I don't own any characters except Fox. And sorry for the VERY slow updates I'll be sure to updated faster now.

I hope you enjoy chapter 3

Chapter 3 - Two Years Later

The war in Fiore was still going on and Fox had been working on her training to protect the city for the past two years. She had finally became an S class wizard and Erza couldn't be any prouder of her best friend. Fox was assigned to protect the city from invaders by making a force field around Magnolia.

One day when everything seemed calm an explosion was heard from the side of the city. Fox ran to the guild as fast as she could.

"Master what happened," Fox screamed as the rest of her guild mates ran to see what the commotion was and to make sure no one was hurt. Gramps was instructing Evergreen and Elfman to help anyone that was hurt.

"Fox, thank goodness you're here," Gramps walked up to her, "you know what to do. And be careful." Fox smiled at Gramps and ran towards the tower. The tower was actually made shortly after Fox learned that she could through a force field around herself. The tower boosts Fox's power to cover the city of Magnolia and Fox was happy that she could take care of herself and everyone else.

"Fox wait up," Happy flew towards her and kept up with her as she ran into the tower.

"Happy, do you know what's going on?" Fox finally made it to the tower and Happy decided to give Fox a lift. Fox smiled at her exceed friend, she was glad that he stayed with her during the war. She couldn't have done anything without him.

"Nothing but smoke, but the guild was informed that some of the elite soldiers are on their way here," Happy watched as Fox bit her lip. He knew that she was thinking about Natsu. He was also missing him, but he promised to watch out for Fox and he would.

"Well I hope it's nothing to serious," Fox smiled but was secretly hoping that Natsu was alright. As they landed on the top, Fox sat getting comfortable while Happy snuggled up in her lap. She erected the barrier and the rest of Magnolia watched as the orange barrier fell over the city. After a couple of minutes a figure walked up the stairs to and stepped right in front of Fox. It was Natsu, but something seemed off about him, he wore an evil smile that gave her the chills. Happy didn't notice and was about to go to Natsu, but Fox stopped him from moving.

"I knew that you were good," Natsu laughed darkly as black smoke began to surround his form. Fox frowned as the smoke dissipated and a man with blonde hair stood in his place. Happy shook as the man smiled down at them.

"Who are you?" Fox asked as she glared at the man who tried to impersonate the man she loved. The man laughed and tried to grab her through the barrier, but the barrier burned him. He looked at his hands and laughed loudly and had both Fox and Happy flinching from the sound. It was evil and maniacal.

"I knew it was you, the infamous Phoenix," the blonde said as he looked back at his hands which were consumed by black smoke, "let's see how strong you are my pretty bird." He began to punch at the barrier around Fox, and she could feel how strong this man was. The force from his punch was beginning to give her a headache, and Happy could see that Fox was having trouble.

"Hold on, Fox someone will come," Happy whispered trying to comfort her.

"I hope your right," Fox said wishing for Natsu to be here.

*****Meanwhile in the city*****

Makarov and others from the guild had run into some of the enemy and were now fighting them as they were evacuating the civilians to a safe house. As Makarov fought off one of the soldiers he saw that the barrier was beginning to crack, and he knew that Fox was in trouble.

"Erza look," the master yelled as he punched a group of soldiers and pointed to the barrier. Erza looked up and nodded her head in understanding as she began to run towards the tower. On her way there she ran into Gray and Lucy.

"Gray, Lucy Fox needs are help," Erza yelled as she used her requip magic to make a path towards the tower. Gray and Lucy were following Erza, but something just didn't feel right.

"Hey Erza don't you think it a bit strange that all these soldiers attacked after the barrier was up," Gray asked as they got closer to the tower. The cracking in the barrier was beginning to get worse and Gray was getting worried. Lucy was also worried about Fox, she may be as strong as Erza but when the barrier is up she can defend herself.

"I've been thinking the same thing," Lucy chimed in, "how did they even get pass the barrier unless…" Lucy was confident that her assumption was right, but was a bit scared to admit it.

