well, if all else fails, we can use magic to travel between parallel worlds. They're too destructive. They've already ruined too much in this world. This will solve the problem!"
He revealed a bright smile. "That solves it!"