So this is going to be a sort of three shot involving two couples. This chapter is the 'Intro' I guess and the next two will be the ones filled with lemonie goodness ^^
This in total will be 3 chapters. Please enjoy and review! Many thanks!
Marsha~
The sun was glowing brightly in the sky, shining it's rays in a beautiful village called 'Petal'. Two beautiful celestial mages were strolling about the streets seemingly aimlessly as they walked from one corner to the next.
"Come on Yukino!" Lucy called out. The white haired girl had gotten distracted by a nearby shopping stall but quickly returned her attention back to the blonde celestial mage. They decided to partner up for a job together that involved hunting down a 'loose celestial spirit'. Once they asked the owner what the job was about, he explained his situation. Turned out he had the silver key's 'Canis Major' open for a while, which was basically a large St. Bernard but it ran away and he can't find him. The celestial spirit wasn't very obedient to begin with and to make matters worse, he's half invisible to normal people. Meaning, they can see him, but they don't really take notice of him. However, celestial mages can spot them with ease so that is why he requested the two of them to work together.
"Sorry Lucy, I saw a pair of really cute shoes," Yukino chuckled nervously.
"The ones with white tips?" Lucy asked with a smile. "I had my eyes on them first," Lucy joked. Yukino laughed a little and began to make their way down the street again, keeping an eye out for the St. Bernard.
"We probably should have asked what his name was," Yukino thought.
"Or if it's a she," Lucy added.
The two celestial mages wondered from street to street for the dog but there was no sign of him. It seemed like hours since they had begun their search for the large dog.
"I'm so tired," Yukino sighed.
"Tell me about it," Lucy agreed. Suddenly, the lacrima she was holding in her rucksack began glowing. She pulled it out and allowed her magical energy to travel within the orb. Mirajane showed up.
"Hey Mirajane," Lucy greeted the take-over mage.
"Lucy, are you alright?" Mirajane sounded alarmed.
"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine," Lucy frowned.
"You're in Petal Village, right?" she continued to question her. Lucy nodded in reply. Why did Mirajane sound so panicked? "Listen to me carefully Lucy. All the dragon slayers have gone totally crazy!" Mirajane explained.
"The dragon slayers?" Lucy frowned.
"All of them. Wendy, Gajeel, Laxus... Natsu..."
"What's wrong with them?" Lucy began to feel worried about them. Why had they all gone crazy? And what does the crazy part mean?
"They just went berserk!" Mirajane explained in hysteria. Lucy was truly terrified, she had never seen the woman in such a state. Suddenly she was pulled out of the way and Levy showed up.
"Lucy listen carefully to me. Today is Draco Festum, a sort of dragon day I suppose?" Levy frowned at her own explanation. "It comes around every few decades but it seems the dragon slayers were not aware of this. The dragon slayers are all behaving like dragons, like real dragons. We have Gajeel, Wendy and Laxus caged but Natsu escaped!"
"Natsu escaped?" Lucy gasped.
"Lucy before he barged out the door he screamed something about finding you. You need to run, get away from him as far away as possible. Start heading towards Leonardo Town, quick," Levy looked so distraught, Lucy herself became terrified.
"What do you mean? Why is he trying to find me?" Lucy's heart was racing. Yukino looked up at Lucy in worry. She fretted over the possible reasons Natsu became crazed and the reason behind his search for Lucy.
"I really don't know Lucy," Levy whimpered with tears in her eyes. "Elfman and Gray are on their way to Leonardo Town, meet them at the train station. They'll be there to protect you," she explained. Lucy stared dumbfounded at the now empty lacrima sphere.
"Lucy, are you alright?" Yukino patted her shoulder. Lucy turned around and gave her a small smile.
"Of course," she grinned. "Natsu wouldn't hurt me or anything."
Right?
"I'll go with you to Leonardo village," Yukino firmly decided.
"It's alright, it's not something you should trouble yourself over," Lucy dismissed her friend's suggestion.
"No I want to help. What if Natsu does attack you before you reach Gray and Elfman? You'll need an extra hand defending yourself," she pointed out.
