Before the Story begins, this is my first ever written story, so don't be too harsh. lol! Some of the story follows the Fairy Tail time line, then goes off into a totally different direction, so Spoilers ahead if you aren't caught up in the series. Enjoy!
It has been 5 years since the last sighting of Zeref; since the Fairy Tail guild narrowly escaped tragic means to an end. Having been too familiar with almost meeting certain death, Natsu disappeared. The other guild members haven't seen him since they all made it back to the guild hall 5 years ago bruised, beaten and bloodied. A solemn silence fell over the hall, as most of the members attempted to drink away the horrors they witnessed and the friends they almost lost. For Lucy and Natsu, the horrors ignited untouched feelings for each other, and was precisely the reason Natsu left. Every time Lucy closes her eyes before falling asleep at night, she's haunted with the last moments she spent with Natsu and Happy;
Another fight had broken out in the guild hall after everyone stopped stirring in their drunken sadness; Guildarts knew the guild needed lightening up, so he threw his drink in Natsu's face, blaming the incident on Gray. This sparked the initial fight between the two enemies, and in their heated, alcohol induced rampage, they knocked Erza's strawberry cake on the ground; The moment she entered the fight, more guild members joined in, and on the sidelines, a smile broke across Lucy's face; the morale was back.
Natsu heard her laugh, and looked over to see that shining smile. His stomach dropped suddenly as he remembered how he almost lost her. He ducked out of the scrap, and headed slowly to the doors of the Guild.
Levy was the one to point out to Lucy that Natsu had left the fight, and Lucy looked over just in time to see Happy flying out the door, close behind Natsu. She found herself walking quickly, then running towards the doors of the hall, and called out to Natsu as he was half way down the road leading from the hall.
He turned back towards her, explaining how he was never going to let Zeref hurt his friends and the ones he cared about so much. He needed to train more, until he felt he could avenge the grief he felt he put his friends through. And with that toothy grin of his that always melted Lucy's heart, he promised he'd return the day he discovered the depths of his magic. And with a final hug, he turned and walked away, looking back to give her one last final glance."
Lucy woke up suddenly. It was 3:30am and she heard a fierce woosh outside her window. She had left the window unlocked for the last 5 years for that fateful day he returned. Surprisingly, no one had attempted to break in. It had been so long since Natsu left that Lucy thought she was actually being robbed tonight. She grabbed for her keys, and just as she went to call on taurus, she caught a pair of wings in her peripheral vision. She turned around and smashed her face into a firm wall; she fell backwards, rubbing her nose, she looked up and saw Natsu standing over her.
" Hi Luce! You know you shouldn't leave your windows unlocked; there's creepy people out there. Good thing I noticed"
" The only creepy people I know happen to be standing infront of me now" as she rubbed her eyes. She looked up at him and noticed a bandage around his arm and torso. She wondered what adventure brought that injury upon him.
Natsu seemed to notice her concerned stares and quickly covered himself up with his ripped cape. He walked over to her bed, and fell on it face first. " ah the fluffy cloud to take me to dreamland" he instantly passed out, leaving Lucy without a place to sleep. Of course he had to plump down on her bed in the most awkward way that left her no space to sleep. He started snoring, Happy flew by her and tiredly said " Nice to see you again Lucy, its been too long" before curling up beside Natsu, ensuring Lucy absolutely had no where to sleep.
Lucy ended up falling asleep on the floor, not wanting to disturb the sleeping friends. Natsu woke up first, stretching out his arms and rubbing his eyes, realizing where he was. The scent of Lucy's place always made him feel warm inside; this was home to him. He looked down and saw Lucy sleeping on the floor. She was making soft cooing noises in her sleep. God he had missed her so much, he thought to himself. She looked absolutely angelic in her sleep. It took everything in him to not cuddle up next to her and kiss her.
She opened her eyes, all glassy from returning from dreamland. She sat up quickly. " I thought I had dreamed you two had come back! We need to go to the guild hall and say hi to everyone!" A strong masculine scent hit her nostrils with an intensity. " Maybe you should freshen up before that though..." Natsu laughed as Lucy got up to get him a towel. Despite his objections, she pushed him into the shower. The heat felt refreshing on his tired, aching body. After showering, Natsu's appetite hit him like a ton of bricks. " My stomach is eating itself. I need food" he said painfully. " Well hurry up and lets get a move on to the guild! Mira will make you something extra special Im sure!" Lucy said with her smile. She grabbed his hand and pulled him out the door with Happy close behind. Happy Smiled, saying to himself " It's as if five years had never passed; nothing has changed between them"
**** At Fairy Tail ***
" IM BACK " Natsu said outloud as he kicked in the front doors. He was welcomed by most; Gray made some smart comment, which started a brawl, like old times. Lucy was pretty sure she heard " Flame brain" and " Ice princess" thrown around, which just added more intensity to their match. Erza laughed, her eyes brightened more than Lucy could have imagined, especially with cake infront of her. Gajeel was soon to join the fight, as was Elfman and other members.
