A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry for taking so long to upload. :( But I'm back! :D Unfortunately, break is going to be ending after this week, and I have some big papers to complete that I've been…ahem…putting off for quite some time, so I might be gone for another long while. :( Anyways, I have some people to thank and things to say about this chapter! But we'll start with thank yous! Today's thanks go to fairyofthelake, FoxOnPie, severedserenity, and Shonnyterra for reviewing on Chapter 10! And to InfernaLux for following! (Sorry everyone else who has been reviewing and following/favoriting already…I've been a lazy douche bag and haven't been thanking everyone until these last few chapters. :( Gomenasai! So I'll just say, "Thank you to everyone else who has reviewed, favorited or followed! From now on, I will be doing this thanking thing every chapter."

Anyways, on to the note about this chapter…I know before that I had said that Kaarme, has dark eyes, but I decided to change that and make them pale blue. :3 I have already gone back and changed that in the ninth chapter, for any future readers. Sorry about that! And also, I have added a pink streak in his hair next to the blond one. I know you all don't really care about the fine details, but I feel bad about letting you go on imagining him a different way. O.o So anyways, thank you for your patience if you actually took the time to read all this! I'll shut up and let you get to the story now. :)

Chapter Eleven – Natsu's Return!

Juvia

I was sent flying backwards by another blast of heat as Aprindere lazily flung his arm out. He smirked as Evergreen's hair caught fire. She shrieked and fell to the ground, trying to smother it by rolling. Elfman roared in anger as he attempted to assist, but only ended up catching his shirt on fire.

"You idiot! Look what you've done! You've only made it worse by catching yourself on fire now, too! Why can't you ever think?" Evergreen shouted amidst the ruckus and flailing limbs.

"A real man never stands by while a woman is on fire!" Elfman bellowed in response, unfazed in his attempts to pat out the fire in Evergreen's hair.

Suppressing the urge to roll my eyes, I used my magic to put out the fires. They laid there panting on their backs as they dripped water, which was already starting to rise off their bodies as steam from the heat that engulfed us like a cloud. Most of Elfman's shirt was burned away, leaving streaks of soot across his chest along with several scorch marks. Evergreen's hair was smoking from its ragged ends, which were now several inches shorter than they had been.

Another shriek from Wendy's direction alerted me to the Dragonslayer's fiery predicament, and I quickly doused the flames with water. Fortunately, my water magic seemed to be pretty effective against this explosion mage, and I could tell that he was starting to get annoyed. He shot me a nasty look as I put out yet another fire caused by his explosions.

"Water Jigsaw!" My body transformed into a rapidly spinning cyclone of water blades as I launched myself at Aprindere. His eyes widened in horror as he aimed an explosion at me. Droplets of water were sent flying every which direction, but were immediately drawn back into the cyclone just before I slammed into him. He yelled as the blades sliced his suit jacket to ribbons and left him flat on his back. Returning to my more humanoid state, I landed behind him in a crouch as I watched in intently.

He rose to his feet, panting and dripping blood. Shock and rage warred on his face as he regarded me with wide gold eyes. "What are you?" he asked in a repulsed voice.

I froze in shock. Blinked a few times. Memories flooded me from a time I'd all but forgotten in the joy of belonging to a guild that appreciated me. In my mind's eye, I saw other children my age pointing at me and laughing.

"Look," they taunted, throwing wads of paper at me. "It's that freak who always makes it rain. It's so depressing when she's around…let's tie her to the desk, so she can't come out to recess with us and ruin the nice weather!" And so I spent the next hour tied to a desk, all alone in the classroom as I watched the other children playing through the window. Having fun without me.

Later, when the wads of paper were replaced with bigger objects, their taunting took on a new edge. A memory fluttered across my mind of a group of children surrounding me on the day of a field trip.

"Stupid rain girl!" one of them shouted. "Because of you, it's storming so much that we can't go on the field trip! Why don't you just go away!" A textbook flew through the air towards my head.

Not knowing what else to do, I made my body turn to water, allowing the book to pass harmlessly through my head. As the book slid across the desk behind me, the other students gaped in silence.

"You are…made of water? What are you, freak?!" they cried, half of the class throwing more books at me while the other half ran as far away from me as the room would permit. "No one will ever like a freak like you!"

No one…will ever like a freak like me. Maybe they were right, all along. That must be why Gray-sama seems so disgusted with my affections. My eyes widened as I recalled the way he always ignored my advances. Does he…think that I'm a freak? Tears filled my eyes as I pondered the ramifications.

"JUVIA!"

