I DO NOT OWN: FAIRY TAIL or FALL OUT BOYS (I KNOW WHAT YOU DID IN THE dARK)

Additional music I DO NOT OWN. it matches chapter 2: music called (Tortured Heart) by Gothic storm, it's instrumental!

Oh and one of my suggestions is probably listening to the music too. Put a lot of emotion in to it! Enjoy

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Lock and Key chp 2: Reaching Out

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Three days later, now 10:21 p.m. in Magnolia

A gentle humid breeze swept through the well-lit town of Magnolia. Streets were overflowing with decorations, food stands, and carnival booths where cheerful friends and families were celebrating the Hanami Festival, or Cherry Blossom trees event.

For endless hours in the Fairy Tail guild infirmary, Natsu stared into Lucy's face; wanting to stroke her smooth jaw line that ran near her pale lips. Wanted her eyelids to open, but then, could he really look into her lifeless brown orbs? Feel her icy fragile arms, but afraid that just one touch will shatter her all at once? What can he say? What can he do that was beyond the living?

"Natsu!" The door banged open, and pounding steps shook the infirmary bed as Natsu curled more up next to lifeless Lucy. It was stale silence before he was yanked off the bed, then thrown down to the floor with a thump."GET UP! We don't have time for this Natsu..."Still Natsu gave no response, making who ever thrown Natsu, grumbled angrily as he lightly pull Natsu up, and leaned him against the infirmary bed.

"What if I said there was a way to revive Lucy? A way to break the disease that Mira, Erza, Levy, and Juvia have and save them?" Apparently ever since Natsu brought Lucy's dead body three days ago, the girls helped him carried Lucy to the bed. Although once they touched Lucy to bandage her up, all of the four girl's hands turned into charcoal. Ever since then it's been growing, the girls soon reported they were having trouble breathing. They were going to die soon, and so far there was no cure.

Natsu snapped his head straight forward to Markova face,"Revive? I thought you said nothing could be brought back from the dead?"

"Well she's not exactly dead... "said Markova as he motioned his head toward Lucy before looking back at Natsu,"I sent Gajeel as a double agent to the council to check information about the stolen weapon. That secret weapon must be what you and Lucy were looking for on your quest, right? Yes? Then we have to know what the weapon does before getting Lucy back. Here's the thing though, Gajeel thinks he found out Lucy's soul is now in the stolen weapon itself! But the Dark Image still has it..."

"What about about the four girls who have the disease?"

"I'll explain! The blade was only meant for the council's soldiers: For them to capture the enemy easily. First they pinned the blade into their skin, just a pinch, then their blood activates the blade calling it 'Blade User'. The blade activates because the owner of that blade has magic abilities. The blade that is pinned into their owner's blood... part of their magic is put into the blade. It is then thrown at the enemy, but not to kill. Just trap their souls. However, for example an evil lord is stabbed by the blade and has friends to help him out, such as carrying him off the battlefield...but his friends are in bad luck. It's like the evil lord's body is suddenly diseased to touch, and his friends get sick or killed from it".

"I think I sort of get it... I remembered the Dark Image threw a blade at me, slashing my cheek just barely" replied Natsu as he put his hand over the slice mark on his cheek," But wasn't the Dark Image suppose to be the owner of the blade? Trapping my soul since it hit me first?"

"I don't think the Dark Image knew how to use the blade. He probably just stole the experiment weapon from the council without realizing what it can do".

"Maybe..." Natsu mumbled in agreement, and looked away to gaze at Lucy."So since the blade hit me first, I activated the blade without knowing it. Then when the Dark Image was fighting Lucy and s-stabbed her... her soul was actually taken and is now inside the blade".

"The owner of the blade doesn't get affected by the disease"commented Markova as he added," So when you brought Lucy in, the four other girls helped you carried her; they got affected by the disease. Fire, burns, charcoal... it was your magic. That's the proof! You're the owner of the blade! Your magic was in the blade that caused it to be activated".

"Then that settles it..." chuckled Natsu as he got up from the floor, his legs suddenly felt like he could run for miles," I'm getting Lucy back, and saving Juvia, Ezra, Levy, and Mirajane from the disease". Although there was a problem, Natsu knew he would face the Dark Image again; his enemy still had the blade and somehow escaped from his uncontrollable powers.

"Rascal! You do know that the council's looking for you, right? Ever since you lost control of your angry or powers, you destroyed the mountain/cave and a whole town that was nearby the mountain; thousands of people killed..." Markova gloomily stared at Natsu, then patted at his shoulder," I know you didn't mean for that to happen... but the council wants to execute you since they found out what happen. They know the destruction of your powers. Which is why... I'll be working on some arrangements for you when you bring back Lucy".

"So you're saying...I'm not in the guild anymore?"

Markova nodded,"It's for the best. I'll ask Jellal if you can join the Crime Sorciere. It's the least I can do so you don't get caught by the council".

Heart-torn from leaving the guild he lead and loved most, unwillingly Natsu he went toward the door and opened it,"I agree, but I hope it doesn't disappoint Lucy too much".

