Obstacles Chapter 1: Fireflies, a fairy tail fanfic

The story is written by KurosakyK. I am not the author of this story; I translated it from Russian into English.

There is also a bonus to this story which will be posted later;) I hope you enjoy reading!

"Fireflies"

"Humans are the superior race. Humans have created this world and the land on which we walk, the sky and the stars. Humans are the lords of nature's gift, her legitimate children, and no one but Humans are allowed to live here. No sea creature, nor fire demons, nor sky monsters.

So do not let these intruders take what belongs to us, the superior race, according to our birthright! Do not let our history sink into oblivion!

Do not let it!"

Message from the King of Fiore

Six years old.

Sunny days came to the Kingdom of Fiore. The cloudless sky was sparkling with its deep shade of blue, the sun was shining brightly, giving the colors of nature more fascinating hues, and the light breeze occasionally rippled the lush green grass.

A little girl was laughing loudly, running fast, feet clothed in small shoes. Her shining eyes were fixed on the butterfly flying up and down – playfully teasing her. The rays of the sun found their shelter in the girl's golden hair, pearl gave its color to her smile, coral – to her pink cheeks, and the melted chocolate was splashing in her eyes. The girl was like a little porcelain doll, wrapped in a robe of satin and silk.

Chasing the butterfly, she didn't notice that she crossed the border separating the flower field and the forest of tall, century old oaks and the magical faerie accis trees, whose foliage was glowing in the dark with bright turquoise flames. The girl stopped, having lost sight of the butterfly, and sighed sadly. She wanted to make friends with the little creature, but the butterfly seemed to have misunderstood her.

Only now, the girl realized that she had wandered farther than it was allowed. She wasn't afraid of the forest, though. On the contrary, she often walked here with her mother who, holding her tiny hand in hers walked with a soft tread on the damp ground and only the rustling of her cloak and her soft and her silky voice pierced the magical silence of the forest. Her mother told her little girl wonderful tales about brave princes and kind princesses, legends about deadly dragons and nymphs, myths of sly mermaids and insidious wizards. This was why the girl was not afraid of the forest, which bore the title "Fireflies", that her father had strictly forbidden her to approach. She was not afraid of the silence, nor darkness, nor the inhabitants of this forest.

The girl straightened the folds of her dress, removed the prickles that had clung to the hem, and slowly walked down the familiar path towards the house. Her gaze wandered over the majestic crowns of the trees, capturing the creatures hiding among them. The girl knew from her mother's stories that fairies lived here who avoided human communication, but, in spite of this she really wanted to see those little creatures, if only out of the corner of her eye. And she believed that once upon a time there would come a day when all the races would be able to live in peace and harmony, and then she, a mere human, would be able to shake the tiny hand of a beautiful fairy.

Suddenly the girl stopped, spotting something that had not been there before. In front of her stood a huge accis tree. The blue bark was speckled with innumerous recesses that were interlacing forming and an interesting picture of a labyrinth. According to the legend, on the bark of the accis tree the map of the future was carved, but only the chosen elect could read these messages. However, this is not what attracted the attention of the girl. Just over the wide trunk a door could be seen. Rounded, with elaborate patterns and a gilt knob, it captivated her eyes and the girl could not understand how she had not noticed it before, because, it seemed, with a few years of walking here with her mother, she had learned this path by heart.

Something beckoned her to the door, and, despite the serious voice of her father sounding in her head like a warning, she took a step forward and pulled the door open without hesitating. Because her mother taught her to listen to her heart, and now its beating is saying clearly: "Go!"

"Dragons are the strongest creatures in existence! Our fire is able to incinerate the very magic of the fairies, the force of our wings flapping can cause typhoons and tsunamis, and our scales cannot be broken by anything in this world!

So why, owning such strength, knowledge and wisdom of our ancestors, should we tolerate the encroachment of the miserable little humans on our territory? Why should we, Dragons, watch them kill our race? Why should we, Dragons, stay silent?!

If the humans want a war, they will get it!

This is me telling you, I, your King!"

Message from the King of the Scarlet Kingdom

A gasped escaped from the girl's mouth. There was a huge cave inside of the tree with a sparkling lake in the middle of it. On the ground the grass unknown to her was growing, with a touch like the feather of a duckling; lotus flowers were blooming here and there. The air was saturated with the freshness and the girl wanted to stay here a little longer. She did not understand what this place was, but childish curiosity encouraged her to move forward, to the mirror-like surface of the water where the moon, the sun, and the myriad of stars were reflected.

The girl raised her head sharply, wondering how it was possible, but there was nothing above, but a small round aperture, that was letting sunshine in.

The girl stood as if bewitched. Water lilies and majestic swans, on whose bright white feathers the flecks of sunlight were dancing, could be seen, and hundreds of fireflies were lightning up the magic cave.

-What are you doing here? – an unfamiliar voice broke the silence.

The girl spun around, meeting the eyes of its owner. A not very tall boy with bright pink hair was attentively looking at her with curiosity. His grey eyes were sparkling with life, and she thought it was the first time she saw such lively eyes. Her gaze caught on the pointed ears, the small flakes under his eyes, and she could have sworn that there were red, still, very small wings behind the unknown boy's back.

