The first thing she noticed was the absence of swaying. Her cheek pressed heavily against a cool surface. The sweat clung to the back of her neck from the sweltering heat she recalled from the vast jungle the three mages had found themselves in. She realized at once she was no longer being carried. As Lucy opened her eyes slowly her vision was blurry, and felt as though she had opened them submerged in murky water, and her limbs felt as though they were being weighed down heavy as lead. She could not make out her surroundings, and she felt hard pavement beneath her aching shoulder where someone, she assumed, must have thrown her. Her head was pounding rhythmically against her forehead and she felt completely disoriented. Lucy wiggled slightly feeling the rough rope strangle her wrists behind her back. She groaned at the sensation and began trying to wriggle free.
"Finally she's awake!" Lucy heard a female voice exclaim from nearby. As her vision began to clear she could make out the small woman she had seen before in the group of poachers. "Took you long enough peaches." The woman purred watching her every movement closely. The woman's name etched in Lucy's memory as Shell. She had her elbows resting on her knees, and her hands cupped her chin in what looked to be utter boredom. Without a word Lucy began to pull against the tight restraints again.
"No need to struggle girly, there's no way you're getting free." Shell laughed. Lucy glanced around. They had apparently made it to the shrine. The stone walls were covered in moss and other greenery. It appeared ancient and almost crumbling before her eyes. It was unsettling to Lucy, only making her squirm more in her bindings. Her eyes glancing frantically noticing the entrance to the shrine opened up into a clearing of lush green grass. The pavement slowly submerged with the greenery that claimed the heated land.
"There is nowhere to escape now; it's just you and me." Shell said her eyes trained eagerly on the blonde struggling to break free. Lucy knew the only way out of this was to fight. She eyed her opponent ever observantly as the petite woman continued to speak. "You see pinky is headed that way." She informed the blonde pointing toward the peak of the mountain they were originally heading toward. Lucy followed her slender finger as she pointed to the stone beneath her feet. "And we are all the way down here." Shell continued seeming overly giddy. Her short black bob bounced with each giggle. She wore small sandals, and black shorts hugged her hips. A blue sleeveless top revealed ample cleavage as she leaned down to get a good look at her celestial prey. Her icy blue eyes pierced Lucy's gaze in absolute interest.
"I'm going to get a lot of money for you pretty peaches. It's not every day you find a celestial spirit mage with ten of the twelve zodiac keys." Shell mused looking up at the sky with a dreamy expression. Lucy was now taking in more details, anything that may help her escape. The only noticeable landmark was the disintegrating shrine behind the woman. Glancing back around the clearing Lucy grinned inwardly. A larger area gave her an advantage with her spirits. The happy feeling was dashed quickly as she glanced back up at Shell. A jingle and clanking had pulled her attention. Gold flashed tauntingly under Lucy's site. Her keys dangled from Shell's slender finger provokingly, although the seemingly distracted woman's attention appeared to be somewhere else.
"I never liked shrines, always creepy and old." Shell said continuing to fiddle with Lucy's keys. Her whip she realized strapped securely to the small woman's hip. Lucy felt at a loss trying desperately to come up with a strategy while Shell remained distracted. She knew she had at least one thing as an advantage. Natsu was headed straight for her; unlike what the poachers were lead to believe. Somehow it seemed this curse was able to be of some advantage. Lucy looked across the clearing toward the direction they had come. Inside all she wanted was to be saved by her best friend, but a part of her recalled their time deep in each other's mind. The confidence Natsu had for Lucy's abilities had been enough to share his magic with her. To accomplish a powerful unison raid together. No. This time I will fight this on my own. She thought to herself.
"Oi peaches, what are you thinking about? You don't talk much. It's boring." Shell asked with a voice that announced her utter disinterest.
"Thinking of how I'm going to kick your ass." Lucy said calmly, not lifting her gaze from the area she knew Natsu would be streaming down soon. She had made up her mind at that moment, and was now turning her head to the wicked raven haired poacher.
"Such confidence, I like it." Shell approved clutching Lucy's keys tighter in her grip. "But what are you going to do without your keys?" She taunted.