"We won't need defending because Natsu won't attack us," Lucy said. "However, I wouldn't mind the company," Lucy agreed.
"Let's go," Yukino smiled.
The two ladies began making their way towards the train station in silence. Lucy was very thankful for this because she needed a lot of time to think about this. She wasn't sure what exactly she was supposed to think about either. What in the world was going on with Natsu and the others? Some sort of dragon festival? They turned into dragons?
Wait, does that mean Natsu has a tail and wings and stuff?
Lucy let out a sudden squeal at the thought of that.
"Lucy, are you alright?" Yukino stared at her friend in alarm.
"Sorry about that, Yukino," Lucy chuckled nervously.
"We're almost there," Yukino pointed down the street, indicating the train station.
Lucy and Yukino made their way to the station. Their train wasn't going to leave for another few minutes so while they waited for it to arrive, they sat down at a near by bench.
"Say Lucy, are you not worried?" she asked her. Lucy was about to prepare another speech about how Natsu would never dare lay a finger on her but the words were caught in her mouth. Why couldn't she say it anymore? She completely lost all confidence in her words. In fact, she was becoming rather nervous with every passing minute. "It'll be fine," Yukino decided it was time to cheer her up instead of winding her.
The train arrived soon after and they decided to buy their tickets and take a seat together. The travel to Leonardo wasn't very long, but it seemed like it was double the usual time to Lucy. The upcoming trepidation and unsettling feeling in heart just became heavier as every second went by. Why would Natsu and the rest go crazy? What terrified her was the fact that it was Natsu who had escaped. Though Gajeel and Laxus are both terrifying in their own way, Natsu had defeated them both in the past. Natsu was the one you'd be scared off the most... and you should be.
"We're here Lucy," Yukino smiled, patting Lucy's knee encouragingly. They both got up from their seats and made their way out of the train station. The moment they got off the train station Lucy managed to easily spot Gray and Elfman in the distance. They stuck out like sore thumbs, especially the giant Elfman. Lucy waved at them so they could spot her. Gray's usual tense face became instantly relaxed the moment he spotted his friend. He briskly made his way to them, Elfman not so far behind.
"Lucy, thank Mavis we got to you first," he sighed in relief, placing his hand on Lucy's shoulder.
"You shouldn't have been worried," Lucy made a huge effort to place a smile on her face.
"Hello, Lucy. Hey Yukino," Elfman greeted them.
"Hello," Yukino shyly said.
"So do we take the train back to the guild or something?" Lucy asked, clasping her hands together behind her back.
"We have a car arranged to take us straight back. We can't be taking too many risks," Gray explained. Lucy's eyes widened in surprise. Just how serious was the situation? Why did they need to escort her in this way? Was Natsu in trouble?
"Gray, please tell me," Lucy took hold of Gray's hand suddenly, looking into his eyes. There was a somber look in his eyes that almost broke Lucy's heart. It was bad. Whatever it was, it was bad.
"Let's just get you home," he said quietly, still holding onto her hand and leading the way out of the train station. Yukino had decided to go with them. After seeing the look Gray gave Lucy, she too became very worried for Lucy's safety. It wasn't a long walk until they stopped by a magic car, parked just on the outskirts of town. Gray opened the door and let Yukino and Lucy inside. Himself and Elfman sat in front at the drivers seat that was on the outside. Lucy and Yukino were left alone inside as they two men drove the car down the bumpy road, heading straight to Fairy Tail.
Lucy was leaning her head out the window, her head held by her leaning hand against the window frame.
"You're frowning," Yukino spoke gently.
"I can't help it," Lucy sighed. "What if Natsu can't turn back? What if this is permanent? I wonder what's going on with him," Lucy finished her thoughts.
"That's so like you," Yukino chuckled softly.
"Hmmm?" Lucy wondered.
"Normally, a person would be worried about themselves first. Instead you're sitting here and worrying about him rather than yourself," she explained her train of thought. Lucy smiled at her friend.
"It's not like that. There's nothing to be worried about me, so why waste time on that?"
"Natsu will be okay," Yukino reached her hand out and held Lucy's. "He'll be fine."
