In the grand empire of Novus, Igneel sat within the confines of his office, methodically working his way through an ever-growing stack of paperwork. His facial expression remained carefully neutral and composed as he meticulously read through each document before affixing his signature to the papers.
"Who sent this?" He asked, his voice edged with rising anger and frustration.
The paper in question stated that they were completely out of food supplies and were in urgent need of additional provisions and resources. Viggo stepped closer to Igneel's desk and carefully read over the document, successfully identifying and locating the source of where the request had originated from.
"It seems to be from the Outcast tribe. From what I can gather, Alvin seems to be hosting parties quite frequently and extravagantly because there have been no battles or conflicts recently," he said with a measured tone.
Igneel rubbed his temples and forehead, making a concerted effort to remain calm and collected despite his growing irritation.
"These fools," he said coldly and with barely contained frustration, then his eyes widened slightly as a particular idea began to form in his mind. "Call Koa," he instructed.
Viggo nodded in acknowledgment and walked purposefully out the door, where he said something in hushed tones to the guard stationed outside before returning to the office.
Igneel returned his attention to his paperwork and set aside the letter from the outcast tribe, placing it in a separate pile for when Koa would arrive.
His mouth twitched involuntarily as he came across yet another outrageous and unreasonable request.
-More Rum-
That was all the letter stated in its entirety. And it came from none other than the Hooligan tribe. His uncle's tribe, to be specific. But this particular request doesn't seem like something his uncle would write or send.
"This handwriting," he muttered under his breath with obvious displeasure.
It was absolutely terrible and nearly illegible. He sighed heavily, suddenly realizing exactly who it was that had written this request. It was none other than Gobber himself. He sighed once more and proceeded to sign the paper, approving the request.
It was just Gobber being himself, but Igneel also wrote something else as well alongside his signature. An official order for someone to send rum on a monthly basis directly to Gobber. Of course, the rum that would be sent was made only by using the best and finest materials available, and it had no negative side effects whatsoever except for the fact that it made you thoroughly drunk.
Gobber was like a grandfather figure to Igneel, and they had developed a good and strong relationship over the years, so he didn't mind that much about fulfilling this particular request.
He continued going through more documents and requests from various people when he suddenly stopped on another particular paper that caught his attention.
-we have caught a pirate near neverland-
Reading through the letter carefully, he frowned with confusion and concern. Didn't the pirates get completely wiped out already in previous operations? Where did these new guys come from?
Knock knock
He looked up from the paper he had been studying.
"Come in," he said calmly and evenly.
The door slowly creaked open as Koa entered the office. He walked up confidently and sat down comfortably on the sofa.
"Is there something specific you need from me? I have to travel to my territory in just a few days," he asked in a calm and casual manner.
Igneel nodded affirmatively.
"I want you to do something for me," he said directly.
"What is it?" Koa asked with curiosity.
"I want you to go to Outcast Island and make the island significantly more habitable and livable for its residents." He said clearly.
Koa paused for a moment at his words, processing the request, then a mischievous and knowing smile slowly appeared on his lips.
"Cough, then what will I get from this arrangement?" He called out with barely concealed interest.
Igneel scoffed lightly but he wasn't genuinely mad or upset.
"What do you want in exchange?" Igneel asked with curiosity.
Koa smirked confidently, knowing full well that Igneel would more than likely agree to his terms.
"I want more land and territory," he said calmly but firmly.
Igneel smiled knowingly to himself.
"Quite ambitious aren't you. You haven't even properly cultivated and developed your own territory yet and you already want more land," Igneel shook his head in feigned disappointment.
"Either I dream big and reach for more or I remain exactly the same as I am now," he replied calmly with conviction.
Igneel smirked with approval.
"I like the way you think about these matters." He said with satisfaction. "Fine, I agree to your terms. You'll get the four surrounding villages that are around your territory." He said definitively.
Koa smiled broadly in satisfaction at the outcome. Igneel handed him the letter and Koa took it carefully before standing up and leaving the office.