As the fight came to a climax, Master Makarov entered. " ENOUGH" he yelled. Everyone stopped and looked toward him. " Welcome home Natsu, I hope your training was challenging" Natsu nodded his head. The master headed for the bar, his drinking habit soon to come back with Natsu's return.
After Natsu loaded up 3 plates with what Mira made him, he took his seat, instantly flooded with questions from Erza, Gray, Gajeel, Lily and the others about his training. After trying to keep his new found magic vague, they managed to pull out from him that he mastered 5 new secret abilities before his connection with the spirit of Igneel just stopped. Natsu crossed his arms " It's weird how for five years, the connection through meditation was very fluent; like a very strong current in a river, then the next day its as if I hit a dam. For months I tried everything I could to re connect, but nothing worked. I just figured my training was done, so I came back" he said, looking over to Lucy. Erza caught his look, wanting to pry, but instead she smiled to herself. " We're happy to have you back!" She said.
Lucy left the table, she could catch up with Natsu later. RIght now she really needed work as rent was coming up soon and her money was running low. She waltzed over to the request board, and looked at the jobs. Natsu saw her, and said over to her " Hey, you found work for us?!" Lucy stumbled out " Oh... ugh I thought I'd do this one on my own. You're probably tired still from returning" she smiled. " Nonsense" Natsu stated " We are a team, time to go on a job together. For old time sake!" he smiled at her. Lucy Blushed. She quickly turned around and read the jobs. She decided on something easy. " How about an escort job? Just to help guard and protect a valuable item. The escort will only take 3 days" " Sounds like a walk in the park" Natsu said confidently. " Well if the team is getting back together, I'll come too" Said Erza. Gray sighed " Well I guess I'm in too"
" Wow! the reward is a million Jewel, and all our needs are included" Lucy exclaimed. Gray spoke up " I bet it's something very special. I wonder who would try to steal it?" " I don't care, they can come at me! Im all fired up for the unlimited food" Natsu leaned back, stratching his head with that toothy smile. "Gray is right Natsu, we need to be alert at all times. Just because we are mages doesnt mean we should get cocky" Erza interjected.
Lucy walked over to the bar just as it seemed Natsu and Gray were going to get into another fight. Mira smiled, " I already let them know you're taking the job." Lucy smiled. " They are expecting you there tomorrow morning, at 8:00am" " Alright! Im all fired up, lets go pack!" Natsu said as he grabbed Lucy by the wrist " The team is back in action!"
"You're 30 minutes late!" one of the guards exclaimed as the wizards arrived at the estate.
" Well we wouldnt have been late if flame brain over here didnt turn into a raging puke pansey every time we take the god damn train!" Gray stated
" If you have something to say to me ice dick, say it to my face!" Natsu yelled, getting right up into Gray's personal space.
" That's ENOUGH!" Erza said, grabbing the boys by the scruf of their shirts.
Maybe if someone didnt pack 80 bags of luggage, we'd actually be one time for once, Lucy thought. She didnt dare say it out loud, even under her breath as Natsu would rat her out as quickly as she said it, and dealing with Erza Scarlet is a painful lesson Lucy didn't need to learn again
"This way to the carriage" the guard said passive aggressively. " The master of this property doesnt take well to those who are late"
The Fairy Tail team followed the guard to the back of the estate, where a very poor looking carriage awaited them. Even the horses looked old and sickly.
" Hello!" said an elderly man, " About time you show your faces. I was worried the Fairy Tail guild were a bunch of no shows"
" We apologize for our tardiness" Erza explained " But some of us cant handle a 40 minute train ride"
" What's done is done. We just need to move on" said the old man, cutting Erza off
" So how do you want to do this?" Gray inquired
" We need 3 of you on horse back, and one of you inside the carriage with my Master, Mr. Star." said the guard. " I will be driving the carriage."
It was decided that Natsu, Erza and Gray would ride the horses, as Lucy's choice in tight clothing made it difficult to ride a horse. As Lucy stepped into the carriage, she couldnt believe how extravigent the inside was. She climbed back out just to do a double take at how crappy the outside looked.
" I didnt run out of money you know; the outside of this was actually the most expensive. I had to pay a powerful wizard to put a charm over the carriage to make it look like a poor man's carriage as to not give any robbers any ideas about stealing from us." Mr. Star said.
