I had a way then,
Losing it all on my own,
I had a heart then—
But the queen has been overthrown.
And I'm not sleeping now,
The dark is to hard to beat,
And I'm not giving all,
The strength I need to push me.
Lights;Ellie Goulding.
"It is said that the Fire king will not see anyone without a heart of gold," Harbo, the wise warrior told Lucy. They had just reached the island and the beach here was much like the one at the end of Moshu. One thing, however, was the heat here was much more intense than before. Rumbling was something to get used to, as the volcano did that a lot. Lucy seemed to be the only one concerned of this, as the warriors seemed to not notice the rumbling of the ground below.
'Maybe I'm just insane?' the stellar mage thought. Though, the girl could not deny the anxiety she felt—what if her heart wasn't pure enough? Was there a way to test this? Voicing her thoughts out loud, Harbo nodded at the girl.
"You will not be able to set foot off the beach if you do not have a pure heart, Ms. Heartphilia."
Almond eyes widened as she curled her toes into the flaxen sand, it was a nervous habit she's always had—curling her toes. Gulping, the girl looked at the edge of the beach, where there seemed to be a dirt pathway, leading into the depths of this island's forest. No doubt, if she followed that dirt path, the mage would end up at the foot of the rocky volcano.
"I guess we'll have to test that theory out, Harbo," Lucy Heartphilia said, though her voice showed confidence, her stomach squirmed seemingly more than before when she approached the isle. Clenching her fists, the girl moved forward about twenty yards to the edge of the pathway. What would happen if her heart was not pure enough? Would she be pushed back, or turned to ashes by lava? Lucy's author imagination imagined being turned to stone and then being brought back to Fairy Tail as such.
Shaking her head of such thoughts, the girl closed her chocolate orbs and reached out her bare right foot and moved forward. One step was all it took.
Then it happened—she was safe! Turning around, she saw Harbo nodding at the girl. She succeeded! Then the girl became flustered, she had a heart of gold, she was pure. For some reason, that just made the stellar mage so embarrassed, but nonetheless, she followed the dirt path.
Her eyes darted in every direction, her right hand at her whip, ready for an attack. Chuckling slightly, Lucy pondered on whether or not she was being a little paranoid about this, much like Erza could be sometimes. Then again, who could blame her? She's been attacked so many times by those Elfman things in the jungle and even a baby Wyvern! It's not bad to be on alert! Winning the argument against her own self, Lucy of course, did not notice that she walked head way onto a giant rock.
The back of her head said a quick and painful hello to the dirt ground below her and the girl had to blink several times before her eye came into focus. Groaning, she reached her left hand and rubbed her head ever so softly, "I shouldn't think so much…" Lucy grumbled.
Using her elbows as leverage, the girl got up slowly and looked up—she was so lost in her train of thought she didn't even notice how all in front of her was high, tan colored rock. She was at her destination, the foot of the volcano.
"Nice one, Lucy," she scolded herself, sighting she bent her knees and stood up. Squinting as the sun glared on her form, she put an arm over her eyes and looked around. "How am I supposed to climb up there? The first step is about twenty feet! Think Lucy, think…"
None of her spirits could fly, the first step is so high up, not to mention steep. Placing an arm on her chin, the girl paced around, thinking quickly on what to do. She was at a loss, however as the girl had no idea what to do. She had thirteen golden keys, four silver keys—and yet none of them could fly! She had a whip, but how could…
"That's it! My whip!" the girl smiled and reached down to her side, grabbing said item. Looking around, the girl ran over to a nearby tree and grabbed onto bark. Gulping, she used the hardness to climb up, though it did sting her feet a little, since she had no shoes. Her sneakers were long gone, and her flip flops would only be a nuisance. Once she made it to the almost top, the landing was only four short feet above her. Apart of the rock, however had a pointed ledge, one that if used correctly, her whips could wrap around and the girl could swing herself over.
"I just hope I won't fall," Lucy said, though for some reason she seemed oddly clam about this. Her right hand, whips in it, went back and then went forward, fast and hard.
Her first try, the end did not wrap around the pointing edge. Sighing, the girl tried once more, and to no avail. Balancing her body so that she could reach a little higher than her previous position, the stellar mage was ready to succeed this time. These frustrating failures were working on her last nerve.
"Go!" she yelled for extra luck, and her naturally cherry lips formed a bright smile then her plan finally worked. "Third times the charm!" exclaimed the proud stellar mage. Tugging on the whips slightly, she made sure that the added weight didn't infringe her ability to leap across.
Sweat rolled from her forehead and she closed her eyes and jumped off her well balanced branch and moved across the ledge. Her two legs sticking out, Lucy looked as if she was on a swing, going upwards. Wit her eyes close, the blonde felt like she was flying through the air.
