Endless nightmare
Chapter 10
At first the two ran, well happy flew, down the tunnel until Natsu ran into a wall. It was a sharp right turn. Since the two could only see darkness, they had to continue at a slow jog, keeping their hands out ,reaching for the walls to expect a corner. It felt like they had been going for hours, passing down several corridoors.
Suddenly a small light glowed at the end of the tunnel. Natsu began to run towards the light. He saw a blond mage dressed in a white cloak awaiting them at the end of the tunnel and he ran as fast as he could.
When he reached the end the beautiful mage turned around to see her dragon slayer emerge out of the darkness. He smiled and she smiled back. "You came," she sighed in relief.
"You came!" Natsu laughed in reply.
"We need to go, Fairy Tail knows of your escape. It wont be long until they find out I'm missing too." She hastily explained.
"Then Lets go." He smiled.
"We only have 10 minutes." Happy added.
Natsu began to lead Lucy towards the field down the path.
Suddenly bells began to chime throughout the town. A hallowing scream followed.
"Lucy's been captured. They're leaving down the west lane!" The voice echoed. Everyone formed into a mob chasing after the three escapees.
"We've been spotted!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Then it's all about the chase!" The playful dragon slayer joked causing the uneasy girl to laugh. They both ran with the mob at there heels.
"Oh no!" Happy exclaimed. "The doors they're closing! We have 2 minutes." Natsu smiled.
They were at the bottom of the feild. They were going to make it. They made it towards the doors.
"30 seconds!" Happy reminded. They were so close...
Lucys foot caught on a rabbit hole and fell to the ground. She had twisted her ankle. Natsu ran to her side and swooped her under one arm.
"20 seconds!" Happy chirpped.
"We wont make it together like this Natsu!" Lucy moaned.
"We will!" Natsu said heading towards the door.
"10 seconds!" A they were only 2 feet from the door.
"No Natsu!" she pulled from under his arm. She gave him a small kiss of the cheek as she pushed the boy backwards away from her.
"Lucy what are yo-" He called to her falling back into the light.
"Kiss me Natsu. And I will come back to you." She called disappearing into the background
"3...2...1." Happy counted down. Natsu fell just through the crack of the door.
His eyes shot open. He was back in the guild. "Lucy!" He cried. Everyone ran into the circle to greet the awakening Natsu. Natsu swatted everyone away from him as he rushed over to Lucy.
"Lucy! Lucy wake up! Lucy!" He cried. His head fell onto her chest as he felt the small beat of her heart. Everyone fell back. They all knew.
"It didn't work..." Levy whispered falling back into Gajeel's arms. He held her close. They all watched in shock.
"Send me back!" Natsu cried at Hiro. Hiro was dripping with sweat and his hands shook. It took almost all his magical energy to send Natsu.
"I'm sorry Natsu. There was only one chance. They gates are closed forever." Hiro puffed.
"No...Lucy!" Natsu cried shaking the body of the girl. Guildarts stepped in to pull Natsu away from her. The dragon slayer struggled in Guildarts grip but he wouldn't let him go. He pulled him outside the guild.
"Someone take Lucy back to the infermary." The master muttered as he walked slowly back to his office. Laxus stepped forward to pick up the blond girl and carry her back up the stairs to the infermary. Erza and Gray followed Laxus and Lucy up the stairs. Everyone else just sat silently in a quiet despair.
"That was our last hope!" Erza muttered to Gray as Laxus laid Lucy back into her bed pulling the sheets up to her neck.
"That fire ball screwed it up." Gray growled. Erza's hand caught the ice mage across the cheek.
"No. Gray. It's not Natsu's fault. He would easily give his life for Lucy if he could. He tried his best." Erza whispered. Gray felt a pang of guild as he rubbed his sore cheek he stormed out of the guild in fustration.
"Want me to go after him?" Laxus offered. Erza shook her head.
"Let him be for now." Erza replied looking at the sleeping girl. "I'll stay with her, will you go help them clean up the guildhall." Laxus nodded. He wouldn't usually take orders from Erza but under the circumstances he just nodded. He gave Erza a gentle pat on the shoulder as he passed which she appreciated. She sat besides her bed for the rest of the day. The guildhall was cleaned and everything was back where it was back midday. Everyone stayed as support to one another. The whole guild sat in silence. It was gloomy and despairing. Gray hadn't come back so Juvia desided to go looking for him.
Eventually she found him sat on a tall hill looking over magnolia. Juvia didn't say a word but just sat besides him. They both stared out at the horison they sun was falling and the moon was just coming into play. Juvia's hand reached out to touch the ice-mages. Instead of pulling away he tightly held her hand. Juvia was happy to be there for Gray but she didn't do this for her own gain. She felt greif for loosing Lucy too. They held each others company as the sun went down bring forth the night.
