"I found an egg! I found an egg!" Natsu yelled as he burst into the guild, holding a huge, patterned egg over his head.The entire guild fell silent for a moment, then gasps of amazement filled the air.
"That's enormous…" someone murmured.The egg was almost half Natsu's size, and seeing him clutch it with both arms looked hilariously awkward.
Kael set down his drink, eyes widening as realization struck him. Wait—this must be it… Happy's egg!Without hesitation, he walked over to Natsu, crouching to examine the blue-patterned shell. No wonder Natsu thinks it's a dragon's egg, he thought with a small smile. It really does look like one.
"Here, Natsu," Kael said gently. "Set it down on this blanket."He grabbed a soft blanket from a nearby chair and spread it out on the floor. Natsu carefully placed the egg in the center, eyes glowing with excitement.
"Hey, Kael, can you tell what kind of creature it is?" Cana leaned forward curiously, smiling as she saw Kael studying it so intently.
"Well…" Kael began, but Natsu cut him off immediately."It's a dragon egg! Definitely a dragon egg! Look at those blue claw-like marks—totally dragon!" he declared confidently, turning toward the bar. "Gramps! Please, let's hatch the dragon egg!"
"You idiot! What nonsense are you spouting?" Makarov barked sharply, instantly silencing the hall. His expression softened, though, as he continued with a solemn voice:"There is no magic in this world that can mock the sanctity of life. Life is born only through love — love that surpasses all magic."
"Huh? What are you talking about, Gramps? I don't get it at all," Natsu said, blinking in confusion. Makarov sighed deeply.
"Natsu," Kael said, smiling faintly, "what Master means is that this is something you have to do yourself — with love. You need to hatch it with your own care and warmth."
"Exactly," Erza added from nearby. "Think of it as a lesson — to understand how life begins."
Natsu nodded slowly, seeming to understand — or at least pretending to. "Yeah… got it," he said, gazing at the egg with awe and determination.
"Erza, you're back already?" Mirajane suddenly called from across the room, smirking. "Perfect timing! Our duel isn't finished yet, eavesdropper."
Erza crossed her arms and smiled coolly. "You're right, gossip queen. We never settled that."
Lisanna sighed from a nearby table, shaking her head. "Oh no, not again…""Always fighting," Elfman muttered beside her.
Kael blinked, completely lost. "Eavesdropper? Gossip? Last time?" he murmured under his breath, not noticing that Cana beside him had gone completely red-faced, staring down at her hands in embarrassment.
Then a voice broke through the chatter."Hey, Kael, let's spar," Laxus said, a confident grin on his face. He was wearing the black coat Kael had gifted him, headphones around his neck, lightning already crackling faintly around his shoulders. "Show me how much you've improved."
"No," Kael replied instantly, without hesitation. He turned toward Cana, frowning slightly. "Cana, your face is red — are you alright?"
"N-no, I'm fine!" she blurted, waving her hands, her heart pounding.
Seeing she was okay, Kael relaxed — only to notice that Laxus's aura was sparking dangerously. The air itself tingled with electricity. Kael quickly threw an arm around him.
"Easy, easy, Laxus! I burned through a lot of magic on the last mission — I need to rest up. Once I'm back in shape, I'll duel you fair and square, alright?"
Laxus grumbled but didn't argue. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that." He pulled free and slumped into a chair, arms crossed, still looking annoyed.
Just then—"Watch this!" Natsu shouted, suddenly breathing out a stream of fire straight toward the egg.
"Whoa—stop!" Kael snatched the egg out of his hands just in time, while Lisanna scolded Natsu furiously.
"Take Over Magic: Animal Soul – Swan!" Lisanna called, her form shimmering into that of a graceful white swan. She gently took the egg from Kael and wrapped her wings around it, warming it carefully.
Natsu and Gray finally realized what she meant — warmth, not fire.Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. "Honestly… leave it to Natsu to nearly roast a baby. Classic."
Elfman, sitting nearby, watched Lisanna and Natsu leave the guild together, a hint of envy flickering in his eyes.
A few days later…
Kael arrived at the guild as usual. Before he even reached the door, he saw Natsu and Lisanna burst in, panicked and shouting.
"The egg! The egg's gone! Who took it?!"They ran frantically around the hall — first accusing Laxus, then demanding to know from Erza if she had eaten it, then turning to Kael.
Kael smiled faintly, already guessing the truth — Elfman must have taken it to look after it. If not for him, Kael thought, Happy might never have hatched properly. He decided to keep quiet and let them learn something from the experience.
"Natsu, maybe you ate it," Mirajane teased with a mischievous grin.
"What'd you say?!" Natsu roared, lunging at her. The two started brawling immediately, knocking over tables as other guild members shook their heads.
"Kids…" Wakaba sighed, puffing on his pipe. "Always the same chaos.""Wonder what kind of guild this'll be in a few years," Macao added.
Natsu's eyes welled with tears. "My egg… where did it go?" he mumbled, voice cracking.Mirajane couldn't help but giggle. "You're kind of adorable when you pout, Natsu."
Kael ignored their bickering, though his gaze softened when he saw Lisanna tearing up too. He finally stepped forward. "Alright, enough. The egg's safe — Elfman has it."
Moments later, Elfman entered, carrying the egg carefully in his arms. He explained what had happened, and relief swept through the guild.
As they were talking—Crack… crack…
Everyone froze. The sound came again — the egg was shaking, small fractures running across its surface.
"It's hatching!" someone cried.
With a final snap, the shell burst open, and a flash of blue light filled the room.Out of the glow fluttered a tiny blue cat with wings.
"A… cat?" Macao and Wakaba gasped together.
The guild erupted in laughter and awe. Kael's eyes widened in amazement — even though he knew it was coming, seeing Happy's birth in person filled him with joy. So this is where it all begins…
The little Exceed flapped its wings clumsily, drifted upward, and landed right on Natsu's head. Then it stretched out a paw and said, "Aye~!"
"CUTE!" Lisanna and Cana squealed in unison, hearts practically in their eyes.
Natsu hugged the little creature tightly. Everyone crowded around, smiling and cheering.
"Name him, Natsu," Kael said, reaching out to pat the cat's soft fur.
"Hmm… a name?" Natsu looked down thoughtfully. "Got any ideas, Kael?"
Kael smiled. "Look around. Everyone's smiling — celebrating a new life."
Natsu's face lit up. "Then… I'll call him Happy! The Dragon's Child — Happy!"
He spun in circles, holding Happy up high while the guild cheered.
Reedus, sitting nearby with his new enchanted art set from Kael, began sketching the moment. "If he's the Dragon's Child," he murmured, "then I'll draw him as a dragon — with Natsu riding on his back."
With each stroke, he captured the warmth and laughter of the scene forever.
Kael laughed freely beside Laxus, who was still pretending not to enjoy himself — though the faint smirk on his face betrayed him. Reedus's sketch froze that exact moment in time, immortalizing their joy.