Just a quick meandering thought about how Luce lost her arm. Since this was quick I didn't feel particularly needy about practicing grammar nazi-ing. So pardon any mistakes and enjoy.

Dust and flames were everywhere.

Obscuring her sight, coughing and gasping Lucy ran as best as she could across the rubble of the city. Racing to the sight of a small figure fighting in the sky.

"Natsu."

A gasp, a sob, and sigh Lucy couldn't tear her eyes away. He was falling, going to crash, and she wasn't going to make it in time. He always made it in time.

Louder.

"Natsu!"

The dragon was hurtling after him, their screams mixed together into a hair raising sound that made her chest tighten in terror. Instinct urged her to stop, turn, and run away - to try and prolong her life for the little longer she might have.

Lucy pushed herself further faster, her own scream filling her ears as she headed to the area the two were going to crash.

"NATSU!"

Close enough to his face clearly now, their gaze caught together; running and falling towards a stone of broken building that ended up landing vertical - sharp edges all around. Lucy stretched her arms out, reaching to catch him before he reached the stone. Fear flashed across his face as she jumped.

"Lucy NO!"

The sky was blocked by the sight of the descending dying dragon. Lucy felt hot skin on her hand and sweat soaked hair across her face before she collided with stone. Pain rocked her entire body, sending her into the dark.

She never wanted to wake up, because she knew.

It must have been only minutes that she was unconscious. The moment she tried opening her eyes she felt hot and a pain that went beyond anything she had ever endured. Blinking groggily she was surprised to find herself slumped against the stone. Breathing harshly at the fact, she tried to shoved herself away slamming her cheek against the rough surface when only one arm was pushing herself up and away. Shaking from exhaustion Lucy rapidly stumbled back.

Looking up she felt something break inside.

Natsu's unmoving form was bent over the stone, lifeless eyes staring up defiantly, Lucy's arm hanging limping from where it had tried to cushion his fall. She reached up with trembling fingers to feel her shoulder - no more tears to fall - where his heat must have acted as some sort of cauterization.

He always showed up in time to save her.

Walking forward Lucy vaguely heard Levi's frantic voice from behind her; she stretched her remaining hand, without its guild mark, and brushed pink hair away from his forehead before placing a kiss on his unnaturally cold skin. Leaving her lips against his skin Lucy felt a new resolve building.

"If there's a future...it has to have you."

(455)