"I don't need them." Lucy replied. Her calm tone disguised the turmoil of exactly how she would accomplish the task. Before she was able to attain such a plan however, her eye locked behind Shell's form.
"Oi! What are you looking at creepy girl?" Shell asked suspiciously looking behind her, following the trail of Lucy's attention. "I know they say the shrine is haunted and all, but I won't fall for that lame trick." She said, her eyes giving away her annoyance. Lucy was not paying much attention to the woman and could only stare. Her mouth fell open in disbelief, her skin paling at the very sight. A dark figure crouched beside the oblivious woman, and wrapped an arm around her small shoulders. Shell continued barking at Lucy, and seemed unaware of their current guest.
"Devour her Lucy." The shadow grinned, its eyes glowing menacingly.
"Here we are." Glace pointed to the entrance to the nearing cavern.
"Let's go." Gray urged. It seemed finding the cave gave him a sense of urgency he had not felt before. His main goal ran through his troubled mind. His friends were in great danger, and they were one of their only hopes.
"We need fire wood. That is unless one of you uses fire magic?" Glace inquired. Gray furrowed his brow glancing up at the older man. "I'll take that as a no." He finished, turning his body to proceed into the frosty forest.
"I'll help!" Lyon volunteered, a little too eagerly in the round man's opinion.
"Fine, but no more questions please." Glace asked the excited man beside him. Lyon instantly stood taller and pantomimed his silence, throwing away the invisible key. The old man sighed but gestured for him to follow.
"I'll stay by the cave." Gray informed heading forward. His impatient mood exposed clearly in his words.
"Juvia will join Gray." Juvia said keeping pace with his steps. She eyed him worriedly listening to the pair behind them chatter.
"So you make ice bullets? Or ice guns that shoot ice bullets?" Lyon pestered the man more.
"Son, if you don't mind I'd like to look for suitable fire wood in peace." The man groaned.
"Of course." Lyon said. Juvia could picture his pantomime playing out again behind her. She would have giggled if it weren't for Gray's increasing gloom. When they reached the mouth of the cave Gray sat down in a huff on a large boulder, after throwing off some icy snow. Juvia watched, and waited patiently for him to sit. She noticed the spot beside him was cleared off as well, welcoming her to sit down. Without hesitation she took a seat alongside him.
"Is Gray okay?" Juvia asked quietly. Gray's eyes focused on Juvia, a thought that had once permeated his thoughts now grew smaller, disappearing as quickly as it had sprung into his mind.
"I will be. Once we find this guy and save Natsu and Lucy." Gray sighed feeling no need to keep his thoughts from his partner.
"Juvia understands how Gray feels." She said looking down at her hands that rested in her lap. "Juvia wants to save her friends very much." She explained, her gloves curling into fists, the action not going unnoticed by Gray. A soft gasp escaped Juvia's lips as she felt a warm hand cup one of her angry hands. Her muscles relaxing quickly she followed the hand up to Gray's closeness.
"We'll find him Juvia." Gray assured finding no other words to comfort. He stared at his hand as he spoke. "Don't give up. We're partners after all. We'll definitely find him." Gray looked up into Juvia's midnight blue eyes. He tilted his head in confusion. Her expression seemed distant, for once not focused on his presence. "Juvia?" A soft tear forming at the corners of her eyes as she spoke again, like her eyes, her words seemed distant and filled with determination.
"Juvia's friends are more important than anything. Without Fairy Tail where would Juvia be?" This time her eyes focused slowly, coming to rest on his eagerly awaiting face. "Juvia feels like there is very little time left…" Gray had no doubt she felt this way. This moment however, was the first time he had been able see her absolute determination. He couldn't help but get lost in her ambitious atmosphere. Erza spoke of this once before, but Gray never truly believed it was true.
It was amazing to him. To see her, a woman always giggly and obsessive at the guild now transformed to this strong willed individual before him. Her head leaving the clouds now full of focus for the ones she loved. Gray could only smile at her emotions now, always on her sleeves, never a mystery. So very different from Gray it seemed. He was always restraining his truest emotions, keeping them to himself locked away. Maybe, he thought, that was why he felt himself so drawn to her overflowing emotions that washed over him like the title wave she was. Maybe just maybe, he should take Erza's advice. For all he wanted in that moment was to keep her close, and keep those precious sentiments safe from those who wished to shatter her heart.