My head snapped up as I heard Lyon calling my name, a panicked note in his voice. Time seemed to slow as I saw him running towards me, and I wondered why he was doing so with such a horrified look on his face. And then I saw the huge, flaming chunk of roof headed straight for me.

"Good bye, freak," Aprindere said in a sing-song voice.

I closed my eyes, knowing that I wouldn't have time to move. Something slammed into me, and I was sent sprawling to the ground. But it didn't crush me, like I'd been expecting. Hesitantly, I cracked first one eye open, and then the other. My eyes widened in shock as I saw a familiar white-haired ice mage standing in front of me, a wall of ice in front of his outstretched hands. The flaming debris slammed into the ice, sending cracks across its surface. But the wall held, much to my relief. Lyon slowly lowered his arms, once he was sure that the wall was going to hold. He turned to me, a slight smile on his face. For a moment, in the golden firelight and falling rain, I thought that he…looked like a prince.

Juvia! I yelled in my head. How could you betray Gray-sama that way? Gray-sama is your only prince!

Another voice chimed in with a snide tone. Yeah, and he isn't ever going to return your feelings, is he? But there is a perfectly handsome man standing right in front of you, who actually cares for you!

But what if Gray-sama does return my feelings one day? I wailed to the other voice. I can't give up on him!

So you're just going to waste your life away pining after some man while you wait for the ghost of a day when he'll turn around and realize that he loves you, too? What if it never comes? The last was said in a quiet voice. There was a moment of silence before it spoke again. You deserve happiness, too, Juvia.

I deserve…happiness. My cheeks flushed as I stared up at Lyon, wide-eyed. He met my gaze with a concerned look.

"Juvia? Are you okay?" He took a step towards me.

"J-Juvia is confused," I stammered softly, propping myself up on my elbows as my cheeks turned even redder.

Lyon crouched down in front of me, gently tilting my chin so that he could look into my face. I refused to meet his searching gaze as I cast my eyes to the side. After a moment, Lyon released me and I snuck a glance at him. A knowing smile stretched his lips, and his cheeks looked pinker than they had a moment ago.

W-wait! Does he know what I was thinking?! Kyaah! So embarrassing!

My flustered thoughts were interrupted when Aprindere exploded a stall behind us. I jumped a little, realizing that I'd actually forgotten about him for a moment! In the middle of battle! Juvia, what are you doing?! Allowing yourself to get distracted by Lyon! Gray-sama would be—

Ashamed by my incompetence. I felt like crying as I recognized the truth of that thought. He only saw me as a nuisance.

Resolving to stay focused on this battle until the enemy was defeated, I got to my feet. Lyon rushed to help me up, taking my elbow to steady me.

"Well, as cute as this little development is, I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you both now." The irritated voice drew my gaze to Aprindere, who was standing in the same spot he'd been in before. But this time, he had his hand locked around Chelia's windpipe, her struggles growing weaker as her oxygen supply was cut off.

"Let her go!" Eve shouted, sending a flurry of snow at the suited man. Aprindere destroyed the pillars of a stall on his other side, causing it to fall across his path and block the blizzard. The pink-haired girl ceased her struggles as she went limp in his grasp.

"Chelia!" Lyon and I shouted at the same time. He raced towards his guildmate, sending two snow tigers after Aprindere as he went. The snow tigers exploded simultaneously in a burst of icy shards.

I cried out as several of the razor chunks sliced into Lyon, sending drops of scarlet blood spraying. He didn't even slow as he created an ice floor and continued running towards Aprindere. The explosion mage cursed as his footing slipped, causing his hold to loosen on Chelia. Lyon slammed into them, tearing Chelia away from Aprindere's grasp as he drove an ice-coated fist into the man's gut.

Aprindere growled as he staggered backwards, just barely managing to keep his footing. Once he was safely out of reach, Lyon gently set Chelia down on the ground. The Sky Godslayer was already stirring, thanks to her inbuilt healing abilities.

Using his momentary distraction as an opportunity to attack, I sent a massive wave of scalding water at Aprindere. The front half of the wave turned to corkscrewing razorblades, headed straight for him. With surprisingly quick reflexes, he jumped straight up, avoiding the worst of the attack. He hissed as a few of the higher water blades sliced through his thigh.

"Crazy bitch," he snarled, hatred twisting his handsome face into a grotesque mask. "You will pay for that one. But before I kill you, I'm going to make you watch as I torture your boyfriend there."

I was too afraid for Lyon to bother correcting Aprindere about our relationship. He smirked at me and a second later, I heard Lyon cry out in pain as he was sent flying into the air by an explosion right beneath his feet.

