Disclaimer:I don't own FairyTail or anything associated with it.

A/N:First ever story!I haven't seen many fics pertaining to the spriggin twelve, truthfully I wasn't too crazy about how the manga handled a lot of their fights either. And well since there are a lot of what-if stories involving Natsu trained by another dragon I thought, what if it were by a spriggin-specifically one that was a relative.

Just a heads up August and Larcade are biologically brothers in this. I'll explain how later on in the story.

warning(s): Possible OOCness. Fem!Natsu. Stronger-than-canon!Natsu. Smarter-than-canon!Natsu. Dragneel family fluff! AU.

Because we are family

It is not flesh and blood, but the heart that connects one person to another as family. The man known as August Dragneel often at times liked to reflect on this old saying, and on his own relationship with his own 'father' and surrogate 'brother' as things were. And it is exactly for this reason, as well as a few other questionable things that have ultimately brought him to his destination;

The forested border of Ishgar-Fiore rather.

There was a part of him that allowed a fleeting feeling of remorse to creep into his gut, guilt at what he was doing wringing his old, weathered bones into exhaustion with each new step.

'No,' he thought, recalling the fleeting looks of pain etched onto his remaining family's expressions to steel himself, 'They will thank me. Someday.'

He was often referred to as being wise beyond his years, actual age aside that is. Hence why so many coined the title 'King of All Magic' for him. A flashy epithet if ever there was one, in his opinion; more than once had he had to clarify that he did not actually know every kind of magic in existence as there were always new ones being invented. However, it was in one ear and out the other for the people who'd given him his title in the first place, much to his chagrin.

August attributed his vast knowledge and proficiency in different magics to a well-balanced mix of genetics and his own studious tendencies. His father being the infamous Zeref Dragneel, or as he was better known around these parts, The legendary Dark Wizard. And then there was his mother, Mavis Vermillion, Fairy Tail's own legendary tactician.

Two giants in the magical world, with neither of them knowing he even existed.

"Here," he muttered to himself, looking ahead into the dense foliage and at first seeing nothing, trying to get a sense for the familiar tug of magic that he was used to feeling when around someone like Irene.

The feeling of Dragon Slayer Magic.

Letting the familiar thrum whistling through the air guide him, he continued his treck. It was here that he hoped he would finally find her, the one who just might be able to pull his family from its downward spiral into chaos before it was too late.

"Fire Dragon's-…" A choking sound followed the half-finished sentence and August saw a child in the distance, standing in a large desolate clearing. Surrounding trees were scorched and nearby rocks shattered into pieces with small little craters littering the ground.

The child herself—for her voice was clearly female—looked beyond exhausted, with numerous bruises and scratch marks littering her skin. Even so, she kept the determined glint in her eyes as she tried to start up her attack once more. August could only frown, seeing her fail a second time.

'Doesn't she realize when she is at her limit?" he thought, shaking his head at the display of such pigheadedness.

"*huff, huff*… D-damn… I-I can't..." the girl fell to her knees, gasping. Beads of sweat dripped down her brow while her vision blurred and started to swirl out of focus. "I-Igneel… Acno… logia..."

August paused suddenly at the mention of the apocalypse dragon, his eyes widening a fraction of an inch.

'How does she know that name I wonder?' the old wizard pondered silently. It was at that precise moment the girl finally seemed to notice his presence, whirling around.

"W-… who's there?" she demanded, coughing as she staggered a bit, her stance turning a bit more slack when she saw it was only some old guy. "A-ano…" she mumbled as she looked into his eyes from a distance.

August blinked at her; immediately he could make out the subtle differences and similarities between this girl and her brother, Zeref.

"Are you the one called Natsuya Dragneel?" he inquired, his voice powerful despite his old age. When the girl slowly nodded August gave a low hum in the back of his throat, studying her carefully.

"Who are you?" she asked, fidgeting a bit under the old man's stare. His gaze was stern, but not one of coldness.

"I am a mage. Like you I am gifted with the ability of magic," he said cryptically. "Observe."

Natsuya watched as August slowly lifted a hand into the air, spreading his fingers. She blinked, seconds ticking by when suddenly five beams of light shot forth, one from each of his fingertips, completely shattering the boulders and trees in each of their paths. Her mouth fell open at seeing the remnants of her training progress reduced to less than a pile of rubble within the span of ten seconds.

'Whoa… only dad and uncle Acnologia have been able to do stuff that cool!' the small pinkette thought as she looked at the old geezer in awe still when she heard him chuckle.

"Interesting. So you say Acnologia is your uncle then?"

Natsuya blinked owlishly at him. Could he hear her thoughts?

"Pardon me, I don't believe I've properly introduced myself yet, have I?"

A breeze blew around the two; the wind starting to pick up.

"My name is August Dragneel."