"Was that a wise idea?" Viggo asked with some concern.
Igneel returned his focus to his paperwork once more.
"Don't worry about it. Someone like him, though he may seem money hungry and materialistic on the surface, he does not actually crave wealth for its own sake. It's just a hobby and a game for him. He has a kind and gentle heart deep down, but don't mistake that kindness for weakness. He can be remarkably strong and formidable when he is forced to be." Igneel explained thoughtfully.
Viggo nodded in understanding and acknowledgment. Igneel continued working diligently on his paperwork, methodically reviewing and signing each document until several hours later when he finally finished the last of the pile.
He let out a long, loud sigh of relief and satisfaction as he carefully put his pen down on the desk. Slowly turning his head, he looked out through the large window of his office. It was already late afternoon, and the sun was beginning to lower in the sky.
He gently rubbed his eyebrows, feeling the fatigue from the long hours of concentrated work.
"I can't wait for Stoic to become emperor and take over some of these responsibilities," he muttered quietly to himself with a mixture of exhaustion and anticipation.
Standing up from his chair, he stretched his tired muscles and rolled his shoulders before he suddenly remembered that he had something important to do.
"Viggo, I'll be going to Neverland for a bit to check on something. Please tell my wife that I'll return home in a few hours," he said clearly and directly.
Viggo nodded respectfully in acknowledgment and excused himself from the office. Igneel concentrated for a brief moment and then teleported, instantly disappearing from his office and reappearing in the lush landscape of Neverland. Using his heightened senses and awareness, he began to move carefully through the area. The children who were playing nearby, noticing and quickly realizing exactly who he was, immediately ran up to him with excitement and joy.
He smiled warmly at them and performed some entertaining magic tricks for their amusement. He had visited this place here multiple times before and has always generously treated the children to exciting tricks and delicious food whenever he came.
As he continued to entertain and interact with the children, he patiently waited for Peter Pan to notice his arrival and come find him. Peter, who had already sensed and noticed his distinct presence in Neverland, began moving swiftly toward his current location.
A few minutes later, Peter finally arrived at the scene. He bowed down respectfully and formally.
"Your majesty," he said with a warm and genuine smile on his face.
Igneel nodded in acknowledgment and greeting.
"Show me where they are," he ordered with a calm but firm tone.
Peter immediately knew exactly what he was talking about and what he was referring to, and he began to lead him to the secure place where the captured pirates were being held under guard.
Igneel followed closely behind him as they made their way through the terrain. A while later, after walking for some time, they finally arrived at the designated location. Multiple dragons of various sizes surrounded the entire area in a protective circle. Inside the center of the circle, there were a group of disheveled people tied up securely with thick ropes.
"I knew I should have never followed you, you absolute fool Jack Sparrow!!!!" A man roared loudly with anger and frustration.
"I didn't actually tell you to follow me too!!" The man named Jack responded defensively with some noticeable fear creeping into his voice as a large dragon leaned down and sniffed curiously at his worn shoes.
Then suddenly and without warning, all the dragons simultaneously froze in place and moved their long necks, bowing down respectfully and reverently to Igneel. The entire group of pirates froze completely in shock and disbelief.
"Aye captain, that mysterious guy over there actually made all the mighty dragons bow down to him," a man muttered quietly in complete shock and amazement.
They all gulped nervously, with fear and awe becoming clearly evident in their facial expressions. Igneel walked forward confidently and purposefully, then stopped directly in front of the bound group.
Using his special inspect skill ability, he carefully uncovered and revealed all of their true identities and backgrounds.
Jack Sparrow, Hector Barbossa, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Joshamee Gibbs, Pintel, Ragetti, and even a small monkey named Jack were all among the captured group.
"Jack Sparrow," he muttered thoughtfully under his breath as he recognized the name.
Their eyes widened considerably in surprise as they all turned their heads to look directly at Jack Sparrow.