Hearing those words out loud did miracles to Lucy's mind. She couldn't be any more grateful to her celestial partner. Suddenly the car stopped, making Lucy and Yukino fall off their seats and land on their knees onto the ground.
"What the hell?" Lucy groaned, rubbing her scraped knee.
"Elfman be careful!" the girls heard Gray cry out. "Ice make shield!"
Yukino and Lucy stared at each other in shock. Someone was attacking them! Lucy immediately thought it was Natsu who managed to hunt them down. That son of a bitch and his dog-like nose!
Lucy jumped out of the car followed by Yukino, their hands on their keys, ready to attack if need be. However, what they saw before them was something they didn't expect. Instead of the pink haired dragon slayer, in front of Gray and Elfman stood Sting, the master of Sabertooth.
"Sting!" Yukino gasped. Sting was standing with a smirk on his face, a white magical aura floating about him. He was in 'White Drive', meaning some parts of his body and face were covered in white dragon scales.
"Yukino," Sting took an overconfident step forward. "I've been looking for you."
"Yukino," Lucy stepped in front of her.
"Lucy! Take Yukino and run!" Gray ordered. Yukino stared in shock at her master but Lucy didn't waste a second. She grabbed her friend's hand and pulled her into the opposite direction, running straight through a field of sheep. Sting was about to run after them but Gray blocked his path with an ice wall.
"Don't get in my way," Sting gave Gray a threatening glare. It didn't work.
"Over my dead body," he gritted through his teeth.
"I have no issues with that," Sting smiled smugly.
Yukino was being dragged over the fields, running past the startled sheep and heading towards a small wooded area. Lucy was already devising plan. She need get Sting distracted from Yukino's scent. While running, Lucy pulled out one of her golden keys.
"Gate of the twins, Gemini!"
In a bright light, two blue blobs appeared in front of Lucy, floating effortlessly while she continued to run as fast as she could.
"Piri piri," they cheered.
"Gemini! Turn into Yukino!" Lucy exclaimed. They twins did as they were told and immediately turned into the short haired celestial mage.
"Start running in that direction over there," Lucy pointed towards some random fields. "If you get attacked you leave to the spirit world immediately," Lucy ordered them. The Yukino clone smiled and started to run in the direction she was asked. Yukino stared dumbfounded as her clone ran away from her.
"Will it help?" Yukino asked.
"It's gives us a better chance anyway," Lucy muttered under her breath. They had just reached the first area of the woodland.
"Yukino, climb up on my back," Lucy ordered.
"Heh?" Yukino exclaimed in surprise.
"Come on. I'll carry you on my back so that Sting can't track your scent. Just for a while," Lucy had arched her back and bent forward a little. Awkwardly, Yukino climbed onto her back and Lucy ran off at steady slow jog. She was careful not to trip up over any stones or branches.
"Oi Yukino! Where are you?" an echo vibrated through the trees.
"Shit," Lucy hissed, freezing at her spot. Sting was already at the entrance of the forest. She didn't have as much time as she'd originally thought.
"Quick, start climbing this tree," Lucy ordered Yukino.
"Lucy!" Yukino stared down at her in bewilderment.
"Hurry up Yukino!" Lucy shouted. Against her personal will, she started to climb up to near by tree, using Lucy's shoulders as leverage. Finally Yukino made it through the tougher areas and continued to climb higher and higher.
"Yukino, no matter what happens, promise me you won't come down," Lucy said.
"What do you mean?" her eyes were wide with terror.
"Just please do as I say," Lucy's eyes were almost watering. Yukino couldn't look at her any longer. She too was becoming truly scared of what was happening. Whatever happened with Natsu and the rest was also happening to Sting. Why would he attack his friends, his comrades? More so, why was he after her specifically?
Lucy smiled in relief when Yukino was so high in tree, Lucy herself couldn't spot her.
"Oh, Blondie," a voice suddenly appeared from behind her. She recognized it as Sting's easily. Her voice was caught in her throat, her body filled with terror. She couldn't even turn around and face him, she was that terrified of him. Instead, Sting started walking around her, as if stalking his prey. Lucy gulped.
"W-what do you want, Sting?" Lucy asked, her voice quivering.
