Author's Note: Hello everyone! I'm finishing up the editing for the last chapter and the epilogue as well, so I should have them posted soon! We are in the homestretch of the story and I hope the ending is worth the wait! Just another quick note, I am working on a brand new NaLu story that will be a lot longer than this one. It's called Never Look Back and I will be posting the first chapter soon! Thank-you for your support and I hope you enjoy reading this chapter!
January 8th
My vision was fuzzy, the world spinning around me as I gathered my thoughts. Natsu. He was right in front of me. I was in his arms and he didn't even come close to hurting me, even in his dragon form. He worried so much about losing control and harming everyone he cared about, be he was strong. He was stronger than he realized. I clenched my jaw. It was just a tease, though. We hadn't won and it only fueled my fire. I couldn't lift my wrists to fight against the heavy chains that were weighing my arms down, but I wasn't going to give up. I turned to face the blank wall, examining the mostly barren room. I was chained to a bed, that much was clear. My blood was soaking into the paper thin sheets, yet my body was numb. With the lack of pain, I should be able to handle rubbing my wrists raw in hopes of sliding my hands from their restraints. I needed to conserve what little energy I had left first, before I could even attempt that. The door clicked open and a short woman stumbled in, pulling me from my thoughts. I fixed a glare on her.
"You've been out for days. You need to eat." She placed a cup on the tray near my head. The straw was angled towards my lips and the woman scowled before slamming the door shut behind her. I groaned, turning my face from the drink. Hunger wasn't gnawing at my center anymore, the feeling not really a concern of mine. As I turned my head, something in my hair shifted. Despite my body being weak, I was able to curve my wrists, allowing my hands to settle in my tangled locks. My fingers gripped the metal and yanked it from the messy bun Natsu had made. It was one of my celestial spirit keys. Tears welled in my eyes as I willed the gate to open. I had no idea who it would summon, but I trusted Natsu and whatever decision he made. Virgo formed in front me, eyes wide.
"Princess. Now is it time for punishment?" She blinked, leaning closer to examine me.
"Break these chains. Please Virgo." I begged, chewing on my lip as she nodded.
"As you wish." Effortlessly, Virgo snapped the chains, freeing my arms from the restricted position. I took a deep breath, struggling to push myself up. She assisted me to my feet and I swayed slightly, gripping onto the small end table to regain my balance.
"Can you get us through the floor? It might spare some time and throw them off for a bit." I huffed and Virgo nodded, scooping me up into her arms and drilling her body through the ground. We landed in the middle of a kitchen, a few guards dispersed throughout with plates of various foods. Virgo charged forward, taking a few guards out. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins and I jolted into action. I couldn't even process what was happening as I grabbed a skillet off the stove and slammed it across a guard's face. It burned his cheek as he crumpled to the ground. I tossed the skillet away, grabbing a pot from the sink and slamming it over another guard's head. I spun, Lucy-kicking him straight in the chest. He stumbled backwards, arms flailing until he smacked the pot off the counter, his body collapsing. Virgo had managed to take out the rest of them, giving me time to kneel and catch my breath. Falling through the ceiling definitely caught them all by surprise, giving us the advantage to act before they could process what was happening. If they had been wizards, we would have been screwed.
"I'm sorry Princess. I cannot stay any longer." Her voice faded as Virgo dissipated, returning to the spirit world. I knew I was low on magical energy and I didn't dwell on it for too long before returning her key to the mess of hair on my head. I shoved myself up, knowing I had to keep moving if I wanted to get out of here. I slid through the slightly ajar door, checking the hallway before stumbling down towards the stairs. I was leaving a faint blood trail in my wake, but there was nothing I could do about that. I clutched onto the windowsill, steadying myself on my aching feet so I didn't face-plant in the hallway. I had to find an exit, any exit. That was my only chance. Once I was free, I could get help and come back to find Wendy, if she's even in this place. I took another shaky, deep breath, trying to ignore the pain that was burning through my body now that the numbness had worn off. The sound of a tongue clicking in disapproval startled me.
"You've been a very bad girl, my love. How'd you get out of those chains?" A voice taunted me and I cursed softly under my breath, ignoring the bone-chilling air seeping through the window as I turned. "You know, nothing would have happened to you if you just gave up the location of the last few dragon slayers and the status of your stupid guild. The dad thing, we could have worked through later, but you would have been safe. Why did you have to fight?" Bartron growled, fists clenching. He was hunched, bandages wrapped tightly around his chest.
"I would never tell you anything that would put the people I hold dear in danger. I'd rather die." I spat, sucking down another gulp of air.