" I just cant believe the magic that went into this; the inside looks four times larger than what the outside size looks like." Lucy said in disbelief
" Well, I do like to ride in ultimate comfortability." Smiled Mr. Star.
After everyone was settled into their positions, they left on their 3 day escort mission. 6 hours in Natsu complained about being hungry, to which Lucy responded by throwing muffins out the carriage window. Happy happily flew them over to a winey Natsu, who felt much better after consuming about 30 muffins.
" It's embarassing how much you eat, flamer" Gray coldly said
" When you're made of fire, you burn through food, Icer " Natsu said, with his mouth still full of muffins.
Erza was scouting the skies and forest that gave little passage for the carriage to travel on. It was quiet and actually quite peaceful. She closed her eyes and let herself feel the warmth of the sun on her face. At that moment, she forced her eyes open as she heard the faint sound of a bow string snap. An arrow flew past her face, almost hitting it's traget.
" GUYS! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK" Erza yelled. She immediately requipt her goddess's bow and arrow, while Natsu and Gray took off towards the direction the arrow came from.
" Im fired up!" Natsu laughed manically as he speed off into the woods.
Erza galloped up to the carriage, " Lucy, we are under attack; take off with the carriage with all haste. Protect Mr. Star at all costs, We are going to catch those who fired at us!"
Lucy stuck her head out the window to let Erza know she heard her, but an arrow flew by her head, cutting her cheek.
"Shit!" Lucy hissed. " Okay Erza!" she yelled out the window
The carriage took off, and Lucy called upon her Celestial Spirit Loki to help her protect her employer and his treasure.
An hour later of running full speed, the carriage slowed. " We appear to be safe" the guard shouted back to Lucy.
" Alright Lucy, Im headed back to the spirit world. Call me if you need anymore assistance" Loki said before vanishing.
" Thank you" said Lucy. " So what's in this treasure chest anyway?"
Mr. Star's face turned serious. " A weapon of great secret power. Which is exactly why I need to get this to my old wizard friend, so he can destroy it. It has been hidden for over 400 years. Luckily for us, only those who share it's maker's blood line can wield it. Unfortunately, as great dark guilds flood Fiore, I'm worried that the maker's seal will be broken, and anyone could harness this for choas and mass destruction."
" Why was it created in the first place?!" Lucy inquired.
" Over 400 years ago, when great wars waged between Dragons and Humans, this weapon was created to show it's wielder great dragon slayer powers and secrets to bring peace to the realm. But it was stolen before the maker of this weapon could use it for good. The dark wizard who stole it didnt know how to utlize the weapon, fortunately. The Maker took an army to find the weapon, befriending certain dragons along the way who were interested in having peace; Grandine, Metalicana, Weisslogia, Skiadrum and the king of the dragons, Igneel Dragnet and others. However in the time it took them to find the dark wizard, he figured out how to use the weapon; many lives were taken during the mission to take back the weapon, humans and dragons alike. The maker managed to get the weapon back, realizing that the dark wizard only knew how to wield it with very basic power the weapon is actually capable of. Before the maker died on the field, he poured his soul into creating a wielder's seal on the weapon, so that only his blood and magic line could use the weapon, and be shown the deep secrets of Dragon slayer magic."
" So who was the Maker? and who was the Dark Wizard?" Lucy asked, as she was very invested in the tale.
" No one knows who either were. The Maker is said to be someone who fell from the stars, and walked Earthland trying to make peace. The Dark Wizard is said to be a lost relative of Zeref's, but like I said, no one knows for certain. It's curious though, how Zeref created such Demons he claims so they can destroy him, but deep down, something tells me it's not for that, but for destroying the seal on this weapon." The old man said, looking out the carriage worried.
" So how did you come across this weapon if it was lost? Are you a decendent of the Maker?!"
" No, I spent a life time trying to find it. It took 80 years of searching, but I regret the day I found it. Not only can I not even hold it without it burning me, but dark forces have been tracking me since. It's as if the weapon lay dormat for so many years and when I found it, it woke up, triggering a very dark response"
" Where did you find it?"
" Curiously, all the clues lead me where FACE was to be initiated 5 years ago. And I found it right in the spot Igneel Dragneel was killed."
Lucy's eyes widened. maybe Nastu is the wielder. She thought. She shuttered at the thought as he definitely did not need any more super powers; he was scary as is and he would absolutely destroy Gray while at the same time challenging Erza and Laxus for a final battle. Ugh.