"I want? Nothing," he shrugged nonchalantly. "What I need is Yukino," he spoke in a sly voice.
"She ran away," Lucy said with as straight as possible of a face on her.
"Liar," he smiled. "For every lie you tell, I'll break something in your body. So let's start over again Lucy, yeah? Where's Yukino? You were so smart dividing her scent like that... and then carrying her on your back afterwards. Genius. No wonder you're the brains in your team. So again, I ask you, where's Yukino?" his voice was so low and threatening, Lucy was truly terrified. This was nothing like in battles where the aim was to win. This man was planning on torturing her.
"I don't know," Lucy said in such a quiet tone, it was almost a whisper.
"Wrong answer," Sting grunted. Out of a sudden, he grabbed her throat and lifted her easily up into the air, pinning her back against a near by tree. Lucy's back hurt so much from the collision and hand wrapped around her throat was crushing her wind pipe.
"You can decide for yourself what I'll break. Your rib? Your finger? How about that beautiful jaw of yours?" he gripped the lower part of her jaw with his other hand.
Lucy let out a squeal in terror as his grip became so strong, she truly thought he was about rip her jaw off.
Lucy closed her eyes, preparing mentally for the horrible pain to overflow her... but none came.
Instead she was abruptly freed from the hold, falling on her buttocks right at the tree trunk. Lucy finally let out a small scream, something she was holding inside herself and tears began to flood down her face. She opened her eyes wide to stare at Sting, who was lying flat on his back in pain. What happened? Where did the attack come from?
Lucy's eyes started darting in random directions, searching for the source. Soon enough, a dark figure began appearing from the trees, a recognizable build.
"Gray..." Lucy sighed in relief. However, as the figure approached closer, she gasped. His hair was much spikier and there was a scarf wrapped around his neck. The moment a ray of sunshine landed on his hair, it turned from black to salmon pink. "Natsu..." Lucy corrected herself in horror.
"Fucking bastard," Sting groaned, pulling his body up. Groggily standing up, he stared at the approaching Natsu. Natsu looked furious. Lucy's heart began to race the moment she spotted him clearly. Natsu's body was beginning to form scales, like the ones he had when fighting Jellal. He looked like a ghastly dragon out to kill someone. Natsu didn't even look at Lucy. He marched straight to Sting who was barely on his feet.
"What's wrong Natsu, picking a fight?" Sting asked with a smirk on his face.
"I didn't come here to pick a fight," Natsu growled. "But you brought it upon yourself," Natsu's arms lit up in flames, ready to attack the other dragon slayer. Natsu punched Sting with such speed and force, Lucy had never seen such a thing in her life. He was sent flying through three sets of trees. Lucy couldn't help but let out a small scream at the sight in front of her. Natsu had his back to her, his body hunched over slightly.
Was this the Natsu that she knew? The one who protected her all those times? Yet, he looked similar, the aura around him didn't seem the same, or even remotely similar.
"Natsu," Lucy whimpered, standing up slowly. Her back hurt and her throat was burning. She used the back of the tree for support to keep her body up.
"Lucy," Natsu said in a low voice. He still had his back to her, not turning around. "Stay right where you are and don't you dare move. This will be over quickly," he said. The voice that was so grim and horrifying it was not the one she recognised. No, it can't be Natsu. Sting suddenly appeared from the trees, furious and pissed off.
"Don't get in my way, Natsu!" he screamed, punching Natsu in the face. Lucy watched as they fought with such anger and fury. She was so anxious about what exactly there were fighting about, it didn't make sense to her. Lucy looked up in the trees to find Yukino slowly descending. While the dragons were distracted, she jumped lightly, landing beside Lucy.
"Lucy! You're hurt!" Yukino gasped, looking at Lucy's strong red mark around her neck.
"It's nothing. We need to get away from here," Lucy said to her.
"But Sting and Natsu," Yukino looked panicked.
"They're not themselves Yukino. Something is going on with them. They're much more powerful than they usually are, we have to get away from here," Lucy grimaced at the sudden pain in her body from Sting's crushing hold.