-Are you a fairy? – she asked her question, curiously watching the boy's wings shake.

-Are you a fool or something? – he snorted, pulling his long scaly scarf. – Don't confuse me with those little things!

The girl looked into the eyes of the boy, who smiled broadly. That was the first time she saw somebody with such a wide smile.

-Then who are you?

The boy with the bright hair grinned, placing his hands on his hips.

-Call me Natsu! – he announced in a loud voice, raising his head proudly. – And I'm a dragon!

The girl's mouth hung open in surprise. It was the first time she had seen a dragon. In her head there was an image of huge monsters, as they had been described in the ancient folios, and this image was completely at odds with the boy that was standing in front of her. The girl dropped a curtsey as her mother had taught her.

-And I am Lucy. And I, - Lucy raised her head, - am a human.

Natsu nodded genially, spreading his wings, and flew with lightning speed to his new friend. The girl opened her eyes wide in surprise. Satisfied with the impression he produced, the boy reached out his hand.

-Nice to meet you, human Lucy.

The girl turned her eyes from Natsu's hand to his friendly face and without a moment's hesitation accepted a hot handshake.

-Nice to meet you too, dragon Natsu.

Ten years old.

-Today I asked my father why we are at war with the humans. – Natsu suddenly broke the

silence, skipping a flat stone across the surface of the water.

Lucy, sitting on soft grass, gave him an inquiring look.

-And?

Natsu frowned, and his wings quivered irritatingly.

-He said the humans are terrible and selfish creatures.

-Surprisingly, my father said the same about dragons. – the girl smiled, sadly watching the circles spreading on the water.

Natsu dropped down next to his friend, leaning on his arms. Lucy let her eyes linger a little longer on the boy's profile. His hair had grown a little and small horns could already be seen. Sometimes Natsu, amusing his friend, breathed out a flame that could turn into anything according to its owner's wish, from fiery mermaids to bright bursts of fireworks. In fact, Natsu had said that his flame was only just gaining its strength, and Lucy was wondering sometimes what kind of power it would become when he grew up.

But these thoughts rarely came to her head, because here and now there was no hostility between their races. Because here and now they were friends, kids, who were just enjoying each other's company.

Natsu turned his head toward the girl, and the seriousness unusual for him flickered in his eyes.

-Lucy, let's give each other a promise that no matter what happens, we will not let anything destroy our friendship!

The girl looked attentively into Natsu's eyes. In a fraction of a second, the news about numerous victims who had died a hero's death in the war against dragons flashed through her mind. In a fraction of a second, the images of crying mothers, of the wives that had lost their husbands, of the children that had become orphans, rose before her eyes. In a fraction of a second, a loud voice of her father thundered in her head.

But looking at the boy, who had become her closest friend, the friend that she, living in total isolation, could ever dream of, looking into his honest and sincere eyes, she held out her hand, little finger sticking out.

-I promise, - the princess of the Kingdom of Fiore whispered in anguish.

Natsu smiled, wide and familiar, and hooked his little finger with hers.

-I promise, - the prince of the Scarlet Kingdom said without a trace of hesitation.

"The war is the pathetic attempt of the humans to answer the eternal question: who is right and who is wrong? Sometimes we are considering only one angle and this is wrong, because every side thinks that their motives are pure and their actions are aimed only for the good.

And if the war lasts too long, its instigators start to forget why it began in the first place. What were the initial goals? What were the warriors were dying for? For what great purposes? Are these purposes still being pursued or is the war going on for the sake of the war itself?

The war is the shortest way. But who said that it would be the easiest one?"

Fifteen years old.

-Honey, is everything fine?

Lucy turned around, smiling happily. The queen, standing in the doorway, looked at her daughter and nodded knowingly.

-Everything is fine, mom. – the girl sang and, having pinned her long hair and set straight her pants tucked in her high boots.

Layla came into her daughter's room, stepping gracefully, and the long hem of her dress, rustling, lay on the polished parquet.

-You shouldn't hide anything from me, my girl. – the woman said softly.

Lucy shrugged her shoulders vaguely, meticulously examining herself in the mirror. The bright scarlet hem of her cloak was descending behind the girl, the corset was fitting close to her slender waist, and the ribbons plaited into her hair were matching her outfit. She wanted to look good, although she didn't understand this strange desire that appeared only when she was going to That place.

-I do not understand what you mean, mother.

-I think you do. – Layla smiled, coming closer to the girl. Softly running her hand over her daughter's hair, she bent over and looking at their reflection, winked quizzically. – You fell in love, Lucy.

When the princess understood the meaning of these words, her face blushed, making bright spots, and she shook her head vigorously.

-No, no, no!

-Yes, yes, yes! – sang Layla. – And who is he? Cute? Clever? Which family? Anyway, do not mind your dad! We will accept your choice no matter what!

Lucy shook her head desperately, covering her face with her hands, but her bright red ears were giving the girl away. Layla laughed merrily, hugging her daughter.