"It's not your fault Natsu. I'm sorry..."

Looking back at his master, Natsu gave him a weird look,"It's not like I'm dying, Gramps. I promise I'll visit some time, and avoid the council as much as possible. However... I'll work hard to pay for my sins. I will be in Fairy Tail again".

The Rising Moon, The Rising-ish Hero 11:03 p.m.

Everything was a blur, zipping blindly past trees, tripping and falling so much he cursed with content, yet still lurched forward at an astonishing speed. His mind never felt so narrow-minded as he kept looking forward that for each rasping breath for air...

"Lucy, Lucy, Lucy!"

Just as the crumbled mountains came into view, Natsu glared against the moonlight that settled upon his face. There was no way mourn, no way to say 'I'm sorry' to the council... he had killed an entire town nearby. And was unable to protect Lucy too.

Natsu felt his chest tightened with guilt, making him snarled violently, why did he had to bring her on that stupid quest?! How could he be so careless about the signs of danger? Lucy did say she didn't want to.. but he had to butt in any way.

"Dragonslayers: Crimson Hack!"

Exploding half of the side of the mountain ruins, Natsu stood unsteadily as he waited and listened. "Your sexy girl... hehe my, my... she's a nice pearl for a sacrifice".

"Sacrifice?" frowned Natsu as he dashed to an opening of a tunnel. He can sacrifice a shitty pig for all I care! But why her?! Why Lucy?! What was she for? What did she have that he couldn't possible trade places with? Natsu almost stumbled to the ground as he halted to a stop. Trade places? Why the heck I am thinking that for?! Kicking his ass is what I'd do to get her back-

"But is Lucy worth getting back?..." Natsu slowly shifted his gaze toward the ground as he held on to the wall for support, thinking. Lucy did kick and whack him in the most abusive ways of some sort, saying things like 'pervert' or 'go to hell'. Technically he just dropped into her house to say 'hi', and somehow he shock her in a way that gave him almost a brain damage. Damn Hell scary! Although there was something in the way... that she laughed, smiled? Making him feel ... Happy? Goofy? Like an idiot?

Natsu rubbed his chin thoughtfully: maybe because it was the way his cheeks were heating up and had no control of the situation on how he blushed? Key word: no control whatsoever in a situation that makes his cheeks pink or unknowingly make stupid moves to impress her. Now that's being an idiot. Natsu groaned and slapped his now, red face,"That's embarrassing! A woman controls me... tch, what kind of sick world is this!?" He shook his head in confusion as he fussed uncomfortably, How does she make me act like that? Or make me feel like I have no control over myself? So is she worth saving or not?

"Dude, you coming for your babe' or not? because seriously, her and I have a ceremonial marriage to attend to. hehe...HAHAHAAH, she'll be my beautiful bride!"

Natsu blinked and punched the rock wall he was leaning on, feverishly bellowing "What do you mean by YOUR bride? She's MY mate you punk-ass!" Yet again Natsu almost froze, Did I say that? Yep, that weirdo Lucy controlled him for sure. When the smoked cleared, Natsu realized the wall was obliterated and that lead into another room. Since was he so powerful? Probably since Lucy controls him, she gives him unbelievable powers. As Natsu looked strangely at his hands, he then gave a loud whoop," Thanks LUCY!"

"what kind of low prince are you to save this damsel?"

Natsu snapped out his cheers and entered the room, facing the Dark Image "Thought I sent your ass to hell, guess this time I'll make sure it".

The Dark Image laughed as he opened a portal, "Let's not make this a bloody mess, you back down and let me go free. Or I'll kill her".

Flames erupted the entire room, black smoke swirled about as Natsu's skin began to transform to dragon scales,"You'll kill your bride to be?"

Smirking devilishly, the Dark Image held up the blade that still had some left over blood on it,"Hmmm... it's a bargain that I'd keep her alive while you let us go free. Thought you were the type that wanted people to live. So I know you'll let us go free anyways".

Natsu's red eyes showed no mercy, and noticing a faint glow on the blade. Lucy's soul."That's not living if she's suffering from you. She doesn't love you!"Love? Why did I even spit out that word? Is this what it's about? I know what love is... but I-I just don't know how it happens. But do I feel that way...?"

"Hmm...then what if she doesn't love you" slowly questioned the Dark Image, but was unaware of Natsu's fast speed... Natsu was already behind the Dark Image.

"Tch, I don't care if she loves me or not. All that I know... IS THAT I WANT TO PROTECT HER!".

Hope you like this chapter! Especially I had a funny time (toying with Natsu's mind), but I do hope Natsu knows what love is. Wonder if someone should do a poll on him and ask 'define Love' . Ha! But we all know Natsu isn't that stupid, he just hides his inner feelings... actually hides it very well. Like a ninja 0.0)(.

Let me get this straight, why is the Dark Image trying to marry Lucy? Figure out next chapter! (^.^).

Please comment, or ask any questions about this chapter (I hope I explained the blade right, it's a cool blade, but hard to explain. Please tell me of it's confusing and I'll re-edit the wording) Thanks! Love ya! (*.^)b