The carriage stopped suddenly as Mr. Star finished his story. Lucy looked out the window to ask why they had stopped. She then heard Gasps and choking. She ran out of the carriage to her horror and saw that the guard was pale, clawing at his own throat. His eyes were bulging out of his head, blood running out of his ears and nose. She screamed as his head exploded, blood and brain painting the carriage.
She looked away and saw a man dressed in a black hooded cape.
He smiled. It had been five years since he had seen anyone from Fairy Tail. He removed his hood, revealing his face to Lucy.
Lucy felt as if someone dropped a ton of bricks in her stomach. She began to fill with rage as she recognized it was no other than Zeref himself.
" Why has five years flown by" He laughed coldly
" Dont you have some lower demons to do your sick bidding for you?" Lucy spat out
" I did, but we saw how that all turned out. You Fairy Tail bunch have something I cannot give my demons; deep routed friendship that somehow always defeats even my most horrific demons. I decided if I wanted something done, I better do it myself." Zeref said sharply.
" Well be prepared to fail hideously once again bastard. Any minute, my friends will return, and we will destroy you once and for all" Lucy hissed.
" What's all the commotion out there?" Mr. Star jumped out of the cart. His eyes widened. " You!"
" Yes. Don't look surprised old man. I've been hunting you for the last 80 years, and this time that weapon is mine. " Zeref looked hard at the old man.
" Lucy, get in the carriage, it's time I teach this young man a lesson" Mr. Star said. " I may be old, but theres some magic tricks I haven't forgotten"
As Lucy started walking towards to carriage she heard in her head I will fall. My magic cannot stand against him. You need to take that chest and get as far away from here as you can. If I survive, I will find you; if I dont make it, my wizard friend will
With that, Lucy ran with the chest as Mr. Star and Zeref engaged in a massive magic battle.
In the distance, the figures Natsu, Gray and Erza were pursuing suddenly disappeared. " Look!" Gray Exclaimed as the others turned towards were he was pointing. " These assholes must have been a distraction so that the real robbers could snatch the treasure!" Erza said, feeling disappointed in herself for falling for such an easy decoy.
"Lucy!" Natsu exclaimed. He started towards the magic fight on his horse. If anything happens to her I'll kill the bastard responsible! he thought to himself. They all made towards the intense magic battle.
Lucy clutched the chest in both arms and ran as fast as she could. It will be so easy for Zeref to find me she thought. " Open Gate of the Virgin, VIRGO" she commanded.
" Yes Princess?" Virgo said
" I need you to dig a tunnel somewhere far form here, and cover the ground behind us as we travel. Zeref needs to lose my magical trace."
" As you wish princess" Virgo said as she started to dig.
They travelled underground, the tunnel collasping behind them as they moved quickly.
Erza bent over look at what remained of Mr. Star while Natsu and Gray continued digging a grave for him and the guard.
" What sick fuck did this? And where is Lucy?!" Gray asked.
" I dont know, but we are wasting our time digging this stupid grave when one of friends is out there being chased by who fucking knows!" Natsu angerly exclaimed.
" We have a duty to burry these men; they were both murdered in horrific ways and deserve respect" Erza hissed at Natsu. " One of them doesnt even have a head, and poor Mr. Star was burnt alive by dark flames" Erza continued. " Lucy is a fine mage; I'm sure she can hold off for a while"
Natsu sniffed the air. This scent. It was familiar, but Natsu couldnt put his brain on who it reminded him of.
When they finished, they began looking for Lucy. Natsu caught her scent, but 20 minutes later, her scent stopped.
" That's weird" Natsu started, " Her scent disappears into the ground"
"Maybe she fell?" Gray wondered out loud
"You're an idiot Ice Dick, I said her scent disappears INTO the ground not onto the ground dumbass" Natsu spat at Gray
" Virgo" Erza said. " They escaped underground to avoid getting captured. I told you she was smart enough to get away. Can you pick up her scent underground Natsu?"
" Its very faint, but I'll try" He was determined to find her. He spent five agnozing years away from her, and to lose her now would be devistating.
"Well hop to it Dragon Breath" Gray hissed at Natsu.
The three guild mates began to follow Natsu tracking Lucy. He hoped they found her safe and sound. Without him there, how did she expect to stay warm? It was beginning to get dark afterall.
"Princess my magic gate in going to close soon, shall we surface or will you punish me for not being more useful" Virgo asked
" Stop being such a weirdo. Im not going to punish you. But I guess we should surface. Where are we anyway?" Lucy said
" Im not sure, but if my instincts are correct, we are pretty close to the Sabetooth Guild hall" Virgo said. " If that is all, I shall go now princess"
"Thanks Virgo" Lucy said.