-Mom, you are embarrassing me!

The woman ran her hand over the girl's flushed cheek.

-I just want you to know that you do not need to hide anything from me and dad. – the queen whispered.

Lucy stiffened for a moment, overwhelmed by feelings of shame. But she immediately suppressed it, smiling lightly.

-I know, - she said, - and I do not hide anything from you.

After all, a lie for the good is not a lie, is it?

Within a few years this place, with the scent of lotus and rain; with an emerald gleam on the water surface and the soft grass; with an aura of peace and magic; with a bright smile of a restless dragon and the liberation from the overburdening titles and heavy duties on their shoulders had become a second home for the young princess of Fiore Kingdom.

This cave, hidden from the public eye, was their personal islet of freedom, where they did not have to pretend to be someone who they really were not. Where the outer world was only a shadow, and the rules and laws, prevailing there, did not exist.

This place, given to two souls gratis, was the best present for them.

-And then I performed a takedown! And, eventually, my father praised me and said that I would become a first-class warrior and he would not be ashamed to give his throne to his son! – said Natsu with a wide smile, gesticulating vigorously and illustrating his actions in a funny manner as he spoke.

Lucy smiled, looking up at her friend.

-I'm sure it will be so, Natsu.

Natsu grinned, flapped his wings and appeared next to the girl in an instant. On a spread out velvet picnic blanket there were gilt dishes with delicacies. It was their tradition: they brought the specialties of their kingdoms to every meeting and then exchanged their impressions. What Natsu liked most was that the meat in Fiore was cooked with various herbs and spices which had not even been heard of in the Scarlet Kingdom. Lucy in her turn took a fancy to juicy fruits growing prolifically on the shores of the Scarlet God Sea. In this the princess saw a certain irony: fire dragon Natsu smelled of sea salt and freshness, while she, the human, carried the scent of blazing sun and sand. This made her draw certain conclusions.

There is no absolute white and black, as well as there is no absolute good and evil.

Hope was arising in the princess's heart. After all, perhaps one day they, being the future of their Kingdoms, would be able to bring peace to the warring races. Perhaps one day the princess of Fiore would be able to go for walk with the prince of the Scarlet Kingdom without being afraid of being judged.

-Damn, I adore your cuisine! – closing his eyes in enjoyment, Natsu sent to his mouth one more piece of roast beef. – If it were up to me, I'd stay in your Kingdom forever. Just for the sake of these strange animals with horns!

-Strange animal with horns? Look who's talking! – Lucy smiled, leaning forward and running her hand over the impressive horns of her friend. They were smooth and cold to the touch, and also incredibly sharp at the ends.

Natsu ignored his friend, biting a large piece off the smoked ham.

-No, I'm serious! I'd stay forever in Fiore for the sake of your food!

Lucy froze at his words.

-Really? – the question escaped her against her will.

Natsu stopped eating, meeting his friend's eye. Their eye contact lasted a few seconds and it seemed to the princess that it had been enough to say much more than they could have said with simple words.

-Really. – Natsu said firmly and there was no shred of doubt in his voice.

Lucy's heart skipped a beat. In front of her was sitting her best friend, a handsome young man, in whose huge scarlet wings she felt as safe as she did not feel under the protection of the whole army of Fiore. In front of her was sitting a dragon, with whom she had spent all her childhood. A friend whose presence made her fragile heart beat faster and the seed of the rising feeling taking its first roots.

It seems that the queen was right.

Silly princess fell in love with the dragon.

Silly, silly princess.

"Your Majesty, we are suffering great losses. Wizards and witches have started to die of an unknown illness. If it keeps on that way, nobody will be able to deter the forces of the dragons. Astrologers and the guardians of the barrier protecting the kingdom say that it is thinning and soon the dragons will be able to break through the guard. At the same time, the dragon army is getting stronger. In a recent battle at the Valley of Lost Hopes, they were able to hold in their true forms much longer than usual. Also, King Igneel the First let his heir onto the battlefield. The young prince is striking in his strength and dexterity. He took out the elven archer detachment all by himself, without taking his true dragon form.

His power is the fire. Your Majesty, we should take radical measures, or else I'm worried about the future of our children.

Yours faithfully, Commander in Chief of the Army of Fiore, Gildarts Clive"

Lucy was surprised when the king's adviser visited her and bowing to the princess, asked her to follow him to the throne room where, he said, His Majesty was waiting for her. Her father had never shown any particular interest in his heiress. He was busy with the war and public administration and Lucy knew that these affairs, a priority, were more important than the fact that the princess of Fiore with all her heart wished to feel the warm hugs of her father, at least for a moment.

Her heart had a heavy beat, thumping loudly in her chest, when she crossed the threshold of the throne room, modestly and hesitatingly.

Through the glass vaulted ceiling bright golden streams of sunshine were penetrating. It was reflecting from the golden carved walls and marble floor, its tiny sparkling specks playing with gold threads, neatly sewn into a long velvet carpet which led from the entrance to the towering throne on a pedestal. The girl stepped onto the carpet that was muffling the tap of her heels and slowly headed toward the majestically enthroned king. A few advisers clustered around Jude, discussing something in low voices. The princess could see a piece of parchment rolled into a thin tube in the hands of the king.