"Um, Gray?" Juvia squeaked, her cheeks burning brightly. He realized then he had been holding the hand that he had rested his on earlier, and that his face was only centimeters from hers. Pulling away quickly he scratched the back of his head.
"Maybe we should give Levy another call, and let her know how we're doing?" Gray suggested turning away. Juvia's eyes wider than saucers watching his ears flush profusely. K-K-Kiss?! Juvia's brain screamed as she touched her hand to her cheek in wonder.
"No no! That's not how you do it!" Both mage's attentions were now on the boisterous voices. Two figures emerging from the forest carrying thick sticks.
"But you have to use two hands for a stable melding!" Lyon argued waving a stick in the other man's face.
"Bullets are not meant to be stable! They move much faster with one hand, boy!" Glace continued. Gray and Juvia stood from where they sat. Juvia looked down at the snow internally cursing herself for her sudden interruption.
"Are we ready to go now?" Gray asked as the two neared the cave behind them. Both men stopped arguing, and looked up at the company they had forgotten they had.
"Seems like it." Lyon said, his speech clipped as he walked passed Gray and forward into the darkness. Is pout played on his face like a child restrained from a toy.
"It's okay little lady, we have fire wood now!" Glace chuckled handing Juvia a couple of large sticks.
"Thank you Glace sir." Juvia said taking them from his grasp and passing one to Gray, whose thoughts seemed to cease in mid travel. "For helping Juvia's resolve, thank you Gray, for always being there." She smiled sweetly. "Juvia is glad she was paired together with Gray." He took the wood with a soft chuckle.
"Thanks again for saving my leg Juvia. I'm glad we're together too." He replied before moving forward. "How far is this shrine?" Gray asked the round man beside her.
"Shouldn't be too far, but it does get mighty dark down there." He answered gesturing toward the sticks. "This is where firewood comes in." Juvia followed behind the two men. Gray's last words to her rang in her ears with hope.
I'm glad we're together too.
Natsu's feet hit the ground with as much momentum as he could muster. His direction was toward the east, just as Lucy had instructed. The image of her mangled body made his mind race, and palms sweat.
"Natsu talk to me please!" Wendy begged from behind him, trying urgently to keep up with his pace.
"They have her at a shrine." He said simply, unwilling to worry the small mage with events in a dream.
"Is Lucy okay? She's not hurt is she?" Wendy asked prodding Natsu for as much information as he would allow.
"She'll be fine once I get my hands on these guys." He assured her. She can't be far. He thought. The idea that he could no longer pick up her scent only made him indignant. His breathing becoming harsh and straining for air in the sweltering humid day, and utter exhaustion began to overwhelm him slowly. The heated air whipping past his ears, and it seemed adrenaline was the sole energy source driving him onward. This only reminded him of what little time he had. The curse slowly eating away at the energy and power he had left. There was little time to ask Wendy for help, and at the rate the dreams were progressing he could only estimate how much longer she would even be able to help the two.
Soon he began to hear sounds of struggle reverberating off of the trees around them. The noise drowning out any other that permeated the forest. Looking up he could see birds soaring in every direction, the crashing obviously upsetting their once tranquil environment. He propelled himself forward now eager to see if they had made it to Lucy in time. Passing the last trees, Natsu's eyes were flooded with light. The air clearing only slightly with the now absence of trees, the two dragon slayers came to a sudden halt. They took in the sight before them, eyes wide in understanding. Lucy now stood in front of a withering structure arms outstretched on either side of her. In each of her clenched hands was her celestial whip Fleuve d'étoiles . Between her fingers streamed blood from a previous struggle he could only imagine. Her chest heaved every breath as if it were her last. Before her was a petite woman laughing hysterically at what effort Lucy had made to defeat her it seemed. Spiral pools of water like arms reached out from each arm. It seemed the two astonished slayers had interrupted a battle of sorts. Although it felt as though they were interjecting, the two women pressed on. A sharp jerk from one arm sent one of the spirals downward that collided quickly into Lucy's side. Her body hit the ground with enough force to wipe the wind clean from her lungs. Natsu sprinted toward the exhausted mage, and continued to eye the cackling woman.