"Lyon!" I cried, throwing a cushion of water beneath him to slow his descent. He sank into it until he slowly touched down on solid ground again, and I allowed the water to crash to the ground. A grimace of pain twisted his features as he nodded gratefully at me. But before he had a chance to recover, he was sent flying backwards as Aprindere exploded his very magic. Lyon yelled as his magic was once again exploded.

"Stop it!" I shrieked, hurling a javelin of water at Aprindere. The mage ducked out of the way, exploding Lyon's magic again as he tried to summon it to make a snow ape.

"So, Ice Mage. Do you want me to stop?" He allowed Lyon to climb laboriously to his feet, wiping a trickle of blood from his mouth. "I promise to cease attacking you…if you recant your feelings for the water freak so that everyone can hear."

I felt my gut tighten in anticipation of those words that would spare Lyon his life. However, my eyes widened in shock as he began speaking.

"Stop calling her a freak," Lyon growled, his eyes glowing with fury. "You dare call her a freak, when you are the one who enjoys making others suffer? You're the freak! The woman I see standing there is the most beautiful, kind-hearted, strong woman I know. She is beautiful because she has love in her heart, and it shines brighter than your stupid flames ever could, even if it is for another man. My very heart quivers whenever I'm near her, and as long as she is happy, then I cannot know sorrow. So I will never betray my heart and defile my lips by uttering those foul words! I will love Juvia Lockser until the day I die, and if that day be today, so be it."

I was shocked to find that my cheeks were wet with tears when he finished speaking. He stood straight and proud, his eyes determined and brave. My heart started pounding when he flashed me a small, sad smile. What is this feeling? I thought breathlessly. It's just like the one I always get around Gray-sama. Is this…love?

Black fury shadowed Aprindere's face. "So be it. You have made your decision. And now you shall pay the price."

Several things happened at once then. Aprindere shouted and flung his arms forward at the same moment that Wendy yelled, "Natsu-san's body! It's…glowing!"

I turned to look, and saw that it was, in fact, glowing with a pulsing red light. Just before it caught fire. Wendy screamed and my hands flew to my mouth. Everyone turned to look, even Aprindere. Not an inch of Natsu's body was left untouched by flame. They had sprouted without warning, and had not started in one place and then spread, as normal fire does. They had just suddenly appeared there, covering every inch of skin, cloth and hair. Less than ten seconds after the flames had appeared, they suddenly snuffed out. And Natsu's body was gone, not a trace left.

"Ah well," Aprindere chortled. "It's a suiting end for the Fire Dragon. In fact, he resembles the state you will shortly find yourself in, Ice Mage." He turned back to Lyon, intending to finish what he'd started. By killing him. And while my feelings for Lyon might still be confusing and unclear to me, one thing was not.

I knew that no matter what, I was not going to let Aprindere succeed. I would save Lyon.

Lucy

I don't know why I called out to Natsu in my mind. There was no way he could hear me, and even if he could, there was no way he could get to me fast enough. I refused to believe what the mage had said about him already having been 'dealt with.' The most I could hope for was that the giant sea serpent wouldn't eat me before I could find a way back onto the cliff. Maybe I could summon Aquarius….

My hand went to my belt and wrapped around my key pouch, trying to draw some measure of comfort from its solid presence. But all I could think of was how much it was going to hurt when I hit the water. Kaarme and I were tumbling through the air, each of us trying to put the other on the bottom to use as a shield for when we would strike the water. He still had my whip, so I couldn't let go of him until I took it back. But he was determined to keep it from me. I had cracked my eyes open a little so that I could see what I was doing (because, ya know, it would be extremely awkward if I accidentally grabbed…ahem…something else…). Nothing I did worked, though. His arms were longer, so he had a greater range on me when he held it out behind his back.

The water was only fifteen feet away when something flashed in my periphery. The next second, I was slamming into something hard and warm as I was lifted upwards. My hand locked around the handle of my whip just as Kaarme rolled off whatever I had landed on. He disappeared over the edge of…a red, scaly ledge, plummeting towards the ocean below.

I gasped and sat up, looking around with wide, panicked eyes at what I was sitting on. It was big, and looked like…a dragon! With deep red scales that were warm to my touch. A scream tore from my lips as I threw myself down and grabbed onto the dragon's back, terrified that I would be thrown off. We were rapidly rising straight up, the cliff already far below.

Lucy! a familiar voice shouted in my head. Don't be afraid, Lucy! It's me, Natsu!

I looked up at the scaly head of the dragon, shock plastered across my face. "Na…Natsu?! Are you saying that this dragon is you?"

A slightly self-conscious chuckle sounded in my head. Yeah. It's a long story. Instead of telling you…let me show you what happened.