"That might be arranged now, Lucy. Boss lady is pissed and she's out for blood now. Your friends are almost here and we can't risk that mess again. Come quietly or I'll use force." I backed up against the edge of the window, eyes shutting as I thought over his words. My friends were almost here. There was still hope. "Your dragon is dead girly. I killed him myself. He did a nice number on me, but he let his rage get the best of him. Come with me." He continued and my body froze, my ears ringing as tears streamed down my cheeks. He couldn't be dead. Natsu wouldn't break his promise to me like that. It wasn't in his nature. Someone like Bartron could never kill someone like Natsu. It wasn't plausible, and yet, Wendy had said Natsu was badly wounded. He had used a lot of his magical energy protecting her when they were attacked. Then he set the entire building on fire when he came to rescue us. If Natsu had died, trying to rescue me, how could I live with myself?
"Then just kill me Bartron. I'm done fighting and I won't give you any information. Just know that my friends won't stop, even after I'm dead." I shouted, my throat burning as I sobbed. I fell to my knees, devastated and tired. He freed the blades from his back, stepping forward slowly. I didn't know what game he was playing, but I was done.
"Such a pity." He sighed, blades hanging at his sides as his shoulders slumped. My eyes snapped open, a sound from outside catching my attention. It was far away, but I'd know that sound anywhere. It sounded like home. I pushed myself up, freeing Virgo's key from my hair, yanking strands out without a care. I slashed it through the screen, opening the door to freedom for me. "Lucy!" Bartron jolted forward as I threw myself out the window. I shut my eyes as I fell, not truly knowing how far the drop was.
"NATSU!" I shouted, the air distorting my voice as I fell. The world slowed down around me as my brain pulled me into a memory, distracting me from the height of the drop.
"Found it!" I shouted in triumph, yanking the ribbon off the highest branch of the oak tree in the center of campus. Levy almost had me there. Her clues would have sent me scouring through the woods around campus if Natsu hadn't mentioned the single tree in the center of the courtyard. I had sprinted away from him, shouting a thank-you over my shoulder. Levy and I had this game where one of us would hide a peach ribbon somewhere on campus and give the other person three clues. Whoever was searching had a day to find it or they bought coffee for the person who hid the ribbon. Looks like Levy was buying coffee today! I smiled widely, bending to tuck the ribbon into my back pocket. As I did so, my other hand slipped off the bark and my breath caught in my throat. I scrambled to grab back onto the branch, but it was too late. I tumbled out of the tree, eyes shut tight as I screamed. The wind was knocked out of me when I hit something that didn't feel like the ground.
"Luce, you're okay. Open your eyes." A calm voice spoke from above me. I slowly opened them to look directly into a familiar onyx gaze.
"Natsu!" I blurted, throwing my arms around his neck tightly, tucking my head under his chin. Natsu had caught me, saving me from various broken bones and a potential concussion. "Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you." I held tighter and he chuckled. When he put me down, his fingers wrapped around my wrist. He pulled me back towards him, enveloping me with his warmth as he hugged me. "Really, Natsu. Thank-you for catching me." I spoke softer this time and looked up to meet his gaze.
"I'll always catch you, Lucy." He smiled widely, stepping back before brushing my tangled hair out of my face with his hand.
"And I'll always catch Natsu!" Happy exclaimed, his smile wide as he perched himself on Natsu's head.
He said he would always catch me and I had to believe that, especially now. His name left my lips once more and I was hit with something warm. It wrapped around my body, holding tightly. I opened my eyes to see Natsu's confident, toothy grin right before he spun us to hit the ground, his body taking the brunt of the blow. We were both bleeding and battered, but alive. Natsu was heavily bandaged, but he was alive. He blinked a few times, the fall disorienting for both of us. He pushed us up, curling my body in his lap as he nuzzled his nose against mine, holding me tightly.
"Luce. I was so freakin' terrified that I wouldn't make it in time. I thought I was going to lose you." He admitted softly, his voice shattered as he buried his face in my hair.
"You came back." It was all I could manage as sobs escaped me once again. I was overwhelmed by the situation. He is alive. Natsu is right here with me.
"I promised, didn't I? I'll always protect yah." He whispered and I untangled myself from his grasp. His eyes widened as I placed both my hands on his cheeks. I yanked his face forward, slamming my broken lips to his as the adrenaline from the fall still pumped through my veins. I poured my heart and soul into the kiss, losing myself to the pressure of Natsu's lips. We melded together effortlessly, his fangs gently nipping at my lips as they parted slightly. He licked his way into my mouth, pulling my body closer to him. My heart was thundering in my chest and we both almost died, but all I could focus on was Natsu. He yanked his face away abruptly, giving me a brief second to see the pure panic in his eyes before catapulting us off the ground.
"Blades of misfortune!" The rubble that we once laid in turned to dust as the dark purple arches cut through it. Natsu placed me on my feet and turned swiftly, positioning himself in front of me with flames dancing on his fists. "How dare you put your lips on my love? Lucy is destined to be with me or destined to die!" Bartron growled as he tore the bandana off his face. His eyes were dark pits, narrowed to glare at Natsu.
"Sorry to break it to yah, but Luce is mine." Natsu hissed, fangs bared as claws formed on his fingers. Dark energy congealed on Bartron's blades and he lifted them to attack.