"They were hiding in the city and was waiting for the barrier to be created, but why?" Erza wasn't liking were this was going. What did the dark guild gain from this attack? They all stopped at the base of the tower about to confront the threat when Gray finally thought of something.

"They must be after something," Gray thought but then his eyes widened, "or someone." Erza and Lucy both looked at Gray in horror. It couldn't be, but as they ran inside a scream was heard at the top.

"FOX!" Every yelled.

*****Back at the tower*****

"Fox, are you okay?" Happy asks after Fox screams from the pain. The downside to the barrier is that she is connected to it and any damage taken, is given to her in the form of pain.

"I'll be fine, need to keep the barrier up to keep everyone safe don't I," Fox smiled through the pain and sweat was forming on her brow from the exertion. Happy was glaring at the blonde for hurting Fox, while he could do nothing to stop it. The man laughed as he throw punch after punch at the barrier. Fox didn't know how much longer she could hold the barrier, and was praying someone was coming. Then a sigh a relief left Fox's lips when she saw her friends. Erza, Gray, and Lucy rushed into the room and the dark mage stopped his assault on the barrier.

"Get away from her," Erza said deathly calm, which would have many mages running for the hills. Gray and Lucy also circled around the man, and also trying to see how Fox was doing.

"What took you guys so long?" Fox laughed a little exhausted from the attack, but she quickly repaired her barrier. Gray laughed at the comment and winked. The man just laughed and attacked Erza.

"Sorry for taking so long," Lucy got closer to see if Fox was actually alright, "are you sure you can keep going?" They all knew that the tower drained Fox's power faster than excepted and didn't like her to use it unless absolutely necessary. Fox just nodded as Erza and the dark mage fought. At first it seemed Erza was winning, but the blonde got had Erza retreating. Gray also joined in the fight, which seemed to further excite the man.

"Both you swine mean nothing to me," the dark mage said with indifference, "but my master needs this bird and I want her as well." The man licked his lips as he looked back at Fox. She paled from his comment and wondered why they were after her.

"That will never happen," Gray attacked the man with his ice but was knocked back by a huge power surge from the blonde. Everyone was pushed back and they now knew they were dealing with someone very strong.

"Be careful everyone," Erza yelled as she also attacked, but the man vanished. Erza was about to turn around when she was thrown against the wall. Gray was running towards her when the blonde appeared in front of him and punched in the stomach, also knocking out Gray.

"Lucy you have to run," Fox was terrified and hated herself for hiding behind her magic instead of helping her friends. Lucy just smiled at Fox and faced her foe.

"Open gate of the Lion, Leo" Lucy yelled as her strongest spirit came to aid them. The man in smoke just laughed and disappeared just to reappear behind her and touched her shoulder. As he touched her Lucy and her spirit started to become weak and Lucy fainted.

"Why are you doing this?" Fox screams as tears run down her face. She couldn't take it, she trained so hard to prove that she could take care of herself, but all she was doing was hiding. Happy tried calming Fox down but was also crying as he looked at his unconscious friends. Then, Fox felt someone trying to get through the barrier into the city. As she concentrated on that spot, she recognized the energy flow. Fox was so happy that he was here that she didn't realize she dropped the shield entirely.

"I'll have to thank that flame head for helping me get closer to you," the dark man laughed as he stepped closer to Fox. Her smile dimmed as she realized her mistake, but she wouldn't give up without a fight, she promise. As he went to grab her arm she slapped it away and crouched into a fighting position. Her hand became consumed by multicolored flames.

"I won't make this easy," Fox said as her eyes turned white and she glared at the man who hurt her friends. He laughed and licked his lips, Fox knew he was enjoying this and it scared her even more.

"It wouldn't be fun otherwise."

****so how did you like this chapter. Natsu finally comes back, do you think he'll get to Fox in time? Also reviews are welcome and I read everyone. I promise the next chapter will be soon.