"Tenryū no Hōkō!" Wendy cried from a direction Natsu couldn't place, her great winds intercepted another attempt by the water mage to attack.
"Lucy!" Natsu exclaimed, kneeling by her side.
"I'm okay." She offered as she pushed up against her palms, weakly trying to sit up. Her eyes distantly searched for something behind her.
"Don't push yourself. I know you're exhausted." He cautioned. Natsu wrapped one of her bruised arms around his neck bringing her to her feet.
"Help Wendy…" Lucy groaned staggering on her own.
"But you," Natsu began.
"I'll be fine. But you have to be careful." Lucy warned her ever concerned best friend.
"Careful of what?" His brows furrowed in concentration.
"That creature… It was here, but now it's gone." She continued as water sprinkled around them from another attack behind him.
"It's gone. Let's worry about her first." He said with uncertainty running wild within him.
He ducked under her arm, and let her sway before finding her own footing. He stilled, watching her cradle her wounded arm. A crash of rubble from behind jerked Natsu back to the water woman. The dust picking up into the thick air swirled around a statue that had once stood solid beside the archaic shrine. The woman yanked her arms back; pulling what water she had been manipulating into her outstretched palms. An eerie grin spread across her face in triumph over the tiny dragon slayer.
"Wendy!" Lucy cried stumbling to her knees.
"Damn." Natsu mumbled to himself looking from Lucy back to Wendy's shaky form. His blood pounding with what little energy he could muster. His hands were in fists as he glared at the woman before him.
"Her name is Shell… She uses similar magic to Juvia… Although Shell's magic seems more unpredictable to me." Lucy spoke again. Natsu only nodded to this information. His fist was a lite with fiery energy.
"Wendy, get out of there!" Natsu hollered to the small mage who had crawled out of the fallen rock. Wendy moved swiftly as Natsu stood before Shell's ever watchful gaze.
"Who's next, a flame brain? How did you find us?" Shell taunted with an air of confusion, this however she seemed to push away easily to focus on her target. Natsu watched concentrating on her slight movements and timing of breath. He took in their surroundings quickly. The ancient shrine was behind her back, the grassy clearing behind his. Shell's quick movement and manipulation of water in her palms, along with their clashing elements made Natsu uneasy. He was always glad to not have to fight Juvia or Wendy for this particular reason.
"Earth to pinky!" Shell waved over her face. Natsu bent his knees, preparing to end this quickly as possible. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Wendy already tending to Lucy. Their body's slightly farther away from the scene.
"Better watch out water bitch." Natsu grinned as the flames licked his scorching skin. Travelling up his arm until it consumed.
"Flames can't beat my water you arrogant punk kid." Shell sneered jerking her arm back, hands outstretching to begin. Natsu pushed off the ground as hard as he could. His eyes targeting her exposed chest from her careless movements.
"Karyū no Tekken!" He roared as he felt the sensation of his knuckles preparing for first contact. Surprisingly her laughter filled his ears, and a spiral of water streamed down from above him, and like a rag doll sent him flying. The rubble statue met solid with his unsuspecting face.
"Natsu!" He heard his friends yell. He lifted himself up against his palms and watched as blood dripped from somewhere on his forehead. Quickly he whipped what blood he could away, and turned his head to find her attention elsewhere.
"Where were we peaches?" Shell cooed her finger pointing at the celestial mage that was currently being healed by Wendy. "Water Shot." Shell said almost monotone. A small bead of water grew beneath her finger before it disappeared altogether. Natsu searched their faces standing up quickly. His vision blurred slightly with suppressed feebleness.
"Damn it." He whispered straightening his stance.
"Lucy! Don't worry I'll heal you, we have to move." He heard Wendy say frantically. Lucy groaning from whatever impact the bullet of water placed on her body. He closed his eyes and focused on straightening up.