-Your Majesty, - Lucy greeted her father timidly, with a low bow.

Jude immediately waved his hand and a handful of advisers crowded behind the throne, looking at the princess with interest. The girl did not like their looks.

-Hello, Lucy, - the King started, - how are you feeling? Anything bothering my little birdie?

Lucy quietly frowned, suspicious inwardly, but outwardly she just shook her head.

-No, I am not bothered about anything. Thank you for your interest.

-Are you satisfied with everything in the palace? Do you need anything, my flesh and blood? – the King kept asking strange questions.

-No, Your Majesty, - the girl uttered, meeting her father's eyes, - you give me everything my soul could desire.

The King nodded, running his thumb over the smooth surface of the gilt armrest of the throne.

-I'm glad to hear that.

-You have called me just to ask if I am doing well? – Lucy inquired

Jude shook his head.

-No, Lucy, I would like to discuss with you your sixteenth birthday. – the King pronounced affectionately. – You must have heard that our situation at the front can hardly be called successful. The dragons are starting to win, and the wizards and witches that could block their force with their magic are suffering from an unknown disease.

-Yes, I have heard about it.

The king nodded.

-And, as you are becoming an adult and I am not immortal, unfortunately, I have started to think about the future of our Kingdom.

-Your Majesty, I pray to God for your health and even if the duty of taking care of our people lies on my shoulders, believe me, I will not let you down! – the girl said impulsively.

Jude smiled with satisfaction.

-I am glad to hear that. But you do not know what war is, and although you had learned the subtleties of military science, you did not succeed much, as I was told. – the King mentioned to which Lucy hung her head in shame. - That is why I decided to treat the problem in a different way. If the future Queen cannot wield a sword, then she should master magic.

Lucy raised her head abruptly, in disbelief, looking at the King.

-Father?..

-Lucy Heartfilia, princess of the Kingdom of Fiore and future queen, I am sending you to the village of Celestial Spirits, where you will be trained by the artisans and masters of the most powerful magic – the magic of submission! During this time I will do my best to protect our borders and my hope will be directed to the fact that when my daughter comes back her strength will be enough to oppose these miserable creatures!

Her father's words echoed in the throne room and something snapped inside the young princess.

She was running without stopping, stumbling over the voluminous petticoats of her silk dress and scuffing her tidy shoes in the dirt. A satin ribbon from her plait was lost somewhere on the way and her long hair spread over her back. She pushed the familiar door open, running into the familiar cave and burst into a loud, shrill wail of misery. She dropped to her knees, digging her nails into the soft, yielding ground. She took no notice of the pain. She did not want to notice anything but a burning hole in her heart flaring up like a fire from hell.

-Lucy!

In a moment she found herself in the warm arms and the huge wings enfolded her like a cocoon. She started to weep louder, burying her face against the familiar shoulder. One hand tunneled into her hair and the other one curved firmly around her waist, and now she was feeling safe as never before. After a while her sobbing began to lessen and tears on her cheeks began to dry up, but Natsu did not move away from the girl, seeming to hold her even tighter to his strong chest.

Lucy was so grateful to him for this as she had never been before.

-What happened? – after a while Natsu broke the silence.

The princess was watching the swans attentively swimming in the lake (did it seem to her one black feather could be seen amid the white ones on one of the swans' wings?). She closed her eyes.

-My father is sending me to study magic for two years, - the girl whispered.

Natsu scowled.

-And this is what made you cry? Isn't it great? Magic is cool!

Involuntary laughter snorted out of her.

-Don't you understand, Natsu? I will be trained to fight against dragons. Against your race and your nation… - Lucy stayed silent for a moment, reluctant to admit what she was going to say. – Against you, Natsu.

The dragon ran his hand over the girl's hair and she relaxed without realizing it, feeling a measured beating of two dragon hearts.

-So what? The most important is not what our nation or our parents want, - he took her chin softly, lifting her head, and there was something in his eyes so magical and charming that her fluttering heart stopped for an instant. – The most important, Lucy, is our own choice. And the day will come, when you and I will change the world. Because the war…

-…is not our choice, - the girl finished for the dragon and, without a second thought, raised herself a little, leaving her kiss on the prince's hot, weather-beaten lips.

These rooms, the very stage where their stories had unfolded

"Our King deeply sympathizes with all those whose families have suffered losses in a great war against the Sky Monsters. We will never forget those who gave their lives for peace and prosperity of our Kingdom.

To the glory of their memory we will keep fighting against our enemies!

Their sacrifice will not be in vain! The King gives his word!"

"Fiore News" Year 773

"…In the last battle against the human offspring at the Valley of Sky Witch our troops scored a sweeping victory! So let's celebrate it and let's honor the memory of the fallen with the volley of our flame. We will keep winning and we will not give the humans any chance of beating us.

I, your king, am telling you this!"

