Prologue
The Forgotten Brother
Long before Fairy Tail became the strongest guild in Fiore…
Before Natsu Dragneel burned cities with his flames.
Before Wendy Marvell healed with the Sky Dragon's power.
Before Gajeel Redfox learned to devour iron.
There was another child.
One who belonged to every dragon.
Seven dragons gathered deep within a hidden valley beyond human civilization.
Igneel, the Fire Dragon King.
Metalicana, the Iron Dragon.
Grandeeney, the Sky Dragon.
Weisslogia, the White Dragon.
Skiadrum, the Shadow Dragon.
Atlas Flame.
And the elusive Jade Dragon.
Standing between them was a boy no older than six.
His silver-black hair danced in the wind while curious amber eyes looked at every dragon with excitement instead of fear.
"He survived," Grandeeney said gently.
Igneel chuckled.
"He didn't just survive. He tried climbing my nose."
The boy laughed.
"I wanted to see if dragons sneeze."
Atlas Flame burst into booming laughter that echoed through the mountains.
"I LIKE HIM!"
Metalicana crossed his massive arms.
"He's durable."
The Jade Dragon smiled.
"Then we've made our decision."
The dragons lowered their heads toward the child.
"You shall be raised by all of us."
"You'll inherit every element."
"You will become what no Dragon Slayer has ever been."
The boy grinned.
"My name is…"
Kael.
Years passed.
Unlike the others, Kael traveled between every dragon.
Igneel taught him courage.
Metalicana taught endurance.
Grandeeney taught compassion.
Skiadrum taught patience.
Weisslogia taught discipline.
Atlas Flame taught overwhelming power.
The Jade Dragon taught wisdom.
Each dragon also entrusted him with their own Dragon Slayer Magic.
Instead of replacing one another, every element merged into something entirely new.
Elemental Dragon Slayer Magic.
Fire.
Iron.
Sky.
Shadow.
White.
Flames of Purgatory.
Nature.
Lightning.
Water.
Earth.
Wind.
Ice.
Every natural element obeyed him.
But with great power came impossible responsibility.
As the younger Dragon Slayers arrived over the years…
Kael welcomed each one.
A tiny pink-haired boy stared up at him.
"Big bro!"
Kael smiled.
"Natsu."
The little boy immediately wrapped himself around Kael's leg.
"Igneeeel said you're really strong!"
"I am."
"Fight me!"
"You can't even throw a punch."
"I CAN!"
Another day.
A black-haired child glared at everyone.
"I don't need help."
Kael handed him food anyway.
Metalicana sighed.
"Gajeel."
"…"
"…Eat."
"…Thanks."
A timid little blonde girl hid behind Grandeeney.
Kael crouched.
"You must be Wendy."
She peeked out.
"…Big brother?"
He smiled warmly.
"Yeah."
She hugged him immediately.
Soon came Sting.
Then Rogue.
Then Cobra.
Each of them looked up to Kael.
He trained every single one personally.
They sparred.
Played.
Argued.
Laughed.
Whenever one of them cried after difficult training…
Kael was there.
Whenever Natsu got into trouble…
Kael bailed him out.
Whenever Wendy became scared…
Kael comforted her.
Whenever Gajeel refused to admit he was hurt…
Kael silently left medicine beside his bed.
To every Dragon Slayer…
He wasn't just another student.
He was family.
Their older brother.
Then…
The day came.
The Eclipse Gate.
The dragons had discovered the horrifying truth.
Dragon Slayers eventually transformed into dragons.
Only one method existed to stop it.
The dragons would seal themselves inside their children.
Kael listened silently.
"So…"
"They're going to forget."
Grandeeney nodded sadly.
"They must."
Igneel looked directly into Kael's eyes.
"You, however…"
"…will remember."
Kael froze.
"What?"
"You are different."
"The magic of every dragon flows through you."
"The memory seal won't affect you."
The realization hit him instantly.
"I'll remember all of you?"
"Yes."
"I'll know where you are?"
"Yes."
"And they won't?"
"…No."
Natsu…
Wendy…
Gajeel…
None of them would remember.
They would believe their dragons simply disappeared.
Kael clenched his fists.
"There has to be another way."
"There isn't."
Atlas Flame lowered his head.
"Acnologia is hunting us."
"If the children know we're alive…"
"They'll search."
"They'll reveal us."
"They'll die."
Silence filled the valley.
Igneel stepped forward.
"Kael."
"You've always been the oldest."
"The strongest."
"They already look to you."
"So we entrust you with one final task."
"Protect them."
"Hide the truth."
"No matter how much they hate you."
"No matter how much they beg."
"Do not tell them."
Tears streamed down Kael's face.
"…I understand."
One by one…
The dragons disappeared into their Dragon Slayers.
Natsu looked around.
"Igneel?"
Wendy panicked.
"Grandeeney?"
Gajeel searched everywhere.
"Old man?"
No answer came.
Only Kael remained.
Watching silently.
Remembering everything.
Remembering exactly where each dragon rested.
Knowing the truth.
Yet never speaking it.
Because if Acnologia learned…
Every dragon…
Every Dragon Slayer…
Would die.
Seven years later…
Magnolia.
Fairy Tail Guild.
The doors burst open.
Natsu rushed inside.
"I'm home!"
Chaos immediately erupted.
Gray yelled.
Erza sighed.
Lucy watched in complete disbelief.
Happy laughed.
Master Makarov rubbed his forehead.
"Not again…"
Then…
The guild doors opened once more.
A young man with silver-black hair stepped inside.
A long coat fluttered behind him.
Golden eyes calmly scanned the guild.
The room fell strangely quiet.
Natsu froze.
His heart pounded.
"…Big…"
His voice trembled.
"…Bro?"
The stranger smiled.
"It's been a long time."
And for reasons none of the Dragon Slayers could explain…
Tears filled their eyes.
They didn't remember why.
But every instinct in their body told them one thing.
Their big brother had finally come home.