"… eh?"

One. Two. Three seconds went by.

"EEEEEHHHHH!?"

\~\

In Alvarez…

"My, this is highly unusual," a tall, voluptuous woman spoke aloud, her long scarlet hair woven into thick braids and her body sporting a risque version of a witches garb—her black top in the shape of a diamond, showing off a generous portion of her breasts with a heart-shaped pattern going along the sides. A large angular scar was visible near the exposed naval of her stomach. She, along with a gathering of other people, was seated at a large table, waiting languidly for the council they were all there for to start.

"I concur. August is usually the first to these meetings, tedious though as they may be," another at the table commented, this one being a younger looking male with spiked, shoulder length blonde and sharp-looking orange colored eyes with a crusty edge on the lashes.

Though the male's words were said in a cordial tone, he couldn't help but think back to a certain conversation he had earlier involving said mage. Against his better judgment he found himself sneaking a glance towards the black-haired individual seated at the head of the far end of the table, though he immediately looked away, however, when docile black eyes rose to meet his own.

"Larcade, is something the matter?" the owner of those deathly calm eyes questioned, drawing all the attention onto the blonde-haired male who only shook his head.

"No, it is nothing fa-" his words became lodged in his throat suddenly. It was something that made the other frown. "It is nothing…father." Larcede said, this time without faltering. "If August is not present, then perhaps we should postpone the meeting?"

A few of the others present raised eyebrows at this, none of them recalling the blonde to be particularly fond of these gatherings to begin with. To hear him suggest to postpone one, knowing full-well that attendance for them all was mandatory was… odd. Even so, few bothered to dwell on the matter.

"He who takes no chances wins nothing, Larcade." The stern gaze of August remained fixed on him, causing the younger Dragneel to shift uncomfortably while looking away. A pang of some raw hurtful emotion was crawling into his chest causing it to ache. "If not for our own, then for father's sake, this is a chance worth taking."

"And what makes you so certain?" Larcade challenged. He didn't care if it was wise or not to do so, figuring August was willing to take a fools chance to try and mend their broken little family. Just this once, Larcade figured he could afford to be the cold voice of reality.

Otherwise, who else was there?

It was the elder mans next words however that caused the smallest budding of hope in Larcade's chest.

"Because we are family."

Larcade wasn't aware most of the gathered twelve had already left until someone stopped just a few feet in front of him, their voice mildly curious.

"It's not like you to be so lost in thought. Care to share?"

His head jerked just a bit, startled. His orange eyes meeting the brown orbs of one Dimaria Yesta.

"Oh, Dimaria, I apologize,"he said, letting a small smile slip across his face rising from his seat. "It was nothing. I simply tend to lose track of things such as time in these meetings I'm afraid, hence why I make it a habit of avoiding them you see."

A small bubble of laughter came spilling from Dimara's lips, mirth shining in those chocolate brown eyes of hers while she nodded, swaying her hips some as she continued to walk towards the door looking over her shoulder all the while with a mischievous little smile and blowing him a very 'not-so-innocent' little kiss. "Right, well, whenever you wish to talk about whatever it is that's bothering you prince-san, I'll be more than happy to lend an ear for you~!"

Larcade couldn't help the slight flush of his cheeks at the playful tone of her voice, watching her disappear out the door.

"Such a strange girl," he muttered under his breath a moment later, shaking his head.

\~\

Back in Fiore, August was in the midst of explaining a rather generous—in his opinion—deal to the little pink-haired girl in the forest. Watching her brows scrunch together whilst folding her arms in a look that suggested she was deeply considering his words, however far-fetched they may have seemed at first. She opened her mouth and then closed it again, repeating the motion about several times.

"You say you want… to train me? Me?" she emphasized, still doubtful.

"I can teach you Fire Magic on a level that surpasses that of Ishgar's Four Heavenly Kings even, as well as plenty other things any self-respecting mage should know." At this he gained a more matter-of-factual tone, watching the way Natsuya's nostrils flared in a slight show of indignation. "It will take time and dedication, of that you can be sure, but you will be grateful for it in the long run."

"Well, what's in it for you then?" she asked. He could tell the promise of more power was tempting to her though, his words stirring the need to gather strength inside her.

"A second chance," was all he said, using the same cryptic tone as before. "Along with the piece of mind that perhaps no soul is truly beyond salvation, little one."

If Natsuya was confused by this stranger's words, then she didn't dwell on it. Instead holding out her little hand with a glint of familiar determination brewing in those dark onyx eyes of hers.

"Alright. It's a deal then."

August reached for her hand, the two sharing in a handshake, neither knowing fully of the changes this agreement would bring.

Once searching for the family she lost; the other hoping to reunite the lost members of his estranged kin.

It was a gamble that would change both their lives, hopefully for the better.

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Also flames will be ignored.