Earlier that day, after Igneel told Natsu that he would teach him one last ability

The giant red dragon regarded me knowingly. Very well. However, before you go, there is something I must tell you, and one last skill I will teach you.

I reached up and rested my palm against his warm red snout. It slid around his jaw to rest against his chin as I pressed my forehead to his nose, closing my eyes.

Natsu, his deep voice rumbled in my mind. This is an ability that has been lost to the world for centuries. Once I tell you what it is, you will understand the weight of the responsibilities that come with it. For it is powerful magic, far beyond anything this world has known for many years. And with this power, you will need to realize that it is only to be used in times of real need. I will let you be the one to make the decision about what qualifies as a dire enough circumstance. My final task will be to teach it to you.

Your final task? I asked in my mind. What do you mean, Igneel?

Once I impart this knowledge to you, I will be moving on to the realm of the dead.

Panic filled me for a moment, and my eyes shot open. "Igneel…. " Mindful of the other dragons gathered around us, I closed my eyes again and returned to conversing telepathically. But why? You've been living here all this time, right? Why can't you stay here?

Igneel sighed. This realm is only for those who do not interfere in the affairs of the living. By teaching you this skill, I am interfering. And so my time will come to an end here, and I shall pass into a place to which you cannot yet follow. Now, do not feel sad, my son. This is my decision to make. And I do not make it lightly. I have known this day would come for many years. For this is the only way that you can save your friends, Natsu. And after all, death isn't really the end of things, is it? He chuckled a little, and I felt Weisslogia and Skiadrum smiling behind me. I remembered then that they, too, were dead. Maybe that meant that I would still be able to see Igneel here, even after he passed into the realm of the dead.

Alright. I understand. A little sorrow crept into my voice, despite my efforts to keep it strong. I'm ready, Igneel.

Good. You must be fully committed to seeing this through. And now, I will begin. This ability that I am teaching you…is the ability to literally transform yourself into a dragon. Long, long ago, the first Dragonslayers all had this ability. They took to the skies with their dragons, sprouting wings that were identical to their parent dragons'. That is because in this ancient ritual, the dragon and the Dragonslayer become one in spirit, their magics joining together. To achieve this, there are a few steps that must be completed.

I felt Igneel taking my hand in his massive paw, but kept my eyes closed.

Using this ceremonial knife, made from the claw of the Ancestor—the first dragon—I shall spill our blood to make room for the new blood.

A sharp pain spread along my palm, and I felt my blood welling from the wound and dripping to the ground. I heard Igneel slicing the claw across his own palm, the scales clicking where they parted. Then a warm, scaly paw was pressed against my hand, and I felt a strange sensation, like our hands were being fused together.

Now, produce a flame in the hand that is joined with mine. I complied, feeling the old, familiar heat flare up around my hand. And then a new heat was added to it, one that was different and yet just as familiar; Igneel's fire.

One last step, now. I must say the incantation, and you must repeat after me, but using the word 'human' where I say 'dragon'. It must be said all at once. Are you ready?

I nodded, resolving to do it right.

Blood of the Dragon, course through the veins of the Human. Breath of the Dragon, inflate the lungs of the Human. Tears of the Dragon, flow down the cheeks of the Human. Flames of the Dragon, burn in the heart of the Human. By fire and blood I seal this rite, with the living and the dead as my witness. Be it even so.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself to repeat the incantation. Blood of the Human, course through the veins of the Dragon. Breath of the Human, inflate the lungs of the Dragon. Tears of the Human, flow down the cheeks of the Dragon. Flames of the Human, burn in the heart of the Dragon. By fire and blood I seal this rite, with the living and the dead as my witness. Be it even so.

A warm, tingling sensation swept through me, and I opened my eyes. Igneel and I were encompassed about by a wall of flame. He released my hand, and I looked down at my cut palm. The wound had completely healed, only dried blood caking the flesh to show for it. Not even a scar remained. I looked up at Igneel, feeling a fierce wind pick up around us, like we were in a giant vortex. In his black eyes, I saw my own reflection peering back at me. But it wasn't quite the same. Red scales had surfaced across my skin, and I was…growing. Soon, I was on the same level as Igneel, and the ring of fire stretched to accommodate my rapidly elongating body. When I looked back, a scarlet tail lashed back and forth.

I tried to say something to Igneel, but my vocal chords had also changed, and all that came out was a bone-rattling roar. A grin stretched my dragon snout as my transformation was completed. Opening a telepathic channel with Igneel, I laughed. Igneel! I look just like you!

