Hi Hi, everyone! I've had this idea lingering in my head for a while now, and I just can't get it out! Hopefully this story eases my buzzing thoughts, geehee! Enjoy!

The Fire in her Dreams

By AliceknowsWonderland

It was horrifying. Blood spilt across the marble floor, gleaming in the fragile light. Dozens of bodies lay about, faces frozen in forever agony. Who could cause such destruction, such terror? Lucy shivered at the very thought. To be able to inflict such fear upon others, frightening them to their very core, was unimaginable. What kind of monster had inhabited this world?

A hand, masked in sweeping shadows, reached toward to her. It grabbed her by the collar and trapped her in a silver cage. The shadows hissed wildly at Lucy's cries. She watched in utter horror as each one of her friends, her teammates, were cruelly beaten and killed. She stared as the light left their eyes, and they vanished from the world.

"No!" she shrieked. "No! Kill me, please! I can't live anymore!"

But the shadows would not comply. Instead, they continuously beat her, over and over. Yet, just as her life was about to melt away, they stopped. Yes, they would let her live. They would force her to live in sickening agony forever.

Lucy awoke, trembling in fear. Hot tears poured down her face, and her eyes stung. She collapsed into the comforter, burying her horrified face in the soft fabric. No matter what she did, she couldn't shake the image of her friends, of Natsu being murdered right in front of her. It was enough to make her go insane.

"L-Lucy?"

Her head shot up at the familiar voice. "N-Natsu?"

The pink-haired young man climbed through the window, "What's wrong?"

He stared at the Celestial mage sitting in front of him. Her hair stuck to the places where tears had fallen on her pale face, and the sparkle in her chocolate eyes was gone.

All she could do was sob. Lucy's mouth opened, but no words came out.

"Lucy..." Natsu stepped towards her. She immediately leaped towards him, wrapping her trembling arms around his waist. The girl buried her face in his chest, too scared to even comprehend Happy's words. He resigned himself to staring as the strong Lucy crumbled in Natsu's embrace.

"Lucy, it's ok. I'm right here; you don't have to be scared anymore."

Slowly but surely, Lucy's sobs faded into cries, her tears finally drying.

She stared up at the man before her. The man who was always there, always ready to protect her and pull her out of the darkness. She leaned her head up against his chest, relaxed. Natsu rubbed her back, doing his best to keep the fragile girl calm.

Lucy's breathing slowed, and soon, she had fallen asleep.

Silently, the Dragon Slayer laid her down on her comfy bed, pulling the covers over her. Then, he climbed in beside her, ready to comfort her if she needed it.

After a while, Natsu drifted into a deep slumber.

The minutes passed by slowly, the night sky lit up with shining stars. The bright moon gleamed, casting a gentle glow across Magnolia. It was peaceful, yet again.

Arigatou for reading! Please RnR; anything you say is much appreciated! Stay tuned for the next chapters... *smiles menacingly* I have something interesting in store... O.o