"Ice make snow tiger!" "Ice make lance!" Two voices shouted in unison as the attacks targeted Bartron, the lance impaling his shoulder as the tiger latched onto his side. The two ice mages launched themselves from the surrounding forest, eyes wild. "Ice make prison!" Gray flipped himself over Bartron, trapping the man under intricate bars of ice.
"Popsicle?" Natsu blurted, shocked by the appearance of our friend.
"Lyon?" I was bewildered by the other ice mage, who was shooting various attacks at his former ally. He met my gaze and smiled softly.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you on the plane. It would have prematurely blown my cover. I'm making amends for it now." He assured me, before sprinting forward to assist Gray.
"Get Lucy out of here Pyro! We can handle this. Ice make shield!" A large wall of ice took the brunt of Bartron's dark energy as Gray spun. "Ice make ice bringer!" Two swords formed in his hand as he slashed them down on Bartron. Natsu's hand found mine, his claws retracted. He tugged me away from the battle, heading towards the forest. A dark wall formed in front of us, towering over the trees and blocking us from entering the forest. Two men and a few Doriks formed from the wall, eyes locked on us. I shrunk back behind Natsu, cursing myself. I was useless without my spirits.
"Requip: flight armor! Sonic claw!" Erza. Her voice echoed around us as she blurred by, carving her blade through the men and dark creatures. "Natsu! Lucy! Go. Gajeel and Levy need help taking down the barrier." She ordered and Natsu growled, yanking me away from the battle. We sprinted around the outside of the building. There was silence between us besides our heavy breathing.
"Water cane!" The woman standing before us was hit by a whip of water, sending her body flying from our path. "Juvia will handle her!" The water mage growled, her eyes holding fury. "This woman tried to hurt Gray. Juvia will meet you at the exit point." She snarled, sprinting forward to continue her attack on the woman. Natsu didn't hesitate, continuing to pull me along until we reached Gajeel and Levy.
"Solid script: iron!" Levy shouted, seconds before Gajeel inhaled the solidifying words. His wounds were pulled close by iron, the blood drying on his body.
"Thanks Shrimp." Gajeel huffed, an adoring glint in his eyes as he wiped his lips with the back of his hand. Both of them were panting, bruised, and bleeding. Despite this, Levy threw herself forward, wrapping her arms around me, separating Natsu and I.
"Lu! You guys are just in time. Here, help us break the barrier." She placed the familiar pouch and whip in my hands and my jaw dropped. My spirits were safe in my possession once again and I found myself able to breathe easier. "Wendy found them!" She gestured to the smaller dragon slayer.
"Wendy!" I dropped to my knees and hugged the smaller girl to my chest. There wasn't a scratch on her and she looked healthier.
"Lucy! Let me heal you. Stay still." She slipped from my grasp and held her hands over the worst of my wounds. A gentle cooling sensation settled over them as the wounds were pulled close. She swayed slightly, stumbling backwards and into Natsu's arms. "Natsu." She smiled widely and he hugged her closely.
"I'm glad you're okay Wendy. I'm so sorry." He whispered into her hair and she pushed him away.
"There's nothing you need to apologize for. They underestimated me and I was able to escape. They know the true strength of a dragon slayer now and I'm here to help, so that's what matters! Erza said we have to combine our magic and break down the barrier." She had a spark of determination in her eyes and it had an effect on all of us.
"Right! Let's do this guys!" Natsu's fists clenched and he turned towards the wall.
"Open! Gate of the golden bull! Taurus!" I shouted, feeling what little magic energy I regained leave my fingertips.
"Can I get a smoooooch?" Taurus bellowed out as he formed before us.
"Taurus, when everyone else attacks, hit the wall with all you have!" I pointed to the barrier and he smirked, nodding and turning towards it.
"Solid script bullet!" "Sky dragon's roar!" "Iron dragon's lance: demon logs!" "Fire dragon's brilliant flame!" My friends shouted, their powers assaulting the wall as Taurus launched himself forward to join.
"Rampage!" He shouted, shaking the ground with his power. The combination of attacks shattered the barrier and everyone let out a sigh of relief. Levy leaned onto Gajeel for support as his arms curled protectively around her. Taurus returned to the spirit world, unable to say anything before my magical energy depleted. Wendy stumbled backwards, Natsu falling to his knees to catch her before she hit the ground. We were all exhausted, but grateful that our method worked. The relief was short-lived though. Everyone tensed as clapping sounded behind us. I slowly turned to look over my shoulder, eyes falling on a beautiful woman, standing tall with a deep red dress hugging her frame. Her hair was wild, framing her sharp facial features. She was the woman from the alley before I got to Mystic. What was she doing here? Her hands clapped together mockingly, a smirk on her face.
"Thanks for the show. Too bad you won't have the strength to do it again." She laughed as another barrier replaced the shattered wall.
"Lauraline." Natsu growled and my heart clenched. She simply smiled, eyes locked on the fire dragon slayer.
"It's been a long time, Natsu."