The tip of her feet made contact with the side of the volcano rock, once again, it stung a little but not enough to keep the girl from climbing upward. Steadily, she curled her toes against the hard rock and used her new gained upper body strength to pull her up.
Once at the twenty feet high ledge and after tenuous hard work, Lucy finally made it. Taking a breather, she noticed, with happiness, that the rest of the climb did not seem as bad as the first step, or leap so to speak.
"I still have to be careful," said the blonde who nodded with determination. Once her lungs were filled with air and she was no longer gasping, Lucy Heartphilia continued to climb up the hot, hard rock of the volcano.
Then, of course to her luck, rumbling from the volcano itself came. "Oh come on!" the girl yelled in anger as she gripped the cemented rock, a part of her was scared of the rumbling and the other part held on so she wouldn't fall to her death, or even worse, fall to the bottom causing her to re-climb up this length. "Wahhh~!" Lucy cried comically at the thought.
Thankfully, the rumbling stopped after about ten seconds, sighing contently that she did not, in fact, fall, she continued the hard work it took and strength it took to climb upwards on a very active volcano.
"I just hope the Fire king won't let it erupt," Lucy though hopefully as she climbed. Her thoughts were occupied by her family, Fairy Tail, once again. This climb would be easy enough for Erza, thought Lucy. With this new inspiration in her head, she once again found herself at a luxury edge; this one was about a hundred, hundred and fifty—give or take—feet above the ground.
Sitting down with her now banged up legs dangling off the edge; Lucy Heartphilia welcomed the view that came with being this high. The island itself seemed small, it was only an hour, hours and half walk to get to the foot of the mountain. Actually, it seemed the foot, foot was the beach. Chuckling at herself, Lucy shook her head, "I was so lost in thought I didn't even notice I was walking uphill," she chastised herself.
Now, Lucy's neck turned upwards at the top of the volcano, maybe another power climb would be all it took to get to the top—finally. Standing back up now, the girl took her whip out and threw it up, successfully tying it around another pointed rock. Tugging once again to make sure the rock was sturdy enough, and it was, the girl started to climb against the wall once more.
It seemed all of her handwork paid off, once at the top she winced—the rock was now hot. "I should have brought something…" Lucy scolded herself, regretting her previous decision to be barefoot.
Looking around at the base, she sighed, no one was here. Was he…could the Fire King be inside the chamber with all that lava? "No human could do that," Lucy contradicted herself.
"Then again, who said he had to be human," gulping, the girl ripped some fabric off of the end of her long shirt and wrapped it around her feet. "That feels a little better, at the least tolerable." She commented nodding.
Gulping, the feeling of calm was washed away as she approached the edge, the pit of lava was down below and the heart made her blink her brown orbs. Wincing at the sudden pain from the heat, Lucy called out, "Fire King! Can you help me? Helloooo~!"
No reply. Groaning, she placed each one of her hands around her mouth, just like a megaphone, "Fire King! I need your assistance!" she yelled, "Are you there!"
Again, no reply. Nothing, not even rumbling of the mountain! Growling now, Lucy took on her bait of pacing around the center of the massive hole and spoke aloud to herself, "Hmm what can I do? Natsu would know what to do…What would Natsu do…?"
It seemed as if she needed a secret password all along. The rumbling came once more and the girl's eyes widened. Thump thump, thump thump, thump. Her hastily beating heart seemed to override the rumbling. The island itself was shaking as a figure started to appear out of the hot lava pit.
Blocking her head and closing her eyes, Lucy protected herself from the figure. Suddenly, a roar overrode any noise. This roar made her heart seem to stop, and everything became silent as the rumbling stopped.
She heard a roar similar to this, and said roar made her entire body freeze. It was like Acnoliga's roar, though it seemed much kinder, well from her perspective it does. Putting her arms to her side and opening her brown orbs, Lucy's looked at what she suspected the Fire King.
Before her was a giant, beast. Its scales were as red as blood and shined in the sun, giving it a beautiful color. Wings were tied neatly behind its back as the big black eyes on it's head looked down at the human girl. Its teeth were as long as the girl's legs and the canines poked out of the sides of its snout. Before her was a dragon.
"You know of Natsu?" the great dragon's voice lulled her ears and Lucy suddenly found her voice able to be put into use.
"Y-You're a dragon," Lucy said dumbly, stating the obvious. Looking amused, the great dragon nodded, but did not speak once more as Lucy's mouth rambled on. "A-Are you…Igneel?" her head was now tilted and it seemed her eyes could not drink in the sight of the dragon just yet.
"You are correct, are you a Ms. Lucy Heartphilia?" the dragon asked back.
"Yes, I am Lucy Heartphilia, a celestial mage of the guild, Fairy Tail. To answer your question before, yes, I know of Natsu. He is…well, I think he is my best friend, partner and a fellow mage of Fairy Tail!" said the blonde boldly.