© The quote from the address of Igneel the First to his nation. Year 774

Seventeen years old.

The forest of "Fireflies" had not changed at all and it gave hope to a young wizard that a lot of other things had also remained the same. With every step she took along the familiar path her heart was trying to break free; her hands were sweating and her legs were invaded by an unfamiliar weakness.

She was afraid that the door, which had appeared so suddenly and unexpectedly one day, could have disappeared in the same way. She was afraid that having entered there she would not find the one for the sake of whom she had come there. She was afraid she would not find the smiling dragon whose image had been branded on her memory.

She let out a gusty sigh, stopping before the tree of accis so familiar to her, over which, as before, was a rounded door with a gilt knob. In two years it became covered with moss and wild ivy, but one thing remained the same – it beckoned her as much as before.

Breathing in, Lucy pulled the door opened resolutely, without hesitation, just as when she was a six year old girl. She crossed the threshold of the enchanted cave and the purest air filled up her lungs. As if during these two years her face had been covered with a bandage that did not let her breathe and see, and now, when the bandage had been pulled off, the princess was able to breathe deeply again and see bright, blinding colors of Life.

The cave had not changed at all. The small lake was still sparkling like an emerald shining and on its surface the sun, the moon and the myriad of stars were reflected. The lotus was still blooming and the soft grass tickled her feet. The fireflies were still circling and the water lilies were still floating. Lucy smiled widely, slowly approaching the lake.

She was at home. After two tough years not the cold palace but this cave was her haven, a place that she could call home without hesitation.

-Wizard outfit suits you, Your Highness, - a cozy silence was broken by a familiar voice.

Smiling happily, the princess turned round abruptly, and her heart, in the same way as once a long time ago, skipped a beat when she saw the familiar, dear eyes. It was the only thing that was important now.

-Your waistcoat suits you too, Dragon Prince, - the girl said. – It matches your huge wings.

Natsu smiled widely, spreading his wings and in the twinkling of an eye embraced Lucy. His hot breath scorched her earlobe that had turned pink.

-I missed you.

Lucy clasped her arms round the neck of the prince, burying her hands in his lengthened hair and softly touching his rising horns.

-I missed you too, - she whispered, - so much.

Here and now neither of their titles nor their predestinations mattered. Here and now all that mattered were their souls connected with a scarlet thread and their hearts beating as one.

"The detachment of recruit wizards under the direction of the princess Lucy Heartfilia has been formed. The new combat unit will be completely ready for the forthcoming battle.

Get ready for the execution of the "Celestial wizard" plan".

Message from the King of Fiore to the Commander in Chief Gildarts Clive

"A reconnaissance party reported an invasion under the direction of specially trained wizards that is being prepared by Fiore. The barrier has been worn out enough and now we think that the success will depend on the element of surprise. Our army is completely ready for an immediate invasion".

Message from the Commander in Chief of the Scarlet Kingdom to the Dragon King Igneel the First

The hot breath was burning. It was everywhere, enmeshing her with caressing tongues of fire, making her desire more, giving herself over entirely. Lucy stretched herself up, pulling Natsu's face closer, in order to finally feel the taste of his lips that had been pursuing her for two years. Natsu let out a guttural moan into her mouth, drawing the girl closer. He cupped her face with his hands, pressing his lips to hers again and again, like a famished wayfarer. His tongue softly traced over her teeth, and Lucy opened her mouth without a moment's thought, letting him in. She had never felt so complete before.

Two hundred dragons lined up along the perimeter of the barrier that had been protecting Fiore for a few centuries already.

Natsu carefully laid the girl on the soft grass, slowly covering her skin with abrupt kisses, going down lower and lower with every kiss. Lucy uttered a long moan, when the lips of the dragon covered her sensitive neck, and now she really wanted him to leave his marks on her milky skin as a reminder for the future. Because the princess understood that beyond the cave they would soon stand on different sides. The battle was inevitable. But not now. Now she was willing to melt in the hot arms of the dragon. Willing to succumb to a lustful desire, in order not to regret afterwards about what she had not done.

Igneel severely examined the ranks of his army. He could not understand where his heir had gone, but there was no time to search for him now.

The satin cloak of the wizard was pulled off her fragile-looking shoulders, and every millimeter of the revealed snow-white skin was covered with short quick dragon's kisses. It seemed that he wanted to prolong these moments forever. But it was beyond his powers.

-Natsu, - the girl breathed out, drawing him closer for another kiss. Her hands began to fumble confusedly over the fabric of his waistcoat, finding silver buttons and releasing them from captivity.

The dragon moved away and Lucy saw that his usual gray iris had been turned into an amber-colored, bestial one, burning through, with a narrowed pupil that crossed his eye vertically. The girl touched his cheek gently, feeling the coarse surface of the flakes. And at this very moment, for this dragon, at this place she was feeling boundless love filling her to the brim.

Perhaps, Natsu saw it in her eyes – the next moment he kissed her with renewed force, putting into this kiss much more than he should in their situation. It would be easier, simpler. But it's not for them, is it?

At a signal, the dragons spread their majestic wings and launched their powerful streams of fire at the barrier.