It was relieving for Lucy to be close to Sabertooth as Sting and Rogue were allies of Fairy Tail so she was almost safe. But it was cold in the forest. She went to grab wood to start a fire.
As she was looking for scrap wood in the dim light of dusk, a smile slowly came across her face as she thought of Natsu.
" I wonder if he is worried about me right now. When he came back after five years, it felt like no time had passed between us, at least for me. But realistically, those feelings probably faded away a long time ago for him."
She would never forget the moment Zeref's demons almost killed her five years ago. The guild was falling, everyone had spend their last energy fighting and they were hopelessly losing. It was a matter of time before Lucy gave in to the sweet release of death before Natsu with his last remaining strength, blasted the Demon Jackal away, burning him. Jackal retreated back to find Mard Geers, and Natsu held Lucy. Staring into eachother's eyes, Natsu said softly " Luce, come back to me; You're my best friend and team mate. I cannot go on without you" He stroked her face. She opened her eyes when she felt tear drops on her face. " Natsu?" She asked weakly. He smiled down at her and kissed her forehead.
" I love you Luce" He said before she passed out
There were loud roars and crashes in the distance that caught Natsu's attention. " I'll look after her" Gray said. " Go"
Natsu ran out to the battle field between Acnologia and Igneel and he made it just in time to witness both dragon's ripping eachother apart. However, Acnologia was stronger, and murdered Igneel.
Igneel fell from the sky, Acnologia landing the final blow before disappearing into the night. Natsu screamed, falling to his knees. "Dad" he cried.
Natsu promised him that he would work to get stronger to defeat Acnologia and Zeref and his Demons. Igneel came into his head, " When you are ready to begin, come find me"
Lucy would never forget the day he left; watching him walk out of Fairy Tail was the hardest thing she's ever had to bare. Five years went by so slow, and every day she worried she would forget what he looked like
" I wish Natsu was here" Lucy thought as she rubbed sticks together to create fire. After 15 minutes of rubbing, she finally created a spark and got her fire going to keep her warm.
Before she fell asleep she thought how Natsu's fires were way better, and how she wished he was there to keep her safe and toasty.
Natsu stopped in his tracks and looked West. " Fire! I could use a snack right now!" he said, taking off towards the smell of freshly burned embers
Erza looked at Gray " I guess it's time for a break" she smiled.
When they approached the smell, Natsu, Erza and Gray stopped in their tracks. There was Lucy, all curled up by the fire. She looked so peaceful when she slept.
" Such an angelic face" the group heard from the surrounding darkness.
"Who's there?! Show yourself!" Erza demanded.
Out from the shadows stepped a cloaked figure.
"Natsu, its been too long since our last encounter"
" Zeref.." Natsu growled
Zeref walked over to Lucy and crouched down beside her. He swept a piece of hair off her face " Im genuinely upset that I'm going to have to kill this one. She's pretty" He smirked.
" Don't you fucking touch her" Natsu hissed at Zeref.
Zeref smiled an evil grin at Natsu. " If you hold her life so dear, you can pick up her deposed body at my new guildhall, Blood Shadow. I just needed a stupid human soul to cast away the wielder's seal on this weapon and I can unleash hell once again on this pitiful excuse for a world and create my own."
"Ta-Ta Natsu and friends; Im sure we will meet again knowing your annoying guild." and with a snap of his fingers Zeref disappeared with Lucy and the chest in a puff of black smoke.
" FFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK" Natsu screamed.
"Natsu, dont lose your head, we need to think our next action through" Erza said.
" Oh I know what my next action will be; IM going to storm this bastard's guild hall, Blood Shadow, and set all those fuckers on fire until they scream for mercy, then crank up the heat even more" Natsu hissed.
Gray could see the heat lines coming off Natsu; it made him feel very uneasy.
" We are close to Sabertooth; lets go there and ask for their help. After we meet up there, we will gather all intell on this new dark guild, send a message to Fairy Tail for back up, and save Lucy as soon as we can." Erza stated
" Natsu we have to play it smart; Zeref always seems to be one step ahead of us." Gray said calmly.
Natsu piped down. " What the hell is this weapon anyway? I just thought it was a geezer's old family jewels" Natsu wondered out loud.
" I dont know, but I dont like the sounds of it. Especially if a wielder's seal is cast on it, I can only assume it's a very dangerous magic weapon" Ezra said.
" Alright, lets make all haste and get to Sabertooth. Happy you fly ahead and let them know we are coming and why" Natsu said.
" Aye sir!" Happy said before flying off into the night.
Hang in there Lucy; we are coming Natsu thought.