Igneel chuckled a hearty dragon chuckle, "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Heartphilia. Are you sure you're just a friend of Natsu's? Your scent and his are mixed,"
"I-I'm sure," said Lucy, unaware of the true meaning of the fire dragon's words.
"You mentioned before of needing my help," the dragon stated, but before he could continue, Lucy spoke once more.
"I do! And in return, I will give you anything!"
"Anything?" said the dragon with an amused smile.
"Anything!" yelled the girl back, her brown eyes once more lit with pure determination.
"What assistance do you need, Lucy Heartphilia of Fairy Tail?" the dragon asked, looking down at the girl.
"I need the vital information on how to slay the Wyvern! The villagers told me that you as the Fire King had such information." The girl said sternly to the dragon.
Igneel straightened up and looked down at the girl, "A wyvern weakness is love. Unlike us dragons, Wyverns cannot feel such emotions, as they are only half-dragon. Love can defeat any evil, as shown throughout history, Lucy Heartphilia. It takes not only a talented mage but a loving one to slay a Wyvern."
Lucy nodded, but her smile dimmed seeing her confidence break down, the dragon spoke, "If you are a Fairy Tail mage, then you should have no problems. As you did survive not only the climb and the heat, but you made it pass the beach."
Lucy's smiled brightened and she looked up at him, "I know that, but…the One Magic, I have a theory that…that the One Magic is love as well. So in short, to slay a Wyvern, I need that, right?"
"An interesting theory, Ms. Heartphilia, another mage once said that to me as well, though she was just as unsure as you. In fact, you and I both know this mage, her name was Layla Heartphilia—your mother. She too, had a request for me," Igneel said, he dipped his head down to get a closer look at the now awe-struck human, "In return for this request, she granted me something no other mage could—the secret of the stars, or in short, Urano Metria. It was her family secret, and as a dragon and not her family, I did not no of such. Though, my curiosity of it never left me. Would you like to know her request?"
Lucy nodded, her lips forming another brilliant illuminating smile at the great frie dragon.
"That if her daughter, you, ever crossed paths with me, I would assist her no matter what, that with my wisdom and knowledge, I, the great fire dragon Igneel, would assist a young Ms. Lucy Heartphilia with her quest."
Luc blinked, "R-really? I'm very flattered," the now flustered mage said, "You already gave me the assistance I needed…now it's time for me to return! What is your side of the request, Igneel?"
The dragon blinked, surprised—she does not need to return anything, as he is following through Layla's request. "I know you are fulfilling my mother's request…but please allow em to help you with whatever you need!"
Igneel chuckled she is the child of Layla and the mate of his own son, Natsu. "If you insist, Ms. Heartphilia. My request comes in a portion of three, if you do not mind at all," Igneel paused and Lucy shook her head, fine with the three part deal, "first is to forgive my foolish son, Natsu, as he had been treating you unfairly the month previous before you left. I watch him daily, so I know, I pretended to be oblivious earlier, though I must admit I did recognize your voice. Until you mentioned Natsu, my thoughts were confirmed." The girl smiled and nodded, giggling ever so slightly.
"That's easy, Igneel. I don't really like holding grudges, living life with such negativity is so…bland. I already forgave all my nakama, the moment I left the guild the day I accepted the request!"
Igneel chuckled and nodded, continuing, "Second is I bare a message for Natsu and the children of Metalicana and Grandine, "Come back to this volcano, so you can continue your training. We've had to wait an extra seven years thanks to Acnoliga and Zeref, but the time is now." The dragon finished and Lucy's eyes widened with happiness.
"Of course I would tell them!" she jumped up, fist pumping in the air, happy for her nakama.
Igneel left out throaty laughter, "And the third is not to die. I don't think anyone, especially my son, would be able to live without you breathing. After having actually meet you, I too, would be saddened."
Lucy smiled softly at the dragon, "It's a promise. As a celestial mage and a proud member of Fairy Tail—I will fulfill your requests, the great Fire Dragon, Igneel!"
Igneel nodded and then he reached out a clawed hand, in it was a small bag of sorts, "Take this, when you need, the powers of a fire dragon will go to you—only use in dire situations, though," the red dragon advised and continued, "It will last a short time, as you are not a dragon slayer,"
Taking the bag, Lucy nodded and smiled once more at the red dragon, "Thanks Igneel, when I get back, I'll tell Natsu, Gajeel and Wendy."
"I'll see you when you come back, then," Igneel bowed and Lucy's eyes widened in surprise.
"B-back?"
"Of course, it would be strange if the children's friends didn't come along, no?" Igneel said, "Now, Ms. Heartphilia, I think that you strained yourself enough, no? Shall I give you and your warrior friends a ride back to the Moshu shore?"
Lucy's brown orbs widened, "W-what? I can't accept that, Igneel!" the modest mage said, shaking her head.