"You are wide open peaches. Did no one teach you to guard?" Shell laughed. Natsu opened his eyes once again. The blurriness was gone for the moment.
"Karyū no Kagizume!" Natsu hollered pushing off the ground with the force of flames. Shell turned, shocked by the dragon slayers quick recovery. His fist prepared to contact her side as hard as he could.
"Āmuzu! Banīa!" Wendy's voice travelled, arms outstretched in assistance. A grin spread across his face when he felt the rush of power surge through his pulse, his arm felt stronger and his legs propelled him faster. Wind whistled past his ears fist ready for contact.
"Water Vapor." Shell said to herself crossing her arms in front of her. A thick mist quickly gathered before her, but Natsu pressed on. His fist connected to the wall sinking deep into its clutches. The wall blocked the woman easily, almost parrying his movements.
"Shit." Natsu mumbled before being sent flying backwards again.
"Open gate of the lion! Leo!" He heard Lucy recite. His back hit the rubble before he could see Loke appear.
"Regurusu Inpakuto!" Leo bellowed. This time Natsu heard a hard collision and Shell's sudden screams echo in his ears. Natsu felt his body sink into the rock. Small running footsteps came toward him at full speed and reminded him that he could be healed.
"Natsu!" Wendy cried crouching beside him. "That combination with your fist should have gone through the wall." She thought aloud, holding her hands up to his body. He had not noticed until now how heavy he was breathing. Even in battle it never felt this hard to breathe. He watched her face twist. Her hands fell before she opened her eyes again.
"I cannot heal you Natsu." She said quietly.
"What? Why?" He asked, somehow already aware of his answer.
"The curse is blocking me…" She trailed off looking back at Loke duking it out with the water mage. "I have to help him."
"Go!" Natsu said weakly pulling himself up slightly. Wendy eyed him, her brows turning in and fists gripped in uncertainty. She stood up quickly running toward the fierce celestial spirit. Natsu looked up at the sky, which was bright blue and shining down on his face. "Damn it all." He said to himself.
"I don't know how long Leo can stay here." Lucy said weakly as she stumbled toward him, falling back against the rock beside him. Natsu looked up at her beaten expression, face covered in dirt. "Natsu we're in trouble." He didn't reply, but instead surveyed the area again.
"I think we can get out of here Lucy… Lucy?" Turning toward her form her eyes closed in peaceful slumber. The pressure in his head from his prior injury sent pain surging through his enfeebled body. His vision blurred before closing in on him like a familiar curtain.
This setting was dark. Everything felt cold to the touch as Natsu groped his surroundings, eyes adjusting to the dimness. He could smell her all around him. It was Lucy's apartment. It had to be.
"She's not here Natsu." A low voice explained. Natsu turned around quickly, eyes wide in anticipation.
"What do you mean? I have to get back." Natsu demanded. His mouth remained open with surprise.
"You will be too late." A ghostly voice whispered into his ear. The apparition walked beside him to stand with the other man.
"What is he talking about?" Natsu asked, searching the red haired man's eyes for answers.
"I can save them." The dark figure grinned beside the man under Natsu's current gaze.
"How? What's going on?!" Natsu commanded arranging to lunge at the dark creature.
"Hold on Natsu." Gildarts warned holding a palm up before him. The dragon slayer halted his movements, and stood up a little straighter.
"Is it really you Gildarts?" Natsu asked. He eyed the man suspiciously looking for anything out of place.
"I am your projection, just as Layla was for Lucy." Gildarts replied simply. Natsu stared into the man's eyes feeling some form of comfort. That comfort whipped away like a sudden breeze as the creature spoke once more.
"Let me help you." It hissed seductively. Its red eyes dimmed to something less fierce.
"How?" Natsu asked again.
"I will take you over from the inside, help you. Give you power Natsu." It's toothy grin enforcing its motives. Natsu eyed the beast, bringing his gaze back to Gildarts.
"I came here to tell you that you should allow him." Gildarts explained.
"Hell no." Natsu growled, his stance back to that of combat.
"She will die." Apparition Gildarts stated. Natsu shook where he stood, heart racing in his chest.