Every touch was leaving a small mark in the soul of the girl. A mark that will never disappear and even after years, will remind about itself stinging slightly.

The princess knew what she was doing, and every kiss echoed with a sharp pain in her heart. But they could not stop. And even if they could, they would not.

After all, who knew what would happen in a day or two? Who knew, because their next meeting could take place on the battlefield.

That is why here and now they enjoyed seconds of happiness given to them. True happiness.

Igneel grinned when cracks began to appear on the transparent surface of the barrier.

Natsu embraced Lucy's naked figure, carefully supporting her from behind with his wings. He was kissing every sensitive spot with fleeting, fluttering touches, softly preparing her for himself. The girl's natural scent was driving the dragon crazy, and there was nothing he could do when something close to roaring issued from his throat, provoked by that desire, that thirst, that strong and unfeigned feeling that was piercing every cell of his body.

The dragon loved this girl. Loved her with all of his two hearts, sincerely and strongly. Loved so much that scarlet dots of dizziness swirled before his eyes, and he wanted to protect and guard this fragile human flower! He loved her and he did not know what he would do when the war brought them face to face.

The first splinter of the barrier flew off.

The only thing Lucy saw before her eyes was the bright amber of the eyes of the dragon.

Millions of splinters began to fall down from the sky, signifying the destruction of the only obstacle between the dragons and their victory.

Natsu slid his hand down the naked hip of the girl, making himself comfortable between her slender spread legs. Lucy's smell was intoxicating him, and her scarlet lips glittering with saliva lured him with their sensuality. The dragon covered them with a kiss, feeling tension spreading all over his body.

-Lucy, - he whispered looking into her eyes, openly and sincerely, - I love you.

In his head it sounded like this: "Perhaps, I will have to say goodbye to you".

Tears filled the eyes of the girl and she forced herself to say faintly:

-I love you.

In her head it sounded like: "We are not kids anymore. We will have to say goodbye to each other".

Her sob sank in a loud moan, when Natsu pushed himself forward, in a single movement becoming one with the girl he loved.

Loud screams rang through the streets of the Kingdom. The king and the queen sprang from their bed, rushing out to the balcony, and what they saw was worse than any nightmare. Huge pillars of pitch-black smoke were rising to the skies, and blood-red fire that was everywhere resembled now scarlet rivers of blood.

-Let's send for the wizards, Layla, - Jude ordered with a hint of steel in his voice, heading for the door.

The queen nodded, looking at the sky, where around the palace the Sky Monsters

were circling like vultures.

Lucy felt a pang of alarm, but she did not pay attention to it, snuggling tighter against the hot chest of Natsu.

These walls, they whisper secrets and memories thereof

-Where have you been, Lucy?! – thundered the loud voice of her father.

The girl was frozen in place, with her eyes wide open, unable to move.

-Father…

-Where. Have. You. BEEN?!

The sounds of the battle were reaching even this place, the throne room, where for her, Lucy, the time had stopped. Because now before her eyes there was only the deathly pale body of her mother lying on the soft pillows. And the only thing that mattered was a scarlet stain spreading on the chemise of Layla Heartfilia. Only this.

-What happened here? – she managed to get out.

Jude sighed, making an effort not to look at the dead body of his wife. The king must be strong.

-They attacked today. Destroyed the barrier and attacked. So, where have you…?

Jude stopped half-way through the sentence, when the princess, without listening to her father finish, rushed to the exit, into the thick of the battle.

The princess ran out into the flaming main square. At its different parts dragons and wizards were waging battle. Some of them had already taken their true form, and for the princess who had seen it for the first time, it was an unexpected sight. But now she was not in the mood for admiring the majestic beasts.

Tears were running down her cheeks, but she paid no attention to them, taking out a bunch of keys attached to her belt and a long leather whip.

Pure hatred was flowing through her veins finding its refuge in her eyes in a frightening way. Her way was blocked by a female dragon who had not taken her true form yet. Her long silver hair reached the ground and her large meaty wings created a light wind. The female dragon grinned when she saw Lucy.

-Lil princess, right? – she twisted her lips into a repulsive smile, - Always wanted to know how the royal flesh tastes.

She pushed off the ground, flapped her wings approaching the girl with lightning speed, but suddenly froze. There was a bewildered look on her face. It seemed that invisible chains bound all her limbs, not letting her move.

Lucy bared her teeth maliciously, running her hand over the whip.

-I am a wizard of submission. Show some respect at least, wretch.

Fear flickered in the amber-colored eyes of the female dragon for a second, but a moment later she dropped dead to the masonry covered with splinters and blood. Lucy just waved her keys that were more lethal than the dragon flame.

"First immobilize, and then kill" – Aquarius's words flitted through the princess's mind.

That is what she was going to do…

-NO!

Lucy spun around, paralyzed with terror. A centimeter from her flashed a dragon's claw, which suddenly failed to hit her and flew off to the other side.

The girl's heart stopped when she saw her savior.