I could feel him smiling as he watched me. I felt like a small child again. As soon as the fire disappeared, I galloped off across the field. The dragons parted for me as I passed, and I laughed at the giddy feeling that came over me. I'm a dragon! Wait 'til the others see me like this…they're gonna shit a brick!

As I unfolded my massive new wings, I luxuriated in the feeling of sinew and bones cracking and stretching. Catching an air current beneath the leathery undersides of my wings, I took to the air. I roared my pleasure to the sky, and then Igneel was there at my side, roaring with me. I wanted to capture this moment forever. Our first—and last—time flying side by side.

Are you ready to return? Igneel asked.

Though part of me wanted to deny it, I knew that I couldn't. My friends needed me. And I couldn't let them down. I wouldn't. So I nodded, even though my heart was breaking.

Your body in the living world will disappear, returning to the elements. This is your new body. A dragon, once sleeping, has awoken within you. You will be able to return to your human form at any time, but now you have the ability to unlock your dragon form at will. The blood of a dragon flows through your veins. The fire of a dragon burns in your heart. Now, go to your friends. We will all fly with you one last time.

One by one, the other dragons all spread their wings and rose into the air. Soon, they were all flanking me as we flew through the skies. I was one with them, and they were one with me. Though I felt the tug on my body that signified the end of my time here, I mustered up one last roar. It was echoed by all the other dragons, and together, we beat our wings and soared through the sky.

Think of the location you wish to appear in, Igneel's voice said in my head. It sounded fainter than it had before.

Good bye, Igneel. Thank you for everything. I promise I will do you proud. Hot tears leaked from my eyes and slid down my scaly cheeks. Tears that reflected the ones sliding down Igneel's.

Farewell, Natsu. You have already done me proud…my son.

As my connection to this realm grew weaker, and I felt myself slipping back into the realm of the living, I turned to look at all the other dragons. They were spread out through the air, hundreds of wings beating simultaneously. I was part of that now. Even though I would be parting ways, something told me that this wasn't the end. I would fly with the dragons again.

I will see you again…Father.

Lucy, present time

Tears streamed down my cheeks as the last of the vision faded from my mind. Their reunion was beautiful, and bittersweet. But I believed that Natsu would see Igneel again. And maybe one day, I would meet him, too.

"I'm glad you came back, Natsu," I whispered, hugging him and pressing my damp cheek to his warm, scaly back. I didn't know if he could hear me, but he gave a roar of elation as he turned around and dove back down towards the cliff. I clung on as tightly as I could, using my knees to grip his back, as well. As we rapidly approached, I saw that the mage was standing on the head of his sea monster, his pale blue eyes glaring up at us.

The black dragon on the cliff was battling Yukino and the celestial spirits. They were all streaked with blood and their clothes were torn and scorched. As I watched, I saw it turn to give us a savage grin before shooting a black ball of flames at Loki. The leader of the Zodiac managed to dodge most of it, but a little corner of his pants caught fire, the black flames leaping across his body like lightning. He yelled in pain as he fell to his knees, clutching his head. It looked like he was being electrocuted. But then he fell over, not moving. He was somehow paralyzed. Fear prickled my stomach. That fire had the ability to paralyze if it touched you, and it moved like lightning. Clearly, the others on the cliff were out of their league.

"Natsu," I shouted over the rushing wind. "Drop me on the sea serpent. You go help the others take down that black dragon. I'll take care of Kaarme and this snake."

Lucy! his alarmed voice shouted in my mind. Are you sure about that? He turned his head to glance quickly at me over his shoulder.

I wasn't sure at all. "I'm sure."

Alright. His voice sounded strained, but he veered towards the leviathan rising out of the water. I'm going to trust you. But you're not allowed to lose! Do you hear me? And if it looks like you're about to…be killed, then I promise you, I'll be right there.

I smiled at his words. Yep, it was still Natsu, alright. "Alright. Now go on. They need you up there." I slapped him affectionately, and felt his rumbling snort of skepticism through his back.

As we neared the mage and his spirit, Natsu twisted in the air so that I was sent flying off his back, headed straight for the mage. The strange thing was, as I sailed through the air like a torpedo, I wasn't afraid of the outcome. They might have a dragon of their own, but so did we now. We have Natsu…and he's worth a hundred of Kaarme's spirit dragons.

And so I tightened my grip on my celestial whip and prepared to enter the battle of my life.

So, I know that I'm taking a little creative license here with the whole Juvia thing (in case you hadn't figured it out by now, this is going to be a Lyvia fic), but I had to find some way to make her feelings shift. :P So this is what you're stuck with.

Aaaanyways, please favorite, follow and leave a review! :D Thank you for reading this chapter!