Chapter 14

Morning broke over Death City and bright sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains in Lucy's room causing Gray to stir and wake. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room to check if the day before had been a blissful dream, but when he looked down he found Lucy's sleeping form snuggled as far into his chest as she could since he was on his side facing her. A proud and loving smile beamed on his face as he thought about how he couldn't believe that Lucy would fall for him, especially given the first time they met Natsu stole his underwear in a guild brawl so he asked to borrow hers. Deciding he didn't want the moment to end he carefully slid down the bed so he was eye level with her and snaked his arms around her waist, closing his eyes he heard Lucy say softly "don't want this moment to end either huh?" Snapping his eyes open he was met with the sight of Lucy's chocolate brown orbs, "sorry Luce I didn't mean to wake you" Gray replied apologetically making Lucy giggle, "you didn't" she said through the giggles "I've been awake for a while but I was so comfy that I didn't wanna move." Smiling with contentment she snuggled in as far as she could brushing against something with her leg that she wasn't expecting, "erm Gray, remember how you went to bed wearing boxers? Well I think you stripped during the night," his eyes widened in shock, he lifted up the duvet hoping he hadn't but, much to his embarrassment, it turned out he had indeed stripped during the night. He blushed like mad and was about to repeatedly apologise when Lucy stopped him by putting her finger on his lips and pulling herself up so she was face to face with him, "Gray is I minded you being naked I wouldn't have given you the option last night." Before another word could be said she removed her finger from his lips and replaced it with her own lips, as they wrapped their arms around each other the kiss that was ment to be quick became much more passionate, to the point that Gray rubbed her bottom lip with his tongue wanting access, gaining him a moan of surprise from Lucy and another of ecstasy as she allowed access and their tongues danced and explored each other's mouths.

It was mid morning by the time the two dragged themselves out of bed and went downstairs, only to be bombarded by numerous amused and knowing looks. The morning continued with most of the remaining guild members teasing the new couple playfully and with Jura reminding Lucy that he needed an answer as to whether she was willing to be saint candidate. Suddenly and without warning Natsu dropped to his knees holding his stomach with a grimace of pain on his face, "Natsu!" several people exclaimed rushing towards him, only to stop in their tracks when they felt an increasing amount of heat radiating from him. Looking up his now reptilian eyes locked on Lucy before he spoke with anger in his voice, "it's Jen, she's hurt...bad!" Without another word he got up and began to head for the door, only to be stopped in his tracks when Lucy shouted his name, he turned his head slowly giving off a look that would instil fear into even the strongest of people and said in a low, angry and threatening voice, "you can't stop me Luce." Lucy wasn't even slightly fazed by the look Natsu was giving her, she confidently walked up to him and flicked him on the forehead catching him off guard, before softly saying "I have no intention of stopping you Natsu, in fact I'm coming with you." Natsu's face still held rage but it was no longer directed at Lucy, who turned to the guild and commanded "Gray your coming too, Laxus you're in charge until we return, keep everyone here including Oliver and Soul if they return." The three turned and made for the door only to be stopped yet again, this time by Jura "wait Miss Lucy! I need your answer for the council, if you leave without giving one they may decide to remove your name from the running." Lucy slowly turned giving off an aura so scary it would put Erza's to shame, "my answer..." she said through gritted teeth, "they are so desperate for my answer that they would have me prioritize that over the well being of my guild members?! Well bollocks to them! How dare you and the council assume I would put gaining some title above my guild members!" With a final look of anger and disappointment she turned and ran out of the door with the two boys, leaving a lot of stunned faces behind her.

As they ran through the streets of Death City Lucy took two keys off of her chain and summoned Loke and Virgo. "I have a job for you two" she started "use my magic to summon yourselves to Jennifer's team, once your there assess the situation, if they're under attack then I want you to provide support Loke and you to return and report to me Virgo." Without a hint of hesitation they agreed, but before they disappeared Loke handed Lucy a key "here princess, once you're out of the city use this" he winked at Gray before disappearing in golden light with Virgo, "if that summons what I think it will we'll get there quickly" Gray said with a slight smile on his face. Once they were out of the city Lucy stepped forward and held out the unknown key.

