A/N Hello, readers! I am so sorry I wasn't able to post a new chapter in such a long while. With school starting again, it's going to take me a while to complete a new chapter. I apologize for the inconvenience. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Chapter 9: Escape

(Happy's POV)

I don't get enough credit for this…

I half walk, half stumble as I find my way towards the stage, where we first found Natsu. Well, I don't really want to go there, with Natsu being madly insane, but at least I'd find someone else there with me. I just hope that nothing goes wrong.

…

…

…

…

How long have I been walking for? It must've been at least an hour, right?

No, Happy. It's only been 4 seconds.

Argh, how big is this place anyways?! Why can't I find – or hear – anyone?! I hope the group didn't just leave me behind. Wait, what if they did?! Oh, when I reunite with them, they are gonna get an earful! Especially Lucy for dropping me.

I doubt that, Happy…Unless you're planning on switching bodies with Erza again.

Maybe it would be easier if I fly up to the top, but then again, I don't think I have enough magic to do that. I'm lucky enough to be able to somewhat walk, minus the first time I tried to stand up and failed. Somehow, my body can adjust a little bit to the poison inside me; maybe it's a merit of being a talking cat!

Oh, Happy, if only you knew who – or what – you really are…

"Lucy, Gray!" I called in a desperate attempt to find someone here. "Where are you guys?"

In return, my echo calls back to me. Nothing else.

Suddenly, I hear a scream from the direction I am walking towards – more specifically, Natsu's scream. In fact, it didn't sound that far away.

My tow blue ears deflate a little as I let out a little whimper.

'What is happening over there?' I thought as I ran towards the center with as much strength as I could muster.

(Lucy's POV)

As Natsu appear in front of me with a vicious grin, I couldn't help but take a step back in fear.

'He's gone, completely smothered by darkness!" a part of me thought.

I should be ashamed for thinking like that; instead, I was too panicked to have faith in the boy I loved, and still love.

"Natsu?"

The fear was clear in my voice. I flinch at my own tone, silently cursing myself for losing trust in Natsu, even if he's not himself right now.

Natsu froze, his eyes flashing back to its original color.

"Go," he murmured, sounding strained.

He fell to his knees, teeth gritted in what seems like a one-sided struggle for control inside his mind. Meanwhile, I slowly back away. Within seconds, I'm running away at full speed.

'I'm sorry for leaving you, Natsu!' I thought as tears well up inside my eyes.

I hate myself for running away, for not being there to help Natsu – even though there is nothing I can do for him.

" Lucy…" Natsu hissed from afar.

I nearly tripped – on nothing, might I add. The tears are coming faster now. He's gone. No longer is he protecting me – from himself and from Zero; he wants to rip me apart. I was so focused on putting one foot in front of the other that I didn't realize until it was too late.

"Found you," someone said gleefully beside me.

I screamed, startled by the voice, stepped back, tripped, and fell on to the pavement. I look up to see Natsu chuckling darkly, standing just a few centimeters away from where I was standing. Clearly, he seems to be enjoying the scene. I, on the other hand, am thinking frantically for a way out of this mess.

Before I can do anything, Natsu's arm lit on fire.

'Oh, no,' I thought.

I used up all my magic a while back. If only I could summon a spirit, then I can buy some time for…for whoever else that is out there to find us.

"Natsu, this isn't you!" I pleaded, trying to keep all of my inner turmoil out of my voice.

He shook his head mockingly, and put on another one of his twisted grins. "This is exactly who I am, and who I want to be."

"No, that's not true!" I insisted.

"It is true," his grin grew wider. "And I can kill you to prove my point."

Natsu drew closer, his hand reaching for my delicate throat.

"Say hello to hell."

(Natsu's POV)

Power is coursing through me; the power of the Nirvana. With its powers, I'll never run out of magic. As long as I do its biddings, that is.

Right now, I need to kill that blondie – no, I want to kill her. She's such an easy prey, it wouldn't take much of my magic to destroy her.

Something inside me feels wrong, like it has a mind of its own. But it's suppressed by my ambitions and greed.

"Natsu, this isn't you!" the blondie begged.

I shook my head, silently laughing at the pitiful scene. That girl is covered in dirt and scratches, it's almost heartbreaking to see. Yet all she tries to do is spurt some nonsense. Seriously, I literally have no idea what she's talking about. But then again, all of this won't matter anymore; as soon as I kill that weakling, nothing else will matter. Just thinking about that fills my blood with excitement.

"This is exactly who I am and who I want to be."

The despair in her eyes are so easy to read, I almost went into a fit of laughter. It was her fault for having such high hopes for an illusion. She's seriously delusional.

"No, that's not true!" she continued, though her eyes say otherwise.

It's entertaining to see her lose hope, considering how confident she sounded moments ago.

'Lucy…' a whisper sounded from the back of my mind.

I stopped.

What is this feeling? Regret? Melancholy?

Sensing my agitation, Zero spoke into my head. 'Kill her already!'

I grin, ignoring those feelings welling up inside of me. "It is true, and I can kill you to prove my point."

Lucy looked at me, unshed tears watering her eyes. But I don't care, I don't need to care. There is no connection between us, yet she was stupidly eager to believe that there was something good inside me. She is wrong, of course. I chose darkness over light, and it was worth it. It took away all the negative emotions in me. It changed those thoughts into power, capturing me with its energy. All it asks in return is my unwavering loyalty to my master.

I step forward, one arm reaching towards the girl's neck, itching to break it.

" Say hello to hell," I said, my hand almost reaching its destination. The girl seems to accept her fate, as she closes her eyes in defeat.

Time slowed.

Suddenly, a winged creature flew out from one of the buildings and charged at me, colliding with my forehead. I took a few steps back, caught off guard by the sudden attack.

"What the heck?!" I shouted, my blood boiling from the fact that some stupid flying cat had scared me.

Without a second's delay, the cat snatched my prey and flied away.

"Happy!" the blonde exclaimed, her eyes now open. For the first time in a while, she smiled.

Something about that smile disoriented me. I could only watch blankly as they flew further and further away from me.

'What are you doing? Go after them!' Zero ordered me telepathically.

But it was too late. By the time l snapped out of my confusion, the two shadows were gone, covered up by the crimson sky.

A/N Well, that's it for today. Yes, I know, things are starting to get a bit boring, so I'll try to speed things up a little. I will try to update as soon as possible, but I know that it will take some time. Bare with me, everyone!