Right in front of her, breathing heavily, stood Natsu who began to take his true form. Huge sharp claws appeared on his hands; canines began to grow, and the wings like a huge shield settled behind the dragon prince's back.

He forced a smile, moving towards her.

-Lucy, I…

-YOU KNEW IT ALL! – the princess shouted, stepping back from him.

Natsu stiffened, bewildered, looking at the girl uncomprehendingly.

-What?

Tears pooled in her eyes and her gut clenched. She wanted to die. Just not to see this… creature.

-You. Knew. It. All, - she repeated, -You knew about the invasion of the dragons!

Natsu shook his head, stepping towards her again.

-No, Lucy, I did not know! I swear. I heard about it on my way home. I really did not know. Believe me. Please.

Heartfilia shook her head. Her weakened legs sank under her and she fell on her knees, clasping her head between her hands.

-I don't believe you, - she whispered, - don't believe you.

-Lucy…

The wizard suddenly raised her head, meeting the regretful eyes of the prince. And in her eyes he saw hatred.

-Get away. Get away, the murderers of my mother. Burn in hell fire. I will kill you. I will kill you all.

Natsu reached out a hand in her direction.

-Lucy, we… We still can change everything. We still can bury the hatchet. Remember we talked about it in our cave? "The day will come when you and I will change everything. Because the war is not our choice".

Lucy clutched her whip tighter.

-We are not children anymore, Natsu. And we cannot believe in fairy tales, - she said and Natsu saw something break inside of her. And he desperately wanted to help her. The princess stood up, squeezing the keys, and having used the spell of increasing the sound level she began to talk so that she could be heard in every corner of the Kingdom. – Dragons, you have killed my mother. You have destroyed almost all my Kingdom. You washed my lands with the blood of my people. You will pay for that. The day will come, the hour will come, when I, Lucy Heartfilia, the princess of Fiore, will exterminate all your race. But now…

The girl closed her eyes, joining the keys and the whip. Suddenly huge flows of magic burst from the princess's body, and all the dragons together with the bodies of their dead companions faded into the air, and the barrier began to spread over the sky again. It took all the strength of the wizard. But before she fell down unconscious, Lucy had seen the outstretched hand of the prince of the Scarlet Kingdom and eyes that were full of pain.

The feathers of the swans grew entirely black.

"A sequence of disasters overtook our Kingdom. Today in the morning came the news of the death of our great King Jude Heartfilia. The burial ceremony of the King and the Queen will take place on the same day. Citizens who wish to pay their final tribute may come to the Royal burial vault".

"Coronation of the princess of Fiore will take place in the morning on the next day after the funeral of the King and the Queen".

"A year after the GISM (The great invasion of the sky monsters) Fiore Kingdom has finally been fully recovered. Our queen assures that the barrier has been completely recovered and will never be disturbed again by the Sky Monsters. So let's pray for our Queen!"

"After a year of calm the battle between people and dragons started again"

"On the night of 21 to 22 October the Dragon King passed away. The cause of death is unknown, but the suspicions appeared that the King had been poisoned. Cremation ceremony will take place at the Palace square. Coronation of the heir – on the next day".

"I, Lucy Heartfilia, the queen of the Kingdom of Fiore suggest putting an end to the hostility between our races. It is time to cease this bloody fighting. As a solution I suggest the last battle be on neutral territory. The one who loses lays down arms forever and submits to the one who wins…"

© The quote from the message from the queen of the Kingdom of Fiore Lucy Heartfilia to the king of the Scarlet Kingdom Year 777

"I, the king of the Scarlet Kingdom, Natsu Dragneel fully support your idea about stopping the meaningless war. However, in order to avoid unnecessary casualties, I am making a counteroffer. I, dragon Natsu Dragneel, challenge you, human Lucy Heartfilia, to a fight in the cave of "Fireflies". Face to face. No fatalities. Let's finish it where it began…"

Twenty years old.

- Your Majesty, you don't have to…

Having landed on the ground, the Queen adjusted her battle suit, checked to ensure that the keys, the whip and the sword forged especially for her were in their places. Taking a look at her adviser the girl smiled.

- Don't worry, Loke. Somebody must put an end to all of this. And if heaven believes that this honor belongs to me… so be it.

And, having handed to her adviser the bridle of her white-maned mare, the queen slowly entered the forest, stepping on the path she had not walked for almost three years. Her step was firm and resolute and her eyes were serious and full of determination. Without a second thought she was cutting down branches preventing her from going forward, not even noticing the beauty of the Forest of Fireflies.

Lucy Heartfilia stopped before the familiar tree. Her eyes glided over the blackened door that looked as if it was about to go to pieces. The queen, hesitating just for a moment, grabbed the gilt knob and, inhaling deeply, pulled the door open.

The queen would not confess to anybody that her heart contracted in a familiar way.

But that door no longer leads us to that love

"The tree of accis is a haven of the fairies. This is where they are building their nests, small and cozy houses that turn into huge enchanted spaces after they die. Nobody knows what shape the fairy's nest will take. Sometimes it may become forests, new cities or boundless valleys. But there is one thing we know for sure. Only the chosen can enter the house of the dead fairy. Only the people who are destined to change history".