"Damn it, I knew I should have never trusted you with anything. You're going to get us all killed here. What exactly did you do to bring this upon us?" Hector roared angrily and accusingly.
"Silence," Igneel said coldly and commandingly, his voice cutting through the air.
The entire place and area went completely and utterly quiet. His piercing eyes moved around slowly, examining each and every one of them carefully.
"What is your purpose for being here in Neverland?" He asked them directly and seriously.
They gulped nervously in fear, feeling the weight of his gaze. Hector was the first one to speak up and break the tense silence.
"We are here in search of the legendary Davy Jones' heart," he said quickly and honestly, hoping for some mercy.
"Davy—"
"Roaaar!" A tremendously loud and powerful roar suddenly echoed and reverberated throughout the entire island, shaking the ground.
Everyone immediately turned their heads sharply in the direction of the source of the sound. But it was mere moments before Igneel could even react or act, the actual source of the tremendous roar arrived and appeared before him first.
It was an absolutely huge and imposing titan wing Night Fury, one of the rarest and most powerful dragon species. Everyone present paused and stood still at the incredible and breathtaking sight before them.
"A Night Fury?" Igneel muttered quietly to himself in genuine surprise and disbelief.
He had never genuinely thought or believed that he would actually be able to find and encounter one of these legendary creatures. There were only a very small handful of them in his entire vast territory.
The magnificent creature roared several times in succession, each roar loud and commanding. Everyone present instinctively moved back and away from the creature, creating distance—everyone except for Igneel, who stood his ground firmly.
"You wish to challenge me directly for the prestigious title of alpha?" Igneel asked clearly for confirmation, wanting to be certain of the dragon's intentions.
The powerful dragon nodded its massive head deliberately and gave several soft but clear growls in confirmation of its challenge. Igneel looked completely dumbfounded for a brief moment, processing this unexpected situation, then suddenly he began to shake.
"Hahahahah," he suddenly laughed out loud with genuine amusement and excitement. The entire place fell into confused silence. The Night Fury remained quiet and still, clearly trying to understand exactly why this powerful being was laughing.
The surrounding dragons gathered around also began to laugh along enthusiastically with Igneel, creating a chorus of rumbling sounds. The pirates watching nervously on the side became increasingly confused and bewildered, though their sense of fear and anxiety continued to increase steadily.
Then suddenly and abruptly, he stopped laughing completely and a huge, wide smile slowly formed on his face, revealing his anticipation. He took off his large, heavy coat and carefully passed it to Peter Pan for safekeeping.
"It's been such a long time since I've actually fought anyone seriously. No one has dared to challenge me in so very long," he said with clear excitement as his dormant battle instincts activated and awakened fully.
Then his bones began to crack and shift audibly. New scale-like formations began to appear and form across his skin. A magnificent set of large red wings suddenly sprouted powerfully from his back. He began to grow bigger and bigger, his body expanding rapidly as his snout elongated and his features became more draconic.
The pirates began to shake uncontrollably from the sheer absurdity and impossibility of what they were witnessing. In just a few short moments, he had completely transformed into his immense and large dragon form, which was multiple times bigger and more imposing than his opponent.
Though the Night Fury could now clearly see and understand the significant difference in power and size between them, it did not back down or retreat from its challenge.
"You're quite the brave and courageous one, aren't you," he said with respect, his excitement and anticipation increasing by the moment.
At this particular moment in time, he had achieved the impressive rank of 8, while the challenging Night Fury had the rank of 7, though it was very close to reaching 8.
Within a single moment, they clashed together powerfully and violently. The pirates, the surrounding dragons, and Peter all watched intently from the sidelines, observing the epic battle.
As the two powerful beings fought and battled intensely above them, the pirates looked at each other meaningfully and carefully. No one was currently paying any attention to them at all, so they sneakily and carefully began to cut their binding ropes.
Once they were all successfully freed from their restraints, they silently and cautiously walked away from the area. They moved quietly and carefully toward the base of the island, hoping to escape unnoticed.