The stars were bright and shining outside in the night sky. Natsu was with Guildarts by the river.
"Lucy loved the stars." Natsu happily smiled looking at the little lights. Guildarts looked at Natsu with concerning eyes. He was scared if he said something he could break into little peices. He was the only one who understood how delicate he was now. "She always used to talk about them at night." Natsu added. His eyes looked distantly into the skylights.
"She was a celestrial wizard." Guildarts reminded him. The boy began to laughed.
"Yeah she was..." He sighed. The elder mage didn't like seeing Natsu hurt like this. Even though he's not showing it right now, he was completely broken on the inside. The only one who could fix him, or know what to do right know was Lucy. Even Happy wouldn't know what to do.
"You should go see her." Guildarts suggested. He knew he's been dying to see her again, she may not be awake but he always liked to keep a close eye on her. Natsu took one last deep sigh. "Yeah," Natsu replied as he got up. "Thanks," He waved and left heading back to the guild. Guildarts nodded at his thanks.
As Natsu entered the guildhall, all eyes locked onto him. However he just ignored them. His facial expression was blank confusing most of the watchers. Silently he headed up the stairs and into the infermary. Small muttering and whispering erupted from the guildhall as he closed the door behind him. Erza heard the boy enter, she turned looking at the boy simpathetically. "I know you tried your best Natsu." The mage greeted him. She got up to let Natsu sit in the small arm chair which he always sat when he was besides Lucy. Gratefully he took the seat and cupped the sleeping girls hand into his. The armoured mage watched the dragon slayer watching Lucy. She nodded respectfully and began to leave.
"She did it again." He spoke aloud not moving his gaze from Lucy's face. Erza jerked backwards and turned to the boy. "She sacraficed herself to save me...again." He replied.
"What do you mean Natsu?" Erza asked.
"Before. In the dream. We almost made it but she twisted her ankle so I had to help her walk. We almost made it, but we only had 5 seconds left and Lucy knew we wouldn't make it with her ankle like it was. So she pulled away from me and pushed me towards the door. I only just made it back." He muttered calmly.
"I see," The S-class mage replied calmly. "She's always been like that, trying her best to save everyone."
"I should have been protecting her, not the other way around." Natsu growled.
"But it is the other way round, we protect her and she protects us. Without Lucy we would all be gone right now, including herself." Natsu's head fell. Erza knew she hurt the boy's feelings but it was wronge for him to feel responsable. She sighed and left swiftly out the room.
Natsu spent the rest of the night by her side. He found himself stroking his cheek remembering her soft lips against his. Suddenly a thought popped into his head. 'Kiss me Natsu, and I will come back to you.' Lucy's voice rang through his body like it was hollow. 'Kiss me Natsu.' He leant over onto the bed just as the sun rays began to light the room. The sun wasn't quiet peeking over yet but it would soon. The pre-sun orange light trickled across Lucy's soft face. His face was inchs away from hers. He felt her warm breath on his face. As he hand outline her beautiful features he smiled. "Just maybe..." He began. He hesitantly got closer and closer. Until finally, his gentle lips kissed her soft mouth. His eyes closed as he held the moment locking it in his heart. As he pulled away he watched her eyes with a heart full of hope. The sun began to peak over the mountain tops staining the room a warm orange. As the bright rays hit Lucy's face she began to stir. Natsu didn't move but kept his concentration on her eyes. The began to flutter. Slowly but surely they opened to reveal big brown eyes gazing into his.
"Natsu?" She mummbled.
"Lucy!" He exclaimed. His head fell onto her chest as he began to laugh. Joy-filled tears began to slowly trickle down his face.
"Natsu!" She wrapped her arms around the dragon slayer's neck holding him close.
"Luce you're awake!" He cried. The sound of a smashing glass and a tray hitting the wooden floor caught Natsu's attention. Lucy turned to see a shocked white haired beautiful girl in a red dress watching.
"Lucy!" She wailed. Pulling her out of Natsu's arms and into hers. She embraced the mage as a flood of tears rolled down her face. Natsu wiped his own away thinking Gray would be annoyed. He realised the guild didn't know.
"Hey Mira! Why don't we have a bit of fun with our new knowledge?" He playfully tapped his nose with a sly grin on his face.
"What do you mean Natsu?" Mira asked instantly regretting it. He began to chuckle as he told Lucy and Mira about his fun plan. In the end the two girls agreed.