Without further ado, the mighty dragon picked Lucy up and extended his great red and black wings. With that, he swooped down to the beach, it took a mere few seconds but Lucy was crying for her dear life.
Once near the beach, Igneel flew above the water and the six warriors' jaws all dropped at the sight. Harbo, sensing no danger told his men to relax, "Is this the great Fire King, Ms. Heartphilia?"
Lucy, who was now much calmer than a few seconds back nodded, "Yes, and he offered us a ride back to Moshu!"
The warriors cheered and Igneel placed Lucy on his neck, and the girl grabbed on tightly to the dragon's scales, not to tight as to hurt the mystical creature. Once everything was set, Igneel flew up in the air and went towards the island of Moshu.
Bidding her goodbye to Igneel, Lucy was full of giddiness as the dragon flew once more back to his home in the volcano. The bag he gave her in one hand, the blonde looked to the horizon—the sun was setting. Turning to the warriors she asked, "You guys want to rest here for tonight and start the journey back to the village tomorrow?"
"That would be nice," Harbo said, smiling at the girl. All of the men cheered and the girl sat her buttocks in the sand, the slight waves tickling her feet. Sitting next to her was Noël, the one who saved her from walking into a tree a few months back.
"This adventure had much more in store for than you thought, huh?" the warrior asked, looking at the stellar mage.
"It has, but I know I will never forget it. I've met with the people in this island; they are so kind and nice. That Wyvern needs to go down, if it's the last thing I do." Lucy said, smirking with new found confidence.
"That's nice to know," Noël nodded.
"Did…did anyone you know get killed?" the blonde cautiously asked.
Noël nodded solemnly, "My mother and older brother," he answered, and then looked at Lucy, "Don't feel bad for me, knowing that you're trying your best is already enough." He reassured.
Lucy smiled sweetly, and looked from Noël to the horizon once again. The water looked even more breathtaking with tints of the orange sun brushing on it. Standing up, she girl bid farewell to Noël and went to were designated sleeping spot. Her body ached, but she knew all her efforts were worth it.
Eleven months, it has been that long since Lucy has left Magnolia. The two month travel back to the village was nice, as no more baby Wyverns attacked the group of seven. Presently the stellar mage was pacing up a bag to take with her to the cave of the Wyvern. Just twelve months ago, the girl was broken hearted and felt as if her world was ending. Between the love of her life loving another and the letter from her mother, Lucy felt as if the dark would take over her. Which it did for a short while, she cried a lot, was a mess, and honestly couldn't sleep during that period of darkness in her life. It was amazing, the change she went through in that short time. Before she decided to hunt for the One Magic, she knew for a fact, Lucy wasn't giving it her all. Between the darkness of neglect, broken heart syndrome and a demise coming for her the more the clock ticked—Lucy Heartphilia had no hope or light.
Then, she thought, much like at the top of the volcano, what Natsu would do. He wouldn't let some old curse set him off his course, and that, she knew.
Natsu Dragoneel gave her light, hope. She was not longer a stone statue, and she decided to live. If Lucy Heartphilia could not find the One Magic, then that was okay. The last three years of her life would be filled with happiness, not the darkness again. Lucy would be able to rest peacefully, knowing she went down fighting.
Fixing her blue skirt, white collar and making her keys and whip were all set nice and tied to her skirt. Lucy once again checked her supplies in the knack pack she brought. Surplus supply of water check. Food, check. First Aid kit check. Back up whip, check. Extra pair of boots, check. Hair ties check. Brush check. Bag of fire check. Nodding contently, Lucy moved the leaves, or well, opened the door of her hut and set forth on the one path to take.
The northern one path—towards Deathly Mountain, where the head Wyvern's cave was at, where her final destination would lay, this time, however she would e going alone.
As she walked through the village, th children were looking at her determined figure with wide eyes. Would their beloved stellar mage make it? They believed so, the travel itself took a week or so. The chief nodded at her as she opened the gate.
"See ya soon!" she called to the village people, some even saluted her. The girl walked, once again, into the dense fauna of this strange island. The sound of the gate closing was the last thing she heard from the village she came to love and respect.
Lucy found herself curling her toes in her own boots out of nervousness, happy to see that this was not in fact, a dream.
Noises,
I play with in my head.
Touch my own skin,
And hope that I'm still breathing.
Lights;Ellie Goulding
A/N: See! I told you that the next chapter would be longer! :P I also made it slightly more descriptive, hope you like it! The climax is building up, be careful Lucy!
Reminder: The bear/rhino monster so strong, Lucy dubbed them Elfman, because of their beastly strength.
Someone asked about the care package, remember: Mr. Hornz, the mayor of Naru, has it in his possession. He's holding it for Lucy!
Idk when the next chapter will be up, but it will be just as long, hopefully, and I am about to start after I upload this!
A review for your thoughts?
—Cupcake