I, Lucy Heartfillia, Celestial Mage and barer of the Zodiac keys command thee, in the name of Leo the Lion to pass through the Celestial gate. Unknown Gate Open!

The magic circle appeared before her and a huge flash of light signalled that something had been summoned. Once the light had faded Lucy was left shocked as she had been expecting to see a new spirit but instead saw a magic mobile. "I thought so" said Gray almost smugly "that is a magic mobile Loke got while he was hiding in Fairy Tail, whenever he wasn't being a ladies' man he was tinkering with this. Trust me it's fast, probably more so now, looks like he's made a few more changes." Gray climbed into the back and Lucy made for the driver's seat when she was stopped by the person she expected least, Natsu. Before she could even say a word Natsu had strapped himself in saying calmly "my magic will get us there faster, I'll be fine I'm doing this for Jennifer after all." Seeing a look of determination on his face Lucy nodded and climbed in next to her boyfriend as Natsu hit the accelerator and the vehicle sped off at insane speeds. In 20 minutes they travelled a distance that would normally take 2 hours by train, against all odds Natsu was perfectly fine aside from a slight green tinge to his cheeks. A flash of light inside the cab signalled Virgo had returned, "it's bad princess" she started with an emotionless face, "The enemy has yet to reveal itself but appears to be airborne and can attack with powerful long range attacks. When we arrived Miss Erza was attempting to get close enough to attack while Miss Evergreen and Miss Maka provide close cover for Miss Wendy as she heals Miss Jennifer who has been wounded fairly badly. Brother Loke has taken up position to provide additional cover for Miss Wendy but the enemy's attacks are too rapid, they're forcing Miss Wendy to keep stopping." Hearing Jennifer's condition Natsu's anger and power exploded, causing their speed to increase by at least 3 times, looking out of the back window Gray was gobsmacked to see that the tires were actually leaving a trail of fire, like they were in a Ghost rider movie. All together it took less than 30 minutes to travel a distance that should have taken over 5 hours. They dismounted and rushed over to Wendy who had just had to stop healing to avoid being hit once again. When Natsu reached her he saw Jennifer laid on the ground, her shirt drenched in blood that was coming from a nasty wound to her stomach, as he stared his breathing became faster and shallower, in his head his emotions went haywire, fear, hate, anger, paranoia, depression, rage, they all hit him at once threatening to send him into a panic attack. He was so focused on Jennifer he never heard Wendy trying to get his attention "...su...Natsu...NATSU!" she shouted snapping his attention to her, "listen to me, I know it's bad but I can save her if I'm not interrupted. All I need you to do is stay with her, she'll need your strength and support." He walked over, dropped to his knees, held her hand and whispered "I'm here Jen and I'm never letting you go." What no one except Gray had noticed was that Lucy was so angry she was literally shaking with rage, "Maka! Ever! Loke! Keep Wendy covered from any enemies getting too close" she began "Gray! Use the strongest barriers you can to shield Wendy, Jen and Natsu. Erza! Fall back and provide backup support for me ONLY if it appears absolutely necessary." As Lucy advanced Erza was about to protest when she noticed that not only was Lucy shaking with rage and giving off an aura of rage and murderous intent, but the ground beneath her feet was cracking, smashing and crumbling from the force of the magic energy she was giving out, she reminded her of former Master Makarov when he was incredibly angry so stepped back and fell into position. "I know you can hear me!" Lucy said loudly to the mysterious enemy "you have injured one of my guild members, the people I consider my FAMILY! And for that crime I shall show no mercy, not even to an old friend!" "hehehe so you worked it out huh, well done" an unknown yet worryingly familiar voice said jokingly as the now familiar enemy landed several metres in front of Lucy, "It's been a while Lucy."