"Lucy." He whispered to himself glaring back at the creature. "What's the catch?" He said louder.
"I take you. That is all." The demon stared without hesitation.
"Kill me?" Natsu asked.
"In a sense." It grinned. "The curse will be broken. Lucy lives. You sleep, forever." Natsu tilted his gaze to stare into the eyes of a man he respected. Real or not he felt Gildarts would know what to do.
"He saved Lucy back there Natsu." Gildarts informed.
"Saved her?" Natsu wondered. "How would you know that?"
"You share a subconscious with Lucy. It wasn't hard for me to see. He appeared before her and set her free from her bindings. Took her keys and whip back from the poacher." He explained.
"Why didn't she tell me?" Natsu asked searching his eyes once more.
"Would you have told Lucy if it happened to you?" He asked the puzzled mage. Natsu closed his eyes in understanding. Lucy must have been unsure as to why he was even helping in the first place. She probably didn't feel it was right to alarm Natsu just yet.
"But you'll spare her?" Natsu asked finally to the smiling shadow creature.
"I will take you. That is all." It repeated.
"You have no time Natsu!" Gildarts said looking up toward the darken ceiling. "I hear them struggling. The lion is gone."
"Tenryū no Saiga!" Wendy called as she lashed out toward Shell. Claw like wind crashing toward her opponent.
"Water Vapor." Shell said and crossed her arms again. The wind ripped through the barrier easily, but diminished with the force it used. "Water Shot."
Wendy quickly dodged the bullet like mass that came toward her. Loke no longer present warned her of Lucy and Natsu's disintegrating magic. Wendy glanced toward their sleeping forms as she rebalanced her stance.
"Too slow little girl. Focus on your enemy." Shell said from beside her. Wendy's eyes grew wide, her heart shooting up to her throat. With a great push forward of Shell's arm she sent Wendy flying in the other direction with a spiral of water. Her small body toppled over the earth with great force. "Is there no one else?!" Shell shouted to the heavens cackling loudly.
"Nice to meet you." A silky voice came from behind her. With a sickening gasp Shell looked down to her torso. Blood gushed past a hand that emerged from a fresh wound.
"Fuck." Shell whispered eyes paling. Before colliding with the plush grass below, she tilted her head eyeing the man behind her. A tearing sound from her ripping flesh interrupted her last words. Her face hit the ground covered instantly with dirt. The figure lifted his hand observing the dripping crimson.
"It's good to be free isn't it Natsu? Full of power?" The creature's voice fell from Natsu's lips.
"Damn you!" A large man screamed, emerging from some near trees. Natsu turned eyes glowing deep and bright with strength.
"Killer! Leave this runt to me." Jareth stepped from behind him marching toward the smiling darkness.
"This will be fun won't it Natsu?" It asked, its toothy grin spreading across its new material face.
I am no good scum who took way too long to update this. I sincerely apologize! :( Many things contributed to my not updating. One of the major reasons for this was my complete distraction and utter absence of motivation. What drove me to update so much before were deadlines I set for myself. I plan to continue setting those now that I have much more time to devote to this project.
On a lighter note I plan to finish Natsu's POV of Lucy's Bad Day next for those who are interest, as well as start a new story to update along with this one after finishing chapter 11 here. It shall be full of nalu angst! (The new story that is.) I already know how this one is going to end and what events are going to take place. As I've been not updating I have been planning and writing a lot of plot down. I'm really excited to share what I've been working on with you!
Feedback would be lovely from you guys. You have all motivated me so much with your reviews. You all made it impossible for me not to finish this story. :) For that I say thank you! Again I used the Japanese for some moves:
* Tenryū no Hōkō – Sky Dragon's Roar
* Karyū no Tekken- Fire Dragon's Iron Fist
* Karyū no Kagizume- Fire Dragon's Claw
* Āmuzu x Banīa- A fusion of the Arms and Vernier spells. Ultimately support for legs and arms.
* Regurusu Inpakuto- Regulus Impact- A powerful melee move.
* Tenryū no Saiga- Sky Dragon's Crushing Fang
Again if there is any questions please let me know and I will answer!