Lucy entered the huge cave, feeling the familiar fresh air fanning her face in pleasant touches. The girl tightened her lips, closing the door behind her. This place hurt her. This place brought back unnecessary memories that pierced the soul of the queen of Fiore with thorny needles.

Walking a bit forward, Lucy fixed her eyes on the emerald surface of the lake. Everything here was as before. The lake reflecting the moon, and the sun, and the myriad of stars; the lilies steadily floating on the surface of the water; the lotus in blossom and the grass soft as duck down. And only the black swans swimming in the lake were different from the queen's memories.

May it be possible that this blackness on their feathers was the reflection of what was happening in the souls of the guests of this place?

- Do you remember how we met? – came a soft voice.

Lucy turned her head sharply. On the lake shore, having folded his wings behind him and looking at the water surface, the dragon king was sitting, holding in his hands a handful of flat stones. The wizard had not even realized he was there.

- Of course, - she whispered back.

- I often came here, - seeming not to hear her, the dragon continued, - Perhaps you don't know but such doors appear in the accis when the fairy who had lived here leaves this world. I was so happy when I came across this door in our forest, because according to the legend it meant that I was the chosen, that I am destined to change the history, - Natsu was fingering the stones, continuing his tale. – And then suddenly you appeared here. A little human kid who asked me if I was a fairy. You know, Lucy, you were looking like a small porcelain doll. Innocent and pure. I wanted to protect you from everything. That is why I became your friend and I was glad when you also became my friend. – Natsu grinned, looking at the stone, and a second later threw it into the water. The stone skipped a few times, sinking into the emerald deep, and Lucy watched the spreading circles, enchanted. – Here, at this very place, we made a promise that nothing will ruin our friendship. And a bit later you kissed me for the first time. – The dragon turned his head toward the girl, and all the grief of the world reflected in his eyes. In his once so lively eyes. – So why? Why, Lucy, does everything have to end here and now? Why does everything have to end like this?

Lucy was looking intently into the eyes of the dragon. It felt like an iron vice gripped her throat and the burning scars of memories began to sting with an unbelievable force.

The queen unsheathed her sword and unsolicited tears flashed in her eyes.

- Because this is reality, and we are not the children that believe that the races fighting for centuries will achieve peace all of a sudden. Because… - the girl put the blade against the naked neck of the dragon, - this is the only way to achieve peace at least somewhere.

Natsu did not break eye contact with Lucy, whose hand holding the sword was shuddering slightly. The dragon smiled sadly, bending forward, completely exposing his neck to the Queen.

-I f this is your decision, I am ready to make this sacrifice, - the King whispered, relaxing his wings. – Chop, Lucy, but do me at least one favor… Don't take vengeance on my nation for the mistakes of one dragon. No one is to blame for your mother's death. Don't condemn my race for eternal suffering.

The queen, astonished by the words of the dragon, bit her lip trying to keep back a rush of tears. Clasping the sword with two hands, she took a deep breath.

The boy with the bright hair grinned, placing his hands on his hips.

Call me Natsu! – he announced in a loud voice, raising his head proudly. – And I'm a dragon!

The swans froze in place. The fireflies began to die out one by one.

-Lucy, let's give each other a promise that no matter what happens, we will not let anything destroy our friendship!

The queen raised her sword.

- So what? The most important is not what our nation or our parents want, - he took her chin softly, lifting her head, and there was something in his eyes so magical and charming that her fluttering heart stopped for an instant. – The most important, Lucy, is our own choice. And the day will come, when you and I will change the world. Because the war…

…is not our choice.

A lonely tear ran down her cheek.

- Lucy, I love you.

The sword slipped out from the weakened fingers and fell on the grass with a muffled clanging. Lucy dropped her arms limply, feeling the vice that was gripping her chest loosened, and having freed herself from it, she felt an unprecedented weakness through her whole body. But the strong arms of her personal dragon did not let her fall down.

Natsu smiled at the girl, softly removing the hair from her face.

- I believed you wouldn't do it, - he whispered.

Lucy cuddled up to the hot chest of the dragon, letting herself to be one more time a little girl that needed a protection of her loyal friend.

- How could I kill someone who will have to give me back all the gold I spent on the recovery of the Kingdom?

Natsu smiled widely.

- So I will finally be able to see with my own eyes these animals with horns?

- I suppose, they will think you are one of them, - the girl grinned.

They had a lot to discuss and a lot to do. But here and now only this moment was important. And they could let themselves enjoy it.

By and large, we choose the shortest way because we think that it will cause fewer casualties. But after a long and winding road don't we become stronger, don't we gain new experience and necessary skills?

In the end, could we say for sure that two warring kingdoms would never be able to co-exist in peace and harmony? No. Sometimes you just have to take a chance even if it is risky.

Well, who knows, maybe life will give us unexpected surprises, and the risk that could have caused a disaster, would become the first step towards peace. The most important is to take this step.

The feathers of the swans cleared themselves from the blackness. The fireflies began to shine brighter than before.