"Here," Yukino took hold of Lucy's arm and placed it around her shoulder, supporting Lucy's body as much as possible. The two girls began walking briskly away as the two over powered dragon slayers continued to fight.
Lucy back wasn't as painful anymore. Sure there was cut somewhere but it didn't hurt as bad.
"We're almost out of the woods," Yukino smiled, spotting light coming from somewhere in the distance. Lucy too began feeling hopeful with the whole situation. Perhaps they'd get away to safety.
The moment there was a drop of hope in Lucy's heart, Yukino instantly froze. In front of them stood the recognizable silhouette of Natsu Dragneel.
"You wouldn't be taking Lucy away from me by any chance, Yukino?" he asked. There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, but just barely. Yukino took a hesitant step back, still supporting Lucy as much as she could.
"What did you do to Sting?" Yukino eyes narrowed.
"I'm right here," he whispered into her ear. Yukino screamed and fell back from the fright. Lucy also fell on her backside. The two girls stared bewildered and scared at the two dragon slayers.
"We got a little distracted earlier... can't have you running away from us," Natsu approached slowly with a sly smile on his face. Sting took a step forward, leaning down towards Yukino. Lucy mustered up the courage to shield Yukino with her own body. Sting was about to grab Lucy and pull her away but a deep growl coming from Natsu made him stop.
"Touch her again and you will die," Natsu hissed through his teeth. Lucy looked up at Natsu who was standing a few meters off, but approaching them ever so slowly.
"What's happening to you?" Lucy asked them. "Why are you behaving like this?" her voice was becoming just a tad bit more confident.
"Dunno," Sting shrugged in nonchalance.
"I don't know what's overcome me but it feels great," Natsu brought his own fist to his face, staring at his arm as if it were new. "This new boiling power surging through me, and all these needs pulsing in my veins."
"Needs?" Lucy eyed him. Sting was walking around the pair in tight circles, enjoying how Lucy was always attempting to shield Yukino away from him. He was getting high on the feeling of fear coming from the two girls.
"Yes needs," Sting agreed. "The need to fight."
"To protect," Natsu joined in.
"To mate," Sting had suddenly leaned in to whisper that last word. Yukino let out a small scream and Lucy froze, staring at Sting's intense glare.
"You wouldn't," Lucy had her hands ready on her keys. Is this what Levy was trying to warn her about? The fact that the dragon slayers wanted to... simply put, have sex?
"Is that a threat?" Sting was enjoying this.
"I won't let you touch her," Lucy was beginning to gain more confidence in herself and her own words. Lucy pulled out two of her golden keys, knowing they were Leo and Capricorn. However, someone suddenly clasped her wrist, stopping her from summoning them. Natsu was standing right behind Lucy, holding her wrist ever so tightly.
"I wouldn't do that, Luce," he whispered, bending down to her level. Lucy looked at the fire mage in pure astonishment.
"N-natsu?" she whimpered. Was this truly them man who brought her to the guild? Who adventured with her near and far for years?
"You're so beautiful, Lucy," he said with a small smile. He leaned in and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. This gesture came as a complete surprise to Lucy. Natsu was never this gentle with her. He never behaved this way.
He rubbed her cheek, wiping away a few stray tears. "You're scaring me," Lucy said in a hushed tone, unable to speak any louder.
"I'm sorry," he looked a little grim. "I didn't mean to, but I needed to get to you as quickly as I could," he sighed and began playing with a random strand of her hair. "Your scent drives me crazy you know," he chuckled a little at this statement.
Suddenly, Yukino who was underneath her a moment ago, was swept away.
Lucy spun around, trying to grab her wrist but missed it by a hair. Yukino was now in the arms of Sting, surprise and fear covered her face.
"Yukino!" Lucy was about to stand up as well but she too was suddenly whisked into the arms of Natsu. The two dragon slayers gave each other one last look before turning on their heels and walking in complete opposite directions. Yukino looked over at Lucy before Natsu took her away. Lucy had her hand outstretched, as if trying to reach for Yukino. Yukino could have sworn she heard Lucy screaming her name but she couldn't be sure. Sting was running so fast, all she could hear was the gushing cold wind in her ear.
Lucy, please be safe.
